Oakley Press_05.20.11

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 11, No. 20

Council OKs Lining up for education tattoo shop

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May 20, 2011

The lure of Point Lobos

by Samie Hartley Staff Writer The Oakley City Council recently approved a conditional-use permit for King Cobra Tattoo following a delicate discussion about decency and the fine line between a tattoo shop and an adult business. In January, Oakley resident Shelby Lozano submitted an application for a conditional-use permit to operate a tattoo business at 3420 Main St., the former site of Little Manuel’s Restaurant. During the public hearing on April 26, Lozano spoke before the council and explained his desire to open a shop in his hometown. “I realize that there is a certain amount of stigma that surrounds tattoo shops, so I just want to give you a quick background about myself and my profession,” said Lozano, who explained to the council that he has more than 10 years of professional tattoo experience

The jewel in California’s coastal crown lies within easy striking distance of East County. Page 1B

The voting booth is open Photo courtesy of OUESD

akley Union Elementary School District teachers, administrators and parents assembled along Laurel Avenue last week to protest education cuts across California. The event was held in conjunction with weeklong demonstrations throughout the state.

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see Tattoo page 19A

Grant could ease student traffic at Heritage by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer

A federal grant, approved, will ease traffic congestion on Heritage High School’s main thoroughfare by paying for a traffic light at American Avenue outside the student parking lot. At a recent meeting of the East County transportation improvement board TRANSPLAN, board members voted in favor of using a $726,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Committee as part of the Caltrans Safe Routes to School Program. The board has until May 26 to submit the project to the committee, which has until the end of the month to give it preliminary approval. If the Federal Highway Administration OKs the plan by Aug. 31, the board can start working on the design to submit to Caltrans – a process with a Feb. 1, 2012 deadline.

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Photo by Richard Wisdom

Traffic congestion at Heritage High School could be eased soon, as a local transportation improvement board has voted to place a traffic light at the intersection of the student parking lot and American Avenue. “It’s been an ongoing, major need,” TRANSPLAN chairman Brian Kalinowski said. “Having signalized lights is going to create a better traffic flow.” Installation of a traffic signal will cost roughly $300,000 and

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take about a year, if everything is approved on time. The grant will also fund the replacement of 66 solar-powered crosswalk lights in Brentwood, an $85,000 project, as well as closure of a sidewalk cap adjacent to Marsh Creek El-

Club charisma go to news/WebExtras!

Capt. Jon Bloom debunks the elitist connotations of “yacht club.”

ementary School, which will cost about $50,000. The rest of the $726,000 grant will go toward the 511 Contra Costa East County Bicycle/ Pedestrian Program, which improves access for bikes and pedestrians around schools. Measure J money would also contribute to the 511 program, which includes bicycle and pedestrian road safety programs at local middle and elementary schools, as well as safety assemblies. The cash from Measure J would satisfy the 11.47 percent in matching funds necessary for the project’s approval. “It gets very congested in the afternoon as well as the morning because everyone has to stop at the stop sign,” Heritage High School principal Andy Parsons said. “I think it’s a move in the right direction.” Kalinowski, an Antioch City see Traffic page 19A

Want your neighbors to know about the best shops and services in town? Just fill in the blanks. Page 16A

Who’s hot, who’s not?

Throw out the season records. It’s time for the Falcons, Patriots and Panthers to slug it out in the playoffs. Page 27A Business ............................... 5B Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................21A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Milestones .......................... 8B Opinion ..............................20A Sports .................................23A ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +

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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Water wonderland Towering talent go to news/press releases

The Antioch WaterPark invites you to experience a Tropical Summer.

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Mic Gillette of Tower of Power performed with Liberty High’s jazz band.


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