march 2011community focus

A Monthly Publication Delivered to Over 40,000 Residents

MARCH 2011

RESTAURANT GUIDE AND COUPONS PAGE 18 & 19Let someone else do the cooking tonight

Why should you get stuck with the dishes

RESTAURANT GUIDE AND COUPONS PAGE 18 & 19

OPENING DAY 2011

www.ourcommunityfocus.comPage � March �011

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http://www.pleasanthillrealestate.com

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www.ourcommunityfocus.comMarch �011 Page �

TheofficeofPrincipalSueMirko-

vichwastheplacetobeatAlhambra

HighSchoolonFebruary2nd,Na-

tionalLetterSigningDay.Theparents,

grandparents,siblings,auntsanduncles

offourofthesixrecipientsofathletic

scholarshipsgatheredtogetherasthe

signingstookplace.

ElliotBusichiowithhisparents,

DanielandKimberly,stoodoutasthe

onlynon-footballathleteamongthe

group.ElliotisheadedtoCalStateEast

Baytoplaygolf.

FootballplayerMauricePoyadue

signedwithFresnoState,whileTrevor

DavisandJaredLeafwillplayforthe

UniversityofHawaii.

LindaDavis,Trevor’smother,

quicklyblurtedout,“Proud!”when

askedhowshewasfeeling.“Atfour-

teen,hetoldme,‘Mom,Iwillgeta

scholarship.’He’sworkedveryhardand

Igivehimcredit.Hedidit.Hestuck

tohisgoal,”shesaid.

Pridewasevidentamongallthe

families,coachesandadministrators

overthefactthatthesehighschool

seniorsserveasrolemodelsforyounger

students;theyhavemadeaccomplish-

mentsbothonthefieldandinthe

classroom.

VarsityfootballCoach,AlanHern,

“washugewiththeacademics,”said

PrincipalMirkovich.“OnThursdays,

theywouldgodowntotheteamrooms

anddotheirhomework.”

•TaxableversusNon-TaxableIncome.......page6•ArtWorldUn-Confidential.................... page12•GoldenNotesChorus.............................page10•RestaurantGuide...............................page18-19

•LivingwithLomandra..................................page21•HowtoFindanExpertContractor............. page22•LocalBoyMakesGood................................. page27•CellistJerryLiu............................................page28

Elliot Busichio, GolfCal State East BayFirst-Team All-DFAL First 3 Seasons

Last season Busichio shot on average, rounds

of 73 or just one-over par. Busichio will look to

get a sweep for his prep career this spring.

No. 11: Jared Leaf, RB/LB6-2, 225, HawaiiFirst-Team All-DFAL FB Defense 2009

First-Team All-DFAL FB Offense 2010

First-Team All-DFAL FB Defense 2010

The 6-2, 225-pound athlete also had offers

from Army, Navy, Idaho, Montana State,

Nevada, Washington State and Sacramento

State, among others, and had drawn interest

from Cornell and Harvard of the Ivy League.

No. 14: Maurice Poyadue, DL/OL6-2, 270, Fresno StateFirst-Team All-DFAL Wrestling (285 lbs.) ‘09

First-Team All-DFAL FB Defense 2010

Runs 4.95 in the 40-yard dash and shined at

2009 Nike Combine at Laney College. Quick

for a big man and enhanced by a successful

wrestling career at AHS. Very athletic and

mobile. Also considered Hawaii, San Jose State

and the University of Nevada.

No. 20: Trevor Davis, WR/DB6-1, 165, HawaiiSecond-Team All-DFAL FB Offense 2009

Second-Team All-DFAL Track (100 & 200 M)

2009

First-Team All-DFAL FB Offense 2010

Runs 4.45 in the 40-yard dash and 10.9 for

100 meters. Shined at 2009 Nike Combine at

Laney College. A natural athlete who utilizes

height and leaping ability to catch any ball

thrown his direction.

Thefootballplayershadsuccessful

two-yearvarsityfootballcareersduring

whichAlhambrasportedarecordof18-6.

ThisincludedanundefeatedDFALcham-

pionshipseason(6-0)in2009.Alhambra

advanceddeepintotheNorthCoast

Sectionplayoffs.Allthreewerestarterson

bothoffenseanddefenseandwererecog-

nizedasprospectsasearlyas2008.

Athletic Achievements By Chuck Nan

MartinezTheparadewillbeonSaturday,March12,10a.m.,startingoutatCityHallon525

HenriettaStreet,takingarightontoAlhambraAvenue,headingnorthtoMainStreet,

andendingatthecornerofMainStreetandLasJuntas.Coaches,managersandplay-

erswillwalkpasttheMainStreetstagewhereHarriettBurtwillannounceeachteam.

Pleasant HillCoachesandplayerswillbebegintheirparadeat8a.m.onMarch12,beginningat

SequoiaMiddleSchoolonBoydRoad,turningontoPattersonBoulevard,continu-

ingupHawthorneRoad,andendingatPleasantOaksParkforavarietyoffamily

festivities.

CPHS Pictures by Tod Gomes www.creativelookphoto.com

PicturedontheCover

National Letter Signing a Busy Day at AHS By R.L. Tinker

Standing proudly are, Elliot Busichio (Front), Back L-R: Trevor Davis, Maurice Poyadue and Jared Leaf

Opening Day Parades

CoachHern,aformerValedicto-

rianatAHS,agreed.“Strongacademics

isagoaloftheprogram.Iwouldmen-

torthem,talktothem,workthrough

schedulingissuesinordertomeetthe

differentrequirementsbeyondtheA-G

ofDivisionIschools.Thesearegood

studentswhoallworkedhard.”

“Ihavetotootourhornalit-

tle,”saidAthleticDirector,PatErtola,

“Thesearesignersthree,four,fiveand

sixsofarforusthisyear.Thisisareally

strongathleticclass.It’sagoodday.”

Notpresentatsigningdaywere

JennaKrummen,whowillplaysoftball

forSantaClaraUniversityandRobert

StephensonwhosignedwithUniver-

sityofWashingtontoplaybaseball.


JULIE SAYS

No,sorry,thishasnothingtodowith

recycling,compostingorhelpingour

planetinanyway.

Theideaforaspringcontestsprang

forwardthismorningasIhikedwithmy

dogsinthehillsofPasoNogalPark.Eve-

rythingissoverygreen,insoverymany

shades,andsounbelievablybeautiful.

ThechallengefortheGreenSpring

Contestistoseehowmanyshadesofgreen

youcanname,compileinanalphabetical

list,andemailtome.

Asalways,therearecontestrules.Nopaintchip

colors,unlesstheyarerealcolors.Forexample,Kelly

Moorehasashadeofgreencalled“Daddy-O,”andthat’s

justnotgoingtofly.

IwillnotacceptCrayolacrayoncolors,becauseI

thinktheyarepatentedandwedon’twantanytrouble

withthelaw.Isaythiseventhoughoneoftheirnewer

greencrayoncolorsis“Inchworm.”Youmayhave“Inch-

worm”touseasafreebie,againstmybetterjudgment.

Iknow,thoseofyouwhoownthebigboxofCray-

olas(withthathandybuilt-incrayonsharpener)will

haveabitofanedgeonthecompetition,butthere’snot

muchIcandoaboutthat.

Andtothinkthecom-

panystartedoutin1903

withonlyeightcolors,just

oneofthemgreen.Since

then,morethan120billion

Crayolacrayonshavebeen

soldthroughouttheworld.

End-to-endtheywould

circletheworldmorethan

200times.

Backtothecontest,

afterjustonemorecrayon

tidbit:ThesmellofCrayola

crayonsisthe18thmostrecognizablescent

amongAmericanadults.Iknowmostof

youarerunningofftosniffacrayonright

nowtoseewhatImean.

Done,now?Good.It’stimetoget

startedonyourlist.Thedeadlineforen-

triesismidnightonMarch17,St.Patrick’s

Day.Thatgreenestofalldatesseemsfit-

ting,doesn’tit?

Thepersonorteam(it’sOKtocol-

laborate)whosubmitsthemostacceptable

shadesofgreenbythesomewhatarbitrarystandards

outlinedabovewillreceivetwofreepassestoLindsay

WildlifeMuseumplusa$25giftcertificatetospend

inthemuseumstore.(Ifyouhaven’tcheckedoutthe

museumstoreatLindsayinawhileyouwillbeamazed

attheassortmentofanimalpuppets,t-shirts,books,

educationaltoysandgames.)

ThewinnerwillbeannouncedintheMayissueof

theCommunityFocus.Goodluck!

Please e-mail questions, comments to [email protected].

A Really Green Spring Contest!By Julie Ross

PUBLISHERSBecky Coburn, Jennifer Neys, Elena Hutslar

[email protected],000HomesandBusinessesinPleasantHill,Martinez,

Pacheco,LafayetteandWalnutCreek

[email protected]

SPORTS EDITORChuck Nan

[email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNTrish Heaney, Debra Wilson, Sarah Birdwell

COPY EDITORAlison Clary

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

CONTACT INFORMATION:Community Calendar:

[email protected]

Stage Door Theater Submissions: [email protected]

Content & General Inquiries: [email protected]

6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132Martinez, CA 94553

Phone: (925) 335 - NEWS (6397)

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

Mt. Diablo YMCA • UPS – Virginia Hills, Mtz.Chamber of Commerce (P.H. & Mtz.)

Pleasant Hill Rec and Park (Civic Dr. & Gregory)Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Pleasant Hill

Legal Grounds, Martinez • Martinez Senior CenterLes Schwab Tires - Alhambra Avenue

Best Western, John Muir Inn, MartinezHeadways Salon, Main Street

The Community Focus is available at the

following locations:

A Wee ChangeAcupuncture Wellness Center

Craftsman Collective, Inc.Aspire Pilates Center

Café MilanoChristies for Kids

Coldstone CreameryComputer Sales and ServiceDallimonti’s Italian RestaurantDiablo Trophies and Awards

Donna L. Berggren, CPADon & Norma Flaskerud, Re-Max

El Charro Mexican DiningFoundation for Pleasant Hill Education

Garden NativesGiggles

Hire My HusbandHitchcock Realty

Home Detailers HousekeepingJack’s Restaurant & BarJennifer L. Martin D.D.S.

John Malley, Mass Mutual Financial GroupKobe Japan

LandHome Financial Services, Inc.Le Jardin at the Spa

Les Schwab Tires, MartinezLindsay Wildlife Museum

Main Street MartinezMarie’s Designer Outlet

Matthew C. Rinn, State Farm InsuranceMartinez Chamber of Commerce Monica Smith, Headways Salon

Moulding CompanyNavlet’s

Orange Leaf YogurtPayless Painting/Quick Change Decorating

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park DistrictRusso Auto Body

Scott Floor to CeilingSenior Helpers

Tahoe Joe’sUPS – Virginia Hills

Yan’s Garden Chinese Restaurant

THANk YOU ADVERTISERS!

Independent & Locally Owned

Comebe our friend.the community focus


OnNov7,2010,NewLeafStu-

dentsandtheirteachers,RonaZollinger

ofEnvironmentalStudiesAcademy

(ESA)andCorinneChristiansenofthe

GreenhouseAcademy,allvolunteered

foroneofthenation’spremiersustain-

abilityevents,TheGreenFestival,in

SanFrancisco.TheGreenFestivalwas

startedin2002byGreenAmericaand

GlobalExchangetopromotesustainable

livingbysolvingecologicalproblemsto

buildandmaintainhealthiercommuni-

tiesandprotecttheenvironment.With

morethan300exhibitionboothsatthis

year’sevent,visitorsenjoyedinsight-

fulspeakers,unrivaledgreenshopping,

cuttingedgeeco-innovations,livemusic,

organicdrinksandvegetariancuisine.

TheNewLeafstudentsmonitored

trashstationstopreventwastefrom

goingintolandfills.Infact,foodbooths

wererequiredtobringdinnerwaremade

ofmaterialsthatcouldbecomposted,

suchascornstarchorpotato.Withplan-

ninganduseofalternatives,GreenFest

notonlygeneratedfarlessgarbagethan

mostfestivalsdobutcompostedorre-

cycledmorethan95%ofitswaste.Rona

Zollingerdescribedthesatisfactionof

volunteeringforthisevent:“TheGreen

Festivalprovidesstudentstheopportu-

nitytoactivelyparticipateincreating

aneventwithazerowasteethic.Sorting

trashremindsusofourecologicalfoot-

printandseeingalltheamazingGreen

Businessisinspiring!”Mostimportantly,

thesefestivalsteachthepublicabout

creatingagreenereconomy.

GreenFestival’sexecutiveBoardof

DirectorsandFounderKevinDanaher

explainedthat“TheGreenFestivalis

designedtoshowpeoplethatthegreen

economyisnotsomethingoffinthe

future;itishappeningrightnow.Ifwe

wanttosavehumanityfromitselfwe

mustacceleratethetransitionfroman

economywheremoneyvaluesruleover

thelifecycletoonewherelifevaluesrule

overthemoneycycle.”GreenFestivals

wereinWashington,D.C.andSanFran-

ciscothisyearbutmoreareexpected

tocrossthecountryincomingyears.

Thesefestivalsremindushowweneed

tomakechangestowardagreenerand

moresustainableeconomyandlifestyle.

ThenextGreenFestivalissched-

uledforApril9-10,2011attheSF

ConcourseExhibitionCenter.For

moreinformationvisitwww.greenfes-

tivals.org.

Cristobal Castaneda is a high school junior at the Environmental Studies Academy, part of Briones Inde-pendent Studies program in Martinez.

The Ultimate Festival in SustainabilityBy Cristobal Castaneda

Students working the composting table at the last years Green Festival. Photo by Lorena Castillo.

http://www.craftsmancollectiveinc.com


Taxable or Non-Taxable Income? By Donna Berggren, CPA

DONNA L. BERGGREN, CPAFull Service Tax & Accounting

Tax Planning & Preparation

Tax Problem Resolution

Small Business Accounting

Business Start-Ups

Accessible & Responsive, Personal Service

FREE 1-Hour Consultation with this ad.

LDB

Individuals

Estates

Trusts

Business Entities

SPECIALIZING IN:

FOR:

[email protected]:925.827.4500 �DIRECT�

2238 MORELLO AVE.PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523

Intimeslikethese,

gooddecisionsmatter.

Andwhenitcomesto

protectingaportion

ofyourincomefrom

disabilityrisks,it’s

importanttobaseyour

decisiononthefacts.

Inthecaseofdisability,someofthose

factsmightsurpriseyou.Forexample,

almostone-thirdofAmericansentering

theworkforcetoday(3in10)willbecome

disabledbeforetheyretire.1Andifyou

arecoveredbyagroupdisabilityincome

policythroughyouremployer,youmight

notknowaboutthelikelygapbetween

yourpolicy’sbenefitsandyourfamily’s

actualneeds.

Tostartwith,thetypicalgroupplan

onlycovers50-70%ofincome.And

benefitsareoftentaxable,havemaximum

limits,anddon’tcoverbonuses,

commissionsor401(k)contributions.

Insomecases,worker’scompensation

helpsbridgethegap,butmostdisabilities

arecausedbyillness,2andonly10%of

disablingaccidentsareworkrelated.3

Ifyourunabusiness,yourinsurance

protectionshouldhelpcoveritsoperating

costs,possiblyprovidethefundsfor

apartnershipbuyout,andprotecta

portionoflostearnings–eitheryours

oryouremployees’.Themostcommon

waytoclosethegapbetweenexisting

coverageandactualneedsistoobtaina

supplementalindividualdisabilityincome

insurancepolicy.Becauseyouownit,

youcantakeitwithyouthroughoutyour

career.Andthebestwaytomakeagood

decisionaboutthatpolicyistoworkwith

atrusted,trainedfinancialprofessional.

Nosurprisethere.

John Malley is a financial representative with Mass Mutual Financial Group, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Walnut Creek. (925)979-2329. [email protected].

Disability Facts By John Malley

Year after year, MassMutual’s dividend payments have

helped our whole life insurance policyholders build

their financial futures. When applied to a policy as

additional coverage, dividend payments accelerate

cash valuegrowth, providing flexibility to address

many needs.1 MassMutual has paid dividends

consistently since the 1860s, and for 2011 we’ve approved an estimated $1.23

billion dividend payout to eligible participating policyholders.2 We’re proud

of this fact because as a mutual company we’re owned by our policyholders.

The guaranteed, tax-deferred cash value growth provided by whole life helps

protect your family, businesses and retirement by providing security through

turbulent markets. All this in addition to the primary benefit – protecting your

family’s financial future if you’re no longer there. So if you’re interested in the

flexibility and security of whole life insurance, trust a company whose financial

strength ratings3 rank among the highest of any company in any industry. Visit

MassMutual.com or talk to a MassMutual financial professional today.

Generally,mostincomeyou

receiveisconsideredtaxablebutthere

aresituationswhencertaintypesof

incomearepartiallytaxedornottaxed

atall.Tohelptaxpayersunderstand

thedifferencesbetweentaxableand

non-taxableincome,herearesome

commonexamplesofitemsnot

includedastaxableincome:

•Adoptionexpensereimbursements

forqualifyingexpenses

•Childsupportpayments

•Gifts,bequestsandinheritances

•Workers’compensationbenefits

•Mealsandlodgingforthe

convenience

ofyouremployer

•Compensatorydamagesawardedfor

physicalinjuryorphysicalsickness

•Welfarebenefits

•Cashrebatesfromadealeror

manufacturer

Someincomemaybetaxable

undercertaincircumstances,but

nottaxableinothersituations.

Examplesofitemsthatmayormay

notbeincludedinyourtaxableincome

are:

•Life Insurance -Ifyousurrender

alifeinsurancepolicyforcash,you

mustincludeinincomeanyproceeds

thataremorethanthecostofthe

lifeinsurancepolicy.Lifeinsurance

proceeds,whichwerepaidtoyou

becauseoftheinsuredperson’sdeath,

arenottaxableunlessthepolicywas

turnedovertoyouforaprice.

•Scholarship or Fellowship Grant- Ifyouareacandidatefora

degree,youcanexcludeamountsyou

receiveasaqualifiedscholarshipor

fellowship.Amountsusedforroom

andboarddonotqualify.

•Non-cash Income -Taxable

incomemaybeinaformotherthan

cash.Oneexampleofthisisbartering,

whichisanexchangeofproperty

orservices.Thefairmarketvalue

ofgoodsandservicesexchangedis

fullytaxableandmustbeincludedas

incomeonForm1040ofbothparties.

Allotheritems—including

incomesuchaswages,salaries,tips

andunemploymentcompensation

—arefullytaxableandmustbe

includedinyourincomeunlessitis

specificallyexcludedbylaw.These

examplesarenotall-inclusive.For

moreinformation,orifyouhaveany

taxationquestions,Iwouldbegladto

help.

Donna Berggren is a CPA in

Pleasant Hill and can be reached at (925) 827-4500 ext. 26 or email at [email protected]

1 Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet Jan. 31, 2007 2 Source: The 2008 CDA Long-term Disability Claims Review 3 National Safety Council, Injury Facts 2008 Ed.


Architectural Review CommissionMarch �100 Gregory LaneLarge Community Room, �:00pmContact: ��1-��9

City Council MeetingMarch �, �1100 Gregory LaneContact: ��1-��

Civic Action Commission MeetingMarch �100 Gregory LaneSmall Community Room, �:�0pmContact: ��1-��9

Planning Commission MeetingMarch 8100 Gregory LaneCity Council Chambers, �:�0pmContact: ��1-��9

City Calendar of Events

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

We are MovingPleasantHillison

themove!Weare

seriousaboutpur-

suingastrategyof

continualimprove-

ment.

Duringthe

meetingonFebruary7,CityCoun-

cilvotedtoestablishthreenewCity

Councilsub-committeeswhichI

proposedwouldreviewandevaluate

programs,policies,andcodeprovi-

sions.First,weestablishedanEco-

nomicDevelopmentCommitteeto

helpstimulatebusinessactivity,retain

andexpandexistingbusinesses,and

encouragenewbusinessestolocate

withinthecity.Thiscommitteeseeks

publicandbusinessinputsowemay

improveouralreadybusiness-friendly

approachaswellasmaintainwhat

Pleasant Hill Mayor’s Message David Durant, Mayor of Pleasant Hill

PHCF Accepting Grant Applications

PLEASANT HILL CITY BUZZ

makesPleasantHillsospecial.

TheHousing,Neighborhoodsand

PlanningCommitteewillassesspolicies

relatedtohousing,neighborhoods,resi-

dentialzoningandopenspace.Iexpect

thiscommitteewillproposerevisions

tosimplifyandclarifyportionsofthe

City’sGeneralPlanandZoningOrdi-

nanceandtohelpprotectandstrength-

enneighborhoodsthroughoutthecity.

Ourneighborhoodsarethecornerstones

ofourcommunity,wherefamiliesfeel

theirqualityoflifeaffectedmostdirectly

bythedecisionswemakeandthepublic

serviceswedeliver.Thiscommitteewill

seekabroadspectrumofpublicinput

forbolsteringourneighborhoods.

ThePublicHealthandSafety

Committeewillreviewandevaluate

ourmunicipalcodeprovisionsrelat-

ingtopublichealthandsafetyissues,

andwillrecommendnewmeasures

toensurethatPleasantHillremainsa

healthyandsafecommunity.

Iwelcomeandencouragethefull

andactiveparticipationofourresi-

dentsandotherstakeholdersinthese

efforts,astogetherwelooktowards

PleasantHill’sfuturewithinthenext5

or10years.

Someonelearnstoreadwhilein

their40’s.Aseniorcitizengetstoenjoy

aplayathisassistedlivingfacility.A

childinpreschoolgetstohavefun

playingonnewequipment.Acom-

munityorganizationprosperswithnew

softwareonitscomputers.Astudentis

abletosearchtheworldwithacurrent

worldmap.

ThePleasantHillCommu-

nityFoundationhasmadeallofthese

thingshappen.Andmany,manymore

thathavemadePleasantHillabetter

placetolive.ThePHCFhasjustre-

leasedits17thAnnualCommunity

Grantsapplicationforpublicandnon-

profitorganizationsinPleasantHill.

Anyrecreational,culturaloreducation-

alprogramthatservestheresidentsof

PleasantHillmayapply.

PHCFpresident,BettyGeishirt

Cantrell,states,“Ithinkthatjustabout

everyoneinPleasantHillmusthave

beentouchedbyatleastoneofthe

projectswehavefundedoverthepast

16years--therehavebeensomany

thatreachouttochildren,seniors,

families,andthecommunityatlarge.

Anditisallbecauseofthegenerosityof

ourdonors.”

Applicationsmaybedownloaded

fromtheFoundation’swebsiteatwww.

PHCommunityFoundation.org.Ap-

plicationswillbeaccepteduntilMarch

15.ContacttheFoundationatinfo@

PHCommunityFoundation.orgwith

questions.

ThemissionofthePleasantHill

CommunityFoundationistostrength-

encommunityorganizations,build

endowmentfundstomeetongoing

andfutureneedsandofferflexible

tax-deductibleoptionsforgivingat

alllevels.Visitourwebsiteatwww.

phcommunityfoundation.orgfor

moreinformation.

Workhasjustrecentlycommenced

tomakesignificantimprovementsto

thelakeareaatCityHall.

Overthenextseveralmonths,

constructionfencingwillbeinstalled,

closingthelargepondtothepublic.

Thepondwillthenbedrained,surface

areaswillbethoroughlywashed,and

theaccumulatedsiltwillbecollected

andremovedforproperdisposal.Fi-

nally,theexistingplumbingsystemwill

beoverhauledandupgraded.Theend

resultwillimprovetheoverallwater

qualityandoperationofthepond

system.

Duringthepondremodel,the

aquaticlife(koi-fishandturtles)will

berelocatedtothesmallpond(behind

theCommunityRooms)tomaintain

theirhealthandsafety.Workonthe

largepondisscheduledtobeginin

earlyAprilandtobecompletedmid-

May.

Whileconstructionisongoing,

parkingatCityHallwillbelimited.

Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformation

aboutthisproject,pleasecontactAnn

Page,AssistantEngineerat(925)671-

5260.

Laterthisyear,theCityisplanning

torestoretheFountainatCityHallto

itsoriginalcoloranddesignwithallof

thecoloredtilesinthefountainbeing

replaced.

City Hall Pond Upgrades By Martin Nelis

www.ourcommunityfocus.com March �011

MARTINEZ CHAMBER NEWS

3/8 - Ambassador Meeting – Ifinterestedinattending,contactRebaat(925)[email protected]

3/10 – Chamber Mixer –Thursday,5:30pm-7:30pm-ChairsforAffairs,3503Pa-checoBlvd.,Martinez-GreatNetworking,Food,Fun,RafflePrizes(bringaraffleprizeandhaveyourbusinessannounced!)

3/16 - Four Chamber Mixer(Martinez,PleasantHill,Concord&HispanicCham-bers)–Wednesday,5:30-7:30pm-LaTapa-

tia/MartinezEventCenter,536MainStreet,DowntownMartinez-GreatNetworking,Food,Fun,RafflePrizes(bringaraffleprizeandhaveyourbusinessannounced!)

3/26 – Grand Opening & Ribbon Cut-ting –Saturday,12:00pm–A&AAutoRepair/NorthMainTowing,5036BlumDrive,Martinez

Martinez Chamber of Commerce March Schedule of Events

Please verify schedule at www.martinezchamber.com

Our entire team is dedicated to helping patients of all ages achieve optimal dental health. We offer quality comprehensive restorative and aesthetic dentistry in a relaxing, spa-like environment, combined with some of the most sophisticated technology in dentistry, setting a new standard of care and pampering. Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we promise to provide you with exceptional care as we enhance the natural beauty of your smile. Your smile is our first priority, and we’ll give you something to smile about. Our emphasis on patient care, comfort and communication sets us apart from other dental practices. Artesa Dental is located at �0�1 Alhambra Ave. Suite 109 in Martinez just off the CA-� Freeway. Visit our website at: www.artesadental.com

Ribbon CuttingArtesa Dental

BeginningSaturdayMarch5,the

MartinezSwingersAdultEducation

Center,willbeofferinganotherseries

ofsquaredanceclasses.Thisisan

excellentopportunitytoseewhat

thischallengingactivityisallaboutand

toenjoyallthebenefitssquaredancing

offers.It’sagreatwaytomakenew

acquaintances,participateinsomelow

impactexerciseforbodyandmind,

andhavesomefunwhilelearning.

Thefirstsection,consistingof5

SaturdayclasseswilltakeplaceMarch

5,12,26,April2&6from10:30am

to12:30pm.Theclassistaughtby

professionalsquaredancecallerBert

Swererandassistedbyexperienced

squaredancers.

Itisacasualatmospheresocome

incomfortableshoes,clothes,andwith

asmile.Bringalongyourfriendsand

family.Singlesarewelcome.

Thefeeis$40ppifyoupre-

registerand$45ifyouregisteronthe

classstartdate.Classesareheldinthe

multipurposeroomattheMartinez

AdultEducationCenter,600Alhambra

Ave.Registerbycalling(925)228-3276

orinpersonattheMartinezAdultEd.

Office.Pleaserefertotheclassas“ABCs

ofSquareDancing,section11-0851”.

Square Dancing - An Enjoyable Social Activity

Martinez Chamber of Commerce Presents

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS2011

The Martinez Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce they are now accepting letters of nomination for the 2011 Citizen of the

Year Awards. The awards are given in the following categories:

MAN OF THE YEAR

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

YOUNG MAN OF THE YEAR

YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

SERVICE WITHOUT BORDERS

To nominate someone for any of these categories, please contact the Martinez Chamber of Commerce for a Citizen of the Year Guideline Form. Then write a letter stating why you believe the person deserves the award. Please include the nominee’s contact information including address and telephone number on the letter. The Citizen of the Year Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 6pm–9pm at the Martinez Event Center, 524 Main Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Please send letters of nomination or any inquires to the Martinez Chamber of Commerce at 603 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA 94553. Letters can also be faxed to 925-228-2356 or e-mailed to [email protected] - Atten-tion: Citizen of the Year Awards

Deadline for nomination letters is Monday, April 4, 2011

Photo Contributed By www.richardcash.com

http://www.martinezchamber.com

www.ourcommunityfocus.comMarch �011

Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce March Schedule of Events

Confirm schedule at www.pleasanthillchamber.com

PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER NEWSPAGE SPONSORED BY

(925) 827-1200Rated by Bay Area Consumers’ Checkbook Magazine

and Checkbook.org as one of the top computer repair shops in the San Francisco Bay Area.

1936 Linda DrivePleasant Hill CA 94523

3/2 – Green CommitteeYMCA,350CivicDrive,PH4pm–5pm 3/3 – Grand Opening & Ribbon CuttingStevenS.ShagrinCompany1934ContraCostaBlvd.,5-7pmRSVP:[email protected] 3/4 - Ambassador Meeting PHCityHall,Lg.CommunityRoom7:45am–9:00am 3/4 – Brown Bag Lunch SeriesSpeaker:StuCartyw/ConstantContact“BestPracticesinSocial/EmailMarketing”BrandmanUniversity,2950Buskirk,#307.SeatingLimitedRSVP:[email protected]:45–1:30pm

3/8 - Ambassador Luncheon Chateau3,175Cleaveland,(SetMenu),RSVP:[email protected]:45am–1:00pm 3/16 - MARCH MEGA Mixer LaTapatiaMexicanRestaurant&Catering,536MainSt,Martinez,5:30pm–7:30pmRSVP:[email protected] 3/17 - BOD MeetingPHCityHall,Lg.CommunityRm7:45am–9:00am 3/28 – GAC, Back Forty Texas BBQ100CogginsDr.5:00pm–6:00pm

The �011 Brown Bag Lunch Workshop Series is off to a great start! More than fifty peo-ple attended the kickoff event on February 11 to celebrate the partnership between Brand-man University and the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. Attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and an extremely informative and interactive workshop by Jim Horan, “How to Write a One Page Business Plan.” Susanne Hamilton (Campus Director) and Melodie Lane (Manager of Com-munity Relations) welcomed the group on behalf of Brandman University and expressed their excitement about hosting the monthly workshop series at their campus. Brandman University, part of the Chapman University System, offers many bachelor, master, credential and certificate programs, both at their Walnut Creek Campus and online. Brandman is located at �9�0 Buskirk Ave., Suite �00, Walnut Creek

Ribbon Cuttings

Brandman University

Pleasant Hill Wellness Center in DVC Plaza hosted a tremendously successful ribbon cut-ting on February 9th. Music was playing and the energy was high as over 1�0 members of the community and friends met wellness coaches and sampled aloe, herbal tea and �� flavors of smoothies. “I’ve never seen anything like it!” was heard often. If you missed the grand opening – please come by for a visit. Call and you can get set up with a FIRST SMOOTHIE (�� flavors) FREE! It’s a great place to go for breakfast or lunch. Fast food for SMART people! Pleasant Hill Wellness Center is also the home of “The Contra Costa Weight Loss Chal-lenge”- where you lose weight and WIN money. Our most recent biggest loser won $��.00 and LOST 1�% of his weight in the 1�-week challenge. Call (9��) �09-��1 for more information or to get your FREE smoothie.Pleasant Hill Wellness Center - ��8 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill Wellness Center

ThePleasantHillLionsClubput

onits38thAnnualCrabFeedonJanu-

ary21st.Afuntimewashadbyallwith

nearly300peopleattending,1,400

poundsofcrabconsumed,andmoney

raisedthroughsilentauctionandraffles

forvariouscommunityprograms,par-

ticularlyforthevisuallyimpaired.

OnFebruary1st,ValleyViewMiddle

Schoolstudent,AmandaBroyles,wasrec-

ognizedforhersubmissiontotheLions’

AnnualPeacePosterContest,garnering

$100forherschool’sartdepartment.Her

drawingrepresentedthetheme,“Vision

ofPeace,”andplaced3rdattheZonelevel

competition,whichincludedentriesfrom

AlamedaandContraCostacounties.

OnFebruary15th,theLionsheldits

74thannualStudentSpeakersConteston

thisyear’ssubject,“EnforcingourBor-

ders:Statevs.FederalRights.”TheClub

levelwinnerwillmoveontotheZone

levelandthestatewinnerisawardeda

$21,000scholarship.Overall,winning

studentsreceiveover$103,500inscholar-

ships.

TheLions’nextfundraiserwillbe

the3rdAnnualTexasHold‘emPoker

TournamentonSunday,April3rd,atthe

BackFortyTexasBBQinPleasantHill.

Eachticketcosts$50andincludesfood

andpoker.Firstplaceprizeis$500.For

tickets,contactKenWombacherat925-

687-0858.Allskilllevelsarewelcome!

Don’tmissthePleasantHillRecrea-

tionandParkDistrict’s“EggCiting”egg

huntonSaturday,April23rd.TheLions

havesponsoredthiseventsincethe1950s

andTedWinslow,oneofouroriginal

membersandpastpresidents,remembers

whentheLionsboiledanddyedrealeggs

thenightbefore!Pleasejoinusforthe

fun!

ThePleasantHillLionsClubisac-

tivelyseekingnewmemberswhowantto

beinvolvedinthecommunityandhelp

people.Tolearnmore,callKenWom-

bacherat925-687-0858.

Party with the P.H. Lions Club!


Zoning Administrator MeetingMarch �, 1��:00pm-�:00pmContact: 9��-��-��00

Planning Commission MeetingMarch 8, ��:00pm-11:00pmContact: 9��-��-��00

Design Review MeetingMarch 9, ��:00pm-�:00pmContact: 9��-��-��00

Park, Recreation, Marina and Clutural Commission MeetingMarch 1��:00pm-9:�0pm

City Calendar of Events

MARTINEZ CITY BUZZ

InNovemberof

2008,thevot-

ersofMartinez

overwhelmingly

casttheirballots

toinvestinthe

futureofMartin-

ezbyimproving

ourparks,poolandlibrarythrough

thepassageofMeasureH.Withoutthis

infusionofmoney,ourparkswould

havecontinuedtodeteriorate,our

librarywouldcontinuetobeunderuti-

lized,andourpoolwouldprobablybe

closedforgood.

TheParks,Recreation,Marina

andCulturalCommissionestablished

aprioritylistforthefirstroundof

projectsandtheCityCouncilendorsed

theirrecommendationthroughthe

fiscalyear2009-2011budgetallocation

process.WecallthisPhaseOneofthe

firstbondissuance($15millionofthe

total$30millionbondissuance).This

phaseincludesreplacingplayequip-

mentinHiddenLakesPark,replacing

treesinNancyBoydPark,reconstruc-

tionoftheRankinAquaticCenter,and

Martinez Mayor’s Message Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

renovationofthedowntownlibrary.

TheprojectsatHiddenLakesandNan-

cyBoydparksarenowcompleteand

thepoolandlibrarywillbecompleted

inearlyandmidsummer,2011.Sofar,

allprojectsareontimeand$575,000

underbudget.

Otherprojectsunderdesignand

planninginPhaseOneincludeRankin/

TavanFieldandHolidayHighlands

parkrenovation,andthereplacement

ofWaterfrontParkboccecourtre-

strooms.

PhaseTwoofthisfirstbondissu-

ancewasrecentlyapprovedbytheCity

Council.Thisphaseincludesmajor

renovationprojectsinHiddenValley

Park,CappyRicksPark,HiddenLakes

ParkandNancyBoydPark.Also,the

basketballandtenniscourtsinallparks

willberebuilt.Thefinal$15million

ofbondswillbesoldandavailablefor

moreparkimprovementswhenphase

twoprojectsarewindingdowntoward

completion.

Parksandlibrariesareimportant

amenitiesinanycommunityandwein

Martinezarefortunatetohaveneigh-

borsthatappreciatetheirvaluetothe

communityatlarge.

Wells Fargo Comes Through WellsFargocontinuesalongtraditionofsupportingtheMartinezcommu-

nitybymakingagenerousdonationintheamountof$10,000totheBusi-Kids

programoftheMartinezEducationFoundation(MEF).MEFwouldliketo

recognizeWellsFargoasanoutstandingcorporatecitizenfortheircontinued

supportofMartinezpublicschoolsandstudentsandtheyencouragethecommu-

nitytopatronizeandthankWellsFargoforitsgenerosity. When

ChiefTom

Simonetti

retiredon

December17,

2010,Iwas

appointed

ChiefofPolice

fortheCity

ofMartinez.

Duringthe

processleadinguptomyappoint-

ment,IadvisedtheCityCouncilthat

Iintendedtoenhanceourcommunity

policingeffortsbyimplementinganew

policingapproachdesignedtofacilitate

directpersonalcommunicationbe-

tweenourofficersandthecommunity.

TheapproachiscalledNeighborhood

Policing.

NeighborhoodPolicingisnota

programbutrather,astrategydesigned

toimprovehowourofficersandstaff

interactwiththepublic.Thefunda-

mentalfeatureofthisnewapproachis

thateveryMartinezpoliceofficerwill

havedirectresponsibilityforadesig-

natedareainthecity,whichiscalled

aNeighborhoodPolicingArea(NPA).

Eachpoliceofficerwillbeassignedto

anareaandeachsergeantwillbere-

sponsibleforanumberofofficers.Eve-

rypersonwholivesorworkswithina

particularareawillhaveaccesstotheir

NPAofficerforthepurposeofdealing

withlocalproblemsandconcernsor

tojustchattingaboutlawenforcement

issues.TheNPAswillbepostedonthe

PoliceDepartment’swebpageanda

linkwillenablearearesidentstoe-mail

theassignedofficerandhissupervisor

directly.Wewillencourageourofficers

todevelopinnovativeideasintheir

NPAthatsupportthecommunity.

Thisapproachshouldprovide

continuityintherelationshipsthe

departmentisseekingtoestablishwith

thecommunityandhelpincreasetrust

andunderstanding.Itwillallowthe

Departmenttointelligentlyfocusits

effortsandresourceswheretheyare

neededmost.

Currently,ourorganizational

frameworkconsistsoftwodivisions;

theFieldServicesDivisionandthe

AdministrativeServicesDivision.We

areintheprocessofreorganizingthe

departmentalstructuretofacilitatethe

implementationofthisnewinitiative.

Wehaveateamworkingondifferent

aspectsoftheprojectandhopetoroll

itoutinthenearfuture.

Police Implement Neighborhood Policing

By Gary D. Peterson, Chief of Police

Photo taken by Karen Gums

Pictured L to R: Wells Fargo’s Alex Enriquez; Senior Business Specialist, Irena Budovlya; Asst. Manager, Meghan Boettcher; Transaction Specialist, Larry Lippow; President of MEF, Deborah Moritz-Farr; MEF Vice President, Rene Redfern; Store Manager, Terri Jackson; Service Manager; and Josephine Choi, Personal Banker displaying a check from Wells Fargo to MEF.


HOUSING NEWSLocal Real Estate Update

By Nathan Hitchcock Inlastmonth’sissue,Igaveabrief

introductiontoanalyzingandpurchas-

ingresidentialrentalproperty.Thishas

obviouslybecomeahottopicatlocal

coffeeshoptables,asnumerousreaders

emailedmewithquestionsspawned

bythearticle.Hereareanswerstothe

mostpopularquestionsIreceived:

How much money do I need to put down? Generallyspeaking,intoday’s

lendingenvironment,youwillneedto

makea20%downpaymentonyour

typicaldetached,singlefamily,income

property.However,yourmortgage

interestratewillbeabout0.5%lower

ifyouincreaseyourdownpaymentto

25%.Also,withcondos,townhomes,

andmulti-unitproperties,a25%down

paymentisrequired.

Is it better to buy in a distressed neighborhood where the houses are really cheap, or in a higher end

neighborhood? Answeringthisquestionreallyde-

pendsonthetypeofinvestmentreturn

youareseeking.Generallyspeaking,

homesindistressedandlowerincome

areas,whererentingismorecommon

thanowning,willprovideagreater

monthlycashflowthanhomesinmore

affluentareas,wheretheyarepredomi-

nantlyowneroccupied.Ontheflip

side,homesinmoreaffluentareaswill

likelyseeearlierandhigherratesofap-

preciationaswepulloutofthisdown

realestatemarket.

How do I analyze a property to make sure it’s a good investment? Determiningwhetherornota

homeisasoundinvestmentinvolves

muchmorethanjustcomparingthe

mortgagepaymentstorentalcosts.

It’simportanttodetermineyourrate

ofreturnonyouractualcashinvest-

ment,monthlyorannually,aswellas

overthelifeoftheinvestment.Things

likedownpaymentamount,initial

repairandimprovementcosts,monthly

maintenanceexpenses,management

expenses,vacancylosses,rentalrate,

andpropertytaxeswillallaffectyour

bottomline.Yourlong-termplansfor

thepropertyarealsoveryimportantto

consider.Theanalysisofapropertyis

verydifferentwhenyouknowyouwill

needtocashoutofitin5yearstopay

foryourchild’scollegetuitionthanit

wouldbeifyouplantoholditfor20

ormoreyearsandeventuallywillitto

yourchildren.

Thegoodnewsisthatthereare

numerousonlinespreadsheetsand

calculatorsavailableforjustthissort

ofthing.JustGooglealongthelines

of“rentalpropertyanalysis”andyou’ll

findlotsofgreattools.Mypersonal

favoriteisanExcelspreadsheetIdevel-

opedwiththeassistanceofafinancial

planner,amortgagebroker,andmy

propertymanager.Itanalyzesabouta

dozendifferentvariablesandprovides

youwitheverythingyouneedtoknow

tomakeasoundinvestmentdecision.

Justdropmeanemailifyou’dlikea

copy.

Nathan Hitchcock is the managing broker of Hitchcock Realty, a residential real estate brokerage and property management firm in down-town Pleasant Hill. He can be reached at [email protected] or (925) 825-1100. Data contained herein was obtained from the CCAR Multiple Listing Serv-ice. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Address Beds Baths Sq Ft Market Days List Price Sales Price Sales $/Sq Ft

RECENT MARTINEZ HOME SALES (1/1/2011 – 1/31/2011)

SINGLE FAMILY HOME

1534 RICHARDSON ST 2 1 749 88 $99,900 $99,900 $133.38

2331 MONTEREY AVE 3 1 1012 8 $119,900 $115,000 $113.64

794 CENTRAL AVE 4 1 1554 34 $145,000 $139,900 $90.03

1175 PLAZA DR 2 1 878 67 $169,946 $140,000 $159.45

1835 ESTUDILLO ST 2 1 921 162 $164,900 $150,000 $162.87

515 PALMS DR 3 1 1395 12 $179,900 $153,000 $109.68

1441 DATE ST 2 1 982 10 $136,000 $182,000 $185.34

1301 GRANDVIEW DR 3 2 1170 7 $189,900 $189,000 $161.54

432 GILGER AVE 3 2 1551 84 $210,000 $200,000 $128.95

1710 PINE ST 2 2 1185 20 $249,000 $215,000 $181.43

1307 CASTRO ST 2 1 1082 19 $224,950 $225,000 $207.95

2421 BIRCH STREET 4 2 1360 117 $250,000 $242,300 $178.16

224 HOLIDAY HILLS DR 3 2 1926 11 $250,000 $250,000 $129.80

9 CORTE DEL SOL 3 2 1092 55 $275,000 $260,000 $238.10

1726 TEAKWOOD 3 2 1200 13 $261,900 $269,000 $224.17

3121 PINE ST 3 1 1247 56 $265,000 $270,000 $216.52

341 KINGSTON AVE 3 2 1427 27 $279,900 $270,000 $189.21

409 LASSEN DR 3 2 1227 71 $272,900 $273,000 $222.49

4035 CENTRAL CT 4 2 1501 50 $275,000 $275,000 $183.21

119 WILLIAMSON CT 3 2 1744 40 $295,000 $285,000 $163.42

1241 ROLLING HILL WAY 3 2 1376 38 $319,900 $320,000 $232.56

1140 MORELLO AVE 4 2 1766 169 $329,950 $325,000 $184.03

329 HOLIDAY HILLS DR 3 2 1542 4 $299,900 $330,000 $214.01

1844 GLACIER CT 4 2 1517 84 $369,000 $355,000 $234.01

2848 MCCLELLAN CT 5 2 2110 174 $380,000 $380,000 $180.09

1051 VILLAGE OAKS DR 3 2 1686 51 $420,000 $405,000 $240.21

332 ORCHARD VIEW AVE 3 2 1705 54 $430,000 $430,000 $252.20

406 ORCHARD VIEW AVE 3 2 1731 21 $449,000 $430,000 $248.41

6531 WESTFIELD CT 4 3 1715 36 $450,000 $435,000 $253.64

101 SANTOS RANCH CT 5 3 2705 99 $460,000 $450,000 $166.36

1912 LA VERANDA 5 3 2628 17 $599,000 $550,000 $209.28

1191 PANORAMIC DR 6 3 3280 35 $599,000 $565,000 $172.26

2313 APEX CT 4 2 2519 96 $599,900 $571,000 $226.68

19 CORTE DE LA CANADA 4 2 2805 6 $820,000 $820,000 $292.34

TOTALS: 34 LISTINGS 53 $318,816 $310,855 $190

TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS

622 FIG TREE LN 2 2 1287 24 $129,900 $128,000 $99.46

1466 ASHWOOD DR 2 2 1152 43 $180,000 $177,000 $153.65

269 HIDDEN CREEK CT 2 2 1192 49 $215,900 $198,900 $166.86

1548 ASHWOOD DR 3 2 1333 50 $255,000 $245,000 $183.80

125 WOODVIEW CT 3 2 1363 130 $339,000 $329,000 $241.38

2238 SOUTHWEST CT 3 2 1602 35 $379,800 $361,830 $225.86

Totals: 6 Listings 55 $249,933 $239,955 $178

Address Beds Baths Sq Ft Market Days List Price Sales Price Sales $/Sq Ft

RECENT PLEASANT HILL HOME SALES (1/1/2011 – 1/31/2011)

SINGLE FAMILY HOME

75 TAYLOR BLVD 4 2 1412 120 $219,000 $194,250 $137.57

1692 OAK PARK BLVD 2 1 749 27 $218,000 $210,000 $280.37

148 BEVERLY DR 6 2 1767 17 $299,000 $286,000 $161.86

260 NANCY LN 3 1 1042 8 $299,900 $290,000 $278.31

178 LUELLA DR 3 1 1312 89 $329,950 $315,000 $240.09

113 MARGIE DRIVE 3 1 1040 125 $329,000 $320,000 $307.69

28 DEERHAVEN PL 3 2 1497 55 $399,000 $360,000 $240.48

148 MAZIE DR 3 1 1052 4 $375,000 $379,000 $360.27

400 DOULTON CT 5 3 2062 72 $458,000 $420,000 $203.69

501 MALAGA WAY 4 2 2027 35 $414,900 $427,000 $210.66

25 MONIVEA PL 4 2 2121 14 $449,950 $440,000 $207.45

23 HERO COURT 3 2 1565 64 $475,888 $465,000 $297.12

1925 MORELLO AVE 5 3 2320 12 $550,000 $480,000 $206.90

403 SADDLEBROOK LN. 4 2 2056 90 $559,900 $519,000 $252.43

301 MERCURY WAY 4 2 2295 161 $699,900 $640,999 $279.30

265 MACGREGOR RD 4 2 2371 49 $699,000 $680,000 $286.80

TOTALS: 16 LISTINGS 58 $423,524 $401,640 $246

TOWN HOMES / CONDOS / DUETS

385 CAMELBACK ROAD 1 1 614 132 $79,900 $75,000 $122.15

47 MASSOLO DR 2 2 973 26 $207,500 $200,000 $205.55

12 FAIRWAY PL 2 2 1388 24 $347,500 $335,000 $241.35

Totals: 3 Listings 60 $211,633 $203,333 $189

http://www.hitchcockrealty.com/

www.ourcommunityfocus.comPage 1� March �011

Nowthat

Marchisfinally

here,we’restart-

ingtosensethe

soothingbegin-

ningsofour

beautifulBayArea

springweather.As

nativeflowersbloom,andcolorcomes

backtothelandscape,ourlocalplein

airartists–thosewhowork“inthe

openair”-willbeoutdoorsobserving,

sketchingandpainting.Abundantin

ourlocalartisticcommunity,pleinair

artistsfollowarichandstoriedCalifor-

niatraditionofseekingtheincredible

naturalbeautyofNorthernCalifornia.

Eachartistexpressesgreatappre-

ciationfortheBayArea’svisualscenic

diversity,fromgrandvistasofrolling

hillsandmajesticcoastlinestoclose-up

detailedinterpretationsofnature.Pur-

chasinganartist’srenditionofoneof

yourfavoriteBayAreaorCaliforniasce-

niclocations,anddisplayingitinyour

homeorworkenvironmentisanideal

waytorecallnature’sbeautyandremind

youofamemorableplaceintime.

Manypleinairpaintingexcursions

andexhibitsareplannedforthecoming

months,organizedbygroupssuchas

theBayAreaPleinAirArtists,California

WatercolorAssociation,SonomaPlein

Air,andothers.Tofindoutabouta

numberofexcellentupcomingshows,

search“pleinairartistsand“Northern

California”onGoogle.

DixieMohanfromLafayetteisa

localpleinairartistwithanupcoming

exhibitofherwork.Mohan’ssubjects

rangefromlocalBayscenestoher

favoritehikinglocalesintheSierra

mountains.AgraduateinArtHistory

fromUCBerkeley,withpost-graduate

workinbothartandsciences,Dixie

workedformanyyearsintextilearts,

alsoteachingyouthartandscience

classes.“Artandsciencearebothabout

carefulobservationandresponsetothat

observation.”,Mohansays.“Inscience,

youarelookingforarationalinterpre-

tation,inart,anemotionalone.Both

processesrequireimaginationandcrea-

tivethinking.”

Athree-yearmovetoAustraliapro-

videdMohanwiththeopportunityto

studypaintingunderAustralianartist,

PeterWalkeratFremantleArtCenter.

Moreworkshopsandclassesfollowed

inBeniciawhereMohanspendsmost

Sundayspaintingwith“DaGroup”.

Inherpaintings,Mohanmakesuseof

saturatedcolorandexpressivebrush-

worktodepictlightfilledlandscapes.

“AlifelongloveofCaliforniaandits

lightfilledlandscapesdrivemywork.“,

sheexplains.“Thepleinairpaintersof

Californiawhohavegonebeforeare

theinspiration.Colorandlightfeedmy

soul.”

OnMarch5,2011,from3pmto

5pm,theBeniciaPleinAirGallery

willholdareceptionforMohan,the

featuredartistforthemonthofMarch.

Contact Tony Michael Vecchio at [email protected] his collage illustration and mixed media assemblages at etsy.com/shop/WabiS-abiDaddi and XhibitFineArt.word-press.com.

ThefourthinternationalSWANDayis

Saturday,March26,2011.SWAN(Support

WomenArtistsNow)Dayisanannual,

internationalholidaythathonorswomen

artistsduringWomen’sHistoryMonth.

TheartistcommunityofMartinezwillcel-

ebratethisdayonMarch26from10:00am

to5:00pm,indowntownMartinezfrom

411FerryStreettotheTrainDepot.The

eventwillfeaturelivemusic,aliving,

breathingcolorwheel(bellydancers),and

overfiftywomenartistsdisplayingtheir

crafts,paintings,photographs,fabrics,

recycledart,sculptures,andmore!

Art World Un-Confidential! By Tony Michael Vecchio

4th Annual SWAN Day on Ferry Street Photos and Article By Lorena Castillo

Dixie Mohan Paints New Larry’s Farm

www.ourcommunityfocus.comMarch �011 Page 1�

In1889,dentistJohnS.Moore

andhiswife,EmmaMartinMoore,

purchasedthe50x100footlotatthe

cornerofEscobarandCourtStreetsin

Martinez,fromJohnA.Livingston.The

coupleplannedtobuildacombination

residenceanddentaloffice.Thecounty

assessorevaluatedthebuildingat$1,500,

andthedentaltoolswerevaluedat$200.

JohnMooreneverestablishedhisdental

practiceashediedthefollowingyear.

WidowEmmaMooregavetitleto

thepropertytotheirdaughter,Emma

Lanierandherhusband,JamesBorland.

Thecouplemovedintothehomein

themid-1890sandfromthattime

on,thehousebecameknownasthe

BorlandHome.JamesBorlandwasa

localbusinessmanandisremembered

forhisinvolvementinpublicservice

projectsandestablishingthetelephone

serviceinMartinezin1881withthe

foundingofContraCostaTelephone

Company.TheMartinezofficeofthe

ContraCostaTelephoneCompanywas

intheSouthernPacificRailroaddepot

wherehisbrother,RobertBorland,was

atelegrapherfortheSouthernPacific

Railroad.JamesthenhiredRobertasan

accountantandeventuallythemanager

oftheMartinezdistrictofthetelephone

company.RobertBorlandremainedthe

districtmanageruntilhisdeathin1935.

AfterEmma’sdeath,Jamessoldthe

BorlandHometohisbrotherRobert.

Robert,hiswifeMargaret,andtheir

twosons,NormanBurnsandRobert

Malcolm,movedintotheBorlandHome

in1902.Thetwo“BorlandBoys”were

educatedinlocalschoolsandthenserved

inWorldWarI.Afterreturninghome

theysettledinSanFrancisco.Robert

andMargaretlivedinthehomeuntilhis

deathandthenMargarettransferredtitle

ofthepropertytohersons.Theysold

thehousetoJamesR.andMatildaLucas

whointurnsoldittothedeveloperand

citypromoter,Clarence“Cappy”Ricks.

TheBorlandhomewasdividedinto

twoapartments,oneupstairsandone

downstairs.In1940thedownstairs

wasrentedbyapalmreaderwitha

prominentsignreading:“Palmist”

stretchedacrossthefrontoftheporch

entrywherethemuseumsignnow

hangs.

TheContraCostaJuniorCollege

Districtpurchasedthepropertyin

1949foradministrativeofficesand

remodeledtheinteriorofthehouse,but

didnotchangethebasicstructureand

exteriorappearance.TheBorlandHome

isanexampleofa“carpentergothic”

Victorianhome.Thistypeofhome

wascommoninthe1880’sand1890’s.

Downtowndevelopmentslowlybut

surelyreplacedallbutthislastsurvivor.

In1974,theMartinezHistorical

SocietyacquiredtheBorlandHome

andrestoredmuchoftheinteriorto

whatyouseetoday.TheMartinez

Museumislocatedat1005Escobar

StreetandisopenTuesdayand

Thursdayfrom11:30AMuntil3:00

PMandthefirstfourSundaysofthe

monthfrom1:00to4:00PM.

Home of the Martinez Museum, The Borland HomeBy Gay Gerlack

MARTINEZ HISTORICAL SOCIETY

http://www.giggleszone.com

http://www.pleasanthillrec.com/


CORkS AND FORkS

Pair UpWith La Sommelierre Maria Terry

Elegant Sheppard’s PieINGREDIENTS2poundsRussetpotatoes,peeledand

cubed

2tablespoonssoftenedcreamcheese

1largeeggyolk

1/2cupcream

Salt&pepper

1tablespoonoliveoil

13/4poundsgroundbeef

1teaspoonallspice

1onion,chopped

8criminimushrooms,sliced

2tablespoonsbutter

2tablespoonsflour

1cupbeefstock

2teaspoonsWorcestershire

3oz.Briecheese,slicedthin

2tablespoonschoppedfreshparsley

leaves

DIRECTIONS Boilpotatoesinsaltedwater

untiltender,about12minutes.

Drainpotatoesandpourtheminto

abowl.Inaseparatebowl,combine

sourcream,eggyolkandcream.Add

thecreammixtureintopotatoes

andmashuntilpotatoesarealmost

smooth.

Whilepotatoesboil,preheata

largeskilletovermediumhighheat.

Addoiltohotpanwithbeef.Sea-

sonthemeatwithsalt,pepperand

allspice.Brownandcrumblemeat

for3or4minutes.Addthemush-

roomsandoniontothemeat.Cook

veggieswithmeat5minutes,stirring

frequently.Inasecondsmallskillet

overmediumheat,cookbutterand

flourtogetherfor2minutes.Whisk

inbrothandWorcestershiresauce.

Thickengravy1minute.Addgravy

tomeatandvegetables.

Preheatbroilertohigh.Filla

smallrectangularcasserolewithmeat

andvegetablemixture.Spoonpota-

toesovermeatevenly.Toppotatoes

withslicesofBriecheese,andbroil6

to8inchesfromtheheatuntilpota-

toesbrownandcheeseismelted.Top

casseroledishwithchoppedparsley

andserve.

Yield: 4 Servings

Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS1largeshallot,thinlysliced

11/2tablespoonssherryvinegar

Koshersaltandfreshlyground

pepper

1/4cupextra-virginoliveoil

DIRECTIONSInasmallbowl,tosstheshallotwith

thevinegarandseasonwithsaltand

pepper.Letstandfor15minutes,then

whiskintheoil.

Yield: 1/3 CUP

Luck of the Irish Hereisamenuforthisyear’sIrish

holidaythatispackedwithflavor.It

startswithaclassicIrishbeverage--beer-

-andcontinueswithaCaliforniapetite

sirah,oneofthebiggestwinesonthe

planet.Finally,endtheeveningwitha

nuttyIrishwhiskey.

Crackopenanicecoldwheatbeer

topairwithyourstartersaladofarugula

andspinach.Tossedwithatartsherry

vinaigretteblendedwithpungentshal-

lots,thisisnowimpysalad.Counter

thestrongflavorsofthedressingwith

cubesofredpearsandagedcheddar

cheese.Thefloralandcitrusnotesinthe

beerwillechothefruitinessofthepears

andthenuttycheesewillcomplementa

similarcharacterfoundinthebeer.

Yourentreebeverageismadefrom

the‘black’petitesirahgrapethatisnow

grownalmostexclusivelyinCalifornia.

ButthepetitesirahpedigreeisFrenchin

origin.AnoffspringoftheRhonevarietal

syrah,petitesirahusuallymakesawine

thathassubstantialalcoholandtannin

levels.Bothofthesecomponentsmake

itachallengingwinetopairwithfood.

Groundbeefseasonedwithplentyof

saltwillservetotamethetannins.Alittle

pepperandsomefragrantallspicewill

complementthespicyflavorsinthewine.

Thecreamypotatoesandmeltedbriewill

furtherbalancethefullbodyofthepetite

sirah.

Finishthemealwithapot-distilled

Irishwhiskey.Cleannuttynotesand

flavorsofhoney,gingerandlightmolas-

sesarethehallmarksofthisbeverage.The

gingerandspicenotesofthewhiskeywill

soarwiththecaramelizedfruitflavorsin

PearsCharlottewithChamomileCrème

Anglaise.Findthefullrecipeonwww.

LaSommelierre.com.

So,goon.PairUp!

Maria Terry is a Certified Somme-lier and Wine Educator in the San Fran-cisco Bay Area. For more great wines and information please visit Maria’s website at www.LaSommelierre.com

http://www.aweechange.com

http://www.mariesdesigneroutlet.com


SENIOR ENVY

Golden Notes Step Out

Martinez Senior Activities

Vagabond Players Presents…Nana’s Naughty Knickers – Friday, March 4-1:30p.m.Anewcomedybyanewplaywright–thedialogiscrispandfunny,andtheactionfastpaced–ninetyminutesofsteadylaughter.$10members/$12non-members.Alightbuffetwillfollowtheperformance.Callthecenterforavailability370-8770.

Coro D’ Amici Concert – Sunday, March 6-3:00p.m.–4:00p.m.MartinezSeniorCenterishostingthisafternoonperformancebytheacapellagroup“CoroD’Amici.CoroD’Amicihasexistedinoneformoranothersince1981.Mem-bersmeetonceaweektosingunaccompaniedclassicalrepertoirefromRenais-sancetomodern.Cost:$2members/$3non-members.Refreshmentswillbeserved.

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon – Thursday, March 17-12:00p.m.Joinusforourtraditionalcornedbeefandcabbageluncheonincludingaglassofwineanddessertandgoodentertainment.Buyyourticketsnow!Callforavailabil-ity,370-8770.Cost:$12members/$14non-members.

Fashion Show Luncheon & Tea – Friday, April 15-12:00p.m.Theafternoonbeginswithmimosasfollowedbyatrioofcreativesaladsandbreads.Wineandjuicewillbeservedaswell.Enjoyawideassortmentofteasservedwithyourspecialdessert.TheshowwillfeatureveryaffordableoutfitsfromHospiceBoutiqueThriftShoppeinWalnutCreek.Someitemswillbeavailableforpurchase.Cost:$11members/$13non-members.

Martinez Senior Center • 818 Green St. (925) 370-8770

925-427-6300 • 369 E 12TH ST. PITTSBURG, CA 94565

SENIOR DISCOUNTSCALL FOR DETAILS

50% OFF DEDUCTIBLESFor a limited time. Some restrictions apply, call for details.

RUSSO AUTO BODY

DON’T HAVE TIME TO DROP OFF?We write estimates, pick up and

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Pleasant Hill Senior ActivitiesPleasant Hill Senior Center • 233 Gregory Lane (925) 798-8788

The“GoldenNotes,”PleasantHill’s

SeniorCommunityChorus,is“Steppin’

Out”togivetheirveryfirstfullconcertfor

thegeneralpublic.ThedateisSunday,

March13,at2:00p.m.atthePleasant

HillSeniorCenter.Ticketsare$6.00for

advancepurchaseor$7.00atthedoor.

TicketsareavailableattheSeniorCenter,

theRecreationandParksDistrictOffice

at147GregoryLane,theCommunity

Centerat320CivicDrive,andfromany

memberofthechorus.Thisconcert,

entitled“Steppin’Out,”willincludesongs

fromthe30’stothe60’sinstylesfromjazz

torock‘nroll.Individualtalentwillbe

showcasedaswell.

TheGoldenNoteshaditsbeginnings

decadesagoasasmallgroupofwomen

whogottogethertosingsongsaroundthe

piano.Thegroupcontinuedthiswayfor

manyyearswithvariousleaders.When

currentdirector,DeeWood,cameon

boardin1998,shebegansettingsome

higherstandardsforthegroup.Thisled

toanincreaseinmembership(now30),

addingmentotheroster,bringingstand-

ardchoralmusicin3-partharmonyto

therepertoire,hiringanaccompanistand

settingupanon-goingscheduleofper-

formancesthroughouttheyearatsenior

livingfacilities,respitecareprogramsand

convalescenthospitals.Thispubliccon-

cert,“Steppin’Out,”promisestobeone

morepositivenewchangeforthechorus.

Forthemembersofthis60-ishto

90-ishgroup,theGoldenNotesChorusis

morethanjustaclassforlearningsongs.

Manycomewithmemoriesofsinging

inhighschoolorcollegeandwantto

regainthatspecialjoyfromyearsgoneby.

Onesuchmember,BettyDavis,says“the

GoldenNotesismybigjoyinlifenow.”

Otherscomewithalife-timeofsinging

experienceandwanttokeepitgoingwith

valuedfriendsandage-appropriatemusic.

RosemaryStaffordsays“I’mstartingmy

20thyearwithGoldenNotesandplanto

stayforanother20years.”“Ilovetosing

andtoservethecommunity”saysnew

member,BobbiGarrop.“Thisgroupfills

bothmyneeds.”

FordirectorDee,theweeklyrehears-

alsareamixofbeingchoraldirector,

goalsetter,listenerandcheerleader.Her

standardistobringoutthebestpos-

siblemusicalsoundsfromthegroup,to

recognizeandapplaudthesuccesses,and

togivepermissiontolaughtogetherwhen

itdoesn’tcomeoutright.Therehears-

alsandperformancesprovideasafeand

comfortableenvironmentforboldand

timidsingersalike.Thechorusoffersan

opportunityforeveryonetoexpresstheir

loveofmusicinatangibleway.

Pancake Breakfast – March 6-OurmonthlypancakebreakfastnowfeaturesFrenchToast!Enjoyabottomlessplateofeitheronewitheggs,sausageandorangejuice.9am–11am.$3.50ages11andup/$2.50ages5to10/FREEages4&under

Bunco - March 27-Potluckat2pm,Buncobeginsat3pm.Fun&friendlyatmospherewherenopriorknowledgeofthegameisnecessary!BuyyourticketattheSeniorCenter!Sun.,2pm-5pm.Tickets:$4plusbringpotluckitemtofeed4people.

“FAREWELL PARTY” Friday, April 1st 3:30pm - 5:30pm in Bldg. 1 & Bldg. 2Abittersweetpartyaswesaygoodbyetoaplacethatholdssomanywonderfulmemoriestosomanypeopleandsayhellotothestartofwhatwehaveallbeenwantingandneedingforsomanyyears.Celebratewithusatourlasteventinthe“old”center.Allbuildingswillbeopenformembersandgueststomillaboutandsharememories,enjoyrefreshmentscateredbyMagoo’sandpartakeinfundrais-ingactivitiesincludingbutnotlimitedto:Graffiti Autograph Wall-SignyournameinpaintonthewallinBldg.2!DecorateAHardhat-Purchaseacommemorativehardhatforonly$7andputyourownpersonaltouchonit!Group Photo-PutonyourhardhatandgatherinfrontofBuilding1forphotothatwillbehungupintheNewCenter.PhotoMemories-Perusethroughyears&yearsofcapturedmemories…youmayjustbeoneofthecapturedmemories!Plusmoresurprises!.RSVPtotheFrontDesktoreserveyourspot(925)798-8788

http://www.russoautobody.com


HOME TEAM

ALHAMBRA HOME GAMES3/11vsBethel 4pm

3/15vsConcord 4pm

3/23vsSanMarin 4pm

3/24vsMt.Diablo 4pm

3/29vsLasLomas 4pm

3/31vsDublin 4pm

COLLEGE PARk HOME GAMES3/5vsLiberty 2pm

3/9vsDeerValley 3:30pm

3/11vsPittsburg 3:30pm

3/18vsHayward 4pm

3/19vsMissionSanJose 2pm

3/22vsFreedom 4pm

3/29vsClaytonValley 4pm

DVC HOME GAMES3/12vsModesto 1pm

3/15vsSantaRosa 2:30pm

3/17vsAmericanRiver 2:30pm

3/19vsSacramento 1pm

3/24vsSanJoaquin 2:30pm

3/29vsModesto 2:30pm

Varsity Baseball Schedule

Former Falcon Headed East TheUniversityofMassachusetts

(UMass)hasannouncedthatfivemid-year

transfershavejoinedthefootballteamand

willbeeligibleforthe2011seasonwhether

theprogrammovesupinstatusornot.The

newplayerscouldaddressneedsatkeyposi-

tionsthattheMinutemenhavefromlast

year’s6-5team,lostthroughgraduation.

OneofthoserecruitsisCollegePark

HighSchoolalumChaseDanska.In2010,

DanskaledDiabloValleyCollege(DVC)in

receiving.In11games,hesnagged53passes

for755yardsandfourtouchdowns(66.3

yardspergameand14.4yardspercatch).

Danskaalsoreturnedninekickoffsfor

159yards(17.7average)andrushedtheball

28timesfor160yards(5.7average)and

twoscores.Inall,thedynamicplayertallied

1,074totalyards(97.6pergame).Danska

alsoearnedAll-StateJUCOhonors.

In2009,DanskawasenrolledatLos

MedanosCollege(Pittsburg)wherehe

playedquarterback.Afterplayingtheposi-

tionsinhighschool,hethrewfor1,242

yardson103-of-210(49.0%)with13

touchdownsandeightinterceptions.He

alsorushedfor552yardson93carries(6.9

average)withfivetouchdowns.Alsocaught

twopassesforsevenyards.

UMasscoachKevinMorrisisexcited

abouthisnewathlete.“Chaseisfromthe

samecollegeasKyleHavens.Thispast

seasonChaseexcelledwiththeballinhis

hands.Hisspeedmadethedifferenceas

theyfoundeverywaytogethimtheball.”

Two-yearstarteratquarterbackforthe

Minutemen,KyleHavens,transferredto

AmherstfromDVCaswell.

More Prep News Fraternaltwins,SerenaandRachel

DeChristofaroofAlhambrawillbeparting

onthepitchforthefirsttimeever.Eachhas

chosenadifferentschool.Serenaishead-

ingtoAshland,OregontoattendSouthern

OregonUniversity,anNAIAschool.Rachel

willstayclosertohomebyenrollingatHoly

NamesUniversityinOakland,alsoanNAIA

school.

Rachelhasmissedthepasttwovarsity

seasonswithACLtearsineachknee.Serena,

amidfielder,istheLadyBulldogteamcap-

tainandleadstheteaminpointswitheight

(3goalsand5assists).

TheCollegeParkAthleticBoosters

Clubhadtheir21stAnnualCrabFeed

atthePleasantHillCommunityCenter

onFebruary5th,anditwasanother

hugesuccess!Weraisedover30kand

thathelpsusfundourathletictraineras

wellasgivingusmuchneededfundsto

helpallsportsprogramsandmaintain

thesportsfacilitiesatCPHS.Wewantto

thankallwhodonatedtoourmainfun-

draisingeventandencourageallinthe

communitytojointheboosters.Tofind

outmoreabouttheboostersandtojoin,

pleasevisitourwebsiteatcphsboosters.

com.GoFalcons!

College Park’s Marissa Buckley, who also lettered in soccer and track, will be study-ing Nutrition and running cross-country for San Jose State University next year.

Anthony Ortolan of College Park an-nounced his intent to attend UC Santa Barbara to run cross-country and track. Ortolan was consistently impressive for the Falcons in �010. After a second-place finish in the NCS Division I championship race (1�:��), he placed ��th in the CIF Division I State Championship race (1�:�0). Ortolan was also the runner-up in the DVAL Cham-pionship race (1�:0�).

College Park’s Michelle Yasutake will be at-tending UC San Diego on a soccer schol-arship and plans on working toward a degree in Environmental Engineering. She verbally committed to attend UCSD to play soccer about a year ago. Michelle officially signed her NCAA National Letter of Intent on February �, �011.

College Bound“Season Ticket” Sports

By Chuck Nan

CP Crab Feed Helps the BoostersBy Chris Croft, President, CPHS Athletic Boosters Club

College Park students work the kitchen at the 21st Annual Crab Feed

To confirm: www.maxpreps.com To confirm: www.dvc.edu/events/athletics


HOME TEAMBulldogs Advance

Alhambra’s Lady Bulldogs advanced to the North Coast Section (NCS) championship round in Div II seeded �th among �� teams. In their first playoff game they beat Dublin in overtime �-�. Goals were made by Natalie Smith, Serena DeChristofaro and Maggie Aires.

TheCollegeParkFroshGirlsSoccer

Teamcompletedanundefeatedleague

season,capturingtheleaguetitlewitha

recordof12-0-3.Theteam’sdefensehad

anexceptionalseason,with13shutouts

andallowedonlytwogoalsduringleague

play.Theoffensealsodidanoutstanding

jobbyscoring36goalsandkeepingevery

opponentbusywithahighvolumeof

shots-on-goal.Inadditiontohardwork

andstrongballskills,theteam’ssuccess

isattributabletotheirpositiveattitudes

andstrongsupportforoneanother,

bothoffandonthefield.LedbyCoach

MikeConstantineandTeamCaptains

KaitlinConstantine,EvelynLangsdale,

andJordanSpellman-Hess,theCollege

ParkFroshGirlsSoccerteamhadagreat

season,culminatinginbeingUndefeated

LeagueChampions.

Top Row, Left to Right: Coach Mike Constantine, Katelyn Van Winkle, Missy Harrington, Zoe Westwater, Katelynn Cunningham (co-MVP), Marlo Casto, Emilie Kastell, Katrina Wickland, Assistant Coach Nicole Constantine Middle Row, Left to Right: Kaitlin Constantine (Team Captain, co-MVP), Jackie Rose (Offensive Player of the Year), Chelsea Realini, Evelyn Langsdale (Team Captain, Defensive Player of the Year), Siera Brown, Jordan Spellman-Hess (Team Captain), Marcy Zamora, Rebecca Granieri Bottom Row, Left to Right:Taylor Rentuma, Kristen Tabone, Brooke DePorto, Gabby Hunter-McElroy, Sasha Koussa Not pictured: As-sistant Coach Virginia Zamora

Frosh Soccer Champs

Wrestling DVAL ChampsCollege Park Wrestlers took the DVAL Cham-pionships at Concord High School February 19. The final score was College Park 19�, Clayton Valley 1��, Northgate ��, Ygnacio Valley ��, Mt. Diablo �9 and Concord �. Congratulations!

Photo by Tod Gomes, creativelookphoto.com

SELF SERVE FROZEN YOGURT

www.orangeleafyogurt.com

30¢/oz.DELICIOUS • HEALTHY • NATURAL • FUN

Pleasant Hill Plaza •1926 Contra Costa Blvd.• Near Safeway and Nations

Open7 Days

Picture by Sam Lipson

http://www.orangeleafyogurt.com

http://www.christiesforkids.com

http://www.lesschwab.com/


Incredible Italian Cuisine, Lovely Ambience, Friendly Service, Great Wine Selection & Reasonable Prices

716 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, 94523 • Tel: 925-682-3333

Now open 7 days a week for Lunch & Dinner

• Senior Citizen Discount 10%Mention this Ad

Monday-Saturday 11:30am-9:00pmSunday 11:30am-8:00pm• We cater all occasions

Cafe MilanoPLEASANT HILL

Join our new Birthday Club and receive a $30 Birthday Certificate to spend at Kobe Japan Restaurant during the month of your birthday. You will also receive special offers and information

about the latest happenings in our monthly newsletter.

Please go to our website www.KobeJapanRestaurant.com , and

then click Sign-Up for Our Birthday Club/Special Offers

1918 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, California 94523

Phone: (925) 705-7065/7066 Fax: (925)705-7067

$30 Birthday Certificate

RESTAURANTfor more information please contact us atfor more information please contact us at

GUIDE 925.335.NEWS(6397)[email protected]

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Dallimonti’s Restaurant

1932 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill. 925-944-5224

www.dallimontis.com

• A Family Tradition Since 1982 • Open for Lunch & Dinner• Reservations & Take Out Available • Small Banquets Welcome

• A Touch of North Beach in your Neighborhood

Come Celebrate with us Thursday March 17.Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!

Corned Beef & Cabbage • Corned Beef Sandwiches • Irish Coffee

LIVE MUSIC by Ken Cooper & Dave Martin

2223 MORELLO AVE. • PLEASANT HILL CA

YAN’S GARDENC H I N E S E R E S T A U R A N T

FREE DELIVERY IN PLEASANT HILL & MARTINEZ

OFF TOTAL BILL

LUNCHOR DINNER

20%

MAY NOT BE COMBINEDWITH OTHER OFFERS

EXPIRES 3/31/11

676-8585•676-8586•IN HILLCREST CENTER•

Introducing Yan’s Garden. A new name, new owners but the same fantastic chef serving the great recipes

that you have come to love. Come see our new decor and experience the ultimate dining experience.

Now serving wine and beer.

($30 Minimum Order)

http://www.dallimontis.com

http://www.yansgarden.com/

http://www.cafemilanoph.com

http://www.kobejapanrestaurant.com

http://www.elcharro1947.com

http://www.jacksrestaurants.com


Yan’s Garden Delivers By Emma Peel

Yan’sGardenChineseisafreshspot

onthediningsceneinPleasantHill.

FormerlyChinaGarden,Yan’sopenedin

Decemberanddespiteitsinnocuousex-

terior,itisnotmerelya“holeinthewall.”

Contemporarywithpumpkincolored

walls,brandnewfurnitureandcarpeting,

Yan’sgaveusprofessionalservicefrom

theget-gowithapromptgreeting,hot

tea,andevena$5offcoupontousethat

night.

Ourcheerfulwaitresspatiently

waitedforustoperusetheextensive

menu,whichincludescombinationfam-

ilydinners($11.95-14.95perperson)

andacomprehensiveselectionofap-

petizers,soups,noodles,pork,fowl,beef,

andseafooddishes,withentreesranging

from$7–10andup,allwithoutMSG.

Thedining-inmenualsoincludesChef

Specials($10.25–14.50)andoffersitems

asexoticasoxtailwithredwinesauce.

Thereisnobarpersebuttheydoprovide

domesticandimportedbeers,California

winesbytheglassorbottleandevensake.

Tostart,ourtableorderedame-

diumwontonsoup($5.50).Thisclassic

comfortfoodarrivedsteaminghotand

providedsatisfyingportionsfor4people.

Thebrothwassavorybutnotspicy,and

includedbrightlycoloredvegetableswith

generousbundlesofplumpwontons.A

generousappetizeroffriedcrispychicken

wings($6.75)wassuitableforafinicky

childwhoessentiallywants“friedchicken

andrice”fordinner.Crunchyvegetarian

eggrolls($4.95)werestuffedwithafresh

mixtureofcrispvegetables.Asnon-veg-

etarians,wehadtotrytheHouseSpecial

Beef($9.50)andthisaromaticdish

containedamoundoftenderbeefina

mouthwateringglazeofspicy-sweetgar-

lickysaucethatelicitedseveralmurmurs

ofsatisfaction.

TemptedbytheChefSpecials,we

hadtoordertheSeafoodLettuceWraps,

themostexpensiveitemat$14.50,but

wellworthit.Choppedingredientscom-

prisedavarietyofflavorsandtexturesto

enticethepalateandincludedscallops,

shrimp,squid,waterchestnuts,Chinese

mushroomsandscallionsonabedof

crispricenoodles.Afterpilingalarge

spoonfulontoacrunchyiceburglettuce

leafanddrizzlingitwithoystersauce,I

happilyenjoyedaperfectfoodmoment.

MychildrenalwayslikeChickenChow

MeinandYan’sversioncontainedwhite

chickenmeatwiththatfresh,stickingto

theteethtexturealongwithfirmnoodles

andagoodbalanceofseasoning.

Wehadenoughleftoversforasepa-

ratedinnerandtheypackagedeverything

upforus,includingthericeandlettuce

leaves.TheoverallimpressionofYan’s

isthatoffresh,highqualityingredients,

generousportions,andfriendlyservice.

Orderswitha$25minimumare

deliveredfree.Yan’sislocatedat2223

MorelloAvenueintheHillcrestShopping

CenterinPleasantHillandisopenfor

lunchanddinner,dine-inorcarry-out,

MondaythroughSunday,startingat

11amonweekdaysandnoononweek-

ends.Acateringmenuisalsoavailable.

(925)676-8585.www.yansgarden.com

RESTAURANT GUIDE

http://www.tahoejoes.com

www.ourcommunityfocus.comPage �0 March �011

DiabloValleyOncologyandHe-

matologyMedicalGrouphasbecome

oneofthefirstoncologypracticesin

thenationtoberecognizedbythe

QualityOncologyPractice

Initiative(QOPI®)Certifi-

cationProgram,anaffiliate

oftheAmericanSocietyof

ClinicalOncology(ASCO).

TheQOPI®Certification

Programisanewinitiative

tocertifyoncologyprac-

ticesthatmeetrigorous

standardsforhigh-quality

cancercare.DiabloValley

Oncologyisoneoffivecancercenters

inCaliforniaandtheonlyoneinthe

EastBaytoachievethiscertification.

TheQOPIcertificationallows

oncologistsinthecommunitytobe

attheforefrontofcancercareandto

berecognizedfortheirquality.The

CertificationProgramhelpspractices

determinewhethertheyareproviding

thebesttreatmentandcarepossible

totheirpatients,anddemonstratesa

commitmenttoexcellenceandongo-

ingqualityimprovementinthehema-

tology-oncologyoutpatientpractice.

“Increasingly,educatedpatientsand

familiesdemandaccountabilityand

thehigheststandardsfromcancercare

providers,”saidDouglasW.Blayney,

MD,immediatepastpresidentof

ASCO.

“Ourmissionhas

alwaysbeentoprovide

excellentoncologyand

blooddisordercareto

everypatient-every

day.Toberecognizedby

thesenationalorganiza-

tions(ASCOandQOPI)

isextremelygratifying.”

saidMatthewSirott,MD,

themanagingpartnerofDiabloValley

Oncology.“Inadditiontocertification,

wearepleasedthatmanyofourproce-

duresexceededtheQOPIrequirements

andmaybeincorporatedinfuture

ASCOguidelines.”

Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group founded the California Cancer and Research Institute. Located in Pleasant Hill, it is the largest com-prehensive, non-hospital based cancer and blood disorder treatment center in Contra Costa County. For more informa-tion contact: 925-677-5041 or visit www.DiabloValleyOncology.md

National Award WinnerBy Sarah Buenviaje, Oncology Nurse Practitioner.

Iamoftenaskedwhatotherheal-

ingsystemsworkbestwithhomeopa-

thy.IrecommendSystemicFamily

ConstellationTherapy,aninnovative

methodforidentifyingandhealingthe

invisiblestructureofhumanrelation-

ships.Ourwell-beingistiedtothe

well-beingofourfamilysystem,which

includesmemberswhoareliving,de-

ceased,orfrompreviousgenerations.

Wearenaturalhealersandcare-

takersfixingthehurtsandheartsof

familymembersandthosewelove.

Sometimesourattemptsaresogreat

webecomedeeplyinfluencedtothe

pointofbecomingillandadrenal

fatigue,pain,ormigrainescandevelop.

Thetraumaweholdmaytranscend

fromthepresentintoour

family’spast.

Familysystemsare

influencedbytrauma.Cast

apebbleintoapondand

rippleswillemanateout.If

wethinkofourfamilyas

thepondandthepebble

asaneventthathappened,

itiseasytoseetheim-

pactoftrauma.Ripples

fromtraumatranscendtime,passing

forwardthroughgenerationsstored

inourbodyasunconsciousdiscords.

Thepebblecanrepresentmanythings,

perhapsanuntimelydeath,adoption,

orimmigration.

Homeopathyincon-

junctionwithSystemic

FamilyConstellation

Therapyhelpsusre-

solvetheattachment

totraumabyremoving

obstaclestohealing.

Constellationtherapyis

becomingpopularinthe

BayArea.Findathera-

pistwithwhomyouarecomfortable.

It’simportanttheyhaveabackground

inpsychotherapyandformalconstella-

tiontraining.

Callmetolearnmore

925.826.3858.Iinviteyoutoreadmy

articleintheSFBayWomen’sJournal,

http://www.bayareawj.com/author/

Myra-Nissen/.

Homeopathy has existed for 200 years and has been used by millions of people worldwide. Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA) is a board certified ho-meopath (US & Canada) specializing in women’s health issues and allergies. She has a private practice in Walnut Creek. You can contact her at 925.826.3858. or www.myranissen.com.

Homeopathy and Constellation TherapyBy Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA)

PAID ADVERTORIAL

Tips After Hospital StayBy Joyce & Jim Newport, Owners, Right at Home of Mt. Diablo

March6-12,willberecognizedas

PatientSafetyWeek,anannualeduca-

tionandawarenesscampaignledby

theNationalPatientSafetyFoundation

(http://www.npsf.org/)to

encourageandstrengthen

collaborationbetween

patients,familiesand

healthcareproviders.

Ouragingloved

onesoftenrequirespecial

attentionandcareto

helpthemremainsafe

duringandafterastay

inahealthcarefacility.

Whenpatientsaredischargedfromthe

hospital,theeffectsoftheircondition

usuallyremainwhentheyreturnhome,

makingitdifficulttosafelyadjustback

todailylife.Thefollowingtipscanhelp

duringandafterthedischargeprocess:

•Beinvolvedindecision-making:

Talkingwithyourlovedoneandhis

doctorstoensurethateveryonehasthe

samegoalsandinformation.

•Discussmedications:Beforeadis-

charge,talkwiththedoctoraboutthe

purpose,dosageandsideeffectsofeach

medicationprescribedsobothyou

andyourlovedonecanbeprepared

ifanycomplicationsarise.Oneofthe

maincausesofhospitalreadmissionsis

mismanagementofmedications.

•Schedulefollow-upappointments:

Findoutwhatfollow-up

appointmentsandtestsare

needed.Ifyourlovedone

needsassistancegettingto

theseappointments,con-

siderhiringanin-home

careagencytoprovide

transportation.Regular

doctorvisitsareimportant

toapatient’srecovery.

Jim and Joyce New-port opened Right at Home in Pleas-ant Hill in 2009. Right at Home pro-vides caregivers to help with in-home companion and personal assistance and support to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently in their own homes. Right at Home directly employs all caregiving staff, each of whom are thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. For more information about our services, please visit www.rah-md.net, or call us at (925) 256-HOME (4663)

PAID ADVERTORIAL

PAID ADVERTORIAL

www.ourcommunityfocus.comMarch �011 Page �1

Grassesinthefullsungardencanbe

abitofaproblem.Grasseswithflowing

seedheadsinthesummerrequireprun-

ingdowntoa6”pileofbrownstubble

inlatewinterorearlyspring.Thenative

grassesthatlooklushduringthewinter

andspringperiodsplayitsmartand

shutdownduringthesummer.Ifbrown

isyourthingthenproblemsolved.The

otheralternativeistouseanevergreen

grasswithcleanfoliage,fragrantflowers,

deerresistance,andlowwaterrequire-

ments.Whatwouldpassforpieinthesky

afewyearsagoisnowarealalternative.

Puttheprunersintheshedandsayhello

toLomandra.

NativetoAustralia,Lomandrais

extremelyadaptabletomanysituations.

Theyarehappyinfullsunorshadeand

willthriveineithersoggyordrylocations

whilelookinglushyearround.Hereare

someofthestandoutselections:

•Lomandra‘Breeze’wasthefirstof

thespeciestobecomepopularinCalifor-

nia.Ithasagracefulhabitto2-3’tallby

3-4’widewithnarrow,deepgreenleaves.

AswithallLomandra,summerproduces

contrastingyellowseedheads.

•Lomandra‘Seascape’isverysimilar

to‘Breeze’withasteelbluecolorforthe

ultracontemporarylook.Itsleavesare

alittlefinerthanthoseof‘Breeze’which

keepsitsheighttoaround2’.

•Lomandra‘BushlandGreen’isa

smaller,morerobustplanttoalittleover

2’.Thelightgreenleavesarewiderthan

‘Breeze’whichgivestheplantsamore

robustlook.

The Garden WorkhorseBy Troy McGregor, Garden Natives

GreatHorned

Owlsarethemost

commonowlin

thewesternhemi-

sphereandthe

largestowlinour

area.Theirvoice

isthearchetypal

ho-ho-hoohoohoo.Thefemale’svoice

ishigherpitchedthanthemaleand,

ifyou’reluckytohaveapairlivingin

yourneighborhood,youcanoftenhear

themcallingtoeachother,especiallyin

winterandspring.

Standingalmosttwofeettallwith

imposing“horns”(reallyjusttufts

offeathers),theyarethemastersof

thenightsky.Withsilentwingbeats,

thankstospeciallyevolvedfeathers,

theycantakepreyaslargeasrabbits

andskunks,oftenhuntingfroma

perch.Theirfoodchoicesarediverse,

frominsectstobirdstosmallmam-

mals.Theyaresometimesknownto

takesmallhousecats(anothergood

reasontokeepyourcatsindoors).

GreatHornedOwlsaremonoga-

mousandoncetheyhaveestablished

theirterritory,theyspendtheirwhole

livesthere.Whenit’stimetonest,

thepairusuallytakesoverthenestof

anotherlargebird—oftenared-tailed

hawk,croworraven.Breedingseason

startsasearlyasDecemberwitheggs

hatchinginMarch.

GreatHornedOwlbabiesare

tendedbybothparentsandcanleave

thenestataboutfiveweeks,atleasta

monthbeforetheycanflywell.Atthis

stagethey’recalled“branchers”because

theyspendtheirtimeholdingontotree

brancheswaitingfortheirparentsto

bringfood.Lookinglikefuzzyfoot-

balls,pre-fledglingGreatHornedOwls

aresometimesfoundontheground,

butyoudon’thavetoworry;theyare

usuallyabletoclimbbackintothetree

andtaketheirplaceonabranch,soit’s

usuallybesttojustleavethemalone.

Sometimesbabiesaren’tableto

Whooo’s There? By Susan Heckly, Lindsay Wildlife Museum

climbbackupintothetree.Overthe

pastthreeyears,theLindsayWildlife

Museumhasreturnedthreeorfour

babiesperyearbacktotheirnests.

Whilethewildlifehospitaldoesagood

jobcaringforinjured,orphanedand

displacedwildlife,thenaturalparents

willalwaysdoabetterjob.

For more information about Lind-say Wildlife Museum and ways you can help wildlife, visit www.wildlife-museum.org.

http://www.gardennatives.com

http://www/wildlife-museum.org

www.ourcommunityfocus.comPage �� March �011

Mostofushavehadorknow

someonewhohashadaterribleexperi-

encewithacontractor.Whetheritbea

landscaper,carpenter,painter,orother

typesofhomeimprovementtrades,

theseexperiencescanbecostlyand

frustratingforhomeownerswhosim-

plywanttoprotectandimprovetheir

mostvaluedinvestment,theirhome.

Thereis,however,onesimpleway

topreventanotherbadcontractor

experience:don’thirebadcontractors.

Therearetoomanygreatbusinessesin

PleasantHillandthesurroundingareas

toeverbelessthancompletelysatis-

fiedwithahomeimprovementproject.

Thatbeingsaid,thereareliterallythou-

sandsofcontractorsoutthere,sohow

doyoufindthebest?

Askingneighborsandfriendsfor

recommendationsisagreatstart.You

mightalsotryonlineservicessuchas

Yelp,AngiesList,andGoogleaswellas

localpublicationssuchastheCommu-

nityFocusforguidance.Youcanread

onlinereviewsandvisitcompanyweb-

sitestogetabetterideaofthecontrac-

torbeforeyoucontactthem.Afteryou

havealistoftwoorthreenames,call

andsetupameetingforanestimate,

whichinmostcasesarefree.

Theestimateisusuallythebest

timetogettoknowthecontractorand

learntheinsandoutsoftheproject.

Besuretoaskquestionssuchas:Are

youlicensedandinsured?Whatisthe

process?Whowillbeworkingonthe

job?Whattypesofmaterialswillyou

use?Howlongwillittake?Also,askfor

alistoflocalreferencesanddon’tbe

shyaboutcallingthemupandasking

howtheirexperiencewas.Finally,make

sureyougetawrittencontractwiththe

price,scopeofwork,andmaterialsto

beused.

Althoughfindingtherightcon-

tractortakestimeandeffort,itwill

definitelypayoffinthelongrunand

thenexttimesomebodyasksyouabout

yourhomeimprovementexperience

youwillbeabletosay,“Itwasgreat!”

Matthew Rice can be contacted by email at: [email protected] or visit his website at: www.paylesspainting.com.

How To Find The Best Local ContractorsBy Mathew Rice, Payless Painting

Hire My Husband

925-969-0133

Contractor Lic. # 943231www.HireMyHusband.com

• Interior Painting

• Quality Home Repair Projects

• Handyman Services

All kinds of Interior and Exterior handyman projects.

Showrooms also in Santa Clara & Milbrae

UPON APPROVED CREDITFINANCING AVAILABLE

http://www.themouldingcompany.com

http://www.scottftc.com

http://www.hiremyhusband.com

http://www.quickchangedecorating.com

http://www.paylesspainting.com

www.ourcommunityfocus.comMarch �011 Page ��

InpastyearsIhavequestioned

“springcleaning”.Thisisthetimeof

theyearwhentheweatherwarmsup

andoutsidebeckons,

tantalizinguswith

strongpromisesof

abetterlifethrough

flowerpowerand

sweetsmells.Sowhy

dowecleaninthe

springinsteadofthefall,whenweare

lookingatseriousinsidetime?Person-

ally,Icannotbringfresh-cutspring

flowersintoaclutteredatmosphere,so

onethingleadstoanotherandpretty

soonthereisaveryloudvaninfront

ofmyhousesuckingdirtoutofmy

carpets.Satisfied,Irollaroundonthe

floorandgazelovinglyoutcleanwin-

dows.

Kidsneedtohelpwithrunning

thehouseallyear.Teachthemtomake

bedsdaily(“yeah,right”yousay),pick

uptoys,clearbowlsanddishesgrow-

ingoutofcaves--Imeanbedrooms--

loadandunloadthedishwasher,take

outtherecycling…yougetthedrift.

Helpingwithfoodshoppinghasalways

beenaclearwinnerforme.Getting

youngmouthsinterestedinfoodearly

onand“hiring”buddingsouschefs

prettymuchguaranteesahealthydiet

aswellasahelpinghand.

Marchisagreattimetostart

thinkingaboutyourvegetablegarden

cooperativelywithkidsandfamily.

MyGrandpawasabigorganicgar-

denerlivinginOaklandandhewas

atourhouseinPleasantHillalotin

mymom’sbiggarden.Hetaughther,

shetaughtus,andnowweareallhuge

gardeners.

Ifyougoonlinetoperusethis

year’snewandspecialseedcatalogs,

it’llnotonlysavepaperbutcontrol

anyimpulsebuyingaswell.Shopping

withafriendmayrevealsurprises

aboutacloseone’sfavorites.Ifyouare

blessedwithagreenhouse,nowisthe

timetostartthoseseeds,otherwiseyou

cangetthemgoingindoors.Formore

informationonseedstarting,Irecom-

mendexploringthecountlessself-help

websites.*

Afteryourhousepaymenthas

beenspentonmail-orderseedsand

plantsandyouarewaitingforthem

toarrive,getthatdirtreadytoreceive

thebounty.Turnthedirtoverwhileit

isstillsoftandpluckthosecutelittle

weedsout.Addlotsofcompostand

manureandletsitforawhileuntil

dangeroffrostispast.Keepturning

itovereveryonceinawhileandfeel

freetoamendsomemore.Meanwhile,

youcannowplantlettuces,radishes,

carrots,arugula,rappini,Swisschard,

chives,garlicandbokchoytonamea

few.Allwillstartsproutingwithinthe

weekandyouwillbeeatingyourlet-

tuce,despiteanyfrost,withinamonth.

Nothinglikeinstantgratificationfor

smallandlargefolkalikewhilepon-

deringtheeternalquestion:whetherto

payyourlittlecleanersandgardeners

ornot?

Spring Cleaning and Seedstarting By Lesley Stiles

THE GARDEN

HappySpring!Hikeourhillsand

bethrilledandenchantedbylocal

wildflowers!*Hereareafewfunseed

startingwebsitestotry:www.sher-

rysgreenhouse.com;www.johnnyseeds.

com;www.successwithseed.org

Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the

California Culinary Academy, sus-tainable caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at [email protected], www.lesleystiles.blog-spot.com and visit her new website: www.lesleystilesfoods.com.

Napa Cabbage Salad w/ Tangerines, Feta and Lemon Vinaigrette

Toss everything together in a bowl. Serves 4.

1 head of Napa cabbage, thinly sliced2 cups baby spinach, washed3 tangerines, peeled and sectioned4 new onions, thinly sliced¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro¼ cup crumbled feta

Juice and zest of 2 lemons¼ cup olive oil2 tablespoon of seasoned rice vinegar or white balsamicSea salt and pepper

Ingredients:

Directions:

This is a perfect seasonal salad utilizing fresh, local ingredients, and is fantastic served with grilled chicken or fish for a delightfully healthy spring meal.

TheSupervisorsatPleasantHill

Recreation&ParkDistricthavebeen

verysuccessfulinfindingnewlocations

forthevarietyofprograms,activities,

andeventsthatwillbenecessarywhen

theSeniorCenterandCommunity

CenterbuildingscloseinApril.

“Whatanamazingandsupportive

communitywelivein,”saidKendra

Luke,SupervisorofthePleasantHill

SeniorCenter.“Wewereabletorelocate

over90%ofouractivitiesthankstothe

generosityofTheChateaus1and3,

AegisofPleasantHill,St.AndrewsPres-

byterianChurch,theCityofPleasant

HillandthemembersoftheVeteransof

ForeignWars.

Lukegoesontosaythatsheis

“stillseeking‘fosterhomes’forBingo,

TeaDanceandPinochle.Asyoucan

imagine,thelargeranactivityis,the

harderitbecomestofindspaceforit.

Don’tworrythough,Iamnotgivingup

andcontinuetotraveldowneveryroad

ofpossibility!”IntheMarcheditionof

theSeniorSoundsnewsletterallofthe

relocationnoteshavebeenpublished.

Ifyouwerenotawareofthenumber

andscopeofprogramsthePleasantHill

SeniorCenteroffers,thislistiseven

moreamazing!

Pre-School Programs PleasantHillRecreation&Park

DistrictSupervisorTinaYounghasne-

gotiatedwithMt.DiabloUnifiedSchool

DistricttorelocatetwooftheDistrict’s

popularpre-schoolprograms.Starting

inlateMarch,twoclassroomsatGre-

goryGardensElementarySchoolwillbe

thenewhometotheNewHorizonsand

Pre-K/Jr.Kindergartenclasses.Other

preschoolprogramsincludingtheWee-

TotsandPreschoolPrepwillbemoved

totheWinslowCenter.

Adult Classes & Programs SupervisorDodieJonesisstill

workingonherrelocationplansand

willpublishherlistinthenewedition

oftheSpareTimeSpotlight,dueout

mid-March.

Forthelatestinformationonthe

constructionprocess,relocations,and

othernews,visitwww.pleasanthillrec.

com,orcalltheAdministrationOfficeat

682-0896MondaythroughFridayfrom

11amto5pm.

Local community members who showed interest in having a garden in the park started the Community Garden over 35 years ago. It was developed with funds from a county grant and resides on the North East Side of the Pleasant Hill Park behind the softball fields. The garden consists of twenty-five 8ft-by-27ft plots which are rented annu-ally for $70, plus a $50 refundable deposit. For more information, please call/email Sheila at Pleasant Hill Rec-reation & Park District: 925-682-0896, [email protected]

Relocation PlansWell Underway

Community Garden Info


Oh,mypoor

achingfeet!Ifyou

wearfabulous

footwear,thenyou

arealreadypaying

attentiontoyour

feet.Whetherit’s

thecoolesthigh

techrunningshoes,stilettosthatshow

offyourflairforfashion,orthongsthat

reflectyourlaidbacklifestyle,eachand

everyshoetellsastory.Thisstoryisnot

onlyaboutourpersonality,butshoes

createastoryinthejointsofourfeet,

ankles,knees,hip,back,shoulders,neck

andeverymuscleinbetween.

Thepositioningofourfeetisan

endlessCatch22forthecomfortand

functionoftherestofthebody.Ifour

feet(ourfoundation)arewellposi-

tionedandwellbalanced,thenthisgood

alignmentisreflectedallthewayupto

thetopofourhead.Andconversely,if

thereisweaknessandimbalancefurther

upinthebody(oftenin“theCore,”pel-

visorlegs)thenthoseweaknesseswill

berepresentedallthewaydowntohow

weplaceourfeetontheground.

Withsomanymovingpartsinthe

feet,wehaveplentyofopportunity

forourdaystobefullofbliss,with

thedesiretosalsathenightaway,take

thestairsvs.elevator,orjustenjoylife

withasmile.Butunhealthymovement

patternsoftenleadtopain,whichcan

makeuswishthatwedidn’thavefeet

Are Your Dogs Barking?By Tonya Marie Amos

Needafunwaytospendyour

Sundayafternoon?PleasantHill’s

TeenCouncilisputtingonaprom

fashionshowfullofthemostbeauti-

fullydesignedpromdresses!Ontopof

that,therewillbedeliciousdessertsfor

thetaking.Alloftheproceedswillgo

towardtheTeenCenterFurnitureFund

forthenewTeenCenterthatisopening

in2012.

Localbusinessesarehelpingthe

causebydonatingprizes.StarletProm

andBridalisprovidingthedresses

thatwillbemodeledandSinfulBliss

isprovidingdeliciouscupcakes.The

dresses--long,short,andeverystyleone

canimagine--willbemodeledbyTeen

Council’sveryownmembers.This

fashionshowwillgiveeveryonenew

ideasforpromdressstylesbecausethe

excitingeventisrightaroundthecorner!

ComejointhefunatthePleasant

HillCommunityCenteronMarch6,

2011at2:00pm.Generaladmissionis

$15andstudentadmissionisonly$10.

Thisisallforagoodcauseandagreat

timeandwehopetoseeyouthere!For

ticketsandinformationcall:682-0896.

atall.Yearafteryear,themovingparts

ofourfeetgetshovedintopre-molded

shoesthatactlikearigidcast,thatoften

don’thaveenoughsupport,orthatare

builtwithstrangeanglesbettersuited

forkeepinganextraterrestrialhappy.

Allofthesescenarioscreatemuscular

imbalancesanddenyourfeethealthy

alignmentandmuchneededdaily

exercise.Soonerorlaterthiscausesus

toscream“Oh,myachingfeet!”The

rightexercisesthatnotonlyworkthe

strength,flexibilityandbalanceofthe

feet,butthemusclesintheleg,hip,and

pelviscandowondersforkeepingour

feetfeelinggreat,aswellasimproveour

overallbalance.

Gettherightsupportexternallyby

wearingwellmade,supportivefootwear

andinternallybymuscularstrengthand

flexibility.Soonyourexuberantfeetwill

besinging“Wholetthedogsout?!”as

theyareofftonewandfantasticfeeling

adventures.

Tonya Marie Amos danced profes-

sionally in New York for 15 years before opening her studio, Aspire Pilates Center in Concord. She is a fully certi-fied Pilates instructor with over 1000 hours of training including advanced certifications in Movement Medicine, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Pre/Post Natal and Pilates For Golf. For more infor-mation, please contact Tonya by call-ing (925) 680-4400 or going to www.AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Fashion with a CauseBy Taylor Poulin, Teen Council Member

http://www.aspirepilatescenter.com

http://www.acu-wellnessonline.com


Ifyouhavethe

desiretopurchase

ahomebutthink

youmaynot

havethefinancial

resourcesorcredit

scorestoachieve

thisgoal,Ihave

goodnews!The

CHFPlatinumProgramoffersdown

paymentassistanceandwillGRANT

you3%ofyourloanamounttoapply

towardsadownpayment,closing

costsorevenearnestmoney!This

isnotasecondlienontheproperty

anddoesnothavetobepaidback.

NationalHomeBuyer’sFundisthe

administratorofthisCalifornia

programandyoucancheckitoutat

www.nhfloan.org.

Letmesharesomedetails.The

maximumloanamountiscapped

at$417,000andthemaximum

incomeallowediscurrentlycapped

at$108,360inContraCostaand

AlamedaCounties.Asaborrower,

yourcreditscorescangoaslowas620

andyoudonothavetobeafirst-time

homebuyer.Youcanreceiveseller

concessionsofupto6%,whichcould

potentiallycoveralloftheclosing

costs,leavingyouwithaminiscule

amountofmoneytotakeoutofyour

savingsaccount.Thefundscanbe

usedforsinglefamilyhomesand

approvedcondos.Inaddition,the

programworksforVAandUSDA

loansonneworexistinghomes!

Youwantnumbers,yousay?

Here’sanexample:

Sale price: $350,0001st loan amount: $341,127FHA down payment: 3.5% = $12,250NHA grant 3% = $10,233.81Buyer down payment = $2,016.19Seller to pay all closing costs Buyer’s Total Investment = $2,016.19 GivemeacallandI’llrun

throughthesenumberswith

you.Withitsupfrontmortgage

insurance,FHAfinancingcanbea

littleconfusing.TheCHFPlatinum

Programisn’tforeveryone,but

whatitdoesisopenupthenumber

ofhomebuyersinourstruggling

housingmarket.Thetargetmarket

fortheprogramisobviouslythose

whowanttoquitpayingrent(or

moveoutofMomandDad’splace)

butstrugglewithputtingtogethera

downpayment.Somesaythatsaving

andputtingmoneydownisimportant

inordertohavesuccessfuland

responsibleborrowers;however,the

loanwiththeleastamountofdefault

istheVAloanwhichis100%financed.

Solidunderwritingandopportunity

isthekeytohousingrecovery.Callme

tolearnmore.

Peter Paredero is the Senior Mortgage Consultant for Land Home Financial Services Inc. and has resided in Pleasant Hill since 1994. (925) 787-8746. [email protected]

Assistance for FHA Financing By Peter Paredero

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Now- Softball Sign Ups –InformationpacketsarenowavailableforanyonewhoisinterestedinplayingsoftballinMar-tinezduringspringorsummer,2011.Formoreinformation,contactPattyLorick,RecreationSupervisorat372-3510.

2/28 - 3/11 - PH Rec. & Park Adult Sports RegistrationOpenNowforspringadultsportsleagues(18yrs+):Softball,Soccer,Kickball,andFlagFootballLeagues.Forregistrationpacketscall:925-682-0896orvisit:www.pleasanthillrecsports.com.RegistrationclosesMarch11.

2/28 - 3/7 - Martinez RecreationAfter School Sports Program Registration Openfor3rdto5thgradeboysandgirls.SeasonbeginsMarch7th.Learnsoc-cerbasicsafterschool.AllgamesheldatGoldenHillsPark.$77/residentsand$82/non-residents.Contact:372-3510.

3/1 & 3/26 - Pleasant Hill Dolfins Swim Team Sign Ups.Oneofthecounty’stoprecreationalswimteamsofferingcom-petitiveswimminginanatmosphereoffun.PARENTPARTICIPATIONISRE-QUIRED.Tuesday,3/1from7pm-9pm;Saturday,3/26from12pm-2pm.WinslowCenter,2590PleasantHillRoad,PleasantHill.Contact:682-0896.

3/12 - Registration for Fall 2011-2012 Pre-School Classes.Theclassesincludeindoorandoutdooractivitiesthatde-velopmotorskills.Languageandconceptimageryareexploredthroughstories,circletimeactivities,anddramaticplay.Childrenareintroducedtoartmediaandcreativemusic.A$50non-refundablereg.fee;9am-11am.Call:676-5200orvisitwww.pleasanthillrec.com.

3/16 - Fairy Tale Day. WearyourfavoritecostumeandbringyourimaginationtoNancyBoydPark.Thisfairytaleeventwillprovideamagicafternoonofcrafts,games,storiesandasnackfitfortheoc-casion.Facepainterswillbeonhand.For3-6yearoldsand$8perchild.3:30pm-4:45pmatNancyBoydPark,PleasantHillRoadEast&ChurchSt.

3/20 - Rodgers Ranch Open House.MonthlyopenhousehonoringthehistoryofPleasantHillandhowithasgrownandchangedovertheyears.Thismonthwillfocusontheyearsbetween1961-1970.RodgersRanch,315Cortsen

EVENTS

AT THE LIBRARYIn Martinez: 3/1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 - (Tuesdays) Mother Goose Time.Letyourchilddevelopearlyliteracyskillsnaturally,aswesharesongs

Rd.,PleasantHill.2pm-4pm.ContactDenise:387-0158.

3/23 - Fairytale Princess Party.Beaprincessforadaywithyourmomordad.Wearyourprincessdress.IncludesFairytalePrincessStoryTime,asnack,andcreatingaveryspecialprincesscrown.Forages2–6yrsandfrom3:30pmto4:40pm.RegisterbyMarch18.$9perchildand$6peradult.Pre-registerrequired.Call676-5200orvisitwww.pleasanthillrec.com.

4/2 - Mini Motorland. Auniquetrackforelectricride-oncars,bigwheelsandtricyclesattheJohnMuirAmphitheater.Youngsterswillstopforgas,orderatthedrive-thruwindow,visitthetireshopandmore.Bringyourchild’sfavoriteridingtoy.Snackswillbeservedtoalldrivers.NODOGS,NOGASPOWEREDRIDE-ONVEHICLES.2-5yearsoldand$8perchild;10am–NoonatJohnMuirAm-phitheater,TarantinoDr.Spaceislimitedtothefirst150children.Toreserveaspot,pre-registerbycallingMartinezRecrea-tion:372-3510.

4/3 - Pleasant Hill Lions ClubPoker TournamentatBackForty.JoinusforourTexasHold’emTournament!Eatsomegoodfoodandraisemoneyforcharitywith100%ofthenetproceedsgoingbacktolocalcharities.Foodat3pm,pokerat4pm.FinalTablewillbeprofessionallydealt.Ticketsare$50atBackForty.Contact:PhilMadruga933-8061orKenWombacher687-0858.

4/18 - Breakfast with Bunny.Ourfa-voritebunnyhastakentimeofffromhisbusyscheduletojoinyouandyourchildforbreakfast.Enjoyacraftandatreat.Forages2–5yrs.9:30am–10:30am.$7peradultand$5perchild.ReservationsrequiredbyApril8.Call:676-5200orvisit:www.pleasanthillrec.com.

Ongoing - The Martinez Animal Hos-pital has a Kitten Adoption Program.TheCosttothenewownerisourcostofvaccines&spay/neuter.www.martin-ezanimalhospital.net.

Calendarandrhymes,bouncesandtickles,andsimplestoriesandcrafts.Comejoinusforthislight-heartedstoryhourjustfortots.11:30am-12:15pm.Contact:RuthBoyer:335-9425.

3/7 – Estate Planning Basics.Estateplan-ningprotectsyouandyourlovedonesaswellasyourassets.JoinattorneysfromtheAtashiRangeLawFirmforanin-formativeoverviewofestateplanningtop-ics(trusts,wills,andpowersofattorney).6:30pm-7:30pm.Contact:335-9425.

3/14 – St. Patrick’s Day Party.LeapingLeprechauns!St.Patrick’sDayiscom-ingandwe’replanningsomefunatthelibrary.Don’tforgettowearyourgreen!4:00pm-5:00pm.ContactLeaStone:335-9425.

3/21 – Magic By Alex! ComebedazzledbythemagicofAlexRamon,themagicalZingmasterforRinglingBrothersBarnum&BaileyCircus.Don’tmissthisexcitingshowbyaworld-classillusionist!7:00pm-7:45pm.Registrationonlineendson3/21at4:00pm.ContactLeaStone:335-9425.

3/31 – Furlough – All Libraries Closed.

In Pleasant Hill:3/2, 9, 16, 23 & 29 (Wednesdays) – Moth-er Goose Time. Thisfunstorytimeistailoredfortheyoungestcrowd.Wesharesongsandrhymes,bouncesandtickles,andsimplestories.Comejoinusforthislight-heartedstoryhourjustfortotsupto3yrs.11:15am-11:45am.

3/3, 10, 17 & 24 (Thursdays) – Preschool Storytime.Joinusinthestorycornerforstories,songs,andmoretostre-e-e-etchtheimagination.Idealforyour3-5yearold.11:15am-11:45am.

3/5 – eWaste Disposal Event. Goingonin theparkinglotbehindthelibraryduringourFriendsoftheLibrarybooksale.Justbringyourunwantedelectronics,batteries,andprintercartridgestodropoffbeforeyouhitthesale!10:00am-4:00pm.ContactPatrickRemer:646-6434.

3/5–FriendsoftheLibraryBookSale.Findgreatdealsonusedbooksandsup-portyourlibrary!EarlyBirdspecialforFriendsoftheLibrarymembersbeginsat9:30am.$1hardbacks;.50forpaperbacks;.25forchildren’sbooks.Saleendsat3:30pm.ContactPartickRemer:646-6434.

3/1 - Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club. PHCommunityCenter,320CivicDr.,Pleas-antHill.SpeakerisJanetMilleron“Bioin-tensiveGardening”at7:00pm.Guestsarewelcome.Contact:925-944-4898orvisit:www.phgsc.com.4/1–SpeakerisTroyMcGregoron“AustralianPlants”.NEWLOCATON:DuringthePHRec.andParkconstruction,thePHGSCwillmeetintheCamelliaRoomatHeatherFarm,1540MarchbanksDrive,WalnutCreekbeginningonApril5th.Asalways,theclubmeetingswillbeginat7pm.Thefirsthourincludesa“plantofthemonth”pres-entationandan“openforum”question-and-answerperiod.Thespeakertakesthepodiumat8pm.Formoreinformationvisit:www.phgsc.com.

CLUBS

3/8 – Book Club. GetmorefromyourbooksatthePleasantHillLibraryBookClub.Meetotherreadersforfunengageddiscussions.TheMarchpickisIsabelAl-lende’sPortraitinSepia.6:30pm-7:30pm.ContactLibraryStaff:646-6434.

3/16 – Ace the Interview: Critical Skill for Midlife Applicants.PresenterMaryEileenWilliams,M.A.,NCChasaMas-ter’sDegreeinCareerDevelopmentandtwentyyearscombinedexperienceasajobsearchspecialist,career/lifetransitioncounselor,speaker,andwriter.Sheworkswithmidlifejobseekers,helpingthemlearnthemosteffectivetoolstosellthem-selvesintoday’smarket.1:00pm-2:30pm.Onlineregistrationends3/16at10:00am.

3/22 – Magical Moonshine Puppet Thea-tre.Joinusasstoriescomealivewithanentertainingpuppetshow:Chester’sPirateAdventure!6:30pm-7:00pm.

3/29 – Alex Ramon Magic! AnenergeticmagicshowwithAlex,thestarofRinglingBros.andBarnum&BaileyCircus!Greatforallages.7:00pm-7:45pm.

3/31 – Library Closed (furlough)

Martinez Youth Football & Cheer Seek-ing Cheer & Football Coachesfortheupcoming2011season.Requirements:cheer,dancebackground,footballback-ground;Interestedcandidatespleaseapplyat:myfbulldogs.org.

COACHES NEEDED


Receive a Free Gift Album with a One-Year Rental. See store for details.

3

36 Year MemberPleasant Hill

Chamber of Commerce

FriendsofEdCollinsofPleasant

Hillmaybeinterestedtoknowthathe

waspromotedtoChiefWarrantOfficer

5intheUnitedStatesArmyinFebru-

aryanddeployedtoBagramAirField

inAfghanistanforJanuarythrough

Decemberofthisyear.

EdgraduatedfromCollegePark

HighSchoolin1982,Sacramento

StateCollegein1986,andlaterre-

ceivedhisMaster’sDegreeinForen-

sicSciencefromGeorgeWashington

University.AfterenlistingintheUnited

StatesArmyin1989,Edservedhis

countryinTexas,California,Germany,

Georgia,Colorado,Virginia,Iraq,and

nowAfghanistan.

Edistheproudfatherof15-year-

oldBreanaand11-year-oldKathryn

MaryJane.HeisengagedtoTeena

HartsoeofWoodbridge,Virginiaand

theyplantowedafterhisreturnfrom

Afghanistan.Ed’sparentsareEdgarand

NancyCollinsofPleasantHill,hissister,

LynetteWernholm,livesinBrentwood

andsisterKristiEhrhardt,residesin

Rocklin.

ReadersandEd’smanyfriendscan

contacthimbywritingore-mailing:

CW5EdgarA.Collins

UnitedStatesArmy

10thMPBN/CID

BAFAPOAE09354

[email protected]

Local Boy Makes Good

Hometown Soldier Receives ScholarshipBy Alison Clary

Sgt.1stClassMarkVomundisa

USArmySpecialForcesGreenBeret

andthehumblerecipientoffive

BronzeStarsandtwoPurpleHearts

forhismultipletoursofcombatduty.

InDecember,hegratefullyreceived

adifferenttypeofhonorintheform

ofascholarshipfromtheSentinelsof

Freedom,anorganizationthatpro-

videsfour-year“lifescholarships”for

vetsoftheU.S.ArmedForcessothat

theymaybecomeself-sufficientinthe

faceofextremechallenges.

MarkgrewupinPleasantHill,

attendedChristtheKing,andgradu-

atedfromDeLaSalle.Heandhiswife,

Colleen,currentlyliveinNorthCaro-

linawiththeirtwosons.Nottoolong

ago,onMarch28,2010,Markledan

assaultforceintotheenemycampand

animprovisedexplosivedevice(IED)

detonated.ThisparticularIEDwas

estimatedbetween50and60pounds,

andduetohisproximity,hesustained

severewoundsincludingtraumatic

braininjury.Markisintheprocess

oftransitioningbackintocivilianlife

withthehelpofSentinelsofFreedom.

Establishedafter9/11,thisorganiza-

tionwasfoundedontheprinciple

that,duetothecuttingedgemedical

advancesofourtime,morethanany

othertimeinhistory,veteransare

survivingtheirinjuriesandcoming

homewithunparalleledchallenges.

ThelocalchapterofSentinelsofFree-

dominNorthCarolinahasprovided

Vomund’sfamilywithvariousgoods

andservices,particularlyinpayingoff

theirexistingmortgageandprovid-

inganewvehicle,tonameafew,all

providedviapledgesfromthecom-

munity.

Duringtheenemyassaultsuffered

byVomund,hewasaccompaniedby

hisfaithfulmilitarydog,Herco,who

alsosustainedinjuries.Hewouldhave

beenputdownaccordingtostandard

operatingprocedurehadVomundnot

gonetobatforhim.HercoisaHol-

landbornandbredGermanShepherd

andwasadoptedbytheVomunds,

whocherishthisservicecomradeasa

memberoftheirownfamily.

Accordingtowww.thepilot.com,an

onlineresourceintheSandhillregion

ofNorthCarolina,Vomundreceivedhis

commendation,standing“tallandslim

andsmiling,byhiswife’sside(giving)

littlesignofthedamagethatlimitshis

visionandhampershisspeech.”The

CommunityFocuswishesMarkandthe

Vomundfamilycontiunedsuccessin

hisrehabilitationandgratitudeforhis

manyyearsofservice.

ThelocalchapteroftheSentinels

ofFreedomislocatedinSanRamon.To

learnmoreabouttheorganizationvisit:

www.sentinelsoffreedom.org.

Mark, Colleen, Brady and Shane with Herco

Ed Collins

http://www.diablotrophy.com

http://www.jennifermartin.com

http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/0795


Cellist Wins the 2010 Yen Liang CompetitionBy Alison Clary

MARCH - NOW PLAYING

AmajoractivityoftheDiablo

SymphonyistheYenLiangYouthArtist

Competition,heldinearlyJanuaryeach

year.Thisyear’swinnerforcelloisJerry

Liu,whowillbethefeaturedartistduring

theMarch26thconcertattheLesher

CenterfortheArts.

JerryisajuniorattheSanFrancisco

ConservatoryofMusic,wherehereceived

theISOMFoundationScholarship.Liu

hasstudiedundernotablecelloteach-

ersaroundtheBayAreasuchasRoger

Emanuels,MichailGelfandbein,Malkhaz

Dediashvili,SieunLin,Jean-Michel

Fonteneau,andcurrently,JenniferCulp.

Hehasalsoparticipatedinmasterclasses

andcoachingswithMattHaimovitz,Alan

Harris,MarkSummers,andNorman

Fischer.Liulovedworkingwitheveryone

ofhisteachersandsaysheappreciatesall

ofthemfortheiruniquecontributions.

LiugrewupinCupertinoandstarted

playingcellowhenhewasnineyearsold.

Headmitshehateddoinghomeworkand

didn’tpracticethecellomuch,undergo-

ingplentyoffrustrationandeventhe

needtotakeathree-monthhiatusdueto

oneparticularpieceofmusic.Hisadvice

toparentsofbuddingmusicianswould

bethatalthough“forcedpracticinghas

itsplace,“thingstaketime.Wedevelop

maturitythroughexperiencesinlifethat

THEATRE & THE ARTS

Alice In Wonderland (Children’s Theatre).Directed by Ed Trujillo withanadaptedscript.3/25-4/10-Curtaintime(s):Friday&Saturdayat8pmandSundayat2:30pm.Ticketprices:$10-$20.Alicefallsdownarabbitholeintoafantasyworldpopulatedbypeculiarandanthropomorphiccreatures.Thestoryplayswithlogicinwaysthathavegivenitlastingpopularitywithadultsaswellaschildren.DiabloValleyCol-lege.Boxoffice:(925)687-4445orwww.dvcdrama.net. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Comedy). Directed by Jason Miller 3/4-3/20-PerformedbytheReducedShakespeareCompanyCurtaintime(s):FridayandSaturday8pm;Sun-day2pm.Ticketprices:$15-$35.Arip-roaringcomedicrompthroughtheBard’sworks.HapgoodTheatreCompany,213FSt.,Antioch.Boxoffice:(925)219-8545orwww.hapgoodtheatre.org. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Drama). Directed by Melissa Hillman. 2/28-3/26-Curtaintime(s):Thursday-Saturday8pm.Ticketprices:$12-$20.Thewaythisplaywasmeanttobeperformed,withparticularrelevancetoyoungeraudiencesandfightchoreographybyDaveMaier.ImpactTheatre,1834EuclidAve.,Berkeley.Boxoffice:(510)464-4468orwww.impacttheatre.com. Twelfth Night, or What You Will by Maureen-Theresa Williams adaptedfromWilliamShakespeare(Comedy)Directed by John Butterfield.3/10-4/30-Curtaintime(s):Thursday-Saturday8pm;Sunday3pm.Ticketprices:$7-$12.OneofShakespeare’smostpopularcomedies,featuringtwoseparatecasts--oneallmaleandoneallfemale--performingonalternatingweekends.Butterfield8TheatreCompany,1835ColfaxSt.,Concord.Boxoffice:(800)838-3006orb8company.com.

PoisonAppleProductions,thelocaltheatercompanythatspecializesinoriginalshowsbykids,forkidsandwithkids,presentsitsSixthAnnualYoungWriterandDirec-torWorkshopProject,Villainous Viewpoints,attheLesherCenterfortheArtsthiscomingApril.Thesefiveamusingone-actplaystellthestoryoffamousfairytalevillainsfromthevillains’perspective!Theseplaysarewritten,directedandactedbylocalyouthages8-20.Don’tmissthisengaging90-minuteshowthatisfunforthewholefamily!Upcoming Plays:• Pay the Piper (ThePiedPiperofHamelin)• The Jerry Godfather Show (JerryGodfatherinterviewstheBigBadWolf,ArchibaldL.PigandLittleRedRidingHoodforhistalkshow)• It’s a Good Thing (orMarthaStewartmeetsHanselandGretel)• Rumple Who? (Whycan’tanyonerememberhisname?)• The Emperor’s Birthday Suit (Youmaythinkyouknowhowthisoneends!)

Stunningmusic,beauti-

fulgypsies,castanets,fla-

mencodancers,bullfighters,

smugglers,childrensinging,

romance,dualsanddeath...

theingredientsfortheperfect

opera....“Carmen”.

In2003,theconcept

toperformGeorgesBizet’s

“Carmen”inSpanishwasborn.Thiswas

notsuchafar-fetchedideaotherthanthe

factthattherewasnotranslation(from

French)inpublication.Then,afteranar-

ticleappearedintheContraCostaTimes,

world-renownedtenorCesareCurzi

contactedMariaBillingsley,Executive

DirectorofMartinezOperaContraCosta

andexpressedhisinterestinattempting

atranslation.WithBillingsley’sblessings,

CesareCurzibegantheprojectin2004by

travelingtoSpainandFrance,researching

historicalarchivesandinterviewingdoz-

ensofdignitaries.SevenyearslaterCesare,

nowtheArtisticDirectoroftheopera

company,andateamoftranslators,have

completedtheworkforaconcertversion

performance.“Sincethewhole

operaticworldatthistimeis

experimentingandsearching

fornewwaystodeliveropera

performances,whynotbring

“Carmen”backhometoher

roots”!Cesareremarked.

Whenaskedwhattrig-

geredthetimingforthispro-

duction,Billingsleystatedthattimeshave

changed,dialectshaveevolvedandprepos-

sessionshavedisappearedallowingsuch

translationsoutsideofSpain.Markingthe

firstfullytranslatedversionof“Carmen”

inSpanish,MartinezOperaContraCosta

proudlypresentsthispremierintheflavor,

passionandcultureofSpainfeaturing

worldclassartists,flamencodancersanda

children’schorus.

Thismomentouspresentationof

“CarmeninSpanish”willtakestagein

theCityofMartinezonMarch12,2011

attheAlhambraPerformingArtsCenter,

150ESt,Martinez.Ticketsare$47when

purchasedonlineand$65atthedoor.To

purchaseonlinevisit:www.mtzo.com.

weexpressthroughmusic.Letchildren

livenormallivesandmakemistakes.Since

college,I’vediscoveredmoreaboutmyself

andlifethancelloplayingtechniquesor

pieces.”

Ultimately,Liudevelopedapassion

forclassicalmusicwhileplayinginthe

SanFranciscoYouthOrchestraandsays

hehasbeeninspiredbythediversevenues

offeredinSanFrancisco.Hehasrecorded

withensemblesaroundtheBayArea,

includinglocalbandssuchasTheMoon-

lightOrchestraandTheDefiniteArticles,

andhestrivestoengagemusiciansfrom

alldifferentmusicalbackgrounds.Cur-

rentlyheisthecellistofthenewlyformed

punkoperaband,CharlieandtheInfinite.

Byexpandinghishorizons,Liuaspiresto

incorporatedifferentformsofmusical

expressionintohisownwork.

Liusayshehasbeenhonoredtoper-

formasasoloistwithseveralorchestras

includingtheSanFranciscoConservatory

Orchestra,ElCaminoYouthSymphony,

MontaVistaChamberOrchestra,andDe

AnzaCollegeChamberOrchestra.Hein-

tendstokeepplayingthecello,butalsoto

branchoutintohisotherinterestssuchas

composition.Currently,Liuiscomposing

apieceforsolocellotitled“Suite7days,”

whichhehopestorecordandpublish.We

wishthistalentedyoungmangoodluck

inhismusicalfuture!

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.diablosym-phony.org

MTZO Presents Carmen

Villainous Viewpoints


ElksLodge#1811,WalnutCreekhonors8thgradeclassatChristtheKingschool

foroutstandingparticipationintheNationalAmericanismessaycontest.Eachstudent

receivedanachievementcertificateandspecialrecognitionfromtheElksLodge.

The Elks Essay Contest

Photo L-R Carol Alonzo, Teacher, Christ the King 8th grade class, Fred Nelson, Elks Chairman

Medical Marijuana Dispensa-ries in MartinezDear Editor, Theissueoflicensingmedical

marijuanadispensariesiscurrently

beforetheMartinezCityCouncilbut

asalifelongMartinezresident,busi-

nessmanandfather,Ibelievetheyare

WRONGforMartinez.

•UndertheUnitedStatesCode,“medi-

calmarijuana”isillegalandtheU.S.

Attorneyforourfederaldistrictstates

thatdispensarieswillbevigorously

prosecuted;raidsbyarmedDEAagents

isnotthekindofpublicityMartinez

needs.

•Proposition215doesNOTobligate

Martineztoapprovesuchmedical

marijuanadispensariesandweshould

followthepublicpolicyexamplesof

Concord,PleasantHill,WalnutCreek,

OrindaandLafayette,whichhaveall

placedbansormoratoriumsincity

limits.

•Medicalmarijuanadispensaries,even

thosewithsecurityguards,areregu-

larlyrobbedatgunpointfordrugsand

cash.Isintroducingsuchahazard

goodpublicpolicy?

•Proposition215createstheillusion

ofcriticallyill,wheelchair-bound,dy-

ingcancer“patients”goingto“dispen-

saries”fortheir“medicine,”when,after

onlyhalfanhourofobservationyou’ll

seethatit’smorelikelyasteadyproces-

sionofhealthyhighschoolandcollege

students.Theyarecleverenoughto

download“anxiety”symptomsoffthe

Internet,sosomeseedy“potdoctor”,

paidincash,canissuethemmedical

marijuanacards.Thesestudentscan

thenlegallypurchaseand/orgrowthe

drugandillegallyselltheexcesstotheir

peers.DothestudentsofAlhambra

HighSchool,MartinezJuniorHigh

andVicenteMartinezHigh/Briones

reallyneedthis?Shouldtheyouthof

Martinezbeexposedtothistypeof

temptation?

•TheCityCouncilwilllikelybe

courtedbyyoung,well-scrubbed,

articulateadvocatesofmedicalmari-

juana.Asyoulistentotheirarguments,

wellfundedbyOaksterdamUniver-

sityandBigMarijuanaInc.,Martinez

shouldconsiderthewretchedcrankster

livingunderFreeway4,panhandling

atoff-rampsorloiteringdowntown,

mostlikelyduetoatypicalgateway

drugsuchasmarijuana.Considering

thatlawenforcementseesmarijuana

dispensariesaspromotingcasualdrug

usemorethanservinganyrealmedical

need,isitgoodpublicpolicyforthe

CityCounciltoencouragemoreaddic-

tioninourcommunity?Isuggestthe

CityofMartinezsolicittheopinionof

thelocalSheriff ’sDepartmentNarcot-

The Community Focus invites your comments and opinions. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and submitted with first and last name.

Address and daytime telephone number required but not published. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. The Focus reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, possible libel and propriety or to refuse letters we feel contradict our mission.

E-mail letters for our community forum to: [email protected]

Letters and Opinions

Letters to the Editor

icsTaskForcebeforeproceeding.

Ihopetheaboveinformationwill

encouragetheCityCounciltoimple-

mentgoodpublicpolicybydenying

andrevokingtherightformedical

marijuanadispensariesintheMartinez

community.

Thankyouforyourconsideration.

Sincerely,Larry Lippow

“Relay gives us hope that we will find the answers.”“It brings us together. We draw strength from each other.”“It’s a way to help everyone celebrate more birthdays.” ThesecommentsaboutRelayFor

Life®camefrompeoplewhoareaf-

flictedbycancerorhavealovedone

withthedisease.

RelayForLifeisafundraiserfor

theAmericanCancerSocietyand

muchmore.Italsoraisesawareness

aboutcancerprevention,honorscancer

survivors,andremembersthoselostto

cancer.

PleasantHill’ssecondannualRelay

ForLifewillbeheldSaturdayand

Sunday,May21and22,atPleasantHill

MiddleSchool,locatedatOneSanta

BarbaraRoad,PleasantHill.Inthe

monthspriortotheRelay,teamsofup

to15membersareformedbygroups

offriends,familymembers,co-work-

ers,schoolmates,churchmembers,etc.

Theysetgoalsandseekdonationsfrom

families,friendsandorganizationsto

raisefundsforcancerresearch,early

detection,advocacy,education,and

relatedprograms.

Sincemostoftheirmoneyis

solicitedinadvance,theRelayitself

becomesatimetocelebratethecon-

tinuingbirthdaysofcancersurvivors,

rememberthosewhohavepassedon,

andfightbackbypledgingcancer-pre-

ventionbehaviorssuchasengagingin

healthylifestylesorreceivingannual

mammograms.

RelayForLifeisanovernightevent

inwhichteammemberstaketurns

walkingaroundthetrackandaround

theclocktoacknowledgethatcancer

neversleeps,andneitherdoesthefight

againstcancer.

Moreinformationaboutsigning

upaRelayForLifeteaminPleas-

antHillorparticipatingasacancer

survivormaybeobtainedbygoingto

www.relayforlife.org/pleasanthillca,by

[email protected],or

bycallingmeat925-944-4898.

Relay for LifeBy Ken Housfeld, Relay For Life® of Pleasant Hill Event Chair


TEEN SCENE

Airport Body Scanners: A Good Idea?By Jeffrey Eitelgeorge, Grade 7, Martinez Jr. High School

Limit one per customer per visit. Price Excludes Tax. Valid only at participating locations. No cash value. Not valid with other offers or fundraisers or if copied, sold, auctioned, exchanged for payment or prohibited by law. ©2010 Cold Stone Creamery, Inc. All rights reserved.

PLU #49. Expires 02/12/2011.

Pleasant Hill Cold Stone-925 288 0388

Lately,therehavebeenalotofcom-

mentsaboutthenewairportsecurity

toolthatallowssecurityscreenerstosee

throughclothing.Peopleareconcerned

aboutinvasionofprivacy,healthissues,

anddelayedflights.Scientistssaythat

thesescannersareknowntoincreasethe

chanceofskincancerandtheydodeliver

asmalldoseofradiationtothehuman

body.Butbecausethebeamfromthe

bodyscannermostlyfocusesonourskin,

theradiationmaybetwentytimesworse

thanscientistsfirstexpected.

Thegreatestthreatfromthenew

scannersisacommontypeofskincancer

calledbasalcellcarcinoma.Thistypeof

cancerisoftencurableandusuallydevel-

opsintheheadandneckareaofpeople

50to70yearsofage.Dr.DavidBrenner,

theheadofColumbiaUniversity’sCenter

forRadiologicResearchsaid,“Ifthereare

increasesincancersasaresultofirradia-

tionofchildren,theywouldmostlikely

appearinsome

decadesinthe

future.Itwould

beprudentnotto

scantheheadand

neck.”Obviously,

scientistswon’t

knowtheoutcome

ofthisnewtypeoftechnologyformany

yearstocome.

Althoughmanypeopleareagainst

thesenewfull-bodyscanners,manypeo-

ple,includingsomeexperts,saytheyare

safe.Mostexpertsbelievetheradiation

exposurefromafull-bodyscanneristoo

lowtoposeanyserioushealthissues.Pe-

terRez,aprofessorofphysicsatArizona

StateUniversity,saidthatwhenascanner

isworkingthewayitshould,theamount

ofradiationputoutbythemachineistoo

lowtocauseanyserioushealthissues.I

don’tbelieveRezisconsideringtheim-

pactthismayhaveonpeoplewhotravel

manytimesperyear.

Forthoseofyouthatarestill

wondering,therearealternativestothe

full-bodyscanners.Currently,themetal

detectorsarestillinuseinmostairports

andareagoodalternative.Ifanagent

asksyoutogetintoa

full-bodyscannerline,

youmayrefuse,butyou

willprobablybeaskedto

haveaphysicalpat-down.

Screenerscanalsouse

explosive-tracingdevices

orhandwandstolookfor

dangerousweaponsor

explosives.

Therehasbeenmuch

debateaboutwhether

ornotthegovernment

shouldinstallthesenew

full-bodyscanners.Many

peopleareworriedabout

theradiationfromthese

machinesandthepossiblechanceofskin

cancerandwhileothersarenotworried

atall.Ithinkuntilscientistsknowthe

long-termeffects,peopleshouldstayaway

fromthemandusetheregularmetal

detectorswhiletheyarestillavailable.

HELP SCHOOLS THRIVE - GIVE $55!FPHE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN • DONATE AT www.fphe.org

Donations to FPHE’s 2011 Annual Campaign reduce the impact budget cuts have on the 11 Pleasant Hill public schools. Your donation directly benefits language arts, math, science and enrichment programs.

I wish to contibute the following to Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education:

Help Schools Thrive

Please mail this coupon to: FPHE, P.O. Box 23851 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Tax ID#: 26-2326345)

$25 $55 $100 $500$200 Other

Payment Enclosed Please Charge my: Visa Mastercard AMEX

Card # Expiration

Please make check payable to FPHE

Signature Security Code

Home Phone

Cardholder Name (Please Print)

Address

E-MailCity/Zip

http://www.fphe.org


Wood Revivers

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HA

RDRuss Has Gone Fishin’

...don’t worry he will be back next month with more of As Russ Sees It


http://www.bayareacraftbeerfestival.com

march 2011community focus

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team alldfal track

montana state

washington state

sacramento state

coupons page

san jose state

yard dash

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