September Community Focus

SEPTEMBER 2010

A Monthly Publication Delivered to Over 30,000 40,000 Residents

Photo courtesy of Tod Gomes at www.Creativelookphoto.com

• Local Real Estate................................pages 7 & 8 • Pleasant Hill City Buzz.............................page 11 • Martinez City Buzz...................................page 12 • Russel Carroll............................................page 13

• High School Football .....................................page 17 • Calendar .........................................................page 26 • Letters & Opinions . .......................................page 29 • Business Directory .........................................page 31

Page 2 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

When I say "good," you say "neighbor."

Matthew Rinn, Agent Insurance Lic. #: 0F99232 Bus: 925-671-0222 Fax: 925-671-0309 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 matt@myagentmatt.net

P097314

Now that's teamwork.

CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7

State Farm Home Office, Bloomington, IL

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

HEARD ON THE STREET

“Toast of Summer” Paul and Sue Damhesel

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Brandon & Ashley

What is Your Favorite or Least Favorite Cafeteria Food?

Tahoe Joe’s Gang Jeanne and Bill Schwass

The Ryans

Carlos Reyes

Martinez Mayor Schroder and Donna Allen

“French Bread Pizza at Valhalla was the best!

Vegetarian Chicken Nuggets weren’t so good!”

Sebastian Paredero, 6th Grade

“Tuesdays Bluesdays”

Lara Delaney and Dwayne Glemser

Sasa Restaurant Awarded with Walnut Creek City Councilmen Bob Simmons

Thank You Advertisers!

AAA Travel Lara Delaney, Martinez Vice-Mayor Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Main Street Martinez Foundation of Pleasant Hill Education Michael Harris, Pleasant Hill City Council Yolanda Van Belle, Habla!

Matthew C. Rinn, State Farm Insurance The Moulding Company Tamura Insurance Susan R. Petersen, CMT Navlet’s

Jennifer L. Martin D.D.S. Senior Helpers Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Hitchcock Realty Diablo Trophy and Awards Aspire Pilates Center UPS – Virginia Hills Earth First Cleaning Sam Nisar, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Tahoe Joe’s Hire My Husband A Wee Change Coldstone Creamery Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

Kobe Japan Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market City of Pleasant Hill Pacific Computer Consultants Land Home Financial Services, Inc. Apollo Shuttle Scott Floor to Ceiling Dallimonti’s El Tapatio Massés Café Milano Sunflower Massage Spa Christies for Kids Don & Norma Flaskerud CA Cancer Research Institute Golden Foot Spa

“Actually, I don’t really like any of the cafeteria food. I’m hoping it is better in Middle School!”

Brooke Bechter, 6th Grade

“Oh my favorite is corn dogs. I just really like corn dogs” Matt Cary, 8th Grade

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September 2010

JULIE SAYS

Return of the Peddler

By Julie Ross

I pulled the old photo down from our kitchen wall.

It’s a shot of a bearded old man praying with hands folded to his brow over a simple meal of gruel and a loaf of bread. The photo had originally hung in this same battered oak frame in the kitchen of my husband Murray’s grandmother, a wonderful woman known to all as Nana.

On the picture’s cardboard backing is a handwritten note in Nana’s neat cursive. It says, “The man in this picture is Mr. Widren. He was a peddler who posed for this picture. Later he was a patient in Immanuel Invalid Home in Omaha, Nebraska, where he died in 1936. He was cared for by Sister Emily Bengston.”

I did some research and found that the name of the peddler in the picture is actually Charles Wilden, not Widren. The photo is a relatively famous one, taken in 1918 by Eric Enstrom in Bovey, Minnesota.

At the time, Enstrom was putting together a portfolio to take with him to a convention of the Minnesota Photographers Association. He included the original of this photo, titled “Grace.” Enstrom knew he had captured something special, a picture that seemed to say, “This man doesn’t have much of earthly goods, but he has more than most people because he has a thankful heart.”

We were in the process of giving our kitchen a facelift, unable to bear the thought of weeks of disruption and the weighty expense of a full remodel.

My main concerns were replacing the hideous wovenpattern linoleum and painting the (also hideous) dark wooden cabinets. We hired our neighbor Harry to work his magic on the floor. (A broadcast engineer by trade, Harry also built our fence, constructed our retaining wall, made our third garage bay into a soundproof drum studio and programmed our remotes when we got those annoying cable boxes. Now that’s talent.)

Not surprising that the hand-laid tile floor he created came out beautifully. Harry also tore out the (yes, hideous) railing between the breakfast nook and the few-steps-down family room, and built a partial wall in its place. There was already a half-wall com-

ing down from the ceiling painted a dark cranberry color. Harry left a space between the two partial walls overlooking the family room, thus removing the railing eyesore but keeping the open feel. Nice.

For the balance of the makeover, I had selected matte black hardware – little round knobs - for the cabinets, and picked out a few colors that pleased me at Kelly-Moore Paints. I selected a sage green (KellyMoore’s “Empire Mist”) for the cabinets, a ruddy terra cotta (“Remington Rust”) to lighten up the dark cranberry half-wall and a buttery yellow (“Bungalow Maple”) to add a bit of color to the opposite wall above the cook top. The remaining walls were painted a clean white.

Happy with the results, I went to put up some artwork to pull everything together. I had hung onto a square note card I liked, picturing rustic homes with red-tiled roofs spilling down a Tuscan hillside.

I had a square black matte frame in my pile upstairs that would work well with it, but it had come with a white mat that did nothing to enhance the soft colors in the scene. Feeling rather clever, I painted the white mat with some leftover “Remington Rust,” ensuring a perfect match with my wall while bringing out the warmth of the red tile roofs on the card. I hung the framed card in the spot where “Grace” previously had hung.

Looked good but felt wrong. Murray and I missed the old man and the memories of Nana the photo brought into our kitchen. I stuck my Tuscan scene on a wall around the corner in the dining room, went and collected “Grace”, cleaned the glass, polished the old wood frame, and hung it back where it belonged.

Welcome back, Mr. Wilden.

Please e-mail comments to julieakross@comcast.net

Community Focus A Monthly Publication delivered to over 40,000 Homes and Businesses in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pacheco, Lafayette and Walnut Creek PUBLISHERS Becky Coburn, Elena Hutslar, Jennifer Neys info@ourcommunityfocus.com ADVERTISING Cindy Turner advertising@ourcommunityfocus.com SPORTS EDITOR Chuck Nan martinezsportsed@aol.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Trish Heaney, Debra Wilson

View the Focus online at Website: www.ourcommunityfocus.com

CONTACT INFORMATION: Community Calendar:

calendar@ourcommunityfocus.com

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Content & General Inquiries: info@ourcommunityfocus.com

6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132 Martinez, CA 94553 Phone: (925) 335 - NEWS (6397) The Community Focus is available at the following locations:

Pleasant Hill Market • Pleasant Hill City Hall Pleasant Hill Senior Center • Pleasant Hill Library

Summer Word Contest Update: Congratulations to everyone who sent in a list! I was amazed to receive dozens of entries from people of all ages.

The contest winner will be announced in next month’s “Julie Says.” Check back in October to find out how many words were on the winning list!

Mt. Diablo YMCA • UPS – Virginia Hills, Mtz. Chamber of Commerce (P.H. & Mtz.) Pleasant Hill Rec and Park (Civic Dr. & Gregory Ln.) Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Pleasant Hill Legal Grounds, Martinez • Martinez Senior Center Best Western, John Muir Inn, Martinez

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

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PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER NEWS

Ribbon Cutting and Open House Page sponsored by

Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA) is a board certified homeopath (US & Canada) specializing in women’s health issues and allergies at her private practice in Walnut Creek. Myra received her certificate in homeopathy from the Pacific Academy of Homeopathy and was awarded the title, CCH (Certification in Classical Homeopathy), from the

Council for Homeopathic Certification in recognition of meeting and exceeding a standard of excellence held by the homeopathic profession in North America. She is registered with the North American Society of Homeopaths, giving her the title, RSHom(NA).

Myra is a registered member of the California Homeopathic Medical

Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

Schedule of Events

SEPTEMBER 2010 9/3 &9/6 - Office Closed – Labor Day Holiday 9/9 - Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting “Minuteman Press” 2835 Contra Costa Blvd, #E, PH. 5-7pm

$75.00 Color Support your Local Network

Web Savvy

9/16 - BOD Meeting: 7:45 – 9:00a City Hall – Large Community Room 9/21 - Downtown Restaurant Walk Crescent Drive, PH 6 – 8pm 9/23 - Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Spark Fitness, 609 Gregory Ln. #120, PH 5 -7p rsvp: celena@pleasanthillchamber. com

9/10 - Ambassador Meeting: PH City Hall Large Community Rm: 7:45a – 9:00a

9/24 - 6th Challenged Golfers Club Sponsor: Leading Edge Pest Mngmt.

Grayson Woods Golf Course, 400 Iron Hill St., PH Check In/Lunch 11:45, Tee Time 1pm, rsvp:celena@pleasanthillchamber.com

9/15 –September Mixer: Farrington’s Bar 1938 Contra Costa Blvd, PH: 5:30-7:30pm rsvp: celena@

Chamber Sponsorship

pleasanthillchamber.com

9/10- Brown Bag Lunch: “Event Marketing” w/Constant Contact & Stu Carty: 11:45a-1:30p, JFK, 100 Ellinwood Way. Seating limited rsvp: celena@pleasanthillchamber.com

9/14 – Ambassador Luncheon: Smokin’Okies BBQ Joint, 1941 Oak Park Blvd, PH, 11:45a-1:00p, Rsvp: Ingrid@pleasanthillchamber.com

Society. As a compliment to homeopathy, Myra uses phytoembryology, biochemic cell salts and whole food supplements. Look for her articles in the Community Focus. She offers a free 30-minute wellness assessment and has coupons available at the Pleasant Hill Chamber for $75-off an initial consultation.

9/27 - Green Committee/GACJACK’s Restaurant & Bar 68 Crescent, PH: 3:30p – 5:00p, GAC5-6pm

calendar sponsored by

Web Savvy with Rachel Braver provides small businesses with essential tools and strategies for taking control of their online business presence.

Customized services include: reviewing your existing online presence, developing a custom social media action plan, implementing community and brand building strategies, and monitoring your online presence.

Visit www.rachisavvy.com/contact to sign up for a Ribbon-Cutting special- your online presence check-up

for $67 through the month of September (regularly $197). You get a review of your online presence with a personal explanation and actionable tips to start making your business super savvy.

• Find out if you are on the sites where your customers spend time.

• Learn where interactions could lead to more customers • Grow your brand credibility with content recommendations. www.rachisavvy.com 925.349.4721

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Veterans Day

Coming Soon, Martinez Chamber News

Celebration and Outreach

November 11, 8am-11:30am Pleasant Hill Community Center - 320 Civic Drive Free Breakfast, Activites, Camaraderie, Resources for Vets ***Transportaion Provoded, if needed*** Contact: Ken Jacobson: kenj19@comcast.net Jessica Braverman 925-827-4198 or Jessica@CAELT.com

Operation Welcome Home CALVET CORPS Program Governor Schwarzenegger launched the Operation Welcome Home CALVET Corps program with the objective of ensuring that returning service men and women learn of the benefits and services they need in order to enter the civilian workforce. It is a joint effort of the Employment Development Department and the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

As part of the Operation Welcome Home initiative, EDD plans to hire 325 limited term employees (targeting recently released veterans). Working in coordination with EDD’s veteran representatives, these new CALVET CORPS staff will be trained and deployed throughout the State to help newly discharged veterans successfully enter the civilian workforce. They will

Page 6

assist them in filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits (if eligible) to ensure continuity of income as they transition into employment, and assess their needs for other benefits to which they may be entitled such as health care, education, disability compensation, and to connect them with appropriate service providers.

If you are interested in learning more about these limited term outreach positions, please visit: www.veterans. ca.gov or call: 1 (800) 952-5626.

EDD is also hosting Honor a Hero – Hire a Vet / Job and Resource Fair at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord on September 23rd, 10 am-3 pm. It is free to employers and open to all job seekers and employers from the entire Bay Area.

For more information call 925-270-8968 or email Jacob.Dethero@edd.ca.gov

Come Let Us Meet and Thank You For Your Service

Hosted By: Pleasant Hill Rotary, Martinez Rotary, Pleasant Hill Lions, Diablo Valley Veterans, Contra Costa Veterans Service, Pleasant Hill VFW, Pleasant Hill American Legion, City of Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, EDD and the California Employment Law Training Center.

Bond Project Updates Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is moving forward with its four bond projects. The first two projects, the Pleasant Hill Teen Center and Senior Center are now in the design review process with the City and are scheduled to begin construction early next summer.

To take advantage of scheduling and budget synergies, the two buildings on Gregory Lane were designed

by Architect Stephen E, Harriman & Associates and will be built concurrently.

The Senior Center will be over 22,000 square feet and will include a large meeting/dining room with a capacity of 250 persons, dance room, arts and crafts room, computer lab, library, many small meeting rooms, and big deck overlooking Pleasant Hill Park. The almost 7,000 square foot Teen Center will be built around a center courtyard that opens onto the pool at Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park. With high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plenty of natural light,

Help a Vet with a Veteran Card Drive Handmade cards of support brighten a soldier’s day! Send cards to our troops overseas to be included with care packages sent by the Blue Star Moms. Create and decorate your own and let the service men and women know you are thinking of them.

Please send them to: Sgt. Duane D. Thornton (Ret.) 27 Marlee Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Please use 8.5 x 11 paper folded twice and decorate how you wish.

They will accompany care packages. If interested in learning more about care packages and/or donations visit www.bluestarmoms.org.

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the building features a spacious kitchen with snack shack windows open to the pool and to the front of the building, spacious meeting room to accommodate the 20 members of the Pleasant Hill Teen Council, a lounge, and computer area.

The new facility will enable Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District to offer often-requested after-school programs for youth and teens.

Designs for the Community Center are now in progress by the Dahlin Group of Pleasanton. While still in the conceptual stages, many innovative ideas are being considered to serve the needs of the active and vital Pleasant Hill Community.

For the latest on Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District’s four bond projects, the new Pleasant Hill Senior Center, Teen Center, Community Center, Upgrades to Pleasant Oaks Park, and restroom rehabs at three parks, visit www. pleasanthillrec.com.

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

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Concerned about Staying in your Home?

Since the beginning of this housing market breakdown, I’ve struggled to answer questions regarding who to turn to for help for people who are at risk of losing their homes. I’ve seen first hand, many “modification specialists” who ask for upfront money to help homeowners reduce their interest rate, lower their principal balance or both.

The majority of the time, the people making these promises take your money with little or no help at all. I’m certain there are success stories out there (I’ve heard of a few); however my suggestion is to hold on to your money and take an hour or two to review all of the information on Fannie Mae’s new web site: Knowyouroptions. com. It is the best site I’ve seen to start researching the possibility of a short sale, modifications, deed in lieu or even a “deed-for-lease”. The website has many other well-defined options that you can consider. First step, go to the “Resources” tab to find out if Fannie Mae owns your loan.

You can also go to the following website to see if Freddie Mac holds your loan: makinghomeaffordable. gov/loan_lookup. If Freddie or Fannie do not hold your loan, it may be difficult to figure out who’s the investor. For instance, you may be making out your check to Chase (the Servicer) and Deutsche Bank may hold the note (the investor).

And yes, Chase will probably not tell you who owns your loan. This useful site also reviews options on how to “stay in your home” or how to “leave your home”. Currently I am hearing about more short sales as an alternative to foreclosure.

The short sale is a much better solution. A foreclosure will keep you out of the housing market for 7 years as opposed to the 2 years of a short sale. I’ve seen the best results coming from Realtors who are working together with you and your lender’s “Loss Mitigation

By Peter Paredero Department”. Once a short sale negotiators are more responsive when a package is completed and Realtor creates a positive submitted, you want to relationship with them. be in constant contact Squeaky door gets the with the negotiator who oil… is responsible for making To conclude, a decision on your file.

Knowyouroptions.com Julie McCoy and John will help you get in touch Santarini, of ReMax with a HUD approved Accord, in Lafayette, Housing Counselor. At work together with their clients to no charge for services, a counselor will keep constant pressure on the lender help you assess your circumstances, by calling the negotiator every day identify your options, provide you with or two to find out where they are in local resources and prepare you to talk the process. I’m certain that these

with your mortgage company. They’ll also help you with the documentation that you will need to provide your lender. It certainly is not pleasant to get involved in the process of taking action to correct your housing situation, but it is imperative that you do something if you are in trouble. Knowyouroptions. com is definitely worth checking out.

Peter Paredero is a Senior Mortgage Consultant for Land Home Financial Services Inc. and has resided in Pleasant Hill since 1994. 925 7878746. pparedero@lhfinancial.com

Please Join Us For the AAA Travel Fair!

Come to the AAA Travel Fair and meet our preferred travel suppliers.

Receive AAA Member Benefits and Special Discounts!

When:

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Where:

Pleasant Hill Community Center 320 Civic Dr. Pleasant Hill

Time:

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

RSVP

(925) 808-6203 or

by 9/7:

Bruce.McIntosh@goaaa.com

• • • • •

Informative presentations Last-minute specials Incentives for early booking Non-Members welcome to attend Light refreshments and door prizes

CST#1003968-80 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Page 8 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

Local Real Estate Update

I

By Nathan Hitchcock

have called the police to report an escapee from an insane asylum.

My wife caught the running bug a few years ago and has since run several half-marathons (13.1 miles), and she is now training for her first full marathon later this year. Although she diligently tried to convince me to join her on these running escapades, I just as diligently turned down her invitations, flatly stating that “I am not a runner.”

When I speak with local homeowners about their home values, I usually hear prophesies of declining or stalled values stated with the same vehemence with which I Sam Nisar used to declare Home Mortgage Consultant my non-runner 1320 Willow Pass Rd, #150 • Concord, CA 94520 status. “Ah, Office: 925-288-1117 • Cell: 510-209-5256 the market is Fax: 1-877-606-3041 • sarmad.nisar@wellsfargo.com www.wfhm.com/loans/sarmad-nisar a mess. It’ll be years before our values rise again,” is an all-too-common response.

But while the condition of the real estate market and the future of home prices can be debated to no end, it’s important to rememAre you a landlord who ber that the “market” is only one of many factors that affect the is sick and tired of…. value of our homes. And although … chasing your tenants down we have little or no control over for rent every month? factors like the condition of the … having to deal with maintenance requests in the market or our home’s location, middle of the night? we have lots of control over many … showing your home over other factors, such as our home’s and over again trying to find condition and appearance. the perfect tenant?

So if you want to increase your home’s value, don’t just sit 24/7 On Call Maintenance around and wait for the market Tenant Screening & Placement to do it for you. Be proactive and Rent Collection & Accounting pick up a paintbrush, a shovel, or LOW RATES GUARANTEED! a hammer and nail and add value the good old fashioned way: with (925) 825-1100 option 3 sweat. (Blood and tears are opwww.hitchcockrealty.com tional and sometimes effective, but 1928 Contra Costa Blvd not recommended.) As a Realtor, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 new exterior paint and fresh landscaping are two of my favorite and most cost-effective ways to add

ncrease Your Home’s Value in a Declining Market For me, the year 2010 is quickly earning the title of “The Year of Things I Never Thought Would Happen.” Just a couple weeks ago, I found myself running across the finish line of a 6.2-mile race in nearby Capitola, California.

Now for many of you, this may not sound like such a big deal. But if you told me nine months ago that I would intentionally run 6.2 miles without a pack of pit bulls chasing me, I would

got rent?

Recent Pleasant Hill Home Sales (7/1/2010 – 7/31/2010)

immediate appeal and value to a home.

And if your improvement projects are outside, the increased home values won’t stop at your property line. The value of the homes around you will go up as well. So the next time your neighbor mows their lawn or pulls some weeds, be sure to pat them on the back and thank them for improving your equity position.

Nathan Hitchcock is the managing broker of Hitchcock Realty, a residential real estate brokerage and property management firm. He can be reached at Nathan@hitchcockrealty.com or (925) 825-1100. Data contained herein was obtained from the CCAR Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Recent Martinez Home Sales (7/1/2010 – 7/31/2010)

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 9

Hittin’ the Road

By Denise Salamanca

This summer, my husband and I were looking for a fun way to celebrate our 21st anniversary. Well, how about spending the night in a train caboose?

At the Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast Resort in Nice, Ca., you get to stay in one of nine theme-decorated railroad cars. Set in a park-like setting overlooking a private boat launch and pier, it is a unique escape from the ordinary and the perfect way to get

some quality alone time. Since all of the rooms are beautifully restored old cabooses, it feels like a private hideaway.

We viewed the themed rooms online and reserved La Loose Caboose.

The bordello inspired décor included a burgundy Jacuzzi tub for two, a mirrored ceiling and even a velvet painting bought at an auction at the Mustang Ranch! An additional feature was the seating for two way up high in the cupola. What a wonderful way to view the sunset over the lake.

It’s a long and windy road to Lake County, so after check in, we headed over to the Blue Wing Blues Festival in Upper Lake. The event was located in the courtyard between the Tallman Hotel and the Blue Wing Saloon and Café.

On our night, the festival featured John Lee Hooker, Jr. and opened with Side Of Blues. Between the balmy weather, the delicious BBQ and the outstanding music, we almost felt like we were in New Orleans!

The next morning we enjoyed a

homemade breakfast served in the dining room by our gracious hosts, Tony and Peggy. A nice touch was the heart shaped waffles with fresh fruit and hand whipped cream.

Properly fueled, we rented a kayak for two and paddled around Clear Lake, conveniently located across the street from the Featherbed. Our goal was not to tip over (especially not in the algae which gets bad towards the end of summer) and I’m happy to say we were successful! This is the perfect area for wildlife viewing and we spotted herons, egrets, pelicans, ducks, grebes and jumping catfish.

Upper Lake and Nice are very small towns where there isn’t a lot to do. We checked out some antiques shops and the one not to miss is Clarke’s Collectable Lunch Box Museum in Nice.

I guarantee you will see the lunchbox from your childhood among the 700 plus that are displayed!

Some wonderful wineries are starting to spring up in Lake County such as

nearby Ceago and Tulip Hill. We didn’t have time to visit, so maybe next time we’ll combine our wine tasting with a stay in the Wine Country car. Or, maybe we’ll take a ride on the wild side and stay in the Easy Rider room. Helmets are optional.

Top Tips for Safe Car Travel With Your Pet

By Lisa D. Myers Contra Costa Humane Society is an animal-welfare organization based in Pleasant Hill that aims to improve the quality of life for animals through programs and services that advocate responsible and humane behavior, help prevent cruelty, and relieve suffering. Read on to learn more about our organization and to see our Pets of the Month!

Since they are part of our family, we often like to bring our companion dogs & cats with us on vacation.

Traveling with a pet involves more than just loading the animal in the back seat and going on your way—especially if you will be driving long distances or plan to be away for a long time. To avoid stress for both you and your furry friend, here are some travel tips that can help ensure a safe and smooth car trip.

• Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate, carrier or seatbelt

(dogs only) made specifically for pets.

• Feed your pet a light meal a couple of hours prior to departure. Plan to stop frequently in safe areas to allow your canine companion time to relieve himself and stretch his legs too! Cats should be allowed access to a litter box either in the crate or in the back of the enclosed car.

• Pack a travel kit for your pet, consisting of: important documents, food, bowl, leash, waste scoop & bags, medication, a pet first-aid kit, treats, a favorite toy, and a familiar pillow or blanket.

• Make sure your pet has some form of identification on at all times, including a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and number of a friend or family member back home.

• Find out ahead of time where the

nearest emergency veterinary clinics are located en route. In the event your pet becomes injured, you will be better prepared and can respond quickly.

• If you are traveling across state lines, bring your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states require this proof at interstate crossings.

• Drinking water from a new area

can upset your pet’s tummy. Bring bottled or tap water in 1 gallon jugs.

Traveling with your pet should be a fun experience! Following these simple steps can prepare you for an enjoyable adventure with your best friend. For more useful tips, including lodging that accepts pets, visit www.petswelcom.com or www.pettravel.com.

READY TO ADOPT? Quiggley and Whimsey are sister & brother, born in late May. Both are very friendly and affectionate and will do well in any kitty-loving household - preferably where they get to go together!

To learn more about the animals and adoption process,visit: www.cchumane.org

Page 10 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

PAST TO PLEASANT

The Last of the West When Earl and John Sanko held a farewell party for their land, the site of today’s Civic Center area, they obviously knew they were contributing to the fast decline of rural Pleasant Hill. They invited the public to their ranch to the event they called “The Last of the West”—an eccentric requiem to the last days of their own little piece of old western ranch life. But who were the Sanko brothers, and what is the story of their ranch? I’ll tell you what I know, and hopefully you can tell me what you know.

As of the 1910 census, the brothers lived with their parents, Austria-natives George and Anna Sanko, in Martinez.

According to one source, the brothers moved to a 20-acre piece of land off

By Adam Nilsen Taylor Blvd in 1933. Fast-forward to the 1960s, when the brothers still operated their ranch, but with graveyard of oddities—old farm wagons, wagon wheels, a concrete mixer, a hay gatherer, and the first fire engine used in Lafayette. Their house also reportedly had an indoor swimming pool!

In 1968, under pressure, the brothers sold the majority of their land to the City of Pleasant Hill for the construction of a Civic Center complex. John died in 1977 and Earl in 1982, and the “last A glimpse of the Sankos’ collection of old-time oddities. of the west” was demolished in 1985 to Adam Nilsen is a Pleasant Hill native like in its full glory? Does anyone have make the city’s corporation yard.

That’s basically all that can be found any photos or memories of the ranch or and a history researcher at the Oakland Museum of California. He is the author the Sanko brothers? Are any members in the archives of the Pleasant Hill of Pleasant Hill, a history of the comof the Sanko family still alive? Give me Historical Society. So many questions munity, available at local bookstores a holler at 415-290-3925 or apnilsen@ remain, and there must be people who and through the Friends of Rodgers gmail.com if you can help fill out the know more about the ranch and the Ranch. story of Pleasant Hill’s “old west!”

Sanko brothers. What did they produce on their ranch? What did the ranch look

Martinez Historical Society 4th Annual Home Tour 2010

The tour will include 6 unique homes as well as the Borland House (the museum), the John Muir Home and the Martinez Adobe. Vintage cars, entertainment and refreshments are all part of this exciting day. Tour buses/vans are provided.

When: Saturday, October 9, 2010 Where: Check-in at The Museum, 1005 Escobar Street, Martinez Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM – allow at least 2 hours for the tour Cost: $20 per person for advance ticket sales

$25 day of the event

$18 group rate (10+ tickets) Contact: www.MartinezHomeTour.com or Marlene Haws 925-370-6553 Purchase Tickets: Char’s Flowers • White Rabbit Boutique • I’ve Been Framed • Rumain’s Jewelry • Bagel Street Café • Pleasant Hill Wine Merchants

925-980-2306 yolandavanbelle@aol.com

Native Speaker Credentialed Teacher Experienced in teaching every age and level Flexible times and locations Hourly Rates for individuals Reduced rates for group lessons Reduced, flexible rates if lessons paid in advance

Martinez Museum

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

You Can Make A Difference

By Michael G. Harris, OD Councilmember and Former Mayor, City of Pleasant Hill Yes, you can make a difference on Saturday, September 25 at Pleasant Hill’s 6th Annual Community Service Day. Hard to believe it’s been six years since While we can be proud of our past we launched this volunteer program accomplishments, there’s even more to to make our City an even better place do. So I invite you to make a difference to live/work/play. Starting with a few and be part of Pleasant Hill’s 6th Anhundred volunteers in 2005, last year nual Community Service Day. saw nearly 900 volunteers working on Be among the first 600 volunteers two-dozen projects throughout the City. to register at Pleasant Hill Park and Over the past five years we - as you’ll receive a free commemorative a community – have donated some T-shirt and a free pancake breakfast, 20,000 volunteer hours to improve the graciously provided by the Lions Club. place we call home. TOGETHER we: So let’s have Less Talk & More Ac•Repaired hundreds of bicycles for dotion. Register a worthwhile project of nation to needy children your own, or sign up to volunteer at the • Planted dozens of trees to beautify our city’s website: http://www.ci.pleasantneighborhoods hill.ca.us/ - Click on the “Community • Gave many pints of blood to save lives Service Day” link. For more informa• Cleaned up neighborhoods, schools, tion, contact Martin Nelis at Mnelis@ parks, creeks, and churches ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us or 925-671-5229.

• Collected tons of food to feed home Projects are available for adults less Contra Costans and children of all ages and physical • Helped many children and seniors in abilities. This is a great opportunity for need families and neighborhoods to come We couldn’t have done any of this together and make a difference in that without you! You, and the thousand of incomparable Pleasant Hill spirit. others who volunteered their time and I look forward to seeing you Saturenergy, help make Pleasant Hill safer, day, September 25th at 8 AM at Pleasant healthier, and more beautiful. We are Hill Park. Remember: You can make a the model for volunteer service that is difference! the envy of other communities.

City Shorts

By Rhoda Herald Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of your town’s municipal codes and ordinances. Several residents in our city have inquired about and expressed concerns over the care and attention given to certain species of our feathered friends. In response, the City of Pleasant Hill, has answered that: 1) It is permissible to feed the pigeons—since they are not regulated by the city; there is no code violation. 2) Hens are acceptable to raise and look after; however, to stay in compliance, each residence is limited to (5) five hens. 3) Geese, on the other hand, are considered farm animals and should not be cared for in residential areas within the city.

The August issue of the Focus mentioned that some citizens are using goats to clear weeds from property. Again, city regulations do not allow goats in residential areas, and where did you get the goats anyway?

Final List of Candidates for Pleasant Hill City Council The following individuals filed and qualified as candidates in the November election to fill two City Council seats: Suzanne Angeli, Michael Flake, Michael Harris, Jack Weir and Terri Williamson.

Page 11

PLEASANT HILL CITY BUZZ

Fall is Around the Corner

By Karen Mitchoff, Mayor of Pleasant Hill By now, the kids (and maybe even you) are back in school and routines are back and well established. I always love the fall because it marks one of those times of changes to schedules, weather, time, and foliage. Change isn’t easy for many of us, but I’ve learned to embrace it as it is constant.

This year, fall also marks an election season. In addition to national and state elections, Pleasant Hill residents have the opportunity to choose their local elected officials for the City Council (two seats), the Recreation & Park District (three seats), the Mt. Diablo School Board (two seats), and the Central Sanitary District (two seats).

Pleasant Hill residents will also have the opportunity to vote on the Utility Users Tax (UUT) issue. The city currently taxes your landline telephone bill .5%. The measure before Pleasant Hill voters is whether to raise that rate to 1.5% on all utilities: landline and

mobile telephones, internet, TV, water, gas, sewer and garbage. I know these are economically difficult times for all of us, but I believe one of the best reasons to support this measure is that it will be a stable source of funding to the City and one which the State cannot take from us. As I write this message, the State has still not adopted its budget, and local government continues to worry about its ability to maintain an appropriate funding level for services such as police, street maintenance, library hours, and other essential city services.

I respect those who disagree that this is not the time to ask our residents to increase the UUT, but I ask everyone to carefully consider the issue and learn about both sides of the issue before marking your ballot on November 2.

I encourage all voting-age citizens to become familiar with the issues and the candidates and then vote! It’s one of the best four-letter words I know.

For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us

City Calendar of Events September 2010 City Calendar Architectural Review Commission September 2, 16 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 5:00pm Contact: 671-5259 City Council Meeting September 13, 20 100 Gregory Lane Contact: 671-5267 Civic Action Commission Meeting September 1 100 Gregory Lane Small Community Room, 6:30pm Contact: 671-5229 Education/Schools Advisory Commission Meeting September 22 100 Gregory Lane Large Community Room, 7:00pm

Contact: 671-5229 Planning Commission Meeting September 14, 28 100 Gregory Lane City Council Chambers, 7:30pm Contact: 671-5259 Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market September 4, 11, 18 & 25 Saturdays, 8am-Noon Crescent Drive (in front of Century Theatre) Downtown Pleasant Hill Contact: 825-9090 Community Service Day September 25 Community wide Clean-up Day Pleasant Hill Park and various Project sites 147 Gregory Lane 7:30am-3:00pm Contact: 671-5229

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 12

MARTINEZ CITY BUZZ

North Pacheco Annexation Project The North Pacheco Annexation Initial Study began its 30day circulation period on August 6, 2010, and the public review and comment period will end on September 7, 2010.

Concerned residents and business owners impacted by the proposed annexation have until this time to submit their opinions and reactions to the study and environmental documents, which can be found on the City of Martinez website (see below).

All public comments will be reviewed and the responses will be part of the initial study packet that is brought before the planning commission and city council for review and adoption. According to Dina Tasini, Contract Project Manager hired by the City to lead the North Pacheco annexation process, “the planning commission hearing is tentatively scheduled for September 28 at 7pm. This is a public hearing where staff will present the staff report and findings, and request that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the annexation to the

City Council. Staff has not set a council hearing date. Notice for the public hearing will be mailed 10 days prior to the meeting to all property owners in the annexation area and any individuals that have requested information and or notification. In addition the public hearing notices will be posted on the City’s website.”

All hearings and meetings will be located in the Martinez City Hall council chambers, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez.

According to the North Pacheco Annexation Initial Study Checklist, The City of Martinez proposes to annex a portion of Pacheco Boulevard and associated parcels located along Pacheco Boulevard from the I-680 and Highway 4 interchange

considered the southern boundary and extending to the north and ending at the railroad trestle. The entire annexation area encompasses 111 acres.

There are 252 parcels within the annexation area. There are two subdivisions that were approved by the County, but have not yet been developed for a total of 89 homes. In addition, there is a subdivision upon which construction has begun for a total of 20 units.

One additional site has been approved for 8 lots. The remaining single-family residences within the southern and central portions of the annexation area are being utilized as businesses. Several are zoned commercial and have been rezoned by the County accordingly.

See attached map for the Land use designations in the annexation area.

The North Pacheco Annexation Project can be found online by going to: www.cityofmartinez.org. Click on “Departments” and then “Community Developments” and finally “Special Projects”.

To submit a comment, please contact Michael Chandler, Senior Management Analyst, at (925) 372-3517 or Dina Tasini, Contract Planning Consultant (510) 909-5020.

Martinez Restaurant Tour

Saturday, October 9 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. $15 per ticket, Adults Only Join us for the walking tour of downtown restaurants. Sample culinary delights from a variety of eateries on Main and adjacent streets. In between restaurants, browse the unique antique shops found along the route. Tourists should wear comfortable shoes and a loose belt. Tickets will be sold at the Senior Center and the Recreation Office at City Hall beginning September 6th. For more information or to have your downtown restaurant participate, please call 372-3510.

Martinez November Election Martinez voters will soon decide their next mayor. The four candidates are as follows: Mike Alford, John Fitzgerald, Ed McGee and incumbent Rob Schroder. Additionally, Scott Alstad, Lara DeLaney, Gay Gerlack, Kathi McLaughlin and Mike Menesini are the candidates for the two City Council seats on November’s ballot.

September 2010 Martinez City Calendar

City Calendar of Events Zoning Administrator Meeting September 1, 15: 4-6pm Contact: 925-372-3500

City Council Meeting September 1, 15:7-10:30pm Contact: 925-372-3500

Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 10am-2pm Court Street between Main and Escobar. www.pcfma.com

Design Review Meeting September 8, 22: 4-6pm Contact: 925-372-3500

Farmers Market Sundays, 10am-2pm through10/31 600 block on Main St. www.cccfm.org

Planning Commission Meeting September 14, 28: 7-11pm Contact: 925-372-3500

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 13

It’s On! The other day I noticed there was some new kid living in my house - a tall redhead kid. I used to have a short redhead kid, but this new one is much taller. The short one used to talk to me. We would have actual conversations. This new one seems to be stuck in one-word answer mode. I asked, “What did you do today?” and the tall one responded, “Nothing.” I tried, “Did you do anything fun?” and the tall redhead responded, “Nope.” Man, I miss the short redhead. I tried again.

“So, do you think you could answer me with more than one word?” “Sure,” he said. I changed tactics. “Where is your brother, Tall Redhead Kid?“ “Gone,” he replied. Forget it. “Good talk,” I said.

The next night we celebrated the tall redhead kid’s 15th birthday. Ah! I got it. My short redhead kid had finally kicked into official teenager mode. I had been expecting this. I remember

By Russell Carroll he responded. Breathe, Russ. Breathe. a chapter in the book entitled What I called my sister for advice. She has to Expect When Your Child Becomes already raised two of these aliens and an Alien, the sequel to What to Expect is usually good for a couple of pearls When You’re Expecting, where they of wisdom. She just laughed. “It’s on,” outline breathing exercises you should she said. “Do I put my foot down and perform to help you through the momake him talk to me?” I asked. She ments where you will want to hurt laughed so hard here that she dropped your teenager. I just have to remember the phone. “Aliens don’t care if you put to breath.

An incredible transformation took your foot down. It only makes them stronger. Trying to force your will on place in one-word-boy when faman alien is the equivalent of handing ily members started to show up for out steroids at a home run derby,” she his dinner party. Suddenly, he could said. “Aliens have only one weakness. string together elaborate sentences for people holding presents. “Hi Grandma! You have to lie and tell them that you won’t sign for their driver’s license! You Thanks for coming. That’s a cool will sign because you’ll want them to sweater. Oh! A present? For me?” Berun to the store for you, but tell them fore the gift bag could hit the table his alien radar locked on someone holding that anyway,” she advised. Brilliant!

It’s nice to have a wily veteran in the a card…. cards mean cash. This tall family. I couldn’t wait to drop this little redhead kid can work a room. I pulled bomb. him aside and said, “See you can answer with more than one word.” “Yep,” Soon the tall redhead and I were

“Over the Edge” For Special Olympics Pleasant Hill Councilmember Michael Harris and Police Chief Pete Dunbar joined 90 other intrepid individuals in going “over the edge” for Special Olympics. Each participant had to raise a minimum of $1000 to qualify for this

Michael Harris joins the San Francisco skyline.

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – repelling off the roof of the 38-story Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Francisco. Yes, that was over 400 feet straight down!

“It was exciting, challenging, and a bit scary. The view from the top of the

hotel on the way down was spectacular.

The people in the crowd cheering on the participants looked like ants from the rooftop,” says Councilmember Harris.

The event raised over $110,000 for Special Olympics, which provides athletic opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual disabilities.

Last year in midwinter, Michael and Pete, along with members of the Pleasant Hill Police Department, plunged into the frigid and murky waters of San Francisco Bay to raise money for Special Olympics.

This year, they repelled over 400 feet down the side of a hotel. What’s next for our seemingly fearless leaders? Stay tuned.

Call us at 335-NEWS

face-to-face, heading toward each other down the hallway like two gunfighters, each waiting for the other to flinch.

Unable to withstand the tension, I blurted out, “If you don’t start talking to me like a human I will not sign for your driver’s license!” This froze him in his tracks. It appeared that I had landed a blow! But soon I saw him gather his composure. The steely stare returned, then a smirk, and he headed my way. “Yes you will,” he said. “You’ll want me to run to the store for you.”

I have to find victory in the fact that although his response showed the cunning and intelligence these aliens posses, it was also more than one word.

Perhaps it is progress! Or, perhaps he has been talking to my sister’s aliens.

It could be worse, I guess, I could not have this alien at all. But…that is just how I see it.

Please send comments to: russ@ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 14 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

CORKS AND FORKS

September 2010

Pair Up With La Sommelierre Maria Terry

Sept 2010 – Carnitas Mexicanas Mexican food is perfect for the fall. It utilizes the last of the summer’s fresh vegetables while offering some warming spice. To combat the spice in the food, you will need to choose a beverage that is slightly sweet and has lots of fruit flavor.

Sangria is a dynamite solution.

Below is a sangria recipe based on proportions. This way you can make up just enough for 1 or 2 or serve a crowd. It is also a great way to use up a bottle of wine that has been left open just a little too long. Change the color of the wine or the fruit you add and

the final taste is completely different.

For white wine sangria add fresh pears or peaches and serve it with a Mexican Caesar Salad. My favorite is the recipe from El Torito (www.

LaSommelierre.com). The verdant cilantro, mild cotija and crunchy pepitas give it a unique spin.

For red wine Sangria use fruits like raspberries, blackberries and plums. It will work nicely with my mother-in-law’s delicious Baja Bean Pasta Salad and the Carnitas Mexicanas recipe shown below.

After the bold flavors of the meal, bring out a Cardamom Mango Cus-

Sangria INGREDIENTS 3 parts red, pink or white wine 1 part soda water 1 part lemon, lime and/or orange juice ½ part sugar ½ part brandy (opt.)

Fruit to float on top

DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients except soda water early in day or the night before. If you can throw in some fresh slices of oranges, lemons or limes (peel on), the flavors will be even more intense.

Add the soda water and fresh fruit just before serving.

Betty’s Baja Bean Pasta Salad INGREDIENTS Salad: 12 oz. tri-colored rotelle 15 oz. can black beans 6 oz. can or ¾ cup cooked corn kernels 2½ oz. can sliced olives 1 small jar of pimento ½ red onion, chopped

DIRECTIONS Cook pasta until just tender. Drain and combine with other salad ingredients in a LARGE bowl.

Dressing: ½ cup olive oil ½ cup fresh lime juice ½ bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño, diced 2 cloves minced garlic 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Refrigeration blends and mellows flavors. Olive oil may solidify a bit in the refrigerator. Allow standing at room temperature for 15 minutes and toss to redistribute dressing before serving.

1 teaspoon salt Ground pepper to taste

Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl and then add to salad. Toss well.

Yield: 10 servings

tard (www.LaSommelierre.com). It is light and slightly exotic. Serve with a large pitcher of ice cold still or sparkling water with fresh sliced strawberries and lightly crushed basil leaves

floating on top. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com

Slow-Cooker Carnitas INGREDIENTS 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon crumbled dried oregano ½ teaspoon ground coriander ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 (4 pound) boneless pork shoulder roast 2 bay leaves 2 cups chicken broth DIRECTIONS Mix together salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, and cinnamon in a

bowl. Coat pork with the spice mixture.

Place the bay leaves in the bottom of a slow cooker and place the pork on top. Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork, being careful not to rinse off the spice mixture.

Cover and cook on Low until the pork shreds easily with a fork, about 10 hours. Turn the meat after it has cooked for 5 hours. When the pork is tender, remove from slow cooker, and shred with two forks. Use cooking liquid as needed to moisten the meat.

Yield: 10 servings

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 15

SENIOR ENVY

Falling Does Not Have to be a Natural Part of the Aging Process!

Ever feel like your balance is just not quite there anymore? Have you tripped over a telephone cord and couldn’t figure out how you ended up on the floor? Do you remember the days when you could trip, do wild flapping motions with your arms, and somehow regain your balance without ever touching the floor?

As we age, our strength and flexibility decrease, which lowers our ability to safely “catch ourselves” when we stumble. Studies tell us that 1/3 of adults over age 65 fall every year. And once an adult over 65 falls, she is two to three times more likely to fall again within the year! How much our ability to “catch ourselves” diminishes is directly related to our activity level.

A Vicious Circle Falling can be a horrifying and painful experience that haunts our bodies and minds for weeks, months, and even years to come. Unfortunately, once we’ve fallen, we often become more sedentary out of fear that we may fall again. Ironically, this change in lifestyle which we settle into to try to prevent falling, often hastens the next fall. Our decreased activity level causes us to lose muscle strength, we develop stiff or sore joints and our balance decreases. In other words, the more

By Tonya Marie Amos, Aspire Pilates Center and incorporating simple balance sedentary we become, the higher risk exercises into your daily routine, you we run of falling again.

Falling can be extremely dangerous will be amazed at how quickly both your confidence level and quality of life for the over 65 age group. It is increase. estimated that falling causes 87% of Tonya Marie Amos danced fractures within this age group and professionally in New York for 15 the aftermath can lead to increased anxiety, a decreased quality of life, early years before opening her studio, Aspire Pilates Center in Concord. She is a dependency and even death. fully certified Pilates instructor with Hope over 1000 hours of training including Thankfully, there is hope. Falling advanced certifications in Movement does not have to be an inevitable part Medicine, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Pre/ Post Natal and Pilates For Golf. For of the aging process and exercise is more information, contact please the key to combating it. The CDC call (925) 680-4400 or go to www. tells us that aerobic exercise, strength, AspirePilatesCenter.com and flexibility training are major components of an effective fall prevention regimen.

Pilates gently builds strength, flexibility and balance while addressing alignment and posture, which helps us stay upright and off the ground.

Building slowly and carefully from the “inside out,” ensures that confidence levels increase while students discover that there is no longer a need to fear gravity.

Maybe you can never go back to that time when you were able to stumble and safely catch yourself with dramatic flare, but falling does not have to be part of the aging process. By keeping your body strong and supple,

Martinez Senior Center Activities

Martinez Senior Center, 818 Green Street. Phone 925-370-8770 Fall Awareness Program- Maintaining Your Independence- Series 2 Mondays, Sept.13,20,27 & Oct. 4; 10-11am. Presented by John Muir HealthDid you know that 33% of adults over 65 fall every year? Join us for a fourpart class series and learn how to stay strong and on your feet! Class size in limited, so please don’t wait, call and sign up today.

Community Quilts - Wednesdays. 1-4pm. Learn to quilt. Use our fabric and equipment to learn some simple quilt patterns. Quilts will be donated to help out our community. No fee. Instructor: Sandra Keller Tai Chi - Mondays. 3-4:15pm. Learn the health benefits of practicing Tai Chi Chuan. We begin with Chi Gong exercises and progress into the more vigorous Tai Chi Chuan. Suitable for those who can walk without difficulty.

Cost: $2 per class. Wear loose comfortable clothes to class. Instructor: Larry Hines T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Thursdays Weigh-in at 8:30-9am and Meeting at 9-10am. Yearly dues: $26/Monthly dues: $3 Pancake Breakfast - Sept. 12 & Oct.10: 8-11am The delicious breakfast includes pancakes or toast, sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee. Everyone is welcome. Cost is $4.50 for Adults/ $2 for Children 10 and under. Handmade crafts, perfect for gifts, will be on sale during the breakfast.

~ Holiday Boutiques ~ Save the Date

Annual Holiday Bazaar - Nov. 5th Holiday decorations, white elephant items, jewelry, homemade craft items and baked desserts. Martinez Senior Center, 818 Green St. Holiday Boutique – Nov. 13th Huge variety of handmade items by members of the center. Lunch will also be available. All proceeds go to the building fund to help furnish the new senior center.

Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Ln.

P.H. Senior Center Activities

Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Bldg. 2. Phone 925-798-8788 Pancake Breakfast & Boutique - Sept. 5 & Oct. 3: 9-11am Our monthly pancake breakfast now features French Toast! Enjoy a bottomless plate of either one. Includes eggs, sausage and orange juice. $3.50 ages 11 and up / $2.50 ages 5 to 10 / FREE ages 4 & under Om Yoga (Now 6-week sessions!) Sept. 8-Oct. 13: Wednesdays 5:30pm - 6:15pm Learn different types of breathing techniques which help with allergies, asthma, heart problems, hypertension, insomnia and much more. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat, exercises will be done from the floor. Instructor: Suminder Kaur. Fee: $45 / Members $39 / Drop in $8 Zumba Gold - Sept 2 – Sept 30 (5 classes) Thur. 9:30am – 10:20am Come join the fun!! You will be amazed you are working out. No dance experience is necessary to enjoy the great time you will have. Zumba fused hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves. Rhythms include salsa, cumbia, meringue, regaetone and much more. Instructor: Jo Nash. Fee: $25 / Member $22 / Drop in $5 Dancercise - Tuesdays 1pm – 2:45pm A fun way to get exercise and practice your dance moves at the same time. A variety of dances taught that keep your feet moving and toes tapping. Instructor: Mei-Mei Cheng. Fee: $4 / Member $2 Drop in only. Class offered in cooperation with the Chinese American Senior Center

Page 16 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

HOME TEAM 50th Annual Contra Costa County Swim Championships

by Jeff Miller, County Meet Director in Division 1, East County Stingrays One of the oldest and largest youth were the Division 2 champions and the recreational swim meets in the country Marlins Swim Team from ClubSport San took place on August 14th and 15th Ramon were the Divsion 3 Champions. at Diablo Valley College. The meet is The meet was hosted by the Lafayette comprised of the top swimmers from Moraga Youth Association. the County’s summer recreational swim Over 50 years of championships, teams with over 2,000 swimmers from several prominent participants include: 57 different teams competing. The meet is broken down into 3 divisions based on Mark Spitz – 1968 & 1972 Olympic Teams. 9 Gold medals, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Matt Biondi – 1984, 1988, & 1992 Olympic Teams. 11 medals total Brian Goodell – 1976 Olympic Team. 2 Gold medals Peter Rocca – 1976 & 1980 Olympic Teams. 2 Silver medals Karen Moe – 1972 & 1976 Olympic Teams. 1 Gold medal The Pleasant Hill Aquatics: Clair Lorch, Casey Kim Vandenberg – 2008 Olympic Team.

Voegtly, Alexis Kaput and Cami Vere1 Bronze medal schagin. right side: Lucas Kelso, Joe Kaput, Alex King and Nelson Fisher.

Ed Klass – 1988 Olympic Team (Water Photo credit: Charles King Polo). Silver medal Peter Varellas – 2008 Olympic Team each team’s number of entries. Defend(Water Polo). Silver medal ing champions Crow Canyon Country Club took the overall championship

FOR ALL AGES, BODY TYPES & ABILITIES Pilates MAT & MACHINE Classes

Saturdays, 8am-12pm

What’s at the market: Strawberries Brentwood Sweet Corn • Peaches Nectarines • Plums • Figs • Eggplant Organic Produce • Farm Fresh Eggs Heirloom Tomatoes • Mushrooms Specialty Asian Produce • Peppers Basil • Summer Squash • Grapes Freshly-Cut Flowers • Raspberries Artisan Breads • Raw Foods Live Music • & More!

Downtown Pleasant Hill in front of the Century 16 Theatre pcfma.com/pleasanthill

CITY OF PLEASANT HILL

1.800.949.FARM

Pilates through Dance Movement in our CHOREOCORE classes Relieve Your Stress & Pain in our RELEASE classes Private & Semi-Private classes What makes Aspire Different?

Classes for ALL — Beginners, Pre/Post Natal, Chronic Pain Sufferers, Seniors, Athletes, Golfers & Dancers Professional studio Nationally Certified (PMA) Small classes with 5 to 8 students Plenty of personal attention Exercises tailored for your strength Individualized instruction Reformer & Apparatus (machines) Taught Correctly = Great Results 1485 Enea Ct. #1460. Concord. 94520 925.680.4400 www.AspirePilatesCenter.com

Swim Teams Celebrate Record Breaking Moments Jeremy Abraham, a 9-10 swimmer for Forest Hills Swim Team, broke the team record for the 50-yard butterfly, held since 1987, with a time of 34.14. Jeremy also placed 4th overall in consolation finals for butterfly at the County meet.

Sammi Monroe, a 7-8 Pleasant Hill Aquatics swimmer, broke the team record in butterfly that was set 37 years ago! Sammi swam a 16.23 in prelims and the record was 16.50. She finished in finals at County with a 16.50 in 7th place. She placed 8th in freestyle at County and was 3 tenths of a second away from breaking the team record set in 1982.

The 15-18 boys also broke the free relay team record with a time of 3:26.72. Congratulations to Matt

Kennedy, age16, Michael Laduzinsky, age 16, Kyle Leung, age 16, and Jonathan Tyndall, age 18.

The Focus is proud to announce the Top 10 Championship Meet Results from our Local Swim Teams

terman, Lexie Fitzgerald. 6 & Under 100 Yd Medley Relay: 2nd- Larkey Sharks 1:23.95 - Brian Garske, Hayden Bullotta, Dimond Loosli, Caden Carpenter. 15-18 200 Yd Medley Relay: 2nd- Pleasant Hill Dolfins 1:41.23 Tony Wanket, Drew Pitcher, Steven Gordon, Brandon Brown. 9-10 100 Yd IM: 4th- Emily Farrell, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 1:13.95. 9-10 50 Yd Back: 7th- Sean Wood, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 34.78. 1518 100 Yd Back: 5th- Grace Linderholm, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 1:01.53. 15-18 100 Yd Back: 7th- Tony Wanket, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 56.70. 6 & Under 25 Yd Butterfly: 4th- Brian Garske, Larkey Sharks 18.99. 7th- Dimond Loosli, Larkey Sharks 19.89. 7-8 25 Yd Butterfly: 7thSammi Monroe, Pleasant Hill Aquatics 16.32. 9-10 50 Yd Butterfly: 4th- Emily Farrell, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 31.51.

6 & Under 100 Yd Free Relay: 4th- Larkey Sharks 1:15.88 30 - Charlie Whipple, Dimond Loosli, Caden Carpenter, Brian Garske. 15-18 400 Yd Free Relay: 1stPleasant Hill Dolfins 3:16.90 - Steven Gordon, Brandon Brown, Tony Wanket, Drew Pitcher. 7th- Pleasant Hill Aquatics 3:26.51- Matt Kennedy, Michael Laduzinsky, Kyle Leung, Jonathan Tyndall.

11-12 100 Yd IM: 1st- Jake Simpson, Larkey Sharks 1:03.31. 13-14 100 Yd IM: 10th-Brandon Evans, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 1:03.55. 15-18 100 Yd IM: 9thGrace Linderholm, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 1:04.50. 15-18 100 Yd IM: 4th- Tony Wanket, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 58.01.

5th-Drew Pitcher, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 58.07. 6 & Under 25 Yd Free: 7th- Sheena Cannon, Larkey Sharks 19.03. 6 & Under 25 Yd Free: 3rd- Dimond Loosli, Larkey Sharks 16.98 7-8 25 Yd Free: 8th- Sammi Monroe, Pleasant Hill Aquatics 15.17. 13-14 50 Yd Free: 3rd- Kendall Stuscavage, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 25.76. 15-18 100 Yd Free: 6th- Steven Gordon, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 49.13. 6 & Under 25 Yd Breast: 5thHayden Bullotta, Larkey Sharks 25.81.

9-10 50 Yd Breast: 8th- Kayla Bingham, Pleasant Hill Aquatics 39.41. 11-12 50 Yd Breast: 2nd- Jake Simpson, Larkey Sharks 31.47. 15-18 100 Yd Breast: 1st- Drew Pitcher, Pleasant Hill Dolfins 1:03.14. 6 & Under 100 Yd Medley Relay: 7th- Pleasant Hill Aquatics 1:39.38 -Jordan Blair, Carly Behrens, Taylor Fet-

8-year-old Pleasant Hill Aquatics swimmer, Sammi Monroe, competed in the final round in Freestyle and Butterfly at the County Swim Meet. Photo credit: Charles King

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 17

HOME TEAM Alhambra Looks to Reload, College Park to Rebuild for 2010 Football Campaign Dogs return key contributors from 11-2 team; Falcons search for leadership If College Park can pull any positives from a 6-6 season in 2009, it would be the season-opening win at Alhambra, 3714. The Falcons dealt the rival Bulldogs one of their only two losses of the season.

Alhambra then reeled-off 11 wins insuccession before falling deep in the NCS Playoffs.

Alhanbra quarterback, Trevor Davis

Both schools are optimistic for success in 2010; Alhambra returns some key contributors at skill positions from last year’s club. CP, who lost a lot through graduation (10 starters), will look for personnel to emerge throughout the line-up to ignite the team. Coincidently, for both teams, the offensive line seems to be the biggest question.

After the win at Alhambra, CP faced some additional tough non-league foes and then jumped into a rugged DVAL. The team responded with a late-season run that included impressive wins over Clayton Valley and Ygnacio Valley prior to the playoffs. The success continued

By Chuck Nan with a 34-21 upset win over Amador Val- sides of the ball. ley. Coach Bill Kepler sees this as a build- Manuli and Leaf were First-Team All-DFAL selections, while Davis was a ing block and foundation to motivating Second-Team honoree. All four young his team in 2010. men are promising Division I prospects.

In Martinez, Alan Hern officially Each notched above-average marks at takes the reins as head man of the the Nike Football Combine in Oakland Bulldogs, succeeding Dave Silveira who last May. roamed the sidelines for 28 seasons.

For the Falcons, much of the core Silveira stays with the program and has moved-on. They do return Honormoves upstairs to become the defensive able Mention All-DVAL defensive back coordinator.

Robbie Byers for his senior season. The The Bulldogs lose running back young man turning heads and gaining Richard Calhoun and quarterback R.J. Cellini. However, Jared Leaf moves from fullback to halfback and will carry the load in the backfield. Trevor Davis, a spectacular receiver with gifted ability, returns at receiver. Rich Manuli is a very capable blocker and pass receiver at tight end. Experienced Maurice Poyadue will anchor the young offensive and defensive lines. Poyadue will play at left tackle, the all-important “blind side.”

Leaf gained 718 yards on 85 carries College Park quarterback, Taylor Valdez (8.45) with three TDs. He also caught notoriety is big Oshry Elor. Just a junior, 18 passes for three scores. Davis snagged the 346-pounder was hailed by ESPN. 29 receptions for 506 yards (17.45) and com as “Iron Man 3” after his memoraeight TDs. Manuli was right behind him ble workout at the Nike Combine. with 28 receptions and three TDs. Poya Elor was so impressive that ESPN due had seven sacks from his defensive tackle position, second on the team. Dav- singled him out in an online article, is had also registered three interceptions. although he was one of the youngest at the event, just 15-years-old. Elor had a Tough Justin Green moves-up from the JVs and will play fullback and linebacker. 38-foot power ball throw and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.69 seconds -- quite John Miller will also see action on both

impressive for someone of his size and age. He is now on everyone’s radar and a highly-touted prospect. Elor also won the 2010 DVAL and North Coast Section wrestling championships in the 285-pound class and earned 8th-place at the state meet.

Taylor Valdez filled the shoes at quarterback, guiding the high-intensity run-dominated offense in 2009. He returns to run the multiple-option scheme with precision once again. Running back Vince Ferrante returns to solidify the backfield. He was the star in the upset at Amador. Ferrante led the team with three touchdowns and 117 yards rushing on 5 carries for the game, all before halftime.

Note: The two teams renew their rivalry, opening against each other once again this season. The game is scheduled for Friday, September 3 at Diablo Valley College. Game time is 7:00 PM.

Friday Night Under the Lights College Park vs Alhambra September 3rd, 2010 7pm at DVC

“Season Ticket”

By Chuck Nan Prep Honorees The Contra Costa Times announced its male and female honorees for the 2010 spring sports season. Three Alhambra Bulldogs were named as First-Team performers and one Third-Team.

Two College Park Falcon softball players were recognized, one on the Second-Team and one on the Third-Team. College Park: Softball: Second-Team: Keisi Chinen, Junior, Catcher and Third-Team: Brittany Lloyd, Senior, Outfield. Alhambra: Golf: First-Team: Eliot Busichio, Junior, Track & Field: First-Team: Zach Coniglio, Senior, Discus/Shot Put. Softball : First-Team: Nikki Gentile, Senior, Shortstop.

Baseball: Third-Team: Robert Stephenson, Junior, Pitcher/Outfield Road to Recovery We are very delighted to report that Elliott Waterman has fully recovered from his intense bout with mononucleosis last spring. Waterman had to end his first season of baseball with the USF Dons as he was grounded for

over a month with the tricky virus. Waterman appeared in nine games with a 1-0 record and 4.32 ERA for USF. He struck-out nine in 8 1/3 innings, while walking just four. His program commenced on June 14 with light cardio progressing to higher degrees of intensity over the summer. He now begins the fall program on the Hilltop, which will include weight-lifting, as he tries to recover some lost muscle.

Softball Slugger Departs In mid-August, softball slugger Nikki Gentile headed-off to the University of Iowa. The strong and speedy all-around player from Alhambra was the DFAL Most Valuable Player last season. She boasted a .471 average with a .591 on-base percentage and .569 slugging average. She was also 17-of-20 in stolen bases (85.0%). Gentile will have one big fan while in the Midwest. Her grandfather, former Major League slugger Jim Gentile, now resides near Oklahoma City. It is an eight-hour drive from Oklahoma to Iowa City.

Close to Home Richard Calhoun, the running back who carried the load at Alhambra the past couple of seasons, will now be wearing the green and white of the DVC Vikings. Calhoun began working-out with the program even prior to graduation in June. He brings a solid resume to head coach Mike Darr’s program. Calhoun rushed for 3,460 yards and 37 touchdowns in his two-year varsity career that included 2,319 yards and 29 scores his senior season.

Calhoun kept in football shape by playing for the Lamorinda Rugby team the past two summers. There, he faced strong competition in an elite program and traveled to other states to compete against the best prep rugby players in the nation.

CP Stars Shine in Classic Las Lomas HS was the site of the 37th-Annual Contra Costa-Alameda All-Star Football Classic for the class of 2010 seniors. The game, in its second-year since being revived after 10

years of dormancy, matched the top prep stars from the two counties. Several local players participated for the Contra Costa team.

They included Dom Rolondelli, Travis Raciti and Matt Guilliaume of College Park. Raciti grabbed one pass reception for 15 yards. The Contra Costa Stars took an early lead and held on for the victory over Alameda.

Wurth the Wait Alhambra alum Will Wurth announced that he has accepted a scholarship to continue playing at the collegiate level at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). The school, a Division II participant, is located in Laredo, on the Gulf Coast. TAMIU’s sports teams are known as the Dustdevils and compete in the Heartland Conference. They became active members of NCAA Division II on September 1, 2008.

Wurth, a versatile player who can play infield or outfield, started every game for LMC in his two seasons at the school. He earned SecondTeam All Bay Valley Conference both years.

Page 18 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

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Loaves & Fishes Meet the Growing Needs of Contra Costa

By Mike Baroman-Coggins to volunteer or donate.

Your donations support our eight sites in Contra Costa. We have five LFCC manned and managed sites in Martinez, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch and Oakley and three partner sites in Concord, Walnut Creek and Antioch. Locations and information are located on our website.

Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa (LFCC) is a local non-profit agency that has a simple mission: to provide a hot, nutritious meal to anyone who is hungry in Contra Costa County. So how does a little agency take on such a big task? It starts with willing volunteers, generous donors and telling the community our story.

LFCC was founded 27 years ago

by Pauline Brisbin and Lucy Zendaez.

Pauline and Lucy saw a family rummaging through a dumpster in search of food and decided on the spot, there had to be a better way. Turning toward the problem, they began providing brown bag lunches from the trunk of their cars and slowly but surely built the agency into what it is today. LFCC now has over 1,000 active volunteers and thousands of donors who contribute time, energy and financial support to Loaves & Fishes.

Twenty-seven years after the start of LFCC the need has increased substantially. Over the last two years LFCC has completed its mission in the worst economic climate since the great depression. Contra Costa has been especially hard hit, with some of the highest unemployment and home foreclosure rates in the state. We are serving almost 800 meals daily compared to 500-600 last year. The new faces showing up in our dining rooms are families with children, the elderly and the newly homeless. We are seeing the working poor; some have lost homes, some have lost jobs, some still have a job but with reduced hours and are forced to make a choice between eating and paying a bill.

That is where LFCC fits in. We are often a person’s only meal of the day. In other cases we provide a meal so that families can put money toward something else.

Many of us will never know the feeling of being truly hungry. That feeling in the pit of your stomach that goes unquenched. For most of us, when hunger approaches, we go to the kitchen and make a meal. But what do you do when you have no kitchen? What do you do when you have no food? According to a recent study on hunger commissioned by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, 44.4% of seniors in Contra Costa County interviewed said that they were food insecure without hunger. 20.7% of seniors in CCC interviewed said they were food insecure with hunger. California’s unemployment rate is 2.3% higher than the national average and holding steady. California ranks fourth in the nation in home foreclosures, with many occurring in Contra Costa County. While the nation is showing small steps in a recovery, we know that the people we serve are the last folks who will feel the effects of that recovery.

While our need is at it’s highest and we have expanded to meet that need, individual donations are down over 25% from last year. All Americans have had to tighten their home budgets, which mean less giving, even when it is needed the most.

Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa could sure use your help. Simple math would tell you we need more donors to take up the cause. We also have a need for some large items. Our only delivery vehicle has almost 200,000 miles on it and often requires major repairs. A new truck is high on our wish list. We also need to get the word out about who we are.

Visit our website, www.loavesfishescc.org and tell your friends. They can get new information about LFCC and learn how

Explore AAUW

By Marti Martin Are you a person who is interested in promoting education and equity for women and girls? The Pleasant Hill branch of the American Association of University Women would like to invite people with an AA, BA or higher degree to join us. Our mission is to promote equity for all women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Founded in 1881, AAUW is a diverse and active national organization. Locally, we raise money for AAUW funds that provide fellowships and career development for women, provide college scholarships to local women and send three Pleasant Hill or Martinez middle school girls to the Tech Trek Summer Math & Science program each year. Our members also participate in the SAM (Student Art & Music) program at Fair Oaks Elementary School.

We meet several times a year with interesting programs or speakers as well as have a couple of social events that can include spouses or significant others. Our fund-raising events often feature a fun activity like a wine-tasting dinner or an evening with mystery writers. On a personal level, our branch has many interest sections such as book discussion groups, genealogy, bridge, handcrafts, dining out, and others. A good time to explore what we can offer you is our opening brunch meeting which will be held in Pleasant Hill on Saturday, September 25. For more information, check out our website at www.aauw-ph.org or contact Marti Martin at mmfiddler@ yahoo.com.

Page 19

Page 20 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

Local Happy Hour Guide

Discover a New Hangout or Visit an Old Favorite

Café Milano Italian Cuisine/Gourmet Pizza Come dine with us and experience the difference.

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Page 21

IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS • IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS

Christie’s For Kids

Christie’s For Kids is a new consignment store in Pleasant Hill. This locally owned and operated treasure chest sells new and new to you toys, baby equipment, accessories, and clothing for children from newborn to 10 years old. If you are looking for quality, gently used name brands at a discount price or great buys from local

designers, this is the place! Maybe you want to clean out your child’s closet or toy box to make room for new goodies.

Christie’s For Kids will consign your like-new items and pay you in cash or store credit.

The owners of Christie’s For Kids, Melissa and Mike, have lived in Pleasant Hill for over 8 years and in Contra

Owners Mike and Melissa Christie with their son Elvis.

Costa County for 35 years. They frequently support and participate in local community events such as A Taste of Pleasant Hill, the Summer Concert by the Lake series, the Walnut Festival, and more. They are community minded, shop locally, and would like to bring that sense of community to their store. The store also has the spirit of a “greener” future by reselling gently used items instead of letting them go to waste. It is their philosophy to be the change they want to see in the world,

3

36 Year Member Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

beginning in their community.

Christie’s has a great selection for back to school wardrobes by Levi’s, Nike, Abercrombie, Gap, Ralph Lauren, and more. Doing Halloween on a budget? Christie’s has got you covered from newborn to size 10. Dress your little ones cute or scary, and big kids as their favorite characters with a huge savings. Christie’s receives new items every day. Don’t miss out on their selection and savings!

Stop by and shop, consign, or chat about your kids at Christie’s For Kids, 69 Doray Drive, in Pleasant Hill. Christie’s is located in the Gregory Village shopping Center along with Grocery Outlet and located right behind Play It Again Sports.

You can also find them on the web at www.christiesforkids. com or call 925-8496541 for more information.

Page 22 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

Relieve School Related Stress Naturally Summer flew by. Kids are headed back to school. The start of the school year can be stressful for children and adults alike.

Excitement about learning, apprehension about taking tests or feeling overwhelmed from endless activities and homework can lead to school-related stress and increase susceptibility to illness or create undue anxiety. Here are some simple things you and your family can try at home to relieve stress: Promote good habits. Discuss with

By Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA) • Kali phosphoricum helps students your child their schedule, band/sports who have made an enormous effort practice, chores, due dates for projects, with their studies and then become homework, etc. Help them create daily totally exhausted, mentally dull, and agenda to incorporate their needs. nervous.

Include recreational activities they enjoy. Ensure they get the rest and sleep • Students who are homesick, unused to the demands of college life, they need. Lack of sleep wears on the experiencing difficulty handling their nerves and immune system. workload and become spacey, weak, Eat well. Whole food snacks and or apathetic may need Phosphoric deserts that are low in sugar will help acid. They may be drowsy by day and promote concentration: raw vegetable sleepless at night and can get so run sticks, nuts, nut butters, fresh fruits, down that they contract mononucleosis unflavored yogurt, and hard-boiled or chronic diarrhea. eggs.

• Calcaria phosophoricum can be Homeopathic remedies that can helpful for headaches due to prolonged help with stress:

mental exertion.

• Argentrum nitricum can relieve performance anxiety, fear of the unknown, and help if the student experiences flatulence or diarrhea under stress.

If you are succumbing to stress and repeatedly falling ill, it may be time to seek homeopathic care from a professional. I can help. I now offer $75-off an initial consultation with a coupon available that the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. Call Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Nationally Certified Homeopath, 826.3858. www.MyraNissen.com

PAID ADVERTORIAL

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month In 2010, there are expected to be 217,000 new prostate cancer diagnoses and about 32,500 prostate cancer deaths. Prostate cancer is second only to nonmelanoma skin cancer and lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer and cancer death, respectively, in men.

For a male, the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer is about 15 percent, but the risk of dying of prostate cancer is only 3 percent. This is because prostate cancer often grows so slowly that most men die of other causes before the disease becomes more advanced.

Most men with prostate cancer may not have any symptoms; symptoms of urinating frequently and

By Jewel Johl, MD While DRE is a good test to detect difficulty with maintaining a normal cancer when a nodule is found on flow of urine may suggest an enlarged exam, an absence of nodule does not prostate which does not necessarily necessarily rule out prostate cancer. mean that there is underlying prostate PSA and DRE are somewhat cancer. complementary, and their combined Therefore, screening for prostate use can increase the overall rate of cancer is important for detection at an cancer detection. However, both early stage. Prostate-specific antigen PSA and DRE have false positive and (PSA) testing has revolutionized false negative rates, and the results of prostate cancer screening. PSA levels each should be discussed with your can be affected by age and race; these physician. factors are taken into consideration Screening should be discussed with when interpreting abnormal values. men beginning at age 50, although for Digital rectal examination (DRE) men who have life expectancy less than has long been used to diagnose 10 years, screening for prostate cancer prostate cancer. Abnormal prostate may not be necessary as other health findings include nodules, asymmetry, problems may determine their life or unusual hardening of the prostate.

expectancy.

The optimal interval and combination of tests remains uncertain, however based on current data PSA can be checked every two to four years.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Urological Association have both issued guidelines which can help guide you to make a decision about screening for prostate cancer.

Dr. Johl is a physician with Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group located in the California Cancer and Research Institute at 400 Taylor Blvd, Pleasant Hill. He can be reached at 925/677-5041.

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Page 23

THE GARDEN

Grape Gratification

By Lesley Stiles Grape season has arrived with a bang in Northern California. Vintners are wading through crushes destined to become world class wines. Table grape farmers have sweetly descended on local farmers’ markets weighing tables down with green Thompson seedless, Red Flame seedless and huge purple seedless. Most table grapes are seedless these days due to consumer preferences but if you have yet to experience a Concord or Black Muscat or a Green Muscat, you need to break down and savor with eyes closed then spit out the seeds. Red seedless and Thompson are most prevalent but only in farmers’ markets will you find some bizarre hold outs and amazingly tasty varieties.

Cut grapes in half and toss with chopped basil, lemon oil, salt and pepper. Shave in fresh pecorino and toss for a nice antipasti. Sauté a couple chicken breasts in olive oil until almost done. Throw in a handful of grapes and hit with a splash of white wine. Reduce a minute and add a few

tablespoons of cream reducing a bit more. Finish with fresh thyme, salt and pepper. You will want to share that one with someone you want something from—and expect positive results!

Toss grapes with olive oil, salt and a pinch of rosemary. Roast on 425* for 10 minutes until gooey and caramelized. Use as a tricky little last minute addition to pastas or risottos and make them guess what that flavor is.

Grape season is perfectly timed for a sweet, seasonal, local and healthy addition to school lunches. Back to school is a great time to get that farmers’ market habit going if you have not already done so.

You can find fabulous ideas and picks for keeping lunchtime interesting and engaging for mature as well as miniature palates. Carrots, celery and apples are begging to be cut up and stashed in a great little reus- For more of Lesley’s able Stiles delicious container.

Recipe’s please Lettuces visit our website: and cherry tomatoes www.ourcommunityfocus.com scream, “Pack me up with ranch!”

Toasted and chopped local almonds

are a fantastic addition to absolutely anything. Bakers at the market have some interesting and healthier breads to offer for sandwiches and you can feel good about giving your people locally grown and produced items. When they exclaim how great their lunches are, feel comfortable knowing that the market is just downtown and will be there next week to stock up all over again.

Happy, healthy kids make for great students and lunch is a key component of the big picture. Shop local and make friends with your farmers!

Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustainable caterer and school garden educator.

Contact Lesley at lesleystiles@comcast.net, www.lesleystiles.blogspot. com.

Fresh Apple and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies This is a great cookie for breakfast and lunch boxes as well as snacks or dessert. Half of the butter is replaced with apple sauce and yogurt and I use whole wheat flour along with the oats. Add turbinado sugar, apples and fresh current crop nuts and raisins--this is no ordinary cookie with hardly any empty calories!

1 ½ cups old fashioned uncooked oats 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons of freshly toasted and ground cinnamon ¾ cup of chopped fresh apples 1 cup current local raisins 1 cup fresh local walnuts, toasted and chopped

Makes about 40 cookies

Directions: Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons of apple sauce 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt 1 cup turbinado sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350* Spray a few cookie sheets with pan release.

Cream butter, apple sauce, yogurt and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.

Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well, then stir in oats.

Sift the flour, salt, soda, powder and cinnamon onto a sheet of waxed paper, stir into wet ingredients.

Add apples, raisins and nuts, stir well.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cookies may look a little under done but will be fine as they cool and not dry out from over baking. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container between waxed paper.

Page 24 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

IT’S THE EAST BAY WEDDING FAIR Sunday September 12, 2010 10:00am to 4:00pm

At the Beautiful Martinez Event Center 524 Main St., Downtown Martinez

Featuring Wedding Professionals from around the East Bay with information about products and services to make your day unique and memorable.

  

Brides-to-be and friends can visit with Wedding Professionals offering their expertise and products to make your day special and uniquely yours!

This year's event will include:

 

• Over 30 exhibiting businesses from all over the East Bay • Free Admission for Brides-To-Be and friends • A Fashion Show • Prize Packages and giveaways • Free Parking • Food Sampling

www.EastBayWeddingFair.com • 925.228.3577

Brought to you by:

Discover the Charm

Main Street Martinez, Inc.

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PO Box 776 Martinez, CA 94553 925-228-3577 fax 925-228-2650 www.MainStreetMartinez.org

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September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

What is the What Book Review by Adam Kondonijakos Dave Eggers’ What is the What tells the story of a young Sudanese boy who has been forced to leave his home and his tribe due to the civil war raging in his country. He, along with thousands of other boys his age, flees to neighboring Ethiopia and eventually Kenya to survive.

These boys came to be known as the Lost Boys of Sudan.

This book is a combination of a biography (written by Eggers in the first person about Valentino Deng’s experience) and history lesson. The story told in these pages is reminiscent of the Holocaust memoir Night, written by Elie Wiesel... only more intense (if that’s possible). The know your country is bad when finding events that take place are unthinkable and food in Ethiopia is the better option. disturbing that I don’t believe I will ever Eventually these ‘Lost Boys’ are be the same. brought to the United States. There are While reading I had two thoughts some overtones of how life in the U.S. is constantly going through my head. One, worse than in the Sudan due to the difthis is not Sudan’s Darfur genocide. This ficulty assimilating to our culture and way was a different one. Even the people in the of life. I never really understood this argubook mention that this genocide is not as ment and I don’t think he did a very good bad as what’s going on in Darfur and the job of explaining it (probably because it genocide they describe is so unthinkably makes so little sense). cruel, brutal, and beyond the imagina In the end I feel I am a much better tion of what actions true evil can do. I do person for having read this story. I have not use hyperbole when I say this book read excerpts, good and bad, that will stay describes some of the worst things one with me forever. I highly recommend person can do to another that I have ever What is the What to anyone and everyone read or heard. That is saying a lot considand I especially think this should become ering I am a history teacher. required reading for every high school The second thought I had is that student in the country. And if you have these children were walking barefoot, any teenagers at home, you should defiand hungry for months to get to Ethiopia nitely make them read this book. for sanctuary. Ethiopia! This is the same To leave your comments about either Ethiopia that needed Live Aid to help this book or this review, please send it to them through an immense famine. You avkondon@pleasanthillbookclub.com.

Page 25

Martinez City Council

Paid for by Friends of Lara DeLaney, Post Office Box 51, Martinez, CA 94553 ID #1245981

Pleasant Hill Community Foundation is honored by Project Second Chance The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation is the 2010 recipient of the Margaret Lesher Memorial Award by Project Second Chance, the Contra Costa County Library’s adult literacy program. A friend of Project Second Chance (PSC) for many years, the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation has consistently supported PSC’s mission to provide adults who have low literacy skills with the opportunity to read, write and spell better, which ultimately benefits our entire community. “From helping to fund tutor training videos, to publishing books of student writings, to purchasing books and audio CD’s for the student book club, to updating our

collection of textbooks, the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation has always been there for us,” said PSC Director Laura Seaholm. ““PSC is excited to be able to publicly thank the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation for its passion for helping people change their lives in positive, meaningful ways. It is truly the kind of community partner the Lesher Award seeks to acknowledge.”

The Lesher Award was created by PSC in 1988 to honor individuals, businesses and organizations, who like the program’s original patron Margaret Lesher, consistently provide outstanding support to Project Second Chance.

Page 26 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Calendar events Now-September - Music and Market Series – Farmers’ Market and free music concerts in the Plaza. Thursday evenings, 6:30pm-8pm at Todos Santos Park, Concord.

Now-September - The 1940s: Kilroy Was Here. Who was Kilroy and what does this all mean? This unique expression and graffiti appears to have originated with the U.S. servicemen of WWII through the Korean War. Current exhibit at the Martinez History Museum, 1005 Escobar St., Martinez.

Hours: Tues. and Thurs., 11:30-3pm.

First four Sundays, 1pm-4pm. Call: 925-228-8160 or visit www.martinezhistory.org.

Now- September 19th – Willows Cabaret Theatre presents: “Six Women With Brain Death”. A wild view of the world from an entirely feminine standpoint told through a series of hysterical songs and sketches. For further details visit: www.willowstheatre.org or call: 798-1824.

Ongoing - The Martinez Animal Hospital has a Kitten Adoption Program. The cost to the new owner is our cost of vaccines & spay/neuter. Visit www.martinezanimalhospital.net and click on “adoptions”.

9/5 – Sunset by the Lake – Live music on the lawn at Pleasant Hill City Hall.

Bring dinner and enjoy live local bands, 6pm-8pm, FREE. 9/11- Diablo Valley Film Festival - Celebrates the independent spirit of cinema. (space)The festival offers a screening venue for upcoming and established filmmakers from around the globe. Proceeds benefit Contra Costa Animal Services and Martinez Unified School District! For more info. call: 925231-5365 or visit: www.diablovalleyfilmfestival.com. 11am-11pm at the Martinez Masonic Lodge, 700 Masonic Street.

9/11 - 2nd Annual Fall Music Festival: John Muir Amphitheatre - A community event Hosted by: Soroptomists of Martinez and Sea Scout Ship Albatross. 11:00am10:00pm.

9/12 – East Bay Wedding Faire - For brides-to-be, fiancés, family, and friends. Discover wedding related businesses including photographers, bakeries, caterers, florists and more. Martinez Event Center, 524 Main St., Martinez, 11am-4pm. For more information call: 228-3577.

9/17 – “A Night at the Opera” performed by some of the finest operatic talent in Northern California. Event benefits Martinez Opera “Culture For Kids”, a non-profit performing art organization in Contra Costa County.

Come for an enchanted evening of fine international fare and no host bar.

Event held at the Crow Canyon Country Club at 6:30pm. Tickets are $65. For more information call 372-6657, email mtzopera@gmail.com or go to www.

MTZO.com.

9/23 – Honor a Hero- Hire a Vet/Job and Resource Fair – Free to employers and open to all job seekers and employers from the entire Bay Area. This 4th annual event will be held from 10am3pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord. Call: 602-5034 or email: hgoldsmi@ edd.ca.gov.

9/25 – Juan Bautista de Anza National Historical Trail Exhibit – Join us for the unveiling of this new exhibit in the Martinez Adobe at the John Muir National Historic Site. Visit www.mps. gov/juba/index.htm for more information about the trail.

chalk artists in the plaza, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, and bocce beginning at 10am. Visit: www.mainstreetmartinez.org or call: 228-3577.

AT THE LIBRARY 9/1-9/29 (Wednesdays) – Mothers Goose Time - 11:15am-11:45am. This

fun story time is tailored for the youngest crowd. Let your child develop early literacy skills naturally as we share songs and rhymes, bounce and tickles, and simple stories. Come join us for this lighthearted story hour just for tots ages 0 – 3 at the PH Library, 1750 Oak Park Blvd.

646-6434. Visit: ccclib.org.

9/2- 9/30 (Thursdays) – Preschool Story Time - 11:15am -11:45am. Featuring stories and songs to tickle the funny-bone and str-e-eetch the imagination. Our stories will transport young children to a world full of fun. PH Library, 1750 Oak Park Blvd.

9/11 – Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library Book Sale – Huge assortment of fiction, non-fiction, collectibles, children’s books, videos, etc. Plus: Early afternoon Bag Sale, $3 per bag for general sales books. 1750 Oak Park Blvd., PH – in back of the library. 10am-3:30pm.

9/14 – Pleasant Hill Library Book Club

Second Tuesday of every month. 6:30pm.

Pleasant Hill Library, 1750 Oak Park Blvd. 646-6434. Free.

9/14 – Martinez Bookworms Book Club – Discussion of contemporary and classic fiction over refreshments. Second

Tuesday of every month at the Martinez Library, 740 Court Street, Martinez. 6:458pm. 646-2898.

9/30 – Junkology with Dr. Recycle, the Mad Junkologist - Join the workshop and learn about the creative fun that can be had with common household objects.

Now - 9/24 - Friday’s On the Main: Weekly Car & Bike Cruise-In, Main St. Martinez. 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Dr. Recycle teaches creative re-use of man-made refuse. 4pm-4:45 pm. Call to register: 646-6434.

Presenter: Oliver Samonte.

9/25 & 26 - Italian Street Painting Festival - The 2-day downtown street painting festival will feature street

9/13-11/8 – Life Enrichment for Frail Elders- The Rainbow Program.

Designed to help maintain or improve

CLASSES

September 2010

mobility, physical strength, mental alertness, independence and socialization skills. Participants enjoy music, arts and crafts, exercise, memory enhancing games, current events and fellowship.

Bring a bag lunch. Time: 10am-1pm on Mondays, (9 weeks). Fee: $81. Instructors: Bullock/Reinthaler. PH Education Center, 1 Santa Barbara Rd, PH. Call: 937-1530 to register.

CLUBS 9/7 – Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club - 7pm. ”Japanese Maples”. Speaker: Barry

Hoffer. PH Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. 7:00pm. Guests are welcome.

For more information visit www.phgsc. com or call: 944-4898.

9/11- Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club - Malena Watrous, author

of the award-winning debut novel, “If You Follow Me”, will be speaking.

All writers of any level will enjoy her expertise. 11:30am Buffet luncheon at Zio Fraedos, 611 Gregory Ln. $20 members/$25 for guests. Reservations required by 9/8. Contact jeaniegpops@ comcast or 934-5677. Visit: www.mtdiablowriters.org

Save the date 10/2 – The 8th Annual Shell/Martinez Education Foundation 5K Run/Walk for Education. All proceeds go to the Martinez Education Foundation to benefit MUSD schools. To volunteer, call Barbara Kapsalis at 925-229-9079 or email bjkapsalis@aol.com. To register for Run/Walk go to www.theschedule.com/EventInfo. cfm?EventID=24936.

10/10 – The 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk to help save sports in the MDUSD High Schools. A fun family event- all ages welcome! Medals and prizes awarded and food and entertainment will be available. Registration: $20- pre-registered runner, $25 day of event, $10 for Kiddie Run/Walk. Competitive Run @ 9am, Fun Run/Walk @ 9:45, Kiddie Run/Walk (8 & under) @ 10:30am. Participants preregistered by 9/24 are guaranteed t-shirts on race day. For business sponsorship and event registration go to: www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org.

September 2010 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

It Takes a Community – Get Involved with FPHE Few things are more important to a community than its schools. Quality schools are the undeniable root of a successful community. Without quality schools or if local schools decline, communities face numerous problems affecting youth, real estate values, neighborhood pride, and business success.

Whether or not you are a parent of school-aged children, you can be instrumental in helping the 11 schools within the College Park High School feeder pattern continue to excel and receive annual funding from FPHE. Donating money is always a good way to help, but another, equally important way is to volunteer and get involved with the Foundation.

Community members, businesses, and civic groups are taking notice of FPHE’s success. The Foundation is on the cusp of something big. We have the opportunity to achieve the same success as education foundations in neighboring towns, but we need you!

How to Get More Involved with FPHE • Attend FPHE board meetings. Meetings are the first Tuesday of every month,

7:30-9:30 p.m., at City Hall’s Community Room. Come and learn how FPHE functions. Visitors are always welcome.

• Join a committee or become a board member. Board members can be elected into FPHE any time. Terms are for two years.

• Attend planning meetings and special events. FPHE needs volunteers to assist with events, grants, outreach, advertising, and marketing.

There are lots of ways to get involved and every volunteer is seen as an asset to the Foundation.

The rewards are intrinsic. The combined effort of the board, volunteers, and donors is a very fulfilling experience.

You will make a difference in your community and you will become a part of an incredible group dedicated to enhancing the education of students in Pleasant Hill schools.

Do It. Get involved today and be instrumental in improving our local schools and community. To learn more, visit www.fphe.org. The next FPHE board meetings are September 7 and October 5.

We’ll see you there!

Rotary Club Helps Kids Learn While Playing

By Faye Donaghu Rotary Community Service Direc Sequoia Elementary school stutor Norma Flaskerud with Sequoia dents had a fun surprise waiting for Principal Cindy Matteoni arranged them when they returned to school.

(left to right) Principal Cindy Matteoni and Rotarians Michael Saenz, Norma Flaskerud, and John Burgh. Finished map on right.

Members of the Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill gathered on two different weekends in June and July to paint a map on the playground at Sequoia Elementary School. The 27x16-foot map of the United States, painted in five vibrant colors, has detailed borders of the 50 states and the 5 Great Lakes.

the project. “The finished product will certainly open up many more possible educational activities,” said Norma.

“The kids can add major cities and capitols; rivers, mountains, and deserts; draw explorer routes...the possibilities are endless. They can have a lot of fun while learning at the same time.”

Page 27

Cub Scouting

By Mark Foley, Cub Master

In a time when so many non-academic programs are being cut from our schools, many parents wonder where they can turn to find a value-driven, familycentered, community program that focuses on essential character development? The answer is in scouting. For Cub Scouts, boys in the first through fifth grade are part of a family environment that follows a set of time-honored core values established one hundred years ago.

Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-esteem, leadership skills and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives and make their communities richer.

Scouting allows boys to try new things, build self-confidence, and develop positive ethical standards.

Last year was an amazing period of growth for our pack in terms of sheer numbers, fun, and commitment to community! We were involved with community improvement projects for both the city and Strandwood School. Outside the community, scouts collected

food for needy families through the national Scouting for Food program and helped support our brave soldiers overseas through popcorn donations. We play as hard as we work and our scouts trekked trails from Mt. Diablo to Monterey Bay, stayed overnight on the USS Hornet, and participated in the regional 100th Scout Jamboree!

Scouting is a family program. It is an excellent way for parents to bond with their children through fun, fellowship, and activity. With so many influences that draw families apart these days, scouting is truly one that draws us together. Opportunities abound for parents and kids alike. As you go begin the back to school process, check out the scouting program and give it a try!

Strandwood’s Pack 282 meets the second Wednesday of each month beginning in September. All first grade Tiger scouts and their parents are encouraged to attend the orientation at Strandwood Aug. 31st at 6:45. If you miss the first meeting and would like more information contact me at folo@ix.netcom.com.

Support Martinez Schools!

The Martinez Education Foundation (MEF) is a community-based partnership of volunteers committed to providing resources to enhance educational opportunities for Martinez children. MEF believes education is both an investment and a priority for the Martinez community.

MEF has raised over $1.5 million for Martinez schools and you can help support them by joining the foundation, participating in the upcoming Shell/ MEF Run and becoming a V.I.P. cardholder.

Last year’s Shell/Martinez Education Foundation 5K Run/Walk hosted 700 participants and raised over $50,000, the largest sum in the Run’s history. This

event began in 2003, with the goal of rallying the community in support of the schools and promoting health and wellness. This year’s 8th Run/Walk for Education will be held on Saturday, October 2. All proceeds go to the Martinez Education Foundation to benefit MUSD schools. To volunteer, call Barbara Kapsalis at 925-229-9079 or email bjkapsalis@aol.com. To register to run or walk, go to www.theschedule.com/EventInfo. cfm?EventID=24936.

Lastly, be a Martinez V.I.P.! Buy a V.I.P. card and receive fabulous discounts for the entire family at local businesses throughout the community. Support local businesses while raising money for the schools: www.vipmartinez.com

Page 28 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

THEATRE & THE ARTS

September 2010

Stage Door

By Nicole Diestler

During this past year, Community Focus’ Stage Door has brought you interviews with local area artists and professionals. I have attempted to highlight some hidden local theatre gems, artists and programs. I am honored by your collective response and positive feedback.

Please continue to send me your perspectives, and this “season” I will attempt to provide space for your quotes and opinions to be shared in our forum.

As I prepare for our upcoming season, I seek guidance from you, my column audience. What people or programs would you like to see “in focus?” Do you know of any theatrical programs, artists, teachers, advocates or offerings that would benefit our community by being included in this column? If so, please send me an email and let me know about them.

Several of you have taken me up on my offer and sent me listings or posters of upcoming theatrical events and performances. I ask that all future listings be sent to me through Pleasant Hill Community Focus, and not through my personal email or at Diablo Valley College, where I am a professor. I appreciate your tenacity in tracking me down, however I will no longer post programming/ show information unless it is cleared and accessed through stagedoor@

ourcommunityfocus.com. Thank you for understanding and for helping me keep my roles separate and in their proper place.

Next month we begin our new 201011 season with a spotlight on a local area theatre artist. Until then, may I implore you to become an active member of a theater audience? Theater and theatrical performances need audiences. The art form is unique and inspired because of the live atmosphere and immediate nature of the work.

“The difference between a theatre with and without an audience is enormous. There is a palpable, critical energy created by the presence of the audience.”

-Andy Goldsworthy So, get out there and see some shows!

Now is the time to get some fantastic rates on season tickets. I leave you with a tongue-in-cheek quote about society and theater attendance… “It is a hopeless endeavor to attract people to a theatre unless they can be first brought to believe that they will never get in.” – Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickelby.

My advice, East Bay: Convince yourselves that you’ll never get in and plan a night at the theater!

Nicole Diestler is the Associate Professor of Acting and Directing at Diablo Valley College. Deadline for submissions is the 1st Friday of each month for the following issue. Send information to stagedoor@pleasanthillcommunityfocus.com.

September Now Playing She Loves Me by Masteroff, Harnick & Bock (Musical/Opera). Directed by Robert Barry Fleming Sept. 2 through Oct. 10, Curtain time(s): Thurs-Fri 8PM; Sat 2:30PM & 8PM (9/4 8PM only); Sun 2:30PM (9/18, 9/26 & 10/3 2:30PM & 7:30PM). Ticket Price: $19.00 - $45.00 In a European perfumery during the 1930s, George and Amalia are feuding clerks who secretly find solace in their anonymous romantic pen pals, not knowing their respective correspondents are each other. Produced by: Center REPertory Company, www.dlrca.org, Box Office: (925) 943-7469 Performed at: Lesher Center for the Arts 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Drama) Aug. 18 through Sept.12, Curtain time(s): Fri-Sat 8PM; T-Th 7:30PM (8/18 & 8/19 8PM); Sun 4PM. Ticket Price: $20.00 - $65.00 Urged on by his wife and his own ambition, a Scottish nobleman plots to become king.

Produced by: California Shakespeare Theater, www.calshakes.org, Box Office: (510) 548-9666 Performed at: Bruns Memorial Amphitheater 100 Gateway Blvd. at Hwy 24, Orinda Six Women with Brain Death by Benge, Brandt, Coppedge, Fagan, Johnson, Pharr, Freese & Houston (Musical/Opera). Directed by Richard Elliott Aug. 16 through Sept. 19, Curtain time(s): Wed 3:30PM & 7:30PM; Thurs 7:30PM; Fri 8PM; Sat 2PM & 8PM; Sun 3PM. Ticket Price: $22.00 - $30.00 A fast-paced, wacky musical satire of life and pop culture from a feminine viewpoint.

Produced by: Willows Theatre Company, www.willowstheatre.org, Box Office: (925) 798-1300 Performed at: Campbell Theatre 636 Ward St., Martinez Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress (Drama). Directed by Robin Stanton Aug. 20 through Sept.

26. Curtain time(s): Tues 7PM; Wed-Sat 8PM; Sun 2PM & 7PM. Ticket Price: $34.00 - $55.00 Set during the early years of the Civil Rights movement, this disconcerting yet disarmingly funny look at the inequalities of American life in the 1950s highlights the half-truths we tell ourselves about race relations and societal progress in America. Produced by: Aurora Theatre Company, www.auroratheatre.org, Box Office: (510) 843-4822 Performed at: Aurora Theatre 2081 Addison St., Berkeley In the Wound by Daniel Bruno, adapted from Homer (Drama). Directed by Jon Tracy Aug 21, 2010 through Oct 03, 2010 Curtain time(s): Sat-Sun & 9/6 3PM. Ticket Price: $0.00 (Suggested Donation $10.00) World Premiere Using every classic text on the subject, this original work breaks down the insanity of war into an explosive musical soundscape that will lay egos bare, implode cities and call into question everything you’ve ever been forced to believe is true.

Produced by: Shotgun Players, www.shotgunplayers.org, Box Office: (510) 841-6500 Performed at: John Hinkel Park 41 Somerset Ave., Berkeley Pinocchio: The Musical by Raymon Stansbury, based on the original “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi. (Musical/Opera). Directed by Bill Toaspern and Carol Morris Sept.18 at 4pm & 7pm and Sept.19 at 4pm. Ticket Price: $10.00 per person or $20.00 per family Pinocchio, the fantastical, classical tale of the puppet who longed to become a real boy will come to magical musical life on stage. Produced by: Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, www.walnutcreekumc.org Box Office: (925) 934-0749 Performed at: Walnut Creek United Methodist, 1543 Sunnyvale Avenue, Walnut Creek

September 2010

www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Page 29

Letters and Opinions Letter to the Editor Pleasant Hill’s Proposed Utility Users Tax (UUT) Measure

slightly less than their counterparts in San Jose, one of California’s largest urban communities.

The city attorney is paid $205K per year, yet regularly asks for extra money for outside attorneys. Last year, the council approved $50K for help on the St. Theresa’s Retreat proposal. Many small cities employ part-time city attorneys, or contract for legal services, at far less cost.

City officials blame state funding cuts, but they shouldn’t burden taxpayers until they’ve cleaned their own fiscal house. There is no need to raise the UUT by 1,000%, and taxpayers simply cannot afford any more tax hikes.

Jack Weir, President Pleasant Hill Taxpayers Association

Martin Nelis, Pleasant Hill Public Information Officer, wrote in August’s Community Focus, promoting an increase in the city’s Utility Users Tax (UUT). Here’s the real story.

The article contains misleading statements. Nelis claims the city has reduced the number of city employees by 20%, but that figure includes the elimination of vacant positions. There are no actual savings there. And, only four part-time employees were laid off.

Nelis says that without increased revenues, the city can’t maintain existing services. This conclusion is based in part on a “Quality of Life” survey.

This survey was biased, providing no option to oppose new taxes.

Cannabis? Not! “Wellness” Outlets Our city leaders must reduce the Not a Good Idea for Martinez cost of running our city. This can Process should be administered like be accomplished without reducing that of other prescription drugs truly essential services. About 75% of Opinion by Chuck Nan the city’s general budget is personnel expenses. Employees are not required The mention of medical cannabis to contribute anything toward their dispensaries for Martinez ignites about pension plans; the city pays the entire a half-dozen flags of concern for me amount. The private sector has long when I hear about it. There are cerrequired employee contributions, and Make www.ourcommunityfocus.com your homepage! tainly many social, practical, legal and many public agencies have moved in emotional arguments on both sides of that direction. A modest contribution the issue which can be debated. Rather will help offset the present deficit, and than approach the question from those protect our reserves. angles, I want to advocate two sugges The list of city salaries reveals tions which I feel should be included in that employees are very highly compensated, and are paid far more than comparable jobs in the private sector.

(Visit www.mercurynews.com/publicemployee-salaries.) Our city manager is paid $225K per year, overseeing 122 employees and a $20 million budget.

(For total compensation, add 35% for benefits; the city manager’s total compensation is over $300K.) The chancellor of the local community college district earns slightly more, but oversees 1,500 employees working at seven campuses, with a $100 million budget, and a $500 million bond program. Our top three city officials are paid only

the process.

I first want to say that I am against the dispensing of medical cannabis within community settings. I have my reasons, but for the sake of space, I will not go there. I recently served on a jury for a trial which was associated with medical cannabis. As I suspected, many jurors and witnesses shared their experiences of family and friends having a “card” for receiving their share of cannabis. In a high majority of cases, the recipients were not ill, just using recreationally.

However, I do recognize that Western medicine does not have all of the answers when it comes to the treatment of disease, illness and pain. I strongly advocate a communal partnership between traditional medical treatment and the holistic/alternative community.

With this, I would like to see recipients of medical cannabis have to prove that they are seeking additional care and solutions to their ailment or illness. I mean that cannabis should not be the only therapy. The cannabis is usually used for pain or appetite issues.

However, are these people looking for a definitive solution to their medical problem or rather just using the “privilege” as a crutch?

There is no reason why the doctor who issued the original prescription, or other specialists attending to patients’ ills, should not be part of the healing process. I think that this approach would immediately legitimize the use of cannabis for medical purposes and take away the stigmatism of it being subterranean.

The second wish I have is that the direct dispensing of cannabis be handled as other prescription drugs are. From antibiotics to morphine, these drugs should be ordered, filled and purchased at a reputable pharmacy, drug store or hospital. Why do we need store fronts in communities, downtown in our case, to distribute the cannabis?

I invite more of you to share your feelings on this topic, whether you are pro, con or neutral. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Opinions and views expressed here are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers/editors.

The Community Focus invites your comments and opinions. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and submitted with first and last name. Address and daytime telephone number required but not published. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion.

The Focus reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, possible libel and propriety or to refuse letters we feel contradict our mission.

E-mail letters for our community forum to: editorial@ourcommunityfocus.com

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Page 30 www.ourcommunityfocus.com

September 2010

TEEN SCENE

Pleasant Hill Lamorinda Rebels: Ready for Another Season

By Shawn Nygard, Director of Marketing

2010 Rebels Cheerleaders

the girls to show off their Rebel spirit by participating in the annual Pleasant Hill 4th of July parade.

Our official football and cheer season runs from August through November. During the first month, the girls practiced daily learning offense and defense chants, various cheer motions, dance routines and stunts. Our cheerleaders attended the annual JAMZ cheer camp in San Ramon. This year all five squads earned the coveted “Spirit Stick” award along with many individual cheer ribbons.

The squads cheer for the Rebels football players who will play a total of nine Saturday games. This year we will have five home games played at Diablo Valley College with the remaining four being played throughout the county.

Last year our football teams made it to the playoffs, and we are confident we can do that again this year.

In addition to cheering at games, our girls participate in two cheer competitions. One is held at UC Davis and the other is at Six Flags in Vallejo. The Rebels pride themselves on developing not only great technique but also team spirit and sportsmanship.

For more information on Pleasant Hill Cold Stone-925 288 0388 the Pleasant Hill Rebels,

Pleasant Hill Lamorinda Rebels (PHLYF) is a non-profit youth football and cheerleading organization made up of five football teams and five cheer squads. The children who participate in our program range from ages 5-14 and are divided into five different teams, which consist of Mascots, Jr. Pee-Wees, Pee-Wees, Jr. Midgets and Midgets. Next season will mark the 50th year that our wonderful organization has existed.

This year’s PHLYF cheerleading tryouts were held in May at College Park High School. The large turnout enabled us to place eighty girls onto our five squads. Once the week-long tryouts were complete, teams were assembled, uniforms were ordered, coaches were selected and music for routines was chosen. All details were finalized in time for

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please visit our website at www.phrebels. org. We look forward to yet another suc-

cessful year, so come out and support us for our 2010 season! GO REBELS!

New, Innovative Apps From Local Resident

By Jaki Jones Back in February, the Focus ran an article on Pleasant Hill resident Galen Bradford and his newly created iPhone app called iWaiter. “It has been selling everyday and our sales have been chugging away!” says Galen. Seven months later, he is proud to announce the release of three more iPhone applications: “In the Meadow”, “Mary’s Lamb” and “Save the Gulf”.

The first two apps were created for children ages 1 – 4-years old. “In The Meadow” is a counting song that takes place in the natural setting of a meadow, where you learn and play with all kinds of animals. Similarly, “Mary’s Lamb” is a fully interactive sing-a- long of the classic children’s rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Full of all kinds of characters to push and animate, this app sings its way through different scenes as you learn and play with Mary and her lamb along the way. Galen composed all the music and

sang the English and Spanish versions and is the featured guitar player in both. $1.99 each on iTunes.

Switching themes, “Save the Gulf” is a free and non-profit educational app on the Gulf oil spill that focuses on what we can do to help the organizations working on the ground. Galen was concerned about the repercussions of the spill on the wildlife and ecosystems in the area.

“I wanted to put something out there that compiled everything into an easyto-read packet of how things are being affected and also include a resource database of how you can actually help the champions on the ground cleaning up the spill.” The app is receiving positive reviews for the informative and animated portrayal, with explanations on the threatened environment, economy, and wildlife.

We look forward to featuring more of Galen’s iPhone app creations in coming issues.

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