brentwood press_03.02.12

Natio

nalAwardWinning Newspapers

Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net

Vol. 14, No. 9 YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER March 2, 2012

FOR MOVIE TIMES

SEE PAGE 5A

Do-it-yourself authorship

The digital revolution has inspired throngs of writers to attain author status through self-publishing. Page 1B

Calendar ............................ 15BClassifieds ........................... 9BCop Logs ............................ 14BEast County Life ................ 1BEntertainment ................... 6BFood ...................................... 4BHealth & Beauty ................ 5BMilestones .......................... 7BOpinion ..............................14ASports .................................17A

Grappling with glory

Five Liberty wrestlers compete under the bright lights of this weekends state tournament in Bakersfield. Page 18A

Find your favorite Adams middle schooler named to the Honor Society.

Adams accoladesgo to news/WebExtras!

New legislation aims to provide foster care youth with educational stability.

Foster care lawgo to news/press releases

Connect with The Press!Scan QR code with your smart phone.

Online now!WebExtras!

press releasesvideos

www. thepress.netYour Hometown Website

Columnist Slim Randles documents high drama at the Mule Barn.

Vetting Emilygo to news/WebExtras!

Girl Scout Troop 31884, Scout leader Mary Finn and Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor recently took a tour of the new City Hall, Civic Center and Community Cen-ter facility. The tour completed the girls last requirement for their Local Lore badge. Theyre currently working toward their Bronze Award and bridging to Cadette Girl Scouts.

Civic-minded Scouts

Photo courtesy of Kathy Nelson

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board voted unanimously Monday to add a 10-year sunset clause to its proposed $197 annual parcel tax, and send it to the voters on June 5.

The decision reverses a 6-3 straw vote on Feb. 6 to continue the tax indefi nitely. Directors who had previously voted in favor of the open-ended tax said Monday that they still preferred a permanent fi x to the districts $2.8 million annual budget shortfall, but that feedback from the public clearly supported a sunset.

When I fi rst took offi ce, I made a promise to myself that I would not be like public offi cials

who dont listen to the public, said ECCFPD Director and Brentwood City Councilman Steve Barr. My opinion is going to take second seat to that.

The tax will require a two-thirds majority to pass, and direc-tors agreed with members of the public who spoke at the meeting that it would be diffi cult to reach that threshold even with the sunset clause.

Director Jim Frazier of the Oakley City Council said the sunset was appropriate, and that the public deserved a chance to weigh in on the job the district had done with its money after 10 years.

We actually need more mon-ey than this, but we can make a fair

District sends 10-year fire tax to voters

by Rick LemyreStaff Writer

see Fire Tax page 15A

Students get inside look at government

Students from Liberty and Heritage high schools this week got a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it takes to run the city of Brentwood as part of the citys annual Youth in Government program.

Now in its fi fth year and co-sponsored by the Brentwood Lions Club, the program gives high school seniors the opportunity to shadow a city employee for the day to get a better understanding of how local government works. While all seniors study American government for one semester in their fi nal year of high school, there isnt time in the sched-ule to examine the intricacies of lo-cal municipalities.

Heritage High School govern-ment teacher Michelle Lynch said

the Youth in Government program is special because it allows 34 select-ed students to see how much work goes into running the city in which they live. This is a great program

that gives students direct access to how the city operates, Lynch said. Most students dont realize what a team effort it is to run the city. There are all of these different departments

working together to keep everything running smoothly.

Liberty students Sierra Gruss and Megan Mas, along with Heri-tage senior Camille Corpus, spent the day shadowing team members from the Parks and Recreation De-partment. Director Craig Bronzan gave the students a tour of the new community center, home to many of the citys recreation programs, and explained all the elements over-seen by the department. Recreation Manager Poldina Scherff and Parks and Maintenance Manager Roger Stromgren chimed in with details about how the department is run.

The Youth in Government pro-gram has given Gruss, who plans to study business with an emphasis on recreation after high school, a new

Parks and Recreation Director Craig Bronzan, Maintenance Manager Roger Stromgren and Recreation Manager Poldina Scherff educate high school students Sierra Gruss, Megan Mas and Camille Corpus about the Parks and Recreation Department.

Photo by Samie Hartley

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Students page 15A

Community corkboard Check out opportunities to have fun and raise funds for good causes. Pages 6-7A

Support our local Brentwood Rotary Club and all the charitable organizations that it supports

Food, Beverages, Fun

March 9, 2012Brentwood Community Center150 City Park Way in Brentwood

Doors Open at 6:00 pm for DinnerTournament starts at 7:00 pm

$60 per player Includes Buffet dinner, drink ticket, & tournament play Unlimited $20 re-buys first hour & one-time $40 add-on

PrizesFirst Place $500Second Place $300

Third Place $200Fourth Place $100

Fifth through Ninth Place $60

Subject to 150 playersCash Value

Seating is Limited, Sign Up Now!

SponsorshipsPlatinum Sponsorships $700 includes a full table of nine players and dinner, table recognition and name recognition.

Gold Sponsorships $400 for four players & dinner, table recognition, name recognition.

Silver Sponsorships $200 for two players for table recognition, and name recognition.

Buffet Dinner Provided by Brentwood Fine Meats Poker Provided by Blue Dog Events Must Be 21 To Play

Brentwood Rotary 3rd Annual Poker Tournament

TEXAS HOLDEMNo Limit

ContactSteve Gursky - [email protected] or (925) 584-8708Dirk Zeigler - [email protected] or (925) 634-1240

4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MARCH 2, 2012

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Historical carriage to be restored

Once upon a time, stagecoaches were considered one of the classiest ways to travel through East County. Its hard to imagine what this area would have looked like as horse-drawn carriages powered down rural roads, but the East Contra Costa Historical Society hopes to give

locals some insight. The Society plans to restore a 130-year-old omnibus that once transported tourists to the Byron Hot Springs.

The carriage was built by the famous Studebaker Brothers, whose wagon-mak-ing company would later be known for quality automobiles. Although the oak frame and passenger compartment are in-tact, the fabric-lined roof, wooden wheels

and upholstery are in shreds. The dilapi-dated artifact didnt seem worth saving decades ago when its owner intended to reduce the omnibus to fi rewood.

Luckily, members of the pioneer-ing Rodriguez family, which still resides in Byron, happened to be passing by as the omnibus was about to meet its fate in a burn pile. The Rodriguezes asked the owner if they could take it, and for more

than 60 years, the decaying omnibus has been resting in a storage shed on Hoff-man Lane in Byron, quietly waiting to be rediscovered. The Rodriguez family do-nated the carriage remains to the histori-cal society last September.

It turns out that this precious piece of history was hiding in someones shed

Pat McHenry of the East Contra Costa Historical Society read-ies the dilapidated, 19th-century Byron Hot Springs omnibus for transport after its discovery in a local barn. In addition to passengers, the former Byron Hot Springs omnibus was also an of cial US Mail transport.

Photo courtesy of Ginny Karlberg

by Samie HartleyStaff Writer

see Carriage page 11A

MARCH 2, 2012 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 5A

22 11112011

GOL

DMEDALAWARD

2 00010001102022202010

Yogi Berra used to say you can ob-serve a lot just by watching, and I have. Ive learned enough to be able to fi gure out why most things happen, or at least devise a plausible theory.

But there are some things I still won-der about. Some are unfathomable; others are just silly.

For example, I just came across a Facebook poll ask-ing what types of seafood I like, with a list of choices I could check. The silly thing I wonder about is why the choice at the very top of the list is All of the above.

The sillier thing is that it leads the voting.As an example of the unfathomable,

I wonder what goes on in the head of some people just before they go shop-ping dressed the way they do. Weve all seen them, sometimes at Walmart: the spectacular abuse of Spandex, the pa-jama bottoms that look like theyve been washed a thousand times but not since Y2K, or a couple of soiled bedroom slip-pers that might have been a pair many years ago but are now home to individual colonies of bacteria large enough to as-sert their independence.

At some point, probably about the time they grabbed their car keys, the

person must have felt at least a fl eeting awareness of what they were wearing, and made the decision this is fi ne. How could they decide that? Were there absolutely no alternatives? Like maybe a boat cover?

Sometimes I wonder about the Post-al Service. I recently made a donation to the USO, and they sent me an Ameri-can fl ag in appreciation. It got caught in some postal machinery, though, and arrived mangled, ready for immediate retirement.

The Postal Service re-packaged it and delivered it along with a note expressing its sincere apologies, and reassuring me that they were constantly working to improve their systems so that even such a rare occurrence as this one can be avoided.

Hey, stuff happens. What I wonder, though, is why they would send a note whose last line, in full, goes Again, we regret any inconvenience caused and we look forward to providing you.

Methinks the quality control unit is in need of some quality control.

My family and I all wonder why I turn right so often, and why Im almost always wrong. I know its because I usu-ally dont know where Im going, but youd think that just by the law of aver-ages, turning right instead of left would be correct 50 percent of the time. Not for me.

And youd think that by now Id have learned to stop and fi gure it out be-

fore I leave or at least slow down to think about it before I get to the intersection. Nope, I just roll on up and hang a right as if there were no other option. Im sure theres a reason, probably something that happened in my childhood.

And why do containers of condi-ments turn invisible when exposed to the light inside a refrigerator? Crowded way in the back of my fridge (I think) is an ever-increasing collection of jars holding a few banana wax peppers, some crushed garlic or a single fl oating pickle. Theres some hot dog relish and probably some olives and artichoke hearts, too, and for a long time there were few pimentos, but I think those are gone now.

Its hard to say whats in there because I cant see any of it. At least once a day I stand in front of the fridge studying its contents, and yet I remain utterly unaware of whats there. Some-times when Im in the grocery store and I know I need some of that stuff, Ill pause, scratch my head, and actually try to remember what we have and how old it might be. Then Ill chuckle softly at the futility of it all and buy some more.

Lastly, I wonder why I dont get credit for the 36,575 times that I did put the toilet seat down instead of just the two or three times someone fell in because I didnt.

I guess that one sort of answers itself.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Feeling wonder-full

ONDEADLINE

RICKLEMYRE

No show Wednesday, No show Thursday*The Artist - PG1310:35a 1:30p 4:15p 7:10p 9:50pJourney 2: The Mysterious Island - PGPresented in RealD 3D: 11:20a 4:45p 10:00pPresented in 2D: 2:05p 7:20p*The Lorax - PGAn IMAX 3D Experience: 12:00p 2:20p 4:40p 7:00p 9:20pPresented in RealD 3D: 11:10a 1:20p 3:50p 6:15p 8:45pPresented in 2D: 10:20a 12:45p 3:00p 5:30p 7:50p 10:10p*Project X - R12:30p 3:15p 5:50p 8:30p 11:05p*Act of Valor - R10:55a 1:45p 4:50p 7:45p 10:50p*Tyler Perrys Good Deeds - PG1310:30a 1:25p 4:25p 7:25p 10:35p*Wanderlust - R5:45p 8:35p 11:10p*Gone - PG1312:40p 3:05p 5:40p 8:20p 10:55p The Vow - PG1310:50a 1:40p 4:35p 7:35p 10:30p Safe House - R11:15a 2:10p 5:05p 8:00p 11:00p Ghost Rider - PG13Presented in RealD 3D: 2:50p 8:05p Presented in 2D: 12:10p 5:25p 10:45p This Means War - PG1311:00a 1:50p 4:30p 7:15p 10:05p Secret World of Arriety - G12:05p 2:55pThe Woman in Black - PG1311:15pRave Cinema Classics10:00a Every Monday. Tickets just $3, includes popcorn and soda! This week: A Double Feature of The Painted Hills (Lassie, 1951) & Gangster Story (Walter Matthau, 1959) *Andrew Lloyd Webber presents Love Never Dies, a sequel to Phantom of the Opera7:30p Wednesday, March 7th only. *John Carter: An IMAX 3D Experience - PG13, *John Carter: presented in RealD 3D - PG13, *Friends wih Kids - R, *Silent House - R, *A Thousand Words - PG13, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - PG1312:01a Friday, March 9th Premiere Shows*The Hunger Games - PG1312:01a Opens Friday, March 23. Advance Tickets now on sale. Get your exclusive, limited-edition Rave Cinemas/Hunger Games gift cards at the theatre, while supplies last.

Times Good for 2-24 to 3-1 *Denotes No-Pass Engagement.#Denotes special engagement, no passes or discount tickets accepted.

Group Sales & Events, Field Trips 1-866-878-7068 www.ravecinemas.com

2525 Sand Creek Rd.Brentwood

925.809.0030

www.ccwater.comParking fee is $4 per car for ratepayers $6 per car for non-ratepayers.

FOR INFORMATION CALL US AT 925-371-2628 OR 925-371-5056

LOS VAQUEROS MARINA BUILDING & BOAT DOCKS CLOSED FOR RESERVOIR

EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Shoreline fishing will continue to be available along the reservoirs south shore, and bait and tackle sales will continue from the south side

entrance kiosk. Trails that are not in the closure areas, including the Miwok Trail that connects Round Valley Regional Park to Morgan Territory

Regional Preserve, will remain open to the public.

More information about the expansion can be found atwww.ccwater.com


Advertisement

BEN = CASH BUYERS?The Ben Im talking about above

is Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve. He announced recently that the Federal Reserve is aiming to keep interest rates low through the end of 2014. So what has that got to do with real estate? Plenty, in my opinion. Its driving a frenzy of cash buyers into the marketplace like Ive never seen.

Mortgage rates have been dropping the last few years to nearly historically low levels. That is helping drive some buyers back into the market to buy homes because they can qualify, but not at the rate weve seen in the past. This could be due to tougher underwriting, or pessimism from buyers, or damaged credit scores.

But the biggest increase has been in 100% cash buyers, not buyers getting financing. One big reason is that along with mortgage rates, rates on savings accounts, CDs, etc. are also plummeting. So this low-rate environment is really punishing savers. Its not very exciting to get .4% (please note the decimal point) on your cash. So

that is driving many people, both foreign and domestic, to put their cash to work by buying real estate and then renting it out. While you have the challenges of being a landlord, at least you can hope to get a higher rate of return on your cash, and then also hopefully enjoy some appreciation in the future. On top of the low rates on savings accounts, you also have all the upheaval and uncertainty across the globe, which is sending foreign investors here in droves as a safe haven. They look at the collapse in our real estate prices as a buying opportunity.

So if you are a pre-approved FHA 3.5% down buyer, or even a 20% down buyer with conventional financing, dont be surprised to get beat out quite often by 100% cash buyers, especially in the lower price ranges.

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

Improve Your Smile... Change your Life State of the Art Dentistry Complete Dental Care for Adults & Children Crowns/Bridges-Lumineers/Veneers Dentures/Partials Teeth Whitening Clear Braces Nitrous Oxide Saturday & Evening Appointments Senior Discount 55+

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

Thank you!For Letting Us Brighten

Up Your Smile!

Have a Healthy Smile for the New Year!

Apollo Dental CareFAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

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

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

FREEKids

Ortho ConsultationCall for details.

BE OUR GUEST & RECEIVE$250 In-office

Whitening - REG. $550!

ORFREE Take-Home Whitening Kit($350 VALUE)

With cleaning, necessary x-rays & exam New patients only Expires 3/31/12

Join Us March 3, 20122pm - 5pm

3FBE"MPVE4FTTJPOTt3FGSFTINFOUTt(BNFT(JWFBXBZTt"OE.PSF

,VNPO$FOUFSTOBUJPOXJEFBOE3FBEJOH*T'VOEBNFOUBM3*' BSF QBSUOFSJOH UP QSPWJEF NPSF DIJMESFO BDDFTT UPCPPLT'PSFWFSZFOSPMMNFOUJO.BSDI,VNPO$FOUFSTXJMMEPOBUFGPVSCPPLTUPDIJMESFOJOOFFEBDSPTTUIF64

At Kumon, we give your kids the power of knowing. Whether your child needs extra help with math and reading or wants new academic challenges, our specialized learning program helps children gain the confidence to achieve more all on their own.

,VNPOPG#SFOUXPPE#BMGPVS3E6OJU##SFOUXPPE$"

XXXLVNPODPNMBDFZ

877.586.6671 | www.kumon.com

"DBEFNJD&OSJDINFOUPre-K 12th Grade

2012 Kum

on North A

merica. A

ll rights reserved.* A

t participating Kumon Centers only for new

enrollments. Four (4) books is equivalent to $10.

Donation period is M

arch 1-31, 2012.

$BMM5PEBZ

The public is invited to celebrate the relocation and dedication of the Salvation Army Antioch Corps new building at 620 E. Tregallas Road in Antioch on Sun-day, March 4 at 3 p.m. The renowned Salvation Army brass band will play, and re-freshments will be served.

In attendance will be Salvation Army territo-rial and divisional leaders plus members of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Salvation Army Advisory Board. The Chamber will conduct a ribbon cutting to celebrate the relocation and dedication

of the new facility, and new members of the Advisory Board will be installed. The

event also features a tour of the new site and music will be performed by the An-tioch High School choir.

The newly remod-eled facility will enable the Antioch Corps to expand its current programming, which includes the After-school Club, the yearly

Community Easter Hunt, and the eight-week summer day

camp, which begins in June.For more information, call Maj. Jackie

Smith at 925-778-0808, ext. 12.

Army on the move

The community is invited to support local veterans at a Zumba party fundraiser on Friday, March 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Hall, 757 First St. in Brentwood. Admission is $10. Attendees

will enjoy the party atmosphere and burn lots of calories while supporting a good cause. For more information, call Karina at 925-437-8024 or e-mail [email protected].

Zumba fundraiser for vets

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catho-lic Church Knights of Columbus continues its tradition of cooking fi sh dinners every Friday during Lent. Attendees can enjoy the Friday fi sh fry through March 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parish hall or by driving through the lot and taking the meal home.

The fi sh dinner costs $12 and includes deep-fried fi sh, French fries, coleslaw and a bev-erage.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catho-lic Church is located at 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. For more information, call 925-634-4154.

Church hosts fish fry

8A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION MARCH 2, 2012

Loan Guy Logic

www.LoanGuyLogic.Com

By Paul Kelly The Loan Guy

SHOPPING FOR A HOME ON-LINE IS SMART!

Gas went past $4.00 this week and fi nd-ing a Realtor to start showing you homes can be frustrating. You dont need a car, you need a computer and a general idea of where you want to buy and in what price range. 100% of prospective Home Buyers start their search on the web because its loaded with information and you can get it all from your kitchen table. Lots of Pictures, maps, prices, pay-ments, school districts, and its updated 4 times a day. If youre not looking here, youll miss off ers and lose opportunities. Instant Global communication Now thats LOGICAL! To learn more about this information visit

my website below, Click on FIND YOUR DREAMHOME ON LINE and

Badda Bing Youre Shopping!

(925) 706-6703

22 11112011

GO

LD MEDAL

AWARD

Students at Pioneer Elementary School recently marshaled their cerebral forces at the Odyssey of the Minds regional competition. The third-grade team, coached by Naomi Longoria and Jen Armatis, included Ella Simone, Kayla Longoria, Malia Yancey, Xander Armatis and Reed Schmitt. The fourth-grade team, coached by Maria Diaz and Dee Finazzo, featured Alex Emery, Emily Eaton, Emily Diaz, Enrique Pasos, Emily Finazzo, Adam Chan and Nyla Lampkin. The fth-grade team, coached by Erik Pakin, included Daniel Simone, Riley Pathe, Sierra Hinds, Max Waechter, Zack Pakin, Matthew Wieland and Enrico Manding. The fth-grade team placed second in its division and advances to the state competition later this month.

Colts compete at Odyssey

Photo courtesy of Kristine Simone


Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey

Top of the Food Chain

Advertisement

Show me the money! - A notorious saying in some circles, but always referenced back to the 1996 Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr., fi lm, Jerry Mcguire. In the fi lm it was said fi rst by Cuba Gooding Jr. while he made the most important fi nancial decision of his familys life. For anyone being foreclosed, or being threatened with foreclosure, here in California, Show me the note! is the battle cry for fi ghting the foreclosure.

On two recent occasions in California restraining orders have been in place to stop foreclosure proceedings because the lender(s) were not to the provide the bankruptcy courts the documentation needed to prove they truly owned the note therefore they could not prove they had the right to foreclose on the property in question. With the very recently released Offi ce of Th rift Supervision study, announced by managing director Grovetta Gardineer, providing evidence that 55% of all modifi ed loans redefault within the fi rst six months, its truly relevant to begin discussions on alternative ways of saving your home.

Since California permits foreclosure proceedings to begin without the homeowner represented by legal counsel, for anyone in foreclosure, or threatened with foreclosure, its come to a point where hiring, or at least looking into, legal counsel should be a serious thought. Instead of paying for a loan modifi cation that promises no fi nish line, or exact results, why not at the very least investigate the idea of a real estate attorney, or a bankruptcy attorney to save your home? Quoting from yet another fi lm, this time the 1972 classic, Th e Godfather, every great wealth comes from a great crime. Th e very same lenders, brokerages, and trading fi rms that made hundreds of

millions (in some cases, billions) from the housing boom, are also the same sloppy companies that apparently did not pay enough attention to the details such as the needed documentation to confi rm ownership of many mortgage notes. With over $810 billion in mortgages converted into securities and made available for trading in 2006 it is not becoming apparent in the courts that not every lender executed the proper paperwork to transfer some of those mortgages to the investors who thought they bought them, and so now those investors are being told by the courts they cannot foreclose on those loans!

Simply stated, if the party trying to foreclose cant provide proof they own the note on your home, how can they possibly call said note due and retain ownership of the collateral, thus foreclosing on your family? In court, by law, if they lender cannot provide the needed documentation - the original note within 5 years of it being requested (5 years is the statute of limitation for these cases) than the homeowner is free of any obligation on the mortgage. As former federal bankruptcy Judge Glen Ayers stated, banks looking to reap the benefi t of the note may not be able to show the judge they have the right to foreclose. More and more Judges nationwide are taking a page out of Johnny Depps book while they tell lenders to forget about it just as he did in the 1997 fi lm, Donnie Brasco!

Regardless of how this topic aff ects you directly, its truly important that youre informed and aware of the conversations taking place around you.

As always, I welcome all questions and or concerns pertaining to real estate lending on my cell phone, 925-726-1444, or via email, [email protected].

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

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

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

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

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

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

&RXQWHUWRSIDEULFDWLRQDQGLQVWDOODWLRQVSHFLDOLVW

10A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION MARCH 2, 2012

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Teacher of the Year accepts honor

2011 was a year of fi rsts for Kristin Ortega. Not only did the Discovery Bay El-ementary School teacher and 49er cheerlead-ing coach get engaged; she became a hom-eowner, saw her team make it to the playoffs and won the Byron Union School Districts Teacher of the Year award.

Big year? You bet.Yeah, it was a good year, laughed

Ortega, 28. It has all been pretty remark-able.

The Discovery Bay Chamber of Com-merce thought so too and honored the fi rst-grade teacher at a special ceremony this week. Ortega couldnt pick up her award at the State of the Town event in January in which Teachers of the Year are traditionally recognized because she was coaching her cheerleaders for the playoffs. So the chamber brought the award to her.

We were just so thrilled to be able to honor her, said Chamber President Rita Ca-ruso, who also presented Ortega with procla-mations from Supervisor Mary Piepho and Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan. Shes very deserving.

In Contra Costa County, more than 8,200 teachers educate approximately 167,000 public school students. In recogni-

tion of their efforts, participating school districts select their Teacher of the Year rep-resentatives.

Representatives come from each of the 16 school districts as well as the Contra Costa Community College District and the Contra Costa County Offi ce of Education.

The winner of the county program goes on to represent Contra Costa in the state com-petition.

While proud of her accolades, Ortega views the award as more of a group accom-plishment.

I was completely shocked and honored

by the award, said Ortega, who was a 49er cheerleader from 2004-08 and is now their head cheerleading coach. But everyone puts in their time here and we work very closely as a team. This is really for everyone.

Ortega credits her success in the class-room to creating high expectations for her students combined with equal parts of sup-port and encouragement.

When you set the bar high, they will always strive to reach it, said Ortega. They want to do well and they want to please you, especially at this age. And it works. I have great kids.

To win Teacher of the Year is an honor for any teacher, but to have garnered the award on the fi rst nomination after being a classroom teacher for only six years is, ac-cording to Byron School District Superin-tendent Ken Jacopetti, remarkable.

Although Kristin has been in our dis-trict for only six years, her positive attitude and integrity has made her an integral part of the team, said Jacopetti. Weve all had teachers in our lives that we remember, and Kristin is that kind of person. Were very proud of her.

So, how to top 2011?Well, Im getting married this year,

said Ortega. Thats the only way I could make it a better year than last.


by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

Kristin Ortega, center, with Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce President Rita Caruso and Byron Union School District Superintendent Ken Jacopetti at this weeks chamber mixer where Ortega was of cially recognized as Teacher of the Year.

Photo by Fosster Gandrup

E-waste helps educationEast County residents can help raise money

for education by recycling their e-waste for free. The Liberty Union High School District Education Foundation, in conjunction with Blue Star Electronics, LLC, will be on hand at The Streets of Brentwood (in the parking lot behind Ulta) on Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to collect e-waste.

Participants can bring computer monitors, LCD/LED monitors and TVs, plasma TVs, com-puters, hard drives, com-puter peripherals, laptops, DVD players, VCRs, printers, scan-

ners, FAX/copy/answering machines, servers, radi-os, stereos, recorders, phonographs, circuit boards, CD/video/cassettes, CD players, calculators, pow-er supplies, connectors/cables, telecommunica-

tions equipment, main frames com-puters and peripherals, all consumer

electronics, and small and large appliances. Bikes, car batteries, and chain link or metal fencing will also be accepted.

Household batteries and light bulbs will not be accepted. Monetary do-nations are welcome. For more information about the Education Foundation, log

on to http://educationwins.org.

Oakley kindergartenIts time to schedule ap-

pointments for kindergarten registration. Children enter-ing kindergarten must turn 5 on or before Nov. 1, 2012. Parents must bring to regis-tration proof of birth (birth certifi cate, passport or bap-tismal certifi cate), a complete and up-to-date immunization record and proof of residency (a picture ID and two origi-nal documents such as vehicle registration, property tax bill or rental/lease agreement). Registration will be held at: Vintage Parkway Elemen-

tary on Thursday, March 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (925-625-6800). Iron House Elementary on Thursday and Friday, March 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (925-625-6825). Oakley Elementary on Fri-day, March 9: from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (925-625-7050). Laurel Elementary on Mon-day, March 12 from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. (925-625-7090). Gehringer Elementary on Friday, March 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (925-625-7070).


For more information please visit my website at ReversePurchase.BIZ, or email me at:

[email protected]

Nathan NelsonSr. Mortgage ConsultantPhone: 925-623-1019www.ReversePurchase.BIZNMLS/CA-DOC #247654

Your Retirement Simpli ed

YOUR BI-WEEKLY UPDATE FOR RETIREMENT PREPARATION

Types of Reverse Mortgages

Michele Bethea925-525-6499

#01904951Your Local Area Retirement Real Estate Specialist WR Properties

Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. *Some exceptions may apply. A reverse mortgage is a non-recourse transaction secured by the consumers principal dwelling that ties repayment (other than upon default) to the homeowners death or permanent move from, or transfer of the title of, the home. Program and Guidelines are subject to change without notice. Not a commitment to lend. Land Home only conducts business in states we are approved to. Land Home Financial Services, Inc. 141 Sand Creek Road, Suite C, Brentwood, CA 94513. Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Finance Lenders law - #6054421. NMLS# 420199. CA-DRE #00988341. CA Department of Corporations - 916-324-6624. CA Dept. of Real Estate - 916-227-0931. Date: 12-16-11

RealtorsWR Properties

www.shannoncoe.com

Shannon Coe925-997-5758DRE#01489731

Your Roseville Area Retirement Real Estate Specialist

Keller Williams,[email protected]

The three basic types of reverse mortgage are: single-purpose reverse mortgages, which are offered by some state and local government agencies / nonpro t organizations; federally-insured reverse mortgages, known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), backed by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and proprietary reverse mortgages, private loans that are backed by the companies that develop them.

Single-purpose reverse mortgages generally have very low costs, but not available everywhere, and can only can be used for one purpose speci ed by the government or nonpro t lender.

The most common type of reverse mortgage in our area is the HECM.Before applying for a HECM, you must meet with a counselor from an independent government-approved housing counseling agency. Counselors should tell you about government or nonpro t programs for which you may qualify.

The HECM gives you choices in how the loan is paid to you. You can select xed monthly cash advances for a speci c period or for as long as you live in your home. Or, you can opt for a line of credit, which allows you to draw on the loan proceeds at any time in amounts that you choose. You also can get a combination of monthly payments plus a line of credit.

Summit Funding offers you the option, upon quali cation, to purchase a home with a reverse mortgage! Seniors 62 and older can tap into the equity from the sale of their previous home, or use other resources, to move into a new home with a single down payment. The BEST part is you will have ZERO mortgage payments as long as the home is your primary residence, and you pay your taxes and insurance. Imagine the nancial freedom you will gain by eliminating your mortgage!

LONETREE TREE WAY @ CANADA VALLEY RD.

CULTIVATEA BURRITOFUL WORLD

all this time, said Historical Society Pres-ident Ginny Karlberg. Its more than 130 years old. It doesnt look like much now, but in its day, it was the form of transpor-tation that took tourists from the railroad depot to the Hot Springs. Even restored, you wont fi nd many of these in museums today.

In its glory days, the omnibus was a nine-seat stagecoach used by the Byron Hot Springs to transport guests to and from the resort. The Byron Hot Springs was the prime tourist attraction in East County back in the late 19th century. The mineral springs were believed to exert healing powers that could cure anything from gout to ailments of the kidneys and liver. People from all over the United States and Europe fl ocked to the springs for a chance to indulge in the healing wa-ters.

The Byron Hot Springs resort opened in 1865, and a hotel was built there in 1878. Rooms were available for $5 a day; $6 if you wanted your personal bathtub. Salt baths costs 50 cents and mud baths $1. Guests who felt like splurging could pay $1.50 for a massage. Guests were in-vited to soak in the mineral waters to soften skin or drink the waters as a way to purify the bloodstream. Some women believed the waters even helped them shed unwanted pounds.

The omnibus was used by the hotel

even after the Byron Hot Springs railroad depot opened in 1878, but the advent of the automobile made the carriage obso-lete. The Byron Hot Springs Hotel closed in 1938. While the property and the om-nibus changed hands many times over the years, the owners could never muster the funds to restore the springs to its glory days.

Karlberg said the ECCHS plans to restore the omnibus, but securing fund-ing and all the authentic parts could take years. Despite the challenges, Karlbergs husband Tim is up for the challenge. This is a historical treasure in the rough, Tim said. We are so very excited to be given the opportunity to restore her (the omni-bus) to her original, magnifi cent condi-tion.

Those interested in supporting the omnibus restoration project should con-tact Ginny Karlberg at 925-513-1281.


Carriage from page 4A

Photo courtesy of ECCHS

The Byron Hot Springs omnibus participated in local parades in years gone by before ending up deteriorating in an East County barn.

It turns out that this precious piece of history was hiding in someones shed all this time.

ECCHS President Ginny Karlberg

12A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MARCH 2, 2012

the District V supervisors vote wasnt an endorsement of the initiative, but rather an approval for homeowners to make the choice: His vote indicates that he believes the voters should express their opinion. Hell support the voters whichever way they go.

Though Piepho sided against it, stat-ing that taxpayers have felt enough heat already, she sees the need for such an ini-tiative. She noted that the revenues from current clean water fees wont cover the cost of the states newest regulations, but doesnt believe a tax increase is the best way to go about paying for the upgrades.

They are requirements, so we dont have any option to not comply with them, Piepho said. I do recognize the need for the measure, but I feel that the taxpayers are fatigued right now by more and more money coming out of their lim-ited wallets.

The Contra Costa Clean Water Pro-gram has also come under fi re for choos-ing a third-party CPA to handle ballot counting, which is allowed under Proposi-tion 218. Some voters were quizzical when they saw that ballots are being mailed back to Walnut Creek-based Carol Keane and Associates instead of a county offi ce.

Dalziel said the CPA fi rm is an inde-pendent party. Residents concerned about the legitimacy of the process can contact the Contra Costa Clean Water Program to observe the ballot counting in person.

If folks are interested in witnessing the tabulation, we are making arrange-ments, Dalziel said. It seems like theres a vocal minority that has come out against this, and its kind of a general backlash against taxes. I guess its not surprising in that sense. Weve been trying to respond and answer questions.


Water from page 3A

EMPLOYEES AND FACEBOOK/TWITTER: BE CAREFUL!Facebook, Twitter, and social media look

like they are here to stay, but what are the rules in the workplace? Which posts do employers have to allow? Which posts can legally get you fired? Knowing the rules of this game is becoming more critical as the popularity of social media websites continues to grow. But its tricky.

Not surprisingly, the law has not caught up with the use of social media and the rules therefore continue to morph over time, depend-ing on who has chimed in most recently. The best guidance therefore tends to be specific examples. Heres a few:

1. Employee complains on Facebook that she was passed over for a promotion, the business is mismanaged, and she has not received a pay raise in three years. Three co-workers participate in the conversation. The complaining employee is fired and the co-workers are disciplined. The termination and discipline were determined to be unlawful.

2. Employee posts a Facebook message complaining about a co-worker and that she was about to beat him. The employee was suspend-ed. This discipline was deemed lawful.

3. An employee handbook stating employ-ees could only discuss terms and conditions of employment in an appropriate manner was determined to be unlawful.

A common misconception is that anything said on the Internet is protected speech under the First Amendment. Not so for a variety of reasons. Employees should also be aware (and employers should consider) that social media can legally in some instances be used for background checks

so long as certain requirements are met. Another troubling aspect of all of this is when and how email, voicemail, and social media is privacy pro-tected and when it is not. Employers and employ-ees continue to be shocked and dismayed when they run afoul of these rules because frankly some make sense and others simply do not.

All employers should adopt and enforce policies on social media use before they are forced to react to a particular situation; and that situation will occur as the use of social media continues to grow in popularity. And employees that use social media should beware of how it can be used against you, and probably when you least expect it.

For more assistance or information tailored to your particular situation or business, contact Rhonda Shelton Kraeber, Esq. at Alvis Frantz and Associates, (925) 516-1617 or [email protected]. As the only employment law specialist in East Contra Costa County, I have been assisting employers and employees with all aspects of the employer-employee relationship for more than 20 years.

Its a Matter of LawBy Rhonda Shelton Kraeber, Esq.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to your particular issue or problem.

(925) 516-1617WWW.ALVISFRANTZLAW.COM

Advertisement

Community prepares for Earth Day 2012

As Earth Day approaches, towns and communities around the globe are gearing up to get their green on. In Discovery Bay the process is already underway.

We are in the planning stages and the excitement and momentum is amazing, said Discovery Bay General Manager Rick Howard. This is a great event that will show the community how to be energy efficient, conserve natural resources and do it in a way that is fun and educational.

Held the day before the official commemoration on April 22, the Earth Day 2012 Town of Discovery Bay Fam-ily Festival is slated for April 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Slifer Park. The in-augural event hosted in conjunction with the town and the Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce is free to the public and offers an abundance of op-portunities for residents to celebrate the environment while paying it for-ward for future generations.

Festivities include the planting of 100 trees (donated by developer D.R. Horton) at various locations through-out the community, opportunities to work on the towns groundbreaking wetlands project, a variety of kids ac-tivities such as crafts and games, and vendor booths featuring organic fruits and vegetables. Kids can also test their green thumbs by planting seeds in clay pots to take home courtesy of the Discovery Bay Garden Club. The town also capitalizes on the occasion by roll-ing out the first of its water conserva-tion projects, which includes proactive public awareness campaigns about the proper disposal of fats, oils and grease.

Founded in 1970 and reflecting the nations growing concern for the envi-ronment, U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson ral-lied the public, media and Congress to create a day each year to put the envi-ronment at center stage. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the Envi-ronmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. Now, 41 years later, Earth Day is celebrated ev-ery year on April 22 by millions around the world.

And while the emphasis in Discov-ery Bay is on family and fun, the green message will be front and center.

This is something that will be a fun family event but will also be benefi-cial to our community, said Howard. It will also help to encourage our chil-dren to be good environmental stew-ards. It is also a great opportunity for families to come out and spend the day planting trees and working in our wet-lands. And at the end of the day they will have made a nice commitment to the environment and the community.

Volunteers are needed to assist on the day of the event, and sponsors are needed to offset the cost of the event. For additional information, call 925-634-1733.

by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer

14A | THEPRESS.NET MARCH 2, 2012

OPINIONEDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY National

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

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

of Contra Costa County.

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

BRENTWOOD PRESS & PUBLISHING CORPORATIONNational Award Winning Newspapers

Founder & President Jimmy ChamouresPublisher & General Manager Greg Robinson

Executive Editor Rick LemyreProduction Manager & Webmaster Lonnie de Lambert

Business Manager Heather Reid

Main Office / Brentwood248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513

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

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

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

Editorial e-mail [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE EDITORLess talk, more enforcement

Editor:As a 30-plus-year resident, I have

seen Antioch become the new Dodge City of East County. I dont think An-tioch needs another Town Hall meeting; the problems of violence and crime are self evident.

Solutions: Mayor Davis and council need to provide strong leadership to establish a zero-tolerance policy for all crime, fully fund the Antioch Police Force (public safety must come fi rst) and establish a real code-compliance program with real fi nancial penalties for banks, mortgage companies and slumlords. This can all go forward with the $1 million gift Antioch is about to receive from GenOn.

Please, no more meetings. Its time for real leadership to attack Antiochs crime wave and blight head-on!

Greg FeereAntioch

Not naive, just overtaxedEditor:

I am writing this in response to Debra Marlow, the police offi cers wife residing in Brentwood. She rebutted my prior writing to the editor that, amongst other things, stated my feelings that the police of Antioch are overcompensated both in current pay and in retirement benefi ts, to the considerable detriment of the taxpayers who pay their freight.

With the exception of the royalty amongst us, namely our police (and fi refi ghters, I should add), none of the taxpayers are now drawing, or ever will draw, the obscene compensation pack-ages our City Council and administrators have bestowed upon these chosen few.

I am not sure of the exact wording of a motion passed by the Antioch City Council some years back, but it is to the effect that Antioch will keep its police offi cers at something like within the top two or three in Contra Costa County in

pay and benefi ts.Maybe thats why Antioch police

have paid, I believe, 0 percent, nothing, nada, zero toward their own retirement packages up until a year or so ago, at which time they began paying a paltry 3 percent of their gross pay.

Wow, industry workers paid 6.2 percent FICA and that was matched equally by their employers up until last year, when Congress passed a temporary reduction to 4.2 percent to put more money back into the economy. When I was a fi refi ghter, I paid 9 percent of my pay to CALPERS, plus at least as much was paid by my employer. We then received a 60-percent pension after work-ing 30 years.

How in the world is it fair to com-pensate those who serve us as police and fi re personnel to a level which none of us can ever hope to attain? Retirement pay of 90 to 100 percent (and more) as a ben-efi t is obscene at best and, in fact, is mor-ally and economically incomprehensible; no public entity can remain solvent while effectively continuing to carry forever on its payroll all police and fi refi ghters that have ever been in their employ.

The only other royalty amongst us besides police and fi re that we have in California is our congressional del-egation to the U.S. Congress. They are eligible for 100 percent of their pay as retirement after serving as little as one term in offi ce. Insanity, indeed, reigns supreme in the USA.

This is exactly the reality that now faces virtually every government jurisdic-tion within the State of California. Ei-ther a tax jurisdiction now has to jack its tax rates out of sight, or gain concessions from those who due to the incompetence

of its administrators are being obscenely and unsustainably overcompensated, or fi le for bankruptcy, as happened in Vallejo some time back.

Naturally, as is common in politics, some people when confronted with an unpleasant charge or accusation fi nd that it is better to ignore the facts of the matter and resort to hysterics and su-perfl uous banter, as has Debra Marlow. The fact that she has lost her job has no bearing whatsoever on what the compen-sation package of her husband, a police offi cer, is or should be.

An important fact for Debra Marlow to understand is that, if there were no recession/depression at all, and housing prices were still at bubble levels, the City of Antioch and all other jurisdictions in the state providing police and fi re protection would still be facing bankruptcy because of this very real is-sue: police and fi re are unjustly overcom-pensated.

Oh, and there are clearly hundreds, if not thousands, of candidates who will happily apply for open police jobs in Antioch, even though there will be a two-tier compensation package in effect, with the new hires getting dramatically less than their royal counterparts, who are now employed here.

In all likelihood, we will then have police offi cers pitted against each other, even as we now have taxpayers pitted against other taxpayers, all brought on by the citys unwise use of the Mello-Roos tax path to quick and dirty subdivi-sions. Can you imagine wage and benefi t negotiations with two distinctly differ-ently compensated police groups sitting at the bargaining table?

Clearly the only naivety to be found

between me and Debra Marlow rests within herself and some city administra-tors.

At least thats the way it appears from my overtaxed Antioch abode.

James C. MorrisAntioch

Add downtown amenitiesEditor:

As Ive watched the progress of the Downtown Brentwood Revitalization since moving to the area about seven months ago, its become a bit challeng-ing to remain optimistic about how the downtown area will look when the project is complete.

I was really hoping to see a down-town designed in Brentwood along the lines of some of the beautiful downtown areas in the Bay Area where Ive lived previously, such as Livermore, Pleasan-ton, Danville and Walnut Creek, and had hoped that those responsible for the Brentwood project were planning a downtown area that would be similar in design and amenities to the aforemen-tioned successful downtowns.

What Ive noticed about these areas that Ive yet to see in downtown Brent-wood (or just about anywhere in Brent-wood, really) are a few things that make all the difference: tall, mature shade trees, large decorative fountains and plenty of visually appealing lighting. I sincerely hope downtown Brentwood ends up looking as nice as these other downtowns within the Bay Area, so I dont have to continue driving to one of these other cities to enjoy downtown shopping, din-ing and walking.

Deborah HindsBrentwood

City of Brentwood City Manager and City Council City Hall150 City Park WayBrentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-516-5440www.ci.brentwood.ca.us

City of Antioch City Manager and City Council City HallTh ird and H streetsAntioch, CA 94509Phone: 925-779-7000www.ci.antioch.ca.us

City of Oakley City Manager and City Council City Hall3231 Main St.Oakley, CA 94561Phone: 925-625-7000www.ci.oakley.ca.us

Town of Discovery BayTown Manager and Community Services District 1800 Willow Lake RoadDiscovery Bay, CA 94505Phone: 925-634-1131www.todb.ca.gov

County Supervisor, Dist. III Mary N. Piepho3361 Walnut Blvd., Suite 140.Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-240-7260 [email protected]

County Supervisor, Dist. VFederal Glover315 E. Leland Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone: [email protected]

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier Seventh State Senate DistrictState CapitolRoom 2054Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916-651-4007 1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 240Walnut Creek, CA 94597Phone: 925-942-6082www.dist07.casen.govoffi ce.com

Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan15th District P.O. Box 942849Sacramento, CA 942493231 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561 Phone: 925-679-2715www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a15

Gov. Jerry BrownConstituent Aff airsState Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2864 www.gov.ca.gov/interact#email

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi10th Congressional District420 W. Th ird StreetAntioch, CA 94509Phone: 925-757-7187Washington offi ce:228 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: 202-225-1880www. garamendi.house.gov/contact

U.S. Rep. Gerald McNerney 11th Congressional District 2222 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 7 Stockton, CA 95207 Phone: 209-476-8552Fax: 209-476-8587Washington offi ce:312 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS


22 000002 02010

S

IL

VER MEDAL

AWARD

Independence High School students Kathryn Buf m and Joe Gabrielli smile for the camera along with their proud parents after winning the rst round of the Brentwood Lions Clubs 2012 Student Speaker Con-test. This years topic is What could America of yesterday teach the America of tomorrow? Kathryn now advances to the Zone competition held March 7 in Bethel Island, where shell compete for $10,000 in college scholarships.

Spectacular speaking

Photo courtesy of Brentwood Lions Club

amount of progress with a 10-year sunset, he said. If the public approves, they can extend it or make it less, or they can revoke it.

Prior to the vote, the tax received the en-dorsement of the 450-member United Profes-sional Fire Fighters Union Local 1230, which represents ECCFPD fi refi ghters.

We are 100 percent behind this and our membership is ready to roll, said Gil Guer-rero of Local 1230. We will be out there sell-ing this, giving it everything we have. This is important for all the communities of East Contra Costa.

The tax would apply to all parcels in the 250-square-mile ECCFPD, which includes Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen, Bethel Island and Morgan Terri-tory. The measure includes an annual cost-of-living increase up to 3 percent per year.

If passed, the tax will allow the district to avoid laying off half its 48 fi refi ghters and closing three of its six remaining stations. Two stations were closed in 2010 to cut costs as dis-

trict revenue shrank with plummeting prop-erty tax revenue.

The tax would allow the district to staff all engines with the industry-standard three fi refi ghters. Two stations are currently staffed with two.

It would also allow implementation of a district paramedic program. ECCFPD fi re-fi ghters now provide Basic Life Saving (BLS) medical care. Advanced Life Saving (ALS) service is currently provided separately by American Medical Response.

Passage would also open a seventh sta-tion in 2016, and immediately begin replen-ishing depleted funds for maintaining stations and replacing vehicles and equipment.

Fire Chief Hugh Henderson said public information meetings would continue in the coming weeks. The district has already con-ducted 18 community meetings explaining the need for the tax and the consequences if new revenue is not found. The district is now de-pendent on reserves that will run out in July.


Fire Tax from page 1A

perspective about her future career goals.I had no idea how much goes into run-

ning the Parks and Recreation Department not to mention the entire city, Gruss said. We dont get to learn about this stuff in class, so its really cool to get an up-close look at how all this works. Plus, it was really neat to get a tour of the community center. Its right next to our school, so its cool to see what it looks like.

Mas was excited to learn that a scholas-tic major is offered to students interested in going into the recreation fi eld. According to Bronzan, recreation majors dont always work for city governments; they might, for instance, be the ones who create the challenges for TV competitions such as Survivor. He also not-ed that recreation specialists are often hired as event planners, which interested Mas, as she hopes to become a wedding planner.

Corpus was also impressed by the vast

opportunities in the Parks and Recreation Department. I was surprised to learn that so much goes into this one department. When you think parks and recreation, you think playgrounds and trees and dance classes, but theres a lot of work to be done. Director Bron-zan said the departments motto is adding joy to peoples lives. Its nice to know that theres this whole group of people dedicated to mak-ing the city a fun community for families to enjoy.

As part of the Youth in Government pro-gram, students were taken on a tour of the city, which included a new stop: the John Marsh House. After a day of shadowing, students returned to City Hall Tuesday night to sit in on the scheduled City Council meeting. Next week, the Youth in Government students will take on the roles of the employees they shad-owed and conduct their own mock council meeting.


Students from page 1A

16A | THEPRESS.NET MARCH 2, 2012

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 888882008

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 888882008

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

22 11112011

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net THEPRESS.NET | 17A MARCH 2, 2012

Follow sports on Twitter! Scan QR code with your smart phone.

Same faces make Wolverines a tennis favorite

This years Deer Valley boys tennis team looks much like last years squad high hopes and an Ahmad at the top of the singles lad-der.

Senior Zahid Ahmad, who takes over the No. 1 slot from his older brother Abid, has set his sights on continued domination of the Bay Valley Athletic League. Last season, Zahid went undefeated throughout league play and made it deep into the North Coast Section tournament as a doubles player.

The Wolverines return several athletes from last years league title team, including fi ve of its six singles players Ahmad, junior Cameron Yee, senior Zac Grosser, junior Jer-emy Gonzales and senior Adam Alemneu.

Deer Valley maintained the solidarity of its doubles pairings as well. The top duo of ju-niors Jeremy Rotman and Michael Djaja are back. One notable newcomer is No. 2 singles player Zac Ea, a freshman who has been im-pressive in preseason.

Were headed down the right road, head coach Brian Richardson said. We just have to keep our focus.

Deer Valley is already turning some heads after claiming victories over non-league schools such as De La Salle and Berkeley.

Richardson believes the rugged preseason schedule makes the Wolverines battle-tested as league play starts.Heritage

Heritage, one of the top teams in the league last season, is starting nearly from scratch this year. The Patriots lost 11 of the 12 varsity athletes from last years team to graduation. The one returning player is No. 2

singles athlete Adam Tamura, a junior.What the Patriots lack in varsity experi-

ence, they make up for in talent. At the top of the singles ladder is freshman Trevor Samuda. Head coach Mike Carmen said Samuda, the brother of 2010 BVAL girls champion Arle-sha Samuda, is already one of the most sea-soned athletes on the team.

Samuda already owns a title, winning

the recent Richards/Kelly Memorial Tourna-ment in Oakley. Another freshman to watch is Worku Ousman, Heritages No. 5 singles athlete.

Its nice because well have them for a long time, Carmen said of his younger play-ers. Im hoping we can surprise a lot of peo-ple and hopefully compete for a league title.

Seniors Josiah Younger and Adam Neil-son comprise the Patriots top doubles squad. Both played for Heritages junior varsity squad, and Carmen is excited to see what they can do this season.Freedom

Freedom senior Justin Monge, who got a taste of the No. 1 slot last season, returns to the top spot fully in his possession. Falcons head coach Steve Amaro said Monge has shown the ability to lead by example and put in the necessary work.

Amaro feels that the teams strength is its singles ladder, led by Monge.

A few new athletes have a chance to compete for Freedom this season. Senior Da-vid Moe, whose sister Michelle starred for the Falcons a few years ago, could impress out of the No. 5 singles slot. Freshman singles player Seth Dike has also done well in preseason.

Amaro is excited for senior Jarrelle Tram-

by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer

see Tennis page 21A

Deer Valley senior Adam Alemneu returns a shot during Mondays practice. Alemneu is one of ve returning singles players for the Wolverines.

Photo by Justin Lafferty

Bay Valley Athletic League basketball teams have advanced deep into the North Coast Section playoffs. Above right, Freedom junior center Ramiro Contreras battles with a Liberty player for a rebound in second-round action. Above left, Deer Valley senior guard Monique Mulder maneuvers between two Amador Valley Dons during the Wolverines second-round victory. Deer Valley and Freedoms boys teams squared off in the semi nals on Wednesday, while Deer Valleys girls team faced Mission San Jose and Heritages girls squad tangled with Berkeley. Read recaps at www.thepress.net. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thepress_sports for scoring updates of the nals.

March Madness

Photo by Justin Lafferty Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr.

18A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS MARCH 2, 2012

Local wrestlers head to Bakersfield

Bay Valley Athletic League wrestlers made a name for themselves in several ways at last weekends North Coast Section tour-nament.

Led by Antioch senior Kyle Clark, who won the 220-pound division, seven BVAL athletes placed in the top four in their weight class, which was required to advance to the state tournament. Clark defeated College Parks Alex Encarnacion 10-3 in the fi nals. The top local team was Liberty, which placed four grapplers in the top four, good enough for a third-place fi nish.

Going in, I would have been happier with anything better than a fi fth place, but we got a banner, which was good for the kids, Lions head coach Greg Chappel said, referring to the fl ag that will now decorate the gym at Liberty. The kids wrestling on that Saturday had big matches after big matches.

Liberty will send to the state tourna-ment sophomore Devon Lyle (second, 106 pounds), junior Austin Solari (third, 126 pounds), senior Jacob Thompson-Zanarini (second, 132 pounds), senior Xavier Johnson (third, 138 pounds) and senior Zack Hanson (second, 170 pounds).

Joining them will be Clark, as well as Heritage sophomore Joey Vigil, who placed fourth at 106 pounds, losing to Lyle in the quarterfi nals before bouncing back.

Clarks performance ended his injury-plagued season on an upbeat note. It also gave him his fi rst NCS title last season he lost in the tournament fi nals. Clarks run to this seasons fi nals was dominant: he won his matches 21-3, 19-2, 18-3, 15-3, and 10-3 in the fi nal.

After Liberty, the next best BVAL team was Freedom, which fi nished 13th. Sopho-more Ricky Costers fi fth-place performance in the 126-pound division was the closest the Falcons came to qualifying a wrestler for state. Rounding out the BVALs team contest

was Heritage (29th), Antioch (35th), Pitts-burg (tied, 36th) and Deer Valley (56th).

The seven remaining grapplers head to this weekends state tournament at the Rabo-bank Arena in Bakersfi eld. Since the tourna-ment is loaded with the best wrestlers from the most populous state in the nation, Chap-pel knows better than to speculate about what will happen.

It wouldnt kill me if our guys didnt do that well, Chappel said. But they just have to get in there on that fi rst day and get a good feeling and anything can happen. If not, then they need to come back the next day and go one match at a time.

Antiochs Clark will take on Clovis Wests Cortes Morales in the fi rst round, while Heritages Vigil will go up against Johnson Mai from North Torrance. Libertys Thompson-Zanarini opposes Woodlands Michael Lopez, and Hanson will clash with Tyler Gil or Orland. Teammates Lyle, Solari and Johnson received fi rst-round byes.


by Michael DixonCorrespondent

Liberty junior Austin

Solari pins Exeters

Brandon Akers during

the Lou Bronzan

Invitational earlier this year. Solari took third

place at NCS.

Press file photo

Girls finish well at CIF

Led by Pittsburg senior Lachae Banks, four local girls competed at the California Interscholastic Feder-ation wrestling tournament in Lem-oore.

Banks, a 235-pound senior, placed eighth in her weight class. She lost her fi rst match to Alana ONeill of Terra Nova, but claimed victories over Magnolias America Martinez, Lancasters Cecilia Diaz, and San Benitos Athena McGoff. In the fi -nal rounds, Banks fell to McLanes Anissa Hernandez and once again to ONeill in the seventh-place show-down.

Teammate Desirae Coniglio, a 114-pound junior, beat Northviews Devinie Elizando in the opening round, but lost to Bethels Ricki Lian in the fi rst round of the consolation bracket.

Liberty was represented by tal-ented grappler Kristina Diaz, fi nish-ing her fi nal season as a Lion. Diaz defeated Charter Oaks Maria Her-nandez in the fi rst round, but fell to eventual second-place fi nisher Em-ily Ducote of Los Gatos in the next bout. Bear Rivers Darlene Julian beat Diaz in the consolation bracket.

Heritage sophomore Lania Aguayo put in a solid performance at state and showed promise for her fi nal two years as a Patriot. After losing to Lancasters Anna Divins in the fi rst round, she toppled Pioneer Valleys Shyla Espinoza and West Covinas Justine Steward in the con-solation bracket. Her day ended in a loss to Ripons Hailey Owens.

MARCH 2, 2012 SPORTS THEPRESS.NET | 19A

THE PRESS ATHLETE OF THE THE PRESS ATHLETE OF THE WEEKWEEKSponsored by The Press Newspapers

Want more exposure for your business? You can sponsor the Athlete of the Week!

Contact Sonia at 634-1441, ext. 162 for the details!

If youd like to nominate someone for Athlete of the Week, call Justin at 634-1441, ext.138

Kyle ClarkAntioch wrestler Kyle Clark, the lone Panther to place at the North Coast Section Championship meet, defeated Alex Encarnacion of College Park to win the 220-pound bracket. Clark was the only BVAL wrestler to claim a tournament title.

The Press is happy to award two Rave movie passes to the Athlete of the Week! Prizes to be claimed at the Brentwood Press, 248 Oak St., Downtown Brentwood.

This weeks athlete is sponsored by The Press Newspapers

CHECK FOR SPECIALS AT WWW.QUICKLANEOFBRENTWOOD.COM

W RKSTHE

Fuel Saver PackageFuel Saver Package

WELL SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY.

We service all makes and models!Motorcraft

Tested Tough Batteries

Starting at

$89.95$89.95***Through 3/31/12

Oil Change Brake Inspection Belts and Hoses Check Filter Check

Tire Rotation Battery Test Fluid Top-Off Multi-Point Inspection

8085 Brentwood Blvd. 634-9900Across the street from Bill Brandt Ford

Quick Lane is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company

Michelin and BFGoodrich tires Buy 4 tires and get a $50 rebate

Plus receive a complimentary TireCARE Road Hazard Package ($110 Value). Through 3/31/12

We honor major eet plans, e.g. GE Fleet, PH&H, ARI, Lease Plan & Donlon

$29.95$29.95**

Retail purchases only. Up to fi ve quarts of Motorcraft oil and Motorcraft oil fi lter. Taxes, diesel vehicles, and disposal fees extra. Hybrid battery test excluded. Mail in/online rebate form must be postmarked by 4/30/12. See Service Advisor for vehicle exclusions and details. Off er valid with coupon. Expires: 3/31/12.

The quick way to save fuel.*After $10 mail-in rebate.

THE RIGHT TIRES AT THE RIGHT PRICE.

FREE AlignmentInspectionCall for appointment.May not be combined with other coupons, discounts or specials. Please present cou-pon when service order is written.

WITH THIS COUPON EXPIRES 3/31/12

22 000002010

GOL

D MEDALAWARD

Heritage frosh wins preseason tourney

Trevor Samuda is only a freshman, but hes already worked his way to the top of the Heritage tennis ladder.

Samuda also worked his way to the top of the bracket at the Richards/Kelly Memorial Tournament at Diamond Hills Sports Club in Oakley. He claimed the title in the singles bracket, defeating St. Patrick/St. Vincents Jordan Jenkins 6-4, 6-2.

Although the St. Patrick/St. Vincent Bruins, from Vallejo, fell in the singles divi-sion, they succeeded in the doubles bracket. Their No. 1 pair, Hinson and Ricky Leung, claimed the title by defeating teammates Christian Lu and Kenneth Lapuz.

The tournament drew teams from across Northern California, including four of the six Bay Valley Athletic League schools plus teams from San Leandro, Rosemont and Tracy.

Heritages Samuda faced a tough road the fi nals. He began by beating San Lean-dros William Yeung 10-1 and St. Patrick/St. Vincents Tommy Purcell 10-0. In the quarterfi nals, Samuda dismissed Antioch senior Ikram Najib 10-3, then defeated Freedom No. 1 Justin Monge 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the fi nals.

Monge made a pretty good run as well, claiming victories over Eric Bonde of St. Marys, Heritages Mackenzie Keady and Tracys Anthony Klassen.

St. Marys No. 1 Brendon LaMon earned a third-place victory after topping Monge 6-2, 6-2. Najib did earn some re-demption by rallying for fi fth place, defeat-ing Tracys Klassen and Derek Paris in the consolation bracket.

While out-of-town competition claimed the top four spots of the doubles bracket, Heritages Josiah Younger and Adam Nielson placed fi fth, defeating An-tiochs Sascha Ko and Devonn Garrison and then teammates Worku Ousman and Jack Farnstrom after being bounced from the main bracket.

Ousman and Farnstrom topped Rose-monts No. 1 team of Lars Cheatham and Francis Tacuyan in the opening round, then beat Freedoms Jarrelle Tramble and Drake Miller before falling to Andrew Canlas and Anmol Cheema of Tracy.

Ko and Garrison, from Antioch, claimed a couple of victories in the main bracket, topping Libertys No. 1 duo of Nick Fallon and Cody Marlin and then St. Patrick/St. Vincents James Landgu and Mike Cole.


by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer


Do Not MoveI RepeatDo Not Leave Your HomeUntil Th e Bank Forecloses Or Th e Short Sale Is Completedby Joan Grimes, Esq.

Advertisement

Every day people come into my offi ce indicating that they moved out of their home many months (or even years ago) and the bank still has not foreclosed. Th ey are now concerned because the city is sending them bills for maintenance on the property and the Homeowners Association is suing them for back payments even though they are no longer living at the home. If you are behind on your mortgage, have tried a loan modifi cation and have been denied or know you will not be able to keep the home, what should you do?

First, DO NOT MOVE I REPEATDO NOT MOVE UNTIL THE BANK FORECLOSES OR THE SHORT SALE IS COMPLETED. You are now living in your home without paying your mortgage. It is free! You should not start paying rent someplace else when you can live in your home for free.

Second, KEEP UP THE PROPERTY. YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPERTY UNTIL THE BANK FORECLOSES OR THE SHORT SALE IS COMPLETED. So, even if you moved, you are still responsible for the maintenance of the property and payment of any Homeowner Association dues. You do not need to pay the property taxes, but you should maintain the homeowners insurance. Th erefore, if you are still responsible for the maintenance and HOA payment, you might as well enjoy the property and the amenities.

Th ird, CONTINUE TO TALK TO YOUR LENDER TO SEE IF ANY NEW OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU. Starting January 1, 2011, the State of California is off ering new assistance programs through your lender if you are behind on your mortgage.

Fourth, SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL. Depending on your situation, a real estate or bankruptcy attorney will be able to advise you whether a short sale may be

a better alternative for you than a foreclosure. Also, if you have other debt which you are unable to pay off such as credit cards, lines of credit or car loans, a bankruptcy may be the best alternative for you. However, if you are no longer in the home, the debt against the property cannot be used to off set income. Th erefore, if you (or your family) have income over the average median income in California (Family 1- $47,234, Family 2-$61,954, Family 3-$67,562), you will want to fi le the bankruptcy case prior to leaving the home. Leaving the home prior to the bankruptcy fi ling may mean the fi ling of a Chapter 13 repayment plan versus a straight Chapter 7 where no debts must be repaid.

In conclusion, do not move until the Bank forecloses or the short sale is completed. It is still your home until the Bank forecloses which can be months or years from the time you stop paying. Th e average time of a foreclose in California is now 451 days from the date of default. Th at means potentially 451 days of FREE RENT or more. Since you are still responsible for the property, you might as well enjoy it. Th is is a complicated area of the law. You are in the deep end of the pool. Do not swim alone. Th e buddy system is essential. Seek a buddy in legal counsel prior to taking any action. I see people everyday for a FREE 30 minute consultation in my offi ces located in Walnut Creek, Antioch and Brentwood.

WE ARE A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY. WE HELP PEOPLE FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED AS LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON IN MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING A VOLUNTARY DEFAULT, SHORT SALE, FORECLOSURE OR BANKRUPTCY. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OBTAINING TAX & LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING AN INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. GRIMESBKLAW.COM 2011 Joan Grimes

Poker for Hall tripThey wont be inducted into the

Baseball Hall of Fame, but Oakleys Elite White 12U team will make the trip to Cooperstown, N.Y. this summer to compete against teams from across the nation in the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational Tournament.

Elite Baseball holds a poker tournament fundraiser Saturday, March 10 at 6 p.m. in the Antioch Womans

Club, 509 G St., to support the teams trip to Cooperstown. Tickets are $65. On deck are Elite Baseballs car show and car wash fundraising events.

The team continues to conduct tryouts for roster spots. For more information about tryouts or fundraising, e-mail [email protected] or call 925-437-6235.

Contributed by Jayme Guitron

Photo courtesy of Jayme Guitron

The East County Cheetahs Amateur Athletic Union track team awaits the starting gun in its inaugural competition Saturday the Comets Meet, held at Contra Costa College in San Pablo.

The youth all-comers meet comprising runners 4 through 18 requires AAU membership ($14 at www.aausports.org) but no entrance fee. Pro-ceeds from concessions support the Con-tra Costa College Athletic Department.

The East County

Cheetahs continue to ac-cept new athletes. The organization requests a $100 per athlete donation to participate. Parents can call Cris Houston at 925-478-1603, e-mail [email protected], or attend a prac-tice to sign up. The Chee-tahs practice Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thurs-

days at 5:30 p.m. on the Pittsburg High School track.

First meet for Cheetahs

Members of Oakleys Elite White 12U baseball team are hoping to take a trip to Baseballs birthplace, Cooperstown, N.Y., for a national tournament.

MARCH 2, 2012 SPORTS THEPRESS.NET | 21A

TIRESALE

SpringTIRE

SALEPASSENGER TIRES PERFORMANCE TIRES LIGHT TRUCK TIRES

OUR MOST POPULAR ON SALE!

!!

FREEMOUNTING AIR CHECKS ROTATIONS

ROAD HAZARD FLAT REPAIR

3999155/80TR-13

LOW COSTRADIALS !!

5999

185/65HR-14

These are great buys on 65/60/55/50/45/40/35series radials.



!!



P235/75SR-159999Economy all season light truck radial

Excellent value on highway and all season radials

70,000 MILE WARRANTY

ALL SEASON RELIABILITY



P155/80SR-13

7140

ON

SALE

195/50VR-15

An all season ultra-high performance tire. It is designed primarily for plus-fitment applications on sport compact cars, sports sedans, and coupes.



ONSALE

!! !!

1243910895

205/70TR-15

!!

Attractive outlined white letters. Features a deep tread design for longer mileage. Mud & Snow rated.

A modern tread pattern that provides quality handling

CLOSEOUTPRICING!



50,000 MILE WARRANTY

SMOOTH, QUIET RIDE

ALL TERRAIN DESIGN

EXCELLENT TRACTION

3%/ %"/04.%/(%,#%

/-&%00(-,"**5/"(,%$%#',(#(",0

/%+(2+2"*(15"/10

%01/")%"//",15

66

(ON MOSTVEHICLES)

This is just a sample of the new wheel styles Les

Schwab has for 2012. The new Volume 25 Les Schwab Wheel Catalog is available now at all

locations.

AMERICANRACING890

FOCAL421 X

KMCXD 807

MHT FUELKRANKMACHINED

MKWM88

AMERICANRACING895

CUSTOM WHEELS THE LES SCHWABWARRANTY

MOUNTING, AIR CHECKS, FLAT REPAIR, ROTATIONS & ROAD HAZARD...WITH THE TIRES YOU BUY!

FREEAt Les Schwab, were proud of our

FREE Warranty. Its a tremendous value worth up to $250 of valuable services. We stand behind our warranty at over 430 stores throughout the West. Visit LesSchwab.com for the store nearest you!

SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

www.LesSchwab.com

BRENTWOOD6361 Lone Tree Way

(925) 513-3432

OAKLEY89 Carol Lane

(925) 625-4532

22 11112011

GOL

DMEDALAWARD

OAKLEYOAKLEYPRESS

20112011

ble, a member of the No. 1 doubles team, who has developed a powerful serve that can be a useful weapon this season. Tramble is paired up with Drake Miller. Andrew Polk is another doubles athlete, along with partner Miguel Gilmore, who could have a solid year.Antioch

Antioch has a good mix of returners and newcomers, as the Panthers hope to climb the BVAL ranks.

Senior Ikram Najib returns as Antiochs No. 1 singles player, and head coach Larry Johnson believes he can continue to improve. At the recent Richards/Kelly Memorial Tour-nament, Najib placed fi fth against competi-tion from across Northern California.

Sophomore Michael Bonzi returns to man the No. 2 slot. Jarrod Sarinas and An-tonio Hernandez create a formidable No. 1 team.

I hope theyve improved with the time off, Johnson said of his team. It gives us a chance to be optimistic.

One of the key new athletes for Antioch is a transfer from Illinois, senior Devonn Gar-rison, who pairs with Sascha Ko in the No. 3 doubles slot. Doubles player Deondre Grady, a senior, also shows some promise in his fi rst year on the court.Liberty

Liberty had problems fi elding a full team last season, but head coach Thurston Brice feels that this years team has some talent and can compete.

The lone senior on the Lions young squad is No. 1 singles player Jordan Tickner. Most of the players still have some time left at Liberty, such as sophomore Noah Wang, the No. 2 singles player, and junior Hank Tien, who will play in the No. 3 singles spot.

The Lions doubles players are nearly all sophomores. Cody Marlin and Nick Fal-lon are the two second-year players atop the doubles card.

Were young, Brice said. Were going to do OK in league, so long as we can get our heads straight.

Brice is excited to see the progression of Arne Schmidt, a German transfer student who recently started playing tennis, but has already made signifi cant progress in the No. 4 singles slot. Pittsburg

First-year head coach George Zumbro leads a Pittsburg team looking to develop its skills this season.

The Pirates will count on fi ve seniors to guide them through the rough waters of the BVAL Kevin Caranto, Gabriel Rodriguez, Jose Pascual, Robert Kirkham and Roberto Ruiz. Zumbro, who spent the last 15 years as a tennis instructor, said Pascual and Caranto are battling it out for the No. 1 singles spot.

A cadre of talented Pittsburg players who will return next season includes juniors Harold Ningas and Abraham Padilla, plus freshmen Milton Torres, Vincent Parungao and Joshua Balbuena.

Zumbro noted that his team is loaded with players who lack experience on the court but have been astute pupils. The main weak-ness will be depth, as the Pirates might not be able to fi eld a 12-man squad this season.

I feel that theyre an interesting group of boys, Zumbro said. Im hoping that they will mature.


Tennis from page 17A


LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESNOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALE

TS No. 11-0137168 Title Order No. 11-0117059 Investor/Insurer No. 138474173 APN No. 033-280- 099-4 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 04/19/2006. 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 CHRISTOPHER R VARGAS, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, dated 04/19/2006 and recorded 4/28/2006, as Instrument No. 2006-0133891-00, in Book , Page ), of Of cial Records in the of ce of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, State of California, will sell on 03/26/2012 at 10:00AM, At the Court Street entrance to the County Courthouse (corner of Main and Court Street), 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash or check as described below, payable in full at time of sale, all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust, in the property situated in said County and State and as more fully 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: 1410 QUAIL VALLEY RUN, OAKLEY, CA, 94561. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common des-ignation, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with in-terest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reason-able estimated costs, expenses and ad-vances at the time of the initial publica-tion of the Notice of Sale is $432,220.39. 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 Finan-cial 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: 02/19/2012 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# 4202104 03/02/2012, 03/09/2012, 03/16/2012 Oak-ley Press No. 03- 0477 Publish dates: March 2, 9, 16, 2012.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALETS No. 11-0136122 Title Order No. 11-0115671 Investor/Insurer No. 871940471 APN No. 035-740- 026-6 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 10/10/2007. 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 JAIME RUIZ AND PATRICIA GOMEZ, dated 10/10/2007 and recorded 10/17/2007, as Instrument No. 2007-0288552-00, in Book , Page ), of Of- cial Records in the of ce of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, State of California, will sell on 03/26/2012 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: 4721 BAYSIDE, OAKLEY, CA, 94561. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common des-ignation, if any, shown herein. The total amount

brentwood press_03.02.12

Documents

tax page

city of brentwood

openended tax

tax indefi

annual parcel tax

year sunset clause

public offi cials

new city hall