Antioch Chamber of Commerce MEGA MIXER & EXPO FUNDRAISER TONIGHT

Thursday, May 5th, 5:30PM-7:30PM
Humphrey’s on the Delta
1 Marina Plz- Antioch, CA 94509-7905

Exhibitor Opportunity: Space is limited-
$50 for Chamber members
Includes a 5 foot table and 2 chairs
Call today to reserve your space! 925-432-7301

Mixer is free to attend for all Chamber Members.
Come out and enjoy fun, food and networking. Don’t forget your business cards!
For more info call (925) 757-1800

COFFEE AT THE CHAMBER –
Tuesday, May 10th, 8:30AM-10:00 AM
Speaker- Randy Sabatte of Fast Signs
For more info call (925) 757-1800

BROWN BAG LUNCH @ The Chamber
Rich McDaniel- Mutual of Omaho
Retirement for the Small Business Owner
Thursday, May 19th, 12:15PM-1:15 PM
FREE- For more info call (925) 757-1800

ANTIOCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MIXER
Thursday, May 26th, 5PM-7PM
Richard Pagano’s State Farm Insurance
2317 Buchanan Road – Antioch, CA 94509
Come out and enjoy fun, food and networking. Don’t forget your business cards!
For more info call (925) 757-1800

Join Wells Fargo in celebrating local small businesses and building stronger community relationships on Friday May 13th from 10am to 2pm. Lunch is at 1 p.m. Wells Fargo is located at 1715 A Street in Antioch.

There will be food, giveaways, prizes and access to Wells Fargo specialists in merchant services, payroll services, business insurance, commercial lending and equipment financing.

For more information Contact Brandon Muhammad, Business Specialist, 925-757-5143, Brandon.Muhammad@wellsfargobank.com

Owner Bill Byrnes is joined by his son Tim, Mr. Pickle, Mayor Jim and Susan Davis, his staff and representatives of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, as he cuts the ribbon to officially open his new Mr Pickle's Sandwich Shop.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

This past Monday, Mr. Pickle’s new Sandwich Shop in Antioch, held its official ribbon cutting with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of the Chamber welcomed owner Bill Byrnes, his son Tim and staff to Antioch. Also on hand were Mayor Jim Davis and his wife Susan.

The ribbon is cut!

Everyone enjoyed some delicious sandwiches, chips, cookies and soft drinks on the house. They also serve salads, plus  you can also order your sandwich as a wrap. I’ve enjoyed their BBQ Melt chicken and cheddar cheese sandwich, their L’Michele turkey, jack cheese and cranberry sandwich, as well as their House Combo in a wrap. Mmmm.

You can too enjoy a free sandwich during their Grand Opening time, by getting their coupon in their ad in the print edition of the Antioch Herald (arriving inside the May issue of the Monthly Grapevine in your mailbox, starting, today) or by clicking on the “Ads & Coupons” link at the top of this page and printing out the page their ad appears. Buy one sandwich and two drinks and you get the second sandwich free!

They also have Mr. Pickle Gear for you to purchase and wear. So, stop by today and pick up a sandwich or two and say hello to Bill and Tim Byrnes and their staff. For more information visit www.MrPicklesInc.com.

Mr. Pickle’s is located at 4049 Lone Tree Way in the Bluerock Center in Southeast Antioch.

Owner Bill Byrnes works the register while his staff is busy preparing sandwiches.

Kiwanis Club of the Delta – Antioch Proudly Presents the “Pride of Southeast Antioch” Restaurant Tour 2011 on Sunday, May 15th from 1pm to 5pm with special thanks to our contributing Antioch Restaurants:

Sticky Chicken & Ribs – 3721 Lone Tree Way
Lonetree Golf Course – 4800 Golf Course Rd.
Xtreme Burger – 4045-F Lone Tree Way
Starbucks (Bluerock) – 4045 Lone Tree Way
Schooners Grille Brewery – 4250 Lone Tree Way
Uno’s Chicago Grill – 4827 Lone Tree Way
Bagel Street Cafe – 4815 Lone Tree Way
Coldstone Creamery – 5779 Lone Tree Way
Panera Bread – 5897-B Lone Tree Way

All beverages must be purchased. NO ALCOHOLIC beverages are allowed to leave restaurants.

TICKET PRICE: $15. To Purchase tickets, more information on the Restaurant Tour or to find out more about The Kiwanis Club of the Delta – Antioch, please contact: Lynn Ferguson (925) 207-7779, Frank Guarascio (925) 777-9800 or Kay Power (925) 757-2151

All proceeds benefit local charities. Please patronize our sponsors and contributors.

Paradise Skate owner Jeff Warrenburg receives is presented with his plaque by Past Chairman of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Rich McDaniel.

By the Antioch Chamber of Commerce

At the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala, on Friday night April 22, the winners of Small and Large Business of the Year were announced.

Paradise Skate, owned by Jeff Warrenburg was chosen Antioch’s 2010 Small Business of the Year. Also nominated were Fast Signs and Dow Great Western Credit Union.

For the past four years that Jeff Warrenburg has owned Paradise Skate, it has changed the way families in East County enjoy their leisure time. Paradise Skate provides an affordable option for family fun. Jeff has made it his mission to help as many local groups as possible. He believes that businesses should contribute to the community in many ways. 

Paradise Skate Roller Rink is open to the public, providing local schools and youth groups the ability to enjoy a fun, safe entertainment while raising money for their various organizations. Jeff also understands there are families who are less fortunate and need a helping hand. Once a month, Jeff opens Paradise Skate to groups of adults and children with disabilities to an afternoon of fun, free of charge.

In 2010, Paradise Skate became the first official permanent home to the C.A.P.S Organization Annual Christmas Party. This event allows hundreds of handicapped families the opportunity to have Christmas Dinner and visits with Santa Claus – including special gifts for everyone! Paradise Skate also contributed substantial donations to over 14 Antioch schools. Paradise Skate is a proud sponsor of numerous local sports teams, including Antioch soccer, baseball, baseball and basketball teams, to name a few. In addition, Jeff offers the use of Paradise Skate to the local Charter School for P.E. classes when the weather prevents the children from holding class outside, as well as other special events.

Jeff Warrenburg holds a copy of the front cover the first print edition of the Antioch Herald in which the article of his achievement appears, on the night of the Chamber Gala where it was announced.

Paradise Skate has always been an active member of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and the Delta Rotary. Jeff believes in giving back to his community, and in 2010, his ownership of Paradise Skate allowed him to impact the lives of hundreds of children, organizations and businesses in Antioch.

To quote Jeff, “Paradise Skate takes on a fresh air of excitement and down right fun. We are committed to providing a safe, clean environment, staffed by friendly folks. Paradise Skate is a fun place where a family can enjoy great times together.”

Congratulations, Jeff!

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Jennifer Victor and Eric Maldonado (right) of Travis Credit Union's Antioch branch are honored by Antioch Chamber's Past Chairman Rich McDaniel.

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce chose Travis Credit Union as Antioch’s 2010 Large/Corporate Business of the Year and announced the award at their annual Gala, tonight, Friday, April 22, 2011 in front of a crowd of 200 guests at the Lone Tree Golf and Event Center. Also nominated was Sutter Delta Medical Center.

Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa, and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 13th largest credit union in California, with more than 175,000 members and more than $1.8 billion in assets. As one of the leading financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, Napa, and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members; its solid, secure history; and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.

Travis Credit Union opened its Antioch location more than six years ago at the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center and are involved in many civic organizations in Antioch. Travis Credit Union has supported the Antioch Chamber of Commerce through participation and sponsorship of the Great Race of Antioch, Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Gala, Economic Summit and the Golf Tournament Fundraiser.  Demonstrating our commitment to the community, Jennifer Victor, branch manager of the Slatten Ranch branch serves as an ambassador of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and is a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Antioch.  In addition, Travis Credit Union supported the community through the involvement of Helen Raoufian, assistant vice president and regional manager of the Contra Costa region who has served as president of the Antioch Schools Education Foundation and Eric Maldonado, community involvement officer who has also served on the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee.

Travis Credit Union supports the Antioch Community through sponsorship but most importantly through personal involvement. We are Travis Credit Union, the financial institution who demonstrates the credit union principle of “People Helping People”.

Photo by Allen Payton

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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