Stacey Freitas of Galt, CA placed 2nd in the barrel racing competition during the 2015 Grand National Rodeo. photo by Allen Payton
‘Tough Enough To Wear Pink’ Day, Friday October 21st
Free tickets for breast cancer survivors and their families from the Contra Costa Herald!
Pink Plate co-founders, Carla Kimball (center) and Survivor Sisters of Contra Costa County (L-R) Deborah Bordeau, Heather McCullough, Chere Rush and Heather Solari. photo courtesy of pinkplate.org.
For the first time ever the 70th Annual Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show, and Rodeo announces Friday, October 21, 2016 as “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” Day, and plans to bring together the Breast Cancer community in a day of solidarity and awareness. As a national campaign, Tough Enough to Wear Pink Programs in rodeos across the nation have raised almost $10 Million dollars. But the biggest asset of the program is that the money stays in local communities.
The Grand National Rodeo has partnered with Bay Area Cancer Connections, and California Pink Plate. To get involved attendees can stop by booths in the Western Marketplace to learn about early detection and other resources for cancer patients and survivors. Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit that provides free programs and services that address survivorship needs of all those facing breast and ovarian cancer in the Bay Area, including early breast cancer detection services for low-income uninsured young women and men.
By partnering with the California Pink Plate organization, the Grand National hopes to help the organization reach the DMV requirement of 7,500 paid orders which will then move the Pink Ribbon license plate into production. The Pink Plate is almost halfway to their goal, with nine months left until the deadline, the Grand National can play a big part in helping to make the plate a reality. All proceeds from the pink license plates goes to the ‘Every Woman Counts’ initiative, which provides underserved women all over California the opportunity to get free screenings, something that the founder of the pink plate feels is the key to beating the disease.
“I am a nine-year stage IV breast cancer survivor and I ignored my lump for several months. I don’t want that to happen to another woman/man. What better way to remind people everyday about early detection than on the California roadways. Pink Plate can become a part of the solution. This is an opportunity to save countless lives and remind people daily about the importance of early detection. We are all in this together, and excited to partner up with Tough Enough to Wear Pink and the Grand National Rodeo this year! I don’t think about myself as a breast cancer SURVIVOR, I think of myself as a breast cancer FIGHTER! I know we’ll meet our goal and encourage Rodeo fans to purchase or gift a Pink Plate through our website www.pinkplate.org, so we can reach our goal of 7,500!” – Chere Rush, California Pink Plate Co-founder
For 70 years the iconic Cow Palace Arena & Event Center has been celebrating the old west and inspiring youth to take part in the agriculture industry through their annual Grand National Livestock Exposition, Horse Show and Rodeo event. From top to bottom, the Cow Palace is filled with the ultimate western experience including an agriculture exhibition, a professional Rodeo in partnership with the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), and a classic western marketplace – including mechanical bull rides, live music, BBQ, shopping, and more.
The family-friendly event takes place all day over two, action-packed weekends on Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22, 2016. Although tickets must be purchased for the Grand National Rodeo in the main arena, the Livestock Exposition, Horse Show, Interactive Agricultural Area, and Marketplace are FREE to the public.
Use coupon code ‘PINK’ to receive $6.00 off reserve Dress Circle tickets or $11.00 off reserved Box Seat tickets to the Oct. 14-15 & 21-22 rodeo performances. Tickets can be purchased on the Cow Palace website (cowpalace.com). For more details contact info@cowpalace.com or call 415-414-4100.
Event Schedule, Friday Oct. 21 – ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day’
NCA Dog Trials
PRCA Rodeo
About California Pink Plate:
Pink Plate’s mission is to educate, promote and raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness in California. Early detection saves lives. We can think of no better way to spread this message than through the California Pink Ribbon License Plate. All funds generated from sales of the California Pink Ribbon License Plate will be deposited into the Breast Cancer Control Account, which funds the Every Woman Counts (EWC) program (click here). EWC is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and provides free clinical breast exams and mammograms to California’s underserved women.
About Bay Area Cancer Connections
Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit organization that supports people touched by breast and ovarian cancer by providing comprehensive, personalized services in an atmosphere of warmth and compassion. The nonprofit provides free programs and services that address survivorship needs of all those facing breast and ovarian cancer in the Bay Area, including early breast cancer detection services for low-income uninsured young women and men. Learn more at www.bcconnections.org.
Free Tickets
If you know a breast cancer survivor who would like to attend the Grand National Rodeo with their family on Friday, September 21st for free, contact the Contra Costa Herald at info@contracostaherald.com and we’ll reserve a ticket good for them and four guests. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, we also have a free General Admission ticket good for any of the four days, available to each of the first four readers who contact us.
See the full schedule of the 2016 Grand National Rodeo, by clicking here: www.cowpalace.com/p/grandnational
Read More
The new East Bay Chaplains display their certificates. Top Row: Pastor Will Byrns from His Praise in Antioch, Pastor Charles Salter, John Foster, Jeffery Robinson. Second Row: Rudy Hernandez, Tim Vaughn, Reverend Austin Miles, Major General Dan Helix. Third Row: Salena Boatner-Miller and her husband Pastor George Miller, Pat Martin, Bill Swenson and his wife Julie Swenson, Felicia Purcell, Angrett Davies, Dusty Salazar, Karen Manuel, Laura Collin, Jose Chavez. Seated: Kermese Harrell, Segura, Chaplain Priscilla Martinez and Olga Chavez. Photo by Jane Vaughn
By Rev. Austin Miles
In a colorful ceremony complete with pageantry, on Sunday, September 25th, 21 chaplains were certified for duty in the East Bay area of Northern California. The sacred and joyful event began with this writer (who founded the East Bay Chaplains and trained them), starting the ceremony with a brief talk and opening prayer, then introduced Priscilla Martinez who had been appointed as the new Chaplain Instructor.
From L to R: Colonel Timothy Vaughn, Rev. Austin Miles,Chaplain Trainer Priscilla Martinez, Felicia Purcell, General Dan Helix. photo by Jane Vaughn
Following her informative address, Priscilla next introduced the graduates. General Dan Helix and Colonel Timothy Vaughn, both in dress uniforms, led the processional. After each was standing in place, the certificates were presented.
General Helix gave the keynote address which was interrupted several times with appreciative applause. Then, in a totally unexpected move, The General called this writer up, “Front and Center.” to present an award certificate and medal-of-honor for having organized and taught the original chaplain classes.
Pastor Felix Golden, who graciously hosted this event in his church, His Presence Christian Worship Center, the home church of Chaplain Priscilla and 17 of the new chaplains, wrapped it up with a brief but very meaningful talk. And the entire event packed with action, went exactly one hour. Two other churches were represented, as well, including His Praise in Antioch and the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in Oakley.
The East Bay Chaplains play a vital role in Contra Costa County. Their motto is: Stand Ready, Be Prayed Up, and Keep the Vessel Clean.
Several have already received assignments. New chaplain Felicia Purcell, dressed in colorful African apparel, is being asked to be the chaplain for the wives and family members the Golden State Warriors basketball team.
Joan Segura is already officially the Chaplain for El Pueblo low-income housing in Pittsburg. Christian Rap Artist George Miller and his wife, Salena Boatner-Miller will be chaplains for their concerts while Bill and Julie Swenson who both were certified, work as a team to broaden their ministry to the homeless and addicts.
Olga Chavez and her husband Jose Chavez are looking to take their ministry back to their homeland Peru when Jose retires. Jeffery Robinson is interested in serving in a prison ministry. John Foster plans to work with addicts. Tim Vaughn works with veterans and holds a position with East Bay Chaplains. Pat Martin will use her new position as part of her counseling ministry. Karen Manuel has been working with Visions Beyond Borders helping where needed and will be taking her ministry to Southeast Asia, Thailand, Nepal, Burma, India Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and Romania. Kermese Harrell, who is 80-years-old mentors young women.
All others will be placed, some with Instructor Priscilla, who is chaplain of Shepherd’s Gate, a home for battered women and children. And this is just the beginning.
At the end of the service there was a long standing ovation. The chaplain’s motto is: “To serve others at their time and place of need.”
It is a totally devoted ministry where they willingly give up all rights to themselves to always be available to others. There is no such thing as convenience for chaplains. They are there for the convenience of others who need them, often at a split second notice. It is a totally unselfish endeavor that places all others before themselves.
This new class is an example of diversity at its best, with graduates coming from all backgrounds and a couple from different countries. Each one would be a welcome addition to any community.
“I am looking forward to see these new chaplains ministries grow and helping them along the way,” said Chaplain Priscilla Martinez. “I feel so honored to know each one of them.”
Priscilla Martinez contributed to this article.
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Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay) is co-sponsoring two free learning opportunities this month for businesses in Assembly District 11.
On Thursday, Oct. 13, business owners and operators can gain expert advice about worker’s compensation and paid sick leave laws during a Link and Learn session co-sponsored by the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. Representatives from the California Department of Industrial Relations will lead the workshop, which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chamber office, 985 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Register online at http://bit.ly/LinkLearn.
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, a Small Business Seminar & Resource Expo will be presented by the California State Board of Equalization from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.) at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak Street in Brentwood.
With a theme of “Strategies for Success in Today’s Economy,” the seminar will cover such topics as sales and use taxes; loan programs; forms of ownership; record-keeping; how to distinguish an employee from an independent contractor; and resources for marketing.
Invited presenters include the California State Board of Equalization; the U.S. Small Business Administration; California’s Employment Development Department and Franchise Tax Board; the Internal Revenue Service; the Small Business Development Center; and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
In addition to Frazier, the Small Business Seminar is co-sponsored by State Board of Equalization Members Fiona Ma and George Runner; Brentwood Mayor Robert Taylor, and the City of Brentwood. Register online at www.boe.ca.gov/seminars or by calling 1-888-847-9652.
For more information about either event, call Assemblymember Frazier’s office at 925-513-0411.
To contact Assemblymember Jim Frazier please visit his website at www.asmdc.org/frazier or call his District Office at 925-513-0411. Follow him on Facebook and “Like” him for updates on events and happenings in the 11th AD.
Read MoreAlong with so many national politicians these days, special education teacher (and non-politician) Jordan Rice is looking for many votes. But as all political parties will agree, Rice’s campaign is certainly worthy of everyone’s votes, because her “platform” will empower the special-needs students at her Turner Elementary Special Education School, in Antioch.
Due to her creative vision and impressive application, Rice is now a finalist of the 2016 Farmer Insurance’s Dream Big Challenge, under the $100,000 grant category. Out of hundreds of applicants, her Safety Town project is now a finalist, along with 14 other nation-wide submissions. When all of the national votes are tabulated at the end of this month, six of the fifteen $100,000 projects will be funded.
About Safety Town:
“Safety Town is a different and creative way to motivate and engage students who have significant learning needs,” says Rice. Housed on the school’s campus, Safety Town will be a miniature town that will feature about eight small playhouses that the students and adults can enter inside. Each playhouse will be designed as a miniature bank, police station, fire station, school, grocery store, etc. Safety Town reinforces concepts that begin in the classroom, by bringing them to life in a new relatable environment. This setting closely resembles one that they will encounter in the real word and allows for easier generalization, or transition, of the skills learned in class. “For example, the grocery store will include learning objectives such as money concepts, answering wh- questions, sorting, colors, matching, and collaborative learning.”
For additional information about Rice’s project, please view this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7ppxWNYDc
About the Election:
As of October 1, 2016, those who would like to vote for Safety Town coming to Turner School can now do so. Everyone who is 18-years or older can cast their vote once a day, from the same email address. The online votes can be made, through October 31, at https://www.farmers.com/thank-americas-teachers/vote-for-a-teacher/vote-100k-proposal.
Remember, there are no district precincts in this national vote.
“Please vote for our Safety Town proposal. It will give our students the resources and skills they need to become meaningful and engaged active participants in our community,” Rice added.
Read MoreEditor:
This year, we are voting to decide the future of our nation and state. California is headed down the wrong path, with our legislature following under the Liberal direction of Governor Jerry Brown. California’s 11th Assembly District elected Democrat Jim Frazier in the last several elections. Frazier’s votes on key bills have devastated our State and our children’s futures. As a citizen in this district watching Jim Frazier’s vote on bill after bill, I have been deeply troubled and shocked by his actions in the name of our district. Check out his votes on the following bills and see if you agree with my opinion that he does not represent the values of our district:
*AB 1266: Jim Frazier voted ‘yes’, in favor of transgender access to whatever bathroom they feel like using that day. If a boy ‘feels transgender’ that day, ‘he’ is now entitled to shower or change clothes with your daughters in their school gym or locker room.
*AB 1461: Jim Frazier voted ‘yes’ in favor of automatically registering people to vote in their DMV renewal. The intent of this bill was to deliberately register illegals to vote Democrat, fraudulently subverting CA’s electoral process.
*AB 1732: Jim Frazier voted in favor of ending designated ‘men’s’/’women’s’ bathrooms in California.
*AB 1322: Jim Frazier voted to decriminalize child prostitution, by making it harder to take teen prostitutes out of the web of oppression they face, returning them to the control of their pimps.
*AB 1671: Jim Frazier voted to criminalize undercover journalists, like the ones who revealed the Planned Parenthood ‘profits for baby parts’ ghastly horror brokering scheme. Message conveyed by Jim Frazier and Jerry Brown: mess with Liberal causes, and they hunt you down and punish you.
*SB 443: Jim Frazier voted against this bill designed to limit asset seizure. Jim apparently felt you should have to give up your assets to the government, whether you’re found guilty of a crime or not.
*ACA 4: Jim Frazier proposed reducing the % of votes needed to change Proposition 13 from 2/3’s, down to just 55%. This would allow a Democrat controlled legislature to weaken Prop 13 protections for poor, middle class and elderly, likely resulting in dramatically increased property taxes paid to the State. Jim Frazier was listed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Assn as one of the biggest threats to Prop 13 in CA History.
*AB 1176 Jim Frazier abstained from voting on this bill, which made theft of a firearm ‘Grand Theft’, punishable as a Felony with State Prison time.
Several of Jim Frazier’s other ‘great ideas’: Jim recently co-authored a bill to raise the gas tax by .17 cents a gallon for regular gas, and .30 cents a gallon for diesel, with unlimited, annual upward readjustments without voter input. Jim just bumped up his Chief of Staff’s pay $18,000 to a ‘modest’ $120,000 a year (even more than Jim Frazier makes).
Jim Frazier has refused to debate Republican Challenger Dave Miller. With a record like Jim’s, is it hard to see why? What has Jim Frazier done to lower taxes or encourage business/job growth in Solano or Contra Costa Counties? At every turn, Jim Frazier’s votes show he supports raising taxes, crushing liberty, and expanding Big Government at the expense of transparency and accountability to the taxpayers. Jim Frazier says ‘People Over Politics’. His voting record shows just the opposite; he’s all about politics over people.
Dave Miller stands for a much smaller, less intrusive State Government; one where personal liberty and small businesses can thrive and California Dreamin’ can once again become a reality. Dave’s priority is to bring common sense back to Sacramento, in a way that makes California better for generations to come.
The choice is very clear this year. Join me in supporting Dave Miller for CA’s 11th Assembly District.
Erik Elness
Brentwood
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Kenneth Breslin
On Wednesday, October 5th, 2016, investigators arrested 68 year old Lafayette resident Kenneth Allen Breslin for Possession of Child Pornography. The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by members of the Contra Costa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The task force consists of detectives from the Martinez, Walnut Creek, Moraga, Concord, Pleasant Hill and San Ramon police departments; along with investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, and the District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators served a search warrant in the 3400 block of Moraga Blvd in Lafayette. During a search of the residence, a significant quantity of child pornography was located on Dr. Breslin’s computers and other storage devices. A subsequent search of his office in Orinda yielded additional files of child pornography.
Dr. Breslin was arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. His bail was initially set at $200,000. The case is being reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Breslin has been a psychologist for over 30 years and maintains a practice in Orinda called “A Child’s Point of View.”
Anyone with information should contact Contra Costa District Attorney Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-8789.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, Contra Costa County social workers and eligibility workers announced a one-day extension in their strike, protesting intimidation by County Executives. Workers announced last Friday that they had intended to strike for three days but are now preparing to enter an unprecedented five-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike in Contra Costa.
Two of those picketing offered their concerns and reasons for participating in the strike.
“I am here today because we are fighting for the resources to serve the community and to have a safe working environment for employees,” said Vicky Dominguez, Medical Social Worker at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. “We want to be able to continue serving the community. To be able to have enough medical social workers at the hospital to help people with issues like domestic violence, child abuse, elderly individuals that need placement in skilled nursing facilities or assistance with mental health challenges and homeless individuals that need help with transition back to the community. These are things we deal with on a daily basis.”
“I have been with the County for 11 years,” said Sharon Taylor, Eligibility Worker with CalWorks. “It is not just related to our ULP, but there was $21 million lost because the county has not provided enough workers. I know as a worker myself of being overloaded, stressed out and clients are not getting their services like they need to and deserve to and that is what we’re striking about. It’s about the community and the people we serve, and that’s why we are out here.”
Nearly 1,000 of social workers and eligibility workers and their community supports are expected to continue picketing in front of the county Administration building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez, beginning Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Read MoreEditor:
My State Assembly campaign has discovered another breach of the public’s trust, as it relates to Jim Frazier’s stewardship of the 11th Assembly District. Last month, it was discovered that Mr. Frazier’s Chief of Staff, Jay Day, according to State Assembly publicly compiled State Employee salary records, received a $102,000 per year salary. In 2016, his salary went up to $120,000 per year, surpassing the base salary of his elected supervisor, Mr. Frazier.
Members of Assembly can appropriate Salary dollars any way they see fit, within their staff. Assembly Chief of Staff salary range, anywhere from $68,000 in Bakersfield, to $135,000 for Members of Assembly with leadership positions in the Chamber. A standard cost of living adjustment (COLA) for an employee earning a $102,000 wage would be about 3-4% or in Mr. Day’s case, around $3,500. This $18,000 raise Mr. Day received, that Mr. Frazier approved, is what some people in this district are lucky enough to earn working their fingers to the bone in a year’s time, thanks in large part to regulations placed on small businesses by Democrats.
This salary announcement comes conveniently two weeks after Mr. Frazier proposed the single largest per gallon fuel tax in the history of the Golden State. Mr. Frazier drew the criticism of voters from San Diego to Shasta with his proposed 17 cents per gallon fuel tax increase, which is 30 cents per gallon for diesel and also adds an additional $38 per year DMV Registration Fee. The criticism of his fuel tax has been loudest in AD-11, where voters not only drive literally hundreds of miles a day, to get to work, but also enjoy evening and weekend boating on the various waterways surrounding the San Francisco Bay Estuary.
I can’t answer as to what Jim was thinking when he approved this bump in salary. I can tell you that as your Assemblyman, I will fight to give my per diem back to the State Treasury, as Assemblywoman Baker, has done. I’m told per diems are optional to Members of the Assembly, and as such, I will get on the highways, and come home to my family just like many of you who work in Sacramento do every evening.
As someone who has worked in Government for nearly 30 years, and plans to once again, I will be available to take your call, respond to your emails, invite you to meetings on issues that are important to you, help refer you to the proper government agency to help solve your problems, inform you of my vote in the chamber, using social media almost instantly, hand out my personal cell number to those who ask for it.
Twenty-eight years of government service does that to a person. And I can assure you as I sit here, My Chief of Staff will not make more than I do. As a taxpayer, I’d like to know what I’m getting for my money right now. You should also.
Dave Miller
Candidate for Assembly, 11th District, California
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Editor:
I wanted to start off with saying that I believe his (Lou Davis’) article in this past herald about the treatment of Police Officers was great and to the point. My wife and I think it was very well put, no B.S. and with knowledge of the situation. We feel that this article should be offered out to all local Bay Area newspapers so they to can publish it and get it out to thousands more so they can read it as well. I would love to see it on the internet as well.
I hope that this can happen because we feel this should get out to many more readers.
Thank you,
Mike de Luna
Antioch
Read More
Stacey Freitas of Galt, CA placed 2nd in the barrel racing competition during the 2015 Grand National Rodeo. photo by Allen Payton
‘Tough Enough To Wear Pink’ Day, Friday October 21st
Free tickets for breast cancer survivors and their families from the Contra Costa Herald!
Pink Plate co-founders, Carla Kimball (center) and Survivor Sisters of Contra Costa County (L-R) Deborah Bordeau, Heather McCullough, Chere Rush and Heather Solari. photo courtesy of pinkplate.org.
For the first time ever the 70th Annual Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show, and Rodeo announces Friday, October 21, 2016 as “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” Day, and plans to bring together the Breast Cancer community in a day of solidarity and awareness. As a national campaign, Tough Enough to Wear Pink Programs in rodeos across the nation have raised almost $10 Million dollars. But the biggest asset of the program is that the money stays in local communities.
The Grand National Rodeo has partnered with Bay Area Cancer Connections, and California Pink Plate. To get involved attendees can stop by booths in the Western Marketplace to learn about early detection and other resources for cancer patients and survivors. Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit that provides free programs and services that address survivorship needs of all those facing breast and ovarian cancer in the Bay Area, including early breast cancer detection services for low-income uninsured young women and men.
By partnering with the California Pink Plate organization, the Grand National hopes to help the organization reach the DMV requirement of 7,500 paid orders which will then move the Pink Ribbon license plate into production. The Pink Plate is almost halfway to their goal, with nine months left until the deadline, the Grand National can play a big part in helping to make the plate a reality. All proceeds from the pink license plates goes to the ‘Every Woman Counts’ initiative, which provides underserved women all over California the opportunity to get free screenings, something that the founder of the pink plate feels is the key to beating the disease.
“I am a nine-year stage IV breast cancer survivor and I ignored my lump for several months. I don’t want that to happen to another woman/man. What better way to remind people everyday about early detection than on the California roadways. Pink Plate can become a part of the solution. This is an opportunity to save countless lives and remind people daily about the importance of early detection. We are all in this together, and excited to partner up with Tough Enough to Wear Pink and the Grand National Rodeo this year! I don’t think about myself as a breast cancer SURVIVOR, I think of myself as a breast cancer FIGHTER! I know we’ll meet our goal and encourage Rodeo fans to purchase or gift a Pink Plate through our website www.pinkplate.org, so we can reach our goal of 7,500!” – Chere Rush, California Pink Plate Co-founder
For 70 years the iconic Cow Palace Arena & Event Center has been celebrating the old west and inspiring youth to take part in the agriculture industry through their annual Grand National Livestock Exposition, Horse Show and Rodeo event. From top to bottom, the Cow Palace is filled with the ultimate western experience including an agriculture exhibition, a professional Rodeo in partnership with the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), and a classic western marketplace – including mechanical bull rides, live music, BBQ, shopping, and more.
The family-friendly event takes place all day over two, action-packed weekends on Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22, 2016. Although tickets must be purchased for the Grand National Rodeo in the main arena, the Livestock Exposition, Horse Show, Interactive Agricultural Area, and Marketplace are FREE to the public.
Use coupon code ‘PINK’ to receive $6.00 off reserve Dress Circle tickets or $11.00 off reserved Box Seat tickets to the Oct. 14-15 & 21-22 rodeo performances. Tickets can be purchased on the Cow Palace website (cowpalace.com). For more details contact info@cowpalace.com or call 415-414-4100.
Event Schedule, Friday Oct. 21 – ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day’
NCA Dog Trials
PRCA Rodeo
About California Pink Plate:
Pink Plate’s mission is to educate, promote and raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness in California. Early detection saves lives. We can think of no better way to spread this message than through the California Pink Ribbon License Plate. All funds generated from sales of the California Pink Ribbon License Plate will be deposited into the Breast Cancer Control Account, which funds the Every Woman Counts (EWC) program (click here). EWC is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and provides free clinical breast exams and mammograms to California’s underserved women.
About Bay Area Cancer Connections
Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit organization that supports people touched by breast and ovarian cancer by providing comprehensive, personalized services in an atmosphere of warmth and compassion. The nonprofit provides free programs and services that address survivorship needs of all those facing breast and ovarian cancer in the Bay Area, including early breast cancer detection services for low-income uninsured young women and men. Learn more at www.bcconnections.org.
Free Tickets
If you know a breast cancer survivor who would like to attend the Grand National Rodeo with their family on Friday, September 21st for free, contact the Contra Costa Herald at info@contracostaherald.com and we’ll reserve a ticket good for them and four guests. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, we also have a free General Admission ticket good for any of the four days, available to each of the first four readers who contact us.
See the full schedule of the 2016 Grand National Rodeo, by clicking here: www.cowpalace.com/p/grandnational
Read MoreThe new East Bay Chaplains display their certificates. Top Row: Pastor Will Byrns from His Praise in Antioch, Pastor Charles Salter, John Foster, Jeffery Robinson. Second Row: Rudy Hernandez, Tim Vaughn, Reverend Austin Miles, Major General Dan Helix. Third Row: Salena Boatner-Miller and her husband Pastor George Miller, Pat Martin, Bill Swenson and his wife Julie Swenson, Felicia Purcell, Angrett Davies, Dusty Salazar, Karen Manuel, Laura Collin, Jose Chavez. Seated: Kermese Harrell, Segura, Chaplain Priscilla Martinez and Olga Chavez. Photo by Jane Vaughn
By Rev. Austin Miles
In a colorful ceremony complete with pageantry, on Sunday, September 25th, 21 chaplains were certified for duty in the East Bay area of Northern California. The sacred and joyful event began with this writer (who founded the East Bay Chaplains and trained them), starting the ceremony with a brief talk and opening prayer, then introduced Priscilla Martinez who had been appointed as the new Chaplain Instructor.
From L to R: Colonel Timothy Vaughn, Rev. Austin Miles,Chaplain Trainer Priscilla Martinez, Felicia Purcell, General Dan Helix. photo by Jane Vaughn
Following her informative address, Priscilla next introduced the graduates. General Dan Helix and Colonel Timothy Vaughn, both in dress uniforms, led the processional. After each was standing in place, the certificates were presented.
General Helix gave the keynote address which was interrupted several times with appreciative applause. Then, in a totally unexpected move, The General called this writer up, “Front and Center.” to present an award certificate and medal-of-honor for having organized and taught the original chaplain classes.
Pastor Felix Golden, who graciously hosted this event in his church, His Presence Christian Worship Center, the home church of Chaplain Priscilla and 17 of the new chaplains, wrapped it up with a brief but very meaningful talk. And the entire event packed with action, went exactly one hour. Two other churches were represented, as well, including His Praise in Antioch and the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in Oakley.
The East Bay Chaplains play a vital role in Contra Costa County. Their motto is: Stand Ready, Be Prayed Up, and Keep the Vessel Clean.
Several have already received assignments. New chaplain Felicia Purcell, dressed in colorful African apparel, is being asked to be the chaplain for the wives and family members the Golden State Warriors basketball team.
Joan Segura is already officially the Chaplain for El Pueblo low-income housing in Pittsburg. Christian Rap Artist George Miller and his wife, Salena Boatner-Miller will be chaplains for their concerts while Bill and Julie Swenson who both were certified, work as a team to broaden their ministry to the homeless and addicts.
Olga Chavez and her husband Jose Chavez are looking to take their ministry back to their homeland Peru when Jose retires. Jeffery Robinson is interested in serving in a prison ministry. John Foster plans to work with addicts. Tim Vaughn works with veterans and holds a position with East Bay Chaplains. Pat Martin will use her new position as part of her counseling ministry. Karen Manuel has been working with Visions Beyond Borders helping where needed and will be taking her ministry to Southeast Asia, Thailand, Nepal, Burma, India Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and Romania. Kermese Harrell, who is 80-years-old mentors young women.
All others will be placed, some with Instructor Priscilla, who is chaplain of Shepherd’s Gate, a home for battered women and children. And this is just the beginning.
At the end of the service there was a long standing ovation. The chaplain’s motto is: “To serve others at their time and place of need.”
It is a totally devoted ministry where they willingly give up all rights to themselves to always be available to others. There is no such thing as convenience for chaplains. They are there for the convenience of others who need them, often at a split second notice. It is a totally unselfish endeavor that places all others before themselves.
This new class is an example of diversity at its best, with graduates coming from all backgrounds and a couple from different countries. Each one would be a welcome addition to any community.
“I am looking forward to see these new chaplains ministries grow and helping them along the way,” said Chaplain Priscilla Martinez. “I feel so honored to know each one of them.”
Priscilla Martinez contributed to this article.
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Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay) is co-sponsoring two free learning opportunities this month for businesses in Assembly District 11.
On Thursday, Oct. 13, business owners and operators can gain expert advice about worker’s compensation and paid sick leave laws during a Link and Learn session co-sponsored by the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. Representatives from the California Department of Industrial Relations will lead the workshop, which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chamber office, 985 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Register online at http://bit.ly/LinkLearn.
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, a Small Business Seminar & Resource Expo will be presented by the California State Board of Equalization from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.) at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak Street in Brentwood.
With a theme of “Strategies for Success in Today’s Economy,” the seminar will cover such topics as sales and use taxes; loan programs; forms of ownership; record-keeping; how to distinguish an employee from an independent contractor; and resources for marketing.
Invited presenters include the California State Board of Equalization; the U.S. Small Business Administration; California’s Employment Development Department and Franchise Tax Board; the Internal Revenue Service; the Small Business Development Center; and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
In addition to Frazier, the Small Business Seminar is co-sponsored by State Board of Equalization Members Fiona Ma and George Runner; Brentwood Mayor Robert Taylor, and the City of Brentwood. Register online at www.boe.ca.gov/seminars or by calling 1-888-847-9652.
For more information about either event, call Assemblymember Frazier’s office at 925-513-0411.
To contact Assemblymember Jim Frazier please visit his website at www.asmdc.org/frazier or call his District Office at 925-513-0411. Follow him on Facebook and “Like” him for updates on events and happenings in the 11th AD.
Read MoreAlong with so many national politicians these days, special education teacher (and non-politician) Jordan Rice is looking for many votes. But as all political parties will agree, Rice’s campaign is certainly worthy of everyone’s votes, because her “platform” will empower the special-needs students at her Turner Elementary Special Education School, in Antioch.
Due to her creative vision and impressive application, Rice is now a finalist of the 2016 Farmer Insurance’s Dream Big Challenge, under the $100,000 grant category. Out of hundreds of applicants, her Safety Town project is now a finalist, along with 14 other nation-wide submissions. When all of the national votes are tabulated at the end of this month, six of the fifteen $100,000 projects will be funded.
About Safety Town:
“Safety Town is a different and creative way to motivate and engage students who have significant learning needs,” says Rice. Housed on the school’s campus, Safety Town will be a miniature town that will feature about eight small playhouses that the students and adults can enter inside. Each playhouse will be designed as a miniature bank, police station, fire station, school, grocery store, etc. Safety Town reinforces concepts that begin in the classroom, by bringing them to life in a new relatable environment. This setting closely resembles one that they will encounter in the real word and allows for easier generalization, or transition, of the skills learned in class. “For example, the grocery store will include learning objectives such as money concepts, answering wh- questions, sorting, colors, matching, and collaborative learning.”
For additional information about Rice’s project, please view this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7ppxWNYDc
About the Election:
As of October 1, 2016, those who would like to vote for Safety Town coming to Turner School can now do so. Everyone who is 18-years or older can cast their vote once a day, from the same email address. The online votes can be made, through October 31, at https://www.farmers.com/thank-americas-teachers/vote-for-a-teacher/vote-100k-proposal.
Remember, there are no district precincts in this national vote.
“Please vote for our Safety Town proposal. It will give our students the resources and skills they need to become meaningful and engaged active participants in our community,” Rice added.
Read MoreEditor:
This year, we are voting to decide the future of our nation and state. California is headed down the wrong path, with our legislature following under the Liberal direction of Governor Jerry Brown. California’s 11th Assembly District elected Democrat Jim Frazier in the last several elections. Frazier’s votes on key bills have devastated our State and our children’s futures. As a citizen in this district watching Jim Frazier’s vote on bill after bill, I have been deeply troubled and shocked by his actions in the name of our district. Check out his votes on the following bills and see if you agree with my opinion that he does not represent the values of our district:
*AB 1266: Jim Frazier voted ‘yes’, in favor of transgender access to whatever bathroom they feel like using that day. If a boy ‘feels transgender’ that day, ‘he’ is now entitled to shower or change clothes with your daughters in their school gym or locker room.
*AB 1461: Jim Frazier voted ‘yes’ in favor of automatically registering people to vote in their DMV renewal. The intent of this bill was to deliberately register illegals to vote Democrat, fraudulently subverting CA’s electoral process.
*AB 1732: Jim Frazier voted in favor of ending designated ‘men’s’/’women’s’ bathrooms in California.
*AB 1322: Jim Frazier voted to decriminalize child prostitution, by making it harder to take teen prostitutes out of the web of oppression they face, returning them to the control of their pimps.
*AB 1671: Jim Frazier voted to criminalize undercover journalists, like the ones who revealed the Planned Parenthood ‘profits for baby parts’ ghastly horror brokering scheme. Message conveyed by Jim Frazier and Jerry Brown: mess with Liberal causes, and they hunt you down and punish you.
*SB 443: Jim Frazier voted against this bill designed to limit asset seizure. Jim apparently felt you should have to give up your assets to the government, whether you’re found guilty of a crime or not.
*ACA 4: Jim Frazier proposed reducing the % of votes needed to change Proposition 13 from 2/3’s, down to just 55%. This would allow a Democrat controlled legislature to weaken Prop 13 protections for poor, middle class and elderly, likely resulting in dramatically increased property taxes paid to the State. Jim Frazier was listed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Assn as one of the biggest threats to Prop 13 in CA History.
*AB 1176 Jim Frazier abstained from voting on this bill, which made theft of a firearm ‘Grand Theft’, punishable as a Felony with State Prison time.
Several of Jim Frazier’s other ‘great ideas’: Jim recently co-authored a bill to raise the gas tax by .17 cents a gallon for regular gas, and .30 cents a gallon for diesel, with unlimited, annual upward readjustments without voter input. Jim just bumped up his Chief of Staff’s pay $18,000 to a ‘modest’ $120,000 a year (even more than Jim Frazier makes).
Jim Frazier has refused to debate Republican Challenger Dave Miller. With a record like Jim’s, is it hard to see why? What has Jim Frazier done to lower taxes or encourage business/job growth in Solano or Contra Costa Counties? At every turn, Jim Frazier’s votes show he supports raising taxes, crushing liberty, and expanding Big Government at the expense of transparency and accountability to the taxpayers. Jim Frazier says ‘People Over Politics’. His voting record shows just the opposite; he’s all about politics over people.
Dave Miller stands for a much smaller, less intrusive State Government; one where personal liberty and small businesses can thrive and California Dreamin’ can once again become a reality. Dave’s priority is to bring common sense back to Sacramento, in a way that makes California better for generations to come.
The choice is very clear this year. Join me in supporting Dave Miller for CA’s 11th Assembly District.
Erik Elness
Brentwood
Read MoreKenneth Breslin
On Wednesday, October 5th, 2016, investigators arrested 68 year old Lafayette resident Kenneth Allen Breslin for Possession of Child Pornography. The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by members of the Contra Costa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The task force consists of detectives from the Martinez, Walnut Creek, Moraga, Concord, Pleasant Hill and San Ramon police departments; along with investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, and the District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators served a search warrant in the 3400 block of Moraga Blvd in Lafayette. During a search of the residence, a significant quantity of child pornography was located on Dr. Breslin’s computers and other storage devices. A subsequent search of his office in Orinda yielded additional files of child pornography.
Dr. Breslin was arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. His bail was initially set at $200,000. The case is being reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Breslin has been a psychologist for over 30 years and maintains a practice in Orinda called “A Child’s Point of View.”
Anyone with information should contact Contra Costa District Attorney Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-8789.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, Contra Costa County social workers and eligibility workers announced a one-day extension in their strike, protesting intimidation by County Executives. Workers announced last Friday that they had intended to strike for three days but are now preparing to enter an unprecedented five-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike in Contra Costa.
Two of those picketing offered their concerns and reasons for participating in the strike.
“I am here today because we are fighting for the resources to serve the community and to have a safe working environment for employees,” said Vicky Dominguez, Medical Social Worker at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. “We want to be able to continue serving the community. To be able to have enough medical social workers at the hospital to help people with issues like domestic violence, child abuse, elderly individuals that need placement in skilled nursing facilities or assistance with mental health challenges and homeless individuals that need help with transition back to the community. These are things we deal with on a daily basis.”
“I have been with the County for 11 years,” said Sharon Taylor, Eligibility Worker with CalWorks. “It is not just related to our ULP, but there was $21 million lost because the county has not provided enough workers. I know as a worker myself of being overloaded, stressed out and clients are not getting their services like they need to and deserve to and that is what we’re striking about. It’s about the community and the people we serve, and that’s why we are out here.”
Nearly 1,000 of social workers and eligibility workers and their community supports are expected to continue picketing in front of the county Administration building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez, beginning Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Read MoreEditor:
My State Assembly campaign has discovered another breach of the public’s trust, as it relates to Jim Frazier’s stewardship of the 11th Assembly District. Last month, it was discovered that Mr. Frazier’s Chief of Staff, Jay Day, according to State Assembly publicly compiled State Employee salary records, received a $102,000 per year salary. In 2016, his salary went up to $120,000 per year, surpassing the base salary of his elected supervisor, Mr. Frazier.
Members of Assembly can appropriate Salary dollars any way they see fit, within their staff. Assembly Chief of Staff salary range, anywhere from $68,000 in Bakersfield, to $135,000 for Members of Assembly with leadership positions in the Chamber. A standard cost of living adjustment (COLA) for an employee earning a $102,000 wage would be about 3-4% or in Mr. Day’s case, around $3,500. This $18,000 raise Mr. Day received, that Mr. Frazier approved, is what some people in this district are lucky enough to earn working their fingers to the bone in a year’s time, thanks in large part to regulations placed on small businesses by Democrats.
This salary announcement comes conveniently two weeks after Mr. Frazier proposed the single largest per gallon fuel tax in the history of the Golden State. Mr. Frazier drew the criticism of voters from San Diego to Shasta with his proposed 17 cents per gallon fuel tax increase, which is 30 cents per gallon for diesel and also adds an additional $38 per year DMV Registration Fee. The criticism of his fuel tax has been loudest in AD-11, where voters not only drive literally hundreds of miles a day, to get to work, but also enjoy evening and weekend boating on the various waterways surrounding the San Francisco Bay Estuary.
I can’t answer as to what Jim was thinking when he approved this bump in salary. I can tell you that as your Assemblyman, I will fight to give my per diem back to the State Treasury, as Assemblywoman Baker, has done. I’m told per diems are optional to Members of the Assembly, and as such, I will get on the highways, and come home to my family just like many of you who work in Sacramento do every evening.
As someone who has worked in Government for nearly 30 years, and plans to once again, I will be available to take your call, respond to your emails, invite you to meetings on issues that are important to you, help refer you to the proper government agency to help solve your problems, inform you of my vote in the chamber, using social media almost instantly, hand out my personal cell number to those who ask for it.
Twenty-eight years of government service does that to a person. And I can assure you as I sit here, My Chief of Staff will not make more than I do. As a taxpayer, I’d like to know what I’m getting for my money right now. You should also.
Dave Miller
Candidate for Assembly, 11th District, California
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Editor:
I wanted to start off with saying that I believe his (Lou Davis’) article in this past herald about the treatment of Police Officers was great and to the point. My wife and I think it was very well put, no B.S. and with knowledge of the situation. We feel that this article should be offered out to all local Bay Area newspapers so they to can publish it and get it out to thousands more so they can read it as well. I would love to see it on the internet as well.
I hope that this can happen because we feel this should get out to many more readers.
Thank you,
Mike de Luna
Antioch
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