Plus, open at 11 AM all month!

Monica’s Riverview is located on the water at 1 I (eye) Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For their menu and more information see visitmonicas.com.

Flag will fly through Juneteenth

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to approve a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month in the City of Antioch and fly the Pan-African Flag in February and until Juneteenth.

Under Consent Calendar agenda Item 1.01, the council on a 5-0 vote approved the Black History Month Proclamation. (To read the proclamation see below or click here).

Then, to further recognize Black History Month, under the Consent Calendar Item 4.A., the council approved on a 5-0 vote flying the Pan African Flag at City Hall during February and until Juneteenth on June 19 to honor the nation’s newest holiday. That’s the day in 1865, two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, when Union Army troops entered Texas and General Gordon Granger announced that the slaves in that state were also free.

According to the Flag Database, “The Pan-African flag, also known as the Afro-American flag, Black Liberation flag, and various other names, consists of three equal horizontal bands of red, black, and green. The red band is positioned at the top, followed by the black in the middle, and green at the bottom. This flag is a powerful symbol of African and African Diaspora unity, pride, and freedom. The red color represents the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry, and that was shed for their liberation. The black band symbolizes black people whose existence as a nation, though not a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag. The green represents the abundant natural wealth of Africa.

“The Pan-African flag was first adopted on August 13, 1920, during the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League’s (UNIA-ACL) convention in Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was introduced by Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator, who founded the UNIA-ACL in 1914. Garvey proposed the flag in response to the 1900 coon song ‘Every Race Has a Flag but the Coon,’ which highlighted the fact that African Americans at the time did not have a flag symbolizing their own race. The creation of the Pan-African flag was a response to the derogatory song, aiming to provide Black people around the world with a symbol of their own pride and sovereignty. Since its adoption, the flag has been used in various African diaspora contexts, particularly within civil rights movements in the United States. It has also been embraced by many African countries and movements seeking to assert their independence and unity. Over the years, the flag has grown to become a global emblem of African solidarity, liberation, and pride.”

According to Wikipedia, “The flag was created as a response to racism against African Americans…with the help of Marcus Garvey,” who was “a Jamaican political activist” and “founder and first President-General” of the “Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL)” which “formally adopted it on August 13, 1920, in Article 39 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World, during its month-long convention.”

IN HONOR OF
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
FEBRUARY 2025

WHEREAS, the origins of Black History Month can be traced back to 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States;

WHEREAS, in 1976, Black History Month was formally adopted to honor and affirm the importance of Black History throughout our American experience and is full of individuals who took a stance against prejudice advanced the cause of civil rights, strengthened families, communities, and our nation;

WHEREAS, the Black History Month 2025 theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and voluntary. That work ranges from the past agricultural labor of enslaved Africans to today’s Black professionals providing leadership as corporate executives and entrepreneurs;

WHEREAS, because of their determination, hard work, and perseverance, African Americans have made valuable and lasting contributions to our community and our state, achieving exceptional success in all aspects of society including business, education, politics, science, and the arts;

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch continues to work toward becoming an inclusive community in which all residents – past, present, and future – are respected and recognized for their contributions and potential contributions to our community, the state, the country, and the world; and

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch is proud to honor the history and contributions of African Americans in our community, throughout our state, and our nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch, hereby proclaim February 2025 to be “Black History Month.” I encourage all citizens to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and to continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful, and prosperous for all.

JANUARY 28, 2025

RON BERNAL, Mayor

This Valentine’s Day, hop on the Valentraine and ride your way to love or friendship

On Valentine’s Day, join BART for the first-ever speed dating/friend making event on a moving BART train

On the evening of Friday, Feb. 14, BART invites adults ages 18 to 35 to join us for an on-the-rails mixer aboard a moving BART train. Ride BART into someone’s heart on a special train reserved just for this event!

It’s time to get off the apps and get on Trainder. This is speed dating – literally.

We’ll help grease the wheels with icebreaker activities, conversation starters, a raffle, and BART-themed Valentines that you can give to potential connections.

All adults are welcome as are those looking to make friends rather than find romance. We will have name tags with a space to write in what you are looking for. Participants must be ages 18 to 35 (we’ll explore hosting a similar event for those 35+ in the future).

What: BART speed dating/friend making
When: Friday, Feb. 14, 6:45pm to approx. 8:35pm
Where: Start at Downtown Berkeley Station and ride to 24th St./Mission before returning to Downtown Berkeley. The train will not stop for the duration of the ride.
Who: Adults ages 18 to 35 looking for love and/or friendship
RSVP Required: bartspeeddating.eventbrite.com
RSVPing via the Evenbrite link above is a requirement for participation, and registration is limited. The e-ticket you receive from Eventbrite is NOT your BART fare. Every participant must have a Clipper card – make sure you have at least $7.10 (BART’s excursion fare) on your card.

Here’s how things will go:
• Arrive at Downtown Berkeley Station no later than 6:45pm for check-in. Late arrivals will not be allowed onboard. We will meet inside the station on the concourse level under the rotunda. Look for BART staff with signage.
• Depart Downtown Berkeley at 7:10pm.
• We’ll ride the Red Line to 24th St./Mission, where the train will turn around and head back to Downtown Berkeley. The train will not make stops for the duration of the ride.
• Arrive at Downtown Berkeley Station at approx. 8:35pm.
• If you plan to park and ride, we suggest parking in the lot at Ashby Station (one stop up the line) and ride BART to Downtown Berkeley. There are also multiple parking lots and limited street parking near the station.

There will be additional staff and safety presence on each train car. BART has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual and gender-based harassment, consuming alcoholic beverages and illicit substances, and engaging in disruptive/disturbing behavior in our trains and stations. Read the full Customer Code of Conduct here. Violators will be removed from the train and face potential disciplinary action.

BART is experimenting with hosting events on trains such as this speed dating/friend making mixer as a way to engage our community, spur connections, and encourage riding BART. We’ve heard so many stories of people meeting partners and friends onboard, as well as those who’ve taken a train to get married. We hope this event will generate even more stories! Find links to a selection of these articles below.

Celebrate your love story in style this Valentine’s Day in Martinez

By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office

Martinez, CA — Start your love story or renew your vows in an unforgettable way this Valentine’s Day! The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office is thrilled to announce its annual Valentine’s Day Destination Weddings, hosted this year at the iconic Cobra Experience Museum in Martinez on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Nestled in the heart of Martinez, the Cobra Experience Museum offers an elegant unique automotive setting for your special day. Surrounded by beautifully restored classic cars and a vibrant atmosphere, couples will have the opportunity to exchange vows in a venue that exudes charisma and charm. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind, memorable location, this hidden gem is the perfect place to say, “I do.”

The Cobra Experience is a non-profit museum educating future generations and celebrating Shelby American’s world dominance in sports car racing.

Event Details:
• Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
• Location: Cobra Experience Museum, 777 Arnold Drive, Suite 200, Martinez
• Appointments: Limited appointments available – secure your time by calling 925-335-7900.

“Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and we are excited to offer couples a truly special way to commemorate their union,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Commissioner of Marriages. “The Cobra Experience Museum provides a stunning and unique setting that makes every ceremony unforgettable.”

Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a romantic vow renewal, the Clerk’s Office staff is here to make your day seamless and stress-free. Spaces are limited and filling quickly, so don’t wait to reserve your spot.

How to Reserve
To schedule your wedding or vow renewal, contact the Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office at 925-335-7900. Our team will assist you in securing your appointment and answering any questions you may have. The Clerk-Recorder’s office has also opened additional wedding appointments at our office to accommodate the high demand on Valentine’s Day.

A marriage license must be obtained before a ceremony can be performed. Couples must purchase a license before their ceremony appointment at the County Clerk-Recorder’s office in Martinez. The fee for a public marriage license is $95, while a confidential license is $100. The Destination Wedding Ceremony fee is $120.

Celebrate your love story in style this Valentine’s Day. The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office and the Cobra Experience Museum are ready to make your dreams come true.

About the Cobra Experience Museum
The Cobra Experience Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history and legacy of Shelby American’s iconic cars. With a stunning collection of classic vehicles and engaging exhibits, the museum provides a dynamic and visually striking environment for any occasion.

For more information about this event or other Clerk’s Office services, please visit www.contracostavote.gov or call 925-335-7900.

3 projects to choose from

Join us this Martin Luther King Jr. Day as we spend “a day on, not a day off,” encouraging all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Let’s work together to build a stronger Antioch!

This Year’s Services Include:
• Senior Day of Engagement – Antioch Senior Center | 415 W 2nd Street
• Antioch Community Park Revitalization Project | 801 James Donlon Blvd.
• Fremont Elementary School Community Project | 1413 F Street

Register to get involved at antiochca.gov/mlk-day.

By Jeremy Gamez, Boys Scouts of America Troop 153, Antioch, CA

Do you need your Christmas tree picked up in Antioch? Have the Boy Scouts do it.

Please use the following link to schedule your pickup. https://pickup.antiochtroop153.org/

We are asking for a donation of $30 for unflocked trees and $40 for flocked trees. Please use the link, it is going to improve our services and help our parents and Scouts doing the tree pick up. Even if you’ve already emailed us, please fill out the link. We are picking up trees on the weekends of Dec. 28 & 29 and January 4 & 5, 2025. Please have your tree on the curb by 9:00 A.M. 

Our parents and Scouts will be picking trees all day and might not pick up your tree until later in the day. If you have issues, pls email us, we will follow up shortly. We are all volunteers and have limited resources. No DM, no text messages, we have multiple parents monitoring the troop email account. Please only email once. We may not respond to your email until later in the day.

To pay, please use Zelle. Look for: “Boys Scouts of America Troop 153” – full name (no abbreviations). Zelle makes it easier. You can use our troop tree pick up email for Zelle: troop153treepickup@gmail.com. If you’re unable to use Zelle, checks are appreciated made out to: “BSA Troop 153”. Checks can be left under your doormat on the day of pick up.

Thank you!

Coordinated with multiple agencies

By Antioch Police Department

On the night of December 24, 2024, Dispatcher Autumn Turnage received a 911 call from a man whose boat had sunk near Sherman Island, leaving him stranded in the water and fearing for his life. Over the course of an intense and emotional hour-long call, Turnage demonstrated exceptional skill, composure, and compassion in ensuring the man’s survival.

Despite challenges with communication lines, Turnage remained determined, coordinating between multiple agencies, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, Sacramento County, Solano County, and the Coast Guard. With the support of her partner, Dispatcher Taylor Hubbard, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, Turnage provided critical information such as GPS coordinates and location pings from the Rapid Deploy system to aid the Coast Guard in their search efforts.

Throughout the call, Turnage acted as a lifeline for the man, offering constant reassurance during moments of despair and panic. She chose to stay on the line even after transferring him to the Coast Guard, encouraging him to hold on and reminding him he wasn’t alone. At 12:02 AM on Christmas morning, the Coast Guard successfully rescued the man and brought him to safety.

Hubbard’s behind-the-scenes efforts were equally vital, as she managed radio communications, fielded additional calls, and even calmed the man’s panicked friend, ensuring no further risks were taken.

Their dedication, professionalism, and teamwork saved a life and brought hope to a family this holiday season. Antioch is proud to have these extraordinary dispatchers as part of our police department. Please join us in celebrating their heroic efforts!

The Greatest News Ever Given

The lyrics in the old Christmas carol pretty much sum up the story of Christmas: “Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.’” Because that’s how it’s described in the book of Luke, chapter 2 in the Bible.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby [Bethlehem], keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:8-14

As we celebrate Christmas, today, exchanging and opening presents, eating wonderful homemade food and watching classic Christmas movies, let’s remember what this holiday is really all about – celebrating the birthday of Jesus, the Christ.

He was, in the slang of speaker Ken Poure, “God in a bod.” He came down from Heaven, made himself lower than the angels and took on the body of a human being, was born as a baby – not into earthly wealth or power, but to a holy, yet imperfect young, virgin woman and a carpenter, to whom she was engaged, and in a stable with domesticated animals looking on, then growing into adulthood, so he could be one of us.

Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, who the prophet Isaiah proclaimed 700 years before His birth, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

However, He was not a political messiah as many sought in that day, to lead a revolt and rescue them from the rule of the Roman Empire, but rather a spiritual, eternal messiah whose kingdom will never end. What’s more important and lasting, something political or spiritual? Obviously, spiritual.

As a human, Jesus was able to communicate with us, show us how to live and love, and share with us God’s message of salvation, which He provided. Instead of the yearly sacrifice of the unblemished lamb, whose blood merely covered over the sins of the people, the unblemished, perfect Christ provided us the once-and-for-all sacrifice, eliminating our sin and defeating the power of death – ultimate, spiritual, eternal death – for those who choose to follow Him and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. He is our bridge to God the Father, who reached down into human history to offer us a way to have a relationship with Him, that had been broken off by the sin of Adam and Eve.

So, today, this Christmas day, I encourage you to read the story of the birth of Jesus, the Christ in Luke, chapter two. Then find a Bible-believing church to attend today to seek out others who understand and have experienced the true meaning of Christmas, found in Jesus, who came to give us hope; salvation from the degradation of sin in our lives – because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God – the opportunity to have an abundant life, not just one of empty pursuit of pleasure and acquiring things; peace in our hearts; and to be with Him for eternity. Because unlike any other spiritual leader in history Jesus is the only way to God, as he proclaimed “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

And that is the way to have a truly, Merry Christmas!

Allen D. Payton, Publisher

Here are the words to the song that memorializes the most important herald that has ever been – the announcement by the angels of the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus the Christ, the long-prophesied messiah, born in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago.  He was born to bridge the gap between humans and God, due to the sin in their lives, which breaks our fellowship and relationship with Him. This year, you can know the true meaning of Christmas by opening your heart to the message and reason for the season, the birth, perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Learn more by clicking here.  Enjoy the lyrics and song of “Hark the herald angels sing.”

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

To hear it sung, click here. 

"Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley,
brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A somber man,
he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald
angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years
later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate
Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William
H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald
angels sing” already written by Wesley.