october 2011 community focus

HALLOWEENHALLOWEENTo find SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN events, please visit page 20.

A Monthly Publication Delivered to Over 40,000 Residents

OCTOBER 2011

Photos by: Jennifer Neys

www.ourcommunityfocus.com October 2011

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State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company,

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Matthew Rinn, AgentInsurance Lic#: 0F99232Pleasant Hill, CA 94523www.myagentmatt.net Bus: 925-671-0222

Visit them at www. .com

or email Donand

PleasantHillRealEstate

[email protected] #1 since 1994

Don & Norma Flaskerud

Re/Max CC Connection

Don & Norma Flaskerud

Re/Max CC Connection

925-676-5859

Call Pleasant Hill’s for ALL your Real Estate needsRealtor#1

172 Beverly Dr – $332,500

21 Fairway Pl – $233,000

907 Santa Cruz Dr – $445,000

1554 Shirley Dr – $299,000

509 Mesa Verde Pl – $379,000

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DRE #s — Don: 00971602, Norma: 00867031

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PENDING

5GREAT YEARS!

1961 2011�

Happy 50thAnniversary,

City of Pleasant Hill!We have been proud

Pleasant Hill residents for34 of those 50 years!

artesadental

Dr. Amanda Backstrom DMD Graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

For health, function & beauty

4041 Alhambra Ave. Suite 109 Martinez, CA 94553 Tel: 925-370-9900

www.artesadental.com

$72 exam, xrays and smile analysis*

Value up to $260 or insurance will pay. Offer includes initial exam, consultation and necessary xrays. New Patients Only. *Offer expires 60 days from receipt

FREE Teeth Whitening*

A $300 value (tray system) at an introductory offer with completed new patient exam, xrays and cleaning. Amanda Backstrom DMD, Inc.

$89 Dental Cleaning*

Value up to $129 or insurance will pay. Offer applies after a completed exam and xrays. Does not include periodontal cleaning. New Patients only. * for non-insured patients

Insurance accepted Easy Payment Plans Se Habla Español

WELCOME NEW PATIENTS! We provide quality dental care in a compassionate and relaxing environment. Call and make an appoint-

ment with your local family dentist today!

www.ourcommunityfocus.comOctober 2011

Run for High School Sports UnitedMt.DiabloAthleticFoun-dation’s(UMDAF)3rdannualSaveOurSports5kwillbeheldonSunday,October9thatNewhallParkinCon-cord. Duringthepast2yearstheracehasearnedover$150,000andattracted4,000participants. SunPower,thecom-panyinstallingthesolararraysatallMt.Diabloschoolsites,issupportingthefoundationbymakingamonetarycontributionandwillbringateamofemployeestoruntherace. Inadditiontomorevendorboothsthisyear,SportsBasementwillprovide“goodiebags”containingdiscountcou-ponsfortheparticipants. AccordingtoMarciFinley,headofthe5KCommit-tee,“thestudentathleteshaveattendedoneofeachofthelocalcitycouncilmeetingsinvitingthemembersandinstitutedachallengetoseewhichcitywillbringthemostemployeestotherace.”ADJwillbepresenttoaddmusictotheeventandthedaywillconclude

withentertainmentbythePolynesiandancersfromMt.Diabloandadanceparty. Althoughtheraceisdesignedtobeafun,familyevent,itspurposeistoraisefundsforthepreservationofhighschoolsports.“Lastyear,theracedidwellbutwedidnotbreakevenwiththecontributioncollectionsandexpensesforathleticsinthehighschools. Wewereabletocontinuethisyearduetothereservecreatedbytheoriginal$100,000donationofSteveGonsalvezandConcoCement. Thereisapossibil-itythatifwehaveaseconddeficityear,thedistrictcouldshutdownsports.ItisvitallyimportantthatthecommunitysupportUMDAFbymakingcontribu-tionsandattendingfundraisers. Wehavetobeaself-sustainingentityforsportstocontinueinthedis-trict,”saidFinley.Itwilltake1.2milliondollarstokeepathleticsinthe6Mt.Diablohighschoolsforthe2011/2012

season. LastApril,UMDAFhelda“Ve-gasNight”fundraiserattheConcordHilton.Thefundraiser,sponsoredbyUMDAFandtheMt.Diablohighschoolathleticboosterclubs,drewover200participantsandraisedover$12,000forhighschoolathletics. BoardMemberKentCaldwellsaid,“UMDAFistentativelyplanningonhavingthenextVegasNighteventinlateAugustorearlySeptember2012 asakick-offtothenexthighschoolsportsyear.”Moreinformationonthiseventis

forthcoming. Registrationforthe5KwillbeopenonlineatActive.comuntil5:00pmonOctober8thandavailableracedayatNewhallPark.Registrationfeesare$25forapre-registeredrunnerand$30dayoftheevent;$10fortheKiddieRun/Walk.Competitiverunbeginsat9amandtheFunRun/Walkbeginsat9:45am.TheKiddieRun/Walk(8&un-der)beginsat10:30am. For more information, please visit the website at www.unitedmtdiab-loathletics.org.

5K RUNBenefiting MDUSD HIgh School Sports

October 9, 2011 Newhall Park, Concord

Help Us Raise Money for High School SportsAll Ages Welcome

Competitive 5K, Fun Run & Walk & Kiddie EventFood & Entertainment Available

Register at www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org

HELP SAVE OUR SPORTSTogether we can keep high school sports in our schools!

Photos by: Jennifer Neys


JULIE SAYS

Yep,timetogetreadyforthatspe-cialeventcombiningmedievalhistory,woodworking,physicalscienceandourfavoritememberofthecucurbitaceaefamily,thepumpkin. MarkyourcalendarforthefirstweekendinNovember,whenthe26thAnnualWorldChampionshipPunkinChunkincontestwillbeheldinSussexCounty,Delaware,rightontheheelsofHalloween. Allmakeandmannerofhome-madepumpkin-launchingdeviceswillbeputintoactionbyeagerparticipantstoseewhocanhurlapumpkinthegreat-estdistance.Youwillbeinterestedtolearntheworldrecordpunkinchunkwas5,545.43feet,which,foryounon-mathspecialistsoutthere,isfartherthanamile!(notetoself:useapneumaticcannon) Theremightstillbetimetoreserveacampsitenearthevenue.However,it’swaytoolatetoregisteryourpumpkinlauncher;thechunkinfieldforthisfall’scom-petitionisalreadyfull.You’lljusthavetohauloutyourcatapults,ballistasandcannonsnextyear. What,notrebuchetinthegarage?Nottoworry

–there’sampletimetoprepareforthe27thannualeventin2012.Youdo-it-yourselftypeswillwantcheckoutthepumpkincatapultplansfoundonAsk.com. Whoknewmedievalsiegeweaponswouldcomebackintovogue?Wearesolucky.Anyway,theDelawareevent(which,bytheway,includesaMissPunkinChunkinPageant-andwhatyoungladycouldresistgoingafterthat

title?)raisesalotofmoneyforcharity.So,anyonehereinourcommunitywhoneedstocomeupwithafallfundraiser,hereyougo. HappyHalloweenandenjoythosepumpkins. ThedeadlineforentriesinthePleasantHillrhymingchallengewasmidnightonSeptember23.Thewinnerwillbeannouncedherenextmonth.Thankstoeveryonewhoentered!Pleasesendanyquestionsorcommentstojulieakross@comcast.net. Send any questions, comments and your entries to me at [email protected] by midnight on September 23 and stay tuned for the announcement of the winner in November.

It’s That Time of Year AgainBy Julie Ross

PUBLISHERSBecky Coburn, Jennifer Neys, Elena Hutslar

[email protected],000HomesandBusinessesinPleasantHill,Martinez,

Pacheco,LafayetteandWalnutCreek

[email protected]

SPORTS EDITORChuck Nan

[email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNTrish Heaney, Debra Wilson, Sarah Birdwell

COPY EDITORAlison Clary

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

CONTACT INFORMATION:Community Calendar:

[email protected]

Stage Door Theater Submissions: [email protected]

Content & General Inquiries: [email protected]

6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132Martinez, CA 94553

Phone: (925) 335 - NEWS (6397)

Independent & Locally Owned

•Art,JazzandWine...................................... page6•SoupTime!.................................................. page11•AsRussSeesIt............................................. page13•Alhambra’sSportsSchedules................page16-17

•HalloweenHaunts..........................................page19•LosetheLawn.................................................page22•LiveMusicListings.......................................... page24•TeenScene........................................................ page30

The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening

and building connections within our community.

MISSION STATEMENT

Cars, Bikes and Kids Converge!Share the Road Cautiously

Withschoolbackinsessiontheroadwaysarebusywithrusheddriversmixedwithchildrenbikingandwalkingtoschool.Inthreeseparateincidents,threePleasantHillMiddleSchoolstudentswerehitbycarswhilebicyclingtoandfromschooloverthespanofafewdaysattheendofSeptember.Allsustainedinju-riesandonestudenthasyettoreturntoschool. Driversandcyclistscannotbetoocautious!Herearesomebasicbutimportantreminders:Drivers:•Don’tbeinahurry.Leaveplentyoftimetogetwhere youaregoing.•Stopatallcrosswalksandstopsignsandlookboth ways.Don’trollthrough!•Useextremecautionwhenbackingoutofdriveways.

•Keepyourwindshieldsclean.•Donotuseyourcellphone.•Givepedestrianstheright-of-way.Cyclists:•Alwayswearahelmet.Itisthelawforpersonsunder 18yrsofage.•Obeyalltrafficsignsandsignals.•Rideontherightsideoftheroad.•Neverwearheadphoneswhenriding.•Rideinasinglefile.•Makeeyecontactwithdriverstobesureyouhave beenseen.•Bewareofcarsbackingoutofdriveways. Pleaseuseextremecaution.Ourchildren’slivesdependonit.


Breast Cancer MonthBy Tiffany Svahn, MD

Friends of Faith“Bubbles for Boobs”

Race for the Cure

JoinRoxanneCole(RoxxonMain)andSeanAndrade(AndradeWineGroup),astheyhost“BubblesforBoobs,”atRoxxonMain,Wednesday,October19thfrom6:30to9:30pm.Theeveningincludesafabuloussilentauc-tion,raffleandlivemusic.The$39perpersonticketswillincludeaselectionofchampagneandsparklingwinesalong

withuniqueanddelicioustapas(smallplates),especiallypreparedforthisfunandflirtyeveningoffundraising.Pro-ceedsbenefitFriendsofFaith(Fancher),Inc.,aBayAreanon-profitdedicatedtoprovidingsupportandinformationtotheuninsuredandunder-servedwomeninourcommunity. RoxanneColeexplained,“WeareverypleasedtosponsorandhostBub-blesforBoobs.Whenthetopicofbreastcancercomesupindailyconversation,itisapparentjusthowfar-reachingthisdiseaseis.Itseemslikeeveryoneyouspeakwithhaseitherpersonallyexperi-encedbreastcancerorknowssomeoneamongfamilyorfriendswhoisfightingthedisease.FriendsofFaithisprovidingagreatserviceforsomanylocalwomenandtheyaredoingawonderfuljobcar-ryingforwardFaithFancher’svision.RoxxonMainisveryexcitedtobeabletohelpwiththiswonderfulevent.” Ticketscanbepurchasedinad-vanceatRoxxonMain(627MainStreet,Martinez)oron-linebyvisitingwww.eventbrite.com/event/2220240800.Comehaveagreattimewhilesupport-ingBubblesforBoobs!

Lindsey Lombardi and Lauren Burns wanted to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. On September 25, they joined thousands of others in San Francisco for the annual Komen (Affiliate Name) Race for the Cure®. They collected donations that support local breast cancer screening, treatment, education and outreach. After her race Lindsey re-marked, “My experience was great because I knew I was running for a good cause and I can’t wait to do it again next year.”

About1in8womenintheUnitedStates(12%)willdevelopinvasivebreastcanceroverthecourseofherlifetime.Breastcancerisaveryimportanthealthissueforwomen–itisthemostcommoncancer,andthesecondmostcommoncauseofcancerdeath.In2010,thereweremorethan200,000newdiagnosesandmorethan39,000deathsintheUnitedStates.Thegoodnewsisthatdeathrateshavebeendecreasingsince1990asaresultoftreat-mentadvances,earlierdetectionthroughscreening,andincreasedawareness. Thisyear,DiabloValleyOncology,SunValleyShoppingCenterandArthurJ.GallagherInsurancearepartner-ingtogethertohostaspecialBreastCancerAwarenessevententitled“PinkUpTheMall.”ThroughoutthemonthofOctober,SunValleymerchantswillfeature“Pink”themedmerchandiseanddiscountoffers.MerchantswillalsohelpraiseBreastCancerAwarenessbyshowcasingthecolorpinkviawindowdressingsandlights.ThehighlightoftheeventwilltakeplaceonOctober16that

1pmintheGrandCourt.BreastcancersurvivorswillberecognizedbytheironcologistsandsurgeonsandfeaturedinaSurvivinginStyleFashionShow. Thedayprior,onOctober15th,“TheManyFacesofBreastCancer”willtakeplaceattheLesherCenterfortheArtsinWalnutCreek,from10am–12pm.Thiseducationalcommunityeventwillfocusontheuniqueneedsandissuesofsurvivorsandwillprovidethelatestinformationonbreastcan-cer.HeatherQuartermanfromKKDV92.1FMwillbethemoderator.Medicalexpertswillspeakonissueseffectingsurvivorsandofferinsightintotreat-mentoptionsandlifestylechangesthatcanhelpwithrehabilitation.Thereisnochargefortheevent,howeverreserva-tionsarerequiredasseatingislimited.RSVPat925-677-5041,ext.260. Dr. Svahn is an active supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Mak-ing Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay for Life. She will be part of the opening ceremony at St. Mary’s College’s Relay for Life on October 7th begin-ning at 3pm in Moraga. Dr. Svahn is a Medical Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist at Diablo Valley Oncology in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. She can be reached at 925-677-5041 or at www.DiabloValleyOncology.md


Pleasant Hill Turns 50!

Art, Jazz & Wine...Wow!

5GREAT YEARS!

1961 2011� Pleasant Hill turns 50 this November...

Entry forms for both contests

are available online

at www.pleasant-hill.net/50th

�

�

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Historical photographic

exhibit depicting 50 years

of Pleasant Hill history

Art Exhibit by the

East Bay Artists Guild

Winners of the Art, Writing

and Photographic contests

on display

Music and light food

and refreshments

Family entertainment

Contests

Join the celebration of our

5GREAT YEARS!

1961 2011�

Pleasant Hill’s 50th anniversary

��November 12, 2011

No host bar—6:00pmDinner—7:30pm Program—8:30pm

��

��

Dancing until weehours of the night

Entertainmentby Michael Fender

Black tie

optional $95

801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill

Tickets on sale at City Hall

Elementary Students

Art Contest

Middle and High School

Writing Contest

For Grades K through 5—

$400 in prize money to be won.

Theme: “My Favorite Place

in Pleasant Hill”

For Grades 6 through 12—

$875 in prize money to be won.

Theme: “Your City at 50—

Past, Pleasant & Future”

Entry deadline:

Entry deadline:

October 17

October 5

There are multiple opportunities

for all family members to join in

our grand celebration this fall....

Join the FUN!

Saturday, November 12, 6:00pm 'til late!

Contra Costa Country Club

Gala Celebration Dinner!

For more information email

[email protected]

Sponsored by

Allied Waste Services

�

�

�

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Tickets, $95 per person City Hall.

Dinner is Black-Tie optional

Entertainment by Michael Fender

Champagne reception

Complimentary wine at each table

Free commemorative photograph

Free book —

—

, , with photos,

50 Years of Pleasant Hill History

a wealth of information about people,

places and events in

Pleasant Hill over the past 50 years.

Sunday, November 13

Free event for all

Pleasant Hill residents.

Festivities will include:

10am–5pm

Open House at City Hall

50th Programs at the Library

Pleasant Hill Reads “James and the Giant

Peach” by Roadl Dahl

Moonlight Movie “James & the Giant Peach”

—The Pleasant Hill Library

has selected this as a citywide book read during

October. The book was first published in 1961.

Extra copies available at the library.

—

Friday, October 7 on the lawn at City Hall,

7-8:30pm.

ExperiencePleasantHilllikeneverbeforeasthePleasantHillArt,Jazz&WineFestivalkicksoffitsninthyear! Thisyear’stwo-dayevent,heldonOctober8and9,istheprideofthePleas-antHillcommunity.Thefestivalwillrunfrom10amto6pmonSaturday,andfrom10amto5pmonSunday.Between8,000and10,000visitorsareexpectedtoat-tendthefestival,locatedalongCrescentDriveindowntownPleasantHill. Astheyenjoyawidearrayofwonderfulartandentertainment,guestsarewelcometoperusethewaresofmorethan75artistsandsampleagreatselectionoffinelocalwinesandpremiumbeer.

ThepopularPremiumWinetentprovidesanopportunitytoenjoytastingsomegreatpremiumwines.Boothsoflocalartistswilllinethetwo-blocksec-tionofthefestivalstreetswhilechildrenofallagescanenjoythefestivitiesinafun,family-friendlyenvironment. Thefollowingbandsareslatedtoperformthroughoutthetwo-dayevent:Saturday:JambalayaJazztet,KingCosbyGroup,featuringJoyceGrant,EnVivo,AjaVu.Sunday:ElizabethHunnicutt,DeltaDogsandCover2Cover ThePleasantHillChamberofCom-merceandtheCityofPleasantHill,alongwithcommunityleadersandvolunteers,

A lot has happened in the city during these years! Faye Donoghu, Margi Alkire, and Karin Giblin have been working on a book chronicling the city’s history. “It was great to have our new local news-paper as a resource,” affirmed Margi. “Research is one of the challenges for writing a book, and we ap-preciate the help of the Focus.” The City of Pleasant Hill will have its anniversary Gala Dinner on Saturday, November 12, at the Contra Costa Country Club. This will be a black-tie formal event. At this event, the history book will be unveiled. Then on Sunday, there will be a free, informal open house at City Hall, full of activities, exhibits, and introductions. Happy Birthday, Pleasant Hill! Pictured above is Faye Donoghu, Margi Alkire, and Karin Giblin useing the Focus to research their book The History of the City of Pleasant Hill, 1962-2011

continuetomakethiseventahugesuc-cess.ThePleasantHillChamberofCom-mercestrivestopromoteandmeetlocalbusinessneeds,provideaddedvaluetoitsmembersandenhancethequalityoflifewithinthecommunityofPleasantHill.

If you would like more informa-tion about Pleasant Hill’s Art, Jazz and Wine Festival please phone the Pleasant Hill Chamber Office at 925-687-0700 or check the website: www.pleasanthill-chamber.com.


City Council / Redevelopment October 3, 17City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneCouncil Chambers, 7:30pmContact: 671-5267

Civic Action CommissionOctober 5City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneSmall Community Room, 6:30pmContact: 671-5229

Architectural Review CommissionOctober 6, 20City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneLarge Community Room, 5:00pmContact: 671-5209

Planning CommissionOctober 11, 25City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneCouncil Chambers, 7:30pmContact: 671-5209

Zoning AdministratorOctober 13, 27City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneComm. Development Dept. Conf. Room, 5:00pmContact: 671-5209

Education CommissionOctober 26City Hall, 100 Gregory LaneLarge Community Room, 7:00pmContact: 671-5229

City Calendar of Events

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

Bythetimeyoureadthis,we’llhavefinishedthecity’sSummerConcertse-ries,concludingwiththeCityofPleasantHill’sSeptember11commemoration,andalsocompletedPleasantHill’sCom-munityServiceDayandthecity’spopularPlazaConcertSeries.The9thannualArt,Jazz&WineFestisrightaroundthecor-ner(October8-9indowntownPleasantHill),andsoisthePleasantHillFounda-tion’sfundraisingGolfClassic(October10).ThenwewillbeonlysixweeksorsofromthegreatcelebrationofPleasantHill’s50thbirthdayonNovember12th.These

activitieshighlightonlypartofwhatkeepsourcitysuchafantasticandvibrantplacetoliveandwork.Wehavesomuch“com-munity”happeningallthetime. IwanttothankallofthosewhohelpedmaketheSeptember11Commem-orationsotouchingandspecial:Rever-endsWeidmannandWhite,alongwiththeircolleaguesFatherJoyce,ReverendsSmithandBarnes,theBoyScouts,NicolePalmeri,theChildren’sChoirandDirec-tor,CarolynMoeller,theAdultChoirandDirector,Dr.BretPeppo,WaltBeveridge,long-timeresidentPamBrady,JaneBax-ley,MattRinn,SteveLack,KellyCalhoun,KelliGuis,JimNunes,JuneCatalano,DennisDonaghu,FayeDonaghu,TrevorDonaghu,BobTurcious,MartinNelis,

Mayor’s Message David Durant, Mayor of Pleasant Hill

PLEASANT HILL CITY BUZZ

TinaYoung,LeePalmer,KevinHennessy,ReverendPeterWoodward,KenHousfel,MartiMartin,PhilMadruga,themem-bersofPleasantHillCERT,andahostofothers.Iwanttothankthesponsors:ThePleasantHillEcumenicalClergyGroup,CityofPleasantHill,PleasantHillPoliceDepartmentandtheK-9Unit,PleasantHillRecreation&ParkDistrict,PleasantHillRotaryClub,PleasantHillLionsClub,PleasantHillChamberofCommerce,and

BoyScoutsofAmerica. Thesepeopleproved,onceagain,howasmallgroupofpeopleofgoodwillandvisioncancometogetherandmakeadif-ference!Whatanhonortohavebeenabletoparticipate.Whatajoytoseesuchself-lessserviceexemplifythethemeoftheday,“oneworld,onecommunity,remembering,engagingcommunity,givingback.”Wow! Best, DavidDurant

CERT’s Annual Exercise

A Day in the Life in PH

Movie Night

OnSaturday,September17th,thecityofPleasantHillwasinfrontofthelensof40localamateurpho-tographers.AspartoftheCity’s50thanniversarycelebration,aphotocontest,ledbyDickHix-sonofHixsonPhotography,wasdesignedtoexpressthecharacterofPleas-antHillwithina24-hourperiod. Thetop20photographswillbeon

displayatCityHallinNovemberduringtheCityHallOpenHouse.The3chosen

bestwillreceiveWolfCameragiftcertificatesintheamountsof$500,$300and$200tothefirst,secondandthirdplacewinners. Asampleofsomeof

thewinningphotographswillalsobepublishedintheNovemberissueoftheCommunityFocus.

OnSaturday,October15thfrom6pmuntil10pm,theCityofPleasantHillCommunityEmergencyResponseTeam,(CERT)willbeconductingadisasterre-sponseexercise. PleasantHillCERTisaFEMAaffiliatedorganization sponsoredbytheContraCostaFireProtectionDis-trict,andoperatesundertheoversightofthePleasantHillPoliceDepartment. ThemajorityoftheexercisewilltakeplaceatthePleasantHillSeventhDayAdventistChurchonGraysonRoad. Conductingtheexerciseatnightwillmaketheresponsetoasimulatedmajorearthquake alongtheHaywardfaultmorechallengingfortheteamasitsetsupanIncidentCommandPost,whichwillin-clude sectionsforOperations,Planning,Communications,MedicalTreatment,

Logistics andAdministration. Sever-alteamswillpracticetheirsearchandrescue,firstaid,firesuppression,medi-caltransport,andradiocommunicationskills inthesurroundingarea. IfyouseehelmetedfigureswithflashlightsandglowsticksintheneighborhoodaroundTwinviewDriveandStrandAvenue,wishthemwell;itisyourPleasantHillCERTvolunteersmakingsuretheywillbereadytohelptheirneighborswhenthetimecomes. For information about the Pleasant Hill team go to the city website, www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us, and click on Emer-gency Preparedness. Read stories about CERT in action in communities across the United States by checking out www.citizencorps/cert.gov.

TheanimatedfilmofJamesandtheGiantPeachwillbeairingasOcto-ber’sMoonlightMovie!Enjoythisout-doorscreeningoftheanimatedfeaturefilmofRoaldDahl’sclassicstory.Fri-day,October7thfrom7pm-8:30pm,CityHalllawn.

October 10 City Hall Offices Closed for Columbus Day


Please verify schedule at www.pleasanthillchamber.com • 925-687-0700

Please verify schedule at www.martinezchamber.com • 925-228-2345

PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER NEWS

CALENDAR SPONSORED BYCALENDAR SPONSORED BY

MARTINEZ CHAMBER NEWSPleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Martinez Chamber of Commerce

The new Handbag Store carries and hand selects designer inspired handbags. It is your go-to boutique to find accessories that will pair well with your existing wardrobe such as scarves, sunglasses, wallets, jewelry and of course gorgeous handbags galore. The Handbag store offers famous handbags for all the seasons. Get ready to hear, “Where did you purchase that bag? It’s gorgegous!” “Gorgeous” is their motto. Check the Handbag store often as they offer weekly sales! Like them on Facebook. 1252 Pine St, Martinez, 925-339-6880. Store hours Sat.10-5pm & Sun. 11-3:00pm.

Centrally located at the corner of Howe Road and Pacheco Blvd, TJ’s was once known as Mitch’s Club and then Pegg’s Western Grill until Doug Callahan bought it in June naming it TJ’s Café after his daughter, Tiffany Jessica. TJ’s Café is a family restaurant serving a variety of comfort food including T-bone steaks, bbq’d ribs, tri-tip, ground chuck burgers, lasagna and Salisbury steak. TJ’s boasts that 95% of their food is from scratch and their meats come from Weber Quality Meats, San Leandro; a place well-known for their fresh meats. The cafe provides delivery service in Martinez & Pacheco, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. TJ’s appreciates the nice welcome and the support they’ve received from the community. Doug says, “We are here for you, this is your restaurant and your kitchen. Great food is back!” 3210 Pacheco Blvd, Mtz, (925) 370-6379. M-F 5am-7pm, Sa & S 6am – 7pm, 3 meals, 7 days a week.

Ribbon Cuttings9/21 Mega Mixer

Handbag Store

TJ’s Cafe

Photo by Richardcash.com

Photo by Richardcash.com

10/4 - Computer Sales and Service “Customer Appreciation Day”1936LindaDrive,PleasantHill.925-827-12005pm–6:30pm

10/6 - Ribbon Cutting and Open House ChelseaBrackettStateFarm,2261MorelloAveSteA,PleasantHill,691-4948.OpenHouse3pm-7pm,RibbonCutting5pm

10/7 - Ambassador Meeting- CityHall,100GregoryLane,PleasantHill,7:45am-9am

10/8 & 9 - Art Jazz & WineSeethebackpage!

10/10 - Office closed for Columbus Day

10/13 - Waters Moving and Storage Ribbon Cutting, 37BridgeheadRoad,Martinez,5pm

10/19 - October Mixer - Mr. Lucky’s2618PleasantHillRoad,PleasantHill5:30pm-7:30pm

10/24 - Government Affairs CommitteeBackForty,100CogginsDr.,PleasantHill5pm-6pm.

10/13 - Ribbon Cutting / 36 Year Anni-versary Celebration atWatersMoving&Storage.4-7pm.RibbonCuttingat5pm.37BridgeheadRoad,Mtz.ProceedsbenefittheMtz.HistoricalMuseum.

10/14 - 26th Annual Martinez Mayor’s Cup Golf Classic–Fri.10:30am–7pm.Co-hostedwithMainStreetMartinezatRoddyRanchGolfClub,1TourWay,Antioch.FormoreinfocalltheChamber:(925)228-2345orMainStreetMartinez:(925)228-3577.

10/20 - Educational Series –MarketingfortheHolidays,12pm-1pm.PresentedbyMarieKnutsonoftheUPSStore.11:30.JohnMuirBestWesternInn,445MuirStationRd.;$10Members;Non-Members:$20includeslunch.RSVP(925)[email protected].

10/27 - Chamber Mixer- 5:30–7:30pm.AAA,1276S.CaliforniaBlvd.,WalnutCreek.Co-hostedwiththeWalnutCreekCham-

ber.GreatNetworking,Food,Fun,RafflePrizes(bringaraffleprizeandhaveyourbusinessannounced!)

Coming Up on November 3rd,5-Cham-berBusinessExpo,Thursday4-7pmattheCrownePlazaHotel,45JohnGlennDrive,Concord.CalltheMartinezChamberformoreinformationandtoreserveyourbooth.

Join us for a festive afternoon at the award winning, par 72 Roddy Ranch Golf Course in Antioch. Fabulous hosted holes & activities, great raffle prizes, followed by an amazing auction. Win prizes such as $10,000, a TV, American Airline tickets, and much more!

10:30am: Registration, Putting Contest, BBQ Lunch12:00pm: Shotgun Start, On-Course Food and Beverage5:30pm: Post Golf Hors d’oeuvres, Awards and Raffle

Individual Golfer $150, Foursome $600. To register online visit www.martinezmayorscup.org or call 228-2345

26th Annual Mayor’s Cup Golf ClassicOctober 14, 2011

Hosted by Mtz Chamber of Commerce and Main St. Martinez.Portion of the proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Diablo Valley


HOUSING NEWS

Real Estate Update By Nathan Hitchcock

Martinez Martini Festival

ArecentsurveybyApartments.comrevealednewinsightintoourcur-rentrealestatemarket.Theirfindings?Manywould-behomeownersarechoos-ingtorentnotbecausetheyhaveto,butbecausetheywantto.Aprimaryfactorintheirdecisionisthelowerfinancialriskthatcomeswithnothavingtoworryaboutmaintenanceandfluctuatinghomevalues. I’vespokentodozensofformerhomeownerswhohaverecentlyturnedtorenting,andnearlyallofthemre-porthavingaheavyweightliftedfromtheirshoulders—theynolongerneedtoworryabouthowmuchtheirhomehasdroppedinvalue,orhowtheywouldmakeendsmeetifamajorrepairarose. Thisstandsinstarkcontrasttothelong-heldviewofhomeownershipasoneoftheiconicAmericandreamsandrentingissomethingyoubegrudginglydobecauseoffinancialconstraintsorshort-termlivingsituations.Now,de-

spitemortgageratesatnever-before-seenlows,lowdownpaymentwithgovern-ment-backedmortgageprograms,andmosthomesactuallycostinglesstoownthantorent,manywould-behomeown-ersaresimplysaying,“Nothanks,I’mhappyrenting.” Thisgrowingtrendisshowingupclearlyinthemarketnumbers:homepricesarefallingandrentsarerising.Ahomethatcostabout$650Katthefirstoftheyearisnowsellingforabout$600K.Conversely,therentalrateonthatsamehomehasgonefromabout$2,500permonthtoabout$3,000permonth,withthehomeownerstypicallygettingtochoosefrommultipleappli-cantsinthefirstweek.Asapointofcomparison,theprincipalandinterestmortgagepaymentonthat$600Khousewitha10%downpaymentattoday’srateof4.375%wouldbe$2,921permonth. Thestorychangesabitwhenyoudropdowninvalue.Homesinlow-erpricepointsareseeingtheirvaluesbuoyedbyrelativelystronginvestordemand.Conversely,asthosehomesbe-comeavailableasrentals,theyputdown-wardpressureonrentalrates.Therentalratesarestillrisinginthosemarkets,butataslightlyslowerpace. Soifyouaresellingahomeandhavenotbeenpleasedwithwhatthemarketthinksitisworth,itmightbeagoodideatoconsiderrentingitout.Thefirststepistofindoutwhatthehomewouldrentfortoseeifitmakessenseforyoufinancially.AgoodplacetostartisZillow.com,whichisnowtrackingrentalrates.Thisofcoursewilljustbearoughestimate.Foramoreaccuraterentalrateanalysis,contactyourfavoriterealtororalocalpropertymanagementfirm.Thisinformationisgenerallyprovidedfreeofcharge. Nathan Hitchcock is the managing broker of Hitchcock Realty, a residential real estate brokerage and property man-agement firm in downtown Pleasant Hill. He can be reached at [email protected] or (925) 825-1100.

Photos by Richardcash.com


Zoning Administrator MeetingOctober 5 (cxld), 193:00pm-4:00pmContact: 925-372-3500

Oohs, Ahs and GigglesOctober 5, 12 &193:30pm-4:15pmCity HallContact: 925-372-3510

Planning Commission MeetingOctober 11, 257:00pm-11:00pmContact: 925-372-3500

Design Review MeetingOctober 12, 264:00pm-6:00pmContact: 925-372-3500

Park, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission MeetingOctober 187:00pm-9:30pmContact: 925-372-3510

Backyard Composting Work-shopOctober 277:00pm-9:00pmCouncil Chambers, City HallContact: 925-372-3531Registration: [email protected]

October 10, City Offices Closed for Columbus Day

City Calendar of Events

MARTINEZ CITY BUZZ

TheMartinezMarinaisstra-tegicallylocat-edbetweenSanFranciscoBayandtheDelta,whichmakesitanidealspotfortransientandseasonalboatersaswellasforlong-termtenantstomoortheirboats. UnfortunatelytheMarinaiscur-rentlyindireneedofrepairsandup-gradestoitsdocksandbreakwateraswellasamaintenancedredge.Atthistimetheseissuesposesignificantcon-cernstothemarina’ssafetyandnaviga-

bilityifleftunanswered.TheMarina’sexistingtimberdockswereinstalledinthemid1970’sandarenowpasttheirlifeexpectancy.Thebreakwaterwallsareinneedofrepairsandsomereplace-ments.Timeisoftheessenceinordertotakeadvantageofthe2012construc-tionwindow.Itiscriticalthatthefund-inggapof$1.3millionisclosedandthecurrentlyapprovedfundsbereleasedbytheDepartmentofBoatingandWa-terways(DBW)tothecityinordertomoveforwardwiththeremainingper-mitsandconstructionactivities. DuringrecentdiscussionswithDBWregardingthecity’snewgrant

Mayor’s Message Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

requesttosupportreplacementoftheeasternbreakwater,DBAexpressedaninterestinexploringyetanotheroptionforPhaseIreconstruction.Theyareinterestedinnotonlyreplacingtheeast-ernbreakwaterbutalsoaredesignandconstructionoftheentrancetoslowthesiltationrateattheentranceofthemarina.Ifthecityweretoincludetheseelementsinthefirstphase,itwouldalsohavetodredgetheexistingusableareatocreatecashflowtopayfortheloanfundsneededtocompletethescopeofwork.ThenewDBWgrantrequestof$750,000hasbeensubmittedaspartofthe2012/2013DBWbudgetrequesttotheStateofCalifornia. Wearealsoworkingwithourpri-vatepartnerinlookingatotherleasear-rangementsandpossibleprivatecapitalthatcouldhelpsupportdredgingcosts

andpotentiallyreducethecity’srelianceonloanfundingfromDBW. Inadditiontooureffortsinwork-ingwithDBWandourprivatepartner,wehavemetwithourlocalrepresenta-tives,AssemblywomanSusanBonilla,SenatorMarkDeSaulnier,andCon-gressmanMikeThompson.Allhavetouredthemarinaandareworkingonourbehalftosecuretheneededfundingtorebuild. ThemarinaisacriticalcomponentoftheeconomicvitalityofMartinez.ItnotonlyservestheboatingpublicbutalsoactivitiesoftheDepartmentofFishandGame,privateresearchcompa-nies,spillresponseteams,CoastGuard,CountySheriffandCHPpatrolboats,SeaScoutprograms,fishingchartersandawatervenueformarinebiologystudiesatlocalcolleges.

Restaurant Tour 2011

Martinez Home Tour

Joinusforadeliciousevent!Sam-pletastytreatsfrom17restaurantsonquaintstreets,indowntownMartinezonSaturday,October8,from1:30pmto4:30pm.Thiseventisspon-soredbytheMartinezrecrea-tiondepartment.Allticketsalesbenefitaseriesoffreeafterschoolperformancesforchildren:“Oohs,Ahs,andGiggles”. Ticketsare$15andcanbepur-chasedthroughtherecreationdepart-mentbycalling:372-3510ortheMar-tinezSeniorCenterat:370-8770.

Thetourparticipantsshouldar-rivewithanemptystomach,com-

fortableshoesandaloosebelt!The17participatingrestaurantsare:

RoyalThaiRestaurant,RoxxontheMain,SmokeyD’s,Whiskey

Lane,FamilyKitchen,PacificaPizza,TheFerryStreetStation,

HauteStuff,HotDogDepot,Luigi’s,LaTapatia,LeGa-

teauElegant,TaqueriaLosToros,LegalGrounds

Café,LemonGrass,MainStreetSweetsand

CaliforniaMagicDinnerTheater.

ThetourbeginsonSaturday,Octo-ber8,at10amattheShellClubhouseonPachecoBlvd.,andconcludesat4pm.Enjoydisplaysofvintageclothing,an-tiquecars,refreshmentsandmusicby“TheSpinningWheel”.Thetourincludesthe1890BorlandHouse(homeoftheMartinezMuseum),JohnMuir’s1882ItalianateVictorianHome,theMartinezAdobeand7privatehistoricalhomescir-ca1880-1930.“TheHopefulRomantics”and“AncestralWaters”willprovidemusicattheJohnMuirHouseandtheFosterStreetNeighborhoodrespectfully. Newtothisyear’stourareperiodartandcraftdemonstrationsincludingshoemakingbyPabloMartinezofCarlosShoeRepair,historicalfauxpaint-ingbyKellyMoorePaintsandspinningbytheMartinezArtAssociation. Youcandrivethetourroute,orutilizeashut-tleservicethatwillprovideuncrowdedbusesandfrequentdepartures. Wear

comfortableshoes; onceyoureachtheFosterStreetNeighborhood,youmaywishtowalkthe7-blockstretchofpri-vatehomes. Thetourisself-pacedsoyoucantaketimetoenjoythehomes. Nochildrenunder12yearsofageplease(infantsmaybecarriedinarmsorabellycarrier). Duetotheperiodofthehomes,theyarenotwheelchairaccessible,andweregretthattakingpicturesisnotallowedinsidethehomes. Ticketsaretaxdeductibleandare$20inadvanceor$25attheShellClubHouseonthedayoftheevent. Ifyouhaveapartyof10,ticketsare$18each. Formoreinformationpleasecontact:CarolynDuncan,HomeTourChairat:9258648457.Foracompletelistofstores

sellingticketsandtopurchaseonline,visitwww.martin-

ezhometour.com.Pro-ceedsfromthetourwillbenefittheHis-toricalSociety’seffort

torestorethe1877OldTrainDepotindowntownMar-tinez.


CORKS AND FORKS

Pair UpWith La Sommelierre Maria Terry

Sautéed Shrimp and Mozzarella

Sancocho de FrijolesINGREDIENTS½tsp.Aleppopepperorotherdried,crushedpepperwithmediumheat4tsp.amontilladosherry2tbsp.extravirginoliveoil1tsp.lemonzest4tsp.choppedfreshdill1lb.largeshrimp,deveined,tailon(about21-26countperpound)4oz.small,freshmozzarellaballs(oralargerballcutintosmallchunks)KoshersaltandpeppertotasteSqueezeoflemonjuicetotaste1tsp.roastedredbellpepper,finelychoppedDIRECTIONSCombineAleppopepper,sherry,oliveoil,zestanddillinamedium-sizebowl.Addshrimpandtosstocoat.Marinateforabout30minutes.

Heatalargeskilletovermediumheat.Seasonshrimptotastewithsaltandpepper.Addtoskilletinbatchesifneededandcookuntiltheybrownandjustlosingtheirtranslucency,about2minutesperside.Moveskilletofftheheatandtransfershrimptoawarmeddish,thententwithfoiltokeepwarm.Meanwhile,draincheeseandaddtothestill-warmpan.Gentlystirmozzarellaballstocoatandslightlywarm,thenscrapethepantoincor-poratethebrownedbits.Addmoz-zarellatotheshrimp.Seasonwithsaltandpepper,andbrightenwithasqueezeoflemon,ifdesired.Stirintheredbellpepper.Serveimmedi-atelywithcrostini. Yield: 3-4 Appetizer Servings

INGREDIENTS1lb.cookedpork,cutinto1”cubes2tbsp.oliveoil1cupeachonionandgreenbellpep-per,chopped1jalapeno,seededandminced8garliccloves,minced1canItaliantomatoes(withliquid),drain,seed,andchoptomatoes,reservingliquid1canofsmallwhitebeans,rinsed12oz.sweetpotato,peeledandcutinto¼inchthickslices4tbsp.whitevinegarJuiceofonelime2qts.ofgoodqualitychickenstock1bayleaf1tsp.oreganoleaves

Saltandpeppertotaste2tbsp.eachparsleyandcilantro,choppedDIRECTIONSHeatoliveoilinstockpottome-diumheat.Addonion,bellpepper,jalapenopepper,andgarlicandcook,stirringfrequently,untilvegetablesaresoftened,2-3minutes.Addallremainingingredientsexceptfreshherbs.Reduceheattolow,coverpan,andletsimmer,stirringoccasionally,for20-25minuteslongeruntilsweetpotatoistender.Justbeforeserving,discardbayleaf,addparsleyandcilantro. Yield: One Pot of Soup

Soup Time!OctoberinnorthernCaliforniais

oftenwarmduringthedayandchillyatnight.Thismenuaddressesthatdichot-omybystartingwithacoolwhitewineandfinishingwithawarmsoup.Thisyear,IamfeaturingasoupfromtheDominicanRepublic,acountrythatsharesthesameislandasPuertoRicoandHaitiinthewatersbetweenFloridaandSouthAmerica.

Startwithaneasytofind,aromat-icwhitewineliketorrontes,ahybridofmuscatofAlexandriaandthemissiongrape.Argentinaproducestorrontesatgreatprices.Lusharomasandflavorssuchaspeach,apricotandlycheearetypical,andthemoderatealcohollevelsallowittoworkwiththeAleppopep-perintheSautéedShrimpandMozza-rellaappetizer.

SancochodeFrijolesisabold

soupthatincorporatessavoryporkandslightlysweet,sweetpotatoesandre-quiresawinewithplentyofbigflavors.AheartyLivermoreValleymerlot,liketheestatewinefromtheWoodFamilyVineyards,willhavejusttherightcom-plementarypepperynotesaswellasazippyaciditytostanduptothelime,vinegarandfreshherbs.

Asusual,ImakethetrekthroughtheCaldecottTunneltoKermitLynchinBerkeleyorDuVinWinesinAl-amedatobuyVinduBugey-Cerdon.Itssweet,pink,bubblynaturemakes

ittheonlywineIpairwiththesupersweetchocolatesofHalloween.ThisyeartryitwithaButterfinger.Thesalty,crunchycentercreatesaperfecthar-monywiththewineinbothtextureandflavor.

So,goon.PairUp! Maria Terry is a Certified Som-melier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more great wines and infor-mation please visit Maria’s website at www.LaSommelierre.com

CITY OF PLEASANT HILL

pcfma.com/pleasanthill1.800.949.FARM

Saturdays, 8am-12pm • Thru Nov. 19

Downtown Pleasant Hill in front of the Century 16 Theatre

Oct 1: Join us in celebrating the city’s 50th anniversary! Special giveaways, prizes and deals! Plus kids’ Jump House & face painting.Oct 8: Pleasant Hill Jazz & Wine Fest.Oct 15 & 22: Guess the weight of the GIANT pumpkin & win a bag of produce!Oct 29: Kids wear a costume to the market and receive a free pumpkin! (While supplies last)


Upcoming Senior Mental Health DayBy Jenny Lind, Senior Helpers

SENIOR ENVY

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities

Martinez Senior Activities

10/13 – Friday Flik – 1pmWinslowCenter:2590PleasantHillRd.featuring“LifeAsWeKnowIt”(2010)About:HollyisacatererandEricdirectssportsforamajornetwork.Theirfirstdatewasanightmare,andthey’reabouttobecomefamilycaretakersoftheirgoddaughter.PG-13,1hour52mins.

10/21 - Taste of the Vine- 4pm-6pmBeveragespluslighthorsd’oeuvreswillbeserved.SponsoredbytheChateausofPleasantHillat175CleavelandRd.Presale:$7presale/$10atthedoor(purchaseticketsatSeniorCenter:249GregoryLane)

10/21 - The Morning Joe- 10am-Noon.VFW:1919WendellLane,free!MissourregularFridayChef’sLunch?Cometothis“openhouse”tovisitandcatchupwithfriends!Wewillhavecoffeeandlightsnacks;feelfreetobringsomethingtoshare!

10/25 - Looking For A Travel Roommate?Lookingforsomeonetojoinyouonyournextvacation?Whetheryouwishtoavoidthesinglesupplementorareseekingatravelingcompanion,thisisachancetomeettravelerslikeyourself.VFW:1919WendellLane,PleasantHillat10am.

Upcoming Trips:TropicalCostaRicaFeb.3–Feb.12,2012&Italy’sTreasuresMar.24-Apr.4,2010.

Council on Aging – Position OpenTheCityofMartinezandtheBoardofDirectorsfortheSeniorClubarelookingforavolunteerwillingtoserveontheboardfortheContraCostaCountyAdvisoryCouncilonAging.TheCouncilmeetseverymonthexceptNovember.AttendeesparticipateinatleastoneoftheCouncil’sWorkGroups:LegislativeAdvocacyWorkGroup–Studiesandreviewsbills,etc./HousingWorkGroup–Looksintoadequateandaffordablehousingforseniors/TransportationWorkGroup–concernedwithtransportationneedsofseniorsinContraCostaCountyorHealthWorkGroup–As-sesseshealth-relatedprogramsandsystemsaffectingseniors.TheMartinezrepresentativeissuesareportontheCouncil’smonthlyactivitiesinpersonorcanbesubmitted.TheCouncilofferstravelreimbursement.

AARP Tax-Aide Call for Volunteers for 2012 Tax SeasonDoyoulikeworkingwithpeople?Areyougoodwithnumbers?ContraCostaCountyAARPTax-Aideislookingforvolunteerstobecomemembersofateamprovidingfreetaxpreparationforindividualsofallages.VolunteersaretrainedbyTax-AideandbecomeIRSCertifiedtaxcounselors.Ifinterested,callLaV-erneGordon,DistrictCoordinator,at(925)726-3199.OrientationisinNovemberandclassesfortaxcounselorsstartinJanuary.

818 Green St. (925) 370-8770

249 Gregory Lane (925) 798-8788

TheWorldHealthOrganizationhasdeclaredOctober10thWorldMentalHealthDaytoeducatepeoplearoundtheglobeaboutseriousmentalhealthconditionsaffectingmillionsofpeopleeachday,includingthousandsoflocalseniors.Inrecognitionofthisworld-wideawarenesseffort,SeniorHelpers,aleadinglocalin-homeseniorcarepro-vider,isaskingourfamilieswithaginglovedonestowatchforthemosttellingsignsofapotentiallydevastatingprob-lem. Alzheimer’sdiseaseandother

formsofdementiaareamongthemostprevalentanddeadlymentalhealthconditionsfacingthenation,andse-niorsarefarandawaythemostat-riskpopulationforboth.Wesuggestfami-lieswithseniorlovedoneslivingontheirownlearnwhattolookforsotheycancatchanycomingproblemsearlywhilethereistimetodosomethingaboutit. AccordingtotheAlzheimer’sAs-sociationEarlyDetectionAlliance,thetop10warningsignsofcomingdemen-tiainclude:

n Caring Companionshipn Bathing & Dressingn Walking Assistancen Light Housekeepingn Medication Remindersn Up to 24-hour Care

n Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caren Licensed, Bonded, & Insuredn FREE In-Home Assessment

®

Call us at677-2150

Your Hometown Parts StoreWhere Value Meets Service

Friendly & Professional Staff Here To Help You

6 Days a Week

Monday - Friday8 AM to 6 PM

Saturday9 AM to 5 PM

401 Escobar StreetMartinez, CA 94553

925.228.6060925.228.9241 FAX

PartsPro

1.Memorychangesthatdisruptdailylife2.Challengesinplanningorsolvingproblems3.Difficultycompletingfamiliartasksathome,atworkoratleisure4.Confusionwithtimeorplace5.Troubleunderstandingvisualimagesandspatialrelationships6.Newproblemswithwordsinspeak-ingorwriting7.Misplacingthingsandlosingtheabilitytoretracesteps8.Decreasedorpoorjudgment9.Withdrawalfromworkorsocialactivities10.Changesinmoodandpersonality ResearchhasrepeatedlyshownthatregularmentalandphysicalstimulationarethebestwaysseniorscanpreventtheonsetofdiseaseslikeAlzheimer’sanddementia.Exerciseforthebodykeepscoremusclegroupsworkingproperly,andmentalworkoutskeepnervereceptorsinthebrainactiveandalert.Thebest,mosteffectivepreven-tionstrategiesforseniorstoreducetheriskofmentalhealthconditionsare:• Daily Exercise –atleast30minutesperdayatmoderateintensity• Eating Healthy – emphasizefruitsandvegetables,takevitamins• Building Up the Brain –setasidetimeformemorizationexercises,puz-zles,andreading• Getting Plenty of Z’s -gettingrestfulsleephelpstoprocess,store,andrecallinformation

• Reducing Stress – studiesshowlife-longstresscandoubleorquadruplechancesofAlzheimer’s• Kicking Unhealthy Habits –smokingandheavydrinkingaretwowell-knownriskfactorsthatleadtomentalhealthdiseases. For more information please visit the National Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org


TherearesomeinmyfamilywhoclaimIsnore.Now,personallyIhaveneverknownthistobetrue.IhavenoindicationsthatImakeasin-glenoisewhenIsleep.InmyworldIsleeppeacefully.Angelically.Ihavenotroublesleepingatall.Infact,IhavebeenknowntosleepsolongthattheonlyreasonIgetupisbecausemybackhurtsfromsleepingsolong.

Overtheyears,mywifehaslearnedtosleepwithearplugs.Thisseemstomelikeasmalladjustment.Afterall,Ihaveenduredacoupleofsurgeriestoaidtheallegedsnoringissue.Whentravelingasafamilywealwaysgettwohotelroomstocomfortablyaccommo-datethefiveofus.Check-inistypicallyfollowedbyanastylittledebatearoundwhohastosharearoomwith“snoreguy.”ThegoodnewsisIoftenendupwithmyownroom! Onenightwhiletravelingwithjustmywife,Ifoundhersittingontheedge

Uncle!By Russell Carroll

AS RUSS SEES IT

ofthebedcryinglikeMarkMcGwire.“What’sthematter?”Iasked.“Iforgotmyearplugs,”shesaid.“Iwillneverbeabletosleep.”Herreactionseemedalittledrastictome.Whateverhappenedto“forbetterorforworse”?WedecidedtogoforPlanA,whichwouldallowhertofallasleepfirst.But,aswithanyplan,therewereobstacles.Thesolutionwasformetolieinbedandreadwhileshegotaheadstarttowardslumberland.Unfortunately,shecan’tsleepwiththelighton.So,Iturnedoffthelightandtriedtolieasstillaspossible,making

nonoiseatall,andwhathappened?IFELLASLEEP!ThenextmorningIfoundhercomplainingofbackpainbe-causeshetriedtosleepinthebathtubwiththedoorclosed.Again,abitdrastic. Iguesstheremaybesometruthtoherclaims.Ioncehadacallfromahotelfrontdeskstatingthatthepersonintheadjoiningroomcouldnotsleepduetomysnoring.Perhaps,theywerepartofthiswell-organizedconspiracytobreakmyspirit;beatmedownuntilIbecomemoreamenable(becausesomefindmehardtogetalongwith-butIwillsavethatforanotherarticle). EventuallyIcried“Uncle”andheadedoffforasleepstudy.Thepointofthesleepstudywastorecordmybreathingandpossiblesnoringactiv-ityduringatypicalnight’ssleep.So,theythrewmeinastrangeroom,inastrangebed,connectedtomultiplewiresandsensors,flickedofftheflo-rescentlightsandsaid“nighty-night”!Yep,justlikehome.Ilaythereasifinastraightjacket,afraidtomoveforfearofstranglingmyselfwiththesewiresduringmy“typical”night’ssleep.Afewdayslaterwereceivedtheresults.Thefamilyallgatheredaroundtohearthenews.Itwaslikeareadingofthewill:Ihadstoppedbreathing27timesandsnored464timesduringmytypicalnight’ssleep.Thefamilyleapttotheirfeetandsharedhighfives.Mywifeandoldestsonperformedaperfectchest-bump.Itwasconfirmed.Iamasnoringmachine. NowIsleepwithamaskconnectedtoamachinethatpumpsoxygenintomysystem.Thisthingblowsenoughairtodryyourhair.MyfamilythinksthemaskmakesmelooklikeIamonlife-support.Ithinkitmakesmelooklikeafighterpilot.Thereisahappyend-ingthough.Mywifesaysthesnoringisgone!Sleepinglikeababy,“angelic”Ithinkiswhatshesaid.Thecraziestpartofthisstoryisthatsomewherethereissomeonewhosejobitistocountsnores.But….thatisjusthowIseeit.

Some of you have known him as “Coach Frank”, “Super Dents Frank”, “Martial Arts Specialist Frank” or just “Family Man Extraordinaire”… to us, he’s been our much loved son, brother, uncle and father. Frank has been gravely ill and unable to work and provide for his wife and children, which on top of his health, has been financially devastating to the family. To help them

during this most difficult time, we are holding an evening fundraiser to lend our support.

Please save the date. Invite your friends and family and join us for an afternoon of pasta, games, raffle and live music by “The Soul Mates”. All proceeds will go directly to Frank’s family. Our most sincere thanks are offered in advance.

A Special Benefit to Help Support Frank Loureiro’s Family

For those interested in donating:CitiBank 700 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill CA 94523 - Under acct #40027698914 Payable to: Starla Loureiro PayPal Account: [email protected]

OR directly to their home:1804 Glacier Ct., Martinez, CA 94553

Sunday, October 9th: 1:00 – 5:00 PMDallimonti’s Restaurant

925-944-5224 • 1932 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant HillContribution: $30 pp for dinner and music

No host barPlease send all RSVP’s and inquiries to: [email protected]


High Fashion at a DiscountIN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS•IN FOCUS

10/31/11

10/31/11

Pleasant Hill

BASEBALL TRYOUTS

You must pre-register your player prior to tryouts with Melissa Brackins at [email protected]. Please send your player’s name and the age group he will be trying out for. Please register no later than October 19, 2011.

All participants, including returning players, are encouraged to attend both dates. However, it is only required that you attend one. The 12 year-old team has a berth to the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament in New York for mid-summer 2012. Playing on this team requires a commitment to this tournament. A parent must accompany player to the tryouts to sign a waiver and attend a brief meeting. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.

If you have any questions regarding Hawks Baseball, the level of play, requirements, expenses, Cooperstown, etc, please email Russell Carroll, Hawks Baseball Commis-sioner, at [email protected]

9/10 year-olds – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM • 13/14 year-olds – 12:00 – 2:00 PM11/12 year-olds – 2:00 – 4:00 (Ages are as of April 30, 2012)

OCTOBER 23 & 30, 2011Pleasant Hill Middle School (field by the tennis courts)

GO HAWKS!

CAR-TRUCK-BOAT-RVREGISTRATION

Auto, Truck, Motorcycle, Boat, RV and Commercial

DON’T WAIT IN LINE!We are an authorized

California Vehicle Registration location.

925.609.740070 Doray Drive, Suite #6, Pleasant Hill (Across from Play it Again Sports)

www.expressautoinsurance.com

We are the local Progressive, Safeco, Mercury and Travelers Insurance agent.

ThePlato’sClosetPleasantHill/Concordlocationbuys andsellsverygentlyusedbrandnamefashionsforteensandtwenty-somethings. ThePleasantHill/ConcordlocationisownedandoperatedbyMatthew andCindyConverse,wholivelocallywiththeirtwosonsChaseandAyden. TheConversefamilyfellinlovewiththePlato’sClosetconceptwhensomefriendsofthefamilyopenedastorenearOlympia,Washington. Theideaofbeingabletogivecashorstorecredit tolocalyoungstersfortheirgentlyusedbrand-namefashionsandresellthemat50-90%offtheorigi-nalretailpricetothelocalcommunitywasveryappealingtotheownersforamultitudeofreasons. Teensandyoungadultsoftendon’thavealotofmoneytospendonexpensivenamebrandfashions.Plato’sClosetallowsthemtomakesomemoneysellingtheircurrentgentlyusednamebranditemstheyno

longerfitinto,orneed. Theythenof-ferthese itemsat50-90%offofwhattheywouldcostatthemall. InthistougheconomyPlato’sClosetisagreatwayforparentstogettheirteenagersorcollegeagekidstheclothestheyre-allywantatagreatprice.Youcanoftengetanentirelynewoutfitfromheadtotoeforlessthenoneortwoitemsatthemall.“Wefeelthisisa niceserviceforthelocalcommunityanditisgreatfortheenvironmentthatweareabletorecyclethesebarelyusedclothingitems” saysownerMatthewConverse. Plato’sClosetisopensevendaysaweekfrom10am-8pm,Mon.-Sat.and11am-6pmonSun.andlocatedat959ContraCostaBlvd.inPleasantHill. Theybuyitemssevendaysaweekupuntilanhourbeforeclosingfortheday. Contactinformation:(925)691-6700,platosclosetpleasanthill@gmail.comandplatosclosetpleasanthill.com.Pla-to’sClosetPleasantHillisonFacebook.


Diablo Futbol Club

The Cosmos ConquestSubmitted by Sandy Jones

Diablo Futbol Club’s (DFC) teams finished with a dominant showing in all age divisions, with most clubs taking first, second, third or fourth in the recently contested Wine Country Tournament held in Napa. The premier team Galaxy took first-place with a 1-0 win in the championship game over the runner-up, the Gold Team Azzuri. Pictured are both teams after the championship match.

The weekend of August 19-21 will live on in memory as a heart wrenching series of games leading to triumph for the Heritage Soccer Club’s Cosmos U12 boys and their families. They began the Mustang Stampede tournament competing for goals against FC Elk Grove. Both teams played well and stayed 2-2 until the last 5 minutes when Cosmos scored the winning goal. The following day they met their match and tied the Mustang Arsenal. Cosmos enjoyed a confidence-building win versus Central Marin 5-0. Next they met Athletico from Santa Rosa in the semifinals. The game was intense. It went into over-time and continued to be scoreless until the Cosmos’ triumphed with penalty kicks (PK’s). Both teams were applauded for their efforts. The Championship game proved to be just as competitive. The game was tied despite numerous corner kicks and great defensive moves. Fearing another PK shoot-out, the Cosmos and its fans went wild after making a goal in the last minute winning the Mustang Stampede Tournament Championship.

DOING THE RIGHT THING

Martinez 3800 Alhambra 370-6382 • Concord 625 Contra Costa Blvd. 825-5940

I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day. Abraham Lincoln

Proudly sponsored by:

Laura Lawrence is a familiar face in both Martinez and Pleasant Hill dedicating her business, personal and organizational skills as well as shear hard work to the betterment of both communities. Leaders in Martinez and Pleasant Hill who have worked with Laura o�ered these comments:

“Laura was the Chair of the Pleasant Hill Chamber Ambassadors for several years. Under her direction the ambassadors continued, and in fact excelled, in their outstanding roll as the contact points of our chamber community. Laura is always participating in some way with and for our community.” Dick Hixson, Hixson Photography

“Laura is a dynamo of a woman. While running her thriving insurance business she has taken the time to become outstanding member of our community. She is a faultless volunteer who can be counted on to perform at the very highest level of professionalism. She is a signi�cant cog in the wheel of the Chamber of Commerce’s King of the County BBQ Challenge and Music Festival, whereby she runs the Amateur Barbeque arm of the festival with great organization and success. This event showcases our city, and Laura’s e�ciency and skills raise the bar at every level. She is a tireless worker, making sure that every detail is in order. Laura is also ever present at Chamber events, mixers and ribbon cuttings. She is deeply involved in the community and works tirelessly to give back.”Cynthia Murdough, CEO, Martinez Chamber of Commerce

“Laura is a treasure in the community. She sel�essly continues to donate her time to several events/organizations and she strives for perfection in everything. When asked to help with the King of the County BBQ in Martinez, not only did she learn how to judge an event, but she took it upon herself get involved in the BBQ world and she became a KCBS certi�ed judge, which is the most recognized national BBQ circuit.

People like Laura inspire me to give more to my community and take it to a higher level. She can take a tough situation and have all parties smiling in the end. She just has that way about her.”Dwayne Glemser, Store Manager, Les Schwab Tire Center, Martinez

Top Row (Standing): Galaxy’s Coach Richard Weiszmann, Caroline Chouinard, Janet Lopez, Lauren Robinow, Sam Gotz, Carly Agostino, Sophia Jones, Rajneet Sahota, Daniela Suarez, Nicole Lanfranchi, Francesca Monti, Rebecca Phelan, Rozalyn Marzocco, Maaeva Dwiggins, Emma Hough, Mackenzie Lyall, Cassie Silva, Jenna Betti, Payton Mannie and Azzurri’s Coach Jack Boeger. Middle Row (Kneel-ing): Susanna Garcia, Ashley McClearnen, Sophie Wheeler, Santana Merryfield, Stephanie Neys, Isa-bel Hough, Katie Christman, Alli Moody, Marianna Giovannetti, Katie Rangel, Kylie Schneider and Gabrielle Hair. Front Row (Bottom Sitting): Amanda Zodikoff and Lindsey Osmer.

Photo by: Diane Rivest

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other oers.Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2010 Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Exp. 10/31/2011


LIKE Bill’s Chairs For Affairson Facebook, then send us a private message and we’ll send you a $5 Bill’s GiftCard AND we will matchthat with a cash donation to AHS up to $500. Limit to first 100 people.

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SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION PROVIDED BY ALHAMBRA BOOSTERS

GIRLS TENNISDATE OPPONENT SITEThur10/06 Campolindo CampolindoTue10/11 LasLomas LasLomasThur10/13 Miramonte AlhambraTue10/18 Acalanes AlhambraThur10/20 Dublin DublinTue10/25 DoughertyValley AlhambraThur10/27 TeamDoubles AlhambraDFALTennisTournament:November3,4and5,2011Allgamesat3:30pm.Oct27thgameat2:40pm.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALLDATE OPPONENT SITETue10/04 Dublin AlhambraThur10/06 DoughertyValley DoughertyValleyThur10/13 Campolindo CampolindoTue10/18 LasLomas LasLomasThur10/20 Miramonte AlhambraTue10/25 Acalanes AlhambraThur10/27 Dublin DublinTue11/01 DoughertyValley AlhambraTournaments:TBANCSChampionships:November9,12,16,19-2011Froshat4pm,JVat5pm&Vat6:30pm

BOYS WATER POLODATE OPPONENT SITEWed10/05 Campolindo CampolindoFri10/07 SanLuisObispo SanLuisObispoWed10/12 Miramonte AlhambraSat10/15 AlhambraJVTournament AlhambraTue10/18 AmadorValley AmadorValleyWed10/19 DoughertyValley DoughertyValleyThur10/20 Northgate AlhambraWed10/26 LasLomas AlhambraFri10/28 JVChampionships LasLomasSat10/29 CalHigh CalHighVarsityat4pm&JVat6pm

GIRLS WATER POLODATE OPPONENT SITEWed10/05 Campolindo CampolindoSat10/08 AlhambraClassicTourney AlhambraWed10/12 Miramonte Alhambra10/14-10/15 PinoleGirlsVarsityTourny CCCTue110/18 AmadorValley AmadorValleyWed10/19 DoughertyValley DoughertyValleyWed10/26 LasLomas AlhambraWed11/12 NCSFirstRound TBASat11/15 NCSSecondRound TBAVarsityat4pm&JVat5pm

A GENEROUS THANK YOU TO OUR DEDICATED SPONSORS

SUPPORT ALHAMBRA ATHLETICS, JOIN THE BOOSTERS. CALL 586-3182 • EMAIL [email protected]

GIRLS GOLFDATE OPPONENT SITETue10/04 Campolindo MoragaCCWed10/05 LasLomas BoundryOaksThur10/06 DVHS DVHSTue10/11 LasLomas BoundryOaksThur10/13 Miramonte OrindaCCTue10/17 LeagueTBA TBAAllmatchesbeginat3:30

CROSS COUNTRYDATE EVENT SITE TIMESat10/1 FarmerInvitational HaywardHS 7:30Wed10/5 DFALCenterMeet#1 HiddenLakesParkonCenter 2:30Sat10/8 CastroValleyTojanInv. Canyon,CastroValley 8:00Sat10/15 TBD TBD TBD10/20-10/23 Mt.SAC MtSanAntonioCollege 12:00Wed10/26 DFALCenterMeet#2 ShadowFallsParkPleasanton 2:00Sat11/05 DFALChampionships HiddenLakesPark(Center) 12:00Sat11/19 NCSChampionships HaywardHS TBASat11/26 CIFChampionships WoodardPark TBA

ALHAMBRA FALLSPORTS SCHEDULE


Amark, Inc.

To be a proud sponsor of the upcoming Alhambra High School

Sports Calendar Pullout EMAIL

[email protected]

ALHAMBRA FOOTBALL schedule

GIRLS WATER POLODATE OPPONENT SITEWed10/05 Campolindo CampolindoSat10/08 AlhambraClassicTourney AlhambraWed10/12 Miramonte Alhambra10/14-10/15 PinoleGirlsVarsityTourny CCCTue110/18 AmadorValley AmadorValleyWed10/19 DoughertyValley DoughertyValleyWed10/26 LasLomas AlhambraWed11/12 NCSFirstRound TBASat11/15 NCSSecondRound TBAVarsityat4pm&JVat5pm

A GENEROUS THANK YOU TO OUR DEDICATED SPONSORS

SUPPORT ALHAMBRA ATHLETICS, JOIN THE BOOSTERS. CALL 586-3182 • EMAIL [email protected]

FRESHMAN FOOTBALLDATE OPPONENT SITE TIMEThur10/06 Dublin Alhambra 5:00Thur10/13 Acalanes Alhambra 5:00Thur10/27 Campolindo Campolindo 5:00Thur11/03 DoughertyValley Alhambra 5:00Wed11/09 Miramonte Miramonte 5:00

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION PROVIDED BY ALHAMBRA BOOSTERS

VARSITY FOOTBALLDATE OPPONENT SITE TIMEFri10/07 Dublin Dublin 7:00Fri10/14 Acalanes Acalanes 7:00Fri10/28 Campolindo Alhambra 7:00Fri11/04 DoughertyValley DoughertyValley 7:00Thur11/10 Miramonte Alhambra 7:00

JV FOOTBALLDATE OPPONENT SITE TIMEFri10/07 Dublin Dublin 4:30Fri10/14 Acalanes Acalanes 4:30Fri10/28 Campolindo Alhambra 4:30Fri11/04 DoughertyValley DoughertyValley 4:30Thur11/10 Miramonte Alhambra 7:00

2011

VA

RSI

TY

RO

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Go Dog

sNO. NAME POSITION YEAR2 Gonzalez,Jose TB/S 113 Revetta,Nick WR/CB 114 Bailey,Michael FB/LB 125 Johnson,Cody WR/S 126 Little,Ethan TE/LB 117 Christolos,Nick TB/LB 128 Costa,Leo QB 109 Green,Justin FB/LB 1210 DelDosso,Devon QB 1212 Richard,Eric WR/CB 1213 Martinez,Vincent WR/S 1215 Miller,John QB/K 1221 Lopez,Jose WR/CB 1223 Salva,Kyle WR/S 1224 Archuleta,Julian FB/LB 1126 Wilson,Mitchell TB/CB 1228 Poyadue,Taylor TB/CB 1132 Sperry,Cameron WR/DB 1234 Crosno,Andrew WR 12

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR36 Lamberts,Kory TE/LB 1243 Avalos,Edwin LB 1250 Mosher,Guile OL/DL 1252 Todd,Kendrick LB 1154 Pierce,Joe C/LB 1156 Outman,Lenny OL/DL 1258 Gallerin,Brandon T/DE 1263 DiMercurio,Marco OL/DL 1266 Highleyman,John OL/DL 1272 Lara,Miguel G/DE 1174 Navarro,Julian T/DT 1175 vonDisterlo,Alex T/DT 1276 Rossi,Stevie G/DT 1277 Parhar,Camran OL/DL 1178 Fernando,Vincent C/DL 1280 DuQuette,Kameron WR 1285 Johal,Jayveer TE/LB 1287 Haney,Bergen WR/LB 1299 Candia,Ken DT 12


HOME TEAM

www.lesschwabmartinez.comVISIT US AT:

10/31/11

CP’s Dimitri Salidowith the Carry

Neu Moving Up TheCaliforniaGoldenBearsbaseballteamhasannouncedthattheyhavebroughtMikeNeuonboardastheirnewpitchingcoach.NeuisnowakeypartofheadcoachDavidEsquer’sstaff.Neureplaceslong-timepitchingcoachDanHubbswhodecidedtodepart.TheBearswereoneofthebigstoriesincollegebaseballthispastseason,beingoneofeightschoolstomakeittotheCol-legeWorldSeries.Neujoinsateamthatwillberankedhighinnationalpollsheadingintothe2012season. NeucomesfromDiabloValleyCollegewherehewasheadcoachforthepasttwoseasons.In2010,NeuledtheVikingstotheBig8Conference,RegionIandSuperRegionaltitles.In2011,hewasnamedtheConferenceCoachoftheYearasDVCwonthechampionshiponceagain. AlocalboyraisedinNapa,the33-year-oldNeuspenttwoseasonsintheMajorLeagues,includingonefortheOak-landAthletics,beforejoiningthecoachingranks.In2003,NeuwasareliefpitcherfortheA’s.Hepitched42innings,appearedinthirty-twogamesandposteda3.64ERA. SteveWardhasvolunteeredtotakethehelmforDVCinNeu’splacefor2012.WardpreviouslycoachedtheVikingsforover20-seasonsandenjoyedmuchsuccess.In2002hewasinductedintotheCaliforniaCommunityCollegeBaseballHallofFame,Wardlastcoachedin2000.HewasalsotheAthleticDirectoratDVCforovertwodecades.Randy Wilson Martinez’sownRandyWilsoncompetedintheWorldMastersAthletics

(WMA)ChampionshipsinSacramentoafewmonthsback.TheOlympicstyleeventisanarenaforthetopover-50trackandfieldathletesfromallovertheworld.Thecompe-titionboastsmanyformerOlympians. Wilsoncompetedinsixdifferentthrowing/fieldeventsforthe50-54agegroup.Hisbestfinisheswereintheweightpentathlonanddiscusthrow.Hescoredsecond(silver)inthepentathlonandthird(bronze)inthediscus.Thepentathlonconsistsoftheshotput,hammerthrow,dis-cus,javelinandweightthrow.Wilsonalsocompetedintheshotput,weightthrow,hammerthrowandjavelinthrow. WeightPentathlon:2nd(Silver)(3,663Points).Men’s50Discus:3rd(Bronze)(45.75m)Men’s50Shot:5th(14.06m)Men’s50Weight:10th(15.04m)Men’s50Hammer:11th(41.42m)Men’s50Javelin:25th(44.28m) TheWMAWorldChampionshipswereheldatfourdifferentvenuesinandaroundSacramento.ThisincludedfacilitiesatSacramentoStateUniversity,SacramentoCityCollegeandAmericanRiverCollege. Wilsonisco-founderoftheNorCalThrowersanddevoteshistimeasthrowingcoachfortheAlhambraHighSchooltrackteam.Wilsonpracticestwo-to-threedaysperweekbuthasindicatedthatheistakingtherestoftheyearoff.HeisalsolookingforanyinterestedpartiestojointheNorCalThrowers.Anyageiswelcome.Formoreinformation,pleasegotowww.norcal-throwers.org.Tami Lacy Anotherlocalathletedemonstratedsuccessonagrandstage.Earlierthisyear,

Season TicketBy Chuck Nan

Daivon Ballard rushed 24 times for 102 yards (4.2 avg.) and one touchdown as College Park won the annual “Backyard Brawl” battle with Alhambra, 28-20. Sophomore quarterback Dimitri Salido also looked good as he tossed two touchdown passes and ran for another. Jaelen Collins caught both of Salido’s TD passes, a pair of 22-yarders to preserve the victory. Alhambra was led by tailback Mitchell Wilson who rushed 11 times for 103 yards (9.4 avg.) and one touchdown (16 yards). He also caught one pass.

attheFeatsofStrengthMeetinCastroValley,TamiLacyofMartinezsettwoworldrecordsforwomeninthe50-54agegroup.Lacycompleted14strictchin-upstonotchherfirstrecord.Shethensuccessfullycom-pletedonechin-upformaximumweightwith37.4poundsextra(inadditiontobodyweight)foratotalof158.4pounds.Thismeetwasheldaspartofthe2011BayAreaSeniorGames.Reger Prevails ConcordresidentandMartineztrainedRick“Boomer”RegermadehisprofessionalMixedMartialArtist(MMA)debutinsuccessfulfashionattheGladi-atorChallenge’s“Unleashed”event,heldattheThunderValleyCasinoResortin

late-August. Fightingat161-pounds,Regerdefeatedhisopponent,NorCalMMAfighterKyleDaveyofRoseville,inaTKO48secondsintothesecondround.Regershowednosignsofnervesandbravedthehot,humidconditionsoftheoutdooreventinPlacerCounty. Stillgrowinginpopularity,theeventsawaselloutcrowdestimatedat3,000fanstocatchthe18boutsfeaturedonthecard.Onlyoneofthefightsonthecardwenttothejudgesfordecision. Regerwillcontinuetrainingwithhisteam,TeamFightkore,underthewatchofSeanSharkeyattheMartinezFightClub,inpreparationforhisnextbout.

Photo by Tod Gomes, creativelookphoto.com


SophomoreKatiaNovakcapturedagrandprizeof$1500fortheCollegeParkHighSchoolArtDepartmentwithherpaintingsubmittedinthesemi-an-nualartcontestsponsoredbyZachary’sPizza. Katia’sworkwasfirstselectedfromnearly400entriesbystudentsandadultstobedisplayedintheBayAreares-taurants.Shewasthenchosenasoneofthreegrand-prizewinnersofthenewStudentArtistAwardforschools,whichincludesagiftcertificateandprizesforthestudent. AccordingtoKevinSuto,Zach-ary’sCEO,thecom-panywantedtodosomethingdifferent

thisyeartohelpoffsetbudgetcutstoschools.Katia’spaintingofamermaidentitled“HookedonZachary’s”willbedisplayedintheirCollegeAvenueloca-tioninOakland.

CPHS Student Wins GrantA Temporary Goodbye

Photo LtoR: CPHS Art Department staff Chris Ellenwood, Marianne Mc-Craney, student Katia Novak, and CPHS Vice Principle Peter Aloo.

AsummerculturalvisittotheUnit-edStatesturnedoutwellfortheUkrain-ianorphanswhowerebroughthereinthehopesoffindingadoptivefamilies.Eagerfamilieswerefoundforfourofthechildrenwhovisited.Seven-yearoldBogdan,whowashostedinPleasantHillbyCaraandBrianHelberg,isintheproc-essofbeingadoptedbyaNorthCarolinafamilywhoflewtoCaliforniatomeethimoverthesummer.

CaraHelbergisthefounderandExecutiveDirectoroftheLicensedAdoptionAgency,AngelsHaven,whichworkstobringadoptivechildrentotheU.S.tomeetpotentialfamilies.CaraiscurrentlyplanningtobringagroupoftenchildrenfromUkraineinDecember.Ifyourfamilyisinterestedinhostingachildforavisit,Caracanbecontactedatwww.angelshaven.org,[email protected].

Photo by Tod Gomes, creativelookphoto.com


Halloween Haunts and Happenings 10/1-31 - Pick of the Patch Pumpkins.ABCTreeFarmsinMartinezpresentsPickofthePatchPumpkins,apumpkinpatchwithseveralvarietiesofpumpkinsandawidevarietyofinflatableamusementsincludinglargeslides,bouncehouses,andobstaclecourses.PlusretailHalloweenitems,coldbeveragesandsnacks,aHallow-eenphotographarea,andmore.PachecoBlvd.andBlumRd.,Martinez.Sun.-Thur.9:30am-9pm;Fri.-Sat.9am-9:30pm,free.Formoreinfo.visit:www.abctreefarms.net

10/1-31 - Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm.CometoClayton’spumpkinwonderlandandchooseapumpkinandspecialtyitemsincludingsquashandgourds.AlsoenjoyPlumpkinPlayland,duckraces,atrain,animals,bakedtreats,RollinA.Plumpkinvisits,giftshop,andmore!1060PineLn.,Clayton.9am-8pm.Admissionisfree;feesforactivities.Formoreinfo.visit:www.cvpumpkinfarm.com

10/8-9 - Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Historic Farm. Becomeashare-cropperforadayandhelpharvestthisyear’sIndianCornandpopcorncrops!Enjoyfreshsqueezedapplecider,hands-oncraftsmaking,games,hoedownmusic,pumpkinpatch,andthebountyofanotherharvestseason.$8;kids$5;seniors$6.10am-5pm.34600ArdenwoodBlvd,Fremont,(888)327-2757.

10/8-31 - Mangini Farms Pumpkins. Thispatchfeaturespumpkins,smallhaymaze,andgourds.ManginiFarms,24ManginiDr.inPleasantHill.Mon.-Fri.10am-6pm;Sat.-Sun.9am-5pm.Admission$3forhayride,cornmaze,patch,andsmallpumpkin;Smallerpatchfree.

10/15 – Full Moon Cemetery Tour. 6:30 - 7:40pm. ThereisnothingthatrevealsmoreaboutMartinezoritshistorymorevividlythanatwalkthroughtheAlhambraCemetery.Youwilllearnmoreaboutlocalwarheroespersonalities,politiciansandamostcreativecaretaker.Thistouristoenlighten,notfrighten!Bringyourflashlightanddressfortheweather.Free,butdonationstotheMartinezHistoricalSocietyareappreciated.Call372-3510toreserveyourspotspaceislimited.Nochildren,please.

10/15 - Ardenwood Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt. Ardenwood’sscarecrowsaren’tjustdecoration,theydoimportantwork.Ardenwood’shasbeenscatteredaroundthefarm.Helpfindthemissingpartsandputthembacktogether.Meetinthebarn!ArdenwoodHistoricFarm,34600ArdenwoodBlvd.,Fremont.Noon-1pm.$2-$5.

10/15 - Benicia Sorcerer Saturday. Joininthisfamily-friendlycelebrationofSorcerers,Witches,andWarlocks!ThedaywillwelcomethemagicandmysteryofOctoberwithvendors,activities,andspecialbrewsforadults!TheeventtakesplaceattheHauntedDepot(opennoon-3pm).HistoricSouthernPacificDepot,90FirstSt.,Benicia.Formoreinfovisit:www.beniciamainstreet.org.

10/21, 22, 28 & 29 – Concord Cascade Haunted House - Thishauntedhouseoffersscares,fun,wonderfulactorsandyouwilllaughandscreamatthesametime!Fullofsurprises!ConcordCascadeMobileHomePark,245AriaDr.,Pacheco.7pm-midnight.$5.www.concordcascadehauntedhouse.com.10/22 – Carnoween. Afun,PleasantHilltraditionforover40years,Carnoween,PleasantHillElementarySchool’sannualHalloweencarnival,featuresgames,food,prizes,andmore!10:30am-3pm.Free;gameticketsthreefor$1.10/27 – Marty ‘O’s Halloween Haunt. 3:30pm-5pm.NancyBoydPark,90ChurchStreet,Martinez.WearehavinganoldfashionedHalloweenaffair.Therewillbecrafts,candy,andfacepaintingtoshare.ToregistercalltheRecreationofficeat372-3510.EverythingisFREE.Decorateacandybagandhaveyourfacepainted.Thecandyhuntwillbeat4:00pm.Ages3-12yearsold.Spaceislimitedtothefirst100children.

10/28-29 - Roaring Camp Railroads, Children’s Ghost Train.Relive“TheLegendofSleepyHallow”thisHalloweenridingvintagerailwaycarsthroughaRedwoodforest.Costumedactorsre-enactscenesfromthestoryasit’snarratedduringtheone-hourandfifteenminuteride.Reservationsrequired.Trainsdepartat6:30and8:00p.m.5355GrahamHillRd.,Felton,CA95018.(831)335-4484.

10/28-10/30 - Haunted House, LafayetteCommunityCenter(LiveOakRoom),500St.Mary’sRoad,Lafayette.5–7pmisnottooscary;parentsaccompanychil-dren7andunder;7:30–9:30p.m.isveryscary;forchildren8andover.Joinusforaghoulishlygoodtime!Tickets:$3(ages7andunder);$5(ages8andover).(925)284-2232.www.lafayetterec.org.

10/28, 29, 30 & 31 - Cursi House of Screams. Dr.Satanisback,chillingbonestothecore.TheCursiHouseofScreamsisahomehauntthatwelcomesallages,butisnotrecommendedforsmallchildren.Strobelights,smoke,andsuddenspooksarenottheonlythingsofwhichtobeafraid.5625LewisWay,Concord.Free,butdona-tionsappreciated.www.cursihouseofscreams.com.

10/28 - 4th Annual Downtown Walnut Creek Trick-or-Treat.2pm-6pm.Col-lectasmuchcandyasyoucanatparticipatingdowntownstores.Comedressedinyourcostume!! Toreceiveabagandmapofparticipatingbusinesses,youmustbeginatthestartinglocationbetween2pm-5:30pm. Children10&undermustbeaccompaniedbyanadult. Fortheofficialstartinglocation,visit:www.walnutcreek-downtown.com.Specialnote:ThisTrick-or-Treateventtakesplaceinthetraditionaldowntownarea. BroadwayPlazahoststheirownTrick-or-Treatingeventon10/31.

10/29 – Halloween Party at Armando’s - HalloweenpartywithMacyBlackmanandtheMightyFinesatArmando’s!707MarinaVistaAve.,Martinez.7:30pm-11pm.$10.www.armandosmartinez.com.

10/29 - USS Hornet Monster Bash - Is the USS Hornet Haunted? Bringthewholefamilyandfindout.Atthisannualfundraiseronboardthe“GreyGhost,”visitorswillgetagoodfrightthroughouttheeveningwithhauntedtours,costumecontests,andothertreats.DancefavoritesbyTheCocktailMonkeys.USSHornet,Pier3,707W.HornetAve.,Alameda.7:30pm-midnight.$25;$20inadvance;$10kidsages5-17years.www.uss-hornet.org.

10/30 - Trunk or Treat’sTHEbigeventforHalloweeninDowntownMartinez.10amto2pm(inconjunctionwiththeFarmer’sMarket).Dozensoflocalbusinessesareparticipating(withdecoratedcartrunksandinsidetheirbusiness).Lastyearwehadmorethan500childrenattendthisFREEevent.10/30 – Concord Halloween Parade and Costume Contest. 12noon-2pm.TodosSantosPlaza.ParadearoundthePlazawithtreatsforthekids;entertainment,andtheMayor’sMongrelMash.Costumejudgingaftertheparade.SeetheTodosSantosScarecrowcontestwinner.Formoreinformation,calltheeventshotline:671-3464orvisit:www.concordfirst.org.

10/31 - Trick-Or-Treat at Broadway Plaza. 5:30pm-7pm.JoinusforsomesafeandspookyfunthisHalloween!Fillyourfavoritetreatbagwithgoodiesfromallpartici-patingstoreswhilesupplieslast.

10/31 – Halloween Tour. 6:30 - 7:40 p.m.JoinusasweexploretheAlhambracemeteryinMartinezonAllHallowsEve.Don’tforgetyourflashlightandsturdywalkingshoes.Thistouristoenlighten,notfrighten.Call372-3510toreserveyourspotspaceislimited.Nochildrenplease.


The Blue Devils Want You 2011 CP Hall of Fame TheawardwinningBlueDevilsDrum&BugleCorps&ColorGuardwillbeofferingcolorguardclassesforboysandgirlsages5-8yearsold.Wewillteachbasicdancemovesandtravelingcombinations.Therewillbeworktodeveloprhythmandbasicflagspinning. Ten-weekclassesareheldonThursdaysfrom5:30PMto6:15PM.ClasseswillbeginonThursday,October6thatNewLifeChristianFellowship,3525ChestnutAveinConcord.ClassFeeis$40.00.

Pictured (L to R) Karen Semenza, Sally Sutton, Ed Sias, Casey Strand.

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Diablo magazine • 2520 Camino Diablo • Walnut Creek, CA 94597 • (925) 943-1111 • Fax (925) 943-1045 • www.diablomag.com

OnAugust26,supportersofCollegeParkHighSchoolathleticsgatheredfortheannual2011AthleticHallofFamedinner.DirectorJerryPollardsaysthisisthefifthannualeventandinducteesincluded:SallySutton(1963,track&field),KarenSemenza(1988,softball,track&fieldandbasketball),CaseyStrand(1994,wrestling),coachEdSias(cross-countryandtrack&field)andthe1993footballteam(undefeatedcham-pionsofMBAL).Eachmemberishonoredwithanindividualplaqueandablanketbannerwhichhangsproudlyfromtheschoolgymnasium.Inall,some30athletesandfiveteamshavebeenhonoredbythefoundationthusfar.

Additional Blue Devil Groups The Blue Devils “C” Drum & Bugle is also looking for new members. The “C” Corps is a beginning-level music, dance and marching activity for ages 8 to 14. Rehearsals will begin in mid-October. For additional information contact Rick Odello at 925 689-2918 X3100. The Blue Devils “A” Winter Guard will begin rehearsals on Tuesday, October 4th at Calvary Baptist Church of Concord -2140 Olivera Ct. in Concord. The ages are 8-14. No experience necessary. For more information, please call Annette Odello 925 383-0424. The Blue Devils “Open” Winter Guard – Winter Guard is a competitive program that com-bines music, dance, and props into a theatrical production performed in a gymnasium. The ages are 14-23. Auditions are Sunday, October 9th 12:00-5:00 PM at the California Nat’l Guard Armory 2525 Willow Pass Road in Concord and Sunday, October 16th 12:00 to 5:00 PM at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Diablo Valley, 1301 Alhambra Valley Ave. in Martinez.

Back Row (L to R) Jeremy Weiler, Dimitrius Williams, Damon Fletcher, Steve Smith, Morgan Chappell, Ca-sey Torrez, Steve Luke, Barry Hack. Front Row (L to R) Jeremie Ginelli, Bobby Glover, Dustin Torrez, Danny Rodriguez. Photo by: Ann Luke


Lose the Lawn and Get a GardenBy Chris Dundon, Water Conservation Supervisor, CCWD

Showrooms also in Santa Clara & Milbrae

Hire My Husband

925-969-0133

Contractor Lic. # 943231www.HireMyHusband.com

• Interior Painting

• Quality Home Repair Projects

• Handyman Services

All kinds of Interior and Exterior handyman projects.

Didyouknowthatlawnirrigationaccountsformorethan25%ofthewateruseinContraCostaCounty? Formanyhomeowners,lawnsconsumemorethan50%oftheirhouseholdwateruse. Inaddition,lawnmaintenancetyp-icallyrequiresregularchemicalfertil-izers,herbicidesandweeklymowing.Incontrast,yardslandscapedwithwater-efficientplantswilluselessthanhalfthewateroflawnsandrequirelittlemainte-nance. Forexample,convertinga30’X30’lawncansavemorethan25,000gallonsperyear!Savingwatermeanssavingonyourwaterbill,whichisalwaysagoodthing.Eliminatingtheneedforweeklymowingmeanssavingtimeifyou’redo-ingthemowingyourselfandsavingmon-eyifyouuseagardener.So,yourmon-eyandyourSaturdaymorningscanbespent,say,onthegolfcourseinstead.

Asidefromsignificantlyreducingyourwaterconsumption,considerthebenefitstotheenvironmentwhenyouswitchfromatraditionallawntowa-ter-efficientplants.Notrunningalawnmowerhelpsreducegreenhousegases,andifyoucaneliminatetheneedtoapplychemicalfertilizersandherbicides,which

seepintotheenvironment,thewild-life,thewatersupplyandtheplanetwillthankyou. Foralimitedtime,ContraCostaWa-terDistrictisofferingrebatestoencour-ageitscustomerstoreplacewater-thirstyfrontlawnsandotherpubliclyvisiblelawnswithwater-efficientlandscaping. Single-familyresidentialcustomerscanreceivearebateoffiftycents($0.50)persquarefootoflawnreplaced,upto$500,andcommercialandmunicipalcustom-erscanreceivearebateupto$5,000. Theprogramisopentoresidential,commercial,andmunicipalcustomersintheDistrict’sservicearea,whichconsistsofClayton,Clyde,Concord,Pacheco,PortCosta,Martinez,Antioch,BayPoint,Pittsburg,OakleyandpartsofPleasantHill,WalnutCreekandBrentwood. Theprogramisnotretroactive,and

propertiesmustbepre-approvedbyCCWDbeforeanyworkbeginsinordertobeeligiblefortherebate. Complete program details can be obtained by visiting www.ccwater.com/conserve, or by calling (925) 688-8320 for a program brochure.

SAMUELSCONSTRUCTION

General Contractor Lic#652185

MEMBER

Kitchens • Bath RemodelingTile • Cultured Marble • Granite

Additions • Windows • DoorsConcrete • Foundations

Driveways • Patios • FencesALL PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION

PLANS [email protected] • 925.260.4448

313 Gloria Drive, Pleasant Hill

With years of remodels behind us we look forward to helping you make your house the home you've always wanted.

Photo by: Jack Coburn


Octoberisanexcitingtimeofyearforfoodfreaks.Wegetthisphenomenalcrossoverseasonthatblendscoolweath-ercropswithremnantsofsexysummergoods,eagerlyjumpingovertheline.Youcanactu-allymakeabutternutsquashandcaramel-izedonionrisottoforanentréewhilelovinglyslurpingupthelastcropofyourheirloomtomatoeswithmozzarellaandbasilfromthegar-den.Whataboutcrunchywhitenectar-inesandgrapestossedintoafruitsaladwithjuicylocalapplesandFuyupersim-mons?Artichokescanbefoundcockilydisplayednexttobrilliantlyred-veinedSwisschard.Haveyouevergrilledanar-tichokebefore?Theyareamazing.Ihadoneatafarmers’marketIwascookingatandwasflummoxedbytheeaseinprep-arationaswellashowgoodittasted.Cutthelowerpartofthestemoffalargear-tichoke.Cutthepricklytopsoff.Rubinoliveoilandsalt.Placeonmediumhotgrillforaboutahalfanhour.Turninter-mittently.That’sit.Youcanalsomakeaniceaiolibyscoopingsomemayointoabowlandstirringinabunchoffresh,

choppedgarlicandlemonjuice.Dipandswoon. Allmannerofsaladgreensareperk-ingupwithcoolereveningsandmorn-ings,andwestillhavetomatoesandcu-cumberstotossthemwithbeforeweflowintotheapple,bluecheeseandwalnutsaladseason.Pearsarecrazy,sugary,but-terygoodatthemarketsaswell.AttheAlhambraValleyFarmstallatthePleas-antHillandMartinezfarmers’marketstheyhavethreebinsmarked:“Toeatto-day,”“Inafewdays,”and“Inafewmore.”Perfect--buyalot,theygodownquick. Ifyouhavenotalready,itistimetogetthatwintergardenin.Getstartsofbroccoli,cauliflowerandBrusselssproutsandplunkintowell-drained,richlycom-postedsoil.Alsoplantchards,kalesandlettucefromseed.Ifyouareanarugulalover,nowisthetime.Thisamazing,spicysaladorsautéinggreenactsasaperennialasitdropsitsseedsandcomesbackyearafteryear.It’sanothergreatgardengiftthatkeepsongiving. CarveupthoseHalloweenpump-kinsandfillthemwithsoup.Putsomechocolatechipsinyourpumpkincook-ies.Lightfiresinyourbarbequeorheat-erandmakes’mores.Long-timersknow

Fall Brings a Delicious Variety to the TableBy Lesley Stiles

THE GARDEN

itnevergetscoldinthesepartsuntilHalloween,sountilthen,besuretoen-joyyourcrossoverseasonproducealongwithlusciouslyvelvetevenings,unsur-passedhikingandbikingtrails,andMt.Diablo,andhopeforaverylongIndiansummerfollowedbylotsofrain.

Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustain-able caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at [email protected], www.lesleystiles.blogspot.com and visit her new website: www.lesleystiles-foods.com.

Fresh Apple and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Preheat oven to 350* Spray a couple of cookie sheets with pan release. Cream but-ter, apple sauce, yogurt and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well; stir in oats. Sift the flour, salt, soda, powder and cinna-mon onto a sheet of waxed paper, stir into wet ingredients. Add apples, raisins and nuts, stir well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 min-utes. Cookies may look a little under done but will be fine as they cool and not dry out from over baking. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container between waxed paper.

4 tablespoons butter, softened2 tablespoons apple sauce2 tablespoons plain yogurt1 cup turbinado sugar2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 ½ cups whole wheat flour1 ½ cups old fashioned uncooked oats1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon kosher salt2 tablespoons of freshly toasted and ground cinnamon¾ cup of chopped fresh apples1 cup current local raisins1 cup fresh local walnuts, toasted and chopped

Ingredients:

Directions:

The Bond: Making Progress Althoughdifficulttoseethroughthechain-linkfences,theconstruc-tionsitesforthenewPleasantHillse-niorcenterandteencenterareshowingmuchactivity! Mostofthetimetherearewelloveradozenpeoplehardatwork.Ac-cordingtoGordonJohnsonofCriticalSolutionsInc.,gradinghasbegunandwillcontinueforseveralweeks;plumb-ersarebusywithundergroundplumb-ing;electriciansareworkingonun-dergroundelectricalwiring;andsomeconcreteworkisbeingdoneinprepa-rationforthefoundationsofthenewbuildings. Formoreinformationonprog-ress,thepublicisinvitedtoattendthePleasantHillRecreation&ParkDis-

trictboardofdirectorsmeetingsonthesecondandfourthWednesdaysofthemonthattheadministrationofficeat147GregoryLane.Thebondprojectsportionofthemeetingbeginsat6pm.Share the Magic on Oct. 21 Thisyear,theannualcelebrationofmagicandmysterywillbeheldattheWinslowCenteronthecornerofPleas-antHillRoadandTaylorBoulevard.Thisspecialshowfeaturesyoung-sterswhoaremembersoftheSocietyofYoungMagiciansalongwithadultmembersoftheSocietyofAmericanMagicianspullingrabbitsoutofhats,performingillusions,cardtricks,andmuchmore!Membersoftheaudiencewillgetaclose-upviewoftheperform-ersandtheclowns,andmaybeeventakeaguessathowthemagiciansper-

Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District News

This is a great cookie for breakfast and lunch boxes as well as snacks or dessert. Half of the butter is replaced with apple sauce and yogurt, and I use whole wheat flour along with the oats. Add turbinado sugar, apples and fresh current crop nuts and raisins. This is no ordinary cookie. Barely even any empty calories! Makes about 40 cookies.

formtheirtricks.AdmissiontotheshowonOctober21is$8perpersonandpre-registrationisrequired.Call682-0896tosignupsoon!Seatingislimited.Doorsopenat6pmandtheshowbeginsat7pm.Ahoy Matey! Pirates are Com-ing to Pleasant Hill OnWednesday,October12at3:30pm,PleasantHillRecreation&Park

Districtishostingitsfirst-everPiratePartyattheWinslowCenteronthecornerofPleasantHillRoadandTay-lorBoulevard.Completewithpiratetraining,refreshments,andpirateloot.Comedressedinyepiratebestforanafternoonoftreasurehunting.Ticketsareonsalenowforjust$8perperson.Call682-0896andmakeyourreserva-tionsNOW–orbewareoftheplank!

Teen Center Input Needed!PleasantHillRecreation&ParkDistrictisproudtobeopeningthenewPleas-antHillTeenCenterintheFallof2012.TheTeenCenterwillbelocatedinPleasantHillParkonGregoryLane.The4,900squarefootbuildingwillallowPleasantHillRecreationtoprovideawiderangeofprogramsforTeens.Inor-dertoofferthebestprogramsandactivitiesforourTeens,PHR&PDwouldliketogetinputfromparentsaboutwhatyouandyourchildrenwouldliketoseeatthisfacility.Ifyouwouldliketogiveinputpleaseaccessthesurveyat:www.surveymonkey.com/s/NewTeenCenter.


Dallimonti’s Restaurant

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

www.dallimontis.com

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

• Full Bar & Wine List • A Touch of North Beach in your Neighborhood

LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY • COMING IN OCTOBER10/8 Lumberyard • 10/15 Cover 2 Cover

10/22 Von Trapps • 10/29 The Famous Three-O

FRIDAY KARAOKE NIGHT • GRAB THE MIC AND ROCK OUTCome for the food stay for the music!

1910 Oak Park Boulevard • Pleasant HillHours: Monday - Saturday, 11am-9pm (closed Sunday)

925.937.4368 • www.savanh.net

Formerly Bangkok Restaurant • New Name, Same Family and Staff

Savanh, originally Bangkok Restaurant, has been serving Thai favorites in this Oak Park location for over 20 years. Insisting on fresh market ingredients, our kitchen locates the freshest produce, seafood, and meats everyday, preparing each dish a little different from other Bay Area Thai restaurants.

Our newly redesigned dining room is adorned with the nation’s symbolic emblem, the elephant. Our extensive menu boasts the traditional Thai fare, plus an array of grilled dishes. We also offer take-out.

In the MixBy Paul Cotruvo

Afewdaysago,IputmyipodonshuffleanduppoppedasongIhadn’theardinafewyears.ItwasElvisCostello’sversionofaverydisturbingsongcalled“Psycho.”Itisachillingsongwrittenyearsagobyacountrysinger-songwriternamedLeonPayne.Thesingerinnocentlydescribestohismothervariousmurdershehascommitted,untilthesongendswiththerevelationthathehasjustkilledhisownmother!Ifyoucanfindthismurderballadwithsuchachillingending,Ihighlyrecommendyoumakeitapartofyourmusiccollection.Andit’sperfectfortheupcomingHalloweenseason! IknowthatHalloweenmusiccannotcomparetothevast,inspirationalsongsoftheChristmasseason,buttherearesomegreattunesoutthere.Herearesomeofmyfavorites,whichputmeinthemood. Let’sstartwiththeclassic“MonsterMash”bythegreatBobby“Boris”Pickett.Releasedin1962,itreachednumberoneontheBillboardchartsandisprobablythemostwellknownandmostplayedHalloweensongs.YoucanfindversionsrangingfromAlvin&theChipmunkstotheSmashingPumpkins(Iknow,very

fitting). Thenthereis“WerewolvesofLondon”bythelategreatWarrenZevon.Withgreatlineslike“IsawawerewolfdrinkingapiñacoladaatTraderVic’s,hishairwasperfect!”andthebig“ah-hooo”inthechorus,howcanyougowrong? Ofcourse,probablyoneofthegreatestvideosofalltimeisMichaelJackson’s“Thriller.”Agreatsongwithgreatdancingandchoreography.NeedIsaymore? Oneofmyall-timefavoritesisasongbythegroupOingo-Boingo,called“DeadMan’sParty,”agreattunefromthe80’s,whichwillgetyouuponthedancefloorofyourHalloweenparty! Icouldgoonandonwithsongslike“Ghostbusters”and“Iputaspellonyou”(TheScreaminJayHawkinsversion).Youcannotgowrongdownloadingthesetunestoyouripod,butitalsomademethink,wherearethegreatHalloweensongsoftoday?Wouldn’tLadyGagabeperfectforthisgenre?Ifyouknowofany,pleasee-mailmebecauseIsearchedandcannotfindanythingnewerthan1995! Ihopeyougetouttherethismonthandsupportsomelivemusicandmaybeyouwillhearsomeoftheseclassics! Quote of the month:Where there is no imagination there is no horror.Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.

PAUL’S PICKS FOR OCTOBER: (ALL THESE EVENTS ARE FREE)October 1: Zoo Station, Dan’s Bar, Walnut Creek, 10:00pm.October 1: Garageland Rodeo, The Station, Martinez, 9:00pm.October 8: Aja Vu, Pleasant Hill Art & Wine Festival (Crescent Drive), 6:00pm.October 9: Cover2Cover, Pleasant Hill Art & Wine Festival (Crescent Drive), 3:00pm.October 13: Jeff Magidson Blues Band, Armandos, Martinez, 8:00pm.October 14: Delta Dogs, Round Up Saloon, Lafayette, 9:00pm.October 22: Jinx Jones Acoustic Duo, Back 40 Texas BBQ, Pleasant Hill, 6:00pm.October 29: Dan DeShara, Rocco’s Pizzaria, Walnut Creek, 8:30pm.

Come in and

try our new menu!

Everyone’s Favorite$3.992 Eggs with your choice of

ham

ANTIOCH

DUBLIN

CLAYTON

DANVILLE

For the Healthy

Appetite

For the Hearty

Appetite

BREAKFAST & LUNCHBREAKFAST & LUNCHOPEN 6 AM - 3 PM DAILY

COUNTRY WAFFLES BREAKFASTCOUNTRY WAFFLES BREAKFAST


RESTAURANT GUIDE

10/31/11

Smokey D’s Slow Cooked BBQBy Emma Peel

SmokeyD’sinhistoricMartinezprovidesfinger-licking,slow-cooked,hickory-smokedmeatsforthecourthousecrowdandanyonewantingtobeincarnivoreheaven.Uponentering,weweregreetedbythefriendlyyoungwomenatthecounterandtheunmistakable,headyscentofBBQ. TheopenandfriendlyownerandchefofSmokeyD’s,DaveHuitt,openedhisrestaurantinJulyandproudlysayseverythingonthemenuismadebyhand.Thisproprietorconcedesit’smoreexpensiveforhimbutbelieves

hiscustomersareworthit.Combinationsofmeatsandsidesrangefrom“BellyFillers”to“GutBusters”($11.99–21.99),butweorderedtheFamilyMeal($45.99).Thisincludedthreechoicesfromanimpressivearrayofmeats:pulledpork,beefbrisket,chicken,turkeybreast,spicyormildlinks,porkribs,andbonelessporkloin.Dueto

populardemand,beefribswererecentlyaddedto

themenu.Thefamilymealalsoincludes

alargesaladwithhomemadedressings,rolls,andtwolargesidesfrommac&

cheese,D’sbeans,potatosalad,coleslaw,

pastasalad,seasonedfries,andonionrings.

Theporkribsweremeaty,ungreasy,andhadanespeciallypronouncedsmokyflavor.Theyareutterlysatisfyingontheirownbuttwosavorysaucesareincluded.ThebeefbrisketwasunexpectedlymoistandtenderandDavepointedoutthepink“smokering”fromtheedgeoftheslices,whichindicatessmokeflavorsaredeeplyabsorbed.Meatsareslow-

cookedtoperfectionforatleastsixhours.Icouldn’thelpbutimaginethepulledporkfeaturedinoneofthelunchsandwiches,offeredfor$8.49. Thesidesareallmadeonthepremises,unlikethoseatmanyBBQestablishments.Idetectedhominyinthebakedbeans,lendingacreamy,complextexture.Boththepotatosaladandcoleslawtastedfreshandnatural,notprocessedoroverlysalted. Comewithyourbiggestappetiteandwashitdownwithicecoldbeerontap($3.25–4).Mondayisfootballnightwith12chickenwingsandapitcherofCoorsLightfor$12andTuesdayisdollarnightforribsandPabstBlueRibbon. SmokeyD’sison601MainSt.inMartinezandisopenMonday–Thursday11–8,FridayandSaturday11–9,andSunday10–3.www.smokeyds.com(925)335-9930.

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

about the latest happenings in our monthly newsletter.

Please go to our website www.KobeJapanRestaurant.com , and then click Sign-Up for Our Birthday Club/Special Offers

1918 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, California 94523Phone: (925) 705-7065/7066 Fax: (925)705-7067

$30 Birthday CertificateVoted Best Japanese Restaurant by Best of the Bay TV Viewers in 2010

925.335.9915

Specials:

601 Main Street, Martinezwww.smokeyds.com

Hours:Mon-Thur 11-8PMFri & Sat 11-9PM

Sun 11 - 3PM

Monday Night Beer & Wing Specials 4pm-Close

Tuesday Night $1 Ribs & Beer Specials 4pm-Close

Come watch the baseball playoffs on our HD TV's while enjoying great food, beer & wine!

Catering available at our place or yours.

Call us to set up a fundraiser for your school or organization!

Open Sundays for the first time. Come down, enjoy the Farmers’ Market on Main Street then stop by for the football games.

Slow Cooked, Smoked Meats and More

GREAT


REUNIONS

10/1 - New Exhibits Open at Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Flylikeahawkandseelikeaneaglein“Raptors,HuntersintheSky,featuringthemanyadaptationsofbirdsofprey.Exploreourwildlifehospitalandwitnesspresentationswithactualwildanimalpatientsin“WildlifeHospital,BehindtheScenes.”Foropenhoursandmoreinformation,visitwww.wildlife-museum.org

10/4 – Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club. Speaker:PatrickAndersonon“GardenDesignwithSucculents”.Free.CamelliaRoom,atHeatherFarms,1540MarchbanksDr.,WC.Visitwww.phgsc.comorcall925-944-4898formoreinfo.

10/5 - Emeritus College Presents “Your Personality/Your Heath”, Part 2.Lec-turerDr.KarenVanZino,MD,Stanfordhaspracticedprimarycaremedicinefor25yearsandhasstudiedtheancientwisdomoftheEnneagramtolearnaboutpersonalityandhowitaffectsrelation-shipsandhealth.JFKUniversity,Pleas-antHillfrom10am–noon.Fee:$25.Call685-1230ext2388toregister.

10/7 – Moonlight Movie -WatchJamesandGiantPeachontheCityHallLawn.Bringablanket,towel,orchair.100Gre-goryLane,LawnArea,PleasantHill.

10/8 - 2011 Musician’s Showcase.JoinusforanightofmusicandfuntoraisefundsinsupportoftheCollegeParkIn-strumentalMusicProgram.5pm-10pmattheHiltonHotelinConcord. Tickets:$60/person.Ticketsincludedinnerandaneveningofmusicfromtheaward-winningCollegeParkInstrumentalMusicensembles.Purchaseticketsandgetauctioninformationbyvisiting:auc-tions.readysetauction.com/cpimb-col-legeparkins/home.

10/8 – Mt. Diablo Writers Club presentsDanvilleauthorVeronicaRossion“CreatingHighConceptFiction”.Check-inat11:30am,Noonmtg.andlunchbuffetatZioFraedo’sRestaurant,611GregoryLane,PleasantHill.$20forCWCmembers.$25guests.

10-/8 & 9 – Art, Jazz and Wine Festival – CrescentDr.,DowntownPleasantHill.Visitthebackpagefordetails!

10-/9 – Martinez Home Tour 10am-

EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AT THE LIBRARy

4pm.Moreinformationonpage10.

10/10 – Pleasant Hill Community Foundation’s 11th Annual Allied Waste Golf Classic.Raisefundstosup-portyouthprogramsinPleasantHillandtheSeniorCenter’sCareManage-mentProgram.10–11:45am,Registra-tionandPuttingcontest;12pmShotgunstart;5pmNo-hostcocktails;6pmDin-nerandawards.Visit:www.phcommu-nityfoundation.org.

10/10- 11/23 – Contra Costa County Historical Museum, “TheLadiesHaveSomethingToSay”.Thecentennial ofCaliforniawomengettingtherighttovotedisplaysandexhibits.Free.Tues.,Weds.&Thurs.9am–4pmandthirdSatofeachmonth.

10/12 – Pirate Party. Ahoy Mateys! JoinaPirateAdventure!Gothroughpiratetrainingandhuntforburiedtreasure.Includesasnackandgoodiebag.$8perperson.3:30-4:30pmattheWinslowCenter,2590PleasantHillRoad,PH.

10/13 - Be Prepared: Top 8 Remedies for Emergencies.Dr.Golovanov&MyraNissen,CCHdiscussremediesthatcankeepyousafe:Easeinjuries,calmtheshell-shocked,orsavealife.6-7pm,QuailCourtOfficePark43QuailCourt,Suite215.ConferenceRoom,Floor2,WC.925.826.3858,reg.www.HomeopathyEveryDay.com

10/14 –11/6- Romeo and Juliet. Fri&Sat8pm,Sun2pm.DiabloValleyCol-lege,321GolfClubRoad,PleasantHill.BoxOffice:925-687-4445orwww.dvcdrama.net.

10/19 – Veterans in The Mist. JointheAmericanLegionastheyhosttheauthorofseveralWWIIbooks,JerryWhiting.Hewillcaptivateyouashetellsthesto-rieshe’sdocumentedthroughinterviewsandresearch.Gatherat7pm,dinnerat7:30pm;$5.VeteransMemorialBuild-ing,930WardStreet,Martinez.ToRSVPormoreinformation:(925)518-3295.

10/19 - Emeritus College Presents: Magic, Murder and Mystery. LecturerDr.KarenVanZinowillspeakaboutmedicalhistoryoverthecenturies,fromthemiraculousstoryofInsulintothegrislydetailsofmurderinFlorence.JFKUniversityinPleasantHill,10am–noon.

Calendar

Pleasant Hill: Wednesdays. - Mother Goose Story-time,ages0-3.11:15-11:45am.Fridays1:15-1:45pm.

Thursdays. - Preschool Storytime,ages3-5.11:15-11:45am.

10/6 & 20 – Wii Thursdays.GetyourgameoninRoomA,3-4:30pm.

10/11 - Roald Dahl Reading Discussion.TheOctobercityreadisRoaldDahl’sJamesandtheGiantPeach.Bookclubmembersandnewparticipantsarein-vited,6:30-7:30pm.

10/12 – Teen Advisory Group.Teenscanmakeapositivedifferenceforthemselvesandtheirpeers.Ages13-18.RoomA,3:30-5pm.

10/18 - Peach Party.Kidsofallageswillenjoycrafts,gamesandcontests,andmoretiedtothebookthewholecityisreading:JamesandtheGiantPeach.6:30-8pm.

10/25 - Halloween Storytime.Don’tmissthisspecialspookyfamilystorytimepackedwithnot-so-scarysongsandsto-ries.Comeincostume!6:30-7pm.

Martinez:Mondays – Picture Book Storytime,ages3-6.1:30-2:15pm.

Tuesdays – Mother Goose Storytime,ages0-3.10:30-11am.

Tuesdays – Book Buddy.Afterschooldropin.2-4pm

10/11 – Listen While You Lego.Pre-schoolers,3:30-4:30pm.

10/12, 19 & 26 – Cool Science.‘StatesofMatter’workshopforK-3rdgrade.2:30-3:30.

10/15–FriendsofMtzLibraryBookSale.10am:Membersonly,11-4pm:Gen-eralpublic.Fillabagfor$5.

10/25–LiveTarantulas!Allages,3:30-4:30pm.

The Martinez Grange No.853:agrassrootsorganizationthatbeganin1867opentoallmembersofthefamily.Jun-iorGrangeforages5to131/2years,andregularmembersare14andup.TheGrangehastenthousandmembersand207chaptersacrossCalifornia.Formoreinfoemail:[email protected].

Pleasant Hill Baseball Association Registration Dates: Sat.Oct.2910am–1pm;Sat.November12from10:00am–1:00pmandWednesday,November16from 6:00pm–9:00pm.PHBASportsComplex,2SantaBarbaraRoad,Pleas-antHill.1stchild-$160.00,2ndchild-$140.00,3rdchildormore-$100.Youcanbuddyupwithafriendwhenyouregister,ifthisisyourfirstyearplay-ing.Toregisterorformoreinformationpleasevisitourwebsite:www.phba.org.

Martinez CERT Classes areheldonSat-urdays,Oct1st&8th,8am-1:30pmandTuesdays,Oct.4th,11th,18th&25th6:30pm-9:30pm.ContraCostaAni-malServicesFacility,4800ImhoffPlace,Mtz.Toregister,contacttheCERTpro-gramadministratorsatmartinez.cert@gmail.comorLieutenantAaronRothataroth@cityofmartinez.orgorcall925-228-0911.

The 4th of July Commissionwelcomespeoplewithnewideasandplanningskills. CommunityRoomatCityHall.Wed.Oct.19,7p.m.;Wed.Nov.16,7p.m.;(NomeetinginDecember)[email protected].

College Park High School Class of 1981 Reunion,SaturdayOct8th,ContraCostaCountryClub,6:30-11:30.Food,drinksanddancing,$65.00perperson.EmailWendySherrilatwendys100@wildblue.netfordetailsorviewFace-bookandclassmates.com.

Fee:$25.Call685-1230ext2388toreg-ister

10/21 – Share the Magic. Seeillusions,cardexperts,close-upperformers,andclowns.PerformancesbyTheSocietyofAmericanMagicians.Pre-reg.isreq.Seatingislimited!

10/22 – Bay Area Craft Beer FestivalattheMartinezWaterfront,1pm-5pm.Formoreinfovisit: www.bayareacraftbeerfes-tival.com


Serious Athletes CheerBy Tonya Marie Amos, Aspire Pilates

Healthy BeginningsBy Janet Concepcion-Manalo, D.D.S.

1029 Arnold Dr. Suite 9 Martinez, CA 94553

NEW PATIENTSPECIALS!

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It’sbeenayearsinceIgavebirthtoababygirl,andlikemanymothers,Ihavehadtheprivilegeofwatchingeverymilestonemychildhasreached−fromthefirstfeedingtotheintroductiontosolids,totheemergenceofherfirstteeth. Everyphaseinababy’sgrowthcomeswithademandfornutritionfromdifferentfoodsources.Asteethmoveintoposition,theyalsobecomesusceptibletotoothdecay.Manypar-entsdon’trealizetheimportanceofde-velopinghealthyoralcareearlyon.Babyteethwillnotbereplacedbypermanentteethforabout6to12years.Thatmeanstheprimaryteethwillservethechildformanyyears.Moreover,theywillserveasaguideforpermanentteethtobeintheproperposition. AstatementmadebytheAmericanDentalAssociationrecognizestoothde-cayasaninfectiousdiseaseandapublic

healthproblem. TheADAurgesustorecognizethatchildren’steetharesus-ceptibletodecayassoonastheyerupt. Basedontheirguidelines,herearesimplestepsforhealthybeginnings:•Asearlyasinfancy,wipethegumsgentlywithdampenedcottonafterfeedingorintakeofmedications.Dothesameiffoodormilkisexpelledasvomit;theacidityisdestructivetothetoothenamel.•Urgefamilyorcaregiverstofollowproperoralhygienepracticesduringthetimeyouentrustyourchildtotheircare.•Consultyourdentistwithin6monthsofthefirsttooth’sappearance.•Asmallinvestmentofyourtimeandpatienceisvitalingivingyourchildahealthysmileforyearstocome. For more information please con-tact Dr. Concepcion-Manaol at Park-way Smiles Dental, 925-229-8890.

Gonearethedayswhencheer-leadersstoodonthesidelineswith-outbreakingasweatand“rahrah’d”whileshak-ingpompoms.Today’scheerleadersparticipateinaheavy-dutycontactsportthatdemandsahighlevelofathleticism,strength,flexibility,balanceandendurance,allofwhicharedrivenbythepowerofthecore.Cheernowrequiresahighlevelofdiscipline,longpracticehours,andinfi-nitebravery.AccordingtotheSportsIn-juryCenterandNationalCheerSafetyFoundation,over70%ofcheerleadinginjuriesarestrains,sprainsandsofttis-sueinjuries,andcheerleadingaccountsforover65%ofthecatastrophicinjuriesinfemalesports.Theathleticdemandsoftoday’scheercannolongerbeig-nored. Theseyoungathletes(mostaged

5-18,unlesstheycontinuethroughcol-legeandprofessionally)dancehard,lifttheirteammatesoverhead,tumblelikegymnastsandgettossedaroundlikeconfettiatawedding.Takeamomenttothinkaboutthestrengthittakestodoallthat!It’snowonderthathamstringsandgroinsgetpulled,backsgetinjured,knees,anklesandwristsgetsprained,andshouldersgetdislocated.Andbe-causecheerleadersoftenstartstuntingveryyoung,thereisahighpotentialforstrainonimmaturejointstructuresthatmaynothaveyetdevelopedthemuscu-laritytokeepthejointsstable. Thebestcoachestakecondition-ingseriouslyandstresssafety.Theydrillbasics,teachprogressions,anddoagreatjobtryingtokeeptheirteamshealthy.Butwiththehighnumberofinjuriessustainedperformingsuperhu-manfeats,itisclearthatcheerleadinghasdevelopedintoasportthatdeservesathletickudosandrequiresahighlevelofcrosstraininginordertobesuccess-

fulandhealthy. Sowhetheryou’reasolidbaseoraflyerwhocravesanti-gravity,youneedtocrosstrainforsuccess.Astrongconditioningprogramstartswithsol-idCorestrength,flexibility,balance,healthybodymechanics,andaddressesthemuscularimbalancesofthesport.Don’tletthesmileandpepfoolyou.Cheerleadingdeservesseriousrespect.Trainbothyourbodyandmindforsuccess.GoTeam!

Tonya Marie Amos danced pro-fessionally in New York for 15 years before opening her studio, Aspire Pilates Center in Concord. She is a fully certified Pilates instructor with over 1000 hours of training including advanced certifications in Movement Medicine, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Pre/Post Natal and Pilates For Golf. For more information, contact please call (925) 680-4400 or go to www.AspirePi-latesCenter.com.


Regularreadersof“ArtWorldUnConfi-dential”knowthatIenthusiasticallyencouragepeopletoincorporateallformsofartintodailylife,fromanindividual’swardrobetotheirhomeandworkenvironments.Displayingartinthehomeisawonder-fullypositiveandpersonalconnectiontothetalentsandideasofartistsinourcommunitiesandaroundtheworld.Onesuchmediaisfunctionalpottery,whichconveysthatwarmandusefulfeelingasmuchasanyotherformofcreativeexpression.Fromhandmadebowlsandcupstoplattersandteapots,potterycanperformasfoodservers,containers,andothervesselsaswellasartpieces,providingformandcolortoyourtable. Adinnersettingthatincludesbeautifulhand-thrownpotterypresents

astatementoffunctionalelegancealongwithvisualdiversity.Beyondthetable,interestingandcolorfulplantcontainers,forexample,areanartist’sperfectcomplementforplants,flow-ers,andsmalltrees.Suchpotsframenature’sbeautywithadeliberatedisplayofhumanpersonality. MarthaKeanhasbeenworkinginclayformorethan35years.Withtheintenttobeaestheticallypleasing,Keanworksprimarilyinfunctionalpottery.“Iparticularlyliketheideaofpeopleusingandenjoyingmypotsintheireverydaylives,”saysKean.“Iworkinstoneware,firedinreduction,oxidation,orsalt.”Workingoutofherownstudio,KeanisactiveintheWalnutCreekClayArtsGuild(CAG)andisalsoamemberandcurrentdirectorofthecooperativeLafayetteGallery.“Oneofthewonder-fulthingsaboutclayisthatthereisalwayssomuchstilltolearn,”saysKean.“Icontinuetotakeclassesandshareinformationwithfriends.”

Kean’sworkandthatofthreeotherparticipatingartistscanbeseeninanewexhibitionattheLafayetteGallery.“Textures,Layers,andLines”willbeondisplayfromOctober11to29,withanartistreceptiononFriday,October14,from5pmto8pm.ThegalleryisopenTuesdaythroughSaturdayfrom11amto5pmandlocatedat50LafayetteCir-cleinLafayette.Forinformation,seewww.lafayettegallery.net. Otherarthappeningsthismonthincludethe9thannualPleasantHillArt,Jazz,&WineFestivalonSaturday,October8from10amto9pmandSun-day,October9,from10amto5pm.ThePleasantHillChamberofCommercesponsorsthisfunfestivalasthousandsofresidentsandvisitorsstrollalongCrescentDriveenjoyingart,enter-tainment,food,andsuperbjazz.TheDanvilleVillageTheatreArtGallery’sexhibition,“Offerings;WorksofTextandImage,”continuesitsrunthroughOctober29.TheAlamo-DanvilleArt-

ists’Societyartexhibition,“ArtisticReflections,”continuesthroughOcto-ber23attheBlackhawkArtGalleryinBlackhawkPlaza. For more information, contact Tony Michael Vecchio at [email protected]. View his collage illustrations and paintings at etsy.com/shop/WabiSabiDaddi, and selected work at the Blackhawk Gallery.

Art World UnConfidential By Tony Michael Vecchio

NOW OPEN!

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PHBA Adds New League

Martinez Opera Update

W.C. Elks Host Eagle Court of Honor

Veteran’s Day Outreachand Celebration

P.H. Reads About a Boy and a Peach

By Patrick Remer, Children’s Librarian, Pleasant Hill Library

MartinezOperaContraCostapresents“BelleVoci,”BeautifulVoicesConcertonSaturday,October15thatTelferHallinMartinez.EnjoyanenchantedeveningoffinefoodandbeautifulvoicesfromtheBayArea.Featuredartistsinclude Ten-or, Michael Desnoyers,Baritone,Tor-lef BorstingandSoprano,Kimber-

ly Twesme. NoHostcocktailsbeginat5:30pm,thebuffetdinerat6:00pmandtheshowat7:00pm.Reservedseatingis$45.00 perperson.Topurchase bycreditcardpleasevisit:www.mtzo.com.ProceedsbenefitMTZO2012SeasonandOutreachprograms.Formorein-formation,pleasecall925-372-6657.

Asanalternativetoplayinghighschoolbaseball,PleasantHillBaseballAssociationisstartingupHardballteamsfor16-18-year-oldboysfortheupcoming2012springseason.As-pectsofthenewleagueincludeplayingwithwoodenbats,pitchingopportunitiesforallplayersandpaidumpires.

JimGoonan,HeadCommission-er,saidthat“Wearetrying

tobuildaleagueforhighschoolboystoplayand

wearelookingtobuildaninter-leaguewithotherneighboringcit-ies.”Moreinformation

canbefoundonthePHBAwebsite:phba.org

[email protected].

WalnutCreekElksLodgehonorsKyleHendricksasoutstandinglocalcitizenwiththeAwardofEagleScout,thehighesthonorthatcanbeawardedtoaBoyScout.Kyleisthe23rdEagleScoutinTroop1811.HeisaresidentofWalnutCreek,graduatedfromLasLomasHighSchoolandisonhiswaytoColoradoStateUniversityasChem-istrymajor.Hehasreceived23meritbadges,theTripleCrownAwardwithaspecialprojectforNativeBirdCon-nections(NBC).Hehasdirectedhun-

dredsofvolunteerhourstogetsalvagedwoodsidingtofabricatebarnowlboxesfornestingsitesinContraCostaandAlamedaCounties,aswellasotherlo-cations. TheeventwasmadeuniquewithaspecialguestbroughtitbyJennyPapkafromNativeBirdConnections-anAmericaneagle!KylereceivedtheElksLodgecertificateofachievement,andanAmericanflagpresentedbyGarrickGouvia,ERandEdO’Connell,Chapterrepresentative.

Incelebrationofthe50thanniversaryofthecityofPleasantHillandthe50thanni-versaryofthePleasantHillLibrary,thelibraryisgettingeveryoneintowntoreadandsharea50-yearoldclas-sicthismonth:RoaldDahl’s,JamesandtheGiantPeach! ThisistheveryfirstPleasantHillReads,andwhilemostCityReadsprogramsfocusonliteratureforadults,thisyear’sselectionisforthewholefamily. Dahl’sadventureofaverycleverboywhogoesonanex-traordinaryadventureinanairbornepeachwilldelightanyonewhoisakid,hasakid,oreverwasakid!Dahl’sbookisafunandwhimsicalfantasy

forfamiliestosharetogether. Copiesofthebookortheaudiobookcanbecheckedoutatthelibrary. Wearealsopartneringwithlocalschoolstogetfreecop-iesofthebookdirectlyintothehandsofyoungreaders. ThroughoutthemonthofOctober,readersofallagesareencouragedtocom-

mentonthestorybywritingtheirthoughtsonapaperpeachandpostingitonthelibrary’speachtree. OnTuesday,October18that6:30pm,thelibraryishostingagiantPeachParty.Entirefamilieswillenjoygames,crafts,andmore-alltiedtothebook.

The2ndAnnualVeteran’sDayOut-reachandCelebrationwilltakeplaceatSt.AndrewsChurchonNovember11,at1601MaryDriveinPleasantHillfrom7:30amto11am. Themissionofthiseventisto“match”ourveteransofallagesandwarswiththeresourcestheymightnototherwisebeawareoforhaveaccessto. Therewillbeanar-rayofFREEresourcesinclud-ing: freelegaladvicetable,freebenefitsinformationfromContraCostaCounty,jobplacementfromEDDandmuchmore!

TheeventisputtogetherbyafullcommunityrepresentationofcommitteemembersofPleasantHillRotary,Martin-ezRotary,WalnutCreekElksClub,Pleas-antHillLionsCluband

others.Pleasejoinusinhonoringallveterans

andtheirfamiliesforthesacrificestheyhavemadeandcontinuetomake,andto

rememberourfallenheroesandthosewhocurrentlyserve.

Afreebreakfastwillbeservedat8amandtransporta-tionwillbeprovidedifneeded.

[email protected].


TEEN SCENE Summer Sneak Peak at MedicineBy Jessica Gardner, Senior, College Park

ThissummerIattendedtheNation-alYouthLeadershipForumonMedi-cineinBostonanditwasanawesomeexperience.Isignedupforthesum-mercampinearlyJanuarynotknow-ingmuchabouttheprogramexceptthatitwasasummercampforhighschoolstudentswhoareinterestedingoingintomedicine.NYLFisheldintendif-ferentcitiesaroundtheUnitedStateswithtwoinCalifornia,butIchosetogotoBostonbecauseI’veneverbeentherebeforeandit’saplaceknownforgreatmedicine. ThiswouldbethefirsttimeIwould

flyonanairplanealonewithoutknow-ingasinglepersonsoIwasalittlebitscared.WhenIarrivedatcamp,therewereabout430otherhighschoolstu-dents.Somehadtraveledwithfriendsandsome,likeme,didn’tknowany-body. Weweresoonsplitupintoourmedicalgroupsofabout25studentsapiece,andeachgroupwasleadbyafacultyadvisor.Eachgroupwasnamedafteranimportantpersoninscience.IwasintheReedgroup.IhadnoideathatIwouldbecomesoclosewithmygroup,allfromdifferentpartsofthe

AspiringartistandMorelloPark2ndgraderBaileyRobinson,waskeptbusyalldaypaintingfacesatthe42ndannualArtintheParkinMartinezonAugust21st.CathyRiggsandRCFerrisofTheMartinezArtsAssociationgaveBaileyherbigbreakandtheexperienceofalifetimeafterbeingapproachedbyBailey’sgrandmother,DeborahDaw-son.Ms.DawsoncameupwiththeideaafterwatchingBaileyspendtheentiresummerdecoratingherownfaceandarmswithflowersandswirls,andturn-ingfriendsandfamilymembersintokittens,butterfliesandzombies. BaileyhasbeenpaintingsinceshewastwoandhopestosomedayworkforDisneyorPixar,orbeabletoteachoth-

erkidshowmuchfunartis.BaileyhasattendedArtintheParksinceshewasababybutneverdreamedshewouldgetthischancetosharedoingwhatsheloves.Baileysaid,“Itwassofuntogettomakeotherkidshappydoingwhatmakesmehappy.ItwasneattohaveotherpeopletellmetheylikedwhatIwasdoingandthatIshoulddothiswhenIgrowup.Tomeitseemseasy.” Baileylovestoworkwithwater-color,acrylics,coloredpencilsandrain-bowSharpies.Shedrawseverydayandisalmostneverseenwithoutasketch-bookinhand.Shealsolovesmakingthingsforherdollhouseoutofpoly-merclayandisstartingtolearnjewelrymaking.

JENNIFER L. MARTIN, D.D.S.

Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

401 GREGORY LANE, SUITE 126PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523

925.676.8485 FAX 925.676.0288www.drjennifermartin.com

U.S. Ourgroupsvisiteddifferentplaces.OnedaywevisitedmedicalschoolsintheNewEnglandarea.MygroupwenttoTuftsMedicalSchool;othergroupswenttoHarvardMedicalSchool,UniversityofConnecticutSchoolofMedicine,andNewEnglandSchoolofOsteopathicMedicine.Wegottotalktomedicalstudentsandlearnhowtheadmissionprocessworks.Anotherdaywevisitedhospitalstogetasneakpeakatwhatitwouldbeliketobeadoctor.Ourgroupsalsovisitedhospitalsthatincluded:BostonChildren’sHospital,MassachusettsGeneralHospital,Shrin-ersChildren’sHospital,HarvardMedi-calCenter,andBostonMedFlight. Eachmedicalgroupdiddifferentsimulations.Forexample,wesimu-latedtheMATCH,whichistheproc-essofhowmedicalstudentsareplacedintheirresidencyprograms.Wealsodidadisastertriagesimulationthatwasalotoffunandkidsreallygotintoit.Inourmedgroupswelearnedhowto

takebloodpressure,suture,haveethicaldebates,andevenviewedanactualsur-gery. Whenweweren’tinourmedgroups,weenjoyedvarietyshownight,gameandmovienight,andacruisearoundtheBostonharbor.Also,sinceBostonisaveryhistoricalplace,wespentthedayinHarvardSquare,DowntownBoston,andQuincyMarket. NYLFopenedmyeyestoallthedifferentfieldsandaspectsofmedicineandallowedmetolistentodoctorsandothermedicalprofessionalstalkabouttheirexperiences.Youreallycouldn’tgetthisexposureanywhereelse,anditwasaonceinalifetimeopportunity.Soforallyoufuturedoctorsoutthereorifyouinterestedinmedicine,Ihighlyrecom-mendNYLFsummercamp.Besidesalltheknowledgeyouwillgain,youwillalsomakeawesomefriendsfromallaroundtheU.S.,andhavetheopportu-nitytoexploreanewcity! For more information on this pro-gram, visit: http://www.nylf.org/med/.

Young at ArtStory Submitted by Deborah Dawson


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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH; 10AM - 6PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9TH; 10AM - 5PM

DOWNTOWN PLEASANT HILL ON CRESCENT DRIVE

For More Information: www.PleasantHillArtJazzandWineFestival.com (925) 687-0700

Award winning Art, Jazz & Wine Fest returns to downtown Pleasant Hill with continuous live music, arts & crafts, food, premium wines, microbrews, and childrens’ entertainment, including the return of Capt’n Jack Spareribs.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 811:00 - 12:15 .....Jambalaya Jazztet12:45 - 2:00 ....King Cosby Feat. Joyce Grant2:30 - 3:45 ......Tamsen Donner Band4:15 - 5:45 .......En Vivo6:30 - 8:45 ......Aja Vu

BAND SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 911:30 - 12:30 ....Elizabeth Hunnicutt1:00 - 2:30 ......Delta Dogs3:00 - 5:00.....Cover2Cover

Thank you to our event sponsors

Graphic Design Donated by Meghan Mahler Design

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8Macaroni Kids Craft Experience .............................. 10 am - 3 pmFace Painting by Hollis Banks ................................... 11 am - 3 pm Boswick the Clown ..................................................... 11 amMusical Adventures with Andrea Gaspari .............. 12 noonThe Juggling Genius, Daniel DaVinci ....................... 1 - 3 pmGemar The Magician ................................................. 3pm Capt’n Jack Spareribs ............................................... 4:30 pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9Macaroni Kids Craft Experience ......................... 10 am - 3 pm Crafts with Sequoia Day Care ............................. 10 am - 3 pm Boswick the Clown ................................................ 11 amFace Painting by Hollis Banks .............................. 11 am - 3 pmMusical Adventures with Andrea Gaspari ......... 12 noonMarcus the Juggler ............................................... 2 pmEncore Gymnastic’s Acrobatic Show Teams ...... 3pmCapt’n Jack Spareribs .......................................... 4:30 pm

KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

Plus! Saturday Evening Concert on the Plaza with Aja Vu starting at 6:30pm

october 2011 community focus

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