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Pleasanton Weekly 12.18.2009 - Section 1
Section 1 of the December 18, 2009 edition of the Pleasanton Weekly
Pleasanton Weekly VOL. X, NUMBER 49 � DECEMBER 18, 2009 I N SI D E Beating the flu: County to plan future H1N1 vaccination events after hundreds flock to recent fairground clinic PAGE 5 Helping the needy: The Weekly's Holiday Fund is in full swing and can now accept credit card donations PAGE 19 WWW.PLEASANTONWEEKLY.COM Year In See our A to Z guide on all the big stories from the past 12 months PAGE 16 March: funeral procession for four fallen Oakland police officers October: City takes first step toward plan for new library, civic center September: First phase of Bernal Community Park opens A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS... ...when her holiday gift is from Cardinal Jewelers. Come see us. We' ll help you find the perfect gift that brings that preview right into your own home! Cardinal Jewelers "A world of fine gems." Original Owner est. 1977 BR ILLI A NCE YOU DESERV E� Robert Gehl Senior Vice President � Investments 4900 Hopyard Road, Suite 105, Pleasanton, CA 94588 email@example.com CA Insurance License #0A131O5 800-825-9877 wfadvisors.com/robert.gehl Investment and Insurance Products: X NOT FDIC Insured X NO Bank Guarantee X MAY Lose Value (925) 416-1111 (new location) 3003-B Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, CA In The Hopyard Village Shopping Center Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. �2009 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. 0509-0616 [79826-v1] 09/09 Plantation Shutters for Any Opening, Any Room �Sliding Doors�French Doors�Arches Built-In Organization Systems for Closets � Offices � TV Rooms � Wall Beds � & More Call Now! 800-701-4555 PW1209 BayHomeAndWindow.com Corporate offices: 40 California Ave., Pleasanton Page 2 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly *Off MSRP. Selected lines only. Minimum order required. AROUND PLEASANTON BY JEB BING Mark Curtis heads east y good friend and professional colleague Mark Curtis will leave the Bay Area next month to become the key investigative and political reporter and weekend news anchor for WLNE-TV in Providence, R.I., an ABC affiliate. A seasoned television newsman, Curtis and I have similar backgrounds, though in different years. We both whet our appetites on careers in journalism as 12-yearolds delivering newspapers, Curtis for the Milwaukee Sentinel and me, carrying the Chicago Tribune to some 60 home subscribers, a newspaper I later worked for as a reporter and editor. After graduating with a degree in broadcast communications from Marquette University and later earning a master's at the University of Florida, Curtis' passion for political reporting began when he spent time as a congressional fellow, working in the House Judiciary Subcommittee of Rep. Charles Schumer (D-NY) as well as for Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.). He then became the Washington correspondent for Cox Broadcasting, filing on-air reports daily for the broadcaster's stations throughout the U.S. Five years later, Cox transferred Curtis to its Fox affiliate in Oakland, KTVU-TV/Channel 2, where he was a news anchor and political commentator until a downturn in station advertising forced staff layoffs. Within days, he was back on his feet as a free-lance commentator, serving stations across the country with national and regional reports that eventually found him covering the presidential campaign during most of 2008. His book about that experience, "Age of Obama: A Reporter's Journey with Clinton, McCain and Obama in the Making of the President 2008," was released during inaugural week in 2009 by Nimble Books. Since then, he's spent considerable time traveling from city-tocity on book-signing appearances a major book stores. Curtis and I both worked in Washington and we also moved our families to the Tri-Valley, Curtis in 1999 to Danville and my move 12 years earlier in 1987 to Pleasanton. Now he's heading back east, thrilled to have the chance to report on the hot political senate contests ahead in the WLNE-TV coverage area, which includes Massachusetts and Connecticut as well M as Rhode Island. With Wednesdays and Thursdays off, he'll be able to grab lower weekday fares to come back often to see his wife Kathi, a ballet instructor in Livermore; daughter Allie, who will graduate from Monte Vista High School next June, and son Patrick, who will finish eighth grade at Los Cerros Middle School in Danville at the same time. Curtis said the family will relocate to the Providence area next summer. Although excited about the opportunity to anchor ABC6 news weekends and covering regional politics during the week in Providence, Curtis admits that he'll miss his acquired hometown of Danville and the rest of the TriValley, including Pleasanton. He now hosts Tri-Valley Community "Focus," which he tapes twice a month for TV30, the community television station that airs the show on Tuesday and Friday evenings. He's also on the board of directors of the San Ramon Valley YMCA and the Mt. Diablo Silverado Scout Council and active with the Tri-Valley Community Foundation and the Community Presbyterian Church in Danville. Now 50, Curtis is "old school" when it comes to professional demeanor, always wearing a suit and tie when on the air and out in the field, carefully avoiding the California casualness of calling everybody by their first names until he gets to know them. That will serve him well back east where the dress code is less business casual and social gatherings are often black tie events. Curtis says that he has lived all over the U.S., from Wisconsin to Florida, Washington, D.C. to California. He's delighted that he has a chance to work in New England "where it all began, this magical democracy that is the greatest nation on earth." A political junkie by trade, he's looking forward to reporting on politics in a region of the country that has produced a number of the U.S. presidents. Curtis and I will join a mutual friend and journalist, Tim Hunt, former associate editor of the TriValley Herald, in a discussion of today's media before a meeting of Leadership Pleasanton on Wednesday, Jan. 6. That morning, Curtis will also speak to the Martinez Rotary Club and then taping another TV30 "Focus" show before catching a flight the next day for Providence, ready to anchor his first weekend news show on Saturday, Jan. 9. Wish I could tune in. To everyone who stopped by and made us feel welcome since our opening last Friday. Since Christmas is so close, we`re offering Thank You! including taffy 25% Off All Christmas Goods* cupidstooth.com 99 West Neal Street * while supplies last, can't be combined with other offers, some restrictions apply and all that good stuff... Participants A Touch of Health Day Spa Alexander's Fine Art Amelia's Harvest Berry Patch Bibiane Bakery Blue Agave Club Calipso's Salon Casa Madrid Tapas & More! Clover Creek Coldstone Creamery Comerica Bank Divine Skin & Body Care Emilio's El Portal Euphoria Nail & Body Bar Farmer Restaurant Farmers Insurance - Marleen Armstrong Gamma Salon Gourmet Works Graham Piano Studio Gregory Frame Shoppe Jewelers Gallery Kasaria Jewelers La Di Da Beauty Lounge Leslie Marle Body & Skin Care Little Valley Winery Lotus Consignment Boutique Mahalo Grille Main Street Spirits & Deli MD Laser Spa Milfleur @ Knottinger Barn Murphy's Paw Museum on Main Nolands Cake Shop Pans on Fire Passionate Athlete Petal Pusher Pleasanton Main St. Brewery Quiznos Redcoats British Pub & Restaurant Resurrection Boutique Rising Loafer Cafe & Bakery Salon Nouvelle Vie Savvy Seconds Sincerely Yours Cards & Gifts Stork's Nest Strizzi's Studio 7 Fine Arts Thriving Ink & Co. Towne Center Books U.S. Mortgage Relief Vic's All Star Kitchen Yolatea Your Stage Toys in Downtown Pleasanton About the Cover As the year comes to an end, the Weekly takes a look back. Pictured: Cassandra Gonzales and her mother Melody hold up a flag in a show of support for law enforcement along Interstate 580 as police agencies drive to a funeral for four fallen Oakland police officers. A woman reads to a young girl outside the Pleasanton Public Library. The city made its first big step toward a plan to build a new, larger library when funds become available. Mayor Jennifer Hosterman prepares to pitch a baseball at a celebration for the opening of the first phase of the Bernal Community Park. Photos by Janet Pelletier and Dino Vournas. Vol. X, Number 49 After skating pick up this coupon for special discounts at the following Downtown Businesses! Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 3 Streetwise "10@$10" HOLIDAY SALE! Tony Wells ASKED AT YOUTH BASKETBALL GAMES How will the holidays be different this year with the poor economy? Marketing Executive We'll be staying a little closer to home. Traveling was out of the question this year as we were looking to save money. We�ll also be focusing on teaching the kids that Christmas is the point of the holiday, not just giving or getting. X-m as D Stimulus Package ec rds a 2 ift C y 3+1 10-Styles Shown Only $10 each! 0% Of or G e f and they udr sh (while supplies last -12-24-09 won't last long) A exp. Lu Downtown Pleasanton 520 Main Street 925-484-1993 www.thrivingink.com Holiday Corina Orozco Paralegal We just recently lost our aunt. She'll be greatly missed this Christmas. This is the first holiday we'll have without her. It's sad. It has nothing to do with the economy, but it will affect our holiday. Art Tees Onesies to 2XL Recycled Denim Independent Brands Jewelry Art Accessories Anamaria Beard Student You get less presents. I'm sad about it because I like presents and when you don't get as many, you don't get as many of the things you like. For Over 30 Years, Quality Assured in Every Step Al Climent Consultant Probably not much different. We're just going to Tahoe and enjoying some skiing with a bunch of friends. Karen Enriquez HARDWOOD LAMINATE CARPET VINYL --Compiled by Elyssa Thome Homemaker It will be different because it's a lot more about being concerned with budget. A lot less presents, and we have to be aware of costs. The price of a gift has to be considered. Overall, we're just being cautious. TILE Family Owned & Operated Have a Streetwise question? E-mail email@example.com 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. � 2009 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Hours: M-F 10:30am-5:30pm, Sat 10:30am-4pm 3950-C Valley Ave., Pleasanton Page 4 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly www.silmarflooring.com (925) 846-7600 Newsfront DIGEST Tour of lights `Tis the season to ooh and ah over holiday house decorations. Many are featured on the Lights of the Valley website, created by Livermore resident Alex Dourov. In its 11th year, the improved website offers a comprehensive list directing light show viewers to displays around the neighborhood and all across the Bay, with features including a house of the day, maps, pictures, videos and a rating system. To learn more, visit www.lightsofthevalley.com. BY JEB BING Falling tax revenue concerns Pleasanton officials Shortfalls in July-September period greater than projected Pleasanton's Finance Director Dave Culver warned the City Council Tuesday that lower tax revenues could hamper the city's efforts to maintain its current levels of services, programs and staff in the year ahead. He said revenue from sales taxes has fallen to an estimated $15.5 million for the current fiscal year, which ends next June 30, from his projection of $16.5 million made only a few months ago. "It looks like we could be down 14 percent this year if the recession continues, as receipts from auto dealers, business and industry and general consumer goods decline," he said. Fees from developers are likely to total $1.3 million, not the $2.2 million that was projected when the current budget was prepared. So far, property taxes are holding up, with valuations remaining about the same as a year ago. But Pleasanton won't see the consistent increases of 3 percent and more this year or next, nor the double-digit gains the city saw at the start of the decade. Since property tax revenue accounts for 56 percent of the city's budget, jut staying even will be an achievement, Culver said. Neighboring cities have seen major decreases in both property valuations and taxes, forcing a number of them to programs, services and employees. Livermore recently terminated 11 city employees as that city wrestles with a major budget shortfall. Although revenue dropped in the last budget year, expenditures were trimmed even more, giving the city a $3-million surplus in fiscal 2009-10. That money has been added to the city's reserves to provide a financial cushion as tax revenue across the board declines. On the expenditure side, about 75 percent of the city's budget pays for labor, with public safety accounting for 44 percent of that. Total fixed operating costs are about 80 percent, for operations that include traffic and street lights and similar costs. Any major declines in revenue would likely lead to cuts in some of these See BUDGET on Page 6 Nominate a leader The Tri-Valley YMCA is asking for nominations of leaders from the Tri-Valley in the following categories: business/civic leader, educator, community leader/ volunteer. Those nominated should reflect in some way the spirit and example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The winners will be recognized at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship Breakfast on Jan. 25 at the Marriott Hotel. Submit nominations by Jan. 8 to tstier@ymcaeastbay. org or 4725 First St., Ste. 200, Pleasanton, CA 94566. To learn more, call 475-6017 or visit www.trivalleyymca.org. Body of camper found in state park Authorities believe Jay Lafontaine's Jeep got stuck in ravine BY EMILY WEST HARRY ARRUDA A woman and her daughter walk into the fairgrounds' Hall of Commerce Saturday to get vaccinated. Nearly 900 turned out; a total 6,700 countywide. County setting plans for future H1N1 clinics Nationwide recognition Downtown business owner Brenda Dronkers was featured in the January edition of Family Circle magazine. Her submission highlighted her shop Thriving Ink, the Meadowlark Dairy and popular downtown events in the My Hometown column on page 38 above. Vaccination event Saturday at fairgrounds drew 885 people, 6,700 countywide BY JANET PELLETIER Alumni soccer game nears Foothill and Amador High School alumni are invited to play in the seventh annual Ryan Gordon memorial alumni soccer game Dec. 27. The cost is $20 to play, or $7 for seniors and $4 for students to watch. The game is a fundraiser for soccer programs at both high schools. Register at All-Star Sports, 3037-A Hopyard Road, or by calling 8467928. The deadline to register is Dec. 24. Nearly 900 people turned out for H1N1 vaccinations last weekend at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, and the county says the wheels are in motion for more clinics in January as the state dictates how much they can allocate. Countywide, totaling five clinics held last Saturday, 6,700 people got vaccinated. A Fremont clinic served 2,000 of them, while Pleasanton's clinic served 885. Vanessa Cordova, a spokeswoman for the Alameda County Public Health Department, said the county saw a higher percentage of children this time. "It appeared anecdotally that these children were seeking second doses, so they were between the ages of six months and 9 years old," she said, as children 9 and under require a second dose at least 21 days after the first shot. A massive recall announced this week on doses determined to be not strong enough wasn't a factor in the county vaccinations, Cordova added. As the free vaccinations were targeted to go to higher-risk residents such as children, pregnant women and those with chronic health problems, Cordova said this most recent mass vaccination event was a success because the county was able to meet the demand. Part of the reason for that is because the county did more outreach to let the public know that the shots would go to the most vulnerable and to those who live in the county. Each county is allocated a supply based on a per capita formula by the state. "This past Saturday was the first time that we advanced that message that it was for county residents and it worked," Cordova said. "We didn't screen people. We're not in the business of policing people, but in much of our outreach, we did impart the importance of having residents pursue the vaccine in their county public health department or public health provider." Including previous countywide clinics Nov. 7 and 14, the county estimates that nearly 30,000 people have been vaccinated and it does appear to be lowering the risk of the flu strain spreading, but that doesn't mean the county won't be proactive, Cordova said. It's estimated that there are 60,000 people who fall into the high risk category. "Our eye is constantly on this ball," she said. "It's a disease that we have not seen before and we've already seen two waves and so See H1N1 on Page 6 The body of Jay Lafontaine, the 48-year-old Pleasanton man reported missing since Dec. 6, was found in a park east of Yosemite National Park. Around 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10, California Highway Patrol located the Jeep Wrangler belonging to Lafontaine. Found in a "very remote area" at an elevation of 10,000 feet just northeast of Bodie, Calif., reports said his personal equipment was found in the Jeep. The discovery of the Jeep led to the deployment of the Mono County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue team, which found the body of Lafontaine around 10:30 p.m. that evening. Investigators believe Lafontaine's Jeep got stuck in a ravine. Footprints in the snow indicated he was trying to walk out of the area for assistance, police said. Authorities indicated there were no signs of a struggle or foul play. The cause of his death hasn't been determined. Lafontaine was reported missing by his family on Dec. 4 after he failed to return home from his annual trip Dec. 2, as expected. Police Lt. Darrin Davis said the man left Pleasanton Nov. 27 in a 2005 black Jeep Wrangler with no side doors and last spoke to his family later that day. Cell phone records show no other activity since Nov. 27. According to police, Lafontaine decided to venture east to Bodie State Park in Mono County, which is in about 100 miles south of Lake Tahoe, before heading 250 miles south to Death Valley. During the initial report, authorities believed Lafontaine could have been anywhere within the 250mile stretch. --Bay City News contributed to this report. Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 5 NEWS BUDGET Continued from Page 5 services. "Our concern is that if the economy doesn't turn around, we could find ourselves in the same position as other cities where we will have to consider service reductions," said City Manager Nelson Fialho. "Right now, we have 35 vacant positions in the city government that we have not filled, from library clerks to police officers," he said. "There comes a time when we can't go much farther than that without making serious cuts. Tuesday night's report was a review of the first three months of the 2009-10 budget. A more extensive review will be made in late January after an analysis of property tax payments for the current year and holiday sales receipts have been analyzed. Jonathan Lowell takes oath of office as Pleasanton's new city attorney Former San Luis Obispo city attorney succeeds retiring Michael Roush BY JEB BING H1N1 Continued from Page 5 we're going to continue to protect those at highest risk until something in current epidemiology suggests that's no longer necessary." County health officials are in constant contact with the state over supply and the county is currently making plans to hold either more community-based clinics or one or more mass vaccination clinics like Saturday's. San Mateo County recently announced it would be making the H1N1 vaccine available to pharmacies there and Sacramento has opened up their target population to the general public, something Cordova said Alameda County hopes to offer as more high-risk residents are vaccinated and demand decreases. Former San Luis Obispo City Attorney Jonathan Lowell was sworn in Monday night as Pleasanton's new city attorney at a special meeting of the City Council. In a brief ceremony, Lowell raised his right hand to repeat the oath of office administered by City Clerk Karen Diaz, officially filling the office long held by now-former City Attorney Michael Roush, who is retiring. Roush will continue handling legal affairs for the city until Monday, Jan. 4, when Lowell takes over. Addressing the council, Lowell said that in researching the city of Pleasanton and the position of city attorney, "I realized what a fantastic professional city that you have and I am thrilled to be able to work with all of you." He especially praised outgoing City Attorney Roush, a city attorney he has long admired and respected. "I am honored to be able to step in and continue his good work on behalf of the city of Pleasanton," Lowell said. Lowell, who is also the incoming vice president of the League of California Cities City Attorney Department -- and will become its president in 2011 -- has been city attorney in San Luis Obispo, a city with a population of 43,000, since 2003. At one time he was also the assistant city attorney in both Livermore and Hay- JEB BING Pleasanton's new City Attorney Jonathan Lowell takes oath of office administered by City Clerk Karen Diaz. ward and the city attorney for San Bruno. He was in private practice with the San Francisco law firm of Curiale, Dellaverson, Hirschfield, Kraemer & Sloan. He received his law degree from UC Hastings College of Law and holds a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley. His employment contract, which the council unanimously approved last night, gives Lowell an annual starting salary of $195,000, a yearly performance bonus not to exceed 5 percent of his annual salary, and the same medical, retirement medical insurance, dental insurance and other benefits also provided to other management employees working for the city of Pleasanton. He will also be eligible for accrued vacation at the rate of 25 days annually and a credit of 10 days of administrative leave annually. He will receive a $400 monthly car allowance with a cell phone that includes payment of all charges related to city business. In his role as Pleasanton's City Attorney, Lowell will provide advice and counsel to the City Council, City Manager Nelson Fialho and city staff. He will manage a legal department that handles the city's contractual, regulatory, and litigation matters that typically include open meeting and public records laws; conflicts of interest; land use and environmental laws; claims and litigation; municipal elections; employment and labor relations; code enforcement, and other legal matters. Both the city manager's and city attorney's positions report directly to the City Council. Joining Lowell for last night's ceremony and a reception that followed were his parents Marie and Harry Lowell of Walnut Creek, his partner Peter DeMarais, and his mother-in-law Mary DeMarais. From the Foothill High Senior Parents -- Class of 2009 Thank you to all our generous Grad Night 2009 Donors Aragon Commercial Landscaping Paulette and Scott Tabler Bernal Corners Shell Steve Watty The Clorox Company ClubSport ConAgra Foods David Duval Mancini's SleepWorld Randy Mancini Pleasanton/Livermore Pediatrics Pleasanton Police Officers' Association Alexandria's Flowers Boomers Casa Orozco Cheesecake Factory Kathy Coon Costco Wholesale Corporation FHS Food Service Frank Castro Ising's Culligan Water Jamba Juice Chuck Lemoine MadeToOrder Rex Shoemake Meadowlark Dairy Raley's Regal Cinemas Safeway, Inc. Smart&Final, Inc. Target Corporation Tommy Ts Valley Crest Landscaping Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Page 6 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly NEWS Downtown Parking Game MANURE "We Deliver" and the Hey locals, the game downtown today is called "Parking," and it goes like this. As downtown's tiny commercial district intensifies within its fixed boundaries, those who have maximized the "income producing" square footages of their buildings and grounds in relation to lot size, while paying the least to use public parking for their shortages will be the winners. It's a numbers game and to understand how the game is played one must first understand downtown's "In-lieu Parking Fee" (ILPF) program. Parking requirements for new buildings and additions to existing ones, are governed by the "Downtown Parking Ordinance." The ILPF program allows downtown leaders like the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) the whereabouts to lower on-site parking requirements to new projects that benefit the community in a special way. Sounds good to me, so if you believe downtown belongs to everyone as I do, then let's analyze a few of the latest agreements to see how the game is played in our town. An investor demolishes his recently purchased old home on Spring Street, tells this downtown neighborhood, and you that he's building a new home for his family, but once completed and signed "Done" opens an under-parked real estate office building instead. What happened? Well, nothing really. He hires a former city attorney to represent him, PDA stamps "Special" on the package and we sell him low budget after the fact in-lieu parking fees and told him to go park... well, somewhere? Recognizing a deal when it sticks to his shoe, another investor over on Division Street instructs his architect to draw an un-parked addition onto the rear of his already city approved, but not yet started office building, gives PDA an engagement ring and runs down to City Hall and gets some of those fee things and square footages for himself. You get another 5-day, 9 to 5 under-parked automobile-oriented office building half a block from Main Street with a space-consuming private parking lot that just sits there vacant during peak parking hours and special events when retailers and restaurants, and you need parking the most. And let's not forget the old Kolln's building. This investor employs a recently retired city planner, PDA lights a cigarette and moans "I do" and now the entire site in blanketed with near 12,000 sq. ft. of "income producing" square footage, approaching three times the amount before the m�nage � trois. Now requiring 37 "public" parking spaces, and now supplies none. Bingo... there's a winner! However, buildings don't create vitality, only people do. And in return you get another low vitality bank on Main Street with a 27 year lease, while the downtown community itself lost a unique old retail store with creaky wooden floors, 100 years of history, character and charm, and darn near any little hardware part one might need without strapping themselves into 4000 lbs. of fire breathing plastic, rubber and steel and driving out there in the Crazy World. Oh wait, I forgot, you also loaned the investor your money to buy his in-lieu parking fees, and at an interest rate that would probably require these same bankers to go ask the Feds for TARP funds...1.75% Now if you're wondering, who the heck from the PDA negotiated this agreement(s) for you anyway, I can tell you this. It appears to be the same Director(s) and free market advocates who negotiated another agreement for PDA written in such a way whereas you literally sold your on-street parking spaces one block from Main Street to a developer for...wait for it...free! I guess it depends on whose free market one is marketing? And the same Director(s) who wrote and directed, although produced with your money, PDA's "mother of all" Parking Game moves, potentially worth tens of thousands in income-producing square footages to game winners, but a strategy that would also place another 100 or so cars out in the street looking for a public parking space for the losers... you! Talk about conflict of interest, more on that later. Now you may wish to ask PDA yourself where I go wrong, because when I did I was told that PDA plays the game like this. If an issue can be denied daylight and attention by one Board until the next Board takes over then it is too late... it's history. Game over! And I can certainly understand how playing the game under those rules would work well if you're the first group looking to avoid accountability, or the next group concerned about image, but I never could figure out how this PDA policy, these ILPF agreements, or these projects benefit the community in a special way? And just by saying so doesn't make it true. My mind keeps wandering back to the possibility that programs work only as well as those who control them. And since apparently PDA won't talk to anyone unless you're a card carrying member of the In-CrowdTM, I'm thinking maybe someone who does carry a card, maybe even one of the PDA Directors now carrying cards stamped "expires next month," or better still, maybe someone who just won a In-CrowdTM card and a pin number of their own would ask the current Board if they would please show us non-card carrying shareholders out here in political waste lands what accountability and respect looks like these days when one's building a community of character. You know, before it's too late and it's...Game Over! Thank you. Paid for by Robert W. Byrd Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 7 Handmade holidays Senior Center has two `well-kept secrets': the Peddler Shoppe and wood shop BY EMILY WEST Motorists driving past the Senior Center on Sunol Boulevard may not know that there's a little store filled with many handmade items. Called the Peddler Shoppe, it was opened around the same time as the senior center, which opened in 1973. Phyllis Bullock has volunteered her time there since about 1996 and says the little store's publicity has been spread by word-of-mouth. Recreation leader Raymond Figueroa said the store is "one of those little well kept secrets in town" that feature items from local artisans. Staffed by volunteers, the store is filled with jewelry, scarves, wooden toys, dolls and other items handmade by seniors. When asked what the most popular item in the store, Bullock said there's not one item, but just "whatever strikes your fancy." The prices are competitive, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the cost of operations and the rest going to the item's maker. Located in the Senior Center, at 5353 Sunol Blvd., it's open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one Saturday a month. They will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Contact the Peddler Shoppe at 931-5371. The wood shop is another feature of the senior center, which Figueroa said is remaining open for another year after they analyzed the participation and usage. One of the few wood shop programs for seniors in the East Bay, it allows wood working enthusiasts access to tools and equipment. Staffed by volunteers, there is a $5 fee for drop-in use (or $6 for nonresidents) and is open on weekdays. After Lose weight...and keep it off! Before Shauntrell lost weight on our program and you can too! Also Offering Botox� / Restylane� Treatments Dr. Moshe Lewis, MD Dermatologist 925-846-5614 Unretouched clinical photo taken while frowning before and 14 days after treatment with Botox� Cosmetic NEW Botox� Service Botox� Treatment plus Free Consultation to new clients only Not valid with other offers. $75 OFF FREE CONSULTATION New clients only Pleasanton 374 St. Mary St. 925 846-5614 San Ramon 2701 Crow Canyon Blvd. 925 837-6400 WOR SH I P W I T H US Christmas at St. Clare's In a religion that was born in a barn, an open door goes without saying. Our church invites you to join us in the worship and fellowship of Jesus Christ. The door is always open. Christmas Eve � December 24 5:00pm Children's Pageant Service with Holy Eucharist 8:00pm Family Worship Service with Holy Eucharist 11:00pm Candlelight Worship Service with Holy Eucharist Christmas Day � December 25 11:00am Christmas Day Holy Eucharist Sunday, December 27 8:00am Family Worship Service with Holy Eucharist 10:15am Christmas Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist St. Clare's Episcopal Church � 2003 Church Ad Project 925.462.4802 www.stclarespleasanton.org 2 Performances -- Sunday, December 20th 3410 Cornerstone Court, Pleasanton (Corner of Valley Ave. & Busch Rd.) THE INDEPENDENCE YOU WANT, THE ASSISTANCE YOU NEED. WHEN LIVING ALONE BECAME TOO DIFFICULT, I KNEW I NEEDED A CHANGE. AS MUCH AS I LOVE MY CHILDREN, MOVING IN WITH THEM SIMPLY WASN'T AN OPTION FOR ME. I LIKE THE I'VE BEEN SPACE IS LIMITED e are currently accepting applications for Below Market Rate Senior Assisted Living Apartments. Priority is given to seniors currently living in Pleasanton subsidized senior apartments or seniors with a Pleasanton address. Applications are available at The Parkview located at 100 Valley Avenue and on the City's website at www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us. Call us for more information. 100 VALLEY AVENUE (FORMERLY JUNIPERO ST.) PLEASANTON WWW.ESKATON.ORG PRIVACY OF MY OWN APARTMENT. LIFE, AND INDEPENDENT ALL MY I PLAN TO STAY THAT WAY. License #015601283 W 925-461-3042 MANAGED BY ESKATON Page 8 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Opinion Pleasanton EDITORIAL Weekly Staples Ranch nearing final PRESIDENT Gina Channell-Allen, Ext. 119 PUBLISHER Jeb Bing, Ext. 118 EDITORIAL Editor Jeb Bing, Ext. 118 Managing Editor Janet Pelletier, Ext. 111 Features Editor Emily West, Ext. 121 Contributors Dennis Miller Jerri Pantages Long Joe Ramirez Elyssa Thome ART & PRODUCTION Lead Designer Katrina Cannon, Ext. 130 Designers Lili Cao, Ext. 120 Kristin Herman, Ext. 114 Manuel Valenzuela, Ext. 120 ADVERTISING Advertising Sales Manager Mary Hantos, Ext. 123 Account Executives Paul Crawford, Ext. 113 Karen Klein, Ext. 122 Real Estate Sales Andrea Heggelund, Ext. 110 Ad Services Sandy Lee, Ext. 116 Katrina Cannon, Ext. 130 BUSINESS Business Associate Lisa Oefelein, Ext. 126 Circulation Director Bob Lampkin, Ext. 141 Front Office Coodinator Kathleen Martin, Ext. 0 HOW TO REACH THE WEEKLY Phone: (925) 600-0840 Fax: (925) 600-9559 Editorial e-mail: firstname.lastname@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 Please explain the inconsistency Dear Editor, I have posed the following question to Congressman McNerney three times and have yet to receive an answer, so I am taking the public route to see if I can get a response. In Mr. McNerney's recent health care letter, he claims almost glowingly that the House bill will decrease our deficit by $100 billion (counting on substantial cuts in Medicare to fund this bill). Then a couple of weeks later the House passes another bill that will increase Medicare by $210 billion. Mr. McNerney, please help us all understand how an increase in Medicare is consistent with what you claim for the House health care bill? Your claims seem to be disin- environmental OK There's still time to read and make comments on the 200-plus page, bound supplemental Environment Impact Report on Staples Ranch. The deadline for comments has been extended to 5 p.m. Dec. 30 with the City Council expected to consider certifying the document early in the year. Although voluminous, it's not tough to read and actually interesting for anyone who has to prepare detailed reports in their work or wants to know about local habitat, emissions that possible constitute a considerable contribution toward the impact of global climate change, or noise levels along Stoneridge Drive. Brian Dolan, Pleasanton's community development director, said it's the most extensive--and expensive--EIRs he's seen in his many years in city planning and no doubt contains data that will be useful for years to come. Just in terms of analyzing noise levels that could occur in nearby neighborhoods with the proposed extension of Stoneridge Drive from the Mohr-Martin community to El Charro Road and Livermore were found to be greater than those allowed in the city's new General Plan, which will require noise-absorbing asphalt and other mitigations to keep noise levels in check Dolan believes that the EIR document, available online or for overthe-counter reading at City Hall, is one of the best land use primers ever put together on a single site that has only 124 acres. It's the second time around by for consultants hired by the city of Pleasanton to carefully evaluate the potential effects of the proposed multi-million-dollar developments planned for Staples, which is an undeveloped parcel southwest of the intersection of Interstate 580 and El Charro Road, an interchange that also serves as the border of Dublin, Livermore and, when annexed into the city, Pleasanton. Now owned by Alameda County, Staples is the site of commercial, retail, housing and sports developments that, when completed, would produce millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city of Pleasanton. Several of the proposed development projects have now cleared planning checks, and once the supplemental EIR is certified by the City Council, final plans by the individual developers can move forward. Because of the current economic downturn, that's not likely until late next year or 2011, but each developer wants to have the approvals ready when the right time comes. The Staples master plan, which the new EIR studied, includes a 17-acre community park, a 46-acre senior care community, a 37-acre auto mall, an 11-acre retail/commercial center, a 5-acre neighborhood park and a 10-acre site to be developed with a two-story ice arena to be built, operated and funded by a subsidiary of the San Jose Sharks. The Stoneridge Drive extension is the most controversial proposal on Staples, narrowly approved in a 3-2 vote of the City Council with Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty picking up the check for building bridges over the arroyo that will be required. The EIR analyses the potential noise and traffic impacts of the extended Stoneridge Drive and recommends ways to keep them tolerable. Responding to concerns by biological and environmental groups, the EIR also updates surveys for the California tiger salamander, the California red-legged frog, the western pond turtle and the San Joaquin spearscale that are believed to be on Staples. Also analyzed are the potential impacts to the environment resulting from production of greenhouse gas emissions and the various noise impacts. As part of the mitigation agreed to in the EIR, Alameda County would preserve a 1.77-acre site before it builds the arroyo bridges for the spearscale habitat or would acquire a site outside of Staples to move the species. The city of Pleasanton would also provide relief from the possible increase in traffic on Stoneridge Drive once extended. These mitigations would include noise-attenuating pavement, new traffic patterns to avoid congestion and adequate funding by the county and regional municipal partners to widen Hwy. 84 over Pigeon Pass to provide a better, faster route for commuters between I-680 and I-580. Contained in this new EIR are hundreds of recommendations for making Staples Ranch, its proposed developments and the overall project's impact on Pleasanton as a whole a financial and environmental benefit that will enhance the quality of life this city demands. genuous at best. I agree that heath care in this country must be reformed to lower costs and increase coverage for all. I just don't believe the current course will accomplish these objectives in the long term. I look forward to the day when we deal with our health care challenges in an honest and constructive manner. Bart Hughes Bravo on Man of the Year choice Dear Editor, It's so nice to see Chris Miller (one of Pleasanton's "under-sung" heroes) get the recognition he deserves ("Man of the Year, Cover Story, Dec. 4, page 12). Well done, Chris. And well done to Pleasanton Weekly by honoring Chris' good work, you encourage each of us to follow his example. Thank you. Steve Taylor Junior Tennis Drop-In Program Holiday Schedule December 21-31, 2009 (Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs) Pee Wees / Beginners: Intermediates: Advanced: NO Member rate: $10.00 per hour Non-member rate: $15.00 per hour 10:00 am - 11:00 am 11:00 am - 1:00 pm 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm 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. � 2009 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Code of ethics The Pleasanton Weekly seeks to adhere to the highest level of ethical standards in journalism, including the Code of Ethics adopted Sept. 21, 1996, by the Society of Professional Journalists. To review the text of the Code, please visit our web site at www.PleasantonWeekly.com. Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 9 Fresh news delivered directly to your inbox Updates from the Pleasanton Weekly delivered via e-mail every weekday morning. Our top stories and hot picks. Community Pulse POLICE BULLETIN Young bicyclist recovering after being hit by truck A 14-year-old Pleasanton girl is recovering after being hit by a truck near Harvest Park Middle School Dec. 9. Traffic Officer Marty Billdt said the girl was held under observation at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley the following day, but didn't have any broken bones or other major injuries. Reports state that around 5:30 p.m. a Dodge pickup truck was traveling southbound on Greenwood Road, south of Valley Avenue, and stopped POLICE BULLETIN & LOG Sign up to try at www.PleasantonWeekly.com WEEKLY MEETING NOTICES City Hall will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th. GENERAL INFORMATION Additional information regarding the Draft Supplement to the Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan Amendment/Staples Ranch Environmental Impact Report. Review Period Written comments on the Draft Supplement to the Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan Amendment/ Staples Ranch Environmental Impact Report will be accepted by the City of Pleasanton Planning Division, Community Development Department, through Wednesday, December, 30, 2009. Please send comments to: Robin Giffin, Associate Planner Planning Division Community Development Department P.O. Box 520 Pleasanton, CA 94566 The above represents a sampling of upcoming meeting items. For complete information, please visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/calendar at a stop sign at Alameda Drive. Upon continuing through the intersection, police said the collision occurred as the bicyclist traveled westbound on Alameda Drive in front of the truck. Billdt said the bicycle was said to have been lodged under the front right tire and it appears that the teen was knocked off the bicycle, but it is unclear at this time if she was run over. While the bicyclist was wearing a helmet, she was wearing dark clothes and was without lighting equipment required for night riding. No charges were filed, according to police. POLICE REPORT The Pleasanton Police Department made the following information available. Under the law, those charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted. DUI 11:22 p.m. at the intersection of Hopyard Road and Coronado Lane Dec. 6 Petty theft 1:32 p.m. in the 1400 block of Stoneridge Mall Road Burglary 1:32 p.m. in the 14000 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; shoplifting 5:00 p.m. in the 400 block of Division Street; vehicular Drug/alcohol violations 12:52 a.m. at the intersection of Laurel Creek and Blessing drives; underage DUI 1:00 a.m. in the 400 block of St. Mary Street; public drunkenness 12:15 p.m. at the intersection of Springdale Avenue and Ivy Court; marijuana possession Battery 1:32 p.m. in the 1400 block of Stoneridge Mall Road Dec. 5 Theft 6:03 a.m. in the 7600 block of Paseo Santa Cruz; stolen vehicle 2:45 p.m. in the 3500 block of Villero Court; identity theft 8:29 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive; embezzlement Ruby Hill Drive Drug/alcohol violations 3:25 p.m. in the 6000 block of Johnson Drive; non-narcotic controlled substance possession 5:25 p.m. at the intersection of Hopyard and Golden roads; driving with open container 9:49 p.m. at the intersection of Santa Rita Road and Dickens Lane; under the influence of a controlled substance, paraphernalia possession, non-narcotic controlled substance possession Dec. 9 Grand theft 1:31 p.m. in the 400 block of St. John Street 2:24 p.m. in the 1 block of Stoneridge Mall Road Vehicular burglary 12:37 p.m. in the 400 block of Boulder Court Drug/alcohol violations 2:23 p.m. in the 4300 block of Foothill Road; marijuana possession 6:26 p.m. at the intersection of Bernal Avenue and Stanley Boulevard; DUI 7:28 p.m. at the intersection of Muirwood and Highland Oaks drives; DUI 8:09 p.m. in the 4500 block of Pleasanton Avenue; public drunkenness 11:35 p.m. in the 4200 block of Valley Avenue; public drunkenness Take an additional 10% OFF exp 12-31-09 Holiday Layaway Program Shop Now, Pay Later! Womens Clothing and Accessories Maternity Children's Clothes Dec. 7 Theft 9:50 a.m. in the 400 block of Pine Hill Lane; petty theft 11:53 a.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive; embezzlement 5:23 p.m. in the 2100 block of Delucchi Drive; identity theft 5:57 p.m. in the 5900 block of Stoneridge Drive; grand theft Vehicular burglary 7:22 a.m. in the 3300 block of Prairie Drive Vandalism 2:32 p.m. in the 400 block of Pine Hill Lane 4:24 p.m. in the 3800 block of West Las Positas Boulevard Public drunkenness 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of St. Mary Street and Peters Avenue 560 Main St., Downtown Pleasanton 846.6600 2009 Monday through Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 11-5 www.shopsavvyseconds.com 484.kids (5437) Dec. 10 Petty theft 6:42 p.m. in the 4500 block of Rosewood Drive Vandalism 4:51 p.m. in the 3100 block of Valley Avenue Prescription drug forgery 12:03 p.m. in the 1900 block of Santa Rita Road DUI 10:26 p.m. at the intersection of Hopyard Road and West Las Positas Boulevard A Beauty of Touch by Jenny's Skin Care ...BETTER SKIN THROUGH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Dec. 8 Theft 8:59 a.m. in the 7900 block of Hillsboro Court; petty theft 12:56 p.m. in the 1500 block of Stoneridge Mall Road; petty theft 3:04 p.m. in the 6000 block of Johnson Drive; grand theft 4:22 p.m. in the 5600 block of Springhouse Drive; identity theft 11:03 p.m. in the 8000 block of Horizons Court; stolen vehicle Vandalism 8:50 a.m. in the 3300 block of East Permanent Removal of Skin Growths Micro-Dermabrasion European Facials Full Waxing Herbal Body Wrap Brow & Lash Tinting Brow Shaping Proms/Wedding Makeovers Natural Permanent Make-Up Aging Management Treatment Eyebrows Peptides, Chemical Peel Eyeliner Skin Firming Treatment Lipliners Acne Treatment Lipstick Beauty Mark Dec. 11 Drug/alcohol violations 5:29 p.m. at the intersection of Rose and Peters avenues; DUI 8:51 p.m. in the 5500 block of Johnson Drive; public drunkenness 9:33 p.m. at the intersection of Bernal and Valley avenues; DUI, non-narcotic controlled substance possession $ 10.00 OFF Any Facial with this coupon. $ 925-846-3766 Free Parking Open Monday - Saturday Sundays by Appointment 4259 First St., Pleasanton www.jennybeautycare.com Any Permanent Make-Up with this coupon. 50.00 OFF Page 10 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Transitions OBITUARIES Armand Cattalini Armand Cattalini, a lifelong Pleasanton resident, died Nov. 26 after fighting a long-term illness at the age of 88. Mr. Cattalini was born June 10, 1921 on Division Street. Affectionately known as "Mondo," his family and most residents remember him tending his rich garden of tomatoes, garlic, zucchini and onions. He was also known for being a dedicated fan of his beloved Giants and `49ers, and his red and white Dodge pickup truck. Mr. Cattalini served in the Army Air Corps during World War II for four years stationed in Florida, and then as a guard at Camp Parks. His brother, Alfred, also born in Pleasanton, was killed during the Battle of Luzon in 1945. He had a 30-year career working for PCA/Lone Star Cement and retired to his second career of nearly 20 years at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, where he developed many more friendships. Mr. Cattalini is survived by his wife of 62 years, Isabel; daughter, Health Care Coverage for less than your daily latte growing big, beautiful dahlias in her garden; crafting; sewing; knitting and showering all of the children with many gifts for every occasion. But her greatest gift to her children was passing on family values and traditions. She is survived by her children, Gerri (Bob), Debbie (Don) and Mark; grandchildren, Dean, Danny, Corine, Chase, Amber, Crystin, Anthony, Alex, Daryl, Michael, Monica, Aaron and Daniel; godchildren, Carol, Angela and Todd; and many greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by children, Corey, Gene and George; and grandson, David. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 3999 Bernal Ave. A reception will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Road. A private burial will be held. Donations may be made to her favorite charity, Hannah Boys Center, 17000 Arnold Drive, P.O. Box 100, Sonoma, CA 95476. WEDDINGS ENGAGEMENTS OBITUARIES BIRTHS Cheryl Caraballo; son-in-law, Keith; grandson, Nicholas; nephews, Lloyd Malfatti and his wife, Trudy; Norman Malfatti and his wife, Betty. Memorial services are pending and will be announced. Charlene Beasley CA Lic #0C26292 Beasley Insurance Services www.beasleyinsurance.com Vital Shield Plus 2900 Generic RX Age Range 19 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 19 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to Current Rates 925-803-9799 Genevieve Loretta Paradiso Genevieve (Jennie) Loretta Paradiso died Dec. 1 at the age of 86. Mrs. Paradiso was born Feb. 18, 1923 in Oakland to Manuel Cabral and Maria Telles. After graduating from Castlemont High School, she was married to Tony Paradiso for 46 years and lived in San Leandro, Twain Harte, Tracy, Pleasanton and Manteca. She was a homemaker, but she dabbled in the real estate field for a while. In her early years, she loved hosting dinner and holiday parties for her family and friends; team bowling; dancing on Saturday nights (or any night someone played music); Single 29 ......................$68 34 ......................$75 39 ......................$92 44 ....................$116 49 ....................$156 54 ....................$215 59 ....................$286 64 ....................$421 29 ....................$283 34 ....................$315 39 ....................$361 44 ....................$431 49 ....................$514 54 ....................$602 59 ....................$714 64 ....................$883 Family Vital Shield Plus plans are underwritten by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. Rates, effective 7/1/09, apply for Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara counties. Rates shown, for individual males and families, are for people in good health and not available to persons 65 or older. Other rates may apply. Free Quote go to www.beasleyinsurance.com Shop Early for the Best Choices 350 Main Exec Center Furnished Single Offices Affordable Rent 925.734.6300 Trusted Name Brands Since 1976 DOORS PRE HUNG INTERIOR PRE HUNG ENTRY PATIO DOORS FRENCH DOORS Once you've bought consignment jewelry, you'll never want to pay retail again! (Across from Raley's Market) Danville 925.866.6164 1901 Camino Ramon Mt. View 650.964.7212 141 E. El Camino Real SPECIALIZING IN THE CONSIGNMENT SALE OF QUALITY FURNITURE, ACCESSORIES AND JEWELRY. San Mateo Saratoga 650.557.8979 408.871.8890 1888 S. Norfolk 600 El Paseo de Saratoga Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 11 LUMBER & HARDWARE 5505 Sunol Blvd, Pleasanton 925 846 5040 Also in Folsom, Roseville, Newport Beach, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Niguel, Yorba Linda, Las Vegas, Austin, TX! ON THE E 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 Barone's Restaurant "Most Romantic Restaurant" 2009 AU T H E N T I C H O M E - S T Y L E I TA L I A N REGIONAL CUISINE WITH A REFINED FLAIR What a surprise! An Italian restaurant with an Italian Chef and Italian Management 10% OFF Monday - Thursday 5pm - 7pm Expires 1-31-10 Open for Lunch during the month of December. Monday-Friday 11:30-2:30pm New Happy Hours 4:00pm - 6:00pm 270-0500 425-0099 680 Main Street Downtown Pleasanton 475 Saint John | Pleasanton | 426-0987 amaronepleasanton.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. 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. Enhance your holiday with Cold Stone ice cream cakes and pies. SNOWFLAKE PASSION TM Candy Cane ice cream with sprinkles, yellow cake & white frosting START A NEW TRADITION 5588-B Springdale Ave. Pleasanton, CA 94588 Tel: (925) 734-0222 Fax: (925) 734-0242 www.trivalleyseafood.com Chinese Restaurant For a limited time get 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. We Deliver!! Serving Dim Sum All Day Long $ off 3 Best Chinese Cuisine & Dim Sum any cake (excluding petite cakes) Expires 12-31-09 2009 Purchase Holiday Gift Cards...They make great stocking stuffers! Let us cater your Holiday Party and Event. Voted Best Diner/ Coffee Shop Downtown Pleasanton -- 349 Main St www.coldstonecreamery.com 925-600-9177 i Serv ng BREAKFAST & LUNCH Patio Dining ITALIAN Pastas Trattoria 405 Main St., Pleasanton, 417-2222. Pastas Trattoria has been an elegant atmosphere and a one-of-a-kind menu. We feature steaks, seafood and our famous pasta, plus a superb selection of spirits and fine wines. Reserve our banquet facilities for large parties, up to 70 guests. bout! Something to crow a At The Historic Pleasanton Hotel 201 Main Street, Downtown Pleasanton Open 7 days a week, 7am-2pm See our online coupon New Year's Eve Party NO COVER CHARGE www.vicsallstar.com To have your restaurant listed in this dining directory, please call the Pleasanton Weekly Advertising Department at (925) 600-0840 � DJ Baltazar (Formerly with Movin 99.7) � Carving Station serving Prime Rib & Fresh Roasted Turkey open from 9pm � Dining Room open 11am to 9pm � Serving Regular Dining Menu Along With SPECIALS of Roasted Prime Rib & Fresh Fish JAPANESE CUISINE 2009 New Year's Day Brunch�Bloody Mary & Omelette Bar...starts at 10am Dining � Tavern � Dancing � Banquets � Weddings Best Sushi/Japanese Restaurant Authentic Japanese Sushi Bar Lunch Tempura Dinner Teriyaki Sushi Catering 925.399.6690 855 Main Street, Downtown Pleasanton www.thefarmerrestaurant.com N EW LIVE MUSIC & DANCING Every Friday & Saturday Night at The Farmer! STIFF KICKS BAND - Karaoke Night with Ed! Wednesdays 8 p.m. FRI 12/18 8-12pm CLASSIC ROCK Owner Operated For 25 Years Makoto Sato Pleasanton Weekly PRINT & ONLINE BILLY MARTINI SHOW - 70'S MUSICAL TRIBUTE SAT 12/19 8-12pm Open Tues. � Sun. 925.462.3131 3015-K Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton (in the Hopyard Village Shopping Center) CLOSED CHRISTMAS SAT 12/26 8-12pm - DJ BALTAZAR Page 12 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly ON THE TOWN CALENDAR Classes CANDLELIGHT YOGA Unwind and rejuvenate yourself with yoga by candlelight from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Dec. 21 at Living Vine Fellowship, 4100 First St. The free class is presented by Holistic Mothers Network, as a part of their monthly meetings. Yoga will be designed to suit varied levels. Must provide yoga mat and water. Call 519-3003 or visit www.holisticmoms.org. WINTER ART WORKSHOPS From 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 21 at the TriValley Monart, 3015-I Hopyard Road, this workshop will be a holiday craft sampler with different craft stations available for students to do beading, clay, painting and other fun projects. On Dec. 22, the Winter Watercolor Workshop is a 3-hour intensive study. Call 484-0126 or visit www.pleasantonart.com. 21 at the IBEW 595 Hall, 6250 Village Pkwy, Dublin. Bring family, friends and favorite dish. Public officials are invited and will address the party. The meeting includes nomination of officers for 2010 with elections at the Jan. 18 meeting. Visit www.trivalleydems.com. Big New Year's Eve Bash! Live Music Try our Lunch Specials! Events IT'S A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US The Festivus Jubilee is from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 23-24 at Bunjo's Comedy Club, 6513 Regional St., Dublin. It will feature some of the best comedians in the Bay Area for a 90-minute show, as well as Festivus activities such as taking your picture with the Festivus Pole, Airing of the Grievances, Stupid Human Tricks, and Re-Gifting table. Tickets are $10, plus twoitem minimum. Call 264-4413 or visit www.bunjoscomedy.com. THIS WILL SELL OUT! 30 BEERS ON TAP Most Menu Items Under $10 PLEASANTON'S ONLY BREW-PUB! LIVE MUSIC...Friday & Saturday, 9 - Midnight Join us for the "Beer Drinker Bailout Hour!" $1.50 Off ALL Beers! Sunday-Thursday 3:30pm to 5:30pm Holiday Grand Prize Drawing! i-Pod Raffle for December Clubs TRIVALLEY DEMOCRATS SEASONAL PARTY The public is invited to our annual potluck dinner party Dec. Holiday HOLIDAY CELEBRATION/MEXICAN POSADA Pleasanton/Tulancingo Sister City Associations hosts a N e w P r i ce ! .41/oz. Complimentary artisan gourmet hot tea with purchase of any crepe! 1 raffle ticket for every $4.00 spent. Drawing on Tuesday, Dec. 22nd " Little Home Thai Cuisine Best Thai Food in the Bay Area Since 1996 N 2009 PLEASANTON 580 Santa Rita Rd. McDonald's Pimlico Dr. (925) 426-9600 3015-H Hopyard Road 600 Main St. #F Downtown Pleasanton (facing Division Street) www.hopyard.com 925-271-7708 www.yolatea.com 4000 Pimlico Dr., Ste. 106 Pleasanton ( 925 ) 251-9877 Fax (925) 251-9881 Dinner Special GRANDG OPENIN 6601 Dublin Blvd., Ste.B Dublin ( 925 ) 828-8218 Fax (925) 825-8221 15% Voted "Best Thai Restaurant" Off 2 entree minimum. Not valid with any other offer or on take out. One coupon per table. Expires 1/18/10 www.littlehomethai.com Mon-Sun � Lunch 11am-3pm Dinner 5-9:30pm 2009 Friday, December 25, 2009 With Our Christmas Holiday Buffet 10 am � 4 pm Delicious Platters, Salads, Hot Items, Carving Station, and Desserts. Join us New Year's Eve as Eddie Papa's turns into a Prohibition Speakeasy Flappers, Zoot Suits, and Music from the Roaring 20's 4-COURSE MEAL Absinthe infused Lobster Salad with Truffled Mache and Parmesan Crisps Fisherman's Wharf Lobster and Crab Bisque or Ceasar Salad Colorado Lamb Chops Garlic Crusted Slow Roasted Midwest Prime Rib Alaskan Halibut with Wild Mushrooms $28.95 Adults / $24.95 Seniors (55+) $12.95 Children Under 12 Cranberry Orange Creme Brulee or Baked Alaskan Chocolate Cake 1st Seating 5 - 8pm $45 2nd Seating 8:30 - 10pm $69 (Dancing, Noise Makers, Champagne) 2009 For reservations or a detailed menu, please call 11950 DUBLIN CANYON ROAD ~ PLEASANTON, CA 94588 ~ 925.847.6000 WWW.MARRIOTTPLEASANTON.COM Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 13 ON THE TOWN CALENDAR free family holiday event from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 301 Main St. It features a traditional Mexican posada (local student participation), carols, Mexican desserts, coffee, hot chocolate, cider, and pinatas for the kids. Lectures/ Workshops MASTERING CREATIVE ANXIETY The California Writers Club -- Tri-Valley Branch meets from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at Oasis Grille, 780 Main St. Creativity coach, family therapist and author Dr. Eric Maisel will discuss the anxieties that nag writers and present tools for dealing with these anxieties and managing the creative life. For reservations, call 462-7495. Cost is $21 members and $27 nonmembers and includes lunch. Valley Bible Church, Centerpointe Church, Valley Community Church, Boy Scout Troop 941, and Pleasanton Middle School. Call 426-2492. On Stage CINDERELLA Cinderella is a funfilled version of a "fabulously fractured" fairy tale. The audience will be invited to cheer, clap and shout "Presto!" to transform Cinderella for the ball. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19; and 11 a.m. Dec. 13 and 20. Tickets are $12-$20 for adults and $8-$16 for children and seniors. Call 931-3444 or visit www.civicartstickets.org. NUTCRACKER The Valley Dance Theatre presents "Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 18, 19 and 20; and at 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St. Performances will be accompanied the Livermore-Amador Symphony pit orchestra and holiday carols by Harmony Fusion will highlight the show prior to opening curtain and during the "snow" scene. Tickets are $24 to $33 for Keep your eyesight holiday bright Blessing Chinese Cuisine Remember Restaurant? We're back in Pleasanton after being gone for 3 years. Come taste our premiere Chinese cuisine. Mission Plaza Shopping Center (next to Uncle Credit Union). OUT OF 4 BY THE TRI-VALLEY HERALD G Operand ning OPEN 7 days a week 11am - 3pm 4:30pm - 9:30pm Fri & Sat-open till 10pm Happy Holidays from Dr. Winston and the Amador Valley Optometric team Miscellaneous FOOD PANTRY AT VALLEY BIBLE CHURCH The Food Pantry at Valley Bible Church, 7106 Johnson Drive, has an open pantry from 6 to 8:30 p.m. It can be reached from Wheels route 3. It will be closed Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, but will be open the Sunday before the holidays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 27. Donations of food are by Blessing Convenient Weekday & Evening Hours (925) 846-6745 1989-D Santa Rita Road Premier Restaurant in Pleasanton Since 1983 www.blessingasia.com DID YOU KNOW? Axis Community Health provides free and low cost breast exams and mammograms for low income and uninsured women. Keep Your Eyecare Local! CHEERS from the Garr� family Open Mon.-Wed. Dec. 21st-23rd from 12-5 Closed Dec. 24th & 25th Open Dec. 26th & 27th Gather up your friends and family and head to Garr� Vineyards. Begin with lunch at Caf� Garr� before starting out your Wine Tour in our tasting room. Our Award Winning Wines make great gifts for the Holidays! Ask about special discounts and gift certificates. Caf� Garr� Open Daily SPECIAL HOURS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Serving Pleasanton for more than 25 years Dr. Barry C. Winston Faculty, UC Berkeley School of Optometry Board Certified in the Treatment of Ocular Disease Call 925.201.6088 for an appointment. Se habla espa�ol Axis Community Health...here when you need us. www.axishealth.org Garr� Winery & Martinelli Event Center 925.371.8200 www. garrewinery.com Black Avenue Professional Offices 4450-C Black Avenue, Pleasanton Ristorante Enjoy your favorite Italian dishes with our seasonal menu and daily specials The Taste Of Italy In Bay Area 925.462.2600 off Santa Rita Road behind Lynne Wood Methodist Church AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT FEATURING: Join Our VIP Card Program 3 New Specialties Every Week Seasonal & Vegetarian Menus Full Bar - Featuring Premium Cocktails Open Patio Weekend Champagne Brunch Children's Menu Kids eat free Mon & Tues David M. Bell, MD call for your holiday reservations Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine 5000 Pleasanton Ave., Suite 200 Pleasanton, CA 94566 925-600-7020 www.BellSportMed.com 349 Main St., Downtown Pleasanton 925.462.9299 www.fontinas.com Page 14 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly ON THE TOWN CALENDAR adults, students 17 and younger are $18. Call 373-6800 or visit www.bankheadtheater.org. fastpitch travel organization will be holding open tryouts for their 12 and 14U teams for the Summer 2010 season. Tryouts are from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 20 at Larry Standley Field, 27182 Patrick Ave., Hayward. Contact Bill, 510-6886398. Visit www.ladywolfpack.org/ contact.php. HOLIDAY BASEBALL CAMP For players ages 8 through 16. Camp is Dec. 21-23 and is held indoors and limited to 35 campers per session. Includes camp T-shirt. Cost is $145. Camp is at NorCal Grizzlies Indoor Training Facility, 1306 Stealth St., Livermore. Call 922-5050 or visit www.norcalgrizzlies.org. Spiritual CONNECT WITH THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE SEASON Make it a meaningful Christmas by participating in TriValley Unity's holiday programs: Christmas Carol Sing-along, at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 20; and Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. at 2260 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. All are welcome. Call 829-2733 or visit www.trivalleyunity.com. ECK WORSHIP SERVICE "Taking the Next Step Spiritually" is the theme for this month's Eck Worship Service which will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 20 at Four Points by Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Road. (Eck is another name for Holy Spirit.) The service focuses on an aspect of Eckankar. People of all faiths are welcome. BEST-IN-CLASS COVERAGE PLAN FROM VOLVO 5 YEARS 60,000 MILE WARRANTY 5 YEARS FACTORY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE 5 YEARS WEAR & TEAR COVERAGE Purchase or Lease ANY New 2009 or Volvo Volvo by January 4, Purchase or Lease Any New 2009 2010 by August 31st, 2010 and enjoy a a worry-free ownership experience with the 2009 and enjoy worry-free ownership experience with the Volunteering PLEASANTON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT The first annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 18. If you're interested in birds or new to birding, consider being a volunteer counter. Contact Rich Cimino at firstname.lastname@example.com. Bird count event is $5. Get All of This Plus More Great Offers from Volvo! miles, whichever comes first. Certain limitations apply. Roadside Assistance For more details visit www.volvocars.us/safeandsound Sports 12 & 14U A FASTPITCH OPEN TRYOUTS The Lady Wolfpack, a highly competitive "A" level girls 925.939.3333 2791 North Main St., Walnut Creek, CA www.lawrencevolvo.com Gift Certificates Available KRISTINE BUCKLEY, L.Ac 4133 Mohr Ave, St E, Pleasanton M-T: 3-7; Wed-Fri 10-3 Sat by appointment only (925) 417-8800 www.Pleasanton Community Acupuncture.com Shop � Dine � Discover The Holidays in Downtown Pleasanton The "perfect" gift for everyone on your list... the Downtown Pleasanton Gift Card Purchase Gift Cards Town Center Books (555) Main Street www.pleasantondowntown.net www.pleasantondowntown.net Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 15 COVER YEAR REVI See our A to Z guide on stories from the past 12 BY PLEASANTON WEEKLY STAFF W JANET PELLETIER JANET PELLETIER hat a year! From hunkering down as 2009 started when the economy and employment tumbled to the good news as hundreds turned out month after month to welcome home Pleasanton military men and women from Iraq to seeing momentum toward a better 2010 with the start of the Firehouse Arts Center and approval of the multi-million-dollar Staples Ranch development, it's been a year of cautious planning for all of us in a city that's weathering the storm a bit better than most. It's also been a year reasonably quiet in local politics with the only election being the Measure G parcel tax in June. Although we watched, but couldn't vote, our friends in Livermore and other Congressional District 10 cities choose Lt. Gov. John Garamendi to succeed longtime Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, who took a U.S. State Department position. Also this year, Pleasanton school Superintendent John Casey, City Attorney Michael Roush and Fire Chief Bill Cody announced their retirements, with Roush replaced just this week by former San Luis Obispo City Attorney Jonathan Lowell. A search firm is looking for candidates to be considered to fill Casey's position when he leaves next June as are another search firm and the city managers from Pleasanton and Livermore for a new fire chief, expected to be named in March. The year also saw the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund reach new highs in its seventh year of fundraising to help the needy, with contributions and funds matched by the Tri-Valley Community Foundation totaling $165,000 and growing as the fund continues through January. Last month, by the way, also marked 10 years since we opened our office in November 1999 to launch the Pleasanton Weekly, with our first edition printed and distributed on Friday, Jan. 28, 2000. Watch for a special 10th year anniversary issue on Friday, Jan. 29. Here, for your reading enjoyment, are a few of the key stories we covered this year in alphabetical order: A Attorney Michael Roush announced in May that he is retiring, closing 32 years in the municipal attorney profession, including the last 21 years here. Among his accomplishments: guiding the annexation of Ruby Hill; handling the city's end of negotiations for the sale of the 510-acre Bernal property to developers with 318 acres being given to the city; wrapping up the acquisition of unincorporated land that is now the city-owned Callippe Preserve Golf Course; defending the city against lawsuits involving Happy Valley, Oak Grove, Staples Ranch and the city's votermandated 29,000-unit housing cap. B EMILY WEST JANET PELLETIER Clockwise from top: Foothill High teachers, joining others in the district, wore pink for Pink Slip Friday back in March in support of classified employees facing pink slips due to state budget cuts. Despite some support for a school parcel tax, Measure G failed in June. Cars pass an under-construction West Dublin/Pleasanton BART station along Interstate 580. It was announced that the project would be delayed a year due to faulty steel pieces that connect the station via walkways to both Dublin and Pleasanton. Members of the Golden Skate synchronized skating team, based in San Jose, take a young skater out on the ice at the Sharks'-sponsored holiday ice rink which is open now through Jan. 10 in the library parking lot. Recyclables are sorted out from among the trash at Pleasanton Garbage Service in January. In August, after approval from the City Council, the city rolled out a new program that required residents to obtain a third bin for just recyclables. Page 16 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Bicyclists tangled with the East Bay Regional Park District over trails in March. At a park district-sponsored public meeting to get feedback on the future of the Pleasanton Ridge, mountain bikers accused the district of favoring hikers and said they preferred single-track, narrower trails for their challenge, while the district said cyclists should stay on wider, approved trails that won't destroy the local ecosystem. C News about the Castlewood couple killed in their country STORY R IN IEW all the big months club home in March 2008 made headlines throughout the year. In February, the couple's son, Ernest Scherer III, 31, was arrested for their deaths and faces homicide charges with special circumstances. A number of witnesses testified against the suspect in an Oakland courthouse over the summer as part of a pretrial hearing. An Alameda County judge ordered Scherer III, who has plead not guilty, to stand trial, which he will do early next year. A county prosecutor has said he will not pursue the death penalty. John Casey, superintendent for the Pleasanton Unified School District, announced he would retire at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Casey came to the district in 2002 and plans to spend more time with his family with intentions to move to Brentwood. JANET PELLETIER A couple walk by 839 E. Angela St., the site of a house explosion and fire in December 2008. In November of this year, police announced they had turned over their investigation to the District Attorney's office with charges against Deonna Zuffa for arson and forgery. sion of Stoneridge Drive and Staples Ranch was bifurcated to allow for ongoing review as lawsuits affecting that project proceed in the Alameda County Superior Court. Major changes to the plan update includes new guidelines and restrictions in the areas of climate change, green building, energy and water conservation, air quality and other key environmental issues. Still in the new plan is a 29,000-unit housing cap on residential units, a restriction that both an affordable housing coalition and State Attorney General Jerry Brown are contesting in court. The proposal is expected to be formally proposed to the Planning Commission and City Council sometime in 2010. L Library commission members who have been pushing for a major expansion of the 21-year-old Pleasanton facility saw some progress as the City Council took under consideration a comprehensive $70-million plan to renovate and rebuild the Civic Center and library when funds become available. A majority of councilmembers said they favored a recommendation for a new 73,000-square-foot public library building that could be built on city-owned property at the south end of Main Street, doubling the floor space of today's library building. H Four additional days of horse racing were added to last summer's county fair racing schedule, effectively extending the length of the county fair. The extra days were scheduled to make up for the closure of Bay Meadows race track in San Mateo, which shut down in September 2008. Outside the traditional summer fair racing, Pleasanton could begin adding racing as soon as next year during different parts of the year. Hacienda Business Park acreage was OK'd for housing in October. The City Council rezoned three large commercially-zoned properties condominiums and apartments to meet the state's insistence that more mid-priced and affordable housing be built here. The action came despite protests from some Hacienda residents, who complained the business park is already is overbuilt with homes and apartments and that it lacks basic services, such as retail stores, an elementary school and enough public parks. The H1N1 strain of the flu was one of the most nationallydiscussed stories of the year, and it was no different on the local level. The first swine flu cases hit the Bay Area in April and the health concern lingers today as demand for an immunization is outpacing the supply. Alameda County held a series of free shot clinics last weekend, including one at the fairgrounds, which drew hundreds. M Football great John Madden returned to Pleasanton after retiring from broadcasting in April. Madden said he wants to spend more time with his family. D Oakland police officer Mark Dunakin, who grew up in Pleasanton, was gunned down in March while riding his motorcycle in one of the state's deadliest police killings, leaving Dunakin and three other officers dead. A memorial for Dunakin and the other fallen officers held at the Oakland Coliseum drew thousands of mourners including police officers from across the country. E The extension of Stoneridge Drive to El Charro Road and Livermore was approved in a 3-2 vote by the City Council, completing one of the final policy decisions for the proposed multi-million-dollar development of the 124-acre countyowned Staples Ranch. F Fields for baseball and later for other sports were dedicated in September at Bernal Community Park. The baseball fields, which will be used for Little League play next spring, are part of a 50-acre sports complex that will be developed in phases on Bernal, along with the remainder of the full-318-acre central park to come later. N Nightlife in downtown is heating up with Barone's Restaurant gaining city approval to add more entertainment and at later times each evening, and with nearby Redcoats British Pub not far behind. But Redcoats' bid to offer later weeknight music and dancing stumbled before the City Council just before the holidays with Councilman Jerry Thorne seeking more information on how noise levels will be monitored and controlled. O Open Heart Kitchen reported in May that it's back on solid financial ground after facing possible closure just six months prior. The nonprofit, which is the only hot food service for the needy in the Tri-Valley, is thriving, and it was all thanks to the local community support, according to Executive Director Linda McKeever. Oak Grove, a 51-luxury home community proposed by developer Jennifer Lin and her brother Frederic, was back in the news after the state Supreme Court denied their request to rehear a state Court of Appeals decision that, in effect, ended their long-standing legal feud with opponents of the project. A petition advanced by the opponents is likely to be placed on a ballot in June that will ask voters to decide if Oak Grove should be built. G Measure G, the Pleasanton Unified School District parcel tax, failed to receive the two-thirds majority vote required to pass in a June special election. The parcel tax would have collected $233 a year for four years to support Pleasanton schools. Teacher layoffs and a hike in K-3 class sizes to 25, instead of 20, students followed the defeat. Henry John Germain was sentenced in May to 15 years in prison on child molestation charges. The 62-year-old former tennis pro at Castlewood Country Club entered a no contest plea April 28 to three charges of sexually abusing children under the age of 14. Germain was originally arrested at the country club in September 2008 after three victims wrote letters with molestation allegations to officials at the club. Shortly after, three more victims came forward and brought charges against him. A new General Plan was approved by the City Council that now serves as the blueprint for continued and future development of Pleasanton through the city's projected residential buildout of 2025. A portion of the plan dealing with the exten- I A holiday ice rink came to fruition, opening in November in the Civic Center-library parking lot. The rink is being operated and funded by San Jose Arena Management, which owns the San Jose Sharks, in a deal that was announced this past summer between SJAM and the city of Pleasanton. Delucchi Community Park was also considered as a location for the rink, but the site reverted back to the library site after homeowners on Second and Third streets complained about the park location. J Job losses, like in 2008, were a recurring theme this past year as the economy steeped into a recession and local nonprofits struggled. K Kottinger Place and Pleasanton Gardens would be merged into a new senior housing facility under a plan being advanced by a housing coalition. The proposed 150-unit building would replace the two 40-year-old facilities. At a workshop discussion, the plan received mixed reviews with at least two council members indicating they would not support such a large re-build. P The Pleasanton City Council picked Deborah Grossman in June as the city's new poet laureate. Grossman, a published author, feature writer and long-time Tri-Valley poet, will serve through 2011. She succeeded school library aide Martha Meltzer. Q Questions and confusion arose after Pleasanton Garbage Service announced in April that residents would be adding a cart to use for recycling purposes. The extensive curbside refuse recycling program parallels what many cities in the country are already doing: requiring residents to sort out their recyclable materials from all other garbage instead of having PGS do it for them. Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 17 COVER STORY Merry Merry Seasonal Accents Gifts & Candles Brighton Dealer Home Decor Bath & Body R A so-called "rebel" merchant group composed of more than 20 downtown retailers initiated a series of aggressive marketing techniques to add more zest to broader programs sponsored by the Pleasanton Downtown Association. By year's end, though, both groups were working together on programs aimed at driving more merchants to shop downtown. Clover Creek 2009 Gifts & Home Accents 670 Main Street Pleasanton (925) 462-0814 Open 7 days Gift Cards Free Gift Wrap S Staples Ranch, a multi-million-dollar commercial, retail, housing and sports development planned for a 124-acre site at the intersection of El Charro Road and Interstate 580, was approved by the Pleasanton City Council as part of a master plan for the overall project. The development will include an auto mall at the northeast corner of the site, planned by Hendrick Automotive; a 600-unit independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care facility for seniors, planned by Continuing Life Communities Continuum; a retail store complex; and a four-rink indoor ice arena by be built and operated by a subsidiary of the San Jose Sharks. Final approval of a new Environmental Impact Report is expected next month with individual site development plans to be considered in the spring. T A TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party was held at Amador Community Park in April to protest against taxation. Hundreds of participants held signs, many adorned with tea bags, and several lined the sidewalks of Santa Rita Road, encouraging drivers to honk in support. U Urban Habitat filed a suit to overturn Pleasanton's 29,000-unit housing cap, approved by voters in 1996, claiming that the cap is unlawful and also discourages developers who might consider building low-tomoderate income housing here from following through with plans. State Atty. General Jerry Brown's office agreed and joined Urban Habitat in its court proceeding, which is scheduled to be heard today in Alameda County Superior Court. V Vineyard Villa and Hacienda mobile home park owners sued the city after the City Council rejected their bid to convert units into condos. EMILY WEST Protesters show their colorful signs and displeasure against taxation at a TEA Party (Taxed Enough Already) at Amador Community Park in April. man of Pleasanton, in their collective bid for millions of dollars in federal funds for transportation, housing and emergency communications projects. X Bill Cody is now an "X," ex-fire chief, that is, after retiring in October as chief of the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, capping at 32-year career including the last 4-1/2 years at the helm of our local fire agency. A search is under way for a successor, whose selection should be announced next spring. Y A year-long delay was announced by BART in opening its West Dublin/Pleasanton station as planned in 2009. The delay was blamed on faulty steel connectors that have to be redesigned and rebuilt at an added cost of $2.5 million, with a new opening date optimistically set for sometime next year. Z The Zuffa fire investigation was turned over to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, Pleasanton police revealed in November. In the documentation provided to the DA, Deonna Zuffa was charged with arson and forgery, connected with a house fire on East Angela Street that rendered the home inhabitable and resulted in Zuffa suffering from second and thirddegree burns. The DA's office has declined to comment on the case or say when they would make a decision whether to prosecute Zuffa. PRESENTED BY HOLIDAY ICE RINK NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 10 Come celebrate the Holidays at our brand new outdoor skating rink in downtown Pleasanton. Rink Number: 925-484-4002 W Washington, D.C. was the site of a trip by five TriValley city mayors, including Mayor Jennifer Hoster- Home loan solutions from Bank of America Come watch our free exhibition skates Saturdays at 5pm Please visit our website for more information and open skate times! DEVCONHOLIDAYICERINK.COM RINK HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY OPEN AT 12 NOON SATURDAY & SUNDAY OPEN AT 10AM Competitive rates A wide range of home financing solutions Easy application process Contact me today: Jim Black, MBA Retail Sales Manager FHA, JUMBO, REFINANCE and PURCHASE SPECIALIST 925.285.4898 firstname.lastname@example.com www.meetjimblack.com 2009 RINK LOCATION 400 OLD BERNAL ROAD, PLEASANTON, CA (located between City Hall and the Library) Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender � 2009 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a committment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 00-62-0287D 04-2009 AR73004 PRESENT THIS AD WHEN YOU BUY 2 ADMISSIONS AND GET THE 3RD ADMISSION FREE. OFFER VALID UNTIL JANUARY 10, 2010 Page 18 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly 7 Railroad Avenue, Stes. 7&9 Danville, CA 94526 HOLIDAY FUND Holiday Fund donors Since the launch of the 2009 Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund, a total of $255,668 has been raised. Individuals Sycamore Heights Bunco Babes ......................** Mr.& Mrs. Jonathan Allen ..................................** Ron & Kathy Anderson .................................. 200 Geoff Southworth & Jill Anderson ................. 100 Steve & Cris Annen ....................................... 100 Andrew Bailey & Lauren Purcell.................. 1000 Rick & Dawn Barraza .................................... 250 John & Bonnie Batty...................................... 250 The Belchick & Clausen Families.................. 200 Chris & Glenda Beratlis ................................. 500 Mr.& Mrs. Bielby ................................................** Jan & Jeb Bing .............................................. 200 John & Mary Bjorkholm ................................. 100 Rob & Jane Blyther ....................................... 100 Jim Brice & Carole Peterson .............................** Bert & Dee Brook .......................................... 200 Ryan Brown & Julie Harryman ...................... 100 Rod, Christina, Alyssa & Danielle Browning ... 100 Gerry & Barbara Brunken ............................. 100 Kevin & Martha Buck ........................................** The Buna-Silva Family ..................................... 50 Frank & Muriel Capilla .......................................** Lee & Clare Carlson ..........................................** Mrs. Terry Messick-Cass & Mr. Barry Cass .... 100 Miguel & Julie Castillo .......................................** Mike & Diana Champlin ................................ 500 Teddy & Bunny Chang .................................. 100 Gina Channell-Allen ..........................................** The Chase Family..............................................** The Christensen Family .....................................** Mr.& Mrs. Vincent Ciccarello ....................... 1500 John & Gretchen Clatworthy .............................** Pauline Coe .......................................................** Alan & Carol Cohen....................................... 250 Bob & Jean Cole ...............................................** Chris & Linda Coleman ................................. 200 Joe & Sue Compton ...................................... 100 Cheryl Cook-Kallio & John Kallio .................. 100 Stuart & Cheryl Craig .................................... 250 Dave Cryer ...................................................... 50 Isabel Curry .......................................................** Barbara Daniels ................................................** The Darrin Family ............................................ 50 The David Family........................................... 100 Randall & Elizabeth Davidson ....................... 500 Ed & Kathy Deenihan ........................................** Richard & Judith DelTredici............................. 50 Ms. Alice Desrosiers ..................................... 100 Alice Desrosiers ............................................ 100 Mike & Suzanne Dutra .................................... 50 Paul & Lorraine Ebright .....................................** Mr.& Mrs. Robert Emberton ............................ 25 Wayne & Anne Emery .......................................** George & Jeanne Emmett .................................** Ms. Joan Evans ............................................... 25 Jim, Sue, Joe & Matt Falls .................................** Wes & Jean Felton ........................................ 250 Michael & Katherine Ferreira........................... 50 John & Julie Finegan ..................................... 300 Nicole, Ana & Michael Fong ......................... 200 Alan & Cleo Foster ............................................** Mr.& Mrs. Richard Fredette ...............................** Harold & Gena Gatlin ........................................** Mr.& Mrs. Francis Geasa............................... 200 Kathleen Glancy .............................................. 50 Tom & Debby Glassanos ..................................** Roy & D'Aun Goble ....................................... 100 Frank & Connie Gouveia ................................. 25 Diane Green ......................................................** Michael & Deborah Grossman ..........................** Carol Guarnaccia .......................................... 100 Hacienda Bunco Group .................................. 60 Shaun & Jennifer Haggmark .............................** Hank & Corrine Hansen ................................ 100 Ms. Bernice Hansen ..........................................** Bob & Betsy Harris ........................................ 400 Tim & Sharyn Henshaw .....................................** Janice Hermann ............................................ 150 Jourdin Hermann ........................................... 150 Paul & Ann Hill ..................................................** Sarah Hollister ............................................... 100 Garrett & Angela Holmes .............................. 100 Charles & Kay Huff ............................................** The Hughes Family ....................................... 200 Bill & Cathy James ........................................ 100 Bill & Dodge Jamieson .................................. 100 Steve & Bobby Jensen .................................. 500 Rudy & Marge Johnson ................................ 100 Ms. Jean P. Jones ......................................... 100 Robert V. Juniper ............................................. 50 Don & Jean Kallenberg .....................................** The Kantor Family .............................................** Dick & Peggy Karn........................................ 100 Jim & Elaine Keysor ...................................... 250 Dorothy Kilpatrick ..............................................** Betty Kirvan ................................................... 100 Jim & Pat Kohen ............................................ 100 George & Mary Kozloski ...................................** Keith, Michelle & Christopher Lam ............... 200 Gary & Mary Lazarotti .......................................** Blaise & Amy Lofland .................................... 250 Cameron & Jill Lorentz ......................................** Llyod & Kathie Lortz ..........................................** Walt Lupeika .................................................. 100 Earl & Dorothy Maddox ................................. 100 Mr. & Mrs. A. Malatesta ................................. 100 Srikant, Christina, Ashley & Thomas Mantha .... 30 Ron & Staci Marchand ......................................** The Markel Ohana ......................................... 250 Doug & Raeia Marshall ................................. 100 Mrs. Violet Masini ............................................ 50 Pete & June Mason ...........................................** Ken & Barbara McDonald .................................** Robert Horton & Cathy Medich..................... 100 Evan & Debra Miller ..........................................** Rodger, Laura & Stephanie Miller ................... 50 Phil & Doris Mitchell ...................................... 100 Mr. & Mrs. John Moffat ......................................** Frank & Teresa Morgan .....................................** Ruth Morlock ................................................. 100 Tom & Patrice Morrow ................................... 200 Jeff & Kathy Narum ....................................... 100 Fred & Cathe Norman ................................... 100 Greg & Janet O'Connor.................................... ** Mr. & Mrs. John O'Neill .................................... ** Relax in a peaceful retreat in downtown Pleasanton. Grand Opening Massage Special $50 988-0188 915 Main Street, Ste. C Pleasanton (next to Gimanelli's Deli) Walk-ins welcome Open 10am-10pm everyday SMOG INSPECTION Spe cial $45 with + $8.25 CERT. coupon ( ) Harry's Auto Repair Test and Repair 925-462-3237 We can smog any vehicle! No Appointments Necessary! Mon-Fri 8-4pm 183-A Wyoming St., Pleasanton -- Gold Shield Station -- Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 19 HOLIDAY FUND 2009 How to give Your gift will help needy families Contributions to the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund Will be increased through a unique partnership of the 2009 Tri-Valley Regional Initiative and administered by the Tri-Valley Community Foundation. For every $1 contributed, $5 will go to families in Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley who are in need of some of life's basic necessities. No administrative costs will be deducted from the gifts, which are tax-deductible as permitted by law. For more information, call us at 600-0840 or email email@example.com. As we launch our 2009-10 Holiday Fund campaign, we want to express that we have a unique opportunity this year to provide assistance to some of the poorest families in the Tri-Valley through the 2009 Tri-Valley Regional Initiative, a collaborative economic recovery initiative sponsored through the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, the Tri-Valley Business Council and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty. A quadruple match is possible through federal stimulus funds designated for temporary assistance to needy families, including a strong employment development component. The matched funds will be used to identify and evaluate the needs of families hardest hit by the economic downturn and help them directly with housing, job training, medical care and other basic necessities. We feel that in this time of economic crisis, it is imperative that we take advantage of the opportunity to receive federal funds to assist the largest number of families and individuals in our community. In addition to a wider base of needy recipients, the Weekly's campaign will continue to provide grants to Pleasanton and Tri-Valley nonprofit organizations that provide "wrap around" services for families, including Axis Community Health, Open Heart Kitchen and Tri-Valley Haven. This year, these groups will benefit more than ever by the 4-to-1 match of your contribution to help them provide necessary services to families in need. 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) The Jeffrey Family ...................................** Jim & Debbie Tracy .................................** Mark & Kathy Tucker ...............................** The Ulrich Family.....................................** Carlo & Geraldine Vecchiarelli ............ 100 Glenn & Janet Wenig .......................... 100 Walter & Martha Wensel ...................... 100 Mr. Stephen V. Wickersham ..................** Mr. Horace Robert Williams ............... 500 Kristen Winslow .......................................** Craig & Karen Wissman ..........................** George & Carol Withers ...................... 100 The Yamamoto Family .............................** Steve & Becky Yeffa ............................ 100 The Zong Family.................................. 100 As A Gift For Tricia Martin -- Love, Sparklie, Herbie, Zephyer and Kimmy! ...........................** V & A Johnstone......................................** From: Friends of Joan ......................... 100 Garrett Cesaretti ......................................** Steven Cesaretti ......................................** Bertie Wilson ...........................................** Jill Lindross..............................................** Dave & Kris Snyder & Ross & Sheri Kapp from Jim & Diane Brittain .....................** Jim & Diane Brittain & Dave & Kris Snyder from Ross & Sheri Kapp ......................** In Honor of Grandmas Adeline & Eva .................... 100 Daggett Children & Grandchildren .........** Auntie Junk & Uncle Stevie from The Silcox Family ...................................... 50 The Staff of Pleasanton Nursing & Rehab Center from Leslie Rutledge ................** Karissa, Chelsea, Sarah, Dashell & Desmond .............................................** Our Military from The Gualandri Family ...100 Jana Grant from Steve & Jori Grant .... 100 Bobbie Jensen, Capt. Callippe Niners .. 100 Businesses and Organizations Accusplit / Pedometer Wellness Team 200 AST POS ..................................................** Bay Valley Medical Group .......................** Brown & Cold, An Accountancy Corporation ..........................................** California Self Defense Consultants.... 200 Charla's Pampered Pets ........................ 50 DeBernardi Development Construction & Remodeling..........................................** Dublin Tool & Manufacturing ............... 100 Extensions Physical Therapy ..................** Garcia Door & Window............................** Hometown GMAC Real Estate ................** Isberg Nott Company ..............................** Karen E. Morliengo, LMFT..................... 75 Landmark Lending ..................................** M. Block & Sons / Patrick McMullen .......** Mathnasium .............................................** Mission Pipe & Cigar Shop ................. 150 Pleasanton Pet Sitting ........................... 50 Ponderosa Homes ...................................** Stan Angelov ...........................................** Susan Sparber, CMT ...............................** Tahara Detox & Weightloss Center .........** Tri-Valley YMCA .......................................** Vagaro.com .............................................** Wednesday Tennis Gals..........................** Hacienda Bunco Group ..........................** In Memory of Our Mom Lora from Dmitriy & Lada Kosarikov .............................................** Gene Rega ............................................ 25 Gam & Papa Abbott from The Casey Family...................................................** Laura Maya .............................................** Nicholas Daniel Lesser ...........................** Linda Scherschel ................................. 50 Business or organization: __________________________________________________ I wish to contribute anonymously. Don't publish the amount of my contribution. 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 Credit card donations will be accepted by calling the Tri-Valley Community Foundation at 734-9965. Pleasanton Weekly PRINT & ONLINE The Tri-Valley Community Foundation is located at 5674 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 112, 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, 2009, unless the donor checks the anonymous box. All donations will be acknowledged by mail. Clint & Tina Onderbeke ...........................** Mr. & Mrs. Daryn Oxe.......................... 100 Mr. & Mrs. Bill Paris .................................** The Pearce Family............................... 100 Mrs. Anne Pearson ................................ 50 Joe & JoAnn Pennisi ...............................** Bob & Orley Philcox ............................ 500 Tom & Patty Powers ................................** Mr. & Mrs. Alan Purves ............................** The Reeves Family ................................ 50 The Richwood Family .......................... 100 The Ristow Family ...................................** Bob & Judy Robichaud ....................... 100 Ron & Carol Russo ................................ 25 Bill & Pat Ruvalcaba ............................ 300 Mr. & Mrs. Samel .....................................** John & Sheila Sanches ...........................** Owen & Rebecca Saupe ........................** The Sborov Family...................................** Rose M. Schoop .................................... 25 Peter Schulze ..........................................** Chris & Cecile Seams .............................** Howard & Emilie Seebach .................... 50 Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Severin ................... 100 John & Barbara Severini ..................... 500 Sonal & Ajay Shah ...................................** Steve & Bonnie Shamblin .................... 100 Ron & Lonnie Shaw ............................. 100 T.H. & S. J. Shen ................................. 100 Joe & Sue Silva .......................................** Richard & Corrie Simon...........................** Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Spangler ................ 100 Mike & Kerry Jo Stephan .................... 100 John & Kay Stewart .................................** Jack & Carol Sum................................ 100 Robert & Carole Sygiel ........................ 100 Verna Mae Silva from Steve & Kathy McNichols ...................................... 1000 Tony Paradiso & Gene Paradiso from Dorene Paradiso-Carroll ......................** Dan Gabor from Ann Gabor................ 125 Doris T. Walberg from Todd & Brenda Walberg ........................................... 100 Rob Meierding ..................................... 100 Aldo Macor ..............................................** Gene Strom, Keith Strom & William Kolb from Carol (Kolb) Strom .......................** Mary Erickson from Al Copher .............. 50 Matt Rybicki & Michael Conner from Jerry & Josine Pentin ................................ 100 Althea McGill from The Grimes Family....** Tom & Karen Elsnab from Nancy T. Elsnab ............................................... ** Clifford Cowan from Mrs. Nancy Cowan .** Lindsey Jones .........................................** Nick Del Boccio.......................................** Rick Aguiar from Nancy Aguiar Fargis ...** In Loving Memory of Brian Melin from Patricia Melin ................................... 100 John A. Mavridis from Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mavridis ...............................................** Teddy & Arthur Adams ........................ 100 Our Grandparents from The Grimes Family...................................................** Liz Ray from Alex & Emily Corbishley .....** Marilyn Bowe from James Bowe ........... 50 Ed Kinney, George Spiliotopolous, Hank Gomez, Ralph Romero & Roger Dabney from Ken Mercer .............................. 400 John Silva ............................................ 100 Hilda Gutierrez from Martin & Amory Gutierrez ..............................................** Lola Palladino ...................................... 100 Bill & Ann Brown......................................** Bob Williams ............................................** Jim Snodgrass ........................................** Norma Holway from Joe & Janice Biggs ...** Beverly Oberg from Ed & Holly Heuer ....** Grampa Roy & Grampa Tom from Jeff, Annie & Kevin ......................................** Don Foreman ....................................... 100 Marie Petrone from Jim & Kate Anderson .............................................** Susan Dawson from Mark & Janet Mullaney........................................... 150 Dick Waldron from Mrs. Virginia Waldron** Karl K. Witze ........................................ 500 Betty Patrick from Chuck & Joan Brown .** Stan Kallo from Blake & Suzanne Heitzman .......................................... 300 Jackie Barnett ....................................... 25 Roger Dabney from Mrs. Marty Zarcone ...** Sarah Lees from Mr. & Mrs. Donald Person ..................................................** Michael & June Carboni from Richard & Nancy Shockley ............................... 100 Bob, David & Jodi Armknecht............. 150 Anthony Prima from Daniel & Teresa Morley & Family ...................................** Marge Schaefer & Skip Mohatt from Tom & Barb Treto .........................................** May, Harold & Mike Consedine from The Hamm Family ................................... 100 Dave Chestnut from Tim & Teri Bush ......** Kyle O'Connor from The Dadrass Family ..** MaryAnn Butler, Gil & Juanita Haugen & Brent Lovell from The Bob Group ........** Kittie, Edward & Margie Turnbull.............** Gerald Grater Love from Laurie Woods ................................................150 Mary May.................................................** Fred Elling ...............................................** Dorothy Gordon .......................................** Floyd Bueno ........................................ 100 Bonnie Zenter ...................................... 100 Allan Hillman, Randy & Margie Warner.. 100 **The asterisk designates that the donor did not want to publish the amount of the gift. Page 20 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Living ANIMALS EDITION PEOPLE AND LIFEST YLES IN OUR COMMUNIT Y TAKE US AL NG A dolphin-Weekly encounter: Tori Larsen and Patricia Norcross took the Weekly along when they got to swim with the dolphins in Key Largo, Florida. Pictured are Julie and Samantha. Eek! A mouse!: Mathea Turkalj helped Kayla Bautista celebrate her 13th birthday at Disneyland, where she had plenty of mouse encounters to rave about. It was her first visit (we think the Weekly's been there a few times!) Pulling their weight: To celebrate her 50th birthday, Mary Gordon and her sister Pat Hines took the Weekly along on a four-day dogsledding adventure in Ely, Minnesota. Mary reports that the temperature was 28 degrees, but that the pair had a great time. Just a hop, skip and a jump from P-town: Saira Fatteh and daughters Zara and Raniya feed and pose with a kangaroo and the Weekly, of course, at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia. Dad Parvez (with baby Inaya) took the picture. Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 21 LIVING Happy Howlidays and Feliz Navidog Celebrate the holidays with Murphy's Paw. We have the most unique and highest quality canine products on the market! 20% OFF* with this ad *excluding sales items and dog food 2009 NOW SHOWING The Princess and the Frog Rated G 1 hour, 38 minutes REVIEWS OF NEW MOVIES BY PETER CANAVESE prize, while her white friend -- debutante Charlotte La Bouff (Jennifer Cody) -- moons over her presumptive future husband, one Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) of Moldonia. As Dr. John sings in the film-launching number "Down in New Orleans," "Rich people, poor people all got dreams./Dreams do come true in New Orleans." But don't trust the fellow advertising "Dreams Made Real." Voodoo sorcerer Dr. Facilier (the ever-distinctive Keith David), aka "The Shadow Man," expertly manipulates the emotional needs of Prince Naveen and his muttonchopped, roly-poly valet Lawrence (Peter Bartlett). Chaos ensues, with Naveen turned into a frog and his valet determined to steal his princely life. When Naveen begs a kiss from Tiana, it's not he who becomes human, but she who becomes a frog, forcing the pair to seek refuge in the bayou. After meeting aspiring jazz trumpeter Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley) -- inconveniently an alligator -- and heartsick Cajun firefly Ray (Jim Cummings), the new friends go off to see the wizard -- err, that is, 179-year-old blind voodoo priestess Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis). From its "wish upon a star" opening to its Mardi Gras climax, the beautifully hand-drawn "The Princess and the Frog" keeps up a brisk pace and energy, but only partly achieves the effervescence of a Disney "classic." If only the story had sidelined the prince and princess and been the epic battle of the evil Shadow Man ("The real power in this world ain't magic; it's money!") and Mama Odie ("Money ain't got no soul;/Money ain't got no heart"), we'd really have something. Where "The Princess and the Frog" stumbles a bit is in its wan wit -- despite strenuous efforts, this isn't a particularly funny movie. Another problem is its sometimes confused insistence on having it all in every regard of plot and theme (e.g., hard work is a core value, but don't be a workaholic, but still achieve your dreams, but don't neglect your family...). 410 Main Street . Pleasanton, CA (925) 600-8925 www.murphyspaw.com "Happy Hormones" Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy A Natural Approach to Hormone Balancing We Help With: Signs of Hormone Imbalance: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Plenty of change arises in Disney's musical "The Princess and the Frog": people turning into frogs, love transforming two into one, and the studio returning from CGI to 2D animation after a five-year hiatus. But all the change feels awfully familiar, by (backwards) design, making "The Princess and the Frog" cinematic comfort food, if not great art. Loosely based on E.D. Baker's "The Frog Princess," Disney's latest literally trumpets another important change: the studio's first African-American princess. Tiana (Anika Noni Rose of "Dreamgirls") doesn't start out a princess; like Cinderella, Tiana is a drudge. With dreams of one day honoring her late father's dream of opening a restaurant in their beloved New Orleans, Tiana works two jobs and keeps her eyes on the THE WINE GUY BY DON COLMAN Sparking wine The 2001 Mumm DVX Sparkling Wine ($55) is a spectacular sparkling wine. It is as smooth as it is flavorful with a perfect amount of tiny bubbles to give it an exhilarating feel as it enters your mouth. It is the color of 14 carat gold and loaded with green apple scents and a creamy yet sweet fruit taste. It is a perfect wine to serve on New Year's Eve or to have around just in case big news (engagements, etc.) happen over the holidays. Keep it close and cold and you will be glad you did. "Express your Full Potential" Surviving the holidays, part 2 This berry-filled, jam-smelling wine is followed by more subtle notes of smoke and tobacco. On the taste, it is a dry, medium bodied wine that is one of the smoothest syrahs I have ever tried. Wente and Annika have produced a shockingly beautiful wine that warrants room in every wine cellar. Give it, knowing that it is unlikely that the receiver has tried it and they will be thoroughly impressed. W Happy Holidays e are just about halfway through the stress of the holiday season. In this second installment, we need to answer three questions: what to serve on New Year's Eve, what to give to the person who really does have everything, and what wine should I have available as a backup for any unexpected guests? There are three grapes that will answer all of these questions and round out your cellar for the rest of the holiday season: sparking wine, syrah and zinfandel. Syrah What to give to the person who really does have everything? These are the people who are successful and often have expensive habits. Typically, one of those expensive passions is golf. Wente Vineyards, in conjunction with Annika Sorenstam (one of the most successful golfers of all time) released the 2006 Annika Syrah ($75). The wine is a deep purple in color and has a very powerful aroma. Learn to DANCE and have FUN doing it. We offer beautifully crafted jewelry for Christmas We buy Gold! Bring in your unwanted gold jewelry for cash or credit towards your Holiday gift purchase Learn to dance from Arthur Murray's professional dance teachers with personal one-on-one dance lessons or join us for our group lessons and practice parties. It's a fun workout and a great way to get in shape. Zinfandel I went back to an old faithful for this. I wanted a versatile wine that would satisfy all different types of wine drinkers whether it is for a cocktail/dinner party or a special night with your family. The 2007 Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel ($60) is so easy to drink that it disappears as fast as the glass is filled. It is a medium depth, ruby red wine which has moderate aromas with plenty of complexity. Scents of cherries, licorice, a touch of vanilla and even a hint of mint make their way through the wine. Although the wine is moderately scented, it is a big, full bodied wine that hits all parts of the tongue, making it sweet at the start and ending off with a bitter and sour finish. The combination of complex scents and stimulating flavor are match made in heaven, creating a truly intriguing wine. So there you have it -- the holiday wine buyer's guide to get you through what can be very stressful times. Stock up on these wines and you will have all of your bases covered. Even the most discriminating wine drinkers will have plenty to choose from when they come to your house. Have a happy and safe holiday season. Until next time, cheers! Don Colman lives in the East Bay and writes a wine blog at www.nosetoglass.com. Contact him at don@ nosetoglass.com. 925.846.7511 614 Main Street Downtown Pleasanton Call Today! Couples & Singles Invited www.ArthurMurray.com Page 22 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Sports SPORTS DIGEST Ghosts of Amador girls' basketball past This coming Tuesday, Amador Valley High School will host its first ever AV Girls Basketball Alumni game. Players from 1995, 2009 and everywhere in between will battle each other on the gym floor they once knew so well. Game time is 5 p.m. in Amador Valley's big gym. Admission is $3. All proceeds go to the AV Girls Basketball program. Celebrate The Season Sale These days, every penny counts. I help safe drivers save up to 26%. Frugality is back. But it's not all bad. Some of us are actually enjoying the hunt for new ways to save. Here's one: drive safely. You can save up to 26%. And that's just for starters. Call me first to get the discounts you deserve. SALE BOB MCGLINCHY, CLU Insurance Agent 925.846.0880 99 �Your choice with coupon 1987 Santa Rita Road Ste E email@example.com CA Lic: 0627529 Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Indemnity Company, Northbrook, IL. � 2009 Allstate Insurance Company 6', 16/2 Indoor Extension Cord With cube tap. White or brown E 765, 644, 636 B24 SAVE $7 799 reg. 21.99 g C Compact t Ceramic Heater eater With thermostat, high/low and fan-only settings. 8". 1,500W. W 262 706 B6 While supplies last. We Are Committed To: Exceptional Customer Service Surefire winners The U12 Pleasanton Travel Baseball Team -- MH Baseball won the Toys for Tots Baseball Tournament at Big League Dreams in Manteca over Thanksgiving weekend. The team is coached by Don Galli, Kevin Goodman, Sean Mays, Chuck Lind and KC Mays. Players include: Anthony Galli, Jack Geasa, Ruben Mercado, Justin Goodman, Patrick Loughnane, Ronnie Jones, Sam Molz, Jacob Wilson, Connor Mays, Nick Lind, Jared Buranis and Grant Mendoza. Start Right. Start Here. Workbench True Value Hardware 1807 Santa Rita Rd, Pleasanton Showroom and Factory located at 4225 Stanley Blvd., Pleasanton, CA 94566 925.462.1207 Phone (925) 846-0660 www.truevalue.com www.window-ology.com Contractor's License #904282 New! Easy to see and use. Introducing the NEW Doro PhoneEasy 345 � Motorola EM 330 >> Phone*and FREE Shipping $40 Consumer Cellular is proud to be the exclusive provider of the Doro PhoneEasy. We also offer a complete line of full-featured phones from Motorola and Nokia, along with our simple, affordable plans on a nationwide network. NO CONTRACTS Consumer Cellular plans! PLAN NAME Anywhere Casual Anywhere 250 Anywhere 500 Anywhere 1000 Anywhere 1500 Anywhere 2000 RATE PLANS MONTHLY FEE PLAN MINUTES $10 N/A $20 250 $30 500 $40 1,000 $50 1,500 $60 2,000 ADD'L TIME/MIN 25� 25� 25� 25� 25� 10� Doro PhoneEasy 345GSM Phone*and FREE Shipping $40 Motorola W259 Phone*and FREE SIMPLE PLANS GUARANTEED money-back guarantee. FREE Shipping ADD A LINE FOR $10/mo AND SHARE YOUR PLAN MINUTES! EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER! Doro PhoneEasy ALSO AVAILABLE AT A AARP� members, ask for your special discount when starting new service! LOCATION NEAR YOU! Call 1.888.206.6554 Online www.ConsumerCellular.com/Sears *Requires new service activation on approved credit and $35 activation fee. Retail buyers pay $35 activation fee upon purchase of phone. Phone price after instant rebate applied at time of purchase. Certain models are free beyond activation fee. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Phones are limited to stock on hand. Terms and Conditions subject to change. If you're not satisfied within 30 days or 30 minutes of usage, whichever comes first, cancel and pay nothing, no questions asked. Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 23 fogster.com THE TRI-VALLEY'S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEB SITE Fogster.com offers FREE* postings online and the opportunity for your ad to appear in print to more than 80,000 readers. You can log on to fogster.com 24/7, and your online ad starts immediately. TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO FOGSTER.COM *Some ads require payment. Home Services and Mind & Body ads require contact with the customer service representative at 925-600-0840, Ext. 122. 202 Vehicles Wanted Donate Vehicle Receive $1000 Grocery Coupons, Your Choice. Noah's Arc, No Kill Animal Shelters. Advanced Veterinary Treatments. Free Towing, IRS Tax Deduction. Non-Runners. 1-866-912GIVE. (Cal-SCAN) Donate Your Car Children's Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child's Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-2520615. (Cal-SCAN) Math Tutoring High School math and English tutoring: Alg., Geo., Pre-Calc., English. Strive for academic success. Ret. teacher, Cal. credential. 925-462-3807 BULLETIN BOARD 115 Announcements GAIN NATIONAL EXPOSURE Reach over 5 million young, active, educated readers for only $995 by advertising in 110 weekly newspapers like this one. Call Jason at 202-2898484. (AAN CAN) 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 (AAN CAN) 50-150 pounds Over Weight? Wanted: 20 adults for diet and execise program exclusively for the obese. Call to see if you qualify. 925-457-4587. Fibromyalgia Pain Stress Mgmt If You Give A Mouse a Cookie Livermore Lioness Club Livermore Lioness Club seeks new Rent A Santa, Santa Visits Santa Visits, Hire Santa Stress and Pain Mgmt Strategies 355 Items for Sale Adjustable booster &step - $6 Rescue Heroes 60+ Piece Set 215 Collectibles & Antiques Antique - Mahogany End Table - $85.00 Antique Oak Wash Stand - $125.00 Royal Doulton figurine - $35 Part Time Job Offer As part of our expansion program,NorthWest Resources LLC is in need of people to work as part time account managers,payment and sales representatives,it pays a minimum of $3000 a month plus benefits and takes only little of your time.Please contact us for more details...Requirements -Should be a computer Literate.2-3 hours access to the internet weekly.Must be Honest and Loyal.Must be Efficient and Dedicated.If you are interested and need more information,Contact John H Churchill,Email: email@example.com 771 Painting/ Wallpaper *JOE'S PAINTING & HANDYMAN* Free Est. / Reasonable Prices No Job Too Small!!! 925-200-7333 Lic#624542 HOME SERVICES 715 Cleaning Services Jacobs Green Cleaning General household cleaning SF, Marin, South & East bay $25.00 off with mention of ad 510-303-8954 REAL ESTATE 801 Apartments/ Condos/Studios Pleasanton, 1 BR/1 BA - $1250.00 Pleasanton, 1 BR/1 BA - $865 San Ramon, 1 BR/1 BA - $1200 EMPLOYMENT 550 Business Opportunities $Low Start Up HUGE Profits$ iHeater Dealers Wanted! #1 Portable Infrared Heater As Seen on TV. Don't Miss This HOT Opportunity! Call NOW! 1-800-714-8425 (AAN CAN) All Cash Vending Be Your Own Boss! Your Own Local Vending Route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995. MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405. (Cal-SCAN) 220 Computers/ Electronics FAX MACHINE - GESTETNER - F919 $200 or B/ BUSINESS SERVICES 645 Office/Home Business Services Classified Advertising In 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price. 25-words $550. Reach 6 million Californians! FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SCAN.com (Cal-SCAN) Display Advertising In 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com (Cal-SCAN) News Release? Cost-efficient service. The California Press Release Service has 500 current daily, weekly and college newspaper contacts in California. FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6010. www. CaliforniaPressReleaseService.com (Cal-SCAN) 726 Decor & Drapery Changing Spaces ReDesign,Staging &Color Consults 4 any budget. jillldenton.com 925.998.7747 240 Furnishings/ Household items 3 piece kitchen carving set - $10 DINING ROOM TABLE - $ 500.00 Entertainment Cabinet - $75.00 Rolling Chair - $30 Tall Dresser - $100.00 Vaccum Kirby - $1000.00 WOOD BOXES - $60.00 741 Flooring/ Carpeting Cal Floors-Hardwood Floors SAVE BIG on ALL our flooring services. For a QUICK QUOTE call 415-706-7199 or call925-954-5012 805 Homes for Rent Pleasanton, 1 BR/1 BA - $1450 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) 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) **BODYGUARDS WANTED** FREE Training & Job Placement Assistance for members. No Experience OK. Excellent potential $$$. Full & Part Time. Traveling expenses paid..1-615-228-1701. www.psubodyguards.com (AAN CAN) Available to Travel? Over 18? Earn Above Average $$$ with Fun Successful Business Group! No Experience Necessary. 2wks Paid Training. Lodging, Transportation Provided. 1-877-646-5050. (Cal-SCAN) Computer Work Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/mo. Full Time. Training provided. www. KTPGlobal.com or call 1-800-330-8446. (Cal-SCAN) EARN $75 - $200 HOUR Media Makeup Artist Training. Ads, TV, Film, Fashion. One week class. Stable job in weak economy. Details at http:// www.AwardMakeUpSchool.com 310364-0665 (AAN CAN) Electronics Trainees Earn and learn. Great pay and benefits, generous vacation, $ for School. No experience OK. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 1-800-345-6289. (Cal-SCAN) Experienced AG Mechanic Wanted for Tractor Dealership in Richvale and Yuba City. High paying. Fax resume (530) 882-4576. (Cal-SCAN) Mechanics Keep the Army National Guard rolling. Fix Humvees, Strykers, etc. Expand skills through paid career training. Part-time work. Full -time benefits. www.NationalGuard.com/mechanic or 1-800-GO-GUARD. (Cal-SCAN) Sales Executives for Exclusive Skincare Brand. Founders/ creators of Proactiv, Drs Rodan and Fields created another #1 skincare line. Email resume:email@example.com (Cal-SCAN) Warehouse Trainee Good pay, regular raises, great benefits, $ for school, vacation. No experience needed, HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 1-800-345-6289. (Cal-SCAN) 751 General Contracting Calhoun Construction Full Service General Contractor: Specializing in small jobs! Remodels of kitchens, baths. Additions, Custom Sheds, electrical work plumbing, tile,trim carpentry , window and door installation. Low overhead -very competitive rates. 925-330-0965 Lic #899014 130 Classes & Instruction HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Fast, Affordable & Accredited FREE Brochure. Call NOW! 1-800-532-6546 Ext. 97 http://www. continentalacademy.com (AAN CAN) 245 Miscellaneous DISH with Free Installation $19.99/mo. HBO & Showtime FREE - Over 50 HD Channels FREE! Lowest Prices - No Equipment to Buy! Call for Details 1-877-887-6145. (Cal-SCAN) Get Dish -FREE Installation $19.99/mo HBO & Showtime FREE-Over 50 HD Channels FREE Lowest Prices No Equipment to Buy! Call Now for full Details- 1-877-238-8413 (AAN CAN) Get Dish -FREE Installation $19.99/mo HBO & Showtime FREE-Over 50 HD Channels FREE Lowest Prices No Equipment to Buy! Call Now for full Details: 877-242-0974 (AAN CAN) 2 Nice Ikea trash bins - $4 each Cottage Style Decorating - $16.95 Gifts to Inspire - $5.50 Non-stick stove top grill - $20 Organizer - $6 Power washer on wheels - $1000.00 RED WORMS FOR COMPOSTING - $25.00 Staging The Home For Fall - $14.99 825 Homes/Condos for Sale Livermore, 4 BR/3 BA - $705000 Livermore, 4 BR/3 BA - $699,900 759 Hauling Hauling & Cleanup Service Residential/Commercial*Yard & Garage Clean-Up,Dump Runs Appl & Furn , construction demo removal. Low Rates/ Free Est 925-899-5655 850 Acreage/Lots/ Storage 20 Acre Land Foreclosures Near Growing El Paso, Texas. No Credit Checks/Owner Financing. $0 Down, Take over $159/mo. payment. Was $16,900, NOW $12,856. 800-755-8953 www. TexasLandForeclosures.net (Cal-SCAN) 133 Music Lessons Freeman (Piano Lessons) Pleasanton (510)352-0546 MA HARP LESSONS FOR ALL AGES Try Something New! Call Bennetta Heaton (925) 820-1169 - located in Danville PIANO LESSONS Piano Lessons in Pleasanton. Call Courtney (925)600-1573 135 Group Activities 6 Week Meditation Class Holiday Lock & Key Singles Party Marketplace Pleasanton Weekly General Contracting A-Z Complete 140 Lost & Found Lost Walking Stick 150 Volunteers French Conversation Needed Real estate Mike Fracisco � REALTOR DRE#01378428 Fracisco Realty & Investments 155 Pets Free female cat for Christmas Fun Dawgs Dog Training Classes available at Dogtopia of Pleasanton. Good Manners Adult/ Adolescent and Puppy Level 1 and Level 2 classes, and Introduction to Agility. For more information, visit fundawgs.com or contact toni@ fundawgs.com, 510-326-4597 260 Sports & Exercise Equipment Complete Home Gym -like new - $800obo Razor scooter - $100.00 Handyman Service Carpentry (incl. Crown Moldings) Electrical Repairs & Installations Security Lighting � Drywall John DeMarinis Realtor 925.989.6179 / 510.733.5582 www.a-zcompletehomerepairs.net Residential, Commercial & Property Management 925.984.1867 510.681.3215 cell email@example.com direct: 925-998-8131 www.MikeFracisco.com Medical ASSOCIATE VETERINARIANS Mail resume to: Dr. Yoon, Gentle Care Veterinary Hospital 6960 Amador Plaza Rd. Dublin, CA 94568 www.JohnDemarinis.com Help Wanted Engineering RNC Engineers (multiple positions) sought by Synergie Tech Solutions, LLC (Pleasanton, CA) Manage RNC incl implmtn, commissioning & integration with Node B & MGW/PS core; Tech support for RNC incl routine RNC O&M & troubleshooting. Min. req. BSEE & 5 yrs. exp. Send resumes to 6200 Stoneridge Mall Road, Ste 120, Pleasanton, CA 94588. SOLD FOR SALE 201 Autos/Trucks/ Parts 2 new STRUTS for 86-91 Honda Accord & Prelude - $70 for 2 Base plate attachment For towing a Saturn car with RV, etc. - $200 Car Attachment for pulling 93-02 Saturn - $189 KID STUFF 330 Child Care Offered Au Pairs / Great Childcare INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE COMPANY Mike Carey, Broker 925.963.0569 Cell Pleasanton 345 Tutoring/ Lessons English Tutor - $30 hourly French Tutor - $30 hourly Math & Chemistry Tutoring Retired Scientist enjoying TUTORING High School & College STUDENTS in algebra, geometry, pre-calculus & chemistry. CALL DOUG @ 925-858-5842 For Market Place Ads Contact Karen (925) 600-0840 x122 firstname.lastname@example.com Page 24 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Real Estate HOME SALE OF THE WEEK OPEN HOME GUIDE AND REAL ESTATE LISTINGS Season's Greetings! Located in Jensen Estates, this 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is 1,822 square feet and sits on a 6,506 square foot lot. The single story home has been updated from top to bottom. The Moxley Team of Alain Pinel Realtors represented the buyers on this multiple offer home. (925) 600-0990. 4039 GRAHAM ST., PLEASANTON, $685,000 From our homes to yours: Wishing you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season! Home sales increase 1% statewide in October as prices dropped 3.2% Number of available homes on market also declined BY JEB BING Home sales increased 1 percent in October in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home declined 3.2 percent, the California Association of Realtors (CAR) reported this week. "Home sales historically trail off during the fall and winter months as we move to the off-peak season for the housing market," said CAR President Steve Goddard. "However, with affordable home prices, mortgage rates hovering around 5 percent, and the extension and expansion of the federal tax credit, we expect first-time and move-up home buyers to drive home sales through the end of this year and into early 2010." Closed escrow sales of existing, singlefamily detached homes in California totaled 562,400 in October at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by CAR from more than 90 local Realtor associations statewide. Statewide home resale activity increased 1 percent from the revised 557,050 sales pace recorded in October 2008. Sales in October 2009 increased 5.9 percent compared with the previous month. The statewide sales figure represents what the total number of homes sold during 2009 would be if sales maintained the October pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. The median price of an existing, singlefamily detached home in California during October 2009 was $297,500, a 3.2 percent decrease from the revised $307,210 median for October 2008, CAR. reported. The October 2009 median price rose 0.3 percent compared with September's $296,610 median price. "California's median price rose for the eighth consecutive month in October and sales continued to show strength, signs that California has hit and passed the bottom of this real estate cycle," said CAR Vice President and Chief Economist LeslieAppleton-Young. "The number of distressed sales as a share of total sales has shown considerable improvement since the beginning of the year, as a result of loan modifications and other efforts to prevent troubled mortgages from going into foreclosure," she said. "This has led to a decline in inventory levels since the start of the year that is more consistent with the price gains we have seen in recent months." "For the first-time since July 2007, sales of homes priced $1 million or more rose in year-to-year comparisons," she added. "While this is a welcome sign, the high end continues to be constrained by the lack of available financing in this sector." Highlights of CAR's resale housing figures for October 2009: CAR's unsold inventory index for existing, single-family detached homes in October 2009 was four months, compared with 6.1 months (revised) for the same period a year ago. 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 4.95 percent during October 2009, compared with 6.20 percent in October 2008, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable-mortgage interest rates averaged 4.55 percent in October 2009, compared with 5.21 percent in October 2008. The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home was 34.1 days in October 2009, compared with 45.5 days (revised) for the same period a year ago. Statewide, the 10 cities with the highest median home prices in California during October 2009 were: Palo Alto, $1,639,550; Los Altos, $1,592,550; Manhattan Beach, $1,037,500; Cupertino, $1,030,000; Newport Beach, $935,000; Los Gatos, $920,000; Rancho Palos Verdes, $900,000; Santa Barbara, $897,500; Lafayette, $867,500; and Santa Monica, $786,000. Statewide, the cities with the greatest median home price increases in October 2009 compared with the same period a year ago were: Palo Alto, 49.1 percent; Atascadero, 33.3 percent; Cupertino, 24.2 percent; San Rafael, 24 percent; Emeryville, 22.2 percent, Livermore, 20.5 percent; Culver City, 19.4 percent; Pleasant Hill, 17 percent; La Habra, 16.2 percent, and Novato, 15.4 percent. The #1 Resale Team in Pleasanton and Ruby Hill Happy holidays from The Fabulous Properties Team As the end of the year draws near, we count our blessings and we thank you for your support. We wish you and your family the best of holiday happiness and success in the New Year! Beautiful home in Ascona at Ruby Hill. Approx. 3,850 sq. ft., 5 BR, 3 full BA, and a gorgeous pool in the backyard. Offered at $1,285,000 Call us if you are thinking about moving. NOW is the time to prepare for the Spring market. Donna Garrison 925-980-0273 DRE License #01735040 KW Broker DRE License #01395362 Fran & Dave Cunningham 925-202-6898 DRE License #01226296 & 00930892 Johnson-Abarta 925-989-6844 DRE License #01361703 Susan Schall 925-397-4244 DRE License #01713497 Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 25 Getting to know your Local Real Estate Agents We asked your agents: What's your holiday tradition? Look out for our next issue 1/15 -- we will find out what their New Year's resolutions are. A table full of fresh cracked crab on Christmas Eve and new jammies to wake up in! Anni Hagfeldt 519-3534 Going to midnight service / Christmas dinner at Grandma's / traditional homemade Italian spaghetti with Grandpa's homemade red wine...and lots of laughter! Reliving life's funny moments while together. Kat Gaskins 621-4050 Alain Pinel Realtors www.annihagfeldt.com Joanne Durso 730-4006 Alain Pinel Realtors www.katgaskins.com RE/MAX Accord www.jdurso.com Opening presents with family and kids waiting for Santa to knock on the door to drop off their BIG gift! I deliver food to the local food bank and give out food to every homeless person on the street. Christmas Eve, we all dress in matching pajamas and watch holiday movies and open one gift. Melisa Mazotti-Johnson, VP 580-2777 Julia Korpi 463-6135 Delores Gragg 462-2222 V.P. of Tucker Associates www.melisamazotti.com Prudential California Realty www.juliakorpi.com Hometown GMAC www.deloresgragg.com Sharing Christmas Joy with all my clients, friends, and family! Jan Pegler 519-1455 Prudential California Realty email@example.com It's the Holiday spirit that warms our hearts during this special time of year! Cathy and Kari My Holiday Party: I've watched my clients' children inch-up each year. Many are grown-ups now. 200-4130 J Rockcliff Realtors www.cdeanhomes.com Having a large family dinner on Christmas Eve and watching my kid's faces light up with joy on Christmas morning. Pat Griffin 426-3844 Emily Barraclough 621-4097 Agents, please contact Andrea at 600-0840 x110 to be included next month! Hometown GMAC www.hometowngmac.com/hpgriffin Page 26 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Alain Pinel Realtors www.925hometeam.com Prudential California Realty / Pleasanton Hopyard PLEASANTON � This home radiates style and charm and is brand new. Offering 3,241 with four spacious bedrooms and three and a half baths. Located at the end of the subdivision and on a corner, this home is within minutes from the downtown area. 3 Car Garage, Granite Slab Countertops, 2 Fireplaces, Covered Porches. 1640 CINDY WAY $1,199,000 PLEASANTON � INCREDIBLE VIEWS!!!! from most rooms, Rich cherry cap, granite, gorgeous hardwood floors, fabulous master suite/master bath w/ marble floor and sweeping views of Mt. Diablo and the valley below, city lights, custom recent paint! Sparkling pool, close to 580/680 shop,downtown. 2117 BLACK OAK CT. $2,598,000 PLEASANTON � Good location for this lower level condo. Upgraded wood/laminate flooring, indoor laundry, large patio, one car detached garage. Close to freeways and new BART station. Pool, clubhouse, gym spa, tennis and more! Super price and great opportunity to own your own home!! 7595 CANYON MEADOWS CIR $279,500 LIVERMORE � Cute Single Story Home In Great Neighborhood. Large Kitchen, Lots Of Living Space, No Rear Neighbors. A Great Investment! Bank Owned. 1448 ANZA WAY $365,900 WALNUT CREEK � Peaceful, serene, panoramic views from almost every window! End unit with no side neighbors and no front neighbors. Freshly painted interior, new carpeting, high end Trane furnace & A/C. Remod. bathrooms w/ granite counters. Sunlit kitchen and dining area. Too much to list! 1905 CACTUS COURT $479,888 PLEASANTON � Fabulous court location! Great views out front of Hansen Park. Updated baths, kitchen, beautiful mahogany wood floors and newer a/c. 4 bedroom set up with Master on ground floor. Rear yard with pool, fruit trees, patio and lawn. Spacious side yard with raised garden beds. Great opportunity! 2109 CORTE RICARDO $729,000 PLEASANTON � 3 Bedrooms + Detached Office! Better than New - Large Lot, 2 Side Yard access points. Gourmet Kitchen - Granite Counters, 6 Burner Gas Stove, Convection Oven, Stainless Appliances. Completely Renovated w/ Wood Floors, Natural Stone, Recessed Lighting, 6 panel Doors, Pebble Surface Beach Pool. 4496 DESERTWOOD PL. $729,000 OAKLAND � 1 of 4 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Immaculate fourplex and duplex with a total of 6 units located at the quiet end of 83rd with views of magnificent trees, easy access to BART, freeway, schools, shopping and other conveniences! 2350 83RD AVE. $478,888 6111 Johnson Ct., Suite 110 925.463.9500 Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 27 To view all our listings go to www.prurealty.com/pleasantonhopyard GOLDEN EAGLE ESTATES GATED HILLTOP ESTATE GORGEOUS CUSTOM ESTATE SPANISH MEDITERRANEAN 8044 GOLDEN EAGLE WAY PLEASANTON 2801 GRAY FOX COURT PLEASANTON 833 PIEMONTE DRIVE PLEASANTON 4328 W RUBY HILL DR PLEASANTON Designer features throughout w/ extensive use of cherry wood, stone & more. Truly elegant. Level park-like backyard with pool, spa, lrg grass area. Panoramic views, 1.91 acres of privacy. Resort-like backyard w/ pool, spa, swim up bar, barbeque, palm trees. See details: www.2801GrayFox.com Drama c street presence! Huge gourmet kit, sauna, exercise rm, library, 4 fireplaces, 5-car garage. Incomparable 0.70 acres, pool, spa, outdoor kitchen & more. Drama c entry w/ traver ne flooring. 4 bd 4.5 ba, office & a bonus/game room. New Salt water pool w/ water features. New outdoor living area w/ BBQ, Plasma T.V . Peggy Cortez 925.648.5454 Phyllis & Carolyn Weiner 925.872.1416 JUST LISTED! OPEN SUN 1-4 Diane Gilfether 925.648.5443 Todd Mar nez 925.251.2571 OPEN SUNDAY 1-4 INCREDIBLE VIEWS SWIMMING POOL 9663 CROSBY DRIVE PLEASANTON This stunningly beau ful, totally custom home is located on the desirable West side of Pleasanton. The finest materials and workmanship. Phyllis & Carolyn Weiner 925.872.1416 1515 HONEYSUCKLE CT PLEASANTON Pres gious Golden Eagle Estates home! Beau fully appointed w/ 4 bd, 5 full ba, plus Library, Retreat & Bonus Room, 4892+/- sq. . w/ pool & spa on over an acre. Phyllis & Carolyn Weiner 925.872.1416 860 CASTLEWOOD PL PLEASANTON 3522 KINGS CANYON COURT PLEASANTON Lovely remodel, 1-story home in convenient loca on. Formal dining & living rooms. Kitchen w/granite counters and lots of cabinets. Large Swimming Pool. Beau ful custom home built in 1996 by Sterling Builders. Located above the 18th green and 10th fairway of the Hill Course. 4 bed 3 bath, 4,300 sq. ., approx 0.50 acres. Bryan Cra 925.855.4141 Margarita Cavalieri 925.251.2515 JUST LISTED! WINDEMERE MEDITERRANEAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY GRAPES MAGNIFICENT VIEWS 3525 ALDWYCH WAY SAN RAMON MORGAN TERRITORY RD LIVERMORE 655 EAST VINEYARD AVENUE LIVERMORE 3615 CALDEIRA LIVERMORE Hardwood flooring, granite in kitchen, carpe ng on second level, tankless hot water system, outdoor courtyard & rear landscape (nearly complete). 3 Bd/ 3Ba Two beau ful custom Estates on a 92 acres. Main house is a 4 bd, 3.5 ba, approx. 9378 sq , 12 car garage. 2nd house is a 3 bdrm, 4 bath, approx. 3000sq . Fabulous 20+ acre parcel w/ 8090 +/- sq custom home. 14.8 acres of income producing Chardonnay grapes. Part of Ruby Hill Vineyard Estates. Custom built estate surrounded by your own Pe te Sirah vineyard. Enjoy magnificent views filled with vines & hills galore. Michael Delehanty 925.648.4199 Taso Tsakos 925.648.4199 Carol Cline, CRS 925.648.5415 Peggy Cortez 925.648.5454 POOL & SPA Just Listed! Curb appeal! open saturday 1-3 open saturday 1-3 DECKER LANE LIVERMORE 927 MARCELLA STREET LIVERMORE 35650 PALOMARES CANYON CASTRO VALLEY Great 3 Bedroom, 2 bath Ranch style home with many upgrades. Over 3.5 Acres of land. Stop by for some Holiday cheer and a free gi .. 34442 PALOMARES CANYON CASTRO VALLEY Super property, Nice Home with spotless features, Great loca on next to a winery, 4.5 acres of level land. Stop by for some Holiday cheer and a free gi .. Corner lot with enjoyable privacy. Beauty inside with tasteful flooring, kitchen overlooks the backyard. pool and spa are the place to rest. Lovely 2-story home with lots of curb appeal. Great loca on; easy access to shopping, dining areas, schools, and Hwy 580. 4 bd/ 2.5 ba. 2,055+/- sq. . Sharon Williams 925.648.5454 Margarita Cavalieri 925.251.2515 Kristy & Company 925.251.2536 Kristy & Company 925.251.2536 Page 28 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 29 925.846.6500 www.blaiselofland.com firstname.lastname@example.com REAL ESTATE OPEN HOMES THIS WEEKEND a p r. c o m Blackhawk 4 BEDROOMS 5151 Blackhawk Drive Sun 1:30-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors 10 Bent Oak Court Sun 1:30-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors $1,449,900 510-406-4836 $1,579,000 510-406-4836 3 BEDROOMS 4496 Desertwood Place Sat/Sun 1-4 Prudential CA 4 BEDROOMS 6229 Detjen Court Sun 1-4 Blaise Lofland 1515 Honeysuckle Court 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors $569,000 785-6088 5 BEDROOMS 2309 Romano Circle Sun 1-4 Keller Williams 9663 Crosby Drive Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors $1,285,000 202-6898 $1,998,000 251-2585 $1,495,000 846-6500 $1,975,000 251-2585 $729,000 858-4198 THE PRESERVE OPEN SUN 1-4 Dublin 4 BEDROOMS 6593 Spruce Lane Sun 1-4 Prudentuial CA Realty 5 BEDROOMS 8019 Brittany Drive Sat/Sun 1-4 Keller Williams $899,000 260-2508 Pleasanton 2 BEDROOMS 4007 Peregrine Way Sat/Sun 1-4 Alain Pinel Realtors $519,000 895-9950 San Ramon 3 BEDROOMS 3007 Tahoe Place Sun 1-4 J. Rockcliff Realtors $549,500 683-5165 6229 DETJEN COURT, PLEASANTON Wow! Beautiful and priced to sell. This upgraded home in the desirable Preserve community on a private .68 acre (29,506 square foot) estate lot. This beautifully landscaped property backs to open space. Enjoy the views of the surrounding open land and the quiet court location. Four bedrooms, bonus room, private office, 4.5 baths, approximate total square footage 4,689. Fully integrated home sound system with individual multi-source, multi-zone audio selection key pads. Furniture negotiable. OFFERED AT $1,495,000 HOME SALES This week�s data represents homes sold during November 2009 Pleasanton 5026 Blackbird Way M. Niethammer to C. Wang for $600,000 3056 Briggs Court R. & J. Abascal to J. Feng for $1,360,000 2156 Canosa Court S. & L. Viswanathan to M. Sit for $2,300,000 7880 Canyon Meadow Circle #D L. Tibbits to T. Savage for $230,000 6151 Corte Padre J. Laborde to V. Smalyuk for $485,000 4181 Georgis Place E. Bagaoisan to J. Xiang for $381,000 1770 Magnolia Circle R. Denoix to Y. Zhang for $450,000 8330 Moller Ranch Drive A. & M. Mohseni to X. Wang for $1,215,000 1109 Navalle Court Williams Trust to H. & N. Jones for $882,500 4280 Payne Road H. & K. Elias to J. Yung for $548,000 1111 Tiffany Lane G. & S. Logan to Stubbs Trust for $495,000 Source: California REsource P L E AS A N TO N 9 0 0 M a i n S t r e e t �ber Local. 680 Homes is simply the most powerful and comprehensive site for Pleasanton real estate. Get detailed neighborhood and market information, instant home valuations, view video library, search for foreclosures, and more! Doug Buenz Office 925.251.1111 Direct 925.463.2000 680Homes.com Expert real estate services If you are considering a move next year, give me a call. A little planning now can produce huge dividends when you go on the market! Call me today for a no obligation chat about your options and best strategies! 680Homes.com/Pleasanton Page 30 � December 18, 2009 � Pleasanton Weekly apr.com | PLEASANTON | 900 Main Street 925.251.1111 apr.com Thinking of selling your home? Let Alain Pinel Realtor s list your property. We have qualified buyer s. Contact us today. MARTA RIEDY BY APPT ANNI HAGFELDT BY APPT MARY JANE DEERING BY APPT BLAISE LOFLAND BY APPT PLEASANTON $3,995,000 Magnificent Ruby Hill Italian Villa! Exquisite estate. 6bd/6.5ba, 9,100 sq. ft. Over 1/2 acre level lot. Must see to appreciate. DOUG BUENZ BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,699,999 5bd/4.5ba beautiful custom home in desirable Kottinger Ranch. Panaromic views,large backyard, pool, A must see. HAYWARD $1,690,000 Gated private one acre lot with views of SF Bay and more! Prestigious Greenbrier 5500+/- sqft remodeled single story 4 bd in main house + 1 bd, 1 ba guest house. Pool, gazebo 4 car garage. Gorgeous! CHRISTINE STARK BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,495,000 Views of surrounding open land, quiet court location, situate on .68+/-acre private estate lot. This 4689+/-sf, 4bd + office + bonus, 4.5 bath, upgraded home with beautiful landscaping has it all! DANIEL ALPHER BY APPT SALLY MARTIN BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,399,900 THIS IS IT! Rarely available luxury single story, .32+/-acre lot, 5bd/4ba, granite/ cherry/stainless kitchen w/island, designer carpeting. Better than New! MAUREEN NOKES BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,299,000 Immaculate, Expansive, 5bd, 3.5 ba, 3991+/-sf home situate on .76+/acre lot. Numerous upgrades. Go to www.2303Gloria.com Too Much to List! MARTA RIEDY BY APPT LIVERMORE $1,299,000 Rural property features 4bd/2.5ba, 2400+/sf plus large barn with loft on 7.8+/- level acres. Plenty of room for horses. LIVERMORE $1,199,900 Inviting custom home in South Livermore nestled in a court on over �+/-sf acre lot. Featuring 5bd/4.5ba, 4787+/-sf of living space. Backyard paradise with pool/outdoor kitchen, sideyard access/garden. MOXLEY TEAM BY APPT JOYCE JONES BY APPT PLEASANTON $1,099,000 Price Reduced- New semi-custom 1 story 4bd/3ba home. 'Old World' quality craftsmanship and high-end upgrades. 'Barefoot Contessa' kitchen. Location features a 10,000'+ lot and 10 minute walk to town. JOYCE JONES BY APPT FREMONT $969,000 Immaculate home in Mission San Jose! Gorgeous remodeled kitchen, fresh paint, light and bright home ready for occupancy. Sparking pool with solar unit. TIM MCGUIRE OPEN SAT/SUN 1-4 PLEASANTON $755,000 Desirable Pleasanton, 4bd, 2.5ba, prime court location, 2150sf+/-living space, large 8197sf+/-lot, updated kitchen, w/granite counters, hardwood floors, roof 2009, exterior paint 2009 & SO much more! MARK LAFFERTY BY APPT PLEASANTON $699,000 3BD,2B, 1,204SF home on 21,000 SF lot. Possible second home on lot or possibility to sub-divide lot. Close to freeways and downtown Pleasanton. KIM OTT/KIM RICHARDS BY APPT PLEASANTON $670,000 Single story, built in 1985, prime court location, 3bd(possible 4th), 2ba,updated kitchen w/granite counters, bamboo floors,large side yard,roof 2003 & low HOA's-so much more. Call me! 621-4055. PLEASANTON $519,000 Charming 2bd/2ba home extensively renovated throughout located across from Orloff Park and just a few blocks from K-12 schools. 4007 Peregrine Way LIVERMORE $489,950 Beautiful 4bd/2.5ba home in a court location. Features include tile flooring in kitchen/bath, maple cabinets, new carpets, two-tone paint, laundry room upstairs, plus central heat and air. DANVILLE $466,900 Cozy 3bd/2ba has slate entry/large LR has built-in FP Master opens to deck has . large closet with organizer. Master bath has slate/marble counters/skylite.Kitchen has granite/gas stove/skylite. PLEASANTON | 900 Main Street 925.251.1111 LIVERMORE | 2300 First Street 925.583.1111 Pleasanton Weekly � December 18, 2009 � Page 31 He's here because we're here. One-time teacher, full-time grandpa and part-time Santa, Jerry Bishop is back sorting out who's been naughty or nice. The heart surgeons, cardiologists and cardiac care team at San Ramon Regional Medical Center have put a glow back in Santa's cheeks. As always, from everyone here at your hospital, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a very healthy New Year. www.OurSanRamonHospital.com 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon 800.284.2878 This testimonial reflects results achieved by this patient. As each case is different and must be independently evaluated and managed, actual results will vary.