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4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JANUARY 21, 2011

10th Annual Brentwood PAL BBQ King Cookoff& Fundraiser

Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011At Harvest Park Bowling CenterTri Tip Ribs Chicken & All the Fixings

Serving from 1-3pmStraight from the chefs

All Proceeds go to:Brentwood Police Activities League

East C.C.C. Historical SocietyTickets available at:

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New restaurant offers Louisiana infusionAs the saying goes, the wind from one

door closing opens another, and Oakley resident Bobby Duncan is a man of op-portunities.

When New United Motors Manu-facturing Incorporated closed its doors last spring, Duncan was faced with unem-ployment and was forced to think about the next step. He didnt have to think long before his answer arrived. Since he wasnt employed, he fi nally had the time to pur-sue his dream and open a restaurant.

Ive always wanted to open a restau-rant, Duncan said, but it never seemed like the right time, so I did other things. I catered on the side. But when I found myself without a job, I also found myself with an opportunity to follow a dream. I decided in July that I was going to go for it, and we opened in December.

Bobby Ds Restaurant and Cus-tom Catering began serving down-home Southern soul food on Dec. 6, but it wasnt until last week that a wave of New Or-leans hospitality came bursting through the doors in the form on Antioch resident chef LeRoy Crump and the restaurant took on new life.

While Duncan was serving up meals cooked in a Northern Louisiana style, Crump has brought his Southern Louisi-ana cooking to the mix, creating a Loui-siana infusion thats got mouths water-ing when theyre not busy spreading the

word about Bobby Ds.Duncan met Crump a year ago when

Crump, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, was working as executive chef at an Oak-ley restaurant. Duncan was impressed with Crumps barbecue ribs and the two became friends, sharing their passion for cooking. Crumps cooking was in high demand, but he couldnt fi nd a restaurant that was the right fi t for him until he saw

the sign above Duncans restaurant.He told me he wanted to open his

own place, so I was driving by one day and I see the name Bobby Ds above the door and I stopped in to try the food, and I was excited, Crump recalled. Together we could bring Northern and Southern Louisiana fl avor together and bring a whole new style of soul food to this area. You wont fi nd that at any other restau-

rant around here not even in the entire Bay Area.

Duncan was born in Louisiana and moved to California as a child. But every summer he spent in Louisiana with his grandmother was an opportunity to learn more cooking secrets, and he developed an unexpected love for the local cuisine.

When I was young, the tradition was that the elders were served fi rst and the children were served last, so I fi gured if I helped cook, Id get to eat sooner, Duncan said. I started helping in the kitchen, and I could prepare a Thanksgiv-ing dinner by myself by the time I was 12 years old. I love to cook because you get to experiment and try new things, but my favorite part is serving others and watch-ing them enjoy a meal.

Crump shares Duncans love for cooking and together theyve formed a collaborative team whose goal is to knock the socks off East Countys taste buds. While Crump has worked at many res-taurants, including that of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, he said Duncan is his best boss ever.

I feel like part of a team here, Crump explained. Bobby asks for my in-put and he genuinely wants my opinion. That really means a lot

Id be a fool not to ask your opinion with all the experience you have, Duncan interjected. Im still new to all this.

The two have known each other for

Bobby Duncan, right, and LeRoy Crump serve up old-fashioned soul food at Antiochs newest restaurant, Bobby Ds.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Louisiana page 20A

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6A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JANUARY 21, 2011

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El Campanil Childrens Theatre and The Vagabond Players hold auditions this weekend for their upcoming production of The King and I.

The auditions begin Saturday, Jan. 22 as dancers take the stage from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vocal auditions are held Sunday, Jan. 23 from 1 to 8 p.m. Call-backs are conducted Monday, Jan. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. All auditions are held at El Campanil

Theatre, 602 W. Second St. in Antioch.The King & I, directed by Sharon

Redman, with musical direction by Joan Cifarelli and choreography by Cassan-dra Montgomery, will be performed at El Campanil Theatre as well as several senior facilities in the area.

The productions 10 performances run from Thursday, May 5 through Sat-urday, May 28.

The King and you?

The Antioch Museums Sports Leg-ends Program will host a meet-and-greet event spotlighting Antiochs own major league baseball player, Aaron Miles, on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 1500 W. Fourth St., across from Golf N Games.

Miles will be signing his St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champion pho-tos from 2006. Photos are being provided by the Outback Steakhouse on Century Boulevard in Pittsburg.

All East County youth and adults are invited to participate. The the Antioch Sports Legends museums numerous fas-cinating displays representing Antiochs history will be open for public viewing

from 1 to 4 p.m.For further information, call 925-

325-3255 or 925-383-4979.

Baseball pro makeshometown visit

MILES

Planning is underway for the 21st installment of the First Saturday of the Month Neighborhood Clean-up, an effort by Antioch residents to keep their citys trash picked up.

The event will be held Saturday Feb. 5 from 9 to 11 a.m., starting at Meadow Creek Park on Vista Grande Drive in Antioch (be-hind Carmen Dragon Elementary School). Organizers will provide bags, gloves and other supplies; only volunteers are needed.

Although not required to participate, pick-up trucks are helpful, and donations

of additional trash bags are welcome.The Clean-up is an extension of the

events formerly hosted by the Antioch Po-lice Department, which has discontinued participation due to the citys budgetary problems. The effort is now being continued by private citizens, dozens of whom pitched in during the previous event.

For more information or to be added to the monthly contact e-mail list, e-mail ucbn@ucbn.us. Information will soon be available for the next six cleanup sites and dates.

Clean-ups continuePress file photo

Olivia Alahuzos, 9, was one of dozens of

volunteers who helped

pick up trash during a

community cleanup day

last April. Another

cleanup has been set for

Feb. 5.

JANUARY 21, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 7A

Advertisement

CHANGES TO HAFAOver the last few years the government

has tried (unsuccessfully) to coerce banks into implementing massive numbers of meaning-ful loan modifications to keep people in their homes at sensible payments they can afford. Since they couldnt get banks to modify enough loans, they turned their attention to short sales. They released a program effective April, 2010 called HAFA that was supposed to result in hundreds of thousands more short sales. However, some reports say that less than 1,000 across the nation have actually closed. New changes are about to go into effect on Feb. 1, 2011 that the government hopes will open the floodgates to more HAFA short sales. The two biggest changes are regarding debt ratio and occupancy.

There used to be a requirement that the homeowners mortgage payment was more than 31% of their gross income to qualify. This is no longer required by the government HAFA rules (although the individual lender may still do it), and the homeowner still has to prove a hard-ship. The 31% was a stumbling block for many potential HAFA deals for someone that has

overwhelming debt apart from their mortgage.Under the old rules the property could not

be vacant more than 90 days prior to applying for HAFA, and the homeowner had to have been relocated for job reasons more than 100 miles away. Now it can be vacant for up to 12 months prior as long as the homeowner hasnt bought another residence yet. In addition, there is no minimum distance requirement, and the relocation does not need to be job-related. HAFA still does not cover properties bought for investment use, but now the property CAN have been rented during the 12 months prior to applying for a HAFA short sale.

I think these changes will improve HAFA short sales as it will allow more people to qualify to be considered for them. The bottom line, though, is that while lenders have to consider a homeowner for a HAFA short sale, its still optional for them to approve them or not.

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

The City of Brentwood is accepting applications for the 2011-12 Agricultural Enterprise Grant Program. In its fourth year, the program helps local agricultural organizations to fund area marketing and enterprise activities for the purpose of pro-moting the Brentwood agricultural area.

The program will make approximate-ly $10,000 available this year. Last years program helped pay for the Harvest Time

farm trails map, enhanced the marketing of Brentwood wines and contributed to local farm tours.

Grant applications are due to the city no later than Feb. 18; grant awards will be announced in March. For more informa-tion, visit www.ci.brentwood.ca.us under Community Development: Programs & Resources, or call Hazel Wetherford at 925-516-5106.

Ag grants available

Community band performs Saturday

The Brentwood Concert Band, under the direction of Susan Stuart and Carey Hurst, is ready to carry you to strange and exotic lands, both real and imaginary, at its third annual Benefi t Concert for the Bruce Stuart Music Fund Saturday, Jan. 22.

The concert will whisk you away to England with Percy Graingers Handel in the Strand, then to Spain with the stir-ring Espana Cani. Youll visit magical places from The Lord of the Rings and The Wizard of Oz, and you can guess what will bring the audience back to the good old USA.

The program will also include selec-tions by the Liberty High School Sym-phonic Band. Directed by Sue Stuart and Carey Hurst, the concert is suitable for all ages.

Admission is free; however, dona-tions for the Bruce Stuart Music Fund will be eagerly accepted. The fund helps promising local musicians attend events and training not possible under normal budgetary conditions.

The concert will be held at 2 p.m. in the Allan E. Jones Performing Arts Cen-ter on the Liberty High School campus, 850 Second St. in Brentwood.

8A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JANUARY 21, 2011

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While historian Carol Jensen owns a vast collection of historical postcards, shes looking to add to it, and she needs your help.

Jensens collection features images of old Brentwood, Oakley and Knightsen, but she doesnt have many Discovery Bay post-cards. Shes been hunting for pro-motional postcards that were a part of the 1970s ad campaign to endorse the new waterfront com-munity that nearly 15,000 residents now call home.

There must have been post-cards for promotion, yet no one seems to have one, Jensen said. This would be a 40-year-old card too young to be extinct. Postcards of Discovery Bay are incredibly difficult to find. I searched, adver-tised and cried when I couldnt find one old promotional postcard of Discovery Bay advertising it from the 1970 to 1972.

Jensen is offering a prize to anyone who can find a Discovery Bay postcard that hasnt been sent or written on. This month shes of-fering a Vaquero-level Friend of John Marsh membership to the John Marsh Historic Trust.

Jensen does own a Discovery Bay postcard, but not from the

early days yet the images lead to another history mystery. The post-card displays four scenes of the boaters-paradise life in Discovery Bay, but the back of the card sup-plies no information regarding lo-cations or identities.

Jensen wants to know things such as the name of the marina shown in the upper right corner and the owner of the house fea-

tured in the upper left corner. Shed also like to know the history of the sprinkler depicted in the lower right photo and where the lower left shot was taken.

Those with information on the postcard shown here, or in posses-sion of a promotional postcard from the 1970s, should e-mail Jen-sen at historian@byronhotsprings.com.

Searching for Discovery Bay

Contra Costa Waste Services (Mt. Diablo Recycling Center & Transfer Station RCTS) is now selling compost in bulk. The price of 1 ton (2.22 cubic yards) of compost is $60 plus tax. Residents who bring in a load of trash, green waste or wood waste receive a discount-ed price of $50 plus tax for 1 ton of compost.

RCTS, located at 1300 Loveridge Road in Pittsburg, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.contracosta-waste.com or call 925-473-0180.

...or buy it cheap

The City of Oakley will host a free back-yard composting workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the City Hall Coun-cil Chamber.

Composting yard trimmings and food scraps is easy, great for yards and gardens, and kind to the environment. It also saves money and water and conserves natural resources.

At the workshop, city staff will be selling Oakley residents high-quality compost bins for a discounted price. The new, high-quality SoilSaver compost bins, which are normally sold for more than $100, will be available for $45. Residents unable to attend the workshop but who wish to start composting may pur-chase a compost bin at City Hall for $64.50. Only workshop attendees will receive the low-est bin price.

For more information on the workshop, call Oakley Senior Planner Joshua McMur-ray at 925-625-7004 or e-mail mcmurray@ci.oakley.ca.us.

Make compost ...

The marine VHF (very high frequency) radio is a valuable tool for communicating with other vessels, hailing for help, obtaining weather information and monitoring pertinent local marine updates. It isnt, however, as informal as

a citizens band (CB) radio, and certain protocols for use and operation should be observed.

VHF marine frequencies are shared by commercial vessels, law enforcement, recreational boaters and the Coast Guard. The use and operation might seem a bit

intimidating at fi rst, but arent diffi cult once understood. There are four basic points of consideration for proper operation: hailing, communicating, frequency selection and obtaining weather reports.

Each of the 88 numbered channels has a specifi c function and is assigned to the specifi c uses mentioned above. The most important is channel 16, used for hailing, emergency calls and announcements by the Coast Guard. The proper procedure for hailing another vessel is by keying the mike, saying the other vessels name three times, then your vessels name once or twice. For example, Fireball, Fireball, Fireball, this is Tiki, Tiki, over.

Contact is recognized and an operating channel suggested as follows, Tiki, Fireball, go to six eight, over. Its important to switch to an operating frequency and not chit-chat on channel 16. For recreational boaters, the working channels are 09, 68, 69, 71, 72 and 78. Channel nine (09) is also the typical drawbridge tender frequency in the Delta. Once on the operating frequency, make the communication exchange short and precise, freeing the frequency for other users.

An emergency call is hailed on channel 16 by saying May-day, May-day, May-day followed by this is boat-boat name, boat-name. A May-day is used for a medical emergency or if in immediate danger and in need of assistance. If the Coast Guard hears your hail, it will respond. If not, other vessels within range of the hail are required to lend assistance.

If you are in a predicament that is less than life threatening but could escalate, then you hail Pan-pan, Pan-pan (pronounced pon). This is an advisory call that puts the Coast Guard on notice, if for example youre taking on water but the bilge pump is keeping up. Finally, a See-cur-i-tay is an announcement for mariners to keep a heads up for any condition that might impede navigation, or used to inform of another vessel in distress. These will typically be broadcast by the Coast Guard.

Another important channel is 13, used by commercial vessels for communicating boat to boat (bridge to bridge). If you happen to fi nd yourself in the middle of the deep water channel, engine dead and a large commercial vessel approaching, this is the channel to hail the watch offi cer on that

large mass of steel bearing down on you.Channel 14 is used by Vessel Traffi c

Service in the San Francisco Bay. VTS is the control tower of sorts, directing commercial traffi c into and out of the Bay. One Sunday summer morning I was headed back into the Bay and caught in pea soup fog. Visibility was only a couple hundred feet and the channel is quite narrow the last mile back into the Gate. Not wanting to get run over by a tanker, I hailed VTS for traffi c status and to advise my position.

Lastly, the National Weather Service broadcasts current observations and

forecasts on seven VHF frequencies dedicated to weather, 24 hours a day. Coastal and inland water area broadcasts include wind and wave conditions with potential hazards to small crafts.

The broadcasts are updated periodically, and each channel is specifi c to an area. The area of coverage is indicated at the beginning of the broadcast, so listen for the area most pertinent to your location. Once the recording begins to loop, its time to check a different channel.

From the south Delta, broadcasts can be heard on channels WX1, WX2 and WX4. Channel 1 covers the Sacramento

Valley and Gold Country, channel 2 from Monterey to the North S.F. Bay and channel 4 broadcasts from Mt. Diablo. This is the most appropriate for our area, covering the Delta with both land and marine observations.

The marine VHF is a valuable tool on the water. Follow these simple operating guidelines to plan your day, hear weather info and hook up with boating friends. Boat safe and have fun.

Jonathan Bloom is a USCG licensed Master and ASA certifi ed sailing instructor. He can be reached via www.BayDeltaFun.com.

JANUARY 21, 2011 OUTDOORS THEPRESS.NET | 9A

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Honors bestowed at Edna HillCongratulations to the following

Edna Hill Middle School students for earning a place on the Honor Roll and Honor Society for the schools second quarter:

HONOR ROLLSixth Grade: Brittany Aguayo, Roman

Ambriz, Briana Barajas, Gabrielle Barcelona, Liliana Barraza, Alex Bustamante, Joseph Carrera, Taylor Cleland, Noe Colmenares, Roy Cornejo Ramirez, Andrea Corona, Kyle DeYoe, Micaela Evers, Gillian Fiallos Glenn, Gabriel Garcia, Juan Garcia, Rosaymar Garcia, Samuel Goldman, Adrian Gonsalez, Nathan Hammerson, Damarcuz Henderson, Ryan Huynh, Phoebe Kelleher, Christine Lo, Kevin Lonergan, Jessica Maitoza, Arielle McCarrick, Britney Mendoza, Alexis Morales, Joshua Narag, Abraham Narez, Neena Orlo , Asia Perez, Armando Ramirez, Lucca Salavarria, Raven San Andres, Julian Sanchez, Preston Sanchez, Tyler Siebert, Ana Soto, Michael Sudweeks, Miranda Truhe, Zulema Victoria, Sarita Villalobos and Andrea Watton.

Seventh Grade: Amber Aeschbach, Austin Amour, Leticia Barraza, Beau Ballard, Jacob Blach, Kaitlyn Brecher, Isabella Bruno, Ivet Cardoso, Julian Carrera, Riley Condon, Nicole Diaz, Sara Doria, Dustin Durham, Alyssa Freyler, Kara Galvan, Casey Garcia, Ivonne Gonzalez Ortiz, Jamesha Green, Lindsey Heaney, Chloe Jorgensen, Matthew Mehlberg, Ebony Moody, Brooke Norwood, Sean OConnell, Deyanira Ortiz, Maria Perez,

Tessa Rodarte, Amador Rubio, Brennan Russell, Julianne Schwab, Meagan Sexton, Madison Siemers, Alayna Strabley, Rocio Tinoco, Arturo Torres, Cynthia Vazquez, Miriam Velador, June Yang and Stephanie Yu.

Eighth Grade: Laura Barreto, Chyanne Bell, Hannah Cedeno, Jamaun Charles, Erin Clayton Magill, Joseph Davies, Estefania Delgado, Cody DeYoe, Lynzey Dorn, Matthew Drake, Timothy Drake, Grant Farris, Rachel Firpo, Ian Gathu, DAndre Howard, Monica LaHaie, Cristina Martinez, Matthew Mendez, Lauren Mennuti, Guissell Morales, Diana Rodriguez, Dylan Sanchez, Lauren Scott, Catherine She er, Brianna Snider, Jordan Stanton, Bryan Steidle, Miley Tate, Breanna Tobar, Andrew Weibert, Rachel Wolter and Kaitlyn Zeigler.

HONOR SOCIETYSixth Grade: MoyoAde Afolabi, Sarah

Babcock, Spencer Batute, Michaela Benko, Natalie Betschart, Bryan Boettcher, Nicole Bollozos, Kylie Brown, Eryn Cleveland, Zachary Cohn, Alexus Coleman, Tessa Cortez, Skyelar Cribbs, Adilene Garcia, Gillian Gash, Jessica Georgiou, Emily Gonzalez, Leah Helton, Emily Jordan, Kamrie Kaasa, Zoe Katzman, Madison Keeton, Rita Landski, Katherine Lawson, Lauren Matthews, William McCurdy, Sydney Munns, Keenan Norris, McKenzie Olsen, Lucero Onofre, Lehkxandria Phoummathep, Sana Rashid, Francesca Re, Kaitlyn Richardson, Kylie

Rios, Hannah Rose, Allyson Russell, Delanie Sheehan, Clayton Strickland, Kiaja Stultz, Alexa Sylva, Sarah Tate, Logan Tucker, Tyler Valadez, Itzel Vargas, Megan Walrond, Zachary Weibert, Meredith Weinert, Calysta Westlake, MacKenzie Wieland, Michelle Zaw and Pacochino Zulueta.

Seventh Grade: Patricia Arroyo, Taylin Ashley-White, Hunter Bentancourt, Connor Blair, Isabella Carrera, James deFremery, Mikayla Furey, Dawson Gatz, Joseph Gliedt, Laura Gomez, Matthew Guerrero, Michelle LaHaie, Katrina Lawrence, Zachary Lowe, Aaliayah McKnight Corcran, Seth McNeely, Holly Miller, Kyle Miller, Natalie Ochoa, Jeremy Quilizapa, Collin Richardson, Kyle Ru , Maris Kay Samsel, Jack Smith, Sara Steidle, Madison Trimble, Marcos Valdez, Wyat Viss and Kaitlynn Zdroik.

Eighth Grade: Idara Akpakpa, Zachary Allen, Brianna Baskerville Bridges, Noemi Botor, Giovanny Colchado, Shelby Conn, Jacob Cropper, Chloe Denson, Alyssia Doss, Jessica Freeman, Ashlyn Frits, Cynthia Garibay, Nick Gash, Nicole Gri n, Scottie Groseclose, Brandon Gruber, Nicole Hat eld, Patrick Hill, Deejriana Jones, Elijah Laulu, Briana Lucca, Grant Mathias, Emani McKnight Corcran, Luke Miles, Jeremy Montes, Mallory Muniz, Louis Odiase, Povixai Phoummathep, Alexandra Re, Lisette Rodriguez, Sidney Sanchez, Kierra Santi, Hailey Schneider, Nathan Scott, Cassidi Sheehan, Kate Tarango and Kyler Torres.

Attendance areas for high schools in the Liberty Union High School District Liberty, Freedom and Heritage are designed to balance enrollment between the schools. But district students are allowed to attend a school not designated for their residential area, provided they are granted a formal intradistrict transfer. An open enrollment period is in effect during the month of February for the 2011-12 school year. Decisions regarding these requests will be made by May 13, 2011.

Intradistrict transfer requests are generally approved as long as the enrollment for all schools is balanced by total numbers and ethnicity. As the district continues to grow and enrollment capacities at all schools are reached, not all requests for intradistrict transfers will be approved. When schools reach their capacity, the number of intradistrict transfers approved must be equal between schools.

Intradistrict transfer request forms may be picked up starting Feb. 1 at the district offi ce, 20 Oak St. in Brentwood, or online at www.luhsd.net. For more information, call Valerie Noble at 925-634-2166, ext. 2021.

LUHSD transferperiod

JANUARY 21, 2011 THEPRESS.NET | 11A

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PAL seeking mentorsThe Brentwood Police Activities

League Board (PAL) is inviting members of the community to serve as volunteers in the new PAL Mentor Program. The program is funded through a National Recovery Act grant from National PAL.

PAL Executive Director and Youth Liaison Offi cer Roger Wilson and other members of the PAL board provide local at-risk students the opportunity to spend time with a caring adult while enjoying activities such as bowling, martial arts/boxing, golf, tennis and fun fi eld trips to Bay Area events. Although mentors also tutor students in academic areas and help them with their schoolwork, they neednt be credentialed teachers.

Nate Valencia and his mother Lin-

da are enthusiastic and grateful for the support the program has provided over the past fi ve months. Its really great to connect with a good person, said Nate. And it has motivated me to get my life on track. Linda said Nate is beginning to open up, become more social and hes even nicer to his brother.

The program enjoys the strong sup-port of PALs community-minded board of directors, but hopes to enlist 10 to 15 more volunteers to help mentor the grow-ing number of students who need this positive reinforcement. For more infor-mation, call PAL Mentor Coordinator Laura Ceja at 925-642-5529 or e-mail lceja2101@yahoo.com.

Contributed by Sarah Singrin

Nate Valencia, 17, partici-pates in the Brentwood PAL program under the guidance of Executive Director and Youth Liaison Of cer Roger Wilson, left, and Nates mentor Bill Harris.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Singrin

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The Oakley Union School District is presenting a series of public forums to address the possible impact of Gov. Jerry Browns proposed budget for the school district.

While we are encouraged by the governors proposed budget, we think it is vitally important for the community to understand where we have been, and where we might be going, said Oakley Union School District Superintendent Rick Rogers. These public forums will offer families and interested community members the opportunity to hear fi rst-

hand how the governors budget may af-fect our district and how we plan to deal with any necessary changes.

The meetings will also focus on the importance of the governors proposal to place an initiative on the June ballot as a way to minimize cuts to education.

The community meetings will be held Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at Delta Vista Middle School, and Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at OHara Park Middle School.

For more information, call the dis-trict offi ce at 925-625-0700.

School plans publicbudget meetings

John Muir Health is offering a series of classes to help parents gain the skills and confidence to deal with their teen and pre-teen children. The two courses Loving Solutions and Parent Project will be offered at the John Muir Health Outpatient Center in Brentwood, 2400 Balfour Road.

Loving Solutions, designed for parents of children 5-12, addresses parents most serious questions regarding raising their pre-teen. The classes are held Wednesdays, Feb. 23

through April 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost of the seven-week series is $90. The 10-week Parent Project series provides parents specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors in teens 13 and older.

The programs are facilitated by Gabriel Welcher of the John Muir Behavioral Health Center. For more information or to register, call 925-941-7900 or visit www.johnmuirhealth.com/classes.

Parenting at John Muir

14A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JANUARY 21, 2011

DO NOT MOVE.I REPEAT.DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOMEUNTIL THE BANK FORECLOSES OR THE SHORT SALE IS COMPLETEDby Joan Grimes, Esq.

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Every day people come into my offi ce indicating that they moved out of their home many months (or even years ago) and the bank still has not foreclosed. Th ey are now concerned because the city is sending them bills for maintenance on the property and the Homeowners Association is suing them for back payments even though they are no longer living at the home. If you are behind on your mortgage, have tried a loan modifi cation and have been denied or know you will not be able to keep the home, what should you do?

First, DO NOT MOVE I REPEATDO NOT MOVE UNTIL THE BANK FORECLOSES OR THE SHORT SALE IS COMPLETED. You are now living in your home without paying your mortgage. It is free! You should not start paying rent someplace else when you can live in your home for free.

Second, KEEP UP THE PROPERTY. YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPERTY UNTIL THE BANK FORECLOSES OR THE SHORT SALE IS COMPLETED. So, even if you moved, you are still responsible for the maintenance of the property and payment of any Homeowner Association dues. You do not need to pay the property taxes, but you should maintain the homeowners insurance. Th erefore, if you are still responsible for the maintenance and HOA payment, you might as well enjoy the property and the amenities.

Th ird, CONTINUE TO TALK TO YOUR LENDER TO SEE IF ANY NEW OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU. Starting January 1, 2011, the State of California is off ering new assistance programs through your lender if you are behind on your mortgage.

Fourth, SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL. Depending on your situation, a real estate or bankruptcy attorney will be able to advise you whether a short sale may be a better alternative for you than a foreclosure. Also, if you

have other debt which you are unable to pay off such as credit cards, lines of credit or car loans, a bankruptcy may be the best alternative for you. However, if you are no longer in the home, the debt against the property cannot be used to off set income. Th erefore, if you (or your family) have income over the average median income in California (Family 1- $47,234, Family 2-$61,954, Family 3-$67,562), you will want to fi le the bankruptcy case prior to leaving the home. Leaving the home prior to the bankruptcy fi ling may mean the fi ling of a Chapter 13 repayment plan versus a straight Chapter 7 where no debts must be repaid.

In conclusion, do not move until the Bank forecloses or the short sale is completed. It is still your home until the Bank forecloses which can be months or years from the time you stop paying. Th e average time of a foreclose in California is now 451 days from the date of default. Th at means potentially 451 days of FREE RENT or more. Since you are still responsible for the property, you might as well enjoy it. Th is is a complicated area of the law. You are in the deep end of the pool. Do not swim alone. Th e buddy system is essential. Seek a buddy in legal counsel prior to taking any action. I see people everyday for a FREE 30 minute consultation in my offi ces located in Walnut Creek, Antioch and Brentwood.

WE ARE A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY. WE HELP PEOPLE FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED AS LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON IN MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING A VOLUNTARY DEFAULT, SHORT SALE, FORECLOSURE OR BANKRUPTCY. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OBTAINING TAX & LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING AN INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. GRIMESBKLAW.COM

2011 Joan Grimes 323-7772

Eagle candidate aims to help troops

A local Eagle Scout candidate hopes to earn Scoutings highest honor by warming the hands and hearts of those serving our nation in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Alex Last is a member of Troop 927 sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marsh Creek Ward and hes been collecting monetary donations and items for care packages for soldiers overseas. The packages are fi lled with things to keep the troops warm and dry, as the areas weather this time of the year features temperatures in the 40s plus snow.

Alex held a kick-off party early this month and is collecting cold weather items through Saturday, Jan. 29. He plans to coor-dinate with the post offi ce and ship the care packages on Saturday, Feb. 12. On the recom-mendation of Josie and Jeff Monaghan from Antioch Military Families & Friends, Lasts goal is to ship at least 50 boxes to the troops.

Ive always looked up to those who have and are serving in the military, Alex wrote in a letter. I hope to bring joy to those who make it possible for us to have peace and joy here at home.

Alex said that this mission has taken on extra meaning to him. His cousin, U.S. Army Pfc. Trevor Taylor 1st Cavalry, 3rd Brigade enlisted last year and will deploy to Iraq later this month. Last said his cousins selfl ess de-

cision to serve has been an inspiration for his project.

In addition to his cousin, a member of his church U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Lopez has been assigned to the Armys 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command unit in Afghanistan. He left the end of Decem-ber, said Last, and is now fi ghting the blow-ing dirt and sand of Afghanistan. Lopez and Taylor will receive packages sent by Last.

The impending Eagle Scout has been in-volved in Scouting since the age of 8. A member of Order of the Arrow and leader in numerous roles, Last said his most rewarding scouting ex-perience occurred two years as a den chief for Combined Packs 927 and 297. He currently serves as Venture Crew Secretary.

ALEX LAST

In case you were wondering if the Brent-wood Union School District (BUSD) em-ploys any outstanding middle school teachers, feel free to ask Margaret Kruse.

Our teachers do great, great things in the middle school arena. They are wonderful educators, and this is just a great opportunity to show that, said Kruse, BUSD assistant superintendent. To have three teachers from Brentwood honored is quite something.

Kruse is referring to the recent Educator of the Year awards, the California League of Middle Schools annual honors awarded to teachers in 11 regions throughout the state. The outstanding instructors are recognized for their exemplary efforts on behalf of edu-cational reform and support at the middle school level.

Chosen from a fi eld of hundreds of educators throughout the state, nominees are recommended by their peers and pared down to a fi nal 11 in each district. One representa-tive from each district is chosen to go on to the state competition. The representative from Region IV is Ken Klieman from the San Ma-teo-Foster City School District. He will go on to compete in the state fi nals in February.

This year in Region IV, which includes Contra Costa County, three of the 11 nominees were from the BUSD. They are Bart Schneider, performing arts teacher at Edna Hill; Adams music teacher Lindsay Vietti; and Fred Albe, computer and science teacher at Bristow.

The nominees were feted during a recent Brentwood City Council meeting, and procla-mations from Sen. Barbara Boxer and Con-gressman Jerry McNerney were presented to them.

Schneider, who is also a former Teacher of the Year, is honored by the recent accolade. Were all pretty fi red up, said Schneider. Everyone here in the district does such an amazing job, and to be recognized with your peers is such an honor.

For Vietti, sharing the company of her

Brentwood peers makes the award especially sweet. Im completely honored, said Vietti. And to be acknowledged with the other teachers in the district says a lot about Brent-wood and the community. I love what I do and I love teaching the students. Its nice to have some positive news for the district.

Albe is also proud of the honor, but add-ed that its the collective efforts of the BUSD that makes for successful students. For the past 11 years as a science and computer teacher at Bristow, I have seen a remarkable transfor-

mation in the Brentwood schools, said Albe. The curriculum in all subject areas is today organized and integrated across all the schools in the district Schools are not, and shouldnt be considered, businesses, but the BUSD uses many of the planning and execution tools that I have seen work so well in the business world to achieve its goals and produce successful stu-dents. Congratulations, BUSD.

For more information on the Educator of the Year awards and a complete list of the winners, visit www.clms.net.

JANUARY 21, 2011 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 15A

BUSD dominates teacher awards

Photos by Rick Lemyre

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

At left, Fred Albe, computer and science teacher at Bristow Middle School, was one of three Brentwood middle school teachers rec-ognized for their work as educators. Above, Adams Middle School music teacher Lindsay Vietti, and Bart Schneider, right, a performing arts teacher at Edna Hill Middle School, were also honored. All three were honored at last weeks Brentwood City Council meeting.

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Tasty tourEditor:

On Thursday, Jan 13, Antioch Charter Academy Middle School

went on an incredible fi eld trip experi-ence in the Gourmet Ghetto area of Berkeley. Our guides from Lisa in the Kitchen took us to eight establish-ments (Sauls Deli, Chez Panisse, Soop, Alegio Chocolates, Lush Gelato, Cafe Gratitude, Love at First Bite, and The Cheeseboard), where we tasted vegan food, soup, chocolates, pastrami sandwiches, homemade soda, cupcakes, pizza, bread, cheese, veggies and dips, smoothies, coconut cream pie, and we sat in a restaurant that charges up to $95 per person to eat there!

The chefs we met with shared their passion for what they do and energeti-cally answered our students questions. We would like to publicly thank these es-tablishments for giving our students such a tremendous tour, and teaching them about where their food comes from.

Peggy WunderlyAntioch

Dont tar with same doggie brushEditor:

I read the article about the disturb-ing number of dog attacks lately. It seems like its giving large, athletic dogs such as Dobermans, pit bulls, boxers and German shepherds a bad name.

I just wanted to say: Lets not forget about the little people! I happen to own a Doberman. Hes been raised with my two little girls and hes the sweetest, goofy, gentle dog ever. While we were out last week, he was attacked by my neighbors Yorkie! You may laugh, but my dog has never been attacked, or played with in a rough manner. He didnt know what to do. He was totally submissive and this little dog did a number on my dogs lip.

I just wanted to put it out there: Its not the breed, but the way the dog is raised and treated at home.

Stacey KaupangerOakley

Fab Crab FeedEditor:

The Brentwood Mens Club would like to thank the following local business partners for making our annual Mens Crab Feed a success: Net Pro by Tabucchi Eng LLC, Brentwood Fine Meats, Delta Bay Mustang, Brentwood Smog Express, The Game Sports Pub N Pizza, Freedom Fire Protection, Brentwood Press, ECC Bank, Bill Brandt Ford, DTR Fence, SpeeDee Oil Change, Kragen OReilly, Markstein Sales Company, Joe Martinez State Farm Insurance, Waynes Smog, Gary Mitchoff The Cabin Rentals, Delta Fence, Delta Pure Water, Mike Grimes, American Legion and Dainty Center.

All of the money raised at out annual Crab Feed goes to local nonprofi ts, local high school scholarships funds, Rice and Beans Food Distribution and Holiday Gift Baskets to the needy.

Mike GrimesPresident, Brentwood Mens Club

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

16A | THEPRESS.NET JANUARY 21, 2011

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

of Contra Costa County.

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

BRENTWOOD PRESS & PUBLISHING CORPORATIONNational Award Winning Newspapers

Founder & President Jimmy ChamouresPublisher & General Manager Greg Robinson

Executive Editor Rick LemyreProduction Manager & Webmaster Lonnie de Lambert

Business Manager Heather ReidAdvertising Manager Ed Feldman

Main Office / Brentwood248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513

Phone 925-634-1441 Fax 925-634-1975Web site: www.thepress.net

Advertising 925-634-1441, ext. 115Classifieds 925-634-1441, ext. 142

Editorial 925-634-1441, ext. 111Circulation 925-250-1405

Editorial e-mail editor@brentwoodpress.com

OPINIONEDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY National

AwardWinning NewspapersHave you got something to say? Visit www.thepress.net and let your thoughts be known.

Learning a lesson from AntiochIts hardly news that the City of An-

tioch is having a tough time these days. Budget woes have City Hall operating on a shoestring, and although negotia-

tions to prevent further police layoffs continue, the thin blue line is already too

thin. City personnel are simply not avail-able to address blighted conditions in the neighborhoods, making things around town look just as bad as they seem.

Other East County communities whose fortunes are not as strained might be tempted to look at the regions largest city and say thank goodness thats not us. But if they do, theyd be overlooking

something happening in Antioch that ought to evoke comments more like why cant we be like them?

For some time there was a group of people meeting monthly with members of the Antioch Police, residents who wanted only to help pick up trash. When the PD budget would no longer allow the events, dozens of helpers turned out anyway to carry on. Theyll be out there again on Feb. 5, making a difference with gloved hands and garbage bags.

Then, on Dec. 23, resident Brittney Gougeon started a page on Facebook called Take Back Antioch. The aim was to spark dialogue about how to make the city safer, and Gougeon hoped 300 people might join by March. By this week,

however, more than 1,400 had jumped aboard, proffering ideas, photos of graf-fi ti, information on subsidized housing, police scanner codes and plenty more. The group has caught the attention of the City Council, but more importantly is organiz-ing and acting autonomously.

Thats great news. There are plenty of people whose tendencies are to sit around and complain, but its clear that there are also plenty who have had enough bad news and theyre heading out to make some good news of their own. Gougeons enthusiasm is catching, and she should be congratulated for her proactive way of addressing problems.

But more than just be congratulated, Gougeon and the other 1,400 friends

should be emulated. True, other com-munities may have a better balance sheet, but none are free from troublesome prob-lems that can be effectively address by a grassroots effort such as hers, and all can benefi t from residents efforts to make things better. No matter where they live, people should look at the example being set by those Antiochians unwilling to sit idly by as things get worse.

Although Antiochs movement might have been triggered by hardship, theres no reason such an effort cant be part of every community. All it takes is some energetic people willing to lead the way. Imagine what could be done with hundreds of volunteers and a healthy bank account.

EDITORIAL

The Press invites your com-ments. Letters must be no longer than 500 words, and include name, address and phone number for confirmation.

The Press reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clar-ity, potential libel and taste, or to not print letters we feel violate our standards of acceptance.

Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily the opinions of The Press, whose opinions are con-tained in clearly marked editorials.

Send correspondence to: The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, CA 94513; or e-mail editor@brent-woodpress.com.

LETTERS POLICY

City of Brentwood City Manager and City Council City Hall708 Third St.Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-516-5440www.ci.brentwood.ca.usCity of Antioch City Manager and City Council City HallThird and H streetsAntioch, CA 94509Phone: 925-779-7000www.ci.antioch.ca.us/citygov/administrationCity of Oakley City Manager and City Council City Hall3231 Main St.

Oakley, CA 94561Phone: 925-625-7000www.ci.oakley.ca.usTown of Discovery BayTown Manager and Community Services District 1800 Willow Lake RoadDiscovery Bay, CA 94505Phone: 925-634-1131www.todb.ca.govCounty Supervisor, Dist. III Mary N. Piepho1200 Central Blvd., Suite BBrentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-7260 dist3@bos.cccounty.usCounty Supervisor, Dist. VFederal Glover315 E. Leland Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone: 925-427-8138dist5@bos.cccounty.usState Sen. Mark DeSaulnier Seventh State Senate DistrictState CapitolRoom 2054Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916-651-4007 1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 240Walnut Creek, CA 94597Phone: 925-942-6082www.dist07.casen.govoffice.comAssemblywoman Joan Buchanan15th District P.O. Box 942849Sacramento, CA 942493231 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561 Phone: 925-679-2715

www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a15Gov. Jerry BrownConstituent AffairsState Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2864 www.gov.ca.gov/interact#emailU.S. Rep. Gerald McNerney 11th Congressional District 2222 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 7 Stockton, CA 95207 Phone: 209-476-8552Fax: 209-476-8587Washington office:312 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-1947Fax: 202-225-4060www.mcnerney.house.gov

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

JANUARY 21, 2011 THEPRESS.NET | 17A

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

A sampling of recent law enforcement activity reported by East County police de-partments.

BRENTWOODJan. 7, 12:29 a.m. Two subjects were engaged in a verbal altercation on First Street.Jan. 7, 12:57 a.m. On Brentwood Boulevard at Second Street, a subject stopped for vehicle code violations was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and released on a Promise To Appear.Jan. 7, 8:37 a.m. An unidentifi ed person stole copper wire in the vicinity of the Highway 4 Bypass at Lone Tree Way.Jan. 7, 4:35 p.m. A subject was contacted at his residence on Finn Way for an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Jan. 7, 8:10 p.m. On the Highway 4 Bypass Road at Sand Creek Road, a driver rear-ended another vehicle, abandoned his vehicle and fl ed on foot. He was located and found to have been driving under the infl uence of alcohol and without a license. He was arrested and released on a Promise To Appear.Jan. 7, 10:25 p.m. On Empire Avenue at Shady Willow Lane, a subject stopped for a vehicle code violation was found to be driving without a license.Jan. 8, 1:03 a.m. On Brentwood Boulevard at Technology Way, the vehicle of a subject stopped for code violations was found to have been stolen in Antioch. The driver was found in possession of burglary tools. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Jan. 8, 4:26 p.m. An unidentifi ed person smashed a rear window of a residence on Fieldstone Court.Jan. 8, 6:45 p.m. On Brentwood Boulevard at Lone Tree Way, two subjects were found to be under the infl uence of a central nervous system stimulant. They were arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Jan. 8, 9:34 p.m. An unidentifi ed person stole a vehicle from the front of a residence on Crossridge Court.

Jan. 9, 12:38 a.m. During an investigative stop on Technology Way, a subject was found to be driving under the infl uence of alcohol. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Jan. 9, 8:28 a.m. On Walnut Boulevard at Orchard Drive, a subject reported that an unidentifi ed person robbed him at gunpoint.Jan. 9, 2:03 p.m. A subject observed leaving a business on Sand Creek Road without paying for concealed merchandise was arrested and released on a Promise To Appear.Jan. 9, 4:06 p.m. An unidentifi ed person sent text messages to a resident of Anderson Lane in violation of a restraining order.Jan. 10, 1:03 a.m. On OHara Avenue at Sand Creek Road, a subject contacted during a traffi c stop was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine.Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. An unidentifi ed person stole a purse from an unlocked vehicle parked on Sycamore Avenue.Jan. 10, 6:02 p.m. A driver ran a red light on Balfour Road at American Avenue, causing his vehicle to collide with another vehicle. No injuries were reported. The second vehicle was towed from the scene.Jan. 10, 6:48 p.m. Two drivers engaged in a verbal road rage dispute on Lone Tree Way, one alleging that the other had rammed his vehicle. No damage to his vehicle was found, and the other driver denied the accusation.Jan. 10, 7 p.m. An unidentifi ed driver backed into a light pole on Cortona Way at Balfour Road.Jan. 10, 8:02 p.m. On Walnut Boulevard at Dainty Avenue, a driver failed to yield right of way, causing him to broadside another vehicle. No injuries were reported, but both vehicles were towed from the scene.Jan. 11, 12:25 a.m. On the Highway 4 Bypass at Sand Creek Road, a subject stopped for a vehicle code violation was found to be driving on a suspended license. The subject was cited and his vehicle was towed.Jan. 11, 8:35 a.m. The back window of a

vehicle parked on St. Andrews Drive was shot out by a BB gun.Jan. 11, 9:06 a.m. An unidentifi ed person posted false ads on Craigslist using the phone numbers of residents of Iron Club Drive.Jan. 11, 10:43 a.m. A vehicle parked on Minnesota Avenue at Chamomile Lane was towed for being abandoned for more than 72 hours.Jan. 11, 11:30 a.m. An attempt to contact a subject known to be on felony probation led to a foot pursuit on Malaga Way at Bing Court. The subject was detained and found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, non-prescribed medication and suspected marijuana. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Jan. 11, 1:30 p.m. Two windows of a business on Balfour Road were damaged with BBs or similar projectiles during the evening hours.Jan. 11, 4:36 p.m. A resident of Poe Court reported that someone stole her prescription medication.Jan. 11, 9:04 p.m. An unidentifi ed person stole a vehicle from a parking lot behind a business on Lone Tree Way.

To view the Brentwood Police Depart-ments public logs on the citys Web site, visit www.ci.brentwood.ca.us/department/pd/reports/index.cfm.

OAKLEYJan. 3 Vehicles were stolen from the 1600 block of Gamay Circle, the 1600 block of Rio Vista Court and the 4000 block of Courtland Drive.Jan. 3 A stolen vehicle was recovered on Live Oak Avenue at Nut Tree Lane.Jan. 3 On the 100 block of Copper Knoll Way, a subject was arrested for interfering with a public offi cer.Jan. 3 A juvenile was reported as a runaway from the 3000 block of Stonecrop Drive.Jan. 3 A vehicle was burglarized on the 3800 block of Armstrong Court.Jan. 4 A subject was found in possession of dangerous drugs on the 4100 block of Blossom Court.Jan. 4 A subject was found to be under

the infl uence of a dangerous substance on the 4100 block of Blossom Court.Jan. 4 On the 1700 block of Fairhaven Court, a subject was charged with violation of a court order.Jan. 4 A vehicle was towed from Big Break Road at Main Street.Jan. 4 On Main Street at Norcross Lane, a subject was arrested for driving under the infl uence of alcohol.Jan. 4 An automobile was burglarized on the 100 block of Francis Court.Jan. 5 On the 100 block of Crane Court, a subject was found in possession of narcotics.Jan. 5 A vehicle accident with property damage occurred on the 3000 block of Main Street.Jan. 5 A vehicle was towed from Live Oak Avenue at Main Street.Jan. 6 A vehicle was stolen from the 4000 block of Courtland Drive.Jan. 6 A non-criminal death was reported on the 1000 block of Rosemary Lane.Jan. 6 On the 2100 block of Main Street, a subject was arrested for DUI.Jan. 7 A subject was found to be under the infl uence of drugs on the 4100 block of Blossom Court.Jan. 8 On the 2000 block of Main Street and on Empire Avenue at Laurel Road, subjects were cited for driving without a license.Jan. 8 On Harvest Drive at Harvest Circle, Neroly Road at OHara Avenue and on Main Street at Raye Street, subjects were arrested for DUI.Jan. 8 A vehicle was towed from East Cypress Road at Main Street.Jan. 9 A vehicle was stolen from the 900 block of West Cypress Road.Jan. 9 A hit-and-run incident occurred on Empire Avenue at Main Street.Jan. 9 On Laurel Road at Main Street, Laurel Road at OHara Avenue and on the 100 block of Escher Circle, subjects were arrested for DUI.Jan. 9 Domestic violence with injury to a spouse was reported on the 1200 block of Quail Valley Run.Jan. 9 A residence on the 4600 block of Mammouth Lane was burglarized.

COP LOGSFROM EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCH LOGS An unidentifi ed driver backed into a light pole on Cortona Way at Balfour Road in Brentwood. Jan. 10, 7 p.m.

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Mary Edna BechtholdtJan. 31, 1923-Jan. 5, 2011

Beloved mother and grandmother Mary Bechtholdt passed away on Jan. 5. Mary was the last of 11 brothers and sisters. She was born to Fred and Eliza Branaugh on Jan. 31, 1923 in Armour, S.D. Mary buried two husbands in the course of her life, Vernon W. Sees in 1954 and Herman Bechtholdt in 1971.

Mary is survived by her four children: Beverly Ann Sees, Larry Joe Butch Sees (Joan), Delvin Herman Bechtholdt (step-son) and Michael Jay Bechtholdt (Eve); fi ve grandchildren: Laurie McCutchen (Mike), Jennifer Martin (Chris), Michael Sees, Mar-gie Bechtholdt, John Bechtholdt; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mary spent her retirement years in Brentwood, where she soon became an ac-tive community volunteer: former vice presi-dent of the Brentwood Community Chest, Brentwood Food Bank volunteer and regu-lar helper at the Brentwood CornFest. In 2004 she was honored with the Women of Distinction award by the Soroptimist Inter-national of the Delta.

Her last years were spent at the as-sisted-living facility Eskaton Lodge, where she enjoyed socializing with friends, playing bingo and volunteering as a resident am-bassador. She also enjoyed lunches out and drives around town with her youngest son, Michael. All who knew her will miss Mary.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects in private at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Hayward. Mary will be put to

rest next to her fi rst husband, Vernon Sees.In lieu of fl owers, the family requests

that donations be made to the COPD Foun-dation or the charity of your choice.

Robert E. ReedJune 28, 1927-Jan. 2, 2011

Robert E. Reed, a former Brentwood resident, entered into rest on Jan. 2 in Antioch at the age of 83. He was a loving husband of 61 years to Lois Reed and a devoted father to Steve Reed (Pam) and Kim Calhoun (Wil-liam). Robert was also a treasured grandfa-

ther of Robert, Danielle, Kelly, Kasey and William; and a beloved great-grandfather of Robert, Eric, Sydney, Keilani and Landon.

He was born on June 28, 1927 in Madi-son County, Iowa. Robert was a member of the Merchant Marines during World War II and served in the Air Force during the Kore-an War. He worked for Lockheed in Sunny-vale for 33 years as an engineer.

A memorial service was held on Jan. 8 at Resurrection Ministries in Brentwood. A private burial followed at Irvington Cem-etery in Fremont.

OBITUARIES

Congratulations to Tommy Shultz of Discovery Bay for winning the Christmas Coloring Contest held by Super-cuts on Highway 4 in Discovery Bay. For his coloring talents, Tommy was awarded a beautiful basket chock full of goodies to share with his family.

Color him incomparable

BECHTHOLDT REED

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20A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JANUARY 21, 2011

Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

Th e Dartboard

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A multiple colored circular cork board hung on the back wall of your favorite watering hole, or fl ashing LED lights and in the front of your favorite bar this de-pending on your generation is a staple in any respectable tavern. Th e most common version of this classic pub game of course being 301, whereas each player starts with 301 points and works backwards until the winner is the fi rst to hit the score of zero; going out as it is known in the dart com-munity. Each player takes their turn, and their aim, in hopes of hitting the bulls eye and immediately subtracting 50 points from their original 301.

Now, even though Th e World Dart Federation has been around since 1976 some people still have issues wrapping their head around the gamewhich is why I guess I can still understand some loan offi cers still having a hard time wrapping their head around the newer see implemented in 2010 Good Faith Estimate. On the other side of the coin, and as the consumer, if you were to think about this document as a dart board it wouldnt be that complicated at all

Th e outer circle on our board has the largest target, and just as the real life game of darts, allows for the most amount of leniency. A loan offi cer can miss the target COMPLETELY and not be penal-ized. Th ese fees include home inspections, ter-mite reports, and/or home warranties. Th e loan offi cer has no control over these fees and as such is not penalized in any way for misquoting these charges.

Th e middle circle of our dart board re-quires a bit more aim by our loan offi cer and only allows for a 10% variance. Of course, with the smaller target comes a larger risk and the loan offi cer is now held respon-sible for a missed throw. If fees are initially quoted and then raised by more than 10%, the loan offi cer will have to credit that diff er-ence to the borrower at closing. Th ese fees in-clude title and escrow charges. Although the loan offi cer does not directly control these fees, he or she does work directly with these companies, so there is a smaller margin for error.

Last but not least is our loan offi cer bulls eye the fees that have to be spot on without any excuses. A missed throw here and the loan offi cer has all but lost the game. Once these fees are on your good faith estimate it is ILLEGAL for any of them to change in any way. Th ese fees include his or her origination charges, the appraisal charges, and any other fees that his com-pany charges for doing business. Th ey are his or her direct fees and if he or she cant hit the bulls eye here should you even be working with them? I mean, who doesnt know what they charge for doing business. One thing is for sureI wouldnt want him or her on my World Dart Federa-tion team!

If you have any real estate lending related questions or concerns, dont hesitate to write me at tfreymortgages@yahoo.com or call me directly on my cell phone, (925) 726-1444.

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only a year, but the way they converse gives the impression theyve been friends for years. While they dont agree on ev-erything (Crump is still trying to convince Duncan to introduce alligator bites to the menu, while Duncan wants Crump to try a breakfast made with brown eggs), the two weave through the kitchen with dance-like fl uidity as they take orders and prepare food. As the restaurant is new and Duncan and Crump expose custom-ers to new dishes, the menu is constantly evolving. But they agree that the barbecue ribs and tri-tip are the favorites. For cus-tomers with room for dessert, Duncan is an accomplished pastry chef who makes fresh red velvet cake, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie.

The menu features an array of side dishes including potato salad, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, plus cole-

slaw. Main courses range from barbecued pulled pork sandwiches to fried chicken to seafood gumbo and blackened catfi sh.

Weve received such positive feed-back from the customers, Duncan said. Weve got some people who come in every day to try new things or see what the daily special is. And theyre not shy to share what they think of the food, either. Its always great when customers offer constructive criticism because it lets me know what I can work on. To me, a recipe is never complete. Theres always some-thing new to try, and Im excited that I get to share these new creations with the community.

Bobby Ds Restaurant and Custom Catering is located at 1635 A St. in An-tioch. For more information, call 925-775-4025 or visit www.bobbydscustomca-tering.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Louisiana from page 4A

Photo by Richard Wisdom

Sumptuous barbecue ribs with a Louisiana air are one of the most popular dishes at Bobby Ds in Antioch.

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SPOTLIGHT N BUSINESS Spotlight on Business, provided each week by The Press, presents news and information about our business community. To contribute to this section, e-mail greg@thepress.net.

A bright spot amid East Countys slow economic recovery is ECO Business Cen-ters, an nonprofi t educational organization, located in Antioch, dedicated to the vital business of economic redevelopment.

Co-founder Glen Laughton hears jobs, jobs, we all need jobs! but asks where do you think those jobs come from? They come from entrepreneurs that have the guts to put their entire personal and fi nancial lives on the line to meet a need in the marketplace. According to President Obama, small busi-nesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our communities, and yet Laughton asks when do we learn how to start a business? ECO Business Centers provides educational courses and has gone a step further in creating an ecosystem of suc-cess for entrepreneurs.

According to the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, 80 percent of the businesses in Antioch employ no more than fi ve workers. That means most of these entrepreneurs are working out of their homes, and a business can grow only to a certain degree in such an environment. The economy-of-scales factor, plus the perception that a business with a home address and that meets at Starbucks is not totally professional, make it hard for small businesses to compete with larger, es-tablished companies.

ECO Business Centers solves those problems by providing low-cost cubicles and offi ces, a shared admin, conference rooms, phone system, kitchenette, copy/print cen-ter, fi le servers and Internet access. We pro-vide an eco-friendly instant offi ce so entre-preneurs can pick up their laptops, walk-in, sit-down and plug in to an entire offi ce infra-structure theyd have in a mid- to large-size

company, says Laughton.We want them to focus on their core

business, not the general offi ce or Informa-tion Technology administration issues. In this environment they can succeed, the jobs will come and economic recovery will oc-cur.

Additional synergies will come through partnering with tenants. Tenant Pinewood

Studios, a professional audio and video re-cording studio, will add in Internet audio/video broadcasts and web conferencing, according to co-founder Joe Reano. Tenant Ready Print will be able to offer large-vol-ume print and copy services.

ECO Business Centers is looking for entrepreneurs that can function as depart-ments such as accounting, legal, human resources, sales and marketing. We want to not only create an instant offi ce, but an instant company, says Laughton.

Laughton and Reanos greater vision is to help businesses to succeed to such a de-gree that they outgrow their facility, move out and take over vacant locations in An-tiochs beautiful Rivertown business district. ECO Business Centers is looking for only 20 more entrepreneurs to move in, plus groups that would like to host meetings in the new conference rooms.

So what happens next? Weve already been approached by other cities to replicate this model, says Laughton. Were just looking for the right sponsors to join our vi-sion. ECO Business Centers future looks bright.

For more information, visit www.eco-businesscenters.com and call 925-526-4465 to schedule a free tour of the facilities at 505 W. Second St. in Antioch.

ECO enables entrepreneurs expansion

ECO Business Centers co-founders Glen Laughton, left, and Joe Reano are looking to boost economic development in Antioch.

Photo courtesy of ECO Business Centers

22A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JANUARY 21, 2011

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMESTATEMENT File #F-0000275-00 The name of the business (es): LOCALS IN LIGHTS Located at: 1029 Paci c Grove Court In: Brentwood, CA 94513 Is here-by registered by the following owner(s): Joe Larsson, 1029 Paci c Grove Court, Brentwood, CA 94513. This business is conducted by: an Individual The regis-trant commenced to transact business under the ctitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. Signature of registrant: Joe Larsson This state-ment was led with Stephen L Weir, County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: January 13, 2011 By: Jose Gonzalez, Deputy Expires: January 13, 2016Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 2011

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNotice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Brentwood will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business per-mits on February 1, 2011, hold a public hearing to consider the following:An application for a rezone (RZ 11-001) to amend the Brentwood Municipal Code by:1. Comprehensively amending Chapter 17.640 (Sign Ordinance);2. Adding Chapter 17.645 (Signs on Pub-lic Property); and3. Adding Chapter 17.835 (Sign Permit).Applicant: City of BrentwoodSaid hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 101B Sand Creek Road, Brentwood, California.Further information may be obtained

from Principal Planner Erik Nolthe-nius [(925) 516-5137 or enolthenius@ci.brentwood.ca.us] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 118 Oak Street, Brentwood, California 94513.Before any court challenge of Plan-ning Commission decisions, you are required to appeal the decision to the City Council no later than the time pe-riod provided under the Citys Municipal Code. In addition you may be limited to raising only those issues you or some-one else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brent-wood Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.Brentwood Press No. 02-1273Publish Date: January 21, 2011

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGAND AVAILABILITY OF A MITIGATED

NEGATIVE DECLARATIONNotice is hereby given that the Plan-ning Commission of the City of Brent-wood will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business permits on February 15, 2011, hold a public hearing to consider the following:1. An application for a General Plan amendment (GPA 10-002) to change the land use designation for a 0.76-acre site, located at the northeast cor-ner of Balfour Road and West Country Club Drive, from Very Low Density Residential to Professional Of ce; a rezone (RZ 10-003) to amend the PD-18 Zone by designating the 0.76-acre site as part of and subject to the existing

Subarea C regulations; and a minor subdivision (MS 10-002) to subdivide a 61.45-acre parcel into four parcels, ranging in size from 0.77-acre to 55.75 acres (APN 019-120-038).2. An application for a General Plan amendment (GPA 10-002) to change the land use designation for a 1.23-acre site, located at the southeast corner of Balfour Road and Mountain View Drive, from Very Low Density Residential to General Commercial; a rezone (RZ 10-005) to amend the PD-20 Zone by adding recreational vehicle and boat storage as a conditionally permitted use; and a conditional use permit (CUP 10-009) to allow a rec-reational vehicle and boat storage facility on the 1.23-acre site (APN 007-100-091).

A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared for this project, pursu-ant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to assess poten-tially adverse environmental impacts. The draft Mitigated Negative Dec-laration will be available beginning January 27, 2011 for public review and comment in the Community De-velopment Department for a period of 20 days. The deadline for submission of written comments on this environ-mental document ends on February 15, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.Applicant: Friess Property Invest-mentsSaid hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 101B Sand Creek Road, Brentwood, California.Further information may be obtained

from Senior Planner Jeff Zilm [(925) 516-5136 or jzilm@ci.brentwood.ca.us] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 118 Oak Street, Brentwood, California 94513.Before any court challenge of Plan-ning Commission decisions, you are required to appeal the decision to the City Council no later than the time period provided under the Citys Mu-nicipal Code. In addition you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brentwood Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.Brentwood Press No. 02-1273Publish Date: January 21, 2011

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES

Rising star returns to thank fansBay Area country sensation Pammie Lowe and the

Pammie Lowe Band will be playing at the Rusty Porthole, 3895 Willow Road in Bethel Island, on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. Lowe and her band have been booking more upscale gigs in recent months, but the Benicia-based singer wants to thank East County for all the support during her informal tour last year.

Since launching her career last year, Lowe has per-formed with Nashville stars Justin Moore, Keith Anderson, Josh Gracin, Josh Thompson, Craig Campbell and Walker Hayes.

Lowes Rusty Porthole appearance will feature some of her original songs plus covers of hits by Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. Itll be a great night for music, said Lowe. Come on down and have fun, yall.

Pammie Lowe Band members are Tony Holt (rhythm), David Franklin (banjo), Mike Miller (drums), Hal Miller (keyboard, violin, mandolin, piano and lead guitar), Fred Vierra, (keyboard, organ, effects and strings) and Nick Di-iorio (bass). Lowe plays acoustic and, of course, takes lead vocals.

Among the bands accomplishments are performances at the Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq benefi t sponsored by the Wolf Radio Station in Sacramento the Crockett Sugarfest, The Stoney Rockin Rodeo, The Texas Back For-ty in Concord and The Saddle Rack in Fremont.

Lowes original songs In My Heaven and Fallin Again are fan favorites and will soon be heard on the Wolf when her latest CD is released this spring.

Pammie Lowe will soon be a household name if our plans come to fruition, said bandmember Holt. But she isnt doing this for fame or fortune. Shes doing this because she loves her art and loves writing songs. She wants to share that with as many people as possible; whatever else happens is great. And she still wants to do a limited number of lo-cal performances to give back to the community that has helped to launch her career.

Lowe said shes looking forward to next weeks perfor-mance and is grateful for all the fan support shes received from East County. For more information about The Pam-mie Lowe Band and upcoming show dates, visit www.face-book.com and search Pammie Lowe Cali-Country Pop Artist.

Country artist Pammie Lowe performs at the Rusty Porthole in Bethel Island next week.

Photo courtesy of Pammie Lowe

and 2007 Meritage/Bordeaux blends). Han-nah Nicole owners Neil and Glenda Cohn also took home an impressive eight bronze awards (2009 Le Mlange Rose, 2007 Stro-bel Vineyard Zinfandel, Mt. Diablo Syrah Reserve, 2007 Merlot and Merlot Reserve, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Petit Ver-dot and 2007 Le Mlange Rouge/Bordeaux Blends).

Jeff and Sara Tamayo, owners of

Tamayo Family Vineyards and CANA Wines in Brentwood, rounded out the East County honors with four awards, including a gold medal for their 2009 Rylands Block Malbec ($24).

I think it is a great honor and we couldnt be happier, celebrating with our lo-cal vintners, said Jeff Tamayo. These kinds of awards year after year (in East County) also show that we, as a community of wine growers, have arrived. Its great and it paves

the way for those who want to come out here and grow great wines. Were very proud.

Tamayo also won two silver medals (2008 Estate Grown J. Jaden Red Desert Wine and 2009 Bailey Viognier) and one bronze award (2007 CANA Proprietary Es-tate Blend).

Wines entered in the competition were awarded bronze, silver, gold and double gold (unanimous gold by the judges). Best of Class awards were conferred for each of

the wine judging categories, plus the Sweep-stakes Awards for the top sparkling, white, pink, red and desert/specialty wines.

The public will get a chance to sample all the award-winning wines at the Chroni-cles public tasting on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

For a complete list of the 2010 award winners, visit www.winejudging.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Vintner from page 1A

The last owner bought the place about fi ve years ago and he started letting other families live on the property, Kikkert said. They werent living in the house, though. There were families living in the barn and sheds. There was no power or services such as water or sewage, so the place was a dump. We tried to tell the city about it but nothing was ever done.

Darrylynn Shatting, a 32-year resident of Doyle Road, shared Kikkerts concerns. There must have been 25 to 30 people liv-ing on the property in fi lth. Traffi c increased, and cars would stop by for only fi ve minutes and leave. You can only imagine what was going on over there. It was of concern to our Neighborhood Watch group and we con-tacted the city, but nothing was ever done. It wasnt a racial issue it was a (blight) issue. We wanted to protect our neighborhood.

Smith said that despite the neighbors claims, he has no record of any complaints being made about the property at the end of Doyle Road, and that his fi rst correspon-

dence with the neighbors occurred last De-cember. Since then, action has been taken.

The neighbors noticed that the tenants began to move out in November and vacat-ed the area in December. When nothing was done to secure the property and ward off po-tential vandalism and crime, the neighbors went to Smith determined to get results.

Someone has to take responsibility for this property, Shatting said. Its a nuisance. If the bank isnt going to take care of it, then the city needs to do something or clean it up themselves. This is a matter of social respon-sibility.

While a month has passed since the resi-dents fi rst contacted Smith, he said progress has been made in the case, even if neighbors cant see any immediate results. As the city offi ces were closed for two weeks during the holidays, the case was especially diffi cult to track. But once the offi ces reopened, Smith began tracking down the bank in question.

Residents contacting code enforce-ment with concerns about foreclosed homes is nothing new, Smith said. Weve been get-

ting a lot of calls about it for the past two years. In the case of Doyle Road, what I be-lieve happened is that the bank that original-ly owned the property closed and the bank that took over its assets wasnt even aware of the property and the condition in was in. It appears that the fi rst bank initiated the fore-closure process but was unable to complete it and the tenants were never evicted.

Smith said hes in contact with asset managers at the bank responsible for the property, and that theyre cooperating with the process. A citation, which includes a fi ne, has been issued to the bank, and as soon as the propertys stay period has expired, a crew will come in and begin to take care of the property. The stay period is initiated by a bank when it repossesses a property, allow-ing tenants to collect their belongings before the bank moves in to restore the property. Smith said the asset managers of the bank involved in the Doyle Road property have told him that the stay period expires at the end of the month.

While Kikkert and Shatting are relieved

that something will fi nally be done about the eyesore on their street, they wish their pleas to the city had been heard sooner. Weve been calling for years, but apparently they have no record of it, Kikkert said. Now, when I have an issue, I know to get it all in writing to make sure I have a record of whats going on.

Smith said that if residents are concerned about a deteriorating property in their area, they should call code enforcement, which will conduct a fi eld report. He also recommended that residents send photos of such property, as the Doyle Road residents did. However, if during a fi eld study the code enforcement of-fi cer detects no ordinance violations, nothing can be done. The city cannot snoop around on the property looking for infractions.

I know the residents want immediate results, and we are taking their concerns seri-ously, Smith said. Theres only so much we can do at a given time, but I hope the resi-dents are fi nding the solutions theyre look-ing for.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Blight from page 1A

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2B | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS JANUARY 21, 2011

Heritage junior forward Josh Ned takes a shot over Freedoms Darrell Greene.

Patriots fly past Falcons

Fridays Bay Valley Athletic League varsity boys basket-ball opener between Heritage and Freedom promised to be a good game. Both teams had strong preseasons and both made the playoffs last year. The opener showed that while some of the players have changed, the rivalry is alive and well.

The Patriots took this chapter of the rivalry, managing a 73-61 victory. Heritage junior forward Wayne Engelstad was the top scorer on the night, netting 25. Nine of those came in the fi rst quarter, where he converted one three-point play and made two three point shots. In total, he sunk six threes on the night. His strong fi rst quarter gave the Patriots a 15-11 lead, and while the Falcons made several runs, they never led after the fi rst quarter.

My team got me open; I just had to hit open shots. Ev-erybody played well, said Engelstad. We had a lot of en-ergy. We knew that we had to come out and beat these guys. Theyre in our league, theyre our rivals, and we had to beat them.

Freedom senior swingman Andrew Garner, despite a sluggish start, scored a team-high 17 points. After Garner, senior guard Jeff Matteri, junior guard Jehiah Gennaro, and senior center Darrell Greene all notched eight for the Fal-cons. In addition to Englestad, the Patriots had two scorers in double-digits: senior forward Kyle Grant, who scored 12, and junior guard Paul Blackburn with 11.

Despite Freedoms success in recent years, its varsity team has never defeated Heritage. Included in that was a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Patriots last year that culminated in a 75-65 loss in the fi rst round of the North Coast Section playoffs.

Its a new group of guys, said Patriots head coach Pat Cruickshank. It does feel good, though. Im more pleased

with the effort my kids gave today. Thats the biggest thing Ive got going now.

While the game did feature a different group of players, it was similar to all of 2010s games high scoring, fast, and physical.

A big difference in the game came from the free-throw line. The Patriots were 22 of 31 from the line while Freedom was only 11 of 28. This was not lost on Falcons coach Drew Torres, who felt that his team played well after a sluggish start.

Ive got to give them credit because they shot really well. Free throws for us were obviously not as good. They shot a lot better than us, said Torres, who also noted that the physi-cal nature of the game will likely repeat itself in the rematch. Every league game in our league game is physical. It was a physical game, thats how we like it. Give credit to Heritage: they were the better team tonight. They beat us.

The night was not a total loss for the Falcons, as their junior varsity team beat Heritage 57-46. Dominic Vigil led all Freedom scorers with 14 while Ryan Smit