By Walter Ruehlig
Member, Interfaith Peace Project Advisory Board

Some days, thank heavens, the news isn’t about murder or mayhem or scandals of unbridled lusting or looting. Sometimes as a human race we do it right and prove the poet Alexander Pope’s appraisal right; man can sink lower than the beast or fly higher than the angels.

It was gratifying to see well over a hundred people spend 45 minutes of their lunch-time at the dedication of the Peace Pole in front of Antioch City Hall on September 12th. The skies were glorious, the ceremony equally elegant and the milk of human kindness and brotherly love flowing.

Special kudos to June Kirk for her tireless behind the scenes organizational work. As one person wisely observed, it all seemed so stress less precisely because somebody, in fact, had stressed on the pre-details.

Bouquets as well to Rev. Sierra Lynne White for her inspired music and for so gracefully leading us into centering moments in honor of 9-11 and the planting of the pole. The remarks by Mayor Davis and Rev. Bonnaci were inspired and the baritone Richard Assadoorian moved the crowd with his haunting rendition of “To Dream the Impossible Dream”.

The doves released by Terry Davis were a fitting prelude to the final emotional touching of the pole as clergy of all faiths and lay people, some in turbans, others in crew cuts, affirmed their vision of a more peaceful future.

Appreciation is extended County Board of Supervisor Mary Piepho for her attending as well as Paul Adler, representing Supervisor Federal Glover; Maurice Delmer, representing Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla; Cynthia Ruehlig, Trustee of the County Board of Education; Antioch City Council members Gary Agopian, Wade Harper, Brian Kalinowski and Mary Rocha; and City Manager Jim Jakel.

The Interfaith Peace Project, in concert with the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, hosted the planting as a second day kickoff to the 11 Days of Peace program which started in honor of 9-11 and will end on September 21st, the U.N. sponsored International Day of Peace.

By background, the Interfaith Peace Project was founded by Rev. Bonnaci on September 8, 2011 in Carmichael, PA. Rev. Bonacci then brought his vision to California in 2006 and a year later the organization was chartered. It now maintains a Peace Center at 4740 Matterhorn Way that is open to the public for browsing or reflection and houses artifacts and thousands of books on world religions.

Planting this pole continues a tradition started by Mashahisa Goi of Japan who in 1955 wanted to make a statement on world peace. Today over 200,00 peace poles exist. The Delta Region stands, then in good company as the poles have been dedicated by the likes of Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and Jimmy Carter and stand at sites that include the tomb of Confucius, Gorsky Park in Russia, the Pyramids at Gaza, the base of Mt. Everest and the magnetic North Pole in Canada.

By all means, drop by this splendid eight-foot cedar pole. It stands between the evergreen planted in memory of the victims of 9-11 and City Hall Plaza, right near the gas payment box. Reflect on the inscription ingrained in twelve languages; Arabic, English, Filipino, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portugese, Spanish, Urdu, Ibo: “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.

I wish us all Der Frieden, Heiwa, Kapayapaan, La Paix, La Paz, Maluhia, Mir, Peace, Shalom, Shalom! After all, world peace begins one of us at a time.

For the fourth year, Supervisor Federal Glover is sponsoring a day-long seminar on writing applications for grants.

“In this economy with everybody’s budgets getting trimmed, it is important that the agencies providing services to the public find funding wherever they can find it,” said Glover.

The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Los Medanos College, Library Community Room L109 in Pittsburg.

Originally intended to help East County nonprofit community-based organizations find additional funding for their programs, the seminar has expanded to include government agencies and other groups seeking ways to finance their programs. The program has become so popular that participants are coming from all over the Bay Area and is now held twice a year.

“Normally these workshops cost hundreds of dollars,” said David Fraser, Glover’s chief of staff and who plans and is one of the presenters at the cost-free seminars. “There are certain requirements that foundations look for and I try to emphasize how those should be written. It can mean the difference between rejection and acceptance.”

Space is limited and pre-registration is required at the supervisor’s website at www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover.

“The intention of these workshops is to try and keep the social safety net in place so no one who needs assistance falls through the cracks,” said Glover.

For more information, call 925-427-8138.

The final touches are being put on a simple but elegant ceremony marking the Peace Pole dedication at Antioch City Hall on Monday, September 12th at noon.

Tho program consists of music while the assembly gathers; welcoming remarks by Walter Ruehlig; a chant for entering into the moment in honor of September 11th, 2001; a reflection by Rev. Thomas Bonacci; a meditation for peace in honor of the International Day of Peace; a presentation to the Mayor by Rev. Bonacci; the Mayors’ remarks and reading of a Proclamation; a rendition of the “Impossible Dream” by baritone Richard Assadoorian; a dedication of the Peace Pole by movement, gesture and chant led by Rev. Sierra Lynne White; concluding remarks; the release of doves; and the symbolic community touching of the Peace Pole.

The event is sponsored by the Interfaith Peace Project located in Antioch and is part of the 11 Days of Peace Celebration starting on September 11th and ending on the International Day of Peace, September 21st. Activities at sixteen houses of worhip from Fremont to Brentwood range from blood drives, children’s concerts, open houses, prayer services, lectures, garden dedications, poetry jams and folk-sing alongs centered on peace. For a calendar of events, see www.interfaithpeaceproject.org.or call (925) 756-7628.

Buddhist, Catholic, Congregationalist, Episcopalian, Hindu, Mormon, Muslim, Presbyterian, Protestant, Seventh Day Adventist, Sikh, Sufi groups are participating under the aegis that there can be no lasting peace until the religions of the world have peace.

The Peace Pole is eight foot treated cedar with the words ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ ingrained in twelve languages common to our area. The tradition of planting peace poles began in Japan in 1955 in memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Peace poles can now be found at the base of Mt. Everest, the magnetic North Pole in Canada, Gorsky Park in Russia, and the Pyramids at Gaza. They have been dedicated by world leaders such as Jimmy Carter and religious figures such as Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama.

Friends of Animals Services is proud to announce their annual Black Cat Ball will be held at the Lone Tree Golf Course and Events Center in Antioch on Saturday, October 1, 2011 commencing at 6:30pm. Now celebrating its 16th year, this premier fundraiser is a notable and fun event whose proceeds directly benefit the Antioch Animal Shelter animals.

This year’s Ball includes hors d’oeuvres, a seasonal buffet, music by the Malcolm Hunter & John Seppala Jazz Duo, dancing, a costume contest (costumes optional) and raffle. The Honorary Chair will be State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. Ticket prices are $65 for adults and $35 for children under 13 years of age.

Formed in 1979, Friends of Animals Services is a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to supporting the extensive services offered by the Animal Services Program for the City of Antioch. Working together to promote animal welfare and public awareness which results in humans and animals living together in harmony, their efforts support a range of programs which positively impact the Antioch community.

Under the jurisdiction of the Antioch Police Department, the Antioch Animal Services is responsible for the enforcement of Local and State Laws relating to the care, control, and protection of animals and of our citizens. Officers’ responsibilities include picking up and confining stray, sick, injured, vicious and dead animals; issuance of dog licenses; patrolling the City streets; control of animal nuisance problems and animal euthanasia. The Animal Shelter also provides adoption, volunteer, and education programs.

According to Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando, “Attending the Black Cat Ball is a great way for the community to support the Antioch Animal Shelter. Working together with Friends of Animal Services, and through the generosity of the public, our staff are able to deliver more services to the increasing number of animals in our community who need help.”

Not able to attend the Ball? Barbara Sobalvarro, President and Founder of Friends of Animal Services, confirms there are other ways you can help support the Antioch Animal Shelter through financial contributions, raffle prizes and sponsorship.”Not only are donations tax deductible, but the bulk of the money we receive from the public is directly used to help our precious shelter animals by paying spay/neuter costs, facilitating responsible adoption of animals, celebrating well planned community-awareness events and for special medical treatments.”

For more information or to purchase tickets to the 2011 Black Cat Ball, please contact Friends of Animal Services at (925) 431 8318, www.friendsofanimalservices.org or send a check to P.O. Box 1242, Antioch CA 94509.

UNO’S PIZZA FREE with donation to EAST COUNTY MILITARY FAMILIES in HONOR OF FIRST RESPONDERS & VETERANS FOR 9/11.

We are offering a FREE individual cheese & Tomato deep dish pizza to everyone free of charge. All we ask is for a donation any amount from $1 to $10 and we will donate all the proceeds to East County Military Families & Friends.

DINE IN ONLY. This is being offered from 11am to 8pm on Sunday, 9-11. 4827 Lonetree Way Antioch Williamson Ranch Plaza 925-522-8554

The East County Military Families will host the Remember 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Memorial Walk & Tribute this Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 4 p.m. at the Somersville Towne Center Mall, 2556 Somersville Road, Antioch.

The walk will honor the lives lost, our First Responders and our military veterans. Guest Speakers include Chief of Police Allan Cantando, Mayor Jim Davis, Lt. Robin Kelley of the Antioch Police Department, and more.

There will be group walks around perimeter of mall holding flags (bring your own or there will be ones to borrow). Reflect during the ceremony before Jessica Caylyn’s band will perform. First 100 People get free T-shirts.

The event will be held in the back parking lot of the former Mervyns store, near Sears Automotive.

For more information, visit www.EastCountyVeterans.org.

The Antioch Church Family multi-cultural children’s choir is holding auditions September 7th and 14th at 5:30 for their upcoming Peace concert.

The audition and concert will be held at 55 East 18th Street in Antioch. We are looking for 50 eager voices aged three to ten to sing at our September 17th, 5 p.m. concert. Musicians of any age are also welcome.

The concert is part of East Bay’s regional 11 Days of Peace celebration, and will include the award-winning Voices Of Antioch. For more information call Joyce Howell at 202-8022.

Update: The Neighborhood Cleanup in September has been canceled. It will resume on October 1^st.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 27th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods (UCBN), community volunteers, and the Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program, 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 27th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, September 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers should report to Almondridge Park located at 3400 Almondridge Drive. 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!