Antioch Press_05.14.10

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MAY 14, 2010 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 3A

Cherry jubilee at farmers marketsSweet juicy cherries are now in full

supply in Brentwood and other Pacifi c Coast Farmers Market Association markets, a sure sign that summer is right around the corner.

Nature has been kind to the cherry crop this year. Even the heavy rains havent prevented from offering an abundant sup-ply for East Countys palatal pleasure. Fresh California cherries are available at the farmers market from May through June, a short season, so grab them now and savor their fresh, sweet goodness.

The cherry season is normally done by June, said Kathey Tachella of Tachella Family Farms in Brentwood. Memorial Day weekend is a major time for cherry picking. Our U-Pick will kick off on May 22, but weve had people asking about it since the beginning of the month. As soon as the sunshines out, people come asking about cherries.

Tachella said this years cherry sea-son might extend into June as a result of the crazy weather the region has experienced in the past months. Were at Mother Natures mercy. We might be cleared out by the end of the month, but we might make it a week or two into June. Well have to wait and see.

California is home to more than 600 cherry growers farming more than 26,000 acres from here in the Bay Area. The fer-tile San Joaquin and Santa Clara valleys receive nutrient-rich soil, sunny days and

mild nights. These superior growing con-ditions result in bountiful harvests.

The early Burlat variety (tangy and dark red in color) and the Brooks variety (sweet and medium red) are the fi rst to ar-rive at the market. The Bing (sweet red)

and Rainier (sweet yellow/orange/red) come late in the season.

Pick up a few baskets of cherries for your next dessert recipe or try canning them as jam, chutney or pie fi lling to sa-vor this winter. Add to yogurt, toss in a

salad, make a fl avorful sauce for meats and chicken, or just grab a handful and enjoy fresh.

The PCFMA is the states largest operator of certifi ed farmers markets, supervising more than 60 markets weekly in the Bay Area during the peak summer months. Certifi ed farmers markets offer only California-grown products sold di-rectly to consumers by the farmers who grew, nurtured and harvested the crops. All PCFMA markets accept WIC FMNP (Woman Infant and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons) and EBT (the Golden State advantage food stamp cards).

The Brentwood Farmers Market is held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon on First Street between Oak and Chestnut streets. The Antioch Farmers Market is held Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente, 4501 Sand Creek Road.

Tachella Family Farms, which is featured at both the Antioch and Brent-wood farmers markets, is located at 2017 Walnut Blvd. in Brentwood. The stand is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 925-513-8495.

For more information on Bay Area farmers markets, call the Pacifi c Coast Farmers Market Association at 800- 949-FARM (3276), 925-825-9090, or visit www.pcfma.com.

These Bing cherries await U-Pickers at Maggiore Cherry Farms on Walnut Boulevard in Brentwood. If you prefer your cherries in a basket, youll nd plenty of them at your local farmers market.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

Free Health Program

Learn about your risks and treatment for GERD/Barretts Esophagus/Esophageal Cancer

Saturday May 22 8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.The Brentwood Golf Club

100 Summerset Drive, Brentwood, CA

Come hear clinical experts discuss Gastroesophageal Reux Disease (GERD), a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid ows back into the esophagus, or food pipe, which can cause serious irritation and heartburn that can lead to a pre-cancerous condition called Barretts Esophagus.

Expert physician panel and topics include:

Prem Chahal, M.D., Gastroenterology Is it only heartburn?- medical solutions for GERD

Wilson Tsai, M.D., Surgery Advanced surgical treatment options for GERD Non-surgical treatment options for Barretts Esophagus

Susie Howard, Registered Dietitian What to eat and not to eat- nutritional information regarding GERD

To reserve your spot call (925) 947-4447 or for more information visit www.johnmuirhealth.com

Sponsored by John Muir Health, EndoGastric Solutions & BRRX Medical, Inc.

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4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MAY 14, 2010

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This months home was selected because of its understated elegance and immaculately kept yard. For the Smith family, this is a labor of love; for the neighborhood, a scenic view to enjoy on a regular basis. The Brentwood Advisory Neighborhood Committee (BANC) runs its Home of the Month program to encourage and thank homeowners for keeping their properties up and enhancing the look and property values of their neighborhood. To learn more, call Michele Keady at 925-634-6911.

April Home of the MonthPhoto courtesy of Michele Keady

Triad Council to help protect, educate seniors

The Brentwood Police Department recently invited representatives from Brentwoods senior residential areas and those responsible for providing se-nior services in the community to join a Triad Council.

The purpose of the council is to educate and protect the seniors living in Brentwood and offer a program of a shared community response to a grow-ing problem in America: senior crime. The council will be composed of the triad of law enforcement, community groups and senior citizens. Its focus is to make seniors more aware of the ser-vices available to them throughout the community and offer them a safety net to protect them from becoming victims of crime.

About 31 percent of seniors live alone, and the group 85 and older is the fastest-growing segment. In 2011, the first of the baby boomers will turn 65, and by 2030, one in five Americans will be over 65. This fast-growing de-mographic has encouraged con artists to focus their scams on this group. The Triad Council will work to counter this trend by educating seniors about the scams and how to report them when theyre discovered.

The senior community is grow-

ing in Brentwood, said Lt. Doug Silva of the Brentwood Police Department. There are more than 12,000 residents over the age of 55, so we believe it is important to have a program like this available to protect the elderly in this community and reduce their fears of crime. Everyone should feel safe in Brentwood.

While much of the focus of the National Triad Program revolves around crime prevention, the local 12-member council will also incorporate the educational aspect of informing se-niors and their caregivers of the areas myriad programs, including emergency preparedness for those with special needs, Adopt-a-Senior, home safety awareness and driver safety. From the law enforcement perspective, seniors will be given information about how to protect themselves from financial and physical abuse, Internet and tele-marketing scams, and how not to be a target of crime.

In the coming months, the council will develop and distribute a survey to determine what types of programs are of greatest interest to the senior com-munity.

For further information, call Silva at 925-809-7712.

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WHY ARE SOME SHORT SALES PRICED SO LOW?There are some listings in our area that

are priced so low, they seem too good to be true. If you are a Seller, you may think the market is even worse than your worst fears. If you are a Buyer, you may lick your chops at the great deal you are about to get. More often than not, when you see a home listed at an unbelievably low price, its probably a short sale where the owner and agent just dont quite understand how short sales are supposed to work.

There is a psychology at work here on both the owners and agents part that clouds their judgment in regards to pricing. The owner is thinking, Hey, it doesnt matter to me, Im not going to see a dime of this money. Lets price it super-low to get offers right away so I can stop showing the home. Let the bank take the loss And the agent is thinking, Well, buyers and agents tend to avoid short sales, so I want to price it low to guarantee we get interest and showings. We have to give them SOMETHING to compensate for the stigma of being a short sale.

But what happens all too often in this situation is that the home does go into contract immediately, but once the bank appraises the home, theyll discover that it was listed way under market value. The bank will counter back on price, probably close to market value. The Buyer cancels because they are no longer getting a great deal and it goes back on the market. So all thats been accomplished is irri-tating your contact at the bank and wasting a lot of everyones time.

Weve had better luck listing short sales at market value, or even slightly above for the first month. That way youll be able to make a stronger case to the bank that the offer you are presenting represents a good deal for the bank as you are getting them market value for the home and at the same time it saves them the costs of going through a foreclosure.

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

Ready, set oh no!Nothing spoils a day more than breaking

down on the water and it always seems to happen at the most inopportune time. More often than not, however, the problem can be avoided with a little pre-season attention.

Most boats suffer more from sitting than from actual use. Fuel gets stale, belts crack, batteries run down and seals dry out. Three springtime maintenance must-dos include: fresh fuel, fresh fl uids and a fresh charge.

Top up the tank with fresh gas, thereby diluting the old gas sit-ting over winter. (Add-ing fuel stabilizer in the

fall is a good idea.) Add a can each of water absorber and octane boost with the fresh gas for some extra insurance at very little cost.

Fresh fl uids typically mean engine oil and gear box or lower unit oil. Follow the manufacturers recommendations for spe-cifi cs. Marine engines run harder than car engines. Higher revs and frequent starts and stops break down the lubricating properties of oil faster. There is also a higher tendency for water to fi nd its way into these areas either by seeping or condensation. A milky consis-tency suggests the presence of water, a condi-tion requiring further investigation.

Third, with good ventilation present, put that battery on a charger to top it up. Even

when batteries are not used much, they dont last forever. If properly cared for, four seasons is about all I would rely on. If the charger shows high initial amp draw that falls off over time, chances are good the battery is still ser-viceable. An Internet search of marine bat-tery maintenance will provide more detailed information on batteries.

Once your fuel, fl uids and battery have been freshened, dont overlook belts, hoses and zincs. These are annual inspection items. Check for wear, cracking, leaks or other ab-normalities. Follow the engine manufactures schedule for service and maintenance of non-visible items such as water pump replace-ment and valve adjustment. Robert Amos, manager of The Boat Dock (Discovery Bay) says the water pump is often overlooked and a common cause of breakdowns. He recom-mends replacement every year or every hun-dred hours on most engines (inboards and outboards) to be safe.

Lastly, rather than temping fate with the whole family, plan your fi rst day on the water with a boating buddy. Run your boats hard for an hour close to the launch point, then look, listen and feel. Use your natural senses to dis-cover and diagnose any potential problems. Breakdowns often present with clues ahead of time. If you happen to have one, your boat-ing buddy offers a short tow back.

A Saturday afternoon of spring mainte-nance can help prevent a whole day of break-down hassles and disappointment. Have fun and boat safe.

ON THEWATER

CAPT. JONBLOOM

8A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION MAY 14, 2010

In their effort to provide a safe and sober all-night graduation party, parents of Heritage High School seniors have been working feverishly since March getting ready to put on the best party of the year for its graduates.

Grad Nights at Heritage go above and beyond, said Grad Night Volunteer Coor-dinator Sue Harper. We want the seniors to have a fun, safe and sober evening, so we plan a lot of fun activities and surprises to make it a special night. But it takes a lot of volunteer help to get it done.

Heritages graduation takes place Sat-urday, June 5, so the Grad Night Commit-tee has only three weeks left to prepare, and more volunteers are needed to make the event happen.

We want every senior to be there, and this year, weve got about 450 kids graduat-ing, so it takes a lot of effort to get things ready, said Harper. We completely trans-form the cafeteria and the campus green, and the kids are always surprised with what we come up with. They dont even realize theyre on campus.

Grad Night volunteers have been busy creating sets and assembling decorations to help transform Heritage into a lavish party

venue, complete with a rock-climbing wall, a casino, a henna tattoo station, a photo booth and more. A DJ and a hypnotist will also be on hand to entertain the graduates.

Volunteers put so much effort into the event that the Grad Night Committee will host a special public preview from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 5 before Grad Night kicks off at 10 p.m. to showcase all of the volunteers handiwork.

We want all Heritage parents to get in-volved, said Harper. Even if your students arent seniors, its important to be involved to get an idea of what it is like to put one of these events together. It takes a lot of planning and fundraising, but its all worth it because its for

the kids. We want them to be safe and not out on the roads on graduation night. Its always a dangerous time of year, and wed prefer to have all our seniors here at Heritage for a safe and sober celebration, because this is the last time that theyll all be together, so we want this to be a fun and memorable night for them.

Members of the community are invited to help the Grad Night Committee put on this event for the Heritage Class of 2010. Volun-teers are needed for setup and cleanup, and as chaperones and activity-station workers.

For more information about Grad Night and how to help out, e-mail Harper at [email protected].

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Help needed for Heritage Grad Nightby Samie Hartley

Staff Writer

MAY 14, 2010 THEPRESS.NET | 9A

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Walmart wants to RENOVATE and expand to provideconvenient ONE-STOP SHOPPING in Antioch

Convenient One-Stop ShoppingExpanding the Walmart to include groceries, a fullbakery, and a deli will help working families inAntioch save time by offering one-stop shoppingfor most of their needs.

New Job OpportunitiesThe expansion will bring 85 new jobs to Antioch.Walmart offers competitive wages at all careerlevels and we are proud to provide acomprehensive benefits package to both full-timeand part-time associates. The average pay forregular, full-time hourly associates in California is$12.10 per hour. Additionally, associates areeligible for business performance-based bonuses.

Increased Tax RevenueAdditional sales tax revenue during these tougheconomic times will help balance the city budgetand pay for vital city services such as police andfire protection.

Better Selection, Added ValueExpanding our Antioch Walmart will help lowincome families and seniors, who need access tolow priced groceries, $4 prescription drugs andother everyday necessities.

We want to better serve your needs.

This is a perfect time for Home Schooling Parents and others interested in an Independent Study program to receive the benefi ts of a public school education, with parents providing instruction at home.

Parent/Student meet with a certifi cated teacher once a week at Knightsen. Standards based curriculum and State adopted textbooks provided. Parent is supported with weekly lessons and instructional strategies for the student. Independent Study students may choose to participate in activities with Knightsen students: P.E. classes Swimming After-School Sports for Grades 6-8 Assemblies Field trips Special events

If you are interested in visiting Knightsen Elementary School or want more information, please contact Vickey Rinehart, Superintendent at (925) 626-3301. Knightsen School is located only 4 miles from down-town Brentwood at 1923 Delta Rd., 1 mile East of Sellers.

KNIGHTSEN ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL DISTRICT,A CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL,

IS EXPANDINGING ITS INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8

MAY 14, 2010 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 11A

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The United States Army Bands Chief Col. Robert Manning recently honored the Liberty High School Band with the Coin of Excellence for outstanding achievement in support of soldiers, their families, the Adjutant Generals Corps, the Army and the nation. The students were selected as winners of the 2010 Young Artists Competition sponsored by the 191st Army Band the Band of the Wild West based in Dublin. As part of the honor, the Liberty Band and the 191st Army Band will host a joint concert sometime during the 2010-11 school year. The band also received a $500 grant to help repair instruments. We were so surprised to be selected for this honor, said Liberty Band Director Carey Hurst. Receiving this honor is a great compliment to our music program.

Liberty Band to join the Army

Photo by Samie Hartley

Mystery at the library

The Brent-wood Library will host a Mystery Au-thor program on Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m., featur-ing three local mys-tery authors: Penny Warner, Diana Orgain and Dana Mentink. They will discuss their inspirations, the writing process and the road to publication.

Award-winning author Penny War-ner has published more than 50 books, and her work has been printed in 14 countries. She is known as the Queen of Parties, having planned interactive murder-mystery fundraisers for libraries across the country.

Diana Orgain has acted profession-ally in stage roles and national com-mercials. Her plays have been produced at San Francisco State University and PlayGround in San Francisco.

Dana Mentink writes romantic sus-pense for Harlequin and Barbour Books. She is a 2009 American Christian Fic-tion Writers Book of the Year fi nalist.

The free program takes place at the Brentwood Senior Center, 193 Griffi th Lane. For more information about this event and other library programs, visit www.ccclib.org or call 925-516-5290.

Appreciating volunteers

Brentwoods A Place of Learning will host Volunteer Appreciation Day on Friday, May 21. Tutors and volun-teers for the nonprofi t education center will be treated to a celebration honor-ing all their hard work this school year. Refreshments will be served after an ap-preciation ceremony. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 925-240-5146

12A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION MAY 14, 2010

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Edna Hill Middle School Principal Kirsten Jobb cant help but smile when she walks into the schools new state-of-the-art performing arts center, and now after years of its planning and construction, she hopes the Theatre at Edna Hill will bring smiles to the entire community.

This has been quite a journey, as we have come to the conclusion of this amazing project, Jobb said at the theater dedication ceremony last week. I cant believe that we have this building in Brentwood let alone at our school.

The Theatre at Edna Hill is nearly three times the size of the Bill Bristow Community Theater, which was closed last December and removed from the Edna Hill campus to make way for the new theater. The new the-ater is equipped with a sophisticated lighting and sound system that will greatly improve the quality of performances. And it has 290 seats 60 more than the Bristow theater.

I think after bringing that other facil-ity here and seeing what kind of amazing program he started, Bill Bristow would have loved to see this facility here at this school, said Edna Hill drama teacher Bart Sch-neider.

Schneider also thought the late Kayla Shepard, an Edna Hill alumna who died in a car accident last October, would have liked the theater, as she had graced the Bris-tow stage many times during her stay at the Brentwood middle school.

The theaters dedication ceremony pre-ceded the debut of Edna Hills spring pro-duction of The Music Man. Schneider proudly announced during the ceremony that the play was sold out for the debut per-formance, a testament of the Brentwood communitys support of the arts.

Mayor Bob Taylor, who delivered a proclamation, said Brentwood is lucky to have the new facility and he looks forward to seeing the theater utilized by the students and the entire Brentwood community. What a facility, eh? Taylor said. When you walk out of here, you feel really good. The memo-ries of plays, the memories of laughter, the joy we experience at graduation when the ceremony is held inside because of rain youve got a whole lifetime of wondrous events, wondrous memories.

To get the theater warmed up for the nights big show, the dedication ceremony featured performances by the Edna Hill Band, and Edna Hills a cappella group Throw Back.

Schneider said hes looking forward to improving the Edna Hill drama program now that the school has the new theater. He plans to use the new technology to try new things and put on bigger and better perfor-mances. This is way more than I could have ever imagined.

Edna Hills production of The Music Man wraps up this weekend. Tonights per-formance, May 14, takes place at 7 p.m. The curtain goes up on Saturdays shows at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.


Edna Hill theater opens

Brentwood Union School District Superintendent Merrill Grant addresses the crowd during the Theatre at Edna Hill dedication ceremony held last week.

Photos by Richard Wisdom

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

Lance Cpl. Joshua Simpson received a noisy welcome home to Oakley last week. About two-dozen motorcycle-mounted patriots from the War-rior Watch Riders, La-fayette Flag Brigade, American Legion Rid-ers and Dirty Dogs, three Oakley police squad cars, ECCFPD Engine 93, along with family, friends and neighbors, surprised Simpson at dinner at the Black Bear Diner and escorted him across town to his home, where other neighbors, roused by the roar of the bikes, blaring car horns and the emergency vehicles si-rens, joined in the celebration. The Lib-erty High School graduate is serving with Marine Air Control Squadron-2 as a ba-sic engineer electrical equipment systems tech. He was stationed at Camp Leather-neck in the Helmand Province, Afghani-

stan. The Warrior Watch Riders want to hear about returning service members to whom they can provide a well-deserved welcome home. If you know one coming home from anywhere (it neednt be the Middle East), contact Spike at 925-628-2201, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.warriorswatch.org.


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14A | THEPRESS.NET MAY 14, 2010

Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

Th e worst its even been can be used to relate to this years allergy season, as well as the collapse of the real estate market we fi nd ourselves still trying to recover from. Watery eyes, congestion, and a runny nose combined cannot hold a candle to foreclo-sure, short-sale, or a substantial loss in your homes equity. However, they can teach us a valuable lesson; when something no longer works we need to readjust accordingly in order to solve the problem. Th ink about itif Claritin doesnt work for you then you switch to Allegra, and if Allegra doesnt work for you maybe you try Zyrtec-D with a little bit of lo-cal Alfalfa honey. Whatever your allergy drug of choice is, you dont stop until you fi nd it. Th e same approach can be witnessed by our ever changing lending guidelines, guidelines that seem to be in constant fl ux as policy makers desperately search for a solution to our real estate debacle.

In the latest chapter of this ongoing (like an allergy attack once it starts) saga, the gov-ernment subsidized agency Fannie Mae has revamped their waiting period for borrowers who complete pre-foreclosure steps, or a deed-in-lieu foreclosure. Announced on April 14th, 2010, and taking eff ect July 1, 2010, any borrower who participates in a short-sale, or deed-in-lieu foreclosure, only has to wait two years before they are once again eligible to fi nance a home through Fan-nie Mae. Th e change, as stated by Fannie Mae announcement SEL-2010, is part of Fannies

overall plan to update several policies regarding the future eligibility of borrowers to obtain a new mortgage loan aft er experienc-ing a pre-foreclosure event.

Th ere are multiple agencies Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that share the same goal when it comes to the real estate market; to promote homeownership throughout the housing crisis. With that said, Fannies eff orts to support overall market stability, and rein-force the importance of borrowers working with their servicers when they have diffi culty repaying their debt, are not the fi rst of their kind. According to FHA commissioner Da-vid Sterns, we are beginning to think about post-recession, how you address borrowers who became unemployed through no fault of their own ... and now deserve the right to re-enter the housing-fi nance system.

If you have been through, or will be go-ing through, a short-sale or foreclosure do not beat yourself up. As more and more people fall victim to allergies this season through no fall of their own, more and more homeowners are falling victim to circumstances outside of their control and losing their home. Both will pass, it is simply a matter of who proactively picks themselves up, gains knowledge through education, and attacks their problem!

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

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NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETS No. 08-0053636 Title Order No. 08-8-201274 Investor/Insurer No. APN No. 041-050-034-2 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 11/21/- 2006. 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 PROCEED-ING 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: LLOYD DANIEL, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE & SEPARATE PROPERTY, dated 11/21/2006 and recorded 11/30/06, as Instrument No. 2006-0382444-00, in Book -, Page -), of Of cial Records in the of ce of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, State of Califor-nia, will sell on 06/- 11/2010 at 10:00AM, At the Court Street entrance to the County Courthouse (corner of Main and Court Street), 725 Court Street Mar-tinez, 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 sit-uated in said County and State and as more fully described in the above referenced Deed of Trust. The street address and other common designa-tion, if any, of the real property de-scribed above is purported to be: 181 OMEGA LANE, OAKLEY, CA, 94561. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other com-mon designation, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with interest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reasonable estimated costs, ex-penses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $1,118,750.50. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebt-edness 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 as-sociation, savings association, or sav-ings 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, possession or encumbrances, to satisfy the in-

debtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, advances thereunder, with inter-est as provided, and the unpaid princi-pal of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust with interest thereon as provided in said Note, plus fees, charges and ex-penses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. DATED: 08/- 24/2008 RECONTRUST COMPANY 1757 TAPO CANYON ROAD, SVW-88 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone: (800) 281 8219, Sale Information (626) 927-4399 By: - Trustees Sale Of cer RE-CONTRUST COMPANY is a debt col-lector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. ASAP# 3560410 05/14/2010, 05/- 21/2010, 05/28/2010 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 Publish Dates: May 14, 21, 28, 2010

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETS No. 09-0154066 Title Order No. 09-8-468039 Investor/Insurer No. 089499388 APN No. 035-650- 012-4 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 04/25/2006. UN-LESS YOU TAKE ACTION 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 CONTACT A LAWYER. Notice is hereby given that RECON-TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as duly ap-pointed trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by: MAUREEN B GARCIA, AN UNMARRIED WOM-AN., dated 04/25/2006 and recorded 05/03/06, as Instrument No. 2006-0138575-00, 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 06/04/2010 at 10:00AM, At the Court Street entrance to the County Court-house (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 described 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: 50 ISOLA COURT, OAKLEY, CA, 94561. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street ad-dress and other common designa-tion, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with

interest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reasonable estimated costs, ex-penses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $402,816.19. 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 ac-cept 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, re-garding title, possession or encum-brances, to satisfy the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, advanc-es thereunder, with interest as pro-vided, 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 ex-penses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. DATED: 01/- 16/2010 RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A. 1800 Tapo Canyon Rd., CA6-914-01-94 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone: (800) 281 8219, Sale Informa-tion (626) 927-4399 By: - Trustees Sale Of cer RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A. is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that pur-pose. ASAP# 3549125 05/07/2010, 05/14/2010, 05/21/2010 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 Publish Dates: May 7, 14, 21, 2010

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETS No. 07-0056568 Title Order No. 07-8-259608 Investor/Insurer No. APN No. 034-380-013-2 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 04/25/- 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION 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 CONTACT A LAW-YER. Notice is hereby given that RECONTRUST COMPANY, as duly ap-pointed trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by: GENARO LOERA JR, AND VALERIE A LOERA, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, dated 04/- 25/2006 and recorded 05/03/06, as Instrument No. 2006-0139856- 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 06/- 11/2010 at 10:00AM, At the Court Street en-trance to the County Courthouse (corner of Main and Court Street), 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 at public auction, to the highest bid-der 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 described 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: 1318 PORTSMOUTH ST, OAKLEY, CA, 945616362. The under-signed Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street ad-dress and other common designation, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with interest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reason-able estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $581,161.93. 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 ac-cept 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, re-garding title, possession or encum-brances, to satisfy the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, advanc-es thereunder, with interest as pro-vided, 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 ex-penses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. DATED: 02/- 27/2008 RECONTRUST COMPANY 1757 TAPO CANYON ROAD, SVW-88 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone: (800) 281 8219, Sale Information (626) 927-4399 By: - Trustees Sale Of cer RE-CONTRUST COMPANY is a debt col-lector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. ASAP# 3552352 05/14/2010, 05/- 21/2010, 05/28/2010 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 Publish Dates: May 14, 21, 28, 2010

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALET.S. No. GM-237209-C Loan No. 0307715800 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 8/14/2006. 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. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or fed-eral credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan as-sociation, or savings association, or savings bank speci ed in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized 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 encum-brances, to satisfy the obligation se-cured by said Deed of Trust. The under-signed Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designa-tion, if any, shown herein. TRUSTOR: MER SAMSON AND FELIPA C. SAM-SON, HUSBAND AND WIFE Recorded 8/18/2006 as Instrument No. 2006-0262566-00 in Book , page of Of cial Records in the of ce of the Recorder of Contra Costa County, California, Date of Sale:5/28/2010 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: At the Court Street en-trance to the County Courthouse, 725 Court Street (corner of Main and Court Street), Martinez, California Property Address is purported to be: 4937 GREEN HILLS CIR ANTIOCH, CA 94531 APN #: 056-021-011-4 The total amount secured by said instrument as of the time of initial publication of this notice is $412,900.00, which includes the total amount of the unpaid balance (including accrued and unpaid inter-est) and reasonable estimated costs, expenses, and advances 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 au-thorized agent, declares as follows: [ 1 ] The mortgage loan servicer has ob-tained from the commissioner a nal or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date the notice of sale is led; [ 2 ] The timeframe for giving notice of sale speci ed in subdivision (a) of Section 2923.52 does not apply pursuant to Section 2923.52 or 2923.55. Date: 4/28/2010 ETS Services, LLC 2255

North Ontario Street, Suite 400 Bur-bank, California 91504- 3120 Sale Line: 714-730-2727 Omar Solorzano, TRUST-EE SALE OFFICER ASAP# 3525046 05/- 07/2010, 05/14/2010, 05/21/2010 Antioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: May 7, 14, 21, 2010 SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 881AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD APPROV-ING A REZONE (RZ 10-001) TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.506 (PLANNED DEVELOP-MENT 56 ZONE SUNSET INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX) OF THE BRENTWOOD MU-NICIPAL CODE BY CLARIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, IN-CLUDING THOSE RELATED TO PERMIT-TED USES AND CONDITIONALLY PER-MITTED USES. OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES INCLUDE ADDING A LIST OF PROHIBITED USES AND AN AMOR-TIZATION SCHEDULE FOR NON-CON-FORMING AND PROHIBITED USES. THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was in-troduced with the rst reading waived at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 27th day of April, 2010, by the following vote:AYES: Councilmembers Becnel, Richey, Stonebarger, TaylorNOES: NoneABSENT: NoneABSTAIN: BrockmanAnd was adopted at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 11th day of May 2010, by the following vote: AYES: Council members Becnel, Richey, Stonebarger, TaylorNOES: NoneABSENT: BrockmanABSTAIN: None

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 882AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD APPROV-ING A REZONE (RZ 10-002) TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.900 OF THE BRENTWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE BY DELETING THE PROVISION REQUIRING OUTDOOR DINING AND MERCHANDISE DISPLAY PERMITS TO BE RENEWED ON AN AN-NUAL BASIS. THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was in-troduced with the rst reading waived at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 27th day of April, 2010, by the following vote:AYES: Council members Becnel, Richey, Stonebarger, TaylorNOES: NoneABSENT: NoneABSTAIN: BrockmanAnd was adopted at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 11th day of May 2010, by the following

vote: AYES: Councilmembers Becnel, Richey, Stonebarger, TaylorNOES: NoneABSENT: BrockmanABSTAIN: None/s/_______________________Robert TaylorMayorATTEST:/s/_______________________Cynthia Garcia, CMCAssistant City ClerkThe above is a summary of the major highlights of the ordinances; reading the ordinances in their entirety may be necessary to obtain a full understating of all changes. Copies of the full text of the ordinances are on le and may be read in the City Clerks of ce located at 708 Third Street, Brentwood, and/or a copy may be obtained from that of- ce based on the Citys actual cost for duplicating. Brentwood Press No. 02-1273Publish Date: May 14, 2010

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE SUMMARY OF PROPOSED

ORDINANCE NO. 883

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUN-CIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD AP-PROVING A REZONE AMENDMENT (RZ 06-17-A1) TO EXEMPT THE MAGNOLIA PROJECT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MAN-AGEMENT PROGRAM, LOCATED WEST OF BRENTWOOD BOULEVARD AND SOUTH OF MARSH CREEK (APN 016-110-029 AND APN 016-110-030).THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was in-troduced with the rst reading waived at a regular meeting of the Brentwood City Council on the 11th day of May, 2010, by the following vote:AYES: Council members Becnel, Richey, Stonebarger, TaylorNOES: NoneABSENT: BrockmanABSTAIN: NoneATTEST:/s/_______________________Cynthia Garcia, CMCAssistant City ClerkA certi ed copy of the full text of the proposed ordinance is posted and may be read in full in the City Clerks Of ce at 708 Third Street, Brentwood, California, or a copy may be obtained from that of- ce based on the Citys actual cost for duplicating. Proposed date of adoption by City Council: May 25, 2010Brentwood Press No. 02-1273Publish Date: May 14, 2010

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES


Community says goodbye to Green

Friends and family said goodbye to longtime Oakley resi-dent Harry Green last week, but those who knew the charismatic newspaper publisher are confi dent his love of East County will remain his lasting legacy.

Harry loved the hometown charm here, said his wife Cin-dy. Most people, when they grow up in East County, they end up moving over the hill but not Harry. He loved it here; he never wanted to leave.

Green, 52, died of natural causes on April 30. In addition to Cindy, Green is survived by his daughter Stephanie and sister Carolyn Moss.

Born in Antioch, Green grew up in nearby Oakley, attended Liberty High School and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Los Medanos College. Early on in his career, Green held a variety of jobs, but it was his experience at the Brentwood News in the late 1980s that cemented his professional path.

He was so thrilled to have that full-time job and benefi ts; that was a really big deal to us back then, said Cindy. He was a great writer who really loved his work. He told the truth, but he did it in a sensitive, compassionate way. There was no yellow journalism about him.

After a few years with the News, Green left to open his own public relations fi rm, and in 1992 founded the fi rst of a number of area publications that included the Discovery Bay Clipper, the Clayton Pioneer and the Brentwood Bee.

For years he was a well-known face at local community events and fundraisers, and the voice of Liberty High School football games in the late 1990s. Green also ran for the Oakley City Council and was responsible for naming the now-famous Brentwood CornFest.

Longtime friend Annette Beckstrand fi rst met Green in 1995, when she did some freelance reporting for the Brentwood Bee. Her eventual passion for local politics began with her coverage

of the Brentwood City Council. Everything I am (profession-ally) and everything Ive done in Brentwood, I owe to Harry, said Beckstrand. Harry was the beginning of everything and anything that became important to us in Brentwood. He was my example that no one is ever too small or insignifi cant to help.

For Green, it was always about family and community. Ev-ery time I turned around, Harry was doing something to help, added Beckstrand. Whether it was food, or to make a phone call to someone who might be in a position to help someone else that was the Harry I knew and loved, and the Harry I will miss.

Harry loved his family; he loved everyone, said Cindy. He would want to be remembered for all the good he has done in the community over the past 20 years. He loved his town.


HARRY GREENJAN. 7, 1958-APRIL 30, 2010

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

The Emmy-winning family television series Mutual of Oma-has Wild Kingdom will leap to life Tuesday, June 8 at 2 p.m. at the Brentwood Senior Center. The program features original Wild Kingdom co-host and conser-vationist Peter Gros, as well as a number of beautiful animals.

Gros has been working with animals for decades and is an ac-tive member of several zoologi-cal associations. He implemented breeding programs for more than 300 endangered species and trav-eled around the world, from the Galapagos Islands to Siberia, to conduct environmental research.

No registration is required for the free hour-long event, sponsored by the Brentwood Li-brary and the City of Brentwood. The Brentwood Senior Center is located at 193 Griffi th Lane at the corner of Balfour Road and Griffi th Lane, next to the Aquatic Center.

For more information about this event and other library pro-grams, visit www.ccclib.org or call 925-516-5290.

Call of the Wild

www.EastCountyShortSales.COM

Donald R. Farrow925-234-0856Rena Acasio925-382-4544

Amaral & Associates, Realtors

2009 Distressed Property Institute, LLC All Rights Reserved.The above brokerage assumes no responsibility nor guarantees the accuracy of this information and is not engaged in the practice of law nor gives legal advice. It is strongly recommended that you seek appropriate professional counsel regarding your rights as a homeowner. DRE #01771241. DRE #01408700.

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

Truth is, you dont. The governments newest program, Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA), has been put in place to provide you with better solutions, including more ef cient short sales or deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure.

Short sales and deeds-in-lieu can help to settle your mortgage debt, clear your mind of stress, and save you and your family from the nancial challenges of foreclosure. The program also offers a $3,000 homeowner incentive, a pre-approved price and a waiver of de ciency on both

the rst and second mortgages.

To nd out if you are eligible for this program, download this free report at:

If you or anyone you know is facing foreclosure and looking for answers, please contact us. As Certi ed Property Experts, we can show you

how to take advantage of this new, digni ed solution.

Behind on Payments?Behind on Payments?Facing Foreclosure?Facing Foreclosure?


Glad to be in BrentwoodEditor:

We are writing to thank the many people of Brentwood who helped and supported our family through a diffi cult time. It has been six months ago today (as of this writing) that our daughter Kayla, along with two of her friends, Hilary Kendal-Fix and Steven Dubs, were taken from us in a tragic car accident. We have tried many times trying to write this letter and just as often it became too diffi cult

to continue. But without the help of the people from our community it would truly have been overwhelming.

We thank you Rick Lemyre and the Brentwood

Press. Rick is more than a journalist; his daughter Stephanie and Kayla have grown up together. He has covered all of the theater and choir performances that both girls have been a part of. We cant thank him enough for letting people know what was happening when we were unable to.

Clint Love and his staff at Bay Area Cremations for making this as easy and comforting as one could ask. Their professional and caring manner is to be commended.

Pastor Mike and Resurrection Ministries, along with the help of Kim and Rod Linn, for allowing us to hold Kaylas Celebration of Life service at their facility.

Liberty High Schools Sue Stuart for the choir, and Summer Rodriguez with the Leadership group.

Annette and Doug Beckstrand for coordinating the meals that were showing up at our house, some brought by people we have never met.

Bart Schneider for including Kayla in a tribute at the Bill Bristow

Community Theater send-off. She loved that theater, as witnessed by the numerous times she signed the wall.

Donna and Jeff Pace, along with the Tobar/Pace clan, for all that you did from that fi rst night, collecting and ar-ranging pictures, music, slideshows and so much more without hesitation.

Mark and Terri Gravatte, who truly understand what its like, and know when you need a hug and when you need time alone.

For the drivers who patiently waited at the intersection of Balfour and Griffi th while all those in the candlelight vigil crossed the street and made their way to our home to sing What Would I Do Without My Music? for our family.

Sandy, Joel and Olivia Castro, neighbors anyone would want to have, who were constantly at our side, as well as all of our neighbors.

We came to Brentwood 24 years ago, a one-stoplight town back then, in part to start and raise a family here. Through the many changes that have and continue to occur, I cant say how glad we are that we chose to live here.

Thank You.Bob, Maureen and Alyssa Shepard

Brentwood

Measure F earns mayoral stamp of approval

Editor:After much forethought on the Mea-

sure F initiative, and after researching past history, I have found that this area of land has always been in Brentwoods General Plan and sphere of infl uence.

I have always pursued the point that the City of Brentwood should always pro-tect all sides of our city, and I do believe that this area should be under the control of the City of Brentwood.

I would like to also ensure that, if passed, this measure should provide a larg-er area, buffer zone, of open space versus development than it currently does. Addi-tionally, I do not wish to have development on the ridgelines affecting the views of our beautiful hills and mountains.

Transparency should be a key element on both sides of Measure F, as the citizens of Brentwood exercise their democratic right to vote pro or con on this initiative that has qualifi ed for the June ballot.

It should be noted that the extending of American Avenue and the widening of Balfour Road will occur years into the future. For the benefi t of all Brentwood

The Press Newspapers are adjudicated in the the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and the Delta Judicial District

of Contra Costa County.

No part of this publication may be reproduced for commerce or trade without written permission from the publisher.

BRENTWOOD PRESS & PUBLISHING CORPORATIONNational Award Winning Newspapers

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Main Office / Brentwood248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513

Phone 925-634-1441 Fax 925-634-1975Web site: www.thepress.net

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Stroll down the freezer aisle of your favorite grocery store and youll fi nd a classic dessert known as Neapolitan ice cream. Traditionally, it contains three fl avors in equal measure chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Everyone has a favorite. Some love chocolate, are just OK with vanilla, and dont care for strawberry. Nonetheless, all three are there, and

the treat has been popular since the 19th century.

So it is with Measure F. Parts of the measure are desirable, others less so, but as a whole the package

fi ts well with todays world of compromise solutions: there is something there for everyone.

Proponents of Measure F, though, have been accused of selling their box of Neapolitan by claiming it contains chocolate true enough, but only part of the story. Likewise, opponents have only been touting that it contains strawberry. The truth, as usual, is like the vanilla: its in the middle.

Lately, the debate over Measure F has degenerated to the point where voters might well make their decisions based not on the merits of the measure, but on the tactics employed by the various campaigners. This is no way to decide an issue as important as Measure F. The measure could result in up to 1,300 homes and thousands of additional people and ve-hicles, but it is also the only way critical problems can be ad-dressed in anything close to a timely fashion. For that reason The Press urges a Yes vote on Measure F.

The traffi c situation at American Avenue is a serious safety problem. After offi cials thoroughly examined pos-sible solutions in 2008, it became clear that a permanent fi x required that the urban limit line (ULL) be moved to allow extension of the road back to Balfour Road. Paying for the road along with the widening of Balfour to four lanes in

that area will cost $27 million. Unfortunately, theres no-where for that money to come from but development fees.

Opponents point out that theres already a plan for the area: the citys General Plan. It provides for only 579 homes, not the 1,300 included in Measure F. But when the General Plan was adopted, it also did not include a high school and a middle school right next to each other in the area, and the plan had to be changed to accommodate them. (The city has no authority over the placement of schools.)

The proper access roads to the schools were subsequent-ly made impossible when, in 2004, the ULL was changed and development next to the schools was prevented. Measure F reverses that, allowing the road to be built and providing the means to pay for it.

The General Plan also calls for Balfour Road to be a ma-jor arterial of at least four lanes in that area. Development in both Antioch and Brentwood had already occurred based on the earlier position of the ULL, making it a foregone conclu-sion that in order to complete already-begun improvements the Measure F area would some day be developed.

Measure F also makes sense from a regional standpoint. The land forms the base of a peninsula of marginal agricul-tural land sandwiched between two growing cities. Although it is along the border of development, the area amounts to infi ll, and even the tenets of smart growth say it will be built out.

Another issue concerns who will be in control. The de-velopers would, indeed, control how many houses are built and when, and the fees they pay would be locked in at todays rates. But city offi cials would control design, layout and envi-ronmental reviews before anything is built.

And, perhaps most importantly, they would have per-manent control over the area once the project is complete.

Police services, park and landscaping maintenance and code enforcement would all be provided at the same standards provided to the rest of the city, which are widely acknowl-edged as some of the highest in the area.

The threat proponents say is posed by Antioch is, in reality, marginal at most. That city is struggling to stay sol-vent, and is unlikely to be in a position to pursue the area any time soon. Furthermore, numerous administrative steps must be taken before that can happen, which would provide numerous opportunities for Brentwood to ward off any at-tempt.

The concern that the Balfour plan would make the hous-ing crisis worse is often cited, right alongside the contention that the developers stand to make millions from it. Clearly, both cannot happen. If the plan depresses property values, there is little money to be made. If there is little money in it, the project would not be built.

It would be great if city offi cials could control the whole process, if there were fewer houses and if all of the open space in that area could remain that way forever. But to achieve that, we would have to give up a great opportunity to fi x a major safety problem at our schools, and to help fund the completion of impacted roads. (In addition to Balfour im-provements, the measure would provide $20 million for the Highway 4 Bypass.) Weve waited a long time for this chance, and even if Measure F passes, it will be fi ve more years before we can even begin to implement the solutions.

The Press believes that now is the time to act. Theres no telling how long it will be until the next chance comes along. And even then, theres no telling what it would look like when it arrives. We strongly encourage people to get out to the polls on June 8, and vote yes on Measure F.


Now is the time Yes on Measure F

EDITORIAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

see Letters page 17A


residents, these improvements would need to be fast-tracked and accomplished in a more timely fashion as development moves forward.

These views being stated, the Mayor of Brentwood supports Measure F on the June ballot.

Mayor Robert (Bob) Taylor

Look past the rhetoricEditor:

The Danvillians Are Coming! A paraphrased old movie quote I used back in 1983 as a response to the fear tactics being used by those who wanted a City of San Ramon.

Today, Measure F backers have also employed a political tactic by using fear in an attempt to infl uence our opinions and actions at the ballot box. Accord-ing to them, a Yes vote is the only way to stop Antioch from taking over this parcel of land and will stop the bloodshed at Heritage and Adams Schools by complet-ing the extension of American Avenue.

However, when you look past all the rhetoric, you quickly see this measure is not the fairytale marriage of Kinkade-type cottages and acres of beautifully mani-cured hillsides and parks, or the idyllic landscape of children skipping to school alongside parents cruising down Fantasy Drive (American Avenue) as if it were the yellow brink road.

I will just say this: if you have a child who is currently attending Adams Middle School, when that child graduates from Heritage High School, American Avenue will look no different than it does today. Just listen to what Measure Fs supporters say:

Lee Hancock, developer/owner of Measure F land: Fact: A reasonable time-line is that it will take fi ve or more years to get approvals from the city. Shadow Lakes took 10 years to build the fi rst house.

There is also a condition in the measure that permits development to be stalled for up to 10 years, with an automatic renewal for another 10 years. And when housing is not built, all of the income for road extensions, paramedic services, parks, schools, job training, police protection, Highway 4 Bypass improve-ments, cannot be collected from Fantasyl-and. Why then, are they in such a hurry to pass this measure if development is years or perhaps decades away?

Because this measure is just a decep-tion to get the voters to approve a general plan amendment that will allow them to double the number of homes for that area and build what they want, when they want, whenever that would be convenient and lucrative for them, with the added bonus of a little input from its residents.

This development proposal also ties the citys hands and permits building on lots as small as 2,000 square feet, and three stories tall; some set aside for low-income apartment housing. I would think nearby residents would benefi t from a type of neighborhood planning more comparable with their current landscape that would ultimately improve, rather than reduce, their own property values.

The developers owe it to the resi-dents of Brentwood to return with a proposal that adheres to the General Plan, mandates specifi c time frames for the completion and improvements of existing roadways, and most important, provides 100-percent input from every Brentwood citizen. Measure F does not even meet these basic standards.

We currently have the power to con-trol the future of Brentwood. Dont vote it away. Vote No on Measure F.

Al Del GrandeBrentwood

History a key to understanding FEditor:

There seems to be a lot of misunder-standing of Measure F. A little history should help in making an intelligent decision.

The city has had the property in question in its sphere of infl uence for years. In fact, when the land was pur-chased for Adams and Heritage schools, the city not only extended the utilities there, but also oversized for planned future development with the understand-ing the cost would be reimbursed by the developer.

In fact, how many are aware that Roddy Ranch Golf Course is irrigated from the citys wastewater treatment plant? The pipe was extended and paid for by the developers of the ranch at Deer Valley Road at the end of Balfour Road.

Why did the city encourage develop-ment to the west? The land in question is not pristine, but marginal farmland and the city wanted to take development pres-sure off the pristine farmland to the east.

The Board of Supervisors in 2000 redrew the urban limit line knowing that the school sites were purchased and would be developed. The action by the board created dangerous road conditions in that area because the schools were landlocked and the circulation plans had to be scrapped.

This also created another situation: the citys desire to save the prime farmland to the east of Brentwood by developing the western corridor forced developers to go to the unincorporated area in the west, thus allowing rampant growth in the high-production farmland east of Brentwood near Discovery Bay.

After the urban limit line fi asco, the citizens of Antioch, Pittsburg and San Ramon voted to move their urban limit line back to where it was before the Super-visors land grab.

Some people are insinuating that the supporters of Measure F are using scare tactics that Antioch may build in that area if our citizens dont vote for Measure F. If you look at a map, youll see that the Antioch Roddy Ranch property is right up to the property in question.

I encourage everyone to read the letter to the editor Consequences of Measure F results by LAFCO in the May 7 issue of the Brentwood Press. LAFCO is the agency that approves or disapproves all annexations in the county. This is not a scare tactic by supporters of F, but a strong possibility that Antioch could someday annex that property. If Measure F passes, Brentwood citizens will have control of that area for the planning process.

So ask yourself: will the land in ques-tion be developed in the future by Antioch if Measure F loses (refer to LAFCO)? Then ask yourself this question: who do you think would do a better plan and demand more amenities from a devel-oper, Antioch or Brentwood? Vote yes on Measure F.

Barbara Guiseformer Mayor of Brentwood

Slick mailersEditor:

Measure F doesnt pass the smell test. In the past weeks we have been inundated with slick color mailers, phone calls, and door-to-door campaigners pushing the plan. If one spends the time studying the issue, it will bring to mind

the old Watergate Era expression Simply follow the money.

The Contra Costa Times put it quite succinctly: Disingenuous initiative would expand the communitys urban limit line with the misleading promise that local residents would be given more control over the future of their city. Dont be hoodwinked. Vote no on F.

J.F. Scott MacLeodBrentwood

Land between two citiesEditor:

I read with interest the recent letter of my colleagues Helen Allen and Rob Schroder. I am fortunate to serve with them on the Local Agency Formation Commission. We have worked together for many years to try and make the right decisions about boundary changes and annexations.

In terms of the issues their letter raised, I couldnt agree with them more. Like Helen and Rob, I too feel that it is imperative that we at LAFCO respect the will of the people. It has been our long-term policy to honor voter-approved urban limit lines when deciding if and where a particular site should be annexed to one city or another.

Disputes arise among cities regularly. Weve also had to decide between a given city and the unincorporated county area. These disagreements can be intense. How-ever, we strive to consider all available information in order to make an equitable decision.

We generally do not annex land that is agriculturally highly productive. We also try to avoid leap frog an-nexations. However, in locations that are already between two cities and not of prime agricultural value, our LAFCO has normally been supportive of annex-ing such territory to a city. This is true as we are also obligated to support orderly development.

As a proud resident of East County, I am very familiar with the land involved in Measure F and the problems with Bal-four Road and American Avenue. While I have not taken a position on Measure F, I did want to provide input to the people of Brentwood as they make their decision.

Dwight MeadowsLAFCO Commissioner

Letters from page 16A



Dont listen to malignersEditor:

Measures and initiatives are compli-cated and diffi cult to completely under-stand. I think I am like a lot of voters who read to get facts while also depending on community leaders opinion. These are the leaders we have voted into offi ce and work hard for our benefi t.

Measure F has community leaders support. Look at the past and present leaders supporting Measure F. Measure F proponents include Brentwood mayors, planners, council persons, educators, busi-ness leaders and just plain good people.

My voter experience also tells me that when a group cant be successful on their own merits, they will do as the opponents of Measure F are doing and attack the character of those who risk being lead-ers. How dare this group of Measure F opponents, who have an opportunity to live in Brentwood with all of the ameni-ties Brentwood planning leadership has provided.

Attacks on past Mayor Swisher and Council Lady Beckstrand of confl ict of interest are unfounded lies. They continue the attack on councilmen Becnel and Brockman and accuse school board mem-ber Emil Geddes of being a landowner in this area. They claim Councilman Erick Stonebarger has been bought off because of his efforts to help out the new fi re district with a paramedic fi reman. They accuse local Discovery Bay resident Lee

Hancock, the man who has property to improve American Avenue for the safety of kids, of being an out-of-town land-grabber.

They include longtime property own-ers Sean McCauley and Mark Harris, who also enjoy their private property for up to 40 years as rich land-grabbers. It is time that more of us stand up and stop this kind of dirty, unfounded politics. The best way to stand up is let them know you will not tolerate these kinds of politics and re-fuse to support their negative No efforts.

Our past and present leaders know our community needs more jobs, needs to support our police and fi re district, they know we need to take every effort to make our schools safe, that our kids need more sports area and most importantly, we need to have Brentwood continue control of its own future.

Dont listen to those who only malign the character of good people and good programs as their way to convince you to say no. These tactics are used to distract and confuse voters for the facts these good people and their leadership has and will continue to provide. Vote Yes on Measure F.

Ray MarchioBrentwood

Supervisor commentsEditor:

I realize sensitive and emotional local issues like Brentwoods Measure F bring lots of opinions to the table, but I was surprised to see one in particular.

First, let me say that I admire and respect our countys Superintendent of Educa-tion Dr. Joe Ovick and his service to our countys education system. However, his letter of May 7 was incorrect about Measure F.

First, Dr. Ovick states that the High-way 4 Bypass is funded incrementally with federal dollars. Actually, the Bypass is funded entirely with local dollars collected solely on new construction as mitigation. Of the $216 million that have been spent, 88 percent has come from development impact fees and 12 percent from the half-cent countywide sales tax measure. If Measure F passes and devel-opment occurs, an additional $20 million will go to the Bypass project. There is no other source of money for this critical ele-ment of local infrastructure.

Secondly, Dr. Ovick states that Children and families can be made safe with the expansion of American Avenue without 1,300 new homes. The reality is that the cost for American Avenue and the widening of Balfour is about $27 million. After bringing the Brentwood Union School District, City of Brent-wood and county staff to the table to identify and implement interim safety measures, I can clearly state that none of these agencies has these resources or they would have already been utilized.

Thirdly, Dr. Ovick misunderstands the 5-percent role that Brentwoods voters play in the countywide urban limit line. If Measure F passes, Brentwoods voters would achieve 100-percent local control

of their local Urban Limit Line instead of the 5 percent with the countywide ULL measure. This 100 percent provides Brentwood the same power and local control that Antioch and Pittsburg have over their local growth boundaries. Its all about local control.

I encourage and appreciate an open and honest debate relative to the merits of this proposal and I support the resi-dents of Brentwood in identifying their own land use destiny. However, the facts remain the facts.

Mary Nejedly PiephoContra Costa Supervisor, District III

Quality of life impactedEditor:

Today as I drive west down Balfour around 4 p.m., I cant help but wonder what the impact of adding 1,300 homes will do to our city streets. It is practically bumper-to-bumper right now, with no homes or construction traffi c.

The homes that back up to Balfour will feel the rumble of truck traffi c shake their homes. Those same trucks and increased traffi c will create more dust and diesel pollution in the air. Those hom-eowners quality of life will be severely impacted, as well as all residents who live in the area. This will last for at least fi ve to 10 years until the project is built out.

This whole campaign by the devel-oper has been shady from the start. Not once in my contact with their campaign




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And the Scam Goes OnLoan Modifi cationsby Joan Grimes, Esq.

Advertisement

In every scam, the victim must be desperate. Th ey must believe they are going to miss out or possibly die without the product or service. It doesnt matter what the product or service is although sex, money and death are big sellers.

Th e mortgage scam was no diff erent. It brought the promise of the American Dream of Homeownership through no money down, interest only or option arm loans.

Th e loan modifi cation scam is a continuation of mortgage scam. Th e victim is still desperate, but now they are desperate not to lose the American Dream. It is now the promise of a lower fi xed monthly payment and a principal reduction.

Most loan modifi cations are scams because they do not give meaningful modifi cation of the loan. Rather, they are elaborate games of hide the ball. Get the borrowers to start making trial payments and then repeatedly ask for documentation and then lose it/misplace it/move the account to a diff erent person. Th ese are really just Hope modifi cations. Nothing concrete, just the hope of something in the future like a Hail Mary pass with 30 seconds left in the game.

Th e lenders know that if the borrower keeps making trial payments and updating their paperwork, they will have one less property on their books, will have time to negotiate with their mortgage insurance company, investors and in some instances investigate the borrowers to see if there has been any irregularities in the loan process. Th e truth is that few people get a meaningful modifi cation. Th e best we have seen is the accrued interest write down by Wells Fargo Bank on the World Savings Pick-a-Payment loans. I am sure that there will be a few modifi cations with 40-50% write down of principal, but as an attorney who represented banks for 20 years, they are only going to do it if they made a mistake and are required to make the modifi cation. Th ey didnt get rich by giving away money.

Most loan modifi cation programs are scams because there is no up front approval or denial of the modifi cation. Th e borrower submits fi nancial information and begins trial payments not knowing if they will be approved or denied for many months or years. In the meantime, every month their credit score is being reduced because they are not paying as agreed. Th e fact is that property valuation and income/debt ratio analysis is a secret and is never disclosed. Th e borrower has no ability to determine why they have been denied for the modifi cation. What should they do?

In order to reduce their anxiety, I ask them to work through a simple 3 step process to see if any loan modifi cation really makes sense.

Step 1- What are the terms of the loan modifi cation? Th ere are many types of loan modifi cation/forbearances being off ered by lenders. Is the modifi cation just putting the late payments at the back end or is there an actual reduction of interest rate or principal balance?

Step 2- Can you pay off the principal balance? A good rule of thumb is that a borrower can payoff 2-2.5 times their gross household income in a home loan over the course of their working life and goes on vacation and have a child or two. Th erefore, if a familys average gross household income is $100,000, they should not have a home loan which exceeds $250,000. Th is is assuming a 30 year fi xed loan. If a borrower has less than 30 years remaining work time, the amount should be reduced accordingly. If you determine that you are never going to own this property, is this the best use of your money?

Step 3- Is the loan modifi cation payment less than I would pay in rent? Assuming, the above calculation shows that you will not be able to pay off the balance of the loan over the course of your remaining work career, is the loan modifi cation payment still less than I would pay in rent? Depending on where you live, the loan modifi cation payment together with property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs may still be less than rent you would pay in your immediate area.

Most loan modifi cations programs make no sense for borrowers. Th ere will be no principal reduction or long term payment reduction. It is a temporary band-aid. If you are in a trial modifi cation, I urge to consider whether this is in your best interest. Th e lenders have no problem doing what is in their best interest and you should not either. *THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED AS LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UP IN MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING A VOLUNTARY DEFAULT, SHORT SALE, FORECLOSURE OR BANKRUPTCY. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OBTAINING TAX & LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING AN INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. 2010 Joan GrimesLaw Offi ce of Joan Grimes, 8660 Brentwood Blvd, Suite B, Brentwood, California (925) 323-7772

have they ever mentioned 1,300 homes in their petition, phone poll, and glossy mailers with farmland in the background. Why dont they just come out and say they want to develop the land and build 1,300 homes? Because they know it would be an uphill battle.

Just say no to their empty promises. On June 8, vote no on Measure F.

Robert SchriverBrentwood

To follow the facts, follow the money

Editor:The media loves an election year. Not

only do they get tons of political rhetoric to fi ll their pages and airways, they also get tons of ad revenue to fi ll their coffers.

However, tons of ad revenue generate a major problem in America today. Using huge amounts of money to buy elec-tion results is becoming a cancer on our society. From the wealthy woman trying to buy her way into the governors offi ce to our own humble Measure F.

Corporations, wealthy individuals, and people with a vested interest in a result pour money into slick, usually not truthful advertising to get the results they desire. Voters get bought and the public gets screwed.

Take Measure F as an example. Last week the Press published an opinion piece in which the writer, Mr. Lee Hancock, stated 10 facts as to why we should vote in favor of F. According to Websters

dictionary, a fact is something that is the truth. Apparently Mr. Hancock didnt know that, since his facts were all sup-position and personal opinion dressed up to look as if they were true.

With Measure F, Prop 16, and any other initiatives on the upcoming ballot, we voters need to know who or what is pushing a yes or no vote. The best way to learn this is to look long and hard at where the money is coming from to sup-port any position. Since Measure F does not require the widening of Balfour or the fi xing of the school traffi c problem before the housing is built, I think it is bad plan-ning. Infrastructure fi rst, housing after should be how these things are planned. Doing it any other way will just produce another Highway 4 Bypass debacle.

Bill SumnerBrentwood

F advocates hurting their own causeEditor:

Ive been thinking about writing a letter to the editor ever since I signed that petition to put Measure F on the ballot. I have not written before, because there were plenty of people sharing their personal experiences regarding their encounter with the signature gatherers. After reading the guest comment by Lee Hancock, I am compelled to write this letter.

I think if Mr. Lee and his representa-tives came to the public with the informa-




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tion he laid out in the guest comment, he and his colleagues would have more sup-port for Measure F. What Mr. Lee and his colleagues dont understand is people are turned off by the deceptive tactics their hired signature gatherers used to get people to sign the petition.

I was doing yard work in the front yard when a high school student ap-proached me and said, Were collecting signatures to save Brentwood from Sec-tion 8 Housing. Antioch is going to build Section 8 housing by Deer Valley Road if we dont get the signatures we need to put this on the ballot. Oh, yeah, it will widen American Avenue and help with traffi c on Balfour Road, too.

I took the clipboard and started to read the petition. I was deeply irritated by the fact that it was for a plan to build 1,300 more homes! I signed the petition anyway, because the thought of having an out on American Avenue sounded very good (despite the misrepresentation) and I wanted to get back to planting my fl ow-ers. After I had time to think about the tactic the student used to get me to sign the petition, I was really angry. I wished I had not signed that petition.

This is the main reason why theres so much opposition toward Measure F. People feel duped into signing the peti-tions. I consider myself a pro-growth person, but I will vote No on Measure F.

The tactics used to get people to sign the petition was dishonest and sleazy, in my opinion. My son has a friend who has been hired to knock on doors for Measure F (and petition signature gathering earlier). He told my son theyve been given a script to use when people answer the door. They have specifi c buzz words theyre supposed to say to get people to support Measure F.

The latest report I got from my son is that his friends been placing Vote Yes! On Measure F signs on peoples lawns without permission! Someone wrote a letter to the editor a few weeks ago expressing how hopeful she felt to see a young man participating in the govern-

ment (or something to the effect). These people are paid $10 per hour to go out and canvas the neighborhoods. They are not volunteers.

Theyre using tactics that are deplor-able. If theyre not being told to do these shameful acts, their supervisors should have trained them better. Both sides are pointing fi ngers at each other for being misleading. As the saying goes, the truth is somewhere in the middle. The fact is: if the developers had been honest, trained their representatives well and not used fear to get people to sign those petitions, we wouldnt have this controversy right now.

Lai WoudstraBrentwood


22A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MAY 14, 2010

and Adams Middle School.Brentwood Community Develop-

ment Director Casey McCann said the timing on major road construction would be linked to the construction of houses. The financing of the roads would likely come from bonds lever-aged against the entitlements that ac-crue at the tentative map stage for the various subdivisions the project would include. Road building would begin when there were enough entitlements to enable the financing, meaning road and home construction would be si-multaneous. However, said McCann, the city would require the roads be completed prior to the occupancy of the homes, unless the first tentative maps included too few houses to en-able the road financing.

About 1,000 elementary and mid-dle school students would live in the area. Measure F requires the develop-ers to designate an elementary school site, which the district would purchase. The area would also house about 350 high school students by the time it is fully built out.

Open space and wildlifeAn environmental impact review,

which would be conducted if Measure F passes, would determine areas suit-

able for construction. The area could be home to a number of endangered species, including the tiger salaman-der and red-legged frog. Those consid-erations could limit where the houses are built. Or the loss of habitat could be mitigated off-site, in some other of-ficially approved location.

The ridgeline that flanks the proj-ect on the south would be preserved as permanent open space, although some grading of the lower slopes could oc-cur to facilitate home construction at its base. Green belts would also flank Dry Creek to the south and Deer Creek to the north.

Antioch Press_05.14.10

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