text:
Pleasanton Weekly 11.18.2011 - Section 1
Section 1 of the November 18, 2011 edition of the Pleasanton Weekly
Pleasanton Weekly AN ADVERTI PRODUCED SING SUPPLEME NT PLEASANTO BY THE N WEEKL Y IN THIS ISSUE... HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2011 GiftGuide1 118_2011.in dd 1 GIFT GU IDE 2011 WWW.PLEASANTONWEEKLY.COM 11/7/11 10 Holiday Fund 2011 Help for those who need it most PG 16 BUSINESS NEWS TRI-VALLEY LIFE Arts & Entertainment 10 12 NEW SECTIONS INSIDE THIS WEEK NEWS: 2003 bomber's trail leads east LIVING: Dancing through night for good cause SPORTS: Falcons beat Dons on gridiron 7 12 23 Page 2 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly AROUND PLEASANTON BY JEB BING Paid Advertisement Food Allergies? Food allergies, particularly in children, are clearly on the rise. According to Dr. Hugh Sampson, a food allergy specialist at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in N.Y. "We are certain that in the future the number of food allergies are going to increase." Many food allergies are classified as "hidden" allergies due to the fact that an individual may be consuming a food, often times on a daily basis that they have no idea they are allergic to. Frequently, symptoms such as stomach aches, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, indigestion, heartburn and bloating are directly related to food allergies. Additionally, conditions such as migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, post nasal drip, rashes, eczema, chronic fatigue, ADD/ADHD, mood swings and difficulty losing weight in many cases can be caused by food allergies. Fortunately, a new, advanced method of allergy elimination is now available in the United States. Developed over a ten year period in Australia, a new technology called Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is giving new hope to millions of allergy sufferers. Not everyone reacts to certain foods. For those who do, their immune system is reacting to a harmless substance. In other words, an allergy is an error that causes the immune system to respond inappropriately. Rather than treat the allergy with shots or medications, AAT is a non-invasive, needle free, drug free, all natural treatment that eliminates the allergy altogether. AAT is safe and effective for people of all ages including infants. AAT is also equally effective in treating airborne allergens such as pollens, grasses, weeds, trees, molds, dust and dust mites as well as pet allergens, chemical sensitivities and physical contactants. AAT is now available in Pleasanton at Allergy Relief Centers located near Stoneridge Mall. For a limited time, Allergy Relief Centers is offering the initial consultation and complete testing session, normally a fee of $125, for only $25 to anyone who would like to eliminate their food allergies. A limited number of appointments are available, so call 925-243-7119 today for your appointment. Beaumont's legacy: a children's museum n recent months, Dublin has been moving more aggressively among the Tri-Valley cities in luring major businesses and organizations to locate there. Target, which once eyed Pleasanton, has opened on the city's far east side; Sprouts, a unique food market, is to the west. Two new athletic/outdoor merchandisers, REI and Sports Authority, just opened in central Dublin. A few weeks ago, the Tri-Valley YMCA moved its headquarters from Pleasanton to Dublin, and the School of Imagination, which once sought space for a facility in Pleasanton, opened in Dublin thanks to financial support from the city. Now the long-planned Valley Children's Museum also is going to Dublin. A project pushed for years by former Pleasanton resident and businessman Rick Beaumont, the museum is about to receive 2-1/2 acres on a Camp Parks site that is being split up among the military, a developer and the city of Dublin. The Dublin City Council insisted on the land grant in another move to add more nonprofits in the city. Beaumont approached Pleasanton leaders about providing a place for a children's museum, which will be patterned after Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose and others in Sausalito and Stockton. Finding little interest, he and the Valley Children's Museum board of directors approached San Ramon, whose leaders offered space in its new City Center. A few years passed before the board realized that it could be many years, if ever, before the San Ramon center is built. Dublin officials, learning of the plight, jumped in with their offer of financial and logistical help. As a starter, Beaumont and his group acquired a large Mervyn's children's activities trailer, which was part of the retail store's roving tractor-and-trailer exhibit fully equipped and staffed that went to Mervyn's stores around the country. Beaumont accepted the gift of the trailer -- before Mervyn's declared bankruptcy -- and the unit is now a showplace of the Valley Children's Museum to come with its weekly displays and shows at the Thursday night Farmers Markets in Dublin. Hundreds visited the exhibits all summer long, seeing models and working displays about early California, crafts and art. Volunteers worked with children to make dolls Over 20 years of I We also do... Rick Beaumont out of cornhusks the way they did in the 1800s. Each week, the theme of the exhibit changed, from early missions to water conservation presentations by Zone 7 representatives to stories about early Native Americans in the Tri-Valley area. Beaumont, who with his wife Nicole has four children, always had a passion for creating more places and activities that focus on very young children. Seeing the crowds at the Discovery Museum made him ask why we couldn't have something similar closer to home. Surveys he and the newly formed board of directors championed showed widespread interest in an activity center for children up to 7 years old. But it's not cheap and finding volunteers on a regular basis isn't easy. Mervyn's spent about $500,000 on the mobile exhibit that the Valley group is using. Dublin provides space in its Emerald Park free of charge. With a tractor and driver, there's no reason the exhibit couldn't be moved from time to time to other places, say, Pleasanton's Sports Park or the Fairgrounds, or to Livermore. Eventually, once the Camp Parks site is clearly identified and dedicated to the museum, the mobile unit can be moved there. The partnership the Valley Children's Museum has established with the city of Dublin and Camp Parks has come none too soon for Beaumont. An investment and financial planner since he graduated from Cal Poly 17 years ago when he moved to Pleasanton, he has resigned as chairman of the museum board effective Jan. 1, seven years after he took on the job. Now 40, he says it's time for others to take on the task of finally building the museum. He plans to stay in touch, however, promising to be among the first in line with his family when it finally opens, hopefully in 2013. Showroom and Factory located at 4225 Stanley Blvd near downtown Pleasanton 925.462.1207 www.window-ology.com Contractor's License #904282 For more information please visit www.allergyreliefcenters.com TOM LEW DICK DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? FRED BILL EUGENE IT'S THE FOOTHILL OPTOMETRIC GROUP WINTER STYLESHOW DECEMBER 8th 4:OOPM TO 7:30PM MIKE JIM TOM CHUCK DAVE PROPANE TANK EXCHANGE $ 19 99 COME SEE THE LATEST EYEWEAR BY KOALI OGA AND LIGHTEC SHOW DISCOUNTS, GIFT WITH PURCHASE, FOOD AND FUN! IT'S A GREAT WAY TO USE UP YOUR FLEX DOLLARS. (Some Restrictions Apply) 10% OFF Taste of The Wild Dog food Limit 3 bags. Expires 12/15/11 Serving the Tri-Valley for 28 years About the Cover Five nonprofits have been selected as this year's recipients of the ninth annual Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund, the community-wide campaign that starts today to provide needed funding for vital local groups. Design by Kristin Herman. Vol. XII, Number 45 463-2150 6155 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 100, Pleasanton (at the corner of Stoneridge & Franklin, between Hopyard & I-680) 1807 Santa Rita Rd, Pleasanton Phone (925) 846-0660 www.truevalue.com/pleasanton Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 3 fitness Streetwise Keith Bellinger ASKED AROUND TOWN Work Out 36 Times in 90 Days & Earn $200 Did Penn State do the right thing in firing legendary football coach Joe Paterno for being negligent in child-sex abuse allegations? Advertising No. He announced his intent to retire this season. He made a bad decision, but he also dedicated 50 years of his life to the football team. He did the absolute minimum in reporting the crime, but removing him and creating controversy won't do a thing to change the fact that the abuse happened. Joshua Jacobson Actor/loner/liver I think he should've been allowed to finish out the season. However, we forget that all college football is big money. It's a business, and it became politicized. Penn State had to fire him, because it all comes down to money. from the Chris Reid Personal basketball trainer/semi-professional player I'm an athlete from Purdue, and I played at Penn State. I take pride in any team from the Big 10, and know what Joe Paterno is all about. It takes a huge hit on the entire community, and it's heartbreaking. I think there could have been different decisions made on all fronts. WISE OLD OWL SAYS "Let our experts do your watch and jewelry repairs" Watch Battery Special Limit 2 per family. Lithium batteries not included. Jon Pallesen Student teacher I'm a swim coach, and this is a big topic for us right now because we have to be very cautious with how we interact with our athletes. Though he did report the incident to his superior, he also had a responsibility to make sure that the proper authorities were informed. $4.95 Installed with ad Top Quality 14K-18K Gold & Platinum Jewelry Many one-of-a-kind designer pieces Antiquities & Fine Art Objects Your Full Service Contractor General Contractor Plumbing Contractor Flooring Contractor Roofing Contractor and inspections Go with experience for all your inspection needs Jay Alan Jewelers Since 1966 739 Main Street, Suite J, Pleasanton (925) 462-5200 Taylor Little Student Yes. He should have reported the crime to the police. The school board realized that with something as serious as child molestation, they needed to take action immediately. The fact that he was a well-liked, popular coach couldn't affect their decision to do the right thing. --Compiled by Kerry Nally Have a Streetwise question? E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com At Custom Care Pharmacy our compounding pharmacists can make just what the doctor ordered Custom Flavoring Veterinary Medications Customized Delivery Systems Custom Dosaging Bio-Identical Hormone Medications Pediatric Medications 4271 First Street | Pleasanton (In Pleasant Plaza) 925.846.4455 9am-7pm Mon-Fri; 9am-4pm Sat 124 Market Place | San Ramon (next to Nob Hill) 925.830.0555 9am-7pm Mon-Fri; 9am-4pm Sat Mark Kearns Owner Specialty Inspections 261 Spring St. Pleasanton CA 94566 OPR10772, CSLB 831089 (B, C-15, C-36, C-39) www.pleasantoncustomcare.com Page 4 November 18, 2011 www.sanramoncustomcare.com Our name is our commitment. Pleasanton Weekly (925) 249-9611 The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Weekly is mailed upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Print subscriptions for businesses or residents of other communities are $60 per year or $100 for two years. Go to www.PleasantonWeekly.com to sign up and for more information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. � 2011 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Newsfront DIGEST Holiday cheer downtown tomorrow Downtown will be the scene of holiday merriment tomorrow beginning at 7 a.m. with the "Earlier Than the Bird" launch of the shopping season. "This popular event is designed to launch the holiday shopping season in a festive and entertaining way, and provide amazing deals at our unique downtown stores before Black Friday," according to the Pleasanton Downtown Association, which is partnering with Livermore Downtown Inc. Participating downtown shops will open at 7 a.m. with special offers and refreshments. Shoppers who arrive wearing pajamas will receive a free "Downtown Livermore/Downtown Pleasanton" winter scarf. KKIQ will have its team downtown from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to promote the event, which lasts until noon. Then tomorrow evening from 5-8 p.m., downtown Pleasanton will host its annual holiday kick-off, "Magical Holiday Evening," with live entertainment and children's activities. Shops, restaurants and businesses will feature decorations, lights, special window displays and holiday treats. Santa and his helpers will be at the Museum on Main, 603 Main St., for photos, and elves will roam the street giving out candy canes. Perplexed by book critics, women share tales of pushy parents `Tales from Swankville' prompts discussion on rearing children in Pleasanton Despite national headlines drawn to Pleasanton after vicious reactions to "Tales from Swankville," the 40 or so women gathered Monday evening at a Kottinger Ranch home said the book about pushy parents caused them to look in the mirror rather than lash out at the authors. The two-hour discussion brought out personal stories about overly competitive parents that matched those in the book, cowritten by Siah Fried of Pleasanton and Georgie Ikuma of Castro Valley. Some questioned how this generation of parents became so obsessed with uber-achieving children and others asked what could be done about it. "Every parent is upping the ante. BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI In dance, every kid has to have a solo -- so your kid needs a solo. We're all buying into that," Ikuma said. "We don't just want to keep up with the Joneses any more. We want to be better." The book is a series of vignettes shared by a fictitious mom named Sasha, who is appalled by actions of other parents but also shares her own parenting mistakes. The authors are both Sasha, they said. "The point of the book is that we're all guilty," Fried said. Elizabeth Murphy introduced herself to the group as a neighbor of Fried's although they'd never met. She became aware of the book when another neighbor covered her garage with signs belittling the author. Fried also has been asked not to teach the second session of her kid-friendly healthy living class at Walnut Grove Elementary. "Think `Grace under pressure.' It's one of the hardest things," Murphy told Fried. "Children observe everything so keep your head up. We all do the best we can. This isn't unique to Pleasanton." The authors said the setting indeed was not supposed to be Pleasanton but a generic Suburbia USA. But one of the first bloggers claimed it was Pleasanton and everyone ran with that. Much of Monday's discussion centered on parents' competitiveness. One woman related that when she moved to Pleasanton a few See TALES on Page 9 New attorney for suspect in '84 slaying Steven Carlson remains in jail in death of Tina Faelz A former Santa Clara County prosecutor has taken over the case of Steven Carlson, charged with murder in the death of 14-year-old Foothill High School freshman Tina Faelz, who was killed 27 years ago. Carlson faces a single count of murder in the death of Faelz, whose body was discovered in a drainage ditch after school April 5, 1984. He remains in the Santa Rita Jail with Cameron Bowman taking over for Richard Foxall, the public defender originally assigned the case. Steven Carlson Bowman is now a partner in the criminal defense firm of Valencia, Ippolito & Bowman, based in San Jose. His LinkedIn profile states he has more than 19 years' experience as a prosecutor and criminal trial attorney and was named trial attorney of the year in 1998. The firm "handles high profile and other sensitive cases," according to his profile. Bowman was hired by Carlson's family to take the case from the public defender's office. Whether Carlson will be tried as an adult remains in question. He's set for what's called a fitness hearing on Jan. 10, when Juvenile Court Judge Trina Thompson will determine whether the case will be transferred or remain in juvenile court. Had Carlson been arrested in 1984 when he was still a teen, a similar hearing would have been held, and the laws from that time still apply. Currently, a juvenile can be charged as an adult by the District Attorney's Office without such a hearing. Carlson has served time, including a felony count of lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 years of age and he is on the state's Megan's Law list of sex offenders. Police have previously said Faelz did not appear to have been sexually molested. Faelz was last seen alive about an hour before her body was found. While the freshman girl often took the bus home from school, she had recently started walking home to avoid being teased by other students riding the bus, her See CARLSON on Page 9 BY GLENN WOHLTMANN Police collecting gifts for families in need With Christmas approaching fast, the Pleasanton Police Officers Association Charitable Foundation is beginning its annual Giving Tree Program, collecting gifts for families in need and seniors. The foundation already has the names of those it's hoping to help out this year; now, it's looking for people to step forward to donate. Gift tags listing what to buy can be picked up in the lobby of the Police Department beginning Nov. 29. It's the third year the foundation has been collecting gifts through its giving tree. To learn more, call Officer Ryan Dawson or foundation President Kurt Schlehuber at 931-5100. JEB BING The former sales office near the main gate to Ruby Hill has been sold to a developer who will move it closer to Vineyard Avenue and convert it into a restaurant. Council OKs conversion of Ruby Hill sales office into upscale restaurant Building will be expanded, moved closer to Vineyard Avenue The Pleasanton City Council on Tuesday night approved the relocation of the former sales and model home office at Ruby Hill that will be converted into a two-story French restaurant facing Vineyard Avenue. The council and the city Planning Commission had both approved the plan four years ago, but the developers held back on the restaurant plan due to a weak economy. Now, both the Planning Commission and the council have approved extending that permit until 2013. Aprad Nagy, the developer, plans to build a basement just off Vineyard Avenue and west of Ruby Hill Drive to accommodate the French Tudor-styled sales building, which will then be lifted up and moved over to the top of the basement. Once open, the new Liliom Restaurant will BY JEB BING Correction The story in the Nov. 11 issue headlined "Man captured with local girl in critical condition after jailhouse jump" should have stated: "McFate was wanted on an Alameda County warrant on prior charges that included unlawful intercourse with a minor and lewd acts with a child under 14." The Weekly desires to correct all significant errors. To request a correction, call the editor at (925) 600-0840 or e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com open to the public serving, as Nagy put it, cuisine "that will take you from the Italian Riviera to the shores of the Danube to the coast of California." Nestled in the wine country, the restaurant will specialize in a large inventory of local and French wines. In a presentation to the Planning Commission, the restaurant developers said that more and more people are interested in visiting the Livermore Valley wine region and the Vineyard corridor has become part of this popular tourist destination. Adding to the popularity of the Casa Real and Mitchell Katz wineries and event centers, the new Liliom Restaurant will have similar features. Nagy proposes to host daily private functions at the restaurant. These may include wedding, corporate events and more. City planners, in recommending that the See RUBY HILL on Page 8 Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 5 NEWS Victim testifies about stabbing near Village High Defense attorney claims victim has history of violence Amid allegations of gang threats and the admission that he'd brought a fake gun to school, one of two victims in a double stabbing Sept. 15 identified 16-year-old Victor Garcia as the his attacker. Cameron "CamCam" Gipson testified in a preliminary hearing last week that he was talking with another teen when Garcia, who has been charged as an adult in the double stabbing, approached. "The defendant said, `What?' That's when he stabs him," said prosecutor Connie Campbell. She said when Gipson stepped back after being stabbed, he saw Garcia get punched by the second victim, who was then stabbed by Garcia. Defense attorney Thomas Knutsen, however, did his best to discredit Gipson, going over his testimony in painstaking detail and accusing BY GLENN WOHLTMANN him of having violent tendencies. Knutsen got Gipson to admit, for example, that he'd been suspended after bringing a realistic looking fake gun to Amador Valley High School. Gipson testified he did so in fear of a Livermore-based gang called the South Side Riders who had confronted him in school. "They approached me with a knife," Gipson testified. Gipson also admitted he'd gone from Amador toward Village High School with several friends, and with Dawayne Barnes, the other stabbing victim, as backup. Gipson also testified that he'd headed toward Village "possibly" to fight. Garcia admitted to police that he'd stabbed Gipson, but denied stabbing Barnes; he's since pleaded not guilty. He's being held in Santa Rita Jail on $260,000 bail. The preliminary hearing is set to continue Nov. 28. TAKE US ALONG Reading by the rock: Kayla and Justin Fulmer display the Weekly in front of Morro Rock, a 581foot volcanic plug located offshore from Morro Bay at the entrance to Morro Bay Harbor. Page 6 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly NEWS Hayashi, represented by attorney, skips court appearance Accused of shoplifting nearly $2,500 in apparel A state assemblywoman accused of shoplifting at a Neiman Marcus store in San Francisco's Union Square in October did not appear in court for a hearing and was excused from appearing at the next hearing in December. Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward, was arrested on Oct. 25 after a security officer at the store at 150 Stockton St. stopped her because she was leaving with items worth $2,445 that she hadn't paid for, prosecutors said. The 45-year-old assemblywoman pleaded not guilty to a felony grand theft charge on Oct. 27 and was released on $15,000 bail. Hayashi was not required to appear in San Francisco Superior Court for a hearing Tuesday morning to set a date for the preliminary hearing. After Tuesday's hearing was continued to Dec. 7 to discuss the status of evidence in the case and possibly set a preliminary hearing date, prosecutor Paul Brennan asked that Hayashi be required to appear at all future hearings. Judge Gerardo Sandoval initially granted the request, but Hayashi's attorney Douglas Rappaport objected. Sandoval then talked privately with Brennan and Rappaport and reversed his decision, waiving her appearance for the Dec. 7 hearing. District Attorney's Office spokesman Omid Talai said prosecutors had requested that Hayashi appear at the hearings "to treat her the way any other defendant would be treated." Rappaport declined to talk to Mary Hayashi reporters outside the courtroom after the hearing about what was said to the judge. Hayashi's spokesman Sam Singer has said the arrest was "a mistake and misunderstanding." Singer said she carries two cell phones and was texting and talking on the phone with a bag in her hands and inadvertently stepped outside the store. Hayashi was elected in 2006 to represent the 18th Assembly District, which includes Pleasanton, Hayward, Castro Valley and Dublin. She is a member of the leadership team for Assembly Speaker John Perez, serving as chair of the Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection. --Bay City News Service Pleasanton bomber's trail leads to Massachusetts Tip called in after TV show feature A reenactment on America's Most Wanted has led the FBI to New England in its search for the man wanted in a 2003 bombing at Shaklee Corp. headquarters on Willow Road. The FBI is asking the public's help in locating Daniel Andreas San Diego, a fugitive on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorist list who may be hiding in western Massachusetts. A tip from "America's Most Wanted" has led the FBI to conclude that San Diego may be in the Northampton, Mass., area. FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers called the tip "recent and current." San Diego was the first domestic suspect added to the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorist list on April 21, 2009. He's wanted for his alleged involvement in two bombings in the Bay Area, including a Sept. 26, 2003, bomb laden with nails that was exploded at Shaklee. The FBI is offering a $250,000 reward for his capture. The Shaklee bombing was the second site believed to have been targeted by San Diego. Two bombs exploded approximately one hour apart on the campus of Chiron, a biotech corporation in Emeryville, on Aug. 28, 2003. A federal arrest warrant was BY GLENN WOHLTMANN issued for San Diego in October 2003, but he disappeared before he could be taken into custody. San Diego, a former Berkeley resident and son of the Belvedere city manager, is described as a 6-foot-tall white male with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing 160 pounds. He has several tattoos, including a round image Daniel Andreas of burning hillSan Diego sides in the center of his chest with the words "It only takes a spark" printed in a semicircle below; and burning and collapsing buildings on the sides of his abdomen and back. He's been linked to an extremist animal rights organization and was a dedicated vegan, eating neither meat nor any food containing animal products. The bombing created a stir in Pleasanton, when the Police Department responded to the first of five calls dispatchers received on their emergency 911 telephone lines between 3:20 and 3:30 a.m. from residents who reported a loud explosion in the area. A minute earlier, a dispatcher at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department received an automated alert from Shaklee's fire alarm system of an emergency at the southeast corner of the building, near a doorway. Both police and firefighters were at the scene within minutes. Bomb-sniffing dogs from Pleasanton and the state police force were also brought in, with a determination made that the device that exploded was the only one in the area. Investigators said a kitchen timer wired to the device had triggered the explosive material. The FBI says San Diego should be considered armed and dangerous. Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 7 NEWS 2006 Amador grad paralyzed in crash `I just unbuckled my seatbelt for a second' A life can change in an instant. That was the case for Katie Sharify. While on her way to Los Angeles on Nov. 2, the 2006 graduate from Amador Valley High took her seatbelt off and her eyes from the road for just a few moments. She wound up ejected from her car, hospitalized and paralyzed. Sharify said her mother had left fruit and energy drinks on the floor of the passenger seat, and the noise from them rolling around had begun to bother her. On Interstate 5 with the cruise control set to 70, she leaned over to move the cans, a decision that would change her life forever. "I just unbuckled my seatbelt for a second. I looked down for two whole seconds -- I looked up and my car was veering to the left," she said. She tried to swerve right but couldn't bring the car back under BY GLENN WOHLTMANN control. "I ended up just going off road and crashing into the little hills," Sharify said. "The impact ended up sending me through the back window. I was ejected and when they found me I was 20 feet away from the car. The last thing I remember is the air bag opening. ... The car was just flipping and flipping. I don't remember any of this, it was just what I was told." "Next thing I remember was being put into the helicopter," she continued. "I was airlifted to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto." There, she received blood transfusions and had spinal surgery. The accident left her with head injuries, broken ribs, a broken spine and a bruised spinal cord, along with the bruising and swelling one would get in any accident. The most serious was the damage to Sharify's spine. "My injury is what they call t3/ t4. Those were the vertebrae that were bent," she said. "My whole torso is still numb. I'm very lucky to have my hands." Sharify said 80% of people with such injuries end up with little chance for full recovery. "The others get better, little by little, but hardly any walk," she said. She is holding onto hope that new treatments will help her. "There's stem cell research that's going on. My kind of injury is what they're looking for in the research," she said. "I've been trying to qualify. Basically what they'd do is open me up, putting the stem cells in and hope for the best." She added that she hoped the stem cell research done on her can ultimately help others with similar injuries. Sharify remains upbeat, although she realizes that walking again may be unlikely. "I'm hoping my attitude will I could think of was to try to ease speed up my recovery, taking it day the medical expenses. That's been by day and not thinking about the going surprisingly well. I thought future," Sharify said. "I'm hoping I'd get maybe $500 together, but the surgery and the stem cells will we could definitely use a lot more help me." so I'm going to keep it going as She said the therapy she's going long as possible." through, learning to do simple She's raised $3,000 so far, mainly tasks in new ways, through appeals to Facemakes her feel like a book friends of hers and newborn again, and not Sharify's. An account, in a good way. moneyforkatie.weebly. "We take a lot of com, has been set up things for granted," to take credit card doSharify said. nations through PayPal. Perhaps part of the Friends and well-wishreason Sharify is so ers are welcome to send upbeat is because of cards to her at 751 S. the support she's been Bascom Ave., San Jose getting from her famCA 95128. ily and her network of Sharify said she's a friends. living example of how Her sister Julie visits badly things can go at Santa Clara Medical wrong in seconds. Had Center, where Sharify Katie Sharify she been wearing a seatbeen going through belt, she said, she might rehabilitation. Realizing that her have had some broken bones but best friend had no insurance led nothing more serious. Ghadeer Sayij to set up a website "I'm the kind of person who's to bring in money to help pay for very cautious," she said. "This is a medical bills. freak accident and there's no one "I felt really helpless," Sayij said. to blame, but just for a second I "I just wanted to show her that I took my seatbelt off and I want to was there for her and the only thing reinforce how important that is." ValleyCare Medical Foundation Welcomes Isabel Avenue interchange opens I-580 link to Highway 84 major step in planned expressway to I-680 Caltrans opened all ramps of the Isabel Avenue interchange at I-580 early Wednesday morning, completing construction work ahead of schedule and ending months of detours and traffic snarls as the work continued. Isabel, which is officially designated as State Route 84, provides a key link to Vineyard Avenue in Pleasanton and is a major traffic artery between Interstates 580 and 680. The four-lane roadway has largely been rebuilt and widened from I-580 east to Jack London Boulevard just past the Livermore Airport, where it narrows to two lanes. A truck-passing lane on both BY JEB BING Ramford Ng, MD Board Certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine Dr. Ramford Ng has joined the ValleyCare Medical Foundation specializing in cardiology and interventional cardiology. A native of Tracy, California, Dr. Ng completed his undergraduate studies at U.C. Berkeley and received his medical degree at U.C. San Diego School of Medicine in 2003. He completed his Internal Medicine residency and served as Medicine Chief Resident at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco. Following residency, he completed both cardiology fellowship training and interventional cardiology subspecialty fellowship training at U.C. San Francisco. Dr. Ng remains involved in many bay area youth and service organizations and continues to serve on the clinical faculty at CPMC. Dr. Ng's clinical interests include cardiovascular risk factor reduction, as well as coronary and peripheral artery disease risk assessment and treatment. He specializes in invasive diagnostic and therapeutic coronary and peripheral artery procedures. sides of the route over Pigeon Pass has helped to reduce long delays in that section, but it could be years before the full planned four-lane expressway is completed. Along with opening the Isabel Avenue interchange, Caltrans also closed the westbound I-580 Portola Avenue on-ramp. The eastbound I-580 off-ramp to Portola was closed several months ago. These closures were necessary, Caltrans said, in order to connect Portola Avenue south of I-580 with the new Portola Avenue overcrossing, and the city of Livermore's extension of Portola north of I-580. For more information, call (510) 286-5445. For an appointment CALL TODAY (925) 416-6895 OFFICE LOCATIONS: 5565 W. Las Positas Blvd. Suite 230 Pleasanton 1133 E. Stanley Blvd. Suite 207 Livermore RUBY HILL Continued from Page 5 ValleyCare MEDICAL FOUNDATION Convenient access to exceptional care Page 8 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly council extend the Nagy petition, said the restaurant would be open for dining in the evenings only starting at 6 p.m. and closing at 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and at 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. In order to offset any scheduling conflicts or potential impacts to Ruby Hill residents, private and corporate social functions would take place only during the restaurant's non-dining hours. The Ruby Hill sales office was built by Signature Properties in 1994 as part of that developer's construction of homes in Ruby Hill, which started in 1993. Now part of the South Livermore Valley Area Plan, it will occupy a 2.5-acre parcel that is allowed under the grape production conservation easement. The only change proposed to the building is a 382-square-foot addition on the second floor to be used for additional kitchen and staff facilities. A new driveway will be added off Vineyard for exclusive use of restaurant patrons, with a 100-vehicle parking lot wrapping around the building. Although no one appeared at the council meeting to comment on the restaurant plan, city staff received five comments from Ruby Hill residents who expressed concern over possible increases in noise and traffic once the restaurant opens. No opening date has yet been given for the restaurant, although city planners expect work to get under way in 2012. NEWS TALES Continued from Page 5 years ago she joined a playgroup for her 2-year-old because she wanted adult company. "But at this playgroup, even at 2, the moms were comparing what the kids were doing," she lamented. Another mother said that when her daughter returned from her school's outdoor education trip, the talk was all about which child had received the most letters. One woman recalled telling another that her child was going to play recreational soccer rather than competitive, getting the response: "Rec is for losers." "After reading the book I looked into the mirror," said another woman. Her husband also read it and related its message to his physical therapist who told about an increase in children's sports injuries as they are pushed to succeed. The women in attendance (and three men) agreed that today's children are overscheduled. One mother said her young daughter asked not to be signed up for anything, she just wanted play dates. "I was OK with that -- but there was no one else home to have play dates with," she said. A teacher commented on the harm of over-scheduling, saying, "I think the time children have alone is essential to their growth and selfknowledge." One woman said she didn't think those lashing out at Fried were a modern phenomenon. "Mean people have been around forever," she said. "Jane Austen talked about mean, pushy parents 200 years ago." "The comment on someone being a `loser,'" said another. "I mean, who would say that?" "You're preaching to the choir here but there is a culture of entitlement in Pleasanton," said another, recalling a girl about to enter community college who told her, "You don't know how hard it is in Pleasanton to say you're going to a junior college." The group also discussed the effect of this parental over-competitiveness on children. "Are they as affected as we think they are?" someone asked. Mary Geasa, herself a middle school teacher, told about an AP English project at Foothill High where the students had to choose something to rebel against. "My daughter's group chose helicopter moms," she said. "They're all good students and they get it. They're making a statement that they're OK. Their slogan is `Parenting Is Not Product Development.'" No one Monday night attacked the authors, although online blogs have been vindictive toward Fried, saying characters were based on them. "I'm so grateful tonight for talking about the topic," Fried said. Kathleen Hart-Hinek and Anna Molz hosted the evening, feeling the subject was valid plus the air needed to be cleared after the hard feelings raised in town. They said they invited Fried's critics who chose not to attend. Fried, a health professor at Las Positas College, said she first started to question parental competi- DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI Georgie Ikuma (left) and Siah Fried, authors of "Tales from Swankville," talk about the sense of competitiveness created by their generation of parents. tiveness when deciding whether to enroll her daughter in com- petitive dance. She asked her college students their thoughts on the subject and said their responses were shocking. Their poignant comments about growing up with pushy parents begin each chapter of the book. Fried and Ikuma also appeared Monday on Brian Copeland's ABC7 morning show and will be on his KGO Newstalk 810 radio show Sunday, which airs from 9-11 a.m. Huffington Post ran a story on the reaction in Pleasanton to "Tales from Swankville," and CNN's Anderson Cooper also contacted Fried. But the angry neighbors did not agree to talk and national news is interested in the controversy more than the book's message, Fried said. At least the brouhaha is getting people to read the book, she added. "The most exciting thing to me is a guy in New Jersey who read the book twice and totally sees himself in the stories," she said. Readers across the country have thanked her for getting them to look at themselves in the mirror, she said. The book is available online and at local bookstores. The Pleasanton Public Library has three copies with a long waiting list. CARLSON Continued from Page 5 mother, Shirley Orosco, said in a 2008 interview with the Pleasanton Weekly. Like many of her classmates, Faelz took a back route from the high school, walking on a path that connected through Aster Court to Lemonwood Way Tina Faelz and under Interstate 680 to her home in the Valley Trails neighborhood. That day, she only made it part way when police believe she was approached and subsequently stabbed to death. Fellow high school students who walked the same path found Faelz's body at about 3:25 p.m., only 10 to 15 minutes after investigators believe she was killed, Lt. Darrin Davis said in a 2008 interview. Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 9 SportsPlus Group Fitness At SportsPlus we have the solution to endless hours spent roaming your gym trying to accomplish that perfect workout. Business News Edited by Jeb Bing SportsPlus is the first to offer TRX suspension training in group exercise format! Women Only Circuit Training Now back by popular demand All with no monthly dues and no processing fees! Call today for 2 FREE classes! Mention this ad. Expires 11/30/11. TERRY VANDERHEIDEN, IMAGE LIGHT (925) 462-5557 80 Mission Drive, Pleasanton (parallel to Raley's) www.SportsPlusBayArea.com Wounded Warrior Project ambassador and Marine Sgt. Bill Hansen tells the crowd at a Safeway Veterans Day observance about how the project helped him after he was injured in Tikrit, Iraq. Safeway, others salute veterans Wounded warrior tells gathering: `You can overcome anything' The Safeway supermarket on Tassajara Road in Dublin welcomed veterans and their guests last week in observance of Veterans Day. Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty joined Wounded Warrior Project ambassador William "Bill" Hansen, USMC, in asking the public to donate to worthy organizations supporting the country's military. The Amador Valley High School jazz band opened the one-hour ceremony, followed by welcoming remarks by Karl Schroeder, president of Safeway's Northern California division in Pleasanton. McNerney and Haggerty also spoke. Hansen, whose remarks were entitled "From the Front lines," joined the California National Guard as an Infantry sergeant in the Marines in 2002. He served in Operation Desert Storm, Somalia and Angola. During those years, he received numerous military recognitions, including a Purple Heart. In February 2009, Hansen was in a convoy in Iraq when a lead vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Though the IED only grazed the vehicle Hansen was riding in, his truck swerved off the road slamming into a drainage dish and then a brick wall at 50 mph. Hansen suffered serious inju- TERRY VANDERHEIDEN, IMAGE LIGHT Safeway customers and volunteers pack care packages for active duty military during a Veterans Day ceremony at a Safeway store in Dublin. ries in the crash, including broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. He was told he would never walk again without a cane. For the past two years Hansen has worked at physical rehab in an effort to "heal my body and spirit," as he says. He has been involved in the military's Wounded Warrior Project, which provides long-term support and camaraderie for seriously injured veterans, including special events, discounted services and an online social network. In his remarks last Friday, Han- sen concluded: "You can overcome anything if you work hard enough." After the ceremony, McNerney and Haggerty and Safeway Executive Vice President Larree Renda and Schroeder helped other volunteers assemble care packages for Operation SAM (Supporting All Military), an organization that collects, packs and ships "comfort items" to active duty personnel overseas. The group is also writing letters of support that will be included with the care packages. Mason McDuffie names new VP Veteran mortgage banker to add more branches Stewart Reichardt has been appointed to the position of regional vice president for production at Mason McDuffie Mortgage Corp., responsible for establishing new branch offices for the firm as well as managing its Pleasanton office at 4301 Hacienda Dr. Reichardt began his tenure with Mason McDuffie by recruiting veteran manager Chick Donaldson Page 10 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly and his team of loan officers to their new branch office located in Capitola. Reichardt has a history of expanding new and existing lending operations through- Stewart Reichardt out Northern California for prior employers, including PNC Mortgage, a division of PNC Bank; Metlife Home Loans; GMAC Mortgage and Washington Mutual Bank. Reichardt has spent 21 years in the mortgage banking business. He lives in Saratoga and is a graduate of Fresno State University. Opinion Pleasanton EDITORIAL Weekly New leadership at Las Positas PUBLISHER Gina Channell-Allen, Ext. 119 EDITORIAL Editor Jeb Bing, Ext. 118 Managing Editor Dolores Fox Ciardelli, Ext. 111 Online/Community Editor Jessica Lipsky, Ext. 229 Reporter Glenn Wohltmann, Ext. 121 Editorial Assistant Amory Gutierrez, Ext. 221 Contributors Jay Flachsbarth Jerri Pantages Long Kerry Nally ART & PRODUCTION Lead Designer Katrina Cannon, Ext. 130 Designers Lili Cao, Ext. 120 Kristin Herman, Ext. 114 ADVERTISING Account Executives Carol Cano, Ext. 226 Lorraine Guimaraes, Ext. 234 Karen Klein, Ext. 122 Matt Massaro, Ext. 123 Real Estate Sales Andrea Heggelund, Ext. 110 Ad Services Cammie Clark, Ext. 116 BUSINESS Business Associate Lisa Oefelein, Ext. 126 Circulation Director Bob Lampkin, Ext. 141 Front Office Coordinator Kathy Martin, Ext. 124 HOW TO REACH THE WEEKLY Phone: (925) 600-0840 Fax: (925) 600-9559 Editorial e-mail: email@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com Display Sales e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Classifieds Sales e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Circulation e-mail: circulation@ PleasantonWeekly.com THE OPINION OF THE WEEKLY LETTERS Sour note at event Dear Editor, What a wonderful program that was presented Nov. 6 at the Veterans Day Ceremony. The tributes to all veterans who served during the period from World War II through current times were very moving. Added to this moving experience was the music provide by our Pleasanton Community Concert Band. The only sour note was provided by one of the politicians who was present and had a brief part of the program. County Supervisor Nate Miley wore his baseball cap during the whole program, even during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. I assume he did not do this out of disrespect of our country, but merely he does not know how to respond to this situation. Has he never attended a sporting event when spectators are asked to remove their hats? Maybe he is busy at those times doing other things, like soliciting votes. Hal Nygaard College Kevin Walthers, the new president of Las Positas College, is making the rounds of civic organizations to drum up support for the college he now leads, and with good reason. All is not well for community colleges in California, where student fees have now risen from $26 to $36 a unit hour. Higher fees are again being proposed in Sacramento for a two-year college system that is bursting at the seams with student enrollment. Enrollment at Las Positas College hit a record high of 10,000 students in 2009 before the state rolled back the amount allowed in a belttightening order. Still, that hasn't dampened Walthers' enthusiasm or that of the Chabot-Las Positas College board of trustees. The campus sparkles with new buildings, including a science building that will be completed in the spring and a spacious new student center and administration building that will open in early 2013. The school's athletic center hosts major tournaments with Las Positas varsity teams in baseball, basketball, soccer and swimming winning top awards across the state. Its Foundation is considered the best in the state, raising millions of dollars locally to support the college. In these financially troubling times for California colleges, Walthers was worth waiting for. Las Positas had been without a president since DeRionne Pollard resigned nearly two years ago to become the president and CEO of Montgomery College in Maryland. A search firm interviewed a number of candidates and brought four to Las Positas for very public interviews. One dropped out of the running; the college board rejected the other three and the search resumed. Walthers was vice chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System when Las Positas selected him as its new president. He holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah, served on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, was responsible for that state's financial aid program, and oversaw the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing, the state's educational technology provider to K-12 schools, colleges and universities. Prior to his time in West Virginia, Walthers was Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services at the College of Eastern Utah. In this position, he oversaw a portion of college operations including athletics, auxiliaries, facility management and financial operations. His career as an educator began in Texas as a high school teacher. He also served in policy roles with the Utah State Legislature and as a senior administrator with the Utah State Board of Regents. Besides his doctorate degree, Walthers holds a master's degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his college education at Eastfield College in the Dallas County Community College District. He told a Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce group last week that he has the tools and space now to enroll 11,000 students, and by 2013 the campus could easily hold 14,000. There's a growing demand for education at the two-year college level, both by an increasing number of Tri-Valley residents who can't afford or qualify for the four-year universities and those who need the lower-fee colleges such as Las Positas can provide for the thousands of jobs that don't require bachelor and master's degrees. With Walthers at the helm, Las Positas College may be the best community college the state has to offer at a time when public education is at a financial crossroads. What's your opinion? Write a Letter to the Editor at firstname.lastname@example.com or put your opinion on Town Square at www.PleasantonWeekly.com. Letters must be 250 words or less. HEARING SERVICES A Sound Approach to Hearing Care Kenneth D. Billheimer, Au.D. Jacque Pedraza Two Locations to Serve You Livermore 925-960-0391 Pleasanton 925-484-3507 1524 Holmes, Ste. D 4460 Black Avenue, Ste. F www.pleasantonhearingservices.com Your local professionals, providing high-quality hearing health care to the Tri-Valley area since 1986. THANKSGIVING DAY AND DINNER BUFFET Pleasanton: 10:30 am � 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm � 8:00 pm Danville: 11 am � 4 pm Golden Honey Roasted Turkey & Prime Rib Carving Station Traditional Thanksgiving Sides Succulent Seafood Made to Order Pasta & Salad Stations Traditional Thanksgiving Sides Harvest Fruit & Cheese Boards Brick Oven Baked Assorted Flatbreads Delectable Desserts Thursday, November 24, 2011 The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Pleasanton Weekly is mailed upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Community support of the Pleasanton Weekly is welcomed and encouraged through memberships at levels of $5, $8 or $10 per month through automatic credit card charges. Print subscriptions for businesses or residents of other communities are $60 per year or $100 for two years. Go to www.PleasantonWeekly.com to sign up and for more information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. � 2011 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. 925 460 0444 � 5121 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton Adults 36.95 Senior 34.95 Children 6-10 17.95 & 5 & Under FREE 925 838 1320 � 600 Hartz Avenue, Danville Adults 36.95 Senior 34.95 Children 6-10 17.95 & 5 & Under FREE Visit Town Square at PleasantonWeekly.com to comment on the editorial. Call To Make Your Reservations Today! www.fazrestaurants.com Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 11 TriValley Life PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE VALLEY -- MUSIC, THEATER, ART, MOVIES AND MORE dance, dance, dance MARATHON RAISES FUNDS TO BUY GIFTS FOR CHILDREN BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI CONTRIBUTED PHOTO J Students at Jazz `n' Taps dance away the night at a 24-hour marathon that raised $13,000 to buy Christmas gifts for kids in need. azz, hip-hop, Bollywood. The action was nonstop at Jazz `n' Taps Dance Studio on a recent weekend as students danced, danced, danced their way to more than $13,000 The 24-hour marathon began at noon Saturday, Oct. 29, at the studio on Quarry Lane. It's a fundraiser for Project Roadrunner, which helps with the needs at Marylin Avenue Elementary School in Livermore. The dance money is used to buy Christmas presents for its families. "Because we have ages 8-17, we put them in six different teams and there were always people from each team dancing," explained Jazz `n' Taps owner Sherri Sweetnam. "It's a huge bonding experience for the kids." "There is time for younger ones to sleep a little bit, but the most anyone gets is a few hours. The older girls dance all through the night," she said. "We made it different and special by offering African, jazz, Bollywood, Tahitian, hip-hop, musical theater -- and we had a choreography contest." "The team parents and Jazz `n' Taps instructors volunteered time, food and supplies to keep the dancers going," she added. "It was a huge success," said team director Jennifer Buros, who added that she is proud of the dancers and thankful to the parents and instructors. When not dancing, the 54 students worked on decorating T-shirts and other gift items. At the end of the marathon, they gave a dance performance of the numbers they'd learned during the 24 hours. Don McAlister, who is in charge of Project Roadrunner, arrived at the end of the marathon for a presentation of the money raised and there was not a dry eye in the house, said Sweetnam. "It always gets emotional," she said. "Of course by the time you're there for 24 hours everyone is very emotional anyway." "I'm really proud of my kids," she added. "We do it every other year -- this was the third time -- and it's a pretty cool adventure." The dancers raise enough money for bicycles and other substantial gifts for the families, she said, and the $13,000 should be enough for presents for two years for the Project Roadrunner families. "They're going to do the gift giveaway on Dec. 17," Sweetnam said. "They invited my kids to help -- they're like little elves. Donielle Machi, a second-grade teacher at Marylin Avenue School, said her niece Katie was a dancer and asked her to donate. "I was brought to tears as I explained to Katie how much my students and their families appreciate the dancers for raising money for Project Roadrunner," Machi said. "It is truly a gift these dancers give to these families for the holiday season." E-mail McAlister at email@example.com. ca.us for more information about Project Roadrunner. Page 12 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Get ready to star in your own life Enjoy a Roman holiday right downtown Roman Holiday Salon's grand reopening is being planned with lights, camera and plenty of action to emphasize that its services can make anyone feel like a star in their own movie of life. The public is invited to attend the free event from 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 for prizes, food, demonstrations, music and specials. Owners Sherri and Mike Wallace are planning the fun, glamorous event to show everyone what is new in the world of hair, makeup and "age-defying" treatments. For instance, it's a chance to find out everything you always wanted to know about Botox but were afraid to ask, said the Wallaces, and one of the top Botox providers in Northern California will be there to answer questions. There will be live makeovers, plus models to show what a person can look like "after" beauty treatments. Other pros on hand will introduce their music, wedding photography, venues, catering and limousine services and will be offering their own specials. The new location of the salon, which has been open for more than 20 years, is 4625 First St. It won't be hard to spot Nov. 30 -- just look for the bright lights and the limos. Black NO Friday FEE Sale MONTHLY until January Get the deal on jazzercise.com or at the Pleasanton Jazzercise Fitness Center November 25-27. Hurry, sale ends Sunday November 27. 60 minutes. Up to 600 calories burned. One hot dance floor. Pleasanton Jazzercise Fitness Center 5424 Sunol Blvd Suite 4, Pleasanton (located in the Raley's/ Oak Hills Shopping Center) 925-461-3577 Offer valid at participating locations for new customers or those who haven't attended Jazzercise in six months or longer. 12 month joining fee and auto-payment registration required. Offer subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited. Buy online not available at all locations. Other restrictions may apply. Expires 11/27/11. Cheryl Burke Two-time Champion Dancing with the Stars Whale of a day Perfect outing, from sea lions to whales to dolphins My kayaker husband Jeff and I heard some exciting news: The whales were feeding closer than usual to the shore in Santa Cruz, making it a good time to see them in their natural habitat. We had Wednesday off work so we packed up the kayak and headed for the coast. With our first glimpse of the clear waters beneath the blue sky we knew we were in for a memorable day. The temperature was 72 degrees, but it felt like every bit of a warm summer day -- in November. We parked near the harbor and hoisted our orange kayak into water, donned sunscreen and hats, and paddled out to sea. We passed other kayakers coming back and asked if they had seen any whales. They all said "no," but they had seen dolphins and sea lions. Our kayak formed lines in the gentle waves that reminded me of the lines carved in sand dunes in the dessert, but these dunes were bluish grey and fluid, moving in ebbs and flows. I looked back at the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, not even a mile away, sparkling in the sunlight, which is usually the main attraction. But today folks were there for the whales, and anyone with a boat, kayak, longboard or surfboard was heading out across the water in hopes of seeing one up close and personal. Laws dictate that you stay 100 feet away from the whales. The problem is, there is no law on how close a whale can get to you. Nonetheless we paddled on, listening to the squawk of seagulls with 4-foot wingspans as they soared over the water looking for their next meal. Up to this point, the only swimming creatures we saw were the sea lions, which were diving and popping up to see us. We decided they were a better bet than the whales so we paddled over to the pier to get a better look. Some were barking and attempting to jump onto the beams while others were lazily dozing in the warmth of the afternoon sun. But the tide had gone out, making the pier beams slightly out of reach. Still, they heaved their massive bodies out of the water only to smack their necks against the beam and go crashing back to the water. The slumbering sea lions already on the beams just lifted their sleepy BY KATRINA STOCKER Dr. Ryan Spuller, DC, CCSP is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner serving the Tri-Valley area. Sports Injuries Neck Pain Back Pain Headaches Auto Accidents Tennis/Golf Elbow Joint Pain Running Injuries $39 New Patient Special Consult, Exam and X-rays (if necessary) and First Treatment (Just mention ad. Offer expires 12/31/2011.) Now offering Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and Massage Therapy! www.DrSpuller.com 925.484.2558 Spinal Health Chiropractic 2340 Santa Rita Road, Suite 3 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Jathan MacKenzie of Pleasanton goes searching for sea life under the Santa Cruz pier. Left, Katrina Stocker enjoys kayaking on placid water -- before a whale makes an appearance. heads before slumping back into their warm beds. After a nerve-wracking paddle under the pier -- which I did rapidly in response to the barking sea lions -- we emerged on the other side. We once again headed out to sea to try and catch a glimpse of the main feature of the day, the whales. My husband was paddling, I was lying back with legs stretched out and face in the sun hoping to coax a little color into my pale skin when -- what was that? That dark mass surging out of the water? My husband reacted faster than I did by paddling quickly toward it. I sat up and also began paddling -- we were heading toward a whale. The whale submerged into the water and let out a spray of water. We paddled faster toward it, another kayaker also in pursuit. Here it came again, heaving itself out of the water. We could see its hump back, which was enough to thrill us. Again we tried to anticipate where it was going and paddled closer, but where was it? It had submerged into the water again and we didn't know where it would reappear. Suddenly it occurred to me that it could reappear right where we were sitting. The air around us was still, we were holding our breath. I imagined it rising underneath us -- this would be a strange way to die. But then we saw the majestic creature reappear a safe distance away from us, heading out to sea. Friends from Pleasanton, Katie and Jathan MacKenzie, were meeting us in Santa Cruz and they called. So, still at sea, I told them where we would meet them on the beach and we headed back to the harbor. Jathan took over my seat aboard the mighty kayak to go back out to sea with Jeff. I joined Katie on the beach where she had set out chairs and we basked in the warm glow of the fading November sunset. What could end this perfect California day? Oh, look! Katie spotted a pod of dolphins playing in the surf, jumping and diving in perfect unison. Our husbands in the kayak also spotted them and were soon dancing among them. --Katrina and Jeff Stocker are former residents of Pleasanton who now live in Tracy. Our gift of gratitude to you... *Some exceptions apply. Exp. 12/31/11. Bring this in for $10 off a $50 purchase. in the old Kottinger Barn 200 Ray St. Pleasanton 925-600-0460 Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Simple decorations can be stunning Some holiday decorating tips are easy: Class up that poinsettia by taking it out of the foil wrapper and putting it into an attractive vase. It's best to keep decorating simple, recommends Barbara King, a floral designer who is in nursing education at ValleyCare Health System. For about 10 years, King has been one of the decorators for the stunning trees auctioned off at the annual ValleyCare fundraiser, Christmas Tree Lane, which is this weekend at Palm Event Center in Pleasanton. This year King was responsible for two trees, one titled "Fanciful BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI Flight," which featured birds, and the other to recognize that this year is ValleyCare's 50th anniversary. "That's a beautiful kind of classic tree with blacks and golds and pearls, a frosted tree," she explained. She advises people, when decorating for the holidays, to pick a theme for the room or area. "Do you want it to look like a snow village? The South Pole?" she asked. "Pick how you want it to look -- old-fashioned, new or more modern." She also said to pick three colors then stick to the color theme, such as crimson red, dark forest green and white or gold. "I try to keep the basic theme and the new things fit in," she said. When decorating a tree, she pointed out, put something colorful toward the trunk and decorate from the inside out. "Fill the center core of the tree. If you're going to use scarves, put it in toward the trunk, string it through the center of the tree, pull it forward in poofs," she said. Think the prettier ornaments you want to put out toward the tips." Don't be afraid to put large things on trees as a focal piece, she said, noting that even a small tree can have a focal point. "If you're doing a winter wonderland tree use a pair of small kids skis tied into the tree, like a 3-4foot pair," she said. "Think outside the box." Mittens and scarves are also effective, she added. "I like to add some floral garlands or floral picks in the tree. That adds interest," she said. King recalled going through a formal period in decorating her own home about 10 years ago but now her holiday decorating tends to revolve around her grandchildren, ages 6, 7, 11 and 12. They enjoy helping her place teddy bears under her tree and the Department 56 miniature houses that light up, which go under the tree and often on the mantle. She also places a garland on her mantle, along with lights. "If you're doing green fresh garland on the mantle and just a little greenery on the table runner and a wreath, it is uniform throughout the house," King said. "The house still shines -- it doesn't have to be elaborate." "Think continuity," she explained, "so everything sort of re- Decorator Barbara King puts the finishing touches on a gift basket that was auctioned away at the 2010 Christmas Tree Lane event to benefit ValleyCare Charity Foundation. JEB BING Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet Complimentary Evening Social Hour Complimentary Wireless Internet 4545 Chabot Dr. | CA | 94588 Pleasanton Complimentary Shuttle Service to Local Companies Large One and Two Bedroom Suites (925) 730-0070 Online Tour and Reservations www.pleasanton.summerfieldsuites.hyatt.com lates to one another. Colors that relate always work better." Remember to keep decorations low on the dining table, she said, because they can also serve as the centerpiece when enjoying the holiday feast. She also suggests running garlands up and down stair rails. "Lighted garlands on the stairway are really pretty," she said. "They can be tied with so many things -- tie them with a red bow." No matter how beautiful our new decorations may be, the holidays are also a sentimental time. "We all have our special things we've had over the years but we put them out anyway," she said. "I do that as well. My colors are generally crimson red, deep greens and I add pearl or silver along with that. I find that other ornaments or family things I add in tend to be OK with those colors." Outside, she hangs a wreath and puts lights around the doors as well as on two small arbors in front of her house. But she does not feel a need to go overboard. "Because I work at Christmas Tree Lane all October and November, I'm becoming a minimalist at home," she said with a laugh. BEST-IN-CLASS COVERAGE PLAN FROM VOLVO SAFE SECURE 5 YEAR WARRANTY + 5 YEAR WEAR & TEAR 5 YEAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE + 5 YEAR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE For further details, please contact our sales department The Christmas Shoppe is Now Open Themed trees with novelty ornaments and gifts: Peacock, Gingerbread, Traditional, Ice-white, Silver & Gold, Sports, Whimsical, Angels, Wine and Dine, Animals Local Honey and Olive Oil Garden Gifts & Accessories Dress up your containers with blooming cyclamen Any Regular Priced Item Throughout the nursery. With this coupon. Expires 11/23/11 25% off THE NEW 2012 VOLVO S60 925.939.3333 2791 North Main St., Walnut Creek www.lawrencevolvo.com Get All of This Plus More Great Offers from Volvo! 2756 Vineyard Ave. Pleasanton, CA 94566 www.WesternGardenNursery.com 925-462-1760 Follow us on facebook.com/wgnursery Great Gardens Begin Here! Page 14 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Out BELLY DANCE TROUPE Experience the traditional dance and music of Egypt as the Hala Dance Troupe performs at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave. The award-winning dance company has been featured throughout the Bay Area as well as Egypt. The performance is another of the library's ongoing Dance & Sing Around the World programs. Call 931-3400. MEN OF WORTH BRING CELTIC TRADITION Scotsman Donnie Macdonald and Irishman James Keigher take audiences on a guided tour of their musical roots with authentic Celtic folk music. The concert is from 8-10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. Tickets are $14-$22 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for children. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org. NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY EXHIBIT The annual touring exhibit will be on display through Dec. 11 at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. A companion exhibit of works by California Watercolor Association artists, "Five Palettes," will also be shown. Admission including both exhibits is $5. Harrington Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-3 About --Concerts, Film & Live Music Looking for furniture, electronics, sporting goods, household items freebies? Browse classifieds online or place an ad today! or fogster.com Christmas Is Coming! VALLEY DANCE THEATRE'S `THE NUTCRACKER' Valley Dance Theatre will present "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 and 16-18; and at 2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, at Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Cantabella Children's Chorus and Harmony Fusion will perform the pre-show carols and the Asbury Ringers will ring in the theater lobby Dec. 16-18. Tickets are $24, $27 and $33 for adults; $18 for students 17 and younger. Call 373-6800 or visit www.valleydancetheatre.com. p.m. Saturday; and for one hour prior to each Firehouse Art Center performance and during intermission. Call 931-4849 or visit www. firehousearts.org. WORLD WALK TO WELLNESS World Walk to Wellness invites everyone to join a Callippe Preserve Trail Hike at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at 8500 Clubhouse Dr. Leading the threemile hike at Callippe Preserve will be expert trail guide Dolores Bengtson. The unpaved trail has an elevation gain of several hundred feet in two places. There are restroom facilities at the clubhouse and midway through the hike. Email email@example.com. LISZT FESTIVAL The Liszt Festival is featuring four events in celebration of composer Franz Liszt's bicentennial year: a Young Artists Recital, a lecture and recital by Dr. William Wellborn, an Ensemble Concert by distinguished area musicians, and an evening solo recital by awardwinning Hungarian pianist, Peter Toth. The event is from 2-9 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. Tickets are $30-$40 for adults, $20 for children or students, and $35 for seniors. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org. Gifts & Home Accents 925.462.0814 670 Main Street, Pleasanton Clover Creek 2011 20% OFF ALL TREE ORNAMENTS Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11/18 - 11/20 only. Our Special Thanks to You... We would like to extend our thanks to all of you who have supported us thus far. We, having been in the restaurant business for over 20 years know full well the success we have enjoyed in our first six months could not have been possible without your support. It is a rarity for any business, especially in the restaurant industry to sky rocket and receive so much recognition so early on as we have. We are seeing our customer base expand on a daily basis thanks to so many of you who have been kind enough to introduce us to your friends and family. There is no doubt it is because of you who have treated us like family and Chianti's like your own homes that over 3000 meals have been served every month, and we have learned so much from you, motivating us to further our research and continue to improve our menu. We are fully aware that all of you have many choices for your gatherings and we are honored that you choose Chianti's Ristorante over and over again. Please accept our heartfelt thanks and we look forward to spending many more years with all of you. Best wishes and happy holidays. --Chianti's Ristorante Employees 7 Days a Week 11:30am - 9:00pm In Addition Saturday & Sunday Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm Customer Appreciation Complimentary Chianti Wine All Day Sunday - Nov 20th 2011 Wine & Full Bar Join our VIP Club at www.chiantisristorante.com with your Meal. 484-3877 | 436 Main St, Downtown Pleasanton (Formerly Casa M adrid) | www.ChiantisRistor ante.com Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 15 COVER STORY Holiday Fund 201 Help for those who need it most Five nonprofits have been selected as this year's recipients of the ninth annual Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund, the community-wide campaign that starts today to provide needed funding for vital local nonprofits. This year, the Tri-Valley Community Foundation has agreed again to provide matching funds of up to $50,000 to the campaign so that for every $1 contributed, another $1 will be given to these five nonprofits. With the match, this year's goal is $100,000 with the funds to be allocated equally to each of the five organizations: Axis Community Health, Hope Hospice, Open Heart Kitchen, Valley Humane Society and the Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center at ValleyCare Health System Foundation. "Last year, when the state of the economy was perhaps even more dire, our readers rallied to the call and contributed nearly $100,000 in direct donations over and above the Tri-Valley Community Foundation's match," said Gina Channell-Allen, president and publisher of the Pleasanton Weekly. "That gave us a grand total of $147,000, which enabled us to contribute nearly $30,000 to each of last year's beneficiaries," she added. "We hope to do even better this year." Unlike most other fundraising drives by individual organizations, the Holiday Fund has no administrative expenses or other overhead. The Pleasanton Weekly donates all the support services so all money raised can go to the local nonprofit groups. All funds are held in trust by the Tri-Valley Community Foundation and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. David Rice, president of the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, said giving to the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund this year is more important than ever. "Although Pleasanton is ranked as one of the wealthiest cities of its size in the David Rice nation, there are hundreds here and many more in the Tri-Valley who rely on these organizations for individual and family assistance, emergency aid when they're suddenly without jobs, and health care," Rice said. "Not everyone is wealthy here, not everyone has a job, not everyone has health insurance. These are the people who need our help." "Whether we're employers or among the employed or in business for ourselves, each of us has been affected by fast-rising costs in health care, for basic commodities and food, even for highway and bridge tolls," Rice said. "Those on the bottom rung of the employment ladder may have a job, but they don't earn enough to meet these ongoing higher living costs. They often have inadequate or no health BY JEB BING insurance at all. Some have lost their jobs or their benefits, or both, because of corporate downsizing, layoffs and benefit reductions. We see these needs vividly through the Tri-Valley Community Foundation's programs and the good work the Pleasanton Weekly's Holiday Fund accomplishes." Rice added that although the public should continue to support other fundraising efforts, such as through the Red Cross and United Way, the Weekly's Holiday Fund offers a close-tohome approach that is more effective and direct in getting the funds that are contributed to the local organizations that need them. One of this year's recipients is again the Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center at ValleyCare. The center is located inside the ValleyCare Health Library. Money generated by the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund helps the center offer personalized reference assistance and access to medical databases, some in other languages, including websites and articles, plus books, videos and models. "Funds received from the 2010 campaign have been instrumental in keeping our cancer support groups running," said Stephanie du Pont-Pensa of ValleyCare's Ancillary and Outpatient Services. "We were even able to add another support group for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients." Open Heart Kitchen is another Tri-Valley charity that is again on the Holiday Fund list for 2011. "We served over 216,000 meals in 2010 and expect to serve even more this year," said Linda McKeever, executive director. "The biggest increase is the newly unemployed and underemployed in the local area." Open Heart Kitchen, which serves meals in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore, has seen a 25% increase in demand for free meals, far greater than the pace of donations given directly to the organization. "Open Heart Kitchen is often the `bridge' that enables a family stay on its feet from week to week," McKeever said. "Last year's generous grant from the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday fund went directly to support our hunger relief programs. Your funds helped purchase food, supplies and the direct cost of preparing and serving meals." Axis Community Health, another recipient of this year's campaign, provides medical care and behavioral health services for all members of the Tri-Valley community regardless of income or ability to pay. Last year, Tri-Valley residents made more than 115,000 visits to Axis, which is a 15% increase over the previous year. Axis is enrolling more than 400 new patients each month and the need for care continues to increase as the recession continues. Although Axis serves all ages, the need for adult primary care medical services has been explosive in the past year as more people have lost their job or had their insurance coverage curtailed. "In the past year,� said Sue Compton, Axis's CEO, "we have added two more physicians and two more nurse practitioners to our staff and we are providing care at our five sites every day or the week, as well as on Saturdays and evenings�and even all of this is not keeping up with the need for care in our community." "We are especially grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Pleasanton Weekly's Holiday Fund campaign this year as it will allow us to continue to meet this critical need in our community," she added. Another beneficiary of the 2011 Holiday Fund campaign is Hope Hospice. The organization, headed by Larry Lakes, is known throughout the Valley for the special kind of healthcare it offers. It's unique because it works to not only meet a dying patient's physical needs, but supports their emotional, social and spiritual needs as well. Hope Hospice care is provided regardless of the ability to pay and relies on contributions such as those raised by the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund to provide services. Its mission is to provide compassionate, quality end-of-life care and grief support to patients and families. Hope Hospice and its volunteers step in when medical science can no longer add days to life, and what matters is the quality of life that can be added to each day. Last but not least is help for our furry friends who give so much to us in return. Once again, the Valley Humane Society is on the list of recipients for the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund. This all-volunteer group, with its mission to educate others on responsible pet ownership, recently moved into its new facility on Nevada Street. It is finding that more people are giving up their pets due to lack of money to care for them. One service Valley Humane Society provides is donating pet food for pet owners who are having financial difficulties. The organization also rescues, treats and funds a home for abandoned or injured animals. It does not euthanize unless health problems dictate. David Rice said that "what's important about giving to the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund is that, in partnership with the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, we can identify these programs and activities that need our help and serve our entire community." "We know what the needs are locally because of our expertise in covering these nonprofits in the Weekly's news columns and through the Foundation's programs to help serve their financial needs," he explained. "We can put money to work very quickly whereas it might take quite a long time for these organizations to partner up with donors themselves," he added. "So this is a much more effective and direct way to get money to work in the community by giving to the Holiday Fund." Top: Melanie Sadek and her rescue offices of the Tri-Valley Humane Socie in Pleasanton. Center: Medical Assi checks an Axis prenatal patient. Botto hold their after-school meals provid Kitchen. Page 16 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund donors At the launch of the 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund, 44 donors have contributed $9,305 to the fund. 6 anonymous donors have given $710 of that total. 11 How to give Your gift helps seniors, children and others in need Contributions to the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund will be increased by the Tri-Valley Community Foundation. For every $1 contributed, $2 will be donated to these local organizations. All contributions will go directly to programs that benefit Pleasanton and Tri-Valley residents. Contributions will be distributed by the Tri-Valley Community Foundation to the five agencies listed below. No administrative costs will be deducted from the gifts, which are tax-deductible as permitted by law. This year, due to the tremendous need of all nonprofits, donations will be shared equally among the five recipient agencies. For more information call us at 600-0840 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com. Individuals Mr. & Mrs. William Adams ..........................................................100 Andrew Bailey & Lauren Purcell .................................................. 1000 Chris & Glenda Beratlis ................................................................500 Jan & Jeb Bing .............................................................................200 Mrs. Terry Messick-Cass & Mr. Barry Cass ....................................100 Mrs. Merlyn Chesnut .....................................................................** Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Ciccarello ........................................................** Chris & Linda Coleman ................................................................500 Mr. Dave Cryer ..............................................................................** Barbara Daniels.............................................................................** The Darrin Family ........................................................................100 Alice Desrosiers ...........................................................................100 Michael & Suzanne Dutra ............................................................100 Richard & Gloria Fredette ..............................................................** Frank & Connie Gouveia ................................................................** Raymond James...........................................................................200 Don & Jean Kallenberg ...................................................................** Kem & Renee Kantor .....................................................................** Karen J. Mannering ........................................................................** Todd & Mindy Miller ...................................................................250 Sharron Morrison ..........................................................................25 Bruce & Debra Parelskin ..............................................................100 Bill & Peggy Paris ...........................................................................** Ms. Rita Rollar ............................................................................100 Robert & Kathleen Russman ..........................................................** Swati & Manoj Samel ....................................................................** Tim & Belinda Schultz..................................................................100 Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Spangler .........................................................100 The following agencies will be supported by the Holiday Fund: Axis Community Health: Provides medical, mental health, addiction counseling and health education services to more than 20,000 patients and clients each year, regardless of their ability to pay. An estimated 70 percent have no medical insurance or are underinsured, including some that have recently lost their jobs and health benefits. Call 462-1755 or visit www.axishealth.org. Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center at ValleyCare: The ValleyCare Health Library and Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center, established in 1991, offers free access to easy to understand, up-to-date health and medical information. Open to the public, the library is located in the ValleyCare Medical Plaza, 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite 270, Pleasanton. The center is named for Ryan Comer, a star baseball player at Amador Valley High School who died of a rare form of pediatric cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma in 1991 at age 17. Hope Hospice: Hospice care is unique because it works to not only meet the needs of those at the end of life but also supports the emotional and spiritual needs of the family as well. Hope hospice care is provided regardless of the ability to pay and relies on contributions such as those raised by the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund. Businesses & Organizations DeBernardi Development Construction & Remodeling ....................** Pleasanton Pet Sitting ....................................................................75 Sue Evans Photography ...............................................................100 Open Heart Kitchen: As the only nonprofit free soup kitchen in the TriValley area, this service provides nutritious meals for low-income people in the area at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasanton, Holy Cross Lutheran and Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Livermore, and CrossWinds Church in Dublin. Visit www. openheartkitchen.org or call 580-1616. Valley Humane Society: This nonprofit group's mission is to teach responsible pet ownership. It assists in rescuing and placing abandoned or injured animals and operates an adoption center on Nevada Street in Pleasanton. It does not euthanize unless health problems dictate. Call 426-8656. In Honor of Valley Care Lactation Services from the Manthas ............................** In Memory of Betty Patrick from Charles & Joan Brown ........................................** Our Mom Lora from Lada & Dmitriy Kosarikov ..............................** Mike, Matt & Diane from Jerry & Josine Pentin..............................100 Janet Reichlin from Mike, Lori & Michael Reichlin .........................500 Mary L. Erickson from Al Copher ...................................................50 Dave Hare from Chris, Linda & Ming Coleman .............................250 Eva, Adeline, Roy & Archie ...........................................................100 Doris T. Walberg from Todd & Brenda Walberg ............................100 Mom - Mae Yip from Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Oh ........................................** Lillian Cassani from Mike & Kris Harnett ......................................100 Allan Hillman, Randy & Margie Warner & David & Marian Hillman from Sharon Hillman ...............................................................150 John A. Mavridis ............................................................................** **The asterisk designates that the donor did not want to publish the amount of the gift. Name of Donor ______________________________________________________ Street Address _______________________________________________________ City _______________________________ State ________ Zip ________________ I wish to designate my contribution as follows: In my name as shown above OR In honor of: In memory of: As a gift for: ________________________________ (Name of person) Business or organization:__________________________________________________ The Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund The Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund was created to provide financial support from our readers for a select group of local nonprofit organizations to help alleviate the needs that exist, despite our community's prosperity. This marks the eighth year of the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund. It provides an opportunity to aid local groups at a time when the numbers of those without jobs or with low-paying jobs and few if any health benefits have increased. The Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund drive could not exist without the help of the Tri-Valley Community Foundation and its generous donors. This will enable us to double your donation and allow your gift of $1 to total $2 to the nonprofits. An added benefit: Neither the Pleasanton Weekly nor the Tri-Valley Community Foundation will take any fees or expenses for administering the fund. One hundred percent of donations go to the intended grantees. We appreciate your support of the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund and these worthy nonprofits. I wish to contribute anonymously. Don't publish the amount of my contribution. I wish to receive an acknowledgement of the donation (email only). Email: ___________________________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund Enclose this coupon and send to: The Holiday Fund, Pleasanton Weekly 5506 Sunol Blvd, Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566 CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS dog Hunter at new ety on Nevada Street istant Olga Huerta om: school children ded by Open Heart Pleasanton Weekly PRINT & ON LINE The Tri-Valley Community Foundation is located at 5674 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 206, Pleasanton, CA 94588. More information about the Foundation can be obtained by contacting the organization at the above address, by calling its President David Rice at (925) 734-9965 or through its website: www.tvcfoundation.org. The Pleasanton Weekly will make every effort to publish donor names for donations received before Dec. 31, 2011, unless the donor checks the anonymous box. Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 17 Community Pulse WEEKLY MEETING NOTICES In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24th and 25th. The meetings of the Energy & Environment Committee for October, November & December have been cancelled. The next regular scheduled meeting will be on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012. POLICE BULLETIN & LOG POLICE BULLETIN Cops looking into attempted murder, attempted robbery Police are investigating an attempted murder and attempted robbery that occurred in separate incidents. Little information is being released on either as the inquiries continue. The attempted murder occurred at the Mission Plaza Shopping Center, which is at Valley Avenue and Santa Rita Road, at around 3:41 p.m. Nov. 7. The attempted robbery took place at 6:50 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Sheraton Hotel in the 5900 block of Stoneridge Mall Road. In other police reports: A burglary at Patelco Corporate Center in the 5000 block of Hopyard Road netted nearly $3,000 in elec- HISTORIC PRESERVATION TASK FORCE RECRUITMENT Applications are being accepted for five at-large positions on an ad hoc Task Force that will review the current Downtown Specific Plan and Design Guidelines and make recommendations to help clarify City policy on historic preservation and development review processes in the Historic Downtown and other areas within the City. The seven-member Task Force will comprise of five Pleasanton residents and two Planning Commissioners. The task force will meet monthly beginning in late January 2012 and complete its work by June 2012. Applications are available at the Office of the City Clerk, 123 Main Street, or the City's website at http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/pdf/ newcommapp.pdf. For more information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at (925) 931-5027. Applications must be received no later than 4:00 pm, Friday, November 18, 2011. tronics. Sometime between 12:55 a.m. and 1:32 a.m. Nov. 13, a rear door was pried open; a $1,400 iMac and six monitors valued at $256 apiece were stolen. Police recovered a video of the suspect, along with a copy of a California drivers license. Jake Logan Resnikoff, 27, was arrested at about 3:34 p.m. Nov. 8 at an assisted living center on Valley Avenue on charges of burglary and possession of a controlled substance in the theft of medication from a resident. Alfredo Vazquez Vazquez-Delgado, 35 was charged with burglary and shoplifting in the theft of $410 in apparel from Macy's Men's Store in the Stoneridge Shopping Center. Vazquez-Delgado was arrested at about 5:15 p.m. Nov. 12. Dwayne Marcel Ross, 36, was arrested for possession of stolen property on Nov. 8 at around 6:18 p.m. at the Home Depot in the 6000 block of Johnson Drive in connection with a stolen driver's license. POLICE REPORT The Pleasanton Police Department made the following information available. Under the law, those charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted. Petty theft 11:44 a.m. in the 6400 block of Owens Drive 5:34 p.m. in the 5800 block of Owens Drive 9:50 p.m. in the 1500 block of Stoneridge Mall Road Prank calls 12:57 p.m. in the 5500 block of Paseo Navarro The above represents a sampling of upcoming meeting items. For complete information, please visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/calendar Boulevard and Bernal Avenue Nov. 13 Theft 5:21 p.m. in the 4500 block of Pleasanton Avenue; auto theft 8:52 p.m. in the 8200 block of Moller Ranch Road; mail theft Battery 2:39 p.m. in the 4000 block of Stoneridge Drive Alcohol violations 7:21 p.m. in the 4100 block of Vineyard Avenue; DUI 11:37 p.m. in the 1100 block of Santa Rita Road; public drunkenness Are you paying too much for COBRA? Or do you just need individual, senior, family or group health coverage at affordable rates? Call Today to save money! Ask about my low rates for life insurance. Nov. 6 Drug violations 11:26 p.m. at the intersection of Stanley Blvd and Bernal Ave; possession of a non-narcotic controlled substance, paraphernalia possession Nov. 11 Assault with a deadly weapon 12:07 a.m. in the 2500 block of Secretariat Drive Theft 6:56 a.m. in the 4500 block of Chabot Drive; grand theft, two counts auto theft 9:59 a.m. in the 5800 block of San Juan Way; identity theft 1:30 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive; theft 4:49 p.m. in the 1300 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; theft 8 p.m. in the 1000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; auto theft, two counts Auto burglary 7:05 p.m. in the 3900 block of Stoneridge Drive Drug/alcohol violations 10:12 a.m. at the intersection of W. Las Positas Blvd and Staples Ranch Dr; minor transporting alcohol, marijuana possession, driving with marijuana 12:16 p.m. at the intersection of Cedarwood Lane and Black Avenue; public intoxication, drugs Nov. 7 Attempted murder 3:41 p.m. in the 1900 block of Santa Rita Road Theft 1:39 p.m. in the 1400 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; grand theft Auto burglary 5:13 a.m. in the 5100 block of Hopyard Road Vandalism 11:11 a.m. in the 7300 block of Johnson Drive 3:06 p.m. in the 5000 block of Hopyard Road Public drunkenness 2:12 a.m. in the 3800 block of Vineyard Avenue Charlene Beasley Lic#0C26292 Nov. 14 Theft 11:20 a.m. in the 4500 block of Pleasanton Avenue; grand theft 1:02 p.m. in the 5300 block of Case Avenue; identity theft 1:06 p.m. in the 3900 block of W. Las Positas Boulevard; identity theft 2:11 p.m. in the 1900 block of Brooktree Way; grand theft Burglary 8:29 a.m. in the 5000 block of Hopyard Road Auto burglary 8:37 a.m. in the 2100 block of Rheem drive; auto burglary, vandalism Vandalism 10:05 a.m. in the 7700 block of Creekside Drive 2:41 p.m. in the 1500 block of Calle Santa Anna DUI 11:35 p.m. at the intersection of Santa Rita Road and Valley Avenue Beasley Insurance Services www.beasleyinsurance.com 925-803-9799 Plans as low as *Based *Based on HealthNet PPO on HealthNet PPO Optimum Advantage 4500 Optimum Advantage 4500 Single Plan for Singles age 25 Single Plan for Males age 25 $61 $55 00 00 per month per Nov. 8 Theft 8:09 a.m. in the 4600 block of Bernal Avenue; auto theft 10:37 a.m. in the 4300 block of Rosewood Drive; forgery 12:24 p.m. in the 500 block of Bonita Avenue; identity theft 5:16 p.m. in the 6000 block of Johnson Dr; possession of stolen property Free Quote go to www.beasleyinsurance.com Nov. 12 Rape 2:58 p.m. in the 6300 block of Arlington Drive Robbery 1:15 p.m. in the 5600 block of W. Positas Boulevard Theft 4:26 p.m. in the 1400 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; burglary, shoplifting 8:13 p.m. in the first block of Stoneridge Mall Road; grand theft, misappropriation of property 11:04 p.m. in the 1000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; auto theft Auto burglary 1:05 p.m. in the 1000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road Vandalism 4:28 p.m. in the 2200 block of Golden Road DUI 3:57 p.m. in the 2800 block of Hopyard Road 6:32 p.m. at the intersection of Sunol The Bookstore Used Books � Gift Items Nov. 9 Theft 10:41 a.m. in the 5600 block of Springhouse Drive; identity theft 1:58 p.m. in the 4300 block of Foothill Road; theft, possession of stolen property 6:25 p.m. in the 4300 block of Foothill Road; theft, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance 8:24 p.m. in the 1500 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; embezzlement Hit and run 5:09 p.m. in the 1300 block of Hopyard Road; hit and run, DUI Vandalism 8:55 a.m. in the 7300 block of Johnson Drive Nov. 15 Theft 3 p.m. in the 3500 block of Pimlico Drive; grand theft 7:41 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive; theft Battery 8:22 p.m. in the 4100 block of Churchill Drive 8:37 p.m. in the 3800 block of Vineyard Avenue Vandalism 10:32 a.m. in the first block of Stoneridge Mall Road 10:50 a.m. at the intersection of I-680 and Bernal Avenue 2:44 p.m. at the intersection of 37.6697 and -121.91367 Public drunkenness 5:19 p.m. in the 4400 block of Springhouse Drive All Book Purchases Cannot be combined with store credit. Coupon must be presented at purchase. One coupon per person. Exp 11.30.11 20% OFF Seniors and Teachers 15% discount www.thebookstorepleasanton.com 925-426-8255 2911 Hopyard, Pleasanton (next to Gene's Fine Foods) Nov. 10 Attempted robbery 6:50 p.m. in the 5900 block of Stoneridge Mall Road Page 18 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Transitions OBITUARIES Walter Lewis Dunkley Walter Lewis Dunkley, 93, died November 11, 2011 in Pleasanton, CA surrounded by his family. Walt was born February 15, 1918 in Olds, Alberta, Canada. He will be fondly remembered by his family, Dave and Cheryl Dunkley of Weatherford, TX, Art and Tuny Dunkley of Pleasanton, CA and Ken Dunkley and Catey Low of Montecito, CA, as well as six Dunkley grandchildren: Shana, Blaine, Michael, Dan, Paige and Claire. His loving wife of 64 years, Virginia M. Dunkley, "Ginie," predeceased him in 2008. Walt and Ginie raised their family in Davis, CA, and spent many retirement years together at Eskaton Village in Carmichael, CA. During their married life they enjoyed wonderful times with their three sons and six grandchildren as well as worldwide travel.. For the past three years, Walt lived in Pleasanton, CA. His family will cherish the memories of his positive and cheerful outlook, bright smile and sharp intellect. He was a source of pleasant optimism and good humor for all who knew him. No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hope Hospice in Dublin, CA. computer industry led him and his family to the Silicon Valley, where they settled in Pleasanton. The beloved husband of Connie Hessel for over 30 years, Dick is survived by his wife and two daughters, Andrea Kline Simon, 28, wife of Paulo Kline Simon; Kendra Hessel, 19; brothers Jim and Steve Hessel of Cincinnati; and his four cats. A true connoisseur of jazz music, the blues, and a lover of cats, Dick was also a weekly tennis player who will always be fondly remembered for his impressive beard and warm sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Hope Hospice, so that the less fortunate may share in the same degree of love and care that Dick received in his time of need. www. hopehospice.com. Submit a memorial (including photos and video), search recent obituaries and write a remembrance through Pleasanton Weekly's obituary directory at PleasantonWeekly.com/obituaries Charles Cannon Former Resident of Pleasanton Bob Cannon, 52, of Oklahoma passed away unexpectedly Oct. 9, 2011. He was born in Buffalo, New York to Patsy and Charles Cannon on June 20, 1959. He lived in Tonawanda, New York; Denver, Colorado; Placentia, California; Dayton, Ohio; Pleasanton and area cities, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was a member of the first graduating class of Foothill High School (1977). He excelled in tennis and golf and played on his high school team all 4 years. He traveled competitively for tennis. Bob joined the Army after high school and was stationed in Germany where he met his wife Maggie and married in 1982. He worked 20 years for Farmer's Insurance (Dublin, CA and Oklahoma City). Moving up through the ranks, his last position was as a Software Development Lead. Bob always enjoyed a variety of sports and began running over the last five years. He participated in many marathons, ranking extremely high in many of his races. Even though he moved to Oklahoma 12 years ago, his devotion to the San Francisco 49ers never changed. He loved a variety of music and celebrated anniversaries with his wife at jazz festivals. Bob is survived by his wife of 29 years, Maggie Cannon of Oklahoma City, OK and their three children Renee, Nathan and Justin, all of Oklahoma; his father, Charles Cannon and step-mother June of Pleasanton, CA; Sisters, Debra (Neil) Cannon Ardoline of Westminster, CO and Karen (Mark) Cannon Hitesman of Pleasanton, CA as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his mother Patsy Puderbaugh Cannon. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Bob's life which will be held at Rock Bible Church, 4100 1st Street in Pleasanton, CA on November 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. A service will also be held on November 17, 2011 at the family church in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his favorite charity, Samaritans Purse, in Bob's name. www.samaritanspurse.org. BIRTH Abigail Lynn Caraballo Abigail Lynn Caraballo was born at 12:13 a.m. Oct. 10 at ValleyCare Medical Center to Kim and Nick Caraballo of Pleasanton. She weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. Richard Edward Hessel, Ph.D. March 1951 - November 2011 After a two year battle with cancer, longtime Pleasanton resident Dick Hessel gently passed away at his Pleasanton home at the age of 60. Dick was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Otto and Ruth Hessel. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, Dick shared his love of engineering as a professor at the The University of Cincinnati and Clarkson University, before moving into the private sector. Dick's career in the Retaining Walls Ornamental Iron Your local fence company for over 13 years 575 Boulder Court, Pleasanton 925.426.9620 www.BorgFence.com Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 19 ON THE TOWN AMERICAN Eddie Papa's American Hangout 4889 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 469-6266. Winner of The Pleasanton Weekly's Reader Choice Awards for "Best American Food Restaurant" and "Best Meal under $20," Eddie Papa's American Hangout celebrates the regional food and beverage cultures of America. Bring the whole family to enjoy iconic dishes from across the United States, Old World Hospitality, and hand crafted artisan cocktails. www.eddiepapas.com. BARBECUE Red Smoke Grill 4501 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 734-0307. Home of the Tri Tip and Blue, Red Smoke Grill was Voted Reader's Choice Best 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. Dine in or take out rotisserie chicken, ribs, prawns, salads and tri tip, or pulled pork sandwiches. Relax with a beer or a bottle of wine. Visit www.redsmokegrill.com. BREWPUB/ALEHOUSE The Hop Yard American Alehouse and Grill 3015H Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, 426-9600. Voted Best Watering Hole in Pleasanton, The Hop Yard offers 30 craft beers on tap as well as great food. The full-service menu includes appetizers, salads and grilled fare that will bring you back time and again. Banquet facilities available. On the web at www.hopyard.com. 470 Market Place, San Ramon, 277-9600. Featuring a giant 8-foot projection screen for major sporting events, they also feature 30 beers on tap and a great grill. Go in for the beer, go back for the food. More at www.hopyard.com. Our Thanksgiving Gift to You! To have your restaurant listed in this dining directory, please call the Pleasanton Weekly Advertising Department at (925) 600-0840 Bring this voucher in during November to redeem your $15 "TH E E U PHOR I A OF F I NE I TA L I A N F OOD ." 2010 Voucher valid for use in November 2011, from 5pm daily. Voucher is redeemable on purchases of two entrees or more. One voucher redeemable per two guests, maximum three vouchers per table of six guests or more. Call now to make a reservation: (925) 600 0411 www.nonnisbistro.net 425 Main St, Pleasanton CA 94566 Best Italian Restaurant 3 Years in a Row! Are you getting married or planning a celebration? Book your party in our beautiful banquet room with a private wine bar as low as $16.95 per guest or have us cater it to you and set up a complete buffet at your home or office for $11.95 per guest. Handcrafted Fresh Italian Enjoy Your Holiday! Let us host your office party or friends and family gathering Join long-time Pleasanton residents & experience 30 BEERS ON TAP! 3037-G Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton (At Valley Ave in Hopyard Village) www.LaViteRestaurant.com 925-485-4500 Our Families' Authentic Italian Culinary Heritage Enjoy family recipes, house-made pastas and desserts. A unique downtown experience! Winner of Bon App�tit Best Dessert in October 2010 Join Vic's VIP Club When You're Here, You're a VIP! � Free Reward on Each Visit! � Great Rewards of Free Food and Drink � Free Birthday Dessert Sign up in the restaurant or on our website *Rewards cannot be combined with any other discount, coupon or special offering Sentite L'amore! House-made Pastas and Sauces Patio Dining Serving Full Service Menu BREAKFAST & LUNCH 8 Consecutive Years! CALL US FOR YOUR RESERVATIONS 2011 425-0099 www.FornoVecchio.com Page 20 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Voted Best Diner/ Coffee Shop PLEASANTON 484-0789 201 Main Street, Downtown Pleasanton Open 7 days a week, 7am-2pm See our online coupon...www.vicsallstar.com (925) 426-9600 3015-H Hopyard Road www.hopyard.com ON THE TOWN CALENDAR Auditions `ROGUE OF THE RAILWAY' Auditions for the 2012 season of Melodrama are Singing: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Sunol Glen School, 11601 Main St., Sunol. Bring music selection. Acting: 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays, January through March. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays March 9-24. Nonperforming positions are house manager, prompter and more. Call 8620729 or visit www.sunol.net/srt. 2801 Constitution Dr., Livermore. Cost is your menu choice and beverage. RSVP to Hilda by Friday, Nov. 25, at 398-8808. LAA GALLERY RECEPTION LAA Gallery will host a Holiday Reception from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at the gallery, 2155 Third St., Livermore. Meet the gallery artists, enjoy tasty desserts, and browse the collection of handmade gifts such as jewelry, pottery, accessories and paintings. The public is always welcome to visit and admission is free. Gallery hours are 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., WednesdaySunday. Call 449-9927. TRI-VALLEY SINGLES CONVENTION Most singles stay home over Thanksgiving weekend and are eager for something fun to do! Meet new friends for the holidays at the TriValley Singles Convention, from 7:30 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Marriott Hotel, 11950 Dublin Canyon Rd. Adults of all ages welcome. Dressy attire recommended. Event includes an entertaining keynote address on 30 Secrets to Finding Love. Dance party from 9 p.m.-midnight. Cost is $20. Call Rich Gosse at 415-507-9962 or visit www.thepartyhotline.com. TRUFFLES TO REMEMBER OUR TROOPS Truffles to Remember our Troops invites the public to buy a truffle to say "Thank You" to our troops from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at its table in front of Studio 7, at the corner of Angela and Main streets. Proceeds benefit the building of "smart homes" for veterans with multiple amputations and college scholarships for veterans' children. Call 600-0664 or visit www.roadwarriors2010.blogspot.com. On Stage CELTIC FOLK DUO Men of Worth will perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. The Celtic folk duo take the audience on a guided tour of their musical roots with stirring tunes, soulful ballads and abundant humor. Tickets are $14-$22 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for children. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org. `SLEEPING BEAUTY' See the classic tale "Sleeping Beauty" as performed in the comedic "panto" style, filled with music, dance and magic, at 7:30 p.m., FridaySaturday, Dec. 9-10 and 16-17; 2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, at Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Road. Tickets are $10, $15 and $18 for adults; $6, $9 and $12 for children and seniors. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org. Spiritual ARTISTS SIGNING Meet Mike Hampton (Hot Zombie Chicks) and Brandon Bracamonte' (The Mustache Ride) from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at Heroes and Villains Comics, 264 Main St. They will be signing their new book "Smash Bang Pulp" and will have prints, art and more. Call 3995352 or visit www.heroesvillainscomics.com. TRI-VALLEY TRAILS Long time Livermore residents Nancy Rodrigue and Jacky Paulson will present a photographic journey along trails in the Tri-Valley. Their recently published book "Tri-Valley Trails: Hiking Adventures in the Greater Livermore, Amador and San Ramon Valleys," features 67 hikers in 10 different parks in the Tri-Valley area. Presentation is at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Pleasanton Public Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave. Author Visits LIVERMORE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER The Livermore Community Thanksgiving Dinner serves over 1,000 free hot meals each year, from turkey to dressing to desserts in a holiday atmosphere. The dinner is from 1-5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 24, at Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th St., Livermore. The dinner is free to the public. Call 455-9782 or visit www.lctd.org. Holiday CHRISTIAN SCIENCE THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICE Tri-Valley residents are invited to join First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the church's Thanksgiving Day service. The worship hour features a 15-minute period for members to share their stories of gratitude for the year's blessings. Service is from 11 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Nov. 24, at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 263 South N St., Livermore. Childcare is provided. Call 447-2946 or visit www.christiansciencechurchlivermore.com. MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS Under the direction of Cindy Krausgrill, the Magic of Christmas will feature both sacred and secular music for the holiday season, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Rd. Admission is free, with refreshments following the concert. A freewill donation will be accepted to benefit Open Heart Kitchen. Visit www.tapestryringersandsingers.org. THANKSGIVING DAY WORSHIP SERVICE Tri-Valley residents are invited to a Thanksgiving Day wor- Kids & Teens Seniors Fundraisers `OF CAROLS AND CANDLELIGHT' Get in the holiday mood with a strong dose of carols, a touch of candlelight and audience sing-along by attending the Valley Concert Chorale's annual holiday concert at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Road. Las Positas College Chamber Choir and Cantabella Children's Chorus will join the chorale and harpist, Dan Levitan, will be the featured guest. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door; high school and college students are $10 with valid ID. Call 866-4003 or visit www.valleyconcertchorale.org. HOLIDAY CONCERT Pleasanton Community Concert Band presents its Holiday Concert from 2-3:15 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. This concert is free, but donations are appreciated. Call 846-5897 or visit www.pleasantonband.org. JEFF BORDES' JAZZY SOULFUL CHRISTMAS Jazz trumpeter Jeff Bordes presents a holiday celebration of New Orleans swing band and soul of the blues. The concert is from 8-10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. Tickets are $15$25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $12 for children. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org. Concerts HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE CPA firm JL Consulting is coordinating a holiday food drive benefiting people in need served by the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Donations of non-perishable foods can be dropped off between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at JL Consulting, 1024 Serpentine Ln., Suite #105. It will be accepting donations until Dec. 16. Call 8461859 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Garry Linforth is starting work on his Eagle Scout Project, to send shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items to underprivileged children in developing countries. He is organizing this with Centerpointe Church for the relief effort Operation Christmas Child. It costs $7 for the shipping. Email garrison_linforth@yahoo. com. The supporting organization is Samaritan's Purse, which will receive any excess funds. SCOUTING FOR FOOD The Scouts annual food collection drive ahead of the holiday season to benefit local food banks begins Saturday, Nov. 12, when they leave informational door hangers at homes in the area asking for non-perishable foods. The collection begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 19. Leave items curbside outside your home, in plain view. If you do not receive a door hanger, drop donations at Walmart, 4501 Rosewood Dr., Pleasanton. Also, Scouts are assisting the Lions Club in collecting prescription and reading glasses, which can be donated along with food items. SECRET SANTA TOY DRIVE Put on your Santa hat and lend a helping hand to make sure California's 60,000 foster children enjoy a bright holiday season with a gift from Santa under the tree. Sleep Train will be collecting donations of new, unwrapped gifts for all ages. Drop toys off at the nearest Sleep Train, through Dec. 11. Visit www. sleeptrain.com. FOOTHILL CHEER CAMP Foothill Competition Cheerleaders are calling all K-6 cheerleaders to learn new moves, dances and cheers at a class from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Foothill High School, 4375 Foothill Rd. Includes class, lunch, certificate, T-shirt and mystery gift. Register by Nov 1 and save $5. Go to www.foothillsports.com to download the registration/medical release form. Cost is $50. Call 699-1149 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. PEDDLER SHOPPE AT THE SENIOR CENTER The Peddler Shoppe in the lobby of the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd., offers the handmade wares of talented local senior artisans. It's a great place to buy gifts. The Shoppe is staffed by volunteers and is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings; and 9 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday monthly. Good Vision Makes for Good Learning Don't overlook a possible vision problem that can affect school performance. Amador Valley Optometric Men's Haircut Special $ 99 9 Kid's Haircut Special $ 99 9 Complete eyecare for Men, Women, Teens, & Children With coupon only . Not val with other offers. id Expires 11.30. 11 With coupon only . Not val with other offers. id Expires 11.30. 11 Women's Haircut 99 Special $ *Long hair extra 15 $ Color Highlight With coupon only . Not val with other offers. id Expires 11.30. 11 500 OFF With coupon only . Not val with other offers. id Expires 11.30. 11 925-417-1635 5410 Sunol Blvd. #4, Pleasanton Walk Ins Welcome M-F 9:30am-6:30pm � Sat 9:30pm-6pm � Sun 9:30am-5:30pm Haircuts - Facials - Waxing - Highlights - Perms and more Most Vision Plans Accepted Medicare Assignment Accepted Keep Your Eyecare Local! Serving Pleasanton for more than 30 years Faculty, UC Berkeley School of Optometry Dr. Barry C. Winston Board Certified in the Treatment of Ocular Disease GO CAL BEARS! BRUNCH BREAKFAST The Widowed Men and Women of Northern California would like to invite you to join them for a brunch buffet breakfast at 10:45 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 27, at Hilton Garden Inn, Events Convenient Weekday & Evening Hours Black Avenue Professional Offices 4450-C Black Avenue, Pleasanton off Santa Rita Road behind Lynnewood Methodist Church 925.462.2600 Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 21 ON THE TOWN CALENDAR ship hour featuring gratitude sharing, communal singing, and inspiring readings at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 24, at the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Livermore. There will be free childcare. Call 447-2946 or visit www.christiansciencechurchlivermore.com. thoughts, concerns and experiences of living with the uncertainty after treatment for breast cancer, the physical effects and problems related to intimacy, marriage, reproduction and employment. The group meets from 6-8 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at ValleyCare Health Library and Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center, 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite #270. The group is facilitated by Mary Prishtina, RN, and Estee Goren, MFT. Call 399-1177. BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP The American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Support group meets from 7:30-9 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at LifeStyleRx, 1111 E. Stanley Blvd., Livermore. Call 833-2784 or visit www.valleycare.com. 7:30-9 p.m. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Caring for a loved one is challenging physically and emotionally. Join this support group to explore resources and generate problem-solving ideas from 1-3 p.m., on the second Monday of every month, and from 7-9 p.m. at 5353 Sunol Blvd. Get the support you deserve at the Senior Support Program of the TriValley. Call 931-5389. CLUTTERLESS SELF HELP GROUP Overwhelmed by clutter? Learn how to deal with it by attending this support group, which meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Monday at St. Mary & St. John Coptic Orthodox Church, 4300 Mirador Dr., Rm. 7. Call 200-1943 or visit www.clutterless.org. DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR Depression Bipolar Support Alliance, DBSA, is a support group for people who live with depression, bipolar and other disabilities. They can help each other navigate the ups and downs of life! A place where you can be yourself and feel safe. The group meets from 7:15-8:45 p.m. every Wednesday, at St. Claire's Episcopal Church, Classroom 1, 3350 Hopyard Rd., although it is not affiliated with the church. No charge for meetings. Call 462-6415 or visit www.dbsalliance. org/pleasanton. EAST BAY ESSENTIAL TREMOR SUPPORT GROUP If you have recently been diagnosed with ET or would like to learn more about this common movement disorder in a safe and supportive environment, please join us from 10 a.m.-noon on the third Saturday of each month, in the Blackhawk A and B conference rooms at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, 6001 Norris Canyon Rd. For more information, view their blog at www.eastbayet. com or call 487-5706 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. HANDLING THE HOLIDAYS/GRIEF SUPPORT Hope Hospice workshops will provide ways to manage grief at family or social events, help participants explore fear, anxiety or strong emotions connected to the holiday season and their loss. The group will meet from 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15; and from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Hope Hospice Grief Support Center, 6377 Clark Ave., Dublin. Call 8298770 to resister as space is limited. Workshops are provided at no charge as a community service. HOPE HOSPICE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS Hope Hospice offers ongoing grief support services for adults, teens and children including a Transitions Support Group; Tragic Loss Support Group; individualized grief support; caregiver support; onsite support for schools; youth organizations and the workplace; community support services; a resource library; and more. Call 829-8770. INTEGRATED MIND AND BODY GRIEF SUPPORT This comprehensive set of grief support services is offered at the Hope Hospice Grief Support Center from 5-7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Ave., Ste. 100., Dublin. Services include various forms of gentle touch as well as guided imagery, meditation and stress management. Restore the energy depleted by grief. No charge. Call 829-8770 or visit www. hopehospice.com. MOTHERS WITH A PURPOSE This group works to awareness of the epidemic use of illicit drugs in our community. Their goal is to educate and provide resources to afflicted families. They meet from 7-8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday at Foothill High School, 4375 Foothill Rd. Email firstname.lastname@example.com. NEWLY DIAGNOSED BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP For women who are in or just starting treatment for breast cancer, this support group offers a safe place to express and share, get information of what to expect, and learn coping skills to assist with the side effects. The group is facilitated by Mary Prishtina, RN, and Estee Goren, MFT Intern and meets from 10 a.m.-noon the second Thursday of the month at ValleyCare Health Library & Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center, 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd. Suite #270. Call 3991177 or email email@example.com. PLEASANTON MILITARY FAMILIES SUPPORT GROUP Formed in 2003 this group provides support and comfort to the Pleasanton families whose loved ones are deployed in the combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. The group has monthly meetings and other events such as "pack outs" of comfort and care items for deployed members of the armed forces. The group also sponsors the Yellow Streamer program on Main Street where streamers are displayed with the name, rank and branch of service of Pleasanton military personnel. Learn more at www. pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org. TRI VALLEY SUPPORT GROUP FOR FIBROMYALGIA, LUPUS AND ALL FORMS OF ARTHRITIS This group meets from 6:30-8 p.m., on the fourth Monday of every month, at the Groves at Dublin Ranch in the Clubhouse, 3115 Finnian Way, Dublin. It hosts special speakers like doctors or specialists. For more information, call JoAnne at 8750960. MORNING GROUP RIDE - CYCLING A group ride starts at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday from Cycle Pros Bike Shop, 728 Main St., meeting in the parking lot. The ride breaks into groups based on skill and distance. The regular ride usually covers 25-40 miles at speeds of 14-18 mph. The long ride covers 35-60 miles at a brisker pace. Routes vary each week. On Sundays mornings there is a group ride for everyone, same time, same place, broken down into levels based on ability and distance. Call 400-4336 or visit www.thecyclepros.com. Sports Support Groups BEYOND TREATMENT BREAST CANCER This group provides a safe place to express and share Volunteering TRI-VALLEY BASKET BRIGADE Join a unique Thanksgiving food drive where volunteers gather as a group to assemble Thanksgiving baskets and deliver them to Bay Area residents in need. The brigade will meet at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at Valley Montessori School, 1273 N. Livermore Ave., Livermore. To sign up, go to www.trivalleybasketbrigade.com. Page 22 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Sports Girls serve up successful tennis season Foothill wins EBAL; Foothill, Amador reach semifinals in NCS team tennis Girls tennis at both Pleasanton high schools wrapped up victorious seasons this week, reaching the semifinals in the North Coast Section team championships. The playoffs came on the heels of Foothill winning the championship title in the highly competitive East Bay Athletic League after 14 league matches, as well as bringing home the first-place title from the Logan High School Tennis Tournament. "We've had an amazing experience," said Foothill Coach Kendra Zierau. "We have lot of good players who come together to be a really great team." NCS team playoffs include four sets of singles and three sets of doubles. Foothill beat Alameda (7-0) and Mission San Jose (4-3) before being defeated by Monte Vista (4-3) in the NCS semifinals at Santa Rosa Junior College. Amador Valley bested Maria Carrillo (6-1) and San Ramon Valley (4-3) before falling to Tamalpais (4-3) in Santa Rosa. "Both Foothill and Amador Valley lost our matches in third sets so the teams that went to the semifinals were remarkably close," said Claire Chinn, who co-coaches Amador Valley with Chris Anne Olenic. "This shows how strong everybody was." Monte Vista faced Tamalpais in the finals in a match that began Saturday and finished Monday with Tamalpais winning (4-3). Amador's Brooke Irish was chosen to represent EBAL in the NCS singles championships. At press time Wednesday, Irish was facing Dougherty Valley in the semifinals. "It's a gift to have a player like Brooke Irish but to be No. 1 you have to have strength all the way down your ladder and that's what we've had this year," Amador Coach Chin said. BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI Amador finished third in EBAL, behind Foothill and Monte Vista. San Ramon was fourth. "This was the best Amador has done in the history of Amador," said Chinn, who is in her seventh year of coaching at the high school. Foothill doubles team Taylor Hoppe and Jessica Chen were chosen to represent EBAL at the NCS championships, and at press time Wednesday were facing Monte Vista in the semifinals. "We have three major components to our program," Foothill Coach Zierau explained. "No. 1 is to develop our tennis game. We want them to be the best players they can be." No. 2 is to develop the players as women of integrity, on and off the court, responding with grace whether they win or lose, she said, and the third component is to have fun. "Sports are about growing as an athlete and as a person but at this level we sometimes forget about the purpose being to have fun," she said. "We have an absolutely incredible team with incredible women who are such a joy to work with," Zierau said. "If this is what our future holds, we're in great shape." Amador team members are Cassie Balducci, Jonelle Balducci, Claudia Chau, Emily Havannessian, Haley Howard, Brooke Irish, Janavi Kumar, Meghana Manne, Megan Marschall, Karly McCloskey, Niki Mohebi, Sanjana Seth, Kelly Villanueva, Claire Williams, Jenny Yang and Rachel Yang. Foothill team members are Navdeep Chahal, Jessica Chen, Leeane Chen, Shivani Doraiswami, Kayla Haykin, Taylor Hoppe, Camille Lusher, Melissa Muller, Kirtana Nadella, Ellen Ouyang, Kelsey Ouyang, Terri Scott, Alison Wong and Alicia Yang. Assistant coach is Yvonne Hoppe. Top: Amador Valley's successful season included the NCS playoffs, where the team reached the semifinals last weekend. Bottom: Foothill varsity tennis team celebrates after winning the championship title in the East Bay Athletic League. The team also reached the semifinals in the NCS playoffs. SPORTS DIGEST Sign up for Futsal Registration for the Tri-Valley Futsal Fall Season starting Dec. 3 is still open but has reached 75% of its capacity. Visit its website at www.tri-valleyfutsal.com to learn more. Futsal, the only indoor soccer game recognized by FIFA, is the fasted growing indoor sport in America, according to organizers, due to smaller team sizes, players taking all positions, and the fastness of the game. Games will be played in Dublin, one game per week always on weekends with no practices. JAY FLACHSBARTH JAY FLACHSBARTH Foothill wins over Amador Valley with 2 late-game touchdowns Hard-fought game at packed stadium ends season for cross-town rivals The Foothill High School Falcons walloped the Dons from Amador Valley High School Nov. 10, 21-7, with two fourth-quarter touchdowns on the Foothill field. A packed stadium on a cool, clear night cheered and gasped as the cross-town rivals battled it out. Foothill led Amador Valley 7-0 at half-time, but the Dons quickly came back to tie the game, making the score 7-7 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Dons continued driving toward a tie-breaking goal only to fail to make enough yardage for a field goal. A fourth-down punt gave Foothill the ball at its own 13-yard line, setting the Falcons on a march down the field that gave quarterback Tommy Paulson a chance to connect with two passes and a touchdown. Paulson connected again late in the game, giving Foothill the game-ending 21-7 lead over Amador Valley. --Jeb Bing Left: Senior Carter Ridgway of Amador Valley tries to elude Foothill's No. 25 Jamirr Holland in last week's game between the cross-town rivals, which Foothill won 21-7. Right: Foothill's No. 88 Jack Finney scores a touchdown while dragging along two Amador defenders. Parent photographers Send photos and sports news to firstname.lastname@example.com for consideration for our Sports page. Remember to include caption information: who, what, when, where--and the score. Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 23 SPORTS Foothill FV cheerleaders come out on top Foothill High School's JV competition cheer squad took first place in a field of seven teams in the JV Show Cheer-Novice division as the team presented its 2011-12 routine at the first USA Regional competition Nov, 6 at Washington High School in Fremont. The team performed intricate stunts and tumbling to the delight of their fans and audience. Foothill's group stunt team took second place in a field of three teams in the high school group stunt-intermediate category. A second group stunt team and the varsity competition team were unable to compete due to injuries. The JV squad includes: Haley Bean, Zoe Cristobal, Mitsu Dill, Sarah Downey, Kelsey Emery, Michelle French, Rikki Holman, Emily Palange (Team Captain), Jordan Robinson, Taylor Sanchez, Jessica Smilovitz, Sabrina Stermer, Brittany Trevor, and Natalie Wright. The group stunt team includes: Camille Hamlin, Caressa DeRossett, Hayley Jefferies, Emily Palange and Gabbie Scalise. The JV team is coached by Karen Maurice. The group stunt team is coached by Megan Moore. Kim DeJoy is the head coach for Foothill's nationally ranked cheer squads and is assisted by Cheryl Holy. Renegades clinch first place The Renegades, Pleasanton Rage, U16 Division 4 soccer team celebrates after clinching first place in their division on Saturday with a season record that includes 8 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss. Team members are (front, l-r) Hannah Bagot, Tori Knuppe, Vanessa Harman, Lauren Fowler, Carly Krakauer, (middle) Mackenzie Bullock, Rachel Buehler, Erin Walsh, Madison Lawer, Kelley Dixon, Malea Montalvo, Taylor Miller, Cassidy Holmes, (back) Coach Jake Krakauer, Jenna Coop, Juliana Herrera, Coach Robert Fowler and Coach Garrett Holmes. Not pictured: Karah Paul. Local businesses are adding great deals and offers to ShopPleasanton.com every day! LOOK FOR THESE FEATURED OFFERS THIS WEEK Colored Glass Jewelry 15% Off (Jewelers Gallery) When you present, mention or show the coupon on your smartphone. 20% Off Lunch or 10% Off Dinner (Dublin Sports Pub & Grill) Present, mention, or show the coupon on your smartphone $2 Off Each Yard of Concrete (Pleasanton Ready Mix) $2 Off each yard of concrete for orders of 8 yards and more $20.00 off landscape consultation (Western Garden Nursery) Fall is for planting!! Schedule a home landscape consultation New Patients Receive Free Exam & X-Rays (Spinal Health Chiropractic) Now is the time to take care of your body and get your spinal New Clients Free Initial Consultation (Troy Van Sloten, CPA & Assoc.) If you are a potential client, don't wait until the last minute Free Consultation and Analysis (Property Solutions And Investments, LLC) Present, Mention, Or show the coupon on your smart phone 50$ Off Your Initial Service (Patriot Pest Management) $50 OFF your initial service on a regular pest control program 2011 Pleasanton Cup goes to Castlewood Castlewood Country Club retains the 2011 Pleasanton Cup after a 13-11 win over its Pleasanton rivals, Ruby Hill Golf Club. This is the eighth year of a tournament representing some of the best players from Castlewood and Ruby Hill. The two-day tournament is a Ryder Cup format, which includes a four ball match, a foursome match, and individual matches. This year Castlewood holds a commanding 6-2 record over Ruby Hill. "More important than the victory is the amount of camaraderie and fun the two teams have together," said Bryan Payne in an email. "Special thanks to Ken Nussbaum for his overwhelming support and dedication to this awesome event." Nussbaum is a Ruby Hill player who has been fighting cancer for the past two years but nonetheless attended the tournament to lend support. Pictured from Castlewood are George Serra, Dana Jetter, Jim Plack, Justin Wright, Steve Grant, Bryan Payne, Jeff Early, Marshall Raymer, Vincente Ocadiz, John Hughes, Jason Boyd, Jim Galbraith and Tom Lyons. Premier soccer shuts down Rebels Kyle McClanahan scores a goal and defends well in U13 Ballistic Premier 99's win, 3-0, over the Union City Rebels on Saturday. Top offensive players for Ballistic were Youki Chiba and Bryce Taylor; top defensive players were Jacob Dremalas, Kyle McClanahan, Nick Carreon, Jacob Guzman and Daniel Ferguson. The strong effort along with excellent team possession shut down the Rebel attack. GO TO SHOPPLEASANTON.COM FOR DEALS AND COUPONS Call (925) 600-0840 ext. 123 for more information Page 24 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Marketplace Real Estate Remodeling Landscaping To advertise in the Marketplace call Matt at 925.600.0840 x123 or email email@example.com Construction Accounting/Bookkeeping Mike Fracisco REALTOR � PEREZ GARDENING SERVICES Maintenance, Sod & Sprinkler Systems, Clean UPS Commercial & Residential Lic. #5008439 Fracisco Realty Residential, Commercial & Property Management 10 yrs. Experience in Lawn Care FREE ESTIMATES 925.642.6617 | 925.212.2973 With 6 month contract, 7th month is FREE NEED HELP WITH QUICKBOOKS? No job too big or too small!!! Over 23 years experience in all aspects of bookkeeping. Local electrical and general contractor with very reasonable rates -- no job too small Sheds, bathroom and kitchen remodels, decks and all general contracting needs. www.MikeFracisco.com DRE#01378428 direct: 925-998-8131 Call Bill 925-640-8184 Call Linda 925.918.2233 925-330-0965 LIC 899014 firstname.lastname@example.com PLACE AN AD ONLINE E-MAIL fogster.com firstname.lastname@example.com fogster.com THE BULLETIN BOARD 115 Announcements PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby's One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6293 (Void in Illinois) (AAN CAN) Lioness Club seeks New members SHARPEN UP AT THE FARMERS' MRKT Donate Vehicle Receive $1000 Grocery Coupons. National Animal Welfare Foundation. Support No Kill Shelters, Help Homeless Pets. Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted. 1-888-333-0477. (Cal-SCAN) Donate Your Car Children's Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child's Life Through Research and Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy and Tax Deductible. Call 1-800252-0615.(Cal-SCAN) TRI-VALLEY'S CLASSIFIEDS WEB SITE Driver: Stable Career No Experience Needed! Sign On Bonuses Available! Top Industry pay and quality training. 100% Paid CDL Training. 1-800-326-2778. www. JoinCRST.com (Cal-SCAN) Drivers: CDL Training Career Central. No Money Down. CDL Training. Work for us or let us work for you! Unbeatable Career Opportunities. *Trainee *Company Driver *Lease Operator Earn up to $51k *Lease Trainers Earn up to $80k 1-877-3697126. www.CentralDrivingJobs.net (Cal-SCAN) Drivers: Pro Drivers Needed Top Pay and 401K. 2 Months CDL Class A Driving Experience. 1-877258-8782. www.MeltonTruck.com (Cal-SCAN) Movie Extras People needed now to stand in the background for a major film Earn up to $300 per day. Exp not REQ. CALL NOW AND SPEAK TO A LIVE PERSON 877-426-8310 Paid In Advance! Make $1,000 a Week mailing brochures from home! Guaranteed Income! FREE Supplies! No experience required. Start Immediately! www.homemailerprogram. net (AAN CAN) Truck Drivers Will provide CDL training. Part-time driving job with full-time benefits. Get paid to train in the California Army National Guard. www.NationaIGuard.com/Truck or 1-800-Go-Guard. (Cal-SCAN) Classified Advertising Reach Californians with a Classified in almost every county. Experience the power of classifieds! Combo~California Daily and Weekly Networks. One order. One payment. Free Brochures. maria@ cnpa.com or (916)288-6010. (Cal-SCAN) GOT a GREAT IDEA? Want to patent it? Let us help! DE Patent Writing Service Dewees Enterprises, LLC P. O. Box 8 Pleasanton, CA 94566-0198 Phone: 925-846-8790 Cell #: 925-872-2364 809 Shared Housing/ Rooms ALL AREAS - ROOMMATES.COM Browse hundreds of online listings with photos and maps. Find your roommate with a click of the mouse! Visit: http:// www.Roommates.com. (AAN CAN) PHONE (925) 600-0840 Fogster.com is a unique Web site offering postings from communities throughout the Bay Area and an opportunity for your ad to appear in the Pleasanton Weekly. Now you can log on to fogster.com, day or night and get your ad started immediately online. So, the next time you have an item to sell, barter, give away or buy, get the perfect combination: print ads in your local newspapers, reaching more than 35,000 readers, and unlimited Web postings reaching hundreds of thousands additional people! 825 Homes/Condos for Sale Donate Your Car, Truck, Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-9026851. (Cal-SCAN) 210 Garage/Estate Sales Pleasanton, 3231 Vineyard Ave, Current 120 Auctions Advertise Your Auction in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $550. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN) 240 Furnishings/ Household items TEA SET FROM CHINA - $25 OBO HOME SERVICES 715 Cleaning Services House Cleaning Honest, Reliable, Thorough, Weekly, Bi-weekly Move in/out Excellent References 339-5116 Olga's Housecleaning Res./Com. Wkly/mo. Low Rates. Local Refs. 25 years Exp. & Friendly. I love My Job! Ins. (650)380-1406 East Palo Alto 2589 Emmett Way. $335K. OWNER FINANCE! FHA OK! Complete remodel! 650-619-6384 245 Miscellaneous Huge Holiday Boutique Roller Blades - $35 each 840 Vacation Rentals/Time Shares Vacation Properties Advertise your vacation property in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $550. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)2886019. (Cal-SCAN) 130 Classes & Instruction Allied Health Career training - Attend college 100% online. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800-481-9409. www.CenturaOnline.com (Cal-SCAN) Earn College Degree Online *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 888-210-5162 www.CenturaOnline.com (Cal-SCAN) High School Diploma! Graduate in 4 weeks! FREE Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-562-3650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com (Cal-SCAN) HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in just 4 weeks!!! FREE Brochure. Call NOW! 1-800-532-6546 Ext. 97 www.continentalacademy.com (AAN CAN) 260 Sports & Exercise Equipment Manual Treadmill - $75.00 783 Plumbing New Age Plumbing Drain cleaning. Service and repair. Fixture installation. Gas and water piping. Free estimates. 24 Hour Emergency Service. Call Us Now! 925-803-9956 www.newageplumbing.biz 850 Acreage/Lots/ Storage El Paso, TX 20 Acres. Live on land now. Only $99/ mo. $0 Down, Owner Financing, no credit checks. Beautiful mountain views! Free Color Brochure. 1-800-755-8953. www.SunsetRanches.com (Cal-SCAN) INDEX BULLETIN BOARD 100-155 FOR SALE 200-270 KIDS STUFF 330-355 JOBS 510-585 BUSINESS SERVICES 600-690 HOME SERVICES 700-799 FOR RENT/ FOR SALE REAL ESTATE 801-860 The publisher waives any and all claims or consequential damages due to errors. Embarcadero Publishing Co. cannot assume responsibility for the claims or performance of its advertisers. Embarcadero Publishing Co. reserves the right to refuse, edit or reclassify any ad solely at its discretion without prior notice. KID STUFF 355 Items for Sale Simmons Brand crib Toys and stuffed animals BUSINESS SERVICES 605 Antiques & Art Restoration ANTIQUE RESTORATION "A Labor of Love" Impeccable Quality Integrity of Workmanship 925-462-0383 or 925-216-7976 All inclusive License #042392 Pleasanton Sign up online at PleasantonWeekly.com 135 Group Activities CLUTTERLess (CL) Self Help Group REAL ESTATE 155 Pets Tibetan Terrier Puppies 6 TT puppies for sale. Born Oct 3rd call James 650 322-0900 EMPLOYMENT 500 Help Wanted Wireless Internet Field Technician Pleasanton, TX Contract postion, installing Internet service equipment, $700+ per week. For more information e-mail saresume@ corp.airmail.net 640 Legal Services Social Security Disability Benefits. You Win or Pay Us Nothing. Contact Disability Group, Inc. Today! BBB Accredited. Call For Your FREE Book and Consultation. 877-4906596. (Cal-SCAN) FOR SALE 201 Autos/Trucks/ Parts Custom Taillights 90-93 Acura Integra - $50 Dic Brake kit 75 -79 Toyota Corolla - $12 Toyota Corolla 1999 LE - $4200 SOLD PET OF THE WEEK Moo Cow is a love Moo Cow is an adorable 4-monthold sweetheart pit mix who came into the shelter with two siblings. She got her name because of her black and white coloring. She's just a love -- and is relatively calm given her age. She went to farmers market to our adoption event last Saturday and so many people fell in love. But she still hasn't found -- and definitely needs to find -- her new, forever home. She will come with free training classes sponsored by TVAR, just so our adorable little girl can get the very best start in her new home. If you're interested in Moo Cow, please contact East County Animal Shelter at 803-7040. Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 25 645 Office/Home Business Services Advertise a display Business Card sized ad in 140 California newspapers for one low cost of $1,550. Your display 3.75x2" ad reaches over 3 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)2886019. (Cal-SCAN) Advertise Truck Driver Jobs in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $550. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN) 560 Employment Information $$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1-800405-7619 EXT 2450 http://www. easywork-greatpay.com (AAN CAN) Computer Work Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/mo. Full Time. Training provided. www.workservices4.com (Cal-SCAN) 202 Vehicles Wanted TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO FOGSTER.COM OPEN HOMES THIS WEEKEND Blackhawk 3 BEDROOMS 306 Live Oak Drive Sun 1-4:30 Alain Pinel Realtors 4 BEDROOMS 69 White Pine Lane Sun 1:30-4 Keller Williams Realty 3078 Deer Meadow Dr Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors Inc 5 BEDROOMS 4412 Deer Ridge Rd Sun 1:30-4 Keller Williams Realty $879,000 314-1111 Livermore 3 BEDROOMS 945 Sunset Dr Sun 12-3 Fracisco Realty $359,000 337-3750 Real Estate California home sales posted a marginal increase in October and also were above year-ago levels, according to figures released today by the California Association of Realtors (CAR). Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California edged up to a seasonally adjusted 493,240 units in October, up 0.9% from a revised 488,700 in September, according to information collected by CAR from more than 90 local Realtor associations and MLSs statewide. October home sales also were up 8.5% from the revised 454,740 units sold during the like period a year ago. The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2011 if sales maintained the October pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. "Based on preliminary analysis, it appears that the lower conforming loan limits has had a cooling effect on home sales in October, particularly in the higher cost markets across the state, such as the San Francisco Bay Area and coastal regions of Southern California," said CAR President LeFrancis Arnold. "This evidence supports the need for reinstating the higher loan limits while the housing market is in transition to recovery." The October statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home sold in California was $278,060, down 3.3% from $287,440 in September and down 8.9% from the $305,150 median price recorded BY JEB BING OPEN HOME GUIDE AND REAL ESTATE LISTINGS $1,550,000 855-8333 $1,110,000 855-4000 4 BEDROOMS 3056 Rivers Bend Cir Sat/Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors 5 BEDROOMS 3030 Picholine Dr Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors 1217 Blossom Cir Sun 1:30-4 Bhg Tri-valley Realty 753 Traviso Cir Sat/Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors 1097 Lexington Way Sun 2-4 Keller Williams Tri-valley $849,900 251-2500 California sales up slightly in October But lower loan limits cool market overall for October 2010. "While October's sales were on track with expectations, the month-to-month drop in the median price was larger than usual for this time of year," said CAR Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. "Because of the lower Fannie, Freddie and FHA conforming loan limits, some buyers purchased less expensive homes so that their mortgages would meet the criteria for the lower limit, while others were unable to qualify for nonconforming loans that typically have higher down payment requirements and higher mortgage rates," she said. "The resulting change in the mix of sales drove down October's median price." Other key facts of CAR's resale housing report for October 2011 include: The Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes was 5.3 months in October, up from 5.1 months in September but down from a revised 6.2-month supply in October 2010. The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate. Thirty-year fixed-mortgage interest rates averaged 4.07% during October 2011, down from 4.23% in October 2010, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable-mortgage interest rates averaged 2.92% in October 2011, compared with 3.36% in October 2010. The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home was 55.2 days in October 2011, compared with 51.5 days for the same period a year ago. $1,595,000 855-8333 Danville 4 BEDROOMS 1524 Green Valley Road Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors 724 Westbrook Ct Sun 1-4 Keller Williams Realty 228 Laurelglen Ct Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors Inc. 5 BEDROOMS 755 El Pintado Rd Sun 2-4 Alain Pinel Realtors $779,000 251-2500 $775,000 855-8333 $839,000 648-5300 $919,000 667-2100 $799,000 463-9500 $819,957 251-2500 $849,000 397-4200 Pleasanton 4 BEDROOMS 4184 Creekwood Ct $1,079,000 Sun 1-4 Alain Pinel Realtors 251-1111 640 Varese Ct $1,950,000 Sun 1-4 Keller Williams Tri-valley 397-4200 2913 Amoroso Ct $1,125,000 Sun 1-4 Keller Williams Tri-valley 397-4200 5 BEDROOMS 4055 Alvarado St Sun 1-4 Moxley Team $1,945,000 314-1111 Dublin 3 BEDROOMS 10776 Ruthven Lane Sun 1:30-4:30 Alain Pinel Realtors 4653 Rimini Ct Sun 1-4 Keller Williams Realty 4513 Mirano Ct Sun 1:30-4:30 J. Rockcliff Realtors Inc $399,000 251-1111 $609,995 855-8333 $628,998 855-4000 San Ramon $612,000 600-0990 4 BEDROOMS 104 Black Calla Ct Sun 1-4 Keller Williams Tri-valley 5 BEDROOMS 3812 Mandy Way Sat 1-4 Coldwell Banker 2111 Mornington Ln Sun 1-4 Keller Williams Realty $999,000 397-4200 4 BEDROOMS 3475 Rimini Ln $699,999 Sat 1-4 Coldwell Banker 847-2200 8363 Rhoda Ave $699,000 Sat 1:30-4 Bhg Tri-valley Realty 463-9500 7793 Peppertree Rd rent: $2,995 Sat/Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors Inc. 251-2500 $980,000 847-2200 $869,000 855-8333 Find more open home listings at pleasantonweekly.com/real_estate For marketing opportunities contact Andrea Heggelund at 600-0840 x110. TRI-VALLEY REALTY PLEASANTON | 6111 Johnson Court #110 | 925.463.9500 | www.bhghome.com/pleasanton Bill Wells 7665 Cottonwood Ln� Pleasanton - $500,000 Kitchen needs updating, flooring needs to be replaced throughout & also needs interior paint. Nice features such as copper plumbing, hardwoods in fam room and dual pane windows. Separate structure in backyard with electricity would make nice office or storage. Jennifer DeCoite Mia Teetsel Team Cindy Gee 60 Foster Dr.- San Ramon - $849,000 Wonderful 5 bed located in the foothills of San Ramon, desirable open floorplan/cathredral ceilings/lots of windows, sunny, sparkling pool/spa/ slide, Large master suite, custom tile kitchen floor w large island, open to extend family room,Views of the hills, close, to shops, school, frwy. 7843 Cypress Creek Ct. � Pleasanton � $834,000 5231 N Forestdale Cir.- Dublin - $679,900 Beautiful, updated 3 bed 2.5 bath single level with Great Dublin Ranch Home! Across from John Green Elementary school. Spacious kitchen with over 2,500 sq. ft. of living space in a lovely gated community. New hardwood floors, tile floors and ample cabinetry and breakfast bar. Kitchen opens to cozy family room. There are 3 bedrooms + granite countertops. New warm shades of paint large loft(could be 4th bedroom) in main house. 1 throughout home. Ridgeline views and highly bed and full bath in room above garage. desirable creekside of development. Gina Piper 4108 Georgis Pl.� Pleasanton- $332,000 Fantastic corner unit. Very beautiful. Light and bright. Lot's of windows and high ceilings. Clean and ready to go. Take advantage of the interest rates and housing prices now. Great community. walk to shopping, dining, work and BART. Close to pool and walking trail. Page 26 November 18, 2011 Linda Newton 3845 Maderia Way � Livermore - $525,000 Extremely BEAUTIFUL! Remodeled & expanded in 2004. 7 bedrooms, spacious baths, open living space & kitchen. 2 dishwashers,laundry room,heat/ air w/multi zones,updated electrical.Backyard w/liner sports pool,mini frig,BBQ,fireplace&TV hookup.New interior paint & carpet. Bill Wells 3112 Paseo Robles� Pleasanton � $735,000 Lovely Pondersosa home featuring CaesarStone counters & stainless steel appliances in kitchen. Newer dual-pane windows, tile roof, attractive laminate floors in LR & DR w/ 4-inch baseboards. Large, private backyard with views of the Pleasanton Ridge & no rear neighbors, backs to Del Prado Park. Cindy Gee 8363 Rhoda Ave.- Dublin � $699,000 Panoramic breathtaking views!! Amazing great room, with bar, Entertainer's delight! Updated kitchen, w/ granite, hardwood, updated baths, move in ready. Master bedroom with views, desirable westside, close to shop, schools, commute 1 bed/ full bath down. Outdoor living, side yard access. Pleasanton Weekly 2011 #1 Office in Pleasanton in Volume and Sales www.KW-Trivalley.com Broker License #01395362 J.D. Power & Associates' award 3 years in a row Keller Williams Realty is proud to be the second largest real estate firm in North America Pending Sale SOLD! Represented buyer 5078 Monaco Drive, Louise Davis REALTOR� 925.200.2457 www.LouiseDavis.com DRE #00551850 Thinking of Selling??? Buyers are active and looking for that "RIGHT" home and the inventory of homes for sale is low. If you are thinking of a move, this may be the perfect time. Just give me a call and we can discuss what's best for your personal needs. Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving Dennis Gerlt Broker Associate 925.426.5010 www.dennisgerlt.net DRE # 01317997 7791 Desertwood Lane, Pleasanton Great curb appeal! Charming upgraded single story in desirable Highland Oaks neighborhood. Low HOA fee includes pool, playground and community center. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, wide plank hardwood flooring, gourmet granite and stainless kitchen with Bosch appliances, stone fireplace, remodeled baths, and large private yard - a must see! $625,000 1641VettaDrive.com 1905devacaway.com WILLIAMS Jo and Carla Hunter REALTOR� Jo: 413.4278; Carla: 200.2142 email@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com DRE # 00692588 and 01463436 262 Grisby Ct. Brentwood Spacious & beautful 5 bedroom, 3 bath home with 2600+ sq ft. Built in 2001. Quiet court location. Kitchen/family room combo. Granite counter-tops & island in kitchen. Bonus room upstairs. Master bedroom features adjoining bath w/shower & Jacuzzi tub. Completely landscaped yards w/fruit trees in back yard. Asking: $325,000 Cindy and Gene Williams REALTORS� 925.918.2045 www.williamsteam.net DRE # 01370076 and 00607511 1641 Vetta Dr, Livermore Outstanding 5 bed (6 potential) & 4.5 ba home w/ 3500+ sq ft. 1 bed/ba downstairs. Upgrades throughout incl $27k in solar (no PG&E). Offered at $914,900 1905 DeVaca Way, Livermore Wonderful light & bright duet unit w/huge yard, tons of privacy. Over 1400 sq ft of living space w/8200+ lot. Kitchen w/vaulted ceilings, garden window & corian counters. A light sunroom in master bdrm. Offered at $339,950 New Price! Open Sun 1-4 DeAnna Armario REALTOR� 925.260.2220 www.armariohomes.com DRE # 01363180 1320 Bordeaux Street, Pleasanton Absolutely gorgeous 4 BR, 3.5 BA home was completely rebuilt in 2005. With generously sized rooms and living areas, the 3825 +/- sq. ft. residence sits on an expansive 19291+/- sq. ft. lot featuring a private, oasis style backyard with pool and built-in BBQ. Offered at $1,400,000 REALTORS�, GRI, CRS, SRES 925.463.0436 www.SoldinaFlash.com Not a Cookie Cutter - version of every other house. This beautiful Vintage Heights custom home is a one of a kind home sitting on a beautiful 12,000+ square foot lot. 4 bdrms, 2.5 baths and over 3200 sq ft. Stunning gourmet kitchen with slab granite counters, high end stainless appliances including a 6 burner gas stove and pendant lighting. Beautiful open beamed ceiling in the family room overlooking the beautiful backyard and deck. 2913 Amoroso Court Open Sunday 2-4pm Gail Boal REALTOR� 925.577.5787 www.gailboal.com DRE # 01276455 1097 Lexington Way, Livermore Beautiful single story 5 bedroom, 3 bath home in popular Kristopher Ranch. Wonderful floor plan. Backyard is an entertainer's delight complete with pool/waterfall/spa and outdoor BBQ. Offered at $849,000 Connie Cox 925.766.3198 email@example.com Lic. # 01081927 7235 Valley Trails Drive, Pleasanton 5 BR, 2 BA, 2481 sqft. Remodeled kitchen. Big, open kitchen-family room combo w/vaulted ceiling. Extra lrg BR upstairs can be master or bonus room. Office loft overlooks family room. View of hills & ridge line with no rear neighbors. Large paved side yrd access. 5994 W. Las Positas, Suite 101, Pleasanton | 459 Main Street, Pleasanton | 2300 First Street, Suite 216, Livermore Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 27 J. Rockcliff Realtors 1225 L OZANO C OURT RUBY HILL G e t I n s t a n t M o b i l e Ac c e s s ! Download J. Rockcliff Realtors' Homes For Sale Application to have all the real estate information you need in the palm of your hand. Scan the QR-Code with your smart phone or text the number below. T H E E A S T B A Y 'S P R E M I E R R E A L E S T A T E C O M P A N Y . W W W PLEASANTON DISCOVER HOW TO GET MORE FOR YOUR HOME. DISCOVER J. ROCKCLIFF REALTORS. . R O C K C L I F F . C O M GOLDEN EAGLE Text to get the application Text: ROCK To: 87778 9999 L ONGVIEW L N 7930 R ACOON H ALLOW C T PLEASANTON 8012 G OLDEN E AGLE W AY 1892 V IA DI S ALERNO RUBY HILL BED 6 BA 7(2) 8,877+/- SQ.FT. 0.65+/- ACRES BED 6 BA 5(3) 8,330+/- SQ.FT. 3.85+/- ACRES BED 6 BA 3.5 3,670+/- SQ.FT. 0.80+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 3 2,500+/- SQ.FT. 0.20+/- ACRES BED 5 BA 3.5 4,200+/- SQ.FT. 0.71+/- ACRES Stunning, classic Italian Villa in one of Bay Area's most desirable locations. Catch your breath & prepare for what lies beyond the gorgeous entry of this estate. Nestled in an unrivaled setting among olive trees & lush landscaping w/ mile long views of vineyards. T HE U WE M AERCZ TEAM 1695 G ERMANO W AY A gated westside French Chateau custom estate with stunning grounds, elevator, private tennis court, indoor pool, casino/theater, 450 gal salt water fish tank, finished attic, vista terrace etc. Incredible level of detail! 925.251.2568 RUBY HILL T HE U WE M AERCZ TEAM Spectacular private park-like setting for this beautiful updated cstm home w/ amazing valley views. Open layout w/ grand entry & luxurious master suite. Remodeled kitchen. Crown molding & cstm designer features throughout. Pool & waterfall. 925.251.2568 W DUBLIN HILLS C ORTEZ & PESTAL Profess Remodel! Chef's' Kit w S/S top of line equip, Granite Counters, Cust Mill-work thru out, Cust 2 station office w/ cherry cabs, Baths w/ cherrywd, granite, tumbled marble, Newer windows, Plantation shutters, Bonus room w/ built-ins, fireplace. 925.648.5300 COUNTR Y FAIRE C ORTEZ & PESTAL Beautiful Italian style home featuring +/-4,189sf, 5 bedrooms, 3/1 bathrooms, with gorgeous Brazilian Cherry floors and elaborate crown moldings. Enjoy the spacious +/-31,268 sf lot (+/-0.71 acres) with pool and privacy in the back! 925.648.5300 THE RIDGE T HE U WE M AERCZ TEAM 5775 J OHNSTON R D 925.251.2568 PLEASANTON 7903 D R Y C REEK D RIVE 3545 C ALLE A LEGRE 7781 C LIFDEN C OURT BED 5 BA 6.5 7,330+/- SQ.FT. 0.65+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 3.5 3,449+/- SQ.FT. 0.20+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 3 2,916+/- SQ.FT. 0.29+/- ACRES BED 5 BA 5 4,606+/- SQ.FT. 0.47+/- ACRES BED 3 BA 2 2,474+/- SQ.FT. 4.10+/- ACRES Elaborate Italian Villa with +/-7,330 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6/1 bathrooms, stunning tile work and built less than four years ago. This home offers an impressive entry foyer, stately office, movie theatre, expansive kitchen, walk-in wine cellar and more. Resort style backyard with pool. 4 bedrooms + large loft, 3 car garage, cul-de-sac location, numerous upgrades including cherry cabinets, slab granite, upgraded flooring, wrought iron, Brazilian cherrywood flooring. Don't miss this one! T HE U WE M AERCZ TEAM 3056 R IVERS B END C IR OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4PM 925.251.2568 ARROYO T HE J OE F RAZZANO TEAM 2188 M C L EAN P LACE 925.735.7653 S . LIVERMORE WEINER M C D OWELL G ROUP 925.251.2550 3728 V ALLEY V IEW W AY AMBER RIDGE Wonderful remodeled and upgraded Trinity model in Original Country Fair! Perfect location, floorplan and amazing backyard including saline pool, spa, waterfalls and spillways. Downstairs bedroom and full bath, maple cabinetry,newer roof and win- Magnificent Former Model Estate built by Taylor Woodrow! Every option you could imagine; natural stone, marble, hardwood, wood paneling, crown mouldings, built-in speakers & more! Master suite w/ retreat & balcony. Panoramic views. a kind Come Experience Country Living - prestigious Tassajara Ranches, mins to vibrant Shopping & Entertainment. Newer roof, paint & carpet.+office, plantation shutters, central vaccum, bath/heated floors, new irrigation system. Barn/Garage w/ 2+ stalls. T HE J OE F RAZZANO TEAM 4513 M IRANO C T OPEN SUN 1:30-4:30PM 925.735.7653 DUBLIN TESS FOLSTER 621 KILKARE RD C T 2889 R UTHER FORD 925.984.7733 SUNOL LIVERMORE BED 5 BA 3.5 2,878+/- SQ.FT. 0.12+/- ACRES BED 3 BA 4.5 4,062+/- SQ.FT. 0.33+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 2 2,553+/- SQ.FT. 0.19+/- ACRES BED 3 BA 2 2,484+/- SQ.FT. 0.25+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 3.5 3,504+/- SQ.FT. 0.30+/- ACRES Gorgeous. 5th bed room converted into suite and attached to master bedroom, to relax, to watch movie privately/withfriends of choice. Has formal living room and family room, traviertine/carpet floor, granite counter top, shutters, fully landscaped. Stunning 1 of a kind, in the heart of Livermore Wine Country. Every detail of this home has been carefully considered & has every amenity imaginable. Wonderful architecture & a well designed floor plan. Fantastic backyard w/ outdoor kitchen & inground pool. Beautiful Pulte Home with 4 Beds 2.5 Baths and over 2500+ sq ft. Home includes hardwood floors,vaulted ceilings, side yard access and more.. Needs some TLC like carpet and paint. Close to park, shopping and freeway. Great Neighborhood! Over $160k in upgrades. End unit w/ 3 terraces. 4 car garage w/ acrylic flooring, storage. Home features: hardwood floors, granite kitchen & master bath countertop, SS appliances, ceiling fans, upgraded carpet, cabs, stair rails & more! Wonderfully location at the end of a cul-de-sac, near vineyards & open fields. Spacious entry way, gourmet kitchen & grand master bedroom suite. This home has a large backyard w/ a private apartment/office above the garage. M AX DE V RIES 3030 P ICHOLINE D RIVE OPEN SUN 1-4PM 925.251.2514 S . LIVERMORE P ATRICK M ARAVELIAS 7793 PEPPERTREE R D OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4PM 925.583.2192 SILVERGATE C OREY G REEN 3429 A SHBOURNE C IRCLE 925.583.2173 NORRIS CANYON L ORI FERNALD 753 TRAVISO C IRCLE OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4PM 925.648.3936 LIVERMORE S ARAH A RNOLD 1524 G REEN V ALLEY OPEN SUN 1-4PM 925.253.7074 DANVILLE BED 5 BA 4.5 3,776+/- SQ.FT. 0.23+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 3 2,240+/- SQ.FT. 0.21+/- ACRES BED 5 BA 5.5 5,017+/- SQ.FT. 0.33+/- ACRES BED 5 BA 4 3,362+/- SQ.FT. 0.21+/- ACRES BED 4 BA 2.5 2,402+/- SQ.FT. 0.23+/- ACRES Super Los Olivos! Gourmet kit, granite, big island, 2 butler's pantries, lrg breakfast room, formal living & dining w/recessed lights & coffered ceiling.Built-ins! Brazilian cherry flrs upstairs. Big master w/travertine tiled bath. Stamped concrete patio. Views! D IANE S ASS 925.583.2168 C ATHY D EAN & K ARI W AHL 925.200.4130 15 Railroad Ave. Danville, CA 94526 925.855.4000 Desirable Westside in Silvergate Highlands! Laminate & wood flrs, dual pane windows, updated kit & baths. Master bd downstairs w/ private bath. Amazing parklike yard on 2 lots with RV access. Minutes to 580/680 & BART, schools, shopping & restaurants. This Norris Canyon, San Ramon beauty backs up to open space and the Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space. Features a wonderful pool and waterfall, spa and an excellent space for outdoor entertaining. Large executive home in south Livermore in the sought after Kristopher Ranch neighborhood. The house is situated on a nine thousand and thirty four square feet lot. Great privacy for guest or in-laws. D AVID A ZIMI 925.251.2580 M AX DE V RIES Custom built rancher completed in 2007. Open floor plan. Chef's kitchen w/custom island, walnut cabinets, granite slab, + SS appl. Distressed walnut hrdwd floors. Amazing bathrooms. Ringed-shaped extended gated driveway/ detached oversized gar. 925.525.0116 MICHAEL SWIFT & ASSOCIATES 925.251.2588 Blackhawk East 4105 Blackhawk Plaza Cir. Danville, CA 94506 925.648.5300 Page 28 Blackhawk West Danville 3880 Blackhawk Rd. Danville, CA 94506 925.736.6000 Lafayette 3799 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA 94549 925.385.2330 Livermore 1983 Second St. Livermore, CA 94550 925.667.2100 Montclair/ Piedmont Pleasanton 6116 La Salle Ave., Ste. 200 Oakland, CA 94611 510.339.4800 5075 Hopyard Rd Ste. 110 Pleasanton, CA 94588 Orinda 925.251.2500 89 Davis Rd., Orinda, CA 94563 925.253.7000 Walnut Creek 1700 N. Main St. Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925.280.8500 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Emily Barraclough www.925hometeam.com firstname.lastname@example.com (925) 621-4097 BY APPOINTMENT BY APPOINTMENT Thinking of selling your home? I have qualified buyers. Contact me today! apr.com OPEN SUN 1:30-4:30 3717 BRANDING IRON PLACE, DUBLIN Don't miss this 3 bedroom, 2 � bath townhome situated in the desirable Silvera Villas neighborhood of Dublin. Approx. 1654 sq ft of living space, this gorgeous home has a wonderful light and bright open floor plan. This home features many upgrades throughout including granite counters and stainless steel Bosch appliances in the kitchen and Bamboo hardwood floors throughout the living room, family room & kitchen. OFFERED AT $395,000 1684 TANGLEWOOD COURT, PLEASANTON Location! Location! Single story home located on a court just around the corner from the Elementary and Middle school. The home is approximately 1716 sq ft home with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The exterior has been freshly painted and updated landscaping in the front yard. The kitchen has been updated and has a wonderful open layout to the family room. Nice sized private back yard with a pool. OFFERED AT $649,000 10776 RUTHVEN LANE, DUBLIN Fabulous West side Dublin location in the California Highlands neighborhood. Great open floor plan includes vaulted ceilings, 3 bedrooms 2 � bathrooms with approximately 1387 sq feet of living space. The home has a large living room/dining room with fireplace, spacious patio and a 2 car attached garage. Located amongst the foothills to create a very serene atmosphere. OFFERED AT $399,000 PENDING PENDING WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS JUST SOLD REPRESENTED BUYERS 10 TURRINI PLACE, DANVILLE A truly amazing home on a large lot that is great for entertaining or just relaxing. Stunning grounds with a pool, spa, pond, a deck with an outdoor BBQ area & gazebo. Home is approximately 5,000 sq ft. & is in need of some updating. OFFERED AT $1,175,000 4235 CLARINBRIDGE CIRCLE, DUBLIN Beautiful 2 bedroom 2 � bath condo in The Villas of the Dublin Ranch neighborhood. With approximately 1401 sq ft of living space this home has a nice open, light & bright layout. The kitchen has many upgrades including granite counters & stainless steel appliances. OFFERED AT $324,500 5809 STONECLIFF VISTA, PLEASANTON Gorgeous home located in the Canyon Oaks neighborhood. Great views of Mt Diablo and no rear neighbors. Gourmet kitchen w/ granite countertops & stainless steel appliances & spacious master suite. Home has 3 bedrooms 2 � bathrooms with approximately 2400 sq ft of living space. OFFERED AT $810,000 PLEASANTON 90 0 Main Street Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 29 1334 STONE CANYON CT, PLEASANTON LOCATED IN IRONWOOD ESTATES PENDING 3623 CAMERON AVE, PLEASANTON LOCATED IN MOHR/MARTIN ESTATES 5260 RIDGEVALE WAY, PLEASANTON LOCATED IN PLEASANTON VALLEY 5 BD 4.5 BA 4,205sf. on a 10,588sf. lot. Over $50,000 in upgrades. Open floor plan with high ceilings. Bedroom/office is on the 1st level with adjoining bath. Highly upgraded kitchen with granite counters, large island with sink, and stainless steel appliances. Custom fountain in rear yard surrounded by garden area. $1,350,000 5 BD 3 BA 3,291sf. on a 39,892sf. lot. Flat 1 acre 4 BD 2.5 BA 3,043sf on a 10,750sf. lot. lot. Country elegance close to town. Updated kitchen Hardwood floors throughout. Large offers neutral appliances, dinette area, breakfast bar, downstairs great room with built-in bar and granite counters with full height backsplash, recessed vaulted ceilings. Remodeled kitchen with granite lighting and opens into the family room. This single counters and excess storage. Expanded master story offers a private well, pool, volleyball court, suite with retreat. Pool and spa in rear yard. horseshoe court and so much more! Perfect for entertaining! $1,325,000 $995,000 KRIS MOXLEY TYLER MOXLEY 925.600.0990 MOXLEYTEAM.COM 4 GENERATIONS OF R EAL ESTATE SERVICE AND EXPERIENCE 3710 RIESLING COURT, PLEASANTON LOCATED IN VINTAGE HILLS 4055 ALVARADO STREET LOCATED IN THE JENSEN NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN SUN 1:00-4:00 725 ORION WAY, LIVERMORE LOCATED IN SOUTH LIVERMORE PRICE REDUCTION! 5 BD 3 BA 2,925sf. on a 10,331sf. lot. Open floor plan with bedroom & bath on main floor. Spacious kitchen with lots of storage. New carpet & roof. Master suite with large walk-in closet. Pool and spa in backyard. $750,000 5 BD 3 BA 1,802sf on a 6,955sf. lot. Updated kitchen offers wood floors, pantry, granite counters, breakfast bar. Private deck and pool offered in rear yard. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PLEASANTON! $612,000 3 BD 2 BA 1,608sf. on a 10,000sf. lot. Single story in South Livermore. Expanded and updated kitchen, family room and master suite. Spectacular, huge rear yard with side yard access. $534,000 DRE #00790463, 01412130 www.blaiselofland.com firstname.lastname@example.com DRE# 00882113 925.846.6500 apr.com WALNUT GLEN ESTATES ESTATES OF MOHR PARK OAK MANOR SOLD CANYON OAKS Wow! Better than new because it is done & ready! Extensively designer remodeled, single level, plus upstairs bonus room/au pair/guest quarters! Premium corner .34 acre lot! Four bedrooms plus bonus, four bathrooms, 3588 square feet. Completely remodeled gourmet kitchen with new granite slab countertops, designer backsplash & new stainless appliances. Remodeled bathrooms with granite slab countertops, custom marble flooring & surround. New interior & exterior paint, new carpet, new Travertine flooring! Vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters, crown molding, new door hardware & light fixtures! Security alarm system & intercom! Finished three car garage! Tile roof. Professionally recently upgraded landscaped grounds with spacious lawn area & patios. Award winning Pleasanton schools! Walk to neighborhood parks! OFFERED AT $1,269,000 3891 PICARD AVENUE, PLEASANTON 2248 KAMP COURT, PLEASANTON Premium private large (12,691 sq ft) lot in excellent court location with in-ground pool & spa! Highly upgraded five bedrooms, three bathrooms. Approximately 3,369 square feet. Completely remodeled kitchen with granite slab countertops, custom cabinets & stainless steel appliances. Remodeled master bathroom with new granite & tile. Three car garage. Professionally landscaped private rear grounds with in-ground pool, spacious deck and large lawn area. Just a few minutes to downtown. Just around the corner from Nielsen Park. Award winning schools! OFFERED AT $1,165,000 819 OAK MANOR COURT, PLEASANTON As soon as you enter you will be impressed with the unique elegance. Gorgeous custom home on private .62 acre lot. Approximately 4,541 square feet, four bedrooms (two master suites) plus office/wine room and bonus loft area and 5.5 bathrooms. Quality, high end equipment and finishes throughout. Gourmet kitchen with granite slab counters and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors. Oversized four car garage. Beautifully landscaped Tahoe-like grounds with mature trees. Two minutes to Castlewood Country Club. OFFERED AT $1,565,000 5809 STONECLIFF VISTA LN, PLEASANTON Newer beautiful home built in 2004. Great location, backs to open space with views of Mount Diablo, Pleasanton Ridge & surrounding open space! Three bedrooms plus loft/office, two & a half bathrooms, 2401 square feet. Custom tile flooring. Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, stainless appliances. Spacious master suite. Oversized two car garage. Beautiful landscaping. Walk to new sports park & award winning Hearst Elementary, Pleasanton Middle School, Oak Hill Shopping Center & Main Street! Convenient to Callippe Golf Course & Castlewood Country Club. SOLD FOR $810,000 DOWNTOWN KOTTINGER RANCH SOLD -- REPRESENTED BUYER FOOTHILL KNOLLS SOLD SOLD LAGUNA OAKS SOLD 335 DEL SOL AVENUE, PLEASANTON Location, location, location. Desirable downtown quiet court location! Beautiful upgraded home, 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms with 2350 square feet. Remodeled kitchen with granite slab countertops, custom backsplash and stainless appliances. Newer upgraded hardwood flooring, plantation shutters, dual pane windows, newer brushed nickel hardware and fixtures. Lots of upgrades including 30 year roof. Elevated lot with private secluded tranquil grounds includes TimberTech deck, mature trees. Walk around the corner at Neal and in one minute you are at the Farmers Market and can also enjoy all the other downtown amenities! Award winning schools! SOLD FOR $830,000 Excellent location!!! Panoramic views of surrounding hills. Backs to open space, no rear neighbors. Great condition, move in ready! Five bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3300 square feet. Recently updated gourmet kitchen with granite slab countertops! Spacious master suite with fireplace & large bathroom. Open living room, family room and formal dining room. French doors, hardwood flooring. Three car garage. Beautiful, professionally landscaped grounds include, in-ground pool, spacious deck, gazebo, large lawn areas and 135 wine producing grape vines, private vineyard! Community amenities include tennis courts & pool! Walking distance to Main Street and downtown! Award winning Pleasanton schools!! SOLD FOR $1,400,000 1348 HEARST DRIVE, PLEASANTON 7863 FOOTHILL KNOLLS, PLEASANTON Beautiful single story on private premium .35 acre lot. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, approximately 2,150 sf. Completely remodeled kitchen with granite slab countertops, custom backsplash, custom cabinetry and high end European appliances. Hardwood flooring, French doors, vaulted ceilings, newer windows, newer tile roof. Master suite includes custom built-in closet/ dresser area, French doors to rear grounds, private bathroom with dual sinks. Very private professionally landscaped rear grounds, with no rear neighbors. Recently re-plastered and tiled pool/spa with new equipment. Built-in kitchen/ BBQ island with refrigerator. Mature trees, patios and lawn areas. OFFERED AT AND SOLD FOR $949,000 2505 ARLOTTA PLACE, PLEASANTON Best location in Laguna Oaks! Desirable Newport model on premium .40 acre lot. Quiet premium court location. Four bedrooms, bonus room, plus formal office. Private guest/in law/au pair quarters (4th). Three and a half bathrooms. Approximately 3,830 square feet. Large gourmet kitchen, granite countertops, custom backsplash, tile flooring and large eating area. Spacious master suite with views of Pleasanton Ridge, and large walk in closet. Beautifully landscaped rear yard with ultimate privacy. Expansive lawn areas (pool site). A short walk to the community pool, park, and tennis courts. SOLD FOR $1,300,000 PLEASANTON 90 0 Main Street Page 30 November 18, 2011 Pleasanton Weekly Go to open.apr.com for the Bay Area's only complete online open home guide. MARTA RIEDY BY APPT LINDA TRAURIG BY APPT MARK KOTCH BY APPT DOUG BUENZ BY APPT DOUG BUENZ OPEN SUN 1-4 PLEASANTON $2,149,000 Beautiful Craftsman style quality custom home in Ruby Hill. Rich hardwood floors, 5bd w/ private baths, game room, office, gourmet kitchen w/commercial grade appliances, stunning views of Mt. Diablo. 3720 RABOLI STREET DEBI BODAN BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,799,000 Absolutely stunning custom home features 5bd + bonus room + office on over an acre backing to open space. Recently remodeled kitchen, situated on quiet cul-de-sac. Perfect for entertaining! 8008 ROCKFORD PLACE SALLY MARTIN BY APPT DANVILLE $1,650,000 4bd/3.5ba, 3800+/-sf on 5.18+/- acres. Formal living & dining rooms, bonus room and large kitchen. Back yard with pool, spa & gazebo. Abundant room for horses or vines. Private gated entrance. 6650 JOHNSTON RD JULIA MURTAGH BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,199,000 Remodeled country home, 2+/-acre, 4bd/3ba + media room,loft&office, granite/cherry kitchen,stunning great room, luxurious master suite with retreat, total privacy, lighted sports court & more! 927 HAPPY VALLEY RD DOUG BUENZ BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,079,000 Charming 4bd/3.5ba, 3,283+/-sf home situated on .50+/-acre cul-de-sac lot. Features granite kitchen, pool, 4 car garage and more. 4184 CREEKWOOD CT DOUG BUENZ BY APPT LIVERMORE $1,070,000 WINE COUNTRY LIVING! This amazing five bed, four and a half bath home includes a gourmet kitchen, hardwood, bed and full bath downstairs. 2975 LUSITANA PLEASANTON $895,000 Stunning hardwood floors & vaulted ceilings. Kitchen has slab granite & lrg brkfst nook. Master with fireplace & fabulous views. Gorgeous pool & spa. 5th bdrm is an office, 4th bdrm is media room. 1108 CRELLIN JOYCE JONES BY APPT PLEASANTON $849,000 Walk to Award Winning Schools, downtown Pleasanton and shops, from this 4 bedroom. 2,5 bathroom home. Built in 2003 by KB homes, this home is just under 2900 square feet, and in great condition. 6023 STERLING GREEN CIR TIMOTHY MCGUIRE BY APPT PLEASANTON $819,000 Fabulous updated Forest Hill home, 3 car garage, granite kitchen, center island, vaulted ceilings, new designer carpeting, hw floors, new interior paint, new roof, very private yard & more! 5083 MUIRWOOD DR JO ANN LUISI BY APPT PLEASANTON $799,000 Model sharp home featuring 3bd + loft, downstairs luxurious master suite, sunny granite & maple kitchen, premium location across from open space with private lot and more! 5703 ATHENOUR CT DAN GAMACHE, JR. BY APPT CHESTER HALL BY APPT PLEASANTON $734,950 Spacious Kottinger Heights is ready for entertaining and family fun. 4bd/2.5ba, 2260+/-sf. Relax around the sparkling pool or enjoy a sunny interior retreat. 3643 BERNAL AVE PLEASANTON $729,000 4bd/3ba (1 bd/ba downstairs), updated kitchen/baths, & solar panels for energy efficiency. LOCATED-end of the cul-desac, backing to greenbelt w/playground, community pool, tennis courts, MORE! 3298 MONMOUTH COURT MARTA RIEDY BY APPT PLEASANTON $710,000 3bd/2ba, 2,600+/-sf situated on a 12,947+/sf lot, freshly painted inside and out, new appliances, inside laundry, side yard access 3596 CHIPPENDALE CT LIVERMORE $705,000 4bd + bonus/den, 3 Full Baths, 1 full bath downstairs. Beautifully remodeled kitchen and baths. Premium lot with pool, spa and side yard access. 899 LUCERNE ST PLEASANTON $679,999 Rare to find single story custom built, 4bd/2ba, great open floor plan w/ excellent use of space. Great location with quick access to freeways, schools, shopping and downtown Pleasanton! 5769 SAN CARLOS WAY MAUREEN NOKES BY APPT STEPHEN MCDONOUGH BY APPT JULIA MURTAGH BY APPT TIMOTHY MCGUIRE BY APPT DANVILLE $675,000 Country Charm! 3bd/2ba Farmhouse with a lot of potential! 1.2+/- acres, possible 2nd unit, Become a country farmer or plant a small vineyard! 20 SHERBURNE HILLS RD FREMONT $675,000 Absolutely gorgeous 1,852+/-sf, Mission San Jose, 1 story with loft/3rd bd, renovated kitchen, granite counters, new appliances and more! 41421 TIMBER CREEK TERRACE PLEASANTON $555,000 Super clean, upgraded kitchen, huge beautiful backyard, new windows, great location, very well maintained by owners. 6432 INGLEWOOD DR PLEASANTON $485,000 2bd/3ba, with office/potential 3rd bedroom downstairs, beautifully updated kitchen and baths, vaulted ceilings, custom fireplace, attached 2-car garage, walking distance to Shopping, Schools and Parks. 1485 TRIMINGHAM DR PLEASANTON $438,950 Wow! 3bd/2.5ba, 2 car garage, townhome. Prime Stoneridge location. Kitchen updated, vaulted ceilings, laminate flooring, F/P, inside laundry, AC, cozy enclosed front patio, community pool & more! 7337 STONEDALE DRIVE PLEASANTON | 900 Main St 925.251.1111 LIVERMORE | 2300 First St, Suite 316 925.583.1111 Pleasanton Weekly November 18, 2011 Page 31 your new Pleasanton Safeway is like no other discover inspiration in an array of special departments and great value down every aisle. full-service pharmacy W We're We're the mo convenient place to fill your most o prescriptions, since you only need to make one prescriptio o stop for both groceries and medications. Our s stop b Pharmacists can explain your prescription and Pharma a over-the-counter medications, and provide over-th h you with written information. Because we wi have o have over a decade of experience, you can trust our expertise in giving immunizations. trus o tru t ou We accept most insurance, including ac ac Medicare Parts B & D. Medic Medica Join us! Grand Opening Nov. 18th at 8 a.m. 6790 Bernal Ave. Pleasanton wine & spirits All your favorite domestic and imported red, white and sparkling wines are available, plus ports and dessert wines. Don't forget to also check out our huge selection of spirits. We also offer a huge selection of bottles under $10! when you 10% OFF or more of buy 6&bottles wine spirits. * *750-ml. or larger. Offer valid with Safeway Club Card. MIX & MATCH meat and seafood experts Our in-house experts are happy to custom-cut your selection or season and marinate your meat or seafood free of charge. delicious sushi Stop by and pick up amazingly fresh esh and tasty sushi to go. Our sushi chef hef can even make special requests for you on the spot! great food to go Great meals are ready to go in the o Deli. Pick up delicious Signature ture � Cafe sandwiches, soups, salads, and chef-inspired entrees made from the freshest ingredients. freshly baked Visit the Bakery for European-style breads, desserts, cookies, bagels, cakes and more, freshly baked by our skilled bakers. gorgeous flowers All year round, you'll find the best prices on a wonderful selection of the season's freshest flowers. And if you need a last minute gift, we have a collection of boxed chocolates, blooming plants, scented candles and more. the freshest produce Every piece of produce is 100% guaranteed ripe and delicious or we'll refund your money or replace your produce FREE. NC-2856-PLEASANTON