By Allen Payton

Thousands of Antioch and East County residents watched the annual July 4th Parade on West Second Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown Monday morning, to begin the city’s celebration of America’s 240th Independence Day and the 144th birthday of the naming of Antioch in 1872. Thousands more enjoyed the car show, music and fireworks show at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds later in the day and evening.

Following are the winners of the parade competition:

Scouts

1st Place – Boy Scout Troop 450

2nd Place – Boy Scout Troop 153

Civic

1st Place – Antioch Rivertown Jamboree

2nd Place – Antioch Historical Society

Patriotic

1st Place – Marine Corps League 1155

2nd Place – Veterans Color Guard

Commercial

1st Place – Paradise Skate

2nd Place – Oddly Unique

Entertainment

1st Place – Los Centurians

2nd Place – Undead Betty’s

Clubs

1st Place – Celebrate Antioch Foundation

2nd Place – Ashphalt Outlaws

Youth

1s Place – Antioch High Spirit Squad

2nd Place – Deer Valley High Cheerleaders

Dance

1st Place – Keep In Time Dance Academy

2nd Place – Melody’s Dance Studio

 

Check back later for more photos…

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 72nd 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 72nd Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, July 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers should meet/check in at the Antioch Police Department at 8:30 a.m. The areas that we will be concentrating on are W. 4th, 5th and 6th Streets encompassing the 1100 through 1400 blocks, including Prosserville Park. (See map below)

Volunteers will receive trail maps, 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.

On Friday, June 24, 2016, Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D–Oakley) received the Volunteer of the Year award from Special Olympics Northern California.

“I am honored to receive this award from such an inspiring organization. As a volunteer at the summer games, each year I witness the confidence, self-esteem and dignity instilled in the athletes who have the opportunity to shine and showcase their talents,” stated Frazier. “Knowing how much they look forward to this event and seeing the smiles on their faces is reward enough for me. I look forward to continuing my relationship with Special Olympics Northern California to expand possibilities for the athletes of the future.”

Frazier has volunteered at the summer games for the past 12 years. This year he is carrying legislation, AB 2371, to help maximize opportunities for people to make donations supporting the Special Olympics. Frazier also worked to secure $1,000,000 in the budget to expand the Special Olympics Unified Strategy for Schools.

“Volunteers are essential to the success of Special Olympics Northern California. This year we chose to honor Assemblymember Jim Frazier as Special Olympics Northern California’s Volunteer of the Year. The time and dedication Assemblymember Frazier and his staff, have shown year-after-year as volunteers at Summer Games is extraordinary,” said David Solo, President and CEO of Special Olympics Northern California. “We thank Assemblymember Frazier for believing in the abilities of people with physical and intellectual disabilities and the importance that Special Olympics can have on their lives.”

Special Olympics Northern California is a free year-round sports training and competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. There are 19,940 athletes who compete in 198 competitions throughout the region in 12 sports.

Included in that figure are 9,385 special education student-athletes who have Special Olympics in the classroom through our Schools Partnership Program. Special Olympics requires the extraordinary support and time of 20,000 volunteers and volunteer coaches.

Financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. For more information on Special Olympics Northern California, visit www.SONC.org.

Frazier represents the 11^th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.

From City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report, dated June 17, 2016:

“Thursday evening, I attended the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to hear the item on the initial draft conceptual plans for the redesign and renovation of Waldie Plaza and the discussion of changing the name to Waldie Plaza & Event Center.

The Commission provided a positive reception overall and good feedback, which will inform a revised draft.

This item will be brought to the City Council for discussion and direction at a later date.”

To view the complete presentation slides, click here: Waldie Plaza presentation 0616