Oakley Press_05.11.12

Natio

nal Award Winning Newspapers

MAY 11, 2012 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 3A

No Pain, More Gain.

ADVERTISING

TENANT SCREENING

LEASE NEGOTIATIONS

RENT COLLECTION

MONTHLY DISBURSEMENTS

ACCOUNTING

MAINTENANCE

REPAIRS

FREE Call Now!(925) 625-7975CONSULTATIONAND HOMEEVALUATION!www.ameadowspropertymanagement.com DRE #1311126

We know managing your own rental property isnt always as easy as it looks. Thats whyweve developed a full-service propertymanagement system and professionalteam of experts designed to make owning property easy and more protable!

Visit AMeadowsPropertyManagement.comto get started today, and learn more about how our full range of services can increase your property revenue!

PROFESSIONAL. QUALITY. SERVICES.

22 000002 02010

S

IL

VER MEDAL

AWARD

East County man goes the distance

Brentwood resident Arturo Ordaz fi nished his fi rst eight-kilometer race in June of 2010 and thought, Why stop there?

So two weeks later, the 49-year-old signed up for a 25K. And later, a 30K race. By July, he was running a half-mar-athon in San Francisco. Ordaz completed that in an hour and 51 minutes, an average of seven minutes per mile. In November, he fi nished a 100K race (roughly 62.1 miles) in 15 hours, 49 minutes.

The running bug propelled him to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, home of the Salt Flats 100 Mile Endurance Run in April one of the nations most grueling events. Runners are awake and moving for 24 hours or more, and conditions can fl uctuate from the low-80s and sunny to the 20s and snowing. Many succumb to exhaustion and drop out of the race.

I can try it, Ordaz thought. If I dont make it, Im not going to be the fi rst one.

Ordazs focus wasnt on the clock all he wanted was to endure through the full 100 miles. And he succeeded, fi nish-ing 28th out of 41 runners (and one dog), with a time of 29 hours, 1 minute, 31 seconds. It was Ordazs second 100-mile endurance race; his fi rst was a cycling competition at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey. He said his experience as a cyclist gave him the strength and stamina to withstand long runs.

While many 100-mile combatants encounter serious pain, Ordaz said his legs didnt hurt much for most of the run. One thing he didnt expect, however, was that his mind would toy with him. The fi nal three miles were especially grueling. He felt like he was running backward, and strug-gled to see the fi nish line.

Despite every bodily instinct telling him to quit, Ordaz

kept chugging along, impelled by the encouragement of his wife, kids, friends and relatives. He had already fought sun and wind, fi nishing 97 miles whats three more?

It seemed to me like it was 10 miles, not three, Ordaz said. Its all mental. I didnt feel anything in my body, like I was weak or sick. I felt OK, but I was thinking: its not worth it for me, with just three miles left, to not go forward.

Ordazs desire to run came late in life. A couple years ago, he was cycling in Livermore when he saw a pack of runners on the road. He asked one what they were doing, and the runner explained that they were training for a race. Ordaz, primarily a cyclist, gave running a try in the 2010 Mt. Diablo 8K. He fi nished 10th a result that fueled the fi re.

He now prefers running to cycling, which he said is more dangerous and expensive, as the bike requires main-tenance.

Ordaz isnt intimidated by the ordeal of ultra-mara-thon running; he relishes it. To prepare for these grueling excursions, he runs for two hours every day on the treadmill and eight to 10 hours each weekend on the hilly terrain of Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch.

I wanted to challenge myself to see if I can make it, Ordaz said. I want to go farther and add more distance.

The crazy thing is, Ordaz isnt done. In June, hes head-ing down south for the San Diego 100-mile Endurance Run. After that, he doesnt see himself stopping at 100 miles. The next distance up? 125.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.Experience the Salt Flats 100 Mile Endurance Run

through the photos of a distance blogger at http://tinyurl.com/ceug6g8.

Visit the offi cial website of the Salt Flats 100 Mile En-durance Run for more information: http://www.saltfl ats100.com.

Brentwood resident Arturo Ordaz battles the el-ements during the Salt Flats 100 Mile Endurance Run in Utah.

Photo courtesy of Arturo Ordaz

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

4A | THEPRESS.NET BUSINESS MAY 11, 2012

Loan Guy Logic

www.LoanGuyLogic.Com

EAST COUNTY HOMES WITH 100% FINANCING

Even if youre not a Veteran, the next best home loan that allows you to buy with no money down is the USDA LOAN. Heres the catch you have to buy in a rural area which means most every home in Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, parts of Oakley, and Knightsen may qualify. You can fi nd the map on-line with a Google search of: USDA HOMESUSDA.GOV. Sellers can credit up to 6% and closing costs can be fi nanced if the appraisal is greater than the purchase price. Were not all Veterans, but if a program exists to help you buy with little or no down, you should use it. Other low-down loans use Down-Payment Assistance which al-low 1% or less. Now Thats Logical!

To learn more about this information visit my website, Click CONTACT and email

me a request for more details.

(925) 706-6703

By Paul Kelly The Loan Guy

For more information, contact Delta Hazardous Waste Program (925) 756-1990 www.ddsd.org

Accepted:batterieshousehold cleanerspaintmotor oilpesticides & insecticideschemicalsfluorescent tubeselectronic waste CPUs monitors TVs

Not Accepted:appliancestiresradioactive or infectious materialsmarine flaressharps

Tips for Transporting Your Waste Do not mix materials

Keep in original containers

Pack in a sturdy box or tub with newspaper

Transport a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds

When you arrive stay in your car!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

9:00 am - 2:00 pmDupont Parking Lot

6000 Bridgehead Road, Oakley Event is open to all

residents of East Contra Costa County

Household HazardousWasteCOLLECTION DAY

Event Sponsors:

Household Hazardous Waste

OAKLEYDISPOSAL

IN OAKLEY

Stories abound at bookshop

Rochelle Olmos loves books. She loves the smell of them, the feel of them and the pure physicality of them. She loves real books, the kind that come with bind-ings and paper pages but no batteries. She loves what she calls the whole personal-ity of a book and the magic they hold.

Which is why the married mother of fi ve and full-time Santa Clara Sheriffs deputy has taken the proverbial leap of lit-erary faith and opened Stories Bookshop on First Street in Brentwood a buy, sell and trade brick-and-mortar curiosity shop of words where the community can gather, discuss and share stories.

Theres nothing like holding a book in your hand or getting together and talk-ing about a story, debating over it and cast-ing the characters, said Olmos. I own a Nook (e-reader) but I still want to hold a book in my hand, smell it and look ahead to the end of a chapter. I absolutely believe there is a place in the world for both.

The bookshop stocks all kinds of gently worn books in a variety of titles and topics. For those who want to ex-change their books for cash, Olmos will offer a 10-percent trade on the original sticker price. And for those who just want to swap their titles, a 15-percent sticker

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see Stories page 13ARochelle Olmos, left, and her daughter Brianna have opened Stories Bookshop in downtown Brentwood.

Photo by Ruth Roberts

6A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MAY 11, 2012

Fri. 3 pm to 10 pm r Sat. 10:30 am to 10 pm r Sun. 10:30 am to 6 pm$10 General Admission r $5 Youth & Seniors* r Kids 5 and under FREE

For More Information Call 925-634-3344 or visit brentwoodcornfest.org

FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS

BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS

THE BRENTWOOD

LIVE MUSIC CARNIVALPLENTY OF SHADE AND ONSITE PARKING!

Enjoy Kids Fun Zone, Corn Activities, Arts & Crafts. Plus: Great Food, Local Wines, Microbrews, And Plenty Of Locally Grown Corn!

Spon

sor l

ist c

urre

nt a

s of

04/

17/2

012BECOME A SPONSOR! GET ON THE LIST TODAY!

Publicize your company to over 40,000 attendees! Some of the benefits include: sponsor recognition in local advertising and at the event, free event passes, main stage recognition, and booth presence.

Follow us on

SAVE THE DATE!

JULY 13-15TH

SINCE 1992

ANNIVERSARY

TH

When you bring your appetite to the Blues, Brews & BBQs gala at The Streets of Brentwood on May 25 and 26, dont forget to grab your favorite kid and decorated box for the popular boxcar races, too. While supplies last, the Postal Annex in Brentwood, next to Safeway on Balfour Road, is giving away two sizes of boxes 30x12x12 and 36x20x15. Local businesses, including Extreme Pizza and Rave Cinemas, will be awarding prizes to the best-decorated cars. Races will run both days beginning around 1 p.m.

Boxin it to the barbecueDawg days downtown

Mayor Bob Taylor says hes always been an advocate of Brentwoods historic downtown, and now hes put his money and perhaps an all-beef hot dog or two where his mouth is.

I think I fi ll a niche, Taylor said from behind the counter at Bobs Dawg House, which he opened last week. The response has been fabulous.

Sharing space with Tena Parishs TLCakes bakery on First Street (next to the Delta Cinema), Taylor offers old-fashioned Coney Island hot dogs with a snap to it the same hot links and other all-beef wieners, dressed as you like them, popular when Taylor was last in the hot dog business. Several years ago, he oper-ated from a cart at various public events as well as the Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex.

Its a challenge to operate out of a cart, said Taylor. This is a much better arrangement.

But because not everyone eats beef, the fare at Bobs Dawg House includes chicken/apple and pineapple/pork sau-sages as well. Nachos are also on the menu, and soon to come will be ice cream fl oats made with specialty root beers from New York.

So whats it like sharing a shop with the mayor?

Its not too bad at all, said Parish. Hes doing a great job and hes bringing a lot of people into the shop who didnt know I was here before.

Bobs Dawg House and TLCakes, which serves cupcakes, cookies and other baked goodies, are open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 925-513-3688.

Mayor Bob Taylors new venture, Bobs Dawg House, opened this week-end in downtown Brentwood.

Photo by Rick Lemyre

by Rick LemyreStaff Writer


Advertisement

LOYALTY TO YOUR AGENTNearly every day I get a call from some-

one about one of my listings. I always ask if they already have an agent. Often when I ask that, there is a pause, then they say, ...um, no. We dont really have an agent. We want to go through you. I always probe a little more at this kind of response. What I find most often is that these buyers HAVE been working with an agent for a while, and their agent is actually doing a good job for them. But the buyers are calling me directly think-ing they can cut a better deal, or get a jump on a listing before other buyers.

Most of the time I think you are better served by finding an agent you like and trust and tell them exactly what you are looking for, and then commit to them that you will buy a home through them. This doesnt mean you cant look for properties on your own, but when you find one you like, bring it to your agents attention rather than calling the listing agent directly.

Most of the listings in our market are either bank-owned or short sale. When the listing agent represents both buyer and seller

in these types of transactions, the listing agent makes more money, but the buyers agent commission doesnt come off the price of the house. And as far as getting a jump on the other buyers, that may be true on that ONE listing, but even then, many banks insist that the home is on the MLS for at least a few days before theyll review offers, so everyone has a shot at it. But if you dont get that particular home, the listing agent may or may not tell you about any new list-ings because they think you only want to work with listing agents. And your buyers agent is now thinking you are going to try to go around them again next time, too. Its better to get an advocate on your side in the form of a buyers agent, who will beat the bushes to find the home that meets your needs. When you commit to them, theyll commit to you.

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

No more excuses for not knowing how your nances and investments line up with your life goals and retirement expectations.

Call today for a free consultation, and well explore investment strategies designed to help you protect yourself today, tomorrow and into the future.

Now is the time for a fiscal check-up

Jerey MartinFirst Vice President - Investments [email protected]

Investment and Insurance Products: X NOT FDIC Insured X NO Bank Guarantee X MAY Lose Value

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.2010 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 1010-2902 [74021-v2] A1266

Jason MartinFinancial Advisor [email protected]

8FMMT'BSHP"EWJTPST--$t$POUJOFOUF"WFOVF4VJUFt#SFOUXPPE$"t

Jimmy and Brenda DAmico, owners of Black Bear Diner, pass along a $1,000 check to Tobie Meyer, chair of the recent Oakley Relay For Life event. The donation was made possible by Black Bear patrons, who dropped money into a Pennies for Prevention tube stationed at the restaurant.

Pennies pay off


Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

Marriage

Advertisement

Marriage is such an interesting concept in its own right, defi ning marriage as a mort-gage and youve now offi cially dedicated an entire column to your cause.

Lets start with speaking generally and loosely of the post -World War II age demographic that purchased their fi rst home with their fi rst husband, or wife, and kept both until their dying day our grandparents, or great-grandparents (depending). Th ese individuals thought loooong term: no instant gratifi cation via the internet, cell phone, or other means of communication other than a land-line, postal service, or walk or ride your bike to your friends house. When they signed up for a commitment, it was a commitment. Th ese individuals married their spouse for the long haul and thought the same way with their mortgage30 years or more into a marriage and 30 years into a mortgagethey thought of fi xed products across the board. Statistically speaking, in 1950 the divorce rate was sitting at 1,070 per every 100,000 for men and 1,373 per every 100,000 for women.

Fast forward to 2010 and per infor-mation gathered via the US Census Bureau divorce rates have risen to 9,255 per every 100,000 men and 12,305 per every 100,000 women. Add that increase of eight percent on top of the fact that, as a nation, our foreclosure rate in 2010 was at a record high of twelve percent and it is not an opinion when stated, Commitment, in the form of a marriage or a mortgage, isnt quite what it used to be. Th at said, and aft er reviewing these facts, it is very

important to see the other side of the coin.With an eight percent divorce rate and

twelve percent foreclose rate it is easy to math-ematically determine that eighty-eight percent of both marriages and mortgages, in the long haul, last. In other words, there is still more than enough statistical data to support the idea of having both a good marriage and a good mortgage. Now, Im not a marriage counselor, but I am a nationally licensed Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO), and I can tell you that from my experienced MLO standpoint, Ive observed that communication is the key to a good mortgage. It is invaluable to discuss your loan term goals before jumping into any type of commitmentespecially one with such long term consequences, i.e., a mortgage.

When discussing the idea of purchasing a home, as with and, again, Im not a marriage counselor discussing the idea of entering into a marriage, it is important to regress to the thoughts and ideas of those before us. Can you live with this commitment for 30 years (or more)? is the question/conversation you should be having with your MLO. If the answer to this question is yes, than you have my blessing. If the answer is no, than I object to this relationship, and I seriously think that you should consider the reasons behind my objection, and then ask yourself again if you can live with your commitment for at least 30 years. As always, I welcome all questions and or concerns pertaining to real estate lending on my cell phone, 925-726-1444, or via email, [email protected].

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Join Us at Los Vaquerosas the Amgen Tour of California Bike Race Cycles by

www.ccwater.com

Watch as the Tour races through the Brentwood area from the Los Vaqueros Watershed's spectator "comfort station."

We'll have free cowbells, water, shade structures, and a restroom.

There will be more information about the re-opening of the Watershed in

mid-July. And discounts for the upcoming 2012 Tarantula Run!

Tuesday, May 15 Racers expected between 1:45 pm and 3:00 pmCorner of Camino Diablo & Walnut Blvd., Brentwood

History Mystery borders on risqu

As readers of Sinclair Lewis Bab-bitt can attest, boosterism played a vital role in attracting visitors and settlers to early 20th-century America. The S.B. & Co. postcard publishing company of Chi-cago, Ill. printed thousands of penny and two-cent cards for local customization.

Shown in the card above is a happy

couple, the woman sitting on a gentle-mans lap. The pitch is obvious: Come to friendly Oakley pretty girls and hand-some men. Closer inspection shows the couple wearing cookie-cutter expres-sions and paper-doll body types. Note the

In September of 1912, William Putcamp wrote to Miss Mable Barnes of Casper, Calif., I am having lots of this now. There is a party almost every week. Please answer this and I will send you a letter. East County historian Carol Jensen invites Press readers to supply more information about this months History Mystery card.

Photo courtesy of Carol Jensen

see Mystery page 9A


Why pay for your checking account if you dont need to?

Free Checking thats still free!

I love Free Checking because I dont have a monthly fee and there are lots of freebies,

like ATMs, debit cards, Online Banking and TCUs Bill Pay service.

Monica, TCU member since 1991

NCUAYour savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Everyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Contra Costa or Alameda, part of our 12-county area, is eligible to join. Certain membership requirements may apply.

Just call, click or stop by today:

Call (800) 877-8328

Click www.traviscu.org

Stop by local TCU branches: 2721 Lone Tree Way, or 5819 Lone Tree Way

gentlemans rolled pant cuffs and shoes. OAKLEY emblazoned on an orange, felt pennant suggests that the war between the sexes is resolved happily in Oakley.

The message, written by William Put-camp, declares that he greatly enjoys life in Oakley. He writes that hes having lots of this now. This teasingly salacious com-ment, combined with reports of a party every week, portrays Oakley as an East County social hotspot. Is the message intended to tantalize Mable into writing soon in order to hear all the juicy details?

Addressing the correspondent as Miss Barnes suggests shes neither a fam-ily member nor cousin of Putcamp. Will this card make her jealous? Putcamp certainly doesnt indicate that hes com-ing soon to Casper, located north of Ft. Bragg on the California coast. And he doesnt explicitly invite Miss Barnes to Oakley for the weekly parties. What is the hidden message here?

This months History Mystery challenge is to learn more about William Putcamp. Did he love Oakley so much that he settled here in fertile Delta farming country? Was Miss Barnes tempted to join him or did she stay in Casper, home of timber logging and salmon fi shing? E-mail your contributions insights, genealogy and clues regarding the life and times of these mystery correspondents to East County historian Carol Jensen at [email protected].

Mystery from page 8A

A disaster is a matter not of if, but when and preparedness is the key to sur-vival.

The fi fth annual East County Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood.

Among the activities featured at the fair are child fi ngerprinting, earthquake safety, Dutch oven cooking and a free barbecue lunch (while supply lasts).

Specialists present at the fair include American Medical Response; Contra Costa County Search & Rescue; U.S. Coast Guard; CalStar (the helicopter ar-rives at noon); CERT; the police depart-ments of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg; Neighborhood Watch; the school districts of Antioch, Brent-wood and Oakley; American Red Cross; PG&E; Kaiser Permanente; Brentwood Rotary Club; the Contra Costa County health and animal services; Lowes stores; and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

Preparedness Fair

The Brentwood Union School Dis-trict will offer Transitional Kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year. Under the auspices of the Kindergarten Readiness Act (SB 1381), children turning 5 between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2, 2012 are eligible for the program.

Parents are invited to visit their resi-dent school site to pick up a registration packet. Families will be contacted for an assessment appointment once a registra-tion packet has been completed.

For more information, call the school district hotline at 925-513-6300, ext. 6.

TK sign-ups underway

For more information, call Lynette LaFollette at 925-813-8048 or e-mail [email protected], or call Annette Beckstrand at 925-437-4963 or e-mail [email protected].

Improve Your Smile... Change your Life! Dental Care for Adults & Children Invisalign & Regular Braces Zoom Teeth Whitening Crowns/Bridges-Lumineers/Veneers Dentures/Partials Nitrous Oxide

Complete state of the art dental care for adults and childrenSaturday and evening appointments available New patients welcome Senior discounts 55+

Thank you!For Letting Us Brighten

Up Your Smile!

Smile with Confidence!

Apollo Dental CareFAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Sue Padavettan, D.D.S.USC Graduate, Member ADA, CDA & CCDS

4530 Balfour Road, Suite C, Brentwood (In the Walgreens Shopping Center)634-5061

Kids OrthoConsultation

Expires 5/30/12

BE OUR GUEST & RECEIVE$250 In-office

Whitening - REG. $550!

ORFREE Take-Home Whitening Kit($350 VALUE)

With cleaning, necessary x-rays & exam New patients only Expires 5/30/12

Call now

$500 OFF Ortho Treatment

Expires 5/30/12

FREE Call for details.

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

12A | THEPRESS.NET MAY 11, 2012

YYouth Commission EEDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE FOLLOWING

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

http://www.active.com/cycling/brentwood-ca/tour-de-starbucks-2012RREGISTER ONLINE:

VENTI: 100K (62 miles)Start Time: 7-8 am Cost: $30 Pre-Registration/$35 Day Of

5K Fun Run (3.2 miles) Start Time: 8 am Cost: $10 Pre-Registration/$15 Day Of (17 & under $5)

GRANDE: (24 miles):Start Time: 9-10 am Cost: $25 Pre-Registration/$30 Day Of

TALL: (8+ miles) Start Time: 10-11 am Cost: $10 Pre-Registration/$15 Day Of (Kids 15 & under FREE)

CHECK-IN:REGISTRATION OPENS AT 6:30 AM

START LOCATION: STARBUCKS COFFEE 2530 Sand Creek Rd., Brentwood

HELMETS MUST BE WORN BY ALL PARTICIPANTS WHILE ON YOUR BIKE!!!

and and and 5K Fun Run5K Fun Run5K Fun Run

Make over $100,000 a year and Still Drowning in Debt?Bankruptcy for High Income Earnersby Joan Grimes, Esq.

Advertisement

One of the most overlooked fi nancial tools available to individuals with high income is Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Unlike a Chapter 7 which can require liquidation of assets and has very strict eligibility requirements, a Chapter 13 has greater fl exibility in eligibility and allows individuals to retain their assets while paying back something to their creditors from future income. Some of the powers of a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy include:

Availability of Bankruptcy to High Income Debtors- A Chapter 13 allows individuals who would otherwise not be eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to repay debts to the extent of their ability through a 3-5 year plan. In most cases, Debtors repay between 5-10% of their unsecured debts.

Continuing Business Operation- Unlike a Chapter 7 where a trustee can close down a Debtors business, a Chapter 13 Debtor has the right to continue operation of the business and has the exclusive right to sell, lease or otherwise use the business assets, in the normal course of operation.

Chapter 13 Plan May Modify Secured Creditor Rights- One of the great advantages of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy at this time is ability to strip a lien on your principal residence that does not attach to any equity. Here is a common example: Principal residence has current fair market value of $300,000. Th e fi rst mortgage has a balance of $400,000 and the second mortgage has a balance of $100,000. Because the second mortgage does not attach to any equity in the property, the lien can be avoided or stripped in a Chapter 13 thereby removing the balance of $100,000 at the completion of the Chapter 13 case. In addition, if you have other real property which is not your personal residence, you may reduce the secured claims to the current fair market value if you can pay the fair market value of the real property with the contract rate of interest over the terms of the Chapter 13 Plan which cannot exceed 5 years. Where this makes most sense is on the small rental property. On cars, the Debtor can reduce a loan balance to the fair market value except that a reduction is not allowed on cars used by the Debtor for his personal use

if it was purchased within 910 days of the bankruptcy fi ling i.e. you need to have had the car loan for 910 days prior to bankruptcy fi ling.

Curing a Default- A Chapter 13 Plan can cure a default on a loan with no interest being paid in most cases.

Discharge greater than Chapter 7- A Chapter 13 discharge can encompass many other types of debts which cannot be discharge in a Chapter 7 including criminal matters and taxes. However, the most frequently used provision is to eliminate debts to a spouse, former spouse or child incurred by the Debtor in the course of marriage dissolution or separation except to the extent those debts constitute domestic support obligation. What this means is that hold harmless provisions on real estate obligations and community property settlements obligations can be discharged.

Th e above are just some of the advantages of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. If you are a high income earner, a Chapter 13 may be the answer for you. While it does have some limitations in the amount debt which may be included, there may be fl exibility in classifi cation depending on your particular situation. If you struggling with debt even though you are making a good income, I urge you to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to fully understand the consequences of the decision and the options available. I see people for a free 30 minute consultation at my offi ces located in Walnut Creek and Brentwood.

*WE ARE DEBT RELIEF AGENCY AND HELP PEOPLE FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY. 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. GRIMESBKLAW.COM PHONE 925-323-7772 2012 Joan Grimes

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

The people of The United Methodist Church

1$785$/6721( 48$57= 62/,'685)$&(

9 L V L W 2 X U 6 K R Z U R R P

% D O I R X U 5 G 6 X L W H 0 % U H Q W Z R R G & $ 2 S H Q 0 ) 6 $ 7

( 9 ( 1 , 1 * 6 % < $ 3 3 7 2 1 / < S I

3 H R S O H 3 D U W Q H U V K L S D Q G S H U I R U P D Q F H

&RXQWHUWRSIDEULFDWLRQDQGLQVWDOODWLRQVSHFLDOLVW

Cant attend? Join the conversation via Twitter @SutterDelta#kidshealth

Your kids enjoy supervised play while you participate in an informative conversation led by pediatricians

Susan Adham, M.D. or Irmeen Ashraf, M.D.

Learn N Play with Sutter Delta and the Little Gym

To reserve your FREE space, please call (925) 634-0034.

Quench Your Childs Thirst to Prevent DehydrationHow much water should your child drink? What are the early warning signs of dehydration and heat stress? Symptoms can indicate underlying long-term health issues and lead to serious problems. Learn to recognize the signs. Dr. Adham, Tuesday, June 5 Dr. Ashraf, Thursday, June 28 12 - 1 p.m. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Children Need Happy, Healthy Feet to Grow Big and Strong Children spend a lot of time on their feet! Help your child prevent foot problems by understanding proper foot hygiene and nding the right pair of shoes. Well also address common foot conditions, such as at feet or pigeon toes and whether they need special care. Dr. Adham Dr. Ashraf Tuesday, July 10 Thursday, July 26 12 -1 p.m. 12:30 1:30 p.m.

Fostering Healthy Backs for Proper Posture Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature in the spine and can cause pain and other problems in growing children. Learn how scoliosis is detected and treatment options available. Dr. Adham Dr. Ashraf Tuesday, August 7 Thursday, August 24 12 -1 p.m. 12:30 1:30 p.m.

FREE

to th

e Pu

blic!


Medium & Bread1 Medium 2-Topping Pizza

& a Bread Item

$1099Delivery Charge Applies.Deep Dish Extra.Limited Time Offer. Must Present Press Coupon.

Large & Bread1 Large 2-Topping Pizza

& a Bread Item


Complete MealTwo 2-Topping Pizzas, Chicken Side, Bread Side & a 2-Liter of Coca-Cola

$2499 $2999Mediums Larges

Delivery Charge Applies.Deep Dish Extra.Limited Time Offer. Must Present Press Coupon.

Large 1-Topping

Pizzas


ORDER ONLINEDOMINOS.COM

Or625-5555

Keep your taxes local. Locally owned and operated

for 20 years

PLUS TAX PLUS TAX

eachPLUS TAX

PLUS TAX PLUS TAX

LifeStyle Health & Fitness

5351 Neroly Road, Oakley

For Only $60

i 4 Week Fitness Challenge i 7 Classes/Week i 4 Week Free Access to Gym i Weekly Weigh-Ins i Weekly Measurements i Highly Experienced Trainers i Optional Body By Vi Nutritional

Program $99

than one patient, or medical emergencies involving heavy or immobile patients can also be taken care of by a three-person crew.

Three-person crews can also bring more than one piece of equipment to a scene. Many areas in the district lack fi re hydrants, so the ability to send a 3,000-gallon water tender with the fi rst-arriving engine can be critical.

Some board members said they leaned toward the four-station model be-cause fi refi ghters could be on scene earlier to more calls. However, Henderson said, since many emergency calls require three fi refi ghters, those calls would require a second district engine and four fi refi ght-ers to respond, utilizing more district re-sources than if a three-person crew were to respond. That in turn could negatively impact the response to subsequent calls. Last year, the district averaged 17 calls per day.

Either scenario would make a major impact on response times. First-arriving engines now average about six minutes, 27 seconds to arrive at emergency calls, but fewer stations could double that fi g-ure. Calls from downtown Brentwood and subdivisions to the east, for example, would jump from less than six minutes to 12 or 13. East Oakley and Knightsen would also see longer response times.

Calls in most of Bethel Island now require six minutes to reach. Should the

Fire from page 1A

Big Break

Franks Track

Los VacquerosReservoir

Clifton CourtForebay

A l a m e d a C o u n t y

HollandTract

S a n J o a q u i nC o u n t y

S a c r a m e n t o C o u n t y

JerseyIsland

Marsh Creek Rd

Antioch

Oakley

Danville

Pittsburg

San Ramon

Brentwood

Clayton

Vasco Rd

Byron Hwy

Camino Diablo

Cypress Rd

dR keerC hsraM

Lone Tree Way

State Hwy 4 Byp

ywH noryB

Lone

Tree

Way

Cowell Ranch State Historic Park

Mt Diablo State Park

D i s t r i c t 5D i s t r i c t 5

.

0 1 2 3 40.5Mile

LegendFire Station

Quick Response Vehicle (QRV)

ECCFPD Boundary

Supervisory District Boundary

State Parks

ECCFPD Response Time

CCCFPD Response Time

1.5 mile radius

2.5 mile radius

5 mile radius

1.5 mile radius

2.5 mile radius

5 mile radius

see Fire page 28A

ECCFPD staff has recommended this three-station staf ng model in the event the Measure S re tax fails. The rst circle around each station is about six minutes out; the second about eight minutes, and the third about 13 minutes, depending on traf c. The station farthest left is a Cal Fire station partially paid for by ECCFPD. It will stay open even if the tax fails. For additional maps, go to www.thepress.net.

Map courtesy of ECCFPD

Morgan Morgan TerritoryTerritory(Cal Fire)(Cal Fire)

BrentwoodBrentwood(Station 54)(Station 54)

DiscoveryDiscoveryBayBay

(Station 59)(Station 59)

OakleyOakley(Station 93)(Station 93)


be approved by their teachers to partici-pate. Ambassadors commit to two meet-ings per month plus a monthly duty or activity such as recycling, working in the library or walking kindergarteners to and from the cafeteria at mealtime .

Its a way to teach the students lead-ership and to remember Ariana, said Far-race, a co-director of the program. Its a neat thing to see.

Jessica Rodriquez, 10, said her year as an Ambassador has been interesting and

fun: I think its very nice what she (Ari-ana) did. And it makes me feel good to be helping, too.

Max Cordova, 10, agreed. He believes Ariana would approve of the groups ef-forts. It (the program) teaches you integ-rity, respect and leadership, he said, and I think those are things Ariana would be proud of us for doing.

This group is the perfect way to re-member her, said Evans. Its a nice thing to have her name on.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Ambassadors from page 1A

Jordan Sweeney walks kindergartener Courtney Pierce to her classroom after breakfast.

Photo courtesy of Gehringer Elementary

OOAKLEY

OAKLEYPRESS

2201220122012

The pay and compensation of fi re-fi ghters has become the topic of conver-sation on many blogs and news articles. Our compensation has been exploited by some as overly generous and with others, the cause of the economic downturn.

As the lead negotiator for six of the 11 fi re departments/districts in Con-

tra Costa County, I can assure you our pay varies signifi cantly It has been our practice to survey the salary and benefi ts of 32 Bay Area departments to use in contract negotiations. We have always pushed to be within the average of the top 10 Bay Area departments.

Even though this has been our charge, we have not been able to achieve this level of pay or compensation for the 15 years I have been here. We have always settled for contracts that were within the affordability of our jurisdictions. This is evident by the fact that we represent departments that are number 31 (Pinole Fire Department) and 32 (East Contra Costa County) out of the 32 Bay Area departments surveyed.

When it comes to the worth of a person, profession or service, it has always been debatable. Being a sports fan, I have been in many discussions regarding player contracts of quarterbacks, pitchers or basketball players. I have often ques-tioned the pay of certain movie actors as well. I have often questioned their contri-bution to society as a measuring stick as to what they should be paid.

Should a guy who can dunk a basketball from the free-throw line make more than a pediatric nurse? Should Jim Carey make more money than a school-teacher? This can be debated on many levels and has been. I guess if you were the private nurse, teacher, police offi cer, soldier or fi refi ghter of a multimillionaire, then you could expect to be paid accord-ingly.

I believe that as a fi refi ghter we will not be paid based on the services we provide, but on where we provide them. We understand that our pay scale is based on what money is available within the jurisdictions we work. I am offended, however, by those who question our worth. When people comment on our overly generous benefi ts, retirements, or annual salaries and say that we are paid too much, it does sting a bit.

No, many of us cannot throw a 90-mile-an-hour fastball, dunk from

the free-throw line, we are not CEOs of major corporations and have not created software, cell phones or iPads.

I can tell you what I have done, though. I have done CPR on a 1-minute-year-old and a 105-year-old. I have gotten pulses and respirations back on someone who was dead. I have pulled people out of raging waters and from off of cliffs. I have pulled people out of burning buildings and cut people out of vehicles when they were trapped and bleeding to death. I have held dead children, mothers, sons, daughters and fathers. I have fallen through fl oors, roofs, broken my ankle, injured my back, injured my eye, shoul-ders, and have a lung condition that I will be lucky if I can retire at 50 with.

I have had to explain to too many family members about how we were too late when I knew it was because we were understaffed and underfunded. I have had to bury comrades and console the wives and children of many of our fallen. I have spoken at funerals and given out fl ags and medals to them as well.

I have been bitten, spat on, kicked, punched, vomited on, urinated on, bled on, crapped on, and called many racial slurs in the performance of my duties. I have once started an IV right through the middle of a swastika on an injured biker.

I have seen the results of child abuse,

spouse abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, smoking abuse and elderly abuse.

I have responded to the homes of hoarders and have seen suicides, murders and assault victims. I have images of burnt people, decapitations, gunshots to the head, lacerations, amputations, star-vation you name it; I have seen it.

I am not asking for any sympathy on this; its my chosen profession and I love my job. I just disagree that my compensa-tion is overly generous.



OPINIONEDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY National

Award Winning NewspapersHave you got something to say? Visit www.thepress.net and let your thoughts be known.

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

Founder & President Jimmy ChamouresPublisher & General Manager Greg Robinson

Executive Editor Rick LemyreProduction Manager & Webmaster Lonnie de Lambert

Business Manager Heather Reid

Main Office / Brentwood248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513

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

Advertising 925-634-1441, ext. 115Classifieds 925-634-1441, ext. 142

Editorial 925-634-1441, ext. 111Circulation 925-250-1405

Editorial e-mail [email protected]

Measure S rewards short-term thinking

The East Contra Costa Fire Protec-tion District needs long-term solutions to deal with its fi nancial issues. Measure S is not the solution. Fire Chief Hugh Henderson admits it and the districts own numbers prove it.

Even in-creasing the tax by the allowable 3 percent per year (the tax

becomes $250 in 10 years) and including modest property tax growth, the district will begin spending more than it takes in within four years. At the end of 10 years it will end up where it is now fi nancially or more likely in worse shape. Why? The cost of the Measure S 30-percent staffi ng increase, adding another station, the grow-ing pension obligation, etc. increase the districts expenses beyond the capacity of even the $250 tax level.

That means a $250 tax will have to not only become permanent but will have to be increased under the 30-percent

staffi ng increase model that is justifying Measure S.

A 2011 district-funded survey showed that people supported a $96 tax a big number for people in this struggling economy. But the district Measure S would cost 2 times that tax amount and yet still doesnt solve the districts long-term problems. So in order to pass the measure, scare tactics must be employed. At one district meeting, one of the board members actually said that they should spend all the reserves and force people to vote for a parcel tax. Talk about arrogance and irresponsible behavior! But that is es-sentially what the district is doing.

This is not about good fi re protection or even good government. If it were, other steps would have been taken and a reason-able tax that actually solved the districts problems would have been put before the voters instead of proposing this 30-percent staffi ng increase as the only option. For example:

The district has not talked to Cal Fire, the state fi re agency that other troubled districts have turned to in order to reduce costs, since 2006.

The district has not negotiated a

change in fi refi ghters retirement benefi ts, which currently allows them to retire at age 50 on 3 percent of their salary for each year they have worked. In fact, union ne-gotiations have stopped until after the elec-tion, when the union members will want more not less if this tax passes. The district had an unfunded pension liability of over $21 million as of Dec. 31, 2010.

Lets talk briefl y about fi re insurance costs, which is the primary scare tactic currently being used. An honest answer is that nobody knows what would happen. Fire insurance is only one component of your home insurance premium. The Insur-ance Rating Service, which looks at fi re-protection service, includes many factors in the evaluation of homeowners insur-ance fi re-protection cost. For example: 40 percent of their calculation is water availability that will not change; 10 percent is communications systems, and that will not change.

But the discussion should not even get to this point. There is still time for the dis-trict to provide solutions after this tax fails. Instead of frightening people about what might be, the district needs to come up with workable solutions and then propose

a modest parcel tax, if needed, in time for the November election. The district needs to govern on behalf of the public.

These are tough times, and choos-ing to expand staffi ng by 30 percent while failing to solve the fi nancial problems of the district is just wrong and should not be rewarded by getting your vote.

The fi nancial realities are likely to get lost in the upcoming days and only scare tactics about closing stations will remain. That is a shame. Taking the district to the fi nancial brink and offering only a costly service expansion as the costly option is not good governing. Asking residents for this kind of a tax increase in these tough times, when so many homes in the districts service area are under water, is not good governing.

Residents of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District deserve good fi re services they can afford and sustain for the long term. The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association opposes Measure S because it rewards the kind of short-term thinking that would leave the district with major long-term problems.

Please vote No on Measure S.To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

by Kris HuntExecutive Director

Contra Costa Taxpayers Association

by Vince WellsPresident, United Professional

Firefighters of Contra Costa, Local 1230

GUEST COMMENT

GUEST COMMENT

What firefighter compensation pays for

MAY 11, 2012 THEPRESS.NET | 19A

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORVoting no on new taxes

Editor:I am in agreement with a no vote on

Measure S and any other measure to grab yet more of our hard-earned dollars.

Weve all had to rework our budgets and live within our means during these tough economic times; why cant everyone else? Why is it they always seem to take the easy route of yet another tax on you and me instead going back to the table and making some tough, hard decisions?

This voter has had enough of the cleverly written documentation using everything from pictures to scare tactics to stating the tax will only last a few short years before we have the option of voting again to renew the tax.

Do they really think the American voter and taxpayer is that gullible? Once theres a tax on the books, its there to stay in one form or another. Have you taken a look at your property taxes lately? If not, take a good, long look. The American taxpayer is picking up the tab for a down economy in addition to those that just cant seem to effectively budget.

This voter will continue to vote no on any new or increased taxes.

Mary RichardsBrentwood

Measure S is not the solutionEditor:

This new tax proposed for fi re suppression is a cloak to pay down already incurred debt and duplicate already

received services.After reading an article in Sundays

paper about Moraga Orinda Fire, it was time to join theopposed against Measure S. It is time to bring out the real truth about this wasteful new tax. The article written by Carol Penskar, Moraga-Orinda Fire District not acting in residents best interest, is so similar to what is happening in ECCFPD. The difference is that Moraga Orinda has the highest revenue per unit of all the fi re districts in the region yet it still is underwater in debt.

ECCFPD is also underwater in debt to the amount of $11 million. ECCFPD is headed down the same bottomless pit as Moraga-Orinda unless it makes some real management decisions to head off the inevitable.

Sadly, this new tax will only delay the inevitable unless the real problem is corrected fi rst. The ECCFPD measure will only buy the debt down in the fi fth year to the goal of 85 percent. Thats not enough because there will continue to be 15-percent negative spending annually until we reach the very same situation we are currently in today.

In addition, the measure takes money that could be applied to that 15-percent underfunded pensions, but instead it will apply the new tax dollars to another venture. That venture is paramedic service that we already are receiving through another agency.

These two examples alone show that the money asked for will not be applied to truly correct what the measure states is wrong, but rather increases the duties and costs of fi re at

our expense while continuing to go further in debt.

The $11 million in debt did not happen overnight. The Board of Supervisors along with the commission needed to address a real 100-percent correction fi rst before expanding prematurely into added services already provided. The correction of these two issues are between the union and the BOS.

This correction should be done fi rst before asking the public for more money. Both the BOS and the commission have done nothing but put their hand out for more tax money that will not correct the issue of continued pension debt. The costs continue in the red after fi ve years and will remain digging the debt 15 percent deeper annually until fi xed, or come back and ask for a new tax again and again.

This tells me that ECCFPD is not acting inthebest interest of its residents. Voting No on S will send a message to correct the root problem fi rst (pension debt and duplication of service) before asking us to invest more. The way its written will not correct the revenue problem but rather delay it a few years down the road.

No on Measure S.John Gonzales

Knightsen

Save your fire departmentEditor:

I have been reading these articles regarding our fi re department and I must say that I am ashamed and saddened with what I

am reading. I am the wife of 20 years of one of these local fi refi ghters with this so-called lavish retirement as some have claimed.

My husband is 48 years old and in two years, when he turns 50, he cannot retire. Just last week we received his yearly retirement statement and trust me, it is not pretty. The fi gure that was shown if he were to retire could not come close to covering our bills. I am talking just the basics, and by the way, this tax (Measure S) we would be paying as well.

It was mentioned that many of these fi refi ghters would collect their retirement while getting other jobs. As for my husband, yes, you are correct. He will have to work again not because he wants to but because he has to. After all, he just wants to provide for his family and be able to watch his grandkids grow up.

OK, now for facts: These fi refi ghters for the past four years have voted to not take a raise or anything else. This was to hopefully keep what little they do get and not see any of their brothers hitting the unemployment lines down the road. Fact: some years ago these same fi refi ghters with this so-called lavish retirement voted 100 percent to pass on a raise to enable the department to staff the Discovery Bay station 24/7 like all the other stations. You should have seen their paychecks then.

Reality: Several of these fi refi ghters are out right now on serious injuries, which

see Letters page 20A


www.ContraCostaFair.com

CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE AND AMAZING SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES AT

Discount tickets available at Contra Costa County Fairgrounds (now through May 30) and (May 11 30)

(925) 757-4400

The Spazmatics

Nathan Owen Motown After Dark

Rockin Down the Highway

Sea Lion SplashMagic on the MidwayKids Pedal TractorsTyzen, the HypnotistMake and Take Craft Center

World of Music ExhibitJeremy the JugglerDr. Solars Magic Show

Railway Express TrainWild West Express CowboysCircus ImaginationLanky the Clown

FREE Concert Series FREE Daily ExhibitsCream of Clapton

Blaze of Glory

FRESH

JOIN US ON SUNDAY FOR Fiesta de la Familia

+HUH&RPHVWKH6XQ

&RQWUD&RVWD&RXQW\)DLU0D\-XQH

all occurred while on the job, and many of these injuries just happened to be while these brave men were on a two-person engine. My husband has dealt with two knee injuries and two back injuries and missed many days off work healing and lying in bed while dealing with the depression of hearing the siren, knowing he couldnt be there with his brothers doing what he loves, all the while hoping to make it back.

He could have taken a 50-percent pay tax free for life but would not even think of it. He still gets up, never complains about his pains. The pain I speak of is twofold: the physical pain as well as the emotional pain of knowing that some feel he and his brothers are milking the system, wanting a free ride.

This tax is not about their pensions, and it is not about making their paychecks fat. Its about these brave men having the tools and brothers they need to do their jobs.

I agree that in this day and age people are being taxed to death. However, this service that they provide cannot be lost. I have family here, like we all do, and I do not want any of them waiting 10 to 15 minutes for an engine.

If Measure S does fail, then yes: the people have spoken. I urge people to please really look into this and really think about it and fi nd out the facts before you go and vote. Please give our fi refi ghters the ones that have our backs that much.

Patricia FossBrentwood

Fire cuts no scare tacticYes on Measure S

Editor:After reading Mike Dawsons comments

on Measure S last week, I felt compelled to correct several incorrect assumptions contained in his letter.

His fi rst comment included government living within its means. It is important for us all to be aware that ECCFPD has not had the means/revenue to effectively provide the service most citizens expect. As previously explained, because of Prop 13 limits, we have been paying for a rural level of service when the reality is the community has grown to require a suburban level of service. The cities and communities have grown without any

adjustments to the apportionment of funding. In this case our fi re districts means has been below the industry standard and below the rest of the county, in revenue, pay and services. Thirty years of underfunding the fi re district has fi nally caught up with us.

Next were comments of pension reform and crying wolf. While many municipalities are working on pension reform, the issues are extremely complex. There are many laws and statutes that defi ne what can and cannot be reformed and it takes decades for any savings to be realized. Furthermore, our fi refi ghters are already paid far below that of their county and Bay Area counterparts. They are a distant last when it comes to staffi ng

Letters from page 19A

see Letters page 21A


22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

levels and compensation there is no more room to be cut. There is no crying wolf.

Its very clear that if Measure S fails, half of our remaining fi re stations will be closed almost immediately, leaving us with only three stations to protect the communities that have relied on as many as eight fi re stations in the past. This is neither a scare tactic nor a matter of crying wolf. It is the reality facing each and every one of us.

Lastly was a comment regarding Brentwood possibly separating itself from the district and forming its own fi re department. While even though the unincorporated communities pay a higher 9 percent compared to Brentwoods 7 percent, the scenario of detachment is highly unlikely due to many factors and Government Code 56668, which LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission), the regulating agency, must consider.

Moreover, even if Brentwood was able to detach, its citizens still travel, visit family and friends, own businesses, shop and work outside of its boundaries and are likely to need emergency services when away from home or traveling Vasco, Marsh Creek and Highway 4.

I agree that it is important to look closely at the consequences this proposal brings, as well as any new taxes. Although I feel taxed out, the ramifi cations of Measure S are beyond any scare tactic, and the consequences would be felt immediately. If the measure fails, your insurance is subject to increase and cancellation, fi refi ghters will be laid off, fi re stations will close and vital emergency response times will increase. This puts lives and property at risk. In this scenario, we all lose.

As a resident, former LAFCO commissioner and taxpayer, I urge you to get the facts, and vote Yes on Measure S.

David PiephoDiscovery Bay

Help bring back July 4 celebrationEditor:

Wed like to share with you some

information about a meaningful and fun community event that we would like to invite you to celebrate with us.

As you know, the city of Antioch has gone through some trying fi nancial times and as a result, the annual Fourth of July Independence Day parade and fi reworks celebration has gone unfunded for the past two years. This year, the Antioch Fourth of July Independence Day Parade & Fireworks Celebration 2012 Committee, comprising a cross-section of community leaders, business owners, service organizations and community-minded citizens, has come together to bring this 50-plus year tradition of celebrating our nations birth back to Antioch.

The celebration will include a parade, vendor and food booths and fi reworks in a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment on our waterfront, providing our citizens with a much-needed a sense of community and inspiration. Our local school groups and youth organizations will be invited to not only participate, but the event will offer them fundraising opportunities.

In the past, over 20,000 celebrants annually enjoyed this day of community and national pride, and we believe this will be true of the 2012 celebration.

To accomplish this, we need your help and that of the entire community. To fund the parade and fi reworks, at no cost in city funds, we will need to raise $65,000. We know this is a lofty goal, but one with everyones help we can accomplish to date we have raised over $50,000.

In the coming weeks you will see donation containers at our local cooperating businesses and we solicit your help and sponsorship participation.

This is truly an event for the entire community and we hope you will consider helping us by supporting our efforts. As well as contributing in the containers, you may make your tax-deductible contributions online at www.antiochjuly4th.com or mail your check (payable to Antioch Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation) to Antioch

Chamber of Commerce, 101 H St., Antioch, CA 94509 (please write 4th of July on the memo line).

If you have questions, please contact us. We also invite you to offer suggestions as to how you can help make this great event return to Antioch.

Martha Parsons and Joy MottsAntioch Fourth of July

Fundraising Committee

Thanks for improvising fun fundraiserEditor:

The Brentwood Elementary Odyssey of the Mind team would like to thank several members of the community for their support this past weekend at the Improv and Comedy Night at Caps Oak Street Bar & Grill.

Caps generously donated its upstairs room to allow us to hold an Improv & Comedy Night, which helped raise money for theOM team. The improv group that performed was made up of some key members of our community: Rick Lemyre, Helen Dixon,Steve Kinsella,Ed Hill, Lisa Siemers and some Odyssey of the Mind family memberswho just like to get up on stage. The Odyssey of the Mind team is raising money in order to attend a World Finals competition in Ames,Iowa.

Odyssey of the Mind is a problem-solving and creative competition in which children form teams and are challenged to work together to fi nd solutions to complicated problems. The children must compete at regional and then state levels in order to qualify for the World Tournament.

The World Finals Tournamentis an opportunity to meet and interact with elementary-age through high-school-age students from all around the globe. The team has only 1 months to raise several thousand dollars to pay for travel and lodging. We have been working very hard to meet our goals, and the night at Caps wasa highlight of these efforts. The crowd was great, Caps served up delicious food and drinks, and fun was had by all.

Thank you again to Caps, our wonderful audience on Sunday night, the talented improv team Temporary Insanity, those who donated to our auction baskets, and our friendswho have supported us during this whole process.

BrentwoodElementary Odyssey of the Mind Team

Spring FlingEditor:

The Loma Vista Elementary School Parents Club would like to thank all of the families, teachers, staff, volunteers and vendors that supported our recent Spring Fling event.

This annual Spring Fling fundraiser wouldnt have been possible without the support of the following vendors: Aladinos Pizza; Antioch Auto Center and Tracy Ford Ray Malgradi; Arbonne Lori Maple; Avon Aida Handt; Bamboo Village Justin LaVasse; Brentwood Bike Co. and Party Lite Bobbi Michalski; Diablo Solar Bryan Raymond; Ella Mac Jodi Moore; Eye Care Galleria Dr. Farinas; Fancy That! Courtney Meyer; Gorilla Rilla; Steve Hanson;Head N Toes Suzy Salamy; Heavenly Cheesecakes Maria Martinek; La Real de Michoacon Tania Cedeno; Legacy Dance & Cheer; Loards Ice Cream; Loma Vista parent volunteers; Loma Vista Parents Club; Magical Memories Travel Rene Huxtable; Max Muscle Brentwood Brenda and Pierre Goudie; May Kay Theresa Addison; Pampered Chef Gina Alfsen; Paparazzi Accessories Valerie Ricks; Pristine Fine Carpets; Reliv. International Judy Gibson; Scentsy Beverly McCauley; Scott Brooks Insurance; Silpada Jewelry Kristen Harjo; Stella Dot Jewelry Deanna Knowles; Sticky Chicken & Ribs; The Classy Cottage Rhonda Detlefsen; The entire Loma Vista family; The Gold Refi nery Amanda Chamberlain; Thirty-One Gifts Michele Duckett; Tumble Time Bus; and Tupperware Cindy Gilchrist.

LomaVistaElementary SchoolParents Club

Brentwood

Letters from page 20A

MAY 11, 2012 SPORTS THEPRESS.NET | 23A

Heritage boys solidify identity on court

Janet Hannigan is accustomed to coach-ing successful volleyball teams at Heritage the players usually wear ribbons in their hair and play in the fall. But when the boys take the court in the spring, victories are hard to come by.

Hannigan is now in her second season as the boys coach, and the team is signifi cantly more successful than in her fi rst season. A 3-0 win over Freedom in their penultimate match of the season boosted the Patriots record to 6-3 in Bay Valley Athletic League play, 12-8 overall, putting them in prime position for a spot in the North Coast Section playoffs.

Last year, once we were down in a game, we didnt really come back, junior set-ter Freddy Moore said. It didnt seem like we wanted to come back. This year, everyone has that drive to get that last point and really show that heart.

Junior middle blocker Alex Filardo at-tributed the success to another factor a fac-tor that hasnt been in play in past seasons: This years team has exuded a more upbeat, winning attitude. Nobody really gets down on themselves or others like weve had in the past, Fillardo said.

Moore and Fillardo are two of four team captains. Joining them are fellow opposite hit-ter and junior Brendan Kennealy and senior outside hitter Tyler Eelsing one of only three seniors on the roster.

This years roster is nearly identical to last years. A season ago, Hannigan fi elded a team loaded with sophomores bringing little or no volleyball experience to the court and expect-ing to take some lumps. This years squad boasts eight juniors, and the focus hasnt been merely volleyball skill, but leadership.

With our girls team, leaders are already in the team. Some of these girls are born as leaders, Hannigan said. With the boys, its more teaching them to be leaders. Weve done a lot on John Woodens Pyramid of Success, where they have to tell me what each of the blocks is. We have a theme at every practice based off of that.

The players also realize that while the leadership has improved, theres still room to grow. They acknowledge that sometimes they play lackadaisically against opponents they should beat with relative ease.

Despite the rosters three seniors and eight juniors, the Patriots are relatively inexpe-rienced. Many of the players are new to the game, which shows on the court, even in wins. The teams leaders acknowledge the need to fi x those problems in order to make a success-ful NCS run.

We just need to work on our commu-nication when were out there on the court; sometimes we get a little quiet out there, Kennealy said. We also need to work on mo-mentum. We get it, but sometimes lose it too easily. If we can do that, well do pretty well in the playoffs.


by Michael DixonCorrespondent

Heritage Highs Alex Filardo rises to the occasion against Freedom Highs Enrique Ramirez during a Bay Valley Athletic League match on Tuesday.

Photo by Kevin Bartram


runner who still competes in Bay Area marathons, introduced her to running when he invited her to a race when she was 12. The experience, said Tilcock, ex-panded to weekend runs that allowed fa-ther and daughter to bond and injected an element of training into the outing.

Out of anyone I have met, I think he loves running the most, Tilcock said of her father. He inspires me. During races, he gives me tips and is very supportive.

Success isnt foreign to Tilcock. She excelled in the classroom long before she began running and is currently carrying a 4.37 grade point average.

While Tilcock mulls over her future, including the prospect of athletic and aca-demic scholarships still in the air, her feet are fi rmly planted on the ground. I had her in my Algebra II class, said Wiley, and I didnt see any difference compared to how she performs out here. She is dedi-cated in the classroom and dedicated out here, so it transfers over real well.

Tilcock is determined to get a person-al-best time of 12:10 in the 3600 meters Saturday at the BVAL Championships.

Unlike three years ago, Tilcock will step to the starting line on Saturday brim-ming with confi dence. Her dads supportive tips will help feed her overwhelming drive to succeed. But whether she sets her personal-best time or not, shell continue to run.

I think I will be running for the rest of my life, Tilcock said. Its kind of a lifestyle.


Confident from page 22A

Freedom High football player Stephen Rodriguez will attend the University of Redlands in Southern Cali-fornia, where hell play wide receiver for the Bulldogs. Rodriguez signed his letter of intent on Tuesday surrounded by his parents, Larry and Elizabeth. This past season the Falcons star ran for three touchdowns, caught eight and lled in at quarterback late in the season. He was a second-team all-Bay Valley Athletic League selection. Also a member of Freedoms swim team, Rodriguez earned the schools Citizenship Award this year.

Falcon to fly south

Photo by Justin Lafferty

26A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS MAY 11, 2012

Discovery Bay resident Bobby Connelly, 5, has been racing BMX bikes for only 2 months but has won numerous races. Hes only two races away from advancing to the intermediate level. Bobby was recently asked to join Team Bandit one of the BMXs oldest race teams making him the rst 5-year-old novice to be picked up by Team Bandit in more than 20 years.

DB kid earns BMX sponsor

Photo courtesy of Traci Connelly

The Heritage High School boys bas-ketball program hosts its eighth annual Basketball Camp for boys in grades three through eight June 11 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The camp, which focuses on fundamen-tals and fun, is one of the programs major fundraisers and com-munity service events every year.

Campers receive individual and small-group instruction on all phases of the game, including sportsman-ship and teamwork, as well as a Heritage Basketball Camp T-shirt.

The camp is directed and taught by

Heritage head coach Pat Cruickshank, junior varsity coach Dave Winthrop and players from this years Patriots basket-

ball teams. Cruick-shank and Winthrop bring more than 40 years of coaching ex-perience at the youth, high school, AAU and international level. The fee is $100.

To obtain a fl y-er, visit www.liber-tyunion.schoolwires.net/heritage, click on Athletics, Boys Basket-ball and 2012 Summer

Basketball Camp. For further informa-tion, call Cruickshank at 925-634-0037, ext. 6090 or e-mail [email protected].

Just hours after he was named the California Collegiate Athletic Associa-tions Pitcher of the Week, Freedom alum-nus and Cal State Stanislaus baseball play-er Chris Short received the honor as the West Regions top hurler from the Nation-al Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) for the week of April 16-23.

Conferences pitchers and players of the week are nominated for the regional award by a panel of sports information directors and collegiate basaeball writers.

Short, a senior from Oakley, did not

allow a run in two appearances that week, struck out eight batters and held oppo-nents to a .189 batting average in 10 1/3 innings of work. He extended his score-less streak to 12 2/3 innings.

Against Cal Poly Pomona, he pitched 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball, striking out two batters in relief. As a starter in game two Saturday at San Francisco State, Short tossed a six-hit, seven-inning complete game shutout featuring six strikeouts.

Contributed by Cal State Stanislaus Media Relations

Heritage preps for camp

Freedom grad honored


22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Antioch teen claims international belt

Antioch kickboxer Katrina Nahe is only 15, but she can already say shes con-quered the world.

Nahe, a freshman at Deer Valley, defeat-ed Tisha Balentien of Holland on Saturday by unanimous decision at the International Kickboxing Federation World Muay Thai-Kickboxing Championship in Oakland.

The fi ve-round world title bout need-ed all fi ve rounds to be decided, but once all was said and done, the judges awarded Nahe the victory. It was an epic battle, to say the least, said Nahes trainer, Dennis Guila. It was the kind of fi ght that people were roaring on their feet when it all took place.

Coming into the fi ght, Balentiens re-cord was 27 wins (12 by knockout) and only four losses. Guila gave Balentien plenty of credit as a worthy opponent for Nahe.

However, now that Nahe is on top, she will have to defend her title. Guila said that Nahes victory bodes well for the future of the young fi ghter, who knows it will probably not be her last international title fi ght.

As far as her reaching this plateau in her young career, it certainly puts her at a whole new level in what she does as a fi ghter, Guila said. This defi nitely will be opening up more doors for her on the world market. This is a very prestigious title, which its up to her to keep and defend now.

This is Nahes fourth IKF belt. Last year in Orlando, she defeated her opponent in just 1 minute, 7 seconds.

Antioch kickboxer

Katrina Nahe with a few of

her many title belts.

Press file photo

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

Brentwood resident and Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu student Dalia Garib-ay, 10, won gold last weekend at the fth American Jiu-Jitsu Cup, held at Independence High School in San Jose. Dalia has been train-ing for only six months but has shown tremendous talent and focus since her rst class. Crosley Gracie Team entered 17 competitors in the tourney and brought home three gold, ve silver and seven bronze medals.

Golden Garibay

Photo courtesy of Crosley Gracie

tax fail and the Bethel Island station be closed, it could take 13 minutes for help to reach just the Bethel Island Bridge from Oakley, assuming the Oakley engine is in-station.

Under either scenario, non-emer-gency calls such as smoke investigations, fl oods and gas odors would no longer be responded to until a district engine is available. Currently, those calls get sup-port from ConFire in Antioch. But since the ECCFPD would need assistance on more emergency calls (fi ve engines are now dispatched to all structure fi res, and ECCFPD would operate only three or four in the entire district), non-emergen-cy aid would be eliminated to reduce the strain on ConFire resources. The ECCF-PD already gets help from ConFire about twice as often as it provides assistance in return.

The new system would also make it harder for the district to assist itself. Even in areas where stations will remain open, the second-due engines will come from up to twice as far away, if they are avail-able. Fewer engines mean more calls per

engine, longer and more dangerous drives with lights and sirens, and more likeli-hood that backups will be busy on a call of their own.

Vince Wells, president of fi refi ghter union Local 1230, told the board Mon-day that the sparse coverage refl ected on maps they were looking at was the best-case scenario, and only possible if all engines are in-station when a call comes in. Responding from other places could make the travel time even longer, and the uncertainty of when backup would arrive would impact fi refi ghters ability to deal with an emergency.

It will make it harder to make life-or-death decisions not knowing if or when another crew is coming, Wells said. This is the position well be put in if we have eight or nine guys to cover 250 square miles and 105,000 people. The fi refi ghters are not going to be able to live up to your expectations if we have to go down to eight or nine.

Measure S opponents have said the ECCFPD is top-heavy, and consideration should be given to reducing the number

of fi re captains, engineers and administra-tive personnel in favor of more fi refi ghters at the bottom of the pay scale. This week, Henderson re-iterated that the suggestion doesnt work.

An engine company is a team, he said. Every team needs a leader thats the captain, an equipment manager, the engineer and a worker-bee fi refi ghter. To effectively operate in an emergency situa-tion, having a crew with all the right play-ers is essential.

The district now employs three bat-talion chiefs, one per shift. The other ad-ministration staff are Henderson and one administrative assistant who handles all the district paperwork, payroll, ordering, and staffs the front desk at the district of-fi ce.

If Measure S passes, district property owners will pay $197 per year, plus up to 3 percent cost-of-living increase. In addi-tion to keeping all current stations open, the tax would enable the district to add paramedics to its engines. The district is the only one in the county not providing paramedic services, which are now pro-vided under a county contract with Amer-ican Medical Response. That contract runs out in 2015, Henderson said, and its not certain that the far East County ser-vice it provides will be continued.

The original measure called for a

5-percent yearly maximum increase, but public feedback from dozens of informa-tion meetings held by district offi cials in recent months caused the board to scale it back. The result is that, even if the tax passes, more work will be needed to as-sure the districts viability.

Henderson said that work is already under way. Talks with Local 1230, sus-pended until after June 5, have already resulted in union acknowledgment that changes in benefi ts will be needed. Base pay in the ECCFPD is already the lowest in the Bay Area.

Other measures could include elimi-nating things such as equipment replace-ment funds. Like reducing engine staffi ng to two, Henderson said he believes its a backward step that should not be taken.

I feel very strongly about that, he said Monday. When we consolidated, we started building a modern, suburban fi re district, and thats what we need.

Director Pat Anderson echoed the sentiments of the rest of the board when she said she hopes the tax will pass, and three- or four-station scenarios are not needed.

These are choices you never want to make, but the choice isnt necessarily ours, its the publics, she said. I just hope the public really does hear the message.



Orthodontic CareFREE Exam & Consultation

Changing lives one smile at a time!

Antioch 757-9100Brentwood 634-4446

For Children & Adults No Dental Referral Needed 0% Payment Plan Options

www.sheffi eldortho.com Se Habla Espaol

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Dentistry

Cosm

etic & Fam

ily10Years of

ExcellenceJamilAlkhouryDDS

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Fire from page 14A

Photo by Richard Wisdom

Gil Guerrero, vice president of re ghters union Local 1230, speaks at Mondays re board meeting. Guerrero, as did others who spoke, asked the board to stick with three-person re engine companies if the re tax does not pass in June and up to half the districts stations are closed.

MAY 11, 2012 HEALTH & BEAUTY THEPRESS.NET | 29A

CURVES IS GIVING AWAY ONE MILLION FREE 30-DAY MEMBERSHIPS!

www.curvesofbrentwood.comLimit of one free 30 day membership per person. Not valid with any other offer, no cash

value, and new members only. Valid only at participating locations.

CALL TODAY!925-240-8065

3130 Balfour Rd. Ste. ABrentwood

Free Curves for 30 daysCurves of Brentwood will give a free

30-day membership to any non-member who visits the club during regular operat-ing hours throughout National Womens Health Week: May 13-19.

The annual awareness week, coordi-nated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Offi ce on Womens Health (OWH), begins each year on Mothers Day and brings together com-munities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups in an ef-fort to promote womens health. Curves International has partnered with the OWH to help promote National Womens Health Week and provide health and well-ness programs and materials to women throughout the nation.

In further support of this partner-ship, Curves has inaugurated its National Curves Day celebration, which will occur annually on the Thursday of National Womens Health Week. Curves Interna-tional aims to give away 1 million free 30-day memberships at participating Curves gyms throughout the United States and Canada during the week-long event. Any non-member who visits a participating Curves club during National Womens Health Week will be eligible for this free membership offer.

Everyone at Curves of Brentwood is excited about our new partnership with this infl uential government organiza-tion, said a Curves of Brentwood staff member. This relationship confi rms the

value that the Curves program offers to women by promoting regular exercise, nu-trition guidelines and community fi tness events. We look forward to working with the OWH to offer our members and our community even more resources for living a healthy, active lifestyle.

Its Your Time is the theme for the 13th annual National Womens Health Week, which empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encour-ages women to take the following steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases: Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screen-ings. Get active. Eat healthy. Pay attention to mental health, includ-ing getting enough sleep and managing stress. Avoid unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bi-cycle helmet.

For more information about Curves of Brentwood, located at 3130 Balfour Road, Suite A, National Curves Day and the Curves 1 million free 30-day member-ships offer, call 925-240-8065 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information about Curves, visit www.curves.com. For more information about National Womens Health Week, includ-ing a list of events in your area, visit www.womenshealth.gov/whw.

Prepare for emergenciesA disaster is a matter not of if, but

when and preparedness is the key to sur-vival.

The fi fth annual East County Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood.

Among the activities featured at the fair are child fi ngerprinting, earthquake safety, Dutch oven cooking and a free barbecue lunch (while supply lasts).

Specialists present at the fair include American Medical Response; Contra Costa County Search & Rescue; U.S.

Coast Guard; CalStar (the helicopter ar-rives at noon); CERT; the police depart-ments of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg; Neighborhood Watch; the school districts of Antioch, Brent-wood and Oakley; American Red Cross; PG&E; Kaiser Permanente; Brentwood Rotary Club; the Contra Costa County health and animal services; Lowes stores; and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

For more information, call Lynette LaFollette at 925-813-8048 or e-mail [email protected], or call Annette Beckstrand at 925-437-4963 or e-mail [email protected].

MAY 11, 2012

THE THE PRESSPRESS


22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 888882008

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

MAY 11, 2012 ALL ABOUT PETS THEPRESS.NET | 3B

Th erapy helps pets get, stay healthy

Jules spent three months in physical therapy recovering from arthritis and a ruptured ligament in her leg unremarkable except for the fact that Jules isnt human. The 9-year-old Rottweiler received

her physical therapy at Animal Rehabilitation and

Wellness, Inc., a new center that brings the emerging

eld of animal physical therapy to Brentwood.

Dr. Cory Sims, clinical director for Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness, took a class on the subject last July and saw instant results when she began using it with her patients. After discovering she needed more space, she opened Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness with partner Troy Mendia in March of this year. Animals are dropped off in the morning on therapy days and treated to fun exercise sessions interspersed by breaks. Boarding is available for pets with medical conditions that require special attention while their owners are out of town.

Physical therapy can be used to help animals recover from surgery or injury. It can also slow the progress of degenerative diseases, promote weight loss in obese pets and provide conditioning for sport or work dogs, and it serves as a helpful counterpart to a pets traditional veterinary visits. The center also provides cold laser therapy for joint pain and surgical

ON THE COVER: Manager Troy Mendia puts Grogg, a great Dane, through his paces during a workout at Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness center in Antioch.

A M Y C L A I R E

see Therapy page 7B


Marley, a golden retriever, thinks hes playing, but hes actually getting a workout from Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness Clinic Director Dr. Cory Sims, left, and center manager Troy Medina.

4B | THEPRESS.NET ALL ABOUT PETS MAY 11, 2012

A M Y C L A I R E

Pet owners know that a little affection from a loving animal can brighten the gloomiest day. The Pet Hug Pack, a program

of Tony La Russas Animal Rescue

Foundation (ARF), has been arranging

for volunteers to bring their pets on

therapy visits to senior communities

and other facilities since 2002. Now,

a collaboration with The Commons

at Dallas Ranch retirement home is

expanding the Pet Hug Pack into East

County, bringing friendly animals to

visit seniors at The Commons and

other facilities in the area.

To me, animal therapy is getting to the heart of what people are, said Dina Osakue, community relations director for The Commons. After the communitys former pet therapy dog, Moose, could no longer make his weekly visits, Osakue discovered ARF and arranged to meet with Pet Hug Pack representatives. We talked and decided it was time for people in East County to have the same opportunities as

people over the hill.Osakue has seen rsthand the bene ts

of Mooses animal therapy visits. She recalled a resident who claimed to dislike dogs but attended, reluctantly, one of the animal visits. It didnt take long before he was beguiled by the friendly pooch. Eventually he began looking forward to seeing his furry friend. He would sit by the door waiting for Moose, said Osakue, who added that the animal visits not only cheer up lonely residents but can break through to patients suffering from physical and mental conditions. People who dont normally talk theyre talking and smiling, she said. You can see the change. Its an immediate response.

In order to launch animal therapy visits to East County senior communities, hospitals and other locations, the Pet Hug Pack is holding a volunteer drive this weekend. Interested pet owners can learn more about the program and its requirements. Outgoing and well-mannered dogs, cats and small animals can apply.

Pat Mills, People Connect coordinator for the Pet Hug Pack, began volunteering to make visits with her golden retriever, Spiff, six years ago. I thought Id like to take all the joy she brought me and share it with other people, she said. Smiles come to peoples faces Its all this unconditional love they offer.

Osakue knows expanding the Pet Hug Pack program throughout the area might take time, but shes proud to be a part of the process. Its a long row to hoe, but were up for the challenge. She hopes the drive will attract many volunteers so that seniors at numerous facilities can reap the bene ts of animal therapy. Just share what you have, she said. Bring joy to somebody.

The Pet Hug Pack volunteer drive will be held Saturday, May 12 from 10

to 11:30 a.m. at The Commons at Dallas Ranch, 4751 Dallas Ranch Road in Antioch. Participants should not bring their pets. Owners must be at least 21 and have owned their pet for at least six months. Dogs and cats must be at least 1 year old.

Call Dina Osakue at 925-754-7772 or e-mail [email protected]. For general information about the Pet Hug Pack, e-mail Pat Mills at [email protected] or visit www.arf.net.


Pet Hug Pack brings smiles to seniors

Spiff, an animal therapy dog, enjoys a comforting moment with a resident at The Commons at Dallas Ranch.

Photo by Amy Claire

MAY 11, 2012 ALL ABOUT PETS THEPRESS.NET | 5B

OOAKLEYOAKLEYPRESS

Oakley Press_05.11.12

Documents

Transcript of Oakley Press_05.11.12