Help the East Bay Leadership Council promote and honor good works in Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley by submitting your nominations to the Third Annual Contra Costa/Tri-Valley Philanthropy Awards program by Thursday, August 15. The annual program recognizes outstanding contributions of time, leadership and financial support by businesses, individuals, families and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Nominations are sought in communities throughout Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley, including Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin.

The annual awards breakfast honoring nominees and award recipients will be held Thursday, November 7, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Hilton Concord. The event is a project of the Council’s Social Responsibility Task Force.

Each nomination must come from a nonprofit or have a letter of support from a nonprofit. Organizations may make multiple nominations. Award categories include Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (small, medium and large companies), Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Foundation or Community Grant Maker, Outstanding Collaborative Project, Volunteer of the Year, Next Generation Philanthropist (new) and Lifetime Achievement. A prestigious panel representing all sectors of the community and government is formed each year to make the award selections.

“The awards program is dedicated to the generosity of the many great people and organizations that offer a richness in our region,” says Mark Hughes, who chairs the awards committee and will emcee the breakfast celebration in November. “Through it, we are working to build awareness and inspire many more organizations to get more involved in this work, which can transform companies and make a true difference in our communities.”

To access the Philanthropy Awards nomination form and eligibility details, see the nomination form on the Council website. For other questions, contact Terry Shoaff at 925.246.1880.

Presenting the keynote at the November 7 breakfast celebration is Sid Espinosa, Microsoft’s champion for philanthropy and citizenship in Silicon Valley. He is the former director of global philanthropy for HP, a Palo Alto City Council member and former mayor of Palo Alto. Espinosa has served on numerous boards of directors for business, nonprofit and educational organizations around the world, including the board of trustees at his undergraduate alma mater, Wesleyan University. He worked at the Democratic National Committee during the 1994 congressional campaigns, joined the Clinton Administration to work at the White House and as an advisor to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Philanthropy Award recipients in 2012 were:

• Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (over 500 employees): Wells Fargo

• Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (100 to 500 employees): Neiman Marcus, Walnut Creek

• Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (1 to 99 employees): InVision Communications

• Outstanding Philanthropist: Mary Garaventa

• Outstanding Foundation or Community Grant Maker: East Bay Community Foundation

• Outstanding Collaborative Project: SparkPoint Contra Costa

• Volunteer of the Year: Kay Aaker

• Lifetime Achievement: Judy Lazarus

Title sponsor of the event is Wells Fargo, and presenting sponsor is Chevron. Other sponsorships are available.

About the East Bay Leadership Council (formerly the Contra Costa Council): The Council, also referred to as the EBLC, is a private sector, public policy organization with a membership that includes business, nonprofit organizations, government, education and labor. The mission of the Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in the Greater East Bay region. For more information, see www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com and follow us on twitter (@EBLConline) and Facebook.

The Senior Girls Softball Team from Antioch Little League has made it to the Western Regionals. They and and their families need your help. The players and families are responsible for their own hotel and travel expenses to the tournament. The league has received a number of monetary donations and is a great start of getting everyone there.

Do you know of any companies or if you are interested in helping the families and players, donations have to be made to the league by this afternoon. (Tuesday, July 22)

They were featured on KTVU Channel 2 news, which you can watch by clicking here.

There’s a link on the league’s Pay Pal Account on their website at www.antiochlittleleague.com or feel free to contact Dennis Felix at questions@antiochlittleleague.com

Dear Editor:

Citizens of Antioch, pat yourselves on the back….. you made the family-friendly Antioch Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks again happen and once again be a smashing success!!! With many small donations swelling the total, we raised over $60,000 to pay the tab and the crowd was huge, appreciative and respectful.

This year we conclusively proved that the 2012 model was not a fluke and that this event could be pulled off privately. In fact, the Committee was so inspired that we formed a 501c3 non-profit, Celebrate Antioch Foundation, for permanency. There is hope that we can bring back Holiday-delites and incorporate the Veterans Day Parade under this umbrella, and other events, as well.

Special thanks to Wayne Harrison for his tireless Chairmanship; to Allen Payton for handling the fireworks arrangements, signs, printing and advertising; and to Joy Motts and Martha Parson for spearheading fund-raising. Committee members Bill Cook, Sue Davis, Tim Forrester, Jessica Green, Louise Green, Carole Harrison, Connie Kumar, Earlene and Jim Lanter, Frank Rundall, Alma Townsend, Jeff Warrenburg and Velma Wilson all played key roles.

Sponsoring the fireworks were Supervisor Federal Glover and NRG Energy; the Parade, Sharon Beswick and the Beswick Family Fund; and overall logistical support, the City of Antioch.

Platinum sponsors were Macy’s, Allied Waste, Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch and the Antioch Herald.

Gold sponsors were the Contra Costa County Building & Construction Trades Council, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #312, Mike’s Auto Body, VFW Post #6435 and the Leo Fontana Family.

Silver sponsors were the Gloria Martin Family, Strategic Threat Management, Antioch Education Association, Antioch Rotary Club, Monthly Grapevine, Brentwood Press, Tony Keslinke Family, Christ Embassy East Bay church, Pegnim & Ivancich, LLP, Delta RC, Rivertown Screenprinting, Paradise Skate, Sno Shack, Martha & Joe Goralka and the New Beer Garden.

Bronze sponsors were Pinky’s Klassy Car Wash, Antioch Woman’s Club, eTranzUSA, NAACP East County Branch, Rick’s on Second, Delta Advocacy Foundation, Rivertown Garden Club, Fidelis Advertising, Mayor Wade Harper, Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha, Councilman Gary & Robin Agopian, Councilwoman Monica Wilson and Councilman Tony Tiscareno.

Gratitude to all. Perhaps we’ll see you on our Facebook page or on www.AntiochJuly4th.com and see you for sure at America’s 2014 birthday bash.

Walter Ruehlig, Member

Antioch July 4^th Celebration Committee

Garage Sale- 7/13/13 at 8 am to 2 pm. 

4101 Galenez Way, Antioch

Hello, we have a lot of items that are in great shape and we are trying to clean house. Our items range from clothes & shoes to kitchen and living room furniture. Please come by and check out our sale.

PUBLISHER’s NOTE: Although we don’t usually promote events and activities outside of Antioch, supporting the American Cancer Society is always a good thing, no matter where their Relay for Life events are held.

VFW color guard leads off Antioch’s 2013 July 4th parade on 2nd Street. photos by Allen Payton & Dan Rundall

By Veronica Carr

The Fourth of July arrived with a bang this year in downtown Antioch. Although temperatures reached a sweltering 107 degrees, many residents still came out for a day of food, family, and fireworks.

The event took nine months to plan and was mainly made possible by donations of all kinds made to the newly formed Celebrate Antioch Foundation. The largest donation came from NRG Energy and County Supervisor Federal Glover, which paid for the fireworks show. However, other companies and residents made contributions that ranged in size from as low as $4 to hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Crowds line 2nd Street for Antioch’s 2013 July 4th parade.

Organizers and residents said that without the generous donations, the fireworks show would not have been possible.

“Even just a few months ago, I was still unsure if Antioch would have fireworks,” Dominic Morales said. “When I heard that they had received large donations and would be able to do the fireworks, I was grateful. The fireworks show is as much a part of Antioch’s history as anything else.”

The day is not just the celebration of America’s independence, it’s also the anniversary of the 1851 July 4^th picnic at which the residents renamed the town from Smith’s Landing to Antioch. (A scene of that event can be seen in the mural on 2^nd Street).

The day’s events kicked off at 4 p.m. with the city’s annual Car Show, held in front of City Hall, again this year. Proud car owners showed off their classic cars and hot rods to a crowd of appreciative on-lookers. Participants received trophies and were encouraged to drive in the parade, later that day.

Then at 5 p.m. the entertainment by Frank Rundall and DJ Throttle began, the Food Courts opened, and activities in the Kid’s Zone took place in Waldie Plaza where children enjoyed the bounce houses and slides with the purchase of a $5 wristband. A magician performed magic tricks that involved juggling fire for an astounded crowd of parents and children.

The parade on 2^nd and 3^rd Streets began at 7 p.m. and lasted for about an hour and a half. This year’s participants included the local VFW, Boys and Girls Scout troops, the fire and police departments, and many other local organizations. Several elected officials such as Glover, who was this year’s Grand Marshall, Assemblyman Jim Frazier and Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha rode in cars, waving to the crowds and passing out miniature flags and candy.

The biggest round of applause came when military veterans and their families rode and marched through the streets, waving the American flag.

East County Military Families salute during the July 4th parade.

“Even though I’ve seen the parade countless times, it’s still nice to watch. You get to see all the floats and cars and people waving the American flag. It makes you feel very patriotic,” Paulina Ramirez said.

Around 9 p.m., residents began crowding the waterfront as the time for the fireworks to begin drew near. Many people had arrived early in the day to secure a good spot to view the fireworks while others arrived late and scrambled to find an available seat.

For Ray Allen, there seemed to be no better spot than the backyard of his house as it provided a perfect view of the waterfront.

“Every year, I invite my family over and we watch the fireworks from my backyard. It’s a great way to get the family together and we avoid the crowds,” he said.

Once the fireworks began, the crowd quieted and watched in awe as the night sky was lit up in shades of red, white, and blue with an accompanying soundtrack playing in the background. As the fireworks ended with a huge finale, and the crowds dispersed, many commented on their hopes to continue the tradition next year.

Cynthia & Walter Ruehlig aka Wonder Woman & Captain America participate in the July 4th parade.

The Celebrate Antioch Foundation hopes that it will continue to receive donations from generous sponsors to continue the fireworks show. Not just for next year, but for years to come. For more information visit their website at www.AntiochJuly4th.com.

After nine months of planning and fundraising, the Celebrate Antioch Foundation presents Antioch’s July 4th, 2013 Celebration this Thursday in historic downtown Rivertown.

The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with a Car Show in the City Hall parking lot on 3rd Street. Then at 5 p.m. the two food courts will open, as will the Kids Zone in the Waldie Plaza parking lot off I Street and the entertainment by Frank Rundall will begin.

At 7 p.m. the Annual Antioch July 4th Parade will take place on 2nd Street. Then around 9:30 p.m. the fireworks show will begin, on the river.

Be sure to bring your blankets and lawn chairs and come early to get a good spot for viewing.

For more information or to make a donation by giving $4 for the 4th, visit www.AntiochJuly4th.com or email info@antiochjuly4th.com.