trivalley views 05.31.2010 - section 1

Test results: Scores go up in Dublin schools as district works on improvement PAGE 4

Summer time at school: Enrichment programs are ‘more like camp than class’ PAGE 5

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE PAIDPLEASANTON, CA

PERMIT NO. 548

INS

IDE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Dog Park is No. 1

Readers choose a few of their favorite things in Dublin

PAGE 6

May 31, 2010 TriValley Views

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TriValley Views May 31, 2010

AROUND THE TRI-VALLEY

BY JEB BING

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) is no doubt looking over his shoulder

at his 11th Congressional District after voters ousted several congres-sional incumbents in other state primaries Tuesday. And well he should. Of the 53 congressional districts in California, 33 are considered safe for incumbent Democrats, 19 safe for incumbent Republicans and only one — the 11th — is being eyed as possibly vulnerable. McNerney, who is seeking reelec-tion to a third term in Congress, has no opposition in his bid for the Democratic Party nomination in the June 8 state primary. Four Republi-cans, on the other hand, sensing a chance to capture the 11th District seat, are vying for their party’s nomi-nation. They include David Harmer, an attorney in San Ramon; Elizabeth Emken, a lobbyist/advocate for Au-tism Speaks and a resident of Dan-ville; Tony Amador, a U.S. Marshal from Lodi, and Brad Goehring, a wine grape grower from Clements. The district includes Dublin and other parts of Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties, as well as rural San Joaquin County. Earlier this month, more than 100 civic and business leaders filled the outdoor garden patio at Barone’s Restaurant to hear Harmer, en-thusiastically greeting, contributing and applauding the candidate as he railed against McNerney and what he called irresponsible spend-ing programs the congressman has supported in Washington. If elected, he told the crowd, he would work to un-do those pro-grams, including President Obama’s health care plan, cap and trade and stimulus funds which he said is “a “shell game, taking borrowed money the government doesn’t have to spend on things we don’t need.” A wide majority of those in the 11th Congressional District opposed those

programs, Harmer claimed, but Mc-Nerney voted for them anyhow. “Mc-Nerney needs to go!” (APPLAUSE). He also praised the Tea Party movement and, at the rally, rec-ognized the organizer of the April 15 Pleasanton event, Bridget Melson (MORE APPLAUSE). Then, building on that group’s Tax Day message, Harmer said the federal government is spending too much and his prior-ity, if elected, would be to apply the brakes. He vowed to work with oth-ers of like mind in Washington to get rid of $1.4 trillion of the $12.8 tril-lion of national debt for starters, just by rescinding most of the spending that’s been added to the budget in the last two years (MORE APPLAUSE). He cited a sign that he saw on a Tri-Valley roadway as an example of excessive federal spending. It reads that the roadway improvements are being made courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the so-called stimulus fund. If he was a graffiti artist, Harmer said he would stopped and spray painted the words “inter-generational theft,” since the work being done here will have to be paid by future generations of taxpay-ers all across the country. Harmer is campaigning as a life-long Ronald Reagan Republican. His father, John Harmer, who introduced him at Barone’s, served as California’s lieutenant governor under Reagan. Among his priorities are beefing up the borders to stop illegal immigra-tion. In fact, he said that if he was an Arizona state legislator, he would have approved that state’s new im-migration law and encouraged the governor to sign it. (THIS TIME TO THE LOUDEST APPLAUSE).

An over-the-shoulder look at Harmer

ABOUT THE COVER Viki Groffman brings her sister’s dog Opie to the popu-lar Dougherty Hills Dog Park on Amador Valley Boulevard at Stagecoach Road every day for the 3-year-old pointer to run and run. Clancy Soucie brings two Siberian huskies, Nala, standing in the back, and Coda, not shown. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. Design by Kristin Herman.

Vol. II, Number 8

VIEWSDublinTri-Valley

©2010 Embarcadero Media

ART & PRODUCTION

Lead DesignerTrina Cannon

DesignersLili CaoKristin Herman

Ad Services Trina Cannon

ADVERTISING

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

Real Estate SalesAndrea Heggelund, Ext. 110CIRCULATION MANAGERBob Lampkin

PUBLISHERGina Channell-Allen

EDITORIAL

EditorJeb 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

Blue Cross

JEB BING

David Harmer campaigns at Barone’s Restaurant in Pleasanton.


BY GLENN WOHLTMANN Most schools in the Dublin Uni-fied School District are above the state average, but two schools, Wells Middle and Valley High, are below state goals, according to Academic Performance Index (API) statistics released May 14 by the California Department of Education. The state API target is 800 points or better; Wells’ API score was 789 and Village, Dublin’s continuation school, had a score of 606. Other schools in the district did signifi-cantly better, according to the state education department, giving the DUSD an average raking of 854, which is 100 points better than the state average. Superintendent Steve Hanke said the district is working hard to im-prove scores across the board. “Wells was one we were par-ticularly concerned about,” he said, adding that the district will be doing what he described as an “in-tervention” there. “By re-teaching, by doing more frequent accessing,” he said, “we think this is going to pay off.” Middle schools in California av-erage an API score of 741 points, and although Wells didn’t reach the state goal of 800, it scored 48 points better than the statewide average. The average API score for el-

ementary schools across the state is 788; every elementary in Dublin scored well above that and above the state goal as well. The lowest-ranked elementary school in Dub-lin, Frederiksen Elementary, was 44 points higher than the statewide average, and the highest, James Dougherty Elementary was 156 points above the average. The state average API for high schools in California is 714. Dublin High, with an API score of 842, was 128 points above average. Hanke is particularly proud of Dublin High’s performance, and that of several of the elementary schools in the district. He noted that the Dublin district, like much of the area, has changing demographics and an increase in minorities. He said he’s considering visiting similar schools with higher scores to see what they’re doing but said his focus is on continuous im-provement. “Over the last seven years we are improving steadily,” Hanke said. But with high-performing districts all around, including Pleasanton, San Ramon, Castro Valley and Liv-ermore, he said, “Our communities expect a lot.” By comparison, Pleasanton schools averaged 901, while the San Ramon Valley Unified School District scored 913.

API scores go up in Dublin schools

Superintendent looking for steady growth

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BY JEB BING Registration is open for the third annual Dublin Community Golf Tournament on Tuesday, June 22. Rich Jochner, Dublin’s recreation supervisor, said the tournament will open with a 1 p.m. “Shotgun” start, followed by a buffet dinner and silent auction. It’s a scramble, best-ball type tournament. Handi-caps are not used. “This fun, intergenerational com-munity tournament raises funds for the Dublin Youth Fee Assistance Program, which provides quality recreational experiences for chil-dren who otherwise might not get this opportunity,” Jochner said. Teams or individuals can register at www.dublinrecguide.com. Regis-tration flyers can also be downloaded here. The costs are $90 for adults, $50 seniors (50+) and $50 for teens with charges including greens fees, a cart and dinner. The tournament includes holes for Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, Hole-in-One and a Putting Contest plus a special “Grip It and Rip It” appearance by Dublin mascot Glen the Guide. For more information, contact the Dublin Parks and Community Services Department at (925) 556-4500. Sponsorship opportunities also are still available. Jochner also cited other golfing opportunities in Dublin. They in-clude Junior Golf School, Women’s Group Golf Lessons, a co-ed golf school and the city’s Twilight Golf League. All of the programs are at the Dublin Ranch Golf Course. Junior Golf School: With golf continuing to be one of the hottest youth sports trends that often be-comes a lifetime sport, this friendly introductory class is open to all skill levels. Basic full swing fundamen-tals and short game skills (chipping and putting) will be taught as well as golf rules and golf etiquette. Open to those 7 to 17-1/2 years old

on Saturdays from June 26-July 31, and again from Aug. 7 to Sept. 11. Women’s Group Golf Lessons: Women’s golf is on the rise every-where and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is steadily gathering dedicated golf fans. But don’t just watch. Jochner said this is your chance to learn how to play. Instruction includes: correct grip, stance, posture, how to take aim and take a full swing. Basic fundamentals, rules and etiquette will also be covered. Lessons are on Tuesdays from June 22 to July 20, and again from July 27 to Aug. 24. Coed Golf School: Here’s your chance to learn to play golf in a friendly, non-competitive environ-ment. Golf rules and etiquette as well as basic full swing fundamen-tals and short game skills (chip-ping and putting) will be covered. Classes are on Saturdays from June 26 to July 31, and again also on Wednesdays from June 23 to July 21 and again from July 28 to Aug. 25. Twilight Golf League: This unique seven-week summer golf league is held on Wednesdays with a 5:30 p.m. shotgun start. The weekly format consists of two four-person teams playing each other in nine hole matches worth a total of four points. Each player will play an individual, head-to-head match against a player from the opposing team worth one point. Total points earned will determine league stand-ings and the rankings for the finals. All players must have NCGA handi-caps. If you have less than four play-

ers but still want to play on a team, call (925) 556-4500 to be added to a team. The cost is $25 per person for green fee and cart, which will be collected by the course each night. League play is planned for Wednes-days starting June 30.

Dublin schools will be offering two types of summer school this year — one for struggling students and a separate set of what Summer School Principal Rick Boster said are for students across the Tri-Valley. Boster said the schools used test scores to identify those students in need of some extra help. “Those students have received a personal invitation from us,” he said. Other classes are being called enrichment classes or camps and are for children from kindergarten to eighth grade. “We just call it camp because it sounds like fun,” Boster said. He said those classes are open to all students in the area, and are less expensive than those offered at other schools. “Some are one week, some are

two weeks, some are three weeks,” he said. “The camps are priced keeping in mind the financial hard-ships families are facing.” He said prices run from $80 for a one-week camp to $125 for a two- or three-week camp. Those camps include things like scrapbooking and “Digital Gen-eration” for third- to fifth-graders, with digital photography, Web cre-

ations, the chance to create a self-published book and more. “We’re also featuring a culinary camp were trying to launch this year called Culinary Express,” Boster said. That class will offer fourth- and fifth-graders the chance to learn cooking techniques, food preparation and etiquette as well as exercises like yoga and kickboxing. The Summer Academy, as it’s being called, will also offer drama classes and an arts-and-crafts class. Dublin schools will offer more traditional classes, too, including creative writing and courses to help kids stay at grade level in math over the summer. The complete list of classes, re-quirements and can be found at www.dublin.k12.ca.us.

—Glenn Wohltmann


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Dublin offering variety of golfing opportunities this summer

Community tournament heads off programs for all age groups

Summer program: more like camp than class

Programs are open to all Tri-Valley area studentsFresh news delivered to your inbox every

weekday morning. Sign up to receive Express at

TriValleyViews.com“The camps are priced keeping in

mind the financial hardships families

are facing.”Rick Boster

“This fun, intergenerational community

tournament raises funds for the Dublin Youth

Fee Assistance Program, which provides quality

recreational experiences for children.”Rich Jochner


Congratulations to the winners of Readers Choice

Dublin 2010!

Almost 2,000 votes were cast in TriValley Views inaugural

Readers Choice contest. Visit the winners and find out

why they were named best in Dublin!

AT HOMEBest Home Furnishings: Bassett Furniture

Best Home Consignment Shop: Consignment Furnishings

Best Landscaper / Designer: Kobold’s Garden Landscape Supply

Best Plumber: Mr. Rooter Plumbing; Valley Plumbing – TIE

Best Hardware Store: Orchard Supply Hardware

Best Carpet Cleaners: P & G Chem Dry

Best Kitchen / Bath Remodeler: Plumbery Inc.

Best Outdoor Furniture Store: Pool, Patio & More

Best Roofer: Sierra Roofing Systems

Best Flooring Store: The Floor Store

AROUND TOWNBest Tire Store / Service Center: Big O Tires

Best Car Wash: Corwood’s Carwash

Best Dublin Real Estate Office: JSCA Real Estate Group; DR Horton – TIE

Best Place to Get a Traffic Ticket: Dublin Boulevard

Best Golf Course: Dublin Ranch Golf

Best Auto Dealership: Dublin Toyota

Best Place to Have a First Date: Hacienda Crossings

Best Place to People Watch: Hacienda Crossings

Best Tutoring School: Happy Talkers Therapy For Kids

Best Car Repair: Magnussen Car West Auto Body of Dublin

Best Veterinarian: Parkway Veterinary Hospital

Best Pet Groomer: Dublin Creek Kennels; PetSmart – TIE

Best Place for Dance Lessons: Spotlight Arts Academy of Dance & Music

Best Local Financial Institution: Wells Fargo

EPICUREBest Pizza: Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria

Best Barbecue: Armadillo Willy’s Barbecue

Best Burger: Athens Burger Restaurant

Best French Fries: Athens Burger Restaurant; Fuddruckers – TIE

Best Ice Cream / Yogurt Shop: Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt

Best Burrito: Casa Orozco

Best Margarita: Casa Orozco

Best Mexican Restaurant: Casa Orozco

Best Breakfast: Copper Skillet Restaurant

Best Independent Coffee House: Dr. Beanz Coffee Bar

Best Take-out Restaurant: Dublin Fish & Chips

Best Atmosphere: Elephant Bar

Best Italian Restaurant: Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too!

Best Thai Restaurant: Little Home Thai Cuisine; Thai Basil Express – TIE

Best Seafood Restaurant: McNamara’s Steak & Chop House

Best Steakhouse: McNamara’s Steak & Chop House

Best Romantic Restaurant: McNamara’s Steak & Chop House

Best American Food Restaurant: Mimi’s Cafe

Best Outdoor Dining: Mimi’s Cafe

Best Bakery: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Best Mediterranean / Middle Eastern Restaurant: Pamir Restaurant

Best Chinese Restaurant: Willow Tree

Best Sushi / Japanese Restaurant: Yanagi Sushi & Grill

LET’S GET PHYSICALBest Yoga / Pilates: Bikram Yoga

Best Martial Arts Studio: Combat Sports Academy

Best Place to Walk a Dog: Dougherty Hills Dog Park

Best Health Club: Fitness 2000

Best Bike or Walking Trail: Iron Horse Trail

Best Place to Jog: Iron Horse Trail

PERSONAL CAREBest Medical Spa: Crunch Inches By Skin Laser

Best Hair Salon for Men: GHQ Men’s Hair Salon

Best Hair Salon for Women: Hair Masters

Best Dry Cleaners: Harvey’s Cleaners & Laundry; Park Avenue Cleaners – TIE

Best Massage: Jolie European Skin & Body Care

Best Manicure / Pedicure: Town Nails

SPECIALTY RETAILBest Place to Buy Athletic Equipment: Any Mountain

Best Women’s Clothing Store: Dress Barn

Best Bicycle Shop: Dublin Cyclery

Best Florist: Dublin Floral Design; The Rose Girls Florist – TIE

Best Consignment Store: Fashion Court

Best Bookstore: Barnes & Noble Booksellers; Lighthouse Christian Bookstore – TIE

Best Hobby / Craft Store: Michaels

Best Pet Store: Petsmart

Best Jewelry Store: Tam’s Wholesale Jewelry

Best Place to Buy a Gift: Tangerine

Best Art Gallery: The Frame Company & Art Gallery

Best Health Food Store: Whole Foods Market

STEPPING OUTBest Place to Get Together With Friends: Bunjo’s Comedy Club

Best Place for Live Music: Dublin Sports Pub & Grill

Best Place for an After Work Drink: Gallagher’s Dublin Pub; Hooters – TIE

Best Place for Dancing: ShBoom

Best Place to Meet New People: St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Best Place for a Picnic: The Glen

Thank you to everyone

who participated.

BY JEB BING Readers chose Hacienda Cross-ings as “the best place to people watch” in Dublin, and with good reason. It’s one of the largest open air shopping centers in the East Bay and home to a number of large chain stores, plus it is also home to the area’s largest theater complex, the Hacienda Crossings 20 plus IMAX. Since its opening in 1999, the Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center has been among the vi-brant shopping and entertainment centers, with readers voting for a number of the retail stores and restaurants in the center as their favorites. The retail line-up at Ha-cienda Crossings includes Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Babies R Us, Old Navy, ULTA Cosmetics and Any Mountain, to name just a few. Hacienda Crossings also offers dining opportunities to meet any taste; with restaurants including

Macaroni Grill, Mimi’s Cafe, Fuz-ios, On the Border, Fuddruckers, Black Angus, Applebee’s and Taxis. With Hacienda and an abundance of high-density apartment complex-es, new condos and upscale single family homes in the $1 million range, Dublin has become in its relatively short span as an incorpo-rated city a formidable competitor to its much older and larger neigh-bors of Pleasanton and Livermore. Hacienda, Waterford Place and now Grafton Plaza dominate the business segments of east Dublin Boulevard, with older retailers, restaurants and service businesses heading west to the Target Store shopping area near San Ramon Road. That’s also where the nearby West BART station will soon open, which will include more retailers and, eventually, high-rise apartment and office buildings. McNamara’s Steak and Chop House is nearby, which


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Opie, a 3-year-old who is part pointer, enjoys frolicking at the Dougherty Hills Dog Park, which our readers chose as the Best Place to Walk a Dog.

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ClubsDAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, Jose Maria Amador Chapter meets the second Saturday of the month. It is a time for a social gathering and to discuss the history of our American roots. For meeting time and location, call Susan, 699-4147.

LIVERMORE AMADOR VALLEY GARDEN CLUB (LAVGC) The club will meet from 6:30-9 p.m. June 10 at Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Ln., Livermore. Tonight’s meeting will have a “Question and Answer” segment from selected members focusing on garden-ing problems and their solutions. Please note, the next monthly meet-ing will be Sept. 9 with the location to be determined at a later date. Call 461-1725 or visit www.org-sites.com/ca/lavgc.

EventsADOPT ADOPT ADOPT! Tri-Valley Animal rescue is a proud par-ticipant of Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon. Dog & Cat adoptions will be FREE to qualified homes throughout the weekend of June 12-13. For adoption locations & information, call 925-803-7043 or visit www.tvar.org.

FARMERS MARKET Island Earth’s farmers market is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays in the parking lot between Macy’s and Sears at Stoneridge Shopping Center. It features organic produce,

artisan wares, fresh flowers and more. Call 510-769-1525 or visit islandearthfarmersmarket.org.

SpiritualPRAYER CIRCLE Tri-Valley Unity Church will host prayer, medita-tion, study and sharing from 7:15-8:30 p.m., on the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of every month, at the church’s gathering place, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd., #120, Dublin. For information, e-mail Bob at [email protected].

SportsPHASE 1 GROUP RIDE This easy paced, no-drop road ride is ideal for new riders, riders coming back from time off or those wanting a more social/learning environment. Meets at 10 a.m. Saturdays. Takes 20-35 miles, with a monthly ride of 40 miles. Re-group every 10 miles and 1 longer stop. Call 485-3218 or visit cyclepath.com.

Support GroupsCAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Caring for a loved one is challenging physically and emotionally. Join this support group to explore resources and generate problem-solving ideas from 1-3 p.m., on the second Monday of every month, and from 7-9 p.m., on the second Wednesday of every month, at 5353 Sunol Blvd. Get the sup-port you deserve at the Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley. Call 931-5389.

CLUTTER LESS SELF HELP GROUP The group meets every Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary & St. John Coptic Orthodox Church, 4300 Mirada Dr. Rm. 7. Overwhelmed? Is clutter stress-ing you out? Learn how to deal with it by attending the support

group. Call 200-1943 or visit www.clutterless.org.

TRI VALLEY SUPPORT GROUP FOR FIBROMYALGIA, LUPUS AND ALL FORMS OF ARTHRITIS This group meets from 6:30-8 p.m., on the fourth Monday of every month, at the Groves at Dublin Ranch in the Clubhouse, 3115 Finnian Way, Dublin. The group will host special speakers like doctors or specialists. For information, call JoAnne during the hours of 11 a.m.-10 p.m. at 875-0960.

VolunteeringAMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS The event is from 4-6 p.m. June 10 at Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Ave. Learn about ways to greet, inform and thank the community’s blood donors or post fliers at key loca-tions. Advance sign-up required. Call 510-594-5165 or visit [email protected].

ONGOING VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley is looking for Volunteer Drivers to transport seniors to their medical appointments. The Senior Transportation Program supple-ments existing public and Para transit services by providing rides via volunteer drivers. For informa-tion, call Jennifer at 931-5387.

TRI-VALLEY ANIMAL RESCUE NEEDS YOU! Do you love ani-mals? Tri-Valley Animal Rescue is holding an orientation for new volunteers at 1 p.m. June 6 at East County Animal Shelter, 4595 Gleason Dr., Dublin. Come and learn about volunteer opportu-nities like fostering dogs, cats, socializing shelter animals, helping at adoption events and fundrais-ers. There are other roles available for you to participate in. Age 18 and over. Cost $10. Call 803-7043 or visit www.tvar.org.

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Raising your glass and money, at the same time

In the past two weeks I had the opportunity to attend two different charity wine events.

There is nothing more sooth-ing for the soul than being able to raise money for a great cause, while raising a glass of wine. The first event was the 34th an-nual San Francisco Wine Auction hosted by the Guardsmen. This event was a black tie affair with a “Rat Pack” theme, complete with “Marilyn Monroe” and paparazzi. The whole purpose of the event was to raise money for at-risk Bay Area youth, a cause that is all too often overlooked. The highlight of the event was the ability to sample a plethora of goods from small, medium and large wineries, all in one location. The night began with a silent auc-tion and more than 30 wineries to visit and taste. Unfortunately there was not enough time to sample them all, but I did my best. A couple of wines that stood out were Foggy Bridge, O’Brien Estate, Marston Family Vineyards, Jones Family Vineyards and Juslyn Vine-yards. The night continued with a first-class meal, a live auction (for once-in-a-lifetime experiences) and ended with dancing to a live band. If you have friends, family or cli-ents who fancy themselves as wine aficionados, this is a perfect event for them. Keep an eye on www.guardsmen.org/wineauction for in-formation on the 35th annual event. One week later, I had the chance to stay closer to home and attend another wine auction, the 16th annual Livermore Valley Wine Auc-tion. This, too, was a fundraiser

for children, focusing on children suffering various afflictions and giv-ing them the opportunity to attend local camps. The theme of this auction was Vino Carnival. The night began with a silent auction and carnival games, during which time you could sample wines from numer-ous Livermore vintners while enjoying tasty offering from the Carnival Food Stations. The experi-ence was truly unique as not only did you get to sample the wine, but you often had the winemaker and/or the owner of the winery actually pouring the wine. The ability to spend time with the creator of the wine provided insight into what they were trying to accomplish. There was so much variety and selection I would have needed two or three days to sample them all, so I spent my time searching for my favorites or ones that I had not experienced before. I sampled so many different top-notch wines that night that I could not begin to write about them all. There was a handful that kept me yearning for more: Nth Degree, Steven Kent and La Rochelle, Mitchell Katz, Page Mill and Darcie Kent. The night ended with a live auction. All of the auction donors had the chance to present their items before the auctioneer cre-ated a buzz at a million words per minute. This allowed the donor to explain the item and created a personal touch. Most of the auction items were things you could never buy in a store — such as dinners at the home of the winemakers, golf with Annika Sorenstam, and locker room access to the San Jose Sharks. Keep your eyes peeled on the www.lvwine.org website for more information on next year’s auction. Both of these wine auctions were spectacular events, which allowed wine lovers to experience a variety of wine and food while raising money for worthwhile causes. Until next time, cheers!

Don Colman lives in the East Bay and writes a wine blog

at www.nosetoglass.com.

BY DON COLMAN

NOSETO GLASS


Dublin golf tournament set for June 14 Handling advance arrangements for the Dublin Chamber’s upcom-ing golf tournament are (from left) Greg Betty, chairman of the chamber board; Marine Rossellini, vice chair-woman for programs; Nancy Feely, chamber president and chief executive officer; and Kathy Johnson, a member of the chamber board of director.

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce will hold its 23rd annual golf tourna-ment on Monday, June 14 at the Dub-lin Ranch Golf Course. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with a putting contest at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served by Outback Steakhouse from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at noon. For more information, contact the Dublin Chamber at 828-6200.

Chartered in 1968, the chamber promotes businesses in Dublin. Membership is made up of large and small retail-ers, professionals, service oriented businesses, corporations, schools, churches and nonprofit organizations. The chamber office is located at 7080 Donlon Way, #110, and is open weekdays except Fridays.

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

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readers called the most romantic restaurant in town with also the best steaks and seafood. Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi, which also is close by, was rated the best Italian restaurant. Today, Dublin has a population of 47,000, a median age of 34 years, and a median household income of $83,132. According to Census statistics, the city’s growth rate was 29 percent in the decade ending with the year 2000. Al-though the growth in population and businesses has slowed in the recession, city-approved plans and those awaiting approval show sig-nificantly continued growth ahead. Service businesses and suppliers also gained recognition from read-ers. Orchard Supply was voted “Best Hardware Store”; Consignment Fur-nishings, best consignment shop; Bassett Furniture, best in home fur-nishings; and Plumbery, Inc. as the best kitchen and bath remodeler.

Entertainment also thrives in Dublin with Bunjo’s Comedy Club named as the “best place to get together with friends” and Hooters and Gallagher’s Dublin Pub as the best places for an after-work drink. With its abundance of public parks and athletic fields, Dublin also is considered a great family town. The Glen, with its manicured fields and walking area, won our Readers Choice as the best place for a picnic. The city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which almost everyone in Dublin and the Tri-Val-ley seems to attend, was voted the “best place to meet new people.” From top-notch dry cleaners (Park Avenue Cleaners) to nail salons (Town Nails), readers told us that Dublin has it all, including Dublin Ranch Golf (best golf course), Dub-lin Cyclery (best bicycle shop) and Michaels (best hobby/craft store). Of course, not all of the readers choices are along Dublin Boule-vard. With the city extending north to San Ramon, west to the Valley Christian Church and school com-

plex and new housing in the hills, and east to Livermore and Fallon Road, already-established business-es and services as well as new ones had strong reader approval. These included the dog park on Amador Parkway (see cover photo), Copper Skillet Restaurant (best breakfast), the Iron Horse Trail (best place to jog through town) and Kobold’s Garden & Landscap-ing Supply on Scarlett Court (best landscaper/designer). Although the recent reces-sion caused Circuit City, Expo and Mervyns to close in Dublin, with Montgomery Ward shuttered earlier, Mayor Tim Sbranti told a real estate group last month that the phones “are starting to ring again,” with business prospects looking at those empty store buildings and other locations in Dublin to expand or move their firms. Certainly the heavy traffic on streets in the central part of Dublin and crowded Target and Hacienda Crossings parking lots indicate that shoppers are back as Dublin posi-tions itself for continued growth.

READERSContinued from Page 7

PHOTO BY JEB BING


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celebratingMarie Mayo

R.N.Outpatient/GI Unit

Missy Smith Patient Financial Services

Angie Allen Surgery

2 0 Y E A R S O F E X T R A O R D I N A R Y C A R E

As we celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital & Healthcare Week, we take a moment to recognize

those employees who make both San Ramon Regional Medical Center and our community such a remarkable place.

They exemplify the commitment, skill and compassionate care we offer. This recognition begins with our special

employees honored this year: Cheri Martin, R.N., Infusion Center, our Employee of the Year and Caregiver of the Year;

Jane Roberts-MacArt, Human Resources and Service Excellence, our Hero of the Year; Deborah Bangoli, R.N., MSN,

Definitive Observation Unit, our Florence Nightingale winner; and all of our 2009 Employees of the Month. From the

emergency room, to the operating room, to the patient room, we’re here for you.

Veronica Jackson R.N., CRRN

Medical/Surgical Unit

Chris Nartker R.N.

Emergency Services

Esmeralda Morones The Breast Center

Tom Perry CBET

Biomed

Deborah Bangoli R.N., MSN

Definitive Observation Unit Florence Nightingale winner

Jane Roberts-MacArt Human Resources & Service Excellence Hero of the Year

Sarah Kiyoi R.N., BSN, CCRN Intensive Care Unit

Susan Stinson MT(ASCP), CLS

Laboratory

Nancy Ramsey RRT

Respiratory Therapy

Rita Woycheese MPT

Therapy Services

6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon

925.275.9200

www.OurSanRamonHospital.com

Cheri Martin R.N., BAEd.

Infusion Center Employee of the Year & Caregiver of the Year

trivalley views 05.31.2010 - section 1

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