Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) articles from March 2001

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) archives from March 2001

Conservation Keeps Utility Bills Low in California.
March 31, 2001... Mar. 31--BASICS OF COOL: -- Close curtains and blinds to keep rooms cool and dark in the day. -- Health permitting, set the thermostat at 78 degrees during summer (vs. 68 degrees during the winter). Air conditioning accounts for as...

California Consumers Avoid Getting Burned by High Energy Prices.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Peggy Spear Mar. 31--The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, leaves are gently rustling on tree branches, and for those of us blessed with living in Northern California, the forecast has never been bleaker....

Contra Costa County, Calif.-Area Firms Suffer in First Quarter.
March 31, 2001... Byline: George Avalos Mar. 31--Stocks limped to the end of another bleak quarter Friday, capping a three-month pounding that drove the shares of Bay Area technology companies even lower. Investors who bought stakes in East Bay and...

Schott working on resolution.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn OAKLAND_While watching former franchise player Mark McGwire swat balls during batting practice at Network Associates Coliseum, A's co-owner Steve Schott expressed optimism Friday that his club could re-sign its...

Pressure: It's nothing new for La Russa.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Gary Peterson OAKLAND_Tony La Russa and Art Howe chatted behind the batting cage. A few feet away, Sandy Alderson shook hands with Bill King. Billy Beane and Walt Jocketty mingled. Dave Duncan was there, as was Dave McKay....

Giants' field in decent shape despite gridiron play.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Jonathan Okanes SAN FRANCISCO_The Giants played their first game at Pacific Bell Park since last season on Friday night, and the early returns about the field were mixed. In general, the Giants didn't seem overly concerned...

Arnold has solid outing, makes decision tougher.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Jonathan Okanes SAN FRANCISCO_Jamie Arnold said he would sleep well Friday night. Giants manager Dusty Baker might lose some as he tries to decide whether he should keep the right-handed reliever on the club's 25-man roster. ...

Deja vu for McGwire, La Russa.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Eric Gilmore OAKLAND_St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was holding court with reporters while his players took batting practice before Friday night's exhibition game against the A's. When he heard a rumbling of...

Successful Bears now face league.
March 31, 2001... Byline: Phil Jensen BERKELEY_The Cal softball team enjoyed a 32-game winning streak to begin this season, but a good start isn't a new experience for this squad. The Bears won 19 straight to start last season, and now they hope to...

A's starter Lidle is relieved.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Jonathan Okanes SACRAMENTO_Boston Red Sox first baseman Brian Daubach probably didn't appreciate it when Cory Lidle threw a pitch behind him in a game last season. The A's have absolutely no problem with it. If it weren't for...

Baseball takes away freebies on Internet.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Damin Esper THERE WERE TWO main business models for the new economy. One was to keep sites free and make money by selling advertising banners. Most agree this was a massive failure. The other was to attract computer users...

Revved up for another race season.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Gabrielle Stevenson The Chinese calendar says 2001 is the year of the Snake. Forget that. This is the year of the Driver. After only six NASCAR Winston Cup races, television ratings are up more than 25 percent nationally...

Sharks dump Ducks.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Rick Hurd SAN JOSE_Bad times? What bad times? After what happened to the Sharks on Thursday at the Compaq Center in San Jose, you'd have thought everything had been rosy for the Sharks lately. The gloom of the past month...

Friesen gets support from fans.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Ann Tatko SAN JOSE_Sharks fans are loyal_to Jeff Friesen, that is. Friesen may have become a Mighty Duck of Anaheim earlier this month, but not by choice. The Sharks traded the popular left wing even though he didn't want to...

Bill Johnson's crash hits skiers hard.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Ann Tatko As the news clip flashed on the TV screen, Bode Miller lowered himself onto the edge of his sofa and held his breath. He already had heard the news reports. He knew what was coming, but in a sport like skiing,...

Quakes' new acquisition has management beaming.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Jennifer Starks SAN JOSE_Landon Donovan wasn't pleased with how his soccer career was going in Germany. The San Jose Earthquakes could not have been happier to hear that. Earthquakes general manager Tom Neale announced...

New Bankruptcy Bill Sends California Filers to Lawyers Fast.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Janet Adamy Mar. 30--For two years, Mecca Jackson considered filing for bankruptcy to erase the medical bills and jewelry account balances she ran up when she was younger and now can't seem to pay off. The 33-year-old...

Concord, Calif.-Based Health Care Plan Reaches Contract with Insurance Company.
March 30, 2001... Byline: Judy Silber Mar. 30--Health care provider John Muir/Mt. Diablo Health System and Health Network and insurance company Blue Shield of California agreed to a new contract Thursday, only two days before their contract was set to...

Concord, Calif., Telecom Company Scales Back Plans for Network.
March 29, 2001... Byline: George Avalos Mar. 28--CONCORD, Calif.--The digital frontier remains not much more than a large speck on the horizon in Concord. Seren Innovations has been forced to drastically downshift in its quest to build an advanced...

California Wineries Could Feel Big Negative Impact from Blackouts.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Ellen Lee Mar. 28--Livermore Valley Cellars winemaker James Denham knows what could happen to a winery if the power winked out. Several years ago, the small Livermore winery was bottling a line of white wine when the fuse...

Capsules for AL Central.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Jonathan Okanes In predicted order of finish CHICAGO WHITE SOX _ MANAGER: Jerry Manuel (second year, 95-67 with White Sox and overall) _ LAST SEASON: 95-67 (first) _ KEY ADDITIONS: LHP David Wells, C Sandy...

Capsules for AL East.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn EAST DIVISION In predicted order of finish NEW YORK YANKEES * MANAGER: Joe Torre (sixth year, 487-322 with Yankees; 1,381-1,325 overall) * LAST SEASON: 87-74 (first) * KEY ADDITIONS: RHP Mike...

Capsules for AL West.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn In predicted order of finish OAKLAND A'S MANAGER: Art Howe (sixth year, 395-414 with A's; 787-832 overall) LAST SEASON: 91-70 (first) KEY ADDITIONS: LF Johnny Damon, LHP Mark Guthrie, RHP Cory...

The other Giambi savors opportunity.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn SCOTTSDALE, Ariz._He does not want to emerge from Jason's shadow. Jeremy Giambi loves being "Mini G." What Jeremy Giambi does want is to be an established major-league player, not just the brother of one. ...

Agent still is hopeful of Giambi deal.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn PHOENIX_Arn Tellem, the agent for Jason Giambi, said Wednesday he is hopeful that the A's and Giambi can reach agreement on a contract extension. Tellem said he has not negotiated with A's general manager Billy...

Lidle makes decision difficult.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn SCOTTSDALE, Ariz._It will be a very difficult decision for the A's to send Cory Lidle to Triple-A Sacramento. Lidle is in competition with Omar Olivares for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation. And it's...

A's fate now in front office.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Neil Hayes The decisions that most impact the A's future won't be made in manager Art Howe's office at Phoenix Municipal Stadium or at the team's minor-league facility at Papago Park. They won't be decided in another crafty...

Mirabelli shipped to Texas.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Joe Roderick SCOTTSDALE, Ariz._Catcher Doug Mirabelli knew he was on the trading block, but when he received the news Tuesday that his contract had been purchased by the Texas Rangers for $75,000, he wasn't prepared to sever his...

Giants confident they'll keep production high without Burks.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Joe Roderick SCOTTSDALE, Ariz._The San Francisco Giants like to brag that their pitching carried them in the second half of last season, and there aren't many who will dispute that. But what can't be overlooked is an offense that...

Capsules for NL Central.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Jonathan Okanes CENTRAL Division In predicted order of finish ST. LOUIS CARDINALS * MANAGER: Tony La Russa (sixth season, 414-395 with Cardinals, 1,734-1,578 overall) * LAST SEASON: 95-67 (first) * KEY...

Capsules for NL East.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Joe Roderick EAST DIVISION In predicted order of finish ATLANTA BRAVES * MANAGER: Bobby Cox (16th year, 1,261-979 with Braves in two tenures; 1,616-1,271 overall) * LAST SEASON: 95-67 (1st); lost to St. Louis in...

Capsules for NL West.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Joe Roderick In predicted order of finish: SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS MANAGER: Dusty Baker (9th year, 655-577 with Giants) LAST SEASON: 97-65 (1st, lost to Mets in divisional series) KEY ADDITIONS: RHP Tim Worrell, C...

Giants, A's aim for a Bay Series.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Eric Gilmore The calendar said February, but Giants manager Dusty Baker and A's manager Art Howe already were talking October and the 2001 World Series. "I honestly feel it's our turn to have a Bay (Bridge) Series here the...

Tough questions, easy answers for Doc Hardball.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Gary Peterson You've got questions about the upcoming baseball season? Doc Hardball has answers. Question: Which will be the bigger story in baseball this season_the new strike zone, or the upcoming labor negotiations? ...

Big test awaits Gaels coach.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Mike Wood Aspiring NCAA Division I coaches love challenges. That explains the interest in the men's basketball coaching vacancy at St. Mary's College. And whomever is hired to fill the post vacated when Dave Bollwinkel...

Crowd-pleasing Porter a Warriors fan favorite.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Matt Steinmetz OAKLAND_Warriors forward Chris Porter, the man his teammates call "C.P.," was getting ready to check back into Monday's game against the New York Knicks with 2 minutes, 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter....

Grand jury indicts lawyers in dog mauling case.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Corey Lyons SAN FRANCISCO _ A grand jury Tuesday indicted a pair of lawyers in the fatal dog mauling of Diane Alexis Whipple, and police later arrested the couple at a house in Tehama County. The indictment against...

Spring slumber is about to end for A's, Giants.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Neil Hayes THE TYPICAL SIGHTS and sounds of exhibition baseball masked a very atypical spring training for both the A's and Giants. Most clubs head to spring training in Arizona or Florida with questions galore, but that...

Looking to restore the power.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Eric Gilmore SAN JOSE _ This season looked like it was going to be so different for the Sharks. They battled month after month for the Pacific Division crown instead of merely for survival. They appeared headed for an early...

Finally, a reason to cheer for Sharks.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Rick Hurd SAN JOSE_In the end, they came barreling off the bench as it had been a championship clincher. It wasn't, of course, but it probably sure felt like it. Mike Ricci's goal 1 minute, 53 seconds into overtime lifted...

Favorite son makes return to San Jose.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Rick Hurd SAN JOSE_The shock has worn off. Honest, Jeff Friesen insisted. Life happens. Hockey happens. Then you move on and do the best you can. Still, there's this feeling, he said. Indescribable, really. It's in the...

Consumer activists say they will fight price hikes.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Mike Taugher and Matt Sebastian SAN FRANCISCO _ Calling it the beginning of a ratepayer revolt, consumer activists descended on state regulators who approved a massive electricity rate increase on Tuesday and said they would...

North vs. South California turf wars are put on hold.
March 29, 2001... Byline: Chuck Dybdal Plans for a special north-south racing competition to be held next month at Bay Meadows have apparently been put on hold. The idea was the brainchild of Andy Stronach, son of Magna boss Frank Stronach, who is the...

California-Based Animal Rescue Non-Profit to Build New Headquarters.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Dogen Hannah Mar. 27--WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--A decade after former Oakland A's manager Tony La Russa and his wife, Elaine, founded the Animal Rescue Foundation around a kitchen table, the nonprofit organization is about build a...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Bankruptcies Column.
March 28, 2001... Mar. 25--The following businesses filed for legal protection from creditors in the federal bankruptcy court in Oakland. Companies most commonly file for protection under three chapters of the bankruptcy code: Chapter 7, which involves...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Business Names Column.
March 28, 2001... Mar. 25--The following individuals or corporations filed fictitious-business-name statements in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The Times makes every effort to ensure accuracy but cannot be held responsible if there are errors or omissions...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., People in Motion Column.
March 28, 2001... Mar. 25--Nancy Combs has been elected president of The Women's Investment Society of the East Bay. Moraga-based Saint Mary's College of California President Brother Craig Franz, F.S.C., Ph.D. was elected to a second three-year term as...

Troubled Federal Safety Board Unveils Study on California Chemical Plant Fire.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Denis Cuff Mar. 28--MARTINEZ, Calif.--A fatal flash fire at the Tosco oil refinery here in 1999 gave an early opportunity for a new federal board to prove its value by finding safer ways to run American's oil and chemical plants....

State Senator Tries to Broker Deal for Brentwood, Calif.-Area History Center.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Lisa Vorderbrueggen Mar. 27--A state senator is trying to broker an out-of-court settlement between Brentwood and Contra Costa County in hopes of smoothing the way for a park and history center on the Cowell Ranch. Sen. Tom...

Berkeley, Calif., Natural Gas Leak Forces Evacuation of Nearby Area.
March 28, 2001... Mar. 28--BERKELEY, Calif.--A natural gas leak on University Avenue forced fire officials to close a busy freeway off-ramp and evacuate a school and several businesses nearby Tuesday morning. A city construction crew moving a light pole...

Health Officials Call for Changes to Contra Costa, Calif.-Area Warning System.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Shawn Masten Mar. 28--RICHMOND, Calif.--County health officials want to broaden the types of industrial accidents that can trigger community warning sirens after critics faulted the limited alarm that followed last fall's fatal...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., New in Town Column.
March 28, 2001... Mar. 25--BUSINESS: Arandas Latino Market ADDRESS: 3429 Chestnut St., Concord phone: 925-685-2300 DESCRIPTION: Grocery store specializing in Latino foods, clothing and specialty items ABOUT OUR BUSINESS: Our Latino grocery...

Alameda County, Calif., Supports Drive for Castro Valley Incorporation.
March 28, 2001... Mar. 28--OAKLAND, Calif.--Alameda County took a first step Tuesday toward letting Castro Valley become one of the state's next cities. The Board of Supervisors agreed to initiate proceedings with the Local Agency Formation Commission, the...

San Francisco Area Environmental Agency Fines Chevron Oil $242,000.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Denis Cuff Mar. 27--Five days after its plan to clean up Bay Area skies was rejected as too weak, the Bay Area's air pollution agency announced a $242,000 fine against the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond for emission leaks. ...

Richmond, Calif., Council Receives Grant for `Rosie the Riveter' National Park.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Shawn Masten Mar. 28--RICHMOND, Calif.--The City Council on Tuesday night received a much needed state grant to help develop the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park. The state Coastal...

Sears to Buy Former Wards Location in Walnut Creek, Calif., Area.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Janet Adamy Mar. 27--Sears announced Monday it would buy the Pleasant Hill Wards site and build the first of its new home decorating stores in the East Bay at that location. The department store giant announced that it would...

Venerable Berkeley, Calif., Theater Closes after 22 Years.
March 28, 2001... Byline: Sonia Krishnan Mar. 26--BERKELEY, Calif.--It has endured a massive fire and 22 years of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but in the end, the UC Theatre could not survive the bottom line. After months of speculation over its...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Business Bulletin Column.
March 27, 2001... Mar. 25--MONDAY: Experience Unlimited of Pleasant Hill, a no-fee, nonprofit volunteer organization sponsored by California Employment Development Department to help professionals seeking jobs, holds an orientation meeting, 8:30 a.m. at...

California Energy Company Threatens Legal Action against State.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Andrew LaMar Mar. 24--SACRAMENTO, Calif.--PG&E raised the threat of legal action Friday if the Davis administration follows through with a plan that would force the ailing utility to cough up money to alternative energy producers...

Contra Costa County, Calif., Investors Club Recognized by National Agency.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Chris Metinko Mar. 24--While they would be the first to admit they haven't perfected the art of investing, the Go-For-Broke investing club has done it well enough to be recognized as the best in the state. The club was named...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Business Leader Profile.
March 27, 2001... Mar. 25--PROFILE: NAME: John Castello, Chairman, president and chief executive officer COMPANY: Xoma Ltd. LOCATION: 2910 Seventh St., Berkeley TYPE OF BUSINESS: biotechnology BIO: Castello joined Xoma in 1992 as its...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Real Jobs Column.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Jessica Guynn Mar. 25--On a 23-acre stretch of land just outside of Danville, Palo Alto venture capitalist John Appel plans to build a new home. He wants his firm, Tira Capital, to open an office nearby. From his vantage...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Retirement Planner Column.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Steve Butler Mar. 24--In surfer jargon, "hanging ten" means you have 10 toes draped over the surfboard's edge as you roar down a giant wave. Nikolai Kondratieff, a Russian economist exiled to Siberia, spent 20 years longing for...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., User Friendly Column.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Yael Li-Ron Mar. 24--Contrary to my own advice, the last time I backed up my data, George Sr. was president and 45-gigabyte hard disks were as common as an honest politician. My digital universe (everything I've ever written, to...

Henderson eyes another A's run.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn PEORIA, Ariz._At age 42, Rickey Henderson still holds hopes of ending his major-league career in an A's uniform. Henderson made his second spring appearance for San Diego in the Padres' 6-1 loss to the A's at...

Bonds swings for baseball immortality.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Joe Roderick SCOTTSDALE, Ariz._The first few home runs this season may come easy for Barry Bonds as he climbs toward the magical 500 mark. He's six shy of joining super-elite status, and those who have walked the path before him...

Benches clear after Tavarez's antics.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Joe Roderick MESA, Ariz._The Giants caught Julian Tavarez's zany antics for three seasons, so what transpired during Monday's exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs was nothing out of the ordinary. After striking out Russ...

Profit infusion is medical start-up' big hope.
March 27, 2001... Byline: Judy Silber WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ As a small start-up company, Concord, Calif.-based Cerus Corp. had big ideas in 1991. With only nine employees, the company set out to conquer a seemingly intractable medical problem: the...

A's, Giambi's agent trade jabs.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Gary Washburn MARYVALE, Ariz._Face-to-face negotiations Saturday between A's general manager Billy Beane and Arn Tellem, the agent for Jason Giambi, produced nothing but discouraging news regarding a contract extension. ...

Self-imposed penalty is costly to Edwards.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Samuel Chi PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla._Joel Edwards disqualified himself from The Players Championship after reporting he committed an infraction in the first round and signed an incorrect scorecard. Edwards, who had made the...

El Dorado Shooter dominates Danville.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Chuck Dybdal ALBANY_As El Dorado Shooter romped down the Golden Gate Fields stretch in the Danville Handicap, track announcer Tony Calo called him "one of the fastest guns in the West." It may have been an understatement. ...

Lighter Lemon Cooler Cream Cake.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Elaine Magee Q. This cake is a family favorite. It's easy and inexpensive to make and great for spring and summer occasions. I'm not sure what the calories end up being but I'm sure it's quite a bit. Can you help us? A. This...

Don't be surprised by wedding emotions, author says.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Sara Steffens Practically the moment the word "yes" escapes her lips, the bride-to-be is plunged headfirst into a strange new world. The months leading to her wedding will be exhilarating and exhausting, and in most cases,...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Bankruptcies Column.
March 26, 2001... Mar. 18--The following businesses filed for legal protection from creditors in the federal bankruptcy court in Oakland. Companies most commonly file for protection under three chapters of the bankruptcy code: Chapter 7, which involves...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Business Bulletin Column.
March 26, 2001... Mar. 18--MONDAY: Experience Unlimited of Pleasant Hill, a no-fee, nonprofit volunteer organization sponsored by California Employment Development Department to help professionals seeking jobs, holds an orientation meeting, 8:30 a.m. at 367...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Business Listing Column.
March 26, 2001... Mar. 18--The following individuals or corporations filed fictitious-business-name statements in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The Times makes every effort to ensure accuracy but cannot be held responsible if there are errors or omissions...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., People in Motion Column.
March 26, 2001... Mar. 18--BANKING: Pleasanton-based Valley Community Bank has hired Fran Guerin as vice president in charge of business development. She is based at the bank's Livermore office. INSURANCE: Dennis Sweeney has been named president of Colt...

Contra Costa County, Calif., Businesses Address Key Concerns.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Ellen Lee Mar. 17--The demand for convenience, the aging of the Baby Boomers and "mass customization" are among the driving forces behind the changing economy, and companies large and small must keep up, local business leaders...

San Ramon, Calif., Call Center Experts Ring in Business.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Teena Massingill Mar. 16--NAMES: Vail Dutto, CEO and co-founder; Peggy Moretti, co-founder and executive vice president of marketing COMPANY: InTelegy Corp. LOCATION: 18 Crow Canyon Court, San Ramon TYPE OF BUSINESS:...

California Regulators Sued for Lowering Emissions Limits at Oil Refinery.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Denis Cuff Mar. 14--Environmentalists sued state water pollution regulators Tuesday for lowering emissions limits for dioxin at a Contra Costa oil refinery. If the weaker limits stand, the case will encourage other...

California Hospitals Lobby for Exempt Status During Blackouts.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Judy Silber Mar. 23--SAN FRANCISCO--In response to rolling blackouts earlier this week that shut off power to several California health care facilities, hospital representatives lobbied the Public Utilities Commission on Thursday...

Livermore, Calif., Nuclear Worker Accuses Lab of Deceptive Hiring Practices.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Peter Felsenfeld Mar. 16--LIVERMORE, Calif.--Issac Trotts started working at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in October, thinking his research would contribute to monitoring the safety and reliability of nuclear weapons. But...

California Internet Firm Files Complaint against Pacific Bell over DSL Deal.
March 26, 2001... Byline: George Avalos Mar. 23--An East Bay Internet company has filed a complaint with state regulators against Pacific Bell over a DSL deal that went sour. East County Internet Services said Thursday it filed the action against Pac...

Oakland, Calif., Port Authority Looks to Build Bayside Park.
March 26, 2001... Byline: Ellen Lee Mar. 15--OAKLAND, Calif.--The vision goes something like this: a waterfront neighborhood teeming with a cultural center, luxury hotels, lofts, retail shops and parks. On Thursday, the Port of Oakland took a step...