october OCTOBER 2010
A Monthly Publication Delivered to Over 30,000 40,000 Residents
Make Our Community Focus Your Home Page Find the information you need to navigate Our Community at www.ourcommunityfocus.com • Weather • Sports • Recipes • Submit a Story
• Traffic • Place a Classified Ad • KTVU 2 Local & National News • Post a Community Calendar Event
• Local Business Directory • Business News & Links • The Focus Columns • Community Resources & Links
• Real Estate • Archives • Seniors • Local Movie Times
Page
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
SELF SERVE FROZEN YOGURT
PLEASE COME TO OUR
OPEN HOUSE
DELICIOUS HEALTHY NATURAL FUN
www.organgeleafyogurt.com
30¢/oz. Open 7 Days Sun-Thurs
OCTOBER 17, 2010 • NOON TO 3 PM
11am - 10:30pm
Muller Veterinary Hospital & The Canine Rehabilitation Center
Fri - Sat
11am - 11pm
2735 North Main Street • Walnut Creek Open to the public. People only please! Come visit us, meet our team, & tour our new location! Refreshments & door prizes! w w w. m ull e r v et e r i n a r y h o s p i t a l . c o m
@Pleasant Hill Plaza 1926 Contra Costa Blvd. Near Safeway
When I say "good," you say "neighbor." Matthew Rinn, Agent Insurance Lic. #: 0F99232 Bus: 925-671-0222 Fax: 925-671-0309 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 matt@myagentmatt.net
P097314
Now that's teamwork. CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7
State Farm Home Office, Bloomington, IL
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page
Community Fall and Halloween Events Share the Magic with professional magicians and members of Pleasant Hill’s own chapter of the Society of Young Magicians (ages 7-17yrs.) “Share the Magic” Friday, October 15, at 7 pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive. Advance reservations required: $8 per person; call 676-5200. Join the belly dance students on October 28 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center for some scary excitement at this year’s Halloween Hafla. Thursday, October 28, 7–10 pm. Admission: $5 per person or family. Super Hero Party invites mighty little ones (ages 2–6 yrs) dressed as their favorite characters with their parents to the Pleasant Hill Community Center on Wednesday, October 6, 3:30-4:30pm. Pre-registration (for both parents and children) is required. Admission: $9 children / $6 adults; call 676-5200. Halloween at the Alhambra Cemetery the Alhambra Cemetary, located on both sides of Carquinez Scenic Drive, is allowing adults only to come and explore the cemetery on All Hallowes Eve. In this cemetery were laid to rest many early pioneers of Contra Costa County. Bring
your flashlight and sturdy walking shoes. This tour is designed more to enlighten and not frighten. Tour is from 6:00pm7:30pm. For more information and to reserve a spot, call: 925-372-3510. Marty O’s 11th Annual Haunted Halloween Hunt On Thursday, October 28, bring your kids to Nancy Boyd Park in Martinez for an old-fashioned Halloween affair. There will be crafts, face painting and candy to share, and everything is FREE. Decorate a candy bag, make a craft or have your face painted. The event begins at 3:30 and the candy hunt will be held at 4pm--space is limited to the first 120 children, ages 3-11. Legends of the Dark Path Visit the popular Haunted House in the Teen
Center at the Pleasant Hill Park. Presented by the Pleasant Hill Teen Council, you can choose Scary Evenings or Notso-Scary Matinees. The Haunted House is open on 10/15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, from 7pm-8:30pm. The Matinees are on 10/16, 17, 23 and 24 from 1:30pm-3pm. For more information, call: 925-6820896. Halloween Spooktacular in Downtown Martinez On Saturday, October 30, from 1pm-4pm, bring your kids trick or treating in Downtown Martinez. Crafts and face painting will be available. Stop by the Main Street Plaza for an activity map. For more information about this event contact Main Street Martinez at 925-228-3577. Downtown Pleasant Hill Head for some Trick or Treating in Downtown Pleasant Hill on Halloween from 4pm-6pm. Bring your costumed kids Downtown for super treats and pleasant surprises from participating merchants. Be sure to bring a bag for all those delicious goodies, while supplies last. For additional information, visit: www.shopdowntownpleasanthill.com and click on “Events”.
BOO! A fun way to begin the fall holiday season and strengthen ties with neighbors is with a “Boo”! There are variations on how people do it, but the basics are the same. Put together a goodie-basket, or fill a plastic pumpkin with Halloween treats for a neighbor and include a Boo-Gram, usually a poem, along with a Boo! sign. Some people use a ghost or other decoration to designate the Boo. After you’ve been Boo’d, place the sign on your door or window to tell neighbors that your house has already been hit. Now it’s your turn to “Boo” another house, and so on. Hopefully, by Halloween you’ll see Boo’s lining up and down your street on all the doors or windows in the neighborhood! The common time to begin the “Boo” is a few weeks before Halloween. How to start the tradition: 1. Create a “Boo” basket of goodies (may include candy, candles and crafts) 2. Print a “Boo” gram (go to www.boograms.com) 3. Find your unsuspecting target 4. Make the “drop”, usually at night, but not always 5. Ring the doorbell and knock then… 6. RUN!!!
Halloween Party Ideas Here are a few ideas for a Spirited Halloween Bash: • Dry Ice to create an eerie mist • Large punch bowl for containing that blood-red libation* • Pumpkins and gourds displayed in clusters around your home • Add décor such as cobwebs, dangling bats, tombstones, plastic rats and spiders. • Use dramatic candelabra and scattered votive candles • Listen to spooky music • Lighting—keep them dim and add a few black light bulbs • Have a Halloween movie playing (think Ghostbusters or Beetlejuice)
• Chamber Events......................................page 5-6 • Hittin’ the Road.......................................... page 9 • Russell Carroll...........................................page 12 • Pair Up.......................................................page 14
• Keep some extra costume accessories around the house, such as wigs, hats, plastic fangs or rings, for guests to find • Keep the camera handy!
BLOOD-RED LIBATION (Serves 8) Ingredients: 10 ounces vodka 5 ounces triple sec 2 ounces bitters 1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice 2 cups black cherry soda grenadine, for rim Ice
Directions: 1. Fill large punch bowl with ice. Pour in the vodka, triple sec, bitters, black cherry soda and blood orange juice. Mix well. 2. Rim each clear glass with grenadine before filling with punch.
• Local Sports............................................... page 16-17 • Calendar .........................................................page 26 • Letters to the Editor .......................................page 29 • Business Service Directory ............................page 31
Page
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
JULIE SAYS
“Anapest” Is Not An Anapest By Julie Ross
But it is the reverse of a dactyl. Look it up. I did, along with (many!) other words submitted by readers in the Pleasant Hill Summer Word Contest. To refresh your memory, the challenge was to see how many words could be formed using the letters in “Pleasant Hill.” In order to count, each word had to be at least three letters long and appear in the online reference “MyDictionary.com.” So, are you ready for this? The winning list, submitted by the husband and wife team of Chris and Karen Parr of Pleasant Hill, included 546 acceptable words. Karen said words would pop into her head at odd moments, until she had a list of about 300. Her husband likes to do research, pulled out an old dictionary and came up with almost 250 more. The winners of the $50 Borders gift card love music, art, books and words – no kidding! Karen said “Boggle” – the game where you throw letter dice and see how many words you can make before time runs out – has been a family favorite. I have decided not to challenge her to a game. It was a close battle for first place. Derek Mims sent in a list with 528 acceptable words. Derek, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is a member of the County Aviation Advisory Committee and the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Pleasant Hill with his wife Laurie, sons Dylan, 3, Evan, 1, and Duchess the dog.
Derek has an interesting occupation, which allows him the flexibility to be a stay-at-home dad. He is an Independent Wine Consultant (love that title!) with a company called “Wine Shop at Home”. As a consultant, he conducts wine tasting parties in private homes. Now doesn’t that beat the heck out of a Tupperware party? Hmmm. I received dozens of entries. Aside from the two lists with more than 500 words, I received one with more than 400 (way to go, Margaret Graves!), thirteen with over 300, and nine lists with more than 200 words. Very impressive! Congratulations to all who entered. You have demonstrated what a sapient (acutely insightful and wise; observant and thoughtful) population we have here in Pleasant Hill. I have to sign off now. After all of this word counting and checking, I feel a bout of asthenia coming on. Go on, look it up. I had to. If you’d like to take a look at the winning list for the Pleasant Hill Summer Word Contest, it’s posted online at OurCommunityFocus.com. If you are interested in finding out more about hosting a wine tasting party, check out our local consultant at www.wineshopathome.com/DerekMims. Please e-mail questions, comments and/or your contest entries to julieakross@comcast.net.
PUBLISHERS Becky Coburn, Elena Hutslar, Jennifer Neys info@ourcommunityfocus.com ADVERTISING Cindy Turner advertising@ourcommunityfocus.com SPORTS EDITOR Chuck Nan martinezsportsed@aol.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Trish Heaney, Debra Wilson
View the Focus online at Website: www.ourcommunityfocus.com
CONTACT INFORMATION: Community Calendar:
calendar@ourcommunityfocus.com
Stage Door Theater Submissions:
stagedoor@ourcommunityfocus.com
Content & General Inquiries: info@ourcommunityfocus.com
Thank You Advertisers! ABC Fun Apollo Shuttle Aspire Pilates Center A Wee Change Café Milano Christies for Kids Coldstone Creamery Computer Sales and Service Dallimonti’s Diablo Trophy and Awards Don & Norma Flaskerud- Re-Max Downtown Pleasant Hill El Tapatio Golden Foot Spa Hire My Husband Hitchcock Realty Jack Weir Jennifer L. Martin D.D.S. Joan’s Farm & Pumpkin Patch Kobe Japan Land Home Financial Services, Inc. Lara Delaney, Martinez Vice-Mayor
Community Focus A Monthly Publication delivered to over 40,000 Homes and Businesses in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pacheco, Lafayette and Walnut Creek
Main Street Martinez Massés Matthew C. Rinn, State Farm Insurance McHales Environment Insulations Michael Harris, Pleasant Hill City Council The Moulding Company Muller Veterinary Hospital Navlet’s Orange Leaf Yogurt Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Pacific Computer Consultants Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Rob Schroeder, Mayor of Martinez Scott Floor to Ceiling Senior Helpers Strandwood Elementary Sue Angeli, Pleasant Hill City Council Tahoe Joe’s Tamura Insurance UPS – Virginia Hills Yolanda Van Belle, Habla!
6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132 Martinez, CA 94553 Phone: (925) 335 - NEWS (6397) The Community Focus is available at the following locations:
Pleasant Hill Market • Pleasant Hill City Hall Pleasant Hill Senior Center • Pleasant Hill Library Mt. Diablo YMCA • UPS – Virginia Hills, Mtz. Chamber of Commerce (P.H. & Mtz.) Pleasant Hill Rec and Park (Civic Dr. & Gregory) Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Pleasant Hill Legal Grounds, Martinez • Martinez Senior Center Les Schwab Tires - Alhambra Avenue Best Western, John Muir Inn, Martinez Headways Salon, Main Street
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce
October Schedule of Events 10/1 - Ambassador Meeting 7:45a – 9p PH City Hall- Large Community Room 10/1 - Brown Bag Lunch Jessica Braverman – CA Law Employment Training Center, “Legal Proofing Your Business During These Turbulent Times”, JFK,University 100 Ellinwood Way: 11:45a – 1:30p, RSVP: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber.com 10/7 - Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting 5:30p – 7:30p, Orange Leaf Yogurt, 1926 Contra Costa Blvd, PH: RSVP: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber. com 10/9 - Art, Jazz & Wine Fest 2010 10:00a – 9:00p Saturday Evening Concert on the Plaza Featuring “Cover 2 Cover” 6:15p – 9:00p 10/10 - Art, Jazz & Wine Fest 2010 10:00a – 5:00p 10/12 Ambassador Luncheon 11:45a –1:00p @ Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouse, 999 Contra Costa Blvd, PH: RSVP: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber.com
10/20 October Mixer: KOBE Japan 5:30p – 7:30p 1918 Oak Park: RSVP: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber.com 10/20 - BOD Meeting 7:45a – 9:00a PH City Hall – Lg. Community Room 10/22 - PH Chamber & PH Lions Club Bingo Night 2010 233 Gregory Lane: 6:30p. Info: Frances 939-2075 or Trish 876-8597 10/25 - Green Committee 3:30p – 5:00p Back Forty Texas BBQ 100 Coggins Drive: RSVP: Ingrid@ pleasanthillchamber.com 10/25 - GAC: 5:00p – 6:00p Back Forty Texas BBQ 100 Coggins Drive: RSVP: Ingrid@ pleasanthillchamber.com 10/29 - “7th Challenged Golfers Club” Sponsor: Leading Edge Pest Management: Grayson Woods Golf Course, 400 Gregory Lane, PH Check in/Lunch 11:45a/Tee Time 1p RSVP: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber. com
Confirm schedule at www.pleasanthillchamber.com
3
36 Year Member Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce
PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER NEWS Page sponsored by
1936 Linda Drive Pleasant Hill CA 94523
(925) 827-1200 Rated by Bay Area Consumers’ Checkbook Magazine and Checkbook.org as one of the top computer repair shops in the San Francisco Bay Area.
oon!
Coming s oo
Sat Oct 9 � Sun Oct 10
Ribbon Cuttings
Minuteman Press Now in Pleasant Hill
Community Awards Night The 40th Annual Community Awards Night will be held this year on November 17th, where the winners of Citizen of the Year and Teacher of the Year will be disclosed. This event honors teachers, business owners and community leaders who have contributed in many ways to making Pleasant Hill a better place for all who live and work in the city.
Page
Awards are also given to Teen of the Year and Businessperson of the Year, as well as a Green Award to a local business practicing sustainability. Additional awards include the Community Plus Award, which is given to an employee of one of the three sponsoring organizations who has demonstrated community service and volunteerism in the city. The three event sponsors are the City of P.H, the Chamber of Commerce and the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. To nominate a person or business in any of these categories, email Charley Daly at charley@pleasanthillchamber.com or you can download the nomination form at www.pleasant-hill.net/awards. The event begins at 5:30pm and the cost is $40 per person.
Theresa and Rich Coffman own the Minuteman Press of Pleasant Hill. Celebrating six years in the printing business, we are asked, “What makes you different from the other printers?” My answer is simple... the service and quality you get at Minuteman Press sets us apart. We definitely go the extra mile for our customers. Minuteman Press offers a range of services from printing simple business cards to full color brochures and everything in between. We put ink on paper. Our projects come from all types of professionals in the business arena. The biggest misconception about Minuteman Press is that we are just a copy center. We do make copies but SO much more: Letterhead•Business Cards•Presentaion Folders•Business Forms•Invitations•Graphic Design•Bindery Services... and much more! The combination of the quality you associate with a large commercial printer and the convenience you enjoy with a quick printer come together at Minuteman Press. Stop by and say hello.
Farrington’s Bar Mixer
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
MARTINEZ CHAMBER NEWS
Ribbon Cuttings
Martinez Chamber of Commerce
October Schedule of Events
10/1 – Shell/MEF Pasta Feed, 6p – 8p, Shell Clubhouse, For ticket information call, 925-313-5562
10/2 - Shell/MEF Run for Education, Registration 7a – 8a, 5K Run/Walk 8:30a, Register online at www.theschedule.com or www.active.com 10/5 – Martinez Mayoral & City Council Candidate Forum, 7:30a – 9:30a, Martinez Adult School, 600 F St., Mtz, Open to the public, Doors open @ 7:00am 10/11 – Office Closed – Columbus Day 10/14- Martinez Chamber of Commerce Educational Series 12:15p –1:15p, Guerrilla Marketing 101, part 1 of 2, Presented by Fadhila Holman, CEO California Pacific Federal Credit Union. Held at the Best Western John Muir Inn; 445 Muir Station Rd Martinez. Lunch will be provided.FREE to Chamber members, $10 for nonmembers. For more info call 228-2345
Page
Connie’s Kitchen
10/14 – Ambassador Mixer at Les Schwab Tire Center, 5:30p – 7:30p, 3800 Alhambra Ave, Mtz. Hosted by the Martinez Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. 10/18 – 10/21 – Bayview Yacht Charters invites all business owners to a dockside viewing of the motor yacht “Journey” from 11a – 3p each day. To reserve call 707-747-5443.
10/22 – 25th - Annual Martinez Mayors’ Cup Golf Classic – 10:30a –7:00p, Roddy Ranch Golf Club, Call 925-228-2345 to reserve your foursome. 11/4 – 2010 Business Expo – 5 Chamber Business Expo, 4p – 7p, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord. To register call Reba @ 925-228-2345 or visit our website www.martinezchamber.com. Please verify schedule at www.martinezchamber.com
UPS Mixer, Arnold Drive
Connie’s Kitchen is a different kind of restaurant featuring delicious, home-style meals. Connie worked for 25 years as a private rail car chef, and son Michael began cooking as a child. Known as the Ladle King, Michael’s expertise is creating great soups. Their philosophy about food is simple: 1. Food should be delicious. 2. Food should be good for you. As much as possible, Connie’s Kitchen uses organic products. Both their chicken and turkey are organic and their beef is from Niman Ranch. Connie and Michael purchase most of their produce from local, organic farms. Their style is home-cooked comfort food; honest, wholesome and sometimes old-fashioned with a variety of recipes, many created right in their own kitchen! Drop by anytime, or order your menu selections in the morning & pick up your lunch and dinner at your convenience. Connie’s Kitchen is open Mon-Fri 8:00am to 7:00pm. Call: (925) 370-3705.
Michelle Allman, State Farm Insurance
Photo by Richard Cash, www.richardcash.com
Michelle Allman, State Farm Insurance www.insuredbymichelle.com (925) 228-0920, 1320 Arnold Drive, Suite 160 Martinez.
Mchale’s Environmental Insulation We provide alternatives to itchy fiberglass that insulate better and are
better for the environment. Reduce unwanted sound & increase thermal control. Opportunities for rebates through PG&E and a Federal tax credit. Diamond Certified Insulation contractor with A+ rating on BBB. McHale's Environmental Insulation, Inc. is Angies List Super Service Award Winner.
License #896749
FREE Estimates Call us today! 800-427-9780 925-825-9780
www.mchaleinsulation.com
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page
HOUSING NEWS
Local Real Estate Update The local real estate market has been exhibiting some schizophrenic tendencies of late, clearly demonstrating that it’s having trouble letting a stable recovery period take hold. There are many pieces of good news out there, but unfortunately they are tempered by several pieces of equally troubling news. I’m a pretty positive and upbeat guy, so I’m going to start with the bad news so I don’t leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. In my opinion, the most troubling statistic out there is the steadily increasing list of unsold inventory. Throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, it has pretty much doubled since the first of the year and currently sits at its highest level since March, 2009. The second troubling statistic is the decreasing number of home sales. Sitting at roughly 75% of last year’s volume over the past couple of months, this number certainly hasn’t fallen off the chart by any means, but by this time of year we’d generally expect it to remain steady or increase slightly. Because of the good old rule of supply and demand, this statistic has put some
By Nathan Hitchcock downward pressure on home prices of the area’s affordability index. I won’t fortable seat, but a financially unsound late. Our daily active “hot list,” which bore you with the math, but according one as well. Nathan Hitchcock is the includes new listings, price reductions, to 2010’s second-quarter numbers, the and homes back on the market after typical entry level housing payment in managing broker of Hitchcock a cancelled escrow, is as long as it has California is a whopping 57% lower Realty, a residential real estate brokerbeen in quite a while. The bottom line than it was at the peak of the market. age and property management firm in My prognosis is that we will indeed downtown Pleasant Hill. is that with a larger number of home sellers fighting over a smaller number see home prices continue to decline He can be reached at nathan@hitchof homebuyers, the asking price that slightly as the year draws to a close. But cockrealty.com or (925) 825-1100. seemed like a bargain six months ago is when buyers inevitably stop reading the Data contained herein was obnow overpriced. bad news in the papers and start doing tained from the CCAR Multiple Fortunately, pending sales have the math instead, they will see that sitListing Service. Information is deemed remained relatively strong throughout ting on the fence is not only an uncom- reliable but is not guaranteed. the Bay Area, a sign that buyer demand RECENT MARTINEZ HILL HOME SALES (8/1/2010 – 8/31/2010) is still strong. This actually highlights Address Beds Baths Sq Ft Market Days List Price Sales Price Sales $/Sq Ft one of the major challenges facing the SINGLE FAMILY HOME 1142 VINE AVE 1 1 678 67 $89,900 $80,000 $117.99 real estate market nowadays; it can be 23 ADELAIDE DRIVE 3 1 1021 6 $92,900 $101,000 $98.92 a bit of a challenge to close a transac1110 VINE AVE 2 1 884 25 $114,900 $114,900 $129.98 tion. Closed sales represent anywhere 313 BROWN ST 2 1 768 2 $89,000 $122,100 $158.98 1300 VINE AVENUE 2 1 914 21 $157,500 $190,000 $207.88 from 25% to 50% of pending sales, 925 BROWN ST 2 1 1206 50 $199,000 $215,000 $178.28 which is a darn high fallout rate. This 96 VALLEY AVE 2 1 1069 11 $169,900 $215,500 $201.59 is due mostly to increased underwrit910 VINE AVE 3 1 1336 17 $229,000 $232,000 $173.65 626 PALM AVENUE 2 2 1164 19 $199,000 $235,000 $201.89 ing standards, appraisal challenges and, 720 SHADY GLEN 3 1 1008 13 $240,000 $240,000 $238.10 understandably, extremely cautious 2429 LESLIE AVE 3 2 1128 12 $240,000 $249,000 $220.74 buyers making sure they don’t make a 80 ARREBA ST 3 2 1840 177 $284,000 $260,000 $141.30 1516 BROWN ST 2 2 1024 42 $259,950 $265,000 $258.79 bad purchase. 1953 NICOLETTE CT 3 2 1349 5 $274,900 $290,000 $214.97 Without a doubt, the best piece of 2544 PINE ST 3 2 1680 68 $360,000 $350,000 $208.33 news is that mortgage interest rates are 786 PARKWAY DR 3 2 1639 19 $375,000 $365,000 $222.70 2262 OLYMPIC DR 4 2 1591 61 $389,950 $370,000 $232.56 in the mid-4% range. This, along with 117 HEMINGWAY COMMONS 4 2 1985 13 $399,000 $370,000 $186.40 lower home prices, has really buoyed 1648 ENDRISS DR 3 2 1517 116 $379,900 $380,000 $250.49
RECENT PLEASANT HILL HOME SALES (8/1/2010 – 8/31/2010) Address Beds Baths SINGLE FAMILY HOME 824 RUTH DR 3 2 1131 SANTA LUCIA 3 2 1979 MARTA DR 3 2 137 BEVERLY DR 3 1 556 VILI WAY 4 2 315 PLEASANT VIEW DR 4 2 212 STEVEN CIR 4 2 753 CHARLTON DR 3 2 511 SHELLY DR. 3 2 33 CARTE PL 4 2 421 IRON HILL ST 4 2 14 WINDHAVEN CT 4 3 Totals: 12 Listings TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS 47 MASSOLO DR 2 2 343 ROCK CREEK WAY 2 2 133 GLENBRIDGE CT 2 2 523 RIDGEVIEW CT 3 2 702 POPPY PL 3 1 2 POMFRET WALK 3 2 19 HERITAGE OAKS RD 2 2 604 MILES COURT 3 2 607 LITTLE LN 3 2 Totals: 9 Listings
Sq Ft
Market Days
List Price
Sales Price
Sales $/Sq Ft
1206 1092 1126 1042 1415 1654 1599 1426 1784 1963 2135 2111
18 4 4 63 17 16 50 6 11 4 42 73 25
$379,000 $339,000 $375,000 $415,000 $394,900 $445,000 $535,000 $575,000 $629,000 $658,000 $699,000 $749,000 $516,075
$327,400 $347,500 $375,000 $399,000 $405,000 $450,000 $518,000 $565,000 $629,000 $656,000 $699,000 $699,000 $505,825
$271.48 $318.22 $333.04 $382.92 $286.22 $272.07 $323.95 $396.21 $352.58 $334.18 $327.40 $331.12 $327
973 1162 1121 1472 1663 1708 1999 1582 1912
39 10 1 89 7 51 91 71 39 44
$215,000 $235,000 $235,000 $314,900 $339,000 $376,400 $379,000 $399,000 $487,821 $331,235
$191,000 $233,900 $245,000 $314,900 $343,000 $375,000 $379,000 $390,000 $475,000 $327,422
$196.30 $201.29 $218.55 $213.93 $206.25 $219.56 $189.59 $246.52 $248.43 $215
2120 ELDERWOOD DR 4 1057 ARLINGTON WAY 4 1148 RAINBOW DR 4 2679 BENSON CT 3 4416 ACTRIZ PL 5 2356 SWEETWATER DR 4 133 SUNDANCE PLACE 4 213 BLUM VIEW DR. 4 633 FALLING STAR DR. 3 2323 BANBURY LOOP 4 6501 WESTFIELD CT 4 1225 ROSEANN DR 4 104 SANTOS RANCH CT 5 221 VIRGINIA CIR 3 4120 BARRY HILL CT. 3 807 ROBERTS CT 4 5319 STONEHURST DR 4 TOTALS: 36 LISTINGS TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS 4810 BLUM RD 2 3911 PACHECO BLVD. 2 156 FARM LN 2 1535 ASHWOOD DR 3 1616 ASHWOOD DR 3 2412 WILLOW TREE LN 2 405 THISTLE CIRCLE 3 2422 HEATHERLEAF LN 3 1611 BEECHWOOD DR 4 Totals: 9 Listings
2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 3 3
1500 1674 1905 1825 3118 1789 1667 2299 2155 2153 1853 2870 2705 1485 1817 3275 3929
62 279 65 0 107 30 36 10 2 47 61 21 431 21 1092 118 133 90
$399,900 $390,000 $419,999 $410,000 $399,900 $439,500 $439,900 $438,900 $439,000 $479,000 $499,000 $525,000 $520,000 $549,000 $799,950 $898,500 $1,685,000 $396,565
$392,850 $396,000 $400,000 $405,000 $410,000 $425,000 $430,000 $439,000 $445,000 $469,000 $505,000 $520,000 $530,000 $537,000 $704,000 $880,000 $1,650,000 $393,954
$261.90 $236.56 $209.97 $221.92 $131.49 $237.56 $257.95 $190.95 $206.50 $217.84 $272.53 $181.18 $195.93 $361.62 $387.45 $268.70 $419.95 $219
1 1 2 2 2 1 3 2 2
763 1032 911 1396 1338 938 1430 1554 1578
5 19 5 7 16 57 14 15 12 16
$50,000 $135,000 $192,500 $240,000 $243,000 $274,900 $270,000 $319,000 $369,000 $232,600
$48,000 $140,000 $185,000 $233,000 $245,000 $269,900 $270,000 $319,000 $369,000 $230,988
$62.91 $135.66 $203.07 $166.91 $183.11 $287.74 $188.81 $205.28 $233.84 $185
Page
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
Solar Cookers to Aid Afghanistan
got rent? Are you a landlord who is sick and tired of….
… chasing your tenants down for rent every month? … having to deal with maintenance requests in the middle of the night? … showing your home over and over again trying to find the perfect tenant? 24/7 On Call Maintenance Tenant Screening & Placement Rent Collection & Accounting LOW RATES GUARANTEED!
(925) 825-1100 option 3 www.hitchcockrealty.com 1928 Contra Costa Blvd Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Jack Howell, a board member with the Mount Diablo Peace & Justice Center in Walnut Creek, has been building solar cookers for 25 years and has recently teamed up with Budd Mackenzie of Trust In Education (TIE), a non-profit organization in Lafayette. Since 2003 TIE has built schools, provided health care, reconstruction and economic programs to several Afghan villages. Jack first met Budd at one of Budd’s TIE presentations. He suggested that solar cookers would greatly benefit women and children in Afghanistan, where currently ninety percent of heat for cooking is generated from burning trees and brush harvested from the sparsely covered countryside, leaving it even more barren. Women and children who gather the fuel face the dangers of stepping on land mines or being kidnapped and are then exposed to smoky cooking fires causing severe respiratory problems.
Once Budd saw Jack’s backyard demonstration he agreed that the clean, smoke-free cooking process that solar cookers offer make sense for a country of 32 million people with 300 days of sunshine a year. Budd asked Jack to build several cookers that could be tested in Afghanistan. Five solar oven kits built in Jack’s Lafayette garage were shipped to Afghanistan by TIE on September 9th, where Budd will supervise the setup of the cookers at the end of September. After the initial test, they plan to build 120 cookers using volunteers from various organizations such as the Boy Scouts and local high schools. If you would like to assist in the project or volunteer, go to www.trustineducation.org and sign up to receive the newsletter. Jack Howell 1240 Quandt Road Lafayette, CA 94549 932-1383 jdhowell@ix.netcom.com
Jack demonstrates the hot plate cooker, which can reach 500 degrees in 3 - 5 minutes.
Help a Vet with a Card Drive
November 11 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pleasant Hill Community Center 320 Civic Drive
Handmade cards of support brighten a soldier’s day! Send cards to our troops overseas to be included with care packages sent by the Blue Star Moms. Create and decorate your own and let the service men and women know you are thinking of them.
Please send them to: Sgt. Duane D. Thornton (Ret.) 27 Marlee Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Please use 8.5 x 11 paper folded twice and decorate how you wish. They will accompany care packages. If interested in learning more about care packages and/or donations visit www.bluestarmoms.org.
You and Your Families are Invited Free Breakfast • Activites • Camaraderie • Resources for Vets ***Transportaion Provided, if needed*** To register or questions contact: Ken Jacobson: kenj19@comcast.net Jessica Braverman 925-827-4198 or Jessica@CAELT.com
Come Let Us Meet and Thank You For Your Service Hosted By: Pleasant Hill Rotary, Martinez Rotary, Pleasant Hill Lions, Diablo Valley Veterans, Contra Costa Veterans Service, Pleasant Hill VFW, Pleasant Hill American Legion, City of Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, EDD and the California Employment Law Training Center.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Purchase or Refinance! Local Mortgage Banker in Business Since 1988 Always Competitve with Interest Rates and Loan Fees Personalized Customer Service
Call Land/Home Today:
Peter Paredero
Sr. Mortgage Consultant Cell: 925-787-8746 Fax: 925-887-6705 pparedero@lhfinancial.com 1855 Gateway Blvd., Suite 140, Concord, CA 94520 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
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Re-Elect
Page
Community leaders support Michael
Michael
HARRIS Pleasant Hill City Council
“No one does more for our city than Michael Harris.” — Mayor Karen Mitchoff
“Michael Harris is one of the best things that's ever happened to Pleasant Hill.” — Lesley Stiles
Dedicated service A voice of reason Independent, informed, fair “Together we will continue to accomplish great things for Pleasant Hill!” Re-elect Michael Harris for Pleasant Hill City Council 2010 � 2300 Heritage Hills Dr. Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Campaign D #1285902 � Jim Bonato, Treasurer � mharris4PH@gmail.com � 925-938-1963 � Visit Michael on Facebook
Just a few of Michael’s endorsements Diane Kamrin Ashley & Lindsay Allen Liz Kim Dawn Block Kendra Luke Jim & Sandy Bonato Dana Matthews Mark Celio Mike McGill Faye & Dennis Donaghu Tom McHale Norma & Don Flaskerud Joe Ovick Jane Fuentes Suzanne Salter Bobby Glover Sherry Sterrett Mary Gray Leo Vardas Leanne Hamaji Steve Wallace John Hanecak
Hittin’ the Road By Denise Salamanca Walking down the path, a carpet of sun dappled leaves spread out in front of us. More vibrant multi-hued leaves danced through the air as they settled gracefully to the ground. At the Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley, the colorful fall foliage provides a stunning background for its walking tour. The East Coast may be known for amazing Autumn colors, but we have some great spots in Northern California as well! The Empire Mine is the site of the oldest, largest, and richest gold mine in California. From 1850 to its closing in 1956, it produced 5.8 million ounces of gold. It is estimated that this represented only 20% of the available gold...80% remains. The park also consists of 845 acres of forested backcountry and 12 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. My husband and two daughters weren’t thrilled with the idea of visiting yet another historic gold mine but they were pleasantly surprised with this place.
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
The walking tour lets you explore many of the original buildings, the Bourne’s cottage and the restored gardens. Scattered around the grounds, the old mining equipment resembles abstract art pieces. We peered down the entrance to the main mining shaft and tried to imagine the miners descending 600 feet a minute every day for work. Our tour ended with a beautiful walk down the tree-lined path to the Bourne’s impressive “cottage” with its gorgeous gardens
and fountains. Nearby Nevada City is one of the prettiest and most well preserved Gold Rush towns. It offers quality restaurants, charming shops, live theatre and eye catching art galleries. Some of the highlights for us as we strolled down the street included Nevada City Chocolate Shoppe, Dedrick’s Cheese Shop, Mowen Salinsky Gallery and the Nevada Theatre. For an early dinner, we picked Trolley Junction Restaurant in Nevada City
so that we could try out their renowned Monte Cristo sandwich. I’m glad I shared it with my younger daughter because the sandwich was huge. It came with a delicious raspberry jam for dipping and tasty sweet potato fries. The restaurant ‘s lovely setting includes colorful gardens and a natural running waterfall. The changing colors of the landscape framed the road as we drove home and the setting sun lit the surrounding foliage aglow. The leaves, with their rich hues of red, orange and yellow, resembled glittering jewels. Aaahhh, now that I got my autumn fix, I’m ready for the upcoming holidays! Other fantastic Fall displays: Plumas County : http://www.plumascounty.org CA Parks: http://www.parks.ca.gov Don’t miss Apple Hill north of Placerville on Hwy 50. Or continue on to Lake Tahoe for some more beautiful foliage. The vineyards of Napa and Sonoma County are also gorgeous this time of year.
Page 10
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
PAST TO PLEASANT
October 2010
Old Quarry, New Stories By Adam Nilsen
While it may have taken dynamite to dig up rock from Pleasant Hill’s old quarry, it didn’t take much effort to dig up some stories about it. A handful of long-time locals responded to my request for stories, revealing much about the quarry’s operation and legacy. Many clarified that the quarry was actually considered to be in Pacheco, part of which was annexed to Pleasant Hill later. My first informant was Marilyn Thelen, whose uncles, Ray and Armand Serra, ran the quarry. Marilyn remembers making five cents a day pushing the button on the crusher that turned big rocks into gravel. Marilyn had a goldmine (or a gravel mine?) of quarry photos, a sampling of which you see here. I also talked to Armand’s son, Bob Serra, who said that two brothers named Slater started the quarry during World War II and supplied the rock for Buchanan Field. When that project was done, the Serras leased and operated
the quarry, which later supplied rock for the nearby part of Highway 680. Bob reports that a Native American skeleton was found near the creek, as were Native American stone grinding bowls and a dinosaur footprint! Ron Stout worked at the quarry for about eight years starting in the early 1960s and reports that the quarry produced sandstone and sand, and that topsoil dug out of Grayson Creek was sold for gardening. He says that the quarry closed in the early 1970s because there was simply no rock left—what was formerly a rocky hill had more or less flattened. Ron recalls that the builders of Sun Valley Mall
used rock and sand from the quarry. Ron had quite an explosive quarry story. Part of his job was to drill deep into the ground, sometimes 50-60 feet, load in sticks of dynamite, and blast rock out of the ground. Once, in a moment of admitted overzealousness, he used too much dynamite. Rocks shot up and landed in inopportune places: through the roof of the White Front store (which is now Target) and through the convertible top of an unfortunate White Front shopper’s car! Finally, I talked to Everett Della Rosa, who used to haul rock from the quarry to be used in driveways in parking lots—yet another legacy
of the quarry! So it seems that the quarry lives on in many ways, and in your amblings around the county, you may very well have set foot on its former contents. But to think, all this crushing and blasting happened in today’s quiet little DVC Plaza. Think about that on your next trip to Kmart! 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.
MARTINEZ HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Tucker Mansion Rich in History
In 1851, Nantucket sea captain John Tucker left his life on the seas to settle in Martinez with his wife Mary. He sold his ship and bought 40 acres on the west side of Martinez. Captain Tucker embarked on a new career as a wheat farmer. In 1877 success and prosperity allowed the Tuckers to move from a small cottage on Main Street to the opulent mansion built above Talbart Street between Main and Escobar Streets. The mansion was the showcase of the city boasting seven bedrooms, four baths and approximately 5,200 square feet. Tragedy struck in 1880 when Captain Tucker died after living in the
By Gay Gerlack mansion for a mere three years. Mary, it turned 90 degrees, and moved the finding the home too large, decided to home down the hill to its present locamove back to their Main Street home tion on Escobar Street. Many stories where she lived for an addipersist about tional ten years. the imposing The manstructure insion changed cluding rumors owners many that it housed times over the a bordello in years, then, the 1930’s and in the late that to this day, 1920’s the city Captain Tucker postmaster, remains in the Franklin Glass, home, residpurchased the ing in his attic home. He had bedroom. Photo Credit: Carter Wilson
In 1999 the celebrated home was added to the National Historic Register and a plaque at the house reads: “Originally located at 40 Escobar, this luxurious mansion was built for Capt. Tucker’s family, a sea captain turned successful wheat grower. The home was moved here in the 1920’s by City Postmaster Franklin Glass & is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” The current owners, Joey and Linda Piscitelli, purchased the home in 2005 and have renovated each of the rooms. The Piscitellis have graciously allowed the “Tucker Mansion” to be the alumni home on the 2010 Martinez Historical Society Home Tour.
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page 11
PLEASANT HILL CITY BUZZ
Pleasant Hill CERT - Neighbor Helping Neighbor By Sherry Cartmill, Pleasant Hill CERT Outreach Committee Member In 1987, the Whittier Narrows earthquake underscored and confirmed the Los Angeles Fire Department’s concept of local citizens being trained in proper disaster rescue techniques. In 1994, FEMA began to promote the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) nationwide and now every state and the territories have programs. In November of 2005, the Pleasant Hill City Council approved a resolution for emergency preparedness in the city and Jim Bonato volunteered to work with the Pleasant Hill Police Department to develop the Pleasant Hill CERT program. Today, Jim and Police Lieutenant Dan Connelly now lead over 300 volunteers. On October 16th Pleasant Hill CERT will hold its first annual disaster drill and all of the city’s CERT volunteers have been asked to participate. The objective is to see how effectively the team responds to a disaster situation. They will set up an Incident Command Post, collect and analyze incoming reports, develop a response strategy, and deploy rescue teams. The Incident Command Post will be at the Pleasant Hill Park on Gregory Lane. CERT skills, including search and rescue, first aid, medical transport and
PH CERT members & Pleasant Hill Police liaison, Officer Kellie Geis, at National Night Out in August.
radio communication will be practiced at pre-selected sites throughout the neighborhood. While Jim Bonato and Lt. Dan Connelly have been working on the practical and legal aspects of the drill, several others have been working on the disaster response elements. Gordon Doughty, Connie Foote, Kermit Paul, Carolyn Morgentsetn and Steve Hoeft are committee leaders. The drill these veteran CERT volunteers come up with will help to form a solid training base for Pleasant Hill CERT response. Where is Pleasant Hill CERT going after the October 16th drill?
City Calendar of Events Architectural Review Commission October 7, 21 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 5:00pm Contact: 671-5259
Planning Commission Meeting October 12, 26 100 Gregory Lane City Council Chambers, 7:30pm Contact: 671-5259
City Council Meeting October 4, 18 100 Gregory Lane Contact: 671-5267
Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Saturdays, 8am-Noon Crescent Drive (in front of Century Theatre) Downtown Pleasant Hill Contact: 825-9090
Civic Action Commission Meeting October 6 100 Gregory Lane Small Community Room, 6:30pm Contact: 671-5229 Education/Schools Advisory Commission Meeting October 27 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 7:00pm Contact: 671-5229
Art, Jazz & Wine October 9 10am - 6pm October 10 10am - 5pm Dowtown Pleasant Hill at Cresent Drive Beer • Food • Wine • Live Music Fun for the whole Family! For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us
It will get bigger and better! Think about taking the CERT training (the last class of the year is full, however, we have a waiting list for next year’s sessions) which consists of three and a half hours of study, once a week for six weeks. Each section is taught by people who have been especially trained in the CERT program and by other profes-
sionals, fire fighters, doctors, nurses and police officers. There is no pass or fail and personal safety is stressed above all else. All CERT volunteers are sworn in as Disaster Services Workers. In Pleasant Hill, meetings and practice sessions are held every month so that updates can be shared and skills fine-tuned. Thanks to a generous donation from the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation a web site is being developed to include, along with other information, meeting schedules and a library of practical exercises that all CERT members will have access to. The more CERT volunteers we have, the better our city will be able to cope with the chaos and destruction of a major disaster. For more information about CERT, check out their web site at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert. For more information about the October drill or about Pleasant Hill CERT contact Jim Bonato at 938-5433 or Lt. Dan Connelly at 288-4630.
City Seeks Community Input on Master Plan The City of Pleasant Hill is developing its first comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The purpose of the plan is to develop a network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that will provide better access to transit, schools and shopping destinations. The plan will also develop policies to provide ample bike parking and other support systems for bicycling and walking in Pleasant Hill. Lastly, the plan will include recommended education and encouragement programs to help Pleasant Hill residents learn to bicycle and walk safely. The City is encouraging residents
to have their say in the development of this plan and multiple public meetings will be held to facilitate this. Please see the ‘Public Input’ link on the City website for more information. The City hosted the first public outreach meeting at Pleasant Hill City Hall on September 29, 2010. A summary of the input and comments received at this meeting will be posted on the website shortly. For complete details and updated information on the plan, go to www.walkandbikepleasanthill.com. Questions? Contact: Eric Hu at ehu@ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us or call: (925) 671-5203.
Page 12
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
AS RUSS SEES IT
October 2010
It’s the Little Things By Russell Carroll
Why can’t everyone in the world put the toilet paper roll on the right way? I mean, it just makes sense that it should come over the top, not from under the bottom. My family sometimes puts the roll on with the paper on the bottom just to make me crazy. It’s either that or they don’t care which way it goes - which would be ridiculous. There is a certain natural order of things; dogs hate cats, traffic lights are red when you are in a hurry and the toilet paper comes over the top. Is it crazy that I will change the direction of the roll in a public bathroom? NO! It’s one small step for mankind. Sometimes I wonder if it’s wrong in the women’s room as well and I want to go in and check. Just to help out. But I don’t. A man needs to know his limitations. I will change the direction of the roll when I am at your house visiting. Sometimes I wonder if it is a left hand/right hand thing. The manufacturers should put little arrows on the paper. If you try to tear paper off from a bottom feed roll you can sometimes rip the roll right off the rack. Then what? Problems, that’s what. Who is the guy that fills the paper towel dispensers in the men’s room with so many towels you can’t pull one out? The fact that we are trying to pull out paper with wet hands is problematic enough. I end up with 10 little pieces of paper towel to dry my hands. The air blower is a stupid idea. Should it really take 2.5 minutes to dry your hands? It must be the same guy that fills the napkin dispensers at a restaurant. You go to pull
out a napkin and the whole dispenser comes off the table. And what’s up with all the motion sensors in the rest rooms? You have to wave your hands under the faucet, across the top, or do a 360 around the whole faucet just to get a little water. You end up looking like you’re in a Jackie Chan movie. The urinals are motion sensitive as well. Honestly, I am frightened to move at all while standing at the urinal. The situation makes me nervous and that often does not help my cause. The motion sensor stools in the stalls make a courtesy flush almost impossible. Do I put my pants all the way back on and then stand up to get a courtesy flush or do I just stand up with my pants around my ankles? I was over working on a baseball field the other day and stopped to watch the end of what looked like a 6U girl’s soccer game. It was very cute and brought back fond memories. But then the game ended and the parents jumped up and formed the infamous post-game human tunnel. You remember! The parents formed two lines and stretched their arms out tee-pee style and shouted encouragement as the little tykes all ran back and forth through the human tunnel. I remember being really uncomfortable when I had to hold hands tee-pee style with another dad. Usually he and I would not actually touch hands. Just hold them up in the proverbial “reach for the sky� mode hoping that our wives did not notice our lack of commitment to the human tunnel. I did however enjoy
when we would pummel a team and the parents on the losing side would fail to form their human tunnel. I would yell out to the players on the other team, “Come on over here and join our tunnel.� It was always more fun to be condescending when you had just dismantled a 6 year-old soccer team. Who ever came up with the idea that you have to give out “goodie-bags� at the end of a kid’s birthday party? You spend a small fortune on the party, gifts for your kids, food, balloons, invitations, a jump house, and a Spider-Man character that looks nothing like his web site photo and then at the end you have to give the guests a gift? Isn’t, “Thank you for coming,� and three games of free
bowling enough? There is always a panic if a guest brings an uninvited sibling. You don’t have enough goodie-bags now so a cousin gets stiffed so the party crasher can have their bag. I could live with all of these things if I could just find the person who came up with the post-game snack idea. “Ok boys, it’s the last inning. The score is all tied up and we will win the championship if we can just score one run! So, we gotta stay focused and swing at good pitches only. Run hard when you hit the ball and listen to your base coach. Now let’s go win this thing! Are there any questions?â€? “Yeah Coach, what’s the snack?â€? It’s the little things that make us crazy. But‌‌that’s just how I see it.
Paid for by Friends of Lara DeLaney, Post Office Box 51, Martinez, CA 94553 ID #1245981
" $ * )(
*""- ) %"! & ')# $)
+!) "!. )!%$ % *(!$ (( )% '!$ % ( )% ')!$ .
,,, '% ( '% ' # -%' %# ! %' - % '% ' %' -%' ' $ ) ')!$ .
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Martinez Mayor’s Message
Page 13
MARTINEZ CITY BUZZ
Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez Martinez has three major entrances into the city, Alhambra Avenue, Shell Avenue and Marina Vista. Both Alhambra and Shell have been substantially improved for traffic flow and beautification over the last decade with the addition of traffic signals, undergrounding of utilities and the addition of center medians and curb planters. We are now in the process of improving Marina Vista through the
Marina Vista Streetscape project. This is part of the current five year Capital Improvement Program recently adopted by the City Council. The project boundaries are generally Marina Vista between Berrellessa Street and the east end of Escobar Street. The project includes underground
Darius Jones 5K Run A 5K (5 Kilometer) run/walk is being held to commemorate the tragic death of Darius Jones, a local 15 yearold high school athlete and Pittsburg resident, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest and died while playing in a youth basketball game at Diablo Valley College on October 11, 2009. Darius attended St. Catherine’s in Martinez and was a freshman at De La Salle. The foundation’s goal is to raise $26,000
to provide 10 AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators) to local schools and to provide 100 local coaches with certified CPR training. The event will be held on Saturday, October 9th at 9:00 a.m. at the Martinez Shoreline Park. Pre-registration is $25 for adults, $15 for children 18 and under. Same day registration is $35. To register call 925-473-1283 or visit www. dariusjonesfoundation.org.
For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org
City Calendar of Events Zoning Administrator Meeting October 6, 20 4:00pm-6:00pm Contact: 925-372-3500 City Council Meeting October 6, 20 7:00pm-10:30pm Contact: 925-372-3500 Civic Action Commission Meeting August 4 100 Gregory Lane Small Community Room, 6:30pm Contact: 671-5229 Design Review October 13, 27 4:00pm - 6:00pm Planning Commission Meeting October 12, 26 7:00pm-11:00pm Contact: 925-372-3500
Martinez Farmers’ Market October 7, 14, 21, & 28 10:00am-2:00pm Court Street between Main and Escobar. For more information, visit www.pcfma.com or call Main Street Martinez at 925-228-3577. Sunday Farmers’ Market October 3, 10, 17 & 24 & 31 10:00am-2:00pm 600 block on Main Street through October 31st. For more information, visit www.cccfm.org or call Main Street Martinez at 925-228-3577.
utilities, installation of decorative streetlights, pavers sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks and a bike lane. There will also be an entry sign over Marina Vista at Court Street announcing “Historic Martinez”. The very wet winter delayed the start of construction until late spring 2010 and construction is now in full swing. Most of the underground irrigation, storm drains and electrical conduit work are complete along with the majority of the curb and gutter work. Remaining work includes installation of the decorative pavers and crosswalks, decorative streetlights and final paving. Once all the cable and electrical wires are installed, PG&E will begin the process of converting businesses and residents from overhead wires to underground feeds. The phase of the project will be the removal of the power poles. We expect most of the work to be complete between Thanks-
giving and Christmas. The total budget for the project is approximately $3.5 million, which covers the design, project management, construction, inspection, construction management and contingency. This project is funded by a variety of funding sources including a Transportation for Livable Communities grant of $1.6 million, PG&E Rule 20A funds of $650,000, Federal Stimulus Funds of $750,000 and other miscellaneous Federal and local transportation funds. No taxpayer generated General Fund money is being used to complete this project. The improvement and beautification of this last major entrance into our city will make the downtown more accessible and desirable to visitors and residents. This is just one of the many capital and paving projects planned for Martinez in the next few years. Next will be the rebuilding of the Martinez Marina on both the landside and waterside areas. I will report on that project in next
Craft Brew Fest Coming Soon It wouldn’t be October without a beer festival! The Bay Area Craft Beer Festival will be held on Oct. 23rd and is a new event produced by and benefiting Main Street Martinez. The festival is not an Octoberfest but will be just as much fun. There will be 20 + micro breweries participating including; Ale Industries, Bear Republic, Black Diamond, Blue Frog, Firestone Walker, Gordon Biersch, Grand Teton, Iron Springs, Lagunitas, Lost Coast, Marin, Russian River, Speakeasy, Stone, Third Street, Trumer Brauerei and Two Rivers Ciders, to name a few.
Located at the Historic Cannery District in downtown Martinez near the picturesque Martinez Waterfront Park. There will also be live music, and lots of food available to purchase. A free shuttle will run all day between North Concord BART and the festival. And, we are especially excited to have the Community Focus as a sponsor of the event. Like all beer festivals, this one is expected to sell out so get your tickets early! For tickets and more information visit: www.bayareacraftbeerfestival. com or call (925) 228-3577.
Page 14
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
CORKS AND FORKS
October 2010
Pair Up With La Sommelierre Maria Terry
Hungarian Halloween Every year I have a party on Halloween and make a big pot of soup. This year I wanted to pay homage to my Hungarian mother. In Hungary, the soup or stew is called gulyás. In English, we say goulash. Any way you say it, it is delicious. A classic Hungarian salad incorporates cucumber, sour cream and dill. I have modified the recipe to make the salad into an appetizer that is easy to
pick up with your hands. The bright freshness of the cucumber and dill call out for a wine that has good acidity, plenty of fruit flavor and is not too heavy. Cserszegi Füszeres is hard to say but easy to drink. It makes a lovely white wine with notes of lychee & lemon curd on the nose and has the right acid and body for the delicate appetizer. When everyone has come in from the cold business of gathering candy,
Herbed Cucumber Rounds Yield: 48 Rounds INGREDIENTS 4 oz cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh dill 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon table salt Pinch of cayenne, or to taste 2 medium seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped) Extra dill for garnish Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS Stir together cream cheese, herbs, zest, lemon juice, table salt, and cayenne. Peel the cucumber and cut into ½” rounds. Carefully scoop out the center to form a small indentation in cucumber making a small bowl out of each cylinder. Fill the indentation in each cucumber with ½ teaspoon herbed cream cheese. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, garnish with dill sprig and serve immediately.
Goulash Soup Yield: One Big Pot of Soup INGREDIENTS 1 oz. vegetable oil 1 lb. beef cubes 1 lb. coarsely chopped onions 3 large potatoes, cut into bite sized pieces 1 tbsp. tomato puree 1 teaspoon hot Hungarian paprika 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
Salt, pepper and caraway seeds DIRECTIONS Sauté onions and garlic and add spices. Add meat, stir once, then add tomato puree. Continue stirring until browned. Cover with water and simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Add potatoes and simmer until potatoes are soft. Adjust seasoning and add a little more water if necessary.
Hire My Husband
All kinds of Interior and Exterior handyman projects.
• Interior Painting • Quality Home Repair Projects • Handyman Services Contractor Lic. # 943231
www.HireMyHusband.com
925-969-0133
Goulash Soup is hearty and warming. Add some coarsely chopped tomato and red or green bell peppers with the potatoes if you want to up the veggie portion of the dish. Egri Bikavér is Hungary’s most famous red wine. It is a blend of grapes like Kadarka and Kékfrankos. Rich and rustic it will stand up to the big flavors of the soup. To end the party, each year we open a bottle of Vin du Bugey-Cerdon. It is the perfect wine to pair with the super sweet chocolates and candies that are leftover from the “handout” bowl (my kids won’t part with their hoard). It is sweet, pink and sparkling. Each of these wines may take a bit of searching to find but your efforts will be rewarded. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com
Saturdays, 8am-12pm
What’s at the market: Strawberries Brentwood Sweet Corn • Peaches Nectarines • Plums • Figs • Eggplant Organic Produce • Farm Fresh Eggs Heirloom Tomatoes • Mushrooms Specialty Asian Produce • Peppers Basil • Summer Squash • Grapes Freshly-Cut Flowers • Raspberries Artisan Breads • Raw Foods Live Music • & More!
Downtown Pleasant Hill in front of the Century 16 Theatre pcfma.com/pleasanthill
CITY OF PLEASANT HILL
1.800.949.FARM
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
SENIOR ENVY
A Ticket with Risks ‌and Rewards
Pleasant Hill
By Jessie Wusthoff What if someone offered you an all expenses paid daylong excursion in the greater Bay Area...only they won’t tell you where this outing goes? Well, that’s exactly what happens every month to a group of forty to fifty seniors when they sign up for a “Mystery Trip� through the Pleasant Hill Senior Center. This monthly tradition is one of the program’s most popular trips. Why? Because we always strive to send you somewhere new, exciting and different. Whether we’re discovering a little known Bay Area gem or walking into a newly renovated famous landmark, the variety is what keeps these trips fresh for loyal monthly adventurers. So, what’s the experience like? All you are told is the day, the time and the difficulty level of the trip (whether there are a lot of stairs, minimal standing, etc.) That’s it! No other clues! Even after you hop on board the bus, you’re not sure where we’re taking you. Some of the feistier bus drivers take alternate routes to keep passengers guessing until they arrive at the final destination and put that parking break on. The mystery of the destination keeps the group buzzing with excitement
Page 15
throughout the day. Last August’s Mystery Trip was one of our most popular to date! We drove north to the town of Calistoga and enjoyed three of the area’s unique features. First, we were greeted by world-renowned artist Carlo Marchiori at Villa Ca’Toga, who walked us through his five-acre property complete with a grotto and Greek “ruinsâ€? constructed from recycled concrete. The main house contained several fascinating theme rooms, each a surprise and a technical wonder with its realistic murals. One room even places you in the middle of a birdcage with a cat peering in at you with eager eyes! After a fresh, seasonally focused meal at a locally owned restaurant we geared up for a tour of Clos Pegase, a winery near by. We were treated to generous post-tour samplings before heading home after a wonderful day. Enticing, isn’t it? Join us on our next Mystery Trip. Contact the Pleasant Hill Senior Center Trip Office, Tuesday through Friday, from 10a.m. – 3p.m. Stop by or call (925) 798-8747 to find out the best way to sign up for these sell-out trips! Jessie Wustoff is the Trips Coordinator for the Pleasant Hill Senior Center.Â
Martinez
Senior Activities
Senior Activities
Pleasant Hill Senior Center 233 Gregory Lane (925) 798-8788
Martinez Senior Center 818 Green St. (925) 370-8770
Pancake Breakfast – Oct. 3 Monthly breakfast features French Toast! Enjoy a bottomless plate of either one with eggs, sausage and orange juice. (1st Sunday of every month) 9am – 11am, $3.50 ages 11 and up / $2.50 ages 5 to 10 / FREE ages 4 & under
Pancake Breakfast – Oct. 10 Second Sunday of each month. Everyone is welcome. Bring your family and friends! 8:00am to 11:00am, $3.50 adults /$2 children under 10. Homemade crafts for sale.
Taste of the Vine - Oct. 22 Relax from your week and casually sip on a glass of wine with friends. A variety of red and white wines plus light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Non-alcoholic beverages available. Sponsored by The Chateau’s of Pleasant Hill, 4 pm–6pm, $6 presale/ $8 at the door
Beach Blanket Babylon – Nov. 7 An enjoyable afternoon in San Francisco, with a five-course lunch at the famous Caesar’s Restaurant, reserved Center Balcony seats for the performance of Beach Blanket Babylon - longest running musical revue in theatre history, and return home in our motor coach. Cost: $140
Vagabond Players Present “Always‌Patsy Clineâ€? – Oct. 24 A musical tribute based on the true story of Cline’s friendship with a fan that befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk and continued a correspondence with her until her death. The play is complete with down-home country humor, true emotion and unforgettable songs. 2pm. Fee: $6 Presale, $8 at the door (not guaranteed, based on availability)
Thanksgiving Luncheon – Nov. 19 Traditional menu with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes with a orange-rum glaze, vegetables, a glass of wine or juice, and, of course, pumpkin pie. This year’s entertainment will be the Stagebridge Theatre Group, performing “Never Too Late.� Purchase tickets by 11/10; $11 members/$13 non-members. 12:00pm.
“Get to Know Your Cell Phone�- Nov. 22 Having trouble checking your voicemail, programming numbers or changing your ringtones? Teens from PHRPD’s Teen Council are at your service! Register for a 20-minute one on one appt. 10am – 12pm, 30-min. appt. slots. FREE Donations accepted to support the Teen Center Programs.
“Spirit of Christmas� - Dec. 5 to Dec. 6 Trip includes a round trip motor coach transportation, overnight accommodations at Silver Legacy (bonus: $5 cash/$3 food credit), buffet dinner, a special “Spirit of Christmas� performance, luggage handling, Boomtown bonus: $5 cash $5 food credit and bus driver gratuity. Cost: $50 deposit, $128 p.p. dbl occupancy/$145 single occupancy.
, " Annual Holiday Bazaar – Friday, Nov. 5
Extensive jewelry section, white elephant area, holiday decorations, plants, hand-made crafts and a terrific bake sale. Lunch will be offered, consisting of salad, pasta, garlic bread and a beverage. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost: $3.50 pre-sale / $4.00 at the door. Martinez Senior Center, 818 Green St.
Call us at 677-2150
Holiday Boutique – Saturday, Nov. 13
n Caring Companionship n Bathing & Dressing n Walking Assistance n Light Housekeeping n Medication Reminders n Up to 24-hour Care
n Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care n Licensed, Bonded, & Insured n FREE In-Home Assessment
ÂŽ
Get an early start on your holiday shopping! Visit our Holiday Boutique and choose from a huge selection of handmade items. Baby items, quilts, scarves, jewelry and much more! Quality made items at affordable prices. After visiting the boutique shop our plant sale, where all proceeds go towards the CC CafÊ. Hot apple turnovers, sandwiches and coffee will be for sale. 9am – 4pm, FREE Pleasant Hill Senor Center, 233 Gregory Lane
Page 16
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
HOME TEAM
Monarchs Rule the Youth Baseball Kingdom
By Dina Ultsch suffered a 12-2 thrashing at the hands of the out rally in the bottom of the first inning. The AAU National Champion La “The Tomateros are an amazing morinda Monarchs defeated the two-time Tomateros in pool play. Over the past two Zachary “Husky” Roberts drove in one with team,” said Monarchs Manager Guy Tucker. champion Tomateros de California 2-1 years, the Monarchs were 0-10 against their a single to left. Hoerner was able to strand “Nico did a great job of changing the way in the finals of the third-annual National rivals. Roberts at third by getting the final out via a he pitched to them each time through the In this game, however, Monarchs startYouth Baseball Championships (NYBC) weak grounder to first. order. He established his off-speed pitches held in Memphis. The event hosts the ing pitcher Nico Hoerner ensured it was After the first inning, pitching became early and that allowed him to go after them national champions of eight organizations his team celebrating while the Tomateros the story. Hoerner settled-in and dominated with his tremendous fastball late in the who compete for a unified national chamwould watched in disbelief. the powerful opposition lineup. He allowed game.” In the top of the first inning, Hoerner pionship. The tournament was broadcast Hoerner was named tournament Most just four hits and one walk while striklive by the MLB Network and covered on blasted a home run over the centerfield wall ing-out six in a six-inning, complete game Valuable Player. In ten innings pitched, he MLB.com. to drive in Isaiah Berry who had doubled performance. had two wins, nine strikeouts and an ERA of The Tomateros (USSSA) entered earlier. That gave the Monarchs an early 2-0 The Tomateros attempted to mount 1.80. Offensively, he hit .600 and scored nine the game with an amazing 89-1 season lead and would prove to be all the runs they one last rally in the bottom of the sixth runs. He had two home runs and four RBIs. record, which included four wins over the would need. “It has been an incredible ride, and it when they brought the heart of their order, The Tomateros answered with a twoMonarchs. Earlier that day, the Monarchs featuring three All-Americans, to the plate. was an impossible dream,” said Tucker. “At After a lead-off double to the center field the beginning of the season, we set the goal wall, Hoerner struck out the next batter for of making it to Memphis, and we develthe first out. This brought the three-time oped a plan that we hoped would give us a All-American and 2009 Player of the Year, chance. The players worked hard and stayed Isaak Gutierrez, to the plate. focused, and somehow they accomplished Gutierrez drove a curveball to deep the impossible.” By Jeffrey Eitelgeorge, as told to Chuck Nan Several members of the team hail from right field. But this night belonged to the On July 3, the Under-12 Martinez The Bulldog’s defense worked together to Monarchs, as a gentle wind kept the ball our area. They include Kevin Sandri and Bulldogs traveled to Cooperstown, New kill Michigan’s rally and to hold the 3-2 in the park, and nestled it into Grant Hill’s Grant Hill of Martinez and Dylan Yasutake, York, site of the National baseball Hall of lead. glove. Hoerner then fanned the next batter Noah Burnham and Austin Garcia of Although only three players were Fame, to play in the annual Cooperstown for the final out and the celebration began. Pleasant Hill. Dreams Park tournament. On July 7, the involved in the triple play, it wouldn’t have Bulldogs faced the Down River Outlaws happened without the solid defense from from Michigan in an early 8:00 a.m. game the entire Bulldog team knowing where to kick-off the first games of the single they needed to be. The Bulldogs later elimination round. prevailed and finished the game with an In the top of the second inning, Josh exciting score of 11-3. Abraham was faced with a jam as the bases The triple play ball was signed by the were loaded with no outs. The next pitch, players and coaches and will be held at Abraham threw a hurling fastball on the the Martinez Historic Museum for future batter’s hands, who proceeded to hit a line generations to see. drive to the shortstop, Brendan Sullivan. He ran-in and made a sliding catch on his knees. But, Sullivan wasn’t finished. Bottom row - Left to Right: Grant Hill, Dylan Yasutake, Kevin Sandri, Harbour Harrison, Jason Fackrell, Nate Sullivan knew the runner at secTolles, Quinn Cambra Top Row - Left to Right: Noah Burnham, Andrew Urrutia, Nick Ultsch, Austin Garcia, Nico ond had a big lead so on the play; he Hoerner, Isaiah Berry threw the ball from his knees, as quick as he could, to second baseman, Jeffrey Eitelgeorge, who caught the ball for the ALHAMBRA BULLDOGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE second out. Eitelgeorge took a glance at Friday, October 1 @ Las Lomas 7:00 p.m. first base and saw that that runner was Friday, October 8 vs. Dublin 7:00 p.m Front row (L-R): Evan Gittleman, Jeffrey Eitelgeorge, too far off the base. Without giving the Friday, October 15 vs. Acalanes 7:00 p.m. Homecoming Brendan Sullivan, Justin Creecy and Ethan Atherstone. runner enough time to get back to first Friday, October 29 @ Campolindo 7:00 p.m. Center row: Garrett Nichols, Gavin Duncan, Sean COLLEGE PARK FALCONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE to tag up, Eitelgeorge snapped a throw to Bateman, Josh Abraham, Brady Christopher and Zac Friday, October 1 vs. Freedom 3:30 p.m. first just in front of the runner’s slide to Elliott. Back row: Coach Steve Elliott, Manager John Friday, October 15 vs. Northgate @DVC 7:00 p.m. Homecoming Justin Creecy, who made the catch for the Abraham and Coach Jon Creecy. Saturday, October 23 @ Ygnacio Valley 1:00 p.m. Photo: Jeannie Eitelgeorge third and final out of the inning, comFriday, October 29 @ Concord 7:00 p.m. pleting a rare triple play.
Bulldogs Make Rare Play in Cooperstown
High School Football 2010
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page 17
“Season Ticket” Sports Stephenson Shines in National Spotlight In the prestigious Aflac All-America game at San Diego’s Petco Park, Robert Stephenson of Alhambra had the honor of being named the starting pitcher for the West team. Poised and cool, he didn’t let his squad down as he tossed two scoreless innings, allowing no hits, only one walk and striking-out two. Proudly sporting No. 44 in the bright red jersey, Stephenson threw 21 total pitches and demonstrated success with all of his pitches: slider, sinker, change-up, fast ball and cutter. The tall flame-thrower looked very smooth and his rhythm really seemed to give a professional-like flow to his outing. In a post-game interview with Baseball America, Stephenson was quoted as saying, “It’s still pretty cool. The mound felt great. Being the first one out there it was perfectly groomed.
HOME TEAM
By Chuck Nan Nice big stadium. It was real comforteach scored one TD on the ground. Davis (Best Athlete) and Maurice able.” Stephenson earned the top speed College Park cut the lead to 27-25 Poyadue Best DL in the trenches) from on the radar gun at the event – hitting with just over six minutes remaining Alhambra and Robbie Byers (Most 95 mph! in the fourth-quarter, but Leaf ’s third Versatile) and Vince Ferrante (Likely to Stephenson also earned another touchdown iced the win. The 114 yards Lead DVAL in Rushing) from College honor. In conjunction with Rise Magarushing was a career-high for Leaf. Park. Falcon quarterback Taylor Valdez zine, ESPN selected him as an All-State It bested his 108-yards in the NCS was on the cover. performer for California in 2010 in Cal-Hi Sports, in conjunction playoffs against Tamalpais last season the medium school, underclassman (November 28). with ESPN Rise Magazine named Leaf division. Stephenson was 8-4 with 104 The last Alhambra win prior to this a First-Team Pre-Season All-East Bay strikeouts for Alhambra. against the Falcons was on September star (Multi-Purpose) and Davis as a 30, 2005, 41-35. That game was also Second-Team selection. SSM Editor Chase Bryson’s played at DVC and the Falcons were league-mates of the Dogs in the old ver- monthly editorial topic was his top-five sion of the DFAL. high school fields which feel like home. Pre-Season Gridiron Honors He selected Knowles Field at Alham Sports Stars Magazine of Clayton bra as No. 3. Bryson says that football Valley honored several young athletes games at Alhambra “have a hometown from the Pleasant Hill-Martinez area feel on Friday nights.” Photo by Dane Hutslar in their edition for the Pre-Season Bulldogs and Falcons Clash All-Area Team and league previews on Gridiron (August 26 issue). They included: Jared No. 7 Alhambra and No. 14 ColLeaf (1st-Team/Best Defensive), Trevor lege Park renewed their longstanding rivalry in the 2010 opener for both schools. It was the KTVU Channel 2 “Prep Game of the Week” under the bright lights of DVC. As usual, the game was high-scoring, exciting and not decided until the final minutes. In the end, it was the Bulldogs ending a four-game winless drought in the series and prevailing 34-25. A loud and overflow crowd saw Alhambra gave first-year coach Alan Hern his first career victory. New quarterback, John Miller, got things started Photo submitted by Dave Holland when he ran 9-yards for the game’s College Park Men’s Varsity takes top honors at the Ed Sias Invitational held initial score. Miller passed for 98-yards September 11th at Hidden Valley Elementary in Martinez. in the contest. Pictured are: Cooper Shanks, Anthony Ortolan, Jeff Bickert, Jaskaranjit Singh, Will Holland, Sam Smith and George Do The big star for the Dogs was new feature back Jared Leaf with 114 rushing yards and three TDs. Speedy receiver Trevor Davis also got into the action as he snared a touchdown pass Benefiting MDUSD HIgh School Sports from Miller. October 10, 2010 Newhall Park, Concord The Falcons were led by quarterHelp Us Raise Money for High School Sports back Taylor Valdez. The senior threw All Ages Welcome Competitive 5K, Fun Run & Walk & Kiddie Event for 91 yards and rushed for another 54. Food & Entertainment Available He also tossed one touchdown pass.
C.P. Cross Country Champs
5K RUN
Backs Vince Ferrante and Robbie Byers
Register at www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org
Page 18
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
#ARPET s (ARDWOOD s 6INYL s ,AMINATE s 4ILE s $USTLESS &LOOR 2ElNISHING 7INDOW #OVERINGS s 7INE #ELLARS s #OUNTERTOPS s #ABINETS AND MORE
*Offer valid through 11/30/10. See store for details.
Mention this ad to receive
/&& &,//2).' -!4%2)!,3*
925.945.0771
www.scottftc.com 2835 Contra Costa Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA
Need to buy or sell a home?
Over 410* reasons to choose Don & Norma Flaskerud as YOUR Realtor!
*The number of homes they have sold in PLEASANT HILL ALONE!! Call Pleasant Hill’s
1 Realtor
#
for ALL your Real Estate needs
Don & Norma Flaskerud Re/Max CC Connection 925-676-5859 Visit them at www.PleasantHillRealEstate.com or email DonandNorma@gmail.com
Don and Norma’s current listings... 125 Adria Drive, PH, $355,000 207 Poshard Street, PH, $639,000 182 Cortsen Road, PH, $640,000 2972 Hannan Drive, PH, $659,000 548 Golf Club Road, PH, $729,000 508 Masefield Drive, PH, $649,000
336 Belva Lane, PH, $569,000 265 MacGregor Road, PH, $729,950 1995 Marta Drive, PH, $499,950 384 Maureen Lane, PH $385,000 1175 Saint Francis Drive, Conc, $425,000 #1 since 1994
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page 19
DeMers Chosen National Player of the Year
“Giving you a Voice” C.P. Hall of Fame Banquet The Falcon Foundation, a nonprofit organization benefiting the Falcon Athletics and other school disciplines affected by the ongoing Mt. Diablo School District budget cuts, sponsored this annual event. The Hall
Of Fame banquet recognized outstanding male and female athletes and their dedication to upholding the high standards and ideals of College Park High School: Courage, Pride, Honor and Sacrifice.
Athletes honored:
Team honored:
Mike Holland - 1966 Basketball Ted Gilje - 1968 Baseball, Basketball Ron Havniear - 1969 Football, Track & Field Gary Buckmann - 1970 Gymnastics Kevin O’Brian - 1971 Swimming Lisa Lippincott - 1980 Swimming/Diving, Basketball, Track and Field
1974-75-76 Wrestling Teams (Undefeated in Duels) Coach honored posthumously: John Owings 1960-2000 Coach, Teacher Mentor Special Achievement Award: Jerry Pollard 1963
“Giving you a Voice”
Left to right- Kevin O’Brien, Ron Havniear, Ted Gilje, Jerry Pollard, Mrs. Johnny Owings, Lisa Lippincott, Gary Buckmann and Mike Holland. Missing from photo are the ’74,’75 & ’76 wrestling teams. Photo submitted by Tod Gomes, Creativelookphoto.com
By Darrel Mitchell Joe DeMers of Marallotted innings. At the tinez has been selected time, Team USA was the 13 and Under Naleading 2-1. By virtue of its 3 tional Baseball Player of the Year by TravelBallSewins in pool play, the lect. team advanced to the Joe’s selection was championship series. reported as a handsTeam USA was down decision while defeated by eventual further stating that he is champion, Venezuela, considered the top 13U in the semi-final game. pitcher in the country. The team’s next and This summer Joe last game was for the was selected as one of the consolation medal. 40 finalists for the 18 player Team USA Joe pitched against Brazil, retiring all 19 Under 14 squad that annually plays in a batters he faced prior to being removed Central America Tournament. He evento allow 2 other pitchers to get the last 2 tually was chosen as one of the players for outs. At the conclusion of the Pan Am the elite team. Upon Joe’s selection, he and Dad Games, the DeMers family returned to (Tom) immediately traveled from North Miami. Joe and Lisa immediately moved Carolina to Miami to meet up with Mom on to Orlando where he played in the (Lisa) and Brother (Jack). The family USSSA National Championship series boarded a flight to Managua, Nicaragua, with a local east bay team while Tom and the location of the Pan Am Games. Jack traveled back to the East Bay. After a harrowing landing, the team Joe pitched against the #1 rated team had to adapt to very hot and humid from Southern California throwing a weather, poor living conditions and, no-hitter, which eventually led his team according the U.S. standards, very poor to the championship game against the playing fields. #2 rated team. Joe pitched with 3 days Ten teams were separated into 2 rest, winning the national championship pools from which the 2 top teams would game and earning the tournament’s Most move onto a 4-team championship Valuable Player honor. Quite a summer for a 13 year-old round. Team USA won 3 of their 4 pool games but lost to Mexico by a score of boy from Contra Costa County traveling 4-2. Joe was the starting pitcher for Team to North Carolina, to Nicaragua to USA and was removed after pitching his Florida. Stay tuned; more to come.
“Giving you a Voice”
“Giving you a Voice”
Page 20
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
Local Happy Hour Guide
Discover a New Hangout or Visit an Old Favorite
Café Milano Italian Cuisine/Gourmet Pizza Come dine with us and experience the difference. Happy Hours Daily 3:00pm-6:00pm House Wines • $3.00/Glass All Beers • $3.00/Bottle Appetizers • 50% off Senior Citizens 10% off. Just Mention our Ad. Open 7 days M-F: 11:30am-9:00pm Sat: 4:00pm-9:00pm Sun: 4:00pm-8:00pm 716 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, Ca. 94523
925-682-3333
EL TAPATIO
Drink Specials & HALF off all our appetizers!
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
www.eltapatiorestaurantph.com
• Full Restaurant and Bar • Catering • Private & Corporate Events.
2721 North Main Street Walnut Creek, Ca 94597
925-256-7665
We recently underwent new renovations to our establishment & are proud to announce we have just released our new menu. Come check us out.
www.masseswc.com Monday - Sunday 11am - 2 am
Seafood • Steakhouse • Sushi Lounge • Sports Bar
Join us Monday - Friday 5 Pm To 7 Pm
Cheap Drinks
MON - SAT 11am - 6pm and 9pm to close.• All day on Sunday. Bar and Patio Only.
3pm-7pm• Monday-Friday
authentic mexican restaurant
Dallimonti’s Prices from 1.99 to 2.99
HAPPY HOUR
$ 2.00 Draft Beer $ 3.50 Wine & Cocktails
Monday - $5.00 Dennis BBQ Feast Taco Tuesdays • Wino Wednesday Pasta Party Thursday • Chef’s Special Fridays Come try our great Bar Bites!
Friday Night Karaoke & Saturday Nights Great Live Music 925.944.5224 • 1932 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill
www.dallimontis.com
CONNECT TOGETHER READERS
BUSINESSES
Read The Focus Cover to Cover to find the latest local news and information. Support Our Local Community and buy Local.
Happy Hour Specials 4 pm — 6 pm Daily
$3.00 Beer www.kobejapanrestaurant.com 925-705-7065 • 1918 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill CA
s
wa
$99 s lo
sa
Ad
Phone 925-335-6397 www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page 21
IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS
Pacifc Computer Consultants
The BUZZ about town
Art, Jazz & Wine
October 9th and 10th in Downtown Pleasant Hill. Come and enjoy the unique arts and crafts booths on the street, premium beer and wine in the beverage booths and spin the wheel for great prizes. Be entertained by a great line-up of jazz music with a special concert Saturday night from Cover 2 Cover. Big fun for the little ones this year with the addition of Captain Jack’s pirate ship. Shoot monkeys from the cannon at the ship or participate in the pirate shows over the weekend. Make sure to visit the merchant booth on the plaza for great give-a-ways, free massages, coupons and more!
Holiday Events
Michael’s Art & Crafts will be holding their Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest on Saturday, October 9th. Be one of the first 20 kids to find the pumpkin character on the street and get a coupon to participate for FREE. Hallmark will be holding their annual holiday ornament event in-store on October 9th and 10th. Many of our other stores will be holding special promotions and festival specials so plan to spend the day at Downtown Pleasant Hill and Shop, Dine and Enjoy! Head Downtown for some Trick or Treating on Halloween from 4pm-6pm. Bring your costumed kids for super treats and pleasant surprises from participating merchants. Be sure to bring a bag for all those delicious goodies, while supplies last. For more information, visit: www.shopdowntownpleasanthill.com.
Now Open
Royale Image Day Spa: Whether it’s an air-brush tan, massage, facial, pedicure or trendy upscale accessories at their beauty boutique, come and spoil yourself at Royale Image Day Spa located directly next to Red Brick Pizza. Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday from 8am – Noon on the public street in front of Century Theatre.
Comin •Mazza Grill
Soon
• Health Career College
• Sinful Cupcakes
• Starlet
Website, Facebook & Twitter Want to stay current with the latest news and events in the Downtown? Visit us on the web or start “liking” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Be sure to become a ShopStar member and be privy to insider deals and special offers. www.GoShopStar.com
www.ShopDowntownPleasantHill.com
Contributed by: Michelle Kaus, General Manager for Downtown Pleasant Hill
Pacific Computer Consultants (PCC) is a local computer support company. They deliver true worry-free technical support to small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area. PCC is a long time member of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce and Dave Jordan, President of PCC, is a Chamber Ambassador. “Unlike other computer consultants who profit from the failures in your IT environment, our purpose is to PREVENT computer problems from escalating into unexpected downtime, data loss, interruptions in business, and financial loss. We are quite a bit different from most technical support companies in the market.
We charge a flat rate for unlimited support whereas most of the other firms charge by the hour. In fact, our service model does not allow us to profit from your technology troubles in any way.” says Dave Jordan, President Their computer support service is designed to dramatically reduce or eliminate computer problems in your business while maximizing your network’s speed, performance, and stability, without the expense of a full-time IT staff. This program is ideal for business owners who: • Need to have their computer network, e-mail, database, and Internet access up and running 24/7/365 without problems. • Value the security of their data, and want to do everything possible to prevent loss, corruption, or theft. • Want to maximize the speed, availability, and performance of their network. • Hate dealing with--or thinking about--computer problems and other complexities of operating a computer network. • Don’t have the time or staff to deal with computer network maintenance. “Having Pacific Computer Consultants is a blessing. They take care of items I don’t have the time for. At my previous Credit Union we had a full time person for IT. What we spend on PCC now, compared to having a full time person then, is at least 50% less and we get better service. PCC’s response is VERY fast compared to our previous IT company we had here at CD Federal CU. Every moment we are down can cause an issue with members.” – Mark Roddenberry, CD Federal Credit Union
Page 22
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Trouble Focusing?
Lack of Will Power or Something More?
October 2010
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
By Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA) An alarming number of adults are nating over-processed foods, sugar, and being diagnosed as having adult attention caffeine. Consider seeing a Professional deficient disorder (ADD) and attention Certified Homeopath to help redirect and deficit hyperactivity disorrestore balance. Homeopathy is a natuder (ADHD). Symptoms include ral, individualized approach short attention span, imutilizing small amounts of patience, distraction, and natural substances, called forgetfulness. One might remedies, which activate the constantly miss or be late body’s self-healing response. for scheduled appointTwo remedies a homeopath ments, feel overwhelmed by may consider are Stramodaily responsibilities, express nium or Arsenicum album. emotions in unhealthy ways After taking Stramonium or misuse stimulants or dea person is no longer torpressants. Neuro-muscular involvements mented from the inside; can easily give up such as impulsive/compulsive actions stimulants and experience improved sleep. (repetitive touching, teeth grinding, even Arsenicum can help a person overcome restless legs) are also common. impulsive/compulsive behavior such as Adult ADD/ADHD is thought to be frequent hand-washing, over-concern for a chemical imbalance in the management small details, and eliminate leg weakness systems of the brain. There are many theo- and trembling. The correct remedy is imries about causes including vaccinations, portant. A qualified homeopath is trained life traumas, PTS, systemic yeast infections, to make the correct remedy choice. artificial additives in foods, electromag If you think you may be suffering netic fields, and environmental toxins. from adult ADD or ADHD, I can help. I Medications are not the best choice. now offer $100-off on my return-to-wellSide effects can interference with sleep, ap- ness package if you bring in this article petite, or sexual function. Often multiple before November 30, 2010. Call Myra Nismedications are given to counteract sidesen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified effects. A healthier option might begin Homeopath at: 826.3858 and get your life with strengthening the family environback on track. www.MyraNissen.com ment, creating a support system and elimi-
By Tiffany H. Svahn, M.D. Breast cancer is a very important and prolonged use of hormone replacehealth issue for women – it is the most ment therapy. Exercising at least 3 hours common cancer, and the second most per week, eating 5 servings of fruits or common cause of canvegetables daily, and cer death. In 2009, there drinking no more than 3were more than 194,000 4 alcoholic beverages per new diagnoses and more week can lower the risk of than 41,000 deaths in the developing breast cancer. Over the past decade, United States. Screening is extremely important the incidence of breast for early diagnosis, which cancer has been rising. leads to higher cure rates However, the death rate is and better survival. decreasing – this is due to Yearly screening the increasingly effecmammograms should begin at age 40. tive treatments that are available to cure Digital mammograms are widely availwomen who are diagnosed with early able and make it easier to detect small stage breast cancer. So get your screening cancers. When a mammogram detects mammograms and see your doctor for an abnormality, or if a woman or her regular exams… it may save your life. Tiffany H. Svahn, MD received her physician finds a lump, she then undergoes a diagnostic mammogram and medical oncology training at Stanford ultrasound. If those studies continue to University. She now practices at Diablo demonstrate suspicious findings, she will Valley Oncology and Hematology at the have a biopsy. If a diagnosis of breast California Cancer Research and Treatcancer is confirmed, she will go on to ment Center in Pleasant Hill, California. She is on the medical staff of John surgery, and then other possible treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, Muir Medical Center in both Walnut hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy. Creek and Concord, and the San Ramon The risk factors for the development Regional Medical Center. Dr. Svahn speof breast cancer include age (85% are cializes in the treatment of breast cancer. over the age of 50), family history, fewer She can be reached at 925.677.5041. pregnancies, older age at first pregnancy,
PAID ADVERTORIAL
PAID ADVERTORIAL
Easy and Healthy Eating for Seniors No matter what our age, a balanced diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are crucial to maintaining health and vitality. As we mature, our bodies’ needs change. A team of nutrition specialists at Tufts University has developed the “70+ Food Pyramid” – a new version of the well known USDA food pyramid, emphasizing nutrient-rich food choices and the importance of fluid balance. The Tufts pyramid provides additional guidance about the forms of foods that best meet the unique needs of older adults and about the
By Joyce & Jim Newport, Owners, Right at Home of Mt. Diablo importance of regular physical that become common with activity. age, such as type 2 diabetes, A major difference in the high blood pressure, heart Tufts 70+ Food Pyramid is disease, stroke, anemia and that the base has changed from much more. A balanced diet is grains, rice and pasta to eight also linked to better emotional glasses of caffeine-free liquids. stability and higher self-es Eating healthy can teem. With a balanced diet, improve strength, energy and seniors can live fuller, longer mental acuity. It also keeps and more independent lives. Please feel free to call the immune system strong, reducing vulnerability to disease — as or email our office for a full-color printed well as the risk for many health conditions copy of the Tufts Food Guide Pyramid for PAID ADVERTORIAL
Older Adults. This easy-to-follow guide provides recommendations and tips for healthy eating. Jim and Joyce Newport own Right at Home in Pleasant Hill -- a certified non-medical Home Care Agency by the California Association for Health Care Services at Home (www.CAHSAH.org). For more information about our services, visit our web page at www.rah-md.net or call us at (925) 256-HOME (4663). You can also email our office with any questions at info@rah-md.net.
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page 23
THE GARDEN
Fall Overflows with Flavor By Lesley Stiles School is off to a good start and the season is moving from a pretty mild summer into arguably one of the most beautiful times of the year in Northern California. Passing the autumn equinox defines the relationship between easy summer energy and cooler accelerated movements. We wake to darkness and try to fit in normal activities before the sun magnificently sets earlier everyday. Seasonal farmers’ markets will be closing toward the end of the month, but there are still plenty of year-round markets to satisfy your cool weather fruit and vegetable cravings. You can rest assured that you are getting the best produce this glorious season has to offer. We are still in a bit of summer/fall crossover as tomatoes, eggplants and peppers show outstanding riots of color while winter squash start their public promenade in all colors, shapes and sizes. They stimulate salivary glands and provide gastronomic visions of tummy warming soups, stews, risottos and pastas. Salad greens recapture sweet tenderness as cooler weather caresses their leaves and eliminates the summer strain of intense heat. Broccoli and cauliflower return to the show literally oozing sugar as they
are sautéed with fresh garlic and local olive oils. Ruby, bejeweled pomegranates return adding spark to all they encounter. Fuyu persimmons and apples of all varieties silently take center stage and crunch seamlessly, replacing sexy, summer stone fruits almost without notice. Almost. Grilling is still in the game elevating late harvest peppers from merely clever to astounding. By lubing up the peppers with a touch of olive oil and placing on a hot grill, the skin will blister and blacken drawing all the sugar to the surface. When blackened all-over, place in a dish and cover with plastic wrap allowing the peppers to sweat until cool enough to handle with skins slipping off easily (I do not recommend rinsing in water to get all char off as you also rinse away flavor). What is left is a smoky, pale flesh that is divine when drizzled with a bit of lemon juice and olive oil and a few cracks of salt. Taken from here, these end of season peppers are at their finest in dang near any dish. Same treatment for eggplants yield mysteriously ancient, smoky flavors begging to be whipped with lemon, olive oil and cilantro for a silky Baba Ganoush to go with toasted pita chips or absolutely anything else. Briones hills beckon adventurous hikers. While hiking 2 or 3 times
For more DELICIOUS recipes please visit our website: www.ourcommunityfocus.com
a week all summer up on the ridges, we have seen all manner of wildlife including a mountain lion, tarantula, many rattlesnakes, the great blue heron that lives in the Moriguchi Lagoons, all kinds of hawks, turkeys and other heart racing species. No one ever bothers us, just gets the old adrenaline popping through the veins. Terrain in the park is at its best in the fall and
is not to be missed. We are fortunate indeed to have this gem of parkland in our backyard. 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.
Autumn Vegetable Stew with Cous Cous Ingredients: 1 red onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 carrots, split and chopped 2 zucchini, sliced 1 sweet potato, cubed ½ butternut squash, cubed 1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed 1 red pepper, chopped 1/2 head of gai lan, sliced (Chinese broccoli)
½ bunch rainbow Swiss chard, sliced 1 cup tomato sauce 2 cups vegetable stock 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup chopped fresh mixed herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, mint Salt and pepper 4 cups cooked cous cous
Directions: In a large, heavy bottomed pot, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until slightly browned. Add the eggplant, potato, butternut squash and carrots. Sauté for 10 minutes until caramelized. Add tomato sauce and stock. Let simmer 10 more minutes and add the pepper, zucchini, gai lan and chard. Let simmer for 5 minutes until greens are bright colored. Add herbs and season with salt and pepper. Serve over cous cous. Serves 8.
Holiday Parties Sparkle! at the Pleasant Hill
Community Center
Book YOUR Party Today! 925. 676.5200 www.pleasanthillrec.com
10% off
Room Rentals in December! with this coupon
Page 24
st
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
ANNUAL BAY AREA CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Third Street AleWorks Ale Industries Bear Republic Brewing Co. Black Diamond Brewing Co. Blue Frog Grog & Grill Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Gordon Biersch Brewery Grand Teton Brewing Co. Iron Springs Pub & Brewery
Lagunitas Brewing Co. Lost Coast Brewery Marin Brewing Co. Russian River Brewing Co. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Stone Brewing Trumer Brauerei Two Rivers Cider Co
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
In the Shadow of the Cypress
Page 25
BOOKS IN FOCUS
Book Review by Adam Kondonijakos - Founder of the Pleasant Hill Book Club With some books you can tell after since I was reviewing it; I needed to finly, gut-wrenchingly, eye-stabto be an author who loves reading the first few lines that they are ish it in order to give an accurate review. bingly boring. The dialog, the his extensive vocabulary going to be good. This was not one of With that said, I can say with the utmost narration, the story, everymore than putting together them - quite the opposite in fact. As I confidence and sincerity that In the thing was bad. In fact the a quality story. It is very clear Shadow of the Cypress is one of the worst read In the Shadow of the Cypress I had only positive I can think of is from reading this book that to keep encouraging myself to keep books I have ever read. that, thankfully, it’s less than he made several trips to his Every aspect of this book is painfulreading. I had to keep telling myself, 250 pages. ancient Oxford thesaurus to This book is basically a pick unnecessarily academic poor effort at a Dan Brownwords and had a checklist that esque mystery about the included the task of writing Chinese discovering Amerat least four to five descriptive By Lisa D. Myers ica before Christopher Columbus. It words before every noun or verb. With so many different animal ral history and environmental education After the arduous task of reading sounded like a very interesting premise welfare agencies out there, it can be a chal- center located in Walnut Creek. They also and coupled with the recommendation the book I have come away with three lenge to decide whom to call on when operate a full-service veterinary hospital by a Random House editor that Thomas conclusions. One, Thomas Steinbeck is you need assistance. Here’s a list of some for injured or orphaned native wildlife Steinbeck wrote like his father (John not his father. Two, Thomas Steinbeck of the most frequently used agencies and and are open seven days a week. Steinbeck; Of Mice and Men, Grapes of is probably only a published author bea brief list of the types of assistance they Mosquito & Vector Control: 925-771Wrath, Cannery Row, etc.) I was incredcause his last name is Steinbeck. Three, provide. 6196. The Contra Costa Mosquito & ibly excited to read this book. you should stay far, far away from readContra Costa County Animal Services Vector Control District provides residents What I got instead was a ‘mystery’ ing this book. Department: 925-335-8300 (Central/ free consultation and reports on mosthat required very little thought and a To leave your comments about East County) or 510-374-3966 (West quito and mosquito control, as well as book that read like a final paper of a either this book or this review, please County). CCCASD is a government-run, free services for rats, mice, skunks, yellow freshmen community college creative send it to avkondon@pleasanthillbookpublic animal shelter that accepts surjackets, ticks and Lyme disease. writing course. Thomas Steinbeck seems club.com. rendered animals regardless of age, health, Aside from CCHS, there are also breed, or temperament. They also offer roughly two-dozen other non-profit pet adoptions, work with over 100 rescue animal-rescue organizations serving aniorganizations, operate a low-cost spay/ mals in Contra Costa County. Many are neuter & vaccine clinic, as well as provide volunteer-based and most do not operate dog licensing. CCCASD is also where one physical shelters. would report a lost or found animal, as For a list of shelters and rescue well as injured or deceased animals. groups in Contra Costa County and outAntioch Animal Services: 925-779-6989. lying areas, please visit CCHS’s website Antioch residents are provided a city-run at www.cchumane.org and click on the shelter, providing all of the same resources Resources tab. and services as Contra Costa County AniREADY TO ADOPT? mal Services Department, but to Antioch Cosmo is a 3-5 year-old special needs residents only. male cat. He was hit by a car and has a limp in one leg. His eye was removed Contra Costa Humane Society: 925due to non-malignant melanoma. He 279-2247. CCHS is a local non-profit is healthy now, very playful and very organization that offers pet adoptions, lovely! spay/neuter and emergency medical assistance to qualifying low-income homes, and pet food and supplies to Food Bank clients struggling to feed their companion animals. CCHS also serves the commuShowrooms also in Santa Clara & Milbrae nity with various animal related recourses. CCHS is not a branch of The Humane Society of the United States; all Humane Societies, as well as SPCA’s, are separate organizations. Lindsay Wildlife Museum: 925-9351978. Lindsay Wildlife Museum is a natu-
Handy Animal Resources
Page 26
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
Calendar events 10/2 – The 8th Annual Shell/Martinez Education Foundation 5K Run/Walk for Education. All proceeds go to the Martinez Education Foundation to benefit MUSD schools. To volunteer, call Barbara Kapsalis at 925-229-9079 or email bjkapsalis@aol.com. For more information and to register for Run/Walk go to www.theschedule.com/EventInfo. cfm?EventID=24936. 10/2 – College Park’s 10th Annual Musicians Showcase. Dinner, live and silent auction and music from the award winning College Park Ensembles at the Concord Hilton. Proceeds benefit the music department. Event is from 5-10:00pm, $60/person. For more information visit: http://auctions.readysetauction.com/ cpimb-collegeparkins/home. 10/6, 10/13, 10/20 - Ohs, Ahs, & Giggles, (Free Family Shows) Martinez City Hall, Council Chambers, 525 Henrietta Street 3:30pm-4:15pm. 10/6- Tony Borders and Puppets, 10/13- Magic of Gerald Joseph, 10/20 - Dan Chan the Magic Man. Sponsored entirely by the Martinez Restaurant Tour. 10/7-10/12 - Take the Family to San Francisco for Fleet Week. The official Blue Angels Air Show takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11th. Arrive early because it’s expected to be another big year. For schedules and additional information, visit: www.fleetweek.us. 10/9 – 4th Annual Historic Home TourStarts at the Historical Museum at 1005 Escobar St. Allow up to 2-3 hours. $20 in advance, $25 at the event, $18 each if purchased in blocks of ten of more. Tickets purchase information at martinezhometour.com or call 925-370-6553. 10/9 – Martinez Restaurant Tour. 1:304:30pm. Cost is $15 per ticket, adults only. Tickets for sale at the Martinez Senior Center or the recreation office at Martinez City Hall. Ticket sales limited to 200. Contact 925-372-3510 for more information. 10/9 – Art, Jazz & Wine Festival. Beer, Wine, 75 visiting artists, 7 spectacular bands, family friendly activities such as face painting, magic, clowns and more. A really special addition this year is Captain Jack Sparerib’s pirate ship and his famous
Monkey Cannon. The festival runs from 10:00am-6pm on Saturday and 10:00am5pm on Sunday with a special performance by Cover to Cover on Saturday at 6:15pm. For more information visit: www.pleasanthillchamber.com. 10/9 - Festa Italiana. Benefit event for the Pleasant Hill AAUW Funds, providing scholarships for women. Viano Winery, 150 Morello Avenue, Martinez. 3:30pm6:30pm. Wine Tasting: 3:30pm- 4:30pm. Italian Supper: 4:30pm-6:30pm. Donation $30. Call for tickets by OCTOBER 1: Contact: Alana at 933-4427 or Joy at 935-7118. 10/10 – The 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk to help Save Sports in the MDUSD High Schools. A fun family event and all ages welcome! Medals and prizes awarded and food and entertainment will be available. Registration: $20 for pre-registered runner, $25 day of event, $10 for Kiddie Run/ Walk. Competitive Run at 9:00am, Fun Run/Walk at 9:45am, Kiddie Run/Walk (8 & under) at 10:30am. For business sponsorship and event registration go to: www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org. 10/16 – The Many Faces of Breast Cancer – A panel of leading medical experts speak about issues that directly affect breast cancer survivors and the latest data surrounding treatment. 10am-12 pm at the Lesher Center of the Arts, Walnut Creek. Parking and refreshments are free. Advance registration is required, 925677-5041 or email info@diablovalleyoncology.md 10/17-10/19 – Contra Costa Greek Food & Wine Festival – Traditional music, dancing and crafts at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Concord. Fri. 5:00pm-11:00pm, Sat. Noon-11:00pm and Sun. Noon-8:00pm. 1955 Kirker Pass Rd., Concord. $5 Adults, $3 Seniors, Children under 12 are free. More information: www.cgreekfest.com 10/22 – Pleasant Hill Lions Club Bingo Night – Bingo and cash prizes, spaghetti dinner and no-host bar. Festivities begin at 6:30pm. $30 includes charitable donation, dinner, and first set of bingo cards. All profits go back to the community. Halloween costumes optional! Call for tickets in advance: 925-876-8597 or 925-933-8061.
10/23 – Bay Area Craft Beer Festival – Over 30 top microbreweries west of the Mississippi! Rockin’ live music and fabulous food available for purchase. Tickets and ID required for beer tasters of age (21 years or older). VIP access: $50. 12:00-1:00 pm. Advance general admission price: $35, 1:00-5:00pm, $45 at the door. Purchase tickets online at babeerfestival.eventbrite. com or Main Street Martinez at www. mainstreetmartinez.org. 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
hawks Baseball Tryouts Pleasant Hill Hawks Travel Baseball Tryouts October 24th and 31st at Pleasant Hill Middle School. Age Group Tryout Times (age is as of April 30, 2011) 14/13 years old - 9:00 AM – 12:00 12/11 years old - 12:00 – 2:00 10/9 years old – 2:00 – 4:00 Times are for both tryout dates. Players (including returning players)are encouraged to attend both dates but it is not required. For more information visit www.phba.org, or email phtravelball@ aol.com
CLUBS 10/5 – Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club – 7:00pm. “Aesthetic & Fruit Tree Pruning”. Speaker: Elizabeth Ruiz. PH Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. Guests are welcome. For more information visit www.phgsc.com or call: 944-4898. 10/19 – Pleasant Hill Library Book Club - 6:30-7:30pm at Pleasant Hill Library-The October read is The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. FREE. 10/12 – Martinez Bookworms Book Club – 6:45-8:00pm. Discussion of contemporary and classic fiction over refreshments. Second Tuesday of every month at the Martinez Library.
JOB SEARCH GROUP 10/4 - 11/15 (Every Monday)- Hope Center Job Search Group. Gatherings aim to provide practical help and support for persons engaged in a job search. There will be high quality presentations
on topics like resume writing, interviewing and networking. Classes are free and held from 7:15pm - 8:45 pm. at Hope Center Covenant Church, 2275 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill. Contact Tom Patitucci 925-685-4673 x.14 or tpatitucci@ hopecenter.cc
AT THE LIBRARY In Martinez: 10/4 - Choo Choo All Aboard. 3:00pm5:00pm. Meet our Conductors at the Hot Dog Depot to pick up your hot dog and drink ticket and make a train craft. Then hop on the old steam train to have your picture taken. At 4:00 we will head to the library for some train stories. Call Recreation to reserve your ticket: 925372-3510. (Space is limited) 10/25 - Halloween Storytime. 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Shivery stories to scare you silly and funny stories to make you laugh. Come help us celebrate the fun of Halloween with stories and crafts, face paints and treats. Don’t forget to come in costume! 11/1 - Bridge Walk. 3:00pm-5:00pm. We will stroll across the bridges of the Martinez Shoreline Park. Afterward, we’ll head back to the library for bridge stories and build a craft to take home. In Pleasant Hill: 10/6-10/27 (Wednesdays) – Mother Goose Time. 11:15am -11:45am. This fun story time is tailored for the youngest crowd. Let your child develop early literacy skills naturally, as we share songs and rhymes, bounces and tickles, and simple stories. Come join us for this light-hearted story hour just for tots ages 0 - 3. 10/7-10/28 (Thursdays) – Pre-School Story Time. 11:15am -11:45am. Featuring stories and songs to tickle the funnybone and str-e-eetch the imagination, our stories will transport young children to a world full of fun. 10/26 – Worm Composting Workshop. 7:00pm-9:00pm. Composting your yard trimmings and food scraps is easy, great for your yard and garden, kind to our environment and good for you too! Attend the workshop and go home with a new compost bin. Register at 925-671-5265 or sign up online at www.pleasant-hill. net/compost.
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Page 27
Goal More Than Doubled at P.H. Relay For Life
FREE
E-Waste Recycle Fundraiser Benefiting
Strandwood Elementary Sunday, October 10 9 am - 4 pm
Strandwood Elementary Parking Lot 416 Gladys Drive, Pleasant Hill Please Bring Your Old: • Computers • Printers • Scanners Televisions • Copiers • Fax Machines • All Types of Phones • Stereo Equipment • VCR & DVD Players Monitors • Cable Boxes / Receivers • Video Game Consoles • Car Batteries Laptops •Household Batteries Please NO Microwaves or Kitchen Electronics For Information Please Contact:
Lea Harrington 925.518.5608 Kathleen Hurtado 925.383.3457
Blood Drive
Valhalla Elementary School Friday, October 1, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 530 Kiki Drive, Pleasant Hill
Gator Paraade Gregory Gardens Gators Celebrate the New School Year with Annual Community Parade
Each donation to the American Red Cross can save up to 3 lives! Spend about an hour of your time (15-20 minutes donation time) and give blood to someone in need. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids 24 hours prior to donating Eligibility Requirements Donors Must • Be Healthy • Be at least 17 years old in most states, or 16 years old with parental consent • Weigh at least 110 lbs. For Valhalla Blood Drive questions contact: Jennifer Jourdain at jajourdain@ aol.com. For more information on blood donations go to www.redcross.org/
Bags for Kids For the past 15 years the Martinez Masonic Lodge has donated backpacks filled with school supplies such as crayons, scissors, pencils, rulers and notebooks to every second grader in the Martinez Unified School District - five schools in all. Every year local businesses help with the event by sponsoring and donating supplies. The Masons visited the schools with their stuffed bags and handed them to 430 very grateful children. Photo submitted by Dick Hixon, HixonPhoto.com
The final numbers are in, and they are impressive: At Pleasant Hill’s first-ever Relay For Life®, more than $37,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society - two and a half times the event’s goal of $15,000. Held Aug. 14th and 15th at the P.H. Middle School soccer field, the Relay For Life featured 30 teams formed by companies, community organizations, neighborhoods, and groups of families or friends. Several teams were formed specifically to
By Eileen H. Housfeld sponsors, and the many honor someone who has had cancer. donors who made our Upwards of 300 people came to the fundraising total posRelay site to walk the track or otherwise sible. Relay For Life is a participate in activities designed to raise worthwhile and rewardawareness about cancer research, American Cancer Society services, and the many ing experience, and I look forward to another choices available to fend off cancer or discover it early enough to treat effectively. great Relay in 2011,” said “It was amazing to see how the Pleas- Ken Housfeld, Pleasant ant Hill community came together for the Hill’s event chair. Next year’s event Girl Scout Troop, 31061, and friends spent the night and walked 22 miles Relay For Life. Everyone worked together on the PHMS track to raise money for cancer research. will be held Saturday for the common goal of fighting cancer,” As a special offer, teams may register and Sunday, May 21 and said Kelli Nahas, Senior Relay Manager 22, also at the Pleasant Hill Middle School. for only $11 until January 1, 2011. For for the Pleasant Hill American Cancer more information on the Relay For Life in Teams and individuals are welcome to Society office. sign up now, and they may do so online at Pleasant Hill, contact Kelli Nahas at 925 “We are grateful to our teams, our 934-7640, ext. 3. http://relayforlife.org/pleasanthillca.
Top, L to R: Dick Bailey, principal Aaron Tarzian, Biull Peterson & Dan Jaworski with students from Las Juntas Elementary.
Michael Trebino, Alhambra graduate, still uses his 2nd grade backpack.
Page 28
THEATRE & THE ARTS
While sipping a latte at a local Pleasant Hill café, I engaged in polite conversation with a kind woman who, like myself, was seeking respite from a long workday. Pleasantries soon developed into a dialogue that had us divulging our favorite local eateries, interests and family specifics. “Mine is 10.” “Oh, really? I have a son in the fourth grade, too.” You know, the normal, nice, kind-hearted conversation between two people stealing away for a caffeine jolt at 3pm. We continued our exchange. “Oh, so what do you do?” (Meeting someone for the first time, that simply must be asked.) “I am field rep,” she said with a resignation. “For what kind of company?” I inquired. “Oh…a print company.” My head began thinking of Michael Scott and the crew of The Office. “I teach at DVC,” I returned the ball. “What do you teach?” she inquired. “Theatre, drama, acting…” That had done it. She had heard something that took our relationship to a new, comfortable tier. “I LOVE THE THEATRE!” she was almost frantic with delight. “My favorite teacher in the world was my high school drama teacher, Mr.…” (I forget who she saidsorry, readers.) We continued our spunky exchange for a few additional minutes;
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
Stage Door By Nicole Diestler succeed only if I was willing to try my however, the question that I felt sought some investigation and “column time” was hardest and never give up. This lesson alone has given me so much confidence implanted. So, for this month, I put out a to go out into the world and give it my call to some former students, theatergoers best shot. So, I guess my theatre education and community members. I now share taught me that above all else, you could with you their responses. I hope that you succeed if you are willing to work hard. A find them as compelling as I do, and that very valuable lesson for any person.”–Sathese testimonies prove why arts educarah Spero tion is not only worthwhile, but should play a vital, starring role in our academic “It was important to me because it helped institutions. expand my mind on what I could actually The question: How has theatrical arts do for work. I have been a painter for a education impacted your life? long time and never thought about doing “I think the most important aspect of my theatrical education is that it shows me how much I have left to grow. The knowledge that there is always more to be taught and learned is my motivation to pursue an education.” –John Capps “The skills I have learned in theatre classes could be applied to jobs in Engineering, Graphic Design, Communication, Business and Management, Fashion, Historical and Literary Research, and many others. Most importantly, learning how a show is put together and executed from start to finish is an experience in teamwork and creativity that encourages growth and critical thinking. What better way to examine the world around us than to create your own little world on a stage?”–Tim Nottage “I’ve been told by many of my theatre teachers through the years that I could
OCTOBER - NOW PLAYING Cabaret (Musical) Book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander. Directed by: Ryan Mark Weible Oct 15, 2010 through Nov 07, 2010. Curtain time(s): Fri-Sat 8PM; Sun 2:30pm- Special Group Rates Avaiable. Ticket Price: $5.00 - $20.00 Cabaret is based on John Van Druten’s 1951 play I Am a Camera, which in turn was adapted from the novel Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood. Set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, it focuses on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around the 19-year-old English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw. Produced by Diablo Valley College Department of Drama. Box office: (925) 687-4445 www.dvcdrama.net. Performed at DVC- Mainstage321 Golf Club Road Pleasant Hill, Ca. 94523 Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Drama) By Jeffrey Hatcher, Adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson. Directed by Clive Worsley Sep 30, through Oct 31. Curtain time(s): Thurs-Sat 8PM; 10/10, 10/17 & 10/24 2PM; 10/31 7PM. Ticket Price: $15.00 - $29.50. This unusual adaptation brings all of the tension and thrills of the legendary story with a cast of only six people. Produced by and performed at: Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School St. Lafayette, www. TownHallTheatre.com. Box office: (925) 283-1557 Mary Stuart (Drama) By Mark Jackson, Adapted from Friedrich Schiller, Directed by Mark Jackson Oct 06 through Nov 07. Curtain time(s): 10/6 & Thurs-Sat 8PM; Sun 5PM; 10/20, 10/27 & 11/3 7PM. Ticket Price: $15.00 - $28.00. The showdown between Elizabeth, Queen of England, and Mary, Queen of Scots plays itself out like a juicy political thriller, replete with intrigue, plot twists and backstabbing. Produced by: Shotgun Players, www. shotgunplayers.org. Box office: (510) 841-6500. Performed at: Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703
anything but painting or grunt work, until I took a theatre class and it gave me a chance to try something new. That being said, I now feel like I have more options in life as well, as in theatre.” –Will Katzman “Before I became involved in theatre, I was shy, withdrawn, and I hated meeting new people, and trying new things. My sophomore year I was put into Tom Wills drama class, and he scared the C%#P out of me! BUT because of him and what he taught me while in his class I am who I am today. I was able to get rid of my fear of speaking in front of people, I learned to love theatre, he also taught me leadership skills, and how to step up in tough situations. I learned great work ethic and how to work well with others.” –Tory Current “Theatrical Education has impacted my life on many levels. It’s opened me up in so many different ways and taught me a variety of lessons: how to fail gloriously, work with what you are given, act off other people - your scene partner(s)- and live truthfully, naturally in the moment. What theater has done to me is make me into a critical thinker; a
semiotic being.” –Justin Johnson “Perhaps one of the most important things I’ve learned is that “life lessons are theater lessons and theater lessons are life lessons.” It’s helped me to find out who I am through deeper inspection of the human condition, it’s helped me be able to read into and get a better grasp of literature, and it’s helped me to understand the truth in my motivations and attempt to empathize more fully with others. It’s something that motivates, that allows us to be able to tell stories, and perhaps most importantly, further enhances our ability to listen to others.” –Phil Correa Nicole Diestler is the Associate Professor of Acting and Directing at Diablo Valley College. Send information to stagedoor@ourcommunityfocus.com.
Pleasant Hill Cold Stone-925 288 0388
Limit one per customer per visit. Price Excludes Tax. Valid only at participating locations. No cash value. Not valid with other offers or fundraisers or if copied, sold, auctioned, exchanged for payment or prohibited by law. ©2010 Cold Stone Creamery, Inc. All rights reserved. PLU #49. Expires 02/12/2011.
October 2010
Page 29
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If You Like What You See - Vote Yes on Measure T September 15, 2010 As a longtime Pleasant Hill resident and chair of the volunteer campaign for Measure T, I feel it is critically important for Pleasant Hill residents to understand what is on the line with this November ballot measure. Measure T provides voters with a choice – live in a safe community with rapid emergency response, a strong police force, well-maintained roads and quality services? Or watch all of this be chiseled away? A recent letter in this publication authored by Jack Weir, a perennial opponent of proposals to benefit our community,
presents simplistic and unrealistic solutions. The facts are simple - year after year, the State takes away our funding - $2 million this year and more expected. Pleasant Hill has very limited local revenue sources, and these unstable sources are declining. For example, Pleasant Hill only receives six cents from every dollar of property taxes – half the average for other cities. Sales tax revenues have dropped by 16%. The opponent would have you believe that this problem can be solved through cuts alone. He overlooks years of cutting and drawing down reserves. Pleasant Hill has cut the number of city staff positions by 20%. Salaries and benefits are frozen and
A Plucky Response “Back Yard Chickens,” August, 2010 Would you like to raise your own chickens and have fresh eggs in the morning? Let me tell you, it’s something special holding that miracle in your hands, sometimes still warm. Into the morning pan with a splash of golden sun filled with essential health. What a way to start school or work! In Papa John’s case, it was the mid 60’s as we settled into our Lafayette home. A Diablo Valley College ecology teacher offered his research for building a “sustainable” chicken palace (coop). The rest is history - more than 40 years later, I still look forward to feeding the chickens in the evening and collecting the eggs. I’ll bet you have thought at sometime, “Gosh, wouldn’t it be fun to have our own chickens!” Then, questions or doubts arise, and the idea disappears. If
you’re reading this article now, then seriously entertain your fantasy once again, and this time, take the next step. Sign your family up for one of Papa John’s workshop’s, “Raise Your Own Hens.” It’s free! Last winter, 102 folks, including children and young adults, attended the workshops. About the seasons! Spring is the best time to buy week-old chicks. Recognizing this, Papa John will again offer workshops in January and February of 2011. Following the workshop, your family will have two months to construct a chicken coop using plans provided. Then, in April, you will be ready to purchase and enjoy your chicks. If you would like to attend, email now to pre-register, jhkiefer@comcast. net Have a great day ~ Papa John
Opinions and views expressed here are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers/editors.
Letters to the Editor The Community Focus invites your comments and opinions. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and submitted with first and last name. Address and daytime telephone number required but not published. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. The Focus reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, possible libel and propriety or to refuse letters we feel contradict our mission. E-mail letters for our community forum to: editorial@ourcommunityfocus.com
in-line with similar cities. Over 50% of Pleasant Hill’s budget goes to police protection. We cannot continue to absorb deep cuts without a decline in services that keep us safe and maintain our quality of life. If approved, Measure T will provide stable funding that cannot be taken away by Sacrame nto. These funds will protect the most vital services in Pleasant Hill from further cuts. Measure T expands Pleasant Hill’s existing utility users tax (UUT), which, at one percent, is the lowest UUT rate in the Bay Area. If Measure T passes, the rate will increase to 1.5% and will be the second lowest rate in the Bay Area. Meas-
ure T also provides exemptions for seniors and other low-income residents to ensure it is not a financial burden. The opponent of Measure T does not offer real solutions. In fact, his suggestions will leave us at the mercy of the politicians in Sacramento. Measure T allows us to take matters into our own hands by enhancing locally-controlled funding to protect those things that are important to all of us. Take a look around Pleasant Hill. If you like what you see, vote “Yes” on Measure T. Tim Flaherty, Chair Citizens to Protect Pleasant Hill – Yes on Measure T Campaign Committee
Pleasant Hill Library Fund Joins Foundation
A strong and vibrant library is the foundation for a community’s future, but the CC County Library began making budget cuts in the middle of 2008 resulting in fewer materials being purchased, fewer databases and reduced open hours. In response, the City of Pleasant Hill has funded the Green Zone in the Library for the past two years, allowing it to stay open for 35 hours per week as opposed to 28. The Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library hold large, quarterly book sales and maintain an on-site book sale, enabling them to fund materials and programs. Katherine Bracken, new Board member for the PHCF, says, “Unfortu-
nately these fundraising efforts are not enough.” The new Pleasant Hill Library Fund (PHLF), a project of the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation (PHCF), supports the mission and goals of the Library through fundraising, advocacy and increasing community awareness of its educational and cultural resources. The PHLF will work with individuals, businesses and community groups to raise funds that will supplement existing public funds and enable the Library to meet the needs of the community. For more information, contact Katherine Bracken at 925-876-9713 or info@PHCommunityFoundation.org
Recreation & Park Bond Updates At its meeting on September 9, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District reviewed the progress being made on the new Pleasant Hill Teen Center and Senior Center. Project Manager Ron Johnson reported that the Architectural Review Commission was pleased with the revised Teen Center Design. He said that all documents owed to the City have been delivered and that the projects are right on schedule. Important upcoming meetings include the Planning Commission meeting on September 29 and another Architectural Review meeting on October 7. For more information on Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District’s bond projects, go to http://www.pleasanthillrec.com/Bond_Projects_Update2.html, or call 682-0896.
Page 30
TEEN SCENE
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
October 2010
Idol Hopeful Gives it a Shot
Since 5th grade he’d known he wanted to try out – and last August, just one week before the start of his senior year at College Park High School, Ryan Alkire got his chance to audition for American Idol at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Ryan and his mom, Jackie Alkire, joined the throng of 10,000 hoping for a chance to stand before the famous Idol judges. Good timing and a little luck helped him avoid lines others stood in for hours for a chance at fame. Audition day began at 6am for registered singers who filled out forms about their personal life and got a number. Once the gates opened, Ryan waited for over an hour to film the crowd scenes
By Julia Novak for the show. By 9am contestants were split into large sections, and then sent in groups of four to one of ten tables where producers made cuts. Ryan had only 30 seconds to belt out his song – “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 - just as executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, stopped to listen. Although he didn’t make it past the first round of producers, Ryan Alkire with Jessica and Grace Hanamoto, two contestants he met at the audition. Ryan did meet Bo Bice, runner-up in through.” Idol’s fourth season, and glimpsed host Ryan said he knew it was luck of the Ryan Seacrest. draw, since only about 200 people make it “I was proud I did it. I was nervous, but by the time my audition came around through to judging. It’s designed for TV, and isn’t always about talent. “I did it for eight hours later, I felt confident. I know fun,” he said. I did a good job. I didn’t leave think Ryan spotted a few sure to pass the ing I could have done better and gotten
Alhambra Students Make a Difference
A Lose the Shoes charity soccer tournament, held on September 11, at Alhambra High School, was an event filled with fun and education to benefit AIDS orphans in Africa. Five Alhambra High students, Mitchell Maisell, Sam Randall, Natalie Smith, Jackie Tan, and Niels Wetzel, orchestrated the event after learning about Grassroot Soccer, an organization which strives to improve the health of African youth by using the power and popularity of soccer to advance the global fight against HIV and AIDS. The students organized the Lose the Shoes barefoot event to raise funds for kids struggling with HIV and AIDS in Africa. They set out in search of companies that would donate to the cause and received various products, which they used as prizes in a raffle to be held on the day of the tournament. They found a guest speaker who lived with AIDS orphans in Kenya to speak to Alhambra students, educating them about the situation and motivating them to come out and do whatever they could to help the kids. The group also enlisted the Mayor of Martinez to come to their school and pronounce September 10, 2010 “Pediatric AIDS Awareness Day”. On the
11th, the kids set up six soccer fields ten yards wide and twenty yards long, and the barefoot tournament began. The registration for each player was $10, and along with the money from the raffle and other donations from individuals they raised a total of $1,200. Since 2006, more than 15,000 students across 80 schools have raised over $150,000 for the cause. For more information on how to organize and host a Lose the Shoes tournament, check out Lose The Shoes Guide and then email losetheshoes@GrassrootSoccer.org. For more information visit www.grassrootsoccer.org/jointheteam.
first round – a woman painted silver from head to toe, a man in a monkey suit, and an alien Transformer with moving parts. The producers were surprisingly nice, said Ryan, who took the rejection gracefully and plans on auditioning again next year. “I heard so many amazing voices, and they didn’t make it either,” he said. “I have just as good a chance as anyone else, so I might as well go out there and do it.” Ryan has been acting and singing since age eight in local productions with Stage Troupe and Stars 2000, and performs in DVC’s annual Star Quest talent show. He hopes to attend UCLA after graduating next year.
Race to Nowhere A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform has invaded America’s schools. Cheating is commonplace, stressrelated illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and ironically, young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink and educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills needed for the global economy. RACE TO NOWHERE is a call to families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become the healthy, bright,
925-980-2306 yolandavanbelle@aol.com
contributing and leading citizens in the 21st century. Tickets can be purchased at www. racetonowhere.com - this event is open to the public but seating is limited. Advance ticket purchase is recommended ($10 online, $15 at the door). This film is not recommended for children.
Thursday, Sept 30th or Tuesday, October 5th, 7pm Pleasant Hill Elementary School 2097 Oak Park Blvd Monday, October 4th, 7pm Strandwood Elementary School 416 Gladys Drive, PH Sunday, November 7th, 7pm Christ the King Church Gym 199 Brandon Road
Native Speaker Credentialed Teacher Experienced in teaching every age and level Flexible times and locations Hourly Rates for individuals Reduced rates for group lessons Reduced, flexible rates if lessons paid in advance
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP
BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY Established in 1990
SuDoKu PUZZLES
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
Page 31
Dan Hair 800-427-9780. www.mchaleinsulation.com.
925-680-2535
6AN Sã9ARDã7ORK
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
&REEã%STIMATESãCALLã6ANãAT
Home
Cell
MEDIUM
925-709-3206 925-787-5597
SOLUTIONS MEDIUM
Mike Hammer, Owner 280 Crestview Avenue, Martinez, CA Phone (925)229-2779 Fax (925) 370-7638 Free Estimates CSL# 672344
Reigning Cats & Dogs
Puzzles courtesy of www.sudoku-puzzles.net
Pet & Home Care
Isn’t it time you got
FOCUSED on your business?
Lisa DeMerritt • 925-381-5601 reigningcats-dogs@att.net Licensed • Pet First Aid & CPR • Visits • Walks • Pet Taxi Overnight in your Home • Home Security Checks • Pet Waste Removal
Claim your business on our ONLINE Business Service Directory Add your logo, photos, website and coupons! Call 925.335.NEWS (6397) or email us at advertising@ourcommunityfocus.com ~
~
October 2010
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
azz & Wine
Page 32