Archive for April, 2015

Specials for Mother’s Day at Graceland Christian Bookstore

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Graceland web 05-15

Antioch Animal Services to celebrate Peaches’ 7th Birthday Bash on Saturday

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Peaches Birthday Bash

FROM THE DESK OF PEACHES OF ANTIOCH…

Hey Everybody!

I hope you are all as excited about my 7th Birthday Bash as I am! If you haven’t already heard about it, on Saturday, May 2, 2015, from 11am to 3pm, the Staff and Volunteers will be hosting my 7th Birthday Paw-ty at Antioch Animal Services! There will be a Piñata (for kids 10 and under only), a Coloring Contest, a Pin the Pretty Pink Bow on the Peaches Poster Game, Face Painting, Twisty Balloons, a Raffle for some AwesomePrizes, and lots and lots and lots of Birthday Cake!

My 7th Birthday Bash is Free to the public and that means you are all invited! You don’t have to bring a birthday present to attend, but if you’d like to bring one, what I want most of all is cleaning supplies for the Animal Shelter and Sponsorships for our Adoptable Cats and Dogs.

The greatest part about this event is that all Pit Bulls, Pit Bull mixes and Bully Breeds will have an adoption fee of only $7 in honor of my 7th Birthday! So if you’re looking to adopt a dog like me, Saturday, May 2, 2015 is the day!

Also, be sure to wear your Peaches t-shirt so we can get one giant group selfie with me and all of you!

Did I mention that there was going to be birthday cake?!

My 7th Birthday Bash is going to be quite the Paw-ty! So come on down and join the fun at Antioch Animal Services!

See you all on Saturday!

XOXOXO,

Peaches, Resident Shelter Dog

Antioch Animal Services

Happy Birthday Peaches

Black Diamond Middle School band and orchestra perform at music festivals, receive awards

Thursday, April 30th, 2015
The Black Diamond Middle School band and orchestra.

The Black Diamond Middle School band and orchestra.

By John Crowder

On Saturday, March 21, three ensembles of students from Black Diamond Middle School (BDMS) performed at the 2014-2015 California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Bay Section Solo/Ensemble Music Festival at San Jose State University, achieving two excellent and one superior rating.

Then, on Friday, March 27, at the CMEA Large Ensemble Festival held at Deer Valley High School (DVHS), both the Advanced Orchestra and the Festival Band received awards. Superior is the highest rating possible, and Excellent the second-highest.

Excellent ratings were earned by the String Trio of Jeremiah Franco, Joseph Griego and Sophia Thoman and the Woodwind group of Tiffany Danh, Brianna Keleti, Tia Zaiser, and Julian Uy. The superior rating was earned by the Percussion Duo of Abraham Moina and Patrick Queiroz.

A composite Superior Rating in performance and an excellent rating in sight-reading was achieved by the Advanced Orchestra. The Festival Band topped the rankings, and earned the coveted Unanimous Superior rating in performance, and another Superior in sight-reading.

The talented students making up the music groups will be performing in concert at the BDMS Open House, 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 7, then again on Tuesday, May 12, at the BDMS Spring Concert.

Phyllis James, principal at BDMS, credited the hard work of music teacher Damian Ting for much of the success of the music program.

His caring and concern for our students is only surpassed by his love of music,” she said.

Glazer releases Ten Governing Principles for Legislative Service

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

State Senate candidate, Mayor Steve Glazer, today, released his ten governing principles should he be elected in the California Senate special run-off election on May 19, 2015.

Good government and thoughtful decision-making is rarely achieved without a solid blueprint,” Glazer said.  “By releasing these governing principles, voters will know exactly what they can expect from me in conducting their business in Sacramento. You’ll see in these principles my priorities to support education and the environment, and to promote civility and bi-partisanship.”

Glazer’s Ten Governing Principles are as follows:

1. Represent the people of our Senate district, not political parties or special interests. 

2. Maintain a balanced budget to allow government to help people, and people to have confidence in government.

3. Pursue bi-partisan decisions. They are always better and longer lasting.

4. Emphasize education as the gateway to opportunity and prosperity.

5. Work hard to set priorities and hold the line on taxes.

6. Incorporate environmental protection as a part of every decision.

7. Empower local decision-making rather than state mandates. It is more responsive and trustworthy.

8. Advance accountability and efficiency with every government program.

9. Promote civility and respect for all people and perspectives.

10. Conduct myself always with honesty and integrity.

This framework of ten Governing Principles lays out the values I will use when I evaluate budget and policy initiatives,” said Glazer.

Glazer currently serves as the Mayor of Orinda and a Trustee of the California State University, 23-campus system. During his tenure on the Orinda City Council, Glazer has helped balance budgets while making improvements to schools, libraries and roads and is working to pass some of the strongest anti-tobacco laws in the State. He is running against State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla.

State Senate District 7 includes the communities of Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Sunol and Walnut Creek.

The Election will be held Tuesday, May 19.

Group claims Glazer won’t disclose client list, Glazer’s campaign says he’s done so on publicly required forms

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

By Allen Payton

Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Working Families Against Glazer for Senate, a union organization opposing Orinda Mayor Steve Glazer who is running against Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, in the special 7th State Senate election on May 19, has stated in a news release, this week, that “Glazer has made transparency a cornerstone of his candidacy. He has a ‘Transparency Pledge’ on his website and notes ‘voters…should not be left wondering what sort of promises any of us made to secure that position.’”

Why then, when asked by the Contra Costa Times for an article that appeared over the weekend, did Glazer refuse to disclose his clients?” Maviglio asked. “Is it because voters will discover that what puts food on his table is that he’s a political consultant (his website doesn’t mention it)? Is it because they’ll connect the dots and discover that he earned $15,000 per month as a political consultant to JobsPAC, a political action committee, the same PAC that has put $906,290 toward electing him to the Senate?”

Maviglio offered some examples of Glazer’s clients and projects.

In 1998, Glazer managed and was the spokesperson for the campaign supporting two Marin County measures that opened up Black Point Forest, the longtime site of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, to build 53 luxury homes and a golf course. According to Maviglio, the measures, A and B, allowed developers to cut down mature oak trees to make way for the 238-acre development project. Project opponents claimed it would destroy natural habitat and that the developer promised to set aside 64 acres for a wildlife reserve and replant trees to abate the damage.

In 2003, Glazer acted as the political strategist for New York-based mall and supermarket developer Newman Development Group as the company proposed building a big-box Lowe’s store in the town of Cotati in Sonoma County. The measure allowing the store (Measure B) passed by 34 votes in November, and following another unsuccessful initiative [to stop the project] in November, 2004, the store was built and became part of Cotati’s largest development at the time.

Beginning in 2007, Glazer worked as a consultant for the Gold Rush Land development in Amador County. The development project plans included the creation of 12 neighborhoods, of nearly 1,350 homes, a golf course, and community tennis courts on 945 acres within the city of Sutter Creek, a small town with a 2,000-plus population. The project also included assessments for a new fire station, a new water treatment plant, and land for a new school site and a library. The project was anticipated to more than double the population of the town and be completely built out over 20 years.”

So, what other clients is Steve Glazer hiding?” Maviglio asked. “It’s time voters get an answer.”

In response, Glazer’s campaign spokesperson, Jason Bezis simply stated, “Steve has filed Form 700 for all his years of service on the city council (2004 to date). Per the law, they provide the disclosure of his clients over the past 10 years.”

Free family movie night at Golden Hills Community Church, Friday

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

FREE family movie night

Volunteers needed for 2015 Contra Costa County Fair, get free entry into the Fair

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Contra Costa Fair logo_fullThe Contra Costa County Fair is currently looking for individuals interested in volunteering at the 2015 Contra Costa County Fair, May 28th – May 31st.

Contra Costa County Fair volunteers play an important role in helping to make the annual Fair a success. Plus, the Fair is a great place to give your time, learn something new, and have some fun.

The Fair is looking for volunteers to help in the exhibit department, livestock area, agricultural education, fairgrounds classroom and museum, gardens, and office.

Teen and adult volunteers are encouraged to participate. Volunteer applications are now available at www.ContraCostaFair.com. (See bottom of web site). Simply fill out the form and return it to the Fair office by Friday, May 15, 2015.

This year’s Contra Costa County FAIRadise is May 28th – May 31st.

For information, visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or call the Fair Office at (925) 757-4400.

In Memoriam: Helen Martinez, owner of Lou’s Place in Antioch

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Helen Martinez photoHelen Martinez

Resident of Antioch
June 25, 1930 – April 13, 2015

Helen Martinez passed away peacefully at home with her family on April 13th, 2015. Helen was born in Ohio to John & Pauline Trombitas who were recent immigrants from Romania. Helen moved to Contra Costa County as a child settling in Concord with her parents. She graduated from Mt. Diablo High School, married the love of her life, Robert Rueben Martinez and had two sons, Gary and John. As an adult Helen, attended Stockton Community College where she received her certificate in mill work trafficking. Helen was a dedicated employee to United States Steel Mill for over 45 years and loved her job. After retiring from the mill, Helen became the sole owner and operator of Lou’s Place on A Street in Antioch for over 30 years.

Helen Martinez youngIn addition to her two sons she is survived by her daughter-In-law Debbie Martinez, her beloved Grandchildren, Angela, Mia, CJ, Quiller and Chason Martinez and four Great Grandchildren Savannah Beall, Johnny Rocha, Hailey Garcia and Summer Martinez. Helen was a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She is known for her unconditional love, kindness and generosity. She will live forever in our hearts and be dearly missed. She was a blessing to all that knew her. Please join us for Helen’s Memorial Thursday, April 30, 2015, 12:00 at Higgins Funeral, Antioch. Luncheon & Celebration of Life to follow at the VFW Hall, Antioch.