Antioch Press_02.11.11

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2A | THEPRESS.NET FEBRUARY 11, 2011

FEBRUARY 11, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 3A

1300 Central Blvd. BrentwoodLori Abreu(925) 216-6317Owner/Broker www.DeltaRanches.com

Cerelle Carstairs(925) 382-4307

Real Estate Agent

Gated community. End unit with 3 bdrms, 2.5 ba. and 1400sf. No rear neighbors, kitchen opens to dining area. Patio area.

$170,000

336 Jefferson Drive, Brentwood2 bdrm 2 ba, 1245 sf condo on second fl oor with balcony. Granite kitchen counters and ss ap-pliances. Hardwood fl oor in living area with fi replace. Carpet in bdrms. $200,000

408 Caliente Drive, San Leandro

Cute 2 bedroom. 1 1/2 bath, 1,036 sf condo with private patio.Quiet neigh-borhood and great views. Park-like setting.

$169,500

1562 Ashwood Drive, MartinezUpper unit with balcony. Three bdrms., 2 ba., 1060 sf with large master bdrm. Convenient to freeway for commute.

$180,000

14443 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro

This is a 3 bdrm, 2 bath 1265 sf home and lot size 6500 sf. Cute home located on a court with cathedral ceilings, fi replace in family room, new garage door, and walking distance to shopping. $160,000

3308 Streamwood Court, Antioch

Cute house close to everything! Has 3 bdrms, 1 ba, 1054 sf with fi replace in family rm. Garage with storage, nice backyard.

$280,000

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Beautiful lower unit with no rear neigh-bors. Two bdrms, 2 ba., 1043 sf condo with new carpet and upgrades. Laminate fl ooring, covered patio area, great location close to 580 and 680. $258,000

7765 Canyon Meadows Cir #E, Pleasanton

2 bdrm 1 bath 918 sf home with lots of large trees seeks new owner. Nice curb appeal, large lot, lots of op-portunity. Laminate fl ooring and carpet. $84,000

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The Highway 4 Bypass was closed in both directions Tuesday afternoon following a collision near the Lone Tree Way off-ramp just before 1 p.m.

Brentwood Police Sgt. Walter OGrodnick said a woman driving a Toy-ota SUV southbound on the Bypass near Lone Tree Way crossed the center median and sideswiped a northbound Chevrolet Suburban being driven by a male adult. The impact caused both vehicles to roll over and come to rest on their roofs.

The male was ejected from his ve-hicle. OGrodnick said it was still un-clear if he was wearing a seatbelt at the time.

Neither victim sustained life-threat-ening injuries, OGrodnick said. Both were transported to local hospitals by helicopter, and the Bypass was re-opened after about an hour.

Additional information was not available at press time. The crash is being investigated by the Brentwood Police.

Crash closes Bypass

Investigators pore over an accident in which a pair of SUVs overturned after colliding head-on on the Highway 4 Bypass Tuesday. The road was closed in both directions for about an hour.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

San Leandro Police Department (SLPD) offi cials say that attacks last December on three Brentwood dogs in two separate incidents alleg-edly by an off-duty police canine are unrelated.

Based on descriptions by witnesses and interviews conducted, we have determined that the two events are not related, said SLPD Lt. Jeff Tudor. The other incident did not involve our dog.

The investigation into the Dec. 26 events that occurred just two miles from each other near the Marsh Creek Trail began last month following a report from a woman who claims her two Pomeranians were attacked when a German shepherd broke loose from a group of people at a nearby park. The incident occurred just hours before the fatal mauling of a Finnish Spitz showdog by an off-duty police dog.

Lori Vogt, who was visiting her sister in Brentwood at the time, said the German shep-herd who was part of a group of dogs, adults and children suddenly attacked her two dogs as she was sitting on the grass with her animals in her lap. No one was injured in the attack.

But later that day, Adam Lovells dog Chloe wasnt so lucky.

While walking the Finnish Spitz on a trail near Sand Creek Road on the afternoon of Dec. 26, Lovell met up with a group of chil-dren, adults and dogs. One of the animals was Arago, a German shepherd from the SLPD canine unit who was being walked by a family member of the handler.

Lovell said that when he spotted the group coming toward him, he immediately put Chloe who was leashed on his left side in order to protect her. But when the dog lunged at Chloe, Lovell was unable to stop the attack.

The Finnish Spitz was bitten fi ve to six times on her rear, side and back by the police dog, and underwent three hours of emergency surgery. She died from her injuries two days later.

Vogt, who lives in Cloverdale, didnt report the incident at the time, but said when she saw a newscast about the later dog mauling, she real-ized that the animal that attack her pets might have been the same dog. She contacted the SLPD, and a few days later, an investigator met with her and took her statement.

Now that the department has determined that the two incidents are unrelated, Vogt doesnt know what to think. Im surprised, be-cause in my experience, lightning doesnt strike twice, said Vogt. I fi nd it interesting and too much of a coincidence, but if thats what they (SLPD) are saying, then we have to live with that decision.

Im glad if it wasnt the same dog, but if thats the case, then weve got one dog still out there and now Brentwood has two dogs to worry about instead of one.

Tudor says that the police dog and his handler will remain on active duty as the in-vestigation of the second incident continues.

The investigation is still underway and the dog and the handler are still working, said Tudor. Thats all I can tell you right now.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

PD: dog attacks unrelatedby Ruth Roberts

Staff Writer

Despite the uncertainty of the proposed eBART station at Hillcrest Avenue, the wid-ening of Highway 4 appears to be on schedule and should be fi nished by the end of 2014.

Susan Miller, the Contra Costa Trans-portation Authoritys director of projects, gave an update at Tuesdays Antioch City Council meeting on the project that will wid-en the freeway from two to four lanes from Loveridge Road in Pittsburg to Hillcrest Av-enue in Antioch. The entire project is estimat-ed to cost more than $500 million most of which comes from Measure J tax dollars and money from state and federal sources.

Weve been very successful in apply-ing those dollars to Highway 4, Miller said. Weve leveraged a lot of state and federal funds.

The project carves out room in the Highway 4 median for BART lines from the Pittsburg/Bay Point Station to the proposed eBART stop at Hillcrest Avenue.

Antioch, however, has been unhappy with BARTs proposal and could pull out of the eBART project. At Tuesdays meet-ing, City Council members asked how the eBART controversy could affect the widen-ing project. Miller said that although the two projects go hand-in-hand, the Highway 4 work would continue should Antioch nix the eBART proposal.

Antiochs withdrawal from eBART,

however, would make an impact on the plan-ning process. We decided that the structures in the median would be designed for any mode, Miller said. I would hate to see a sit-uation where we have to redo plans, we have to slow down the freeway schedule if theres changes in the decision on the eBART proj-ect. I personally have been involved in both these projects for a very long time and I can understand the citys concerns, but Ive been so excited to fi nally see some of this come to reality, and to think that were going to have

some service and some transit extension so badly needed into East County.

In a PowerPoint presentation, Miller showed plans for the future, as well as the design of the retaining walls skirting the free-way. The walls will be etched with depictions of vegetation and marsh life, an homage to the Delta. In response to concerns about the potential for graffi ti, Miller said that the color of the walls is the same color of the paint that CalTrans workers keep in their trucks. Any graffi ti on the retaining walls or the sound-

walls would be removed in a timely fashion.City Council member Gary Agopian

stressed the need for the freeway improve-ments to refl ect a positive image for the city. Im envisioning, and I think the public is envisioning, three great entrances into An-tioch, Agopian said. Its very, very impor-tant that the quality of the appearance is at an excellent level. Not an average or below-average level. This is very critical for the im-age of our city.

This month, workers are laying down concrete on the segment from Loveridge Road to Somersville Road and putting up soundwalls. Next month, they will close the undercrossing at Century Boulevard to work on that part of the freeway. In April, contrac-tors plan to start pile driving for the south-bound Loveridge Road bridge.

Work on the stretch from Somersville to L Street should begin in March and end by June of 2013. The segment from L Street to Lone Tree Way is slated to start in December, be fi nished in September of 2014. The fi nal phase of the project from Lone Tree Way to Highway 160 should begin in March of 2012 and be completed by the end of 2014.

Miller said the authority will work with local schools as workers temporarily close overcrossings at G and L streets in Antioch in the coming years.

Im encouraged by the progress Ive seen out there, Mayor Jim Davis said. The fi nishing dates look really encouraging.


4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 11, 2011

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Highway 4 widening moves along

The Contra Costa Transit Authority plans to close the Century Boulevard under-crossing next month, as workers move ahead with the widening of Highway 4.

Photo by Justin Lafferty

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer


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Paychecks a little bigger lately????Last year we had a Making Work

Pay credit. That credit expired December 31, 2010. This year we have a new provision many of us are calling the Payroll Tax Holiday.

This only affects wage earners. That is, if you work for someone and receive a payroll check (you get a W-2 at the end of the year). BUT, this is a TWO PERCENT reduction in the amount of Social Security (OASDI) payroll tax withheld from your paycheck, from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. The reduction applies to all wage earners regardless of income. The employers share of payroll taxes is unaffected (they still pay the full 6.2%). Self-employed individuals will also see a two percent reduction.

This reduction will have no effect on an individuals future Social Security benefits.

This benefit will expire at the end of 2011, so without Congressional action, the rate will return to normal in 2012.

Jet Tax is a local staple. Weve been located in Antioch for over 30 years. We would love to help you with your taxes. We prepare, consult and represent taxpayers at all levels of taxation. Additionally we provide bookkeeping, payroll and QuickBooks support services. Call us at (925) 778-0281, email us at [email protected] or visit our website www.jettax.org.

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Antiochs Graffi ti Abatement Pro-gram will hold a public meeting for in-terested potential members on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in City Council Cham-bers Third and H streets. The program, run by volunteers, cleans up graffi ti around town. For information, e-mail Dennis Jeglum at [email protected].

Volunteer to fill GAP

Hunting for local history

Discovery Bay resident Virgil Koehne solved last months History Mys-tery by correctly identifying the images in an old postcard.

Koehne, the Discovery Bay water and wastewater manager, and his col-league, Sue Heinl, identifi ed all four images in the postcard. Clockwise from the top left, are a view of the boats from resident Brian Doves backyard, the Discovery Bay Marina, the lake aerator providing additional oxygen, and a magnifi cent sunset view of Mount Diablo taken from the morning side of the mountain.

Koehne also located three additional postcards of Discovery Bay of the same era plus a box of early sales brochures, model descriptions and adver-tising material. No early postcards were included in the material, so the hunt for the elusive Discovery Bay postcard published prior to 1980 continues.

Koehne said the town would like to feature early history of the commu-nity at the proposed civic center, and encourages residents with early ephem-era to bring them forward.

Longtime homeowners Peter and Verna Normann responded that their property was purchased in 1975 when Wells Fargo Bank was begging customers to buy lots. But the Normanns dont recall any postcards only foldout, full-page colored ads.

For correctly identifying the History Mystery, Koehne earns a dona-tion made on his behalf to the John Marsh Historic Trust.

Contributed by Carol Jensen Discovery Bay residents had little trouble solving this local history mystery.

Photo courtesy of Carol Jensen

The community is invited to help de-fray the medical expenses of 5-year-old Brentwood resident Aaron Tanner, who underwent double organ transplant sur-gery last year. On Monday, Feb. 14 Val-entines Day Yogurt Island (3100 Main

St., Suite 282) will devote a portion of its proceeds from noon to 8 p.m. to the Tan-ner family.

For more information on Aarons journey, visit www.saveabrokenheart.com and Yogurt Islands Facebook page.

Those wishing to make a monetary do-nation should make a check payable to The Aaron Tanner Heart Foundation and mail it to Bank Of Agriculture, c/o Aaron Tan-ner Heart Foundation, 2251 Balfour Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Donations are also accepted at www.saveabrokenheart.com.

Have a heart for Aaron

EAST COUNTY UNITED SOCCER CLUB

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FEBRUARY 11, 2011 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 7A

Advertisement

SHORT SALE NEGOTIATION FEESShort sales take a LOT of work just to

get them to the point where the lender(s) approve the terms of the deal. Many listing agents hire a third party negotiating com-pany, either just to save the agents time, or they may feel the third party company will have a better success rate, or both. The list-ing agent has a choice, to either pay the fee themselves out of their commission, or have someone else pay it. If the listing agent pays it themselves, its usually fine. Its when they ask someone else to pay that it can get trouble-some.

If they ask the seller to pay, the sellers lender may have an issue with that, thinking that if the seller has any extra money, that should go to the lender. If they ask the lender to pay it, the lender will often turn it down, as they consider the commission to be sufficient compensation. If they ask the buyers agent to pay it, the buyers agent will probably retort, Thats your job, you pay it if you want.

That leaves the buyer. We are see-ing some listings where the buyer is being required to pay the fee directly to the nego-

tiating company. But when this fee shows up on the closing documents, the sellers lender may not allow it. Their feeling is that the buyer would have discounted this fee off the price of the house. Having the buyer pay it outside the closing statement to hide it from the lender could be illegal. Some agents are asking the buyer to ask for a credit for clos-ing costs as part of their offer, and then this credit goes to the negotiating company, or directly to the listing agent to reimburse them for paying the fee. The California Department of Real Estate is concerned about this approach and has issued a directive advis-ing against it. There are issues with agency, violation of fiduciary duty, non-disclosed dual agency, not to mention that disguising a nego-tiating fee as something else in order to slide it past the lender at closing is loan fraud.

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

Life on high school campuses can be complicated, but Liberty High Schools new principal, Patrick Walsh, is soaking in every detail.

Walsh came on board last month, tak-ing over for Tim Halloran, who moved on to a district position at Fairfi eld-Suisun Uni-fi ed in November, and after three weeks on campus, Walsh is pleased with his decision to move to East County and breathe new life into Libertys infrastructure.

These fi rst weeks have been a blast, Walsh said. At the end of each day I think wow today was a great day and then I say I cant wait to do it again tomorrow. Im

learning a lot. Im not afraid or embarrassed to ask questions, so Im getting to know as much as possible about Liberty and how it operates. This is a wonderful school and Im happy to be here.

Walsh has 26 years of experience in ed-ucation, working primarily in high schools, where he started as a math teacher, eventu-ally working his way up to the position of principal at Palm Desert High School in Southern California, where he served for 12 years.

While Walsh is still getting to know the Liberty community, he has already estab-lished some goals and is working on outlines to achieve them. His top priority is improv-

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Principal page 18A

Liberty High Schools new princi-

pal, Patrick Walsh, shares his goals and

plans with parents during a forum on

Monday. Walsh said his rst goal is to

improve academic achievement.

Photo by Samie Hartley

Liberty welcomes its new principal

8A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 11, 2011

The City of Brentwoods Housing Division is accepting a limited number of waitlist applications from income qualifi ed families who are interested in purchasing an affordable single-family home under the Citys First Time Homebuyer/Affordable Housing Program. Applicants must be fi rst time homebuyers, qualify as low-income and have a good credit score (NO EXCEPTIONS). Waitlist may close at anytime. Applications are available at the Community Development Department, 118 Oak Street, Brentwood during normal business hours or on line at www.ci.brentwood.ca.us. For more information please contact Sylvia Elias, Housing Division (925) 516-5305.

City of BrentwoodAffordable Housing Information July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011

Maximum Affordable Sales Price (Rounded to nearest $1,000)1

Dwelling Unit Size Low Income Dwelling Unit

3 BDRM 4 BDRM 5 BDRM $160,000 $173,000 $186,0001 These are MAXIMUM prices. Resale and refi nance housing prices are based in accordance with approved Administrative Manual fo rthe First Time Homebuyer Program, Attachment B-1.

Parent University in OakleyMoms and dads looking for serious

guidance or even a few refresher tips might want to consider enrolling in Parent Univer-sity.

On Feb. 26, the Oakley Union School District hosts Parent University; a districtwide informational event designed for parents and families. Through a series of workshops high-lighting such topics as homework, parenting strategies and even nutrition and exercise, Parent University creates an atmosphere of education and support in a non-threatening, welcoming environment.

Teachers are a really great resource for parents, said Michele Gaudinier, Iron House Elementary principal. And what Im hoping will come of this event is that parents will take home something that helps them, helps their children and helps their relationship with edu-cators. Im very excited about it.

Held from 9 a.m. to noon at Iron House Elementary School, the event features booths and displays from organizations such as First Five, the Contra Costa County Child Abuse Council and local sports groups. Translators are on hand, childcare is provided, and bever-ages and snacks are available for purchase.

Workshop topics include kindergarten readiness, the school budget, English language strategies, GATE information, special educa-tion, reading fl uency, mental math strategies, grade school to middle school transitioning,

nutrition and fi tness, motivational parenting techniques, homework tips and tricks, health and wellness, and technology information.

Sessions begin on the hour and last 50 minutes. All sessions, taught by district profes-sionals, are held at least twice.

Roger Macdonald, principal at OHara Park Middle School, said some of his staff and students will be on hand to serve as mid-dle school ambassadors to incoming students and their families.

Our leadership kids and some of our students will be there to talk about leader-ship opportunities and peer confl ict, said Macdonald. We want the younger kids and their parents to know that as scary as middle school can be, there is also lots of sup-port. Well talk about curriculum, programs and structure. It will be a great, worthwhile event.

But the program also offers something equally as important: an opportunity for par-ents to network with other families and stu-dents in an atmosphere of camaraderie and support. Its a nice chance for parents to talk to each other and share some of their experi-ences and questions, said Gaudinier.

And if all goes well, might Parent Uni-versity become a regular deal?

I would love for this to be an annual thing, said Gaudinier. That way we could tailor it and change what we fi nd isnt working and keep what does. That would be great.

Pre-registration for Parent University is requested. Iron House Elementary School is located at 4801 Frank Hengel Way. For more information or to sign up for Parent University, call 925-625-6825 or e-mail at [email protected].


by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

The Oakley Union School District hosts Parent University on Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Iron House Elementary School.

Press file photo

FEBRUARY 11, 2011 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 9A

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In celebration of Valentines Day, and to help parents nurture their childrens reading abilities, Sylvan Learning is offering grade-spe-cifi c tips for reading at home. Operating more than 900 centers throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of tu-toring services to children of all ages and skill levels.

Children who read regularly at home do better in school and become enthusiastic life-long readers, said Richard Treff of Sylvan Learning Center of Oakley. By encouraging children to read at home, parents can help their children establish an enduring love of books, transforming reading from a basic skill to a pleasurable activity.

Sylvan Learning recommends that parents spend at least one hour per week 10 to 15 min-utes per day reading with their children.

Reading is an adventure that begins early in a childs life and should extend beyond the classroom, Treff added. Children exhibit cer-tain reading behaviors at a young age and by understanding and nurturing these behaviors, parents can make reading fun and motivate their child to develop a lifelong friendship with books.Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten Make cookies together. Read the recipe aloud to your children. Read directions to your children when com-pleting a project. Subscribe to a magazine such as Ladybug, Your Big Backyard or Zoobooks to learn about topics of interest to your children. Theyll be ex-cited to have their own reading materials. Read stories aloud and act them out.Grades one through three Subscribe to a magazine such as Spider or Ranger Rick to learn about topics of interest to your children. Make its arrival an event. After reading a nonfi ction story, ask your chil-dren why they think the author wrote the story. Help your children create charts and posters about topics of interest. Encourage your children to read a variety of texts non-fi ction, plays, stories, comics and magazines. Introduce your children to the library and plan special library visits together.Grades four through eight Help your children with the latest experiment in their science textbooks. Talk through each step and discuss what youre going to do next. Pick a different country each week, and chal-lenge your children to learn more about that country by visiting the library or researching it online.

Research and select books about your chil-drens interests such as a sport or hobby. Read the newspaper with your children. Elicit their opinion about current events.Grades nine through 12 Read a variety of directions (recipes, technical instructions, experiments) and determine the usefulness of the instructions to the readers life. Purchase a set of reference books or software for home use. Encourage your children to talk about the latest book theyre reading. Ask them to share their favorite scenes with the rest of the family.

For more tips plus a Valentines Day Reading List, visit www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com, call 925-679-8667 or e-mail [email protected].

Teaching a love of reading

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Spare Time Clubs is a high-quality club management company that owns and operates upscale multi-purpose family racquet and fi tness clubs in the region. We presently have 10 facilities and are growing. Our facilities off er tennis, swim, fi tness, group exercise, spa services, and many other recreational activities for our members.

We are currently seeking a club General Manager for our Diamond Hills Sports Club and Spa in Oakley, CA. Your responsibilities would include planning and overseeing all aspects of the club operation in order to create an outstanding recreational, fi tness, and social environment for our members.

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Liberty student a woodshop wonder

If you pay a visit to the Liberty Union High School District offi ce in the next few weeks, make sure to take a moment to ad-mire the footstool encased in glass at the right of the lobby.

The stool is made of red oak, carved to incorporate heart shaped accents. A row of fi ve hearts is precisely shaped to form a ribbon along the sides, and if you look closely, the space between the legs of the stool forms a heart as well. Its a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, but whats most extraordinary about the stool is that it was designed and built by Liber-ty High School junior Katharina Durand, who has been studying woodworking for only a year and a half.

Its a work of art, said woodwork-ing teacher Chris McDermott. This piece is the fi rst in my shop to ever garner so much attention. This stool started out as an old, dusty, raggedy piece of wood, and now look at it. Its exquisite. Im en-couraging Katharina to enter it into high school competitions and the county fair. This piece is going to the state fair no doubt about it.

Katharina blushes as her teacher and mentor praises her skills. When she fi rst entered McDermotts shop as a sopho-more in 2009, she had no idea she would fi nd her calling.

I heard in middle school that there was a woodshop class at the high school, and I thought it might be fun, Katharina said. I was just curious. I didnt get it as my elective freshman year, but I got in as a sophomore, and I just fell in love with it. I like taking an idea and then making it happen. At fi rst it seemed like something

that might be a hobby, but now I want to pursue it as a career. This is what I love.

Katharina has completed a series of projects, including a clock, candy dis-penser and hope chest in which she hand-carved the name of the chests future owner. As she continues to challenge her-self, shes set her sights on making a chair by the end of the school year.

McDermott said hes never seen a stu-dent of Katharinas caliber in his 10 years teaching at Liberty. In fact, she might be the best student hes ever encountered. He recognized her talent within the fi rst few days of class, taking note of her unbreak-able focus and attention to detail.

In all my years as a woodworking teacher, Ive never seen talent like hers,

McDermott said. She mastered the ba-sics in no time, and as a teacher, you live for that moment when you see the light go on inside a students mind that Aha! moment. I could see it in her facial expres-sions that it was all clicking for her, and its clear to see in her work that she has a natural gift.

In the class, students are able to move at their own pace, practicing new skills and applying them to appropriate proj-ects. Katharina said the shop gets loud as students operate numerous machines, but whens shes working, she doesnt hear a thing. I go to this quiet place in my mind, she explained. I get into this zone. Im so focused that its like every-thing around me disappears.

District Superintendent Jerry Glenn recognized Katharinas work at a January board meeting and encouraged everyone in attendance to admire it as they left the meeting. Katharina said shes honored by the attention, but its the respect from her peers that means the most to her.

Shes not only one of McDermotts students; shes a peer tutor. I was ex-cited that he (McDermott) picked me to be the peer tutor, but I was worried that the older students and the boys wouldnt ask for my help, but its not like that at all, she said. At fi rst, I was so surprised that theyd come to me for advice or just to get encouragement that theyre on the right track. Now Im comfortable and I go around to everyone and bug them and ask them what theyre working on. Its fun to be in that environment where everyone is building and creating.

McDermott said he hopes other stu-dents will be invited to display their work in the district offi ce. To view Katharinas heart-accented footstool, visit the district offi ce at 20 Oak St. in Brentwood.


by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

Liberty High School junior Katharina Durands hand-crafted footstool is now on display at the district of ce in Brentwood. Teacher Chris McDermott said Katharina is one of his best students ever.

Photo by Sarah Singrin

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Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

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Th is single, released in 1976 by Bob Marley and Th e Wailers, combined with other hits such as Waiting in Vain and Jamming, helped keep the bands Exo-dus album on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks. Th at same year, One Love was one of the determining factors for Rolling Stone as the magazine awarded its prestigious Band of the Year award to Bob Marley and Th e Wailers. Last but not least One Love was one of the many reasons that in 1999 Time Magazine recognized Bob Marley and Th e Wailers Exodus album as the greatest album of the 20th century.

Diving deeper into the music, were able to see that Bob Marleys lyrics were a telling story, if not acting as a refl ection of his Rastafarian religious beliefs. It is in this context that we can break down One Love to its religious meaning of LOVE for others, for our fellow-man the meaning of charity in human endeavors. And it is in this light that well fi nd the true subject matter for this article.

Once again seeing a need to aid and assist our current real estate market, the California Housing Finance Agency, oth-erwise known as CalHFA, has completely revamped their home loan programs. Ac-cording to Steve Spears, acting Director for the California Housing Finance Agency, While the fi nancial market turmoil continues and California faces unique challenges economically, there is perhaps no more important time for our agency to

work on behalf of families statewide. Th is is an agency that puts its money where its mouth is: Since the agencys creation in 1975, CalHFA has helped over 150,000 California families realize their dream of homeownership by using over $18 billion in non-taxpayer funds to secure low rate fi xed mortgages, as well as off er down pay-ment assistance programs.

Th eir latest eff ort to help fi rst time buyers those who have not claimed any mortgage interest on their tax returns in the last three years comes in the form of an AMAZING down payment assistance program. And although the guidelines are tighter, and more restrictive than before, the payoff is truly worth itCalifor-nia is willing to cover 99% of a buyers down-payment. In other words those who qualify for the states program will only have to put 1% of their own money towards their down-payment. If youre buying a home for $200,000 instead of bringing in the minimum FHA down pay-ment of 3.5%, or $6,500, youll only need to bring in 1%, or $2,000!

In order to off er this product you have to be CalHFA certifi ed, which I am. Call me and in the words of Bob Marley, Lets get together and feel alright.

If you have any real estate lending related questions or concerns please dont hesitate to write me at [email protected], or call me directly on my cell phone. (925) 726-1444.

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Heritage High School sophomore Zi-nah Abraha, 16, recently took fi rst place at the Byron-Delta Lions Clubs 74th annual Speakers Contest held at Excelsior Middle School. More than 30 students, friends and relatives were in attendance. The contestants were judged by Steve Hill, Fred Critchfi eld, Judi Bartoli, Ethel Reber and Ken Jacopetti.

The other Heritage contestants, accom-panied by speech advisor Roger Haley, were Thomas Hally, Carney Hocking and Matt Papasan. Each of them gave an informative and articulate speech on the controversial matter of Enforcing Our Borders: State vs. Federal Rights.

Its encouraging to me that this high caliber of students will pave the way to our future, said Byron-Delta Lions Club Presi-dent Joyce Sutay.

Each year the Lions of California chal-lenge Speakers contestants with a thought-provoking topic that helps prepare them to become leaders of today and the future. The contest is open to students in grades nine through 12, including foreign exchange stu-dents, and provides more than $21,000 in scholarships.

Zinah will now compete at the Zone Level competition on Feb. 24.

Contributed by Ann Jordan-Talley

Lions Club speakers talk border enforcement

Photo courtesy of Ann Jordan-Talley

Participants in this years Byron-Delta Lions Speaker Contest included Thomas Hally, Matt Papasan, Carney Hocking, advisor Roger Haley and Zinah Abraha.

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The Community Employment Connection is part of our new, enhancedemployment content provided by Northern Californias most-respectedcareer and employment resource, JobJournal.com. When you need the mostcomprehensive information on local employment opportunties, job-searchstrategies, career planning and workplace issues, this is the place to startnosing around.

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Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Painter has spearheaded an effort to bring gardening to students at Independence High School. On Saturday, Feb. 5, Benja-min led a group of Boy Scout volunteers to build and install garden boxes on the school campus.

The garden was created to serve In-dependence High School students as well as developmentally disabled students at the neighboring Gateway program. The garden is designed for all ability levels and includes a planting box created to accom-modate wheelchairs. The shared space

will provide an outdoor classroom where students will plant and care for fl owers, fruit and vegetables.

A grant from the Liberty Union High School District Educational Foundation provided initial funding for the garden. However, supplies are still needed. Do-nations including soil, plants, seeds, gar-dening tools, green houses and fruit trees would be greatly appreciated.

If you have items to donate, call Mel Kysh at 925-634-2589, ext. 1027 or Joy Crum at ext. 1061.

Contributed by Kristen La Follette

Eagle candidate seeks garden gear

Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Painter, right, and Scout Leader and Independence High teacher Mel Kysh work on the garden boxes Benjamin is installing at Independence High School.

Photo courtesy of Kristen La Follette

FEBRUARY 11, 2011 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 15A

David Juarez of Oakley Boy Scout Troop 298 received a proclama-tion from Oakley Mayor Jim Frazier at Tuesdays council meeting honoring him for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. A senior at Heritage High School with a 4.0 GPA, Juarez put on an appreciation din-ner for 200 local veterans, and spearheaded the installation of a plaque Veterans Park in Brentwood. Frazier commended Juarez for his service, admitting that he never made it past the rank of Cub Scout.

Eagle extolled

Photo by Samie Hartley

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For a writer, the opening of a new library is always a happy occasion. Especially when it does so with a magic touch, as presented by prestidigitator Timothy James. The tall, slim man with a distinctive sculptured face instant-ly draws you to him as a confi dent person who knows exactly what he is doing. So you settle back expectantly from the instant he walks into the room where he makes the impossible possible.

Possessing a great sense of humor and in full command of his audience, its no wonder that James has become so popular. The room for his Saturday, Jan. 29 show was quickly jam-packed with both adults and kids. Those who didnt get a chair lined up across the en-tire back wall and sides.

James has built quite a following in Northern California with his library shows, kids shows, trade shows, corporate events, comedy clubs and shipboard cruises. Hes also involved in the California Magic Dinner Theatre in Martinez, where hell be perform-ing the fi rst week in March. To say hes a top-notch entertainer doesnt do him justice. Hes far more than that.

For example, using just a piece of rope, he held the audience spellbound for more than 15 minutes with incredible effects that left audience members with dropped jaws. While this performance was billed for kids, the adults including this writer were every bit as fl abbergasted, amazed, dumbfounded and

even laughing out loud no matter what had been on their mind when they came in. This, of course, defi nes a true entertainer.

His patter lines were original. His bit with a raccoon in a small garbage can marked Danger! was a masterpiece the life-like way the raccoon moved, the objects that it used, a ladder that draped over the side, a fl ag of surrender and the fi nal feat in which a little girl from the audience held out a safety net.

A toaster between them began to smoke, a deck of cards that had been shuffl ed with a secretly chosen card suddenly blew out of the toaster in a stream, and a puppet (like the hu-man cannonball of the circus) shot out and fl ew though that stream, landing safely in the net with the selected card pinned to its nose.

The spanking new Antioch Community Center Library building is itself a jewel in the Gateway of The Delta, as the area is called. It houses one of the fi nest gyms in the area, where a basketball game was being held on this grand opening day. There are community rooms for banquets, special meetings and pre-sentations. There is a full computer section off the library, which is small at the moment, but the librarian will order patrons any book they want from other libraries.

The Antioch Community Center Library is located next to Prewett Family Water Park on 4703 Lone Tree Way. It is well worth stop-ping by. The Center includes a ballroom that can be used as a theater, seating 700, or for dining. The outdoor amphitheater seats 300 and the plaza 116 ideal for authors readings and much more.

Librarys magic touchby Austin MilesCorrespondent


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LETTERS TO THE EDITORYouve got to be kidding

Editor:Im appalled at how some resi-

dents and neighbors in our commu-nity have a need to find controversy in the most benign of topics. The Discovery Bay CSDs recent board policy to no longer accept cash is a smart move for efficiency, safety and liability.

The CSD is not a retail outlet selling everyday merchandise to the public. Accepting cash requires a whole array of procedures and con-trols to insure the proper counting, bookkeeping, safekeeping and trans-portation to the bank. For the very few individuals who have the need to make anonymous requests, they should go get a money order or bank check. If there is a small fee for that, it should be their problem, not the rest of communitys or the boards.

It is frankly moronic for an organization like our CSD to be bothered with all the safekeeping and administrative requirements to properly deal with cash payments. Moving to a non-cash policy is just plain good business sense, which is what we seem to have been lacking. Isnt there any topic that some of our community members can avoid complaining about? The board is trying to reduce costs and stream-line administrative procedures, and as a result, all members of the com-munity will benefit.

We are well beyond the days when everything was paid for in cash; its time to move into the 21st century. Many large businesses and service providers have moved to a non-cash policy years ago; many airlines no longer accept cash for in-flight ser-vices its time to wake up.

Jeff Barbers recent grumbling e-mail to the Press on this topic

clearly demonstrates either naivet or a need for anger-management classes. Jeff and others should save their complaints for significant, meaningful and legitimate issues and stop the whining and pettiness on every minor topic. The rest of us who want legitimate and construc-tive change are really getting tired of those in the community who do little to contribute, but make a sport of poking their fingers in the eye of whoever volunteers their time to the CSD Board.

I applaud the boards decision to employ smart business practices and find ways to reduce its operating costs. Separately, I look forward to the day when the perennial complain-ers do something constructive for the community.

Bill KlippDiscovery Bay

Better solution than pollutionEditor:

I am deeply concerned about the health and well-being for my family and our local community because of the purposed power generating sta-tion in Oakley and other plants in the surrounding area.

Being that I have asthma and my children are doing a number outdoor sports, I am sure that 1 million tons of pollution that would be pumped in to our air is not in any way good or healthy for all of us.

This plant is being called green technology by Radback just because they say that it may or could put out 40 percent less pollution than other gas burning power plants. This will be 60 percent more pollution or 1 million tons of pollution from just the Oakley power plant, according to Radback if that number is truly correct. I asked Radback to let me know how many cars would it take to make 1 million ton of pollution; they could or would not share that infor-mation with me after a half dozen attempts to get the details.

There are other ways to meet the needs for power in our future and our childrens future. What do we have so much of in our area? The Delta offers us the winds and sun. Solar and wind power are a true green technology.

Five years ago I spent some time on the big island of Hawaii and found this building that produced 40 times more energy that it used just by its design. It was built by the Na-ture Energy Laboratory of Hawaii. Our city of Oakley could work with our local home builder to place solar

panels or solar shingles on all of our new home construction that would create more jobs, energy and a better future instead of 1 million tons of pollution.

The city of Oakley could also work with all new commercial construction to have solar panels on the commercial building as well. We could generate power and taxes from a newer true green technology instead of 1 million tons of pollution a year or more from a gas-burning power plant. We could set up a wind farm on Jersey Island with the help of our very own Iron House Sanitary District. Thats just a few things we could do better than 1 million tons of pollution.

Ron ParisOakley

Radback plant not harmlessEditor:

Exposure to organic emissions, particulate matter (PM) pollution produced from burning natural gas, has been associated with respira-tory and cardiac problems, infec-tions, asthma attacks, lung cancer and increased mortality due to the particulates being deposited in the lungs, brain and circulatory system. Fine particulate air pollution (


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A sampling of recent law enforcement activity reported by East County police de-partments.BRENTWOODJan. 31, 9:12 p.m. A subject caught shoplift-ing at a business on Lone Tree Way and placed under citizens arrest was found to have prior convictions for petty theft. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Jan. 31, 10:48 p.m. On Lone Tree Way, a sub-ject stopped for vehicle code violations was found to be on active parole. A search of the vehicle produced an assault rifl e, a 22-round magazine, and 540 rounds of ammunition. A parole hold was placed on the subject and he was arrested and taken to the Martinez De-tention Facility.Feb. 1, 9:29 a.m. An unidentifi ed person stole copper wiring from a cell phone tower on West Country Club Drive.Feb. 1, 10:55 a.m. At a school on American Avenue, a subject was found in possession of a knife. He was arrested and released on a Ju-venile Affi davit.Feb. 1, 4:02 p.m. An unidentifi ed person en-tered a residence on Gann Street by prying open a side window and proceeded to pry open a safe and steal coins and a handgun.Feb. 1, 7:59 p.m. A resident sent money via Western Union to purchase a vehicle on Craigslist and did not receive the vehicle.Feb. 1, 9:44 p.m. A subject contacted in a parked vehicle on Cobalt Lane at Boulder Street was found to have a no-cite felony war-rant for his arrest and was in possession of hydrocodone. A second subject in the vehicle was found to be in possession of hydrocodone and codeine. Both were arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 2, 6:09 a.m. A driver ran a red light at the intersection of Balfour Road and the High-way 4 Bypass and struck another vehicle, which careened into a third vehicle. Two sub-jects were transported to an area hospital for medical attention.Feb. 2, 4:49 p.m. On Sand Creek Road at Brentwood Boulevard, a subject was involved in a verbal argument with another subject in violation of a protective order. He was ar-rested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 3, 9:01 a.m. An unidentifi ed person stole a handbag from an unlocked vehicle parked

on Brentwood Boulevard.Feb. 3, 2:25 p.m. An unidentifi ed person stole two pairs of tennis shoes from a business on Lone Tree Way.Feb. 3, 6:36 p.m. An unidentifi ed driver struck a tree on Spyglass Drive.Feb. 3, 11:55 p.m. A subject involved in a col-lision with a parked vehicle on Dainty Avenue at Sarah Street was arrested for driving under the infl uence of alcohol and transported to an area hospital for medical attention.Feb. 4, Noon An unidentifi ed person stole a check from the mailbox of a residence on Outlook Court.Feb. 4, 2:30 p.m. A citizen turned in two guns for destruction at police headquarters.Feb. 4, 4:01 p.m. An unidentifi ed person stole plumbing fi xtures from an abandoned resi-dence on Curtis Drive.Feb. 4, 9:56 p.m. A vehicle blocking a drive-way on Wakefi eld Court was towed away.Feb. 4, 11:31 p.m. On Balfour Road at Brent-wood Boulevard, a subject stopped for vehicle code violations was arrested for driving under the infl uence of alcohol.Feb. 5, 11:23 a.m. An unidentifi ed person used a stolen debit card to make fraudulent transactions at a business on Brentwood Bou-levard.Feb. 5, 12:47 p.m. An unidentifi ed person stole plastic and a bale of cardboard from the rear of a business on Brentwood Boulevard.Feb. 5, 4:08 p.m. On Oak Street at Walnut Boulevard, a subject stopped for a vehicle code violation was found to be driving with-out a license.Feb. 5, 6:05 p.m. A resident of Wentworth Court at Berkshire Lane was bitten by her dog. She took herself to the hospital, and Animal Control took custody of the dog.Feb. 5, 6:54 p.m. On Sand Creek Road, an unidentifi ed driver struck another vehicle and fl ed the scene without providing contact infor-mation.Feb. 5, 10:01 p.m. On Meadowgate Way at San Jose Drive, a subject stopped for a vehicle code violation was found to be under the in-fl uence of a central nervous system stimulant. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 6, 1:05 a.m. A business on Brentwood Boulevard was found in violation of its Con-ditional Use Permit.

To view the Brentwood Police Depart-ments public logs on the citys Web site, visit www.ci.brentwood.ca.us/department/pd/re-ports/index.cfm.OAKLEYJan. 24 A vehicle was towed from the 1900 block of West Summerfi eld Court. Jan. 24 A hit-and-run incident occurred on the 5500 block of Bridgehead Road.Jan. 24 On the 2400 block of Main Street, a subject was arrested for driving under the infl uence of alcohol.Jan. 24 On the 1000 block of Neroly Road, a subject was found in possession of drugs, a hypodermic needle and syringe.Jan. 24 An automobile parked on the 100 block of Connie Court was burglarized.Jan. 24 Grand theft of vehicle parts oc-curred on the 4000 block of Sequoia Drive and the 2200 block of El Monte Drive.Jan. 24 Identity theft was reported on the 300 block of Brownstone Road.Jan. 25 On East Cypress Road at Sellers Avenue, a subject was found in violation of probation.Jan. 25 Vehicles were towed from West Cy-press Road at OHara Avenue and from the 3800 block of Harvest Circle.Jan. 26 A vehicle was stolen from the 1400 block of West Cypress Road.Jan. 26 Vehicle accidents with property damage occurred on Beldin Lane at Oakley Road, on East Cypress Road at Main Street and on the 3600 block of Main Street.Jan. 26 On the 5400 block of Neroly Road and on West Home Street at OHara Avenue, subjects were arrested for driving under the infl uence of alcohol.Jan. 27 A subject was found in possession of dangerous drugs on Seventh Street at Main Street.Jan. 27 Arrest warrants were served on the 400 block of Delta Road, the 4800 block of Mammouth Lane and the 1800 block of Te-resa Lane.Jan. 28 A residence on the 100 block of Do-natello Way was vandalized.Jan. 29 On Third Street at East Ruby Street, a subject was cited for reckless driving.Jan. 29 On Laurel Road at Live Oak Av-enue, a subject was arrested for driving under the infl uence of alcohol.Jan. 29 A domestic violence court order

was issued on the 4800 block of Live Oak Avenue.Jan. 29 A business on the 2500 block of Main Street was burglarized.Jan. 31 Juveniles on the 900 block of Al-maden Circle and the 1800 block of Concan-non Drive were reported as runaways.Jan. 31 A vehicle accident with injuries oc-curred on Almaden Circle at Vintage Park-way.Jan. 31 A vehicle was towed from the 1100 block of Chianti Way.Jan. 31 At a school on the 1100 block of OHara Avenue, a subject was found in pos-session of a weapon.DISCOVERY BAYJan. 1 A residence on the 2400 block of San Simeon Court was burglarized.Jan. 5 An automobile parked on the 4000 block of Regatta Drive was burglarized.Jan. 6 An arrest warrant was served on the 5300 block of Gold Creek Circle.Jan. 8 Grand theft from a vehicle occurred on the 3600 block of Yacht Drive.Jan. 8 A subject was arrested for public intoxication on the 2100 block of Newport Court.Jan. 10 An adult was reported as missing from the 3500 block of Catalina Way.Jan. 10 Juveniles were reported as missing from the 3900 block of Regatta Drive and from the 3500 block of Sailboat Drive.Jan. 12 A juvenile was reported as a runaway from the 400 block of Hampshire Drive.Jan. 14 On the 1800 block of Cherry Hills Drive, a subject was found in possession of dangerous drugs.Jan. 17 An automobile parked on the 2400 block of Discovery Bay Boulevard was bur-glarized.Jan. 17 A residence on the 2400 block of Discovery Bay Boulevard was vandalized.Jan. 18 Grand theft occurred on the 2200 block of Winchester Loop.Jan. 20 A subject was observed brandishing a weapon on the 2200 block of Sand Point Road.Jan. 21 An armed robbery occurred on the 4900 block of Discovery Point.Jan. 28 A residence on the 1500 block of Riverlake Road was burglarized.Jan. 29 An automobile on the 2400 block of Imperial Court was burglarized.

COP LOGSFROM EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCH LOGS A Brentwood resident sent money via Western Union to purchase a vehicle on Craigslist and did not receive the vehicle. Feb. 1, 7:59 p.m.


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Legendary lefty Vida Blue, who pitched for the Oakland As, San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals, stopped by Bases Loaded in Antioch recently to sign his biography, Vida Blue: A Life. Penned by Blue and Marty Friedman, the book follows the hard-throwing south-paw from his childhood in Louisiana through the minor leagues and his rise to Major League stardom. Blue pitched from 1969 to 1986, winning 209 games. The book is available at www.thevidabluebook.com.

Bringing the heat

Photo by Justin Lafferty

ing academic achievement, a goal he shared with parents during a forum on Monday.

Walsh showed parents a chart that showed that while Liberty students SAT aver-ages are some of the highest in East County, theyre below average compared to state and national marks a statistic hed like to see change, but will need help to make it happen.

The challenge for me is how do I, in a (school) community thats more than 100 years old, convince people who feel like were doing a pretty good job that there are some things we can do better. And in order to do better, were going to have to change some things, Walsh told the parents. We want to make sure our kids are prepared for the future. Thats what were going to do here (at Liberty). What were not going to do is blame the kids (for these scores). I promise you that. What we need to do is change what were do-ing.

While Walsh admits it will take time to implement changes, the support of staff and parents is crucial to helping students rise above the local, state and national averages. Its a huge undertaking, but Walsh has confi dence in his staff and believes that together they can make Liberty a better school: Our goal is to turn a good school into a great school.

To make sure Liberty students are pre-pared for college and the future, Walsh wants to help change students attitudes so theyll challenge themselves and take on the most rigorous academic schedule they can handle and still make time for athletics and extracur-ricular activates. To help transition students into a new mindset, Walsh is asking parents

to get more involved in their childrens educa-tion.

Liberty teacher Beth Decker, who also made a presentation at the parents forum, said the greatest investment parents can make is in their childrens future by supporting them throughout their high school careers.

Mondays inaugural parents forum was attended by a modest group of 20, including a few teachers and administrative staff. Walsh highly supports these forums and hopes to see more parents at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for early March.

Id like to see a hundred parents at these parent forums, Walsh said. This is a chance to promote dialogue and fi nd ways to best support the students. This is also a place where parents can support each other. Raising teenagers is no easy task and in these forums they can fi nd support for themselves as well as their students.

Walsh is no stranger to raising high school students. He has three children in col-lege, so he knows personally and profession-ally whats needed to help students achieve success, and hes ready for the challenge. But before he starts to break ground on his plan to improve student success, Walsh is taking the time to learn everything about Libertys pro-cedures, practices and policies so he can col-laborate with staff to fi nd the best solution.

I respect and honor the work that the staff has done over the years establishing a foundation, but there is room for improve-ment so that our students are ready for the future, he said. Im looking forward to that challenge.


Principal from page 7A


SPOTLIGHT N BUSINESS Spotlight on Business, provided each week by The Press, presents news and information about our business community. To contribute to this section, e-mail [email protected].

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, located at The Streets of Brentwood, recent-ly donated 107 pounds of fudge to Blue Star Moms. Fudge donations were generated through its inaugural Fudge for Troops pro-motion campaign held in the store during the month of November. All donated fudge was placed in packages shipped overseas to our service men and women last month.

The Fudge for Troops campaign matched every pound of fudge sold in the store during the month of November. Its always humbling to see the high esteem that the community has for the young men and women who are serving in the armed ser-vices in harms way, said Becky Hultgren, care package project manager for Blue Star Moms. These are all of our kids. Blue Star Moms, Chapter 101 would like to thank Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for their wonderful donations to give these men

and women a taste from home. God bless you for your contributions.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory owners Christine and Craig McKnight were thrilled with the success of the campaign. We set an ambitious goal of selling 100 pounds of fudge for this campaign, said Christine. With the amazing support of our employees and the generosity of our cus-tomers, we managed to exceed that goal. We would like to thank everyone who made this campaign a success. We really enjoyed our-selves and are pleased we could make such a generous donation to Blue Star Moms.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a franchise, gourmet chocolate store specializing in handmade chocolates, cara-mel apples, dipped strawberries, specialty gifting, weddings and community fund-raisers. For more information, visit www.brentwoodchocolates.com.

Sweet surprise for troops

At Bamboo Village Martial Arts Academy, kids study traditional karate and gain all the bene ts of martial arts, including better manners and improved behavior and focus. Students also learn the value of leadership, improve socialization, goal setting, time man-agement and study skills plus reap the rewards of physical exercise. To learn more about Bamboo Village, check out this weeks Spotlight on Business video at www.thepress.net.

It takes a Village

Sponsored by Discovery Bay Lions Club

And other local Lions Clubs

To Bene t Lions Center for the Visually Impaired

Getaway Crab Feed

For Tickets Please Contact: Chairman Lion Dave Ciruli 634-0980, Lion LeeAnn 634-5087 or Lion Bob 634-7454

No Tickets Will Be Sold At The Door!

Saturday, February 26, 20116:00pm Cocktails 7:00pm Dinner

American Legion Hall Post 202757 First Street, Brentwood

$40/person only 300 tickets will be sold

Crab Pasta Salad Garlic BreadNo-Host Bar Raf e

Contest for Best Decorated TableGrand Prize:

4-Day Carnival Cruise to Baja!$10 Corkage Fee No Flames Permitted in Hall

WE BUY 90% U.S. SILVER COINS-PRE 1965

*U.S. Dimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.40 or More *U.S. Quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.50 or More *U.S. Half Dollars . . . . . . . . . . $7.00 or More *Morgan Silver Dollars . . . . . . . $17.00 or More * U.S. Peace Dollars . . . . . . . . $17.00 or More

925-926-0555 Buyers and Sellers of Gold and Silver bullion coins: American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs,

Austrian Philharmonics, So. African Krugerrands, private mint bars and rounds and many

other sovereign coins.

www.bullion-1.com 1639 Bonanza Street, Walnut Creek Hours M-F 9-5, Sat 10-2 or by appointment *Prices subject to change based on market rate

Top prices paid for

unwanted gold jewelry

The First Name in Gold and Silver.


ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Tracy An-glim, 5327 Cypress Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALI-FORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court St., Martinez, CA 94553 PETI-TION OF: Tracy Anglim FOR CHANGE OF NAME ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: N11-0229 TO ALL INTERESTED PER-SONS: 1. Petitioner: Tracy Anglim led a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Tracy E. Christa Anglim (AKA) Tracy Anglim-Lacey (AKA) Tracy C. Lacey to Proposed Name: Tracy Christa Lacey 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hear-ing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 4/5/11 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept. 60 Room 102 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the peti-tion in the following newspaper of gen-eral circulation, printed in this county: BRENTWOOD PRESS Date: February 7, 2011 Judith A. Sanders, Pro tem Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 2011

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETS No. 08-0065610 Title Order No. 08-8-238937 Investor/Insurer No. APN No. 068-071-004-3 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 12/20/2004. UNLESS YOU TAKE AC-TION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CON-TACT A LAWYER. Notice is hereby given that RECONTRUST COMPANY, as duly appointed trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by: JEANETTE THOMAS, A SINGLE WOMAN, dated 12/20/2004 and recorded 01/07/05, as Instrument No. 2005-0007310-00, in Book , Page ), of Of cial Records in the of ce of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, State of California, will sell on 03/11/2011 at 10:00AM, At the Court Street entrance to the County Courthouse (corner of Main and Court Street), 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash or check as described below, payable in full at time of sale, all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust, in the property situated in said County and State and as more fully de-scribed in the above referenced Deed of Trust. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 505 KEAN AVENUE, ANTIOCH, CA, 945090000. The undersigned

Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with interest thereon of the obligation secured by the prop-erty to be sold plus reasonable esti-mated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $238,688.20. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebtedness due. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept cashiers checks drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank speci ed in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. Said sale will be made, in an AS IS condition, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, posses-sion or encumbrances, to satisfy the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, advances thereunder, with interest as provided, and the unpaid principal of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust with interest thereon as provided in said Note, plus fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. DATED: 09/24/2008 RECON-TRUST COMPANY 1800 Tapo Canyon Rd., SV2-202 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone: (800) 281 8219, Sale Informa-

tion (626) 927-4399 By: Trustees Sale Of cer RECONTRUST COMPANY is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. ASAP# 3905322 02/11/2011, 02/18/2011, 02/25/2011Antioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: February 11, 18, 25, 2011

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALET.S. No. GM-193049-C Investor No. 0006009438 Loan No. 0359184151 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 8/1/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLA-NATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PRO-CEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, ca-shiers check drawn on a state or na-tional bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank speci ed in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and autho-rized to do business in this state, will be held by the duly appointed trustee. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to satisfy the obli-gation secured by said Deed of Trust. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other com-

mon designation, if any, shown herein. TRUSTOR: ASHLEY V. DAVID AND NOSHEEN DAVID HUSBAND AND WIFE Recorded 8/9/2005 as Instrument No. 2005-0297395-00 in Book , page of Of cial Records in the of ce of the Recorder of Contra Costa County, Cali-fornia, Date of Sale:3/4/2011 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: At the Court Street entrance to the County Courthouse, 725 Court Street (corner of Main and Court Street), Martinez, California Property Address is purported to be: 5417 SUMMERFIELD DRIVE ANTIOCH, California 94531-0000 APN #: 056-300-027 The total amount secured by said instrument as of the time of initial pub-lication of this notice is $740,743.00, which includes the total amount of the unpaid balance (including accrued and unpaid interest) and reasonable estimated costs, expenses, and ad-vances at the time of initial publication of this notice. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the bene ciary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as fol-lows: [ 1 ] The mortgage loan servicer has obtained from the commissioner a nal or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is cur-rent and valid on the date the notice of sale is led; [ 2 ] The timeframe for giving notice of sale speci ed in sub-division (a) of Section 2923.52 does not apply pursuant to Section 2923.52 or 2923.55. Date: 2/4/2011 ETS Ser-vices, LLC 2255 North Ontario Street,

Suite 400 Burbank, California 91504-3120 Sale Line: 714-730-2727 Omar Solorzano, TRUSTEE SALE OFFICER ASAP# 3905269 02/11/2011, 02/18/2011, 02/25/2011Antioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: February 11, 18, 25, 2011

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNotice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Brentwood will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business permits on February 22, 2011, hold a public hearing to consider the following: Con-sideration of Resolutions approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration and General Plan Amendment No. 10-001 to change the General Plan desig-nation from General Commercial to High Density Residential, and an ordi-nance approving Rezone No. 10-004 to change the zoning from Thoroughfare Commercial to Planned Develop-ment No. 23 in order to adopt project-speci c development standards for an apartment project known as The Grove at Sunset Court, located east of Brentwood Boulevard and north of Havenwood Avenue at 201 Sunset Court (APN 106-180-014). Applicant: Meta Housing The Planning Commis-sion held a public hearing to consider the application on May 18, 2010, and recommended that it be approved by the City Council. Said hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 101B Sand Creek Road, Brentwood,

California. Further information may be obtained from Assistant Planner Tim Nielsen (925) 516-5151 or [email protected] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 118 Oak Street, Brent-wood, California 94513. In any court challenge of City Council decisions, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brentwood City Coun-cil at, or prior to, the public hearing.Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Date: February 11, 2011

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File #F-0000219-00 The name of the busi-ness (es): The Vineyard Inn Located at: 6740 Balfour Road In: Brentwood, CA 94513, Mailing: P.O. Box 309, Brentwood, CA 94513 Is hereby registered by the fol-lowing owner(s):Glenda Cohn, 6740 Bal-four Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. This business is conducted by: an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the ctitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. Signature of registrant: Glenda Cohn This statement was led with Stephen L Weir, County Clerk Of Contra Costa County on: January 12, 2011 By: Jose Gonzalez, Deputy Expires: January 12, 2016Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 2011

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES

work looking for a home for the center.You know, weve been supporting the

troops and military families here in the com-munity and overseas for years now, said Monaghan. And the more I saw kids com-ing home, and the more I spoke with their parents, I was hearing stories of transition diffi culties and not being able to reconnect with their families or communities and I knew something needed to be done.

Last month, Monaghan signed the lease on a Pittsburg facility large enough to accommodate a recreation center and offi c-es for guest lecturers, conferences and peer counseling. Staffed by East County veter-ans, the center will serve as a safe haven and resource facility for veterans re-entering the workforce, returning to college and/or tran-sitioning from combat to everyday life.

And while the peer resource and recreation center is open to all veterans, Monaghan believes that the new facil-ity might appeal especially to those re-turning from overseas. The thing is, said Monaghan, that everyones war was their own war. And the kids returning home now have very little in common with the veterans at the VFW or other clubs because of their age and experience. Certainly you all empa-thize with each other, but it was a different war and a different time.

The economy is so bad right now that soldiers returning home have to deal with the economics of having no job, fi guring out how to support their families, or whether or not to return to school. They can come here and talk to each other, mentor each

other and make contacts with each other for work, school or whatever. Its about support. Thats what were all about.

Wayne Stephens, a veteran volunteer for the center, believes that the new facility is long overdue. This (center) is defi nitely a necessity in this area, said Stephens, a vet-eran infantryman of Iraq and Afghanistan who served in the 10th Mountain Division. Basically were trying to change the whole way the system works for soldiers when they get home. They have a lot of issues and sometimes people dont relate to them very well. And we want to offer them something other than a place to go and have a drink. One thing they teach you in the Army is to get it done, and thats all were trying to do here. Just get it done.

The grand opening of the peer center, 520 Garcia Ave. in Pittsburg, will kick off Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. with a Warriors Walk beginning at the facility. Registration starts at 9 a.m. The event features a conti-nental breakfast, the Warriors Walk, re-freshments and music.

Celebrating the opening of the cen-ter with a Warriors Walk, according to Monaghan, is a positive beginning to what she knows will be a successful venture. From everything I know, said Monaghan, this is going to be a success. Its the right time, its the right need, and its the right thing to do. In the end you always see the miracle, and this is it.

For registration, donation or sponsor-ship information, call Jeanine Thomas at 925-408-9112 or e-mail [email protected].


Veterans from page 1A

Theres more to Facebook than Farmville and poking your friends. Brentwood resident Brandi Lohr tapped into the social network last month to search for her father, and after a few days of hunt-ing, made a connection with family members on her fathers side and arranged a meeting. Lohr met her father, Jim Gise, above, for the rst time at Tailgaters last weekend. Gise lives in Martinez, and the two plan to stay in touch and get to know each other. To view highlights of this special meeting, visit www.thepress.net.

Family matters

Photo by Austin Cook

wrong with their community many took action.

Gougeon said that over the course of the forum, 10 attendees signed up for the volunteer-run Graffi ti Abatement Pro-gram and another handful applied for the Antioch Police Departments Volunteers in Police Service program.

Meanwhile, TBA member Jenni-fer McVicker spoke up at Tuesdays City Council meeting on the subject of code en-forcement. The homes that remain vacant are not maintained, with overgrown weeds and decaying buildings, McVicker said.

The homes taken over by squatters are vandalized or worse used to grow mari-juana or cook hard drugs. These homes are not only a blight on our community; they are hazardous to the health of our citizens. Code enforcement can solve these prob-lems and more by requiring that the legal owners of these homes maintain them to the standards set by the city.

The forum also synchronized with the citys monthly Saturday cleanup, which was organized by the police department and held the day after the meeting. More than 100 people showed up at Meadow Creek Park to pick up garbage. They even found a discarded gun safe containing

a bevy of personal information. Many people at the cleanup said they were mo-tivated to come out because of the forum and TBAs actions.

I think its a wonderful opportunity for us to rejuvenate the public under these conditions, said Leroy Lui, a 37-year resi-dent of Antioch and neighborhood watch block captain. There was a lot of energy in that meeting. What I noticed is there were some cries for help. And the people that could help they were there.

A victim of earlier budget cuts, the cleanup program has been reinstated. Late last year, the Antioch PD decided that it could no longer fund the monthly

event. Recently, crime prevention offi c

Antioch Press_02.11.11

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