PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLEASANTON, CA PERMIT NO. 548
Vol. I, Number 16 • January 25, 2010
DUBLIN EDITION
INSIDE
Girl power: Bold lead-in: Tri-Valley Two linesbusinesswomen of chatter with teaser hit thego town heretoand network yada yada PAGE PAGE X4 Bold lead-in: Two Congressman’s trip: lines McNerney of chatter speaks with teaserAfghan with go herePresident and yada Karzai yada PAGE PAGE X 7
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Pro bowling comes to Dublin Live, ESPN televised Earl Anthony Memorial brings spotlight to alley where storied name lives on PAGE 4
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AROUND THE TRI-VALLEY Dee Wilson: A big man with a heart of gold
D
ee Wilson, who was the Tri-Valley’s oldest statesman when he died Jan. 11 at the age of 90, was a special friend to all who knew him over the six decades he and his wife Shirley lived here, where they raised their four children. I knew him for only a few of those years. From the time this giant of a man — physically as well as his heart of gold — grabbed my hand with firmness I still remember, we became friends. A real estate developer who with his partner Louie Costanza built numerous residential subdivisions, apartments and commercial shopping centers in Union City and Fremont, he was best known in the Tri-Valley where he built over 400 homes. He was a partner with the late George Spiliotopolous in the Cheese Factory in Santa Cruz and at the San Francisco Airport. He also participated in many projects and developments with his many friends throughout the Valley. He was always an honest, hardworking contributor in whatever he did. You could do business with Dee on a handshake. A World War II naval veteran, Wilson was stationed in the Solomon Islands preparing for the invasion of Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing the war to an end. After returning home, he attended San Jose State University, majoring in business and, later, Lincoln Law School in Oakland. In 1966, Wilson and his wife Shirley came to the Tri-Valley to watch their son in a track meet. They liked the area and decided to move to Pleasanton in 1967. He served that community and Tri-Valley region in numerous capacities, including two years as a BART director (19731975); eight years on the Pleasanton Planning Commission (1978-1986); two years on the Pleasanton City Council (1986-1988), and 36 years as
BY JEB BING
a director of the Alameda County Fair Board, serving two years as president. He was a member of the Alameda County One Hundred Club since its inception in 1971, a board member of the George A. Spiliotopoulos Invitational Golf Tournament since its inception, a founding member in 1987 of the Pleasanton Men’s Club and a long-time member of the Alameda County Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association. A few of those well-known in the Valley and who served with him were pallbearers at his funeral. They were Frank Capilla, John Ferrari, Bob Philcox, Brad Hirst, Ted Fairfield, Ken Mercer, Tony Macchiano and Frank Brandes. It was quite a distinguished group: three Pleasanton ex-mayors, a former county commissioner, a plumber, a garbage company owner, an engineer and a real estate developer — all of them at least 15 years younger than Dee who was in high school when they were born. Described as intelligent, at times a grouch and very savvy businessman, Dee had a wonderful sense of humor. He was also a determined leader who kept the best interests of the Tri-Valley at the forefront of everything he did. When he developed housing on land he acquired behind the Century House on Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton, he spared that historic house, restored it and gave it to the city as a park. When Pleasanton council meetings were disrupted in the meeting room it used at the Fairgrounds because of a leaky roof, Dee and his friends built as a gift to the city the council chambers that are still used, attached to the Pleasanton Civic Center. He was also instrumental in the founding of a youth activity center, a recipient of the local Firefighters’ Award in 1974 and, later, the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. In 2006, he received the Western Fair Association’s Blue Ribbon Award. Born in Oakland on Aug. 3, 1919 to Charles and Agnes Wilson, DeWitt Wilson is survived by Shirley, his wife of more than 60 years, and two of their four children: Tom Wilson of Capitola and Karen Williams of Santa Cruz. He was preceded in death by their two sons David and Robert Wilson. ■
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ABOUT THE COVER Rookie Anthony LaCaze celebrates winning the Earl Anthony Memorial Title at the bowling alley that shares its namesake. Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti, just left of LaCaze, cheers him on.
VIEWS TriValley
TriValley Views and TriValleyViews.com are products of Embarcadero Media’s East Bay Division, which publishes Pleasanton Weekly, Danville Express and San Ramon Express ©2009 Embarcadero Media
PUBLISHER ART & PRODUCTION Gina Channell-Allen Lead Designer Trina Cannon EDITORIAL Editor Designers Jeb Bing Lili Cao Kristin Herman Managing Editor Manuel Valenzuela Janet Pelletier Features Editor Ad Services Emily West Sandy Lee
ADVERTISING Advertising Manager Mary Hantos Advertising Account Executives Paul Crawford Karen Klein CIRCULATION MANAGER Bob Lampkin
TriValley Views • January 25, 2010 • Page 3
Pro bowling comes to Dublin
Girls night out with a purpose Women in the Tri-Valley hit the town in the name of networking
Live, ESPN televised Earl Anthony Memorial brings spotlight to alley where Anthony name continues on
By Janet Pelletier Hundreds of bowling bags have been wheeled out of Dublin as the Earl Anthony Memorial Classic Tournament wrapped up its weeklong run at the alley that shares its namesake. The tournament, part of the Professional Bowlers Association’s Lumber Liquidators nationwide tour, welcomed amateurs, rookies and pros. It was a rookie who made a name for himself, winning the tour title and $25,000 prize Jan. 17. Twentyseven-year-old Anthony LaCaze of Melrose Park, Ill. threw three clutch strikes in the ninth and 10th frames to defeat Michael Machuga for the title by a score of 214-206. The title game was televised live on ESPN. Bleachers were installed on a carved out portion of the 40 lanes to seat approximately 300 fans. Special lighting, a scoreboard and newly polished lanes completed the finishing touches. Also televised as part of the broadcast were the semifinal leading up to the title game and the PBA Women’s Series final, where Stephanie Nation topped Linda Barnes for the win and the $10,000 prize earnings. The Earl Anthony Memorial was dedicated to the late bowling champion, who was recognized as the greatest player in PBA history in January 2009 during the PBA’s 50th anniversary celebration. Anthony won more than 40 titles and was the first bowler to earn $1 million.
As the excitement over at Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl has expectedly quieted down, owner Ted Hoffman, Jr. will consider hosting the tournament again next year. Before this month’s play, the PBA hadn’t been back to Dublin since 1992. Hoffman co-owned the bowling alley with Anthony, who asked Hoffman to manage operations while he was touring on the bowling circuit. Earl Anthony purchased the 40-lane bowling center in 1980 and in 1985, asked Hoffman to be his partner. Anthony died in 2001 of a head injury after falling down a flight of stairs in a friend’s home. His wife Susie retains part ownership of the Dublin bowl. The Earl Anthony Memorial Classic started in 2002 and was first held in Tacoma, Wash., where Anthony grew up. The opportunity to bring the event to Dublin came a year ago, Hoffman said. “There was an opening for January of 2010 and Earl’s wife Susie and myself had dinner with the PBA commissioner and he wanted to know if we would like to host the tournament,� Hoffman said. “So, we made that decision last January.� Anthony’s connection to the TriValley region happened on accident, Hoffman said. He was visiting friends in Moraga in 1979 when he had a heart attack. He spent a month recovering here and decided he liked the area, moving to the
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Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville soon after. It wasn’t long before owners of bowling centers in Danville and Dublin approached him about taking over ownership. Anthony accepted, and later called on Hoffman to become his partner so he could handle operations while Anthony was touring on the bowling circuit. Hoffman, a member of the PBA Hall of Fame, was a touring pro from 1961-1968. “I was finishing up my career when he was starting his career,� Hoffman said of Anthony. When the receipts are totaled by a number of local businesses, the competition play was expected to have brought a mini stimulus to Dublin — hotel stays, restaurant and bar patrons and gas station purchases. While Hoffman said he was working on a $50,000 budget to host the event here, it will more than pay for itself. “It’s a lot of work, more than I anticipated, but the rewards will be there,� he said just days before the tournament started. “We’re getting a lot of support from the city of Dublin. Mayor Sbranti is really high on this. He’s a big sports fan. And I’ve gotten a lot of support from my vendors, bowling centers in the area.� Sbranti got in on the action himself, bowling in the Pro-Am held Jan. 16, where people pay to play with the pros. Sbranti was on a team that included Susie Anthony, and Mike Anthony, Susie and Earl’s son. To cover the cost, some 60 businesses and organizations, including the city of Dublin, have paid $1,500 to have their name put up at the ends of the lanes. While Hoffman is hoping the financial boost from national notoriety won’t be short-lived, business at the lanes is fairly brisk as he estimates sales are only down 5-8 percent year-to-date, pretty good numbers in a struggling economy. Nearly half of the bowl’s income stems from league play (some 1,500 bowlers at junior, adult and senior levels) and the rest comes from corporate and birthday parties, followed by open bowling. The center is more than prepared for the pro event since it underwent an extensive $1-million renovation in 2003. “To have an event of that stature in the house that Earl built, literally, is something that’s really exciting for our city,� Sbranti said. “It’s exciting not only for Dublin, to have bowling returning to the Bay Area for the first time in almost 20 years,� he added. “There’s the LPGA in Danville and there’s been taped events, but to my knowledge, it’s the first nationally televised live event in the Tri-Valley, so for us, we think that’s pretty significant.� n
Girls Night Out Networking
The women of Girls Night Out Networking meet for wine and a bite to eat at their December meeting at Crooked Vine Winery in Livermore. The groups meets to have fun and make connections once a month at a Tri-Valley location.
By Emily West A glass of wine and gabbing with the girls could help grow business. At least, that’s what Frances Hewitt is finding to be true for many women in the Tri-Valley. In June 2008, Hewitt was looking for a new way to network. While she appreciated the more formal meetings typically held weekly and in the mornings, she was craving something more lighthearted and fun. So she and about 15 friends met up for drinks and a bite to eat at Eddie Papa’s in Pleasanton to form a new women-only networking group. Calling themselves Girls Night Out Networking — or GNON for short — the group has since grown to include more than 200 members, with 50 to 60 women meeting monthly at various locations in the Tri-Valley. While not intending to necessarily replace more formal networking groups, the idea is to combine a night out with friends and the benefits of networking. This, Hewitt says, takes place without an agenda. Instead, people gather after work (on a Wednesday or Thursday night) and the only thing planned is introductions around 6:15 p.m. Attendees can come and go as they please. GNON appears to be thriving, particularly in an economy where many are looking for work or more clients and wanting to do business in their hometown. To join, there are only three requirements: members must be female, want to meet friends and like to have fun. Hewitt, an account executive at Pleasanton-based Allegra Print and Imaging, credits the informal and fun settings to fostering relationships that often lead to growing businesses. “I carry around a special Rolodex with me of GNON members,� she said. “Whenever I hear someone say they need a service or product, I go there first.� Members, or GNONers, range from being business owners to
a stay-at-home mom, some who may be looking for full- or parttime work. Hewitt said some women with resumes in hand “working the room� have found job leads and offers. “It’s a really diverse group,� she added. “We’ve got everything from a funeral director to a massage therapist to doggie daycare.� Even if a networking connection isn’t initially apparent, the GNONers will most often remark about the camaraderie found through the monthly mixers. Hewitt said she’s heard some hesitation from prospective members because they don’t know anyone, but said people are often surprised to see familiar faces and that meeting new people is the name of the game. As the group grows into its second year, something Hewitt never imagined at the GNON’s first meeting, they have had to make certain changes. Now that the monthly meetings are so large, they now meet at the businesses of GNONers, instead of making a small reservation at a local restaurant or winery. Hewitt said she is also planning to have a $50 annual membership fee to help cover overhead costs. With the membership, she plans to include advertising in the GNON Gazette newsletter, the ability to host a mixer and access to members. For those interested in learning more about the networking group should contact Hewitt at 4874748 or fmhewitt@yahoo.com.
Check out GNON Who: Women interested in networking What: An informal night out When: after work Jan. 27 (introductions at 6:15 p.m.) Where: Hairlights Salon, 4307 Valley Ave., Ste. F Details: Bring your own beverage and $5 for appetizers. Visit www. localmarket2me.com/business/gnon. html for more information.
Poizner talks budget, schools, water crisis in campaign for governor Insurance commissioner speaks to small group in Livermore BY JANET PELLETIER State insurance commissioner Steve Poizner brought his campaign for governor to the Tri-Valley earlier this month, expressing his ideas on the public school system, a budget solution, the state water crisis, a constitutional convention and illegal immigration. The Los Gatos resident, who is running in the Republican primary in June, spoke to a small group of about 20 people at the Livermore Chamber of Commerce. It was a passion for public schools that Poizner said gave him the impetus for getting into politics. As a teacher for two years at Mt. Pleasant High School in East San Jose, he said he saw the issues on a personal level. “We’ve completely mismanaged schools,” he said. “I want to rip control of schools from the hands of Sacramento.” “Hiring should be done at a local level,” he continued, adding that charter schools are a great example of that. As the state is saddled with a $20-billion budget deficit, Poizner offered his own way of reducing it: reworking the tax structure, putting a freeze on funding, spending and hiring and cut spending by 10 percent. To break
it down, Poizner said he would cut personal income, corporate and state income taxes by 10 percent and capital gains taxes in half. Matching that with less regulation and reworking the legal system would provide the recipe for a balanced budget. “We want innovators and entrepreneurs to come back,” he said. “This is a lawsuit crazy state and we need some tort reform.” After Poizner highlighted his plans, the group asked a range of questions on such topics as the state water system, a constitutional convention, energy development and illegal immigration. Poizner’s only other opponent in the gubernatorial race for the Republican ticket is former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who visited Pleasanton in September. ■
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TriValley Views • January 25, 2010 • Page 5
Goings On a calendar of TriValley
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$30. Register in advance by calling Sharon at 846-3531.
RESUME & COVER LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP
Feb. 6
Tri-Valley One-Stop Career Center, in partnership with the Dublin Library, will present a workshop on writing a resume and cover letter suited to today’s tough job market. The free workshop is from 1:303:30 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Dublin Library Program Room, 200 Civic Plaza. Call 803-7286.
Jan. 31 MOTHER-DAUGHTER WORKSHOP ON ‘GROWING UP FEMALE’ Mothers and their fifth- or sixthgrade daughters are invited to attend an uplifting workshop about body changes and the realities of being female from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Catholic Community of Pleasanton, 3999 Bernal Ave., Pleasanton. Led by RN specialist Amy Sluss, this two-hour workshop explores the normal changes that occur in girls ages 9-16, offers tools and tips, and connects girls and adult women together in a powerful and positive way. The cost is
The fifth annual Claws for Paws crab feed, sponsored by Tri-Valley Animal Rescue, is from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Shannon Community Center, 11600 Shannon Ave., Dublin. Tickets are $45 if purchased by Jan. 15 and $50 thereafter. Includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, Caesar salad, dessert and tea/coffee. A no-host bar available for wine, beer and soft drinks. Call 828-8664 or visit www.tvar.org.
Feb. 13 Headlined by Samson Koletkar, the world’s only Indian Jewish comedian, the event is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Bunjo’s Comedy Club, 6513 Regional St., Dublin. Also appearing will be David Kleinberg (The Old Jew), Kenny Altman (The Gay Jew), Carrie Gilbert (The Not So Nice Jewish Girl) and Joe Nguyen
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A breakfast meeting is held at 7 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month, at the Radisson Hotel, 6680 Regional St., Dublin. This group of business persons is dedicated to enhancing careers through exchange of social/ professional contacts. Each occupation is represented once. First two meetings free. Call 829-5620.
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As the city of Dublin considers the possibility of creating a farmers’ market, it is asking residents to fill out a survey to assess the level of support. For a list of the 10 questions, visit www.surveymonkey. com/s/7GZGHWV. The City Council is expected to review the results once the survey closes and make a decision on the next steps.
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McNerney in talks with Afghanistan president on war effort, corruption Back home, Congressman seeks combat pay raises for soldiers
County gets $11 million in stimulus funds to fight blight Alameda County will receive $11 million in federal stimulus funding to help fight blight and stabilize neighborhoods that have been hit hard by housing foreclosures. Under the grant, Alameda County’s Housing and Community Development Department will work with local nonprofit housing agencies to purchase and rehabilitate at least 100 foreclosed, vacant homes and re-sell or rent them to eligible households.
The county is the lead agency in the Alameda County NSP Consortium, which includes the cities of Dublin, Emeryville, Livermore, Newark, Pleasanton, Hayward, Fremont, San Leandro, Union City and the urbanized areas of the unincorporated part of the county. The funds will be used throughout neighborhoods that have the greatest foreclosure and vacancy problems. Under the rules of the pro-
gram, at least 25 percent of the funds will be used to purchase properties that will be rented to households with annual incomes at or below 50 percent of area median income, which currently is $44,650 for a family of four. The remaining funds will be used to buy and rehabilitate homes that will be resold to households at or below 120 percent of area media income, which currently is $107,150 for a family of four. Jeff Shuttleworth, Bay City News
Congressman McNerney’s Office
Congressman Jerry McNerney visits with a member of the Air Force on a recent trip to the Middle East.
By Dolores Fox Ciardelli Afghanistan must end its corruption, and U.S. troops need to gain the trust of the people so they will not follow the Taliban out of fear, said U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) in a phone interview with reporters about his trip Dec. 28-29 to the war-torn country. McNerney said he focused on corruption issues during a meeting with President Hamid Karzai on the first day. “He is a warm and gracious person with a good understanding of American culture,” McNerney, said noting that Karzai speaks good English. “I focused on the corruption issue, and he would not accept the fact that he is responsible for some of these problems.” He also met with a task force on major crimes to discuss how to crack down on corruption and how to prosecute. One of the big corruption issues is extortion. “In Kandahar, there are two syndicates that run the town,” McNerney explained. “Every business has to make payments to those syndicates. No wonder people turn from government.” He was encouraged by the condition of Kabul although the air quality was poor and most of the buildings had been damaged by years of conflict. “But it was very clear to me that the local markets were bustling,” McNerney said. “I didn’t see any fear or anything like that in the street.” He was also positive about his meeting with Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan. “He was unassuming and has a good knowledge and understanding of history and America’s place in the region and what it’s going to take to make our effort work over there,” said McNerney. “His biggest mission is to protect citizens from the Taliban. That’s critical. We have to show people we can protect them from extremists and the Taliban, and then they will support
us in that effort.” “Gen. McChrystal acknowledged that there’s a long slog ahead of us,” he added. “Nonetheless the fact that we changed our tactics from seek and destroy have made a big difference.” The poppy fields still are a main source of income, McNerney said, and if the U.S. poisons or bombs them it would only turn the people to the Taliban. To combat the problem, the U.S. is building roads. “One challenge with the poppy is the bad guys take care of the transportation for the farmers,” said McNerney. “We want to put the infrastructure in place for them to take their produce to market.” McNerney was also pleased to see the coordinated efforts by many nations. “The Canadians, civilian agencies, they were integrated at every level, in the field working with people, delivering electricity to Kandahar for example,” he said. “They have a clear idea of what needs to be done. If we continue to move in that direction, we have a good chance to stabilize.” McNerney traveled with three other Democrat congressmen and four Republicans. “It was a great opportunity for us to work on bipartisanship,” said McNerney, who was the only one from west of the Mississippi. “It was a good chance to get to know the other guys. It was good for that reason alone.” On his trip to a forward operating base, McNerney met a paratrooper who told him that he hadn’t had a pay increase in a long time. To this end, McNerney reintroduced the Combat Operations and Medical Benefit Authorization for our Troops (COMBAT) Act. “I introduced it today to make sure these soldiers over there don’t have to worry about their families back home,” McNerney said. He put forward a similar bill last year and surmises it did not succeed because it was late in the session. n
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This is just a sample of our low monthly rates:*
Smartsense 1500 Deductible Generic Rx Area 3
SmartSense 5000 Deductible Generic Rx Area 3
Age
1 member
2 members/family per member
1 member
2 members/family per member
20 30 40 50
$104 $112 $161 $216
$104 $112 $141 $194
$80 $86 $124 $166
$80 $86 $114 $156
Chinese Restaurant
We Deliver!! Serving Dim Sum All Day Long
Best Chinese Cuisine & Dim Sum
Want more information on SmartSense? Call me today!
Pamper your pooch & make your cat purr!
Charlene Beasley Authorized Independent Agent
925-803-9799 Located in Pleasanton, CA
We have the most unique and highest quality canine & feline products on the market!
beasleyinsuranceservices@comcast.net
www.beasleyinsurance.com CA Insurance License #0C26292
health
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life
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dental
Blue Cross
SmartSense PPO is offered by Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company. * The level 1 monthly rates shown are per person and effective 3/1/09 for counties in Area 3: Alameda (except ZIPs starting with 945, 946 and 953 and including 94505, 94514), Alpine, Amador, Colusa (95957 only), Contra Costa (except 94551), El Dorado, Inyo (except 93527), Mono, Napa (94589 or 94590 only), Nevada (95602 only), Placer (except 95692 and 96161), Sacramento (except ZIPs starting with 958), San Francisco, San Joaquin (94505, 94514, 95632, and 95690 only), San Mateo (94303 only), Santa Clara (ZIPs starting with 940 and 943), Solano (except 94503, 95616, 95618, and 95694), Sutter (except 95645, 95692, 95836, 95837, 95948). Rates are illustrative only and are subject to change. Your rate may be higher or lower depending on your area, gender or age. Actual rates are also based on underwriting classification. This is a PPO plan with substantial financial incentives for using independently contracted Network providers. You may be subject to a pre-existing condition limitation of benefits for up to six months. Refer to the plan for a more complete list of coverage, conditions, restrictions, limitations and exclusions. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. © 2009 Anthem Blue Cross. CAN181
Free Quote go to www.beasleyinsurance.com
Great furniture has never been cheaper.
2009
Voted best pet store in 2008 & 2009
A NEW YEAR... A NEW YOU! Dr. Lynne R. Mielke, M.D. Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine
San Rafael: (415) 456-2765 Mountain View: (650) 964-7212
San Mateo: (650) 577-8979 Saratoga: (408) 871-8890
*excluding food
410 Main Street ~ Pleasanton, CA ~ (925) 600-8925 www.murphyspaw.com
Continue the lifestyle you love at about half the cost.
Danville (925) 866-6164 1901-F Camino Ramon
20% off with this ad!
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