Antioch resident Karl Dietzel holds a No on Measure C campaign sign at the entrance of In-Shape on Lone Tree Way, on Friday morning, October 11, 2013. Antioch Herald file photo.

Karl Dietzel takes oath of office following filing his nomination papers to run for the Antioch City Council, in August, 2016.

By Allen Payton

Two-time Antioch City Council candidate and regular council watchdog, Karl Dietzel passed away, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. It was announced by his daughter Kat on his Facebook page, Wednesday night.

A native of Germany, Dietzel ran for council, unsuccessfully, in both 2014 and 2016 and has been a regular attendee of council meetings over the years, as both a watchdog and a critic, usually of misspending public funds.

In an email from fellow council watchdogs, Mary and Nancy Fernandez on Thursday morning, they wrote, “with great sadness we pass on the sad news that Karl Dietzel passed away yesterday afternoon from a massive heart attack.  His wife said it was a blessing he knew nothing except to take a nap.”

Dietzel was also one of the two leading opponents of Measure C, the city’s half-cent sales tax for more police and Code Enforcement Officers, in 2013.

Antioch Mayor Sean Wright offered his condolences.

“My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time,” he said. “Karl’s love and concern for this city will be missed.”

Thursday afternoon, Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe added his thoughts on Dietzel’s passing.

“Karl’s passing isn’t only devastating for his family but for our community as well,” he said. “I was going to name him my primary City Council alternate. Karl showed up at the last City Council meeting ready to roll up his sleeves and assist the City Council around crime, blight, ADA compliance and much more through the Sycamore Corridor Committee, while some politicians where advocating its dismantling. He was a committed family man, community advocate and spoke truth to power. He will be greatly missed.”

The historic Camp Stoneman Chapel in Pittsburg, CA.

Sunday, January 1, 10 am

East County Shared Ministry

First Congregational Church of Antioch – Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg

200 E Leland Rd (between Railroad & Harbor), Pittsburg

The Historic Stoneman Chapel

www.eastcountysharedministry.org

925.439.9361 or 925.757.4094

Rev. Will McGarvey will ring in the New Year’s first worship celebration. Please join us as we learn about the Epiphany and share inspired scripture, songs of the season, fellowship and praise.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, all are welcome here. We recognize, celebrate and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. Everyone is invited to participate in community and worship including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

Dusty Baker talks with a little fan during an autograph signing at Kangazoom in Antioch, on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. photo courtesy of Toi Crawford

Dusty Baker speaks with the Game Changers Little League baseball team.

By Allen Payton

Former San Francisco Giants Manager Dusty Baker stopped by Antioch to sign autographs for fans during a session at Kangazoom, on Sunday afternoon, December 18. He was joined by former Major League Baseball players Mike Norris and Mike Felder, who also signed autographs for the fans, both young and old

Baker, who is a graduate of Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, California and lives in Sacramento, led the Giants to the 2002 National League pennant, and also managed the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. He’s currently the manager for the Washington Nationals and led all three of the latter teams to the playoffs.

As a player for 19 years with the Giants, Oakland A’s, Atlanta Braves and L.A. Dodgers, Baker helped the Dodgers to pennants in 1977 and 1978 and a World Series Championship in 1981.

Kangazoom owner-manager Marcus Jefferson enjoys a moment with Dusty Baker.

He spent his time at Kangazoom talking with fans including the Game Changers Little League baseball team. The event was also sponsored by Oliver Scott and a meal for the players and organizers was provided by Southern Café in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown, later that afternoon.

This is the second autograph signing by former Major League Baseball players held by Kangazoom since they opened in September. The family fun center features batting cages, miniature golf, indoor jumpers, party rooms and a snack bar. Kangazoom is located at 501 Auto Center Drive, between W. 4th and W. 10th Streets in Antioch. For more information call (925) 776-4386, like their Facebook page or visit www.kangazoom-antioch.com.

Urban Jumble’s left store window at 307 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

Urban Jumble’s right store window.

By Allen Payton

The winner for the second year in a row of the Antioch Rivertown Holiday Store & Window Décor contest is Urban Jumble.  It only took about an hour to tabulate the votes, not three weeks like in the recent Antioch Mayor’s race, to determine the winner, on Saturday evening, December 17th.

Urban Jumble, located at 307 G Street, garnered 250 of the 438 votes or 57.1% to place first, while Oddly Unique and Oddly Unique Two placed second and Zendy’s Clothing Boutique took third. Owner Nick Olivier was presented with his prize of a quarter-page ad in the Antioch Herald.

Mayor Sean Wright and Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe draw the first two prize winners from the pile of ballots in the contest.

The winners of the prize drawing for those who voted in the contest are as follows:

$50 Gift Card from Urban Jumble – H. Jackson

Hair Products from Shearz on Third – Brandy DiMercurio

Bottle of Wine from Oddly Unique & Oddly Unique Two – John Goodson

Bottle of Wine from Reign Salon – Lizeht Zepeda

Movie Tickets to Maya Cinemas from Reign Salon – Shannon Villanueva

Winners will be contacted by the business owners who provided the prizes.

Thank you to all the Rivertown businesses that participated and those who voted in this year’s contest. Special thanks to Antioch Mayor Sean Wright and Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe who were on hand to help pick the winners of the prize drawing, Lamar for helping count the votes, and Plates Electic Cuisine restaurant for the use of their lounge for the tabulation process.

If you haven’t taken a drive to Antioch’s historic downtown, do it today to see all the decorations and do some last minute Christmas shopping or stop by at night as they decorations are just as spectacular then.

Shop local. Shop downtown. Shop Rivertown.

A long time Antioch tradition has returned to downtown Rivertown. Seeing Frank Ballesteros as “Scrooge” in his version of “Humbug!” became a yearly holiday tradition for many local families but sadly it had been put on hold for the past three years.

Elite Event Center is excited to help bring back Frank and his amazing show. The remaining show dates and times are as follows: Thursday, December 22nd 7:30 pm, Friday, December 23rd 7:30 pm and a special 1:00 pm showing on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th.

Tickets prices: Adults 12 years old & Up $12.00, Children 5-11years old & Senior Citizens $10.00. Bring two canned or boxed food items for each ticket purchased and receive a $2.00 discount. Included with ticket price is a 30-minute meet and greet, hot cocoa and cookies party, following each show.

Call 925-778-DANZ(3269) to reserve your tickets. Elite Event Center is located at the corner of W. Third and G Streets in downtown Antioch.

Antioch Police Captain Tammany Brooks holding ceremonial check, with other APD officers, above and below, who participated in the No Shave November fundraiser to help fight cancer. Photos courtesy of APD.

By Allen Payton

Members of the Antioch Police Department and the public participated in the No Shave November web-based fundraising effort to “grow” cancer awareness and raise money to support cancer prevention, research, education, and to help those fighting the battle against cancer.

Chief Allan Cantando, the other APD officers and supporters surpassed their goal of raising $5,000 during the month. The money raised will benefit the following organizations: American Cancer Society, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“I would like to personally thank everyone who donated to the Antioch Police Department’s No Shave November fundraising efforts,” Cantando wrote on the APD’s Facebook page. “Together, with your generous support, we raised over $7,800 to help fight the battle against cancer.”

Officers participating in the cause were exempt from adhering to the department’s facial hair restrictions as outlined in the department’s Personal Appearance Standards policy.  For the one month exemption, officers had to make a $25 dollar donation.

Although growing facial hair is typically associated with men, women were free to participate as well, according to Captain Tammany Brooks. (No information was provided as to which women, if any, participated in the effort, although if the photos can be used as evidence, none participated or were willing to admit it. A records request has not been made to verify if any checks used to pay the $25 to No Shave November were received from any female department staff members. Those who might have participated could have paid by cash for which there is no paper trail).

For more information about No Shave November, please visit www.no-shave.org.