Dedicated to Antioch historian Charles Bohakel, the Antioch Historical Society will host History Walks downtown as their next contribution to the city’s Sesquicentennial events. Walks at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. will begin at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic Rivertown on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Lead planner Lucy Meinhardt says the walks will cover approximately one mile and last about 90 minutes. Walkers should wear comfortable shoes and carry their own water. A fee of five dollars will reserve a spot.

Meinhardt plans that the walks will result in a publication enabling folks to take self-guided tours. A simple hand out on the day of these first walks will include a map and a brief listing of all stops. QR codes and links will lead to detailed information on the historical sites. Photos of buildings no longer standing will be shared. The tour will include a brief tour inside the Masonic Lodge Building, originally the historic Belshaw Building. Depending on their popularity, more walks will be offered in the future.

Spots may be reserved either through Eventbrite or by mailing a check for five dollars each to the Antioch Historical Museum, 1500 W. 4th St., Antioch 94509. Please include a note with your name, phone number, and a note referring to the history walks.

Owners Keith and Iris Archuleta

During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala on March 11, Emerald HPC International, LLC was honored as the 2021 Antioch Small Business of the Year. HPC stands for High Performing Communities and that’s what owners Keith and Iris Archuleta have worked to create in Antioch, by “Improving the Lives of People, Creating Healthy Organizations, and Building Sustainable Communities” as the mission states on their company’s website.

The Archuletas have served the Antioch community for over 20 years.  Since 1992, their company Emerald HPC has provided consulting, coaching, education, and training to empower and equip leaders of businesses, non-profits, foundations, education institutions and governments. They trademarked HPC, which stands for helping to create High Performing Communities.

As the creators of the Youth Intervention Network, Keith and Iris brought in international experts to help create a program that still serves youth in the Antioch school district. They helped train over 300 community members to help redefine the relationships between schools, law enforcement and the community. They also helped many potential dropouts change family relationships and a graduation success rate of 95% with all of those youth going on to post-secondary education.

YIN only highlights one of the many contributions that Emerald HPC has made as they have helped the Antioch Community Foundation, East County Business Education Alliance and so much more.

When reached for comment about the honor Keith Archuleta shared, “At the end of this month, Emerald HPC International, LLC celebrates its 30th year in business. We have been proud to serve this community over the last 22 years and Iris and I are especially honored to be recognized as the 2021 Antioch Small Business of the Year!”

Asked how they decided upon their company name and if it was related to their work in Ireland he responded, “We chose the name Emerald in 1992 as a symbol of rebirth, prosperity, and healing, long before our partnership with the folks in Northern Ireland. A happy coincidence!”

For more information about Emerald HPC International and the Archuletas click here: Emerald HPC Background and Bios 0621

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Celebrate Antioch Foundation is proud to announce our annual Mother’s Day weekend Rivertown Art & Wine Walk. May 7, 2022, from 12pm – 4pm. This free, fun, family friendly event features art and handmade items from local artisans. Live music featuring JuSusan Austin and The Company Band performing amazing jazz and soul. Dine at one of our 11 downtown restaurants and explore our shops.

To participate in the Wine Walk the fee is $20 to sample up to 14 great local wines. You must be at least 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID.

This event makes a great Mother’s Day gift and you can shop for her gift while enjoying a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

Again, the event is Saturday May 7, from 12pm – 4pm on W. 2nd and G Streets in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown. We look forward to seeing you at the Rivertown Art & Wine Walk.

Tickets are available to purchase on the day of the event or at Eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rivertown-art-and-wine-walk-tickets-251713671367

By Kabibi Columbus, Director of Outreach & Inreach, Grace Bible Fellowship

GRACE CLOSET, Food Pantry & Clothing Closet invites the Antioch community to attend our Community Resource & Health Fair on Saturday, May 14, 2022. This event will be held on the campus of Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch where Grace Closet is located at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch from 11 AM – 3 PM.

There will be something for everyone, including COVID-19 Vaccine & Boosters, Health & Wellness Screening, Free Food & Clothing, Additional Resources, Children Activities, Games and Jumpers.

EA Services staff and Antioch Chamber of Commerce members celebrate the grand opening ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Photos by Allen D. Payton

Serving foster children and parents

Cookies commemorating EA Services’ Grand Opening. The blue ribbon represents foster care.

By Allen D. Payton

EA Services celebrated the Grand Opening of their new location in Antioch with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Founded in 1981, the non-profit organization provides a variety of residential services to children and young adults, ages 0-24, who have experienced neglect and abuse. Through their Foster Family Agency began in 1983, EA also supports parents of foster children, with over 1,000 clients in Northern California.

Chamber CEO and former Mayor Sean Wright welcomed EA Services to Antioch and Office Manager Lisa Florence thanked the Chamber for the ribbon cutting and to those in attendance.

The organization operates 15 other locations throughout Northern California and their Antioch offices, the first in Contra Costa County, are located at 3737A Lone Tree Way. For more information about EA Services or to become a foster parent visit www.ea.org or call (925) 771-8070.

Interfaith Ukrainian Peace Concert sponsored by the Ukrainian-American Coordinating Council, the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County and the Interfaith Peace Project.  The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday May 7th the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 2200 Country Hills Drive in Antioch.

The event is free with good will donations accepted. All proceeds go to refugee assistance.

There will be Ukrainian singers and dancers, an organist, professional trumpeter, Jewish Cantor, Filipino choral group, etc.

For more information contact Walter Ruehlig at (925) 864-0314.