VOLUME L, NUMBER 35 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013 Speaker Debunks Myths Surrounding Health Care Plan By Carol Graham the realities of health care nente’s National Program. and reduce costs of health be able to shop for health Find Out What's With the nation on the reform. The event was held “A year later, I’m happy to care for individuals and the care coverage. By January, Happening threshold of one of the most at Concannon Vineyard. announce, it’s being imple- government. they’re going to be able to significant changes to health “We were in this lovely mented even as we speak.” “Health care reform access care for the first time Check Out Section A care since the establishment venue about a year ago. The Affordable Care Act didn’t just happen; Obam- in years, and for some, pos- Section A is filled with of Medicare and Medicaid in At that point we were still (ACA), commonly called acare didn’t just pop its sibly ever.” information about arts, 1965, businesspeople, gov- wondering, ‘Is health care Obamacare, is a US federal head up. It was in response Under the ACA, an en- people, entertainment and special events. There are ernment officials and com- reform actually going to statute signed into law in to an untenable situation for rollment period for health education stories, a variety munity leaders attended the happen?’’’ recalled Kitty 2010 aiming to increase the millions of Americans,” said insurance plans will begin of features, and the arts and Livermore Valley Chamber Guptill, Senior Vice Presi- quality and affordability of Guptill. “In a little more October 1st, with coverage entertainment and bulletin of Commerce’s August 22 dent of Strategic Market health insurance, lower the than a month, millions of (See HEALTH CARE, page 8) board. luncheon talk to learn about Planning for Kaiser Perma- number of the uninsured, Americans are going to Scottish Games at Fairgrounds National 5 More Years Security The Caledonian Club of San Francisco, promoters of Requires the Scottish Highland Gath- ering and Games announced More Than they once again signed a five year contract with the Alam- eda County Fairgrounds just Weapons in time to celebrate the 148th Book by Harold Brown Annual Event this weekend in Pleasanton. Offers Insights Based on The Scottish Highland Lessons from the Past Gathering and Games, held at the Alameda County Fair- Establishing a nonpoliti- grounds, is the largest in cal private-public innovation the United States. There corporation could provide is always something new a way to enable develop- to be discovered; this year ment of new technology and visit a Celtic rock concert prove the viability of a new at the Games and see what idea for the marketplace. Scotland's young musicians Such new ideas, often too have invented - rock and roll expensive or with rewards with bagpipes and electric too far off for stockholders’ guitars. patience, could eventually “The Pleasanton Games jumpstart America’s econo- is more than a cultural event my in worthwhile directions. for Scottish people; the So says The Honorable Dr. games are an event for the Harold Brown, former Sec- whole family, regardless of Photo - Doug Jorgensen one’s roots. Nearly every- Visitors to the Alviso Adobe in Pleasanton last Sunday said goodbye to summer vacation with an old fashioned retary of Defense (under President Carter), former one in the U.S. has a drop ice cream social. They made ice cream at the original location of the Meadowlark Dairy. After making the ice of Scottish or Irish blood Secretary of the Air Force, cream, visitors were able to sample their creation. Allyson Wong licks a cone, while Clayton Kahl looks on. At and Livermore Lab’s third in them, and it can be fully right is Megan Kummer, assistant naturalist, who made the ice cream with the help of the kids. recognized at this event,” director. commented Scottish Games During a visit to Liver- Manager & Chief George more Lab this August, Dr. McCombe. Brown expanded on that The Scottish Gathering Budget Bill Brings a Little More to Pleasanton Schools and other ideas contained and Games not only bring in his book, “Star Spangled culture and tradition, but has Not everything is firmed what she estimated in June not part of the Gov. Jerry lenge to the district. It will Security Applying Lessons great economic impact on up yet under the Local as $923,000 in "new, ongo- Brown's May Revise. Not involve school personnel, Learned Over Six Decades the entire Tri-Valley Region. Control Funding Formula ing dollars" has grown to much is known about ERT parents and students. Safeguarding America.” Star Barbara Steinfeld, President (LCFF), the state's new ap- $1.1 million, based on the in dollars, but a staff report Traditionally, much state Spangled Security, written of Visit Tri-Valley says, proach to education funding. latest information. said that it likely will benefit funding came with strings with Joyce Winslow, pro- “The Scottish Games have However, there was a little Also an improvement the Pleasanton District. attached, and could be used vides lessons from the past, been one of the mainstays bit of updated news for the since the district drew up its The Budget Act also es- only for certain purposes. which Brown bridges to cur- of tourism for Tri-Valley for rent and future challenges decades. Because the Games Pleasanton Unified School budget for 2013-14 is the ad- tablished a requirement that Now most of the budget will District. dition of the Economic Re- districts adopt a Local Con- be available for whatever that the country faces. take place in Pleasanton Other topics covered in and the headquarter hotel Deputy Superintendent covery Target (ERT), which trol and Accountability Plan vision the district chooses is the San Ramon Marriott, Luz Cázares told trustees at was created in a trailer bill (LCAP). Drawing up that to carry out, with the usual the book include how to the Games exemplify how their meeting Aug. 20 that of the state budget. It was plan will present a new chal- (See BUDGET, page 4) deal with Egypt post-Arab tourism affects the entire spring, the evolution of his Tri-Valley. The economic relationship with Edward impact comes from visitors Teller, a dysfunctional fed- staying in hotels, campers Dublin Rejects Request to Ban Safe and Sane Fireworks eral government, and the staying in RV Parks, shop- importance of education and ping and eating in restau- Requests for Dublin to Marlene Mazzetti raised the sidered separate from the have done so, she added. the economy to the security rants. The Scottish Games ban sales of safe and sane issue in a letter, and spoke profit it generates. There is Presenting a different of the nation. events are so varied and so fireworks were rejected by in person. too much at stake involving point of view was a letter Brown’s impressive his- fun; they draw thousands to councilmembers. However, In Dublin, some non- injuries," said Mazzetti. from Pete Peterson, a retired tory of experience informs Tri-Valley.” they did call for a report that profit organizations sell legal Pleasanton and Liver- police officer. He said he his views. He served as The Scottish Gathering would help the city educate fireworks as fund-raisers. more have made the sale has been involved for many director of the Lawrence and Games will be held people concerning fireworks Mazzetti said that she was of safe and sane fireworks years in the sale of save Livermore National Labora- August 31 and Sept. 1 from safety. aware of the nonprofits, illegal. Dublin should follow and sane fireworks in the tory July 1960-May 1961, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each The council discussed the but the "sale of safe and suit, said Mazzetti. Many community. His experience leading development of the day at the fairgrounds in Polaris missile and thereby item at its Aug. 20 meeting. sane fireworks must be con- other cities in California (See FIREWORKS, page 4) Pleasanton. For more infor- (See HAROLD BROWN, page 5) mation, go to www.thescot- tishgames.com. A schedule of events at the games can be found in Section A of today's Inde- Youth America's Cup Includes Competitor from Livermore pendent newspaper. By Carol Graham develop their competitive With The Summer of skills in the same arena in Racing about to reach fever which the 34th America’s pitch across the Bay Area, Cup will also be contested: no one is more excited than the San Francisco Bay. 21-year-old Livermore na- “The Youth America’s tive David Liebenberg. Cup is going to be the most For the first time in the exciting thing to happen on America’s Cup’s 162-year the San Francisco Bay this history, talented, young sail- summer,” said Liebenberg. ors have a clear pathway “The skill level is going to toward competing for one of be incredible. Several par- sports’ most prestigious tro- ticipants won medals at last phies, as the Red Bull Youth summer’s Olympic games.” America’s Cup (RBYAC) The RBYAC is an eight- provides an opportunity race series, two races per day BUNNIES AT PETSMART for sailors aged 19-24 to (See YOUTH, page 12) In the photo, David Leibenberg is second from left, in the back row. Philip is a handsome English Spot. He's intelligent, out- going and perfect! Meet PET OF THE WEEK Philip and 20+ bunnies this Inside Soothe your ruffled feathers with the tranquil attention Saturday from 12-3 pm at of petite Madrona.