JUNE 2010
A Monthly Publication Delivered to Over 30,000 Residents
Photos courtesy of susanwoodphotography.com
• Fourth of July Details...............................page 5 • PH Real Estate Information.....................page 6 • Contra Costa Humane Society.................page 8 • Book Reviews............................................page 13
• Team Sports...............................................page 16-17 • Wellness Page .................................................page 23 • Home Services Special Section . ....................page 24 • Announcements .............................................page 27
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June 2010
HEARD ON THE STREET
What is something that you especially appreciate about your Father?
I appreciate my dad because he coaches my softball team and he loves me on or off the field. He always makes us the best breakfast in the world on the weekends! -Sydney King
What I appreciate about my dad is that he loves me very, very much and he is also the world’s best tickle monster! -Carly Behrens
My dad takes me on backpacking trips. - Will Dundon (left) My dad plays tennis with me. - Zane Dundon (right)
He always brings my books to school for me when I forget them – that’s like, every week. -Jessica Gardner
Father’s Day Quotes
“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” ~Mark Twain, “Old Times on the Mississippi” Atlantic Monthly, 1874
“A father carries pictures where his money used to be.” ~Author Unknown “Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.” ~Red Buttons
LIFE insurance that makes it WORTH LIVING. Matthew C Rinn, Agent Insurance Lic. #: 0F99232 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Bus: 925-671-0222 Fax: 925-671-0309 www.myagentmatt.net
Protect your family for less, build cash value or even get your premiums back if the death benefit has not been paid out at the end of the level premium period.
statefarm.com® Adjustable Premium Level Term Life Insurance policy series 08025 in all states except MT, NY, WI; 08075 in MT, A08025 in NY & WI.
P092015.2
State Farm Life Insurance Company , Bloomington, IL (Not licensed in MA, NY and WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) , Bloomington, IL
June 2010
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CHAMBER NEWS
Confirm schedule at www.pleasanthillchamber.com
Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce
Schedule of Events
June 2010 6/4 - Ambassador Meeting 7:45am – 9:00am PH City Hall-Large Community Room 6/4 June 2010 BBLS 11:45 am to 1:30 pm - Mid-Year Local Economy Check Up - Speakers: Kelly Calhoun, Charley Daly and Mark Quinn JFK - 100 Ellinwood Way, PH Seating Limited - Must RSVP: celena@ pleasanthillchamber.com 6/8 - Ambassador Luncheon 11:45am – 1:00pm Pasta Pomodoro, 45 C Crescent Drive, PH RSVP: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber. com 6/16 - June 2010 Mixer 5:30pm – 7:30pm Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouse, 999 Contra Costa Blvd, PH. RSVP: Celena@pleasanthillchamber.com
6/17 - BOD Meeting 7:45am – 9:00am Pleasant Hill City Hall- Large Community Room, 100 Gregory Lane 6/25 - 3rd Challenged Golfers Club 11:45am - ? Sponsor: Leading Edge Pest Management Grayson Woods Golf Course, 400 Gregory Lane, PH Ck In/Lunch 11:45 & Tee Time 1pm RSVP: celena@pleasanthillchamber. com 6/28 - Green Committee Meeting 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggin Drive, PH 6/28 - GAC 5:00pm – 6:00pm Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggin Drive, PH
calendar sponsored by
Escobar Tailors Ribbon Cutting Escobar Tailors celebrated their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, May 20th. Mr. Escobar, a master tailor, received his formal training in Argentina, received the prestigious “Tijera de Plata” (Silver Scissors) award in 1973 in Bolivia, and has spent the last 22 years in the United States practicing his profession. Mr. Escobar even had the unique experience of outfitting actor Michael Douglas while filming the movie “The Game”, in San Fran-
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cisco in 1997. Escobar Tailors is a one-stop tailor shop, offering alterations for him or her, name brand men’s suits like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and DKNY as well as shirts & ties. He is currently offering a $10 hem special. Visit Escobar Tailors at 2375 Contra Costa Boulevard (next to Monsoon Masala restaurant), call: 925-969-0092 or online: www.escobartailors.com.
Farmers Market Opens Photos by Susan Wood
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June 2010
JULIE SAYS
Here Comes the Sun, Solstice and a School Bond Measure By Julie Ross
Thank You Advertisers!
Writer James Dent has summed it up: “The perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing and the lawn mower is broken.” Aaaah, summer. But before the season officially begins with the solstice on June 21 (more on that three paragraphs down), and in fact even before the school year ends, we all have something very important to do. Vote on June 8. I know most of us have already decided to vote YES on Measure C – the local school facilities improvement bond -- because we care about the quality of life in our community. So this is just a reminder. The $348 million raised by approving Measure C will repair leaky roofs and windows at our neighborhood schools, upgrade science labs, improve energy efficiency with solar power to cut utility bills, plus a variety of other repair-and-enhancement projects at every single school in Pleasant Hill and throughout the district. And finally, Measure C only renews the tax rate approved in the 2002 local school bond, without increasing property owners’ taxes. No Measure C funds can be taken by the state; every penny stays right here in the downtrodden Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Vote YES. OK, now back to the summer solstice, my fa-
vorite day in June. Way back before “Spare the Air” days came into vogue, Germanic, Slav and Celtic couples jumped through huge bonfires on this day, believing the crops would grow as high as they could leap. Druids and their contemporaries considered June’s full moon to be the best time to harvest honey. Newlyweds consumed beverages made from fermented full-moon honey in hopes it would boost their fertility. And so, thanks to the ancient types, we have something to call that vacation we take right after our weddings (hint: honey + moon), which we often have in June, because of course it is most convenient to get married and drink fermented honey in between the busy spring planting and fall harvest seasons. Here’s to a happy June, the month that brings us summer solstice, the longest day of the year, but also hosts the last day of school, which the kids I’ve talked to think is the longest day of the year. After we’re done with voting and school’s out for summer, let’s ensure a James-Dent-perfect day by yanking a few key components from the lawn mower engine to render it inoperable. Just need to locate that hammock and whip up a pitcher of fermented honey. Send comments to julieakross@comcast.net
Matthew C. Rinn, State Farm Insurance The Moulding Company Tamura Insurance Jennifer L. Martin D.D.S. Sport Clips Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Hitchcock Realty RKL Builders D & H Enterprises Diablo Trophy and Awards Unity Salon and Spa UPS – Virginia Hills Sam Nisar, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Tahoe Joe’s
Hire My Husband Coldstone Creamery Downtown Pleasant Hill Martinez Chamber of Commerce Magoo’s Grill Kobe Japan Pacific Coast Farmers Market City of Pleasant Hill Pacific Computer Consultants Land Home Financial Services, Inc. Apollo Shuttle Diablo Theatre Co. Molino’s Ravioli Scott Floor to Ceiling
Pleasant Hill Community Focus A Monthly Publication Elena Hutslar – Publisher/Editor Becky Coburn – Publisher/Editor Jennifer Neys – Publisher/Editor Trish Heaney – Graphic Designer Sarah Birdwell – Graphic Designer Debra Wilson – Graphic Designer
TOTAL CIRCULATION 30,000 FREE to Homes and Businesses In Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pacheco, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek View the Focus online at Website: www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
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6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132 Martinez, CA 94553 Phone: (925) 335- NEWS (6397)
Dallimonti’s Mr. Lucky’s Smokin Okie’s El Tapatio La Tapatia Earth First Cleaning Navlet’s Becky Xepoleas, Mary Kay Air Seal Inc. Matthew’s AAA Inc. Home Expressions McHale’s Environmental Insulation Jim’s Auto Glass
June 2010
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4th of July Festivities in Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill is a city that knows how to celebrate our nation’s birthday! The day begins with a Firecracker 5K Fun Run at 7:30 am starting at 45 Crescent Drive in front of Fleet Feet Sports. It goes through the downtown area and follows the same route as the parade. Proceeds benefit Pleasant Hill schools. Save when you register online at www.phjuly4.com. Over at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, the Pancake Breakfast will be ready from 8 to 11 am. For just $3.50 adults will enjoy juice, sausages, coffee, tea, or milk, and all the pancakes they can eat. Children 11 years and under eat for $2.50, and those 4 years and under, free. “A Star Spangled Celebration� is the theme of this year’s parade that begins at 9 am downtown along Crescent Drive. The Pleasant Hill members of Star Quest will be Grand Marshalls of the parade. Music, marchers, animals, flashy floats, dazzling performances, and entertainment for every member of the family will be featured. You, too, can be in
7 > ; 4 > Portraits, Events, Nature and More
Susan@SusanWoodPhotography.com (925) 939-7060
the parade as a group or by entering a float. Register online at www. phjuly4.com. Entrants are encouraged to display imaginative ways of celebrating our nation’s birthday. The Mayor’s Trophy and the Commissioner’s Trophy will be awarded to parade entries that depict the theme best and a special “Green Oak Award� will be presented to the parade entry that best promotes an awareness of environmentalism and conservation. After the parade, take a short walk to Pleasant Hill Park for free entertainment for the whole family including stage entertainment, kids games, a petting zoo for the kids, bounce events, community booths, and more. Food and beverage from Back Forty Texas BBQ will be available for purchase. Cool off at Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park from 1 to 4:30 pm, and check out the Sprayground. Fireworks begin at College Park High School starting around 9 pm. Be sure to arrive by 7 pm to secure a favorable spot on the grass to enjoy food and beverage available from Smokin Okie’s BBQ Joint and listen to great music provided by the Diablo Valley College POPS Band. Admission is free. The memorable day is planned and orchestrated by a dedicated group of volunteers, the Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Commission. Funding for this yearly celebration is provided by local businesses, residents, and the City of Pleasant Hill. For more information or to volunteer to help, visit www.phjuly4.com.
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Martinez Celebrates 4th of July Main Street Martinez will host the 2nd annual downtown Martinez 4th of July Parade & Celebration! Featuring a Pancake Breakfast, Hometown Parade along Main Street and an afternoon of live music, arts & crafts vendors, car show, kids activities, non-profit organization booths and more! 8am - 10am – The morning begins with a pancake breakfast followed by the Hometown Parade
beginning at 10:00am. Grab a seat along Main Street to enjoy the show. A Parade application can be found online at www.mainstreetmartinez.org. Due on or before June 14. 9am - 4pm - Spend time in the Plaza with over 20 vendors, including arts & crafts and kids activities. 1:30-4pm - After the parade, come back to the plaza for live music, with fireworks at dusk.
Reflections on Memorial Day Michael G. Harris, OD Memorial. Last year, as Mayor of Pleasant As I walked from one memorial Hill, I had the privilege and honor of providing opening remarks at the to the next, I was struck by two overMemorial Day service at the Veterpowering emotions. One was a great ans’ Memorial. Here’s what I said: sense of sorrow for the thousands As I reflect on the significance of brave men and women who lost of this special day, I remember my their lives defending our country. recent visit to the memorials on The other was a great sense of pride Washington, DC’s famous mall. It for the sacrifices made by all who was my first visit in fought to preserve the over 20 years. principles that make I was awed by our country great. When Francis Scott the grandeur of the World War II MeKey penned the morial and its tribStar-Spangled Banute to the hundreds ner, he wrote we are of thousands who “the land of the free fought in that great and the home of the war, including my brave.� With all due father, my father-inrespect, I think he got law, and my uncles. it wrong. It should I was haunted by the anguish read we are “the land of the free beon the faces of the GI’s on patrol as cause we are the home of the brave.� To all the brave men and women depicted in the Korean War Memorial. who served our country in times of I wept openly as I read many of war and in times of peace, thank you the 58,000 names inscribed on the for keeping our great country “the granite walls of the Vietnam land of the free.�
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Pleasant Hill Real Estate Update By Nathan Hitchcock
A
s I write this article, the real estate market has been without the federal homebuyer tax credit for nearly three weeks. Much like a proud but cautious parent teaching a child to ride a bike, giving that one last push and watching little Susie wobble down the road on her own, homeowners are wondering what the future will bring now that Uncle Sam’s training wheels are gone. And after three weeks, what are the results? Countywide, active inventory is stable, up only slightly from the first of the month. Pending sales are also stable, essentially unchanged during
the same period. Granted, three weeks is a bit short to pass judgment, but so far, so good. Although activity is stable, prices in many areas have softened slightly, priPLEASANT HILL SALES ACTIVITY Active Inventory Number of Listings Avg Days On Market Avg List Price Median List Price Avg $ / Square Foot Pending Sales Number of Listings Avg Days on Market Avg List Price Avg $ / Square Foot Closed Sales Number of Listings Avg Days on Market Avg List Price Avg Sales Price Avg Sales $ / Sq Ft
On 5/1/10 92 41 $494,305 $439,000 $288 On 5/1/10 101 44 $416,336 $264 4/1/10-4/30/10 38 37 $408,046 $408,494 $272
On 4/2/10 83 56 $503,667 $459,000 $284 On 4/2/10 94 36 $381,310 $254 3/1/10-3/31/10 21 37 $418,037 $407,023 $276
RECENT PLEASANT HILL HOME SALES (4/1/2010 – 4/30/2010) Address Beds Baths SINGLE FAMILY HOME 113 Diablo Ct 3 1 2962 Dorothy Dr 3 1 1009 Esther Dr 3 1 2131 Sherman Dr 3 1 1007 Hook Ave 2 1 901 Santa Cruz Dr 3 2 2372 Marcia Dr 3 1 1148 Santa Lucia Dr 3 2 739 Ruth Dr 3 2 1853 Ardith 3 2 1666 Pleasant Hill Rd 3 2 16 Viking Dr 3 2 43 Alan Dr 4 2 1 Hardwood Ct 3 2 1701 Mary Dr 3 1 2449 Marcia Dr 3 2 345 Skander Ln 4 2 47 Village Square Pl 4 2 258 Southwind Dr 3 2 781 Duke Cir 3 2 1656 Oak Park Blvd 3 2 515 Shelly Dr 3 2 229 Jennifer Way 3 2 1564 Fieldcrest Dr 4 2 276 Croyden Drive 4 3 26 Driftwood Ct 3 2 230 Twinview Dr 4 2 3044 Shetland Drive 4 2 2 Kulani Lane 4 2 632 Pasa Tiempo Court 4 2 Totals: 30 Listings TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS 31 Massolo Dr 2 2 811 Camelback Pl 2 2 8104 Camelback Pl 2 2 300 Suntree Ln 2 2 102 Cleaveland Rd 2 2 306 Rock Creek Way 2 2 463 Ridgeview Dr 2 1 55 Janin Pl 2 2 Totals: 8 Listings
Sq Ft
Market Days
List Price
Sales Price
Sales $/Sq Ft
1027 1016 1162 1042 956 1157 1501 1157 1188 1107 1353 1788 1461 1526 1052 1519 2294 2300 1677 1543 1846 1793 1641 2074 2004 1748 1868 2018 2136 2500
17 8 206 55 31 71 7 109 6 1 5 44 49 49 17 14 15 211 12 65 5 15 8 26 19 19 12 14 11 68 39
$225,000 $259,900 $269,600 $275,000 $299,900 $315,000 $339,000 $340,000 $320,950 $324,900 $380,000 $399,000 $380,000 $419,000 $425,000 $425,000 $478,000 $498,000 $499,000 $499,000 $499,000 $549,000 $529,000 $569,000 $597,900 $599,900 $619,000 $659,000 $719,899 $899,000 $453,731
$256,000 $260,000 $269,600 $277,000 $305,000 $317,000 $325,000 $332,500 $335,000 $365,000 $380,000 $399,000 $400,000 $410,000 $425,000 $432,000 $460,000 $480,000 $499,000 $500,000 $520,000 $530,000 $550,000 $569,000 $575,000 $599,900 $619,000 $659,000 $702,000 $853,000 $453,466
$249.27 $255.91 $232.01 $265.83 $319.04 $273.98 $216.52 $287.38 $281.99 $329.72 $280.86 $223.15 $273.79 $268.68 $403.99 $284.40 $200.52 $208.70 $297.56 $324.04 $281.69 $295.59 $335.16 $274.35 $286.93 $343.19 $331.37 $326.56 $328.65 $341.20 $287
973 968 1011 1015 903 1162 1169 1472
66 3 28 6 29 80 16 5 29
$188,000 $184,900 $188,100 $200,000 $215,000 $240,000 $277,900 $399,900 $236,725
$185,000 $200,000 $202,000 $208,800 $210,000 $235,000 $278,000 $400,000 $239,850
$190.13 $206.61 $199.80 $205.71 $232.56 $202.24 $237.81 $271.74 $218
June 2010
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marily in the $500,000-plus price point. However, this is an ever-so-slight trend Are you a landlord who that has been in progress since February, is sick and tired of…. so it likely has nothing to do with the … chasing your tenants down tax credit. If you are not watching the for rent every month? market extremely closely, you wouldn’t … having to deal with even notice its occurrence. maintenance requests in the The best news is actually coming middle of the night? … showing your home over from other Bay Area regions, speand over again trying to find cifically the South Bay where buyer the perfect tenant? demand is as strong as it has ever been and is showing no signs of letting 24/7 On Call Maintenance Tenant Screening & Placement up. A regional real estate conference I Rent Collection & Accounting attended last week was packed full of LOW RATES GUARANTEED! agents recounting home listings with three dozen or more offers. One list(925) 825-1100 option 3 ing reportedly had 89 offers, a level of www.hitchcockrealty.com 1928 Contra Costa Blvd activity unseen since 2005. Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 That’s good news for us because buyer activity in the South Bay and west of the Caldecott Tunnel is frequently a barometer for what lies ahead for Contra Costa County. Buyers in those areas eventually get fed up with the multiple offers and There’s Never Been a Better Time to Purchase or Refinance! escalating prices, deciding
Local Mortgage Banker in Business Since 1988 that maybe a commute is Always Competitve with Interest Rates and Loan Fees not such a bad thing after all. Personalized Customer Service Nathan Hitchcock is Call Land/Home Today: the managing broker of Peter Paredero Sr. Mortgage Consultant Hitchcock Realty, a residenCell: 925-787-8746 tial real estate brokerage Fax: 925-887-6705 pparedero@lhfinancial.com and property management 1855 Gateway Blvd., Suite 140, Concord, CA 94520 firm in downtown Pleasant Not a commitment to lend. Dept of Real Estate, 916-227-0931. Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. Land/Home Financial Services Inc. DRE. #988341. NMLS #248082 Hill. He can be reached at nathan@hitchcockrealty.com or (925) 825-1100. Data contained herein was obtained from the CCAR Multiple Sam Nisar Home Mortgage Consultant Listing Service. In���� Willow Pass Rd, ���� • Concord, CA ����� formation is deemed Office: ���-���-���� • Cell: ���-���-���� reliable but is not Fax: �-���-���-���� • sarmad.nisar@wellsfargo.com www.wfhm.com/loans/sarmad-nisar guaranteed.
June 2010
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SENIOR ENVY
Senior Activities Classes
SMART STEPS This class will be aimed at understanding the interaction of diet, sleep and exercise, offering information on how best to achieve maximum benefits. Learn to monitor blood pressure, respiration and heart rate and gain an understanding of good techniques for maintaining, perhaps improving, musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular efficiency and general psychological well being. All of this while having fun! Class is sponsored by BrightStar Healthcare. Instructor: Sally Johnson, RN June 3 - July 1 Thursdays 9:30am—10:30am Fee: $24 / Member $19 Please wear appropriate walking shoes BREATH OF YOGA Yoga exercises with a flow of different breathing techniques which help detoxify your body, cure chronic diseases and help increase your immunity and flexibility. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. Exercises will be done from the floor. Instructor: Suminder Kaur June 16 - July 21 Wednesday: 5:30pm - 6:15pm Fee: $45 / Members $39 / Drop in $8
Events
BAGGO Are you interested in playing Baggo? Do you want to know what Baggo is? If you answered YES to either of these questions join us for a demonstration of the addicting pastime, BAGGO! Meet at the Horseshoe Pit in Pleasant Hill Park (behind the Senior Center) Friday, June 4th at 10:30am GOLD PARTY The Gold Refinery will pay you cash! They buy it all from necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings to white gold, gold watches, dental gold, silver and platinum. They will test and weigh it in front of you and then pay you cash for it. Bring family and friends with you. It’s a win-win for everyone! You can walk away with cash and all commission received will go to the Building Fund. Enjoy light snacks, a glass of wine and perusing jewelry for sale while you wait. Sign up at the front desk or call 798-8788 to get your name on the list. Friday, June 11th in Bldg. 1 at 4pm—6pm FREE TO ATTEND
Bump-A-Nose
By Dick Mazyrack, Martinez Swingers Square Dance Club
Square Dancing is a physical and social activity, which also helps keep the brain healthy by taxing one’s intellectual capacity. Imagine learning to take commands then coordinate actions in concert with seven other individuals, such that smooth flowing patterns form a well choreographed, yet unrehearsed configuration. As one progresses, more commands, or “calls,” are introduced by a professional caller/teacher, adding complexity to the dance. This is both the challenge and the joy of square dancing. Square dancers can progress as far as they wish. Beginner classes take the dancer through a series of Mainstream calls and can also progress on to the Plus Level. Most square dance clubs in the area are at the Plus Level and hold weeknight workshops designed to sharpen square dance skills and provide the opportunity to have fun dancing. These clubs also participate in a variety of other social activities such as attending weekend hoedowns and festivals, holiday potlucks, picnics, party nights, rallies, camping, etc. Dancers looking for more of a challenge may expand their square dance repertoire further by moving on to
the Advanced, and Challenge levels. Regardless of the level, the caller keeps it interesting by varying the calls from a variety of positions in the square, or from a variety of formations other than the traditional square, i.e. lines, columns, waves or diamonds. The Martinez Swingers Square Dance club recently celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on our Wednesday Plus club night with Shobi Dobi, a professional clown and enthusiastic club member, who provided green noses to all the dancers and introduced a unique call she named, “Bump A Nose,” which Shobi says is a clown salutation meaning, “good luck.” Square dance clubs in the area offer new dancer classes on their respective club nights during the week. For more information about classes you may visit the Northern California Square Dance Association website, NCSDA.Com. If you prefer classes on the weekend, the Martinez Adult Education Center offers Saturday morning classes from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information on these Saturday classes contact Carole Wright at (510) 799-4850 or e-mail: ceejaydbya@sbcglobal.net.
Thirsty Thirsday Kick off the weekend early! Enjoy a spin-off of Taste of the Vine with a Margarita twist! Wine, Margaritas, & light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Non-alcoholic beverages available. Sponsored by the Chateaus of Pleasant Hill. Thursday, June 24th 4-6pm PHSC Bldg. 1 Fee: $6 presale/ $8 at the door 4th of July Pancake Breakfast & Boutique Shop for beautiful hand-made items from the boutique. Sunday, July 4th 8am-11am PHSC Bldg. 2 $3.50 adults, $2.50 under 11, Free under 4yrs Senior Center Info: 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, 925.798.8788
Shobi Dobi and club caller, Dick Henschel, demonstrate Bump A Nose. Photo compliments of Carol-Anne Tucker-Watt
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June 2010
Hittin’ the Road By Denise Salamanca
I don’t mean to “bragg” but my family and I just enjoyed a great trip to one of the nicest gems on the Mendocino Coast. The small seaside town of Fort Bragg is one of our favorite places to visit. We love its selection of eclectic shops, rugged coastal beauty and low-key friendly vibe. Fort Bragg has much to offer but we only had time to visit MacKerricher State Park and Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. We were in the mood for a picnic so first we stopped by Cirino’s Sandwich Shop. Mark Cirino, the friendly owner, uses only fresh ingredients and it shows. The sandwiches were delicious! We enjoyed our tasty picnic on the grounds of Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. It is divided into two main sections, a formal garden area and a wilder section near the ocean. We followed the
main trail, which led us to a spectacular ocean view. On the way, we admired (and took pictures of) countless gorgeous plants, which were interspersed with whimsical sculptures. You don’t need a green thumb to appreciate the beauty of this place! Next we visited MacKerricher State Park. If you go, don’t forget to stop and take a picture with the huge gray whale skeleton. You can walk out to the cliffs and to the tide pools via the boardwalk. The wooden walkway leads you to the amazing ocean views complete with seals and sea lions. On the way out of town, we couldn’t resist stopping at the Mendocino Cookie
Co. The sweet white chocolate macadamia cookie melts in your mouth. And the chewy gooey goodness of the chocolate chip cookies kept us all happy on the long but scenic drive home. Don’t miss these other Fort Bragg activities: • Beachcomb at Glass Beach – ocean-smoothed colored glass among the rocks and in the sand create the opportunity for a family treasure hunt. • Explore a lighthouse – the restored 1909 Point Cabrillo Light Station (two museums and gift shop) offers a tide pool exhibit for families and a surrounding 300-acre nature preserve for hiking and viewing wildlife. Look for seals, sea
lions, whales, birds, and deer. • Visit a rare pygmy forest – Jug Handle State Reserve is one of the few places in the world where you can find miniature trees whose growth is stunted by nutrient poor, acidic soil. • Ride the train – the historic Skunk Train will carry you through the redwoods, stopping for a barbecue at the turnaround. Details at www.SkunkTrain. com. • Ride horses on Ten-Mile Beach or in Jackson State Forest from Lari Shea’s Ricochet Ranch, a couple of miles north of downtown. • Watch whales, catch crabs, fish or view sea birds from a Noyo Harbor charter boat. Denise Salamanca is the co-author of a travel/humor blog – www.shesaidthenshesaid.com
Contra Costa Humane Society’s Upcoming Events By David Stegman, Executive Director
Contra Costa Humane Society is an animal-welfare organization based in Pleasant Hill that aims to improve the quality of life for animals through programs and services that help prevent cruelty, relieve suffering, and advocate responsible and humane behavior. Read on to learn more about our organization and to see our Pet of the Month! For more information on these exciting events, please visit our website at www.cchumane.org.
silent and live auctions, delicious food, cocktails and more. Held at the stylish 1515 Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Walnut Creek, this will be one evening you won’t want to miss! Tickets are $40 per person. To become a sponsor or for ticket information, please call the CCHS office at (925) 279-2247, ext. 306. When: Wednesday, June 16, from 6:00pm - 9:00pm Where: 1515 Restaurant and Lounge in Walnut Creek, voted Best of the East Bay for two years running by Diablo Magazine.
Noah’s Ark-tion
Gracie is our 8-year-old Pitbull mix. She loves everyone she meets, as well as every dog & cat. She’s very gentle, sweet and happy!
CCHS’s 6th Annual Noah’s Ark-tion will be docking once again this year and is sure to be a fun-filled evening for all! One of our largest annual fundraisers, Noah’s Arktion supports our three long-standing animal programs, Adoption, SNAP & EMF, as well as our two new programs, AniMeals & Kitty Corner. The event will feature
Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon Come meet your perfect furry companion at Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon, an
exciting weekend for CCHS dogs & cats alike, when adoptable animals will be free to qualified, loving homes! Maddie’s Fund is generously underwriting all adoption fees for adopters and donating to rescues for each animal that finds a forever home. Maddie’s Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation, is a family foundation funded by Workday and PeopleSoft Founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Maddie’s Fund is helping to create a no-kill nation where all healthy and treatable shelter dogs and cats are guaranteed a loving home. CCHS will have a number of our dogs and cats on site for adoption, as well as our resident cats at Kitty Corner. Normal pre-screening rules apply to all CCHS foster animals, so please contact our office beforehand if there is a dog or cat in which you’re interested. Kitty Corner cats are available to qualified homes on a firstcome, first-serve basis. When: Saturday, June 12th, 10am-4pm, Sunday, June 13th, 10am-4pm Where: 609 Gregory Lane, Suite 140, Pleasant Hill
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Apollo Shuttle Service
4 a.m. You’ve just climbed aboard a well-used, multi-passenger airport shuttle van for your 7 a.m. flight. Packed between strangers for almost two hours and several east bay stops, the driver finally begins a second round of drops as he jockeys pas-
OR
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Page 10
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June 2010
PAST TO PLEASANT
Pleasant Hill’s Graceland By Adam Nilsen
Whenever my family wants delightfully piquant curries and pad thai, we go to Graceland. Not to the Elvis kitsch capital of the world, but to the site of Pleasant Hill’s first suburban development, Graceland Acres. Thai Village, our favorite Thai restaurant on Gregory Lane near Pleasant Hill Road, is one of many establishments and homes that sit on this land—the first in Pleasant Hill to be suburbanized. In 1912, decades before anyone loved Elvis tender, George Abram Putnam carved 110 acres of his land into 21 lots and named his seedling subdivision Graceland Acres after his wife, Grace Brackett Putnam. He was one of many in the East Bay who took advantage of the influx of San Franciscans following the 1906 earthquake and fire. These lots were peddled as suburban farms or “ranchettes”. Real estate companies offered free promotional train rides to Contra Costa—a 1912 brochure for a similar development in Concord promised “profit and independence in a five acre farm for the city man.” But Pleasant Hill’s Graceland Acres went the way of the King himself—developers divvied up the land further to build more homes. Although Graceland Acres is gone, its shape determined the layout of this area today. Have a look at this blueprint—the vertical roads are Pleasant Hill Road, Brandon Road, and Kahrs Avenue; Gregory Lane and Boyd Road are the horizontal roads. If you love maps as
Map of Graceland Pleasant Hill circa 1912
much as I do, pull up a Google map of this area and compare it—you can very clearly see the outline of these old ranchettes. If you live on Rolling Green Circle or Way, just east of Christ the King, your subdivision used to be ranchette #12. Christ the King very clearly sits right on ranchette #10. The whole of Monti Circle was carved out of ranchette #11, and Helen Road was formerly ranchette #20. Our beloved Thai restaurant is in the shopping center on ranchette #1. This history is hidden in plain sight—if you live in this area or
frequent a business or a church on this site, see if you can place it on this blueprint. And think about the land beneath your “blue suede shoes”—the suburban farms of old Graceland Acres. Adam Nilsen is a Pleasant Hill native and a history researcher at the Oakland Museum of California. He is the author of Pleasant Hill, a history of the community, available at local
bookstores and through the Friends of Rodgers Ranch.
June 2010
www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
Sport Clips Helps with Gulf Oil Spill It’s a big, hairy deal when a national franchise such as Sport Clips Haircuts mobilizes its stores to help with an oil spill cleanup. Today, the men’s and boys’ hair care provider is asking its 690 stores, such as the those in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Danville and Dublin to gather the hair that’s vacuumed up throughout the day and package it for use by Matter of Trust, an organization that makes oil-soaking mats and booms from hair and fur. “Each of our Sport Clips stores collects approximately two pounds of clippings at the end of the day. We hope our donations will make an impact by helping to generate products that will clean up leftover oil,” says Ben Mangels, Team Leader
of the Sport Clips located in Pleasant Hill and Concord. “We have many locations in coastal and Gulf States, and team members from stores across the country are ready and willing to pitch in on this effort.” At the end of the day, participating Sport Clips stores will box up the collected hair and ship it to pre-arranged sites, according to Gordon Logan, the franchise’s founder and CEO. The company is known for its philanthropic work at the local and national level; however, Logan says this is the first time in its 15-year franchise history that oil spill cleanup has been at the heart of a company effort.
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Page 11
4th Annual King of the County
BBQ Challenge & Music Festival – June 19 & 20, 2010 Join us for the 4th Annual King of the County BBQ Challenge & Music Festival on June 19 & 20 at the Martinez Marina Waterfront Park from 11am-6pm daily – sure to be this summer’s top destination event. A perfect way for the entire family to spend Father’s Day! Enjoy lip-smacking BBQ from the professionals at Back Forty BBQ, Bulldog BBQ and Kinder’s Meats, as well as an extensive amateur BBQ competition for both dry and wet ribs. Judges include local celebrities with awards given throughout the weekend. Live on the Les Schwab Tire Center sound stage; enjoy the music of a variety of Northern California’s top bands: Tempest, James Garner – Johnny Cash Tribute Band,
Big Cat Tolefree, The RevTones, Patricia Wilder & Serious Business, Caroompas Room, and Garageland Rodeo. Also presenting a kid’s stage, rides & activities, as well as over 100 arts & craft vendors, and microbreweries & wineries offering commemorative King of the County event glasses sponsored by John Muir Best Western and CalPac Federal Credit Union. Lots of FREE parking & admission. Presented by Shell Oil Products US and sponsored by the Martinez Chamber of Commerce. For event details, amateur BBQ rules & application and vendor information, please visit www.CountyBBQ.com, or email reba@martinezchamber.com or call 925.228.2345
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CITY BUZZ
Blues & Brews Festival Fast Approaching Pleasant Hill is preparing for its First Annual Blues and Brews Festival, taking place at Pleasant Hill Park on Saturday, July 24th. This fundraising event, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Recreation and Park District, will support the new Teen Center. Live entertainment features R&B singer, songwriter and guitarist, Tommy Castro and his band. Castro is the winner of the 2008 Blues Music Award for Entertainer
of the Year. In addition to a variety of live bands, several micro-breweries will be on hand for tastings. Micro Beer tickets are $40 per person for unlimited tasting from 1pm to 5:30pm. Complimenting the beer will be food from Back Forty Texas BBQ, Kinder’s BBQ and the Meson Azteca Mexican Restaurant. More information can be found in the July issue of the Focus and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PleasantHillBluesFestival.
P.H. Receives “Tree City USA” Designation Pleasant Hill has been designated as a Tree City USA member for the 2009 calendar year. The City met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: • Must have a tree board or department • A tree-care ordinance • A comprehensive community forestry program • An Arbor Day observance and proclamation Being a member of Tree City USA will allow Pleasant Hill to network with over 3,400 cities to share
knowledge and ideas on preserving our Urban Forest. The benefits of trees in our community are numerous and include: promoting healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles; moderating climate, conserving water and providing vital habitat for wildlife; reducing the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings; increasing property values; reducing energy use; and adding beauty to our homes and neighborhoods.
Don’t Forget to Vote Tuesday, June 8, is the Direct Primary Election. If you can’t remember the location of your polling place or you need a quick look at candidate statements and ballot measures, visit the Contra Costa County Elections Division online at www. cocovote.us. Many important measures are on the ballot. So get out and vote.
June 2010
Citywide Community Cleanup The week of June 21-25, Pleasant Hill residents can cleanup and clear out! In addition to yard waste and wood, Allied Waste Services is including the recycling of single-use, household batteries and old cell phones. They ask that these items be contained in a clear, quart-size plastic bag and placed next to your wood and yard waste pile or recycling cart. All items must be placed at the
curb before 5:30 a.m. preferably the night before your cleanup day. When placing items on the curb for pick-up remember, no single item may weigh more than 150 lbs. or be longer than 4 feet. Bags cannot weigh more than 50 pounds. For further details and information, contact Allied Waste at: 925-685-4711 or visit their website: www.alliedwasteservicesofcontracostacounty.com
Road Closure Planned The new Iron Horse Pedestrian Bridge will be installed over Treat Boulevard in the Pleasant Hill BART area this month. Work will occur over three Saturday nights from 9pm until 10am the next morning on the following dates: June 4th/5th, June 11th/12th and June 18th/19th and the entire intersection of Treat and Jones will be shut down during
that time. A detour plan will be in place during this closure. The over crossing will allow for pedestrian and bicycle safety when crossing the heavily trafficked Treat Boulevard. The bridge will be constructed of structural steel members in an arch formation with suspender cables. The bridge will also link discontinuous sections of the Iron Horse Trail.
City Calendar of Events Architectural Review Commission June 3, 17 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 5:00pm Contact: 671-5259
Education/Schools Advisory Commission Meeting June 23 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 7:00pm Contact: 671-5229
City Council Meeting June 7, 21 100 Gregory Lane Contact: 671-5267
Planning Commission Meeting June 22 100 Gregory Lane City Council Chambers, 7:30pm Contact: 671-5259
Civic Action Commission Meeting June 2 100 Gregory Lane Small Community Room, 6:30pm Contact: 671-5229
For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us
June 2010
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Page 13
BOOKS IN FOCUS
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Book Review by Adam Kondonijakos - Founder of the Pleasant Hill Book Club
Never have I been so excited to read a book and never has a book so fulfilled my expectations. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is quite possibly the most unique, interesting and inspiring books ever written. Author Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) has written a book for the ages. Surely this book will make the next “100 Best Books” list. Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter is so fiercely and unapologetically absurd it is beautiful. Logic may say that surely our 16th president was not a vampire hunter but this book will never let on. The book opens with a list of “facts” you should know before reading. Fact
2; “Abraham Lincoln was one of the gifted vampire hunters of his day.” There are other great statements of “fact” in the book. For example the book mentions how there is no evidence that Stephen Davis knew of the vampires’ master plan only that he was associates with their conspirators. The book also includes historical photographs and pictures documenting Lincoln’s history of vampire hunting. In addition to these historical “facts”, the story is quite cleverly entwined with Lincoln’s and our nation’s real history. This includes
his term in the House of Representatives, his presidency, the Civil War, and his assassination. In fact if you ignore all of the vampire stuff, the book is a pretty decent biography of Lincoln’s life. Probably the best part about reading this book is the reaction you get from others when they see you with it. If you read on BART, don’t be surprised if you start finding open seats around you. Conversely, do not be surprised if you have to start carrying around a pen and paper to keep track of all the people who you want to borrow the book after
you’ve read it (personally, my list is up to seven). And if you read this around middle school or high school aged children, be prepared for some of the most confused looks you will ever see in your life. I cannot say enough about this book. This is the most fun you’ll have reading since...ever. Nothing I have read compares. To read more about this novel, see its trailer (that’s right, this book has a trailer!), or leave your comments, please visit pleasanthillbookclub.blogspot.com Editors Note: Adam will be taking a summer hiatus and return in the fall for more book reviews.
Fifty Years by the Bay Remains Popular Some three-plus years after its publishing, Chuck Nan’s Fifty Years by the Bay remains a popular selection among Bay Area baseball fans and followers of the San Francisco Giants. Fifty Years by the Bay is a literary documentary, covering all of the significant memories in San Francisco Giants history. This detailed account commences with the move West in 1958, through the 40 seasons at Candlestick Park, to a new beginning at Pacific Bell Park, into a new millennium, and onto the 2007 season. The work relives the key moments, teams, players and figures that made the franchise great. All of the memorable and celebrated moments are chronicled, including: • Through the years with the team, 1958 - 2007 •Top individual game feats
• Significant seasonal performances • Successful career achievements • Features on all of the great San Francisco Giant players • Segments covering several key officials, management and ownership • Filled with countless historic anecdotes, facts, statistics, lists and trivia information The book is available at all of the usual online retailers, including Amazon, Borders and Barnes and Noble. In addition, it is available through the publisher at www.authorhouse.com. Chuck Nan is a noted Bay Area sports journalist and recognized as one of the premier historians relative to the San Francisco Giants. He was recently credited as a source in the
highly-acclaimed autobiography of Willie Mays entitled, Willie Mays: The Life, the Legend. (Coauthored by James S. Hirsch). Nan served as the Sports Editor of the Martinez News-Gazette and is a regular contributor to the Pleasant Hill Community Focus. During his career, he has also worked in sports radio. His book has been featured on the “Gary Radnich Show,” “Damon Bruce Show,” and the “John Rothman Shows.” In 2008, Sports Collectors Digest named Chuck’s book the 37th-best baseball book of the year. One of his research pieces, “San Francisco Giants Spring Tour of Japan, March 1970” was published in Elysian Fields Quarterly-The Baseball
Review in summer, 2004. Chuck has had smaller works published by SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) in their annual releases, The Baseball Research Journal and The National Pastime. A true native of San Francisco, Chuck grew up just 10 minutes from Candlestick Park. The Giants were his first sports love at age 6, and still are. He has been a season ticket holder for many years and has seen several thousand games in his life. Chuck has spent many a frigid summer night at the ‘Stick watching his beloved team. Nan resides with his family in Martinez, California. For more information please contact: Chuck Nan at 925-8645116, e-Mail: FiftyYearsBTB@aol. com. Website: www.fiftyyearsbythebay.com
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CORKS AND FORKS
June 2010
Pair Up With La Sommelierre Maria Terry
Wedding Season The month of June is often the time for joining family and friends together to celebrate a commitment made by two people. Here are a few recipes you can serve at the myriad of parties that mark the occasion. Start with bright green edamame hummus spooned atop toasted pita bread that has been dusted with rust-colored, spicy paprika (www. lasommelierre.com). This appetizer is vibrant in both color and flavor. Choose a beverage that is a little sweet but has a kick of acid to complement the spicy, tangy flavors in the hummus. Most commonly made in Sweden, elderflower syrup gives you a floral, sweet base from which you can
make alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. You can buy the syrup at Pizza Antica and IKEA in the San Francisco East Bay or buy it online and have it delivered directly to you. As a first course or main dish, chicken Caesar salad can be prepared ahead of time and tossed together at the last minute. It is sure to please a crowd. A sparkling rosé made from pinot noir grapes has a bright strawberry freshness with an earthy undercurrent that pairs well with the umami flavors in the dressing. Produced in many regions, it is particularly good when made in Germany. Look for it under the name spätburgunder. The bubbles cleanse the palate and continue the celebra-
tory feel of the party. At the end of the meal, remember the number one rule for pairing wines: the food should never be sweeter than the wine. So if the dessert is very sweet (like most wedding
cakes), skip the wine and brew up some coffee. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com
Herb’s Caesar Salad DRESSING INGREDIENTS ½ cup olive oil 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped ½ tsp. Dijon mustard ½ lemon, juiced 1 anchovy filet Salt and pepper Croutons Romaine lettuce Parmesan cheese (fresh grated is best) Seasoned and grilled, sliced chicken breast (opt.)
DIRECTIONS Blend dressing ingredients. Tear lettuce, and dress lightly. Season with salt and pepper. Add cheese and croutons and toss. Top with chicken. Make your own home-made croutons by cutting up dense bread, drizzling with olive oil and sprinkling with kosher salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 275˚. Yield: 2/3 cup dressing will dress about 8-10 cups of lettuce
Elderflower Beverage (Yield 1 Drink)
INGREDIENTS 2 oz. vodka (opt.) 1 splash bitters 1 oz. elderflower syrup 1 lime, juiced Soda DIRECTIONS Shake with ice and strain into a highball glass. Top with soda.
Pleasant Hill Cold Stone-925 288 0388
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June 2010
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Page 15
The BUZZ about town
Rewards & Spendin Spree
Downtown Pleasant Hill is excited to announce the launch of its new customer loyalty program called ShopStar. The first promotion begins May 24th through June 30th and four lucky new members will be chosen to win a $100.00 spending spree gift certificate. Refer a friend and you will also be entered to win one of four $25.00 gift certificates. There will be weekly drawings and winners announced on our website, Facebook and Twitter pages. ShopStar benefits will be offered daily, weekly and monthly, so members are encouraged to regularly visit to discover new perks offered by the local merchants. To join, log onto www.GoShopStar.com and choose your shopping center, Downtown Pleasant Hill. You may be a lucky winner and you will definitely be one of our loyal insiders, privy to special and unexpected perks.
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Are you staying current with what’s happening Downtown? When is Jack’s Restaurant & Bar opening? When can we get the fabulous burgers at Five Guys Burger & Fries? Get all the latest news on tenants, new and old. We have several entertainment and musical acts booked that you won’t want to miss. Stay current this summer by checking our webpage at www.ShopDowntownPleasantHill.com, follow us on Twitter, or become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/DowntownPleasantHill
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Page 16
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HOME TEAM
Swim Championships
Vikings Earn 2nd Place The DVC Baseball team erupted after their second win vs Solano in the first round of the Northern California Regional playoffs. DVC used a nine-run seventh inning to take the lead with a final score of 11-10. They lost in the 2nd round of playoffs on May 15th. The Vikings have been rebuilding their team after replacing nine starters this year. They had 3 pitchers picked up in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft, Ryan Palsha - Baltimore Orioles, Davis Tyler
Gagnon - Colorado Rockies and David Hurlbut - Minnesota Twins. Despite the changes they entered the playoffs with a 2nd place title in the Big 8 Conference with a 23-13 overall record. Josh Nuyten, an infielder, and designated hitter Eric Andrews, were both named to the first team of the Big 8 all-conference. Pitcher Harmen Sidhu, outfielder Mitch Petrak and utility player Justin Manci were named to the second team. Photo by Tod Gomes
May 8th at DVC
College Park varsity 400 free relay team, Kaitie Choiniere, Erin Ranahan, Kendall Stuscavage and Jennifer Diggs, qualified to compete in the NCS Championship. Photo submitted by Lizz Diggs
Men: Team scores: Northgate 547, College Park 326, Clayton Valley 282, Concord 213, Ygnacio Valley 170, Berean Christian 148. Free: 3rd- Leung (CP) 22.59; 100 Butterfly: 1st- Randall (CP) 54.85; 200 Free Relay: 3rd- CP 1:33.09; 100 Breast: 1st- Leon (BC) 1:00.28, 2nd- Koenig (YV) 1:01.38; 400 Free Relay: 2nd-BC 3:27.26, 3rd- CP 3:33.88. Women: Team scores: Northgate 481, College Park 327, Clayton Valley 299, Ygnacio Valley 249, Berean Christian 211, Concord 168 200 IM: 1st- Jones (BC) 2:10.10, 2nd- Hope Curran (CP) 2:12.94; 50 Free: 1st- Randall (CP) 23.53* (new meet record); 100 Butterfly: 1st- Padilla (YV) 58.32, 3rd- Hannah Curran (CP) 1:02.69; 100 Free: 1st- Randall (CP) 51.56*(new meet record), 2nd- Jones (BC) 52.97; 500 Free: 3rd- Diggs (CP) 5:53.61; 200 Free Relay: 3rd- CP 1:43.29; 100 Back: 2nd -Padilla (YV) 1:00.7; 100 Breast: 1st- Hannah Curran (CP) 1:07.39, 2nd- Hope Curran (CP) 1:08.88
Track & Field Championships
3
May 15th at Clayton Valley
Photo by Dave Holland
36 Year Member Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce
June 2010
College Park’s Kevin Strongman (back left), Jeff Bickert (center) and Will Holland placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 3200 event followed by Cooper Shanks, also of CP.
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Fat ailablicates he e! Jun r’s Da e2 y 0
College Park’s Alycia Cridebring took 1st in the 1600, 800, and 3200.
Girls Team scores: College Park 136, Clayton Valley 126, Northgate 63, Berean Christian 60, Mt. Diablo 54, Concord 28, Ygnacio Valley 18. 1,600: Cridebring (CP) 5:12.54, Tate (CV) 5:21.69, Stuscavage (CP) 5:31.82; 100HH: A. DeBoer (BC) 16.41, Arceneaux (N) 17.01, Prior (YV) 17.05; 400: Cunningham (MD) 59.59, Baker (CP) 1:00.87, Del Bene (CV) 1:01.07; 100: Bandayrel (CV) 13.19, Piol (CP) 13.33, Darrow (CV) 13.48; 800: Cridebring (CP) 2:25.20, Del Bene (CV) 2:27.66, Reed (CP) 2:28.86; 3,200: Cridebring (CP) 11:51.02, Tate (CV) 11:52.39, Broomand (CP) 12:17.55; TJ: Miller (MD) 33-9 1/2, Lawrence (CP) 31-9, Chin (BC) 31-1 1/4 Boys Team scores: Northgate 167, College Park 120, Clayton Valley 89, Mt. Diablo 39, Berean Christian 29, Concord 28, Ygnacio Valley 17. 1600: Bickert (CP) 4:30.12, Ortolan (CP) 4:31.56, Whittington (N) 4:36.88; 400: Llanos (N) 50.09, Stupka (CV) 50.17, Brown (CP) 51.10; 800: Ortolan (CP) 1:57.00, Butler (C) 2:00.93, Cervantes (CP) 2:03.55; 3,200: Strongman (CP) 10:02.86, Bickert (CP) 10:05.51, Holland (CP) 10:27.04; LJ: Llarenas (C) 19-10 1/2; Ihle (CV) 19-8, Butterfield (CP) 19-6 3/4; SP: Levy (N) 47-9, Fabian (CP) 44-2, Perry (N) 43-7
June 2010
www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
Page 17
HOME TEAM
No-Hitters Abound on the Diamond for Local Preps Hogan Throws No-Hitter for Falcons Senior Tommy Hogan of College Park has proved he should be considered in all discussions regarding the better pitchers in the Diablo Valley. Although pitching for a team with a record below the .500 mark, Hogan has frustrated opponents just about every time out. The best case-in-point is the no-hitter he threw versus Diablo Valley Athletic League (DVAL) rival Northgate, 3-0 in mid-April. That milestone win gave the right-hander some much deserved notoriety. But for those in the Pleasant Hill area, it was no surprise. Hogan has been a solid starter all season. Playing before the home crowd, Hogan struck-out 10 batters, walked just one and hit a batter in his no-hit performance. The tenth and final K came to end the game, a great way to punctuate the effort. Hogan was not totally anonymous entering the 2010 season. He was always viewed as one of the top-10 players to watch in the DVAL in pre-season previews. His coach, Cliff Coleman, recently commented that Hogan throws strikes with all of his pitches, and at any time. For opponents, they learned the hard way, early-on. Hogan is quite miserly when it comes to allowing runs. Statistically, most of the runs scored against Hogan have been the result of defensive lapses, and thus unearned. Hogan received recognition for another big early-season, no-league win over California High (San Ramon) of the rugged EBAL. That was a complete game shutout, as well. In that game, Hogan did not surrender a single walk while fanning six in the process. The Falcons defeated the Grizzlies 2-0. The start prior to that, Hogan notched 11 strikeouts and tossed
By Chuck Nan first and second innings. In the first, Justin Green hit a blooper just over third base to score John Miller, who reached base with a double. The Bulldogs then scraped for what would be the winning run with two-outs in the second. Consecutive bloop hits by Billy Krummen and Mike Hewitson, coupled with some throwing errors, resulted in the second run. Stephenson also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-3. The no-hit game was his third consecutive complete game. In that span, he allowed two base hits in College Park’s Tommy Hogan 27-innings for an opponent batting averseven scoreless innings. age of just .030. Hogan’s win-loss record does not do him any justice. Hovering around .500, it Lady Bulldogs Roll won’t grab much attention. But the other The Alhambra Lady Bulldogs faced a couple of challenges going into this numerics do – an ERA under 2.00 and season. First, they were hampered with less hits allowed than innings pitched. a number of injuries. Second, they were Perhaps the most impressive stat is his a very young team overall. The injuries strikeout-to-walk ratio of better than were not real serious, but were enough to seven-to-one. force coach Paul Buccellato to use more Stephenson Duplicates Hogan Robert Stephenson of Alhambra has freshman than he normally would. The current record of 12-9 overall really asserted himself as the premiere prep pitcher in the area this season. April doesn’t look overly impressive, but it’s 20 is a day that the young man will never what’s beyond. Seven of those eight losses came in tournament play. The two forget. Just hours after he made public tournaments the Bulldogs entered had his decision to attend the University of them face some of the toughest schools Washington, Stephenson went out and in the Sacramento and Northern Nevada tossed a no-hitter. The contest was not without drama. areas, including: Reed, Casa Roble and Douglas -- all top-ranked teams with Acalanes made Stephenson work for his almost unblemished records. The other prize in the seventh. With one out, the non-league loss was to local power Pinext two batters walked. Stephenson took a breath and relaxed. He fanned the nole Valley. next batter and looked to notch the final Those games provided a foundation for the regular season. The proof is out. A benign bouncer to first was easily evident. The Lady Bulldogs are a perfect handled for the out and a slim 2-1 win. 10-0 in league play and clinched the “My cutter was really working today,” Stephenson said. I just try to find league crown. my target on the glove and not hurry my Nikki Gentile, a University of Iowa signee, started the season slowly with motion. That’s what makes me so suca back injury, but has bounced back to cessful.” health. She is hitting a robust .500 (19Alhambra scored its two runs in the
for-38) with 10 RBIs, three doubles, one triple and 10 walks. Her on-base percentage is .620 and slugging percentage is .632. She leads the team in stolen bases with 15 in 18 attempts (83.3%). Junior Jamie Higgins and freshmen Bella Gonsalves and Jazzanna McIntosh are all hitting over .300. Higgins and Jenna Krummen are second on the team in slugging percentage (.471). Krummen is having another solid season with her on-base percentage near .400; she has slammed five doubles and two triples. Mariah Suitos is second on the club with 18 base hits. Taylor Hendrickson, although a sophomore, is a veteran catcher and is tied for second-most RBIS with nine
Robert Stephenson No 13
(Krummen and Higgins). She has settled the young pitching staff and has only one error for a fine .990 fielding percentage. Pitching wise, Shannon De Vries is the top dog. She is 5-2 with a 1.45 ERA and has 41 strikeouts in 49 innings. Her control is precise, walking just eight. A combined no-hitter by De Vries and freshman pitcher Hailey Anderson at Dougherty Valley in mid-April, makes it four in this area for the season.
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2010 Lacrosse By Kyle Allen Several College Park Lacrosse eream-Goalie Honorable Mention: Jake players, seasoned seniors and rookies, made All-League and Honorable Gonzales-Defense, Bryan McWatMention this 2010 season, amazing ters-Defense and Brett Bechter-Ataccomplishments for these outstand- tackmen. Through a rough season, they ing young individuals. 1st Team All League: Devon proved to be great players. CP will Bahary-Midfield and Lukas Maronly lose three seniors next season tinelli-Attackmen and looks forward to growing as a 2nd Team All League: Zach program and making a name for Fry-Attackmen and Jefferey Smith- themselves in the years to come.
Alhambra’s Andrew Crosno. Photo by Fritzi Steinheiser.
College Park’s Brett Bechter
June 2010
PAID ADVERTORIAL
National Men’s Health Week in June By Jewel Johl, M.D.
National Men’s Health Week is June 14-20. The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and promote cancer awareness. This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage a healthy lifestyle for men and boys that promotes cancer prevention and screening, increase access to cancer care and improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. Following are some of the lifestyle changes one can make to prevent cancer: 1. Avoid tobacco. Smoking has been linked to 30% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. It increases the risk of cancer of the lung, head, neck, kidney, bladder, pancreas and colon. 2. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low in satu-
rated/trans fat. 3. Be physically active and maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity is associated with decreased risk of colon cancer. Studies have also shown that obesity can increase the risk of prostate cancer and esophageal reflux, which increases the occurrence of esophageal cancer. 4. Avoid excess exposure to ultraviolet rays to prevent skin cancer and always use a daily sunscreen. 5. Adequate vitamin D intake may reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancer. 6. Be up-to-date on cancer screening including PSA, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Dr. Johl is a physician with Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group which is located in the California Cancer and Research Institute at 400 Taylor Blvd, Pleasant Hill.
Pleasant Hill is home to the California Cancer and Research Institute. This state-of-the-art facility with cutting edge technologies is the largest comprehensive, non-hospital based cancer and blood disorder treatment facility in Contra Costa County. The center offers everything from medical oncology and hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, and advanced diagnostic imaging to clinical trials and supportive services such as nutrition and patient education.
June 2010
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Page 19
History Comes Alive for Strandwood Elementary William Northgrave, Gristmill
Thirty-five Strandwood Elementary 4th graders loaded-up the wagons, headed for Sacramento and landed in 1846 at Sutter’s Fort State Park’s Experiential Learning Program (ELP). Students, parents, grandparents, and teacher, Jim Brown, lived candle-making, trapping, baking, grist-milling, frontier medicine and washboards. For weeks, Lauren Ulrich, Ellen Javete, Stacey Monroe, and Amy Carter coordinated the kids’ research of pioneers named Sutter, Fremont, Vallejo, and Donner. In late-April, they portrayed California history in buckskin and bonnets. Ulrich admits to some emotion on
can make a dramatic difference in true understanding.” Parent Alison Clary beamed, “Both Sutter’s Fort and the after school program were incredible. The breadth and depth of learning was unique.” This all translates to the “pioneers”. Alison’s oldest daughter Mallory gushes about her prior ELP day, “Sutter’s Fort is my favorite memory from elementary school.” Her sister Jocelyn echoes, Pioneers arrive by covered wagon early in the morning to Sutters Fort. “Amazing, authentic, old-fashELP day, “I get teary when the wagforged with Strandwood and parioned. Life was so different. People ons roll in and the pioneers step off ents. “Schools and teachers are our into 1846.” learning structures, but State Parks really sacrificed to help others on the journey.” Sophie Harrington Steve Beck, Sutter’s Fort ELP and parents can take learning coordinator, loves the partnership outside and make huge impacts on learned “a lot more than my history book would our youth, true ever teach me,” learning outside and Bailey Ulthe box. Strand We are pleased to announce like to donate or sponsor the team rich was “amazed that PHMSA has been selected in a please know that PHMSA AYSO wood is top shelf, how fun doing national draw to field an Under-10 Region 281 is a non-profit 501 (c) their attention to laundry was, Boys National team (PHMSA RIP(3) organization. AYSO Tax ID# detail is excelloved dancing TIDE) to represent the Bay Area in is: 95-6205398 INFO: Please make lent.” after working all the prestigious bi-annual National checks payable to PHMSA U10 For teacher day, but going to AYSO Tournament. This year, the Boys National Team and contact the Brown, ELP a pioneer doctournament will be held in Florida Community Outreach Committee inspires students from July 4-11th, at the Palm Beach at 925-296-0990 for contribution tor was scary. and parents to International Polo Club, in Palm pick-up or mail to PHMSA, AYSO I’m glad I didn’t work together Beach Florida. All costs and exRegion 281 U10 Boys National really have ganto make hispenses are the responsibility of the Team, P.O. Box 2327, Pleasant Hill, grene.” Bailey’s tory come alive. individual players. If you would CA 94523 William Northgrave and fellow Pioneers. brother Bryce so “Cherished enjoyed his expemoments like these, shared berience 2 years ago he returned as tween child and parent are an “fire-builder,” stoking the flames enriching experience. Pioneers for an 1846-style rotisserie turkey. were more than just travelers. Time will pass and new 4th They’re a bridge to understandgraders will board wagons, but ing the value community plays in 1846 will endure as Sutter’s building a brighter future.” Jerry Schauffler, participating grandpar- Fort welcomes the next wave of pioneers. But the words of Jayna ent, knows “experiential learning Jordan will still ring true for those provides the most telling, longTop row: Matthew (Scooter) Fry, Dillon Morley, Daniel Schwartz, Brett Jones, Brian Killeen experiencing the ELP, “You will love Bottom row: Reece Burkhart, Hugo Ramirez, Connor (Corndog) Baldwin, Wyatt Hammer, lasting impact. Sutter’s Fort is a Jackson Thomas it!” perfect example of how one day Not pictured: Coach David Killeen, Coach Rob Baldwin, Coach Keith George
Riptide National Team
Page 20
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June 2010
Local Happy Hour Guide
Discover a New Hangout or Visit an Old Favorite
La Tapatia Mexican Cuisine & Catering
Bar and Patio Happy Hour Monday-Friday — 3pm – 6pm $4 Appetizers • $3 Draft Beer $3.75 Well Drinks & Margaritas $3.75 House Wine
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536 Main Street Martinez 925-229-3866
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your entire food purchase Not valid for alcoholic beverages, tax or gratuities. Not valid with any other offers, discounts or To-Go orders. One coupon per visit/per table. Not valid on Holidays
1802 Willow Pass Rd Concord 925-685-1985
of Pleasant Hill
Magoo’s Gril l Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Sports Bar
EL TAPATIO authentic mexican restaurant
JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR! MONDAY - FRIDAY 3 PM TO 6 PM 50% OFF ALL WELL DRINKS AND HOUSE MARGARITAS FREE CHIPS AND SALSA Open 7 Days Mon - Sat 11AM - 9 PM Sundays 10AM - 9PM Sunday Brunch 10 AM - 2 PM 40 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill • 925-676-2420
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You can find Memphis Style BBQ at Smokin Okies BBQ Joint, where the southern tradition of slow cooking in real fire pits produces the best flavored Pulled Pork, Brisket, Tri-Tip, Baby-Back Ribs, Pork Spare Ribs, Beef Ribs, Turkey and Chicken around.
Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 5pm - 7pm 2 Drinks for the Price of One! Includes ALL house wine and house beer on tap. We provide a FREE appetizer to anyone who texts BBQ1 to 69302. Every Friday, we offer an off menu House Special.
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Every Friday and Saturday evening! Visit www.mybbqjoint.com/music for a live music schedule. 1941 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill 925-942-0149 Monday – Friday: 11am – 9pm Saturday: 8am – 9pm Sunday: 8am-8pm www.mybbqjoint.com
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June 2010
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Page 21
THE GARDEN
Alluring Apricots Add to Springâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bounty By Lesley Stiles
Ancient Chinese saw apricots as a sign of cowardice, while Europeans believed apricots to be an aphrodisiac. Fortunately, our early spring cold snap benefited local apricots, producing bumper crops of smooth, rosy-tinged deliciously orange globes. Like cherries, this stone fruit pairs well with fowl. Stuff chicken breasts with chopped apricots, chevre and loads of fresh thyme. Roast to golden love status and serve with pan juices enriched with Marsala and butter. Halve apricots and stuff cavity with gorgonzola and chopped, toasted walnuts. Grill until the cheese thinks it is melting and drizzle with orange Muscat for tortuously luscious bites of early summer. Nothing tastes like fresh apricot pie, but a nice crisp sure comes close. Recipe follows and be prepared to swoon at the ease and flavor of this amazing dessert. Spring produce is definitely on the way out being replaced by amazing summer fruit and vegetable crops. Cherries are peaking; you can really taste the maturity in these ruby gems. When eating a cherry it is like taking a gulp of cherry juice. White nectar-
ines are still a bit firm but taste like a rose geranium smells. Yellow peaches are in half swing with breathtaking combinations of sweet and tart. Some early peaches are loaded with mind blowing nuances although they will benefit from a few more weeks of maturity. Look for that unforgettable O Henry from J and J Farms to make her appearance on tables at the Pleasant Hill market. What a difference it makes when fruit is picked ripe and in season! All these fruits sliced up and spooned over cereal in the morning with a little yogurt or cottage cheese brings the morning meal up a notch letting your taste buds sing louder than the morning doves. The blackberries are going to benefit from a little more time but are symbolic of impending summer. Summer squashes are all over the market as well as some really nice basil. I received a vegetable from one of the Asian growers the other day that I thought was Thai basil but was corrected by the farmer. It is a green to be sautĂŠed with meat or chicken that tastes a lot like a nice mix of mint and basil. Be your own detective and ask the farmers about this as well as their other unfamiliar but interesting and tasty vegetables
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that are frequently passed by due to lack of taste experience. Nice showing of eggplants and green beans too and the English peas are going strong next to the favas. The peppers are not far behind as are the show stoppers, heirloom tomatoes and corn, moving in just in time for end of school and graduation BBQs. The Troy Spencer Memorial Garden at Pleasant Hill Middle School is going crazy with big crops of luscious summer produce. Mrs. Ouimetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leadership classes started all these plants from seed and did an amazing job of stewardship this year for the garden. Weeding is their middle name! The science classes have all made an appearance to impart a bit of their own leadership into the garden as well as learning a few things too. We should have a nice continuous summer harvest well into the start of school in fall for some wonderful additions to the cafeteria. The College Park High School
Organic Garden is going pretty wacko as well. Mrs. Piecushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special Day Classes have been the stewards of this garden, starting seeds, weeding, planting, and maintaining all of it! They are incredible and we have learned that she will be teaching summer school on our campus this year so we get an extended summer season with our kids in the garden. Huge bonus for Steph and me! We should have a pretty amazing summer display moving into the fall here too. Our glorious hills are golden now, dropping their green almost over night. I still love trekking up and down them regardless of color. Some cooler hikes can be had in the Oakland hills now too. Use it and lose it for the swimsuits! 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.
Shortcake I like a nice, fluffy, barely sweetened biscuit for my shortcake. Warm from the oven with just a touch of butter on it, ladled with cut up fruit that has been able to macerate for an hour or so, possibly with a bit of Framboise or Grand Mariner and a dollop of honey sweetened whipped mascarpone. This is shortcake nirvana!
2 Ÿ cups flour 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar 4 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons melted butter ž cup buttermilk or milk Preheat oven to 425°. Butter a pie tin or glass. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl, flour, salt, 1 tablespoon sugar and baking powder. Cut the 4 tablespoons butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers or a pastry blender until it resembles dry bread crumbs. Add the milk and mix quickly until dough comes together in a sort of sticky mass. Pat into pie pan, brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle teaspoon of sugar on top. Bake for about 15 minutes or until light brown on top. Cut into 8 wedges.
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June 2010
PHMS Track Meet
The UMDAF Update
By Jaki Jones
By Jaki Jones, Photos By Michele Hill
On May 12, 13 and 14, Pleasant Hill Middle School witnessed outstanding competitions and recordbreaking moments during the all-school track meet, where a range of events were held during class periods over the course of three days. In order to participate, students had to qualify for one of ten track or field events, including the 50-yard dash, 100-yard dash, 220yard dash, 440-yard dash, 440 relay, the mile, softball throw, shot put,
long jump and the high jump. Both students and parents made up the bevy of onlookers who applauded and encouraged the athletes each day. Mrs. McHale, the PHMS 6th grade P.E. teacher, remarked about the track meet, saying “It was fabulous! Records were broken and each year it never ceases to amaze me how records are broken and the ability level of the students still seem to impress the spectators.”
Special congratulations go to the following students who are now current PHMS record holders:
440 Relay: Gio Punongbayan, Dean Engle, Sean Godkin, Antonio Zumaya 55.09 Long Jump: Antonio Zumaya 16’4” 8th Grade 220-yard Dash: Nate Burkhart 25.84• Rachel Lindenauer 30.11 440-yard Dash: Nate Burkhart 58.16 440 Relay: Matt Eversone-Ramirez, Dimitri Salido, Tim Jackson, Erick Avalos 52.99 Mile: Nate Burkhart 5:15.27 High Jump: Jessica Jordan 4’6”
6th Grade 220-yard Dash: Jake Simpson 28.36 440-yard Dash: Jake Simpson 1:04.86 Mile: David Phair 5:43.92 High Jump: Kayla Dempsey 4’2” Long Jump: Jake Simpson 15’4” Shot Put: Beverly Kurk 28’9” 7th Grade 50-yard Dash: Antonio Zumaya 6:05
Winners of Softball Throw
6th Grade 4 x 400 Relay
8th Grade 50 Yard
7th Grade 100 Yard
Back row: Stuart Arakelian (Event Sponsor), Kent Caldwell, Lenora Hay-Muagututi’a, Wade Westhoff (Event Sponsor), Mark Lloyd, Pat Middendorf. Front row: Darrel Yasutake, John Antaki, Jane Burke, Christina Borges (Event Sponsor), Eva Mitchell, Kysha Knox, Natalie Koyama
The United Mt. Diablo Athletic Aid event was a true sports bash! Foundation’s latest fundraising sucAs a united community we celebratcess was Sport Aid, held on April ed reaching our goal of 1.2 mil22nd at the Pyramid Alehouse in lion to save sports in our six high Walnut Creek. This 1st Annual event schools. It was a bittersweet evening to benefit high as we marveled school sports in at what was acthe Mt. Diablo complished in school district one year yet at featured unique the same we look silent and live with trepidation auction items, at next year and dinner and trying to do it all (Left to Right) Raider & CVHS Alum Sam Wildancing. Special liams, Mike and Brenden Rose & John Antaki over again.” said guests included Pat Middendorf, Oakland Raider and Clayton Valley UMDAF’s President. High School alum Sam Williams, Visit the UMDAF website at and Retired Oakland Raider Art www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org Thoms. Although the event raised to learn how to help support this an impressive $25,000, high school foundation. sports are in jeopardy for the next school year if funding objectives are not met. UMDAF successfully met their fundraising goal for the 2009/2010 sports season, and are currently working towards meeting their goal of $1.225 million for the 2010/2011 sports season and Sport Aid was a positive launch toward that goal. “The Sport
June 2010
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PAID ADVERTORIAL
Natural Allergy Relief Using Homeopathy By Myra Nissen This time of year we are ready nose, similar to the effects of chopfor spring and summer with all it ping an onion, a remedy called Albrings – warm weather, new grass, lium cepa can alleviate symptoms. green leaves, and flowers. However, Interesting to note that Allium cepa seasonal allergies or hay fever can is made from a type of onion. make it difficult to enjoy the beauti- Wytheia heleniodes is a remedy ful weather in Contra Costa County. for a person who experiences itchy Coughing, sneezing, and nose, throat, and soft itchy eyes can ruin a fampallet. A person needed ily outing. Wytheia will often make Antihistamines, a clicking noise as they decongestants, or steroids try to relieve the tickle on offer relief, but medicines their soft pallet with their often bring side effects tongue. like dizziness, drowsiness, Other natural care tips: and worse. Plus, mediRaw, local honey: Alcines don’t address the lergens trapped in honey underlying causes of allergies. is delivered in small, manageable Homeopathy(ho•mee•ahp’•eh doses, and similar to allergy immu•thee), a natural system of healing, nology injections. Note: Infants uncan alleviate symptoms without der 1 year should not be fed honey. side effects. Working with a profesBathing: Clean all traces of polsional homeopath to strengthen the lens from your hair and face before immune response can correct one’s retiring for the day. Wash your face susceptibility to allergies. Allergies or shower. brought me to homeopathy 35 years Sinus rinse: Rinsing tapped allerago. Symptom free in a short time, I gens from the nasal passages help could fulfill my dream and became prevent a stuffy nose. an archaeologist. Careful cleaning: Frequent cleaning Offering an individualized and dusting can remove allergens. approach, a homeopath considers Consider a HEPA clean air filter for each person’s unique symptoms your home. Homeopathy, more than herbs, to determine the correct remedy. Common remedies for allergies is 200-yrs old and has been used include: by millions of people worldwide. Eurpharsia (eyebright) is for Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), allergy symptoms that come with Nationally Certified Classical itchy, burning, watery eyes. Allergy Homeopath Call and ask about sufferers needing Eurphrasia will Homeopathic Allergy Care and often try to wink away the sensation our special offered through the end of a hair or sand in their eyes. of June 2010. 925.826.3858. www. When a person experiences myranissen.com. teary eyes and a drippy, burning
Page 23
PAID ADVERTORIAL
Communication in Marriage By Ron Whitney
“Some Saturday in the not too distant future when you do not have to work or there is not a ball game that you really want to watch, I would like for us to spend the entire day together, uninterrupted and undistracted.” My wife, Carol, told me this about six years ago. I simply responded, “I can do that.” You will note that she honored me by accepting the fact that I had to sometimes work on Saturday and there were times when there was a ball game on TV that I really wanted to watch. Then she told me specifically what she wanted. She did not hint. She did not say something like, “I would like to spend more time with you” or “We don’t spend enough time together.” Communicating with another human being is one of the most difficult things we do and communicating with our spouses is sometimes especially difficult. We all process what we hear someone say through our own filters. And frequently, our filters are different than our spouses’ filters. And when we have a misunderstanding, one spouse says to the other, “Well, I thought you said _____.” “What I heard you say was ______.” Or worse, we tell our spouses, “Well, you said ______!” when the spouse did not say that, but that is what we heard. Furthermore, unresolved hurt results in anger; unresolved anger results in resentment and
unresolved resentment results in bitterness. Carol and I have been together over 20 years and will have been married 15 years on May 20. We talked a lot about communication while we dated and spent a lot of time learning how to communicate effectively by staying on topic and never criticizing each other. We still sometimes make mistakes in our communication and have to stop and go back to what we know works. I work with couples or with the spouses individually to help them learn to relate to each other in a healthy way so they can enjoy their relationship to the fullest. In the vast majority of cases, marriage coaching is much more effective than marriage counseling because coaching focuses on the future instead of the past. If you are at the place where you realize your marriage cannot be saved, I can help you maintain your dignity and integrity while going through the divorce process. Ron is a retired special agent of the FBI. He is currently a life coach specializing in marriages and relationships. He is also a lay counselor at Hope Center Covenant Church in Pleasant Hill. He can be reached by email at connectingwithlife@gmx.com or by telephone at (925) 708-5337.
Page 24
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June 2010
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June 2010
www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
Stage Door
Page 25
THEATRE & THE ARTS
By Nicole Diestler
My Spotlight Artist for June is Daunielle Rasmussen, the inspired and inspiring Artistic Administrator at California Shakespeare Theatre. As Daunielle so eloquently puts it, “Cal Shakes is an organization that makes bold artistic choices and continues to challenge itself artistically, organizationally and in how it serves its surrounding community.” I agree. I also believe that statement could just as easily describe her to a “T”. She is a go-getter, a delightful collaborator and a wonderful artisian. It is my distinct pleasure to provide an insight into this wonderful theatre artist, her path, career and her current, passionate work with one of Northern California’s Presented by Formerly Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC)
jun
e4 –2 0
The Music & Magic of Broadway
Music and lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim Book by
James Lapine
info. on special events and discounts: www.diablotheatre.org For tickets call 925.943.SHOW (7469) or order online www.lesherartscenter.org PerFormances at Lesher Center for the Arts/Walnut Creek
most beloved and well-reputed theatrical companies. ND: When did your love for Theatre begin? Can you remember the time and place? DR: When I was four, my aunt took me to see Swan Lake in Los Angeles. I subsequently found my way to ballet and through that, theater. ND: What training/education do you have in the arts? DR: I have a BA in Theater Arts with an emphasis in Acting from CSU Stanislaus. I also spent a year studying Community Arts at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in England. This fall I am beginning course work for an MFA in Creative Inquiry, Interdisciplinary Arts at the California Institute of Integral Studies. ND: In one sentence, describe yourself. DR: I am a passionate, driven artist who sees the work that I do as more of a calling then a job. ND: In one sentence, describe what the theatre means to you. DR: I believe that theater gives us the opportunity to understand the world, humanity, ourselves and make the impossible seem possible. ND: How did you come to work at Cal Shakes? DR: I moved to the Bay Area right out of college to work for Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theater Programs as a Performer/Educator but found myself unable to perform shortly after being hired due to injuries. While on modified duty in the office, I found that I had a love for arts administration and that what I wanted to be doing long term was artistic direction. I began the search for a position that would provide me access to the inner workings of an Artistic department within a regional company and happened upon the position at Cal Shakes. The rest is history. ND:What is your title and what do you do
at Cal Shakes? DR:I am the Artistic Administrator. Within that title, I am the Community Engagement Manager for our New Works/ New Communities program, Director of our Professional Immersion Program, oversee company management and administrative functions for the Artistic and Production departments and assist the Artistic Director. ND: What makes Cal Shakes unique from other theatre companies? DR: I think what makes Cal Shakes special is our executive leadership and board. Never have I been exposed to such vision and dedication. We never let ourselves settle into what is comfortable. Boundaries are always being pushed; the right questions are always being asked and the level of excellence that we expect from ourselves never wanes. As an employee, I always feel supported and am given the room to grow. As an artist, I am continually inspired by the work
that we do and the artists that we do our work with. ND: What community offerings do you have at Cal Shakes that people might not be aware of? DR: We have a great deal of community offerings for all of our programs. During the season we host grove talks every performance evening 45 minutes before curtain. We offer “Tasting Nights” on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with local vendors providing samples of their products. Prior to each opening we host an Inside Scoop at the Orinda Library complete with ice cream, coffee and a behind-the-scenes look into each production while they are in rehearsal. On Sundays we provide the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with actors from the production. There is so much going on up at our theater that I can’t list it all. For more information please visit our website at www.calshakes.org.
JUNE - NOW PLAYING God’s Ear by Jenny Schwartz (Drama) Directed by Erika Chong Shuch May 19, 2010 through Jun 20, 2010. Curtain time(s): Thurs-Sat 8PM; Sun 5PM. Ticket Price: $15.00 - $28.00. Once a couple is shattered by the death of their son, exquisite bravery, far-flung business trips and fantastical figures are all the things that come between loss and healing. Produced by: Shotgun Players, www.shotgunplayers. org. Box office: (510) 841-6500 x303. Performed at: Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley
Fresh Voices Festival of New Works by various (Musical/Opera) Jun 17, 2010 through Jun 20, 2010. Curtain time(s): Thurs-Sat 8PM; Sun 7PM. Ticket Price: $15.00 - $25.00World Premiere. Six local composers, one world premiere and 10 fully staged short operas over four evenings: Real-life stories of loneliness and alienation, the spirit of adventure and the will to survive (America) and dark recreations of old tales with new twists (Europe and Beyond). Produced by: Goat Hall Productions www.goathall. org. Box office: (415) 289-6877. Performed at: Live Oak Theater. 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin (Drama) Directed by Josy Miller Jun 11, 2010 through Jun 27, 2010 Curtain time(s): Fri 8PM; Sat 2PM & 8PM; Sun 2PM. Ticket Price: $15.00 - $25.00 This Broadway hit about the trial of two Marines for complicity in the death of a fellow marine at Guantanamo Bay sizzles on stage. Produced by: Hapgood Theatre Company, www.hapgoodtheatre.org. Box office: (925) 219-8545. Performed at: Nick Rodriguez Community Center Theatre ,213 F St. Antioch
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (Drama) Directed by Rebecca Ennals Jun 04, 2010 through Jun 27, 2010. Curtain time(s): Fri 8PM; Sat 2PM & 8PM; Sun 2PM. Ticket Price: $20.00 - $22.00 An overbearing mother has grand aspirations for her fragile, misfit daughter. Coproduced with Pear Avenue Theatre. Produced by: California Conservatory Theatre www.cct-sl.org. Box office: (510) 632-8850. Performed at: California Conservatory Theatre, 999 E. 14th St. San Leandro
In the Wake by Lisa Kron (Drama) Directed by Leigh Silverman May 14, 2010 through Jun 27, 2010. Curtain time(s): Tues & Fri 8PM; Wed 7PM; Thurs & Sat 2PM & 8PM; Sun 2PM & 7PM. No show 6/25. No matinee 5/14-16, 5/20, 5/29, 6/3, 6/12 or 6/17. Ticket Price: $13.50 - $71.00World Premiere After an idyllic Thanksgiving filled with food, football, family, and friends, a woman discovers how one passionate act can affect everything...her faith in love, her faith in country, her faith in herself. Produced by: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, www.berkeleyrep.org Box office: (510) 647-2949. Performed at: The Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. Berkeley.
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www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
June 2010
Calendar events 6/4 - August 27- Fridays on the MainCruise In & Live Music. 6-9pm. Main Street Downtown Martinez. Classic Cars, Street Rods, Custom Trucks, Motorcycles and live music. For schedule visit www. mainstreetmartinez.org 6/5 – Play it Safe in the Sun with Homeopathy with Myra Nissen. 10-11am. Discuss flower essence remedies that are essential to the natural traveler. Counteract symptoms of sleep disturbance, insect bites and much more. Create your own kit. FREE at Earth Touch Healing Arts, 1043 Grant St. Benecia. 826-3858. 6/8 – The 3/50 Project- Building Business from the Ground Up: Breakfast Speaker -Cindy Baxter, Martinez Event Center, 7am-9am. Whether you are an independent business owner or you support local, independent businesses, you won’t want to miss this speaker! $20 and includes a full breakfast. Register: 228-3577. 6/13 – Martinez Community Chorus presents “It’s All About the Rhythm.” Directed by Dee Wood, 3pm. Concert includes songs from Africa, Israel, Mexico, the Australian Outback, the movie “Shrek” and a modern rhythmic setting of the Mass. A “family-friendly” event with lots of percussion, some dancing, and refreshments. No admission charge, contributions will be gratefully accepted. Martinez Adult Education Auditorium, Alhambra and “F” Streets. 6/17 – Homeopathy, A Medical SystemWhat it is, What it can Do. 6-7pm, by Homeopathy Every Day Study Group. Speaker: Varda Wilensky @ Conference Room, Floor 2, 43 Quail Court, Ste. 215, Walnut Creek. 6/26 - Natural Skin Care with Homeopathy. 2-4pm. Vitamin Shoppe, 1601 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. FREE 939-3460. Ongoing - The Martinez Animal Hospital has a Kitten Adoption Program. The Cost to the new owner is our cost of vaccines & spay/neuter. www.martinezanimalhospital.net. 7/4 - 4th of July in Pleasant Hill: 7:30am - Firecracker 5K Run, Walk and Kids Dash. All race net proceeds will be donated to the Pleasant Hill school of your
choice. There are two ways to register: 1. Register online at www.phjuly4.com or 2. Pick up a registration form at Fleet Feet Sports at 45 Crescent Drive. Your registration fee includes a commemorative Firecracker Fun Run T-Shirt. If you register on or before June 21, 2009, your T-Shirt will be waiting for you at the check-in station on the morning of the run. 9:00am - The Parade! This hugely popular event travels right through the downtown area. If you or your group wishes to have an entry in the parade, visit www.phjuly4.com for parade entry information. The registration cutoff date is 12pm on June 30. No entries can be accepted after that date. 10:00am-2pm - Fun at the Park! Immediately after the parade, head to Pleasant Hill Park for games, food, live musical entertainment and more! Admission is FREE. 9:00pm - Fireworks. It all takes place at College Park High School, located on Viking Drive just west of Contra Costa Blvd. Admission is free. 7/4 – 4th of July Hometown Celebration Downtown Martinez. 8am-4pm. Pancake Breakfast 8-10am, Parade 10am, Celebration in the Plaza 11am-4pm. www.mainstreetmartinez.org 7/9, 10, 11th – Grand Fiftieth Celebration at College Park High School- many details on page 29. 7/24 – Blues and Brews Festival 11am6pm. Tommy Castro Band, Brew Tasting Tickets: $40 (Unlimited Tasting 1-5:30 pm) at Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Ln. More details on page 12. 7/26 - A Musical and Dance Celebration of Freedom. 8 pm - Grown Women Dance Collective presents Fallen Heroes Rising Stars, a Juneteenth celebration, followed by a hosted reception. DVC Theater, 321 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill. Tickets are $16 and on sale now through BrownPaperTickets.com. A select number of tickets are being reserved for local charities. Please contact us for more information.
AT THE LIBRARY 6/2-3 - Super Summer Book Swap & Story Exchange. The PH Library, in partnership with The PH/Walnut Creek
Mothers’ Club, will host a children’s book swap! Clear out those old children’s books that your family has outgrown and discover new treasures! Bring in your old books to the staff in the children’s section. For each book you bring in, you will receive a special Story Exchange ticket for the 6/10 event. Each ticket entitles a child to choose a newto-them book from our Super Summer Story Exchange. We need: Books in good condition for babies to 5th grade reading levels. NO magazines. 6/5 – Summer Reading Festival All DayMartinez Library @ 12pm. The Golden Gate Hot Club will be swinging with the gypsy jazz music of Django Reinhardt at the MARTINEZ Library starting at 12 noon. There will be a variety of crafts, games, and goodies for all, including icy refreshments in the library reading garden. The event is a partnership between the Martinez and Pleasant Hill Library, and will be held at the Martinez Library. The countywide festival kicks off the Summer Reading Program for all ages; summer reading game cards can be picked up at the Pleasant Hill Library and all other Contra Costa libraries starting June 5. 6/5 – Book Sale – Friends of the PH Library. 10am-3:30 pm. Huge assortment of fiction and non, collectibles, children’s, videos, etc. Early afternoon Bag Sale, $3 per bag for general sales books. 1750 Oak Park Blvd, PH in back of the library. 6/10 - Story Exchange. At the Pleasant Hill Library from 12:30pm - 4pm. Bring in your Story Exchange tickets and choose new-to-you books. 6/22 – How to Hire Star Performers Using LinkedIn. 7:15-9:15pm at PH Library. Great info for business owners. Speaker: JP McDermott, MBA, Career Transitions Specialist with MassMutual Finance Group
WATER POLO Coach College Park High School is looking for a Lady Falcon Water Polo Coach for the 2010 season. They were DVAL Champs in ’08 and ’09 with a recent season record of 23 Wins, 6 Losses. If interested, please contact the College Park Athletic Director, Lance Hurtado at hurtadol@mdusd.k12.ca.us
CLUBS 6/1 – Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club. 7pm. Speaker: Judy Sandekuhle regarding Geraniums and Pelargoniums @ PH Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. Guests are welcome. www.phgsc.com & 9444898. 6/8 – Pleasant Hill Library Book Club. 6:30pm. Book for June is “The Trial” by Franz Kafka.
Rec & Park 6/4 - Moonlight Movie. 8:30pm. Come watch a movie under the stars on the lawn adjacent to City Hall. Bring a blanket or chair and settle in to view the number one animated film of the year! “UP”, from Disney Studios, is an animated comedy adventure about a 78-year-old man who ties balloons to his house and flies away with an 8-year-old stowaway. The Moonlight Movie, a free teen and family event, is sponsored by Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District and the City of Pleasant Hill; 100 Gregory Lane. 6/25 – Friday Night Family Swim. 79:30pm at the Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane - $3.50-$4.
YOUTH June, July & August- Rodgers Ranch Round Up. Experience life on a farm in the 1800’s and learn back to basics lifestyles; Churning butter, making ice cream, crafts and much more. Ages 7-11yr. 2-day sessions- T&Th 9am-2pm $50. Sessions June 22&24, July 20&22 and Aug.3&5. Register at rodgersranch@ yahoo.com or 387-0158
MUSIC Downtown PH Plaza: 6/4, 11th, 18th & 25th - Aloha Fridays featuring Fran Guldry 12-2pm 6/5 &19th – Ian Tattenham 12-2pm 6/6 & 26th – William Neff 12-3pm 6/13 & 20th – The Black Pearl Project 12-3pm 6/17 & 24th – Jazz on the Plaza 5:30-8:30pm PH City Hall Lawn Area: 6/13, 27th – Sunset By The Lake Summer Concerts 6-8pm 6/25, 7/16, 8/6 – Garage Bands at the Lake 7pm. Local teen bands
June 2010
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Announcements Congratulations Amy Blair - You’re so
proud of you. Hope your future is all
at the UC of your choice too--We are
Congratulations to Nicholas Lucido
well prepared to start the next phase
you want it to be and more! Aunt Den-
so proud of you! We love you! Love,
Valley View Class of 2010
of life! Have a wonderful summer “On
ise, Uncle Ron, Nick, Dan and Dom
Mom, Dad and Thomas
Wishing you success at College Park
Tour” and those Tritons are lucky folks to have you in the fall! Love, your fam
High School. Love, Mom, Dad, Dan &
Jenn Diggs - Congratulations!
Dom
Wishing you the best on your journey
Congratulations Hannah Curran,
and know success will follow you! UC
2010 Congratulations to
our hardworking, diligent, responsible,
Davis is getting a great person! Have
Benjamin Guidi for graduating from
funny, talented, heart for Jesus, strong,
fun and follow your dreams! Love
Strandwood Elementary School. Your
awesome-polo player daughter!! We
John, Carolyn, Caitie, Jack & Molly!!!
family is so proud of you for trying as
love you and are so privileged to be your parents!! xoxo, Mom and Dad
hard as you do! Love, Mom, Dad and
Jackie Hunter (CPHS)
Talia, too.
Congratulations on your achieve-
Congratulations Mei Lin Bruder!
ments, we are very proud of you! Enjoy Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Study, work hard - but have some fun as well! Love Mom & Dad You are the Best Keith Bruder! Congratulations on the many successes you have accomplished throughout your school career! Academic, social, sports, relationships, your love Congratulations Kenny Utler We are so proud of you! We appreci-
of life! We are proud of you, Mom, Dad and Mei Lin
ate all that you do and all that you are
Ben and Ali Altman - Class of 2010 We are so proud of you both and all of your accomplishments. Keep up the good work, stay focused on your dreams and make sure to HAVE FUN along the way! But most important of all, remember you have a family that loves you and supports you in your journey’s ahead. Love forever, Dad, Mom and Adam XXX000
Our 2010 Strandwood graduate. Seems like yesterday you were starting kindergarten. Now it’s time for middle school. You’ve worked hard and done well. We’re proud of you, Mom, Dad and Keith Way to go Emily Stone. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments keep up the excellent work. Love your Family
Happy 50th Anniversary Leo and Sonia Vardas
driven to achieve. Go AZTECS! Love, Mom, Todd, Tanner and Carsen Congratulations to my sons, Max and Sam Gumbinger on their upcoming graduation from College Park High School on June 8th. I am so proud of you and excited about your bright futures! Love, Mom
Bryan Humm We are so proud of
Congratulations Joseph Salvador
YOU and your achievements! You
Ferrante College Park High School
grew in life, you’ve succeeded in so
Class of 2010. We are so proud of you
many ways. Your exciting college
and wish you happiness and success
days are ahead of you. We love you!
as you continue your education. Love,
Love, Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad Congratulations Curtis Dwight Barnes College Park High School Class of 2010. We are so proud of you and wish you happiness and success as you continue your education. Love, Peter & Louise Ferrante
Congratulations Amy! We hope that all your dreams come true. Love, Dad and Kristin Congratulations Jenn Diggs CPHS grad, UC Davis in the fallYou’ve grown up to become your own person filled with laughter, happiness, simplicity and beauty. We know that
Ryry - You make us proud! We love
you’ll enjoy a life of sensitivity, good-
you soooo much!! Congratulations…
ness, accomplishment and love. We
and GO BEARS!!! XOXRRE
are so proud of you. Love, Mom and
Joseph Ferrante, Jason Hadsell, Cur-
Dad
tis Barnes and T.J. Fowler:
Congratulations to Jessica
Congratulations graduates! We are so
Barber! Congrats on being accepted
Leo and Sonia were married in Berkeley June 11th 1960 after meeting as students at Cal. They’ve been Pleasant Hill residents since 1967, raised 3 proud children: Elena, Kris and Karsten, and are known as “Nanny” and “Grad” to 9 adoring grandchildren. They are both retired but busy as ever volunteering in the community and traveling locally and abroad as often as possible. Thank you for setting such a rich example for us to live by, one of lasting love, admiration and respect. You are cherished!
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AS RUSS SEES IT If you happen to be reading this standing up…..perhaps you should sit down. Unless it is the first time you are reading my column, then my news will be of no impact to you. However, my loyal readers…..wait, perhaps that is too strong of a description. To those of you who have read this “drivel not worthy of fish wrap” before (only the earliest of readers will make that connection), you will be shocked to learn……I got a job! Now, I know some of you right now are excited for me and others (newcomers and “fish wrappers”) are wondering why I would think you would care! So, for those whose patience I am already trying, turn the page, but from the rest, let’s hear a rousing, “It’s about freakin’ time!” Now, this is not just any job, but a sales position in a real estate related field. Just perfect for ol’ Russ. It had been a loooong time since I last went to an office to work, so my first day on the job was a little unnerving. I had been working out of a 100 sq. ft.
www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
June 2010
Hi Ho. Hi Ho. By Russell Carroll executive suite by myself for 2 years. only other option was to wear a Pleasant Sweat pants and a hat were approved of- Hill Hawks shirt to my first day of work. fice attire, with socks (and often shoes) Also, I could have sworn that my dress completely optional. I could spend days pants used to have pleats. No pleats…. without interacting with another live gone. But you could see the zipper just person. So walking into an office with fine with the way the front of my pants about 90 people in it was a bit uncomwere all stretched out where there used fortable. It was noisy and had way too to be pleats. The pants were okay until I much light! The last time I was around tried to breath. I almost pulled a muscle that many people was last year when my in my back trying to breathe without complex had a fire drill and we all had moving my stomach. I was afraid I to gather in one area. Good thing the would have to drive to my first day of fire drill was on a shoe day! work standing up. I was going to need The morning of my first day of real a purse in order to get my wallet and employment did not start out so well. It cars keys out the door with me because was around 6:00 am when I discovered there was no way they were going in that my wife had played a cruel joke these pants. Once I finished stuffing on me and shrunk all my dress shirts! I 10lbs of Russ into the 8lb bag of clothes, could not get a single shirt to button at I was out the door. I felt like my Mom the belt or the neck. She had obviously should have been there taking pictures washed these in hot water and then of Russell’s first day of work. I had to tumbled dry on high. I had to start my drive to Santa Rosa for training and was day as if it was the end of the day, with supposed to be there at 8:00am. Once the top button undone and tie loosened, in the car, I realized I should have left a like I had already put in 8 hours. My few more snaps and buttons undone for
some expansion room during the hourplus drive. Man, I was burning up. Does everyone else drive to work at 6:30am with the air conditioner on high? I was a little jumpy in the office. With all these people it felt like someone was always sneaking up on me. Working is a lot different with other people watching. I was ready to come home by noon. By 3:00 I realized that I might not make it to Tahoe Joe’s for happy hour. I thought I had better call them and let them know I was okay, just out of courtesy. I have been at the new job for a few weeks and everything is going well. I wonder if I’ve been there long enough to collect unemployment. Recently I received a payroll check, had to fill out benefit forms and select healthcare – what’s next, cats living with dogs? But I think I am really cut out for this working thing. Everyone seems to like me and find my opinion both valuable and interesting, but…that is just how I see it.
Welcome Home, Charlie By Alice Waller
On April 9th, just one day before David Shuey was leaving for Ukraine to bring home his adopted son, news broke of a Tennessee woman who sent her 7-year-old adopted son back to Russia with a note that said she no longer wanted him. The repercussions of this complicated efforts for adoptions already in process and sparked fear that all adoptions from Eastern Europe will close. For David and Michelle Shuey, who began the process of adopting Charlie (Viktor) when he visited the United States last December, it meant an increased sense of urgency in their determination to bring the 9-year old home. David hopped on a plane to Kiev,
Ukraine on April 10th hoping to ensure assisting him with the adoption: that nothing would get in the way. “I am strangely at peace with Because of the Tennessee woman’s acit and I know the reason is Charlie. tions, paperwork Charlie is OURS was more heavily and no one is goscrutinized and ing to screw that the process was up. Parents do slow and rough, what they do for but Dave was on their kids so who a mission to be cares that I have Charlie’s dad. to spend a few Though he more days here. I Charlie (2nd from left) and his family. was frustrated guess I am saying and missing his I am happy to get wife and four other children in Clayton, to see my son every day and he lights up giving up on bringing Charlie home my day with his smile. We play games was not an option. He sent the followwhich you know I love and we watch ing message to Cara Helberg, who was superhero movies. How can I com-
plain? I can’t.” On May 15th, after nearly 5 weeks in Ukraine, Charlie Viktor Shuey and his dad returned to California, welcomed at the airport by his wife, mom, siblings, and grandparents. If you or any one you know would be interested in hosting a child from Ukraine this summer, (for either a summer cultural exchange or for adoption), please visit the website listed for information. If you speak Russian and can translate for the kids, your help would be appreciated! For more information please go tohttp://www.wix.com/hostukraine/ host-kids or email Cara Helberg at adoptkids@comcast.net.
June 2010
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IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS FOCUS IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS
Let Us Take Care of You
Unity Salon and Spa 1571 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill We at Unity Salon and Spa would like to invite you to enjoy a day of relaxation and pampering. We offer a wide array of services from hair and skin care to massage and nail care including top of the line spray tanning. Along with the many services we offer, you may enjoy our tranquil outdoor settings while sipping a glass of champagne. Unity has been referred to as a “hidden piece of paradise” within
our community. We pride ourselves on customer care and friendly family like environment. Along with such great service, our staff is well educated in their professionals. We believe in giving back to our community as well and participate in fund-raising events such as Special Olympics “Bike the Bridges,” Indian Valley Elementary School auctions and more. Unity Salon and Spa is envi-
“Cooperstown or Bust” PH HAWKS BASEBALL
Poker Tournament
PH HAWKS BASEBALL
Come help the Pleasant Hill Hawks 12U Baseball Team raise money for their July 2010 trip to play at the “Cooperstown Dreams” park in Cooperstown, New York
Saturday, June 19, 2010 Dinner: 6:00 Play starts: 7:00 Pacific Business Center, 3478 Buskirk Ave, Hookston Square (between Kohls and Best Buy) Pleasant Hill, CA $60 tournament fee per player = Dinner and $1,000 in chips. (Pre-pay tournament fee by May 14 and receive an extra $200 in chips) $20 Re-buy = $800 in chips One $20 add-on = $2,000 in chips Beer * Wine * Soda* will be for sale Too busy to play? Sponsorships/Donations Welcome! First place: $450 gift card Second place: $250 gift card Third place: $100 gift card Prize fund based on 50 paid entries. Lesser entries will reduce prize fund.
Tournament will be professionally run by Amusement Warehouse: Joe DeMatteo 925-286-4263 or amusementwarehouse@sbcglobal.com
ronmentally conscious and promotes a green planet. We use Paul Mitchell and Tigi and products. We recycle as well as minimize the use of paper products. The staff here at Unity Salon and Spa welcomes you to join us. Let us take care of you. Unity Salon and Spa is located at 1571 Oak Park Blvd (Behind Black Angus) (925) 280-1772 or www.unitysalonandspa.
June 2010
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TEEN SCENE
Baseball, Hot Dogs and Summer Reading! By Laurel Burns, Library Media Teacher, MDUSD
Yes, it is time once again to get out your swimsuits, sunscreen and library cards. As a library media teacher in the Mt. Diablo school district, I have the opportunity to introduce young people to exciting literature on a daily basis during the school year. But just because school is over for the summer does not mean the joy of reading has to end. Recreational reading helps to establish a life-long love of reading for school-aged children, and reading together over the summer can be an incredible bonding experience for parents and their kids. Going to the local library with my mom when I was young was always a special event. She allowed my brother, sister and me to each choose five books to take home and read over the next few days. She taught us how to respect the books in a physical sense, but more
importantly, she instilled in us a love of reading that lasts to this day. The public library is a great place to hang out with your kids on a warm summer afternoon. Just sit back and watch your children dive into the sea of books and discover new authors and illustrators, titles and characters. Can’t decide which book to choose? No problem. The public library allows families to check out multiple books to be enjoyed at your leisure in the comfort of your own home. This summer, the public library is sponsoring its annual summer reading program for children ages 2 through adults. The theme is “Make a Splash” for kids ages 2 through 5th grade and “Make Waves” for students in 6th through 12th grade. The program runs from June 5th through August 16th.
Spring Special
v v v v v v v v v v v
FREE ESTIMATES WEEKLY BY-WEEKLY MONTHLY VACANCY CLEAN-UP POST-CONSTRUCTION AFTER-PARTY WINDOWS GIFT CERTIFICATES RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL COMPLETE-JANITORIAL
Earth First Cleaning Services Inc. is a green
conscious cleaning company that specializes in
an environmentally friendly cleaning approach. The company services both commercial and
residential sites with green certified and color
coded cleaning. It is an industry leader and early adopter of innovative and healthy cleaning and recycling techniques. Earth First Cleaning
Services understands the inherent value and fully supports a “green clean”. Ea rth First C le an ing In c. 2717 N ort h Ma in Str eet St 8 P.O . B O X 260 5 Wa ln ut Cr eek , CA 94 595 Phone: 9 2 5 - 4 7 8 - 8 5 0 0 Fax: 925-283-8600 E- mail: Ea rthf ir stc le an ing @ g ma il.co m
Prizes for kids include stickers, a pass to the Chabot Space and Science Center, a beach ball, Disney on Ice tickets, Lawrence Hall of Science passes, and a Round Table pizza coupon. I am encouraging all of my elementary students to sign up and participate. For more information, visit the Contra Costa
Library website: www.ccclib.org. Students often ask what I will be reading over the summer. I usually have a list of books that I have assembled throughout the school year, and this year is no different. Here are some of my suggestions for summer reading:
Grades K-2 Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems Marley and the Kittens by John Grogan Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton Grades 3-5 Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan Thirteen Plus One by Lauren Myracle The Big Field by Mike Lupica Steinbeck’s Ghost by Lewis Buzbee 39 Clues series by various authors
Leprechaun in Late Winter (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborn Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney Julep O’Toole series by Trudi Trueit Grades 6-8 Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale Seekers series by Erin Hunter Last Dragon Chronicles by Chris D’Lacey Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Dewey the Library Cat by Vicki Myron Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart
June 2010
www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
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SuDoKu PUZZLES
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BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY Established in 1990
Mchale’s Environmental Insulation provides alternatives to itchy fiberglass that insulates better and is good for the environment. Reduce unwanted sound & increase thermal control. Opportunities for rebates through PG&E and a federal tax credit. 30+ years in business. Contact:
Wood Revivers Fence & Deck Weatherproofing & Kitchen Cabinet Restoration
Patrick Pardee Owner
Dan Hair 800-427-9780. www.mchaleinsulation.com.
925-680-2535
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MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL WITH A BEAUTIFUL YARD • TREE SERVICE • HILLSIDE COVERING (CLEARING) • WEEDING • MOWING • AERATING • FERTILIZING • NEW LAWN (SEED OR SOD) • MONTHLY CARE • SPRINKLER INSTALLATION AND REPAIR • DIGGING • PLANTING • CLEARING • HAULING • TRIMMING • INSECTICIDES • FENCING
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Home
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925-709-3206 925-787-5597
business service directory
2.75 x 1.75 $75/color $60/bw ad size
Interior ReDesign / Paint color selection Room make-overs Need a new room layout? New paint colors? We can help. 925-519-1196 QuickChangeDecorating.com
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per month month minimum contract
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June 2010
www.pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com
Page 32
Pleasant Hill Community Focus Ad
Old favorite...Delta Dogs!
Country rock with The Bell Brothers
ne 9 Today through Ju 4” herbs
sku 288-00458. reg. $2.99
and
jumbo pack annuals sku 284-00068. reg. $4.29
% off 50
On the lawn by the lake at
Original rock with Fish Ranch Road
Pleasant Hill City Hall Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd
regular prices
Plus many other specials through June 13!
LIVE Music Free! 6-8pm!
Old favorite returns... Public Eye!
Open seven days a week from 9:00am – 6:30pm
navletsgardens.com Danville
Martinez
Pleasant Hill
1555 Kirker Pass Rd.
800 Camino Ramon
6740 Alhambra Ave.
2895 Contra Costa Blvd.
(925) 681-0550
(925) 837-9144
(925) 935-9125
(925) 939-9000
Sheila’s
Daycare
Lava! Hot..hot...HOT!! Aug 8
Jul 25
Jun 27
Subject to stock on hand. No special orders. Discounts apply to regular prices only. Expires 6/9/10. 1005030-NAV-Misc-0604-4.78x5.36.indd 1
Cover2Cover!! Music from 5 decades
Visit www.pleasanthillconcerts.com for all concert information.
Time Outs for the kids! Jun 13, Aug 22
Delta Dogs Fish Ranch Road Public Eye Dream Posse Time Outs Bell Brothers Spin Out Cover2Cover Lava
May 30 Jun 13 Jun 27 Jul 11 Jul 18 Jul 25 Aug 8 Aug 30 Sep 6
Folksy rock with Dream Posse!
Concord
Spin Out! Classic rock and rockabilly songs
Jun 27, Jul 11
Aug 22
Jul 18
Aug 22 Casey Strand Chiropractor Aug 22
Matt Rinn Agency
Sep 5
5/14/10 10:00:15 AM
TUE-SAT 10:30 - 6:00 • CLOSED SUN-MON & HOLIDAYS • 2150 PLEASANT HILL RD - P.H.
MOLINO’SRAVIOLI Homemade Since 1925
Made the Old Fashioned Way
• 11 Ravioli Flavors & Sauces • Cannelloni • Polenta Pie • Lasagna • Tortellini • Gnocchi • Pastas • Garlic Bread • Minestrone Soup • Great Food, Reasonable Prices
Now Introducing Ravioli of the Week Featuring a different flavor of ravioli at a special price. Not valid with other offers.
Tuesdays Senior 55+ Discount Day
10% Off purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers.
925-934-7075 • www.molinosravioli.com
FREE BOX $2 OFF OF RAVIOLI purchase of $20 or more purchase of $60 or more up to a $7.70 value
$5 OFF
purchase of $40 or more
One coupon per visit. Offers cannot be combined Exp 6/30/10
Saturdays, 8am-12pm
June 5 - Bike to Market Day: Bike maintenance, enter-to-win bike related prizes, June 12 - Kid’s Day: Face painting, balloons, & Jo Jo the clown. June 19 - Father’s Day: “How Rad is your Dad” contest for your chance to win a gift certificate to Fleet Feet Sports. Look for: Cherries • Peaches • Apricots • Plums • Necatrines
Downtown Pleasant Hill in front of the Century 16 Theatre We Gladly Accept: CITY OF PLEASANT HILL
pcfma.com/pleasanthill
1.800.949.FARM