Tragedy strikes 4EENKILLEDINSNOWBOARDINGACCIDENT ° page 5 6OL8.UMBERs&EBRUARY Virtual sports School given OK 3ENIORSGIVE7II BOWLINGATRY Division in governing after-school child care ° WWW0LEASANTON7EEKLYCOM ° page 5 Section 2 A taxing situation 3CHOOLDISTRICTWEIGHSITSOPTIONS WITHSMALLCLASSSIZESANDSTAFF jobs on the line PAGE 10 You are he reby invited to v isit Home Con signment C enter Danville (925) 1901 Ca 866-6164 mino Ra mon where you can find fi accessories ne fur nitu re and at less tha n wholesal e prices. We are so r r y to see t Consignm he ent Plus P In case you leasanton s t d o i re close. d n ’ t k now, we br consignmen ought upsc t shopping ale to the Bay Area in 19 94. Unique one-of-a-ki nd items, unbelievab l e treasures, a l l consignmen at le l i v n t prices! Da 6164 n 6 6 8 amo ) R 5 2 o (9 in Cam 1 0 9 1 San Mateo 650-577-8 979 18 88 S. Norfo rk Mountain View 650-964-7 212 141 El Cam ino Real Page 2ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Saratoga 408-871-8 890 600 El Paseo de Sa ratoga San Rafae l 415-456-2 7 6 5 86 3 E. Franci sco Around Pleasanton by Jeb Bing Tips for weathering the downturn T moved forward to get final city approvals on their plans so that they’re ready when their markets improve in 2010 or beyond. Siner considers today’s economic downturn as an upturn for renters and mortgage holders. A real estate broker for 16 years as well as a highly regarded lawyer, including 23 years with his late father Bernard in the San Jose law practice of Siner & Siner, he considers 2009 a renters’ market like none other he has ever seen. For downtown businesses still trapped in 2007-era rents, they need to renegotiate with their landlords or move to vacant retail spaces elsewhere. Pleasanton has abundant vacant office and commercial properties with many owners willing to work deals so that they can pay their own bills. For property owners, Siner recommends checking their assessments. He’s seeing companies reduce their property taxes by $10,000-$20,000 through readjusted assessments. This is also the time to go to the bank and negotiate more favorable terms on a mortgage. Many banks are receptive to working with their established customers to keep their loans so that the bank’s auditors can see a futurefocused, secure package. Finally, Siner urges businesses, especially retailers, not to take the seemingly easy path of cutting all expenses, including advertising, promotions and sponsorships. Customers need to know you’re still there, still offering value for their money with quality goods and services they need more than ever as expendable income shrinks. Don’t sacrifice the short term to get to the long term, Siner warns, or there may not be a long term. Retailers are short-sighted when they freeze promotional dollars needed for business development. Sure, these are unprecedented, “even horrible” times, he counsels, but they won’t last forever. A 23-year resident of Pleasanton, Siner has seen the community go through tough economic times before, but always with a special kind of business acumen that he has found leads to a fast and strong recovery. N Serious ailments and medical conditions can be minimized or eliminated through this life changing program! The Pleasanton Weekly is published weekly by Embarcadero Publishing Co., 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. USPS 020407. The Pleasanton Weekly is mailed free upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Voluntary subscriptions at $30 per year ($50 for two years) are welcome from Pleasanton residents. Subscription rate for businesses and for residents of other communities is $40 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. © 2009 by Embarcadero Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. DELUXE LUBE, OIL, FILTER CHANGE & TIRE ROTATION Detox Weight Loss Center You may qualify through your insurance! (925) 249-9642 4725 First Street #270 Downtown Pleasanton Visit www.taharacenter.com Typical Medical Ofﬁce’s Rate $80 FREE( ) UÊÊVÕ`iÃÊÕ«ÊÌÊxÊµÕ>ÀÌÃÊ xÜÎäÊ«ÀiÕÊ UÊ iÜÊ"ÊÌiÀ UÊ >ÃÃÃÊÕLi (if applicable) UÊÎÓ«Ì°Ê6ÃÕ>ÊÃ«iVÌ UÊ{Ê/ÀiÊ,Ì>Ì 24 $ 95 Most vehicles Plus disposal fee Reg.$3995 Must present coupon. Expires 2/28/09 COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE ALIGNMENT 49 $ 69 95 $ Thrust Angle Body Composition Analysis! 95 Four Wheel Must present coupon. Expires 2/28/09 FRONT/REAR BRAKE SERVICE 50 $ #!2$%. 7%34 3#(//, 25 OFF $ Front AND RearAxle OFF Front OR Rear Axle UÊviÌiÊ7>ÀÀ>ÌÞÊÃVÊ*>`Ã]ÊÀ>iÊ-iÃ Must present coupon. Expires 2/28/09 Over 27 Years Trusted Service Success for every child, every day School Tours Every Wed. & Sat. 10 am to 12 noon or by appointment at (925) 463-6060 or www.cardenwest.org sSTTH'RADE s&ULL$AY +INDERGARTEN s0RE+INDERGARTEN s0RESCHOOL s4ODDLER0ROGRAM s%XTENDED#ARE s3UMMER#AMP About the Cover Andrea Carstensen, center, provides a lesson for her first grade class at Hearst Elementary School. With $8.7 million in reductions threatening class-size reduction, next year the classroom would be packed with several more students. Photo by Emily West. Vol. X, Number 4 RyNck TIRE & AUTO CENTERS LOSE 15 TO 30 LBS. in 2 Weeks Carden West School here’s nothing like a recession to make business owners large and small think about how best to maneuver through economic quicksands and come out relatively unscathed on the other side. Steve Siner, newlyelected to the top job as Managing Shareholder at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, has worked with clients in troubled times during his 30 years as a lawyer and has strong opinions on what we should do to make it through today’s challenges. Siner admits it’s a cliché but he firmly believes that challenges can also be opportunities and that Pleasanton businesses, entrepreneurs and property owners can stay viable in all that we’re facing. Have no doubts, Siner reminds us, these are extraordinary times that few with business plans ever envisioned. In fact, those with business plans which were likely written in better economic times should pull them out and update now. First, businesses need to become lean and mean. If there are 12 employees on board and the ship can only hold 10, two need to get off quickly before the ship goes down. It’s not easy to pare staff, but Siner says that’s what businesses must do to stay profitable. A mom-and-popowned dry cleaners, for example, might be able to reduce hours to still adequately serve its customers without an extra hand, stuff a few more garments in a delivery bag, and even cut energy costs by bunching up batches in the cleaning process. If there’s money in the bank, keep it there even if plans to add a new wing to the showroom floor are in place and a contractor hired. No one knows when this downturn will end and that cash reserve might come in handy to weather a four-to-six month cash shortfall if conditions worsen. The building addition can wait. That’s what Nordstrom is doing with its plans to expand at Stoneridge Shopping Center, what Safeway is doing with its plans for a superstore at Bernal and Valley Avenues and Hendricks’ Automotive in delaying construction plans for a new auto mall on Staples Ranch. All three have Lose Weight Rapidly Gain Optimal Energy and Health Easily Adopt New Nutritional Habits ENSIGN AS 39 95 $ P175/65R14 See store for complete details. Providing high academic standards for over 30 years in Pleasanton s,ICENSED s.ONSECTARIAN s.ONPROlT 4576 Willow Road, Pleasanton [email protected] PLEASANTON 3420 Stanley Blvd. 925-462-4900 PLEASANTON* 4216 Rosewood Dr. 925-734-3444 Also Dublin, Livermore, and Castro Valley ÊÌÕÀÊÀÊÊÇ>ÊÌÊÈ«]Ê->ÌÊÊn>ÊÌÊx«ÊUÊV>ÌÃÊÜÌÊ>ÊIÊ>ÀiÊ«iÊ-ÕÊÊn>ÊÌÊx« RyNck TIRE & AUTO CENTERS *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 3 Streetwise GET MORE be inspired. Q: Are youth sports in Pleasanton being taken too far? Asked Around Town GET MORE -& 1(% 1(),'0 1(!1 ),0.)/% 6-2 !1 *2".-/19+-/% 0.-/10+-/%'/-2.1/!),),'+-/%!#1)3)1)%0 Alyssa McSheffrey I never put myself in a situation where I felt that way because I never played in the competitive leagues when I was growing up. I’m 19 and I played soccer for 10 years in the BUSC recreational league because I just wanted to have fun and not feel the pressure of always having to succeed. My parents never pushed me into the competitive leagues because they felt the same way I did. They just wanted me enjoy the sport. WHAT’S YOUR MORE? 76)0.*!6),'1%,,)0!1*2".-/1(%/%)0!*4!60 '/%!1#-+.%1)1)-,'/%!1&/)%,$0!,$'/%!1#-!#(%08 -Barbara Hill, ClubSport Pleasanton Member Get More Today: Call (925) 271-0713 -/'-1-444#*2"0.-/10#-+&-/!&/%%'2%01.!00 (925) 271-0713 -(,0-,/)3% *%!0!,1-, -+%/%01/)#1)-,0!..*6$)0#-2,1)0-,),)1)!1)-,&%%-,*6!,$#!,,-1"% #-+"),%$4)1(!,6-1(%/-&&%/2%01.!00)0&-/&)/011)+%'2%010!,$*-#!* /%0)$%,106%!/0-&!'%-/-*$%/,%.%/(-20%(-*$&&%/0%5.)/% Kim Carmichael I just think there’s more pressure nowadays to win. I coach freshman cheer at Amador Valley High School and I notice that the girls don’t have as much fun as they should be because there’s so much pressure to perfect their routines for competition. I also see some parents push their daughters who may not necessarily want to be there. I try to balance the hard work with fun, bonding activities or games to lighten the mood which seems to help. Chameleon Consignment Mark Poovey I don’t think they push our youth enough. I am a firm believer that sports should institute a work ethic in our youth. The whole point of being an athlete is having a sense of sacrifice and competitive edge in order to win. However, I do believe parents and coaches should also teach kids the meaning of good sportsmanship as well. Quality Consignment Furniture & Custom Order Sofas Michelle Lamarche FREE pickup in our pickup* *if you live in Dublin or Pleasanton. Please call for details. Tel: (925) 299 1994 Blackwood Lane Lafayette www.ChameleonConsignment.com Yes, because our children don’t have a social life anymore. No matter what sport they participate in there seems to always be a tournament taking place every weekend. My friends and I have tickets to take our kids to see “Wicked” this weekend, and one of the families may cancel due to a volleyball tournament. What are the kids going to remember more: the volleyball tournament or a great weekend out in the city with friends and family? Ann Fromm I think youth sports haven’t gone too far unless the parents have gone too far. I see so many parents signing their children up for way too many sports at the same time. I call it “over programming.” Children need to have fun and not be pressured to compete all the time. Have a Streetwise question? E-mail: [email protected] Compiled by Hillary Bessiere Page 4ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Newsfront News Digest Council OKs permit for Chinese language, culture school Hear the music 3-2 vote shows sharp division over city laws governing after-school centers The Foothill High School Band invites the community to preview their award winning colorguard and percussion groups perform their 2009 Winterguard Show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, at Foothill High School, 4375 Foothill Road. Admission is free. Visit www.foothillband. org. Celebrating stories Pleasanton kids are invited to Book Blast at Stoneridge Shopping Center at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Kidgits club, as well as their friends, will have fun with reading and music. The Assistance League of the Amador Valley will also be there to administer free vision screening for 4- and 5-year-old children. Learn more at www. simonkidgitsclub.com. by Jeb Bing More than 200 supporters of the Little Ivy League School who packed the City Council chambers Tuesday night—most of them from Pleasanton’s growing ChineseAmerican population—got what they came for but only after an agonizing two hours of debate over whether they could continue the school’s operation at a new location in Hacienda Business Park. At the end, the council voted 3-2 to grant Little Ivy League a conditional use permit to move its school to a new location and to continue its operation. Voting in favor of the school’s petition were Mayor Jennifer Hosterman and council members Cheryl Cook-Kallio and Jerry Thorne. Councilman Matt Sullivan voted no, at least not until the city’s Human Relations Commission and others drafted and then had the council approve city guidelines for tutorial schools of this type that also serve as child care centers. Councilwoman Cindy McGovern also voted against Little Ivy League’s petition, but said she would recon- sider once it had a child care license from the state. Citing a brief oneparagraph provision among city regulations, she said research is needed into the kinds of municipal regulations that are needed to govern the different type of private schools now in operations. “We seem to be making up names for schools, such as tutoring school, heritage school and the like,” she said. “I have no problem with this school other than that it should be licensed.” School founder and Principal Jennifer Zheng said the school, Worthington Gallery West is closing its doors and moving to a virtual storefront. They are holding a goodbye party from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight. The store, located at 739 Main St., will be open to the public for the last time on Saturday. Owner Claudia Hess cited rent and trouble getting foot traffic as reasons for closing the “brick and mortar” location. Million dollar melodrama In its 28th season, the Sunol Repertory Theatre presents “A Million Dollar Baby.” Shows are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from March 7 to 28 at the Sunol Glen School auditorium. Tickets are $15 and will be on sale online at www.sunol. net and by calling Guin van Dyke at 862-0664. Water supplier says well water is being pumped more this time of year by Janet Pelletier Sheriff’s spokesman Paul Tualla, Martins was snowboarding with her brother when they became separated. “They got separated at some point in the late afternoon,” Tualla said. “She didn’t meet up with him and he contacted the ski patrol. They sent out a search party to look for her. They eventually located her by a tree.” Pleasanton residents who have unloaded their dishwashers recently have probably noticed a white film on glasses and other cookware. That’s due to well water, according to the general manager of Zone 7 Water Agency. Residents reported a noticeable coating on their dishes on the Weekly’s online Town Square forum. Some thought it may be a problem with their dishwasher, but it appears the culprit is the well water. Zone 7 supplies 80 percent of residents in the city with water. The other 20 percent receive water from city of Pleasanton wells. A few reasons are attributed to the increase in pumping from wells. One is that this time of year, Zone 7 crews are performing regular maintenance on pumping stations, leading them to use more groundwater, or well water, in the interim. Normally, water is a blend of surface water and groundwater. Also court-ordered reductions in pumping from the Delta and a drought has led Zone 7 to use its well reserves. Water that’s pumped and distributed from underground storage tends to have more minerals in it, explained Zone 7 General Manager Jill Duerig. “The groundwater, because it is harder, leaves more minerals and they show up as spots on dishes,” she said. Like many other area water agencies, Zone 7 has been hit hard by dry rainfall seasons and a court-ordered pump reduction at the San JoaquinSacramento River Delta. In a normal year, the wholesaler averages about 80 percent of its supply from the Delta. But the State Water Project, which sells agencies water, has curtailed its allocations to Zone 7 to just 15 percent. “When the State Water Project reduced its allocations, either because of drought or court decisions related to endangered species like the (continued on page 8) (continued on page 8) Janet Pelletier Art gallery closing (continued on page 6) That white stuff on your glass? It’s minerals Cash for college Las Positas College in Livermore is putting on a “Cash for College” information workshop for high school seniors and their parents from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 22. Each high school senior who attends will qualify for several $1,000 scholarships being offered if they file a FAFSA and a Cal Grant GPA Verification before March 2. The school is located at 3000 Campus Hill Drive in Livermore. For more information, email the financial aid office at [email protected]. which has 90 students, has lost its lease on its current facility at 4455 Stoneridge Drive and would be forced to close in June if the city denies its request to move into a 40,000-square-foot converted office building across from Hart Middle School. The building at 5925 West Las Positas Blvd. is home to the Korean Presbyterian Church, which plans to lease 8,000-square-feet that it isn’t using to Little Ivy League. The school, which opened in Where’s Lance? Excited adults and children braced the intermittent rains Tuesday afternoon in Livermore, trying to catch a glimpse of cycling hero Lance Armstrong. The Amgen Tour, the California version of the Tour de France, was on Stage 3 of the eight-leg, 700-mile race. A first-grade class from Emma C. Smith Elementary School cheered on the riders along Concannon Boulevard, clutching yellow LiveStrong posters. The first to pass, shown above, was a four-person cyclists group including Jeff Louder (BMC), Brian Vandborg (Liquigas), Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) and Bradley White (OUCH). Services are Saturday for teen killed in snowboarding incident Aline Christina Martins, 19, fell into tree well with loose powder at Dodge Ridge ski resort by Janet Pelletier Services are slated for Saturday for a Pleasanton teen who died Monday at Dodge Ridge ski resort. Nineteen-year-old Aline Christina Martins, a Pleasanton native who attended Amador Valley High School, was believed to have suffocated after falling into a tree well with a thick patch of snow that had fallen over the weekend. According to Tuolumne County Aline Christina Martins *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 5 Newsfront ‘Vagina Monologues’ hits stage Feb. 27 Popular production will benefit domestic abuse shelter Tri-Valley Haven The popular Eve Ensler production, “The Vagina Monologues,” will open at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater Feb. 27, with additional performances March 5 and 6. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Tri-Valley Haven’s programs for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. For nearly two months, three female actors have devoted hours each week to rehearsals. They include: Heather Mackey, a substance abuse counselor and educator who works with adolescents; Faith Alpher, a KKIQ radio personality and Jennifer Dow, the director of domestic violence services at the Haven. A former theater major at Las Positas College, Mackey first saw “The Vagina Monologues” in 2001. “When I heard that auditions were being held for the monologues, I decided to give it a try,” she said. “The fact that they benefit such an amazing local organization was sort of an added bonus.” Alpher has appeared on stage and screen and emceed countless events. “This production is one of the most intense pieces of work I have ever done,” she said. “My experience in ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is a very personal one. I really feel like I’m healing from the inside out. It’s more than just action; it’s finding a voice for the millions of nameless women all over the world who deal with profound hurt, shame or guilt.” Dow saw Ensler perform the play in San Francisco several years ago, saying it blew her away and she’s tried to see it every year since then. “The Vagina Monologues” is made up of a varying number of monologues read by different women. Ensler wrote the first draft of the monologues in 1996 following interviews she conducted with 200 women about their views on sex, relationships and violence against women. Tickets, which cost $26-$41, are available at the Bankhead box office, online at www.bankheadtheater.org or by calling 373-6800. Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 5 and 2 p.m. March 6. —Janet Pelletier It’s in the stars Stories help budding astronomers learn the night sky by Emily West Rob Drew first learned about astronomy from his uncle and through simple stories he’s passing it onto anyone who is interested. Having a degree in astrophysics, he said he got in deeper than he meant to. It was in trying to share a hobby with his daughter that he found the best way to teach is through storytelling. “I made up stories for each season,” he said. “Fall is about a king and queen and the winter story is about Orion fighting a bull.” Ivy League (continued from page 5) Jay Flachsbarth Nearly 700 gather to remember David Ryan Nearly 700 family members and friends gathered at Valley Community Church in Pleasanton Feb. 12 to remember David Ryan, a man they recalled as full of life, humor and kindness—a man who died too soon. Ryan, 49, a Pleasanton businessman, died in a fire near Boulder, Colo. Feb. 6. He wore many hats—from coach to financial adviser to nonprofit booster to sailing buddy to trusted friend—and that was evident by the sheer number of people who attended his service. Ryan’s white Chevy Blazer, license plate “RYANCRW,” was displayed outside the church with a floral wreath beside it. Every seat at the church’s sanctuary hall was filled, with many standing on the sides and in the back as they listened to his family share their favorite memories. Speakers included Ryan’s son, Trevor, 20 (in top photo),a student at UC Santa Barbara; daughter, Malia, 14, a freshman at Amador Valley High School, and sister, Candy Burgard (in third photo from top), of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. For more pictures from the service, visit www.pleasantonweekly.com. Page 6ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ 2005, provides tutoring on a variety of English and mathematics subjects but with a special focus on Chinese language and culture. A majority of students are Americanborn children of Chinese descent as well as children adopted from China as babies and youngsters too young to know the language and Chinese culture. One mother told the council that her child now recognizes, can write and speak using 300 Chinese characters after just a few months at Little Ivy League, marveling his grandparents on laptop visual phone conversations between his home in Pleasanton and theirs in China. Little Ivy League received approval of its conditional use application Dec. 10 in a 4-1 vote by the city Planning Commission. However, Planning Commissioner Anne Fox appealed that decision to the council. Tuesday night, she said other day care and preschool opera- In looking to the night sky, students should be able to pick out the constellations based on the seasonal tale. To help with the visuals, his wife Elaine, an artist, helped him complete the story with drawings to go along with the constellations. Most of his students start as beginners who can identify the Big Dipper and a couple other popular star groupings. Yet, after the course, Rob Drew said he will often get calls saying they were able to find eight constellations. While he will bring a telescope along to show the students what they’re like, the class doesn’t focus on operating them. “The fun thing is, most of the stuff in the night sky looks better through binoculars,” Rob Drew said. “The star clusters, the biggest attraction in winter, are actually so big that you can’t see them in the telescope.” The class begins Feb. 26 and is being offered through Amador Valley Adult Education. It costs $45 for the course. To register, call 426-4280 or visit www.pleasanton. k12.ca.us/adulted. N tions in Pleasanton meet the state licensing requirements that include thorough background checks of school administrators and staff. To approve Little Ivy League without these prerequisites would open the city to similar applications that could endanger children. “There’s a similar Chinese school in Dublin with an identical program and that school is licensed,” Fox said. “Here in Pleasanton, we have multiple churches with after-school programs as well as preschool programs and they are licensed. If you approve this application, it will be the only church operating an after-school program without a license. “Our city doesn’t have the resources to monitor and check all these facilities,” she added. “That’s what the state does.” Sullivan urged the council to delay its approval of the school’s request for a conditional use permit until more consideration could be given of municipal guidelines for these types of facilities. “While I am supportive of what you are trying to do and I think it’s a great opportunity for kids,” Sullivan told Zheng, “I think there are bigger issues and questions here that we need to grapple with. It concerns me that we are setting some kind of precedent here. We’re trying to grapple with state regulations that we’ve never seen before and trying to decide which ones apply. “So I think this would be a good oppportunity for our Human Services Commission to weigh in and set up some guidelines so that we aren’t making up rules as we go along,” he added. “I have some specific concerns, such as the number of hours kids could be inside the school with potentially no outdoor time.” But Hosterman said that any concerns over the city’s need for more after-school and daycare regulations could come later. “I am so impressed by this school that Jennifer Zheng and others started in 2005,” Hosterman said. “They’ve done a marvelous job. This is a situation where this school has been wildly successful and wildly embraced by the community. It’s grown at a pace where it now requires more space. I can’t think of a program that I’d rather see in the city than this one.” N Newsfront ./2#!, Granting access to health care Axis Community Health receives $30,000 from San Francisco Foundation Axis Community Health can better help the nearly 700 Tri-Valley families needing affordable health care, thanks to a $30,000 grant from the San Francisco Foundation. These families have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured and benefit from the medical and mental health programs, as well as substance abuse counseling and health education services. “When families who do not have health insurance are unable to access medical care, small medical problems become large problems, complications develop for those who have chronic diseases, and children do not have their check-ups and miss their immunizations,” said Axis Community Health CEO Sue Compton. “By assisting families in navigating the complex enrollment processes that are required by publicly supported programs, we are able to help Tri-Valley families access the care they need.” Founded in 1972, Axis serves 14,000 community members annually and operates with facilities in Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin. It is supported by local, state and federal funding, foundation grants, client revenues and community donations. To learn more, call 201-6017 or visit www.axishealth.org. —Emily West 7EIGHT,OSS#ENTER After Lose weight...and keep it off! s!6ARIETYOF(EALTHY$IET0ROGRAMS s3TAFFEDBY0ROFESSIONAL$OCTORS.URSES s,UNCH%VENING3ATURDAY !PPOINTMENT!VAILABLE s.ON-EDICATION0ROGRAMS!VAILABLE s,ATEST&$!!PPROVED-EDICATIONS Before Shauntrell lost weight on our program and you can too! Also Offering Botox® / Restylane® Treatments Dr. David Melamed, MD Dermatologist 925-846-5614 Unretouched clinical photo taken while frowning before and 14 days after treatment with Botox® Cosmetic NEW Botox® Service FORUNDERARMPERSPIRATIONPROBLEMS Of Note Teen attends Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference Ashley Rodondi, a junior at Amador Valley High School, attended the presidential inauguration as a member of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC). Rodondi was invited to participate in the five-day program, which focused on the study of the electoral process and various activities associated with the presidential inauuration. During her weeklong visit, she attended lectures from keynote speakers such as Former Secretary of State and Founder of America’s Promise Alliance, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.); former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore; Nobel Peace Prize winner and Human Rights Activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize Winner, assistant to President Lyndon Johnson and author of the recently released “Team of Rivals;” and special correspondent to the National Geographic, Lisa Ling. In addition to attending the inauguration and viewing the inauguration parade, the week concluded with a private black tie gala held for the PYIC at the Air and Space Museum, featuring the group Daughtry. Foothill student named Intel semifinalist Jenny Mei, a senior at Foothill High School, was recently surprised by the Intel Corporation’s “prize patrol” when she was announced a semifinalist in the annual Intel Science Talent Search contest. The contest drew 1,608 contestants from 176 high schools in 36 states who are vying for prizes of up to $75 OFF $100,000. Mei is one of 16 high school seniors in the Bay Area to be a semifinalist and earn a $1,000 scholarship. Foothill will also receive $1,000 for having a semifinalist student. Forty finalists were named Jan. 28 and received an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. in March to compete for more than $500,000. Botox® Treatment plus Free Consultation to new clients only Not valid with other offers. FREE CONSULTATION New clients only Pleasanton 374 St. Mary St. 925 846-5614 San Ramon 2701 Crow Canyon Blvd. 925 837-6400 A haircut for a good cause While growing out hair to donate has become popular with the ladies, Pleasanton student Max Miller decided to take on the challenge. It took two years for his hair to reach just past his shoulders, making him well known around town for his “signature look.” He gave the hair to Pantene B e a u t i f u l Lengths, which provides free wigs for women who have lost their hair because of cancer treatments. It was cut by Janet Catalano, owner of Shear Adventures in Danville, who has cut his hair since he was young. After getting the cut, Max said he feels lighter and is proud to donate to a worthy cause. Enjoying the sunshine Janet Pelletier A local painter Wednesday morning took advantage of a forecasted three-day break in the rain as he recreated a historic building at St. John and Main streets in downtown Pleasanton on canvas. More rain is expected this weekend. The Foothill High School Competition Cheer Squad thanks the many generous businesses and friends that sponsored the squad’s trip to San Diego where they performed in the 2008 Holiday Bowl halftime show! All-Star Sports Aria Technologies Bacchus Jaguar Service Bernal Corners Brandology Bruce M. Gach M.D. California Spirit Elite Chapman University Cindy & Vic Lelaurin, Farmers Insurance Classic Vans Crown Trophy, Pleasanton Custom Designs & Sports Dirito Brothers Walnut Creek DPR Construction Dr. Roger Li DDS Family & Friends of Foothill Cheer Foothill Athletic Boosters Foothill Faculty & Staff Foothill Optometric Group Fremont Police Association Groth Brothers Chevrolet In Balance Acupuncture Innovative Design Architecture J&R Sports Supply Jean Hou, World Journal Jetter Golf Jiang Tao Lai, KTSF Channel 26 Joyce Baranoff, Varsity Brands JP Muglie Consulting Kwabena Adubofour M.D. Lou Perry, State Farm Malpede’s Construction Michael E. Huguet DDS Mountain Mike’s Pizza Dr. Natalie Vasylyk, NV Orthodontics The Nail Mill Paciﬁc Coast Fire Paciﬁc Sunrise Corp. Patricia Adkins Insurance Agency Philanthropic Ventures Foundation sponsored by Robert Half International Preston-Holmes Pro Image Studios RAS Construction Robert Caporusso, Farmers Insurance RPR Production Builders Su-Chin Liu, Su-Chin Liu Insurance Services Tara Block, Bioform Medical Thomas Oatey, Oatey Company Uncle Credit Union West Coast Olympic Gymnastics Academy Winthrop Couchot Professional Associates, Newport Beach XL Construction YourStageinc.com *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 7 Newsfront Snowboarding (continued from page 5) Sally Helm, who owns the ski resort with her husband, Frank Helm, said Martins’ brother first contacted the ski patrol at about 1 p.m. “Then, at that time, we initiated a message board system and paging system, looking for (her),” Helm said. “Then, he returned to ski patrol right around 4:40.” At that time, as the chair lifts were closing down and skiers and boarders were leaving, the resort initiated a search for Martins. “We began a systematic approach to getting people out around the base area, getting all of the patrollers to the location of where she was last seen by her brother,” Helm said. Rescuers performed CPR, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Helm said first responders could not detect a pulse and Martins was not breathing. “Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family,” Helm said. “We were just all very sad here.” A tree well is an area between trees where new snow can build up and form pockets. Skiers and snowboarders can quickly become trapped. Dodge Ridge is located in Pinecrest, about 30 miles from Sonora. An autopsy was conducted Tuesday to determine an official cause of death, Tualla said, but the coroner had not released the results as of press time. Services will be held Saturday at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 3999 Bernal Ave., including a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon and funeral mass beginning at noon. Visitation will also be held from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at Graham-Hitch Mortuary, 4167 First St. Martins and her family moved to Danville from Pleasanton last year, and she finished her senior year through San Ramon’s Venture independent study school. Prior to that, she attended Harvest Park Middle, Mohr Elementary and Alisal Elementary schools. She recently moved to Santa Barbara and was attending Santa Barbara City College with a major in child psychology. She was said to love children and had always enjoyed being a nanny, both locally and in Santa Barbara. She was known to always have a smile on her face. “She was a sweet girl,” said family friend Debra Block. Martins was born June 26, 1989 and was the beloved daughter of Adenise Medeiros and Armelio Martins. She is also survived by her siblings, Jardel and Murillo Martins. She was a granddaughter, niece and cousin to family in Brazil. On Jan. 29, she was naturalized and became citizen of the United States. She modeled, played soccer for Amador, was a gymnast and a straight-A student. For a time, she worked at ClubSport. Donations in her honor may be made to the Children’s Make A Wish Foundation. N Take Us Along Thar she blows EXm`^Xk`e^k_ifl^_dXib\kmfcXk`c`kp% Merrill Lynch D\ii`ccCpeZ_ invites you to join us `em`k\jpflkfaf`elj for aJ\d`eXi FREE Seminar ]fiX k_Xk that can help you ZXe_\cgpfljkXp fekiXZb% stay on track. Wednesday, March 18, 2009 K_lij[Xp#=\YilXip(0#)''0 6:00 P.M. -1''G%D% K_\j\Xi\mfcXk`c\k`d\j`ek_\ÑeXeZ`XcdXib\kj% >`m\ejlYjkXek`Xc[\Zc`e\j`eXjj\kmXcl\jfm\ik_\gXjkp\Xi#Xe[ Zfek`el\[mfcXk`c`kpfeX[X`cpYXj`j#pfldXpY\nfe[\i`e^XYflk_fn k_`jn`cc`dgXZkpfli^fXcjXe[n_Xkkf[fe\oki\^Xi[`e^pfligfik]fc`f% D\ii`ccCpeZ_ZXe_\cgpfl[\k\id`e\n_XkÈjY\jk]fipfl% N\Èccf]]\ifli`ej`^_kkf_\cgpflX[[i\jjk_\Zlii\ek \em`ifed\ek#n_`c\jkXp`e^]fZlj\[fepflicfe^\ik\id ^fXcj#c`b\i\k`i\d\ekXe[c\Xm`e^Xc\^XZp% =XqI\jkXliXek Faz Restaurant 5121 Hopyard Road ,()(?fgpXi[IfX[ Pleasanton, CA 94588 Gc\XjXekfe#:80+,// Speakers:;Xm`[G\ij`e#MG#:=D David Persin, VP, CFM Jg\Xb\ij1 Ted Simos, VP, CFM K\[J`dfj#MG#:=D Guest Speaker: Peter Monty, >l\jkJg\Xb\i1AXd`\;\E`kkf DWS Scudder N`j[fdKi\\8jj\kDXeX^\d\ek Please RSVP to Amber Strock :Xcc8dY\iJkifZbXk0), )).$--'( at (925) 227-6601 or email fi\dX`cXdY\iVjkifZb7dc%Zfd [email protected] to kfi\j\im\pfligcXZ\kf[Xp% reserve your place by March 4th. @ek_`jj\d`eXi#n\Ècc[`jZljj K_\[peXd`Zjf]dXib\kmfcXk`c`kp N_Xk_`jkfipdXpjl^^\jkXYflki\Zfm\ip The Schwaegerle family poses with the Weekly at Volcanoes National Park on the big island of Hawaii. Water (continued from page 5) Delta smelt, then we have to make up the difference with well water, or groundwater,” Duerig said. There were several days of rain here in the Bay Area and snow in the Sierras, but despite rainfall totals, it’s a drop in the bucket for the situation the state is in. “It’s unlikely to have a huge impact because we’re not just dealing with the natural conditions but also the court-driven decisions,” Duerig said. “We aren’t the ones making the decisions on how the allocations are determined. The California Department of Water Resources does that, and last we heard from them, they were thinking of dropping our allocation. “My guess is that if they get enough rain and snow, they won’t drop it, but 15 percent is still 15 percent,” she added. “It’s not a lot. It’s much less than we would nor- mally get this year.” Zone 7 has been asking residents to reduce water usage by 10 percent and will continue to do so. One bright spot—pardon the pun—is that Zone 7 is nearing completion in a mineral processing plant on Hopyard Road, which is expected to help. The plant will remove some of the chalky-looking salts and minerals from underground drinking water supplies delivered primarily to the western side of its service area, in Pleasanton and Dublin. Groundwater will be pumped to the new facility for removal of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which, while not harmful to health, can leave buildup on plumbing fixtures. The plant, which cost $39.5 million, is expected to open in June. It’s being funded by water rates and connection fees on new development. A second plant of comparable size and cost, funded entirely by new development, is planned for 2014. N See Your Best! Look Your Best! ]fccfn`e^j`d`cXidXib\k[\Zc`e\j Honored as Top Surgeons for LASIK Jg\Z`ÑZ`em\jkd\ekjkiXk\^`\jkf_\cg i\gfj`k`fepfligfik]fc`f]fik_\]lkli\ ?fnD\ii`ccCpeZ_jX]\^lXi[jpfliXjj\kj Ravinder Sood, Ted Simos, David Persin, Scott Edington, Amber Strock s %XPERIENCEDANDTRUSTEDSURGEONS s /NSITE,!3)+USINGTHEMOSTADVANCED,ASERSYSTEM s #USTOM7AVEFRONTTECHNOLOGY s 0ROVIDERSFOR4RU6ISION4,#!DVANTAGE $AVISAND-%3$ISCOUNT,!3)+0ROGRAMS s 5SEYOUR&LEXIBLE3PENDINGACCOUNTDOLLARS #!,,4/$!9&/2!&2%%#/.35,4!4)/. Jonathan Savell, M.D. s Michael Gagnon, M.D. Stanford Medical School Faculty Gina Trentacosti, O.D. s Keri Owyang, O.D. s Jimmy Yip, O.D. (925) 460-5000 NOW 0% 5575 W. Las Positas Blvd. #240 Financing on LASIK Pleasanton, CA 94588 Total Merrill (design) is a registered service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Total Merrill is a service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. © 2009 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Member SIPC. Page 8ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ (925) 449-4000 28 Fenton Street Livermore, CA 94550 –– Caring for the Tri-Valley Since 1975 –– ValleyEyeCareCenter.com Transitions ‘ ’ Obituaries READ MORE/COMMENT ¦ I agree with this. Check your kids MySpace accounts. Check their text messaging or AIM too. Robert S. Williamson Robert Sinclair Williamson, 89, of Pleasanton, died Feb. 14 at Valley Memorial Hospital in Livermore. Mr. Williamson was born March 21, 1919 in Stockton. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he apprenticed and became a journeyman stereotyper for the Stockton Record newspaper for 27 years. He retired after another 10 years as a machinist and ultimately moved to Pleasanton to be closer to his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Inez Williamson; his brothers, Arthur and Albert; and his sister, Bernice. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edith; his daughter and her husband, Rosanne and Roger Slingsby; his granddaughters, Lauren and Jillian; and his sisters, Lillian, Madeline and Ivy. He loved country music, repairing and tinkering and played the banjo. A funeral mass was held on Feb. 19 at St. Elizabeth Seton Church with burial at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at both ValleyCare and Valley Memorial Hospitals for their good care and personal kindness. Town Square Forum S $45 STEPS Community Prep School High School Tutorials are lead by our exclusive staff from Foothill and Amador High Schools. Review Concepts Prepare for Tests Gain Confidence Improve Grades Math, Science, Essay Writing, World Languages Reg / Honors / AP Prep Weddings Sara Elizabeth Butler and Michael Richard Maes were married on Oct. 4, 2008 at the Freedom Hall and Gardens in Santa Clara. A reception followed. Sara is the daughter of Gregory and Denise Butler of Pleasanton. She graduated from Amador Valley High School in 1995 and from Sonoma State University in 1999. She is employed as a teacher for the New Haven Unified School District in Union City. Michael is the son of Charles and Lynne Maes of Paradise, Calif. He graduated from Terra Nova High School and San Francisco State University. He is an IT analyst for the San Mateo County Probation Department. The couple honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico and live in the Bay Area. with + $8.25 CERT. coupon ( Harry’s Auto Repair Test and Repair 925-462-3237 We can smog any vehicle! s4EST/NLY s'ROSS0OLLUTERS s#HANGEOF/WNERSHIP s"IANNUAL No Appointments Necessary! Mon-Fri 8-4pm ) "Voted Pleasanton's Best Tutoring School" 2340 Santa Rita Road. Suite 10 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Sara Elizabeth Butler & Michael Richard Maes SMOG INSPECTION al peci ACADEMIC TUTORIALS FLINFIC;:C8JJ G?PJ@:@8EJK8== :FEK@EL<JKF>IFN PLEASE JOIN VALLEYCARE HEALTH SYSTEM IN WELCOMING: WYNN SMITH, M.D., F.A.C.S. BOARD CERTIFIED IN OTOLARYNGOLOGY HEAD & NECK SURGERY BOARD CERTIFIED IN FACIAL-PLASTIC RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Dr. Wynn Smith has joined ValleyCare Health System specializing in Otolaryngology (ENT), with special interests in rhinology, otology, sleep apnea, snoring, and pediatric ENT. Dr. Smith graduated from Princeton University and received his medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine. He also completed his ENT residency there after an internship at Harbor General in Torrance and a two-year stint as a flight surgeon in the Air Force. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medals for his service in Vietnam. Dr. Smith moved to Woodland, California where he practiced with the Woodland Clinic. He returned to Columbus in 1980 and practiced there until recently moving to Pleasanton. He has also completed a fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery and became Board Certified in 1994. With 30 years of ENT experience, Dr. Smith will be a valued physician member of ValleyCare Health System. He joins the ValleyCare Medical Foundation at 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite 210 in Pleasanton. For an appointment, please call (925) 463-1400. ValleyCare MEDICAL FOUNDATION 183-A Wyoming St., Pleasanton — Gold Shield Station — J\im`e^k_\Ki`$MXcc\pn`k_D\[`ZXc=XZ`c`k`\j`eC`m\idfi\Xe[Gc\XjXekfe% nnn%mXcc\pZXi\%Zfd *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 9 Cover Story by Emily West The time for the school district to deal with the budget crisis has come. On Tuesday night, the board will identify reductions to popular programs as well as deciding whether or not to put a parcel tax on a June ballot. As the country comes to grips with the official recession, even the wealthiest cities and school districts aren’t immune. Shedding millions of dollars to just the Pleasanton school district’s budget could result in more than 150 jobs lost, including about 98 teachers. Yet, with many layoffs and salary cuts affecting residents who already pay for school measures A and B, would they be willing to shell out $200 more each year? The discussion here has grown intense at meetings as well as online at the Pleasanton Weekly’s Town Square forum. If the school board decides to leave it up to the voters, which is likely, this would be just the beginning of the parcel tax debate. How we got here The state of California’s budget has been historically late, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first budget proposal for the coming fiscal year 2009-10, which starts July 1, was rejected. He submitted the latest proposal Dec. 31 and, as of Wednesday, it has yet to be formally adopted. In November, the state deficit was estimated at around $12 billion. In turn, the state planned to give the district a 0.68 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) instead of the normal 5.6 percent, in addition to lowering the amount of per-pupil funding. The state deficit continued to climb and has now reached $41.6 billion. Any COLA is off the table, and the school district faces an $8.7-million shortfall which will be cut from reserves as well as the 2009-10 school year. This is also after having about $2 million cut from the budget last year. Luz Cazares, PUSD assistant superintendent of business services, said the $41.6-billion deficit was the result of too much spending by the state, and not enough tax revenue to support it. And the outlook isn’t good for tax revenue to increase in the next year. Schwarzenegger’s solutions to bring balance to the deficit would be expenditure reductions, new revenue and borrowing. The latter two options are fairly risky, Cazares said, as borrowing requires a promise to repay and California has the lowest credit rating of any state. It also assumes $10 billion from a state lottery proposal that would need a two-thirds approval by the state legislature and a positive response from ticket buyers. The district put together a list of possible cuts totaling $9.7 million, which would eliminate class-size reduction as well as reading specialists, counselors, teachers, athletic support, vice principals, library aids, custodians and administrators. “As I’ve spent time at each of our schools, I really understand the impact that the state budget situation can have on our district,” board president Chris Grant said. “Each of these programs has such a huge impact on so many kids that the thought of them being significantly reduced or eliminated is very concerning.” At the Feb. 10 regular school board meeting, trustees lamented having to make any cuts. Most, however, knew that all of the $9.7 million in reductions would at least be put on the chopping block, with the majority being cut once a final budget would be passed. In addition to advocating at the state level for systemic changes to make school budgeting more predictable, Superintendent John Casey said that the bottom line for him is that a parcel tax is part of the solution for Pleasanton schools. Ready for a parcel tax? The tax initiative would need a two-thirds majority to pass, if brought before the voters, and would be collected annually per parcel, or property, within the school district boundaries. Casey said some unincorporated areas would be involved in the parcel tax. He also added that the northeast portion of Ruby Hill—about 15 percent of the gated community—lies within the Livermore school district so homes there would be exempt from paying a Pleasanton school district parcel tax. Sunol property owners also would not be assessed a parcel tax even though children there are eligible to attend Pleasanton high schools. Seniors as well as those on disability would likely be exempt as well. It appears that the state may be putting an item on the June ballot, meaning that the school district would share the cost of a special election. It is believed that a shared cost would be about $150,000. In order to inform residents about the budget crisis, the district set up two budget forums at the high schools, in addition to the regular board meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays and special board workshops held Feb. 3 and 17. The district has also held meetings at school sites, with PTA groups and the Chamber of Commerce. Since news of having to cut $8.7 million from the district budget, Casey and the board members have invited people to call, email, stop by the district offices and/or speak at meetings to lend ideas and concerns. Grant said the board members have received well over 500 emails, and Casey said he’s received feedback both in person and on the phone from about 80 people. Even the posters on Town Square are being heard, as the district often takes questions from the forum to address in their frequently asked questions page on their website. “Overwhelmingly, the feedback we received has been positive towards wanting to provide a communitybased funding source to preserve the programs,” Grant said. One way to help families unable to afford the tax, Grant says, would be to work with the school foundations and create a fund providing support to families who aren’t able to pay for the parcel. That way, residents or even business groups could donate to the fund. Kay Ayala, former city councilwoman, attended the forums held at Amador and Foothill. “When I got to the meeting at Amador, I was flabbergasted,” she said. “This is a done deal; they’re going for a parcel tax.” She felt they were pulling emotional strings with the cuts to justify the tax when there hadn’t been an Page 10ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Students in Andrea Carstensen’s first grade class at Hearst Elementary School open Valentine’s last Friday. Next year the clas ninth grade English and Math classes, that would have more students due to the elimination of class-size reduction. A taxing si School district weighs its options with small class s open process. Later, however, she thanked the board for being responsive and more transparent, and holding more meetings. “I have talked with parents who know they can’t afford to pay more on their taxes,” she added. “Not in a million years do they feel like they can come forward. It’s a very intimidating scenario.” Ayala said that right now she is neutral on the subject of a parcel tax and is not planning to form a committee. “What concerns me is we don’t have a clear financial picture for the district,” she said. “I want complete information before you decide if you’re for or against.” She was also “perplexed” that the board failed to hold a survey before it would go forward with the special election. In June 2007, the Lew Edwards Group and EMC Research presented findings from a survey asking residents their opinion on a parcel tax. Originally, it would have gone towards funding additional programs recommended. At that time, the survey results Foothill High School senior Lucia Lara meets with her counselor Jennifer Friesen to college. Budget cuts could eliminate some counselors at all levels, allowing fewer o tage of their services. photos by Emily West ssroom as well as each kindergarten through third grade classes, as well as some ituation sizes and staff jobs on the line discuss her studies and her future in opportunities for students to take advan- showed there wasn’t a “super majority” who thought the district needed more money. Alex Evans, president of EMC Research, told the board that while education was not a big worry, voters would support a tax that would address class-size reduction, vocational education and upgraded technology. Jessica Reynolds of Lew Edwards said the same survey showed 53 percent would support a $190 per parcel tax. In the end, the board voted 4-1 (with Arkin dissenting) not to conduct another parcel tax survey, which would cost an estimated $30,000. “The problem is they’re setting up the community in a very divisive way,” Ayala said. “It’s starting to look like if you oppose a tax, you oppose teachers and kids. They need to be careful on how they proceed.” Forging ahead At Tuesday night’s budget workshop meeting, the district passed around version three draft of the potential ballot language. It reads: “To maintain educational quality and protect Pleasanton schools from the impact of state budget cuts; keep class sizes small; prepare students for 21st century careers; maintain important school services like libraries, counselors, and music; ensure current classroom technology; and continue to provide safe and clean schools for our children; shall Pleasanton Unified School District be authorized to levy $180 per parcel with guaranteed annual audits and Independent Citizens’ Oversight?” While the official vote to go forward with a parcel tax has yet to be made, most expect the board members to move forward with it. The ballot language would be due by March 6 in order to be on the June ballot. “I’m frustrated at the inefficient historical funding to public education and that we rank in the bottom decile across the country from a per-student investment,” Grant said. “I feel as though we need to take control of our own destiny in Pleasanton. But I also very clearly recognize that there are a lot of folks in Pleasanton who are having their own economic challenges.” The current proposed amount, $180, would cover roughly half of the current budget shortfall, meaning that many cuts would still take place. After meeting in Sacramento, Casey said they learned new information regarding cuts. First, is that changing step-incolumn pay increases is difficult, because districts would be required by law to pay it back. Second, they learned that there could be some flexibility regarding class size reduction, by going to 24 or 25 students. This would affect ninth grade English and math classrooms as well as kindergarten through third grade. People have criticized Casey’s salary ($227,002) and management perks, and he said he makes no apologies for his earnings. “I, along with other managers, we’re going to step up at the right point in time,” Casey said, adding that the time would be Feb. 24. While pay cuts for him as well as other staff would have to be negotiated, he said they are looking into furlough and a reduction in working days next year, which is essentially a pay cut. Another area of scrutiny has been the $2 million spent in legal fees in a suit against Signature Properties over Neal Elementary. However, they are currently suing the law firm, Lozano Smith, with any money coming in going to pay back the fees. E v e n though many teachers and parents have asked that a particular program or position be spared, it is likely that they will all be identified to go in order to send out potential layoff notices by March 15. Board member Jamie Yee Hintzke asked Feb. 17 whether the board should be identifying more areas to cut, in case the final state budget is worse than predicted. “We identified almost $9.7 million in cuts,” Cazares said, “Casey noted that the deficit looked to be $8.7 million. We are feeling we might have enough wiggle room.” The next school board meeting will be Feb. 24 at the district offices located at 4665 Bernal Ave. The regular meeting starting at 7 p.m. and a budget workshop starting at 5 p.m. More information is at www. pleasanton.k12.ca.us. N We Are Committed To: Exceptional Customer Service (IGHEST1UALITY0RODUCTSs'REAT3ELECTION 925.462.1207 Showroom and Factory located at 4225 Stanley Blvd., Pleasanton, CA 94566 www.window-ology.com Contractor’s License #904282 ATTENTION Military /Retired Military, Medical / Hospital Employees, City, State & Federal Employees, Police, Fire & EMT, Educators You can benefit directly from substantial DISCOUNTS on services offered by HeroCare®. “I never thought I’d be able to afford a home but Herocare® made it possible. I say thanks to Herocare®, and I recommend them to everyone that I work with. They are great. They are going to take care of you. 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Rate applies to those with 25% equity, 740 credit scores, 2 years qualified employment, etc. Payments above do not include property tax and insurance. Those who are purchasing or with less than perfect credit, we have all types of programs for you. California Real Estate Broker License # 01050210. *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 11 Opinion Talking Points Editorial Citizens will need to do their due diligence Pleasanton’s housing cap: Do we need it? Pleasanton’s 29,000-unit housing cap, approved by voters in 1996, is under attack, both in the courts by an affordable housing coalition and by state housing authorities, including California Atty. General Jerry Brown because it now blocks the number of homes that can be built here where 27,500 already are in the ground or approved. Brown argues that by enforcing the cap, Pleasanton is ignoring “its obligation to provide for sufficient housing for the region’s growing population.” The San Francisco-based Urban Habitat Program, a nonprofit organization that supports more construction of homes for those with very low to moderately low incomes, is asking Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch to nullify the Pleasanton cap as discriminatory to those who otherwise might find homes in the community. Interestingly, the 29,000-cap had nothing to do with buyers’ or renters’ incomes or even the capacity of sewers, water or streets to handle a specific population, although most residents believe that was the reason for it. Former Mayor Tom Pico, one of a many in leadership positions who supported Measure GG in the Nov. 5, 1996 vote on several municipal issues, grabbed the number out of the blue from numbers higher and lower at the time. All were concerned with the rapid growth of Pleasanton, which in the 1980s was the fastest growing community in the Bay Area, and plans by developers for more houses and apartments. More than 700 homes were being considered for the Vineyard Corridor before then-Mayor Ben Tarver persuaded the authors of the 1996 General Plan update to trim it to much less. Earlier, open space in Happy Valley where the Callippe Preserve Golf Course is now located, was eyed by Alameda County planners for hundreds of high-density apartment units and even a road across the hills to connect to Vallecitos Road near the GE nuclear plant. Even earlier, there was talk of annexing into Pleasanton unincorporated land that abuts Sunol. By the time voters went to the polls in 1996, they said enough was enough and voted in the arbitrary housing cap with 17,388 in favor against 5,710 voting against. By almost identical numbers, voters also approved Measure FF, the Urban Growth Boundary measure that has ever since defined the city limits and restricted growth beyond those borders. Without these controls, Pleasanton today would likely have a population well above 100,000, with homes and apartments pressing against the municipal borders on all sides with high density housing on the south side of I-580 looking much like what we see in Dublin across the freeway. So it’s clear that the housing cap did what was intended: slow down but not stop the development frenzy of the 1980s and early 1990s to a pace most in the community believe has enhanced the quality of life. Even more limiting was the city’s subsequent Growth Management ordinance, which has limited the number of new housing permits to 350 a year, another arbitrary number that, although not necessary in today’s depressed building market, has also stopped runaway growth that we have seen in neighboring communities. These self-imposed development restrictions have also affected future growth planning, especially in the school district which has now based its future classroom needs on the 29,000-unit housing cap. Atty. General Brown’s and state housing authority concerns over the housing cap have more to do with Pleasanton’s ability to rezone enough land to accommodate more housing, not to actually build the housing until and unless developers see a market here for more affordable housing. Urban Habitat’s lawsuit is more specific: it wants the housing cap removed. Either way, Pleasanton would be able to continue controlling growth by limiting the number of permits issued (it could even drop the number to 50 or 100), a right no one is contesting. The question for the City Council now is how much time and money in legal action the city should spend in battling Urban Habitat in the courts over a housing cap that (1) was arbitrary from the start and (2) may no longer be needed with the city largely built out and still in full control of limiting residential growth. N ONLINE READER POLL Are you in favor of a school parcel tax? No: 19.22% Yes: 80.78% ✔ Total votes: 225 Page 12ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ by Gina Channell-Allen Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who spoke recently at a press club event, is quoted by KCBS’ Larry Chiaroni as saying, “It saddens me when I hear that the newspapers have to lay off writers because I think we need the writers...The more coverage all these different subjects get, the better it is for the people of California.” It is true that metro/daily newspapers across the nation are hemorrhaging money and posting record loses. USA Today eliminated 20 positions in December. The Los Angeles Times announced Jan. 30 it is set to cut another 70 newsroom positions, 11 percent of its editorial staff. The San Diego UnionTribune reported its revenue has decreased 40 percent since 2006. The Sacramento Bee announced more “bloodletting” with a “serious wave of layoffs in early March.” Even in our own backyard, MediaNews’ Bay Area News Group, which owns the The Valley Times, The Tri-Valley Herald and the Oakland Tribune, has mandated that all non-union employees at its California newspapers take a week of unpaid leave. These furloughs will affect roughly 3,300 employees throughout the 50 daily and weekly newspapers in the state. Gov. Schwarzenegger is correct that the loss of journalists is detrimental to our state and the democratic society as a whole. The original purpose of the press was to not only keep citizens informed about actions of the government but to be watchdogs and keep the folks who run the government on the up and up. Back in the good old days, journalists would have time and the desire to thumb through reports, make calls to check on statements, or run with a tip that would send him or her on a mission to ferret out possible corruption. When there aren’t enough journalists to cover even the basics (city council and school board meetings, for example), who’s watching the store? Smaller, weekly community newspapers such as the Pleasanton Weekly are faring much better than our metro/daily counterparts. A recent survey by the National Newspaper Association found that 86 percent of people 18 years old and older read a community newspaper every week and that newspaper websites attracted 68.3 million unique visitors in only the third quarter of 2008. The reason is simple: community media groups deliver information that regional and national media groups don’t. My concern isn’t with the business aspect of the industry as much as the implications this holds for society and democracy. The further decrease in number of qualified journalists is leading us down a destructive path that lead to politicians getting away with too much for too long without being called on the carpet. Can you say Rod Blagojevich? (OK, maybe not.) The Chicago Tribune was instrumental in the corruption of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich coming to light. The Tribune’s journalists had been keeping tabs on Blagojevich to the extent that, according to federal authorities, Blagojevich was pressuring Tribune owner Sam Zell to fire writers who had been criticizing him. Another round of layoffs hit the Chicago Trib’s newsroom about the same time the Blagojevich story broke. It is expensive to pay qualified journalists and I am in no way, shape or form advocating nonprofit journalism or “endowed” newspapers who owe their souls to corporations or governments. However, with fewer qualified journalists on the street, citizens need to be more vigilant in attending public meetings, being informed on the issues and questioning their elected officials. Gina Channell-Allen, a 20-year journalism veteran, is the president of the East Bay division of Embarcadero Publishing Company, president of the Pleasanton Weekly and publisher of the Danville Weekly. Send questions to [email protected]. Dear Editor, Here we go again. I have my and other letters to the editor back to 2005, supporting the extension. My question is, now that the county will pay for the majority of the improvements, why would there be any further delay? Just exactly how would the retail investors and the 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 Editorial Assistant Amory Gutierrez, Ext. 221 Contributors Hillary Bessiere Julie Nostrand Jerri Pantages Long Joe Ramirez ART & PRODUCTION Art Director Rick Nobles, Ext. 117 Designers Trina Cannon, Ext. 114 Lili Cao, Ext. 125 Kristin Herman, Ext. 114 Manuel Valenzuela, Ext. 120 ADVERTISING Advertising Sales Manager Esmeralda Escovedo-Flores, Ext. 123 Account Executive Paul Crawford, Ext. 113 Karen Klein, Ext. 122 Real Estate Sales Nancy Taresh, Ext. 110 Inside Sales Art Gordillo, Ext. 112 Ad Services Sandy Lee, Ext. 116 Real Estate Ad Services Tracey Fordahl, 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 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Phone: (925) 600-0840 Fax: (925) 600-9559 Editorial e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Display Sales e-mail: [email protected] Classifieds Sales e-mail: [email protected] Circulation e-mail: [email protected] The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Publishing Co., 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Pleasanton Weekly is mailed free upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Voluntary subscriptions at $30 per year ($50 for two years) are welcome from Pleasanton residents. Letters Support the Stoneridge extension 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Phone: (925) 600-0840 Fax: (925) 600-9559 city customers of these establishments benefit if they have to hit the freeway to shop there? It does not make sense. I guess in this town it is not over even when it seems to be and will benefit Pleasanton as a whole. Council, please do what you were elected to do, make the right decisions, for all the citizens, not splinter groups. Gerry Brunken Subscription rate for businesses and for residents of other communities is $50 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. © 2009 by Embarcadero Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Community Pulse Police Bulletin Dublin teens arrested for robbing Family Deli Two Dublin teens were arrested for allegedly robbing the Family Deli and Food, located at 3510 Old Santa Rita Road. Police were called around 3:16 p.m. Feb. 16 after one of the teens attempted to buy beer. Police said the clerk declined and then the other teen said he had a gun and walked behind the counter, knocking the clerk to the ground and taking cash from the register. The suspects fled in a white van and a witness wrote down the license plate, according to reports. An Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy located the van after hearing reports on the Dublin police’s radio. One of the suspects was detained and positively identified by the victim, police said. Investigators learned the name of the second suspect and arrested him at his school in Dublin. Police said he later admitted to being involved in the robbery. The 16-year-old Dublin residents were charged with one count of robbery. Police Report The Pleasanton Police Department made the following information available. Under the law, those charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted. Feb. 8 UÀÕ}É>VÊÛ>ÌÃ\ Ê \£ÇÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊÎxääÊLVÊvÊ iiÊÀÛiÆÊ>ÀÕ>>Ê«ÃÃiÃ Ã]ÊÀÊÌÀ>Ã«ÀÌ}Ê>V Feb. 9 U/ivÌ\ Ê n\änÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊxxääÊLVÊvÊ -«À}`>iÊÛiÕiÆÊvÀ}iÀÞ]Ê«iÌÌÞÊ ÌivÌ]Ê}À>`ÊÌivÌ Ê £ä\ÎÓÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ{ÎääÊLVÊvÊ 6>iÞÊÛiÕiÆÊ}À>`ÊÌivÌ UÕÀ}>ÀÞ\ Ê ££\x£Ê>°°ÊÊÌiÊÈäääÊLVÊvÊ ÃÊÀÛi U6>`>Ã\ Ê x\ÓxÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊ{{ääÊLVÊvÊ 7ÜÊ,>`ÆÊÜÀÌÊiÃÃÊÌ>Ê f{ää U*ÕLVÊ`ÀÕiiÃÃ\ Ê x\äÎÊ«°°Ê>ÌÊÌiÊÌiÀÃiVÌÊvÊ ,i`LiÀÀÞÊ ÕÀÌÊ>`Ê ÀÌÜ>ÞÊ ,>` Ê Ç\xäÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ{xääÊLVÊvÊ ,ÃiÜ`ÊÀÛi UÀÕ}ÊÛ>ÌÃ\ Ê È\x£Ê«°°ÊÊÌiÊÈnääÊLVÊvÊ ->Ì>Ê,Ì>Ê,>`ÆÊÕ`iÀÊÌiÊvÕ iViÊvÊ>ÊVÌÀi`ÊÃÕLÃÌ>Vi]Ê «>À>«iÀ>>Ê«ÃÃiÃÃ]Ê >ÀVÌVÊVÌÀi`ÊÃÕLÃÌ>ViÊ «ÃÃiÃÃ U>ÌÌiÀÞ\ Ê x\äÎÊ«°°Ê>ÌÊÌiÊÌiÀÃiVÌÊvÊ ,i`LiÀÀÞÊ ÕÀÌÊ>`Ê ÀÌÜ>ÞÊ ,>` Feb. 10 U/ivÌ\ Ê ££\xäÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊÈ£ääÊLVÊ vÊ7iÃÌÊ>ÃÊ*ÃÌ>ÃÊÕiÛ>À`ÆÊ «iÌÌÞÊÌivÌ Ê ££\xÓÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊÇnääÊLVÊvÊ >À>ÃÊÀÛiÆÊ`iÌÌÞÊÌivÌ Ê £\££Ê«°°ÊÊÌiÊx£ääÊLVÊvÊ >VLÀ`ÊÀÛiÆÊ«iÌÌÞÊÌivÌ Ê Ó\£xÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊ{ÎääÊLVÊvÊ ,ÃiÜ`ÊÀÛiÆÊ}À>`ÊÌivÌ Ê Ó\x{Ê«°°ÊÊÌiÊxxääÊLVÊvÊ -«À}`>iÊÛiÕiÆÊ}À>`ÊÌivÌ U/ÀÕ>Ì\ Ê £Ó\ÓxÊ«°°Ê>ÌÊÌiÊÌiÀÃiVÌÊvÊ ÕÀÜ`ÊÀÛiÊ>`ÊLiÀÜ`Ê ÀVi U6iVÕ>ÀÊLÕÀ}>ÀÞ\ Ê n\{ÎÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊ{ÎääÊLVÊvÊ ÛiÜ`Ê>i U6>`>Ã\ Ê n\änÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊ{ÎääÊLVÊvÊ >VÊÛiÕiÆÊÜÀÌÊiÃÃÊÌ>Ê f{ää Ê \ÓÊ>°°Ê>ÌÊÌiÊÌiÀÃiVÌÊvÊ >ÃiÊ>`ÊiÀ>Ê>ÛiÕiÃÆÊÜÀÌÊ iÃÃÊÌ>Êf{ää Ê £ä\äÓÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊ{nääÊLVÊvÊ iÀ>ÊÛiÕiÆÊÜÀÌÊiÃÃÊÌ>Ê f{ää Feb. 11 U/ivÌ\ Ê Ç\£nÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊÈäääÊLVÊvÊ ÀÌiÊÌ>>ÃÆÊ}À>`ÊÌivÌ Ê Ó\äÎÊ«°°Ê£xääÊLVÊvÊ -ÌiÀ`}iÊ>Ê,>` Ê È\ÎÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊÎnääÊLVÊvÊ *V>À`ÊÛiÕiÆÊ`iÌÌÞÊÌivÌ U6>`>Ã\ Ê n\{äÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊ{ÓääÊLVÊvÊ ,ÃiÜ`ÊÀÛiÆÊÜÀÌÊÀiÊ Ì>Êf{ää Ê £\x£Ê«°°ÊÊÌiÊxääÊLVÊvÊ ÌÌ}iÀÊÀÛiÆÊÜÀÌÊiÃÃÊÌ>Ê f{ää U6iVÕ>ÀÊLÕÀ}>ÀÞ\ Ê x\£ÎÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊÈÇääÊLVÊvÊ Ê iÌiÀÊ*>ÀÜ>Þ Ê £ä\{{Ê>°°ÊÊÌiÊÎ{ääÊLVÊvÊ "`ÊÌÊ,>`ÆÊÜÀÌÊiÃÃÊ Ì>Êf{ää Feb. 12 U/ivÌ\ Ê Ó\ÓnÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊÇÎääÊLVÊvÊ -Ìi`>iÊÀÛiÆÊÃÌiÊÛiVi Ê Î\ÎÇÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ£ÎääÊLVÊvÊ -ÌiÀ`}iÊ>Ê,>`ÆÊ}À>`Ê ÌivÌ Ê È\xnÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ£ÈääÊLVÊvÊ >}Õ>Ê ÀiiÊ>iÆÊ}À>`ÊÌivÌÊ Ê Ç\x£Ê«°°ÊÊÌiÊ£{ääÊLVÊvÊ -ÌiÀ`}iÊ>Ê,>`ÆÊ«ÃÃiÃ ÃÊvÊÃÌiÊ«À«iÀÌÞ U1\ Feb. 13 U/ivÌ\ Ê £Ó\{nÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ£äääÊLVÊ vÊ-ÌiÀ`}iÊ>Ê,>`ÆÊ}À>`Ê ÌivÌ Ê {\äÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ{xääÊLVÊvÊ ,ÃiÜ`ÊÀÛi U-«vÌ}\ Ê x\xnÊ«°°ÊÊÌiÊ£xääÊLVÊvÊ -ÌiÀ`}iÊ>Ê,>` U*ÕLVÊ`ÀÕiiÃÃ\ Ê Ê £Ó\x£Ê>°°ÊÊÌiÊ£nääÊLVÊvÊ ->Ì>Ê,Ì>Ê,>` È\äÇÊ«°°Ê>ÌÊÌiÊÌiÀÃiVÌÊvÊ "`Ê->Ì>Ê,Ì>Ê>`Ê->Ì>Ê,Ì>Ê À>`Ã UÃÃ>ÕÌÊÜÌÊ>Ê`i>`ÞÊÜi>«\ Ê £\ÓÈÊ>°°ÊÊÌiÊxääÊLVÊvÊ >Ê-ÌÀiiÌ WEEKLY MEETING NOTICES City Council – Special Meeting Tuesday, February 24, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m. Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Avenue UÊ*-*££É*,<{{]Ê-ÌiÀ`}iÊÀÛiÊ-«iVwVÊ*>Ê i`iÌÉ-Ì>«iÃÊ,>VÊ*ÀiVÌ Ê >®Ê Ã`iÀÊ>««ÀÛ>ÊvÊ-Ì>«iÃÊ,>VÊiÛi«iÌÊ Ài>Ìi`Ê`VÕiÌÃÊVÕ`}ÊÌiÊÛÀiÌ>Ê «>VÌÊ,i«ÀÌÊ,®]ÊÛÀiÌ>Ê`}Ã]Ê -Ì>ÌiiÌÊvÊ"ÛiÀÀ`}Ê Ã`iÀ>ÌÃ]ÊÌ}>ÌÊ ÌÀ}Ê>`Ê,i«ÀÌ}Ê*>]ÊÌiÊ-ÌiÀ`}iÊÀÛiÊ -«iVwVÊ*>Êi`iÌÊ-Ì>«iÃÊ,>VÊ*ÀiVÌ®]Ê ,iâ}É*Àiâ}ÊvÊ-Ì>«iÃÊ,>VÊ*À«iÀÌÞÊÌÊ ÌiÊ*>i`Ê1ÌÊiÛi«iÌÊ*1®ÊÃÌÀVÌ° Ê L®Ê Ã`iÀÊÜiÌiÀÊÌiÊvÕÊiÝÌiÃÊvÊ-ÌiÀ`}iÊ ÀÛiÊÃÕ`ÊLiÊ>Ê«>ÀÌÊvÊÌiÊ-ÌiÀ`}iÊÀÛiÊ -«iVwVÊ*>Êi`iÌÉ-Ì>«iÃÊ,>VÊ*ÀiVÌ° If you wish to comment on this matter, you may appear at the public meeting or prior to the meeting contact Robin Giffin, Associate Planner, [email protected] (925) 931-5612. The report for this item will be posted on Friday prior to the meeting at www.staplesranch.org. Planning Commission Wednesday, February 25, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m. Council Chamber, 200 Old Bernal Avenue UÊPCUP 237, Rimma Radayeva, Radayeva Music Studio ««V>ÌÊÌÊ`vÞÊ>Ê«ÀiÛÕÃÞÊ>««ÀÛi`Ê `Ì>Ê1ÃiÊ*iÀÌÊ* 1*£x{®ÊvÀÊ,>`>ÞiÛ>Ê ÕÃVÊ-ÌÕ`ÊV>Ìi`Ê>ÌÊ£ÓÓnÊ+Õ>ÀÀÞÊ>i]Ê-ÕÌiÊ ]ÊÌÊVÀi>ÃiÊÌiÊÕLiÀÊvÊÃÌÀÕiÌÊ>`ÊÛV>Ê ÃÌÀÕVÌÀÃÊvÀÊiÊÌÊwÛiÊ>ÌÊ>ÞÊiÊÌiÊ>`ÊÌÊ iÝÌi`ÊÌiÊÕÀÃÊvÊ«iÀ>ÌÊvÀÊ£ä\ääÊ>°°\ääÊ «°°ÊÌÊ£ä\ääÊ>°°\ÎäÊ«°° UÊPMCC-2, Vineyard Villa ««V>ÌÊvÀÊ>Ê6iÃÌ}Ê/iÌ>ÌÛiÊ>«ÊVÛiÀÌ}Ê>Ê ÓänÊÕÌÊLiÊiÊ«>ÀÊV>Ìi`Ê>ÌÊÎÓÈÎÊ6iÞ>À`Ê ÛiÕiÊÌÊÀiÃ`iÌ>ÊV`ÕÊÕÌÃ° U/ÀÕ>Ì\ Ê £Ó\{£Ê>°°Ê>ÌÊÌiÊÌiÀÃiVÌÊvÊ ÕÀÜ`ÊÀÛiÊ>`Ê/Õ«Ü`Ê ÀVi WHERE SERVICE AND QUALITY MATTER UÊPDR 804/PCUP-233, Tom Kubo/William Wood Architects, Hana Japan ««V>ÌÊvÀÊ`iÃ}ÊÀiÛiÜÊ>««ÀÛ>ÊÌÊVÃÌÀÕVÌÊ >Ê>««ÀÝ>ÌiÞÊÈ]äääÃµÕ>ÀivÌÊLÕ`}Ê>ÌÊ£££Ê ÕLÊ >ÞÊ,>`ÊvÀÊ>>Ê>«>Ê-Ìi>ÊÕÃiÊ >`ÊvÀÊ>ÊV`Ì>ÊÕÃiÊ«iÀÌÊÌÊÃiÀÛiÊ>VVÊ LiÛiÀ>}iÃÊ>vÌiÀÊ£ä\ääÊ«°° Trails Ad-Hoc Committee `>Þ]ÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓÎ]ÊÓääÊJÊÇ\ääÊ«°° ÕVÊ >LiÀÊ viÀiViÊ,]ÊÓääÊ"`Ê Bernal Avenue CARPET • HARDWOOD • LAMINATE • TILE • VINYL Diablo Flooring Inc. is here to bring the best possible pricing with the most beautiful and complete installation to the Bay Area. We are a small store which lets us give you the attention needed for a more professional experience. We cater to residential & commercial customers, designer, contractors, and developers. FREE ESTIMATES DIABLO FLOORING, INC (925) 426-RUGS (7847) 5600-D Sunol Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566 VISIT OUR SHOWROOM OR Shop@Home WWW.DIABLOFLOORING.COM License #898787ÊUÊ`i`ÊUÊÃÕÀi`ÊÕ«ÊÌÊfÓÊ UÊ*i>ÃiÊÛÃÌÊÕÀÊÜiLÃÌiÊ>ÌÊÜÜÜ°V°«i>Ã>Ì°V>°ÕÃ ÌÊÛiÜÊÌiÊ>}i`>ÊvÀÊÌÃÊiiÌ}° ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC COMMENT IS WELCOME The above represents a sampling of upcoming meeting items. For complete information, please visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/calendar *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 13 Specializing in Europe and the South Paciﬁc Established in 1985 Destinations Unlimited 1989-C Santa Rita Road s (925) 462-0402 www.travel-desk.com s CST#101368810 Sports Parent photographers Send a jpeg to [email protected] of the best action shot from your child’s game for consideration for our Sports page. Remember to include caption information: who, what, when, where—and the score. Foothill Senior Signs Letter of Intent Pleasanton’s Mariah Kay Worley, a senior from Foothill High, has earned a softball and academic scholarship from Azusa Pacific University, Southern California. She signed the letter of intent in November for a Pitching/Out Field position. She will be attending APU this fall. She has worked very hard in all aspects of her life to achieve this goal. Her family is very proud of all she has accomplished. Undefeated CCOP girls basketball Elegant and Relaxing Personalized Professional Nail Care CCOP third-grade girls basketball finished an undefeated season (11-0) with a win on Feb. 1. Pictured are first row (R-L) Taylor Sowers, Jessica Jensen, Madison Baxter, Elise Allari, Sara Shackelford, Taryn Baldus, Erin Schafer and Breyan Ashley; back row Coach Joel Baldus and Coach Chris Baxter. Mariah Kay Worley Do you want to play Futsal? If so, recreational and competitive teams and/or players are forming in all divisions including boys ages 8-16 (Recreational and Competitive); girls ages 8-16 (Recreational and Competitive); men over 35 years old; and co-ed women. Futsal quickly develops skills required for soccer and it is a fast, action-packed game. All seven games are played on the weekends and are an hour long. Cost is $88 per player and games are played in Dublin. Teams and players looking for a team can sign up at www.tri-valleyfutsal.com. Cheerleading Championships Livermore location BOLLINGER NAIL SALON LOCATIONS Pleasanton (across from Tully's Coffee) 310 Main Street Suite D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (925) 484-4300 Livermore (next to the Bankhead Theater) 2375 Railroad Ave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (925) 455-6800 FREE Manicure $5 OFF with the purchase of a pedicure any paid service of $25.00 or more Not valid on gift certiﬁcates and cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer expires 2-27-09 Not valid on gift certiﬁcates and cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer expires 2-27-09 www.Bollingernailsalon.com Page 14ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Pleasanton Middle School 200809 Cheerleading Squad won First Place at the USA State Championship Feb. 8 on the campus of UC Davis. The Panther Cheerleaders competed against five other schools in their division to take home the first place win. The Panther Cheerleaders will be heading to Anaheim, California on March 1 to compete at the USA National Championships. Cheer Squad are Alexa Beaudoin-Severn, Cassidy Bell, Haley Brodnick, Lauren Chan, Catherine Cochran, Natasha Coelho, Lauren Copenhaver, Jessica D’Addabbo, Emilie DeVera, Kelsey Emery, Sameera Firoozmand, Katy Gibbons, Claire Goveia, Diane Hadley, Talamasina Kailahi, Hayley Long, Sabrina Manning, Callie Preston and Meghan Serrano. Coaches are Kim DeJoy, Natalie Vultaggio and Laurie Latronica. RAGE U11P advances to finals in State Cup play RAGE U11P Division 1 U11 advances to the finals in State Cup play with two strong performances Feb 7-8 in Manteca. The Nor Cal Cup Silver Division finals are this weekend, beginning at noon Saturday at Woodward Park in Manteca. Last Saturday’s quarterfinal match was against Fremont Fusion. With a balanced effort on offense and defense, the game resulted in a 2-0 win for Rage. Strong work in the midfield by Sophie Santos and Eilis Hegarty kept constant offensive pressure on the Fusion defense, with goals scored by forwards Malissa Shadle and Carley Robertson, and an assist by Sami LaBella. The defensive line of Hanna McGillivray, Julianna Leedeman, Kennedy Truex and Katlyn Franciskovitch was rock-solid and keeper Sophia Brown posted her fifth clean sheet in five weeks. Sunday’s semi-final against the Mid-Peninsula Strikers (Menlo Park) was dominated by the U11P with four goals scored by four different players: Brookey Villanueva, Hanna Mallie, Hailey Mann and Olivia Christensen. Heather Jackson and Maggie Kilday helped RAGE dictate control of the game with excellent ball-handling and passing. This Saturday’s final will see the U11P take on Sacramento United Extreme, a 1-0 victor in the semifinals over Fresno’s Cal Odyssey U11 Red. who’s who in business Learn more about the people you do business with in and around Pleasanton FEBRUARY 2009 *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 15 who's who in business who's who in business The fast track to feeling GREAT. Trust. Honesty. Integrity. Conﬁdence. Expertise. BR ILL A NCE YOU DESERV E® Ladies Workout Express is an interval circuit training program that provides a full strength and aerobic workout in just 30 minutes! Our program allows you to increase your lean muscle tissue, which increases muscle tone. Our specialized 30-minute program speeds up your metabolism, burns fat and aids in weight loss. Cardinal Jewelers has served Pleasanton for over thirty years. The owner, Jim Kuhn, has been involved in the jewelry profession for another nine years before that. He learned to cut and polish stones at an Air Base hobby shop in Pleiku, Vietnam in his off-hours. He later studied for and received his gemologist certificate. With personal attention and guidance, you can feel confidant that you are getting the most out of your exercise program. Our club offers an environment for women that is non-intimidating and provides stimulating music to keep you motivated. We offer classes to give our members variety. Sauna and tanning are available to give them a full sense of well being. In 1977, Jim opened Cardinal Jewelers with the desire to be a small town jeweler. Over the years, Pleasanton has grown up, but Jim and his assistant Cheri Funk have kept the small town friendliness and service. Our members love their increased energy levels, improved appearance, and they feel better. Cardinal Jewelers is not an ordinary jewelry store. They specialize in the unique and unusual gemstones that you can't find at your typical jewelry store. Come in and see for yourself at our new location. 925.462.2228 www.ladiesworkoutexpress.com 5424 Sunol Blvd. #4 Pleasanton (Raley's Shopping Center) 925.416.1111 3003-B Hopyard Road, Pleasanton who's who in business who's who in business A Reputation You Can Ride On 925.846.6600 925.484.KIDS 560 Main Street Downtown Pleasanton 327 St. Mary Street Downtown Pleasanton "Ê -ÊUÊ,-ÊUÊ-" -Ê -/,1/-ÊUÊ7-ÊUÊ /Ê/,-ÊUÊ," / Ê,*, “Family owned and operated in Pleasanton for 29 years” Debbie Lopes JUICY 1 COACH 1 7 FOR ALL MANKIND 1 8 TWO 8 1 JEWELRY BY PAULA 1 LUCKY A&F 1 CITIZENS 1 BANANA REPUBLIC 1 TRUR RELIGION 1 FREE PEOPLE 1 ELLA MOSS 1 & MORE! Full line of Materinity including: BELLA DAHL 1 LAIT 1 MOMZEE 1 TUMMI 1 & MORE! New to Savvy Seconds is our children's consignment store... Kid's Savvy Seconds. Find us at our former location at 327 St. Mary Street. We carry everything for your child...girls and boys, sizes 2T-12. All the great brands you love to dress your kids in, and at savvy savings too! All of your favorites like: JANIE & JACK 1 LILLY PULLITZER 1 JACADI 1 MIMI & MAGGIE 1 LIMITED TWO/JUSTICE 1 & MORE! Kids Dance Apparel including: FREE STYLE 1 DANSKIN 1 REVOLUTION 1 & MORE! Dave Cherry, owner Josh Cherry, manager )NADDITIONTOOFFERINGSUPERIORCUSTOMERSERVICEHONESTYAND INTEGRITYWECARRYALLMAJORBRANDSOFTIRESINCLUDING"IG/BRAND WHICHINCLUDESFULLSERVICEANDROADHAZARDWARRANTY7ESPECIALIZE INBRAKESSHOCKSANDSTRUTSSUSPENSIONALIGNMENTOILCHANGE BATTERIESANDFREETIREROTATIONONMOSTVEHICLES !T"IG/4IRESWEgRECOMMITTEDTOYOURCOMPLETEANDTOTAL SATISFACTION4HATgSWHYWEBACKOURTIRESWITHONEOFTHEMOST COMPREHENSIVEWARRANTYANDSERVICEPOLICIESAVAILABLEINTHE MARKETPLACETODAY7ESTANDBEHINDEVERYTIREWESELL 3TOPINANDSAYHELLO7EREALWAYSPLEASEDTOMEETOURNEIGHBORS 4HANKS LIVERMORE> PLEASANTON STANLEY BLVD. Page 16ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ BIG O WYOMING CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON Please call either location to reserve a consignment appointment Shop online at: www.shopsavvyseconds.com 0ROUD3PONSORSOF Dave Cherry UTAH BERNAL VALLEY Shoppers will love the fabulous finds they will get at Savvy Seconds, an upscale consignment boutique on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton. Savvy Seconds offers an assortment of new and gently used designer clothing and accessories for women. This upscale consigment boutique makes it fun to buy trendy, designer fashions at savvy prices. All of your favorites like: 925.462.7650 .ATIONAL)NSTITUTEFOR AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE 3688A Washington St., Pleasanton Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm 3ATAMPMs#LOSED3UNDAY 90 DAYS SAME AS CASH, O.A.C. who's who in business who's who in business Robin & Wendy of Clover Creek Gifts & Home Accents UÊ1, /1,Ê UÊ,,",-Ê UÊ/-Ê UÊ*- UÊ* /1,UÊ - Clover Creek is a gift and home accent store, owned and operated by Alexis Gass for over 20 years in Downtown Pleasanton. This store is a great resource for unique gifts for all. It specializes in quality products at affordable prices. You can find a wide variety of candles and personal hand creams and lotions. Some of the brands they carry are: Lady Primrose, Thymes Limited, Northern Lights and Root candles... They have a loyal following of regular customers and always welcome new customers. "This store has been a favorite of mine in Downtown Pleasanton and I've been a repeat customer for years and years. I never leave without a new found treasure in hand. The owner has a good eye for items that will enhance your home and will help you find the perfect thing. I highly recommend this store as a must stop when looking for home decoratins or looking for a gift for someone else. The prices are just right. Thanks Clover Creek!" 925.462.0814 670 Main St. Downtown Pleasanton “Laser technology now available! Jewelers Gallery is the company you should trust for all your repair services.” Jewelers Gallery has a unique selection of jewelry covering a wide range from classic to artsy and with a price range for everyone. We are a full service repair and manufacturing facility working not only in silver and gold but in platinum as well. Robin, an absolute perfectionist, is a European trained goldsmith with the expert ability of turning your ideas into jewelry works of art. He is also a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, giving him full knowledge of diamonds and colored gemstones. We sell “Hearts and Arrows,” spectacularly cut diamonds, and we have a nice selection of colored stones that you rarely see in other jewelry stores. We have been in business for over 34 years, 24 here in Pleasanton. Jewelers Gallery will provide you with the highest quality jewelry products and services at competitive prices. WE BUY GOLD 925.846.7511 614 Main Street, Downtown Pleasanton (across from The Blue Agave) who's who in business who's who in business Your 'What's for Dinner?' Solution Personal chef Kathy Sensiba wants to help you save money, time, eat healthier and put wholesome meals on the table every night without the hassle. It was the dinner-time “scramble” that motivated the mom of seven to start GourMade five years ago. She was determined to provide a home-cooked alternative to pricey and fat-laden take out. Her customers are happy she did. Clients simply select entrees from a monthly menu then spend a couple hours assembling them in her professional kitchen. For a nominal fee, customers can opt to have the personal chefs at GourMade assemble their meals for pick up. Either way, customers leave with up to a month’s worth of ready-to-cook meals to store in their freezer and cook when they choose. “GourMade is essentially a personal chef service for a fraction of the cost,” said Sensiba who prides herself on selecting the finest quality ingredients, minimally processed without chemicals and preservatives. Free-range chicken, Angus beef and sustainable seafood are carefully chosen. Meals may be customized to meet special dietary needs such as Low fat, Low Sodium, Gluten, or Allergen free. Feel good about what you’re feeding your family Receive a free Chef’s Special Entree, Appetizer or Dessert ($19.95 value) with your order of 8 or more regular entrees. Enter coupon code PLEAS1082527 when ordering online. Offer expires 3/31/2009 and may not be combined with other coupons or offers. Also try Gatherings™ by GourMade, catered events for every budget. 925.846.4774 www.gourmadecookery.com 7060 Koll Center Pkwy., Suite 320, Pleasanton Michele Malone, Owner Resurrection is the newest boutique store to open in downtown Pleasanton! We are a consignment store with a truly high end boutique feel. We have clothing and accessories for women, men, and children – all under ONE roof!!! You won’t find overcrowded racks here - just a well organized selection of your favorite designers in one store – all at true consignment pricing! We also feature custom jewelry to go with your new finds as well as an incredible selection of jewelry made by both local and international artists. Soon we will be featuring jewelry classes and girls night out parties. Why consignment? It is good for your pocketbook, good for your closet, and good for the environment. Come discover your next great deal today! Just mention that you saw this ad and receive 10% off of your next purchase. sss Interested in consigning? No appointment is necessary, just drop in during normal business hours. We offer a 50/50 split to our consigners. 925.846.2323 123 West Neal, Suite A, Pleasanton (located between English Rose Tea Room and J’aime’s Bridal) www.resurrectionboutique.com 4RUE2ELIGIONs2OCKAND2EPUBLICs$+.9s#OACHs%D(ARDYs"EBE "ANANA2EPUBLICs&OR!LL-ANKINDs"#"'s(ARLEY$AVIDSONs3TUART7EITZMAN *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 17 WHOgSWHOINBUSINESS who's who in business HEARING SERVICES A Sound Approach to Hearing Care Dr. Kenneth Billheimer, audiologist, and Jacque Pedraza welcome you to Hearing Services, your resource for optimum hearing care and service in the Tri-Valley since 1986. Kenneth and Jacque are licensed hearing aid dispensers and our goal is to provide advance, experienced care you can trust with complete audiology hearing care services and newest and advanced state of the art hearing instruments. Our hearing devices include the InSound Lyric® an extended use hearing device that can stay in the ear for up to four months. Our practice is devoted to giving you back the sweet sounds of life in a comfortable, professional and state of the art office. Two Locations to Serve You Livermore 925-960-0391 1524 Holmes D Pleasanton 925-484-3507 4460 Black Avenue F 3UMMIT&INANCIAL'ROUPISACOMPREHENSIVEFINANCIALSERVICESAND WEALTHMANAGEMENTFIRMDEDICATEDTOPROVIDINGINSIGHTANDSOLUTIONS THATASSISTOURCLIENTSINTHEIRPURSUITOFFINANCIALINDEPENDENCE %ACHRELATIONSHIPBEGINSWITHOURCOMMITMENTTOLEARNINGABOUTOUR CLIENTSTHEIRNEEDSANDTHEIRAMBITIONS/NLYTHENCANWEPERFORMTHE ANALYSISNECESSARYTORECOMMENDPROPERACTIONSTEPS/URMISSION ISTOEDUCATECLIENTSSOTHEYUNDERSTANDTHEIRFINANCIALPICTUREAND IMPLEMENTSOLUTIONSTHATMATCHTHEIRPRIORITIESANDRESOURCES 7EINVITEYOUTOLEARNMOREABOUTOURPRACTICETHROUGHAN INTRODUCTORYMEETINGWITHOURTEAM!T3UMMITWEKNOWYOUFACEA MAZEOFFINANCIALCHOICESANDDECISIONS7ELOOKFORWARDTOHELPINGYOU SOLVETHEPUZZLEANDIMPLEMENTAWEALTHMANAGEMENTSTRATEGYTAILORED TOHELPYOUMEETYOURUNIQUEFINANCIALGOALS 925.866.7800 www.summitfingroup.com #ROW#ANYON0LACE3UITEs3AN2AMON#! Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Securian Financial Services Inc. Securities Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Summit Financial Group LLC is independently owned and operated. TR#31633 DOFU 11/2008 WHOgSWHOINBUSINESS who's who in business Body In Balance AMADOR DENTAL & ORTHODONTIC Community Acupunture Center COMPLETE COSMETIC, FAMILY AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY IN ONE GREAT OFFICE LIFE CHANGING SMILES Craig C. Sjoberg BS, DDS & Associates Come in and enjoy a unique experience for your body, mind and spirit! s&AMILY$ENTAL3ERVICESs#OSMETIC3URGERY s)MPLANTOLOGYs/RTHODONTICS At Amador Dental and Orthodontic, we strive to: Take the time to listen to all your concerns s%STABLISHANOPTIMUMPERSONALIZEDTREATMENTPLANFORYOU s-AKESUREYOUTHOROUGHLYUNDERSTANDALLTREATMENTSANDPROCEDURES with our video camera s-AXIMIZEBOTHDENTALHEALTHANDAESTHETICS s-EETALLYOURDENTALNEEDSWITHTHEHIGHESTPROFESSIONALSTANDARDS s0ROVIDEAFFORDABLEGENTLEANDCOMFORTABLESERVICEINAWARM FRIENDLYENVIRONMENT "ONE GREAT OFFICE, for all your family s'IVEYOUASMILETHATSAYSYOUgREAWINNER dental needs." See why thousands of referring families love our professional & friendly service. 925.484.4406 www.AmadorDental.com 5000 Pleasanton Ave. #110, Pleasanton Page 18ÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊUÊ*i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞ Kristine Buckley, L.Ac Acupuncture, an ancient and highly effective medicine, offers relief from musculoskeletal pain, the common cold, infertility, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, menopausal symptoms, menstrual difficulties, stress, insomnia, anxiety, nausea and many other conditions. Body in Balance Community Acupuncture Center is a unique clinic that emphasizes health and relaxation. Owner Kristine Buckley, L.Ac. has made it her mission to make acupuncture easy and affordable, so you can be treated as often as you need. She offers a sliding scale of $20 – 40.00 (with a $10 initial fee for new clients). Body in Balance Community Acupuncture Center wants you to receive acupuncture often, because frequent acupuncture works best. 925.417.8800 www.pleasantoncommunityacupuncture.com [email protected] 4133 Mohr Avenue, Suite E, Pleasanton who's who in business who's who in business Julie Loomis CPA A Professional Accounting Corporation You're More Than Just a Number Serving you for over 10 years The New Year brings us a new look, but our service, quality and ownership remains unchanged. New products for 2009 include our Fence and Deck Restoration packages which give you an option of restoring your fence and deck – at 1/3 the cost of new! We specialize in quality construction of redwood fencing, gates, decks, trellises, arbors, retaining walls, chain link, vinyl, ranch fencing and ornamental iron. Contact the BORG team to help you with your ideas! 925.426.9620 www.borgfence.com Visit our showroom at 575 Boulder Court, Pleasanton who's who in business As president of JL Consulting, Julie uses her twenty years of accounting experience working closely with business owners, real estate investors, and individuals to minimize taxes and increase their bottom line. Inspired by being the daughter of a second generation small business owner, Julie opened JL Consulting in 2001. Julie is a member of the American Institute of Certiﬁed Public Accountants, the California Society of Public Accountants and the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce. JL Consulting is a full-service CPA ﬁrm providing year-round accounting and tax services to businesses and individuals. Our team builds long-lasting relationships with our clients and is committed to their success. Call us to set up an appointment for a consultation. 925.846.1859 1024 Serpentine Lane, Suite 105, Pleasanton www.jlcpa.net who's who in business Where everyday is a good hair day! Beth Spisak, Owner Knit This, Purl That is the only store of its kind between Walnut Creek and San Jose, offering not only a wide selection of yarn and accessories but also classes, special events, and a relaxing environment where customers can work on projects and get advice from other knitters. When anyone comes in with a knitting problem, someone in the store is always available to help! The unique yarns we sell come from individuals. We believe in women helping women, free trade and small companies. Hand-dyed yarn is purchased from Women thoughout the US. Merino sock yarn is purchased from a women in Missouri who dyes her yarns a special color fuchsia and olive green created only for Knit This, Purl That. Beautiful knitting bags from Offhand Designs in Alameda, come from a one woman shop with three employees. We hope we will become Your Knitting Place... the haven where you can come to explore our new yarn selection, browse through our large book selection, do a little show-and-tell with your latest project, or just sit back, relax with us and work on whatever project you've got going. See our website for Upcoming classes and special events! 925.249.YARN (9276) [email protected] 205A Main St. Pleasanton (Behind Vic's All-Star Cafe) Touch of Elegance Hair Salon has been a vital part of the success of Pleasanton’s Downtown for well over 30 years. I proudly became the owner in 2003, and recently completed a major remodel. So, if you haven’t been in a while, we’ve missed you…….and you’ve missed………a lot! Touch of Elegance Hair Salon has always attracted the most talented stylist, and this tradition continues today. Our stylists regularly attend informational and hands on education in an effort to stay in touch with the latest trends in cutting, styling, chemical services, and ‘Salon Exclusive’ hair care products. 14 stylists ensures you will find one to fit your particular needs & your busy schedule. Call today & let one of our stylists make your day…a good hair day!! Christine Palmer 925.846.3777 148 Ray Street, Pleasanton (across from Old Kottinger Barn) Walk-ins Welcome/Appointments Appreciated *i>Ã>ÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊiLÀÕ>ÀÞÊÓä]ÊÓääÊU Page 19 who's who in business who's who in business Brian Damiani CFP® Call us today! Investment Advisor Representative Wealth Management Associates (WMA) is focused on helping families and individuals reach their financial goals by providing comprehensive financial planning. With over 33 years of combined experience, WMA provides professional service on a personal level using a variety of insurance and investment vehicles. WMA stands apart from other financial organizations because we specialize in individuals and small businesses just like you, and we focus our efforts on the personal side of financial planning. This focus gives you the strategies to fine-tune your financial situation. The advisors of Wealth Management Associates serve over 160 families in an advisory/asset management capacity, and over 500 clients with financial planning, retirement planning, asset management, estate and insurance planning. "2009 vacation prices are the best in years!" The Cruise & Travel Company of Pleasanton is the oldest downtown Pleasanton travel agency having been in business 15 years. We are here to assist you with any leisure or corporate travel needs. We offer vacation packages to Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Asia, Europe, the South Pacific as well as cruises throughout the world. Call or come by the office to sort through our many travel brochures and to ask any questions you may have. We treat each vacation as if it were our own. Securities and investment advice offered through Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, member FINRA & SIPC. 925.417.1733 400 Main Street, Suite 200 0LEASANTON#!s WWWWEALTHMGTNET WWWWMAINSURANCENET [email protected] 400 Main Street #205, Pleasanton (on the corner of Main and W. Angela above Studio 7 art gallery) WHOgSWHOINBUSINESS who's who in business Rooting for the home team Local Little League team represents California °page 5 6OL)8.UMBERs!UGUST WWW0LEASANTON7EEKLYCOM Hats in the ring Mixing it up It’s deadline day as candidates jockey on positions °page 5 Artists unite for inaugural ‘ConvenZioNE’ ° section 2 Off to the Olympics 0LEASANTONS+ATE(OOVEN COCAPTAINOF53!S SYNCHRONIZEDSWIMMINGTEAM LOOKSFORWARDTO#HINAPAGE 10 For your every day health and wellbeing... The Pleasanton Spa, serving our community with over 10 years of experience, is proud to maintain its standard of excellence. Pleasanton Weekly Published every Friday The readers of the Pleasanton Weekly are well educated (92% have attended college, and 28% have completed graduate study or degree) and have significant household incomes (average household income of $162,000), making this audience a key target for advertisers looking to reach consumers with spending power. The newest addition to our offerings is “Express” local community news delivered Monday through Friday to your e-mail inbox. 7EINVITEYOUTOh3PENDANHOURAMORNINGORADAYv TOREJUVENATEYOURBODYANDMIND We offer the finest in FACIALS s"/$942%!4-%.43 3,)--).'72!03s-!33!'%3s7!8).' -!.)#52%3!.$0%$)#52%3 7EPROUDLYFEATURE$R3PILLER"IOCOSMETICSSKINCARE 3T4ROPEZ4ANNING%SSENTIALSANDTHE*ESSICA.AIL3YSTEM Express Delivered to e-mail inboxes Monday through Friday 'IFTCARDSAREAVAILABLEATOURLOCATION ORONLINEFORTHATSPECIALSOMEONE PleasantonWeekly.com boasts increasingly robust traffic to its highly interactive site. The site features daily local headlines from the community it serves, the lively user forum Town Square, the Community Calendar, local resource information including restaurant reviews, movie reviews and entertainment news and more. If you would like to receive the paper or “Express” go to PleasantonWeekly.com and request delivery. 925.463.1572 www.pleasantonspa.com 3TONERIDGE$RIVE3UITEs0LEASANTONs/PEN$AYSA7EEK The Pleasanton Weekly provides news on schools, governments and the people who bring Pleasanton to life. Launched in 2000, the Pleasanton Weekly is the newspaper that residents say keeps them most connected to life in their community. The Pleasanton Weekly is mailed free to 17,000 residents every Friday, with additional free distribution in commercial districts. 925.600.0840 PleasantonWeekly.com interactive 24/7 www.PleasantonWeekly.com 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566