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Vol. 9, No. 49 YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER December 9, 2011

FOR MOVIE TIMES

SEE PAGE 5A

Calendar ............................ 19BClassifieds ......................... 13BCop Logs ............................ 18BEntertainment .................11AFood .................................... 10BHoliday Gift Guide ............ 1BMilestones ........................ 17BOpinion ..............................18AOutdoors .............................8ASports .................................19A

Gifting tipsfrom A to Z

Our Holiday Gift Guide dials you in to ideas for perfect presents and local shops that sell them. Page 1B

Strongerthan dirt

A Discovery Bay dirt biker has a firm grip on the handlebars and his ambitious dreams. Page 22A

Scared Scared ofof Santa Santa

Photo Contest!Enter your photo by Dec. 11

www.facebook.com/thepress.net

Antiochs Kaiser Permanente has been named one of the nations top hospitals.

Key caregivergo to news/WebExtras!

A conference held in Atlanta attracted the nations premier financial advisors.

Wizards of wealthgo to news/press releases

Oakleys festive Christmas tree blazed with light at the annual celebration.

Brilliant boughsgo to multimedia/videos

Connect with The Press!Scan QR code with your smart phone.

Strange standoffA rooftop in Brentwood was the setting for a bizarre drama on a cold night. Page 3A

Holiday parade rolls into town

The spirit of the season was alive and well in Discovery Bay last weekend as thousands of specta-tors lined the streets for the annual Parade of Lights and tree lighting ceremony.

More than 90 fl oats and 600 participants turned out for the ninth annual holiday party, sponsored this year by the Delta Sun Times. The tree lighting event, which followed the parade at the Discovery Bay Shopping Center, was hosted by the Discovery Bay Lions Club.

Looking around the audience this year, all I saw were smiles, said Parade Director Amanda Dove. There were people cheering, and some had tears of joy at the beau-tiful demonstration before us. The parade grows and grows, and fl oats get more and more elaborate, but the event still keeps its small-town charm.

This years parade theme was

Holiday Movies, and some of the more popular fl oats featured imag-ery from The Polar Express and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Pa-rade emcees Glenn Sparks and Erin Pellaton announced parade entries

throughout the evening, and fl oat judges Chris Steele, Rita Caruso, Marla Luckhardt and Penny Dove made the tough fi nal decisions.

According to Dove, the eve-ning was about more than fl oats

and parades it was about commu-nity. The parade is wonderful, she said, because it involves everyone in Discovery Bay, including children

The Polar Express rolled into town last weekend and took home the Best Spirit award for the Discovery Bay Parade of Lights annual event.

Photo by Kelly Chance

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see Parade page 26A

Garbage changes in the works

If ever there were a time to get excited about trash and recy-cling, that time is now.

Beginning in January, county residents in Brentwood, Discov-ery Bay, Knightsen and Bethel Island will begin receiving not one but three brand-new wheeled garbage containers for all their trash, recycling and green waste needs courtesy of Discovery Bay Disposal Service.

This is going to be a great program for everyone, said Dave Adler, regional manager of Dis-covery Bay Disposal. We think it will eventually help everyone recycle more and lower their gar-bage bills. Were excited about the move.

For most residents, the wheeled containers are nothing new, but out in the unincorpo-rated areas of the county, where homeowners have been dealing with one large trash can, two small recycling crates and the responsibility of providing their own green waste cans for years, the new curbside program re-cently approved by the board of supervisors is exciting.

I think its going to be a win-win for the community and

should help keep everyones overall costs down, said Discov-ery Bay General Manager Rick Howard.

Heres how it works.Beginning with the rollout in

January, all residents will receive a 96-gallon blue container for recycling and a 96-gallon green container for green waste. In ad-dition, residents can choose a brown container for garbage. The brown containers are available in 20-, 32-, 64- or 96-gallon variet-

ies. Those who already have the 96-gallon green containers, which are supplied from Discovery Bay Disposal, will keep them and use them for green waste. Those who dont have them will receive them with their other containers.

Although the initial pro-gram will cost customers about $10 more per billing cycle (due to the rising cost of labor, said Adler), if they stick with their current 96-gallon cans, many will fi nd theyre no longer fi lling up the larger cans once they begin recycling. The result: they might be able to use a smaller trash can at a lower cost.

Garbage cans will be avail-able in the following sizes, and the monthly price includes all three

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see Garbage page 26A

We think it will eventually help everyone recycle more and lower their garbage bills. Were excited about the move.

Dave Adler, Discovery Bay Disposal

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While Santa Claus is a source of joy for some children, hes evi-dently a source of terror for others. Jennie Volta, above, didnt get around to telling Santa what she wanted for Christmas she was too busy bawling. Turns out that many a childs scream switch is ipped by St. Nick, as evidenced by the nominations submitted for the Press inaugural Scared of Santa Photo Contest. Log on to www.thepress.net and click the Scared of Santa button on the right of the screen to view the entries and submit your own photo. Nominations remain open through Dec. 11, then voting takes place from Dec. 12 to 18.

Scared of Santa

Photo courtesy of Judy Volta

Elf helps chiropractor turns page on career

A funny thing happened to Rick Jun-nila on the way to the best-seller list. The Oakley chiropractor and former hospital chief of staff lost his marriage, his job and eventually his home.

It was a low point in my life, said Jun-nila, owner of Lifestyle Health & Fitness Center in Oakley. I was basically homeless with my two children. At my lowest point I found myself sleeping in the bottom bunk of my sons bed at my ex-wifes house with her boyfriend and kids. I thought some-thing has got to change. Out of sheer des-

peration and lack of sleep I started meditat-ing to calm my mind.

So when his young daughter turned to him in the midst of his life crisis and questioned the existence of Santa, Junnila immediately turned to meditation for an answer, and the result was An Elf Named Finley.

The amazing part was that it came to me in the form of knowing it all at once, like a CD full of information, said Junnila. I immediately knew that the story was some-thing larger than me because I had never written a story in my life.

Oakley chiropractor Rick Junnila is the author of a holiday book An Elf Named Finley. The Christmas story is already a best seller on Amazon.com.

Photo by Ruth Roberts

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see Career page 16A

DECEMBER 9, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 5A

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Jessica Derksen, 10, center, and Sarah Clarke help sort a newly arrived pile of toys for the Brentwood Regional Community Chest Christmas Basket program Tuesday. As always, organizers are counting on hundreds of vol-unteers to do the bulk of the work next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16 and 17. More than 550 local families this year will receive food for the family includ-ing a frozen turkey, canned goods, fresh vegetables and bread and toys for each child. Bring your family, friends, church or club members to Brentwood Elementary School, 200 Grif th Lane, at 4 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Volunteers needed again

Photo by Richard Wisdom

Away in a manger

Impact Christian Church in Brentwood invites the communi-ty to take a trip back 2,000 years to the birth of Jesus. A Night in Bethlehem celebrates the wonder of the Holy Land and the true rea-son for the season.

Held Saturday, Dec. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 390 West Country Club Drive (next to Willys Ba-gels), the event re-creates the stable and manger where Jesus was born and offers a tour of the Bethlehem marketplace, where time-travel-ers can relish the aroma of fresh-baked bread, learn a trade from a master craftsman, enjoy the fabric shop and get their pictures taken as a souvenir. There is no charge for admission.

This is our fi rst year doing this, and we are so excited, said Lorraine Whitehouse, one of the organizers of the celebration. We hope everyone will come out and enjoy this wonderful community event.

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DASH to rescue, place animals

Delta Animals Safe Haven has been oper-ating in Antioch for only a few months, but the animal rescue group has already touched the hearts of many East County families.

Press readers showed their support of the organization, known as DASH, by voting it the Favorite Charity of 2011 in a Facebook contest held last month.

I didnt think we had a chance, said DASH President Rick Stirrat. There were so many great organizations nominated and were so small and new, but thank you so much to the community for voting for us. We feel very blessed.

As the winner of the contest, DASH will receive a free, full-page color advertisement in the Press in the upcoming year. The prize couldnt have come at a better time, as the young pet rescue group is busy raising funds for a no-kill shelter in Antioch that features animals rescued from only the Antioch Shelter.

People have no idea what the state of animal shelters is these days, said DASH Board Member and Homeless Animal Response Pro-gram (HARP) President Karen Kops. There are so many animals packed into these shelters, and our goal is to rescue as many as possible. We need a facility so that we can do that, but for now, we are run exclusively by volunteers who act as foster families until we can fi nd our rescues a good home.

Kops said she has formed friendships with many staff members at the Antioch Animal Shelter and that the partnership between DASH and the shelter has led to the rescue of 27 dogs since July. To date 17 dogs have been adopted from DASH.

Stirrat said DASH members pull dogs out from the Antioch Shelter on a weekly basis, but when the group gets its facility, hed like to rescue as many as 40 dogs per month and add a cat res-cue program. He estimates DASH will need to raise at least $250,000 to keep a facility afl oat.

What we really need is for some big do-

nors to step up, Stirrat said. It would be great if someone had a space that they could donate to us, but for now, were focused on raising funds and rescuing as many dogs as we can with the volunteers that we have.

DASH has seven volunteer families who foster dogs, and Dog Adoption Manager Casey Harvey says she hopes that number will grow as more people learn about the program.

There is nothing like pulling a dog out of the shelter, Harvey said. The feeling is inde-scribable and the dogs are happy, too. They al-ways do this little freedom dance. Theres a mis-conception that shelter dogs are runts; that they are mean, pet rejects, but thats not true. Shelter dogs are so loving and friendly. They just need a

family to share that love.Families who foster dogs are provided all

the materials needed for caring for the dog while it stays at their home. All area residents are wel-come to serve as foster families as long as they can bring the dog to a weekly adoption event held on Friday nights at PetSmart in Antioch.

DASH dogs are adopted for $200. They come spayed or neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on all of their vaccinations. DASH hosts pet adoptions on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. at PetSmart, 5879 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, call 925-219-0151 or visit www.deltaanimalssafehaven.org. To become a foster family to a rescued dog, e-mail info@deltaanimals.org.

Delta Animals Safe Haven (DASH) volunteers cuddle up to some of the dogs currently up for adoption through its animal rescue program. DASH hosts adoption events every Friday at PetSmart in Antioch.

Photo by Samie Hartley

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

22 888882008

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DECEMBER 9, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 7A

Advertisement

END OF THE YEAR TAX TIPSThe end of the year is fast approach-

ing. Now is the time to do some planning ahead to try to reduce your income tax bill if you can. Here are two ideas for you to consider.

1. Pay your property tax bill in December (if you can). If your property taxes are not impounded, that means you write the checks yourself. If this is you, and you can afford it, consider paying the 2nd installment (the one due next February) before the end of this year. That could increase your deductions for the 2011 tax year.

2. Pay your January mortgage payment(s) in December. Same reason as above. This can generate an extra months worth of interest deduction on your taxes.

Youll want to check with your tax professional first to see if it is more benefi-cial to increase your deductions this year versus next. If, for example, you believe you will be in a lower tax bracket next year

because of a reduction in income, you may want more tax breaks this year, and vice versa. If this seems backwards, consider that the higher your marginal tax rate, the more beneficial each dollar of deduction is.

This is an important consideration, because by pulling some of your 2012 deductions into 2011, you will be effec-tively reducing your 2012 deductions by that amount. If you do this again in 2012, you will be roughly breaking even (assum-ing you will be in the same tax bracket). However, due to the time value of money, I think youd rather have the tax break THIS year versus next year.

Please check with your tax profession-al for specifics to your situation. If you have questions on any other real estate topic, call me at (925) 240-MOVE (6683). To search the MLS for free and view virtual tours of homes for sale, go to: www.SharpHomesOnline.com. Sharp Realty

History Mystery solvedHistory sleuths love a good mystery, as

evidenced by the responses to last months History Mystery. The featured postcard showed an unpaved road lined with trees and white, horizontal-board buildings. Several men and women pose in the sun and shadows in this image, which was tak-en from an elevated perspective.

Jon Adams, prior owner of the Byron Hot Springs and currently residing in Ha-waii, said the construction and architecture of the buildings is similar to that of the resorts salt-water-plunge facility cottages built in the 1870s and 80s. Longtime East County resident Norma Lewis suggested the subject of the image is the Souza and Pimentel home on Camino Diablo Road.

East County historian Kathy Leighton identifi ed the building as the Byron Hotel,

which was built in 1885 by Fred Holloway. The hotel stood where the towns post of-fi ce is currently located. The hotel proper-ty underwent a succession of owners and often accepted overfl ow guests from the overbooked Byron Hot Springs Hotel.

Leighton believes this photo was taken sometime after 1913, when electric-ity came to Byron (note the electric utility pole to right of the building) and before 1917, when the Byron Hotel along with most of the town burned to the ground.

Readers interested in the history of Byron and other East County communi-ties can learn more in Leightons East Contra Costa County: Footprints in the Sand, published by the East Contra Costa Historical Society.

Contributed by Carol Jensen

8A | THEPRESS.NET OUTDOORS DECEMBER 9, 2011

Green and white the gift of winterStillness but for the motion of

breath in steam. Silence but for the call of a distant owl, a smoke ring of sound disintegrating into heavy air. I was standing still and silent, hoping to spot a bobcat scouting for an ambush site among

boulders hidden in mist, or a coyote loping warily through an arroyo laced in haze.

It was morning at Round Valley Regional Preserve, but it could have been evening. The Suns disc, wherever it might be drifting in the cerulean blue, was veiled by a wave of white saturating East

County like a tsunami in slow motion. I was standing inside a cloud.

I hike in the fog not merely for the eerie imagery, for the vision of oaks drifting wraithlike in and out of view; I hike in the fog for the awareness of my own form drifting wraithlike in and out of view. I come to wear the white like a garment.

But my world that morning was far from wall-to-wall white. Glowing through the gloom on the ridge I was tacking to the parks summit were infant grasses, a stippling of green beneath the tall amber of thistle and rye echoing summers dry heat a green that would soon crowd out

the amber and dominate our landscape for the next six months.

Grass and fog; green and white. How fitting that two colors from our holiday palette are the colors of winter in Northern California. And how nice for me, a hiker addicted to adventures off-trail, that my favorite season was about to begin. In that other season, from June through November, adventures off-trail require lengthy post-hike extractions of barbs and hooks from shoes and socks. Round Valleys interior, a verdant and trouble-free wonderland December through May, in summer becomes a minefield of tall, dry things that sting and cling.

But Id come to this place for more than green and white. Id come to steal a glimpse of the hidden a view denied the several hundred thousand folk far below. Id come to see if the parks 1,220-foot summit stood above or below the fogs rippled plateau. If above, Id be able to rotate through the panorama of Mt. Diablos twin peaks in the west, the broad brushstroke of Morgan Territorys ridgeline southeast, south to the Ohlone Wilderness, and east to the Sierras granite spine.

Round Valleys interior hills are a maze of escarpments, ravines and ridges. Take your pick: from the trailhead you can

TAKE ITOUTSIDE

GERERICKSON

see Outside page 9AThe sharp pro le of oak branches fades into haze on a foggy morning atop Round Valley Regional Preserve.

Photo by Ger Erickson

DECEMBER 9, 2011 OUTDOORS THEPRESS.NET | 9A

assault the parks apex from a variety of approaches offering a variety of scenery and compounding a variety of sweat equity. Since I was anxious to discover the state of the fog at the top, I opted for speed. I chose the fastest (and therefore steepest) route: Ridge X.

You wont find the label Ridge X on the map you snatch at the trailhead. Few of the parks features have been given a name, and the interior hills are devoid of trail markers. But we Homo sapiens love naming stuff, so my unofficial map of Round Valley Regional Preserve is scribbled with terms such as Arroyo Grande, Antler Ravine and ridges dubbed Coyote, Ithuriel, Clover, Castle (aka Blue Angel) and X for expressway.

Thoreau believed that winter promotes an inward life. Standing on the banks of a frozen river, he imagined the human brain as the kernel which winter itself matures. Winter clears the minds clutter as the winter wind clears leaves from forest branches, giving our intellectual landscape a transparency that allows us to see through things. The winter, Thoreau maintained, is thrown to us like a bone to a famished dog, and we are expected to get the marrow out of it.

The irony of fog is that it aids, not inhibits, vision the sort of vision Thoreau described. You know how it goes: The fog ahead seems utterly opaque. But with each step through it youre able to resolve nearby images with remarkable clarity. Youre trapped in a bubble of the immediate. There is no ahead; there is only here.

I arrived at a summit drowned in fog. That vision of Diablo, Morgan Territory, Ohlone and the Sierra Id hoped for was denied. No trace of bobcat or coyote. The visible universe had collapsed to a sphere 150 yards in diameter. What lay beyond was the stuff of theory; not evidence.

But I was in good company. That miniature cosmos, that fog-encased bubble I was dragging around resonated with the energy of creatures committed to the present task: cicada and butterfly larvae, great-horned owls and kit foxes; some dormant, some busy outwitting the cold Sun and long night. They dont need fog to make them aware of the grass beneath their feet. Their existence is free of the riddle of existence, of melancholic musings over the uncertain promise of spring. They arent mesmerized by metaphors. They are metaphors.

And so I count among the seasons many blessings the white and green yes, even the cold Sun and long night that are their inseparable companions. May they pass into and through us, and lead us to find on the other side of winter a place perhaps on Ridge X where the first wildflowers grasp for the growing light, a place that without winter would be far less sweet.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Outside from page 8A

The panoramic vista of Round Valleys summit is reduced by fog to an intimate vignette of nearby rocks and trees.

Photo by Ger Erickson

Do you have a Junior Mortgage on Your House?Lien Stripping in Chapter 13by Joan Grimes, Esq.

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One of the great advantages of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy at this time is ability to strip a lien on your principal residence that does not attach to any equity. Here is a common example: Principal residence has current fair market value of $300,000. Th e fi rst mortgage has a balance of $400,000 and the second mortgage has a balance of $100,000. Because the second mortgage does not attach to any equity in the property, the lien can be avoided or stripped in a Chapter 13 thereby removing the balance of $100,000 at the completion of the Chapter 13 case.

When does a Chapter 13 lien stripping case make sense? First, the residence must be your principal residence i.e. where you sleep at night. Second, you dont want to fi le a Chapter 13 to strip a lien unless you really, really want to stay in this house. Th ird, the balance on the junior lien needs to be large enough combined with other debt to make a Chapter 13 advantageous i.e. you dont want to fi le Chapter 13 to avoid a lien of $10,000.

If a Chapter 13 is sounding like something that might work for you, there are several other things to consider. First, we must make sure all of the owners of the property and all of the people who signed on the mortgage note we need to strip are fi ling bankruptcy. For example, if the property is owned by both you and your spouse, we cannot strip off the mortgage unless both of you are fi ling bankruptcy. Second, in order to strip off the mortgage, we have to prove that your real property is not worth more than the payoff balances on the other senior mortgages. Th at is, we need to prove that there is no value, not even

one dollar, left in your real property to secure the mortgage we are trying to strip in the Chapter 13. Th ird, you need to have a real senior mortgage or at least a reasonable hope of one through a modifi cation. Th e best senior mortgages for lien stripping cases are 30 year fi xed that you can really aff ord or a mortgage that has been modifi ed into a loan you can aff ord. If the senior mortgage is going to reset into a payment you cannot aff ord in 1,2,3 or 4 years, there is no reason to spend the money to strip a junior lien and then lose the house to a foreclosure by the senior lender later.

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2011 Joan Grimes

DECEMBER 9, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 11A

Santa shops, eats, Conquers MartiansSanta is making his rounds in East

County this weekend. Youll fi nd him at The Streets of Brentwood, enjoying breakfast at Black Bear Diner and battling little green men at the holiday fi lm festival.FRIDAY, DEC. 9Pizza with Santa

Pizza is on the menu in the company of Santa at Laurel Elementary School, 1141 Lau-rel Road in Oakley, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event also includes pictures with Santa, a bake sale, a basket raffl e, cookie decorating and crafts. For more information, call 925-625-7090.Its a Wonderful Life

Stage Right Conservatory Theatre per-forms Its a Wonderful Life at the Nick Ro-driguez Community Center on Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18. Based on the 1946 fi lm, Its a Wonderful Life is a holiday classic that tells the story of George Bailey as he experiences what life would be like if he were never born. For tickets and show times, visit www.srctgrp.org/shows. Holiday On Ice

Brentwoods popular outdoor skating rink, back for the fourth year, is open seven days a week through Jan. 16. Skaters can glide on a lighted ice rink protected from the elements by a magnifi cent tent. For hours and prices, call 925-513-1702 or visit www.brentwoodholidayonice.com.Christmas Tree Lot

Oakley Boy Scout Troop 152 hosts its fourth annual Christmas tree lot at 3460 Main St. (behind Scheer Home Systems). The Scouts provide quality Noble and Doug-las fi r trees for sale, as well as fresh wreaths and charming ornaments. Delivery is avail-able. The lot remains open through Dec. 18. For hours and more information, call 925-625-5391.FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, DEC. 9 AND 10The Little Match Girl

Delta Childrens Ballet Theatre presents The Little Match Girl at 7:30 p.m. on Fri-day, and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $15 and available at the ballet studio, 300 G St. in Antioch, online at www.deltachildrensballet.org or by phone at 925-754-9833.SATURDAY, DEC. 10Special Kids Visit with Santa

Smith Family Farms, 4430 Sellers Road in Brentwood, opens its holiday barn exclu-sively to special-needs children and their fam-ilies from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, call 925-516-9690 or visit www.spkids.org.Santa Paws

Dont exclude your pets from celebrat-ing the holidays. Homeless Animals Lifeline Organization has invited Santa to Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet with your four-legged friends and pose for pictures. For more information, visit www.eccchalo.org.Holiday Pet Photos

Delta Animals Safe Haven invites fami-lies and their pets to PetSmart, 5879 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for photos with Santa Claus. Photo-ops are also scheduled for Dec. 11. For more infor-mation, visit www.deltaanimalssafehaven.org or call 925-219-0151.Discovery Bay Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade

This annual event draws a fl otilla of festively decorated boats and hundreds of observers along the towns inlets. Awards are

conferred on the top entries, and the event culminates in a reception at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, call 925-516-7286.Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast With Santa is held from 8 a.m. to noon at the Brentwood Senior Center, 193 Griffi th Lane. The $8 admission includes a pancake breakfast, visit with Santa and color-ing activities. Registration is required. To order tickets, visit Tummies to Tots, 3860 Balfour Road in Brentwood, or call 925-516-0832.Breakfast with Santa

Santa stops by Black Bear Diner, 3201

see Santa page 12A

Your lender for

Ragtop & Rooftop

Everyone who lives, works, or attends school in Contra Costa or Alameda, part of our 12-county area, is eligible to join. Certain membership requirements may apply. NMLS registered. Equal Housing Lender

What kind of nancing do you need today?Whether its time to (re) nance a home or your next set of wheels, Travis Credit Union is here to meet all of your lending needs. TCU is a real nancial partner who will help you make smart nancing choices.

Historically low rates on auto and home loansTake advantage of these low rates and re nance your auto or home loan. Its a smart choice that could save you money every month. Or, if youre in the market for a new home or auto purchase, its also a great time to talk with a lending expert at TCU. Youll get real advice from a real banking expert who will focus on your individual needs.

Just call, click or stop by to apply:

Call (800) 877-8328

Click www.traviscu.org

Stop by local TCU branches: 2721 Lone Tree Way, or 5819 Lone Tree Way

Santa keeps the world safe from those pesky extraterrestrials in the 1968 lm Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, playing at Brentwoods CineLux Delta Cinema Saver Dec. 10 and 11.

12A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY DECEMBER 9, 2011

Main St. in Oakley, to enjoy breakfast with his favorite East County friends. Registration is required through the City of Oakley. Seat-ings are held at 9 and 11 a.m. For more infor-mation, call 925-625-7044 or e-mail coelho@ci.oakley.ca.us.Bethel Island Lighted Boat Parade

The San Joaquin Yacht Club hosts its annual boat parade at 4 p.m. Festivities also include a dinner at the yacht club and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. For more informa-tion, visit www.sjyc.org.SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DEC. 10 AND 11Holiday Film Festival

This cinematic Christmas stocking is loaded with retro-cool presents of all kinds. It also supports the local Toys for Tots cam-paign. CineLux Delta Cinema Saver, 641 First St. in Brentwood, hosts a holiday fi lm festival at 11 a.m. The fest includes two holiday car-toons and the presentation of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, a 1968 mixture of sci-fi , Christmas cheer and childish slapstick. The fi lm is rated PG. For more information, call 925-240-7335.SUNDAY, DEC. 11Holiday House Tour

The Antioch Womens Club hosts its 57th annual classic holiday house tour, fea-turing fi ve historic homes in Rivertown and three local businesses, from noon to 4 p.m. A reception from 2:30 to 5 p.m. is held at the Veterans Building on the corner of E and Sixth streets in Antioch. The $25 admission may be purchased in advance or on the day of the tour. For more information, call 925-777-1831 or 925-565-9120.

Christmas CantataBrentwood Community United Meth-

odist Church, 809 Second St., presents Lead Me Back to Bethlehem, a rediscovering of joy, peace and love of Christmas, at 7 p.m. Admission is free to this musical celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. People of all faiths are welcome. For more information, call 925-634-3093.TUESDAY, DEC. 13Winter Concert

The Edna Hill Middle School band and choir perform seasonal songs at 7 p.m. at the Theatre at Edna Hill, 140 Birch St. in Brentwood. For more information, call 925-513-6440.FRIDAY, DEC. 16Holiday Concert

Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bell Ring-ers visit St. Ignatius Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd. in Antioch, at 7:30 p.m. for a candle-lit evening of music for Advent and Christmas. There is no charge for admission. For more information, call 925-756-7628 or e-mail walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.Hanukah Service

Rabbi Ira Book leads a Hanukah work-shop and service at the Cortona Park Senior Living Community, 150 Cortona Way in Brent-wood, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DEC. 17 and 18The Nutcracker

The Brentwood Childrens Ballet The-ater presents The Nutcracker, the timeless holiday tale of a girls dreams brought to life, at noon and 4 p.m. at Antiochs El Campanil Theatre. Following the performance, audience members are invited to bring their children up on stage for a photo with one of the cast

members. Bring your own camera; the charge for the photo-op is $8. For more information and tickets, visit www.elcampaniltheatre.com or call 925-757-9500.SATURDAY, DEC. 17Winter Workshop

The City of Oakley hosts a fun, holiday-inspired workshop fi lled with games and arts and crafts at 1250 OHara Ave. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop is appropriate for chil-dren ages 3 to 11. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more informa-tion, call 925-625-7041 or e-mail ncarmody@ci.oakley.ca.us.Holiday Concert

The Summerset Singers give a holiday concert from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Brentwood Senior Activity Center, 193 Griffi th Lane. The program includes traditional Christmas carols, Handels Hallelujah Chorus and

many other inspirational selections. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $8.SUNDAY, DEC. 18Holiday Market

Delta Patriots and Cheer hold a holiday market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delta Patriots Cheer Facility, 144 Continente Ave., Suite 170 in Brentwood. Local crafters and vendors offer a diverse array of festive good-ies perfect for anyone on your shopping list. SUNDAY, DEC. 25Christmas Breakfast

Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch, 913 Sunset Drive, hosts a Christmas breakfast and gift giveaway at 9 a.m. Worship services commence at 8 and 10 a.m. Immediately following breakfast, any child in need will be provided a Christmas gift. For more information, call 925-522-2017 or visit www.gbfofantioch.org.

Santa from page 11A

Photo courtesy of SRCT

Stage Right Conservatory Theatre hosts this seasons debut performance of the holiday classic Its a Wonderful Life at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center today, Dec. 9. Performances continue through Dec. 16.

DECEMBER 9, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 13A

Mothers of Brentwood took it upon themselves this year to provide Thanksgiving meals for 90 local families. From the left are Andrea Balderrama, Myra Rice, Jennifer Fernandez, Kelly Cockrell, Vince Messina, Jennifer Lepping, Valerie Manfredi, Cari Mirza, Lara Eich and Jennifer Eissner.

Contributed by Kelly Cockrell

Meals from Moms

Salvation Army bells and bows

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help with its fundraising efforts this holiday season.

Volunteers will be gift-wrapping at Barnes & Noble in Antioch on Dec. 17. Donations for gift-wrapping will go to the Salvation Army.

The Community Kids Christmas Party takes place at the Antioch Salva-tion Army on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. Children are invited to come and receive presents and play games.

This years bell ringing activities continue through Dec. 24. Although many have already volunteered to stand a shift at the famous red kettles, more are needed. Volunteers save the Salva-tion Army the expense of hiring paid bell-ringers, increasing the amount of money that can be used to help the needy. Those who wish to volunteer should call 925-778-0808.

The Salvation Army operates sev-eral domestic violence shelters nation-wide, where abused women and children can get a fresh life. When you shop at Salvation Army thrift stores, you are supporting adult rehabilitation centers that annually help 320,000 people fi ght substance abuse and return to their communities as participating, contrib-uting members.

Setting the comedic Pace

Comedian Mike Pace is the fea-tured attraction at Caps Oak Street Bar & Grill in a comedy show scheduled for Friday, Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. The show is hosted and produced by Bob-O Phil-lips.

Pace arrived on the comedy scene with a mullet, an oversized jacket, a skinny tie and a pair of untied high-tops. Now? The jackets too small, neckties drive him crazy and hes fi nally learned to tie his shoes.

In addition to his experience in im-provisational comedy, Pace has studied theater and developed a deep passion for both acting and comedy. He has been seen on Curb Your Enthusiasm and has made several commercials and independent fi lms as an actor.

Pace is surrounded by comedy in his family life, which features a radio DJ wife whose show follows Howard Stern, a long-haired 16-year-old in a hard-rock band, a 14-year-old daughter facing the pressures of tattoos and body-piercing, and a 5-year-old surprise baby.

Caps Oak Street Bar & Grill is located at 144 Oak St. in downtown Brentwood. For reservations, call 925-634-1025.

14A | THEPRESS.NET DECEMBER 9, 2011

Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

To Give

Advertisement

Half of a persons joy is the experiencing of another persons joy; when you make someone happy, it makes you happy too. When you give, youre both giving and receiving, which is far more rewarding than just receiving. Unfortunately, this would be mantra for life is only truly expressed by most during the holiday seasonfor some strange reason the weather gets colder and peoples hearts get warmer. Th ey think less about where their next golf game, fi shing excursion, or back-yard BBQ is going to be and more about where their next donation drop off can be found. Even more unfortunate is the fact that this would be mantra for life again, for most, as some people practice this genuine trait of giving all year round has been tainted in the form of commercializa-tion.

During this years Black Friday we saw senseless acts of greed and violence hit closer to home than ever before. In southern California there was the now infamous women who pep-per-sprayed over fi ft een other shoppers in her attempt to secure an X-Box 360 for her children. Th e news didnt report this, but Im positive she wasnt thinking about others, or giving, and left no change at the Salvation Army stand on her way out. Heading up further north, on that same Black Friday morning, there was the senseless (fatal) shooting outside of San Leandros Wal-Mart. Last but not least, in our own backyard, we have the break in that took place at an undisclosed Oakley elementary school. Although this senseless crime didnt happen on Black Friday, it is sure to aff ect more people than Antiochs Wal-Mart had shop-pers on Black Friday.

Th e Friends Of Oakleys stockpile of items set to touch 800 children, 300 families, and 100 seniors with assistance during this holiday season was stolen on November 29th from the school in which they were being stored. From this break in an estimated $4,000 worth of toys was stolen as well as donated blankets, jackets, and non-perish-able food items that the Friends of Oakley cannot put a price tag on. Topping it off is the fact that Oakley had registered more families than ever before to be touched with Christmas packages including toys, journals, pillows, Christmas din-ner, scarves and other small items.

Th is months article is about something much larger than real estate lending its about giving. If you have any toys, or non-perishable food items, you can donate no item or nor monetary contribution is too small in hopes of saving Christmas for countless families it would truly be appreciated, by measures that you cannot measure. Donation bins are located throughout Oakley, at Pacifi c Funding Groups Brentwood offi ce, and more information can be found at http://friendsofoakley.webs.com. Th e Foundation President, and Oakley Mayor, Jim Frazier, can be reached at 925.250.6831.

Remember, half of a persons joy is the expe-riencing of another persons joy; when you make someone happy, it makes you happy too. When you give, youre both giving and receiving, which is far more rewarding than just receiving.

As always, I welcome all questions and or concerns pertaining to real estate lending on my cell phone, 925-726-1444 or via email, tfreymort-gages@yahoo.com.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNotice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Brentwood

will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business permits on December 20, 2011, hold a public hearing to consider the following:

An application for a rezone (RZ 11-005) to amend the Brentwood Municipal Code by defining, and requiring conditional use permits for, large retail uses citywide. The rezone includes the following:

An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 6 (Chapter 17.456); An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 36 (Chapter 17.486); An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 38 (Chapter 17.488); An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 48 (Chapter 17.498); An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 51 (Chapter 17.501); An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 53 (Chapter 17.503); An amendment to Planned Development Zone No. 55 (Chapter 17.505); Establishment of a new chapter specific to large retail uses (Chapter 17.750); and Any other applicable amendment(s) to Title 17.

This rezone was initiated by the City Council at a special meeting held on October 20, 2011.

Applicant: City of Brentwood

Said hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 101B Sand Creek Road, Brentwood, California.

Further information may be obtained from Principal Planner Erik Nolthenius [(925) 516-5137 or enolthenius@brentwoodca.gov] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, California 94513.

Before any court challenge of Planning Commission decisions, you are required to appeal the decision to the City Council no later than the time period provided under the Citys Municipal Code. In addition you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brentwood Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.

DECEMBER 9, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 17A

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City of Brentwood City Manager and City Council City Hall708 Third St.Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-516-5440www.ci.brentwood.ca.usCity of Antioch City Manager and City Council City HallThird and H streetsAntioch, CA 94509

Phone: 925-779-7000www.ci.antioch.ca.usCity of Oakley City Manager and City Council City Hall3231 Main St.Oakley, CA 94561Phone: 925-625-7000www.ci.oakley.ca.usTown of Discovery BayTown Manager and Community Services District 1800 Willow Lake RoadDiscovery Bay, CA 94505Phone: 925-634-1131www.todb.ca.govCounty Supervisor, Dist. III Mary N. Piepho181 Sand Creek Road, Suite L.Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-7260 dist3@bos.cccounty.usCounty Supervisor, Dist. VFederal Glover315 E. Leland Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone: 925-427-8138dist5@bos.cccounty.usState Sen. Mark DeSaulnier Seventh State Senate DistrictState Capitol

Room 2054Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916-651-4007 1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 240Walnut Creek, CA 94597Phone: 925-942-6082www.dist07.casen.govoffice.comAssemblywoman Joan Buchanan15th District P.O. Box 942849Sacramento, CA 942493231 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561 Phone: 925-679-2715www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a15Gov. Jerry BrownConstituent AffairsState Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2864 www.gov.ca.gov/interact#emailU.S. Rep. John Garamendi10th Congressional District420 W. Third StreetAntioch, CA 94509Phone: (925) 757-7187Washington office:228 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: 202-225-1880www. garamendi.house.gov/contact

U.S. Rep. Gerald McNerney 11th Congressional District 2222 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 7 Stockton, CA 95207 Phone: 209-476-8552Fax: 209-476-8587Washington office:312 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-1947Fax: 202-225-4060www.mcnerney.house.govU.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240San Francisco, CA 94111Phone: 415-403-0100 Fax: 415-956-6701www.boxer.senate.govU.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein1 Post St., Room 2450San Francisco, CA 94104Phone: 415-393-0707Washington office:331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3841www.feinstein.senate.govPresident Barack Obama1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Washington, D.C. 20500Phone: 202-456-1111

Outdoor Ed for Black DiamondEditor:

My name is Spencer Reich. I am a sixth-grader at Black Diamond Middle School. I was disappointed that the students at our school did not get the opportunity to take part in the Outdoor Ed Program. Many of my friends who go to Dallas Ranch have signed up. I am writing this to ask the parents of the kids that go to Black Diamond to call our principal, Mr. Cooper, and let him know that you would like to have Outdoor Ed at our school. Mr. Cooper said that if we could get enough kids to go, he would try to make it happen. Please call today.

Spencer ReichAntioch

Oakleys broadcast brouhahaEditor:

In the name of lack of transparency, there appears to be a movement brewing toward pushing the City of Oakley into broadcasting its council meetings via TV along with a live Internet feed and archives. Unfortunately, these rabble-rousers are blowing this need out of proportion at the expense of other more urgent items.

This claim fl oating around about a lack of transparency is amusing.

Anyone can go down to city hall right this minute and request a copy of

the council meetings that are recorded. Yes, the video quality stinks, but the audio quality is quite decent. Most importantly, it is available to anyone at any time. Nothing is being hidden from the public.

A recent newspaper story entitled Oakley Content To Keep Council Meet-ings Offl ine provides details that of the 19 cities in Contra Costa, six dont use Internet or TV.

Crunch the numbers and Oakley is in the 32 percent not using Internet or TV. Its not like Oakley is the only one not providing this convenience; its a rather high number of cities not meeting this request of a select few.

Paul Seger was quoted recently in a newspaper article claiming, Its abso-lutely the best thing that the City Council can do if they want people to regain trust in them.

Mr. Seger videotapes council meetings. If he cares so much about transparency and regaining trust, why doesnt he just donate his higher-end recordings to the city so they can reproduce them as copies or post them online? Mr. Seger could go a step fur-ther and just post his full recording on-line himself for all to view. Rather than complain, he should consider becoming part of the solution.

The city attempted to provide broad-casts of its council meetings in 2008,

according to a newspaper article. Unfor-tunately, it did not work to broadcasts standards. My question is: why is the city being attacked when the vendor, who is supposed to be an expert, is the one who provided sub-par equipment by the use of security cameras versus industry-stan-dard broadcasting cameras?

Rather than spending $20,000 on new equipment, the vendor should fi x the problem at their expense so the taxpayer is not double billed on something that was promised in the fi rst place.

One solution that could be a win for Oakley is to take the recordings the city already provides and convert them to MP3 for download or online streaming after a meeting. Providing audio only would reduce picture-quality and zoom problems.

This solution would promote imme-diate transparency to those complaining while allowing residents unable to attend the meetings with the opportunity to listen to the meeting at their convenience.

To determine if there is a demand for actual live broadcasts, the city could review the audio fi gures to decide if a greater investment is needed. But to act on what a very small percentage wants is irrational and not a good use of city funds at the expense of more pressing needs.

If it comes down to broadcast equip-ment versus public safety or other core

services, I would hope the city passes on the broadcast equipment any day of the week.

If people are truly concerned about transparency and collecting information, they should make the effort to show up to a meeting in order to gather informa-tion and engage the council and city staff.

Michael W. BurkholderOakley

Thanks for coming to the rescueEditor:

Thank you to all our wonderful Shanks Chevron customers.

On Nov. 19, the house of our employee Rigo, who has been with us for four years as a cashier, burned to the ground which left him, his parents and daughter basically homeless.

We decided to take up a collection for him through donations at Chevron.

The response we got from our regular customers and neighbors was unbelievable. Everyones generosity was just astounding.

Its nice to know, even in these bad economic times, that people are still will-ing to reach out and help.

So again: thanks for all the dona-tions.

Kim LandrethBrentwood

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

18A | THEPRESS.NET DECEMBER 9, 2011

The Press Newspapers are adjudicated in the the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and the Delta Judicial District

of Contra Costa County.

No part of this publication may be reproduced for commerce or trade without written permission from the publisher.

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Main Office / Brentwood248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513

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Follow sports on Twitter! Scan QR code with your smart phone.

Lions still stellar on the wrestling matLiberty Highs wrestling team hopes to

continue its string of dominance over the Bay Valley Athletic League, but the Lions head coach knows it wont be easy.

Liberty lost several seniors to gradu-ation, and squads from Heritage, Antioch and Freedom look poised to make a run at the league title.

The verdicts still out, said Lions head coach Greg Chappel. We lost some really key people last year, so weve got to fi ll those holes. The kids are working hard and were going to see where things fall.

Liberty will, however, return some tal-ented athletes from last year. Sophomore Devon Lyle, a BVAL champion as a fresh-man, will compete in the 113-pound class. Chappel is eager to see how Lyle will handle the transition from 103 to 113. State qualifi er Xavier Johnson, a senior, will be a fi xture of the 138-pound class. Chappel also sees big things from 126-pound junior Austin Solari and 132-pound senior Jake Thompson.

Kevin Milner, a 152-pound senior, and Jake Gonzalez, a 145-pound junior, look to recover from injuries that cut short their previous seasons. Johnny Zanarini, a sopho-more, will make the transition from the ju-nior varsity team, wrestling for Liberty in the 120-pound class.Freedom

Freedom returns several talented grap-plers, including three state qualifi ers: senior Gabe Tulchinski, sophomore Ricky Coster and senior Roman Garcia.

Tulchinski will compete in the 171-pound class, Coster 113 and Garcia 132. Daniel Ruiz, a senior, placed fi fth in the North Coast Section last season and will be a part of the 147-pound class.

But while Freedoms core group re-mains solid, head coach John Parsons is still wondering who else will step up. Weve got a little mix of old and new and some high achievers and some wanna-beers, Parsons said. Were just putting together a team.

The Falcons must do without sopho-more 103-pounder Clint Fredenburg, who broke both legs in a motorcycle accident. Parsons said Fredenburg was beginning to fi nd his place in the varsity lineup, and that his absence will be felt by Freedom all year long.

Parsons has been encouraged by the eagerness of the newer wrestlers, such as 103-pound freshman Austin Brown, who had never wrestled before this season, 152-pound freshman Alex Bazan, 152-pound

sophomore Kyle Coccimiglio and sopho-more 147-pounder Tauva Austin.Antioch

The Panthers are led by fi rst-year head coach Ben McCorriston, who graduated from Antioch in 2005. McCorriston makes up for lack of experience with intensity and work ethic. He wants the Panthers to scrape and claw for every inch this season.

What I want is for these kids to fi ght,

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

see Stellar page 23A

Jake Thompson of Liberty pins Heritages Zane Mehta in the rst round of last years Lou Bronzan Invitational.

Press file photo

Heritage takes aim onanother playoff run

The Heritage girls soccer team entered the 2011 North Coast Section playoffs as the Bay Valley Athletic League champions and the No. 6 overall seed. The Patriots respond-ed with a run to the semifi nals culminating in a 1-0 loss in overtime to San Ramon Valley.

This year, head coach Randy James has his team ready for a long run. While the Pa-triots lost some top players, notably Ari Gor-don, they still boast a strong lineup. Seniors Kayla Hanojosa and Kaylie Moser join junior Jamie Baron as leaders on offense. James feels that his defense, led by sopho-mores Sarah Toelkes and a Haylee Grant, will help goalies Kaitlin Hoyle and Addison Orloff keep balls out of the Heritage net.

The group thats coming in is as good,

at times even better, than what we had last year, James said. I havent seen enough from us or from the other teams to make a big prediction. Were trying to get better each day, each game, focusing on what we can control.

James expects the Patriots strong group of defenders to be what carries them this year, and said they need to improve at creat-ing opportunities and scoring goals.

This is a pretty good group that likes to be around each other, James added. That doesnt happen all the time when you get teams and put the mix of players around each other. They like doing things together; not just practice and games.Liberty

Heritages league title ended Libertys

see Playoff page 24A

by Michael DixonCorrespondent

Heritage senior mid elder Kayla Hinojosa and Irvingtons Alyssa Mathias battle for the ball on Tuesday night. The Patriots claimed a 2-1 victory.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

22 000002010

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DECEMBER 9, 2011 SPORTS THEPRESS.NET | 21A

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Kaadzie QuayeLiberty girls basketball player Kaadzie Quaye was recently named MVP of the Mike Koury Classic. In the title game against San Ramon Valley, Quaye scored nine points.

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TravelBallSelect.com, a website dedicated to youth baseball teams, has put the NorCal Titans 11U baseball squad on its Teams to Watch list going into 2012. Last year as 10Us, the team went 44-15 and won four tournaments, reaching the championship game in eight brack-ets. So far this season, the Titans are 19-7 in Fall Ball. The NorCal Titans players are in elder/out elder Mikie Roy, third baseman/pitcher Stephen Murphy, shortstop/pitcher Cody Gormley, rst baseman/pitcher Dominic Spratto, in elder/pitcher Richie Kabasinskas, second baseman/out elder Joshua Capps, third baseman/out elder Jared Cruce, out elder Zachary Dur inger, rst baseman/out elder Cole Anderson, second baseman/out elder Geno Restani and catcher/in elder/pitcher Travis Gobel.

Titans make waves

Photo courtesy of Jeff Houston

22A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS DECEMBER 9, 2011

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DB kid gets early start on dirt track

You might not see it at fi rst glance, but Hunter Cross stands out from other 8-year-old kids. Not many third-graders at Discovery Bay Elementary School share his need for speed.

Hunter got into racing by taking the drivers seat in a go-kart. He found that racing go-karts was diffi cult, as they all run at more or less the same speed. Thats when he turned his attention to dirt bikes, which is where his focus has been for two and a half years.

You couldnt race, Hunter said. It (dirt biking) was funner. There was jumps and stuff. It was pretty cool.

Depending on which series hes racing in, Hunter spends most of his time racing against kids between 10 and 12, sometimes even 14 and 15. His mother, Kari, likes his chances at developing in the sport, as all those kids will be forced to move to higher levels, while Hunter will stay where hes at and be far more experienced than kids of his own age when they get there.

His experience in the sport has been largely local, al-though some of those events are bigger, national events. From here, he hopes to gain more sponsors and take his love of the sport to events held throughout the country.

He wants to grow with people sponsoring him, Kari said. Hes made some friends who are older, so hes gotten some experience. The next step is to travel to national events. Weve done some local, national events. Next year we hope to go to bigger ones. We need spon-sors.

Hunters experience hasnt come without drawbacks. He got into the dirt biking two and half years ago, but a year of that was spent rehabilitating a leg broken during

practice.He was warming up a bike, Kari said. It was a

little fall, but he fell the right way. Its actually kind of funny. Hes had these spectacular crashes and was fi ne. Its the little, silly crashes when he gets hurt.

At some point, the goal is for Hunter to turn profes-sional but his goals are even more ambitious than that.

Im hoping to be one of the best dirt bikers ever, Hunt-er said. I just keep on trying my best. I want to improve more and more each day. Its pretty fun for people to try who have never done it before. Its really fun.

To keep track of Hunter and his races, log on to www.hunter71.wordpress.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Discovery Bay resident Hunter Cross, 8, grabs big air on his dirt bike in a race earlier this year.

Photo courtesy of the Cross family

by Michael DixonStaff Writer

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DECEMBER 9, 2011 SPORTS THEPRESS.NET | 25A

Outlaws will returnThe Outlaws will ride into town again in

2012.The tour of professional sprint car driv-

ers, nationally renowned for exciting high-speed competition, drew the largest crowds this past season at Oval Motorsports Merced and Antioch speedways. Using roof wings for down force to control 600-horsepower engines sitting on frames with large tires, the cars are the fastest racers on dirt. The Antioch Speed-way hosts the event on Sept. 10, 2012.

These races are our premier events of the season, said Oval Motorsports President John Soares. There has been a steady stream of communication from race fans begging for us to bring the shows back this year.

Tickets are on sale at www.dirtcar.tick-etforce.com. A free pit pass for the Merced event scheduled for March 30, 2012 is offered with each purchase of an advance re-served ticket.

Soares has already begun preparing the two clay ovals for the event. The most notice-able changes are at Merced Speedway, where light poles and walls are being moved in order to widen the track to 70 feet.

Merced Speedway will continue to evolve into the top dirt track in California, Soares said. We have four trucks running all day, hauling in clay to build the new surface.

The track will feature an infi eld devoid of obstacles. Its width will allow for more side-by-side racing and passing.

It will be a drivers track, Soares said. It will be wider and racier, as they say. The World of Outlaws will be a better show than ever this coming March.

Antioch Speedway, the pride of Oval Motorsports, Inc., received a face lift for this past Septembers World of Outlaws competi-tion. Sprint car drivers raved about its surface, which provided fans with a thrilling main event.

Steve Kinser, the World of Outlaws fran-chise driver boasting nearly 600 wins, brought the fans to their feet at Antioch in September

as he won the fi rst time running there.This track is perfect. I cant complain

about a thing, said Kinser in victory lane. We were able to set up and run like we had run here before.

Second-place fi nisher Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, an Antioch Speedway veteran, also praised the track. The track was better than ever, Larson said. You could run high or run low. It made for great racing. I almost had Steve (Kinser).

The Oval Motorsports tracks will run continuously through the 2012 season. Mer-ced Speedway will be in operation on Friday nights and Antioch Speedway on Saturday nights. The seasons schedule and the classes of cars being raced will be released soon.

Courtesy of Mike Adaskaveg

World of Outlaws legend Steve Kinser celebrates his victory at Antioch Speedway earlier this year. The sprint car series will return to East County in 2012.

Photo courtesy of Mike Adaskaveg

26A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY DECEMBER 9, 2011

Join us Sunday, December 11at 9:00 and 11:00 am / 6:00 pm

Special Guest Speaker, Dr. David Hocking addresses the question,

Are We In The Last Days?3415 Oakley Road 706-1238

rst familyCHURCH

For directions and more info www.fi rstfamily.us

and seniors, service groups, schools and businesses. Its an event everyone can ap-preciate.

PARADE WINNERSBest of Show: Excelsior Middle SchoolDirectors Choice Award: Timber Point El-ementaryBest School: Discovery Bay ElementaryBest Lights: Daisy and Brownie troopsMost Creative: Discovery Bay Corvette ClubBest Theme: St. Anne ParishBest Participation: Discovery Bay Play School & AcademyAudience Appreciation Award: Discovery Bay Yacht ClubBest Spirit: Discovery Bay Lions Club

Best Dance/Cheer: East County Performing Arts CenterBest Kids Float: All Gods Children SchoolBest Commercial Float/Group: Expressions Dance AcademyBest Vehicle Group: Friends of El Dorado ATVsBest Band: Liberty High School Drum LineBest Music: Heritage High School Varsity Drum Line

HONORABLE MENTIONMenchies Car, Heritage Jr. Varsity

Drum Line, Byron Historical Fire Engine, Delta Valley Athletic Club, PODS Toys for Tots, Operation Creekside, Byron Delta Lions Club, BUSD Trustee Float, Supervisor Mary Piepho Float

Parade from page 1A

containers: 20 gallon ($25.71), 32 gallon ($32.08), 64 gallon ($37.22) and 96 gallon ($44.26).

Typically, residents, if they recycle, fall somewhere between the 32-gallon and 64-gallon cans, said Adler. And they in-crease their recycling by about 30 percent. So its a good thing no matter what.

Survey cards have already gone out in the mail to residents explaining the new program and asking them to check the size of garbage can they prefer. According to Adler, if residents dont return the survey

card or call in to register their preference a 64-gallon can will automatically be pro-vided.

However, were more than willing to work with people and will be happy to switch out containers if they fi nd the sizes they have arent working, said Adler. We want to make this as easy for people as possible.

For additional information, or to order a can-size preference, call 925-634-1123. More information can also be found online at www.discoverybaydisposal.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Garbage from page 1A

Photos by Kelly Chance

St. Anne Parish, above right, took home Best Theme honors for its striking replica of St. Anne Church. Above, left, it was A Charlie Brown Christmas for many parade attendees who caught a glimpse of their favorite characters making their way down Discovery Bay Boulevard. Left, following the parade, the Discovery Bay Lions Club turned on the lights during the spectacular tree ceremony marking the beginning of the season.

Lovers of Delta recreation will take to the water this month in two events that celebrate the season. This weekend, Saturday, Dec. 10, the Discovery Bay Yacht Clubs annual Lighted Boat Parade sets sail around the towns bays. Yacht Club members and non-members alike are welcome. For starting times and information, call 925-516-7286. The following weekend, Saturday, Dec. 17, the Willow Lake Lighted Boat Parade begins at 5 p.m. at lower Willow Lake, between Marlin and Sail courts. The parade will proceed clockwise around the lake and will be held rain or shine. For information, call 925-437-5641 or 510-825-3753.

Double the holiday fun

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DECEMBER 9, 2011 THEPRESS.NET | 27A

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Of course, the most important letter in the list might just be L, standing not only for latte but for local. Remember that a dollar spent locally helps keep public services funded and your neighbors employed, to say nothing of the money and aggravation saved by staying off the highway.

Take a gander at our list, and if you dont nd something enticing on it, perhaps itll inspire you to do some similar brain-storming of your own. Wed suggest you avoid using numbers, though; the Twelve Days of Christmas things has been done, and that stuff is pretty expensive.

Have a merry Christmas!A is for Art

Impress your giftees with original works by local artists. Fridley Art Gallery, 1185 Second St. in Brentwood, features paintings, sketches, ceramics and sculptures created by artists in your hometown. The Gallerys gift shop allows you to shop for several of your friends in one convenient location. For more information, call 925-783-2853. You can also contact the Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch (ACFA), which is dedi-cated to advancing all of the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation, cultural diversity and collabora-tion throughout our community. Visit them at 809 W. 1st St. in Antioch or call 925-325-9897 for information on venues, shows and other activities.B is for Boots

Horsetown Tack, 6675 Brentwood Blvd.,

Suite B in Brentwood, stocks everything you need for the horse lover in your life, includ-ing clothes and gear. Horsetown Tack offers boots for people and bell boots for horses. Western apparel and accessories range from hats, belts, and purses to cowboy-themed items such as gurines and picture frames. Well-known for selection, friendly service and reasonable prices, you can also reach Horsetown Tack by calling 925-625-9900.

C is for CinemaTreat the movie buff in your family to a

cinematic adventure with a gift certi cate to a local movie theater. CineLux Delta Cinema Saver, 641 First St. in Brentwood, shows the latest family lms at discounted prices, while Rave Motion Pictures, located at The Streets of Brentwood, offers all the latest hits, including screenings in 3-D and IMAX 3-D. And dont forget AMC Deer Valley, 4204

Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Give the gift of a date night to your favorite couple by pairing the gift certi cate with a gift card to a local restaurant.D is for Dance

Inspire anyones inner Lord of the Dance by reserving a space in a dance class. Kids can dabble in tap, ballet and hip-hop at Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts, 2101 Main St. in Oakley. For the adults, try a spin on Cozettes Ballroom Dancing oor, based in Brentwood. Try on the fox trot, tango or West Coast swing. For more information, visit www.brentwooddancelessons.com or call 925-240-9847.E is for Epcot

A trip to the happiest place on Earth is the perfect gift for anyone on your list who could use a little fun in 2012. Almost There Travel, 506 W. Second St. in Antioch, specializes in Disney tourism and can help you plan a trip to Disney World in a snap. They can also suggest Disney cruises and Adventures by Disney that take tourists to exotic locations such as Egypt, the Galapagos Islands and China. For more information, call 925-238-0001.F is for Fishing rod

Hook, Line and Sinker, 3100 Main St., Suite 260 in Oakley, is the place to go to nd the perfect gift for any sportsman of the sea. Rods, reels, bait, tackle you name it the Hook Pro Shop has it. Youll also nd supplies for land hunting at the Hook. Guns and archery equipment, and all the acces-

ABCs from page 1B

see ABCs page 4B

Horsetown Tack in Brentwood offers an array of cowgirl gear perfect for the horse rider in your life.

Photo courtesy of Horsetown Tack

www.brentwooddowntown.com

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sories you need for both, are available for beginners and pros, and youll also nd information on their busy schedule of bass shing tournaments. For more information, visit www.hookproshop.com or call 888-625-4665.G is for Guitar

For your wannabe rock star, take a trip to Gills Music, 5887 Lone Tree Way, Suite H in Antioch. From guitar picks to Yamaha pianos, Gills has something for anyones musical aspirations. Throw in a bonus music lesson for those looking to hone their skills on the guitar, piano or drums and youll be the rst person they thank when they win a Grammy. For more information, visit www.gillsmusic.net. The phone number at Gills is 925-757-2323.H is for Hockey

Getting the bug for some hockey, but dont feel like driv-ing out to San Jose to watch the Sharks? Reserve your time at the Antioch Indoor Sports Center, a place well equipped for roller hockey or just casual skating. Leagues are available for children and adults. The Antioch Indoor Sports Center, located at 1210 Sunset Drive, also sells sticks, helmets and other hockey equipment. Call 925-778-6363. Hockey equip-ment may also be purchased at Sport Chalet in Antioch (5839 Lone Tree Way), Big 5 in Antioch (4859 Lone Tree Way) and Sports Authority in Brentwood (5641 Lone Tree Way).I is for iPhone

The iPhone 4S has been one of the hottest-selling smart-phones of the year, and several local places have it in stock. The AT&T Store at the Streets of Brentwood (2565 Sand Creek Road) carries the iPhone 4S. But now you dont need to be an AT&T subscriber to talk to Siri, the voice-activated personal assistant. Shes available at Best Buy in Pittsburg (4405 Century Boulevard) and Brentwood (6600 Lone Tree Way); Verizon (6471 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood); and Sprint (3120 Balfour Road, Brentwood).J is for Jacket

As the temperature continues to fall, signaling the onset

of the rainy season, give your loved ones a coat for a warm, dry winter. If your recipients plan to battle the elements, get them a rugged coat from REI at the Streets of Brentwood, 2565 Sand Creek Road. Winter and ski jackets are also avail-able at Sport Chalet in Antioch (5839 Lone Tree Way) and several department stores such as Target, Walmart and Kohls. For those looking for a jacket as a way to impress, theres Pittsburgs Burlington Coat Factory (4105 Century Blvd.) as well as stores at The Streets of Brentwood such as Joseph A. Bank Clothiers, Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek and J. Jill.K is for Kahlua

The creamy liqueur adds a perfect holiday sweetness to coffee or other beverages and is available at many stores all over East County, including the Brentwood Emporium (561 First St.). BevMo in Antioch (5859 Lone Tree Way) sells Kahlua and other delicious liqueurs, as well as gift sets. In Oakley, Kahlua is available at El Sombrero Liquors (3380 Main St.) and throughout East County at stores such as Safeway, Save Mart, WinCo and Raleys.L is for Lattes

Know of a friend or relative who needs a boost? Purchase a gift card to an East County coffee shop, such as Willys Bagels and Blends (1155 Second St. in Brentwood). Peets Coffee & Tea, 5411 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, also sells gift cards for its java. There are 13 Starbucks locations throughout East County, but gift givers can also purchase the cards at Safeway 1125 Second St. in Brentwood, 3365 Deer Valley Road in Antioch or 14840 Highway 4 in Discovery Bay. M is for Mix-ins

If someone on your list sports a sweet tooth, East County provides a variety of options for yummy ice cream or frozen yogurt. Buy a gift card for Yogurt Pizzazz at the Streets of Brentwood (2565 Sand Creek Road), which offers a cornuco-pia of low-fat and non-fat frozen yogurt, plus toppings such as fruit, cereal and crushed candy bars. Other frozen yogurt

ABCs from page 2B

see ABCs page 5BWillys Bagels & Blends has a delicious gift for the latte lover in your life.

Photo by Justin Lafferty

DECEMBER 9, 2011 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE THEPRESS.NET | 5B

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shops include Uphoria, 5601 Lone Tree Way in Brentwood, or its ice cream shop at 5009 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Brentwood boasts a Yogurt Jungle, 761 Second St.; and Yogurt Island is located at 3100 Main St. in Oakley.N is for News

Keep your loved ones well informed with a gift volunteer subscription to The Press. Voluntary subscriptions $10 per year in Brentwood, Oakley or Discovery Bay; $29 in Antioch. Weekly issues of The Press will come straight to your home. Subscribers receive not only the paper, but breaking news e-mails. These voluntary subscriptions also serve as a way to show The Press advertisers

just how much the community really loves us. Call The Press at 925-634-1441 or stop by 248 Oak St. in Brentwood today.O is for Ornaments

Whether its a vintage Santa, glass-blown tree topper or whimsical Christmas character, the gift of an ornament is the gift of tradition and joy. Nothing compares to a thoughtful, handpicked personalized orna-ment that will become an instant keepsake and family heirloom. Specialty shops and boutiques such as Exclusively Yours on 3877 Walnut Blvd. in Brentwood (925-634-7003) offer impressive assortments, as do many

ABCs from page 4B

see ABCs page 6B

Christmas ornaments make

inexpensive, personal gifts.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

6B | THEPRESS.NET HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE DECEMBER 9, 2011

of the ne stores in the Somersville Towne Center in Antioch.P is for Poinsettias

Red, white, yellow, pink even orange and salmon colored the beautiful, deco-rative poinsettia plant makes the perfect hostess gift or Christmas surprise for that hard-to-buy-for someone on your list. Local orists and retailers offer an abundance of the non-toxic native Mexican owers as well as other holiday oral bouquets and arrangements, including fresh-cut wreaths. Check out Good Scents Florist, 3513 Main St. in Oakley (925-625-5550); Ribbons & Roses, 151 Chestnut St. in Brentwood (925-634-3832); or Heaven Scent Florals in Discovery Bay (925-634-9325).Q is for Quartz

As in quartz watches but generous Santas neednt stop there. The time-honored gift of jewelry for both men and women says Merry Christmas like nothing else. A fabulous piece of jewelry will light up the face of that lucky recipient and add a layer of chic to anyones look. For one-of-a-kind creations, stop in at Creme dela Gem, 613 First St. in Brentwood (925-516-6200) or Hardy Nix, 3600 Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch (925-757-7100).R is for Restaurants

When the stress of the holidays begins to build and when the last pots and pans have been washed most cooks have logged enough time in the kitchen for the season.

ABCs from page 5B

see ABCs page 7B

CineLux Delta Cinema Saver in Brentwood offers gift certi cates ideal for your favorite movie fanatic.

Press file photo

8B | THEPRESS.NET HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE DECEMBER 9, 2011

Get MADE for the Holidays: FREE False Lash application with any Make-up application.FREE Lip Wax with any waxing service.

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interactive space and science exhibitions, immersive digital-dome planetarium shows, and giant screen MegaDome shows. Chabot is also home to the largest research-quality telescopes open to the public west of the Mississippi. Whether its a gift for the entire family or a date night for two, Chabot Space & Science Center is the ideal place to stretch your boundaries and expand your cosmos.V is for Vine

Nestled conveniently between the hubbub of suburbia and the verdant Central Valley, Hannah Nicole Vineyards offers award-winning wines (the Gold Medal-winning 2009 Le Melange Blanc was one of a dozen Hannah Nicole wines that picked up awards at the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition) that you dont need to drive to Napa to get. The splendid setting is also perfect for parties, receptions, concerts and all types of gatherings. The address is 6700 Balfour Road in Brentwood, and the phone number is 925-240-9463.W is for Western Wear

From hats to boots to enough shirts to satisfy anyones taste in sparkle, the Winners

Circle Western Wear in Antioch and the Weathervane Western Wear in Brentwood are there to help you out t that cowboy or cowgirl in your life. The Winners Circle is well-known for its huge selection, and the Weathervane will have you looking good at work, at play, or both: the Weathervane also carries that professional-quality rodeo rope youve been looking for. Winners Circle is located at 20 W. 10th St. (925-757-0278) in Antioch, across from City Park. You can nd the Weathervane at 225 Oak St. (925-634-5229) in newly refurbished downtown Brentwood.X is for Xenodocheionology

This user-unfriendly term denotes the love of hotels. Pairing up an overnight stay in a local lodge with a night of babysitting service could be the perfect gift for a holiday-weary Mommy and Daddy. The Comfort Suites in Oakley, 5549 Bridgehead Road (925-755-1222) will allow your pet to join you. In Brentwood, the fr