Photos with Santa through the 24th, Pet Photos with Santa Dec. 14th

The Christmas Celebration continues at Somersville Towne Center with a free breakfast with Santa plus entertainment by Lori and RJ in Center Court by Macy’s, Saturday morning, December 9th starting at 8:30 a.m.

Photos with Santa continue through Thursday, December 24th and Pet Photos with Santa will be held again, on Monday, December 14th from 5-8 p.m.

Somersville Towne Center, East County’s only enclosed mall, is located at 2550 Somersville Road in Antioch. For more information visit www.SomersvilleTowneCenter.com.

As seen in the December print edition of the Antioch Herald.

The shops in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown, will be holding the third of three Saturday events during the holiday season, with their Customer Appreciation Day, tomorrow, Saturday, December 12th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and everyone is invited.

Oak Ridge Winery from Lodi will be doing a wine tasting from 2-4 p.m. at 209 G Street.

The Antioch Singing Angels will begin caroling from 213 G St from 2-4 p.m. and are looking for volunteers to join.  Hot cocoa and cookies included.

Santa will be available at 213 G Street from 3-5 p.m. for free photos by Bev Knight that will be available online.

Be sure to vote for your favorite window decorations in the Holiday Store Window Décor Contest and be entered to win prizes from downtown shops.

So, shop for unique Christmas gifts, eat at downtown restaurants and enjoy the holiday spirit in Rivertown.

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign donations in the Antioch area are down by 40% compared to last year.  Traditionally, the kettle income makes up nearly 80% of the overall income generated for The Salvation Army of Antioch.

“I am very concerned about the early results of our kettle income and how this will impact the residents we’re trying to assist,” said Lt. Purnell Hall, Salvation Army Antioch Corps officer.   “In order for us to do all of our programs, we have to find ways to make up for this this shortfall.  We’re hoping that shoppers will remember their neighbors in need when they see a Salvation Army bell ringer in the community during the finals weeks before Christmas.”

Kettle gifts stay in the community where the money is donated and help the various programs The Salvation Army has year-round.  So far, more than 1,900 individuals have sought out assistance through the Army’s social service department, and more than 50 youngsters have participated in an after-school program or a summer day camp program.  This Christmas season, The Salvation Army of Antioch will also assist 300 families will with food and toys.

The Salvation Army will be accepting donations at any of the 15 local Red Kettle sites through December 24.  Donors can also give online at www.gosalarmy.org, via traditional mail at 620 E. Tregallas Rd., Antioch, CA, 94509 or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Following are the winners of the 2015 Antioch Lighted Boat Parade as part of the Holiday DeLites celebration in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown and along the river, held Saturday, December 5th.

Best of Show – David & Lori Dial Ebony Boat Club

First Place Over 35′ – Floyd & Micheline Simpson Sportsmen Yacht Club

Second Place Over 35′ – Phillip & Cheryl Clark Dos Rios Yacht Club

First Place Under 35′ – Dale & Debbie Bauer. Sportsmen Yacht Club

Second Place Under 35′ – Steven & Crystal Peedle, Sportsmen Yacht Club

Parade Marshall: Chris Lauritzen, Lauritzen Yacht Harbor

Parade Committee: Chair Georgine Shunk, Bridge Marina Yacht Club

Vice Chair Darlene Dawson, Sportsmen Yacht Club

Jane Parsons, Sportsmen Yacht Club

Kay Power, Sportsmen Yacht Club

Jim Davi, Bridge Marina Yacht Club

Judges: Debbie Vieria, Bill and Mary Chapman

A dinner and awards ceremony were held following the parade and hosted by the Sportsmen Yacht Club with Commodore Rick Barton.

Manager Carrie Landgraft prepares to cut the ribbon, Wedesday morning, December 9, 2015, at the new Taco Bell location at 18th and A Streets in Antioch (above) and then celebrates (below), with Antioch Council Members and staff, property owner S G Ellison (far left), District Manager Getahun Abebe (center back), Evelyn Lainez, District Manager Gursimran Ghumman, COO Monica Schneider, Franchisee and CEO Randy Rodriguez (in back, second from right), and staff of Golden Gate Bell, LLC and the new Taco Bell.

By Allen Payton

“Thank you for being here, today,” said Monica Schneider, COO of Golden Gate Bell, LLC, the owners of the new Taco Bell. “We’re going to do everything in our power to be a good community partner.”

“Our team is very excited,” she added.

Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, who was in attendance, along with Council Members Mary Rocha, Monica Wilson and Tony Tiscareno, and Economic Development Assistant Lizhet Zepeda, spoke on the behalf of the City.

“I’m very excited we’ve cleaned up this corner,” she stated. “It’s a beautiful building. I’ve got to see the enthusiasm of the people coming here to eat and the employees, too.”

This is Golden Gate Bell’s third Taco Bell in Antioch, with the other two located on Deer Valley Road in the Crossings Shopping Center, and on Lone Tree Way in the Deer Valley Plaza.

The first Taco Bell in Antioch was located just down the road on East 18th Street, and the building is still there, between Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash and Wienerschnitzel.

For jobs at any of Golden Gate Bell’s locations in Antioch visit www.jobsatgoldengateball.com.

New Antioch Taco Bell Manager Carrie Landgraft prepares to the cut the cake with the Golden Gate Bell, LLC team (from left) Laurie Keating, Getahun Abebe, Monica Schneider, Gursimran Ghumman, Randy Rodrigues and Evelyn Lainez, during the official opening celebration, Wednesday morning, December 9, 2015.

On Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 members of Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch came together to help underprivileged families of the community for Thanksgiving.

Organized by Carl Rhodes, Director of Project 66 and Pastor Kirkland Smith, volunteers presented 200 families with free turkeys and the fixings.

“Many of the families helped have fallen on hard times and really seemed to appreciate the help, as they try to get back on their feet,” Rhodes said.

Project 66 and Grace Bible Fellowship have partnered for the past 10 years and have had many donors. This year, as well Project 66 would like to express their appreciation for the individuals and businesses who donated. Those include Marco Rodriguez of East Bay Furniture Outlet, Ryan Stewart Heating and Air, Stephanie Tran of Bagel Street Café, Sonny of Togo’s Antioch, Kelly Max Haufe U.S., Mark Bright of Bright Wine Fund, Gordon Zagar of Zagar Consulting, Dr. Kevin Ackerman and Dr. Eric Towson of Ackerman & Towson Dentistry in Brentwood, and Safeway of Antioch.

SIR Branch #19 2015 Golf Champions (left to right) are Rich Peterson, Gary Kaufmann, Bill Boyer, Jerry Burton and Jack Duncan.

The local Sons In Retirement (SIR) Branch 19 just announced its 2015 Golf Champions.  According to Jerry Burton, the Branch’s golf program director: “… our Annual Championships are determined every Fall with a three round tournament at Lone Tree Golf Course in Antioch.  The scoring uses the two lowest net scores for each player across several flights.  A Match Play tournament is also played during the season with one annual Winner based on the net scores.”

“The winners were recognized at our annual golf awards luncheon at the Guadalajara Grill,” he added. “Along with the recognition each winner received a special monogrammed golf shirt.”

Ongoing golf activities are played at nearby courses including Lone Tree Golf Course, Oakhurst Country Club, Deer Ridge, Delta View, Diablo Creek Golf Course, and Eagle Vines in Napa, among others.  Players have an active NCGA handicap index to compete in the various games.

The 2015 Winners are:

A Flight Champion – Jack Duncan

B Flight Champion – Bill Boyer

C Flight Champion –  Jerry Burton

D Flight Champion – Rich Peterson

Match Play Champion – Gary Kaufmann

The Sons in Retirement (SIR) is an organization for retired men focused on the enjoyment of their senior years.  Members have the chance to make new friends and  enjoy a variety of sporting and recreational activities.  These include golf, bowling, hiking, bocce ball, various travel outings, dine-outs, and other activities.  Couples also attend at some events.  The Branch meets monthly at Oakhurst Country Club.  These luncheon gatherings also feature presentations from interesting cultural and content experts.  SIR membership is free.  Prospective members can attend as a guest at one of the monthly meetings.

For more information email Bruce Persons at:  brucep@astound.net,  call the SIR Branch 19 Hotline at: 925-338-1996, see the website at:  www.sir19.org.