West County families “Shop with a Cop” for Christmas
Deserving children from the west Contra Costa County area were paired up with Deputy Sheriffs who took them out for some holiday fun and on a shopping spree for them and their families.
It was all part of the annual Shop with a Cop, which is a national program established to build positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the children of the community. It is also our way of recognizing deserving children.
Thank you to the YMCA in Rodeo and the many community partners that helped make this event a success.
To view the video of this year’s Shop with a Cop, click here.
White Pony Express launches “Cold Weather Clothing Program” for homeless in Contra Costa, seeks donations
Nominations for county MLK Humanitarian and Student Humanitarian of the Year due Dec. 14
County Honors Residents Who Embody the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Do you know someone whose work and presence in the community exemplifies the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Now is the time to submit your candidates for consideration as the Contra Costa County Humanitarian and Student Humanitarian of the Year. The deadline to have your candidate considered has been extended. County residents are encouraged to submit online nominations of community and student leaders no later than midnight on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
Each January, the Board of Supervisors recognizes a community member as well as a student leader whose dedication to others embodies the essence and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Those selected as winners will be presented with their awards during the County’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ceremony on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. The public is invited to the ceremony and commemoration, which takes place in the Board of Supervisors Chamber at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. The event begins at 11:00 a.m., followed by a complimentary buffet lunch. Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Diana Becton will be the keynote speaker, speaking on the concept of civil rights work that still needs to be done in our country.
The 2016 Humanitarian of the Year was Terri Porter, known for advocacy on behalf of underserved youth. The student pick was Davis Bullock, then a senior at Cal High, who not only battled cancer himself, but took on the cause of helping others also fighting the disease. We encourage you to share the stories of those in your community who have inspired you, and whose efforts embody the legacy of Dr. King.
For more information, a look back at previous celebration videos or to submit a nomination, visit the County’s website at www.ContraCosta.CA.gov.
Christmas for Everyone returns for its 31st year at new Martinez location
Volunteers and Donations Needed for this Holiday Effort to Help Those in Need
A small issue like last minute renovations at New Hope International Church, the location that Christmas for Everyone has called home for the past 30 years, didn’t stop founder Mary Perez from working around the clock to make sure everyone still received the warmth of Christmas.
The event on December 25, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be held at the new location at 701 Escobar St, Martinez, CA 94553 (former Bowrack building).
A non-profit organization, Christmas for Everyone helps serve people in need during the holiday season in Contra Costa County. The goal of Christmas for Everyone is that no one spends Christmas holidays alone or in need. For the last three decades the organization has provided thousands of Bay Area residents with free meals, groceries, haircuts, gifts, clothing and entertainment. Transportation is also provided to the host location, along with meals delivered to the homebound.
“It’s truly a blessing to be able to help others during the holidays year after year. I would like to thank building owner Al Turnbaugh owner of the building and current leasee Ian Bremner for donating the use of the Escobar location to us. Without it we may not have been able to make it to our 31st consecutive year,” said Mary Perez.
Perez added, “Not only do we need many volunteers on Christmas Day, but from December 2- 24, we will also need volunteers at the 701 Escobar location to help make phone calls (can do from home), hang posters, sort clothes and decorate.”
Additionally, donations of clothing and new presents can be dropped off until December 20 at:
701 Escobar, Martinez, CA
Monday – Friday 11am – 7pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm
US Bank, 659 Main St, Martinez, CA
Monday –Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Additional information, anyone wishing to submit monetary donations or sign-up as a volunteer may do so via ChristmasforEveryone.com.
Media outlets are welcomed and Mary Perez is available for interviews beforehand. Please contact Gina Zagotta at 415-786-8900, ginazagotta@cariboupr.com
See the annual Pearl Harbor Day Mt. Diablo Beacon Lighting Ceremony, Wednesday Dec. 7th
Vietnam-era helicopters to do flyover above Cal-State East Bay Concord to kick-off event
On December 7th, Mount Diablo’s Beacon will be relit by survivors of Pearl Harbor. We invite you to attend the ceremony to pay tribute to the lives that were lost and honor our surviving veterans of Pearl Harbor.
The Sons & Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 5 are pleased to co-sponsor this 53rd Annual National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony with Save Mount Diablo.
“The Beacon lighting is a tribute to those individuals that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor”, says Earl “Chuck” Kohler, one of the few remaining survivors in Contra Costa County.
However, the ceremony is also an opportunity to honor the survivors. When those who experienced Pearl Harbor are gone, the history is lost with them.
The Beacon on Mount Diablo was originally installed and illuminated in 1928 to aid in trans-continental aviation. It is one of the four guiding beacons installed along the west coast by Standard Oil of CA and is the only one known to still be operational.
![Pearl Harbor survivors push the button to light the beacon atop Mt. Diablo last year.](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Pearl-Harbor-survivors-push-the-button-to-light-the-beacon-atop-Mt.-Diablo-last-year-300x200.jpg)
Pearl Harbor survivors push the button to light the beacon atop Mt. Diablo last year. Courtesy of Save Mt. Diablo.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Beacon’s light was extinguished during the West Coast Blackout, for fear it may enable an attack on California. It stayed dark until Pearl Harbor Day 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II, relit the Beacon in a commemorative ceremony and suggested it be illuminated every December 7th to honor those who served and sacrificed.
Since that day, Pearl Harbor Veterans and their families have gathered every December 7th to see the Beacon light shine once again.
The Beacon now shines brighter than ever since it underwent an extensive restoration process in 2013 (thanks to a campaign led by Save Mount Diablo) to ensure it continues to shine for many more years. The Pearl Harbor Survivors would like to know that the Beacon will shine long after they are gone.
The Beacon is lit at sunset and shines all night on this single evening each year.
SUMMARY
What: Save Mount Diablo, the Sons & Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and California State Parks will light the “Eye of Diablo”, the Beacon atop Mount Diablo to memorialize Pearl Harbor Day. As the number of Survivors has decreased over the years, the number of people attending the ceremony in honor of these heroes has increased, including many sons and daughters vital to organizing the service.
When: Wednesday, December 7th, 2016, Ceremony at 3:45 pm, Beacon Lighting at 5 pm
Where: The ceremony will be held in the Oak Room of the Library Building at the California State East Bay Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Road, Concord, CA 94521.
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/jXhcW
Access: Parking is available on Campus and the ceremony will be held in the Oak Room (with extra seating in the Redwood Room)
SPECIAL NOTICE: Vietnam Helicopters will be kicking off the lighting with a fly-by over CSU EB Concord and Mount Diablo. Any Aviation News Units should contact Mark Maupin for flight path and time: (925) 876-1572 Maupin@vietnamhelicopters.org,
For more information about the Beacon Lighting Ceremony: please visit http://www.savemountdiablo.org/activities_events_beacon.html
County Health Services claim nine more people possibly got sick at Antioch Thanksgiving meal served by church
![The American Legion Hall and Veterans Memorial Building on West 6th Street in Antioch where the Thanksgiving dinner was served, last Thursday, November 24, 2016.](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/American-Legion-Veterans-Memorial-1024x768.jpg)
The American Legion Hall and Veterans Memorial Building on West 6th Street in Antioch where the Thanksgiving dinner was served, last Thursday, November 24, 2016.
By Allen Payton
The Costa Health Services (CCHS) announced on Tuesday, they are investigating several new cases that are likely related to a foodborne illness outbreak reported in Antioch over the weekend. CCHS investigators on Tuesday contacted an additional eight people who were likely sickened by food or drink from the same event. None of those patients are currently hospitalized.
During a second press conference on the matter in Martinez on Tuesday afternoon, Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood and Dr. Louise McNitt, Communicable Disease Medical Director, stated there is now a ninth additional person who was reported to also become sick due to eating at the same dinner. That brings the total number of people who claim to be sickened by the meal served by Golden Hills Community Church to 17.
Eight cases of possible foodborne illness connected to the incident, including three that resulted in death, were reported to Public Health on Nov. 25 by Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch. All of the eight patients reported by Sutter Delta ate food from the holiday event.
It is now reported that all eight were residents of three different senior care, assisted living, group home facilities of four in Antioch owned by the same couple. Calls to the administrator and licensee of the homes, asking them why some of their staff and residents, as well as they and their family attended the Thanksgiving meal intended for the homeless, low-income residents and those who didn’t want to be alone on the holiday, were not returned before publication time.
In an attempt to clarify information about where the food was prepared, that was served at the Antioch event organizer Jeff Oransky explained that, “some of the food is prepared in people’s homes like the turkey, ham, and some of the stuffing, and then brought to the hall. The only things prepared on site are instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn and green beans.”
He mentioned the small size of the kitchen at the hall as the reason. Asked about how he can control the quality of the food being prepared and brought in, he replied, “We’ve had discussions about that” since last Thursday. “We’ve never had a problem before.”
“We’re pretty careful,” Oransky explained. “Every year we buy 600 disposable gloves and we run out of every one of them. We generally don’t touch the food, even with the gloves. We use the ladles and utensils, and we keep everything heated. Nothing just sits out.”
“The other issue is the to-go meals,” he continued. “Some people come in and take a to-go meal to take home. Others eat there and also take a meal home. As far as I know they haven’t determined if these people (who got sick) did one or the other, or both.”
Asked if there were delivery of prepared meals from the hall, Oransky said, “No, not that I know of. We don’t deliver them. I don’t have enough people to do that.”
“We have Meals On Wheels deliveries. But they have nothing to do with the food at the hall,” he clarified. “Those meals are all professionally prepared and delivered to people’s homes, who are Meals On Wheels clients. But Meals On Wheels doesn’t deliver on Thanksgiving, so we take it over and deliver for them. But, we don’t deliver food prepared from the hall.”
Asked about serving the Thanksgiving Day meals in the future, Golden Hills Community Church Executive Pastor Phil Hill, said “the county health services told us in the future we would have to get a permit and that means that all food would have to be prepared in an approved commercial facility.”
Asked if that will be required even if it’s determined that the church is not at fault, he responded, “Correct.”
An email asking for the name of the group distributing prepared meals outside of the hall, to people standing in line waiting to get in for the Thanksgiving meal was sent to Vicky Balladares, Communications Officer for Contra Costa Health Services.
She replied, “Our Environmental Health folks are trying to get the name. As far as I know they have not been able to get a name yet.”
Anyone who ate food from the Thanksgiving Day event at the Antioch American Legion Hall and Veterans Memorial Building at 403 West Sixth Street, and is now feeling ill should immediately contact their medical provider. Anyone who is not ill, but has food or drink from the event, should throw it away. The general public can call (925) 313-6700 for more information.
County health investigators are in the process of collecting biological samples from the reported cases for testing at county and state public health laboratories.
Eight Antioch residents of two living facilities with same owner, fall ill, three die over weekend, due to possible food poisoning
By Allen Payton
Eight Antioch residents of two assisted living facilities licensed to and operated by the same people, fell ill over the weekend, and three died from possible food poisoning. According to a KTVU Channel 2 news report by Tom Vacar, on Monday, “investigators think a Thanksgiving dinner is to blame.”
Yet, according to Dr. Louise McNitt of Infectious Disease with Contra Costa Public Health during a Monday afternoon press briefing, “All the patients are associated with the same living facility, so it’s unclear if the illness is related to the Thanksgiving Day event or their living situation.”
However, Tuesday morning Michael Weston, spokesperson for the California Department of Social Services, said, “two of the deceased individuals were from Minerva’s Place on Palo Verde Way and the third individual was from Minerva Place IV which is on El Paso Way” in Antioch.
The two residential care homes, described as assisted living facilities, are licensed by Minerva Gonzalez and Emerito Ramon Gonzalez is listed as the Administrator. Each facility is licensed for up to six residents.
In addition to the facilities that are currently open, according to an internet search, there are or have been four other Minerva Place facilities at different addresses in Antioch, including Minerva’s Place Arf, Minerva’s Place #2, Minerva Place II and Minerva Place III.
All eight of those who got sick are believed to have eaten a Thanksgiving dinner at the Veterans Memorial Building and American Legion Hall on West 6th Street in Antioch on Thursday. The annual dinner was provided by the Golden Hills Community Church which rented out the hall, as they have been doing for about the past 30 years.
“We don’t know that the eight elderly people from the assisted living facility actually came to the hall to eat,” said Linda Oransky, who helped organize the Antioch dinner with her husband Jeff. “That was what was reported on the news, but it had not been confirmed.
The church also serves Thanksgiving meals in Brentwood and Bethel Island. There were 825 people who were served meals at the Antioch location and 800 were served at the Brentwood location, according to Brian Sharp, a member of the church, who has been in charge of the Brentwood effort for the past ten years.
“No one else has told me that anyone else has said they got sick,” he stated.
Last Friday and Saturday eight people were admitted into Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch with possible food borne illnesses.
According to a Sutter Health statement released on Monday, “Between Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26, Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch received eight patients with probable food borne symptoms. Three patients have died, four patients were treated and released and one patient remains hospitalized. Contra Costa Public Health is investigating the cause and do not believe there is any risk to the general public.”
According to Vacar’s report, “Sutter was not the only one to receive patients.”
He also said the Contra Costa Coroner’s office is performing autopsies.
Vacar reported he was told the sick people were seniors from a senior center, but had not been able to confirm that.
At a 5:00 p.m. press briefing in Martinez on Monday, Marilyn C. Underwood, Ph.D., of Contra Costa County Environmental Health Services and Dr. Mcnitt answered questions.
One reporter asked referring to the church, “do they have the proper food handling permit?”
Dr. Underwood responded.
“The non-profit group that held the Thanksgiving event in Antioch is the Golden Hills Community Church and they’ve been sponsoring this for many, many years,” she stated. “I did speak with them about the type of event they had, does not need to be permitted by Environmental Health. They were using a permitted facility, which is the Veterans Hall also known as the American Legion location in Antioch.”
“And when we spoke with them about the food safety techniques they used they all sounded very appropriate,” Underwood continued. “Again, this is information we discussed with them, today.”
Asked about the senior facility where “are you also looking into the facility where these elderly people came from that they live in,” she replied, “We at Environmental Health do not oversee those particular facilities. They’re actually overseen by a state agency, the Department of Social Services. So we are in touch with them and made them aware of it so that hopefully they will be pursuing it.”
Dr. Mcnitt was able to answer the question, stating “my understanding is that we have been in touch with them but we’re still interviewing patients and just trying to get more information about what could be the cause of the illness.”
When asked what was served that night, Dr. Mcnitt responded, “I don’t believe we have a list of all the food that was served.”
However, Dr. Underwood stated, “In the discussion that we had with the pastor, it’s a traditional Thanksgiving meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, bread. They had pies. So it’s a pretty traditional type of meal for Thanksgiving.”
“We’ve not received reports from any other health care facilities related to this incident,” Mcnitt stated. “At this point we do not believe that there’s any risk to the general public.”
The church serves the Thanksgiving meals to homeless and low-income individuals, and those who don’t want to be alone, on the holiday. For disclosure purposes, this reporter is a member of the church, and has attended the church since 1991. I have participated in the annual Thanksgiving meals many times over the past 20 years, including donating pies from a local bakery, and canned vegetables, and serving in the Antioch location, as well as eating the meal served there, a few times.
Attempts to reach Senior Pastor Larry Adams and Phil Hill, the Executive Pastor of the church, which has campuses in both Antioch and Brentwood, were unsuccessful. However, the church issued the following “Official Statement Regarding Thanksgiving Dinner” on their website Monday evening:
“We recently were informed that several people from the same care facility in Antioch, who were at our Antioch Thanksgiving Dinner, became sick and it is reported that 3 of them have died. County Health officials have informed us that the source of the illness is not known and could have come from any of a number of sources. Our dinner in Antioch is only one of a number of possibilities that County Health is investigating. We are fully cooperating with health officials and are praying fervently for the families who lost loved ones and for others who are sick. We will try to post updates from County Health as we are made aware.”
Also, a post on the church’s Facebook page included the comment, “Please join us in praying for the affected families.”
In addition, both Sharp, and Jeff and Linda Oransky, the organizers of the Antioch meal, were able to share what they had learned, so far.
“We do not know the cause of the contamination,” Sharp said. “It either came from the house or the Thanksgiving Dinner.”
“What I learned from the Antioch chairperson, Jeff Oransky, is an outside group brought food to the hall, last year. They were told not to. They came back again, this year, and handed to people standing in line, prepared meals from food not served in the hall, in plastic containers meant to be taken home.”
Sharp said neither he nor Oransky know if anyone who got sick received one of those meals.
When reached for comment asking about what Sharp said regarding the outside group handing out meals, Oransky said, “Yes, that’s true. They had prepared some meals and were handing them out in Styrofoam, take-out containers, like the ones restaurants hand out.”
“They were out there handing meals to people to whomever they saw,” said Linda. “The people were outside of the hall, at an outside entrance that was not the main entrance, when they entered with the food. They tried to come inside. I met them inside and stopped them. I told them that we couldn’t accept their meals. They told me they had already been handing out meals outside.”
It was food prepared somewhere else and not at the hall.
“That’s why we wouldn’t take it from them or allow them to hand it out to people inside the hall,” Jeff stated. “I don’t know who they were handing them out to.”
The Oranskys lead the annual effort, together.
“We have a team of people that help us,” Jeff shared. “Golden Hills has been serving the Thanksgiving meals for about 30 years.”
The Oranskys have been in charge of the one in Antioch for the past 12.
“This is the first time there’s ever been a medical-related incident like this, that I know of,” he stated. “I’ve been leading it for 12 years and serving for 15 years and I’ve never seen one, myself.”
“Linda and I ate there on Thursday, ourselves” he added, and they didn’t get sick.
Asked if he’d heard of anyone else getting sick since Thursday, Jeff replied, “All I’ve heard is the eight.”
When asked if they knew who the group was handing out the prepared meals, Jeff said, “No. I have no idea who those people were handing out meals.”
Asked if Linda knew, he responded, “We don’t know. She just asked them to go away.”
“With no others reported sick and eight people in one house, it sure seems like the source was likely the house, not outside food,” Sharp added. “But no one knows for sure, yet.”
Department of Social Services
According to the California Department of Social Services’ website, Minerva’s Place was licensed in 2007, Minerva Place IV in 2011 and there have been no complaints for either of the two current locations.
The report from the visit on August 29, 2016 to Minerva’s Place showed no violations. However, under the “Citations” drop down menu, the location has received four citations, two Type A and two Type B. Yet, under Inspections it shows the facility has one Type A and two Type B citations.
Under Other Visits, it shows one Type A Citation on January 30, 2015. It also states “One or more citations may be under appeal. Contact the State Licensing Office for more information. Other visits include anything other than yearly inspections and complaints, where the state may visit for administrative or follow up purposes, such as pre/post licensing processes.
The other two citations were from the visit in 2012, which the website doesn’t provide any details.
The Facility Evaluation Report from the state required five-year visit to Minerva Place IV on April 25, this year, stated “There are violations under California Code of Regulations, title 22 and are listed on 809-D,” “Appeal rights given” and “report reviewed with Minerva Gonzalez.”
“It was just a Type-B Citation for obtaining a doctor’s order saying it’s necessary to have a bedrail for an individual,” Weston explained.
Type B Citations are for violations that can be corrected, such as paperwork or other administrative things. Type A Citations are more serious, and can involve such things as wages, medication errors, food poisoning or death. If a violation is repeated within six months the owners will be fined $150 or the facility can be closed.
“You can have things start to increase,” Weston explained. “So it could be $150 per day if you’re not fixing a deficiency.”
“We’re working with public health officials in Contra Costa County and they will determine to the best of ability what happened and what’s the source of this,” he continued. “We will determine was the proper care and supervision given, and did they seek the appropriate care and in a timely manner.”
“If the facility is the source of this and there was a danger in the facility, we’ll make sure that will be addressed, as well,” Weston added. “Based on that information we’ll take appropriate action, if necessary.”
A call was made to the number listed for both facilities, seeking answers from the Gonzalez’ to the following questions: did the eight residents actually ate at the church’s Thanksgiving dinner? Did any of them receive and eat a meal distributed by the outside group? Did they all go back to one facility and eat or drink anything else? and did they own the other four locations and if so, why were they closed? But, no response was received before publication time.
Please check back later for updates to this report and any additional details.
Marsh Creek Detention Center inmates continue 25 year tradition of making toys, bringing joy to local, deserving children
From the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
For 25 years now, representatives from Contra Costa County non-profit agencies were on hand for the annual Marsh Creek Detention Facility Wood Shop Toy Show. They were able to choose from numerous newly handcrafted wood toys and bicycles refurbished by student-inmates. These gifts will then be given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the upcoming holidays.
Joining the non-profit-agency representatives were Contra Costa County’s Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata and Under-Sheriff Michael Casten, as well as numerous representatives from both agencies to celebrate this longtime successful partnership that benefits the community and the student-inmates.
These organizations were able to choose from more than 1,115 beautifully handcrafted wooden toys, such as doll houses, spinning carousels, fire trucks, cars, baby cradles, toy tractors, train sets, and many more. In addition, there were also 95 beautifully refurbished bicycles, ready to ride. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), located within the detention facility.
Contra Costa County non-profit organizations participating in this special event included: Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brighter Beginnings, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program, CCCOE Early Start Program, El Cerrito Rotary, Friends of Oakley, Shelter Inc., The Salvation Army-Antioch Corps, Shepherd’s Gate, Ujima Family Recovery Services/La Casa, and VESTIA, Inc.
Contra Costa annual Rebuilding Lives Luncheon honors Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Concord, CA – On Thursday, October 6th at 11:30 a.m., STAND! For Families Free of Violence’s 24th Annual Rebuilding Lives Luncheon and more than 350 civic, business, and community leaders gathered at the Concord Hilton this year to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month, celebrate the resilience of domestic violence survivors, and raise more than $140,000 for programs that help survivors of family violence.
Keynote speakerTony Porter, Co-founder and CEO of A CALL TO MEN, addressed the role of men in ending violence against women. Exploring the influence that men have with boys and other men as fathers and coaches, he discussed how to encourage boys and men to stand up to those promoting men’s violence. “It is time to stop asking why women stay and starting asking men to stop.”
“Today it is clearer than ever that domestic violence is a men’s issue too. We will end this problem only when men, too end their silence around violence and tell each other this is no longer acceptable behavior. We need to change the conversation.” said Gloria Sandoval, CEO of STAND! For Families Free of Violence.
Though the movement to end family violence has made great progress, there is still work to be done: On average, one in four women and one in seven men will experience intimate partner violence severe enough to send them to the hospital; one in five teens will experience teen dating violence; and 3.2 million children will experience domestic violence in their homes annually. Awareness-raising events, such as the Rebuilding Lives Luncheon, are important for strengthening the movement as well as inspiring new supporters to help end domestic violence.
About STAND! for Families Free of Violence
STAND! helps 15,000 people in Contra Costa County break the intergenerational cycle of violence each year by saving lives, rebuilding families, and changing the future: intervening when violence strikes, supporting victims as they rebuild their lives, and guiding the community as a whole toward nonviolence. Visit www.standffov.org for more information.
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