Training session to be held at the Antioch Police Department

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton is proud to join Antioch Councilmember Monica Wilson, the Antioch Police Department, the Contra Costa County Family Justice Center, Community Violence Solutions, the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition in hosting East County’s third Human Trafficking “Day of Action” on September 19, 2019.

Inspired by California State Senate Bill 1193, the Day of Action intends to educate individuals on how to recognize signs of human trafficking and inform them on how they can help prevent it. Members of the business community are encouraged to participate by posting human trafficking awareness signs with resources for victims to reach out to. Our local businesses are the extra eyes of our community and can help significantly in combating the crime of human trafficking in Contra Costa County.

A training session will be presented from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Antioch Police Department, located at 300 L. Street in Antioch. From there, attendees will form teams and talk with local businesses about putting up posters with resource information for people who may be experiencing forced or coerced labor or commercial sex. The outreach will occur from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and join with law enforcement, city leaders and community organizers to make a difference in our community.

Co-sponsors of the event include Brentwood City Councilmember Karen Rarey, Oakley City Councilmember Sue Higgins and Pittsburg City Councilmember Holland White.

If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave, whether it is commercial sex or labor – call the national Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text “Be Free” or 233733.

Local resources include Community Violence Solutions and Contra Costa’s Family Justice Centers – with a new location at 3501 Lone Tree Way. Antioch, CA 94509.

A “paw parade,” with fun family activities is the theme for Family Night in the Park on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Markley Creek Park in Antioch. As part of the Rollin’ with Rec Pop-Up Recreation program, “pawp up” night includes everything dogs and pets. Bring your dog for the parade, stay for the fun family games and special presentations. The K-9 Unit of the Antioch Police Department will provide a special presentation and the City’s Animal Services Department will be on hand with a lot of resources for your pets. All the fun begins at 6:00pm. Markley Creek Park is located on Summit Way off of James Donlon Boulevard and Somersville Road. Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy the sunset, the views, and the laughter. For more information about summer programs and the Rollin’ with Rec van, call the Recreation Department at 925-776-3050.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Antioch Schools Education Foundation hosts its 12th annual Mary Allan Fellows Awards, which honor top teachers in the Antioch Unified School District.

As usual, Allan (the awards’ namesake) said she and the committee were overjoyed with the many nominations of strong teachers and were delighted to visit each educator in his/her classroom.

This year seemed to be a year of particular “intention, commitment and (focus) on the individual needs of students,” said Allan, adding that she remains impressed by everyone’s passion and humbleness in the important roles each plays in a student’s life.

The Fellows winners are Jose Cumagun, Bruce Ellison and Kiel Olff, all from Deer Valley High; and Tim Mays and Rebecca Quinones, both from Antioch High.

Semifinalists are Shirley Bull, Turner Elementary; Mary Jane Grove, Jack London Elementary; Patt Middle; Vicki O’Connor, Dozier-Libbey Medical High; and Julie Verhoek, Sutter Elementary.

All will be spotlighted at the awards dinner at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center in Antioch. All educators and community are welcome to attend. This year’s speaker is Samy D’Amico, a former AUSD educator.

“Born in Argentina and coming to America as a second-grader, D’Amico is well aware of the struggle of being a non-English learner. Since then, he has embraced his background and its cultural richness, keeping it at the forefront when interacting with students,” said Allan.

For more info and to purchase the $70 tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mary-allan-fellows-award-2019-tickets-64152837865

Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo

By Sandee Wiedemann

The biennial effort known as Stand Down on the Delta to support homeless and at-risk veterans, returns to Antioch at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) September 20-23. This is a great opportunity for the community to show appreciation for their service to our country and to receive the reward of helping others. The events were last held in 2015 and 2017. The 2015 effort attracted over 300 veterans and 260 veterans were assisted in 2017. (See related articles, here and here).

Veterans will be given dental, medical, and counseling services, plus legal and VA claims assistance. They will also receive clothes, haircuts, shaves, meals, and sleeping accommodations. Real estate and banking leaders will be available to help the veterans possibly purchase a home.

Delta Veterans Group needs the community’s help to provide the most possibilities for our veterans. There are opportunities for professional services in the fields of medical, dental, legal, and more. See volunteer options under categories of general volunteer and/or professional services at https://www.deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-down-on-the-delta. There is a place for every person or service club to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans.

The Contra Costa Event Park is located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Veterans watch a movie at Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo.

Volunteers are needed for the Annual Antioch Coastal Cleanup Day to be held Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 AM to Noon.

It’s part of the 35th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, which is the state’s largest volunteer event. This year, there will be one location for Antioch, the Antioch Marina.

We are doing another boat based (i.e. canoe and kayak) cleanup of the shoreline for the Friday before, September 20th, check-in at 8:30am, on the water from 9-11am. Space is limited for this event. You can bring your own kayak or canoe, or Delta Kayak Adventures will have some kayaks available for $10/person.

To volunteer, visit https://www.antiochca.gov/environmental-resources/coastal-cleanup-day/ and sign up using the form on the tab named “Volunteer Registration”. If you have more in your group than the form allows, email Julie Haas-Wajdowicz at jhaas-wajdowicz@ci.antioch.ca.us with the information on your group.

For questions regarding the event, contact the Environmental Resource Line at 925-779-6137 or email jhaas-wajdowicz@ci.antioch.ca.us.

Antioch nonprofit organizations are invited to submit an application for funding to support programs, activities and services being planned for 2020. The City of Antioch is offering one-time grants to provide funding that support operations, marketing and promotions for Antioch special events, historic and cultural activities, and facilities that enhance civic pride and strengthens community engagement within the City. The Antioch City Council approved $50,000 for this new community enhancement program and the grants are funded by revenues from City Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and/or the General Fund and approved by the City Council.

Funds may only be used for:

• Activities performed directly for the benefit and enjoyment of all Antioch residents; open to the public and all citizens.
• Improvements to or operation of arts and cultural facilities
• General city beautification

Applications are now available on-line at www.antiochca.gov; they can also be picked up at the Antioch Community Center on Lone Tree Way or the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall on Second Street, or click and download here: Application_civic enhancement grants – CompletePacket

The deadline for submitting grant applications is October 1, 2019, 5:00pm. Applicants and grant recipients must meet the requirements outlined in the application packet.

For more information, please call the Antioch Recreation Department at (925) 776-3050.