Hop in to your cherry Ford LTD or Barricuda and put on some Stones, Beatles, Dusty Springfield, Donovan or even Tom Jones, burn rubber and cruise on over to the Antioch High School Class of 1965’s 50th reunion.

For those who can remember that far back, class members will enjoy rapping and reminiscing at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center on Saturday, October 24 from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.

The evening will include no host cocktails and scarfing down a buffet dinner. There won’t be any rioting, protests or sit-ins that night. Just some dancing, in your mini skirt and knee-high boots, tie-dye or day-glo shirt, and other hip threads.

If you get bent or blitzed, it’s copasetic and alright, because you all qualify for Medicare, which President Johnson introduced that year.

So get with it and scrounge up some bread – $65 per person (a pretty boss price) then contact Laura Enea Jacques at either (925) 757-5904 or laurenjac@comcast.net.

It’ll be a gas and you’ll have a blast.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce honored Rodney and Ursula Lal, owners of Prime Vintage Realty, with one of their Community Champions awards, during a brief ceremony on Thursday morning, for their purchase and renovation of the old Antioch Lumber Company building in downtown.

Chamber CEO Dr. Sean Wright said the award was bestowed for “the work that Rodney and Ursula Lal have put into this building and downtown.”

Local officials were also on hand for the ceremony.

Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock spoke on behalf of the city.

“Thank you to Prime Vintage Realty for opening up, here,” she said. “This has been a historical area for a long time here. I expect to hear some success stories coming out of this building.”

“The process was slow,” Wright explained. “It took a long time. There was not only a lot of time and money, but love and dedication that has gone into this building.

“Thank you for improving downtown and for your time, dedication and service to Antioch,” he added.

Rodney Lal then offered his appreciation for the award.

“Thank you on behalf of my family, Ursula, [son] Devin and [daughter] Nicole and awarding me this community champion. This is a great award. But the reason we bought this building…is from love.

“The reason I got into real estate was to buy buildings and improve them,” he continued. “It’s unique. It’s built with tender loving care. It’s just so beautiful. You haven’t seen the best, yet. Our city will prosper. You will see this building prosper. You will see people drive by here. The river has so much to offer. My goal is to beautify this city. I just love it. Thank you.”

The late Henry “Hank” F. Beede, the last owner of the Antioch Lumber Company and building, passed away in 2010. In attendance at the ceremony was his widow, Leora Beede and their daughter Priscilla Fremering, who assisted in the sale of the building to the Lals.

Fremering stated the building was built in the 1860’s.

Kelly O’Brien the great, great granddaughter of Henry F. Beede and cousin to Hank Beede, provided the cake in the shape of the building.

Curt Holzer, who has had an insurance office in downtown since 1995, shared a little history.

“It was the oldest operating business in the county,” he stated. “I used to insure this building when Hank was in it. I asked him, ‘when will you stop coming down here?’ He said ‘The day I die.’”

“It’s definitely cleaned up the entrance to downtown,” Holzer added.

The Lals invested approximately $500,000 to improve the building, including shoring up the foundation, which was sloping toward the river.

“I guarantee you this building will last another 100 years, the way we built it,” Rodney stated.

This is the third Community Champions award presented to an Antioch business, including Mike’s Auto Body and Mountain Mike’s Pizza, earlier this year since the Chamber instituted the recognition program.

By Mitch Stephens, Antioch Sports Legends Staff Writer

After nine years of honoring the area’s finest athletes and community leaders, one thing is certain said Antioch Sports Legends founder/adviser Tom Menasco.

“The community hasn’t forgotten the rich sports history of the area,” he said. “We just want to maintain and grow that interest while hopefully enlightening new Antioch residents.”

With the Oct. 10^th celebration of the 2015 Class at the Ninth Annual Induction Ceremony at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, the legends group will have honored 127 athletes and nine championship teams since 2007.

This year’s class features former NFL offensive lineman Frank Beede, two high-level minor league baseball players, Jerry Bertolani and Brian Oliver, along with a pair of multi-talented females named Johnson — Courtney and Keisha (not related).

Antioch Sports Legends coordinator Tom Lamothe said a single trait connects the 2015 class.

“When I think of this class I think blue-collar workers,” Lamothe said. “Most of them got by largely on grit and determination which was definitely reflective of the community they came from.”

Here is a snapshot look at the 14 individuals and one team from the Antioch Legends Class of 2015, all of whom either graduated or for coached at Antioch High.

Jerry Bertolani (baseball 1982) — A junior varsity player until late in his junior year, the versatile shortstop outworked everyone to become one of the best players the city has ever known. Bertolani was a first-team All-League player as a senior, an All-State performer at LMC and played six minor-league seasons with the White Sox.

Frank Beede (football 1991) — One of the most recognizable names in Antioch, the three-sport prep standout went on to play 11 football seasons professionally, five with the Seattle Seahawks and six with the San Jose Sabercats. After a successful college career at Cal and Oklahoma Panhandle State, the guard and center was the first free agent in Seattle history to earn a starting job. He coached and taught at Antioch and Freedom and in 2010 the NFL named him “Teach of the Year.”

Craig Carson (swim coach) — Since 1975, Carson has compiled a 380-92-3 overall record, won 17 league championship and coached 36 All-Americans and 100 individual and 60 relay league champions. Before great success at Deer Valley and Heritage, he was 115-37-2 at Antioch was the 1987 Diablo Valley Athletic League Swim Coach of the Year. Carson was named the Bay Valley Athletic League Coach of the Year for all sports in 2012.

Gerald Gamble (track and field, 1984) — At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Gamble was on the small side for a weights athlete. But that didn’t stop him from being ranked the best discus thrower (183 feet, 3 inches) and second best shot putter (59-9½) in school history. He won a NCS Meet of Champions discus title as a senior and placed sixth at state in the shot put.

Courtney Johnson (basketball 1997) — Johnson was a four-time All-League guard in basketball who finished as the career scoring leader with 2,035 points. She was also a second-team All-League softball player and team Co-MVP in volleyball before embarking on superb four-year basketball career at Cal, where she was team MVP in 1999 and 2000.

Keisha Johnson (all-around 1993) — From an illustrious three-sport prep stint at Antioch to an All-Pac 10 Conference volleyball career at the University of Arizona to coaching in college, Johnson always moved upward. Her best sport as a prep was basketball where she averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior.

Marcus Murray (basketball 1995) — The brother of NBA All-Star Lamond Murray and cousin of NBA veteran Tracy Murray, the 6-5 forward earned All-BVAL honors three straight years. He was one of two Antioch players to earn league MVP honors when he averaged 20.1 points and 9.3 rebounds as a senior. Called the greatest player 40-year coach Bob Fisher ever coached, Murray later starred at Los Angeles Southwest JC and the University of New Orleans.

Joe Olenchalk (community service) — As a 36-year award-winning educator at Antioch junior and senior high schools, a championship cross-country coach, a boosters club president and a chairman, researcher and docent of the Antioch Sports Legends Hall of Fame, Olenchalk has given more to one community than many neighborhoods have combined.

Brian Oliver (baseball 1985)— Listed as one of the top five shortstops by Baseball America before his senior year, Oliver led the Panthers to back-to-back NCS titles before stellar collegiate career at Cal, where he boasted a .358 career average with 60 extra base hits. A fourth-round pick of the Angels, he was one of just 13 Antioch area players to reach at least the AA-level.

Stephen Parks (football 1971) — The tenacious running back was a two-time All-DVAL performer who earned a scholarship to Oregon State. He led the Panthers to a 20-0 win over Pittsburg in 1969, breaking a 22-year losing streak in the series. As a senior he rushed for 917 yards, won the team’s Ron Pritchard award and led the Panthers to a co-league title.

Mike Reale (All-around 1981) — All-DVAL in football and baseball and a state-qualifier in wrestling, Reale earned eight varsity letters. He went on to excel in football at Cal State Hayward, under future Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, before earning a Master’s degrees in electrical engineering at Sacramento State.

Pat Sweeney (wrestling 1988) — The 132-pounder placed second at NCS and third at state, helping the Panthers win their first and only state championship in 1988. He won four tournaments that season and finished 41-4, taking more individual matches than wrestler on that historic team.

Michael Vera (golf 1996) — A four-time Antioch team MVP and four-time All-BVAL first-team performer, Vera was one of the program’s greatest golfers. He won the NCS title in 1994. He was also a two-year starter on the basketball team before earning a golf scholarship to UCLA, where he lettered four seasons.

Kraig Walker (wresting 1983) — Known as “The Mauler,” Walker was the first Panther to place at the State meet, taking fourth in the 148-pound division his senior year. Walker went 81-14 while take two DVAL crowns. At San Jose State he won the PCAA title in 1984-85, qualifying him for the NCAA tournament.

Antioch football 1977 — This team had it all: speed, power, depth, a Hall of Fame coach and most of all, camaraderie. It won 10 straight games before losing in the NCS finals. The defense, led by 305-pound nose guard Ferris Anthony and linebackers Jerry Jones and Doug Jones allowed only 107 points. The offense was ignited All-NorCal fullback Bill Douville and fleet backs Tony Lang and Mike Shaw.

By Luke Johnson

Both high schools from Antioch, Deer Valley and Antioch High, pulled out wins with double-digit deficits, last Friday night in their season openers for football. Antioch hosted Acalanes from Lafayette for a 62-7 clobbering, while Deer Valley traveled to Granada in Livermore for a 20-7 triumph.

Running backs Najee Harris and Nick Perry, and wide receiver Ryan Payne score two touchdowns each for Antioch. The number one running back in the country, Harris, had 187 rushing yards and 15 carries, and sat out for the final 16 minutes of regulation due to a 54-7 lead. His backup, Perry, who some consider the best second string running back in the Bay Area, complimented him well and rushed for 123 yards. Off just three carries, Payne was able to collect 83 yards on the ground.

Offensive coordinator Brett Dudley was most impressed with his o-line which features five new starters. He said during practice the team picked up the intensity by squirting a syrup bottle (filled with water) into the air every time a player executed a pancake block, and the players fed off of it.

The Panthers played locktight defense as well; only allowing 127 yards from the Dons’ offense, along with forcing five turnovers. This all happened during the opening of their $7-million stadium, where they sported new, modernized matte black jerseys; much different from Antioch’s traditional, classic look.

All that was on Deer Valley lineman and team captain Troy Decuir’s mind heading into the first game of the season was to get the W, and prove all the doubters wrong affixed off of last year’s lackluster season. He and the Wolverines turned at least some of them into believers with a solid performance against the Matadors of the East Bay Athletic League.

Deer Valley’s defense had three interceptions (Jalen Threatt, Adrian Dolo, Ronald Holmes) and a fumble recovered in the end zone by defensive tackle Antonio Johnson. Running back Rai-Shyan Alexander carried most of the load for the offense, rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns through 15 attempts.

The Wolverines head into a bye week, but prepare for reigning Division-III State Champions Campolindo in week three at Moraga.

“We really have to strap it up, play a great game and channel or offense and defense to beat State Champions,” said Robert Hubbard, who just earned his first victory as a varsity head coach.

Antioch will also face tougher competition as the Panthers host Milpitas, who finished 12-1 last season, on Friday, Sept. 4.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Police Department honored the graduates of their first Citizens Academy during a ceremony at the police facility, Wednesday evening, September 2. A total of nine Antioch residents completed the two month course.

The academy provided an opportunity for community members to meet the police officers who protect and serve our city. The intent was to educate the community on the duties, training, investigation techniques and situations police officers and other members of the police department may encounter.

Those who attended the academy were given the opportunity to participate in some of the activities police officers perform as part of their every day duties. Hands on experiences included fingerprinting, defensive tactics, interacting with a K-9 and handler, and riding along with an officer.

“I want to congratulate all of you for going through our first Citizens Academy,” said Chief Allan Cantando. “This is something that’s not only good for the citizens but good for the police department.”

“Thank you to Lt. Aguinaga for putting it, together,” he added.

He then asked the graduates what they liked and disliked about the eight-week course.

Hans Ho, is a past chairman of Antioch’s Police Crime Prevention Commission and head of the city’s Neighborhood Watch program said, “What I liked about it I got a lot of good information. I’ve been here 12 years and I found out how much I didn’t know.”

“I feel the same way,” said Barbara Brown-Ackerman, who is also a member of the Volunteers In Police Service. “The information. There are so many people out there who don’t know what all the officers do. They have no idea. I’m able to tell them something. I really liked all the classes.”

Graduate Sandy Hartrick, whose husband and daughter were in attendance with a “Congrats” balloon, shared what she liked about the program.

“I think it’s the knowledge you gain,” she said. “Everyone is doing so many tasks. It’s not like you’re just a police officer, writing tickets. There are a million facets of the job. It was very eye opening…how much of themselves the officers have to give to the job. Keeping in tune to keep themselves safe…thinking about themselves, thinking about the citizens.

Francisco Muñiz offered a different view.

“I didn’t like the class. I loved it,” he said to laughter of all in attendance.

“Good,” Cantando joked. “I thought I was going to have to use some pepper spray.”

Muñiz then shared what he didn’t like.

“Maybe a little more time with the weapons,” he stated. “It would be useful for the average citizen to know to handle the weapons.”

Graduate Mindy Amerine enjoyed other aspects of the course.

“The CSI. The drug unit was especially eye opening to me,” she shared. “The gang unit, knowing the tags. The firing range. Maybe shooting another clip would be good. Getting to use the dust and fingerprints. It was a great overall experience with every single class.”

“I used to have a tunnel vision of the police department,” said Tina Biles. “Now I have this 360 degree view. We have a great police force and I’m thankful for it.”

“Those scenarios were so stressful,” she continued. “I failed every time,” to which everyone laughed.

“They were awesome and terrifying at the same time,” Biles added. “I would have signed up for a longer course.”

Graduate Michael Morris said it was the depth of the class.

“It was really fascinating. I was most interested in the drugs and gangs. Because my kids are teenagers.”

“I’d like two ride-alongs instead of one,” he offered as his critique. He wanted one at the end after all the classes, which lasted three hours per night. Other students suggested the course last longer or last four hours per night to cover everything.

“It was great,” Harry Thurston said as he got choked up. “You let us behind the blue door. I can’t believe it. All the things you guys go through is just amazing. I would like more. Stretch me further.”

“What I learned is the people who taught us were like family,” he continued. “Because you have earned more respect out of me than I thought I could ever give.”

“I could not retain everything that was being thrown at us,” Thurston added.

Cantando responded to all the positive comments.

“What you said is exactly what we wanted it to be,” he said. “We are a family here at the police department. We couldn’t do our job without our family. We couldn’t do our job without you. Just the fact that you went through this program…you are family with us, now. You are our ambassadors, now. You know more than most of the public knows that officers go through.”

He then presented each graduate with an official Antioch Police Department mug, a diploma and a Challenge Coin.

“It’s something we give out in the department,” Cantando said about the coin. “The reason why I give it to them, it’s to tell them the values we want them to represent – Pride, Integrity and Courage.”

The class then took group photos and enjoyed some cake.

Then, their final classmate, Lorenzo Macon, was able to show up.

Cantando presented him with his gifts, as well.

“You can’t buy these,” he said referring to the Challenge Coins. “If you have one you’ve been given it by someone in the department.”

Macon shared his thoughts on the course.

“I liked the blood curdling and adrenaline rush from the scenarios,” he said to more laughter. “This is the first one. We pioneered this thing. I look forward to some future endeavors.”

Those include a possible position with APD.

“There’s some level-one reserve or CSO positions that might come up that I’m interested in,” said Macon, who is currently an armed officer with Strategic Threat Management in Antioch. “This gave me one foot in the door.”

Another suggestion by the graduates was better marketing of the academy, so more people can participate in it, in the future.

“I want to thank all of you for giving me your time and input,” Cantando stated. “We don’t have another scheduled as of yet. But we will definitely market it.”

Special to the online readers of the Antioch Herald!

As a sponsor of the upcoming Abbey Road, the Beatles Tribute Band concert, at the Pittsburg California Theater on Friday, August 21 the Antioch Herald has three individual seat tickets and a set of two tickets together to give away.

To qualify simply “Like” our Facebook page, if you haven’t already done so, by clicking here then email us at info@antiochherald.com with your name and phone numbers and let us know if you want one or two tickets.

We will contact the first four people to do so.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. For more information about the band and concert, click here.

Thanks for reading the Antioch Herald and good luck!

From the website: Tess’ Community Farm Kitchen Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to teach people the importance of fresh produce in their daily lives. We do that through classes and events such as our annual “Dinner in the Orchard.” The money that we raise goes toward subsidizing our classes for people with limited incomes who really need to know how to cook healthy foods for their families and themselves on a budget. It was founded in 2009.

The first fundraiser dinner had 25 people attending. Now we serve almost 200, due to its popularity. To learn more visit www.communityfarmkitchen.com.