Council honors organization and its Founder and President, Barbara Sobalvarro

From Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report 2/4/19

In February, Antioch Friends of Animal Services Founder and President, Barbara Sobalvarro, will be celebrating 40 years of lifesaving service to the pets and citizens of Antioch. In honor of this 40th anniversary, and the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, Antioch Friends of Animal Services will be sponsoring the adoption fees for any animal adopted from Antioch Animal Services during the entire month of February.

In addition, Sobalvarro was honored by the Antioch City Council during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5th. See the complete proclamation, below.

The sponsored fee represents a savings of $96 for dogs, $76 for cats, $15 for rabbits and $7 for hamsters/guinea pigs. All pets available for adoption can be viewed online at antioch.petfinder.com or www.petharbor.com.

Please join us, and Antioch FOAS Founder and President, Barbara Sobalvarro, for a Valentine’s Day / 40th Anniversary celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at the shelter, 300 L Street in Antioch. Refreshments will be served.

To learn more about Antioch Friends of Animal Services and their mission, please visit antiochfriendsofanimalservices.org.

RECOGNIZING EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION OF BARBARA SOBALVARRO, PRESIDENT – FRIENDS OF ANIMAL SERVICES AND HONORING HER FOR 40 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE Barbara Sobalvarro FOAS Proclamation

WHEREAS, Barbara Sobalvarro was instrumental in the creation and passage of Measure A in 1978 creating a local Animal Control Program in Antioch; and

WHEREAS, Barbara founded Friends of Animal Services (FOAS) in 1979 to ensure the citizens and animals of Antioch have a truly humane, high quality animal shelter that focuses on a “Life Ethic” promoting the placement of the shelter animals into caring and capable homes, thus ending the practice of “elective euthanasia”; and

WHEREAS, FOAS has worked tirelessly to secure outside funding specifically for the shelter animals of Antioch through tax-deductible donations from the public, and as one of four recipients of the Shirley Perry Foundation Charitable Trust; and

WHEREAS, FOAS continually promotes public awareness for the Antioch Animal Shelter, the value of animal life and the importance of spay and neuter through monthly advertisements in the newspaper, via social media, and at community events; and

WHEREAS, FOAS celebrates animal life and their commitment to reverence for life by hosting monthly hospitality days to welcome the public at the Antioch Animal Shelter in order to increase shelter pet adoptions; and

WHEREAS, FOAS sponsors adoption fees at various times throughout the year to relieve overcrowding in the shelter, prevent euthanasia, and to assist new adoptive owners with the expense of adding a new pet into the home; and

WHEREAS, FOAS, in an effort to improve the likelihood for adoption, funds specialized and emergency veterinary care, supplies and equipment that would otherwise be impossible for our shelter animals due to budgetary constraints; and

WHEREAS, FOAS believes in working together to create a better world for our precious animal friends; one in which they are treasured with tenderness and compassion. As Barbara would say, “Seldom does a heart feel better than when you save the life of one of our animal friends.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SEAN WRIGHT, Mayor of the City of Antioch, do hereby congratulate Barbara Sobalvarro and the Friends of Animal Services on the occasion of 40 years of outstanding service to the citizens and animals of Antioch.

Download a PDF copy of the poster, here – Rivertown 2019 Events

The Antioch City Council will hold a special Visioning and Strategic Plan Study Session in the Antioch Police Department Community Room at 300 L Street on Saturday, Feb. 2 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend and offer their comments to the council. ACC020219 

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

District Attorney Diana Becton announces today that the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will launch a second Community Academy class this March. The goal of the academy will be to strengthen community relations and provide residents a better understanding of our criminal justice system.

The academy is free and is open to residents who live or work in Contra Costa County. Individuals must complete an application and background check when they apply. Residents can access an application on our website or residents may also apply in-person at one of our offices at the following locations:

• 900 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553
• 10 Douglas Drive Suite 130, Martinez, CA 94553
• 100 37th St. Rm 220, Richmond, CA 94805

Residents can submit the applications to the attention of Janet Era. Applicants may also email DA-CommunityAcademy@contracostada.org with their completed application. The application period ends on February 11, 2019.

The Community Academy will be made up of at least 20 residents of Contra Costa County for a 12-week course held at the DA’s Office in downtown Martinez, 900 Ward Street from 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday starting March 6, 2019. The Community Academy, which is similar to Citizens’ Academies hosted by many law enforcement agencies, is the only academy of its kind at a District Attorney’s Office in Northern California.

The academy helps underscore the office’s commitment to engaging and educating residents of Contra Costa County. Admitted applicants can expect to learn how cases are filed, the different types of crimes our office investigates and prosecutes, and the work we do not only prosecuting cases but also the community outreach efforts underway to prevent crime and to support children, parents and crime victims.

Presenters for the academy will include deputy district attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, support staff, community-based organizations and justice partners. The comprehensive overview by our office will allow residents to get an in-depth examination and review of the criminal justice system in our community.

Antioch Citizens of the Year – Most Impact Trine Gallegos and Lifetime Achievement Gordon Gravelle with his wife Molly and their grandkids. Photos from Facebook.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2018 Award winners:

Citizens of the Year

·         Most Impact 2018 – Trine Gallegos

·         Lifetime Achievement – Gordon Gravelle

Veteran of the Year

·         Ernie Rodriguez – US Marine, Vietnam Veteran, Past VFW Post 6435 Quartermaster and current VFW club manager, and lifetime member of Antioch American Legion Post 161

Youth of the Year:

·         Jewelina Culcasi of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School

·         Claryssa Wilson of Antioch High School

·         Runner-up: Sage Bennett of Antioch High School

Business for the Year

·         Small Business – County Market

·         Large Business – Kaiser Permanente

Non-Profit of the Year

·         Meals on Wheels Diablo Region

Ambassadors of the Year:

·         Michael Pohl, Mike and Mike Media

·         Cyndee Paulson-Heer, Heer’s Music and Sound

·         Justin Heer, Heer’s Music and Sound

Each award winner will be honored at the annual Chamber Gala, which will be held on Friday March 8, 2019 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, or $700 for a reserved table of eight which includes a full-page advertisement. Purchase of gala tickets can be made online at https://antiochchamber.com/2019-inaugural-gala-and-awards-ceremony/, by calling (925) 757-1800, or emailing frontdeskadmin@antiochchamber.com. Ticket sales will end March 1, 2019 at 5 p.m.

We look forward to celebrating with you and each of our award recipients.

Hosted by the City of Antioch Recreation Department. To sign up visit their Facebook page, here – https://www.facebook.com/events/2410075459020301/.