By Harlo Pippenger, Consultant, Gold Runner & Ahdel Ahmed, Public Relations Manager, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
Stockton, CA – More than 100 years ago, Allensworth, CA was founded as a bold vision of freedom, opportunity, and self-determination. Amtrak’s Gold Runner invites you to honor that vision at the Allensworth Rededication on Saturday, October 10 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In partnership, Amtrak’s Gold Runner has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at exclusive half-price “Allensworth fares”.
Gold Runner will offer special-priced train tickets to the event from stations across its corridor, which connects the Bay Area and Sacramento to Bakersfield, with bus connections to Southern California. Trains will make a stop at the Allensworth station (CNL), which is normally a whistle stop for pre-booked groups. Riders can combine the event fare with Gold Runner’s standard discounts for children, seniors, veterans, and riders with disabilities, listed on the Deals webpage.
Hosted by California State Parks, the Annual Rededication of Col. Allensworth State Historic Park honors the park’s original dedication in 1976. Join us for historical re-enactments, tours of historic buildings, square dancing, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
Founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth, a formerly enslaved man, the town was designed to be a self-sustaining community where African Americans could live, work, and thrive. Today, visitors can see the legacy of this trailblazing community come alive through re-enactments, storytelling, and tours of the lovingly restored and reconstructed early 20th century buildings. Step into the Colonel’s house, walk through the halls of the historic schoolhouse, and explore the church and library for an inspiring journey through a pivotal moment in history.
“The Annual Rededication celebration is a chance to reflect on what Colonel Allensworth and the town’s founders built here, and to make sure that story keeps reaching new people,” said Lori Wear, California State Parks. “We’re glad to be working with Gold Runner again this year. With the cost of driving going up, the train gives families an affordable way to get here, and that matters for a park that belongs to all Californians.”
The southbound trains running for the event include trains 702 (11:41 am arrival), 710 (12:41pm arrival). Northbound trains include 713 (9:40 arrival), 715 (11:39 arrival), 717 (2:46 arrival). Riders must select “Col Allensworth State Park, CA (CNL)” when purchasing train tickets. A discount will automatically be applied, and if eligible, riders can then combine this reduced ticket with additional savings regularly available which include:
Infants under 2 years of age ride for free
Children 2-12 years old ride half-price every day
Seniors (62+ years of age) receive 15% off
Veterans & active military members receive 15% off
Visitors attending the Rededication Celebration via the Gold Runner trains will arrive at the Allensworth station (CNL), which will serve as a special stop for this event. Upon arrival, two complimentary 29-passenger shuttles provided by Tulare County Area Transit will transport riders between the train platform and the historic schoolhouse. Typically, a whistle stop available only to pre-booked groups, the Allensworth station (CNL) will be fully activated for travelers on October 10, offering a rare and seamless opportunity to experience this historic park by rail.
Train tickets to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can be booked online at the Colonel Allensworth landing page or contact Carmen Setness, community outreach coordinator for San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), at csetness@sjrrc.com.
About Allensworth State Historic Park
The town of Allensworth is located in the heart of the Central Valley, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield. Boasting a rich history that is of interest to students, families, history buffs, minority community organizations, and anyone else looking to spend a fun day exploring the historic community and its restored buildings. In 1908, Allensworth was established as a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. There were a series of challenges impeding the town’s long-term survival, but it is celebrated as a key historical icon. In 1974 California State Parks purchased the land in order to maintain it as a site for visitors to learn and explore the Colonel’s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church and library. For more information visit Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.
About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Gold Runner, previously Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile Gold Runner Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Gold Runner is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Gold Runner is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Gold Runner Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno.
Today is Constitution Day, celebrating the U.S. Constitution which was created on September 17, 1787 and ratified on March 4, 1789. Read more about the celebration and document, here. Following is the Preamble with the original spelling and punctuation.
“We the Peopleof the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, joined by Councilmembers Monica Wilson (left) and Louie Rocha (right) presents the 9-11 25th Anniversary proclamation to Police Captain Desmond Bittner during the council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Sources: (Left) Video screenshot (Top Right) U.S. Air Force
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, the Antioch City Council approved the following proclamation on a 3-0 vote with two council members absent, honoring the 25th anniversary of 9-11, Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. It was presented to Antioch Police Captain Desmond Bittner.
Bittner said, “It’s my honor to receive this on behalf of the men and women of the Antioch Police Department and the men and women of the Contra Costa Fire Department who could not be here today and the veterans in both departments. I will share this with them tomorrow.” (See 1:30:20 mark of meeting video)
WHEREAS, September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, the events of September 11, 2001, forever changed our nation and continue to impact the families of those who were lost, survivors, first responders, recovery workers, service members, and communities throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, military personnel, and countless civilians demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness, risking their own lives to save and assist others; and
WHEREAS, in the days and weeks following September 11, Americans came together with compassion, unity, resilience, and a renewed commitment to helping one another, demonstrating the strength of communities in times of adversity; and
WHEREAS, 25 years later, a new generation has grown up without firsthand memories of September 11, making it our shared responsibility to preserve the stories of those who were lost, honor those who served, and ensure that the significance of that day is never forgotten; and
WHEREAS, September 11 is recognized as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance, providing an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives and those who answered the call through reflection, service, compassion, and commitment to our communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Antioch joins communities throughout our nation in remembering the lives lost on September 11, honoring the heroes who responded, and recognizing the enduring values of courage, service, unity, and resilience;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2026, as “Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance – 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001” in the City of Antioch, and encourage all residents to pause, remember, honor, and serve in memory of those whose lives were forever changed.
Legendary Movement Church will close on the purchase of El Campanil Theatre building on Sept 29th. Photos: (Left) Legendary Movement Church. (Right) El Campanil Theatre.
Raised enough funds for down payment
“It’s in escrow. It closes Sept. 29th. That’s the day we get the key. We don’t want to be another church in the city. We want to be a church for the city.” – Pastor Eli Herrera
Willing to work with foundation that operates theater
By Allen D. Payton
A church currently based in Pittsburg, whose lead pastor is an Antioch resident, has raised the needed funds to purchase the historic El Campanil Theatre building in the city’s downtown Rivertown. It’s in escrow and closes Sept. 29th, Lead Pastor Eli Herrera shared on Tuesday.
The fundraising effort has had board members and staff of the foundation that operates the theater, as well as Antioch residents, business owners and council members concerned that it will mean the loss of an arts and cultural center in the community.
However, Herrera said he’s willing to work with the El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation to continue using it for arts and entertainment.
Recent History
El Campanil was listed for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million, but it’s no longer on either Realtor.com or LoopNet.
The 98-year-old theater building, which also houses two retail tenants on W. 2nd Street, was purchased by the non-profit organization, El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation, in 2003, with a grant of $500,000 from Calpine Corporation, an energy company with operations in Antioch and Pittsburg, which then-Mayor and now-Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas secured. It was improved with $750,000 in City redevelopment funds and an additional $1 million raised under the leadership of then-foundation chairman Rick Carraher. But after running into financial difficulties following COVID, the building was sold a few years ago to an out-of-state buyer who continued to lease it to the foundation to operate as a theater.
Pastor Eli Herrera on stage inside the theater from where he will soon be preaching. Source: Legendary Movement Church video screenshot
New Buyer
Legendary Movement Church, led by Herrera, currently holding services on Sundays at noon inside the Light the Bay Church building at 1210 Stoneman Avenue in Pittsburg.
Posts on the Legendary church’s Instagram and Facebook pages on August 18th read, “ANTIOCH, WE BELIEVE IN YOU. We believe God has given Legendary Movement an opportunity to plant roots right in the heart of the Rivertown District at 602 West 2nd Street, Antioch, California.
“But this is bigger than a building. We see a place that will bless families. A place that will serve those in need. A place that will help the homeless find hope and restoration. A place where children and young people can dream again. A place that will pour life back into our community. A place that will help bring vision, hope, and purpose back to Rivertown. We believe Rivertown can come back to life.
“Right now, we are raising funds for the down payment on what we believe will become the future home of Legendary Movement. Would you consider sowing a seed into this vision? Whether it is $10, $100, $1,000, or whatever God places on your heart, every seed matters. Every gift moves us one step closer. And every person who gives becomes part of what God is building in Antioch.
“We’re not just raising money for a building. We’re sowing into a city. We’re investing in people. We’re believing for Rivertown. We’re believing for Antioch. Let’s see Antioch Rivertown come back to life.”
In addition, a video shows Herrera standing and sitting inside the theater saying he’s an Antioch resident and, “The owner of El Campanil Theatre has been a man who’s so gracious towards us. He’s allowed us time to go ahead and raise the funds necessary for our down payment. Currently what we’re facing is having to raise $306,500.” But Herrera didn’t say by when.
Pastor Shares Plans, Vision
Pastor Herrera speaks during the video from inside the theater.
Asked about the sale, Herrera said, “I think it’s been for sale for about eight months. I began looking at it three weeks ago. We’re in escrow. It closes Sept. 29th. That’s the day we get the key.”
Asked if that’s when the church needs the down payment he responded, “We have it, the twenty percent. That’s been raised really through our ministry, not any donors. The members of our church have been very generous.”
“I heard there were two offers for the building. One was Sean McCauley and another was a ministry from Discovery Bay that serves the unhoused,” he explained. “We came with an offer the seller was looking for and he said, ‘yes.’”
“I’ve seen a lot of the comments and the criticism,” Herrera stated. “I do see the concerns and I hear the concerns. I’m a very good friend of Ron Bernal, before he was mayor. I served at Cornerstone Christian Center for about a year for their school and youth ministry.”
Herrera is also the younger brother of Pastor Ruben Herrera of Palabra de Dios Church in Antioch.
“We know it’s an historic building. But it’s not technically recorded as an historical landmark. We want to make it better. Soma paint and TLC. But changing the style and look of the theater, no,” he shared.
Asked about continuing to allow entertainment and other uses Herrera said, “I already have spoken to a few people who do Christian concerts. That’s part of our vision. We have lots of Christian artists who want to come down, whether it be country, hip-hop. A lot of them have been texting me excited about the opportunity.”
“We want to continue to open it up for graduations. My daughter has performed for Melody’s Dance Studio there. We want to have the recitals,” he added.
Asked about the use of other parts of the building he said, “The offices upstairs, we plan on making those the children’s rooms. I’ve spoken to the barber shop and Ana of Farmer’s Insurance, we are going to continue to lease to them.”
Asked if the church is willing to work with the foundation to rent it for entertainment, such as concerts and other events, Herrera said, “We have a schedule that they would have to work around. I’m not going in there and say, ‘you have to get out.’ As long as it fits around our schedule, I’m willing to.”
“I haven’t been able to have conversations with the foundation,” he continued. “One of the gentlemen there completely refuses to have a conversation with us. Another, I believe is Sharon, who put out a statement and basically said, if we buy it, they are out of business. Now, I can’t control that. The reality is we have a schedule. We have things like rehearsals, youth group, men’s breakfasts, women’s ministries.”
About its impact on the downtown, Herrera shared, “We have a church of 500 people. It’s a full English ministry. They’re talking about foot traffic. We’ll bring foot traffic to Rivertown. I shop local. I eat local at Monica’s, at Guadalajara Taqueria.”
“I’m from Antioch. I love Antioch. So many people from our church are for Antioch. The city is named Antioch after the biblical Antioch. It’s a town that’s dedicated to the Lord,” Herrera exclaimed.
“We don’t want to be another church in the city. We want to be a church for the city,” Herrera stated. “We really have a vision for Rivertown.”
In his video about the theater he said, “Our eyes see what it could become. I believe we will see families gathering, businesses thriving, homeless coming off the streets and that is what we want to do. We don’t want to just be a people in a building we want to be a people that can be outside of the four walls. Legendary Movement Church wants to give back to our community.”
“That’s the vision that we have. That’s our vision for Rivertown,” said Herrera.
“We’re willing to work with anyone in Rivertown, business owners, property owners and the community,” he added.
Pastor Herrera in front of El Camp during the church’s Rivertown Restoration Day on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. Video screenshot
Residents, Business Owners Opposed – Don’t want Another Church in Antioch or Rivertown
Several residents and business owners have also been complaining in their comments on social media that neither Antioch nor Rivertown need another church. Rivertown is currently home to at least three other churches, one inside another historic former theater building.
The Restored Life Church – Iglesia Vida Restaurada occupies the former Stamm Theater on the corner of G and W. 10th Streets on the southern edge of what is considered the City’s Rivertown District. Although, technically, it only includes the area north of W. 6th Street. In 1996, when the church bought that historic theater, twenty years younger than El Campanil, some of the alfresco-style murals that lined the walls inside the building, depicting Portuguese fishing men and women, were painted over. It was named for the Stamm family, who were also partners of El Campanil with the Beede family. (That’s the same family whose member, Henry Beede owned the Antioch Lumber Company, building and the empty lot across W. 2nd Street, known as The Yard, where the Rivertown Square is proposed).
Another church, RR Ministries – Ministerios Rey de Reyes (meaning King of Kings), which had 40 laptops stolen from their RR Transitional Housing Learning Center during a June break-in, is located in one of the store fronts on W. 2nd Street between F and G Streets.
A second church, The Ship, holds services inside the Quonset hut-style building at 611 W. 3rd Street, across from the City Hall parking lot, where LaFontana Office Products was once located.
Another building, that originally housed a bank, then most recently occupied by The Worship Center church and is listed for sale at $1.295 million is located at 315 G Street on the corner of W. 4th Street.
In response to the concerns, El Campanil Theatre is hosting a community meeting entitled, “Save Our Stage: A Community Conversation” tonight at 7:00 p.m. Herrera said he does not plan to attend. (See related article)
Federal Law Protects Houses of Worship in Land Use Zoning & Regulation
Some residents were wanting the City government to step in and somehow stop the sale. However, according to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, “The land use provisions of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA)…protect individuals, houses of worship, and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and landmarking laws. RLUIPA prohibits zoning and landmarking laws that substantially burden the religious exercise of churches or other religious assemblies or institutions absent the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest.”
The law reads, “No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person, including a religious assembly or institution, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person, assembly, or institution (A) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (B) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.”
(1) treat churches or other religious assemblies or institutions on less than equal terms with nonreligious assemblies or institutions; (2) discriminate against any assemblies or institutions on the basis of religion or religious denomination;
(3) totally exclude religious assemblies from a jurisdiction; or
(4) unreasonably limit religious assemblies, institutions, or structures within a jurisdiction.”
The U.S.D.O.J. Civil Rights Division explains further, “RLUIPA provides a number of important protections for the religious freedom of persons, places of worship, religious schools, and other religious assemblies and institutions, including:
Protection against substantial burdens on religious exercise:
RLUIPA prohibits the implementation of any land use regulation that imposes a “substantial burden” on the religious exercise of a person or religious assembly or institution except where justified by a “compelling governmental interest” that the government pursues in the least restrictive way possible. 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc(a);
Protection against unequal treatment for religious assemblies and institutions:
RLUIPA provides that religious assemblies and institutions must be treated at least as well as nonreligious assemblies and institutions. 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc(b)(1);
Protection against religious or denominational discrimination:
RLUIPA prohibits discrimination “against any assembly or institution on the basis of religion or religious denomination.” 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc(b)(2);
Protection against total exclusion of religious assemblies:
RLUIPA provides that governments must not totally exclude religious assemblies from a jurisdiction. 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc(b)(3)(A); or
Protection against unreasonable limitation of religious assemblies:
RLUIPA states that governments must not unreasonably limit “religious assemblies, institutions, or structures within a jurisdiction.”
In addition, according to Church Law Center, RLUIPA “contains protections for a full range of religious assemblies, from churches, religious schools, cemeteries, and faith-based social services provided by religious organizations to individuals holding prayer meetings in their homes. Furthermore ‘religious exercise’ refers to any exercise of religion, whether or not it is central to a system of religious belief. As a result, religious exercise includes actual worship services and may include other religious activities, such as Bible study groups, prayers meetings, and Sunday school classes.”
Aerial video screenshot of El Campanil Theatre. Source: Legendary Movement Church
Councilmembers Have Been Waiting to Learn if City Can Use Developer Fees to Purchase Theater Building
Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, in whose District 1 El Campanil Theatre is located and is up for re-election, on Monday, Aug. 24 posted a video on her official Facebook page, claiming she and Freitas started having conversations last year about cultural centers in her district. She also said they have “spent months trying to find out what’s going on with the El Campanil Theatre and how could the City step in.”
Torres-Walker then says they had conversations with City Manager Bessie Scott, the consultant, David Storer who later became the Acting Community and Economic Development Director, and Parks and Recreation Director Shahad Wright asking, “is this something we can take on?” She then claims, “we found out the City…has been sitting on millions of development impact fees…and haven’t been used or have been underutilized and we have to spend those dollars.”
“We were informed that those…fees might also be able to be spent on community spaces,” Torres-Walker stated. They asked staff, “could these…fees be used so the City of Antioch could save the El Campanil Theatre?”
“We began to have meetings with the El Campanil Theatre and we were actually trying to create a plan to see how can the City step in,” the councilwoman continued. “Those conversations have wained, and we’re still waiting for legal advice to see if these millions of dollars of impact fees can be used to buy the El Campanil Theatre.”
State Law on Development Impact Fees & Questions for City Staff
According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, “Local governments levy development impact fees to help fund the expansion of public facilities and infrastructure needed to support new housing development. These revenues support the construction of critical facilities, such as parks, public safety facilities, other civic and community facilities, and transportation infrastructure.” Development impact fees can also be levied on commercial development, such as the regional road fee in East County which helped pay for the Highway 4 (Bypass) extension between Antioch and Balfour Road in Brentwood. But the CDHCD’s website does not offer legal limitations under the definition of “other civic and community facilities.”
Furthermore, state law requires a direct benefit to the development that pays the impact fees, which is referred to as nexus. The CDHCD explains, “Nexus studies are meant to quantify the impact of new development on public facilities and determine the cost of this impact, establishing the maximum fee amount that can be charged on the construction of new homes. They also provide the supporting documentation and justification that is used to establish the legal authority for jurisdictions to charge these fees.”
According to a report by the Kassouni Law firm, there’s a “Two-Part Nexus Test. Under Government Code section 66001, a local agency imposing an impact fee must make two findings. First, the fee must have a reasonable relationship to the burden the development places on public facilities. Second, there must be a reasonable relationship between the fee amount and the cost of the facility attributable to the development.”
Questions were sent to City Attorney Lori Asuncion and current Acting Community and Economic Development Director Kevin Scudero asking if the development impact fees can be used by the City to purchase the El Campanil Theatre building; how much in impact fees collected does the City currently have; why are they sitting there; for what were they collected; what nexus was determined in the study; and if the City can change the use of the funds after the fact. No responses were received prior to publication time. But the matter is moot at this point.
A volunteer from Legendary Movement Church pressure washing the sidewalks in downtown during the Rivertown Restoration Day, Aug. 29, 2026. Video screenshot source: LMC
Legendary Movement Church Holds Rivertown Restoration Day
In a demonstration of their commitment to Rivertown, last Saturday, August 29th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the church held a Rivertown Restoration Day, described as, “A day of putting our faith into action as we serve through: Community Clean-Up, Sidewalk Washing, Feeding Those in Need, and Prayer & Outreach.”
The message in their social media posts read, “We’re going to BE ABOUT IT Antioch. So, we’re calling EVERYBODY who truly loves this city to show up for RIVERTOWN RESTORATION DAY.
“We’re hitting the streets of Rivertown to clean, serve, restore, love on people, and remind our city that Antioch’s best days are still ahead. If you really love Antioch, I’ll see you there. Don’t just talk about change. SHOW UP and be part of it. LET’S RESTORE RIVERTOWN.” (See video of the day’s event and activities)
Older Brother, Also an Antioch Pastor Supports Effort
Asked about his brother and ministry, Pastor Ruben Herrera said, “They came out of us. They are under our church covering.”
“I actually toured the theater and considered buying it as an investment,” he shared.
“Downtown needs some life,” Ruben continued. “I believe the church will help that and be a blessing for the Rivertown area. We need people like Legendary who are not just holding their services there but building downtown.”
“Rivertown will be a better area with Legendary there,” he stated. “The business owners will see. It will grow, people will shop, people will dine.”
“They will work hand-in-hand with the City to make Rivertown a better place,” Ruben added.
He and his ministry, which Ruben says is the largest Latino church in Antioch, have their own project on Somersville Road in the same shopping center as the Bank of America and BMO branches. More about that is expected to be announced later this month.
About the Church
According to the church’s website, “Legendary Movement, as we know it, was always in God’s divine plan. But before we saw a spirit filled church, our eyes saw only a spirit filled youth group. About 25 youth gathered week after week in the back of an old church building. There was a limit on space and resources, but no limit on faith and passion. After a beautiful encounter on a mountain, God spoke the name ‘Legendary’ into existence and so we adopted the name ‘Legendary Youth’ in 2018.
“Our vision became more clear as the palpable presence of God became contagious to everyone who was present. Soon, what had been a Friday night youth group became a movement. Lives were being changed, families transformed, prodigals were coming back home. No longer could our services be restricted to only youth when it was evident that God wanted to do something greater than what we could comprehend. And so, in 2020 we changed our name to ‘Legendary Movement’, as this wave of the spirit was to exclude no one from experiencing God’s fullness.
“Our Friday night services continued to grow but still the Lord wasn’t done, the movement was just getting started. The manifest presence of God was evident but the desire to see and experience more was on the rise. God began to pour out knowledge and strategy, as the remnant interceded for confirmation and clarity. Upon God’s divine will and in his perfect time, we then launched Legendary Movement. Legendary Movement opened its doors Sunday, February 26, 2023. The grace of God has allowed this movement to continue to develop, as we expand into new territories and remain attentive to God’s direction.
“This legendary move is one that testifies to the faithfulness of Jesus Christ and his love for the Church!”
Now, the church will have a new home inside the historic, El Campanil Theatre building in Antioch.
Two of the owners, Ron and Jamie Harrison, and the operators, (L-R) Roger Born, son of Sheri Vallero and her daughter, Terriane Reed, invite the public to their Grand Opening of Mac’s Old House on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. Instagram video screenshot.
Under new ownership and management; renovated 101-year-old building, kept same menu
“A labor of love. I did this for my grandchildren,” – co-owner, Joe Martinez
“This is an opportunity for Jamie and me to get one of the last historic places in Antioch,” – co-owner Ron Harrison
By Allen D. Payton
After closing in June 2025 and following the purchase late last year and renovations this year, the new owners and operators of Mac’s Old House will hold a Grand Opening of Antioch’s iconic restaurant Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 p.m. The new owners are Ron and Jamie Harrison and Joe and Desiree Martinez. Sheri Vallero, who also runs Mel’s Diner in Antioch, and daughter, Terriane Reed and son, Roger Born, are the operators.
A drawing of the original owner and namesake, Floyd ‘Mac’ McKinney, hangs inside the front entrance of the restaurant. All photos by Allen D. Payton
Locally famous for their dine-in, family-style prime rib and pasta dinners, “The story of Mac’s stretches back to 1925 when Floyd ‘Mac’ McKinney built the house with his father. In 1956 he began to operate a bar out of a converted part of the home. He operated it for 17 years before selling it and retiring,” according to a report by onlyinyourstate.com. “The restaurant changed hands a few times after Mac, but (the previous) owner bought it in 1983.”
During a soft opening dinner for friends on Tuesday, Aug. 4, Ron and Joe shared their thoughts and excitement about the restaurant.
Co-owners Ron and Jamie Harrisons with two of the three operators, Sheri Vallero and her son, Roger Born during a soft opening dinner on Aug. 4, 2026.
“Joe and I are friends, and I work with him a lot,” Ron Harrison said. “We started talking about it and said, ‘why don’t we buy it?’ To us it’s an historical place.”
Harrison’s other business partner, “Sean (McCauley) and I have so many places out here. This is an opportunity for Jamie and me to get one of the last historic places in Antioch,” he continued.
Keeping their same menu means prime rib and pasta dinner will continue to be served.
“We lease the restaurant to Sheri and required her to keep the same name and menu,” Harrison stated. “We added 15 feet to the back for a bigger kitchen. More parking stalls. Two new beautiful bathrooms.”
“We got all the smoke off the walls and added all new lighting picked out by Desiree,” he shared. “We kept the bar. We wrapped all the beams. We tried to keep it as original as possible. The building is 101 years old.”
“We worked with the City staff and leaned on them as much as possible,” Harrison added.
Co-owner Joe Martinez was joined by friends during a soft opening dinner on Aug. 4, 2026. His wife Desiree was unable to attend.
“This is my first venture together with Ron,” Martinez said. “I bought the property and brought Ron in. I knew I wanted this project. I met with (former owners) Gary and Sue Noe and worked things out.”
“Starting in November I’ve been working on this every day since. A labor of love. It turned out good,” he continued. “We did a complete restoration. I told Gary and Sue, my goal is to honor the legacy of Mac and the family and continue it.”
“I put my heart, soul and love into it,” Martinez shared. “My wife and I picked out all the finishes.”
“The plan is to keep it for the next 40 years, the next generation,” he stated. “Nobody else was going to do it with all the cost involved. I put in my sweat equity. Ron took care of all the City stuff and laid out the plumbing and kitchen. I did all the construction. I’m happy it’s done.”
“I did this for my grandchildren as a family trust,” Martinez added.
Mike and Elisa Van der Valk, of Mike’s Pastry Shop in Antioch, and others enjoy the renovated bar at Mac’s during a soft opening dinner on August 4th.
See a video by the Harrisons showing a tour of the restaurant and announcing the Grand Opening, here.
For now, the restaurant is open daily for dinner from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, Mac’s will open for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They now accept debit and credit cards for payment.
Antioch Historical Society Landscape Advisor Cesar Court presents a thank you plaque to Nahleen Cloninger representing the Antioch Police Officers Association Community Engagement Team and Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil. Photo: Antioch Historical Society
By Carla Baker Marymee, Antioch Historical Society
The Antioch Historical Society presented a beautiful plaque to Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil and Nahleen Cloninger to thank the Antioch Police Officers Association Community Engagement Team for their incredible support during a recent clean up at the Antioch Historical Museum! It was presented by Landscape Advisor Cesar Court.
Special appreciation to Nick Shipilov, who coordinated the effort and worked side-by-side with fellow officers Loren Bledsoe (ret.), Eric Nilsen, Rick Hoffman and his son, JJ Jeong, Arturo Becerra, Joshua Riosbass, and Brian Cruz-Guzman. These outstanding individuals recently donated their personal time to help care for our museum grounds.
We are deeply grateful for their generosity, hard work, and community spirit.
Our grounds and facilities require ongoing care. We’re asking for your help — even one day a month makes a difference. Special thanks to Cesar Court, our Landscape Advisor, who has been tirelessly maintaining the grounds with a small crew. If you’d like to assist, please contact Cesar at (925) 550-7821.
Following is the text of the Declaration of Independence in celebration of America’s 250th Independence Day, July 4th, 2026:
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The Declaration was adopted on July 4th, but most historians agree it was not signed until August 2nd, with five members of Congress signing the document over the next few weeks.
The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:
Offers tips for those attending SF’s fireworks show off the Golden Gate Bridge
By BART Communications
For Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, BART will be running a Sunday schedule (8am-midnight). We will run 5-line service until 8pm and then 3-line service after 8pm.
5-line service means all lines will be running, including the Green and Red lines, which provide direct service into San Francisco.
Extra trains may be added in case of crowding after fireworks in San Francisco. The fireworks show in San Francisco will be from the Golden Gate Bridge beginning at 9:30pm. The best viewing spots are at Crissy Field, Marina Green, and Pier 39.
Muni is providing a Marina Fireworks Shuttle from Powell Street BART Station and a Pier 39 Embarcadero Fireworks Shuttle from the Embarcadero BART Station. Muni’s F-Line also serves Embarcadero to Pier 39. See Muni’s webpage with information. People looking to take BART home, should immediately return to BART to catch the last trains of the evening. The Muni shuttle service could take up to 60 minutes to connect to a BART Station.
The last train to run through downtown San Francisco stations towards the East Bay (with connections to all stations) is at around 12:25am. The last train to run through downtown San Francisco stations towards Daly City/Millbrae is at around 1:10am (this train does not stop at SFO Station). The last train to run through downtown San Francisco that will stop at SFO Station is at around 12:40am.
Planning and paying for your trip
Plan your door-to-door trip using BART’s Trip Planner. Itineraries will include key transfer information. You can also check Real Time Departures for the stations you use.
Parking at BART stations (except Milpitas and Berryessa stations) is free on weekends.
Every BART station has restrooms except Pittsburg Center, 12th St./Oakland City Center, Civic Center, 16th St. Mission, 24th St. Mission, and the Oakland International Airport Station (Coliseum Station has a restroom).
All Bay Area transit, including BART, accepts contactless debit or credit cards and mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay for adult fare payment. No setup is required. Just Tap and Ride. Each person needs their own card or device. Clipper cards are also accepted.
Riders who use more than one transit agency in a single trip (e.g., BART to VTA) will only be charged full fare on the first operator. A transfer discount of up to $2.85 will apply on any additional transit agency the rider uses within a two-hour window. Transfer discounts are calculated automatically using Tap and Ride or Clipper for accounts that have been upgraded to the next generation system (click here to upgrade your card).
