Supporting The Pride of Antioch High School and Deer Valley Marching Band and Color Guard
Get ready for the most thrilling night of the year at the 4th Annual Texas Hold’em Tournament!
Join us for an unforgettable evening supporting the AHS and DVHS Marching Band and Color Guard. This event is packed with excitement, including:
Fantastic prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
A delicious dinner to satisfy your taste buds
Exciting raffles with amazing prizes
A lively atmosphere with great company and lots of fun
Whether you’re a poker pro or just looking for a fun night out, this event has something for everyone. The cost is $75 for the full event, or $20 for the Dinner Only option.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to support our talented musicians and performers while having a blast. Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for a night of fun, excitement, and great memories!
Antioch’s “Hey Look, Daddy! statue after restoration in 2022 (Source: City of Antioch), plaque and as of April 8, 2025, after theft and removal. Photos by Allen D. Payton
Depicted them watering City’s Official Flower; part of public art program
Former mayor, councilwomen who approved it in 1994 upset
The art piece was approved by the city council in 1994 at a cost of $150,000 and it was first vandalized in 2021. According to the City, “Toward the end of September 2021, Frostad Atelier Foundry in Sacramento was tasked with restoring this landmark statue due to vandalism (severing) of the dad’s hand and a watering pail. The restoration took approximately seven…months.”
“The patina, a green or brown film on the sculpture’s surface produced by oxidation over a long period, has also been restored as part of the process. Additionally, the installation of new primrose flowers has also been completed!”
The street view of the statue in 2022 following restoration (Left – Source: City of Antioch) and location after theft and removal on April 8, 2025. (Right) Photo by Allen D. Payton
A post on the City of Antioch’s Facebook page on Monday, April 7, 2025, reads: We’re saddened to share that one of Antioch’s cherished public art pieces — the “Hey Daddy, Look!” sculpture located on Lone Tree Way near James Donlon Blvd.— has been vandalized.
“Originally restored in 2022 at a cost of over $38,000, the bronze statue has stood as a symbol of joy and connection in our community. Sadly, on March 12, the City was notified that the statue of the little girl was stolen. Out of concern for further vandalism, City staff have since removed the remaining ‘dad’ statue for safekeeping.
“The Antioch Police Department has been notified, and a report has been filed. If you have any information or saw anything suspicious in the area, please contact Antioch PD at (925) 778-2441.
We know many residents loved and appreciated this piece of art. Please know that we’re actively looking into options for what comes next.
Let’s continue to look out for one another and our public spaces.”
Former Mayor, Councilwomen Upset with Vandalism
When reached for comment former Mayor Joel Keller, and Councilwomen Cathryn Freitas, Liz Rimbault and Mary Rocha, who voted to approve the statue, shared their frustration with the theft.
“I was an advocate for having public art be part of every subdivision and I was disappointed when I read that people had stolen a piece of public art that residents had paid for,” Freitas stated. “Nothing’s a free lunch. It’s just a shame.”
“They took the little girl to melt her down as bronze,” Rimbault posited. “That’s like when they were vandalizing the Cannery Lady Statue in Rivertown by stealing the plaques which were made of bronze. So, we replaced them with marble. One of them was cutup into several pieces and sold to a recycler but later recovered by the police. It’s now at the Historical Society Museum with the Cannery Lady display.”
“That was when Helen Meagher and Faye Curtis were heading up that effort,” she shared. “It was an entire art program that went up Lone Tree Way and came back down Hillcrest Avenue.”
“They included several mosaics on the wall on Hillcrest which used to get vandalized and were removed,” Rimbault continued. “Also, the silver sculpture (entitled, ‘Delta Moon’) at the (southeast) corner of Hillcrest and Lone Tree, the old man in the wagon pulled by a horse (entitled, ‘I Knew It Was Coming’ at Hillcrest and Laurel Road, which depicts him pointing at all the new people moving to town), the horses on the hill at Wild Horse Road (and Hillcrest, entitled, ‘The Spirit Rider of the Seasons’) the bears (on Hillcrest at Terrace View Avenue entitled, ‘Mother and Cub’) and the fountain (at the corner of Hillcrest and Deer Valley Road entitled either, ‘Elements’ or ‘Two Rivers’). Although, I don’t think that one was part of that art program.”
The City’s Art in Public Places program also included the blue lighted water drop, entitled simply, “Drop” at the entrance to Prewett Family Park where the Antioch Water Park is located, and the sculpture at the corner of Dallas Ranch Road and Rockspring Way possibly entitled either, “Delta Breeze” or “Delta Winds”.
“It’s just the state of the world, currently. Everybody’s hurting, thieves are running amok, we don’t have the police department at full strength and people are getting away with anything,” Rimbault added.
“It’s just too bad as it was an important part of Antioch’s past and future,” Keller stated. “Why people have to steal things it’s too bad. It’s part of what makes a city special, especially that particular statue. It was an uplifting statue and whoever stole it took that away from the public.”
Later, when reached for comment, Rocha said about the statue of the girl being stolen, “Oh, no. She was the cutest thing in it. She represented the future.”
“I’m sad. I go by there all the time,” she added.
See more of Antioch’s Public Art on the City’s website, here.
Two of the six students featured, Kadynce and Ebei at DVHS Cheer Practice in Antioch, CA. Source: Three Frame Media
Watch first episode tonight at 9 pm on KQED Channel 9
A six-part limited docuseries entitled, “The Class” following six students from Deer Valley High School in Antioch, CA as they pursue higher education dreams during a challenging pandemic year, begin airing tonight, Monday, March 24, 2025, on KQED Channel 9 at 9:00 p.m. It premiered on PBS stations beginning March 18, 2025.
The series arrives exactly five years after the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down schools across the U.S. in 2020. The Class is made available to PBS by KQED Presents, the national distribution service of KQED, the San Francisco-based PBS and NPR member station.
From Tony- and Grammy-winning Executive Producer Daveed Diggs (Blindspotting, Snowpiercer, Hamilton), Executive Producer Nicole Hurd (President, Lafayette College) and award-winning filmmakers Jaye and Adam Fenderson (First Generation, Unlikely), this dramatic six-part series was filmed over the course of the 2020-2021 school year and documents the remarkable challenges faced by these high school students during the pandemic and a particularly critical moment in their personal and academic development. With resilience and determination, they face obstacles head-on, inspired by their dedicated college adviser, known as “Mr. Cam.” His guidance empowers them to overcome barriers and unexpected challenges toward their dreams of a college degree.
“We hope these students’ stories restore faith in the promise of college and the opportunities it provides for those who came of age during the pandemic. It has been an incredible journey to make this series, and we’re so grateful to Daveed, Nicole, KQED, and the extended village that has come alongside to make it possible,” stated Jaye and Adam Fenderson of Three Frame Media.
The Fendersons connected with Nicole Hurd through College Advising Corps, the organization she founded, and were immediately drawn to its model of training recent college graduates to serve as advisers in public high schools. When planning the project during the early days of the pandemic, their vision was to capture an adviser guiding students who had missed the end of their junior year—along with crucial milestones like SATs—through the college application process. However, when production began during the summer of 2020, the pandemic was far from over, and the story evolved into something far more complex and powerful than they had originally imagined.
A wide virtual search for potential advisers across the country found Mr. Cam, with his charisma and passion for the work shining through, making him an essential subject for the series. With him and Deer Valley High School on board, the team met with many incredible students and selected six seniors – Ahmad, Ebei, Emily, Javonte, Kadynce, and Raven – as subjects who represent a wide range of voices and perspectives shared among their generation.
Set in the East Bay, the series captures the essence of the community—from the local crew to the musical artists featured—creating a deeply authentic reflection of the place the students call home. Hurd introduced longtime friend and Oakland native Daveed Diggs to the project and he signed on to Executive Produce, lending his song “Night Time” to the series’ main title theme.
“High school has always been a challenging time, but in the age of COVID, it took an extra dose of courage and perseverance to succeed. As an Oakland native and a fierce advocate for expanding opportunities in education, I am proud to be a part of ‘The Class, ’ which highlights the stories of six incredible Bay Area teens as they fight to achieve their dreams,” stated executive producer Daveed Diggs.
Throughout the launch of the series, the filmmakers will engage in a national impact campaign, encouraging audiences to discuss their experiences living through the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected their mental health and overall well-being as it pertains to their academic and social lives. The series and impact campaign is made possible with support in part from the John M. Belk Endowment, Lumina Foundation, Gates Foundation, Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Ascendium Education Group, Ballmer Group, Uplifting Capital, Ellucian, and ECMC Foundation.
The Class debuted on PBS on March 18, 2025 (check local listings), with new episodes airing weekly and streaming on the PBS app. It airs on KQED channels as follows: Fridays at 8pm on KQED 9 starting 3/21, Saturdays at 6pm on KQED 9 starting 3/22, Mondays at 9pm on KQED 9 starting 3/24, and Sundays at 8pm on KQED Plus starting 3/23.
The Class cast – Top Row (L-R): Mr. Cam, Ahmad, Ebei and Emily. Bottom Row (L-R): Javonte, Kadence and Raven. Photos: Three Frame Media.
ABOUT THE CAST Mr. Cam Originally hailing from Oakland, Cam has returned to his alma mater Deer Valley High School as a college adviser. A first-generation college graduate himself, Cam is the only college adviser on a campus with 2000+ students and works tirelessly to empower his students as they navigate the ups and downs of this unprecedented school year
Ahmad Basketball means everything to Ahmad who transferred to Deer Valley High School to play for their championship winning team. But with indoor sports on hold, this year’s season remains uncertain and Ahmad worries about his sports prospects.
Ebei A highly decorated track and field star, Ebei is the youngest of five siblings. On top of being a dedicated student, Ebei juggles a busy schedule as an ASB leader and cheerleader and strives to keep school spirit alive despite the unprecedented start to their senior year.
Emily Hailing from a close-knit family, Emily is the middle child of five sisters. While the pandemic sent students home to learn, Emily’s frontline job in food service remained in-person. Now she juggles working part-time while trying to keep up her grades to get into college.
Javonte Javonte has come into his own during high school emerging as an outgoing leader. He has the grades and accolades to go on to college, but with so much uncertainty in the world he starts to reconsider his options.
Kadynce As a cheerleader and member of the Mock Trial Team, Kadynce is quick to let her voice be heard. She dreams of attending a 4-year university, going on to law school, and fighting against issues of injustice but the COVID pandemic has made even her best laid plans feel uncertain.
Raven A self-taught musician, Raven picked up his first instrument at the age of 7 and enjoyed being part of the Deer Valley High School award-winning choir. Raven aspires to attend a 4-year university but with the challenges of remote learning, he worries about his grades and chances of getting in.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS: Adam Fenderson and Jaye Fenderson, Directors and Producers The Fendersons are an award-winning husband and wife filmmaking team and the founders of Three Frame Media, an independent production company focused on character-driven storytelling that engages audiences and drives impact. Together, they directed and produced the critically acclaimed documentary First Generation, which follows four high school students striving to become the first in their families to attend college. The film’s success led to Go College! Now, an educational initiative with Wells Fargo aimed at breaking down barriers to college access. Their follow-up documentary, Unlikely, investigated America’s college dropout crisis and featured influential voices, including LeBron James, Howard Schultz, and leading experts in higher education. The Class is the duo’s first original television series directed and produced through Three Frame Media.
ABOUT THREE FRAME MEDIA: Founded by award-winning husband and wife filmmaking team Adam and Jaye Fenderson, Three Frame Media produces original documentary content that entertains audiences, fosters dialogue, and inspires lasting change. Their award-winning debut film, First Generation, garnered international acclaim as it followed four high school students striving to be the first in their families to go to college. Through theatrical releases, film festivals, and credits spanning NBC, ABC, Lifetime, Discovery, CNBC, and more, their work continues to engage and impact people from across the globe, reinforcing the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.
ABOUT KQED: KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS affiliate based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source and leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places and ideas. kqed.org
BARTable and the NBA have partnered to reward riders for taking transit.
Events: Rising Stars, National Basketball Players Association Brotherhood Deli, NBA All-Star Concert Series at Pier 48, All-Star Saturday Night including Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest & Slam Dunk and All-Star Game
By Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Friday, Feb. 14, marks the start of the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, hosted by the Golden State Warriors. BART looks forward to carrying fans to the games and events happening on both sides of the Bay. We’re also proud to partner with the NBA Players Association for the big weekend.
Follow our directions below to make your journey to games and events as smooth as Curry’s free throws. BART will adjust train lengths to accommodate ridership. For tickets and locations find a list of all the NBA All-Star Weekend events.
Win free tickets and prizes Visit BARTable’s contests and deals page from now until Feb. 16 for a chance to win exclusive prizes and MVP experiences.
Those looking for more opportunities to get free tickets and other prizes, download the NBA Events app which has partnered with BART and other Bay Area agencies to encourage riding transit around the Bay.
After creating a free NBA ID account, visit the participating stations (see below), tap the tile on the dashboard corresponding with the station, and earn your check-in via your mobile device in mixed reality. Each check-in will also count towards unlocking NBA All-Star prizes through the NBA ID All-Star Rewards Program.
Participating stations: • 16th St Mission • Coliseum • Embarcadero • Lake Merritt • Powell St
The Grand BART Prizes will be in the form of digital railgoods.com gift cards in amounts ranging from $10 to $100.
Take transit to Chase Center
Take BART to Powell St. Station and transfer to Muni T Third trains at Union Square Station. Signs on the platform and concourse will guide you to the right exit to catch Muni, and the special event trains will read “S Shuttle Mission Bay.” Disembark Muni at UCSF/Chase Center.
Take BART to 16th St./Mission Station and transfer to special Muni 78X bus service. Disembark at 16th St. & Illinois St. Your event ticket is your Muni ticket. Ride Muni to Chase Center for FREE with your event ticket (excluding cable cars). For more information, visit the Chase Center website. • Friday, Feb. 14, 6pm: Castrol Rising Stars • Saturday, Feb. 15, 5pm: State Farm All-Star Saturday Night • Sunday, Feb. 16, 5pm: 74th NBA All-Star Game
Take transit to Oakland Arena
BART takes you directly to the Oakland Arena. Take BART to Coliseum Station and walk across the overpass and around the Coliseum to the arena. Use the arena’s North Entrance for a shorter walk. • Friday, Feb. 14, 4pm: Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game • Saturday, Feb. 15, 11am: NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T • Saturday, Feb. 15, 2pm: NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T
Take transit to Moscone Center
Take BART to Montgomery Street Station and walk a short distance to Moscone Center. • Friday, Feb. 14, to Sunday, Feb. 16: NBA Crossover interactive fan experience • Sunday, Feb. 16: NBA G League Next Up Game
Take transit to the NBA All-Star Concert Series at Pier 48 The NBA will host a three-day concert series from Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, at Pier 48. Headliners include Noah Kahan, The Chainsmokers, Zedd, and Flo Rida.
Take BART to Powell St. Station and transfer to Muni T Third trains at Union Square Station. Signs on the platform and concourse will guide you to the right exit to catch Muni, and the special event trains will read “S Shuttle Mission Bay.” Disembark Muni at Mission Rock and walk to Pier 48.
Take BART to Embarcadero Station and transfer to Muni N Judah trains on the upper level of the station. Disembark at King and 2nd streets and walk to Pier 48.
Take transit to the NBPA Brotherhood Deli at SPARK Social SF The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) will bring their Brotherhood Deli food truck – the only fan experience powered by the 450+ members of the NBPA – along with activations and programming to SPARK Social SF from Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, 11am to 6pm. It’s a short walk from SPARK Social to Chase Center.
The celebration will include player appearances, photo opps, plant-based food, immersive gaming, and hourly slam dunk shows and fan shooting contests. To register and secure your spot during All-Star Weekend click, here: NBPA Brotherhood Deli.
Take BART to Powell St. Station and transfer to Muni T Third trains at Union Square Station. Signs on the platform and concourse will guide you to the right exit to catch Muni. Disembark Muni at Mission Rock and walk to SPARK Social.
Take BART to 16th St./Mission Station and transfer to the Muni 22 bus. Disembark at Mission Bay Blvd North and 3rd Street and walk to SPARK Social.
Are you excited for NBA All Star Weekend? Share with us on social media at @SFBARTable and #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Instagram and Facebook to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.
Since 1978, Antioch resident Frank Ballesteros has been performing as the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in and directing “Humbug!”, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella entitled, “A Christmas Carol”.
This year, the performances will be held at Friday, December 20 at 7 PM and Saturday, December 21 at 2PM and 7PM at El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
Ballesteros has been teaching acting skills to children and adults and holding performances of various plays since 1968.
“I’ve always loved the classic movie ‘A Christmas Carol’, the 1954 version,” he said. “We used to watch it every year. Then George C. Scott played the part of Scrooge in the 1980’s adaptation.”
“Then I put in the Christian message. Instead of Scrooge accepting Christmas, in my show, Scrooge accepts Christ, which is the same as the message of Christmas,” Ballesteros shared. “No one has ever been offended in the 40 years, that it’s not the original story. Charles Dickens did that when he had Scrooge say, ‘I want to follow that star to Bethelehem’.”
Antioch High and Deer Valley High winners of Pitman Preview of Champions on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Photo: AUSD
By Antioch Unified School District
On Saturday, Sep 28, 2024, the Antioch and Deer Valley high school bands attended the first competition of the season and marched away winners. Held in Turlock, the bands snapped up a few trophies at the Pitman Preview of Champions, the first event in the Northern California Band Association‘s fall lineup of band reviews.
AHS: 1st place parade band division 3A and 4th place overall street percussion.
DVHS: 1st place parade band division 1A, 2nd place overall street percussion, and senior James Kyle Imperio won 1st place overall mace Drum Major.
The bands are separated into divisions based on the number of students in the bands and they compete against similarly sized schools.
DVHS Drum Major James Kyle Imperio and Band perform on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Photos: AUSD
Delta Band Review The 35th Annual Delta Band Review on Saturday, Oct. 5th, Delta Band Review had a record number of participating schools with 26 entries competing.
In addition to the parade component, some also competed in concert and jazz competitions.
During this 35th event, Deer Valley cleaned up with first place parade band 1A, first place concert band division 2A, 2nd place overall drumline, and Drum Major Sweepstakes (James Kyle Imperio).
The Antioch High Band prepares to perform, and the Deer Valley High winning Drumline performs on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Photos AUSD
Antioch High kicked off the event but, as the host, was not eligible for awards.
Courtney Emery, AHS music director, thanked the many volunteers led by its band backers group and others.
Galatea on a Dolphin, a 19th century Italian marble sculpture, illuminated in the Lily Pond on the Main Terrace of Hearst Castle – one of the many works that can be viewed as part of the ‘Art Under the Moonlight’ tour. Photo from California State Parks
‘Art Under the Moonlight’ tours will allow guests to explore William Randolph Hearst’s famed art collection like never before
By California Department of Parks and Recreation, Divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation
SAN SIMEON, Calif.— California State Parks is excited to announce a new limited series of evening tours at the iconic Hearst Castle® this fall. The “Art Under the Moonlight” tours will offer guests a unique opportunity to explore William Randolph Hearst’s world-renowned art collection like never before – under the enchanting glow of the moon. These guided tours will be available on select Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 4 through Nov. 16. Due to the limited availability, reservations are highly recommended.
WHAT: ‘Art Under the Moonlight’ tours WHEN: Select Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 4 – Nov. 16, 2024 WHERE: Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument (Hearst Castle®) COST: $50 for guests over 12 years old, $25 for children ages 5-12, no cost for children under 5. ACCESSIBILITY: The tour will involve navigating 160 stairs and will take moderate effort. An ADA-accessible version of the tour that involves no stairs and can accommodate up to four people per tour is also available. HOW TO JOIN: Visit HearstCastle.org or ReserveCalifornia.com to make your reservation. The tour lasts 100 minutes.
The new tour offers a rare chance to view illuminated outdoor works of art while learning about their significance through time and enjoying their beauty as one of Hearst’s honored guests would have done in the 1930s. Inside the historic castle, guests will get an intimate look at the art collection that the influential media mogul amassed during his time there.
“This is an incredible opportunity to be under the moonlight on the same path that Mr. Hearst and his guests strolled while smelling the fragrant blooms and hearing the calming sound of the hilltop fountains,” said San Luis Obispo Coast District Superintendent Dan Falat. “The evenings are magical here, and this one-of-a-kind art collection is shown off in the best lighting.”
About Hearst Castle®
La Cuesta Encantada, “The Enchanted Hill” high above the ocean at San Simeon, was the creation of two extraordinary individuals, William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan. Their collaboration, which began in 1919 and continued for 28 years, transformed an informal hilltop campsite into the world-famous Hearst Castle® – an estate that comprises the magnificent 115-room main house plus three sumptuous guesthouses, pools, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and paths. The main house, “Casa Grande” and the three guesthouses, “Casa del Monte,” “Casa del Sol,” and “Casa del Mar” are home to Hearst’s extraordinary art collection and have hosted many influential guests, including President Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Hedda Hopper, Joan Crawford, Charlie Chaplin, and a diverse array of luminaries from the sports, show business, and publishing industries.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
Visit 13 art galleries in Contra Costa County and Benicia for a chance to win prizes
By Samantha McNally, Main Street Arts Gallery
The Second Annual East Bay Gallery Tour has added six Benicia Art Galleries to the Tour this year! We now have 13 Art Galleries for you to visit during the month of October. You have the whole month to visit them and get your Gallery Tour postcard stamped for a chance to win a prize worth $300!
There will be a couple of smaller prizes if you don’t get to visit all of them. The winners will be chosen at random, picked from the completed postcards. The winners will get a certificate to purchase any artwork at any of the galleries in the Tour! This event is free and open to anyone who’d like to participate.
Visit any of the galleries listed below at the end of September or in October to pick up your postcard with a map and addresses of all the Art Galleries. The galleries will start stamping postcards on October 1.
