Julio and Connie Garcia recently opened El Porton Azul at 317 E. 18th Street in Antioch.

By Teresa A. Klein

Imagine moving to a new town not knowing a single person. It is a daunting and stressful experience for anyone. Now add in the factor of opening a restaurant – an endeavor you have always dreamt of but never reached – in a part of town that is known as “not the best.” Pretty brave.

In March 2011 that’s just what Julio and Connie Garcia accomplished. They followed their dream, took a leap of faith and opened El Porton Azul, an Italian restaurant at 317 E. 18th Street in Antioch.

“I believe dreams can come true and now we are here,” said Connie. “We moved here not knowing anyone and opened our first restaurant.”

Julio is a trained chef and does all the cooking while Connie runs the front end and shops for supplies, including fresh vegetables daily. “Sometimes I drive all the way to San Jose so we can have things fresh,” said Connie. “You can tell the difference in the taste of our dishes.”

All the meals are created when ordered and made from scratch. It is a classic Italian menu that includes pasta dishes, calzones, sandwiches, pizza and more. They also serve breakfast, opening at 8 a.m. daily. Monday-Thursday they close at 11 p.m.; Friday-Sunday they close at 1:30 a.m.

For about 15 years Julio worked in New York in Italian restaurants, then moved to California, where he met and married Connie. Now, five years later, they have reached a goal a longtime in the planning – opening a place of their own.

But Julio and Connie do want to be clear they are an Italian establishment, not Mexican. The history behind the name is that the business has been owned by Connie’s brother for a few years and was formerly a Mexican restaurant. Since they already had a license and permit they just decided to keep the name. “But we are Italian food,” Connie emphasized.

While Julio is proud of his 20 years of experience as a chef, the Garcias want their place to be more than just a stop-off to eat. “We want to help change the neighborhood with activities and fundraising,” said Julio. “We want to help give back to Antioch, such as raising money to bring back the Fourth of July fireworks.”

“We want El Porton to be a family place where people can come, especially the teenagers to keep them off the streets,” said Connie. “We want it to feel like home.”

The restaurant is decorated with photographs, paintings and other original artwork. Connie and Julio are open to people in the community bringing their artwork to the restaurant. The have set up a corner for poetry readings and karaoke on Sunday night. On Fridays there is live music and Saturdays are Salsa nights. Kids eat free on Tuesdays, and every night from 5-8 p.m. is happy hour in the bar. The Garcias are open to other events as well, so if you have a community idea let them know.

“We have a nice patio too,” said Connie. “I would like to set up free tutoring for the kids after school. We would need volunteers to do that.”

While Julio and Connie did not know anyone when they moved to Antioch just three short months ago, they already have regular customers who know their names. They have big plans to be a cornerstone in the community and making what some consider a not-so-great area of Antioch a bit better. “Antioch is beautiful,” said Connie. “Someone has to be the change, so we will.”

To contact El Porton Azul about catering, events, reservations or activity ideas, call 925-753-1715 or e-mail elportonazul@live.com.

The California Energy Commission has approved construction of the 624-megawatt Oakley Generating Station Project on the old DuPont property on Bridgehead Road near Wilbur Avenue – as well as a power plant in Alameda County.

“Approving these natural gas power plants will help meet California’s growing energy needs,” Energy Commission Chair Dr. Robert B. Weisenmiller said. “When these facilities come online they will provide reliable power for homes and businesses all around the East Bay.”

Natural gas-fired power plants facilitate the expansion of renewable energy power plants such as wind and solar because of their consistent and reliable power.

The environmental reports for the two projects said the facilities, as mitigated, will have no significant impacts on the environment and comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards. The decisions were based solely on the records of the facts, which were established during the facilities’ certification proceedings.

Both reports determined that the records, which contain detailed environmental impact assessments required by the California Environmental Quality Act, were adequate. The records for the projects include the Energy Commission staff’s thorough independent assessment of the projects’ potential impacts on the environment, public health, and safety.

The Oakley Generating Station Project is being proposed by Contra Costa Generating Station, LLC, a limited liability corporation owned by Radback Energy, Inc. The proposed project is a combined-cycle electrical generating facility. The project is located on a 21.95-acre site in Oakley. Construction of the plant, from site preparation to commercial operation, will occur over a 33-month period.

The applicant has a purchase and sale agreement with PG&E to guarantee commercial availability of power by June 1, 2016.

In his first official visit to the Bay Area, newly appointed Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. (center), was welcomed by (L-R) Cynthia Ruehlig, Contra Costa County Board of Education Trustee, and Walter Ruehlig, Antioch Unified School District Trustee at a reception at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco.

Ambassador Cuisia is soliciting support for “Save Our Industries Act” which will provide duty-free benefits for apparel products imported into the United States that have been manufactured in the Philippines using U.S. made fabrics.

Ambassador Cuisia asserted that The Save Act program would help both the U.S. textile industry and the Philippine apparel manufacturing industry by creating thousands of jobs and generating over a billion dollars in revenue for both countries. For more information, visit www.saveourindustriesact.org.

www.EcoBusinessCenters.com

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Starbucks or Peets too noisy?

Visit the EBC Business Lounge!

The commute is great when you have a home office, but distractions abound and then you need to meet with clients. Do you or your spouse feel comfortable having people in your home? Usually not, so you meet at Starbucks or Peets. And while we’re happy with the coffee, it’s just too noisy an environment and some discussions really need to be kept private. But what to do? You are officially invited to come to the ECO Business Center’s Business Lounge, hang out with free WiFi and then rent an office or conference room as needed. 45 person conference room rents for $75 / hour with food clean-up, $50 / hour if no food. Offices are $20 / hour. Cubicles are $15 / hour. Photocopy, printer, and fax services available. Email: Meetings@EcoBusinessCenters.com for reservations. Discounts exists for members.
Help Business Grow!

Can you help?

We have a number of needs so if you can donate labor or “in kind” services we would appreciate it. Some current needs are:

Fund raising, event planning, administration, construction, HVAC services, color photocopier, electrical, network wiring punch down, accounting, marketing, food sponsors, construction materials, solar panels, etc.

Call Glen at (925) 303-4520 for more information. Thanks!

Saturday night: Japan Relief Social Mixer & Gala
Help the Japanese!

Come have some fun at the social
mixer and/or for the dinner Gala to help raise funds for the Japanese disaster relief through our Japanese Sister City, Chichibu.

Call Lesli Reano for tickets at (925) 457-1947

5:00 – 6:30 PM Drop-in, Drink, and Donate
6:30 – 8:30 PM Gala Dinner $20
Social Media Marketing Classes
Please RSVP if attending in person or online..
Social Media Marketing 101: An Introduction
May 9th, 4 – 6:30 PM
Overview of the market space. Which onces are relevant for your business? Finding your “voice”. http://smmintro20110502.eventbrite.com

Facebook: How to gain more customers
May 16th, 4- 6:30 PM
Account setup. How to use it. Business relevance. Please RSVP if attending in person or online. http://www.meetup.com/Grow-your-Business-1/events/17130112/

LinkedIn: A Goldmine of opportunities
May 23rd, 4 – 6:30 PM
Account setup. Building your profile, connections, and the all powerful groups. http://www.meetup.com/Grow-your-Business-1/events/17285026/

FourSquare and Groupon: A must for Storefront Businesses
May 30th, 4 – 6:30 PM
Have a physcial office or storefront location? You need to understand FourSquare and Groupon. http://www.meetup.com/Grow-your-Business-1/events/17284986/

More Classes can be found at www.EcoBusinessCenters.com/Events.aspx

You’re envited to our 1st Problem Solving Lunch!
We all have our strengths, and we all have our weaknesses. We all have business problems, and we all get hungry, so let’s combine these issues and see if we can meet and have some brain share. Somehow it’s easier to solve someone else’s problem, so come share your wisdom and see if we can’t solve your problem. And chances are, if we don’t have an answer, we know someone who does – and it’s all about the networking isn’t it? Come bring your own lunch or call us a day in advance so we can place a food order for you. May 18th, 11:30 – 1:30 PM. http://www.meetup.com/Grow-your-Business-1/events/fjsxqyphbxb/

ECO Business Centers is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to economic redevelopment. We offer educational courses, a business incubator, a business lounge, networking problem solving luncheons, and executive office suites. We would sincerely appreciate your donations so we can continue to help small businessmen and women grow their businesses!

Sincerely,

Glen Laughton and Joe Reano
Co-founders
ECO Business Centers
(925) 526-4465

Save
$5 Register for a class using promo code CC05 and get $5 off the class. Register now!
Free classes excluded of course. 🙂 Offer Expires: May 31st, 2011

By Tami Barrera

In the late 1930s it began in a basement as side jobs for a lawnmower business. But by the time 1940 rolled around, those small jobs had grown big enough to launch a business, Schwinn City, at 814 A Street (at 10th Street) in Antioch.

Schwinn City’s newest owners, Ron and Kelly Lopez, took over the business from Michael Kary, who had obtained it from Dan Jacuzzi in 1974 and retired in September 2007.

What made the transition so smooth was the fact that Ron was Kary’s first employee and has been assembling, fixing and fitting bicycles for as long as Michael was the owner. Ron is a rider himself, so he is well aware of the bicycle world and all it entails to have fun. Whether you are a first-time rider or you have been riding for years, the Lopezes want you to know that your safety is their first priority and your pocket book is a close second.

If you’re on a tight budget, they have a layaway program for some models in which you can put down as little as $50 and be well on your way to owning a bicycle that is backed by a free service agreement for the life of the bike. Schwinn City is among the top in Northern California when it comes to BMX bikes and offers outstanding customer service.

“I would rather get my bicycle from Schwinn City than from anywhere else, because Mr. Lopez takes the time to fit the bike to you like that of a well tailored suit,” said a customer, Alex Ronning.

Ron was born and raised in Antioch and remembers when the city was more orchard than suburbia. But he’s transitioned with the times and is proud to be an owner of a landmark that is a staple to bike riders around the globe. He loves expanding people’s horizons and feels that everyone should be educated when it comes to bicycles.

The Lopezes believe in giving back to the community – donating to the Chamber of Commerce Gala and planning to give away a bike on May 7 – and sharing all they have with those that are interested in their passion of bicycles. They also allow test driving. So how can you go wrong with top of the line service designed to last a lifetime?

They are open every day except Tuesday – hey, they’ve got to rest sometime. The phone number is 925-757-0664. Their website is www.schwinncity.com.

Antioch’s Max Muscle Sports Nutrition is anxious to host its Spring Customer Appreciation Day this May. The in-store event is dedicated to the store’s 2011 Running Team for their hard work in preparing for the 100th annual San Francisco Bay to Breakers 12k foot race. This event will take place in-store on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 12 noon-4 PM, at 5887 Lone Tree Way (at Empire Road) # R, Antioch (near Office Depot, Lumpy’s and Panera Bread).

Everyone from the community is encouraged to come out to this event and show their support for local business, take advantage of huge sales, all while enjoying free sampling, and giveaways. Max Muscle Brentwood will have it’s Certified Fitness Nutrition Coaches on staff to provide customers with expert advice and ensuring what they have become known for, providing a one-on-one shopping experience.

Max Muscle specializes in Customized Nutrition Plans for individuals, couples, sport teams, and professional athletes looking for strategic nutrition planning. Proven results have shown that our customers and clients reach their nutrition goals through the staff infusing education and knowledge with leading edge technology.

“We are pleased and proud to provide an event like this for our customers and clients. We are passionate each time we get out into our community, speaking with the youth about living healthy lifestyles by making better nutrition choices. Hosting events like these give everyone a chance to experience our dynamic store,” Pierre and Brenda Goudie explained. “The relationships that we have built with our customers is what truly sets us apart from any other nutrition stores.”

About Max Muscle Sports Nutrition: Established in 1990, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition offers a diverse but integrated product mix of innovative nutritional supplements, fashionable athletic apparel and Certified Fitness Nutrition Coaching. Max Sports & Fitness Magazine is the magazine published monthly that targets a broad consumer base with a true passion for fitness and health. This combination is unique within the industry and has allowed Max Muscle to establish itself as a market leader with the health and fitness industry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m28a-P53LG4

If you’d like more information about how you can contribute or schedule an appointment, please call 757-6299 or email MaxMuscleBrentwood@yahoo.com.