Hans Ho speaks with volunteers.

By Dolly Ogawa-Amsk

On Saturday, March 10, the Parkgreen Circle Neighborhood Watch, had its second meeting, making the group official. Hans Ho, Antioch Neighborhood Watch Coordinator spoke to the group. He delivered hints on making your home and the neighborhood safer. “Never open the door to someone you don’t know. Let them know you are home. Antioch Police show a badge.” He went on to explain that there are safety steps you can take. One idea is planting bushes or plants outside windows. Rose bushes would make it more difficult for a burglar to enter through a window. Ho also spoke of the necessity of being able to describe a suspect. He had some interesting advice, especially about footwear. Sometimes criminals can shed a jacket, change their shirts but they don’t have time to change their shoes.

Ho has been a volunteer with the Antioch department for nine years, with a full time job. He is also an avid skier. “One of the best things about this is meeting people from all over the city.”

The crowd of concerned neighbors gathered in Knoll Park to share cookies, donuts, and soft drinks along with some facts about their goal to insure a safer, friendlier neighborhood. After the presentation two young men, Michael Jervoso and Elias Guevara, part of the group “Up From The Dust,” from the area, sang and entertained the neighbors with their guitars.

The Antioch Police Department and local citizens working together can make sure that the number of crimes committed is significantly reduced. On the other hand the police who have been informed of suspicious behavior have probable cause to stop a car or person and ask questions. Ho is available for presentations on several subjects including: Personal Security, Burglary, and Fraud.

For more information about a Neighborhood Watch on your block call 925-779-6980 or email: neighborhoodwatch@ci.antioch.ca.us

Charlie Ochoa at Lynn House Art Gallery

Partner with His Wife Carmen in GATO – Give Always To Others & Company

Jesus Carlos Ochoa “Charlie – the Video Guy”

June 4, 1938 – March 10, 2012 Antioch, California

Beloved husband of 47 years of Carmen Aguilar-Ochoa, father to Carlos Jude and “Papa” to grandson Carlos, passed away on March 11, 2012 at the age of 73.

He was born June 4, 1938 in Antioch, attended Liberty High School in Brentwood, leaving before graduation to join the US Army. Charlie retired from Gaylord, leaving him the time to do what he does best, spend time on creating video documentaries for Give Always to Others & Company, with his wife and spend time with his son and grandson.  He was one of the first and most active community producers for the local cable access channel and touched many lives with the lens of his camera; preserving precious memories for the families and community members in Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Oakley and Brentwood.

Charlie was very active in the community: current President of Fiberboard Club of Antioch, past member of local scuba dive club, former member of John F. Kennedy Memorial Committee, board member of Give Always to Others & Co.  Charlie was a strong believer in good health and everyday he walked and swam at the gym. He had a smile for everyone he met, but especially for his grandchild, Carlos.  Together they spent time walking to the park, swimming in the pool, recycling cans and plastics for saving bonds for Carlos’s education, teaching him about nature in the park, enjoying watching the squirrels run up and down and feeding the feral cats.  He also enjoyed relaxing in his home in South Lake Tahoe. He spent many mornings with a group of retired friends at Jack in the Box solving the problems of the world.

Charlie is also survived by his brothers and sisters,  Ruben Ochoa of Martinez, Ofelia Pease of Brentwood, Gilbert Ochoa of Seal Beach, Grace Bustos of Oakley, and  John Ochoa of Fairfield.

A memorial mass will be held Monday, March 19^th, 10 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Antioch. The family wishes masses to be held in his name or donation to a favorite charity, such as Give Always to Others & Co.

Courtesy of the Antioch Arts & Cultural Foundation website – To see more photos of Charlie, please visit the page on their website by clicking here.

By Walter Ruehlig

“What’s it all about, Alfie?” was the 1966 Michael Caine movie and Dionne Warwick soundtrack reiteration of man’s perennial question; what is the meaning of life?

In charting the pursuit of the holy grail of happiness I, for one, throw my lot in with the philosophers who say that the irony of life is that seeking happiness is a bit like chasing butterflies. The more excitedly you run after the prize, the less likely you’ll catch it. Be still, though and, presto, a butterfly may settle on your shoulder.

Interestingly, when we’re feverishly intent on trying to satisfy our own ego and myopic desires, we run around in circles forever chasing our own tails.

Am I advocating self-annihilation and shunning personal happiness? Contrary, it’s merely a call to a Higher Self where happiness is the by-product of a purpose-driven life.

Being productive, making some difference that you lived, should be the compass if we are not to be lost souls chasing a mirage of fool’s gold. Sensory pleasures, fame and fortune, are fleeting. They never light the enduring inner world of self-worth.

William James, the celebrated 19^th century philosopher, pierced the heart of life’s irony when in his essay, “Enlightened Self Interest” he advocated that true selflessness is actually selfishness. He asserted that selfless people are actually doing themselves their best favor. They understand the dynamics of true satisfaction, that kindness is a boomerang and that loving others is loving ones’ deepest Self.

We are all interconnected and our actions ripple on the shores of eternity. Call it, if you will, the law of physical cause and effect, equal and opposite reaction; call it the Biblical “as you sow, so shall you reap”; call it karma.

Given the strain on government services, public giving is needed more than ever. Here in Antioch our city payroll is that of Brentwood, which is half our size in population. Police, code enforcement, graffiti removers, recreation and over-the counter staff are scarce. Things, then, simply won’t all get done without community volunteering.

In this spirit, I put together a web site, www.Volunteer4Antioch.com with some fifty local organizations to connect to right in our own backyard. As examples, one can give loving, tender care to stray animals; provide companionship to home shut-ins and those convalescing in hospitals; fulfill the last wishes of the elderly; be a docent at the Historical Society; tutor at the library, our schools or Opportunity Junction; pick up litter from city streets; coach sports; be a male role model for the Watchdogs organization in our schools.

I am particularly hopeful for youth mentoring. We live in a city with 38% of our population under eighteen; the highest percentage in the county. Many of these youth suffer absentee parenting. Organizations like YIN, Community Resources 4 Youth, PAL and Parents Connected do fabulous work but need volunteers.

My hope and prayer for us all, then, is that Mother Teresa’s affirmation resonates in our hearts. “I am a living pencil in the hand of a living God who is sending a love letter to the world.” That’s a prescription for a life worth living and maybe an irresistible invitation for that butterfly of happiness to alight on our shoulders.

To have your organization be part of Volunteer4Antioch.com, visit our website or email me at walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.

Proclamation To Show Thanks and Gratitude to Physicians who serve the Antioch Community

The Commons at Dallas Ranch, Assisted Living initiated a Proclamation to declare March 30^th as Doctors Day in the City of Antioch.

Doctors’ Day was established to honor and pay tribute to members of the medical profession everywhere and recognize their contributions and continuing dedication.

“We feel privileged to be involved in such a momentous occasion. Our staff and residents truly appreciate the tireless efforts of the physicians that serve us and the community at large. The time is past due for us to say a big special thank you,” says Dina Osakue, Community Relations Director for The Commons.

A Proclamation Ceremony will be held at the Antioch Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., City Hall, Third & “H” Streets, Antioch, CA. The ceremony will be attended by representatives from the Antioch medical community, Alameda – Contra Costa County Medical Association, Sutter Delta Regional Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hospital.

The Commons at Dallas Ranch Assisted Living Community is a community established by Premeira Care, an Oakdale, CA-based company. Dallas Ranch opened in Antioch in 2006, and continues to provide affordable luxury living and care for the senior community.

For more information contact Dina Osakue, Community Relations Director at 925.754.7772 or dosakue@commonsatdallasranch.com.

The Antioch Music Foundation is sponsoring the East County Idol auditions Saturday March 17th and 24th from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Somersville Towne Center. The audition room is  adjacent to the security desk.

Finalists will perform at the El Campanil Theatre on April 20th at 7:30 p.m , for $700 in prizes. For applications go to www.antiochmusic.org and look under events, or call Walter Ruehlig at (925) 756-7628.

The contest is open to any high school student, public or private, living in Far East County.

By Barbara Zivica

As readers know, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on 3/7 in which I thought they would discuss issues and options for the 2007-2014 housing element implementation (ABAG mandates) which were presented to the Planning Commission in February. They did not. The only item under discussion was amending the existing Residential Development Allocation Ordinance sunset date to 2013.

I contacted Tina Wehrmeister, the city’s Community Development Director who advises me that currently ABAG is working on the Sustainable Communities Strategy (planning to 2040) and the Regional Housing Needs Allocation for the next housing element period of 2014-2022. Key dates and document releases coming soon.

On Friday, March 9th, the joint MTC/ABAG Planning Committee will release the preferred Sustainable Community Strategy scenario for public comment and on 3/15 the ABAG Executive Board will release the draft Regional Housing Needs Allocation for public comment. Both items will be brought before a future Council for discussion and direction to staff.

To all of you who showed up for the 3/7 council meeting to comment on ABAG’s mandates, my apologies. Know, however, you made an decided impact even though the Planning Commission did not discuss the staff report presented to them in February. City hall has been put on notice that residents are concerned about the quantity of low and very low income housing ABAG feels our city should accommodate.

2011 Antioch Youth of the Year Antonio Hernandez

Antonio Hernandez is currently a student at Dozier-Libbey Medical High School. In the past 4 years he has overcome many challenges to become a leader at Dozier-Libbey and Student President of California Health Occupations Students of America. Elected by 2,000 of his Cal-HOSA peers, he now presides over more than 3,500 members and also represents Cal-HOSA students at conferences and educational meetings around the state advocating for students to consider a career in health care.

He is on the tennis team at Antioch High School and assists with the girls’ tennis team as well. He participates in volunteer activities for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is a member of the Young Entrepreneurs at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. Everywhere Antonio goes, he exudes confidence and professionalism. Antonio joined HOSA his freshman year, became the HOSA chapter president as a sophomore and was elected State President as a junior. During his freshman year, he and two of his classmates competed in the Medical Reading event at the Cal-HOSA State Leadership Convention. As a freshmen (unheard of!), his team earned a spot in the Top 10 Winners and a trip to Nashville, Tennessee to compete at the National HOSA Convention. As sophomores, they competed in the same event and in California took home the gold medal at Nationals!

Antonio has always struggled with his weight. After learning about nutrition and exercise at Dozier-Libbey in his health science class, he took it upon himself to lose 70 pounds and has kept it off. He is an example to all students on how to take control of their life and shine as leaders.

Antonio is the first in his family to apply to a 4-year college. His goal is to become a surgeon. Antonio has overcome socio-economic odds, shyness and obesity to become an outstanding leader at Dozier-Libbey in the Antioch community and at the State level for Cal-HOSA. He is a shining example of a student who rose up, met challenges, and overcame those odds beyond everyone’s expectations. “Coming to this high school as a freshman I thought I would just take this opportunity and if I didn’t like it I would go back to regular high school.” Apparently, he liked it and as one newspaper headline read, “Senior thrives at Dozier-Libbey.”