oakley press_07.01.11

Natio

nalAwardWinning Newspapers

www.thepress.net Your Hometown Website

Vol. 11, No. 26 YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER July 1, 2011

ravemotionpicturesBrentwood 14 +

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Business ............................... 5BCalendar ............................ 19BClassifieds ......................... 13BEast County Life ................ 1BEntertainment ................... 9BFood .................................... 10BHealth & Beauty ................ 6BMilestones .......................... 8BOpinion ..............................14ASports .................................17A

Online Now!

www.thepress.netYour Hometown Website

Meet Liberty High Schools best and brightest this spring.

Touch of classgo to news/WebExtras!

Construction will soon begin on an interpretive center at Big Break in Oakley.

Big Break buildoutgo to news/press releases

Veterans service and sacrifices were honored at an event in Cortona Park.

Vets veneratedgo to multimedia/videos

Strikefest wows crowds

The din of plummeting pins filled Harvest Park as a PBA Senior tourney came to a spectacular climax. Page 17A

Foremost facilitator A man who normally works behind the scenes for military honorees was named Veteran of the Year. Page 3A

Interchange gets green lightThough Highway 4 Bypass

offi cials were hoping for $33 million from the state to build an interchange at Sand Creek Road, theyre pleased with the $25 million in Corridor Mobility Improvement Account money they were able to take home for the project.

As members of the High-way 4 Bypass Authority and other local offi cials headed down to a California Department of Transportation meeting in Long Beach recently, they were opti-mistic that they could secure $33 million to turn the intersection at Sand Creek Road in Brentwood into a gridlock-eliminating inter-change similar to those at Laurel Road and Lone Tree Way. The intersection of the Bypass and Sand Creek Road is currently managed by traffi c signals.

The project was at the top of the list of many Northern Cali-fornia highway improvements under consideration for state funds at that meeting. However, according to Oakley Mayor Jim Frazier, CalTrans decided to

spread the wealth more evenly.Despite the lower sum, of-

fi cials are excited to begin work and soon clear up a major bot-tleneck in East County. They be-lieve that this project will reduce, if not eradicate, the traffi c prob-

lem at that intersection. No one wishes to be sitting on a free-way in traffi c when they could be at home with their families, Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor said. This is really, in a way, a godsend. All the stars are align-ing and the alignment is a good thing, with a full moon.

Frazier said that a proj-ect for bridges on Highway 101 through Petaluma was entered late, and also taken into con-sideration when CalTrans was divvying up money for highway improvements. The Bypass Au-thority will be able to use savings from the widening of Highway 4 to bridge the gap for the Sand Creek interchange.

Other than that, Frazier noted that other costs could be covered by East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority funds, a virtual mu-

The Highway 4 Bypass has received a $25 millionboost in state funding, enough to turn the Sand Creek Road intersection, above, into an interchange.

Press file photo

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

see Bypass page 22A

Christian school plans fresh start

As the last of the boxes and offi ce supplies were loaded onto moving trucks this week, Trinity Christian School Principal Linda Miller was simultaneously prepar-ing for a move of her own.

Beginning in August, Miller will be opening the California Christian Academy, a faith-based, tuition-driven school operating facilities on 18th Street in Antioch and Harvest Park Drive in Brent-wood. Under the auspices of the Antioch Church Family, the new school will be many things to a va-riety of people. But what it wont be, Miller insists, is an extension of the troubled Mountain View Christian Center (MVCC) and Trinity School.

Im very excited and Im very

passionate, said Miller of the new venture. Im excited to be able to have a more hands-on independent school and to be able to see my vi-sion empower people who are seek-ing a Christian education.

On the heels of a tumultuous and scandal-rocked year that cul-minated in the suicide of Pastor Jerry Hanoum in May and the sub-sequent dissolution of MVCC and Trinity School, which leased its site from the Oakley Union Elemen-tary School District (OUESD),

Miller said the California Christian Academy offers a fresh start.

The new school will continue Millers original dream of a shared church community with the com-mon goal of educating children academically and spiritually in an atmosphere of support, faith and love.

My vision is to develop a network of schools where there is not a competition but rather a shared use of resources and sup-port, similar to the public school

system, said Miller. The school districts have it right I want our students to be independent think-ers empowered and equipped in a holistic manner.

And while the specifi cs have yet to be worked out Miller said three former Trinity teachers are on board as well as a number of new students California Chris-tian Academy will be opening our doors no matter how many stu-dents we have, said Miller.

Hanoum was under investiga-tion for fraud in both Brentwood and Rio Vista for fi nancial deal-ings related to MVCC and Trinity Christian School, and MVCC still owes more than $70,000 in back rent to the Oakley school district per their lease agreement. The orig-inal lease contract with OUESD is

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see School page 22A

Im excited to be able to have a more hands-on independent school and to be able to see my vision empower people who are seeking a Christian education.

California Christian Academy Principal Linda Miller

2A | THEPRESS.NET JULY 1, 2011

'3&ARMSs$WELLEY&ARMSs2ON.UNN&ARMSs&!-AGGIORE3ONSs3IMONI-ASSONI&ARMS-AGAZINEs!ERO0URE7ATERs"LACK3HEEP#OMMUNICATIONSs"RENTWOOD-INUTEMAN0RESSs"RENTWOOD0ARTY2ENTALSs#ALIFORNIA$IESEL0OWERs4HE#HAMBER,INKCOMs#RME$ELA'EM*EWELRYs$ELTA3UN4IMESs$ELTA6ALLEY!THLETIC#LUBs%##"ANKs%VERYTHING"RENTWOODCOMs&ARWEST3ANITATION3TORAGEs&ASTSIGNSs'LAMORABY3ADIAs'OT!0ARTYs(ALFWAY4O#ONCORDCOMs(OME$EPOTs+ELLER#ANYON,ANDFILLs+OHLSs,ATHROP#ONSTRUCTION!SSOCIATESs,ATINO4IMESs-AZZYS&IRE0ROTECTION3PECIALISTSs-C#AULEY"ROTHERS0EST#ONTROLs-IKEgS!UTO"ODYs-IMIS#AFEs0OSTAL!NNEXs1UICK$ECK)NCs2ALEYgSs2AVE4HEATREs3AFEWAYs3MILES#REATIVE)MAGINGs

3TANDARD0ACIFIC(OMESs3TIRLING!RCHITECTSs4HE&RUGAL&INDCOMs4HE3TREETS/F"RENTWOODs4RI$ELTA4RANSIT

LIVE MUSIC CARNIVAL

BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS

THE BRENTWOOD

&RIPMTOPMs3ATAMTOPMs3UNAMTOPM'ENERAL!DMISSION s 9OUTH3ENIORS s +IDSANDUNDER&2%%s/NSITE0ARKING

For More Information Call 925-634-3344 or visit brentwoodcornfest.org

21,000 SQ.FT. OF SHADE & PLENTY OF ONSITE PARKING!

FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS

Enjoy Kids Fun Zone, Corn Activities, Car Show, Arts & Crafts, And The Largest Ferris Wheel OnThe West Coast! Plus: Great Food, Local Wines, Microbrews, And Plenty Of Locally Grown Corn!

BRENTWOOD BLVD./ SAND CREEK RD.NEW LOCATION

JULY 8-10TH

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS: AC/DSHE, GREAT WHITE, PUBLIC EYE & CREAM OF CLAPTONSp

onso

r lis

t cur

rent

as

of 0

6/20

/201

1

Follow us on

PRE-SALE TICKETS

NOW AVAILABLE

@ LOCAL RALEYS STOR

ES

AND THE BRENTWOOD

CHAMBER OFFICE

Veteran of the Year: Roger that!

Hes escorted more than 200 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines home from venues all over the world, but this time around, Oakleys Fred Spike Schau was the package.

Package is the term the Warrior Watch Riders (WWR) veterans motor-cycle group uses to refer to the service members they honor with escorts and welcome home celebrations. The North-ern California State Coordinator for the WWR, Schau last week surrendered his customary spot at the front of the con-voy and assumed the place of honor af-ter being named Veteran of the Year for Assembly District 15 by Assemblywom-an Joan Buchanan.

It was largely because of his work honoring other veterans that made Schau a natural choice. In a way, were honoring them all, Buchanan said as the 30 fl ag-bedecked bikes surrounding Schau rolled into the parking lot last Thursday. Although many veterans are eligible for the honor, she said, I can tell you, it didnt take very long (to decide on Schau). I dont think theres a better pa-triot in our country than Spike. He loves the country, he loves people, and he un-derstands service.

Boatswain Mate 2nd Class Petty Of-fi cer Schau, an active Navy reservist, has accumulated nearly 20 years in the Navy

during three hitches. In addition to the welcome-home ceremonies, Schau has coordinated funeral escorts for fallen service members of any era. He also per-forms military honors at other funerals, oversees nighttime security for East Bay Standdown veteran outreach efforts, and has assisted myriad other organizations

and programs for veterans.My military service is one thing,

but its what we do together today thats the important thing, Schau said. We do better (appreciating military service) than weve ever done in this country, and

Oakleys Spike Schau, holding a proclamation, was honored recently by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, left, as Assembly District 15s Veteran of the Year. To the left of Spike are his daughter, Heidi, and wife, Julie.

Photo by Rick Lemyre

by Rick LemyreStaff Writer

The City of Oakley celebrates its 12th birthday at the annual Cityhood Celebration on Saturday, July 2 at 6 p.m. in the Freedom High School basin, 1050 Neroly Road. Ad-mission is free.

At Tuesdays City Council meeting, Councilwoman Pat Anderson urged the community to come out and enjoy the fun including a spectacular fi reworks display. I look forward to seeing everyone at the city-hood celebration, Anderson said. Its always fun. This will be year six for fi reworks. I was mayor the fi rst year we had them and Im ex-cited about them still being there.

Among the featured activities are music, airbrush tattoos, rock climbing wall, Euro-bungy, gyroscope, giant slide, QB Blitz and pony rides, plus the new Boot Camp obstacle course, a 90-foot-long challenge that features infl atable pillars, a laser crawl, and a rope swing among other tests of agility and strength.

I wanted to add this activity this year to provide more for the older kids, teens and adults, because a lot of the other activities are geared toward young children, said Oakley Recreation Technician Cindy Coelho. This looks like everyone could have fun with it.

Wristbands for unlimited access to attrac-tions are $5 and available for purchase at City Hall, 3231 Main St. Parking in the student lot is $5. Guests may bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the fi reworks extravaganza that concludes the evening. For more information, call Coelho at 925-625-7041.

Birthday with a bang

see Veteran page 22A

JULY 1, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 3A

4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY JULY 1, 2011

Agreement settlesCypress lawsuit

The City of Oakley announced this week that an agreement has been reached with Greenbelt Alliance following a fi ve-year legal battle over agricultural land in the East Cy-press Corridor.

When in 2006 the Oakley City Council approved the East Cypress Corridor Specifi c Plan, which proposes the creation of 3,600 homes plus parks, schools and lakes on the 2,546-acre parcel, the Greenbelt Alliance op-posed the plan, claiming that it didnt effective-ly mitigate the loss of agricultural land. A Con-tra Costa County Superior Court judge ruled in 2009 that the plans environmental impact report was incomplete and directed the city to

provide adequate mitigation for the farmland to be lost.

Under an agreement reached on June 22, a fund will be established with the San Francis-co Foundation to provide grants to further pro-tect similar agriculture land in far East County and other regions of the Delta. Approximately $6.8 million will be redistributed to the region as developers fees are collected.

The resolution of this issue is a tremen-dous achievement for the City of Oakley, wrote City Manager Bryan Montgomery in a press release issued Monday. The goal of the Cypress Corridor plan is to preserve the most valuable Delta agricultural lands by concen-trating development in less productive areas,

After resolving a ve-year legal battle with the Greenbelt Alliance over the loss of farmland, the City of Oakley received the green light last week to begin devel-opment in the East Cypress Corridor, left.

Press file photo

see Suit page 7A

Budgeting can be stressful for some cities, but Oakleys City Council once again praised Finance Director Paul Abelsons meticulous money management that will keep the city operating with a minimum 20-percent reserve during the 2011-12 fi scal year.

The Oakley Council approved the budget 4-0 (Councilwoman Carol Rios was absent) following a 20-minute discussion at Tuesdays meeting. As estimated revenue comes to $12.9 million and proposed expenditures total $12.5 million, the General Fund budget is balanced. New councilmember Randy Pope said he eas-ily understood the 151-page document, thanks to Abelsons attention to detail, and recom-mended that members of the public take a look at document to get a better understand-ing of how the city works.

As the new guy, Im not tooting my own horn Ive been here for only six months and 28 days, but the fact that this city is a leader economically is a testament to our staff and the leadership they exhibit in running a tight ship, Pope said during deliberation.

Pope was also pleased to be a part of a council that collectively receives $28,544 in salary and meeting fees compared to similarly populated Pleasant Hill, which pays its council members $37,950, and Martinez, which pays its representatives $46,200.

To show that Oakley representatives serve their city at minimal cost to the taxpay-ers, Mayor Jim Frazier asked that next years

budget show a breakdown of salaries for each councilmember. He also said he would ask for his pay to be reduced by 50 percent, with the designated money going back into the citys General Fund.

I want to thank staff for cutting back on the unessentials, making things work, tighten-ing up where we have to, (and) multitasking, Frazier said. Its very much appreciated from all of you that make this budget work. Were one of the few cities in the Bay Area that have been able to be streamlined and make sure that its moving forward. Were utilizing the peoples money well.

Of the new capital-improvement proj-ects scheduled for the new fi scal year, Frazier said hes most proud of fi nding the funds and location to build the citys highly anticipated all-abilities playground. While the project was initially proposed to be built at the Moura property on OHara Avenue, when General Manager Bryan Montgomery mentioned last month that the play structures at Crockett Park needed to be replaced, Frazier realized it was the ideal site for the all-abilities playground, which has been budgeted at $250,000.

While the budget continues the one-day per month unpaid furlough program and City Hall closures for the full week of Thanksgiving plus two weeks during the end of December holidays, it also includes a 3-percent increase in salaries to city employees, offsetting a small portion of the salary reductions and increased pension contributions that have been in effect for what will be the third year.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Oakley balances budgetby Samie Hartley

Staff Writer

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer


A Unique Community Banking Experience

www.bankecc.com

We Understand Your NeedsAntioch

Its not our promises that are unique, its our ability to fulfill them!

Christine Lilly(925) 776-2200

Brentwood

Rita Murdock(925) 634-2111

Brentwood

Linda Denos(925) 308-7011

Discovery Bay

Jean French(925) 634-0112

Oakley

Robin Ziegler(925) 625-4990

Downtown Country Club

Gromm chronicled, made history

Bob Gromm was a man of many hats but only one face.

But that one face could often be found poking into myriad East Contra Costa com-munity activities and events over the last 50-

plus years that Gromm lived on Bethel Island.

Among the many hats worn by Gromm, who died June 18 at the age of 93, were yacht harbor owner, hospital district director, fair board mem-ber, fi re commis-

sioner, businessman, newspaper editor, book author, government watchdog, and historian.

Gromm wrote a lengthy history of Bethel Island, served as the editor of a weekly news-paper (the Brentwood News), wrote articles for various publications, managed a business Prince Harbor on Dutch Slough and out-lived two wives.

An important piece of his legacy is the unfi nished John Marsh State Park outside of Brentwood.

Marsh, Contra Costa Countys fi rst white settler, was considered responsible for much of the early settlement of Northern Califor-nia thanks to letters he wrote to friends back

east extolling the wonders of this area. He was murdered in 1856, and his seven-gabled stone mansion outside current-day Brentwood fell into disrepair. Gromm, appalled at the ne-glect of Marshs legacy, mobilized East Con-tra Costa residents to form the John Marsh Historical Memorial Association. Gromm lobbied legislators and ran fundraisers to generate money and community attention. At least they (the state) could put a roof over it to keep it from deteriorating any further, he told a reporter during a tour 40 years ago.

Banging around in many an East Con-tra Costa dresser drawer is a brass belt buckle with the Marsh House likeness on it, sold by Gromm or another association member for the restoration project.

Frustrated but never discouraged, Gromm and fellow Marsh Home advocates persisted in hectoring state and local offi cials to restore the home.

Kathy Leighton of the East Contra Cos-ta Historical Society credits Gromms deter-mination for the as-yet-unopened park. That house would not be standing but for Bob, she said.

A complete list of Gromms community achievements and involvement, compiled by Leighton, runs a full page, spanning the time he came to Bethel Island from San Francisco with his fi rst wife, the late Dorothy Ann Rob-inson. Some of the highlights include service on the Contra Costa County Fair Board of Directors, reclamation district director, Bethel Island Citizen of the Year 1999-2000, East Contra Costa Historical Society Member of

the Year 1998-99, business owner, chairman of the Ironhouse Sanitary District, board member Delta Memorial Hospital Associa-tion, Bethel Island Fire District commissioner and numerous others.

A San Francisco boy, Gromm attended Balboa High School and attended San Fran-cisco City College. When World War II erupt-ed, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as an aviation cadet instructor at Williams Field in Mesa, Ariz.

In 1960, Gromm moved to Bethel Island, settling on 587 feet of waterfront on Dutch Slough, eventually known as Prince Harbor.

After Dorothys death in 1994, Gromm married Margaret Hotchkiss Cox, who also preceded him in death.

He is survived by a son, Robert Jr.; daughter -in-law, Grace; and daughter, Clau-dia Cannata; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Cannata, Courtney Bishop (Patrick), Evan Chang-Siu (Kaori), Eric Chang-Gromm; and three great grandsons, Breck Bishop, Liam Bishop and Kenta Siu.

Gromm requested that there be no ser-vices and that donations in his memory be made to the East Contra Costa Historical So-ciety, P.O. Box 202, Brentwood, CA 94513.

Two years ago, Gromm declared he was retiring from many community activities, ex-pressing the hope to a reporter he would see the Marsh home restored before Im no lon-ger vertical.

In that interview, Gromm said, Ive had an interesting life. Im proud to have been able to be of assistance.

by John VanLandinghamCorrespondent

ROBERT GROMM1918-2011

ravemotionpicturesBrentwood 14 +


William DelunaITSR William Deluna, an Antioch native and 2003 An-

tioch High School graduate, graduated from U.S. Navy Re-cruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. on Nov. 12, 2010 and from Information Systems Technician Class A Techni-cal School in Pensacola, Fla. on Feb. 18, 2011. Deluna was trained in Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle software and hard-ware fundamentals plus ADP, security, system theory and operation.

The Information Systems Technician of the 21st century operates and maintains the Navys global satellite telecommu-nications systems, mainframe computers, local and wide area networks, and microcom-puter systems used in the fl eet. Administrative support is also provided with the operation of automated equipment that keeps records of personnel training, disbursement, health, assignments and promotions within the Navy. They ensure the all-important communica-tions link between units at sea and stations ashore.

So far, the Navy has allowed me to meet some great people, said Deluna. It has given me plenty of outstanding training in computers, and there is a lot more training available.

Delunas permanent command will be in Hawaii.

Haley Morgan YoungThis 2010 graduate of Heritage High School,

graduated from U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. on May 26. Shell be attending A School in Pensacola, Fla. for 19 weeks to study Cryptology as an IT. Young hopes to be stationed in Japan to help with the relief efforts for victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami. Her family and friends are proud of her and will continue to support her career.


Advertisement

DEBT RATIOS PART IILast week I told you how to calculate your

own debt ratio (or you can send your info to me and Ill calculate it for you and send you back a worksheet). I explained that where this gets tricky is when you have an interest-only and/or ARM loan because your minimum payment may or may not even cover all the interest due or any principal. This week Ill tell you how three of the biggest lenders handle this situation when they are considering you for a loan modification or short sale.

Here is a quote from one Chase loan mod negotiator, When we calculate the proposed ratio, it begins with a 30 year amortization on outstanding principal at current rate. Compared to validated income, we then start backing off the interest rate down in % increments. On a HAMP situation if we get to 2% full PITI and still are over the 31% housing ratio, then we start extending the amortization in 5 year increments up to a maximum of 40 years. If we still arent at the 31% but within sight, we may then set aside into a special forbearance enough principal to make the 31% payment to income including PITI + HOA.

For Bank of America, they werent as forthcoming with details, but a fairly highly-placed executive told me that if someone has an interest-only loan, BofA will calculate their payment based on it being principal-reducing for the purposes of calculating their debt ratio.

For Wells Fargo, I couldnt get a direct answer to my question, so I cant give you their official policy. But Ive had MANY clients with interest-only and/or ARM loans with Wells where they are using the minimum payment and saying, You can afford to make the minimum payment, so we dont need to modify your loan. In my mind, an interest-only (or below-market ARM) is not the real payment, so I wish they would look at a principal-reducing payment like Chase and BofA does. (If anyone from Wells wants to correct me on this, Im all ears and I will post your response if it needs clarification.)

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

Loans provided by EnerBank USA (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 640, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. 17.74% fi xed APR subject to change. Interest waived if repaid in 365 days.

Lic. #936642 Bonded & Insured

(925) 625-0120www.sunbustersinc.com

NO INTEREST, NO PAYMENTS, FOR 12 MONTHS!

22 000002 02010

S

IL

VER MEDAL

AWARD

Airman 1st Class Kimberly Kicen-ski, a 2008 graduate of Freedom High School and daughter of Fred and Pamela Kicenski, graduated on June 3 from the United States Air Force Security Forces Academy at Lack-land AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Kicen-ski received the Distinguished Graduate Award in the top 10 percent of her class. Shell be stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

and to use development as an economic engine to pay for key projects to improve public safety, the environment and quality-of-life for Delta residents.

Representatives from the Greenbelt were also pleased with the agreement. Greenbelt Al-liance Executive Director Jeremy Madsen said the alliance is excited about the settlement, as it sets an example for other cities that preserving agricultural land should be and is a priority in the Bay Area.

In the race to protect our remain-ing farms, forests and watersheds, every acre counts, wrote Greenbelt Alliance Senior Field Representative Matt Vander Sluis in a press re-lease. The settlement is a reminder that each decision we make about growth in the Bay Area must be done with an eye toward how it

affects the environment and our own quality of life.

Now that the East Cypress Corridor Spe-cifi c Plan has been given the green light, the city may begin preparations for the develop-ment, which will include levee reconstruction and improvements, a new clean water program that will eliminate the release of untreated ag-ricultural run-off and animal waste into the Delta, and the improvement of rural, local and regional roads and interchanges.

The social and environmental benefi ts included in this plan are incredible, Mont-gomery said. The project will bring diverse housing opportunities protected by enhanced fl ood-control systems, create and preserve wetlands and wildlife habitats, provide parks and schools, and support the countys Habitat Conservation Plan.

Suit from page 4A


Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

Happy Half Year

Advertisement

With June offi cially behind us we were offi cially half way through 2011what a scary thought! In a moment of refl ection how is this year treating you, or rather, how are you treating this year? Are you where you wanted to be when the year started, has your annual list of goals been cut in half with the fi rst half of this year? Without going too deep into your personal life, as your lender, my most important question to you is this: Has your Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage pay-ment been made on time for a consecu-tive six months?

Its an important question as the history on your FHA mortgage pay-ment is one of the only items checked when streamlining your FHA loan. According to the United States Hous-ing and Urban Development (HUD) website, FHA has permitted streamline refi nances on insured mortgages since the early 1980s. Th e streamline refers only to the amount of documentation and underwriting that needs to be per-formed by the lender.

In other words, if the rate on your FHA loan is 5.25% or higher, and youve made at least 6 months worth of on time and consecutive payments, an FHA Streamline refi nance can only benefi t you. Th e hard part was qualify-ing for the home; the easy part is quali-

fying for the Streamline refi nance and saving money.

Again referencing the federal governments website, Streamline refi nances can be done without apprais-als, but the new loan amount cannot exceed the original loan amount. What a way to ring in the half yeara true no cost loan, insured by the federal govern-ment, that can be taken advantage of even if your house is under water!

Coming full circle and refl ecting on this years accomplishmentsdoesnt everyone wish to have more money saved in December than they started with in January? Mid-year is a perfect time to refl ect on where youre at and where you are going. By taking ad-vantage of a government program that has been around since the 1980s and refi nancing your home into a rate thats as low as theyve been since the 1940s you can only help your overall fi nancial picture in 2011. Dont let me write an article in December entitled Years End only to have you kicking yourself for not taking advantage of the potential savings while rates are still well under 5.0%!

If you have any real estate lending related questions or concerns, dont hesi-tate to write me at [email protected] or call me directly at 925-726-1444.

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Last month Summerset I presented a fashion show in memory of Brentwood resident Jeanne Adams. Held at the Wedgewood Event Center, the event featured fashions from Chicos in The Streets of Brentwood worn by volunteers, from left, Dorothy Dillon, Michael Ann Honea and Janice Bianchini; plus an auction and raf e. More than 170 guests attended the inaugural event and raised $3,100, which will be donated to the Adams Middle School Library in Jeannes name. The winner of the raf e contributed her $572 earnings to the Bristow Middle School Athletic Department.

Fashion fundraiser

Photo courtesy of Anita Camera

JULY 1, 2011 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 9A

!"

"

!"#"$

%&$!!'()*+,%-. !$/!#!),#0,123!+ !2

44*4!3-/4% + 53'42*!%"

##!&$!3

50%all eyeglasses*

off

limited time only!

all frames all lenses all options

offer includes:lenses

no-line bifocals non-glare coating ultra thin lenses

*Complete pair purchase required. 50% off discount applies to all frames, all lenses, all options excluding RayBan and SunSpot Collection. Select designer brands willbe discounted at 25% off. Some exclusions may apply. Additional charge may be applied for strong Rx. Bifocals and/or progressives, specialty lenses and lens optionsare additional. See Optician for details. Cannot be combined with any other offer, vision care plan, package pricing, or prior orders. Participating stores only.Void where prohibited by law. Eye exams performed by independent state licensed Doctors of Optometry. Offer ends July 9, 2011.

MKT CODE: ROP

free $25 gas cardwith eyeglass purchase must present this offer to receive the $25 gift card.Gift card will be delivered via post mail 4-6 weeks after mail in redemption form.May only be used with the50% off all eyeglasses offer.

call 1-877-JCPEYES or visit JCPenneyOptical.comwe accept thousands of vision care plans. call today for your annual eye exam or bring in your Rx.

Antioch: The Orchard at Slatten Ranch (925) 779-1844

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Ready for the futureThe La Paloma High School Class

of 2011 recently celebrated the end of the school year with commencement exer-cises held at Liberty High. Just over three dozen students completed the continua-tion high school this year, an achievement made all the more signifi cant by the per-sonal and scholastic challenges they met along the way.

It takes a lot of pushing and pulling to get through high school, Superinten-dent Jerry Glenn told the students, prais-ing the schools staff for helping the class

reach graduation day. Ive been in every class in the district and I can tell you that some of the best teachers we have are at La Paloma.

According to class speaker Brandon Fratto, the struggles he and his classmates went through have positioned them for success in the future. There is no such thing as success without mistakes, he said. I guess that means were ahead of the game.

The class is the last to attend the schools Lone Tree Way campus. A brand new La Paloma on Guthrie Lane will be ready in time for the beginning of the new school year.

Student speaker

Brandon Fratto

addresses his fellow

graduates at the La Paloma

High School graduation ceremony.


by Rick LemyreStaff Writer

Let us save you

Home, Auto & LifeWe can save you $$$and peace of mind.

EEAST AST CCOUNTY OUNTY IINNSURANCEURANCE

757-4208 240-1330ANTIOCH BRENTWOODLIC# 0E08504

JULY 1, 2011 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 11A

Who Wants to Pay Taxes?New Business Owners, are you confused about when your first taxes are due? It used to be really

easy. If you set up a Corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC), you paid your minimum tax payment of $800 to the California Franchise Tax Board 4 months and 15 days after you started. You made estimated quarterly or monthly payments to the IRS based on your estimated first years income.

Well, most companies operated at a loss in their first year, so hardly anyone paid into the IRS, and everyone in California paid their $800 in their first quarter of doing business. If by the time of your first tax return, you were still operating at a loss, you paid your $800 for the next year to California.

Thats all changed. LLCs who wanted to be treated as a C Corporation will have to complete quarterly estimates and pay into the Franchise Tax Board accordingly. However, LLCs who choose to be treated as a sole proprietor (for single member LLCs) or partnerships (More than one member) still pay $800 per year as their minimum tax.

Some corporations are subject to the minimum $800 tax (currently) as well. Minimum tax is the amount you must pay by the first quarter of each accounting period whether the corporation is active, operates at a loss, or does not do business. For new corporations that qualify or incorporate, the minimum tax is measured based on your income for the year and is subject to estimated requirements. For subsequent years, the minimum tax is $800. This means that if you are operating at a loss in your first year, you can wait until the next year to pay the $800.

Of course with every set of rules there are exceptions, based on the industry youre in, whether youre going to make a profit your first year, how much of your revenue is derived in California and when you started your business.

I have a Pay me now, or pay me later attitude about this topic. In the last month, I have had 3 new clients who wanted to save money by incorporating through an internet service like Legal Zoom end up paying more than if they had come to me in the first place. Starting a corporation or LLC is not a paper work shuffle. You are forming a legal entity that will have a significant impact on the way you operate your business. Take the time and do it right.

Barbara Frantz is a business lawyer with Alvis Frantz and Associates, a Professional Law Corporation in Brentwood, CA. Our firm emphasizes business, employment, real estate, estate

planning, probate and undisputed family law matters. Visit us on www.alvisfrantzlaw.com or call 925-516-1617 for more information.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact an attorney to obtain

advice with respect to your particular issue or problem.

Adult students honored

At its recent combined celebration, Liberty Adult Community Education Centers Career Technical students received congratulations and program certi cations. From left are John Martin Congratulations; Charles Morgan Congratulations; Bonnie Douglas Receptionist; Maria Cabada Accounting Clerk; Donna Russo Receptionist; and Kunal Khanna Congratulations. Students not pictured who earned program certi cates include Myriame Ramsey Medical Records Coding and Billing Specialist; and Tiffany Foster Medical Transcriptionist. Receiving congratulations for earning GED certi cates of completion were Dorelia Perez and Matthew Tiner. CTE/Active Adult Instructor Ed Riley was presented with an award representing a seven-year term for perfect attendance. The celebration included inspirational speaker Ronald Kelley and an authentic Mexican esta planned by the students and enjoyed by all.

Contributed by Carol Hatch

12A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION JULY 1, 2011

HANSON LN.

SUNSET RD.

76 GAS STATION

LONE TREE WAY

BR

ENT

WO

OD

BLV

D. H

WY

4

SAVE$20.00*

ON YOUR NEXT VEHICLE SMOG CHECK

*with this ad. Offer expires 7/30/11

SMOG SOLUTIONS6750 BRENTWOOD BLVD. AT THE 76 GAS STATIONRecession Fighting Prices!

WE TEST THEM ALL Test Only Inspection Gross Polluters Regular Test Change of Ownership Motor Homes Out of State Diesel Testing- Appointments Available

925-516-91928am - 6pm Daily

www.harvestparkbowl.com5000 Balfour Road Brentwood

(925) 516-1221

BRENTWOOD ROCKSBRENTWOOD ROCKS

Celebrate with UsCelebrate with Uson the 4th of July!on the 4th of July!

1-3pm ($7 per person)& 7-9pm ($10 per person)

Shoes includedBanding together to win gold

Heritage High School bands, under the instruction of Director Steve Ernest, exhibited exceptional musical abilities and brought home gold from the recent Heritage Festival in Anaheim.

Heritage High Schools Concert, Symphonic and Jazz bands participated in the festival, a division of Worldstrides, with bands representing 10 schools from California and Nevada. They players

were judged by three adjudicators: Dr. Jennifer Judkins from UCLA, Dr. Brian Sproul from the University of Utah, and Dr. Tony Mazzaferro from Fullerton Col-lege.

The Heritage Concert Band received a third-place Gold award; the Symphonic Band a fi rst-place Gold award; and the Jazz Band a fi rst-place Gold award. Her-itages bands achieved a rating of 89.9 or

higher, earning the school the Outstand-ing Band award. Ernest received the Ad-judicator Award for best band director, and the Symphonic Band earned the Sweepstakes Award for Best Band at the festival.

The gold awards earn Heritage the right to apply and audition for the Band and Orchestra festival at Carnegie Hall next year.

The Heritage Symphonic Band, above, won Best Band honors at the Heritage Festival in Anaheim recently. Members include, front row from left, Director Steve Ernest, Nathan Adams, Amanda Mort, Jashmyn Caranto, Veronica Hanel, Kim Vogler, Rebecca Ellingson, Michael Ackley, Caitlin Bronzan, Shaylin Matosich, Grant Wilson, Ryan Carlisle, Karina Earl, Amanda Kair, Josh Sahagan, Stephanie Morano, Austin Kalinowski and Alejandro Miramontes; center row: James Jackson, Brendan Cross, Christian Sendaydiego, Sarah Stewart, Taylor Allen, Cameron Hussein, Johnny Briseno, Ben Steele, Nick Gervasio, Baylin Bridges, Melina Duterte, Andrew Tolero, Lucas Marzocco, Carter Duong, Drew Kenkel and Austin Contreras; back row: Emile Concepcion, Michael Dutcher, Michael Mehlberg, Parker Johnson, Niko Dennis, Austin Dec, Trevor Steadman, Shelby Petrie, Trevor Williamson, Zack Elsasser, Daniel Mandrychenko, Phillip Benotti, Alec Benotti, Alex Yates, Zack Lim, Kirk Brys, Joseph Cliscagne, Christine Tinoso, Adam Truesdell and Colin Buxton.

JULY 1, 2011 THEPRESS.NET | 13A

OOAKLEYOAKLEYPRESS

2 02010

Stop the gerrymanderingEditor:

Here we go again with political schemes that created the gerrymandering districts that left Walnut Creek divided amongst three supervisorial districts after the last redistricting 10 years ago.

In an eloquent doublespeak, District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff argued that the map she favored is not personal or political, and that Walnut Creek suffered no ill effects as a result of the three-way split. I challenge Ms. Mitchoff to prove she believes her own argument. Show leadership and volunteer the equal division of Concord, your political base, and not some city in East County that has been the dumping ground and stepchild of Contra Costa.

Unbiased redistricting establishes supervisorial districts reasonably equal in population while maintaining neighborhoods and communities of interest. Dividing any town or city is a contradiction to this goal. Please explain, Ms. Mitchoff (or Ms. Peipho), how Walnut Creek can be part of the East County neighborhood when the only land connection is a trek up Mount Diablo?

Something is cooking and East County is on the menu. A supervisor not in favor of Plan 7 (which keeps neighborhoods and all cities intact) is not upholding the intent of the process and must be suspect of political maneuvering.

Cynthia RuehligAntioch

Redundancy in local school districts

Editor:We residents of Brentwood and

Oakley have a school district redundancy problem. We have three superintendents of schools, three business managers,

three purchasing managers, three food service directors not to mention duplication of support staff and duplication of building resources at each of the school districts offi ces in the form of lighting, heating and cooling.

Together, all three districts have an approximate total enrollment of 19,700. To put that size into perspective, the Berkeley Unifi ed School District is approximately 11,000 students, West Contra Costa Unifi ed School District is approximately 23,000 students and the Mt. Diablo Unifi ed School District has a student population of 36,500.

Economies of scale dictate that a single unifi ed school district be formed. It makes no sense that we property owners in Brentwood and Oakley fund three school districts and all of the administrative duplication that comes with having three school districts. Given todays economic realities, it seems quite fi scally irresponsible to have three school districts and three sets of different administrators rights in our own backyard.

Combining the school districts would increase educational resources, rid the districts of redundancy, and on the state legislative level, a unifi ed school district of Brentwood and Oakley elementary plus Liberty union high school would have two state legislators representing the one district, according to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.

In addition to combining the three school districts, Im also going to suggest a neutral name for a combined school district so that no community or school district feels slighted: Marsh Creek Unifi ed School District.

Rick FullerBrentwood

Education or incarceration?Editor:

Isnt it ironic that in the land of

the free we have more of our own citizens locked up in prisons than ever before, with more and more piling up every day and no end in sight?

Its for a very good reason. (Prisons are) now a multi-billion-dollar industry, which should be very scary to most people. Instead of trying to rehabilitate or bring the prison population down, our answer is simply to build more and more prisons to the point that theyre now privately owned and traded on Wall Street.

I think thats a very scary fact to think about. A private for-profi t prison makes money only by being at full capacity, so the point to rehabilitate and educate doesnt sit well with the bottom line.

Every time a new prison is built, theres talk of all the jobs its going to create with construction and staffi ng, but once its built, all those jobs are no longer needed and the only ones benefi ting are the guards, psychologists, psychiatrists and others who are all just squeezing as much as they can out of our economy and budget. Its a sad state of affairs when prison guards now make more than many college professors in California. Soon, if its not already, the budget will be bigger for the prison system than for the entire University of California education system.

When there are no opportunities for education or to better yourself, what do you expect the citizens to do? The real criminals are the ones stripping our resources and locking up our citizens by the thousands. The time has come when we can no longer just wait and hope it gets better. Our system is in need of serious repair.

Not everyone in prison is a heartless, ruthless criminal. Many have families and lives waiting for them on the outside. They just want to do their time and go home. Whats wrong with that?

Where is all this money going that is getting thrown away by the bundle at a failing prison system? Its time for prison reform and its been time for a long time. Its no longer fi nancially feasible to house so many inmates nor should it be ethical to not just make a living but get rich off human warehousing. Who are the real criminals here?

The California prison system is simply a mess and with no easy fi x in sight. As everything across the state takes massive cuts, more and more money is pumped into the prisons, most of which goes to guards cushy salaries and benefi ts, while the rest of us watch city services disappear and budgets swarm to unimaginable heights.

Is it more important to build and staff more and more prisons or the education system? We cant afford both, and Im afraid were choosing the wrong side. Maybe crime would go down if there were a reason for it to, but when too many people are making boatloads of money, crime is not going anywhere as long as we continue with these legal sweatshops and concentration camps.

The incarceration industry is alive and well and not going anywhere; capitalism at its fi nest, as a small minority get rich off the suffering and human-rights violations of the majority.

Its time for California to make a choice: either the prison system or the education system, because it can no longer afford to run them both at half-strength. It just makes for unsafe inmates and unprepared students from cell blocks and classrooms both packed at double capacity. What will we do when the number of incarcerated citizens outnumbers the free? That day will come sooner rather than later.

William RichardsBrentwood

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


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 Reid

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 [email protected]

OPINIONEDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY National

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

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.usCity of Oakley City Manager and City Council City Hall3231 Main St.

Oakley, CA 94561Phone: 925-625-7000www.ci.oakley.ca.usTown of Discovery BayTown Manager and Community Services District 1800 Willow Lake RoadDiscovery Bay, CA 94505Phone: 925-634-1131www.todb.ca.govCounty Supervisor, Dist. III Mary N. Piepho181 Sand Creek Road, Suite L.Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-7260 [email protected] Supervisor, Dist. VFederal Glover

315 E. Leland Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone: [email protected] Sen. Mark DeSaulnier Seventh State Senate DistrictState CapitolRoom 2054Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916-651-4007 1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 240Walnut Creek, CA 94597Phone: 925-942-6082www.dist07.casen.govoffice.comAssemblywoman Joan Buchanan15th District P.O. Box 942849

Sacramento, CA 942493231 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561 Phone: 925-679-2715www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a15Gov. Jerry BrownConstituent AffairsState Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2864 www.gov.ca.gov/interact#emailU.S. Rep. John Garamendi10th Congressional District420 W. Third StreetAntioch, CA 94509Phone: 925-757-7187Washington office:

228 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: 202-225-1880www. garamendi.house.gov/contact U.S. Rep. Gerald McNerney 11th Congressional District 2222 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 7 Stockton, CA 95207 Phone: 209-476-8552Fax: 209-476-8587Washington office:312 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-1947Fax: 202-225-4060www.mcnerney.house.gov

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS


22 000002 02010

S

IL

VER MEDAL

AWARD

Wallace Termite & Construction, Inc.

925-706-2424 331 Sunset Dr. #D, Antioch

email: [email protected]

Family Owned & Operated31 years of Professional Experience Lic. #Pr4974

Inspection Reports for Home Maintenance and Real Estate Transactions

Treatments & Repairs Residential/Commercial/Industrial

Antioch Relay for Life 2011

S cenes from Antiochs recent Relay For Life event, clockwise from upper left: Cardboard boxes inscribed with the Relay keywords Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back rest on the front steps of the stage near the track; participants hold aloft glowsticks during the luminaria ceremony; luminaria bags line the track at Los Medanos College; Sean Apedaile, a member of the Malias Ohana team, does a hula dance in an effort to raise money for cancer research through the Miss Relay pageant; Relay co-chair Amanda Roa gets a haircut to donate to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that makes wigs for patients who, as a result of treatment, have lost their hair; cups filled with glowsticks spell out hope, a signature image of the Relays luminaria ceremony; members of The Mad Hatters Relay for Life team walk during the events first lap; and Liz Ferrante decorates a luminaria bag in memory of her mother, Martha Ferrante. The event raised more than $113,000 for the American Cancer Society. For video highlights from this years event, visit www.thepress.net.

Photos by Justin Lafferty


Mental health facility faces opposition

If offi cials of a proposed mental health facility comply with changes recommen-ded by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, a 10-bed residence off Byron Highway in Knightsen could soon become reality.

Bonita House, an Oakland-based nonprofi t agency operating eight locations in Alameda County, petitioned the board of supervisors in 2008 to build a residential facility on Penny Lane in Knightsen. Ap-proved by the county planning commission last year, the facility would be the fi rst of its kind in Contra Costa County. But the pro-posal has become a lightning rod for area residents who have petitioned the supervi-sors to deny the project.

We have many concerns, primarily the remote location of this facility, said Kim Revel, whose residence is adjacent to the Penny Lane property. There are no si-dewalks, no buses, no parks and no commu-nity services out here.

The facility would allow residents ages 18 to 59 recovering from mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder to live independently on site. A staff member would assist in their day-to-day needs.

Another concern, said Revel, is that initially Bonita House wanted to employ just one supervisor, and our concern was that if a resident who doesnt drive needed to be taken somewhere, that would then leave nine residents without supervision.

Also, the residents are encouraged but not required to take their medications, and there was a concern on our part that that could potentially be dangerous.

Rick Crispino, executive director of Bo-nita House, said that while he sympathizes with local residents, he believes the project poses no threat to the community. I unders-tand the neighbors concerns, said Crispino. But we cant force medications on anyone, even in the jails you cant do that. We would, however, be very aware of that and would be monitoring individuals. And if their behavior starts to change, then that would be grounds for asking them to leave.

In our over 40 years, there has never been a neighbor injured by one of our resi-dents. The irony of this is that in one group I am seen as a champion for individuals ri-ghts and in another group I am seen as the devil incarnate. Were just doing the best we can for the people we serve.

Mary Piepho addressed the Bonito House proposal during a public hearing on

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see Facility page 22A

www.thepress.net Your Hometown Website THEPRESS.NET | 17A JULY 1, 2011

Mohr claims victory at Senior PBA Classic

A week after the Brentwood Blast 10 Red won the division cham-pionship of the 680 Diablo League at Twin Creeks, the team claimed a championship in the Cooperstown All-Star Village 10U World Series. After winning six of seven pool-play games, the Blast beat the Reds from North Carolina in the semi nals and shut out the Muskies from Kentucky 6-0 to win the championship. Max Lawrence, Taison Corio, Steven Kerr, Jeff Heinrich, Caleb McCurdy, Sean Andrus, Garret Mathews, Nick Legge, Cooper Gardner, Reece Lewis and MoMo Wilmer all played spectacularly to bring the championship to Brentwood.

Cooperstown champs

Photo courtesy of Tami Lewis

Little League teams flourish in playoffs

The District Four Tournament of Champions recently concluded for both the East County and Antioch little leagues, as a couple of local teams took home trophies over the weekend.

The greatest local success was achieved by the Antioch softball programs. Two of their champions, the senior softball White Sox and major softball Twins, took home titles.

Were very proud of all the boys and girls who played hard and showed a lot of

heart, Antioch Little League Executive Vice President Dennis Felix wrote in an e-mail. They showed why Antioch Little League is a top-notch program for the kids in Antioch.

The White Sox completed a dominating tournament run by defeating the champions from Martinez 15-6. The White Sox also won in front of their home fans.

The Twins were no less impressive, as they beat the Pinole/Hercules league champi-ons in their fi nal game. The only Antioch soft-ball team to not win the District Champion-

see Flourish page 18A

by Michael DixonCorrespondent

The Antioch Senior White Sox claimed a championship in their division, defeating Martinez 15-6.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Felix

After Ron Mohr nailed his second strike of the 10th frame at the Senior Professional Bowling Association Northern Cali-fornia Classic at Harvest Park Bowl to come within three pins of victory, his mind seemed to be somewhere else.

He was thinking about the screaming crowd that lit up af-ter a loose messenger pin rolled around, felling the 10th pin for that crucial strike.

He was thinking about his wife, Linda, who loved coming to Brentwood but passed away in January after battling liver disease.

He wasnt, however, thinking about where his feet needed to be in that moment.

So excited was Mohr that he lined up in the lane to the left of him, until members of the crowd told him to move over. Fi-nally rightfully aligned, the Eagle River, Alaska native threw a perfect strike, earning a 223-215 victory over top-seeded Hugh Miller in the fi nals.

This is where Linda would want me to be, Mohr said. When I got up in the ninth frame, I got up in the approach and I said, Thank you, honey, for getting me this far. No mat-ter what happens the rest of the way, thank you.

Mohrs performance in the fi nals was an exciting come-from-behind effort. After the sixth frame, Miller led Mohr 129-108.

In the seventh frame, Mohr rolled a strike, again aided by a messenger pin. Miller, from Seattle, managed to knock down nine in the fi rst attempt, picking up the spare, but that

allowed Mohr to get back into the competition.Eventually, Miller took a slim 175-173 lead into the 10th

frame.I couldnt be happier with the way I bowled, said Miller,

who rolled two 300 games in qualifying rounds. My look I was trying to create wasnt going the way I wanted it to, but I made him double. Thats all I could do.

After Miller bowled three strikes in that fi nal frame, the pressure was on for Mohr, who had to come up with two strikes in a row to stay in contention.

When Mohr lined up for his third throw, he knew he had the title and the $8,000 cash prize in the bag. The Northern California Classic was Mohrs third Senior PBA victory this year.

(Miller) gave me a chance and I was able to take it, said Mohr, the 2009 Senior Player of the Year. If you just make the best shot you can, thats all you have control over and you see what happens.

To get to the fi nals, the sixth-seeded Mohr defeated Kent Wagner two games to one in the round of eight. In the semifi -nals, Mohr bested Wayne Webb 223-195 for the right to face Miller.

Miller topped Japan native Junichi Yajima in the round of eight; then outbowled Dick Baker 248-237 in the semifi nals.

A Columbus, Ohio native, Webb gave one of the most impressive performances of the day, defeating second-seeded Walter Ray Williams Jr. in the round of eight.

Williams, a seven-time PBA Champion and the all-time

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

see PBA page 18A

Ron Mohr celebrates after nailing a key strike in the Senior PBA Northern California Classic at Harvest Park Bowl in Brentwood.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

18A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS JULY 1, 2011

3130 Balfour Road, Suite D Located in the Balfour Village

Shopping Center behind Safeway.

Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 2pm

Sunday: Closed

20% Discount for Seniors 10% Discount for Local

Businesses

Discounts do not apply to: US Postage

and Flat Rate Packages

BRENTWOOD

20% Discount for Seniors

10% Discount for Local Businesses

Discounts do not apply to: US Postage and Flat Rate Packages

3130 Balfour Road, Suite DLocated in the Balfour Village

Shopping Center behind Safeway

Mon. - Fri. 9am - 6pmSat. 9am - 2pm Closed Sun.

513-1750

Oakley to expand rec bocce ball league

Since the city of Oakley recently com-pleted its fi rst-ever bocce ball season, the inevitable question that comes to mind is: when does the next one start?

The eight-week summer season begins the week of July 4. Teams play Monday,

Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakleys Creekside Park. John Newman will be taking the reins from Juan Chavez as league president.

There was nobody else to keep doing it, said Newman. I was offered the job and it seemed like a great opportunity to contrib-ute to the community.

The biggest difference between seasons

one and two is that in the inaugural season, teams played every other week, while this season theyll play every week. While the additional games will make the league more competitive, Newman was careful to point out that the league wont lose the element of fun.

The total number of teams is currently unknown, but the leagues maximum is 24

teams, each of which can carry as many as eight players.

The fee to join the league is $20 per player or $150 per team. While the game is fun, Newman wants people to know that the competition is only a part of the bocce ex-perience. We also barbecue, Newman said. Its a great way for neighbors and friends to get together and meet new people.

by Michael DixonCorrespondent

ship was the minor Marlins, which advanced to the fi nals before losing to the Pinole/Her-cules champs.

The championship capped a stellar 23-0 season for the Twins, who were led by Kylie Cast, Julia Odom, Megan Felix, Gloria Cer-vantes and Michaela Vanderklugt.

While none of Antiochs baseball teams reached the fi nal match, teams from two of the three divisions Antioch sent were elimi-nated by the eventual champs. In the major semi-fi nal, the Bears lost to Alamedas best team, which beat the Continental League champions 14-5 in the fi nals. Similarly, An-tiochs AAA minor Yankees were downed by eventual champion North Oakland in the quarterfi nal.

While East County Little Leagues base-ball and softball teams didnt reach any fi nals, they played well. The As of the junior divi-sion fell in the quarterfi nal to North Oakland, which went on to win the whole bracket.

The Astros of the major baseball league,

which lost in the quarterfi nals to eventual runner-up Continental, were impressive in a 12-2 win against Clayton Valley in the previ-ous round. The AAA Minor Cardinals made the deepest run of any East County team, ad-vancing to the semifi nals before losing 5-2 to Albany. Prior to that loss, the Cards beat the champions of Martinez and Pittsburg 11-1 and 19-3, respectively.

They lost in a great game to Albany, wrote ECLL President Cary Dyer in an e-mail. Albany is always a good baseball pro-gram, so they played really well.

The Golden Bears were East Countys most successful softball team. In the major division, they were downed 3-0 by Antiochs Twins in what was by far their most competi-tive game. The ECLLs minor champion Pink Panthers also lost to eventual champion Pi-nole Hercules by a 10-0 margin. The senior champions, the Heaters, lost 19-2 to the even-tual runner-up. All of the ECLLs softball teams were eliminated in the third round.


Flourish from page 17A

leader in PBA wins and earnings, was consid-ered a favorite to win the Northern California Classic.

Webb bowled a perfect game until the seventh frame, when he picked up a spare. He won the fi rst game of the best-of-three match-up 256-192 and defeated Williams in game two 257-220.

I couldnt miss in practice, and then we started and all of a sudden one lane hooked and the other one didnt, Williams said. I couldnt fi gure it out.

A handful of East County senior bowl-

ers made it through the qualifying rounds for this event, but did not make it to the fi nal day. Mark Clyburn of Pittsburg placed 38th, earn-ing $700.

Antiochs Lee Patterson fi nished 44th. Pittsburg resident Al Bella came in 47th. Mi-chael Palmer of Antioch and Lorri Sims of Oakley placed 78th and 79th. Brentwoods David Chew, Dan Roberts and Jocko Man-gin fi nished 83rd, 85th and 87th, respectively. Duane Wilson of Brentwood came in 97th and Keith Pridgeon of Antioch put in a 98th-place fi nish.


PBA from page 17A

The Little League Tournament of Champion Antioch Major Twins, from left, are Coach Jeff Cast, Coach Jimmy Odom, Tamia Jeffrey, Megan Felix, Tiara Arce, Jenna Wallace, Clarissa Im, Jackie Vickers, Gloria Cervantes, Michaela Vanderklugt, Presley Gutierrez, Julia Odom, Kylie Cast, Anna Odahlen and Manager Dennis Felix.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Felix

20A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS JULY 1, 2011

BRENTWOODBRENTWOOD6361 Lone Tree Way6361 Lone Tree Way

(925) 513-3432(925) 513-3432

OOAKLEYAKLEY89 Carol Lane89 Carol Lane

(925) 625-4532 (925) 625-4532

www.LesSchwab.comwww.LesSchwab.com

Richard Pappenhausen of Chico opened a sizeable lead that couldnt be overcome by Bobby Hogge IVs late charge in the Western All Stars feature event at Antioch Speedway on Saturday night.

Hogge IV overcame a fl at tire to drive to his second second-place fi nish in the thrilling event.

Chris Shannon of Merced led 10 laps of the Western All Stars feature. While Shannon and Hogge IV battled for fi rst, Pappenhausen went high to the wall and passed them. Hogge IV continued to work on Shannon and got by him with fi ve laps to go. Pappenhausens lead was too much to overcome and it was Hogge IV, chased by Shannon, crossing the fi nish line in sec-ond and third.

I was just busy with Shannon, and Pappenhausen slipped by, Hogge IV said. His (Pappenhausens) stuff was pretty good last night. We were running about the same, so I couldnt make up the differ-ence on the track before the race ended.

Ryan McDaniel of Marysville ended his drought by going green to checkered fl ag to win the DIRTcar West modifi ed stock car feature.

It was the second week in a row that a McDaniel rode the victory lane in the DIRTcar modifi ed feature. Last week, Ryans father Randy won the main event. Dad was challenging me, but his car broke, Randy McDaniel said. It would have been great if we got the one-two.

The elder McDaniel was battling his son when a rear-end chain broke, snap-ping the drive shaft yoke. Nonetheless, son Ryan kept the family name up front. Thank God I fi nally got the monkey off my back, said Ryan McDaniel. Its been a struggle for me the last open show I won was back in 09. Something always seemed to happen. It felt good to win again.

Crashes and spinouts obliterated the modifi ed fi eld. I knew it would be a sur-vival deal tonight, Ryan added. I just tried to stay on the smoothest part of the track.

Hogge IVs car was torn apart in the on-track carnage. With the hood and nose-piece already torn off the car, his right rear tire went fl at late in the race. Dad Bobby Hogge III changed it in time for his son to come back, start from the rear, and fi nish second.

Even so, we had a race car that was capable of winning, Hogge IV said. All I can say: it was not easy coming through that gaggle of cars. They were racing in-side to outside and outside to inside. The track may have been a little rough, but its up to the guy behind the wheel to keep his car straight.

There will be no racing at Antioch Speedway on the Fourth of July weekend. The second half of the season begins Sat-urday, July 9 at 6 p.m.

Contributed by Mike Adaskaveg

Big lead survives in Antioch


22 888882008

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 888882008

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD


LEGAL NOTICES SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 892

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD APPROVING A REZONE (RZ 08-03) CHANGING THE ZONING ON A 2.38-ACRE SITE TO INCLUDE IT WITHIN SUBAREA D OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NO. 35 AND TO EFFECTUATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP PROJ-ECT, TO BE LOCATED SOUTH OF LONE TREE WAY AND WEST OF WINDY SPRINGS LANE (APNS 019-050-025, 019-050-039 AND 019-050-040).THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was introduced with the rst reading waived at a regular meet-ing of the Brentwood City Council on the 14th day of June, 2011, by the following vote:AYES: Council Members Barr, Bryant, StonebargerNOES: None ABSENT: Brockman ABSTAIN: NoneAnd was adopted at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 28th day of June 2011, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barr, Brock-man, Bryant, Stonebarger TaylorNOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 893AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD APPROVING A RE-ZONE (RZ 10-007) TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.630

(LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING) OF THE BRENTWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE BY IMPLE-MENTING REGULATIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE WATER CONSERVATION IN LANDSCAP-ING ACT OF 2006 (AB 1881).THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was introduced with the rst reading waived at a regular meet-ing of the Brentwood City Council on the 14th day of June, 2011, by the following vote:AYES: Council Members Barr, Bryant, StonebargerNOES: None ABSENT: Brockman ABSTAIN: NoneAnd was adopted at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 28th day of June 2011, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barr, Brock-man, Bryant, Stonebarger TaylorNOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: NoneATTEST:Margaret Wimberly, CMC City ClerkThe above is a summary of the major highlights of the ordinances; reading the ordinances in its entirety may be necessary to obtain a full understating of all changes. A copy of the full text of the ordinances is on le and may be read in the City Clerks of ce located at 708 Third Street, Brentwood, and/or a copy may be obtained from that of ce based on the Citys actual cost for duplicating.

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish dates: July 1, 2011

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 894AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD APPROVING A RE-ZONE (RZ 06-16) ADOPTING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR A 15.6-ACRE SITE IN ORDER TO ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF THE MISSION GROVE PROJECT, GENERALLY LOCATED WEST OF BRENTWOOD BOULEVARD AND SOUTH OF BALFOUR ROAD (APN 010-171-020).THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was introduced with the rst reading waived at a regular meet-ing of the Brentwood City Council on the 28th day of June, 2011, by the following vote:AYES: Council Members Barr, Brock-man, Bryant, StonebargerNOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: NoneATTEST:Margaret Wimberly, CMC City ClerkThe above is a summary of the major highlights of the ordinances; reading the ordinances in its entirety may be necessary to obtain a full understating of all changes. A copy of the full text of the ordinances is on le and may be read in the City Clerks of ce located at 708 Third Street, Brentwood, and/or a copy may be obtained from that of ce based on the Citys actual cost for duplicating. Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish dates: July 1, 2011

its getting better every day.With shouts of Go Navy, baby!

and Roger that! Schaus signature phrases bouncing around the packed room, Schau thanked the individuals and groups he and the WWR had worked and ridden with. Then, in a most uncharacter-istic turn of events, he ran out of things to say.

I am appreciative, and I am hon-

ored, he said. And thats all I got.Schaus missions as many as four

per week plus the time he spends on his Harley often keep him away from his wife, Julie, and daughter, Heidi. Both are often seen at Spikes side at events, and both are proud to support him.

Im very blessed to be married to such a wonderful, dedicated man, said Julie.


Veteran from page 3A

tual bank account for road improvements shared by Antioch, Oakley and Brent-wood. Offi cials attempts to obtain federal stimulus money for the project have been unsuccessful.

What we saw was them trying to spread the money out to try to get more projects on the board, Frazier said. Its understandable what the commissioners were trying to do create jobs in as many regions as possible.

Dale Dennis, the program manager for the Bypass Authority, said theres no timeline quite yet. To receive the mon-

ey, the state must sell bonds. Roughly a month or two after the bonds are sold, the cash will be ready for use. According to Dennis, a timeline will be a little easier to imagine once a budget is set in stone.

The project, touted as shovel-ready, will take about 18 months to complete. Taylor said earlier this year that if the project is put out to bid in July, construc-tion could start as early as October.

Certainly, we were looking for the full amount, Dennis said. When you get $25 million, you have to be pleased. Its $25 million more than we have.


Bypass from page 1A

June 21, saying she would like to see the facility put not one but two staff mem-bers on duty around the clock, as well as require the home to be subject to yearly reviews.

The state sets a minimum level for staffi ng, said Piepho. And I am simply recommending to the board that there be two staff people 24 hours a day. It doesnt violate the state standard the annual reviews are to assure the public that there are checks and balances in place for their safety.

Crispino believes the annual reviews wouldnt be a problem, but that the re-quirement of additional staff members would most likely be a deal breaker. More staffi ng? No, we wouldnt be agreeable to that, said Crispino. It would make the project fi nancially unfeasible

If we cant get it hammered out, the project would not be able to open, and then the (Bonita House) board would have to decide what comes next. Litiga-

tion is possible, but that would have to be reviewed by attorneys familiar with the Federal Fair Housing or Americans with Civil Disabilities Act.

For now, well wait and see what they (Board of Supervisors) come up with for conditions and how theyre written up and take it from there.

Revel felt more comfortable with the supervisors comments regarding the proj-ect, but is still concerned. I defi nitely feel better about the suggestion of added staff and additional reviews, said Revel. But Im still worried In a perfect world, the facility would be closer to community services so that the resident could easily get around. This is not a case of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard); its really just a matter of safety of the community as well as the residents (of the home).

The issue is set to come before the Board of Supervisors for review and pos-sible fi nal approval at the boards regular meeting on July 12.


Facility from page 16A


Spike Schau, left, receives a city pin from San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson honoring his selection as California Assembly District 15s Veteran of the Year.

with MVCC not Trinity Christian and Miller is adamant that the fi nances pertain-ing to the lease agreement were all handled by MVCC offi cials, not by her.

And while OUESD Superintendent Rick Rogers said he has yet to receive any payments or contact from MVCC offi cials, the district is still deciding how to proceed: During the three-year term of the lease it has been very frustrating at times. It appears MVCC/Trinity will have paid all but the last six months of the lease. They have repeatedly told us they have every intention of making good on a fi nal payment. We hope this will

occur. If not, we will determine the best manner in which to resolve this issue.

According to Jim Bender, whose son attended Trinity Christian, the drama asso-ciated with MVCC and Trinity has been dif-fi cult, but Miller should be credited for hold-ing the school community together during a time of controversy and grief.

Mrs. Millers relationship with the kids goes beyond that of a principal, and she was amazing through all of this, said Bender. You really feel like these people are a part of your family, and they are. I believe whole-heartedly in what she does.

Eager to put the preceding controversy

behind her, Miller acknowledged that the events leading up to and following the death of Hanoum so stigmatized the Christian school community that it was nearly impos-sible to carry on with a business-as-usual at-titude.

I just wanted to get through the school year and fi nish strong, said Miller. And we did that. I wanted everyone to walk away with something positive, and I think they did.

As for the legacy of MVCC and Trin-ity Christian School, its Millers hope that time will heal some of the wounds and that forgiveness will erase the rest. I would hope

that the Christian community would not judge our school by what happened but rath-er by what we accomplished, said Miller. I hope that we can get past what happened and embrace the power of forgiveness.

This will not be the last time any of us will be disappointed by the actions of anoth-er. If we can focus on the future and breathe life back into our families, we will be stronger for it.

California Christian Academy will host an Open House and orientation on Thurs-day, July 7 at 7 p.m. in the Brentwood loca-tion, 605 Harvest Park Drive.


School from page 1A

S p e c i a l S e c t i o n J u l y 1 5S p e c i a l S e c t i o n J u l y 1 5

RESERVE RESERVE YOUR YOUR AD SPACE AD SPACE TODAY!TODAY!

Grow yourGrow your Business! Business!

CALL 6

34-144

1

CALL 6

34-144

1


22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD


Platinum Sponsor:

Jeff Dawson Memorial

Head out to the end of the Discovery Bay Marina Levee

Saturday morning at 9:30 and watch the offshore

boats take off...

Come experience the sights and sounds of these fabulous

high performance boats!

2B | THEPRESS.NET EAST COUNTY LIFE JULY 1, 2011

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

OOAKLEYOAKLEYPRESS

2 02010

standard, the designs of the American fl ag have been as varied and robust as the people and nation the fl ag has represented. In ob-servation of Americas 235th birthday on Monday, here are some of the stories behind a few versions of that Grand Old Flag and her sisters.The Grand Union

The distinction of Americas fi rst offi cial fl ag goes to the Grand Union, an amalgam of symbols intended to not only identify the banded-together-yet-independent colonies, but to recognize that not everyone in those colonies wanted to sever the relationship with England. The 13 stripes representing the original colonies are displayed, but in place of the now-familiar canton (the name for the blue star fi eld) theres a British Union Jack. An early example of the political com-promises needed to form the United States, the design was meant to acknowledge the many colonials who wished to repair and maintain the relationship with England.

The Grand Union was adopted in 1775, and was fi rst seen fl ying from the masts of the Colonial fl eet on the Delaware River on Dec. 3. A young Navy lieutenant named John Paul Jones raised the newly designated colors aboard Captain Esek Hopkins fl ag-ship Alfred.

The Grand Union was the offi cial fl ag of the 13 American colonies on July 4, 1776 when they declared independence, and on Sept. 9, 1776, when Congress adopted the name United States. For almost the en-tire fi rst year of the American Revolution, the Grand Union Flag with its Union Jack represented the new country struggling for freedom from England.Washingtons Cruisers

Other fl ags began to emerge to iden-tify the individual groups that made up the

fl edgling nation. One of the fi rst was that of George Washingtons Cruisers, a squadron of schooners that the future fi rst president outfi tted at his own expense in 1775. The fl ag was a variation of the New England Pine Tree fl ag. The Sons of Liberty, a secretive group of patriot insurgents, met in Boston beneath a large pine that came to be known as The Liberty Tree, a symbol of American independence included on many fl ags.

Some also believe the Liberty Tree was included on the Washington Cruiser fl ag as another political compromise a patri-otic, New England icon intended to offset

the Virginian Washingtons Southern roots. Another unifying device is the text AN AP-PEAL TO HEAVEN, a request for Gods support and acknowledgment that the Brit-ish Army would be tough to beat, something everyone could agree on.The Gadsden Flag (Gadsden Banner)

South Carolinas Christopher Gadsden was one of the Sons of Patriots. When the English Parliament levied the Stamp Act on the colonies in 1765, Gadsden argued that taxation without representation violated the most basic laws of the English constitution and the natural rights of citizens, and he set

out to make trouble over it.When the British envoy sent to enforce

the new law arrived from England, he tried to land in Charleston, but Gadsden and the Sons of Liberty would not let his ship anchor. The ship turned back through the mouth of the Charleston harbor to anchor near Fort Johnson.

The Sons of Liberty traveled to the fort, took it over, and aimed the British guns at the Stamp Act collectors ship. Outmatched and outgunned, the tax collector set to sea,

Wave from page 1B

see Wave page 3B

ON THE COVER: A member of the color guard stands sentinel over the Stars and Stripes during Veterans Day observances in Antioch.

THE GRAND UNION

WASHINGTONS CRUISERS

THE GADSDEN FLAG

Charles Weisgerbers 1892 painting called Birth of Our Nations Flag shows Betsy Ross presenting the Stars and Stripes to visitors, including Gen. George Washington. The painting was nine feet tall and 12 feet wide.

Photo courtesy of www.betsyrosshouse.org

JULY 1, 2011 EAST COUNTY LIFE THEPRESS.NET | 3B

SATURDAYS 8AM - NOON MAPLE ST. BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND

Open thru October 29

7/27/97/23

Fourth of July at the Market with kids activities and prizes.Farmers Market will be open for the Brentwood Corn FestivalKids Art Day : Art walk and coloring contest. Winners receive carrot cash to spend at the market.

Brentwood Farmers Market Events:

WHATS IN SEASON: Apricots, Beets, Bok Choy, Blueberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Chard, Garlic, Kale, Lemons, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Nectarines, Onions, Peas, Peaches, Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Strawberries, and Tomatoes.

pcfma.com/brentwood1.800.949.FARM

Your Food,Your Community,

Your Farmers Market

never to return.Eight years later, Gadsden became a col-

onel in the Revolutionary Army and created his distinctive banner. According to www.gadsden.info/history.html, the signifi cance of how the rattlesnake device could be inter-preted was the subject of a December, 1775 letter in the Pennsylvania Journal from an author signed only as American Guesser.

The rattlesnake can be found in no other quarter of the world besides Ameri-ca, the letter offered, and its sharp eyes were an emblem of vigilance. More important-ly, American Guesser wrote, She never be-gins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. she never wounds till she has generously given no-tice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.

Many scholars now believe that Ameri-can Guesser was Benjamin Franklin.

Gadsdens fl ag became the personal standard of Esek Hopkins, the fi rst com-mander-in-chief of the Navy. Today, the Gadsden Flag is once again often seen at political rallies and tax protests.The Betsy Ross Flag

Upholsterers John and Betsy Ross lived in Philadelphia, and John was killed work-ing for the patriot cause when an ammuni-tion cask exploded. That much is true. The rest of her legend, however not so much.

According to Ross family oral history, the widowed Betsy Ross met with George Washington and two congressmen at her upholstery business in the spring of 1776.

The meeting was said to have resulted in the sewing of the fi rst U.S. stars and stripes fl ag bearing the iconic circle of stars.

The oral history, however, was written by a family member nearly 100 years after the supposed events, and no such meeting

was ever noted in the records of Washington or the congressmen.

Its the position of the United States government that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was responsible for the cir-

cular pattern of stars. He designed the fl ag while he was the Chairman of the Conti-nental Navy Boards Middle Department, sometime between his appointment to that position in November of 1776 and the Flag Resolution of June of 1777. This contradicts the idea that Betsy Ross could have sewn the fl ag in the spring of 1776.

Although she probably didnt create the fl ag named after her, records show that Ross did make ships colours for the Pennsylva-nia Navy in 1777. Shes also widely credited with devising a simple, one-snip method of producing the fi ve-pointed stars used in the American fl ag, which were unusual for fl ags of the period.The Serapis Flag (John Paul Jones Flag)

After attacking a British convoy off the coast of Norway in 1779, the ship of U.S. Navy Captain John Paul Jones the for-mer lieutenant who fi rst raised the Grand Union on the Alfred four years earlier the Bonhomme Richard, began to slowly sink into the North Sea. The captain of the Brit-ish warship Serapis demanded that Jones surrender, only to receive Jones immortal response, I have not yet begun to fi ght. Three hours later, the Serapis surrendered to Jones and became his new fl agship.

He sailed his prize to a neutral Dutch port, where, because the ship fl ew no colors (Jones had gone down with the Bonhomme Richard), he was accused of being a pirate by the British, who demanded the ship be returned by Dutch authorities.

No one among Jones crews had yet

Wave from page 2B

see Wave page 4B

THE SERAPIS FLAG THE BENNINGTON FLAG

The original Star Spangled Banner that inspired our national anthem is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

4B | THEPRESS.NET EAST COUNTY LIFE JULY 1, 2011

Kid of the WeekPRESSThe

Bailee Henry will soon be the subject of a pro photo shoot in Hollywood for an upcoming feature on her as the Child in the City of Hollywood for Child Model Magazine. Way to go, Bailee!

Submit Your Child forKid of the Week!Kid of the Week!ads@brentwoodpress .comads@brentwoodpress .com

Get it done right, Get it done now,Get it done right, Get it done now,Get it done Right NowGet it done Right Now

Call Audrey at (925)478-0103 Lic.#26592CGI Investigative Services

Kids Live Scan ID Packages w/photo Mobile Live Scan Services Nannys - Child Care - Coaches - Teachers Nanny Cams - Background Checks - Drug Testing

E=MC2

E=MC2e=mc2 e=mc2

e=mc2

e=

e=mc2

FUNdamental FUNdamental TutoringTutoring

HeroSummer CampMath/ReadingSign Up Now!925.759.2652

Eye Candy Accessories 978-9025 1925 Verne Roberts Cir., Antioch (Next to Costco)Bulk Discounts Available @ www.jackpotlots.com

GRAND OPENING SALE!1000s of $1 Items & More Accessories for all occasions!

Wholesale to the public

$5 Sunglasses$5 Sunglasses

www.ajumpaheadpreschool.com

ENROLL NOW

925 6799096Call For More Info:OAKLEY

KAREN BALDWIN, DIRECTORServing the Delta Since 1987

LICENSE #070211088

PRESCHOOL & DAYCAREPRESCHOOL & DAYCARE

634-2002 605 Harvest Park Dr.BrentwoodLic. #073405690

Ages 2 to 6We offer fl exible days and hours!Summer program $100 per weekDrop-Off $8 per hour

Preschool and Kindergarten classes starting August 1st

Enroll Today!

Discover the in Learning!FUN

seen the Stars and Stripes approved in 1777. In letters, however, Jones had read that col-ors should be white, red, and blue alternately to thirteen with a blue fi eld with thirteen stars.

Apparently based upon this descrip-tion, a recognizable ensign was quickly made to fl y aboard the Serapis, and Dutch records were edited to include a sketch of the ensign to make it offi cial. The Dutch could, there-fore, recognize the fl ag and avoid the legal controversy of Jones captured ship. The Dutch records survive and provide the origi-nal sketch of the fl ag. Iron

oakley press_07.01.11

Documents

sand creek road

bypass authority

widening of highway

bypass offi cials

sand creek interchange

green lightthough highway

laurel road

state funds