Diabetes and obesity are growing problems eroding our nation’s health. To help address these growing health issues Sutter Delta Medical Center is pleased to announce the recruitment of Pragnesh Patel, MD, Board Certified in Endocrinology. Endocrinologists are specialists trained in diabetes and the endocrine system to help patients that may have thyroid, hormonal imbalance, low testosterone levels or other metabolic disorders.

For more than a year, East Contra Costa County residents lacked access to a local endocrinologist. Many who needed this specialized care were forced to travel outside their community. In response to this community need, Sutter Delta Medical Center assisted Springhill Medical Group in recruiting Dr. Patel.

“An endocrinologist plays an important role for patients who are hospitalized with diabetes and other metabolic issues,” says Gary Rapaport, Sutter Delta’s CEO. “We felt it was extremely important for the health of our community to recruit an endocrinologist who will practice full time in East County.”

Dr. Patel and his wife (an Obstetrician specializing in high-risk obstetrics) chose to relocate to the East Bay, from New York.

“It’s very exciting to be working in East County,” says Patel, who has spent the past few years practicing in New York City. “The response from patients has been very welcoming, and they are happy to have someone who can see and treat them right here in their community.”

Dr. Patel adds that endocrinologists also specialize in thyroid and pituitary gland disorders, low testosterone and other hormone-related conditions. Generally, patients are referred to an endocrinologist by their primary care physician, and a collaborative relationship between the two doctors can significantly improve the time it takes to make a diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

“Endocrinologists are responsible for managing the symptoms of hormonal disorders,” says Patel. “Primary care physicians usually do a good job of identifying and initially treating diseases like diabetes, but some patients have more complex and complicated symptoms that are more difficult to control. That’s where we can help.”

Dr. Patel says he looks forward to working with the many primary care and internal medicine physicians that practice here in East County. Dr. Patel is an active member of Sutter Delta’s medical staff and has offices located in Brentwood and Pittsburg.

Sutter Delta Medical Center is located in Antioch, Calif. and has been serving east Contra Costa County’s communities since 1967. It has more than 900 employees and more than 300 physicians on staff. Sutter Delta’s services include 24-hour emergency care, a family birthing/women’s health center and advanced cardiovascular care. Sutter Delta Medical Center is a proud member of the Sutter Health network of doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers.

The Antioch Church Family multi-cultural children’s choir is holding auditions September 7th and 14th at 5:30 for their upcoming Peace concert.

The audition and concert will be held at 55 East 18th Street in Antioch. We are looking for 50 eager voices aged three to ten to sing at our September 17th, 5 p.m. concert. Musicians of any age are also welcome.

The concert is part of East Bay’s regional 11 Days of Peace celebration, and will include the award-winning Voices Of Antioch. For more information call Joyce Howell at 202-8022.

One of the area’s busiest hospitals receives top marks for delivering national award-winning emergency medical care for the second consecutive year.

“Earning this award again validates the excellent care our patients receive in their own community. Sutter Delta is consistently one of the busiest Contra Costa County Emergency Departments. This year, we expect to treat more than 55,000 patients,” says Gary Rapaport, Sutter Delta CEO.

The study released by HealthGrades®, the nation’s leading, most trusted independent source of hospital quality rating, arms more than 200 million consumers annually with important information, to make choices for health care needs. Consumers have a choice, and this study narrows those choices with hospitals that have a proven track record of achieving the best possible outcomes.

“We encourage patients to prepare in advance by identifying top-performing hospitals close to home,” says Dr. Rick May, study coauthor and HealthGrades Vice President of clinical quality services. “Research shows that it’s not just the care you receive the moment you arrive that makes the difference between life and death, but the hospital’s ability to continue to provide you with the right care at the right time.”

The nationwide study was based on data from treatment outcomes of 7 million Medicare patients from 2007 to 2009. Some of the sickest patients, with 12 of the most common and life-threatening medical emergencies, including heart attack, stroke, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD).

According to the study’s findings, Medicare patients treated at hospitals recognized with a HealthGrades Emergency Medicine Excellence Award had a better advantage of achieving positive outcomes, or a 40 percent lower risk of an adverse outcome compared to patients treated at non-recipient hospitals.

“Earning this recognition is wonderful for Sutter Delta, but also a prestigious hallmark for residents who live right here in Contra Costa County,” adds Rapaport.

Sutter Delta Medical Center is located in Antioch, Calif. and has been serving east Contra Costa County’s communities since 1967. It has more than 900 employees and more than 300 physicians on staff. Sutter Delta’s services include 24-hour emergency care, a family birthing/women’s health center and advanced cardiovascular care. Sutter Delta Medical Center is a proud member of the Sutter Health network of doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers.

The Antioch Community Center Presents The First Night On The Green on Friday September 16 at The Antioch Community Center Amphitheater, 4703 Lone Tree Way, from 6 pm to 10 pm. Doors open At 5 pm.

The concert features The Katy Lawrence Band with special guests Silent Partner plus the jazz sounds of the SmoothEase. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Admission is free. Seating capacity is 300. For information call 925-776-3050.

On September 7th, the Antioch Planning Commission is holding a public hearing in regard to Tabora Gardens, Satellite Housing, Incorporated‘s 85 unit affordable senior apartment complex to be located on the southeast corner of James Donlon and Tabora Drive.

The developer is seeking approval for a Senior Housing Overlay District with a density bonus, an exception to the parking ratio, and a variance to provide covered parking and design review.

It’s important to note that if any person challenges the decision of the City in this matter in court, he or she may be limited to raising only those issues that are raised at the upcoming Planning Commission meeting or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Where’s the logic here? If the staff report, which is not yet posted online, is not available for viewing in a timely manner and you can’t make it down to city hall to check out the project, how can you evaluate the entirety of the project and submit your comments prior to the hearing?

I found info on the project by going online to the City’s Planning Department and clicking on current projects, which certainly is enlightening, e.g. Pulte Homes has received approval for a 553 senior housing community on 189 acres at the end of Heidorn Ranch Road.

As delighted as I am to have more senior housing in the City, I have my concerns about the location of the Tabora Gardens project. As a long-time resident, I know how many serious accidents have occurred along James Donlon Blvd, particularly in the area near Tabora Drive near the entrance to the Antioch Community Park and the 240-unit Twin Creeks Apartment complex.

James Donlon is heavily traveled by commuters from southeast Antioch and beyond, and has long been intended to link to the long-awaited thoroughfare known as the Buchanan Bypass, which would run from the intersection of Somersville Road and James Donlon Blvd. to Kirker Pass in Pittsburg.

Update: The Neighborhood Cleanup in September has been canceled. It will resume on October 1^st.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 27th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods (UCBN), community volunteers, and the Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program, and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 27th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, September 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers should report to Almondridge Park located at 3400 Almondridge Drive. Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!

Please be advised that protesters may attempt to disrupt BART service during the afternoon commute period on Monday Aug. 29 in downtown San Francisco BART stations. As always, BART’s primary mission is to ensure your safety and keep trains on-time. BART may need to close some stations temporarily or make other service adjustments on short notice.

Take some time now to plan your transportation options. Visit www.511.org for more information about alternative commute options. BART will use its website, mobile website, text alerts, email alerts and Customer Services phone line to update you on any changes we may make to BART service. You should also consider www.511.org and the web, mobile, email and sms services provided there.

Regional travel information: www.511.org or dial 511
BART website news/advisories: www.bart.gov
BART mobile website news/advisories: m.bart.gov
BART email and SMS advisories: www.bart.gov/alerts
BART SMS on demand: Text ‘BART service’ to 878787 or see www.bart.gov/sms for more info
BART Phone Center: 510-465-BART (2278)
BART Twitter: @SFBART

For urgent matters on BART dial 911, call (510) 464-7000, use the train intercom or contact a Station Agent. Here are additional useful numbers:
BART Police (non-emergency): 510-464-7000
San Francisco Police (emergency) 911 or 415-553-8090

By Bob Driskell

There comes a time when you know inside that you need to stop. Staying clean and sober is easier when you can talk with others and share ideas. Antioch will soon have two ‘LifeRing’-face to face meetings.

One has been ongoing, Mondays at noon for a few years. Now located at Kaiser-Delta Fair Women’s Health Center Meeting Room in the Delta Square Shopping Center, 3624 Delta Fair Boulevard in Antioch. You need not be a Kaiser member to attend. All are welcome.

A new meeting on Thursdays at 7 p.m., will be an ongoing ‘‘LifeRing’’ face to face meeting beginning on Thursday September 8th at Sutter Delta Medical Center Conference Room 1, 3901 Lone Tree Way in Antioch.

LifeRing is an international organization of support groups for people who want to live free of alcohol or other addictive drugs. LifeRing’s approach to sobriety focuses on empowering individuals through the strength of sober conversation.

Each member takes a strong and active role in his or her own recovery. Our meetings provide a safe and supportive environment where members help each other discover the recovery solutions that best fit each individual’s personality, culture, gender, and lifestyle.

Secular means that our approach to recovery isn’t faith-based. LifeRing respects everyone’s religious and spiritual beliefs, but maintains that those are personal and private matters, not subjects for discussion in meetings.

We soon will have two face to face LifeRing meetings in Antioch. If you would like to help, please be in touch. You can also get support 24/7/365 at LifeRing.org, including live chat and online meetings, forums and a toolbox. For more information about ‘LifeRing’ Antioch contact 925-301-3277 or bobdriskell@yahoo.com

In ‘‘LifeRing’’ there are no steps other than the ones you take to our doors, and you aren’t asked to have faith or to believe in any strength other than your own.

SOBER We believe that our lives depend on complete freedom from alcohol and any drugs that aren’t prescribed by a physician. If you want to stay sober, then you qualify for LifeRing.

SECULAR In LifeRing meetings and online, any religious beliefs remain private. You aren’t asked to have faith, or to believe in any strength other than your own.

SELF-HELP In LifeRing, we work together to build a personal recovery plan that is designed just for you. In sober conversations we share ideas to help ourselves.

In ‘LifeRing’ you can design your own future. Join us!