By Allen Payton

During their 10th Annual Santa For Seniors project the Board of Directors of An Elderly Wish Foundation adopted four board and care homes for Christmas.

On Wednesday, December 16th, nine board members played Santa Claus for 20 seniors, in two homes in Antioch and two in Pittsburg, by delivering a large Christmas bag to each one of the residents which included scarves, socks, combs, toiletries and puzzle books. Each large bag also included a shoulder shawl, a handmade lap quilt, thanks to Bernie Cabrera, owner of Queen B’s Quilt Shop and a stuffed animal from Jim Lanter at State Farm, both located in Antioch.

“All of us enjoyed singing Christmas Carols upon arrival, and then singing with the residents once the gifts were opened,” said Mary Chapman, Executive Director of the foundation. “It was a joyous day for all, as we shared the Christmas spirit.”

This year’s event was sponsored by the Delta Board of Realtors. Many seniors are touched by the giving spirit of Christmas from An Elderly Wish Foundation. For more information about the foundation, visit www.elderlywish.org.

Antioch middle and high school students can win prize money in the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Program. Open to middle and high school students who reside in the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) boundaries, this year’s contest theme is  “If I Were President of the United States.” Judges will be looking for work that best represents Dr. King’s vision and incorporates the 2016 theme.  Application deadline is January 7, 2016. Submissions may be written or visual.

Written submissions may be a poem or essay, short story, etc. Visual entries may be a story told through video, photographs, music, drawings, paintings, collages, etc., and must incorporate 2016 theme.

Winners will be announced and scholarship awards will be presented at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event on January 18, 2016, from 1 – 3 PM at Deer Valley High School. Scholarship Awards levels are: High School: 1st Place $400, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $150 and Middle School: 1st Place $200, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100.

Submission Requirements: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Program is to open middle and high school students who reside in the Antioch Unified School District boundaries. Application submission deadline is Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 4 PM. Applications and submissions must be received by that date. No late submissions accepted.   It is important that you include your contact information.

Written submissions may be submitted at Antioch City Hall or sent by email to Diane@Art4Antioch.org.  Visual electronic media needs to be submitted on a CD or DVD and 3-D art (posters, drawings, paintings, collages, etc.) must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information on the back of the visual entry and submitted at Antioch City Hall, 200 H Street, 3rd Floor, Attention: Y’Keyah Johnson. Write on the envelope or package “MLK Scholarship” and your name, school, phone number and email address. Please check the city website for holidays and open to the public hours.

All submissions must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information on the top of the electronic document or included in the email message. Submissions become the property of the MLK Scholarship Committee and will not be returned. For questions regarding the scholarship contact Diane Gibson-Gray at Diane@Art4antioch.org or (925) 325-9897.

Following are the winners of the three races run at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch, as part of the annual Holiday Run & Walk for Health, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of the Delta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, on Saturday, December 12, 2015:

1-Mile Run/Walk Winners

Overall and Top Male – Eben Zaragoza, age 10, of Antioch, with a time of 7:29

Top Female – Riley MacPherson, age 10, of Brentwood, with a time of 7:36

3-Mile Run/Walk Winners

Overall and Top Male – Marcus Dawal, Jr., age 15 of Brentwood, with a time of 18:29

Top Female – Madison MacPherson, age 15, of Brentwood and a sophomore at Liberty  High School, with a time of 20:01

Assistant Coach for the Antioch High School Cross Country team, William Berger, age 29, placed first in his age division and second overall, with a time of 18:30, providing a good example for his team.

10K Run/Walk Winners

Overall and Top Male – Brian Mohrlant, age 35 of Napa, with a time of 42:18

Top Female – Roxanna Aranda, age 53 of Antioch, with a time of 53:04

See all race results by clicking here. For more information about the Holiday Run, visit www.holidayrun.org and for more information about the Kiwanis Club of the Delta, visit www.delta-antioch.kiwanisone.org.

 

 

 

By Allen Payton

Muslims, Jews, Catholics, including three Francisco Friars in monk robes, and other Christians joined together on Sunday, December 13th, at the Islamic Center of East Bay in Antioch, at an open house meeting and vigil, and to say prayers for the victims of the massacre in San Bernardino, earlier this month.

In an email invitation to Antioch Mayor Wade Harper and Council Members, Mohammad Chaudhry, President of the Center condemned the killings.

“The Muslims associated with the Islamic Center of East Bay, Antioch, Ca are holding an Open House Meeting and Vigil in the memory of the senseless killings of 14 innocent people, and the wounding of 27 at San Bernardino, Ca.,” he wrote. “They wholeheartedly condemn the massacre of these victims, and they share the grief and sorrow of the bereaved families. As a mark of solidarity with the departed souls, Islamic Center of East Bay, Antioch, Ca shall hold this Open House Meeting…at the Center. You are requested to join us in prayers for the deceased, and for peace in America, and everywhere.”

Signs across the front of the room had messages the Islamic Center members want the community to know.

“I love America as much as you do,” stated one of the signs. “Every inch a proud American,” stated another. “America stands for values not hatred and division,” stated yet another.

Several speakers shared their thoughts and perspectives on what impact the San Bernardino killings have had on Muslims in Antioch and East County, the fear it has caused and what can be done to build better understanding and relationships.

Hamza Sultan, a 16-year-old Muslim and student at Heritage High School in Brentwood, read a variety of prepared statements.

“We must empower the gun control movement in America,” he said.

Sultan also had some tough words for those of his faith committing acts of terrorism. “Islamic extremists cherry pick from the Qur’an to justify their actions,” he stated. “If they would complete the sentence they would know the sins they have committed.”

“The killing of one human being is like the killing of all humanity,” Sultan continued. “The saving the life of one human being is the saving of all humanity. If the San Bernardino shooters would have realized the privileges they had in this country they would have lived lives of peace.”

“Using our First Amendment rights can enlighten…about the truth of Islam,” he added.
Sultan also spoke of the true definition of jihad, which means struggle, and includes on the battlefield.

He also mentioned and finished by mentioning “purifying ourselves. There’s no better place to do that than in the United States of America.”

His mother, local pediatrician, Dr. Sobia Sultan, who works for Kaiser in Antioch, shared her experience and concerns.

“I moved to this area, 10 years ago when the medical center was built, serving as a pediatrician,” she said. “This is a beautiful place. We have to do more interfaith work.”

“Due to circumstances beyond our control there is a change in the atmosphere,” Dr. Sultan shared. “A feeling of fear coming into our community.

“You don’t need to be fearful of me. I’m your friendly, neighborhood doctor,” she said to laughter from the audience.

“I have built a lot of bonds in the local community,” Dr. Sultan continued. “I have seen this beautiful community spirit here.”

“ISIS, what have you, added on by the fear mongering politicians and the media,” is causing “peace loving, good meaning people are scared of Muslims.”

“Is there anything we can do to push back against the atmosphere of fear,” she asked. “Open your homes, your hearts? Invite them in to pray.”

Dr. Sultan had shared concerns about the fear and challenges she and her family have experienced.

“We’re not afraid of buffoons like Donald Trump, but the 57% of the silent majority,” she stated. “Muslims are also fearful. Everything negative on the TV is associated with Islam. I worry about my children, our future. I want them to live in the America I came to 20 years ago. I want them to believe in E Pluribus Unum – out of many, one.  My children are being marginalized. They sometimes are called terrorists. Also when they don’t participate in things that others do.”

Dr. Sultan finished on a positive note saying, she was happy “that we’re not alone that there are others who stand with us in this subject.”

Antioch resident, Tabarak Mughal, spoke briefly.

“We are all Americans and we should all support the values of this country,” he stated.

Antioch Council Member Monica Wilson, followed him and offered her thoughts and comments to those in attendance.

“Thank you so much for this beautiful ceremony,” she stated, then quoted one of the signs on the wall behind her in agreement. “Please do not judge me without knowing me.”

“Let’s hold onto the positive spirit, the positive programs,” Wilson continued. “How do we push back this wall of hate? This is the beginning. How do we spread it to the broader community?”
“I’m really encouraged by the positive energy, today,” she added. “Let’s not make this a one-time thing.”

Finally, Chaudhry shared his closing thoughts.

He spoke of the fire that burned the Center in 2007.

“Wherever we go we go with our identity,” he said. “If we are not safe, here we are not safe anywhere. You can turn your adversity into prosperity. This is a place, a house of God. Come.”

“Unless I visit a church and hear the things they say, am I going to learn of their faith? Chaudhry asked. “We don’t have to wait for something bad to happen. We have to be the people who take the initiative.”

He then spoke of the people who were killed in San Bernardino “at no fault of their own,” then referred to the 11,000 people who have been killed in the U.S. each year, in the 14 years since 9-11. “Forty-five got killed by Muslims,” Chaudhry stated.

“True faith is what unites people,” he continued. “All people of faith, they approach God in their own way. We are all human beings. How come we divide people?”

He spoke of “the wisdom of the Founding Fathers.”

“Now I understand why they made this a secular country,” Chaudhry added. “Everyone tries to monopolize God. But he is the God of all. His ways are strange.”

He then encouraged those in attendance to do something to help foster understanding.

“This is not our cause. It’s your cause, too,” he finished.

The speeches were followed by a time of prayers in an adjacent room of the Center.

The Center is located at 314 W. 19th Street and fronts on West 18th Street. For more information call (925) 756-1652.

By Allen Payton

Out of 556 votes from shoppers between November 28 and December 12, the winner of the best holiday decorations in the Antioch Rivertown 2015 Holiday Store & Window Décor Contest is Urban Jumble with 140 votes. They will be awarded a one-time, 1/4-page ad in the Antioch Herald, which has a $500 value. The antique store is located at 307 G Street.

Winners of the Ballot Drawing Prizes, for those who voted in the contest are as follows:

Queen B’s Quilt Shop – Quilt – Cindy Phearson

Jim Lanter State Farm – Starbucks Coffee package 1 – Steve Brown

Jim Lanter State Farm – Starbucks Coffee package 2 – Sara Garcia

Jim Lanter State Farm – Holiday Snack Bowl package – Thula Keith

Oddly Unique – $50 Gift Certificate – Kimberli Williams

Oddly Unique, Too – $50 Gift Certificate – Francine Hudson

G St. Mercantile – $50 Gift Certificate – Debbie Delta

Almost There Travel – Disney Diamond Celebration promo package – Christina Kenson

Each of them will be contacted about their prize.

Thank you to all the businesses that participated and to all who voted in this year’s contest. See more photos of the window and store decorations of the businesses in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown on our Antioch Rivertown Facebook page.

Please download the request form here – APD Request for Donation form