03/31/2011 - The Independent

PAGE 2 - The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011Pleasanton Rotary contributes toAfghan hospital modernizationAn acute care hospital inJalalabad, Afghanistan, now hasits first heart monitors, infantincubators and other modernmedical equipment thanks tothe efforts of North PleasantonRotary Club, Rotary International,Assist International andthe Washington Hospital systemin Fremont.Representatives from all thesegroups, as well as Fremont’sAfghan community, gatheredMonday at Washington Hospitalto celebrate the project, whichplaced some $300,000 worth ofmedical equipment in the 500-bed Jalalabad Publlic HospitalNumber late last year and earlythis year.As the primary acute care facilityfor the region, the hospitalsees nearly 50,000 patients amonth. Yet it lacked even rudimentarydiagnostic and therapeuticequipment, according to SusanDuPree, a clinical psychologist inPleasanton and former presidentof Pleasanton North Rotary.With no modern facilities, thepediatric unit was losing one ortwo babies per day, according toJim Stunkel, executive director ofAssist International, a Scotts Valley-basedcharity that supportsthe needy overseas and provided$65,000 in aid for the Jalalabadequipment.Now, with modern monitorsand incubators, the pediatric unithas “changed from a room ofdeath to a room of life,” he said.It was particularly DuPree’sinitiative that got the projectstarted. She lived and taught inKabul in 1969-70 for the U.S.Agency for International Development.She learned to love theAfghan people.“I always had a special feelingthere,” she recalled on Mondayafter the dedication ceremony.“I was treated with respect as aneducator. I identified with the ancientculture. Going back (as partof the medical assistance project)was like going home.”Assist International’s Stunkelshowed photographs of patientrooms in the hospital prior toinstallation of the donated equipment.They were bare except forbeds and tables.Post-installation photosshowed the same rooms withpatients hooked up to cardiacmonitors.The hospital is staffed mainlywith western educated medicalpersonnel who had goodprofessional skills and neededonly modern equipment and theinstrument-specific training touse and maintain it, according toPleasanton North Rotary.Donations and deep discountsoffered by companies like Philipsand GE, which make medicalequipment, allowed projectleaders to contribute far moreequipment and training than theyactually paid for out of pocket.Assist International will guaranteethe equipment for a year.Stunkel provided his contactinformation so that Afghan techniciansand doctors could reachhim if they encountered any difficultyin the future.Asked whether western aidmight provoke unfriendly intereston the part of the Taliban, Stunkelsaid he was aware of hospitalsin other cities where that hadhappened – where doctors werepressured to quit, and threatenedif they stayed.However, the project leadersthought that would probably nothappen in Jalalabad, which isrelatively stable, he said.Huda Mojadi agrees. She is aFremont mother who grew up inKabul and remembers childhoodvacations in Jalalabad with greatfondness. She is also the wife ofan Afghan born radiologist whoworks at Washington Hospitaland contributed to the donationproject.“This equipment will be atremendous help to the (Jalalabad)community,” she said. “It isgreatly appreciated by the communitybecause of what it bringsthem. They haven’t enjoyed(the benefits of such equipment)before.”Pleasanton Budget UpdateShows Increase in IncomeThe update in Pleasanton’stwo-year budget showed an increasein income.The report, as of the 18thmonth in a two year budget cycle,was presented to the PleasantonCity Council at its most recentmeeting.The good news is that incomeis up in several areas.Finance Director Emily Wagnerstated that last June projectedrevenues were $84.9 million.Now, they are $86.1 million.This is the result of an increase inproperty taxes (over $600,000),as well as sales tax revenue($1.13 million) and the transientoccupancy tax ($400,000). “Inaddition, we are seeing moreactivity in development, with anadditional $800,000 in fees.”At the end of June 2010,expenditures were estimatedto be $87.7 million, creatinga $2.6 million deficit. At thattime, decreases in spending wereachieved. The lower spendinglevels continue, with the mainreduction $2.12 million in personnelcost, stated Wagner.City Manager Nelson Fialhopointed out that reduction in personnelcost has not resulted in areduction in services. Thirty-ninepositions have been eliminated.“Staff has stepped forward. Theyare stressed, but have agreed totake on more.”In addition, reforms are underwayto reduce the city’s unfundedpension liability.Wagner said at a recent meetingthat the city has $171 millionin unrestricted assets.The city plans also to implementa two-tier system of benefitsfor new employees, which shouldreduce the city’s short-termcosts and reduce the unfundedliability.Firefighters agreed last yearto pay 2 percent. Meanwhile,management staff will amendcontracts to pay 4 percent and thecity manager, Nelson Fialho, willpay the full 8 percent.There was concern raisedby members of the public thatenough wasn’t being done tolower the unfunded liabilty.The estimated unfunded liabiltyranges between $121 millionand $183 million.David Miller said he isn’t surethe city has the right tools to addressthe issue. He asked peopleto go to Ptowncitizens.com forinformation on what citizenscan accomplish. “If necessary,we will do what we can at theinitiative level. We are readyto go.”Former councilmember KayAyala pointed out that nowherein the budget is the unfundedliability identified. “To say thebudget is balanced when theliability is going up is disingenuous.”Fialho stated, “The unfundedliability is a serious issue. Itneeds to be dealt with in a committedway.”The city is planning to holda series of workshops to engagethe public in creating the next2-year budget. The workshopsare scheduled for May 10 and24 and June 7.Open House to Provide Information inPleasanton Ridge Park Land Use PlanA “Spring Presentation andOpen House for the PleasantonRidge Regional Park Land UsePlan” will be held Wednesday,April 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. atthe Pleasanton Veterans’ MemorialBuilding, 301 Main Street,Pleasanton.Julie Bondurant, Senior ParkPlanner with the East Bay RegionalPark District (EBRPD),along with Nat Lopes, HilrideProgression Development Group,will provide an overview of thedraft plan. The presentation willbe followed by several discussiongroups that will focus onpark access and staging areas, theconcept trail plan map and parkoperations and management.The draft proposes:• Two new staging areas.• A network of multiuse trailsfor bicyclists, equestrians, hikersand dog walkers combining narrowand service road width trailsthat will provide access to 2,000additional acres of open spaceexpanding the parklands that willbe open to the public from 5,200acres to 7,300 acres.• New picnic sites, and backcountry interpretive and campingopportunities.• Improved signage for trailsand interpretive features.• Removal and restoration ofsites with unsafe or environmentallyunsustainable “bootlegged”trails.Recently, the EBRPD boardvoted to purchase 995 acres ofland that will ultimately be addedto the Pleasanton Ridge RegionalPark. The land is located on PalomaresRoad and would provide awestern access to the park.The district is buying theproperty from the Owen familyfor about $3.97 million.The acquisition will take placein two phases, with 415 acresclosing escrow on March 30,2011 for $1.725 million. Phasetwo, 541 acres, would close onor before Sept. 30, 2011 with aprice of $2.24 million.The two phases will allow thedistrict time to seek third partyfunding.The district will contribute $2million from Measure WW, theland acquisition and capital improvementbond issue approvedby district voters in 2008.The property offers panoramicviews of the Bay Area in all directions,climbing from 990 feetat roadside to an elevation of1,800 feet atop Sunol Ridge. Thehabitats consist of rolling grasslands,chaparral-covered hills,heavily wooded drainages andPalomares Creek on the westernboundary.

VALLEY ROUNDUPTwo Positions FilledThe Livermore Area Recreation and ParkDistrict has filled two positions left vacant bylongtime employees who retired within the pastyear.The District hired Don Humphrey to fill theposition of Finance Manager, which was createdto take the place of a retirement in the FiscalSupervisor position. Humphrey most recentlyran his own consulting firm, DE HumphreyAssociates, assisting businesses with their accounting,financial and training needs. He hasa bachelor’s degree in business with a concentrationin finance and an associate’s degree inbusiness. He previously worked as Controller forSanta Rosa Cast Products and as Vice Presidentand General Manager of U.S. Concrete PrecastGroup in Livermore.LARPD selected one of its own staff members,Bruce Aizawa, to fill the position of Parksand Facilities Manager, created due to the retirementof the former Senior Park Supervisorposition. Most recently serving as Park Foremanfor LARPD, Aizawa has also worked asAccount Manager for Valley Crest LandscapeMaintenance. He spent the bulk of his careerat Stanford University, working his way up inthe positions of Grounds Leader, Pest Control 2Technician, Facilities Supervisor and FacilitiesSuperintendent of Grounds Services. He holdsa bachelor’s degree in human performance, acontractor’s license and a Pest Control Applicator’slicense. Aizawa is a Pesticide Advisorand a Certified Arborist. He is Bay-FriendlyLandscape Certified.Dublin Presents 'Coffee with the Chief'As part of the City of Dublin’s ongoingcommitment to openness, responsiveness to thecommunity and efforts to enhance citywide communication,Dublin Police Services will continueits program called “Coffee with the Chief.”The objective is to provide residents an opportunityto personally meet with their PoliceChief, as well as other police representatives, in afriendly, casual and informal setting, such as a localrestaurant or coffee shop. At these meetings,residents will learn about the operations of thepolice department, discuss community concerns,and get to know Police Chief Tom McCarthy andother members of the department.“Coffee with the Chief” will be held on April5, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Denica’sPastry Cafe located at 6056 Dougherty Road,in Dublin. All interested Dublin residents arewelcome to attend.Training FundsThe California Labor and Workforce DevelopmentAgency’s Employment Training Panel(ETP) approved $7,360,497 in special job trainingfunds at its meeting to upgrade the skills ofthousands of California workers in the sectors ofmanufacturing, aerospace/defense, green/cleantechnology, multimedia/entertainment, healthcareand construction.Two businesses in Livermore were awardedfunding. Lam Research Corporation will receive$249,984 to train workers at both its Livermoreand Fremont locations. Livermore's Topcon PositioningSystems, Inc. was awarded $18,000.ETP is a business and labor supported stateagency that assists employers in strengtheningtheir competitive edge by providing funds topartially off-set the costs of job skills trainingthat are necessary to maintain high-performanceworkplaces. California’s ETP is a performancebasedprogram, providing funds for traineeswho successfully complete approved trainingprograms and are retained in well-paying jobsfor a specific period of time.For more information about the ETP program,please visit www.etp.ca.gov, or call 916-327-5261.Stewardship AwardsThe National Nuclear Security Administration(NNSA) congratulated its national laboratoriesand sites for achievements in environmentalstewardship, awarding a total of 21 PollutionPrevention (P2) Awards for innovative initiativesacross the enterprise.The P2 awards recognize performance inintegrating environmental stewardship practicesthat help reduce risk, protect natural resourcesand enhance site operations.The P2 award recipients are selected by apanel of judges from within the NNSA enterprise.The panel reviews the best in class projectsidentified by NNSA Site Offices and the NNSAAdministrator.This year, NNSA awarded nine best in classawards and 12 environmental stewardshipawards. The awards are as follows:Best in Class Award to the Lawrence LivermoreNational Laboratory was in the category:Change Agents: Lawrence Livermore NationalLaboratory Global Security Paperless eSystemsSave Time, Money and the Environment(LLNL)The Lab and Sandia National Laboratories/California received an Environmental StewardshipAward for Cradle to Cradle: LawrenceLivermore National Laboratory Site 300 SulfurHexafluoride Reduction Project (LLNL), and;Depleted Uranium Contaminated MachiningEquipment Removal Project (Sandia). The Labalso received an award for its beryllium reductionproject.Pleasanton School District RecognizedPleasanton Unified School District is one offewer than 400 school districts in the nation beinghonored by the College Board with a placeon its AP® Achievement List for opening APclassroom doors to a significantly broader poolof students, while maintaining or improving thepercentage of students earning scores of 3 orhigher.From 2008 to 2010, Pleasanton UnifiedSchool District has increased the number ofstudents participating in AP from 1137 to 1298,while improving the percentage of studentsearning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher, the scoretypically needed to earn college credit, from 89%in 2008 to 91% in 2010.The AP Achievement List is made up of allschool districts that are simultaneously expandingopportunity and improving performance.Low-performing districts are included if theyhave been able to maintain or improve scoreswhile expanding access. The list includes 388school districts representing 43 states, withCalifornia's 37 districts on the list representingthe largest number of districts from a singlestate, followed by Michigan with 29 districts andPennsylvania with 28.Livermore School District WillContinue to Follow Brown ActThe Livermore ValleyJoint Unified School District(LVJUSD) Board of Trusteesunanimously passed a resolutionat its last meeting in favor ofcontinuing to follow the BrownAct, despite possible reductionor elimination of $89.9 millionto fund K-14 mandated costsstatewide that would curtail allCalifornia districts’ reimbursementfor costs ensued relative toBrown Act compliance.In the past, the district hasbeen reimbursed for the costrelated to compliance. In thefuture, that may not be true.The Brown Act, officiallyknown as the Ralph M. BrownAct, was an act of the CaliforniaState Legislature, authoredby Assemblymember Ralph M.Brown and passed in 1953, thatguaranteed the public’s right toattend and participate in meetingsof local legislative bodies.The Brown Act was enactedin response to mounting publicconcerns over informal, undisclosedmeetings held by localelected officials. City councils,county boards, and other localgovernment bodies were avoidingpublic scrutiny by holdingsecret “workshops” and “studysessions.” The Brown Act solelyapplies to California city andcounty government agencies,boards, and councils.Reimbursements for mandatedBrown Act activities wereapproved by the Commissionon State Mandates during the2009/2010 year for all Brown Actactivities dating back to July 20,2005. The meetings themselvesThe Independent, MARCH 31, 2011 - PAGE 3are not reimbursable, however,the activities that revolve aroundwriting, editing, and posting theagenda are reimbursable. Claimsto the State by the LivermoreValley Joint Unified School Districtfor reimbursement average$3,000.00 per year, or approximately$155 per meeting. Theamounts claimed since 2005 arepending actual reimbursementfrom the State, due to the currenteconomic crisis.

PAGE 4 - The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011EDITORIALPleasanton Measure E — YESPleasanton voters will start voting by mail on the MeasureE parcel tax next week.Pleasanton has seen a a reduction of $19.4 in its budgetover the past two school years resulting in cuts to academicprograms. The school district has eliminated 67 teachers,25 school staff and 17 administrators.Measure E will provide stable local funding to protectacademic programs and retain qualified teachers in Pleasantonschools. It will raise $2 million a year for four years.Every single penny will stay right here in our communityand cannot be taken by the state.No funds may be used to increase salaries and benefits.A citizens oversight committee will be formed to monitorthe Measure E money. Property owners over 65 will beexempt from the tax. The parcel tax is capped at $98 peryear and cannot be increasedAll the voting will be conducted by mail, no postagerequired, with ballots due back by 8 p.m. May 3. Voterregistration for this election will be taken until April 18.Measure E needs a two/thirds majority to pass.Polls show E has support well over two/thirds. However,the supporters — who span the full, broad spectrum of thecommunity — aren’t taking anything for granted. They’recampaigning as if their lives depend on it.The quality of education in the Pleasanton public schoolsdoes depend on it.We urge our Pleasanton readers to pass the parcel tax.Vote YES on Measure E.The Livermore City Councilapproved the relocation of a cardroom to a site on North CanyonsParkway.The Lucky Buck Card Roomcurrently operates at the GranadaBowl. Owners had originallyplanned to move to a buildingnear the Portola off-ramp andwas granted a conditional usepermit (CUP) to do so. However,with the closure of the off-ramp,a new location was sought. Thesame CUP is in play. A new namewas also chosen, Casino 580.The council vote was unanimous,with John Marchand absent.The new location will alsoinclude a 29-seat restaurant.Under the city’s card roomordinance, a fee is paid eachWARNING(continued from page one)catastrophic consequences.Despite efforts around theworld, it has never been possibleto predict the time and placeof major earthquakes. Earlywarning systems are a differentmatter. Earthquake danger zonesare generally well known. Themanner of seismic energy releasemakes it possible to detect majorearthquakes within seconds afterthey occur and send out a signalthat outraces destructive groundmotion to distant populationsites.That’s because a fast-movingcompression wave from theearthquake, called a P (primary)wave, travels fast – at the speedof sound — but does little damage.Most people experience it asa sharp jolt. It’s the subsequentrolling and shaking of the earth,carried more slowly by S (secondary)waves, that tears buildingsapart and collapses freewaybridges.Within a few miles of theearthquake epicenter, the twowaves arrive so nearly simultaneouslythat there is little timefor useful warning. But fartheraway, people can be given manyseconds of advance notice.Farther away still, notes PhilHarben, a Livermore geophysicist,the warning will not beneeded because even strongground motion will have weakenedwith distance.Harben thinks it is importantfor the public to understand thispoint: an early warning systemcan be a lifesaver at a certainrange of distances from the epicenter— not too near and nottoo far, with the exact distancedepending on the power of thequake, the local geology and thekinds of structures and activitiesthat need protection.Harben retired from LawrenceLivermore in 2008 but continuesto work there as a contractor,helping with the treaty verificationeffort. He also works at LawrenceBerekely Lab, developinga network of strong motion sensorsto gather information aboutquakes that will inevitably occuron the nearby Hayward fault. Hiswork has long focused on thepractical aspects of earthquakeresponse, but he is not currently(INLAND VALLEY PUBLISHING CO.)working on early warning systems.The Japanese system can beginmaking forecasts of impendingground motion as early as 5seconds after a quake is detected,according to UC’s Allen.In Tokyo, some 230 milesfrom the epicenter of the Tohokuearthquake, people receivedwarnings via cell phones and TVa full 30 seconds before the powerfulshaking arrived. The warningthat appeared on Japanese TVcan be seen on YouTube.It was the most serious test ofthe Japanese system to date. Theagency that runs it – the JapanMeteorological Agency — willfollow up with a survey to learnhow helpful it was to people andinstitutions at different distancesand under varying circumstances.In the meantime, the Agency,which is also responsible forweather forecasting and tsunamiwarnings, declines to speculateon how many lives might havebeen saved.To distinguish minor quakesfrom major ones, warnings systemsanalyze various componentsof the shaking recordedby ground motion sensors. Oneis the frequency of P waves.Minor quakes involving tensof feet of movement along aseismic fault typically generatehigher frequency shaking, whilemajor quakes involving milesof movement generate lowerfrequencies.Of course, no one knowswhere and when an earthquakewill occur, or whether the earliestP waves represent a smallslippage that will stop or thebeginning of a series of slipsthat will go on and on to becomemajor. In addition, the responsefrom a single P wave detectormay be misleading because ofthe quirks of local geology. Sothe Japanese have placed groundmotion detectors at 15 mile intervals.Forecasts are upgraded asmore information comes in fromadditional seismic stations.Japan needs a comprehensivesensor grid system in part because“faults are everywhere.”An earthquake might initiatealmost anywhere, Livermore’sPublisher: Joan Kinney SeppalaAssociate Publisher: David T. LowellEditor: Janet ArmantroutThe Independent is published every Thursday by Inland Valley Publishing Company, 2250 First St., Livermore,CA 94550; (925) 447-8700. Mailed at Periodical Postage Prices at the Livermore Post Office andadditional entry office: Pleasanton, CA 94566-9998. The Independent is mailed upon request. Go to www.independentnews.com to sign up and for more information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TheIndependent, 2250 First St., Livermore, CA 94550.Advertising rates and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (925) 447-8700during regular business hours or by fax: (925) 447-0212.Editorial information may be submitted by editmail@compuserve.com.MEASURE E(continued from page one)funding as possible.The proponents also notethat the district has eliminated67 teaching positions, 25 schoolstaff and 17 administrators. “Withmillions in state cuts looming,we cannot allow our high-performanceschools to decline,” saythe proponents.The district budget over thepast several years has been cutback by approximately $19 millionover two years, says theargument.The argument states that MeasureE protects taxpayers byensuring all funds will stay inthe district. No funds will notbe spent on salary or benefitincreases for any staff, includingadministrators.The cost is capped at $98 peryear, and cannot be extendedwithout voter approval. Seniorsare eligible for an exemption tothe tax.Each year a Measure E spendingplan must be presented at apublic forum. An independentoversight committee must reviewthe use of funds and report itsfindings.FREEZE STEP ANDCOLUMN,SAY MEASURE E FOESArguments against the measurefocus on finances. The majorpoint dwells on the step and columnpay increases that teachersLivermore Council OKs Card Room Movemonth for each table operated.It is an escalating fee over a fiveyear period, starting at $300 pertable per month and increasingto $1500 per table per month.In future years, the fee would be$1500 plus the CPI. Casino 580will operate ten tables.The owner requested an adjustmentin how the fee escalates.The request was made, becauseunder the approved CUP, the firstyear would have already gone by.Mayor Marshall Kamena madethat part of the motion. As approvedover the next two years,the fee would be $500 per tableper month, increasing to $750 inthe third year, $1000 in the fourthyear and $1500 thereafter.Several issues were raised,one related to the ability of policeto patrol the area. Currently oneofficer operates there.Police Chief Steve Sweeneytold the council that more frequentpatrols would be needed.The concern is that the locationin the far northwest corner ofthe city would result in a slowerresponse time if there were aproblem. Two or three officerswould respond, pulling themfrom other parts of the city.Another issue was the location,at the junction of NorthCanyons and Doolan CanyonRd. within the Livermore citylimits.Mildred Parsons, lives onDoolan Canyon Rd. about a(Opinions voiced in letterspublished in Mailbox are thoseof the author and do not necessarilyreflect the opinion of TheIndependent. Letter Policy: TheIndependent will not publishanonymous letters, nor will itpublish letters without names.Abusive letters may be rejectedor edited. Frequent letter writersmay have publication of theirletters delayed. Letters should besubmitted by e-mail to editmail@compuserve.com.)BARTRobert S. AllenFormer BART DirectorACE runs three morning trainswest and three evening trains easteach weekday - all on the singletrack UP freight line. Why thentwo tracks to and through theAltamont just for the ACE/HSR(high speed rail)? That's what theACE/HSR brochures portray.If ACE/HSR add enoughtrains for twin Altamont bores,that's three tracks through town.receive, even when there is nocost-of-living adjustment fromyear to year.Step and column increases aretraditional in education. Teachersmove over to the next column afterthey achieve a certain numberof post-baccalaureate credits. Theidea is to reward teachers for becomingbetter at what they do.For every year teachers arein a district, they move up onestep. The traditional argument isthat the longer a teacher has beenteaching, the more experience heor she has, and it pays off in betterinstruction.Measure E proponents havesaid that the guaranteed stepand column increases are a factorin retaining highly qualifiedteachers. The anti-Measure Eargument counters that in part bysaying that the district has beenlaying off many bright, youngenthusiastic teachers.More importantly, there wouldnot have to be any layoffs, if theboard would freeze step and column.The district would not needthe parcel tax.(Step and column increasesare part of the negotiated contracts.The contracts would haveto be renegotiated for step andcolumn to go away legally.)The district could have saved$18 million in the recent pastby not allowing the automatichalf mile from the casino. Sheexpressed concern about peopleparking along the road and trashthey would leave behind. Shesuggested a better location wouldbe the old Nob Hill building inLivermore.Gordon Galvin, the application,tried to reassure her. “Wehave security and cameras. InLivermore, we will be running ahigh class operation.” He invitedanyone interested to visit othercasinos he operates to see howthey are operated. Galvin added,“The casino will create jobs andrevenue, there will be an increasein tourism. We are dedicated tocreating a safe gaming experience.”Harben says. The Los AngelesBasin has a comparable challenge,with many faults that arenot completely understood, suggestinga warning system witha widespread sensor networkto detect ground motion earlywherever it starts. By contrast,the Bay Area has relatively welldefined faults running generallynorth-south, so it may require a“smaller number of sensors thatfollow the faults,” he says.An early version of the Japanesewarning system was establishedin Japan in the 1960s toprotect the bullet train network,the Shinkansen. This was a seriesof seismometers built into therailroad tracks to warn conductorsto slow down when strongshaking was detected.Institutions including theShinkansen were the first beneficiariesof the newer, more sophisticatedsystem, starting in August2006, according to an email fromthe Japan Meteorological Association.The full warning systembecame available to the generalpublic a year later. Since then, ithas issued 17 warnings, with onefalse alarm.Similar if more limited systemsare going into place in severalcountries, including Turkey,Romania and Taiwan. Mexicohas an earthquake warning systemsince 1993, principally toprotect Mexico City, a megalopolisof 20 million people, whichlies on a lakebed whose softsoil magnifies ground motion. Itfunctioned as expected in 1995,following a magnitude 8 earthquakeunder the Pacific Ocean,alerting schools to evacuate, themetro to stop and people to findpositions of safety before strongshaking hit the city.Harben notes the inevitabletrade-offs between quick earlywarnings and slower more reliableones, the former givingpeople and institutions the mosttime to prepare but risking falsealarms, and the latter possibly delayingalerts until it is too late forsome to take safety measures.In a litigious society, it isunclear how the legal systemwould deal with the cost of falsealarms that shut down factoriesand power plants unnecessarily.Conversely, nearby populationcenters might suffer injurieswhile an alert is delayed an extra5 seconds for further data collectionand analysis.Harben supports creation ofan alert system but believes itmust be added to existing seismicnetworks. The cost of operatingand maintaining a stand-alonenetwork could be difficult to supportif years pass with no majorearthquakes, as may happen.Doug Given agrees. TheUSGS would very much like toadd early warning capability toTwo more tracks for BART eastfrom Junction Avenue wouldmean five tracks. Are the plannerscrazy?BART belongs in a widenedfreeway median to GreenvilleRoad, per Livermore's GeneralPlan. Future extension shouldfollow the former SP railroadover the Altamont. Its rulinggrade, under 1.3%, is far less thanthe 2.99% west of Dublin.Stations belong at Isabel andlater near the truck scales, underthe high UP/ACE bridge east ifGreenville and at I-580/GrantLine Road. BART there wouldreally unclog I-580 in the Valleyand over the Altamont.Sign the petition./ Demand avote. BART on 580, not downtown.RedevelopmentTom O'NeillLivermoreRedevelopment money isa good thing. Like every goodthing, it can be abused; but thestep and column increases. Thatwould erase most of the $19million that the district says ithas lost, say the Measure E opponents.Further, the four-year parceltax will bring in a total of $8million during its life. However,the cumulative impact of raisingstep and column by its current$1.5 million per year increasewill total $15 million over thefour year life of the parcel tax.That expense will be almosttwice as much as the parcel taxcould cover.PENSION PAYMENTSRAISED AS ISSUEDollar amounts of the pensionsnow collected by 15 retiredPleasanton administrators also ismentioned in the anti-MeasureE argument. Most of them wereschool principals and/or workedat district headquarters. Theyalso gained retirement money forservice in other districts as part oftheir long careers.The retired Pleasanton administratorsare collecting between$100,000 and $178,000 per year,says the Measure E argument.“School administrators wouldlike you to believe they are notwell paid,” says the ballot statement.The Independent looked intohow school pensions work, inorder to clarify this issue forvoters.Teachers, administrators andclassified employees do notreceive Social Security. Someschool administrators are certificatedpersonnel. They pay8 percent of their wages intothe State Teachers RetirementSystem (STRS). The districtcontributes 8.25 percent, basedon the employee’s salary.The district does not set thepercentages; the state does. However,the more money that thedistrict pays to an employee,the more it will have to payinto STRS for each individual.The district does not make anypost-retirement payments to anindividual’s pension.Some retired administratorsare governed by the STRS fund.Others, who are classified employees,pay into the CalPERSsystem. The classified employeescontribute 7 percent to their pensions.The district contributes 13percent. As with STRS, the statesets the percentages.a current California network ofsome 400 seismic stations, whichis clustered particularly aroundpopulation centers in SouthernCalifornia and the Bay Area.This system, called the CaliforniaIntegrated Seismic Network, allowsfor analysis of earthquakeswhen they occur, but is well shortof the kind of system requiredto issue real time warnings thatpeople can act on.In the current budget climate,CISN will do well to avoidfunding cuts, let alone add capability.CISN is part of a nationwidenetwork called the AdvancedNational Seismic System. Inresponse to the Japanese disaster,the Nuclear Regulatory Commissionis said to be requesting fullfunding for ANSS and another$10 million per year for upgrading.Whether this money will beforthcoming is also uncertain.Beyond technical capabilities,an early warning communicationsystem would have to link tothe places and institutions thatneed the information – factories,schools, trains, power plants,construction sites – and an outreachprogram would have to letthem know what to do with thecommunications they receive.A logical next location fora warning system is the PacificNorthwest, the region known asintent behind it is sound.1. It is generated by tax increment,and returns tax incrementto the local community. As suchit can come as a reward for intelligentplanning. Further, byrewarding a local community fordoing things that encourage qualityof life and local prosperity, itbecomes a great enabler for doingmore of the same.2. As indicated, its use - withinstate guidelines - is determined atthe local level. This increases thelikelihood it will provide genuinebenefits to the community thatgenerates it. (For an instructivecontrast, consider what can happento one's federal taxes, wheremoney sent to Washington, D.C.,can be diverted to getting rid ofnonexistent weapons of massdestruction, or to trying to recreatea tribal people living in adistant mountainous country intoa nation we find altogether comforting.Local control of moneyacts as a strong restraint againstsuch folly.)3. As a result of local control,redevelopment money enhancesEmployees may also increasetheir pension payouts by buyingup to five extra years in thesystem from their own personalsavings.PROPERTY OWNERSSTILL PAYING ON BONDSThe Measure E opponentspoint out that Pleasanton residentsare still paying off bondsfor Measure B, which financedschool building expansion andrenovation. The ballot argumentestimates that at an “average” of$866 per year, with a commitmentuntil the year 2024.(For more information aboutMeasure B bond refunding,please see the story in this issueabout the March 22 school boardmeeting, where Measure E opponentsraised the issue.)The opponents also werecritical of the district spending$70,000 on research for the electionand up to $250,000 to haveit on the ballot. It is “money thatcould have been used to fundthe programs the measure addresses.”The opponents also point outthat while seniors can be exemptfrom paying the tax, they mustremember to apply each year forthe exemption.The anti-Measure E argumentalso says that the measure isvague about how the district willspend the money.Proponents of Measure E whosigned the ballot arguments areschool board president ValerieArkin, Jana Halle, Jan Batcheller,John Dove, Donna Garrison, andSabrina Dickinson.Also signing were BarbaraHempill, William Evans, SallyStock, Brian Damiani, and PaulDeJarnatt.A web page that supportsMeasure E is at http://www.savepleasantonschools.org.Signers on the anti-MeasureE side were former school boardmember and former city councilmemberSteve Brozosky, formercouncil member Kay Ayala,former Human Services commissionerDorene Paradiso-Carroll,and former planning commissionerAnne Fox.Also signing the argumentsand rebuttals against MeasureE were Raquel Vargas, DavidMiller, Deborah Beardsley, CynthiaGehl, Douglas Miller, andConnie Cox.A web page with opponents’discussion is at http://pleasantonparceltax.blogspot.com.Cascadia that runs roughly fromVancouver south to Mendocino.In this area, the coastal populationfaces seismic hazards verymuch like Japan’s. The edge ofone crustal plate is diving underthe mass of the continent, andthe pressure that builds whenthe plates are stuck can generatetremendous recoil and groundmotion when they finally breakfree.In a recent online message thatwarns of the dangers, seismologistRichard Allen of Berkeleynoted that West Coast cities werebuilt essentially on top of majorearthquake faults. We have hadmodest reminders in recent years,he says, with the magnitude 7Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989and the 6.7 Northridge quake in1994. “The strongest shakingwas in unpopulated mountainousareas,” he wrote.“We have not seen the truepower of west-coast earthquakessince 1906 when a magnitude8 earthquake destroyed SanFrancisco. Los Angeles, the SanFrancisco Bay Area, or Seattlecould be next.”Allen has a current articleon earthquake early warningsystems in Scientific American,available online at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=tsunami-seconds-beforethe-big-onethe morale of a community. Itdraws people together into a livelypursuit of the common good.A tax that emerges as redevelopmentmoney hardly feels like atax at all. Redevelopment moneyis a creature that Republicans noless than Democrats can approve- for it observes the Jeffersonianrule of making government aslocal as possible. To kill redevelopmentmoney for the sake of ashort-term budgetary expedientis like eating seed-corn. Withoutseed-corn, how can we expect aharvest?Let Governor Brown and bothparties in our legislature hearhow you feel about this.BART on 580Alan BurnhamLivermoreAssistant City Engineer BobVinn was quoted in the March 17issue as saying that a vote againstdowntown BART is essentially avote against BART to Livermore.In my view, that is a good reason(More MAILBOX, page 10)

The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011 - PAGE 5

PAGE 6 - The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011Pictured are members of the Ballistic U-19 State Championteam (front row, left to right) Luis Castillo, Gino Bosz, DanielPittenger, Josh Cho, Steven Gilbert, Brodie Roberts, JasonTeague; (back row) Coach Ed Lecco, Asst Coach Nathan Roberts,Troy Stetson, Jared Chinn, Suhau Kuo, Justin Liu, Albert Lin,Jonathan Ramierz, Chris Franzella, Jason Scott, John Torquato,Alex Caravan, Suchi Kuo, Bryan Hu, Asst. Coach Niko Lecco.Not pictured: Lukas Moses.East Avenue wrestlers are (front, left to right) Russell Lovettand Jacob Roach (back) Eric Lebish, Stefan Holt and AaronJennings. East Avenue won the Harvest Park 8th GradeWrestling Tournament.Tara Carreira competed in the Wharf to Wharf run.Boston Marathon NextStop for Local RunnerTara Carreira of Livermore isgearing up for her second run inthe Boston Marathon, consideredthe Superbowl of Marathons.The annual event is set forApril 18.Carreira, 37, is the only womangoing from Livermore.Her goal is to have a strongerperformance than her first effortat the 26 mile + evnt. Carreiraexplains, “The first time, I didn’thave as good a race as I hadwanted. I was in the second wave.Because the streets are so narrowit’s like a traffic jam, you can’tget free until mile eight. I ran toofast. This year, I’m in wave one.I learned a lot from my first effort.I’m hoping to run between 3hours and 10 minutes and 3 hoursand 15 minutes.”Runners are lined up at thestart of the Boston Marathonaccording to qualifying times,with slower times in the secondwave. Carreira ran a 3:21.22 atSanta Barbara, good for a firstwave position.She trains with the ForwardMotion Elite Race Team. Currently,with three weeks beforethe race, she runs a peak 60 milesa week. Her training includes aspeed session, tempo run of 10miles and longer runs of between15 to 22 miles. As the race drawsnear, she will cut down on themiles.Many of the runs are in Pleasantonand Livermore. She pointsout that there are five other runnersfrom Livermore who will begoing to Boston, and between 10and 15 from Pleasanton.Carreira has been runningcompetitively for 25 years. Shestarted by running cross countryand track in high school. AtHawaii Pacific University shecompeted under a cross countryscholarship from 1992 to 1996.She was named a Cross CountryAll American in 1995.BUSC U19 State ChampsPleasanton Ballistic United Soccer ClubUnder 19 Select team won the CYSA Under19 Division III Championship this past weekendin Elk Grove, California. Saturday's gamematched Ballistic against Folsom Galaxy.The Galaxy were a formidable opponent thathad stormed their way into the quarter finalswith a 5-0 record while scoring 16 goals andallowing only 1. Folsom used their size andspeed to bull their way into the attacking 3rdand kept pressure on Ballistic's defenders forthe entire 90 minutes. Keeper Josh Cho madea huge save when a Galaxy player crackeda hard shot to the near post that Cho wasable to deflect out of danger. Ballistic createda few scoring chances of their own ina game that saw the ball move up and downthe field at a rapid pace. In the 45th minutePleasanton Striker Luis Castillo was takendown just outside the box. John Torquato(former Amador Valley Don) organized awonderful free kick that had Ballistic playersin the Galaxy wall confusing the goal keeper.His well placed shot found the side nettingon the far post giving Ballistic a 1-0 lead asthe half time whistle blew.In the second half Ballistic was unableto build and possess the ball as Folsom'spressure took away any time and space.Finally in the 70th minute Midfielder GinoBosz was able to send Alex Caravan in a goalwith a well paced diagonal pass. Caravan wasknocked down and Bosz scored from thepenalty spot giving Ballistic a much needed2nd goal. Ballistic then closed out the gamefor the 2-0 win earning a spot in the Finalsagainst Sonoma United.Making the CYSA Finals was a dreamcome true for Coach Ed Lecco and the Ballisticteam. The opponent was none otherthan Sonoma United. Sonoma knocked Ballisticout of the state tournament last year inRedding by a score of 3-0. This time it wasall Ballistic from the opening whistle as thePleasanton team was able to move the ballAfter high school, she enteredthe Air Force, where she was amember of the United States AirForce, Europe, Cross Countryteam, while stationed in Germany.The team raced againstother NATO Air Force teams inGermany, England, Belgium, andThe Netherlands.While she is competing in themarathon, her favorite distance isthe 5K. “It is a different kind ofpain. You run as hard as you canfor three miles. In the marathon,it is a different pace.” One ofher favorite runs is the Wharfto-Wharfsix mile event in SantaCruz. “It is a very competitiveevent. It is fun to run.”In addition to training, whichbegins at 6 a.m., she works fulltime and is the mother of twoyoung boys. Her early start enablesher to be back home in timeto get her sons ready for school.She says they appear to know sheruns. “My ultimate goal is to tryand be a good example of livinga healthy and vibrant life; to bepassionate about something andkeep at it.”She adds, “I get a lot out ofrunning. It is good for me bothphysically and as a mental release.It helps reduce stress. Ienjoy spending time with peoplethat share my passion of runningand overall health and fitness.”Gavin, the 8 year old, has runseveral 5K races in which he hasdone very well. Colby, 5, hasn’tcompeted. Her husband, Ray, isa competitive cyclist. “He is verysupportive. He helps watch thekids while I train.”After Boston, Carreira saidshe would like to run two localmarathons, One in Sacramento,the other in Napa. “Boston isnot a fast race. With the hills, itis fairly difficult. I would like toenter the local marathons to seehow fast I might be able to runthe distance. I’d like to be underthree hours and ten minutes.”quickly and possess with short combinationswith occasional passes that found wingersbehind the defense. Ballistic created severalexcellent chances in the early minutes. CenterBack John Torquato was again called to dutyin the 11th minute after a foul 22 yards fromthe Sonoma goal. As he did in the quarterfinals,Torquato hit a hard impossible to saveshot to the far post. The score seemed to kickthe Pleasanton players into a higher gear asthey continued to maintain possession andattack the goal. Sonoma did launch severalcounter attacks to their speedy striker but theywere quelled by the outstanding defending ofSteven Gilbert and John Torquato. In the 22ndminute Ballistic put numbers into the attackthat resulted in a handball and penalty kickthat Gino Bosz slotted home for the 2-0 lead.Ballistic carried that lead to the half.At the half the Ballistic coaching staffasked the players to step up their game evenmore understanding the danger if Sonomawas able to get the next goal of the game'andwith it momentum. In the 66th minute attackingmid Gino Bosz sent a diagonal ballbehind the defense that right winger AlexCaravan latched on to. Caravan went 1 on1 with the Sonoma keeper beating him witha well paced shot to the near post for the allimportant 3rd goal. Ballistic was flying highthe rest of the game and picked up a finalgoal in the 80th minute when Striker LuisCastillo's pass put Bosz in on goal. Boszgave the keeper no chance as his hard lowshot ripped the net for the 4th and final goalof the game.With the 4-0 victory in the final Ballisticis the 2010 - 2011 California Youth SoccerAssociation North Under 19 State Champions.The Championship caps off a specialseason for the players and Coach Ed Lecco.Many of the boys have been with BallisticUnited since they were five years old andhad never won a state title. The win was theteam's 17th in a row, with the last four beingshutouts. Ballistic finishes the season with aIn the Tri-Valley Futsal League Girls U8 Division, the Shamrock Roverswon the championship game 8-5 and finished their season undefeatedwith 6 wins and 1 tie. In the championship game against San RamonDynamite, they played very well as a team. Courtney "CoCo" Wongdisplayed great footwork and tenacity, and led the scoring with 3goals. Kaeli Tembrevilla and Vanessa von Sosen played strong inthe goal and on the court with each girl scoring 2 goals. Ariana Milellialso scored a nice goal by converting a crossing pass from Vanessa.Lisette Contreras, Alyssa Burdusis, and Mackenzie Davis played withlots of energy and provided great team support. Pictured are (from left)Coach Jon, Alyssa Burdusis, Ariana Milelli, Mackenzie Davis, LisetteContreras, CoCo Wong, Kaeli Tembrevilla, Vanessa von Sosen, andCoach Valerie.record of 28 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie. Theyscored 102 goals while allowing only 29. Inthe State Tournament they scored 20 goalsand allowing only 3 against.Jujitsu CompetitionThe Amador Judo & Jujitsu Studio inLivermore recently sent jujitsu players tocompete in the American Judo & JujitsuFederation National Kata, Freestyle JujitsuCompetition in San Ramon. Competitors camfrom all over the United States.Results for Amador Judo & JujitsuStudio:1st place freestyle: Joshua Kao, Dublin,7-8 yr. Div.;1st place Kata: Conner Tebbs - JoannaTebbs, Livermore, 3-4 Int.; Alexa Firestone-Delilah Vanderbeek, Livermore, 5-6; SinaZieminska, Pleasanton-Dominic Peri, Livermore,5-6 adv.; Dylan Steill-Aidan Ayers,Livermore, 7-8 nov.; Devani Scott- IsabellaAndrus, Livermore, 7-8 int.; Nathan Chua,Dublin, 7-8 int.; Kirsten Wong, Livermore-Josephine Kao, Dublin, 9-10 nov.; AaronToothman, Pleasanton-Remington Wood,Livermore, 9-10 int.; Dan Ikegami-NickChua, Dublin, 9-10 adv.; Kimi Miramonte-Rebekah Greenslade, Livermore, 11-12 nov.;Chandler Orluck-Stephen Youd, Livermore,11-12 int.; Kai Ikegami-Rafael Gamboa,Dublin, 11-12 adv.;Jason Craig-Elizabeth Greenslade,Livermore, 13-14 int.; Paige Hawkey-CharlemagnePelican, Livermore, 13-14 adv.;Gabrielle Gamboa, Dublin, 15-16 int.; SarahBachleda - Jamie Atchinson, Livermore,15-16 adv.; Josh Laursen - Nathan Maratea,Livermore, brown belt; Bradley Maratea- Victoria Burke, Livermore, 1st black;Natalie Laursen - Jarra Maratea, Livermore- 2nd black.2nd place Kata: Amadine Bregeon- Cathy Sneddon, Livermore, 5-6 nov.;Nikky Butcher, Pleasanton - Triston Wood,Livermore, 7-8 int.; Maile Sasaki, Livermore,9-10 nov.; Ben Singer, Livermore - JeffreySeidl, Livermore, 13-14 adv.; Jori Atchinson- Emily Bachleda, Livermore, brown belt;3rd place Kata: Sho Ikegami, Dublin - SajanPatel, Livermore, 13-14 adv.Basketball TournamentJohn Radecke, Granada High Schoolgirls varsity basketball coach, has beenselected to coach the East Bay All Stars.His staff, Al Chavira and Steve Martinez,will assist.The tournament will be held at ChabotCollege on Hayward April 7 and 9.The tournament pits teams from theFremont, Oakland, Hayward, and EastBay areas.Granada is the defending champions.Games start at 5 p.m. on April 7 and 3p.m. on April 9.The roster, comprised entirely of seniors,is as follows:Nicole Olivera, Monte Vista; Brook Betts,Livermore; Sara Gephardt, SRV; AmberDelange, CAL; Jillian Hunter, SRV; VeronicaGarza, Livermore; Andrea Tanada, AmadorValley; Chelsea Marriot, Granada; EmaniHarrison, Acalanes; Mackenna Ketternhofen,Granada; Kiara Harewood, Acalanes; KaylieWilliams, Monte Vista.Pleasanton LacrosseAfter two close games this weekend, thePleasanton U15A Thunder Boys Lacrosseteam find themselves half way through theseason with a 5-3 record.On Saturday, in Redwood City, theThunder narrowly lost to the Firehawks 6-7,but rebounded well on Sunday at home tobeat the undefeated Central Marin Blue Jaysin sudden death overtime 9-8.Leading goal scorer for Thunder is Attackman,Tyler Mackin with 35 goals so farthis season, followed by Attackmen NickStivers and Andrew Bridges with 10, MiddieDaniel Payne with 8 and Attackman TristanBaylor with 6. Payne and Baylor also leadthe assists with 11 a piece, followed closelyby Mackin and Stivers with 10 each. MiddiesBen Smedley and Michael Grozier have 4goals, Max Gershman with 3 and ChrisKlahr with 1.Always solid in the defense are DavidAcosta, Colin Roeder and Zach Ackman whohave combined for a total of 18 turn overs.Brooks Bain, our lone Long Stick Middiecontinues to play his heart out moving theball up field and Middie Mason Picone isalways a solid performer.Sharing Goal duties so far this seasonhave been Tristan Baylor, Tyler Wilhite andSean and Colin Burke combining for a totalof 54 saves.Pleasanton RagePleasanton Rage U14 Division 1 teamadvanced to the quarterfinals of the CYSAPresidents Cup. Rage U15 AC battled 45MPH gusts, rain, and the Delta Extreme inthe opening game of the Presidents Cup inRedding. Rage took the lead when midfielderKayla Bautista dribbled the ball up to theExtreme box and fought off a double teambefore passing back to an open forwardHannah Gooby who sent a great shot intothe upper corner of the net. Rage defenseheld Extreme scoreless until the last minuteof the game. (Rage 1, Extreme 1).Rage took the lead in game 2 againstSanta Rosa Flash, when forward SammieWilliams sent a perfect shot into the uppercorner of the goal. Rage defense led byMorgan Brandt, Anjali Rai, Dani Leedeman,Paige Hughes, and Molly Grozier then shutdown the Flash attacks for a shuout. (Rage1, Flash 0).In Sunday's game Rage lost to SanFrancisco Revolution 0-1 on a shot thatfound the upper corner late in the game.(Revolution 1, Rage 0).Granada Little LeagueGranada Little League results:Minor AA: Phillies 9, Orioles 3: Forthe Phillies, starting pitcher CameronStephenson pitched a solid game. EthanVincent singled, homered and recorded anRBI. Andrew Choumas singled and playedfirst base and pitcher. Quinn Ayves singledand played catcher. Jacob Gutke made adouble out at first. For the Orioles, EthanDreger tagged two runners out at third. AndyHankins tagged two runners out at first base.Tyler Hattori played pitcher, had a hit, anda stolen base. Jacob Keeler pitched a hitlessthird inning, had a hit, and threw out a runnerat first base. The game ended in the bottomof the 4th inning due to the rain.Minor AA: Giants 11, Orioles 10: For theGiants, Mikey Balzarini had two RBI singlesand he pitched three strikeouts; Colby SmithPhoto - Doug JorgensenMiddle school wrestlers competed in the tournament held atHarvest Park Middle School in Pleasanton.hit a single and a two-run triple; Theo Deanhad two RBI singles; Jake Johnston had aRBI single; A.J. Morais and James Youngeach pitched three strikeouts. For the Orioles,Noah Vengley had two singles and two RBIsand as pitcher, he had four strike outs; TylerHattori hit a single, a double, and stole 3rdbase. As catcher, he threw out a runner at3rd base; Eligia Beedles belted a single andrecorded two RBIs; Shlok Bansal hit a singleand stole 2nd and 3rd base; Jacob Keelerpitched a near perfect 4th inning.Football and CheerLivermore Youth Football and Cheer,the longest established Football/Cheerleadingprogram in Livermore, is celebratingits 37th year.Signups are currently underway for the2011 season.The league is supported by ValleyChristian High School, Granada HighSchool, Livermore High School and TheDiablo Valley Youth Football Conference.The program emphasizes education, family,and the football knowledge and techniquesthat prepare athletes for the exact structureof high school and collegiate football andcheer programs.Teams compete with teams from nearbycities structured around the East Bay AthleticLeague.The football program is offered forathletes from 7 to 14 years old. Eachfootball team is mentored by an ex-NFLplayer. Among them is John Parrella, aformer defensive lineman. His 12-year creerincluding playing for the Oakland Raiders,San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills. Alsomentoring are Mario Celotto, a member ofthe 1981 Superbowl Las Angeles Rams;and Jos Raves, who played for the Raiders,Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots,and Detroit Lions.The Cheer program is offered for athletesfrom 5 to 14 years old. The team finishedfourth in the nation at the recent competitionat Disneyland.Practice starts August 1, 2011. There arediscounts on fees for families with multipleathletes.According to the league, children playfootball and become cheerleaders becauseit is fun, challenging and exciting. Being amember of a team helps to cooperation andteam work as well as develop social skills.For more information about the programor to register, please visit http://www.lyfcvi-

The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011 - PAGE 7Community Futsal Court toOpen at Junction This SummerBy Patricia KoningFutsal is a fast-paced sport,so perhaps it’s fitting that RobertBell’s futsal court at JunctionAvenue K-8 School is comingtogether faster than he ever imagined.Last fall he started an afterschoolFutsal Club at Junction,which quickly spawned Futsalfor All, a Saturday recreationalleague.“The futsal court is somethingI’ve felt strongly about sincestarting the club,” says Bell,a third grade Dual Immersionteacher at Junction. “I was certainit would happen, but I thought itwould take several years to raisethe money, not a few months.We’ve been very fortunate.”Currently, the Futsal Clubpractices on the playground blacktop and in the school’s gymnasiumon weekends. Bell wouldlike a dedicated futsal court toprovide access during the week,when the gym is typically bookedsolid, and to the community atlarge. The new court also is anecessity for Futsal for All toexpand.He recently received a $32,000grant from StopWaste.org that,combined with other fundraisingefforts, is enough to pay for thecourt. He’s still raising money topurchase the surrounding fence.“This is really a win-win forthe community,” says Judy Erlandson,Public Works managerfor the City of Livermore. “Thisgrant will help meet a communityneed and support the use of arecycled product.”The court qualified for thegrant because it will be madefrom at least 25% recycled materials.Erlandson explains thatthe City of Livermore receivesfunds from StopWaste.org, generatedfrom landfill usage fees,and distributes them to projectsthat promote waste reduction,recycling, or the purchase ofrecycled products.Since starting the Futsal Clublast fall, Bell has raised about$47,000, including the Stop-Waste.org grant. That total includesa $2,500 grant from theRotarian Foundation of Livermore,$3,000 from the JunctionPTA, $500 from the raffle of agift certificate donated by WenteVineyards, t-shirt sales, and feesand concessions from Futsalfor All, a Saturday recreationalleague.School nurse Julie Howarddonated nearly $200 in the nameof her late father’s foundation,the Keith S. Fraser MemorialFund, to provide shoes and clubt-shirts to over a dozen needystudents.Bell is also creating a futsalfundraiser film, featuring LivermoreSchool SuperintendentKelly Bowers, Livermore MayorMarshall Kamena, LivermoreSchool Board president ChuckRogge, and Junction principalJamal Fields, that will appearsoon on YouTube.Futsal is a faster, smaller, andtighter version of soccer, and, insome respects, more like hockeyand basketball. Futsal is playedon a basketball-sized court witha small, heavy ball and five to sixplayers to a side, about half thesize of a soccer team.In his book, The Talent Code,Daniel Coyle found that futsalis, in part, responsible for Braziliandomination in soccer. Hewrites that while futsal is playedby many nations, it became anobsession in Brazil in the sameway that pickup basketball commandsthe passions of inner-cityAmerican kids.“Futsal players touch theball far more often than soccerplayers—six times more oftenper minute. The smaller, heavierball demands and rewards moreprecise handling,” writes Coyle.“Futsal compresses soccer’s essentialskills into a small box; itplaces players inside the deeppractice zone, making and correctingerrors, constantly generatingsolutions to more generousproblems.”Futsal is now offered at indoorsoccer clubs, but those programs,which typically cost hundreds ofdollars a year, are out of reach formany Junction families. At CabernetIndoor Sports, team fees are$650 plus membership, $58 perindividual or $109 per family.Bell charges $24 for a sixgamesession. “It was a humblingexperience because a few familiesasked us to waive the fee andStudents play a game of Futsal.SPORTSkings.com/ or e-mail us at delthecoach@gmail.comTri-Valley CrushThe Tri-Valley Crush 9th grade basketballteams combined to win two games andlose one in MVP flight basketball play lastweekend. The White team split a pair ofgames with the ASA club, winning 53-52 onSaturday, and then losing on Sunday 44-40in overtime. The Red team won their onlygame, cruising to a 56-42 victory over theEast Bay Bulldogs.In Saturday's game, the White squadwon a very physical match-up with ASA.The game was dominated by hard foulsand loose ball scrambles, and the Crushwas poised to break it open with a big 19point second quarter. ASA scored the firstseven points of the second half and clungto a slim lead throughout the final quarter.The Crush reclaimed the lead at 46-44 withjust two minutes left in the game and heldon for a slim victory. Austin Medeiros had12 points for the Crush and Matt Carlo ledrebounders with six.In Sunday's repeat match-up, the WhiteCrush team was cold early, scoring only11 points in the first half. Down 10 at thebreak, the Crush found their shooting range,scoring 15 points in the third quarter to closethe gap to six. Led by Luis Ramirez, whoscored all of his nine points in the fourthquarter, the Crush knotted the game at 40at the end of regulation. ASA scored four inthe short overtime, and the Crush was unableto equalize, losing a heart-breaker. AndreKasten had eight points, four rebounds andthree steals for the Crush.In their only weekend game, the Redteam ran away from an athletic Bulldogssquad by a score of 56-42. Defense was tightand the competition fierce as the Bulldogsled by two points through three periods.However, in the fourth quarter the quintetof Luis Ramirez, Austin Medeiros, DominicDeFina, Jake Trevithick and Andrew Nopcould do no wrong, and the Crush explodedfor a 23-7 run to win going away. Ramirezhad 20 points, seven rebounds and fourassists, Trevithick eight points and DeFinaseven to lead the Red.others asked to pay one game ata time,” he says. “So we createdscholarships.”The success of the Futsal Clubhas far exceeded Bell’s modestgoals. He was hoping 15 kidsmight turn out for the afterschoolclub—instead, he got nearly 100.Building on that success, he organizedFutsal for All.“I wasn’t even sure if we’dhave enough players to form aleague. When I allowed myselfto dream a bit, I hoped to form6 to 8 teams and 3 to 4 hours ofSaturday games,” he says.The second session of Futsalfor All began on March 26 with150 players on 17 teams. It’san all day affair every Saturday—ninegames followed by a20-minute pick up parent game.Futsal for All is very much acommunity effort. Bell refereesmost of the games with help fromJunction parent Jack Cairel andOrlando Perez, a community volunteer,soccer player, and coach.Parent Severiano Martinez helpsBell run the Futsal Club week inand week out, even in the bittercold of January and February.Belia Martinez (no relation toSeveriano), coordinator of Junction’sParent Center, managesthe concession and merchandisestand. Parent Maricela Jimenezprepares food for the concessionstand, including a tostadathat Bell says is “to die for.”Paul Martinez, Belia’s husband,takes photographs, which areavailable for purchase as anotherfundraiser.This summer Bell hopesto form an adult league. Nextschool year, he plans to expandJunction’s Futsal Club and forma traveling team that will competein local tournaments andplay against neighboring middleschools.“In the end, what brings methe most satisfaction is that weare providing access to a sportthat is currently out of reach formost families. Futsal has gonethe way of golf, tennis, andswimming. If you have money,you can play,” says Bell. “Sothis is our drop of water into theocean of social justice. I hope allLivermore residents will play atthe court and that it will becomea place for different ethnic groupsto gather and dissolve the walls ofracism and discrimination.”To learn more about Junction’sFutsal club and Futsal forAll, contact Belia Martinez at925-606-4720, x6392.To learn more about the Cityof Livermore’s Recycling Grants,visit Public Works sectionof the City’s website, www.cityoflivermore.net, or contactCeleste Storrs at 925-960-8004.Christensen WrestlingThe Christensen Middle School wrestlingteam from Livermore had all 6 oftheir 8th graders place at the Harvest Parktournament on Saturday. Alina Kotowski ledthe team by pinning all 3 of her opponentsto take first place. Braeden Zeitler (160) andMax Batson (140) wrestled well to make thefinals, but each of them lost by only 1 point tofinish in 2nd place. Elijah Deakin (187) andAntonio Hernandez (heavyweight) placed3rd. Ryan Ferreira (200) finished 4th.On Sunday, Alina Kotowski continuedher dominance at the 13th annual CaliforniaUSGWA girls open championships at Mt.Pleasant High School in San Jose. She wonall 5 of her matches to take 1st place. Fourvictories were by pin. The most excitingmatch of the entire tournament took placebetween Kotowski ,who is a returning statechampion and Kayla Walker from Los Gatoswho is also a returning state champion.Down 1 to 0 in the third period, Kotowskiturned Walker to her back to earn a 2 pointnear fall and win the match 2-1. The victorykept Kotowski’s record in girls competitionperfect at 16-0. A rematch between these twois expected at the California state championshipsin Vallejo on April 9th.East Ave. WrestlingThe East Avenue Middle School wrestlingteam won the eighth-grade division atthe annual Harvest Park wrestling tournamentlast Saturday. East Avenue advancednine wrestlers to the finals, claiming fourchampionships. The team brought home13 medals.Jacob Roach (130-pounds) and AaronJennings (200) led the eighth-grade teamwinning titles in their weight class. Roachhad an exciting match against Ryan Le fromAlvarado Middle School winning 6-3 in thefinals. Aaron Jennings had an impressive daypinning all his opponents and was namedMost Outstanding 8th grade wrestler of thetournament.Brandon Untalan (90), Matt Hewitt (115)and Stefan Holt (140) each took second place.Russell Lovett (110) and Dominik Luzader(150) took third and Robert Payne (120) andEric Lebish (Hwt) took fourth. East won theteam title with 70 points, edging out Alvarado66 points and Albany 53 points.In the sixth-seventh grade division BryceDisbrow (125) and Dillon McNaney (150)each claimed gold medals in their weightclass. Disbrow pinned all his opponentsincluding a 41 second pin in the finals. DillonMcNaney had an exciting match in thechampionship finals winning 5-0 over CharlieBecquet of Canyon Middle School. VinceMederos (125) took second place, MichaelLaFlame (105) took third place and DarianLook (105), Nathan Dela Cruz (110), ZaneLuzader(115) and Ryan Silvas (125) eachplaced fourth.In the girls division, Victoria Cockerill(160) pinned two of her opponents to claimsecond place. Cockerill recorded the fastestpin for the team pinning her opponent in thesemi-finals in 38 seconds.Pleasanton National LLP l e a s a n t o n N a t i o n a l L i t t l eLeague results in a rain filled week:Single A: Dodgers vs. Cardinals: After a fewrained out games, the Dodgers were anxiousto get on the field and take on the Cardinals.The Dodgers made a strong showing with 9overall runs scored, and a strong defensiveoutfield. The Cardinals were a strong teamand good match for the Dodgers. In the secondinning, the Dodgers showed strong defensewith a quick first out, followed by a doubleplay. The fifth inning was the strongest with5 runs scored by the Dodgers. Top Hitters:Joseph Weaver hit an outstanding ball almostout of the park. Connor Witt made a stronghit every time at bat. Logan Roloff was astrong hitter this game with a good singlein every inning. Top Defensive Players:Aiden Roloff made a great catch at 1st baseleading to an out. Michael Cheng and AidenRoloff made an incredible double play. NateMartinez caught a pop fly that resulted in atriple play.Livermore American LLLivermore American Little Leagueresults:AA Division: Indians 4, Cardinals 1: TheIndians and the Cardinals played an excitinggame. Runs were scored early and then bothteams displayed great defense and pitching.For the Indians, Antoine Evans had a singleand a double with 2 RBIs. Adam Chapmansent a ball deep to the fence for a double inthe 3rd. Cole Arnold pitched an amazingfive shut-out innings, getting 5 strike-outs.For the Cardinals, superstar defense wasshown by Daniel Tolentino in the 4th whenhe made a fantastic unassisted double-play.Grant Peterson was equally awesome withstrong pitching, as well as making severalgreat fielding plays and a tag out at homeplate. Parker Hughes exhibited phenomenalpitching, securing 4 strike-outs in two pitchedinnings. Top Indians players: Antoine Evans,Adam Chapman, Cole Arnold; Top Cardinalsplayers: Daniel Tolentino, Grant Peterson,Parker HughesRockies 5, Cubs 0: Trent Crisp startedthings off for the Cubs on the mound, strikingout 2 batters then snagging a pop-fly tomake the third out of the first inning. EvanSire started the line-up with a nice singleto get on base, followed by 2 stolen bases.Peyton Lemmons made his pitching debut inthe fourth inning and did a great job standingup to the opposition. Carson Mohler pitchedthe first three innings for the Rockies andhad a strong at-bat with a huge triple to theoutfield to get on base. Miles Kluball hit apowerful double that brought in an RBI. JJKnight played tough at short stop, making twogreat plays to first for outs and also helpedout his team at the plate with an RBI. Despitesome good plays by the Cubs, the Rockiestook control and won the game 5-0.A Division: Braves 10, Mets 7: BravesWilson and Zackary made key defensiveplays ensuring the Braves maintained theirundefeated season. Mets Mike Christian aka"Big Mike" made an extraordinary catchending the inning and starting a battingralley for the Mets. In the fifth inning MetsJackson Vandegriff, caught the ball in the airforcing the first out, touched the second basebag for a second out, then sucessfully taggedBraves base runner for the final out. JacksonVandegriff received a standing ovation forthe teams first unassisted triple play of theseason. Mets Catcher Nolan Dennis playedwith dedication and heart. Braves top players;Joey Porter, Wilson Schwegler, ZackaryWilson; Mets top players: Nolan Dennis,Mike Christian, Jackson Vandegriff.Pleasanton SeahawksCompeting during a wet and blusteryweekend, the Pleasanton Seahawks’ performancewas not dampened as they turnedin many best times at the San Ramonhosted Junior Olympics Meet March 19– 20, 2011.The Senior Elite group best times:Kirsten Brand (200 IM); Brandon Chandler(100 fly, 200 breast); Kristine Doan (200free); Chris Dourov (100 back) and NickJohnston (100 breast). Additional strongswims: Sasha Alcon (200 free); CatherineBreed (100 fly), Marissa Brown (200 IM);Tory Houston (100 back); Rachel Knowles(200 IM); Tim McLaughlin (200 IM); Bridget(continued on page 8)Photo - Doug JorgensenFoothill High School's (14) Michael Barbier and Livermore HighSchool's (10) Daniel Rowan battled in a varsity lacrosse matchwon by Foothill, 12 to 3. The JV match was also won by Foothill,11 to 3. Girls varsity results were Foothill 16, Livermore 5; girlsJV, Foothill 15, Livermore 1.Moran (100 back); Andrew Seitz (200 IM);Nick Silverthorn (100 free) and MaggieWoods (200 free).From the Junior/Pre Junior groups: WolfLachance won the 200 and 500 free; MirandaHeckman - new Pacific Recognition Time500 free, 3rd in the 50 back and Pieter Corymade finals in 3 events. Additional strongswims: Nja Zuniga; Tim Yao and Ben Sproulwho swam his first JO meet. Olivier Rooneyswam several new best times.Livermore AquacowboysThe Junior Olympic swim meet held atthe San Ramon Olympic Pool and AquaticCenter, March 18th – 20th, was not the idealweekend in terms of weather and pool space,but the Livermore Aquacowboys showedfortitude against the odds.Highlights from the meet: A New FarWestern qualifying time was achieved byAlex Gonzales in the 100 IM with a time of106.26 and a New Pacific Recognition Timewas achieved by Katie Kulp in the 1000Free with a time of 10:59.28. LivermoreAquacowboy Junior Olympic Finalists: AlexGonzalez earned 3rd Place in the 50 Back,5th Place in the 200 Back. Nina Hayes finalistin the 100 Fly, Natalie Wong finalist in the100 Fly and Brendan Schierloh finalist inthe 100 Breast.New Best Times were achieved bySydney Magann, Matthew Hayes, TaylorBrennan, Sarah Swanson, Alex Gonzales,Shahini Ananth, Cat Elliott, Katie Kulp,Haley Hamza, Nina Hayes and ShelbySwanson. For more information about theLivermore Aquacowboys, please contact usat 925-443-7700, at www.lacswimming.org,or find us on Facebook.Granada Swim/DiveGranada High School Boys' VarsitySwimming and Diving team swam to animpressive victory by defeating CAL High112 to 72. The Granada Girls' Varsityteam continued to dominate in relays and(continued on page 8)The Livermore Mystics 5th grade girls basketball team broughthome a 2nd place trophy from the CalStars Spring Classic, theweekend of March 26th & 27th. The team had victories over twoteams, the CA Ballaz and the Santa Cruz Quakes. Their only losscame in the championship game to the Lafayette Lightening.Team players that participated are pictured (back row) Gigi Cole,Madison Kahwaty, Gianna Paden, Regan Wiedenfeld & AshleyLamb; (front row) Sydney Pournaras, Nicole Bartels, TaylorSullivan, Arianna Salcido, Sierra Marshall and Emily Trask.

PAGE 8 - The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011diving but fell to CAL High by a score of102 to 84.In Junior Varsity action, the GranadaBoys' scored their first victory of the season.Luke Shaffer, Matt Carlo, Jared Firl and JoshSnyder opened the meet with a victory in the200 Medley Relay. Matt Norton took firstplace in the in the 100 Individual Medley.Jared Firl won the 50 Butterfly and placed2nd in the 100 Breaststroke. Matt Carloplaced second in both of his individual events(50 Butterfly, 50 Freestyle). Luke Shaffer,Josh Snyder and Matt Norton continuedthe winning trend by finishing 1-3-4 in the500 Freestyle. Granada dominated the 100Backstroke with Josh Snyder and TylerEckles going 1-2. Fitz Ryan placed second inthe 100 Freestyle. The 200 Free Relay teamof Shaffer, Carlo, Eckles and Ryan swam toa close second place. Rounding out the meet,the Granada boys went 1 – 3 – 4 in the 400Free Relay. (1-Firl, Snyder, Eckles, Ryan; 3-Dakota Rogers, Matt Norton, Keith Sheehan,Jason Shanley; 4–Girardelli, Jack Meredith,Logan Eppstein, Sean Cabanlit).While the Granada Girls' JV team putin some impressive swims, they fell to CALHigh by a score of 118 – 66. Lauren Darlingwon both of her events (50 Freestyle, 100Freestyle). Kellie Douglas took first placein the 100 Breastroke. Megan McEnteeswam to a second place finish in the 100Individual Medley. Teammates AdriannaRocha and and Shelby White went 2-3 inthe 200 Freestyle.Varsity Boys Top Three Finishes: 200Medley Relay - GHS Carlo, Chandler, Hayes,Silverthorn (1st); 200 Free - Dourov (1st);200 IM - Silverthorn (1st); 50 Free - Carlo(1st), Hayes (2nd); 100 Fly - Chandler (1st),Wang (3rd); 100 Free - Carlo (1st); 500 Free- Silverthorn (1st), Dourov (2nd); 200 FreeRelay - GHS Carlo, Hayes, Schierloh, Linhart(1st), GHS (Harker, Massoud, Benge, Wang)(2nd); 100 Back - Hayes (1st), Wang (3rd);100 Breast - Chandler (2nd), 100 Breast- Schierloh (3rd); 400 Free Relay - GHSDourov, Chandler, Linhart, Silverthorn(1st), GHS Schierloh, Grabarek, Massoud,Boas (3rd).Varsity Girls Top Three Finishes: 200Medley Relay - GHS (Hayes, A. Mclaggan,Swanson, C. Mclaggan) (1st); 200Free - Hamza (1st), Chandler (3rd); 200 IM- Kulp (2nd); 50 Free - Yung (3rd); 100 Fly- Hayes (2nd); 100 Free - Kulp (2nd); 500Free - Hamza (2nd), Chandler (3rd);200 Free Relay - GHS (Kulp, Swanson,Mcdairmid, C. Mclaggan) (2nd); 100 Back- Hayes (1st);100 Breast - Mclaggan A (3rd); 400Free Relay - GHS (Hamza, Swanson, Kulp,Hayes) (1st).Junior Varsity Boys Top Three Finishes:200 Medley Relay - GHS (Shaffer, Carlo,Firl, Snyder) (1st); 200 Free - Eckles (3rd);100 IM - Norton (1st); 50 Free - Carlo(2nd); 50 Fly - Firl (1st), Carlo (2nd); 100Free - Ryan (2nd); 500 Free - Shaffer (1st),Snyder (3rd); 200 Free Relay - GHS (Shaffer,Carlo, Eckles, Ryan) (2nd); 100 Back- Snyder (1st); 100 Back - Eckles (2nd);100 Breast - Firl (2nd); 100 Breast - Shaffer(3rd); 400 Free Relay - GHS (Firl, Snyder,Eckles, Ryan) (1st), GHS (Rogers, Norton,Sheehan, Shanley) (3rd).Junior Varsity Girls Top Three Finishes:200 Medley Relay - GHS (McConn, Douglas,N. Glover, Darling) (2nd); 200 Free - Rocha(2nd), White (3rd); 50 Free - Darling (1st);50 Fly - Hill (3rd); 100 Free - Darling (1st);500 Free - McConn (3rd); 200 Free Relay- GHS (White, Mclevis, Eckert, N. Glover)(3rd); 100 Back - McConn (3rd); 100 Breast -Douglas (1st); 400 Free Relay - GHS (Rocha,White, McConn, Darling) (3rd).Gymfinity GymnasticsGymfinity Gymnastics team memberscompeted in the 2011 NorVal Level 8, 9and 10 Championships in Stockton overthe weekend.Level 8: Child C: ALL-AROUND: IslaAndrews 34.675 (12), VAULT 8.0 (15),BARS 9.35 (1), BEAM 8.125 (15), FLOOR:Andrews 9.2 (6)Junior D: ALL-AROUND: EmmaSoriano 34.025 (14); Rebecca Meister 33.6(16); VAULT: Soriano 8.425 (15); Meister8.175 (17); BARS: Meister 9.225 (4); Soriano7.55 (16); BEAM: Soriano 8.9 (9); Meister7.625 (18); FLOOR: Soriano 9.15 (13);Meister 8.575 (17)Senior B: ALL-AROUND: KaitlinHausmann 34.475 (11), VAULT 7.9 (14),BARS 9.1 (5), BEAM 8.75 (8), FLOOR8.725 (12)Senior D: ALL-AROUND: Taylor Hurst34.825 (5), VAULT 8.7 (5), BARS 8.25 (10),BEAM 8.725 (6), FLOOR 9.15 (4)Level 9: Junior B: ALL-AROUND:Valentina Barbalinardo 36.325 (4), VAULT9.2 (4), BARS 8.525 (9), BEAM 9.25 (2),FLOOR 9.35 (3)Senior B: ALL-AROUND: Rain Sullivan36.050 (3), VAULT 9.225 (2), BARS 9.35 (1),BEAM 8.875 (3), FLOOR 8.6 (8)Senior C: ALL-AROUND: Jennifer SIlver35.975 (4), VAULT 9.05 (4), BARS 9.0(3), BEAM 8.75 (7), FLOOR 9.175 (4)Level 10: Senior B: ALL-AROUND:Amber Woo 36.475 (7), VAULT 9.325(4), BARS 9.15 (7), BEAM 8.675 (11),FLOOR 9.325Run for the ParksA brand new run and walk in SycamoreGrove Park, in Livermore,will be held onSun., April 17.The inaugural Livermore Area Recreationand Park District’s (LARPD) Run forthe Parks will benefit the LARPD. It willfeature 3 events: 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run,and Kids’ 1 Mile Fun Run.All three courses will feature greatspringtime views and colorful blossomingflowers: 5K Walk/Run: This loop course ison paved and unpaved trails in the SycamoreGrove Park. Flat and fast; 10K Run: Samegreat views with a more challenging distanceand terrain, the out and back course featurespaved/unpaved LARPD trails through rollingwine country, Holdener Park, and onLARPD’s newest trail; Kids’ Fun Run 1Mile (12 years and under): 1 mile out/backon unpaved trail in Sycamore Grove Park.Run through the sycamore trees and back.This is the perfect time of the year for kids toenjoy the creek and view the wildlife.Entry fees are pre-registered 5K and 10Kevents, $30 per runner, family rate for allevents $25 each, (families of four or more).Race-day fees $35; kids fun run $10.Trophies will be awarded for 5K and10K female and male overall and top masters(45 years and over) finishers. Medals willbe awarded three deep in each age divisionfor females and males 13 and under, 14-19,20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70years +. All Kids’ Fun Run finishers willreceive a ribbon.All entrants will receive the “historic”commemorative T-shirt, refreshments andsnacks, and awards ceremony.Race-day registration and check-in willbegin at 7:00 a.m., with the 5K and 10Kbeginning at 8:30 a.m. The Kids’ Fun Runwill start at 10:30 a.m.For more information, contact OnYour Mark Events at (209) 795-7832 orvisit their website. To register online, goto active.com.Cycling Legends RideCycling enthusiasts can kick off theAmgen Tour of California in style duringthe Start at the Top – Lake Tahoe LegendsRide scheduled for Saturday, May 14. Participatingcyclists will have the opportunityto ride the majority of the Stage 1 route ofthe 2011 Amgen Tour of California. Consideredthe largest cycling event in NorthAmerica, the 2011 Amgen Tour of Californiaraces nearly 800 miles and visits 15 citiesin eight days, attracting approximately twomillion people.The Legends Ride allows participantsto ride the Stage 1 course of the 2011 AmgenTour of California and pedal elbow toelbow with cycling legends and dignitaries,including Bobby Julich, Sky ProCyclingRace Coach and 2004 Olympic BronzeMedalist; and John Howard, who rode onthe 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympic Teams,set the world 24-hour cycling distancerecord of 593 miles and finished secondin the Race Across America (1982), whichhe co-founded. Other legends include MaxJones, Mike Neel, David Brink and RolandDella Santa.Options include a 72-mile roadway routearound Lake Tahoe and a 35-mile ride thattransfers participants from South Shore toNorth Lake Tahoe via the Tahoe Queenpaddle wheeler to cycle around East Shoreand finish in Stateline, Nev. A sightseeingboat cruise is available for non-cyclists.The event is open to the first 1,000cyclists who sign-up online by April 30.Registration is $125/person for the 72-mileride, and $140 /person for the Boat Cruise+35-mile option, which is expected to sellout.Pre-registered participants will receivea Lake Tahoe welcome bag with a commemorativeevent number, wrist-band, waterbottle, ride pin and t-shirt. They also have thebenefits of food and beverages at rest stopsalong the route, lunch and an after ride pastafeed with live music.Check-in for pre-registered cyclistsand late registration is Friday, May 13, 10a.m. – 8 p.m., at the Horizon Casino ResortConvention Center Ballroom in Stateline,South Shore Lake Tahoe. Confirmationnumber and identification are required topick up materials.For details about start times and location,visit to www.BiketheWest.com.Gymfinity GymnasticsGymfinity Gymnastics hosted the 2011Spring Round-Up at their gym located at 230South Vasco Road in Livermore, on March19 and 20, 2011. The XCEL Bronze teamfinished in first place with 110.3 points. XCELSilver, Gold and Platinum team finished firstwith 108.2. Level 4 was third with a total of107.1. Level 5 and 6 team were first with105.175 points.Results follow:XCEL Bronze: Younger: ALL-AROUND: Rachel Tivey 36.475 (1); KylieDennington 35.975 (2); Alexa Hart 35.375(3); Mia Browning 35.175 (4); Grace Hurst35.025 (5); Kelly Chamberlain 34.775 (6);Audrey Sweet 34.4 (7); Ciera Chan 34.225(8); Brooke Carter 34.125 (9T); Rachel Kozak34.125 (9T); Jaylee Pimentel 33.25 (11).VAULT: Tivey 9.3 (1); Hart 9.1 (2T); Hurst9.1 (2T); Chamberlain 8.9 (4); Dennington8.8 (5); Chan 8.7 (6); Sweet 8.6 (7T); Kozak8.6 (7T); Pimentel 8.6 (7T); Browning 8.4(10); Carter 8.0 (11). BARS: Browning 9.35(1); Dennington 9.05 (2); Carter 9.025 (3);Tivey 8.925 (4); Chamberlain 8.9 (5); Hart8.75 (6); Sweet 8.6 (7); Chan 8.45 (8); Kozak8.325 (9); Hurst 8.3 (10); Pimentel 7.85 (11).BEAM: Tivey 9.0 (1); Dennington 8.8 (2);Hart 8.625 (3T); Kozak 8.625 (3T); Hurst8.55 (5); Sweet 8.55 (5); Chan 8.525 (7);Browning 8.5 (8); Carter 8.15 (9T); Pimentel8.15 (9T) Chamberlain 7.925 (11). FLOOR:Dennington 9.325 (1); Tivey 9.250 (2); Hurst9.075 (3); Chamberlain 9.05 (4); Carter 8.95(5); Browning 8.925 (6); Hart 8.9 (7); Sweet8.65 (8T); Pimentel 8.65 (8T); Kozak 8.575(10); Chan 8.55 (11)Middle: ALL-AROUND: Maya Aguirre36.0 (2); Victoria Gladstone 35.2 (4); JianaPimentel 34.65 (5); Parker Andreson 34.15(6); Sarah Spence 34.025 (8); MadisonBrowning 33.7 (9); Bianca Pahler 26.1(10). VAULT: Aguirre 9.5 (1); Gladstone8.75 (2T); Pimentel 8.75 (2T); Andreson8.7 (4); Spence 8.55 (7); Browning 8.45 (8).BARS: Gladstone 8.925 (2); Pahler 8.725 (3);Spence 8.7 (5); Pimentel 8.5 (7); Browning8.35 (8); Aguirre 8.275 (9); Andreson 8.15(10). BEAM: Aguirre 9.25 (1); Pimentel 8.6(3); Andreson 8.375 (5); Gladstone 8.25 (6);Pahler 8.225 (7); Browning 7.95 (9); Spence7.8 (10). FLOOR: Gladstone 9.275 (2);Pahler 9.15 (4); Aguirre 8.975 (6T); Spence8.975 (6T); Browning 8.95 (8); Andreson8.925 (9); Pimentel 8.8 (10)Older: ALL-AROUND: Ashlee Daugherty36.7 (1); Ashley Cole 35.7 (5); AngelBorders 35.1 (6). VAULT: Daugherty 9.2(2); Cole 8.65 (6); Borders 8.5 (7). BARS:Daugherty 9.0 (2); Borders 8.95 (3); Cole 8.9(4). BEAM: Daugherty 9.25 (4); Cole 9.5 (5);Borders 8.8 (6). FLOOR: Daugherty 9.25 (2);Cole 9.15 (3); Borders 8.85 (5)XCEL Silver: Older: ALL-AROUND:Moira Andrews 36.175 (1); Anna Wishnowsky36.075 (2); Cheyanne Greenlee34.3950 (5). VAULT: Andrews 9.4 (1);Greenlee 9.05 (3); Wishnowsky 8.7 (7).BARS: Wishnowsky 9.1 (1); Greenlee 8.45(4); Andrews 8.05 (6). BEAM: Andrews9.425 (1); Wishnowsky 9.275 (2); Greenlee8.35 (8). FLOOR: Andrews 9.1 (1); Greenlee9.1 (3); Wishnowsky 8.9 (6)XCEL Gold: Younger: ALL-AROUND:Kaylee Brist 34.875 (1), VAULT 8.675 (1).BARS 8.1 (1), BEAM 8.95 (1), FLOOR9.25 (1)Older: ALL-AROUND: Andrea Honig33.875 (4), VAULT 8.925 (1), BARS 7.0 (6),BEAM 8.55 (6), FLOOR 9.4 (1)Platinum: ALL-AROUND: GabriellaLemoine 35.6 (1); Fernanda Van Atta 35.075(2); Jessica Fineran 34.975 (4). VAULT:Fineran 8.85 (3); Lemoine 8.7 (4); Van Atta8.675 (5). BARS: Lemoine 8.15 (1); Van Atta7.925 (3); Fineran 7.75 (8). BEAM: Lemoine9.3 (1); Van Atta 9.225 (2); Fineran 9.2 (3).FLOOR: Lemoine 9.45 (1); Van Atta 9.25(4); Fineran 9.175 (5)Level 4: Younger: ALL-AROUND:Alexandria Xigacos 36.0 (1); SimoneLaney 34.95 (4). VAULT: Laney 8.925 (4);Xigacos 8.9 (5). BARS: Xigacos 8.625 (2);Laney 8.375 (3). BEAM: Laney 9.175 (2);Xigacos 8.875 (3). FLOOR: Xigacos 9.6 (1);Laney 8.475 (6)Middle A: ALL-AROUND: MaleighaKinzer 36.025 (4), VAULT 9.3 (1), BARS8.375 (7), BEAM 9.225 (2), FLOOR9.125 (6)Middle B: ALL-AROUND: Emma Andersen33.65 (7), VAULT 8.8 (7), BARS 8.5(6), BEAM 8.65 (6, FLOOR 7.7 (11)LEVEL 5: Younger: ALL-AROUND:Zoe Potter 35.375 (1); Veronica Knowlden33.075 (5); Maddie Banks 32.825 (6);Madison PILGER 32.625 (7). VAULT:Potter 8.575 (1); Knowlden 8.0 (5); Banks7.525 (9); PILGER 7.5 (10). BARS: Potter8.925 (1); Knowlden 8.0 (4); Banks 7.625(6); PILGER 7.025 (9. BEAM: PILGER9.075 (3); Potter 8.725 (4); Banks 8.675(5); Knowlden 8.325 (7). FLOOR: Potter9.15 (2); PILGER 9.025 (4); Banks 9.0 (5);Knowlden 8.75 (7)Middle: ALL-AROUND: Katie Haegele33.25 (5), VAULT 7.95 (4), BARS 8.675 (1),BEAM 8.15 (9), FLOOR 8.475 (8)Older: ALL-AROUND: Rebecca Silva33.575 (3); Elizabeth Campbell 33.225 (5).VAULT: Silva 8.25 (5); Campbell 8.175 (8).BARS: Silva 8.025 (4T); Campbell 8.025(4T). BEAM: Silva 8.775 (4); Campbell8.7 (5). FLOOR: Silva 8.525 (5); Campbell8.325 (10)Level 6: Younger: ALL-AROUND:Adrienne Kwee 34.75 (1); Kaylin Dennington34.35 (3); Payton Bryant 33.825 (4);Amanda Scudder 33.2 (6). VAULT: Kwee9.15 (1); Scudder 8.9 (2); Dennington 8.725(3); Bryant 9.2 (4). BARS: Dennington 8.475(1); Bryant 8.25 (2); Kwee 8.05 (3); Scudder7.925 (5). BEAM: Dennington 8.8 (2); Bryant8.625 (4); Kwee 8.525 (5); Scudder 7.65 (9).FLOOR: Kwee 9.025 (1); Bryant 8.75 (3);Scudder 8.725 (4); Dennington 8.35 (7)Older: ALL-AROUND: Shayne Estill24.65 (6), VAULT 8.425 (3), BARS 7.525(2), BEAM 8.7 (2)Level 7 - Session 5: Younger: ALL-AROUND: Katie Mathers 34.85 (3); EmilyRakestraw 34.675 (4); Kimmy Dennington32.95 (6). VAULT: Mathers 8.825 (2);Rakestraw 8.775 (3); Dennington 8.375 (6).BARS: Mathers 9.0 (3); Rakestraw 8.5 (4);Dennington 7.75 (7). BEAM: Rakestraw8.75 (1); Dennington 8.1 (6); Mathers 7.6(8). FLOOR: Mathers 9.425 (1); Rakestraw8.65 (8); Dennington 8.725 (7)Middle: ALL-AROUND: DakotaAbundiz 33.5 (8); Rylee Daugherty 17.3(10). VAULT: Daugherty 8.675 (8); Abundiz7.8 (10). BARS: Abundiz 8.0 (7). BEAM:Abundiz 8.775 (6); Daugherty 8.625 (8).FLOOR: Abundiz 8.925 (6)Older: ALL-AROUND: Miranda May31.8 (7), VAULT: 8.925 (3), BARS 6.925 (6),BEAM 7.0 (8), FLOOR 8.925 (2)Level 7 - Session 5 Team: 3rd Place104.75Level 7 - Session 6: Older: ALL-AROUND: Sara Vukojevic 34.075 (4),VAULT 8.925 (3), BARS 8.4 (4), BEAM8.225 (4), FLOOR 8.525 (6)Level 8: All Ages: ALL-AROUND:Taylor Hurst 35.675 (1); Isla Andrews 35.475(2); Emma Soriano 34.5 (3); Rebecca Meister33.6 (4); Kaitlin Hausmann 25.450 (10).VAULT: Soriano 8.825 (2); Hurst 8.675 (3);Andrews 8.45 (5); Meister 8.2 (6); Hausmann8.125 (7). BARS: Andrews 9.325 (1); Hausmann8.95 (2); Hurst 8.725 (3); Soriano 8.15(6); Meister 7.95 (7). BEAM: Hurst 9.025 (1);Andrews 8.7 (2); Meister 9.675 (3); Soriano8.5 (5). FLOOR: Hurst 9.25 (1); Soriano9.025 (3); Andrews 9.0 (4); Meister 8.775(5); Hausmann 8.375 (10)Level 9: All Ages: ALL-AROUND:Valentina Barbalinardo 35.15 (1); JenniferSilver 33.725 (2); Patricia Aubel 18.0 (5).VAULT: Barbalinardo 9.075 (1); Silver9.050 (2). BARS: Barbalinardo 8.4 (2);Silver 6.325 (4). BEAM: Silver 9.325 (1);Aubel 8.85 (2); Barbalinardo 8.675 (4).FLOOR: Aubel 9.15 (1); Silver 9.025 (2);Barbalinardo 9.0 (3)Level 8 & 9 Team: 2nd Place - 106.7Bocce ShowdownCampo di Bocce of Livermore playshost to the best Bocce players in the UnitedStates every other Sunday. On April 3, 2011,the next Showdown Series will take place atCampo di Bocce. The event is doubles Punto,Raffa, Volo which is the international versionof the game known as Open Rules Bocce.Local television 30, www.tv30.org will befilming the final match of the day.The purpose of the Showdown Seriesand televising the sport of Bocce is to createcommunity awareness because Campodi Bocce of Livermore is hosting the 2011United States Bocce Championships June 25-July 2, 2011. Campo di Bocce of Livermoreis also the home and host of the 2012 WorldBocce Championships. This event will takeplace in the Spring of 2012.The public is invited to come and watchthe action.Campo Di Bocce Of Livermore is locatedat 175 East Vineyard Avenue. More informationavailable at (925) 249-9800 or www.campodibocce.com/LivermoreBowling NewsRich Canada in the Cheyenne Leaguerolled 12 strikes in a row for a "perfect" 300game at the Granada Bowl in Livermore.Jeff Weston in the Practice Kings & QueensLeague bowled 214, 222 and 165 for a 601series, 169 pins over average. Jeremy Stuberin the Generation Gap League rolled 265, 277and 206 for a 748 series 130 pins over average.Youth Bowler Eric Smyth put together11 strikes in a row for a 290 game.Dan Stuber in the Generation Gap Leaguebowled 267, Randy Bickerdike 216 andBruce Ragusa 202. Ron Sharp in the GetawayFours League rolled 277, Dale Mellberg 243,Aaron Fick 216, Jim Leal 214, Wesley Nerton212, Joe Pyle 201, Amy Foscalina 201, StacySopora and T Roger Nerton both with 187.Gene Tanaka in the Match Point Leaguebowled 278, Mike Balhorn 243, Bob Carey236, John Easley 232, Frank Danneil 224 andDave Jones 215. David Drab in the 4 SeasonsHeating & Air League rolled 279, DavidBunch 269, Gil Criste 257, Billy McClain256, Matt Coleman 256 and Joe DiMaggio237. Craig Truscott in the Practice Kings &Queens League bowled 265, Jeff Spencer246 and Ryan Baker 197. Jim Moeller in theCheyenne League rolled 245 and Steve Lloyd231. Ray Siegfried in the Early Years FunTime League bowled 225. Mike Collins inthe Family Affair League rolled 236.Morning League Bowler Frank Cerros inthe Primetime Seniors League bowled 249,Jim McQuaid 228 and John Foscalina 201.Don Tunison in the Sirs & Sirettes Leaguerolled 233, Rich Baguio 226, Madge Culbertson214, Paul Guerrero 210, Bill Nawrocki209, Dick Greene 207 and Sam Cancilla202. John Foscalina in the Donna's MixersLeague bowled 211 and Paul Guerrero 210.Sam Cancilla in the Senior PrimetimersLeague rolled 211, Fred Starry 209 andDick Greene 206.Youth Bowler Alex Stuber and ShawnDonohue in the Generation Gap Leaguebowled 257, Jacky Faltings 214, JustinAgness 211, Justin Pehargou 209, KatelynnGoddard 206 and Troy Gomez 201.Get the scoop on taking careof your bicycle. The program willbe presented at the LivermorePublic Library Civic Center,1188 S. Livermore Avenue, at 7p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.Steve Howard, from LivermoreCyclery, will share his expertiseon the basics of bike maintenanceand repair.There is no charge for thisevent.This program is part of TheAmgen Tour of California Series– three programs focused on bicycling,in support of the AmgenTour of California bike race.Livermore Cyclery is a family-ownedbicycle chain in theSan Francisco Bay Area, withstores in both Livermore andDublin. Avid bicycle rider SteveHoward opened Livermore Cycleryin 1976 with the help of hisparents, Bob and Jackie Howard.As the oldest of seven children,Steve was eager to achieve hisdreams and to be respected forhis business skills. Searching forretirement security, Steve’s fatherBob felt confident that openinga small business with his sonwould be a smart decision forhis large family. After openingthe store, Bob and Jackie wouldcontinue to work at LivermoreCyclery with their sons Steve,Pete and Dan, and their daughterAnn. In 1990, Bob and Jackiehad their shop shirts retired afterworking at Livermore Cycleryfor nearly 15 years.The largest cycling event inAmerica, the 2011 Amgen Tourof California is a Tour de Francestylecycling road race that challengesthe world’s top professionalcycling teams to competealong a demanding course fromMay 15-22. Stage 4, sponsoredby United Healthcare, begins inLivermore on May 18.Livermore Library to PresentProgram on Bicycle Care(continued from page 7)Alameda County has reactivatedits Disaster Relief Fund toenable its approximately 9,000employees to voluntarily donatefunds to benefit the victims ofthe devastating earthquake andtsunami that struck northern Japanon Friday, March 11, 2011.The Alameda County Board ofSupervisors activated the fundat its weekly meeting Tuesday,March 15, after offering a momentof silence for the victims ofthe earthquake and tsunami. TheBoard took its action in recognitionof the mounting devastationin Japan from the earthquake,tsunami and crisis caused bydamaged nuclear power plants onJapan’s northeast coast.The Alameda County DisasterRelief Fund was initiallyestablished in response to theSeptember 11, 2001 tragedy inthe United States. It has beenreactivated for the South AsiaTsunami/Earthquake in 2004,Hurricane Katrina in 2005, andearthquakes in Haiti and Chilein 2010. In addition to monetarydonations, county employeeshave the option to donate up to5 days of their accrued vacationtime, compensatory time and/orholiday in-lieu time.“Just as communities in AlamedaCounty and throughoutthe Bay Area have been aidedin their recovery from naturaldisasters due to the generosity ofothers outside our communities,it is clear that the people of Japanneed our help in this great hourof need,” said Alameda CountyAdministrator Susan S. Muranishi,who was in Tokyo with adelegation of Japanese Americanleaders when the earthquakestruck.Since the earthquake, Muranishihas been in close contactwith other members of theJapanese American LeadershipDelegation, whose members livethroughout the United States, todiscuss ways they can leverageresources in their communitiesto contribute to the Japan reliefeffort. In Alameda County, Muranishihas contacted City Managers,community-based organizations,labor groups and others toencourage their participation inthe relief effort.One hundred percent of donationsto the Alameda CountyDisaster Relief Fund for theNorthern Japan Earthquake andTsunami will be directed to citizenrelief and rebuilding effortsthrough the Japanese Culturaland Community Center of NorthernCalifornia (JCCCNC) and theU.S. - Japan Council.Cash donations may be contributedby sending a personalcheck payable to the AlamedaCounty Disaster Relief Fund, c/othe Auditor-Controller Agency,1221 Oak Street, Room 238,Oakland CA 94612.Alameda County Reactivates Disaster Relief FundFundraiser for JapanZumba Gold is hosting a fundraiser forJapan on Fri., April 1 at 10 a.m.The event will take place at theRobert Livermore Community Center,4444 East Avenue, Livermore.It will involved 50 minutes of milddance fitness exercise. It is open to anyadult who enjoys mild exercise, alsooffering Zumba chair for adults whoenjoy exercise but may have somehealth issues while standingSuggested donation is $10.However, any amount is appreciated.100% of all Donations while go to theAmerican Red Cross- for JapanFor information, email yukodiehl@gmail.comor call (925) 998-7442The fundraiser is presented byZumba Gold teachers Yuko Diehl,Terri Ruggeri, Grace Boyson andMia Said.Nature ProgramsSpring Compass Course is thetopic of the nature program presentedSat., April 2 by the Livermore AreaRecreation and Park District rangerstaff.Meet Ranger Glen Glorey at 10a.m. at Veterans Park, 5211 ArroyoRoad. Learn the wonders of findingyour way without the assistance ofGPS device. This hike will go offtrail for an adventure into some ofthe lesser-known parts of the park.If you have a compass, bring it touse, or there will be extras to loanout. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoeswith closed toes.On Sun., April 3, rangers willpresent a Riparian Birding Adventure.Meet Ranger Patti Cole at 5 p.m. atMurrieta Meadows on DaisyfieldDrive across from Hagemann Park.This ranger-led program willexplore a new site at Murrieta Meadows.Come explore this riparian areaalong the Arroyo Mocho that is thickwith vegetation and tall trees in someplaces and more open with a clearview of the meandering stream inother areas. Expect to see an interestingvariety of species throughout thedifferent habitats. This program willbe following a paved trail. Canceledif raining.There is a $5 per vehicle parkingfee. A $2 donation is requested to helpsupport the programs. Participantsmay call 925-960-2400 for moreinformation.Craft ProgramsCome and celebrate Spring Breakat the Library at one of the SpringtimeCraft Programs—come make a cuteSpring decoration!• Civic Center Library, 1188 S.Livermore Avenue: Monday, April4, drop in any time between 12:30and 5:30 p.m.• Rincon Library, 725 RinconAvenue: Friday, April 8, drop in anytime between 1 and 3 p.m.• Wednesday, April 6, 10:30 a.m.:come join in a family sing-along withaward-winning singer/songwriterMaryLee Sunseri (1-2-3, Sing WithMe) at the Civic Center Library,1188 S. Livermore Avenue. MaryLeegets people of all ages moving andsinging along with wonderful songs,colorful props, and plenty of audienceparticipation!All ages are welcome to these freeLibrary programs. For further information,contact Youth Services at(925) 373-5504 or drop by the libraryto speak with one of the staff. Youmay also visit the website for details:www.livermorelibrary.net .Relay for LifeRelay For Life is the AmericanCancer Society’s flagship annualfund-raiser. Relays take place all overthe country, and for the tenth consecutiveyear, Livermore will have itsown Relay. Last year, the Livermoreevent raised over $216,000 for cancerresearch.This is a 24-hour event, startingat 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 andending at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June26, on the track at Livermore HighSchool.This will be the fourth year that theevent is recognizing Care Givers asan important part of a cancer patients’life and invite all Care Givers to jointhe event.Teams are formed to raise fundsand take turns walking laps. They setup a tent and camp out at the event.There are prizes for tent decoration,themed laps, and most money raised.There will be live entertainment,a variety of games and activities,raffles, kid’s camp, great food andof course lots and lots of fun. Manycharity walks are geared towardsadults only, but Relay For Life is avery kid friendly, family event whereall are welcome.Additional volunteers are needed.If interested in volunteering, pleasecontact Jacky Poulsen at Jacky_Poulsen@hotmail.com.For questions, please contactVicki Tan at or firstmeow@fantastictan.com.Information or register atwww.LivermoreRelayForLife.com.Math AwarenessDuring the month of April 2011,Huntington Learning Center inPleasanton will participate in MathematicsAwareness Month. Startedin 1986, Mathematics AwarenessMonth is promoted each year by theJoint Policy Board for Mathematics(JPBM), which includes theAmerican Mathematical Society,the American Statistical Association,the Mathematical Association ofAmerica and the Society for IndustrialApplied Mathematics.The theme of the 2011 MathematicsAwareness Month is "UnravelingComplex Systems," highlighting therole of math in ecosystems and manmadesystems alike.For more information about HuntingtonLearning Center in Pleasanton,families can contact Dan Chou at(925) 463-8800. To learn more aboutMathematics Awareness Month, visitwww.mathaware.org.Tri-Valley Trails AuthorsAuthors of the book Tri-ValleyTrails, Jacky Poulsen and NancyRodrigue, will present an informativetalk on Thurs., March 31 at 7 p.m.at Towne Center Books, 555 MainStreet in Pleasanton. This is the firstand only guide book to trails in theTri Valley.The talk will include:• Overview of the Tri-Valley parksincluded in the book, how they connectto one another currently and inthe future.• Highlights of each park coveredin the book - photos, special features,historical points of interest• Walk through a few hikes- including photos, maps and highlights• Questions and answersThis program is free and opento the public. No registration isrequired.For more information, please callJudy Wheeler 925-846-8826.Name Dublin ParksThe City of Dublin is seekinginput from Dublin residents on thenames of two new parks planned forthe Positano Development.The first park, currently in thedesign stages, is a 4.6+/- acre parkbordered by Valentano Drive, LatariStreet, and Montese Drive. It backsup to open space and gently rollinghills.The second park is a 5.0+/- acrepark bordered by Positano Parkway,Via Veneto Drive, and E. CantaraDrive. It is adjacent to a future elementaryschool, yet to be named.The following general guidelinesmay be helpful in determining namesfor the parks.• Name reflects the geographiclocation of the facility (neighborsituationcan be accessed througha recorded message at (925)931-5501.The incident only affecteda small segment of Pleasantonresidents who were all notifiedof the situation. The affectedarea is in unincorporated AlamedaCounty along with a smallportion of residents who live inPleasanton. More specifically, theoutage impacts those residentswho receive a water bill fromthe City of Pleasanton in upperKilkare Canyon, which runs fromPleasanton Ridge to Sunol. Severalhomes on upper LongviewDrive are also affected as well ashood/development, major street orregional area of the City)• Name reflects a prominent formof topography, or a prominent plant,bush or tree• Name reflects the history of thearea (family name of the builder orperson donating the land)• Name recognizes a significantcontributor to the advancement of theCity (former Mayor, Councilmember,Board/Commission Member, etc.)A survey will be available on-linethrough April 10 at www.dublin.ca.gov. Suggestions can also bemade by calling the Parks and CommunityServices Department at (925)556-4500.a number of homes at the end ofSantos Ranch Road to the northand south.“Right now we have temporaryrepairs in place. Waterservice has been restored to thoseliving in the affected area. We aremeeting with staff from East BayRegional Park Service to discussthe plan for a permanent repair,and hope that process will getunderway this week,” said CraigHiggins, the Assistant Director ofOperation Services for the City ofPleasanton.Water conservation is recommended,until all repairs arecomplete.WATER(continued from page one)

SCIENCE FAIR(continued from page one)community. More than 150 localscientists and engineers representingthe Lab and other leadingBay Area scientific organizationsserved as judges, with themajority representing the Lab.Congressman Jerry McNerney(D-Pleasanton) visited with studentsand discussed their projectsprior to the awards ceremony.“What differentiates our fairfrom others is that the studentsare judged by working scientists,”said Nadine Horner, TVSEFdirector from the Lab’s PublicAffairs Office. She added thatthe students also have a uniqueopportunity to talk with scientistsabout the kind of work they do,which provides a real learningexperience.The engineering project categorygrew this year with some36 entries, compared to just onelast year. First-time participantsAlyssa Lanza, Emily Perry andHaley Vopnford, worked as ateam on their project, “FlamingFancy Feet,” which demonstratedhow dance steps could close aswitch in a circuit to power alight bulb. The students are fromLivermore High School’s GreenEngineering Academy, whichoffers a science and engineeringfocus in its curriculum. “This isa great experience,” Alyssa saidabout the fair.William Henzel, a retiredscientist from Genentech whoreturned as a judge this year,declared, “The fair is a fantasticway to stimulate students aboutscience careers. This is a key thatcan lead them into science.”Sweepstakes winners in thesenior division category wereChristina Ren, a ninth gradestudent from Monte Vista HighSchool, who won for her project,“Ways to Enhance Cell Regeneration,”and Ruchita Gupta and RayZhou, 11th grade students fromAmador Valley High School, whowon in the team project categorywith their project, “Near-infraredTri-Valley Haven’s productionof Eve Ensler’s The VaginaMonologues will be performed atthe Bankhead Theater in DowntownLivermore on April 1, 8,and 10. Proceeds from this newproduction of the monologues,directed by local director andactress Kristi Grand, will go toTri-Valley Haven to help womenLight Biostimulation: A NovelApproach to the Optimization ofIndustrial Biosynthesis.”Ray and Ruchita entered theirteam project that explored innovativeways of using LED light toenhance microbial production ofpharmaceuticals. They receiveda First Place in their divisionand were named as the Fair’sSweepstakes Winners for Innovation,entitling them to competein the Intel International ScienceFair to be held this April in LosAngeles.Also receiving a first placeaward was Aishwarya Yenepallifrom Amador Valley. Her projectdealt with the identificationof genes responsible for silicaformation in the cell walls ofdiatoms. Her research has led tonew findings that has landed hera summer internship and the highprobability of her research beingpublished.Winning in the junior divisionwere: Daniel Cox, an eighthgrade student from Pine ValleyMiddle School, who won for hisproject, “Aspect Ratio and ItsEffect on Sail Efficiency,” andMaisam Jafri, Tarun KomidiReddy and Derek Ziao, eighthgrade students from WindemereRanch Middle School, who wonin the team category for theirproject, “Individual Water PurificationSystem.”In addition, more than 120special awards in the form ofscholarships, cash prizes andother nonmonetary recognitionwere distributed from scientific,professional, industrial, educationand government organizations.Senior division sweepstakeswinners at the fair will go on tocompete at the Intel InternationalScience and Engineering Fair,May 8-13, in Los Angeles. Juniordivision winners are eligible tocompete at the California statescience fair. For more informationabout the TVSEF, go tohttps://tvsef.llnl.gov/and children locally.April has been designatedWomen Helping Women Monthin Downtown Livermore. Forthe second year in a row localmerchants are making plansto participate in Women HelpingWomen Month and declareLivermore a violence-free zone.Rachael Snedecor, LivermoreBART(continued from page one)land is required and how much itwill cost. The preferred project,identified by BART, would bringthe tracks down the I-580 medianto Portola where it would leavethe freeway and go undergroundto a station in the downtown. Itwould climb above ground outsidethe downtown and travel atgrade to Vasco Road.The high speed rail is studyingseveral options. One would bringthe trains through downtowns inLivermore and Pleasanton; theother would go through SouthLivermore.Two initiatives could impactthe BART extension.One is Measure B. McPartlandnotes that if it were notapproved, the project may be ata standstill. When it comes tolisting the BART extension toLivermore among the projectsin Measure B, basically, we’relooking at a placeholder, saidMcPartland. He added that is truefor most projects. For example,specifics on HOV lanes on 580would not be included. If theHOV project were left off theMeasure B list, there would beno funding available.Haggerty pointed out that theBART extension to Livermorepolled well throughout the entirecounty for inclusion on the reauthorizationproject list. The $200to $300 million that could be partof Measure B, along with othermonies, can go a long way tobringing BART to Livermore.The other initiative is one beingcirculated by residents whoaim to keep the alignment on thefreeway.McPartland stated that hisproblem with the process is thatpeople are throwing gasoline onthe fire. “They are bringing theiremotions to the issue and payingless attention to the facts. The oneguy who is telling it exactly as itis is Bob Vinn (city engineer).”McPartland stated that electedofficials need to have Livermorespeak with one voice when itcomes to a BART alignment.He said that some folks havesaid that the process in selectinga preferred alignment was notgiven due diligence.April is Women Helping Women Month in Downtown LivermoreDowntown Inc. Executive Director,stated, “Many women haveopened businesses or becomemanagers in Downtown Livermore.We really look forwardto the giving back to the womenand the families in need that TheHaven serves.”Tickets for Tri-Valley Haven’sproduction of Eve Ensler’s TheVagina Monologues are availablenow at the Bankhead box office,online at www.bankheadtheater.org, or by calling (925) 373-6800.For more information about theperformance or Women HelpingWomen Month, please contactJennifer at Tri-Valley Haven at(925) 667-2718 or jenniferd@trivalleyhaven.org.He stated that it is his understandingthat the City of Livermoreis in the process of puttingtogether a package to hold openforums. “I hope people willleave their emotions at home andidentify what will be best for thecommunity.”Barton said the city is planninginformational meetings. Thecity is working with the schooldistrict, downtown, Chamberof Commerce and the nationallaboratories to set up the sessions.She stated, “The real issue is thatthe route down the freeway is notfundable, not matter what we do.We have worked on the issue foryears. At Isabel, there is the airportprotection zone. Regulatoryagencies have said they wouldnot allow construction at theproposed Greenville site.”Haggerty said the communityneeds to weigh in. “We need totake the time to have a discussionand reach agreement on aconsensus project.”In a recent story in The Independent,Vinn noted that ifthe local initiative passes, theCity would be obligated to advocatefor BART along the freeway.“BART along the freewaywould not be eligible for federal,state or regional funding becausethe City cannot meet theMetropolitan TransportationCommission’s Transit OrientedDevelopment (TOD) policy,”he explains. “Therefore, a voteagainst BART to Downtown andVasco is essentially a vote againstBART to Livermore.”The TOD policy requires anadditional 6,414 housing unitswithin a half-mile radius of thestation sites for the freewayalignment, but only 1,516 additionalhousing units for theDowntown-Vasco alignment.The next step for the City isa station area planning processto examine access, parking,pedestrian and bicycle connections,potential zoning changesto provide for transit orienteddevelopment within walkingdistance of the station, height,density, design, and other issues.If the City receives a Focus StationArea and Land Use PlanningGrant from the Association ofBay Area Governments (ABAG),COURT(continued from page one)of Energy that funds Livermore,Los Alamos and Sandia laboratories– to reduce support for LosAlamos retiree health care by 20percent.The Los Alamos operatingcontract was changed a yearearlier than Livermore’s; in factthe 2008 Livermore change wasmodeled on the Los Alamos experience.However, Los Alamoscontract wording has continuedto specify that retirees get healthcare that is “substantially equivalent”to that provided by the previouscontractor, the Universityof California.Thus, the Los Alamos LRGargues, NNSA should be legallybound to maintain its support forhealth care at the higher level thatthe University continues to offerto its retirees.The Livermore contract thattook effect in 2008 initially specified“substantially equivalent”health care, but it was modifieda year later under circumstancesthat have never been explainedThe Independent, MARCH 31, 2011 - PAGE 9Future Growth SitesTold to School BoardThe Pleasanton school boardhas learned new figures about thepotential impact of more housingon the district’s schools.Meeting jointly with the citycouncil on March 28, the boardheard Pleasanton CommunityDevelopment Director BrianDolan present a revised list of 17potential sites where Pleasantonmay grow.The city lost its building capof 29,000 units as the result of alawsuit, and now must come upwith places on its general planfor new development that willhelp meet demand for affordablehousing.The new growth is expectedto generate the need for one newelementary school, and will addto the populations at the middleschools and high schools.There was no informationprovided on cost to the districtto provide for the additionalstudents.Pleasanton is under a deadlineof Aug. 16 to rezone enough landin its general plan to accommodate3277 multi-family residentialunits that are affordable.The city won’t build them.That’s up to private developers.However in the settlement ofthat planning process could startin late 2011. The grant funding isseparate from Measure B.to allow a lower “industrial standard”of health care for retirees.This change has been part ofthe dissatisfaction among manyLivermore retirees, leading toformation of the LivermoreRetiree Group and fund-raisingleading to legal action. The officialLLNL Retirees Organizationis not allowed to participate inpolitical activities.As Livermore retiree leaderRequa told members of his group,the Los Alamos LRG was establishedunder conditions thatpermit lobbying and other politicalactivity.“They are in a different positionthan our official LLNLRetirees Organization becausethey are formed under IRS codesection 501(c)(4) and are allowedto participate in politicalactivities,” Requa wrote. “Weare looking into the possibilityof working with them,” he added,without specifying what form acollaboration might take.the lawsuit with Urgan Habitat,the requirement was set at 3277units.Dolan presented a list of 17properties at the joint meeting.They would accommodate a totalof 3222 units.Three community meetingshave been held about the proposedproperties. Response hasbeen especially strong fromneighbors who oppose designatinga vacant 9 acres of churchland in Valley Trails for a totalof 69 units, said Dolan.Other sites range as high as390 units at Pleasanton Gatewaybetween Bernal Avenue and Interstate680.Two large sites are east of ValleyAvenue and south of BuschRoad, with a total of 738 unitsbetween them.Dolan told the meeting thatwith the slow building marketnow, he doubts that there willbe a rush to develop. The city isin the process of creating newgrowth management policies thatwould help to control the rate ofdevelopment.The city will also keep up tospeed with the school district’sdemographer report that predictsfuture school population as generatedby the different types ofhousing units.Thomas L. HarperThomas L. Harper, a Lab retiree,died Wednesday, March 2,2011 from pancreatic cancer. Hewas 67.T o mwas bornM a y 3 ,1 9 4 3 i nS a l i n a s ,Calif., tot h e l a t eT h o m a sLawrenceand AnneMae Harper.He atte n d e dS a c r e dHeart Academy and Palma HighSchool in Salinas and was anEagle Scout. He received hisbachelor’s degree in mechanicalengineering from U.C. Berkeleyand a PhD in nuclear engineeringfrom MIT. His graduate workat MIT was done under a fullscholarship.Tom came to LLNL as aphysicist in L Division in 1969.One of his first assignments wasas an X-ray experimenter workingon the Cannikin Event at theAmchitka Island supplementaltest site. Soon after, he was assignedto re-write the Fluorescercomputer code, which is usedto design and analyze X-ray experiments.His revision was useduntil the end of nuclear testingand a modified version is still inuse by the Laser Program. The142-page accompanying reportis still the “bible” of such experiments.In 1972, he was nameddiagnostic project physicist forthe Delphinium Event and hecontinued as a Nevada Test Siteproject physicist for eight moreevents, the last being the majorOrkney Event in 1984. Towardthe end of this period, he servedas an underground test expert forZ division, returning to L Divisionin the early ‘80s.After the Orkney Event, Tommoved to the Nuclear DesignDepartment as a program managerand then transferred backto Z Division. He retired fromLLNL in November 1993 aspart of the VERIP-3 programand continued working as a Labassociate for Z Division. He latertransferred to AX Division towork on archiving and classificationreview.Tom enjoyed hiking and beingoutdoors in some of his favoriteplaces, including Yosemite, Tahoeand Marina Beach. He alsoenjoyed being home and caringfor his land and sheep. Tom andhis wife Susan, took trips lastyear to Denver, Colorado, GrandHaven, Michigan and Las Vegas,where they hiked and enjoyedtime together. They have beenmarried for 23 beautiful years.Tom was a working memberof the Sierra Club and worked onand with the City of Livermorefor many projects dear to hisheart. He was a large supporter ofconservation efforts and a memberof both the National WildlifeFederation and The AudubonSociety.Tom will be remembered forhis wonderful sense of humor,strong wit, intelligent mind andhis thirst for knowledge. Henever met anyone he did notlike and could hold a delightfulconversation with anyone aboutany subject. He loved his familydearly and took care of them eachand every day.Tom is deeply missed by hiswife, Susan; his children, LisaGauslow of Philadelphia, PA,Nathaniel (Sarah) Beighley ofGrand Haven, MI, Collin Beighleyof Grand Haven, MI, Paul(Christina) Harper of Oakley andNadia Harper of Livermore, CAand by his newest granddaughter,Chrissie Beth. Tom is alsosurvived by his mother-in-law,Marie Bytwerk of Livermore;sister-in-law, Mary McCort ofGainesville, FL; nephew, ShaneMcCort of Gainesville, FL andbrother-in-law, Richard (Donna)Bytwerk of West Palm Beach,FL.A celebration of Tom’s lifewill be held Friday, April 8, at 11a.m. in the Chapel at CornerstoneChurch in Livermore.The family of Tom wouldlike to thank all their wonderfulfriends and family for the support,prayer, visits, cards andletters they have provided duringthis difficult time. We wouldalso like to thank the Pastors atCornerstone for their love, time,prayer, encouragement and conversationswith Tom. He was sograteful. He was at peace.Arrangements by CallaghanMortuary.Margery Jean AikinMarge Aikin died March 25,2011, at Kaiser Hospital in WalnutCreek, of congestive heartfailure. Aresident ofLivermorefor morethan fiftyyears, shewas bornin Decatur,Illinois, onJanuary 7, 1922, the daughterof Wilbur Harrison Duncan andClara Myrl Swift Duncan.She is survived by her twochildren, Jim Aikin of Livermoreand Marie Kepner of Fort Mill,South Carolina, and by a granddaughter,Nicole Collins Deen,of Winterville, North Carolina.She was preceded in death by herhusband, Livermore artist BenAikin (1910-1992), and by heryounger brother James Duncanof Placentia, California.A memorial service will beheld at the Unitarian UniversalistChurch in Livermore. Thedate and time remain to be announced.After moving to Livermore,Marge worked for many years atGeneral Electric, first as a secretaryat the Vallecitos Test Reactorand later in San Jose as the editorof the GE nuclear group in-houseemployee newsletter. In her freetime she did beautiful pastels andplayed lots of bridge with otherwomen in several local groups.Vigorous and helpful throughouther life, until last September shewas actively providing “taxi” servicesfor other bridge players.She will be missed.Elaine E. MoravecElaine E. (Schuh) Moravecof CA, passed away March 26,2011.Beloved wife of the late RalphMoravec. Devoted mother ofMichael Moravec and his wifeSuzanne of Tonawanda, NY,Patricia Sullivan and her husbandL. Joseph of Pleasanton,CA and John Moravec and hiswife Eleanor of Cohasset. Lovingsister of Harold Schuh and hiswife Carol of Winona, MN, JackSchuh of St. Joseph, MN, VirginiaChalupsky of Hutchinson,MN, Mary Gosse of Rochester,MN and the late Maurice, Robertand Laura Schuh. Sister-in-lawof Sally Schuh of Winona, MN.Cherished grandmother of Jasonand Patrick Moravec and SarahSullivan. Also survived by manynieces and nephews.Elaine grew up in Minnesotagraduating from St. Theresa Collegein Winona. In 1967 shemoved to Massachusetts andlived in the Hingham/Norwellarea for over 35 years beforerecently moving to California.In her early years she was a mathteacher in Minnesota. She alsoenjoyed sewing and rug makingbut her main passion was beingwith her family.Services will be private. Donationsin memory of Elaine maybe made to American CancerSociety, 30 Speen Street, Framingham,MA 01701 or Churchof the Resurrection, 1057 MainStreet, Hingham, MA 02043.See www.Keohane.com or call1-800-Keohane for directionsand online condolences.

PAGE 10 - The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011(continued from page 4)to support the BART-on-580initiative.The United States is currentlydeficit spending to the tune of10% of its GDP, and continuedexpenditures on bad investmentswill bankrupt us. There is no waythat the taxpayer will recoupany return remotely close tothe $4B for the proposed route.$4B is 60% the cost of the newBay Bridge, which has a hugeeconomic impact, and the costof BART to San Jose, which hasa population more than 10 timesthat of Livermore.$1B for a single Livermorestation (perhaps at the NorthLivermore Ave exit) is the onlything that may make sense, andI am not even sure of that comparedto allocating equivalentcorridor space to a HOT expresslane, such as recently installedon I-680, along with adequateparking at the Pleasanton-Dublinstation and the new RAPID bus.Some say we deserve better forall the money we paid in taxes,but we have put in far less than$1B, let alone the benefits wehave received from the Pleasanton-Dublinstation.The argument that currentregulations require us to haveTOD or not get funding is bothillogical and disingenuous. If theregulations don’t make sense inour case, they can and shouldbe changed. I find it offensivethat priority is placed on linkingBART to new housing developmentat the expense of servicecurrent residents. I also notethat none of the advocates of the$4 billion plan seem concernedabout BART’s #2 expansionpolicy goal: “Generate new ridershipon a cost-effective basis.”BART’s numbers say that the$4B two-station plan will generateonly 1.5 times as many ridersas a $1B one-station plan. Theincremental ridership costs sixtimes as much, a good example ofthe law of diminishing returns.If you look on the MTC webpageat the cost of various constructionprojects, you will seethat freeway improvements arefar more cost effective for reducingtransit time, with the possibleexception of going to downtownSF. Projects are from tens tohundreds of million dollars. Forexample, fixing the I-238 bottleneckcost only $128M. By analogy,converting SR84 to a limitedaccess freeway between I-580and I-680 would be far more costeffective for reducing congestionon I-580 between Livermore andPleasanton, which is close to theworst in the Bay Area.Finally, some opponents ofdowntown BART have linkedit to criticism of the regionaltheater. I agree with theaterproponents that the connectionis inappropriate. However, Iheard many downtown-BARTproponents speaking before thecity council make that link, so thewound was self inflicted.BART to LivermoreClarence HoenigLivermore“Hats off” to the Junction AvenueSchool Mother exercisingher Free Speech rights circulatinga Livermore BART FreewayAlignment Initiative petition (Independent3/17/11). Fortunately,in that same article LivermoreCity Engineer was able to correctsome inaccuracies and summarizefactually the many reasonswhy the Downtown / VascoAlignment was selected by theCity Council and BART Boardafter many well announced publichearings.First, and foremost, the agencythat controls all Bay Areatransportation funding fromFederal, State and Local sourceshas ordained, in the interest ofgetting cars off the freeway, thatnew BART stations should bebuilt close to existing and futurehousing. A freeway alignmentrequires 6,414 new housing unitswhile Downtown/Vasco BARTwould require only 1,516 newunits. Does Livermore need 4900extra houses? I don’t think so.An I-580/Isabel Station locatedin our Airport ProtectionArea would be ineligible for anysignificant new housing. Virtuallyall those 6,414 units wouldhave to be built around the I-580/Greenville Station - an impossibilityfor many good reasons.So plain and simple - no BARTstation housing - no funding - noBART. Is this what Livermorewants after paying into BART formore years than I can remember?I hope not.Second, not only is the initiativemisleading, it is couldbe harmful to the next step in aBART funding. Our grant applicationto the Association for BayArea Governments (ABAG) forStation Area and Land Use Planningcould be seriously harmedby this initiative. It could givethe impression that we don’t wantBART to Livermore?Keep BART on 580Ron GerenLivermoreHere are six reasons, amongmany, to keep BART on I-580and out of downtown Livermore:1 - A BART station in townwould significantly alter Livermore'ssmaller downtown character.2 - The proposed downtownstation would require 6 to 7 yearsof "cut and cover" constructionalong Portola and Junction Avenuesand would further disruptresidents and businesses withabove ground construction enroute to a Vasco Road station.3 - A route on 580 would avoidthe noise and vibration below andabove ground that would resultfrom 152 BART trains runningabout every 8 minutes about 20hours a day.4 - The downtown price tagof nearly $4B (in today's dollars)is more than 3 times the cost ofextending BART to a station atIsabel/580.5 - Tunneling to downtowncould cost Livermore and itscitizens over $2B, based uponBART's past insistence thatBerkeley and Fremont pay fortheir own tunneling.6 - Livermore residents havebeen paying for BART for 46years with nothing to show forthe investment. With the highcost of a downtown route andscarce transportation dollars,BART to Livermore runs the riskof not being funded.Please sign the petition toplace this issue before Livermorevoters. Go to www.keepbarton580.orgfor more informationand where to sign or get apetition.Yes on "E"Annette JunellRealtorAll property owners in Pleasantonshould vote yes on MeasureE.As a Realtor who does businessin Pleasanton, I can tell youour high-quality schools are theprimary reason why familiesconsider moving to Pleasanton.Good schools improve demandon homes which in turn keepsproperty values up.As a mom, I can tell you thatour schools have been devastatedby the state’s $19.4 million infunding cuts. Just two years ago,there were 20 kids in K-3 classes.This year, there are 25 or in somecases, 26 children. If Measure Efails, class sizes could reach 30in K-3 classrooms next year andall elementary age children mayspend fewer hours in school.Ask yourself: 1.) How willlarger classrooms and reducedinstructional time impact ourchildren's education? 2.) Whatdoes this mean to me/my propertyvalues?I only see negative answers tothose questions. That’s why I’mvoting yes on Measure E. I hopeyou do the same.A Great InvestmentChristina MaehrPleasantonAs a Republican, I don’t liketaxes, but the Measure E parceltax makes good financial sense.Pleasanton schools are highquality – most score 10 of 10 ongreatschools.net – for a bargainprice. Our per-student spendingis a meager two-thirds of thenational average reported in theU.S. Census, despite our significantlyhigher cost of living. Ourdistrict is lean and efficient. Wedon’t waste money here. So statecuts in education will directlyimpact the quality of our schools,unless we secure local funding.Neighboring communitieshave already passed local fundingmeasures. If we layoff moreteachers and increase class sizesfor those who remain, Pleasantonwill be at risk of losing our bestteachers to other districts.Our schools are perched onthe edge of a slippery slope, andthe price of maintaining qualityis so much lower than the price ofrecovering it. Consider Fremont,where home values drop 25%when you cross the street from arank 10 to a rank 5 school. The$98 that Measure E asks is penniescompared to millions we willlose if we let the quality of ourschools slide.To protect school quality andhome values, VOTE YES on E.No on Measure EPatrick CarrollPleasantonEven though I have a grandchildattending school in PleasantonI am going to vote no onMeasure E, the Pleasanton ParcelTax. Call me cynical, but I donot believe that another tax willdo much, if anything to improvethe quality of education providedby the PUSD. History has shownthat tax increases rarely do whatthey are intended to do, and theadditional funds just seem tomysteriously disappear into theblack hole of bureaucracy.As to the advertised "seniorexemption." I hope that all seniorsclearly understand that thisis not an "automatic" exemption.It must be reapplied for everyyear. Miss the deadline, or forgetto apply, and you pay the tax. Iam sure that the authors of thismeasure are counting on manyseniors forgetting to reapply. Thatis why the exemption is not automatic.You can get the facts andm o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a tthe following website: www.pleasantonparceltaxinfo.com.Please join me in rejectingthis tax increase. Vote no onMeasure E.No on Measure EDorene Paradiso-CarrollPleasantonI am a Grandparent of a childin the PUSD and I am goingto vote no on Measure E, thePleasanton Parcel Tax. Given theSchool District's past accountabilityand the current state ofthe economy, any increase inproperty taxes is simply wrong.I for one also believe thatit is extremely unfair, if notunjust, for seniors to vote for atax increase that they can avoidpaying. This places a burden onyoung families, many of whomare struggling financially. Thepro tax people are counting onseniors to win this election forthem. I wonder just how manyseniors understand that they willhave to reapply every year forthe exemption. If you forget toapply every year, you will pay thetax. They are counting on seniorsforgetting. Check out the FACTSat www.pleasantonparceltaxinfo.com.Please join me in rejectingthis tax increase. Vote no onMeasure E.Reponse to LetterLen AlexanderExecutive Director, LVPACI was surprised to read PatriciaGrimes’ letter of March 24 th andfind that the Livermore ValleyPerforming Arts Center (LVPAC)is now in charge of redevelopingdowntown Livermore. When lastI looked, that role is played by theCity of Livermore and is defined,in part, by the City’s DowntownSpecific Plan and Urban GrowthBoundary. For our part, LVPAChas been responsible for theconstruction and operation ofthe well-regarded and successfulBankhead Theater and is seekingto construct and operate the2000-seat Regional PerformingArts Theater, recently approvedby the City Council. We aredefinitely not in the condo orapartment building business.But, since Ms. Grimes hasraised the subject, I’ve seensome of the proposed plans forresidential development in ourLEGAL NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDSdowntown and can say that theydon’t look anything like the hugemulti-story buildings describedin her letter. In fact, the scaleis in keeping with what alreadyexists, and seems to be generallyappreciated, around the BankheadTheater. Personally, I’dwelcome a well-designed mulit-storycommercial/residentialbuilding over vacant lots, emptystorefronts, and aging strip malls.Perhaps we should give our cityplanners credit for some visionand sensitivity to our communityrather than trying to scare folkswith unfounded tales of Dublinrevisited.Local FundingSandy PideritPleasantonMeasure E will provide a localfunding source for our schoolsthat Sacramento cannot takeaway. It will support core academicprograms for Pleasanton’spublic school students.As a school volunteer, I haveseen how specialized readingintervention helps students overcomechallenges. As many as20% of students experience somechallenges, and could fall behindwithout help. Without local funding,Pleasanton may be forcedto cut the budget for readingspecialists.As a parent, I have seen howPleasanton’s excellent scienceteachers inspire young studentsand teach them to grasp complexscientific concepts. Fifth-graders’test scores have improveddramatically since science specialistswere hired. Without localfunding, those specialists couldbe eliminated.In the last three years, theschool district budget has beencut $19.4 million. Administrativeand district office staff havebeen cut by 30%. It will not bepossible to cut the budget morewithout direct negative impactson students.With local funding from MeasureE, key programs that makeour schools high-performing canbe preserved. I know that excellenteducation for our youngstersis a worthwhile investment inPleasanton’s future.I encourage all Pleasantonresidents to vote YES on MeasureE.LivermoreMarie LambertLivermoreI read last weeks letter fromPatrica Grimes about keepingLivermore the same. I agree ourcity doed not need any morechanges building thousandsmore condos and apartmentsis crazy when homes are beingforeclosed. Who do they thinkwill buy theses condos & apartments.I was born and raised in thistown so I have seen many changeshere all not for the good ofus who like Livermore to staythe friendly town we love. SoLivermore citizens tell our citycouncil to stop thinking uglyurban cities and keep Livermorea friendly town.Worthwhile InvestmentCathy NeedhamPleasantonAs a political conservative, Iwince at the thought of increasingtaxes. However, Measure E,the Pleasanton Unified SchoolDistrict Board of Trustees localschool funding measure, hascaused me to reconsider.Measure E, if passed in May,is a local source of funding thatplaces money directly into classrooms.It will help attract andretain qualified teachers and providefunding to support core academicinstruction that improvesreading, science and math skills.Libraries will remain open. Themeasure will minimize class sizeincreases. Each parcel within thedistrict will be assessed $98 peryear for four years only.My sons attended Pleasantonschools since kindergarten. Theolder son is now in college, theyounger son a sophomore atAmador Valley High School .We have long appreciated thehigh caliber of teachers, qualityof education, and availability ofcounselors.www.independentnews.comUnfortunately, the schoolsmight not have the same level ofexcellence this fall. The state hasimposed severe cuts on the PUSDbudget. Measure E is not a cure.It can, though, help preserve afraction of what we value in ourschools.During recessions, peoplemake tough financial decisions.Measure E is a worthwhile investmentfor our children’s future.Yes on Measure EScott and Erica McNerneyPleasantonOur school district faces amyriad of funding problems andpassing Measure E won’t cure allof them, but it does ensure thatthe funds it raises will go directlyto benefit the children of thePUSD, and not the bureaucratsin Sacramento. NO funds fromthis measure will go to increasesalaries and benefits of PUSDemployees. Also, there will be anindependent oversight committeethat will review the allocation offunds at a public forum.The funds raised by MeasureE will help to minimize class sizeincreases, keep school librariesopen, and help to improve math,science and reading skills. Thesemuch needed funds will ensurethat our schools maintain theirexcellent level of standards andgive our children every opportunityto maximize their talents.A yes vote on Measure E is aninvestment in our city that willpay dividends for years to comein terms of higher property values,and a better educated workforce that will lead our city intothe future. Let’s not depend onthe politicians in Sacramento-Vote YES on Measure E.Credibility LackingFrank DoljackPleasantonMeasure E goals are noble,but in reality credibility is lackingthat Pleasanton teachers andstaff can implement them. Letus just consider the first in themeasure.• Emphasize core academicinstruction that improves math,science and reading skillsTeaching staff is generallynot qualified to teach math andscience and this is true throughoutthe U. S.. The majority ofteachers are overwhelmed whenit comes to teaching STEM tostudents at all grade levels. Thisis evidenced by the need to payextra for “science specialists”in elementary schools. Insteadwe should require that everyclassroom teacher be capable ofteaching STEM.The measure goes on to addressaccountability by creatingan independent citizen committeeto oversee and ensure the useof the funds for these purposes.There are no metrics for this.How will they know that moneyis being used to “improve math,science ……….skills? Theywon’t.Quality of Pleasanton Schools.What amazes me is that everybodyignores the quality of theirchildren and the culture and upbringingthat parents contribute,which in reality is responsible forthe intelligence, capabilities, andachievements of their kids.Delta StewardshipG.F. Duerig,General ManagerCalifornia is experiencinga near-record water year withthe snow pack at 148 percent ofnormal.Yet Zone 7 Water Agency,a State Water Contractor thatrelies heavily on Delta-conveyedwater to serve the citiesof Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublinand part of San Ramon, expectsto receive only 70 to 80 percentof its contracted water amountthis year. Central Valley Projectcontractors serving primarilyagricultural lands anticipate just65 percent.One might ask why the fullcontract amount is not availablein this year of plenty. Contributingto the shortfall are courtimposedpumping restrictionsaimed at protecting endangeredfish species in the Delta, alongwith operational limitations ofthe state’s aging infrastructure.Following three very dry hydrologicyears, the State Project’slimitations hurt Zone 7’s abilityto store surplus water forlong-term drought recovery andprotection.The Bay Delta ConservationPlan, being developed cooperativelyby water agencies,environmental groups and fishagencies, offers the best holisticsolution to achieve the state’sco-equal goals of restoring watersupplyreliability and protectingthe Delta’s ecosystem.Moving ahead with the BDCP,which is intended to become partof the larger Delta StewardshipPlan, is necessary to help ensurethat we can take advantage ofnature’s bounty when it’s againavailable.Downtown HousingJulie OrvisLivermoreAs a member of Livermore’sGeneral Plan Steering Committee,which developed Livermore’scurrent General Plan, Ibelieve clarification is in orderregarding the “additional housingnumbers” presented in a recentarticle about BART’s placementin downtown Livermore.City staff has stated that only1,516 additional residential unitswould be needed to meet Federalfunding requirements for housingwithin a half mile radius ofthe Downtown and Vasco RoadBART stations. It has been suggestedthat about half this numberwould likely be allocated todowntown.However, it is not only a portionof these 1,516 new unitsthat will be built downtown.Additionally, BART will lockLivermore into permitting theDowntown Specific Plan maximumof 3,259 new units, most ofwhich have not been constructedyet. Bringing BART downtownadds housing that will substantiallyexceed this controversialportion of the downtown plan,and renders the plan’s review at1,400 approved units pointless.The Dublin Bart Transit Centerhas 674 housing units. Imaginethe impact on Livermore’sdowntown of 5 or more of thesemassive housing complexes,plus a BART station, plus BARTparking. The excessive urbanizationof our downtown is notour best BART option. HoldingLivermore’s downtown housinghostage to BART numbers takescontrol away from Livermoreresidents. Please visit KeepBAR-Ton580.org.BART to LivermoreBob BaltzerChair, Friends of LivermoreThere has been quite a bit oftalk by the proponents of BARTon 580 against the urbanizationof downtown Livermore. Instead,what they are proposing is theurbanizing of the freeway. Foran example of that, look northfrom the freeway while passingbetween Pleasanton and Dublin.Instead of the green ridgelinesthat used to be visible with Mt.Diablo behind them, there is nowa garish commercial strip backedup with monstrous condos andcheek & jowl houses from ridgetop to ridge top.It is no coincidence that thespokesperson for the I-580 camp,Linda Jeffery Sailors is a formermayor of Dublin, the sprawlcapitol of Alameda County. Shewon’t be content until Livermorelooks like Dublin, which doesn’thave a downtown, is completelyauto-centric and the epitome ofsprawl.It is also no accident that,with the exception of Bob Allen,all of the former office holders(rejected by the voters in theirlast run for office) are proponentsof sprawl development in NorthLivermore. These people wouldstop the redevelopment of downtownabout halfway through theprocess, choking off the downtownhousing that is key to successfulrevitalization and forcingthe state mandated growth northof the freeway. These folks wantus to go back to the discreditedsprawl of the past and away fromthe “Smart Growth” principlesthat are being embraced by alllevels of government.LEGAL NOTICESFOR INFORMATIONPLACING LEGALNOTICESCONTACT RICHARD @925 243-8000FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 448621The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Motion Analytix,2480 Ancona Circle, Livermore,CA 94550, is herebyregistered by the followingowner(s):Douglas L. Perry, 2480 AnconaCircle, Livermore, CA94550This business is conductedby: an IndividualThe registrant began to transactbusiness under the fictitiousbusiness name(s) listedabove on January 25, 2011.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Douglas L. PerryThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon February 28, 2011. ExpiresFebruary 28, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2950. Published March 10,17, 24, 31, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 447798The following person(s) doingbusiness as: The UPSStore (#4722), 1452 N VascoRd, Livermore, CA 94551,is hereby registered by thefollowing owner(s):Edward B. Belmont, 1154Central Ave, Livermore, CA94551Leslee Belmont, 1154 CentralAve, Livermore, CA 94551This business is conductedby: Husband and WifeThe registrant began to transactbusiness under the fictitiousbusiness name(s) listedabove on April 7, 2003.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Edward B. BelmontThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon February 7, 2011. ExpiresFebruary 7, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2951. Published March 10,17, 24, 31, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 448475The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Deliver More,454 North L St, Livermore, CA94551, is hereby registered bythe following owner(s):Amber Star Lancaster, 454North L St, Livermore, CA94551This business is conductedby: an IndividualRegistrant has not yet begunto transact business underthe fictitious business nameor names listed.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Amber S. LancasterThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon February 24, 2011. ExpiresFebruary 24, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2952. Published March 10,17, 24, 31, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 448530The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Willow Tree,6513 Regional St, Dublin, CA94568, is hereby registered bythe following owner(s):Willow Tree Restaurant, Inc.,a California Corporation,6513 Regional St, Dublin,CA 94568,This business is conductedby: a CorporationThe registrant began totransact business under thefictitious business name(s)listed above on December14, 1983.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Marina Chin, SecretaryThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon February 25, 2011. ExpiresFebruary 25, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2957. Published March 17,24, 31, April 7, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 448875The following person(s) doingbusiness as: MavericksWood, 3661 A N. VascoRd., Livermore, CA 94551,is hereby registered by thefollowing owner(s):Leland Jay, 3661 A N. VascoRd., Livermore, CA 94551This business is conductedby: Co-partnersRegistrant has not yet begunto transact business underthe fictitious business nameor names listed.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Leland Jay and JanetJayThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 4, 2011. ExpiresMarch 4, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2958. Published March 17,24, 31, April 7, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 448412The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Four FoolsWinery, 3408 Isle Royal Ct,Pleasanton, CA 94588, ishereby registered by the followingowner(s):John J Conroy, 3408 IsleRoyal Ct, Pleasanton, CA94588This business is conductedby: an IndividualRegistrant has not yet begunto transact business underthe fictitious business nameor names listed.Signature of Registrant:/s/: John J ConroyThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon February 23, 2011. ExpiresFebruary 23, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2959. Published March 17,24, 31, April 7, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 449024The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Sarva-IT Solutions,5716 Owens Dr, Apt102, Pleasanton, CA 94588,is hereby registered by thefollowing owner(s):Gopikrishna Manchala, 5716Owens Dr, Apt 102, Pleasanton,CA 94588This business is conductedby: an IndividualRegistrant has not yet begunto transact business underthe fictitious business nameor names listed.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Gopikrishna ManchalaThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 9, 2011. ExpiresMarch 9, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2960. Published March 17,24, 31, April 7, 2011.STATEMENT OFABANDONMENTOF USE OFFICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAMEFILE NO. 439480The following person(s) has(have) abandoned the useof the Fictitious BusinessName: STOP-N-WASH CoinLaundry, 1344 Railroad Ave,Livermore, CA 94550The Fictitious business NameStatement for the Partnershipwas filed on June 10, 2010 inthe County of Alameda.The full name of Registrant:Kathy Kemp Anderson, 7481Northland Ave, San Ramon,CA 94583This business was conductedby: Kathy Kemp AndersonSignature of Registrant:/s/: Kathy Kemp AndersonThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 22, 2011. ExpiresMarch 11, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2962. Published March 24,31, April 7, 14, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 449252The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Fall Design, 275Rose Ave, Pleasanton, CA94566, is hereby registered bythe following owner(s):Rose Fall, 3855 Forest HillAve, Oakland, CA 94602,This business is conductedby: an IndividualThe registrant began to transactbusiness under the ficti-

LEGAL NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDStious business name(s) listedabove on March 15, 2011.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Rose Fall, OwnerThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 15, 2011. ExpiresMarch 15, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2963. Published March 24, 31,April 7, 14, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 449301The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Stop-N-WashCoin Laundry, 1344 RailroadAve, Livermore, CA 94550,is hereby registered by thefollowing owner(s):Highland Laundry, Inc., 47000Warm Springs Blvd #114,Fremont, CA 94539,This business is conducted by:a CorporationThe registrant began to transactbusiness under the fictitiousbusiness name(s) listedabove on March 11, 2011.Signature of Registrant:/s/: John Martin, PresidentThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 16, 2011. ExpiresMarch 16, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2964. Published March 24, 31,April 7, 14, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 449298The following person(s) doingbusiness as: The Independent,2250 First St, Livermore, CA94550, is hereby registered bythe following owner(s):Inland Valley Publishing Company,Inc., 2250 First St, Livermore,CA 94550This business is conducted by:a CorporationThe registrant began to transactbusiness under the fictitiousbusiness name(s) listedabove on April 24, 2006.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Joan Seppala, Publisher/PresidentThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 16, 2011. ExpiresMarch 16, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2965. Published March 24, 31,April 7, 14, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 449048The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Snip in Style,1360 Railroad Ave., Livermore,CA 94551, is herebyregistered by the followingowner(s):Wanda Vanessa Chavez,1360 Railroad Ave., Livermore,CA 94551.This business is conducted by:an IndividualRegistrant has not yet begunto transact business underthe fictitious business nameor names listed.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Wanda Vanessa ChavezThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 9, 2011. ExpiresMarch 9, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2968. Published March 31,April 7, 14, 21, 2011.STATEMENT OFABANDONMENTOF USE OFFICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAMEFILE NO. 448030The following person(s) has(have) abandoned the useof the Fictitious BusinessName: Curves Livermore,1129 Catalina Dr., Livermore,CA 94550.The Fictitious business NameStatement for the Partnershipwas filed on February 14, 2011in the County of Alameda.The full name of Registrants:Amber Baydo, 1137Via Granada, Livermore, CA,94550Sharon Hebenstreich, 1124Via Granada, Livermore, CA94550.This business was conductedby: Co-PartnersSignature of Registrant:/s/: Amber BaydoThis statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 23, 2011. ExpiresMarch 23, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2969. Published March 31,April 7, 14, 21, 2011.FICTITIOUS BUSINESSNAME STATEMENTFILE NO. 449555The following person(s) doingbusiness as: Curves Livermore,1129 Catalina Dr., Livermore,CA 94550, is herebyregistered by the followingowner(s):Shambers, Incorporated, 1129Catalina Dr., Livermore, CA94550This business is conducted by:a CorporationThe registrant began to transactbusiness under the fictitiousbusiness name(s) listedabove on March 23, 2011.Signature of Registrant:/s/: Amber Baydo, Vice President.This statement was filed withthe County Clerk of Alamedaon March 23, 2011. ExpiresMarch 23, 2016.The Independent Legal No.2970. Published March 31,April 7, 14, 21, 2011.NOTICE OF PETITION TOADMINISTER ESTATE OF:HERBERT LOGIEROBINSONCase No. VP115669051. To all Heirs, beneficiaries,creditors, contingent creditors,and persons who mayotherwise be interested in thewill or estate, or both, of:HERBERT LOGIEROBINSON2.A PETITION FOR PRO-BATE has been filed by:ALLEN G. FARNUM in theSuperior Court of California,County of Alameda County3.THE PETITION FOR PRO-BATE requests that: ALLENG. FARNUM be appointedas personal representative toadminister the estate of thedecedent.4.THE PETITION requests thedecedent’s will and codicils, ifany, be admitted to probate.The will and any codicils areavailable for examination inthe file kept by the court.5.THE PETITION requestsauthority be administer theestate under the IndependentAdministration of Estates Act.(This authority will allow thepersonal representative totake many actions withoutobtaining court approval.Before taking certain veryimportant actions, however,the personal representativewill be required to give noticeto interested persons unlessthey have waived notice orconsented to the proposedaction.) The Independentadministration authority will begranted unless an interestedperson files an objection tothe petition and shows goodcause why the court shouldnot grant the authority.6.A HEARING on the petitionwill be held in this courtas follows:Date: 4-25-2011TIME:9:30am DEPT: 201 at:Superior Court of California,County of Alameda2120 Martin Luther King Jr.WayBerkeley, CA 947047.IF YOU OBJECT to thegranting of the petition, youshould appear at the hearingand state your objections orfile written objections with thecourt before the hearing. Yourappearance may be in personor by your attorney.8.IF YOU ARE A CREDITORor a contingent creditor ofthe decedent, you must fileyour claim with the court andmail a copy to the personalrepresentative appointed bythe court within four monthsfrom the date of first issuanceof letters as provided inProbate Code section 9100.The time for filling claims willnot expire before four monthsfrom the hearing date noticedabove.9.YOU MAY EXAMINE thefile kept by the court. If youare a person interested in theestate, you may file with thecourt a Request for SpecialNotice (Form DE-154) ofthe filing of an inventory andappraisal of estate assets orof any petition or account asprovided in Probate Codesection 1250.A Request for Special Noticeform is available from thecourt clerk.10.Attorney for Petitioner:A n n M . J a s p e r ( S B N217954)1871 The Alameda, Suite400San Jose, CA 95126(408) 345-9494The Independent Legal No.2966. Published March 31,April 7, 14, 2011.NOTICE OF INVITING BIDSNotice is hereby given thatsealed competitive bids willbe accepted at the AlamedaCounty Social Services AgencyContracts Office, 2000San Pablo Avenue, 4 th Floor,Oakland, CA 94612 NET-WORKING/NORTH COUNTYBIDDERS CONFERENCERFP #ACSSA-SSI/SSDI-GAPFY11/12 – SSI/SSDI AdvocacyServices for General AssistanceClients, Monday, April4, 2011, 1:30 p.m. – AlamedaCounty Social Services Agency- 2000 San Pablo Avenue,Berkeley Room A & B (#331),3 rd Floor, Oakland, CA NET-WORKING/SOUTH COUNTYBIDDERS CONFERENCERFP #ACSSA-SSI/SSDI-GAPFY11/12 – SSI/SSDI AdvocacyServices for GeneralAssistance Clients, Tuesday,April 5, 2011, 10:00 a.m.– Alameda County SocialServices Agency, 24100Amador Street, ShootingStar B (#638), 6 th Floor, Hayward,CA Responses Due by3:00 pm on April 25, 2011County Contact: Tim Robertsat (510) 271-9185 or viaemail: TRoberts@acgov.org Attendance at NetworkingConference is Non-mandatory.Specifications regardingthe above may be obtainedat the Current ContractingOpportunities Internet websiteat www.acgov.org.3/31/11CNS-2068469#The Independent Legal No.2967. Published March 31,2011.ANIMALS2) CATS/ DOGSADOPT A DOG OR CAT, foradoption information contactValley Humane Society at925 426-8656.Adopt a new best friend:TVAR, the Tri-Valley AnimalRescue, offers animals foradoption every Saturdayand Sunday, excluding mostholidays. Saturdays from9:30 am to 1:00 pm, dogsand cats are available at thePleasanton Farmers Market atW. Angela and First Streets.Two locations will showcasecats only: Petsmart in Dublinnoon to 4 and the Pet FoodExpress in Livermore 1 to 4.Sundays, cats are at Petsmartin Dublin 1 to 4, and PetCo inSan Ramon 11 to 3. TVAR at(925) 803-7043 website atwww.tvar.orgEMPLOYMENT60) BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYBE WARY of out of areacompanies. Check with thelocal Better Business Bureaubefore you send money orfees. Read and understandany contracts before you sign.Shop around for rates.65) ENGINEERINGEngineers – Sr. MaterialsEngrs for LED products.MS in Chemistry. Mail:Job 3340-LC01-, Bridgelux,101 Portola Ave,Livermore, CA 9455175) MANAGEMENTDirector Strategic Sourcing:Lead a team of SourcingManagers and Buyersto negotiate costs withsuppliers and work withmanufacturing and productdevelopment to implementidentified cost savingsopportunities. Bachelorsdegree or foreign degreeequivalent in Food Science,Food Engineering,Business Administration orrelated plus five (5) years ofexperience in food manufacturing,product formulationand sourcing or relatedOpening in Pleasanton, CA.MUST REFERENCE JOBCODE #20110314FVC.Contact: M. Choo, SafewayInc., 5918 StoneridgeMall Road, Pleasanton,CA 94588. Must havelegal right to work in U.S.EOE.TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDADcall Richard 925 243-8000MERCHANDISE115) ESTATE/ GARAGE/YARD SALESMOVING SALE: furniture,household items, toys,GeoTrax and Thomas tankengine, outdoor furniture,stuffed animals and lotsmore. 446 Adams Way,Pleasanton. April 2 and3, 8am.118) FREE SECTIONMUSICAL INSTRUMENT-Free Yamaha Organ, VeryGood Condition, You PickUp. Call (925) 997-9062.127) LOST/ FOUNDJEWELRY Well-MadeHoop Earring, 14k gold,with small stones. Pleasedescribe to claim. 925-447-5475NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS155) NOTICES“NOTICE TO READERS:California law requires thatcontractors taking jobs that total$500 or more (labor and/ormaterials) be licensed by theContractors State LicenseBoard. State law also requiresthat contractors include theirlicense numbers on all advertising.Check your contractor’sstatus at www.cslb.ca.govor 800-321-CSLB (2752).Unlicensed persons takingjobs less than $500 muststate in their advertisementsthat they are not licensed bythe Contractors State LicenseBoard.”www.independentnews.comREAL ESTATEInland Valley PublishingCo.Client Code:04126-00001Re: Legal Notice forClassified AdsThe Federal Fair Housing Act,Title VII of the Civil RightsAct of 1964, and state lawprohibit advertisements forhousing and employmentthat contain any preference,limitation or discriminationbased on protected classes,including race, color, religion,sex, handicap, familial statusor national origin. IVPC doesnot knowingly accept anyadvertisements that are inviolation of the law.The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011 - PAGE 11It’s Time to Invest inReal Estate AgainBy Cher WollardThe headline is startling: Housing Is Back.No, this isn’t Realtor magazine, but the cover of Fortune. Andthe writer is Shawn Tully, the magazine’s senior editor-at-largewho was among the first to predict the housing downturn of thepast four years.“Forget stocks. Don’t bet on gold … the most attractive assetclass in America is housing,” he writes in this month’s issue.And among the best places to invest in real estate is the BayArea.While homebuyers remain skittish about taking the plunge,hard-headed investors have no hesitation.They have been buying up properties throughout the Bay Areaat least since 2008.While much of the evidence is anecdotal, DataQuick InformationServices reported that in January, the last month for whichcomplete data is available, nearly one-third of all new and resalehouses and condominiums in California were purchased withcash.Some of those sales were to homeowners with cash, perhapsfrom sales of other property. Some “cash” buyers may have borrowedfunds from sources other than mortgage providers.But all-cash deals tend to be investors who will be renting outor “flipping” the property.Absentee buyers – mainly investors – purchased 23.4 percent ofall Bay Area homes sold in February – the highest for any monthsince January 2000, when the absentee statistics begin being kept.Last month’s figure was up from 22.8 percent in January and 19.1percent a year ago. Since 2000, the monthly average for absenteebuyers is 13.5 percent.“Sales over the past two months certainly underscore themarket’s reliance on investor and cash purchases at a time manypotential buyers hesitated to,” said John Walsh, DataQuickpresident.Interest from investors partly explains why Livermore has amere 238 residential resale properties on the market this week– and has only 2.1 months of inventory based on pending sales.That means, if we continued at the current pace, all of the resalehousing in Livermore would be sold or under contract for salewithin about 64 days.In Pleasanton, 169 resale properties are on the Multiple ListingService this week, for a 1.9 month supply of active inventory.Figures for Dublin are 152 homes, 1.3 months of inventory.The pace for closed transactions in the Tri-Valley is higher– about five months – but still well below the seven months ofinventory considered to be needed for a balanced market.Some headlines are making much of a drop in home sales yearto-date.However, last year at this time, first-time homebuyerswere racing to complete sales in time to qualify for generous taxcredits. Without such credits in place, it’s natural the pace wouldslow somewhat this year.That slowdown offers buyers a window to get into the marketwhile the getting is good.Tully mainly bases his predictions on two factors:• the historic drop in new construction which, he predicts, willlead to housing shortages in the future, and• the steep decline in prices since 2006– about 30 percentnationally and as much as 55 percent in the hardest-hit markets,such as the Central Valley.Housing shortages combined with greater affordability, Tullysays, will lure more Americans back into the housing market. Thereturn of the homeowner, to compete with all those investors, willpush housing prices up.He predicts the suburban Bay Area, along with markets suchas San Diego, Northern Virginia, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, andmost of Texas, will experience the strong market first.Mike Castleman, founder and CEO of Metrostudy, a companythat tracks the inventory of new homes in 19 states, includingCalifornia, predicts that shortage of new homes will hit in thenot too distant future.In the 41 cities Metrostudy looked at, vacant homes that areeither under construction or being offered for sale totaled 78,000– down from 343,000 at the peak of the homebuying market in2006, and well below levels of a decade ago.“If we had anything like normal levels of buying, those houseswould sell in 21/2 months,” he told Fortune. “We’d see an incredibleshortage. And that’s where we’re heading.”Locally, new home developments report a surge in buyerssince the start of the year.While some buyers are only interested in purchasing newhomes, many will find better deals on the resale market.In the Bay Area, increased affordability has been a factor inincreased housing sales for at least a year. That affordability isbased on:• lower home prices• historically low interest rates• job growthLower home prices and interest rates mean lower monthlymortgage payments. The typical mortgage payment that BayArea buyers committed themselves to paying last month was$1,440, according to DataQuick. Adjusted for inflation, that was46.8 percent below the typical payment in spring 1989 and 60.7percent below July 2007.As for job growth, a recent survey of Bay Area executives bythe Bay Area Council points to regional economic stabilization.“According to our survey, the best place to look for a jobover the next six months is in San Francisco, on the Peninsulaand Silicon Valley,” said Jim Wunderman, CEO of the council, abusiness-sponsored, public policy advocacy group.Whether you are looking for property as an investment or toprovide a home for your family, your local Realtor can help youfind exactly what you are looking for.Technology Wiz to Address RealtorsMark Flavin, technology specialist with Bay East Associationof Realtors, will be guest speaker at the Real Estate Alliance ofLivermore meeting on April 7.Flavin’s topic will be “Technology Trends.”The alliance, a marketing group for Realtors and professionalsin related fields who do business in Livermore, meets Thursdaymornings at the First Street Alehouse, 2106 First Street, Livermore.Doors open for networking at 8 a.m. The meeting runs 8:30to 9:30 a.m.Admission is $4. For more information, contact CharityShehtanian of Cal Coast Financial at (925) 583-3411.Cher Wollard is a Realtor withPrudential California Realty, Livermore.

PAGE 12 - The Independent, MARCH 31, 2011Measure E Critic Raises Issue About Earlier BondThe Pleasanton school district’shandling of cash-outsof its Measure B bonds, whichwere approved in 1997, havebeen criticized by a Pleasantonresident.Raquel Vargas, an opponentof Measure E, the school parceltax, raised the issue at the board’smeeting on March 22. She saidthat the district failed to havevoter elections before any of thecash-outs.Vargas asserted that it mightbe difficult for voters to trust thedistrict when it didn’t have whatshe considered to be necessaryelections before moving aheadwith any bond cash-outs.The cash-outs were savingsgenerated by a resale of bondsto take advantage of a dip ininterest payments. Vargas saidthat instead of putting those cashoutsinto more improvements,the district should have put allthe funds into paying down thebond debt.The district spent the cashoutsavings to help fund expansionand refurbishing at variousschools, especially Foothill andAmador Valley high schools.Vargas said that it was illegalto shift the money to new projects,unless there had been newvoter approval, which there wasnot. Vargas cited a 2009 opinionby Jerry Brown, who was attorneygeneral then.The 22-page opinion, which isdated Jan. 9, 2009, and is postedon the internet, said that refundinga bond must be approved ofvoters, unless all of the moneysaved by the refunding is devotedto paying off the bond debt obligation.To do otherwise, would beillegal, was Brown’s opinion.Brown wrote the opinion inresponse to a request from StateSen. Joe Simitian, whose districtis on the Peninsula. Only stateofficials may obtain an attorneygeneral’s opinion.Simitian was acting on behalfof a Peninsula county treasurer,who felt that the money shouldbe used strictly to pay downthe debt, said David Casnocha,a San Francisco bond counselwho represented Pleasanton inits bond cash-outs.A.G. OPINION CHANGEDCLIMATE ON CASH-OUTSBrown’s opinion does nothave the force of law. However,since Brown issued the opinion,no California district hasswitched any cash-out moneyover to a capital project. Instead,the money has all gone to payingdown the debt, said Casnocha.Only one cash-out has beencompleted in the Pleasantondistrict since the opinion. All ofthe money went into paying thebond debt, said Casnocha.Although prominent bondcounsels, including Casnocha,feel that new elections are notneeded for cash-outs to proceedwith further building, an attorneygeneral’s opinion “is consideredby courts to be ‘persuasive’,”says a letter dated Feb. 2, 2009,posted on the internet by Casnocha.Brown’s opinion also saysthat legal action is possible, butit must occur within 60 days ofthe school board’s authorizationof the bonds.Casnocha told The Independentthat there was no questionabout illegality when the Pleasantonschool board authorizedthe cash-outs. As far as he isconcerned, the action still is notillegal.Vargas, in her comments tothe school board, quoted fromBrown’s statement about the actionsbeing illegal, because theyconflict with state constitutionallaw.“If the (money) had been usedto pay down the debt obligation,as the law required, it would beeasier for taxpayers to have moreconfidence in this new request(Measure E),” said Vargas.Vargas said, “The cashing outwas an abuse of the taxpayerstrust. I’d like each of you to thinkof those comments, as we moveforward.”TOTAL OF $7 MILLIONWENT TO CASH-OUTSVargas stated that $7 millionwas taken by the district from thecash-out activity over a numberof years.A district report dated Nov.10, 2009, mentions “refundingopportunities that not only returnedsavings to the taxpayers,but also generated over $7 millionin savings that could be usedto augment the projects fundedwith Measure B dollars.”Some $2.6 million in MeasureB money was spent in 2009,most of it at Foothill and AmadorValley high schools. Almost$600,000 was in the fund on June30, 2009.The district administrationofficials who took part in thecash-outs are retired.Vargas and another speaker,Doug Miller, mentioned one ofthose previous administrators,John Casey, who retired lastyear after 8 years’ service withthe district.Vargas also said that the oversightcommittee for MeasureB met only twice in its history.Tanya Ludden, an oversight committeemember, told the Independentthat as she recalls, thecommittee met four times.Ludden said the discussionsabout the cash-outs were conductedat school board meetingspublicly. The public had itschance to weigh in on the issue.Dublin Will Use Private Approach to RedevelopmentBy Ron McNicollDublin’s downtown will beheaded for a new look over thenext 15 to 20 years, thanks to aplan that will include pedestrianfriendlyshops, and a change fromthe big-box-store style that wasbuilt from the 1960s to 1980s.The 128-page downtownspecific plan was approvedunanimously by the Dublin CityCouncil last month.Mayor Tim Sbranti praisedit as a market-driven method ofenabling redevelopment. Withredevelopment agencies possiblyheading for an end, as asked byGov. Jerry Brown, Dublin won’thave to be dependent on formingsuch a district, said Sbranti.The private market approachwill be accomplished using twotools. One is flex zoning. A developerhas the chance to be the firstone into a big parcel, and takeas much area as it likes. Thereis that flexibility, because therewon’t be any specified zoningtied to specific parcels, unlike thestandard zoning approach.The flexibility means thatthe developer will be able tocreatively design the development,and respond quickly to themarket, said Sbranti.Developers who come to theremainder of the parcel laterwill “have fewer opportunities,”but they won’t be left out, saidSbranti. They just won’t havethe same role in steering the visionfor the property that the firstdeveloper will, he said.The other tool will be a fundto which developers will contributeif they want more density.The money would go for theinfrastructure improvementsthat would accompany redevelopment.Trees are planned for beautification.Wide sidewalks willencourage strollers to visit shopsand dine outdoors.WINDOW-SHOPPING,HOUSING IN THE PLANThe downtown plan is boundedby Interstate 580 on the south,San Ramon Road on the west,Amador Valley Road on thenorth, and Village Parkway onthe east.The area is split into three segments.In one, both sides of EastVillage Parkway will become asort of traditional Main Street,with wide sidewalks and shopswith windows.The transit center area, southof Dublin Boulevard to the WestDublin BART station, will accommodateup to 1100 residentialhousing units. Offices, hotels,and restaurants are allowed inthis district, as are certain otherbusinesses, such as auto repairwith a conditional use permit.The retail district forms thebulk of the downtown. That willbe the location for the majorretailers, as it is now. However,restaurants, including outdoordining, will be allowed. So willmultifamily units, includingmixed use with retail, whichDublin already has. Shops areplanned downstairs; residentialunits upstairs.Shops will occupy some of thesurplus parking lot space therenow, which will encourage morecirculation of pedestrians.In the plan’s look at quality oflife for the downtown, bookstoresare mentioned. One of the plan’sgoals is to encourage “businessesthat support evening activitiesfor adults and teenagers, such asrestaurants, theaters, and bookstores.”The big-box stores themselvesmay or may not be leveled. It’sup to the property owner or developer.Some vacant stores areattracting new tenants that willmove in this year, after adaptingthe stores to their needs.Sprouts will open in the formerCircuit City store on AmadorPlaza Road. REI, the outdoor gearstore cooperatively owned by itscustomer-members, will occupythe former Honda dealership onAmador Plaza Road. Sports Authorityand a shoe store will takeover the former Mervyn’s storeon Regional Street.Dublin expects that a shippingwarehouse not far from the WestDublin BART station, whichnow is leased by DHL, will betorn down. So might a formerauto dealership on Golden GateDrive, reported Dublin economicdirector Linda Mauer.

THE INDEPENDENT • SECTION IIArt, Community, & EducationTHURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011Final Bow for Las PositasCollege's Philip Manwell"He is well known as an educator,philanthropist, and champion of the arts."The Las Positas College communitywill combine music appreciationwith professional andpersonal appreciation at the April2 Early Music Concert honoringDean of Academic Services forArts and Communication, PhilipManwell, Ed.D., who will retirein June after 25 years with LasPositas College.“Dr. Manwell has been aninspired instructor and colleague.Those qualities that made himan exemplary teacher have alsomade him an exemplary dean. Hehas earned the respect and trust ofstudents, faculty, and staff. His patience,integrity, and creativity willbe greatly missed. At the April 2concert, people in the campus andlocal community can demonstratetheir appreciation and honor hislegacy,” said Marilyn Marquis,instructor and Early Music ConcertSeries Founder and ArtisticDirector.“Dr. Manwell excels in helpingpeople find out what they do bestand then how to take that to thenext level. He truly understandswhat it means to develop expertiseand he knows what it is like toachieve mastery,” Marquis said.“He has performed at places likethe White House and CarnegieHall, and yet, he is very humble.”Philip Manwell (right) discusses the new center for the arts at LasPositas College.Manwell was awarded Diplomasin Organ and Compositionfrom the Paris Conservatoire.He holds bachelors and mastersdegrees from The Julliard Schooland a Doctor of Education degreefrom the University of San Francisco.As a soloist, chamber player,recording artist, and conductor, hehas performed throughout the U.S.,Europe, Canada, and Australia,and for international recordingcompanies, radio, and television.He has shared his expertise withstudents at Las Positas Collegeas an instructor of music and humanities.On campus and in the localcommunity, he is well knownas an educator, philanthropist,and champion of the arts. At itsBankhead Theater celebration lastyear, Alameda County honoredManwell as a Champion for TheArts in the Celebration of OurRegional Arts Heroes. Manwellis the recipient of many campusand community awards and acontributor to numerous arts organizations.He has participatedin a long list of community artsevents at venues including theDean Lesher Regional Center forthe Arts, Livermore Valley Opera,Livermore Shakespeare Festival,and Livermore Public Library.Marquis noted that Manwellwas “instrumental in planning theearly music concert series and hasbeen a major supporter and administratorfor every performance.”He also was instrumental in theplanning and design of the newstate-of-the-art Barbara FraciscoMertes Center for the Arts wherethe series is presented.The April 2 concert in his honor,“The Enticement of Italy,” willfeature Archetti Baroque Strings,the popular and dynamic eightmemberensemble showcasingsome of the finest early musicperformers in the Bay Area. Theywill perform Italian BaroqueConcerti for Multiple Violins.“The San Francisco Examiner”Kenny BarronJazz Piano MasterKenny Barron to AppearAt the FirehouseJazz piano master and nine timeGrammy nominee Kenny Barronwill perform at the Firehouse ArtsCenter on Thursday, April 7, 2011at 8:00 p.m.The Firehouse Arts Center islocated at 4444 Railroad Avenue indowntown Pleasanton, Calif.Barron, a musician, composer,arranger and educator who beganplaying professionally as a teenager,was influenced by DizzyGillespie’s band and Latin and Caribbeanrhythms. Performing as asoloist and part of a group, Barronhas made more than 40 recordings,has won nine Grammy nominations,and has been inducted intothe American Jazz Hall of Fame.After five years with Dizzy Gillespie,Barron played with FreddieHubbard, Stanley Turrentine, MiltJackson, and Buddy Rich. In theearly 1970s, he worked with YusefLateef , a key influence in Barron’smastery of the art of improvisationwho also encouraged him to pursuea college education. Soon, Barronhad joined the faculty at RutgersUniversity as professor of music.He held that tenure until 2000 andhas been on the faculty of The JuilliardSchool of Music since 2001.Throughout his career, he hasmentored many of today’s young(continued on page 2) (continued on page 2)

2 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 Art & EntertainmentFIREHOUSEtalents such as David Sanchez,Terence Blanchard and ReginaBell as well as Noah Baerman,Earl MacDonald, Harry Pickensand Aaron Parks.In 1974 Barron recorded hisfirst album, “Sunset To Dawn,”as a leader for the Muse label.Throughout the 1980s, he collaboratedwith the renown tenorsaxophonist Stan Getz, touringwith his quartet and recordingseveral legendary albums including“Anniversary,” “Serenity” andthe Grammy- nominated “PeopleTime.”In 2008, Barron released “TheTraveler,” a mix of favorite Barrontunes set to lyrics as well as newcompositions. On “The Traveler,”he is joined for the first time byvocalists Grady Tate, Tony awardwinner Ann Hampton Calloway,and Gretchen Parlato, winner ofthe Thelonious Monk InternationalThe Las Positas College community will combine music appreciationwith professional and personal appreciation at the Archetti BaroqueStrings April 2 Early Music Concert honoring Dean of AcademicServices for Arts and Communication, Philip Manwell, Ed.D., whowill retire in June after 25 years with Las Positas College.LAS POSITAS COLLEGE(continued from front page)applauded a recent concert as “aperformance of dazzling clarity...Bach at his best.” The concert is at8 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. pre-concerttalk by Bruce Lamott, director ofthe Philharmonia Chorale, whoalso has presented pre-concerttalks at Davies Symphony Hall,Live at Mission Blue concerts, andthe San Francisco Opera.Tickets are $15 for general admissionand $5 for students withID. Tickets are available at thedoor, through the website www.lpcearlymusic, or at Brown PaperCompetition for Jazz.Barron consistently wins thejazz critics and readers’ polls, includingDownbeat, Jazz Times andJazziz magazines. He is a six-timerecipient of Best Pianist by theJazz Journalists Association andwas as a finalist in the prestigious2001 Jazz Par International JazzAward.Tickets to the Kenny Barronconcert are $30, $35 and $40.Group discounts are available.Tickets may be purchased online atwww.firehousearts.org up to threehours prior to the performance,by phone at (925) 931-4848, or inperson at the Firehouse Arts CenterBox Office. Box Office hours areWednesday-Friday, 12 noon-6:00p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m., and for two hours prior to theperformance. The entrance to freeparking is on Spring Street nearFirst Street.Tickets. Parking will be complimentaryafter 6 p.m.Now in its sixth season, the EarlyMusic Concert Series featuresinternationally recognized artistsperforming music from the Medievaland Renaissance through theBaroque and Classical on periodinstruments. The concert series issupported in part by a generousgrant from the Las Positas CollegeFoundation.Las Positas College is locatedat 3000 Campus Hill Drive inLivermore.Catch a 'Night Out' atPleasanton’s FirehouseThe Livermore Valley Operawill take a short break from fullystaged traditional opera to createa fun-loving musical melodramastarring nationally recognizedprincipal singers … and a waitresswith an attitude. Best-lovedarias are woven into the comedyabout a couple on their big dateon Main St.The original “mini” opera,“Night Out,” will be performedon Saturday, April 16, at the FirehouseArts Center in downtownPleasanton.Two performances are planned,one at 2 p.m. as part of the FirehouseKids program and at 8 p.m.for a general audience. A receptionwill be held at 7 p.m. prior to theevening performance.Now in its 19th season, LivermoreValley Opera continues to bean opera company to be taken seriously.At the Firehouse, the companytakes a short break from fullystaged traditional opera to create afun-loving music melodrama. Thismini opera is a creative collaborationbetween LVO’s Executive Directorand writer of the mini operaSara Nealy, and Music DirectorAlexander Katsman.“Night Out” is the story ofcouple Mimi and Miles who areprimed for their big night out ina diner on Main Street. Describedby Nealy as a “frothy comedy”with music direction by AlexanderKatsman, audiences will enjoy agood laugh along with some ofthe world’s best-loved arias. Thediners encounter the stylish Rupertand Remy during their date and awaitress with an attitude, creatinga fun-loving music melodramastarring nationally-recognizedprincipal opera singers.The performance is presentedOn Thursday, April 7, at 7:30p.m., Congregation Beth Emek’sWorld Jewry Committee presentsguest speaker Riva Gambert on“From Garibaldi to Jerusalem: TheHunt for Adolf Eichmann.”Hidden away in Israeli archivesfor decades, the true story of thecapture of Adolf Eichmann presentsa riveting portrayal of how asecret pro-Nazi network operatingin Europe and South Americahelped the SS officer to escape toArgentina and how the Mossaddiscovered his location in a ramshacklehouse in Buenos Aires.But his identification was only oneof many challenges confrontingthe Israeli secret service, whichwas also tasked with the job ofkidnapping him and bringing himto “Camp Iyar,” near Haifa, wherehe was readied for trial.Riva Gambert, Director of theJewish Federation’s Israel Center,will explore the roles of the manyin one act, without an intermission,with an opportunity for theaudience to ask the cast questionsafter the performance.Rising opera singer, tenor DavidGustafson, will play the part ofMiles. Gustafson, who performedin LVO’s “Die Fledermaus” in2010 and other LVO opera events,is currently a member of the SanFrancisco Opera. He is joined bysoprano Heidi Moss who portraysMimi, Miles’ date for the nightout at the diner. Also starring aremezzo soprano Julie Anne Miller,baritone Bojan Knezevic and actressPaula Wujek as the waitress.Both Gustafson and Knezevic willappear next spring in LVO’s productionof “Tosca” as part of theopera company’s 20th anniversaryseason. Gustafson will portray Cavaradossi,and Knezevic will singthe part of the treacherous Scarpia.Knezevic is also a member of theSF Opera chorus.Most of the lead singers comefrom the greater Bay Area. Moreinformation about the artists can befound on the LVO website at www.livermorevalleyopera.org.Performances will be at theFirehouse Arts Center, 4444 RailroadAve., Pleasanton. For ticketsor information, call 931-4848 or goto www.firehousearts.org.Firehouse box office hours areWednesday through Friday, noonto 6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4p.m., and two hours before performances.Tickets for the 2 p.m. performanceare $9-$18; for the eveningperformance, $7-$32.From Garibaldi to Jerusalem: The Huntfor Adolf Eichmannpeople involved in Eichmann’scapture, including the Mossadoperatives, Simon Wiesenthal, ateen-age girl who met Eichmann’soldest son at a dance hall, and aWest German attorney general whotenaciously pursued justice for theHolocaust’s victims.Admission free, refreshmentswill be served. 3400 Nevada Court,Pleasanton.For more information, contactjimholtz@comcast.net or call 925-600-9130.

Art & CommunityThis painting by Mark Bowles is one of the works to be included inthe upcoming show at the Harrington Gallery.The Firehouse Arts Center’sHarrington Gallery will host Horizonal/Vertical,an exhibit of landscapepainting and sculpture, April9-April 30, 2011.A gallery reception will takeplace on Saturday, April 9, 2011,3:00-5:00 p.m. with an informaldiscussion by the artists at 4:15p.m.Horizontal/Vertical featuresthe landscape painting of MarkBowles and the sculpture of SamTubiolo.Bowles is a native Californianwhose large-scale canvasescapture both the sense and sceneof the Western landscape. Heexplores color, composition, andthe quality and attitude of a linein order to draw the viewer intohis canvas. “It is my goal to drawthe viewer into my space and letthem become involved in their ownpersonal journey and discovery ofthe work. The ultimate reward forme is to communicate somethingnew to the viewer even if for just amoment in time,” he says. DetailedTHE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 3Horizontal/Vertical Theme of NextHarrington Gallery Showinformation about the Bowles andhis work is available at www.markbowles.com.Sculptor Sam Tubiolo createsrough-hewn columnar ceramicsculptures which evoke ruggedterrain, sedimentary layers, humanhabitation and the passageof time. He says, “I am intriguedby the topographic and designcontrasts presented by rugged terrain,valleys, rivers, wilderness,urban architecture, and humanhabitation. I reference these environmentsthrough tactile ceramicprocesses. The thematic focusrevolves around how these settingsrelate to human presence, passageof time, and sense of place.” Manyexamples of his public art worksand sculptures may be found atwww.samtubiolo.com.Harrington Gallery hours areWednesday-Friday 12:00 noon-5:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., for one hour prior toeach Firehouse Arts Center performanceand during intermission.A donation of $2.00 is suggested.More information is available atthe Firehouse Arts Center website,www.firehousearts.org.The Firehouse Arts Center islocated at 4444 Railroad Avenuein downtown Pleasanton."Emerging" by Sam TubioloSearchUnderway for'Gardens'The Hidden Gardens of theValley Tour is celebrating its 6thyear as one of the Valley HumaneSociety’s (VHS) most successfulfundraisers for homeless pets.VHS is looking for privategardens in Pleasanton to includeon the tour this year.The tour will be held Sunday,May 15, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Gardens must be within thePleasanton city limits.Anyone who has a beautifulgarden or may know someonewho does, please contact GardenTour Chairperson Charli Hyden at925.918.0799.

4 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 Art & CommunitySunol Park to HostWildflower FestivalSunol Regional Wilderness willbe holding its eighth annual SpringWildflower Festival on SaturdayApril 2 from 11 am 4 pm.The festival will take place nearthe Old Green Barn Visitor Centerat Sunol Regional Wilderness atthe end of Geary Road off of Calaveras.Anyone with an interestin wildflowers or nature is encouragedto attend there is somethingfor all ages. Interpretive staff willprovide easy ways to identify wildflowersand information on whereto discover the best places andtimes to see different varieties.Nature slideshows, exhibits,and hikes of various lengths andsubjects will be offered throughoutthe day. Hikes range from kidfriendly,to ethnobotany, to a longerflower hike to Little Yosemitewaterfall. Activities also includearts and crafts, face painting,henna body art, games, and music.There are no food concessions inthe park so visitors should bringa lunch and enjoy a picnic in thegreat outdoors.The event is free to the public.However, the usual $5 parking feewill be charged. Call 1 (888) 327-2757 or visit www.ebparks.org formore information.To reach the park exit at the I-680/Calaveras Road/Highway 84south of the town of Pleasanton.Turn left onto Calaveras Road andproceed four miles to Geary Roadon the left, which leads two milesdirectly into the park.Hikes:11:30-2:30: Blooms for Beginners:Canyon View to LittleYosemite; Along this moderatelystrenuous 3-mile hike, we’ll enjoythe best that nature has to offerfrom stunning hillsides of wildflowersto the pools and waterfallsof Little Yosemite. Bring water, beprepared for some uphill hiking.Children must be closely supervised.Best for ages 7+. NaturalistCat Taylor.11:30-12:30: Flower Floozies:Bugs and flowers for small peopleand their adults. Naturalist KatieColbert.12-1:30: Butterfly Search: Allages. Naturalist Anthony Fisher.12-1: Wildflowers for a Lifetime:Senior Stroll: Stroll withsenior friends or families at aleisurely pace on flat and gradualinclines. Distance: Less than 1/2mile. Interpretive student aideNancy Ceridwyn.1:30-2:30: Wildflowers onWheels: Stroller Walk Meanderthrough the meadow sharing thebeauty of spring with wee ones onwheels. Distance 1 mile. Duration:1 hour. Interpretive student aideNancy Ceridwyn.2-3:30: Flora and Serpentine: Atwo mile up and downhill hike toPhotos - Doug JorgensenSome activities will be held at theGreen Barn (above). At right is afile photo of spring wildflowers.see how geology and flowers areall tangled up. Interpretive studentaide Nancy Ceridwyn.2:30-4: Mother Nature’s GeneralStore: Visit some of the plantsthat have provided humans withfood, medicine and tools for millennia.All ages. Naturalist AnthonyFisher.Soul Sauce Performs at the Pleasanton LibrarySoul Sauce, a Latin Jazz Band,will perform at the Pleasanton PublicLibrary at 2 p.m. on April 3.Soul Sauce draws on the richbody of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian-influencedjazz, as well as incorporatingoriginal works. Enjoythis jazz concert at the PleasantonLibrary, sponsored by the Friendsof the Pleasanton Library.The 5-piece group uses JonEriksen’s vibes as its focus, withThe Pleasanton CommunityConcert Band returns to the FirehouseArts Center for its 36thAnnual Spring Concert on April3, 2011.This year’s theme is Voices ofSpring. The program will beginwith “Voices of Spring,” “April inParis,” and special guest Joe Bonfiglioplaying “Clarinet Concerto”by Mozart.support from Curt Moore’s tastefuldrums, with Rich Kuhns on piano,Rich Girard on bass, and MichaelleGoerlitz on congas. The versatilevibist is also an accomplished jazzharmonica player, with a TootsThielemans-influenced sound.The title, “Soul Sauce,” composedby Dizzy Gillespie, seemedto co-leaders Jon Eriksen and CurtMoore to capture the essence ofthis group’s fiery sound, and wasThe Band will then honor thestart of baseball season with “TakeMe Out to the Ballgame,” “Caseyat the Bat” with narrator WardBelding and “Pastime.” The Bandwill finish the program with a rousingbaseball march by John PhilipSousa “National Game.”The concert will start at 2:00p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2011 ata logical choice as the name forthe band. The tune “Soul Sauce”was recorded by many jazz artistsover the years, and even made anappearance on the pop charts whenit was recorded by Cal Tjader in1964.The program is free and opento all. No registration required.For more information, call PennyJohnson, 931-3405.Concert Band Presents 'Voices of Spring'the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.The concert is free, althoughdonations are appreciated. TheFirehouse Arts Center doors willopen at 1:40 PM. For more informationcall 925-846-5897 orgo to the Pleasanton CommunityConcert Band website www.pleasantonband.org.

Art & CommunityTHE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 5Legally BlindYoung Photographer's Work AmongEntries in LAA Spring ShowPhoto caption: Colorful purses and totes are among the many items awaiting shoppers at SpringFling for the Animals on April 16.Luke Gregory, a 13 year oldlegally blind Livermore photographer,will have his work debutedat the Livermore Art Association(LAA) Spring Art Show April 1and 2. In spite of his vision, Lukebegan last month using the cameraon his iPod Touch to show hisunique perspective on the world.Close-ups of nature, capturingtexture and playing with light andshadows, Luke clicked away atmundane objects around the houseand backyard and around Livermore.Soon digital images of cacti,old warped fences, stone benchesand light fixtures filled his Flickraccount online.Luke is very near-sighted, andhas a nystagmus in both eyeswhich causes involuntary movement.He also has a unique formof color-deficiency in which hecannot detect red, but yellow appearsfar brighter to him than toothers with normal vision. His visionis not entirely correctable withlenses. However, the camera lensquickly has proven to be a means toexpress his interesting view.When his Flickr account addressreached the email in-box ofAngela Johal, Vice President ofthe Livermore Art Association,she insisted he join the LivermoreArt Association. “He has a greatsense of composition, design, andyes, color!” Johal said. He joinedthat very day and is excited to be apart of the art community, althoughhe’s somewhat bewildered by thereaction to his work.“I’m kinda surprised that anyonethinks it’s good. I’m happyabout it, but it surprised me - alot!” Luke says.Luke is also an active memberof Boy Scout Troop 903 in Livermoreand a competitive swimmerwith the Livermore Blue Dolphinsswim team. He says that he oftenthinks about what he might photographwhen he’s at Scout activitiesor swimming.Luke’s work will be at theSpring Art Show at The Barn onPacific Avenue on April 2-3 andalso at the Teen Art Expo at theLivermore Public Library CivicCenter April 1-30. He says helooks forward to entering photographsin the Alameda CountyFair this summer and other showsin the future.View Luke’s photography atwww.flickr.com/photos/bylukegregoryJust Like New Fund Benefitsfrom Animal Lovers' BoutiqueThe Animal Lovers' Boutique,located year-round in the lobbyof Feline Medical Center (FMC),3160 Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton,will hold a special SpringFling for the Animals event onSaturday, April 16. Proceeds fromthe 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. boutique willbenefit Jackie Barnett’s Just LikeNew (JLN) Fund, a Valley HumaneSociety program that aids sick andinjured pets.Spring Fling will showcaseanimal-themed items for springand Mother’s Day such as planters,garden art, wind chimes, home decor,brass gifts, decorative pillows,purses and other fashion accessories,as well as cat and dog toys,dishes and accessories.The Just Like New Fund wasfounded in 1995 by Pleasantonanimal advocate Jackie Barnett,who passed away in 2009. Thefund, which now bears Jackie’sname, provides financial assistanceto Tri-Valley residents who cannotafford emergency, lifesavingveterinary care for their pets. Sinceits beginning, the JLN Fund hashelped save the lives of more than400 companion animals.Today more than 40 volunteersmentored by Jackie are continuingher work. Volunteers raise moneyfor the JLN Fund by making andselling catnip toys and by operatingthe Animal Lover’s Boutiqueat Feline Medical Center.Although FMC does not offerveterinary services on weekends,it is opening its lobby on Saturday,April 16 for the special SpringFling sales event. For more information,please contact Vicki Zeigler,(925) 872-7668, or visit theValley Humane Society website,www.valleyhumane.org.

6 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 Entertainment & CommunityBy Nancy O’ConnellThe Livermore-Amador Symphonyperformed to a full houseon Saturday evening, March 26.Joe Bonfiglio was an extraordinaryclarinetist who played brilliantly.First, a cacophony of sound greetedpatrons as we found our seats afterthe opening lecture. April Nissenwas practicing on the grand piano.The strings and brass were playingtheir most difficult passages. Allquieted down as the concert masterentered and led the sectional tuning.Soon the magnificent soundsof Ralph Vaughan Williams’ TheWasps: Aristophanic Suite filledthe Bankhead Theater.Dr. Arthur Barnes, the conductorof the Symphony, had toldthe audience in the pre-concerttalk that earlier in his twenties,Ralph Vaughan Williams had beenknown as a writer on music andfor his choral works. However, healso had discovered English folksongs. Like Bartok, he began tocollect these songs and edit them,so that this rich heritage could bepreserved. Then, in his 30’s, hestudied orchestration in Paris withRavel where he developed a styledistinctly his own.Waspish trills in all of thestrings buzzed as Williams’ Overturebegan. Dramatic music withthe full symphony followed. Alovely, mournful melody wasplayed by the concert master,Anthony Doheny. About halfwaythrough, the music became martialsounding. The movement closedwith big resounding chords. Thesecond movement was very shortand was appropriately calledEntr’acte (between acts.) A whimsicalmovement called MarchPast of the Kitchen Utensils waswitty and amusing. The woodwindsplayed solo passages. Thesecond Entr’acte, ceremonial innature, was again brief, leadinginto the Ballet and Final Tableau.Throughout this work, one heardthe influence of English folk songs.However, the melodies were Williams’own. In the last movement,the strings had pizzicato, orplucking of their strings, while thewoodwinds played the melodies. Abeautiful flute solo, performed byNan Davies, was answered by thefirst clarinetist. Dramatic chordsfollowed with the cellists wayup in their thumb positions. Oneloud, resounding chord broughtMusic ReviewJoe Bonfiglio, a BrilliantClarinet Soloistthe Wasps to a conclusion.The clarinet soloist, Joe Bonfiglio,who earned a master’s degreefrom Juilliard, appeared on stage.Dr. Barnes took his place on thepodium. The magic of AaronCopland’s Clarinet Concerto beganquietly, almost meditatively.The soloist was always heardabove the orchestra. His cadenzawas thoughtfully interpreted ashe displayed many difficult techniqueson the clarinet. April Nissenanswered with a long piano sectionwith the violins in their high registers.In the Rather Fast movementdissonances were followed by aplayful, jazzy section.I heard Copland speak severaltimes when he visited StanfordUniversity in the 1950’s. He listenedto many student compositionsand critiqued each workwisely. How fortunate Joe Bonfigliowas to study under him. Inthe pre-concert talk he shared hismemories of performing this concertowith the New York Philharmonicunder Leonard Bernstein,with Copland in the audience at thedress rehearsal. Afterwards, Bernsteinsaid to Copland, “Any comments,Aaron?” Copland raised hishands, clapped, and smiled.April Nissen’s piano partsounded tricky rhythmically. Asloud chords brought the Concertoto a close, she took a well deservedcurtain call with the brilliant soloist.Gordon Jenkins, an Americanwho lived from 1910 to 1984,composed the next piece, titledGoodbye. It was written in memoryof the great Benny Goodman, aclarinetist who had commissionedmany composers, including Bartok,to write music for him. Goodbyewas lush and rich with melodies.Joe Bonfiglio played the work withpassion and sensitivity.After the intermission, the fiveyoung students who play with thesymphony were introduced. Threeperformed with the first violins,Irene Kim is a cellist, and PeterLalor is in the percussion section.The stage had been rearrangedfor the Brahms’ Symphony No. 4in E Minor. The grand piano andmost of the percussion sectionwere removed. Only Peter Curzonwith his timpani was present. In hispre-concert talk, Peter Curzon toldthe audience about Brahms whowrote over 200 songs, all of themstill in print and performed today.Peter stated that Brahms displayeda remarkable talent for transposing.Once when he was supposed toperform his Piano Concerto in C,he arrived just before the concertand discovered the piano was flat.No time for a tuner to be broughtin, so Brahms transposed the entireconcerto to C sharp, an extremelydifficult feat!Mr. Curzon also told us to listenfor the opening theme in the4th movement of the symphony.In the 1870’s, a cantata of Bach’shad been rediscovered, after it hadbeen lost for over a hundred years.Brahms used the theme from thatlost cantata, repeating the recurringbass melody in 30 variations.The familiar strains of the firstmovement of the symphony demonstratedthe uniform bowing inthe strings. Dr. Barnes conductedwith a great understanding of thismagnificent symphony and alwaysgave careful cues. In the secondmovement the French horns playedtheir long passage in C Major.Then the clarinets changed the keyto E Major while the strings hadpizzicato. In the fourth movementthose 8 notes from Bach’s cantatawere heard again and again in theGround Bass. A beautiful flute solowas followed by a clarinet soloand then the horns. Lush melodiesfilled the air. Trombones lend asolemn sound to this movement, atour de force for the players. It’s ademanding work, and while audiencescome away with glorioussounds replaying in their heads,the instrumentalists are happy, butdrained and exhausted.Dr. Barnes was brought backfor three curtain calls by the enthusiasticlisteners. Livermore isso fortunate to have the BankheadTheater with its acoustically excellenthall for its concerts. Firstclass musicians like Joe Bonfiglionow can be invited to performhere with pride. The Livermore-Amador Symphony has attractedgood musicians who have givenyears of dedication and come eachweek to rehearse. Dr. Barnes hasgiven of his impressive talents asdirector of the symphony for 47years. Come to the next concerton May 14th to hear Holst’s ThePlanets and Dale Wolford, sopranosaxophone soloist.Scholarships Available toGranada StudentsTwo Granada High School students,who participate in the BetterGradseMentoring Program, willreceive $1500 college scholarshipsfunded by the Pedrozzi ScholarshipFoundation.The BetterGrads-PedrozziScholarship is funded by a partnershipwith the Pedrozzi ScholarshipFoundation, a Livermore-basedprivate family foundation. Since2008, the Foundation has awardedmore than 200 scholarshipsto graduates of Livermore highschools in pursuit of higher education,totaling nearly $1 million.The BetterGrads began as apilot program at Granada lastSeptember when Kevin Adler, BetterGradsdirector, noticed that thestudent population was served byonly two career counselors.In response BetterGrads partneredwith Granada counselors toconnect 22 juniors with collegestudents and young professionalswho serve as mentors for the2011-12 academic year. Granadastudents formed the College PrepTables will be decorated for tea.Club 2012 as a forum for sharingcollege-related information, peersupport and encouraging collegegoingculture on campus. Mentorsengage with mentees throughregular e-mail exchanges, phonecalls, webcam chats, text messagesand occasional in person campusvisits.The scholarship will recognizetwo student mentees at GranadaHigh who have embodied the idealsof the BetterGrads eMentoringProgram through leadership andcommunity service. Students willfill out an on-line application,which includes two short essayquestions and an optional letter ofrecommendation. Two equivalentscholarships will be offered atLivermore High School duringthe 2011-12 school year, when theprogram is expanded there.The deadline to apply for theBetterGrads-Pedrozzi Scholarshipis 11:59 p.m. PDT on Friday, April29, 2011. Students may accessthe application by visiting: http://bettergrads.org/program/scholarships/apply/.Alex Anderson Featured Guest atMad Hatter's Tea PartyThe 16th Annual Mad Hatter’sTea Party, featuring Alex Anderson,a local celebrity in the quiltingcommunity, will be held at noonon May 7.Four hundred women will enjoytea and sandwiches while enjoyingAlex’s Quilt Trunk Show. AlexAnderson is a local celebrity inthe quilting community and is alongtime resident of Livermore.She’s the former host of HGTV“Simply Quilts,” an InternationalQuilt in addition to showing manyof her original quilts.Tables will be previewed at 12p.m. before lunch. Angela Mastrantoniowill play backgroundmusic. Tea will be served at 1 p.m.In addition, the afternoon’s activitiesinclude at hat contest, sale oflucky teacups, a silent auction, andas usual, raffle prizes galore.The proceeds from this eventbenefit Assistance League’s®many philanthropic projects, includingOperation School Bell®.Tickets are $50 per person andinclude tea, sandwiches and dessertsand are available for purchasenow. The tea will be held Saturday,May 7, 2011 at the Aahmes ShrineEvent Center in Livermore.For more information pleasecall 925-371-4566 or mail a checkfor $50 per person to AssistanceLeague of Amador Valley, 732Barleta Court, Livermore, CA94550.

Entertainment & EducationPictured (from left to right) are Shatika Rembert, Foothill High junior; Alex Caravan, Amador Valley Highsenior; Calvin Brown, Amador Valley High senior; and Tanay Jaeel, Amador Valley High senior.Congressman Jerry McNerney(CA-11) hosted a forum for highschool students called “Your Voicein Washington” at San RamonValley High School in Danvillelast week. At the event, groups ofstudents from San Ramon ValleyHigh School as well as representativesfrom Dougherty Valley HighSchool in San Ramon presentedtheir ideas to the Congressmanon issues of importance to youngpeople.“The ‘Your Voice in Washington’forum was a great opportunityfor me to hear directly from ourcommunity’s young people,” saidMcNerney. “These future leadersshared their thoughts with me on anumber of important issues.”The topics discussed at thePleasanton High School Students TakePart in Youth in Government DaySeventy Pleasanton studentsfrom Amador Valley, Foothill,Horizon and Village high schoolsconverged on Pleasanton CityHall and the Pleasanton UnifiedSchool District (PUSD) officeslast Tuesday to participate in theannual Youth in Government Dayprogram.Students job shadowed electedCity Council and School Boardmembers, the City Manager andthe school Superintendent, as wellas school principals, staff fromthe police and fire departments,and other leading City and schooladministrators.The event was facilitated by theCity of Pleasanton Youth Commission.It began at the Firehouse ArtsCenter with a special welcomegiven by Pleasanton City ManagerNelson Fialho and PUSD SuperintendentParvin Ahmadi.The entire group convenedagain for lunch at the VeteransHall on Main Street and heardfrom keynote speakers that includePleasanton Mayor JenniferHosterman and PUSD Board ofEducation President Valerie Arkin.Following lunch, the studentsparticipated in a mock city councilmeeting and a mock school boardmeeting to tackle issues that arecurrently facing the community.Congressman Hears from Teens During'Your Voice in Washington' Sessionevent were chosen by the studentsand included education and healthcare policy as well as the federalbudget and civil rights. Followingthe event, Congressman McNerneywill select one of these topics tospeak about on the floor of theHouse of Representatives in thecoming weeks.“I’ll be reflecting on everythingI heard and in the coming weeksI’ll choose one of the topics tospeak about on the floor of theHouse of Representatives,” continuedMcNerney. “I heard so manygreat suggestions that this decisionis going to be difficult. But I’mlooking forward to bringing theideas of our community’s youngpeople to our Nation’s Capital.It’s important that their voice isheard.”Scott Nelson and Anna Tiner,both seniors at San Ramon ValleyHigh School, participated in theforum and offered these wordsabout the experience.“It’s exciting to know he caresabout what kids think and it’sgood to hear his views,” said ScottNelson. “CSPAN doesn’t get highratings, but I’ll be watching! I’mlooking forward to seeing hisstatement.”“I’m grateful he took the time,”said Anna Tiner. “It’s important forteenagers to understand they matterand their voices are important.It’s a really cool opportunity to seethe impact we had on TV.”THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 7Magic of Music toBenefit AmadorMusic ProgramsAmador Friends of Music invitesthe community of Pleasantonto an evening of dinner, dancingand live music at the 7th annualMagic of Music Event on Saturday,April 30, 2011, 5:30-11 p.m. Theevening will feature dancing to themusic of the Amador Jazz Bands,dinner, both live and silent auctions,and will be held at the SunolValley Golf Club 6900 Mission Rd.in Sunol.All proceeds benefit AVHSMusic Programs, which includeMarching Band, Colorguard, Winterguard,Winter Percussion, ConcertBands, Jazz Bands, Choir andOrchestra. Each year, the Magicof Music event raises thousands ofdollars that fund strategic and essentialinvestments in Amador ValleyHigh School music programs,such as last year’s purchase of newuniforms and new field drums.Tickets are $65 per person.Mary-Ann Rich will discuss herIraq war experiences as an ArmyReserve nurse in charge of the operatingrooms. Her talk will be at1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011at the Livermore Public LibraryCivic Center, 1188 S. LivermoreAvenue. There is no charge forthis event.At age 56 and female, Mary-Ann Rich is not your typical Iraqwar veteran. Lieutenant ColonelRich was an Army Reserve nursein charge of the operating roomsin Tikrit, Iraq, during 2006-2007.Angry, lonely and disappointed,she did not get the homecomingshe expected. During her deployment,her fiancé moved on toanother woman and the Americanpublic–that was an even greaterbetrayal. The worst was yet toAttendees should RSVP by April12. Purchase tickets online www.amadormusic.org. Those who needto pay by check can mail theirpayment to: AFM/Magic of MusicTickets, PO Box 602, Pleasanton,CA 94566.Ticket purchase includes arrivalchampagne and appetizers; dinnerchoice of chicken cordon bleu,New York steak or tortellini primavera;salad, dessert, coffee andfresh baked rolls. Two bottles ofwine will be provided per table, donatedby Morse/Il Gioiello Wines.There will also be a no host barthroughout the evening. The VIPtable adds premium seating nearthe dance floor, additional tablewine and two complimentary bardrinks per person.For more information, contactLinda Truax 925-462-8490 orMoMTickets@amadormusic.orgIraq Veteran to Discuss HerWar Experiencescome. Safe again once more inher San Jose, California home,she did not expect to contract PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).As part of her recovery, throughthe Veteran’s Book Project, Ms.Rich has chronicled her intenseexperiences.This program is a collaborationwith the California Writers ClubTri-Valley Branch. Please notethat this presentation includessome graphic and disturbing imagesof injuries encountered by thepresenter in her work at medicalfacilities in the field.The Friends of the LivermoreLibrary have underwritten this programas part of the Friends Authorsand Arts Series. For additionalevents, check the library’s websiteat www.livermore.lib.ca.us.

8 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 Art & EntertainmentART/PHOTO EXHIBITSLivermore Art Association Gallery, locatedin the Carnegie Building, offers artclasses, unusual gifts, painting rentals, artexhibits and information pertaining to theart field, 2155 Third St., Livermore. Thegallery has been open since 1974 and isrun as a co-op by local artists. Hours areWed.-Sun. 11:30-4 p.m. For informationcall 449-9927.Livermore Art Association Spring Show,April 2 and 3 at The Barn, 3131 PacificAve., Livermore. Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Saturday with an artists' reception andawards event 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday open10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admissioncharge. The public is invited to attend theshow and reception.Teen Art Exposition and Contest, LivermoreLibrary, 1188 So. Livermore Ave.April 1-30. Artists reception Tues., April26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Images of California by Livermore photographerWilliam Hackett of CheshireCat Photo, during the months of Februaryand March, First Street Alehouse, Livermore.The show will be open during theAlehouse's regular hours. The First StreetAlehouse is located at 2106 1st Street,Livermore; (925) 371-6588.Tuscany and the Cinque Terre, exhibit ofworks by Charlotte Severin and fellowartists. Livermore Civic Center LibraryGallery, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Theexhibit will continue through March 31during regular library hours. Participatingartists and photographers are Ann andHugh Bevan-Thomas, June Ferreri andJustin Trent, Martin Spellman, Margoand Arne Kirkewoog, Bonnie Bartlettand Charlotte Severin.Harrington Art Gallery exhibit, Marksof Nature. A look into artistic interpretationsof the pleasant, abstract qualities ofimages in nature. Runs Wed., March 9– Saturday, April 2, 2011. Firehouse ArtsCenter, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.www.firehousearts.org.Kaleidoscopes by artist Christine McCallnow showing until April 15 at Casbah,1770 First Street, Livermore CA. Hours11 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily. Show sponsoredby Artistic Edge.Country Charm & Country Vines by artistKaren Fleschler is on display at the JohnChristopher Cellars, Blacksmith Square,downtown Livermore, corner of RailroadAve. and So. Livermore Ave., until April15. Hours Thursday – Sunday 2:00 – 6 p.m.Show sponsored by Artistic Edge.Linda Beach featured artist for March atWente Vineyards Estate Winery, 5565Tesla Road, Livermore. The exhibit entitled"Sense of Place" will feature pastellandscapes. The subjects of her paintingsinclude local and California scenes as wellas coastal images from her native NewEngland. The show will be on displayMarch 1-31 from 11:00 to 4:30 daily at theWente Vineyards Estate Winery TastingRoom, 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore.LAA Essential Nude Show - FigurativeFine Art: Livermore Art Associationexhibition. Bothwell Arts Center, 2466Eighth St., Livermore. April 15-17, 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Reception Thurs., April14, 7 to 9 p.m. Public invited. Awardspresentation 7:30 p.m.Harrington Art Gallery exhibit, Horizontal/Vertical.Landscape Painting andSculpture by Mark Bowles and Sam Tubiolo.Saturday, April 9 – Thursday, May19, 2011. Gallery Reception Saturday,April 9, 2011, 3-5 p.m. Firehouse ArtsCenter, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.www.firehousearts.org.Call for Artists – Danville Art in the Park,October 1 & 2, 2011, Town Green. This13th annual Fine Arts Festival is acceptingapplications from artists with paintings,sculpture, photography, ceramics, graphicsand fine jewelry (no crafts). The eventis sponsored by the Alamo Danville Artists’Society and the Town of Danville.Booth spaces are 10’ x 10’ and $70 formembers of ADAS and $85 non-membersplus 10% to Art in the Schools fund.Prospectus may be downloaded fromwww.ADAS4ART.org or send an e-mailto normawebb@comcast.net or call 925828-9170. or call 925 828-9170. Applicationswill be reviewed April 1st.MEETINGS/CLASSESAvant-Garde Arts Studio has moved toa new location in Pleasanton, 435 BoulderCourt, #600. Studio art courses atAvant-Garde offer students a serious andsustained exploration of the creative processesin visual art. Technical, perceptualand aesthetic issues are addressed in a historicaland contemporary context. Classesare structured so that students experiencethe creative process through a direct anddynamic engagement with visual media.Adult art classes are offered on Weds.mornings at 10 am - 12:30 p.m. and Thurs.evening at 7:15 - 9:45 p.m. A variety ofworkshops are also available. For information,go to www.avantgardeartstudio.com or call 484-1378.Figure Drawing Workshop, every Friday9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Artists bring theirown materials and easels. Open to all artists.Professional artist models (nude). Noinstructor. Students under 18 need writtenparental permission to attend. Cost $20per session. At the Bothwell Arts Center,2466 8th St., Livermore. Coffee, tea andrefreshments are available. Call or emailBarbara Stanton for more info about theworkshop, 925-373-9638 - microangelo@earthlink.net.Art Critique and Coffee, meets at theStoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. Fridaysat 10 a.m. in the common area in frontof Nordstrom. ACC/ Art, Critique andCoffee meets weekly where artists canshare the newest works, techniques andtalk about art. For more information call925 461-5084 or e-mail PoetryOnCanvas@Mac.ComBeginning painting and drawing lessons,Livermore artist and instructor offers lessonsto children and adults with little orno art experience. Students learn to drawand paint in a realistic way in various mediumsusing various techniques. They willlearn about perspective and color theory.Lessons will cover portraits, landscapes,still-life, illustration and more. $22 for45 minute lesson. For more informationcontact Thomasin Dewhirst at 216-7231or thomasin_d@hotmail.com.Summer Camp offered by Tri-ValleyRepertory Theatre, class production:"Seussical Jr." Three separate sessionsof camp during July/Aug 2011. First twosessions span 2 weeks each and are opento children in grades 2-8. Third sessionis accelerated at 5 days and is open tochildren in grades 4-9. All children willparticipate as cast members in a musicalproduction learning singing, dancing, andacting skills, as well as creating their owncostumes, sets, and props. Culminates intwo performances of "Seussical Jr." at endof session. Session I: July 11-22 (shows onthe 23), Session II: July 25- Aug. 5 (showsAug. 6) and Session III: Aug 8-12 (showson Aug. 13). Sessions 1 & 2: $400, Session3: $300 www.trivalleyrep.orgWINERY EVENTSLibrary Tasting Weekend, Wente Vineyards,Livermore, April 2 and 3, 11 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Sample special library flightsall weekend featuring a variety of SmallLot and The Nth Degree wines aged toperfection from our library. Call 925-456-2305 for more information.John Christopher Cellars at BlacksmithSquare, Wine Country Festival April30-May 1. Live music both days startingeach day at 10:30 a.m. and ending around5 p.m. The music is on stage right out ourfront door with plenty of seating. Withthe purchase of an official 2011 FestivalGlass receive 3 complimentary winesamples at the tasting room. More detailsat www.johnchristophercellars.com. Theevent is free to attend. Street closures onFirst Street, So Livermore Ave., and others.John Christopher Cellars, 25 SouthLivermore Ave., Livermore.MUSIC/CONCERTSMusic every Saturday in the tasting roomfrom 12 to 4; open every day if the gateis open and for sure on Fridays, Saturdaysand Sundays 11 to 5. Red FeatherWinery, 5700 Greenville Rd., Livermore.Information at 449-1871 or www.redfeatherwinery.comChris Bradley's Jazz Band, plays at TheSunol Jazz Cafe (In the Center of Sunol)the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month7:30-9:30 p.m. The band features real Jazzfrom the 1920's, 30's, 40's.Blacksmith Square live music, Saturdays3-6 May – September, sponsored byArtistic Edge, Greenleaf BBQ Products,John Christopher Cellars, Swirl, andVictorine Olive Oil. Corner of SouthLivermore Ave. and Railroad Ave. downtownLivermore.John Waite, singer, songwriter, musician.Fri., April 1, 8 p.m. Firehouse ArtsCenter, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.wwwfirehousearts.org.Ramana Vieira, traditional Fado music,Sat., April 2, 8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center,4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org.Beausoleil Avec Michael Doucet, GrammyAward Winner - Best Cajun Music2009, Sat., April 2, 8 p.m. BankheadTheater, 2400 First St., Livermore.www.livermoreperformingarts.org or925-373-6800.Early Music Concert, Archetti BaroqueStrings, April 2, 2011. 7:30 pre-concerttalk, 8:00 concert. The Morning Star- music from Northern Europe. BarbaraMertes Center for the Arts, Las PositasCollege, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore.Archetti Baroque Strings performItalian Baroque Concerti for MultipleViolins. 8-member ensemble. Ticketsare $15 for individual concerts. www.lpcearlymusic.org or www.laspositascollege.edu/performingartsPleasanton Community Concert Band,spring concert, "Voices of Spring," Sun.,April 3, 2011, 2 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center,4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton.www.firehousearts.org.Kenny Barrow, Jazz Pianist, April 7,8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.orgAll New Best of Doo Wop, with the Tokens,Dodie Stevens and the Flamingo TributeGroup, comedy host Scott Wood and theFlashback Band, Sat., April 9, 8 p.m.Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore.www.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 925-373-6800.Sotto Voce, 8 p.m., Sat., April 16, Del ValleFine Arts Concert, Bankhead Theater,2400 First St., Livermore. 925-373-6800,www.livermoreperformingarts.org.Poncho Sanchez, Latin Jazz Percussionist,April 22, 8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center,4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.orgJohnny Cash, a musical tribute, April23, 8 p.m. at the Firehouse Arts Center,4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.orgAmati Ensemble, classical music, Sat.,April 30, 8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center,4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org.ON THE STAGEShakespeare’s Associates’ production ofA Life in the Theatre by David Mamet.March 31-April 23, 2011, Thursdays,Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at theBothwell Arts Center, 2466 Eighth Street,Livermore, CA. Tickets from $25-$35 bycalling 1-800-838-3006 or www.LivermoreShakes.org.For more informationvisit www.LivermoreShakes.org or call925-443-BARD (2273).Sunol Repertory Theatre, annual melodramaTrouble Bubbles at the Hot Springsor Hold Your Nose as You Walk By, byGary McCarver. April 1, 2. Admission $15Reserved Seating. All Performances at 8p.m. Sunol Glen School Theatre, 11601Main St., Sunol. Tickets go on sale to thegeneral public on February 4 at Little ValleyWinery, 793 Main Street, Pleasanton,12-5 PM Thursday-SundayPhantom of the Country Opera, 8 p.m.April 8, 9, 15 and 16; 2 p.m. April 10, 17.Book by Grennan and Santen, Lyrics byCheri Coons, Music by Michael Duff.Barbara Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. PerformingArts Events Line at 925.424.1100 or goto www.laspositascollege.edu/performingarts.Tickets will also be availableat the door. For more information aboutthe show, contact kross@laspositascollege.edu.1st Annual Firehouse Improv Festivalfeaturing The Freeze on April 8 and SuperDupers on 9, 7:30 p.m. Firehouse ArtsCenter, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.The Freeze will perform at the festival'sopening Friday, 4/8 at 7:30 p.m. OnSaturday, 4/9, starting at 9 a.m., teenparticipants (grades 6-12) will attenda series of workshops designed to immersethem in a more advanced world ofimprov with classes like, 'Musical ImprovGames,' 'Stage Combat for Improvisors,'and more! For performance Friday andSaturday night, www.firehousearts.org. Registration for the entire Festival,go to http://online.activecommunities.com/pleasantonThe Foreigner, April 15-May 7, VillageTheater, 233 Front St., Danville. Presentedby Role Players Ensemble Theatre. www.danvilletheatre.comFlying Karamazov Brothers, mix of theMarx Brothers and Monty Python, Fri.,April 15, 8 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400First St., Livermore. www.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 925-373-6800.All Shook Up, Tri-Valley RepertoryTheatre. Performances weekends April22-May 8, 2011. Bankhead Theater, 2400First St., Livermore. www.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 925-373-6800.A Year With Frog and Toad, April 30-May8, Presented by Bay Area Children’s Theater,Front Row Theater, 17011 BollingerCanyon Rd., San Ramon, 973-3343 orSanRamonPerformingArts.com.DANCEFriday Night Dance Parties, themedparties each Friday night from Salsa toSwing, includes a group dance lessonat 8:15. $15 cover charge, 8:15 dancelesson, 9:00-10:30 for dance parties. It'sAll About Dancing, 171 So. J Street,Livermore. 925-449-9292, or studio@itsallaboutdancing.com.MOVIESGoing Places: A Classic Film Series, shownthe first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.in the Pleasanton Library's meeting roomthrough June 2, 2011. The program is apartnership of Las Positas College and thePleasanton Public Library proudly present.Candy Klaschus, film historian andCoordinator of the Humanities Programat Las Positas College, is the host. Thereis no admission charge. 400 Old BernalAve., Pleasanton. 931-3400. No registrationrequired.Dirt: The Movie, a documentary film incelebration of Earth Day, will be shownon April 21 at the Firehouse Arts Center,4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. Presentedby the Pleasanton Library. Doors open6:15 p.m., film screens at 7 p.m. Minieco-festival on the patio before the movie.Seating is on a first-come, first-servedbasis. The film events are free and opento all. No registration is required. Formore information, call Penny Johnson,931-3405.CHORALThe Morrisson Theatre Chorus, underthe musical direction of Cesar Cancino,will present "Broadway to Hollywood,"a concert of favorite songs from the stageand screen, on April 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. andSunday, April 3, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10to $15 and can be purchased on-line atwww.dmtonline.org or at (510) 881-6777.The theatre is located at 22311 N. ThirdSt. in Hayward.OPERALivermore Valley Opera, April 16, ASaturday morning Firehouse Kids operaexperience for children at the FirehouseArts Center in Pleasanton. LivermoreValley Opera Night Out - a Mini-Operain a Diner, 8 p.m. At the Firehouse, thetroupe takes a short break from fully stagedtraditional operas to create a fun-lovingmusical melodrama, directed by AlexanderKatsman. www.firehousearts.org andan evening performance for all ages. FirehouseArts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave.,Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.orgMet Opera Theater-casts, 10 a.m. simultaneousviewings and 12 encore rebroadcastsof Metropolitan Opera productionsat Dublin's Regal Cinema, 6:30 p.m.Wednesdays - Schedule: April 9, 27:Rossini's "Le Comte Ory;" April 23, May11: Richard Strauss's "Capriccio;" April30, May 18: Verdi's "Il Trovatore;" May14, June 11: Wagner's "Die Walkure."MISCELLANEOUSGeorge Komsky Live in Concert, an ItalianNight in Diablo. Thurs., April 14, 5:30p.m no-host bar and limited live auctionfor $100.00 per person. “An Italian Nightin Diablo” will feature Italian opera ariasby Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini and otherfavorite timeless pieces. The concertproceeds will support Police and Fire:The Fallen Heroes with funds to assistthe families of law enforcement and fireservice personnel who lost their lives inthe line of duty. Held at Diablo CountryClub in the town of Diablo Information isavailable at www.thefallenheroes.org oremail info@thefallenheroes.org Ticketscan be purchased at 925.831.2011Music awards, Livermore-Amador SymphonyAssociation has four awards of$300 each to be given to graduating highschool seniors who have participated inschool and community musical activitiesduring the 9th through 12th grades.Students are eligible if they live or attendschool in Livermore, Pleasanton, Sunol,Dublin, or San Ramon. Informationregarding the awards and an application

Art & EntertainmentTHE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 9form may be found at www.livamsymph.org Applications must be postmarked byApril 11, 2011. Questions may be directedto (925)447-8789.YoungArts, the core program of the NationalFoundation for Advancement inthe Arts (NFAA), the signature nationalprogram that recognizes and supportsAmerica’s most talented young artists inthe visual, literary and performing artsis accepting applications for its nationalprogram starting March 15, 2011. Theapplication will be open online (at www.youngarts.org/apply) until October 14,2011, and early applications will be acceptedthrough June 30. All high schoolseniors or 17-18 year-old high schoolgraduates demonstrating excellence inthe literary, performing and visual arts areeligible. Winners are eligible for financialawards and scholarships through theNFAA Scholarship List Service, once ina lifetime opportunities to participate inworkshops with master artists and performwith their fellow winners and access toa nomination for the title of PresidentialScholar in the Arts, the highest award thatcan be given to any artistically talentedhigh school senior. Eligible studentsshould visit www.youngarts.org to apply.The application will open at 9:00 a.m. onMarch 15, 2011. Registration will closeOctober 14, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. EST. Ifstudents have any questions, they canreach programming staff at 305-377-1140or info@youngarts.org.Sunol Spring Wildflower Festival, Sat.,April 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hikes, crafts,music, slide shows and nature exhibits.Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness.Events Planned DuringSexual Awareness MonthIn recognition of Sexual AssaultAwareness Month, which is observedin April, Tri-Valley Havenis hosting a series of communityevents designed to raise awarenessabout sexual violence in the communityand beyond.The Haven will begin the monthwith its annual V-Day performanceof Eve Ensler’s “The VaginaMonologues.” Performances willbe April 1 and 8 at 8 p.m. andApril 10 at 2 p.m. at the BankheadTheater in Livermore. Directedby Dublin resident Kristi Grand,the Monologues are a celebrationof female sexuality and bring tolight violence perpetrated againstwomen both in the US and aroundthe world. Tickets are available atwww.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 373-6800.On April 5, the Haven willhost “A Day to Get Involved” atLas Positas College in Livermore.According to the Rape and IncestNational Network, one in sixwomen will be sexually abusedduring her lifetime. Social mediasavvy participants are encouragedto participate by taking a pictureof themselves holding a clock andusing the photo as an on-line avataror profile declaring, “It’s time toget involved.”Sexual assault month concludeswith the annual Candlelight Marchin downtown Livermore on April30. This silent walk down FirstStreet brings together all facets ofthe Tri-Valley to signify that thereis unity in efforts to end sexualviolence says Ann King, executivedirector of Tri-Valley Haven. Themarch will begin at 7 p.m. at LizzieFountain, corner of First Street andLivermore Avenue.In addition, the Haven is partneringwith Livermore DowntownInc. to present the second annualWomen Helping Women Month.This event both celebrates thegrowing number of women ownedand women managed businesseslocally, but also recognizes theneed for business owners and communityleaders to come together tosupport the Haven in its missionto end violence against women.Participating merchants and restaurantshave identifying flyersin their establishments, as well asdonation jars for the Haven.For more information about Tri-Valley Haven, visit www.trivalleyhaven.orgor call 449-5842.Dublin to Host 'April Foolery'Workshop at Heritage MuseumDublin will present a workshop entitled Poisson d’Avril / AprilFoolery on April 2.In France, the day known as ‘Poisson d’Avril’ or April Fish is a dayof pranks and fun. The French, not surprisingly, also celebrate the daywith food and their Boulangries and Chocolatiers offer fish shapedpastries and chocolates in honor of the day.On April 2, the Dublin Heritage Museum will explore the French traditionsand April Fools from 2:00-4:00 pm. This will be an afternoon of‘poisson d’Avril art projects’ and fish shaped treats! “Bingo Schmingo”will provide the musical fun. The fee is $5 per participant.The Dublin Heritage Museum is located at 6600 Donlon Way.Festival is free, $5 parking fee. Info 510-544-3249 or www.ebparks.org.Rosalind Creasy, author of "Edible Landscaping,"April 17, 2 p.m. LivermoreLibrary, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Authorsand Arts Series. Creasy’s expertise onedibles and how to incorporate them inbeautifully designed outdoor environmentswas first showcased in the originaledition of Edible Landscaping, hailed bygardeners everywhere as a groundbreakingclassic. Books will be available forsale and signing. No admission charge.373-5505Museum on Main, 2011 Ed Kinney LectureSeries. Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m.,Strike it Rich: The California Gold Rush.Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 RailroadAve., Pleasanton. No reservations arerequired. Tickets are available at the dooron a first come first served basis. TheFirehouse Arts Center is located at 4444Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton. Ticketsare $10 general admission, $5 membersand seniors, $3 students/teachers withID. Information, contact Jennifer Amiel,Director of Education at (925) 462-2766or education@museumonmain.org.David Rakoff, two-time recipient of theLambda Book Award for Humor, DavidRakoff is a regular contributor to PublicRadio International’s This American Lifeand The New York Times Magazine. Hislatest book of sharply-observed essaysis entitled Half Empty. Thurs., April 28,Chris Ayles, a founding memberof Role Players Ensemble Theatre,returns to RPE to direct a hilariousfarce The Foreigner, at The VillageTheatre, Danville, April 15-May7, 2011. Chris, who has acted anddirected for many years in professionaltheatres in both the UK andin the East Bay, appeared in theEnsemble’s premier production- Loveliest Afternoon of the Year,in 1983 in the International VillageCourtyard (now the Town andCountry) in Danville.The Foreigner tells the story ofCharlie Baker. He’s been chainedto his proofreader’s chair forever.He’s boring. Bit of a milquetoast.Poor gent’s pathologically shy. Tofend off conversation at a ruralGeorgia fishing lodge, he pretendshe doesn’t understand English.Best-laid plans farcically go awrywhen “the foreigner” mingles witha devious menagerie of locals.Laugh out loud as comedy entersfront and center in this hilariousromp.Chris said, “There is no betterentertainment than farce donewell. The Foreigner is a classicfarce with all the elements ofpeople caught up in ever increasingabsurdity. Absurdity that startswith a perfectly rational set ofcircumstance.”The Foreigner received twoObie Awards and two Outer CriticsCircle Awards as Best New AmericanPlay and Best Off-Broadwayproduction. Playwright LarryShue’s career was cut short at theage of 39 when he died in a planecrash in Virginia. Commenting onthe effects of his comedies (he alsowrote The Nerd) Shue is quoted assaying, “You have tired, neuroticpeople filing in and you have kidscoming out giggling and flirting.”Appearing in The Foreigner areJerry Motta as Charlie Baker. Jerry,a multiple Shellie award recipientfor Role Players, last appeared forRole Players in Incorruptible andLast of the Red Hot Lovers. SylviaBurboeck, who was criticallyacclaimed for her role as Eleanorin RPE’s, The Lion in Winter willbe Catherine Simms and JaniceFuller Leone, returns to RPE asBetty Meeks, following her roleas Grandma in Lost in Yonkers.The cast also includes Fred Sharkey,(Froggy LeSueur), VincentFaso (David Marshall Lee) KyleGreen (Musser) and Ben Oldham(Simms).The Foreigner completes RPE’s7:30 p.m. Rae Dorough Speakers Series,Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore.www.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 925.373.6800.Artist Flea Market, Sat., April 30, 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. DeLucchi Park, First Street atNeal, Pleasanton. Information, www.pal-art.com.Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, sneakpeek, Sat., April 30, 1 p.m. For ages 5 andolder. Pleasanton Library, 400 Old BernalAve. No registration required. Scenes fromthe upcoming live theatrical productionat the Firehouse Arts Center, and meetthe cast members & professional staff.For more information, call the children'sdesk at 925-931-3400 x8.Role Players Present aComedic Farce, The ForeignerPictured are (clockwise) Janice Fuller Leone, Kyle Green, SylviaBurboeck, Ben Oldham, Fred Sharkey, Vincent Faso with JerryMotta in the middle. Photo - Robert Allen Shattuck.2010-2011 season under the leadershipof new artistic director, EricFraisher Hayes of Danville.Performances are Thursday,Friday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.at The Community Center, 420Front St., Danville.Tickets are $15-$25 at www.villagetheatreshows.com or (925)314 3400For more information call 925820 1278: or mail@danvilletheatre.com

10 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 CommunityDare to be warped?An LVCP film festivalBy Kaity BurnsOn Thursday March 17, LVCP(Livermore Valley Charter Preparatory)hosted its second filmexhibition of the year at the VineTheater in Livermore.Students worked hard at creatingindependent sci-fi films for theshowing. The films were based onnarratives that the students wrote.At the exhibition, those who attendedwitnessed those creativeideas on the big screen. The moviesincluded stories that had to do withother worlds, past loves, zombies,and the effects of drugs.Not only were there moviesthat had actors, but one particulargroup of students including SarahBatchelor, Seth Bowman, ShelbyHoughton, Dulce Garcia, MichaelMyers, Brandon Reuter, and AlexLopez, made a movie that wasmade up of picture after picture.After the showings, people hadmany different things to say aboutthe event. Maria Mancini said thatit was an “exciting and enlightening”experience. Mikaela Wintersaid that it was an “awesome”event.Students loved the opportunityto see their work shown in this way.Many of them including DevinBergough and Shawn Lewis, saidthat their movies turned out a lotbetter than expected.SJSU President's ScholarLivermore resident DavidDosanjh has been selected forinclusion on the San Jose StateUniversity Presidents Scholar list.A total of 8 students were chosenfrom the current attending classat SJSU of approximately 30,000students. Prior to attending SanJose State University, he attendedLivermore High School.David is majoring in health scienceat the College of Applied Sciencesand Arts. He states, "HealthScience has supplied me with thenecessary tools that I will utilizeto make a difference in this world.Receiving the President’s Scholaraward symbolizes the dedication Ihave put forth to my studies. Thisaward is a tremendous honor thatholds immeasurable value."he plans to attend an alliedhealth school that specializes inoncology technology. After a fewyears of experience, he will applyto medical school to pursue a careeras an oncologist.Downtown Livermore Merchants Team Upwith Parents Group to Raise Funds for SchoolsUnder the coordination effortsof Nickie Branco of Outside InEtc. in downtown Livermore, agroup of downtown retailers areteaming up with the Parent ClubInformation Council (PCIC) tohold shopping days on the first andthird Thursday of each month, with10% of proceeds from participatingretailers going to the chosenschool of the day.Ellen Goold of PCIC stated, “Atthe March 15 PCIC meeting, it waspresented that a group of 18 DowntownLivermore merchants hadcome together to assist Livermoreschools with fund-raising. Headingthis effort is Nickie Branco of OutsideIn, etc. Nickie has children atboth Smith and Mendenhall so sheis very familiar with fund-raisingneeds. I am very excited about thisopportunity.”Smith School will be the firston March 31. Participating merchantswill give 10% of sales asa donation to that days designatedschool. Flyers are sent home withstudents for each school on theirchosen date and the shopping datewill be publicized and posted onthe school website.“The Livermore merchants seethe need to get shoppers out of themall and into our downtown stores.Being both a Merchant and a parentin the Livermore school systemand working with other familiestrying to raise funds for the schoolsI thought it was a perfect way tobring the two together.” said organizerNickie Branco.Sheri Swanson, owner of MainStreet Designs agrees, “MainStreet Designs is delighted tobe able to give back to the community,with the new ’Shop foryour School’ fund raiser. Ourlocal schools have always beena personal priority for us, so thiscollective effort to give 10% ofsales twice a month to a school isa great way to give support.”For more information, contactNickie Branco at 925-606-6434Christensen Middle School’s 6th graders on a virtual tour of theEureka redwood forests. Ranger Ferreira had the students createa human chain to display the diameter of a giant redwood.Virtual Tours Teach StudentsChristensen Middle Schoolstudents in Livermore recentlyparticipated in field trips to HearstCastle and the Redwood Forestsof Eureka without ever leavingtheir classrooms. The live virtualtours, a component of CaliforniaState Parks Online Resources forTeachers and Students (PORTS)program, allowed students toengage directly with park rangersthrough video conferencing toursof California State Parks.The sixth grade ancient civilizationssocial science curriculumcame alive for students in Ms.Rhodes and Ms. Peterson’s classesthrough interactions with RangerConstance. She led the classesthrough Hearst Castle pointing outrelevant architecture, and Greekand Roman statues. One studentcommented, “Now I would liketo go to Hearst Castle one day. Ithink it is a wonderful place. It isinteresting that the owner changedthe design four times.”Environmental science studentsin Ms. Brinker’s class explored oneof the most ancient ecosystems onthe planet as they toured the RedwoodForests of Eureka. Studentsinteracted with Ranger Ferreira asthey witnessed and discussed theinterrelationships of living andnon-living resources and gainednew perspective into the past andfuture of our working forests. Thestudents went on to say, “We got totravel to a redwood forest. I neverknew how tall the redwoods were.This was very special becauseit physically showed us the areaand had someone explaining andtalking about everything withoutus making the long drive to thearea.”During both tours, the rangerswere able to talk to the studentsand answer students’ questionsin real time. Student response tothe PORTS program was enthusiastic.

CommunityTHE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 11One hundred and sixty students representing 11 schools competed in the Alameda County HistoryDay competition held March 12 at the Oakland Museum. Julie Snyder, seventh grade honors teacherat Mendenhall Middle School, announced the winners from the school who will move on to the Statecompetition in April. They are Ben Thompson, individual website; Katie Reddick and Heather O’Brien,group website; Nathan Barney, individual documentary; and Roopjote Kaur Atwal, historical paper.For the competition, the exhibits were set up on the patio and in the halls and evaluated by a team ofthree judges, who were teachers, professors or history experts. Debbie Granger, the head of HistoryDay State, made a guest appearance and Avi Black, the Social Studies coordinator for the County,organized the event. Mendenhall Principal Susan Sambuceti congratulated the winners.Granada High’s class of 2006 high school sweethearts MarcMasingale and Katie Phillips will tie the knot at Rios Lovell Wineryin Livermore on their 8 year anniversary, October 29, 2011. Bothgraduated from California State University Sacramento in 2010.Marc, a United States Marine who served on tour of duty in Iraq in2008, is now a Police Officer for the City of Sacramento while Katieworks as a Legislative Assistant to Assemblywoman Diane Harkeyin the State Capitol. Their parents, Livermore locals Scott and NancyPhillips and Jim and Gayle Masingale, could not be more excitedabout their big day.Livermore Author Honored by National Space SocietyNancy Owens Fulda, born andraised in Livermore and currentlyliving overseas, is the recipient ofthe this year’s Jim Baen MemorialAward.Created to honor the renownedscience fiction publisher Jim Baenand to applaud the role that sciencefiction plays in advancingreal science, the award is givenannually for a science fiction storythat demonstrates both exceptionalliterary quality and stringent scientificaccuracy. The award is jointlysponsored by the National SpaceSociety and Baen Books.Fulda’s winning story, “ThatUndiscovered Country,” exploresdevelopments on mankind’s firstpermanent settlement in space. Itwill appear as the leading storyon the Baen Books web site laterthis year. Fulda is also the authorof nearly two dozen other sciencefiction and fantasy stories.Fulda graduated from LivermoreHigh School in 1995. Sheholds a MS in Computer Sciencefrom Brigham Young University.She will be honored alongwith the second and third placewinners at the 2011 InternationalSpace Development Conference inHuntsville, Alabama.

12 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 Community(Organizations wishing to run notices inBulletin Board, send information to PO Box1198, Livermore, CA 94551, in care of BulletinBoard, or send an email to editmail@compuserve.com.Include name of organization,meeting date, time, place and theme or subject.Phone number and contact person should alsobe included. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.)Wine stroll, hosted by the Kiwanis Club ofPleasanton on May 15, starting at 2 p.m. Thestroll stops at six places for snacks and winetasting, ending with a dinner at Vic's All StarKitchen, 201 Main St., Pleasanton. There willbe a silent auction. Tickets are available fromMarsha Becker at 202-6905.Adult Volunteer Case Managers, TheTri-Valley Youth Court (TVYC) needs adultvolunteers to serve as case managers for theyouth participating in the program. TVYC isa nonprofit diversion program working withmiddle and high school youth who have beenarrested for misdemeanor or lesser crimes.Please visit www.communityyouthcourts.com/Community_Youth_Courts/Volunteer_Positions.html or contact Tonya Clenney at337-7175 or tonyaclenney@trivalleyyouthcourt.com.Foothill AABC (Activities & AcademicBooster Club) scholarships: 6 Scholarshipsof $500 each will be awarded in May 2011.Foothill High School seniors who will attendan accredited institution of higher learning inthe fall must submit a completed applicationto Mrs. Bing in the FHS Counseling office byMonday, April 18, 2008. See FHS counseling(Mrs. Bing) for an application or onlineat http://www.foothillfalcons.org (Click onAABC on the left and on AABC page, clickon Scholarship info on the right side).Widowed Men and Women of NorthernCA., general meeting Wed., April 6, 1 p.m.at the Dublin Library. Birthday luncheon inHayward, April 9, 1 p.m., RSVP by April 6 toBert, 510-582-0120. Champagne brunch in SanRamon, April 10, 11:45 a.m., RSVP by April 7to Marsha, 830-8483. Lunch and optional shoppingin Danville, April 13, 11:30 p.m., RSVP byApril 11 to Marsha, 830-8483. Friendly bridgePleasanton, April 16, 1 p.m., RSVP by April12 to Barbara 426-8876. Lunch and optionalmovie in Dublin, April 17, 11:30 a.m. RSVPby April 14 to Marge, 828-5124. Indian cuisineluncheon in San Ramon, April 19, 11:30 a.m.RSVP by April 16 to David, 833-7647. Happyhour in Pleasanton, April 21, 5 p.m., RSVPby April 19 to Kathy after 5 p.m., 398-8005.Lunch in Fremont, April 27, 1 p.m., RSVP byApril 23 to Ginny, 510-656-5625.VFW Post 7265, Livermore, meets 1stand 3rd Mondays at 2000 hours, 522 South LSt., Livermore. All those eligible to join areinvited to attend. Information, contact ViceCommander Virgil Stanger at 455-4039 or goto www.vfwwebcom.org/ca/post7265.Pleasanton VIP Travel, Visit Safari West,Wed., May 25, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $86 members,$87 nonmembers. Price includes one hourguided tour of Safari West, lunch, Marin CheeseFactory, and motorcoach transportation. Signupat travel desk, Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd.,Pleasanton. Information, 931-5370.Disability Action Network (DAN) , meetsThurs., April 14, 2 p.m. at the Livermore CRILoffice, 3311 Pacific Ave., Livermore. DAN isa group of people with all types of disabilitieswho are working together to make changes inthe community in health care, housing, access,attendant programs, transportation and otherissues. For more information, call JessicaLehman, 510-881-5743 x. 5937. All servicesare free of charge. All are welcome to attendthe meeting.Hacienda School, 3800 Stoneridge Dr.,Pleasanton is offering a Spring Break ScienceLearning Adventure camp. Monday throughFriday, April 4-8, 2011. The focus this year isEarth Science, plate tectonics, and earthquakes.The program is for 1st-8th grade students.The hours are from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm withextended care at no charge from 8:00 am – 6pm. The cost is $325 (all inclusive exceptlunch). Call Charlotte at (925) 485-5750 tolearn how to register.Livermore Military Families is a supportgroup for families in Livermore, who have aloved one serving in the Military. It is a safeplace to come and share the joys, tears and fearsthey have with others who understand whatthey are going through. All family membersare welcome to attend meetings. Meetingsare held on the 3rd Thursday of each monthat the Livermore VFW Building, 522 South LStreet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For moreinformation please call Tami Jenkins, 925-784-5014 or email livermoremilitaryfamilies@yahoo.comTri-Valley Democratic Club meets 7 p.m.Mon., April 18 at the IBEW Hall, 6250 VillageParkway, Dublin. Carolina Monroy, CaliforniaTeachers Association Charter School Specialist,will discuss charter schools. Refreshments- Public invited - Discussion & Q&A. Noadmission charge.Kiwanis Club of Pleasanton, meetsFridays at noon at Vic's All Star Kitchen, 201Main St., Pleasanton. This is a Tri-Valley Clubwith members from Dublin and Livermore, aswell as Pleasanton. The motto is "To serve thechildren of the world." All are welcome.San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club invitesnew and long-time residents to its monthlyluncheon on April 21 at Faz Restaurant, 600Hartz Ave., Danville. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Cost is $21. Speaker will be Elena Becker,Executive Director of Tony LaRussa's AnimalRescue Fund. For information or reservationscall Susan, 925-718-5214.Livermore-Amador Symphony Associationhas four awards of $300 each to be givento graduating high school seniors who haveparticipated in school and community musicalactivities during the 9th through 12th grades.Students are eligible if they live or attend schoolin Livermore, Pleasanton, Sunol, Dublin, orSan Ramon. Information www.livamsymph.org. Applications must be postmarked byApril 11, 2011. Questions may be directed to(925)447-8789.Valley Spokesmen Bicycle TouringClub, Sun., April 3, 25/35 miles from Dublinto Sunol, meet 10 a.m. at Dublin High School,Peter Rathmann, 336-0973. Sun., April 3,bicycle swap meet, Dublin High School, 8151Village Parkway, 1 to 4, admission free, Boband Bonnie Powers, 828-5299. Wed., April 6,30 miles, 10 a.m. leave from Shannon Center,Alaine Nadeau, 577-6586. Anyone planning togo on a ride is asked to call the leader for detailson where to meet and what to bring.Pleasantonians 4 Peace, candlelight Vigilin front of the Museum on Main, 603 MainStreet, downtown Pleasanton, Wed., April 13, at7 p.m. Participants will reflect on the human andmonetary costs of the war, honor veterans whohave sacrificed, and visualize ways of movingbeyond this conflict to a more peaceful world.Peaceful War Protest on the fourth Wednesdayof the month, April 27, between 5 - 6 at thecorners of First and Neal Streets. Please joinus if you can. Questions?? Call Cathe Normanat (925) 462-7495; Matt Sullivan at mjs7882@gmail.com; or kdowding@pacbell.net. www.Pleasantonians4Peace.orgOhlone Audubon meets April 5 at 7:30pm at Eden Church, 21455 Birch St., Hayward.Alvaro Jaramillo, author Birds of Chile, willtalk about birds and nature in the southerncone of South America. No admission charge.Refreshments are served. For more informationcall 510-507-3383 or go to web site www.ohloneaudubon.org.Around the World Dinner, Livermore-Pleasanton Emblem Club #413 is having an"Around the World Dinner" to be held onSaturday, April 9, 2011, 6:30 p.m., at theLivermore-Pleasanton Elks Lodge #2117,940 Larkspur Drive, Livermore. The ticketsare $15 and must be purchased prior to theevent. Please call the Elks Lodge, 455-8829,for reservations.19th Annual Livermore Duck Races,Sat., April 30 on the Arroyo Mocho at Livermore'sRobertson Park 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. nearthe Rodeo grounds. Fund-raiser for Livermoreschools and nonprofit groups. Over $5000 incash prizes will be awarded to lucky ducksponsors. Little Duckie Races for kids 12 yearsand younger. The races are presented by theLivermore Lioness Club and the LivermoreY's Men Club. Each duck will have a numberattached and assigned to the number on eachentry form. The winning duck entries eligiblefor cash prizes will be announced at the conclusionof each race. Individuals are not requiredto be present to win. For more information,call 449-1315 or 321-1123. Tickets printed byCamino Press are five dollars per entry. Theyare available from some Livermore schoolPTAs or write to Livermore Duck Races, POBox 48, Livermore, CA 94551.Free Diabetes Class. 7 week series willteach you how to manage your Type 2 diabetesor Pre Diabetes, eat the foods you love, how andwhy to check your blood sugar, medications,exercise and more! New series begins ThursdayApril 14 - May 26, 10 am - 12 pm, in Livermore.Please call the Alameda County Public HealthDiabetes Program at 510-383-5185 for moreinformation and to register.Veterans for Peace have just begun anew East Bay Chapter, #162. All veteransare welcome. Please join us for our monthlymeeting on the second Saturday of each month.Next meeting is on April 9 at 10 AM at 6501Telegraph Avenue, Oakland 94609. Questions?Call Fred at (925) 462-7495Vendors sought, Livermore Lions annualChristmas Boutique will be held on Nov. 5,2011 at the Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8thSt., Livermore. We are looking for qualityhand craft vendors to participate. Items mustbe hand crafted or hand embellished. Tablerentals this year are $55 for single and $80for double. jbeason@comcast.netBeginning German ConversationI–continued 4/4/11 – 5/23/11 (no class 4/18)7 sessions, Mondays 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Learningto communicate in everyday Germansituations, develop your listening, speaking,and reading skills and cultural understandingin an active supportive environment. We willfollow the BBC German Steps series; accessto the Internet is advantageous. Prerequisite:Beginning German Conversation I or consentof the instructor. Las Positas CommunityCollege, 424-1467 information or to register.Online registration www.laspositascollege.edu/communityedNature Programs, Pleasanton CityNaturalist Eric Nicholas will lead some uniqueoutdoor adventures this spring. Please call (925)931-5340 for information or to register for anyof these programs. The following programs arescheduled in the coming months: Free Tours ofAlviso Adobe Community Park (ages 18+):Tours take place on the last Saturday and thesecond Sunday of each month from 2:00 to 3:00p.m. Meet at the Milking Barn. Star Party (allages), Alviso Adobe Community Park, 3465Old Foothill Road, Saturday, April 9, 2011, 8:00to 9:30 p.m. Games and hands-on activities willaid us as we search for the answers. Fee is $12for residents/$15 for non-residents.Ravenswood Victorian Tea, Sun., May1, two seatings 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sweetsand savories, a selection of teas, sparkingwine and sparkling juice will be served. Thisevent is open to adults and children ages 8and older. A special menu is set; special foodrequests cannot be accommodated. Docentswill be dressed in Victorian-era costumes asthey serve the tea. Live background music willbe on hand as well. Ravenswood, 2647 ArroyoRoad, Livermore. Two seating locations areavailable: inside the historic home or outside onthe covered porch. Tickets are $37 per person.All donations benefit the Ravenswood HistoricSite Furnishing Fund, an ongoing project ofthe nonprofit Ravenswood Progress Leaguethat supports restoration and public programsat the site. Reservations are being taken nowuntil the event is full. For more information,call 925-443-0238. Reservations forms areavailable online at www.larpd.dst.ca.us.Robotics 101, Girl Scouts of NorthernCalifornia is hosting three hands-on workshopsthis spring that bring the world of robotics togirls. In this series of introductory workshopsgirls ages 6-14 will build and program LEGOrobots, learn all about robotics tournamentsand even compete in a scrimmage of their own!There are three dates to the series: April 17,and May 22. All workshops will be held at HartMiddle School in Pleasanton. More informationat http://www.girlscoutsnorcal.org/documents/Flyer.pdf.To sign up, contact DonnaAndrowsky at dandrowsky@girlscoutsnorcal.org or call (510) 562-8470 ext. 136.Mad Hatter's Tea Party, hosted by AssistanceLeague of Amador Valley, Sat., May7, Shrine Event Center, 170 Lindbergh Ave.,Livermore, beginning at noon. Tea tablesdecorated by members, food, hat contest, raffleprizes and champagne bar. Alex Alexander,former host of HGTV's Simply Quilts, willtalk about and display her quilts. $50. Fundsgo to support local programs. Information ortickets, call Carmen, 371-4566 or go to www.amadorvalley.assistanceleague.org.From Idea to Entrepreneur, third infree seminar series. April 4, 7 p.m. PleasantonLibrary, 400 Old Bernal Ave., Pleasanton.Topic: "How to Launch and Run a Business."Registration not required, but appreciated.Please call 600-7342 or register at www.meetup.com/entrepreneur or visit www.GotABrightIdea.com.Spring Service of Remembrance, Wed.,April 6, 7 p.m. Hope Hospice Grief SupportCenter, 6377 Clark Ave., Suite 100, Dublin.Includes poetry, music and a ceremony ofremembrance. Each guest/family will receivea complimentary remembrance rose with vase.Additional roses are $5 each. Refreshmentswill be served. Reserve a personalized roseno later than March 31. 829-8770 or www.HopeHospice.com.Scholarship, Chapter FX, of the P.E.O.Sisterhood (a philanthropic and educationalorganization promoting women’s education)announces that applications are available fortheir annual $600 scholarship and the Marcia M.Howie Memorial Scholarship. The awards areopen to any female who is a graduating seniorintending to further her education by attendingan accredited college, business school, cosmetologyor nursing course. Applicants must beresidents of Livermore. When awarding thesescholarships, financial need is considered, aswell as scholastic achievement and extracurricularactivities. Letters of recommendationand official transcripts must be attached to theapplication. Applications may be obtained fromhigh school scholarship advisors or by sendinga stamped, self addressed envelope to: ChapterFX, P.E.O., 1961 Evans Street, Livermore CA,94550. (925) 366 5567. Applications must bepostmarked no later than April 12, 2011.Funds for school, Pet Food Express willbe donating all the proceeds from pet washesduring the month of March to Amador ValleyHigh School Sports & Deca Programs. Washingyour pet has never been easier with their selfservicepet stations. Each station includes raisedtubs, shampoos, air dryers, towels, aprons tokeep you dry and no mess to clean up. The newPet Food Express is located next to Safeway at1737 Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton.Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR), Jose Maria Amador Chapter,Pleasanton, meets first Saturday of the month.Members are descendants of patriots of theAmerican Revolution. Dedicated to preservingAmerican history, promoting patriotism andsecuring America's future through education.Please contact Ann at 510-507-5509 or anarciso@comcast.netfor time and location.Navy, Marine Corp. & Coast Guardveterans, meet with other like minded veteransfor camaraderie and more. There are no lawsto protect benefits, so it is time to get involved.The local branch of the FRA, a veteransservice organization, meets the first Friday ofeach month at 1900 at the Veterans MemorialBuilding, 511 South L Street, Livermore. Formore information, go to www.fra.org or contactRoy Warner, 449-6048.Pacific Locomotive Association, nonprofitgroup operates the Niles Canyon Railroadbetween Fremont Niles District and Sunol.Volunteers are sought for the following glazier,painter, electrician, mechanic or welder torestore historic trains. Other volunteers can bea brakeman or brakewoman, shopkeeper, treetrimmer, docent, caterer or engineer. For moreopportunities, call Rich Alexander at 510-996-8420 or email pla_ncry@ncry.org.Volunteer Drivers Needed, Senior SupportProgram of the Tri-Valley is looking forVolunteer Drivers to transport seniors to theirmedical appointments. The Senior TransportationProgram supplements existing publicand paratransit services by providing ridesvia volunteer drivers. Volunteers must havea valid driver’s license, a registered vehicle,carry automobile liability insurance, and havea clear DMV record. Please contact JenniferCullen for more information at (925) 931-5387or email: ja.cullen@yahoo.com. Funding forthis program is provided by Alameda CountyTransportation Commission (Alameda CTC)and Measure B Funds.Volunteer for 20th annual LivermoreWine Country Festival will be held April30 and May 1, 2011. Volunteers are neededto help make the event a success. Festivalhours are Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The winepouring shifts are Saturday 10:30 a.m. (½hour to set up) to 2:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to5:30 p.m. (1/2 hour to clean up). Sunday 10:30a.m. (½ hour to set up) to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (1/2 hour to clean up). Allvolunteers required to attend the Wine CountryFestival Volunteer Training Meeting which isscheduled for Thursday, April 21 at 6:00 p.m.Download a volunteer agreement form atwww.livermoredowntown.com. Forms mustbe returned no later than Monday, April 18th,2011. For information, call 373-1795.Free income tax help, Livermore, AARPvolunteer preparers. Mondays, Feb. 7-April 18,noon-4 p.m. Robert Livermore CommunityCenter, 4444 East Ave., Livermore, by appointment,373-5760. Thursdays and Fridays,Feb. 3-April 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Civic CenterLibrary, 1188 So, Livermore Avenue, firstcome, first served. Bring W2, all 1099 forms,copy of previous year's tax return, and otherimportant documents.Pleasanton Newcomers Club, open tonew and established residents of the Tri-Valley.Activities include a coffee on the firstWednesday of the month, a luncheon on thesecond Wednesday of the month, bunco, MahJongg, bridge, walking and hiking groups,family activities and monthly adult socials.Information, call 215-8405 or visit www.PleasantonNewcomers.com.RELIGIONBible Study, offered Wednesdays, 7:30to 8:30 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, 6100 Paseo Santa Cruz,Pleasanton. Refreshments served at no cost.925-305-9468.Community Bible Study Class, book ofLuke will be the topic of study in Pleasanton atValley Bible Church. CBS is a non-denominationalBible study ministry open to all women,with a special children's program for ages 0-5years old. The class meets on Thursdays from9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning 9/9/10 and goesuntil 5/12/11. More information about theCBS program and registration available bycontacting Sharon at 925-399-5072, or emailbobsharonmerrill@gmail.com.Granada Baptist Church, 945 ConcannonBoulevard, Livermore. Services: Sundayschool – 9:45 a.m.; worship service – 11 a.m.All are welcome. 1-888-805-7151.Seventh-day Adventist Church, 243Scott Street, Livermore. 925-447-5462, serviceson Saturday: Sabbath school 9:30 a.m.,worship 11 a.m. www.livermoresda.org/ Allare welcome.Stepping Stones on Grief Journey,Grief Ministry Workshop Spring 2011 Series,Catholic Community of Pleasanton. EightThursday evenings, 7:30 p.m., April 7-June 2(omitting April 21) at St. Elizabeth Seton, 4001Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Preregistration isrequired. A one-time $15 donation is requested.Open to all regardless of religious affiliation.Please call Mary Hagerty, 846-5377, for moreinformation.The deaf community is invited to worshipat First Presbyterian Church in Livermore,where ASL translation will be provided everySunday at 10:30 a.m. The church is located onthe corner of 4th and L streets.Trinity Church, 557 Olivina Ave., Livermore.Bible studies for all ages, including 21classes for adults every Sunday morning at9:45. Worship at 8:30 and 11 a.m. as well as6 p.m. There is also a Hot Topics Bible Studyon Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. while children arein Children's choir and youth are in worshipand other activities. 447-1848, www.trinitylivermore.org.St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church,678 Enos Way, Livermore. Inquirers/confirmationclass Sundays through May 22, 9:30 to11:15 a.m. All are welcome. Variety of subjectswill be covered. Call The Rev. Debra Low-Skinner,447-3289. Lenten evening prayer, soupsupper and study offered on Mondays, March14-April 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Study will use "TheLast Week" A Day by Day Account of Jesus'Final Week in Jerusalem;" call The Rev. DebraLow-Skinner, 447-3289. St. Patrick's GreenFund-raiser and Potluck, March 17, starts at5:30 p.m., call Jenny Moy, 447-3289.She is Safe ( formerly Sisters in Service)6th Annual Indian Dinner, evening of specialmusic & fellowship. Saturday, April 16, 20115:30-8 p.m., Special Guest Speaker is MicheleRickett, Founder and CEO, She is Safe. Tickets,adults $15, children 10 and under $5. Freechildcare (ages 5 and under) with reservations- contact maryhootman@comcast.net. Formore information contact Gloria Gregory at(925) 998-3785.A Day of Reflection, with Thomas Merton,Sat., April 9, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. St. ElizabethSeton, Pleasanton. Presented by Sr. Mary Neill,a Dominican Sister. Bring paper, pens, a pillowand bag lunch. Seating is limited. $25 suggesteddonation. Reservations, contact Lisa Fairchildat lisafairchild@sbcglobal.net.