By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

Volunteers and East Bay Regional Park District staff will come together to clean and protect local shorelines and waterways during California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. Help the Park District in its effort to restore, clean, and preserve 11 cleanup sites across East Bay Regional Parks, including bayside beaches, shoreline trails, and inland lakes. Staff and volunteers will work together to collect and dispose of litter and recyclables, beautify the shorelines, and help maintain delicate ecosystems. At last year’s event, an estimated 8,020 pounds of trash were collected by Park District volunteers.

Each year, volunteers discover strange and unusual items during cleanup events. Past items include a sword, two-thirds of a bowling ball, and a functioning 1980s-era ThighMaster. Participants who find an odd or interesting item will receive a Park District-themed cooling towel (while supplies last).

TRASHure Hunt

This year, the Park District is adding a new feature to the event: TRASHure Hunt. Participants who find a golden trash grabber hidden at each cleanup site will win a special prize. They may also have their photo posted on social media with the golden grabber.

The Park District will provide garbage bags and gloves to those who need them, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own trash-hunting gear. Participants are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle, hats, gloves, and sunscreen, and must wear closed-toe shoes. Layered clothing is recommended. The Park District will also provide snacks and water throughout the event. Please note that parent participation is required for children under 18.

All locations welcome drop-ins, although registration is appreciated. Visit ebparks.org/get-involved/volunteer/coastal-cleanup or call 510-544-2229 for more information.

Park District Coastal Cleanup Day Sites

• Contra Loma Regional Park, Antioch – Near Frederickson Lane, More Info
• Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley – Cypress Staging Area, More Info
• Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda – Near Intersection of Otis St. and 8th St., More Info
• Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore – Fiesta Grande Picnic Site, More Info & Visitor Center, More Info
• Hayward Regional Shoreline, Hayward – West Winton Avenue Staging Area,More Info
• Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Martinez – Main Parking Area, More Info
• Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland – Arrowhead Marsh Staging Area, More Info
• Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Richmond – Rydin Road Staging Area, More Info
• Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond – Giant Staging Area, More Info
• Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, Fremont – Isherwood Way, More Info

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Free event!

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Antioch, it’s time to gear up for the brightest and the loudest day of the year!

Thursday, September 18th from 4PM to 8PM, the Antioch Recreation Department will host its sixth annual Big Truck Day– a day that gives families and kids of all ages an opportunity to learn more about local companies and the large vehicles they use to keep our community safe and green. Enjoy food truck options brought to you by Foodie Crew, while you see, touch and explore school buses, tractors, fire engines and many more vehicles that help our city function. Learn more about how to get involved with Big Truck Day when you visit antiochca.gov/big-truck-day.

Sixth Annual Big Truck Day, Thursday, September 18, 2025, 4:00PM-8:00PM at Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.

A special thank you to our event sponsors Republic Services, AT&T, Carbon Health and Antioch Charter Academy I. Learn how to become an event sponsor when you visit antiochca.gov/recreation/special-events.

Tours of Coast Guard ship at the Smith’s Landing dock Sunday, Sept. 14

Local high school students to perform, volunteer

By Allen D. Payton

A unit from Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento has volunteered to support this year’s Stand Down on the Delta with a flyover of two T-38 fighter jets from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron on Saturday, September 13. Pilots who fly the U-2 jets at the base train on the T-38’s.

The flyover will occur during Opening Ceremonies Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 A.M. at which the Deer Valley High Divine Voices will perform the National Anthem.

The four pilots from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron participating in the flyover will be Lt. Colonel “Mako” Willard, Major “Dice” Dodds, Major “Merle” Paegelow and Captain “Blitz” Alexander.

On Friday, as veterans arrive to the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West will perform.

Then on Sunday from 10:00 AM to Noon, tours will be offered on a Coast Guard ship at the Smith’s Landing dock at the foot of L Street.

Local High School Students Volunteer

This year members from the Heritage High School Air Force Junior ROTC and Antioch High Army Junior ROTC members will be volunteering during the weekend events.

De La Salle High School students are participating in a competition in which they’re working on a sock drive for veterans. That’s one of the items So far, they have collected 1,900 pairs but the effort continues until Thursday. The school has also donated 150 sweatshirts to be distributed during the weekend.

Stand Down on the Delta, presented by Delta Veterans Group, will again be held at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds), located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. For more information click, here.

#AFFlyover

Veterans Served Their Country — Now They Serve Their Communities

Join us for Stand Down on the Delta 2025, September 12–15, 2025 at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) in Antioch, presented by Delta Veterans Group.

Launched in 2023, our “Veterans Served Their Country — Veterans Serve Their Communities” program gives these honorable individuals a New Mission of Service — and you’re invited to join them.

These brave women and men served our nation. Now, they’re answering a new call — to serve the neighborhoods and communities they call home.

Saturday, September 13, 2025, is Community Service Day, when Veterans will serve every corner of Contra Costa County, helping everyone, not just fellow Veterans. ervices are open to everyone regardless if you are a veteran or not.

Veterans: Pre-register or walk in daily

Everyone else: Come volunteer, get connected, or lend support.

Over four days, we provide life-changing services to hundreds of Veterans:

• Medical & Dental Care
• Housing, Job Placement & Legal Support
• Mental Health & Recovery Services
• Meals, Clothing, Gear & More

Over 1,754 Veterans and families helped so far — and we’re just getting started.

Help us make 2025 the most impactful Stand Down yet.

The Fairgrounds are located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Delta Veterans Group – “A Hand Up, Not a Handout”. For more information visit www.deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-down-on-the-delta.

One Stop for Your County Services in collaboration with Supervisor Diane Burgis and the City of Antioch

Come to Contra Costa County’s 7th Annual Block Party!

Date: Thursday, August 28

Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way

Contra Costa County, in partnership with the City of Antioch and Supervisor Diane Burgis, is bringing its annual Block Party to East County. 

Contra Costa County, the Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department, the Employment & Human Services Department, County Public Works and Contra Costa Health along with the City of Antioch are partnering to provide a fun, festive event that offers a wide variety of on-the-spot government services at one single location. This will be the seventh year of the increasingly popular event, providing opportunities throughout the County to learn what’s available to you as a Contra Costa County resident.
Please submit your request at least 72 hours in advance to help ensure availability.

Available services at the Block Party include: Sign-ups for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs, information about childcare and preschool options, Records within Reach from Clerk-Recorder’s Office, Voter Registration, Contra Costa Television (CCTV) — and many more County programs.

County Departments & Programs                     

• 4 Our Families Navigators (EHSD)                      
• Clerk-Recorder-Elections
• Community Services Bureau (EHSD)
• Contra Costa Television
• Information & Assistance (EHSD)
• Public Works – Flood Control District
• Public Works – Transportation Engineering
• Supervisor Diane Burgis, District 3

If you require an accommodation to participate in the Contra Costa County Block Party, please contact Diane Truong, Public Facilities ADA Program Manager, at (925) 335-1436 or email Diane.Truong@riskm.cccounty.us.

Tacos for Books – Order online or in the restaurant

PLEASE SHARE THIS EVENT WITH FAMILY and FRIENDS!!!

Friends of the Antioch Library CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER.

Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 4:00pm-8:00pm

5401 Lone Tree Way, Suite 100,  Brentwood in the Lone Tree Plaza.

25% of even sales help support programs at the Antioch Libraries!

Order online using CODE 942BC9D.

Ordering in the restaurant? Just mention The FRIENDS OF THE ANTIOCH LIBRARY when placing your order

TACOS FOR BOOKS!!! But you can also order their burritos, salads and bowls.

For more information about Friends of the Antioch Library visit ccclib.org/ant-friends or follow them on Facebook.

In Historic Downtown Antioch!

Click for details on this year’s Hot August Cruise & Car Show in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown Aug. 16.

For more information about the store visit Rivertown Treasure Chest – Antioch, California.

This Saturday 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

W. 2nd, L, W. 4th and G Streets in historic downtown

The annual Hot August Cruise & Car Show will once again be held in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown on W. 2nd, L, W. 4th and G Streets. and is open to the public from 5PM – 9 PM. See many beautiful classic cars and enjoy great music and food from all the Rivertown restaurants, which along with the stores will be open.

Come join the fun!

This family friendly free event is presented by Rivertown Merchants and Celebrate Antioch Foundation.