VOLUME XLVII, NUMBER 50 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Dublin Authorizes Doolan Canyon Study Dublin will proceed with a by Alameda County voters under general issues in preparation for Swalwell was the “no” vote. He “We need to resolve these issues study of a proposed develop- Measure D. They asked the coun- going to LAFCO to ask that the supported first talking to Liver- once and for all. It’s been a 25 ment of up to 1990 units on 1450 cil to accept the option suggested land be placed in Dublin’s sphere more. year discussion. It is important acres of Doolan Canyon. At the by staff to deny the future study. of influence. A more specific plan Swalwell said Dublin should that Livermore be part of the same time, Dublin will discuss There was concern that devel- would then be prepared for the sit down and be good neighbors. conversation.” the future of the canyon with oping the land would open the land. Dublin would ask to annex Staff can come back with a report Councilmember Kasie Hilden- Livermore. potential for Dublin to continue it. If the land remained in Al- on the talks that will allow us to brand declared, “We have heard There is a 90 day time limit east into north Livermore. There ameda County, no development make an informed decision on from Livermore. We know they on the talks with Livermore. would also be negative impacts would take place on the land. a future study. He said there is want nothing in Doolan Canyon,” Pacific Union Land Company on natural resources within the The only way for development just speculation now as to what She stated, “Personally I would Find Out What's is the developer. canyon, which East Bay Regional to proceed would be to annex the Livermore feels. “I want to know like to do both, the talks and the Representatives of a variety Park District (EBRPD) has des- property to Dublin. what Livermore thinks.” study There should be a time Happening of environmental groups urged ignated as a future open space The Dublin City Council vote Mayor Tim Sbranti suggested limit on any talks.” Check out the Dublin to respect the urban preserve. was 4 to 1 to proceed with both that the study would provide the The area has been the subject growth boundary established The study would first look at the study and talks with Liver- needed information to determine (See DOOLAN, page 2) second section more. New councilmember Eric the future of Doolan Canyon. Section II is filled with infor- mation about arts, entertainment and special events. There are education stories, a variety of features, and the arts and enter- Proposed tainment and bulletin board list Routes for Development Proposal Sent ACE Prove Back to Planning Unpopular Commission The Pleasanton City Council There was a definite lack sent a proposed development on of enthusiasm for plans to run Old Stanley Blvd. back to the ACE trains through the Valley planning commission for addi- at higher speeds and on a more tional work. frequent basis. The unanimous vote followed A standing room only crowd a discussion that grew heated at heard a presentation from the one point. California High Speed Rail Au- The brief spat had nothing to thority (CHSRA) last Thursday do with the specific project under at a meeting of the Tri-Valley review. It had to do with the city’s Regional Rail Policy Working approval process and how long it Group. The focus of the meeting takes to gain approvals. was on the proposed Altamont There were a variety of rea- Regional Rail Connection with sons for sending the project back the high speed train. to the commission. The Altamont Corridor Proj- Councilmembers Cindy Mc- ect, which is being led by ACE Govern and Matt Sullivan wanted and the California High-Speed to see if there were a way to save Rail Authority, is part of a much the heritage trees and the 1908 larger vision to connect the entire home on the site. The craftsman state with high-speed trains. style home is scheduled to be Photo - Doug Jorgensen Routes being considered in- demolished to make way for 14 Working on one of the robots are (from left) Christopher Herz, Mark Chen, Jerry Cheng, Wenson Hsieh, Abheek Chanana. single family homes on the 1.2 clude one that follows I-680/I-580 acre area. All of the trees would concluding at Greenville Road. be removed. Three alternative go through the Sullivan also responded to downtowns of Livermore and a neighbor of the project, who Foothill High’s Robo Crop Looks Good This Year Pleasanton ending at the Vasco pointed out that his solar panels By Ron McNicoll creativity. You learn working They learn the people skills that Foothill, said Sharma. Raod ACE station. Two would would be impacted by shadows Repeatedly stacking 7-inch skills,” said Varun Sharma, vice go with leadership training and As it is, club members will go thorugh the vineyards south cast by one of the two story rings on moveable 4-inch diam- president of the club, which has fund-raising. “You learn how to be out raising funds for their of Livermore. homes. eter tubes is a monotonous chore two dozen members. write business letters, how to deal own travel, probably at $1000 Group member Alameda In addition to the trees and of repetitive motion that only a The creativity comes from with a lot of people. I learned dif- per person, for a four-day trip to County Supervisor Scott Hag- home, issues raised by some or robot could love. solving the basic problem for a ferent aspects of marketing that Disney World in the spring. They gerty said of the presentation that all of the councilmembers in- However, the people behind contest. This year the national you wouldn’t normally acquire in will compete in the Vex Robotics it lacked the visuals that would cluded parking, the absence of a the robots — in this instance the competition had to do with build- a school club,” said Sharma. world championship. Some of the have provided more understand- play area for children, and noise. Robotics Club at Foothill High ing the robot that is able to do The club has picked up several competition will be televised by ing of where each of the routes Several of the homes back up to School in Pleasanton — find the ring-stacking task. There are local sponsors for its team, which ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. might be built and what they the nearby railroad track. Mayor that designing the 18-inch cubed many trial-and-error moves be- needed about $600 or $700 to buy Foothill math teacher Bob might look like. “I have a high Jennifer Hosterman suggested robots, and operating them in fore the robot is able to carry out parts to build its robot. There is Loew, who is in his first year as level of frustration with the docu- that more green amenities be tournaments develops their own the task. That keeps the students’ also a high-end robotic compe- the club’s advisor, said that the ments provided,” he stated. “It’s added to reach the 100 points that creativity. creativity exercised. tition nationally, that includes hard to visualize the two options (See PLAN, page 9) club has become so popular that “It’s not all about math and Club members acquire various high schools, but also colleges. it expanded from one to three going through the vineyards. I science. It represents a lot of skills in carrying out their goal Teams spend thousands building (See ROBOTICS, page 2) (See ROUTES, page 4) of becoming better at robotics. those robots. That’s too rich for Further Study Planned On LARPD Future Livermore Charter The Livermore City Council directed staff to conduct addi- School Finds Campus tional research into the impacts of changing the status of the Livermore Area Recreation and For Permanent Home Park District (LARPD). By Ron McNicoll hearing on the application when The main issue is whether After five years of searching it meets Dec. 21. money now going to the state for a suitable site for its long- “We want to be involved through a property tax shift term K-12 campus that ulti- with the city, and make sure we would remain in Livermore if the mately will house 2000 students, have its support in the process. district’s status were changed. the Livermore Valley Charter We found other sites that did A first phase study predicted there could be between $1.3 School (LVCS) is in the process not work. At this site, the infra- million and $3.1 million in ad- of buying a 30-acre site near structure is there. The city is our ditional revenue if the district North Canyons Parkway north partner on environmental work,” were either merged with or made of Interstate 580. said Batchelor. a subsidiary of the city. However, The parcels are at 3090 In- Batchelor has had talks with the revenue is based on all the as- dependence Avenue and 3196 city staff about such issues as sumptions and predictions in the Constitution Drive, across from the school’s potential impacts study coming to fruition. Costco. on traffic and how they can be Currently, LARPD is an inde- Although schools can bypass mitigated. pendent district. Almost 50 per- the local planning process if they The site was developed by cent of property tax money that should go to the district is taken wish, as permitted by a state law, Exterra. It is held by real estate by the state for ERAF (Education charter school officials chose to firm North Star, which has been have the city involved, said char- negotiating with the school. The Photo - Doug Jorgensen Revenue Augmentation Fund). Prince Royal, Queen Grossioso and Princess Victoria in the wedding scene of the Pleasanton’s Civic The ERAF shift from the city is ter school CEO Bill Batchelor. buildings are 18 months old. The Livermore Planning There are 16 relatively small Arts Stage Company production of The Princess and the Pea. Remaining performances are December 17 around 24 percent. and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and on December 18 and 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Rd., The council voted 3 to 1 to Commission will hold a public (See CHARTER, page 5) Pleasanton. Tickets are adult-$10, $15 and $18; child and senior-$6, $9 and $12. They may be purchased conduct a phase II study. Jeff online at www.firehousearts.org. More photos on page 3. Williams was the dissenting vote. Marj Leider was absent. Williams commented that he Pet of the Week hadn’t heard from any member of Inside Licorice is a handsome, long haired fellow desperate for a the public that there is an inter- home. He came to us from Fairmont Animal Shelter back in May. Licorice is looking for his own window he can sit est in the issue. He also said it Art & Entertainment...... Section II Mailbox...... 4 appeared that the LARPD board in all day without thirty other cats around to pester him! didn’t care. “I see no reason to Bulletin Board...... Section II Short Notes...... 10 Once in a home, he would surely be cool and collected, but spend more money on additional Classifieds...... 10 Sports...... 6 a shelter situation is something he never adjusted too. If study,” Williams stated. you have an extra window sill and an open mind and heart, The first study cost $25,000. Editorial...... 4 Obituaries...... 9 call 925-426-8656 or visit the website www.valleyhumane. The pricetag of the second org, to learn more. Valley Humane Society is located at (See LARPD, page 12) 3670 Nevada Street in Pleasanton and is open Tues- Sat from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. PAGE 2 - The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 DOOLAN (continued from page one) Lab Provides Funding of controversy. Livermore wants $6.4 million purchase price from one community against the other to retain it as an open space buf- the City of Livermore. The park in what could be an unfortunate Pilot Program Looks at How to fer between the two communi- district received an additional and ugly confrontation.” ties. In 1993, Dublin considered $2 million from the Alameda Doolan Canyon resident Dar- Teach Math for the 21st Century zoning Doolan Canyon for 3970 County Altamont Landfill Open lene Stephen stated, “I moved to residential units, but instead The decades-old approach says, “The Bureau of Labor Sta- science are blended seamlessly, Space Fund. The regional park Doolan Canyon because of the of teaching math in U.S. high tistics estimates that 71 percent enabling the problem solver to designated it as a future study board added Doolan Canyon to open space. There is no one there area, agriculture. In 2000, Dub- schools doesn’t add up when it of jobs in science, technology, piggyback solutions over many its list of potential park sites in telling me my horses smell and comes to the technology in use engineering and math by the levels, rapidly surpassing the lin and Livermore entered into a 2007. that my roosters make too much memorandum of understanding today – applications such as year 2018 will require an un- limitations of paper and pencil Brian Holt, a senior planner noise. I’m glad to hear support (MOU), which stated that Dublin Google earth, 3D animation, GPS derstanding of computing and math. This explains how older would amend its general plan to for EBRPD, told the council, for preserving the area.” and robotics. How can educators software.” teens can advance to unraveling take out the future study area “We don’t feel this proposal is The developer offered a rebut- bring U.S. students up to date to Unlike traditional methods of the mystery of a GPS positioning designation. appropriate at this time. The tal. “We are in the early stages. develop the skill-set needed for teaching math where students are device before entering college. The area is currently desig- park district has enjoyed a great The council is not approving mathematical problem-solving instructed to solve arbitrary math “LLNS has always supported nated as resource management relationship with Dublin. We anything.” Meyer added that in the 21st century? equations with little context or science, technology, engineering under the Alameda County gen- have just purchased 640 acres the plan would not wipe out the Partnering with a local course- connection to applications, algo- and math (STEM) education,” eral plan. directly adjacent to the property. open space buffer. There would ware developer and a public high rithmic geometry immerses stu- said George Miller, LLNS Presi- The developer, Bruce Meyer It is the cornerstone of what is be no extension of utilities or school, Lawrence Livermore Na- dents in “real world” challenges dent and Lawrence Livermore of Pacific Union, told the council proposed as a preserve. The de- access to North Livermore from tional Security, LLC (LLNS), the requiring creative application National Laboratory Director. of math skills to find a solution “Algorithmic geometry presents that a first class active adult com- velopment would impact natural the property. As to votes in contract manager for Lawrence resources and result in significant other communities, Meyer said, Livermore National Laboratory, - - for example, designing a a unique opportunity to introduce munity is being planned. “We computer algorithm to control a educators to a math instruction growth inducing impact.” Holt “This is Dublin. I didn’t hear is helping prepare local students believe it would have benefits by contributing $10,000 toward robotic arm. that will better prepare their noted that public funds, includ- any residents talking against the for the entire Tri-Valley. It would a one-of-a-kind pilot course in The paradigm change does students for the global high-tech be the first of its kind in the Bay ing some from Livermore, were project.” algorithmic geometry held at not stop there. In 21st century agenda of the future.” Area.” Meyer noted that over spent to purchase the property. Meyer said he was puzzled Dougherty Valley High School in applications, math know-how The course was begun in 800 acres would remain in open “Any development negates the by the comments of the speaker San Ramon. The course is geared is brought to life by writing the San Ramon Valley Unified space. “There will be 3000 new value of the resources and scenic from EBRPD. He said he had toward juniors and seniors with software. Starting from a paper School District through the ini- residents with money in their value of the canyon.” He asked met with new general manager strong math skills and interest in and pencil problem, each student tiative of Gregory Duran, math pockets and time on their hands. the council to table the request Bob Doyle. He said that Doyle high-tech careers. maps out a set of computational teacher at Dougherty Valley They will shop and volunteer.” for a study. told him that the project would Developed by biotech com- steps on paper that can solve the High, and Stan Hitomi, principal Meyer said the proposal has Dick Schneider of the Sierra provide an access point and stag- puter scientist Pierre Bierre and problem. Students also learn how of Alamo School and coordinator drawn the attention of local en- Club also asked that the request ing area for the preserve. his team at Spatial Thoughtware to translate their algorithm design of Education Services. Duran vironmental groups. He believes for the study be denied. “In After the public comment, in Pleasanton, the course seeks to into Java code, and then test-run and Bierre are co-instructing the the plan is an environmentally Measure D, voters made clear Sbranti said, in addition to Dool- disseminate the way geometric it using computer graphics. At pilot course. strong alternative because it will their desire to protect open space an Canyon, there were other is- problem-solving is practiced in this point, the problem solution Duran declared, “Algorithmic have low impact on schools, and to preserve a buffer between sues to discuss with Livermore high-tech, and update standard- is captured in an automated form geometry teaches students how traffic, sewer and water. There Livermore and Dublin.” He also such as the extension of Dublin ized math content offered in ready to be applied over and to solve complex problems using would be open space buffers and mentioned the recent votes in Boulevard and North Canyons U.S. schools for the computing over again while solving harder mathematics and then bring the easements to protect the land. “It San Ramon and Brentwood, Parkway. revolution. problems. solution to life using 21st century would resolve, once and for all as well as the rejection of Oak Councilmember Kevin Hart Pointing to a rapid shift in the Within this new education computational tools.” what will happen with the prop- Grove in Pleasanton and Pardee commented, “I wish Livermore nation’s skill base needs, Bierre paradigm, math and computer erty in Doolan Canyon.” Meyer development in Livermore as and Pleasanton would take time said he didn’t see the options of demonstrating strong support to discuss issues with us before the future study and discussions for preserving natural and agri- they make decisions that impact with Livermore as being mutu- cultural areas. Dublin. We have to do the study. ROBOTICS ally exclusive. Bob Baltzer spoke for Friends Let’s get the ball rolling.” (continued from page one) No one spoke in favor of the of Livermore. He stated, “I urge Dublin City Manager Joni teams to enable more students to Vikram Sreekanti is captain Khan,Omid Abrashamchian, project. No Dublin residents ad- you to find an amicable solution Pattillo said there is no guarantee acquire hands-on experience. of Team 1000 C. Other mem- Gaurang Patel, Parth PatelLeo dressed the issue. to the issue of greenbelt separa- that Livermore staff will work Two of Foothill’s three teams bers are Ayesha Omarali, Rayed Kam. Matt Vander Sluis, Senior tion between Dublin and Liver- with Dublin if the study goes qualified for Disney World. Team Field Representative of Green- more. This is a huge scale sprawl through. 1000 C qualified by winning a belt Alliance, declared. “The project. It will ruin an almost Hildenbrand responded, “We tournament in Tracy on Oct. 30. study would be a major step pristine western rural valley a have proven over and over we Team 1000 A qualified by scoring backward in preserving open stone throw from I-580, wiping are willing to work with other the most points in a one-minute space. It would violate the MOU out the existing greenbelt be- communities. If Livermore is not period during a more recent re- between Dublin and Livermore. tween Livermore and Dublin.” willing to talk if we allow a study gional tournament.. Every acre matters.” He pointed Baltzer continued, “This proj- to go forward, they’re not being So far Team 1000 B, whose co-captain is Varun, has not to recent election results in Brent- ect has the potential not only to good neighbors.” ruin Doolan Canyon with almost Sbranti suggested that staff qualified for the tournament in wood and San Ramon where Disney World. However, it did 2000 units of urban sprawl, but meet with the applicant to gain an efforts to move the urban growth qualify for the Championship of boundary were rejected. “Area also to put that sprawl within understanding of what land could the Americas in Omaha. Foot- residents want to preserve their one parcel separation from Col- be developed and where the hill has passed over the Omaha quality of life and open space,” lier Canyon Road. This would open space might be. Talks with tournament in the past. The team he stated. open up the whole eastern Al- Livermore could then proceed, hopes to qualify for the Disney Several speakers pointed out ameda County north of Liver- if they are willing. If there were World competition, too. that the EBRPD had just pur- more to piecemeal annexation no agreement between Livermore Abishek Akella is the club chased the land directly to the by Dublin. This possibility has and Dublin, the council can de- president and co-captain of Team north of the proposed study haunted us for years. While we cide what to do next. If there were 1000A. Others on that team are area. have been able to protect North an agreement, Dublin could then co-captain Wenson Hsieh, Jerry In earlier stories about the Livermore from the county with talk to property owners to see Cheng, Abhinav Kalakuntla, Doolan Canyon Preserve, park 2000 Measure D, and from Liver- what happens next, whether we James Ding, and Christopher officials are quoted as saying they more with the 2002 UGB Initia- will continue the process. Herz. expect to line up other nearby tive, the best we could do with Pattillo estimated it would Helping Sharma with Team properties to create a bigger park Dublin is the MOU included in take at year or more to complete 1000 B is the other co-captain, as an open space buffer between this staff report. The applicant is the study. Abheek Chanana. Other mem- Dublin and Livermore. The park apparently asking you to abrogate Staff will return in 90 days bers are Justin So, Kevin Zhang, district received $2 million of the this good faith agreement and pit with a progress report regarding Sharon Chung, Amatya Taran, talks with Livermore. and Ajay Krish The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 - PAGE 3

Photos - Doug Jorgensen Pictured are scenes from the Pleasanton’s Civic Arts Stage Company production of The Princess and the Pea. The show combines the traditional tale of vain Queen Grossioso, henchman Ratatouille and Princess Victoria with the fun of British panto-style theater, which includes frequent audience participation and interaction. Remaining performances are December 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and on December 18 and 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Rd., Pleasanton. Tickets are adult-$10, $15 and $18; child and senior-$6, $9 and $12. They may be purchased online at www.firehousearts.org.

Reminder: Bird Count Set for This Friday The Ohlone Audubon Society winter bird populations. In the in the second Eastern Alam- existing Christmas Bird Counts locate, identify, and record rare uncommon sparrows (17 rufous- and the Alameda Creek Alliance largest citizen science effort in eda bird count, and there is still in the San Francisco Bay Area. bird species. The surveys will crowned, 88 lark, 3 vesper, and 2 will host the second annual East- the world, tens of thousands of room for more volunteers of any The count area is in the vicinity be non-intrusive observations of grasshopper sparrows). ern Alameda County Christmas volunteer birders and scientists level of experience,” said Rich of Sunol, Pleasanton and Liver- birds, with volunteers following The Ohlone Audubon Society bird count this Friday, December armed with binoculars, bird Cimino, Conservation Chair of more, and includes five East Bay an ethics code to avoid any im- is chapter of the national Audu- 17. An estimated 90 volunteer guides and checklists will take the Ohlone Audubon Society, and Regional Parks, significant San pacts to birds or habitats. bon Society serving southern birders of all levels of experience part in Christmas bird counts Events Director for the Alameda Francisco watershed lands, and Highlight species found dur- Alameda County that works will survey for wintering birds throughout the Americas from Creek Alliance. “The count will birding hotspots such as lower ing the inaugural count in 2009 to preserve the natural world within a 15 mile radius count mid-December through early contribute to bird conservation Mines Road, Sunol Wilderness, included a pair of bald eagles, through education, conserva- circle in the vicinity of Pleasan- January. Audubon and other and monitoring efforts and will Del Valle Reservoir, and the well over 20 golden eagles, 3 tion, and advocacy. The Alameda ton, Sunol and Livermore, within organizations use data collected the Alameda Creek watershed. in this longest-running wildlife promote stewardship of bird Springtown area in Livermore. peregrine falcons, 3 prairie fal- Creek Alliance is a community The Christmas Bird Count is census to assess the health of bird populations and habitats within Volunteers will walk, bicycle, cons, 7 northern pygmy-owls, watershed group with over 1,800 an annual nationwide volunteer- populations and to help guide the Alameda Creek watershed,” or drive count areas, or monitor 1 short-eared owl, 1 burrowing members, dedicated to protecting based bird survey effort coordi- conservation actions. added Cimino, the initiator of the backyard feeders during a 24 owl, 1 Lewis’ woodpecker, 176 and restoring the natural eco- nated by the Audubon Society “We have numerous local Eastern Alameda bird count. hour period on December 17. Ad- yellow-billed magpies, 14 rock systems of the Alameda Creek to promote bird conservation birders, ornithologists, and public The eastern Alameda County ditional surveys during the count wrens, 1 canyon wren, 90 tri- watershed. and assess long-term trends in lands agency staff participating effort will complement 15 other week of December 14 to 20 will colored blackbirds, and several PAGE 4 - The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 ROUTES (continued from page one) EDITORIAL need to see something more.” high power utility lines. It would through the vineyards. “Impacts want anything to destroy the Brent Ogden, from the CHR- go through Sycamore Grove Park can be mitigated by expanding charm of our community. Hag- Altamont Agreement SA, explained that the connec- ending at Vasco Road. The last the agriculture area by establish- gerty’s idea is a great one.” She An agreement has been forged to phase out by 2015 the tion to San Jose would generally option goes further south through ing preserves,” he stated. suggested there needed to be a windpower turbines that have been deadly to golden eagles follow the existing ACE route. wine county. This route would Haggerty remarked, “The meeting held in Pleasanton. “The and other birds in the Altamont. Station locations along the route necessitate going underground vineyards are almost as revered 680-580 route is about the only are mainly planned to be near due to the steep topography. as the downtowns.” one Pleasanton residents would New turbines will be installed in more benign locations. existing employment centers. Haggerty suggested it would Mayor Kamena countered, go along with,” she added. (Zero deaths, however, are unlikely.) One of the goals would be to be simpler to spur the high-speed “It’s not even close.” Livermore Area Recreation Altamont Pass lies on a major bird migratory route. It is connect with BART no matter rail into the Altamont, drag A member of the public, Dick and Park District operates Syca- an important raptor breeding area. where the final BART extension BART to there and use the loca- Ryon of Friends of the Vineyards, more Grove Park. Assistant NextEra Energy Resources, the windpower developer, is located. tion as the regional connection. pointed out that the organiza- general Manager John Lawrence has agreed to pay $2.5 million in mitigation fees, half of A preliminary alternatives “You need to look at some type tion had been fighting plans that noted that the park contains which will go to the East Bay Regional Park District and analysis of the routes would be of grand central station where propose to build things through unique animals and habitat that ready in February 2011. It will BART, the high speed rail, ACE the vineyards for a long time. could be negatively impacted Livermore Area Recreation and Park District to create look at such things as adjacent and e-BART could converge. “I’m not keen to see a massive if the line were to go through raptor habitats. residential properties, biological That would mean less impact to transportation corridor through the park. He added there were a The deal was brokered by Governor-elect Jerry Brown features, the cost and travel times the Tri-Valley.” the vineyards.” He suggested that number of easements that involve in his current post as state attorney general. of service and land use plans. “I hope you have learned from the underground routes through jet fuel and electricity that should Brown and all those party to the pact are to be applauded. The study would provide the the mistakes you made on the the downtowns would serve the be avoided. The agreement addresses the need for development of clean, information to reduce the number Peninsula,” he added. population centers better. Future meetings will be held renewable energy and provides in a significant way for the of routes. The reduced number of Haggerty refers to the lawsuits Gail Shearer echoed his con- in Livermore once the route alter- routes would then be the subject filed against the high speed rail cerns about the impact on the native studies are completed. safety of eagles and other birds. of a supplemental analysis to plans for the high speed rail on vineyards. “It is a small area that MORE FUNDING In the words of Rich Cimino of Ohlone Audubon: “By further narrow the alternatives. the western side of the Bay. we are trying to protect, to bring The US Department of Trans- 2015, with all the pieces in place, the Altamont area could Ogden said the options studied Later he said that high speed back agriculture and wineries.” portation has redirected $624 be a showcase for the world on how to manage large wind could be mixed and matched. rail users could switch to what John Fletcher said he didn’t million in funding for the project farms and reduce bird deaths.” The I-680 and I-580 option might be a BART express that understand why the route would from other states to California. would be above ground with would take them directly to San go through the vineyards. It Congressman John Garamen- aerial structures near the BART Francisco. makes more sense to use the di (D-Walnut Creek, CA), who station. There would also be the BART director John McPart- current rail lines. There would as a state legislator authored the potential for aerial structures near land was displeased with the be less impact. first legislation to advance high Livermore. planning process. “I was not Others objected to using the speed rail in California, praised Of the downtown options, one aware of the proposed alternative current rail lines. One speaker the decision to redirect up to $624 would be above ground along routes. That disturbs me. There said, “Don’t put it where you million in high speed rail money Dim View of Development 680 to the Southern Pacific rail needs to be better communica- have to tear out homes. There to California. line in Pleasanton. It would go tion. are areas made for putting things The funding is anticipated Proposal on Pleasanton through the downtown then Pleasanton City Council- through quickly. They are called to further construction in the head east to Livermore. It could member Jerry Thorne declared, freeways.” Her preference was Central Valley toward another be an aerial structure on a low “I thank Marshall (Mayor Ka- to keep any of the transporta- urban center. Initial construction Ridge’s Steep Slopes embankment. The second would mena) for holding this meeting tion options on the freeway to is slated to begin in 2012. The A developer seeking a rezon- would apply. However, planning follow the same route, but would in Livermore. If it had been in Greenville. California High-Speed Rail Au- ing to construct as many as 26 commissioners didn’t hold any be underground through Pleasan- Pleasanton, I wouldn’t have sat Another speaker suggested thority Board this month selected homes on a 40-acre parcel on the serious discussion of that issue, ton, rising above ground along in front of it.” Thorne is also a that the transportation hub should the starting point for the project’s Pleasanton Ridge met with resis- because their first concern was Stanley Blvd. and then traveling member of the working group. be on the eastern side of the Al- Southern California-to-Bay Area tance from the city last week. the steepness of the terrain, said underground starting at Murrieta “I have issues with alternatives tamont Pass. construction. Stan Gamble, who with busi- planning manager Janice Stern. in Livermore. The third route through Pleasanton whether One theme of several speakers In a letter sent to Secretary ness partner Ming Chuang has Access to the development would be the same as the second above or below ground.” was that they didn’t want more LaHood on November 18th, after built subdivisions of 30 to 40 would through Santos Ranch option, but would use the Union David Schonbrunn, president trains running through the area. Wisconsin and Ohio first rejected homes in the Hayward Hills and Road, which has a 20 percent Pacific tracks. of Transdef, one of the litigants Joanne Eteve asked, “Every time the money, Garamendi helped in Fremont, tested the waters grade. A 20 percent grade means The fifth proposed route goes that challenged the high speed a rail project is proposed, it seems lead a coalition of California with the planning commission at that elevation rises 20 feet over along Route 84 to Isabel, turns rail EIR and had it tossed out, to be on the UP tracks. How is Democrats in encouraging the a workshop on Dec. 8. a distance of 100 feet. at Stanley Blvd. then heads east said the goal should be to pick this all happening. It’s a small DOT to redirect the money to Planning commission chair- Not long after Santos Ranch through downtown Livermore a route to reduce to the absolute corridor, yet it is continually be- California. man Arne Olson said that the Road was completed in the terminating at the Vasco Rd. minimum the impact on com- ing selected for BART, ACE and Prior to today’s announce- first question before the panel 1960’s, on approval by the coun- station. munities. He said that the high heavy rail.” ment, California had already was whether to support a general ty, one teen-ager died and several The final two would go south speed rail proponents suffer from Nancy Harrington of Pleasan- received more than $3 billion in plan amendment. “The answer were injured when their car’s of Pleasanton and Livermore a lack of ability to listen to what ton objected to the routes through money from the federal govern- to that was ‘no.’ It really meant brakes failed on the road. The through wine country along the people say. He favored the routes Pleasanton downtown. “I don’t ment for high speed rail. that all the other questions were accident led to the eventual dis- not worth addressing,” he ex- couragement of county approval plained. for roads at 20 percent grade. “It was unanimous that we Pleasanton now owns the entire were not in favor of any amend- road, said Stern. ments to the general plan to allow Access roads that Gamble that development to go forward would build would be at 10 on the basis of how it was pre- percent and 15 percent, he said. (Opinions voiced in letters Council meetings concerning the the Theater will go dark long that those brilliant minds and our sented to us,” said Olson. Nevertheless, commissioners published in Mailbox are those Bankhead Theater, and now the before BART comes to town... limited funds continue to support In what was a preliminary said that they had a problem with of the author and do not neces- big theater. From the very begin- decade(s). Many people believe WMD’s that no longer make us review, Gamble wanting to know raising densities that would put sarily reflect the opinion of The ning, the plan has been to develop BART has trouble staying on safer (and probably never did in what might happen, before he many more residents on Santos Independent. Letter Policy: The two theaters. Some people are schedule, BART will certainly be the first place). would invest “the better part of Ranch Road. They also said that Independent will not publish just hearing about the Regional too late to salvage the Theater if The lyrics I sing for Liver- half a million dollars in an EIR,” Gamble’s road proposal was too anonymous letters, nor will it Theater now and think that it is the Theater falters. So from the more National Lab include a end he told the Independent. The steep, said Stern. publish letters without names. a new idea to build the 2000-seat Theater's perspective, BART is to the development of useless land is unincorporated. Alameda Gamble stated, “The commis- Abusive letters may be rejected theater, but it is not. not a factor. wasteful weapons technology County zoning allows for only a sioners didn’t seem to want to or edited. Frequent letter writers The Bankhead now sits on I am a supporter of BART and a new focus on much needed few units, so Gamble would have increase density from one house may have publication of their letters delayed.) an area that was just a dirt lot. downtown. I am not yet but I research like clean energy cre- to annex the land to the city to per five acres, to one per 1.5 or Before the Bankhead Theater was am willing to be convinced that ation, clean up technologies for increase the density. 2 acres. They were all against it, built, no one went downtown at a Regional Theater is in the best environmental contamination, The location of the proposed but there is a need for housing in Theater and BART Sepa- night. But now, the downtown interests of Livermore. auto efficiency, and more. Read project is at the 600-foot eleva- Pleasanton.” Gamble indicated rate is a great place to go for a show about a Green Lab at www.trival- tion point. The property is also he was to decrease the density Trice Cunningham and dinner. You don't have to go Dublin and Doolan leycares.org within the city’s urban growth to 20 units. The total parcel is 70 Livermore to the city. Henry D. Shay boundary. Measure F, approved acres. However, 30 acres would I am a resident of Livermore If the town stays the same, it Livermore High Priced Power by city voters to protect the be donated to East Bay Regional for 33 years. I love Livermore. will die. Now it is growing. With Over the years, the Livermore Darryl Mueller ridgelands, does not apply. The Park District, he said. The proposed 2000-seat theater the big theater, we will see more City Council has steadfastly President measure bars ridge development One person who lives near the will improve our quality of life dollars added to our tax base. opposed making the unincorpo- Altamont Landowners Against above 670-foot elevation. property spoke at the workshop. and our economic vitality. Livermore needs the 2000-seat rated land north of I-580 part of Rural Mismanagement The city’s slope building poli- According to Stern, the resident I am so tired of hearing a few theater now. Livermore. When the question After all the money spent on cies from Measure PP and QQ objected because she opposes people oppose the 2000-seat of territorial aggrandizement by all the studies we come up with a building on the property’s steep theater because they oppose Straw Man Tactic neighboring towns is brought up, Political Pay Off for killing rap- slopes. BART. William Zagotta the stock response is that “We tors and birds here at Altamont BART is the new player. It Livermore have an MOU (Memorandum Pass. The new windmills will Seniors Protection Act will be 10 to 15 years before it Livermore’s Regional Theater Of Understanding) with Dublin kill raptors and birds. So there is comes to Livermore, if it comes Plan is experiencing increased – they would never do that.” no difference. However, several Blocked in House to Livermore. The downtown controversy recently because the Well – it now comes to light groups that ignored the problem route was chosen because of the banks may now require the City that Dublin is actively planning here now get a pay off. What the Congressman John Gara- who toiled for decades to create large number of people within a mendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) has to agree that the General Fund a development straddling Doolan hell is going on with common the America we love deserve to reasonable distance who could be available in case LVPAC is Road and stretching nearly to sense. This junk on the hill has expressed disappointment that retire with dignity and financial use BART regularly. In support- House Republicans blocked H.R. unable to pay off its loan. Collier Canyon Road. Parentheti- a 20% or less run time to gener- security. My Republican col- ing the theater, you are not sup- The debates are being subject- cally, Doolan Road was precisely ate power. This junk on the hill 5987, the Seniors Protection Act, leagues unfortunately have dif- porting BART. which would have provided 54 ed to phony issues. The "Theater" the line of demarcation the MOU is one of the most high priced ferent priorities.” issue and the "BART downtown said that Dublin would not cross. power there is. This junk on our million seniors, including close The nonpartisan Congres- No Connection to six million Californians, with station" issue are being conflated This maneuver looks like a flank- Altamont Hills is not reliable. sional Budget Office estimates Archer Futch presumably by citizens who ing strike. If the Cal. Energy Commis- a one-time payment of $250. The that these payments will cost Former Mayor legislation was intended to make are opposed to the Theater and Regarding the MOU, the sion were doing the right thing $14 billion. Under the bill, the Livermore downtown BART. mayor of Dublin has responded, it would be working on cheap up for the lack of an automatic cost would be offset by some I was surprised and disturbed Cost-of-Living-Adjustment for This is a straw man tactic. in effect, with the equivalent of excess power. That should be of savings included in earlier to hear several speakers at the last Arguing there is a connection the phrase, “That was then; this the concern not moonbeam ideas America’s seniors in 2011. It had legislation that are tallied on the Livermore City Council meeting majority support with a 254-153 between the two issues makes it is now.” that sound so good and waste PAYGO scorecard. proclaim that BART was coming easier to shoot them both down. Citizens of Livermore: what electric power users money vote, but under House rules, it For the first time ever, 2011 to downtown Livermore because required a two-thirds vote to It is not helpful to the future plan- have we learned from this? through subsidies. Since the 1981 will be the second consecutive of the new Regional Theater. This ning of our City to be bringing up inception, in the largest Golden pass. 228 Democrats voted for year that Social Security retir- is, of course, completely false. the legislation, while 141 Repub- straw man arguments. Wasteful Spending Eagle breeding area, windmills ees and other beneficiaries will In the first place, the theater The existence of the Theater have been allowed to kill Golden licans voted against it. receive no automatic increase Scott Yundt will be completed and operating will not move forward the date Livermore Eagles and other raptors for a “Let me get this straight. Con- in their monthly Social Security, many years before BART breaks gressional Republicans think that for BART coming to Livermore. Republicans in Congress are thimble of energy. SSI, VA Pension and Compensa- ground on its planned extension BART planned on coming to we can afford tax cuts for rich tion, and Railroad Retirement harmonizing about huge budget to Livermore. Livermore long before the The- cuts to domestic programs. Un- Choral Groups millionaires and billionaires at a benefits. Second, according to LVPAC rate of $79 billion a year without ater was even a gleam in Liver- til, the topic turns to our nuclear Helen Meier The median income for senior estimates, no more than 10 per- more's eye. BART's plan to build paying for them, but that we can’t households is just $24,000. Six weapons budget. Then, suddenly, Livermore cent of the theater's audience is a downtown station was based under the heavy baritone of Ari- It is always nice to have more afford to help seniors, millions in ten seniors rely on Social Se- likely to utilize BART. of whom are very low income, on various BART policy factors; zona Senator Jon Kyle, their song opportunities for adults to sing so curity for more than half of their The primary purpose of the including the maximum ridership at a rate of $14 billion when the income, and about a third of re- takes a very different tune. The I was pleased to see the article downtown Livermore BART supported by the downtown/Vas- lyrics include a 14% increase in about the new chorus in your cost is offset with PAYGO?” tirees have little other than Social station is to provide city resi- Congressman Garamendi stated. co stations. The additional BART spending for 2011, $80 billion for December 3rd issue until I read Security on which to live. dents, particularly those who ridership by Theater patrons was “Today the American people saw new bomb plants, $180 billion for the comment about this chorus live in the downtown, with easy not a significant factor in BART nuclear weapons upgrades, and a “being all about community” a clear contrast in values,” Ga- access to the entire Bay Area. ramendi added. “I think seniors planning. So from BART's per- chorus for huge nuke budgets for and Kathy Daniel’s comment And, of course, the downtown/ spective the rejection of the I580 the next decade. And the Demo- that “we see to it that Pleasanton, Vasco route is, of all the pro- option had nothing to do with the crats sing back up quietly, afraid Dublin and San Ramon has its Publisher: Joan Kinney Seppala posed routes, the only one that Theater. of looking weak on security and own chorus.” I can only assume Associate Publisher: David T. Lowell will qualify for Federal funding The BART downtown station (INLAND VALLEY PUBLISHING CO.) Editor: Janet Armantrout losing Republican support for the the Ms. Daniels is not familiar - without which, no extension can when (if) it comes will be an as- New START with Russia. with the existing groups that have be built to Livermore. set to the Theater because it will The Independent is published every Thursday by Inland Valley Publishing Company, 2250 First St., Our local Lawrence Liver- been performing in the area for Livermore, CA 94550; (925) 447-8700. Application to Mail at Periodical Postage Prices Pending at the make travel easier for the pa- more National Lab, where 86% many years. The Valley Concert Livermore Post Office and additional mailing offices. The Independent is mailed upon request. Go to www. independentnews.com to sign up and for more information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Theater Needed trons and alleviate the inevitable of the annual $1 billion budget Chorale is celebrating 47 years Independent, 2250 First St., Livermore, CA 94550. Nancy Bankhead parking problems. However, the is spent on nuclear weapons and is a very professional cho- Advertising rates and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (925) 447-8700 Livermore success of the Theater does not during regular business hours or by fax: (925) 447-0212. R&D, stands to benefit from this rus. The Broadway Chorus has Editorial information may be submitted by [email protected]. I have been to all the City depend on the patronage arriving wasteful windfall. How sad it is also been performing for twenty from the BART station. If it does, years.

The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 - PAGE 5 CHARTER (continued from page one)

buildings on one of three par- see will be remaining, because The first phase of the purchase big investment would be sustain- directly over the campus, the The Alameda County Air- cels. They would be used for its use in the video production and adaption of construction will able over the next 20 or 30 years aircraft are at sufficient altitude port Land Use Commission was K-8 classrooms, and related business ties in with the school’s cost $25 million. By the time and beyond, Batchelor said, “I so that safety is not a “significant scheduled to look at the issue functions. Another parcel has an use. The other tenant will sign an the whole plan is in operation, am confident about the support factor.” at its meeting Dec. 15, after the 80,000 square foot building. That agreement addressing when it is including theater and gym con- over the years. We offer a nice “The way the flight paths are Independent’s deadline. The will house the high school. expected to depart. struction, the cost will be around addition to the community.” laid out there, with aircraft at commission can recommend The high school enrollment “We’ve gone through prob- $45 million to $50 million, said AIRPORT NOISE altitude, most (pilots) would be mitigation measures for the is 80 students this year in its first ably 15 sites to find the right Batchelor. RAISED AS CONCERN able to make a runway, one part school. year of operation as a freshman location. This works from the Charter school financing The new site is seven-tenths of of it or another if there were flight However, none of the aero- class. The school will add stu- financial standpoint. It’s the only works differently from state a mile from the main runway of trouble,” said Wheeler. nautical agencies have the power dents each year. site that works for our needs,” public school financing. The the Livermore Airport. Leander “The public view of safety is to ban schools from an airport Commercial firms that are said Batchelor. charter school will be selling a Hauri, the airport’s manager, different from most pilots. It’s a safety zone. already occupying offices in the The first phase of the devel- $25 million municipal revenue wrote to the state transporta- subjective thing. We try to edu- Batchelor said that with the future high school building will opment will be finishing the bond for the first phase, then tion department’s aeronautics cate people about that,” he said. walls still to be finished inside at be partitioned off, so they can re- building interiors, then moving paying it back out of its general division strongly recommend- Noise in classrooms would the site, there is excellent oppor- main for years, until class growth the K-8 students in during 2011. fund, plus corporate sponsor- ing that alternative locations be be a bigger factor, said Wheeler. tunity to install sound-proofing requires the whole building, said They currently attend Sonoma ships, and private donations, said found for the charter school. He The commission warned the to mitigate aircraft noise. Batchelor. School, which the charter school Batchelor. is concerned about safety and Pleasanton school district about As to safety, the site is not at A vacant lot between the two rents from the Livermore school Use of $7 million in federal noise considerations. building Mohr school where it the end of the runway, but north office complexes will be con- district. stimulus funds for construction is Hauri informed the city’s air- did in the flight zone west of of its east-west runway layout. verted into sports fields. There The high school is using also being contemplated. Howev- port commission at its meeting the airport. The district built the “Our current high school loca- also will be construction there of Junction Avenue School, which er, the payback on the loan might Dec. 13 about the letter. Com- school anyway. The airport con- tion (at Junction school) is also a gym and a theater. houses the current ninth grade, not be as easy to accomplish as mission Chairman Gene Wheeler tinues to receive complaints from in the airport flight zone,” said All but two of the 16 small until the new campus is ready other financing, said Batchelor. told the Independent that al- Mohr parents about the noise, Batchelor. buildings are vacant. One les- for them. Asked about whether such a though planes will fly eastward said Wheeler. Two Sandia Projects Awarded 65 Million Hours of Supercomputer Time Two projects led by research- is a great example of how invest- efficient solar cells, improve- Research,” with his colleague, serves as co-investigator. The Mark Taylor, is participating in ers at Sandia National Labora- ments in innovation can help lead ments in biofuel production, Jackie Chen, serving as co-inves- project was awarded 5 million two other proposals that were tories’ Combustion Research the way to new industries, new and more effective medications tigator. Oefelein and Chen were hours on the IBM Blue Gene/p granted 110 million and 35 mil- Facility (CRF) and Computer jobs and new opportunities for to help slow the progression of awarded 60 million hours on the (“Intrepid”) machine. Evensky lion hours. Sandia’s Taylor is a Sciences and Information Sys- America to succeed in the global Parkinson’s disease. Cray XT5 (“Jaguar”) machine at and Janssen’s project focuses on co-investigator on “Climate-Sci- tems Center have been awarded marketplace.” This year’s INCITE awards Oak Ridge National Laboratory. “exascale” computing and is the ence Computational Develop- 65 million hours on two Depart- Awarded on a competitive are the largest ever awards of Oefelein and Chen’s project validation part of a larger effort ment Team: The Climate End ment of Energy (DOE) super- basis, many of the new and the department’s supercomput- aims to provide new insights to help researchers co-design ap- Station II,” led by the National computers through the DOE’s continuing INCITE projects ing time. A total of 1.7 billion into the dynamics of turbulent plications, runtimes, and systems Center for Atmospheric Re- Innovative and Novel Compu- aim to further renewable energy processor hours were granted to combustion processes in inter- for future exascale computing, search, and on “Numerical Study tational Impact on Theory and solutions and understand of the 57 innovative research projects nal combustion engines, and to considered the next great leap in of Multiscale Coupling in Low- Experiment (INCITE) program. environmental impacts of energy – using computer simulations to maximize the collective benefits size for computers. Aspect Ratio Rotating Stratified The research projects utilize two use. The program, open to all sci- perform virtual experiments that of those insights through collabo- • A third Sandia researcher, Turbulence,” led by Los Alamos world-leading supercomputers entists, is supported by the DOE’s in most cases would be impos- rations between the researchers National Laboratory. with a computational capacity Office of Science and managed sible or impractical in the natural involved. roughly equal to 135,000 quad- by the DOE Leadership Com- world. • David Evensky, a computer core laptops. puting Facilities at Argonne and The two projects led by Sandia software researcher at Sandia, is “The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge national laboratories, researchers are the following: principal investigator for “Trace supercomputers provide an enor- which host some of the world’s • Sandia’s Joe Oefelein is Collection for Simulation-Driven mous competitive advantage for fastest supercomputers. the principal investigator on Co-design of Exascale Platforms the United States,” U.S. Energy INCITE projects could help “High-Fidelity Simulations for and Codes.” Sandia’s Curtis Jans- Secretary Steven Chu said. “This speed the development of more Advanced Engine Combustion sen, also a computer scientist, Fourth Giant Planet Identified Astronomers have discovered ever closer to their stars,” said toral researcher at LLNL’s Insti- ets, both systems also contain two a fourth giant planet, joining three Christian Marois, a former LLNL tute of Geophysics and Planetary so-called ‘debris belts’ composed others that, in 2008, were the sub- postdoc now at NRC, and first Physics and a key author of the of small rocky and/or icy objects ject of the first-ever pictures of a author of the new paper. paper, stated “The implication along with lots of tiny dust par- planetary system orbiting another If this newly discovered planet is that we have truly found a ticles, similar to the asteroid and star other than our sun. were located in orbit around our unique new system of planets. Kuiper comet belts of our solar The solar system, discovered sun, it would lie between Saturn We don’t yet know if the system system,” noted co-author Ben by a team from Lawrence Liver- and Uranus. At about 30 million will last for billions of years, or Zuckerman, a professor of phys- more National Laboratory and years old, this giant version of fall apart in a few million more. ics and astronomy at UCLA. the National Research Council of our solar system is young com- As astronomers carefully follow Canada (NRC) Herzberg Institute pared to our system, which is the HR8799 planets during the of Astrophysics with collabora- about 4.6 billion years old. coming decades, the question of tors at University of California, Though the system is very just how stable their orbits are Los Angeles and Lowell Observa- much like our own, it is much could become much clearer.” tory, orbits around a dusty young more extreme. The combined The origin of these four giant star named HR8799, which is 129 mass of the four giant planets planets remains a puzzle. It nei- light years away. All four planets may be 20 times higher, and ther follows the “core accretion” are roughly five to seven times the asteroid and comet belts are model, in which planets form the mass of Jupiter. dense and turbulent. In fact, the gradually close to stars where the Now, the same research team massive planets’ pull on each dust and gas are thick or the “disk has discovered a fourth planet other gravitationally. The system fragmentation” model in which that is about seven times the may be on the verge of falling a turbulent planet-forming disk mass of Jupiter. Using high- apart. rapidly cools and collapses out contrast, near infrared adaptive Lawrence Livermore scien- at its edges. Bruce Macintosh, optics on the Keck II telescope tists simulated millions of years a senior scientist at LLNL and in Hawaii, the astronomers im- of evolution of the system, and the principal investigator for the aged the fourth planet (dubbed showed that to have survived Keck Observatory program, said, HR8799e) in 2009 and confirmed this long, the three inner planets “There’s no simple model that its existence and orbit in 2010. may have to orbit like clockwork, can make all four planets at their The research appears in the Dec. with the new planet going around current location. It’s a challenge 8 edition of the journal Nature. the star exactly four times while for our theoretical colleagues.” “The images of this new in- the second planet finishes two Previous observations had ner planet in the system is the orbits in the time it takes the outer shown evidence for a dusty aster- culmination of 10 years worth planet to complete one. This be- oid belt orbiting closer to the star. of innovation, making steady havior was first seen in the moons The new planet’s gravity helps progress to optimize every obser- of Jupiter but has never before account for the location of those vation and analysis step to allow been seen on this scale. asteroids, confining their orbits. the detection of planets located Quinn Konopacky, a postdoc- “Besides having four giant plan-

Information Sought on Bank Robbery Union Bank on Hopyard Road He was wearing baggie clothing. be associated with the robbery. in Pleasanton as held up by two The second suspect, also wearing Anyone with information men at about noon yesterday. baggie clothing, was described as about the crime, should call the A call to the Pleasanton Po- 5’8" to 5’11" tall. An older model Pleasanton Police Department at lice dispatcher reported two white Honda Prelude was seen 931-5100. armed men with handguns. The leaving the court where the stolen two were wearing black hooded vehicle was recovered and may sweatshirts and ski type masks to cover their faces. The suspects entered the bank. One of the men jumped over the counter and approached employees, while the other male approached customers and em- ployees in the office area of the bank. They got away with an undisclosed amount of money. They drove off with a third sus- pect who had been waiting in a vehicle. The car was determined to have been stolen in Emeryville on Dec. 13. The two suspects were pos- sibly black adult males. One was described as 5’6" to 5’11" tall. PAGE 6 - The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010

Pictured are members of the Pleasanton Rage U12 White girls The Pleasanton Rage U12 Broncos advanced to the finals of the Crossroads Invitational Soccer Tournament with shutout Springtime Tumbling and Trampoline team members pictured team that advanced to the finals of the State Cup Silver division are (top row) David Davisson, Morgan Raschein, Anna O'Brien; after a pair of impressive victories this weekend. The Rage will victories this past weekend. The Broncos lost in the final to Fremont in a close match marked by outstanding defense by both (middle row) Kaitlyn Clevenger, Delaney Foote, Shoshana Cohen, play in the finals this weekend in Woodland. The game results Kendall Aasen, Jeremy Pigford; (front) Sabra Wilson. are in Sports Notes. teams and a 1-0 victory to Fremont. The Broncos are pictured wearing their 2nd place tournament medals. Pictured are (back row) Coach David Meissner; (middle row) Michelle Wood, Cleo Youth Soccer controlling most of the play. Finally with 5 Burley, Emma Long, Alex Sanchez, Allie Udelhoven, Caroline Ruloma opened the scoring with a line drive off the crossbar. RJ Atwal got the Crush The Pleasanton Rage U12 White girls minutes to go in the half Ryan Murphy beat past the Monsoon goalie. Shortly after that on the scoreboard with a left footed strike advanced to the finals of the State Cup Silver the Magic keeper with a hard shot from 25 Clark, Coach Corinna Meissner, Nagisa Smalheiser, Talia Florio, goal, Jenna Dobson unleashed a rocket from midway through the second half. Carmen division after a pair of impressive victories yards out. Murphy had received a nice pass Arabelle Franco and Gabby Sanchez; and (front row) Alex her left wing position that caromed off the Best and Dorothy Richards played solid this weekend. On Saturday night under the from Sami Lai to setup the goal. The Rage post before finding its way to Ruloma for games at both ends of the field to keep the lights at Fallon Sports Park in Dublin, the U12 White went into halftime with a 1-0 lead. Landry, Emilee Hansen, Niva Ranavat, Nicolina Priess, Audrey the put back and a 2-0 lead. RJ Atwal and Crush alive. Jenna Dobson initiated the In the 2nd half it appeared that the Magic Rage U12 White beat the Milpitas MXG 6-1. Photo - Marianne O'Farrell Natalie Palomo rounded out the scoring game winning drive running down a ball The Rage U12 White opened the scoring just was going to going to even the score when Little, Aoife O'Farrell, Elizabeth Chiou. while Mackenzie Schley overcame an injury deep into Chaos territory and feeding it to minutes into the game with a goal from Mira there was a mad scramble in front of the Rage to anchor the Crush defense. Brittney Turner who popped it in the goal. Greenlee who scored after receiving a nice goal. But goalie Izzy Neads and defenders The second match of the tournament The game winner put the Crush into the Jenyce Dutcher and Kate Rademann was pass from LaLinda Xu. Just a few minutes scoring opportunities and prevented many pitted Livermore against their league rivals championship game to face another league later, Greenlee scored again after receiving able to save the day by clearing the ball from the Mustang Extreme for the third meeting rival in Mustang United. the Rage goal. A few minutes later, the Rage The Pleasanton Rage U13 Grey of the counter attacks. Defense was led by a pass from Xu. The Rage U12 Rage kept up team has qualified for the Norcal State Megan Shackley, Miranda Spring, Alyssa between these two very evenly matched The championship went to the Crush by the scoring when Olivia Verbeck scored from U12 White was able to add to their lead when teams. A smart feed from midfielder RJ a score of 2-1. Brittney Turner and Jessica Lalinda Xu beat the Magic goalie with a hard Cup Championship game next Saturday Chau and Bailey Sanchez. Top Offensive 25 yards out by putting the ball too high for in Woodland California. Rage reached the Players: Jazmin Merchant, Avery Jones, Atwal to Brianna Ruloma put the Crush up Casey provided the scoring while Helga the Milpitas goalie to reach. With about 10 shot to the top corner of the goal. Xu's goal 1-0. That was all the offense the Crush could Forstreuter and Natalie Palomo came through was setup after a pass from Alyssa Bardakos. finals by defeating the Union City Outlaws Erin Overland,Olivia Christensen, Gaby minutes to go in 1st half Shanece Hunsaker in the Quarterfinals on Saturday by a score Cabrera, Amanda Chun; Top Defensive muster but proved to be all they would need. with solid field work. Defensively, Devin ran past the Milpitas defense and scored over The Rage U12 White kept up the pressure The Extreme managed a goal of their own Everett and Meghan Lawrence were very in the 2nd half with Belle Henry, Shanece of 2-0, on goals by Jazmin Merchant and Players: Megan Shackley, Miranda Spring, outstretched hands of the Milpitas goalie. Avery Jones. Alyssa Chau and Bailey Sanchez. and from there, the Crush relied on the sound active and goalie Kat Rowe made a series Sami Lai then finished the scoring in the Hunsaker and Sami Lai almost scoring once defensive work of Mackenzie Schley, Jessica of outstanding saves. Over the course of the again. The Central Marin Magic tried to In Sunday's Semi-final game they de- 1st half by beating the Milpitas keeper with feated the Cal Odyssey team from Clovis The Livermore Crush U14 closed out Casey, Meghan Lawrence, Jordan Volponi season, the players grew into a strong and a shot to the corner. The Rage U12 White attack back but Rage midfielders Mckenna and Devin Everett to hold on for the tie gain- cohesive team under the leadership of an Moura, Sophie Adams, Emily Mickelson 1-0, on a terrific breakaway goal by forward a spectacular season by claiming the cham- went into halftime with a 5-0 lead. The Rage Jazmin Merchant. On both Semifinal and pionship at the San Ramon Sunset Soccer ing valuable tournament points. outstanding coaching staff. The Crush were U12 White kept up the pressure in the 2nd and Madison Soble controlled the middle On Sunday, with weather conditions led by head coach Jorge Palomo and assistants of the field and just wouldn't let the Magic Quarterfinal games goalie Dalia Shafi made Tournament. As they had all season, the half and scored when Lalinda Xu found the tremendous saves to keep the opponents Crush received contributions from all play- worsening and rain impacting play, the Art Ruloma and Dave Dobson. corner of the net after receiving a nice pass get anything going. When the Magic did Crush faced Pleasanton’s Rage Chaos. The get the ball down in the Rage end of the scoreless. Precise passing and aggressive ers allowing them to win the tournament from Alyssa Bardakos. Xu's goal finished play by midfielders and forwards Olivia against the top recreational teams in the Chaos broke through first but a determined the scoring for Rage. field, Rage defenders Haley Beltran, Jencye Livermore team battled back. Jordan Vol- Springtime Tumbling Dutcher and Katey Rademann were there to Christensen, Gaby Cabrera, Darcy Kron, Tri-Valley area. Sunday morning, the Rage U12 White Amanda Chun, Taylor Campbell, Sabrina The first game put the Crush up against poni nearly tied the game with a blast to was back at it again with a match against clear the ball from the Rage end of the field. the upper reaches of the goal, but a great and Trampoline The Rage advanced the Finals this weekend D'Ambrosio, Emma Theroux, Kailyn Cole- the San Ramon Blue Monsoon and featured a Livermore's Springtime Tumbling and the Central Marin Magic. The 1st half was man and Erin Overland set up many of the potent Crush attack in a 4-1 victory. Brianna save by the Chaos goalie deflected the ball Trampoline hosted the "It's the Season" a tense battle with the Rage U12 White girls in Woodland with an impressive 2-0 victory over the Magic. The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 - PAGE 7

Tumbling and Trampoline meet on December 5. Nine athletes from Springtime competed in three events: Trampoline, Double-Mini Trampoline, and Tumbling. The results for the Springtime athletes are: Sabra Wilson (8-under): Level 6 Tram- poline First Place 24.9; Level 5 Double Mini First Place 56.6; Level 4 Tumbling First Place 53.1 Kaitlyn Clevenger (9-12): Level 7 Trampoline First Place 23.0; Level 7 Double Mini Third Place 55.4; Level 6 Tumbling First Place 52.4 Morgan Raschein (9-12): Level 5 Tram- poline First Place 25.5; Level 6 Double-Mini First Place 47.0 Shoshana Cohen (9-12): Level 6 Tram- poline First Place 24.7; Level 7 Double-Mini Second Place 57.3; Level 5 Tumbling First Place 45.5 Anna O'Brien (9-12): Level 7 Trampoline Second Place 9.1; Level 7 Double-Mini First Place 58.2 Delaney Foote (9-12): Level 8 Trampo- line First Place 43.5; Level 8 Double-Mini First Place 60.6; Level 6 Tumbling Second Place 52.0 Kendall Aasen (13-up): Level 7 Tram- poline Second Place 24.8; Level 8 Double- The 6th grade A CYO basketball team, coached by Tom Olsen, Mini First Place 58.1; Level 7 Tumbling First Place 55.0 played in the Sacramento Area Sports Winter 2010-2011 Series David Davisson (9-12): Level 6 Trampo- on Saturday, December 11th and won the championship. line Second Place 23.7; Level 6 Double-Mini Second Place 57.3 The Magnificent Seven, Wesley Katz, Bryce Disbrow, Braden Jeremy Pigford (9-12): Level 7 Trampo- Jackson, Zach Patterson, Austin Curtis, CJ Malski, and Jordan line First Place 24.6; Level 7 Double-Mini First Place 57.9; Level 6 Tumbling Second Buranis, won all three games they played. They were presented Place 52.1. with 1st place trophies after their final win. Livermore Aquacowboys Shahini Ananth, Nathan Boas and Bren- dan Schierloh represented the Livermore Greg Pfingsteins showed amazing skills in contact David Perotti at (925) 586-2811 or Aquacowboys at Pacific Swimming Senior their 6-22 win. [email protected] or check website Championships held 12/10-12/12/10. • • • www.eteamz.com/lvb Brendan Schierloh placed 4th in the SM/SC 1st and 2nd grade girls Shooting Photo - Doug Jorgensen 200 breast. Nathan Boas earned new Sharks played a fantastic game against The Junior Olympic qualifying times in the Shooting Stars. Top players for Shooting Youth Basketball League Granada High School's goalie goes up for a save in the Matadors' 4 to 1 win over Amador Valley 100 breast, 200 IM and 400 IM. Shahini Sharks: Gianna DeMayo (Defense), Lauren Registration is now open for Lay-Ups - a High School. The match, played last Thursday, was the start of the EBAL soccer season. Ananth earned New Best Times in the 50 Gonzalez (Offense) and Britany Pettit (All youth basketball program offering leagues for free and 100 free. Around). Top players for The Shooting children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. For more information about the Liver- Stars: Mackenzie Hoffman (Defense), The 8-week season begins Jan. 22, 2011. more Aquacowboys, please contact us at Brooke Allen (Offense) and Kendall Waugh There are several locations available. Lay- 925-443-7700, at www.lacswimming.com, (All Around). Ups is an introductory and non-competitive or find us on Facebook. basketball program. All the components of the program are geared toward making each be holding Player Evaluation Sessions for Pleasanton Seahawks participant feel successful. The players use all players in 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th grades. Tri-Valley Judo The Pleasanton Seahawks (PLS) hosted smaller, age-appropriate sized basketballs. Attending a player evaluation session is Eighteen members from Tri-Valley the Pacific Swimming 14-Under Junior The hoops are lowered to 8'. The games mandatory for all players. Following Judo competed at the City College of San Olympics, December 3 to 5. In addition to are played 4-on-4 so each player has more those evaluations, there will be tryouts for Francisco Judo tournament on December 5. many new cuts and best times, new team opportunity to touch the ball. The registra- the “Black” Divisions. The goals for these Of the 18 competitors, 15 finished within the and national rankings were part of their tion fee is $95, which includes the 8-week sessions are two-fold: 1) to make sure all top three with 5 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze impressive, three day performance. Out of season, a Lay-Ups t-shirt, and a Lay-Ups players are assigned to the correct level of medals. Team members are Rachael Butler, 95 teams, PLS placed sixth. basketball. Register on-line at www.Lay- play for their skill level and experience and Alyssa Fraino, Camaryn Butler, Misael Best times: Tim Yao (1), Olivier Rooney Ups.com, or call (503) 799-9293 for further 2) to balance the teams in each age group to Macias, Amanda Eugenio, Monique Shah, (1), Miranda Heckman (6) information. the best of our ability to balance competition Sean Fraino, Brenton Hsu; (front row) Kurt New Far Western Cuts: Analese Chinn and maximize everyone’s enjoyment. For Khaustov, Kira Mui, Rishik Manthana, Kyle (1), Eva Chung (5), Maggie Kauffeld (5), 7th & 8th grade players, we will not have Mui, Devon Shah, Abby Lahann -Rodrigues, Regis Lachance (3), Moriah Simonds (1), Jeff Fastpitch Try-outs Player Evaluation Sessions this year, but we Maciel, Keely Mui, Ananth Goyal, Katherine Tang (4), Michael Yao (1), Brian Lee (1) Lady Hustle will be holding try-outs will have Black Division Tryouts for those Khaustov, and Josh Rodrigues. New Pacific Reportable Time (PRT) for their 18 Gold, 18A, 16A and two 14A wishing to be considered for that division. Cuts: Regis Lachance 3 (3), Maggie Kauffeld softball teams on December 4th and 5th from All Player Evaluation Sessions and Black (1), Jeff Tang (1) 9am-2pm. Try-outs will be held at Robertson Division Tryouts (all age groups) will be held CYO Basketball Junior Olympic Champions from the Pre Park and Double Diamond Sports Academy in January 2011. Additional information and St. Michael's/St. Charles (SM/SC) 6th Senior group are Maxime Rooney, Jeff Tang, in Livermore. Please go to www.ladyhustle- a detailed schedule for all of these sessions grade Spartans CYO basketball team #604 Regis Lachance, and Michael Yao, as they fastpitch.com to register and obtain more will be posted on the league web site in mid- lost to St. Isidore #602 33-30 in a close, well placed first in the 400 free relay. information. Any questions, you may call December (www.pleasantonsoftball.org). played game Sunday. Both teams moved Maxime Rooney led all PLS swimmers Teresa Borchard 925-785-0846. the ball around well and had tight defenses. with notable wins in the 100 free, 500 free, The Spartans were led by Frank Gomes, and the 1650 free. He set new PLS Team Bowling News who scored 8 points, while P.J. Kalcic and Records in the 11-12 boys Short Course 50 In the 4 Seasons Heating & Air League Kavan Bagatelos each chipped in 6 points. back, 50 fly, 100 fly, and 100 IM. He also Bocce Kits for Rent Dave Erwin bowled 225, 217 & 279 for a went 4:59 in the 500 free, only the second Following the debut of two new bocce Patrick Schwartz led the defensive end of the courts at the freshly renovated Bothwell 721 series that was 133 pins over average at game pulling down 6 rebounds and scoring 2 in team history under the 5:00 minute mark. the Granada Bowl in Livermore. Gil Criste His performance from the weekend will give Park, the Livermore Area Recreation and points. Jacob Murdoch played an all-around Park District is now making bocce ball kits rolled 279, 237 & 217 for a 733 series. game with excellent passing, 5 assists, and him the following National Top Ten rankings, Duane Moschetti, in the Practice Kings & 100 free (4th), 200 free (4th), 500 free (3rd), available for rent to the public. 4 rebounds. Bocce ball kits can be checked out for a Queens League, bowled a 226, 267 & 247 Pleasanton Seahawk swimmers at Nationals in Ohio are (left to • • • 1000 free (4th), 1650 free (5th), 50 back (6th), for a 740 series. 50 fly (6th), and 100 IM (4th). week at a time from the Robert Livermore right) Allison Brown, Kristine Doan, Nick Silverthorn, Catherine Jordan Volponi and Elizabeth Fleming Community Center. The kits are available at Jeremy Stuber, in the Generation Gap played their best and toughest game to date Seahawk swimmers Catherine Breed, League, rolled a 256 game and Austin Allison Brown, Kristine Doan, Tory Houston, the front counter from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Breed, Tory Houston, Coach Steve Morsilli, and Celina Li. against an aggressive St. Raymond’s team Monday through Friday. Stuber a 226. Aaron Fick in the Getaway in the most anticipated game this season. Celina Li and Nick Silverthorn qualified for Fours League bowled a 278 game, Jeff Cote Nationals at Ohio State University which Rental for one week is $20, plus a $40 The SM/SC 8th grade girls suffered a loss refundable deposit by credit card or cash – a 257, Bill Deuell 257, Kevin Mon 235, Fred but not for lack of trying. The Wolfpack took place the same week, December 2 to Brandenburg 223, Lee Pettus 213 and Sean 4. Allison Brown scored in two individual total of $60. The $40 deposit is refundable if exchanged the lead a few times in the first equipment is returned in good condition. Kits Kyle 207. Randy Miller in the Match Point half with consistent focus and determination. events (500 free/1650 free), and our Women League rolled a 268 game, Gene Tanaka 254 Erwin 246, Steve Lloyd 246, Joe DeLise 246, (Catherine Breed, Allison Brown, Kristine are rented on a first-come, first-served basis; Mixers League bowled a 256 game, Clint But out of control play finally took its toll on reservations are not available in advance. and Roy McCord 236. Brandon Klinefelter Gabe Donohue 239 and Mike Stephenson McFaddin 233, Dick Braden 225, Paul Guer- the Pack with injuries sidelining the leading Doan and Celina Li) scored in all five relays. in the 4 Seasons Heating & Air rolled a 256 237. Charlie Butkiewicz in the Early Years The women’s team finished 16th place in Rental of a bocce ball kit does not guarantee rero 220, Janelle Carey 214, Bill Nawrocki scorers as they watched the score slowly a bocce ball court will be available. game, Mike Quzada 246, Mike Adema 244, Fun Time League bowled a 256 game and 213 and Rose Nelson 211. Rich Baguio in slipping through their fingers. But the Pack team scoring. Nick Silverthorn set three Pat Riley 244, Maria Lockridge 241, Steve Biff Krekling 201. Nick Tehero in the Family 13-14 Pacific Swimming Records and two The Robert Livermore Community Cen- the Friday Primetimers League rolled a 212 held strong to the finish with unprecedented ter is located at 4444 East Ave., Livermore. Choate 238, Gabe Donohue 236, Billy Mc- Affair League rolled a 219. game and John Foscalina 211. performances by Centers, Kirah Van Trease National Records at the meet. Nick’s 200 Clain 233 and Bill Lindke Jr. 233. Craig Senior Bowler Frank Cerros in the Mon- free (1.38.94) broke Ian Crocker’s record Bothwell Park is located at 2466 Eighth Youth Bowler Ross Anderson in the and Jessican Elfin, under the basket grabbing St., Livermore. For more information, call Truscott in the Practice Kings & Queens day Primetimers League bowled a 225 game, Generation Gap League bowled a 244 11 rebounds and scoring 10 points. Elizabeth from 1997 and his 400 Individual Medley League bowled a 268 game and Russ Rich Harris 203, Charles Henerson 201 and (3.55.01) shattered the record established by 925-373-5700. game, Brandon Arnold 236, Curtis Agness had an additional 8 rebounds along with a Overcash 235. Ray Salas in the Cheyenne Rich Baguio 200. Alma Taasevigen in the 211, Phillip Jarrett 209 and Kevin Kutchera strong presence in the forward position shut- Michael Phelps in 2000. See www.pleasan- League rolled a 258 game, Dave DeBus 257, Sirs & Sirettes League rolled a 223 game and tonseahawks.org for more information. 206. Jeoffrey Anderson in the Family Affair ting down St. Raymonds from scoring down Jim Moeller 254, Glen Thompson 248, Dave Paul Guerrero 203. Tom Crane in the Donna's League rolled a 204 game. low. Jordan held strong in the guard position Lacrosse Coach even against an overly aggressive opponent, Granada High School is looking for a showing she would not be grounded. Freshmen Soccer head varsity boys lacrosse coach. Please • • • The high school freshman girls' soccer contact Clark Conover AD cconover@ It was another fantastic win by the 5th team from Amador Valley defeated Granada lvjusd.k12.ca.us or call 925-606-4800. grade girls SM/SC Swoosh team beating St. 2-0 on 12/11/2010. Both teams played a very Joan 21-9. For the 4th straight week, the balanced game until Ali Gonsnan scored Swoosh girls played heads up basketball, on a high looping shot from about 35 yards Basketball Tournament Walk to Wellness Day Set for heavily relying on each other to move the out at 38:30 to put the Dons ahead 1-0 at This December will mark the fifth an- ball down court, play tough defense and find halftime. Ali Racer of Amador Valley added nual year for the Holiday Classic Basketball the open player for the score. Point Guard, the second score from about 15 yards out at Tournament, organized by the Livermore December 31 in Pleasanton Area Recreation and Park District. The Maddy Valone and Katie Fournier, lead the 68:30. Granada pressed hard on offense and have raised $5,000 for PPIE. event: Joanie Fields (462-4312 or defensive effort shutting down the St. Joan several shots were stopped at short range or tournament is scheduled for Dec. 17 to 23 For a fun and easy way to have momentum at the top of the key, with Katie deflected off the edge of the goal in the gymnasium at the Robert Livermore a healthy ending to 2010 and a Community members are [email protected]); W. having a team high 8 rebounds. Nicole Bar- Community Center. volunteering to lead “Walk With Ron Sutton (580-5961); or Jerri tels, Katie Gomez and Maddy took control of The event is open to youth basketball head start on New Year’s resolu- the game early and never looked back putting teams from third to seventh grades, broken tions, mark the calendar to join Me” loop walks every 30 min- Long (462-5164 or JPanLong@ Holiday Climbing Camp down into two tournaments. One tournament up 41 attempts and dropping in 15 points. Holiday Climbing Camp will be of- the World Walk to Wellness Day utes, and/or to sponsor monthly aol.com). Center, Emma Zika, put the game out of reach fered at the Valley Rock Gym, operated by will be held Dec. 17, 18 and 20 for boys and for St. Joan by sinking in another 4 points in the Livermore Area Recreation and Park girls in third through fifth grades. The second in the Sports Park on Hopyard walks throughout 2011. “Walk In the works is an updated the 4th quarter, grabbing 6 rebounds, creating District. The Holiday Climbing Camp offers tournament will be Dec. 21, 22 and 23 for Road between 7:00-10:00 a.m. With Me” leaders already include website located at www.world- turnovers and blocking multiple shots in the participants a chance to try out the gym at boys and girls in sixth and seventh grades. key. Emily March had her best game of the a time when it is not open to the public, so Team registration is due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 31, and/or “Mr. Pedometer” (AKA Ron Sut- walktowellness.org where details season with 7 attempts, 2 points, 2 steals, campers will have the indoor rock walls all Monday, Dec. 13. Registration is $215, the World Walk to Wellness ton, CEO of ACCUSPLIT), Ward will be posted about walks tenta- 7 rebounds and snagging a jump ball. The to themselves. which includes Holiday Classic T-shirts for team has compiled a 4-0 record. Rock gym staff will provide formal the team. Each team plays a minimum of Festival the on Saturday, Janu- Belding (AKA vocalist “Uncle tively scheduled for the mornings • • • group instruction that focuses on movement, three games. Sam”), city councilmember Jerry The tournament will feature a snack bar, ary 8, at the Pleasanton Public of February 26, March 19, April The 5th Grade Boys Catholic Commu- technique, belaying, equipment and knots. Thorne, community leader Do- nity of Pleasanton (CCOP) Tigers defeated There will be a 15-minute break each day, so and admission for spectators is $3 for adults Library. 9, May 4, and June 1 – with more SM/SC Lightning Bolts. Both Joey Stangl campers are encouraged to bring a snack. and free to those younger than 18. The Robert lores Bengtson, and Jill Daniel, to come. Livermore Community Center is located at “This is the time of year when and Tyler Doyle of the Lightening Bolts The four-day Holiday Climbing Camp is registered dietician. Leaders scored 2 points each with Trevor Kerby and open to ages 7 to 14 and costs $115, including 4444 East Ave., Livermore. Registration many of us are making New Junior Saulovich leading in rebounds. Caleb equipment rental. Camp will be held from 1 forms are available on the Youth Sports page Year’s resolutions,” said W. Ron will be available to answer your Harris and Dawson of CCOP were the high to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, of the LARPD website. For more informa- questions while you take a walk scorers. Any Tran had 6 steals and Alexander Dec. 23, at Valley Rock Gym, 2455 Railroad tion, contact Michael Sa at 925-373-5733 or Sutton, founder of World Walk to Owen with 10 rebounds. Ave., Livermore. To register for the camp, [email protected]. Wellness. “We know that walking in one of the community’s most • • • call 925-373-5700 or visit www.larpd.dst. is good for us, and that we should beautiful parks – or downtown. The SM/SC 1st/2nd grade 2BN4 Warriors ca.us. Register by Dec. 13 to ensure a spot played the 2BN5 Saints. For the Warriors, in the camp. NorCal Grizzlies Baseball make it part of our daily routine. The World Walk to Wellness Charlie Latkowski was super aggressive on NorCal Grizzlies Baseball is currently Lots of research has shown that Festival will be held at the Pleas- defensive. Ben Wiesner had a great pass- evaluating players ages 9U thru 14U for 2011 ing game and Joey Villarreal and Matthew Grizzlies Baseball spring tournament baseball season. Season the ‘buddy system’ is the best anton Public Library on Saturday, Villarreal played a strong all around game. NorCal Grizzlies Baseball is now holding runs through July and includes 13 local tour- way to commit to an active life- January 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the Saints, Austin Melendez and Cooper evaluations for positions on the 2011 spring naments, 1 tournament in SoCal, 2x weekly Meyer were tough rebounders and Antonio tournament teams - ages 9U through 14U. practices at indoor training facility and out- style for a whole year: Friends Health tips will be available at Rivalie played awesome defense. Evaluations take place at the indoor door fields, and complete uniform package. booths inside the library’s com- Please contact Tom Graham, Head Coach, at encourage friends to keep on • • • training facility in Livermore. munity room. Then take an easy SM/SC CYO 4th grade boys' team, aka Teams will compete in 14 tournaments 925-922-5050 or [email protected]. walking. The World Walk to Club Penguin, was outscored by St. Isidore's beginning in February and ending in July. Schedule an evaluation at www.norcalgriz- stroll down Main Street, on your zlies.org/2011springballreg.html. Wellness is an easy, fun way to 20-2 in a game that started out close. For St. Practices are twice a week during the eve- own or with a “Walk With Me” Isidore, Ryan Smolen scored eight points, nings. Sessions will be conducted by both get started. During 2011, watch while Connor Pletkin and Ethan Rios each individual team coaches and other instructors for monthly follow-up events to leader. As with the December scored four. Defensive standout Asher covering all aspects of the game. PGSL Registration 31 kick-off event, the Walk to Lanzone had 15 rebounds for the winning For additional information, contact Tom 2011 Registration is now open for help you keep active.” team. Club Penguin never gave up and every Graham at 922-5050 or tomg@norcalgriz- all divisions in the Pleasanton Phantom The annual event on Decem- Wellness Festival will include an player took so many great shots. Offensive zlies.org or visit www.norcalgrizzlies.org. Girls Softball League. All girls living in opportunity to support PPIE with recognition goes out to Eric Valdez, who Pleasanton , Dublin and Sunol are eligible ber 31 includes the opportunity to scored the basket for the team, as well as to play. Two ways to register: 1) Online support Pleasanton Partnerships voluntary contributions. Xavier Pelican and Logan Finch who took at www.pleasantonsoftball.org; 2) Mail- Contact one of the following shots whenever possible (well over a half Baseball Camp in: PGSL, P.O. Box 911 , Pleasanton , CA in Education (PPIE) Foundation, Livermore High Varsity Baseball Coach 94566 (download a registration form from volunteers to lead or sponsor a dozen shots apiece). Defensive cheers were David Perotti is hosting a winter baseball with suggested, but not required, well earned by Brandon Harvey with three our website). Late fee of $25 applied after camp on December 20-22. Each camper will 11/30/10. For more information or ques- donations of $5 per walker. Each World Walk to Wellness 2011 rebounds and three steals, Xavier Pelican receive individual instruction from coaches with three rebounds and two steals, and Ben tions, email Christine Tanis at christine.t@ donation (up to $20) will be and Livermore High players, a snack each pleasantonsoftball.org. Leggat with three steals. day and a camp shirt. The 5-12 year old matched by ACCUSPLIT, spon- • • • camp costs $125 and runs from 9:00-12:00 SM/SC 408 Gladiators vs St. Joan 403 Player Evaluations and Tryouts: sor of the event, to help support everyday. If you sign up before December Players in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, & (6-22): Aggressive play from the Gladia- 15th (post marked), pay only $105. The PPIE Wellness Grants for our tors, baskets by Camron McGee and Ryan 8th grades, please read the following infor- camp is being held at Livermore High Var- mation carefully: In an effort to continue local schools. Past years’ walks Heise and still they were defeated. St. Joan's sity Field. For more info to sign up please Matthew Hoffman, Aman Sankineni and to improve players’ experience, PGSL will PAGE 8 - The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010

Photographer Chuck Deckert traveled with the Catholic Community of Pleasanton Music Ministry group, recording the group as it performed in Rome and Assisi, Italy. ‘Magic Moments’ Mark Choir’s Visit to Italy By Ron McNicoll members. Italian. the pilgrims came at a Mass at the choir. He has been director at cellist for the Oakland/Eastbay The rain had let up on that The delegation attended an Hebert invited the audience crypt of St. Francis in Assisi. “It CCOP for 20 years. On Jan. 1, Symphony. He has also had a dark night in the small Italian audience with Pope Benedict to sing the Italian refrain. “They was a special place for many of he will become the choir direc- career of playing various styles town. The air was misty. A few XVI. The choir received one didn’t sing back, but they were the people. There was something tor at Corpus Christi Church in of music, sometimes on record- visitors took the opportunity to minute of recognition when excited that we were singing it,” moving about the experience. St. Piedmont. ing dates with famous artists. wander with their children after introduced among the groups at- said Hebert. Francis gave his life to people Corpus Christi was Hebert’s Among them have been Placido dinner into a square with a foun- tending in the audience of 6000 Amid the grand architecture who were diseased, poor lepers, parish church when he was grow- Domingo, Ray Charles, and tain in it. people. The choir serenaded the and pomp of Rome, there is a whoever needed him the most,” ing up in Piedmont. It is also the Santana. He played with the Some of the children said it pope with “Where the Sun Will “larger than life expression of said Hebert. church where the Rev. Dan Dan- latter on “Maria, Maria” on the would be a great place to sing Never Go Down.” praising God through artistry,” “St. Francis led a different ielson, longtime pastor at CCOP, “Supernatural” album. songs, so the singing started. The choir sang the second part said Hebert. Traveling to Assisi life, but he had a clear relation- is in retirement, although he is Hebert said that his past ex- Then a teen-ager stepped forward of a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica was a restful contrast that put ship with God, and what he was still active there. Danielson hired perience has gone into leading from the group to direct them. on a Sunday night. Cardinal An- the travelers into a more intimate here to do. It was a very positive Hebert at CCOP, so Hebert feels the CCOP choir. “That’s why I Their song grew, and carried gelo Comastri, arch-priest of St. mood for worship, he said. life. It held a certain type of spiri- he is traveling full circle. developed these choirs. People up the hill to an old castle where Peter’s, presided at the Mass. “In Assisi, the colors are tuality for people who went there Like many choir directors, want to experience more (in their a few people had gone to stroll. Rev. Padraig Greene, the pastor muted. There are depictions of to pray,” said Hebert. Hebert is a professional musician lives) and in spirituality. We are Hearing the music, they came at CCOP, concelebrated the Mass Jesus and the saints. It’s all very The trip is also a poignant who also doubles in another job. singing the music, connecting to down to join in. with him. simple,” said Hebert. farewell between Hebert and the In his case, he is co-principal the word, and to God,” he said. Residents nearby opened their The choir offered more variety Some of the best moments for windows to hear the music, and than is usually heard at the Mass. then came out to join the song, The choir used cello and harp in a and see who brought such won- place where they are accustomed derful voices to their town. to hearing only voice and organ. It was the night that the town Some of those in attendance said of Assisi, once the home of St. the arrangements were “the most PLACES OF Francis, discovered the Catho- beautiful they had ever heard,” lic Community of Pleasanton said Hebert. (CCOP) and its choir. Another highlight was the WORSHIP Singing in the town square concert that the choir sang at St. was one of many magical mo- Ignatius church, a regular event ments for the choir and other for the city of Rome. people from the Valley who Like many U.S. Catholic con- accompanied them, said Joe He- gregations, CCOP has picked up bert, the CCOP’s choir director. songs from the African-American Hebert arranged the tour, which gospel music tradition. It was 90 people took part in, includ- part of the Rome concert. Hebert ing 35 of CCOP’s 150 choir translated one song’s refrain into Scouts Recycling Christmas Trees Youth groups representing time is seven years. the Livermore Boy Scouts of • The top Christmas tree pro- America, Troop #903, #924 & duction states are Oregon, North #939 have announced plans for Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylva- their 35th Annual Christmas Tree nia, Wisconsin and Washington. Recycling event, scheduled to Christmas Trees are a renew- take place on Saturday, January able resource 8th, 2011. Boy Scouts would • Today, approximately 98 like to thank Livermore Sanita- percent of real Christmas trees tion, for their help and support are grown on farms throughout with the annual Christmas Tree all 50 states and Canada. Real Recycling event. trees are a renewable, recyclable For about the price of a Star- resource, and real trees are plant- bucks cup of coffee, (suggested ed to be harvested just as corn donation of $5 or $10 for flocked, and pumpkins are cultivated for tinseled, or trees over 8 feet tall), a harvest. Boy Scouts representing these • Young trees in their rapid three troops will pick up trees at growth years have a high rate of the curbside of homes or busi- photosynthesis and thus produce nesses for recycling. Residents more oxygen than older trees. and/or businesses interested in This year, more than 60 million this program can make a reserva- new seedlings were planted by tion online at, scoutgreen.org or Christmas tree farmers all over by calling 925-373-7815. Reser- North America. vations for pickup must be made According to the National by January 4th, 2011. Christmas Tree Association, Here are some fun facts about “real Christmas trees are bio- Christmas Trees as reported on degradable, which means they www.earth911.com website. can be easily reused or recycled • There are approximately for mulch and other purposes.” 30-35 million real Christmas Recycled Christmas trees today trees sold in North America provide wildlife and fish habitat, every year. compost and mulch for planting • Eighty-five percent of ar- new trees, and reducing waste in tificial trees are manufactured our landfills. in China. The Boy Scouts of America • For every real Christmas tree is one of the nations largest and harvested, up to three seedlings most prominent values-based are planted in its place the fol- youth development organiza- lowing spring. tions. The BSA provides a pro- • There are about 500,000 gram for young people that acres in production for growing builds character, trains them in Christmas trees. Each acre pro- the responsibilities of participat- vides the daily oxygen require- ing citizenship, and develops ments of 18 people. personal fitness. • It can take 15 years to grow Please visit the website at a tree of average retail sale height www.Scoutgreen.org for more (6 feet), but the average growing information.

Plays to Celebrate the Light of the Night Sky On Friday, December 17, quested to ensure that there is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Hacienda sufficient space and food. School will present four plays Hacienda School is located that celebrate the light of the at 3800 Stoneridge Drive, three night sky through the eyes of blocks east of Santa Rita Road. four ancient civilizations: the It serves students from first grade Greeks, Egyptians, Aborigines, through eighth grade. and Chinese. There will be plays, “A Celebration of Light” at- food, telescopes for stargazing, tendees are asked to reserve spac- and activities for children and es by calling 925-485-5750. adults. For more information, please Guests are welcome. There contact Charlotte Machi at 925- is no charge, but replies are re- 485-5750 or go to cmachi@ headsup.org. The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 - PAGE 9 Lab Raises Over $3.4 Million for Nonprofits Lawrence Livermore National addition, Lawrence Livermore of the Laboratory. “The local Laboratory employees, along National Security, LLC, which agencies benefit greatly from with Lawrence Livermore Na- manages the Lab, announced our HOME contributions. We tional Security, LLC (LLNS), it would donate $1 million in are pleased to be able to make a have raised more than $3.4 mil- matching funds. difference in the community.” lion to give to their surrounding The total contribution, Since 1997, the Lab’s HOME communities. $2,428,103, represents the larg- Campaign has raised more than Laboratory employees pledged est amount ever raised in the 36 $1 million annually through more than $2.4 million to the years of conducting the HOME donations that go directly to HOME Campaign (for Helping Campaign. agencies selected by employees. Others More Effectively) – an an- “Once again our employees Again this year, the LLNS Board nual charitable drive that benefits have shown their generosity of Governors announced LLNS, community/nonprofit agencies and commitment to helping our which manages the Laboratory in the Tri Valley, San Joaquin neighbors.” said George Miller, for the Department of Energy, Valley and Greater Bay Area. In LLNS president and director would match the first $1 million raised in the campaign. PLAN The funds for the match come (continued from page one) from the fee LLNS receives to most developments attain. The was salvageable. “It has an ambi- manage the Laboratory, not the application considered by the ance that adds to the ambiance of Department of Energy funds for council containued 75 points. the entire area.” She suggested the laboratory’s operations. There was also a request to the city’s Mike Fulford conduct a Through the campaign, Lab consider either higher or lower peer review of the tree report. employees donate money via density for the site. At 14 units, McGovern supported the idea of looking at Stanley Blvd. as a payroll deduction or onetime do- the development is exempt from nations to benefit more than 400 the inclusionary housing ordi- whole, rather than at individual nance and would not have to projects. She said that would pro- local agencies of their choice, include any affordable housing. vide a look at cumulative impacts including umbrella agencies such Photos - Doug Jorgensen Under the proposal, the lots such as parking. as the United Way and Tri Valley Golden and red leaves add a touch of fall to the Livermore landscape. The photo sizes would range from 2600 Sullivan launched the dis- Community fund. at lower right was taken in the vineyards. Above and to the left are scenes from square feet to 4000 square feet. agreement among the council the downtown. The homes would be sized from by commenting on remarks 1599 to 1920 square feet. made by Thorne and Cook-Kal- David DiDonato of Donato lio that it takes too long to gain Builders, Inc. is the developer. approvals and that all the issues He said that the project reflects aren’t ironed out by the time a guidelines provided by staff project reaches the council. “The during a three year process. He review of projects is an important said there were three noise stud- process. We need to hear what ies conducted. The train whistle the public thinks. This is what sound was not included in the the public process is about. We final study. should embrace it. The council He called the trees a big prob- is in the business of democracy, lem. He paid for three studies to not enabling developers to make look at the trees. DiDonato said money.” the trees were found to be in poor Thorne countered, “The re- condition. He noted that he would marks (made by Sullivan) imply be planting 43 trees on the site. I don’t have an appreciation for A critic of the plan to remove the public process. It shouldn’t the trees was Linda Garbarino of take as long as it does. The public the Pleasanton Heritage Associa- process is important.” tion. She said that the trees just C o o k - K a l l i o a l s o needed to be pruned properly and commented,”’I respect other then maintained. However, her councilmembers. When we dis- main concern was the provision agree, it shouldn’t be said that it to demolish the home. “Each old- is because we don’t respect the er home contributes to the look of process. When we pick at each a neighborhood. Other cities have other we end up with a divisive found ways to rehabilitate such council.” homes. The house and heritage McGovern tried to smooth trees could be preserved thereby things over. “We always hear the preserving the city’s heritage, process takes too long. I believe instead of destroying it.” there is some exaggeration on Garbarino said it is time to both sides. We don’t know the add language to the Downtown history of the process a particu- Specific Plan to protect the di- lar project has undergone, how minishing inventory of vintage much time was actually spent on homes. “They are the hallmark of developing the final proposal. our historic community.” She pointed out that she had Other speakers also asked been working on a youth center that the trees and home be pre- for ten years and there still is no served. youth center. The biggest concern of neigh- McGovern noted that some bors was the lack of parking. good points had been raised by It was pointed out that Stanley councilmembers regarding the Blvd. will end up looking like project itself. There are things a parking lot unless additional that can be done to make it bet- parking were provided. ter. “To have a plan come to the A different view was offered ocuncil and have to agree to ev- by James Ellison of Marina erything without changes would Plumbing Co. He said that the mean I don’t need to sit in this project would provide many chair. I look at things and try to needed construction jobs. He has make them better. I will continue had to reduce his staff from 150 to do that.” Charles LeRoy Beers Linda Jewel Hebenstreich Ruth was preceded in death by ery/quilting groups and book employees to 30 over the last four She made the motion to send Livermore resident Charles Linda Jewel Hebenstreich was her loving husband, Dr. Myron groups. She was an avid gardener years. “This is a good project. It the project back to the planning LeRoy Beers passed away at born to Earl and Patricia Samples M. Cohen, in 2005. and for many years belonged to stands to provide hundreds of commission for further study. home on Dec. 9, 2010, where in Livermore, on May 29, 1956. She is survived by her three the Livermore Amador Valley local construction jobs that are VICE MAYOR he wanted to be, surrounded by She passed on in life on Decem- children, Leslie J. Cohen of Garden Club and continued her desperately needed.” The mayor announced the ap- his family. ber 7, 2010. She was a resident Seattle, WA, Mark Cohen of lifelong passion for gardening Hosterman spoke first for pointment of councilmembers to He was born Aug. 11, 1920. of Manteca. Dublin, CA, and Lauren Cohen in her home of fifty years. She the council, stating, “There are various committees and Cheryl Charles served in the US Air Linda is survived by her hus- of Livermore and a sister Grace also was a travel agent and en- issues. I’m not 100 percent sup- Cook-Kallio as vice mayor. The Force as a Radio Operator with band Steven, three sons Travis, Lebold of Brantford, Ontario. joyed traveling abroad with her portive of the project. But, I like vote to endorse her choices was 3 the 96th Air Refueling Squadron. Wayne and Michael, siblings Ruth enjoyed many activi- husband. it a lot. We need high density to 2 with McGovern and Sullivan He then worked for Knox T.V in Shirley, Jeanette, Kevin and Wil- ties and belonged to numerous Friends are invited to attend housing near the downtown. The voting “no.” Oakland as a T.V Technician for lie and by her 3 grandchildren, groups throughout her productive a memorial service of her life city has housing numbers to Sullivan pointed out that it has 21 years. He retired from BART all of whom were very dear to life. She was a member of First at her home on January 8, 2011 meet.” She said she would go been a long standing tradition as a Train Operator in 1995. her.Linda will be truly missed Presbyterian Church of Liver- at 2 p.m. Please come and share with the experts who reviewed to rotate the post of vice mayor. Charles is survived by his wife by all, who had the privilege of more, where she always said she memories of her life. For more the historic value of the home and Jerry has served for two years. of 61 years, Doris, three daugh- knowing her. "felt like she had come home" information, contact daughter found it had none. The trees, said Prior to that Cook-Kallio served ters, Sandra (Larry, dec.) Dyer, Graveside services were held when she joined later in life. She Laren at 337-9919. Hosterman, are pretty scruffy. It as vice mayor. Colleen (Manuel) Escovedo and at Memory Gardens Cemetery in also belonged to AAUW, stitch- makes sense to replace them. Hosterman said she had the Shelly (Steve) Warner; grand- Livermore on Dec. 15. Councilmember Jerry Thorne city clerk review past procedure children, Melissa Escovedo- Arrangements by Callaghan agreed that the trees warranted for selecting the vice mayor. “It Couch, Phillip Escovedo, Jillian Mortuary. removal. was very erratic. It’s my choice. Saucier and Jodi Weiss; 6 great Cheryl sought me out. I agreed Thorne stated, “One thing that grandchildren, and a brother, Ruth A. Cohen bothers me is that this project has to appoint her.” Ken Beers. Sullivan, “Our place is to Longtime Livermore resident, been in review for three years. His happiest moments were beloved wife, mother, sister and We are a ways away from where ratify the choice. As long as I’ve those spent with his family and paid attention, the post has been friend, Ruth we need to be on this project. I’m especially with his grandchil- passed away concerned about the density.” He rotated. When people of the dren. same opinion as the mayor are peacefully at supported sending it back to the Visitation will be held on her home in planning commission for further appointed, the council loses the Thursday, Dec 16, from 4pm diversity of opinion. It doesn’t L i v e r m o r e review. “All of the problems have -7pm, Memorial service to fol- on November not been resolved,” he declared. allow councilmembers to have low at 7pm at the Chapel of Cal- the experience.” 16, 2010 after Councilmember Cheryl Cook- laghan Mortuary 3833 East Ave, a long-stand- Kallio agreed that the house and McGovern noted that each Livermore. Burial will be held councilmember has a strong i n g h e a r t trees could go. “The density is an on Friday, Dec 17 at 10:30 am c o n d i t i o n . issue.” In addition, Cook-Kallio commitment to the city. “When at Sacramento Valley National I leave the council in two years, She was 86 called it reprehensible that we Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, years old. can’t resolve the issues before a I will have served as vice mayor Dixon, CA project comes to the council. only once in eight years. Every- She asked to be part of any one is capable. What this process effort to establish guidelines on says is that it appears that two historic preservation for future councilmembers are not seen as developers. being capable.” McGovern said that the home PAGE 10 - The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010

Photos - Doug Jorgensen Pictured are scenes from the Valley Dance Theatre’s full-length production of the Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic The Nutcracker. Performances are accompanied by the Livermore-Amador Symphony pit orchestra. Cantabella Children’s Chorus and Tri- Valley Repertory Theatre’s Broadway Chorus also perform. Remaining performances are December 17, 18 and 19 at 7:00 p.m. and December 18, and 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. Tickets are $33, $27 and $24 for adults and $18 for students 17 years and younger. They may be purchased online at www. bankheadtheater.org or by phone at 925-373-6800. The theater is located at 2400 First St., Livermore.

Nature Program library, or community center, or fund is approximately $200.00, with an industry veteran, Tony Locy, has to many families in need during this common cause during the final three Winter Wonderland: California art and gardening activities at your overall cost of between $65,000 and joined the company. Locy will oper- holiday season,” added event-orga- months of each year through toy col- Style is the theme of the Sat., Dec. club, business, school, senior center, $75,000 each year. ate from our downtown Livermore nizer and Landmark co-founder, Tony lection drives in order to contribute to 18 nature program presented by the or neighborhood. No administrative fees taken from office, offering clients the company’s Russo. “The fire department and The stronger communities in the future. Livermore Area Recreation and Park To apply for a mini-grant, visit funds. All donations will go directly diverse assortment of home financing Vine Cinema were a great help in Landmark will continue to accept District ranger staff. www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org. to benefit the needy families and products. making this happen.” new, unwrapped toys for children For those who could never quite Organizations working with under- their children. All of the labor used Locy previously worked as a The goal of Toys for Tots is to ages 2-12 at their 6800 Koll Center understand the song that states, “I’m served communities are strongly to complete all of the required tasks Branch Manager for one of the deliver, through a new toy at Christ- Parkway #100 Pleasanton or 1859 dreaming of a white Christmas,” this encouraged to apply. No experience is provided by almost 300 volunteers. country’s largest mortgage bankers. mas, a message of hope to needy First Street Livermore offices through nature program is for you. Come with birds is required. The Surtec Adopt-A-Family Program He will ultimately serve as Branch children that will teach them to grow December 23rd. For more informa- celebrate the fact that we have a Deadline to apply is Feb. 15, is a 501 C3 organization, unique Manager of Landmark’s Danville- into responsible, productive, patri- tion on the Toys For Tots program, green Christmas season here in the 2011 charity where all of the proceeds go San Ramon office, where his respon- otic citizens and community leaders. to donate online or to find your local Bay Area by taking a brisk morn- Celebrate Urban Birds is a free, directly to the needy families. sibilities will include branch expan- The organization strives to unite all drive coordinator, please visit www. ing walk through Sycamore Grove. year-round citizen science project in sion and staffing, while continuing members of local communities in a ToysForTots.org. Learn about the season’s wildlife and which participants watch birds in their to originate loans. neighborhoods and report what they Crab Feed Locy, a California native gradu- vegetation along the way. Bring a The San Ramon Historic Foun- water bottle, and wear warm clothes see. This information helps scientists ated from San Jose State University better understand how birds survive in dation is preparing for their 7th with a Finance degree. He played Gift Provides Mobile and comfortable shoes. The walk will annual crab feed at the Dougherty be fairly flat, but be prepared to get cities and make use of green spaces, quarterback for the Spartans in the including parks and gardens. Station on Saturday, January 29, mid 80’s and currently serves as Vice muddy. Canceled if raining heavily. 2011. Call (925) 828-0586 to make Science Lab for School Meet Ranger Jamie Morris at 9 President of the Order of Sparta, an Through a $10,000 gift from reservations. organization for past athletes and lessons while in class. a.m. at the Wetmore Road entrance The purpose of the Crab Feed is Lawrence Livermore National “The science department has to Sycamore Grove Park. Adopt-A-Family coaches of SJSU. He may be reached The Surtec Adopt-A-Family pro- to raise money for the Foundation directly at (925) 788-7800 or via Security (LLNS), the entity that wanted a mobile laptop lab for There is a $5 per vehicle parking gram provides food and gifts to needy to support Forest Home Farms and fee. A $2 donation is requested to help email at TonyLocy@LMGlending. manages Lawrence Livermore several years and this gift has families during the holiday in the the Glass House. This is the biggest com. National Laboratory, students made it possible,” Megan Lip- support the programs. Participants Alameda and San Joaquin counties fund raiser for the year and a great may call 925-960-2400 for more at Hart Middle School in Pleas- man, chair of the science depart- to approximately 350 needy families opportunity for you to support your ment at Hart Middle School said. information. with 950 children. community. The Fun Cake Auction Collecting Toys anton can work at their desks Volunteers packed approximately is a great addition to this already tasty In an effort to help make the while searching the Internet for “We are very excited about all of Grants Available 1,500 boxes with food last Saturday. event. Cakes are made and presented holiday season brighter for disadvan- answers to such questions as, the online labs and simulations The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s They will begin the delivery of the to be auctioned off for your table. taged families, East Bay mortgage “Why do earthquakes occur?” or our students can now perform in “Celebrate Urban Birds” project is gifts and food to the families on The event will be held at the banker, Landmark Mortgage Group, “What are genetic disorders?” our classrooms.” now accepting applications for an- Saturday, December 18th from two Dougherty Station Community Cen- in conjunction with the Livermore- No longer do the students Lawrence Livermore National other round of mini-grants. Grants warehouses, one in Livermore and ter, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Pleasanton Fire Department, re- have to travel to another room Security provides funds to non- average $250-$500 and are used the second in Tracy. Ramon, 6 to 8 p.m. cently spearheaded a Toys for Tots profit organizations dedicated to to fund neighborhood events that This is the 20th year of the Surtec The menu includes fresh cracked drive at the historic Vine Cinema in or wait for time on the library science, technology, engineering promote an appreciaton for birds Adopt-A-Family Program and are crab with pasta, salad, french bread downtown Livermore. Nearly 200 computer in order to complete and math (STEM) education. and nature. embarking and coffe and tea. community guests attended and were their assignments, thanks to “These young students are Neighborhood events or projects The Purpose of the program is to Tickets at $40 per person are now treated to a private showing of The the purchase of 16 new laptop our future,” said George Miller, feature activities involving birds, provide a happier Christmas to the on sale. For information or tickets call Polar Express, given Christmas tree computers to establish a mobile LLNS President and Lawrence community service, art, greening, and children of needy families. Families Carol Lopez: 925-828-0586 ornaments and provided with photo science lab. Livermore National Laboratory science. Participants collect simple are provided with 4 large boxes of opportunities with representatives The laptops, stored in a metal, information about common birds and food, a gift certificate to purchase the from the fire department in return for Director. “They represent the report to the Cornell Lab. Celebrate meat of their choice at a local super- Landmark Mortgage their generous donations. movable cart, can be transferred next generation of scientists, Urban Birds mini-grants could be market and a Christmas gift for each Mortgage banker Landmark “Our wonderful guests filled sev- from one classroom to another researchers, engineers and com- used to support a bird-activity day at child. The average gift is $25 to $30 Mortgage Group, a division of Opes eral large boxes with new toys that based on need and provide the puter scientists. With this gift, we a local museum, afterschool program, in value. The average cost per family Advisors, has announced that 22-year we know will bring much happiness students with additional re- hope to encourage their pursuit sources and activities for science of science.” LEGAL NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS www.independentnews.com

LEGAL NOTICES to transact business under CFL International, Inc., 301 The following person(s) doing /s/:Klifford Kapus and Renee LLC., 179 Contractors Av- available for examination in mail a copy to the personal days. Saturdays 9:30 am to the fictitious business name Earhart Way, Livermore Ca business as:SusanPrep 1856 Kapus enue, Livermore Ca 94551 representative appointed by 1 pm, dogs and cats are avail- the file kept by the court. FOR INFORMATION or names listed. 94551 Third St., Livermore Ca 94550 This statement was filed with This business is conducted the court within four months able at the Pleasanton Farm- 6.THE PETITION requests PLACING LEGAL Signature of Registrant: This business is conducted is hereby registered by the the County Clerk of Alameda by:a Limited liability com- from the date of first issu- ers Market at W. Angela and limited authority be granted NOTICES /s/:Rodin Porrata by:a Corporation following owner(s): on December 3, 2010. The pany ance of letters as provided in First Streets. Two locations to administer the estate under CONTACT BARBARA @ This statement was filed with Registrant has not yet begun Susan Larik, 2377 College Independent Legal No. 2904. The registrant began to trans- Probate Code section 9100. cats only: Petsmart in Dublin the Independent Administra- 925 243-8000 the County Clerk of Alameda to transact business under Ave., Livermore Ca 94550 Publish December 9, 16, 23, act business under the ficti- The time for filling claims will noon to 4 and the Pet Food tion of Estates Act. (This au- on November 18, 2010. Ex- the fictitious business name This business is conducted 30, 2010. tious business name (s) listed not expire before four months Express in Livermore 1 to 4. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS thority will allow the personal Sundays, cats are at Petsmart pires November 18, 2015. or names listed. by:an Individual above on May 2005 from the hearing date noticed NAME STATEMENT representative to take many in Dublin 1 to 4, and PetCo The Independent Legal No. Signature of Registrant: The registrant began to trans- FICTITIOUS BUSINESS Signature of Registrant: above. FILE NO. 444688 actions without obtaining in San Ramon 11 to 3. TVAR 2897. Publish November 25, /s/:Guillermo Iglesias act business under the ficti- NAME STATEMENT /s/:Keith Beck 10.YOU MAY EXAMINE the The following person(s) do- court approval. Before taking at (925) 803-7043 or visit our December 2, 9, 16, 2010. This statement was filed with tious business name (s) listed FILE NO. 445533 This statement was filed with file kept by the court. If you ing business as:JC Nails The following person(s) do- certain very important ac- website at www.tvar.org. the County Clerk of Alameda above on August 2, 2010 the County Clerk of Alameda are a person interested in the SPA, 4555 Hopyard Rd. Ste ing business as:Wild Smiles, tions, however, the personal FICTITIOUS BUSINESS on November 24, 2010. Ex- Signature of Registrant: on November 30, 2010. Ex- estate, you may file with the 4)FOUND C9, Pleasanton Ca 94588 4200 East Ave #100, Liver- representative will be required NAME STATEMENT pires November 24, 2015. /s/:Susan Larik pires November 30, 2015. court a Request for Special is hereby registered by the more Ca 94550 is hereby to give notice to interested FOUND AN ANIMAL? Call FILE NO. 445237 The Independent Legal No. This statement was filed with The Independent Legal No. Notice (Form DE-154) of following owner(s): registered by the following persons unless they have Barbara 925 243-8000. The following person(s) do- 2899. Publish December 2, the County Clerk of Alameda 2906. Publish December the filing of an inventory and Van NGO, 6237 Wade Ct., ing business as:Lizard Patch owner(s): waived notice or consented appraisal of estate assets or Pleasanton Ca 94588 9, 16, 23, 2010. on November 23, 2010. Ex- 16, 23, 30, 2010, January FOUND Designs, 5338 Bianca Way, Tri Valley Orthodontics LLC., to the proposed action.) The of any petition or account as Female Toy Dog in the This business is conducted pires November 23, 2015. 6, 2011. Livermore Ca 94550 is hereby FICTITIOUS BUSINESS 7605 Mines Road, Livermore Independent administration provided in Probate Code Vicinity of Springtown & by:an Individual The Independent Legal No. registered by the following NAME STATEMENT Ca 94550 NOTICE OF PETITION authority will be granted un- section 1250. Galloway. The registrant began to 2903. Publish December 9, owner(s): FILE NO. 444977-444978 This business is conducted TO less an interested person files A Request for Special No- Please Describe transact business under the 16, 23, 30, 2010. Jenny Mostek, 5338 Bianca The following person(s) doing by:a Limited liability com- ADMINISTER ESTATE an objection to the petition tice form is available from the call 925-606-7156 fictitious business name (s) Way, Livermore Ca 94550 business as:1)Jess Catering, STATEMENT OF pany OF: and shows good cause why court clerk. listed above on November This business is conducted 2)William Jess Caterer, 1568 ABANDONMENT The registrant began to VERNA MARIE PAYNE the court should not grant the 11.Attorney for Petitioner: 6)LOST 5, 2010 by:an Individual Cheryl Drive, Livermore Ca OF USE OF transact business under the Case No. VP10539371 authority. Ralph Kokka (SBN 143519) LOST A FAMILY PET? Call Signature of Registrant: Registrant has not yet begun 94550 is hereby registered by FICTITIOUS BUSINESS fictitious business name (s) 1. To all Heirs, beneficiaries, 7.A HEARING on the petition Patton Martin & Sullivan, Barbara 925 243-8000 /s/:Van NGO to transact business under the following owner(s): NAME listed above on December creditors, contingent credi- will be held in this court as LLP This statement was filed with the fictitious business name William K. Jess, 1568 Cheryl FILE NO. 403660 3, 2010 tors, and persons who may follows: 6600 Koll Center Parkway, AUTOMOTIVE the County Clerk of Alameda or names listed. Drive, Livermore Ca 94550 The following person(s) has Signature of Registrant: otherwise be interested in the Date:January 4, 2011 Suite 250 10)AUTOS WANTED on November 5, 2010. Ex- Signature of Registrant: This business is conducted (have) Abandoned The Use /s/:Cynthia Gomez will or estate, or both, of: TIME: 9:30am DEPT: 201 Pleasanton, CA 94566 pires November 5, 2015. /s/:Jenny Mostek by:an Individual of The Fictitious Business This statement was filed with VERNA MARIE PAYNE at: 925 600-1800 The Independent Legal No. This statement was filed with Registrant has not yet begun Name: the County Clerk of Alameda 2.A PETITION FOR PRO- Superior Court of California, 2896. Publish November 25, the County Clerk of Alameda to transact business under Wild Smiles, 4200 East Av- on December 3, 2010. Ex- BATE has been filed by: County of Alameda The Independent Legal No. December 2, 9, 16, 2010. on November 23, 2010. Ex- the fictitious business name enue Suite 100, Livermore pires December 3, 2015. STEPHEN ANDREW PAYNE 2120 Martin Luther King, 2901. Publish December 9, FICTITIOUS BUSINESS pires November 23, 2015. or names listed. Ca 94550 The Independent Legal No. in the Superior Court of Cali- Jr. Way 16, 23, 2010. NAME STATEMENT The Independent Legal No. Signature of Registrant: The Fictitious Business 2905. Publish December 9, fornia, County of Alameda Berkeley, Ca 94704 ANIMALS FILE NO. 445057-445058 2898. Publish December 2, /s/:William K. Jess Name Statement was filed 16, 23, 30, 2010. County 8.IF YOU OBJECT to the The following person(s) doing 9, 16, 23, 2010. This statement was filed with on November 19, 2007 in the 3.THE PETITION FOR granting of the petition, you 2) CATS/DOGS the County Clerk of Alameda County of Alameda. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS PROBATE of Will and should appear at the hearing business as:1)Apoyo Re- FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT ADOPT A DOG OR CAT, for search, 2)Apoyo Soft, 4451 on November 16, 2010. Ex- The Name of the Registrants for Letters Testamontary and state your objections or adoption information contact NAME STATEMENT pires November 16, 2015. are: FILE NO. 445426 4.THE PETITION FOR PRO- file written objections with the Arabian Rd., Livermore Ca The following person(s) doing Valley Humane Society at FILE NO. 445288-455289 The Independent Legal No. Klifford Todd Kapus DDS, BATE requests that: STE- court before the hearing. Your 94551 is hereby registered by business as:Visiting Angels 925 426-8656. The following person(s) doing 2902. Publish December 9, 1476 Maplewood Drive, Liver- PHEN ANDREW PAYNE be appearance may be in person the following owner(s): East Bay, 179 Contractors business as:1)Play The Game 16, 23, 30, 2010. more Ca 94551 appointed as EXECUTOR. or by your attorney. Adopt a new best friend: Rodin Porrata, 4451 Arabian Avenue, Livermore Ca 94551 Products, 2)Torture Me Again, Renee Kapus, 1476 Maple- 5.THE PETITION requests the 9.IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR TVAR, the Tri-Valley Animal Rd., Livermore Ca 94551 is hereby registered by the 301 Earhart Way, Livermore FICTITIOUS BUSINESS wood Drive, Livermore Ca decedent’s will and codicils, if or a contingent creditor of Rescue, offers animals for This business is conducted following owner(s): Ca 94551 is hereby registered NAME STATEMENT 94551 any, be admitted to probate. the decedent, you must file adoption every Saturday and by:an Individual by the following owner(s): FILE NO. 445229 Care Solutions Associates, Sunday, excluding most holi- Registrant has not yet begun Signature of Registrant: The will and any codicils are your claim with the court and The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 - PAGE 11 LEGAL NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS www.independentnews.com

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Cal-SCAN.com (CAL*SCAN) SELL YOUR USED CAR To place an ad, call Barbara tenance (866) 859-6378. opened, Unexpired Boxes 181)FINANCIAL SERVICES (CAL*SCAN) HERE. Call Barbara at 925- Only. All Brands Consid- 925 243-8000 243-8000 Cash for your ered. Help others, don’t throw SERVICES CASH NOW! ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE 0R www.independent- boxes away. For more infor- structures settlement or from Home. *Medical, *Busi- Saga of the Mortgage news.com Pay by Credit mation, Call 888,491-1168. 177)BUSINESS SERVICES annuity payments. Call J.G. ness, *Paralegal, *Criminal Card for any Classified or (CAL*SCAN) ADVERTISE YOUR HOME, Wentworth. Justice. Job placement as- Display ads. NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS property or business for sale 1-866-SETTLEMENT (1- sistance. Computer avail- Interest Deduction EMPLOYMENT in 240 California newspapers. 866-738-8536). Rated A+ by able. Financial Aid if quali- 151)MISC. Reach over 6 million readers By Cher Wollard 56) ADULT CARE the Better Business Bureau. fied. SCHEV certified. Call INTERNATIONAL FEL- for ONLY $550! Call this (CAL*SCAN) 888-210-5162 www.Centura. Approximately 38 million mostly middle-class taxpayers CAREGIVERS LOWSHIP seeks VOLUN- newspaper or visit: www.CAL- us.com (CAL*SCAN) claim an exemption on their federal taxes for the cost of interest NEEDED for elder care. TEER Host Families for SCAN.com (CAL*SCAN) on their mortgages. The average exemption is approximately Light housekeeping er- Foreign Exchange Students rands transportation meal arriving January 2011. Or $10,000, with the largest deductions claimed by homeowners prep personal care. Please E A R N e x t r a c a s h a s aged 35-45 years old. fax resume Area Rep! 1-800-647-8839. Recently, the bipartisan commission named by President 925 371-8118 www.InternationalFellowship. 60) BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY org (CAL*SCAN) Obama to address ways to reduce the national deficit has suggest- BE WARY of out of area 155)NOTICES ed, among other things, that this tax advantage be curtailed. companies. Check with the “NOTICE TO READERS: The National Association of Realtors (N.A.R.) immediately local Better Business Bureau California law requires that blasted the report, saying any changes to the mortgage interest before you send any money contractors taking jobs that to- deduction could depreciate home prices by up to 15 percent, and or fees. Read and understand tal $500 or more (labor and/or any contracts before you sign. materials) be licensed by the promising to “remain vigilant in opposing any plan that modifies Shop around for rates. Contractors State License or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest.” ALL CASH VENDING Board. State law also requires In fact, the deduction is very popular with citizens as well. ROUTE! Be Your Own Boss! that contractors include their 25 Machines + Candy All for license numbers on all adver- According to a recent poll commissioned by the National As- $9995. Vend3 1-877-915- tising. Check your contractor’s sociation of Home Builders, 79% of all respondents, both own- 8222. All major credit cards status at www.cslb.ca.gov ers and renters, believe the federal government should provide accepted. (CAL*SCAN) or 800-321-CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking tax incentives to promote homeownership. Even when told that 71) HELP WANTED jobs less than $500 must eliminating the mortgage interest deduction would help ease INDEPENDENT state in their advertisements CONTRACTORS WANTED that they are not licensed by the federal budget deficit, 72% said they opposed any proposal for Senior Home Health the Contractors State License to abolish it. Among that group, 76% of Republicans, 75% of Care Must Have Board.” independents, and 64% of Democrats oppose eliminating the Experience REAL ESTATE Senior Solutions, Inc. deduction. 925 443-3101 The Federal Fair Housing Act, This is not the first time such a proposal has been made. In Title VII of the Civil Rights ABLE TO TRAVEL. Hiring 8 Act of 1964, and state law fact, this commission considered recommending the deduction people. No experience neces- prohibit advertisements for be completely eliminated before modifying its proposal. sary. Transportation & lodg- housing and employment So it’s a good time to ask: Where did this tax benefit come ing furnished. Paid training. that contain any preference, W o r k a n d t r a v e l limitation or discrimination from, how does it work and does it benefit us now? entire USA. Start today. www. based on protected classes, The first personal income tax was signed into law by Abraham ProtekChemical.com 1-208- including race, color, religion, Lincoln in 1861 to finance the Civil War. A year later, that law 590-0365. (CAL*SCAN) sex, handicap, familial status FIREFIGHTER. Paid train- or national origin. IVPC does was rescinded and replaced by another version of the income ing to join elite U.S. Navy not knowingly accept any tax. Both laws were temporary in scope, designed only to cover team. Good pay, medical/ advertisements that are in the costs of the war. dental, promotions, vacation. violation of the law. The first peacetime income tax was imposed in 1894 through HS grads ages 17-34. Call 157)APT/DUPLEX/HOUSE/ Mon-Fri 1-800-345-6289. RENTALS the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act. It included a universal rate of 2% (CAL*SCAN) GOT A HOUSE FOR RENT? on income over $4,000. Given that the annual average family TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Let the 33,000 households/ income at that time was less than $400, the tax applied to fewer AD businesses that read the than 10 percent of U.S. households. call Barbara 925 243-8000 Independent find out about it. or go on-line at To place an ad go to www.in- The following year, the Supreme Court ruled parts of the law www.independentnews. dependentnews.com or call unconstitutional, so the income tax was once again rescinded. com Pay by Credit Card for Barbara at 925 243-8000 Classified and Display Ads. We had no income tax until 1913 when the 16th Amendment 160)BOAT/RV and RETAIL 72) HELP WANTED/DRIVERS was ratified by more than three-fourths of the states (38 out of LOOKING FOR RETAIL 48), four years after it was proposed. Company Drivers (Solos OR & Hazmat Teams) *GREAT STORAGE SPACE? The initial income tax was graduated, with a top tax rate of PAY * GREAT MILES * CDL- Great Location Off Hwy 580 7% on incomes above $500,000 (the equivalent of about $10 A Required. We also have On Kitty Hawk Road million 2010 dollars). dedicated & regional positions For Details Email: available. Call 866-789-8947. [email protected] From the beginning, interest on at least some mortgages was Swift (CAL*SCAN) 162)HOMES FOR SALE deductible, but not for the reasons most of us value it today. Company Drivers (Solos The deduction applied to all interest payments – not just & Hazmat Teams) *GREAT By advertising with The In- PAY *GREAT MILES *CDL- dependent you can reach interest on mortgages – but did not apply to the first $3,000 for A Required. We also have over 33,000 homes and busi- individuals or $4,000 for married couples. Given that the vast dedicated & regional positions nesses with your message. available. Call: 866-448-1055 To place an ad, call Barbara majority of Americans earned far less than $3,000 per year, it SWIFT. (CAL*SCAN) 925 243-8000 is clear this deduction applied primarily to businesses and the REGIONAL CDL DRIVERS 165) HOUSE/ROOMS/RENT- wealthy. NEEDED! Gordon Trucking, ALS TO SHARE Furthermore, in those days most people who owned homes Inc. Sign on bonus in some RENT YOUR EMPTY LIV- paid cash for them. Mortgages did not become a popular vehicle areas! Current Openings on ING SPACE Advertise in our NCA Fleet. Home weekly The Independent to reach for purchasing homes until the 1920s and did not really take off available! Consistent Miles & over 33,000 homes and busi- until after World War II. Time off! Full Benefits, 401k. nesses with your message. Homeownership rates grew from 40.6 percent in 1940 to 69.2 We have lots of Freight! www. Call Barbara 925 243-8000 TeamGTI.com 1-888-832- percent in 2004. Ownership rates have diminished marginally 6484 EOE. (CAL*SCAN) since the start of the housing slump, but still represent more than ASAP! New Pay Increase! two-thirds of American households. 34-40 cpm. Excellent Ben- efits. Need CDL-A & 3 months In the 1980s, the Treasury looked at several proposals to recent OTR. 1-877-258-8782. reduce or eliminate interest deductions, including the deduction www.MeltonTruck.com on mortgage interest. President Reagan, in a 1984 address to the (CAL*SCAN) National Association of Realtors, defended the tax benefit. CLASSIFIEDS “I want you to know that we will preserve the part of the ************** American dream which the home-mortgage-interest deduction Reaches symbolizes,” he said. 33,000 Homes Two years later, Congress ended the deductions of interest Direct mail on credit cards, auto loans and other debt, but – in the face of to overwhelming pressure from the public — preserved the deduc- Livermore, Dublin, tion for interest on mortgages. Pleasanton & Sunol Congress did modify the deduction. Interest can only be de- Call Barbara ducted from first or second homes (those with more homes can- 925 243-8000 not deduct interest on those mortgages) and the ceiling on those 76)HELP WANTED/SALES mortgages is $500,000 for single people and $1 million couples. AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL? Homeowners can also deduct interest on home-equity loans up Earn Above Average $$$ to $100,000 for married couples ($50,000 for single people) on Selling with Fun Successful Business Group. No Experi- money used to buy, build or improve their homes. ence Necessary. Paid Train- Those modifications served to target the benefit more to ing. Lodging, Transportation Provided. 1-877-646-5050. middle-income homeowners. (CAL*SCAN) In 2005, President Bush appointed a panel to look at simpli- MERCHANDISE fying the tax code. This panel proposed replacing the deduction 115)ESTATE/GARAGE/ for interest on home mortgages with a 15 percent tax credit on YARD SALES primary residences only up to a certain home value. RAIN OR SHINE! Call Bar- The N.A.R. and the National Association of Home Builders bara 925-243-8000 or go to (N.A.H.B.) protested vehemently. But so did millions of ordinary www.independentnews. com before 8am Tuesdays taxpayers. to get your ad in for the next President Bush was adamant that any changes to the tax code edition. must “recognize the importance of homeownership.” 118) FREE/GIVEAWAY In the end, the idea was scrapped. GOT OLD JUNK In 2009 and 2010, President Obama has proposed adding FREE/GIVEAWAY income caps to the deduction, but thus far that has not gener- SECTION Call 925 243-8000 Barbara ated much support. In fact, several new and extended tax breaks 125)HOUSEHOLD GOODS were initiated for homeowners and homebuyers during the past Place your household items two years. here for sale. Call Now something similar appears to be on the table. 925 243-8000 or go on-line The bipartisan commission apparently considered and then at www.independentnews. rejected a proposal to simply eliminate the homeowners’ tax com Pay for Classified and Display Ads deduction. They have since replaced it with a proposal that would by Credit Card . cap eligible mortgages at $500,000, with no additional credit for home equity debt or a second mortgage. While $500,000 is more than double the average mortgage nationwide, thus focusing the benefit on the middle class, it repre- sents only a modest mortgage in the Bay Area and other high-cost regions, and would disproportionately affect Baby Boomers, who are more likely to be living in higher-value move-up homes. Again, strong protests are being registered. Next week: What would be the impact of changes to the mortgage interest deduction? Cher Wollard is a Realtor with Prudential California Realty, Livermore. PAGE 12 - The Independent, DECEMBER 16, 2010 LARPD (continued from page one) study is estimated to be between were no guarantees that the cur- $31 million that could be spent on $50,000 and $100,000. rent level of funds would be spent recreational opportunities. That Mayor Marshall Kamena on parks and recreation and that is a huge benefit.” replied, “If we can show the the additional monies would go Several other speakers ad- public there is a benefit, I think to parks and recreation rather dressed the issue. John Stein they would be with us. I think we than into the city’s general fund. suggested there needs to be a should proceed.” He pointed out that recently the method to protect the funds from The phase II study would park department in Morgan Hill this and future councils. There provide a detailed analysis to was eliminated. There was a 50 is also a need to determine how document the specific costs, legal percent reduction in spending on the state would respond to such requirements and employee and parks in Salinas. Goodman stated a merger. labor relations issues. It could that as part of the city, the parks Bob Baltzer suggested that also include filing a change in departments had to compete with consideration be given to annex- organization application with other departments, such as police ing parks that are adjacent to the LAFCO. and fire for funding. city to retain more of the district’s Management Partners con- Goodman wondered who had area. He told the council, “Look ducted the first study to deter- asked for the report in the first at the issue as carefully and as mine if the potential financial place. “In the public surveys we thoroughly and inexpensively as benefits were significant enough conduct it shows residents are possible.” to warrant further consideration. happy with the current status.” The analysis found no “fatal He suggested that the consul- Meadowbrook flaws” associated with the two tants had not looked at all of the proposed reorganizations. potential outcomes of a change Apartments Lynn Dantzker explained that in status. For example, Goodman Alviso Adobe Community Park is the venue for many of the City of Pleasanton’s Naturalist and the premise on which the study said that when the Brentwood Sold to Raintree outdoor programs. This unique interpretive park tells the story of California from its earliest human was based is that if the status of district became a subsidiary of Raintree Partners, a Laguna LARPD changed, perhaps the the city, it did not result in a re- Niguel, Calif.-based real estate occupation and provides visitors with a glimpse of times past in the Amador Valley. investment and development property tax shift would change duction in the ERAF tax shift. In company, has completed the and bring more money for parks addition, Goodman noted that the acquisition of Meadowbrook Pleasanton Offers Outdoor and recreation to the city. “Ulti- state could change the rules if it Apartments, a 125-unit multi- mately, the outcome would be appears that it would lose money family property in Livermore. Programs During the Winter determined through negotiations through such mergers. The purchase price was $16.7 with LAFCO.” When there is a Goodman concluded, “If I felt million, according to Jeff Allen, Pleasanton City Naturalist accompanied by an adult during Lunar Event, Sat., Jan. 8, 2011, change in a government orga- a merger would provide more ser- CEO of Raintree Partners. This Eric Nicholas will lead visitors the entire hike. Meet at Laurel 7:30 to 9 p.m.; Winter Skies, nization at LAFCO, there is a vice, I would support it. We need is Raintree’s eighth multifamily on some unique outdoor adven- Creek Park, 5875 Laurel Creek Sat., Feb. 5, 2011, 7:30 to 9 p.m. negotiation to look at property to make sure there are provisions property acquisition in 2010, tures this winter season. Please Drive in Pleasanton. Fee: $6 for Alviso Adobe Community Park, tax reallocation she explained. in place that would make that bringing the firms holdings in call (925) 931-5340 for informa- residents/$9 for non-residents 3465 Old Foothill Road. How Dantzker told the council the happen, that the money would go the California market to ten mul- tion or to register for any of these Ridge Runner Counselor- big is our galaxy? How far is two options would be to merge to parks and recreation.” tifamily communities. programs, or register online at in-Training Winter Program, the nearest star? How was our the district with the city or create Kamena agreed. He said how The property was brokered by www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/ser- Alviso Adobe Community Park solar system made? Explore the a subsidiary district that would any agreement is crafted is the John McCulloch, Curtis Gardner vices/recreation.html. The fol- Saturday, December 18, 1 to 4 universe as we try to answer these be dependent on the city. The key. and Kenneth Meislin of ARA Pa- lowing programs are scheduled p.m., ages 11 and up. Calling questions and more. Games and portion of LARPD that is out- Councilmembers Doug Horn- cific and financing was provided in the coming months: all former Ridge Runner Nature hands-on activities will aid us as side the city limits would go to er and John Marchand both sup- by Fannie Mae and arranged by NEW! Winter Ramblers Na- day campers! Summer will be we search for the answers. Then, a successor agency, such as the port additional study. Richard Olrich of Centerline ture Day Camp: Alviso Adobe upon us quickly and you’ll want if the skies are willing, we’ll take Capital Group. East Bay Regional Park District. Horner declared, “The things Meadowbrook Apartments Community Park December 29- to have your game face on for a peek at the wonders above About 90 percent of the district the city could do with $3.1 mil- 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Ages the newest campers. Learn about through a telescope. For all ages. is comprised of nine, two-story is within the city limits. lion for parks and recreation buildings located at 156 North 6-12. This winter camp is all tracking, emergency prepared- Fee: $9 for residents/$12 for The study found that the would be amazing.” Murrieta Blvd. in Livermore. about nature with some very cool ness and wilderness travels as non-residents greatest monetary benefit would Marchand pointed out that The property was built in 1981 history folded in. Crafts, skills, you gain experience for possible 2nd Annual California Newt be achieved with the merger the city does a good job separat- and offers one, two and three and games will keep you warm future employment. Fee: $29 Festival, Augustin Bernal Park, option. ing pots of money and operating bedroom floor plans. Select and toasty while you learn some residents/$32 for non-residents Sat., Feb. 12, 2011, 9 to 10 a.m. LARPD Board President functions. He used the airport and units feature wood-burning fire- cool new things. Fee: $123 for Ancient Ways: Old Tool Learn about the natural history Steve Goodman, who spoke as a golf courses enterprise funds as places, while each unit contains residents/$135 for non-residents School, Alviso Adobe Commu- of amphibians, particularly the resident, stated, “I don’t believe examples. Marchand stated, “If a private patio or balcony, and Night Hike with the Natural- nity Park, Sat., Dec. 18, 2 to 4 spectacular California Newt and the main question was answered. the money continues to leave the air conditioning. The apartment ist, Laurel Creek, Sat., Dec. 18, p.m., ages 8 and up learn about its interesting cycle of life. In the community offers a swimming There are a lot of ‘ifs,’ ‘mays’ Tri-Valley there will be no benefit pool, covered parking, basketball 6:30 to 8 p.m. Naturalist Eric the tools of the past and look at heat of the summer they burrow and assumptions in the report. to residents. $1.3 to $3.1 million court, children’s play area and Nicholas for an enchanting wild some fascinating items, both old deep into the earth to stay cool, The findings don’t provide a over ten years amounts to $13 to two laundry centers. walk around Laurel Creek for and new. Use your imagination and come out after the first rain of clear path forward or a degree the first guided hike in this area to recreate a functional tool from the season to make the long trek of certainty as to how recreation of Pleasanton. You’ll learn about long ago; perhaps something to their ancestral breeding ponds. services would be offered. Noth- local wildlife, plants, habitats, just like your distant ancestors Participants will help take a count ing in the report shows how they tracking, and much more. Plan had many, many years ago. Fee: of newts as part of an annual would improve or where the to get dirty on these treks. Bring $15 residents/$18 for non-re. survey on this unique adventure money, if it were realized, would water, a sense of adventure, and Lsidents for all ages. Fee: $9 for resi- be spent.” dress with weather in mind. Chil- Wondrous Universe Series, dents/$12 for non-residents He was concerned that there dren under the age of 15 must be LARPD Delays Decision on Plans to Build Sycamore Grove Ranger Station The Livermore Area Recre- tions,” he stated. One option he goal is to make the camp self- Laureen Turner, who were elect- ation and Park District (LARPD) said would be to build something sustaining. We are well on our ed in November. They replaced board tabled a decision on the else, such as a small restroom. way.” David Furst and Scott Kamena, future of a proposed ranger sta- On a more positive note, the She added that the feedback neither of whom sought re-elec- tion in Sycamore Grove Park. board heard a report on the suc- from first timers indicates they tion. Director Maryalice Faltings, The board also heard a report on cess of citizens’ efforts to make will go back again. “It truly is a who has served on the Board for the success of efforts to increase Camp Shelly self-sufficient. The hidden gem at Lake Tahoe.” 16 years, was also re-elected for use of Camp Shelly. camp is located at Lake Tahoe. Director Goodman stated, another four-year term. David The proposed project calls Lawrence commented, “This “In all my years in recreation I Hutchinson is a business man- for renovation of the Denton is one of the fun presentations have never seen a group act so agement consultant. Laureen House as a new Ranger Station because of the success of the quickly with such success. This Turner is a registered nurse and for the park. Bids received were die-hard camp users who came to is a model that the rock gym sup- clinical instructor. Their terms higher than anticipated, over the the rescue after we talked about porters are also using. I think the began on Dec. 3. $560,000 budgeted amount. The closing the camp.” seeds planted this year will grow During the meeting, the Board lowest bid was $615,000, the Carolyn Siegfried, chairman next year.” elected a president and vice highest over $1.3 million. There of the group’s marketing com- Wednesday’s meeting was the president for calendar year 2011. were eleven bids in all. Approxi- mittee, explained that camp us- first for the Board’s two newest Steve Goodman will serve as mately $60,000 of the remaining ers believed low attendance was members, David Hutchinson and president, and Beth Wilson will $560,000 will be used to pay staff not due to lack of interest, but serve as vice president. time and various fees, leaving lack of information. “We proved about $500,000 for the project. that was true. Despite increasing LARPD general manager said the fee from $25 to $35 a night, the board had several options. there was a 41 percent increase One was to reject all of the bids, in reservations. This led to an 83 ask the staff to fund the increase, percent decrease in the subsidy or direct staff to go through the required from the district. Our process of qualifying the bids and bring the item back to the board. Staff attorney Michael Kyle suggested that the matter be tabled until the first meeting in January to allow time for bid protests to be filed. Prior to the decision to table the item, several board members indicated that they would not support the project if it were over budget. Steve Goodman said he was not in favor of spending more money than is in the budget. “No way would I support going $200,000 or more over budget to do this,” he stated. “I’d like to see if the low bid is a qualified bid, how much short the funds are and where the district could take money to fund the project.” Beth Wilson agreed. “I won’t support the project if it is over budget. My experience is that the cost will be higher than the low bid. I don’t think we can afford it.” New board member David Hutchinson suggested readdress- ing the entire project. Assistant manager John Law- rence pointed out that even if the district did not proceed with the ranger station, it would to do something with the building. It would cost up to $100,000. “We went to a lot of trouble to obtain the sewer and water connec- THE INDEPENDENT • SECTION II THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Art, Community, & Education

Merry Band of Pranksters Back to Perform 18th 'Big Fat Show'

Photo - Mark Deneza Pictured are (from left) Mari Magaloni, Debi Durst, Johnny Steele, Will Durst, Michael Bossier (not pictured: Arthur Gaus).

For the 18th consecutive year, says hello to a rising star on the sketches, songs and stand up com- Cheney’s stocking and as welcome Will Durst and his merry band of Bay Area Comedy circuit: Mari edy, all focusing on events occur- as an air freshener at a Bohemian pranksters are taking their end of Magaloni. Mari is a multi talented ring during the year of 2010. Some Club outhouse on Chili Night, The the year comedy extravaganza to actress/ sketch artist/ comedienne years the troupe admits having to Big Fat Year End Kiss Off Com- different nooks and crannies of who has been knocking them dead stretch for material. But not this edy Show consists of 6 comics, 7 the Bay Area where they plan to with a killer Sarah Palin impres- year: TSA strip searches, BP and cities, 8 shows and 2,347 laughs. satirize, parody, lampoon, mock, sion, a character she will showcase Toyota vying for Dufus Corpora- Complete info at: www.willdurst. scoff, taunt, ridicule, tease, rib, kid in the 2010 edition of the Big Fat tion of the year, Teabaggers, Meg com. and josh current events and do it all show. Whitman, Sarah Palin’s hand, The Bankhead is located at with a modicum of taste. Performing will be Will Durst, Dick Cheney’s 6th heart attack, 2400 First St. in downtown. It will come to the Bankhead Johnny Steele, Deb and Mike, Obama’s failed spinal transplant For tickets, visit www.liver- Theater in Livermore on Dec. 30. Mari Magaloni and Atthur Gaus. surgery and much much more. moreperformingarts.com call Curtain goes up at 7 p.m. The Big Fat Year End Kiss Continuing a holiday tradi- 373-6800 or go to the Bankhead This year the Big Fat Show Off Comedy Show features skits, tion as hallowed as coal in Dick box office.

2 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Art & Entertainment Hot Club Jazz Group to Help Ring in the New Year at the Bankhead Theater

Hot Club of San Francisco to perform. (Photo - Laura Turnbow) Jazz group Hot Club of San formance. jazz as a child, he spent years and Price is a gifted composer includes a three-course dinner Francisco will bring 2010 to a fes- Founded nearly 20 years ago experimenting with all types of who has added new works and for two at Sapphire Restaurant tive close by headlining the annual by lead guitarist Paul Mehling, music from classical to bluegrass arrangements to the group’s rep- & Lounge located just across the New Year’s Eve event at the Bank- Hot Club of San Francisco owes and rock and roll. He focused on ertoire. Over the years, Hot Club plaza from the theater, overnight head Theater in Livermore. its inspiration to the innovative the guitar, but taught himself violin of San Francisco has performed for accommodations (double occu- This all-strings celebration music of Dijango Reinhardt and and mandolin as he explored other enthusiastic audiences around the pancy) with hot buffet breakfast of 1920’s jazz, featuring classic Stephane Grappelli and their styles. While traveling in Paris, world and produced nearly a dozen at the nearby Hawthorn Suites tunes and original compositions, quintet Hot Club de France. Their Mehling renewed his interest in recordings. by Wyndham, taxi service to and follows in the footsteps of the acoustic style of jazz, which gained gypsy jazz and when he returned Tickets to see Hot Club of San from downtown Livermore for the original gypsy jazz group Hot popularity in Europe during the to the Bay Area in the 1980’s, he Francisco at the Bankhead Theater evening, as well as two engraved Club de France, but adds a touch years leading up to World War began to form his own band. Hot on New Year’s Eve range in price wine glasses and a complimentary of American swing for a sizzling, II, can be described as romantic Club of San Francisco is currently from $55 to $75. For those wish- bottle of Livermore Valley wine. contemporary sound. Festivi- and full of emotion. Mehling has made up of four members in ad- ing to extend the celebration, the The two-person “Swinging New ties are Friday, December 31 at creatively built on the gypsy jazz dition to Mehling: Clint Baker on Livermore Valley Performing Arts Year’s Eve Celebration Package” 8:00 p.m. The evening includes a style, holding its central elements bass, Isabelle Fontaine and Jeff Center has collaborated with local is available for $279 and can be complimentary champagne, wine while incorporating a more Ameri- Magidson on guitar, and Evan businesses to offer a very special booked by calling 925-606-6060. and dessert reception with the can swing tradition. Price on violin. A highly versatile “Swinging New Year’s Celebration The holiday evening with Hot performers in the theater lobby Although Mehling had de- group, each plays multiple instru- Package.” In addition to a pair of Club of San Francisco is the sec- immediately following the per- veloped a fascination for gypsy ments, Fontaine is also a vocalist, tickets for the performance and ond event in the new “Best of the post-show reception, the package Community & Entertainment THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 3

Story of the Kennedy Detail Told in Pleasanton Library Presentation Author and former Secret Ser- had a budget of about $4.1 million On November 22, 1963, Presi- vice Agent Gerald Blaine will tell dollars and a staff of about 200 dent John F. Kennedy was assas- the story of The Kennedy Detail at agents nationwide. Just 34 agents sinated while riding in an open the Pleasanton Public Library, 400 were responsible for protecting convertible in a motorcade through Old Bernal Ave., Pleasanton. John F. Kennedy around the clock. Dallas, Texas. The presentation will be at 2 They worked in eight-hour shifts, “Secret Service Agent Clint p.m. on Sun., Dec. 19. rotating the times of their shifts Hill was just ten feet from Presi- In 1963, the U.S. Secret Service every two weeks. dent John F. Kennedy, desperately trying to hurl his body in front of the gunfire, when the president’s head exploded before his eyes. Covered with blood and pieces of the president’s brain, Agent Hill pushed Jackie Kennedy into the back seat and, clinging to the trunk of the open top limousine as it sped away from Dealey Plaza to Park- land Hospital, all he could do was Kennedy detail on streets in Dallas. slam his fist in anger, and give the thumbs down sign to the agents in was no time to grieve; no time to The Kennedy Detail at the event. the follow-up car behind him.” deal with feelings of anger, frus- All library programs are free For nearly fifty years, the close- tration and guilt. On July 4, 1964, and open to the public. No registra- knit group of men who protected Jerry Blaine resigned from the tion is required. JFK have refused to talk about that Secret Service to join the private For more information, please tragic day. Until now. sector. call Penny Johnson, 925/931- Author Jerry Blaine is a for- Towne Center Books will sell 3405. mer U.S. Secret Service Agent, assigned in November 1960 to the John F. Kennedy detail and, for the next three years, traveled with President Kennedy all over the world. President Kennedy’s assassina- tion on November 22, 1963 threw President Kennedy leaves the church. the country and the White House into sudden turmoil and despair. Abruptly, the Kennedy Detail became the Johnson Detail. There

Road Warriors' 'Truffles to Remember' Event Raising Funds for Sons and Daughters of 'Fallen Heroes'

“Truffles to Remember” Fund Road Warriors 2010 invites the Dec. 18 near the Pleasanton Farm- Raiser for Sons and Daughters of truffles-and-troops-loving-public ers Market on Main and Angela Fallen Heroes to stop by their booth on Saturday, Street from 10 am-1pm. Road Warriors will be giving out handmade “Truffles to Re- member” and accepting donations to Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund to honor and remember NEW YEAR'S EVE . . . those who have lost life or limb in Bay” series at the Livermore Val- concert treats audiences to Day’s service to America. ley Performing Arts Center. As a best-known and most beloved The scholarship fund helps part of the LVPAC Presents season, songs, as well as entertaining sto- deserving students with the rising the “Best of the Bay” series, which ries and recollections of her long cost of a college education and kicked off in early December with and successful career. serves as a reminder to those stu- jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, will The Bankhead Theater is lo- dents that their parents’ sacrifices feature the remarkable breadth of cated at 2400 First Street in Down- will never be forgotten by a grate- talent found in artists and perform- town Livermore. The ticket office ful nation. ing arts groups emerging from the is open Tuesday through Saturday Road Warriors 2010 has raised San Francisco Bay Area. Later in from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. On $9,250.00 for wounded military the season, the “Best of the Bay” performance days the ticket office heroes and their children and series will celebrate the Music of remains open through intermission. is hoping to reach their goal of Doris Day with the Jim Martinez To purchase tickets or for more in- $10,000 by year’s end. Fund-raiser Trio and vocalist Laura Didier on formation, call 925-373-6800 or details at www.RoadWarriors2010. Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:00 visit www.bankheadtheater.org. blogspot.com or 925-600-0664. p.m. This delightful afternoon 4 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Art & Entertainment

Photo - W. Ron Sutton Pictured at left is Concert Band Conductor Bob Williams, left, receiving a 35-year service award on behalf of the Pleasanton Community. Charlotte Severin is making the presentation. Upper right photo is a close-up of the photo used for the award. Pleasanton Community Concert Band Honored for 35 Years of Service Santa Claus was not the only she had chaired the community’s Amador Valley Adult Education public concerts, often a dozen — plus an inset of the conductor, surprise visitor at the recent holi- bicentennial festival committee to sponsor a community band, as times a year. Their next concert with the following inscription: day performance of the Pleasanton in 1975. they still do. Conductor Williams at the Firehouse Arts Center will “ Given with great appreciation Community Concert Band at the Among their many worthwhile, receives a paycheck for their take place the afternoon of Sunday, for your generosity of time and Firehouse Arts Center. Before a lasting contributions was creation weekly rehearsals, but he turns the April 3. They also appear annu- talent in serving as the Pleasanton Sousa march finale to the rous- of the bandstand in Wayside Park. full sum – and then some – back to ally each Fourth of July at that Community Concert Band for 35 ing concert, local artist Charlotte Bill Herlihy, then a city council- the band in the form of sheet music historic bandstand that started it years.” Severin came on stage to present member, famously asked Severin, or equipment that he purchases for all in what is now called Lions’ Williams was one of the found- a commemorative plaque to the “If we have a bandstand, how the group. Wayside Park ing members of the band, as were musicians and conductor Bob about a band?” All of the band musicians are The framed award included an Yvonne Grielich, clarinetist, and Williams. It was Severin who came up volunteers, ranging in age from historic photo of the band members Bob Butler, percussionist, both of Severin told the audience that with the answer, by persuading teens to 80’s. They perform free – who rarely pose for a group shot whom performed at last weekend’s concert.

Local Holiday Festivities to Air on Community Television This season’s holiday parades Dublin’s 27th annual Holiday Livermore Holiday Sights and taking place on December 4th was separately) by visiting our website and tree lightings, will air on Tri- Tree Lighting that took place on Sounds Parade and Tree Lighting the Pleasanton Hometown Holiday at trivalleytv.org. Valley Community TV 30. The December 2 at the Dublin Civic was held on December 4th. Tri- Celebration. This event included Tri-Valley Community Televi- 2010 taped celebrations from the Center with entertainment and Valley TV personality, Anna Kaga- a parade down Main Street with sion is a 501c3 non-profit corpora- Tri-Valley cities of Dublin, Liver- caroling. The Dublin Unified El- rakis served as one of the hosts floats, marching bands, and com- tion that provides programming more, Pleasanton and San Ramon ementary School Choir performed. providing commentary along with munity groups. The tree lighting over channels TV28, TV29 and will be broadcast on Channel 30 Also on December 2, San Ramon’s Livermore City Council member ceremony followed the parade at TV30 on Comcast Cable, AT&T at various times throughout the Bishop Ranch hosted its ninth an- Jeff Williams. A Livermore tra- the Museum on Main. U-Verse, or streaming at trival- holiday season. For the schedule, nual tree-lighting ceremony which dition, the celebration consisted DVDs of the events may be leytv.org. Follow us on Twitter to please visit the Tri-Valley TV web included sleigh rides, live music of a parade with floats, marching purchased for $20 plus $5 shipping see what’s happening at Tri-Val- site at trivalleytv.org. and lighting of the 65 foot tall bands, music, and the lighting of a and handling (each event is sold ley TV. Kicking off the merriment was holiday tree. tall spruce tree and Menorah. Also Community THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 5 Trinity to Offer 20th Edition of Live Drive Thru Nativity

This is the 20th year that Trinity event, because current Pastor Jim men scene, and the llama “camel” Two local artists, Linda Stewart was developed. This year the nar- Church has put on the Live Drive Meek says, “This is our Christmas getting stirred up and going round and Ralph Gutierrez painted scene ration for the scenes is available in Thru Nativity. It has become a card to the community, to help and round a tree, and spitting at the backdrops the size of billboards to both English and Spanish. Christmas time tradition in Liver- celebrate the true meaning of other “camel.” depict the town of Bethlehem in There is usually a line to get more. It will be presented four Christmas.” Llama handler Kim Ross re- Biblical times. Gutierrez was an into the Nativity. However, greet- nights, Thursday December 16 “Working with children and live calls, “The llamas that we use experienced mural painter. Stewart ers and carolers help to make the – Sunday December 19, from 7- animals in the scenes has its chal- are generally quite tame. We lead learned to paint large while doing experience festive during the wait. 9pm. in the parking lot of Trinity lenges," says Bob Boyd, this year’s them from their ranch site through these sets, and she says, “Now I Sometimes, the community gives Church, 557 Olivina Ave. Nativity Director, “Every year and town to the Nativity each year. have difficulty painting anything back. Linda Stewart, who often Each year filling more than 800 every scene is different than it One year we brought a young small!” directs the Street Greeters, remem- positions for live actors, greeters, was the year before.” Sheep and a llama with them, so it could stay These backdrops are set up in bers how one year some people carolers, scene directors, traffic donkey are brought in from local near its mother. While the mother the church parking lot where the six noticed them out in the cold and control, costumers, and other ranches. Live llamas are brought in was performing, the young llama scenes of events around the birth wanted to do something for them. behind the scenes jobs is a huge and outfitted with humps to serve jumped his pen to get closer to the of Christ are acted out. Church They waited in line and when challenge which makes the Live as camels. action.” members wrote the script to tell they drove up to the greeters, they Nativity presentation a reality. Ross Wilson, the Nativity’s Another nativity worker, Becky the Christmas story “Through surprised them with a full offering When the Nativity was started director for the last 5 years, re- Miller, recalls trying to lead a don- Mary’s Eyes.” Traffic is channelled of hot chocolate, complete with in 1991, it was the idea of former members one year when the sheep key named Sam-mule over to his to approach the scenes in threes. sprinkles and whip cream. Senior Pastor James Morton, who got out of the pen. Cast members scene, through the church’s sand Drivers are instructed to set their Rain has been a rare occur- left the church to accept a position had to chase them down Olivina volleyball court, when the donkey car radio to pick up the narration rence on performance nights, in in Grass Valley part way through Avenue to retrieve them. Another decided to drop and roll. “I guess that tells the story for each scene. the 20 years that the Live Nativity the year. Without a pastor, the year, the child shepherds and sheep that sand was just too inviting for When the Live Nativity was first has been presented. Some years it church decided to pull together to were together in the same enclo- him to resist. I was sure worried held at Trinity, tape players were would pour down and then stop make the idea for a Live Drive- sure. The little shepherds came that something was wrong and I loaned to each car as they navi- during the Nativity hours. Even Thru Nativity into a reality. The out of the scene covered in mud wouldn’t be able to get him back gated through the scenes to tell the when in has rained, the show has Nativity has become a Christmas and sheep dip. up. He had a good roll in the sand story. A few years later, the system continued with characters donning tradition in Livermore. The church Cast member Michelle George and then popped back up and we which transmits to the car radios clear plastic ponchos over Biblical does not charge admission to the remembers taking part in the wise- continued on our way.” period attire. 6 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Art & Entertainment

Reindeer Reds and Babydoll Sheep Make Livermore Holidays Merrier in the Vineyards by Laura Ness trek through the vineyards. He Thanksgiving before!!!” A serious wine crowd visited was quite impressed with Darcie’s Occasio reported very healthy the well-decorated wineries over Picazo Merlot and the DeMayo sales, up significantly from last De- Dec 4 and 5, and were rewarded Zinfandel, which has a healthy cember, and they’ve only been at it by filtered sunshine on Saturday dose of Petite Sirah to round it out. a year. Both the Sauvignon Blancs and a somewhat wet pattern on With its flavors of raisin, nutmeg tasted great, in particular, the uno- Sunday, but it certainly dampened and clove, it tasted just like a figgy aked one, especially after a spate no spirits. Nearly everyone we plummy Christmas pudding. of tasting some heavy duty reds. It visited on Saturday was having We next visited the Steven Kent was great to see customers leaving a experience great traffic, and I barrel room where we joined a with Petite Sirah verticals in those saw toys in most of the bins. The festive crowd enjoying a great gorgeous wooden gift boxes (just a wineries that offered toys for sale selection of wines paired nicely few left). Owner John Kinney said did very well on filling the bins with cheeses and chocolates. The they collected quite a few toys on up. Rhonda Wood joked that she plays well with others “Fratello” Sunday, saw lots of new people needed an extra firetruck to haul blend of Barbera, Petit Verdot and and signed up new club members. away all the toys! She reported Merlot was poured by a charming He also wants everyone to know an excellent day with lots of sales elf wearing a bright red shirt that that the winery will be closed from and happy customers: but then, it’s read, December 20th through the 7th of always all good at Wood. “What happens under the Mis- January, so they can spend some My first stop was at Retzlaff, tletoe, stays under the Mistletoe.” time with their families. where the party had just started, One thing is certain, if it includes Probably the cutest sight of but the crafts people were already any Steven Kent wine, it is bound the day was that of small children ringing up sales of their excellent to be a most memorable and plea- feeding the similarly miniature selections: I gave in to immediate surable experience. I might choose Babydoll sheep as they took a temptation and bought my Mother- the 2007 Estate Livermore Valley break from patrolling the vineyards in-Law the cutest black sheep Cabernet, which is drinking really over at Rodrigue Molyneux. with a red stocking cap. Connie nicely right now. It shows the best These Olde English Miniature Vandevanter was busy wrapping of both the Home Ranch Vineyard Babydoll Southdown sheep grow up the Random Reindeer Cases of and the Ghielmetti Vineyard, with no higher than 2 feet, are the oldest library wines, and later reported a a peppery nose, lovely texture, known purebred sheep in the world fantastic day of sales, with a dozen laden with cherries, tobacco, soy, and are great weed-whackers that of these cases sold Saturday, and aged balsamic and heavy caramel pose no threat to the vines. another 9 on Sunday. toastiness. With Lindsey Roffey They were specifically bred to This continues the upward sales of Rodrigue Molyneux joining us be small because of the lack of trend that began in late fall and is with her rapidly expanding palate, Gary Rodrigue as Santa Claus. refrigeration: you didn’t have to continuing in a major way. Says due to all those sommelier classes worry about your lamb meat spoil- Connie. “We’re absolutely thrilled she’s been taking, we did a little ing. Now they are bred to patrol with the turnout we had, the buzz bottle surfing to give Randy a Steven, referring to his desire to Sylvia reports that they had more the vineyards, offering anyone that was generated by the library peek at some of the wines at the take on blends like Insignia and people stopping by their tasting with a bent on organic to add three wine case sales, and our current top of the wine quality pyramid in Isoceles with something equally room and saw many new faces. benefits immediately: no need for offerings are flying out the door. Livermore. We dove into Steven compelling from Livermore. This She noted, “Sales were also up, chemicals to control weeds, and no We’re so busy here at Retzlaff, Mirassou’s current favorite Cab, beauty exudes aromas as warm which is always a plus. I know that tractors to compact the soil or to we can’t even think about doing a the 2008 Clone 337. Usually he and inviting as a roaring fire in the customers really enjoy this event add pollutants to the air. The sheep holiday party until January!” prefers Clone 30, but this power- velvet tapestry-covered parlor of especially since they don’t have add fertilizer as they go, aerating Concannon’s tasting room was ful tour de force takes your mouth a well-maintained English castle: to pay to attend and don’t have the soil with their tiny hooves. The packed with tasters, some of whom hostage with its juniper berry, there is something big-boned and to worry about tickets, bracelets, fact their eyes glowed eerily white made their way to the Underdog cassis, dark red currant tea, subtle noble about it, yet in the mouth it is glasses, etc.” when I set the camera on red-eye Wine Bar, where gracious and tobacco and its huge structure and well-behaved, charming and seam- Dane Stark at Page Mill ex- gave me a slightly uneasy feeling: gorgeous Darcie Kent was ready ample, anything-but-shy tannins. It lessly integrated like a perfectly- pressed similar satisfaction with I began to wonder why anyone to pour and talk about her lineup. reverberates in your mouth. choreographed Nutcracker ballet. the toy collection, traffic and sales, would want to count sheep while But first, she sampled some of the However, the wine of which The fleshiness is delight-making noting that having multiple vendors they were trying to fall asleep. But, cuisine and declared it delicious Steven is most proud, and rightly and the tannins are like pure satin. instead of just one, provided a bet- they were as cute in person as they with her Rava Blackjack Gruner so, is the 2007 Lineage, a beguil- A wine for holiday enjoyment with ter shopping atmosphere for visi- were a wee bit spooky on film. Veltliner, one of my personal ing, totally satisfying blend of the dear friends and family. tors. He also reports that believe it Term used loosely. favorites. It also impressed Som- 5 classic Bordeaux varieties. At Bodegas Aguirre, they were or not, he pressed his last grapes on Have a great holiday, every- melier Journal’s Randy Caparosa, “We are throwing down the sending people home with wine December 7th, commenting, “I’ve one. who joined me on my holiday gauntlet with this wine,” says for the holidays at a good clip. never, in 22 years, pressed after Art & Entertainment THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 7

8 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Art & Entertainment

ART/PHOTO EXHIBITS be pouring the 2008 Merlot, 2008 Caber- 1155 Santa Rita Rd., Pleasanton. Ticket XVIII, Will Durst & Friends Dec. 30, 7 as well as tumbling and flexibility class. Livermore Art Association Gallery, net Franc, 2008 Malbec, 2008 Cabernet information www.firehousearts.org p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Information, contact gymfinityjuli@ located in Carnegie Park, offers art Sauvignon, and 2008 Petit Verdot. In The Little Engine That Could, Dec. 18-23, Livermore. yahoo.com or [email protected]. classes, unusual gifts, painting rentals, art addition to these Bordeaux style wines, Presented by Bay Area Children’s Theater Dance Studio @ Gymfinity. exhibits and information pertaining to the Larry will also be pouring the 2008 Merlot at the Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger DANCE Brinda Dixit, Bharatanatyam Aranget- art field, 2155 Third St., Livermore. The Reserve which is currently only available Canyon Rd., San Ramon, 973-3343 or The Nutcracker, Valley Dance Theatre 30th ram or Solo Dance Debut, Sun., Jan. gallery has been open since 1974 and is to Cuda Cadre Wine club members. All SanRamonPerformingArts.com. Annual Production, December 17, 18 & 2, 4 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First run as a co-op by local artists. Hours are of the above wines will be available for Firehouse Kids, TBA, Sat., Jan. 8, 11 a.m. 19, 2010 - 7:00 p.m; December 18, & St., Livermore. Free admission. Event Wed.-Sun. 11:30-4 p.m. For information purchase at First Street on the evening of Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad 19, 2010 - 2:00 p.m. Bankhead Theater, includes live music, refreshments and call 449-9927. December 16th. Larry will also be happy Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts. 2400 First Street, Livermore. All seats dinner. Livermore Art Association, Winter Holi- to sign the bottles which would make great org are reserved. Adults $24, $27 & $33; day Celebration Art Show at Dougherty gifts for the holidays. There is a minimal Through the Eyes of Faith, featuring Students 17 and younger $18. Purchase AUDITIONS/VOLUNTEERS Station Community Center in San Ramon. $5.00 tasting fee. Faith Alpher in a moving and funny one online at www.bankheadtheater.org, by Solo Piano Competition for young artists, The show features more than 30 art works woman show. Sun., Jan. 9, 2 p.m. Bank- phone at 925-373-6800 or in person at sponsored by Las Positas College Music by 20 local artists including metal works, MUSIC/CONCERTS head Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. the theater box office. Highlighting the Department, open to ages 14 through paintings and photography. All art is for Music every Saturday in the tasting room Adult content. 925-373-6800, www. 30th annual full-length production of 24. The winner will perform George sale. The show will run from November from 12 to 4; open every day if the gate livermoreperformingarts.org. the Tchaikovsky's holiday classic The Gershwin’s, “Rhapsody in Blue” at the 1st to December 17th. The Dougherty Sta- is open and for sure on Fridays, Satur- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Tri-Valley Nutcracker will be Taeko drummers May 4, 2011 Orchestra Concert as part of tion Community Center is located at 17011 days and Sundays 11 to 5. Red Feather Repertory Theatre musical comedy and a large Chinese Dragon who will the inaugural season for the new Barbara Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. Winery, 5700 Greenville Rd., Livermore. production. Performances weekends perform during the Chinese segment of Fracisco Mertes Center for the Arts. The Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 Information at 449-1871 or www.red- Jan. 21-Feb. 6, 2011, 8 p.m. Fridays and the ballet. Public performances will be application deadline is February 10, 2011. a.m to 5 p.m. Admission is free. featherwinery.com Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Bankhead accompanied the Livermore-Amador The selection will take place in February. Paintbrush Diplomacy, December 11, Chris Bradley's Jazz Band, plays at The Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Call Symphony pit orchestra. The Cantabella To request application forms and informa- 2010 – January 12, 2011, International Sunol Jazz Cafe (In the Center of Sunol) 462-2121 or go to www.trivalleyrep.com Children's Chorus and Harmony Fusion tion, please contact Music instructor Mary Children’s Art Exhibit Works from the the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month for information. will add vocal entertainment to selected Campbell, mcampbell@laspositascol- permanent collection of Paintbrush 7:30-9:30 p.m. The band features real Jazz Cabaret, Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre, performances. lege.edu, (925) 424-1118. Diplomacy, an organization that seeks from the 1920's, 30's, 40's. Jan. 21-22, 27-29 8 p.m. and Jan. 23 Friday Night Dance Parties, themed Livermore's 2011 Regional Talent Com- to connect the world one paintbrush at a Blacksmith Square Saturday Concerts, and 30, 2 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, parties each Friday night from Salsa to petition is now accepting applications. time. Promoting peace and understanding Thomas Coyne Winery, John Christopher 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www. Swing, includes a group dance lesson Top winners in each of two categories through the universal language of art, the Cellars, Swirl Tapas Bar and Victorian firehousearts.org at 8:15. $15 cover charge, 8:15 dance - youth (17 and under) and adults (18 and organization encourages awareness of Olive Oil present live music in the Square, The Lion in Winter, Jan. 21-Feb. 12, Village lesson, 9:00-10:30 for dance parties. It's over) - will each take home $2,500. This international issues through art exchanges 3 to 6 p.m. Wine tasting (fee waived Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Presented All About Dancing, 171 So. J Street, competition will feature singers, dancers, and exhibits of works by children ages with purchase), food at menu prices. No by Role Players Ensemble Theatre. www. Livermore. 925-449-9292, or studio@ bands, pianists, magicians, comedians and 5-18. Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse outside food or adult beverages. Corner danvilletheatre.com itsallaboutdancing.com. other types of performances. Aspiring Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleas- of South Livermore Ave. and Railroad New Performance Group, combines dance, performers from anywhere are invited anton. www.FirehouseArts.org. Ave. downtown Livermore. COMEDY gymnastics and acrobatics. Four hours of to audition and compete. Information Believe/Achieve Art Exhibit, Diablo/Al- San Ramon Symphonic Band, Dec. 17, 7 Big Fat Year End Kiss Off Comedy Show week of training to start. Two dance classes and applications for auditions are avail- ameda Branch of the National League p.m. “In Dulci Jubilo” Holiday Christmas of American Pen Women (NLAPW) Concert. Dougherty Valley Performing at the John O'Lague Galleria and the Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Hayward City Hall Dec. 3, 2010 to Feb. Ramon, 973-3343 or SanRamonPerform- 9, 2011. Reception will be held Dec. 17, ingArts.com. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There is no admission Chanticleer, “A Chanticleer Christmas,” charge. Hayward City Hall is located at Thurs., Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. Bankhead 777 B Street. Pen Women writers will Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www. be performing original works at the livermoreperformingarts.org or 925-373- reception. Music and refreshments will 6800. (Sold out) be provided. Hot Club of San Francisco, “Best of the Harrington Art Gallery exhibit, Look of Bay,” sizzling, swinging New Year’s Eve Jazz, Saturday, January 29, 2011 – Tues- celebration. Fri., Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Bankhead day, February 22, 2011. Gallery Reception Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Tickets Saturday, January 20, 2011, 3 to 5pm. at www.livermoreperformingarts.org or Bay Area artists such as Chester Elmore, 925-373-6800. Joan Finton and James Gayles will be The Kingston Trio, folk music, Fri., Jan. featured in an exhibit that celebrates 7, 8 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First jazz and how it can inspire visual artists. St., Livermore. www.livermoreperform- This exhibit will be held in conjunction ingarts.org or 925-373-6800. with our annual Campana Jazz Festival, Ying Quartet, 8 p.m., Sat., Jan. 8, Del Valle February 17-20, 2011. Firehouse Arts Fine Arts Concert, Bankhead Theater, Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. 2400 First St., Livermore. Tickets at www.firehousearts.org. 925-373-6800, www.livermoreperform- ingarts.org. MEETINGS/CLASSES Cypress String Quartet, Sun., Jan. 9, Figure Drawing Workshop, every Friday 3 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Artists bring their Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.fire- own materials and easels. Open to all art- housearts.org ists. Professional artist models (nude). No Diavolo, cinematic experience of dance and instructor. Students under 18 need written gymnastics, Fri.-Sat., Jun. 14 and 15, 8 Water part of holiday show. parental permission to attend. Cost $20 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., per session. At the Bothwell Arts Center, Livermore. www.livermoreperformin- 2466 8th St., Livermore. Coffee, tea and garts.org or 925-373-6800. refreshments are available. Call or email Tingstad & Rumbel - American home-style Barbara Stanton for more info about the music, Fri., Jan. 14, 8 p.m. Firehouse Arts workshop, 925-373-9638 - microangelo@ Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. Christmas Lights Set to Music earthlink.net. www.firehousearts.org Art Critique and Coffee, every Friday, Rodgers & Hammerstein with Hart, Sat., Matt Phipps of Livermore has in Dublin with a few strings of the World Lighting Contest.' This 10 a.m. at Border's Cafe, Rose Pavilion, Jan. 15, 8 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 16, 2 p.m. decorated his home this Christ- lights and a 16 channel comput- year's show is bigger and has the Pleasanton. Information at poetryoncan- Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad mas with over 40,000 lights. He [email protected]. Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts. erized controller. Each year he's theme, "Imagination." org programs 80 control channels that added various lights, electronic The show runs each evening WINERY EVENTS Al Jarreau, 8 p.m. Jan. 28, Dougherty make the lights dance to the beat equipment and water geysers to during the month of December. Cuda Ridge Wines will be doing a special Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 and melody of the music. This the light show. Preparing for this Simply drive up, tune to the radio Bordeaux tasting at the last Winemaker Albion Rd., San Ramon, 973-3343 or year’s show even includes 30 takes months of planning, and station posted and enjoy a personal Spotlight of the year at First Street Wine SanRamonPerformingArts.com.. foot water geysers and a video Company, 2211 First Street in Livermore, programming. In order to program light show. on Thursday, December 16th from 5:00 ON THE STAGE projection. a two minute song, it takes Matt Check out LivermoreLights. - 8:00. The winemaker, Larry Dino, will The Princess and the Pea, Civic Arts Stage Three years ago, Matt, at age approximately 16 hours. Last year com for times and location. Company, Dec. 17 and 18, 7:30 p.m. and 17, started by decorating his home Matt won the national 'D-Light Dec. 18 and 19, 2 p.m. Amador Theater, Art & Entertainment THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 9

able at LivermoresTalentCompetition. on movie www.afghanstar.com.) For more comic opera, The Barber of Seville. Eight winning piece of artwork will be featured Entries are due by January 7, 2011. For com. Applications must be received by information, call Penny Johnson, 931- performances are scheduled from February on festival posters, postcards and t-shirts. more info, call (925) 973-3366. December 31, 2010. 3405. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Rail- 12 through 27 at the California Theatre, 345 It will also be framed and hung in one of Livermore Reads Together, the 2011 Concerto competition, Prometheus road Avenue, downtown Pleasanton. South First Street in downtown San José. the Community Centers in San Ramon. book is “1906” by James Dalessandro. Symphony Orchestra of Oakland is Going Places: A Classic Film Series, shown Tickets are on sale at the Opera San José The student who created the winning art Novel centers on the 1906 San Francisco sponsoring a concerto competition for the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Box Office, by phone at (408) 437-4450 or work will also receive a $200 savings earthquake and fire. Month long celebra- Bay Area string, wind and percussion in the Pleasanton Library's meeting room online at www.operasj.org. This production bond, second place a $100 savings bond tion will be kicked off on Sunday, January players age eighteen years or younger. through June 2, 2011. The program is a of The Barber of Seville is made possible, and third place winner a $50 savings bond. 23, 2011 at 2 p.m. with a presentation The competition will be held on Tuesday partnership of Las Positas College and the in part, by a Cultural Affairs Grant from the Prizes are provided by the San Ramon Arts by the author, James Dalessandro. A evening February 1, 2011. The winner Pleasanton Public Library proudly pres- City of San José. Foundation. All entries will be displayed reception will follow featuring famous will perform with the orchestra on Sunday, ent. Candy Klaschus, film historian and in the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Art Gallery San Francisco food treats and turn of May 22, 2011, and will receive a $200.00 Coordinator of the Humanities Program MISCELLANEOUS located at the San Ramon Community the century music by Greg Pane. Variety award. Contestants are to perform from at Las Positas College, is the host. There Celebration of Light, Fri., Dec. 17, 5 to 7 Center during the month of May 2011. of events planned during the month of memory a complete concerto or work is no admission charge. 400 Old Bernal p.m. at Hacienda School, 3800 Stoneridge The contest entry form and info can be February at the Civic Center Library, for solo instrument and orchestra. The Ave., Pleasanton. 931-3400. No registra- Dr., Pleasanton. Students will present found online at www.artandwind.com. 1188 So. Livermore. Information www. application deadline is January 25, 2011. tion required. plays and activities from ancient civiliza- livermore.lib.ca.us Applications are available by calling (925) tions around the world. The focus will 447-3659 or online at www.promethe- OPERA be on astronomy. Weather permitting, ussymphony.org. Met Opera Theater-casts, 10 a.m. simultane- there will be telescopes to view the sky. ous viewings and 12 encore rebroadcasts of The public is invited to attend. cmachi@ MOVIES Metropolitan Opera productions at Dublin's headsup.org. Classic Film Series, Vine Cinema and Regal Cinema, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays - Ball at the Mall, Fri., Dec. 31, Stoneridge Alehouse, 1722 First St., Livermore. Schedule: Jan. 5: Verdi's "Don Carlo;" Jan. Shopping Center, Pleasanton. Presented Schedule: Jan. 13: Star Wars. All mov- 8, 26: Puccini's "La Fanciulla Del West;" Feb. by Pleasanton North Rotary as a fund- ies begin at 7 p.m. Information at www. 12, Mar. 2: Glass's "Nixon in China;" Feb. raiser for children in the community. Live VineCinema.com or 447-2545. 26, Mar. 16: Gluck's "Iphigenia in Tauride;" music, piano bar, premium no-host bar, Documentary film, Afghan Star, Dec. 16. April 9, 27: Rossini's "Le Comte Ory;" April champagne at midnight, souvenir glass, Pleasanton Library hosting at the new 23, May 11: Richard Strauss's "Capriccio;" hors d’oeuvres and more. Information and Firehouse Arts Center. No reservations April 30, May 18: Verdi's "Il Trovatore;" May tickets at www.ballatthemall.org. are required. Admission is free. Doors 14, June 11: Wagner's "Die Walkure." 2011 San Ramon Art & Wind Festival open 6:15 p.m., film at 7 p.m. Seating is The Barber of Seville, Opera San José con- Poster Art Contest, open to San Ramon on a first-come, first-served basis. (Info tinues its 27th Season presents Rossini’s middle and high school students. The One-Woman Show at Las Positas Las Positas College invites the passes all the visual arts - drawing, public to a one-woman photogra- painting, photography - but instead phy show featuring the new work of traditional tools and media, by local photographer Pushpa students use state-of-the-art com- Dalal. The exhibit will be available puters and software to produce for viewing Dec. 3 through Jan. their work. Christine McCall at the Carnegie building. 19, in the Barbara Fracisco Mertes The program offers an Associ- Center for the Arts Gallery. ate of Arts Degree which prepares Artist Creates a A Reception for the Artist will students for transition into the be held Jan. 19, 5 to 7 p.m. Art- profession including transfer to Kaleidoscope of Artwork work in the show, entitled “Color, a four-year university program, Light and Movement,” is for sale, a Certificate of Achievement for Local artist Christine McCall such a special place.” with all proceeds benefiting the immediate job entry, and a “Drop- has been capturing Livermore’s To create a kaleidoscope, Chris- Visual Communications (VCOM) in and Learn” opportunity for heritage and beauty with her new tine cuts a wedge-shaped slice out program. professionals, students, and inter- Kaleidoscope photographs. These of a photograph. Using Photoshop “Pushpa is a renaissance wom- ested members of the community. unusual designs look at first like on a computer, she copies it 12 an,” said Fredda Cassidy, coordina- VCOM’s Design Shop is a unique the images from a toy kaleido- times in a circle, flipping every tor and head faculty of the VCOM entrepreneurial venture that of- scope. Upon closer inspection, one other slice. She usually takes about program. “With both feet firmly fers career experience to trained can see that they are actually made two dozen different slices before grounded in science and the arts, students who provide professional- out of pictures of buildings, which she finds a design that works. For she is a compassionate humanist "Pilings" is an example of level web and print services at have been replicated and mirrored the Donut Wheel, the teal-colored and lifelong learner. For more than Puspha's work. reduced costs for Tri-Valley busi- until complex designs emerge. arch and jagged roof provide the 25 years, she was a practicing OB- nesses and organizations. Christine started work on this structure of the design, while the GYN. A photographer for most of The Barbara Fracisco Mertes project in October. She decided to yellow lights give it a splash of her adult life, she started taking In addition to her photography Center for the Arts Gallery is use images of local businesses, his- color. “The Donut Wheel was the classes several years ago in the work, Dalal volunteers her medical open each day when classes are torical buildings, and other iconic first building I wanted to do. It’s Visual Communications program services at the Axis Community in session, Monday through Fri- Livermore sights as the basis for such a landmark and I have a soft to further her knowledge in digital Health Clinic. She is a hospice day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekend her designs. The Altamont Pass spot for their doughnuts.” Christine photography and graphic design,” volunteer at the Tri-Valley Hope hours vary; the gallery is closed Windmills turn into a crystal snow- also did the Carnegie building be- Cassidy explained. Hospice and also volunteers at the on Sundays, except during arts flake. Blue Door Antiques into a cause it is home to the Livermore Describing Dalal’s recent cre- ValleyCare Health Library. She is center performances. Las Positas patriotic burst of red white and Art Association Gallery and the ative work, Cassidy said, “Pushpa an active member of the Livermore College will be closed Dec. 23 to blue banners. “It’s hard to predict Livermore Heritage Guild. was blown away at what she Art Association (LAA) and Pleas- January 2; winter recess for classes what the design will look like when Christine is showing her kalei- viewed on her monitor - images anton Art League (PAL) which is Dec. 23 to Jan. 17 For more I’m done,” says Christine. She doscope prints and greeting cards of intense color interacting with sponsored her spring one-woman information about the photography has been working with downtown in two local galleries. The new movement and light in a totally show at Garré Winery. She exhibits show and VCOM program, please businesses, getting permission to Artistic Edge in Blacksmith Square unexpected, unique, and visu- in PAL and LAA group shows and visit the college website at www. photograph their buildings. “Liver- carries her “Local Livermore” ally engaging fashion. After each with the PhotoCentral program in laspositascollege.edu or call (925) more is filled with buildings over and “Botanic” series. It is open shoot, she examines hundreds of Hayward. Last May, Pleasanton 424-1296. 100 years old, and their interesting 11-6 every day until Christmas. images to find one or two that honored her with a Juanita Haugen Las Positas College is located architecture makes beautiful pat- LAA Gallery in Carnegie Park she fine-tunes to perfection. The Community of Character Award. at 3000 Campus Hill Drive in terns. And these businesses have carries her “Historic Livermore” results of her endeavor are a visual Las Positas College’s award- Livermore. been here for decades. I want to collection. It is open 11:30-4:00 treat.” winning VCOM program encom- promote Livermore because it is Wednesday-Sunday. 10 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Community Pleasanton Merchants Open Youth Collect Items for Shepherd's Gate Youth of the Dublin / Pleasan- Late; Host Art Walk ton area spent an evening gather- A number of downtown Pleasanton merchants will stay open until ing donations from over 100 fami- 9 p.m. tonight, Thursday, December 16 to promote holiday shopping. lies, who had pledged to purchase Visit the following locations to satisfy your holiday shopping list: goods to help Shepherd’s Gate, a Berry Patch, Clover Creek, Gourmet Works, Little Valley Winery, homeless shelter for women and Murphy’s Paw, Pans on Fire, Passionate Athlete, Rick’s Picks, Sincerely children in Livermore. Since Yours, Studio 7, Towne Center Books. 1984, Shepherd’s Gate has pro- Downtown Pleasanton merchants offer unique gifts and services. vided Christ-centered services and Shopping local boosts the local economy and fosters community. housing to over 9,000 battered and The 3rd Thursdays Merchants Art Walk will also be taking place homeless women and children. December 16, 6 to 9 p.m. The Art Walk is a collaborative event bring- Shepherds Gate has two campuses, ing together local downtown merchants, arts groups, and area artists in a second one in Brentwood. an effort to continue adding interesting and lively events to downtown Signups were sent around in Pleasanton. To download a walking map for this event, visit www. church meetings for two weeks merchantarts.com prior to the event and families For information, contact the Pleasanton Downtown Association went out and purchased materi- (925) 484-2199 als from a list of needs provided by Shepherd’s Gate. Youth went LARPD to Present Annual out in small groups to pick up the donations from homes. Three Great Yule Log Hunt young teenage boys picked up Livermore Area Recreation and Park District rangers will mark the sacks from our home and they women and their children. One of with these sweet children whose the occasion of the winter solstice with a traditional celebration of the seemed a little embarrassed as the leaders commented, “It was a caretakers are going through such yule log. The District is holding its 17th annual Great Yule Log Hunt they sang “We Wish You a Merry great service project for the youth. a hard time.” on Dec. 19. Christmas,” It …. was a very tender experi- The project was sponsored by The tradition of the yule log began with pagan rituals that varied Several large vans full of dona- ence - I know I felt the sweetness the Youth Groups of the Pleasanton greatly from region to region throughout Europe. These communal fires tions were donated to Shepherd’s of the spirit and I know the girls 1st, 4th and Dublin Wards of The in ancient times meant light, warmth and security on the darkest day Gate and a delicious meal was were touched. It was also a very Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- of the year, the first day of winter. Celebrants would gather around and also prepared and enjoyed by the humbling experience to be … Day Saints. drink a toast for health, wealth and happiness in the coming year. In England, the yule log was selected from oak, pine or ash tree. LARPD typically uses a yule log from a sycamore or oak tree. Join this wintry celebration with Ranger Pat “Solstice” Sotelo and staff. Wear a silly hat, and prepare for the hunt with games and stories. After hunting down the elusive yule log, gather around the fire to share some holiday cheer. Families can decorate their own yule log to take home. The Great Yule Log Hunt will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Veterans Park Group Picnic Area. A $2 donation is requested to help support the program. For more information, call 925-960-2400. Tickets Available for Annual Crab Feed The Livermore Knights of Columbus will hold their 38th Annual Crab Feed on January 8th at the Robert Livermore Community Center. The event will feature an all you can eat crab dinner, raffles and prizes, and live music performed by Open Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner being served at 6 p.m. This event is the premier event of the Livermore Knights. Proceeds from the dinner go to support the many charities and community groups that the Knights provide financial support and volunteer hours to. Last year the Knights contributed more than 46,000 volunteer hours to assist local groups and individuals. Tickets can be purchased for $41 online by going to www.kof- c4588events.org. Questions can be directed to Mark or Clare Duguid – 925-443-5873. Children to Perform 'The Miracle on Main Street' The Pleasanton Middle School cheer team placed first in the United Spirit Association Regional The children of Centerpointe Church will present their Christmas mu- Competition held in Tracy on Saturday, December 11th. The team won the Junior High Show Cheer sical, “The Miracle on Main Street” twice during the holiday season. Novice division competing against six other teams from northern California. The 7th and 8th grade girls, The musical asks the question of what would happen if you received coached by Kim DeJoy, will next compete in the Northern California Spirit Competition to be held at a wrapped present with no gift inside. That’s equivalent to celebrating UC-Davis in February. The 2009-2010 team from Pleasanton Middle won the Spirit Championship and the Christmas season without Jesus. Performances start at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19 and Friday, Dec. 24 in then went on to win the National Championship in their division for 2010. Pictured are top left, Amber the Centerpointe Worship Center, 3410 Cornerstone Court in Pleasanton. Marquez, Madison Hinkins, Lexi Ewanich, Erin Moirano, Brieanna Morrissey, Coach Kim DeJoy, Madison There is no admission charge. Maas, Mandi Johnson, Megan Patterson, Emma Loll, Jordan Robinson. Second Row Left, Mikai Lewis, For information, please see www.centerpointechurch.info or call the Tori Heckart, Lexi Venema, Lauren Shohfi, Brittany Vargas, Samantha Manning, Ali Johnson. Bottom church office at 925-846-4436. Row left, Cierra Martinez, Sarina DeJoy, Mitsu Dill, Hayley Hart, Victoria Lachnit, Cameron Bell.

Community THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 11

Lab Physicist Elected a Fellow of Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Shawn L. Ecklund graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training The Optical Society in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Lawrence Livermore National He is the son of Jerry Ecklund of Livermore. Ecklund graduated in 2003 from North Valley High School, Santa Clara, Laboratory physicist Joseph Nilsen Calif., and received a bachelor's degree in 2008 from the University of has been elected a Fellow of The Phoenix, Pleasanton. Optical Society (OSA). The organization said it is rec- ognizing Nilsen for his “pioneering contributions to the development and understanding of X-ray lasers Southwestern Assemblies of God University’s graduating class of Fall 2010 and their applications.” will include a student from Livermore, California (listed below). SAGU offers Nilsen has been at the Lab for approximately sixty degrees, both undergraduate and graduate, in various fields 33 years. He is currently working of study. Fall commencement was held Friday, December 10. Curtis Robert in the Weapons and Complex In- Wilson of Livermore earned a bachelor's degree in church ministries. tegration directorate, leading a sci- ence campaign and doing research on high energy density physics. His laser accomplishments include developing the pre-pulse techniques that are now the stan- dard techniques used worldwide to drive X-ray lasers. This technology Artist's Work Chosen for Exhibit has allowed such lasers to be re- duced in size from requiring large Artist Tricia Poulos Leonard of world, jazz music. I love the fact Reno, Nevada has received two that this musical genre originated fusion laser facilities to operating special recognition merit awards in the US and has been recognized as table-top lasers. for artwork in the “8th Annual as an original art form by the en- In his early research, Nilsen Color: Bold/Subtle Juried Online tire world. When I am working invented and led experiments to International Art Exhibition” host- on a piece, I listen to jazz and am demonstrate a nuclear pumped X- Joseph Nilsen ed by Upstream People Gallery. inspired by the movement of the ray laser. He also helped develop The artist is a former resident of music. My hope is that my art will the X-ray imaging techniques used the Livermore-Amador Valley. move the viewer in the way the to diagnose and understand X-ray OSA selected 64 new fellows cal Society (APS). This international exhibition music moves me.”’ lasers, which are now used to di- this year, with about half of them Nilsen is also active in the com- received approximately 250 entries Further information about the agnose other plasmas. working in the United States. munity as a Judge at the annual Tri- from around the world and 50 work can be found by clicking on In all, Nilsen has published 240 Nilsen becomes the seventh OSA Valley Science and Engineering artists were selected by the juror www.upstreampeoplegallery.com papers on X-ray lasers, atomic fellow currently at LLNL. He also Fair and an Assistant Scout Master Laurence Bradshaw, Professor of physics, and non-linear optics. is a fellow of the American Physi- for Boy Scout Troop 924. Art at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, U. S. A. Professor Bradshaw stated, Buddies Without Borders Raises Funds for Pakistan Flood Relief “Tricia Poulos Leonard has a de- veloped artistic use of mixed media Buddies without Borders, in quake and the Haiti earthquake. after the current crops had been ru- Both Buddies Without Borders as seen in her music themed pieces. collaboration with Imran Khan Imran Khan, sports super star ined as well as the adopt a village, and the Imran Khan Foundation ‘Jazz Singer’ shows the figure with Foundation, held an elegant gala and former Pakistan Cricket Cap- school or family program. were recognized with a Congres- many textural treatments including at the Castlewood Country Club in tain turned philanthropist, humani- Buddies Without Borders sional certificate for their efforts the treble sign, musical notes and Pleasanton attended by 350 people tarian, Chairman of the Board of (BWB) is a local organization in raising awareness and funds in the microphone, all developed with on December 4, 2010 raising over Shaukat Khanum Hospital (the whose mission it is to spread support of the flood relief effort by a strong warm and cool vibration $120,000 to aid the Pakistan flood only charity based cancer hospital awareness for the Pakistani flood Congressman Jerry McNerney’s amidst the central figure. ‘Jazz relief effort. of its kind in Pakistan), previous victims through the collective office as presented by Ayesha Musician’ is also rich with the Almost 20 million people, with member of the Parliament and power of American schoolchil- Sheikh. Anyone with interest in angularity of the saxophone player a death toll of close to 2,000, were current leader of the political party dren as they use service learning donating to this worthy cause and the black and red with green affected by the Pakistan floods Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, updated projects to recognize the need for may still do so through The Imran dynamics.”’ which began in July 2010 follow- the attendees with his signature global citizenship, empathy and Khan Foundation which is a non- The exhibition will be featured ing heavy monsoon rains resulting candor on the current status of the empowerment and take action profit corporation and a registered online at www.upstreampeople- in the Indus River flooding until flood and the efforts his founda- now as they grow into the leaders tax-exempt public charity under gallery.com and continue for 12 approximately twenty percent of tion is undertaking to mitigate this of our future. The children from section 510 (c)(3) @ www.im- months, closing November 30, Pakistan’s total land area was disaster. The two main areas that he BWB performed the song Dil Dil rankhanfoundation.org. 2011. underwater. The number of indi- discussed in detail from the Imran Pakistan as seen in the music video Information about Buddies Loenard declared, “Jazz Singer viduals affected by the flooding Khan Flood Relief Fund were the from its website. Emma C. Smith Without Borders organization may and Jazz Musician are two of my exceeds the combined total of seed dispersal program to allow Elementary School in Livermore be found at www.buddieswithout- series of mixed media paintings individuals affected by the Indian the farmers to begin replanting in has been selected as the pilot pro- borders.org. based on America’s gift to the Ocean tsunami, the Kashmir earth- order to stave off a future famine gram for the BWB service learning project. 12 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 Community

(Organizations wishing to run notices in at 1 p.m. at member's home. Guests welcome. future through better education. For more care for yourself. No fee to attend. Hope Hos- service 11 a.m. (Connected). For information, Bulletin Board, send information to PO Box Topics include sharing of Hummel figurine information, contact [email protected] pice Inc., 6377 Clark Ave., Suite 100, Dublin. call 925-447-1246. 1198, Livermore, CA 94551, in care of Bulletin news and information. For information, contact or phone 510-507-5509. 829-8770, www.HopeHospice.com. Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 Board. Include name of organization, meeting Joan Mumma, club secretary, 447-5164 or ClutterLess Self Help Support Group, Pleasanton Newcomers Club, open to East Avenue, Livermore. 9 a.m. Sunday wor- date, time, place and theme or subject. Phone www/mumma.org/hummel/ (CL) is a nonprofit, peer-based, self-help sup- new and established residents of the Tri-Val- ship. Information 447-1950. number and contact person should also be Widowed Men and Women of North- port group for people with difficulty discarding ley. Activities include a coffee on the first Calvary Chapel Livermore, Sunday included. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.) ern CA., Mexican Brunch in Pleasanton, unwanted possessions. Meetings in Room 7 at Wednesday of the month, a luncheon on the Services 10:30 am and 6:00 p.m. 545 N. L New Year's Eve Party, Dec. 31, Liver- Dec. 19, 11 a.m., RSVP by Dec. 17 to Hilda, 7 p.m. every Monday 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the second Wednesday of the month, bunco, Mah Street Livermore. (925) 447-4357 - www. St. Mary & St. John Coptic Orthodox Church. more-Pleasanton Elks Lodge 2117, 6:30 p.m. 398-8808. Jongg, bridge, walking and hiking groups, calvarylivermore.org. no host cocktails, 7:30 p.m. dinner followed, Room 7, 4300 Mirador Drive, Pleasanton. Just family activities and monthly adult socials. St. Matthew's Baptist Church, 1239 Sentinels of Freedom Welcome Home come or call our one of the volunteers: 925-200- champagne toasts at both east and west coast Ceremony and Reception, hosted by Dublin Information, call 215-8405 or visit www. North Livermore Ave., Livermore. Services 1943, or go to www.ClutterLess.org. PleasantonNewcomers.com. on Sunday at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adult Sunday midnight times, music by DJ Felope, bingo on Monday, December 27, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. Disability Action Network is a group games after dinner. $35 per person. Prepaid Learn Scottish Country dancing at the school 9:30 a.m., Children's Sunday school at in the Community Room of the Dublin Library of people with all kinds of disabilities who Livermore class of the Royal Scottish Country 9:30 a.m. Prayer each Wednesday at 7 p.m. fol- reservations required by Mon., Dec. 27, RSVP located at 200 Civic Plaza in Dublin. The are working together to make change in the Dance Society, San Francisco Branch. Lively lowed by Bible study at 7:30 p.m. 449-3824. to 455-8829. event will honor all current military personnel community. The group works on health care, reels and jigs, graceful strathspeys. All ages. United Christian Church, celebrating San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club who are home on holiday leave who reside in housing, access, attendant programs, transpor- Adults Mondays 8 to 9:30 p.m. Livermore 50 years in the Tri-Valley. 1886 College Ave. invites new and long-time residents to its Dublin, Danville, San Ramon, Blackhawk or tation, and other issues affecting people with Veteran's Hall, 522 South L St., Livermore; at M St., Livermore; worships on Sunday monthly luncheon on January 20, 2011. Roberta Alamo. All those families who have military disabilities. The group is a project of CRIL, youth or adult Fridays 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the morning at 10:30 a.m. Children’s program on Gonzales, award winning weather anchor for serving from these areas are encouraged to Community Resources for Independent Living. Valley Dance Theatre School, 2247 Second Sunday morning and first Fridays. The com- CBS5 News, will be the speaker. 11:30 to 2 submit an Information Request Form. Forms CRIL serves people with all disabilities and St., Suite B, Livermore. Call Margaret Ward, munity is welcome. United CC is an Open p.m. at Bridges Golf Club Restaurant, 9000 may be submitted online at the City of Dub- seniors with disabling conditions, providing 449-5932 or Sheena MacQueen, 447-1833. and Affirming ministry. Call 449-6820 for So. Gale Rd., San Ramon. Luncheon is $25. lin website www.dublin.ca.gov, obtained by assistance with housing, personal assistant Good News Bears, nonprofit with a mis- more information. Call Susan, 925-718-5214, for reservations contacting the City Manager’s Office at (925) services, benefits, assistive technology, advo- sion to distribute stuffed animals to social Bible Study, offered Wednesdays, 7:30 and information. 833-6650, [email protected] (for cacy, and peer counseling. CRIL’s mission is services, emergency services, medical facili- to 8:30 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Livermore High School Choral Boosters Dublin residents) or contact your City for to advocate and provide resources for people ties and anyone who needs a hug. Based in Latter-day Saints, 6100 Paseo Santa Cruz, with disabilities to improve the quality of life "Holiday Bingo Blast," Sat., Dec. 18, Bingo more information. Livermore, the group reaches around the Bay Pleasanton. Refreshments served at no cost. Clothing Drive - Warm men's clothing and make communities fully accessible. For Area and the world. Volunteers needed to hold 925-305-9468. Ranch, 3070 Pacific Ave., Livermore. Early more information, please call Jessica Lehman session at 3:45 p.m., regular session at 6:30 for homeless veterans, plus men's and women's collections of gently used teddy bears and other Trinity, 557 Olivina Ave., Livermore. business attire for Wardrobe for Opportunity. at (510) 881-5743 x5937. stuffed animals, assist with fund-raising and Services on Sunday at 8:30, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Free goodie bags to the first 150 to buy-in. Birthright Pregnancy Support Service, deliver the animals to organizations supported p.m. with Sunday school or Bible study for Holiday caroling by the LHS Chamber Choir Please bring to Tri-Valley Unity prior to 10 a.m. service, 2260 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, looking an office volunteer to assist clients by the group. Meetings 2nd Thursday of the all ages at 9:45 a.m. Bible study for adults between sessions. or call Michele to make other arrangements, weekly on Wednesdays 10-2, and substitute month, 6:30 p.m. at the Livermore Police Sta- and activities for all ages on Wednesdays at Disability Action Network (DAN) meet- (925) 829-1239. office volunteers for all days. Also looking tion. Log on to www.goodnewsbears.org or call 6:45 p.m. 447-1848. ing, second Thursday of each month at 2:00 Pleasantonians 4 Peace, Peaceful War for a volunteer CPA to assist annually with 373-7982 for more information. Granada Baptist Church, 945 Concan- pm, Livermore CRIL office, 3311 Pacific Ave., Protest will be held on the fourth Wednesday reviewing books and other related assistance. The Bingo Ranch, 3070 Pacific Ave. in non Blvd., Livermore. Services: Sunday Livermore. The Disability Action Network is of the month, December 22 between 5 - 6 at For information on a variety of volunteer op- Livermore and is open Mondays, Wednesday, school 9:45 a.m., worship 11 a.m., Tuesday a group of people with all kinds of disabilities the corners of First and Neal Streets. Please portunities, please call John Kupski evenings at Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Buenas Vidas Bible study, 10 a.m. to noon. All are welcome. who are working together to make changes in join us if you can. Call Cathe Norman at 606-8230. Open M-Tu-Fri 10 am-2 pm, Thurs. Youth Ranch has been running Bingo for 16 1-888-805-7151. the community. The group works on health care, (925) 462-7495; Matt Sullivan at mjs7882@ eve. 6-9 pm. Birthright offers free pregnancy years and is now working with Christensen, Tri-Valley Unity Church, 2260 Camino housing, access, attendant programs, transpor- gmail.com; or [email protected]. www. tests, guidance, adoption and medical referrals, Arroyo Seco and East Ave Schools, and Excep- Ramon, San Ramon. Class for children, ages tation, and other issues affecting people with Pleasantonians4Peace.org baby and maternity clothing, and more. Liver- tional Needs Network and All American Sports 1-10, during church service, 10 to 11:15 a.m. more office at 1520 Catalina Ct., just behind the disabilities. For more information, please call Pleasanton Senior Center VIP Travel, Academy Teams. Come play Bingo and support Ongoing adult classes and small groups. All Cathedral of Christ the Light, downtown Oak- Granada Shopping Center, or call 449-5887. the kids in Livermore. Call 925-606-7777 for are welcome. (925) 829-2733. www.trival- Jessica Lehman at (510) 881-5743 x5937. 1-800-550-4900 Hotline number is staffed 24 Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Touring Club, land, Fri., Dec. 17, lunch along the Carquinez more information. leyunity.com Straits, followed by tour of Lindsay Wildlife hours a day. All Birthright services are free and Community Bible Study Class, book of Sat., Dec. 18, 20 mile Marsh Creek-Big Break confidential. www.birthright.org RELIGION Luke will be the topic of study in Pleasanton at Trail, meet 10 a.m. at Starbucks in Brentwood, Museum in Walnut Creek. Price includes tour, lunch and motorcoach transportation, $78 per Tri-Valley Seniors: Need a ride to your Tri-Valley Cultural Jews, affiliated with Valley Bible Church. CBS is a non-denomina- Randy Huey, 518-8439. Sun., Dec. 19, 30 person. Sign up at the travel desk, 5353 Sunol medical appointment? Seniors who require the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations tional Bible study ministry open to all women, miles ride to see Christmas decorations at Blvd., Pleasanton. door-to-door service are now eligible for a (csjo.org). Information, Rabbi Judith Seid, with a special children's program for ages 0-5 Orchard Nursery in Lafayette, meet 10 a.m. Senior Support Program of the Tri-Val- ride to their medical appointments. Volunteers Tri-Valley Cultural Jews, 485-1049 or East- years old. The class meets on Thursdays from at SRV School District Office, Julie Hampton, ley is looking for Volunteer Drivers to transport use their personal vehicles to drive seniors to BaySecularJews.org. 9:30-11:30AM beginning 9/9/10 and goes 510-685-7103. Wed., Dec. 22, 30 miles San seniors to their medical appointments. The and from medical appointments. Seniors must First Church of Christ, Scientist, Liver- until 5/12/11. More information about the Ramon and Danville to Alamo, meet 10 a.m. Senior Transportation Program supplements be 60 and over, living in Dublin, Livermore, more, has services at 10 a.m. every Sunday. CBS program and registration available by at Shannon Center in Dublin, Gail Blanco, existing public and paratransit services by Pleasanton or Sunol, and unable to find a ride Sunday School for students (ages 3-20) is held contacting Sharon at 925-399-5072, or email 872-1001. Anyone planning to go on a ride is providing rides via volunteer drivers. Vol- (relative, friend, bus, paratransit.) For a ride, at 10 a.m. every Sunday. The church and reading [email protected]. asked to call the leader for details on where to unteers must have a valid driver’s license, a or to volunteer, call Jennifer Cullen at (925) room are located at Third and N Streets. The Granada Baptist Church, 945 Concan- meet and what to bring. registered vehicle, carry automobile liability 931-5387 or email her at ja.cullen@yahoo. Reading Room, which is open to the public, non Boulevard, Livermore. Services: Sunday com. Funding for the Senior Transportation Community Resources for Indepen- insurance, and have a clear DMV record. Please features books, CDs and magazines for sale. school – 9:45 a.m.; worship service – 11 a.m. contact Jennifer Cullen for more information Program is provided by Alameda County For information, call (925) 447-2946. All are welcome. 1-888-805-7151. dent Living (CRIL) offers services to help Transportation Improvement Authority and people with disabilities and supports them at (925) 931-5387 or email: ja.cullen@yahoo. Sunset Community Church, 2200 Ar- Seventh-day Adventist Church, 243 com. Funding for this program is provided by Measure B Funds. royo Rd., Livermore. Sunday worship service Scott Street, Livermore. 925-447-5462, ser- to live independently and participate in their Toastmasters, Amador Valley group meets at 10:30 a.m. Nursery and children's church vices on Saturday: Sabbath school 9:30 a.m., community for as long as they are willing Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC). at Mimi's Cafe, 4775 Hacienda Dr., Dublin, 7 provided. A "Night of Worship" first Sunday worship 11 a.m. www.livermoresda.org/ All and able to do so. CRIL maintains offices in Daughters of the American Revolution, a.m. Thursday mornings. Learn to communi- of each month at 6 p.m. Wednesday night are welcome. Hayward, Fremont and Livermore to provide Josefa Higuera Livermore Chapter, meets cate more effectively, improve presentation program for all ages at 7 p.m. Information, Stepping Stones on Grief Journey, Grief information, support and referrals. CRIL also 9:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month skills and leadership potential. Contact Hal call 447-6282. Ministry bi-monthly sessions, Catholic Com- provides community education at senior centers between Sept. and May at the Asbury United Brown, 462-2412, for information. Faith Chapel Assembly of God, 6656 munity of Pleasanton. Dec. 23, Jan 13, 27, Feb., and affordable housing complexes to residents Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave., Livermore. Livermore Military Families is a support Alisal St., Pleasanton, Sunday School for all 10, 11 and Mar. 10, 24, 7:30 p.m. St. Elizabeth of Southern Alameda County. The Tri-Valley DAR is a women's service organization. The group for families in Livermore, who have a ages 9:30 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m., Children’s Seton, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. No pre- CRIL office is located at 3311 Pacific Avenue, women are descended from a patriot of the loved one serving in the Military. It is a safe Church 11:15 a.m. Women's Bible study registration required. Open to all regardless of Livermore and can be reached by phone at American Revolution and are dedicated to pa- place to come and share the joys, tears and fears Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Please call office at religious affiliation. Please call Mary Hagerty, (925) 371-1531, by FAX at (925) 373-5034 triotism, preservation of American history and they have with others who understand what 846-8650 for weekly programs. 846-5377, for more information. or by e-mail at [email protected]. securing America's future through education. they are going through. All family members Holy Cross Lutheran Church Sunday The deaf community is invited to worship are welcome to attend meetings. Meetings are Hours are M-F 9-12:30 and 1:30PM to 5 PM, Information, contact Maris at 443-3087. Service 9:30 a.m. 1020 Mocho St., Livermore. at First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, Daughters of the American Revolution, held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Information, 447-8840. where ASL translation will be provided every Drop in days are Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 home of Cindy Gavello, 2851 Tahoe Drive, to 11:30AM and 2-4 PM or by appointment. Jose Maria Amador Chapter, Pleasanton, Our Savior Lutheran Ministries, 1385 Sunday at 10:30 A.M and on Christmas Eve volunteer women's service organization de- Livermore from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. S. Livermore Avenue, Livermore. Sunday at 9:00. The church is located on the corner All services are free. Caregiver Support Group, meets 2nd and worship at 9 a.m.; Sunday School and Adult of 4th and L streets. The PEER Support Group for Tri Valley scended from a patriot of the American Revo- lution. Dedicated to patriotism, preservation 4th Mondays of each month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Bible Study at 10:30 a.m.; contemporary CRIL (Community Resources for Independent of American history and securing America's Learn new coping strategies and ways to better Living) meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as exchange informa- tion. People with generic health conditions, as well as their friends and families find support groups to be valuable resources and a place where people can share medical and emotional information and educate themselves and others. The next Support Group meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 22 from 2 to 3:30 PM at the Tri-Valley CRIL office located at 3311 Pacific Avenue, Livermore . To obtain more information or reserve a place , CRIL can be reached by phone at (925) 371-1531, by FAX at (925) 373-5034 or by e-mail at [email protected]. The Support Group meetings and all other CRIL services are free. M.L. Hummel Club, San Francisco Chapter, meets second Saturday of each month