Contra Costa Herald

Photo by Hermes Rivera

By June Brown   

Antioch’s elderly population is merely 9% and of this figure, 20% are living alone according to SeniorCare.com. Living alone has many implications including loneliness, isolation and even memory problems. While aging is a normal process, there are things that can be done about memory failure. The good news is there are ways to boost memory and for seniors who are living solo, it helps if memory is intact improving quality of life and their safety.

Lifestyle Changes

Who says no one can change bad habits even if already old? For the elderly, now is a great time to think about those lifestyle changes. There are several ways to enhance and improve memory and one of them is to follow healthy diets and exercise.

Eating well-balanced meals, including lots of greens and fruits as well as important omega-3 fatty acids can keep brains alive and healthy. A diet rich in proteins, lean in carbohydrates and low in bad fats helps brain cells which in turn promotes good memory.

Antioch has an abundance of fresh food markets such as Kaiser Permanente Antioch Farmers’Market, Brentwood and Pittsburg Markets. Eventbrite is a good source of food and drink events in Antioch where seniors can go such as the upcoming Fall Harvest Festival 2017 and the Acorn Workshop.

Studies also validate that exercise and getting into physical movement can reduce sedentary living which can lead to diseases such as heart attacks, high blood pressure or certain types of cancers. If every senior works out at least 150 minutes a week, it would boost memory and thinking skills (Harvard Health Blog, 2014).

Antioch offers many gyms where the elderly can exercise. There are parks for quiet walks and relaxation. Contra Costa Canal Trail and Contra Loma Regional Park & Swimming Lagoon are great places to go for a walk, hike or a swim. There are golf, bowling and skating facilities for sports lovers and active seniors.

Brain Games and Exercises

The brain like any other part of the body needs to work out. Stimulation is part of keeping brain cells healthy and strong. There are many ways older adults can boost brain power and improve memory with simple daily tasks such as reading and doing crossword puzzles.  Playing chess, trying computer games, and learning new things (language, sewing or musical instruments) also help. By being mentally active, the brain remains sharp slowing down its degradation over time or as one ages.

Socialization

Another factor that contributes to memory retention is socialization. Isolation is not a positive thing as it brings depression, anxiety and stress, factors that contribute to memory loss. Meeting new people whether by going to functions, eating together or volunteering at charities prevents negative psychological effects improving mood, memory and cognitive function. There is a correlation between socialization and dementia incidence. The longer the brain stays inactive, the more likely it will stagnate. Social engagement is important to keep it functioning well. It also forces people to respond and the brain to react.

The Antioch Community Center and Southeast Community Center organize activities for older adults to do things together.  They also hold social events on a regular basis. Older adults can also try some of the restaurants that won in the 2017Antioch People’s Awards after a night of bingo. Consider China City for Chinese or go to Celia’s for Mexican. The object is get out more often, meet people and do things together whether it is a haircut at Reign Salon or a massage at Relaxing Station.

Lifestyle changes, brain exercises and socialization are activities that older adults can easily do to improve memory. Enhanced memory also improves the quality of life, something every senior cherishes as the journey continues.

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Sheriff

On Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 at about 12:53 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the area of 2600 Dutch Slough Road in Bethel Island for a report of a person who had been shot.

The victim was located and found to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital by ambulance and is expected to survive.

The suspect fled the scene before Deputies arrived. Despite an extensive search, he could not be located.

Monday evening, the suspect turned himself in to police. The suspect is identified as 27-year-old Nicholas Gursoy of Oakley. After being interviewed by Detectives, Gursoy was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for attempted murder. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

The car believed to be driven by suspect Brayan Zavala. Photos by CCCSheriff

Suspect Brayan Zavala, age 19

Turned himself in to Antioch Police

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have identified 19-year-old Brayan Zavala of Antioch as the suspect in the early Sunday morning homicide of 48-year-old Bradley MacHugh of Discovery Bay. (See related articles here, and here)

An arrest warrant was issued for Zavala, who is described as a Hispanic male, 5’,8”, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was believed to be driving a 2005 silver C240 Mercedes Benz sedan with California license plate — 7TMJ018.

Detectives say MacHugh was involved in a dispute with occupants in two vehicles over reckless driving early Sunday morning. During the dispute, Detectives believe suspect Zavala produced a gun and shot MacHugh.

Zavala was considered armed and dangerous and the Sheriff warned the public that he should not be approached.

Wednesday afternoon at about 5:00 PM, suspect Brayan Zavala volunteered to turn himself in to police. Deputy Sheriffs, assisted by the Antioch Police Department, arrested Zavala.

Zavala was interviewed by Sheriff’s Detectives and at about 7:30 PM, Zavala was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

The investigation into this case is ongoing. Anyone with any information on the case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 404-4200 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Coauthored by Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D-Concord)

Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-San Ramon) announced Governor Brown has signed Assembly Bill 1674. This measure will help ensure out-of-state students admitted to the University of California (UC) must meet or exceed academic qualifications of California resident students. Assemblywoman Baker jointly coauthored this important legislation with Assemblymen Tim Grayson and Kevin McCarty.

Last year, the non-partisan, independent State Auditor found that the UC admission practices have heavily disadvantaged California resident students in order to admit more nonresident students, who pay higher tuition. The audit revealed that UC admitted nearly 16,000 nonresidents with lower academic qualifications than California resident students, and actually adjusted admission standards to make it easier for nonresidents to gain admission.

“The University of California needs to put California students first, and not tip the admissions scales unfairly to nonresidents,” said Baker. “Hard-working and highly-qualified California students should not be turned away from admission simply because they pay lower tuition than a nonresident student.”

AB 1674 was supported by California Competes and the California Federation of Teachers. This bill received unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Senate and Assembly prior to receiving the Governor’s signature.

Baker represents the 16th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.

School children across Contra Costa County will participate in the 16th annual countywide shelter-in-place drill to practice safety procedures in the event of a nearby hazardous material release or other incident requiring them to shelter-in-place.  Directed by CAER, this year’s shelter-in-place drill will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1st, and all public and private schools, and childcare centers throughout Contra Costa County are encouraged to participate.

“Each year we are encouraged with the increased number of participating schools CAER works with,” said CAER’s Executive Director, Tony Semenza.  “Teachers and students should all know shelter-in-place procedures just as they are trained about what to do in case of a fire or earthquake.”

This annual safety event gives children and their caregivers an important opportunity to practice responding to the Community Warning System (CWS) alerts, which includes a series of sirens along the waterfront areas from Richmond to Antioch.  The CWS sounds a siren when there has been a dangerous chemical release or other disaster that requires a shelter-in-place.  These alerts are also sent via radio, TV, cell and land line calls and social media postings.

Hazardous material releases can result from many sources in Contra Costa County, including accidents at chemical treatment plants, wastewater treatment facilities, facilities that store and/or manufacture hazardous materials, refineries, but also from collisions involving trucks or trains that transport chemicals.  The possibility of accidents, make it important for the county’s youngest members to recognize and respond correctly to shelter-in-place alerts.

CAER is a coalition of local agencies, businesses, industries, community groups and emergency response organizations.  CAER works to improve emergency response planning and to actively enhance public health and safety.

Workers speak out against unsafe working conditions that cause ‘disabling and disfiguring accidents’      

BAY POINT, CALIF. – Protesting the heartless cancellation of health insurance for workers on strike, four injured workers of Henkel Aerospace Industrial Bay Point will share their stories of workplace injuries and deliver a letter from Valter Sanches, General President of the IndustriALL Global Union to the company’s 2850 Willow Pass facility on Tuesday.

More than 80 production workers at Henkel Aerospace Industrial Bay Point – a German-owned subsidiary –have been on strike since October 16, 2017. The workers manufacture industrial glue and adhesives for airplanes and other industrial uses, and organized with Machinists Local 1584 in 2013 after numerous safety violations on the job, including a workplace fatality of a temporary worker, a veteran who had recently returned from Iraq to settle in Antioch.

“It is not surprising – and completely in line with Henkel’s callous disregard for worker safety – that they would cancel our health insurance in an attempt to scare us back to into unsafe jobs,” said Will Morris, Henkel production worker and Shop Steward for Machinists Local 1584. “Scarier than us losing health insurance is what’s been happening to workers inside the plant: disabling and disfiguring accidents,”

“Henkel’s continues to refuse to address health and safety problems through better training & advancement and a reasonable grievance procedure at the bargaining table,” said Steve Older, Machinists Area Director. “The company’s ongoing animus toward the union workers – on the factory floor and at the bargaining table – will lead to more workplace injuries.  We’ll be on strike until this corporation puts safety and fairness first.”

“As Contra Costa moves toward developing the Northern Waterfront into an advanced manufacturing sector, we need to ensure that the jobs created are quality jobs; safe jobs for workers and the community, with living wages, job security and advancement opportunities, so the region is truly sustainable,” said Margaret Hanlon-Gradie, executive director of the Contra Costa AFL-CIO Labor Council.

WHO: 80 workers on strike protesting unsafe working conditions, community leaders and allies

WHAT: Injured workers on strike will deliver letter to Henkel’s management. Picket line.

WHEN: 12 P.M., TODAY, OCTOBER 31, 2017

WHERE: In front of Henkel Aerospace Bay Point, 2850 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point, CA

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1584 represents more than 5,000 workers in manufacturing, automotive, shipyards, and public transportation, and other industries in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County, AFL-CIO represents working people in Contra Costa County.

Multiple attempts to reach someone at Henkel in Bay Point for comment for this article were unsuccessful. The voicemail for their reception desk is full and the message for the Human Resources Department states “your call cannot be completed at this time. Please try again later. Good-bye.”

Sheriff’s Deputies believe these cars were involved in the shooting. See description in the article. By CCCSheriff.

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff continue to investigate a homicide that occurred in Discovery Bay early Sunday morning. 

The victim is identified as 48-year-old Bradley MacHugh of Discovery Bay. The autopsy was completed earlier today. The cause of death is listed as multiple gunshot wounds. 

On Sunday morning at about 12:43, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a shooting near Keats Ct. in Discovery Bay. While Deputies were on the way, another caller stated a man was shot and laying on the street on the 1700 block of Wilde Drive. The victim, Bradley MacHugh, was later pronounced deceased. 

Detectives say MacHugh was involved in a verbal altercation with occupants in two vehicles over reckless driving. It later became physical. A weapon was produced by an unknown suspect who shot MacHugh. 

Two vehicles are believed to be involved in this shooting. One is a Mitsubishi Eclipse, red in color, with a spoiler and loud exhaust. It may also have a sun-roof. The second vehicle is described as a Ford Mustang, matte grey in color, with dark colored rims. The model year of the Mustang is possibly 2008. 

Both vehicles were filled with occupants, males and one female, who were described as either Hispanic or Asian. They are wanted for questioning. 

Anyone with any information on this case or who may have been in the vehicles is asked to contact the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 404-4200. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

vessel will dock at Antioch City Marina through Nov. 6

Few are familiar with the term “tall ship”, but the Washington-based nonprofit Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is on a mission to change that. Their historic sailing ships, the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, travel the west coast year-round introducing the public to maritime history.

“Some people imagine a modern ship, or a Navy cutter,” says Executive Director Brandi Bednarik. ‘Pirate ship’ comes pretty close, but it leaves out the truth of why ships like these sailed-mostly for trade, exploration, and in military action. Our mission is to share this history with the American public.”

From October 31st to November 6th, the Lady Washington will dock in Antioch City Marina (5 Marina Plaza, foot of L Street, Antioch). Dockside visitors can expect to tour the vessel and talk with the crew, while sailing passengers will experience the crew in action and the ship under wind power. The vessel’s public program schedule is as follows:

October 31 (Tuesday)

ARRIVAL in Antioch

November 1 (Wednesday)

Tours: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($5 donation)

November 2 (Thursday)

Tours: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($5 donation)

November 3 (Friday)

Tours: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($5 donation)

November 4 (Saturday)

Tours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($5 donation)

Adventure Sail: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($42-$49)

November 5 (Sunday)

Tours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($5 donation)

Adventure Sail: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($42-$49)

November 6 (Monday)

Passage: Antioch to Monterey

Est. Trip Time: 26 hours

Aside from the rare opportunity to see a historic sailing vessel in action, a point of interest is often the crew themselves. The Lady Washington typically has a crew of 10-14, from paid officers to volunteer deckhands to participants in our two-week maritime training program. Some sail for the fun of it, others to learn the job skills of the maritime industry. The nonprofit recently announced a new job skills training program, Sea School, which will launch in 2018.

Launched in 1989 as part of Washington State’s centennial, the wooden-hulled Lady Washington has appeared in several motion pictures and TV shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and Once Upon A Time.

If you’re ready to run away to sea, a full schedule of events, tickets, and volunteering information can be found on the organization’s website, www.historicalseaport.org. For the seasickness-prone but curious, free walk-aboard tours never leave the dock.

The vessel will be docked at Antioch City Marina, 5 Marina Plaza at the foot of L Street in Antioch.

Please call (800) 200-5239 for directions. For tickets visit: http://www.historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule/antioch-california/