The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 83rd installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 83rd Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, August 5, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will be cleaning the neighborhood along Center Lane, Tregallas Road, Garrow Drive and Worrell Road. Volunteers will meet at Belshaw Elementary School on Roosevelt Lane (see map).

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community.

School supplies are a necessity not a want

Antioch High 16-year-old, Claryssa Wilson will host her annual Back 2 School Stuff The Bus School Supply Give-A-Way on Saturday, August 5, 2017. This event will enable students in the area an opportunity to shop for free school supplies at Somersville Towne Center at 2550 Somersville Road in Antioch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on this Saturday, August 5th. The first 200 students will receive a signature Warriors backpack, donated by the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, in addition to some other Warrior fan favorites including additional mall-wide, back to school discounts.

“No student should not be successful due to a lack of needed school supplies,” said Claryssa, creator and host of the annual effort. “Schools supplies are a necessity, not a want.”

Many students have already benefited from the free school supplies. They attend school better prepared and ready to learn with free pencils, pens, calculators, notebooks and paper. The annual event enables students to have no excuses for not having school supplies.

Claryssa created her program the annual giveaway and School Supply Retention Program because she had peers who were disruptive in class since they did not have the basics, like a pen, paper or notebook. Some of the students she noted came from low-income homes like herself, and she just had to do something to help.

Founded by award winning principal, motivational speaker and activist, Theresa Everett the Speak Rivers Youth Outreach Project is meant to give to our community, our kids, and our families by sending messages of positivity.

The free event will be held this Saturday, August 5 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park, corner of Lone Tree Way and Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch.

There will be a backpack giveaway, jumper, food, music featuring the premiere of Come & Spy, and fun activities for the kids.

Theresa Everett

Everett, principal of Skyview Elementary School in Riverside County, CA, was honored in 2016 as Elementary Principal of the Year by the Western Riverside County Association of School Managers. 

Her school was awarded a California Gold Ribbon in 2016 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Antioch’s own Tom Torlakson.

The Gold Ribbon Awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

“These schools shine as bright beacons for others, putting forth an exemplary effort to ensure that every student is ready for 21st century college and careers…California teachers are developing an education model for the nation, training the students of today to be the problem-solvers, inventors, and pioneers of tomorrow,” said Torlakson.

Learn more about Everett, here. 

Connect with Speak Rivers online at www.speakriversyouth.com, Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SpeakRivers/ or Instagram: speakrivers.

WHAT: Watch Antioch Mayor Sean Wright and other mayors from across the county scramble to serve the finest plate of healthy, locally grown food at the 9th annual Contra Costa County Mayors’ Healthy Cookoff Challenge. City representatives are each paired with a chef and a sous chef from Mt. Diablo Unified School District to make a dish on deadline for a panel of judges.

WHERE: This free event will be held at the Concord Farmers’ Market in Todos Santos Plaza, at the corner of Salvio and Grant streets. Other attractions include live music, fresh produce and food booths.

WHEN: Thursday, July 27. Cooking preparation work begins at 4 p.m., with cooking to begin at 4:30 p.m. and judging at 6:30 p.m.

WHO: The event is organized by Wellness City Challenge, in partnership with the City of Concord and the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association.

Several community groups and service providers will host activity booths and information tables to promote health and wellness, including Contra Costa Public Health’s Nutrition and Physical Activity and Safe Routes to School programs.

For more information about the Cookoff Challenge, visit www.wellnesscitychallenge.org

Tickets available until Tuesday, Aug. 1

Enjoy some Saturday night fever at the Antioch High School Class of 1977 40 Year Reunion, on September 16. The reunion will be held at the Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way from 6-11 p.m.

Cost is $60/person and the deadline for ticket purchases is Tuesday, August 1. Tickets will NOT be available at the door.

All information can be found at https://www.ahs77reunion.com/.  Classmates are also welcome to join the reunion Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AHS77reunion40/.

Dr. Lawrence Rasheed is flanked by members of G.R.I.O.T., while he speaks during the black men’s mental health symposium in Antioch, on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Photos by Andre Cummins

By John Crowder

On Saturday, July 15, Antioch’s Delta Bay Church of Christ was host to Tackling the Taboo II, a symposium on black male mental health.  Arranged by Dr. Lawrence Rasheed, the founder of the African-American male mentoring organization, G.R.I.O.T., the event featured the screening of the documentary, ‘Face of Darkness,’ followed by a panel discussion led by moderator Dr. Richard Hanzy.  A licensed Marriage Family Therapist with Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Hanzy asked each of the panelists questions related to their unique backgrounds in confronting mental health issues in the black male community.

Panelists included LeRon Barton, author of two book and numerous essays published in several print and online periodicals; Freddy Ford, Jr., a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Solano County; Dr. Lamont Francies, Pastor of Delta Bay Church of Christ, educator, and school counselor; and Cornelius Johnson, retired San Francisco Police Department Captain.

Dr. Lamont Francies shares his thoughts as fellow panelist, retired San Francisco Police Captain Cornelius Johnson, listens on.

The speakers said that the issue of black male mental health is a topic that is rarely discussed in the African-American community, or in the community at-large. They also noted that black males rarely discuss their vulnerability, or seek help when dealing with issues of depression.  Reasons for this include the historical dynamic that portrays strong black men as men of strength, while a showing of emotion is perceived as a weakness. Black men, thus, have an aversion to being perceived as, ‘crazy,’ or ‘soft,’ and for this reason, often fail to seek help when dealing with emotional issues such as severe depression.  The sad result of this is that these men may suffer from despair which can lead ultimately to suicide.

The panelists emphasized the importance of changing the mindset of those suffering from depression to one where there is understanding that feelings of hopelessness and loss can face anyone, and it is not unmanly to seek help when such feelings occur.  In the case of black men who would be more likely to seek help from a peer, there are black male mental health experts available and ready to offer assistance.

The symposium kept the audience riveted throughout the presentation. Panelists took questions for almost an hour after the discussion between the panelists concluded.

Black men suffering from depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness were encouraged to contact Contra Costa Mental Health Services, toll free, at 1-888-678-7277, or NAMI Contra Costa, a charitable non-profit providing outreach, education, support, and advocacy to families and individuals in need of help at 925-942-0767.