Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) articles from July 2007

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) archives from July 2007

Things are different for females helming a movie.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Mary F. Pols Like most big-time movie directors, Kasi Lemmons had a studio driver to take her to and from the set of her new film, "Talk to Me." So driver and passenger did some chatting and one of their conversations stuck in...

UC professor wounded at ceremony in Nigeria.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Scott Marshall Jul. 26--A UC Berkeley professor was shot in the hand in Nigeria on Wednesday when gunmen stormed a newspaper office where he was attending an awards ceremony, according to the university. Michael Watts, 56,...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Randy Mcmullen column: A world of opportunities.(Column)
July 26, 2007... Byline: Randy Mcmullen Jul. 26--FROM FRENCH electro-pop to West African highlife music to poets from around the world to, well, good old-fashioned Texas troubadours and American marching tunes -- it seems you can tour the globe this...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Pat Craig column: You'll see the gypsy in peripatetic LuPone.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Pat Craig Jul. 26--THERE IS A LOGIC of some kind to a performer's schedule. But often, it's the sort of logic that defies logic. Tonight, for example, Patti LuPone will perform in the New York production of "Gypsy." Then...

Minimalism taken to the max.(Restaurant review)
July 26, 2007... Byline: Nicholas Boer Jul. 26--Just after 5:30 p.m. at Metro Lafayette, an Olympia oyster in one hand, a glass of Muscadet in the other, I feel as stripped-down cool as the empty bar itself. The minerality of the wine and shellfish, the...

Woman sues child's former school: LIVERMORE: Mother says institution wrongly expelled her son, has unqualified staff and denied her free speech.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Eric Louie Jul. 26--The mother of a former Livermore Valley Charter School first-grade student, saying the school wrongly forced out her son, is suing, with additional allegations of unqualified staff and a denial of her free...

Meetings will address Home Depot concerns: PLEASANTON: Council wants to ensure all residents' questions regarding new shopping center are addressed.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Meera Pal Jul. 26--To further vet a proposed shopping center featuring a second Home Depot in Pleasanton, the city is holding a series of meetings to ensure all questions on the project are properly addressed. The first...

Peaked roof contributed to fatal fire: Addition to top of house didn't allow officials to vent blaze, chief says.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Karl Fischer Jul. 26--A ceiling made of inch-thick wooden planks blocked firefighters' efforts to ventilate a blazing house over the weekend, likely contributing to the "flash-over" effect that killed two firefighters. While...

Pear Street Bistro owner opens escrow by deadline: Buyer is described as a 'longtime Pinole resident and successful Bay Area business owner'.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Tom Lochner Jul. 26--Pear Street Bistro owner Gary Wong has opened escrow for the sale of his building ahead of deadline, Pinole City Attorney Ben Reyes confirmed this week. In a telephone interview late Tuesday, Wong...

Richmond seeks safety czar: City on extensive search to find director for office charged with coordinating anti-violence efforts.
July 26, 2007... Byline: John Geluardi Jul. 26--Richmond is aggressively recruiting a director for its new Office of Neighborhood Safety, which is charged with reducing chronic violence by focusing local and regional prevention programs. To assemble...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Rick Hurd column: Who cares if Selig's not there for No. 756?(Column)
July 26, 2007... Byline: Rick Hurd Jul. 26--SAN FRANCISCO -- Well, thank goodness that's over. Really, we should all just get on our knees and give thanks that baseball commissioner Bud Selig has decided to grace The Moment with his presence. Never mind...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Cam Inman column: Vick's career in jeopardy.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Cam Inman Jul. 26--HE KILLED DOGS. By hanging them. By drowning them. By body slamming them. By huddling with another man and calling an atrocious audible: death by electrocution. Michael Vick is a dog killer. So says a...

NHRA switches gears in run for title: Sanctioning body changes its points system with a Countdown to Championship.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Curtis Pashelka Jul. 26--By Curtis Pashelka CONTRA COSTA TIMES Rod Fuller might expect to be the center of attention these days as he leads the National Hot Rod Association's Top Fuel division by a comfortable margin....

USF denies admission to McKines.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Robert Jordan Jul. 26--Former Richmond High School basketball player Wendell McKines will not attend the University of San Francisco. USF's associate athletic director Peter Simon said Wednesday that McKines was denied...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Gary Bogue column: Reappearing caterpillar getting a lift from kitty?
July 26, 2007... Byline: Gary Bogue Jul. 26--Aimless cotton clouds, Waiting for an errant breeze To scud them along. -- haiku by Lura Osgood, Pleasant Hill Dear Gary: My name is Marshall and I'm 41/2 years old. Last Thursday my...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Jessica Yadegaran column: Armando's hits the right notes with music.(Column)
July 26, 2007... Byline: Jessica Yadegaran Jul. 26--WHEN I WAS a wee college graduate living in San Diego, I interviewed a cool cat named Chuck Perrin. The goateed musician had recently opened a jazz space in a dim 1913 warehouse in the city's developing...

Another painful A's loss: After learning of Crosby's injury, Oakland rallies in the top of the ninth only to fall in the bottom half of the inning.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Joe Stiglich Jul. 26--ANAHEIM -- The A's couldn't complete the sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, but they managed to make this weekend's journey to Seattle a little more intriguing. After rallying to score three runs off Los...

Raiders jettison two DBs: Training camp roster now at 90 after Oakland cuts ties with Bing and suspended safety Cooper.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Steve Corkran Jul. 26--The Raiders reduced their training camp roster to 90 on Wednesday by releasing safeties Jarrod Cooper and Darnell Bing. The Cooper move came five days after he was suspended by the NFL for the first...

Darts family still on target: Hard work has made the Martells' name synonymous with success.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Jonathan Okanes Jul. 26--PACHECO -- It took Pleasant Hill native Mischelle Martell longer than she would have liked to find out that darts runs in her family. Darts has been a huge part of the lives of Martell's parents,...

Teller describes robbery that left officer dead: PITTSBURG: During testimony, woman identifies one man accused of murdering policeman.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Bruce Gerstman Jul. 26--Adrianna Beaman was working at a Wells Fargo branch inside a Raley's supermarket when she said she heard people screaming nearby. A man wearing a black mask suddenly approached her, she said. He...

Council postpones hillside development discussion: PITTSBURG: New city leaders offered more time to review key issues before deciding whether to go on with construction.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Laurie Phillips Jul. 26--After listening to pleas from 15 people to limit hillside development and comments from a developer that their concerns had not been adequately addressed, Pittsburg planners on Tuesday opted to wait...

EBMUD board approves two-year rate increase: Average family's water bill will increase by $1.47; funds will go to projects, San Pablo Dam upgrades.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Todd Perlman Jul. 26--East Bay residents will pay more for water beginning Wednesday to help defray costs for a major drought-protection project and San Pablo Reservoir dam upgrades. The East Bay Municipal Utility District...

RV, boat parking law to be reassessed: CONCORD: Council agrees to suspend fines for violators until subcommittee reviews 17-year-old ordinance.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Tanya Rose Jul. 26--CONCORD -- Residents who say they were blindsided by the sudden enforcement of a 17-year-old law regarding illegally parked recreational vehicles and boats have convinced city leaders to review the rules and...

Rental properties facing watchful eye: ANTIOCH: Rental Inspection Program will put a spotlight on city's blighted neighborhoods -- inside and out.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Simon Read Jul. 26--It has been the topic of discussion and debate. Now, it's ready to roll. Antioch leaders this week gave the green light to the city's Rental Inspection Program, a proactive effort to tackle community...

Suspects in DVC cash-for-grades case appear in court.
July 26, 2007... Byline: Matt Krupnick Jul. 26--MARTINEZ -- Former Diablo Valley College students accused in a cash-for-grades scheme faced a judge for the first time Wednesday as emotional friends and tearful relatives watched. Locked in a holding...

Fox drama `K-Ville' set in New Orleans.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Chuck Barney BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. _ Two years after Hurricane Katrina wreaked its destructive fury upon New Orleans, a new network television drama series is setting up shop there. Like all TV shows, "K-Ville" will be judged...

Donations keep Diablo Ballet dancing.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Robert Taylor Jul. 25--Walnut Creek's Diablo Ballet, which announced in March that it would close if it did not raise $500,000 by this month, will stay in business with a reduced budget and $260,000 in donations pledged so far....

Residents: Keep panel on regional planning: Group tells supervisors their needs won't be heard in absence of decades-old commission, says cost of meetings minimal.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Jeanine Benca Jul. 25--Fearing the loss of a longtime vehicle for "local representation," Alamo and Diablo residents implored the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday not to disband the two-decades-old San Ramon...

Trash resolution near, Dellums says: Oakland mayor's optimism comes as garbage piles up and Waste Management faces contempt hearing.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Chris Metinko Jul. 25--OAKLAND -- Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums said Tuesday that both sides in the East Bay's 24-day-old garbage lockout had reached resolution on several issues. The announcement came just hours after a judge told...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Queen Of The Road column: Lanes shift now for parking later.
July 25, 2007... Jul. 25--QUEEN: Hello, darlings. For those of you who commute through Dublin and Pleasanton along Interstate 580, the highway will be taking on a slightly different look in the coming days and weeks. Don't worry, it hasn't decided to...

Seniors air complaints about transportation: Late buses resulting in missed visits to the doctor among problems discussed at meeting.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Rowena Coetsee Jul. 25--ANTIOCH -- Judging by the questions and complaints seniors had for a transportation advisory group Monday, life without a driver's license can be frustrating and confusing. Members of a subcommittee...

Board to study plan outside urban limit line: 770-acre New Farm east of Danville includes space for agriculture as well as nearly 200 homes.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Ryan Huff and Lisa Vorderbrueggen Jul. 25--MARTINEZ -- Just months after voters approved a new county growth boundary, Contra Costa supervisors agreed to consider development of nearly 200 homes outside the urban limit line in the...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Gary Peterson column: Surprise -- Selig joins Barry's party.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Gary Peterson Jul. 25--SAN FRANCISCO -- Not sure what Barry Bonds wanted for his birthday, but he got Bud Selig. Bonds turned 43 on Tuesday, which anyone with a calendar and rudimentary math skills could have seen coming....

Raiders mainstay is given his release: Long-snapper Treu appeared in 155 straight games over 10 seasons.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Steve Corkran Jul. 25--The Raiders severed ties with the last vestige of the Joe Bugel era by releasing long-snapper Adam Treu on Tuesday. Treu, 33, arrived in Oakland as a third-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 1997,...

Buck, A's continue revival: Oakland has won four of six since suffering through a nine-game skid.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Joe Stiglich Jul. 25--ANAHEIM -- In the A's current state, their outfielders can't be sure when they might find their names in the lineup or not. Count rookie Travis Buck among those who has to make the most of his...

Former Campolindo star will transfer.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Ben Enos Jul. 25--Former Campolindo High School football standout Mike Vandenberg said Tuesday that he is transferring from New Mexico to Montana. Because Montana is a Division I-AA school, Vandenberg will be eligible to compete...

Raiders' Kiffin has tough task ahead.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Steve Corkran Jul. 25--First-year Raiders coach Lane Kiffin made his maiden trip to Napa on Thursday to survey the landscape that soon will be a temporary home to him and the 92 players on his roster. This Thursday, Kiffin,...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Gary Bogue column: Unusual dog-butterfly encounter confounding.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Gary Bogue Jul. 25--Like an angry beast, Diablo has its back up, Defying the heat. -- haiku by Lura Osgood, Pleasant Hill Dear Gary: One Sunday morning about 10 years ago, I was walking in Fairfield's...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Chuck Barney column: Formidable and female on television.(Column)
July 25, 2007... Byline: Chuck Barney Jul. 25--HOW FORMIDABLE is Patty Hewes, the high-stakes litigator Glenn Close plays in the new FX suspense thriller, "Damages"? As formidable as she needs to be. Shortly after Hewes uses some dicey tactics to win...

City considers cutting downtown costs: Lafayette officials look to cut $70,000 in expenses to use money for road repairs after failure of ballot measure.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Katherine Tam Jul. 25--Two weeks after landowners in downtown Lafayette rejected a city plea to cover more landscaping and lighting costs, city leaders are looking at cutting at least $70,000 in downtown expenses. The city...

DVC leaders were 'clueless' about breadth of scandal.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Matt Krupnick Jul. 25--With criminal charges filed this week and a 17-month internal investigation wrapped up, Diablo Valley College leaders said Tuesday that the breadth of the school's cash-for-grades scandal had shocked them....

Friday night lights to stay on: ANTIOCH: Principals decide against moving football to Saturday.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Andrew Becker Jul. 25--Antioch school leaders have decided not to move high school football games from Friday nights to Saturday afternoons after considering the effect on youth sports programs and other implications, the...

Panel tries to explain desegregation ruling.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Shirley Dang Jul. 25--In the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, local school districts remain confused over whether they may consider race when assigning students in an effort to comply with desegregation laws. ...

Huddled masses breathing free: Hundreds become citizens before fees rise.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Sara Steffens Jul. 25--More than 1,400 Bay Area residents who became U.S. citizens Tuesday narrowly avoided a steep increase in immigration fees that takes effect next week. The pending cost increases are among several...

Horse owner offers reward in deaths: LIVERMORE: Woman whose three horses died earlier this month says she's willing to go broke to solve mystery.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Meera Pal Jul. 25--When a FedEx delivery man handed Jeanne Morjig a box containing the ashes of her three dead horses, the reality of their unexpected deaths hit her all over again. "He handed me the box, and I couldn't...

Pinole revives idea for skate park: Council searches for safe, visible location that police, staff can control.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Tom Lochner Jul. 25--Pinole is reviving the idea of building a skate park, but finding the right place for it will be a challenge. There are few empty lots in town that are highly visible and centrally located -- essential...

Football staying on Friday nights: Antioch and Deer Valley reject idea of moving games to Saturdays.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Ricardo Sanchez Jr. Jul. 25--Don't flip the off switch on Friday night lights. The principals at Antioch and Deer Valley high schools have decided not to move varsity home football games to Saturday afternoons, a proposition...

Doctors hospital plans to downsize: Three-year effort will trim number of beds, invest in core programs.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Tom Lochner Jul. 25--Doctors Medical Center San Pablo has a new three-year business plan that envisions a downscaled hospital with 100 beds, including 24 emergency beds. The current license is 242 beds. The new total would...

Council supports refurbishing docks: Richmond leaders show 'enthusiasm' for revitalizing dry docks to dismantle Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet.
July 25, 2007... Byline: John Geluardi Jul. 25--The Richmond City Council has declared its "enthusiasm" for possibly refurbishing the city's long-abandoned dry docks to dismantle 53 environmentally hazardous ships in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet. ...

BRIEF: Delta death likely due to mechanical failure.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 25--A fatal boating accident in the Delta on Sunday afternoon was likely caused by mechanical failure, authorities said this morning. "At this point, based on our investigation, which is still ongoing, it...

BRIEF: Crosby breaks hand, out at least a month.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Joe Stiglich Jul. 25--ANAHEIM -- X-rays confirmed A's shortstop Bobby Crosby has a fractured left hand, suffered when he was hit by a fastball from the Los Angeles Angels' Justin Speier on Tuesday night. Crosby hopes to...

Birth control pill stops periods: Lybrel is first medicine approved by FDA to stop monthly menstruation.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Jessica Yadegaran Jul. 25--Menstruation became optional this month when Lybrel, the first FDA-approved birth control pill to end monthly bleeding, began to appear on pharmacy shelves. Although continuous contraception is...

BRIEF: Motorcycle crash causes Berkeley slowdown.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 25--A rider ejected from a motorcycle after it flipped on Interstate 80 near Berkeley was not seriously hurt, but the accident slowed the westbound commute to a crawl. According to the California Highway...

BRIEF: CHP looking for car involved in chase.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 25--The California Highway Patrol is searching for a black Ford Mustang that apparently struck another car and prompted a high-speed chase with that vehicle, authorities said this morning. At about 6:35...

Another painful A's loss: Crosby out six weeks.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Joe Stiglich ANAHEIM, Calif. _ The A's couldn't complete the sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, but they managed to make this weekend's journey to Seattle a little more intriguing. After rallying to score three runs off Los...

NBA hasn't done enough _ here are solutions.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Marcus Thompson II Call it cynicism. Call it pessimism. Call it sensationalism. But anyone who thinks ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy _ who allegedly bet on basketball games _ is the league's first official to gamble is crazy. Anyone...

Witness id's man in Lasater shooting.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Bruce Gerstman Jul. 25--MARTINEZ -- Adrianna Beaman was working at a Wells Fargo branch inside a Raley's supermarket when she heard people screaming nearby. A man suddenly approached her. He wore a mask. He carried a black...

BRIEF: Police look for madam of Walnut Creek apartment brothel.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Malaika Fraley Jul. 25--Police are looking for a Concord woman they allege is the madam of several brothels in Contra Costa County. Cmdr. Norm Wielsch, of the Central Contra Costa County Narcotic Enforcement Team, said...

Boat driver says Delta victim a hero.
July 25, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 25--The man who died in a weekend boating accident in the Delta sacrificed himself to save another passenger, the boat's driver said today. Matthew Haworth, 40, of Bethel Island, died Sunday afternoon...

The evolution of `The Simpsons'.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Chuck Barney Few fans of "The Simpsons" can match the unwavering loyalty of Scott Vestnys, who compulsively watches three or four episodes a day and dresses up as Homer Simpson every Halloween. But it wasn't always so. ...

Squaw Valley cable car takes you up 2,000 feet.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Anne Chalfant SQUAW VALLEY USA, Calif. _ A clever way to reach High Sierra trails without wearing yourself out is to hop the cable car at Squaw Valley USA. The sizable cable cars _ like big walk-in closets with windows _...

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Anne Chalfant EBBETTS PASS, Calif. _ Two young women came walking through the woods. It had been a very long walk _ 1,050 miles worth, to be exact. They were a bit dusty. Erin O'Donnell chuckled as Erin Leahy shook dust...

Firemen's cheer and hard work remembered.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Danielle Samaniego and Tom Lochner Jul. 23--Colleagues of two firefighters who died battling a house fire Saturday described the men as jovial go-getters who loved their jobs. Captain Matt Burton, 34, of Concord and Fire...

Danville historians seek old photos: Local authors want residents to share scenes of earlier times for book to commemorate town's 150th anniversary.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Jeanine Benca Jul. 23--Wanted: Old pictures of Danville to be used in a book commemorating the town's 150th birthday next year. Town leaders hope longtime residents will submit their personal photos illustrating life through...

Precious Buddhist relics visit Concord in August: Maitreya Project to display crystallized remains of religious leaders; some believe they have healing qualities.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Rebecca Rosen Lum Jul. 23--They shimmer like pearls in the candlelight, changing hue ever so slightly. But the sight thrills Buddhists in a way no jewels could. These are the crystallized remains of 31 Buddhist masters,...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Rick Hurd column: Bochy adapts to circus life.(Column)
July 23, 2007... Byline: Rick Hurd Jul. 23--MILWAUKEE -- Bruce Bochy plopped himself down atop the dugout bench Sunday morning, his eyes still looking bleary from the previous day and his stubble looking especially rough. This was, to stare at it...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Gary Peterson column: Questions about A's offense linger.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Gary Peterson Jul. 23--OAKLAND -- It was back to what passes for normal for the A's on Sunday. A few hours after scoring four runs on a veritable king's ransom of 11 hits in a 4-3 win Saturday night, the A's fell quickly and...

Catch-25: No one gets a better view at Bonds' prolific home run hitting than opposing catchers.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Cam Inman Jul. 23--When Barry Bonds hits his record-breaking 756th career home run, the person with the best seat in the house won't actually be sitting. He'll be squatting, and he'll be closer to Bonds' bat than anyone...

Arts panel likely will refocus mission: BRENTWOOD: City wants to re-form board and make it an advisory commission; nonprofit groups to handle events.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Paula King Jul. 23--While the Brentwood arts scene continues to gain momentum, the Brentwood Arts Commission is about to experience a rebirth. The commission is likely to be restructured this fall pending final Brentwood City...

BRIEF: Bay Point shooting victim ID'd.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 23--Coroners have identified a man shot to death in Bay Point early Saturday morning as David Watson, 31. Contra Costa sheriff's deputies are investigating leads into the shooting. They first responded to...

Gang ties suspected in Pittsburg homicide.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 23--PITTSBURG -- Police suspect gang involvement in a Saturday night brawl that left one man dead and two injured, including the slaying victim's father. Adolfo Guitron Jr., 23, of Pittsburg, was beaten...

Motorcades planned for fallen firefighters.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Robert Salonga Jul. 23--The bodies of two firefighters who died battling a house fire near San Pablo will be transported this morning and afternoon by separate motorcades, county fire officials said. Captain Matt Burton, 34,...

Managing autoimmune diseases.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Ann Tatko-Peterson Jul. 23--EVERY WEDNESDAY, Dr. Niall Roche's waiting room in Pleasanton looks like a poster for "bring your IV bag to work day." Three patients sit thumbing through magazines; another reads a newspaper....

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Chuck Barney column: At The CW, old fogies need not apply.(Column)
July 23, 2007... Byline: Chuck Barney Jul. 23--BEVERLY HILLS --EXECUTIVES for The CW dropped by the television press tour Friday and proudly unveiled their new motto for the fall: "If you're a grown-up over 34 -- step off!" OK, I'm lying, but it...

Former big league star stays true to his Bay Area roots.
July 23, 2007... Byline: Phil Jensen Jul. 23--Former major league baseball star Willie McGee is a quiet person. But his volunteerism, philanthropy and humility speak volumes about his character. McGee, the 1985 National League Most Valuable...

Bonds' chase after Aaron's record is Miller Park's draw.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Rick Hurd MILWAUKEE _ Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the main event! That's right. Everything you've witnessed on this Barry-centric stage _ from the arrival in San Francisco 15 seasons ago to the five MVP awards since...

'Kiki & Herb' act is deliciously dark fun.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Pat Craig Jul. 21--There was a Las Vegas trip some years ago, a short emergency vacation designed to be therapeutic, involving late nights, little sleep and much inexpensive entertainment. It was a transitional period in Las...

Festival is all about entertaining the tykes.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Pat Craig Jul. 21--The dream goes back a good number of years, when Lesher Center for the Arts manager Scott Denison was touring on the East Coast with the Walnut Creek-based Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, a family theater...

East Bay employment lags behind rest of Bay Area: Slow job growth blamed on withering real estate market.
July 21, 2007... Byline: George Avalos Jul. 21--Fresh evidence surfaced Friday that the meltdown in the housing market has jolted employment in the East Bay. Job growth in the East Bay slowed to a crawl between May and June. And in the past year, the...

El Cerrito may file suit against school district: City might pursue legal action against Albany Unified over Cougar Field renovation project.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Justin Hill Jul. 21--The city of El Cerrito plans to take the neighboring Albany Unified School District to court. El Cerrito City Council members this week directed acting City Attorney Alexander Abbe to pursue legal action...

Trash still piling up, cities say: OAKLAND: Fuming officials threaten to go to court to make Waste Management pick up garbage or pay for service.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Chris Metinko Jul. 21--Oakland officials say trash still is not being picked up in the city, and are set to go back to court Tuesday to prove it -- even as it appears a settlement between Waste Management of Alameda County and...

Preschool's good intentions failed: PITTSBURG: Financial problems have dogged the founder of Pittsburg Pre-School and Community Council.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Andrew Becker Jul. 21--For Frances Greene and the Pittsburg Pre-School and Community Council, 2006 was not a very good year. Unfortunately for a number students, low-income families and employees, 2007 hasn't been much better...

New El Cerrito library site debated: School board, city government split on whether to build new learning/senior center on Portola campus.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Justin Hill and Kimberly S. Wetzel Jul. 21--Feeling a sense of urgency, El Cerrito hopes to work out a deal soon with the West Contra Costa Unified School District on where to build a new public library and senior center. The...

Dublin approves plan to improve bicycle routes.
July 21, 2007... Byline: Sophia Kazmi Jul. 21--Dublin has approved a bicycle master plan, a guide that will aid the city in developing a bicycle route system to encourage residents and commuters to get out of their cars and onto their bikes. "Getting...