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Vol. 12, No. 8 YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER February 24, 2012

FOR MOVIE TIMES

SEE PAGE 5A

The spirit of seniority

From fitness to facilities to self-defense, our Senior Living section celebrates the classiest of classes. Page 1B

Arts .......................................7ABusiness ...............................6ACalendar ............................ 19BClassifieds ......................... 12BCop Logs ............................ 18BEntertainment ................... 9BFood .................................... 10BHealth & Beauty .............. 11BMilestones ........................ 17BOpinion ..............................16ASenior Living ...................... 1BSports .................................17A

War hero laid to rest A survivor of the World War II Bataan Death March died recently at the age of 93. Page 17B

Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed is a national finalist in a grant competition.

Vote for Friendsgo to news/WebExtras!

The county is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury service.

Grand dutygo to news/press releases

A baseball pro and Antioch native hit a home run with local fans.

Miles of smilesgo to multimedia/videos

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

Online now!WebExtras!

press releasesvideos

www. thepress.netYour Hometown Website

A capacity for tenacity

The Falcons take their mat magic to the North Coast Section tournament. Page 17A

After two years of planning in doz-ens of community and board meetings, residents of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District get one more chance to help shape a tax measure expected to be placed before voters in June.

One of the key aspects of a proposed $197-per-year parcel tax is whether it will include a sunset clause. As of now, it does not. A divided ECCFPD Board recently re-affi rmed its belief that an automatic end to the levy would leave the district once again underfunded when the sunset date arrives. Other board members be-lieve the tax, which is needed to correct a $2 million operating defi cit, will not pass without the sunset.

The fi nal decision will be made at a special board meeting on Monday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oakley City Council Chambers, 3231 Main St.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Fire meetingon Monday

Surprise for returning veteranIts not an easy thing, sneak-

ing up on a sniper. But if you thought it couldnt be done, you might have underestimated the power of a mother.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jon Adams, a Knighsten resident and Liberty High School grad, returned from his most recent deployment to Afghanistan last month. He was greeted at the airport and escorted home by the Warrior Watch Riders, just like dozens of other service members in recent years.

The appreciative Adams fi gured the celebration ended as the last bike roared out of sight. He was wrong. On Sunday, as he enjoyed dinner with family and friends at a local restaurant, the roar returned, louder than before.

Nearly three dozen motorcy-

cles, emergency vehicles and po-lice cruisers rolled in, horns and music blaring, to surprise Adams and whisk him away in a limou-sine to the Antioch VFW Hall. Waiting there were more than 100 grinning, fl ag-waving patriots, in-cluding Lt. Col. Bill Carter and Maj. Eric Sharyer.

The two offi cers had a special reason for attending. Wounded by an improvised explosive device last year, Adams had subsequent-ly returned home on emergency leave and missed the ceremony at which his Purple Heart medal was to be presented.

They just gave his medal to someone else and hoped theyd give it to him, said mother Rose Adams. Its probably in the bot-tom of someones backpack right now.

That wasnt good enough for

by Rick LemyreStaff Writer

Staff Sgt. Jon Adams is congratulated by Lt. Col Bill Carter, who has just presented the Knightsen resident a Purple Heart for being wounded in Afghanistan. For a slide show of Adams welcome-home celebration, log on to www.thepress.net.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

see Veteran page 15A

New manager, projectscoming to Oakley parks

The City of Oakley Parks Division has recently undergone reorganization. In addition to in-house adjustments, the most signifi cant change will be the recruitment and hiring of a Parks Division manager, the fi rst since 2008.

The vision for the Parks Division restructuring is intended to provide improved leadership and enhance operations, said City Engineer and Public Works Director Jason Vogan. Were committed to ongoing improvements of service delivery. Workers repair a diamond at Laurel Ball Fields in Oakley

this week in preparation for spring and summer recre-ational sports leagues.

Photo by Samie Hartley

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Parks page 15A

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The City of Oakley Parks Division has recently undergone reorganization. In addition to in-house adjustments, the most signifi cant change will be the recruitment and hiring of a Parks Division manager, the fi rst since 2008.

The vision for the Parks Division restructuring is intended to provide improved leadership and enhance operations, said City Engineer and Public Works Director Jason Vogan. Were committed to ongoing improvements of service delivery.

Leonard Morrow, an experienced and longtime parks and recreation professional, is serving as interim parks manager. Morrow is evaluating the park programs and services and assisting in making the restructuring a smooth transition.

The mission of the Oakley Parks Division is to provide clean, safe, well maintained, inviting and sustainable parks, landscape areas and recreation facilities for the enjoyment of Oakley residents and visitors. The division is responsible for maintaining more than 95 developed acres of park land, nearly 40 acres of unimproved park land and open spaces, and approximately 50 acres of landscaped street medians, planters and streetscapes.

Recent accomplishments of the Park Division include the opening of the all-abilities playground at Crockett Park and the new renovations at Holly Creek Park,

which includes a large open turf play area.This week, the Parks Division

completed repairs and renovations at the Laurel Ball Field to prepare it for spring and summer use. Worn turf was removed and new sod was installed, and lip buildup along the baselines and arc were removed. Edging along the base paths were straightened, and infi eld mix was added, spread, graded and compacted throughout the entire infi eld. The playability of this fi eld will be greatly enhanced, said Morrow.

Next week, work begins at Summer Lakes, where the two grass infi elds will be transformed into skinned fi elds. The result, according to Morrow, will be a more level playing surface requiring less maintenance. In the coming weeks, Creekside, Cypress Grove, Magnolia and Shady Oak parks will also undergo fi eld repairs.

The City of Oakley Parks Division is soliciting input from the community regarding existing parks and landscape, future projects or needed amenities. Citizens, community groups and neighborhood associations are encouraged to work with the Parks Division to propose and perform volunteer park maintenance activities.

If you see a problem, have an idea or suggestion, please let us know, said Morrow. For more information, call 925-625-7037 or e-mail morrow@ci.oakley.ca.us.

New manager, projectscoming to Oakley parks

Antioch native and Major League Baseball player Aaron Miles shares a moment with 4-year-old Drew Briseno of San Ramon during an autograph signing on Saturday. A member of the 2006 World Se-ries Champion St. Louis Cardinals, Miles chatted with fans, signed auto-graphs and gave tips to Little Leaguers at the Antioch Sports Legends Museum. Check out the video covering the event at www.thepress.net.

Big-league bliss

Photo by Justin Lafferty

4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Women take fitness for a spin

When it comes to women and their ex-ercise routines, some run marathons, some practice yoga and others hit the gym. Jenni-fer Hicks happens to pole dance.

When you think of pole dancing, you think of strip clubs, said Hicks, owner of SpinSity in Oakley. But this is different; this is about exercise, fi tness and self-confi dence. Its kind of like gymnastics class, only sexier.

SpinSity is a women-only exercise/dance studio that offers a variety of pole dancing classes for beginning, intermediate and ad-vanced participants. Open just a few months at her location on Main Street, Hicks a self-described gym rat became a pole devotee a few years ago when her sister-in-law told her about the impressive workout it provided.

This has been around for years as a form of exercise and its an amazing work-out, especially for the core and upper body, said Hicks, 26, Kaiser Permanente employee and mother of four. Its much more diffi cult than it looks.

Its hard to argue that suspending ones body vertical to a metal pole will burn calo-ries while toning your arms, abs and legs. But there are additional benefi ts to pole dancing.

Its about self-esteem, empowerment and confi dence, said Hicks, who added that the majority of her clients are stay-at-home moms in their 20s and 30s. When your body feels strong and looks strong, it gives you a

lot of self-confi dence. Who wouldnt want to feel like that?

And while Hicks takes in stride the raised eyebrows and occasional comments associated with her studio, she insists that SpinSity is not a real-life version of the Bada Bing Club.

The City of Oakley agrees.It (SpinSity) is a viable business and

is not a gentlemans club, said Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery. Its a fi tness studio and thats what we determined in our research. If it wasnt, they couldnt even lo-cate where they are.

Hicks said city offi cials have been very supportive of her studio and appreciates that they seem to understand what I am try-ing to do.

And it would seem the pole dancing public is supportive as well. In recent years magazines devoted to the pole have begun cropping up, international competitions have emerged, and there is even talk of making pole dancing an Olympic sport.

Its a good thing, said Hicks. Even if I didnt make a dime off the studio I would still do this to share with others the feeling I get from it. Everyone needs something that makes them feel good and is fun. Hey, if youre not a scrap booker, maybe youre a pole dancer.

SpinSity is located at 1615 Main St., Suite 1003. Classes are by appointment only. For class hours, schedules or registration in-formation, visit www.spinsity.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

Poles arent just for strippers and re ghters anymore. Clients at SpinSity in Oakley show how they can be used for tness and fun, too.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hicks

No show Saturday, No show Thursday*Act of Valor - R11:15a 2:00p 4:45p 7:45p 10:45p*Tyler Perry's Good Deeds - PG1310:40a 1:30p 4:20p 7:10p 10:00p*Wanderlust - R12:20p 3:00p 5:40p 8:20p 11:00p*Gone - PG1312:05p 2:35p 5:05p 7:35p 10:05p#The 2011-12 New York City Metropolitan Opera Series: Verdis Ernani9:55a Saturday, February 25#Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies7:30p Tuesday, February 28The Vow - PG1311:00a 1:50p 4:40p 7:30p 10:20pSafe House - R11:25a 2:10p 4:55p 7:40p 10:30p*Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance - PG13Presented in RealD 3D: 11:05a 1:40p 4:25p 7:00p 9:45pPresented in 2D: 2:55p 5:35p 8:15p 10:50pJourney 2: The Mysterious Island - PGAn IMAX 3D Experience: 11:30a 2:05p 4:35p 7:05p 9:35pPresented in 2D: 12:15p *This Means War - PG1311:40a 2:15p 4:50p 7:25p 10:10p*Secret World of Arriety - G11:20a 1:55p 4:30p 7:15p 9:55pStar Wars Episode One 3D - PG1312:40p 3:30p 6:40p 9:50pChronicle - PG1312:25p 2:50p 5:25p 7:55p 10:25pThe Woman in Black - PG1312:10p 2:45p 5:20p 8:05p 10:40p*The Lorax: An IMAX 3D Experience - PG, *Project X - R12:01a Friday, March 2 Premiere Shows*The Hunger Games - PG13Opens Friday March 23 at 12:01am - Advance Tickets now on saleGet your exclusive, limited-edition Rave Cinemas/Hunger Games gift cards at the theatre, while supplies last

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6A | THEPRESS.NET BUSINESS FEBRUARY 24, 2012

Come and sell your treasures.Come and sell your treasures.

For information callLion Carolyn Sherfy at 516-7798or email jsherfy@earthlink.net

Parking is available for all participants. The event will be well-publicized. Proceeds from space rental will bene t scholarships for graduating seniors from Brentwood high schools. Spaces will be assigned on a rst-come, rst-served basis.

The Brentwood Lions Club invites you to participate in a Flea Market!

When: Saturday, April 21st, 2012; 8am-1pmWhere: Parking lot in front of Liberty High School

14 x 14 exhibit space $30Spaces still available.

Come and sell your treasures.Come and sell your treasures.Spare Time Clubs is a high-quality club management company that owns and operates upscale multi-purpose family racquet and fi tness clubs in the Sacramento region. We presently have 10 facilities and are growing. Our facilities off er tennis, swim, fi tness, group exercise, spa services, and many other recreational activities for our members.

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We off er benefi ts including health and dental, 401k, vacation, and holiday pay. Free club membership. For more information about our company, visit www.sparetimeclubs.com. Email resume and salary requirements to Lisa Franzel, General Manager, at lisaf@sparetimeinc.com.

Celebrating 20 years of 31 flavors

Baskin-Robbins is known for mak-ing birthdays special, offering an array of ice creams to be savored in a cone or dish. Its ice cream cakes are the best of both worlds, combining fl uffy cake with a large helping of ice cream. Next month, Brent-woods Baskin-Robbins will celebrate its own birthday No. 20 and owners Bruce and Gerry Dake are inviting the community to join in the fun.

On March 3 and 4, Baskin-Robbins will host its birthday bash from noon to 5 p.m. The festivities include a prize wheel, live music and plenty of ice cream. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for scholarships for students in the Liberty Union High School District.

In our 20 years, between our Brent-wood and Antioch locations, weve had approximately 1,000 employees, Gerry said. About 700 of those employees were high school students, so wed like to estab-lish a scholarship fund to recognize stu-dents who have been able to balance work and school.

The Dakes will donate a portion of the funds raised during the birthday cel-ebration to create three scholarships, one for each comprehensive high school in the district. To qualify, the student must have been employed for at least one year. Students must submit a letter of recom-

mendation for their employer as proof, and write an essay detailing their experi-ences and what holding down a job, while balancing schoolwork, has taught them. Students must also earn a 3.0 grade point average and plan to attend a community college. Applications for the scholarship

will be available during the event.After 20 years in the ice cream busi-

ness, Gerry considers herself fortunate to have met the children of former employ-ees and has even hired a few of that next generation. While the Brentwood land-scape has changed over the years, the qual-

ity of service at Baskin-Robbins remains the same. The Dake family continues to be involved in community events, hosting fundraisers to support local schools and the Boy Scouts of America.

Its rare these days for a local busi-ness to have the same owners and be in the same location like we have, Gerry said. We credit the community for our longevity and we like to give back.

When the Dakes opened their Sec-ond Street location in 1992, they were the only ice cream shop in town. Brentwood has grown signifi cantly in the last two de-cades, but Gerry said their ice cream shop stays true to its mission of being a place for families, offering 44 fl avors of ice cream, cakes, shakes, sundaes and other treats to the masses.

The Dakes success was celebrated nationally in 2010 when the couple was honored at the Dunkin Brands/Baskin-Robbins U.S. Global Conference. Out of the hundreds of Baskin-Robbins shop owners in the United States, the Dakes were selected to share their community-minded marketing strategies at the con-vention, which was attended by hundreds of global Baskin-Robbins franchisers.

Baskin-Robbins is located at 1145 Second St. in the Safeway shopping cen-ter in Brentwood. For more information about the birthday celebration or the scholarship program, call 925-516-0231.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Bruce and Gerry Dake will celebrate 20 years at their Brentwood Baskin-Robbins location next month, and the community is invited to commemorate this milestone.

Press file photo

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

FEBRUARY 24, 2012 ARTS THEPRESS.NET | 7A

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UPDATE ON MORTGAGE SETTLEMENTLast week I wrote about the $25 Billion

mortgage settlement. As this things always go, as time passes more information comes to light so I wanted to let you know what Ive learned recently. The early negotiations were focused on the banks trying to settle with all the states, paying a big fine, but at the same time getting immunity for future claims, even if new information comes to light. This was one of the sticking points that was keeping the State of California from joining the settlement. Thats why I was initially disappointed when I heard that California had finally caved and joined in with the settlement.

I come to find out now that its possible that future suits and settlements ARE still possible, so the banks did NOT get the 100% immunity from future claims that they were seeking. This changes everything! So while I still think that this $25 Billion settlement is too small and didnt go far enough, I also think we are going to see more settlements later, so there is still hope!

If you are a distressed homeowner currently, the hard question you have before you is whether you should take a loan mod now, or wait for either this settlement, or some future settlement, to come along and save the day. They keep talking about principal reductions, but so far no far-reaching, comprehensive program is even being considered. What if you take a loan mod now and get current, and then a program comes out 6 months from now that WOULD have helped you, except now your payment is affordable by their measurements because of your loan mod, so they turn you down?

If you would like a free, 30-minute no-obligation consultation to look at your situation, give me a call and we can go over your options. If you have questions on this or 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

P lump teenager Tracy Turnblads dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes an overnight celebrity and launches a campaign to end segre-gation on the show. The Heritage High School Rising Stars present the award-winning big fat Broadway musical Hairspray in per-formances slated for Feb. 24, March 2-3, 8-10 and 15-17 at 7 p.m.; and Feb. 25 and March 17 at 2 p.m. at the school, 101 American Ave. in Brentwood. The Heritage theater box of ce will open one hour prior to each performance.

Hairspray at Heritage

Photo by Generations Photography

8A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 2012

In The Mood40s Big BandSwing Musical

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Friday February 24, 2012 7:30 pm Sunday February 26, 2012 2:00 pm

Max ManusFriday March 30, 2012 7:30 pm Sunday April 1, 2012 2:00 pm

Red Like The SkyFriday April 27, 2012 7:30 pm

Sunday April 29, 2012 2:00 pm

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Knightsen School, 1923 Delta Road, conducts kindergarten registration Wednes-day, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At that time, the district will be registering Knightsen School residents and siblings of interdistrict transfers. Parents are asked to bring proof of residency.

Children born on or before Nov. 1, 2007 are eligible to register. Parents must bring proof of age by presenting an original birth certifi cate, statement by the county registrar or baptismal certifi cate.

Laws regarding eligibility for kindergar-ten have changed. Beginning this year, chil-dren born between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2 of 2007 are eligible to enroll as transitional kindergar-teners, attending kindergarten for two years.

All immunizations must be verifi ed by an immunization record. An oral health assess-ment by a dentist must be completed within the 12 months prior to the start of school.

For more information, call Knightsen School Principal Tereasa Estrada at 925-626-3301.

Kindergarten registration

Kumon Math and Reading Centers are joining forces with the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program to bring books to underprivileged children nationwide via a literacy open house on Saturday, March 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kumon Center, 4530 Balfour Road, Suite B in Brent-wood.

Families are invited to attend the free event, which will include read-aloud sessions featuring

selections from Kumons recommended reading list. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new book to donate to the RIF local chapter. Refresh-ments, games and prizes will be provided.

For each new student enrollment during the month of March, Kumon will donate $10 to RIF the equivalent of four new books.

For additional information, call 877-586-6673 or visit www.kumon.com.

Supporting literacy

Congratulations to the following Liberty High School Students of the Month for January of 2010: Ismael Alvarez, Jordan Bach, Gloria Barraza, Jazz Belarde, Aubrey Bradshaw, Savannah Bresee, Dwayne Burns, Kayla Byrne, Sumner Car-rington, Megan Clark, Chase Cooper, Lacey Cope, Juan Coronel, Ashlee Crenshaw, Mason Critchfi eld, Stephanie Drake, Ashley Ellcessor, Damone Estrada, Ashley Fletcher, Bernadette Fong, Taylor France, Brenden Galloway, Douglas Gil, Caroline Gillick, Robert Goin, Kara Greene, Brandon Grubaugh, Sierra Gruss,

Brett Harrison, Casey Hebert, Robert Henderson, Justin Hen-drix, Jessica Lucas, Amaris Martin, Breia Masterman, Clarissa Melgoza, Brandon Nahm, Sonya Ortega, Olivia Paredes, Alec Pattison, Edgardo Perez, Hunter Philips, Zachary Revel, Chad Russick, Michael Santos, Dustin Schuette, Caleb Silver, Jeff rey Skilling, Samantha Slightam, Jacob Smith, Tyler Soares, Sal-vador Tapia, Tyler Thomas, Scott Tsubota, Erin Valdez, Manuel Velez, Tyler Wanden, Logan Westfall, Kevin Williams, Carter Williams, Julian Wilson and Kaitlyn Zeigle.

Lauded at Liberty

Congratulations to the following Ad-ams Middle School sixth-grade students named to the Honor Society (3.70-4.0 grade point average) for the schools fi rst quarter:

Rezahn E. Abraha, Sebastian Bautista Ab-sin, Farris Abuaita, Andrew K. Agena, Jeremy J. Ahn, Ahmed E. Alani, Natalie J. Alvarado, Noor Ul Ain Ansari, Ellyzha Ti any Quirante Astu-dillo, Julian Ethan Liam Atalit, Aorzala Atmar, Beau M. Baddeley, Kelly Ann Balaban, Raener M. Baluyut, Renae J. Baluyut, Alexander W. Barclay, Destiny T. Barnes, Brenden O. Barry, Morgan Barbara Blume, Inaya Syeda Bokhari, Jeremiah M. Botros, Kenneth Bough, Kaelan A. Bradley, Ryan J. Bradley, Emma Nicole Bren-nan, Farrah L. Brown, Julianna M. Brown, Ian Michael Buchanan, Brandon William Buent-ing, Blaine B. Bumbaca, Emma C. Burns, Connor D. Burris, Zimmerman Ian J. Busby, Marlene M. Caballero, Brandon W. Caldera, Matthew C. Campbell, Lauren M. Canada, Grace S. Carcot, Keegan R. Carey, Carlos Casas, Cameron David Castano, Cecilia J. Castellanos, Noah Castellanos, Michelle A. Cereda, Ariya Bernice Chestnut Lockett, Angel A. Chika, Katherine N. Cook, Joshua Ethan S. Cunanan, Julia I. Daijogo, Sage Daniella Dalton, Marcus Pedro Dawal, Erika Flores de Guia, Ethan Dan-iel DeVera, Aleah J. Diaz, Citlalli N Dominguez, Aidan B. Dunn, Jacqueline P. Duran, Samantha M. Dutcher, Stephanie T. Eatmon, Jack Parker Erickson, Ashley L. Eslick, Reese Martin Es-teves, Joseph Robert Farnsworth Jr., Sarah B. Feldman, Nikolas Tyler Filardo, Sierra Taylor Finney, Elizabeth Frances Flores, Arriya Mara Frank, Cooper A. Gable, DeAndrew T. Garay, Kevin Garcia, Susanna Isabel Garcia, Alysen S. Gerdes, Caleb Go, Jacqueline Rose Goddard, Eden Gonzaga, Ariana S. Gonzalez, Justin Al-exander Gonzalez, Ali A. Gouhary, Chloe Jan Green, Lizel A. Green, Joseph M. Guaragna, Garrett Jack Guilliams, Brenda Gutierrez, Ja-cob B. Hair, Taghrid O. Halloum, Chloe Simone Halog, Austin James Harden, Ariq A. Hardiyan-to, Evan M. Hardy, Cal H. Harris, Sarah E. Hary, Karen Alexis Hernandez, Cosette F. Heuer, Desiree Glenda Hinds, Brady E. Ho , Joshua J. Holmes, Faith Rose Hom, Taylor Janene Hop-kins, Cameron M. Iacovoni, Fernando Ibarra, Jacob D. Jackson, Devin K. Jensen, Taylor Lyn Jobb, Shane E. Johnson, Katalina A. Johnston, Kyle Anthony Johnston, Emma K. Kaczmarc-zyk, Julien Karleskind, Grace Unice Kim, Sarah B. Klinger, Gabriana N. La, Erin L. Lampkin, Kristofer Land, Aiwin Collete Cosme Lapuz, Giulian Z. Laranang, Victoria Marie Lasch, Jasmine Lee, Nicholas C. Legge, Madison M. Leiser, Sarah A. Locastro, Amanda Lucay, Mar-garet C. Magstadt, Caren L. Marciel, Luisa Car-men Martinez, James E. McIntyre, Raymond T. McKenzie, Sebastian Rei Medina, Liliana J. Munoz, Scott D. Munson, Stephen M Murphy, Oscar E. Murray, Joscylin Michaela Murrell, Jasmine H. Nam, Antonio Narez, Jonathan Al-exander Ned, Rinsolu O. Oisaghie, Raqibat T. Onipede, Antoine J. Owens, Gavin R. Palmer, Robert B. Panga, Victoria Chante Peddie, Abi-gail F. Pena, Alea R. Pena, Ariana Noelle Perez, Kayley Brianne Phillips, Scienn M. Publico, Cal-issa M. Quilates, Sienna Quinlivan, Mackenzie Renee Rapier, Tessie M Robinson, Vanesa Ro-driguez Vega, Natalie Grace Rogers, Dana Rol-nik, Zak Benjamin Ruiz Rubio, Marissa N. Run-ge, Cheryl Yap Salgado, Isis Y. Samuel, Victoria M. Santiago, Sophia Amira Sarkis, Sadaf Sum-

mer Shari , Alexandria C. Sheehan, Trever T. Slous, Jessica A. Solis, Grady Michael Spencer, Raelynn A. Sterlinski, Ariel Kora Stone, Sean J. Stubo, Nargiss W. Tarrar, Cristian T. Tatum, Pardeep S. Thind, Matthew Reyes Tolero, Na-than J. Toralba, Lauren H. Vanier, Ashley Mo-nique Viveros, Daniel Douglas Volta, Crystal Wallace, Mikaila M. Wegenke, Zachary Dale Welker, Eryn Wheatley, Nora Mary Whelan, Hasaan A. Williams, Sophia L. Williams, Xavier A. Williams, Chaz C. Wilson, Cheyanne Marie Wilson, Eric J. Wisniewski, Anika H. Yoder, Isa-belle Y. Yoo and Syeda Masumah Zahra.

Look for the lists of seventh and eight grade students named to the Honor Soci-ety in next weeks Press.

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Grant aims to enrich after-school arts

As art programs across the coun-try fall victim to budget cuts, Antiochs Delta Academy for the Performing Arts is bucking the trend and looking to ex-pand.

Delta Academy recently received a $20,000 grant from the Dean and Mar-garet Lesher Foundation, a major Bay Area arts philanthropic organization. Lead teacher Rob Seitelman plans to use the money to enhance the academys after-school program, in which students plan, rehearse and perform plays. Del-ta Academy recently concluded a run of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and is already preparing its next show for the end of March.

Were thrilled and absolutely hon-ored that Lesher would support us and the work that were doing in East Coun-ty, Seitelman said. Its truly remark-able that were able to provide this for our students and that Lesher is able to support us in that work.

Housed at Deer Valley High School, Delta Academy takes students through a high school curriculum focused on the arts, but draws from several foundations to ensure a complete education.

The school is one of Antioch Uni-fi ed School Districts linked learning academies, such as the Deer Valley Law

Academy and Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, which incorporate career preparation into the four-year curricu-lum. Through these academies, students can receive a well-rounded education while preparing for their chosen ca-reers.

For instance, students performing Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet would look at the plays language and plot from the perspective of English literature, the family relationships from a psychologi-cal perspective, and the poison Romeo drinks from a biological perspective.

The approach is working. Delta Academy, which enrolls roughly 200 students, will graduate its fi rst class this spring. According to Seitelman, roughly 80 percent of the academys seniors have been accepted into universities and per-forming arts academies such as Los An-geles American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Though students said the switch from a traditional middle-school to an arts-focused curriculum was diffi cult at

fi rst, they have fl ourished and enjoyed the change.

I was actually very excited for the change, senior Marina Ketchum said. Instead of going to a huge high school, I was going to something like Delta Academy, which focuses on art. It was a bit shaky in the beginning because it was a drastic change but eventually, you just fi nd the rhythm and you really take a lot out of it.

School district board President Di-ane Gibson-Gray, who is also the ex-ecutive director of the Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, has been im-pressed by the way Delta Academy has succeeded.

The Lesher Foundation has sup-ported other programs in Antioch, such as the free summer concert series and El Campanil Theatre. Theyve incorpo-rated and adapted very well and theyre still continuing to grow, Gibson-Gray said. Unfortunately, when theres cash shortages, the arts go fi rst. This is a cre-ative way to still continue to grow the

program.One of the major tenets of Delta

Academys after-school program is out-reach to local middle and elementary schools. Students regularly perform plays not only at Deer Valleys theater, but on stages at grade schools all over Antioch. Delta Academy students talk with their younger classmates and help them gain an appreciation for the performing arts. Largely because of this, Delta Academy is anticipating an incoming freshman class next year of between 70 and 100 students.

Seitelman said hed ideally like to see more participation between Delta Academy and local grade schools, where high school students teach the younger kids who might not be getting much in-teraction with art.

Seitelman left the professional drama world in New York to become a teacher. When Delta Academy opened up, he leaped at the chance to make a difference. I had a real desire to see arts fl ourish in a place where there were things that were defi nitely poised against it, Seitelman said.

My hope is that we can help. We can take it back into the elementary and middle school through after-school pro-grams for the elementary and middle school kids taught by our students and faculty. The grant will help us do that.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer Its truly remarkable that were able to provide this

for our students and that Lesher is able to support us in that work.

Rob Seitelman

FEBRUARY 24, 2012 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 11A

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Congratulations to the winners of the Park Middle School Spelling Bee, who advance to regional competition. In the front row, from left, are sixth-grader Katelyn Pham (second place), seventh-grader Chelsea Abillano ( rst place) and sixth-grader So a Dasilva (third place); back row: AUSD Trustee Joy Motts, President Diane Gibson-Gray, Trust-ee Walter Ruehlig, Principal Didi del Chiaro and Superintendent Dr. Donald Gill.

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Photo courtesy of Park Middle School

Brentwood kindergarten registration

Appointments for kindergarten reg-istration, held Tuesday through Thursday, March 6-8, may be made by calling the des-ignated area school: Brentwood Elementary 925-513-6360, Garin 925-513-6370, Ron Nunn 925-513-6380, Loma Vista 925-513-6390, Krey 925-513-6400, Pioneer 925-513-6410, and Marsh Creek 925-513-6420.

Children entering kindergarten must turn 5 on or before Nov. 1, 2012. Parents must bring to registration proof of birth (birth certifi cate, passport or baptismal certifi cate), a complete and up-to-date im-munization record, and proof of residency (a picture ID and two original documents such as vehicle registration, property tax bill or rental/lease agreement). For a complete list of proof-of-residency documents, call your school or visit www.brentwood.k12.ca.us/district/student_services/k-reg.htm.

The BUSD is currently unable to con-fi rm implementation of the California De-partment of Educations Transitional Kin-dergarten (TK) program (for children who turned 5 between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2, 2012) due to the statewide budget cut proposal. Parents should complete the TK informa-tion sheet available at any elementary school site, and check in with staff at their resident school for further information.

12A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 2012

Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

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Homeless student helpHomeless students in the Liberty

Union High School District will benefi t from a $4,700 grant earmarked for school supplies from the nonprofi t organization K to College.

These resources for our homeless youth will provide more tools for them to succeed in classes and graduate from high school, said LUHSD Assistant Superin-tendent Gene Clare. We are very pleased to partner with such an organization and to provide every support we can for our students.

Supplies include tote bags fi lled with materials ranging from notebooks to dry erase boards. The supplies were delivered to the district free of charge and will be distributed to students at each site.

The supplies will supplement the McKinney Vento Homeless Student Education Program, which provides sup-plies, services, referrals and other support through grant funding. For a story on the program at LUHSD, visit www.thepress.net and search for Homeless Students.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Liberty Union High School District Assistant Superintendent Gene Clare and Homeless Student Coordinator Sarah Singrin display the array of school supplies provided through the nonpro t organization K to College.

Photo courtesy of LUHSD

14A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Attendance areas for Liberty, Freedom and Heritage high schools have been established in order to balance enrollment among the comprehensive school sites in the Liberty Union High School District.

Students who live within the LUHSD boundary, but prefer to attend a school not designated for their residential area, must apply for an intradistrict transfer. The open enrollment period for such transfers for the 2012-13 school year runs through the month of February. Decisions regarding these requests will be made by May 15.

Intradistrict transfer requests are generally approved as long as the enrollment for all schools

is balanced by total numbers and by ethnicity.As the district continues to grow and

enrollment capacities at schools are reached, not all requests for intradistrict transfers will be approved. When schools reach their capacity, the number of intradistrict transfers approved must be equal between schools. Students will be enrolled in their home high school based on their attendance area until the intradistrict process has been completed in May.

Intradistrict transfer request forms may be obtained at the district offi ce, 20 Oak St. in Brentwood or online at www.luhsd.net. For more information, call Valerie Noble at 925-634-2166, ext. 2021.

High school intradistrict transfers

Leonard Morrow, an experienced and longtime parks and recreation professional, is serving as interim parks manager. Morrow is evaluating the park programs and services and assisting in making the restructuring a smooth transition.

The mission of the Oakley Parks Division is to provide clean, safe, well maintained, inviting and sustainable parks, landscape areas and recreation facilities for the enjoyment of Oakley residents and visitors. The division is responsible for maintaining more than 95 developed acres of park land, nearly 40 acres of unimproved park land and open spaces, and approximately 50 acres of landscaped street medians, planters and streetscapes.

Recent accomplishments of the Park Division include the opening of the all-abilities playground at Crockett Park and the new renovations at Holly Creek Park, which includes a large open turf play area.

This week, the Parks Division completed repairs and renovations at the Laurel Ball Field to prepare it for spring and summer use. Worn turf was removed and new sod was installed, and lip buildup along the baselines and arc were removed. Edging along the base paths were straightened, and infi eld mix was added, spread, graded and compacted throughout the entire infi eld. The playability of this fi eld will be greatly enhanced, said Morrow.

Next week, work begins at Summer

Lakes, where the two grass infi elds will be transformed into skinned fi elds. The result, according to Morrow, will be a more level playing surface requiring less maintenance. In the coming weeks, Creekside, Cypress Grove, Magnolia and Shady Oak parks will also undergo fi eld repairs.

The City of Oakley Parks Division is soliciting input from the community regarding existing parks and landscape,

future projects or needed amenities. Citizens, community groups and neighborhood associations are encouraged to work with the Parks Division to propose and perform volunteer park maintenance activities.

If you see a problem, have an idea or suggestion, please let us know, said Morrow. For more information, call 925-625-7037 or e-mail morrow@ci.oakley.ca.us.

FEBRUARY 24, 2012 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 15A

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Rose, who enlisted the aid of Gold Star Fa-ther Kevin Graves to set things straight.

And so on Sunday, after Adams slipped into his dress uniform (which was waiting for him at the hall) the Army made things right, conducting an offi cial cer-emony and adding the Purple Heart to a chest already covered with decorations for achievement, marksmanship, battle experi-ence, recruiting excellence and more.

Adams was saluted by proclamations from state and county representatives, given challenge coins from several service member support groups and veterans mo-torcycle organizations, and got hugs from

everyone in attendance. His sister Amanda sang a touching rendition of Laura Storys song Blessings to express her gratitude at her brothers safe return.

Then it was Adams turn with the mic.

Its Moms birthday, a grinning Ad-ams told the assembled group. They told me we were going to meet for dinner and celebrate. Well, youre all liars.

Although he wasnt especially fond of putting on his dress uniform again, Adams said it was worth it, and called the assem-bly amazing. He noted that such atten-tion isnt something troops expect; they just do their missions, try to stay alive, and return.

We dont expect much when we get back, he said. We just want to be home.

Adams joined the Army in response to 9/11 and credited his family for some of his immediate success. Basic training was a joke, he said. I got yelled at way more at home.

Adams served as a sniper with the 101st Airborne Divisions 5th Special Forc-es group. He has also served with the 14th Psychological Operations Battalion and the Armys Fresno Recruiting Battalion. As of March 4, he will be on reserve sta-tus as he completes his bachelors degree in psychology and begins a career in law en-forcement. He is adamant that the future will not include combat tours.

My hats off to anyone who goes over there and has even one rough tour, he said. Since joining in 2003, hes spent the equiva-lent of six tours overseas, and doesnt care for the increasing restrictions placed on soldiers trying to win a war. Ive had plen-ty of rough tours, and Im done. I will not be deployed back to the war again.

Meanwhile, hell enjoy catching up on the time missed with his wife Mari, sons Tyler, 14, and Zach, 11, and his daughter Aurora, 8. And hell enjoy not be required to wear his dress uniform.

I hate dressing up, he said. Id rath-er be in the fi eld, sweating, bleeding and stinking.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Veteran from page 1A

Parks from page 1A

Voters must demand sunset on fire tax

Editor:The East Contra Costa Fire

Protection District is making a serious miscalculation if it fails to include a sunset clause in its fi nal ballot language at its upcoming special meeting on Feb. 27. In what is already a long shot to pass, the district is further handicapping itself and public safety by moving forward with a tax in perpetuity.

In what was being dubbed as a straw poll vote by the district in a 6-3 vote, the board directed staff to leave out a sunset clause by citing a potential budget defi cit in year 11 based off projections. Just because its a prediction doesnt necessarily mean its correct. Just to show you how predictions work, I predict prices will skyrocket and the board will need more than $197 (plus annual 3-percent increase) in 10 years the board has just handicapped future boards from requesting more funds from voters.

This board is now locking in future boards to this tax. Its locking residents into this tax. The worst part is: no resident will be able to have a say or the ability to check and balance what the district is doing with our parcel tax funds every 10 years. Quite frankly, its irresponsible.

Rather than worrying about projections in year 11, this board should be worrying about July, 2012 and doing everything in its power to gain support from voters you do not do that by attempting to pass a tax that never goes away. By offering a sunset inclusion, it shows a much-needed good faith effort to the taxpayers.

In the long run, the board actually benefi ts with a sunset clause because it buys them 10 years to solve this problem while being able to continue services that are more than adequate. It also allows for the economy to improve and additional tax money to be generated with growth.

Without the sunset clause, the board

appears to want this parcel tax to fail, which accommodates other plans not yet known to the public. The board needs to be giving our fi refi ghters a fi ghting chance on this tax, and the only way to do that is to protect the taxpayer with a sunset.

This issue is much more complex than fi refi ghter layoffs and stations shut down; its about protecting the taxpayer by keeping fi re stations open. Meaning: they need to protect our insurance rates from skyrocketing by providing the best possible language to ensure passage of this parcel tax to keep services at least where they are today.

When the Sunrise Station closed on Morgan Territory Road, Kevin Keeler wrote an opinion piece to another paper that his insurance premium jumped from $500 per year to just under $5,000 a 1,000-percent increase. Others had similar stories of rate increases. Under a three-station model, its a fact no one will be exempt from a rate increase. If you unfortunately become rated a 10+ by ISO, your mortgage is immediately due dont believe me, just ask the three Morgan Territory residents!

In what will be your fi nal chance to be heard on this parcel tax, I would encourage citizens of East County to show up to the special meeting on Feb. 27 and request a sunset clause be included or promise to fi ght against this tax. I am a big supporter of giving our fi refi ghters the tools to service our community, but not with an open checkbook. There must be checks and balances written in the fi nal ballot language.

I urge the board to reconsider its straw poll and do the right thing by including a sunset.

Mike BurkholderOakley

Cuts to cops not the answerEditor:

Usually I read the Opinion Section, we talk about it and I move on but I can not stay publicly quiet this time.

Im writing in response to James C. Morris Sr.s recent opinion in the Press. First let me say that I am not a police offi cer, as I did not receive that calling. It is not a job; it is a calling to serve and protect. But let me be clear and also state that my husband is an offi cer and I would like to respond from my perspective.

I was laid off last June and my family is experiencing fi rsthand the economic squeeze just like so many other families. Everyone is looking to point a fi nger for the reason most cities are having economic troubles. I do not think it is the wages or pension of the people in uniform that work hard in this city or any other city. They deserve a fair wage and pension like all other hardworking people. Lets be real: the tax base has been hit hard due to the housing and economic crash.

I am sick of people thinking that a pay cut or pension reduction to fi re and police is the answer. My family lives in a middle-income neighborhood; we drive 2002 and 2005 vehicles; no boats, no camper; no retirement home, no college funds and no golf course membership. We are middle class, everyday people in the same situation as most of our neighbors.

So erase the fantasy that we live the good life and have money pouring out of our ears. We dont and neither do any of the police families that we know. In fact, we were better off when he worked for an overnight freight company. He made good money, had great health benefi ts; they had a great retirement plan and company match program. We could travel at a discount and the risk of death or injury was a lot lower.

But he always had the calling to be a police offi cer, and 10 years ago pursued his dream to protect and serve.

This choice has come with a high price to our family. He works most holidays for a three-year period until we luck out and one of them is on his day off. It averages every three to four years of missing dad at the holiday. He has missed

most of our daughters birthdays, missed most school functions, missed one middle school and one high school graduation. He also has missed family and friends weddings, and the list goes on.

Now lets move on to the fun stuff. He has been exposed to TB, HIV, hepatitis, bacterial meningitis and those are the ones we got offi cial notifi cation of. When he is exposed, it sometimes affects our family as well.

Being a police offi cer requires you to sacrifi ce your own safety and put yourself at risk of death daily for the safety of others. To protect and serve is not some desk job that you get to clock out and go home leave it at work. Even with all the missed holidays, safety issues both at work and off duty, risk of disease and injury, he loves his job and would sacrifi ce his life to save yours!

Have you gone on a ride-along on a Friday or Saturday night? Dont pick the one easy beat; go on a real ride-along and stay all night. I bet you wont want to get out of the police car. You have no idea what the men and women that serve go through on a daily basis. It is a job well deserving of a pension, and in my opinion, the pay will never be high enough for the price.

According to the Offi cer Down Memorial stats, 170 offi cers died in the line of duty in 2011. I wont even go into divorce, heart attack or injury statistics. Try saying thank you to those who serve and get involved in public service. I want to say to every police offi cer, fi re and rescue, military member and their families: Thank you for all you do and for the sacrifi ces you make. I pray for the safety of those who serve.

If you think cutting pay and pension to those who serve will save the city, I believe you are nave. Also, good luck recruiting and hiring. Think what you like, but the reality is clear.

Debra MarlowBrentwood

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

16A | THEPRESS.NET FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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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City of Brentwood City Manager and City Council City Hall150 City Park WayBrentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-516-5440www.ci.brentwood.ca.usCity of Antioch City Manager and City Council City HallThird and H streetsAntioch, CA 94509Phone: 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. Piepho3361 Walnut Blvd., Suite 140Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-7260 dist3@bos.cccounty.usCounty Supervisor, Dist. VFederal Glover

315 E. Leland Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone: 925-427-8138dist5@bos.cccounty.usState Sen. Mark DeSaulnier Seventh State Senate DistrictState CapitolRoom 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 942849

Sacramento, 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.gov

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Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net THEPRESS.NET | 17A FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Local wrestlers to grapple with NCS best

The Bay Valley Athletic League will make a strong showing at this weekends North Coast Section tournament, which gives competitors one fi nal chance to qualify for the state meet. Wrestlers must fi nish in the top four in their weight class to advance.

The BVAL sends 51 athletes to the tournament. Liberty leads the class with 14; Freedom fi elds 13. After that, Pittsburg contributes eight wrestlers, Heritage seven, Antioch fi ve, and Deer Valley four.

Lions head coach Greg Chappel was pleased by the amount of talent on his campus. All 14 of our guys got in, Chappel said. Three didnt qualify but got in as wild cards. I only have three seniors total. I just like that theyll get a little taste of it.

According to the seeding, six BVAL wrestlers could advance to state. League

favorites include Liberty sophomore Devon Lyle (third, 106 pounds), senior Jacob Thompson-Zanarini (third, 132 pounds) and senior Xavier Thompson (second, 138 pounds); Freedom sophomore Ricky Coster (fourth, 120 pounds) and junior Roman Garcia (third, 126 pounds), and Antioch senior Kyle Clark (second, 220 pounds).

While the seeding is important, it doesnt determine who will advance. Chappel identifi ed the junior trio of Austin Solari (fi fth, 126 pounds), Tanner Blank (seventh, 160 pounds), and Zack Hanson (sixth, 170 pounds) as guys with potential to pull an upset, but his message applies to grapplers from all schools.

Theyve worked hard, Chappel said. Its time to fi nish up and make a name for themselves. You never know a lot of its mental. If a kid says, Im ready to go, it can happen.

Local wrestlers got a fi nal tuneup Freedoms Roman Garcia tries to pin Libertys Jake Thompson-Zanarini in ear-lier action. After succeeding in the BVAL Championship meet, both wrestlers earned No. 3 seeds for this weekends NCS wrestling tournament.

Photo by Jolly Hanson

by Michael DixonCorrespondent

see Wrestlers page 21A

Costas legacy lives on in LAFernando Sanabria recalls seeing

Corinne Costa before she fi rst laced up her size 13 Adidas for UCLAs basketball team. She had height. She had athleticism.

She had yet to start middle school.Sanabria, then the coach for the Immac-

ulate Heart CYO basketball team, looked in awe at the fourth-grader who stood about 5 feet, 4 inches nearly as tall as he.

I asked her if she played basketball, Sanabria said. She said, No. I said, You do now.

Though it took time for Costa to grow into her body, she excelled at both basketball and volleyball. She was already roughly 6-2 as a freshman at Liberty High. By the time she graduated in 2010, Costa owned Bay Valley Athletic League Most Valuable Player awards for both sports.

While basketball history is littered with stories of players who relied on their height and nothing else, Costas game doesnt rest on a single measuring stick. Liberty head coach Debbi Weil watched as the center put in gobs of sweat equity to improve her shoot-ing touch as well as her maneuverability on the court. For her efforts, the 6-4 Costa be-came one of the few Liberty girls basketball players to make the jump to Division I when she inked a scholarship to play for UCLA.

Though she played mainly off the bench in her freshman year, Costa has become a

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

see Legacy page 21ALiberty alumna Corinne Costa, now a UCLA basketball player, competes for position in the paint with Cals Reshanda Gray earlier this season.

Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr.

Lions win worth the long wait

Fans and alumni of the Liberty High boys basketball team can rejoice. The Lions 27-year postseason losing streak is now a thing of the past.

Hosting its fi rst playoff game since 1985, Liberty beat the visiting Amador Valley Dons 59-48 Tuesday night in the fi rst round of the North Coast Section playoffs.

Amador Valley guard Nick Ruotolo scored 16 points and forward Tyler Lawrence contributed 13. The Liberty attack was far more balanced. Junior guard Brandon White scored 12, while senior guard Dwayne Burns and senior forward Darren Meeks notched 11 each.

It just feels amazing, Meeks said. I never thought this would hap-pen, being a senior and being here over the last couple of years.

The Lions played the game at a higher speed than the Dons. While Liberty never trailed after the early

by Michael DixonCorrespondent

see Win page 20A

18A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS FEBRUARY 24, 2012

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Pats buck Lady Cowboys from playoffs

As Livermore Highs girls basketball team took a lead going into halftime against Heritage on Tuesday night, the Lady Cowboys fans reached a fever pitch.

In the third quarter, the Patriots silenced them.

Heritage outscored Livermore 21-5 in the third quarter, fi nishing with a 61-51 victory in the fi rst round of the North Coast Section playoffs. Patriots junior forward Ali Ramirez was on fi re, scoring a game-high 24 points 12 in the third quarter alone. Junior center Sabrina Engelstad contributed 19 to the winning effort against the No. 12 seed Lady Cowboys. Heritage entered the matchup seeded fi fth.

We wanted it and (head coach Dan Swan) made us realize that this is it its not just a league game anymore, Ramirez said. This is one-and-done. We came out as a team and got it.

When Heritage went into the locker room trailing 32-28 at halftime, Swan knew something must be done. Swan didnt make any special substitutions or draw up a new game plan, he simply told his team to wake up.

The halftime speech worked wonders, as shots that didnt fall in the fi rst half started to fi nd the bottom of the net. While Heritage lit up the scoreboard on one end of the court, the teams defense stifl ed the Lady Cowboys on the other. For much of the quarter, Livermore had just one basket to show for its efforts.

From then on, the Patriots maintained their intensity and secured the victory. Heritage was tenacious on defense in the second half, attempting to neutralize a potent three-point attack by the Lady Cowboys. Livermore tossed up 12 shots from the perimeter in the fi rst half, making four, but went only 1-for-5 from downtown in the second half.

Senior guard Ashley Holmes led the

Lady Cowboys with 12 points. Senior guard Elyse Kline contributed 10.

I dont know if we can get away with that as we go on, Swan said. Its going to need all four quarters of play. We needed them to respond at halftime and they did.

While Swan was pleased with the win, he knows Heritage must tighten things up for the second round. The Patriots travel to Castro Valley on Friday to take on the No. 4 seeded Trojans. Heritage faced Castro Valley on Jan. 21 but lost 66-61.Mission San Jose 50, Liberty 27

Senior center Bernadette Fong scored a game-high 13 points Tuesday night, but Liberty couldnt hold off a powerful Mission San Jose team in a 50-27 loss in the fi rst round of the NCS playoffs.

The No. 3 seeded Warriors took the lead early and never looked back, holding a 27-15 advantage at halftime. Senior Maya Ramachandran led Mission San Jose with 11 points; junior

Grace Lee contributed 10.Fong also recorded nine rebounds,

three blocks and three steals Tuesday night.

Liberty, which earned a No. 14 seed, posted a pretty good preseason but was playing shorthanded down the stretch. The loss to the Warriors ends Libertys season at 17-10.Castro Valley 75, Pittsburg 54

A strong second-quarter push helped Castro Valley defeat Pittsburg 75-54 on Tuesday in the fi rst round of the playoffs.

The Trojans dropped 27 points in the second quarter, setting the pace for the rest of the game. Three Castro Valley players scored double-digits senior guard Michelle Miyamoto (16), freshman forward Jenna Sparks (12) and freshman guard Allison Woo (11).

Senior forward Keshia Ward scored a team-high 11 points for Pittsburg; junior guard Janeek Mollique

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

see Buck page 19A

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minutes of the fi rst quarter, the game was tied in the fourth quarter until a heavy Lib-erty press forced Amador Valley mistakes that led to turnovers and a string of Liberty free throws that put the game away.

The Lions now face the rival Falcons, whove beaten Liberty twice, 62-59 in over-time and 52-42. The NCS playoff clash will be played Friday at the Falcons home gym. Freedom, coming off of a bye, is the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.

The last time we played them, we werent fi nishing our layups, and we have to do that, White said. If we can get out in the open fl oor, get some easy buckets and control the tempo on defense, we can beat them.

Lions head coach Jon Heinz said the Liberty basketball program has changed rapidly following an extended slump. The Lions last playoff win came in 1985 against Miramonte, and their last playoff appear-ance was a 2004 one-and-done blowout loss to Newark Memorial. Heinz hopes this sea-son begins a winning tradition on campus.

The crowd here tonight was great, Heinz said. Our football team loses, our basketball team loses. I took over the pro-gram and I knew they were bad; I just didnt realize how bad it was or why it was that bad. Its a testament to these guys who want to come to Liberty. Theyve turned it around.Heritage 66, Berkeley 50

The fi rst rounds premier blowout and upset came in the Heritage 66-50 win over Berkeley. Four Patriots scored in double dig-

its: senior forward Wayne Engelstad netted 21, junior guard George Johnson 15, soph-omore center Shon Briggs 14, and guard Pierre Carter 10.

Im just really proud of our kids, head coach Pat Cruickshank said. We played with great energy all game long and executed the game plan to near perfection. We defended the way we wanted to defend, got good looks and ran our shots. Every-body chipped in; it was a full team effort.

Heritage led for nearly the whole game and by no fewer than eight points through-out the second half. Yellowjackets senior forward Langston Morris-Walker led all scorers with 23 while senior power forward Henry Cornelious posted 20 but the rest of the Berkeley team did next to nothing of-fensively.

Heritages league record was subpar 4-6 in BVAL play, losing both games to playoff teams Deer Valley and Freedom, and (including a preseason game) three against Liberty. The coach was pleased that his teams playoff success erased those memories.

Wed struggled a little bit fi nding our-selves, Cruickshank said. But we put the last few weeks behind us, realized were all 0-0. They just really had a great time playing tonight had a lot of fun.Friday matchups

No. 9 Heritage at No. 1 De La Salle, 8 p.m.

No. 7 San Leandro at No. 2 Deer Val-ley, 8 p.m.

No. 6 Liberty at No. 3 Freedom, 7 p.m.To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Win from page 17A

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at last weeks BVAL tournament, where Liberty claimed the overall victory. Eight Lions wrestlers won their weight class, combining for 232 points. Runner-up Freedom boasted two winners and six second-place fi nishers, recording 200.5 points.

Pittsburgs 144 points edged out Heritage (142) for third. Clarks win put Antioch at 91.5 points and fi fth place, as they topped Deer Valleys 84-point output.

Lyle won the leagues 106-pound bracket and teammate John Zanarini came out on top in the 113-pound class. Coster grabbed the gold for Freedom at 120 pounds. Lions Solari (126 pounds), Thompson-Zanarini (132) and Xavier Johnson (138) won the next three weight classes. Freedoms Zachary Irwin earned a win at 145 pounds.

Libertys Kevin Milner (152 pounds), Blank (160) and Hanson (170) all came out on top at the BVAL tournament. Dalton Barnes of Heritage earned a victory in the 182-pound class, becoming the second-ever Patriot to win a league title. Pittsburgs Antonio Baldazo won the 195-pound bracket. Clark, one of the top 220-pound wrestlers in the section, won that division for Antioch. Pittsburgs Javonte Brooks, a winner at 285 pounds, rounded out the days titleholders.

Deer Valleys highest fi nisher was Rangle Lowry, who took second in the 285-pound division.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Wrestling from page 17A

fi xture for the Bruins in her sophomore season as a center/forward. After injuries decimated the roster the team has only three healthy reserves she stepped up to become UCLAs force in the paint.

This year, Ive just grasped the op-portunity, with two of our best players going out with season-ending injuries, Costa said. It feels good that I can come in and do my part.

Costa ranks third in the Pac-12 Con-ference in blocked shots per game and for one stretch this season swatted away scor-ing attempts in 14 consecutive games.

Bruins head coach Cori Close ad-mired the hard work Costa has put in since joining the starting lineup. She feels

Costa has improved greatly from her fi rst game and has the talent and the drive to do big things for the Bruins.

Corinne has grown in her level of commitment to the game, her passion, her confi dence, her ability to change plays, her willingness to be in the gym extra, Close said. I really have challenged and even butted heads with her a couple times. I think that her response and her willing-ness to change and grow it really is a joy to watch.

Though Costa now spends most of her time in Los Angeles, she still has an excellent support system. Last week, when UCLA squared off with Cal in Berkeley, a group of roughly 20 relatives and friends came by to cheer her on.

Costas mother, Rhonda, said she and her husband John usually make a trip down south about once a month to see her at the John Wooden Center.

Last year, when UCLA traveled to Moraga to play St. Marys, Sanabria es-timated that about 100 people made the visit from East County. Many of them wore customized T-shirts in white or Bru-in blue emblazoned with Costas name and number 34.

Its good for her and Im proud of her, said her sister Kylie, a junior at Lib-erty. Shes worked really hard to get to where she is.

While Costa hones her craft in West-wood, her effects are still felt in Brent-wood.

As a Liberty senior, Costa took a tall sophomore named Bernadette Fong un-der her wing. Weil called them the Twin Towers. In her fi rst season as the teams starting center, Fong excelled, earning fi rst-team all-league honors.

Now a senior, the 6-3 Fong averages 11.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. Weil said colleges are talking to Fong with the enthusiasm they showed for Costa.

Fong, as well as other seniors on Libertys roster, can look to Costa to see whats possible.

It was very fun to watch her come into her own, Weil said, but I still think that shes growing.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Legacy from page 17A

22A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS FEBRUARY 24, 2012

BVAL soccer seasons come to an end

Though one of the most successful seasons in Freedom High girls soccer his-tory didnt end ideally, the head coach is proud of what the team accomplished.

The Bay Valley Athletic League champions fi nished the season with a 3-0 loss to top-seeded San Ramon Valley in the second round of the North Coast Section playoffs. To get to that level, the Falcons emerged victorious in an exciting matchup against Granada. Tied at two af-ter regulation, thanks to goals from senior Angel Gosse, Freedom claimed a victory on a penalty kick by Haley Vredenburgh.

Im very proud of them, said head coach Paco Gonzalez. It was exciting. It was fun seeing them come together and start playing as a unit. They cared for each other genuinely.

The Falcons werent alone in the sec-ond round. Heritage kicked off postsea-son play with a 6-0 drubbing of higher-seeded American. The Patriots held a 2-0 halftime lead after goals from freshman midfi elder Demi Gonis and sophomore defender Haylie Grant. Junior forward Jamie Barron assisted both scores.

In the second half, sophomore for-ward Kylee Smith found the back of the net twice, and senior forward Kailey Mos-er and Baron put the fi nishing touches on Heritages offensive barrage.

The offense was silenced in the next round, however, in a 1-0 loss to Monte Vista.

Liberty enjoyed a successful sea-son, but the Lions hopes were dashed by James Logan in the fi rst round of the postseason. Liberty held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but two Colts goals in the sec-ond half made the difference.

Like Freedom, Deer Valleys season ended at the hands of San Ramon Valley. The Wolves defeated the No. 16 seed Wolver-

ines 3-0 before moving on to face the Falcons. Sophomore goalkeeper Siobhan Williamson made 14 saves for the Wolverines.Boys soccer

Pittsburgs boys soccer team, which handily claimed a BVAL title, ended its season with a 2-1 loss to No. 1 seed De La Salle in the NCS playoffs.

The Spartans led 1-0 at halftime, but the Pirates answered in the 43rd minute with a goal by senior midfi elder Bryan Santos. De La Salle scored again 11 min-

utes later and held on for the victory. Freshman goalkeeper Joel Avila notched seven saves for Pittsburg.

In the fi rst round, the Pirates earned a 1-0 win over Granada. A goal from ju-nior midfi elder Isreal Murgia made the difference.

Antioch was able to muster a playoff bid, but the Panthers also fell to the Spar-tans. De La Salle cruised to a 7-0 victory in the fi rst round.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Freedoms Gianna DiMercurio and a Granada defender race to the ball in the rst round of the playoffs. Antioch Highs Rene Gonsalez, right, and Pittsburgs Ismael Martinez ght for the ball during a regular season game. Antioch and Pittsburg both lost to De La Salle in the NCS playoffs.

Photo courtesy of Kim Vredenburgh

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

The Brentwood Blast 10U Blue boys kicked off their pre-season with a rst-place nish at a recent tournament hosted by Danville Baseball Academy. In the front row, from left, are Gregory Filardo, Jared deFre-mery, Jacob Craig and Max Parsons. Center row: Nolan Marchetti, Dominic Mo-linaro, Justin Hurney, Cameron Pratt, Ryan St. Clair, Drew Cauwels and Colton Schroer; back row: coaches Dave Schroer, Chris Molinaro and Craig Cauwels. Not pictured is coach Jeff Marchetti.

Blasting through Danville

Photo courtesy of Monica Hurney

Harvest Park Bowlers Ed Stewart of Antioch, left, and Frank Pacheco of Brentwood both turned 95 this month Frank on the 2nd and Ed on the 23rd. Stewart bowls in two leagues and Pacheco in one. Between them, theyve been bowling for 145 years. Both hold respectable averages and are an inspira-tion to their teammates and competitors.

Still rollin at 95Photo courtesy of Robert Damico

Photo by Kevin Bartram

The popular bocce ball program resumes in Oakley o