The Antioch Volunteers In Police Service in 2017. Photo: APD

Volunteers In Police Service

By Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is looking to recruit members from the community who would like to be part of our Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS). Our VIPS program provides a number of vital services to the community that include; clerical and administrative support in the police department, school and park patrols, traffic control for major accident scenes and special events, abandoned auto abatement, vacation house checks, disabled placard parking enforcement, and illegal sign abatement, among other things. Please click the link below to check out our VIPS web page.

The VIPS in action. Photos: APD

If you’re interested in joining the program, there is a link on the page for completing an application. If you have some free time and a desire to give back to your community, we would love to have you as part of our team!

The Antioch Police Department will be hosting a back-to-school drive event for the foster and unhoused youth in our community. There are many school aged children who may be displaced from their homes and are living in shelters or cars and have no means to purchase school supplies. In an effort to help, we want to team up with our community and ask for donations to provide each child the necessary tools and supplies to help them be successful this upcoming school year.

In 2019, we collected so many school supplies that we were able to fill 300 backpacks. We could not have done this without your generosity!

The 2020 school year was a challenge for all, and we feel that this upcoming school year they will need our help even more.

Please come and see us on the following dates and locations:

– Saturday, July 17th, 2021, in front of Walmart between 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

– Saturday, July 24th, 2021, near the Starbucks in Slatten Ranch between 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

We hope to see you!

The Delta Learning Center is located across from the Antioch Main Post Office on W. Tregallas Road. Photo from their Facebook page.

By Martha Goralka

Because of the time, treasure, and talent donated by the Board of the Delta Learning Center, Contra Costa’s oldest nonprofit tutoring center, has survived the pandemic and is reopening for students of all ages on Monday, July 19, 2021.

The Center was founded by Julia “Bess” Combs, a retired Antioch Unified School District psychologist.  Since 1976, the Delta Learning Center has provided one on one tutoring with credentialed teachers tutoring students for the lowest cost professional tutoring service in the county.

Kimberley Ahumada has joined the Center as the Executive Director after 17 years of working with the community in adult education and directing a home daycare.   A grant from the Antioch Community Foundation has allowed the Center to invest in software; so students can sign up on-line at www.DeltaLearningCenter.org or by calling (925) 757-13410. Limited discounts and scholarships may be available.

The unique blue building at 275 W. Tregallas Road, across from the Antioch Post Office, was designed and built by the East County Community specifically for Delta Learning Center in 1989.

DLC is always looking for additional credentialed teachers to tutor local students in a variety of subjects.

“Nothing can compare to the Delta Learning Center.  Our tutors love the one-on-one teaching in this relaxed and caring atmosphere,” explained former Executive Director, Tara McKnight, who still serves on the board after relocating to Las Vegas in 2019.  “DLC tutors and staff are talented and devoted educators who truly care about the success of our students.”

By Dietra King

Come support our Black authors.  Bring every child you know out today from 2-6 pm at Dad’s BBQ, 5887 Lone Tree Way, Suite R, Antioch.

Melody’s Dance Studio students participate in the Antioch Independence Day parade on West 2nd Street in historic, downtown Rivertown on July 4, 2021. Photo by Allen Payton

The Celebrate Antioch Foundation announced the winners of this year’s July 4th Parade, as determined by a four-judge panel.

Dance – Melody’s Dance Studio

Patriotic – Delta Veterans Group

Entertainment – Antioch Jr. Panthers

Clubs – Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch

Youth – Be Exceptional

Commercial – CoCo Farms

Civic – Antioch Recreation Department

Public Official – Mayor Lamar Thorpe

The organizers would like to thank all those who participated in the parade.

See more photos of the parade, here.

Another great event by the Celebrate Antioch Foundation! All photos by Allen Payton, Antioch Herald. If you wish to use them, please give attribution when posting or publishing. Thank you!

By Joy Motts, President, Celebrate Antioch Foundation

Hope you can join us, the Celebrate Antioch Foundation, as we welcome back our annual 4th of July celebration with fireworks once again in historic downtown Rivertown over the San Joaquin River at 9:00 p.m. The Pancake Breakfast  is 8-10 a.m. at City Hall – $5 donation.

Starting at 5:00 p.m. will be3 our traditional 4th of July parade, live music, car show, craft and food vendors, and the downtown restaurants will be open! Bring your folding chairs.

It’s not too late to enter the parade or car show, go to celebrateantioch.org to submit your application by July 1st.  This is a free event for our community thanks to our tremendous sponsors and the City of Antioch! But you can still contribute by giving $4 or More for the 4th.

Important restrictions: No coolers are allowed, and this is an alcohol-free event.  State, county and city guidelines strongly encourage all attendees to be vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test prior to attending and if not vaccinated, to wear a mask.

See you Sunday!