Enter on-line by May 1 – 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. On-line entries are currently being accepted. Simply log-on to the Fair’s website at www.ContraCostaFair.com to complete the entry process.

The Fair is accepting on-line entries until May 1. Visit the Fair’s website from now until May 1 at midnight to complete the process.

This year’s Contra Costa County Fair is May 29 – June 1. 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.

This Sunday April 13th, 2014 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., the StickyCrew Car Club will be holding a car show, car wash, raffle, BBQ and bake sale.

Proceeds will benefit We Care, a foundation that serves our local communities with special needs children in Contra Costa County. Learn more by visiting: www.wecarechildren.org

There will be music, and an activities center for children, good food, and nice cars!

The event will be held at Amigo Tires and Fastenal at 2201 W. 10^th Street in Antioch.

By Allen Payton

Each year, Royal Family Kids, a nonprofit, hosts week long summer camps for children who are currently in the Foster Care System, who have been abandoned, neglected or abused.

RFK-Brentwood is only the second camp in the Bay Area having been hosted and trained by the RFK-Concord camp. This will be RFK-Brentwood’s first year hosting their own camp.

Last year, 39 foster children from Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley went to camp, with a staff of 91 volunteers. This year the goal is to send 40 foster children to camp. Volunteers are given background checks, screened, fingerprinted and interviewed to meet the unique needs and safety of these children.

RFK-Brentwood depends solely on donations of individuals, businesses and organizations, as foster children attend camp for free. The funds provide for the children at camp, plus their supplies and materials.

They are currently raising $60,000.00 to meet all of the needs of the children and staff for the week at camp. Their major fundraiser, a Royal Family Tea will be held on May 10, 2014 at Golden Hills Community Church from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. Tickets are on sale now at a cost of $15.00 each. Families with children ages 8 and older invited to attend.  For tickets call Connie Rominger at 925-207-9180.

To donate an auction item or raffle prize to the fundraiser or in some other way, call Fundraising Coordinator Sue Bowers at 925-207-9182.

All donations, financial or in-kind, are tax deductible.

Community Dialogue and Resource Fair with Law Enforcement, Faith Leaders, Educators and Mental Health Providers to Improve the Health of the Community to Show the Way to Mental Wellness for African Americans in East Contra Costa County

WHAT: Mental health challenges facing African Americans, especially at-risk youth, will be the focus of “This Way to a Healthy Community,” a powerful community event that brings youth and family members together in open dialogue with law enforcement, mental health providers, educators, and spiritual leaders to find ways to improve the mental wellness of young African Americans. This community dialogue is a first step in creating a platform for key stakeholders to learn to recognize the “signs” of mental health challenges and to begin to build partnerships that provide culturally responsive resources to address those needs.

WHY: According to the CA Department of Corrections, 28.4 percent of all incarcerated juveniles in 2013 were African American, even though African Americans comprise only 6.6% of the state’s total population. Unfortunately, law enforcement often fails to recognize the signs of serious emotional distress and takes action in a way that criminalizes youth, but does not address their underlying problems. Many African-American youth live in an atmosphere of persistent trauma that requires advanced mental health support, but don’t seek care or get needed treatment because of the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health challenges. Finally, the lack of access to culturally responsive services also influences many African Americans to be wary of seeking needed help from the traditional mental health system.

WHERE: PREWETT FAMILY PARK (at the Antioch Water Park)

4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94531

WHEN: Saturday, April 5, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Program: 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

Lunch and Resource Fair: 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

WHO: Mental health professionals, law enforcement, faith leaders, educators, community leaders and youth

About CalMHSA

“This Way to a Healthy Community” is administered by California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) which is funded by the voter approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63). CalMHSA is an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. CalMHSA operates services and education programs on a statewide, regional and local basis. For more information, visit www.calmhsa.org.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 50th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 50th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, March 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Downtown area. Volunteers should report to the parking lot of City Hall located at 3rd and H Streets..

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!