Friends of Oakley Christmas Basket Program

The Friends of Oakley will be conducting the Oakley Christmas Basket program for needy families in Oakley again this year. Last year the Brentwood Regional Community Chest worked with our organization as Oakley families who had been traditionally supported by Brentwood came under our caring embrace. We received financial and organizational support from Brentwood Regional Community Chest as we delivered holiday meal fixings, canned foods, and wrapped gifts to 125 families at our inaugural event. This year our goal is to provide for 250 families. We have doubled the families we will serve as the need for food on the table is ever greater within our community not only from the displacement of families but from families whose ability to provide is greatly constricted in this challenging economy. If donations allow, we plan to reach out further into the senior community and provide holiday meals.

Funding for the Oakley Christmas Basket program will come from proceeds from our fundraising efforts at our Wine, Cheese, and Children’s Art event on October 10th and from local business and service provider contributions. Our budget is $10,000 and we are half-way there! Local schools and businesses will host our donation barrels – Friends of Oakley – Toys for Oakley Families and Friends of Oakley – Food for Oakley Families – which will solicit donations of non-perishable boxed or canned foods and toys. Friends of Oakley – A Community Foundation commits to returning 100% of the toys and food goods donated in Oakley to our registered families in need in Oakley. The Oakley Union Elementary School District has chosen our organization as the beneficiary of their Holiday Canned Food Drive. We are so pleased.

We will be registering needy families on Monday, November 9 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm; Thursday, November 12 from 2 pm to 4 pm; and Saturday, November 14 from 10 am to 1 pm at the City of Oakley White House Community Annex , 204 Second Street . Families must bring either a water or power bill with the family name as proof of residence to register as well as a matching State of California identification (driver’s license or ID card). Only one family meal will be provided per residence. At least one toy will be wrapped and given for each child in the family up to age 18. The Oakley Christmas Basket program will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, December 20th at O’Hara Park’s gym and registered families will receive a pick-up time at the November registration.

Please consider being a part of this event and helping us give back to those seeking assistance in our Oakley community during this very special time of the year. Any funding you can provide to help us make this event successful and bring the happiness of the holiday season to our 250 families will be much appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration,

Pat Anderson

Friends of Oakley, Board of Directors, Secretary

 

The Nacho Ladies Review – Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant

 

 

Starring: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ray Stevenson
Action/Adventure, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Suspense/Horror, Adaptation and Teen
1 hr. 51 min.
Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language.

A boy unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares. 14-year-old Darren was like most kids in his suburban neighborhood. He hung out with his best friend, got decent grades and usually stayed out of trouble. But when he and his buddy stumble upon a traveling freak show, things begin to change inside Darren. That’s the exact moment when a vampire named Larten Crepsley turns him into something, well, bloodthirsty. Yahoo Movie Review

Mary’s Review – Well thank goodness we saw this movie after the Stepfather. We really enjoyed this one so; the evening was not a complete loss. This movie was clever and funny. The special effects and the characters were original. We especially loved the main vampire played by John C. Riley he was great! My youngest daughter read a few of these books when she was younger and thinks they would make great movies too. We hope this film will do well enough that they will consider making some of the other books in the series into movies as well. I will give this movie 2 nachos and a jalapeno.

 

The Nacho Ladies Review – The Step Father

 

 

Starring: Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Penn Badgley, Amber Heard, Sherry Stringfield
Suspense/Horror, Thriller and Remake
1 hr. 41 min.
Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, mature thematic material and brief sensuality.

When troubled teen Michael returns home after a year at military school, he finds his mother, Susan, in love and his soon-to-be stepfather, David, has moved into their home. David says he wants them to become the perfect family. But as they get to know each other, Michael quickly becomes convinced that David himself is far from perfect. Trying to verify what he knows of David⿿s past, Michael finds things that don⿿t add up. As strange events and David⿿s bursts of malevolence become more frequent, Michael tells his mother and girlfriend of his suspicions, but they just think he⿿s being paranoid. Eventually, as Michael searches for proof that his suspicions are well-founded, cracks begin to show in David⿿s perfect façade and it becomes apparent he will stop at nothing to keep his secrets. For David has a history of trying to create the perfect family. And each time, when it becomes apparent that perfection is impossible, David has a terrifying way of clearing the slate and starting over. Yahoo Movie Review

Mary’s Review – This movie was bad. It was like a really bad lifetime movie.Alright ladies you know what I am talking about. One of my own guilty pleasures is watching Lifetime movies that are so bad they are good. My favorite has to be Mother May I Sleep with Danger. It is the worst best Lifetime movie. My daughters watch that one too every time it comes on! This movie however was just bad….I will have to give it only a fizzled out jalapeno.

 

The Nacho Ladies Review – Where the Wild Things Are

 

 

Starring: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini
Comedy, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Animation and Adaptation
1 hr. 34 min.
Rated: PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language.

Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. He lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought. Yahoo Movie Review

Mary’s Review – Although this movie was just okay I found it was genius to have James Gandolfini play one of the monsters. He has a great character voice and a wonderful presence. I thought it was him from the beginning, but my daughter said” No you are crazy!!”

Well at the end of the movie as we watched the credits, low and behold there was his name! I love it when we as parents can tell our kids, see I was right! Well as the movie only faired 2 nachos, however, telling my kids I am right feels more like 3 nachos!!!

 

Sunday Reading – 10/25/09

The following links are just news items and opinions that pass my desk throughout the week. I don’t necessarily support or advocate any of the items they are just interesting reads.

Windows 7, as seen through the eyes of Windows gurus

Following Senate Finance Committee Passage, 42% Support Health Care Reform

Census data show big differences within state

Oil soars despite fundamentals; gasoline prices might follow

Perfection may be President Obama’s biggest flaw

California sued over $2B redevelopment ‘raid’

Centrists vs. Pelosi: Blue Dog Democrats beginning to show spending fatigue

Natural Gas Changes the Energy Map

Save the planet: eat a dog?

 

November 9 – California Energy Commission Meeting ‐ Oakley Generating Station Project

The California Energy Commission and Radback Energy will conduct a public meeting on Monday, November 9th to discuss the Oakley Generation Station project. The meeting will include a site tour.

Site Visit begins (bus leaves) Oakley City Hall at 3:45 p.m.
Public Informational Hearing & Environmental Scoping Meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
Oakley City Hall
3231 Main Street
Oakley, California 94561

Members of the public are invited to join the Committee on a tour of the proposed site.The Applicant will provide transportation to and from the site. For reservations, contact the Energy Commission Public Adviser’s Office at (916) 654-4489, 800-822-6228, or e-mail: [publicadviser@energy.state.ca.us]. Please make your reservation on or before 12:00 noon, Thursday, November 5, 2009, so that we can assure you a space.

For more information check the CEC website.

 

Biodiesel – What is it?

I borrowed this information from a handout provided by the National BIODIESEL Board

What Biodiesel is:
Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources such as plant oils, animal fats, used cooking oil and even new sources such as algae. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel blends can be used in most compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

What Biodiesel is not:
Biodiesel is not raw vegetable oil. Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to ensure proper performance. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel. Biodiesel is also not the same as ethanol. Ethanol is a renewable biofuel made primarily from corn and intended for use in gasolinepowered engines, while biodiesel is a renewable biofuel made from a variety of materials and designed for use in diesel engines, with different properties and benefits.

Myth: Biodiesel is an experimental fuel and has not been thoroughly tested.
Fact: Biodiesel is one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels on the market. A number of independent studies – performed by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stanadyne Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer in the U.S.), Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute – have shown that biodiesel performs similar to petroleum diesel with greater benefits to the environment and human health.

Myth: No objective biodiesel fuel standard exists.
Fact: The biodiesel industry has been active in setting quality standards for biodiesel for more than 15 years. ASTM specifications exist for diesel fuel and biodiesel fuel blends from 6 to 20 percent (B6 – B20 (D7467-09)), biodiesel blends up to B5 to be used for onand off-road diesel applications (D975-08a), and home heating and boiler applications (D396-08b). ASTM approved the original specification for pure B100 (D6751) in December 2001. These ASTM specifications apply regardless of the fat or plant oil used
to make the fuel. Copies of specifications are available from ASTM at www.astm.org.

Myth: Biodiesel does not perform as well as diesel.
Fact: One of the major advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in most existing engines and fuel injection equipment in blends up to 20 percent with little impact to operating performance. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than U.S. diesel fuel. In more than 50 million miles of in-field demonstrations, B20 showed similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel also has superior lubricity, and it has the highest BTU content of any alternative fuel (falling in the range between #1 and #2 diesel fuel).

Myth: Biodiesel use voids manufacturers’ engine warranty coverage.
Fact: All major U.S. automakers and engine manufacturers accept the use of up to at least B5, and many major engine companies have stated formally that the use of high quality biodiesel blends up to B20 will not void their parts and workmanship warranties. For a listing of specific statements from the engine companies, please visit the National Biodiesel Board Web site at www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems.

Myth: Biodiesel has fuel quality problems.
Fact: A study released in 2008 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows the biodiesel industry has substantially met national fuel quality standards. The study demonstrated that plants certified under BQ-9000 consistently hit the mark. BQ-9000 is a voluntary fuel quality assurance program that couples the foundations of universally accepted quality management systems with the product specification (ASTM D6751). The program covers storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution and fuel management practices. Biodiesel production facilities certified as producers under the program cover nearly 80 percent of the U.S. biodiesel market volume.

Myth: Biodiesel does not have sufficient shelf life.
Fact: The current industry recommendation is that biodiesel be used within six months, or reanalyzed after six months to ensure the fuel meets ASTM specifications. Most fuel today is used up long before six months, and many petroleum companies do not recommend storing petroleum diesel for more than six months. A longer shelf life is possible depending on the fuel composition and the use of storage-enhancing additives.

Myth: Biodiesel doesn’t work in cold weather.
Fact: Properly managed, high quality biodiesel blends are used successfully in the coldest of climates. Biodiesel will gel in very cold temperatures, just as common #2 diesel does. Although pure biodiesel has a higher cloud point than #2 diesel fuel, typical blends of 20 percent biodiesel are managed with similar management techniques as #2 diesel. Blends of 5 percent biodiesel and less have virtually no impact on cold weather operability. See www.biodiesel.org/cold for a cold weather guide.

Myth: Biodiesel contributes to global climate change and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Fact: U.S. biodiesel is a green sustainable part of the solution. It reduces lifecycle carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. A 2008 USDA/University of Idaho study shows for every unit of fossil energy needed to create biodiesel, 4.5 units of energy are returned. New cropland is not needed to grow materials for biodiesel, because there is already a surplus of soybean oil on the market. Advances in technology enable us to grow more using the same acres of land. The
National Biodiesel Board and its members support sustainable production of biodiesel. There is no scientific basis for assigning any significant responsibility for rainforest destruction to U.S. biodiesel, and the vast majority of U.S. biodiesel is made from homegrown resources.

Myth: Biodiesel contributes to rising food prices.
Fact: Produced from a wide variety of renewable resources, including plant oils, fats and even recycled restaurant grease, biodiesel is the most diversified fuel on the planet. And soybean-based biodiesel has a positive impact on the world’s food supply. Processing soybeans for biodiesel uses only the oil, leaving 80 percent of the bean for protein-rich soybean meal. Put more simply, when the demand is increased for soybean oil for use in biodiesel, the price of soybean meal actually decreases what it otherwise might cost.

 

Restore the Delta PSA

 

Fire Department – Is a New Governance in the Future?

The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) recently completed a state-required Municipal Service Review (MSR) for all Fire and Emergency Service Providers in Contra Costa County. This review included the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD).

ECCFPD operates eight staffed fire stations, which are staffed 24 hours a

2007 Service Calls by Station

day, and contracts with CAL FIRE for continual operation of its Sunshine station on Marsh Creek Road. Areas within ECCFPD include the cities of Oakley and Brentwood, a portion of the City of Antioch, and the unincorporated communities of Bethel Island, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, and other areas of unincorporated Contra Costa County. The District has a boundary area of approximately 238 square miles.

The District’s staff consists of 55 full-time staff and 25 paid on-call staff. The sworn permanent staff includes 53 full-time equivalents (FTEs), and the civilian staff is composed of two FTEs. Staffing is assigned by station with a two- person fire crew. It provides fire suppression (structural, vehicle, and vegetation fires) and prevention, rescue, initial hazardous materials response, fire inspection, education and Basic Life Support (BLS) for medical emergencies until American Medical Response (AMR), a privately-owned ambulance company, arrives to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) and ambulance transport services.

All 911 calls made from land lines in the unincorporated areas and the City of Oakley are automatically routed to the Contra Costa County Sheriff, which is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The primary PSAP for the City of Brentwood and the small portion of the City of Antioch in District bounds is the City of Antioch Police Department. Once the PSAP dispatcher determines a call requires fire department response, the call is relayed to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) secondary PSAP. ConFire directly dispatches the District’s staff. The District participates in closest-resource dispatching (cross-border) through ConFire.

Calls to 911 from cellular phones in Oakley and the unincorporated areas are initially routed to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP relays the calls requiring both law enforcement and fire/EMS response (e.g., auto accidents) to the primary PSAP, and dispatching follows the protocol discussed above. EMS calls are often routed directly to ConFire. The City of Antioch takes wireless calls directly. The County Sheriff has not yet begun taking wireless calls directly due to financial constraints.

On behalf of the District, ConFire checks fire plans for new development prior to construction. The District performed approximately 800 inspections in 2008. Fire safety inspections are completed annually on all businesses mandated for inspection and randomly for other businesses, and vegetation inspections are completed annually on selected parcels in the District.

The ECCFPD was formed in 2002 through the consolidation of three fire districts: Bethel Island Fire Protection District, East Diablo Fire Protection District, and Oakley Fire Protection District. Revenue sources include property taxes (94 percent), intergovernmental revenues (two percent), Oakley fees collected in Summer Lakes (one percent), and miscellaneous sources (three percent). The District’s share of property tax revenues was seven percent in Brentwood, five percent in Oakley, and nine percent on average in unincorporated areas in FY 07-08; by comparison, the average fire district property tax share countywide was 12 percent in cities (served by fire districts) and 13 percent in unincorporated areas.

The District lacks adequate revenue to provide urban staffing levels in the urban areas, and relies in most areas on two-person crews. The District lacks paramedic staffing. Financing is not adequate for administrative staff to complete all demands for management and fire prevention functions. It would cost the District about $18 million to achieve an urban level of service. The District’s total revenues were $12.2 million in FY 07-08. The District economizes on expenses by understaffing urban fire stations and administrative functions, by using on-call personnel to supplement staffing, and by paying salaries that are substantially lower than in other fire departments in the County.

The District’s governing body is the five-member county Board of Supervisors.

This governance model was meant to be temporary. In the LAFCO resolution 02-24, creating the District, in 2002 it stated: “By December 2004, the question of governance shall be resolved and submitted for approval of the electorate within the boundaries of the consolidated East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, if necessary.” Although the other county-dependent FPDs—ConFire and Crockett-Carquinez FPD—have appointed advisory commissions, there is presently no such advisory body for ECCFPD.

The County and the cities of Oakley and Brentwood are currently discussing reorganizing the District’s Board so that its members are appointed by the governing bodies (Oakley, Brentwood and the Couty). The proposed 9 member board would be composed of 4 representatives from Brentwood, 3 from Oakley and 2 appointed by the County. These numbers are based on population. This appointed board would likely morph into an elected board with the same representation.

Local control would have a better chance of improving the district by bringing decision-making and accountability closer to the people affected. It affords local board members the opportunity to develop a Fire District that fits the local needs and encourages “out of the box thinking” looking for solutions that require experimentation and innovation to deal the myriad of problems facing the District.

 

Making Changes to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance

California law requires that each county and city in the state develop and adopt a general plan. The general plan is a “blueprint” for development. It is a document that is required to address land use, circulation (traffic), housing, conservation, open space, safety, noise and the general needs of the city. General Plans may have a 20 to 30 year planning horizon. Why such a long timeline? Because, that is how long it can take to accomplish the vision set forth in the General Plan.

At the time of incorporation, July 1, 1999, the City of Oakley automatically adopted the Contra Costa County General Plan, as well as the County Zoning Code and other County regulations. These County regulations allowed the City to operate as new documents were prepared for the new City.

We don’t live in a static environment, so the planning process evolves. The General Plan can be revised and amended. By law, the City Council can amend the General Plan only four (4) times a year. Multiple amendments approved concurrently only count as a single amendment.

The portion of the General Plan that is amended more often than others is the Land Use Element. The Land Use Element is the fundamental component of a General Plan, and the one upon which all other sections are built, because it addresses the physical development of the Oakley. It establishes the general polices for the types and location of land uses throughout the city, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, open space, recreation and public uses. It also addresses the permitted density and intensity of the various land use designations.

General Plan Amendments may be initiated by the City or private property owners. An application for a change is submitted to the City. After the general plan amendment application is accepted as complete, work begins on determining the appropriate type of environmental document for the project. Information is sent to various local, state, federal, and private agencies asking for their comments. Upon receipt of those comments, an Initial Study is performed and the environmental document is prepared. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that an environmental study be prepared for some types of projects. The environmental study can take the form of a Negative Declaration, a Mitigated Negative Declaration, or an Environmental Impact Report.

The City’s Zoning Ordinance is the primary tool to implement the General Plan. The Zoning Ordinance provides detailed standards for development or the use of land. These standards include what types of uses are permitted in particular zone, minimum lot size, height restrictions, building setbacks, parking requirements, wall heights, sign criteria and other standards.

In accordance with State law, a request for a zone change can only occur when the requested change conforms to the City General Plan land use map designation for the property and applicable General Plan policies. If they are not, a request for a General Plan amendment must accompany the zone change request.

Any changes to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance must be carefully considered. If the City were to initiate a change that would affect the value of the property, such as “down zoning” a piece of property by amending the General Plan designation to provide a lower density of development or reverting to lower-intensity uses, it would more than likely result in a “taking”.

A “taking” can occur as a physical taking, such as the use of eminent domain to build roads, or as a “regulatory taking” which is considered to be an uncompensated taking of private property occurring through government regulation.
Everyone who buys property, whether its our primary home or for future development, has an expectation of a return on our investment. If we, as a City, were to pass a regulation or ordinance that would substantially reduce the value of that investment the City could be required to pay damages, which could include the value of the property and the lost profit when the developer did not meet his investment expectations.

The takings law, as stated by U.S. Supreme Court in Eastern Enters. V. Apfel (1998) 524 U.S. 498, is “among the most litigated and perplexing in current law”. As each case is evaluated it is important to remember a guiding principal set forth in the first takings case, Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon (1922) 260 U.S. 393; “While property may be regulated to a certain extent, if regulation goes too far it will be recognized as a taking”

As a long-term policy document with a 20-year planning horizon, the General Plan will likely undergo course corrections and refinements. While planning is a continuous process and periodic review to consider changes in circumstances is necessary, the Plan must also represent a sufficiently solid vision for long-term implementation such as infrastructure investments. The Plan should strike a balance between the flexibility needed to respond to unique situations and the rigidity necessary to guide development decisions in a predictable and consistent manner. As a “constitution” for future development, some aspects should be considered foundational and not subject to interim change.

 

The Nacho Ladies Review – Paranormal Activity

 

 

Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Michael Bayouth
Science Fiction/Fantasy and Thriller
1 hr. 39 min.
Rated: R for language.

After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban “starter” tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially when they sleep. Or try to. Yahoo Movie Review

Mary’s Review – They are saying it is the scariest movie ever made. I don’t think so. In fact although at times we were at the edge of our seats it seemed a little boring. It reminded me a little of Blair Witch Project. My daughters were very scared, my daughters boyfriend Chris and I thought it was a little fake. The ending was very creepy but as for the rest of the film it was so-so. I will have to say whoever did the PR for this film did a great job. I heard this morning it grossed a pretty high profit. The movie was not that expensive to make. Somewhere in the realm of $500,000 dollars…..I can only tell you for me it is no more than a 1 nacho movie. If you want to watch a scary movie how about The Ring? Or even Bug? You can find either of these out on DVD.

 

Sunday Reading 10/18/09

The following links are just news items and opinions that pass my desk throughout the week. I don’t necessarily support or advocate any of the items they are just interesting reads.

The Economic Recovery Is Well Underway

Gov.’s surprise bill signings: Harvey Milk recognition, paparazzi restrictions and ammo tracking

Schwarzenegger backs away from veto threat, vows to weigh bills on merits

Authorities mull raising Bay Area bridge tolls 25%

California Senate approves $10,000 tax credit for new-home buyers

 

October 29 Through November 2, 2009 – Vasco Road Closure

For More Information Contact:
Bill Lepere, Deputy Director of Public Works
Alameda County
510-670-5431

News Release from

Vasco Road will be closed from the evening of October 29 through the morning of November 2, 2009. This road closure is required to safely complete the Vasco Road Safety Project that included the construction of a new and realigned roadway segment. The closure will allow for safely connecting the new roadway with the existing roadway at the northern and southern ends. Since the construction activity includes the removal of a large rock outcropping, the closure will further insure the safety of the traveling public.

Pertinent information is as follows:

Closure Dates and Times:

From 7 pm Thursday October 29th until 6 am Monday November 2nd

Closure Location:

North of the Republic Landfill Drive to south of the entrance to the Los Vaqueros Reservoir

Suggested Alternative Routes:

Northbound Vasco Road traffic:
Continue eastbound on I-580 toward Tracy 8.8 miles
Merge into Eastbound I-205 2.4 miles
Exit at Mountain House Parkway continue northbound 2.2 miles
Turn left onto Byron Road/Highway 8.4 miles
Turn left onto Camino Diablo Road 2.0 miles
Intersection with Vasco Road

Southbound Vasco Road traffic:
From Vasco Road turn left onto Camino Diablo Road 2.0 miles
Turn right onto Byron Highway/Road 8.4 miles
Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway 2.2 miles
Enter I-205 westbound 2.4 miles
Merge with I-580 westbound 8.8 miles
Exit onto Vasco Road

Contact Information:
If you require any additional information please contact us at info@acpwa.org. Project updates will also be provided on the Alameda County Public Works Agency webpage at www.acgov.org/pwa/ and on the Agency’s 24 Hour Project Information Hotline 510.670.5712.

Office of Supervisor Mary N. Piepho
Contra Costa County , District III
309 Diablo Road
Danville , California 94526
Ph: (925) 820-8683
Fax: (925) 820-6627

181 Sand Creek Road , Suite L
Brentwood , California 94513
Ph: (925) 240-7260
Fax: (925) 240-7261

email: dist3@bos.cccounty.us

SUPERVISORIAL STAFF:
Tomi Van de Brooke, Chief of Staff
Lea Castleberry, Deputy Chief of Staff
Marion Murphy, Scheduler/Office Operations
Karyn Cornell, East County Field Representative
Jennifer Quallick, South County Field Representative

 

October 17 was a fabulous day for a ballgame

On October 17, 1989, at 5:04:15 p.m. a magnitude 6.9 earthquake severely shook the San Francisco and Monterey Bay regions. The epicenter was located at 37.04° N. latitude, 121.88° W. longitude near Loma Prieta peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 9 miles northeast of Santa Cruz and 60 miles south-southeast of San Francisco.

I was on my way home from work. Stopped at a traffic light I initially I thought there was something wrong with my car. I looked up and saw the lights violently swaying and instantly knew that was not the problem. My parents were at Candlestick Park that day waiting the start of the third game of the 1989 World Series between the A’s and Giants. This is my mother’s recall of that day.

October 17 was a fabulous day for a ballgame – shirt-sleeve weather at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. Actually I’m not that much into baseball, but this was the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s. So when our son-in-law, Tim, said he could get tickets and asked if we wanted to go with him Ken was ecstatic and I said, “Why not? It’s possibly a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

That afternoon it seemed as if everyone was going to the game. Traffic was heavy but steady and we left early enough to find an acceptable parking space. Heading toward the complex we passed tail-gate parties by the score with revelers who were already enjoying themselves a little too much. Generally the crowd was in a good mood and excited about the game. These people were fans in every sense of the word.

Near the top of the stadium we found our seats about 30 feet from what Ken called the “eyebrow.” This was a concrete overhang all around the top of the facility and as it hung over us unsupported it did look like an eyebrow; a very large eyebrow. Towering above the eyebrow a couple of light standards stood rather ominously to the right and left of us. Looking down on the field we could see miniature people finishing preparations for the game, but fortunately, we were prepared having brought a couple pair of field glasses. I took out my camera with its telephoto lense, hung it around my neck and sat back in my seat. Glancing at the time we had about 25 minutes to kill before the game started at 5:00 p.m. We watched as a steady stream of enthusiasts continued to pour into the stadium wearing team hats and waving banners.

At the scheduled hour a cheerful resonating voice spoke into the loudspeaker welcoming all to this historic sporting event. With hardly a few words out of his mouth the sound of what seemed to be a rumbling train drowned out the rest of what he said. Bewildered, the fans looked around to see where the sound was coming from; recognition was almost instant. The stadium began to tremble and the light standards shook and swayed so violently I was sure they would fall on us along with the overhanging “eyebrow.”

While my whole life did not pass before me I was amazed at how many thoughts raced through my mind in just 17 seconds. The first was fear – terror at what was happening. I was certain we would be crushed in the wreckage. The second feeling was acceptance, and the third feeling was a wonderful, peaceful calm. We were all going to die and it was all right. The next thought was planning my last act of service to the world. With my camera in tact I would snap photos of death and destruction until I either ran out of film or a slab of concrete took me out. And then it was over. An audible sigh reverberated through the air as probably every person in attendance let out their breath. Later, as TV and radio commentators spoke of the fans they called it a “cheer.”
Wrong! It was the sound relief.

While everyone was sucking in their next breath the same announcer who had welcomed us all just seconds before came back with the calmest, most controlled voice imaginable and said, “In case of an emergency, please exit in an orderly manner through……..” And then there was silence.

Many bolted from their seats and left, but the stalwarts had come to see a game having paid $100.00 and upwards for their tickets. The earthquake was over, nothing seemed damaged. Let’s play ball.

From our high-in-the sky vantage point we could see some billowing puffs of smoke throughout the city. People in front of us had a portable radio and we asked, “What do you hear?” “Nothing,” was the reply. Must be okay we decided as there were no announcements on the news. But “nothing,” meant nothing. The stations were dead.

And yet we waited. Were they going to play or not? So we waited some more, as did most of the fans. Finally as the sun began to slip over the western hills of San Francisco an official came out with a bull horn and made the announcement, “The game is postponed.” We were dismissed.

Those who had waited had become instant friends talking about the earthquake, damage throughout the city and speculating about the future of Candlestick. Was it stable? Were our homes okay? How about our families? What about the smoke we saw? Are the bridges in tact? How long would it take us to get home? Would the game be played here? We could only imagine. Some of the answers came through our new friend’s portable radio. Within a few minutes after losing power, back-up generators at TV and radio stations kicked in and they were back on the air. We were shocked that a section of the Bay Bridge was down. The Marina was badly damaged and there were fires. In Oakland a section of the Cypress Freeway had collapsed. Rescue teams were on the way.

There was this amazing camaraderie among those who stayed, but now it was time to go home. I looked around as the crowd filed out of the stadium in the requested orderly manner. Would we come back? That day nothing was certain so before we left the top of the world I took some photos of the sun setting over Candlestick, the light standards silhouetted against the fading orange and red sky. These pictures wouldn’t bring me world acclaim, but they would be a part of my remembrance of October 17, 1989 and 17 memorable seconds: and for me a “once-in-a lifetime event.”

 

West Nile Virus Kills More Birds in Oakley

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – - The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District announced today that three more dead birds and a squirrel tested positive for West Nile virus. Two dead birds were found in Oakley at Robinwood Avenue and Quail Valley Run, and at Gamay Circle and Alder Drive. One dead bird was found in Brentwood at Sellers Avenue and Sunset Road. The squirrel was found in Concord at Treat Boulevard and Cowell Road.

“We’d like to thank the public for reporting these animals to the dead bird hotline,” said Deborah Bass, public affairs manager for the District. “Their phone calls give us important information and allow us to protect our residents from vector-borne diseases to the best of our ability.”

The public is urged to continue to call in dead birds and squirrels they find to the state hotline: 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473). Not all animals are picked up and tested, but the reports are very valuable to mosquito control surveillance and control efforts.

According to the county health department’s Web site, there have been four human cases of West Nile virus in Contra Costa County this year. Two people have died from West Nile virus in California so far this year.

Today’s report brings the total West Nile virus-positive vectors this year in Contra Costa County to 17 groups of mosquitoes, 44 dead birds, ten sentinel chickens, two squirrels, and one horse.

 

The First Small Steps Towards Marsh Creek Restoration

In the summer of 2007 the City of Oakley was approached by the Natural Heritage Institute (NHI) and the Friends of Marsh Creek (FOMC) about the possibility of creating a creek side trail and habitat enhancements to Marsh Creek at the City’s Creekside Park. A conceptual design was developed and a collaborative grant application was submitted to the California River Parkways Grant Program.

Conceptual Plan View

Conceptual Cross Section

The California River Parkways Program is a competitive grant program first created under the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 50). The program is administered by the Office of the Secretary for Resources and awards funds to public agencies and non-profit organizations to acquire, restore, protect or develop river parkways.

In August of 2008 the City received a letter telling us that the grant application was successful and the City was awarded $1,067,550 in grant funds to establish a creek side environment along approximately 2,400 linear feet of Marsh Creek. Unfortunately these grants funds were awarded just as the State began to feel the effects of the current economic crisis. The grants were frozen and unfrozen a number of times. The door is open and City staff and representatives from NHI and FOMC have begun to explore design options. They recently selected a firm, Restoration Design Group, LLC from Berkeley, who specializes in creek restoration and habitat enhancement, as a consultant design services.

 

Oakley 2010 Relay For Life Meetings and Events

Update 10/28/2009 – RELAY FOR LIFE OF OAKLEY
“KICK OFF”
NOVEMBER 12TH AT 6:30PM TO 8:00PM
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
1050 NEROLY RD.
THE MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM IS LOCATED AT NEROLY & BROWN. (THE
CAFATERIA)
ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT JOE BALLARD AT OAKLEYRELAY@GMAIL.COM

 

Oakley’s FLW Fishing Tournament will be Featured on the Today Show

Update 10/14 9:30am – The showing of this segment has been postponed until the week of 10/19. When I get the exact date I’ll update the blog.

MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 8, 2009) – FLW Outdoors announced that it will be featured on the “Today” show on NBC, America’s top-rated news program, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. The segment will feature Team National Guard pro Justin Lucas as he took Jenna Wolfe, who serves as Sunday “Today” co-anchor and as a correspondent for NBC News’ weekday “Today,” fishing on the California Delta recently.

“I was very excited to get the opportunity to take Jenna fishing and show her how fun the sport is,” said Lucas. “She had never been fishing before, so I think she had a good time and learned a lot. It was a hot day making for some challenging conditions, but we had quite a bit of fun and Jenna was a great sport.”

Wolfe, who joined “Today” in August 2007, and Lucas spent the day fishing, discussing how tournament fishing has grown, how anglers prepare and practice for tournaments, the younger generation’s involvement in the sport and addressed the topic of anglers as athletes.

Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira serve as co-anchors of “Today” and Ann Curry is the news anchor, with Al Roecker reporting on the day’s weather. “Today,” which first broadcast in 1952, airs Monday through Friday from 7 – 11 a.m. Please check local listings for further information.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports.

The actual FLW tournament episode will air on Versus Oct 25th

 

The Nacho Ladies Review – Whip It

 

 

Starring: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis
Comedy
1 hr. 51 min.
Rated: PG-13 for sexual content including crude dialogue, language and drug material.

Tired of being pushed into beauty pageants by her parents, Texas teen Bliss finds herself after joining a female roller derby team.
Yahoo Movie Review

Mary’s Review – This was a fun movie. I really like imperfect characters and this story was full of them. While watching these roller derby girls I had to look back on my own childhood memories of the roller derby. I was a huge fan of it then and I wish it was still on. I have a memory of my girlfriend Tammy Howe and I roller skating all over the neighborhood. One day we were showing off what great and talented skaters we were and I decided to Roller skate down the steep driveway on one skate holding the other leg straight up in the air and holding my arms out like an airplane. I started down the drive and low and behold the front wheels flew off my skate and I took a nose dive!!! Tammy was cracking up so hard that I couldn’t cry so instead we both began hysterical fits of laughter!!! “What a show off” she would say and we laughed so hard that there was no noise coming out of either of our mouths! I always thought I was good enough to beat anyone in the neighborhood but apparently I was not, at least not that afternoon…Oh well……. I will give this movie 2 nachos and a jalapeno!! And Tammy Howe wherever you are I miss you!!!

 

Significant Early-Autumn Storm to Produce Potentially High Winds Late Monday Night Through Tuesday Night

Update 10/14 7:45am – Rain totals for storm 3.04″    Current Weather at Oakley, CA

Update 10/13 2:30pm – A potent storm system currently moving onshore will be capable of producing strong southerly winds through this evening. High wind warning remains in effect until 11 pm PDT this evening. Southerly winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph will be possible through this evening. Higher peaks may experience gusts up to 70 mph this afternoon and early tonight. The strong and gusty winds will gradually diminish late tonight.

Update 10/13 12:40 – As of 1240 pm Doppler radar and automated rain gages indicate that rainfall intensity has diminished across the region. Therefore, the flood advisory will be allowed to expire. However, even though rainfall is diminishing rain is forecast to redevelop later this afternoon and evening with an additional 1 to 2 inches possible.

Update 10/13 10:01am – The National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for, Alameda County in northern California, Santa Clara county in northern California, San Mateo county in northern California, Santa Cruz county in northern California, San Benito county in central California, Monterey county in central California until 1245 pm pdt. At 950 am pdt automated rain gage and Doppler radar data indicated moderate and locally heavy rainfall continues to impact much of the region. As the rain moves through over the next few hours an additional 1 to 2 inches will be possible. Rain is expected to continue through the rest of today

Update 10/13 8:50am – The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for, the Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley, includes the cities of Redding, Red Bluff, Chico, Oroville, Yuba City, Colusa, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto until 830 pm pdt Tuesday. Periods of moderate to heavy rain are occurring this morning and are expected to continue through most of the day. Most of the valley has already seen up to .60 inches of rain through 830 am, with the possibility of another 1 to 2 inches of rain possible. Falling leaves from trees combined with excessive rainfall could clog storm drains, causing areas of localized urban flooding. Precautionary/preparedness actions, excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause ponding of water in urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage areas and low lying spots. A flood advisory means river or stream flows are elevated or ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent

Update 10/13/ 7:03am - A flash flood watch continues for a portion of CA, including the following areas, mountains of San Benito and interior Monterey county including Pinnacles National Monument, northern Salinas Valley, Hollister Valley and Carmel Valley, San Francisco peninsula coast, Santa Cruz mountains, Santa Lucia mountains and Los Padres national forest and southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast through this evening. A moisture laden storm system continues to impact the central coast of California. this system will bring heavy rain at times to the bay region. The heavy rain may produce flash flooding and debris flows within and downstream of recent and last year fire scars. Flash flooding and debris flows will be a particular threat within and downstream of the basin, summit, Gloria, Lockheed and Pacheco pass fire scars.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Update 10/12 2:13am – The National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area has issued a wind advisory, which is in effect from 2 am to 11 pm pdt Tuesday. The high wind watch is no longer in effect. Southerly winds will increase ahead of this storm system by this evening with wind speeds increasing to 20 to 35 mph, with gusts to 50 mph possible. Strong and gusty winds are expected to continue through the day Tuesday and begin tapering off by midnight Tuesday night.

A wind advisory means that winds of 35 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Potent storm system, especially for October, will move into central and northern California beginning late Monday and continuing into early Wednesday. This will be a very dramatic change from the weather the area has been experiencing. The origins of this storm stem from a western pacific typhoon named Melor that affected Japan last week. High wind watch in effect from late Monday night through late Tuesday night for the entire San Francisco and Monterey bay areas, the National Weather service San Francisco Bay Area has issued a high wind watch, which is in effect from late Monday night through late Tuesday night. Southerly winds will increase ahead of this storm system by Monday evening with wind speeds increasing to 20 to 40 mph along the coast and in the hills by early Tuesday morning. Gusts to 60 mph are possible in these areas. Although the strongest southerly winds are expected to occur along the coast and in the higher terrain, strong and gusty winds may also develop in the northern Salinas valley and southern Santa Clara valleys as well as other portions of the district with this storm. Strong and gusty winds are expected to continue through the day Tuesday and begin tapering off after midnight Tuesday night. Precautionary/preparedness actions, a high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph, or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.