Support foster children and low-income families; Toy Drive Dec. 13

By Michael Young, Hope With Lights Ministry

Come see the Hope With Lights Ministry annual Toy Drive & Light Show all about Christmas featuring songs by Bluey, Taylor Swift and more at 4416 Belvedere Way in Antioch, Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 pm to 8 pm, Fridays and Saturdays till 9 pm, now through January 1st.  Don’t miss out!

Toy Drive

On Saturday, Dec. 13 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, come help us support foster children and low-income families by dropping off new toys for girls or boys and see the amazing lights and sounds of the Christmas Season. Treats will be served!

Hosted by E3 Realty and The Money Store.

About Hope With Lights Ministry

Hope With Lights Ministry is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy, light and lasting impact to foster children, low-income families and underserved communities.

Our main event is the annual Christmas Light Show & Toy Drive. Through an amazing Christmas light show and community collaboration, Hope With Lights highlights the needs of foster children and support families facing food insecurity. We empower these families with meaningful resources. With every twinkle, every toy and every act of kindness, we aim to build a brighter day for those in need.

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40

We are proud to hold the Candid Silver Seal of Transparency, demonstrating our commitment to openness and accountability. Every donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law and directly supports our mission to bring light, hope and joy to foster children and families in need.

For more information visit hopewithlights.org.

With Antioch Unified School District during Giving Tuesday Dec. 2, Disney House Event Dec. 6

Also accepting blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves and cash or Venmo donations

By Allen D. Payton

Please help Antioch Police help families in our community this Christmas season during the Department’s 29th Annual Help for the Holidays giveaway. Donations are accepted at the Antioch Police Facility lobby and on two days. In addition, donations will be accepted on Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year on Dec. 2 as well as on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the annual Disney House drive-by event.

Where to Donate

You can drop off gifts at:

• Antioch PD Lobby – 300 L Street

Giving Tuesday Events – December 2, 2025:

• Target: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Walmart: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Disney House Event – December 6, 2025:

• 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• 3732 Colonial Court, Antioch

Stop by to see Cinderella, Tiana, Belle and the incredible decorations the Vistalli family has on display!

Take a drive by the “Disney House” with over 35,000 lights and more than 70 handmade wooden cut-outs. The Vistalli family, Officers and friends will be on-hand collecting new unwrapped toys as well as new blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves and cash or Venmo donations, that will be donated to APD’s Help for the Holidays giveaway program which will provide extra help for those struggling this Christmas season.

Kristen Vistalli refers to the annual event as the “Spirit & Support Gift Giveaway.”

The Vistalli’s home will be featured as a Contender on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” airing December 11 at 7:00 p.m. on ABC. (More details later.)

Antioch Police say, “Thank you for helping make the season brighter for families in our community!”

Lighted Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, Holiday Sip & Shop Artisan Fair

Deadline for Parade Entries: Nov. 28th

Presented by City of Antioch Recreation Department and Celebrate Antioch Foundation

Join Antioch for the annual Holiday Delites Celebration in historic, downtown Rivertown on December 6, 2025. Enjoy the Holiday Sip & Shop Artisan Fair brought to you by the Celebrate Antioch Foundation before lining the street to see the lighted parade go by with an appearance by Santa at the end!

The event includes the parade filled with live performers and moving floats, family photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, cookie decorating and much more. You and your family won’t want to miss this!

Discover over 30 talented artisan vendors featuring beautiful handmade crafts, unique décor, jewelry and more — the perfect place to find thoughtful Christmas gifts!

Sign up your group to light up the night with your festive floats, bright costumes and holiday spirit when you visit our website. Prizes awarded to parade category winners. Let’s make this celebration the brightest yet! Become part of the magic that is Holiday Delites by visiting antiochca.gov/holiday-delites.

Holiday Sip & Shop Artisan Faire

12-5 pm. On G Street. Vendor Registration: celebrateantioch.org,

Lighted Parade

Begins at 5 pm at W. 3rd and H Streets, east to E Street, north to W. 2nd and west to Waldie Plaza across from City Hall. Parade Registration at Holiday Delites Parade Entry. Deadline: November 28th at 5:00 p.m. Details at www.antiochca.gov/220/Holiday-Delites-Celebration-Parade

Christmas Tree Lighting

At 6 pm in Waldie Plaza on W.  2nd Street across from City Hall. Enjoy AUSD Band and Choir Performances and photos with Santa and the Grinch.

Sponsors

Special thanks to our sponsors: Carbon Health, Republic Services, AT&T and Antioch Charter Academy.

Please note: Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting are scheduled as tentative based on weather conditions. In case of heavy downpour, the parade and tree lighting will unfortunately be cancelled.

For more information, please visit our website. For inquiries, contact recreation@antiochca.gov.

Get 2 movie passes for each donation of $10 or more – Nov. 26-Dec. 23

BREA, CA 11/25/25 – Maya Cinemas, known for developing movie theatres in underserved communities with state-of-the-art presentation, first-class amenities and community involvement, is offering 2 free movies passes for every $10 donation to a local food bank. Beginning on November 26th and running through December 23rd, movie-goers can donate at any Maya Cinema and receive 2 free movie passes (valid 1/1/26 – 2/28/26) for every $10 they donate. Donations are made through the Maya Community Foundation and 100% of proceeds go directly to the food banks supported. 

Donations can be made in-theatre at any of Maya’s six locations:

Pittsburg – 4085 Century Boulevard, Pittsburg, CA 94565

Bakersfield – 1000 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93304

Delano – 401 Woollomes Avenue, Delano, CA 93215

Fresno – 3090 East Campus Pointe Drive, Fresno, CA 93710

North Las Vegas – 2195 North Las Vegas Blvd., North Las Vegas, NV 89030

Salinas – 153 Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901

“We are thrilled to bring this fundraiser back again. This year, more than ever, our community food banks need funding support. Maya Cinemas is a proud part of the community and happy to have the resources to implement a program like this.” said Greg Heckmann, Director of Marketing at Maya Cinemas. 

ABOUT MAYA CINEMAS

Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2000 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, multi-plex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities.  Maya Cinemas offers first-run Hollywood movies and unique content through its Canal Maya program in high-end theaters focused on quality of design, state-of-the-art film presentation technology, and providing first-rate entertainment with superior customer service.  The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas serve.

For more information visit www.mayacinemas.com and for showtimes in Pittsburg visit www.mayacinemas.com/location/individual/500.

By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-10) announced that he will host a town hall in San Ramon to discuss improving transportation and education in the East Bay on Saturday, December 6th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT.

As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Education and Workforce, Congressman DeSaulnier will provide updates on his work to improve quality of life in the East Bay by reducing commute times and supporting families, students, and public education. He will also take questions from constituents.

“Two of the issues that impact people’s lives most are transportation and education,” DeSaulnier said. “I’ll highlight my work as a senior member of @EdWorkforceDems and @TransportDems and how I’m working to reduce commutes, make transportation safer, and invest in quality public education to make life better for our whole community.”

Town Hall on Improving Transportation and Education in the East Bay

Saturday, December 6th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT

Live Oak Elementary School

5151 Sherwood Way, San Ramon

The event is open to the public and press. To RSVP or request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. Please note that space is limited.

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 253rd town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015. He represents portions of Antioch in the current 10th Congressional District.

In Antioch’s first church building in historic, downtown Rivertown!

For more information about The Light Ministries visit www.facebook.com/thelightministriespcg.

Part of national “Scouting for Food” project

By Jeremy Gamez

The Antioch Scouts Troop 153 will be out this Saturday, November 15, picking up food donations as part of the Scouting for Food project, one of the largest food drives in the nation.  With today’s food insecurity for so many families, please help and donate.

If you didn’t get a door hanger and want to help, use our app, it’s easy to use. Simply click, here – https://pickup.antiochtroop153.org/

Pick up is November 15, 2025, between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. A scout or parent will pick up your donation. See the flier below for more information. Cash donations can be made using the QR code on the flier or visit https://goldengatescouting.org/scouting-for-food/.

According Scouting America, Scouting for Food began in St. Louis in 1985 as a council-wide service project. Starting in 1988, it became a national Scouting America program. Today, many councils across the country participate, collectively gathering hundreds of thousands of pounds of shelf-stable goods for food-disadvantaged residents of their local communities. 

Scouting for Food takes place on two consecutive weekends. On the first weekend, Scouts distribute bags and/or door hangers to let their neighbors know about the drive. On the second, Scouts revisit those houses to pick up bags full of canned food, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, juice and other nonperishable items. 

That’s the genesis of Scouting for Food, the annual food-collection drive run by local councils. It’s another reminder to our local communities that Scouts are here, doing good turns.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

During Antioch’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, Veterans of the Year honors were bestowed on Bob Franchetto and Rick Diaz.  Having both served in the U.S. Army, Franchetto was honored as the 2025-26 Veteran of the Year for Lifetime Achievement and Diaz as the 2025-26 Veteran of the Year. They were each presented with plaques and jackets with their names and titles embroidered on, provided by Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill.

Community Awards for Veteran Supports were presented to Favalora Trucking in the Business category, GFWC Antioch Woman’s Club in the Club category and Snug as a Bug in the Non-Profit category, who presented each honoree with a hand-made quilt.

The day began with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club followed by the ceremony, led by organizer J.R. Wilson, President of the Delta Veterans Group and held near the Antioch Veterans Memorial at the Marina. U.S. Army Veteran Bill Swenson offered the Opening Prayer.

The Deer Valley High School Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) presented the Colors, Raising of the Flag was conducted by the Antioch Police Department Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rocko Jeremy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

The National Anthem was sung by Bella Rose of the DVHS Jr. ROTC and the Antioch High and Deer Valley High School Marching Bands performed the Armed Forces Medley.

Retired U.S. Army SFC Ronnie McGee was the keynote speaker, followed by Youth Speaker Armando Morales, Executive Officer of the Deer Valley High School Jr. ROTC.

Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA9) also spoke during the ceremony. He hopes to represent Antioch if re-elected next year in the newly redrawn congressional district approved by the recent passage of Prop. 50.

Other elected officials in attendance included Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha and District 5 Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston who both spoke, as well as District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, City Clerk Michael Mandy and Antioch School Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha.

The ceremony was followed by the Veterans Day Parade on W. 2nd Street which paused in front of El Campanil Theatre at 11:11 a.m. as its historic bell rang 11 times in honor of Armistice Day, later renamed Veterans day, and the end of World War I at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

“El Campanil did great, again with the ringing of the bell,” Wilson said later.

The parade was followed by a lunch hosted by and at the Antioch Veterans of Foreign Wars John McMullen Post 6435.