• March 2012
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March 2012
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March 2012
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FPHE’s 4th Annual Campaign Be a Part of Progress – Donate Today
The Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education’s annual campaign has begun with the goal of raising $60,000. Since 2009, FPHE has awarded $85,000 and ninety-nine grants to schools within the College Park High School feeder pattern. To continue FPHE’s goal for raising the achievement bar of education for all students in our local schools, FPHE asks you to donate to the annual campaign. Suggested donation: $75 or more. Donations in all amounts are appreciated. Contributions benefit our
community, enhance our schools, and help counteract California budget cuts. Your donation will directly impact schools. Why give? Because strong schools benefit YOU. Of course strong schools benefit students, but they also increase property values for residents. Home buyers appreciate a community’s dedication to local education because it helps local businesses, and that enhances the future of the entire community. Your donation to FPHE is an investment in your community.
Don’t Miss the FPHE Annual Campaign Events: • Dine Out for Education – Restaurant fundraiser on Tuesdays (includes lunch, dinner, and take-out). Print “Dine Out” fliers from www.fphe.org and submit to these restaurants on the following dates to ensure FPHE receives a percentage: • March 6 – Magoo’s Grill of Pleasant Hill, 1250 Contra Costa Blvd. • March 13 – Kinder’s Deli, 2227 Morello Avenue • March 20 – DeVino’s Pizza, 2221
Morello Avenue • March 27 – Pasta Pomodoro, 45C Crescent Drive • The Amazing Race – The first FPHE Amazing Race of Pleasant Hill will be on Saturday, April 21. Create a team with family, friends or co-workers! Entry fee for a team is $40. All proceeds benefit FPHE. Details will be available at www.fphe.org in March. • To donate – visit www.fphe.org and click ‘Donate’ or you can mail checks to FPHE, P.O. Box 23851, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
HELP SCHOOLS THRIVE — GIVE $75! DONATE AT www.fphe.org I wish to contribute to Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education: _____ $25
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___ Payment enclosed
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Card # __________________________________ Expiration ___ / ___ / ____ Signature _________________________________ Security Code ________ Cardholder Name (Please print) ____________________________________
Please mail this coupon to: FPHE, P.O. Box 23851 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Tax ID #: 26-2326345)
Address _________________________ City/Zip ______________________ Phone ___________________ Email Address_________________________
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JULIE SAYS
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
March 2012
The Art of Nature
By Julie Ross created by humans, specifically the When my family lived in Marystaff and volunteers of Lindsay Wildlife land, just outside of Washington, D.C., Museum. I planted a lot of tulip, daffodil and The Art of Nature is an annual event iris bulbs. After a long, drizzly, dreary, to showcase the talents of individubare tree, bone-chilling, gray winter, als who work to connect people with springtime was pure heaven. Flowers wildlife every day in the museum’s sprang to life from bulbs I had planted exhibit hall, through educational prodeep in the earth. Azaleas, freesia and grams and in the wildlife rehabilitation rhododendrons exploded with blooms hospital. This year, the show includes in every shade. Pear, apple and dogsixty-seven pieces of art including wood trees burst into clouds of white oils, watercolors, sculpture, quilts and and pink. woven baskets, each portraying an artist’s unique In our old neighborhood, home builders from interpretation of our natural world. decades ago planted a cherry tree on the boulevard I hope that, like these artists, I remember to keep in front of each house. By the time we moved in, the my eyes open to appreciate and marvel at the endless trees were mature and literally met in an arch above beauty that surrounds us. the street, forming a pink fantasy tunnel of blooms The Art of Nature runs through April 15 at Lindover our heads as we drove to work and school or say Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Avenue in Walnut strolled the sidewalks. When the spring breezes blew, Creek. Entrance to the art show is included with the pink petals drifted down to fill curbside gutters with museum admission fee of $7 for adults, $6 for seniors what looked, for all the world, like pink snow. and students and $5 for children 2-17; free admission And now back to the bulbs. Like most humans, for museum members and children under 2. The muI planted mine in neat rows and designated flower seum is open Wednesdays through Fridays, noon until beds for the most part. Yet, every spring I would see 5:00pm and weekends from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Go a clump of daffodils coming up in a different odd to www.wildife-musuem.org for more information. location or a lone tulip standing its ground nowhere near its showy brethren. It was no surprise to discover Please send comments to julieakross@comcast.net. the perpetrators of these garden escapades – it was, of course, the hyperactive backyard squirrels. They evidently liked to redecorate the lawn, digging up my bulbs and planting them somewhere they found perhaps more aesthetically pleasing. It’s true the squirrels did come up with some interesting arrangements. My favorite was a rather artful display of bright yellow daffodils placed off-center beneath the swing set, a place I certainly would not have thought of. Here in California, we have some talented rodents as well. I marvel at the way roof rats nibble just the peels off the Meyer lemons out back, leaving whole fruits hanging intact like big, sparkly yellow diamonds. Nice work! I don’t mean to imply that rodents are the only ones around who draw upon the beauty of nature to create their art. Now through April 15, “Deer Daughter” by Naomi Ruth Raine, Wildlife Rehabilitation there is a special showing of nature-inspired artwork Volunteer. Crafted from paper and found items
• Open for Business In Pleasant Hill...............page 7 • Job Fair.............................................................page 9 • High School Happenings............................ page 12 • DVAL Champions..................................page 16-17
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• Addiction, A Family Affair..............................page 18 • Dodie Jones is Honored...................................page 20 • Taxable or Non-Taxable? ................................ page 22 • Cocka-Leeky Soup............................................ page 23
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March 2012
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March 2012
IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS • IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS
It’s Home Sweet Home for Pleasant Hill Realtors
What did a boy from a small town in North Dakota and raised in northeast Iowa have in common with a girl he met from Lafayette thirty-seven years ago? Not much, but they share thirty-five years of marriage, four children, a joint-career in real estate and a lot of good memories! Don Flaskerud moved to California in the winter of 1975 and worked at a traffic safety supply manufacturing business in Berkeley for eighteen years. Norma, a graduate of UC Berkeley (History, ’71 and Teaching Credential, ’73) was an insurance adjuster. After they hooked their wagons together in marriage in 1977, the Flaskeruds settled in Pleasant Hill and began a family. In 1981, they moved from Gregory Gardens to Creekside Park and the family grew to include children Shannon, Devon, Erik and Kari. When Don grew tired of traveling the state
for work, he switched careers and got into real estate in 1987; Norma joined in. They created a locally oriented newsletter and distributed it to home-
owners, mostly by walking the neighborhoods. With focus and determination, they became Pleasant Hill’s #1 realtor in dollar volume and number of
units sold since 1994. They say opposites attract, and Don and Norma find this to be true. Bringing different talents to their business, they’ve learned to build on each other’s strengths. The Flaskeruds have built a successful realty service through pride in customer service, attention to timeliness, and professionalism combined with integrity. They continue to be specialists in Pleasant Hill, but also serve clients in surrounding towns. Don’s service in the Pleasant Hill Lion’s Club since 1981 and Norma’s service in the Pleasant Hill Rotary Club since 2001 earned them “Business Person of the Year” in 2001 and “Citizen of the Year” in 2011. They support local schools, the 4th of July festivities and fireworks, Community Service Day and were a primary force behind the City of Pleasant Hill’s 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration.
Over 450*reasons to choose Don & Norma Flaskerud as YOUR Realtor!
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Don and Norma’s listings... PENDING 2973 Knoll Dr, Conc – $160,000 212 Evelyn Dr, PH – $379,000 1655 Merian Dr, PH – $285,000
1798 La Playa Dr, Laf – $699,950 255 Nancy Ln, PH – $310,000 172 Sylvia Dr, PH – $339,000
DRE #s — Don: 00971602, Norma: 00867031
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March 2012
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PLEASANT HILL CITY BUZZ
Fore! By Jaki Jones It is ParTee time at the grand open- set-up of those clubs, including shaft flex, loft, lie and more. According to a ing of the Golfsmith in Downtown Golfsmith spokesperson, “when cusPleasant Hill on March 1. For the setomers get fit for golf clubs, if they do rious golfer or weekend warrior, the not see immediate improvement in 25,000 square foot facility once occutheir game, they can bring back their pied by Borders Books has something clubs within 30 days for an in-store for every golfer, including four highcredit.” This truly is a golfer’s interactech hitting simulators and a 7-hole tive playground. For the grand openindoor putting green! Golfers of every ing, Golfsmith will be giving away cash aptitude can sharpen their skills with a cards and $10,000 in golf gear. You can biometric, video-recorded golf lesson register throughout the weekend and taught by a certified GolfTEC coach. winners will be drawn on Sunday, the What sets this store apart from the Walnut Creek location is the expanded 4th. assortment of exclusive golf equipment, --“I don’t need to know where the green is. Where is the golf course?” accessories and apparel along with Babe Ruth, playing Pine Valley more products and services to help any linksman (or woman) improve his game. Whether you’ve “over cooked that one” (hit the ball too far over the green), or hit the ball “long and wrong” (a golfer who can hit the ball long distances but seldom in the right direction), Golfsmith can help by offering free custom fitting services for golf clubs. A Golfsmith club-fitting specialist uses computerized swing and ball analysis systems to study every aspect of a player’s swing and then recommends the best types of clubs and the
Sign Up for CERT Emergencies can occur in our communities at any time, and a large-scale disaster will quickly overwhelm local professional responders. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) were established to pitch in and help to safely assist family, neighbors and associates while waiting for first responders. CERT volunteers are well prepared for disaster and are trained to “do the greatest good for the greatest number”. The 20hour class is given one night a week and covers: Disaster Preparedness; Fire Safety; Disaster Medical Operations-Triage and Treating Life Threatening Injuries; Disaster Medical Operations-Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene; Light Search and Rescue; Team Organization and Disas-
ter Psychology. It’s not hard; 360 Pleasant Hill residents of all ages and skills have completed the course and are hoping for more citizens to jump in and join their crew. The next set of classes begin on April 5 and run through May 10th. A course review and drill will follow on a date to be decided. Join the crew and be a part of a growing and worthwhile community endeavor. To sign up, go to www. pleasanthillcert.com and click on training registration, then spend some time checking out the website for frequently asked questions and lots of useful information. All classes are held at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Training Facility at 2945 Treat Blvd. in Concord and begin at 6:30 p.m.
New Safeway Opens!
On February 16, Safeway held a grand opening of its newest store at 707 Contra Costa Boulevard. The College Park Jazz Band played as hundreds of customers pushed shopping carts around displays of fresh produce, through a fullservice meat section and down aisles that extend to ninety-four feet. This 59,000 square foot “lifestyle supermarket” is the future for Safeway. According to Susan Houghton, Director of Public and Government Affairs, “All the stores we build now follow this model. You’ll see expanded selections in seafood, meat, produce,
as well as other amenities like larger organic offerings.” On behalf of the store opening, Safeway presented FPHE Treasurer, Sue Noack, and Denise Koroslev of Rodgers Ranch with a donation of $2500. The College Park Jazz Band also received a $500 donation. In addition, a new fueling center has been added that accommodates twelve stations. “Our customers tell us that offering an opportunity to buy gas is desirable. Where we can, we try to include this model. Most recently, we built a new gas station in Campbell and it is heavily used,” continued Houghton.
Burger News The slab has been poured for the In-N-Out Burger in the Pleasant Hill Shopping Center at 570 Contra Costa Boulevard, and the building is now in the framing stage. You can almost smell those fries! Won’t be long now.
City Calendar of Events Architectural Review Commission March 1, 15 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 5:00pm Contact: 671-5209
Education Commission March 28 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 7:00pm Contact: 671-5229
City Council Meeting March 5, 19 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane Council Chambers, 7:30pm Contact: 671-5229
Planning Commission March 13, 27 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane Council Chambers, 7:30pm Contact: 671-5209
Civic Action Commission March 7 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane Small Community Room, 6:30pm Contact: 671-5229
Zoning Administrator March 8, 22 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane Public Works Conference Room, 5:00pm Contact: 671-5209 For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us
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PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3/2 - Ambassador Meeting City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, 8am - 9am 3/6– Leadership Lunch (formerly Ambassador Lunch) Kobe Japan 1918 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill 11:45pm - 1pm
3/26 – Government Affairs Committee Back Forty Texas BBQ 4:30pm - 6:00pm CALENDAR SPONSORED BY
3/15 – Board of Directors Meeting City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 7:45am
MARTINEZ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE For More Information Regarding Ambassador Meeting – If interested in attending, contact Reba at 228-2345 or email Reba@ martinezchamber.com
citizens from the community for their contributions to the betterment of Martinez. For dinner tickets and more information call the Chamber @ 228-2345.
3/1 – Citizen of the Year Nomination Deadline – Last day we will be accepting letters of nomination for Citizen of the Year candidates. For guidelines visit www.martinezchamber. com or call the Chamber office.
3/29 – 4/1 – Carnival Butler Amusement – Thursday thru Sunday – Rides, Games, Food & Fun. Located at Hwy 680 & Hwy 4 (Pacheco Exit off Hwy 4), All Day Wristbands: $20 Advance Sale Tickets (at the Chamber office); $25 at the Carnival. Call the Martinez Chamber for more information!
3/8 – Chamber Mixer – Thursday, 5:30pm7:30pm – Type A Yoga – 607 Gregory Lane, Ste. 150, Pleasant Hill. Great Networking, Food, Fun, Raffle Prizes (Bring a raffle prize and have your business announced!)
3/21 – Mixer Courtyard by Marriott 2250 Contra Costa Boulevard, Pleasant Hill 5:30pm - 7:30pm 3/26 – Green Committee Back Forty Texas BBQ, 4:00pm - 5:00pm Please verify schedule at www.pleasanthillchamber.com • 925-687-0700
Ribbon Cutting
No Drugs, Incorporated
March 2012
3/15 – Educational Series – #1 Brand and Deliver (part 1 of 3), presented by Fadhila Holman, CEO, California Pacific Federal Credit Union - Thursday, 12-1pm - Doors open at 11:30. John Muir Best Western Inn, 445 Muir Station Rd., $10 to Chamber Members, NonMembers $20. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to the Chamber or email info@martinezchamber.com.
Please verify schedule at www.martinezchamber.com • 925-228-2345
CALENDAR SPONSORED BY
3/24 – Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner – Saturday, 6-9pm at the Martinez Events Center, 524 Main St., Martinez. We will be honoring
Ribbon Cutting
Little Hunan Chinese Cuisine
2835 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite E | Pleasant Hill, CA
No Drugs, Incorporated is a drug and alcohol testing service provider. We are a preferred collection site for every Department of Human Health Services laboratory and also an eScreen partner. If your company is currently drug and alcohol testing with any laboratory or organization on a national level, No Drugs, Inc. can provide the collection of the samples on your account at no charge to your organization. If your company is local and would like to discuss implementing or changing a drug testing program, contact us for a quote or more information. We utilize paperless Chains of Custody (chronological documentation) and we have the eScreen reader for MRO (medical review officer) results within minutes. We are open Monday - Friday 8am – 5pm, no appointment necessary, and are available 24 hours for emergencies. We can collect at our facility or at your location anywhere nationwide. We are located at 827 Arnold Dr., Suite 70, in Martinez. www.nodrugsinc.com or call 800-490-DRUG. Photo by richardcash.com
DID YOU KNOW...WE DO MORE THAN BUSINESS CARDS?
Minuteman
Press
PLEASANT HILL
925-256-6444 www.minutemanpressph.com
WE CAN HANDLE ALL OF YOUR NEEDS... NEED FLYERS FOR YOUR SCHOOL EVENT? NEED POSTERS FOR YOUR UPCOMING EVENT? OR DO YOU NEED.... COLOR COPIES OR EVERYDAY OFFICE FORMS ANNOUNCEMENTS... BABY, GRADUATION INVITATIONS OR HOLIDAY CARDS PROMOTIONAL ITEMS ... TSHIRTS, STICKERS POSTERS, TICKETS FLYERS, PRINTED OR COPIED EVENT PROGRAMS, SWIM MEET EVENT BOOKS WHAT DO YOU NEED? WE CAN HANDLE IT FOR YOU Pleasant Hill City Hall Photo by Susan Wood Photography
Little Hunan Chinese Cuisine held its grand opening and ribbon cutting on January 26. Newly decorated, Little Hunan is warm and comforting and serves a delicious variety of entrees, with specialties that include General Chicken, Prawns in Hunan Style and Kun Bao Seafood Combination. We offer thirty-three lunch specials, starting at $6.50, Monday through Saturday, 11:00am to 2:30pm. Join us for dinner 4:30 to 9:00pm. We are closed Sunday. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted. We offer catering trays, take-out, and combination lunch and dinner boxes for company parties. If you feel like great Chinese food in a traditional setting, give Little Hunan a try. Too tired to cook or go out? Little Hunan also delivers!! 621 Las Juntas Street right off Main Street in downtown Martinez. 925-229-0455. Photo by richardcash.com
Martinez Chamber of Commerce Presents
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2012 The Chamber is accepting nominations for the following: Young Man & Young Woman of the Year • Man & Woman of the Year Service Without Borders • Educator/Teacher of the Year • Lifetime Achievement
Nomination Deadline Thursday March 1st Visit www.martinezchamber.com for guidelines. Email to reba@martinezchamber.com or fax to 925-228-2356
March 2012
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Real Estate Update As I write this, about six weeks of 2012 are in our rearview mirror. And thanks to a dramatic shift in market conditions, what a crazy six weeks it has been! If you just woke up from a sevenyear coma and jumped into the housing market, you might think it was still the year 2005, were it not for the lower home prices. Buying real estate is popular again, period. Multiple offers are all but standard
By Nathan Hitchcock issue, especially when the home is priced ing rebound should occur in 2012. Comwell or located in a more desirable area. pletely gone from the average buyer’s Pretty much every conversation I’ve psyche are those fears about whether or had with an active buyer in the past few not now is the time to buy. This renewed weeks has included something along confidence in the real estate market has the lines of, “We’re writing offers, but we fueled buyer demand significantly. keep getting beat out by other buyers. It The second factor, though, is proving just seems like there is hardly anything to be even more impactful: our invenout there for sale.” tory of homes for sale locally is at its low The condition is not necessarily unest level since 2005. This can be largely common for this time of year. Buyers attributed to a drop in foreclosure rates. come out fresh and eager to buy on Janu- Thanks to recent foreclosure paperwork ary 2nd, but sellers are not quite in the scandals, as well as improved governselling mood yet. Most are still packing ment incentives, banks are keeping peoaway holiday decorations, finishing long ple in their homes in far greater numbers overdue maintenance projects and waitthrough loan modifications and other ing for their winterized yards to fill in means. with fresh spring foliage. The low inventory and high demand There has been an added intensity have created great competition among this year, however, thanks to two factors. buyers, and prices appear to be rising as First, buyer interest is way up. It’s clear a result. We’ll need to wait a few more that the media, the “experts,” and the gen- weeks for current sales to hit the books, eral public are all starting to agree that but from my hands-on perspective as an the worst is likely behind us and a housactive buying and listing agent, homes appear to be selling for about 5% to 15%
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HOUSING NEWS
higher than they were at the end of 2011. Only time will tell if these new market conditions will continue. I encourage those frustrated buyers out there to be patient and not make any rash decisions. We’ll undoubtedly get lots of fresh inventory as spring approaches; the real question is how well the market will absorb it. If buyer demand continues to exceed the available supply, prices will go up. More likely though, the new inventory will lessen the current intensity and prices will stabilize. Either way, it’s looking like 2012 will indeed be a recovery year for real estate. Nathan Hitchcock is the managing broker of Hitchcock Realty, a residential real estate brokerage and property management firm in downtown Pleasant Hill. He can be reached at nathan@ hitchcockrealty.com or (925) 825-1100. Data contained herein was obtained from the CCAR Multiple Listing Service. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.
Job and Internship Fair Join us for the 11th Annual Partnership for Success, Summer Job & Internship Fair on Tuesday, March 27 10am-1pm. This event is co-Sponsored by Diablo Valley College & Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District.
If you are a businesses and interested in having a booth at the fair, the registration fee is $55, which includes a table and lunch for two recruiters. For more information or to register your business visit: www.dvc.edu/ org or call (925) 685-1230 ext. 2435.
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MARTINEZ CITY BUZZ
March 2012
Mayor’s Message
Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez look to be picking up. However, we still continue to live within our means and still have over 400 homes in foreclosure and provide the highest level of service to our 200 more on the pre-foreclosure list. residents and businesses. This will continue The city’s financial picture looks to be to become more and more difficult if revfairly stable. We closed an $800,000 strucenues don’t start moving back to a positive tural deficit through strategic reorganizadirection. tion, froze five vacant positions, made two Although we have been dealing with positions half-time, and negotiated cuts a very challenging economic climate, some and cost sharing with our three hard-workpositive projects have been completed in ing and loyal employee groups. We expect Martinez. Both the Rankin Aquatic Center to end this fiscal year with an unrestrictive and the Martinez Library were completed fund balance of $3.3 million and forecast on time and opened under budget. Rankin that sales and property tax will remain flat. Park, Tavan Field and Holiday Hills Park We are also constantly looking for will open this spring and summer with all ways to increase revenue without raisnew facilities, irrigation and landscaping. ing fees. Currently we are working with In 2011, the city invested over $1 milsome of our larger tax generators that are lion in improving our roads and streets. interested in expanding their operations We paved Main Street, Shell Avenue, Reliez in Martinez. But most importantly, we will Valley Road and streets in several neighborhoods. In 2012 we expect to invest $1 million in streets and roads again. These include Arnold Drive, Center Avenue and Christmas House Fire Morello near Highway 4. The Brock family lost their Martinez “Christmas House” to a fire on January 17. Every
On February 7, I delivered my 9th State of the City address in the Creekside Church auditorium to a room of about 200 people. Hosted by the Martinez Area Chamber of Commerce, this is an annual event that gives the mayor an opportunity to report on where we have been, where we are now, and where we are going. These last few years have been challenging for local government, but I am cautiously optimistic that we are starting to see some stability and maybe even some economic growth in the next few years. Foreclosures have slowed and home sales
City Messages
Christmas they made their house a focal centerpiece with grand displays and endearing personalities. The household bears a family of five and they are in need of assistance. Gift cards from various stores such as WalMart, Kohl’s, and Target would be greatly appreciated to ensure that all clothing and necessities are attainable. According to the Brock Family Christmas House Facebook page, donations can be brought to 965 Center Avenue in Martinez while their house is being rebuilt. There is currently a public account set up at Wells Fargo (Acct. #7144692550) c/o Sharon Brock, to help the family out as well.
Mini Motorland
On Saturday, March 31 from 10am – noon, the John Muir Amphitheater at 115 Tarantino Drive will be turned into a unique track for electric ride-on cars, big wheels and tricycles. Youngsters will be able to stop for gas, have faces painted, order from the drive-thru window, get car washes, and visit the tire shop, library, historical museum, florist and other cool places! New drivers can practice parking, stopping and backing up. It’s safe, fun and self-contained. Parents should bring a camera and your child’s favorite riding toy. Snacks will be served to all drivers. Licenses are included. Space is limited to the first 150 children. To reserve a spot, pre-register by calling Martinez Recreation at 372-3510. Event is for ages 2 -5 and costs $8 per child. NO DOGS, NO GAS POWERED RIDE-ON VEHICLES.
City Calendar of Events City Council Meeting March 7, 21, 7:00pm-11:00pm Contact: 925-372-3500
Design Review Meeting March 14, 28, 3:00pm-5:00pm Contact: 925-372-3500
Arbor Day Tree Planting March 8, 10:00-11:30am, Susana Park. Park and Recreation staff will provide crafts and planting for Arbor Day participants.
Park, Recreation, Marina & Cultural Commission March 20, 7:00pm-11:00pm
Youth Baseball Parade March 10, 10am-11:30am The parade will begin at City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street and continue onto Main Street.
Planning Commission Meeting March 13, 27, 7:00pm-11:00pm Contact: 925-372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting March 7, 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm Contact: 925-372-3500
All City Meetings at City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, Unless Otherwise Indicated For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org
Overall, the city of Martinez is still a very safe place. Part 1 crimes (typically violent crimes), are flat with overall crimes declining by 14%. Neighborhood Watch is a program that works well with the new neighborhood policing area initiative. Many such programs have been developed since this initiative was put in place, and they are already having an impact on reducing crime in neighborhoods. If you would like more information about Neighborhood Watch, or would like to set one up, go to the city’s website (www. cityofmartinez.org) and find the map that lists your neighborhood. Then email your area officers to arrange a meeting. For the first time, the police department is planning to participate in the National Night Out Against Crime Campaign in August. The Chief asked me to encourage all of you to participate in this crime prevention and awareness event for the community.
Emergency Preparedness By Steve Fisher Have you thought about what you would do in a major disaster? Do you have the training, knowledge, and skills to help your family, friends or neighbors? Realistically, it is not “if” but “when” a disaster will strike our community. Are you ready? The Martinez Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) wants you to be able to answer “yes.” The Martinez CERT members are your neighbors who volunteer to assist Martinez citizens and surrounding unincorporated areas in case of emergency. These volunteers go through twenty hours of classes that cover Emergency Preparedness, Fire Suppression, Utility Control, Triage, Medical Operations Transport, Light Search and Rescue, Incident Command, and Radio Communications. While some cities must now charge for the basic CERT class, the Martinez CERT group still offers it for free. There are two sets of basic CERT classes offered this spring. One set is on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:30 pm for five weeks (4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, and 5/22), and will be held at the Animal Services classroom, 4900
Imhoff Place. The other will be on Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm for three weeks (3/24, 3/31, and 4/7) and will be held at Martinez City Hall in Council Chambers at 525 Henrietta St. The skills’ exercise (disaster drill) for these CERT classes will be on Saturday, June 2, from 8:00 am to noon. In addition to the basic class, some CERT students continue on to take more advanced classes. The Martinez CERT group will be offering a special three-hour class on Personal Emergency Preparedness on March 3 from 9:00 am to noon at the Martinez City Hall in Council Chambers at 525 Henrietta St. This presentation was developed by Gil Patton, the Emergency Management Coordinator at the Oakland Coordination Center for the Dept. of Homeland Security. The seminar is free and open to the public on a first come basis, as seating is limited. To register for any of the CERT classes, email your name, phone number and address to Martinez.cert@ gmail.com, or contact Lt. Roth of the Martinez Police at aroth@cityofmartinez.org
March 2012
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Page 11
CORKS AND FORKS
Pair Up With La Sommelierre Maria Terry March 2012 – Seasonal Eating Even though winter is barely over, many of us are starting to plan for summer by planting gardens, scheduling the kids’ activities and making reservations to visit exotic locations. While preparing for the summer, enjoy this light meal that uses the last of the winter foods and matches them with wines that bring out their best qualities. Oysters are truly a delicious treat and must be cooked or eaten from a live state. Live oysters are tightly closed and will snap shut if tapped. If the shell is open, the oyster is dead and it cannot be eaten safely. Some say oysters are only safe to eat in months with the letter ‘r’ in their names. This rule is based on a variety of possibilities: oysters in the northern hemisphere are much more likely to spoil in warmer months, warmer temperatures trigger spawning in some oysters (resulting in an unpleasant texture), and warmer temperatures increase the concentration of phytoplankton contaminated with arsenic that oysters could possibly ingest. Luckily, technology is on our side and commercially collected oysters are generally safe as long as they are alive. Muscadet (moosk-a-day) is my favorite wine to pair with oysters. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, it
is crisp and dry with mineral and citrus zest flavors. Muscadet is made exclusively on the west coast of France in the Nantes region. Its proximity to the sea has made it a longtime companion to oysters. If you can’t find Muscadet, a Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis will provide the necessary acidity. And, for an extra sharp bite, top your oysters with the Mignonette sauce listed here. To end the meal, a delicate terrine of seasonal citrus can be paired with the Orange Muscat used to make it. The Muscat grape is very different from the Melon de Bourgogne grape.
Muscats are incredibly floral wines and often made quite sweet. There are multiple varieties of Muscat and they are grown all over the world. Wines like Moscato and Muscat de Rivesaltes are both made from Muscat grapes. Orange Muscat is used for dessert wines in California and Australia and has a
very definite orange aroma. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more great wines and information please visit Maria’s website at www.LaSommelierre.com.
Citrus Terrine in Muscat Gelée INGREDIENTS 2 large red grapefruits 1 large white grapefruit 2 navel oranges 2 tangerines 1 tablespoon candied grapefruit strips 4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (less than 2 envelopes) ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons cold water 1¼ cups Orange Muscat such as Essensia ½ cup sugar DIRECTIONS With a sharp knife cut peel from fruits, including all white pith. Cut sections free from membranes and remove any seeds. Chop candied grapefruit strips. In a cup, sprinkle gelatin over 3 tablespoons cold water and let stand about one minute to soften. In a small sauce-
pan, bring Muscat and sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and boil 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Stir in remaining water and transfer mixture to a bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water. Cool mixture slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour a thin layer of gel on bottom of 1-quart nonreactive terrine or loaf pan and arrange fruit sections and candied grapefruit decoratively. Carefully pour remaining gel over all. Chill covered until firm, at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days. Dip a thin knife in hot water and run knife around edge. Dip pan into a larger pan of hot water 3 to 5 seconds to loosen. Invert a serving plate over pan and invert onto plate. Yield: 8-10 Servings
Martha Stewart’s Mignonette INGREDIENTS 1 shallot, finely chopped 1½ teaspoons coarsely ground pepper ½ cup sherry vinegar ½ cup champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
rry We ca ’s women g clothin too!
DIRECTIONS Stir together shallot, pepper, and vinegars. Let stand 20 minutes before serving. Yield: 1 Cup
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Page 12
HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
Once Upon A Mattress
The Alhambra High School drama department is gearing up for their spring musical, “Once Upon A Mattress,” the classic Broadway musical version of the fairytale, “The Princess and the Pea,” and features music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer. “Mattress is the story of the Princess and the Pea, jazzed up with great music. It’s a light-hearted musical comedy,” says drama teacher Gerard Wiener. The show opens on April 26 with additional shows on April 27 and May 3, 4, and 5. Curtain is at 7pm. Pre-sale tickets will be available for $8 for the April shows, $10 for May shows, and $5 for kids 12 and under. Tickets at the door will be $10 in April, $12 in May and $5 for kids. Tickets can be purchased using the Alhambra webstore: http://alhambrahs.revtrak.net/.
Alhambra High School Cancer Awareness Walk The student-lead Cancer Awareness Walk for Kristina Hunter on Saturday, February 11 was a huge success and raised over $900. Kristina graduated in 2001 from Alhambra High School, where she was involved in the student leadership program. Kristina learned she had cancer late last year, and her friends and family continue to raise money to help her be completely healed from stage IV cancer. “We hope to make this a yearly event,” said leadership teacher Marianne Griffin. “Donations can continue to be mailed to support the Kristina Healing Fund or Pennies for Patients.” Checks can be made out to the Kristina Healing Fund or Pennies for Patients and mailed to Alhambra High School Student Leadership, 150 E Street in Martinez, 94553.
Pictured are Mikaela Walsh, Kailynn Boyd, Angelica Cornelius and Carly Bergerhouse.
Foundation Update
At the PTSA meeting on February 7, Katherine Bracken from the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation presented Bruce Rockwell, Choir Instructor for College Park High School, with a check in the amount of $750 to go towards a sound system for the choir room.
March 2012
Rehearsals Underway for “Anything Goes”
“Anything Goes” is College Park’s spring musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves zany antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. Billy Crocker is a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Moonface Martin aid Billy in his quest to win Hope. The show stars Hunter Kane as Billy Crocker, Rosey Williams as Hope Harcourt, Helena Martyn as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Christian McCooey as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Isaiah Douglass as Moonface Martin. Emma Covington and Gabriella Marchion share the role of Reno Sweeney.
CP Choir Presents an Italian Dinner Show
The College Park multi-use room will be transformed into a cozy trattoria on the night of March 30. Bruce Rockwell, Vocal Music Director, explains that, “the Bella Notte Italian Dinner Show is a fundraiser for the choir program. We will be serving a lavish meal of great Italian food cooked by local chefs. Some of the food will be donated by local restaurants and some will be prepared by choir parents. The choirs will perform classic Italian and Italian-American music like, ‘Time to Say Goodbye,’ ‘O Sole Mio,’ ‘Mambo Italiano,’ ‘That’s Amore,’ and more! It is going to be a lot of fun.” The event starts at 6:30pm. $20 Adults/$10 Students/Children, 7 and under are free. To purchase tickets, visit: www.ticketturtle.com/index. php?show=25735
CP Congratulates Honor Roll Students College Park High School congratulated the first semester’s Honor Roll students on Valentine’s Day with an Ice Cream Social. To celebrate their accomplishments, the Promote Academic Success Committee of the CPHS PTSA honored students with ice cream treats generously discounted by the Virginia Hills Safeway store. An outstanding group of 941 students qualified for the Honor roll this semester by earning a GPA of 3.0 or better on their semester report cards. Principal Paul Gengler sweetened the award by helping pass out the treats.
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March 2012
Page 13
MARTINEZ HISTORICAL SOCIETY
John Muir Comes to Martinez Article resources: “Cultural Landscape Report for John Muir National Historical Site” by Jeffrey Killion, historical landscape architect, with Mark Davison, historical landscape architect, Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation; miscellaneous National Park Service articles. John Muir was born on April 21, 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, the third of eight children. In his autobiography, he described his boyhood pursuits as ”fighting, re-enacting romantic battles of the Scottish Wars of Independence or just scrapping on the playground, and hunting for birds’ nests.” His adult pursuits resulted in a conservation legacy and being revered as the “father of the National Park System.” In the summer of 1874, Dr. John Strentzel, a well-known California horticulturist, his wife, and their daughter, Louie Wanda, visited the home of a friend where Muir was then living and writing. The meeting prompted an invitation to Muir to “visit the ranch.” It was not until the fall of 1877 that Muir accepted Dr. Strentzel’s invitation. Muir arrived in Martinez in a small boat and walked the three miles to the Alhambra ranch house and its eighty acres of
By Gay Gerlack, Martinez Historical Society daughter was born and the Contra Coschoice orchards and vineyards. In a letta Gazette reported: “For the man who ter to his sister he wrote: in the wilderness had found no time to “They pitied my very looks and enjoy and even correspond with children, made me eat and sleep, stuffing me with life must have seemed complete in March turkey, chicken, beef, and fruits, and jelof 1881, when he became the proud father lies in the most extravagant manner of a little girl, who was given the name imaginable, and begged me to stay a Wanda.” Muir wrote to a friend, “I am month.” now the happiest man in the world…” By the spring of 1879, Muir and Muir proved to be a very successLouie were engaged and Mrs. Strentzel ful farmer and businessman. He focused wrote: on cultivating fruit such as Bartlett pears “Mr. Muir is the only man that the Dr. and I have ever felt we could take into and Tokay grapes. His produce was in high demand by both the eastern and our family as one of us and he is the only western markets, and the ranch profited. one that Louie has ever loved, altho (sic) As one story has it, Muir would drive up she has had many offers of marriage.” In the summer of 1879, Muir trav- to the bank, put out a big white bag labeled “laundry,” and vanish inside. eled to Alaska aboard the steamer VicNot all the lands at the Strentzeltoria and Dr. Strentzel and Louie saw him off at the Martinez wharf. They sent Muir Ranch were brought into production; Mrs. Strentzel long admired the care packages of wine, jelly, and cherry preserves; Muir sent back a book, maps, hills south and west of the Alhambra ranch house – a range which includes and pressed leaves. Wedding arrangethe park’s Mt. Wanda. She envisioned ments were made the following winter a time when “other generations will be and the ceremony took place on April here to enjoy the scene.” Muir also chose 14, 1880 in the Alhambra ranch house. to preserve these hills for their beauty, The Strentzel’s wedding gift to the counatural character, and botanical variety, ple was the Alhambra ranch house and maintaining it as a preserve for frequent the surrounding twenty acres of vinewalks and botany excursions with his yards and orchards. daughters, friends and colleagues. Views In 1881, Muir and Louie’s first
from the top were, in Muir’s words, “delightful in color, like a fairyland,” and on clear days, the pencil-like outline of the Sierras was visible. The excursions to this untouched area would become an important part of Muir’s life at the fruit ranch. When Dr. Strentzel passed away in 1890, the Muirs moved into the Victorian home where much of Muir’s writing was done in the old library den, on the second floor. Knowing her husband was not content to stay at home, Louie would “shoo Muir back up to the mountains” and he is quoted as saying “Going to the mountains is going home.” Muir worked to establish more than 21 million acres of forest reserves, which became the foundation for the U.S. Forest Service. John Muir died on December 24, 1914. On April 21 of this year, the John Muir Association and the National Park Service will host the John Muir Birthday – Earth Day Celebration at the John Muir National site in Martinez from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event will feature over fifty exhibitors offering a host of earth day activities and environmental awareness information for kids and adults.
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Page 14
March 2012
Top Five Reverse Mortgage Myths Myth 1: If I take out a reverse mortgage the lender will own my home. False: Homeowners still retain title and ownership to their homes during the life of the loan, and can choose to sell the home at any time. The borrower continues to live in and maintain the home, pays property taxes and homeowners insurance. Myth 2: There are restrictions on how reverse mortgage proceeds may be used. False: There are no restrictions. The cash proceeds from the reverse mortgage can be used for virtually any purpose and borrowers should be cautious of lenders attempting to cross sell other products. Many seniors have used reverse mortgages to pay off debt, help their kids, make ends meet or to have a financial reserve.
By Rod Harris, Generation Mortgage Myth 3: I cannot get a reverse mortfederal and state benefits’ administragage if I have an existing mortgage. tors or financial advisors. False: With enough equity in your Please call Rod Harris, Reverse home, you would pay off any existing Mortgage Professional here toll free mortgage so that your reverse mortgage at 888-688-6144, Ext. 215, locally at is in first lien position. This is the most 925-522-9600 or email at rod.harris@ common reason most homeowners take generationmortgage.com and he can out a reverse mortgage. provide information for you to deter Myth 4: If I outlive my life expecmine if a reverse mortgage is the right tancy, the lender will evict me. choice for you or your parents. NMLS False: Reverse mortgage lenders put #248041 no time limit on how long seniors can stay in their homes. Since homeowners still own the property, lenders cannot evict them, provided they follow the program guidelines. Myth 5: My Social Security and Medicare will be affected. Fact: A reverse mortgage generally does not affect your Federal Social Security or Medicare benefits. However, if you are on Medicaid, funds that you retain would count as an asset and could impact Medicaid eligibility. To be sure, we recommend that you consult your
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March 2012
Page 15
SENIOR ENVY
Pave the Way
As completion of the new Senior Center draws near, the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District invites you to join the Brick Brigade and help pave the way! The completion date for the new building is estimated for this fall, and the goal is to have as many personalized bricks for the grand opening as possible. Members of the community are invited to purchase inscribed bricks that will be installed in the walkway leading to the beautiful new 22,000 square foot Senior Center and also the lining for the front entry to the building. This is your opportunity to leave your legacy at the doorstep. Brick by brick, gift by gift, pledge by pledge, your partnership is needed to reach this goal, and the deadline is coming right up. A limited number of bricks are available for inscription, and many orders have already been placed. Your tax deductible purchase will help fund furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the new Senior Center. Each brick paving the way to the new Senior Center
costs $200 and allows three lines of up to 20 characters per line. Using state-of-theart laser technology, these durable bricks will create a lasting impression as wellGary as a Bogue has written a daily column on pets, wildlife, & enviro To date, 13 source of pride for our community. issues for the Contra Costa Times for 42 years & has published 5 bo A number of additional ways to give Attend the free senior resource faire with over 50 vendors. Enjoy St. Andrew’s Church 1601 Mary Dr., Pleasant Hill your c are described on the district’s campaign lunch and buy your tickets for our famous raffle drawing which will featu $25 (60 years & up) ~ $30 General Admission website. Go to www.pleasanthillrec.com from the Oakland Athletics and many more! and click on the Capital Campaign tab. Pledge and brick order forms along with Purchase and Naming Opportunities are also available there for downloading. Please call the District Office at (925) 682-0896 for more information or to 249 Gregory Lane (925) 798-8788 make a contribution by phone. Checks should be made out to the Pleasant Hill Mar. 9 - Wine, Art & Silent Auction Fundraiser. Sip a glass of wine while browsing Community Foundation (the fiscal agent the local artists’ work. Shop for that perfect piece and place your bets at the silent auction! 5pm-7:30pm. Tickets available at the Senior Center. Proceeds for the campaign) and mailed to 147 To date, Gary Bogue hasCenter written a daily columnCall on the pets, wildlife, & for environmental benefit the NEW Senior and Teen Center. Senior Center more Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, Ca 94523. issues for the Contra Costa Times for 42 years & has published 5 books.
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Pleasant Hill Senior Activities
information about the event. Artists will be local and some are from the Mar-
Attend the Association. free seniorWinslow resource faire2590 withPleasant over 50Hill vendors. Enjoy your catered tinez Arts Center, Rd., $15 Members/ $18 lunch and buy your tickets for our famous raffle drawing which will feature prizes General. from the Oakland Athletics and many more!
Mar. 24 – Pleasant Hill Senior Center Quilt Sale – 9am-1pm. VFW Bldg.: 1919 Wendell Ln., Pleasant Hill. Free admission. Handmade quilts of all kinds! Mar. 25 - Bunco. Potluck at 2pm; Bunco begins at 3pm. Fun and friendly atmosphere where no prior knowledge of the game is necessary! Buy your ticket at the Senior Center office (relocated to the Little House.) Tickets: $4 plus bring potluck item to feed four people. VFW Bldg.: 1919 Wendell Lane. Mar. 28 – Classroom in the Community: “Tests you Want to Take” – 10am-11am. The first 10 people to register will receive a free lunch from our CC Café, compliments of SCAN Health Plan. If you are not one of the first 10 to sign up, you may still reserve a meal for $2. Lunch is served at 11:30am. Pre-registration is required for lunch. Call the Senior Center to register: 798-8788. Free admission. St. Andrew’s Church, 1601 Mary Dr., Pleasant Hill.
Martinez Senior Activities 818 Green St. (925) 370-8770 Mar. 11 – Pancake Breakfast – 8am – 11am - This delicious breakfast includes pancakes or toast, sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee. Everyone is welcome. Cost is $3.50 for adults/$2 for children 10 and under. Handmade crafts, perfect for gifts, will be on sale during the breakfast. Mar. 30 – Vagabond Players present Beyond Reasonable Doubt – 1pm - “Without a doubt, mystery lovers will enjoy this drama! Sir David Metcalfe is conducting the most important defense of his career – his own! Accused of the willful murder of his terminally ill wife, Sir David finds himself locked in a legal combat with his old rival, Anthony Blair-Booth QC, prosecuting counsel. Take your seat in the jury for one of the most compelling courtroom dramas of all time. During intermission the audience casts their vote on the guilt or innocence of Sir David before enjoying a light buffet. Cost: $10 members, $12 non-members. Tickets on sale now. Don’t miss this entertaining afternoon. Deadline to purchase is Monday, March 26, unless we reach capacity before that date. April 6 – AARP Refresher Course- 11am-4pm (Includes a 30-minute break) - This one-day 4.5-hour course is for anyone who has taken the 8-hour AARP Driver Safety Training in the past four years. Either course qualifies you for a mature driver discount with your auto insurance company. (Please check with your insurance agent for details.) Fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Class will fill up quickly. Register now by calling 370-8770. Make checks payable to “AARP” and give to the instructor the day of class.
Page 16
HOME TEAM
Local Athletes Dominate the Page Several local players were selected to the boys’ high school All-American water polo list. Dominic Lucido, a senior water polo player from Alhambra, was selected as an Eighth-Team All-American for the 2011 season. Tyler “TJ” Sylvia, a senior soccer player from Alhambra, signed a Letter of Intent to attend the University of San Francisco. Omar Omilabu, a graduate of Alhambra, played for two seasons at Laney College in Oakland. The big lineman has announced that he has signed on to attend Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo to play football this fall. According to the Martinez NewsGazette, Alhambra Lady Bulldogs player Anne Whipple signed a letter of intent to attend St. Mary’s College to play soccer in the coming 2012-2013 season and beyond. Whipple, a senior, is one of the best players on varsity and has played at that level since her sophomore year. Whipple has been a main source for offense this season for Alhambra. Ethan Lipson-Gokcen of the Alhambra boy’s soccer team allowed just one goal in two DFAL wins. Lipson-Gokcen, the team’s goalkeeper, stopped eight shots in a 3-1 win over visiting Las Lomas on Jan. 25, then made seven more saves in a 2-0 win at Miramonte on Jan. 27. Aly Conway, a 2008 graduate and basketball standout from Alhambra, will graduate from Sonoma State in May with an applied mathematics degree. Conway
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March 2012
Season Ticket By Chuck Nan is President of the Student Athlete Advithe Alhambra golf team scored a hole-inin their weight classes. sory Committee (SAAC), team captain of one during a practice round at Franklin The Diablo Valley College football the basketball team and has maintained Canyon Golf Course, the Bulldogs’ home provided opportunity for many of its a 3.025 GPA for the last 3 1/2 years. This course. Hammer hit the ace on the fourth players to extend their careers at fourpast semester Conway recorded a 3.825. hole, a 165-yard par-three. According to year schools as they left a mark on Na On the basketball floor, Conway has reports, Hammer used an 8-iron for the tional Signing Day. Eight Viking players a 63.5% shooting percentage and a solid feat. It was the young golfer’s first ace and signed to continue their careers. Leading 51.2% for her four-year career at SSU. witnessed by teammates Tim O’Leary and the way was standout safety Eric FineThat makes her No. 1 in shooting perMatt White, as well as Coach Steve Sloper. feuiaki, who signed with San Jose State. centage all time for the Lady Seawolves. In mid-February, junior Anastasia Also signing were Julius Chulu (MidIn addition, Conway has 46 blocked shots Lobsinger of Alhambra was the lone western State), Clyde Ignont (Menlo), (20 this year) which is third all-time. Chris Mamon (Stonybrook), Kevin Moss champion crowned at the NCS Wrestling She is just 40 points away from the “500 Championships. Lobsinger was victori(Montana Tech), Chris Motley (Central Club.” With eight games to go in the Washington), Dada Richards (New Mexi- ous in the 154-pound class. season, she will defiantly leave her mark co State) and Marc Thompson (Northern in the record books at SSU. Arizona). Santiago Alejandro of the Alhambra In early February, Zach Hammer of boy’s soccer team was on a sizzling tear. Alejandro scored five goals over a threegame period as the Bulldogs tied two and won the third. Alejandro is the DFAL’s goal-scoring leader with 18 for the season. The Dogs are 9-7-5 in 2011-12. Michael Daily of the College Park boy’s basketball team tallied 16 points to lead the Falcons to a 54-59 win over rival Concord to close-out the month of January. Daily then followed that game with 24 points in the 59-40 win over Clayton Valley. Daily is second on the team with a 10.3 scoring average. Junior Mikey Eggleton leads the team with 14.3 points per game. The Falcons clinched the DVAL title on February 14th. The College Park High wrestling team enjoyed a successful two days at the Puma Classic in Santa Rosa as they earned second-place. Brian Sergi (147) Alhambra senior Tyler “TJ” Sylvia is signing a letter of intent to play soccer at the University of San Francisco. Photo by Conrad Rowling, 510.385.4869 and J.J. Chou (162) won individual titles
TJ Sylvia Signs With Dons
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March 2012
Three Cheers
The Alhambra Competition Cheer squad earned thirdplace at the UCA Nor-Cal Championship on February 4 and then notched second-place the very next day at the USA California Open. The entire AHS competition cheer squad, Coach Erin Chin, and Assistant Coach Tina Stetenfeld were very appreciative to Morgan Sepulveda for stepping in on short notice for the injured Candy Bennett. This year’s team is comprised of Jenn Webb, Aneysa Martinez, Tori Carozza, Amanda Herndon, Rianna Hawes, Morgan Sepulveda, Sarah Grilli, Sabrina Swicegood, Mary White, Shelby Fortner, Michaela Henry, Lexi Lozow, Sarah Mahy, Mariah Pergakis, Dani Herndon, Carly Bergerhouse, Marisa Aguilar, Sabrina Schulhauser, Kate Hopkins and Amanda Noel.
Alex Ranked 3rd in State
Page 17
HOME TEAM
Varsity DVAL Champs
College Park was victorious in their second matchup with Northgate, 53-43 clinching their championship. They have begun North Coast Sectional playoffs seeded 3rd. Tod Gomes, creativelookphoto.com
CP DVAL Champs
Women’s Varsity Soccer ends the season with an 11-1 league record and 16-6-2 overall. They lost to the California Grizzlies 1-0 in the 2nd round of NCS playoffs. Photo by Lisa Rumph
Super Season for JV
College Park wrestling earned their 7th straight DVAL Championship qualifying all 14 wrestlers for North Coast Sectionals (NCS). Alex Encarnacion, a senior at College Park, is currently ranked 3rd in the state at 220 pounds. He has been ranked as high as 2nd this year. He won his first league championship February 15th at CPHS. As of press time, he is looking to win his first North Coast Section championship at Newark Memorial HS. He is currently ranked 1st in NCS. He will then be looking for his first CIF State Championship the first weekend in March in Bakersfield.
Baseball Parade Info
Pleasant Hill Baseball Association will hold its Opening Day on Saturday March 10. The festivities will start at 8am with a parade beginning at the intersection of Boyd Rd. and Patterson Blvd ending at Pleasant Hill Middle School. There will be food and games for the kids. The Martinez parade will take place on March 10 as well, starting at 10am at City Hall Plaza. The parade will make its way to Alhambra Ave. then on to Main St. ending at Las Juntas Street. The team introductions will be made at Main Street Plaza. A picnic at the marina will follow the parade.
The JV Lady Falcons celebrate being undefeated in league! Photo by Lisa Rumpf
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Tutoring Can Help By Neville Yeung, Yeung Tutorial Group Want to raise your grades? Need to prepare for college? Yeung Tutorial Group can help! Being smart isn’t about knowing all the answers, because that’s impossible. It’s about being able to adapt to any obstacle that comes your way. At Yeung Tutorial Group, we don’t cram your head full of formulas and vocabulary words, hoping you’ll produce the right one at the right time. We teach you useful skills that will get you through a math exam, SAT test or anything else life throws you. Yeung Tutorial Group offers a variety of programs that will empower students to succeed in any academic endeavor: Easy Math: Make math easy! Our math enrichment class will guide you to understand and master difficult mathematical concepts. Writing Workshops: Learn how to write a killer essay, personal statement, timed writing for SAT/AP exams, you name it. SAT Prep: The SAT isn’t a test of intelligence; it’s a game with high stakes. With us, you’ll learn how to
beat the odds. Homework Help: Our program helps elementary and middle school students finish assignments on time and prepare for upcoming tests. We also offer individual tutoring in any subject: math, science, English, social sciences, etc. Check out our website at www.yeungtutorialgroup.com! To get more information about our services, call (925) 689-2996 or e-mail info@yeungtutorialgroup.com. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you to achieve your goals.
wanna
GET IN FOCUS? Have a story about your team or an athlete? Got a nice story everyone needs to know? We want to hear from our Teen Community! Deadline for submission is 2nd Friday of each month. Pictures need to be a min. of 1MB in size.
Send to info@ourcommunityfocus.com
March 2012
Addiction Treatment: A Family Affair By Marilee King, Executive Director Vision Quest they didn’t cause the problem and that When someone is addicted to drugs they can’t control or cure the problem. (including alcohol, marijuana or pills), When all family members are involved in everyone in the family is affected and the recovery process, it helps to alleviate should get help. The best treatment for stress, which can lead to depression, anxiaddiction is one in which the entire famety and other mental health disorders. ily’s issues are addressed. As the illness Marilee has an MA in Counseling of a chemically dependent person gets Psychology, Drug and Alcohol Treatment worse, the family spirals into a more Certification, Adult Education teachdysfunctional place. Unhealthy behaving Credential, and has worked in many iors that protect “the secret” addiction counties with a diverse population of must be challenged and newer, healthier people. behaviors need to be reinforced. Families She is the director of Vision Quest: touched by addictions must learn new Educational and Group Programs in ways of coping without drugs, alcohol, Pleasant Hill. You can reach Vision co-dependency and shame. Quest at: 925-231-5556, 380 Civic People with addictions need to gain information and support from other clean BLDG. #200 – H, Pleasant Hill. and sober people. Partners of addicted We want to hear from you. people need to take care of themselves Submit your story and photos to us on our and let go of controlling the addict. With website:www.ourcommunityfocus.com or help, partners will begin to set boundaries call 925-335-NEWS. Deadline is 2nd Friday of each month. and keep them enforced. It is important that children learn
Education & Healing Group Services Assisting People From All Walks of Life ©
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eet M We offer many programs including: March 3 arilee! ,1 11am-1p0, 17 Alcohol & Drug Treatment Recovery Programs m Children Affected by Addiction Teen Insight Groups for those using alcohol and/or drugs
Marilee King, Executive Director An experienced group facilitator with nearly 20 years of experience working in groups with children, adults, teens and families.
(925) 231-5556 • 380 Civic Dr. Suite 200~H, Pleasant Hill, CA
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March 2012
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Walk, March, Walk, Skip Do you want more out of your walking routine but know in your heart that running is not for you? Do you need to “feel the rush,” but know your joints cannot stand the pounding of the pavement? This “Walk, March, Walk, Skip” routine may seem over the top and silly (possibly…probably…embarrassing) but it will surely get your heart rate up and put a smile on your face — both of which will reduce your stress, strengthen your body, and brighten your day. Start with your regular walking routine as your warm-up. Enjoy the sensation of standing tall and upright and congratulate yourself on taking the time to care for yourself. After your body is warm and ready, channel your inner child and begin marching. Imagine you are a drum major in a fancy uniform. While keeping your belly pulled towards your spine and hold-
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By Tonya Marie Amos, Aspire Pilates ing yourself beautifully upright, take a creased, you’ll get that “rush” you’ve been aren’t receiving the intense pounding of step and bring your opposite knee as high looking for, and your body and inner running. as you can toward your chest. Then do the So when you want to increase your child will thank you. same with the other leg. Step, march, step, For more information, please call walk to the next level, mix in some drum march. In order to execute this move(925) 680-4400 or go to www.AspirePilmajor marching and skip on down the ment while standing tall, the muscles of atesCenter.com road. You’ll find your heart rate has inyour legs, hips, abdominals and upper back have to work extra hard. March until you’ve had enough, being sure to stop By Nancy Robinson, Owner Le Jardin at the Spa before you exhaust your muscles and are medical conditions. Studies have found Spring will be here before you know still able to keep your joints in healthy that massage helps: relieve stress, manage it. These easy tips will get you ready for alignment. anxiety and depression, alleviate pain and the new season. Now start walking again. Once stiffness, control blood pressure, treat 1. Protect yourself from the sun. you’ve settled into walking, start to skip. sports-related injuries, and boost immuThe most important way to prevent wrinYes, skip. Channel your inner child again, nity. kles and skin cancer is avoid direct and be carefree and forget about anyone 4. Exercise. Want to feel better, prolonged sun exposure. A lifetime of exwho might be looking. Honestly, who have more energy and perhaps even live posure can cause wrinkles, age spots and doesn’t instantly smile when they skip (or longer? Look no further than exercise. A other skin problems, as well as increase see someone else skip)? Notice that no thirty-minute brisk walk, four or more the risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreen matter how serious your day looks, you times a week, can make a world of with an SPF of at least 30 on your face have to smile (and maybe giggle) while difference. and hands. On your body, use an SPF of you’re passing your nosy neighbor who’s 5. Don’t Forget About Your Face. at least 15 and reapply sunscreen every peeking out her window. Now check your Facials have anti-aging benefits and can two hours when you’re outdoors -- more heart rate. You’ll see that it has joyfully slow down the onset of wrinkles. Regular often if you’re swimming or perspiring. increased while your knees, feet and back facials can improve a dull complexion by 2. Hydrate. Drinks lots of WATER! treating acne, toning and clarifying the Keep those toxins moving. To calculate skin, eliminating puffiness and renewing the correct amount of water to drink per skin cells. Additionally, facials can give day, take your body weight in pounds a person a clean and bright complexion and divide by two. For example, a 140 by treating acne and removing dirt and pound woman should drink seventy blackheads. ounces of water per day. Visit Le Jardin at the Spa on 1603 3. Manage your stress with masOak park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. 925-925sage. Massage is offered alongside 4247 www.lejardinatthespa.com standard treatment for a wide range of
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March 2012
Recreation - Not Just a Job, But a Way of Life After working almost forty years for the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District, Dodie Jones announced her departure to the surprise of all. Tom McHale first met Dodie in 1964, when he was dating one of her daughters and well before he worked for PHRPD and was a member of the Board of Directors for nineteen years. He remembered visiting their home in Alameda. “Dodie was the first hippy I ever met,” he said. “They always had a craft project set out on the kitchen table or were doing something creative, and they didn’t have a TV.” Dodie worked as after-school Sports Director and Cultural Arts Specialist for the Alameda Recreation and Park Department, and Tom remembers that Dodie was asked to coach a boy’s flag football team for intra-mural sports competitions. She knew nothing about the game of football, but went to the library, learned the game, and coached the team. Tom “borrowed Dodie from Alameda and never gave her back,” hiring her as a Recreation Leader for Tot-Time because he liked her approach to teaching. She encouraged the children’s natural curiosity, let them explore and come up with their own questions. To represent dinosaur eggs, Dodie recalled bringing cantaloupes to work one day and hiding them. “The children loved it and spent the afternoon finding them, counting them,
By Carole Lucido
Al Hurtado, Dodie Jones and Stephen Foreman
learning all about prehistoric creatures and, finally, eating them,” she said. Dodie touched the lives of hundreds of preschool-age children. She was promoted to Co-Director of the “Runabouts” Preschool Program, along with Jean Holm. Bob Berggren, General Manager of PHR&PD said, “Dodie and Jean’s pre-school program was second to none. They were an outstanding team that taught hundreds of kids, preparing them for the next step of Kindergarten. I was fortunate to have my two daughters attend this outstanding program.” Dodie is an excellent ceramist and taught pottery as well as a variety of classes over the years including Cake Decorating, Holiday Decora-
“Egg”citing Egg Hunt On Saturday, April 7, Rain or Shine! Come be a part of this 57-year Pleasant Hill tradition! The Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District and the Pleasant Hill Lions Club will once again present their popular egg hunt for children ages ten and under. Come out to Pleasant Hill Park and enjoy a beautiful day with great music from Strawberry Fields DJ. Check in at 9:30am. The first egg hunt, for ages 0-3, begins at 10:30am, followed by egg hunts for ages 4–5; and then 7–10 year-olds; Cost is $6 per child. Find the Golden Ticket in your egg and win a very special prize! Pre-registration is required by noon on April 6; call (925) 682-0896 or visit www. pleasanthillrec.com.
tions, Crafts & Masks, Christmas Cards, Sports, and other classes for both kids and adults. She initiated and directed the Holiday Decoration Show in Alameda. She is also an outstanding photographer and always had her camera near. In 1980, she was promoted to Programs Supervisor for adult arts and crafts classes, fitness, martial arts, plus cooking, dance, tennis, and golf classes
for both adult and youth. Dodie took over the District’s Recreation Summer School in 1995, a six-week enrichment program for youth. In 2000, Communications was added to her job description and she supervised a team to produce the Activity Guide three times a year, as well as flyers, posters, banners, and the district’s website. Dodie also initiated, organized, and implemented many special events including the district’s 50th anniversary in 2001, and the Multicultural Celebration in 2002-2004. She also managed Literary Women every year since 2002. She has received numerous awards from California Park & Recreation Society for marketing campaigns, brochures, programs, and the website. In November 2002, she won the Community Plus Award by the City of Pleasant Hill. The PHRPD hosted a celebration on January 27 and more than 120 friends and co-workers attended. Dodie thanked the group for the impact they made on her life, and welcomed all to keep in touch. Dodie leaves a legacy of recreation through the many lives she has touched.
Bears, Bears, Oh My! Thanks to the generosity of a local collector, over 400 stuffed and ceramic bears have been donated to Friends of Rodgers Ranch and the Pleasant Hill Historical Society to sell. This fundraiser will help in the restoration of Rodgers Ranch, a farm house on Cortsen Road that was built in 1867 and offers heritage programs to the public. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. There are cute bears dressed in outfits, cuddly bears ready to be snuggled, ceramic bears for displaying and collectible bears including Steiff, Hermann and Boyd. (Collectible bears are in a private home until day of sale.) We even have some non-bear cuddlies. The sale will be Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25, 10am - 4pm at Rodgers Ranch, 315 Cortsen Rd., Pleasant Hill. For more information about the sale, visit www.rodgersranch.org or contact Denise Koroslev at 925-387-0158.
March 2012
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Eyes Wide Shut A good friend shared a story during a recent phone call that had such an effect on me, I think others might benefit from hearing it. Like all of us, my buddy wants nothing but the best for his children. His sixteen year old daughter is a junior standout softball and basketball player at a local high school, and since she was in 7th grade, he has invested time and money in his attempts to get her that elusive college scholarship. They have spent countless hours practicing on their own or with her competitive teams, and have worked diligently with costly instructors to get her to the next level. Weekends have been spent at prestigious showcase tournaments in Southern California, Stockton and elsewhere, hoping she would be “seen” by college
By Andy Armosino GPA student explained she scouts. Not to mention had done all this for her the constant manipulating father and how scared she of her online athletic and had been to tell him how academic resume and the she really felt. She went endless e-mails to potenon to say that she enjoyed tial suitors. Little did he softball and basketball, but realize how this “full time did not want the rest of her job” was taking its toll on school years to pass her by. his prized “pupil.” She wanted to hang around Recently, she conwith her friends more, attacted her father at work tend school dances, enjoy and said she would like to bike rides and hikes, and go on dates. have a sit-down conversation with both parents that evening. When they did, my Ultimately, she just wanted to be a kid. The final bomb dropped when she added friend was brought to his knees by the that, although she absolutely plans to message she delivered. continue her education after high school, The very emotional young lady she had no aspirations of adding athletics somehow found the courage to tell her to her collegiate schedule. parents that enough was enough. For In my friend’s own words, “If my the next hour, the tears flowed as the 4.1 daughter was considered emotional during that conversation, then I must have seemed like an infant weeping uncontrollably, not because she had no interest in sports at the next level, but because I
did not recognize what she really wanted and because she felt too frightened to come talk to her own father before now.” That is what hurt him the most. He said he knew he had the best intentions for his daughter, but those were blurred by what he wanted for her instead of what she wanted for herself. A few weeks have gone by since their conversation, and with the weight of the world off her shoulders, she continues to play basketball, averaging around fifteen points a contest, but dad no longer pushes her to shoot a hundred free throws after games. Instead, she may enjoy a Cold Stone ice cream with teammates. She is very much looking forward to the upcoming varsity softball season. Pops will definitely be in the bleachers watching and cheering, but will not be in his usual spot behind the backstop analyzing her every swing or critiquing the way she fields ground balls. Turns out, this was one of the best phone calls I ever received.
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March 2012
Taxable or Non-Taxable Income? “Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all the year.”-Ogden Nash Welcome to the month of March! You still have a little over six weeks to file your tax returns, so you might like a bit of information on the taxation front. Although most income you receive is taxable and must be reported on your federal income tax return, there are some instances when income may not be taxable. The following items do not have to be included as taxable income: •Adoption expense reimbursements for qualifying expenses • Child support payments • Gifts, bequests and inheritances • Meals and lodging for the convenience of your employer • Compensatory damages awarded for
By Donna Berggren amounts. Amounts used for room and physical injury or physical sickness board do not qualify for the exclusion. • Welfare benefits • Non-cash income. Taxable income may • Cash rebates from a dealer or manufacbe in a form other than cash. One exturer ample of this is bartering, which is an ex• Life insurance proceeds, which were change of property or services. The fair paid to you because of the insured permarket value of goods and services exson’s death, are generally not taxable Some income may be taxable under certain circumstances, but not taxable in other situations. Examples of items that may or may not be included in your taxable income are: putman berggren tonti • Cancellation of Debt. Income from the CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY discharge of indebtedness is generally Full Service included in income, however, there are Tax & Accounting exclusions provided for certain circumstances. SPECIALIZING IN: • Scholarship or Fellowship Grant. If you Tax Planning & Preparation are a candidate for a degree, you can exTax Problem Resolution clude what you received as a qualified scholarship or fellowship from income Small Business Accounting
changed is fully taxable. Obviously, these lists are not all inclusive, and if you have any questions or concerns about your tax situation, please give us a call. We are at your service! Putman, Berggren, Tonti Certified Public Accountancy, (925) 827-1400.
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March 2012
Page 23
Sweet Leeks and Winter Citrus Anyone who has ever received a monthly “box of produce” from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) knows that you get what is in season, and sometimes you just don’t know what that thing is or what to do with it. One of my goals in working with farmers’ markets over the years is to demonstrate how to use weird and unusual produce that shows up in your box. I have a few underused fruits and vegetables I like to highlight this time of year. One is leeks. Sliced up and sautéed in olive oil, they will caramelize and become almost leek butter that you can marry with any produce and finish cooking together. The union will last forever in the happy food part of your brain. Royally statuesque and well known as a favorite of Nero’s, 4000 years of sweet flavored leeks are ours to partake this season. Long cylinders
By Lesley Stiles of bundled leaf sheaths with blanched with Roquefort dressing. Of course, white innards and bright green tops, there is always the sweet and spicy the leeks are at their peak in winter. Use Cocka-leeky soup waiting in the wings the entire leek to cook with, and you’ll for a revitalized creation all its own. understand the difference between Another underused and possibly the refined bottom half and the subtle fearful looking winter favorite is the sweet top of this onion family mempommelo. Pommelos currently reign ber. Sautéed leeks and potatoes classias winter citrus rock stars. Known as cally combined with chicken stock and an aphrodisiac, this ancient fruit supa touch of cream, brought to a simmer posedly brings good luck in the Chifor a bit and blended, result in a velvety nese New Year. They grow as big as Vichyssoise. When using an entire leek basketballs and their thick, cushy skin sautéed in olive oil with shitake mushcan be intimidating for the wannabe room, slices of chicken breast and fresh pommelo eater, but with little effort, tarragon, the end product will illustrate great rewards await the palate. Its flesh the subtlety of the alliums and the need ranges in color from lime green to ruby to habitually place them in our market red, and you’ll want to peel it down to basket. While at the farmers’ market, the fruit and slurp up the juice that is you may occasionally come upon a leek sweeter than its grapefruit cousin. Secflower. This rare treat must be quickly, tion as you would an orange to embelquietly swooped upon, taken home, lish Napa cabbage, toasted peanut, scalchopped up, placed in a tart crust with lion and roasted chicken salad dressed whipped, salted eggs and chévre and baked to golden, bubbling perfection. Chopped leek flowers lend mysterious flavor sprinkled in green salads tossed
6 large leeks, cleaned and sliced thin 2 stalks celery, sliced 2 large carrots, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 sweet potato, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 pounds chicken thighs, boneless, skin removed, cut up
12 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup barley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste 1 teaspoon of Sriracha hot sauce or your favorite hot sauce
Directions:
In a large soup pot heat olive oil to medium high and sauté leeks and garlic for 10 minutes. Add celery, carrots, sweet potato and barley. Sauté for another 10 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 more minutes. Add chicken and simmer another 10 minutes. Season to taste with hot sauce, herbs, salt and pepper. Serves 10. TION MEHNIS AD T GET F TO 0 OF $1.0
with chopped mint, cilantro, rice vinegar and drizzled sesame oil. Caramelize sections in melted butter and brown sugar to slather over winter shortcake dolloped with crème fraiche. Toss with kiwi, kumquats, navel and Cara Cara oranges for an amazing winter fruit salad. Impressive in size and tasting like a true sweetheart of a citrus, pommelos will captivate your senses and render you a believer. All at the farmers’ market awaiting your purchase and consumption. This, my friends, is the stuff of New Year’s resolution eating. Still there? Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustainable caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at lesleystiles@ comcast.net, www.lesleystiles.blogspot. com and visit her new website: www. lesleystilesfoods.com.
Grad Night Help for College Park HS
Cocka-Leeky Soup Ingredients:
THE GARDEN
The College Park Grad Night Food Committee Chairs are looking for a parent of a junior or younger to shadow them this year. Ideally this parent would co-chair with the current food committee and then cochair again in 2013. That is a lot of co-chairing but it means you never have to do it by yourself! This is my 4th and final year as food person for CP grad night and I will miss it. It is a blast to do. You get to think up fun ideas for the food that goes along with the theme and décor. The sys-
tem is so set that it is not hard at all with a little planning. Are there any food people out there who want to come and have some fun with us in the kitchen while doing something fantastic for the seniors at CP? I know you are out there! E-mail me at lesleystiles@comcast.net .
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March 2012
In the Mix Walnut Creek’s Matt Tidmarsh may not only be the friendliest musician in the area, but he is the biggest! Unofficially 6’8” in height, he literally stands above the rest. Standing next to Matt reminded me of the movie “Twins,” as I channeled my inner Danny DeVito! Now I know why his website is www. BigBassMan.com. Born in La Jolla, Tidmarsh and his family lived in Los Angeles and Hawaii for the first years of his life, but ended up living in the East Bay. After a short stint as an Elvis impersonator in Japan, Tidmarsh became a founding member of the popular cover bands Tainted Love and Super Diamond. He also performs in his rockabilly band, Spinout. Matt was kind enough to grant me a little interview. Due to security issues, we met at an undisclosed location and then, after being blindfolded and driven around for hours, I finally ended up at the Tidmarsh compound. What inspired you to become a musician? Music chose me. My mother used
By Paul Cotruvo to tell me that, while living in Hawaii, few shows in some of the rock clubs in she started to learn to play the ukulele. San Francisco. Who knew it would turn Every time she would practice while I into a business. Anyway, I had to borrow was a toddler, I was mesmerized. I can’t my mom’s records so I could learn the think of a time when I wasn’t into music. material. I think Neil Diamond has I’ll be playing in some capacity always. written some very well crafted songs that I’ll probably be playing tuba in the have withstood the test of time. People community band when I’m in my 80’s. still go crazy when they hear them. Who were some of your influences? Do you have a favorite moment of I’m just another suburban kid who loved your career so far? The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. I learned Playing the David Letterman show my instrument while listening to jazz was cool, especially because it was If my friends say I’m acting wild as a bug bassists like Jaco Pastorius and Stanley recorded at the Ed Sullivan Theater, Clarke. I didn’t get into Elvis until the where Elvis and The Beatles performed. I and in love it would be “All Shook Up.” Check out Super Diamond on March 1980’s. These days I’m listening to old think the Hollywood Bowl has to be my 2, at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco recordings of Little Richard. Those guys favorite moment so far. It was awesome and Spinout at Dan’s Bar in Walnut Creek knew how to rock. to say, “Everybody clap your hands,” to on April 21. Were you always a Neil Diamond 18,000 people and have them do it! fan or did you learn to appreciate him If you were an Elvis song, what song Quote of the Month: “You are the sun, I am the moon after becoming a member of Super would you be and why? You are the words, I am the tune Diamond? It depends. When I’m down and out Play me” – Neil Diamond I guess I was a second generation it would be “You Gave Me a Mountain.” Neil Diamond fan via my mom. When I got the call asking if I was interested in playing in a Neil Diamond band, I was March 1: Chris Cain Band, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8:00pm playing in a very hard rock band and I March 10: Sin Silver, Rocco’s, 2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek, 8:30pm March 10: Golden Ticket, Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggins Drive, Pleasant Hill,6:00pm had very long hair. I had to think about March 23: Wonderbread 5, Dan’s Bar, 1524 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 10:00pm it for a second, but I knew my mom March 23: Tender Mercies, Armandos, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8:00pm really loved Neil Diamond. I thought it March 24: Lumberyard, Dallimontis, 1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, 9:30pm would be a hoot to play his music for a
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March 2012
Hours: Mon-Thur 11-8PM Fri & Sat 11-9PM Open Sundays During Main Street Events Only
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RESTAURANT GUIDE for more information contact us atcontact us at for more please information please
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PLEASANT HILL
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Voted Best Japanese Restaurant by Best of the Bay TV Viewers in 2010
$30 Birthday Certificate 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
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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
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March 2012
Calendar events Ongoing - Moving for Life – Exercise for Cancer Recovery. This class is a nationally recognized dance-based exercise program tailored for people with cancer, from diagnosis through treatment and onward. This aerobic and expressive exercise program: Promotes increased range of motion, lymphatic drainage, aerobic capacity, strength-training, flexibility and coordination; enhances body image and overall body-minded wellness; addresses fatigue, muscular weakness, weight gain and joint or bone pain; provides realistic tools to deal with stress; awakens and enlivens bodies and souls. Designed to teach and empower, so you can use techniques at home and helps to alleviate symptoms of chemo brain. Tuesday, 6-7pm and Thursday, 10-11am. California Cancer and Research Institute, 400 Taylor Blvd., #300, Pleasant Hill. For more details and to register, call Shayna at 925-677-5041 x231. *Please bring your own Yoga Mat. 3/1-3/22 – Learn To Bowl. Learn something fun and make new friends in the process. Ages 6-18. Students need to wear socks. Please pre-register by calling 372-3510. Thursdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm. $18/Martinez residents; $20/non resident. Fee includes use of bowling ball and shoes. Paddock Bowl, 5915 Pacheco Blvd., Pacheco. 3/4- 3/20 - PH-Martinez Soccer Association Registration. Pleasant Hill Middle School, 1 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill on the following dates: 3/4: 9am-3pm; 3/8: 6pm9pm; 3/20: 6pm-9pm. $85 per player, 3rd player $60. Anyone born between 8/1/93 and 7/21/08 can play. Visit www.eAYSO.com for more information. 3/7 – Fairytale Princess Party. For ages 2-6. Wear your princess dress and be a princess for a day with your mom or dad. Includes Fairytale Princess story time, a snack, and creating a very special princess crown. 3:30pm-4:30 pm at Winslow Center Assembly Room, 2590 Pleasant Hill Rd., Pleasant Hill. $9/child, $6/ adult. Register by February 29 by calling (925) 682-0896 or via www.pleasanthillrec.com. 3/9 - Registration Closes for Adult Sports Spring Leagues. Softball, soccer, volleyball, kickball, flag football and basketball. For a registration packet go to pleasanthillrecsports. com, call Sheila at 925.682.0896 or email her
at sgeorge@pleasanthillrec.com. 3/9 - Simply Wine…Wine, Art & Silent Auction Fundraiser. Rescheduled from 1/27. 5pm-7:30pm at the Winslow Center, 2590 Pleasant Hill Rd. Tickets are $18. Casually sip on a glass of wine while browsing the work of local artists. Shop around for that perfect piece and place your bets at the silent auction! Tickets available at the Senior Center. Proceeds benefit the NEW Senior Center and Teen Center. Call the Senior Center for more info on the event. The Martinez Arts Association along with other local artists will have fine art and goods on display and for sale. 3/16 - St. Pat goes to Hollywood! 6:00pm. The Pleasant Hill Rotary joins the Big C Athletic Club in a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and fundraiser, “St. Pat goes to Hollywood.” Tickets are $45.00 per person or $425 for a table of 10. Includes champagne, appetizers, food, entertainment, dancing, and Irish merriment. All proceeds to benefit many charities! Dress as your favorite Hollywood character. Best Costume wins a prize. Space is severely limited, so contact Jessica Braverman to buy tickets now (Jessica@BravermanSolutions.com). Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. The Big C Athletic Club is located at 1381 Galaxy Way, Concord. 3/31 - Mini Motorland. For ages 2-5 years old and from 10 am to Noon. A unique track for electric ride-on cars, big wheels and tricycles at the John Muir Amphitheater on Tarantino Drive. Youngsters will be able to stop for gas, visit the tire shop, car wash, library, historical museum and other cool places! Bring your child’s favorite riding toy. Space is limited to the first 150 children. To reserve a spot, pre-register by calling Martinez Recreation at 372-3510. $8 per child. No dogs. No gas powered ride-on vehicles. 3/31 - Hippity Hop Art Workshop & Bunny Visit. For ages 3–6 and from 9:30–10:30am. Enjoy a morning with bunny while you create fun spring arts and crafts projects. Light refreshments included. Parent participation required. Don’t forget your camera! To register, call 682-0896. Sign up early; space is limited to 20 persons per time slot. Register by Mar. 23. Location: M.J. Studios, 670 Gregory Ln., Suite G., Pleasant Hill. $10/child; $7/ Adult.
4/7 - Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt. 10:00am at the Waterfront Park grass area in Martinez. For ages 2 – 9. Enjoy face painting Bring your own camera to take pictures with the Bunny.
At the library Pleasant Hill Tuesdays - Pick up your box of organic fruits and vegetables every week by signing up with Doorstep Farmers, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) service that supports the local agricultural community and sustainable healthy living. Locally grown produce delivered every Tuesday between 5-7pm. All subscribers will receive a 5% discount for choosing Pleasant Hill Library as their pick-up location. Mother Goose Storytime. Ages 0-3. Wednesdays - 11:15-11:45am; Fridays - 11:1511:45pm & 1:15-1:45pm. Thursdays - Preschool Storytime, ages 3-5. 11:15-11:45am. Saturdays – Saturday Story Time, Babies, Preschoolers, Kids. 11:15-11:45am. 3/10 & 3/24 (Saturdays) – eReader Extravaganza! Learn How to Download Library Ebooks. 2pm-3pm in the Computer Lab. 3/13 – Book Club. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann. Room A; 6:30pm-7:30pm. Contact: 646-6434. 3/14 – The PHUN Team, Pleasant Hill United Nerds Team, formerly known as the Teen Advisory Group (TAG). For ages 13-18. Meet other teens and the young adult librarian to share and plan what you want to see happen at the library. Every 2nd Wednesday. Room A; 3:30pm-5pm. 3/27 – Jungle Joe Puppet Show - Join us on a wild adventure into the jungle with Jungle Joe’s “Animal Trainer” puppet show! This hilarious performance teaches kids how to make animal sounds, do animal tricks, and how animals want to be treated! 6:30pm7:30pm. Contact 927-3235. Thursdays 3/1, 3/16 & 3/29 – Wii for Teens – Play some board games too! Room A; 3pm4:30pm.
Martinez: Mondays 3/5, 3/12, 3/26 - Pajama Time. 6:30pm-7:30pm, all ages welcome. 3/5 – Pajama Time & Dr. Seuss Birthday Party! Remember that fellow, the Cat in the Hat? Come enjoy stories, games and treats in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Get your face painted like the Cat, then roll up your sleeves to help us paint a mural of those zany Seuss characters. Tuesdays - Mother Goose Storytime -10:3011am, ages 0-3. 3/13 – Book Discussion Group - Join us as we discuss Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín Adults. 6:45pm. Contact Catherine Oliver at (925) 646-9900.
THEATER PRODUCTIONS 3/16 - 4/1 - The Crucible. Directed by Nicole Hess Diestler and written by Arthur Miller. Based on true events in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts. The play’s action highlights human greed, malice, deception, judgement, and mania and is a parable of the Congressional Communist witch hunts led by Senator Joe McCarthy in 1950’s America. Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm. 3/23 - 4/1 - Babes In Arms. A Center Stage & S.T.A.G.E. Troupe Musical Production. This fast-paced musical comedy boasts one of the greatest scores ever written, with the lyrics and music of Rodgers & Hart. Famous tunes include Funny Valentine, The Lady is a Tramp, and Johnny One Note. Call 943SHOW. Director: Stephen Foreman. Producer: Doña Foreman. Location: Lesher Center for the Arts: 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $14. 3/16 - 4/15 - CCMT’s Sunset Boulevard. Contra Costa Musical Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. Tickets range from $44 to $49 (with discounts available for seniors and students, and special group rates) and are on sale at the Lesher Center Ticket Office, 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Call: 925.943.SHOW (9437469). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.lesherArtscenter.org.
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Sunset Boulevard Premiers in the East Bay Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary Season in 2011, Contra Costa Musical Theatre (CCMT) will build on its reputation for presenting local premieres by treating East Bay audiences to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Sunset Boulevard at the Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, March 16 through April 15. In recent seasons, CCMT has premiered blockbuster shows including Titanic, The Musical (2004), The Full Monty (2005), Urinetown, The Musical and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2006), RENT (2010) and Hairspray (2011). Sunset Boulevard tells the mesmerizing tale of silent movie star, Norma Desmond, who longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by Hollywood with the advent of ‘talkies.’ Her glamour has faded in all but her own mind. When she meets struggling Hollywood screen-writer Joe Gillis under dramatic circumstances, their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion. Sunset Boulevard boasts Lloyd Webber’s “most shamelessly and artfully constructed score, and offers two of his best songs in ‘With One Look’ and ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye.’” (Time Magazine). The writing team for the stage production reinvented Billy Wilder’s 1950 classic film noir as a romantic musical spectacle, adhering closely to the screenplay co-authored by Wilder. Praised by many critics when first released, the film, starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden, was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won three. Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation was first produced in London’s West End in July 1993, featuring Patti LuPone as Norma Desmond. The American premiere opened in Los Angeles later that year and featured Glenn Close. Ms. Close recreated her role for the Broadway Premiere in 1994, earning her a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress. The production garnered an additional six Tony Awards, including those for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book of a Musical. The show
(L to R) Keyboardist Joan Cifarelli and Musical Director Karl Pister collaborate with lead cast members Nicole Helfer, Robert Lopez and Annmarie Martin (Member, Actors Equity Association) during the first full rehearsal of CCMT production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. Photo by Randy Wanser
is almost exclusively sung through, with only occasional moments of dialogue. CCMT will be tackling the lush and intricate score with a twenty-five piece professional orchestra, directed and conducted by multi-Shellie award-winner Karl Pister. Based in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa Musical Theatre is a community based, non-profit organization that produces musicals and provides a home to local and national talent. CCMT has been honored with numerous Shellie Awards and Bay Area Theatre Critic Circle Awards for their productions and for the work of their artists. Since its move to the 800-seat Hofmann Theater at The Lesher Center for the Arts in 1990, and with ongoing support from its Season Partner, the Diablo Regional Arts Association, CCMT has produced more than forty full-scale productions of Broadway classics and recent hit musical shows. Three years ago, CCMT joined with East Bay producing theatre group, Center Repertory Company, to offer patrons a full annual calendar of entertainment. CCMT and Center REP’s partnership gives local theater patrons the opportunity to see ten productions on all three stages of the
Lesher – including classic musicals and plays, recent Tony Award winners, and provocative new work. Tickets for Sunset Boulevard are
available now at The Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office, located at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, and at Barnes & Noble Walnut Creek Ticket Outlet, 1149 S. Main Street. Purchase tickets by phone at (925) 943-7469 or online at www.lesherArtscenter.org. CCMT is always looking for talent and volunteers. If you are a Bay Area Director, Musical Director, Choreographer, Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, Costumer, Technical Director, Sound Designer, or Stage Manager, CCMT welcomes your resume via email at resumes@ccmt.org. Volunteer opportunities include Stage Crew, Follow Spot Operators, and serving on one of several committees. Email your interest to volunteers@ccmt.org. For those interested in performing, auditions are held twice per season: in May/June for the Fall production; and October/November for the spring production. Auditions are by appointment only.
Craft Beer Festival On Saturday, April 2, the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival returns to Martinez. This year the event will be located at the beautiful Martinez Waterfront Park located on Joe DiMaggio Dr., close to the Historic Cannery District. Enjoy more than 30 top microbreweries west of the Mississippi and rocking live music including Garageland Rodeo, and PUSH featuring Dan Ashley, local anchor for Channel 7 news. Advance General Admission tickets are $35 and can be purchased online or at select outlets; visit www.bayareacraftbeerfestival.com for locations. Admission includes commemorative glass, unlimited tasting and entertainment. Designated driver tickets are also available for $5. Tickets and ID are required for entry (all attendees must be 21 years or over). Gates open from 12pm to 4pm for
food, music and beer tasting. Free shuttles are provided to/from North Concord BART and the Martinez Best Western John Muir Inn. The event is conveniently located within a short walking distance from the Martinez Amtrak Station. Plenty of free parking located downtown, walking distance to the festival. The Best Western will have special room rates for beer festival attendees. Visit the festival website for more details. The event is rain or shine, with fabulous food available for purchase from vendors including several downtown restaurants. The festival is presented by Main Street Martinez, Inc., and benefits local non-profits. For additional information, to purchase tickets, to join the festival mailing list, or to volunteer, visit www.BayAreaCraftBeerFestival. com or www.MainStreetMartinez.org
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March 2012
Coyotes in Our Neighborhoods Coyotes are a symbol of the wild untamed West, so what are they doing in our backyards? It turns out that coyotes are probably the most adaptable animal in North America and can live just about anywhere. They thrive in suburban and even urban areas because they are scavengers that eat almost anything. Their normal diet is small mammals—rats, gophers and ground squirrels—but they will also eat ground-nesting birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, large insects, fruit, pet food, small pets, birdseed, road kill and garbage. Coyotes live in a strong family group and usually hunt in pairs. They den in burrows and have an average of three to nine pups in a litter. The adults are most active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
By Susan Heckly, Lindsay Wildlife Museum binoculars instead. They are mostly nocturnal, but they • Feed pets indoors or pick up can be out at any time of day. leftover pet food if you feed outside. Coyotes can run up to forty miles • Don’t allow pets to run free and per hour when chasing prey, but we keep them indoors at night. Provide usually see them just loping along, secure shelter for poultry, rabbits or looking like they are enjoying the day. other vulnerable animals. If you hike in open space, it’s not un • Put away bird feeders that can atcommon to see coyotes walking in the tract rodents at night (rats are a favorite same direction and keeping pace with you—they are just curious about who is food of coyotes). • Pick up fallen fruit and cover in their territory. your compost pile. Coyotes can become very bold Relocation is not an option for when they associate people with a coyotes in our neighborhoods. It is source of food and lose caution if they up to us to learn to live with them. have free access to easy food. They Coyotes are adaptable to change and quickly learn that residential areas will quickly learn new ways to survive. have lots of opportunities for finding Don’t be surprised to see them in your food. To keep coyotes from becoming neighborhood, even if everyone takes a nuisance and to reduce the chance of conflicts with them, we all need to take measures to reduce the available food for them. some commonsense steps. For more information about Lind • Do not feed coyotes, either say Wildlife Museum and ways you intentionally or unintentionally. Don’t can help wildlife, visit www.wildlifeever put out food to lure them closer so you can get a good look at them; use museum.org.
Photo by Brian Murphy
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March 2012
Amazing Babies Moving By Beverly Stokes upcoming presentation, Stokes will focus Beverly Stokes will present material on the child’s first year of life. She will from her “Amazing Babies Moving” rediscuss her research and the movement search and DVD at the Martinez Library programs developed by “Amazing Babies on Saturday, March 10 at 2pm. Moving.” Her presentation will include Stokes is a Certified Movement photo/video vignettes with time for Q&A. Analyst (CMA) and Movement PatThis informative session is geared to those tern Analyst (MPA) whose book and who work with infants, from in-home videos are used worldwide in a variety daycare providers to early childhood of settings: graduate and undergraduate education professionals, from parents to college programs; childhood education grandparents of new babies. Don’t miss training; psychology and somatic educathis opportunity to learn about some of tion programs; infant intervention and the newest research and its applications to parenting programs, and more. She is the the amazing babies in your life! founder of “Amazing Babies Moving,” a For further information, visit http:// global interactive network that provides ccclib.org/locations/martinez.html or “Parenting Through Movement” procontact Lea Stone at lstone@ccclib.org or grams for parents, educators and profes925-646-9900. sionals who work with families. At her
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Royal Family Kids Benefit Please join us for our second charity walk on May 5 to benefit Royal Family Kids at the Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. To register, please visit www. rfkccharitywalk.dojiggy.com. The walk is 9am to 11am and costs $25.00 per person; children 15 and under are free. Refreshments and T- shirt pick up begins at 8:00am. Royal Family Kids takes abused, abandoned, and neglected seven to eleven year old foster children of Contra Costa County for a week-long FREE summer camp. Since 2000, our camps have taken over 425 foster children from Contra Costa County to camp. We started a mentor program for these kids as well. The cost of
taking each child to camp is approximately $800 - $1000. We do not charge the county, state or any foster parents for admission to camp; we exist solely on the donations of individuals, companies and organizations. All our staff are volunteers; we have no paid employees. The amount of money raised during the year directly determines the number of children we can afford to take to camp and mentor throughout the year. We have many foster children to send to camp, so please join our charity walk so more kids can go! Encourage your friends to sign up too; it was a lot of fun last year! We also have sponsorship packages for $150, $250, $500, and $800.
A Multivitamin a Day...
By Myra Nissen, CCH, Certified Homeopath cans have chronic kidney The kidneys are impordisease, and millions more tant organs that clean and are at risk but most don’t balance the chemistry of the know it. Knowing the risk blood and remove excess wafactors and controlling the ter and toxins from the body. major ones, such as Diabetes Kidney function is crucial for Type II, high blood pressure, thought, memory, concentraand high cholesterol may pretion, and our survival. vent kidney failure. Regular Webster’s Dictionary states the word “kidney” was derived from physical activity and an improved diet can Latin “renes,” through Old French “reins,” make a big difference in reducing risk and and has given place to the word “kidneys” preventing complications. Metabolic balance® is a personalized food-only weight in modern English. It defines the kidneys management program that has a proven as the seat of feelings or passions. track record for reducing blood sugar, According to traditional Chinese lowering blood pressure and restoring medicine, the Zhi spirit lives in the normal blood pressure. The right food, kidneys. Zhi taps into the collective the right portions and the right timing is unconscious and presides over the most all it takes. inaccessible parts of the psyche, the in For more information, please visit stinctual responses of the sex organs, the www.MetabolicBalanceCalifornia.com. I biochemical intelligence of the endocrine am available to talk with you about kidsystem, and the knowing of our bones. ney health and will offer free metabolic The National Kidney Foundation has syndrome screenings on Saturday, March declared March World Kidney Aware31 at noon - 2pm at Vitamin Shoppe, ness Month, calling on all Americans to protect their kidneys and prevent damage 1601 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Walnut Creek, or give me a call: 826-3858. Myra Nissen, by educating themselves about kidney CCH, Certified Homeopath and metadisease and the proactive ways they can bolic balance® coach. www.MyraNissen. reduce their risk of kidney failure. More than twenty-six million Ameri- Com.
By Jewel Johl, MD asked whether they took mul Multivitamin use is widetivitamins on a daily basis. In spread in the U.S. There is this clinical trial, almost half of a general belief that multivithe patients with colon cancer tamins help prevent diseases who received chemotherasuch as cancer and can reduce py took multivitamins on a the risk of recurrence among daily basis. The rate of cancer cancer survivors. More than recurrence in multivitamin half of the American popuusers was then determined lation currently uses dietary and compared to those who did not use supplements, the majority of which are multivitamins. There was no difference multivitamins. Even though vitamin deficiency is uncommon in the U.S., the use in terms of risk of recurrence of colon cancer in either group. In other words, the of vitamins is growing; it is currently a use of multivitamins did not help prevent $20 billion industry. recurrence of colon cancer. These results There is conflicting data on the benare consistent with a conference statement efit of multivitamins for reducing the risk from the National Institutes of Health that of cancer. The Women’s Health Initiative concluded there was insufficient evidence study, for example, did not demonstrate to recommend the use of multivitamins any reduction in the risk of cancer for for chronic disease prevention. Nonethethose who used multivitamins. Several studies, however, have shown that certain less, further research is needed to assess the utility of individual vitamins in pavitamins help fight cancer such as folate, tients with established colorectal cancer. vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium Dr. Johl is a Medical Oncologist and retinol. Even though aspirin is not a specializing in treating colorectal cancers. vitamin, its use has been associated with reduced risk of colon cancer, especially in He practices with Diablo Valley Oncolindividuals at high risk, such as those with ogy, located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill. The Lynch syndrome. center brings together medical oncology, There is even less information about hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, the benefit of multivitamins for patients diagnostic imaging, clinical trials, and with established colon cancer. This issue supportive care services. Satellite offices was explored in a clinical trial in which in Rossmoor, San Ramon, and Brentpatients with stage III colon cancer who wood. 925-677-5041 were treated with chemotherapy were
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March 2012
Mt Diablo Unified Grad Night: A Safe Event At the start of each school year, parent volunteers from five MDUSD high schools begin to pool their time, passion, resources and talent as they plan a spectacular celebration for their graduating seniors’ special night. This all-night celebration, known as “Grad Nite,” is held at Centre Concord immediately following commencement ceremonies. Although meticulously planned
By Kelly St. Germain together, Grad Night is not celebrated toarea of the facility they wish to decorate. gether, as each high school has exclusive Roughly 150 parent volunteers at each use of the jointly decorated facility for its school plan, decorate, staff or chaperone own event during the MDUSD graduthe event. In keeping with tradition, the ation week. This year, the College Park theme for this year’s Grad Night is not Class of 2012 will celebrate their Grad revealed to the graduating seniors until Night on Monday, June 11. the night of their event. The Grad Night committees from The overarching goal of Grad Night each school jointly select a theme for is to provide a fun-filled environment for the party and decide which particular graduating seniors that will allow them to safely celebrate one of the most exciting events of their lives. Aware that graduates want to celebrate their achievement with friends on the night of graduation, par-
ents have bonded together to make this alcohol and drug-free party memorable, safe and sober. Without giving away too many surprises, Grad Night is a non-stop party of food, games (indoors and outdoors), music, dancing, casino gambling, spa treatments, bowling, prizes and entertainment. To learn more about Grad Night at College Park, including how to buy tickets for your student, donate prizes, provide financial support, or volunteer your talents, please visit their website at www. cpgradnite.homestead.com.
Local Musicians Honored
Last years Grad Night at the Centre Concord.
Fashion for a Cause
By Helena Strand Mark your calendars for March 11 at The Pleasant Hill Teen Council has the Winslow Center. It’s time again for the worked hard to make the fashion show an event that everyone can enjoy. Raffles Pleasant Hill Teen Council fashion show! and extravagant prizes should make the Members of the Teen Council will model fashion show even more interesting! Light the latest dresses and tuxedos in prom refreshments will be served. The Teen fashions, provided by Starlet Bridal in Council and community of Pleasant Hill downtown Pleasant Hill. All funds raised are very excited for the new teen center to will go towards furnishing the new teen come; now we just need to furnish it! We center, currently under construction. look forward to seeing you at the fashion Once the teen center is done, there show and appreciate your support! will be a variety of activities and programs for teens in the Pleasant Hill com- What: Teen Council Fashion Show for munity. Your appearance at this fundrais- the new Teen Center. When: Sunday, March 11, 2:30pm. Where: Winslow er will help Teen Council reach its goal Center, 2590 Pleasant Hill Road. Tickets: of making the teen center furnished and $12 apiece; to order call 682-0896 comfortable.
Pictured are members of the Pleasant Hill Teen Council modeling the new prom fashions donated by Starlet Prom and Bridal. Photo by Tod Gomes.
On Sunday, March 11 at 3:00pm, the Bay Area’s best student jazz musicians from fourteen high schools and fourteen middle schools will perform at Acalanes Performing Arts Center as part of the Lafayette Jazz Festival. The 9th Annual Contra Costa County Middle School Honor Jazz Band, with guest director John Bremis, will be followed by the 10th Annual Contra Costa County High School Honor Jazz Band, with guest director Mary Fettig. Three local musicians were selected: Martinez resident Jordan Fetterman, a 7th grader at Sequoia Middle, Brennan Williams, a Pleasant Hill resident and sophomore at College Park and Eric Nakanishi, a Pleasant Hill resident and a freshman at Northgate.
Fifty-eight middle schoolers and thirtysix high schoolers auditioned. Students were able to download the sheet music ahead of time for one of the pieces they needed to perform. To demonstrate their improvisational skills, they had to sight read a piece, and then play another song of their choosing. The band members will practice together for four Saturdays to prepare for the concert on March 11. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students. A matinee performance of the Honor Jazz Bands will be $5 general admission. For ticket information, contact the Lafayette Chamber at (925) 284-7404 or visit www.lafayettechamber.org. For Lafayette Jazz Festival info, visit http://gijf.org.
Girl Scouts Celebrate 100
Girl Scouts is turning 100 this month, and you’re invited to the celebration! Girl Scouts of the USA was founded by Juliette Gordon Low on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, with eighteen girls in the first troop. Girl Scouts has since grown to 3.2 million members worldwide. It is the leading organization dedicated to helping girls grow, build confidence, and take their place in the world. To celebrate the group’s centennial, Girl Scouts across the country will be gathering on the evening of Monday, March 12 to mark the occasion. The Creekside Girl Scout Service Unit, which represents nearly 100 troops and over 1,500 girl and adult members in Pleasant Hill and Martinez, is
hosting candlelight ceremonies on March 12 in both cities. The entire community is invited to join in celebrating this anniversary, with a special invitation going out to all local Girl Scout alumnae. Both events will feature mayoral proclamations, songs, a group candlelight ceremony, and refreshments. Both programs will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. Troops should arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. to register and collect their candles. In Pleasant Hill, the celebration will take place by the pond at City Hall. In Martinez, the celebration will take place at City Hall Plaza. For more information, please contact Creekside Service Unit Director Olivia Lovett at 925-947-0559.
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March 2012
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Winter Cleaning Special
3/31/12
A Wee Change Acupuncture Wellness Advanced Hearing Aid Center Architectural Wood Products Armando’s Artesa Dental Aspire Pilates Center BCI Cabinet Design Best Western Plus John Muir Inn Big Air Heating and Air Conditioning California Pacific Federal Credit Union Coldstone Creamery
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Computer Sales and Service Country Waffles Dallimonti’s Flaskerud- Re-Max FPHE Generation Mortgage, Rod Harris Hagins Automotive Hire My Husband Hitchcock Realty Home Detailers Housekeeping Jack’s Jennifer L. Martin D.D.S.
Kobe Japan Le Jardin Les Schwab Tires Lindsay Wildlife Museum Magoo’s Main Stree Martinez Martinez Chamber of Commerce Matthew C. Rinn, State Farm Insurance Martinez Early Childhood Center Minuteman Press Molinos Ravioli Moulding Company
Parkway Smiles Dentistry Payless Painting/Quick Change PBT Accountancy Samuels Construction Senior Helpers Smokey D’s UPS – Virginia Hills Venardi Law Firm Vision Quest Waters Moving and Storage Yeung Tutorial Group Youth Homes Thrift Shop
March 2012
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