Oakley Press_07.29.11

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 11, No. 30

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July 29, 2011

long City to get new landmark building Live and prosper by Samie Hartley Staff Writer

After months of planning discussions, the first phase of the Oakley Downtown Specific Plan is about to begin. At a City Council meeting in June, Project Developer Charles Kahn showed council members the initial drawings of the proposed corner of Vintage Parkway and Main Street, which will include a new landmark building that complements the adjacent city hall and space for restaurants and other businesses. Kahn declared the downtown project to be the most exciting of his 25-year career. “I’ve told a number of people as I’ve been working on this project: we’re working in Oakley,” said Kahn. “And they’ll say, ‘That’s the town between Antioch and Brentwood.’ I want this to be the town that defines those two cities, and I think we have a chance to do that with this project.” The council approved the Downtown Specific Plan in February of last year, but progress

From Summerset to summer safety, our Senior Living Section spotlights a vital force in our community. Page 1B

Scouts make smart barter Graphic courtesy of Kahn Design Associates

An artist’s rendering of the landmark building on the corner of Vintage Parkway and Main Street. was delayed until the city acquired properties in Oakley Plaza, home to CentroMart and La Costa. Once the properties were in the city’s possession, planning discussions intensified, and earlier this year, the city demolished the for-

mer Round Table Pizza building. As part of the new design, La Costa will be displaced as well, but only temporarily. Councilmember Pat Anderson emphasized that La Costa will not be leaving downtown Oakley. It will

temporarily close to make way for the construction of the new building, in which La Costa is scheduled to occupy a space. Anderson, who serves on the ad hoc Downtown

Bethel Island had the venue, and Oakley Troop 152 had the muscle. The result was a symbionic success. Page 7A

Courage corraled

see Landmark page 22A

Suspect arrested in double shooting by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer A suspect has been arrested in connection with a pair of shootings in Oakley Saturday night that left one man dead and another hospitalized. The shootings took place about a half mile from the scene of another fatal shooting last month. Oakley resident David Vargas, 21, was arrested by detectives early Sunday morning on charges of homicide, assault with a firearm and shooting at vehicles. He was booked into the county jail; bail was set at $1.8 million. Vargas is being held in connection with the shooting death Saturday night of Omar Martinez, 22, of Oakley. Martinez was pronounced

dead at the scene. Police responded to reports of gunshots in the 1100 block of O’Hara Avenue about 7 p.m. and found Martinez dead inside a black sedan. A second male, 16, was found nearby also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and listed in stable condition. Detectives believe there were two additional victims in the vehicle in which Vargas was found. Oakley Chief of Police Bani Kollo said the investigation is ongoing, and while the motive of the shooting remains unknown, the incident does not appear to be ransee Homicide page 22A

A blue-ribbon equestrian has harnessed her love of horses to overcome a traumatic childhood incident. Page 19A Arts .....................................10A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................17A Food .................................... 10B Opinion ..............................16A Senior Living ...................... 1B Sports .................................19A Press file photo

A memorial sprang up at the scene of the shooting death of James Didio in June near O’Hara Park Middle School in Oakley, just a half mile from another fatal shooting last weekend.

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Mutts’ Day celebrates those lovable dogs and cats of “diverse heritage.”

Riders revered

go to news/press releases The work of Warriors’ Watch Riders was lauded in the U.S. Congress.

ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +

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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Dynamic demo go to multimedia/videos The traditional culture of India was on display at the Oakley Library.


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