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Vol. 12, No. 10 YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER March 5, 2010

This Week

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Patriotic payback

Heritage beat its arch-nemesis and advanced to round three of the NCS playoffs. Page 1B

Plus: Business ...............................8ACalendar ............................ 23BClassifieds ......................... 14BCop Logs ............................14AFood .................................... 12BHealth & Beauty .............. 10BMilestones ........................ 21BOutdoors .............................6AOpinion ..............................13ASports ................................... 1B

How do you spell CHILD?The Celebrating Heritage Is Living Diversity event will stress the need to move beyond mere tolerance. Page 10A

Pulling out all the stops

A local musician is jumping into the arena with both feet for fulfillment, not fame. Page 3A

Shepherds Gate offers abused women and children asylum and compassion.

Safe sheltergo to multimedia/videosOnline

Now!www.thepress.netYour Hometown Web Site

Sometimes an ordinary repair job can read like a fable from ancient lore.

Flagpole fixgo to news/WebExtras!

Diamond Hills is offering a youth tennis league to non-members at a price to love.

Net gaingo to news/press releases

More students budget idea flunks

Of the budget cuts still on the table to help the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) meet its projected $3.8 million shortfall next year, an idea to allow students from other districts to transfer in has been ruled out.

Where this all started was that back in January we did some brainstorming about different ways to reduce the budget, said LUHSD Superintendent Jerry Glenn. So we were tossing around the idea that we could take more kids and therefore

additional revenue into the district, unless of course they had a bad record or had been expelled.

But there quickly became a public outcry of concern from

parents in the district, and be-cause we are about serving our residents in our community, we took that idea off the table; its no longer a consideration or on the list of proposals.

What is on the list, howev-er, and will be presented at the March 10 regular school board meeting, is the fi rst of three recommended cuts designed to allow for some fi nancial wiggle room should the governors bud-get revision in May be less dev-astating than expected.

What our board decided to do rather than take action now was phase in the cuts, said Glenn. By March we will have

the fi rst reductions of $1.2 mil-lion, and then another chunk by May of up to $2.5 million and well leave the last bit until the governors revise and see where we are.

Included in the fi rst round of cuts, are non-staff reductions such as the elimination of sum-mer school for ninth-graders, the reduction of site allocation fund-ing by 10 percent (discretionary dollars given to campuses each year), and the raising/lowering of classroom and offi ce thermo-stats by 2 degrees for a savings of $25,000. Increasing class sizes

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

see Students page 18A

City to vote on expansion

The Brentwood Kiwanis Club last week awarded certi cates, breakfast and $250 scholarships to the outstanding players in this years Bell Game football tilt between Liberty and Freedom high schools. The club recognized, above from left, Freedoms Jesse Smith, Libertys Garrett Slocum and Antonio Johnson, and Freedoms Michael Ray (who could not attend), who were singled out by coaches and peers as the games de-fensive and offensive standouts. The Bell Game tradition has included the Kiwanis luncheon for both teams se-niors prior to the game, as well as the awards breakfast, for each of the last nine years. Freedom won this years Bell Game, played in November, 35-6.

Bell ringers

Photo by Richard Wisdom

The Brentwood City Coun-cil next Tuesday will consider the potential effects of a proposal to add almost 750 acres of hous-ing, commercial development and parks to its boundaries, and is expected to order it placed on the June 8 ballot.

County election offi cials this week confi rmed that the proposals backers had submit-ted 5,244 valid signatures on pe-titions to put the proposal before voters, better than 1,500 more than were needed. Tom Koch, a spokesperson for the landown-ers, was pleased that the signa-ture gathering went so well. The effort was completed in only 27 days the law allows for 180.

We are encouraged by the enthusiastic response that the people of Brentwood had to our proposal, Koch said.

It was clear from comments made by numerous signers that Brentwoods control of its own future and fi xing Balfour/Amer-ican Avenue are very important. However, the campaign is just beginning and we have a long way to go.

The proposal would allow for about 1,300 homes, tax-gen-erating commercial uses, des-ignated areas for schools and a possible $2.4 million sports complex. It would also widen Balfour Road and allow for a roadway to fi x school-related traffi c problems on American Avenue.

Other incentives extra money for police equipment, a hiring preference to make sure local workers get construction jobs, and cash for a citywide jobs program make the proposal more attractive than Measure

by Rick LemyreStaff Writer

see Vote page 18A

MARCH 5, 2010 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 3A

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Musician chases dream in AtlantaTony Allen spent six hours in Atlanta waiting for a 90-

second audition. Armed with his guitar and a soulful voice, the Brentwood resident traveled more than 2,000 miles for his chance at a big break by trying out for a spot on Americas Got Talent.

But Allen isnt a starry-eyed 20-something who just wants to be on TV. He has been dreaming of a music career all his life, and now at age 45, has decided its time to pursue that dream and make it a reality.

Ive always excelled at music, said Allen, who taught himself how to play guitar, keyboard and saxophone. Its my passion, but I didnt want to put any unneeded stress on my marriage or neglect my family so I could spend hours traveling here and there trying to get my foot in the door. Family comes fi rst, so I put my dreams on hold. But now Im ready and my family is on board, so well see what happens.

Teresa, Allens wife of 23 years, said music has always been a big part of their lives and she and their seven children support his musical ambitions. Were all excited and proud of him. Tony is pretty reserved and kinda shy, so he really stepped out of his box to do this audition. Hes never done anything like this before. So many people try to get into the music busi-ness to be famous, but thats not what its about for us. Music is at Tonys core. Thats just who he is.

Allens father, Bobby Allen, released two hit singles with Dot Records in the late 60s but his career failed to take off after a few poor business decisions. Allen said his father has al-ways regretted being unable to return to the limelight, so Allen hopes to become a success to live out his fathers dream.

If I get called to go to Hollywood (for a second audi-tion), I want my dad with me, Allen said. Hes always urged me to get into the music business. Hes been telling me all my

life that Im supposed to share my music with the world, and now I think its my time. Id like him to be there with me if I make it on the show.

Americas Got Talent is a reality competition that airs each summer on NBC, featuring the artistry of not only sing-ers, but dancers, jugglers, comedians and others. Allen, who works in telecommunications as a computer systems manager, participated last month in the initial screening audition process in which he went before a panel of four judges who recorded his performance and took notes. He wont know until later this month if hell be called to perform for judges Howie Mandel, Sharon Osborn and Piers Morgan in the next round of audi-tions. The top 48 contestants will perform before a live studio audience and eventually that group will be reduced to a cast of 10. America will decide who will take the top prize of $1 mil-lion and a gig headlining a show on the Las Vegas strip.

Allen said he felt good about his audition and is anxiously waiting to hear back from the show.

I was nervous the whole time, but once I got into that room and they called me forward, I went into the zone, Allen said. It was almost an out-of-body experience. I gave it my all, and when I was done, the facilitator said, Wow, that was great. Thank you. But it wasnt the thanks for coming kind of thank-you. It was more of a thank you for sharing this gift with us. Other people who auditioned in my group didnt get that type of response.

Allen performed a rendition of The Eagles classic Des-perado. His father suggested doing an Eagles song, and his vocal coach said Desperado was a good choice, but Allen wasnt sure if it was the right audition piece. He wanted to sing a song about a father and son to illustrate how he was follow-ing his dream and trying to live out his fathers dream as well.

I just couldnt get a feel for the song, Allen said. But I

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Dream page 15A

Brentwood resident Tony Allen auditioned for Americas Got Talent in February. Hell nd out later this month if hes called back for the second round.

Photo courtesy of Tony Allen

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Supervisors give devil mountain its due

County supervisors last week unanimously opposed a request by Oakley resident Arthur Mijares to change the name of Mt. Diablo to Mt. Reagan. Mijares believes that naming the countys most prominent geographic feature after the devil (diablo is Spanish for devil) is offensive to Christians.

The supervisors cited three reasons for opposing the name change: large public support for keeping the name as is, the historical signifi cance of the name and the costs to the numerous schools, businesses, organizations and agencies containing the name Diablo, which might then feel the need to change it.

The supervisors weighed in on the matter at the request of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (USBGN), which Mijares has petitioned to offi cially change the mountains name. Last June USBGN had asked the supervisors for their recommendation on Mijares petition. But the supervisors ignored the request until USBGN sent a follow-up letter in January, saying it would assume the supervisors are neutral on the matter if they dont hear from them by March 31.

The supervisors also opposed Mijares request in 2005 to rename the mountain Mt. Kawakum or Mt. Yahweh. The USBGN also rejected those names as well as calling it Mt. Miwok or Mt. Ohlone. Mijares had also asked at that time for the USBGN to consider renaming it Mt. Reagan, but was told that former President Ronald Reagan, who died June 5, 2004, would have to be dead fi ve years before that name could be considered.

The fi ve years having passed last June, Mijares submitted a new petition to USBGN to change the name to Mt. Reagan. Name change requests can be based on

the historical name being considered offensive. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has requested that Negrohead Mountain (which the USBGN had previously changed from its racially pejorative variation) be renamed to Ballard Mountain (an African-American pioneer who lived on the mountain) because the supervisors believe the name Negrohead Mountain has become derogatory.

Mijares uses similar reasoning to justify his request to remove the devil from the mountains name, which he as a Christian considers derogatory. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, Mijares told the supervisors on Feb. 23. The devil, for whom the mountain is incorrectly named, is the challenger of Jesus and his followers. To me and millions of other followers of the Christian faith the devil is derogatory, pejorative, offensive, obscene, blasphemous and profane.

To support his claim, Mijares cited a report from General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo to the state legislature in 1850 concerning the Constitutional Convention discussion on what to call this county. The name Mt. Diablo County was proposed, Vallejos report states, but both branches of the Legislature, after warm debate on the subject, resolved upon the less-profane (name) of Contra Costa.

Mijares also believes the mountains name is inaccurate because its based on Vallejos story of Spanish soldiers chasing Native Americans who took cover in a thicket near Pacheco and escaped during the night across the Carquinez Strait. The soldiers said the Indians must have had help from the devil and dubbed the thicket Monte del Diablo. American settlers, believing monte referred to the mountain, recorded

by Dave RobertsStaff Writer

see Mountain page 12A

An Oakley man wants to change Mt. Diablos name to Mt. Reagan. County supervisors unanimously voted against the idea last week, but the ultimate decision will be made by a federal agency.

Photo by Ger Erickson

MARCH 5, 2010 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 5A

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Presents

Relay cause for celebration

No matter where or when a Relay For Life event takes place, it always starts the same way. People dressed in purple shirts linked arms wearing big smiles and wave to the crowd of hundreds as they make their way around the track. In addition to the shirts and facial expressions, the walkers share one other thing in common: they are cancer survivors.

The Survivors Lap is one of the most touching moments of the 24-hour event, as it summarizes in one lap what Relay For Life is all about: fi ghting cancer so that more people battling cancer may join the purple-shirt crew

the following year and the year after that until a cure is found.

While cancer is often associated with pain and loss, the Survivors Lap is a moment to celebrate those who have battled the disease and have emerged victorious.

Sue Owens and Donna Coker are co-captains for the Summerset Originals team, which has raised more than $65,000 for the American Cancer Society since Relay For Life came to Brentwood in 2005. Neither has contracted cancer, but both look forward to the Relay celebration each year.

Relay is a celebration of birthdays, Owens explained. Its a celebration for those who still have birthdays and those who wont

see anymore. We celebrate their journey and honor their courage. Relay For Life is about hope, and even though weve lost so many, when you see the survivors kick off the event with the Survivors Lap, you see the smiles of those who are still with us some of them who have been cancer-free for years, and it gives you hope. It reminds you why youre there.

The Relays celebratory theme isnt just about the survivors. Its also about the com-munity coming together for a charitable cause. According to Owens, Relay is like a carnival, featuring great food, activities for the children, booths to shop at and plenty of people to talk

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Cause page 15A

Cancer sur-vivors take

to the track during last

years Relay For Life in

Brentwood.

Press file photo

6A | THEPRESS.NET OUTDOORS MARCH 5, 2010

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I cant say exactly when it began, this passion for walking among the trees, but I can say exactly where: the pine forests of Wisconsin. Im told I was barely able to walk a trail booby-trapped with rocks and tree roots without falling on my face

when my parents dubbed me danger-ous. If they werent alert, Id be gone, wandering off into the forest behind a cabin or campsite, just checking out the scenery. My Uncle Elmer put a more genial spin on it. He dubbed me Captain of the North Woods.

In A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson observed that trees choke off views and leave you muddled and without bearings. They make you feel small and confused and vulnerable, like a small child lost in a crowd of strange legs. I imagine thats true for some. For me, trees dont choke off views they are the view. They exude warmth and protection. I dont grudgingly run their gauntlet in order to get to my destination. They are the destination.

If stratospheric redwoods, svelte aspens and spidery manzanitas are part of the attraction of the trek, a certain subset of them is the greatest attraction

of all dead ones. Thats right: trees keeled over from disease or blasted to shards by lightning are some of my most treasured hiking buddies. Anchored in the landscape like historical markers, Rhino, Croc, Oliphaunt and Limbo Man wait with wry detachment as I trudge up the hillside to pay my respects. I go out of my

way to check on the progress of Dragon, Hog, Taro Dactyl and Cyclops decompo-sition. The twisted intimate I call Knight (as in the chess piece) recently lost his snout to the force of gravity.

Dead trees provide more than habitat for lichens, mosses and lizards; they pro-vide ignition for the engine of imagina-

tion: We dont see things as they are; we see things as we are, wrote Anais Nin. Im not sure I want to know what my metaphors for dead trees betray about my state of mind, but I know this: my gnarly friends mean a lot to me. They provide

TAKE ITOUTSIDE

GERERICKSON

Hiking cohorts wanted dead or alive

see Outside page 7A

Standing sentinel along the Bruce Lee Road trail at Mt. Diablo State Park is the gnarly friend Press columnist Ger Erickson dubbed Rhino.

Photo by Ger Erickson

MARCH 5, 2010 OUTDOORS THEPRESS.NET | 7A

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INSOLVENCY EXCLUSION TO 1099 PROBLEMFirst, let me disclose that I am not a tax

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I was listening to a mortgage radio talk show the other day, and the host was interviewing a tax expert on this topic. The expert went over the insolvency exclusion, and the host just wasnt understanding the point. They kept asking about income, payments, option-ARM payments, modi-fied trial payments, etc. to try to figure out

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a glimmer of companionship amid the solitude of the trail.

Make no mistake: the solitude is good. On the trail I escape the noise of communal life and enter, as Thomas Mann put it, the mental experiences that are at once more intense and less articu-late than those of a gregarious man. Gregariousness can be jarring. Who wants to hear campers and hikers hootin and hollerin by the placid grandeur of Shasta Lake, or on Prospectors Gap overlooking the fog-fl ooded hollows of Morgan Territory in the pale violet of sunrise, or, come to think of it any-where? No, the silence of trees especial-ly dead ones makes for good company.

My fi rst encounter with Dragon on a creepy moonlit night in Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin began in dread and ended in mirth. A 60-foot pin oak toppled parallel to a path snaking through a dark ravine, Dragon has been smithied by years of wind, ice and rot into a giant reptile. At our fi rst meeting, his uncannily sym-metric ears, razor horns and sunken eye sockets stopped me in my tracks. Only after gathering the gumption to tiptoe over and check him out did I breathe a sigh of comic relief.

Taro Dactyl is another matter, and no laughing one. The victim of inept air traffi c control, the pterosaur was evi-dently rerouted from the skies of the late Mesozoic to an emergency-landing site just northeast of present-day Mt. Diablo, reduced to bland airline food for a million

microorganisms.The image of a dead tree touches a

nerve. Its a statue on exhibit, yet unlike the statues fashioned by human hands, it was once alive. Suddenly the trail be-comes a graveyard where the bones of the departed arent buried but put on display.

A dead tree is disturbing in another way: Trees are assumed to represent the gold standard for longevity. From its vista atop the White Mountains of Inyo National Forest, a bristlecone pine named Methuselah has felt the rain lash and the wind scour its branches, has watched impassively as the winter stars inched overhead, for 4,775 years. Some trees will go on living into the next Ice Age, long after the human race has abandoned the planet. Or vice versa.

Yet a tree, like the mammal we imagine it mimics, is decidedly mortal. Its transfi guration might take a century to complete, but the end is the same for all organic creatures. Today we marvel at the fl uky artistry that makes a monster out of dead wood. In a decade the nutrient cycle, aided by weathers dull chisel, will have sculpted the carcass into something else. Pterodactyl becomes nondescript fractal. In a century even the wood will be gone, digested like fl esh into the shrewd economy of Earth.

How readily in this voracious uni-verse does food for thought become food for worms.

To view a complete gallery of Ger Ericksons gnarly friends, visit www.thepress.net/pages/ger.

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Gloria Hartsough knows that true diversity goes beyond the dictionary defi nition emphasizing inclusion. It is also about acknowledging our differences and celebrating them, said Hartsough, a member of the Brentwood Diversity Committee (BDC). Its a fact that if kids start playing with each other and interact-ing at an early age, then they grow up to view things that are different from a natu-ral and positive perspective.

The Brentwood Diversity Commit-tee, along with the City of Brentwood, Brentwood Union School District and Liberty Union High School District, will embrace those differences in April at the Celebrating Heritage Is Living Diversity (C.H.I.L.D.) event at Brentwood Elemen-tary School.

The free public event was made possi-ble through a $5,000 grant from First Five Contra Costa County an organization dedicated to early childhood development and will highlight, herald and honor children of all backgrounds with a day of music, entertainment and food.

Brentwood restaurants including Gra-zie! and Pho Vietnam will offer samples of their cuisine as a way of exposing attend-ees to diverse cultures. Local childcare centers are also participating bringing in arts and crafts and games that emphasize

cultural diversity, and the Brentwood Li-brary is partnering with C.H.I.L.D. coor-dinators to recruit local storytellers from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities.

I think this is just an opportunity for very young children to see how much fun new and different things can be, said Desty Shoemaker, C.H.I.L.D. event coor-dinator and BDC member. Its our ulti-mate goal (at the BDC) to take a proactive approach to diversity, and this is a great example of that.

In preparation for the event, local high school students are researching a va-riety of infl uential Americans such as Ce-sar Chavez and Martin Luther King, Jr., whose stories and accomplishments will be highlighted in a cultural display at the

C.H.I.L.D. event. Ethnic dances, includ-ing a performance by Village Community Resource Centers Ballet Folklorico, will round out the entertainment.

Local dignitaries including Supervi-sor Mary Piepho, Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor and the Brentwood Council have been invited to the event. The city will also present a proclamation to the BDC declaring the day of the C.H.I.L.D. event Brentwood Child Diversity Day.

The C.H.I.L.D. event will be held Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brentwood Elementary School, 200 Griffi th Lane. For additional information including volunteer opportunities, call 925-848-4862.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

10A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MARCH 5, 2010

For the C.H.I.L.D. in everyoneThe Village Community Resource Centers Ballet Folklorico dancers, seen here perform-ing at Garin Elementary School, will perform at the Brentwood Diversity Committees C.H.I.L.D. event on April 10.Press file art

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

The City of Brentwood will hold a Park Ad Hoc Committee meeting to hear from the public about issues related to parks, trails and recreation that should be considered for pos-sible revisions to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan and related documents. The meeting will be held Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 101B Sand Creek Road.

The council has directed the com-mittee to review to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan and related documents and return to the council with recommendations. Since its adop-tion in 2002, the Master Plan has been the main document guiding the devel-opment of the citys parks, trails and recreation. The committee also invites input on facilities and/or improvements that might be a part of a citywide bond to build and maintain new facilities not a part of the present plans.

The committee accepts written comments. Residents desiring to sub-mit ideas for consideration should request a form from the Parks and Recreation Department by calling 925-516-5444.

City seekscomment onparks, trails

MARCH 5, 2010 THEPRESS.NET | 11A

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WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES!

NECK PAIN AND PINCHED NERVES

I woke up yesterday morning with severe neck pain that radi-ates down my right arm to my hand and I can barely move my neck without producing the shooting arm pain. Or, for the last few months, Ive had this nagging pain in my neck and when I look up, my arm goes numb. Or, Every time I bend my head to the left , my left arm goes numb. Ive noticed when I lift weights, I can only curl 15 lbs with my left arm compared to 35 lbs with the right. Th ese are common histories describing a classic pinched nerve in the neck. So, what is a pinched nerve? To answer this, lets fi rst look at what a nerve is.

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Th ere are two types of conditions that commonly pinch nerves, which generally occur at diff erent times of life those with a herni-ated disk (younger > older patients) and those with arthritis (older > younger patients). A combination of the two conditions producing the pinching eff ect on the nerve can also occur making the diagnosis process a little trickier. Th e following diagram helps explain these conditions:

In the diagram to the left, the nerves come off the spinal cord. Those in the neck region go down the arm and those in the low back go down the legs. The spinal cord is the highway that brings information from the nerves in the arms, legs, trunk, etc., to the brain where information is processed. The bony spine houses and protects the spinal cord and skull protects the brain but there is no bony protection for the nerves. Nerves bring information to the brain allowing us to feel, taste, smell, see, and move our legs and arms to perform complex movements like dancing, running, gymnastics, and so on. Information is constantly going to and from the brain to allow us to function normally. The nerve can get pinched anywhere along its course, including the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome), shoulder (thoracic outlet syndrome), and/or neck (herniated disk and/or arthritis). This results in a slowing down of information transmission to/from the brain and numbness, pain, throbbing, as well as weakness in strength can occur.

The nerves exit the spine through holes that can be narrowed if the jelly central part of the disk herniates outward and into the nerve pushing it against the bone that makes up the hole through which it exits the spine. A bone spur (as shown in the diagram to the left, coming off the left facet joint) pushing into the nerve or the thickening of the ligaments that run inside the spinal canal (eg., ligamentum fl avum) can also crowd these sensitive nerve structures and cause similar symptoms.

its name as Mount Diablo on land maps.Two other speakers supported

changing the mountains name, but not to Mt. Reagan.

Benjamin Medel, a Miwok descendant, said that the derogatory, profane name of the devil is in a sense appropriate because it refl ects the derogatory, profane treatment by white settlers and the state and federal government of Native Americans. Early citizens would bring the heads of our people to Californias government and be paid for it, he said. The devil is characteristic of a murderer and liar come to kill and destroy. The name should be changed to a Native American word that means purpose blessing, he said. It sounds something like chubweyah.

Robert Ericson asked the supervisors to change the name to Mt. John Muir to honor the environmentalist who championed Yosemite and lived in Martinez. Ericson criticized the genocidal root of the Mt. Diablo name. It was a rallying cry (against native Americans) to go get those devils. This is so similar to the genocide of the Jews. Similar techniques were done. He said that the mountain was sacred to the Miwoks, and putting the devils name on it is akin to spray-painting Satans worshiping place on a church or synagogue. He suggested placing the issue on the ballot with several name choices for voters.

Two people spoke in favor of keeping the name as it is. Joann Hull of Concord said the name refl ects the history of the area, noted that many streets, hospitals and schools are named after it and that a

large majority of county residents is against changing the name. Roland Gaebert, a state park superintendent, cited similar reasons for keeping the name.

The supervisors agreed with the last two speakers, but several thanked Medel for the history lesson, as unpleasant as it might be. Supervisor Mary Piepho was peeved, however, that the board and county staff have spent time considering the matter when the county is facing an ongoing budget crisis.

Unfortunately, we are having really diffi cult times in local government, she said. And, frankly, enough is enough. We are going to hear shortly about deep, critical budget cuts and the lack of services that we are going to be able to provide to our community members. So, for all due respect to your passion and emotion, we have our hands full already. Our county staff has spent hours and hours and hours on this (name change) issue.

It is very important in the big picture. But when you are talking of losing local services from police to fi re to district attorney coverage, it is minimal. We cant afford it. We have better things to do with our limited time and ability and resources. The cost of these actions to local government is signifi cant. Im hopeful that we can put an end to the discussion and get moving on more critical issues before this board.

Supervisor John Gioia pointed out that the supervisors vote to retain the name is only a recommendation and the USBGN will make the ultimate decision.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Mountain from page 4A

MARCH 5, 2010 THEPRESS.NET | 13A

OPINIONEDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY National

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

District should cut wages across the board

Recently the administrative staff of the Liberty Union High School District held a meeting at Freedom High School to discuss

trimming $3.8 million from the schools operat-ing budget for the 2010-11 school

year. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public of proposed items that could be cut, take comments pertaining to those cuts and suggestions for other possible actions. To date nothing has been decided.

One proposal is to move the areas serviced by school buses farther away from the schools, forcing more students to have to walk to school. Not a bad idea consider-ing Americas fi ght with childhood obesity; however, what message is being sent when another proposal is to sell naming rights of school buildings? Walk to school, take your health and nutrition class in the McFast Food Building.

Another proposal is a 20-percent bus fare increase. Children who qualify for free busing will not be impacted; however, consider the impact on the paying ridership. With car pools and teenage drivers, those left to take the bus are likely from families on the brink of poverty; one-car families. A 20-percent hike may force those families

over the brink.Yet another proposal is to recover lost

revenue by imposing a parcel tax. Appar-ently the district has not noticed soaring unemployment, numerous foreclosed and pending foreclosure homes. The district is not alone in facing fi nancial hard times. A voter approval of a parcel tax in such press-ing hard times? Get real!

Perhaps these and many of the other ludicrous proposals are merely a smoke screen to make us believe that all other options were considered, when the actual goal is to trim $3.8 million from the budget through layoffs.

The administration continuously stated these cuts are needed because the state is not sending enough money. There is no magic money tree in Sacramento. State money is our money, collected from state levied taxes and fees. The district spends our money to educate our children in a safe healthy environment. When cuts are needed, utmost care should be taken to protect that mis-sion. Each layoff, from classroom teacher to maintenance, administrator to secretary, weakens the districts ability to provide a safe, healthy learning environment.

It is apparent that the district is more concerned with spending our money on themselves rather than on our children. To be fair, the proposed layoffs seem to be evenly spread out among administrative, classifi ed and non-classifi ed staff; however,

there still seems to be no regard for the impact these layoffs will have on the commu-nity that provides tax dollars to the district.

Layoffs mean increased class size, canceled programs, reduced availability of after-school activities, dirty campuses and neglected repairs leading to unsafe condi-tions. The district is one of the regions larg-est employers; many of the employees live within the district. The trickle-down effect is predictable. How many more foreclosures can we absorb; can local businesses already struggling with a poor economy afford to lose more customers; and will crime increase as poverty impacts more families and the children of these families lose access to after school programs?

Layoffs are inevitable; however, the district is not going far enough to preserve jobs. These are extraordinary times but it is not too much to demand extraordinary measures be taken to preserve as much of our stellar school system as possible. Now is the time for our elected school board mem-bers to stand up and take a leadership role in protecting the high standards of education we expect.

In the 2008-09 school year the district spent $42,093,827 in salaries and benefi ts, not including the salaries and benefi ts of administration. Adding in the administrative salaries and benefi ts, an across-the-board pay cut of just over 7 percent would cover the entire $3.8 million, no jobs lost and no pro-

grams cut. District employees would have to tighten their belts, but who in our community has been exempt from belt tightening?

It is not realistic to suggest a 7 percent pay cut, but is 3 or 3 percent unreason-able? This is our money being spent. Every job saved means a better education for our children and goes a long way to prevent the trickle-down effects a layoff can have on our community. Yes, the district has contracts with its unions, but if all parties agree to a pay cut, what would stand in the way of implementing a paycut?

In these hard times, workers in private industry across America have agreed to pay cuts to save their jobs and the compa-nies they work for. Until across-the-board pay cuts are on the table, our communities should not feel as if the school district and our elected representatives are doing every-thing they can to provide our children with an education in a safe, healthy environment.

School districts get their funding based on daily attendance. Our district needs to be reminded that bargaining units are not the only ones who can strike. Parents can strike by keeping their children home until the district does everything possible to spend our tax dollars on our children, and that includes putting across-the-board pay cuts on the table.

Mark Schwartz is a former Liberty Union High School District trustee.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

GUEST COMMMENT

Grateful to stay in cyber-touchEditor:

Our family has been out of Brent-wood for about 4 years now. Unfortu-nately, due to Premier Soccer schedules and my husbands travel schedule, we dont make it back to our old stomping ground as much as we would like. There are things that we wish we could have brought up to Washington with us like

Willys Bagels (we are really lacking on bagels up here!).

The one Brentwood constant that I can rely on weekly is thepress.net. I love catching up on what is going on in our old town. With all the bad news and evilness that families are having to put up with, I am glad when Vicki McKennas column comes out. Her columns are real-istic and relatable. It is nice to step away from the craziness that goes on and read her column. I just want to thank you for having her as a columnist for the Press. Keep up the great job!

Joanne FlynnBuckley, Wash.

Teachers deserve betterEditor:

I was one of the couple hundred people who attended the recent Brent-wood school board meeting. I could see a lot of angry and defeated faces in the crowd. As a parent, I cant do much for the staff of the Brentwood district other than tell you all that you are appreciated.

My two children attend Brentwood Elementary and I have only praise for the teachers my children have encoun-tered. Teresa Rodriguez is a fi rst-grade teacher and she is fantastic. She not only

dedicates herself in her classroom, but she is a regular fi xture at off-site and after-hours functions. She is always one of the fi rst to volunteer to help out the Parents Club.

She also takes on extra duties, like keeping groups of kids after school, on her own time, to help with reading. She doesnt do this for extra pay but because the kids need the help. She is wonderful and I feel so lucky that both of my kids have journeyed through fi rst grade with her.

Kate Ghilarducci is a tremendous fourth-grade teacher. She has created a safe and structured environment that allows her students to shine while keep-ing parents in the loop. She has been able to challenge students while allowing them to have fun through learning. My daughter has fl ourished academically in her class and loves to go to school. I pray that she will be around to handle my younger daughter as she reaches the fourth grade.

My kids have had other excellent teachers in the past as well. Mrs. Boden is hands-down the best kindergarten teacher on earth. Mrs. Macedo, Mrs. Peltz and Mrs. Redman have also poured their time, energy and knowledge into my

kids. I cant fi nd the words to express my gratitude for their hard work. But I will try. I just hope the Brentwood district administration will try a little harder to do the same.

Heather PartidaBrentwood

Marvelous MaioccoEditor:

On behalf of John Muir Health, I would like to congratulate Dr. Hugh Maiocco on his retirement and more than 50 years of service to the com-munity. We will certainly miss him, as I know his patients will as well. He is a tremendous physician, but an even better person.

We also owe him a debt of grati-tude for helping to establish John Muir Medical Group in Brentwood. We are about to celebrate our 10th anniversary in Brentwood and our 5th year in the John Muir Health Outpatient Center. Dr. Maiocco helped us start with just a few physicians and now we offer the community nearly a dozen physicians, who practice family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

see Letters page 17A

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A sampling of recent law enforcement activity reported by East County police de-partments.

BRENTWOODFeb. 19, 9:09 a.m. An unidentifi ed per-son forced entry into a vehicle parked on Country Glen Lane, but nothing was stolen from the vehicle.Feb. 19, 9:39 a.m. An unidentifi ed per-son slashed the tires of vehicle parked on Dover Court.Feb. 19, 9:58 a.m. An unidentifi ed per-son cut three holes in the outdoor din-ing area awning of a business on First Street.Feb. 19, 10:43 a.m. On Brentwood Bou-levard at Maple Street, a subject contact-ed during a vehicle stop was found to be in possession of less than one ounce of suspected marijuana.Feb. 19, 11:30 a.m. A subject ran away from school and is believed to be in Richmond.Feb. 19, 11:45 a.m. A subject found cash lying in a parking lot on Second Street.Feb. 19, 12:06 p.m. On Lone Tree Way, a subject was found in possession of mari-juana on school grounds. He was arrest-ed and released on a Juvenile Affi davit.Feb. 19, 8:35 p.m. An unidentifi ed per-son gave an employee of a gas station on Brentwood Boulevard an invalid credit card and left before paying for the gaso-line he had pumped.Feb. 19, 9:31 p.m. On Lone Tree Way at Fairview Avenue, a subject stopped for a vehicle code violation was found to be driving without a license.Feb. 19, 10:22 p.m. An unidentifi ed driv-er struck a vehicle in a parking lot on Balfour Road and fl ed the scene without leaving contact information.Feb. 19, 10:25 p.m. On Village Drive, a subject involved in a domestic dis-pute tore the other subjects shirt as she shoved him away. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facil-ity.Feb. 20, 12:30 a.m. A subject found fi ghting in front of a business on First and Oak streets pushed an offi cer. The other subject was unable to care for him-

self due to his level of intoxication. Both were arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 20, 1:53 a.m. On Brushwood Place, the driver of a vehicle stopped by a neighbor was found to be DUI. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez De-tention Facility.Feb. 20, 7:38 a.m. A resident of Presidio Drive was contacted and was found to be on probation. A search of his person revealed burglary tools. He also admit-ted to trespassing on a nearby private RV trailer storage yard. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 20, 7:47 a.m. An unidentifi ed per-son broke the window of a business on Brentwood Boulevard.Feb. 20, 9:23 a.m. An unidentifi ed per-son stole several hundred feet of copper wire from underground electrical boxes on Sand Creek Road at Garin Parkway.Feb. 20, 7:32 p.m. On Brentwood Boule-vard at Sunrise Drive, a subject stopped for a vehicle code violation was found to be DUI and driving on a license sus-pended for DUI. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facil-ity.Feb. 20, 9:09 p.m. An unidentifi ed per-son vandalized a vehicle parked on Lone Tree Way.Feb. 20, 9:59 p.m. Two subjects who robbed a victim at gunpoint on Diablo Way at Chestnut Street were arrested and taken to Juvenile Hall.Feb. 20, 11:38 p.m. On Redhaven Street at Sellers Avenue, two subjects contacted during a verbal dispute were found to be too intoxicated to care for themselves. One of the subjects refused to comply with offi cers orders. The other refused to provide her name after arrest, and as-saulted an offi cer during booking. Both were taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 21, 2 a.m. Four subjects were dis-covered after curfew in a park on Ros-sano Street. Two of the subjects were found to have outstanding warrants for their arrest. A third was found in pos-session of shaved keys. A fourth was

found in possession of hashish oil. The fi rst subject was arrested and taken to Juvenile Hall. The other three were ar-rested and taken to the Martinez Deten-tion Facility. The fi rst and third subjects were also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.Feb. 21, 2:24 a.m. Offi cers responded to the complaint of a persistent alarm sounding in a vehicle parked on Shady Willow Lane. Offi cers were unable to lo-cate the vehicles owner.Feb. 21, 11:06 a.m. A driver rear-ended another driver on the Highway 4 Bypass at Balfour Road.Feb. 21, 12:34 p.m. A driver who struck a light pole on OHara Avenue at Second Street was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital.Feb. 21, 3:39 p.m. On Caddie Lane at Putter Drive, several subjects were found smoking marijuana in a vehicle. All were cited and released on a Notice To Ap-pear.Feb. 21, 7:24 p.m. On Sand Creek Road at OHara Avenue, a subject claimed he was kidnapped and taken to an un-known location in the vicinity of Bixler Road.Feb. 21, 8:18 p.m. On Sand Creek Road at OHara Avenue, a subject involved in a traffi c collision was found to be driv-ing under the infl uence of alcohol. He was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.

To view the Brentwood Police Depart-ments public logs on the citys Web site, visit www.ci.brentwood.ca.us/department/pd/reports/index.cfm.

ANTIOCHFeb. 6 Offi cers of the Antioch Police Department were called to the Stone Inn on Auto Center Drive on the re-port of a woman who had been beaten. Upon arrival, offi cers found a 28-year-old female Pittsburg resident covered in blood and suffering from facial lac-erations and a broken nose. She stated that 31-year-old Sacramento resident Raymond Brau had beaten her because he was upset over some of her MySpace postings. The victim and Brau had met

two months earlier through MySpace and had met in person only twice. On Feb. 6, Brau met the victim at Stone Inn and became enraged during an argu-ment, punching her several times and refusing to let her leave the hotel room. A guest in the adjacent room called the police. Brau then fl ed the scene. The hotel staff charged Braus credit card for the damage done to the room. Brau called the hotel clerk on Feb. 9 and threatened to slit the clerks throat if she did not remove the charge. The Contra Costa County District Attorneys Of-fi ce issued a warrant for Braus arrest, a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was sent to Sacramento area police, and Brau was arrested by the California Highway Patrol over the weekend. Antioch police detectives took custody of Brau on Feb. 22 and transported him to the Martinez Detention Facility.Feb. 23, 9:30 p.m. Antioch police offi -cers were dispatched to a residence on Niccolite Court, where a homeowner re-ported that a tenant was growing strange plants inside her house. Upon arrival, offi cers were directed to a marijuana grow of approximately 200 plants in the master bedroom The suspect, 46-year-old Chao Kuang, was arrested for the cultivation but denied involvement in the operation. Kuang was booked fi rst at the Antioch Police Department and then at the Martinez Detention Facility on drug-related charges. Kuang claims to be a resident of San Francisco, but it appeared he might also reside at the location in Antioch. His prior criminal history is unknown at this time.Feb. 24 The Antioch Police Depart-ment, REACH Project, Inc., Antioch Unifi ed School District and the Contra Costa County Probation Department collaborated in a truancy sweep in the city of Antioch. Police offi cers, paired up with probation offi cers, detained, cited and returned to class a total of 28 truant students. Student Support Ser-vices from the Antioch Unifi ed School District as well as personnel from the REACH Project processed and coun-seled the truants.

COP LOGSFROM EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCH LOGS A subject claimed he was kidnapped and taken to an unknown location in the vicinity of Bixler Road.Feb. 21, 7:24 p.m., Brentwood

22 888882008

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D MEDALAWARD

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D MEDALAWARD

16A | THEPRESS.NET MARCH 5, 2010

Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

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Growing up as kid I remember biking from friends house to friends house, neighborhood to neighborhood, following the aft ernoon game of pickup baseball wherever it might lead. Please, Mom, can I stay out until dark? was the going theme throughout the summer months. Times have changed and although Im sure the questions have been modernized, please, Mom, can I have a cell phone? Im also sure the answer, as well as the lesson, remains the same. You see, my Mom always let me stay out until darkuntil I showed up late, and Im sure you as a parent in 2010 bought your kid that cell phoneuntil the fi rst texting bill came in. Bottom line, were always given the opportunity to be responsible right up until were not.

In the banking world this is no diff erent, and thanks to a 17.6% default rate for all interest only loans held in Freddie Macs portfolio, Freddie Mac will no longer off er interest only loans aft er September 2010. According to a Freddie Mac representative the decision is one based on cause and eff ect; continuing poor performance of these productsTh ese types of loans have experienced higher delinquency rates than other mortgage products. For these reasons Freddie Mac hopes to once again be the front runner for change in an eff ort to promote responsible

lending and sustainable homeownership. Historically where Freddie goes Fannie follows so dont be surprised if interest only loans become a thing of the past across the board for quite some time.

Th is is sad because when used by responsible individual(s) investors looking to fl ip a property or a homeowner who plans on, and has the means to, pay off their home in a lump sum in the future an interest only loan can be a great tool. It allows them to increase their immediate cash fl ow as principal is not included in the payment for a set period of time, be it thirty-six, sixty, or one hundred and twenty months. Although Freddie Mac has set a September 2010 drop dead date there is no doubt in my mind that lending institutions will begin implementing the change way before that time.

So, as I refl ect on a fi nal baseball based childhood memory, I fi nd myself with a closing piece of advice: I suggest anyone interested in acquiring an interest only mortgage act now. Either that, or as eloquently put by Michael Squints, be banned to the junk yard for-ever, for-ever like the beast in the timeless movie Th e Sandlot.

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MARCH 5, 2010 THEPRESS.NET | 17A

Its a Matter of LawBy Amy Alvis & Barbara A. Frantz

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY FACEBOOK, EMAIL, WEBSITE WHEN I DIE?When we think about estate planning,

we immediately think about how our wills and trusts will protect our physical pos-sessions. But what about your email, blog, Facebook, online dating membership, or even your business web site? All of these accounts have user i.d.s and passwords or digital property and identity. Does anyone else know this information or at least where you store it the event of your incapacity or death?

It is not always easy for someone to just call up Google and ask them to close out an email account. Many internet providers consider this information to be private and will not just send you the pass-words without legal authority. Websites are another issue you may have to consider. If your website is revenue generating, you would certainly want to be sure this valu-able asset is properly left to your survivors.

So whats the solution? First: Keep a file of all your log-in

information on a flash drive or stored on your computer somewhere but name the file something unique... not passwords. Give a copy of this to a trusted individual. Be sure to provide updated information to this person about every six months. If you prefer not to give this file to anyone else, keep it in a safe or safe deposit box, but ONLY if you let someone else know it exists, where to find it, and how to gain

access to it.Second: Obtain the proper estate plan-

ning documents and be sure they are spe-cifically drafted to provide for the power to both access your digital property and identity in the event of your incapacity, but also to pass it on to your survivors after you die.

There are web based companies out there which act like a safe deposit box for your digital property and identity as well as companies that provide virtual lega-cies leaving your digital property to a named beneficiary along with personalized instructions to them as to how you want your online identity and property handled.

So as you can see, estate planning has a variety of new issues to consider when planning, so meeting with a trust and estate attorney who is current on the latest web based media will put your estate plan one step ahead of the rest. If your current plan does not offer this protection for you or for more information call Amy Alvis, Esq. at Alvis Frantz and Associates PLC (925) 516-1617, www.AlvisFrantzLaw.com or email: info@alvisfrantzlaw.com

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Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be legal advice and is for general informa-tion only. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

We know we will continue to see Dr. Maiocco and his wife, Carol, being very active in the community. We look forward to caring for his patients and continuing to help meet the health care needs of this community. While we cer-tainly cant replace Dr. Maiocco, we can carry on his legacy of caring for not only the physical ailments of his patients, but caring about them as people and fellow members of the community he loves.

Dr. John ZuorskiPresident, John Muir Medical

Group

Illuminating the fight against cancer

Editor:For many people who attend Relay

For Life, one of the most moving parts of the event is the Ceremony of Hope. As the light dims over campsites and team members complete laps, the night is brightened by the glow of lighted bags called luminaria, each of which has a special meaning.

Some luminaria celebrate the survivorship of people who have battled cancer and lived to tell the tale. Many commemorate the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. All repre-sent a person who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to be touched by that experience.

You too can help spread the light of hope and honor or remember those in

your life who have been touched by this disease. Please light a candle in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one who has had cancer. You can honor a cancer survivor by placing their name under In Honor of or you can remem-ber someone who was lost to cancer by placing the name under In Memory of.

Each individuals name will appear on a luminaria and each will be lit at the ceremony to shine as a beacon of hope for others. You also have the option to send an e-card to inform family members and friends of your special gift. Your contribution will help save lives, give hope and empower people through the American Cancer Society and its lifesav-ing mission.

This year we will be listing all of the names of the honorees on a memorial scroll during the luminaria ceremony. We will also be giving you the opportunity to add a picture to the honor scroll. There are two ways to purchase the luminaria for the Oakley Relay for Life. Come to one of our decorating nights to purchase and decorate your luminaria bag. We will be offering these nights every month through April at 7:15 at Gehringer El-ementary School: March 8, April 12 and April 26.

You will also be able to purchase and decorate your luminaria at the Relay event on May 1 at Freedom High School. Thank you for participating in the Oak-ley Relay for Life and for your support.

Jody HansenOakley

Letters from page 13A

18A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MARCH 5, 2010

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETrustee Sale No. 74-35634-3 Title Order No.090706867 APN 068-332-017 The mortgage loan servicer has obtained a nal order of exemption pursuant to CA CIV. CODE 2923.53 that is current and valid as of the date that the Notice of Trustees Sale was led or given. YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 11/29/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROP-ERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 03/25/2010 at 10:00AM, HOUSEKEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION as the duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 12/08/2005, as Instrument 2005-0472432-00 of of cial records in the Of ce of the Recorder of CONTRA COSTA County, California, executed by: RODNEY D. LONG, A MARRIED MAN, as Trustor, MERS as Bene ciary and MILA, INC., DBA MORTGAGE INVESTMENT LEND-ING ASSOCIATES, INC. as Lender (Origi-nal Lender) and HSBC MORTGAGE SER-VICES INC., as current Servicer/Lender, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash, a cashiers check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union,

or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank speci ed in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). At: THE COURT STREET ENTRANCE TO THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 725 COURT STREET (CORNER OF MAIN AND COURT STREET), MARTINEZ, CA, all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County, California describing the land therein: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold as is. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 103 BROOKSIDE DRIVE, ANTIOCH, CA 94509. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but with-out covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to-wit: $509,504.43

(Estimated). Accrued interest and ad-ditional advances, if any, will increase this gure prior to sale. CONDITION OF SALE: The successful bidder will be required to pay county documentary transfer tax, any city tax, and any other applicable taxes or fees (including, but not limited to, the fee for recording Pre-liminary Change of Ownership report) to the auctioneer at the time of sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidders sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The bene ciary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. DATE: 02/24/2010 HOUSEKEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION P.O. BOX 60145 CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91716 For Sale Information: (714)730-2727, www. delityasap.com or www.priorityposting.com TO NOTIFY TRUSTEE OF BANKRUPTCY FILINGS, PLEASE FAX FACE PAGE OF BANKRUPTCY PETITION TO (909) 397-3914 Betty Schwab , Trust-ee Sales Of cer HOUSEKEY FINANCIAL

CORPORATION MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ASAP# 3464252 03/05/2010, 03/12/2010, 03/19/2010 Antioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: March 5, 12, 19, 2010

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETS No. 09-0120444 Title Order No. 09-8-354595 Investor/Insurer No. 1698232570 APN No. 076-091-009-1 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 02/22/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROP-ERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. Notice is hereby given that RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A., as duly appointed trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by SAMSON VIRA-MONTES AND JANICE L VIRAMONTES, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TEN-ANTS, dated 02/22/2005 and recorded 03/03/05, as Instrument No. 2005-0072465-00, in Book -, Page -), of Of -cial Records in the of ce of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, State of California, will sell on 04/05/2010 at 10:00AM, At the Court Street entrance to the County Courthouse (corner of Main and Court Street), 725 Court Street

Martinez, CA 94553 at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash or check as described below, payable in full at time of sale, all right, title, and interest con-veyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust, in the property situated in said County and State and as more fully described in the above referenced Deed of Trust. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1300 PUTNAM STREET, ANTIOCH, CA, 94509. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with interest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the No-tice of Sale is $313,253.89. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebtedness due. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept cashiers checks drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank speci ed in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. Said sale will be made, in an AS

IS condition, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regard-ing title, possession or encumbrances, to satisfy the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, advances thereun-der, with interest as provided, and the unpaid principal of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust with interest thereon as provided in said Note, plus fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. DATED: 11/20/2009 RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A. 1800 Tapo Canyon Rd., CA6-914-01-94 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone: (800) 281 8219, Sale Information (626) 927-4399 By: - Trustees Sale Of- cer RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A. is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. ASAP# 3469128 03/05/2010, 03/12/2010, 03/19/2010 An-tioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: March 5, 12, 19, 2010

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNotice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Brentwood will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business permits on March 16, 2010, hold a public hearing to consider the following:An amendment to Rezone 06-17 (RZ 06-17-A1) to add language to the Planned Development regulations exempting the project from the requirements of

the Residential Growth Management Program (RGMP) and amendments to Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map 9155 (TSM 9155-A1) and Design Review 06-28 (DR 06-28-A1) to remove project-speci c conditions of approval related to the Residential Growth Management Program for a 33-unit project known as Magnolia located west of Brentwood Boulevard and south of Marsh Creek (APNs 016-110-029 and 016-110-030).Applicant: Discovery BuildersSaid hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 101B Sand Creek Road, Brentwood, California.Further information may be ob-tained from Assistant Planner Tim Nielsen [(925) 516-5151 or tnielsen@ci.brentwood.ca.us] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 118 Oak Street, Brentwood, California 94513.Before any court challenge of Planning Commission decisions, you are required to appeal the decision to the City Coun-cil no later than the time period provided under the Citys Municipal Code. In ad-dition you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brentwood Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Date: March 5, 2010

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES

for alternative education teachers is also on the list.

But the biggest potential savings $900,000 will come from the imple-mentation of fi ve work furlough days for all LUHSD employees. Because these cutbacks rely on the agreement of the teachers union, however, its support or opposition has the potential to affect all areas of the budget.

As for payroll reducing cuts, Glenn said the painful truth is that the district

will most likely need to reduce its three librarians down to one, who will operate with library clerks at each campus. The reduction of school counselors from four to three at each comprehensive site is also probable, as is an increase in class sizes.

In our proposal, the one that hurts the most is cutting the counselors and li-brarians, said Glenn. Those are the kind of personnel that a well-funded school should have in place. But by doing this we are able to save classroom teachers. Were trying to preserve what we can by taking

cuts away from the classroom.Dozens of pink slips will be distrib-

uted to teachers throughout the district, but how many will be rehired again in the fall has yet to be determined.

Understanding the immense concern on the part of staff and parents over the states budget woes, Glenn recently host-ed a series of informational presentations at each of the districts comprehensive school campuses.

The response he said, was hearten-ing: The fi rst step was to let the staff

know what was going on, and then we went out into the community. By and large, I was very pleased by the commu-nitys response. I think the public under-stands that its not just happening here; its happening throughout the state.

I was very impressed with the in-telligent and thoughtful questions they asked, and we took that information back with us. I think people were hearing that we were open to listening and appreciated their opinions.

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Students from page 1A

Oakley YMCA set to close this monthThe Delta Family YMCA in Oak-

ley will be closing its doors at the end of month, but plans for a Special Kids all-abilities playground at the OHara Avenue site remain intact.

Were sorry to see this happening to the YMCA, but Special Kids is not going anywhere, said Lisa McBride, founder of the Special Kids Foundation. We were partnered on that piece of land with the YMCA to build the playground and Im very confi dent that the City of Oakley will stand with us. The need is great and we will get it built.

YMCA offi cials announced last week that a continued downturn in the economy and a drying up of donations has caused the organization to close its Oakley and Clayton sites. Plans for an expansion at the San Ramon facility has also been shelved, but the Pleasant Hill

location will remain open.Repeated calls to the YMCAs public

relations company, Trainer Communica-tions, were not returned.

News of the closure of East Countys only YMCA came as a surprise to Oak-leys leaders, who only six months ago had reached their community fundraising goal of $400,000 for the construction of a new facility on the 6-acre parcel owned by the city.

The project a joint venture with the Special Kids Foundation was slated to include a new 25,000-square-foot facil-ity featuring aerobics, cardiovascular and strength-training facilities plus a health and fi tness center and the all-abilities playground for children with physical dis-abilities.

Oakley City Councilman Jim Fra-sier, whose SMF Construction company planned to donate the construction of the Oakley all-abilities playground, said the project is still a priority.

As far as Im concerned, the com-mitment is still there. We just need to work through the proper channels, said Frasier. But it depends on what use my fellow council members have for utilizing this space. Its disappointing to have lost two years on this project.

Plans for the property remain in fl ux, but Oakley City Manager Bryan Mont-gomery said the city which has been leasing the property to the YMCA for $1 per year for the past six years is explor-ing a number of options.

Were certainly disappointed, but well look to see how we can best utilize the land, said Montgomery. We may be able to keep the modulars that are on the property and then repurpose them, per-haps keep some of the (YMCA) classes and programs continuing for the immedi-ate future.

As for the Special Kids playground, There are several areas where the project could go over the 6 acres, Montgomery

said, but were still determining what the next step will be. We just dont know ev-erything yet.

The YMCAs gym facilities arent the only areas taking a hit. In East County, a number of YMCA childcare centers have already been shut down. Both Dis-covery Bay Elementary and Timber Point Elementary sites were abruptly closed last week, leaving dozens of families without before and/or after school child care.

And the news just keeps getting worse, said Toni Hay, a YMCA childcare provider at the John Muir Health Center in Antioch.

Hundreds of families are being af-fected by these closures, said Hay, who was told that her childcare location would remain open. The YMCA has such a great sense of tradition, but I have to say Im not at all surprised by whats happen-ing. Its been clear they have been strug-gling for some time. Its really too bad.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

L, which covered about half the area in the new plan and was narrowly defeated in 2005. The incentives arent enough for Kathy Griffi n, however, one of the chief opponents who helped defeat Measure L.

Griffi n told the council on Feb. 23 of her strong opposition to the pro-posal, promising We will work tirelessly to defeat it. She believes the land should

be left as open space or used for agricul-ture-related development as envisioned by some planners years ago. She was also concerned about a clause in the proposal that would allow up to 200 low-income units.

Koch told the council that the low-income housing was part of the plan only because such plans are required by law to include them. They could be built only by order of the council through the planning

process.We have no intention of building

apartments on this property, Koch said. We dont want to do it; it is not in our interest to do so, and theyll only be built if you insist upon it.

If the proposal passes, it will move the Urban Limit Line, but the project will still need to go through the usual plan-ning process. Koch emphasized the dif-ference by pointing to the west, where

rancher Jack Roddys Antioch project got an OK from voters in 2005, but ac-tual construction envisioned has not, and might never, occur.

Tuesdays report will cover the fi scal impacts of the proposal as well as zoning considerations. The meeting will be held at 101B Sand Creek Road, next to the LMC Brentwood campus. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Vote from page 1A

MARCH 5, 2010 THEPRESS.NET | 19A

20A | THEPRESS.NET MARCH 5, 2010

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Nice 4 bedrm 2 bath home needs some TLC. Hardwood floors, tile in kitchen, 2 car garage, big back yard with pool in a court location. Pool is not filled at this time.

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Two separate parcels. Can be purchased separately. Front parcel with house on 1.69 acres. Vacant lot in rear 1.98 acres. Zoned agricultural in unincorporated area. Can be used from a farm to a church! A2 zoning.

Brentwood $865,000

3 bedroom - 2 baths Custom home with great views of water. Plank hardwood floors. What a charmer, you will love this one!

Martinez $419,900

Beautiful 3 bedroom - 2 bath single story situated in the summer lakes community. Lots of upgrades, Spacious floor plan, layout great for entertaining guest. Large corner lot.

Oakley $230,000

Cute 3 bedroom - 2 bath single story w/ great location. Walking distance to school. Nice yard w/ covered patio, open kitchen, living, dining & family rooms.

Oakley $210,000

4 bedroom - 2.5 baths Gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and maple cabinets, custom paint, tile flooring throughout. Large office downstairs w/French doors, loft area upstairs.

Oakley $229,000

Single story 4 bedroom - 2 bath with cozy fireplace in family room. Formal dining room for entertaining.

Pittsburg $239,900

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2B | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS MARCH 5, 2010

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Patriots season ends

The Heritage boys basketball had a sea-son to remember, taking the title of the highly competitive Bay Valley Athletic League and posting a 13-2 league (21-5 overall) record in the process. On Friday night, however, they ran into a tough Castro Valley team tha