Business strategies: Mayor Sbranti outlines new retail districts for city PAGE 4

‘All-American’: Dublin one of 27 finalists for national recognition PAGE 6

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE PAIDPLEASANTON, CA

PERMIT NO. 548

INS

IDE

www.trivalleyviews.com

to DublinGateway

‘Eternal Ribbon’ adds to city’s

expanding public artwork

PAGE 4

Page 2 April 26, 2010 TriValley Views

Since this is the first year, some of your favorites might not be on the drop-down menus. If you have a favorite not on the list, feel free to write it in. If we get a significant number of write-ins for a particular location, it will be included in the drop-down.

Around Town

Best Auto Dealership

Best Car Repair

Best Car Wash

Best Golf Course

Best Pet Groomer

Best Place for Dance Lessons

Best Place to Get a Traffic Ticket

Best Place to Have a First Date

Best Place to People Watch

Best Tire Store / Service Center

Best Tutoring School

Best Veterinarian

Personal Care

Best Dry Cleaners

Best Hair Salon for Men

Best Hair Salon for Women

Best Manicure / Pedicure

Best Massage

Best Medical Spa

Specialty Retail

Best Art Gallery

Best Bicycle Shop

Best Bookstore

Best Consignment Store

Best Florist

Best Health Food Store

Best Hobby / Craft Store

Best Jewelry Store

Best Pet Store

Best Place to Buy a Gift

Best Womens Clothing Store

Epicure

Best American Food Restaurant

Best Atmosphere

Best Bakery

Best Barbecue

Best Breakfast

Best Burger

Best Burrito

Best Chinese Restaurant

Best French Fries

Best Ice Cream / Yogurt Shop

Best Independent Coffee House

Best Italian Restaurant

Best Margarita

Best Meal Under $20

Best Mediterranean / Middle Eastern

Restaurant

Best Mexican Restaurant

Best Outdoor Dining

Best Pizza

Best Place for a Business Lunch

Best Romantic Restaurant

Best Seafood Restaurant

Best Steakhouse

Best Sushi / Japanese Restaurant

Best Take-out Restaurant

Best Thai Restaurant

Let’s Get Physical

Best Bike or Walking Trail

Best Health Club

Best Martial Arts Studio

Best Personal Trainer

Best Place to Jog

Best Place to Walk a Dog

Best Yoga / Pilates

At Home

Best Carpet Cleaners

Best Flooring Store

Best Hardware Store

Best Home Consignment Shop

Best Home Furnishings

Best Outdoor Furniture Store

Best Plumber

Best Roofer

Stepping Out

Best Place for a Picnic

Best Place for an After Work Drink

Best Place for Dancing

Best Place for Live Music

Best Place to Get Together With

Friends

Best Place to Meet New People

We want to know your favorite places to eat, shop, mingle and more

in Dublin!

Balloting in TriValley Views’ first Readers Choice Dublin contest

will be online between April 2 and May 3 at TriValleyViews.com.

You will need to vote for at least 15 categories and complete

the contact information at the end of the ballot.

You only get one vote! To discourage ballot box stuffing,

your ballot will not be counted until you activate it by responding

to a confirmation e-mail that will be automatically sent to you.

Why do business with a big bank?

Tech CU offers betterrates and services!

Competitive rates on home, auto and personal loans

Free Online & Mobile Banking for 24/7 access to your accounts

60,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide—more than most major banks!

Come see us at the Dublin Financial Center:6601 A Dublin Blvd., Dublin CA 94568

If you would like your ad

on this page, please contact

Karen at (925) 600-0840 ext. 122.

TriValley Views April 26, 2010 Page 3

AROUND THE TRI-VALLEY

BY JEB BING

I spent the early part of this month in New York City with family and friends, enjoying

remarkably sunny days while rain-storms and cool temperatures ham-mered Dublin and the Tri-Valley. In fact, some of the days at mid-month set records with the thermometer approaching 80 degrees. That all has changed for the Big Apple in recent days as the good weather followed me back home. New York City has been crowded much of the month with college and high school students on spring break, includ-ing many groups of middle school students being escorted by their teachers, small notepads, iPhones and city guides in hand for reports they’re no doubt preparing now on their visits to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and no doubt the elegant stores along Fifth Avenue and in Trump Plaza which their travel al-lowances couldn’t afford. But for a day, at least, Easter Sunday, Fifth Avenue seemed to be where everyone was with most stores closed and $2 hotdogs for sale by dozens of street vendors who were allowed on the thoroughfare for the six hours it was restricted to pedestrians only. The city’s annual Easter festivities included crowded services at the street’s three major churches as hundreds dressed in elaborate Easter outfits and Eas-ter bonnets posed for photographs while thousands more just wan-dered Fifth Avenue from Central Park at 59th Street down to St. Pat-rick’s Cathedral at 51st. I was one of those taking advantage of one of the few times in the year Fifth Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic. It was a street of contrasts with hundreds standing in line to buy the new iPads that had just gone on sale at the glass-walled Apple store across from the park to those in their Eas-ter finery at St. Thomas Episcopal, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian and St. Patrick’s. There were more women

in colorful Easter dresses than men in suits, although most wore “busi-ness casual” as we like to say. That’s much different from only a decade ago when the dress code for church-goers was much more formal. New York’s Easter Parade, first begun in 1870 but immortalized in 1933 by Irving Berlin’s hit song “Eas-ter Parade” and later Fred Astaire’s musical with the same name, is really not a parade at all. There are no floats, marching bands or tall balloons as found in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nevertheless, people come from all over to watch and partici-pate, wearing top hats, flowered hats with real flowers on top, some with hats with bird nests, and others with fashionable bonnets reminiscent of early America and the Puritans. The crowds were heaviest in front of St. Patrick’s where the pews were packed for each of a series of Masses, especially the late morn-ing Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the New York Catholic archdiocese. Although a few protesters gathered across from the cathedral with signs about current church scandals, several thousand respectfully stood in front, applaud-ing Dolan when he appeared on the church steps to bless the crowd. By 1 p.m., it was all over, the street re-opened, and since there were few stores open to attract shoppers, the scores of school groups moved on to other New York sites while the rest of us looked for other interests. Along with others, I walked back to the Apple store to wait in line to buy an iPad.

Back from New York with the good weather

ABOUT THE COVER At Dougherty Road and Dublin Boulevard, workers from Ogletree Inc. install the centerpiece of the city of Dublin’s new gateway feature: “The Eternal Ribbon.” Funded by a $3.5 million federal grant, the twisting stainless steel arch spans 100 feet long and 22 feet high. Photo cour-tesy the city of Dublin. Cover design by Kristin Herman.

Vol. II, Number 7

VIEWSDublinTri-Valley

©2010 Embarcadero Media

ART & PRODUCTIONLead DesignerTrina Cannon

DesignersLili CaoKristin Herman

Ad Services Sandy Lee

ADVERTISINGAdvertising ManagerMary Hantos, Ext. 123Account Executives Paul Crawford, Ext. 113Karen Klein, Ext. 122

Real Estate SalesAndrea Heggelund, Ext. 110CIRCULATION MANAGERBob Lampkin

PUBLISHERGina Channell-Allen

EDITORIALEditorJeb Bing

Managing EditorDolores Fox Ciardelli

Online/Community EditorEmily West

TriValley Views and TriValleyViews.com are products of Embarcadero Media’s East Bay Division, which publishes Pleasanton Weekly, Danville Express and San Ramon Express

30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AVAILABLE (ASK FOR DETAILS)SHOCK & STRUTS AVAILABLE AT THIS LOCATION (ASK FOR DETAILS)

DUBLIN925-803-92096053 Dougherty Rd(1 block north of Dublin Blvd.)HOURS: Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-5SURF THE NET ON DSL WHILE WAITING

TUNE-UP & BRAKE CENTERS"We do MORE for your car"

Visit us at: www.qualitytuneup.com

Smog technicians always on duty. Please bring in your DMV renewal form. Most vehicles pass the smog test, but if your car fails we are authorized by the State of

CA to make most necessary adjustments or repairs on the spot.*Not valid with any other offer. No Appointment Necessary!

Expiration Date 3/31/10

WITH THIS COUPON/SEE FOOTNOTE*

SMOG CHECKINSPECTION SERVICE

Plus $8.25 forCA State Certifi cate

2495$

Price per axle includes ONLY the labor to install pads or shoes which are not included. Pads and shoes are extra and you may be asked to pay an additional

charge for machining rotors or drums along with additional charge for necessary hardware. Your fi nal price for brake service and repair may be higher than the

price listed.* Pricing will be authorized in advance by the customer. Not valid with any other offer. No Appointment Necessary!

Expiration Date 3/31/10

WITH THIS COUPON/SEE FOOTNOTE*

BRAKE REPLACEMENTSERVICE

8995$WOW!

◆ Here's what we do...Replace your old oil with up to 5qts of 10w-30 Premium Pennzoil motor oil. Replace your oil fi lter, lubricate existing fi ttings and check vital

fl uid levels (except cooling system).*Not valid with any other offer. No Appointment Necessary!

Expiration Date 3/31/10

WITH THIS COUPON/SEE FOOTNOTE*

While -U- Wait

LUBE, OIL & FILTERSERVICE

2188$

Expiration Date 4/30/10 Expiration Date 4/30/10

Expiration Date 4/30/10

Since 1976

*Most cars can be done for these prices (The increased cost for TRUCKS, VANS, SUV'S, RV'S, & Transverse mounted engines and some vehicles with limited access may be substantial). On Oil Changes (Includes hazardous waste fee, Substantial fee may apply for canister oil fi lters.) On Smog Checks (PLUS: $8.25 FOR CA STATE CERTIFICATE WHEN PASSES.) Any charges other than as advertised would of course, require customer approval in advance. Not valid with any other offer.

DUBLIN925-803-92096053 Dougherty Rd(1 block north of Dublin Blvd.)

HOURS: Mon-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-5SURF THE NET ON DSL WHILE WAITING

Top 1% in company production!

925.828.4433 www.my1home.comChris Kamali, REALTOR

Go to www.my1home.com today!Click on the right hand side link and sign up to

receive your voucher for free inspections anytime you buy or sell real estate with me in 2010!

FREE HOME AND TERMITE INSPECTION IF YOU SIGN UP IN APRIL!

DID YOU KNOW?

Our CARF-accredited Teen Drug and Alcohol Recovery program offers affordable substance abuse treatment services for Tri-Valley teens.

Contact Program Director Amie Sousa

at 925.201.6201 or asousa@axishealth.org.

Axis Community Health...here when you need us.

www.axishealth.org

Lose Weight RapidlyGain Optimal Energy and Health

Easily Adopt New Nutritional Habits

Weight Loss and Wellness Center

(925) 249-96424725 First Street #270Downtown Pleasanton

www.taharacenter.com

LOSE 15 TO 30 LBS.

in 2 Weeks

Detox Weight Loss Center

FREE( )Body Composition Analysis!

Typical Medical Office’s

Rate $80

FEB ‘10PW

JEB BING

This young girl, wearing her creative bonnet, was among hundreds at New York City’s Easter Parade.

Page 4 April 26, 2010 TriValley Views

BY JEB BING Despite a revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that starts July 1, Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti is al-ready eyeing better days ahead for his fast-growing city. Speaking to a Tri-Valley real es-tate group, Sbranti said Dublin is positioning itself strategically to de-velop three major business districts: transit, retail and Village Parkway. The city hasn’t given up on creating a downtown, but Sbranti said Dub-lin, like San Ramon, never had a “Main Street” corridor that provides historic downtowns in Pleasanton, Livermore and Danville. Sbranti added, however, that the Village Parkway district probably has the most similarities to the traditional downtown. “Dublin was developed in the 1960s and 1970s around a ‘strip’ model without a traditional Main Street,” he said. “So we are ap-proaching our downtown district in a different way, splitting it into

three areas and allowing businesses to choose which one they prefer.” Even so, Dublin Boulevard has become the city’s most traveled thoroughfare with its intersec-tion at Dougherty Road one of the most congested in the Tri-Valley. To spruce it up, Dublin is applying a federal grant of $3.5 million to en-hanced streetscape on the roadway, including a new “Eternal Ribbon” steel artwork on the east side of Dougherty at Dublin Boulevard. “The art piece is the start of more to come during the coming months on Dublin Boulevard,” Sbranti said. “The ‘Eternal Ribbon’ is the gate-way sign to our city.” Sbranti noted that what once were Mervyn’s, Expo and Circuit City, are empty buildings now. Al-though that is a loss for Dublin in terms of sales and property taxes, they also represent an opportunity for redevelopment to fit Dublin’s new strategy. With their huge park-ing lots and close proximity to the new Dublin West BART sta-tion, these areas are part of a new pedestrian-friendly gateway Sbranti and the City Council are planning for the future. As the commercial districts are better defined by the city, property owners will have the chance to pro-pose changes by expanding their buildings with new businesses or tearing them down for something new and different. Since the ulti-mate square footage of the com-mercial sites will be fixed by city planners, Sbranti pointed out that developers who present their plans first will be given preference. “The way government tradition-ally plans is to look at each indi-vidual parcel and then decide what type of shop goes here and what type of office goes there, and then developers come in and build ac-cording to those plans,” Sbranti said. “We have a market that doesn’t work like that,” he added. “The market is going to dictate some of these economic activities. So what we’re trying to say is rather than try to make a circle fit in a square peg and make something happen, let’s consider retail development, some offices and obviously some housing near the new BART sta-

tion. Let the market dictate what works best and where.” “We’re also going to create a little bit of competition in our down-town by letting developers look at the square feet available and maxi-mizing those sites,” he explained. “If you don’t step to the plate with your expansion plans, you may be disappointed but, of course, you can still make improvements to your property.” Sbranti said the city can’t force anything on private property own-ers and it respects that. So it is creating an incentive plan to let businesses and property owners do what’s best for them and the city. As for the new BART station, which was supposed to open last year, Sbranti said design conflicts between BART engineers and those at Caltrans, which controls what’s built over freeways, forced the reconstruction of steel walkways from the Pleasanton and Dublin sides of the station. That work is now under way with new walk-ways expected to be on site later this year and the station to be completed and open at this time in 2011. “This is going to be big for Dub-lin and will fit right in with our downtown development strategy,” Sbranti said. The Tralee Village housing com-plex at Doughtery and Dublin Boule-vard stands empty, Sbranti said, after the developer “fell on hard times.” He said the city is working with private firms to consider taking over the project and turning the units into rental apartments since there’s little demand for the condos that once were for sale in the project. Asked about a new Whole Foods supermarket planned in a strip mall across from Hacienda Cross-ings, Sbranti said those plans are on hold after the mall developer couldn’t get financing. “He’s in a catch-22 situation,” Sbranti said, “with lenders saying he can’t have the financing until all tenants sign their leases and ten-ants refusing to sign leases until the center is under construction.” Although Whole Foods has funds to build, it won’t proceed until there’s a shopping center to go with it, Sbranti said.

Dublin’s new strategies position city for retail growth

Sbranti outlines plans for business districts to meet differing demands

JEB BING

Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti (left) fields questions from Tri-Valley Realtors at meeting of Valley Real Estate Network, hosted by David C. Stark, public affairs director of the Bay East Association of Realtors.

MOTHER’S DAYGIFT CERTIFICATES

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Give your mom a heavenly experience this Mother’s Day

Special Mother’s Day packages to pamper the one that pampers you! Voted Best in Northern California

MASSAGES

Get All of This Plus More Great Offers from Volvo!

925.939.3333

2791 North Main St., Walnut Creek, CA

www.lawrencevolvo.com

For further details, please contact our sales department at 925.939.3333 or visit our

website at www.lawrencevolvo.com

FLY & DRIVE IN EUROPE

All model year 2010 Volvos are now available for European pickup, PLUS the new 2011 C30 and C70, it’s simple, order your Volvo and drive it in Europe on your vacation and Volvo

will ship it back no charge!

TriValley Views April 26, 2010 Page 5

Luxury for Less.

DANVILLE1901-F Camino Ramon 925.866.6164

MOUNTAIN VIEW141 E. El Camino Real650.964.7212

CORTE MADERA801 Tamalpais415.924.6691

SAN MATEO1888 So. Norfolk St.650.577.8979

SARATOGA600 El Paseo De Saratoga408.871.8890

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, Las Vegas, Folsom, Foothill Ranch, Roseville, Newport Beach, Austin

“Because It’s Consigned!”Beautiful Designer Furniture at Consignment Prices

Blue Cross

The Dublin Summer Activ-ity Guide is now available at the Civic Center and other municipal facilities. The publication features more than 240 activities and camps, in-cluding 30 new offerings. It also includes a Summer Camp section with a weekly camp plan-ner to simplify camp scheduling for families. Other information includes popular special events, such as Dublin, Pride Week, the community Father’s Day picnic, Community Golf Tournament,

Family Campout, summer con-certs and movies-in-the-park nights. Also included is an invitation to the community to participate in the “Community Survey on Dublin’s Essential Services.” Registration for summer pro-grams is being accepted now from Dublin residents and will start May 3 for non-residents. Registration is accepted online at www.Dublin-RecGuide.com, via mail or in per-son at City facilities.

—Jeb Bing

Summer Activity Guide is now available

Community survey on essential services included with publication

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), which operates the WHEELS bus ser-vice, will host a community open house meeting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at the Dublin Public Library to introduce the Rapid, a premier bus rapid transit service scheduled to begin opera-tion early next year. The open house will describe the Rapid route and schedule, as well as the innovative technologies that could reduce travel time across the Tri-Valley. Scheduled to begin service in early 2011, the Rapid will con-nect major destinations such as BART, Stoneridge Shopping Cen-ter and the Livermore and Sandia laboratories with service every 10 minutes during peak com-mute hours. In addition, traffic signal priority, queue jump lanes and other technologies will allow buses to bypass traffic and move through congested intersections

more quickly. The Rapid will use new, ultra-low emission low floor buses with distinctive styling. Enhanced bus shelters and benches, along with electronic bus arrival signs, will help make the service convenient and comfortable, LAVTA officials said. “We are excited to unveil this flagship service and show how the Rapid can benefit commuters, businesses and the environment,” said Pleasanton Vice Mayor Jerry Thorne, who is also the chairman of the LAVTA board of directors. “We are confident that the Rapid will become a central part of the Tri-Valley’s transportation system, and we encourage everyone to come to the open house to learn more about it.” Another open house that will provide the same information will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5 at the Pleasan-ton Public Library.

—Jeb Bing

Premier bus service starts next year in Dublin

New ‘Rapid’ designed to cut travel times in Tri-Valley

Chinese Restaurant Serving Dim SumAll Day Long

We Deliver!!

5588-B Springdale Ave.Pleasanton, CA 94588

Tel: (925) 734-0222Fax: (925) 734-0242

www.trivalleyseafood.com

Best Chinese Cuisine & Dim Sum

Read more stories like these at

trivalleyviews.com

Page 6 April 26, 2010 TriValley Views

We Sell One Owner Lease Returns

Clean Carfax

Factory Warranty

Financing/Leasing Available

Check out our inventory online at

www.eleasereturns.com1941 San Ramon Valley Blvd.

Between Sycamore and Crow Canyon off I680

08 BMW 750i 08 RANGE ROVER HSE Black / Black Heated Seats / DVDs in HeadrestsUnder 22K Miles!$54,995

Black / BlackNavigation System / Premium Sound

Under 20K Miles!$49,995

Voted “Best Thai

Restaurant”

www.littlehomethai.comMon-Sun • Lunch 11am-3pm

Dinner 5-9:30pm

4000 Pimlico Dr., Ste. 106 Pleasanton

(925) 251-9877Fax (925) 251-9881

6601 Dublin Blvd., Ste.BDublin

(925) 828-8218Fax (925) 825-8221

2009

Dinner Special15% Off

2 entree minimum. Not valid with any other offer or on take out. One coupon

per table. Expires 5/27/10

Little Home Thai CuisineBest Thai Food in the Bay Area Since 1996

Sant

a Ri

ta R

d.

Pimlico Dr.

McDonald’s580

N

GRAND

OPENING

Enjoy the best summer of your life!

YMCA Camp Loma Mar Summer Camp

www.camplomamar.org

650-879-0223

Fences ArborsDecks & more!

575 Boulder Court, Pleasanton 925.426.9620

Your local fence companyfor over 12 years

www. BorgFence.com

63

BY JEB BING Dublin has been named a finalist by the National Civic League for the 2010 All-American City Awards, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civic recognition awards. The city submitted an applica-tion to the National Civic League to be considered for the honor, documenting community projects that addressed Dublin’s most press-ing challenges, including the in-tegration of diversity and creating community unification following a period of significant growth. “We are elated that the National Civic League chose us as a finalist,” said Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti. “Dublin is worthy of this honor be-cause of the way in which we have continued to promote civic engage-ment through a period of significant change and development.” Dublin will join 26 other com-munities from across the nation in Kansas City, Mo., on June 16-18 to

compete for the prestigious award, telling the city’s story of positive community change to a jury of civic experts. Ten All-American Cities will be announced on June 18. In order for the city to send a delegation to compete for this distin-guished honor, it will need to rely on its community and business partners to financially support the effort. “The National Civic League high-ly encourages communities to raise funds to attend, rather than spend-ing taxpayer dollars,” said Dublin Vice Mayor Kasie Hilldenbrand. “We will be reaching out to the Dublin business community and asking for their assistance.” NCL is a 116-year old nonpar-tisan nonprofit organization that strengthens democracy by increas-ing the capacity of our nation’s people to fully participate in and build healthy and prosperous com-munities across America. Listed alphabetically by state, the

2010 All-American City finalists are: Chandler, Ariz.; Bentonville, Ark.; Lynwood, Calif.; Rancho Cordova, Calif.; Vernon Central (neighbor-hood), Calif.; Miami Lakes, Fla.; North Miami, Fla.; Acworth, Ga.; Belleville, Ill.; Canton, Ill.; Nobles-ville, Ind.; Des Moines, Iowa; Lenexa, Kan.; Scott County, Kan.; Bowling Green, Ky.; Salisbury, Md.; Ferguson, Mo.; Riverside, Mo.; Lynbrook, N.Y.; Gastonia, N.C.; West Chester, Ohio; Wyoming, Ohio; Mount Pleasant, S.C.; El Paso, Texas, Abingdon, Va., and Middleton, Wis.

Dublin named finalist in All-American City competition

Joins 26 other cities vying for prestigious award

East Bay’s Online Community Calendar

Instantly fi nd out what is going on NOW...

TRIVALLEYVIEWS.COM

Mike FraciscoREALTOR

®

Fracisco Realty & InvestmentsResidential, Commercial & Property Management

direct: 925-998-8131www.MikeFracisco.com

DRE#01378428

A-Z Complete Home Repair

HANDYMAN SERVICE

Carpentry/Woodwork Electrical Repairs/Installations

Drywall/Texturing Tile/Grout925.989.6179 / 510.733.5582

SINCE 1994

FREE ESTIMATES

925-361-7239

Britannia Painting30 years expertiseFine Finishes, Interior and Exterior Painting

“It is my passion to provide professional companionship and home help”

Reliable & Flexible

(510) 499-7546

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

MarketplaceGeneral Contracting REAL ESTATESenior Care Giving

Landscaping/Design

House Painting

Get your local news delivered

directly to your inboxTriValleyViews.com

To advertise in the Marketplace call Karen

at 925.600.0840 x122 or email kklein@

pleasantonweekly.com

CAREER NETWORKING EVENT FOR EXECUTIVESExecutives are invited to a Break-fast Career Networking meeting for mid- and senior-management from 7:30-9:30 a.m., on the third Tuesday of every month, at Mimi’s Cafe, 4775 Hacienda Dr., Dublin. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for non-members if pre-registered; $35 at the door. Call 218-1868.

DUBLIN PRIDE WEEK 2010Volunteer to help seniors, schools and the community for Dublin Pride Week 2010 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24 to May 1. Donate canned goods, go on a nature walk, participate in a Water-Wise work-shop, and enter in the Dublin Pride Week Poster Contest and more. Visit www.dublinprideweek.com.

SECOND CHANCE FOR LOVETri-Valley Animal Rescue is taking part in PetSmart Charities “Second Chance for Love” National Adop-tion Weekend from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday, April 30-May 2, at PetSmart, 6960 Amador Plaza Rd., Dublin. Hill’s Science Diet and PetSmart will offer free samples to everyone who adopts an animal. Call 683-1956 or visit www.tvar.org.

FREE HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELINGHealth Insurance Counseling and Ad-vocacy Program (HICAP) of Alameda County offers its service each month and seniors receive free counseling about Medicare. Appointments will be scheduled at the Dublin Senior

Center, 7600 Amador Valley Blvd. To schedule your appointment with counselor Ada Schoch, call 556-4511 by the prior Monday.

MEDITATION STUDY GROUPPractice new meditation methods, based on teachings of Shinzen Young, using audio, video and handouts from 7:15-8:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, at Tri-Valley Unity’s gathering place, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd., #120, Dublin. Contact Gayle at gstaehle@comcast.net.

TRI VALLEY SUPPORT GROUP FOR FIBROMYALGIA, LUPUS & ALL FORMS OF ARTHRITISThe group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. April 26 at Tri Valley Support, 3115

Finnian Way, Dublin. They are in need of volunteers to help out. Group meets the fourth Monday of the month. Call 875-0960.

DAVID GLASS HOUSE GRAND OPENINGThe Glass House, San Ramon’s historic house museum built in 1877, will depict life during the Vic-torian Era when it opens its doors at a grand opening from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, May 15. The house is located next to Forest Home Farms, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Guests will have the op-portunity to take a mini tour of the fully restored and furnished house. There will be a ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m. This event is free. Call 973-3284 or visit www.sanramon-recguide.com.

TriValley Views April 26, 2010 Page 7

Discover private apartment living in Pleasanton with views of the surround-

ing hills…Freedom from the time and ex-pense of housekeeping, home maintenance, menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking and clean-up…Neighbors and staff who become friends before too long.

Discover assisted living and memory care services as comforting and energizing as your fi rst cup of coffee in the morning. Call today to schedule a tour.

I AM A STICKLER FOR FRESHNESS. AND I FANCY MYSELF A PRETTY GOOD COOK. WHEN I FOUND THAT THE PARKVIEW OFFERS A MENU THAT HAS MORE THAN ONE ENTRÉE, FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND CHANGES EVERY DAY —MY DECISION ON WHERE TO LIVE WAS EASY.

100 VALLEY AVENUE (FORMERLY JUNIPERO ST.) PLEASANTON

925-461-3042WWW.ESKATON.ORG MANAGED BY ESKATONLicense #015601283

Th e Perf ect BlendTHE INDEPENDENCE YOU WANT, THE ASSISTANCE YOU NEED.

925-605-5607www.fastteks.com

COMPUTER PROBLEMS, FIXED!

Save $25 On Your First Visit!

Not to be combined with any other offer.

Your One Call PC & Mac Experts!

WE COME TO YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

You could take advantage of a fi xer-upper home and make repairs with an FHA 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage from Bank of America.

With one loan that combines the cost of buying the home with the cost of making repairs, the 203(k) could be ideal for qualifi ed buyers interested in purchasing a home that needs repairs or updating.

The 203(k) advantages include¹:

Competitive rates

A wide range of home fi nancing solutions

Easy application process

For homes needing limited repairs, qualifi ed buyers may opt to use the FHA Streamline 203(k), featuring all of the advantages of the 203(k), except up to $35,000 of loan proceeds can be applied toward repair or rehabilitation. Of course, we’re always available to explain the details so you can select a loan that suits your needs.

Home improvement made easier with FHA 203(k) loans.

¹ $5,000 min. loan amount. Min. down payment for single family residences must equal 3.5% of either the purchase price + cost of improvements or the as-improved appraised value, whichever is less. Improvements for certain “luxury” items are not eligible; ask for details. Where required, work must be performed by a licensed contractor. Timing of resale of property subject to restrictions. Rehab construction must begin within 30 days of closing and all work must be completed within 6 months of closing. Subject to satisfactory appraisal report(s). Not available for investment properties. Restrictions on secondary fi nancing may apply. State restrictions may apply. ©2009 Bank of America Corporation AR79853

Contact us today for more information about how you could turn that fi xer-upper into a cozy, comfortable home.

Jim Black, MBAJames BlackPlatinum ClubRetail Sales Manager925-285-4898 (Cell)866-410-3089 (Fax)7 Railroad AvenueDanville, CA 94526james.tyler.black@bankofamerica.comwww.meetjimblack.com

7 Railroad Avenue, Stes. 7&9Danville, CA 94526

Goings Ona calendar of TriValley events worth a look

Guitars, Amps, Drums, Keyboards & LessonsWish it. Dream it. Play it.

www.HertleinGuitars.com

Local Benefi t Fundraiser Event

Raffl e & Donations benefi t » DUBLIN SCHOOLS Music ProgramDonate 2+ canned food items (for local food bank) »and receive a free guitar string change

Donations acceptedPoints North

& Others

Reservation Required

Call 800.284.2878 or visit www.OurSanRamonHospital.com

SEMINAR LOCATIONSan Ramon Regional Medical CenterSouth Conference RoomSouth Building7777 Norris Canyon RoadSan Ramon, CA 94583

A FREE Community Seminar

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE, ROBOTIC-ASSISTED GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY

IT’S NOT YOUR MOTHER’S SURGERY--

SPEAKERMark Lollar, M.D.Obstetrician/Gynecologist

A FREE EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

Remember hearing about your mother’s hysterectomy?

Typically, the surgery involved a large painful incision, five-

day hospitalization, long recovery, and six-week leave

from work and regular activities. San Ramon Regional Medical

Center recently purchased the latest da Vinci® Si Surgical

System with computerized robotics. Our gynecologists

perform minimally invasive hysterectomies and other

gynecologic surgeries using the da Vinci® technology.

Incisions are tiny, many surgeries are performed as

an overnight hospitalization, recovery time is reduced,

and many patients return to work and regular activities in a

week. Learn who is a candidate for these surgeries, what to

expect, and the recovery process.