Sales of “Ava Goes to the Dentist” to benefit Carmen Dragon Elementary School

Antioch residents and authors Alicia Coleman-Clark and her daughter Ava J. Clark will sign their new book, “Ava Goes to the Dentist” at Barnes and Noble, locatd at 5709 LoneTree Way on Thursday, April 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Goodie bags will be given to the first 50 people.

Ava is an eight-year-old, little girl who has autism. This is her first book on her personal experience. Autism impacts her daily life in ways that at times are unimaginable. Alicia and Ava hope that this book and enclosed resources will support other families in their journey. This is an awesome way to wrap up Autism Awareness Month.

Alicia and Ava are proud to share this book with everyone at Barnes and Noble for the first time. The “Ava Goes to the Dentist” book signing will also be a fundraiser for Ava’s school, Carmen Dragon Elementary in Antioch. Also, a portion of Alicia’s royalties are going toward the UC Davis MIND Institute and Stanford University for their continued research in autism.

When you use the ticket #11601267 at checkout, a portion of the proceeds go to Carmen Dragon Elementary School. This number can also be used at the check out on the Barnes and Noble website for online purchases from Thursday, April 30^th through Tuesday, May 5^th.

“Ava Goes to the Dentist” is a social story from a child’s point of view. Ava was diagnosed with autism at the age of two-and-a-half. The book is the first of a series of books Alicia and Ava have planned, on various outings through the eyes of a child with autism.

Alicia’s philosophy for a life well lived is, to be present in every relationship, live with compassion and practice humility.

Los Medanos College will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. The event will honor the war’s lost and forgotten heroes with a candlelight vigil including a POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony. The LMC Veterans Club is hosting the vigil that will take place on the college’s Student Services outdoor patio. Refreshments will be served following the vigil. The public is encouraged to attend.

Los Medanos College is located at 2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565. Guests are invited to park in the college’s Parking Lot B and parking permits will not be required for this event.

For more information about this event, contact Diane Ferguson at dferguson@losmedanos.edu, 925-473-7496. For questions about the LMC Veterans Club, contact Reginald Turner at rturner@losmedanos.edu, 925-473-7515.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Enter at the Fair Office or on-line – it’s fun and easy!

Want to enter something in this year’s Contra Costa County Fair? Imagine the thrill of winning a blue ribbon at the Fair for a special talent. Think you own the best pig, bake the most delicious apple pie, make a beautiful quilt, or have an uncanny knack for making crafts? Be sure to enter the Contra Costa County Fair’s competitive exhibits – and join the thousands of Contra Costa County residents who enter exhibits each year in the Fair. There are hundreds of categories and specialty contests for adults and children.

Now is the time to complete the paperwork for those entries. The Contra Costa County Fair’s Exhibit Handbook, which includes all the information you need to enter exhibits, is now available on the Fair’s website at www.ContraCostaFair.com. Both paper entries and online entries are currently being accepted. Simply visit the Fair Office in Antioch or log-on to the Fair’s website at www.ContraCostaFair.com to complete the entry process.

The Fair is accepting paper entries until April 25^th and on-line entries will be accepted until May 1. In order to accommodate exhibitors, the Fair Office will be open from 8am – 5pm on April 25^th to accept paper entries. If you prefer to enter online, visit the Fair’s website from now until May 1^st at midnight to complete the process.

This year’s Contra Costa County Fair is May 28^th – May 31^st. For information, visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or call the Fair Office at (925) 757-4400. If you’re interested in receiving a copy of the Fair’s free electronic newsletter, visit the Fair’s website to sign up.

Aria Rose Rath

A GoFundMe donation account has been set up for Dylan Rath’s and his fiancé Ashley’s, three-month-old daughter, Aria Rose Rath It has been verified by the family.

Dylan is the 26-year-old man who was in the motorcycle accident on the Antioch bridge, last Sunday, in which he was tossed over the side and down into the river. A search for him is on-going.

If you are able, please click here, as every dollar counts.

Free Awareness Seminar, Thursday, April 16 and Run for the Health of It – 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 25

John Muir Health and the American Cancer Society invite everyone to join them at two events in April to raise awareness and learn more about the causes of and treatment options for esophageal cancer. 

According to the National Cancer Institute over 18,000 people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer annually, and the incidence numbers are increasing. The most common type of esophageal cancer can be linked to issues such as chronic heartburn.

“While the incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing, treatments have improved and survival rates are getting better,” said Wilson Tsai, M.D., co-director, Thoracic Program at John Muir Health. “Through events like our free seminar and run/walk, we hope to better inform the public about the risks of this steadily growing disease as well as risk reduction and early detection strategies.”

Free Esophageal Cancer Awareness Seminar

The seminar will take place on Thursday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. at John Muir Medical Center, Concord and will feature:      

• Honorable Ellen Tauscher, esophageal cancer survivor (four years disease free)

• Wilson Tsai, MD, Thoracic Surgeon at John Muir Health

• S. Saeed Zamani, MD, Gastroenterologist at John Muir Health

• Susie Howard, Registered Dietitian at John Muir Health

The Honorable Ellen Tauscher will share her personal experience with GERD symptoms and her journey after she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. John Muir Health specialists will also discuss the warning signs and the latest medical treatments for GERD and esophageal cancer. More information is available at www.johnmuirhealth.com/content/jmh/en/home/event-list/esophageal-cancer-awareness-seminar.html.

First Inaugural Run for the Health of It Esophageal Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk

The first inaugural Run for the Health of It Esophageal Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk, will take place on Saturday morning, April 25, at Heather Farm Park, in Walnut Creek.

This event features a scenic course using paved paths through the natural early spring beauty of Heather Farm Park. Chip timing and results will be provided by race-production company www.onyourmarkevents.com.

Along with being a great competitive race and walk, this will be a fun gathering for a great cause, promoting health and raising awareness about this curable disease. All attendees will learn how to decrease risk through diet, exercise, and more. Proceeds will benefit John Muir Health’s Esophageal Cancer Program.

Runners and walkers will receive a commemorative T-shirt, post-race refreshments, and much more. Pre-registered entry fees are $35 for adults, $15 children (12-17), and $10 children (11 and under). Race-day registration fees will increase $5.

Participants can pre-register two ways: download this application and mail in with a check, or register via online at Active.com. For more event information, contact On Your Mark Events at (209) 795-7832, or visit their Website.

Race-day registration and check-in will take place at the Heather Farm Park’s athletic fields, beginning at 7:00 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. start.

About John Muir Health

John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization east of San Francisco serving patients in Contra Costa, eastern Alameda and southern Solano Counties. It includes a network of more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians, more than 5,500 employees, medical centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, including Contra Costa County’s only trauma center, and a Behavioral Health Center. John Muir Health also has partnerships with San Ramon Regional Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center and Stanford Children’s Health. John Muir Health and Stanford Children’s Health will jointly open Contra Costa County’s first and onlyPediatric Intensive Care Unit at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creekin April2015.The health system offers a full-range of medical services, including primary care, outpatient and imaging services, and is widely recognized as a leader in many specialties – neurosciences, orthopedic, cancer, cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, pediatrics and high-risk obstetrics care. For more information, visit www.johnmuirhealth.com.

Exciting arena events, a concert series, carnival rides, livestock, exhibits and more!

Mark your calendar for this year’s Contra Costa County Fair happening May 28th through May 31st, at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.

Welcome to FAIRadise, is the theme for a fun planned four day event for Fair- goers of all ages. The Contra Costa County Fair is the perfect place to enjoy live entertainment, exciting arena events, delicious food, carnival rides, animals, and hundreds of exhibits – all in a community-friendly environment and at affordable prices!

For main stage entertainment, the Fair’s 2015 concert series features Summer Beach Party and Chris Gardner Band on Thursday, May 28th, Superlicious performing on Friday, May 29th, Journey Unauthorized performing Friday, May 29th & Saturday, May 30th, Metalachi and Cover Me Badd also on Saturday, May 30th, and Hispanic Musical Celebration on Sunday, May 31st.

All concerts are FREE with admission to the Fair.

While visiting the Fair, enjoy other highlights such Circus Imagination, Splash Dogs, Great American Duck Races, Wood Carvers, Undead Betty Roller Derby, Stock Car Races, Livestock and more!!!

Visit www.contracostafair.com for more information. The fairgrounds are located at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch.

Dylan Rath. Photo provided by and posted with permission of his family.

By Allen Payton

The family of Dylan Rath, who was involved in the motorcycle accident on the Antioch bridge on Sunday, is asking for volunteers to help search for Dylan. He still hasn’t been found. They are asking for all the help they can get to search by boat, car or even on foot. Any effort will be appreciated. Please leave a comment on the Antioch Herald Facebook page under this same post, by clicking here, if you are able to help. Thank you.

The large, ceremonial gift check from the Jones estate.

By Allen Payton

Long-time Antioch residents and supporters of The Antioch Friends of the Animals, the late Joseph “Smoky” and Jody Jones, left a nice gift for programs at the Antioch Animal Shelter.

The display at the Antioch Animal Shelter, included a proclamation by the City Council.

A presentation of the gift was made on February 26 and included a display about Smoky and Jody Jones at the Antioch Animal Shelter.

Elizabeth Rimbault, the Trustee for the Jones estate, sent a letter to the City of Antioch explaining the bequest:

“I am happy to announce the Jones home has sold and I am now in a position to close the estate and trust. You were notified by prior mail that the Animal Shelter would be receiving 15% of the remainder of the estate/Trust. Now having calculated that percentage, it is with great pleasure I tell you the shelter will be receiving $53,447.12.

The intent of this gift from Smoky and Jody, was to support the programs sponsored by the Antioch Friends of the Animals. The reason for giving the actual funds to the shelter instead of the Friends, is the belief that the shelter would out live the founders or life of the non-profit Friends. Due to the wish to support the programs of the Friends it is our hope a minor advisory committee will be established to include members of the Friends in an advisory capacity for the spending of the money.

Programs that are automatically supported are Spay & Neuter, pet food for pets of the homeless or indigent, vaccines and other health programs for shelter animals and moving towards a ‘No Kill‘ shelter. Restrictions on these funds include employee salaries, management, and the supporting or organizing other fund raising efforts. The funds are to be spent on Shelter programs endorsed by and supported by the Antioch Friends of the Animals. This bequest is NOT intended to be used to reduce any funding the shelter is currently receiving as part of the City of Antioch budget and is intended to only enhance programs and funding currently in place.

We know the shelter appreciates this wonderful bequest from Smoky and Jody. I wish you all great success and enjoyment in promoting healthy shelter programs, old and new.”