The Delta Veterans Group announced the Memorial Banner Program Hero of the Month for December 2020 is U.S. Army Sergeant First Class James Edward George. He served in both Korea and Vietnam, and as a Past Commander for the Antioch VFW. George was also the father of Antioch City Councilmember Lori Orgochock. His banner is located on L Street near the Veterans Memorial at the Antioch Marina.

Eating healthy is the best way to maintain your strength, energy and immune system. If you know a senior who needs food delivered directly to their home, please contact Meals-On-Wheels at 925-937-8311 to be added to one of the routes in Antioch.

The Antioch Senior Center can also link seniors to other resources for transportation & essential needs. Call 925-776-7076 or 757-5236 and leave a message with your name and phone number. Staff will get back to you!!

Antioch’s Brighter Beginnings, Opportunity Junction and school district among recipients

Grants increase access to health care, improve economic security and address mental health and wellness

By Kerri Leedy, PR and Media Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Dec. 7, 2020 – To address the health needs of the community, Kaiser Permanente in the Diablo Area has awarded $1.1 million in grants focused on increasing access to health care and coverage, improving economic security and addressing mental health and wellness.

The Kaiser Permanente funding to 28 non-profit organizations will help low-income, at-risk communities in Central and East Contra Costa County, and the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County. The Antioch Unified School District, as well as Brighter Beginnings and Opportunity Junction, both located in Antioch, were among the recipients of the grants.

The 28 grants are aligned with Kaiser Permanente’s mission of improving the health of our members and the communities we serve. Kaiser Permanente recognizes that many factors impact health including social, economic and environmental conditions in the community. Through support of local non-profit organizations, Kaiser Permanente is working toward improving health for all.

“Our communities are facing significant and unprecedented challenges,” said Marty Ardron, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area. “These organizations are committed to helping by providing vital health and mental health care, housing, and food assistance. We are proud to support them.”

The following nonprofit organizations received support from Kaiser Permanente:

Increasing Access to Care:

Axis Community Health	Supporting Complex Patients with Case Management Services
Brighter Beginnings	Increasing Access to Healthcare in Antioch
Contra Costa County	COVID-19 Ambassadors Project
District Council Contra Costa County Society of St. Vincent de Paul	RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul
La Clinica de La Raza, Inc.	Connecting Families to Health Care
Planned Parenthood: Shasta Diablo Inc., DBA Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC)	Promotores: Increasing Access to Health Care
RotaCare Bay Area	Provision of Healthcare to Contra Costa County’s Uninsured Population

Improving Economic Security:

Alameda County Community Food Bank	Farm Fresh Produce Program
Contra Costa Crisis Center	Thrive Local Contra Costa: Follow up services for homeless 211 callers
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano	Food Distribution in Contra Costa County
FRESH APPROACH	Access to Nutritious Foods in East Contra Costa County
Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc.)	Key steps: Path to Permanent Housing and Healing
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa	Nourishing Lives Through Food
Monument Crisis Center	Ingredients for a Healthy 2020-21
Open Heart Kitchen of Livermore Inc	Hot Meals Program
Opportunity Junction, Inc.	Administrative Careers Training to Improve Economic Security for Low Income Adults
SHELTER, Inc.	Supporting the Behavioral Health of Homeless Families
Trinity Center Walnut Creek	Youth Wellness Advocacy

Addressing Mental Health and Wellness:

Family Justice Center of Contra Costa	Thrive Local Contra Costa
Antioch Unified School District	Mental Health & Wellness Initiative
Counseling Options & Parent Education, (C.O.P.E.)	Road to Recovery
Fred Finch Youth Center	Contra Costa County School Based Services
Lincoln	Trauma-Informed Care
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District	Parent Outreach Coordinator
Mindful Life Project	Countering ACE’s with Innovative Mindfulness Programming in East Contra Costa County
Monument Impact	Mentes Positivas En Acción
Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa	Educating the ARC of ACEs within out LGBTQ+ Communities through and Intersectional Lens
Rubicon Programs Inc.	Wellness, Work, and Mobility

About Kaiser Permanente

For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org.

 

Following are this year’s Best Businesses in Antioch as voted by the readers of the Antioch Herald. Congratulations to each of them!

Also thank you to all those who voted.

Prizes are being mailed out today to 45 winners in the drawing for gift certificates to local businesses!

Those who filled out their ballot completely automatically won a prize.

Published in the November 2020 issue of the Antioch Herald. For a copy to download, click here: AH Nov 2020 p7 People’s Choice Award Winners

Commemorative Pictorial Postmark Announced

By Laura Kindsvater, Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

This December 7th, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, three local survivors of World War II’s “Day of Infamy”—the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941—will share their stories as part of a virtual ceremony filmed primarily atop Mount Diablo.

Sponsors of the yearly event, including local land trust Save Mount Diablo, California State Parks, Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter 5, and California State University– East Bay, are proud to present a virtual celebration this year beginning at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday, December 7th.

In a 45-minute video, three local East Bay survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack will recount their experiences that fateful day. Speakers will then pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and honor those yet living, “Lest We Forget” the tragedy that befell the country nearly six decades ago and the way we came together after the attack.

“When that beacon light is turned on, that’s a tribute to those individuals who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor,” said Pearl Harbor survivor Earl “Chuck” Kohler from Concord.

Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director Ted Clement noted, “This year it is especially important that we come together as a nation to honor National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and those who served. Reflecting on that day and the aftermath reminds us of the strength of our nation when we come together even amidst great adversity. Our December 7th virtual event will enable more people to come together on this important day.”

Eddie Guaracha, California State Parks Diablo Range District Superintendent, stated, “As we reflect on this historic event, it is not only critical to remember the many lives that were lost, but also to remember the selfless acts undertaken by many on this fateful day. This is the spirit of our country in critical times. It is an honor to represent California State Parks on this momentous occasion, and I hope we can all remember to radiate kindness toward one another, as we remember those who gave all on this day.”

“As we pass through difficult, often divisive times ourselves, the sacrifices borne by the American people following that fateful morning some 79 years ago should give us all an enormous sense of pride, and most importantly, hope for the future. Cal State East Bay is honored to once again participate in this annual act of remembrance,” said Robert Phelps, Director of the California State University–East Bay (Concord Campus).

The U.S. Postal Service, in commemoration of this year’s National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, is issuing a special pictorial postmark. The postmark can be obtained by following the instructions here.

Those interested in witnessing this year’s virtual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony can find the video link on Save Mount Diablo’s home page at 4:30 PM on December 7th at www.savemountdiablo.org.

Background

Every year since 1964, the Pearl Harbor survivors and their families have memorialized Pearl Harbor Day by relighting the historic Beacon atop Mount Diablo’s summit.

The Beacon was originally lit by Charles Lindbergh in 1928 to assist in the early days of commercial aviation. The Beacon shone from the summit of Mount Diablo each night until December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

It was not relit until December 7, 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II, attended a ceremony on Mount Diablo’s summit in commemoration of the survivors of Pearl Harbor. He suggested that the Beacon be lit every December 7th to honor those who served and sacrificed.

Save Mount Diablo, California State Parks, the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter 5, California State University–East Bay (Concord Campus), and others organize the annual lighting ceremony of the Beacon every December 7^th in honor of the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

One of the bright lights provided to the San Francisco Bay Area during this pandemic is the Mount Diablo Beacon, which Save Mount Diablo staff and volunteers light every Sunday night after sunset so that the Beacon can shine brightly through the darkness until it is rested after sunrise on Monday.

Save Mount Diablo’s lighting of the Beacon every week is a way to thank our heroes in these troubling times, to help our communities come together, and to remind people to lift their eyes to the light and nature.

Save Mount Diablo began this weekly lighting of the Beacon on Sunday, April 12th, Easter Sunday. However, the Beacon will not be lit on Sunday, November 29th and Sunday, December 6th to build anticipation for and honor the coming National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. After the December 7th ceremonial lighting of the Beacon, Save Mount Diablo will resume the weekly lighting of the Beacon for as long as the pandemic rages here.

Commemorative Pictorial Postmark Announced

As a community service, the U.S. Postal Service™ offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation.

Those who wish to obtain the postmark may submit a mail order request. Requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail^® postage. Items submitted for postmark may not include postage issued after the date of the requested postmark. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a postmark must affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: Pictorial Postmarks, followed by the Name of the Station, Address, City, State, ZIP+4^® Code, as listed next to the postmark.

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

About Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors

It is the mission of the SDPHS to create programs that inspire youth and adults to learn and document the history of the beginning of WWII and the days that followed from people who experienced it and from their ancestors. Learn more at www.sdphs.org.

About Save Mount Diablo

SMD is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources. Learn more at www.savemountdiablo.org.

About California State Parks

To provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

About California State University–East Bay

Cal State East Bay welcomes and supports a diverse student body with academically rich, culturally relevant learning experiences that prepare students to apply their education to meaningful lifework, and to be socially responsible contributors to society. Through its educational programs and activities, the university strives to meet the educational needs and to contribute to the vitality of the East Bay, the state, the nation, and global communities. Learn more at www.csueastbay.edu.

Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/CA/Antioch/AntiochHolidayRun

By Fran Clader, Director of Communications, California Highway Patrol

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray today issued the following statement regarding the Governor’s limited stay at home order: 

“The health and safety of our employees and the public we serve is our highest priority. In an effort to preserve public health and safety of all Californians and stop the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Governor has instituted a limited stay at home order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. with the goal that people will self-regulate their behavior, protect themselves, and go about only the ‘essential’ activities during those hours.

“The mission of the CHP is unchanged.  CHP officers will continue to patrol throughout California and use their sound professional judgment to conduct enforcement stops for violations of the law based upon probable cause.  The CHP does not make arrests based on race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or for any reason other than violations of the law based on probable cause.  As always, CHP officers will have the discretion to take appropriate action when a violation is observed.”