We’ll have to wait a century for a repeat of the 11-11-11 phenomena. Come to think of it, that might have been a bit fanciful, Saying ‘we’ that is. In my case I’d certainly have the last laugh on social security. For now, though, we can all boast that we experienced a “repunit palindriome.” How’s that for a mouthful? ‘Repunit’ means a number such as 11, 111, 1111 that contains only the digit “1”.

The number mania got me so curious that I looked closely at my odometer and saw that in 102 miles I would hit 111,111 miles. I hung a note on the visor to remind me to try and show my grandson the milestone, or if I’m on a commute, at least to honk and act crazy. Life is short. Why not recycle the teenage years?

True to to form, Las Vegas had their own way of celebrating 11-11-11 as 200 couples got married at the Little White Chapel. Here’s hoping that some of them have a repunit anniversary!

Antioch may have no wedding chapels but it was not to be outdone. It added its own exclamation to the calendar extravaganza by starting its fourth annual Veterans Day parade at 11 a.m. We had, then, an 11-11-11-11 happening. Best yet, though we had our drizzles, rain or sleet wasn’t going to dampen this affair.

One citizen shared with me the thought of the day; “Lord knows, our men and women in uniform put up with far worse conditions than suffering some measly raindrops. It is the least we can do to honor them.” I say amen to that sentiment.

Honor we did. There was a healthy crowd packing historic Second Street. State Sen. Mark Desaulnier attended as did Antioch Mayor Jim Davis, and Council Members Gary Agopian and Wade Harper and Antioch School Board President Diane Gibson Gray, Vice President Claire Smith and Trustee Walter Ruehlig.

There were four bands, motorcycle groups; representation from all armed forces branches; a dazzling array of civic marching units, all given an introduction by emcee and Asst. Superintendent of Antioch Schools Tim Forrester; Boy and Girl Scouts galore; an overhead helicopter; the splendid East County Military families float; a heartfelt poem by the Mayor’s wife, Sue Davis. Thanks go to Sue and her husband, Jim, and to those who served with them on the organizational committee.

Seems that it was more than the 11-11-11-11 fascination that brought people to the Parade on a damp day. You could tell from the cheers that this event has really captured the heart of Antioch. Plain and simple – they love their veterans.

Walter Ruehlig

Come and see Santa arrive on the Polar Express at Sand Creek Crossing Shopping Center! Face painter, balloonist, Frosty’s magic show, holiday crafts and train rides will entertain families at Sand Creek Crossing. Bring your camera and take pictures with Santa!

WHEN: Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 from Noon to 3:00pm

WHERE: Sand Creek Crossing is located at CA-4 Bypass and Sand Creek Rd. in Brentwood, CA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.sandcreekcrossing.com or www.facebook.com/sandcreekcrossing

Faith and community leaders from ten congregations present their vision and proposals on the issues of: foreclosure prevention, health care access, immigrant integration, quality education, and jobs; officials commit to working together to address these critical issues.

On Monday night 300 East County residents gathered at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church (3351 Contra Loma Blvd., Antioch, CA 94531) to call on public and elected officials to stand with them and work together to address the pressing issues most affecting East County. Also in attendance were nearly two dozen public officials ranging from local school boards and city councils to Senator Mark DeSaulnier and the Office of Congressman John Garamendi.

The evening began with a roll call of over ten congregations that made up the diverse group there gathered. “Yes everyone in here is different, but that doesn’t matter because we have a common hope that we can establish a common good in our communities,” noted Rev. Fr. Jerry Brown, Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Brentwood.

Clergy and community leaders presented their vision and agenda to bring equity and justice around a critical set of issues that impact the future of the region. CCISCO leaders shared their research and proposals around the following key issues:

Keeping families in their homes and holding banks accountable for blighted properties;
Expanding pathways to jobs for local residents and developing local hiring policies;
Strengthening linked learning pathways at public schools;
Trust, relationship, and cooperation building between recent immigrants & long term residents;
Expanding access to health care for all residents in the region.
“This is a large and ambitious agenda. These times call for moral audacity and courageous action. Our faith gives us profound hope in our ability to work together to create meaningful change and renew our democracy,” said Rev. Fr. Robert Rien, Pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Major victories were celebrated at the meeting, including the opening of a long-awaited clinc and the launch of an immigrant integration program in Oakley as well as a local hire policy for the eBART expansion project that will guarantee 25% of work hours and 50% of apprenticeship hours for local East County residents.

In addition, Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendent Donald Gil and school board member Walter Ruehlig committed to working with CCISCO to identify and secure funding to enhance and implement student support services in its schools and authorize an independent analysis to better understand unequitable discipline trends in the district.

“Partnership is not only important, it is crucial. Education is something like a four-legged chair. We need the students, we need the teachers, we need the parents, and we need the community,” said Mr. Ruehlig.

Lastly, the group tackled the issue of foreclosures and bank accountability. “The city of Antioch could be collecting $1,000 a day on vacant bank owned blighted properties. Banks should also be responsible for maintaining property to the same standards as any other property owner,” said Domingo Delgadillo, CCISCO leader from Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

CCISCO asked Antioch council members Mary Rocha and Gary Agopian and Mayor Pro Tem Wade Harper to support replicating the SUN initiative that purchases foreclosed properties at current market values and resells them to the current occupants. The group also proposed building up the blight abatement and code enforcement efforts to ensure banks are being held accountable for their adverse effect on the community. Due to state regulations, the Council members and the Mayor Pro Tem were unable to answer the proposals, but they did say they supported the work of CCISCO and would work with the group to address these vital issues.

CCISCO will be setting up meetings with the officials to follow up on their commitments and together work to build opportunities for all East County residents.

In attendance: Office of Rep. John Garamendi; Senator Mark Desaulnier; Office of Assembly Woman Susan Bonilla; Office of Assembly Woman Joan Buchanan; AUSD Superintendent Donald Gill; AUSD Board Members Walter Ruehlig and Gary Hack; LUHSD Superintendent Eric Volta; LUHSD Board Members Ray Valverde and Holly Hartman; Oakley City Mayor Jim Frazier; La Clinica de La Raza Regional Director Viola Lujan; BART Board Director Joel Keller

Participating Institutions: St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Antioch Christian Center, Community Presbyterian Church, Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. John Lutheran Church, Antioch Church Family, Islamic Center of the East Bay, and International Christian Ministry.

CCISCO, 202 G St., Suite 1 – Mailing: P. O. Box 883, Antioch, CA 94509, P: (925) 779-9302, F: (925) 779-9303, www.ccisco.org