Veteran’s Appreciation Night next Monday, November 10, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Enjoy great food and drinks with Smash Burgers from Chef Jeff. Help us give back to our local heroes. 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Delta Veterans Group.
Will subcontract with Antioch Chamber of Commerce Foundation
By Juliet V. Casey Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College
PITTSBURG, Calif. – Contra Costa County selected Los Medanos College (LMC) to lead a $1 million initiative aimed at strengthening the nonprofit sector in East Contra Costa County. The East County Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, approved by the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees this month, aims to develop future nonprofit leaders and to expand organizational effectiveness across the region.
The initiative will serve communities including Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen and Bethel Island. LMC was chosen for its proven ability to deliver high-quality education and workforce development programs tailored to community needs.
LMC President Pamela Ralson said the college is eager to move forward, having worked over the past year to create more learning opportunities to support nonprofits. The next step will be to establish the educational programming for the initiative, which runs through Oct. 31, 2028.
Ralston recognized local leaders for their foresight in supporting the initiative.
“County Supervisors, and Supervisors Diane Burgis and Shanelle Scales-Preston in particular, see the value of developing and training future leaders across the nonprofit landscape in our area,” she said. “LMC is proud to be a partner in that effort.”
Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis said she is grateful for all the community partners who collaborated on the initiative.
“My goal is for this to help train the current and next generation of nonprofit leaders in East County and help all small- and medium-sized nonprofits succeed,” she said.
The initiative features:
Educational programming: Fee-based seminars and free workshops on nonprofit management, plus academic courses that stack toward certificates and degrees.
Mini-grants: Funding for paid internships and capacity-building projects, with priority given to organizations serving low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities.
Leadership development: A cohort program for mid- to senior-level nonprofit staff, offering executive skills, mentorship, and peer networking.
Nonprofit Resource Hub: A collaborative space for nonprofit entrepreneurship and shared learning.
“Building capacity among East Contra Costa County nonprofits is not simply a ‘good idea,’ it is necessary for ensuring sustainability and a steady flow of services to our most in-need constituents those nonprofits serve,” Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston said. “We could not think of a more appropriate strategic partner than Los Medanos College to work collaboratively in this endeavor.”
LMC will subcontract with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Foundation to manage the project, including hiring a dedicated project manager and convening an advisory group of nonprofit leaders and curriculum experts. The chamber has long advocated for local businesses and nonprofit organizations, which unlike other businesses are not aiming to make a profit, rather they use money for the public good, said Jim Becker, incoming board chair for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.
“Nonprofits make up 20% of the local economy, and they run just like other businesses. They need HR, financial and legal compliance,” he said. “It’s really exciting to partner with LMC to provide greater and broader access to nonprofit business education.”
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood. For more information visit www.losmedanos.edu.
Join us for the 11th Annual Hot Rods 4 Paws Benefit Car & Bike Show and Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
Enjoy and participate in the Pet Costume Contest at 11:30am, Kids Costume Contest at 12:00pm on the corner of W. 2nd and G Streets and store-to-store Trick or Treating from 12:00-4:00pm.
Plus, there will be Monster Truck rides, a Kids Zone, Music and Vendors and it is FREE to the public.
The event will benefit Furry Friends Pet Relief, a 501c3 non-profit organization that assists struggling families and the homeless in the East Bay and surrounding counties with dog and cat food.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch will hold their annual Fall Boutique on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. This event is a fundraiser for community charities and the restoration of the Historic GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch building and is open to the public.
Handmade Crafters Artists & Vendors will offer Jewelry, Bags, Accessories, Scarves, Baby Items, Bowl Cozies, Tissue Holders, AVON, Small Christmas Trees, Handmade Bracelets, Shabby Chic, Colorstreet Nails & Lip Care, Tea Towels, Pillows, Aprons, Diamond Paintings, Alterations, Small Clocks, Printed Vases, Wreaths, Ornaments, Blankets, Quilts, Table Runners, Crochet Items, Key Chains, Magnets, Succulents, & unique gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and all seasons
LOCATION: GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch at 509 “G” Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. Parking is available across the street in the school district parking lot. Please do not park in the church parking lot next door.
For questions contact Chairpersons: Nancy Burkard (925) 759-3383 or Liese McCause (925) 752-6725.
Business Women giving back to the Community!
Founded in 1902, the Woman’s Club of Antioch was formed “To improve and beautify the town, to do any business which shall promote the educational industrial benevolent, social or political welfare of its members or the community at large.”
In 1904 the club was then admitted to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, known as the GFWC. In 1905 with 40 members the club was incorporated, and our club was admitted to the California Federation of Women’s Clubs known as CFWC, then in 1924 admitted into the Mount Diablo District.
By City of Antioch Economic Development Department
The City of Antioch received funding from the National League of Cities (NLC) to pilot a grant program aimed at advancing local jobs through collaboration between Antioch businesses and nonprofits. The City invites teams of three or more Antioch-based small businesses and/or nonprofits to propose creative projects that will help residents, especially those with low incomes, find and grow in meaningful employment.
This is a pilot grant program. A total of $20,000 will be split between 2–4 selected teams ($5,000-$10,000 per team). All grant funds must be spent by June 1, 2026.
(From left to right) Brett Swisher, VP Operations for Wayne E. Swisher Cement; Brad Middleton, Director of Safety for Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring; Antioch District 3 City Councilman Don Freitas; Mayor Pro Tem Louie Rocha; Cid Zamora, son of Joe Zamora, First Congregational Church member who stored the bell; Museum Past-President and First Congregational Church Bell project leader Dwayne Eubanks; First Congregational Church Bell project team members Tom Menasco – leading the fundraising, Laura Jacques, Carla Baker Marymee and construction manager Stan Davis joined in for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the bell tower. Photos by Allen D. Payton
From city’s first church; fundraising goal almost met, still needs support
By Antioch Historical Society
The Antioch Historical Society hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, on the museum grounds on W. 4th Street, to build a tower to house the 157-year-old First Congregational Church bell and restore it. The bell is said to be one of the oldest known artifacts in Antioch. (See related articles here and here)
A groundbreaking was held for the tower to house the historic First Congregational Church of Antioch bell on the Museum grounds on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Rendering and photos source: Antioch Historical Museum
City officials and staff, Historical Society and project team members were joined by construction company representatives for the event.
Thank you to all who attended.
(From left to right) Brett Swisher, Brad Middleton, project team member Lucy Meinhardt; Acting City of Antioch Parks & Recreation Director Shahad Wright; Dwayne Eubanks; Tom Menasco, Laura Jacques, Carla Baker Marymee and Stan Davis participated in for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the bell tower.
Project leader Dwayne Eubanks said, “the bell rang out in 1871 a year before the City was founded. The bell stood as a symbol of unity in a city of diversity.”
“There will be a patio with benches or a concrete block wall around it,” Eubanks shared. “Almost $83,000 has been raised out of the $94,000 goal.”
Bell tower project leader Dwayne Eubanks shares details with those who attended the ceremonial groundbreaking on July 23, 2025.
Checks can be sent to: Antioch Historical Museum, 1500 West 4th Street, Antioch, CA 94509. Names of sponsors will be permanently inscribed at the exhibit site. Contributions are tax deductible. If you have questions, contact Dwayne Eubanks at the Antioch Historical Society Museum at (925) 757-1326.
