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Happy Friday, Antioch.
As we head into the weekend, it finally feels like we’re starting to come out of the deep winter thaw and turning our attention toward spring, spring events, and getting back out around town. There’s a lot happening locally, and it’s a great time to support our businesses, restaurants, and community organizations.
Tonight - Galentine’s Day Celebration, Friday, February 6 - 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Antioch Fine Arts Foundation
Tickets are $35 and include an evening of art, refreshments, and community connection, with proceeds benefiting the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation. More details here. I hope to see many of you there.
Also, tonight, keep an eye on Village social media after 5 p.m. - I’ve heard we may have a special guest in town highlighting one of our local restaurants, so stay tuned for that.
Princess Dance at Northbridge Church
Saturday, February 7 - 6 to 8 p.m.
This special evening offers a chance for parents and daughters to make memories together. For everyone who purchased tickets, I hope you have a wonderful night.
Super Bowl Weekend — Sunday, February 8
Whether you’re hosting, heading out to watch the game, or grabbing takeout, please consider spending your time and money at a local restaurant or tavern to support the community.
Hot Chocolate Walk — Saturday, February 21
Noon to 3 p.m. — Downtown Antioch
This annual winter favorite invites you to stroll downtown and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate samples from participating businesses. The event is currently sold out, but it’s still a great day to be downtown and support local shops.
Shamrock Shuffle & Jam — Saturday, March 7
9 a.m. start - Sequoit Creek Park
We’re about one month away from the Shamrock Shuffle and Jam. Registration is open now, and it’s time to start (or continue) training for race day. This community tradition combines an active 5K run/walk with music, food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly activities. Ticket and event info here.
Whether you’re heading out for events, grabbing dinner, or watching the Super Bowl this weekend, please consider spending your time and dollars locally - supporting our businesses supports our community.
I also want to take a moment to highlight a truly positive development for our downtown.
We recently received $580,694 in fully federal Community Project Funding to support important improvements in our downtown, including sidewalk expansion, safer, accessible routes, and improved building entrances, so residents and visitors with mobility challenges can fully enjoy Main Street, our restaurants, shops, and community space. This federal funding was secured through Congressman Brad Schneider’s Community Project Funding process and shows what’s possible when local needs are matched with federal support to help improve accessibility and infrastructure.
It honestly amazes me that a project focused entirely on accessibility and opportunity and 100% positive can still generate some negative responses online, including requests for unrelated projects outside the Village's jurisdiction or multi-million-dollar initiatives that simply aren’t connected to this funding or even within our authority.
Sometimes, as Mayor, I regret even posting on Facebook. But I hope people can see the hard work that goes into efforts like this and choose to reject the negativity that can come from online commentary.
Our Village staff works extremely hard, and our Village elected officials and trustees serve essentially as volunteers because they care deeply about Antioch.
I sincerely thank Congressman Brad Schneider and his staff, our Village staff, Village Trustees, local stakeholders, and, especially, residents with mobility challenges who shared their experiences and helped guide this project. This is exactly how meaningful progress gets done.
I hope everyone has a great weekend, enjoys what Antioch has to offer, and continues to support the people and places that make our community special.
—Scott J. Gartner
Mayor of Antioch
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