Owner Mimi Costa-White teaches a class of tap dancers at Doreen’s School of the Dance in Antioch.

By Allen Payton

For over 60 years, Doreen’s School of the Dance has been teaching students ballet, tap and jazz, in Antioch. Started by Doreen Pokusa, in 1954, the school has been owned by her daughter, Mimi Costa-White for the last 35 years, after having worked there since she was a young girl.

The school’s first performance was held at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown, and some of the students autographs can be seen on the wall downstairs in the dressing rooms. These days their annual performances are held in June, at Antioch High’s Beede Auditorium, which has a much larger stage and can hold twice as many people.

“The main thrust of our studio is not about competition,” Costa-White shared. “We’re a family studio and all students get to perform on stage.”

The net proceeds from the performance have always gone to college scholarships at both Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools, she added.

Several of their students have gone on to dance on Broadway and for all the Disney theme parks. Others have gone to work behind the scenes, as well and one former student is now an executive at Disney.

Their students get the benefit of Costa-White’s nationally recognized knowledge and experience. She is the past National President of Dance Masters of America (DMA), a 145-year-old organization in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

She’s the author of the DMA Ballet Manual, entitled “The Art of Teaching Ballet,” which is required reading to pass the test for those who want to be members of the organization. It is used in hundreds of ballet studios across the country.

All of Doreen’s teachers are members of DMA and are certified to teach ballet.

Costa-White was also an administrator at the DMA’s teacher training school at the State University of New York in Buffalo, which put her in charge of both the faculty and curriculum.

Dancing since the age of three, her extensive dance education includes studying with the San Francisco Ballet and The Royal Academy of Dancing. She has performed with the San Francisco State University Dance Ensemble and the New York City Ballet.

She also knew the famous Donald O’Connor, who danced with Gene Kelly in “Singing in the Rain,” and served as President of the Professional Dancers Society, which Costa-White was a member.

However, her time, now is focused here, in Antioch and devoted to their students.

“We love these children like they’re our own family,” Costa-White stated. “We teach in a loving and encouraging environment with mutual respect – and we never raise our voices to our kids.”

The school has taught many families throughout the years.

“We have third and fourth-generation students,” she added.

Known as Miss Mimi, Costa-White says in her welcome letter to students “Dance offers so much more than just competency of steps. We encourage and nurture the love of all types of music, develop poise and confidence, emphasize motor skills and, above all, have fun!”

Doreen’s School of the Dance is located at 520 West Third Street. For more information visit them online at www.doreensdance.com or call (925) 757-8981.

Susan Valenzuela

April 25, 1955-January 18, 1996

To our beloved daughter, sister, and mother, Susan Valenzuela. We miss you dearly. We miss your sense of humor, your jokes, your laughter, your silly ways and most of all, your love.

It’s been 19 years since your life was taken so suddenly by a hit and run driver in Antioch, CA while you crossed the street with a friend. He took your life so senselessly and callously drove on. We all hope he lives with the pain and guilt every day for what he’s done. One day, some how, some way, he will pay.

VEHICLE-1971-1973 Buick Riviera or similar make. Light in color, possibly cream or white. Beveled rear window and tapered dolphin tail rear end.

SUSPECT-Hispanic or African American male with medium build, 25 to 30 years old (19 years ago) with corn row like hair style.

LOCATION-10th Street in Antioch, CA approximately 10 pm.

After this coward hit Susan with excessive speed, throwing her 120 feet, he got out of his vehicle and looked at what he had done to her. Shamelessly, he refused to help and fled from the scene, avoiding all responsibility and consequence.

If anyone has any information regarding this horrific incident, please call the Antioch Police Department or the Antioch Herald. A $10,000 reward is being offered by Susan’s family for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

Publisher’s Note: The Herald first posted this from her family in 2012 and will continue to post it near the anniversary of her death, each year, until her killer is found.

Picking up up where “Dear America, Do You Hear What I Hear?” left off, Glenn Willis, Ed.D., has dedicated his new book to all the middle class citizens who still yearn for the mythical American dream and believe that change is possible. “Dear America, Where Do We Go From Here?” is available now on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Nobles (Nook books).

An adjunct professor and disabled veteran, Dr. Willis has organized his latest book as a selection of heartfelt, impassioned letters concerning a myriad of current events and social issues. Yet rather than standing on a soapbox and pronouncing an agenda, he offers questions and propositions that should give every reader pause, regardless of his or her political orientation.

“America is the color of the rainbow,” remarked Dr. Willis. “We’re a nation of many cultures and histories, though many of our representatives have developed the worst kind of tunnel vision. Today, Congress protects the interests of the few and turns a deaf ear to the voice of the many. Both parties play this game, and it’s ordinary Americans who are losing every day.”

While the entire middle class has borne the weight of government inaction or cronyism, military veterans have faced perhaps the toughest struggle of all. VA hospital scandals, needless foreign wars and low pay for troops have made it difficult for the nation to keep its promises to veterans. Dr. Willis urges elected leaders to consider the plight of those who have already sacrificed nearly everything yet received so little in return.

Dr. Willis’s vision is to share his hard-won knowledge and experience with today’s generation. He feels the principles that made this nation powerful and humane can still have a transformative effect on society.

Dr. Glenn Willis

About Glenn Willis

A retired Viet Nam era disabled veteran, Glenn Willis, Ed.D, was born in Camden, New Jersey. He dropped out of Rutgers University towards the end of the Viet Nam War and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon his discharge, Dr. Willis returned to Rutgers to complete his course work before moving to California to continue his education. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in English and Creative Writing, and an MA in English Literature. Later, he earned his Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. Glenn has held the positions of Dean of Students, Dean of Instructional Services, Academic Dean and Director of Academic Affairs. His love for teaching and touching the lives of students encouraged his return to the classroom.

Currently, Dr. Willis is an Adjunct English Professor at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California. He is the author of science fiction novel “Terror in Oaktown,” and the nonfiction book, “Dear America, Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Dear America, Where Do We Go From Here?”

To purchase Willis’ books, visit www.wtbayareapublishing.com.

Detectives from the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office, Office of the Sheriff and Antioch Police Department continue to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday in Antioch.

At about 1240 PM, Deputy Sheriffs from the Civil Unit went to an apartment complex on the one thousand block of Claudia Ct. in Antioch to carry out a Domestic Violence Restraining Order/Criminal Protective Order, which included a move out order.

Deputies contacted the occupant, 29-year-old Dewayne Ward, who had prior law enforcement contacts. Ward had a no bail probation warrant. During the contact, Ward did not obey verbal commands from the deputies and resisted. Deputies then deployed force options that included pepper spray, a police K-9 and a Taser. They did not appear to have any effect on him. Ward continued to resist and charged at a deputy with a knife (see attached photo). The deputy fired his duty weapon striking the armed man. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The deputy sheriff that shot Ward is Scott Pliler, who has been with the Office of the Sheriff for 13 years. He is currently a K-9 Deputy assigned to Patrol Division.

The autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday).

If anyone has any information on this case, Detectives can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Opening Reception, Wednesday, February 4 from 4 – 6 p.m.

From the 2014 Art4Schools High School reception at the Lynn House Gallery.

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch is proud to present artworks from Antioch High School students at the 10th Annual Art4Schools Exhibits at the Lynn House Gallery. There are many talented students in Antioch and this an opportunity to showcase their art like a professional artist in a local gallery. Antioch High School Art Instructors have selected the artworks which will be on exhibit from February 4th – February 21st, with an opening reception on February 4th from 4-6 PM. The gallery is open every Wednesday and Saturday from Saturday February 7th – 21st. 

Local art lover, Tom Lamothe, discusses artworks with Antioch High School art teacher Dalu Lingemann at the 2014 reception.

The Art4Schools program has a second exhibit featuring student artworks from Antioch Middle School, Black Diamond Middle School, Dallas Ranch Middle School and Park Middle School from March 11th – March 28th. The opening reception will be held March 11th, from 4-6 PM.  

The Arts4Schools Program is sponsored by the Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, the City of Antioch and a Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund Grant from Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover. In addition to sponsoring the gallery exhibit, Supervisor Glover through the Keller Canyon Mitigation Grant, provides $500 to each participating school to be used for art and cultural supplies and educational endeavors. For more information about each exhibit call Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897 or email Diane@Art4Antioch.org. The Lynn House Gallery is located in the Rivertown District at 809 W. First Street, Antioch (across from the AMTRAK Train Station) and is open from 1 – 4 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays during exhibits and admission is free. 

By DD Chabot

By Jeanette Ahern

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch’s continues their partnership with Antioch’s Umpqua Bank and features seven artists in their upcoming exhibit. The bank is a perfect venue for local artists to showcase their work, which changes every two months. The featured artists for the February and March are: Jeanette Ahern, Lori Cook, Robin Mayoff, Beverly Knight, Bernice Lucerno, Denise Press and Andre’ Salvador. The new exhibit began February 1st and continues through March 30th.  The free artist reception is Wednesday, February 4th, from 5:30 – 6:30 PM.  Please attend the reception to show your support for these outstanding artists. Umpqua Bank is located at 3700 Lone Tree Way and is open Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, excluding bank holidays.

For more information or if you are an artist who would like to participate in future exhibits visit www.art4antioch.org or call Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897.

County Sheriff and Antioch Police personnel investigate the fatal shooting of a man in an apartment on Claudia Court, in Antioch, Tuesday afternoon. By Allen Payton

By Allen Payton

According to Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Jimmy Lee at a brief press conference and via news releases on Tuesday, “At about 1240 PM, Deputy Sheriffs from the Civil Unit went to an apartment complex on the 1000 block of Claudia Court in Antioch to carry out a Domestic Violence Restraining Order/Criminal Protective Order, which included a move out order.

Deputies contacted the occupant, who also had a no bail warrant. During the contact, the occupant resisted and charged at a deputy with a knife. The deputy fired his duty weapon striking the armed man. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The 29-year-old man is not being identified at this time.

Sheriff and police vehicles line the street on Claudia Court, following the fatal shooting, Tuesday afternoon.

Per the county officer involved fatal incident protocol, this officer involved shooting will be investigated by the DA’s Office, Office of the Sheriff and Antioch Police Department.”

No Antioch Police officers were involved in either the serving of the orders or the shooting, but are involved in the investigation, since it occurred in their jurisdiction, Lee stated in response to this reporter’s question.

Around 4:15 p.m., part of the street was still cordoned off, as well as parts of the apartment complex. Residents on the scene, at that time, said police and sheriff department personnel had told them they couldn’t get back into their apartments until as late as 9:00 p.m. and that the man’s body had not yet been removed from the scene.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact Detectives at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.