Sec 1 - PleasantonWeekly.com
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Sec 1 - PleasantonWeekly.com
Castlewood coach arrested Tennis teacher faces molestation charges ° page 5 6OL)8.UMBERs3EPTEMBER WWW0LEASANTON7EEKLYCOM Remembering 9/11 1st OK Sharks facility clears major hurdle °page 5 Military group hosts event honoring patriots ° Ballistic turns 40 3OCCERCLUBCELEBRATESFOURDECADES PAGE 12 Section 2 info Pleasanton M A G A Z I N E 2008-2009 Coming to Pleasanton homes this Month The most complete local resource magazine guide. Empowering You To Enjoy Life Assisted Living For Seniors With over 45 years of combined experience in financial services and asset management, Summit Financial Group Advisors Steve Wilcox, Don Ledoux, Vanessa Staley and Nathan Bennett specialize in retirement strategies, wealth management and estate planning for families and business owners. Fall Retirement Planning Classes City of Pleasanton: 9/16, 9/23 and 9/30 Town of Danville: 9/17, 9/24 and 10/1 For more information visit www.summitfingroup.com 24 Hour Personal Care & Supervision All Inclusive Flat Rate Three Nutritious Meals and Snacks Private and Semi-Private Rooms Available Daily Engaging Activities Optional Services Comprehensive Financial Services 2010 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 120 San Ramon, CA 94583 www.summitfingroup.com 925-866-7800 Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Securian Financial Services Inc. Securities Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Summit Financial Group LLC is indepentently owned and operated. TR#23219 DOFU 07/2008 4115 Mohr Avenue Pleasanton, CA 94566 Tel: 925.461.8409 Fax: 925.461.8482 19960 Santa Maria Avenue Castro Valley, CA 94546 Tel: 510.582.2765 Fax: 510.582.9670 License #015601206 License #015601223 Sunday, September 14th 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Lions Wayside Park, Pleasanton (corner of First & Neal) 'AMESs(ANDSON!RTS#RAFTS "AKE7ALKs&OODs#ONTESTS Free Entertainment www.pleasantonartsfoundation.org !LLPROCEEDSBENElT THE&IREHOUSE!RTS#ENTER Louis & Margene Rivara Presenting Sponsors Page 2ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor Bronze Sponsors Lose Weight Rapidly Gain Optimal Energy and Health Easily Adopt New Nutritional Habits Around Pleasanton & AUTO RyNck TIRE CENTERS LOSE 15 TO 30 LBS. in 2 Weeks by Jeb Bing Remembering Grandpa Schlereth W hen Howard E. Schlereth died last week at the age of 89—almost 90—there was no funeral, no flowers, no service, not even an obituary notice. An Army veteran with 22 years of service, including World War II, one of his duties was to escort the coffins of his fallen comrades home to their bereaving families. He’d seen enough sadness and wanted no more of it when his time came. Although his family honored his wishes, granddaughter Donalyn Harris sent me a note, which we followed up with a phone call, asking if there wasn’t some way we could honor “my truly great grandpa” who so many in Pleasanton knew. Let me give it a try. Mr. Schlereth, indeed, led a remarkable life. The last surviving sibling of eight, he enlisted in the Army at the age of 17, having a neighbor sign an affidavit falsifying his age as 18. He was sent to Hawaii and shipped out just before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. It was his first taste of war, thankful that he had escaped the carnage but sad that so many of his newly-made friends had perished. During the war, he served in the South Pacific, and eventually rose to the rank of Master Sergeant, the highest an enlisted man could hold at the time. After the war, he studied French at the Army Language School in Monterey and then was reassigned to Berlin where he moved with his wife Doris, who is now 86, before the Berlin wall was built. Later, he served in Korea, then took his discharge and started his civilian career as a purchasing agent, moving with Doris and their young son Howard H. to Danville. That’s also when property taxes were soaring, with Contra Costa County leading the way. During his military years when he was bringing war casualties home, Mr. Schlereth had gotten to know Graham Hitch who had a mortuary in Pleasanton, and Hitch persuaded the Schlereths to move here where homes, at the time, were much more affordable and taxes were low. That was 1967 and Doris recalls the wide open spaces of Pleasanton with its twolane Hopyard Road and lots of trees and hops growing alongside. The Schlereth family has been here ever since, with son Howard now married to Sandra and their three children—Donalyn and Matthew also living in Pleasanton and another son, Daymon, living in Corning, near Chico. Donalyn, who attended Walnut Grove Elementary and Harvest Park Middle schools and graduated from Amador Valley High, now lives in the Jensen tract with her husband Scott and their three children: Gary, an eighth-grader at Harvest Park and one-year-old twin daughters Parker and Piper. A close-knit family, the Schlereths have been a popular, well-known family in town with “Grandpa Howard” especially remembered for his good humor and seemingly endless number of jokes. His jovial personality, Donalyn believes, was the result of his absolute determination when he was growing up under his mother’s care during the hard times of the Depression to push ahead no matter what the odds and succeed. When he talked of those early days or of the harsh war years, he was never bitter, but always proud of his accomplishments. He also always put his own family first, finding ways to communicate or sometimes even sneak a visit during the times he was stationed elsewhere. Mr. Schlereth was cremated at his request and the family will place his ashes in a crypt in St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery shortly. Although he wanted to be remembered just in life, not in death, granddaughter Donalyn won’t let that happen. There’ll be a nameplate on the crypt where she intends to place a rose and plant a kiss occasionally just to show how a great man should be remembered. N Serious ailments and medical conditions can be minimized or eliminated through this life changing program! 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Expires 9/11/08 925-846-5624 About the Cover This 1972 photo shows then-Gov. Ronald Reagan saluting the BUSC team of 10-year-olds in his Sacramento office after they won the California State Soccer Championship that year. Former Tri-Valley Herald sports editor and TV30 sportscaster Dennis Miller is second from the left in photo, with businessman Mitch Pereira to his left and the late John Costello to his right. Vol. IX, Number 32 The Pleasanton Weekly is published weekly by Embarcadero Publishing Co., 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. USPS 020407. The Pleasanton Weekly is mailed free upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Voluntary subscriptions at $30 per year ($50 for two years) are welcome from Pleasanton residents. Subscription rate for businesses and for residents of other communities is $40 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. © 2008 by Embarcadero Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Crematory Privately Owned & Operated FD#429 Check out COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE ALIGNMENT 49 $ 95 Thrust Angle UÊÊ£ÓÊ°ÉÊ£Ó]äääÊiÊ7>ÀÀ>ÌÞ Must present coupon. Expires 9/11/08 fÈ°xÊvÕÀÜ ii THE “SLIDING SCALE” COUPON SAVE! IF YOUR VEHICLE’S SERVICES TOTALS: $50.00 $100.00 $150.00 $200.00 - 99.99 149.00 199.00 or MORE YOU WILL RECEIVETHE FOLLOWING DISCOUNT: $5.00 OFF $10.00 OFF $15.00 OFF $20.00 OFF Must present coupon. Expires 9/11/08 Service You Can Trust! every day PLEASANTON PLEASANTON* LIVERMORE DUBLIN 3420 Stanley Blvd. 4216 Rosewood Dr. 1485 First St. 6028 Dougherty Rd. 925-462-4900 925-734-3444 925-455-4330 925-833-9700 ÊÌ ÕÀÊÀÊÊÇ>ÊÌÊÈ«]Ê->ÌÊÊn>ÊÌÊx«ÊUÊV>ÌÃÊÜÌ Ê>ÊIÊ>ÀiÊ«iÊ-ÕÊÊn>ÊÌÊx« *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 3 your chi elevate Streetwise Q: Should restaurants be required to list the nutritional values of their foods? Asked Downtown Rebalance your life at ClubSport Joe Fox Relax your body and calm your mind with wellness classes, spa Software Industry treatments and resort-style pools. Elevate your Chi at ClubSport. I think it is natural for a person dining in a restaurant to want to know what they are eating. The large populations of persons with allergies or diabetes need to know the ingredients of the foods they are eating. I think it is a good idea. Get two personal training sessions, a nutrition consultation, and a ClubSport gym bag FREE when you join in September. ClubSport...life elevated Visit www.clubsports.com for your free guest pass. Bailey Powell After School Program Teacher (925) 271-0553 7090 Johnson Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588 The I think it would be a good thing to know. Sometimes we order things and are unaware of the calories or fat content. If I knew what the ingredients were I might change my mind and make a more healthconscious decision. Udderly Divine Bovine Days! September 20th, 1:00 PM October 4th, 6-11 PM Main & St. Mary St. Pleasanton Downtown Assn. Art & Heritage Celebration Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. Dance to Tommy & The 4Speeds “Running of the Cows” Bill Woodruff Marketing Menus need to be concise. It is not consistent to put nutritional values on menus. The nutritional choices people make begin at home. If you make bad choices at home, you’ll make bad choices eating out. Overall, I’m not interested in being thrown a bunch of minutia on my menu when most of us know a chimichanga is deep fried and a large Coke is full of sugar. “Udder Event” Cuisine Tastings from Local Restaurants Alviso Adobe Community Park Presentation Silent & Voice Auctions Benefiting Alviso Adobe Community Park and Museum On Main For reservations call the Museum On Main at 925-462-2766 or Joanie Fields at 925-462-4312 Co-Sponsored Event! Luis Huerta Management I believe they should. As we try to become more health conscious this type of information can only help to educate consumers to make better choices. We choose restaurants now that do supply that information. Savvy Seconds joins Party Bee’s for Girls/Kids Night Out! 6-10 pm Friday, Sept. 5th “Shop and Sip” & “Children’s Magic Show” Call to make reservations Becky Ferrari Student 925.846.6600 Shop at our new location at 560 Main St., Downtown Pleasanton Monday through Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 11-5 I think the Legislature has more important things to worry about so absolutely not I don’t think it should be mandatory. I think it’s great if restaurants want to but only by choice. www.shopsavvyseconds.com Debbie Lopes JUICY ■ COACH ■ SEVEN FOR ALL MANKIND ■ 8 TWO 8 ■ JEWELRY BY PAULA LUCKY ■ A&F ■ TOMMY ■ BANANA REPUBLIC ■ DKNY ■ J CREW ■ & MORE! Have a Streetwise question? E-mail: editor@PleasantonWeekly.com Compiled by Cybele Ryan Page 4ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Newsfront News Digest Castlewood tennis coach arraigned on alleged molestation charges Adult school back in session this month At least two female victims report ongoing sexual abuse between 1995 and 2001 Amador Adult and Community Education has classes for parents in September. Classes range from baby sign language to financial planning for families with special needs children to changing destructive adolescent behavior. To learn more about these classes and to register, call 426-4280 or visit www.pleasanton.k12.ca.us/ adulted. by Emily West N o bail has been set for Henry John Germain, the director of tennis programs at Castlewood Country Club, who was arrested Monday on charges of alleged child molestation. Appearing at an arraignment before Judge Hugh Walker Wednesday afternoon at the Pleasanton courthouse, the district attorney said he wanted to be conservative and not allow Germain’s release, adding that the victims reported sexual abuse that took place on a daily basis, potentially “hundreds” of times. Germain, a 62-year-old Dublin resident, was formally charged with eight counts of lewd behavior on minors, some with a child under the age of Germain New museum programs to teach children, families by Jeb Bing A Corrections The Weekly desires to correct all significant errors. To request a correction, call the editor at (925) 600-0840 or e-mail: editor@PleasantonWeekly.com Jay Flachsbarth In this month’s Coffee and Conversation with the Experts, at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd., experts will discuss how much salt should be consumed and how to use less in everyday cooking. There will be sampling of salt-free dishes as well as recipe ideas. Drop-in fees apply. Call 931-5365. (continued on page 8) Council votes 5-0 to proceed with 30-year ground lease Boys, men invited to audition for ‘Nutcracker’ Experts say to cut down on the salt ing foreign objects. Germain spoke before the judge in the courtroom, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, and appeared stoic. According to the county sheriff’s report, some of the victims informed the Castlewood Country Club of the previous molestations so that management could take employment action against Germain. That led the sheriff’s department to begin their investigation late last week, Sharks ice facility clears a hurdle The Museum On Main, 603 Main St., announced new monthly programs focused on educating children and families. Each event is held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays, except for the Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 31. To learn more about these events, call the museum at 462-2766 or visit www.museumonmain.org. The Valley Dance Theater is auditioning boys and men for a production of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” Boys ages 6 to 12, with or without previous experience, can audition at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the studio, 2247 Second St., Ste. B, in Livermore. Men with ballet experience can audition at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at the studio. The performances will take place Dec. 12-21 at the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St. in Livermore. More auditions are available by calling Betsy at 243-0925. 14. The Alameda County Sheriff’s office reports that numerous molestation incidents occurred between 1995 and 1999, although the judge said some could have occurred up to 2001. Several times during Germain’s arraignment the judge stressed the seriousness of the felony charges, adding that they are also considered violent, involv- Toss was no loss Professional Class competitor Mike Pockosik of Las Vegas throws a perfect score on his caber toss at last weekend’s Scottish Highland Games at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Festivities for the annual games officially kicked off Friday night with a “March Under the Arch” in downtown Pleasanton, with dancers, bagpipers and athletes. A traditional caber is 16-20 feet long and weighs 80-130 pounds. A golden opportunity NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue hosts “Wag ‘N Walk” at Shadow Cliffs by Janet Pelletier H allie, a 2-year-old golden retriever, was saved from a puppy mill last December in Oklahoma. When her rescuers found her, she was tied up by a rope and identified only as No. 113. Due to her troubling treatment, Hallie was afraid of loud noises, people and cars, didn’t make eye contact and her normally lush coat of hair was thin and brittle. All that changed when she was placed in a loving home through NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue. Hallie’s story is not uncommon, but NGRR successfully rehabilitates and places nearly 400 golden retrievers per year into loving homes. “Hallie’s story is particularly gratifying because she was res(continued on page 7) multi-million-dollar regional ice skating rink planned by a subsidiary of the San Jose Sharks in Pleasanton’s new Staples Ranch park could be up and running within two years following the City Council’s unanimous approval Tuesday to move forward on the project. The council approved a series of core objectives that would govern a ground lease for the 7-acre, twostory ice rink and hockey complex. Representatives of San Jose Arena Management, which would build and operate the facility at no cost to the city, have already indicated they would agree to the numerous stipulations imposed by the City Council. Once written into the lease agreement, the contract would go back to the council within 90 days for final approval. At that time, the project would begin the routine process of being reviewed by the city Planning Commission and then again by the council before construction permits could be issued. Already, before the ground lease is finalized, SJAM has indicated it will work with city officials to install and operate an outdoor skating rink this winter. City Manager Nelson Fialho said the rink would be located in a section of the parking lot between the Civic Center and the public library, using the parking stalls and a parking lane alongside Old Bernal Avenue. According to plans, the Sharks would open the rink during the Thanksgiving holiday week and operate it through early January. The outdoor rink was one of the stipulations imposed by the council in its list of requirements in approv- ing the ice rink ground lease. Other requirements include an agreement with the Pleasanton school district to provide ice time to physical education programs and school hockey teams and to offer discounts to Pleasanton residents. The 7-acre site where the Sharks ice arena would be built lies east of where Stoneridge Drive currently terminates and west of El Charro Road, the eastern boundary of Staples Ranch. The facility would occupy a 17-acre community park, which the Sharks subsidiary also will develop with sports fields and other amenities. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Sharks were also asked to make a substantial contribution toward more sports fields on the Bernal property to compensate the city for athletic fields the rink would occupy, and also to contribute to the downtown Firehouse Arts Center Foundation fundraising drive. Staples Ranch is a 124 acre site at the southwest corner of I-580 and El Charro Road that is unincorporated and owned by Alameda County. Other developments planned for Staples Ranch include an auto mall at the northeast corner of the site at the I-580-El Charro Road interchange planned by Hendrick Automotive; a 600-800 unit independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care facility for seniors, planned by CLC Continuum, a Southern Californiabased senior care organization; and a retail store complex between the park and the auto mall, to be developed by Fremont Land developers. In addition, the developers of these three parcels and the Sharks also will pay for a 5-acre neighborhood (continued on page 6) *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 5 Newsfront Sharks (continued from page 5) park on the western side of Staples that would be developed by CLC but maintained as a public park by the city of Pleasanton. It would include a 3.5-acre water runoff detention system. A required Environmental Impact Report for the entire site has also been completed and accepted. The deadline for filing comments passed earlier this summer with few comments. Only two of more than 20 speakers at the council’s public hearing on the proposed ground lease contract Tuesday night questioned the agreement. John Carroll said he has yet to hear back from an email he sent to city staff April 1, 2007 questioning financial arrangements being made with the Sharks and urged the council to halt negotiations until the answers are made. He said the proposed $1 a year lease over the life of a 30-year contract is “not what it should be,” and urged the council to insist on a bond upfront to cover any shortfall by the Sharks subsidiary or its Living a Long Healthy Life A Free Community Seminar default. Richard Pugh also asked for a surety bond and suggested that the lease term be cut from 30 years to five or 10. At Councilman Matt Sullivan’s urging, those requests were included in the upcoming negotiations between city staff and the Sharks subsidiary, although the 30-year lease provision stayed in place. Chamber of Commerce President Scott Raty and former Councilwoman Sharrell Michelotti urged the council to move forward on the project, which they said had been delayed too long already. “There is a point at which the deal Everywhere you turn someone has a new secret to a long healthy life. What do you believe? Lowell Kleinman, M.D., will discuss facts and myths about health and wellness, and present some simple everyday steps to help prevent illness. Discussion will include: What’s the right amount of exercise? Do I need vitamins, herbs or supplements? Do they substitute for pharmaceutical medication? How often do I need to see a doctor? What are the most important health screenings and medical tests? Are they necessary? San Ramon Regional Medical Center, your neighborhood hospital, invites you to attend the educational program and bring your questions for Dr. Kleinman. See you in the Dougherty Valley neighborhood. Speaker: Lowell Kleinman, M.D Family Medicine Specialist Free Educational Seminars Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Seminar Location Dougherty Station Community Center Front Row Theater 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road San Ramon, CA Reserve your place by calling 925.275.8230 or online www.sanramonmedctr.com Page 6ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ breaks,” Raty warned. “We have to stay on top of this so that we don’t kill the golden goose by delays.” Attorney Pat Kernan, who represents the Sharks subsidiary, said the Sharks have already had a discussion with the school district to develop skating programs for high school students. He said between 700 and 800 kids are enrolled in ice skating and hockey programs in SJAM’s facility in San Jose, which is identical to what the subsidiary is planning in Pleasanton. Fialho said the Sharks project will be fourth in line as the Planning Commission and City Council consider the four major projects on Staples. Hendrick Automotive will be first so that the firm can get started on building a new auto row for Pleasanton. CLC with its senior housing will be second, followed by the Fremont retail center, and then the Sharks. The process could be completed by mid-2009. The proposed Sharks ice complex would operate from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily and would include four rinks, a family style sports restaurant, a sports bar, pro shop and public meeting rooms. N A Silver night Nearly two dozen children on Silver Street in the Jensen tract neighborhood participated recently in the Pleasanton Police Department’s celebration of National Night Out. Held Aug. 5, the police department encouraged neighborhoods to hold block parties to socialize with and get to know neighbors. Axis grant funds nutrition program for low-income Kaiser Permanente donates $25,000 to help serve people with diabetes, obesity Axis Community Health recently received a $25,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente to form a clinical nutrition department, which will help low-income residents who have chronic diseases such as diabetes. The grant will cover initial department startup costs and the recruiting and hiring of a registered dietician, according to Axis. Axis, which provides medical, mental health, substance abuse counseling and health education to the uninsured and underinsured in the Tri-Valley, said the new department will allow the organization to improve care to these individuals, with the highest priority going to diabetics and children and adults who are obese. “Other patients to be served include those who have congestive heart disease and hypertension,” said Axis CEO Sue Compton. “As a result of this funding, specific outcomes will include: 1) improved access to nutrition education activities by low-income Tri-Valley individuals, 2) integration of nutrition education with medical care and behavioral health services; and 3) reduced blood pressure, weight and cholesterol and glucose levels, among our chronically ill patients.” In terms of numbers, the grant will allow Axis to provide more than 400 hours of nutrition counseling services for Tri-Valley residents over the next year. The nonprofit serves 14,000 people per year and operates facilities in Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin, and is supported by local, state and federal funding, foundation grants, client revenues and community donations. For information, visit www. axishealth.org. —Janet Pelletier Newsfront Library nabs a Big Read grant ‘The Great Gatsby’ will be the focus of events through Oct. 25 The National Endowment for the Arts named the Pleasanton Public Library as a host for The Big Read, a national project to strengthen community through reading. From now through Oct. 25, the library is hosting events centered around the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, “The Great Gatsby.” Just over 200 organizations including libraries, municipalities and arts organizations represent 46 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands are participating in The Big Read nationwide festivities through June. Of 500 grants given, they range from $2,500 to $20,000. Several “Gatsby” events have been planned, including a big Kickoff Extravaganza from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, where there will be food, games and prizes as well as Sara & Swingtime bringing the jazz tunes and Dr. Philip Manwell of Las Positas College giving a keynote address. This is a free event and 1920s attire is encouraged. For a schedule of events, visit the library’s website at www. ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/library or give them a call at 931-3400. NEA puts on The Big Read in hopes to restore reading to the center of American culture, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and with Arts Midwest Support for The Big Read provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. To learn more about the program, visit www.neabigread.org. —Emily West Golden (continued from page 5) cued from a puppy mill,” said Laurel Stanley, who is the president of the retriever rescue. “She is in a home with a loving family, a gentle golden retriever who mentors her, and a big back yard. Hers is truly a Cinderella story.” On Sept. 13, the rescue organization will put on its big fundraiser of the year, “Wag ‘N Walk,” a twomile, all-breed dog walk at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. The event features an alumni parade of dogs who have been rescued by the organization’s volunteers, as well as a dog walk (including a swim break) for all dog breeds and their families. Canine-related demonstrations and activities will also be included. Participants will receive goody bags and T-shirts. Registration is $25. Children 14 and under are free. Parking at Shadow Cliffs is $6 and there is a $2 fee per dog entering the park. In addition to the activities, there will be a raffle and silent auction for sailing, baseball tickets, wine and a two-night stay at dog-friendly hotels. Retrievers needing homes will also be on hand. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.golden-rescue.org or email to wagnwalk08@sbcglobal.net. N Hallie, a 2-year-old golden retriever was rescued from a puppy mill and placed into a loving home with the help of NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue. eScrip helps high school boosters clubs Popular fundraising program ever more crucial in light of state budget cut projections by Elyssa Thome If you registered a child for high school recently, you were likely asked to subscribe to eScrip. Volunteers are using the beginning of a new school year as the perfect opportunity to advertise the popular fundraiser. With a $15 billion-plus California state budget deficit and a slow economy, the Boosters at both Foothill and Amador Valley high schools want to keep their programs running at high speed without hurting anyone’s wallet. As school groups prepare to deal with possible budget cuts, the organizations are asking the community to help out through eScrip. “We still don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Lori Rice, president of Amador’s boosters. “We’re trying to really get people to see the value.” The eScrip program allows parents, friends and strangers the chance to give money to schools at no cost to themselves by registering grocery store loyalty cards, major credit cards and debit cards. When the registered cards are used at participating stores, a percentage of those sales go to the program you chose. “It’s really a very simple way to give money to your school at no cost to you,” said Liz Klein, a par- ent volunteer at Amador. “Everyone should be doing it—everyone in the community.” Amador Boosters has raised the most money of any organization in the U.S., according to Rice, and has participated in the eScrip program since it was introduced in 1999 thanks to the efforts of Ken Mano. Over the past nine years AVHS Athletic Boosters alone have raised more than $1 million and averages about $150,000 per year. Foothill High School also participates. Subscribers who want to support FHS can choose between Activities and Academics, Athletic Boosters, Band Boosters, Drama Department, Choirs and GAPP. For those who want to support Pleasanton schools but have multiple causes close to their heart, eScrip subscriptions can be split between up to three separate groups. These groups can be changed, added and dropped through your online account. According to Klein, many people are confused about the program and do not realize how easy and secure it is. She said by registering a card, subscribers give the companies permission to give money to the schools. The percentage of sales, a number typically between 1-5 percent and chosen by each company, is donated by the com- pany, not the individual shopper. This is similar to traditional scrip, where the individual pays a specific dollar amount and receives the same amount of money to specific stores. When the scrip is used at the designated place of business, the company gives money to the organization through which the scrip was purchased. In the case of eScrip, simply using the registered card allows money to be given to the schools. According to the eScrip website (http://escrip.com), subscribers can track how much money they have raised and register cards themselves online. Klein suggests people concerned about privacy register Safeway or Raley’s cards through the school, then register credit cards online. Card information given on paper is entered into the eScrip system by volunteers, then immediately shredded to ensure security, according to Klein. In order to subscribe, http:// escrip.com. Paper forms are available through both high schools’ boosters, and Amador has a printable version online at www.amadordons.com. Be sure to enter the correct organization(s). More information about the program, including a list of participating merchants is available at the eScrip website. N Connie’s Acupuncture Clinic Get your best acupuncture treatment based on Dr. Ouyang’s knowledge of ancient acupuncture and scientific evidence of acupuncture's effects for different kind of diseases. s7EPROVIDEACUPUNCTUREQUALITY#HINESE HERBALFORMULASANDACUPRESSURESERVICESTO our patients. s7EACCEPTMOSTHEALTHINSURANCESWITH00/ AND0/3PLANS s7ECANALSOACCEPTAUTOWORKERS compensation insurances. $35 initial office visit Includes Exam and Treatment provided on first visit. Void if insurance applies. Call today 925.998.4691 Connie Ouyang Licensed Acupuncturist Graduated from Beijing Univ. OF#HINESE-EDICINE #EDARWOOD,N3TE" 0LEASANTON#! IN!MADOR-EDICAL0ARK NEXTTO0LESANTONMAINPOSTOFlCE *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 7 Newsfront A Professional Accounting Corporation You’re More Than Just a Number! Not-so-new license law still confusing T IMPORTAN What are the rules and exceptions to driving with a provisional license? H! E MONT H T F O P I T by Elyssa Thome Ê Ê>ÊiÝÌià ` i Ê Êw i Û > Ê vÊÞÕ ÇÊ -]ÊÞÕÀÊÓää ÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ, Ê`ÕiÊ ÊÀiÌÕÀÃÊ>Ài Ý > ÊÌ i V Ì "VÌLiÀÊ£x >ÊÕÃÊÌÊ ÃiÌÊÕ«Ê>Ê >««ÌiÌÊ vÀÊ>ÊVÃÕÌ>Ì° Julie Loomis, CPA Óx®Ên{È£nxÊUÊÜÜÜ°V«>°iÌ £äÓ{Ê-iÀ«iÌiÊ>i]Ê-ÕÌiÊ£äxÊUÊ*i>Ã>Ì SEPTEMBER SPECIAL All tennis & golf apparel 20% off Wilson US Open Tennis Balls $1.99 We’re Serious! Pleasanton Golf & Tennis features the finest tennis and golf equipment, footwear and apparel for the whole family! a can! Discount does not include sales items. Coupon must be present. Expires 9/30/08. 5480 Sunol Blvd. by Raley's Market 925 426 7207 S t o r e Monday-Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday H o u r s 10:00 am - 7:00pm 10:00 am - 8:00pm 10:00 am - 6:00pm 11:00 am - 3:00pm www.pleasantongolfandtennis.com PG&T supports healthy living and family fun! #$#+ 0XUSK\·V3DZKDVWKHPRVW XQLTXHDQGKLJKHVWTXDOLW\ FDQLQHSURGXFWVRQWKHPDUNHW &ROODUV/HDVKHV 7R\V7UHDWV %HGV &DUULHUV $SSDUHO $FFHVVRULHV 6SD+HDOWK,WHPV *LIWVIRUWKH'RJ/RYHU ´.LWW\.RUQHUµ PXFKPXFKPRUH 410 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA (925) 600-8925 www.murphyspaw.com Page 8ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ With another school year under way and a new crop of drivers, it seems like an appropriate time to brush up on provisional license knowledge. As of Jan. 1 2006, restrictions on new drivers under the age of 18 were expanded and have remained the same for the past three years, but many people are still confused. “The reality is that it’s not that confusing,” said Sgt. Michael Collins, supervisor for the traffic division of Pleasanton Police Department. “We do so many educational campaigns for parents and drivers, there is really no excuse.” Even so, many parents and drivers have questions, or have answers that also happen to be wrong. For those of you concerned about when you can, and cannot drive alone, we’re here are some clear answers. Upon receiving a license, restrictions apply for the next twelve months or until the driver turns 18. The restrictions do not apply to anyone over the age of 18, so if you turn 18 before the 12 months are up, the restrictions no longer apply. For those 12 months, a minor must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years or older and specified by law when: s 4RANSPORTING PASSENGERS UNDER the age of 20. s $RIVING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. This means driving with a parent without a license or your 22 year-old sister (who is not your legal guardian) does not make you exempt from the restrictions. You can drive with that parent or 22 year-old sibling, but you cannot do so between 11-5 or with someone under 20 in the car. If you do not remember when your license was issued and are therefore unsure when the restrictions end, look at the bottom of your driver license. Just to the left of your photograph is the date when the restrictions began, so if you calculate one year from that date you can find the date the restrictions end. The restrictions themselves are Germain (continued from page 5) ending with Monday’s arrest. Two women are reported as the victims in the charges, although officials have said there’s a good possibility that there may be more. The victims are reportedly children of club members. Jerry Olson, general manager of the Castlewood Country Club, said the club’s reaction is “one of great disappointment and concern for the families of the victims.” “This is obviously not what our club stands for,” he said. Germain, worked at Castlewood for 16 years, where he taught juniors and adults tennis as the fairly straightforward, but the exceptions have raised the most questions. Exceptions are listed in California Vehicle Code Section 12814.6. Here is what you need to know: In all of the following cases, the phrase “reasonable transportation facilities are inadequate” is important. If there is any other way for an underage passenger to get where they need to be, including public transportation, a neighbor or a bike, a signed note is not legitimate permission. That means for most daylight hours, some means of transportation is likely open to you in Pleasanton, so you cannot break the provisionary rules. s%MPLOYMENTTHEREISANEXCEPtion for a person who has to work, provided that reasonable transportation facilities are inadequate. You must carry a statement with you that is signed by your employer verifying your employment and indicating the date your employment is expected to end. An application for an exception is not necessary. Translation: If your work requires you to drive during restricted hours, you can do it with the proper documentation, but you must be driving directly to or from work. s -EDICAL NECESSITYWHEN REAsonable transportation facilities are inadequate. You must carry a signed statement from your doctor stating the diagnosis and the probable date the necessity will end. Translation: If you must break restrictions because of a medical condition, you are allowed to with proper documentation if no other options are available. s3CHOOLINGORSCHOOLAUTHORIZED ACTIVITIESWHEN REASONABLE TRANSportation facilities are inadequate. You must carry a statement signed by the school principal, dean or A STAFF PERSON AUTHORIZED BY THE principal or dean, indicating when THESCHOOLINGORSCHOOLAUTHORIZED activity will be completed. Translation: If school or school related activities require you to break restriction, you can do so with proper documentation if no other options are available. s.ECESSITYOFFAMILYMEMBER including yourself, when adequate transportation facilities are unavailable and you need personal transportation or to transport a family member. You must carry a signed statement by a parent/legal guardian verifying the reason you must drive and the probable date the necessity will end. Translation: You can drive a family member if it is absolutely necessary, no other options are available and you have a note from a parent or guardian. The note is a one-time only kind of note, not a “blank-check,” and applies only to family members. s %MANCIPATED MINOR)F YOU have filed documents with DMV to show you are emancipated and have filed either an SR-1P or SR 22 as required by law, you are not held to the provisional driving restrictions. It may be a good idea to carry proof of your emancipated status with you. Translation: If you are an emancipated minor, the restrictions don’t apply, but you should be able to prove your status. s 4HE LAW DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR emergencies; only for exceptions as listed in Vehicle Code Section 12814.6. It is the discretion of law enforcement to determine if they will cite you for violating your provisional license restrictions. Translation: Emergencies are not included in the law, so if you get pulled over, explain yourself and hope for the best. Collins said that despite the Police Department’s continued efforts to get this information out there, they have found a disappointing lack of parent support from a majority of their audience. “The thing that we find most frustrating is that we have a hard time getting parents to buy into this,” he said. “It’s an inconvenience so we have a hard time getting a majority of parents to help us out.” Collins said the need for kids to gain experience before driving others is crucial. Just as parents would not knowingly allow their child to ride in the car of a drunk driver because that would be irresponsible, they should take this law seriously. N club’s tennis professional. Prior to that, he worked at the Pleasanton ClubSport. Olson declined to comment on whether Germain was still employed with the club, saying that any actions would be premature. “We are going to let the legal process take its course,” he said. Olson, who has served as general manager for just over a month, said he doesn’t believe they will change hiring policies as a result of this incident. “We have a pretty extensive hiring background check,” he said. “We’re pretty confident with our processes as they stand.” At the Wednesday arraignment, Germain said the lawyer he has contacted for representation was on vacation and was unable to contact any others. The judge scheduled a plea hearing for this morning. It’s possibility it will be postponed if Germain is not able to secure legal representation. Prior to the Wednesday hearing, people who know Germain gathered around the courthouse and shared words of shock and disbelief. Close friends and family of the suspect declined when asked to comment on the allegations. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the case are encouraged to contact detectives. Victim information is kept confidential. The anonymous tip line is 510-667-3622. For updates to this story or to comment on our Town Square forum, visit www.pleasantonweekly.com. N Newsfront C ompassionate therapy Police still on lookout for robbers for change, helping Three men took cash, jewelry, pistol-whipping employee in the process you move from merely Pleasanton police continue to search for three suspects involved in a jewelry store robbery in which one victim was struck on the head by a pistol. The robbery occurred at about 3:20 p.m. Aug. 28 when two men entered the Diamond Creation Jewelry Store in the 4000 block of Pimlico Drive brandishing a handgun, according to police. The suspects ordered victims to get down on the floor and hit a victim on the head with the gun. The suspects stole cash and jewelry and left the area in a light-colored vehicle driven by a third suspect, police said. The two suspects in the store were described as black men in their 30s. One suspect is about 5 feet 1 inches tall with short hair and was wearing a white shirt. The second suspect was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and was wearing a black hat and shirt, police said. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5100. —Bay City News Community TV station will produce, broadcast 11 different forums for candidates to states their views out October and before the Nov. 4 election. Candidates are likely to be interviewed by Carolyn Siegfried, a long-time on-air interviewer for TV30. The races to be covered are: Dublin City Council, Dublin mayor, Pleasanton City Council, Pleasanton mayor, Dublin Unified School District board, Livermore Unified School District board, Pleasanton Unified School District board, San Ramon Valley Unified School District board, Dublin-San Ramon Services District board and the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District board. The station also will interview proponents and opponents of two competing initiatives in Pleasanton that are on the Nov. 4 ballot, measures that deal with proposed bans on hillside development and the city’s 29,000-unit housing cap. Bradley said each program would cost an estimated $540 to produce. Other candidate forums also will be produced and broadcast on Comcast’s separate community service Channel 26. —Jeb Bing Of Note Alt graduates from Marine Corps basic training Brandon D. Alt graduated from United States Marine Corps basic training in San Diego Aug. 15 in the 3rd Battalion, India Company, Platoon 3213. He received a meritorious promotion to private first class. He served as squad leader and received the highest score in his platoon on the physical fitness test. He attended Amador Valley High School from 2004 through 2007 and graduated from high school in Alpine, Utah in 2008. Brandon D. Alt Two Foothill seniors earn Eagle honors Justin denBroeder, a senior at Foothill High School, received his Eagle Scout award, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, in May. A celebration of his accomplishments will be held at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. Sept. 14. Justin joined Cub Scout Pack 948 in second grade as a Wolf scout. After earning his Arrow of Light award in fifth grade, he joined Boy Scout troop 941. He continues to be an active member of 941. His journey through boy scouting has given him a love for hiking and backpacking and he plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the future. His Eagle project was a series of musical concerts for the residents at Kottinger Place, a low-income senior housing facility in Pleasanton. Anthony DeBenedetti, an 18-year-old senior at Foothill, also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. DeBenedetti was required to earn a minimum of 21 Dr. Sara Denman Licensed Psychologist | PSY19808 Areas of Dr. Denman’s expertise include, but are not limited to: parenting challenges, eating issues, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, past and present trauma, life changes, and all forms of PTSD including Veterans. 145 East Prospect Ave Ste 218 | Danville | 925-648-4941 TV30 to air candidates forums TV30, the Tri-Valley’s community television station, will produce and broadcast 11 different forums for candidates to states their views before the Nov. 4 elections. The TV30 board of directors, at the request of interim system executive director Roger Bradley, administrative analyst for the city of Dublin, approved budgeting $6,000 to produce the programs. Bradley estimated that it would take 140 hours of TV30 staff time to handle the work and that the 30-minute to one-hour shows would be broadcast live and then re-broadcast through- surviving to thriving. merit badges. Some of these badges included rifle shooting, first aid, canoeing, music, backpacking, pioneering, and wilderness survival. His Eagle project involved a toy and hygiene products drive for the Oakland Children’s Hospital. To accomplish this, DeBenedetti placed collection boxes inside businesses for donations of toys and cash. Once Justin denBroeder items were collected, he coordinated and organized workforces required to wrap and deliver the items. His Scouting experience allowed him to make new friends and learn about the disadvantages of procrastination. “I also had a lot of fun completing the various merit badges,” he said. “One of my favorites was the Wilderness Survival merit badge. We hiked out into the middle of nowhere with nothing but a flashlight and the clothes on our backs. I also really enjoyed the 50-mile hike I did before freshman year. Despite being one of the most physically challenging things I’ve ever done, I had a great sense of accomplishment afterwards.” An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held May 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to recognize his achievement. Rent continues to rise… FHA can help you buy a home! Call us to learn about our FHA mortgage program & see how easy it is to qualify for FHA! Call us for more details! 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Not valid for holistic services. Dogs and cats only. Expires August 21, 2008. Routine and Urgent Veterinary Care Boarding , %##!",'($$ & OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK (Doctors on staff until 10 PM) WEEKDAYS: 7AM AMPM #&,'&,%&,*#'& 925.866.8387 2000 Bishop Drive, San Ramon CA 94583 pleasanton dowtown association presents PARK concerts in the Fridays 7 PM to 8:30 PM lions wayside park at first & neal streets www.pleasantondowntown.net (925) 484-2199 September 5 Public Eye (Rock & Roll) Sponsored by Residential Pacific Mortgage Weekly Concerts in the Park Drawing Bring this entry form to this week’s concert for a chance to win E-MAIL: __________________________ great prizes NAME: ___________________________ Donated by members of the Pleasanton Downtown Association. Must be present to win. Must be 21 years of age to enter. Page 10ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ New police contract reins in pension costs It may take a couple of decades before taxpayers realize the financial benefits, but at least the process has started. We’re talking about the agreement approved Tuesday by the City Council and the police union, the Pleasanton Police Officers Association, to cut back medical insurance benefits for retirees hired after Jan. 1, 2009. Under the recently expired contract, retirees eligible to retire and receive retiree medical benefits received a two-party benefit. Spouses were covered the same as the employee. Under the new agreement, spouses will no longer receive medical benefits. The agreement, hammered out by police union leaders and City Manager Nelson Fialho and his staff, amounts to a 50 percent reduction in retiree health care benefits going forward. This was a significant shift in philosophy for the city and police union and was made necessary to preserve the city’s long-term financial strength. Union and city negotiators made progress because the city’s cost to fund increasing health care benefits threatens to far outweigh projected revenue that can be set aside to meet this obligation. The proposal was sweetened with the city agreeing to cover police officers and their spouses hired through Dec. 31, with the new two-tiered plan becoming effective for new-hires only. The breakthrough agreement will likely set a pattern for future negotiations with the firefighters’ union, which just signed a new three-year contract, and with other city employees who are represented by a union and whose contract expires next year. Pension benefits for police accrue at the rate of 4 percent per year. So officers who retire after 10 years of service are eligible for 40 percent of their pay and health benefits. After 25 years and beyond, they are fully vested. With the new contract, police also will receive 4 percent pay increases in each of the next three years, retroactive to last May 1. The co-pay for health care services also was increased, but a new provision caps the increase in any given year at 15 percent. Any increases by the medical benefit insurer above 15 percent will have to be paid by the employee. The three-year contract follows a contract that was in effect for seven years. This shorter contract gives both sides the opportunity to renegotiate wages and benefits earlier as the economy changes. The new contract was based on studies of police department benefits paid by neighboring and similarly-size cities and departments, including Livermore, Fremont, Hayward, Milpitas, Union City and Walnut Creek. Dublin was not included in the study since its police force is handled on a contract basis by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. Recruiting by municipal police departments is highly competitive with benefit packages often deal-breakers where wages are similar. But with run away pension benefits threatening the financial solvency of many cities in California, Pleasanton’s agreement on spousal coverage offers an opportunity to cut costs long-term without diminishing the salary and other benefits of working in Pleasanton. 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Phone: (925) 600-0840 Fax: (925) 600-9559 President Gina Channell-Allen, Ext. 19 Publisher Jeb Bing, Ext. 18 EDITORIAL Editor Jeb Bing, Ext. 18 Managing Editor Janet Pelletier, Ext. 11 Features Editor Emily West, Ext. 21 Intern Elyssa Thome Contributors Jerri Pantages Long Joe Ramirez Cybele Ryan ART & PRODUCTION Design Director Rick Nobles, Ext. 17 Designers Trina Cannon, Ext. 14 Lili Cao, Ext. 25 Kristin Herman, Ext. 14 Manuel Valenzuela, Ext. 20 ADVERTISING Advertising Sales Manager Esmeralda Escovedo-Flores, Ext. 23 Account Executive Steve Chapman, Ext. 28 Paul Crawford, Ext. 13 Karen Klein, Ext. 22 Real Estate Sales Nancy Taresh, Ext. 10 Inside Sales Art Gordillo, Ext. 12 Ad Services Sandy Lee, Ext. 16 Real Estate Ad Services Tracey Fordahl, Ext. 30 BUSINESS Business Associate Lisa Oefelein, Ext. 26 Circulation Director Bob Lampkin, Ext. 41 Front Office Coodinator Kathleen Martin, Ext. 0 How to reach the Weekly 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Phone: (925) 600-0840 Fax: (925) 600-9559 Editorial e-mail: editor@PleasantonWeekly.com calendar@PleasantonWeekly.com Display Sales e-mail: sales@PleasantonWeekly.com Classifieds Sales e-mail: ads@PleasantonWeekly.com Circulation e-mail: circulation@PleasantonWeekly.com The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Publishing Co., 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Pleasanton Weekly is mailed free upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Voluntary subscriptions at $30 per year ($50 for two years) are welcome from Pleasanton residents. Subscription rate for businesses and for residents of other communities is $50 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. © 2008 by Embarcadero Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Opinion Guest Opinion Letters Take Haggerty up on Stoneridge Drive offer Backpack drive very successful NIMBY initiative is bad news Dear Editor, Recently at a Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty challenged our mayor to put in the Stoneridge Drive extension through to El Charro as soon as possible, saying that the county would pay for it. What a great offer to the City of Pleasanton. The sooner this “gift” could be implemented into reality, the less it would cost. Pleasanton needs to compromise with the county to solve a major traffic problem. Stoneridge Drive has been in the General Plan since 1965. As a candidate for the Pleasanton City Council, if elected, I will make it a first priority of mine to accept Supervisor Haggerty’s generous offer to install and complete Stoneridge Drive immediately, as opposed to not doing it, or putting it off until some future date. Pleasanton voters concerned with traffic congestion, and fiscal responsibility, hopefully will support my position. Howard Neely Pleasanton Dear Editor, I am excited to report that this year’s annual backpack drive was even more successful than last. This year I was pleased to work with Janet Wolfinger and the Pleasanton Unified School District to distribute the supplies. Thank you to all the members of the community that stepped up to make sure that the kids returning to school this week will do so with the supplies they need. Having a new backpack with all the supplies is more than a basic necessity. It gives a real boost of confidence to the kids, knowing that they have the tools to succeed. David H. De Bonis, D.C. Pleasanton by Peter MacDonald ‘Shop local’ good in theory, not so much in practice Dear Editor, Once again, I am compelled to comment on, and agree with, the recent editorial (“Shop Local,” Editorial, Aug. 22, page 12) referencing downtown Pleasanton and its myriad of banks. The belief that a 10,000-squarefoot space is too large for most retailers seems to be an excuse for poor planning, recruiting, and an apparent inability to cut through the red tape that has scared away potential businesses in the past. Has anyone from our Planning Commission or PDA been to Walnut Creek lately? Stores like Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel (apparently in consideration), Sur La Table, The Container Store, just to name a few, certainly occupy spaces equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet. It is difficult to believe that our unique and charming downtown cannot attract the best retailers in the area. How can it possibly take two years to complete the approval/ permit process (Redcoats)? Maybe that’s why we have so many restaurants owned by the same person/group (Baci)—at least part of the approvals is already in place. Whoever is in charge of getting the ball rolling needs to wake up, or we will soon find ourselves left in the revitalization dust of our neighboring cities—Livermore, Dublin, etc. I would love to ‘shop local,’ and do whenever I can. We just need more quality reasons to make it happen. Cathy Wankle Pleasanton Think before voting for Brozosky Dear Editor, So we have Brozosky v. Hosterman again. Oh joy. We are in for such a treat. Again we get to witness Brozosky and Dan Carl whining about everything Hosterman says, and then saying the same things behind her back, complaining about everything she does, then doing the same things. But, let’s not forget history’s lesson. Brozosky will go on to lie about it and conveniently “lose” the evidence against him. Brozosky and Carl will act like impetuous children who aren’t getting what their big sister is getting, sniping and taking a cheap shot every chance they get. Let’s not forget that Brozosky enthusiastically backed what has turned out to be the biggest failure in the history of the city, the “water park.” Let’s not forget about the email scandal and his aforementioned failure to turn over emails that constituted public property. Maybe Brozosky will throw enough money around to win this time—but think about the kind of person he has proven himself to be before you randomly cast your vote. Richard Roberts Pleasanton School candidates should discuss overcrowding, safety Dear Editor, The candidates’ initial statements were fluffy, without substance. We need school board members that are willing to tackle tough issues and be proactive in their solutions. They can begin with high school overcrowding and school safety. Paula Plunk Pleasanton I had hoped with Pleasanton almost built out, that the growth v. no growth wars could quiet down. When City Council reached agreement on the draft General Plan Land Use Element early this year, it seemed that the council and community were coming to consensus about Pleasanton’s future. But that consensus would be shattered by the poorly worded and unnecessary Peoples’ Hillside Initiative (Measure PP on your November ballot). Measure PP is primarily a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) Initiative. City Council approved the Oak Grove project last November by a 4-1 vote, and that triggered this NIMBY Initiative. A citizens’ committee made up from adjacent neighborhoods endorsed the final project design by a substantial majority. The approved density is only half the density stated in the General Plan. So a minority of that neighbor committee broke away and started both a referendum and an initiative, against Oak Grove and other projects like it. They incorrectly believe that city politicians can interpret the stated density as meaning any density between zero and the stated density. In their view, allowing even 50 percent of the stated density is a political gift, and dedicating a 490-acre public park is too small of a gift back. If a neighborhood minority can take away all of the property owners’ rights in Oak Grove and similar properties, with no regard for the general plan or the Constitution, then the incentive for political gouging is too great, and the political wars will never end. s4HATISGOODNEWSFORTHELAWyers who will litigate the tricky clauses and ambiguous wording of this NIMBY initiative. s 4HAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE who see our city government primarily as entertainment—a circus in which outcomes do not matter. s "UT THIS .)-"9 INITIATIVE IS bad news if you want city government that develops consensus, provides good service, is predictable, and is fair. s 4HIS .)-"9 INITIATIVE IS BAD news if you want parks and trails, and quality of life. (e.g. 490-acre park on Oak Grove.) s 4HIS .)-"9 INITIATIVE IS BAD news if you want the general plan update finally completed, and a general plan that embodies a community consensus around a worthy vision for Pleasanton. The far better alternative is the initiative sponsored by our City Council (Measure QQ on your November ballot). Measure QQ sets up a consensus process to develop a hillside ordinance consistent with general plan hillside policies. [These views are strictly mine. I am not (yet) associated with the “No on Measure PP” Committee, if there is one.] Peter MacDonald was formerly the city attorney for the city of Pleasanton from 1982-1988 and formerly the chair of the Pleasanton Downtown Association board of directors. He practices law from his firm in downtown Pleasanton. Talking Points by Gina Channell-Allen Eco-friendly, user-friendly search leaves publishers green Got green? Are you “eco-friendly,” reducing your carbon footprint and concerned about climate change? Or do you just like the convenience of getting your news online? Whatever the reason, more and more newspaper readers are asking for their news in an electronic version. I recently ran across a book copyrighted in 1901 titled, “Establishing a Newspaper.” It’s a step-by-step how-to for starting a newspaper. Appallingly, it had absolutely no mention of asking potential readers what they wanted or needed in a community newspaper. The author went into selecting headline type, setting rates, establishing a subscriber list and collecting on outstanding invoices, but never on how to publish news and information that is important to the people of the community. It seems as if in 1901, would-be publishers had the “if you build it they will come” attitude. And, to be honest, that was pretty much the case. The local newspaper was THE source of news, local and otherwise. Now we have a world of multiple news sources and an amazing tool called the Internet. Unfortunately, until recently, most media groups maintained the 1901 “if you build it they will come” attitude when it came to their online presence. There are as many versions of electronic media as there are newspapers. More actually, because some communities have a website and no printed newspaper. Just proves that, unlike in 1901, there is no handbook for a one-size-fits-all news vehicle. With the world turning “green,” the Weekly has received a few requests for an electronic version / edition of our paper from readers in our community. We currently have a lot of the stories found in the print edition as headlines on our website and a PDF version, with links to all the stories, of all print editions online. (If you’re unfamiliar with these, scroll to the bottom of the website.) The PDF is the electronic duplicate of the newspaper, because it is created by the same files we send to the press. Moving into the next phase of media, with the full knowledge that the “if you build it they will come” attitude is antiquated and thinking we know what readers want is arrogant, publishers are wondering what exactly to build electronically. I would like to hear from you about what type of electronic vehicle you would like to see: An email with headlines that link to the website? Daily, twice a week or weekly? A digital reproduction of the paper that is interactive? A combination of these? What is the advantage of having a list of headlines, or a PDF? If you send me an email to gallen@pleasantonweekly.com with your advice, suggestions and / or examples, your name will be put in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant. I will share some of these suggestions, and the name of the certificate winner, of course, in a September column. This is your community news source—whether you like reading your news in print, online, from your Blackberry, whatever—and we want your opinion. Gina Channell-Allen, a 21-year journalism veteran, is the president of the East Bay division of Embarcadero Publishing Company, president of the Pleasanton Weekly and publisher of the Danville Weekly. Send questions to gallen@ pleasantonweekly.com. *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 11 Cover Story Bill Free The Sharks march through downtown as part of the annual soccer parade which goes from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Tomorrow’s parade will mark the 40th year of BUSC and will be followed by a celebration at the Sports Park picnic area from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Ballistic turns 40 Ballistic United Soccer Club celebrates four decades, moves toward future by Elyssa Thome T omorrow morning, hundreds of children will march through downtown Pleasanton dressed in soccer uniforms and costumes. For some children, it will be the first time they get to participate in the local tradition. For many other players and coaches, they can’t remember a time before the event was part of their lives. For people who have nothing to do with soccer but still sit on porches or line the streets, it’s another hometown tradition to enjoy. For the Ballistic United Soccer Club, this parade will mark the beginning of the 40th youth soccer season for Pleasanton’s boys. Pleasanton has become renowned for its youth soccer programs. In fact, participation in youth soccer almost seems to be a requirement for residency in Soccer Town USA. From small children in BUSC uniforms with their parents who coach, volunteer and in some cases played for the club to university students across the country who still wear Like the club itself, the BUSC patch has changed over the past 40 years. From left to right, these patches represented the club from 1968-1973, 1973-1980, 1980-2000 and 2000-now. Ballistic United jackets, 40-year-old Ballistic has a far reaching touch. Kick off Forty years ago this program made a name and a place for soccer in the Tri-Valley. While 40 years is a long time for anything to stay together—as many interviewees pointed out—many founders of the program are still in town and remember the early days of Pleasanton soccer. Page 12ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Over four decades ago, Pleasanton hired its first director of recreation, Gary Patton. After getting settled, Patton decided Pleasanton needed a soccer club. He got together a group of men, including Larry Boldrini, former BUSC president and coach. “When we first started Gary Patton wanted to start a club,” Boldrini said. “There were some other clubs up and down the Bay Area, so we got together, he and myself, and a few other guys.” Harry Miller was one of those original guys and, like Boldrini, still lives in Pleasanton. Miller and Boldrini are also Ballistic coaching legends. According to Miller, Patton called Miller, Boldrini and Harry Reagan together to organize a league for the increasingly popular sport of soccer. While most of the men did not know each other well before the endeavor, Miller said they have since become and remained very good friends. Harry, Harry, Gary and Larry, as the group came to be known, created six Pleasanton teams and, in the first year, they only played each other. Boldrini became the first club president and Harry Miller was the first vice president. Early in the program, Miller called a friend who coached a youth team in Southern California. He invited the SoCal team to play his team, and from then on Pleasanton teams continued to play and travel outside of the city. Locally, Ballistic played against Dublin and Livermore teams—both towns developed Cover Story leagues around the same time as Pleasanton but Livermore got there first—and the league soon expanded to include Fremont, San Ramon and Danville. According to Boldrini, the competition between these local clubs is the origin of the Al Caffodio league and Ballistic. While many people familiar with the league, but not its history, assume the name is a foreign term for something related to the sport or have really just never thought about it, the title has its own history. According to Miller, the league was named after a man, Al Caffodio, who had a newsstand in Livermore. Apparently the generous local merchant never hesitated to give to the local kids, especially for youth sports, and the founders of the league hoped naming the league in his honor would be a lasting tribute to him. The name Ballistic, now emblazoned across jerseys, t-shirts and jackets, is as old as the club, so where did that title come from? “Gary Patton is responsible for the name Ballistic,” Miller said. “What it was supposed to represent was speed and accuracy initially.” According to Miller’s wife Georgianne, a well-kicked soccer ball is said to have the speed and accuracy of a bullet, which inspired the name. In a speech given at the Pleasanton Museum in 2003, Gary Patton said the name had roots in the prevalence of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in headlines at the time. Livermore’s club was named “Atomic,” due to its proximity to the National Livermore Laboratory, so Pleasanton chose the related name “Ballistic.” And so it began. In the bleachers, behind the scenes The 40th anniversary of Ballistic will be celebrated with a party in the park for players and their families, an event that is appropriate for an organization that is as much for the parents as the children. “It’s a community organization,” said Karen Reedy. “It becomes a social organization where families get to know each other.” Reedy, like many of the people involved with the club, got started when her boys started playing soccer and the club needed coaches. She signed up along with her sons and has been coaching and volunteering in other capacities for the club for the past eight years. Because many of the boys stay on the same teams as they grow through the system, the families get to know one another, according to Reedy. In the early days of BUSC, the closeness between the families was further encouraged by parties and dances for the parents. For example, the tournament that Harry and Georgianne Miller started, which continues today, used to include a dinner dance for the parents with food, music and a bartender. “A lot of people will say, ‘how did you do it for so many years?’ and the thing was, it wasn’t any kind of sacrifice,” Georgianne Miller said. “It was so much fun.” Many parents today still value the relationships they have built with other families, but there is no doubt the dynamic is different than it was in the beginning. According to Miller, the camaraderie in the early days led to something that has not been attempted for many years—a musical. Three sold out Ballistic United musicals, written, choreographed and performed by players, coaches and families in the club, helped raise funds for the early teams. Something that hasn’t changed is the need for volunteers and the ability of Pleasanton parents to rise to the occasion. From the first six teams to the current size of the BUSC organization, all parties said the club could not be what it is without parents and volunteers. “The people that volunteer keep it going, the people behind the scenes that people don’t know about,” said Tony Chavarria, whose title, technical director of Division 4, barely scratches the surface of his involvement in the club. “Without volunteers we’re nothing,” said Nandor Krause, the current president of BUSC and fourth in the club’s history. “We have a great town and a great bunch of parents.” Are you here? If that’s you with the goofy haircut below, please let us know. Send a current photo of yourself to editor@pleasantonweekly.com so we can reconstruct the teams with how you look now. Goal! The foundation and essence of any youth sports program is in the name—youth. With 1,660 players registered so far this year, Ballistic has a lot of it and the numbers continue to grow. One of the major changes most often named is the growth of the club. The large numbers of players become most obvious any Saturday during season if you try to count boys in a BUSC uniform around town or drive by any soccer field. As the numbers grow, the club has seen more and more former players continue on to find success in the soccer world. For some, that means playing college soccer with or without a scholarship. For a select few it means playing professionally, and for many more, that success includes coaching the next generation. The players that make up the program are an integral part of its longevity, and they had a lot to say. “Being a part of BUSC has helped me not only succeed with soccer, but also in life,” said former player Adam Sloustcher. During his soccer career, Sloustcher played for Amador Valley High School, the USA Youth National Team, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Loyola Marymont University, the San Jose Earthquakes for two months through a development contract and, most importantly, BUSC. Sloustcher said Ballistic provided a competitive environment that helped him to improve as a player and afforded him high profile exposure, but that wasn’t his favorite part. “What I enjoyed most was the relationships that I built with the teammates that I had over the years,” he said. “Together we traveled all around the country playing soccer. We went through good times and bad times together, and I could not ask for better kids to grow up with during my childhood than the teammates I had while playing for BUSC.” One of Sloustcher’s coaches is also among the former players that have come back to Ballistic. Chavarria got started in Ballistic when the kids he was playing neighborhood soccer with recommended that he sign up for the club and hasn’t stopped. His son, another former player, continued in his father’s footsteps and is coaching now, too. Chavarria also has good friends from his Ballistic soccer days, including Jason Maratsos. As Maratsos, who coaches his sons’ U5 and U7 teams, brought the two boys to the field for an instructional training session with Chavarria, his former teammate greeted him and joked with him. Maratsos and Chavarria played side by side through Ballistic and then at Amador, and soccer still brings the men together. According to Chavarria, more current players are already getting involved and helping out with the younger kids. Current BUSC player David Norton gets involved by helping with the beginners when he can. The eighteen-year-old Foothills senior plays soccer for his school and hopes to play in college. “It’s fun to get to work with the kids,” Norton said. “My favorite part of Ballistic is that it’s fun. I get to do what I like to do and you get to meet people.” Larry Boldrini (Top right) was the first president of BUSC and one of the first coaches. He poses here with one of the original 1968 Ballistic teams. Harry Miller’s 1974 team won State Cup and had the opportunity to travel to Vancouver. The team poses here ready to take off. Yellow Card Through the past 40 years, BUSC, as well as most other clubs in the area and across the nation, has faced difficult choices and changes. (continued on page 14) In 1977 Tony Chavarria (middle row, third in from the right) probably didn’t think he would still be involved with Ballistic 30 years later. The former player is now a trainer and coach. *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÕ}ÕÃÌÊÓ]ÊÓäänÊU Page 13 Cover Story BUSC (continued from page 13) Bill Free The direction the club has gone due to these issues has upset many people, including at least one founder of the program. Others say the changes are necessary and for the best. One change that has reshaped the program was not voluntary. Several years ago the club’s governing body, the California Youth Soccer Association changed the rules, opening formerly strict boundaries and allowing athletes to play in other towns if they choose. According to Krause, the new rules did not have a large impact on the face of the club, thanks to the quality of BUSC programs. “There is a very small percent of kids that play from outside of town,” Krause said. “I think that says something about our program and what we are able to do.” For some, however, this change has taken away an important part of youth soccer. Since players pick where to play, politics can have more of an influence than pride, according to Maratsos. “I would really like to see it go back to the way it used to be—pride in Pleasanton soccer,” he said. “There will always be your share of politics, but I’d like to see it get back to kids who dedicate themselves to soccer take pride in it. They work hard at try-outs and are proud to make the team.” Bob Maas was president of BUSC when the rules changed and emphasized the positive aspects of the switch. “I don’t believe it was necessarily bad,” Maas said. “It forced clubs to improve programs so kids would want to stay in the town they grew up in.” Another change, this time made by the club, led to conflict in 2000. In 1998 the first paid director of training was hired and in 2000 BUSC decided to include paid trainers and coaches for the competitive divisions. For Miller, this decision meant a break with the tradition of volunteer coaches the club was founded on, as well as an intolerably high cost for registration. “We were able to do quite well on a volunteer basis,” Miller said. “Unfortunately our club led the way and now all teams in the area have paid trainers.” Miller, who coached the first BUSC team to win State Cup in 1972, listed the suc- The cubs prepare to march in the parade down Main Street early in the morning. For more information about Ballistic United visit www.busc.org. cesses of volunteer coaches of BUSC competitive teams, including 12 state cups, two Western Regionals and one Pacific Coast Championship. He said BUSC is now committed to the new style, and in 2000 he helped a group of parents try to start a new league in town. For a variety of reasons, the new league never got started. “To say Ballistic goes back to where it started. No. Not anymore,” Miller said. But Maas defends the decision made during his time as president. “There is no doubt that the program in the early years was one of the best in the country, but times have changed,” Maas said. “The competitive level of play has increased. It required that people who coach the individuals need to be more educated about the game and about teaching the game.” According to Maas, in order to have the level of expertise necessary for today’s competitive leagues, BUSC has to go out and get it, but he recognized Miller, Boldrini and others for their Page 14ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ impressive contributions to the club. “They did an outstanding job and deserve all the credit in the world for what they’ve done and what they’ve done for the club,” he added. Krause acknowledged the concerns of Miller and others, saying the transition to paid coaches carries the risk of bringing in coaches that are just doing it for the money and do not have the kids and the program at heart. According to Krause, BUSC has been able to avoid that so far. “I think [having paid coaches and trainers] is a benefit provided that it’s managed carefully,” Krause said. “We’re very careful about that whole process.” On the sidelines and in your head Whether the coaches are paid or volunteers, those affiliated with BUSC attributed the success of the program or their positive personal experiences to the dedication of the coaches to the game and the players. For Chavarria, the best way to repay the coaches that shaped him was to continue their legacy and teach a new group of kids to love the game. “I gained a passion from the coaching I received while I was playing,” he said. His dedication can be seen in the faces of 5-year-olds tripping over the ball to college athletes, posing for a photo with their former coach after a game. In Miller’s case, his dedication to the sport and his teams can be seen the moment you walk into his home. Every wall features team photos, posters teams made, special moments and big games, as well as photos of the children of former players who still keep in touch. As Miller recounts the tournament in Mexico City, the team that won the first State Cup for BUSC and a variety of other detailed stories and successes, Georgianne cautions him not to pick any favorite teams, explaining they are still close to a lot of the players and their families. When asked what they hope for in the future of BUSC, Chavarria, Krause and Maas all said they hoped for more high quality playing fields. According to Maas, BUSC was pivotal in getting Val Vista Community Park. Krause said that those fields definitely help but that’s not enough. “If I have one legacy, not only leaving the club in better condition then when I left it, but also leaving the kids better fields.” According to Krause, kids need lighted turfed field, like the ones many other towns in the area have, in order to keep kids playing and out trouble. While the future Bernal Community Park includes such fields, they are at least eight years out. Krause said Upper Bernal could easily be converted to meet a need now. A merger of sorts between RAGE, the girls soccer organization in town, and BUSC is also on the list of possible coming changes. “I’m optimistic that the boys and girls programs will formally merge operations,” Krause said. “It’s still in the courtship stages; we’re dating right now. With any merger we have to take it slow to ensure success.” In a more general sense, Krause also expects to see the name Ballistic has made for itself in the past 40 years to get stronger. “I do expect the reputation to continue to grow,” he said. “I also expect we’ll continue to provide a fun and safe place for kids to go and play soccer.” N Community Pulse WEEKLY MEETING NOTICES Police Bulletin Planning Commission Wednesday, September 10, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m. Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Avenue Veteran police officers promoted Three veteran officers with the Pleasanton Police Department have been promoted. Police Chief Michael Fraser most recently announced the promotion of Officer Penelope Tamm to the rank of sergeant effective Sept. 20. Tamm was hired as a police officer with Sgt. Penelope Tamm the Pleasanton Police Department in 1991 after serving as a deputy sheriff with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office from 1987-1990. Her assignments in Pleasanton have included bike patrol officer, detective, field training officer, crime prevention officer, hostage negotiator and member of the arson response team. With the retirement of Lt. Robert Lyness, who served 30 years in law enforcement, Fraser also promoted Sgt. Jeff Bretzing to the rank of lieutenant and Officer Scott Rohovit to the rank of sergeant. Bretzing started with Pleasanton as a community UÊ*,ÊÇÎ]ÊivvÊ>`Êi}>Ê/>À«iÞ Ê ««V>ÌÊvÀÊ`iÃ}ÊÀiÛiÜÊ>««ÀÛ>ÊÌÊVÃÌÀÕVÌÊ>Ê >««ÀÝ>ÌiÞÊ{]änÇõÕ>ÀivÌ]ÊÌÜÃÌÀÞÊVÕÃÌÊ iÊ ÜÌ Ê>Ê>ÌÌ>V i`ÊÌ ÀiiV>ÀÊ}>À>}iÊÊ>««ÀÝ>ÌiÞÊ Ó{]Ó£ÓÊõÕ>ÀivÌÊÃÌiÊV>Ìi`Ê>ÌÊÈäÎxÊ-ÞV>ÀiÊ /iÀÀ>Vi° UÊ**£ÓÎ]ÊÀi}Ê>`ÊÃ>Ê ÃÌ]Ê««i>ÌÃÊ*,ÊÇ£x]Ê -ÌiÛiÊ>`Ê ViÊivvÀiÞ]Ê««V>Ìî Ê ««i>ÊvÊÌ iÊ<}Ê`ÃÌÀ>ÌÀ½ÃÊ>««ÀÛ>ÊvÊ>Ê >««V>ÌÊvÀÊ`iÃ}ÊÀiÛiÜÊvÀÊÀi>ÀÊÞ>À`Ê«ÀÛiiÌÃÊ >ÌÊÌ iÊiÝÃÌ}ÊÀiÃ`iViÊV>Ìi`Ê>ÌÊÓÇÊÌiÛÊÀÛi°ÊÊ Sgt. Scott Rohovit Lt. Jeff Bretzing service officer in 1987 before becoming a police officer in Hayward. He returned to Pleasanton in 1992 and has since worked on assignments such as motor officer, detective, code enforcement officer and field sergeant. Rohovit was hired as a Pleasanton police recruit and after graduating from the Rio Hondo Police Academy, was sworn in as an officer in 1990. Since then he has served as a canine officer, DARE officer, school resource officer and personnel and training officer. Police Report The Pleasanton Police Department made the following information available. Under the law, those charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted. 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For complete information, please visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/calendar *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 15 Transitions Weddings Obituaries Larry Ryan Auser Larry Ryan Auser diedAug. 30 of heart failure while going to a Cal Berkely football game. Mr. Auser was born in Gilroy to Rita and Tom Auser and was the oldest of three boys. Mr. Auser married Marilyn Geweke in 1976 and they had 32 wonderful years of marriage. They lived in Pleasanton throughout their entire marriage and they raised their two daughters Alicia and Allison. After working in sales for many years, Mr. Auser spent the last 15 years of his life teaching elementary school. He loved to spend his time hiking with his dog, Jack, gardening, going on road trips, going to Cal football and rugby games, listening to music and spending time with his family. He had a lifelong love of learning and was always reading and recently enrolled in college level classes just for fun. He is survived by wife, Marilyn; daughter, Allison; daughter, Alicia Baker and son-in-law Dustin Baker; mother, Rita Auser and two brothers, Bob and Richard Auser. His memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Valley Community Church in Pleasanton. The family asks that those who attend try to wear blue and gold in honor of Mr. Auser’s beloved Cal Bears. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cal Athletics at http://calbears.cstv.com or the American Heart Association at http://www.americanheart.org. Fall registration now open! FALL 2008 SAT COURSE Sept. 8 - Oct. 2 Oct. 6 - Oct. 30 Nov. 3 - Dec. 4 are a free editorial service. Information should be submitted, typewritten or emailed no later than Monday at 5 p.m. Send to: ol cho ep S nce r P elle nity mu o Exc Com ccess t A Transitions Pleasanton Weekly 5506 Sunol Blvd., Ste. 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Math • Essay Writing World Language • Science • SAT Prep Couples confirm their love Sandra Wing and Gracie Santos, together 14 years; Regina Stoops and Diane Berry, together 18 years; and Roy Cook and Tim Roach, together 14 years; renewed their commitment to each other during a small private civil marriage ceremony in early July following the State Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. The couples are long time residents of Pleasanton and are planning separate receptions in the very near future. Or fax: (925) 600-9559 Students review concepts, prepare for tests, gain confidence, and improve grades. Our exclusive staff of PUSD teachers guarantees our program to be the most efficient and effective tutoring program for Pleasanton students! tion Loca r w e N igge It’s b tter be and Deaths, Weddings and Births The Leader in Providing Educational Support to students in the Pleasanton Community Or e-mail: editor@PleasantonWeekly. com (subject: Transitions) Please include a contact name and telephone number. Not responsible for lost photos. Information how to send a photo digitally can be found on the Weekly’s website: www. PleasantonWeekly.com. The Weekly reserves the right to edit information for space and format considerations. Births The following information on Pleasanton births was provided by ValleyCare Medical Center. Aug. 1 Alisa and Steven Price, a boy Aug. 17 Carmelisa Bayan, a boy Aug. 18 Linh Ai Chau and Thien Nguyen, a boy Aug. 19 Ananya Sensharma and Punyanjan Sen, a girl Aug. 20 Christina and Matthew Gaidos, a girl December Diane and Joseph Lotz, a girl Aug. 22 Sara and Michael Solomon, a boy 2340 Santa Rita Road, Suite 10, Pleasanton, CA 94588 End of Summer Sale! 30% OFF All cotton yarn in stock September 6-12 205 A Main St. Pleasanton ( Behind Vic’s All Star Cafe ) 925.249.YARN www.yourknittingplace.com &$ $$$ !$$$$ $$$"$ $ ! $&$$$$$ $$$$"$$$$ $ $&$$$$$%$% $$$%$$%$#$$#$"" $&$ $$$ $$ $$$$$$!%$$$#$ $&$$$ $$ ) ) +)..)1)$) +)..))1) ) +)..) ) ) +)..))1) ) +)..)1)") +).). )((*()%.) ) ).)/&'0 ) +))-'(,, ) ,)) & )#+))-'((0 )! .# Page 16ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Take Us Along on your travels and send photos to editor@PleasantonWeekly.com or 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton 94566. Be sure to include a daytime telephone number. Aloha from Maui The Kojima family: Russell, Julie and Kevin, 6, took the Weekly to enjoy the sights of scenic Maui. Glacial Weekly Sandra and Brad Hirst bundle up with the Weekly at South Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm, Alaska. Weekly hold The Foothill High School wrestling team read some hometown news prior to the start of a team tournament at Freedom High School in Oakley. You’ll have to wrestle the paper away from them if you want to read it! A local Weekly Jamie Renton sent us this photo from her and her husband Ian Renton’s Labor Day weekend pool party and barbecue here in town in 2007. Pictured are: Jim Scalise, Marti Scalise, Ian Renton, James Gilbreth, Don Snyder, John Dwyer, Frank Gouveia, Kristen Dwyer, Dianne Gilbreth, Kristin Snyder, Dee Nitzsche, Jamie Renton, Rob Nitzsche, Connie Gouveia, Bernice Renton and Barbara Loweree. Puttin’ on the Ritz Barbara and Allan Hopper vacationed with the Weekly at the Ritz Carlton on Grand Cayman Island. Oh Canada Bill Woolridge, July Holthe and Richard and Mary Sites took the Weekly to Victoria, British Colombia as part of their cruise to Alaska. *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 17 Calendar Auditions Valley Concert Chorale Auditions for the Valley Concert Chorale’s 45th season take place Sept. 15 at First Presbyterian Church, 4th and L streets, Livermore. The group seeks singers with sight-reading skills who enjoy classical to contemporary, and folk to jazz. Call 462-4205 to schedule an appointment. Valley Dance Theater’s ‘Nutcracker’ Valley Dance Theater, 2247 Second St., Ste. B, Livermore, is auditioning boys ages 6-12 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 13 for the “Nutcracker.” No previous experience required. Call 243-0925. Valley Dance Theater’s ‘Nutcracker’ Valley Dance Theater, 2247 Second St., Ste. B, Livermore, is auditioning men for “Nutcracker” from 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 15. Ballet experience required. Call 243-0925. Book Clubs Great Books of Pleasanton The Great Books of Pleasanton book club meets at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Monday monthly at Towne Center Books, 555 Main St. Call Sadie at 846-1658. Civic Meetings City Council The Pleasanton City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays at City Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Ave. Housing Commission The Pleasanton Housing Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at City Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Ave. Human Services Commission The Human Services Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at City Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Ave. Parks & Recreation Commission The Pleasanton Parks & Recreation Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at City Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Ave. Planning Commission The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the City Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Ave. School Board The Pleasanton Unified School District Board meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday monthly during the school year in the district office board room, 4665 Bernal Ave. Youth Commission The Pleasanton Youth Commission meets 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. Class Reunions Amador Class of 1988 Reunion Calling all Dons: The Amador Valley High School Class of 1988 is holding its 20th reunion. Come see old friends and make new memories together. Dinner, entertainment, a photo booth, cigar bar, visual entertainment and baby pictures included. Group hotel rates available at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin. Reunion is from 6 p.m. to midnight Sept. 13 at Barone’s Restaurant & Garden, 475 St. John St. Cost is $90-97. For more information, visit http://avhs1988.myevent. com or call Marti Gilbert at 846-5607. Foothill High Class of 1988 Fellow Falcons of 1988, believe it or not it’s been 20 years. Join classmates and faculty at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 for an evening of entertainment, videos from the past, and great company at Faz, 5121 Hopyard Road. Tickets are $75. A family barbecue will be held Sept. 21 at Val Vista Park. Visit www.foothillhigh1988.com. Classes Adult Beginner Piano Class Presented by Community Education at Las Positas College, 3033 Collier Canyon in Livermore, the class lets students explore every type of music Get more out of your cabinets... kitchen, pantry, bath & garage! • Custom made for your existing cabinets. • All wood construction with European hardware. Call for a FREE in-home estimate! 408-369-8258 WWW.calrollout.com Page 18ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ while learning how to read notes, timing and key signatures. Class is $69 and meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Fridays Sept. 5 to Oct. 3. Call 424-1467 or visit www.laspositascollege.edu/communityed. Lions Club, that helps many worthy causes in our community. Lioness main focus areas are women, children and family issues, in addition to helping the blind. Call 443-4543 for more information. Women’s Wisdom in Midlife Midlife is a time when women have an important choice to either focus on the perils of aging or focus on the power of wisdom. In this workshop you will gain the tools necessary for physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. It meets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at Las Positas College, 3033 Collier Canyon Road in Livermore. The cost is $69. Call 209-482-5343. Local Writers Meet for Support and Learning The California Writers Club Tri-Valley branch meets the at 11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at Oasis Grille, 780 Main St., to support experienced and aspiring writers in learning about their craft and sharing their work. Anyone who is curious about the group is invited to attend with no obligation to join. Call Kathy Urban, 296-0447 or visit www.trivalleywriters.com. Clubs Amador Valley Quilters The September meeting of the Amador Valley Quilters will be presented by some of our own talented quilters. It meets from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at Pleasanton Middle School, 5001 Case Ave. NARFE The Livermore Chapter 0397 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association meets at 12:30 p.m. the second Thursday monthly at Emil Villa’s Restaurant at the corner of Pacific and S. Livermore avenues in Livermore. Call 484-0813 or 846-7167. Amador Valley Toastmaster Club Wake up your career and improve your communication skills by joining the Amador Valley Toastmaster Club. They meet at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Mimi’s Cafe in Dublin. Tri-Valley Rotary Club Meeting The Tri-Valley Rotary Club is one of the newest and most diverse Rotary Clubs. Club members meet Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Girasole Grill, 3180 Santa Rita Road. The cost is $20. Email info@trivalleyrotary.org. Boutique Textile Art Create home accessories, wearable art or soft sculpture. Learn how to piece, applique and embroider ideas into art from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. Class is free. Bring fabric scraps, a yard of unbleached muslin, sharp scissors and dressmaker pins. Tri-Valley Wood Carvers Tri-Valley Wood Carvers meet each Tuesday at the Pleasanton Senior Center, wood shop room, from 12 to 4 p.m. The regular business meeting is held the second Saturday of the month, at the Pleasanton Senior Center, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call Ken Morgan, 462-6586. Communication Arts Network The East Bay’s Communications Arts Network (CommArt) meets from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Forli Ristorante in Alamo. Tickets are $20 cash, includes lunch. Call Terry, 462-8083, or visit www.commartnet.org. Widowed Men and Women Social The Widowed Men and Women of Northern California meets for a happy hour gathering at 5 p.m. the third Friday of the month at the Sheraton Hotel across from JC Penney’s at Stoneridge Mall. Guests welcome. RSVP prior to event. Call Lorraine, 846-5695. Livermore Lioness Club The Livermore Lioness Club welcomes new members at their regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday monthly. The Lioness Club is a service club, sponsored by the Livermore Widows and Widowers Breakfast Widows and Widowers of Northern California will meet for breakfast at IHOP, 6379 Dublin Blvd., in Dublin at 10 a.m. Sept. 6. Guests are welcome. Reserve space by Sept. 5. Call 8460111. Women’s Networking Opportunity The local ABWA E2S chapter meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday monthly at Four Points Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Road, which focus on personal and professional development for women in business. Meetings include a guest speaker and networking opportunities. Nonmembers are welcome to attend at a cost of $5 per meeting. Visit www.expresstosuccess.org. Concerts Annual Piano Recital An annual recital at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave., Livermore, co-sponsored by the Alameda County East Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California and Asbury, features MTAC Young Artist Guild member Ian Counts of Rancho Palos Verde, freshman at Stanford, performing Beethoven, Rzewski and Gershwin. No charge for admission; refreshments served. Call 443-2514. Events 3 Day Walk Team Unraveled will be participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk from Sept. 5-7 in San Francisco. The team consist of women from the Tri-Valley Area who’s common thread is knitting. This group of outstanding women met at the local yarn shop, “Knit This, Purl That!” at 205A Main St. where donations can be made. Indian Cultural Program East Bay Marathi Mandal will be celebrating Indian Cultural Festival, Ganeshotsava 2008, Sept. 13 at Foothill High School, 4375 Foothill Road. Activities include Aarti, Indian Drama in Marathi, Melody of Indian Songs and lunch. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children. Register at www.ebmm.org. Pleasanton Harvest Festival The Pleasanton Harvest Festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 12 to 14 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave. Over 24,000 different handmade items will be showcased by hundreds of artisans. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $4 for teens. Free for kids 12 and under. Visit www.harvestfestival.com. Roses to Grandparents From 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 7, grandparents and families are invited to gather in the Rose Hotel lobby, 807 Main St., for cake, coffee and conversation. They will be treated to tours of the hotel and will be eligible to win a free night’s stay at the 4 p.m. drawing. Each grandparent will receive a long stemmed rose. Call 846-8802. SOLD Project Film & Outreach The SOLD Project will hold an outreach session at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at Cornerstone Church, 348 North Canyon Pkwy., Livermore. The event highlights SOLD:Thailand, the first film presented by The SOLD Project, a grassroots movement dedicated to exposing the truth behind child prostitution through multimedia and the collaborative response of individuals striving to make a change. Call 808-387-7355 or visit www.thesoldproject.com. Spiritual Experience Workshop Have you ever experienced a dream with a departed loved one? A neardeath or out-of-body adventure? A sense you’ve lived before? This free workshop, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Four Points Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Road, helps to go beyond faith to direct spiritual experience. Call 800-485-8129 or visit www.haveaspiritualexperience.org. The Big Read Gatsby Extravaganza The Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., presents the kickoff party The Big Read from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 7. The Gatsby Extravaganza includes Sara and Swingtime playing hot jazz, Dr. Philip Manwell delivering a keynote address, food, games and prizes. Call 931-3405. Wag ‘N Walk The two-mile, all-breed dog walk for the entire family will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 13 at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, 2400 Stanley Blvd. Hosted by the NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue, it will feature an “alumni parade” of dogs rescued by NGRR volunteers followed by the walk (with a swim break) for all breeds and humans. Registration is $20. Children 14 and under are free. Visit www. golden-rescue.org. Exhibits Imagination Expressed The Pleasanton Art League has an exhibit, “Imagination Expressed,” in the Calendar Phoebe Hearst room of the Museum On Main Street, 603 Main St., which runs through Oct. 5. It features paintings, wood, ceramics, jewelry and textile artworks. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2. support group meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Dublin Senior Center, 7600 Amador Valley Blvd. Topics will cover travel, stress, medications, food, emotions and general living with diabetes. Call 510-383-5185. Film Gentle Yoga for 55+ Are you an active person 55+ years young? This free, gentle yoga class helps stress, flexibility, balance and overall health and is excellent for special/chronic conditions. Call Pleasanton school district at 426-4280 for times and locations. The Big Read ‘The Great Gatsby’ Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., presents the film “The Great Gatsby” at 1 p.m. Sept. 16 as part of the Big Read and the Mature Adults Program. Call 931-3411. Fundraisers Fabric Bags Benefit Firehouse Arts Center Pleasanton photographer Sue Evans is sponsoring the sale of special Pleasanton recycle grocery bags to raise money for the Firehouse Arts Project. The final day of sales, with all proceeds going to this project, will be Sept. 14 from 11 am to 3 pm at The Firehouse Fling, an old-fashioned family fun day. The bag is forest green with taupe colored ink and has the Pleasanton Arch along with, “Paper or Plastic? No thanks, I have my own” on it. There are no company logos on it. They are currently available at The Berry Patch on West Angela Street or directly through Evans for bulk orders. The bags sell for $4.99 each or 5 for $20. She may be reached at SueEvansPhotography@comcast.net or 989-4113. Firehouse Fling: Old Fashion Family Fun Firehouse Fling: An Old Fashioned Family Fun Day, takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Lions Wayside Park at First and Neal streets. Benefits the Firehouse Arts Center. Games, pony rides, pie eating contest, sack races, bake walk, petting zoo, arts and crafts, food and live entertainment. Visit www.pleasantonartsfoundation.org. Furry Faces Pet Calendar Contest Make your pet a star by submitting pet photos to the Valley Humane Society’s Furry Faces Calendar Contest. Entries are a $15 donation each, which benefits VHS, and will be accepted through Oct. 1. Call 4268656 ext. 11, or visit www.valleyhumane.org or 3670 Nevada St. Meat & Seafood Sale The Foothill High School Athletic Boosters will have quality meats and seafood on sale at warehouse prices from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 13-14 at the school parking lot, 4375 Foothill Road. Meats include filet mignon, rib eyes, New York steaks, top sirloin, ground beef, sausages, thick cut applewood smoked bacon, shrimp, and scallops. Romania Animal Rescue A wine and appetizer fundraiser for Romania Animal Rescue will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Oasis Grille and Wine Lounge, 780 Main St. The funds will send vets to Romania. The food is vegetarian. Activities include an auction and raffle for vacation getaways and golf. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. For more information, visit www.romaniaanimalrescue.com or call 672-5908. That’s Amore Tri-Valley Animal Rescue’s biggest fundraiser of the year will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Dublin Senior Center, 7600 Amador Valley Road. There will be live and silent auctions and Girasole Restaurant catering. Tickets are $60. To purchase, visit www. tvar.org and click on Pay Pal. Call 803-7044. Health Diabetes Support Group Free Living a Long Healthy Life At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, Lowell Kleinman, M.D., will discuss facts and myths about health and wellness, and present some simple everyday steps to help prevent illness. Call 275-8230 or visit www.sanramonmedctr.com. TÇ XäxÇ|Çz tà i|ÄÄt wxÄ fÉÄx ftàâÜwtç? fxÑàxÅuxÜ ECà{ IMCC ÑʼnDCMCC ÑÅ Summer Immunization Clinics for Children Saturday clinics, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 12, Aug. 2 and Sept. 6 at Axis Community Health, 4361 Railroad Ave., are open to Tri-Valley families who are low income or uninsured, including Medi-Cal and Medi-Cal Managed Care. Parents should bring child’s immunization records, information about family income and medical insurance. There is a fee for some immunizations. Call 462-1755. Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis Every Tuesday through Dec. 30 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Downtown Yoga, 220 B Division St., hosts a series of gentle stretching movements that can help to reduce stress within the body. Call 462-5285. Kids & Teens African-American Dance at the Library At 2 p.m. Sept. 13, Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble, one of the finest preprofessional youth companies in the Bay Area, showcases talented dancers between ages 12-19 trained in jazz, modern, hip hop, Haitian, ballet and traditional African movement. Call 931-3400 ext. 8. Competition for Young Musicians The Livermore-Amador Symphony Association’s 36th annual Competition for Young Musicians is open to instrumentalists and vocalists who reside or attend school in Pleasanton, Livermore, Sunol, Dublin or San Ramon. Students are eligible through grade 12, or age 17 if not enrolled in high school. Each winner will be awarded $250. Applications are due Oct. 5 and must include a $5 fee. Call 447-1957 or visit www. livamsymph.org. Library Book Clubs Begin Students are invited to join either our fourth and fifth or sixth to eighth grade book clubs, which meet Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. starting in September at the Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave. Come for good books, snacks and lively conversation. Registration begins Aug. 18, and is limited to 18 per club. Call 931-3400 ext. 8. The Hipwaders at Kidsfaire! Awardwinning band, The Hipwaders, will be performing “hip music for kids” and families at KidsFaire, Sept. 6 at the county fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children 2-12. Call 866-283-8600 or visit www.hipwaders.net. Lectures/ Workshops Free Gardening Workshops BayFriendly Gardening presents four free gardening workshops Saturdays in the Nestled high in the Pleasanton Hills, on what was once Phoebe Apperson Hearst’s beloved Hacienda De Verona Estate, Villa del Sole is a privately owned property and rarely opens to the public. An Evening at Villa del Sole offers you the opportunity to tour the spectacular grounds of this historic site while sipping fine wines, savoring sumptuous buffets and listening to smooth jazz. fÑÉÇáÉÜxw uçM Mike & Mary Lou Azevedo Lee Busey Rob and Suzy Goldstein Tom & ChrisAnne Olenic Petway Discount Pet Food The Prescott Family Jeanie Reitzell David & Lori Rhodes Mike & Lori Rice Joe & Susan Sasek Jim & Linda Schwartz Tom & Sandy St. Dennis Carl Wolfston Linda Zaiss Drs. Iraj Zandi & Mitra Ara TÇ XäxÇ|Çz tà i|ÄÄt wxÄ fÉÄx is a benefit for Valley Humane Society tickets and more information: 925 426-8656 www.ValleyHumane.org *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 19 Calendar month of September. Topics include the basics, healthy soil, year-round edible gardens and managing pests naturally. Registration for these classes is required. Call 510-444-SOIL (7645) or visit www.bayfriendly.org. Home Based Business Opportunity & Art of Living Learn wealth strategies and self care tips for wealth and health from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Radisson Hotel, 6680 Regional St., Dublin. The event is free, but registration is required. Call 831-4831 or visit september17.eventbrite.com. I Was a TV Horror Show Host Lecture by former KTVU-TV Creature Features host, John Stanley, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Lynnewood United Methodist Church, 4444 Black Ave. The lecture is presented by Museum On Main Street. The cost is $5 for members or $10 for non-members. Live Music Chris Bradley’s Jazz Band Chris Bradley’s Jazz Band plays music of the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Pleasanton Hotel, 855 Main St. No cover. The Jambalaya Swing Band Dance to the oldies as performed by the 11-piece Jambalaya Swing Band on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Pleasanton Hotel, 855 Main St. Tuesday Tunes Every Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy live music at either the Livermore Valley Plaza or the Flag Pole Plaza in downtown Livermore. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs. Visit www. livermoredowntown.com. Miscellaneous Assistance League of Amador Valley Assistance League of Amador Valley is having an informational wine and cheese gathering on at 7 p.m. Sept. 10. The group is seeking new members who are interested in an opportunity to give back to those in need in the Tri-Valley Community. Call 461-6401 or email amadorvalley@yahoo.com for more information. Visit www.amadorvalley. assistancelegue.org. Healing Touch Therapy Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., andy lost 9% body fat in 2 months re-active is a private gym that specializes in re-activating people’s lives. are you ready to re-activate your life? presents Healing Touch Therapy seminar at 7 p.m. Sept. 15. Healing Touch is an energy therapy that encompasses a group of non-invasive techniques which utilize the hands to clear, energize and balance the human energy field. Call 931-3408. Retirement Party for Dave Hartman Dave Hartman, a fourth grade teacher at Lydiksen Elementary School, retired this summer after 30 years of teaching. His friends, family and former students are invited to celebrate at a retirement party from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. Sept. 18 at Lydisken’s multipurpose room, 7700 Highland Oaks Drive. Refreshments will be provided. Contact Cie Probst at 989-0540 or FunCMCie@mail.com for details and to submit photos for our Wall of Dave. VFW Auxiliary Boutique VFW Auxiliary is seeking crafters and artists to participate in its annual Holiday Boutique Oct. 17-18 at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 301 Main St. Fee is $55 for an 8-foot table. All items must be handmade or crafted by participant or their family. Call 946-5453 or email VFWAux6298@aol.com. On Stage The Great Gatsby Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., presents the Calaveras Repertory Theater production of “The Great Gatsby” as part of The Big Read at 7 p.m. Sept. 13. Seniors SEPTEMBER SPECIAL: get one week of free personal training when you purchase the month Expires 9/30/08 WWW.REAVTIVEGYM.COM 925.353.4894 7063 COMMERCE CIR. SUITE G PLEASANTON, CA 94588 Select Fromrees of T Hundreds Alden Lane Nursery E All on SAL 20% OFF nth This Mo tion this ad) en (when you m Visit the Bay Area’s finest selection of plants, shrubs, tree, perennials and bedding plants in a 7 acre French Country Village setting. We have unique home and garden gifts, statuary & fountains, plus demonstration gardens. California Certified Nursery Professionals are here to help with plant selection and offer advice. Family owned and operated since 1955. Open 7 days a week Daily Hours: 8:30 - 6:00. aldenlane.com 981 Alden Lane, Livermore (925) 447-0280 Page 20ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Present this ad at the nursery for a free gift. Brain Matters Our brains are vital organs that deserve the same attention to care and maintenance as our hearts. Engaging in active learning will help maintain brain health. This new weekly program, meeting at 10 a.m. every Friday starting Sept. 5, combines lectures and interactive workshops dedicated to improving brain health and function. The cost is $1.50 for residents or $2 for non-residents. Call 931-5365. Cut Down the Salt Want to use less salt in your cooking? Learn much you should consume, and how to get started with salt-free cooking from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at the senior center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. Cost is $1.50 for residents or $2 for nonresidents. Call 931-5365. Health Chat Health Chat takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Thursday at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. This group setting informs and educates seniors about various health issues. It is open forum and an interactive session. Sponsored by Amador Valley Adult School and the senior center. Call 426-4280. Pleasanton PC USers Group The PC User Group meets monthly at 10 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. You don’t need to be an expert to attend, we have all skills levels in our meetings. Call 931-5365 or see pleasenior. googlepages.com for more info. Sons in Retirement (SIR) SIR is an organization for retired men. The Pleasanton SIR holds a luncheon meeting at 11 a.m. the first Thursday of the month with golf, bridge, bocce, fishing and other activities and trips. Call 606-7189. Spiritual Bible Study Fellowship The 33-week study of The Life of Moses begins Sept. 8. Women’s classes meet at 9:25 a.m. Wednesdays at Cedar Grove Church, Livermore; and 6:55 p.m. Mondays at Valley Community Church, Pleasanton. Men’s class meets at 6:55 p.m. Tuesdays at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville. Call 877-2733228. Community Bible Study Join CBS for a nondenominational, in-depth study of the book of Revelation for women, along with a children’s program (infant to elementary age), for 30 weeks. The class will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church, 3410 Cornerstone Court. The women’s and children’s classes run concurrently. The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children. Call 209-0242 or visit www.communitybiblestudy.org. Faith Chapel Assembly of God Faith Chapel Assembly of God, 6656 Alisal St., has Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m., with nursery for both services. Children’s church, ages 3-12, meets at 11:15 a.m. Women’s Bible study meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. A prayer at 6 p.m. is held the first and third Monday of the month. Call 8468650 for more programs. Four-Week Class on Personal Transformation Based on the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coehlo, Rev. Steve Maynard will be focusing on “spiritual alchemy,” transforming ideas into manifest reality. First class is “Being Dream Weavers: Transforming Dreams to Reality.” Morning classes are Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, beginning Sept. 9. Wednesday evening classes are at 7 p.m. beginning Sept. 10. Locations vary, so call Tri-Valley Unity church at 829-2733. Women’s Christian 12 Step Discover how much comfort there is in the journey of recovery walking with the Good Shepherd every STEP of the way! This group meets at noon every Friday and Saturday at Shepherd’s Gate, 1660 Portola Ave., Livermore. Call 443-4283. Sports Back to School Scholarship Run Run or walk at the 13th annual Back to School Scholarship run Sept. 20 at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, 2500 Stanley Blvd. The event raises money for college scholarships that are offered to children of parents working in the California food industry. It features three courses: 10K run, 5K run and walk, and a Children’s mile. For details, including entry fees, visit www. onyourmarkevents.com or call 209795-7832. Callippe Niners Callippe Niners is a fun group of nine-hole women golfers. We are currently welcoming new members into our group. Our play days are Tuesday mornings. Call Joan, 462-1054. High School Mini Baseball Camp Tigers Baseball is sponsoring a back to school high school mini camp to be held at the Foothill High School varsity baseball field Sept. 6 to 7. All high school players and their parents are invited to learn what it takes to play collegiate baseball. Players will have a chance to training under the guidance of Coach Robert “Skip” Claprood. Register at www.livermorepony.com. Mountain Rides Join cyclists of all levels for this friendly, no-drop mountain ride which lasts approximately two hours. Riders should be in good fitness, have a well-adjusted, safe mountain bike and general knowledge of bike handling skills. Odd-numbered months, the Cyclepath group goes to the Pleasanton Ridge and evennumbered months, they go to Lake Chabot. For the ridge rides, meet the Cyclepath group at the Foothill staging area. Rides are from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact rides@ cyclepath.com or call 485-3218. Saturday Morning Beginner Ride This weekly no-drop ride from 8 to Calendar Weekend Preview ia. The first meeting is at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave. Call 368-6138. Pleasanton Military Families Pleasanton Military Families, a support group for families of service members, meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. The group includes families who have loved ones serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Global War on Terrorism. Meetings are held at a different group member’s home each month. Call Chris Miller for information on the placement of a yellow streamer for the military person on Main Street and for information on the group, 730-1604. Artworks “Hollyhocks” and “Yosemite Falls” are by Pleasanton artist Charlotte Severin and are watercolor done on Yupo paper. Pleasanton artists join in Hayward exhibit The Hayward Arts Council present the Art: Believe/ Achieve exhibition, with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the artists. Local artists include Elaine Drew, Charlotte Severin and Barbara Spanskie, who, among others, represent the National League of American Pen Women, which began in Washington D.C. in 1897. The exhibit is on display through Oct. 29 at the John O’Lague Galleria, located at Hayward City Hall, 777 B St. in Hayward. To learn more, visit www.haywardarts.org. 10 a.m. Saturdays is for those new to cycling, who haven’t been on their bike for a while or just want to ride at a slower pace. Rides depart from Cyclepath Pleasanton and will generally be 12 to 15 mph, 20 to 25 miles and no more than two hours. E-mail rides@cyclepath.com if you plan to attend. Sunday Morning Group Ride Join cyclists of all levels from 8 to 11 a.m. Sundays for this friendly, no-drop road ride. Routes vary weekly and last approximately two to three hours. Riders warm up together and split into smaller groups based on skill level (A—60 miles, B—35 to 40 miles, C—20 to 25 miles). Bring water and a snack. Rides depart from Cyclepath, 337-B Main St. (in the Bank of America building). Tri-Valley Babe Ruth Skills Clinic Tri-Valley Babe Ruth will hold its annual Fall Skills Clinic Sept. 14 at Camp Parks in Dublin. Registration starts at 8 a.m. with the clinic from 9 a.m. to noon. Clinic is led by top coaches and players in the area. Open for players ages 12 to 15. The cost is $50. Email trivalleybaberuth@sbcglobal.net. Support Groups Cancer Support Group A free support group for people with cancer and their loved ones is held from 2 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday at the Valley Care Health Library, 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd., Ste. 270. This group is facilitated by The Wellness Community. For information, call 933-0107 or email jblazin@twcba.org. Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis Support Group This support groups meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the ValleyCare Health Library, 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd., Ste. 270. Walk- ins are welcome. Feel free to bring a guest. Call 462-6764 or 846-4653. Domestic Violence Support Group On-going support for women dealing with conflictual issues is available at Tri-Valley Haven, Livermore, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. A fee of $40 for every eight weeks or based on a sliding scale. Call Elizabeth, 667-2799. Prostate Cancer Support Group The Man to Man American Cancer Society program is designed to help men cope with prostate cancer by providing community based education and support to patients and their family members. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at San Ramon Regional Medical Center’s south conference room, 7777 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Men at any stage of prostate cancer and their family members are welcome. Michael Stephens, MST, facilitates. Call 933-0107. Tri-Valley Parkinson’s Support Group The group meets at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd., to provide information and support for Parkinson’s patients and caregivers. Call 831-9940. Twin Valley Mothers of Twins Club General meetings are at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 7421 Amarillo Drive. and include round table discussion and dinner. Visit www. TVMOTC.com. Volunteering Grief Support The death of a loved one is unlike any other loss. Grieving people need time and space to honor their grief. An eight-week workshop starting Sept. 18 will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 4001 Stoneridge Drive. Pre-registration is required. A $15 donation is requested. Call Mary, 846-5377. Alviso Adobe Community Park Exciting volunteer opportunities are available at the new Alviso Adobe Community Park on Foothill Road. Details and applications are available at Pleasanton’s Museum On Main, 603 Main St., and the Pleasanton Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave. There will be volunteer training sessions. Call 462-2766. Livermore Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group The Livermore Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at Heritage Estates Retirement Community, second floor conference room, 900 E. Stanley Blvd., Livermore. All are welcome. Contact Lorene Stack, 447-6158 or Ann Laye, 443-4098. American Cancer Society Discovery Shop The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, a furniture store in Mission Plaza, needs volunteers. Do you like to decorate and rearrange furniture? If so, help is needed four hours a week. Call Monday at 462-7374. Parents of Dyslexic Children Parents of dyslexic children can come together to support each other in the journey of raising children with dyslex- Hats Off America Volunteers are wanted for the Hats Off America Casino Night April 19; Muscle Car, Hot Rod, and Art Fair May 16 to 18; Red T-Shirt 10K runs/5K walks June 7, Sept. 13 and Nov. 8. HOA is a nonprofit organization benefiting families of fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Email Sparky George, thebearflagrunner@yahoo.com. Tri-Valley Animal Rescue Do you love animals? Become a volunteer or a Foster with Tri-Valley Animal Rescue. Orientations are held at East County Animal Shelter (ECAS) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month. Registration is not required to attend the orientation. Call 803-7043 or visit www.tvar.org. MONEY I can answer your questions about: Refinancing your adjustable home loan z Home purchase strategies z Equity preservation z Low fixed rates z You have questions... I have answers. Let’s talk! Vision Support Group Individuals with low vision, and their loved ones, are invited to join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. Join us for low vision information, speakers, resources, discussions, and day trips. No reservations are required. Nominal fees may apply. Call 9315369. Fibromyalgia Support Group This group meets at 6:30 the first Thursday monthly at the ValleyCare Library, 5725 West Las Positas Boulevard. Call 847-3000. Overeaters Anonymous Do you worry about the way you eat? You are not alone. Overeaters Anonymous may have the answer for you. This is not a diet club. OA is a fellowship of people recovering from compulsive overeating, starving and/or purging. OA offers mutual support and a helpful plan of action. They meet at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 678 Enos Way, Livermore. Visit www.diablovallyeyoa.org. Let’s Talk Let’s face it. The news about real estate makes it confusing to know your home financing options. Your Neighbor & Home Finance Expert for 20 Years Chris Jensen 925.738.0315 chrisj@NorthPointGroup.com We bring the showroom to you! We Are Committed To: s%XCEPTIONAL #USTOMER3ERVICE s(IGH1UALITY 0RODUCTS s'REAT3ELECTION s,OWEST0RICES “Four years ago. We were looking for a window covering company. By luck we found Window-ology! They installed beautiful shutters for us. Just recently we had more work done. They are great people! Courteous on the telephone, always on time and they know their business! I recommend Window-ology for all of your window needs!” — a Loyal Customer 925.462.1207 3TANLEY"LVD0LEASANTON#! WWWWINDOWOLOGYCOM Contractor’s License #904282 *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 21 DiningOut American Vic’s All Star Kitchen 201 Main St., Pleasanton, (925) 484-0789. Vic’s delivers a starry mix of American food, fast service and a cheery atmosphere. Owner Vic Malatesta teamed his love of sports with his passion for good food to create a solid dining experience. Vic’s is open daily 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Evening banquets and daytime catering are available. Bridges 44 Church St., Danville, 820-7200. Executive Chef Kevin Gin interprets California-American cuisine with European and Asian influences with expansive lunch and dinner menus. Add dessert, wine and cocktails and you have Bridges’ casual fine dining experience. Visit www.bridgesdanville. com for event and private party details. Pleasanton Hotel Restaurant 855 Main St., Pleasanton, 846-8106. Executive Chef Chris Smith offers exciting contemporary American cooking at lunch and dinner, featuring a wide selection of fresh fish entrees. To have your restaurant listed in this dining directory, please call the Pleasanton Weekly Advertising Department at (925) 600-0840 Also offering our famous Sunday Champagne Buffet Brunch full bar and patio service. Visit us at www.pleasantonhotel.com for menus and private party and catering details. Barbecue Red Smoke Grill 4501 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 734-0307. Home of the Tri Tip and Blue, Red Smoke Grill was Voted Reader’s Choice Best 2006, 2007, 2008. Dine in or take out rotisserie chicken, ribs, prawns, salads and tri tip, or pulled pork sandwiches. Relax with a beer or a bottle of wine. Visit www.redsmokegrill.com. Brewpub/Alehouse Main Street Brewery 830 Main St., Pleasanton, 462-8218. Pleasanton’s only BrewPub, some ales (Attaboy IPA) are brewed with locally grown hops. We also have a rotating selection of guest brews and seasonal Italian Style Spaghetti & Ravioli s,UNCHES$INNERSs"EERSON4AP s/RDERSTOGOs0ATIO$INING!VAILABLE ales. To-go orders welcome and we’re available for parties up to 100. Live music every Friday and Saturday, visit www.mainstbrewery.com for activities and specials. The Hop Yard American Alehouse and Grill 3015H Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 426-9600. Voted Best Watering Hole in Pleasanton, The Hop Yard offers 30 craft beers on tap as well as great food. The full-service menu includes appetizers, salads and grilled fare that will bring you back time and again. Banquet facilities available. On the web at www.hopyard.com. 470 Market Place, San Ramon, 2779600. Featuring a giant 8-foot projection screen for major sporting events, they also feature 30 beers on tap and a great grill. Go in for the beer, go back for the food. More at www.hopyard. com. California Cuisine Stacey’s Cafe 310 Main St., Pleasanton, 461-3113. Located on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton, Stacey’s is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, serving fresh California cuisine. Come as you are and enjoy our dining room, banquet room, outdoor patios and full bar. Visit www.staceyscafe.com. Catering -AIN3TREETsswww.gayninetiespizza.com Fontina’s Catering 349 Main St., Downtown Pleasanton, D\iXM`ef N`e\9flk`hl\ Cfle^\ 462-9299. Fontina Ristorante’s awardwinning menu can now be delivered to your home or office. Our lunch and dinner specialties feature homemade soups and pastas, premium seafood and meats, and a vegetarian menu. For parties of 10 or more, we’ll include free dessert or 10 percent off your total bill (excluding tax). Girasole Grill/Pampered Palate Catering 831-4888. Offering affordable and elegant catering, Girasole Grill/ Pampered Palate provides quality food and generous portions at a fair price. Services include: decorated buffets with hors d’oeuvres and carving stations; sit down meal service; strictly hors d’oeuvres, both buffet and server passed; and a variety of beverage packages with no corkage fees. Visit www.ppceastbay.com. Pleasanton Hotel Catering Catering 846-8112. The Pleasanton Hotel Restaurant has proudly provided our fine-dining restaurant, banquet and catering services in the Tri-Valley for over 25 years. We have multiple catering packages to choose from to fit any event & budget; we also tailor menus to fit client’s needs. Executive Chef Chris Smith also offers an array of creative events from In-Home Personal Chef to Cooking Classes. Our commitment to provide the highest quality of food plus prompt and attentive service has given us a reputation we are very proud of. Contact Gerard Lek for more information 846-8112. Chinese Chinese Szechuan 3059 Hopyard Road #G, Pleasanton, 846-5251. Chinese Szechuan is Pleasanton’s best-loved Chinese restaurant. Family owned and run since 1987, it has friendly service, delicious food and great prices, including lunch specials and carry-out. A banquet room is available. Panda Mandarin Cuisine 30 W. Angela St., Pleasanton, 4844880. Panda offers several delicious specials using fresh ingredients and spices that make traditional northern Chinese cuisine such a delight. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. A private banquet room is available. Visit www.pandapleasanton.com. Continental Barone’s 475 St. John St., Pleasanton, 4260987. Pleasanton’s most romantic continental cuisine restaurant features innovative pasta, seafood and meat entrees, outdoor dining, and a full bar. Barone’s is open for dinner seven nights and lunch Monday through Friday, with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Ask about our banquet facilities and special events. Fusion Oasis Grille 780 Main St., Pleasanton, 417-8438. Visit downtown Pleasanton’s exotic dining destination. Oasis features kabobs, rice and vegetarian dishes, to name a few. Check out our updated wine and exotic cocktail menus. We also cater! Visit www.OasisGrille.com. Italian Fontina Ristorante 349 Main St., Pleasanton, 462-9299. This popular downtown restaurant gets rave reviews from both locals and visitors. Fontina offers a changing, seasonal menu and daily specials— including homemade soups, pastas, seafood, chicken and veal—served in a comfortably elegant atmosphere. We have indoor and outdoor seating. Join us for Saturday and Sunday champagne brunch. La Vite Ristorante 3037-G Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 485-4500. La Vite Ristorante was rated “A” by the Contra Costa Times restaurant critic and voted the best Italian restaurant by the readers of the Tri-Valley Herald. We’re located off the beaten path of downtown Pleasanton in the Hopyard Village Shopping Center. NOW OPEN FOR MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL! Come in for the Beer Come back for the Food 30 BEERS ON TAP ()*<M`e\pXi[8m\el\#C`m\idfi\#:Xc`]fie`X0+,,' Our patio is open! 0),000N`e\0+-* D\iXM`ef%Zfd “Best French Fries” PLEASANTON LIVE MUSIC...Every Friday & Saturday {ÈÓnÓ£nÊUÊnÎäÊ>Ê-Ì°ÊUÊÜÜÜ°>ÃÌLÀiÜiÀÞ°V FREE -ISO3OUP (OUSE3ALAD WITHANYENTREE ORDER Thank You For Voting Us "The Best" Again! “Best Place for After Work Drink” UÊ`>Þ]ÊΫ« UÊfΰääÊiiÀÃÊ>Þ Cfle^\efnfg\e,gd$('gdK_lij[Xp$Jle[Xp:Xcc]fii\j\imXk`fej 9flk`hl\`jfg\e\m\ip[Xp((Xd$0gd fine japanese restaurant 4AKE/UT/RDERSs#ATERING!VAILABLE 417.2206 Family Meals To Go Meals include four corn muffins and two large sides. Rotisserie Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tri-Tip 1 1/2 pound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 pound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Slab-and-a-Half of Ribs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . One Pound Tri-Tip and Whole Chicken . . . . . . . . Full Slab of Ribs & Whole Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . One Pound Tri-Tip and Whole Slab . . . . . . . . . . . Now Open LUNCH SPECIALS "ENTO"OX $7.95 4ERIYAKI#HICKEN BUSINESS HOURS $6.95 -/.&2)!-0- 3550 Bernal Ave., #130, Pleasanton 6INTAGE(ILLS3HOPPING#ENTER (925) 426-9600 3015-H Hopyard Road www.hopyard.com Page 22ÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ 3!4035.0-0- Sides 4501 Hopyard Rd, Pleasanton 734-0307 Open daily from 11am www.redsmokegrill.com Small Side Salad, French Fries, Roasted Corn Salad, Potato Salad, Creamy Cole Slaw, Santa Maria Style Beans, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Mashed Potatoes $16.99 $25.99 $29.99 $28.99 $32.99 $32.99 $36.99 Dining Out Girasole Grill 3180 Santa Rita Road at West Las Positas Boulevard, Pleasanton, 484-1001. Girasole, a locally owned family business, is an award winning California style Italian restaurant. It was voted Best Italian Restaurant by Pleasanton Weekly readers for 2007. We feature signature cuisine such as Scoozzi, Absolut! prawns, chicken gorgi, ppinach for Veronica, Tuscan pork and signature fresh seafood...just to name a few. We are upscale, but California casual with friendly prices. Silver Palate Restaurant & Market 680 Main St Downtown Pleasanton, 417-5900 The ambiance of this restaurant evokes the light-filled expanse of a European marketplace, while the outdoor patio captures the best in al fresco dining. Choose from a wide selection of flavorful entrees and side accompaniments ... Just $14.95 or less everyday! We also feature a special dinner menu. Kids eat FREE with each paying adult. Now open for breakfast! Country Brunch Buffet every Sunday. Open seven days a week. Japanese Kokoro Sushi Japanese Restaurant Now open for lunch and dinner daily. Take out orders and catering available. Serving a variety of regular sushi rolls and Nigiri Sushi daily. Full Japanese dining menu items including:Teriyaki Dishes, Bento Boxes Yakisoba, Udon Soup, Salads and Appetizers. Business Hours: Monday-Friday 11AM - 9:30PM; Saturday 12PM - 9:30PM; Sunday 5PM - 9:30PM Phone: 4172206 Located in the remodeled Vintage Hills Shopping Center at 3550 Bernal Ave #130 in Pleasanton. Sato Japanese Cuisine 3105-K Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 462-3131. Makoto Sato, Owner Operator has been serving traditional japanese cuisine for over 25 years in Specializing in Europe and the South Pacific Pleasanton. Enjoy the variety of our sushi bar and Japanese tempura and teriyaki sushi. We are open for lunch and dinner. We also do catering. Open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Monday. Mexican Blue Agave Club 625 Main St., Pleasanton, 417-1224. Come downtown for fine dining and casual lunches in our outdoor patio. Our menu includes a variety of selections from classic tortilla soup and mole poblano to grilled salmon (a house specialty) and filet mignon with a spicy Chipotle Chile sauce. We also specialize in premium “sipping” tequilas and carry over 200 different varieties. Visit www.blueagaveclub.com. Pizza Gay Nineties Pizza Co. 288 Main St., Pleasanton, 846-2520. Gay Nineties is family-oriented with an extensive menu, including our renowned pizza, Italian dishes, salads and sandwiches. We also have wine, beer, patio dining and games for kids. Come for groups, take out and callahead lunch orders. We’re open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Steakhouse Bighorn Grill 2410 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, 838-5678. Relax in our luxurious “mountain lodge” with a quintessential martini. Experience the aroma and flavors of our wood-fired grill. Enjoy a savory steak, traditional prime rib, smoked ribs, fresh seafood, and a variety of signature dishes. Fabulous wine list and two private banquet rooms. Visit www.bighorngrill.com. House of Omelettes DeansCafe To have your restaurant listed in this dining directory, please call the Pleasanton Weekly Advertising Department at (925) 600-0840 -OST2OMANTIC 2ESTAURANT "REAKFASTs,UNCH 6am-2:30pm -ONDAY3ATURDAY AMPM3UNDAY Joseph & Maricela Barone Your Hosts Since 1995 Barone’s Restaurant #OME4ASTE/UR.EW ,UNCH$INNER%NTREES s)NNOVATIVE #UISINE s2EHEARSAL $INNERS s%NTERTAINMENT ON7EEKENDS s"ANQUETS s&ULL"AR 475 Saint John Pleasanton 426-0987 DIABLO FLOORING, INC WHERE SERVICE AND QUALITY MATTER FREE ESTIMATES Exact pricing, no rough estimates Residential/Commercial Financing Available Experience A New Flooring Today! Established in 1985 Destinations Unlimited 1989-C Santa Rita Road s (925) 462-0402 www.travel-desk.com s CST#101368810 CARPET HARDWOOD LAMINATE TILE VINYL (925) 426-RUGS (925) 426-7847 www.DiabloFlooring.com 5600-D Sunol Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566 CA License #898787 Savory Delights of Northern China LUNCH SPECIALS:Ê`>ÞÀ`>ÞÊ££\ÎäÓ\ää DINNER:ÊÊ`>Þ/ ÕÀÃ`>ÞÊx\ää\ÎäÊ À`>ÞÊEÊ->ÌÕÀ`>ÞÊx\ää£ä\ääÊ Ãi`Ê-Õ`>Þ PRIVATE BANQUET ROOM TAKE-OUT 2004/2005 & 2006 WINNER 30 West Angela St., Downtown Pleasanton ÓxÊ{n{Ê{nnäÊUÊÜÜÜ°«>`>«i>Ã>Ì°V Presents… Back to School, Back to Work Fall Sale 2008 Thursday, Sept. 18th 3:00pm - 7:00pm Come in for our showcase where we will have frame representatives on-site with their full line of frames ready to help you choose the best style. UÊ >ÌiÀ}Ê-iÀÛVi UÊ/>iÊ"ÕÌÊiÕ iÃÌÊÌ>>Ê,iÃÌ>ÕÀ>Ìt Open for Lunch and Dinner With combination of an elegant Banquet room and charming wine bar ideal for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, company parties or any special occasion you are celebrating. 3037-G Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton (At Valley Ave in Hopyard Village) 925-485-4500 www.LaViteRestaurant.com $50.00 Off $30.00 Off party insurance. *Not applicable through third party insurance. Complete pair of prescription glasses. *Not applicable through third 620 MAIN STREET, PLEASANTON, CA 846-4222 Sunglasses (Non Prescription). 925 463-7330 4555 Hopyard Road, Ste. C -19 (Next to Sweet Tomatoes) www.veoptometry.com Now Accepting Appointments Pleasanton Real Estate News by Gerarda Stocking REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS During a real estate boom, we get used to tacking maybe an additional 20% to the value of our home each year, and sometimes even more. In a few years, we begin to assume that this is the way it should be and, indeed, this is the way it will always be. But it isn’t. The real estate market goes through cycles. When you notice that the market value of your home has risen so much that you yourself could no longer afford to buy the home, you see problems in the making. Someone like you can’t buy your home. Who can? Who will? Though the purchase of a home is usually based on a complex set of emotions, the fact remains that the property is a commodity. Just like a car whose design makes you imagine feeling like king of the road as you cruise the beach highways, a spectacular home may seem to be worth far more than its plainer counterparts in the neighborhood, but nothing will erase several very basic facts about your local real estate market. Values in that market are interdependent. A very crucial step in putting your home on the market, therefore, is to get as real as possible about your home and the micromarket in which you will sell it. Whether it is a Kiastyle tract home or a Porsche-style beachhouse, you really can’t evade the market in which your home is selling. Your home’s market value is primarily determined by what similar nearby homes are selling for in today’s market, not on wild emotions. For assistance call Gerarda Stocking at 846-4000 or visit her website at www.gerardastocking.com. Gerarda Stocking is the Owner/Broker of Stocking Realty. *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊ-i«ÌiLiÀÊx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 23 Senior Support of the Tri-Valley presents Alexandria’s DeLovely Evening Flowers Flower Happy Hour at Alexandria's Enjoy a Fresh Summer Bouquet for $15 (reg. $25) BRIGHTEN YOUR HOME WITH FRESH FLOWERS 484-1149 UÊÎäÎÇÊÊ«Þ>À`Ê,>`]Ê-ÕÌiÊ D | {Dy ©cC\OCKBiwGFCI SMOG INSPECTION cial Spe $45 with + $8.25 CERT. coupon ( Harry’s Auto Repair Music from the Rip-Roaring 20’s and Art Deco 30’s, featuring the scat singing and period style of the internationally-acclaimed trio The Jesters Saturday, September 27, 2008 — 8:00 p.m. Amador Theater 1155 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton $50 per person Tickets at: Amador Theater Box Office 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday 925-931-3444 www.civicartstickets.org Test and Repair 925-462-3237 We can smog any vehicle! s4EST/NLY s'ROSS0OLLUTERS s#HANGEOF/WNERSHIP s"IANNUAL No Appointments Necessary! Mon-Fri 8-4pm Proceeds benefit Senior Support of the Tri-Valley. The group’s mission is to: s&OSTER)NDEPENDENCEs0ROMOTE3AFETYAND7ELL"EINGs0RESERVE$IGNITYs)MPROVE1UALITYOF,IFE 183-A Wyoming St., Pleasanton To become an event sponsor or for more information, call 925-931-5387. — Gold Shield Station — The Best In Furniture...The Lowest In Prices. Beautiful Designer furniture at consignment prices. Danville 1901 Camino Ramon 925 866 6164 Mt. View 141 El Camino Real 650 964 7212 San Rafael 863 East Francisco 415 456 2765 San Mateo 1888 South Norfork 650 577 8979 Saratoga 600 El Paseo de Saratoga 408 871 8890 Additional locations in Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, Las Vegas, Folsom, Foothill Ranch, Roseville, Newport Beach, and Austin )
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