Students ages 11-17 selected from over 300 applicants 

Finalist pitch event February 6th at Lafayette library will determine $1,000 winner

MORAGA, CALIFORNIA –Ten students in Contra Costa County have been selected as finalists for the first Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition (www.contracostasharktank.org). 

The competition, open to all Contra Costa County students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade, is a fun way to promote youth entrepreneurship. When young people succeed as entrepreneurs, they improve their own lives while also contributing to the economic development of their local communities. 

Antioch 7th-grader Lydia Stewart is one of the finalists and owns Lydia’s Soap. According to her business website, Lydia’s “soaps are good for sensitive skin and fun for bath time. Try my rub a dub soap for kids who love to play hard. Each hand wash gets you closer to a fun toy inside.”

“My parents bought me a soap making kit and I loved making soaps,” she shared. “My mom decided it would be a great way to learn economics. I have fun making great soaps and I get to share them with all my friends. I learn how to keep a budget and run a business, but most of all I get to spend time with my mom. Mom is my manager, teacher and employee. We make a great team.”

High school junior Maya Hammerman, the competition founder and one of the judges said, “The best way to learn about entrepreneurship is by starting a business. My journey as an entrepreneur started in elementary school. I created the competition to inspire kids in Contra Costa County to start or grow any type of business from traditional ones such as lemonade stands, to innovative new products or services that they create.” 

The ten finalists listed below were selected by members of the Campolindo High School Entrepreneurship Club from over 300 applicants.  

1. SportzCity, Hunter Smith (5th Grade, Burton Valley Elementary, Lafayette)
2. Experimental Kids, Archit Kundu (5th Grade, Bella Vista Elementary, San Ramon)
3. Lydia’s Soap, Lydia Stewart (7th Grade, Homeschool, Antioch)
4. Loonies, Valerie Castellanos, Angie Alvarenga, Giovanny Perez (7th, Summit Tamalpais, Richmond)
5. Tied Up in a Bow, Himna Imam & Mahum Malik (9th Grade, Venture & Dougherty Valley, San Ramon)
6. ElderSafe, Ronen Jain (10th Grade, Monte Vista High, Danville)
7. MiracleAlgae, Nicolas Angel-Ordonez & Shashank Koundinya (11th Grade, San Ramon Valley, Danville) 
8. Synchroma Studio, Hector Espinoza (12th Grade, Freedom High, Oakley)
9. ScrubWoofer™, Beatrice Roberge (12th Grade, Campolindo High, Moraga)
10. Workout Wizard, Fatimah Hussain (12th Grade, Dougherty Valley High, San Ramon)

Winners will receive $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. Sponsors for the competition include Chevron, Visa, PG&E, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and Campolindo Parents Club. Winners will be chosen by a panel of five judges at the Finalist Pitch Event at the Lafayette library on Tuesday February 6, 2024 at 7pm. For ticket information visit www.contracostasharktank.org

Contact Information: 

Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition

Maya Hammerman, Founder 

Email: contracostasharktank@gmail.com

Newly launched program will empower organizations in Northern California with $117,000 in funding

Travis Credit Union Foundation announces that applications are open today for its 2024 Financial Coaching Grants program. The Financial Coaching Grant aims to strengthen nonprofit organizations and create a network of financial coaches that empower communities in Northern California with increased financial literacy. Each grant will total $30,000 for general operating support and up to $9,000 in professional development for nonprofit staff. There are three grants available in 2024. Those interested in applying can start here.

Eligibility requirements are:

• Organizations benefitting people in the counties of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Contra Costa, and Merced
• Organizations classified as public charities
• Organizations with the ability to reach diverse communities to include those that are unbanked/underserved
• Organizations that do not discriminate by race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status
• Organizations with the capacity to allocate time and resources for two staff members to become financial coaches (self-study) and provide ten or more one-hour financial coaching sessions to beneficiaries each month
• Organizations that are willing to promote their participation in the Financial Coaching Grant Program and acknowledge funding received from Travis Credit Union Foundation in traditional and social media

“We believe in the power of financial education to transform lives,” said Damian Alarcon, president of Travis Credit Union Foundation. “This program is about making a tangible difference. By partnering with other nonprofits and ‘training the trainer,’ we aim to create a ripple effect of positive change, ultimately contributing to the financial wellness of the entire community.”

Those who apply and are selected as coaches will undergo a comprehensive three to five month self-study training through the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) / Financial Counseling for Empowerment Program (FICEP). Upon completing the Financial Coaching Course, coaches will be equipped to address a wide range of financial topics, from summarizing saving principles to educating community members about credit reports, credit scores, and wise use of tax refunds.

 The TCU Foundation is committed to supporting nonprofits throughout the grant’s lifetime, ensuring that financial wellness outcomes are achieved. The foundation will monitor financial coaching goals, metrics, and outcomes related to reduced debt, increased savings and established and/or improved credit scores. Renewal preferences are given to non-profits with a demonstrated record of coaching more beneficiaries.

 The grant application will close on February 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST.

About Travis Credit Union Foundation

The Travis Credit Union Foundation supports financial education and wellness initiatives and is the philanthropic arm of Travis Credit Union. The Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves through financial education, charitable giving, and community support. Travis Credit Union generously funds the administrative costs of the Travis Credit Union Foundation, allowing for 100% of funds raised to go back to the community. To learn more about the Travis Credit Union Foundation’s mission and how to participate in all it’s doing to build financial wellness in the communities it serves, visit tcufund.org.

Charged with five felonies, being held on $130,000 bail; Richmond PD assists

By Brentwood Police Department

On Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, Brentwood Police officers were dispatched to a report of a theft at Kohl’s. When the first officer arrived, he saw two of the suspects get into a car, which was parked in front of the store. The officer recognized it as being a suspect car involved in multiple prior thefts from Kohl’s.

The suspect car, which was driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed, fled from officers on scene. Because the suspects were believed to be involved in multiple thefts, with a most recent theft of $20,000, Dispatch notified other agencies of the information regarding the suspects and the involved car.

About an hour after this incident, Richmond PD notified our Dispatch that they had located the car and had one of the occupants, identified as 25-year-old Maya Vernay Usher of Antioch, in custody.

Usher was positively identified as one of the suspects responsible for the thefts. Our investigation also determined Usher is responsible for being involved in thousands of dollars’ worth of thefts from Kohl’s Department stores in and outside Contra Costa County. Usher was placed under arrest for organized retail theft, evading police, and other related charges.

This investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to work diligently in holding the other involved suspects accountable. A special thank you to Richmond PD for their assistance in this investigation.

According to recentlybooked.com, she was charged with five felonies including burglary: second degree – shoplifting, evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, grand theft: money, labor, property – shoplifting, organized retail theft with intent to sell, exchange or return and conspiracy to commit a crime.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the 5’1”, 195-lb. Usher (born 11-16-1998) is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $130,000 bail and her next appearance in Contra Costa Superior Court is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

According to localcrimenews.com, she was also arrested on June 12, 2021, by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputies for grand theft.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Usher is a former Customer Service Representative for the Antioch Walmart store from Mar. 2017 to Jan. 2018, an Emergency Dispatcher for Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. in Oakland from Jan. 2018 to Dec. 2021, and has worked as a COVID technician for Bay Area PLS, a mobile phlebotomy company providing professional blood draws, vaccinations and Covid-19 testing, with no dates of employment provided.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Celebrating Antioch’s Citizens, Businesses, Non-Profit and Youth of the Year; deadline Feb. 9

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

At 6 pm on Friday March 22, 2024, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce will host our annual awards Gala. The Chamber is pleased to open nominations for 2023 in the following categories:

-Youth of the Year

– Non-profit of the Year

– Citizen of the Year – Most Impact

– Citizen of the Year – Lifetime Achievement

– Small Business of the Year

– Large Business of the Year

Nomination forms must be completed and received by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce no later than 5p on Friday, February 9, 2023.

Please return forms to the Antioch Chamber of Commerce office at

640 W 2nd Street, Antioch or

mail to: P.O. Box 1711, Antioch, CA 94509

or by email to frontdeskadmin@antiochchamber.com.

For additional information please call 925.757.1800

Click Here to Download the forms

Or

DOWNLOAD THE NOMINATION FORMS BELOW:

Download Large Business of the Year Nomination Form

Download Small Business of the Year Nomination Form

Download Citizen of the Year Nomination Form – Most Impact

Download Citizen of the Year Nomination Form – Lifetime

Download Non-Profit of the Year Nomination Form

Download Youth of the Year Nomination Form

Purchase a Give Back Bag in January and FoodMaxx will donate $1.00 to the Antioch non-profit

Antioch, CA – Grace Closet has been selected as a beneficiary of the FoodMaxx Give Back Bag Program for the month of January 2024.

The FoodMaxx Give Back Bag Program, which launched February 2022, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. The Program supports local Food Banks and hunger relief organizations.

Grace Closet was selected as the January beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the FoodMaxx located at 4500 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Grace Closet will receive a $1 donation every time a $2.50 Give Back Bag is purchased at this location during January 2024, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

“It’s a great privilege to have been chosen for the Give Back Bag Program. Grace Closet appreciates the recognition concerning the service we have been providing here in East Contra Costa County” said Kibibi Columbus, Director of Grace Closet. “Every dollar received will help us continue our efforts to give freely to those who are in need of a helping hand in times of hardship and give hope, show love, kindness and grace”.

Grace Closet of Grace Arms of Antioch is a nonprofit located at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch. Founded in 2005, Grace Closet has served as a place where men, women and children can receive food, clothing, encouragement and much more at no cost. Learn more by visiting www.gracearmsofantioch.org.

For more information on the FoodMaxx Give Back Bag Program, visit tsmc.2givelocal.com.

Had to meet one of three criteria for multiple stolen vehicle cases

By Allen D. Payton

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, the Antioch Police Department offered, “Congratulations to Sergeant Green, Officer Marques, Officer Tanguma, and Officer Chandler for receiving the CHP 10851 award. The CHP developed the 10851 Awards Program to recognize the efforts made by CHP and allied law enforcement personnel who have met specified criteria toward the reduction of stolen vehicle crimes by making significant contributions to the recovery of stolen vehicles and the arrest of suspected car thieves.”

“We are proud of our officers who received this special recognition,” the department added.

Acting Chief Joe Vigil presented the awards.

According to AAA which participates with the CHP in granting the awards, the 10851 award gets its name from the California Vehicle Code section that prohibits vehicle theft. To qualify for the award, an officer must meet any of the following criteria within a one-year period:

• Make six separate “rolling stolen” (suspect occupied) in-custody arrests
• Recover 12 stolen vehicles, at least three of which are suspect occupied
• Develop information which results in identification of a theft ring, the arrests of at least two suspects and recovery of at least 10 vehicles.

The 10851 award consists of a pin which has been approved for law enforcement officials to wear on their uniforms. An officer or sergeant may be recognized up to 25 times, at which point they receive a gold lifetime achievement pin.

Shift your mindset and your profits! Find your purpose and create your legacy. Network with other great minds and grow together every 4th Saturday

Business professionals, receive coaching to form strategic partnerships, build referrals and sharpen your skills to help grow your business and make it both profitable and sustainable at the Entrepreneur Incubator at Genesis Church in Antioch every fourth Saturday of the month.

The next session presented by Bay Area Urban Development Association (BAUDA), in association with Dalet Access Labs, Genesis Church and Urban Business Network, will be held Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

The church is located at 1800 Woodland Drive on the corner of E. 18th Street in Antioch.

Register at Entrepreneur Incubator | Genesis Church.

For more information visit www.bayareauda.com and www.yourgenesischurch.com.

To begin in early 2024

PESCADERO, Calif.— California State Parks today announced the selection of a contractor to rehabilitate the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, located within Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. The $16 million rehabilitation project will start construction in early 2024 and is expected to be completed within two years.

Named for the 1853 wreck of the clipper ship Carrier Pigeon, Pigeon Point Lighthouse was first lit on Nov. 15, 1872. The 115-foot structure is the tallest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Pigeon Point Light Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—a reminder of the days when whalers and Gold Rush-era clipper ships fought gales, stiff seas, jagged coastal rocks, and unforgiving fog. The lighthouse has been closed to the public since late 2001, when it was deemed unsafe after two large pieces of brick and iron fell from the top of the building. Funding issues, COVID-19 and a thoughtful process to ensure a contractor with the special skills to work on a lighthouse was selected have been the reasons for the continued closure of this historic building.

“California State Parks looks forward to once again providing public access to this historic landmark that continues to guide mariners along the rocky San Mateo County coast,” stated Santa Cruz District Superintendent Chris Spohrer. “Thank you to our partners for their support over the years and the public for their patience.”

Sustainable Group, Inc. of Moraga, CA, and subcontractor ICC Commonwealth of North Tonawanda, New York, have extensive experience in lighthouse rehabilitation and restoration in the United States. Jointly, they have worked on nearly 100 lighthouses, including several built to the same blueprints as Pigeon Point, including Bodie Island, North Carolina; Currituck Beach, North Carolina; and Yaquina Head, Oregon, as well as numerous other tall lighthouses. For the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, the contractors will refurbish or replace all the ironwork throughout the building. Masonry elements will also be repaired or replaced as needed. A major focus of the project will be the upper belt course or cast-iron ring where two large pieces broke away in late 2001, compromising the building’s structural integrity.

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park relies upon its collaborative relationships with its nonprofit partners, including Coastside State Parks Association, California State Parks Foundation and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. These organizations provide support for the tower restoration, the operation of the park and the development of visitor-serving programs and amenities.

To learn how the public can support the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Restoration project or enhance the visitor experience at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, please visit CoastSideStateParks.org. Restoration project updates are available at parks.ca.gov/PigeonPointLighthouseRestoration.

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.