Memorial Day Parade in Bay Point May 30
By Delano Johnson, ED, Bay Point Community All-N-One
We are pleased to be celebrating our Annual Memorial Day’s Parade again which is being held on Monday, May 30, 2022, in front of the Ambrose Recreational and Park District at 3105 Willow Pass Road in Bay Point. It will commence at 9:00AM -and conclude by 12:00 Noon. We are looking forward to everyone in the community joining us.
Memorial Day remembers and honors our U.S. military men and women who died while serving during wartime.
This practice of honoring our fallen service men and women began as Decoration Day after the Civil War when families of both Union and Confederate forces began to decorate the graves of the fallen. Decoration Day eventually became Memorial Day.
Our Memorial Day’s Parade will include traditional elements beginning with prayers, tributes to our uniformed men and women and a parade performance from participants of the communities.
As a participant you may sign up to perform with us and we welcome you also to become a sponsor.
For more information about how to join us, please contact Mrs. Nelda Hills, (510)409-6123 or Mr. Charles Davies (510) 692-5706.
Richmond’s Safe Return Project to celebrate 10th anniversary April 23
It has been ten incredible years since the launch of the Safe Return Project and we are looking forward to the promise of a new decade that brings us closer to mass liberation, racial equity, and a more just world.
To celebrate the positive impact we have had on the lives of thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, our accomplishments in policy and advocacy, the community we have built for ourselves, and this year’s graduating fellows, we will be hosting our 10-year anniversary celebration on April 23, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.
Join us for great music, local food and drink, and the chance to build community as we celebrate the empowerment of our fellows! I can think of no greater cause for celebration than the incredible personal transformations our fellows have developed within Richard Boyd Fellowship program! They really have done an incredible job – this is their day!
Women’s History Month Q&A with Safe Return Project’s civic engagement organizer
“if we don’t stand for something, we will not see the changes that we want to in our community.” – Chala Bonner
Chala Bonner. From LinkedIn
By Safe Return Project
In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to showcase the wisdom and accomplishments of the exceptional women of color leading Safe Return Project’s efforts to create a better world for formerly incarcerated people, their families, and their communities. Their personal strength, integrity, and character serve as an inspiration and beacon of light for everyone who crosses their paths.
The Richmond-based organization is invested in building a base of power at the political, social, and economic levels of formerly incarcerated persons across the state of California, addressing the root causes of poverty and the impact that the criminal legal system has had on black people and communities of color.
First up, we are featuring Civic Engagement Organizer, Chala Bonner! She works hard at Safe Return to level the playing field for formerly incarcerated people of color. Her passion for helping others in her community shines through her work.
Her goal is to build equity in the community by helping folks overcome the obstacles and challenges that come with incarceration and reentry and bring healing to those who have had traumatic and stressful experiences. Her personal motto is “Don’t let your past dictate your future.”
Where did you grow up? What was it like?
Richmond, CA. Growing up in Richmond had its ups and downs. However, for the most part, I loved growing up in Richmond. Most of my family and friends live in Richmond. I remember as a little girl always hanging out at the North Richmond Community Center when my grandmother worked there.
Who have been your mentors, and what did you learn from them?
I have mentors who don’t even realize that they are mentors to me. Some people truly lead by example, and I just admire their leadership and learn from them.
What does feminism mean to you?
To me, feminism is standing up for women to have the same rights, power, positions, and opportunities as men and be treated as equal and not less than.
Who are the women you admire most, both in your personal life and in the fight for social justice?
The two women I admire the most in my personal life are my late grandmother and my mother. I’ve learned a lot from them; how to walk in power, truth, love, and resilience. The women that I admire in the fight for social justice are too many to name but just to name a few Kim Carter, Jessica Nowlan, and of course Tamisha Walker. These ladies are paving the way for social justice.
What in particular led you to choose working to serve formerly incarcerated people?
My lived experience led me to choose this work. After going through what I have been through, I knew I wanted to make a change. I did not know much about grassroots organizing when I first got started with the Safe Return Project, but I knew that I wanted to make changes in my community and the injustice system.
What struggles do you see formerly incarcerated women and non-binary folks face that formerly incarcerated men do not? How can we best address them?
I see a lack of adequate resources for formerly incarcerated women and non-binary folks. Not just jobs and housing, but family reunification, education, rehabilitation, and mental and physical health services. The way that we have been addressing these issues is to bring them to light through our participatory action research, advocating for change at the local, county, and even state levels.
What piece of advice would you give to formerly incarcerated women and non-binary folks to overcome gender-related obstacles?
Never give up! Yes, you may get a thousand no’s before you get the yes, but if we don’t stand for something, we will not see the changes that we want to in our community.
What is an important piece of wisdom you learned from working directly with formerly incarcerated women and non-binary folks?
Rest is revolutionary! We carry trauma, we tell our stories over and over, we fight for change constantly, and we have to take the time to rest, restore, empower and heal daily to stay in the fight.
For more information visit www.safereturnprj.org.
KlaasKids Foundation asks for help in search for missing Oakley woman Alexis Gabe next two weekends
Organizers of the Alexis Gabe search effort and the KlaasKids Foundation are asking farmers, ranchers, real estate agents and other citizens with access to unoccupied out buildings, unoccupied residences, structures, or fields to check those locations for signs of missing Alexis Gabe this coming weekend, March 26-27. (See related articles here and here)
The search for a missing loved one is a long, arduous task that requires the help and assistance of countless people. Law Enforcement and our volunteers have done an incredible job at searching public locations and lands, but we need your help to cover accessible privately owned property. For this reason, we are asking individuals with access to out buildings, unoccupied residences, and other structures to please search for any signs of missing Alexis Gabe. This effort will go far toward eliminating possible locations where she may be kept against her will, or other evidence of her current whereabouts.
If any suspicious items are located or if you have any information related to the disappearance of Alexis Gabe, please contact the Oakley Police Department at (925) 625-8855
We want to take this opportunity to thank the Oakley Police Department, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Search & Rescue and the selfless volunteers who have searched for Alexis, or otherwise supported the search effort. Another volunteer search will be scheduled and conducted on Saturday, April 2, 2022
Meals on Wheels seeking donations to support March for Meals serving seniors
Part of 50th anniversary celebration of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
This is the last week of March for Meals, a month-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program. It is also the fourth week of our March Safety Bag Madness to collect items to fill a bag for our seniors to have on hand in case of power outages, fires, or an earthquake.
Even though the challenge for the brackets is coming to an end, as is March for Meals, we still need more items to fill 1,000 bags! So please consider donating these essential safety items throughout the month of April, too:
- Non-slip socks
- Whistles
- Small flashlights with batteries
- Extra batteries
- Small garbage bags
- Hand and toe warmers
- Band-aids, gauze, and alcohol wipes
- Glow sticks
- Hand sanitizer
Items can be purchased through Amazon or other retailers and shipped directly to us or can be dropped off at our office at 1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. To arrange a drop-off time, please call us at 925-937-8607.
For those who are participating in our March Madness Brackets, below are the target numbers for this week’s donation goals:
Week 4: Donate 20+ items
- Donation example: 3 packs of batteries + 3 flashlights + 4 hand sanitizers + 24 packs of non-slip socks = 34 items
The seniors in our community are the most vulnerable among us and depend on MOW Diablo Region for meals to keep them from going hungry, and our supportive services keep them healthy and less isolated.
Providing them with safety bags ensures that we can keep our seniors safe in case of a natural disaster, but we can only do it with your help!
2022 Contra Costa Youth Hall of Fame Award winners announced
Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl dancers perform accompanied by Mariachi Monumental in 2021. Source: Contra Costa County
Contra Costa Supervisors to honor the middle and high school students during 28th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration March 29
By Susan Shiu, PIO, Contra Costa County
(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will honor César E. Chávez in a celebration recognizing his commitment to social justice and respect for human dignity. The 28th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration will be on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 11 am in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.
“We honor César E. Chávez and recognize his legacy of fighting injustice and improving the lives of farmworkers, their families, and so many others. We are inspired to once again commit ourselves to service to others,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “We recognize our 2022 Youth Hall of Fame awardees whose commitment to service and community are to be applauded.”
The theme for this year’s celebration is Advancing Our Generations with Unity – Avanzando Nuestras Generaciones con Unidad. Joining the celebration will feature speakers who make a difference in Contra Costa County including Ruth Fernandez, Executive Director, First 5 Contra Costa and Marivel Mendoza-Matheu, President & Co-Founder, Hijas del Campo.
The event will include presentation of the 2022 Youth Hall of Fame Awards to students who make outstanding community contributions, live musical performances from Mariachi Monumental and Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl, and celebratory remarks from members of the Board of Supervisors.
Mariachi Monumental musicians perform at the County’s César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration in 2021. Source: Contra Costa County
Here are the County’s 2022 Youth Hall of Fame Award winners:
High School Awardees:
Good Samaritan: Carolyn Considine, Campolindo High School
Volunteerism: Jake Hammerman, Campolindo High School
Perseverance: Mark Rainier Catapusan, Ygnacio Valley High School
Teamwork: Namratha Kasalanati, Campolindo High School
Leadership & Civic Engagement: Seena Farhadi, Northgate High School
Middle School Rising Stars:
Good Samaritan Rising Star: Sohan Emani, Diablo Vista Middle School
Volunteerism Rising Star: Alice Zeitler, Montessori Family School (El Sobrante)
Leadership & Civic Engagement Rising Star: Krish Veluthakkal, Sequoia Middle School
The annual celebration honors the diversity and richness of our community. To learn more about César E. Chávez Ceremony, visit https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6039 on the Contra Costa County website. The community can also watch the event live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov/6086 or www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels: Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and Astound 32.
Kaiser Permanente launches Ukrainian relief giving campaign
Will match $200,000 in employee and physician donations raised in just two days
Calls on other health care organizations to join the effort
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente has launched an employee and physician giving campaign to help with the urgent Ukrainian refugee crisis for physicians and employees who wish to personally support organizations helping with the relief effort, providing refugees with food, shelter, warm clothing, medical care, and supplies. Employees and physicians can choose to support these efforts by donating to any of 3 organizations selected by Kaiser Permanente, and the nonprofit integrated health care organization will match individual donations dollar for dollar, up to a total of $200,000.
The program was announced March 1, and in less than two days employees and physicians donated more than $200,000 in relief funds, ensuring the organization will contribute at least $400,000 for Ukraine relief. Donations continue to come in to support the three nonprofit relief organizations included in this matching effort, who are all providing direct aid: Direct Relief, Global Empowerment Mission, and World Central Kitchen. They were chosen based on a successful track record in disaster situations, and all three are on the ground in the region working to assist the refugees.
“Kaiser Permanente’s mission compels us to take action in response to the events unfolding in Eastern Europe. We are deeply saddened for the people in Ukraine, and for the loss of lives, destruction of communities, and displacement of families,” said Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer, Kaiser Permanente. “This worsening humanitarian crisis merits our immediate response. We ask that you join us with your donations and solidarity for the people in Ukraine. This is a moment and cause that connects us regardless of our background or ethnicity. This is a time for unity, and for us to stand together as an industry and as a nation.”
The war in Ukraine already has caused more than 1 million refugees to leave the country and stream into neighboring nations. The United Nations estimates a total of 4 million people will eventually leave the country in the coming weeks. The scale of the humanitarian crisis is expanding significantly, and disaster relief agencies are struggling to meet the needs. While neighboring countries are welcoming the refugees, they are overwhelmed by their numbers.
The damage caused by this conflict continues to change every day. Kaiser Permanente will continue to closely monitor the situation as it continues to develop.
Kaiser Permanente has physicians and employees who have ties to Ukraine, Russia, and other countries in the region. Many of the people in the communities we serve also have connections to those affected by the war. This diversity is a source of strength and provides an opportunity to seek mutual understanding, offer support, and work together for a better future.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
Contra Costa Supervisors to act on affordable housing, election campaign funding ordinances Tuesday
Will celebrate Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander Lunar New Year, honor City of Antioch’s Sesquicentennial
By Daniel Borsuk
An ordinance concerning Contra Costa County’s affordable housing status and other proposed ordinances designed to boost election campaign funding for Supervisors and Non-supervisor candidates along with an Inaugural celebration recognizing the Asian and Pacific Islander New Year will be some of the Agenda Items the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will either take action on or pay tribute to at a meeting on Tuesday, February 1.
The Supervisors will meet remotely, starting at 9:00 a.m. Proceedings will be televised on Comcast Cable twenty-seven, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99 and WAVE Channel 32 and can be seen live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov.
Public Hearing on Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
Supervisors will hold a hearing to determine if the county’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance is “Consistent with the State’s definition of low-income household and qualifying income units and exempt community care facilities from the County’s Affordable Housing Requirements,” according to the report from the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development.
In effect since 2006, the proposed ordinance would align the County’s Ordinance with changes in the state’s definition of extended low, very low-, low- and moderate-income households and their respective qualifying income limits.
The proposed ordinance would exempt Community Care Facilities from the County’s Affordable Housing Requirements.
Election Campaign Ordinance
Supervisors will consider an Election Campaign Ordinance for Supervisorial and Non-supervisoral candidates increasing individual donations from $1,675 to $2,500. The County’s Election Campaign Ordinance was first adopted in 1984 and was last revised in 2005.
The Election Campaign Ordinance also applies to other County Elected Positions such as Recorder-elections, Treasurer, Assessor, District Attorney, and Sheriff-Coroner.
A few weeks ago, when Supervisors first reviewed this ordinance, they had briefly studied the idea of raising donations to $5,000, the state limit, but decided to not go that route.
Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration
The Board of Supervisors will conduct their inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration with Susan Kim, executive director of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, and Professor Kent Wong, Director of the University of California Los Angeles Labor Center, as speakers. The multi-cultural ceremony will feature dance, music, food, and unique customs of many of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities represented in Contra Costa County including Nepalese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Tai, and Indian communities.
“We want to recognize one of the most important celebrations for our Asian and Pacific Islander communities and dismiss monolithic stereotypes by featuring the diversity in our Asian communities,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “Contra Costa County will make history on the first day of this year’s Lunar New Year, February 1st, with the inaugural event as we honor and celebrate the many different Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions. As an important and integral part of our County family, we celebrate the new year with you, and wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year!”
The Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration will be shown at www.contracostaca.gov/6068 or www.contracostatv.org. The community can watch on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) Channels; COMCAST Cable 27.
Rodeo Senior Housing Project
Supervisors will hold a hearing on a proposal to permit Conservation and Development Director John Kopchick to sign a Development and Loan Agreement between the County and La Loma Rodeo EAU LLC for the sale of county owned property at 710 Willow Ave. in Rodeo.
The Rodeo development calls for the construction of a PA 67-unit affordable unit senior housing project with community space. The developers will receive from the county a $4,450,000 loan from the Housing Succession Low Moderate-Income Funds for construction of the building. The County would sell the County-owned property to La Loma Rodeo for $980,000.
Will honor City of Antioch’s Sesquicentennial – 150th Anniversary
District 3 Supervisor Dianne Burgis who represents portions of Antioch, will present her resolution for adoption that recognizes the City of Antioch’s Sesquicentennial or 150th Anniversary of Incorporation. Antioch was founded as Smith’s Landing in 1849 when the twin Smith brothers purchased land from John Marsh, owner of Rancho Los Medano, who had constructed a landing on the San Joaquin River. Following the death of Reverend Joseph Horton Smith in 1850, the residents, under the leadership of Rev. William Wiggins Smith, gathered during the July 4, 1851 picnic and renamed the town Antioch after the biblical city in Syria where the followers of Christ were first called Christians. The City of Antioch was incorporated on February 6, 1872, becoming Contra Costa County’s original city. (See related article)
Antioch Speedway to host Swap Meet at fairgrounds Saturday, Jan. 22
The Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) is located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.
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