By MELISSA JORDAN, BART Senior Web Producer

The Fleet of the Future train cars that begin arriving later this year for testing will have state-of-the-art climate control technology that’s not only more comfortable, but more energy-efficient as well. 

Hot cars are a common complaint from riders on BART’s oldest-in-the-nation trains. From July 1, 2014 – June 5, 2015, more than 200 riders took the time to call or email customer services with climate complaints, and many more used social media to vent with tweets like “hot as the devil’s toenails” (one of the milder ones).

BART has worked to maintain the aging HVAC — heating, ventilation and air conditioning — system on current cars, but major relief will come with the new cars, scheduled to begin passenger service in 2016. (The Board of Directors receives a semi-annual update on the new cars at its meeting this Thursday, June 11, to be webcast at www.bart.gov/board)

“An unbelievable amount of effort has gone into designing these cars to have a large number of improvements for riders,” said Ben Holland, manager of vehicle systems engineering.

Holland explained that in the current cars, the HVAC duct system is placed underneath the floor of the cars. You may have felt cool air at your side if you had a seat by the window.

“It was a very different level of ridership when BART first started,” said Mike Healy, retired longtime spokesman who was with BART since its early days. “The ideal was promoted that every rider would have a seat, and there would be this cool, comfortable air conditioning at every seat.” A November 1965 article in the San Francisco Examiner cited BART’s plan to “Pamper the Passenger,” with the pledge that “Transit passengers will ride in great comfort, with room, light and air conditioning.”

Today, as Healy noted, ridership is bursting at the seams with an average of more than 420,000 trips per day. Standees don’t get much of that precious cool air, and even less personal space than riders with seats.

BETTER AIR FLOW, MORE EFFICIENT

In contrast, the HVAC system on the new train cars will be housed under the car, but the fresh air will be distributed from the ceiling of the cars, providing better air flow throughout the space overall and bringing relief to standees with vents at the top of the car. The heating and cooling system on the new trains will be more energy-efficient, as well.

The new cars will be equipped with an energy saving mode, during which time doors will open at stations only when a passenger is standing in front of them. By opening doors only when necessary, the energy saving mode will help reduce the amount of lost heat or A/C from the cars. The doors will have redundant sensors to detect persons wishing to enter or exit the train.

WHITE ROOF DEFLECTS LIGHT

In addition to an aluminum exterior, which reflects light to help keep cars cool, the new cars also will be equipped with a white roof to further deflect heat and light away from the interior of the train. The white roof will help lessen the load on the interior cooling system, keeping passengers more comfortable and decreasing energy consumption. Finally, when all the new trains get here as they’re rolled out over time, there will be greater capacity to the system — cutting down on the body heat generated in crowded cars.

BART gets some, but many fewer complaints about train cars that are too cold than about those that are too hot, possibly because savvy travelers know about the roller-coaster ride of temperatures in the Bay Area.

THE LAND OF MICROCLIMATES

A factor contributing to the challenges of comfortable air on BART is the Bay Area’s notorious microclimates.

“It’s not unusual to have a 40-degree temperature difference in 40 miles,” said Jan Null, lecturer and researcher at San Jose State University in meteorology and climate science. “There are very few places in the United States, if not the world. with such a differential in such a relatively short space,” said Null, also a former lead forecaster with the National Weather Service. (See graphic above of sample possible temperatures in BART service area, from data provided by Null.)

The “natural air conditioning” that comes from the unique geography of the region keeps it relatively mild overall year-round, but with wide ranges among microclimates of different areas. (Often misattributed to Mark Twain, a famous quip from an unknown author is, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”)

The high-tech sensors of the new trains are designed to keep the inside comfortable for passengers, no matter what’s going on outside — from the sun-drenched hills of Walnut Creek to the pea-soup fog of Daly City.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

Meanwhile, if you’re stuck in a hot car before the new trains arrive, here are some things to keep in mind:

* The climate on each train car is individually controlled, so if yours is hot, you can try moving to another car. (An empty car on a hot day is often a clue that the air isn’t working well inside that car.)

* The train operator can’t adjust the temperature; however, they can put in a service call for a technician to check it out. Use the phone at the end of each train to speak with the operator and note the number of the car you’re on (located above the doors at each end of the car). If a technician isn’t available right away, the problem can be logged for maintenance later. A hot car typically would not take a train out of service — most riders would rather BART keep a hot train running on time than to delay everyone by taking a train out of service.

* BART is required by a California Public Utilities Commission order to maintain a high level of circuitry overload protection. Electronics are subject to damage when they become hot, and the critical functions are propulsion and communications. When potential of overload occurs, such as when it is extremely hot or extremely cold outside, the non-essential functions (such as heat and A/C) automatically shut off to preserve the critical propulsion and communications features.The blower will continue to deliver a “flow” or “vent,” but there is no heating or cooling.

Meet the Fleet is an occasional ongoing series looking in-depth at different aspects of BART’s new train cars, which are due to arrive with the first of 10 pilot cars for testing in late 2015. The first cars to carry passengers are expected to begin service in 2016. For more details visit www.bart.gov/cars

By Luke Johnson

One hundred thirty-four graduates of the Class of 2015 walked into Deer Valley High School’s amphitheater, Friday evening, for the fourth annual commencement ceremony of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, the first under Principal Scott Bergerhouse.

Bergerhouse has been employed by the Antioch Unified School District for 31 years and has been an administrator on various campuses over the past two decades. He replaced Dozier-Libbey’s inaugural principal, Nancy Castro, in April, 2014, following a failed attempt by teachers to convert the school into a public charter school.

“Everywhere I’ve been, it has been about building positive relationships,” Bergerhouse said. “I wanted to make sure everyone understood that we’re here for the sake of kids, and we are all very passionate about kids and kids’ success.”

Dozier-Libbey is one of the most praised educational institutions in the country for its 70 percent Advance Placement Test participation with a student body minority enrollment of 77 percent. U.S. News and World Report magazine ranked Dozier-Libbey in the Top 700 schools throughout the nation.

Dozier-Libbey’s 2015 graduating class is unique, in that when the students started as freshmen in 2011, it was the first time the school had a full student body (grades 9-12). When the school was founded in 2008, it only consisted of freshmen.

Graduates have a tradition of decorating their caps, and it has grown every year. On Friday, well over half of them styled their caps, many with glitter and rhinestones and with the logo of the college they plan to attend.

“Being able to decorate our caps makes the ceremony more sentimental,” Riley Cleary said, who is a Certificate of Excellence recipient and an All-League baseball player. “I talked to a couple of Deer Valley students and asked them how they decorated their caps, and they replied with, ‘We couldn’t. Our graduation was formal,’ and they sounded kind of jealous because it is a good way to express oneself and can add a unique appearance.”

By Luke Johnson

Antioch High School used its contemporary, $7-million football field, Eells Stadium, for the first time for graduation, during its 61st annual commencement ceremony to graduate the Class of 2015 Friday, June 5.

“I felt really honored,” Student Body President Sami Surges said about breaking in the new stadium. “We kinda set the tone for the rest of the years to come.”

A new format came with the new facility. The biggest one being the graduates had to exit the field before meeting with families and friends. This was to maintain the new surface and prevent holes from poking into the artificial turf. Also, chairs had to be modified and graduates’ footwear had to be monitored.

This school year marked the beginning of reconstruction under Measure B, approved in 2012, which granted AHS a $56.5-million bond to renovate and modernize the campus. Throughout the year, students had to avoid construction zones and forego a cafeteria.

“Our football team played with no stadium. They were a road warrior team, literally. They didn’t one game at home,” Principal Louie Rocha said. “Yet, they were successful and went to the North Coast Section Playoffs. That’s just a tribute to our students. They overcame many numerous obstacles. The campus was closed in some areas due to construction all year. We had to use the auditorium as our entrance. But the students just adjusted, continued on and really excelled.”

When asked what their favorite memory from this year was, both Rocha and Surges immediately responded with the Powder Puff football game, where the Panthers defeated crosstown rival Deer Valley High School in overtime. It was the first event hosted in the new Eells Stadium.

By Allen Payton

According to an email from Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, the recall effort of Antioch Mayor Wade Harper is dead.

“This afternoon, Monday, June 8th, the proponent (Mr. Richard Buongiorno) of the recall petition of Mayor Wade Harper presented for filing all sections of the petition to the City Clerk in accordance with Elections Code 11222(a),” Simonsen’s email stated. “In accordance with Elections Code 11222(b), as the elections official I determined that the number of signatures, prima facie, did not equal or exceed the minimum number of signatures required and in accordance with Election Code 11222(b) “…the petition shall not be filed. Any petition not accepted for filing shall be returned to the proponents. All sections of the petition were returned to the proponent.”

They needed approximately 9,000 valid signatures of registered voters in Antioch.

“We had a deadline to meet, which was June 8^th, today,” said Buongiorno, who was the original organizer of the recall effort. “The problem that exists is I had bowed out of the recall on March 5, because I was going to get a transplant.”

He explained what occurred, further.

“On March 10 a committee of five people was formed, to follow through,” he said. “I kept referring people who wanted to sign the petition to one or two of the primary committee members.”

“I found out a week-ago Friday, after making numerous referrals to these two ladies, that they had disbanded the recall committee and they told me ‘we are not in the recall any more.’

That started a frenzy. I had to recruit over a dozen people to help get signatures. Even up until 3:30 p.m., today I was driving around the city to gather petitions with recall signatures to count, because I had a meeting with Arne at 4:00 p.m., today.

Simonsen immediately saw problems with the petitions. So, now I’m going to have to go through it, for my own piece of mind, to see how many signatures we have,” Buongiorno added. “But, we are done with the recall.”

However, he attempted to offer supporters a bright side.

“We currently have sufficient information to continue with our efforts to replace Harper as Mayor in 2016. It’s only 515 days away,” he said with a laugh. “Not that I’m counting.”

“But, it’s not just Harper,” Buongiorno added. “It’s all the council members who are up for election, next year. All those people not doing their job.”

“People are tired of it. They’re sick of it. It’s all the lying. They’re not doing their job.”

In response to the recall failing, Buongiorno changed the name of the Facebook page from Recall Wade Harper to Fire Wade Harper 2016.

In a post on that page, Buongiorno wrote the following:

“This is an advisory, which will be followed up on very soon.

I arranged for an appointment this afternoon with the Antioch’s Election Official, Arne Simonsen. I submitted everything I had received for the recall, including the incredible amount of signatures gathered in the last 10 days.

It would appear that there would be insufficient signatures to proceed with the filing.

First, I would like to thank all the people that worked on recall, many of who stuck it out to the very end. I do acknowledge there were a lot of hours invested in this effort and I certainly appreciate all that time invested.

Second, even though it was a blessing and I would not have changed a thing, I have not doubt that had I not been grounded by the transplant medical team and support staff, I am confident that the outcome would have been different.

Once it has been determined that the recall is definitively not proceeding, I will be receiving written confirmation. However, once the determination is made it becomes public which is why I am posting this advisory. No doubt the media will catch wind of it, as early as today.

My respect for you and the movement is my major concern and I wanted you to know before you read it elsewhere.

As indicated, I will be posting additional information since I have received so many requests.

Sincerely expressing my appreciation to all, Rich”

Harper is expected to seek reelection, next year, having held a Mardi Gras themed fundraiser, earlier this year.

The only other candidate for mayor, so far, is Gil Murillo, who announced at a Brazil Night music event at Tailgaters in March, that he organized.

Murillo posted the following on the Facebook page he created for his campaign, www.facebook.com/murilloformayor:

“What is my platform…it is simple.

First, work with the County and Local School District to design a plan to improve our schools. We are a community and before we can make it better, we need to have an inspiring environment for the children of our City. I know it is the School District that needs to be responsible for this, but this is a community issue which is all of us.

Crime – this is a tough subject and I don’t have the answer but I will work with community, ADP and consultants who can provide great insights on a long term plan. But for sure, look at expanding our mutual aide agreements with Brentwood and Pittsburg for expanded patrols. Look to see if we can engage County or State services for police services. I would work on developing a Police Reserve program for residents who want to serve once more from the heart. There is much we can do quickly.What is important, is to ensure revenue streams exist to ensure that we have a strong force.

Employment – In targeting education and crime, employers will consider Antioch once more. My goal is to bring high paying jobs to our community. By bringing these jobs, the organic change in our community will occur. If you have great paying local jobs, you will shop more in the community and it will also bring property values higher. I will work in allocating General Fund dollars to our local Economic Committee and Chamber of Commerce to promote Antioch.

Housing – With so many development plans already approved or in flight, we need to make sure that developments are aligned to the community. Important that the community style is maintained. I will also push for a local HUD office to open in Antioch with the emphasis of managing the issues that surround Section 8 housing. We have to realize that the property owner who is local or overseas, is overall responsible for their tenants. Having a local HUD office will ensure that property owners are responsible for the tenant and appearance of the property, the tenant will adhere to the regulations of their HUD agreement. I will stop development efforts on the condo complex and move forward with the community park in Downtown.

Blight and Graffiti – I will increase funding for City services to ensure that these issues are addressed quickly. I would work with the local school district to elicit students to help combat graffiti by having them paint.

This is a quick narrative but it gives you some ideas. Happy to speak with you directly.

We can make a difference in working together. I am not seeking this position for any personal agenda, but seeking this position to bring your thoughts forward for consideration. We all have the answers.

Thank you for spending your time in reviewing my thoughts and God Bless you all and God Bless our wonderful city of Antioch.”

Buongiorno added one final comment, via email to the Herald:

“There were two primary goals of the recall group. First being the recall, the second being an introduction to what the City of Antioch staff, including all council members, are doing to it’s residents and constituents (where applicable).

The constant and continual ‘smoke and mirrors’ is not acceptable. After specifically expressing the lack of transparency, questionable tactics and what appears as malfeasance and possible collusion. Nothing has changed.

The people of Antioch have learned to do what they learned as children to, ‘Stop, Look and Listen.’ It is doesn’t look or sound right they have learned they have the right to question and receive a reasonable answer.

I personally believe that 515 days from now, the people of Antioch will express their voting rights and change this city, even if it takes new recalls to do it.”

Harper responded via email, with the following statement:

“While I believe the recall attempt was not warranted, for me this has been a blessing in disguise; I have gained supporters that I didn’t know I had. My supporters have stated that they would not vote for, support or allow a recall; they see me out there in the community. I have continued to work hard for the citizens of Antioch. I will continue to do so, as long as I am able. We all want a safer community. We are working hard to make that happen. The recent report by Chief Allan Cantando has shown that violent crime continues to decrease. As a retired law enforcement professional, I understand that crime trends are cyclical, and as crime continues to rear its ugly head, we will continue to fight it.

Now that the recall attempt has ended, I am asking Mr. Buongiorno to please cancel the ‘Committee to elect Wade Harper,’ it is misleading, dishonest and it is not a committee to elect me. The recall events were disguised as ‘stop the violence’ rallies (I noticed online that there were photos with the recall wording covered up). I have a lifetime of community service and I will continue to work hard for the citizens of Antioch. My plan during these last few months was simply to continue to work hard in the community and continue to be visible. Let’s end the divisiveness and let’s work together to make Antioch safe and build our economy.”

The next election for Mayor of Antioch will be held in November, 2016.

By Allen Payton

Former Antioch police officers want to work on the cold case of Suzanne Bombardier, who was 14 when she was murdered on June 22, 1980, after being kidnapped, raped and stabbed through the heart. Her body was later discovered after being dumped in the river.

Greg Glod, a former Antioch Police Detective, who spent 26 years with the Secret Service and is now the Deputy Director for Threat Analysis of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., is spearheading the effort. Joining him are retired Antioch Police Sgt. Larry Hopwood and Detective Ron Rackley.

“There are suspects in the case that can be investigated,” stated Glod, who was a juvenile sexual assault detective at the time and worked the case.

According to Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons, who wrote about the case, earlier this year:

“Thirty-five years ago this June, Suzanne Bombardier was babysitting her nieces in Antioch, California. She was talking to a friend of hers, then around 1:30 in the morning said she was ‘really beat’ and was going to bed. It was the last time anyone talked to her. Sometime between 1:30 and four, Suzie (as she was known to her family and friends) was kidnapped. Her body was found several days later in the Delta. It was an incredibly sad moment in Contra Costa history, foreshadowing the kidnappings of other girls (Tara Burke, Amber Swartz, Illene Mischelhoff, Michaela Garecht and Nikki Campbell) and boys (Mitchell Owens and Kevin Collins).

I have an interest in this story: Susie is buried near my grandparents at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. I wrote about her in Salon, which was republished on Alternet.org.

Following is an excerpt from Gibbons’ article:

“They lived in Antioch, California. These days, it’s known as the city where Phillip Garrido held Jaycee Dugard hostage for 18 years.

When her sister Stephanie got home that night, the house looked fine. There were no signs of a struggle or forced entry. Suzanne wasn’t on the couch, but her sister figured Suzanne had fallen asleep with the girls while putting them down. Her sister headed to bed. It wasn’t until the next day when their mother called, looking for Suzanne, that they both began to worry. The only trace of her was her suitcase still near the couch.

They called the police. There were no signs of a forced struggle or entry. They had to wait 24 hours until they could start searching (customary back in 1980) . On June 27, her report card arrived in the mail. She received straight A’s, ending up on the honor roll. The same day a body was spotted by a fisherman in the San Joaquin River near Antioch. Suzanne’s stepfather identified the body. She had been stabbed through the heart. Her killer was never found.”

According to other news reports, at that time, “On Friday June 27th, a nude body was found in the nearby San Joaquin river. Dental records provided by the family confirmed the body was indeed Suzie’s. She had been stabbed. The gold necklace she wore was missing.

Antioch police questioned several suspects including a boy named Terry. Terry, according to Suzie’s best friend Leesa Metznger, was a boy Suzie was seeing. He was slightly older. He had an alibi which was checked out by the police. Other suspects were cleared as well.”

Bombardier’s case was profiled, last year, on the Defrosting Cold Cases website for their case of the month, the Antioch Herald, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Gibbons also had a commentary about Susie, broadcast on KQED.

“Susie’s murder took place during a time when police services were cut back, and although her case received attention,” Gibbons added, “It didn’t get national attention like Elizabeth Smart or other missing children.”

“We just need Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando to allow us to help his department,” he said. “There would be no cost to the public and we could get started, right away.”

Cantando spoke about the idea of a cold case unit made up of retired police officers.

“It’s something that we’re not going to consider,” he stated. “That model doesn’t work for us. We don’t have the staffing. They have this back east, where they have larger departments. These volunteers are not the ones who are going out and doing the work. They’re basically reading the reports and giving paid staff direction to go out and follow up on leads.”

“We’re in the process, right now trying to fight violent crime,” said Cantando. “We’re not alone. There aren’t a lot of departments doing this.”

“Periodically we review our cold cases,” he added.

Glod responded to Cantando’s comments, in an email.

“There are numerous police departments in the United States and California, effectively utilizing retired police officers and criminal researchers to support cold case units,” he stated. “They support the police departments by spending the endless hours of reviewing the cases, developing leads and research to provide the support that the detectives and officers do not have the time to conduct.”

“Charlotte, North Carolina’s retired cold case unit, was presented a distinguished service award by the Department of Justice in Washington, DC for their involvement in solving numerous cold cases,” Glod argued. “This model has repeatedly proven to be effective in departments of all sizes. This concept is strongly recommended to law enforcement by the Department of Justice, the International Association of Police and National Institute of Justice, all recommending the utilization of retired detectives and police officers as a strategic means to support policing now and in the future.” Implementing a Cold Case Unit  Cold Case Squads

“In addition, the National Institute of Justice provides grant funding to police departments for this cold case unit concept,” he offered. “In a recent publication in Volunteers in Police Service, an article titled ‘An Emerging Sector in Law Enforcement, Volunteers in Investigations’ profiles the success across the country with the utilization of retired local, state and federal law enforcement professionals.” VIPS article

“There is a baby boom generation of retired law enforcement and professionals from other related fields in Contra Costa County that would be more than willing to provide volunteer assistance to the City of Antioch,” Glod continued. “This resource must be utilized in the police culture, such cities as Antioch, who are currently experiencing high crime rates. Crime is not only stopped by additional police and detectives on the street, but also behind the scenes with a cadre of experienced and dedicated volunteer professionals, who support the operational mission of policing, thus improving the identification and conviction of criminals.”

“With regards to budget constraints and high crime there needs to be creative and new strategic thinking in law enforcement, many departments in the United States are developing the methodologies,” he added.

“The tragic murder of Suzanne Bombardier, a beautiful, 14-year old girl from Antioch, who was so full of life, which was horrifically cut short, should never be forgotten by the citizens of Antioch, California,” Glod concluded. “This case clearly needs to be reopened by the law enforcement authorities in Antioch and Contra Costa County. They should leave no stone unturned until this case is solved and justice served for Suzanne and her family and friends who have suffered for so many years.”

Rackley summed up the interest the retired officers have in the case.

“We want closure for the family and ourselves, too,” said Rackley, who took the original report. “We believe there are still more investigative leads available.”

In response, Cantando said, “If they have any leads, they haven’t shared them with us, yet. If anyone else out there has any leads on this case, they need to contact the Antioch Police Department with their information. They can call Lt. Morefield at (925) 779-6929.”

“This case is not closed and we work cold cases (including this case), but we do have to prioritize in order to optimize our effectiveness,” he added. “When new leads are presented to us, we follow up on them. Lastly, we do not release information to the media that we are working a specific cold case in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.”

 

 

By Allen Payton

Bank of Agriculture and Commerce (BAC) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee. Ronald A. Berberian, president and chairman of the board, stated the bank achieved many milestones since 1965, and he’s excited about what the future holds.

“BAC is kicking off the celebration with a new name — BAC Community Bank (BAC),” said Berberian. “The name maintains BAC’s strong brand while denoting it’s a community bank serving individuals and a variety of business sectors including agriculture.”

Chief Executive Officer William R. Trezza added that the bank’s new companion tag line “banking. always connected.” reflects the bank’s strong connections to its communities and customers through investment, relationships, and technology.

“As we launch BAC Community Bank, we’re introducing new high interest and rewards based checking accounts. The name change also brings ECC Bank – a division of BAC and East Contra Costa’s oldest community bank – under the BAC Community Bank brand,” said Trezza.

Trezza, who’s been with the bank since 1982, said the transition is seamless and effortless for customers.

“The principals of the bank remain unchanged, as do other incidentals such as staff, phone numbers, web address, etc.,” he shared. “Customers can expect to receive our same commitment to unmatched personal customer service they’ve come to know and expect.”

Trezza explained the name change, further.

“We’ve always wanted to get rid of agriculture. Not that we didn’t welcome agricultural businesses. But, because it steered other businesses away,” he stated. “Plus, we’re going to do these new chip cards and the size of the name, with the two brands, it became very difficult. So, we went back to the original BAC name. It’s a better place for customers to be. It will be one brand, BAC Community Bank.”

“Other than simplicity and consistency, it’s something to call ourselves for the next 50 years,” Trezza said with a chuckle.

“It will take a little while, with new signs,” he added. ““We’re putting up new banners, in the meantime.”

BAC invites its customers interested in learning more about the name change and its new innovative banking products to check the Frequently Asked Question section at its website: bankbac.com, or call BAC at (877) 226- 5820.

BAC Community Bank

The Berberian family of Stockton owns BAC Community Bank. It was chartered in 1965 and serves San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Contra Costa Counties. BAC has 10 branches in Stockton, Modesto, Lodi, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Antioch, and Concord.

The Bank’s expertise lies in its ability to personalize and customize its products and services to meet the needs of its customers. BAC offers innovative electronic banking products and cash management services. The Bank is well positioned to service the credit and operation needs of small to large businesses, from corporations to sole proprietors. BAC offers a wide variety of consumer banking products to satisfy the personal banking and investment needs of individuals, business owners and their employees. For more information visit www.bankbac.com.

Jeremy Newberry crashes

By Mike Adaskaveg

Shawn Arriaga of Antioch made a daring last lap, last turn, inside pass to snatch victory away from San Jose’s Art McCarthy in the Northern All Stars Winged Sprint Car main event, Saturday night, June 6, 2015, at Antioch Speedway. Back to back thrills came as Scott Busby battled Kyle Wilson side by side for nearly half of the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) modified stock car main event prior to Arriaga’s Win.

Early in the program, Larry Damitz of Vallejo dodged spinning cars and fender-benders to win the Northern All Stars Limited Late Model Feature. In the Hobby Stock main event, Kimo Oreta of Vacaville came from the back of the pack after changing a flat tire to top leader Chris Sorensen of El Sobrante.

The Northern All Stars Wingless Sprint Car feature had to be red-flagged with leader Jim Perry III being awarded the win after a two-car backstretch flips involving Kyle Bakkie III of Citrus Heights and Jeremy Newberry of Brentwood.

McCarthy Admonishes Arriaga in Victory Lane

“That wasn’t cool!” veteran sprint car racer McCarthy said to Arriaga as the two met in victory lane. Young Arriaga tried to hug McCarthy after the win. At first McCarthy shunned Arriaga’s gesture.

The move, in which Arriaga used every inch inside of McCarthy and the inner edge of the track, could have sent both cars into a spin or worse.

“I didn’t mean to race like that – it’s the last lap of a short track race – it kind of takes over your instincts,” Arriaga told McCarthy

Fans hooted and hollered a full ten minutes after the race.

“I had a head of steam going into the last turn,” Arriaga tried to explain. “I tried to hug Art (McCarthy) on the inside. It turned to be very risky.”

Third place Dustin Golobic of Fremont had the bird’s eye view of the move. He was waiting for the miscue that would hand him the win. It was his first race at Antioch Speedway.

“If it had gone a few more laps, I know I would have caught the both of them,” said Golobic, who came on strong in the last five laps, passing Jeremy Burt from Grass Valley in the process. “It was fun to be where I was and see what happened in front of me.”

When the drivers calmed down, smiles prevailed, and McCarthy got philosophical about the win being taken from him.

“It is what it is,” he said. “Shawn is like a son to me. It isn’t good to give up a race that you led from start to the last lap. If I’m going to be beaten like that, I’d rather it be Shawn (Arriaga) who did it.

Busby Knows the Speedway Better than Anyone

Scott Busby is a living legend in California stock car racing and is said to be the state’s most winning driver of all time. He showed newcomer Kyle Wilson of Salinas that he still had a few tricks as the two raced side-by-side and clean for the checkered flag in the IMCA Modified feature.

“He (Busby) has been racing and winning since well before I was born,” said 21-year-old Wilson. “With him having all those years of experience, I was smiling that I was able to race alongside him like that.”

A tense moment on the last lap saw Clarence Holbrook of Galt spin sideways in the third and fourth turns, with Busby backing off just enough to miss him while keeping ahead of Wilson

Busby just picked off drivers one by one until he reached Wilson.

“I was worried in the beginning because I had to come from the back,” Busby said. “But it turned out to be a great race – all the guys drove their lines. I was able to run down low or up high. It was a great race on a great track.”

Busby offered compliments and encouragement to Wilson in victory lane.

“If you had won, I would be just as happy as I am now,” Busby told Wilson. “The day is coming when our first and second place finishes will be reversed.”

Third went to Bobby Motts of San Pablo, closely followed by Carl Berendsen and Mike Salazar, both from Antioch.

Crazy Night of Crashes for Wingless Sprinters

“There were quite a few nasty crashes to avoid,” said Wingless Sprint Car Feature winner Jim Perry III of Concord. “Luckily I was in the front of the pack most of the time.”

The first incident resulting in a car turning over was when Marcus Smith of Manteca and Kyle Standley from Marysville tangled in the third turn. Smith went for a tumble and Standley was able to continue. On the restart, it was Standley flipping on the front stretch.

After more than half the event was completed, Newberry and Bakkie both entered into a frightening double flip down the backstretch. None of the drivers were injured.

After a prolonged red flag, Perry was named winner of the event.

“We had all the bugs worked out of the car, and it was able to perform well enough to stay up front,” Perry III added. Alan Miranda of Fairfield was second.

Damitz Untouchable

The oldest race driver continuously competing in a top division, Damitz continued the winning ways he began in 1952. His car smashed front and rear, he was able to win the Limited Late Model Feature with a quarter lap lead over second place Paul Hanley of Emerald Hills and Alamo’s John Evans, who finished third.

Top cars crashed or suffered mechanical failure. Eliminated were front-runners Brian Zachary of Oakley, Mike Gustafson of Concord, Mark Garner of Antioch and Mike Hynes of Suisun City.

“I don’t understand what happened out there tonight,” Damitz said. “But it was a terrible night for those guys.”

Oreta Comeback

Oreta raced the first half of the race with a softening tire after he made contact with a competitor on the opening lap. In the meantime, Sorensen, in his first race since 2010, began thinking the race was his.

While Sorenson and fellow season first-timer Brent Curran of Antioch raced one-two, Oreta started back in the pack of the 15 car field. The tire change put him in the rear with about 10 laps to go.

“No, no, no, I didn’t ever think I would catch him or win after having a flat tire,” Oreta said in victory lane. “When I came back out I found the groove down low that no one was running in. I put the tire on the inside hump of the track and raced as hard as I could.”

Oreta knew driving the shortest distance around the oval would pay off, and it did. Sorenson was passed late in the race and had to settle for second, with Curran, Russell Shearer of Bay Point and Frank Furtado of Antioch following.

“I tried,” Sorenson said in victory lane. “Kimo has a great car and he is a great driver. It’s been a long time for me – but I’ll be back.”

IMCA Modifieds, DIRTcar Late Models Return This Saturday Night

The fastest stock car classes on dirt – the IMCA Modifieds and the DIRTcar Late Models headline the five-division show Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The Hobby Stock, Dwarf Car aqnd Vintage Hard Top classes will complete the card. All five divisions will have qualifying races and feature events.

Antioch Speedway is located within the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 W. 10th St. in Antioch, Calif. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $10 for children 6-12. Children under six years old are admitted free. A family four pack of tickets is $40. Secured parking is offered by the Fairgrounds for $5. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.ovalmotorsports.com.

By Allen Payton

Antioch’s American Legion Harding-Noia Post #161 welcomed home Janet Wilson, the first California State Commander, at a dinner in her honor, Saturday night, June 6, 2015.

During the event held at the Veterans Memorial Building on West Sixth Street in Antioch, Wilson was presented with special certificates from local elected officials, including State Assemblyman Jim Frazier, who was in attendance, as well as a plaque for her year of service, which ends in three weeks.

According to her bio on the American Legion’s website:

“Janet has served the Legion for over 26 years; served as Post & District Commander twice and Post Adjutant for over 10 years.

She is a graduate of American Legion College 2008, also a duo member, serving positions in both the Legion and the Auxiliary at Department levels.

She has served as Dept. Ca. as Vice Commander Representing Women Legionnaires and as Department Vice Commander Representing Area 2, as well as three other State appointed positions, and has been on numerous Committees and Commissions as well as National Americanism Council member and Children and Youth for the National organization, and is member of ANAVICUS.

She continues to act as Chairman of the Post and District Blood Donor program; and has actively organized numerous Blood Drives, is an ongoing donor of more than one gallon.

She has helped to complete the ‘Legion Family’, organized a squadron of the Sons of The American Legion. Continues as the “acting” adjutant and is currently the Squadron Advisor. She continues to mentor the squadron in protocol and leadership.

Having mentored the newer members of the Post and Riders Chapter: teaching the members about the Legion. Hoping to get them to move up and move into the ‘legion’ life outside our Post, into the District and beyond. Enjoys assisting the Riders at some of the events in our Community, like the Santa run to the local V.A. hospital, and Memorial Day Event, and Veterans’ Day annual parade.

A longtime member of the Past Commanders Club and held position of Recording/Secretary for the Department of California Past Commanders Club and was PCC District President.

After 11 years as Secretary/ Finance officer she continues to work on behalf of the Annual Golf Tournament at Yountville. This Golf Tournament not only allows Legionnaires a wonderful opportunity to mingle with the residents, but it also creates a source of funds for the Veteran-Residents of the Home, and fulfills a ‘wish list’ of items they otherwise could not acquire.

She has donated numerous hours to charitable organizations within the community. Working on quilts of Valor, and Quilts of Honor, these groups provides quilts to charities such as Wounded Warriors, VA hospitals, and numerous area hospices. Helps with the choices as to who needs our quilts and helps to distribute them, this year alone, we have given out over 100 quilts.

She has recently added docent to the list of hours of Community service, at the Rosie the Riveter National Park in Richmond, which she has just put on hiatus while being commander.”