To officially commemorate his hiring as the permanent, new Antioch Police Chief on Thursday, April 17, 2025, Joe Vigil will be given his oath of office Tuesday afternoon, May 27, 2025, at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center at 213 F Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
Chief Vigil most recently oversaw the Support Services Bureau and previously served as Acting Police Chief on two occasions. He brings 25 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in the Sacramento, Richmond, and Antioch Police Departments. He holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. (See related article)
We’re honored to have the support of Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch as they recognize the hard work Delta Veterans Group is doing for our Bay Area community.
On Monday May 26 from11am- 9pm, 15% of the day’s food and beverage sales will be donated to Delta Veterans Group to assist their efforts to help our local veterans during the Stand Down on the Delta later this year.
Efforts are underway to house the historic First Congregational Church bell in a tower on the Museum grounds. (Right – Example of tower and bricks for foundation). Photos: Antioch Historical Society
“Ring it loud! Ring it proud! Be part of Antioch’s history!”
During Society’s 50th and Museum’s 25th Anniversaries
By Allen D. Payton
The Antioch Historical Society is at it again with another project for the grounds of the Museum. This time they’re raising funds to restore and locate a display of the historic First Congregational Church bell, one of the oldest artifacts in the city.
The effort is being led by Past Board President Dwayne Eubanks and Tom Menasco, a co-founder of the Sports Legends wing and leader of the successful fundraising effort for the Red Caboose display.
Menasco is serving as the marketing and fundraising manager, Director Stan Davis and Ron Bass are serving as construction managers, Eubanks shared.
According to the Historical Society, the bell “was heard more than 150 years ago by early church members, including Antioch’s founders Rev. W.W. Smith and Captain George W. Kimball. It was heard by the church sexton, Thomas Gaines, the first known Black settler in Antioch.”
When reached for comment, Eubanks said, “The church bell is very significant to Antioch as it goes back to the time when the city was incorporated and was heard by people including the first Constable and Mayor, Roswell Hard, William Wiggins Smith, Thomas Gaines, and Adelia Kimball, the community’s first teacher.”
“We’re building a custom bell housing. We paid a company that specializes in designing bell towers back in 2022. But we had to put the plans on the shelf for a few years due to COVID.”
Church bell and tower Fundraising Goal and progress and Elevations. Source: Antioch Historical Society
Antioch resident Joseph Zamora, a member of the First Congregation Church, donated the bell.
“It was in his backyard under a tarp. It’s 700 lbs.,” Eubanks stated.
“We’re hoping the bell will help unite old Antioch and new Antioch. To me, personally, it’s a symbol of unity,” he added.
They’ll build the tower, display the bell, “and it’s going to ring,” Eubanks exclaimed.
Asked how much the Society is raising for the project, he said, “The construction estimate was around $96,000 and we’ve raised $48,000. Part of that came out of our budget. That includes profit and labor. But we’re taking that out as we may get in-kind services and materials that will cut that balance down.”
“The City gave us a civic enhancement grant and waived the construction permit fee,” he shared.
“We’re hoping to put this bell and tower in this year as it’s the 50th Anniversary of the Historical Society and 25th Anniversary of the museum in the former Antioch High School and fire department building,” Eubanks mentioned.
“Ring it loud! Ring it proud! Be part of Antioch’s history!Leave a legacy for your children and grandchildren to see, ring, and enjoy. Let’s hear it ring again! Become a sponsor today and your name will be permanently inscribed on the exhibit,” the Society shared on their Facebook page.
To donate online, visit their website at: https://antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/donations/ or see the flyer below. The Museum is located at 1500 W. 4th Street and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information call (925) 757-1326.
Presented by Celebrate Antioch Foundation and Downtown Rivertown Merchants
Join us for an afternoon of Art, Handmade Crafts, Wine Tasting and Live Music by Project 4 Band. This is a fun, family-friendly event is free to the public, but to participate in the wine tasting the cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. You must be at least 21 years of age and provide a photo ID. Tickets are limited to 500.
The Wine Walk will be held at participating merchants on W. 2nd, W. 3rd and G Streets in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. The businesses will be pouring wine from 12:00-4:00 PM.
Tickets are available at Willow Park Mercantile, Rivertown Treasure Chest or online at Eventbrite. We look forward to seeing you there!
Participating Merchants & Local Wineries:
Almost There Travel – 506 W 2nd St. – Miscellaneous wines
Willow Park Mercantile – 205 G St. – Hannah Nicole
El Campanil Theatre – 602 W 2nd St. – D’Art Winery
Flying Dutchman Studio – 608 W 2nd St. – St. Nostra Vita Winery
Rivertown Treasure Chest – 306 G St. – Bloomfield Winery
K911 Animal Rescue – 620 W 2nd St. – Oakridge Winery
Antioch Community Federal Credit Union – 301 G St. – Viano Winery
ReNu Salon – 508 W 3rd St. – Favalora Winery
The Pour Up – 601 W 2nd St. (at Antioch Medical Supply) – Pour Up Winery
Antioch Chamber – 640 W 2nd St. – Bogle Winery and Michael David (variety)
Jim Lanter State Farm Insurance – 300 H St. Ste D – McCauley Winery
The Hen and Drake Modern Tearoom – 520 W 2nd St. – Michael David Winery
Antioch Business Center – 505 W 2nd St. – Campos Family Vineyards
Free Public Parking
W 2nd & E Streets, W 2nd & F Streets, End of G Street, W 2nd across the street from City Hall next to Chamber of Commerce, City Hall lot between W 2nd & W 3rd, Nick Rodriquez Community Center, I Street lots between W 3rd and 4th, and I Street next to Waldie Plaza.
Get your unwanted documents shredded at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1360 East Tregallas Road, Antioch on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations will raise funds for scholarships and other charitable purposes coordinated by the church’s Endowment Committee.
Through its endowment, the church has given scholarships to students pursuing college degrees as well as continuing education opportunities such as gaining teacher certification. It has also given a grant to support training school tutors, said Eileen Blumhardt-Butler, chair of the endowment committee.
The endowment has provided a grant to a childcare center to enhance art education. A teacher received a grant to purchase microscopes for her middle school classroom
“These grants are a way our church can share God’s love with the community,” Blumhardt-Butler said.
St. John’s Lutheran Church has Sunday School and services at 9 a.m. on Sundays. stjohnsantioch.org.
Supporting The Pride of Antioch High School and Deer Valley Marching Band and Color Guard
Get ready for the most thrilling night of the year at the 4th Annual Texas Hold’em Tournament!
Join us for an unforgettable evening supporting the AHS and DVHS Marching Band and Color Guard. This event is packed with excitement, including:
Fantastic prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
A delicious dinner to satisfy your taste buds
Exciting raffles with amazing prizes
A lively atmosphere with great company and lots of fun
Whether you’re a poker pro or just looking for a fun night out, this event has something for everyone. The cost is $75 for the full event, or $20 for the Dinner Only option.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to support our talented musicians and performers while having a blast. Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for a night of fun, excitement, and great memories!
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025 – Volunteer lunch included Time: 9:00am-1:00pm Location: Antioch Water Park & Waldie Plaza
From Earth Day to Arbor Day, let’s work together to build a stronger, cleaner, more beautiful Antioch! Starting Earth Day, April 22nd join us as we begin our service to the community. Gather friends and family to brainstorm a beautification project for your home, neighborhood, classroom, or local business, and put it into action! Don’t forget to capture your efforts with a photo and send to the Antioch Recreation Department! On Saturday, April 26th, be part of the volunteers who will serve downtown near Waldie Plaza and at the Antioch Community Center before enjoying a volunteer lunch. For Arbor Day, on May 1st, join our Parks and Rec Department as we plant trees at a local park.
What is Earth Day? First held globally on April 22, 1970, Earth Day promotes worldwide demonstrations of support for environmental protection. Attention is drawn to the achievements made by the environmental protection movement and awareness is brought to methods of protecting the Earth’s natural resources. Celebrated by billions around the world, Keep Antioch Beautiful is just one of the ways our community celebrates Earth Day.
What is Arbor Day? First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating, and even climbing trees are encouraged along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist.
From Earth Day to Arbor Day (April 22nd – April 26) show us how you and your family #KeepAntiochBeautiful. Post a picture of you, your family, friends, or coworkers performing an act of beautification for the city with the hashtag #KeepAntiochBeautiful AND tag the Antioch Recreation Department (@antiochrec_ca) to be entered into our raffle. On Arbor Day, three lucky entries will be chosen to each win a prize dedicated to them and their efforts toward the beautification of our lovely city!
Reminder!! Get ready for that shred-it time of year! Tri Delta Transit in partnership with the City of Antioch, City of Oakley and others, brings you the annual drive-thru Shred-It Event on Thursday, April 24th in Oakley.
Get out those papers and remove all large binder clips, plastic ring binding, bindings, binders and heavy folders. Event starts at 9:00 AM and is first come, first served until the trucks are full!
BE READY TO DRIVE UP AND HELP OUT
This is a drive-up event where you will enter at the Cypress driveway, wait in line in your vehicle (turn off car if can), then drive up to the truck.
Helpers will indicate which truck you are to pull up to.
Once you stop where the helpers tell you, please exit your vehicle safely. Give the helpers your shredding or indicate where your shredding is and which ones they are. Once the helpers review the materials, they will dump them into a bin for shredding.
If you want to watch your shredding be shredded, please let the helper know. You will need to pull your car over, exit the vehicle and walk to the far side of the truck to watch with the Shred-It employee.
ALL BAGS AND BOXES the shredding is brought it, must be taken away with you. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to keep it and dispose of it.
Cars will not be allowed to line up until all safety cones and precautions are in place.
Event is first come, first serve until the trucks are full.
Keep in mind that this could be anytime after 9:00 am. If large loads come, the trucks will reach capacity quickly.
If the truck is full, you will be asked to take all shredding home with you.
All bags, boxes and containers that you bring your shredding in, MUST be taken back with you.
