By Walter Ruehlig
Member, Interfaith Peace Project

We at the Interfaith Peace Project and the Contra Costa County Interfaith Coalition thank the Antioch City Council for allowing us to present the Far East County community a Peace Pole.

The Pole is eight-feet high and made out of treated cedar. It proclaims “May Peace Prevail on Earth” ingrained in twelve languages that we have chosen as common to this locale.

It is stirring to think similar poles stand at the Great Pyramid, Hiroshima, Mt. Everest and the Pentagon, and that this is part of a world-wide movement with 200,000 standing Peace Poles. We will be dedicating this Pole at noon on Monday, September 12th in front of City Hall for all available to partake in the simple but elegant ceremony.

We are starting our own unique celebration, called 11 Days of Peace, on the anniversary of 9-11 and ending on the U.N.- sponsored International Day of Peace on September 21st. Each day a different faith group, including Buddhist, Catholic, Episcopalian, First Congregational, Hindu, Islamic, Latter Day Saint, Methodist, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, Sikh and Sufi organizations sponsors an activity at their place of worship commemorating the theme of peace and universal brotherhood. Other groups are encouraged to add an activity to keep the cohesive momentum.

Blood drives, chants, concerts, garden dedications, open houses, poetry readings, prayer events, sing-alongs and special religious services dedicated to peace will be held throughout the 11 days.

We are inviting the interfaith community, town leaders, media and community at large to the dedication and to participate in any of the sponsored events, which will be featured on the U.N. website.

To the editor:

I am an Antioch Resident and community members are trying to help me. I have stage IV breast cancer with three beautiful children.

I have had a terrible experience with my health care provider so they are trying to raise money for my care. My full story is at www.fightfortrina.com.

I was wondering if you might be able to cover my story. The prayers and support really keep me moving though all this. The most amazing part is seeing how my community is coming together. They are holding a garage sale on Saturday August 13th from 8-5 at 3613 Old Glory Ct. in Antioch.

Cancer is hard but seeing our neighbors come together has been such a blessing. I need all the support I can get.

Trina Coy

By Doris Bedford
Soroptimist International of Pittsburg Kidz on Target chair

I still need about 40 volunteers for Kidz on Target. It is next Saturday the 6th of August. Your help is very much appreciated. This is a wonderful event where underprivileged children get $100 worth of back-to-school clothes/shoes at the Target in Pittsburg.

Each child goes shopping with an adult volunteer shopper from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (before the store opens) for tops, pants, uniforms, shoes, etc. Having new clothes for the first day of school is a big boost for kids whose families may not be able to afford them. A new backpack with school supplies also helps them start the year off right.

The wonderful Soroptimists of Pittsburg have worked SO hard to make this a reality for 100 local elementary/middle students. I help as a volunteer shopper every year and look forward to it. The 7 year old boy I shopped with happily exclaimed, “This is the BEST day of my whole life!” as he left the store with his new “purchases.”

This year’s event is coming up fast this Sat. August 6th, MORE adult shoppers are still needed. This allows for one adult to give their full attention to one child. PLEASE help us shop if you can. You’ll be glad you did. Volunteers need to be at Target in Pittsburg at 6:30 am. THANKS in advance.

Just email me with your name, address and your phone info to doris@dorisbedford.com.

By Josie Monaghan
Proud Mother of a Combat Veteran USMC/Law Enforcement

SSGT. Daniel Fye, is an EOD Tech in the Air Force. He was wounded in action about a month ago. Daniel has undergone 7 surgeries to date. Daniel is a graduate of Pittsburg High and grew up in Pittsburg and Antioch. His family still resides in Antioch. I met his mom Janis through our Blue star families group; she has been involved since 2005.

WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO HELP THIS FAMILY, not out of pity or sympathy, rather that we OWE IT TO THEM. Daniel has a wife and 4 children. Please contact me to volunteer, donate or help get the word out.

The benefit is on Saturday, August 20th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Winners Circle Western Wear parking lot, 10th and A streets in Antioch. $20 a plate per person for a choice of either BBQ of hamburgers, hot dogs, or chicken plus salads and one drink.

Please mail checks to ECMFF/SSGT FYE 520 F. Garcia Ave. Pittsburg, CA 94565. We will have your tickets at the door and you will receive your wrist band.

RAFFLE BASKETS – 50/50 – LIVE MUSIC – DANCING – This is an outdoor event compliments of Fred & Sue Pederson, owners of the Winners Circle Western Wear Store. Josie 925.642.7537, ecmilitary@yahoo.com www.eastcountyveterans.org.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 26th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods, community volunteers, 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 26th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, August 6th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers should report to Knoll Park located at 5000 Country Hills 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!

National Night Out (NNO), scheduled for Tuesday, August 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., is an annual nationwide event designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and unity, raise crime prevention awareness, and develop partnerships between the City and the community on a street, block and city-wide level.

This unique safety and community event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Residents do not need to be involved in any type of Neighborhood Watch to participate in NNO; however, NNO provides the perfect incentive to begin a program on your block.

This year representatives from the City of Antioch, Antioch Police Department, Crime Prevention Commission and Neighborhood Watch Program will be visiting (23) block parties throughout the City.

The block parties and barbecues are a great way for people to meet one another, have fun, promote police-community partnerships, and explore how they might work together to improve the safety and the quality of their neighborhoods.

If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood, please call (925) 779-6980 or email neighborhoodwatch@ci.antioch.ca.us.

WHAT: African-American Health Empowerment Expo

WHEN: Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Pittsburg Senior High School, 1750 Harbor St., Pittsburg, CA

WHY: African Americans in Contra Costa County have poorer health outcomes than other racial or ethnic groups in almost all categories. They have higher death rates in heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, homicide and unintentional injuries. This situation is largely preventable and needs to change. Change begins with the individual.

WHO: Members of the East County African-American community and county health advocates have banded together to give African-American families
the tools and information to take individual and collective action in regards to their community physical, emotional and spiritual life well-being.

INFORMATION: Itika Greene, AAHEE chair, 925-957-5439 (Expo hotline) or via email at aahee@sbcglobal.net

REPORT: Contra Costa Community Health Indicators http://www.cchealth.org/health_data/hospital_council/

“It’s real nice to be home with family.”

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Riding in a convertible Corvette and escorted from the airport to his home by the Warriors Watch motorcycle riders, Antioch police and local firefighters, 2005 Antioch High School graduate Kyle White arrived to a huge welcome at his home from his family, friends and veterans organizations, on Saturday, July 9.

Having healed from the bullet wound that ripped through his left leg and struck an artery, while serving for eight months in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, Private 1^st Class White, a radio transmission operator, is home for 30 days.

Joined by his mother Lisa, father Daryl, older brother Derick who served in the Army National Guard, and his sisters Nicole and Megan, his “nana” Grandma Tricia Foster, Grandpa and Grandma White, Uncle Darin White and four other uncles, aunts and cousins, all from Antioch, Kyle shared of his time in serving in the Army and Afghanistan.

He joined the Army at the recruiting center in Antioch on January 13, 2010 then was deployed to Afghanistan, last October 20. He was in the mountains at the 10,000 foot elevation.

“It was cold all the time,” Kyle said. “Then it warmed up in April.”

Then in May everything changed.

“We had been there for eight months, when on Memorial Day I got shot,” Kyle said.

He’d been hit by a PKM 762 round that went through his Platoon Leader then hit Kyle in the left leg. The bullet ripped through his hamstring, hit a major artery and came out his groin.

“My squad leader, Staff Sergeant Gomez, picked me up and carried me 400 meters up the hill,” he stated. “Then he dragged me another 400 meters and took care of my leg.”

“He carried me to the helicopter and they flew me back to the base,” Kyle added. “I lost six quarts of blood.”

His mother, Lisa White heard about his injury about 10 p.m. that same night.

“I ran into to take the phone to his daddy,” she said. “I began to pray. I knew he was going to be OK.”

Kyle spoke with his parents from his hospital bed at the base in Afghanistan. While still in the hospital, he was presented with a Purple Heart by a Two-Star General and Commanding Sergeant Major.

Then, when he arrived in the states, his parents flew to meet him.

“We saw him on June 18 in Louisiana, when he entered the states” Lisa said. “It was like exhaling, knowing he was safe.”

At the end of his 30 days at home, Kyle will return to Louisiana to finish his four year commitment in the Army.

“I’m just relaxing,” he said. “It’s real nice to be home with my family.”

Also in attendance at Kyle’s return home party were the Blue Star Moms, Combat Veterans Association and the American Legion.

Riders from the Warriors Watch, whose slogan is “We Have Your Backs At Home,” are not all veterans, but are volunteers.

“You just have to be a patriot,” said one of their leaders Dave Raymond (who drove the Blue Angels Corvette).

For more information on their organization visit www.warriorswatch.org. For more details on Kyle White’s story visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/kylewhite.