-
Natio
nalAwardWinning Newspapers
Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net
Vol. 12, No. 8 YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER February 24,
2012
FOR MOVIE TIMES
SEE PAGE 5A
The spirit of seniority
From fitness to facilities to self-defense, our Senior Living
section celebrates the classiest of classes. Page 1B
Arts .......................................7ABusiness
...............................6ACalendar
............................ 19BClassifieds
......................... 12BCop Logs ............................
18BEntertainment ................... 9BFood
.................................... 10BHealth & Beauty
.............. 11BMilestones ........................ 17BOpinion
..............................16ASenior Living
...................... 1BSports
.................................17A
War hero laid to rest A survivor of the World War II Bataan
Death March died recently at the age of 93. Page 17B
Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed is a national finalist in a
grant competition.
Vote for Friendsgo to news/WebExtras!
The county is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury
service.
Grand dutygo to news/press releases
A baseball pro and Antioch native hit a home run with local
fans.
Miles of smilesgo to multimedia/videos
Connect with The Press!Scan QR code with your smart phone.
Online now!WebExtras!
press releasesvideos
www. thepress.netYour Hometown Website
Taking it to the iron
Deer Valleys hardcourt warriors tip it off tonight in the NCS
playoffs. Page 17A
Surprise for returning Army veteran
Its not an easy thing, sneak-ing up on a sniper. But if you
thought it couldnt be done, you might have underestimated the power
of a mother.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jon Adams, a Knighsten resident and Liberty
High School grad, returned from his most recent deployment to
Afghanistan last month. He was greeted at the air-port and escorted
home by the Warrior Watch Riders, just like dozens of other service
members in recent years.
The appreciative Adams fi gured the celebration ended as the
last bike roared out of sight.
He was wrong. On Sunday, as he enjoyed dinner with family and
friends at a local restaurant, the roar returned, louder than
before.
Nearly three dozen motor-cycles, emergency vehicles and police
cruisers rolled in, horns and music blaring, to surprise Adams and
whisk him away in a limou-sine to the Antioch VFW Hall. Waiting
there were more than 100 grinning, fl ag-waving patriots,
in-cluding Lt. Col. Bill Carter and Maj. Eric Sharyer.
The two offi cers had a special reason for attending. Wounded by
an improvised explosive device last year, Adams had subsequent-ly
returned home on emergency
by Rick LemyreStaff Writer
Staff Sgt. Jon Adams is congratulated by Lt. Col Bill Carter,
who has just presented the Knightsen resident a Purple Heart for
being wounded in Afghanistan. For a slide show of Adams
welcome-home celebration, log on to www.thepress.net.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
see Veteran page 15A
Grant to enrich after-school artsAs art programs across the
country fall victim to budget cuts, Antiochs Delta Academy for
the Performing Arts is bucking the trend and looking to expand.
Delta Academy recently re-ceived a $20,000 grant from the Dean
and Margaret Lesher Foun-dation, a major Bay Area arts
philanthropic organization. Lead teacher Rob Seitelman plans to use
the money to enhance the academys after-school program, in which
students plan, rehearse and perform plays. Delta Academy recently
concluded a run of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and
is already pre-paring its next show for the end of March.
Were thrilled and absolutely honored that Lesher would support
us and the work that were doing in East County, Seitelman said. Its
truly remarkable that were able to provide this for our students
and that Lesher is able to support us in
that work.Housed at Deer Valley High
School, Delta Academy takes stu-dents through a high school
curric-ulum focused on the arts, but draws from several foundations
to ensure a complete education.
The school is one of An-tioch Unifi ed School Districts linked
learning academies, such
as the Deer Valley Law Academy and Dozier-Libbey Medical High
School, which incorporate career preparation into the four-year
cur-riculum. Through these academies, students can receive a
well-rounded education while preparing for their chosen
careers.
For instance, students per-forming Shakespeares Romeo
and Juliet would look at the plays language and plot from the
per-spective of English literature, the family relationships from a
psycho-logical perspective, and the poison Romeo drinks from a
biological perspective.
The approach is working. Del-
by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer
see Grant page 15A
Devin Beard, a student at Delta Academy for the Performing Arts,
performs the improv game Kitty Wants a Corner during class.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
-
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 3A
22 11112 12011
S
IL
VER MEDAL
AWARD
The City of Oakley Parks Division has recently undergone
reorganization. In addition to in-house adjustments, the most
signifi cant change will be the recruitment and hiring of a Parks
Division manager, the fi rst since 2008.
The vision for the Parks Division restructuring is intended to
provide improved leadership and enhance operations, said City
Engineer and Public Works Director Jason Vogan. Were committed to
ongoing improvements of service delivery.
Leonard Morrow, an experienced and longtime parks and recreation
professional, is serving as interim parks manager. Morrow is
evaluating the park programs and services and assisting in making
the restructuring a smooth transition.
The mission of the Oakley Parks Division is to provide clean,
safe, well maintained, inviting and sustainable parks, landscape
areas and recreation facilities for the enjoyment of Oakley
residents and visitors. The division is responsible for maintaining
more than 95 developed acres of park land, nearly 40 acres of
unimproved park land and open spaces, and approximately 50 acres of
landscaped street medians, planters and streetscapes.
Recent accomplishments of the Park Division include the opening
of the all-abilities playground at Crockett Park and the new
renovations at Holly Creek Park,
which includes a large open turf play area.This week, the Parks
Division
completed repairs and renovations at the Laurel Ball Field to
prepare it for spring and summer use. Worn turf was removed and new
sod was installed, and lip buildup along the baselines and arc were
removed. Edging along the base paths were straightened, and infi
eld mix was added, spread, graded and compacted throughout the
entire infi eld. The playability of this fi eld will be greatly
enhanced, said Morrow.
Next week, work begins at Summer Lakes, where the two grass infi
elds will be transformed into skinned fi elds. The result,
according to Morrow, will be a more level playing surface requiring
less maintenance. In the coming weeks, Creekside, Cypress Grove,
Magnolia and Shady Oak parks will also undergo fi eld repairs.
The City of Oakley Parks Division is soliciting input from the
community regarding existing parks and landscape, future projects
or needed amenities. Citizens, community groups and neighborhood
associations are encouraged to work with the Parks Division to
propose and perform volunteer park maintenance activities.
If you see a problem, have an idea or suggestion, please let us
know, said Morrow. For more information, call 925-625-7037 or
e-mail [email protected].
New manager, projectscoming to Oakley parks
Antioch native and Major League Baseball player Aaron Miles
shares a moment with 4-year-old Drew Briseno of San Ramon during an
autograph signing on Saturday. A member of the 2006 World Se-ries
Champion St. Louis Cardinals, Miles chatted with fans, signed
auto-graphs and gave tips to Little Leaguers at the Antioch Sports
Legends Museum. Check out the video covering the event at
www.thepress.net.
Big-league bliss
Photo by Justin Lafferty
-
4A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 24, 2012
ECONOMY GOT YOU DOWN?
265-8357Same Day, Evening and Weekend Appointments Available
www.fastteks.comYour One Call Computer Experts!
People think that its too expensive to have a computer fixed and
just decide to go out and get a new one. Actually, its too
expensive not to come see us. If a computer breaks down, the
information can be lost for good. Look into fixing the computer
before putting down money on a new product! - Jim Aster, CA
Jim & Denise Aster
*Limited time offer
$25 Off First Visit*
t'BTU0O4JUF4FSWJDF'PS"MM.BKPS$PNQVUFS#SBOETt3FQBJS4VQQPSUt5SPVCMFTIPPUJOHt%4-$BCMF4FU6Qt8JSFMFTT/FUXPSLJOHt4FDVSJUZ4PMVUJPOTt%BUB#BDL6Q3FDPWFSZ
22 000002010
GOL
DMEDALAWARD
22 11112011
GOL
DMEDALAWARD
Women take fitness for a spin
When it comes to women and their ex-ercise routines, some run
marathons, some practice yoga and others hit the gym. Jenni-fer
Hicks happens to pole dance.
When you think of pole dancing, you think of strip clubs, said
Hicks, owner of SpinSity in Oakley. But this is different; this is
about exercise, fi tness and self-confi dence. Its kind of like
gymnastics class, only sexier.
SpinSity is a women-only exercise/dance studio that offers a
variety of pole dancing classes for beginning, intermediate and
ad-vanced participants. Open just a few months at her location on
Main Street, Hicks a self-described gym rat became a pole devotee a
few years ago when her sister-in-law told her about the impressive
workout it provided.
This has been around for years as a form of exercise and its an
amazing work-out, especially for the core and upper body, said
Hicks, 26, Kaiser Permanente employee and mother of four. Its much
more diffi cult than it looks.
Its hard to argue that suspending ones body vertical to a metal
pole will burn calo-ries while toning your arms, abs and legs. But
there are additional benefi ts to pole dancing.
Its about self-esteem, empowerment and confi dence, said Hicks,
who added that the majority of her clients are stay-at-home moms in
their 20s and 30s. When your body feels strong and looks strong, it
gives you a
lot of self-confi dence. Who wouldnt want to feel like that?
And while Hicks takes in stride the raised eyebrows and
occasional comments associated with her studio, she insists that
SpinSity is not a real-life version of the Bada Bing Club.
The City of Oakley agrees.It (SpinSity) is a viable business
and
is not a gentlemans club, said Oakley City Manager Bryan
Montgomery. Its a fi tness studio and thats what we determined in
our research. If it wasnt, they couldnt even lo-cate where they
are.
Hicks said city offi cials have been very supportive of her
studio and appreciates that they seem to understand what I am
try-ing to do.
And it would seem the pole dancing public is supportive as well.
In recent years magazines devoted to the pole have begun cropping
up, international competitions have emerged, and there is even talk
of making pole dancing an Olympic sport.
Its a good thing, said Hicks. Even if I didnt make a dime off
the studio I would still do this to share with others the feeling I
get from it. Everyone needs something that makes them feel good and
is fun. Hey, if youre not a scrap booker, maybe youre a pole
dancer.
SpinSity is located at 1615 Main St., Suite 1003. Classes are by
appointment only. For class hours, schedules or registration
in-formation, visit www.spinsity.com.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
by Ruth RobertsStaff Writer
Poles arent just for strippers and re ghters anymore. Clients at
SpinSity in Oakley show how they can be used for tness and fun,
too.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hicks
-
No show Saturday, No show Thursday*Act of Valor - R11:15a 2:00p
4:45p 7:45p 10:45p*Tyler Perry's Good Deeds - PG1310:40a 1:30p
4:20p 7:10p 10:00p*Wanderlust - R12:20p 3:00p 5:40p 8:20p
11:00p*Gone - PG1312:05p 2:35p 5:05p 7:35p 10:05p#The 2011-12 New
York City Metropolitan Opera Series: Verdis Ernani9:55a Saturday,
February 25#Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies7:30p Tuesday,
February 28The Vow - PG1311:00a 1:50p 4:40p 7:30p 10:20pSafe House
- R11:25a 2:10p 4:55p 7:40p 10:30p*Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
- PG13Presented in RealD 3D: 11:05a 1:40p 4:25p 7:00p
9:45pPresented in 2D: 2:55p 5:35p 8:15p 10:50pJourney 2: The
Mysterious Island - PGAn IMAX 3D Experience: 11:30a 2:05p 4:35p
7:05p 9:35pPresented in 2D: 12:15p *This Means War - PG1311:40a
2:15p 4:50p 7:25p 10:10p*Secret World of Arriety - G11:20a 1:55p
4:30p 7:15p 9:55pStar Wars Episode One 3D - PG1312:40p 3:30p 6:40p
9:50pChronicle - PG1312:25p 2:50p 5:25p 7:55p 10:25pThe Woman in
Black - PG1312:10p 2:45p 5:20p 8:05p 10:40p*The Lorax: An IMAX 3D
Experience - PG, *Project X - R12:01a Friday, March 2 Premiere
Shows*The Hunger Games - PG13Opens Friday March 23 at 12:01am -
Advance Tickets now on saleGet your exclusive, limited-edition Rave
Cinemas/Hunger Games gift cards at the theatre, while supplies
last
Times Good for 2-24 to 3-1 *Denotes No-Pass Engagement.#Denotes
special engagement, no passes or discount tickets accepted.
Group Sales & Events, Field Trips 1-866-878-7068
www.ravecinemas.com
925.809.0030 Brentwood
Hwy 4 Bypass & Sand Creek Rd.
-
6A | THEPRESS.NET BUSINESS FEBRUARY 24, 2012
Come and sell your treasures.Come and sell your treasures.
For information callLion Carolyn Sherfy at 516-7798or email
[email protected]
Parking is available for all participants. The event will be
well-publicized. Proceeds from space rental will bene t
scholarships for graduating seniors from Brentwood high schools.
Spaces will be assigned on a rst-come, rst-served basis.
The Brentwood Lions Club invites you to participate in a Flea
Market!
When: Saturday, April 21st, 2012; 8am-1pmWhere: Parking lot in
front of Liberty High School
14 x 14 exhibit space $30Spaces still available.
Come and sell your treasures.Come and sell your treasures.Spare
Time Clubs is a high-quality club management company that owns and
operates upscale multi-purpose family racquet and fi tness clubs in
the Sacramento region. We presently have 10 facilities and are
growing. Our facilities off er tennis, swim, fi tness, group
exercise, spa services, and many other recreational activities for
our members.
Maintenance DirectorWe Want You!
HELP WANTED
The Diamond Hills Sports Club has a full time position for
knowledgeable person to supervise and assist maintenance/janitorial
staff in upkeep of health club. Handyman projects, pool
maintenance, minor electrical and plumbing, club janitorial,
supplies purchasing, safety training and observance, hiring and
managing maintenance staff . Supervisory experience & large
scale facility maintenance experience required. Good communication
skills, demonstrated levels of increasing responsibility, and
reliability essential.
We off er benefi ts including health and dental, 401k, vacation,
and holiday pay. Free club membership. For more information about
our company, visit www.sparetimeclubs.com. Email resume and salary
requirements to Lisa Franzel, General Manager, at
[email protected].
Celebrating 20 years of 31 flavors
Baskin-Robbins is known for mak-ing birthdays special, offering
an array of ice creams to be savored in a cone or dish. Its ice
cream cakes are the best of both worlds, combining fl uffy cake
with a large helping of ice cream. Next month, Brent-woods
Baskin-Robbins will celebrate its own birthday No. 20 and owners
Bruce and Gerry Dake are inviting the community to join in the
fun.
On March 3 and 4, Baskin-Robbins will host its birthday bash
from noon to 5 p.m. The festivities include a prize wheel, live
music and plenty of ice cream. The event will also serve as a
fundraiser for scholarships for students in the Liberty Union High
School District.
In our 20 years, between our Brent-wood and Antioch locations,
weve had approximately 1,000 employees, Gerry said. About 700 of
those employees were high school students, so wed like to
estab-lish a scholarship fund to recognize stu-dents who have been
able to balance work and school.
The Dakes will donate a portion of the funds raised during the
birthday cel-ebration to create three scholarships, one for each
comprehensive high school in the district. To qualify, the student
must have been employed for at least one year. Students must submit
a letter of recom-
mendation for their employer as proof, and write an essay
detailing their experi-ences and what holding down a job, while
balancing schoolwork, has taught them. Students must also earn a
3.0 grade point average and plan to attend a community college.
Applications for the scholarship
will be available during the event.After 20 years in the ice
cream busi-
ness, Gerry considers herself fortunate to have met the children
of former employ-ees and has even hired a few of that next
generation. While the Brentwood land-scape has changed over the
years, the qual-
ity of service at Baskin-Robbins remains the same. The Dake
family continues to be involved in community events, hosting
fundraisers to support local schools and the Boy Scouts of
America.
Its rare these days for a local busi-ness to have the same
owners and be in the same location like we have, Gerry said. We
credit the community for our longevity and we like to give
back.
When the Dakes opened their Sec-ond Street location in 1992,
they were the only ice cream shop in town. Brentwood has grown
signifi cantly in the last two de-cades, but Gerry said their ice
cream shop stays true to its mission of being a place for families,
offering 44 fl avors of ice cream, cakes, shakes, sundaes and other
treats to the masses.
The Dakes success was celebrated nationally in 2010 when the
couple was honored at the Dunkin Brands/Baskin-Robbins U.S. Global
Conference. Out of the hundreds of Baskin-Robbins shop owners in
the United States, the Dakes were selected to share their
community-minded marketing strategies at the con-vention, which was
attended by hundreds of global Baskin-Robbins franchisers.
Baskin-Robbins is located at 1145 Second St. in the Safeway
shopping cen-ter in Brentwood. For more information about the
birthday celebration or the scholarship program, call
925-516-0231.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Bruce and Gerry Dake will celebrate 20 years at their Brentwood
Baskin-Robbins location next month, and the community is invited to
commemorate this milestone.
Press file photo
by Samie HartleyStaff Writer
-
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 ARTS THEPRESS.NET | 7A
Support our local Brentwood Rotary Club and all the charitable
organizations that it supports
Food, Beverages, Fun
March 9, 2012Brentwood Community Center150 City Park Way in
Brentwood
Doors Open at 6:00 pm for DinnerTournament starts at 7:00 pm
$60 per player Includes Buffet dinner, drink ticket, &
tournament play Unlimited $20 re-buys first hour & one-time $40
add-on
PrizesFirst Place $500Second Place $300
Third Place $200Fourth Place $100
Fifth through Ninth Place $60
Subject to 150 playersCash Value
Seating is Limited, Sign Up Now!
SponsorshipsPlatinum Sponsorships $700 includes a full table of
nine players and dinner, table recognition and name
recognition.
Gold Sponsorships $400 for four players & dinner, table
recognition, name recognition.
Silver Sponsorships $200 for two players for table recognition,
and name recognition.
Buffet Dinner Provided by Brentwood Fine Meats Poker Provided by
Blue Dog Events Must Be 21 To Play Printing Provided by Minuteman
Press Walnut Creek
Brentwood Rotary 3rd Annual Poker Tournament
Register beforeFebruary 26thGet Extra Chips!
TEXAS HOLDEMNo Limit
ContactSteve Gursky - [email protected] or (925)
584-8708Dirk Zeigler - [email protected] or (925)
634-1240
Window Seat GalleryPortraits Landscapes Special Orders
757-3761 Jo Cotarelo
Advertisement
UPDATE ON MORTGAGE SETTLEMENTLast week I wrote about the $25
Billion
mortgage settlement. As this things always go, as time passes
more information comes to light so I wanted to let you know what
Ive learned recently. The early negotiations were focused on the
banks trying to settle with all the states, paying a big fine, but
at the same time getting immunity for future claims, even if new
information comes to light. This was one of the sticking points
that was keeping the State of California from joining the
settlement. Thats why I was initially disappointed when I heard
that California had finally caved and joined in with the
settlement.
I come to find out now that its possible that future suits and
settlements ARE still possible, so the banks did NOT get the 100%
immunity from future claims that they were seeking. This changes
everything! So while I still think that this $25 Billion settlement
is too small and didnt go far enough, I also think we are going to
see more settlements later, so there is still hope!
If you are a distressed homeowner currently, the hard question
you have before you is whether you should take a loan mod now, or
wait for either this settlement, or some future settlement, to come
along and save the day. They keep talking about principal
reductions, but so far no far-reaching, comprehensive program is
even being considered. What if you take a loan mod now and get
current, and then a program comes out 6 months from now that WOULD
have helped you, except now your payment is affordable by their
measurements because of your loan mod, so they turn you down?
If you would like a free, 30-minute no-obligation consultation
to look at your situation, give me a call and we can go over your
options. If you have questions on this or any other real estate
topic, call me at (925) 240-MOVE (6683). To search the MLS for free
and view virtual tours of homes for sale, go to:
www.SharpHomesOnline.com. Sharp Realty
P lump teenager Tracy Turnblads dream is to dance on The Corny
Collins Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes an
overnight celebrity and launches a campaign to end segre-gation on
the show. The Heritage High School Rising Stars present the
award-winning big fat Broadway musical Hairspray in per-formances
slated for Feb. 24, March 2-3, 8-10 and 15-17 at 7 p.m.; and Feb.
25 and March 17 at 2 p.m. at the school, 101 American Ave. in
Brentwood. The Heritage theater box of ce will open one hour prior
to each performance.
Hairspray at Heritage
Photo by Generations Photography
-
8A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 2012
In The Mood40s Big BandSwing Musical
Friday March 2, 2012 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.Reserved Seating:
$32
El Campanil Theatre602 W. Second Street Downtown Antioch
(925) 757-9500 www.ElCampanilTheatre.com
Quality EntertainmentClose To Home
El Campanil Theatre and the International Film Showcase
PresentThe World is Big and Salvation Lurks Around the
Corner
Friday February 24, 2012 7:30 pm Sunday February 26, 2012 2:00
pm
Max ManusFriday March 30, 2012 7:30 pm Sunday April 1, 2012 2:00
pm
Red Like The SkyFriday April 27, 2012 7:30 pm
Sunday April 29, 2012 2:00 pm
General Seating: $8 Seniors & Students: $7 Student: $7
Late Night Catechism 2 Sister Strikes Again
Saturday March 17, 2012 8:00 pm Adults: $ 27 Seniors (62 &
Over): $ 24 Child: $ 15
Knightsen School, 1923 Delta Road, conducts kindergarten
registration Wednes-day, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At that
time, the district will be registering Knightsen School residents
and siblings of interdistrict transfers. Parents are asked to bring
proof of residency.
Children born on or before Nov. 1, 2007 are eligible to
register. Parents must bring proof of age by presenting an original
birth certifi cate, statement by the county registrar or baptismal
certifi cate.
Laws regarding eligibility for kindergar-ten have changed.
Beginning this year, chil-dren born between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2 of
2007 are eligible to enroll as transitional kindergar-teners,
attending kindergarten for two years.
All immunizations must be verifi ed by an immunization record.
An oral health assess-ment by a dentist must be completed within
the 12 months prior to the start of school.
For more information, call Knightsen School Principal Tereasa
Estrada at 925-626-3301.
Kindergarten registration
Kumon Math and Reading Centers are joining forces with the
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program to bring books to
underprivileged children nationwide via a literacy open house on
Saturday, March 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kumon Center, 4530
Balfour Road, Suite B in Brent-wood.
Families are invited to attend the free event, which will
include read-aloud sessions featuring
selections from Kumons recommended reading list. Attendees are
encouraged to bring a new book to donate to the RIF local chapter.
Refresh-ments, games and prizes will be provided.
For each new student enrollment during the month of March, Kumon
will donate $10 to RIF the equivalent of four new books.
For additional information, call 877-586-6673 or visit
www.kumon.com.
Supporting literacy
Congratulations to the following Liberty High School Students of
the Month for January of 2010: Ismael Alvarez, Jordan Bach, Gloria
Barraza, Jazz Belarde, Aubrey Bradshaw, Savannah Bresee, Dwayne
Burns, Kayla Byrne, Sumner Car-rington, Megan Clark, Chase Cooper,
Lacey Cope, Juan Coronel, Ashlee Crenshaw, Mason Critchfi eld,
Stephanie Drake, Ashley Ellcessor, Damone Estrada, Ashley Fletcher,
Bernadette Fong, Taylor France, Brenden Galloway, Douglas Gil,
Caroline Gillick, Robert Goin, Kara Greene, Brandon Grubaugh,
Sierra Gruss,
Brett Harrison, Casey Hebert, Robert Henderson, Justin Hen-drix,
Jessica Lucas, Amaris Martin, Breia Masterman, Clarissa Melgoza,
Brandon Nahm, Sonya Ortega, Olivia Paredes, Alec Pattison, Edgardo
Perez, Hunter Philips, Zachary Revel, Chad Russick, Michael Santos,
Dustin Schuette, Caleb Silver, Jeff rey Skilling, Samantha
Slightam, Jacob Smith, Tyler Soares, Sal-vador Tapia, Tyler Thomas,
Scott Tsubota, Erin Valdez, Manuel Velez, Tyler Wanden, Logan
Westfall, Kevin Williams, Carter Williams, Julian Wilson and
Kaitlyn Zeigle.
Lauded at Liberty
-
Congratulations to the following Ad-ams Middle School
sixth-grade students named to the Honor Society (3.70-4.0 grade
point average) for the schools fi rst quarter:
Rezahn E. Abraha, Sebastian Bautista Ab-sin, Farris Abuaita,
Andrew K. Agena, Jeremy J. Ahn, Ahmed E. Alani, Natalie J.
Alvarado, Noor Ul Ain Ansari, Ellyzha Ti any Quirante Astu-dillo,
Julian Ethan Liam Atalit, Aorzala Atmar, Beau M. Baddeley, Kelly
Ann Balaban, Raener M. Baluyut, Renae J. Baluyut, Alexander W.
Barclay, Destiny T. Barnes, Brenden O. Barry, Morgan Barbara Blume,
Inaya Syeda Bokhari, Jeremiah M. Botros, Kenneth Bough, Kaelan A.
Bradley, Ryan J. Bradley, Emma Nicole Bren-nan, Farrah L. Brown,
Julianna M. Brown, Ian Michael Buchanan, Brandon William Buent-ing,
Blaine B. Bumbaca, Emma C. Burns, Connor D. Burris, Zimmerman Ian
J. Busby, Marlene M. Caballero, Brandon W. Caldera, Matthew C.
Campbell, Lauren M. Canada, Grace S. Carcot, Keegan R. Carey,
Carlos Casas, Cameron David Castano, Cecilia J. Castellanos, Noah
Castellanos, Michelle A. Cereda, Ariya Bernice Chestnut Lockett,
Angel A. Chika, Katherine N. Cook, Joshua Ethan S. Cunanan, Julia
I. Daijogo, Sage Daniella Dalton, Marcus Pedro Dawal, Erika Flores
de Guia, Ethan Dan-iel DeVera, Aleah J. Diaz, Citlalli N Dominguez,
Aidan B. Dunn, Jacqueline P. Duran, Samantha M. Dutcher, Stephanie
T. Eatmon, Jack Parker Erickson, Ashley L. Eslick, Reese Martin
Es-teves, Joseph Robert Farnsworth Jr., Sarah B. Feldman, Nikolas
Tyler Filardo, Sierra Taylor Finney, Elizabeth Frances Flores,
Arriya Mara Frank, Cooper A. Gable, DeAndrew T. Garay, Kevin
Garcia, Susanna Isabel Garcia, Alysen S. Gerdes, Caleb Go,
Jacqueline Rose Goddard, Eden Gonzaga, Ariana S. Gonzalez, Justin
Al-exander Gonzalez, Ali A. Gouhary, Chloe Jan Green, Lizel A.
Green, Joseph M. Guaragna, Garrett Jack Guilliams, Brenda
Gutierrez, Ja-cob B. Hair, Taghrid O. Halloum, Chloe Simone Halog,
Austin James Harden, Ariq A. Hardiyan-to, Evan M. Hardy, Cal H.
Harris, Sarah E. Hary, Karen Alexis Hernandez, Cosette F. Heuer,
Desiree Glenda Hinds, Brady E. Ho , Joshua J. Holmes, Faith Rose
Hom, Taylor Janene Hop-kins, Cameron M. Iacovoni, Fernando Ibarra,
Jacob D. Jackson, Devin K. Jensen, Taylor Lyn Jobb, Shane E.
Johnson, Katalina A. Johnston, Kyle Anthony Johnston, Emma K.
Kaczmarc-zyk, Julien Karleskind, Grace Unice Kim, Sarah B. Klinger,
Gabriana N. La, Erin L. Lampkin, Kristofer Land, Aiwin Collete
Cosme Lapuz, Giulian Z. Laranang, Victoria Marie Lasch, Jasmine
Lee, Nicholas C. Legge, Madison M. Leiser, Sarah A. Locastro,
Amanda Lucay, Mar-garet C. Magstadt, Caren L. Marciel, Luisa
Car-men Martinez, James E. McIntyre, Raymond T. McKenzie, Sebastian
Rei Medina, Liliana J. Munoz, Scott D. Munson, Stephen M Murphy,
Oscar E. Murray, Joscylin Michaela Murrell, Jasmine H. Nam, Antonio
Narez, Jonathan Al-exander Ned, Rinsolu O. Oisaghie, Raqibat T.
Onipede, Antoine J. Owens, Gavin R. Palmer, Robert B. Panga,
Victoria Chante Peddie, Abi-gail F. Pena, Alea R. Pena, Ariana
Noelle Perez, Kayley Brianne Phillips, Scienn M. Publico, Cal-issa
M. Quilates, Sienna Quinlivan, Mackenzie Renee Rapier, Tessie M
Robinson, Vanesa Ro-driguez Vega, Natalie Grace Rogers, Dana
Rol-nik, Zak Benjamin Ruiz Rubio, Marissa N. Run-ge, Cheryl Yap
Salgado, Isis Y. Samuel, Victoria M. Santiago, Sophia Amira Sarkis,
Sadaf Sum-
mer Shari , Alexandria C. Sheehan, Trever T. Slous, Jessica A.
Solis, Grady Michael Spencer, Raelynn A. Sterlinski, Ariel Kora
Stone, Sean J. Stubo, Nargiss W. Tarrar, Cristian T. Tatum, Pardeep
S. Thind, Matthew Reyes Tolero, Na-than J. Toralba, Lauren H.
Vanier, Ashley Mo-nique Viveros, Daniel Douglas Volta, Crystal
Wallace, Mikaila M. Wegenke, Zachary Dale Welker, Eryn Wheatley,
Nora Mary Whelan, Hasaan A. Williams, Sophia L. Williams, Xavier A.
Williams, Chaz C. Wilson, Cheyanne Marie Wilson, Eric J.
Wisniewski, Anika H. Yoder, Isa-belle Y. Yoo and Syeda Masumah
Zahra.
Look for the lists of seventh and eight grade students named to
the Honor Soci-ety in next weeks Press.
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 9A
22 11112011
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
Acclaimed at Adams
-
10A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 24, 2012
22 11112011
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
The American Cancer Society Re-lay For Life of Antioch/Pittsburg
is just around the corner. The event brings the community together
to celebrate the lives of those who have faced cancer, remem-ber
the loved ones lost and wage war on the disease.
Former and current cancer patients and caretakers, those who
have lost a loved one to cancer, plus families, busi-
nesses, civic organizations and the general public are invited
to take part in the event, which runs Saturday, June 23 at 10 a.m.
through Sunday, June 24 at 10 a.m. at Los Medanos College in
Pittsburg.
Relay participants camp out at the Relay site, and when not
taking their turn walking, enjoy fun activities and local
en-tertainment. Teams collect donations and can win individual and
team prizes for
their efforts.Relay For Life brings the progress
against cancer to the forefront, said Event Chair Judy Dawson.
Many participants are our family, friends and neighbors who have
dealt with cancer themselves. The funds raised enable us to
continue our in-vestment in the fi ght back against cancer through
research, education, advocacy and patient services. Thanks to the
gen-
erosity of corporate sponsors like Star-bucks and Walmart, the
money raised by participants goes directly to the American Cancer
Societys lifesaving programs.
Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay
For Life is available by e-mailing [email protected] or
[email protected], calling 925-787-9021 or 925-813-5274, or
visiting www.relayforlife.org/antiochca.
Relay registration off and running
One of every six trips to the Emer-gency Department for
treatment of an injury is due to sports-related trauma. When
injured, your main goal is to get back to athletic action as soon
as possible. Arthroscopic surgery is now making that possible.
Arthroscopy or arthroscopic sur-gery uses a very thin fi
ber-optic camera called an arthroscope, which is about the width of
a No. 2 pencil, said Sutter Delta Sports Medicine Medical Director
Dr. Benjamin Busfi eld. By inserting the arthroscope into the joint
through a very small incision, your physician can evalu-ate your
joint injury without causing ex-cessive soft-tissue damage.
For patients with chronically pain-ful injuries that havent
responded to rest, physical therapy, medications or injections to
reduce infl ammation, arthroscopic sur-
gery is often the best option for relieving pain, stiffness and
swelling.
Once your problem has been diag-nosed through arthroscopy, your
surgeon will use very small tools to repair your joint by trimming
damaged cartilage, re-moving debris or reattaching torn liga-ments,
said Busfi eld.
Repetitive-motion sports such as throwing, and sports like
tennis and golf, can damage the shoulder and elbow joints. Rotator
cuff damage occurs when a tear appears in the muscles or tendons
that connect your arm bone (humerus) to your shoulder blade and
that hold your humerus fi rmly in your shoulder socket. Elbow
joints are also vulnerable to sports injuries. Under stress, small
fragments of bone and cartilage can dislodge and cause pain and
stiffness.
High-impact sports can break down
knee and hip joints. The bones of the knee are connected by four
ligaments; two pads of connective tissue, each called a menis-cus,
lie underneath. Tearing a meniscus or the anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) are two common knee injuries that often require
arthroscopic surgery. In the hip joint, surgeons frequently use
arthroscopy to remove damaged bone or cartilage and repair tears in
a thick tissue known as the labrum deep inside your hip joint.
During surgery, physicians enter a patients hip from the front
using a specially designed table called the HANA table, which
en-ables noninvasive access to the joint.
Rotator cuff injuries often occur in patients over 50 due to
age-related wear and tear, while patients in their 30s and 40s tend
to be weekend war-riors who overtrain, leading to menis-cus tears,
ACL injuries or cartilage
damage said Busfield.Since arthroscopy doesnt require
fully opening the joint by cutting through muscle and tissue,
the procedure causes less scarring and trauma.
Arthroscopic surgery is analogous to trying to fi x a problem
inside your house from the outside; you can access the problem by
either knocking down an outside wall or going through a window, Dr.
Busfi eld noted. If you go through a window, you create less
damage. Thats similar to the solution arthroscopy pro-vides.
At Sutter Delta Medical Center, the Orthopedic and Sports
Medicine Program offers arthroscopic surgeries performed by
specially-trained orthopedic surgeons.
Contributed by Julie Ruiz-Wibbelsmann, Sutter Health East Bay
Region writer/publications coordinator
Arthroscopy goes through the window
-
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 EDUCATION THEPRESS.NET | 11A
Give us 10 minutes to save you
EEAST AST CCOUNTY OUNTY IINNSURANCEURANCE
855.853.7476ANTIOCH AND BRENTWOOD OFFICES LIC# 0E08504
over 30 markets.We can beat any lizard.
Just call, click or stop by to apply:
Call (888) 698-0000
Apply online at www.traviscu.org
Stop by local TCU branches: 2721 Lone Tree Way, or 5819 Lone
Tree Way
NO POINTS, NO FEES
Re nance your home loan!
Rates havent been this low since the 1950s. Re nance to a
low-rate mortgage and youll pay less interest over the life of your
loan. Depending on your current mortgage, you could cut years o
your loan payments and own your home sooner.
30-year xed As low as 4.49% APR**
15-year xed As low as 3.99% APR*
*APR as low as 3.99% xed for 15 years, based on 80%
loan-to-value or less. For $200,000 loan, payment would be
$1,478.37. **APR as low as 4.49% xed for 30 years, based on 80%
loan-to-value or less. For $200,000 loan, payment would be
$1,012.18. Rates as of February 2, 2012, subject to change until
locked. Financing available up to $417,000 (or the conforming loan
limit for your county) for owner-occupied California primary
residence properties only. Applies to no cash-out re nances. With
cash-out, loan-to-value limit is 75%. Payment example does not
include insurance or taxes. Property insurance required. Some
restrictions may apply. If impound account for taxes and insurance
is desired, you are responsible for those set-up amounts and any
charges assessed by your current lender such as reconveyance fees,
payoff demand fees, pre-payment penalties and any interim interest
collected at closing. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the
deductibility of interest and charges. Offers cannot be combined
with other discounts or promotions. Everyone who lives, works, or
attends school in Contra Costa or Alameda County, part of our
12-county area, is eligible to join. Certain membership
requirements may apply. NMLS registered. Equal Housing Lender
Congratulations to the winners of the Park Middle School
Spelling Bee, who advance to regional competition. In the front
row, from left, are sixth-grader Katelyn Pham (second place),
seventh-grader Chelsea Abillano ( rst place) and sixth-grader So a
Dasilva (third place); back row: AUSD Trustee Joy Motts, President
Diane Gibson-Gray, Trust-ee Walter Ruehlig, Principal Didi del
Chiaro and Superintendent Dr. Donald Gill.
No bumbling at the Bee
Photo courtesy of Park Middle School
Brentwood kindergarten registration
Appointments for kindergarten reg-istration, held Tuesday
through Thursday, March 6-8, may be made by calling the des-ignated
area school: Brentwood Elementary 925-513-6360, Garin 925-513-6370,
Ron Nunn 925-513-6380, Loma Vista 925-513-6390, Krey 925-513-6400,
Pioneer 925-513-6410, and Marsh Creek 925-513-6420.
Children entering kindergarten must turn 5 on or before Nov. 1,
2012. Parents must bring to registration proof of birth (birth
certifi cate, passport or baptismal certifi cate), a complete and
up-to-date im-munization record, and proof of residency (a picture
ID and two original documents such as vehicle registration,
property tax bill or rental/lease agreement). For a complete list
of proof-of-residency documents, call your school or visit
www.brentwood.k12.ca.us/district/student_services/k-reg.htm.
The BUSD is currently unable to con-fi rm implementation of the
California De-partment of Educations Transitional Kin-dergarten
(TK) program (for children who turned 5 between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2,
2012) due to the statewide budget cut proposal. Parents should
complete the TK informa-tion sheet available at any elementary
school site, and check in with staff at their resident school for
further information.
-
12A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 2012
Trevors Weekly Mortgage MattersBy Trevor Frey
Top of the Food Chain
Advertisement
Found on over eight countries coats of arms, used as the
national bird for four nations, and held in comparison to the bible
and crucifi x of Christianity by many Native American tribes, the
eagle is truly the top of the bird food chain. And when it comes to
your home - a very important investment, if not the largest
investment of your familys future wouldnt you want to be working
with the top of the food chain to ensure your best interests are
protected?
Th e United States Department of Housing and Urban Development,
known as HUD, is the top of the food chain when it comes to all
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) items of business. Since the
inception of FHA mortgage insurance in 1934, HUD has only allowed
two types of FHA loan originators: Supervised fi rms that mainly
consist of brokerages and are known as Correspondents, or
Mini-Eagle Lenders, and Non-Supervised direct lenders that are
known or Mortgagees, or Full Eagle Lenders].
Mini-Eagle Lenders do not have the power or authority to fund,
service, own, or even underwrite FHA loansall they can do is
origi-nate FHA loans through their Mortgagee sponsor. Th eir fi les
must be brokered out and sent off to who knows where many times FHA
fi les are sent to southern California or even out of state as far
as Texas to be underwritten and funded by a Non-Supervised sponsor.
With the Mini-Eagle Lender not truly in control of anything, the
opportunity for delay and frustration in closing the loan is high.
Many
lenders become Mini-Eagle Lenders due to their lack of
experience coupled with the hardship of achieving the economic and
staffi ng requirements necessary to become a Full Eagle Lender. Due
to this inexperience, more times than not, Mini-Eagle Lenders
cannot close an FHA transaction within 30 days.
Full Eagle Lenders, on the other hand, are actual banks that
have obtained Direct Endorsement authority from the local FHA/HUD
fi eld offi ce in their area. Mortgagees, or Full Eagle Lenders,
are required to have FHA/HUD approved underwriters (underwriters
that have funded a set number of loans under the fi eld offi ces
supervision) on site at all times. Non-Supervised Full Eagle
Lenders have the authorization to perform any lender function an
FHA loan may require: they are allowed to originate, fund, hold,
service, purchase and sell FHA loans. By working with a Full Eagle
Lender you guarantee yourself the top of the food chain in the
lending world. Your fi le is truly being handled locally, and by a
seasoned loan originator who has the backing of the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development.
With a brick-and-mortar offi ce in Brentwood, a recent change in
location (now in the Vic Stewarts shopping Center), a Full Eagle
designation, and local FHA/HUD approved underwriters on staff , I
welcome all questions and or concerns pertaining to real estate
lending on my cell phone, 925-726-1444, or via email,
[email protected].
22 000002010
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
22 11112011
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
Homeless student helpHomeless students in the Liberty
Union High School District will benefi t from a $4,700 grant
earmarked for school supplies from the nonprofi t organization K to
College.
These resources for our homeless youth will provide more tools
for them to succeed in classes and graduate from high school, said
LUHSD Assistant Superin-tendent Gene Clare. We are very pleased to
partner with such an organization and to provide every support we
can for our students.
Supplies include tote bags fi lled with materials ranging from
notebooks to dry erase boards. The supplies were delivered to the
district free of charge and will be distributed to students at each
site.
The supplies will supplement the McKinney Vento Homeless Student
Education Program, which provides sup-plies, services, referrals
and other support through grant funding. For a story on the program
at LUHSD, visit www.thepress.net and search for Homeless
Students.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Liberty Union High School District Assistant Superintendent Gene
Clare and Homeless Student Coordinator Sarah Singrin display the
array of school supplies provided through the nonpro t organization
K to College.
Photo courtesy of LUHSD
-
14A | THEPRESS.NET EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 2012
Get up to $10,000 toward closing costs.When it comes to buying a
home, no one likes to hear the word no. At Centex we can help you
get a yes. And
well show you just how affordable a new home can be. While
shopping for your new Centex home, youll have the
opportunity to work with a Mortgage Financing Advisor from our
affiliate, Pulte Mortgage, to get preapproved for a
mortgage. And if your situation is unique, your advisor will
help you get on the path to yes.
can i afford a new home?
Offer valid on purchase agreements accepted by Centex Homes from
1/20/12 until 6/30/12 in Magnolia Park and is subject to change or
withdrawal at any time without notice. Closing cost offer available
through participation in the Preferred Buyer Rewards Program and
nancing through Pulte Mortgage LLC. Buyers participating in the
Preferred Buyers Reward Program receive a credit at closing in an
amount that is up to the lesser of $10,000 or 3% of the purchase
price for the payment of approved closing costs and prepaids. Any
unused amount of credit is the property of the seller, and may not
be applied to purchase price. All loans subject to underwriting and
loan qualication of the lender. Rates, terms and conditions subject
to change without notice. Pulte Mortgage LLC is an Equal
Opportunity Lender. Licensed by the Department of Corporations
under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS Entity
Identier #1791. Buyer is responsible for paying closing costs and
prepaids that exceed the incentive amount. Prices shown are
estimated base prices, do not include lot premiums or options and
are subject to change without notice. Square footage listed is
approximate. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in
any state where prior registration is required or if void by law.
Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended
to be an actual representation of a specic home being offered and
depict a model containing features or designs that may not be
available on all homes or that may be available for an additional
cost. This offer may not be available in conjunction with other
offers, incentives or promotions. Please see a sales associate for
details. For full licensing information, please visit
https://secure.pultemortgage.com/ContactUs.aspx. Pulte Home
Corporation is a licensed California real estate broker (lic.
#00876003) 2012 Centex Homes. All rights reserved. 1/20/2012.
/magnoliapark Put yourself in a better place
Magnolia Park - 866-817-8583
From $265,990 s 1,490-2,846 Sq. Ft.
6085 Tazetta Dr. Oakley, CA 94561
Attendance areas for Liberty, Freedom and Heritage high schools
have been established in order to balance enrollment among the
comprehensive school sites in the Liberty Union High School
District.
Students who live within the LUHSD boundary, but prefer to
attend a school not designated for their residential area, must
apply for an intradistrict transfer. The open enrollment period for
such transfers for the 2012-13 school year runs through the month
of February. Decisions regarding these requests will be made by May
15.
Intradistrict transfer requests are generally approved as long
as the enrollment for all schools
is balanced by total numbers and by ethnicity.As the district
continues to grow and
enrollment capacities at schools are reached, not all requests
for intradistrict transfers will be approved. When schools reach
their capacity, the number of intradistrict transfers approved must
be equal between schools. Students will be enrolled in their home
high school based on their attendance area until the intradistrict
process has been completed in May.
Intradistrict transfer request forms may be obtained at the
district offi ce, 20 Oak St. in Brentwood or online at
www.luhsd.net. For more information, call Valerie Noble at
925-634-2166, ext. 2021.
High school intradistrict transfers
-
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 THEPRESS.NET | 15A
leave and missed the ceremony at which his Purple Heart medal
was to be presented.
They just gave his medal to someone else and hoped theyd give it
to him, said mother Rose Adams. Its probably in the bottom of
someones backpack right now.
That wasnt good enough for Rose, who enlisted the aid of Gold
Star Father Kevin Graves to set things straight.
And so on Sunday, after Adams slipped into his dress uniform
(which was waiting for him at the hall) the Army made things right,
conducting an offi cial ceremony and adding the Purple Heart to a
chest already covered with decorations for achievement,
marksmanship, battle experience, recruiting excellence and
more.
Adams was saluted by proclamations from state and county
representatives, given challenge coins from several service member
support groups and veterans mo-torcycle organizations, and got hugs
from everyone in attendance. His sister Amanda sang a touching
rendition of Laura Storys song Blessings to express her gratitude
at her brothers safe return.
Then it was Adams turn with the mic.Its Moms birthday, a
grinning Ad-
ams told the assembled group. They told
me we were going to meet for dinner and celebrate. Well, youre
all liars.
Although he wasnt especially fond of putting on his dress
uniform again, Adams said it was worth it, and called the assembly
amazing. He noted that such attention
isnt something troops expect; they just do their missions, try
to stay alive, and return.
We dont expect much when we get back, he said. We just want to
be home.
Adams joined the Army in response to 9/11 and credited his
family for some of
his immediate success. Basic training was a joke, he said. I got
yelled at way more at home.
Adams served as a sniper with the 101st Airborne Divisions 5th
Special Forc-es group. He has also served with the 14th
Psychological Operations Battalion and the Armys Fresno Recruiting
Battalion. As of March 4, he will be on reserve status as he
completes his bachelors degree in psychol-ogy and begins a career
in law enforcement. He is adamant that the future will not in-clude
combat tours.
My hats off to anyone who goes over there and has even one rough
tour, he said. Since joining in 2003, hes spent the equiva-lent of
six tours overseas, and doesnt care for the increasing restrictions
placed on sol-diers trying to win a war. Ive had plenty of rough
tours, and Im done. I will not be deployed back to the war
again.
Meanwhile, hell enjoy catching up on the time missed with his
wife Mari, sons Tyler, 14, and Zach, 11, and his daughter Aurora,
8. And hell enjoy not be required to wear his dress uniform.
I hate dressing up, he said. Id rather be in the fi eld,
sweating, bleeding and stink-ing.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Veteran from page 1A
www.taxcare.netwww.taxcare.net
ANTIOCH4369 Hillcrest Ave.cross street Wild Horse
755-9466BRENTWOOD
7740-A Brentwood Blvd.Sunset Plaza
516-1225
CLAYTON4701 Clayton Rd.
cross street Bailey
602-0100CONCORD
1310-D Monument Blvd.next to Comfort Inn
688-1400
TRACY1100 W. 11th Street
209-835-8600
FREE E-File With Tax Preparation
20% OFF*Tax Preparation Fees
OUR NORMAL FEES*Off er expires March 31st, 2012
* Redeem In-Offi ce
Staff Sgt. Jon Adams family was acknowledged by the Warrior
Watch Riders for supporting the recently returned soldier while on
numerous deployments. The family includes, in back from left,
mother Rose, son Tyler, father Roy, and wife Mari. In front are
Aurora, 8, and Zach, 11.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
ta Academy, which enrolls roughly 200 stu-dents, will graduate
its fi rst class this spring. According to Seitelman, roughly 80
percent of the academys seniors have been accepted into
universities and performing arts acade-mies such as Los Angeles
American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
Though students said the switch from a traditional middle-school
to an arts-focused curriculum was diffi cult at fi rst, they have
fl ourished and enjoyed the change.
I was actually very excited for the change, senior Marina
Ketchum said. In-stead of going to a huge high school, I was going
to something like Delta Academy, which focuses on art. It was a bit
shaky in the beginning because it was a drastic change but
eventually, you just fi nd the rhythm and you really take a lot out
of it.
School district board President Diane Gibson-Gray, who is also
the executive di-rector of the Arts & Cultural Foundation of
Antioch, has been impressed by the way Delta Academy has
succeeded.
The Lesher Foundation has supported
other programs in Antioch, such as the free summer concert
series and El Campanil Theatre. Theyve incorporated and adapt-ed
very well and theyre still continuing to grow, Gibson-Gray said.
Unfortunately, when theres cash shortages, the arts go fi rst. This
is a creative way to still continue to grow the program.
One of the major tenets of Delta Acad-emys after-school program
is outreach to lo-cal middle and elementary schools. Students
regularly perform plays not only at Deer Val-leys theater, but on
stages at grade schools all over Antioch. Delta Academy students
talk with their younger classmates and help them gain an
appreciation for the performing arts. Largely because of this,
Delta Academy is anticipating an incoming freshman class next year
of between 70 and 100 students.
Seitelman said hed ideally like to see more participation
between Delta Academy and local grade schools, where high school
students teach the younger kids who might not be getting much
interaction with art.
Seitelman left the professional drama world in New York to
become a teacher.
When Delta Academy opened up, he leaped at the chance to make a
difference. I had a real desire to see arts fl ourish in a place
where there were things that were defi nitely poised against it,
Seitelman said.
My hope is that we can help. We can
take it back into the elementary and middle school through
after-school programs for the elementary and middle school kids
taught by our students and faculty. The grant will help us do
that.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Grant from page 1A
-
Voters must demand sunset on fire tax
Editor:The East Contra Costa Fire
Protection District is making a serious miscalculation if it
fails to include a sunset clause in its fi nal ballot language at
its upcoming special meeting on Feb. 27. In what is already a long
shot to pass, the district is further handicapping itself and
public safety by moving forward with a tax in perpetuity.
In what was being dubbed as a straw poll vote by the district in
a 6-3 vote, the board directed staff to leave out a sunset clause
by citing a potential budget defi cit in year 11 based off
projections. Just because its a prediction doesnt necessarily mean
its correct. Just to show you how predictions work, I predict
prices will skyrocket and the board will need more than $197 (plus
annual 3-percent increase) in 10 years the board has just
handicapped future boards from requesting more funds from
voters.
This board is now locking in future boards to this tax. Its
locking residents into this tax. The worst part is: no resident
will be able to have a say or the ability to check and balance what
the district is doing with our parcel tax funds every 10 years.
Quite frankly, its irresponsible.
Rather than worrying about projections in year 11, this board
should be worrying about July, 2012 and doing everything in its
power to gain support from voters you do not do that by attempting
to pass a tax that never goes away. By offering a sunset inclusion,
it shows a much-needed good faith effort to the taxpayers.
In the long run, the board actually benefi ts with a sunset
clause because it buys them 10 years to solve this problem while
being able to continue services that are more than adequate. It
also allows for the economy to improve and additional tax money to
be generated with growth.
Without the sunset clause, the board
appears to want this parcel tax to fail, which accommodates
other plans not yet known to the public. The board needs to be
giving our fi refi ghters a fi ghting chance on this tax, and the
only way to do that is to protect the taxpayer with a sunset.
This issue is much more complex than fi refi ghter layoffs and
stations shut down; its about protecting the taxpayer by keeping fi
re stations open. Meaning: they need to protect our insurance rates
from skyrocketing by providing the best possible language to ensure
passage of this parcel tax to keep services at least where they are
today.
When the Sunrise Station closed on Morgan Territory Road, Kevin
Keeler wrote an opinion piece to another paper that his insurance
premium jumped from $500 per year to just under $5,000 a
1,000-percent increase. Others had similar stories of rate
increases. Under a three-station model, its a fact no one will be
exempt from a rate increase. If you unfortunately become rated a
10+ by ISO, your mortgage is immediately due dont believe me, just
ask the three Morgan Territory residents!
In what will be your fi nal chance to be heard on this parcel
tax, I would encourage citizens of East County to show up to the
special meeting on Feb. 27 and request a sunset clause be included
or promise to fi ght against this tax. I am a big supporter of
giving our fi refi ghters the tools to service our community, but
not with an open checkbook. There must be checks and balances
written in the fi nal ballot language.
I urge the board to reconsider its straw poll and do the right
thing by including a sunset.
Mike BurkholderOakley
Cuts to cops not the answerEditor:
Usually I read the Opinion Section, we talk about it and I move
on but I can not stay publicly quiet this time.
Im writing in response to James C. Morris Sr.s recent opinion in
the Press. First let me say that I am not a police offi cer, as I
did not receive that calling. It is not a job; it is a calling to
serve and protect. But let me be clear and also state that my
husband is an offi cer and I would like to respond from my
perspective.
I was laid off last June and my family is experiencing fi
rsthand the economic squeeze just like so many other families.
Everyone is looking to point a fi nger for the reason most cities
are having economic troubles. I do not think it is the wages or
pension of the people in uniform that work hard in this city or any
other city. They deserve a fair wage and pension like all other
hardworking people. Lets be real: the tax base has been hit hard
due to the housing and economic crash.
I am sick of people thinking that a pay cut or pension reduction
to fi re and police is the answer. My family lives in a
middle-income neighborhood; we drive 2002 and 2005 vehicles; no
boats, no camper; no retirement home, no college funds and no golf
course membership. We are middle class, everyday people in the same
situation as most of our neighbors.
So erase the fantasy that we live the good life and have money
pouring out of our ears. We dont and neither do any of the police
families that we know. In fact, we were better off when he worked
for an overnight freight company. He made good money, had great
health benefi ts; they had a great retirement plan and company
match program. We could travel at a discount and the risk of death
or injury was a lot lower.
But he always had the calling to be a police offi cer, and 10
years ago pursued his dream to protect and serve.
This choice has come with a high price to our family. He works
most holidays for a three-year period until we luck out and one of
them is on his day off. It averages every three to four years of
missing dad at the holiday. He has missed
most of our daughters birthdays, missed most school functions,
missed one middle school and one high school graduation. He also
has missed family and friends weddings, and the list goes on.
Now lets move on to the fun stuff. He has been exposed to TB,
HIV, hepatitis, bacterial meningitis and those are the ones we got
offi cial notifi cation of. When he is exposed, it sometimes
affects our family as well.
Being a police offi cer requires you to sacrifi ce your own
safety and put yourself at risk of death daily for the safety of
others. To protect and serve is not some desk job that you get to
clock out and go home leave it at work. Even with all the missed
holidays, safety issues both at work and off duty, risk of disease
and injury, he loves his job and would sacrifi ce his life to save
yours!
Have you gone on a ride-along on a Friday or Saturday night?
Dont pick the one easy beat; go on a real ride-along and stay all
night. I bet you wont want to get out of the police car. You have
no idea what the men and women that serve go through on a daily
basis. It is a job well deserving of a pension, and in my opinion,
the pay will never be high enough for the price.
According to the Offi cer Down Memorial stats, 170 offi cers
died in the line of duty in 2011. I wont even go into divorce,
heart attack or injury statistics. Try saying thank you to those
who serve and get involved in public service. I want to say to
every police offi cer, fi re and rescue, military member and their
families: Thank you for all you do and for the sacrifi ces you
make. I pray for the safety of those who serve.
If you think cutting pay and pension to those who serve will
save the city, I believe you are nave. Also, good luck recruiting
and hiring. Think what you like, but the reality is clear.
Debra MarlowBrentwood
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
16A | THEPRESS.NET FEBRUARY 24, 2012
The Press Newspapers are adjudicated in the the cities of
Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and the Delta Judicial District
of Contra Costa County.
No part of this publication may be reproduced for commerce or
trade without written permission from the publisher.
BRENTWOOD PRESS & PUBLISHING CORPORATIONNational Award
Winning Newspapers
Founder & President Jimmy ChamouresPublisher & General
Manager Greg Robinson
Executive Editor Rick LemyreProduction Manager & Webmaster
Lonnie de Lambert
Business Manager Heather Reid
Main Office / Brentwood248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone 925-634-1441 Fax 925-634-1975Web site:
www.thepress.net
Advertising 925-634-1441, ext. 115Classifieds 925-634-1441, ext.
142
Editorial 925-634-1441, ext. 111Circulation 925-250-1405
Editorial e-mail [email protected]
OPINIONEDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY National
AwardWinning NewspapersHave you got something to say? Visit
www.thepress.net and let your thoughts be known.
City of Brentwood City Manager and City Council City Hall150
City Park WayBrentwood, CA 94513 Phone:
925-516-5440www.ci.brentwood.ca.usCity of Antioch City Manager and
City Council City HallThird and H streetsAntioch, CA 94509Phone:
925-779-7000www.ci.antioch.ca.usCity of Oakley City Manager and
City Council City Hall3231 Main St.
Oakley, CA 94561Phone: 925-625-7000www.ci.oakley.ca.usTown of
Discovery BayTown Manager and Community Services District 1800
Willow Lake RoadDiscovery Bay, CA 94505Phone:
925-634-1131www.todb.ca.govCounty Supervisor, Dist. III Mary N.
Piepho3361 Walnut Blvd., Suite 140Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone:
925-240-7260 [email protected] Supervisor, Dist. VFederal
Glover
315 E. Leland Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone:
[email protected] Sen. Mark DeSaulnier Seventh
State Senate DistrictState CapitolRoom 2054Sacramento, CA
95814Phone: 916-651-4007 1350 Treat Blvd., Suite 240Walnut Creek,
CA 94597Phone:
925-942-6082www.dist07.casen.govoffice.comAssemblywoman Joan
Buchanan15th District P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 942493231 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561 Phone:
925-679-2715www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a15Gov. Jerry
BrownConstituent AffairsState Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone:
916-445-2864 www.gov.ca.gov/interact#emailU.S. Rep. John
Garamendi10th Congressional District420 W. Third StreetAntioch, CA
94509Phone: (925) 757-7187Washington office:
228 Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: 202-225-1880www.
garamendi.house.gov/contact U.S. Rep. Gerald McNerney 11th
Congressional District 2222 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 7 Stockton, CA
95207 Phone: 209-476-8552Fax: 209-476-8587Washington office:312
Cannon HOBWashington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-1947Fax:
202-225-4060www.mcnerney.house.gov
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
-
Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net THEPRESS.NET | 17A
FEBRUARY 24, 2012
Follow sports on Twitter! Scan QR code with your smart
phone.
Local wrestlers to grapple with NCS best
The Bay Valley Athletic League will make a strong showing at
this weekends North Coast Section tournament, which gives
competitors one fi nal chance to qualify for the state meet.
Wrestlers must fi nish in the top four in their weight class to
advance.
The BVAL sends 51 athletes to the tournament. Liberty leads the
class with 14; Freedom fi elds 13. After that, Pittsburg
contributes eight wrestlers, Heritage seven, Antioch fi ve, and
Deer Valley four.
Lions head coach Greg Chappel was pleased by the amount of
talent on his campus. All 14 of our guys got in, Chappel said.
Three didnt qualify but got in as wild cards. I only have three
seniors total. I just like that theyll get a little taste of
it.
According to the seeding, six BVAL wrestlers could advance to
state. League
favorites include Liberty sophomore Devon Lyle (third, 106
pounds), senior Jacob Thompson-Zanarini (third, 132 pounds) and
senior Xavier Thompson (second, 138 pounds); Freedom sophomore
Ricky Coster (fourth, 120 pounds) and junior Roman Garcia (third,
126 pounds), and Antioch senior Kyle Clark (second, 220
pounds).
While the seeding is important, it doesnt determine who will
advance. Chappel identifi ed the junior trio of Austin Solari (fi
fth, 126 pounds), Tanner Blank (seventh, 160 pounds), and Zack
Hanson (sixth, 170 pounds) as guys with potential to pull an upset,
but his message applies to grapplers from all schools.
Theyve worked hard, Chappel said. Its time to fi nish up and
make a name for themselves. You never know a lot of its mental. If
a kid says, Im ready to go, it can happen.
Local wrestlers got a fi nal tuneup Freedoms Roman Garcia tries
to pin Libertys Jake Thompson-Zanarini in ear-lier action. After
succeeding in the BVAL Championship meet, both wrestlers earned No.
3 seeds for this weekends NCS wrestling tournament.
Photo by Jolly Hanson
by Michael DixonCorrespondent
see Wrestlers page 21A
Costas legacy lives on in LAFernando Sanabria recalls seeing
Corinne Costa before she fi rst laced up her size 13 Adidas for
UCLAs basketball team. She had height. She had athleticism.
She had yet to start middle school.Sanabria, then the coach for
the Immac-
ulate Heart CYO basketball team, looked in awe at the
fourth-grader who stood about 5 feet, 4 inches nearly as tall as
he.
I asked her if she played basketball, Sanabria said. She said,
No. I said, You do now.
Though it took time for Costa to grow into her body, she
excelled at both basketball and volleyball. She was already roughly
6-2 as a freshman at Liberty High. By the time she graduated in
2010, Costa owned Bay Valley Athletic League Most Valuable Player
awards for both sports.
While basketball history is littered with stories of players who
relied on their height and nothing else, Costas game doesnt rest on
a single measuring stick. Liberty head coach Debbi Weil watched as
the center put in gobs of sweat equity to improve her shoot-ing
touch as well as her maneuverability on the court. For her efforts,
the 6-4 Costa be-came one of the few Liberty girls basketball
players to make the jump to Division I when she inked a scholarship
to play for UCLA.
Though she played mainly off the bench in her freshman year,
Costa has become a
by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer
see Legacy page 21ALiberty alumna Corinne Costa, now a UCLA
basketball player, competes for position in the paint with Cals
Reshanda Gray earlier this season.
Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr.
Lions win worth the long wait
Fans and alumni of the Liberty High boys basketball team can
rejoice. The Lions 27-year postseason losing streak is now a thing
of the past.
Hosting its fi rst playoff game since 1985, Liberty beat the
visiting Amador Valley Dons 59-48 Tuesday night in the fi rst round
of the North Coast Section playoffs.
Amador Valley guard Nick Ruotolo scored 16 points and forward
Tyler Lawrence contributed 13. The Liberty attack was far more
balanced. Junior guard Brandon White scored 12, while senior guard
Dwayne Burns and senior forward Darren Meeks notched 11 each.
It just feels amazing, Meeks said. I never thought this would
hap-pen, being a senior and being here over the last couple of
years.
The Lions played the game at a higher speed than the Dons. While
Liberty never trailed after the early
by Michael DixonCorrespondent
see Win page 20A
-
18A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS FEBRUARY 24, 2012
22 11112011
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
HOME REPAIRS & REMODELING
Jim McClellan Home Improvement30+ Years of Home Repair
Experience!General Contractor Lic #702979Bonded & Insured EPA
Lead Certifi ed Firm
(925) 516-5594 8am - 5pm Monday-FridaySaturday appointment
available
Home Repair Remodeling Ceramic Tile Wood Work Painting and more!
No job too small!We specialize in home repair, remodeling, ceramic
tile, wood work, painting and more! No job too small!
22 11112011
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
Pats buck Lady Cowboys from playoffs
As Livermore Highs girls basketball team took a lead going into
halftime against Heritage on Tuesday night, the Lady Cowboys fans
reached a fever pitch.
In the third quarter, the Patriots silenced them.
Heritage outscored Livermore 21-5 in the third quarter, fi
nishing with a 61-51 victory in the fi rst round of the North Coast
Section playoffs. Patriots junior forward Ali Ramirez was on fi re,
scoring a game-high 24 points 12 in the third quarter alone. Junior
center Sabrina Engelstad contributed 19 to the winning effort
against the No. 12 seed Lady Cowboys. Heritage entered the matchup
seeded fi fth.
We wanted it and (head coach Dan Swan) made us realize that this
is it its not just a league game anymore, Ramirez said. This is
one-and-done. We came out as a team and got it.
When Heritage went into the locker room trailing 32-28 at
halftime, Swan knew something must be done. Swan didnt make any
special substitutions or draw up a new game plan, he simply told
his team to wake up.
The halftime speech worked wonders, as shots that didnt fall in
the fi rst half started to fi nd the bottom of the net. While
Heritage lit up the scoreboard on one end of the court, the teams
defense stifl ed the Lady Cowboys on the other. For much of the
quarter, Livermore had just one basket to show for its efforts.
From then on, the Patriots maintained their intensity and
secured the victory. Heritage was tenacious on defense in the
second half, attempting to neutralize a potent three-point attack
by the Lady Cowboys. Livermore tossed up 12 shots from the
perimeter in the fi rst half, making four, but went only 1-for-5
from downtown in the second half.
Senior guard Ashley Holmes led the
Lady Cowboys with 12 points. Senior guard Elyse Kline
contributed 10.
I dont know if we can get away with that as we go on, Swan said.
Its going to need all four quarters of play. We needed them to
respond at halftime and they did.
While Swan was pleased with the win, he knows Heritage must
tighten things up for the second round. The Patriots travel to
Castro Valley on Friday to take on the No. 4 seeded Trojans.
Heritage faced Castro Valley on Jan. 21 but lost 66-61.Mission San
Jose 50, Liberty 27
Senior center Bernadette Fong scored a game-high 13 points
Tuesday night, but Liberty couldnt hold off a powerful Mission San
Jose team in a 50-27 loss in the fi rst round of the NCS
playoffs.
The No. 3 seeded Warriors took the lead early and never looked
back, holding a 27-15 advantage at halftime. Senior Maya
Ramachandran led Mission San Jose with 11 points; junior
Grace Lee contributed 10.Fong also recorded nine rebounds,
three blocks and three steals Tuesday night.
Liberty, which earned a No. 14 seed, posted a pretty good
preseason but was playing shorthanded down the stretch. The loss to
the Warriors ends Libertys season at 17-10.Castro Valley 75,
Pittsburg 54
A strong second-quarter push helped Castro Valley defeat
Pittsburg 75-54 on Tuesday in the fi rst round of the playoffs.
The Trojans dropped 27 points in the second quarter, setting the
pace for the rest of the game. Three Castro Valley players scored
double-digits senior guard Michelle Miyamoto (16), freshman forward
Jenna Sparks (12) and freshman guard Allison Woo (11).
Senior forward Keshia Ward scored a team-high 11 points for
Pittsburg; junior guard Janeek Mollique
by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer
see Buck page 19A
-
CHECK FOR SPECIALS AT WWW.QUICKLANEOFBRENTWOOD.COM
W RKSTHE
Fuel Saver PackageFuel Saver Package
WELL SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY.
We service all makes and models!Motorcraft
Tested Tough Batteries
Starting at
$89.95$89.95***Through 3/31/12
Oil Change Brake Inspection Belts and Hoses Check Filter
Check
Tire Rotation Battery Test Fluid Top-Off Multi-Point
Inspection
8085 Brentwood Blvd. 634-9900Across the street from Bill Brandt
Ford
Quick Lane is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company
Michelin and BFGoodrich tires Buy 4 tires and get a $50
rebate
Plus receive a complimentary TireCARE Road Hazard Package ($110
Value). Through 3/31/12
We honor major eet plans, e.g. GE Fleet, PH&H, ARI, Lease
Plan & Donlon
$29.95$29.95**
Retail purchases only. Up to fi ve quarts of Motorcraft oil and
Motorcraft oil fi lter. Taxes, diesel vehicles, and disposal fees
extra. Hybrid battery test excluded. Mail in/online rebate form
must be postmarked by 4/30/12. See Service Advisor for vehicle
exclusions and details. Off er valid with coupon. Expires:
3/31/12.
The quick way to save fuel.*After $10 mail-in rebate.
THE RIGHT TIRES AT THE RIGHT PRICE.
FREE AlignmentInspectionCall for appointment.May not be combined
with other coupons, discounts or specials. Please present cou-pon
when service order is written.
WITH THIS COUPON EXPIRES 3/31/12
-
20A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS FEBRUARY 24, 2012
Advertisement
Identity Thieves Can Steal Your Tax RefundWhen an online
retailer as big as Zappos is
hacked, concern about identity theft rises among consumers. With
all the websites across the globe that receive and store personal
and financial information, there are plenty of opportunities for
hackers. Most people dont realize that tax time presents its own
opportunities for identity thieves.
While a lot of the identity theft in the news involves
defrauding lending institutions by using Social Security numbers
and other identifying infor-mation to open up credit cards or take
out loans, clever thieves have also figured out how to nab your tax
refund. By using your personal information to file a return early
in the tax season, the thief might just beat you to your own
refund. IRS may be the one to tip you off it is alerted to possible
fraud when more than one tax return is filed using the same Social
Security number, or a report of wages is filed from an employer
that the taxpayer claims never to have worked for.
The frequency of this kind of fraud has result-ed in the
creation of the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit to focus
on the threat. IRS compre-hensive identity theft strategy is aimed
at preventing, detecting and resolving identity theft cases as
quickly as possible. Identity theft filters now in place make it
easier to spot false returns before they are processed and before a
refund is issued. If IRS is informed as soon as a taxpayer suspects
his or her personal information may have been stolen, the taxpayers
account will be tagged and tracked in order to head off
trouble.
Taxpayers who have reason to believe their per-sonal information
has been stolen should contact the IRS Identity Protection
Specialized Unit immediately (1.800.908.4490). If you receive a
notice from IRS that someone may be trying to file a fraudulent
return in your name, follow the instructions on the notice as soon
as possible. And, if you use a paid return preparer this year, make
certain that he or she has a preparer tax identification number. As
of 2011, all paid tax return preparers must be registered with IRS.
Enrolled agents, certified public accountants and tax attorneys
have always been registered, but this new requirement of all tax
preparers should help to reign in unscrupulous preparers and
safeguard taxpayers
Should you have questions about this or any other tax matter
feel free to contact our office. www.jettax.org,
[email protected], or call (925)778-0281. One of our enrolled
agents will be happy to assist you.
What is an EA?Enrolled agents are tax professionals licensed
by the US Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers
before all administrative levels of the IRS. While attorneys and
certified public accountants are also licensed, only enrolled
agents specialize exclu-sively in taxes. Enrolled agents are
required to com-plete many hours of continuing education each year
to ensure they are up-to-date on the constantly changing tax code
and must abide by a code of ethics.
Cherrys Tax Facts... By Cherry Comstock
22 11112011
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
22 000002010
GOL
D MEDALAWARD
minutes of the fi rst quarter, the game was tied in the fourth
quarter until a heavy Lib-erty press forced Amador Valley mistakes
that led to turnovers and a string of Liberty free throws that put
the game away.
The Lions now face the rival Falcons, whove beaten Liberty
twice, 62-59 in over-time and 52-42. The NCS playoff clash will be
played Friday at the Falcons home gym. Freedom, coming off of a
bye, is the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
The last time we played them, we werent fi nishing our layups,
and we have to do that, White said. If we can get out in the open
fl oor, get some easy buckets and control the tempo on defense, we
can beat them.
Lions head coach Jon Heinz said the Liberty basketball program
has changed rapidly following an extended slump. The Lions last
playoff win came in 1985 against Miramonte, and their last playoff
appear-ance was a 2004 one-and-done blowout loss to Newark
Memorial. Heinz hopes this sea-son begins a winning tradition on
campus.
The crowd here tonight was great, Heinz said. Our football team
loses, our basketball team loses. I took over the pro-gram and I
knew they were bad; I just didnt realize how bad it was or why it
was that bad. Its a testament to these guys who want to come to
Liberty. Theyve turned it around.Heritage 66, Berkeley 50
The fi rst rounds premier blowout and upset came in the Heritage
66-50 win over Berkeley. Four Patriots scored in double dig-
its: senior forward Wayne Engelstad netted 21, junior guard
George Johnson 15, soph-omore center Shon Briggs 14, and guard
Pierre Carter 10.
Im just really proud of our kids, head coach Pat Cruickshank
said. We played with great energy all game long and executed the
game plan to near perfection. We defended the way we wanted to
defend, got good looks and ran our shots. Every-body chipped in; it
was a full team effort.
Heritage led for nearly the whole game and by no fewer than
eight points through-out the second half. Yellowjackets senior
forward Langston Morris-Walker led all scorers with 23 while senior
power forward Henry Cornelious posted 20 but the rest of the
Berkeley team did next to nothing of-fensively.
Heritages league record was subpar 4-6 in BVAL play, losing both
games to playoff teams Deer Valley and Freedom, and (including a
preseason game) three against Liberty. The coach was pleased that
his teams playoff success erased those memories.
Wed struggled a little bit fi nding our-selves, Cruickshank
said. But we put the last few weeks behind us, realized were all
0-0. They just really had a great time playing tonight had a lot of
fun.Friday matchups
No. 9 Heritage at No. 1 De La Salle, 8 p.m.
No. 7 San Leandro at No. 2 Deer Val-ley, 8 p.m.
No. 6 Liberty at No. 3 Freedom, 7 p.m.To comment, visit
www.thepress.net.
Win from page 17A
-
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 SPORTS THEPRESS.NET | 21A
Terry Nguyen Lic. #0G05342
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
925-513-1200925-628-2189 cell2411 Empire Ave.Suite
108Brentwood
24 Hour Good Neighbor Service
New of ce location.
at last weeks BVAL tournament, where Liberty claimed the overall
victory. Eight Lions wrestlers won their weight class, combining
for 232 points. Runner-up Freedom boasted two winners and six
second-place fi nishers, recording 200.5 points.
Pittsburgs 144 points edged out Heritage (142) for third. Clarks
win put Antioch at 91.5 points and fi fth place, as they topped
Deer Valleys 84-point output.
Lyle won the leagues 106-pound bracket and teammate John
Zanarini came out on top in the 113-pound class. Coster grabbed the
gold for Freedom at 120 pounds. Lions Solari (126 pounds),
Thompson-Zanarini (132) and Xavier Johnson (138) won the next three
weight classes. Freedoms Zachary Irwin earned a win at 145
pounds.
Libertys Kevin Milner (152 pounds), Blank (160) and Hanson (170)
all came out on top at the BVAL tournament. Dalton Barnes of
Heritage earned a victory in the 182-pound class, becoming the
second-ever Patriot to win a league title. Pittsburgs Antonio
Baldazo won the 195-pound bracket. Clark, one of the top 220-pound
wrestlers in the section, won that division for Antioch. Pittsburgs
Javonte Brooks, a winner at 285 pounds, rounded out the days
titleholders.
Deer Valleys highest fi nisher was Rangle Lowry, who took second
in the 285-pound division.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Wrestling from page 17A
fi xture for the Bruins in her sophomore season as a
center/forward. After injuries decimated the roster the team has
only three healthy reserves she stepped up to become UCLAs force in
the paint.
This year, Ive just grasped the op-portunity, with two of our
best players going out with season-ending injuries, Costa said. It
feels good that I can come in and do my part.
Costa ranks third in the Pac-12 Con-ference in blocked shots per
game and for one stretch this season swatted away scor-ing attempts
in 14 consecutive games.
Bruins head coach Cori Close ad-mired the hard work Costa has
put in since joining the starting lineup. She feels
Costa has improved greatly from her fi rst game and has the
talent and the drive to do big things for the Bruins.
Corinne has grown in her level of commitment to the game, her
passion, her confi dence, her ability to change plays, her
willingness to be in the gym extra, Close said. I really have
challenged and even butted heads with her a couple times. I think
that her response and her willing-ness to change and grow it really
is a joy to watch.
Though Costa now spends most of her time in Los Angeles, she
still has an excellent support system. Last week, when UCLA squared
off with Cal in Berkeley, a group of roughly 20 relatives and
friends came by to cheer her on.
Costas mother, Rhonda, said she and her husband John usually
make a trip down south about once a month to see her at the John
Wooden Center.
Last year, when UCLA traveled to Moraga to play St. Marys,
Sanabria es-timated that about 100 people made the visit from East
County. Many of them wore customized T-shirts in white or Bru-in
blue emblazoned with Costas name and number 34.
Its good for her and Im proud of her, said her sister Kylie, a
junior at Lib-erty. Shes worked really hard to get to where she
is.
While Costa hones her craft in West-wood, her effects are still
felt in Brent-wood.
As a Liberty senior, Costa took a tall sophomore named
Bernadette Fong un-der her wing. Weil called them the Twin Towers.
In her fi rst season as the teams starting center, Fong excelled,
earning fi rst-team all-league honors.
Now a senior, the 6-3 Fong averages 11.8 points, 9.4 rebounds
and 3.6 blocks per game. Weil said colleges are talking to Fong
with the enthusiasm they showed for Costa.
Fong, as well as other seniors on Libertys roster, can look to
Costa to see whats possible.
It was very fun to watch her come into her own, Weil said, but I
still think that shes growing.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Legacy from page 17A
-
22A | THEPRESS.NET SPORTS FEBRUARY 24, 2012
BVAL soccer seasons come to an end
Though one of the most successful seasons in Freedom High girls
soccer his-tory didnt end ideally, the head coach is proud of what
the team accomplished.
The Bay Valley Athletic League champions fi nished the season
with a 3-0 loss to top-seeded San Ramon Valley in the second round
of the North Coast Section playoffs. To get to that level, the
Falcons emerged victorious in an exciting matchup against Granada.
Tied at two af-ter regulation, thanks to goals from senior Angel
Gosse, Freedom claimed a victory on a penalty kick by Haley
Vredenburgh.
Im very proud of them, said head coach Paco Gonzalez. It was
exciting. It was fun seeing them come together and start playing as
a unit. They cared for each other genuinely.
The Falcons werent alone in the sec-ond round. Heritage kicked
off postsea-son play with a 6-0 drubbing of higher-seeded American.
The Patriots held a 2-0 halftime lead after goals from freshman
midfi elder Demi Gonis and sophomore defender Haylie Grant. Junior
forward Jamie Barron assisted both scores.
In the second half, sophomore for-ward Kylee Smith found the
back of the net twice, and senior forward Kailey Mos-er and Baron
put the fi nishing touches on Heritages offensive barrage.
The offense was silenced in the next round, however, in a 1-0
loss to Monte Vista.
Liberty enjoyed a successful sea-son, but the Lions hopes were
dashed by James Logan in the fi rst round of the postseason.
Liberty held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but two Colts goals in the
sec-ond half made the difference.
Like Freedom, Deer Valleys season ended at the hands of San
Ramon Valley. The Wolves defeated the No. 16 seed Wolver-
ines 3-0 before moving on to face the Falcons. Sophomore
goalkeeper Siobhan Williamson made 14 saves for the Wolverines.Boys
soccer
Pittsburgs boys soccer team, which handily claimed a BVAL title,
ended its season with a 2-1 loss to No. 1 seed De La Salle in the
NCS playoffs.
The Spartans led 1-0 at halftime, but the Pirates answered in
the 43rd minute with a goal by senior midfi elder Bryan Santos. De
La Salle scored again 11 min-
utes later and held on for the victory. Freshman goalkeeper Joel
Avila notched seven saves for Pittsburg.
In the fi rst round, the Pirates earned a 1-0 win over Granada.
A goal from ju-nior midfi elder Isreal Murgia made the
difference.
Antioch was able to muster a playoff bid, but the Panthers also
fell to the Spar-tans. De La Salle cruised to a 7-0 victory in the
fi rst round.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Freedoms Gianna DiMercurio and a Granada defender race to the
ball in the rst round of the playoffs. Antioch Highs Rene Gonsalez,
right, and Pittsburgs Ismael Martinez ght for the ball during a
regular season game. Antioch and Pittsburg both lost to De La Salle
in the NCS playoffs.
Photo courtesy of Kim Vredenburgh
by Justin LaffertyStaff Writer
The Brentwood Bl