Golden Hills Christian School in Brentwood is a TK–8th Grade school, accredited through ACSI and WASC. We’re hosting our annual Open House on January 29, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to welcome prospective families to check out the campus and meet the staff. Open enrollment will also begin that day.
This is a great opportunity to meet our teachers, look at the school curriculum, and learn more about the enrollment process. For more info about Golden Hills Christian School you can visit ghcs.org and RSVP below to let us know you’re coming!
January is Sanctity of Human Life Month, and this year Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS) is celebrated on Sunday, January 21, 2024.SOHLS is a day for Americans to focus on the value of each and every human life. It is celebrated every year on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which legalized abortion in every state for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy.
In the past two years, the right to abortion has been one of the most heated discussions in our country.
We rejoice that the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. But this hasn’t stopped abortion; it simply placed the decision back into the hands of each state. While many states have chosen to stop abortions, we still recognize the awful tragedy that, on average, the lives of approximately 98 precious babies are ended every hour!
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, the abortion industry nationwide has stepped up its efforts of promoting a culture of death by offering abortion as the “smart answer” to an unplanned pregnancy during uncertain times.
One of the best ways to stand against this evil is to come together and openly state “We support and defend the Sanctity of Human Life.”
Pastors, churches and life organizations across the United States use this day to bring awareness to the attacks that are daily waged against human life through the abortion industry.
In 1984, President Ronal Reagan issued a presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday of January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
“We have been given the precious gift of human life, made more precious still by our births in or pilgrimages to a land of freedom. It is fitting, then, on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that struck down State anti-abortion laws, that we reflect anew on these blessings, and on our corresponding responsibility to guard with care the lives and freedoms of even the weakest of our fellow human beings.”
Ronald Reagan
President
We are continuing that tradition by setting this day aside – January 21, 2024 – as a day to pray for the end of the tragedy of abortion, ask for God’s mercy on our country for this heinous sin, and proclaim loudly that all lives are created in the image of God and should be treated as such.
On Sunday, January 21, we declare the sanctity of all human lives and stand together to protect the lives of each and every unborn baby.
“The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.” – Isaiah 49:1
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139;13-16
We would also like to encourage you to focus on the value of human life all month — and all year — long. Watch the video below to find out four ways that you can make a difference for life this January.
Searching for a way to keep your little one busy after the holiday season? Sign them up to embark on a cool journey though the Coyote Hills Winter Wonderland Day Camp. They’ll enjoy a pajama jam, play goofy games, and create fun winter crafts. Camp hours are from 9:00am-4:00pm.
By registering for the extended care package, you have access to early drop off and later pick up from 7:30am-6:00pm. Let’s start the new year off making memories with new friends! Register today at antiochca.gov/register.
Kristine Barbanica knocks on the door as the other three “Santa’s Helpers,” Gary and Kristen Vistalli and Councilman Mike Barbanica arrive with wrapped, donated gifts and speak with one of the recipients, Isabella on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton
The annual effort benefited 125 families with 400 children this year
By Allen D. Payton
On Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, owners of Antioch’s “Disney House”, Kristen and Gary Vistalli were joined by Councilman Mike Barbanica and his wife, Kristine, to deliver some of the gifts donated during the Help for the Holidays Event co-hosted by the Antioch Police Department on Dec. 9th.
The donations were received at the Vistallis’ home, which is decorated each year with over 35,000 lights and Disney characters. Their son Tyler and daughter Amanda helped with receiving the donated items, which also included blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves, as well as cash and Venmo donations. Kristen refers to the annual event as the “spirit and support drive, and gift giveaway”. (See related article)
Councilman Barbanica speaks with Isabella after he, his wife Christine, and Kristen and Gary Vistalli arrive with gifts on Dec. 21, 2023.
The gifts were delivered by the four Santa’s Helpers to two girls, 8-year-old Isabella and 15-year-old Veronica, at their aunt’s home where they now live because their mother recently passed away and the girls had nowhere else to go.
“They are having a rough time, and their aunt said the gifts would help,” Barbanica shared. “We just wanted to come by and drop off these gifts to you,” he said after the gifts were placed under the family’s Christmas tree. “Hopefully this helps out for Christmas.”
“Thank you for everything,” their aunt Iris responded.
About being off school for the holiday break Isabella said, “It’s said. I like school. Because I like my friends and I like PE.”
Gary and Kristen Vistalli place some of the gifts under the family’s Christmas tree on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
Regarding the toy drive, Disney house owner Kristen said, “This is the fourth year we did this with the Antioch Police Department. We switched to the drive-by during COVID which has worked out. It’s grown, every year.”
“To help over 125 families with 400 children, it’s just amazing and extremely rewarding,” she added.
This is the Vistallis’ first time delivering gifts to a family, meeting and speaking with them.
“We are extremely grateful to the community for their support and making this happen,” Kristen stated.
A few police officers were expected to participate in the gift delivery, but several were involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit at the time.
Photo by APD
You can still drive by and see the decorated Disney House in all it’s lighted glory this week at 3732 Colonial Court in Antioch.
Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch is hosting their Free Annual Toy Giveaway on Christmas Eve at 3415 Oakley Road, Antioch. Call 925-522-2017 for more details. For more information about the church visit www.gbfofantioch.org.
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
The holidays are in full swing, but they can be challenging for parents of children with diabetes. Unfortunately, the rate of children with diabetes has been on the rise for years, especially type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is directly linked to the increasing number of children who are overweight.
“Diabetes is a condition where your body is unable to properly process sugar into energy/fuel for our bodies,” explained Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Pediatrician Kristin Moschetti, MD. “When you are overweight, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases because it causes the cells in our body to become resistant to the effects of insulin. This extremely important hormone is the key to helping our bodies to process sugar properly.”
The stress of the holidays also can spike blood sugar, according to Moschetti. Parents of children who need insulin should plan for more frequent blood sugar checks; insulin doses might need to be changed.
“Think of the cells in your bodies as billions of tiny little cars,” Moschetti said. “Cars need fuel to run. For our cells, that fuel is sugar that we get from carbohydrates. So, think of the gas pump to get that fuel into the cells being insulin. If insulin isn’t working properly to get sugar into the cells, the sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes the blood to become toxic.”
For children with type 2 diabetes, eating a low-carbohydrate meal before going to a party can help to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels. Low-carb options include popcorn, low-sugar yogurt, cheese, veggies, chicken, tuna and peanut butter. Dipping sauces can add extra flavor.
“You don’t want your child’s blood sugar to get too high,” Moschetti said. “It can affect party behavior. Eating food with lots of carbohydrates will cause your child’s blood sugar to spike higher, which can make your child irritable and moody.”
Moschetti encourages parents to bring healthy snacks to holiday parties. Charcuterie boards are all the rage, and it’s fun for kids to create holiday shapes such as a Christmas tree, menorah, candy cane or snowman that’s adorned with fresh veggies, fruits, cheese and popcorn.
“I want parents of children with diabetes to know that they can enjoy holiday celebrations,” Moschetti said. “At the end of the day, we want our kids to enjoy the holidays and be kids, so it’s OK to eat a small amount of the unhealthy foods. However, moderation is key. All you need is a little party pre-planning and a few healthy options.”
