By Tami Barrera

The amazing volleyball feats of Deer Valley High School student Jason Agopian have paid off – he signed today to accept an offer to play for UC Irvine.

When Jason, who is the son of Antioch City Councilman Gary Agopian, started high school he joined the football team and was good at that sport as well. What father would not want their son to aggressively pursue a career in football when you have a well rounded athlete like Jason?

But as sophomore year hit, it became a deep-seeded thought in Jason’s mind to try his hand at volleyball. As Jason became more and more involved in the sport he began to notice that he had a passion for the game and approached his mom and dad, Robin and Gary, saying that he wanted to do volleyball only, not football.

Jason’s parents asked him to please sleep on this decision and come back to it again later. Jason did sleep on it and at the end of sophomore year he left football and focused on volleyball.

Just this year Jason was asked to try out for the Junior USA Volleyball Team. Unfortunately, he had to turn it down as he had broken his arm. This mishap did not hold him down, however, and with last year’s MVP award under his belt Jason had prestigious college recruiters looking at him.

Jason received offers from UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, BYU, Hawaii, Long Beach and many others. But Jason had his eye on UC Irvine because he not only respects the school, but believes in it as much as he believes in its coach John Speraw.

Gary Agopian said, “Although there were financial and personal sacrifices for our son to achieve his dream, it is all worth it in the end. To see your child succeed when given the chance is just awe-inspiring.” He added, “Parents need to support their children” in their dreams because you never know what they are capable of unless you give them a chance.

Jason plans to walk in the footsteps of the volleyball greats that have preceded him, including Matt Webber from Liberty who went on to play for Team USA and Evan Patek who hails from Foothill. Jason wants to do Antioch proud, and would love to be a part of the Olympics in his future. Good luck, Jason.

When Michael Pritchard started the sound effects of explosions and crashes that accompany video games he had the youthful audience’s full attention. When he started talking about bullying and intolerance, the comedian had them in the palm of his hands.

When a young man began talking about the difficulties of his life and how he began to act out as a reflection of those troubles, the gym full of youth was silent.

Between the bouts of laughter, Pritchard had a message that pierced the wall of teenage cool and indifference and touched the hearts of over 750 people in attendance at the 9th annual countywide Youth Summit at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg on April 16.

“He was the perfect choice for a keynote,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, who sponsors the event.

Pritchard kicked off the daylong event of workshops, booths and entertainment. After the comedian’s presentation, the youth were able to ask questions of the city, school and county officials. The topics ranged from more diversity in the teaching workforce to the ways law enforcement treated youth.

The 18 wide-ranging workshops covered topics from avoiding gangs, starting a business to being a good friend and how to find a job.

“Kids were able to see the Sheriff’s helicopter and some firefighting equipment up close,” said coordinator Paul Adler, a member of Glover’s staff.

“It says a lot about the summit that the youth – on a Saturday — got up early in time for the 9 a.m. start and stayed the whole day,” said Adler.

“This was the largest turnout we ever had,” said Glover. “Word of mouth among the youth and their use of social media is helping us get the word out.”

An hour-long documentary on the 2010 Gang Summit will air on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on CCTV. The day-long summit was taped by Give Always To Others (GATO), an East County-based nonprofit headed by Carmen Ochoa, that also produces another television
show aired on local public TV and focuses on issues affecting East County.

“It was a great event,” said Glover. “There was some uncertainty what the summit would be about. Some thought we were glamorizing the gang lifestyle. Others thought it was only for gang members. This show will give the general pubic a chance to see what went on at the summit where we emphasized the alternate choices young people have besides gangs.

“Going against peer pressure is very difficult for young people. It was important that we showed that there were safe and legal ways to express yourself, prevent bullying, stay away from drugs and earn money through jobs.”

CCTV is Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32 and AT&T U-verse channel 99.

Saving money while increasing efficiency and decreasing work‐related accidents are aspirations at most workplaces. A veteran wastewater operator at Delta Diablo Sanitation District in Antioch has been recognized for making this goal a reality with his TroughONator invention, which has won the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) “Gimmicks & Gadgets” State award.

Wastewater operators protect public health and the environment by effectively and safely processing domestic waste which is discharged from homes, businesses and industry. Because domestic waste contains large amounts of fats, oils and grease (FOG), it often leaves a messy residue and clogs machinery during the sedimentation stage of processing at treatment plants.

This requires specialized equipment for cleaning. If not done properly it can result in damage to the plant equipment as well as creating safety concerns for even the most experienced plant operators. According to the U.S. Department of Labor1, a wastewater operator’s work is physically demanding and often performed in locations that are difficult to access or clean.

They must pay close attention to safety procedures because of the presence of hazardous conditions, such as slippery walkways, dangerous gases, and malfunctioning equipment. As a result, wastewater operators have a higher‐than‐average occupational injury rate.

Leonard Pompa, a 25‐year employee at Delta Diablo Sanitation District, understands the dangers of FOG in his workplace. Certified in wastewater operation by the State of California at the highest level, Leonard has the experience and knowledge necessary to address this annoying and dangerous impediment by creating a gadget to help safely clean and unclog sedimentation systems.

He came up with a creative method to ensure grease scum stays in the settling basin and not on cleaning equipment, railings, walkways or operator’s clothing and body.

Gary Darling, General Manager, reports “Using 11 feet of pipe, hose and general plumbing equipment, Leonard has successfully reduced a messy and risky twoperson cleanup job which often required additional clean up of both the equipment and the operators – to an efficient oneperson task which is tolerable and safe.”

CWEA agreed and awarded Leonard this year’s State “Gimmicks an Gadgets” award. Delta Diablo Sanitation District’s Operations Supervisor, Joaquin Gonzalez, was also recognized by the CWEA with this year’s State “Supervisor of the Year” award.

You’re Invited To A Very Special Event – “Overcoming Adversity: Surviving and Thriving” with Congresswoman Jackie Speier. Sponsored by the Delta Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors, the event is from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday April 27 at 3428 Hillcrest Avenue, Suite 200, in Antioch.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Jackie Speier speak right here in our community! The Congresswoman will talk about her personal story, Women in Leadership and Current Events, followed by a Q and A session.

Cost: FREE. Please RSVP to: Maria Bruno, mbruno@ft.newyorklife.com, or call 925.457.3211

Seating is Limited! Doors Close at 2:00 pm. No admittance after doors close.

For Partnership and Advertising opportunities contact: Kathaleen Baisch, 925.290.0037 Direct, 253.250.5803 Cell, kb411realestate@gmail.com

Only two schools from Contra Costa garnered the 2011 California Distinguished School Award. I proudly announce that both schools belong to Area 5 which I represent as Trustee for the Contra Costa County Board of Education.

A big applause goes to Bristow Middle School, Principal Russell Cornell and staff, Superintendent Merrill Grant and the Board Members of the Brentwood Union School District. This is the fifth time that a school from BUSD earned this distinction. Other winners include Edna Hill Middle in 2007, Brentwood Elementary in 2002, Ron Nunn Elementary in 2000 and Garin Elementary in 1998.

A well deserved kudos to Dozier Libbey Medical High School, Principal Nancie Castro and staff, Superintendent Donald Gill and the Board Members of the Antioch Unified School District. This is the fourth time that a school from AUSD earned this award. Other winners include Park Middle in 2001, Marsh Elementary in 1997 and Park Middle in 1996.

Congratulations!

Cynthia Ruehlig
Trustee for Area 5 of the Contra Costa County Board of Education. Area 5 includes Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley and parts of Antioch, Bay Point and Pittsburg.

You may have missed the Notices Of Public Hearing to be held in the City Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 26th that were published on April 14th by the Antioch City Clerk.

The first one is in regard to the adoption of a urgency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collectives, cooperative and dispensaries (whether at a fixed site or mobile) to become effective immediately.

Hurray! Wonder if there’s any nexus between the proposed ordinance and a civil suit against the former Antioch Police Chief and numerous Antioch officers in regard to a raiding of two commercial properties on Sunset Drive, one rented to a clothier and the other housing “Grow It Yourself Gardens”?

The second one is , however, merely a way to increase revenues. It calls for consideration of proposed fees (not delineated) to be charged by various City Departments for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, other construction, community development, land use, land cartelization and subdivision, engineering review and inspection, signs, regulatory permits, water usage, public safety, recreation activities and misc. services.

This is one way of getting around the voters who demonstrated that enough’s enough when they voted down an increase in the already outrageous sales taxes we pay in order to provide more revenue for the Police Department. Incidentally, APD isn’t helping the city’s financial position by merely agreeing to pay 3% toward CalPERS to December 31, 2011. (They’re in contract until 2013). APD Sworn Management Personnel, on the other hand, agreed in March to pay full 9% share over a 5-year phase in.

One more item of note: Council voted to convey ADA properties over to the City of Antioch. Ironically, Pittsburg recently had the rating of three sets of city redevelopment bonds lowered by the bond agency who stated that the redevelopment agency had barely enough property tax revenue to cover obligations due to three years of loss in property values. Has the City of Antioch now put itself in a vulnerable position?

The internationally-acclaimed Harlem Ambassadors will be visiting Antioch/Pittsburg for a game at Los Medanos College Gym on May 7 at 7 p.m. The Harlem Ambassadors offer a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball, featuring high-flying slam- dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks and hilarious comedy routines.

The Ambassadors feature non-stop laughs and deliver a positive message for kids wherever the Ambassadors play.  “At our shows, we want the kids to know that they’re part of our team too,” Coach Lade Majic said.  “We invite as many kids as we can to come sit on the bench, have a front row seat during the show, and get involved in all of the fun stuff we do.”

The Ambassadors set themselves apart from other “Harlem style” basketball teams by working with local not-for-profit and service organizations and holding Harlem Ambassadors shows as community fundraising events.  For the Antioch/Pittsburg event the Ambassadors have partnered with Antioch Rivertown Jamboree to help raise funds for People Helping People, and Antioch Rivertown Jamboree projects.

The Ambassadors have worked extensively with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters and American Red Cross as well as Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis clubs in communities throughout the U.S., and perform more than 200 shows a year.  Those shows have helped raise millions of dollars – an accomplishment of which Ambassadors President Dale Moss is very proud.

“It feels good to be able to provide quality entertainment and create memories that the fans will take with them,” Moss explained.  “We’re able to give even more when we can help provide funding for a Habitat for Humanity house or new computers for the school library, and that feels great.”

ADVANCE TICKETS: Adults $10, Students & Seniors $8. Call 925-757-0972 or ORDER BY MAIL: 301 West 10th Street, Suite 5, Antioch, CA 94509. Please make check payable to Antioch Rivertown Jamboree. At the door tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

You can also purchase tickets at East County Insurance Agency, Delta 2000, Pittsburg Yacht Club, Martin Memorials, Antioch Rivertown Jamboree Office. The event is sponsored in part by Keller Canyon Trust Funds, Cornwell Tools, Delta 2000, Supervisor Federal Glover, Los Medanos College, Comfort Suites Inn. Rivertown Jamboree is a non-profit organization dedicated to family fun.