Take financial wellness into your own hands by bringing sensitive documents to shred at our free community event.

Be Proactive and Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

WHAT:          Travis Credit Union Foundation, with a grant from Contra Costa Census 2020, invites residents of the county to a free community wellness event. Residents are welcome to bring their documents for shredding, enjoy refreshments and also learn about the importance of the Census 2020.

WHERE:       Travis Credit Union’s Antioch/Slatten Ranch branch

5819 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94531

WHEN:          Saturday, March 7, 2020, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHY:             Travis Credit Union Foundation is dedicated to empowering communities to build financial wellness and supports programs designed to reduce financial stress and keep communities safe from financial fraud. Shredding sensitive personal documents is the first step to protecting yourself from identity theft. Also, an accurate population count means the right amount of funding for school, health and housing programs that benefit everyone, which reduces financial stressors. Join the fun – gain knowledge, safely dispose of documents, and meet your community!

Rockhounds find new jewelry, gems, findings, grab bags and supplies. Plus enjoy an auction exhibits and hands on projects for kids at the Antioch Lapidary Club’s annual Jewelry, Gem & Rock Show, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 & 16. The event will run from 10 am to 5 pm and be held at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgounds), 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Admission is $6.00 but free for children 12 and under, Scouts in uniform and active military with ID.

The event will be held at the Contra Costa Event Center (Fairgrounds) at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch.

For more information contact Brenda Miguel at (925) 301-6957 or brenda.miguel@yahoo.com. For a distributor form visit www.antiochlapidaryclub.com.

By Allen Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11 the Antioch City Council approved allocating $50,000 in Civic Enhancement Grants to community organizations that coordinate events and activities, and provide other benefits for the city.

City staff administers the grant program and the Parks and Recreation Commission reviews the applications and provides a recommendation to City Council for final approval.

A total of $77,800 for 11 requests were made by the various organizations and the commission recommended the council approve nine of the requests.

But, before they could, a bit of musical chairs was played by three council members who had to recuse themselves from voting on various grants due to conflicts of interest.

Councilwoman Monica Wilson said she would be recusing herself because of a conflict of interest on one of the funding items.

“As the president of Celebrate Antioch Foundation I will recuse myself,” said Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts.

Celebrate Antioch Foundation runs the annual Holiday DeLites Parade and Celebration, the Independence Day Parade, Fireworks and Celebration, and other events in Rivertown, and received $20,000 of the $50,000 in grants.

“If we recuse ourselves, do we stay or leave the room?” asked Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock.

“What if I just abstain?” Motts asked.

“You are recusing yourself and not abstaining,” said City Attorney Thomas Smith.

“Whatever you say,” responded Motts, as she left the dais and the room for the vote.

Then Wilson and Motts returned and Ogorchock recused herself from voting on the funds for the Veterans Memorial Banner Program, which she has been instrumental in creating and implementing, and received a $5,000 grant.

All the following items were adopted on unanimous votes of those council members in attendance for each vote:

Los Medanos College (LMC) is preparing to host its annual César Chávez Celebration on Friday, March 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the awards and recognition ceremony at 7:00 p.m. LMC is located at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg.  The public is welcome to attend, and the event is free.

Los Medanos College hosts this event each year to honor the life of César Chávez and to recognize East Contra Costa County community leaders who continue his great tradition of service and social activism. A true American hero, César Chávez exemplifies service to community and non-violent social change.

The college is now seeking nominations for three recognition awards, which will be presented at the event.  The LMC César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service, established in 1995, is awarded to local residents who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service and who represent the core values established by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.  The East County Educator Award honors members of the educational community who demonstrate the above values and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for low-income students and students of color.  The Chávez Spirit Award recognizes student/emerging leaders who are making an impact on East Contra Costa County in the areas of advocacy and social justice.

To submit nominations for the César Chávez awards, visit: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/nominate/.  The deadline for nominations is February 29, 2020.

Details about other LMC activities celebrating the life and legacy of César Chávez can be viewed at: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/event.

Photos by Antioch Historical Society Museum.

By Milanka Schneiderman

Antioch is recognized as one of the most diverse communities in the Bay Area and the Antioch Historical Society Museum would like to celebrate that diversity during the month of February with a multicultural exhibit called “Antioch, a Cultural Perspective”. The exhibit includes the following cultural groups who each has their own display: Italian, Portuguese, African American, Hispanic and Chinese.

Other cultures will be featured in future exhibits as this is hoped to be an annual exhibit. The exhibit will be on display in the Riverview Room on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. during the entire month of February.

The museum, located at 1500 W. 4th Street at the curve of Auto Center Drive, has a mission statement to preserve history of “cultural and historic value”.

“We really want the Antioch Historical Society Museum to be very inclusive of all and relevant to the changing demographics of residents of Antioch by showcasing their history and culture in February,” said Dwayne Eubanks, President, Antioch Historical Society Museum. “A focus on diversity will be a major goal of the museum now and in the future as we embrace all of Antioch’s residents including the youth.”

The exhibit’s African American display will be updated to include Roger Henry, the first African American to serve in elected office, having been elected to the Antioch School Board, and the first to serve on the city’s Planning Commission. In addition, Teri Lynn Shaw, the first African American woman to serve on the Antioch School Board, will also be added to the display.

Modernizing presentation equipment is one method that the museum hopes to reach out to younger generations of residents. They recently received two grants from the City of Antioch and the Antioch Community Fund to purchase new electronic presentation equipment. February’s “Antioch, a Cultural Perspective” hopes to reach out to a wider audience of Antioch residents with this exciting, new exhibit.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Please join the East Family Justice Center for a Red Sand Project and panel discussion on Human Trafficking.

January 24, 2020

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

3501 Lone Tree Way, STE 4, Antioch

The Family Justice Center in collaboration with Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson, Contra Costa District Attorney Office, Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition, Love Never Fails, Community Violence Solutions, and Employment and Human Services Department will host a human trafficking event including a Red Sand Project and panel discussion.

Please contact Brenda Solorio at Brenda@cocofamilyjustice.org

The event is free and registration is on EventBrite.