By Allen Payton, Publisher

East County has another place to attend the movies, now that Maya Cinemas opened in Pittsburg, where the Brenden Theatres chain got its start.

According to the San Francisco Business Times, Maya Cinemas “rejuvenated the dilapidated 54,760-square foot theater complex at Century Plaza in Pittsburg. This week, the group finalized a 20-year lease agreement with Sierra Pacific, which owns the retail center.”

For now 12 of the 16 theaters will be open showing new-release feature films. The reconstruction also opened up the entrance with a large lobby and snack bar.

A special pre-Grand Opening party was held on Thursday, August 2 for local dignitaries and community leaders. In attendance was Antioch Councilwoman Mary Rocha and her husband Louie, as well as Carmen Ochoa of Give Always To Others & Company. Attendees were treated to a free showing of either Batman: The Dark Knight Rises or The Amazing Spiderman movies following the reception.

That was followed by a Grand Opening on Friday night, August 3 for the public.

Moctesuma Esparza, CEO of Maya Cinemas was in attendance. Mocte, as he is known, has been involved in the movie industry for almost 40 years. He is an award-winning producer, with the movies “Salena,” as well as “Gods and Generals” and “Gettysberg” to his credit.

Tuesday is Family Day at Maya Cinemas when all seats are $5.50 and 3D features are $8.50 all day. Wednesday is Seniors’ Day, when Seniors age 60 and above enjoy $4.00 admission and $7 for 3D features.  Some limitations apply. See their website for details.

Maya Cinemas is developing a chain of megaplex movie theaters focused on providing the highest quality movie-going experience in new and redevelopment market areas. This is their third location, with others located in Salinas and Bakersfield.

By capitalizing on the expertise of its management team Maya intends to develop movie theaters in locations with a strong Latino presence.

Maya theaters offers first-run Hollywood movies, and in one screen specialty and Spanish language films, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and providing first-rate entertainment with superior customer service. For more information visit www.MayaCinemas.com.

– Analysis –

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Humphrey the whale would be shedding a tear if he knew what was happening to his namesake restaurant in Antioch.

Humphrey’s on the Delta restaurant has been in the news, lately, due to some back rent owed to the city of a little over $48,000, because the city owns the land upon which the restaurant sits, as well as the filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to reorganize their finances, to avoid foreclosure and remain in business.

Let me first state, Humphrey’s is still open and in business, and owner Eva Romero and her new partner Samir Rohayem plan to keep it that way.

But the question is how did Humphrey’s get here? Well that’s the whale of a true tale of competition and inconsistent and unfair treatment by the City of Antioch, over the past 10 years.

A little understanding, first. The city has an incentive to make sure Humphrey’s is successful. Why? Because their rent is based upon a flat rate or a percent of gross sales, whichever is greater. So the more business Humphrey’s does over a certain amount, the more money paid to the city.

Let’s go back to 2001 when the City Council chose to go into direct competition with Humphrey’s, when they approved construction of the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center’s new banquet facility.

Up until that point, Humphrey’s was the only place in town where you could hold a seated event for up to 300 people.

The Lone Tree facility was originally planned to be a 150-seat banquet hall at a cost of $3.6 million. Instead, the City Council at the urging of then Mayor Don Freitas, approved a 300-seat, $4.8 million facility. Then with construction cost overruns of $900,000 that figure increased to $5.7 million.

The city loaned that $900,000 to the golf course, but the first payment of $48,379 wasn’t required until this year.

Once the new facility was open at Lone Tree, city, Chamber of Commerce and other events started being held, there instead of at Humphrey’s where they all had been held in the past.

Then the city chose to go into the restaurant business, again. This time with the Downtown Restaurant Incentive Program, in which they had $500,000 in redevelopment money to give to two restaurants.

They ended up granting $300,000 to help Bases Loaded open on G Street, which offered a full bar, food and live musical entertainment, just like Humphrey’s does. Now they’re struggling to stay alive, too.

At the time I argued that whatever the city did for a new business, they need to offer an equal benefit to existing businesses that the new one would compete with.

Instead, the city spent $20,000 on a consultant for Humphrey’s who told them three things, two of which they did: 1. change the staff uniforms, 2. make changes to the menu, and 3. spend $500,000 to $750,000 to fix up the place. The Romero family didn’t have that kind of money for improvements.

All they asked from the city was a new sign at the end of L Street at 2nd Street so people would know that Humphrey’s was there, since the trees in the marina parking lot had all grown up and now block the view of the sign on the front of the restaurant.

Then along came the new Antioch Community Center at Prewett Park which can also hold sit-down, catered banquet events for 220 people in one room and as many as 1,000 in the gymnasium. So, not only was the City competing with Humphrey’s, again, they’re now in competition with Lone Tree – which is owned by the city but operated by a nonprofit board of directors.

City staff recognized that, in their report to the City Council on February 10, this year, when they pointed out the challenges facing Lone Tree – “loan debt, downturn in the economy, creating a larger event center facility desired by the community leaders, the new Antioch Community Center.”

In that same report, staff pointed out that Lone Tree was in arrears almost $542,000 in payments on the loan for construction of the facility.

I don’t fault the golf course board. It was the Council at that time that strapped the board with a much larger debt than was planned or manageable.

But if they can’t make their loan payments, the city’s General Fund – which pays for police – has to pick up those costs.

Fortunately, according to one board member, they have made all the payments required by the city, this year. That included a $281,000 loan payment reducing the amount in arrears to about $260,000 and a $74,055 payment on the loan for the parking lot improvement, reducing that balance to either $74,055 or $148,110.

However, that doesn’t include the approximate $850,000 remaining from the loan for construction cost overruns.

The Prewett Park Fund, for both the new Community Center and Antioch Water Park, received a subsidy of almost $300,000 in this past year’s budget from the city’s General Fund. So that tells me unfortunately, they’re not making it on their own, either.

So now there are three facilities competing for the same banquet room rental business – which needless to say has dropped off dramatically since 2008 – and two of them are owned by the city, and all are struggling. One council member said the city now rotates events among the three.

Another shot from the city was the replacement of the Marina Park with the new Boat Launch Facility. Why? Because people would use the park for weddings then have their receptions at Humphrey’s, afterwards.

Finally, the latest shot was when the Council voted against changing the name of L Street to Marina Way or Parkway, as has been in the city’s Economic Plan since 1996. Humphrey’s address would have been 1 Marina Way or Parkway. The signs on the freeway would have provided permanent marketing for the waterfront and the road. Currently Humphrey’s address is 1 Marina Plaza, but there are no signs with that name on it and is confusing.

Yet the city is coming down hard on a 70-something, Hispanic female and longtime Antioch business owner and resident, over $48,000 in back rent.

Eva Romero attempted to sell the business two years ago, but she claims when the managing partner of the LLC defaulted on payments, she had to take the restaurant back.

She really doesn’t want to be in the restaurant business any more. She wants to retire.

One council member said it was because Romero filed for bankruptcy protection, the city was done dealing with her. They’ll be happy to negotiate with a new owner on the back rent. But not with Romero, because he doesn’t believe they can due to Humphrey’s being in bankruptcy.

Something smells about this entire situation, and it’s not from the fresh fish served at Humphrey’s or from a whale.

The City Council needs to work with Romero and her new partner, and let Humphrey’s deal with their creditors and stay alive until they can find a new buyer. It’s only fair after all the competition the city created for them.

Seventh Year for $15,000 Community Competition

The Dow Chemical Company’s Community Advisory Panel (CAP), in conjunction with Dow’s Pittsburg Operations, is accepting applications for its seventh annual competitive grant program.  Grants will range from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the scope of the project.  Prospective grantees, serving the East Contra Costa communities, must focus on education, science or the environment.

The competitive grant program was established in 2006 to help fund sustainable community service projects in Eastern Contra Costa County.  Though Dow Pittsburg Operations gives more than $150,000 throughout the year to non-profit organizations in the surrounding communities, designating $15,000 for competitive grants enables Dow to diversify the amount of charitable giving within the community.

Applicants must meet certain criteria to be eligible.  Guidelines, criteria and the application itself are all available online at www.dow.com/pittsburg/community/cap/index.htm.   The deadline for submitting the application is September 6 and grant winners will be announced in early October.

Members of the Dow CAP Grants Committee will rank applications based on relevance, sustainability, and overall impact and benefit to the community.

Max Muscle in Antioch will hold it’s Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 18 from Noon until 4 p.m. Owners Brenda and Pierre Goudie invite their customers, and everyone else who is interested in getting in shape through proper supplementation and sports nutrition, to stop in to meet them and their staff to learn more and enjoy free samples, raffle prizes, contests by Crossfit Antioch, huge sales and other specials.

The store is located at 5887 Lone Tree Way at Empire Road in Antioch, near Office Depot, Lumpy’s Diner and Panera Bread.

But you don’t have to wait until the 18^th to get started on the right road to success. Call, click or come by, today at (925) 757-MAXX (6299) or www.maxmusclebrentwood.com and take advantage of this month’s special, by downloading the coupon below and learn more about Vit-Acell Energy Advanced Liquid Nutrition by clicking here.

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition has been a leader in the sports nutrition industry since 1991. Committed to improving the health of people from all walks of life, men, women, young adults, everyday fitness enthusiasts, high school and college athletes, as well as bodybuilders. Each of our employees are extremely knowledgeable and take the time with each client to pinpoint their health and fitness goals in order to find the best program, products and supplements for them to achieve those goals. Whether your goal is weight loss, weight gain or simply dedicating yourself to a healthier lifestyle- Max Muscle Sports Nutrition provides the best products and services.

Our sports nutrition supplements are renowned in the health and fitness industry and with our customers for their high quality and level of purity. High 5 and Max Pro are our top selling proteins, made to optimize protein uptake and absorption, while using only the best ingredients.  2TX is not just a Testosterone Booster, it’s a Natural Testosterone Amplifier, safe with many benefits.  Emerge, a powerful fat loss and body composition slenderizing system, delicious in taste, fast to see results.  Beyond the supplements we manufacture ourselves, at Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, we are committed to promoting and carrying only the safest, most effective products.

But supporting your health and fitness goals doesn’t stop there. We also provide expert advice through our award-winning monthly magazine, Max Sports and Fitness, Personalized Nutrition Plans, our MaxFormation Life Challenge, as well as cutting-edge fitness apparel to keep you comfortable and looking great.

Personalized Nutrition Plans… Each store is staffed with a Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach™ who knows the right nutrients for you and when you should take them. They assist you to figure out what your body needs to get the results you’ve been longing for.

An experienced Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach™ will customize your nutritional program according to your gender, age, height, weight, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the thermic effect of foods, your body composition, daily schedule, food preferences, etc. – all to calculate the perfect combination of nutrients for you. These programs are based on science and research, not hype and latest diet trends.

After completing your initial assessment and scheduling your follow-up sessions, your CSNS will provide you with a complete printout of your program and eating schedule. You will also receive your easy-to-use customized nutrition program via e-mail.

Rock Bottom Records in Antioch, a local hotspot for CD’s and DVD’s for over 33 years, is closing in August.

Rick Armstrong, owner since 1979, says the retail music business has rapidly changed in the past 10 years from physical to digital product.

“Luckily, we have had a bunch of ‘old school’ customers who love CD’s to keep us going,” he added.

Armstrong purchased the store in 1979 and it was located where the Wendy’s restaurant on A Street, is now. After five years he relocated the store across the street to the Antioch Square, behind Rite Aid.

The store moved again in 1994 to the Lucky shopping center, now the “Grocery Outlet” center, down by the old Ernie’s Liquors store. Then three years ago, Armstrong made the final move down next to Lamothe Cleaners.

Dale Parsons has been Rick’s manager for 14 years and is a virtual guru of song titles and artists. Over 300 local adults and kids have worked at the store through the years.

Stop by and say “Hello” and “Good-Bye” to Rick, dale and the other employees. They will miss all of you, too.

 

See their ad in the July issue of the Herald or on this website for specials.

Help Reduce e-Waste in our Cities and Landfills

In order to create a cleaner environment for our community, Somersville Towne Center is hosting an electronic waste [e-waste] recycling collection event.

DATE:  Saturday, July 28th and Sunday, July 29th, 2012

LOCATION:  Somersville Towne Center’s main parking lot directly across from Kaiser on Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch.

This event is a free service to both city residents and businesses to properly dispose of their computer obsoletes, and at the same time, help reduce improper and illegal dumping in our city and landfills.  More importantly, the event helps protect our planet from various toxicities from reaching our soil and environment.

E-Waste includes electronic products or devices, such as computer monitors, televisions, PC systems, printers, copiers, facsimile machines and home entertainment systems that have reached their useful end, whether in working condition or not.

Please come and show your support for a cleaner environment by sending e-waste away from our city and landfills to the appropriate recycling process.

For more information on Somersville Towne Center for this or other events, visit www.somersvilletownecenter.com.

Somersville Towne Center is the only enclosed, air conditioned mall in Antioch.

It is owned by Macerich, a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. Macerich now owns approximately 64 million square feet of gross leaseable area consisting primarily of interests in 63 regional shopping centers.  Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company’s Web site at www.macerich.com.

By Sean Wright

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce hosted the City of Antioch’s Annual State of the City Luncheon on Monday, June 11, with over one hundred and twenty attendees. The lunch provides an opportunity for the Mayor, the Chief of Police and the City Manager to give a city report card, and to celebrate accomplishments and share their vision for the future.

Mayor Jim Davis started by sharing his prognosis for the city.

“Last year, I characterized Antioch as being in guarded condition,” he stated. “Today, I say this city is in stable condition, and on track for a full recovery.”

This past year Antioch has opened the brand new Boat Launch and continues to prepare for eBART and the completion of the widening of Highway 4. Sales tax revenues have also shown an upturn with an estimated five percent increase this year, which allowed Davis to characterize Antioch as moving forward and slowly upward.

The city staff have all stepped up and taken on more responsibility in order to make up for staff shortages, and the mayor applauded and thanked the efforts of our city employees. On a positive note the city is starting to hire some positions back and will see a Code Enforcement Officer working for the city in the near future.

Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando kept an upbeat focus for the luncheon as he shared several innovative ways that the police department is working with the community to initiate more crime reducing tactics. Three new officers will be hired, shortly and the police are utilizing volunteers to help park decoy police cars throughout the community to create a greater presence. He also talked about utilizing patrols in different schedules and areas to increase their ability to fight crime.

Another focus of the Chief was to add greater community involvement via Neighborhood Watch, and social media outlets like Facebook. He also alluded to a new program to give anonymous police tips on crime without fear of repercussion using texting. If you would like to know more about the efforts of our police department, go to Facebook and “like” them. Cantando is being proactive in these social media forms to get the word out about the department’s ongoing efforts.

The concluding speaker, City Manager Jim Jakel, gave a very positive outlook on the regional, financial markers that are pointing towards a promising future. He pointed to increased housing prices in surrounding areas, the half-billion dollars that will be spent in and around Antioch by the construction workers as they build Highway 4 through our town, sales tax increase of 5% this year, and decreasing unemployment rates. He also mentioned possible future revenue for our city via smart use of our water rights and working with power generating stations.

Antioch is looking better than it has looked in a few years. There is lots of work to be done to continue fighting crime, creating job opportunities, and helping the schools to excel. If the community can come together and help to improve these important aspects of Antioch, the future looks bright.

Wright is the Executive Director of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and a Chiropractor in Antioch.

 

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is holding a joint Trade Show and Mixer on Thursday, June 28th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch. The trade show/mixer is open to the public at no charge. The trade show tables are sold out, but businesses can get on the waiting list by calling (925) 757-1800. Tables are $50 for members and $100 for non-Chamber members.