How do we help young people enjoy poetry? One answer is Poetry Out Loud (POL),  a national recitation contest open to high school students. Poetry Out Loud generates a love of poetry, helps students master public speaking and builds self-confidence.

The County Finals competition will be held 11:00 a.m., this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Los Lomas High School Theatre, 1460 South Main in Walnut Creek.

You will hear great poetry recited by the best high school finalists as they compete to be this year’s County Winner.

This free event is presented by the Arts & Cultural Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5).

The State Finals will be held in Sacramento on February 28 and 29, 2016.

For more information about AC5, visit their website at www.ac5.org.

By Rick Sullivan

The soon to be award winning hip hop musical, My Block, will run February 9, 10, and 11 at the California Theatre in Pittsburg and feature Antioch’s own Lenard “The KYD” Jackson. This new, breakthrough musical, by Pittsburg native Federico Bartolo III, has been referred to by many as “The musical version of the Wire.”

You don’t want to miss this play, with an original sound track that will be one you’ll want to purchase and take home.

The story centers around Raphael, a young man living in an urban city where money is hard to come by and you have to fight for what you get. His best friends run drugs and the lead the gang that rules the streets of his block. While his friends entice him to join them in making easy money in the streets Raphie finds the love of his life. The only problem is the woman he is falling for is the little sister of his best friend. Will Raphie fight his circumstances to be with the woman he loves or be seduced by the fast life of easy money and crime? Join us for an incredible event filled with unforgettable music, explosive dancing, and breathtaking drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The California Theatre is located at 351 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg.

Performances will be Tuesday – Thursday, February 9-11 at 7 PM

Tickets are $15 General Admission, $12 with student or military ID, $10 with high school or middle school ID and can be purchased at www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

Lorenzo Hall

The public is invited to attend and support the family of 11-year-old Lorenzo D. Hall, Jr., as they celebrate his short life and lay him to rest on Monday, January 4, 2016 with viewing at 10 a.m. and memorial service at 11 a.m. at Antioch Church Family, 55 E. 18^th Street in Antioch. The burial will follow at Oak View Memorial Park in Antioch.

Lorenzo was a 6th grade student at Black Diamond Middle School in Antioch, who suddenly passed away early morning of December 18th due to complications with asthma. Lorenzo leaves behind his mom, Mechelle, dad, Lorenzo Sr., an older sister Ashaunti and a younger sister, Anayiah.

The family is  in need of financial assistance to cover funeral expenses. According to friends, they are short about $1,900. Please visit their Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/hwfn4mmc.

The nationally recognized Capital Fellows Programs administered by the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento, announces the availability of applications for the Capital Fellows Programs:

·         California Senate Fellows

·         Executive Fellowship Program

·         Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program

·         Judicial Administration Fellowship Program

Voted as one of the top internships nationwide by Vault.com, the Capital Fellows Programs are ranked highly for their combination of meaningful work experience and career opportunities. These fellowships offer the unique opportunity to work for 10-11 months as a full-time paid staff member in the California State Assembly, California State Senate, California Executive Branch or the California Judiciary. Fellows participate in policy making, program development and implementation and gain first-hand experience in the governance and leadership of the most diverse, complex state in the nation.

Prospective Capital Fellows must have a bachelor’s degree (in any major) by September 1, 2016 and a demonstrated interest in state government and public service. Applicants may apply to one or more of the programs that meet their interests and qualifications. Recent graduates, graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are welcome to apply.

For detailed information about the fellowships and applications, please see our website, www.csus.edu/calst/programs.

The application deadline for all four fellowships is: February 8, 2016.

If you have questions regarding the Capital Fellows Programs, please contact the Center for California Studies at (916) 278-6906 or calstudies@csus.edu.

Holy Rosary School second graders get a surprise photo with the St. Mary’s College Gaels men’s basketball team, during a recent visit to the college. photo courtesy of St. Mary’s College.

By Richard Kilwein

As the Saint Mary’s College men’s basketball team was taking its annual team photo yesterday, a group of 7-8 year old kids politely eased into a corner of McKeon Pavilion to watch. After a few minutes of standing in awe, they were invited to jump in for a memorable photo opportunity.

The 2nd graders from Holy Rosary School in Antioch were on a field trip to SMC as part of their annual college week, an effort to provide a glimpse into what college campus life is like. The students sent letters to their “dream” college and the school organized the trip.

No doubt, the Gaels made a few new fans.

Thanks to Vice Principal Cathy VanderKlugt for allowing the kids to participate.

The school is located in Moraga.

By Velma Wilson

The Warriors just released the last 60 tickets to me to sell for the game on November 2nd. With these tickets I have LIMITED space for kids to be able to either high-five the players as they enter the Arena after Half-Time or stand with the players during the National Anthem. Either option includes photos with the players and autographs. The deadline to purchase is Sunday, Oct 25th. Accepting Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. SPREAD THE WORD!

Washington, DC (Sept. 21, 2015) – U.S. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) invites all young people in the Eleventh Congressional District who would like to apply to one of the nation’s service academies to attend “Service Academy Night 2015” which will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Diablo Valley College.

DeSaulnier said representatives of the nation’s service academies, including the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, will all be on hand to speak with prospective students. Service academy representatives will give presentations. Additionally, DeSaulnier’s Congressional staff will provide a briefing on the nomination process.

Students who wish to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must send a completed application to Congressman DeSaulnier’s office by October 19, 2015. A selection committee established by Congressman DeSaulnier will review applications; all the selected names will be submitted to the respective academies in December. In order to be considered eligible, all applicants must be citizens of the United States, legal residents of California, unmarried with no children, and at least 17 years of age but no older than 23 as of July 1, 2016.

What: Congressman DeSaulnier’s Invites High School Students to “Service Academy Night 2015”

When: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Where: Diablo Valley College, The Diablo Room, 3rd Floor HFS Building, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 84523.

For more information on applying to any of the service academies, please call Pat Joyce in Congressman DeSaulnier’s office at (925) 933-2660.

By Cheryl Worden

Have you ever wondered how you could reach the kids in your neighborhood with the gospel of Christ or if it was possible to have a Christian Club in an elementary school? Child Evangelism Fellowship® can help you.

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF®) is a Bible-centered organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. Founded in 1937, CEF now has active ministry in over 190 countries of the world and every state in the United States. There are currently eight CEF chapters in Northern California. The chapter for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties is called CEF NorCal East Bay. One of the main ministries of CEF is the Good News Club^®.

What is a Good News Club^®? Children ages 5 to 12 years gather once a week for 90 minutes in schools, homes, community centers, churches and apartment complexes, to hear an exciting Bible lesson, memorize scripture, sing inspirational songs, learn about missionary work and play fun-filled review games. Last year, we had Good News Clubs in several schools in various school districts, as well as recreation centers. Hundreds of children enroll each year in Good News Clubs throughout Antioch, East County and the East Bay.

We partner with churches who want to reach out to kids in their community. We provide training, low-cost teaching materials and make arrangements to meet in a school or other community location.

If you would like to be part of this exciting ministry, you can inquire about how to start a Good News Club by calling our Antioch office at 925-777-0107.

Worden is Ministry Coordinator for CEF NorCal East Bay