Juan Chen-Olsen, Tom Lamothe, Kris Landry, Devi Lanphere, Allen Payton and Christine O'Brien gather for Devi's farewell party at Carpaccio Ristorante on Friday night, January 21.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Many of Antioch’s business and community leaders gathered at Carpaccio Ristorante, Friday night, January 21, to say farewell to former Antioch Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Devi Lanphere, at what she labeled an “Irish wake.”

Lanphere, who served in the position for seven years, was very involved in the community, including membership in the Antioch Rotary Club, serving as Chair of the Antioch Economic Development Commission and overseeing the Antioch Community Foundation, among other things.

Her position was eliminated in December, when the Chamber Board made the decision to cut back on expenses. Lanphere is relocating to Mountain View, California.

Devi Lanphere speaks with Jack and Donna Roddy at her farewell party.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 21^st 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 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 21^st Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, February 5, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Volunteers should report to Meadow Creek Park located at 4707 Vista Grande Drive. Curb side parking should be plentiful. 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!

Best of San Francisco Stand Up Comedy Competition

Friday, January 21, 2011

8:00 p.m.

El Campanil Theatre

In Historic Downtown Rivertown, Antioch

HEADLINING THIS NIGHT IS …

AUGGIE SMITH

WINNER OF THE 2010 SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL
STANDUP COMEDY COMPETITION
and
WINNER OF THE 2010 SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL
STANDUP COMEDY COMPETITION

To enter, simply submit a letter to the editor or subscribe to our website (if you haven’t already) by Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Then email your name and phone number(s) to info@antiochherald.com, and we’ll contact you if you’re the winner and get you the tickets. We’ll also announce the winner on our website.

Have fun! If you don’t win, you can still go to the show by clicking on the El Campanil Theatre ad on our Home Page and purchase tickets on their website.

Allen Payton, Publisher

 A new era is upon the East County branch of the NAACP. On Saturday the officers and members of the executive committee will take the oath of office  for the 2011-12 operating years. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. in the large conference room in 301 W. 10th Street, Antioch.

Presented by the East County Business-Education Alliance, the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, and the Antioch Unified School District: “Building a High Performing Community through High Performing Schools” on Tuesday, January 11 from 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm in the Deer Valley High School Theater, 4700 Lone Tree Way.

Free and open to the public, the goal for the forum is to highlight how Antioch Unified is transforming its schools to provide a more rigorous and relevant education, through educational pathways that prepare every student with 21^st century skills for success in college, career, and life.

It will feature Dr. Willard Daggett, a renowned educational leader, who will provide an overview of the components found in some of America’s highest performing and most rapidly improving schools, and a distinguished panel, describing how the community can support school transformation and improved student success.

For more information contact Iris Archuleta, President of Emerald Consulting at either 925-755-9291 or
iris@emeraldconsulting.com. www.emeraldconsulting.com.

Power Plant Company Responds to Supervisor Glover’s Request

In a time of need, Calpine donates $10,000 to Food Bank Calpine acted on Supervisor Federal Glover’s appeal for donations to the Contra Costa Food Bank during these tough economic times.

“Calpine, as a member of the East County community is always generous when it comes to helping our residents,” said Glover. “Calpine is a prime example of a responsible business giving back to the community it serves.”

He points out that the energy producer, which has a plant in Pittsburg, also pays for the supervisor’s annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. Last year, the supervisor was able to give away 600 free turkeys through the courtesy of Calpine.

Calpine officials will hand over the $10,000 check to Supervisor Glover at the food bank headquarters in Concord on Wednesday (Jan. 5) at 1 p.m.

Supervisor Glover wrote in an oped last month in another newspaper about the food drive and competition between Contra Costa and Solano county employees to raise funds for the food bank. In the column, he wrote: “Our Food Bank has clearly seen the impact of the recession …Over 89,000 Contra Costa residents a month must now use the Food Bank — an increase of 63 percent in 3 years, and 28 percent of those being helped are children.”

Several years ago, Solano and Contra Costa counties entered into an annual competition called, “County Cares Food Fight” in which each county’s workers try to outdo each other by raising money for the food bank. The supervisor’s office and other departments also compete among themselves to see which office can raise the most funds.

“In the end, the competition benefits the food bank so they can continue to distribute groceries to the needy,” said Glover. “We’re grateful to Calpine for stepping up to the plate once again.”

For more information, contact Supervisor Glover’s office at 925-427-8138 or  Lisa Sherrill of the Food Bank at 925-676-7543.

Start the New Year off by giving to our local community through the Antioch Rotary Community Blood Drive at Lone Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 4800 Gold Course Road, Antioch, on Tuesday January 4 from  2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Every donation will impact the lives of up to three patients in local community hospitals! To sign up for your preferred donation time, simply log on to www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: AntiochRotary. Or call 1.800.RED.CROSS ( 800.733.2767; Press 1, then Press 4) Photo ID is required at donation. For donor eligibility questions, please call 1.866.236.3276.

The Greatest News Ever Given

The lyrics in the old Christmas carol pretty much sum up the story of Christmas: “Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.’” Because that’s how it’s described in the book of Luke, chapter 2 in the Bible.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby [Bethlehem], keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:8-14

As we celebrate Christmas, today, exchanging and opening presents, eating wonderful homemade food and watching classic Christmas movies, let’s remember what this holiday is really all about – celebrating the birthday of Jesus, the Christ.

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