East County March Against Violence marchers head north on A Street in Antioch, Sunday evening, July 8, 2012.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

About 40 faith, community leaders and residents from Antioch and East County joined together on Sunday night, July 8, 2012 to march against violence in Antioch.

East County March Against Violence marchers

Led by Antioch Church Family and coordinated by Contra Costa Interfaith Community Supporting Organization (CCISCO), faith leaders, such as Pastor Tuma Johnson of International Christian Ministry in Pittsburg and community leaders, such as Keith and Iris Archuleta of the Youth Intervention Network, Mayor Pro Tem Wade Harper and Antioch School Board Trustee Walter Ruehlig, participated in the march.

“We were hoping to bring the faith community together, primarily in Antioch, but all of far East County to visibly make a statement to the community that we are aware and that we stand with those concerned about the violence in Antioch and East County,” said Irish Archuleta. “Also, we wanted to make a strong statement to those committing the violence that we are not sitting by idly and letting that happen.”

Nearly a dozen congregations from the area have joined the movement that aims to bring hope and address the issue of violence in East County.  The participating congregations include: St. John Lutheran Church; Antioch Christian Center, Antioch Church Family, East County Shared Ministry (Pittsburg Community Presbyterian & First Congregational Church of Antioch); International Christian Ministry; Grace Bible Fellowship; St. Ignatius of Antioch; Most Holy Rosary Church; Islamic Center of the East Bay; and St. George Episcopal Church.

This was the second of monthly marches planned for the second Sunday at 7 p.m.  The march will start at a different church, each month.

After witnessing violence in their own churches and the impact it was having on their congregation members, the faith leaders were determined to do something to address the critical issue of violence.  The night walks is only the first step in what they see as a strategy to decrease the violence in their communities.

The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, seven different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network.  For more information call (925) 779-9302 or visit them at 202 G Street, Suite 1 or online at www.CCISCO.org.

Second monthly night walk to be hosted by Antioch Church Family

On Sunday, July 8th at 7 p.m., Antioch residents will gather at Antioch Church Family to stand up against the violence that threatens East Contra Costa County.  This movement was launched last month and over 60 participants attended the first night walk.  This Sunday, community and faith leaders will continue to walk to deliver their message of peace, unity and offer up a prayer to end the violence that has greatly impacted their communities.

Nearly a dozen congregations from the area have joined the movement that aims to bring hope and address the issue of violence in East County.  The participating congregations include: St. John Lutheran Church; Antioch Christian Center, Antioch Church Family, East County Shared Ministry (Pittsburg Community Presbyterian & First Congregational Church of Antioch); International Christian Ministry; Grace Bible Fellowship; St. Ignatius of Antioch; Most Holy Rosary Church; Islamic Center of the East Bay; and St. George Episcopal Church.

After witnessing violence in their own churches and the impact it was having on their congregation members, the faith leaders were determined to do something to address the critical issue of violence.  The night walks is only the first step in what they see as a strategy to decrease the violence in their communities.

The night walks will be held every second Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. in rotating church locations and all are invited to attend.

The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, seven different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network.  For more information call (925) 779-9302 or visit them at 202 G Street, Suite 1 or online at www.CCISCO.org

Fireworks explode over the river during Antioch, California’s July 4th, 2012 celebration – by Art Garcia

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Thousands of Antioch and area residents ventured to historic downtown Rivertown on Wednesday, July 4, to enjoy the privately funded celebration and lined the streets for the parade and the waterfront for the first Independence Day fireworks in the city, since 2009.

Following the parade, Nancy Green said, “This looked like something that Norman Rockwell should have been here to paint.”

The 90-minute parade on 2nd, I and 3rd Streets was followed by the 20-minute fireworks extravaganza by Fireworks America, lead by hometown boy Kevin Crews. The 22-minute show was accompanied, this year, by patriotic and other instrumental music all along the waterfront, provided by Rundall Productions.

The crowd voiced their pleasure for the fireworks with the usual “oohs” and “aahs” as well as applause. Some sang along to the music, as well.

“Good job on the fireworks,” one viewer said. “Everyone thought they were dope.” (For you older folks, that means they were good).

The day also included a well-attended Car Show at the City Hall parking lot, a Kids Zone at Waldie Plaza was provided by Jeff Warrenburg of Paradise Skate, and accompanied by the DJ music of Jim Lanter, as well as food vendors and the DJ music of DJ Throttle and entertainment of Jeff Rundall and his team at the main stage on 2nd Street.

Be sure to read the August issue of the Herald for more photos and details.

See more photos by Art Garcia at http://art4antioch.org/album/7-4-12/I/album/index.html and http://art4antioch.org/album/7-4-12/II/album/index.html.

See the official Celebration videos by Greg Enholm on YouTube, by clicking here.

Antioch, California’s July 4th, 2012 Celebration of America’s 236th birthday, is today!

Events begin at 5 p.m. with the Car Show, Kids Zone, food and entertainment, followed by the Parade at 7 p.m. – all on 2nd and 3rd Streets in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown. Then the grand finale will be the fireworks show on the river at 9:30 p.m.  Best viewing is along the waterfront from Humphrey’s at the end of L Street to G Street.

This is a FREE, Family Friendly, No Alcohol event. (The only costs are for the Kids Zone rides and items for sale).

Parking is available at the Antioch High School parking lots on 18th Street between G and L Streets and a free shuttle will be provided from 6 to 11 p.m. from the school lots to downtown and back.

For more information, please visit www.AntiochJuly4th.com.

Homeowners Bill of Rights Vote on Monday, Hold Banks Accountable!

By Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Organization

This week we made history! After months and years of organizing CCISCO, and our PICO partners helped to win approval of the Homeowners Bill of Rights by a Conference Committee of the state legislature.

NOW we NEED YOUR HELP to make sure the Homeowners Bill of Rights becomes law in California. On Monday the full Senate and Assembly will vote on SB 900 and AB 278, the Homeowners Bill of Rights.

Please let your state legislators know that you’re counting on them to stand with our homeowners and communities and not be bought by big banks whose unethical and illegal policies and practices caused and continue the foreclosure crisis.

Your support is incredibly important at this time. If you can come with us to Sacramento on Monday please meet us at 9:30am at Antioch Church family at 55 E. 18th St. in Antioch. It is vitally important that we are at the capitol to show our support for this bill. If you cannot make it to the capitol, please email your legislators and ask them to support the Homeowners Bill of Rights today; click here to find your legislators’ contact information.

If you have any questions contact Teresa Flores at 925-759-7402 or email her at teresa@ccisco.org or visit www.CCISCO.org.

July 4, 2012 at 8:00 am

Antioch City Park, 10th & “A” Streets

As we celebrate the birth of our nation, join us in prayer as we re-dedicate our city to the spirit of Christ as our founding fathers envisioned.

Following are the words that appear on the plaque on the corner of 10th & “A” Streets, the site of the July 4^th, 1851 picnic where the townspeople changed the name from Smith’s Landing to Antioch:

“july 4, anno domini, 1951

This city was named 100 years ago for Antioch in Syria where the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians. (acts 11:26) Today we rededicate ourselves to him in grateful memory of our founding fathers who envisioned a city and a world under the rule of the spirit of christ.”

The theme scripture verse for the Community Prayer is “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

For more information about the Community Prayer for Antioch and America, please contact Mike Pollard at 925-285-2621

This year’s Antioch July 4^th Celebration – which will include fireworks for the first time in three years – will also feature a Car Show from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

So, if you have a Classic Car, Hot Rod or Low Rider, bring it down and show it off. The location will be in the City Hall Parking Lot on 3^rd and H Streets.

Registration/Check-In is from 3:30-4:30 pm.

There’s no entry fee but there will be fabulous trophies!

Then at the end of the show, line up and drive your car in the parade at 7 p.m.

For more information visit www.AntiochJuly4th.com.

Once again, Waldie Plaza, located in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown, will be hopping with good music, families and fun this summer. Due to the generosity of the Lesher Foundation our summer concert series has been expanded to every Saturday in July and August, from 6-8 PM for the 2nd year! Thank you Lesher Foundation and all of our sponsors: Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, City of Antioch, East County Times, Genon, Give Always to Others & Company, Clay, Millias & Co, LLP and the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

The Waldie Plaza lineup: July 7th, Spindrift California (Easy listening to foot stomping tunes); July 14th: Pittsburg’s PHDs (Latin/Jazz/Old School); July 21st: Sumac (Blues & R&B); July 28th: Juke Joint (Classic Soul & R&B); August 4th: Jessica Caylyn (Hometown Country Rocker & Nashville Recording Artist); August 11^th: Soul Request (R&B, Pop, Urban Jazz); August 18th: Bell Brothers (County Rock); August 25th: Tuck & Roll (50’s & 60’s Rock & Roll).

A special kick off concert will be held June 30^th, featuring local favorite, Vocal Ease & the Boogie Men, at the Antioch Historical Society (outside grounds) from 6-8 PM.

Seating is not provided; please bring blankets, folding chairs. For more information, visit www.Art4Antioch.org or call (925) 325-9897.