Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) articles from March 2006

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) archives from March 2006

Cardinal is among teams on outside.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Jonathan Okanes Mar. 1--The NIT -- otherwise known in these parts as the National Inconsequential Tournament -- usually is just that. It's hard to get excited about an event where the premise inherently suggests it won't have the...

High court kills gas price-fixing suit.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Rick Jurgens Mar. 1--The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously killed a lawsuit by a group of service station owners who alleged that two large oil companies that controlled 25 percent of the wholesale gasoline market on the West Coast...

Residents could be asked to fund roads, police.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Meera Pal Mar. 1--Two years after Lafayette voters turned down a $29 million road bond, the city is planning to ask voters to pay for more. The City Council is considering asking voters to approve two tax measures to pay for roads...

Stolen painting was to be in show.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Karl Fischer Mar. 1--Virginia Jourdan spent six months painting "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" before someone stole it from her garage last week. The canvas depicts a baby born to an addict, raised up by many hands. ...

Hospital workers go on strike for a week.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Sophia Kazmi Mar. 1--Braving the rain, the cold and even hail, strikers lined the sidewalk near Eden Medical Center on Tuesday, protesting what they say are bad-faith contract negotiations by hospital administrators. Members...

Community pushes for board seat.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Andrew Becker Mar. 1--A vacancy on the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board of Education has some Bay Point advocates hopeful the community will get the representation it has long sought. Bay Point residents have felt for...

Traffic stalled by FasTrak, study says.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Mike Adamick Mar. 1--A new report by the Bay Area Toll Authority confirms what Bay Bridge motorists have been seeing for more than a month: New FasTrak-only lanes have created longer lines leading to the toll plaza in the morning...

Sheriff say boy was fed cookie with marijuana.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Kelli Phillips and Sophia Kazmi Mar. 1--A 17-year-old Monte Vista High student could spend up to four years in the state youth authority for feeding a marijuana-laced cookie to a 4-year-old boy in an on-campus day care, authorities...

Heroes in Black history.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Nathaniel Hoffman Mar. 1--There were two lines at the Concord Post Office on Tuesday. One was to buy stamps. The other was to shake hands with retired Tuskegee Airman Leon "Woodie" Spears on the last day of Black History Month. ...

Seniors to celebrate center's anniversary.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Laurie Phillips Mar. 1--Essie Butler of Pittsburg emerged from Monday's exercise class at the city's Senior Center warm from the exertion and the interaction with her friends. It's been that way for years, and it's why she...

Foothill High students get lesson in leadership.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Eric Louie Mar. 1--Count "Operation O'Connell" as another accomplishment for the new Active Citizenship Leadership Academy at Foothill High. On Tuesday, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell was at the...

Old Town redevelopment puts focus on community.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Tom Lochner Mar. 1--SAN PABLO -- Where the Tigress Lounge once stood on 23rd Street, today one can find the more wholesome facade of Mercado La Guarecita, its pastel-gold, maroon and blue color scheme in harmony with the...

Bills aim to improve continuity, care for foster children.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Sara Steffens Mar. 1--California's foster children deserve better, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said Tuesday, unveiling a package of bills aimed at overhauling the state's child welfare system. "We know that the outcomes for...

First international meet no pressure for youngster.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Ann Tatko-Peterson Mar. 1--Olympics Kristian Ipsen is diving with the big boys now. The 13-year-old diver from Clayton will compete this weekend in his first international senior meet. Ipsen qualified in the 3-meter...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Gary Peterson column: Sharks struggling to reach podium.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Gary Peterson Mar. 1--SAN JOSE -- A press release distributed at Tuesday night's Sharks-Detroit Red Wings game heralded the NHL's return "For Exciting Sprint To Stanley Cup Playoffs." Now, putting "Exciting" in writing is not quite...

Polk, as own attorney, questions jury pool.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Bruce Gerstman Mar. 1--Susan Polk, defending herself at her own murder trial, on Tuesday began questioning the people who will decide whether she is guilty of the premeditated killing of her husband. Wearing a red sweater and...

Third-seeded Gaels get a Zags-free path to final.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Starks Mar. 1--There is a lot to like about earning the No. 3 seed to the West Coast Conference basketball tournament if you're St. Mary's College. The Gaels are guaranteed a bye through the first round and won't...

Tuskegee pilot adds to event.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Nathaniel Hoffman Mar. 1--There were two lines at the Concord Post Office on Tuesday. One was to buy stamps. The other was to shake hands with retired Tuskegee Airman Leon "Woodie" Spears on the last day of Black History Month. ...

Lively Giants singing different song this year.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Rick Hurd Mar. 1--Inside baseball SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Has anybody seen the Giants? That's the familiar uniform, the one being worn by the legion of players at Scottsdale Stadium. And that's the same manager, the one...

Warriors folding once the pressure's on: Youth, injuries, whatever the reasons, team is struggling in the clutch.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Marcus Thompson II Mar. 1--OAKLAND -- There are few aspects of basketball as pressure-filled as free-throw shooting. That thick line 15 feet from the basket has exposed the Warriors' propensity for folding under pressure....

Cal's Powe credits success to his mentor.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Jonathan Okanes Mar. 1--BERKELEY -- Cross paths with Leon Powe and there's a good chance Bernard Ward is somewhere nearby. Powe is playing in a basketball game at Cal? There's Ward sitting behind the basket. Powe is recovering...

Life-saving defibrillators demonstrated at Richmond Council meeting.
March 1, 2006... Byline: John Geluardi Mar. 1--If you or a loved one is suddenly stricken with cardiac arrest, life-saving help may be hanging on the nearest wall. During Tuesday's Richmond City Council meeting, Contra Costa County Supervisor John...

Rain due for evening rush hour.
March 1, 2006... Byline: George Kelly Mar. 1--Clouds will thicken across area skies as the week's second bout of wet weather approaches, the National Weather Service said today. Forecaster Scott Kennedy says the usual suspect -- a cold front moving...

Two small quakes shake Orinda.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Kelli Phillips Mar. 1--ORINDA -- Two small earthquakes shook Orinda this morning, but no one reported any damage, authorities said. A 2.8-magnitude quake occurred on the Hayward Fault at 11:24 a.m. and was followed by a...

Pleasanton Iron Horse Trail to be dedicated today.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Chris Metinko Mar. 1--PLEASANTON -- Hikers in Pleasanton can rejoice, as ground was broken this morning for the first Pleasanton segment of the Iron Horse Trail. The Iron Horse Trail, running (with some physical interruptions)...

One more Alameda school to close in fall.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Peter Hegarty Mar. 1--Alameda school district leaders have decided to close another elementary school in the city's West End to save money in the face of declining enrollment. The school board's decision Tuesday to close...

Body found on San Pablo street.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Karl Fischer Mar. 1--A body was found lying on the north side of the 2200 block of Wilcox Avenue this morning, San Pablo police said. Residents of the neighborhood called police about gunfire around 3:30 a.m., San Pablo police...

San Ramon's 'Tot Drop' successor looks familiar.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Scott Marshall Mar. 1--SAN RAMON -- This city will soon offer a replacement for its popular, now-departed Tot Drop program, and it looks very familiar. San Ramon plans to begin offering a near-exact replica of that popular...

Repairs to close I-580 lanes.
March 1, 2006... Byline: George Kelly Mar. 1--Caltrans will close the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge's westbound left lane until 2 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said. The closure of the Interstate 580 lane from Barrett Avenue in Marin County to...

Naked students protest UC apparel.
March 1, 2006... Byline: Matt Krupnick Mar. 1--BERKELEY -- About three dozen UC Berkeley students took advantage of a break in cold and rainy weather Wednesday to strip naked to protest the use of sweat shops to make college apparel. The gathering in...

Young guys lead Warriors to victory over Magic.
March 1, 2006

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Owen Chamberlain dies at 85.
March 1, 2006

Berkeley students stage naked protest to denounce sweatshops.
March 1, 2006

After cosmetic surgery, guest house is where the healing is.
March 2, 2006

Word of mouth: What we like right now.
March 2, 2006

City Council gets defibrillator demonstration.
March 2, 2006... Byline: John Geluardi Mar. 2--If you or a loved one suddenly experience cardiac arrest, life-saving help may be hanging on the nearest wall. Compact talking devices known as automatic external defibrillators have been installed in...

Chevrolet dealership to relocate.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Bonita Brewer Mar. 2--It began in 1934 as the Fireproof Garage and, more than 70 years later, Groth Bros. Chevrolet will soon become part of a bygone era for downtown Livermore. Groth Bros. -- agreeing that a car lot doesn't...

Violence galvanizes Oakland.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Guy Ashley Mar. 2--OAKLAND -- A spike in homicides and other violent crimes has residents accusing city leaders of dragging their feet on hiring more police and city officials scrambling to put officers on the streets. Three...

Greenway contract reluctantly approved.
March 2, 2006... Byline: John Geluardi Mar. 2--The Richmond City Council has approved a controversial $2.2 million contract to pave and landscape the city's portion of the popular Greenway bicycle and pedestrian trail. Bay Cities Paving & Grading won...

District alters proof-of-residency policy.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Sarah Jane Tribble Mar. 2--CONCORD -- Cautioning that it will take time to work out the kinks, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District board late Tuesday unanimously approved plans to implement a districtwide proof-of-residency...

13 vying for open park board seat.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Denis Cuff Mar. 2--An East Bay Regional Park board vacancy in a political ward known for environmental activism has attracted 13 applicants, including three former Berkeley and El Cerrito city council members. A former Berkeley...

Exit exam option under fire.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Andrew Becker Mar. 2--Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to close a loophole that would allow students who have failed the required state high school exit exam to get their diploma from a community college. According to the state...

East Bay without a burn center.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Tom Lochner Mar. 2--The East Bay's lone burn unit has closed -- for now. Administrators at Doctors Medical Center San Pablo made the decision last week and transferred the unit's only patient to an intensive care unit, CEO...

Katrina evacuees thank county volunteers.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Chris Metinko Mar. 2--Charlina Howard tells a story similar to that of hundreds of thousands of other Hurricane Katrina evacuees. She didn't think it would be that bad; it would be like any of the other evacuations she had been...

Possible kidnap attempt thwarted.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Karl Fischer Mar. 2--Two men in a truck tried to talk to a 12-year-old boy walking to school Monday morning in the Iron Triangle, and the boy's mother chased the men briefly into North Richmond before they got away, police said....

Green Elementary meeting is tonight.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Eric Louie Mar. 2--The public is invited to a meeting tonight at the Dublin school district offices to discuss the upcoming Green Elementary school. The meeting will include an update on the construction of the East Dublin...

Police free street race suspects.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Sophia Kazmi Mar. 2--Two men who police say were street racing before one hit and severely injured a San Ramon girl on Feb. 15 have been released from jail. San Leandro resident Baljinder Gill, 23, was released from Contra...

Street is still charming: A's closer went from being a roster long shot to AL Rookie of the Year.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Joe Roderick Mar. 2--PHOENIX -- The first time Justin Duchscherer met Huston Street, he wasn't quite sure if he was in the presence of an Eddie Haskell clone or a character out of "Pleasantville." Street has the All-American looks...

Title shot on line for Bears, Bruins: Cal, which trails UCLA by a game, hopes to play the rude host tonight.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Jonathan Okanes Mar. 2--BERKELEY -- It may not be the "Game of the Century," but calling tonight's showdown between Cal and UCLA the "Game of Almost a Half-Century" may not be too far off. The Bears (17-8, 11-5 Pac-10) welcome the...

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Neil Hayes column: A's dependent on sophomores.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Neil Hayes Mar. 2--PHOENIX IF THERE WAS A SEMINAL MOMENT for Huston Street this offseason, it was during the 83rd annual New York Baseball Writers' awards dinner. The A's rookie closer was on stage with Cal Ripken Jr., Bob...

St. Mary's seeks reversal of fortune: The Gaels are 0-3 in the last three trips to the WCC tournament.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Starks Mar. 2--St. Mary's College guard Serena Benavente won't let herself do it. She knows winning the West Coast Conference women's basketball tournament represents the Gaels' only chance at a ticket to the NCAA...

City to replace popular Tot Drop.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Scott Marshall Mar. 2--San Ramon will soon offer a replacement for its popular, now-departed Tot Drop program -- and it looks familiar. Plans are to begin hosting a near-replica of that popular child recreation program, which...

Professors unlock key to eBay sales.
March 2, 2006... Byline: George Avalos Mar. 2--The next time you make an online purchase -- or online sale -- paying attention to the "plus shipping and handling" part of the transaction could save, cost or make you some extra bucks. That's the upshot...

Warriors end skid at four games: Richardson scores 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter against the Magic.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Marcus Thompson II Mar. 2--OAKLAND -- Warriors guard Jason Richardson put in another gutsy performance, overcoming a sore and swollen left ankle to score a game-high 25 points with nine rebounds and six assists. Point guard...

Proposed IPTV service under fire.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Scott Marshall Mar. 2--A cable trade group representative on Tuesday again criticized a proposed San Ramon agreement with AT&T through which the company would introduce Internet Protocol Television service. The city is...

A's dependent on sophomores.
March 2, 2006

Clorox CEO hospitalized after suffering heart attack.
March 2, 2006... Byline: George Avalos Mar. 2--Gerald Johnston, Clorox Co.'s chief executive and the architect of the company's resurgence in recent years, suffered an apparent heart attack and is being treated in a hospital, the company said Thursday. ...

Pepper spray incidents in Castro Valley hospital strike.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Sophia Kazmi Mar. 2--CASTRO VALLEY -- What had been a relatively peaceful strike at Eden Medical Center got a little rowdy this morning. There were three reports of strikers getting pepper sprayed and being bumped by cars. The...

July trial date set for Dyleski.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Bruce Gerstman Mar. 2--LAFAYETTE -- A Superior Court judge this morning set a July trial date for Scott Dyleski, the teenager charged with murder with a special circumstance that could bring him a life sentence in the killing of...

Richmond police probe stabbing.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Karl Fischer Mar. 2--RICHMOND -- Police are investigating a stabbing on the 200 block of South 3rd Street that left the victim in critical condition this morning. The victim was flown to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek...

Martinez seeks compromise on redevelopment.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Danielle Samaniego Mar. 2--The Martinez City Council isn't ready to give up on a redevelopment agency plan just yet. It just wants more time to draft a better one. The council voted 4-0 not to repeal a 2004 voter-supported...

Unsettled skies linger well into next week.
March 2, 2006... Byline: George Kelly Mar. 2--The month of March will continue its lion-like beginning as waves of stormy weather prowl a celestial cage, the National Weather Service said. "It certainly is winter weather, probably a little colder and...

Missing painting returned in Richmond.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Karl Fischer Mar. 2--RICHMOND -- The painting stolen from artist Virginia Jourdan's garage last week resurfaced this morning with help from an anonymous Good Samaritan, who said he bought it somewhere locally after reading about...

Ygnacio Valley Road crash kills Danville man.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Kelli Phillips Mar. 2--WALNUT CREEK -- A 23-year-old Danville man died Wednesday night and two others were injured when their vehicle crashed near the bottom of a steep hill on Ygnacio Valley Road. The victim, identified as...

UCLA beats Cal in overtime, 67-58.
March 2, 2006

Raiders release 3 players.
March 2, 2006

School officer arrested in autumn killing.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Shirley Dang and Guy Ashley Mar. 2--Joseph Jason Lee watched a friend shoot a man to death last November, authorities said Thursday, but he kept quiet about the homicide even as he took a job patrolling campuses as a peace officer...

Around the remote: TV picks for the week of March 5-11.
March 2, 2006... Byline: Chuck Barney DON'T MISS: THE 78TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS _ We don't envy rookie Oscar host Jon Stewart for a minute. Not only is hosting Hollywood's big bash a thankless job that invites comparisons to past emcees, it's a huge...

Street seems unfazed by busy offseason.
March 3, 2006

Standoff ends in Concord.
March 3, 2006... Byline: Cassandra Braun Mar. 3--CONCORD -- The impasse that began Thursday between SWAT teams outside a house and a burglary suspect inside is over, police said. "It's completely resolved," a Concord police dispatcher said today....

Latest storm in series chills, drenches.
March 3, 2006... Byline: George Kelly Mar. 3--Showers and thunderstorms this morning may fade but wet weather conditions are here to stay through next week, the National Weather Service said. Forecaster Mark Strobin said East Bay residents may also see...

Benicia police seek carjack-try suspects.
March 3, 2006... Byline: George Kelly Mar. 3--Descriptions of two young men accused of trying to commander a vehicle from an apartment complex parking lot yesterday evening have been released, Benicia police said last night. According to a press release,...

Standoff ends in Concord, one arrested.
March 3, 2006... Byline: Kelli Phillips and Cassandra Braun Mar. 3--CONCORD -- A 22-year-old burglary suspect surrendered to police early this morning after an eight hour standoff with SWAT teams in a residential neighborhood. James Atkins of Concord...

Warriors lose more ground to Lakers.
March 3, 2006... Byline: Marcus Thompson II OAKLAND, Calif. _ The Golden State Warriors missed a golden opportunity Friday night. They had a chance to pick up a full game on the team they're chasing for a playoff spot. They had a chance to build some...

Pinole police investigate shooting death.
March 5, 2006... Byline: Meera Pal Mar. 5--Pinole police are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday night and left one man dead. Police were called to the parking lot of the Sizzler Restaurant on Fitzgerald Drive around 9 p.m. where they found...

A's Meyer feels no pain, and that's his gain.
March 5, 2006... Byline: Rick Hurd PHOENIX _ The velocity wasn't great. The command wasn't impeccable. The results were pedestrian. Yet, for Dan Meyer, those facts were mostly irrelevant on Sunday morning. Of more concern regarding his first game on a...

Warriors no match for Timberwolves.
March 5, 2006... Byline: Marcus Thompson II MINNEAPOLIS _ Maybe Golden State Warriors guard Jason Richardson needs to do more. Maybe he needs to score 40 points, 50 even. Maybe he needs superhero Spandex to match his cape, have his Nike rep get him...

Collins spared for now.
March 5, 2006... Byline: Steve Corkran Quarterback Kerry Collins became a convenient target for those seeking a reason for the Raiders' offensive inconsistency and the team's 4-12 record last season. Before long, he might take the fall for the team's...

Sharks' voice blends love for game with perspective.
March 6, 2006... Byline: Chris Metinko Mar. 6--Before calling tip-ins by Scott Thornton and dashes down the boards by Patrick Marleau, Randy Hahn's career had to begin somewhere. Why not the frozen Yukon Territory calling dog sled racing? "Yes......

Oakley students learn that every cent counts.
March 6, 2006... Byline: Paula King Mar. 6--OAKLEY -- Focused on paying for college and making a down payment on a house someday, fourth-grader Chris Warren dutifully deposits a few dollars into his savings account each week. The Laurel Elementary...

Consultant may consider bigger library: PLEASANTON: Council to decide whether possibility of expansion should be studied.
March 6, 2006... Byline: Chris Metinko Mar. 6--Success has brought the Pleasanton Library to a crossroads, and the City Council is poised to take the next step toward a new path for facility. The council is expected to vote Tuesday night to seek a...

BART workers train for terror attack: CONCORD: Officers learn how to identify, subdue suspects in four-day session.
March 6, 2006... Byline: Tom Lochner Mar. 6--A make-believe suicide bomber -- actually a BART police SWAT team officer -- stood in a maintenance hangar amid an imaginary crowd of commuters Sunday, poised to "detonate" his weapon and sow tragedy and terror....

Greenville Road to open a year late: LIVERMORE: Roadway reopens March 19, suffered setbacks including changes in bridge design.
March 6, 2006... Byline: Bonita Brewer Mar. 6--Nearly a year behind schedule and following a lot of frustration for motorists, a stretch of Greenville Road in Livermore is set to finally reopen to traffic March 19. Even though the whole project won't...

Residents may pay for fire services: EAST COUNTY: Taxpayers would need to kick in at least $250 per year to cover expenses, will be asked for opinions.
March 6, 2006... Byline: Danielle McNamara Mar. 6--Far eastern Contra Costa residents may be asked to pay more money for adequate fire protection services in the rapidly growing area. Officials will soon gauge residents' opinions on how to better finance...