August '11 pdf

A Monthly Publication Delivered to Over 40,000 Residents

AUGUST 2011

2ANNIVERSARY

COMMUNITY FOCUS

www.ourcommunityfocus.com August 2011

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Bus: 925-671-0222 Fax: 925-671-0309

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www.ourcommunityfocus.comAugust 2011

Consider eScrip and Athletics for SchoolBy Jaki Jones

Free Money For SchoolsBy R.L. Tinker

Donate to FPHE

Asyoupreparetosendyourteenag-erbacktoschoolthismonth,rememberthatparticipatinginahighschoolsportcontinuestobewidelypopularaswellasbeneficialforthestudent.Over800

CollegeParkstudentstookpartinhighschoolathleticslastyear. Unfortunately,thesportsprogramsintheMt.DiabloUnifiedSchoolDistrictcontinuetobeinjeopardyandfinancial

Fun Run For Education

Ifyoucurrentlyhavestudentsinpublicschool,youarealreadyawareofhowsimpleitistotakeadvantageofcon-tributionsmadetoschoolsthrougheS-cripandeScripprograms.Butevenifyoudon’thaveschool-agedchildren,youcanhelpfunnelfreemoneytotheschoolsinyourcommunity.Inbleakfinancialtimessuchasthese,wecan’tletasingleavailableresourcegountapped. eScripisanorganizationthatpart-nerswithbusinessestocontributeaper-centageofyourpurchasestotheschoolofyourchoice.Youdon’thavetobuyanythingyouwouldn’tnormallybuyorspendanextracent.Here’s how it works: Goonlinetowww.escrip.comandregisteryourSafewayClubcardand/oryourdebit/ATMcard(ifyou’reaLunar-di’sshopper).

Selecttheschoolorboosterprogramyouwouldlikeyourcontributiontogoto-wards. WhenyouswipeyourSafewaycard(orenteryourphonenumber)oruseyourregistereddebitcardatLunardi’s,apercentageofyourtotalmonthlypur-chasesgototheschool. Ifyouhavechildreninschool,youmayneedtogoonlinetore-authorizeyourcardorupdatetheschoolyourcon-tributionisgoingtoward.Ifyourchil-drenarejuststartingschoolyoucansignupwhenyouregisteryourstudentinAu-gust. It’ssimple.It’sfree.Anditmakesanimpact. Youdecide–ElementarySchool,MiddleSchool,HighSchoolAthletics,Band,PTSA…Registeryourcardandtellthemwheretosendthecheck!

TheFoundationforPleasantHillEducationworksinpartnershipwithourcommunitytoenhancethequalityofeducationandprovideenrichmentopportunitiesforstudentsinPleasantHillpublicschools.Helpreducetheimpactbudgetcutshavehadonpublic

education. YourdonationtoFPHE’s2011An-nualCampaignwilldirectlybenefitmathematics,languagearts,science,andtheArts.Donateonline:www.fphe.orgorbymail:FPHE,P.O.Box23851,PleasantHill,CA94523.

The9thannualShell/MartinezEdu-cationFoundationRunforEducationwillbeheldonOctober1stindowntownMartinez.EachyearthisfuneventdrawshundredsofpeopletohelpraisemoneyforMartinezschools. The5krun/walkbeginsatthecornerofEstudilloandMainstreetsat8:30a.m.,withracedayregistrationbeginningat7a.m.AlltheproceedsoftheracegototheMartinezEducationFoundation,whichusesthemoneytosupporttheMartinezUnifiedSchoolDistrict.Lastyear’seventraisedmorethan$53,000forthefounda-tion. “Weweresoproudoflastyear’srunandeveryonewhocameouttosup-portus,”saidShellMartinezRefineryspokesmanSteveLesher. “Toseesomanypeoplecomeoutandsupportthiscauseinthiseconomywasjustawe-some.Wearehopingforanevenbigger

turnoutthisyear.” TheShellrefineryisthemajorspon-soroftherun,anditsemployeesvolun-teertohelpwithplanningandracedayactivitiesandalsorunorwalkinthefundraiser.Registrationis$20ifpost-markedbySeptember23,and$30onraceday.Pre-registrationforafamilyof3ormore(mustbeimmediatefamily)is$15perparticipant.YoucanregisterbyenclosingacheckpayabletotheMarti-nezEducationFoundation,P.O.Box933,Martinez,CA94553. OnSeptember30,thenightbeforetherun,apastafeedwillbeheldattheMartinezSeniorCenter,withproceedsgoingtoMartinezschools.Ticketsare$15perperson,withchildrenunder6free.Formoreinformationontheraceandpastafeed,call(925)313-5562.Reg-isteronlinefortheRunforEducationatwww.theschedule.com.

supportisneededmorethanever.Therearetwoeasywaysyoucanhelppreserveathleticsasyouheadtotheschoolreg-istrationtablesthismonth.Considerenrollingintheescripprogram(seeat-tachedarticle)andcontributingtotheUnitedMt.DiabloAthleticFoundation.UMDAFisanorganizationdedicatedtohelpingrecoverthe1.2milliondol-larsthathasbeenlostduetobudgetcutsbyprovidingfundraisingandfinancialsupportspecificallyforMt.DiabloUni-fiedSchoolDistricthighschoolathlet-ics. Overthelast3yearsthisfoundationhasplayedacrucialrole inbringingback

athleticsinthehighschoolsandwillcon-tinuetodosothisyear. Considersponsoringanathlete,purchasingat-shirtandattendingthevariousfundraisingeventssuchastheupcoming5KRunthisOctober.Allrev-enueraisedbythisorganizationissharedequallyamongthesixhighschoolsinthedistrict,whichwillinturnreinforcetheoverallleague.Inworkingtogetherwecankeepthecheeringloud,thestandscrowded,andtheschoolspirithigh. VisittheUMDAFwebsiteatwww.unitedmtdiabloathletics.orgtolearnmore.

Courtesy of the Shell Martinez Refinery

http://www.creativelookphoto.com


JULIE SAYS

EveryThursdaymorningfromnineun-tilnoon,Ivolunteeratthewildliferehabilita-tionhospitalatLindsayWildlifeMuseum.Itisaremarkableplace.Eachyear,thehospitaltreatsmorethan5,500nativewildanimalswiththegoalofrehabilitatingeventhetiniestandmostvulnerablepatientssotheycanbereleasedbackintothewild. Theamazingthingisthatallofthesean-imals–injuredandorphaned–arebroughtintothehospitalbymembersofthepublicwhosawananimalinneedandtookthetimetohelp.Asonelong-timevolunteersaidtome,“Thesepeoplehaveheartsofgold.Theyrepresenttheverybestofmankind.”Ibelievethat’strue.Iespeciallyloveseeingparentswithsmallchildrencomeintogetherwiththeirlittlecreatureorcreaturesinabox,hopingtogiveasecondchanceatlifetoababyraccoontheyfoundabandoned,oranestfulloflittlebirdsthathasblowndowninthewind. Theseparentsareteachingtheirkidssomuchaboutcompassion,respectandresponsibilityforthewildlifewhoshareourneighborhoodsandourworld.Ithinkofthesepeopleasoneof“us”–thegoodguys.Andthenthereare“them.”InJune,aboutoneweekapart,twobeautifulperegrinefalconswerebroughtintothehospitalthathadbeenshotwithinablockofeachotherinOak-land.Thesebirdshadbeenbandedbyaresearchgroupandcouldbeidentifiedasamother-daughterpairwhohadbeennamedHayaandMarinaforidentificationandtrackingpurposes. Bothfalconssufferedbrokenulnas–wingbones–andhaveundergonesurgery.Theyarereceivingtheut-mostofcareatLindsayWildlifeMuseum.Atthiswriting,theconditionofHaya,themother,isguarded.Sheisbeingtreatedforaninfection,whichcanhappengiventhetypeofinjuriesshesustained.Marinaisshowingsignsofrecov-eryandgainingstrength. Itisuncertain,however,whethereitherbirdwillre-covertothepointwheretheyhaveachanceofbeingabletosurviveinthewild.Peregrinefalconscatchtheirpreyinmidair.Theyarethefastestflyingbirdsintheworld,withadivingspeedof200mph.Tobesuccessfulhunters,theirwingsmustbeinperfectflyingcondition. Treatmentfortheperegrinefalconsandotherdeserv-

ingwildpatientsisexpensive.Fortunately,nowthereisawayyoucanhelpforfree.LindsayWildlifeMuseumjustfoundoutthatitsapplicationwasselectedtocom-peteforagrantfromthePepsiRefreshProject. Ifawardedthegrant,thewildlifehos-pitalwillusethefundstoupgradeitsout-datedx-raysystemfromfilmtodigital.Thiswillreducetheper-imagecostofdiagnosticx-rayssotheycanbeprovided

forallpatientswhoneedthem,reducetheriskandtimeneededforanesthesia,facilitateconsultationswithprofes-sionals,anddecreasehazardouswasteproducedbyfilmdevelopment. PleaseconsidervotingforLindsayWildlifeMuseumandmakethenewequipmentareality.Justgotorefre-sheverything.com,signupforanaccountandstartvot-ing!Theappealwillbelistedunder“Communities”atthe$50,000awardlevel.InviteyourFacebookfriendstojointhecause.YoucanvoteeverydayinAugust.It’sfree.Beonthe“us”side! Please send your questions and comments to [email protected]. Please vote at refresheverything.com every day and spread the word to your Facebook friends.

Us Versus ThemBy Julie Ross

PUBLISHERSBecky Coburn, Jennifer Neys, Elena Hutslar

[email protected],000HomesandBusinessesinPleasantHill,Martinez,

Pacheco,LafayetteandWalnutCreek

[email protected]

SPORTS EDITORChuck Nan

[email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNTrish Heaney, Debra Wilson, Sarah Birdwell

COPY EDITORAlison Clary

View the Focus online at Website: www.ourcommunityfocus.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:Community Calendar:

[email protected]

Stage Door Theater Submissions: [email protected]

Content & General Inquiries: [email protected]

6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132Martinez, CA 94553

Phone: (925) 335 - NEWS (6397)

Independent & Locally Owned

•BluesandBrewsCandids..........................page6•RibbonCuttings......................................... page8•NewDowntownHangouts...................... page10•PasttoPleasant.......................................... page13

•LocalsGotoCooperstown............................page17•AsRussSeesIt.................................................page20•LocalMusicListings........................................ page24•TeenScene........................................................ page30

The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening

and building connections within our community.

MISSION STATEMENT


AboutoneyearagowesharedthestoryofayoungboynamedCharlieVictorShueywhowasreturningtotheBayAreafromUkrainetojoinhisnewlyadoptivefamily.CharliehadvisitedtheU.S.afewmonthsearlier,hostedbytheHelbergfamilyofPleasantHillaspartofaculturalvisit. CaraHelbergistheExecutiveDirectorofAngels’HavenOutreach,anon-profitorganizationcommittedtofindingadoptivefamiliesforor-phanedchildrenfromaroundtheworld.UkraineisoneofthefewcountriesthatwillallowitsorphanstovisittheUnitedStatesonculturalexchanges,makingiteasierforagenciessuchasAngels’Haventointroducethechildrentoprospectiveadoptivefamilies.Caraex-plains,“Peopleareopentotheideaandevenwanttoadoptolderchildren,butitisveryscarygoingintoacountryblindhavinglittleideaaboutthechildtheyaretravelingtomeet. Sincethesekidscancomehere,familiescanmeetthemandreallyseetheirpersonalities.” OnJuly14thCharlie,whohasbeensettledinwithhisnewfamilyinClaytonforayear,joinedagroupofhostfami-liesattheairporttowelcomeBogdan

(7),Vika(6),Rita(11),Vova(13)andVadym(7),threeboysandtwogirls,newlyarrivedfromUkrainefortheirsix-weekvisit. Sevenyear-oldBogdanwillbestay-inglocallywiththeHelbergsandCaraisworkingtoseethatafamilyisfoundforhim.“Everyoneseemstofallinlovewithhimwhereverwego.Heissosweetanddarling,agreatkid,soIhopetofindafamilysoon,”shesaid.“Ifanyonewantstomeethim,he’llbehereforafewmoreweeks.” Becauseofthebleakoutlookforchildrenoncetheyleaveanorphanage,Cara’sfocusisonfindinghomesforolderchildren.InUkraine,childrenageoutoftheinstitutionsat16yearsold.Withnowheretogoandnofamilytosupportthem,themajorityofthesekidsaredoomedtolivesofcrime,prostitu-tionandimprisonment.InUkraineandRussia10%-15%ofchildrenwhoageoutofanorphanagecommitsuicidebe-foreage18*.Sixtypercentofthegirlsareluredintoprostitution.Seventypercentoftheboysbecomehardenedcriminalssimplybecausetheywereunfortunateenoughtobeorphans. LikeCharlieandtheHelberg’seld-

Visit Brings Hope to Ukrainian Children By R.L. Tinker

estdaughterAnastasia,whocamefromRussiaonasimilarexchangeatage10,Bogdan,Vika,Rita,VovaandVadymhaveachancetofindalovingfamilyandamorepromisingfuturethantheonethatawaitsthembackinUkraine.Ifadoptionisanoptionyourfam-ilyhasconsidered,orifyouwouldbe

interestedinhostingachildforafutureculturalvisit,exploretheAngels’HavenOutreachwebsiteatwww.angelshaven.organdcontactCaraHelbergatadopt@angelshaven.org,orcall:1-877-378-9781. *Statistics taken from The Home for Good Foundation Adoption Ministry

Bogdan with the Helberg sisters.

A warm greeting from hosts awaited the five Ukrainian children.

MARTY OCHOAThe name Marty Ochoa is synonymous with Martinez. His love for the city and community is an integral part of who he is and he lives it daily. The endless support he gives – from his work and volunteer e�orts - comes from the simple, genuine desire to see Martinez thrive. While nominated by Dwayne Glemser for August’s Doing the Right Thing, below are two others who express appreciation for Marty’s contributions:“Marty O is a Martinez icon. Besides attending most of our special events and always being willing to lend a hand or donate, he has been the down-town Santa for the last four years. As the Main Street Martinez Executive Director, it's my job to manage the Santa House each year and it is such a pleasure working with Marty, or "O" as we fondly refer to him. He remem-bers kids from year to year, he's always up to speed on the latest toys and games, and he has the perfect Santa smile so the pictures always turn out great! I can't thank "O" enough for all that he has done for me and Down-town Martinez” Leanne Peterson“From his service as a past Chairman of the Chamber Board to his omnipres-ent role as Santa and his overwhelming generosity, Marty epitomizes the greatness of Martinez. Marty is in many ways, a renaissance man. He holds a job with the county, runs a small business and volunteers at nearly everything. In a town that is at times bitterly divided over political issues and personalities, Marty is seemingly appreciated by all parts of the community. [He] loves Martinez, loves to promote Martinez and loves to help the less fortunate. For these acts of quiet kindness, he seeks no recognition, making him all the more deserving.” Steve Lesher

DOING THE RIGHT THING

Martinez 3800 Alhambra 370-6382 • Concord 625 Contra Costa Blvd. 825-5940

I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day. Abraham Lincoln

Proudly sponsored by:

Left to right: Chris Bryant, Cathy Ivers, Marty Ochoa


P.H. Blues and Brews Event

College Park Boosters Club

Tommy Castro

Katrina Hunn and Valerie Meagan

Leanne Peterson and friend

Lesley Stiles and friends

GROWING!WE ARE

We’re expanding our Focus. More speci�cally, the Community Focus is growing and looking for energetic and creative people who share our enthusiasm for the community to join our sales team.

Our sales people are commission-based, independent contractors who are self- motivated, work well with deadlines and enjoy �exible hours. We are looking for individuals who would enjoy partnering with our business community in an e�ort to create e�ective marketing solutions in print and online.

Please send your resume to: [email protected].

Be a part of the Community Focus Team

GROWING!WE ARE

At a recent event, Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Michael Harris referred to the Community Focus as a “Glad Rag.” We completely agree with the characterization and are proud to have given our readers another year of positive, relevant local content. This past year we have increased our circulation to 40,000 and expanded our website and drop locations. We would like to acknowledge and thank our talented and hard-working writers and photographers, and Alison Clary, our tireless copy editor, for dotting our i's and crossing our t's, and share our heartfelt appreciation for the creative skill of Trish Heaney, our wonderful friend and graphic designer. Thank you for reading, submitting stories and sharing comments online, writing letters, joining us on Facebook and continuing to make us aware of how unique and eclectic our community is. Finally, a sincere thanks to our advertisers for their continued support. We would not be celebrating the beginning of our 3rd year in publication without you!

It’s Our Anniversary!


Civic Action CommissionAugust 3City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneSmall Community Room, 6:30pmContact: 671-5229

Architectural Review CommissionAugust 4, 18City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneSmall Community Room, 5:00pmContact: 671-5209

City Council Meeting August 1, 29City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneCouncil Chambers, 7:30pmContact: 671-5267

Zoning AdministratorAugust 11, 25City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneCommunity Development Dept.Conference Room, 5:00pmContact: 671-5209

Planning CommissionAugust 9, 23City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneCouncil Chambers, 7:30pmContact: 671-5209

Education CommissionAugust 24City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneLarge Community Room, 7:00pmContact: 671-5229

City Calendar of Events

For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us

Mayor’s Message Will return next Month

Dog Armour

City Channel Now Airing

9/11 Commemoration

Community Service Day

PLEASANT HILL CITY BUZZ

CastorMuzzy

TheCityChannelisnowliveonComcastChannel28andU-VerseChannel99.Currently,youwillseebulletinboardmessagingfromeachofthethreemembercities–Clayton,MartinezandPleasantHill.Inaddi-tion,theCity Channelwillimmedi-atelybeginbroadcastingrecordingsofmeetingsincludingCityCouncilandPlanningCommission. BothofthesebroadcastswillairthesameastheydidonChannel26previously--thatis,CityCouncilmeetingsontheWednesdayfollowingeachCouncilmeetingat7:30p.m.and

PlanningCommissionontheThursdayfollowingeachmeetingat7:30p.m. Overthenextseveralmonths,ad-ditionalprogrammingwillbebroad-castandthecompleteschedulewillbepostedontheCitywebsiteatwww.pleasant-hill.net/cctv.

ThePleasantHillPoliceDepart-mentcanines,MuzzyandCastor,willsoonhavebodyarmortowearduringtheperformanceoftheirduties. ThePoliceandWorkingK-9Foun-dation,aBayAreanon-profitorganiza-tiondedicatedtoprovidingsupportforworkingdogs,hasagreedtodonateabullet-andstab-resistantvestforeachdog.Thevestshavearetailvalueof$1,800each.

ThePoliceandWorkingK-9Foun-dationhasalreadyprovidedvestsforotherjurisdictions,includingConcordandtheSheriff ’sOffice.CaninesMuzzyandCastorwillwearthevestsintacti-calsituationsinwhichdangerouscon-ditionsareanticipated. ThePoliceDepartmentcaninesenhancetheeffectivenessofcrimesup-pressionefforts,andtheacquisitionofthevestsisawaytokeepthedogssafe.

PleasantHill’s7th AnnualCom-munityServiceDaywillbeheldthisyearonSaturday,September24,2011.VolunteerswillgatheratPleasantHillPark,beginningat7:30a.m.,andsignupforaclean-upprojectoroneofthemanyotherprojectsthatday.YouwillreceiveafreecommemorativeT-ShirtandafreepancakebreakfastservedbythePleasantHillLionsClub. Lastyear,morethan1,000vol-unteersworkedon23projectscity-wide! Tosignupasavolunteerorsub-mitaneighborhoodorschoolcleanupproject,goto:http://www.pleasant-hill.net/csd.Formoreinformationcontact

MartinNelisat925-671-5229oremailhimatmnelis@ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us.ThiseventisorganizedbythePleasantHillCivicActionCommission.

Agroupoflocalpastors,residentsandcivicleaders isplanninga9/11Commem-orationonSunday,September11,thetenthanniversaryoftheattacksontheWorldTradeCenter,thePentagonandUnitedAirlinesFlight93.Theintentisnotonlytoholdaceremonywhichremembersandhonorsallloved onesandheroes lostonthatday,butwhichalsodemonstratesthatweliveinastrongandvibrantcommunitywhichisinclusive,tolerantandforwardthinking. The9/11eventwilltakeplaceatthegazeboareainFrankSalfingerParknexttoPleasantHillCommunityCenteronSun-day,September11from2to5p.m.Par-ticipantsmayincludePoliceDepartment

&FireDistrictpersonnel,localchurches,serviceclubssuchasRotaryandLions,theRecreationandParkDistrict,andothercivicandcommunityorganizations. Allcityresidentsareinvitedtopar-ticipate,especiallyfamiliesandchildren.Theprogramwillincludeaformalcer-emony, food,musicandotherentertain-ment.Moredetailsaboutthiscommemo-rationwillbepublishedinthenexteditionoftheOutlookandCommunityFocusinSeptemberandonthecitywebsite.Formoreinformationorifyouwouldliketoparticipateintheevent,pleasecontactRev.Dr.ShelWhite,[email protected],[email protected].


Confirm schedule at www.pleasanthillchamber.com

PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER NEWSCALENDAR SPONSORED BY CALENDAR SPONSORED BY

(925) 827-1200Rated by Bay Area Consumers’ Checkbook Magazine

and Checkbook.org as one of the top computer repair shops in the San Francisco Bay Area.

1936 Linda DrivePleasant Hill CA 94523

MARTINEZ CHAMBER NEWS

8/11 – Chamber MixeratI’veBeenFramed,Thursday5:30-7:30pm@411FerrySt.,Martinez.GreatNetworking,Food,Fun,RafflePrizes(bringaraf-fleprizeandhaveyourbusinessan-nounced!)

8/16 – Grand Opening & Ribbon Cut-tingatLet’sFocus,Tuesday4pm@750AllenSt.,Martinez.Pleasejoinusinwel-comingournewmember!

8/18 – Grand Opening & Ribbon Cut-tingatTheHandbagStore&Semme-tryBoutiqueThursday,4:00pm@1252&1254PineSt.,Martinez.Joinusinwel-comingournewmembers!

8/18 – Educational Series:GuerillaMar-keting,TheSequel,Part2.Presentedby:

FadhilaHolman,CEOCaliforniaPacificFederalCreditUnion.Thursday,12pm-1pm.Doorsopenat11:30am.JohnMuirBestWesternInn,445MuirStationRd.ChamberMembers/$10,Non-Mem-bers/$20.BaglunchIncluded.PleaseRSVPtotheChamberat(925)[email protected].

Ambassador Meetings –Ifinterestedinattending,contactRebaat(925)[email protected].

8/5- Ambassadors MeetingPHCityHall,Lg.CommunityRoom100GregoryLane,7:45am–9:00am

8/5- No Brown Bag Lunch Series

8/9 - Ambassador Luncheon-OutbackSteakhouse,150LongbrookWayRSVP:[email protected]:45am–1:00pm

8/17- August Mixer- PastaPomodoro,45CCrescentDr.,PHRSVP:Ingrid@pleas-

anthillchamber.com5:30pm-7:30pm

8/18 – BOD MeetingPHCityHall,Lg.CommunityRoom100GregoryLane,7:45am–9:00am

8/29 – Green CommitteeBackForty,4-5pm

8/29 – GAC,BackForty,5-6pm

Martinez Chamber of Commerce August Schedule of Events

Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce August Schedule of Events

Please verify schedule at www.martinezchamber.com

925-228-2345

Payless Painting celebrated their 50th Anniversary July 14th at Rodgers Ranch in Pleasant Hill. Founded in 1961 by Thomas Rice, the family business, consisting of 3 generations, has endured for 5 decades thanks to their focus on quality and customer service. Payless Painting has made a name for themselves because of their attention to detail, honesty, and dependability throughout the painting process. Their success can also be attributed to the many repeat clients that they have had over the years and their referrals to friends, family, and neighbors. To learn more about Payless Painting visit www.paylesspainting.com or call 925-935-1176.

Type A Yoga’s mission is to make yoga more accessible to those inquisitive about the benefits. Instructors are student-centered and welcome all levels, taking into account how intimidating a new class or environment can be. We offer a variety of options to fit your busy schedule at our facil-ity or yours: individual or couple’s lessons, corporate/non-profit, club meetings, parties and regular classes in the Contra Costa area. Visit our studio at 607 Gregory Lane, # 150, Pleasant Hill, (925)274-YOGA (9642) or explore our website at www.TypeAYoga.com.

Dr. Mark Hanses graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Missouri. He received the prestigious Research Award from Cleveland Chiropractic in 2010 for his work with a patient with osteoarthritis. Dr. Mark’s aim is to help people of all ages move better and live healthier, happier and more active lives by getting out of pain as quickly as possible. Dr. Mark partners with you to strengthen and stabilize weak areas and stay pain-free. Dr. Hanses patients have improved overall health, including an improved immune system, fewer aches and pains and faster recoveries from injuries. Chiropractic is not just for adults, Dr. Mark is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and works with children of all ages. Right now, Dr. Mark is offering a $35 new patient special which includes a thorough exam, consultation and first adjustment. Visit us at www.hanseschiropractic.com or call today for an appointment: 925-957-0000. Located at 841 Arnold Drive, Suite D, Martinez, CA 94553.

Ribbon Cutting

Ribbon CuttingsPayless Painting 50th Anniversary

Type A Yoga - Pleasant Hill Chamber

Hanses Chiropractic

Support YOUR local network.

Chamber CalendarSponsorships$75.00 per month

Full Color. Lots of exposure.

Photo by Richardcash.com


HOUSING NEWSReal Estate Update Pending Sales Are Up

By Nathan Hitchcock AsIpreparetowriteeachmonthlycolumnonthestateofourlocalhous-ingmarket,Idigintothehousingnumberstogetasenseofthemarket’srelativehealth.Asanactivelocalreal-tor,IalsobellyuptothatendeavorwitharoughguessofwhatIwillfindbaseduponmypersonalexperienceoverthepastfewweeks. Thismonth,Iexpectedtofindnothingbutbadnews.Thenationalhousingnumbershavebeenpooratbest,andthemediahasbeenrelentlessinrammingthatfactdownourthroats.EventhePresidentrecentlyheldapressconferencetosaythingswereworsethanhethoughtandheshouldhavedonemoretoremedythesituation. Inaddition,mydailymonitoringofthelocalactiveinventoryhascon-sistentlyrevealedahigherthanusualnumberofpricereductionsandhomes

comingbackonthemarketafterafailedescrow,aswellasageneralsensethatpriceswerefalling. Butmuchtomysurprise,coun-tywide,mostofourarea’shousingnumbersareactuallyshowingsignsofgoodhealth.Thenumberofnewlist-ingshittingthemarketisdownandthenumberofpendingsalesisup,wayupinfact.Thenumberofclosedsalesismoreorlesssteady,andourover-allinventoryofhomesforsaleisdownslightly. Butwhyweremyinstinctsoff?Somefurtherresearchexplainedthingsabit.First,althoughmedianandav-eragesalespricesfordetachedhomesareholdingrelativelysteady,theyhavedroppednotablyfortownhomesandcondos,down16.8%and12.9%,re-spectively,comparedtolastyear.Sec-ondandmoreimportantly,theaveragenumberofdaysittakestosellahomehasincreasedsignificantly,up21.6%fordetachedhomesandawhopping84.9%fortownhomes,comparedtoJuneoflastyear. Thisincreasedmarkettimecanre-allylendasenseofsluggishnesstothemarketdespiteitsrelativehealth.It’simportantforsellerstobecognizantofthisfactandadjusttheirexpecta-tionsaccordingly.Andalthoughit’simportanttopaycloseattentiontohowyourhome’slistingisperformingonthemarket,youmaywanttowaitabitlongerbeforemakinganydecisionsaboutreducingyourlistprice.Agood4-6weeksonthemarketiscurrentlyneededbeforeanyclearconclusionscanbedrawn. Nathan Hitchcock is the managing broker of Hitchcock Realty, a residential real estate brokerage and property management firm in down-town Pleasant Hill. He can be reached at [email protected] or (925) 825-1100. Data contained herein was obtained from the CCAR Multiple Listing Service. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Address Beds Baths Sq Ft Market Days List Price Sales Price Sales $/Sq Ft

RECENT MARTINEZ HOME SALES (6/1/2011 – 6/30/2011)

SINGLE FAMILY HOME

1055 PLAZA DR 3 2 1008 71 $111,000 $111,000 $110.12

940 BELLA VISTA AVE 2 1 952 100 $120,000 $122,500 $128.68

2630 ROSE ST 3 2 1020 14 $143,500 $160,000 $156.86

865 BELLA VISTA AVE 5 1 1112 21 $169,900 $170,000 $152.88

525 PALM AVE 2 2 869 111 $179,900 $183,000 $210.59

311 F ST 3 1 975 69 $199,000 $190,000 $194.87

2331 MONTEREY AVE. 3 1 1012 11 $192,900 $192,900 $190.61

2321 ORANGE ST 2 1 1352 64 $214,000 $197,000 $145.71

3341 BROOKSIDE DR 2 1 1111 18 $216,500 $223,000 $200.72

4441 ALHAMBRA WAY 3 1 960 12 $210,900 $230,000 $239.58

4440 ACTRIZ PL 4 2 1867 26 $280,000 $250,000 $133.90

837 LITTLE VALLEY RD. 3 2 1581 139 $344,700 $256,000 $161.92

338 LAKESIDE CT 4 2 1517 20 $284,900 $267,300 $176.20

6716 WAVERLY RD 4 2 1480 40 $325,000 $275,000 $185.81

600 BERTOLA ST 4 2 1307 194 $324,950 $300,000 $229.53

1250 SUSANA ST 3 2 1159 11 $299,900 $303,000 $261.43

423 PINE PARK CT 3 2 1405 7 $307,900 $310,200 $220.78

2123 ELDERWOOD DR 3 2 1268 92 $340,000 $330,000 $260.25

1602 ROLLING HILL WAY 4 2 1511 27 $348,000 $334,000 $221.05

1025 HAVEN ST 4 2 2350 43 $389,000 $342,000 $145.53

4030 RAAP AVE 4 2 1698 145 $375,000 $345,000 $203.18

1610 ENDRISS DR 4 2 1517 11 $349,500 $350,000 $230.72

740 ULFINIAN WAY 3 2 2074 86 $350,000 $360,000 $173.58

1181 HEAVENLY DR 4 2 1564 7 $365,000 $365,000 $233.38

421 ORCHARD VIEW AVE 3 2 1803 106 $399,900 $365,000 $202.44

2151 DEERWOOD DR 3 2 1403 64 $364,950 $367,888 $262.22

2316 PLATT DR 4 2 1695 24 $399,750 $380,000 $224.19

2002 SPRING LAKE DR. 3 2 1901 3 $399,000 $385,000 $202.52

1880 ROUX CT 4 3 2194 11 $397,800 $406,000 $185.05

426 APPALACHIAN WAY 3 2 1685 237 $449,500 $445,000 $264.09

287 OAKWOOD CIR 3 2 2044 8 $450,000 $445,000 $217.71

616 ALPINE CT 4 2 1430 96 $449,000 $449,000 $313.99

6727 WAVERLY RD 3 2 1638 78 $482,000 $490,000 $299.15

96 VALLEY AVE 4 2 2000 159 $515,000 $494,445 $247.22

1456 HULL LN 5 4 3183 11 $512,500 $540,000 $169.65

5690 ALHAMBRA VALLEY RD 4 3 3200 166 $799,000 $799,000 $249.69

5343 STONEHURST DR. 5 4 5380 271 $1,855,000 $1,500,000 $278.81

TOTALS: 37 LISTINGS 69 $376,077 $357,654 $207

TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS

428 MILL RD 2 2 939 132 $115,000 $115,000 $122.47

602 FIG TREE LN 2 2 1287 107 $119,000 $115,000 $89.36

201 VILLAGE PLACE 2 2 1097 6 $120,000 $120,000 $109.39

354 EASTGATE LN 2 1 1085 17 $137,500 $145,000 $133.64

166 HOLIDAY HILLS DR 3 2 1200 105 $215,000 $209,000 $174.17

TOTALS: 5 LISTINGS 73 $141,300 $140,800 $125

Address Beds Baths Sq Ft Market Days List Price Sales Price Sales $/Sq Ft

RECENT PLEASANT HILL HOME SALES (6/1/2011 – 6/30/2011)

SINGLE FAMILY HOME

52 CLEOPATRA 3 1 1105 12 $225,000 $225,000 $203.62

2203 SHERMAN DR 3 1 1042 59 $238,500 $238,000 $228.41

2418 MARCIA DR 3 1 1537 241 $245,000 $242,500 $157.77

974 SANTA LUCIA DR 3 2 1131 70 $249,000 $245,000 $216.62

743 RUTH DR 3 2 1247 47 $290,000 $260,000 $208.50

1643 MARY DR 3 1 1470 35 $379,900 $338,000 $229.93

321 NANCY LN 3 1 1328 5 $302,900 $340,000 $256.02

1930 MORELLO AVE 3 2 1734 14 $349,000 $365,000 $210.50

306 BETTY LN 3 2 1775 0 $370,000 $370,000 $208.45

1906 LESLIE DR 3 2 1462 4 $455,000 $447,300 $305.95

1435 STONEHEDGE DR. 3 2 1938 182 $475,000 $454,900 $234.73

584 PALO ALTO PL 3 2 1686 6 $459,000 $455,000 $269.87

13 BANBRIDGE PLACE 4 2 2136 8 $449,900 $460,000 $215.36

65 SPAR CT 3 2 1612 150 $475,000 $465,000 $288.46

60 BRANDON RD 3 2 1285 10 $499,900 $480,000 $373.54

349 GLORIA DRIVE 3 2 1542 4 $535,000 $525,000 $340.47

203 GOLF LINKS ST 4 2 2384 74 $634,900 $595,000 $249.58

181 DEVON AVE 4 2 2537 4 $659,000 $640,000 $252.27

123 HAWTHORNE CT 4 2 2799 56 $665,900 $665,000 $237.58

553 GOLF CLUB RD 4 3 3089 37 $729,000 $670,000 $216.90

207 GOLF LINKS STREET 4 2 2632 116 $699,000 $683,000 $259.50

1997 OAK PARK BLVD 6 4 2808 9 $710,000 $685,000 $243.95

TOTALS: 22 LISTINGS 51 $458,904 $447,668 $245

TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS

260 CHILPANCINGO PKWY 1 1 614 36 $99,900 $99,900 $162.70

2340 PLEASANT HILL RD 2 2 875 30 $134,946 $150,000 $171.43

71 MASSOLO DRIVE 2 2 973 66 $174,900 $174,000 $178.83

75 MOZDEN LANE 3 2 1488 14 $199,900 $194,000 $130.38

30 MASSOLO DR 2 2 973 31 $198,800 $198,800 $204.32

190 CLEAVELAND RD 2 2 1492 162 $245,000 $245,000 $164.21

26 JANIN PLACE 2 2 1640 173 $270,000 $270,000 $164.63

92 SOUTHWIND DR 3 2 1533 7 $329,000 $329,000 $214.61

7 BOSWORTH WALK 3 2 1708 1 $349,950 $350,000 $204.92

113 SOUTHWIND DR 3 2 1533 5 $350,000 $350,000 $228.31

1 POMFRET WALK 3 2 1708 53 $359,000 $350,000 $204.92

33 MATISSE CT 2 2 1402 37 $380,000 $372,000 $265.34

TOTALS: 12 LISTINGS 51 $257,616 $256,891 $191

http://www.hitchcockrealty.com


Zoning Administrator MeetingAugust 3, 174:00pm-6:00pmContact: 925-372-3500

Planning Commission MeetingAugust 9, 237:00pm-11:00pmContact: 925-372-3500

Design Review MeetingAugust 10, 244:00pm-6:00pmContact: 925-372-3500

Park, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission MeetingAugust 167:00pm-9:30pmContact: 925-372-3510

City Calendar of Events

MARTINEZ CITY BUZZ

Forthelastyearagroupof20Martineziansrepresentingresi-dents,propertyowners,businessowners,businessorganizationsandenvironmentaladvocates,havebeenmeetingastheGeneralPlanUpdateCommittee.EverycityandcountyinthestateismandatedtohaveaGeneralPlanthatoutlinesthepoliciesandlanduseguidelinesforthecityforthenext25years.AGeneralPlanisrequiredtobeupdatedevery10yearstokeepitrelevant,butMartinez’GeneralPlanhasnotbeenupdatedsince1980. Thefirstyearofthisgroup’sworkentailedlearningabouttheGeneralPlan,itsdifferentelementsandhowtheupdateprocesswouldwork.Thentheyphysicallytouredthecommunityandstartedtheprocessof“visioning.”Throughaseriesofpublicmeetingswithserviceclubs,residents,businessorganizationsandotherstakeholders,adraft“WorkingVision2035”wasde-velopedandpresentedtoajointmeet-ingoftheMartinezCityCouncilandPlanningCommissioninlateFebru-aryofthisyear.ThisWorkingVisionoutlinestheoverallviewofhowthecommunitywantstoevolveinaperfectworld.ThisisthebasisforallfutureworkoftheGeneralPlanUpdateCom-mittee. InconcertwiththeGeneralPlanUpdate,thecityhasbeenholdingase-riesofworkshopscoined“DowntownMatters!MakingitHappen,Making

itReal!”ThisseriesofsixworkshopscommencedwithatourofdowntownRedwoodCity(formerlyknownas“DeadwoodCity”).AttendeessawfirsthandhowRedwoodCitytransformedtheirdowntownCourthouseSquarefromarun-down,unattractiveandun-safeareanearthecountygovernmentcentertoathriving,invitingandsafecitycentrewhereoutdoorconcertsareheldnightly. Sincethatfirsttour,threeaddi-tionalworkshopshavebeenheld.Thefirstdealtwithtransformingsuburbandowntowns,lookingatcasestudies,challengesandopportunities.Thesec-ondlookedatthelinkageofhousingandtransportation,markettrendsandhowtoachieveandmaintainprosperi-ty.Thethirdtalkedaboutcreatingplac-eswherepeoplewanttobeandhowcommunityhappens. AsecondtourincludedstopsinLivermoreandLodi,wheretheyhaveachievedthatsenseofplaceandcom-munity. Althoughthe“DowntownMat-ters!”workshopsarealmostcomplete,thereisstillonemoretobeheldonTuesday,September20thattheWil-lowsCabaretTheatrelocatedat636WardStreet.Thetopicwillbe“Mak-ingitHappen:NewopportunitiesforDowntownMartinez”.Thisfinalwork-shopwillreviewcurrentandupcom-ingimplementationtools,overviewacasestudyofLittleItalyinSanDiegoandwillsetprioritiesfordowntowntoachievesustainedandongoingpros-perity.Pleaseconsiderattendingthislastworkshopandhelpyourcitylead-

Mayor’s Message Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

ers,businessesandpropertyownersachievethatvision. AlloftheworkthatcomesoutoftheseseriesofworkshopsandtourswillalsobeblendedintotheGeneralPlan

asitisupdatedoverthenextyear.TokeepupontheprogressoftheGeneralPlanUpdate,visit:www.cityofmartinez.org/depts/planning/general_plan_up-date.asp.

New Hang-Outs

Smokey D’s Slow Cooked BBQNewlyopenedSmokeyD’sisanotherpromisingadditiontoDowntownMartinez.OwnerDaveHuittoffers8typesofslowcooked,smokedmeatsincludingpulledpork,beefbrisket,chickenandmouthwateringburgers.“Thefreshestfoodavailable,allmadefromscratch,”saysHuitt.Familymeals,kids’mealsandcateringareallavail-ableatthisnewlyrenovatedMainStreetaddition.Greatforparties,outdoorseatingisanoptiononthepatioforupto40people.601MainStreet,Martinez.925-335-9915.Website:www.smokeyds.com.OpenMon.–Thurs.,11:00am-7:00pm;Fri.andSat.,11:00am-9:00pm.ClosedonSunday.

Creek Monkey Tap HouseProprietorandChiefMonkey,JimBlair,hascreatedalong-awaitedMartineztavern,wherelocalscangathertogether,indoorsorout,formealsandlibations.“TapMonkeybelongstothecommunity,”saysBlair,andhetakesthefoodandbeveragerecommen-dationsofhisguestsseriously.Iffact,beerselectionsaremostlyfromlocalbreweriesandarerotatedandchangedbasedoncustomersuggestions.MondaynightmoviesarecomingsoontoCreekMonkey,wherethespaceupstairswillbefurnishedwithcouchesformovieshowingsandprivateparties.Blaircommentedthat,“It’snicenottohavetoleaveMartineztohavethiskindofexperience.”Weagree.611EscobarStreet,Martinez.925-228-8787.Website:www.CreekMonkey.com.OpenMon.–Sat.,11:00am-9:00pmandSun.,12pm-5:00pm.

Owner, Jim Blair

Owner, Dave Huitt


CORKS AND FORKS

Pair UpWith La Sommelierre Maria Terry

Sparkling Wine Vinaigrette

Tropical Fruit Compote

INGREDIENTS12tbsp.sparklingwinevinegar8tbsp.Dijonmustard3cupscanolaoil½cuphoney½cupwatersaltwhitepepperDIRECTIONS•Sparklingwinevinegarcanbe

madebyleavingleftoversparklingwineinuncoveredwide-mouthedjarsforafewweeksandwillkeep,covered,foruptosixmonths.•Inbowl,whiskvinegar,honeyandmustard.Graduallyaddoilandwhiskuntilemulsified.Seasonwithsalt&pepper. Yield: 2 Cups

INGREDIENTS½cupsugar½cupunsweetenedpineapplejuice1tsp.freshlygratedlimezest¼cuplimejuice,(2limes)10wholecardamompods,bruised8wholeallspiceberries8wholeblackpeppercorns8wholecloves2cinnamonsticks,brokeninhalf2tbsp.orangeliqueur3kiwi,peeledandsliced2mangoesorpapayas,peeled,seededandcutintochunks2seedlesstangerinesorsmallor-anges,peeledandsliced2starfruit(carambolas),thinlysliced1cupfreshpineapplechunks1banana,peeledandcutintothickslices

DIRECTIONS•Combinesugar,pineapplejuice,limezestandjuiceinasmallsauce-pan.Tiethespicesinasmallcheese-clothbagandaddittothesaucepan.Bringtheliquidtoaboil,stirringtodissolvethesugar.Coverthepan,reducetheheattolowandsimmergentlyfor10minutes.Removefromtheheatandletcool.Stirinorangeliqueur.Coverandrefrigerateforatleast30minutesorupto24hours.Removethespicebagandsyrupisreadytouse.•Tosskiwi,mangoes(orpapaya),tangerines(ororanges),starfruit,pineappleandbananainaservingbowl.Addthesyrupandstirgently.Refrigeratefor30minutes.Yield: 6-8 Cups

Summer CelebrationSparklingwinemakesanyevent

acelebration.Infact,Istartalmostallmypartieswithsomethingbubbly.Thismenutakesitonestepfurtherandmakesthesparklingwinethestaroftheevening.Choosesparklingwinesfromcoolerregionswherethegrapesmaintainafreshquality.Andremem-ber,evenifitisgrowninFrance,itisn’t

ChampagneunlessitcomesfromtheChampagneregionofFrance.

Sparklingwineisgreatwiththesaladcoursebecauseitisnaturallyhighinacidandwillpairwellwithsaladdressing.ChooseadryBrutstylespar-klingwineforthiscoursebecauseitwillhaveverylittleresidualsugar.Asparklingwinevinaigrettewillechotheflavorsfoundinthewineandcanbe

usedtodressasaladofmixedgreens,greenonions,driedcherries,edamameandcrumbledbluecheese.Itwillbetheperfectblendofsweet,bitter,savoryandsalty.

BlancduBlancssparklingwinesaremadeexclusivelyfromchardon-naygrapesandwouldbeanexcel-lentchoiceforanentréeofbarbequedDungenesscrab.Thesweet,butteryflavorofthecrabalongwithmeltedbutterfordippingwillcomplementthebutter,appleandpearflavorscom-monlyfoundinchardonnaygrapes.TobarbequeDungenesscrab,breakeachcooked,cleanedcrabdownthemiddle,leaving½thebodyandfive“legs”at-tached.Coateachhalfinoliveoilandsprinklewithchoppedgarlicandlotsof

koshersalt.Wrapeachhalfindividuallyinfoil,placeonahotgrillfortenmin-utesandservewithcrustybread.

Endtheeveningwithsomegoodqualitypoundcakefromyourfavoritebakeryandmakeityourownwiththedelicioustropicalfruitcompotelist-edhere.Becausethedessertisalittlesweet,chooseasparklingwinethathassugaraddedbackinatbottling.Lookforthewords“Extra-Dry,Demi-SecorDoux”onthelabel.

So,goon.PairUp! Maria Terry is a Certified Som-melier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more great wines and information please visit Maria’s website at www.LaSommeli-erre.com

CITY OF PLEASANT HILL

pcfma.com/pleasanthill1.800.949.FARM

Saturdays, 8am-12pm • Rain or ShineAug 6: Cookin’ the Market - Free cooking demos andtasting sessions with market chefs Mario and EricaAug 13: Enter the Raspberry Recipe Contest for achance to win a prize!Downtown Pleasant Hill In front of the Century 16 Theatre

http://www.lejardinatthespa.com


Not Your Grandmother’s CancerBy Jenny Lind, Senior Helpers

SENIOR ENVY

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities

Martinez Senior Activities

Aug. 12 - Friday Flik - 12:30pm“TrueGrit”(2010).FreeatBrandmanUniversity.2950BuskirkAve.3rdFloor,Room304*(ThislocationisneartheNEWAAABldg.Lookfortheaddress,nottheuniver-sityname).StopbytheSeniorCenterfordetaileddirections!

Aug. 17- Full Circle - 4:30-6pmIfyouare50yearsorolder,comevisit,shareandenjoyaglassofwinewithotherswhounderstandthejoy,heartacheandfrustrationthatcomewithcaringforaseniorfamilymemberorlovedone.AegisofPleasantHill:1660OakGroveRd.Call798-8788toRSVPorgetmoreinfo.

Aug 18 - Root Beer Float Happy Hour – 2pmEnjoyFREErootbeerfloatsonahotAugustafternoon!PleaseRSVPat798-8788sowecangetanaccuratecountforfloats!Rodger-SmithParkonGraysonRd.

Aug. 19 - The Morning Joe – 10am-NoonVFW:1919WendellLn.Free!MissourregularFridayChef’sLunch?Cometothis“openhouse”tovisitandcatchupwithfriends!Wewillhavecoffeeandlightsnacks,feelfreetobringsomethingtoshare!

Aug. 21 – Bunco 2-5pmPotluckat2pm,Buncobeginsat3pm.Fun&friendlyatmospherewherenopriorknowledgeofthegameisnecessary!BuyyourticketattheSeniorCenter!VFW:1919WendellLane,PleasantHill.$4plusbringpotluckitemtofeed4people.

Aug. 5,12,19 & 26 – Fall Awareness- 1-2pmJohnMuirHealth&Servicesisofferingaseriesof4classesonFallPreventionandhowthisseriescanchangeyourlifeorsaveit!Classsizeislimitedto20people.Cost:$10(4classesincluded.)Classsizeislimitedto20people.August5:RiskFac-torsforFalling;IndividualHealthConcernsandStrengtheningExercises.August12:theActivityPyramid;CreatinganExerciseAgendaandBalanceExercises.August19:HomeAssessment,MedicationManagementandStretchingGuide-lines.August26:Osteoporosis–MaintainingStrongBones;HowtoFall(andgetup)andStrengthTraining.

Aug. 14 - Pancake Breakfast - 8-11amPancakesortoast,sausage,eggs,orangejuiceandcoffee.Everyoneiswel-come.$3.50forAdults/$2forChildren10andunder.Handmadecraftswillbeonsaleduringthebreakfast.

Sept. 23 – Fall Follies Review- 3pmLastspringthehistoricElCampanilTheaterwastheexclusivevenuefortheVaga-bondPlayers“FabulousFollies”MusicalRevue.Thisyeartheyare“Takingthisshowontheroad”performingatourcenter!Thisisaperformanceyouwillnotwanttomiss!Therevuehasitall,downtotheincrediblecostumes,tapdancingseniors,Broadwaydancers,LasVegasstyleshowgirlsandprofessionalsingers.TicketswillgoonsaleFridayAugust5.Cost$12.Alightbuffetwillbeserved.

818 Green St. (925) 370-8770

249 Gregory Lane (925) 798-8788

Shewas93-years-old.Shehadbeenbleeding‘justalittlebit’forweeksbutdidn’twanttotellanyone,includingherfamily,becauseshedidn’twantthekidstoworryabouther.Otherthan‘insignificantbleeding’,therewerenoadditionalsymp-toms.Then,thebleedinghemorrhagedandshewenttothehospital.Unfortu-nately,itwastoolate-theuterinecancerhadalsospreadtoherkidneysandotherorgans.Itwasjustlikehergrandmother’scancer. Afterashortmourningperiod,IheadedovertoDiabloValleyOncologyandspokewithSandyGoldberg,Com-munityOutreachManager.Wetalkedaboutmanyaspectsofcancer,includ-ingthewarningsigns,whatcancervic-timsandtheirfamiliesgothrough,howcanwecreateawarenessandwhataretheresourcesavailablelocally.Wealsodiscussedthecurrentresearchandwaystechnologyhaschangedhowwetreatcancer. Sandysaid,“Cancerisnotyour

grandmother’scancer.”Cancertreatmentshaveimprovedsomuchrecentlythatnooneshouldhesitatetogetcheckedout.Also,therearesomanyspecifictypesofcancer,thussomanysymptoms.Idon’twanttosoundlikeabrokenrecord,butifyouareworriedaboutanyofthefollow-ing,don’thesitatetohaveaconversationwithyourdoctor:skinmolechanges,lumps,abnormalbleeding,fatigue,diz-ziness,breathingproblems,visualprob-lems,swallowing,sleeppatternchanges,changeofbowelorurinarypatterns. Yearsago,cancertreatmentwassomethinglikeasevereblastofradiationtothegeneralareaofthecancertumor.Notanymore.Sandywantsustoknowthatradiationhaschanged.Withlasertechnology,radiationtreatmentstodayaremuchmorefocusedandtargetedspe-cificallyonthetumor.Thisway,thera-diationdoesn’tdamagethesurroundingorgans.Sideeffectsareminimizedanderadicationismoresuccessful. WhenyouseetheCaliforniaCan-

cerandResearchInstituteBuildingwhiledrivingupTaylorBoulevard,youmightwonder,whatdotheydointhere?Sandygavemeabiglistincludinghelpingpa-tients,scans,support,referralsandre-search. ShemademeawareoftheCancerSupportCommunityinWalnutCreek,thatsupportsthoseaffectedbycancer,andtheAmericanCancerSocietywho

donatesmoneytocancerresearch.Be-sidestreatingpatients,what’simportantistheresearchbeingdoneinourhome-town.DiabloValleyOncologyworkswithEpicCareandothermedicalresourcesaspartoftheBayAreaCancerResearchGrouponclinicalpharmaceuticaltrials,includingtrialsthatarebeingdoneoutofU.C.S.F.tofightcancer.Today’scancer,notyourgrandmother’scancer.

n Caring Companionshipn Bathing & Dressingn Walking Assistancen Light Housekeepingn Medication Remindersn Up to 24-hour Care

n Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caren Licensed, Bonded, & Insuredn FREE In-Home Assessment

®

Call us at677-2150

http://www.seniorhelpers.com

http://www.christiesforkids.com


It’sabigyearforsignificantbirthdaysinPleasantHill.NotonlyistheCityofPleasantHillturning50,butthePleasantHillRecre-ationandParkDistrictroundsoutitssixthdecade.The“Rec”hasbeenanessentialpartofthecommunityforevenlongerthanthecitygovernmenthas.TheRechasplayedanimportantrolenotonlyinbuildingPleasantHillasacommunity,butinpromotingsummerfun(mydaycampmemoriesofdancingtheHawai-ianhukilauatBrookwoodParkcomefloodingback);promotinglearning(mysistercanmakesomekillerchocolatefromthecandy-makingclasswetook);andmaintainingbeautifulparks(withspectacularviewsfromDinosaurHillPark). Establishedin1951,theRecreationandParkDistrictwasthecommunity’sfirstgovernmentalentity.Ithelpedde-finePleasantHillmoreasitsowncom-

munityandlessablurryareabetweentheoldercitiesofMartinez,Lafayette,Concord,andWalnutCreek.TheDis-trictgavesolidboundariestothispre-viouslygrayareacalledPleasantHill…butthecommunity’ssouthernneighborquicklyencroached.By1959,WalnutCreekhadannexed10%ofunincorpo-ratedPleasantHilllandthatwasundertheDistrict’sjurisdiction. TheDistrictwasthusatthecenterofdiscussionssurroundingtheprospectofPleasantHill’sself-government.Inar-gumentsaroundPleasantHill’spossibleannexationtoWalnutCreekin1959,theoldPleasantHillNewsstatedthatPleas-antHillhasthe“finestrecreationdistrictinthecounty.”Manypeoplethought,

“WhatelsecouldWalnutCreekpossi-blyoffer?”PerhapsthispartlyswayedPleasantHillresidentstovoteagainstannexation,whichopenedthedoortoPleasantHillincorporatingasacityofitsownin1961. There’smuchmoretotellinthehis-toryoftheRec,butfornow,IleaveyouwithsomeearlyimagesfromtheRec’slifeandthethoughtthatifitweren’tfortheRec,PleasantHillmaynothavebe-

comeacity.Littledidthesedancingteensknowthatjustbydoing“thebop,”theywerehelpingpavethewayfortheircommunitytocomeintoitsown! Adam Nilsen is a Pleasant Hill native and a history researcher at the Oakland Museum of California. He is the author of Pleasant Hill, a history of the community, available at local book-stores and through the Friends of Rodg-ers Ranch.

Rec and Park Helps Define the CityBy Adam Nilsen

Walk for Fall Prevention

PAST TO PLEASANT

SENIOR ENVY

Joinusforthe2ndAnnualWalkforFallPreventiononSeptember24th,at500EllinwoodWayinPleasantHill. Thisfestivenon-competitivefundrais-ingwalkbenefitstheFallPreventionProgramofContraCostaCountyandisopentoallagesandabilities.FallsaretheleadingcauseofaccidentalinjurydeathsamongContraCostaresidents65yearsandolder,andtheleadingcauseofunintentionalinjuryhospitalizationsforpeopleofallages. Registrationopensat9:00am;walkis10:15amuntil12:00pm. Enjoymusic,familyfun,coffee,bagels,fruit,yogurt,water,andgiveawaysbycorporatesponsorsandboothvendors. Formoreinformationandtoreg-isteronline,visitwww.FallPrevention-Walk.orgorcall:(925)937-8311,ext.102. Individualwalkersandteamswel-come!Walkersages60andoverare

FREE.Walkersbetweenages19-59are$25.Underage18areFREE. TheFallPreventionProgramofContraCostaCountystrivestoreducepreventableinjuries,lossofindepen-dence,andcostsanddeathsassociatedwithfallsamongseniorsandpeoplewithdisabilitiesbyraisingawarenessanddevelopingfallpreventionpro-grams. Thisprogramisapublicandprivatepartnershipwithrepresentativesfromthefollowingagenciesandorgani-zations:•ContraCostaCountyAreaAgencyonAging•ContraCostaCountyEmploymentandHumanServicesDepartment,In-HomeSupportServices•JohnMuirSeniorServices•MealsOnWheelsbySeniorOutreachServices

http://www.fallpreventionwalk.org


OnJuly17th,boththe15and16-yearoldboysfromDiabloValleyFutsalLeaguewerecrownedasNationalCham-pionsinAnaheim,California.Ifyouareunfamiliarwiththegameoffutsal,itisbestexplainedasafast,5-on-5rapid-firesoccergame,playedtypicallyonabasket-ballgymfloor. Thegameoffutsalisanage-oldsportthatstarted inUruguay in1930andem-bracedbysoccerpowerhouseslikeBra-zil,Spain, Italy andPortugal.FutsalistheonlyFIFAapprovedindoorsoccerandisplayed in over100countrieswithseveralprofessionalleaguesin Brazil,Iran,Ja-pan,Italy,Portugal,SpainandRussia. Al-thoughsomewhatnewtoAmericans,thesportoffutsalhastakenthenationbystorm,culminatingwiththenationalfi-nalsattheAnaheimConventionCenter. TheDiabloValleyFutsalLeaguecompetedagainstanddefeatedteamsfromMexico,NewEngland,TexasandMarylandtoclinchthetitle.ForaCali-fornialeaguetowinnotonebuttwoNa-

tionalChampionshipsintwoseparateagegroupsisanincredibleaccomplishmentandestablishesNorthernCaliforniaasadominantforceintherecognizedsportoffutsal.CoachesRicardoandRodrigodaSilvacommentedthat“Itwasn’teasybut weknewourboyswerereadytocom-peteagainstanyotherteaminthecoun-try,andtheyproved usright.AsforourDiabloValleyFutsalclub,wetooksixteamstoNationalsandwegottwocham-

pionsandtwothirdplaces--prettygood!Ourgoalistoformandtrainatleast10teamsfor2012.” DiabloValleyFutsalLeaguewasfoundedbyRicardoandClaudiadaSilvain1999startingwithafutsalacademyinWalnutCreek.Todaytherearemorethan60teamsfromU8toadultsthatplaythegameduringtheyear.Tolearnmoreaboutfutsal,visit:www.diablovalleyfutsal.com.

Your Hometown Parts StoreWhere Value Meets Service

Friendly & Professional Staff Here To Help You

6 Days a Week

Monday - Friday8 AM to 6 PM

Saturday9 AM to 5 PM

401 Escobar StreetMartinez, CA 94553

925.228.6060925.228.9241 FAX

PartsPro

D.V. Futsal League Wins Championship By Tom Hogan

TOP ROW - LtoR: Coach Rodrigo Da Silva, Sho Silvan, Esteban Berumen, Edgar Damian, Dominic Weir, Elisama Padilla, Gabriel Cavalcante MIDDLE ROW- LtoR: Kevin Neys, Kash Choudhary, Juan Velasques, TJ Hogan, Israel Murguia, Jose Navarro, Marco Neves, Coach Ricardo da Silva FRONT ROW: LtoR: Goal Keepers Sergio DelaMora and Patrick Holst

Photo by Brad Holst

http://www.pleasanthillsmiles.com


Boys Teams

Girls Teams Candids

Heritage 6v6 Blow Out Photos By Andy Malcolm, Tournament Director

Heritage Bolt, First Place - U9/10 Girls

Heritage Dynamite, First Place - U14 Girls

Walnut Creek Arsenal – First place, U9/10

Heritage Impact, Second Place - U13 Girls Players from East Bay Eclipse and Walnut Creek Soccer Club.

Heritage Nighthawks, Second Place - U11 Girls

Heritage Milan – Second place, U15 Heritage Blackhawks Gold – First place, U12/13

OnJune25thand26th,HeritageSoccerClubheldtheir3rdAnnual6v6BlowOutTournamentatTesorosoccerfieldsinConcord.ThetournamentwasopentoU-9throughU-17Division1andDivision3players.Akeycomponentofthe6v6isfastpaced15-minutehalves.Thetournamentfeaturessixplayersonthefieldratherthanthetraditionaleleven,somanyteamsweredividedintotwosquads.Ballcontrolskillsareatapremiumasplayerstrytokeeptheballinboundslongenoughtoscore.Medalswereawardedtothefirstandsecondplaceteams.

Players from Heritage Soccer Club and Lafayette-based East Bay Eclipse.

http://www.heritagesc.com


HOME TEAM“Season Ticket” Sports

By Chuck Nan

Bulldogs Win Big

Liberty Reigns

College Park Football The2011CollegeParkfootballsched-uleiscomplete.TheFalconswillopentheseasonagainstrivalAlhambraatKnowlesFieldinMartinezonFri.,September2.Gametimeis7:00p.m.Lastyear,theFal-consprevailed34-25.TheCPhomeopenervs.California(SanRamon)willbethefol-lowingweek,Fri.,September9th. TheFalconsboastthreeFirst-TeamAll-DVALselectionreturneesondefense:seniorOshreyElor(DL),juniorJoshLevy(LB)andseniorJordanLouis(DB).SeniorDylanLambwasanHonorableMentionperformeronoffense(center).Alhambra Football Alhambrahasannouncedits2011varsityfootballschedule.Asmentioned,theywillhostCollegeParktokick-offthecampaignforbothschools.TheDogsthenhittheroadandfaceaverytoughCardinalNewmanteaminSantaRosaandalsoYg-nacioValley.TheyreturnhometofaceElMolinoofForestville.Otherhomegames,allDFAL,includedateswithLasLomas,

CampolindoandMiramonte. AlhambrareturnswithquarterbackJohnMiller,astarteruntilhesufferedabrokenanklelastseason.First-TeamAll-DFALoffensivelinemanStevieRossire-turnstoleadtheline.RuggedJustinGreenshouldseesignificanttimeathalfback,havingbeenaSecond-Teamselectionatfullbacklastyear.Healsoplayslinebacker.JoiningRossiupfrontisAlekseivonDister-lo,anHonorableMentionrecipient.Connor Hornsby BigcongratulationstoConnorHorn-sbyforbeingchosenasaSecond-TeamAll-DFALperformerinbaseball.TheMar-tinezresidentjustcompletedhisjunioryearatAcalanes.HornsbyplayedasolidsecondbasefortheDonsandwastheirsparkplugatthetopoftheline-up,battinginthelead-offslot.AcalaneswasNCSDIIICo-Cham-pion.Laney College Football FourformerAlhambrafootballplayerswillbemakingasolidimpactfortheLaneyCollege(Oakland)footballprogramthis

Forthesecondtimeinthreetourna-mententries,the14UMartinezBulldogstookfirstplaceintheannualPleasantHillFather’sDayTournament.TheBulldogsdominatedpoolplaybypilingup42runsinthreegames,comparedtotheiroppo-nents’four. Thegameswerehighlightedbymon-sterhomerunsfromthebatsofSamAra-gon,ZachElliott,BrandonBoatwright,ZachKeever,andJustinCreecy.TheDogs’defenseplayedsuperblyandtheyreceivedfantasticstartingpitchesfromthearmsofJonPacha,TannerMarchan,andTannerWhite.Thebullpen,anchoredbyBrandonBoatwright,NickGoulding,andJeffery

Eitelgeorge,squashedanyoffensivehopesfromtheopposition.Inthesemi-finals,theBulldogsfacedthecurrentMartinez12UteamthatheadedtoCooperstownNewYorkonJuly1sttorepresentourtowninthenationaltournament.TheywerethenslottedtofacePittsburginthechampionship. TheBulldogsleadthroughthefirstfiveinningsbehindZachKeeveronthemoundbeforePittsburgmountedacomebackinthesixthtotakethelead7-6.However,intheseventhinning,theDogsroaredbackindramaticfashion,asTannerWhitefoundaseamtogetthewinninghittoscoreZachKeever,claimingthechampionship8-7.

Aftercompetingfor3daysin100-de-greeheat,JOBL’sLadyLibertytookfirstplaceintheNorthernCaliforniaNSAYouthFastpitchStateTournamentatRain-bowFieldsinModesto.OnJuly1-3,the10and11-year-oldgirlswentundefeatedagainstteamslikeBeniciaFiredUp,ElkGroveThunderandtheTracyTitans.OnSunday,LibertywontheChampionshipagainsttheBrentwoodWildcatswithafi-nalscoreof18-5. EarlyintheChampionshipgame,

thegirlsfellbehindby3runs.CoachReySanchezrestoredtheirconfidencebysay-ing:“iftheyrelaxedandplayedLibertyBall,whichispitchingandhitting,theywillcomeoutvictorious. Thegirls’settleddownanddidwhatwehavecometoex-pectfromthem:strongpitchingandgreathitting!”TenrunswerescoredduringLib-erty’slastatbat,helpedalongbyplayerAleyaRath,whohitagrandslamtogiveLibertyacomfortableleadandfinalvic-toryagainsttheWildcats.

LtoR, Bottom Row: Amber DeSena and Reyna Heredia; Middle Row: Ariana Willis, Aleya Rath, Sophie Wheeler, Myanna Hollingsworth, Stephanie Neys, Courtney Lally, Ayanna Sanchez and Jazmyn Hanley; Third Row: Keleva Salt; Top Row: Coach Sanchez, Coach Wheeler and Coach Salt.

Back Row: Coach Jeff Goulding, Coach Dave Pruett, Tanner White, Jon Pacha, Coach Jon Creecy, Sam Aragon, Zach Keever, Coach John Abraham, Brandon Boatwright, Coach Jim Keever, Zach El-liott and Tanner Marchant. Front Row: Justin Creecy, Nick Stockdale, Nick Goulding, Dominic Pruett and Jeffrey Eitelgeorge. Center: Josh Abraham.

season.AllfouralumniareslatedtostartfortheEagleswhohaveoneofthetoughestschedulesinthestatefor2011.Quarter-backR.J.Cellini,defensivelinemanOmarOmilabu,offensivelinemanDonovan

FrazerandrunningbackErronChristmaswereallintheAHSclassof2010.

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HOME TEAM

www.lesschwabmartinez.comVISIT US AT:

Hawks Prove their Mettle in CooperstownBy Zac Shess

Bulldogs Make Baseball Memories to Last a LifetimeBy Andy Armosino

Fueledbyaremarkableone-dayrunthatsawthemplayfivegames,thePleas-antHillHawks12Utravelbaseballteamrecentlyovercameashakystarttofinishin23rdplaceatthetournamentinthesprawl-ingCooperstownDreamsParkinNewYorkfromJune25-30. Facingarguablythetoughestdrawinthe104-teamtournament,whichincludedplay-ingthreeofthefinal12teams,theHawksopenedupwitha7-2victorybeforelosingfivestraightgamesfromJune27-29.

Theirfinalgameinpoolplaywasinter-ruptedbyatremendousthree-hourthun-derstorm,andthetwoteamsfinishedupjustaftermidnightlocaltime. Lessthan10hourslater,theHawkswerebackonthefieldtobeginthesingle-eliminationround.Inaremarkableturn-around,theteamwonfourconsecutivegamesagainstprogressivelyhigherseededteams.Throughoutthewinningstreak,theteamtookadvantageearlyandjumpedouttoleadsthatprovedtoomuchfortheirop-

ponentstoovercome. “Ourwin-lossrecordinpoolplayhadusasthe87thseedgoingin.Soeachofthefourteamsweplayedwerecompetingintheirfirstgameofthedayandwererankedhigheraswewentalong,”saidHawksman-agerGregCoburn.“Tremendouscreditgoestotheboysforbeatingthesefresherteamsevenastheygotmoretired.Thewinningstreakwasthetalkofthetournament.” Thestreakendedintheirfifthgameoftheday,nearly12hoursaftertheHawks’

firstgamestartedthatmorning.Regardlessofthefinalgameloss,theHawkswereabletomoveupfrom87thseedtofinish23rdinthetournament. The201112UPleasantHillHawksplayersareJonathanChu,BenCoburn,Wil-lyGiambalvo,BraedenGowdy,KyleRidg-way,WillSheets,ColeShess,DevinShields,ThomasSeibel,HarrisonSternandBrettTressen.TheteamwasmanagedbyGregCoburnalongwithassistantsJackCoburn,SteveGiambalvoandZacShess.

TheMartinezBulldogs12Ubaseballteamrecently traveledtoCooperstown,NewYork,andsharedanincredible experi-encetogetherthatwillremainwiththemforalifetime.Tuckedintothegorgeous greencountryside,itiswhatsome might describeas a “baseballheaven”.Aplacewhereonlybaseballmatters totheboysfor aweekoftheirlives.Aplacewhere over100 teamsfromaroundthecountrycompeteforthetitle,playingdayandnightontwenty-twounbelievablymanicuredfieldsmadejustforthem.Aplacelikenoother. Our teamcameintotownwithhighexpectations,andknockedoffclubs fromIllinois,Missouri,Texas,NewJerseyandMichigantostartthetournamentwitha5-0

record.Witheach victorytheDogs’gainedconfidence, climbingtherankings andfind-ing themselvesseeded at#6enteringthelastgameofpoolplayonTuesday.There,theywerestunnedbyasolid teamfromAla-bama,dropping thembackto #16. Enter-ingthesinglegameeliminationbracketonWednesday,theteamwasonceagain defeat-ed,thistimebythe#33seedfromTennes-see,endinganyhopesofatop10finish. Our tournamenthadcometoanabrupt end,andsomeoftheboys couldnotholdbacktheemotion.Uponourreturntothebarracksoneplayer’stearswouldnotsubside.Hiswordsdescribedexactlyhowweallfeltwhenhesaid,“Icannotbelieveit’sallover.”Thankfullythe disappointmentwas

farovershadowedbytheconstantlaughing,thenon-stopfunandtheendlessmemories.Howcouldyounothaveagreattimeataplacelikethis? HighlightsfromtheweekincludehomerunsbyArmaniSmith,MatthewBeck,WheatiesJohnson(3),JordynEglite,Jack

Downing(2)andJacobArmosino. DJMcInnishitarareCooperstowntriple,MichaelGutierrezandJoshNelson hadthreehitgames,andPeterKoenenandDa-vidGonzales added atwohitgame. AlexRacepitched42/3inningsforavictorywitha2.14ERA.

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36 Year MemberPleasant Hill

Chamber of Commerce

HOME TEAM

LocatedintheheartoftheNapaVal-leywinecountryliesahalf-miledirtovalcalledCalistogaSpeedway,oneofthenation’soldestoperatingracetracksandknownastheHomeofLouieVermeil,themanresponsibleforCalistoga’slegacy. MemorialDayweekendpromisedatwo-dayshowfortheKingoftheWest410SprintCarsandDirtModifieds,butMotherNaturerainedoutSaturday. Despiteweeksofpreparing,oneraceteamarrivedatthespeedwayearlySun-daymorningonlytofindouttheirmotorwouldn’tmeettheshow’stechrequire-ments.Theconcernedcrowdaround#17,carof21year-oldNickDeCarloofMartinezhadtoweightheiroptions:headhomeandgrabtheback-upmotororpackupalltogether. No.17isleadingathishometrack,OceanSpeedwayinWatsonville,andcouldnotpassuptwoopportunitiesthatwouldputhimbackonthetrack.Rich-ardPapenhausenofChicoofferedtoloanDeCarlohissparemotorforthenight.NextcametheheadersfromJoelMeyersoutofSantaRosa.Timewasrunningout,butwelloveradozendriversandcrewmemberscametogethertogetDeCarlo’sFlexiFlierchassispreparedforthemostprestigiousdirttrackraceinCalifornia.

Twenty-nineDirtModifiedswereentered,butthefeaturewouldonlycon-sistoftwenty-four.Driverspullednum-bersfortheirheatracestartstoearnpoints,eithertoqualifyorputtheminalastchanceracefromwhicheightwouldmoveontothemainevent. Luckwasn’tonDeCarlo’ssideyetashepullednumberseventy-one,giv-inghimalastrowstartinhisheat.Hehadeightlapstomakehiswayfromthebacktothefrontandgainpassingpointstolandhimaguaranteedspotinthefea-ture.Asthecheckeredflagwaved,Pap-enhausenwasthewinner,McDanielinsecond,DeCarlointhirdandMeyersinfourth.

Aftertheheat,DeCarloreportedtothePapenhausenraceteamthat“themo-torrangreatandthecarfeltgood.”AstheremainingheatsandBmainrolledonthetrackfortheDirtModi-fieds,theAMainwaspost-edwithPapenhausenonthepoleandDeCarloontheoutsidefrontrow.Nei-therdrivercaredwhowontheraceaslongastheyfin-ishedone-two. AstheDirtModifiedsrolledonthetrack,De-CarloandPapenhausenledthefieldtoacleangreenflagstart.Sidebysidedown

thefrontstretchandintoturnone,Pap-enhausentookanearlyleadbutitwasn’tlongbeforeDeCarlotooktheleadinhisFlexiFlier. “Thecarwashookedupandranperfect,”DeCarlosaid.Withonlyafewyellows,“QuickNick”DeCarlowasonlyseeinggreenuntilhecameoutofturnfouronlaptwentyandtookthatcheck-eredflagfollowedbyRichardPapenhau-sen,PaulStone,BrianCassandRandyMcDaniel-thetopfive. Postcheckeredflagandbackintheinfield,itwasnothingbutsmiles,hugsandevensometearsforDeCarloandhisraceteam.DeCarlosharedthathewouldbesplittinghiswinningswithPapenhau-senasacourtesyforlettinghimrunhismotor.

DeCarlo Dominates King of the West Series By Teri Marie DeCarlo

CPHS Hall of Fame InductionsCollege Park High School

HALL OF FAME5th ANNUAL INDUCTION DINNER

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27th 2011

To HonorSally Sutton !63 Karen Semenza !88 Casey Strand !94

and Special Award to Ed Sias Sr. Coach and Mentor

Mark YourCalender!

Also Honoring the 1993 Football Team

CollegeParkHighSchool’sAnnualHallofFameDinnerandInductionCeremoniesFundraisertobenefittheFalconfieldathleticstadiumandallsportprogramsisSaturday,August27thatZioFraedo’sRestaurantinPleasantHill. TheNoHostbarbeginsat5:00pmwithdinnerstartingat6:30pmfollowedbytheinductionsat7:30pm.Theathletestobehonoredare:SallySutton-1963TrackandField,KarenSemenza-1988Basketball,SoftballandTrackandFieldandCaseyStrand-1994Wrestling. TheCoach/ContributortobehonoredisEdSias-Sr.TrackandCrossCountry.The1993FootballTeamwillbehon-oredaswell. Ticketsare$50.00perperson.Makecheckspay-ableto:FalconFoundation.Reservationsneeded.Sendchecksto:BarbaraLannum,109WoodviewCt.,Marti-nez,CA94553.Foradditionalinformationemail:[email protected].

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Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District News

Making Way for the New

End of an Era

Senior Center Groundbreaking

Teen Center Groundbreaking

The old Teen Center at Pleasant Hill Park was demolished but the adjacent park and pool areas remain open. The contractor for the new Teen Center at 147 Gregory Ln, McFadden Construction of Stockton, has carefully segmented the parking lot. One side is accessible for construction vehicles and the other is available to park and pool visitors. During construction this summer, park and pool visitors are encouraged to share rides, walk, or ride bikes. When the new Teen Center is complete, it will have access to the Aquatic Park, including the pool and the Sprayground, and when not in use by the teens, it will be available for private rentals. The new 6,500 square foot Teen Center will operate programs and activities year round. The building will have high ceilings and plenty of natural light from a large bank of windows. It will have a kitchen with two snack shack windows, one open to the pool and the other to the front of the building. The large conference room will accommodate meetings of the PH Teen Council, a 20+ member group that plans events and advises the Rec & Park District on teen pro-grams. For more information on the bond projects and the plans for Pleasant Hill Recrea-tion & Park District, visit the park district’s website and sign up for the eNEWS at www.pleasanthillrec.com

On June 22, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District broke ground on the new Sen-ior Center. Leo Vardas, former President of the Senior Center, Gary Kraft, Mal Malpass, Nancy Whaley, Joan Gaustad, Dagny Benz, Pleasant Hill Rec & Park District Supervi-sor Kendra Luke, Inge Noble, and Steve Harriman, architect for both the new Senior & Teen Centers, celebrate the accomplishment. The old Senior Center was built in 1942 and moved to Pleasant Hill in 1955 as a temporary home. The new 23,000 square foot Center will be built on the same site as the old building and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2012. This project was made possible by a successful bond measure passed overwhelmingly by voters in August of 2009.

The ground breaking for the new Teen Center was also celebrated on June 22. Members of the Pleasant Hill Teen Council have been busy making decisions con-cerning their new building scheduled for completion next fall. At the ceremony, Sam Cohen joined PH Rec & Park District Supervisor Katrina Hunn and Teen Council mem-bers Jimmy Torres, Brandon Hutslar, Allie Maeyama, Teen Program Specialist Jenny Cooper and Helena Strand. In addition to construction of the new Pleasant Hill Teen and Senior Centers, the District is assembling plans not only for a new Pleasant Hill Community Center, but for a major upgrade to Pleasant Oaks Park. Construction for the new Community Center is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2012 and completed in the summer of 2013.

On Friday, July 15, the old Senior Center was demolished. A large excavator was used to level all three buildings on the site at 233 Gregory Ln. Construction debris was separated for recycling and reuse during the process. According to PHR&PD Project Manager Ron Johnson of Critical Solutions Inc. of Walnut Creek, there will be a lot of activity at the site, beginning with trenching in preparation for utility line installation.


Iwantasleepover.Iwantaplaydate.IwantaSixFlagsseasonpassandthetimetogothere.IwantsomeonetodrivemearoundanddropmeoffwhereIwanttogoandthenpickmeupwhenIamreadytocomehome.Oh,andbytheway,Iwillneedalittlemoney.That’sright.Iwanttobeakid. IknowIamgoingtosoundoldwhenIsay,“kidshaveitmade,”orperhapsintelligentwith“youthiswastedontheyoung.”Eitherway,Iwanttobeakid,maybejustforaday.IguessIbettergowithtwodaysbecauseIwillwastemostofthefirstdaysleepinguntilnoon.Iwillwakeupatnoonandeatleftoversfromlastnight’smealthatsomeoneelsepreparedandpaidfor.Oh,andbytheway,Iprobablygottopickwhatitwas!Next,IthinkIwillplayalittlevideoona60”T.V.whileonlinewithmybud-diesaswevirtuallydestroytheenemyzombiesandoccasionallyeachother.Then,afteragreeingtosweartoourparentsthatweonlyplayedforanhour,Iwillheaduptothepool.ThereIwillhavecoolwater,ping-pong,teenagegirlsandnoonetocounthowmanycokesI

havehad.IwillnodwithallthecoolnessIcanmustertothegatekeeper,whosejobitistoinsurethatonlymembersgetin.DidImentionthatsomeoneelsehaspaidformymembership?Imaynotstaylongdependingonwhoelseisaround.Regardless,itisagreatvenueforrelax-ingwhiletextingeveryoneinmycon-tactlistfrommyfreephone.Iwillweedthroughmultiplereplies,weighingeachtodetermineifitisthebestofferImayget.BINGO!Here’sthebestoffersofar:“Bro,uwant2hangoutdwntwnncatchamovie?”“FOSHO”Iwillreplyandbeonthemoveagain.ThenIwillcruiseonmybirthdaybiketocatchamovieIwillpayforwithallowancemoneyIgoteventhoughIdidnotdothechores.Lifeisgood.EventuallyIwillendupatabuddy’shouseforanothermealcourtesyoftheirsponsor.Iwilltextmygirlfriendjusttomakesurehernumberisstillgood,andthentextmyparentstocomegetme‘causeitistoodarktoridemybirthdaybikehome.Oncehome,IwillfireuptheDVRandcatchuponmissedepisodesof“WhenAnimalsAttack”and“MythBusters.”Soonitwillbetimeforbed.Shoot,thatwillremindmeIwassupposedtocleanmyroom.Ohwell,IwilljustsayIforgot.Man,Iwillbeexhausted.NowonderIwillsleepuntilnoon.

What a Life it Would Be! By Russell Carroll

My Relay Experience! By Leanne Marie Francisco

Bark For Life

AS RUSS SEES IT

LastMaywasPleasantHill’sSec-ondAnnualRelayforLifeevent,heldatPleasantHillMiddleSchool.RelayforLifeisa24-houreventwhereteamsofpeopleofallagesraisemoneyfortheAmericanCancerSociety,aswellasraisecancerawareness. Atthebeginningoftheevent,wecelebratedcancersurvivorswitha“SurvivorLap.”Asur-vivorisanyonewhohaseverheardthewords:“Youhavecancer.”Sur-vivorsaretheguestsofhonorattheRelayanditwasheartwarmingtoseesomeDiabloValleyOncologypatientssupportingourteam.Aftersunset,theLuminariaCeremonybegan,whereweremem-beredthosewhohavelosttheirbattlewithcancerorthosewhoarestillfight-ingthisdisease.Thiswasmyfavor-itepartoftheRelayanditwassimplymagical.TheBrownieTroopfromGloriettaElementaryinOrindaplayedaveryspecialpartthisyear.Dr.Tif-fanySvahn,breastcancerspecialistofDiabloValleyOncology,introducedthegirlsandtheyserenadeduswithafewsongstoopenuptheceremonyandlightenourhearts.Thetrackwaslinedwithluminariabagsthatweredecoratedinmemory,honor,orinsup-portofalovedone.Thefieldwasil-luminatedaswewalkedasilentlapinremembrance.OnSundaymorning,afterhoursandmilesofwalking,therewasaFightBackCeremony,wherewefoundouthowmuchwehaveraisedto

dateandhowweasacommunitycanallfightbackagainstcancer. Thiswasmy5thRelaysince2009and2ndRelayasteamcaptain;eacheventisalwaysanindescribableexperi-ence.Thereissomethinguniqueaboutbeingsurroundedbypeoplewhoareall

thereforthesamerea-son--wehaveallbeentouchedbycancerandwanttoseeanendtocancerinourlifetimes.Atfirst,attendingtheRelaywasjustsome-thingtodoforwork,butnowithasbecomeper-

sonal.NotjustbecauseIhaveafamilymemberwhohadcancer,itispersonalbecauseourpatientslookatuslikefriendsandfamily.Everyday,Imeetwonderful,strongpeoplewhoare,un-fortunately,fightingthisdreadfuldis-ease.Irelayforthem. Afteralongandeventfulweek-end,I’mexcitedtosaywe’veraisedover$3,000sofar…andwestillhavethreemonthslefttokeepfundraising.Thiscouldnothavebeendonewith-outthehelpofeveryonewhopartici-patedandwhocameouttosupportourteam,thankyou!IamfortunatetohaveworkedwithpeoplelikeKelliNa-has,andKenandEileenHousfeld,whodedicatetheirlivestotheAmericanCancerSociety’sRelayforLife. Leanne Marie Francisco has been working in the oncology field for over six years. To donate, visit: http://main.acsevents.org and click on “Relay For Life”.

Iwonderwhatmybosswouldsaytomeifheaskedmetodosomethingtwo–threetimesadayandIignoredhim.Whatwouldmyperformancere-viewbelikeifIhadashortlistofthingstoaccomplisheachweekandrarelyaccomplishedanyofthem,withmyonlyrationalforfailingbeing,“Ohyeah,

Iforgot.”WhatwouldmycustomersthinkofmeifIstartedeveryresponsewith“Uhhhhhhhh.”Beingakidagainwouldbefun,butIthinkIamtoooldtobeyoung.But….thatisjusthowIseeit. To contact Russell, email him at [email protected]

Arearesidentscan“takeabiteoutofcancer”atPleasantHill’sfirst-everBarkForLife,anAmericanCancerSocietyfundraiserassociatedwiththefamiliarRelayForLife. The“Bark”willbeheldfrom8a.m.to11a.m.onSaturday,August27atthePleasantHillMiddleSchooltracklocatedat1SantaBarbaraRoad.Before the event, people may:•Registertheirdogatthewebsite:http://relayforlife.org/barkpleasan-thillca•Formteamsoffriendsandfamily.•Solicitdonationsfromdog-lovingfriends.•Asksponsorsandvendorstosupport

the“Bark.”Dogsandtheirmastersmayalsoshowupatthe“Bark”andregisterthere.Activities will include:•Walkingthetrack,withdogsonaleash,ofcourse.•Participatinginspecialeventsandgoofydoggiecontests.•Agoodiebagforeachdog.•Ahowlinggoodtime! Ourcaninefriendsaregreatsup-portersofcancersufferersandtheywanttohelpraisefundstofightcancer. For more information about the “Bark,” call Ken Housfeld at 925-944-4898 or send an e-mail to Louisa at [email protected].


Youwakeupinthemorningandlookoutacrossyourlawn.Inmanyspotsitlookslikesome-onetookaroto-tillertoyourgrass.What’sgoingon?Itsoundslikerac-coonsvisitedlastnightlookingforgrubsinthesoil.Thesegrubsaremostlikelythelarvaeofbeetlesorweevils.Theyfeedonyourlawn’srootsandcancausebrownpatchesinthemiddleofyourlush(ornot-so-lush)greenlawn.Thisdamageusuallyappearsinlatesummerorfall.Manyanimals—rac-coons,skunks,molesandbirds—areattractedtodyinglawnstofeastonthegrubs. Bythistimeofthesummer,mostbabyraccoonsareoldenoughtofollowtheirmotheronnightlyforays.Lawnsmakegreatplacestoteachtheyounghowtofindfood.Theyareusuallywell

watered,sothesoilissoftandthefoodisjustunderthegrass.Whatcouldbebetter? Howcanyoufixthisonceithap-pens?Orbetter,howcanyoupreventitinthefirstplace?Tokeepraccoonsfromcomingbackthenextnight,usefinelygroundblackpepperandcay-ennepepperinthedugareas.Thesepepperswon’twork,however,whenmotion-activatedsprinklersareused.Dogandcatrepellentmayworktode-terraccoons,butit’snotguaranteed.Layingwiremeshoverthelawnandstakingitsecurelyworkswelltopre-ventdigging. Thenyouneedtotreatthelawntokillthegrubs.Beneficialnematodesareagood,non-toxicwaytokillthegrubs,butcantakeawhiletowork;seeyournurseryforadvice.Toxicpesti-cidesmayworkfaster,butwon’tlastaslongandcanharmotheranimals,sowedon’trecommendthem.Aeratingthelawncankillsignificantportionsof

thegrubpopulationifthey’refeedingclosetothesurface.Ifallelsefails,rac-coonswillusuallystopdigginginlawnsatthestartoftherainyseasonwhenthegrubshavemovedlowerinthesoilandsurroundingsoilissofterandeasiertodig. Nextyear,treatyourlawnfor

grubsatthebeginningofthesummersotherewillbenofoodavailableinlatesummerandfall,whenraccoonsaremostlikelytodiginlawns. For more information about Lind-say Wildlife Museum and ways you can help wildlife, visit www.wildlife-museum.org.

Got Racoons? By Susan Heckly, Lindsay Wildlife Museum

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Local Businesses Show Their True Color – GreenBy Mathew Rice, Payless Painting

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Ifsomeoneaskedyoutode-finethecharacteristicsofagreatcompany,whatwouldbeyourresponse?Mostpeoplewouldprobablydescribefeaturessuchasquality,reliability,andhonesty,aswellasexcellentcustomerser-viceandcompetitivepricing.Somemightmentionsocialresponsibility,communityservice,andenvironmentalprotection.Al-thoughtheselatterqualitiesmaynotbeintheforefrontwhenmakingpurchasingde-cisions,theyoftenspeaktotheintegrityofthecompanyanditsproductsandservices.Anexcellentexampleofthisiswhencom-paniesseekGreenCertificationthroughtheBayAreaGreenBusinessProgram. TheBayAreaGreenBusinessPro-gramwasdevelopedin1996bylocalgov-ernmentsandregionalagenciestodistin-guishsmallbusinessesthatprotect,pre-serve,andsustaintheenvironment.Toearncertification,companiesmustcom-pleteanindustryspecificworksheetthatdetailstheireffortstoconserveenergyand

water,minimizewaste,preventpollution,andshrinktheircar-bonfootprints.TheseeffortsarethenauditedbylocalagenciesthatdetermineiftheymeetthestandardstoreceiveGreenCerti-fication.

LocalbusinessesthathavecompletedthecertificationprocessarelistedontheBayAreaGreenBusinesswebsite(www.greenbiz.ca.gov)andcanbeidentifiedbytheGreenBusinessLogo,oftendisplayedontheirwebsites,marketingmaterials,andstorefronts. Inmostinstances,beinggreendoesn’tincreaseacompany’sbottomlinebecauseitisstillasecondaryconsiderationformostbuyers.Themajorityofcompaniesthattakethetimetoworkthroughthechecklistdosobecausetheywanttobebetterstewardsoftheenvironmentandresponsiblecitizenswithintheircommu-nities.Businessesthatarewillingtogotheextramiletoimprovethemselvesandtheircommunityshouldbesupportedfortheir

efforts,andperhapsweshouldallincludethistraitwhenconsideringthecharacteris-ticsofagreatcompany.

Matthew Rice can be contacted by email at: [email protected] or visit his website at: www.paylesspainting.com.

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CrazyabundantSunGoldtomatoes,jalapenosandeggplantgracethegardens.Tomatillosrankasatopperformerthissummeraswell.IhaveseensomanysquashandlemoncucumbersthatIcouldstartmyownfarmstand!Sum-mervegetablegardenbountyisanawe-in-spiringseriesofpicking,wateringandweedingthatneverceasestoamazethegardener.Iholdchickenmanuredeartomyheartasthenitrogencontentmakesmyvegetablespredictablygreenerandfullerrightbeforemyeyes.Iamtakingonirrigationsystemsandwinningout.Agoodirrigationsystemwill,asmyfriendtoldme,changeyourlife.Theydonotneedtobeexpensiveeither.Youjustneedtotalktotheguysattheirrigationstoreanddosomebrainstormingtogetalittle

plantogether.Gardensbringpeopleto-getherinsomanyways.Whenmygar-denpartner,StephanieJacob’s,andIgolookatthegardenatCollegeParkHighSchool,thereisalwaysgreatconversationwiththesummertimecustodianswholiketotalkaboutthetomatoes,straw-berriesandappletreesaswellasdiscusstheirrigationsystemwehavepiecedto-gethersoefficiently.Ialsoknowforafactthattheyenjoywatchingthingsgrowoutthereandwillwaterthatappletreeonaregularbasis. Wintergardensdonotactuallystartinthewinter.Youcanbeginplantingyourwinterstuffintheearlyfall,likeal-mostnow.Assoonasyourearliestto-matoesstarttoturnbrownandleggy,takethemoutandputinbroccoli.Asthesunstartstochangepositioninthesky,youwillnoticeshadeindifferentpartsofyourotherwiseblazinghotyard.Asthe

How Does Your Garden Grow?By Lesley Stiles

THE GARDEN

shadowsdeepen,plantnewlettuceandarugulaforanice,longrunofsucculentgardenfreshgreensfromyardtotable.Justremembertoamendyoursoilliber-allyandgenerouslywithyourownfavor-itecompost,manure,orboth. Besideshavingapositiveeffectonyourculinarydelicacies,yourgardenwillalsoworkofftheextrafrozenyogurtandamazingcupcakesyouboughtfromSin-fulBliss.Aftertoilingawayinthegar-den,hourswillpassbeforeyouknowit,andthesunwillwane.Oops…wasitmyturntocookdinnertonight??Campfire

foodbytheB-B-Q!Experiencealfrescopatiodiningalaminute,cookingasthesundipsintotheridge,wineinhand,dis-cussingday’seventswithlovedones,andlightingyourgazeonaparticularlyamaz-ingbloom. BonAppétit. Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustain-able caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at [email protected], www.lesleystiles.blogspot.com and visit her new website: www.lesleystiles-foods.com.

Grilled Prawns Marinated in Oregano and Lemon

Quinoa Salad with Fresh Corn andTomatoes with Pesto Vinaigrette

Pesto Vinaigrette

Marinate prawns for at least 3 hours in lemon peel, half the olive oil and half the oregano. Grill on medium high heat until just done. Toss in juice from the lemons, remaining olive oil and remaining oregano. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss all together in bowl and season to taste w/ sea salt and cracked pepper. Serves 4.

Place all in blender and blend until smooth. Makes 1 ½ cups.

1 pound 21/25 prawns, peeled and deveined2 lemons1 bunch fresh oregano, chopped

4 cloves garlic¼ cup olive oilSalt and pepper

3 cups cooked quinoa1 cup fresh corn cut off the cob, raw2 large heirloom tomatoes cut up

½ cup Pesto vinaigretteSea salt and pepper

1 bunch basil, chopped1 bunch parsley, chopped2 cloves garlic1 lemon, peel and juice½ cup rice vinegar

½ cup olive oil2 tablespoons chopped walnuts2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheeseSea salt and pepper

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Directions:

Directions:

Directions:

Together we can keep high school sports in our schools!

October 9, 2011 Newhall Park, Concord

To Register or for Sponsorship Information Visit:

www.UnitedMtDiabloAthletics.org

5K RUNBenefiting MDUSD High School Sports

Pleasant Hill Market • Pleasant Hill City HallPleasant Hill Senior Center • Pleasant Hill Library

Mt. Diablo YMCA • UPS – Virginia Hills, Mtz.Chamber of Commerce (P.H. & Mtz.)

Pleasant Hill Rec and Park (Civic Dr. & Gregory)Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Pleasant Hill

Legal Grounds, Martinez • Martinez Senior CenterLes Schwab Tires - Alhambra Avenue

Best Western, John Muir Inn, MartinezHeadways Salon, Main Street

The Community Focus is available at the following locations:

www.ourcommunityfocus.com

http://www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org


In the MixBy Paul Cotruvo

JinxJonesisoneofthemosttalentedandrespectedguitarplayersoftheBayAreaandhasestablishedhimselfasoneofthetop“Rockabilly”guitarists.Hehashisownband,JinxJones&theKingTones,andyoumayhaveseenhimplayin“Spinout,”anotherpopularlocalband.Let’sjustsaythemanhasgotchops!Heandhisfiancée,Marie,decidedtoliveintheir“adopted”hometownofPleasantHill.Heisalsoaverygraciousmanwhotookthetimetoanswerafewofmyquestions. PC:Whataresomegreatmemoriesofeventsorperformances? JJ:MyfirstgigwithChuckBerryinHoustonTexas.Iwasabout23yearsoldatthetimeandreallynervousaboutplayingwithChuckBerry,butitwasfunandquiteanexperience;kindofcrazyandhumorous.AlsorecordingwithEnVoguearound1991-92.Iremembercominghomethenightwecut“FreeYourMind”atFantasystudiosandthinkingthatsomeday,whentheyrelease“biggesthitsofthe1990’s,”thissongwillbeonthere.Anothergreat

memorywasheadliningtheLoimaaRockandRollfestivalatWaltikka(Finland)in2007.ThiswasmysecondtourofFinlandandthisshowwasrecordedandreleasedasaliveCDbytheFinnishrecordlabelI’mon.WordscannotdescribehowmuchtheEuropeansloveAmericanRockabillymusic. PC:Ifyouwereaguitar,whatkindwouldyoubeandwhy? JJ:Greatquestion,andhardtodecideonjustone,butIguessI’dhavetosayavintageFenderJazzmaster.Why?Well,I’m“off-setandcontour”inalotofways,andI’malwaysconfusingmyidentityasajazzguitarist,countryguitarist,andsurfguitaristplayingspymovieandspaghetti-westernsoundtracks. Please check out his website, www.jinxjones.com and check out the calendar for his upcoming shows. You will not be disappointed! For more on the interview with Jinx Jones see our website at www.ourcommunityfocus.com. Click on columns then In the mix.

PAUL’S PICKS FOR AUGUST: (ALL THESE EVENTS ARE FREE)August 7th – Spinout – “Sunset by the Lake” Concert Series, Pleasant Hill City Hall, 6:00pm.August 13th – Lumberyard – Dallimonti’s, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9:30pm. August 18th – Swoon –Downtown Pleasant Hill Plaza Concert Series, Crescent Dr., 6:00pm.August 20th – Caroompas Room – Armando’s – 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8:00pm.August 21st – Cover2Cover – “Sunset by the Lake” Concert Series, Pleasant Hill City Hall, 6:00pm. August 25th – Acoustic S&M - Rocco’s Pizzeria – 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek , 8:00pm.VENUES:Armando’s: 707 Marina Vista, Martinez CA • www.armandosmartinez.comBack Forty Texas BBQ: 100 Coggins Drive Pleasant Hill, CA • www.backforty.us Dallimonti’s : 1932 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA • www.dallimontis.com Dan’s Bar : 1524 Civic Drive Walnut Creek CA • www.dansbar.com E.J. Phair Brewing Company: 2151 Salvio Street, Concord, CA • www.ejphair.com Pyramid Alehouse: 1410 Locust Street Walnut Creek, CA • www.pyramidbrew.com Rocco’s Pizzeria: 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek CA • www.roccospizzeria.comThe Station: 600 Ferry Street, Martinez CA • www.facebook.com/The station The Roundup Saloon: 3553 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA Phone: (925) 284-4817Vinnie’s Bar & Grill: 2045 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord, CA • www.vinniesbar.com

City ofPleasant Hill

Performances subject to changeSPONSORED BY:

Aug 21

Casey Strand

ChiropractorAug 21

Aug 21Sheila’sDaycare

Jun 12

Matt Rinn Agency

Sep 4

May 29

Jul 10Jun 12

Jun 26

5GREAT YEARS!

1961 2011�

Free!

SINFUL BLISS

cupcakesAug 7

http://www.armandosmartinez.com

http://www.pleasanthillconcerts.com

http://www.shopdowntownpleasanthill.com


RESTAURANT GUIDE

8/31/11

Dallimonti’s Restaurant

1932 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill. 925-944-5224

www.dallimontis.com

• A Family Tradition Since 1982 • Open for Lunch & Dinner• Reservations & Take Out Available • Small Banquets Welcome

• Full Bar & Wine List • A Touch of North Beach in your Neighborhood

LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY • COMING IN AUGUST8/6 Famous Three-O • 8/13 Lumberyard

8/20 The Business • 8/27Flipsides

FRIDAY KARAOKE NIGHT • GRAB THE MIC AND ROCK OUT

1910 Oak Park Boulevard • Pleasant HillHours: Monday - Saturday, 11am-9pm (closed Sunday)

925.937.4368 • www.savanh.net

Formerly Bangkok Restaurant • New Name, Same Family and Staff

Savanh, originally Bangkok Restaurant, has been serving Thai favorites in this Oak Park location for over 20 years. Insisting on fresh market ingredients, our kitchen locates the freshest produce, seafood, and meats everyday, preparing each dish a little different from other Bay Area Thai restaurants.

Our newly redesigned dining room is adorned with the nation’s symbolic emblem, the elephant. Our extensive menu boasts the traditional Thai fare, plus an array of grilled dishes. We also offer take-out.

Get your RESTAURANT FEATURED in Community FocusCall 925-335-NEWS (6397) or email [email protected]

Join our new Birthday Club and receive a $30 Birthday Certificate to spend at Kobe Japan Restaurant during the month of your birthday. You will also receive special offers and information

about the latest happenings in our monthly newsletter.

Please go to our website www.KobeJapanRestaurant.com , and

then click Sign-Up for Our Birthday Club/Special Offers

1918 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, California 94523

Phone: (925) 705-7065/7066 Fax: (925)705-7067

$30 Birthday Certificate

Mention this ad to receive $1 off your order

MOLINO’S RAVIOLIMOLINO’S RAVIOLInow serving hot food to go

Choose your entree and your sauce. So many di erent combinations to make!Choose from Ravioli, Tortellini, Lasagna, Penne and more! Sauces include

Meat, Mushroom, Alfredo or Pesto. Hot Italian Sandwiches just in time for summer. Italian Cheesesteak, Meatball or Italian Sausage on a french roll.

Each entree includes fresh baked garlic bread. Add a small green salad and make a meal out of it. Salads come in individual and family size.

Your next picnic or outing will be a breeze with our new Hot Food To Go!

Call ahead to order or just walk in.

Molino’s Hot Food & CateringFor complete menu visit, www. molinosravioli.net

2150 Pleasant Hill Road., 925.934.7075

Regular Store Hours Tues - Sat 10:30 - 6 • Sunday 12 - 5 • Closed Monday and Holidays

*Hours subject to change during introduction.

Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 5:30PM*

RESTAURANTget your restaurant in

FOCUSfor more information please contact us atfor more information please contact us at

GUIDE 925.335.NEWS (6397)[email protected]

http://www.kobejapanrestaurant.com

http://www.dallimontis.com

http://www.savanh.net

http://www.jacksrestaurants.com


8/2, 3, 4 & 9 - Anne Diskin’s Workshops for Teachers, Tutors, and Homeschoolers:AnneDiskiniswellknownforherpracticalandinspiringtraining.GiveALLstudentsthetoolstheyneedtobeconfident,compe-tentwriters!Earnupto3optionalsemesterunitsthroughUOP.8/2:GivingYoungWrit-ersaGreatStart!(K-1);8/3:NutsandBoltsExpositoryWriting-Vocabulary,Sentences,Paragraphs;8/4:NutsandBolts-Essays,NoteTaking,ReportWriting(2ndandup);8/9:Words,Words,Words!(anygrade).Forinfovisitwww.annediskin.comorcontactAnne:(510)[email protected].

8/4- 8/18 - Dynomite Thursdays: August4-TheMagicofBill,August11-MiketheSnakeMan,August18-CaterpillarPuppets2:00pm-2:45pm.JoinusforaseriesofFREEshowsforthewholefamily.AlltheshowsareatNancyBoydPark,90ChurchStreet.

8/5 - Garage Bands at the Lake:PleasantHillCityHalllawnarea.Checkoutlocalteenbands.7pm.Ifyouhaveateeninterestedinperforming,call682-0896.

8/5 - 8/26 - Fridays on the Main: CruisetodowntownMartinezforaneveningofstrollingalongMainSt.tocheckoutcoolhotrods,classiccarsandtrucksanddancetolivemusiconthePlaza.6-8pm.

8/6 – Summer Peddlers’ Faire: OneofthelargestoutdoorantiqueshowsinnorthernCalifornia.HeldonthestreetsofhistoricdowntownMartinez.8am-4pm.

8/6 – Dunkin’ Doggies! Dog Wash Fund-raiser:Self-servicedogwash.100%ofpro-ceedswillbedonatedtotheContraCostaHumaneSocietyAniMealsProgram.VisitanyPetFoodExpressinCo.Co.County.

8/8 - 8/12- Soccer Camps: TheMartinezPleasantHillFutbolClubwillbehostingtwosessionsforboysandgirlsages8-13ofallexperiencelevels.9am-3pmattheAdvent-istAcademy,796GraysonRd,PleasantHill.Trainingbycollege-levelsoccerplayers,fungames,t-shirt,prizesandmore!Costis$165persession.Toregister,visitwww.mphfc.com.

8/12 - 8/14 – Poison Apple Productions: Seussical Jr. lovinglybringsourfavoriteDr.Seusscharacterstolifeinonemagical,fan-tasticalshow.LetyourimaginationcarryyouawaywithJojotheWho,theCatintheHat,HortontheElephant,GertrudeMcFuzz,

EVENTS

AT THE LIBRARY

CLASS REUNION

Contra Costa County Library Summer Reading Program

8/1-8/20 - Summer Reading Festival-One World, Many Stories: Avarietyoffreepro-gramsarescheduledthroughoutthesummeratlibrarylocationscountywideforkidsandteens.Readingrecordswillbeavailableincommunitylibrariesoronlineatwww.ccclib.org.Trackyourreadingtimeandearnprizesuponcompletionallsummerlong.Visityourlocallibraryorwebsiteformoreinfor-mation.

In Martinez: Atthetimeofprintthelibrarywasclosedforrenovations.Theinterimlibraryaddressis401FerryStreet,Martinez.

MayzieLaBird,theWickershamBrothers,theSourKangaroos,theWhos,Thing1andThing2,theGrinch,theBirdGirls,YertletheTurtleandsomanymore!Tickets:$14.50generaladmission,$10.50foryouth,stu-dentsandseniors.Fri.&Sat.at7:15pmandSat.&Sun.at2:15pm.AttheLesherCenterfortheArts,1601CivicDriveWalnutCreek.Visitwww.poisonappleproductions.com.

8/14 – American Iron Car Show Down-town Pleasant Hill.BringyourPre-1980sAmericancarandenterthecompetitions.Awards,prizedrawings,music,refresh-mentsavailableforpurchase.10am-3pmonCrescentDriveatContraCostaBoulevard,PleasantHill.FREEforspectators;$25entryfeepercar.

8/17 - Marty O’s Free Movie Night. 8:15pm-9:45pm.MartyO’sConcessionandCateringisproudtosponsoraFREEfamilymovienightatNancyBoydPark.Movieisshownonthebigscreen.Bringblanketsandchairs.8/17movieis“Jumanji”.

8/18 - Homeopathy Every Day Study Group.Closedforthesummervacation.HomeopathyEveryDay.com.

8/18 – 9/10 - “Evil Dead” at Willows Caba-ret Theatre,636WardSt.,DowntownMar-tinez.Fordetailsvisit:www.willowstheatre.orgorcall925-798-1824.

8/19 - Outdoors Moonlight MovieatPHCityHall,100GregoryLane,lawnarea.8:30pm–10:30pm.Bringablanket,towel,orchair.Co-sponsoredbyPleasantHillRec&ParkDistrictandtheCityofPleasantHill. FREE.Formoreinfo.call:925-682-0896orvisitwww.pleasanthillrec.com.

8/19 - Family Night Swim.PleasantHillAquaticPark,147GregoryLane.Children8yrsandundermustbeaccompaniedinthewaterbyapayingadult(18yrsorolder).6-9pm.2–6yrs.$3.50;7–17yrs.$4.00;18yrs.andolder$4.00;Seniors55yrs.andolder$3.50.

8/24 - Fabulous Finds Fundraising Semi-nar.Learnhowtogoaboutprocuringgreatauctionitemsfromapanelofexperts.Wednesdayat6:00pmatLindsayWildlifeMuseum.Attendanceisfreeandrefresh-mentswillbeserved.CallMaryMcAfeeat(925)[email protected].

8/25 – FREE Admission to Lindsay Wild-life Museum. 10am-5pm.1931FirstAv-enue,WalnutCreek.(925)935-1978. www.

Calendarwildlife-museum.org.

8/27 - CPHS Hall of Fame Inductions. ZioFraedo’sRestaurant.NoHostbarat5pmwithdinnerat6:30pm.Inductions:7:30pm.Athletestobehonored:SallySutton-1963TrackandField;KarenSemenza-1988Bas-ketball&SoftballandCaseyStrand-1994Wrestling.Coach/Contributortobehon-ored: EdSiasSr.TrackandCrossCoun-try. Teamtobehonored:The1993Foot-ballTeam.$50.00perperson.Checksmadepayableto:FalconFoundation.Reservationsneeded.Sendchecksto:109WoodviewCt.Martinez,CA94553.Questions:ContactJerryPollard([email protected])orcall: (916)813-5401.

9/7 - “Pints for Prostates”isguaranteedtobeafunandinformativeeveningthatraisesawarenessamongmenabouttheneedforregularhealthscreeningsandPSAtesting.Joinusfrom6-8pmatPyramidAlehouse,1410LocustStreet,WalnutCreek.The“PintsPackage”includesacustombeerglass,beer,heavyhorsd’oeuvres,andraffletickets. SpaceislimitedsoRSVPto925-677-5041,exten-sion260.

9/10 – ABCs of Square Dance Class. Thisclassisopentoanyandallwhomaybeinter-estedingivingsquaredancingatry. It’slotsoffun, andprovidesagreatopportunityforbothphysicalandmentalexerciseaswellasanexcellentsocialexperience.Five-sessionclassteachesthebasicsfrom10:30amto12:30pmonSaturdaysthroughOctober15.$45perpersonif youregisterontheclassstartdate,$40pre-registeredbycalling(925)228-3276.ClassesheldattheMartinezAdultEdCenter.

In Pleasant Hill: 8/2 – Raymond Vasquez Magic Show:Thewholefamilywillbedazzledbythisyoungandprodigiousmagician!7-8pm.

8/3-8/31 (Wed & Fri) – Mother Goose Time:Comejoinusforthislight-heartedstoryhourjustfortotsages0-3.11:15am-11:45am.

8/4-8/25 (Thurs) – Pre-school Storytime. Joinusinthestorycornerforstories,songs,andmoretostre-e-e-etchtheimagination.Ages3-5.11:15am-11:45am.

8/9 – Pleasant Hill Book Club:Meetotherreadersforfun,engageddiscussions.6:30pm-7:30pm.

8/11 & 8/25 – Wii Thursdays for Teens: Comegetyourgameonwiththelibrary’sWiiorplaysomeboardgamestoo!3pm-5pm.

8/16 – Library Concert: Al‘AzifoonplaysArabicmusicontraditionalandcontempo-raryinstruments,includingtheoud,qanun,riqq,tabla,duffandvoice.TheywillperformavarietyofworksfromthegreatArabiccom-posers,aswellasmuwashahat,folksongs,andpopulartunes.Forallages.6:45-7:45pm.VisitAl‘Azifoon’swebsiteformoreinforma-tionaboutthebandandalsoaboutClassicalArabicmusichttp://www.alazifoon.com.

8/17 – Lego and Listen: Buildingimagi-nationswithblocksandbooks!ComehearsomegreatstorieswhileyoumakeafabulousLegocreation.2-2:40pm.

8/18 – Daffy Dave the Clown:Comeforanafternoonofanticswithoneofthemosttal-entedandhumorousclownsintown!3-4pm.

8/18- 8/31 – Annual Book Give-Away: TheContraCostaLibraryisgivingawayusedbooksthathavebeenremovedfromtheLi-brary’scollection.LocatedattheShippingandReceivingarea:75SantaBarbaraRoad,PleasantHill.Pleasebringyourownboxesorbags.

STAGE DOOR WILL RETURN NEXT MONTH

College Park Class of 1986 ReunionAugust20,2011at8:00pm,Jack’sRestaurant,Pleas-antHill,60CrescentDrive,PleasantHill,CA,ContactTerilynnBench,trabenchick@yahoo.comorvisitwww.jacksrestaurants.com.Purchaseticketsinadvanceat:www.collegepark86.myevent.com.


Thesunisout,theweatherisgor-geousandwe’reofftothebeachforsandandsurf.Didyouknowthatgo-ingtothebeachisfantasticexercise? Whenwegotothebeach,weof-tenhavetowalkalongwayfromtheparkinglottothatperfectspotinthesand.Walkingisalwaysgoodexer-cise.You’reluggingbagsfulloftowels,food,drinks,sunscreen,maybeevenafoldingchairortwo.Thisisgoodbal-anceandstrengthtraining.(Youcangetthemostoutofthisbydistributingtheweightevenlyonbothsidesofthebody.)Andwalkinginthesandoffersagreatworkoutforyourfeet,legs,hipsandabdominals.Justwalkingtoyourperfect“chill”spot,you’vemanagedtogetsomeexercise. Onceyou’vesettledin,havefunplayinginthewater.Splashingaround

whiletryingtokeepthewavesfromknockingyoudowngivesyoucorestrengthening,legwork,armworkandbalancetraining.Runningbackandforthwhilethewaveschaseyou(howcanyouresist?)addsshortspurtsofin-tensemuscularworktogetyourheartpumping.Youdon’thavetobehard-coreanddoopenwaterlapstogetabeachworkout! Withallthisfuninthesun,you’llwanttokeepwellhydrated.Youmayevenoptforhealthierfoodchoicesthatareoftenmoreappetizingwhenit’shot.Thinkhowyummywatermelontastesonahotday...muchmoredeliciousthanaheavytriplecheeseburger. Soifyouhaven’tbeentothebeachthisyear,thinkofitasagreatexcusetobegoodtoyourself.Youwon’tbeslack-ingoff.You’llbeexercisingwithoutevennoticing.Goonnow...grabyoursunscreen,towelandwaterbottle,andgoenjoythesandinyourtoes.You’llberelaxing(andexercising)towardahealthieryou. Tonya Marie Amos danced pro-fessionally in New York for 15 years be-fore opening her studio, Aspire Pilates Center in Concord. She is a fully certi-fied Pilates instructor with over 1000 hours of training including advanced certifications in Movement Medicine, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Pre/Post Natal and Pilates For Golf. For more information, please con-tact Tonya by calling (925) 680-4400 or going to www.AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Sand in Your ToesBy Tonya Marie Amos

Tinnitusiscommonlyreferredtoasringingoftheears.Whatcausestinnitus?Tinnitusmaybebroughtonbylong-termexposuretoloudnoise,suchasmu-sic,gunfireormachinery.Excessearwax,allergies,dentalproblems,injury&illnessmayalsobeattribut-abletotinnitus.Asweage,morepeopleexperienceringingoftheears.Nearly36millionAmericanssufferfromthisdisorder. Noisesareproducedbynerveactiv-ityinthebrain.Theactualcausecanbeinflammationofthetinybonesinthemiddleear,musclessurroundingtheearcanal,orirritationoftheEustachiantubethatdrainsthemiddleear. Iofferanindividualizedapproachinintegrativehealthcare.Itisimportanttoknowaclient’sexperiencewithtinni-tus.Onemightsayit’slikeashelltotheear.Anothermightdescribeahighpitchlikeagnat.Maybeitisonlyheardwhiletryingtosleep.Perhapsitisconstant.Aperson’sreactiontothenoiseisalsoimportant,suchashavinganxiety,sleepdisturbanceorappetitedisturbance.

Specificsymptomscanpointtoparticularhomeopathicremedies.RingingorsingingmayresolvewithNatrummu-riaticum.CracklingmayrequireKalimuriaticum.Noiseslikerunningwa-tercouldberesolvedwithFerrumphosphoricum.Whizzingwithdimin-

ishedhearingmaybehelpedwithMag-nesiumphosphoricum. Homeopathicremediesusedcor-rectlyaregentle,safe,effectiveanddon’tinterferewithtraditionalmedications.Forrelieffromtinnitus,call925-826-3858orvisitMyraNissen.com.Ioffer30-minutewellnessassessments,givingmeanopportunitytomeetyouanddis-cussyourwellnessconcerns.MentionthisarticleandreceiveyourassessmentforfreeifyouschedulebeforeAugust31,2011. Homeopathy has existed for 200 years and has been used by millions of people worldwide. Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA) is a board certified ho-meopath (US & Canada) specializing in women’s health issues and allergies.

Tinnitus Can Be Annoying

By Myra Nissen, CCH, Certified Homeopath

PAID ADVERTORIAL

Submit your story and photos to us on our website:www.ourcommunityfocus.com or call 925-335-NEWS. Deadline is 2nd Friday of each month.

We want to hear from you.

http://www.aspirepilatescenter.com

http://www.acu-wellnessonline.com

http://www.typeayoga.com


Whilethink-ingaboutmynextcolumn,Ilookedthroughafewrandomandim-pulsivethoughtsI’dwrittenontornpages,envelopes,andtheall-purposepapernapkin.Ifoundsomenotesthattouchedon

themorefunctionalaspectsofgardenandhome-exteriorart.SinceIadmireandencouragepersonalexpressionaspartofthehumanexperience—forartistsandeveryoneelse—Ithoughtitwouldbefuntohavemoredialogueongardenandexteriorart,especiallyasit’stheseasontoenjoyourselvesandentertainguestsoutdoors.Gardensandpatiosareidealplacesforconvivial,

Art World UnConfidential By Tony Michael Vecchio

unchartedconversation,especiallyifthere’sinterestingartondisplay. Peopledonotneedtobeartistsinordertoexpressthemselvespersonallyinthehome.Anyone,fromtheartisti-callydeficienttothesuburbian(myword)versionofMarthaStewart,cansucceedatthis. Whileit’seasytopurchaseawidearrayofdesigner-influenced,gardendecortoadornanyhome’sexterior,there’snothinglikethepersonalsat-isfactionofusingyourowncreativechopstoaddarttoyouryard;yourhomegrownartisticinstinctswillper-fectlyfityouraestheticvision. Toreflectyourpersonaltouchyoucancompleteanynumberofsimpleandcleverprojectssuchaspaintingamailbox,changingyourhousenum-bers,orhangingartoutsideyourhome.Whybuyassembly-linemetalnumeralsforyourhouse?Where’stheperson-alityinthat?Instead,goexploring.Findhand-craftedhousenumbersor

seeksalvagedwoodennumbersfromdemolishedbuildingsorretailsigns.Aslongasthenumbersarelegible,itmakesthestatementthatyou’reproudofyouruniquehome.Youcouldalsofindsomeartsyceramicbowlsorplatesanddosomethingunexpectedwiththem,likehangthemfromafence.Thedurablepotterywilllookdistinctiveandinstantlygiveyouryardatouchofwhimsy,elegance,orZenmystery.Birdhousesareanotheroption.Manylocalartisanslovinglycraftamazingbirdhouses,andthenyoucanaddyourpersonaltouchwithpaintorfoundob-jects.Thesecretofturningsomethingintoartistoavoidmass-producedproducts,insteadexpressyourselfinafreshway. For more information, contact Tony Michael Vecchio at [email protected] his collage il-lustration, mixed media assemblages, and paintings at etsy.com/shop/Wa-biSabiDaddi.

Lila Strong is a local artist who paints unique Native American In-dian designs on mailboxes. Her business started as a favor for a friend in Arizona, and then she became interested in the subject. To better understand the imag-es and icons so prevalent in the Southwest, Strong researched Na-tive American culture, and this re-search led to her series of colorful Native American mailbox designs. She paints other subjects as well, and does commission work for cli-ents who request custom images. For more information, contact Lila Strong at lilastrong@//ac5.com or email her at: [email protected].

Saturday September 24 2011 7:30am

Organized by Pleasant HillCivic Action Commission

7thANNUAL

http://www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/CSD


“PintsforPros-tates”isagrassrootscampaignthatusestheuniversallan-guageofbeerto reachmenwithanimpor-tanthealthmessageabouttheirprostatehealth.Foundedbyaprostatecancersurvivorwhowasdiagnosedattheageof48, thisnon-profitcampaignraisesawarenessamongmenabouttheneedforregularhealthscreeningsandPSAtesting.InpartnershipwithPyramidBreweryandPacificUrology,DiabloVal-leyOncologybringsthefirstever“PINTSFORPROSTATES”fundraisereventtoWalnutCreekonSeptember7,2011. Prostatecanceristhemostcom-monlydiagnosedcancerinAmericanmalestoday(220,000casesin2010)andisthesecondleadingcauseofcancerdeath(32,000in2010)intheUnitedStates.1in6menisatalifetimeriskofdevelopingprostatecancer.Ageisthestrongestriskfactorforprostatecancer.Thediseaseisrareinmenyoungerthan45,butthechanceofgettingitgoesupsharplyasamanages.Also,aman’sriskofprostatecancerdoublesifhisbrotherorfatherhadthedisease.ProstatecancerismorecommoninAfricanAmericanmenandlesscommoninAsianandNa-tiveAmericanmen. Early-stageprostatecancermaynotbeassociatedwithanyobvioussignsorsymptoms,ormaycausesymptomsthatcanbemistakenforthoseofotherdisor-ders.Thesignsandsymptomsofmoreadvancedprostatecancermayincludefrequentneedforurination,difficultor

painfulurination,bloodintheurine,pelvicpain,pain-fulejaculation,lossofappetiteorweightandbonepain. Ifdetectedearly,prostatecancer

istreatableandcurable.Today,therearemorethan2millionprostatecancersur-vivorsintheUS.Treatmentforprostatecancercanincludeactivesurveillance,surgery,image-guidedradiationtherapyusingCalypsoGPStechnology,hormo-naltherapy,immunetherapyandchem-otherapy. TheAmericanCancerSociety’sguidelinesrecommendthatmenshouldgetroutinePSAscreeningatage50.However,ifyouareunder50andexperi-enceanyoftheabovesymptomsorhaveacloserelativewhohashadprostatecancer,itisreasonabletodiscussearlierprostatecancerscreeningwithyourpri-marycarephysician. “PintsforProstates”isguaranteedtobeafunandinformativeevening.JoinusSeptember7,2011,6-8pmatPyra-midAlehouse,1410LocustStreet,Wal-nutCreek.The“PintsPackage”includesacustombeerglass,beer,heavyhorsd’oeuvres,andraffletickets.Spaceislim-itedsoRSVPto925-677-5041,extension260. Dr. Kamath and Dr. Sirott practice at Diablo Valley Oncology in the Cali-fornia Cancer and Research Institute, located at 400 Taylor Blvd in Pleasant Hill. They both specialize in treating prostate cancer. www.DiabloValleyOn-cology.md.

Pints for ProstratesBy Matthew Sirott, MD and Sachin Kamath, MD

Allied Waste Golf Classic

Kiwanis MeetingJuly 14th UpdateAtarecentKiwanismeeting,JanetPopescoArchibaldfromtheSanFranciscoOperaOrchestragaveaveryinterestingprogramthatincludedperformancesontheOboeandEnglishHorn.Janet,isshownontheleft.

The11thAnnualPleasantHillCom-munityFoundationAlliedWasteGolfClassicwilltakeplaceonMonday,Oc-tober10thatthebeautifulContraCostaCountryClub.AlliedWastehasbeentheSpecialEventSponsorforalltenyearsandwaspromotedtoPresentingSpon-sorthisyear,withexemplaryeffortsandcontributionsbyTimArgentiandSusanHurl. Thistournamenthasnowraisedover$150,000foryouthprogramsinPleas-antHillaswellasthePleasantHillSeniorCareManagementProgram.Thisuniqueprogram,ledbyDanaKrider,assistssen-iorsandtheirfamiliestoremainlivingathomeorfindsalternative,affordablehousingthatsupportstheirindepend-ence. OwnerScottDavisofMagoo’sGrillandBarhasbeenamajorsponsor.He

says,“IfIcandomysmallparttomakePleasantHillabetterplace,hopefullyeve-ryonetogethercancontributetosupportyouthandseniorprograms.”DonFlynnhasvolunteeredfornineyearsandhasmadetheCasinoHoleafunexperienceforallthegolfers,stating,“Simplyput,it’sadayinthesunforamostworthwhileevent.”AdvancedEyeCareOptometryowner,BobTurciossays,“IenjoyplayingintheFoundationTournamentbecauseitiswellrun.TheContraCostaCountryClubisabeautifulgolfcourse,andtheproceedsbenefityouthandsenioractivi-ties.” Youcanparticipateinanumberofways:playinginthetournament,becom-ingaTeeorHoleSponsor,donatingagiftfortheraffle,orvolunteeringfortheday.Forfurtherinformation,pleasecallBobBerggrenat:(925)687-8610.

Thank You MartinezDear Editor, MynameisMikeAboussie.IamavarsityboysbasketballcoachatAlham-braHighSchool.IwanttopersonallythankallofthemerchantsofMartinezandnearbycitiesforalloftheircon-tributionsanddonationstoourfirstannualBoysBasketballGolfTourna-

ment,andaspecialthankstothosewhohelpedwithitsorganization.Also,IwouldliketothankGraysonWoodsGolfCoursefortheirhardworkandhospitality!BridgetNorton&TaraNor-ton(formerplayersofmine)workedlongandhardtomakeitasuccess.AspecialthanksgoestoBernieNor-tonwhoputinalotofhoursoverthe

The Community Focus invites your comments and opinions. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and submitted with first and last name. Address and daytime telephone number required but not published. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. The Focus reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, possible libel and propriety or to refuse letters we feel contradict our mission. E-mail letters for our community forum to: [email protected]

Letters and Opinions

Letters to the Editor

pastmonthtomakeitwork.MikeandNanceeAboussie(parents)andmyson,Mike,playedabigpartinpullingthistournamentoff.Itwasabeautifulafter-noonofgolfandIhopetoseeallofyoubacknextyear. Sincerely, Coach MikeHole Sponsors:LesSchwabTires,Am-berColeReality,RotoRooter,Young’sMarket,NightOwlPediatric,DiritoBrothers.Donations:SkipolinisPizza,

Dr.Harper(orthodontist),AceHard-ware,DiabloCreekGolfCourse,LaTapitia,MartinezAutoRepair,MartinezBarberShop,Waterworld,HomeDepot,andCharsFlowers.GiftbasketswereprovidedbyfamiliesofBulldogplayers.Notable administrators of the Martin-ez school district in attendance: RickRubino,C.J.Cammack,DannyHillman,andJonathanEagan.Athleticdirector,PatErtolawasalsopresent.


TEEN SCENE

Seeking Silver Award

High School Sports Cry Out for HelpBy Jeffrey Eitelgeorge, Grade 8, St. Perpetua

Recently,onbehalfofagroupofstudents,theAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU)filedalaw-suitinLosAngelesSuperiorCourtal-legingthatmanyCaliforniapublicschoolsareillegallychargingstudentsmandatoryfeestoparticipateineducationalactivities.TheStateofCaliforniaandformerGover-norArnoldSchwarzeneggerweretheonlydefendantsnamedinthelawsuit. ArticleIX,section5oftheCaliforniaConstitutionstates:“TheLegislatureshallprovideforasystemofcommonschoolsbywhichafreeschoolshallbekeptupandsupportedineachdistrict.”Inotherwords,nofeesmaybechargedtostudentstoattendschoolinCaliforniaandschooldistrictsmaynotchargefeesforeducationalactivi-tiessuchasscience,art,band,andsports. RamiMuth,thesuperintendentoftheMartinezUnifiedSchoolDistrict,recentlystated:“The ACLU lawsuit is designed to ensure that all students have fair and equita-

ble access to all resources and activities. The state’s bleak fiscal picture makes this a very challenging situation for us in Martinez. We can no longer require fees for participation in sports or other activities, nor can we collect fees for art programs, etc. If families choose not to pay the suggested donation then we have no option other than to eliminate the activity or to try to find another funding source. At this time, that is very challeng-ing to do. It is heart breaking to think that we may not be able to offer various sports or programs due to the lack of adequate funding. I am hopeful that we will be able to garner enough support through the volun-tary donations that cuts will not be neces-sary.” Inthepast,AlhambraHighSchooloftheMartinezUnifiedSchoolDistricthaschargedasportsfeeof$150perath-lete.Thisfeecoveredinsurancefortravel,transportation,janitorialcosts,andfeesforofficials,amongotherthings.Nowthatschoolscannotchargeasportsfee,itmakesdonationsfromparentsandthecommu-nityevenmoreimportant. Shouldsportsbeconsideredpartofaneducation?Insports,anathletelearns

Kelsey Maytum, an incoming sophomore at Alhambra High School, is work-ing to earn her Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. In order to accomplish this goal, she is planning a large communi-ty project: a Cut-A-Thon! “I am going to try to get people to donate their hair to make wigs for chemotherapy and alopecia patients. You only need eight inches to donate and make a difference. Unfortunately, cancer is very close to my family and me so this event really hits home,” said Kelsey. Her goal is to get enough hair to make 20 wigs, but every little bit helps. The event is on Sun-day, August 7, from 1pm -5pm at Indulge Salon in Walnut Creek. The cuts are by appointment only. To schedule your appointment contact Kelsey at [email protected]. Please spread the word and help patients in need.

The2011graduating8th gradeclassfromPleasantHillMiddleSchoolspentsixdaysontheEastCoasttouringareasofhistoricinterest.BeginningJune11th,tourguideandteacherKirstenO’LearyledeightystudentsthroughBoston,NewYorkCityandWashingtonDC,visitinghistoriclocationssuchasPly-mouthPlantationandEllisIsland.Mostofourlocalmiddleschoolsofferthisexcitingopportunitytoseemanyofthehistoricsitestheystudiedaspartofthe8thgradeAmericanhistorycur-riculum. HighlightsincludedwalkingtheFreedomTrailinBoston,exploringChi-

natowninNYCandtouringmuseumsandvisitingthememorialsinDC. ThiswasKirstenO’Leary’sninthtripescortingPHMS8th graders.“Youhavetolovethekidstodothisninetimes.EveryyearItrysomethingnewsoitstaysfreshwithmewhilegivingthestudentsafullexperience.Thefriendsandmemories theymadewilllastalifetime.Ibelievethesestudentswillallwishtoreturnandseemoreoftheeastcoastandmaybegoontoseetheworld!”O’Learywasjoinedbychap-erones/middleschoolteachersBlaiseLamarouex,JanOuimet,EricUtler,An-tonMercado,andMarkMacKusick.

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other oers.Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2010 Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Exp. 08/31/2011

sportsmanship,howtocooperatewithoth-ers,physicalfitnessandgoodworkhabits.Inadditiontowhatanathletelearns,heorsheislesslikelytogetintotroubleandisinasafeenvironment.Forthesereasons,manypeoplefeelthatsportsareacrucialpartofeducation.

Ihopethisarticlewillinformpeopleaboutthesituationourschoolsareinandencouragepeopletodonatetotheirschools’sportsprogramstoensuretheywillnotbecut.Ifyouwouldliketomakeadonation,pleasecontactyourlocalschooldistrictorathleticdirector.

PHMS East Coast TripBy Jaki Jones

PHMS Students in New York’s Times Square. Photo by groupphotos.com

http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/

http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/0795


EMAIL: [email protected] • WEB: HPCCONSTRUCTION.ORG2857 Parkway Dr. Martinez, CA 94553

Commercial & ResidentialAdditions & Remodeling

Home ImprovementsNO JOB TOO SMALL

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925-323-7765James Hagerstrand

General Contractor Lic#863963

Wood Revivers

Patrick Pardee Owner

Fence & Deck Weatherproofing& Kitchen Cabinet Restoration

925-680-2535

Established in 1990

BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORYSHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL •

Acupuncture WellnessArchitectural Wood Products

ArmandosAspire Pilates CenterAuto Parts Emporium

Bella StablesBest Western Plus John Muir Inn

Christies for KidsCity Concerts of Pleasant Hill

Coldstone CreameryCommunity Service Ad

Computer Sales and Service-SponsorshipDallimonti’s

Diablo Trophy and AwardsDowtown PH-Plaza Concerts

Fall Prevention WalkFarmers’ Market

Flaskerud- Re-MaxFlying Eagle Coin

Focus House AD- Sales personHeritage Ad

Hire My HusbandHitchcock Realty

Holt - Second Opinion FinancialHome Detailers Housekeeping

Jack’sJennifer L. Martin D.D.S.

Kobe JapanLe Jardin

Les Schwab TiresLindsay Wildlife Museum

Martinez Chamber Martinis on the PlazaMatthew C. Rinn, State Farm Insurance

Molino’s RavioliMoulding Company

Payless Painting/Quick ChangeRKL Builders

Samuels ConstructionSavanh

Senior HelpersShell 5K Run

Smiles DentistryTod Gomes

Type A YogaUMDAF

UPS – Virginia Hills

THANK YOUADVERTISERS!

8/31/11

BUSINSS SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

AD SIZE 2.75 X 1.75$75/ COLOR $60/BW PER MONTH 3 MONTH MINIMUM CONTRACT


Race Day Registration 7-8am5K Run/Walk 8:30am

$20 if registered by Sept. 23 • $30 on race dayPre-register family rate, 3 or more $15 per person

Ten age divisions. Awards given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for male & female in all divisions. Everyone receives a shirt.

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MUSD SCHOOLS

For more information call the race hotline at (925) 313-5562Register online at www.theschedule.com

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Registeronline attheschedule.com

SupportourSchools!

NEW!CHIPTimers

PastaFeed!

Prep for the race and load up on CARBS!Sponsored by Martinez Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs

Senior Center, 818 Green St., Martinez$15 per person (kids under 6 are FREE)

For Pasta Feed information call (925) 313-5562Tickets available at the Tourist Bureau, 603 Marina Vista or Martinez Unified School District Office, 921 Susana St.

Fri., Sept. 30, 2011 •�6-8pm

9th Annual

http://www.theschedule.com

August '11 pdf

Documents

Transcript of August '11 pdf