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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 10, No. 47
Community Center sneak peek by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Al Anthony, Antioch’s recreation specialist, beamed when he saw his new office. As part of the new Antioch Community Center, adjacent to Prewett Family Water Park on Lone Tree Way, Anthony has a shiny, high-tech gym at his disposal. Everything is controlled electronically, Anthony said, including the small bleachers around the gym, the six basketball backboards and the two scoreboards. Right now, Anthony works out of the downtown Nick Rodriguez Community Center, but will move into his new digs on Jan. 3, when the building officially opens to the public. The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last weekend, giving Antioch residents some good news amid dreary budget problems. A couple hundred people attended to get a sneak peak at the longawaited center. “It’s absolutely a wonderful facility built for the community
Photo by Justin Lafferty
A raindrop marks the entrance to the new Antioch Community Center, adjacent to Prewett Family Water Park. of Antioch,” said Anthony, also a lifelong resident of the city. “I finally have a gymnasium that the city owns and I can program sports activities for the youth
and adults here, 24/7 if I can.” The 38,000-square-foot facility’s price tag of $26 million was paid for by Mello Roos special property taxes. But as An-
tioch faces a budget shortfall of roughly $4 million, the question of how long can the city can operate the facility is a tough one. City officials said the center has already brought in some revenue, as residents have begun reserving rooms for parties, meetings and other uses. Anthony said at an earlier City Council meeting that the gym could be reserved for youth tournaments or other athletic contests. “Projects like this bring pride and value to our city and increase the ability to attract business and commercial development,” Mayor Jim Davis said at the ceremony. “This building will do that.” The community center, a WiFi hotspot, has something for any age and use, including two preschool classrooms, already stocked with Dr. Seuss and other children’s books, which can seat 30 kids each. The center will host classes for teens and adults, too, in art, dance, martial arts, cooking, CPR and more.
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November 19, 2010
This Week Guidelines for gifting
Hoping to wrap up your holiday shopping swiftly and smoothly? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide. Page 1B
Stockings for stalwarts Locals are lending a hand to foot soldiers laboring in remote and cold climes. Page 10A
Auspicious autograph
see Center page 30A
Rinehart tapped for cemetery board by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer Former Knightsen School Superintendent Vickey Rinehart has been recommended by an independent panel to fill the empty seat on the three-member ByronBrentwood-Knightsen Cemetery Board – an appointment originally expected to go to David Piepho, the husband of Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho. Brentwood resident Bailey Neff was identified as the panel’s second choice. “I was very pleased and honored to have been chosen because I know there were some very good candidates,” said
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RINEHART Rinehart, who was selected from among eight applicants. “If confirmed, I look forward very much to serving.” The Board of Supervi-
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sors called for a panel of board members from out-of-county cemetery districts last month to interview applicants and make a recommendation to the Contra Costa board for the cemetery seat. The appointment of David Piepho was delayed in September following public complaints and charges of nepotism. David Piepho serves on the Discovery Bay Community Services District (CSD) board as well as the county’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which oversees land boundary and annexation issues. His term on the CSD expires in a few weeks and if he does not hold a position with another
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The first transPacific flight went wheels-up in the Bay Area 75 years ago.
special district – such as the cemetery board – by Dec. 7, he will lose his seat on LAFCO. He declined to comment on the panel’s recommendation for this story, saying “It probably wouldn’t be appropriate at this time, as the process is still evolving.” Supervisor Mary Piepho usually appoints directors to the independent special district, but recused herself from the process when her husband applied for the cemetery seat. Board of Supervisors Chairman John Gioia took over the review of the original two applicants – David Piepho
Two Antioch softball stars signed their letters of intent to take the diamond at two lucky universities. Page 28A
Plus: Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................13A Entertainment ................. 10B Food .................................... 12B Holiday Gift Guide............ 1B Opinion ..............................12A Sports .................................21A
see Cemetery page 30A
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Cyber cycling
High on health
go to news/press releases A new online bike routing application is making for smooth sailing.
go to multimedia/videos
The recent Healthy Families Expo exposed locals to a world of well-being.