By Allen Payton

In a unanimous vote, the Antioch School Board promoted Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Stephanie Anello to the position of Interim Superintendent, at a Special Meeting, held Thursday, November 12.

She will serve in that position until a new superintendent is hired.

Ms. Anello has proudly served the District for 18 years first as a classroom teacher and, most recently, as the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services – a position she has held for the past five years. The Board is confident that Ms. Anello will maintain and build upon the momentum to make positive improvements to our District. The Board is committed to offering Ms. Anello the support she may need to serve the District in her new capacity.

The Board’s action was in response to their unanimous vote during a Closed Session during a Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 10 to place Dr. Don Gill on paid administrative leave until the date of his previously announced resignation, which is June 30, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

See more photos and videos on the Antioch Herald Facebook page.

Veterans, families and friends invited to attend

Public is invited to a special ceremony from 11:00 a.m. until Noon on Tuesday, November 10
2015 marks 50 years since the beginning of the Vietnam War, and 40 years since the end of the conflict. Veterans from the Vietnam era as well as those who have served before and since are invited to share in the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors annual recognition of the contributions of our veterans.
The ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, in the Board Chamber at 651 Pine Street in Martinez, and will last until noon.

Keynote speaker Steve Burchik chronicled a year in Vietnam through the lens of a camera, and his work is on display in the County Administration building this month. Now a county resident, the former Army infantryman will share his unique perspective of his tour of duty.
Gold Star father and Discovery Bay resident Kevin Graves will preview the upcoming documentary “The Longest Road,” which focuses on the plight of the two million displaced Kurds in the Middle East.

In addition, there will be special recognition for a County veteran who has contributed significantly to the annual ceremonies.

County Veterans Service Officer Nathan Johnson invites veterans who arrive early to gather in the conference room next to the Board Chamber for refreshments, and enjoy the photography display in the lobby.

Contra Costa County is home to more than 65,000 veterans, with 500 service men and women returning home to our area each year after completing their military service. The Board of Supervisors pays tribute and gives thanks each year to those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

PITTSBURG: Los Medanos College (LMC) will hold a Veterans Day Observance on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., on the LMC Student Services Center Patio. The college is hosting this event to honor its student veterans and all of the men and women of the Armed Forces for their service, bravery, and sacrifice. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Complimentary parking is available in Lots A and B.

The program will feature the Brentwood VFW Marine Color Guard, guest speakers, representatives from LMC’s Veterans Services, and musical selections to mark the occasion. Light refreshments will also be served.

Among the guest speakers will be three honored veterans:

• Mr. Dale Cook, retired Army Corporal; is a decorated World War II veteran, who served in the Army Infantry in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1946. He is an Iwo Jima survivor, and was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. Following his military service, Mr. Cook went on to work for the U.S. Atomic Energy Agency as Director of Public Relations.

• Mr. Justin Kerns, U.S. Army veteran and Antioch resident; served in the U.S. Army for ten years, five years in Infantry and five years in aviation as a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief in the California National Guard. In total, Mr. Kerns served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is President of the recently reconstituted LMC Veterans Club.

• Mr. Anthony Amador, former Navy serviceman and current LMC student veteran, served as an Electronics Technician on a Navy submarine during Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). He is Vice President of the LMC Veterans Club.

Please join us to salute the men and women of the Armed Forces for their brave service.

For more information about the event or Veterans Services at LMC, please visit www.losmedanos.edu/veterans/ or contact Tamara Green at (925) 473-7498, tgreen@losmedanos.edu.

An inspiring twist on a school fundraiser actually gives back to the community, too

What if you could have your beautiful Christmas tree and make a local needy family’s holiday brighter too? Antioch Charter Academies I & II, along with Contra Costa County Fair’s Heritage Foundation, have turned their Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Fundraiser into a great idea for a service project too.

If Christmas trees are part of your holiday tradition, you pre-order a freshly cut tree not only for your own home, and you can donate a Christmas Tree to a needy local family whose holiday budget may not be able to include one this year. If you use a fake tree each year, maybe you’ll consider donating one to a local family. All tree donations are tax-deductible.

Christmas tree and wreath orders are being taken now through November 13th, and prices begin at just $42.00. We have gorgeous Douglas Firs, Noble Firs and Nordmann Firs from 4-12 feet tall, as well as 24” & 32” handmade wreaths. All trees and wreaths are freshly cut and immediately transported from Oregon by parent volunteers, directly to our Tree Lot at the Antioch Fairgrounds. Trees will be available for pickup starting on Friday, November 27th at 4 pm. Delivery can be made to some local areas for a small fee.

Please contact Antioch Charter Academy for orders, pricing and more information at either (925) 755-1252 or acai@aol.com.

Would you rather pick out your tree in person? Great. This year we will be hosting a three-weekend Tree Lot starting Friday, November 27th through Sunday, December 13th. The Antioch Charter Academy Tree Lot will be located at the Antioch Fairground’s Flower Building #2 (1201 W. 10th St.). The Tree Lot schedule is:

Thursdays & Fridays, 4-8 pm

Saturdays, 9 am-6 pm

(Sat 12/05 we’re expecting a special holiday visitor and will feature arts, crafts and student music)

Sundays, Noon-7 pm

In keeping with the holiday spirit of giving and sharing, needy local families are selected through local social services agencies to receive fresh trees as well, with your generous donation. Donated trees are personally delivered, (lights and stands included), to these families by Antioch Charter Academy parent and student volunteers. Volunteers are also available to give presentations at local churches, businesses and service organizations regarding this project.

Antioch Charter Academies are progressive, tuition-free public, K-8 charter schools designed specifically to produce lifelong learners by nurturing and guiding them in a natural learning environment. They are operated by The Learner-Centered Schools, Inc.; a non-profit, public benefit corporation. The mission of The Heritage Foundation is to maintain a standard of excellence in the facilities and grounds of the Contra Costa County Fair by providing funds for capital improvement opportunities, educational opportunities and scholarships. All donations, including trees to local families, are tax-exempt.

Dear Editor,

A thank you to all for helping The Delta Advocacy Foundation by supporting our Charity Roundup at the Roddy Ranch held October 3, 2015.

The Sponsors were:

Blackhawk – Nunn Partners, Paradise Skate and Roller Rink, The Libbey Family, Stephanie Anello, The Green Family, Heritage Bank/Becky Manning, Scott Bergerhouse, Roddy Cattle Co., Roddy Ranch Racing, John Jimno, Umpqua Bank, John Ramirez, Painting by Stefan, K2GC Inc./Ken Turnage Construction, Houghton International, Contra Costa Electric, The Agopian Family in Memory of Gary, Twin Rivers Insurance/Twin Rivers Marine Insurance, and Patricia Bristow.

The In-Kind Sponsors were:

The Dinelli and Reeves Families, Antioch Lions Club, Far West Sanitation, Roddy Ranch Golf Club, Republic Services, Tom Hartrick and Crew, Fast Signs, Rev. Roger Kuehn, Umpqua Bank, Markstein Beverages, Boy Scout Troop 450, Brentwood Future Farmers of America, Antioch Herald, Contra Costa Fair Grounds, Walaine Hankins., C + R Memorabilia, Rivertown Impressions, Kids N Cribs, Divine Voices of Deer Valley High School, Frigard Chiropractic, Gexpro, Cummins Pacific LLC, Electrorep Inc., G and S Farms, and Mark Dwelley.

Our very special thanks to Jack and Donna Roddy for their generous support and to you, the people who attended this year’s Charity Roundup and braved the hurricane winds. Because of your generous support, The Delta Advocacy Foundation will continue to support local charitable, educational and cultural causes in Eastern Contra Costa County.

Nancy J. Green

Treasurer