VOLUME XLIX, NUMBER 35 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012 Livermore Chosen As Site of New World Series Tournament By Patricia Koning Chief Executive Officer of Director, describes the deci- ing and base path distances, Since 2010, local teams Last week, the Little Little League Baseball and sion as “beyond exciting.” will be named later this have chartered teams in the League International Board Softball. “Any of them, Max Baer Park will serve as year. 50/70 Pilot Program. After Find Out What's of Directors announced we are confident, would the event venue. The 50/70 program is each season since, Little Livermore as the site of the do a terrific job of hosting “This shows that as with intended to ease the transi- League International has Happening newest World Series base- such a high-profile event. the Amgen Tour of Califor- tion from the standard Little gathered information from ball tournament. Several Ultimately, the Board of Di- nia, this city can step up and League field size of a 46-foot local leagues and districts Check Out Section A cities were considered over rectors settled on Northern host remarkable events,” pitching distance and 60- on best practices, allowing Section A is filled with the past few months, includ- California, the greater San says Livermore Mayor John foot base paths to the Junior/ it to refine the guidelines in information about arts, ing Vancouver, Wash., and Francisco area, Livermore, Marchand. “This is an op- Senior/Big League field of a preparation for establishing people, entertainment and Chicago. and Granada Little League, portunity for the city of 60.5-foot pitching distance the new division of play, and special events. There are “It was a difficult choice, as its top choice.” Livermore and LARPD to be and 90-foot base paths. The the ninth World Series tour- education stories, a variety since all the cities are so California District 57 Ad- in the spotlight on a national program is for players ages nament of Little League. of features, and the arts and close in terms of what they ministrator Dave Wetmore, stage.” 11-13. It uses Junior League “The 50/70 Pilot Pro- entertainment and bulletin board. have to offer,” says Stephen who will also serve as the The new division, nick- Baseball Rules and Regula- gram has been welcomed D. Keener, President and World Series Tournament named “50/70” for the pitch- tions. (See WORLD SERIES, page 5) Town Hall Health Care Act Slowing Cost of Pleasanton Meeting In Schools Ready Livermore Premiums, Election May Change Things to Make Special Residents are invited to The Affordable Care Act almost entirely disappear. Guptill provided the au- range can put them back on Education attend a Town Hall Meet- (ACA) is already having That was the appraisal at dience with an overall view their health plan. Since the ing at the Livermore Civic the effect of lowering health a Livermore Valley Chamber of the act, and how it would first day of eligibility on Jan. More Efficient Center Library Community care insurance premiums of Commerce luncheon at impact users and providers 1, 2011, millions have done Pleasanton schools can Room at 6:45pm on Thurs- and extending care to more Concannon Vineyard on in all segments of the health that, said Guptill, save money and deliver people. Aug. 23. Kitty Guptill, se- care industry. The cost ceiling on pre- special education services day, August 30. better by taking recom- Mayor John Marchand However, depending on nior vice president of stra- Benefits are already in ventive services, with annual the results of the November tegic market planning for place from some features and lifetime limits, has been mended steps toward more will present the first Com- efficiency, a consultant told munity State of the City election, the acts benefits Kaiser-Permanente, was the of the ACA. Parents with eliminated. "That's impor- will either slow down, or guest speaker. offspring in the 19-to-26 age the school board. Address. (See HEALTH CARE, page 4) Caryl Miller of Total The Mayor and City staff School Solutions summa- will be available to answer rized her 150-page report to questions immediately fol- the board at its first meeting lowing the presentation. of the new school year on For more information, Aug. 21. Miller provided the in- call the City Manager’s formation at a special study Office at (925)-960-4040 session prior to the regular or visit the website www. meeting. The board took no cityoflivermore.net. action. The district’s new as- sistant superintendent of educational services, Odie Douglas, said that he will be reporting to the board quarterly on the progress of the implementation, which is expected to take two years to complete. The special education activity of a school district is unknown to much of the public. It includes some stu- dents with disabilities who City Unveils will rely on the program for a long time. New Website Other students are simply The City of Pleasanton deficient in a skill. Special has unveiled a new website education is available to Photo - Doug Jorgensen teach those skills, and move specifically designed around Toasting the harvest are (from left) Chris Chandler, Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association executive director; the student into the main- the needs and interests of Senior Pastor Steve Wilde, First Presbyterian Church; Rabbi David Katz, Congregation Beth Emek; and Carolyn stream general curriculum as youth and families. Ptown- Wente, CEO of Wente Vineyards. soon as possible, said super- life.org serves teens and intendent Parvin Ahmadi. families with children of Finding ways to better all ages, providing a bridge Upcoming Grape Harvest Looks to Be 'Spectacular' identify students’ needs, and between the community moving them through spe- and an array of activities, The upcoming harvest kicks off the 31st annual Family Estates was chosen the grapes. Wente is cel- cial education more quickly services and resources, and looks “spectacular.” Livermore Valley Harvest as the setting. ebrating the 100th anniver- can save the district money. youth job/volunteer oppor- That was the consensus Wine Celebration to be held Carolyn Wente, CEO, sary of growing Chardonnay However, the more impor- tant value is the boost in tunities. of those attending the an- this weekend. declared, “This is really a grapes.” nual Blessing of the Grapes student performance, said The youth-centric site’s A vineyard of Chardon- fun year to have the honor She then told the story in Livermore. The blessing (See PLEASANTON, page 4) web team is comprised of nay grapes on the Wente of hosting the blessing of (See HARVEST, page 10) Pleasanton teens who guide its design and content. Stu- dents promote the site, re- port on new and interesting Rural Fire Fee May Go Away A special fee of $150 on session. The fee was insti- Supervisor Scott Haggerty’s things happening in the property owners who live tuted as the result of a $90 office to complain about community, take photos, in rural “state responsibility million funding shortage for them. and write articles to post on areas” for fire suppression the California Department of The whole board is on va- the site. has brought complaints from Forestry, which responds to cation in August. However, Ptownlife.org is a direct those who are beginning to rural fires Haggerty’s aide, Shawn outcome of the Pleasanton receive the bill. The bills for the service Wilson, explained that a Youth Master Plan which The Legislature approved began going out Aug. 1 blogger’s web site mistaken- was developed to guide the the fee last year as AB 29X, this year. Rural residents ly was funneling complaints health, safety, and well-be- with the X denoting the fact and landowners in Alameda to county supervisors. ing of Pleasanton’s children that it was passed in an extra County have been calling (See FEE, page 4) and youth today and into the future. It presents a long- term vision, goals and strate- Gala Weekend Planned for Opening gies for meeting their needs and provides elected offi- of Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley cials, commission members, Local officials and the ing on November 8. Featured at the outlet City and School District press were given a sneak Principal Robert Brevnik center will be more than staff, community leaders, peek at the Paragon Outlets stated in his opening re- 120 name brand stores in- and youth serving organiza- Livermore Valley last week. marks, “It’s quite beautiful cluding anchors such as tions guidance on how these The event included informa- isn’t it. We anticipate that the Bloomingdale’s The Outlet needs can be met. tion on plans for the grand opening weekend will break Store, Nieman Marcus Last Community youth or- opening and on new stores the record for sales set just Call, and Saks Fifth Avenue ganizations interested in that have signed leases. last week at the opening of OFF 5TH. Newly signed The 543,000 square foot a center in Texas. The Liver- participating in the website up are Armani Outlet and shopping center is located more Valley center will be a Prada. The Prada outlet must become a registered at the intersection of I-580 huge tourist attraction for the will be one of just a few in member. Ptownlife.org part- and El Charro Road in Liver- greater Bay Area. We expect the United States. Among ners are featured with a more. It is set to open with a that there will be a lot of the other stores are Banana Photo - Doug Jorgensen profile page with contacts, weekend of festivities start- international visitors.” (See PARAGON, page 5) Levi cruises the Goodguys Car Show in his replica 1932 a website link, program Ford Coupe.