San Ramon Tribune

Grand Jury Reports on San Ramon

2011-07-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Letter to the Editor:

"City rejects jury's findings."

In summary, the Grand Jury recommended to the City of San Ramon to reduce its City Council salaries and/or benefits. Apparently, Mayor, Abram Wilson is paying "his" entire council $163,190, which is well above the county average of $77,895!! More than double!!!

San Ramon officials, Mayor Abram Wilson have apparently refused to comply with the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury Findings and recommendations.

Unbelievable! The egos and arrogance of this San Ramon Council!

SR Resident

Sources:

San Ramon dismisses grand jury report
Grand jury questions East Bay elected leaders' compensation

Check Out San Ramon Watch

2011-06-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

The "concerned San Ramon citizen" writer Steve O'Brien at San Ramon Watch has written some excellent insightful articles into what is going on with our city. He also has information on the website on matters concerning:

Council Campaign Donors
City Salaries
Important City Reference Documents

His recent posts include:

Thanks Steve, for your diligence in getting to the truth of the matters.

Relay for Life at Cal High

2011-06-02T22:51:00.000-07:00

San Ramon, CA – 06/01/2011 – Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the eleventh annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of San Ramon gets underway with teams of residents gathering at California High School on June 18th at 10 AM.

Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at an athletic track, park or other gathering area, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the event. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their campsites during Relay. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said Jim Wild, Volunteer Event Chair. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors and caregivers, which serves as a reminder that San Ramon is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer

Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” Mr. Wild added.

Funds raised at Relay For Life of San Ramon enable the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community. Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony takes place after sundown, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Participants will circle a track that is surrounded with glowing luminary bags that bear the name of someone who has battled cancer. A suggested donation of $10 will purchase a bag for decoration or you may have someone at the Relay For Life event decorate a bag for you. Also a part of San Ramon’s Relay For Life event is the “Fight Back” Ceremony, in which a community leader will inspire Relay participants with his or her own personal story or commitment and will challenge them to take a personal pledge of action (e.g., stop smoking, eat healthier foods, exercise regularly, etc.) in fighting back. For more information about the event please go online to relayforlife.org/sanramonca.

To locate a Relay For Life event and find out how you may get involved, please

call 1-800-227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Jeremy Gomoljak
Pubic Relations Chair & Cancer Survivor - Relay For Life San Ramon
925-519-3110
----------------------------
One day. One night. One community. One Fight. Relay For Life is a
life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people-
to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer; remember
loved ones lost to the disease; and fight back against a disease that
takes too much. Won't you join us?

2011 Relay For Life of San Ramon, CA

Event Date and Time:
Saturday, June 18, 2011 @ 10:00AM - Sunday, June 19, 2011 @10:00AM

Event Location:
California High School, San Ramon, CA

Website:
www.relayforlife.org/sanramonca

Representing San Ramon’s Best Interest

2011-06-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

BY: Jim Gibbon

I agree with the letter from Phil O’Loane to the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County about the proposed New Farms development in Tassajara Valley. He expresses the opinion of 72% of the voters of San Ramon as expressed in the last November election.

Our current City Council has decided not to express any opinion on our behalf. In fact their attitude is to sit on their hands. They will do nothing to represent our interest in preservation of the valley as a rural area that is not to be developed as just another urban development project. To be preserved for our children’s future.

This proposed New Farms development will be fought out at the county level for the next two to three years. It will determine if our Urban Limit Line in the county and our Urban Growth Line in our cities will mean anything in the future.

The proper place for growth in the future San Ramon is in the inner city core where infrastructures already exist and the cost to the city and residents will be less than growing in green rural areas on the outskirts of the city. The inner city should grow ‘organically’ as needed and not as a master plan that overhauls the existing building and street design. San Ramon is an established community and any growth should begin with that fact at its base.

Destroying existing established businesses, changing street locations, and adding another 4,500 people to the inner city of San Ramon without new schools and services is not good for anyone. It will cause more problems than it will help the city be or become viable. Unbraided growth for its on sake is not go for anyone who lives here.

We need to replace this City Council next November with people who understand how to represent our best interest, not theirs. If you know someone who you think can do that and is interested in serving on the council let us know. We need three good residents of San Ramon to run in November. They can count on 72% of the San Ramon voters to vote for them and a lot of support from us all. Now is the time to step up and be counted. This opportunity come only once for most of us.

Let me know what you think and who you think would be a good candidate to represent our best interest. San Ramon is about to change for the better or worse. Who represents our best interest will determine which future we will have.

Thank you,

Jim Gibbon AIA, LEED AP
j.c.gibbon@comcast.net

SROG
SAN RAMON for OPEN GOVERNMENT
SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA

New Farm Notice to CCC Board of Supervisors

2011-06-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa County
c/o John Oborne
Department of Conservation and Development
651 Pine Street, 4th Floor, North Wing
Martinez, CA 94553-1290

Re: New Farm Application

Dear Supervisors:

I am writing as a resident of San Ramon to personally express my opposition to the proposed New Farm Development in the Tassajara Valley. I was first introduced to the New Farm project during my tenure on the San Ramon Planning Commission and became further informed on the project as one of the Co-Chairs of the successful “No on Measure W” campaign in San Ramon.

I find it outrageous that no one on San Ramon’s City Council has yet to come out to express an opinion on this subject much less oppose it. While the city leaders have not commented, the voters spoke as recently as last November on this subject. They made it abundantly clear, by an overwhelming 72% majority, that they are opposed to any expansion or weakening of the Urban Limit Line in San Ramon.

New Farm is a blatantly illegal attempt to destroy voter-approved Urban Limit Lines in Contra Costa County and flies in the face of reasonable growth management policies that have been a hallmark of our county for 20 years.

It is an illegal application that attempts to thinly disguise a Major subdivision and claim it is something else by merely calling it something else. It is growth inducing by bringing urban sewer and water to an area currently, and appropriately, dependent on wells for water and septic systems for sewage. If you bring Urban Services to an area, it is an Urban Area. That seems pretty simple to the average voter. These urban services would no doubt be used by the developers as a major selling point for this sub-division.

New Farm would set a very bad precedent in regards to weakening or even destroying voter-approved Urban Limit Lines. The developers are essentially thumbing their nose at the concept. Their cynical contorting of the zoning regulations in an effort to bring urban services to a rural area is at best devious logic.

This project would accelerate land speculation and put further pressure on what is considered by the county itself to be some of the most important agricultural lands in the area. It is incompatible and inconsistent with local and county general plans and puts significant pressure on wildlife corridors that connect San Ramon’s open space with rural and open space further to the east. It clearly violates Measure C, J and L.

We did not approve, at great time and effort, Urban Limit Lines to then have developers turn around and act as if they don’t exist. Please take your obligation to follow the will of the voters seriously and dismiss this project for what it is; a major urban sub-division outside of the Urban Limit Line. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Phil O’Loane

25th Annual SRV Messiah Sing-along

2010-12-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

The 25th annual San Ramon Valley Sing-Along performance of Handel's Messiah featuring the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will be held Sunday, December 19, at the San Ramon Presbyterian Church. The concert begins at 7 p.m. The church is located at 12943 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon, next to the San Ramon Post Office. The event is under the direction of Dr. Tim Smith, Music Director.

"We call it a Sing-Along because we provide the orchestra and soloists," says Dean Christman, choral director, "but the audience provides the voices for the chorus." Singers of every level participate, according to Christman. "Most sing, some hum, many come just to listen."

Featured soloists for the concert are Elizabeth Hunter, soprano; Christine Nowilski, alto; Dean Christman, tenor; and Theodore Weis, bass. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.srvMessiah.info. Cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children.

Sponsors of the event and a series of choral workshops which preceded it are the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, the San Ramon Valley Music Foundation, San Ramon Valley Arts Foundation, the City of San Ramon and the Pacific Masterworks Chorus.

For additional information contact:

Dean Christman 925.997.8771
Will Doerlich 415.860.3609
Dick Vesperman 925.858.2093

Wildhorse! Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program

2010-05-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

WILDHORSE! THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING PROGRAM INVITES YOU TO…

Wildhorse!, San Ramon, CA New Permanent Location

A free open house event at our new and permanent location,

Las Trampas Stables

18015 Bollinger Canyon Road

San Ramon, CA 94583

"as long as grass grows, water flows and wind blows"

May 22, Saturday, High Noon to Four PM!

Free hot dog lunch with free bottled water!

Country Music Sensation Dustin James and his Band!

"Men love his strength – women love him, period"

Noon entertainment by Lariat Larry,

Cowboy Storyteller & Trick Roper!

Horse rides throughout the day, safe and supervised!

Kids' activities, and a Cowgirl Beauty Station!

A goods and services auction

for horse lovers young and old!

Contact Wildhorse! at: wildhorse @ freewildhorse.com

510 860 8188

Website URL www.freewildhorse.com

What is the "New Farm" Proposal? It's No Farm!

2010-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

San Ramon/Danville Residents

What Is the “New Farm” Proposal?

NEW FARM IS NOT RURAL, AND IT’S NO FARM!

Voters approved the Contra Costa County Urban Limit Line in 2006, putting Tassajara Valley off-limits to urban or suburban development until at least 2020, with an update of the General Plan
In opposition, Developers have proposed a 193-unit housing development, called “NEW FARM” on 770 acres of land in the Tassajara Valley and have submitted it to the County for approval –AGAINST THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE!
Calling this project “rural” is a transparent attempt to get around the law! Go to www.greenbelt.org to get more information.
The “NEW FARM” proposal blatantly breaks the Urban Growth Boundary Line by extending water and sewage lines across this line. Rural development has always been defined as parcels using septic tanks and wells. This “New Farm” proposal is not rural, it’s urban development, and requires the construction of Public Utilities – such as water and sewage lines!
In San Ramon/Danville WATER AND SEWER SERVICES and FEES ARE HIGH, AND AT FULL MAXIMUM CAPACITY RIGHT NOW. San Ramon & Danville residents pay EBMUD a premium for the water they use due to the shortage of water!
THE “NEW FARM PROPOSAL” IS SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT
In 2007 San Ramon filed a “Sphere of Influence Amendment” for their control of the Tassajara Valley land ultimately, leading to Annexation or development of this land by the City of San Ramon.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Go to www.greenbelt.org and read the article “Tassajara Valley Urban Limit Line Threat.” Write a letter to oppose the Developers’ “New Farm Proposal.”
Ask San Ramon (pro-growth City) & the County to uphold the Contra Costa County Voters’ decision for establishing the Urban Growth Boundary Line to stop sprawl development! Urge them to protect the Tassajara Valley Land, and San Ramon/Danville’s current water supply, and sewer systems that are already seriously impacted! Protect our quality of life and land in this area.
New Farm will allow massive development on prime agricultural land. Subdivide into 5-acre parcels with the developer requesting “density bonuses” for consolidating development on 40 acres!

More of what you can do:

What You Can Do

• Contact Patrick Roche, lead staff on the projct for Contra Costa County, to get updates and know when the next meetings are: by email or by telephone at (925) 335-1242.

• Sign up to receive email updates about the campaign – email Christina Wong.

• Write a letter in defense of Tassajara Valley:

Write to San Ramon Mayor H. Abram Wilson and Members of the Council, opposing the proposed amendment and the future annexation and development of the Tassajara Valley.

citycouncil@sanramon.ca.gov
2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone: (925) 973-2530
Fax: (925) 866-0547

Write to your County Supervisor, or to the Board of Supervisors, to say that you oppose studying the New Farm proposal.

District I (El Cerrito, Richmond, & San Pablo):
Honorable John Gioia
Supervisor, District I
11780 San Pablo Ave. Suite D
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 374-3231
dist1@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us

District II (Hercules, Lafayette, Moraga, Martinez, Orinda, Pinole, Walnut Creek):
Honorable Gayle B. Uilkema
Supervisor, District II
651 Pine Street, Room 108A
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-1046
gayle@bos.cccounty.us

District III (Alamo, Brentwood, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Byron, Discovery Bay, Blackhawk, Knightson):
Honorable Marry N. Piepho
Supervisor, District III
309 Diablo Road
Danville, CA 94526
(925) 820-8683
dist3@bos.cccounty.us

District IV (Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill. Walnut Creek):
Honorable Susan Bonilla
Supervisor, District IV
2151 Salvio Street, Suite R
Concord, CA 94521
(925) 521-7100
dist4@bos.cccounty.us

District V (Pitsburg, Antioch. Oakley, Bay Point, Bethel Island):
Honorable Federal D. Glover
Supervisor, District V
315 E. Leland Rd.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 634-5915
dist5@bos.cccounty.us

Save Tassajara Valley Hike by Save Mount Diablo

2010-02-17T18:10:00.000-08:00

Save Mount Diablo Hike, Sunday February 21, 2010 9:30 a.m.

Some of the Best Views You’ve Never Seen!

Brand New Hidden Valley Open Space & the Threatened Tassajara Valley.

Troy Bristol, Land Conservation Associate for Save Mount Diablo, is leading a hike in the new Hidden Valley Open Space in San Ramon, this Sunday February 21, 2010 9:30 am.

All participants have the option of 1 mile (350’ gain/loss), 3.5 mile (650’ gain/loss), or 4.5 mile full loop (800’ gain/loss). Time: 1-3 hours depending on which option is chosen.

The hike is both about informing the public about this incredible new preserve, and also about threats to the Tassajara Valley, which are visible from the trail. The hike begins at the hiker gate on Longleaf Circle in San Ramon. Bring water, layers and sunscreen. Heavy rain postpones.

For more info, call George Phillips at 925 947-3535 or e-mail: gphillips@savemountdiablo.org .

More info about the issue and hikes at: http://www.savemountdiablo.org/Tassajara/TVhome.htm.

SMD is leading two more hikes in Hidden Valley Open Space:

Sunday March 21, 2010, 9:30 am. Led by Troy Bristol, SMD’s Land Conservation Associate.

Sunday April 11, 2010, 9:30 am. Led by Seth Adams, SMD’s Director of Land Programs.

All hikes begin at hiker gate on Longleaf Circle in San Ramon. Bring water, layers and sunscreen. Heavy rain postpones.

Or you can take a hike by yourself, using this self-guiding map and description:

http://www.savemountdiablo.org/Tassajara/HiddenValleySelfGuidedHike.pdf

Good Citizen Awards: DAR Chapter Honors San Ramon Students

2010-01-22T05:11:00.000-08:00

The Mount Diablo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the 2009 Good Citizen Awards to six San Ramon area students at the Awards Recognition Luncheon in December.

This award is given by the Chapter to honor high school seniors who possess good citizenship qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities.

Pictured left to right Kendra Buie (w headband), Andrew Dala, Ryan Hammill, Sebastian DeLuca, Ashley Jensen, Taylor King

The San Ramon area honorees were Kristiana Meyer, Athenian High School; Taylor King, Venture High School; Andrew Dala, Dougherty Valley High School; Ashley Jensen, California High School, Sebastian DeLuca, Monte Vista High School; and Ryan Hammill, San Ramon High School. Ashley Jensen, California High School, won the Essay Contest and received a $100 prize.

The winners of this award are eligible for the chance to compete beyond the chapter level for a cash award of at least $250 and a special state DAR good citizen’s pin and the national winner will be invited to Washington D.C. to attend DAR Continental Congress and be awarded a $3000 scholarship, an inscribed silver bowl, and certificate. The second and third place winners will receive $1000 and $750 respectively.

Pictured below from left to right is Ashley Jensen and Sue Economos.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, www.dar.org, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. DAR members have traced their lineage back to soldiers of the American Revolution.

The Mt. Diablo Chapter, which was organized January 10, 1961, meets on the second Tuesday of the month October through June. Prospective members are welcome to attend. The meetings begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Vista Room of the Hillside Clubhouse at Rossmoor.

Anyone who has an ancestor who fought in or rendered aid in the American Revolution may be eligible for membership in DAR. For information, contact Regent Gay Scott at 925-820-5720.

San Ramon Teen Wins 2nd Place Travel Writing Scholarship Contest

2009-12-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

Christine Anderson of San Ramon, California, was recently announced as the Second Place Winner in Family Travel Forum's 3rd Annual Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Contest. Hosted on FTF's website www.travelbigo.com, the competitive contest received a record number of applicants. With more than 8,500 submitted for review of a team of esteemed judges, this year’s scholarship was incredibly competitive and revealed the most outstanding work in teen travel writing.

Family Travel Forum (FTF), the award-winning family vacation publisher, announced the winners of its 3rd annual Teen Travel Writing Scholarship competition. More than 8,500 student travel blogs – a 30% increase over 2008 – were submitted by Americans ages 13 to 18 hoping to win a merit scholarship.

Students wrote on an extraordinary range of topics -- from family reunions with clueless relatives and making friends at the local bookstore to manning health clinics on tropical islands and searching for rare flowers in a rain forest. The 28 winners traveled near and far with their family, friends, or student travel groups, and shared stories about Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and the United States.

You can read about "Beautiful Nepal" by Christine Anderson of San Ramon, California. Christine brings much insight about the people and what life is like in Nepal.

Chistine says, "Nepal, you are a country of many contradictions, and the place that I owe my eternal gratitude."

Congratulations Christine!

Save Mount Diablo Hike

2009-11-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

Save Mount Diablo Hike, Saturday November 7, 2009, 9:30 a.m.
Some of the Best Views You’ve Never Seen.
Brand New Hidden Valley Open Space & the Threatened Tassajara Valley.

Hidden Valley Open Space: Photographer, Scott Hein

Seth Adams, Director of Land Programs for Save Mount Diablo, is leading a hike in the new Hidden Valley Open Space in San Ramon, this Saturday November 7, 2009, 9:30 am.

All participants have the option of 1 mile (350’ gain/loss), 3.5 mile (650’ gain/loss), or 4.5 mile full loop (800’ gain/loss). Time: 1-3 hours depending on which option is chosen.

The hike is both about informing the public about this incredible new preserve, and also about threats to the Tassajara Valley, which are visible from the trail. The hike begins at a hiker gate across from 2187 Longleaf Circle in San Ramon. Bring water, layers and sunscreen.

For more info, call George Phillips at 925 947-3535 or e-mail: gphillips@savemountdiablo.org .

More info about the issue and hikes at: http://www.savemountdiablo.org/Tassajara/TVhome.htm .

SMD is leading six hikes in Hidden Valley Open Space:

Saturday November 7, 2009, 9:30 am. Led by Seth Adams, SMD’s Director of Land Programs.
Sunday December 6, 2009, 9:30 am. Led by Troy Bristol, SMD’s Land Conservation Associate.
Saturday January 16, 2010, 9:30 am. Led by Troy Bristol, SMD’s Land Conservation Associate.
Sunday February 21, 2010, 9:30 am. Led by Scott Hein, Chair of SMD’s Land Committee.
Sunday March 21, 2010, 9:30 am. Led by Troy Bristol, SMD’s Land Conservation Associate.
Sunday April 11, 2010, 9:30 am. Led by Seth Adams, SMD’s Director of Land Programs.

All hikes begin at hiker gate across from 2187 Longleaf Circle in San Ramon. Bring water, layers and sunscreen.

Or you can take a hike by yourself, using this self-guiding map and description. Hidden Valley Self Guide Hike .

Public Hearing Notice For City Center Mixed Use Project

2009-10-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SAN RAMON CITY CENTER MIXED USE PROJECT.

San Ramon

The City of San Ramon Planning Commission Will be Holding a Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 to Consider:

Applications: Amendments to the Sunset-Bishop Ranch Development Agreement and a portion of the Chevron Park Development Agreement relating to the San Ramon City Center Mixed Use Project. (DA 09-850-001 and DA 09-850-002 - Filed on October 14, 2009

Owners/Applicants: City of San Ramon and Sunset Development Company

Location: The project site is comprised of several parcels at the intersection of Camino Ramon
and Bollinger Canyon Road (A.P.Ns: 213-133-063, 213-133-086, 213-120-010, -011, -013, -017 and -018).

Request: Consideration of Amendments for the Bishop Ranch Development Agreement and a portion of the Chevron Park Development Agreement Assigned to and Assumed by Sunset Building Co, LLC, for the City Center Mixed Use Area (as identified above). Applicant requests extension of certain deadlines relating to certain transfers between the parties, the sale and re-acquisition of certain properties, and other related matters.

CEOA: The impacts of the project described in the Development Agreement amendments were analyzed within the San Ramon City Center Final Subsequent EIR (SCH#2007042022) which was prepared for the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, 1970 as amended (CEQA). The City will be making environmental findings pursuant to CEQA in connection with these Development Agreements.

If you challenge this application in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.

SAID HEARING will be held by the Planning Commission, City of San Ramon, commencing at 7:00 PM, on November 3, 2009 in the Council Chamber at 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, California, 94583.

Posting Period: October 23 2009 to November 3. 2009

City of San Ramon, 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583

Debbie Chamberlain, Division Manager, Planning Services (925) 973-2560

Applebee's Honors Local Heroes

2009-10-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

APPLEBEE'S HONORS LOCAL HEROES WITH DISCOUNTED ENTRÉES

San Ramon Restaurant Offering 25 Percent off Entrées for Police, Fire and Military Personnel

(San Ramon, CA)---Good deeds seldom go unnoticed and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar is doing its part to celebrate a job well done: From this point forward, the 17900 San Ramon Valley Road location will be offering a 25 percent discount on all entrees to any uniformed police, fire, paramedic and military personnel who dine in at the restaurant.

"This is our way of saying thanks to the people that help make our community special and keep it safe," said Anand Gala, president and CEO of Gala Corp, the management company behind Applebee's. "These individuals work far beyond the normal 9-to-5 work day and oftentimes their jobs never really stop; this selfless commitment to others will be reflected in our promotion because it, too, will never end."

The heroes discount will be available whenever the restaurant is open – Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. – but is limited to one entrée per customer.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Orange County, Calif., Gala Corporation is one of the leading privately-owned hospitality and food service companies in the United States. From unassuming beginnings with a single property, Gala Corporation is today recognized as a first-class developer and operator of hospitality and food service assets with a customer-focused and quality-minded approach to business. Additionally, Gala Corporation provides third-party management services to multi-unit fast food and full-service restaurant companies and investment groups. Management services are available for most any brand or chain in the U.S. For more information, visit www.galacorp.com

Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction

2009-10-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

10th Annual Biletnikoff Foundation

Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction

10th Anniversary of Foundation
Established in Memory of The Daughter of Hall-of Fame NFL Oakland Raider Fred Biletnikoff

The 10th Annual Biletnikoff Foundation Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, November 13 at the Marriott at Bishop Ranch, 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, California. Tickets are $130 per person and attire is casual. Last year's sold-out event raised $60,000 for the foundation. Master of ceremonies will be Greg Papa, Bay Area sports broadcaster and radio voice of the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are celebrating their 50th season.

The Biletnikoffs formed The Biletnikoff Foundation, located in Dublin, CA, in memory of their daughter Tracey who was brutally murdered by someone she had dated. Before her passing, she was working toward becoming a drug rehabilitation counselor at the Women's Recovery Association in San Mateo, the facility that helped her overcome substance abuse.

The Biletnikoff Foundation supports Tracey's Place of Hope, a residential treatment program; the Women's Recovery Association for girls who are low-income, homeless or at risk of homelessness; Biletnikoff Foundation Scholarship Fund; Tim Brown Touchdown Club; East Bay Agency for Children; Tim Brown Mentor Camp; Live Oak Swim Team for "at-risk" children during the summer; Families First with services for children and families; and STAND, Stand Against Domestic Violence.

Crab Fest 2009 highlights include dinner with celebrities and past and present Oakland Raiders; live entertainment from Mad Jack; Choreographer La Tonya Watts' East Bay Dance Company in a Michael Jackson tribute; drawings for diamond jewelry and 58" flat screen TV; and a special performance by the Raiderettes, and the Biletnikoff Angels.

There will be live and silent auctions with many exclusive items available for bid, including sports memorabilia; Hall of Fame travel packages, an Oakland Raiders home game package; a package for a performance of The Nutcracker at War Memorial Opera house with the Biletnikoffs; foursome of golf at the Olympic Club in San Francisco; Angel island deluxe day for four people; Bay Area airplane flight for three by Tucknott Electric; sports celebrities autographs; and wine tasting by Robert Mondavi Winery that is donating all the wine for the Crab Fest.

There will be a Red Carpet photo shoot. A highlight will be Don Dimas Cigars with hand-rolled cigars.

For the fifth year, the Biletnikoff Foundation will be giving back even more to the community by awarding $1,000 educational grants to aid high school seniors to fulfill their dreams of entering college.

Confirmed celebrity guests include Greg Townsend, Michael and Merriweather, Mervyn Fernandez, Jerry Porter, Mel Renfro, Mark Davis, Lincoln Kennedy, MacArthur Lane, Raymond Chester, Clem Daniels, Jack Tatum, Loreto Garza, George Atkinson, Bob Lilly, Raider Coaches and Staff; Tom Flores; Jeremy Brigham, Former Raider Tight End and M.A.D.F. Founder; Joey Gilbert, from television show The Contender, and former World Boxing Organization and North American Boxing Organization Super middleweight Champ; Joey Chestnut, World Hot Dog Eating Champ; Robert L. Mundo, former Golden Gloves of the U.S. Air Force, and many more.

Crab Fest sponsorship opportunities are available from title sponsor at $25,000 to grant sponsorship at $1,000. Ticket holders who are grant sponsors of $1,000 will have the opportunity to award the scholarships in person at the Crab Fest.

Fred Biletnikoff was All-AFL/AFC four times, 1971 NFL receiving champion, and played in two AFL All-Star games, four AFC-NFC Pro Bowls, eight AFL/AFC title games and two Super Bowls. He was MVP in Super Bowl XI. He was the Oakland Raiders wide-receiver coach. Biletnikoff has a national award named after him. For the past 12 years the Biletnikoff Award has been presented to young men in football who continue to have outstanding careers in the NFL.

For tickets and information contact the Biletnikoff Foundation, 7080 Donlon Way, Suite 126, Dublin, CA 94568, (925) 556-2525. Tickets may be ordered online at www.biletnikoff.net.

"Being a victim affects generations; let's break the chain today."

Meals On Wheels CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge

2009-09-23T10:25:00.001-07:00

9/23/09 San Ramon, CA

Yesterday, as a part of her efforts to spread awareness about senior hunger in America as a part of the Meals On Wheels campaign entitled The Next Meal, [http://www.thenextmeal.org/] , LPGA Tour Professional, Jee Young Lee made local San Ramon meal deliveries to shut in seniors.

Jee Young delivered meals with Ann Frasier of the San Ramon organization, Meals On Wheels, Senior Outreach Services, [1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 937-8607 x 111].

Jee Young's example is similar to other LPGA players as they attempt not only to entertain and thrill area fans with their talent and determination on the golf course, but to also bring awareness of local needs, perform valuable services in the communities surrounding their tournaments and to set examples for area youth as to how best to succeed in sports and in life.

Thank you for your efforts in bringing attention to senior hunger which exists even in great communities like San Ramon.

Doug Burr For City Council in San Ramon

2009-09-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

Doug Burr
Candidate for City Council

Doug Burr, a resident of San Ramon, is running for the San Ramon City Council in November 2009.

Doug lives in the Dougherty Valley with his wife and two children. He went to UC Davis, earning a BA in Economics and an MBA. He is a management consultant, advising Fortune 500 companies. Doug spent 8 years in the US Army Reserve where he ended his service as a Captain in the Infantry.

As Doug puts it, "My first experience in politics was trying to get stop signs put in front of our local school. The City Council refused, so I authored an initiative to let the voters decide. The City Council unanimously voted to sue me, I believe to stop me with a SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation). They said more than one stop sign was too many issues."

Doug Burr is running for San Ramon City Council to serve the San Ramon residents. He believes that the City should operate in full transparency. "We need to publish all contracts prior to the City signing them, residents should have access to every expenditure the city makes, to the penny. (except for healthcare details and expenses on children)," said Doug.

Other areas of importance to Doug include keeping Tassajara Valley undeveloped. "The current City Council is moving towards annexing the Tassajara Valley, a way to bypass the voter approved Urban Limit Line and allow massive development with a large percentage of low income housing. This would reduce the value of existing San Ramon homes. I am also concerned about the City Council's other action's urbanizing our city."

With eminent domain now on the books in San Ramon and with the fact that the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency being one and the same, since it is the City Council members who serve as the governing board; Doug is very much concerned about the misuse of redevelopment agency funds and possible eminent domain actions for the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan and other areas in San Ramon.

Doug places much value on supporting education in the San Ramon Valley and having great schools which not only benefit San Ramon's youngest citizens but also help drive higher property values. Doug was aghast when, "the City Council voted to raise the speed limit from 25 to 40 mph on a two lane road with a blind curve, going up a hill with homes on one side and two parks on the other side, What were they thinking?"

After local San Ramon residents complaints fell on deaf ears at the City Council meetings and its members, they spoke with Doug, a leader on traffic safety, who ended up taking an active roll in protecting our youth, and made a difference in the San Ramon community while providing safer streets for our youth and citizens.

Support Doug Burr For City Council

National Health Care Letters to the Editor

2009-09-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

Regarding the Whole Nation Health Plan : The basic consideration was that 46 million Americans did not have health coverage. This is about 15% of the total population of the U.S. ( 305 mil ).

That means that 85% has/or did have coverage. A breakdown of the 46mil can be found at... The Myth of the 46 Million Uninsured.

Many of those choose not to have coverage, many qualify for programs, but have not made an application, some are of the Medicaid under count. And there are other categories.

My concern is, the government would have us put brand new tires on the car... when all we need to do is fix the flat one.

Ted G.
West Covina , CA.

New San Ramon City Email Subscription Service

2009-07-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

The City of Ramon has launched a new email and digital subscription solution to enhance the way City residents receive and access municipal information.

The City of Ramon has implemented a subscription service which will allow residents to subscribe to topics of interest and receive free, instant email alerts when this information is updated. Another feature is that it functions as a FREE Public Alert System that allows for instant notification in emergency situations. Subscribers will receive real-time Crime Bulletins and Emergency Alerts both via email and wirelessly. You can click on this subscribe link to receive these time-sensitive emergency notifications.

You can also get an automated alerts widget for your website which can be seen right here at the San Ramon Tribune.

The City of Ramon is launching the subscription service throughout its website at www.sanramon.ca.gov. Signing up is free, easy, and risk-free for residents. Links to sign up are found on the City web site home page and on the individual pages that are being offered up for subscription or simply by clicking here. The only information required is an email address, and subscribers can change their subscription details or cancel the service at any time.

This is an ideal way to stay informed as to what is going on in San Ramon. We at the San Ramon Tribune applaud the city for implementing this excellent service.

Send us your stories, thoughts, comments, articles, and feedback today. Please read the San Ramon Tribune welcome message for more information.

San Ramon Municipal Election Candidate Filings

2009-07-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

The November 3, 2009 election will be to elect a Mayor for a two-year seat (2009-2011), and elect two City Councilmembers for four-year seats (2009-2013).

Qualifications to be eligible to hold the office of Mayor or Councilmember is that a person at the time the nomination papers are issued, must be a registered voter of the City of San Ramon. Candidates must declare whether they are filing to run for election for a council seat or the Mayor's seat.

The Nomination Period commences from July 13, 2009 through 5:00 p.m. August 7, 2009. If one of the incumbents does not file, the closing date for filing nomination papers for non-incumbents will be extended to Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. It is the obligation of each candidate to meet all filing requirements and deadlines.

More information can be found at The City of San Ramon website.

Run San Ramon July 4, 2009

2009-06-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

A Healthy Beginning to the 4th of July Holiday in San Ramon at the Annual Run San Ramon 10k/5k/3k Run and Walk.

Looking for a fun holiday event that positively affects your waistline? Join the City of San Ramon Parks & Community Services Department for the annual Run San Ramon 10k/5k/3k Run/Walk. This is a certified, flat, paved route beginning at the San Ramon Community Center at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd, right off the 680 freeway at Bollinger Canyon Road.

Race is open to all ages with medals given to the top 3 finishers in 18 different age groups for those 5 and over. As well as complimentary commemorative race t-shirts for all those who pre-register by June 26th for the event.

Race day registration begins at 6:30 am and the first race starts at 8:15am.

How to Register

Registration forms are available online: Download the PDF Registration Form or by calling 925.973.3240.

Or Register Online: >>Click Here

Special thanks to our sponsors: Shapell Homes, Chevron, Forward Motion, Fleet Feet, Dr. Lue, Sun Deep Cosmetics, Peet's Coffee, Skyhawks Sports, KTVU Channel 2, KICU TV 36 and Bay Area News Group.

The Death of the Newspapers in the US

2009-06-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here is an indepth interview with Richard Rodriguez, about the death of the San Francisco Chronicle.

This story, "The Death of the SF Chronicle" gives a great overview about the death of our newspapers throughout the US. Very interesting and very informative.

Are we becoming a Craigslist society?

Is our "civic fabric" ruptured?

Where have all the good writers gone?

Read the article in the New America Media.

Listen to the full audio interview with Richard Rodriguez.

San Ramon Art And Wind Festival

2009-05-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival, the BEST festival in the East Bay, is scheduled for Sunday and Monday May 24th & 25th in San Ramon's Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. from 10am to 5pm both days.

The festival will feature an early morning hot air balloon launch on Monday, May 25th at 6am. Bring the family for a spectacular close up view of 6 hot air balloons as they lift slowly into the sky.

Shop for handmade items at over 150 arts & crafts booths featuring a wide range of artwork including paintings, sculpture, woodwork, toys, hand painted clothing, stained glass, music, photography and more.

Kites are one of the main attractions of the event. There will be kite flying demonstrations by professionals from all over the country, free kite making workshops for youth, and lots of kites to buy. After purchasing or making your own kite, spend some time enjoying the beautiful San Ramon Central Park and perfect conditions to practice flying a kite.

There will be entertainment on three stages and an expanded interactive kid's activity area with Inflatable Bouncers and Slides, Rides for the little ones, Face Painting, Rock-Climbing Wall, a Train Ride and crafts for kids.

Take a break from all the fun and enjoy great food provided by area non-profit groups. This year we will have 23 food booths operated by local non-profits that raise much needed funds for their organizations. There will be gyros, peach cobbler, caesar salad, tri-tip sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, ice cream, sushi, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, nachos and more. Last year the non-profit groups who participated collectively earned over $70,000.

The Art & Wind Festival would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor Chevron and our gold level sponsors Windemere and Comcast. Silver sponsors of this year's festival include the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, KKIQ, Contra Costa Times/San Ramon Valley Times, and the San Ramon Marriott Hotels.

More information on the various events and times can be found at the San Ramon website.

School Re-Opens in San Ramon

2009-05-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

Coyote Creek Elementary School to Re-Open WEDNESDAY, MAY 6th

County Health Department no longer advising schools to close due to H1N1 virus

Attention City of San Ramon Parks & Community Services Afterschool Enrichment Programs:

The City of San Ramon was notified that the Contra Costa County Department of Health has advised the SRVUSD to re-open Coyote Creek Elementary School on Wednesday, May 6th.

Beginning Wednesday many after school enrichment programs will be resumed at Coyote Creek Elementary School.

Classes that will take place this week:

Tennis, Wednesday

Intro to Mandarin, Thursday
Spanish, Friday

Classes that will not take place this week:
Origami, makeup will be held on 5/13
Chess, makeup will be held on 5/28
Critters n' Clay, makeup will be scheduled look for further information at your next class meeting!

The District and City of San Ramon are still recommending that any student who may exhibit flu-like symptoms to stay home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours, and advising families to see their physician if members of the household exhibit symptoms.

If you are enrolled in a class that was cancelled this week you will be receiving notification by Friday if a makeup class is planned, or a credit will be issued for the missed class. Should you have any questions about City of San Ramon classes, please call 925-973-3200.

For more information visit the city website: www.SanRamon.ca.gov

San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Health Guidance for response to H1N1 Flu modified. Schools Reopen.

Contra Costa County Department of Public Health is no longer closing schools because of H1N1 (swine flu). Coyote Creek Elementary was closed on May 1 and will reopen tomorrow, May 6. The District dispatched a sanitizing crew to Coyote Creek on Monday and Tuesday to spend two full days sanitizing and disinfecting the school following the school’s closure due to two “probable” cases of the H1N1 influenza virus.

The decision to reopen the school was made after the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on Tuesday that schools no longer needed to be closed unless student or staff absences interfere with the school’s ability to operate, because the H1N1 flu appears to be less severe than initially determined.

The following recommendations remain in place:

Anyone who is sick (fever with cough or sore throat) should stay home until they are symptom free for 24 hours.
Consult your physician or health care provider if symptoms persist.
Everyone is encouraged to continue practicing good hand washing and cough etiquette.
County health will continue to monitor N1H1 Flu situations.
City will continue to work with and cooperate with the county and school district assessments and decisions.

More information on the new guidance is available on the CCHS website: www.cchealth.org or the CCHS Health Emergency Information Line at 1-888-959-9911.

San Ramon Swine Flu Coyote Creek School Closing

2009-05-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

At approximately 7:30 Friday evening, 05/01/09, the Contra Costa County Health Department notified the San Ramon Unified School District that a Coyote Creek Elementary School student has tested positive for the Swine Influenza (H1N1 Virus).

For the safety of all students and staff, Contra Costa County health officials have ordered that Coyote Creek Elementary School, located at 8700 Northgale Ridge Rd., San Ramon, and the attached daycare facility be closed beginning Monday, May 4th. School may resume as early as Monday, May 11th, unless we are advised to extend the closure beyond that date.

As of this evening, there are no other schools in our district with a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus. As of this writing, all other schools in the district will remain open, and will function as normal.

For more information about the H1N1 virus, call your healthcare provider, visit Contra Costa Health Services' website: www.cchealth.org or call the Health Emergency Information Line: 1-888-959-9911.

The school district will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available. Please continue to read your emails and visit the district website (www.srvusd.net) for updated information.

Subscribe to the automatic San Ramon Valley Unified School District email updates.

War is Hell!

2009-04-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

Open Letter To The MEEK

Upon my return from Japan in 1954, I was assigned to another Air Force Intel. Unit here in the States. A group of 20 of us were given the task to find out "How Do You Make Some One Talk Right Now?" We had unlimited sources of information from history, other services, people and the practices of other countries. I can only tell you our results were upgraded to Top Secret and re-assigned to "Washington." These methods were far more stringent than those allowed at Guatanamo.

To suggest that disallowance of these current procedures will influence our enemies to reduce similar procedures or lessen retribution to our soldiers is asinine.

Any method that will save the life of one or more U.S. lives is justified. WAR IS HELL!

To those of you who disagree.....please, please take a walk in the shoes of the of the vulnerable!

T. Grinst...

Submit your letters to the editor today.

More about article submissions to the San Ramon Tribune.

Free Marriage Conference for Families in Foreclosure

2009-04-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

FamilyLife is offering free admission to its Weekend to Remember marriage conference April 24 - 26 for couples who are in the midst of foreclosure or who have experienced it in the past six months. The conference will be at the San Ramon Marriott.

FamilyLife Offers Economic Relief and Hope for California Marriages by Inviting Couples in Foreclosure to Attend Marriage Conference for Free
FamilyLife Weekend to Remember events in California to be held through May

Little Rock, Ark. (April 14, 2009) – FamilyLife®, the global, donor-supported leader in marriage conferences, will present Weekend to Remember® in six locations throughout California during the months of April and May. The Weekend to Remember marriage conference aims to strengthen healthy marriages and heal troubled ones in an engaging, supportive and non-threatening environment.

While every couple is encouraged to attend, FamilyLife would like to extend a special invitation to couples who have been hit especially hard by the economic crisis to attend the Weekend to Remember conference for free. Couples who are in the midst of a foreclosure or have gone through foreclosure in the past six months can register by calling 1-800-FLTODAY. Thanks to support from generous donors, a limited number of free registrations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"It's no secret that money issues are among the top causes of divorce, and with the economy the way it is, elevated financial problems are taking a very serious toll on many marriages and families," said FamilyLife President, CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Dennis Rainey. "The threat of losing your home to foreclosure only compounds the stress within marriages. Regardless of your financial situation, you need to make marriage a priority. In that spirit, our goal is to support couples during these uncertain times and equip them with the necessary communication and conflict resolution tools to survive this crisis as a team."

During the months of April and May, FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember will be held throughout California. The following conferences are accepting registrations.

Sonoma (Rohnert Park) – April 17-19 at the Doubletree Sonoma Wine Country
San Ramon – April 24-26 at the San Ramon Marriott
Los Angeles (Woodland Hills) – April 24-26 at the Warner Center Marriott
Irvine – May 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine
Santa Clara – May 1-3 at the Santa Clara Marriott

For more details visit the website at www.FamilyLife.com/Weekend.

"While this conference can assist those couples looking for an overhaul, it's also a positive way to impact and fine-tune all marriages," said Dr. Rainey. "We live in stressful, distracting times, and amidst the blur of modern life it becomes alarmingly easy for couples to grow apart. That's why it's critical to strengthen your connection before the gap between you grows too wide. We developed the Weekend to Remember to do just that – help couples enhance and strengthen their most important earthly relationships."

Couples interested in more information or registering for an upcoming FamilyLife Weekend to Remember conference can visit www.FamilyLife.com/Weekend or call 1-800-FLTODAY (1-800-358-6329). To donate to FamilyLife, a 501c3 non-profit organization, that helps couples in the United States and around the world build healthier marriages and families, please visit www.FamilyLife.com.

About FamilyLife

For more than three decades FamilyLife, a global, donor-supported, non-profit organization co-founded by Dr. Dennis and Barbara Rainey, has focused on the mission of using practical, biblical principles to build healthier marriages and families through conferences and media channels. FamilyLife, a 501c3 non-profit organization, works in 100 countries around the world to help to transform lives and restore hope through its Weekend to Remember marriage conferences, Homebuilders small group curriculum, FamilyLife Today™ radio broadcasts, Hope for Orphans® orphan care ministry, FamilyLife publications, and the internet. For more information, visit www.FamilyLife.com.

Free E-Waste Recycling Event in San Ramon

2009-03-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Where: DVC – San Ramon Campus

Corner of Watermill Rd. and Bollinger Canyon Rd.

(Back Parking Lot)

When: Saturday, April 4th

9:00AM to 1:00PM

View Larger Map

*Mark this event on your calendar for the first Saturday of each month. Don't miss out!

Drop is free, and no limit! *(Holidays excluded)

ELECTRONIC ITEMS ACCEPTED


Televisions Monitors Copy Machines Computers & Components 
Fax Machines Printers Toner Cartridges Telephone Equipment 
VCRs & DVDs Cell Phones Power Cables Video Game Systems 
Stereo Equip. Scrap Metal Wire s Audio/Visual Equipment 
Microwaves **AND MORE**

PLEASE – NO Household Appliances, Furniture, Fluorescent Bulbs, or Paint.

For More Info:
WWW.NOEWASTE.COM

Toll Free: (866) 335-3373

Sponsored by:
Electronic Waste Management,

E-Waste Recycling Is a California State-Funded Program

Food Drive Collects Over 28,000 Items

2009-03-13T00:32:00.000-07:00

Seventh Annual Youth Food Drive Collects Over 28,000 Items in Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Sunol, San Ramon, Alamo, Danville and Concord

The Seventh Annual Youth Food Drive, held on Saturday, March 7 in Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Sunol, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo and Concord collected over 28,000 for local food pantries.

The donations will go to food pantries including Tri-Valley Haven, Junction Avenue site, Livermore; Church of Christ, Livermore; Interfaith Sharing, Tri-Valley; Valley Bible Church, Pleasanton; Showers of Blessings Ministries, Dublin; St Vincent De Paul Society, Livermore and Dublin; and Monument Crisis Center, Concord.

Approximately 1,200 youth volunteers from 75 Girl Scout troops, two 4-H Clubs, and 11 youth ministry groups participated in canvassing approximately 35,000 homes to collect non-perishable items. High school students staffed the four major collection sites.

The Youth Service Council organizes and leads the food drive each year. The Council is a non-profit corporation run by student volunteers and created to assume the leadership role for youth-run community service programs in the Tri-Valley area. It is a coalition of Tri-Valley public and private high school leadership students managing youth service programs.

To contact the food drive, leave a message at (925) 998-6513.
Email: youthfooddrive@comcast.net.

Donate Used Cell Phones To Support US Troops

2009-03-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

Anthony Kane's used cell phone collection point will take place at St. Joan of Arc Church, located at 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd, on Saturday, March 7th between 5 pm – 7 pm and Sunday, March 8th from 7am – 2pm.

For each phone I collect, soldiers will get one hour worth of talk time!

Free nights and weekends, no roaming charges… that may not be so easy if you are a soldier overseas…

More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Anthony Kane a Life Scout with San Ramon Troop 834 is calling on San Ramon residents to support these brave men and women by donating their used cell phones. Kane hopes to collect used cell phones for his Eagle Scout Project to help keep soldiers connected with their families.

Americans will replace an estimated 150 million cell phones this year, with the majority of phones either discarded or stuffed in a drawer. Most people don’t realize that the small sacrifice of donating their unwanted phones can have a tremendous benefit for a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers, the non-profit organization Kane is collecting for.

The donated phones are sent to a recycling company, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.

Approximately half of the phones are reconditioned. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:

Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
Copper wiring from phone chargers
Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
Plastic from phone cases and accessories

Anthony Kane's collection will take place at St. Joan of Arc Church 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd, on Saturday, March 7th between 5 pm – 7pm and Sunday, March 8th from 7am – 2 pm.

For additional information, contact Anthony Kane at cellphones4eagle@comcast.net

The Lincoln Secret - Book Signing at Borders Books

2009-02-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

John A. McKinsey, the author of the new novel, The Lincoln Secret, will be at the Borders Books in San Ramon on Sunday, March 1 from 1:00-3:00 signing copies.

Stop by and meet John McKinsey and ask him questions about his novel. Feel free to pass this information along to those who may be interested

There were mysteries left behind during Lincoln's Administration and the Civil War that were never discovered-Until Now!

The Lincoln Secret is a modern-day, mystery adventure. The fictitious modern-day characters delve into documented sources about Lincoln, his origin, the assassination and the Civil War. Readers can hardly put down this book as they are engrossed in the story and at the same time they learn about American history! Yes, all the historical information comes from source documents. Lincoln faced great adversity throughout his presidency; however he stuck with his principles, ended slavery, and kept the Union together.

Copies are available at the San Ramon Borders Bookstore and Amazon.com: The Lincoln Secret.

For more information; visit www.thelincolnsecret.com and www.youtube.com/thelincolnsecret

If you are interested in having the author be a guest speaker, please contact Angelina at amckinsey@martinpearl.com

Stimulus Watch "Shovel-Ready" Projects For San Ramon

2009-02-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Projects in San Ramon, California

Below are the "shovel-ready" projects for which this city has requested federal stimulus funding. You can click on a project to read (and add to) its description. You can also discuss the project and vote on whether you believe it is critical or not. Add more details about the projects on the site's wiki.

The total cost of all the projects submitted by San Ramon is $49,578,300

Other cities in the TriValley Area listed on Stimulus Watch website.

The total cost of all the projects submitted by Livermore is $134,705,000
The total cost of all the projects submitted by Pleasanton is $203,099,000

Dublin and Danville were not listed in Stimulus Watch as of the date of this published article. Though, here is an article in the Daville Weekly about Danville requesting 1 million dollars for improvements to Diablo Road.

"At their Feb. 17 meeting, council members unanimously approved the resolution, which will bring nearly $1 million into Danville to help fund a road improvement project on Diablo Road."

It sounds like this is the case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease. I guess Pleasanton and Livermore have very squeaky wheels, and then San Ramon just has one squeaky wheel, and Daville has a minor bearing noise. Not sure what happened with Dublin...

Maybe here is the answer:

9. Why is my city not listed?

The data on this site comes from the U.S. Conference of Mayors' MainStreet Economic Recovery Report. If a city did not include its "shovel-ready" projects on that list, you won't find it here. However, this does not mean that cities that are not included here do not have projects they'd like to see funded. Once the stimulus bill passes, cites will make requests for federal grants, and we will likely see grants to projects not listed on this site.

Feel free to post your comments.

More about article submissions to the San Ramon Tribune.

San Ramon Business Expo and Speed Networking Mixer

2009-02-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

Sterling Business Services presents

Business Expo and Speed Networking Mixer

Face to face interaction will never be beat as a means of relationship building. Sterling Business Services brings full networking opportunities to the local community. At each mixer, businesses will market their product or service locally, become a community resource, and showcase exactly what they offer.

Each mixer includes a Business Expo portion and a fully guided networking session. Bring 75 business cards and be prepared to meet local business leaders. Our belief is when you shake someone’s hand and exchange business cards you are not just receiving a card, you are in fact meeting a friend.

Don’t become underemployed or unemployed, get connected today. People in our community are looking for answers and resources - serve them and the community. Take this opportunity to encourage, engage and empower each other with relationships that build the community and highlight you as a business resource.

Thursday, February 12, 2009 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Sterling Business Services in collaboration with Farmers Insurance will present a Business Expo and Speed Networking Mixer. Contact Sterling to learn how you can showcase your business as a Sponsor or Exhibitor.

DETAILS AND INFORMATION

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m. Business Expo and Refreshments

6:30 p.m-8:30 p.m. Networking Mixer

Location: Farmers Insurance

3130 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 180, San Ramon, CA

Admission: $20 in advance / $30 at the Door

Payment: http://www.ultimatescs.com/payments.php

Contact: nicole@ultimatescs.com or 1.888.894.0315

The Mall War Heats up in San Ramon

2009-01-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

Our hats go off to Lisa Vorderbrueggen, the Contra Costa Times Political Editor for her uncovering some of the behind the scenes legal happenings in San Ramon as it relates to the Downtown City Center Project. This is a must read article.

Search for: Mall war front shifts to San Ramon
By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 01/24/2009 06:37:34 PM PST
Updated: 01/24/2009 10:40:16 PM PST

THERE ARE NO coincidences, right?

Consider these developments in San Ramon related to its partnership with Sunset Development to build a new city center and high-end shopping mall downtown:

Read the Contra Costa Times article.

The Times article mentions that, "Stockton attorney Steven Herum filed a public records act request in November with San Ramon seeking all documents related to the project."

In addition to those items, maybe Lisa can ask some questions of Mayor Abram Wilson and Alex Mehran of Sunset Development Company. Maybe "Deep Throat" will give her some insight.

Why did Abram Wilson abstain for voting for or against Sunset Development buying back the 7.5 acres of property from the City of San Ramon for just a cost of living increase? See links in article: San Ramon Monkey Business in the Sunset

Does Mayor Wilson have any ties to Sunset Development for financial arrangements as part of his background being that of an Investment Banker?

Does Mayor Wilson or his company stand to gain any moneys on this San Ramon City Sunset Development public/private partnership agreement?

When will the city of San Ramon be releasing the Financial statements and public/private partnership agreements which were promised to be released months ago?

With Sunset Development's control over the proposed Downtown City Center properties (the 7.5 acre property has already been sold back to Alex Mehran) using the Option to Repurchase Property clause for substantially less than the properties are worth for both the 7.5 acres and the 11 acres, and the right for Alex Mehran to exercise that clause for whatever reason, including if he does not like what is being proposed to be built; did the City of San Ramon really own the property at all? Or was it a shell game? Or was this a scheme for Alex Mehran to avoid paying property taxes on the properties for all these years. Note: The option to Repurchase Property clause has been extended and will continue to be extended by the City Council, otherwise Alex Mehran would exercise his option to repurchase.

Mayor Wilson, your bio tells us that the cost has gone up substantially from the proposed $750,000,000.00 to now $900,000,000.00 and the downtown center project hasn't even been started yet. If you had those figures from at least 6 months ago, why haven't you released the actual financial figures to the public?

Given the state of the economy, and since this is a public/private partnership arraignment between the City of San Ramon and Sunset Development, what are the City liabilities and ultimately what will the San Ramon Taxpayers be on the hook for, if Sunset Development can not fill occupancy rates to the level prescribed? With reports almost everyday of major department stores, i.e. Mervyns closing, or downsizing, what happens in the case of not having any major department anchor stores or hotel chain coming to the San Ramon Downtown Center? What are the increased costs to the City for services and infrastructure support going to be? What if tax revenue is down, because of low occupancy rates, where will the money come from to pay for all the increased services?

From the N.E.W.S. Side of San Ramon.

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2.7 Million Dollar Grant Available for San Ramon

2009-01-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

With ballot "Measure WW" having being approved on Nov 4, 2008 by over two thirds of the voters in Contra Costa and Almeda County, it will provide funding to protect open space and create additional regional parks and trails for recreation. The bond measure was not a new tax, but an extension of a previous parcel tax for homeowners in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

A quick breakdown of what the funds are for.

• $500 million bond extension was approved by two-thirds of voters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

• This extension does not increase the tax rate above the present maximum rate of $10 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation (i.e. a home assessed at $400,000 will pay $40 per year).

• $375 million (75%) of revenue will fund Regional Park acquisitions and capital projects, with $26.2 million (7%) of that amount held in reserve for unanticipated future needs and opportunities.

• $125 million (25%) of proceeds will go to cities, special park and recreation districts, county service areas, and the Oakland Zoo for much-needed local park and recreation projects. Livermore area voters are not part of this extension tax as Murray Township was not within the East Bay Regional Park District’s jurisdiction in 1988 when the initial bond measure was passed. EBRPD continues to serve this community through new acquisitions of parklands.

• The Park Advisory Committee will provide citizens’ oversight to monitor all bond expenditures.

In addition to the general funds that are being used by East Bay Parks for projects throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties, San Ramon is also entitled to a local grant of approximately 2.7 million dollars directly, with no matching funds required by San Ramon for either new park acquisitions, park land improvements, and even capital improvement projects.

Eligible Grant Projects

Capital Projects that will provide lands and facilities for recreational activities and services an historic preservation are eligible. Projects must be consistent with the Grantee’s park an recreation element of the general plan or appropriate parks and recreation planning document Public art projects are eligible as long as they are in or adjacent to a parks and recreation facility. The following types of Capital Projects are eligible for grant funding:

Acquisition (fee title or permanent easement for public access projects)
- For land acquisition project applicants must submit a copy of the land agreement and appraisal if applicable for District approval prior to acquisition.
Development (including renovation of recreational facilities)

The following types of projects are ineligible for grant funding:

Libraries
Street and highway beautification
Master Plans
Public art not associated with a parks & recreation facility
Maintenance Equipment Purchase (trucks, mowers, tractors, etc.)
Non-fixed equipment (removable soccer goals, portable air conditioners, etc.)
Recreational programming and staffing
Normal maintenance and repairs expected to last less than 25 years. (The District shall make the final determination regarding expected project life.)

Below is a list showing grant eligibility for other cities and unincorporated areas in Contra Costa County and Alameda County based on population and allocation numbers.

Let's hope our San Ramon City uses this money wisely. Here's an idea. How about including the San Ramon citizens in on deciding how the money should be used. By-the-way, the funds do not need to be used on one project only. Source: East Bay Parks Measure WW

Be sure to send in your articles today to the San Ramon Tribune.

Downtown City Center Financial Details Are Missing

2008-12-09T21:50:00.000-08:00

Where Are the Financial Details of the Proposed City Center Deal between the City of San Ramon and Alex Mehran of Sunset Development Co. that are Not Being Disclosed to the Public?

The Mayor’s unveiling of the proposed City Center Downtown Project was way back in February or March 2007 in the Fountain Room at Central Park and, a few San Ramon citizens stood before the Mayor and Council members asking for the details of this financial plan between the City and a private developer, Alex Mehran of Sunset Development Co. The Mayor refused to present any financial details to the public claiming they were not yet available. The room was filled with many special interest groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club Members, Library Commissioners, Economic Development Commissioners, and City employees with very few regular unaffiliated citizens of San Ramon. I wondered to myself where are all the regular citizens?

It’s been well over a year now since the announcement of a San Ramon Downtown Center, and even the writers for the Contra Costa Times have been unsuccessful in obtaining the financial details of the biggest deal in the history of San Ramon between the City and the developer, Alex Mehran, of Sunset Development Company after many attempts. San Ramon citizens have continued to stand before the City Council and Planning Commissioners during public hearings, requesting the financial details only to be shot down by Mayor Abram Wilson, in which he has claimed on repeated occasions that these financial details are still not available to the public. He claims, “We are still in the negotiating process.” How can you build a new home without knowing what it will cost? Come on Mr. Mayor, you were once an Investment Banker, and you expect us to believe that you have no idea what is exchanging hands here. Why do you intentionally continue to conceal the financial details of this 44-acre Commercial/Retail center from the public? What do you have to lose by being honest and forthcoming with the citizens of San Ramon that you have taken an oath to serve! How is this intentional withholding of critical financial information serving the citizens who placed you in your position?

Mayor Abram Wilson and Council members Dave Hudson, Jim Livingston, Scott Perkins, and Carol Rowley have refused to provide any of the financial details and land transfer agreements in a public setting regarding this proposed 44 acre City Center Downtown Retail/Commercial Project that is being promoted by a public/private partnership with Alex Mehran of Sunset Development Company. These details have been intentionally withheld from the citizens of San Ramon and this is a sham!

In addition, full governing authority and decision making power will be given to Alex Mehran over this 44 acre City Center Downtown, excluding the tiny 3.5 acre parcel with the single civic-center building housing the Police, Library, City Offices, and transit center all in one. Our City will then be named appropriately “Mehranville” instead of “Pottersville” oh, I mean San Ramon!

Finally, how can we as San Ramon Citizens be assured “no more back door deals” like in the past with the former mayors and council who allowed Alex Mehran an undercover deal with the City of San Ramon, to be void of ever paying taxes to the City for Bishop Ranch Office Park, part of the Sunset Development properties! What a deal for Mr. Mehran! Now, not to mention the special back door property deals that were made between Alex Mehran and the City of San Ramon for the two Downtown City Center properties. Mr. Mehran sells the two properties to the City, but retains full control of what's built there, plus gets the option to buy both properties back for little more than he paid for them. This really is the deal of the decade for Mr. Mehran! The City of San Ramon ends up holding the property for Mr. Mehran, while at the same time Sunset Development is not having to pay property taxes on it.

In 1987 the City signed an annexation and development agreement with the developers of Bishop Ranch (Sunset Development Companies). This agreement contains a clause not to impose “a business license tax for revenue purposes.” The agreement specifies “a business license tax only for the purpose of registration, and the amount of such business license tax shall not exceed the actual and reasonable cost incurred by the city to perform such registration.” I wonder how many millions of dollars our old-timers (the San Ramon City officials in office at that time), gave away to Mr. Alex Mehran of Sunset Development Company over the years? What a deal for Mr. Mehran! For example, in 2003 the City of Pleasanton collected approximately 3 million dollars in business license tax revenues whereas, the City of San Ramon collected only a measly $150,000. I wonder if this new City Center Project being promoted by Alex Mehran and our Mayor, Abram Wilson, will also be exempt from these business taxes? A colored glossy flyer mailed earlier this year to San Ramon residents claimed, “NO NEW TAXES.” Maybe, that’s exactly what they are trying to tell us; no taxes or fees to be paid by Alex Mehran and very little tax revenue for San Ramon. What do you think?

Article submitted by a San Ramon resident for over 20 years.

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Monkey Business is Happening in the Downtown San Ramon Sunset

2008-12-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

San Ramon, CA

In an article published in the Contra Costa Times on 11/29/2008, written by political editor, Lisa Vorderbrueggen, titled, Vorderbrueggen: Secrecy dogs Walnut Creek campaign, she has presented some insightful information into the world of competing shopping mall developers and the tactical ballot measures and legal wars that ensue.

Walnut Creek is battling a covert war over a Neiman Marcus store. Apparently, with millions of dollars at stake, mall kingpins around the country wage neighboring wars with nearby cities that have competing malls being proposed to be developed in their city locations. The tactic, that is slyly employed by mall developers, is to have a key lead person be the front guy, who does not divulge who they are working for, which are many times covertly representing the competing development company, which then funnels funds to fight various aspects of a planned shopping mall development plan within a community.

Competition for anchor stores is immense across the country. With the state of the economy being what it is today, and people tightening their belts, it is unlikely that more than one Neiman Marcus store would move into the East Bay Area. Alex Mehran, President and CEO of Sunset Development Company has alluded to having (attracting) a couple of major anchor stores for his planned San Ramon Downtown plan. Sunset Development as of today's date, has not released any information as to who would be the big anchor store tenants. Would it be in the best interest for Sunset of not having the Walnut Creek Neiman Marcus store open? Even if Sunset Development Company is not going after a Neiman Marcus store, it would be advantageous for Sunset, for the Walnut Creek Neiman Marcus store plan go down the tubes.

Enter Al Abrams. Who is Al Abrams? He's the hired gun from Southern California that is leading the attack dogs in Walnut Creek. According to the article in the Contra Costa Times, "Abrams has told a Contra Costa Times reporter only that he works for the Irvine-based real estate law firm that filed a lawsuit against the city, Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis."

So let's connect the sunset monkey business dots. What is happening in Walnut Creek may in fact be the beginning salvo of battles between the north and the south on the Interstate 680 corridor. Also, this brings into question many of the aspects of the San Ramon Downtown Center. For example: What happens if Mr. Mehran does not get any anchor stores lined up for the downtown center? What impact would this have on the San Ramon Downtown Center, the City of San Ramon Civic Center, and his huge trifecta office complex? Many cities have fallen into the trap of grandiose visions of sugar plums dancing through their heads, and have built shopping malls, and downtown centers, with either taxpayer dollars or partially subsidized with a public/private partnership agreement through; reduced or no permit fees required from the developer, low or no business taxes to be paid by the developer, and other cost reductions (incentives) provided to the developer, or shared equity - shared liability arrangements dealt behind closed doors, that in fact produce shopping malls that turned out to be nothing more than oversized white elephants for the cities and their taxpayers.

Public/Private Partnership For San Ramon Downtown Center Between Sunset Development and The City of San Ramon

There are more facets to the San Ramon Downtown Center than meets the eye. First off, the San Ramon downtown center is a public/private partnership arrangement. The city owns the property for the Downtown Center that was once owned by Sunset Development Company. The City of San Ramon has now taken this property that was once owned and sold to the City of San Ramon from Sunset, and still ultimately controlled by Sunset Development (see below); and traded it for a promise of no cost to the taxpayers. However, that may not actually be the case at all. There is an ultimate cost to the taxpayers in subsidies given back to the developer, due to lost tax dollars, low or no building permit fees required for the developer, and even the true cost of the property that are being proposed to be forgiven or overlooked in a hidden financial arrangement to this day that has not been revealed to the people of San Ramon.

Very few know anything about the original purchase buy/sale agreements and extended escrows still in force that exist between the City of San Ramon and Sunset Development Company, for the two properties (the 7.5 acre property, and the 11 acre "City Center" property just west of Central Park and across Bollinger Canyon Road from the 7.5 acre property) which are located on the north and south side of Bollinger Canyon Rd, (now collectively the Downtown City Center Properties). Evidentiary documents uncovered at the City of San Ramon offices provide key details of the original purchase agreements and the extended escrows still in affect between the City of San Ramon and Sunset Development. According to the option to repurchase the property in the original and amended renegotiated sweetheart escrow deals for Sunset Development, the Seller (Sunset Development) shall have the annual right to purchase the Property from the City for the original purchase price plus a cost of living increase. Nice deal for Sunset; in that Sunset does not have to pay property taxes on the property (since Sunset does not technically own the two properties), but Sunset totally controls both properties and has the right to purchase them back for little more than what the properties were sold to the City of San Ramon for. See: San Ramon Resolution No. 2005-170 document and Lot 4 Tract 8454 Agreement and Contract of Sale & Escrow document.

According to the official City documents, Sunset has the right to buy the property back if Sunset does not approve of what is going to be built on the two properties. Wow, what a sweet sweetheart deal for Sunset! There is a question that must be asked. Did the City of San Ramon really own the properties at any time, or was it a shell game from the beginning in order to hide the money? There could be an argument made by some that the City of San Ramon is acting as a government holding company for Sunset Development and shielding property tax liability away from Sunset, while Sunset still maintains complete authority over how and when this land is used, and the full option to buy it back at below market prices.

5,1 Option to Repurchase Property.

(a) Commencing January 1, 2006 and continuing until the earlier to occur of the date the City commences construction or July 1, 2011, Seller shall have the annual right to purchase the Property from City. Seller may exercise the right to repurchase by giving written notice to City between January 1 and July 1 of any calendar year following a calendar year in which construction has not commenced on the Property. Once Seller has exercised Seller's right to repurchase, Buyer may not commence construction. If not exercised by July 1, 2011, this Option shall terminate. If Seller gives such notice to City, the purchase shall close within ninety (90) days after the giving of such notice through an escrow at a title company doing business in Contra Costa County as designated by Seller. Title to the Property shall be conveyed by the City by grant deed free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, except real property taxes not delinquent, customary utility easements to service the Property, and the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Bishop Ranch Business Park. The purchase price for the Property shall be the original purchase price paid to Seller by Buyer under the Agreement, which amount shall be adjusted by the Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco-Oakland Area from the base date of January 1, 2002. The requirement of this paragraph to "commence construction" shall mean material construction activity including, not less than the preparation of plans and specifications and the issuance of building permits and all other approvals required for the construction of not less than 50,000 square feet of improvements to the Property and the commencement of the excavation for the foundation of the proposed improvements. The provisions of this Section 5.1 shall survive close of escrow.

(b) Buyer agrees to execute and deliver through the Escrow the First Amendment Memorandum of Option to Purchase reflecting Seller's option to repurchase the Property, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Escrow Holder shall cause such document to be recorded within ten (10) days of the date of execution of this Agreement. The Property shall remain subject to Seller's right of repurchase under this paragraph 5.1 following any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or encumbrance of the Property until commencement of construction as defined above has occurred. The option created hereby shall be irrevocable by Buyer and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors in interest. Upon Buyer's written request following Buyer's commencement of construction on the Property, Seller shall execute and deliver to Buyer any documents necessary to eliminate the First Memorandum of Option to Purchase from record title to the Property.

3. Buyer represents that Buyer has not liened or encumbered the Property.

4. Except as expressly set forth herein, the Agreement remains unmodified and in full force and effect.

5. This First Amendment may be executed via facsimile transmission, with originals to follow, and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

With a reported cost of over $750,000,000.00 to build this San Ramon Downtown City Center project, we as taxpayers demand to know the fine print of this deal between Sunset and the City of San Ramon. With money like that, and the secret back-room deals that are being made without full transparent and honest open disclosure to the citizens, and with the fact of how these escrow purchase agreements have been made in the past, and the ability of the City Council to have the escrows amended, which already has been done on at least one other occasion, to be able to extend the dates (into perpetuity) to which Alex Mehran, of Sunset Development Company can exercise his right to take back the properties for practically the same price he paid for them; the citizens have a right to know the truth.

Don't be surprised Mr. and Mrs. San Ramon Citizen, when the City of San Ramon comes out with more statements that repeat the mantra, "You need not worry, because this San Ramon Downtown City Center is not going to cost the San Ramon taxpayer a dime." That's when you know you need to worry that it will cost the San Ramon taxpayers a lot more than a dime, for it's likely to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to the San Ramon taxpayers in ways that many have not even thought of. Can you say higher business license fees? Can you say an added on city-wide sales tax? Can you say a huge tacked on property tax assessment? What about an increase in lighting fees, homeowner permit fees, garbage fees, cable TV fees, police department fees, high parking and traffic tickets, fire department fees, landscape maintenance fees, and even garage sale fees and garage sale ticket fines for illegal garage sales being issued by the San Ramon Police?

So, maybe we will get some sort of revenue sharing arrangement with this public/private partnership, however just looking at the history between the good old boys network, Mayor Abram Wilson and the San Ramon City Council, and many of the City Council and Planning Commission Members from the past, you have to decide if it would be a smart decision to not even question what is going on here in small town San Ramon.

It would be highly advisable to read the fine print in any agreement between Sunset and the City of San Ramon for the public/private downtown center project. It could very easily include a clause for nearly a 100% filled lease rate for Mr. Mehran and his City Center office complex and shopping center venues, and require an extremely low vacancy rate on the upscale housing units designed to be built on top of the shopping center area, and require a large number of years filled at this unattainable vacancy rate, before any revenue sharing would transpire between the Sunset Development and the City. Sunset is the key and only player in San Ramon for developing the Downtown Center, and because of Mr. Mehran's extreme dictatorial influence over the City Council, and all the other Bishop Ranch properties that are closely tied to the City Councils' decisions of the past, we need to be especially on the lookout for what other past and future documents might be hidden from the citizens of San Ramon which show poor decision making, or unethical, illegal, and slight of hand tactics for Sunset and the City.

There are major pressures being placed on developers and cities around the country. What was agreed to between developers and cities six months ago has likely changed drastically in just the last month or two. In light of today's bad economic times, huge financial credit crunch, with home prices falling and home foreclosures reaching an all-time high, we as citizens of San Ramon need to be eternally vigilant, and demand that our public officials work for us in an honest and full transparent mode, not covering it up behind our backs. Yes, this may require pulling teeth in the open to get to the root of the problem, but our future and our children's future in San Ramon depends upon it. It is better to expose the pain now, and get it fixed right, than get an abscess that is rotten to the core, which can cause a body much more harm in the long run.

Thinking back on the various proposed San Ramon City Center plans over the years, is it any wonder that they did not go through? Some of the other proposals had nothing in it for Sunset Development or Alex Mehran. Did Alex threaten to exercise his options in the past to buy back the properties? What other options is Alex holding over the head of San Ramon? What other documents are hidden and never to be talked about in the public spotlight?

San Ramon Tribune
Editor

Article Addendum 12/12/08

Sunset Development Company has already exercised the right to repurchase the 7.5 acre property without any public release of the financial arrangement for the City Center project. In the San Ramon City Council July 8, 2008 ANNOTATED AGENDA and {the Minutes of the City of San Ramon - Council Meeting dated June 24, 2008 Unfinished Business section (#9.1) City Center Update – City Center Update and Execution of Contract for Sale of APN 213-120-013 support this} it was announced the City Council sold the property to Sunset. Here are the terms of the sale. By-the-way, the original purchase price paid for this property on November 7, 2001, by the City of San Ramon was, $7,081,756.00. The original escrow agreement had the option for Sunset Building Company, LLC to buy it back for what Alex Mehran sold it for, plus the adjustment using the CPI index for the San Francisco-Oakland Area from the base date of January 1, 2002. See Consumer Price Index Base Table.

12
No Council deliberation or decision is anticipated.
CITY MANAGER MONIZ REQUESTED A CLOSED SESSION FOR AN EMERGENCY ITEM. THE COUNCIL VOTED 4-0 (ROWLEY ABSENT) THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION AND THAT THE ITEM CAME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA.

CONVENE TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 REGARDING ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. 213-120-013 TO MEET WITH THE REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR HERB MONIZ.

AFTER CLOSED SESSION, COUNCILPERSON PERKINS MOVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONFIRM THAT IN CLOSED SESSION, JUNE 24, 2008, UPON MOTION OF COUNCILPERSON PERKINS, SECONDED BY COUNCILPERSON HUDSON AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (MAYOR PRO TEM LIVINGSTONE, COUNCILPERSONS HUDSON AND PERKINS), THE NEGOTIATOR WAS INSTRUCTED TO NEGOTIATE AND THE MAYOR AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT OF SALE FOR THE SALE OF THE 7.56 ACRE PARCEL TO SUNSET BUILDING COMPANY FOR $8,285,000 ON THE FOLLOWING TERMS:

1. $1,000,000 CASH

2. THE BALANCE TO BE PAID IN ONE YEAR WITH INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 6%

3. INTEREST ONLY TO BE PAID QUARTERLY

4. SALE OF PROPERTY TO BE SECURED BY DEED OF TRUST

COUNCILPERSON HUDSON SECONDED THE MOTION. APPROVED 3-0-1-1; ROWLEY ABSENT, WILSON ABSTAIN.

There are several interesting aspects here. First off, one has to wonder why Mayor Abram Wilson abstained in the vote? Did the mayor have a conflict of interest? Did he see something wrong with the deal, but decided not to say anything? Was it because Mr. Wilson was running for CA State Assembly and it didn't meet the smell test? It is important to note that Mayor Abram Wilson's background was an investment banker for thirty years including work as a federal funds trader as Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank and worked as a Principal and Senior Account Executive at Bank of America. See Wilson Bio. The amount of the sale seems to be out of alignment, (verify for yourself using the quick CPI inflation calculator) compared to the original buy/sell escrow agreement. Keep in mind, there still is another larger piece of property (11 acres owned by the City but controlled by Sunset with the same type of escrow arrangement) on the chopping block related to the Downtown City Center.

San Ramon Elves At It Again

2008-12-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Twas The Night Before Christmas
and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
But the City Council has kicked it up a notch here.

The San Ramon City Council has Elfed us again with their Country Swing.

The City Council did it again with their Charleston Two Step dance.

Here we go again with the City Council's Classic Street dance.

Last but not least, the City Council performes the Disco Hustle dance.

Send in your articles for consideration to be published here at the San Ramon Tribune.

Biletnikoff Foundation Celebrity Crab Fest - San Ramon

2008-10-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

Greg Papa, Bay Area sports broadcaster and radio voice of the Oakland Raiders, will be the master of ceremonies for the 9th Annual Biletnikoff Foundation Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction.

Greg Papa, Bay Area sports broadcaster and radio voice of the Oakland Raiders, will be the master of ceremonies for the 9th Annual Biletnikoff Foundation Celebrity Crab Fest & Sports Auction from 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, November 7 at the Marriott at Bishop Ranch, 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, California.

Tickets are $120 per person and attire is casual. Last year’s sold-out event raised $60,000 for the foundation.

Founded in the memory of Tracey Biletnikoff, whose life was brutally taken in 1999, the Biletnikoff Foundation enables young people to realize their full potential through education addressing problems related to substance abuse and gender violence.

Crab Fest 2008 highlights include dinner with celebrities and past and present Oakland Raiders; live entertainment from Pa Pa Doo Run Run; a diamond raffle; a special performance by the Raiderettes; original art by Armando Delgado, Painter of Legends; a tribute to NFL great Gene Upshaw; and live and silent auctions with many exclusive items available for bid, including Pro Bowl & Hall of Fame travel packages and an Oakland Raiders home game package.

For the third year, the Biletnikoff Foundation will be giving back even more to the community by awarding $1,000 educational grants to aid high school seniors to fulfill their dreams of entering college.

Sponsorship opportunities are available from title sponsor at $25,000 to grant sponsorship at $1,000. Ticket holders who are grant sponsors of $1,000 will have the opportunity to award the scholarships in person at the Crab Fest.

Fred Biletnikoff was All-AFL/AFC four times, 1971 NFL receiving champion, and played in two AFL All-Star games, four AFC-NFC Pro Bowls, eight AFL/AFC title games and two Super Bowls. He was MVP in Super Bowl XI. He was the Oakland Raiders wide-receiver coach. Biletnikoff has a national award named after him. For the past 11 years the Biletnikoff Award has been presented to young men in football who continue to have outstanding careers in the NFL. The impressive list includes Bobby Engram, Terry Glenn, Marcus Harris, Randy Moss, Troy Edwards, Troy Walters, Antonio Bryant, Josh Reed, Charles Rogers, Larry Fitzgerald and Braylon Edwards.

For tickets and information contact the Biletnikoff Foundation, 7080 Donlon Way, Suite 126, Dublin, CA 94568, (925) 556-2525. Tickets may be ordered online at www.biletnikoff.net.

San Ramon CEO Competes in IronmanTriathlon

2008-10-21T15:10:00.000-07:00

San Ramon-based Accela CEO Competes Alongside Business Leaders in Hawaii Triathlon

While it’s not uncommon for a CEO to be up at 4 a.m. with thoughts of his company’s success running through his mind, Maury Blackman, president and CEO of Accela, takes this scenario literally. He starts each day before dawn with a two-hour exercise routine that includes running and swimming, and then heads into the office of his international software company that connects people to government services. Blackman also spends his weekend “downtime” biking 50-miles through the areas surrounding his Danville, California home.

This drive to succeed has not only impacted his company’s success, it also helped him secure one of only 15 coveted qualifying slots, sought after by nearly 100 C-suite athletes, in the 2008 CEO Ironman World Championships held October 11, 2008 in Kona, Hawaii. With an overall time of 11:36:04, Blackman placed seventh among the other participating CEOs. Quite an impressive move considering he has only competed in three other Ironman events.

CEO, Maury Blackman Crossing Finish Line in Ironman Hawaii Triathlon

For Maury, personal fitness is like keeping a car in peak condition: the more care and attention you give it, the better and longer it will perform. He believes the same goes for a well-conditioned company: an organization whose culture supports healthy lifestyles and that operates under principles of speed, agility and endurance is better equipped to anticipate and respond successfully to market trends and challenges.

He recently issued a personal directive to employees to take ALL their allotted vacation time off, for their own good and that of the company. And under his leadership Accela offers free flu shots to all employees and provides fresh fruit in lieu of candy as an office treat. Maury also insists that staff get plenty of sleep during offsite events like sales meetings and user conferences. He has been known to call the hotel room of key employees to make sure they “made curfew.”

In addition to keeping his company and himself healthy, Blackman brings a driven, youthful approach to the role of CEO, which in some companies is thought of as a stuffy “suit” position. It’s not uncommon to hear him use phrases like “killer” or “awesome” when he describes Accela’s products that connect citizens and the business community to government services in more than 500 agencies worldwide.

More information about Accela can be found at www.accela.com.

Parks Commission Looking For A Food Fight

2008-10-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

The San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission is creating an organic food fight for the Crow Canyon Gardens' Growers.

The issue revolves around the City of San Ramon attempting to remove the fruit and vegetable growers from a one acre parcel of land that is rich for growing organic fruits and vegetables. The City wants to convert this less than one acre parcel into more space for youth activities; as though the existing 425 acres of San Ramon parks doesn't provide enough youth activities areas already. Read how this will impact the Growers and the City.

The issue will be taken up at the Wednesday October 8, 2008 meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission being held in the Council Chambers located at 2222 Camino Ramon at 7 pm.

The growers generate about 15,000 pounds of fresh vegetables every year. KCBS' Dave Padilla reports

AT&T, Junior Achievement Launch Job Shadow Initiative

2008-10-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Job Shadow Initiative Is Part of a National $100 Million AT&T Aspire Initiative to Promote High School Success and Workforce Readiness in Order to Help Prepare Students for the World of Work

San Ramon, October 7, 2008 — In an effort to encourage American high school students to stay in school and to increase their competitiveness with counterparts from other countries, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and Junior Achievement today announced the launch of a multimillion dollar, multiyear job shadow initiative that will match 100,000 students with more than 50,000 AT&T employees to help strengthen student success and workforce readiness.

The nationwide five-year, $5.5 million program will launch this fall in 63 locations, including San Ramon where students from Amador Valley High School/Pleasanton, Benicia High School/Benicia, Concord High School/Concord, Farwest High School/Oakland, Fremont Federation/Oakland, Leadership Preparatory/Oakland, Sojourner Truth/Oakland, Valley High School/Dublin, Vanden High School/Fairfield, and Village High School/Pleasanton will join forces with AT&T employees. With 1.2 million American students dropping out of high school every year, initiatives such as the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow teach students about careers and help them see firsthand the educational background and skills they will need to succeed on the job.

“One of the best ways we can help our young people succeed in high school is to ensure that they see the connection between education and their best future,” said AT&T Senior Vice President Robin MacGillivray, Valued Client Group. “Across our company, the people of AT&T are proud to join forces with Junior Achievement to help students make that connection and go on to build great careers.”

The AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow is committing 400,000 employee volunteer hours to reach 100,000 students in grades 9-12. The program will bring students into the world of business through classroom instruction followed by on-site mentoring in which students get to interact with a wide range of AT&T employees, including technical and customer service representatives, product and service managers, and marketing and advertising executives.

“No matter what career they ultimately choose, the JA Job Shadow experience helps kids become ‘work ready’ by taking them into the workplace and showing them how education and training translate to success on the job,” said Linda McCracken, president of Junior Achievement of Northern California. “Seventy-nine percent of students participating in job shadowing report that the program increased their desire to stay in school, so this is clearly a proven way to improve high school success.”

Through the job shadow opportunity, McCracken added, students experience some of the interpersonal nuances of the workplace that are difficult to grasp in a classroom setting, such as the importance of negotiation, teamwork, cooperation with others, decision making and problem solving. Following participation in the initiative, students will be able to identify and demonstrate the work-readiness skills needed to research, get and keep a job — as well as develop personal strategies to achieve lifelong learning pursuits and career opportunities.

The job shadow initiative is part of the recently announced AT&T Aspire program, one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to high school retention and workforce readiness. The initiative is designed to support proven approaches to promoting educational success, from the classroom to the workplace.

Through the Aspire initiative, AT&T has committed $100 million (over four years, 2008-2011) to a range of efforts that includes:

Grants to schools and nonprofit organizations that are focused on helping students graduate from high school and become better prepared for college and/or the workforce.
The underwriting of national research that will explore the perspectives and best practices of practitioners (teachers, principals, superintendents, school counselors and school board members) on the high school dropout issue.
Support for 100 state and community dropout prevention summits, organized by America’s Promise Alliance to engage education experts and community leaders around the crisis and ways to address it.

Two of the major unions representing AT&T employees, the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, are supporting the job shadow initiative.

Junior Achievement is a recognized leader in job shadowing and a key member of the National Job Shadow Coalition, which also includes AT&T, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor and America’s Promise Alliance. The AT&T program is the largest-ever corporate job shadow collaboration Junior Achievement has undertaken.

For more information about the AT&T Aspire initiative, please visit www.att.com/education-news.

Find More Information Online:

About Junior Achievement® (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach 4.2 million students in the United States, with an additional 4.3 million students served by operations in 118 other countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org or call 925-465-1074.

Wilson or Buchanan for State Assembly District 15?

2008-10-04T00:23:00.000-07:00

Can we merge the Republican and Democratic candidates for State Assembly District 15? Can we throw out some items that we don't like and add others that we do? Guess not. Bottom line, we have a tough election choice to make this November 4 at the voting booth.

"Assembly District 15 candidates Joan Buchanan and Abram Wilson met face to face Wednesday night to give their views on issues ranging from education to universal healthcare, at Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon."

Read more about their meeting at the Danville Weekly column by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

AT&T Plans Renewable Energy System for San Ramon Campus

2008-10-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 1, 2008 -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced that it is working with SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), CH2M HILL, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) to install and operate a 1-megawatt solar power system on AT&T's facility at the Bishop Ranch office park in San Ramon. Scheduled for completion in late 2008, the system was partially funded by incentives provided by PG&E under the California Solar Initiative (CSI). The power produced by the system, which is expected to equal up to 25 percent of peak power and 5.5 percent of the facility's annual electricity consumption, is equivalent to the electricity required to power more than 165 homes each year.

Rodney Strong Vineyards, CA
766 kW

“Installing this solar power system on our roof reflects AT&T's commitment to balance the business need for affordable energy with the need to identify solutions that have less impact on the environment in the communities we serve,” said Shawn McKenzie, senior vice president of Corporate Real Estate at AT&T. “This effort will help us learn more about the benefits of renewable energy for our business and allow us to make educated decisions as we pursue future uses of alternative forms of energy.”

The project is being constructed by SunPower, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems. SunPower will install the SunPower® T10 Solar Roof Tile commercial system, a non-penetrating solar system that tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture.

The solar system on AT&T's San Ramon facility, which will include nearly 3,700 solar panels, is expected to generate more than 1.6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity a year. It is expected to replace the building's normal power consumption by more than 4,300 kWh per day.

As an alternative to an outright purchase of the commercial system itself, AT&T will purchase electricity for the facility from an entity in which financier Morgan Stanley owns a major interest in under SunPower Access™, a power purchase agreement program. That entity will own the system as well as the associated renewable energy credits, which it may retire or sell. The electricity will be competitively priced against retail rates, providing AT&T with a long-term hedge against rising peak power prices.

“SunPower Access is an easy, affordable way for leading companies like AT&T to support the use of clean, emission-free solar power,” said Tom Werner, chief executive officer, SunPower. “The high-efficiency SunPower solar system that AT&T will host on its roof will maximize the amount of energy produced within the limited roof space, enhancing both the environmental and financial benefits.”

Edward Levin, vice president of Morgan Stanley, said, “We are glad to maintain our commitment to the clean tech sector by continuing to provide the renewable energy financing solutions in the marketplace.”

State and federal governments play an important role in helping companies like AT&T make investments in alternative energy. California offers incentives for solar projects such as the one at San Ramon through CSI. This program is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission and provides $2.1 billion in rebates and cash incentives on solar systems. The Federal Investment Tax Credit -- a credit of up to 30 percent of a project's cost -- is set to expire Dec. 31, 2008. AT&T supports efforts to extend the federal credit, which would serve as a positive incentive to move forward with more widespread deployment of solar panels.

“I want to congratulate everyone who contributed to this forward-looking project around clean, renewable power,” said Sen. Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch). “California should continue providing incentives for companies like AT&T to invest in alternative power sources.”

Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Martinez) said: “Projects like San Ramon are why the legislature has worked so hard to pass landmark legislation making California the nation's leader in solar power. By offering financial incentives for solar power projects, we are inviting strong companies like AT&T to make their investments in our state.”

PG&E is the local electric utility provider for AT&T and also a program administrator of the CSI. PG&E has now interconnected 25,000 customer-owned, solar-generating systems to the power grid -- representing more than 200 megawatts of electricity -- more than any other utility in the nation. PG&E, under the CSI, provided $2.1 million, the maximum incentive for the San Ramon project.

“PG&E is delighted to work with AT&T to facilitate on-site solar generation with this incentive,” said Wendy Pulling, director of Environmental Policy, PG&E. “Since the inception of the California Solar Initiative, PG&E has distributed almost $80 million to program participants, leaving us an additional $880 million to distribute through 2017. Along with energy efficiency, renewables are a critical component of PG&E's strategy to address climate change, and relationships with our customers are an important part of our program to fight global warming.”

AT&T collaborated with environmental engineering firm CH2M HILL, a leader in the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions. CH2M HILL determined the initial scope and feasibility of the project and provided guidance during project development and implementation.

“CH2M HILL is committed to helping our clients develop sustainable solutions that respond to global issues like climate change,” said John Hoffner, project manager, CH2M HILL. “We're proud to build on our commitment by working with a strong partner like AT&T to expand the use of renewable energy in San Ramon.”

AT&T is working to minimize the environmental impact of its operations in a number of ways. AT&T works to enhance energy performance and minimize energy consumption in company buildings, IT systems and networks, and the company is evaluating alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power. The company conserves natural resources through waste reduction, recovery and recycling efforts, and it helps its customers do the same. AT&T also helps customers further manage their own environmental impact through intelligent use of AT&T products and services, such as teleconferencing, video conferencing and other broadband applications.

Find More Information Online:
Web Site Links:

AT&T Web Site
SunPower Corporation
PG&E Corporation
CH2M Hill
Morgan Stanley

AT&T Corporate Social Responsibility

AT&T Environmental Sustainability

San Ramon Gardens to be Destroyed

2008-09-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Finance/Policy Committee of the City of San Ramon’s Parks & Community Services Commission met with a handful of local community gardeners on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 to give them the bad news about some rather drastic changes they propose to make at Crow Canyon Community Gardens, one of the more significant green activities existing today in San Ramon.

Beautiful and historic Crow Canyon Community Gardens, located at 105 Park Place in San Ramon, have flourished since 1990 when land to be used for this specific community purpose was conveyed to the city by Virginia Mudd, founder of the nearby Mudd’s Restaurant. These somewhat eclectic, traditionally organic, gardens are located in a tranquil, off the beaten path, heavily wooded nature area that has given immense joy and a deep appreciation of nature to hundreds of Bay Area families for many years. For a wonderful and colorful history of these magnificent gardens please go to Mudd's Restaurant History Page.

Community gardeners at Crow Canyon Gardens include individuals and families from all walks of life-- professionals, academics, blue collar workers, retired persons-- and represent a collection of cultures as diverse as the community of San Ramon itself. Some of the non-resident gardeners work in San Ramon and temper their commutes by unwinding in their garden plots. Many gardeners involve their children in witnessing nature’s magical processes first hand – some include their grandchildren.

The policy changes now being imposed represent the culmination of an ongoing battle the City has waged against its community gardeners for more than a decade. The conflict between the two sides is a basic one: Which is more important? Continued expansion of the City’s tax base through increased development or providing an opportunity for people to enjoy the quiet comforts and rewards of green, organic gardening. Clearly, San Ramon has chosen to expand through increased development.

The protracted, adversarial relationship between the City and the gardeners has taken a heavy toll. Many gardeners who just wanted to till their gardens in peace and enjoy the fruits of their labor have grown tired of the City’s persistent, negative treatment and are giving up their plots.

Under its latest policies, among other things, the City proposes to destroy twenty individual garden plots that have been under constant cultivation from the very beginning of Crow Canyon Gardens. Each of these individual plots represent thousands of hours of loving, but demanding physical labor and cash outlays of hundreds of dollars by gardeners over the years. The City now demands that these twenty garden plots be destroyed. Fences, arbors, trellises, planting beds and all plant support structures must be removed by this coming December. Valuable, rich and productive top soil will be lost forever when it is bulldozed over.

According to Jeff Eorio, Director of the San Ramon Parks & Community Services Department, the space occupied by the twenty garden plots is needed by the City for expanded youth activities. This will apparently result in increased revenues for the City.

One might think the existing 425 acres of current park space in San Ramon would be sufficient for its youth activities, but the City doesn’t agree. It wants the less than 1 acre of land now occupied by these 20 community garden plots brought into the park fold.

Over the years, gardeners have come to realize that San Ramon pays lip service to but places no real value on community gardening. At every meeting with the gardeners, the City reiterates its intention to eliminate what it describes as an “eyesore” or “hodge-podge” of visually diverse, individual community gardens and says it wants to achieve greater uniformity or evenness within the area. City representatives assert they have received complaints about the lack of a pristine, consistent, homogeneous appearance of the gardens. When pressed, however, they confess such complaints have only been verbal, and not in large numbers.

As one community gardener succinctly described the situation, “The City wants to take away the basic uniqueness of the individual gardeners from our community.”

The present Parks & Community Services Commission sees no redeeming value to having a “green” activity like organic gardening in San Ramon, and does not perceive any tangible benefit derived from the local production of an estimated 15,000 pounds of fresh, organic vegetables each and every year for the nourishment of gardeners, their friends and neighbors, and the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, a regular recipient of the gardener’s produce.

The gardeners suspect the absence of any actual gardeners on the Parks & Community Services Commission is a major problem for them. Even so, the persistent anti-green, anti-gardening posture of the Commission seems rather surprising in this enlightened age of universal environmental concerns and an ever-expanding affinity for “earth-friendly” types of activities. Their posture is consistent, however, with the “growth at any cost, more plastic and chrome” direction the City of San Ramon is heading.

To demonstrate San Ramon’s historically negative bias against community gardening, the gardeners point to a checkered litany of actions (and inactions) the City has taken:

Raising the current Garden Allotment Fee from $50.00 to $138.00 per year. [This proposed new fee amounts to an increase of 275% and is three times the national average garden allotment fee.]

]Raising the current deposit fee from $60.00 to $150.00. [This proposed new deposit represents an increase of 250% and is fifteen times the national average deposit fee.]

Scheduling meetings of critical importance to the gardens with only 24 hours advance notice to the gardeners - and then holding those meetings at times and locations logistically inconvenient to most gardeners.

Granting garden plots to new families over the past year but not informing these new gardeners of the City’s imminent plan to take over those same plots in less than a year. The significant time and money investment made by these new gardeners on their plots, especially in these tough economic times, could have been avoided if the City had just been honest with them.

Routinely opposing the gardeners’ use of metal stakes and fence wire around their individual plots - but employing the exact materials, in the same manner, at the immediately adjacent City-operated gardens.

Forcing several gardeners to give up garden plots they had tilled for many years because they shared the same last name of a related gardener, despite the fact the relatives were adults and they maintained separate San Ramon households!

Failing to honor commitments repeatedly made to gardeners such as: Identifying a permanent city employee to interface with the gardeners; installing a bulletin board at the gardens; allowing gardeners to access a portion of the City’s Web site; and working closely with the Gardeners Committee on any proposed changes to garden policies. None of the above promises were kept.

According to one departing CCG gardener who has decided he’s had quite enough of San Ramon’s shabby garden politics, “I have gardened on community plots for eight years in three different cities and this experience has been the toughest.”

The Finance/Policy Committee plans to present their final policy recommendations to the full Parks & Community Services Commission at a public meeting to be held on October 8, 2008. The City indicated they would mail all Crow Canyon Gardeners a timely copy of their final policy recommendations and timely official notice of the full commission meeting.

The community gardeners plan to enlist the support of the Bay Area gardening public and appear in significant numbers at the October 8th meeting to express their opinions. Readers who wish to attend this meeting are welcome and email or written correspondence to San Ramon city officials is encouraged.

For more information or to interview individual Crow Canyon community gardeners contact:

Crow Canyon Gardens
Gardeners Committee

Contact: James R. Conner
(925) 735-3408
email: Jamie4fish@aol.com

Local Food Bank Pick Ups

Food bank truck picks up the vegetables.

Are Earmarks Bad? Are They All Pork?

2008-09-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

With all the talk on the election news coverage these days about Earmarks and Pork, it is interesting to see how our Senators, especially California Senators stand on Pork.

By in large, Democrats are less likely to vote for Earmark reform and have more Pork than Republicans.

See the results below from the website Porkbusters.

The Index brings together in one place all the data about how everybody who served in the Senate in 2005-2007 voted on 12 key opportunities to say "yes" or "no" to genuine earmark reforms when the Senate clerk called their names. The Examiner and Porkbusters consulted knowledgeable Senate insiders to insure that each of these votes represented a real chance to make a difference for taxpayers.

Check the data and see where your state's two senators rank (higher ratings are better).

Senator	Party	State	Rating
John E. Sununu	R	New Hampshire	100.00
Tom Coburn	R	Oklahoma	100.00
Jon Kyl	R	Arizona	91.66
John Ensign	R	Nevada	91.66
Richard Burr	R	North Carolina	91.66
Jeff Sessions	R	Alabama	83.33
Russ Feingold	D	Wisconsin	83.33
Saxby Chambliss	R	Georgia	75.00
Jim DeMint	R	South Carolina	75.00
Johnny Isakson	R	Georgia	66.66
Evan Bayh	D	Indiana	66.66
Jim Bunning	R	Kentucky	66.66
Chuck Hagel	R	Nebraska	66.66
James Inhofe	R	Oklahoma	66.66
Lindsey Graham	R	South Carolina	66.66
John Cornyn	R	Texas	66.66
Elizabeth Dole	R	North Carolina	58.33
Craig Thomas	R	Wyoming	58.33
Wayne Allard	R	Colorado	50.00
Mel Martinez	R	Florida	50.00
Larry Craig	R	Idaho	50.00
Mike Crapo	R	Idaho	50.00
Richard Lugar	R	Indiana	50.00
Chuck Grassley	R	Iowa	50.00
Sam Brownback	R	Kansas	50.00
David Vitter	R	Louisiana	50.00
Judd Gregg	R	New Hampshire	50.00
Gordon Smith	R	Oregon	50.00
John Thune	R	South Dakota	50.00
Kay Bailey Hutchison	R	Texas	50.00
John McCain	R	Arizona	41.66
Pat Roberts	R	Kansas	41.66
George V. Voinovich	R	Ohio	41.66
Orrin G. Hatch	R	Utah	41.66
Herbert Kohl	D	Wisconsin	41.66
Michael Enzi	R	Wyoming	41.66
Richard Shelby	R	Alabama	33.33
Jeff Bingaman	D	New Mexico	33.33
Lamar Alexander	R	Tennessee	33.33
George Allen	R	Virginia	33.33
Bob Corker	R	Tennessee	33.33
Lisa Murkowski	R	Alaska	25.00
Barbara Boxer	D	California	25.00
Bill Nelson	D	Florida	25.00
Richard Durbin	D	Illinois	25.00
Barack Obama	D	Illinois	25.00
Mitch McConnell	R	Kentucky	25.00
Mary Landrieu	D	Louisiana	25.00
Susan M. Collins	R	Maine	25.00
Carl Levin	D	Michigan	25.00
Debbie Stabenow	D	Michigan	25.00
Norm Coleman	R	Minnesota	25.00
Trent Lott	R	Mississippi	25.00
James Talent	R	Missouri	25.00
Ben Nelson	D	Nebraska	25.00
Kent Conrad	D	North Dakota	25.00
Ron Wyden	D	Oregon	25.00
John Warner	R	Virginia	25.00
Maria Cantwell	D	Washington	25.00
Ted Stevens	R	Alaska	16.66
Blanche Lincoln	D	Arkansas	16.66
Dianne Feinstein	D	California	16.66
Ken Salazar	D	Colorado	16.66
Christopher J. Dodd	D	Connecticut	16.66
Joseph I. Lieberman	D	Connecticut	16.66
Joseph Biden	D	Delaware	16.66
Thomas Carper	D	Delaware	16.66
Daniel Akaka	D	Hawaii	16.66
Tom Harkin	D	Iowa	16.66
John F. Kerry	D	Massachusetts	16.66
Mark Dayton	D	Minnesota	16.66
Thad Cochran	R	Mississippi	16.66
Harry Reid	D	Nevada	16.66
Pete Domenici	R	New Mexico	16.66
Charles E. Schumer	D	New York	16.66
Hillary Clinton	D	New York	16.66
Byron Dorgan	D	North Dakota	16.66
R. Michael DeWine	R	Ohio	16.66
Arlen Specter	R	Pennsylvania	16.66
Rick Santorum	R	Pennsylvania	16.66
Jack Reed	D	Rhode Island	16.66
Lincoln Chafee	R	Rhode Island	16.66
Bill Frist	R	Tennessee	16.66
Robert Bennett	R	Utah	16.66
Patty Murray	D	Washington	16.66
Claire McCaskill	D	Missouri	16.66
Jon Tester	D	Montana	16.66
Mark Pryor	D	Arkansas	8.33
Daniel K. Inouye	D	Hawaii	8.33
Olympia J. Snowe	R	Maine	8.33
Paul Sarbanes	D	Maryland	8.33
Barbara Mikulski	D	Maryland	8.33
Edward M. Kennedy	D	Massachusetts	8.33
Christopher S. Bond	R	Missouri	8.33
Max Baucus	D	Montana	8.33
Conrad Burns	R	Montana	8.33
Robert Menendez	D	New Jersey	8.33
Frank Lautenberg	D	New Jersey	8.33
Tim Johnson	D	South Dakota	8.33
Patrick Leahy	D	Vermont	8.33
James Jeffords	I	Vermont	8.33
Jay Rockefeller	D	West Virginia	8.33
Jon Corzine	D	New Jersey	8.33
Robert Byrd	D	West Virginia	0.00
Benjamin L. Cardin	D	Maryland	0.00
Bernard Sanders	I	Vermont	0.00
John Barrasso	R	Wyoming	0.00
Sherrod Brown	D	Ohio	0.00
Robert P. Casey Jr.	D	Pennsylvania	0.00
Amy Klobuchar	D	Minnesota	0.00
Jim Webb	D	Virginia	0.00
Sheldon Whitehouse	D	Rhode Island	0.00

Share American Culture With Japanese Students in San Ramon

2008-07-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

Learn About Japanese Culture and Get Paid!

If you have ever had an interest to learn more about the Japanese culture, share about American culture, and have wanted to have a ton of fun, this opportunity might be for you!

On August 21st through September 6th there will be eleven Japanese students coming to San Ramon to learn English and experience American Culture. They will be going to school during the week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

If you are interested in being a host family for these students, your responsibility will be to:

Provide a bed for the student to sleep in
Provide 3 meals a day
Speak to your students in English
Transport the students to their learning center sight Mon.- Fri
Be ready to have a great time with these students

You will have a great time and get paid for helping out with these students. If you are interested in hosting a child during this time please call Sarah, at (661)-333-9606.

This exciting opportunity for cultural exchange is for families in San Ramon that would love to share their American culture with Japanese students. It is through an organization called PeopleLink, www.peoplelink.org, that is located in the Sacramento area. PeopleLink is involved with helping place foreign exchange student's in homes when they come to America. There are a total of 8 to 11 Japanese students arriving August 21st and departing September 6 for a total of 17 days. They are university age. The Japanese agency has requested that these students be placed in all single placements - one student per family.

Sarah Mullaney With A Group of Chinese Students

Sarah Mullaney - Booher, has just finished working with a group from China with the PeopleLink organization. "It was one of the most rewarding things I have done. I loved it so much, I am thrilled at the opportunity to do it again," Sarah said. Sarah served in China as an oral English teacher for the 2006-2007 school year at a university. She said, "This was a life changing experience for me. It was incredible to learn from my students and also share with them through relationships. I would be excited for any family to be able to love these students and to also learn about Japan." Sarah will be their Teacher Guide while the students are here and will be teaching them English daily and doing the activities with them.

The host families will take students to the learning center daily, and then picking them up in the afternoon. The San Ramon host families are also paid for taking the students in. They receive $20.00 per night.

The outline for a host family is as follows:

Host families are responsible for providing a place for the students to sleep (need their own beds - does not have to be a room but can be a hideaway bed, roll away bed etc.), 3 meals a day, and transportation to and from the student center and conversation with guest.

Students have insurance coverage for accidents and illness.

Students will study English four mornings a week at the study center. They will spend one day on an excursion to a local spot of interest. Afternoons are spent participating in organized activities. One or two afternoons a week are "free" afternoons. These are intended for students to explore more of the area. Often students will spend this time shopping or touring.

Host families are invited to participate in the half-day activities and on some full-day trips. Ask your teacher guide for specifics.

The welcome Party is given to the students by the host families and a Farewell Party is given to the host families from the students.

Sarah is new to the area and does not know a lot of people in the San Ramon Valley yet and she was wondering if anyone would be able to help in the San Ramon community. Give her a call; she would love to talk to anyone that is interested. Her cell phone number is (661) 333-9606. Feel free to email Sarah also.

Contact Sarah as soon as possible to let her know if your family wishes to participate, or if you know of any families that might be interested in this cultural exchange program; she would be very grateful.

"I am very excited about this opportunity and would love to see these students placed in loving homes," said Sarah.

ABC7 Listens San Ramon Community Meeting 7/30/08

2008-07-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

Dear San Ramon Community:

Covering the 11-county Bay Area of nearly seven-million residents is a significant journalistic challenge. In an effort to meet that challenge, we started ABC7 Listens, our ongoing community outreach project that we hope will keep us more in touch with our Bay Area viewers. ABC7 Listens community meetings are held every month at different locations in our viewing area. Our goal is to learn about key issues and, more specifically, stories that ABC7 News should be covering.

Our next ABC7 Listens community feedback meeting will be held in the City of San Ramon on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 from 7:30PM to 9:00PM, at the San Ramon City Council Chambers located at 2222 Camino Ramon. We are inviting local residents, along with people who are involved in various groups and organizations serving the San Ramon area. While we want to hear about your story ideas, we also want your feedback on our news coverage and how you think we can better serve your community. We hope that this meeting is the beginning of a long-term relationship.

I hope that you will be able to join ABC7 News Reporter Laura Anthony, news managers, and me on Wednesday, July 30th. A news camera may be present to record parts of the meeting. Please note that although the focus will be on San Ramon, the meeting will also be open to residents of other Bay Area neighborhoods.

Space is limited, so please RSVP via e-mail to: abc7listens@kgo-tv.com, or call the Public Affairs Department at (415) 954-7702. If you have any questions, you can call me at (415) 954-7712.

Sincerely,

Kevin Keeshan

News Director

KGO-TV/ABC 7 News

San Ramon City Council Agenda For July 22, 2008

2008-07-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

The San Ramon City Council Agenda for July 22, 2008 is ready for public viewing.

There is one particular item in which this may be the last time to add public testimony input, and that is about extending the Mayor's Term in office. See the following information from the City Council Agenda item.

8.13 Resolution No. 2008-153 – Submitting a Charter Amendment to the Voters at the General Election on November 4, 2008 Providing for the Change of the Mayor’s Term if the General Municipal Election Date is Held on the Date of the Statewide General Election and Repealing Resolution No. 2008-81. Staff Report

Note: There are certain pros and cons to extending the term of the San Ramon Mayor. Take a look, and decide for yourself.

Here's where the rubber meets the road in what is potentially being proposed to the voters for them to vote for or against at the next general election. Note: The voters are not really voting for or against extending the term but both. Very, very clever on the draft wording.

NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS

Section 1

The City Council of the City of San Ramon hereby calls a municipal election on November 4 2008 for submitting a proposed charter amendment providing for an adjustment of the Mayor's term of office to make it consistent with the change in date of the general municipal election.

Section 2

The City Council of the City of San Ramon hereby requests that the wording of the proposed charter amendment of the City of San Ramon Charter be placed on the actual ballot of the November 4 2008 election and shall read as follows:

MEASURE

Shall the following be added to Article III of the City of San Ramon Charter:
Notwithstanding any of the above if the general municipal election date is changed to the date of the statewide general election the unexpired term of an incumbent Mayor shall be extended by one year or reduced by one year. If the term is extended that individual may serve a total of nine years as Mayor.

Here is the keywording that is being proposed that is very problematic. The quote is "shall be extended by one year or reduced by one year." Which is it going to be? If you are on the City Council, and you like the Mayor, then the City Council can extend the term, or if you are on the City Council, and you don't like the Mayor, then the City Council can shorten it. Very interesting indeed.

San Ramon Tribune Editor

San Ramon Eagle Scouts Send Care to Deployed Marines

2008-06-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to San Ramon's Eagle Scout Troop 834 for sending care packages to the US troops in Iraq.

Here is the letter with pictures from the US troops in Camp Fallujah, Iraq.

I'm with Regimental Combat Team 1 deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq and recently our unit, specifically the Headquarters Company here at Camp Fallujah, received more than 150 care packages from San Ramon's Eagle Scout Troop 834 and facilitated by Kathy Moudy, group leader of the Castro Valley Chapter of Operation MOM. After receiving the care packages, we distributed them among the Marines and sailors of the
company at our camp chapel, Chapel of Hope.

As a show of gratitude Marine Capt. Shaun Doheney, headquarters company commander, Headquarters Co., Regimental Combat Team 1, and Marine 1st Sgt. Rodney Lane, headquarters company first sergeant, Headquarters Co., Regimental Combat Team 1, flew an American flag over their company office at Camp Fallujah. I have attached a the photos of the occasion with Capt. Doheney and 1st Sgt. Lane to this e-mail. If you have any question or for more information, please contact me at this e-mail address.

nathaniel.leblanc@cf.mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

Thank you and have a good day.

Respectfully,
Sgt. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc
Public Affairs Chief
Regimental Combat Team 1
Camp Fallujah, Iraq
Office number: 318-3404-513

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Our Best Wishes go out to the US Troops.

Thanks to all the Guys & Gals in uniform that protect us around the world.

Best regards,

The Editors of the San Ramon Tribune

San Ramon Shakespeare Camp

2008-06-27T23:12:00.001-07:00

Announced by San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

SAN RAMON, CA – The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival announces that it will offer its yearly Bay Area Shakespeare Camp aspiring actors in San Ramon.

Two-week sessions, for ages 7-13, will be held at the Front Row Theater. The Camp meets weekdays from August 4 to August 15. All sessions run from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m..

Each two-week session is led by theater professionals who, in addition to their stage credentials, are also trained teachers and camp counselors. Camp sessions are designed to instill a sense of fun and creative exploration while developing and refining the skills used for performance. Campers develop various aspects of acting craft, including vocal projection techniques, improvisation skills and more, while learning to master the Bard’s verse. They also design and build their costumes, props and sets, learn stage combat and put all of their newly acquired skills on display for family and friends at a celebratory performance on the camp’s final day. Campers leave the camp with a new sense of confidence and self-esteem. The camps are perfect for both beginning and intermediate performers.

“We’re always excited to offer new camp locations,” said Rebecca Ennals, the Camp Director and Artistic Associate of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. “There’s something about bringing Shakespeare to new friends and neighbors that makes it extra special.”

Perhaps the strongest testament to the success of the camps comes from the returning students. Of last year’s 800+ participants in 31 camps all over the Bay Area, about two-thirds of them were returning campers from prior seasons or personal referrals who also wanted to get in on the fun!

At 2:00 p.m. on the final day of each camp, campers will stage their own mini-performance of a Shakespearean play for family and friends. A cast party will follow the performance.

“It’s amazing to see what can be accomplished in two weeks and parents are always astonished when they see their children perform,” adds Ennals.

“Many campers say that camp is their favorite summer vacation experience and some have attended camp for five or six summers.”

The cost for each Shakespeare Camp session is $420. Aftercare is available for 7-13-year-olds at an additional charge of $135.

Registrations are now being accepted by phone at 415-558-0888 with a credit card or by mail. The registration form may be downloaded at www.sfshakes.org and submitted with payment. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The camps often sell out, so early registration is strongly encouraged.

Submit your news articles to the San Ramon Tribune today.

Windmill Farms - Awarded Small Business of the Year

2008-06-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Windmill Farms San Ramon

San Ramon Local Small Business Honored At Formal State Recognition Celebration

Selected from among 3.7 million small companies in California

Sacramento, CA ~ A crowd of 500 business leaders, legislators, corporate partners, and small business dignitaries applauded as Windmill Farms Produce was honored as "California Small Business of the Year" for District 15. The Smith Family received this special recognition from local legislator Assemblyman Guy Huston to applaud a single district-based small business for exemplifying the contributions of the California's 3.7 million small business owners to the California economy.

The award was announced on May 28'th at the annual California Small Business Day in Sacramento, and Windmill Farms joined small businesses of the year identified in each of 80 state legislative districts. Scores of legislators joined in chorus to salute the spirit of entrepreneurship among California's small business owners and operators throughout the day-long event.

"We were humbled to have been selected for this award and it is a tribute to our employees, customers, community, and supporters," said Jason Smith.

"This is a special event when government, businesses, associations and community come together to honor the small business contributions of innovation, job creation and economic growth to the State of California," said Betty Jo Toccoli, President of the California Small Business Association, on behalf of the two-dozen small business organizations hosting the event.

Small businesses serve as the primary economic engine that drives the state's economy. Over one-half of Califomians employed in the private sector work for a small business. The state's small firms produce more new jobs, more inventions, and more patents, than any other size company in California or any other state in the nation.

San Ramon Senior Center Expansion Grand Opening

2008-05-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 31 • 8:30am - 3:30pm • San Ramon Senior Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd

The Grand Opening of the Senior Center Expansion will be a community celebration for people of all ages. This new expansion allows the Parks & Community Services Department to open this vital location to people of all ages for recreation and enjoyment. All of the residents of San Ramon are encouraged to visit this revitalized facility, learn about all of its resources and celebrate its addition to the community.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 am
Family Walk and Stroll

9:00 am
San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Breakfast

11:00 am
Children’s Play Zone opens
Enjoy games, face painting, bocce ball, horse shoes and more!

11:30 am
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

12:30 pm
Live Well Resource Fair - health and wellness information and a variety of health screenings

Facility Tours, Class Demonstrations, Live Entertainment, Garden Tours and Demonstrations

7:00 pm
Line Dance

www.SanRamon.ca.gov or 925.973.3250

San Ramon Art & Wind Festival

2008-05-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

San Ramon
Art & Wind Festival

Sunday & Monday, May 25 - 26
10 am-5 pm
San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd

Presented by:
Chevron and the City of San Ramon

The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival blows into town on May 25 & 26 in San Ramon Central Park from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The festival includes over 200 arts & crafts booths, entertainment on 3 stages, kite-flying demos, free kite making workshops, kids' activities, a non-profit info alley, displays and more!

Hot Air Balloon Launch & Hang Gliding Demonstration

The festival will feature a Hot Air Balloon Launch on Monday, May 26 (only) at dawn (approximately 6am). Find out more information.
Entertainment

The festival will feature a variety of entertainment on three stages. The main stage will feature outstanding acts throughout the weekend. Click for events schedule.

Kids Have The Zone For Great Activities

The Wild & Windy Kids Activity Area will include crafts and games based on the wind theme. More info.

Wind Activities

National kite flying champions will present professional Kite Flying Demos on both days from 10am to 5pm.

Food & Beverages

Bring your appetite and enjoy Nachos, grilled chicken sandwiches, Caesar salad, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, sausage sandwiches, tri-tip sandwiches, ice cream, snow cones, Cotton Candy, Kettle Korn and more! The San Ramon Rotary and San Ramon Soroptomist will be pouring beer and wines. The festival is a benefit for the non-profit groups who operate the food booths. Last year they collectively made over $80,000.

Read all about it. Come to San Ramon on Sunday and Monday and have a great weekend.

Wine Tasting and Pizza Party Benefit Climbing For Kids

2008-05-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

Support Earth Island Institute - Bay Area Wilderness Training

Like to drink wine and eat pizza? Passionate about the outdoors?

Then come to our wine tasting and pizza party at ZPizza in San Ramon. While enjoying exquisite wines and delicious pizza, we'll talk about how we are trying to raise money to introduce at risk youth to the outdoors.

Click the link below for our event flyer and more details.

http://www.zpizzasanramon.com/party/

I hope to see you Thursday, May 15th from 6:30-8:30 pm at ZPizza in San Ramon. Please email me if you have any questions about the event or would like to know more about how to get at risk kids into the outdoors.

Thursday, May 15th from 6:30-8:30 pm at ZPizza in San Ramon. Click this ZPizza link for map and directions. The party is to benefit an event that I will be doing in late July called Climbing for Kids. In short, in exchange for raising $3,500, I'll get the chance to go on a guided climb up this mountain in Wyoming. Anyone know what it is? The money that I raise will support Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT), a non-profit organization that gets at-risk and underprivileged youth outdoors. For every $1,000 raised, an average of 17 kids will get outside on trips with experienced adults using the best gear in the outdoor industry. In total, if I reach my fundraising goal, the money that is raised will be affecting the lives of over 50 kids. As I'm sure you've noticed, childhood obesity has tripled since 1980, and, with the current climate crisis, environmental stewardship has become increasingly important. The way to impart this onto today's youth is to take them outside, make 'em sweat, and introduce them to the beauty of the outdoors!

Check out this flyer for event details. It's $25, but there will be free pizza, wine, and music. There will also be a raffle with prizes such as San Fransisco Opera tickets, California Shakespeare tickets, passes to Golden Gate Fields, and many, many more. Tickets are 1 for $5, or 3 for $10 .

If you can't make it to the event but believe in and would like to support the cause, you can donate at the "Donation Page": http://www.climbingforkids.org/about/donate.php4. Just enter in my last name (Singh) and you'll see "Amitpal Singh" pop up. Some of you may know other people going on this trip. You can also/alternatively donate to them using this link.

Thanks for your time. If you would like to know more about the fundraiser, the name of the mountain, or Climbing for Kids, please feel free to email me.

Best wishes,

Amitpal Singh
asingh19@gmail.com

San Ramon Farmer's Market Opens May 3

2008-05-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another season of the San Ramon Farmer's Market!

On Saturday, May 3, 2008 we will open our doors to another exciting season of celebrating local growers, local food and local history. Share the abundance and the experience of the market with your neighbors, friends and family. Located on a historical 16-acre farm, Forest Home Farms offers a beautiful agricultural setting to host a weekly farmers market. Take a picnic or a guided tour every Saturday and learn about the history of this place.

With an expanded food courtyard to include fresh pastas, olives and pestos, homemade mini-donuts, Afghan and Italian sauces and bolani, kettle corn, mouth watering vegan treats, jams preserves, crepes and galettes and more. We hope you will enjoy hanging around a bit while enjoying live music and connecting with your favorite local grower. For opening day, we will have organic strawberries, asparagus, and much more!

Also new this year is an expanded arts & crafts corner, a new visitor and gift center with new public restrooms, and local business booth sponsored by the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce. I would also like to introduce a new addition to the San Ramon Farmers Market team. Please welcome Nancy Young as your new farmers market manager. Nancy has a dynamic energy, a love for community and a passion for local sustainable agriculture!

See you at the market!

Harv Singh
Market Director

Directions to the Market

Eating corn was a favorite past time of the Boone Family who lived at Forest Home Farms during the 1900s.

Picture of Eleanor and Travis Boone eating corn at Forest Home Farm on October 21, 1907. Caption below describes the event. Photo courtesy of San Ramon Historic Foundation.

San Ramon Valley Unified School District's Dougherty Valley PreSchool Survey

2008-05-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Community Collaborates with School District, City, County and Local Businesses to Publicize the Dougherty Valley Preschool Round-up Survey Windemere, Gale Ranch, and Bridges residents have united to start a grassroots movement to help the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) ensure that Dougherty Valley (DV) residents with children ages 0-4 years old participate in the District’s preschool round-up survey. An online survey link, authorized by Mayor Wilson, is also located on the City of San Ramon’s web page.

Printed surveys can be picked up at any of the 4 DV elementary schools, the San Ramon and Dougherty Station Community Centers, the San Ramon and Dougherty Station libraries, and at several different local businesses, such as My Gym, Connect1 Verizon Wireless and P3 Party Place— all around the San Ramon Marketplace.

It is ESSENTIAL that ALL DV residents complete and return the survey to help the District better plan the future capacity of our four new elementary schools: Coyote Creek (CC), Hidden Hills (HH), Quail Run (QR) and Live Oak (LO).

As of mid-April, only 464 out of approximately 7,110 housing units have completed the survey. In order to reach as many of the qualifying DV residents as possible, we are asking all media outlets (newspapers, websites, magazines, tv, etc.) to publicize the survey and to explain the importance of everyone’s participation.

287+ Dougherty Valley (DV) Elementary School Diversions Possible For Fall 2008

72 kindergarten students and 287 overall DV elementary students (as of April 4) are projected to be diverted from their home elementary schools for Fall 2008, with more students expected to move in over the summer. Two years ago, in March 2006, a group of Windemere residents asked the SRVUSD to get an actual count of the number of preschoolers living in the DV, rather than relying on generic, possibly outdated projections. At that time, the District assured community representatives that the DV was going through “growing pains” like all new developments and the overcapacity was a “bubble” or a “pig in a python” which would resolve itself shortly over time. Furthermore, the District stated that two additional elementary schools were being built (QR and LO), which would relieve the overcapacity problems. However, based on the fact that all four elementary schools have been completed; three of the four schools held kindergarten lotteries for Fall 2008; and the fact that the DV is considered a “phenomenon” with regards to the higher than expected percentage of families with young children moving into the community, the District recently agreed to conduct a preschool round-up survey during the months of April and May, as suggested by DV residents.

Overcapacity May Increase as New Dougherty Valley (DV) Homes Continue to be Built

DV elementary schools are the largest in the District, built to master plan capacity of 900, which allows for 150 students per grade. As reference, on February 28, Live Oak had 192 participants in its kindergarten lottery and ended up with 46 on the wait list. Eventually a total of 11,000 homes will be built in Windemere, the Bridges and Gale Ranch. According to the December 10, 2007 Dougherty Valley Oversight Committee (DVOC) report, DV housing units were approximately at 65% buildout, yet the schools are at 100% buildout. Our community fears overcapacity problems are likely to worsen as new homes continue to be built.

Why Does Overcapacity Already Exist in New Dougherty Valley (DV) Elementary Schools?

Data collected from the preschool survey can be used to verify the accuracy of the District’s original projected enrollment as determined by the student generation factors: assumed to be 0.079-0.519 student per household unit. For the breakdown by grade, see Table 7.2-2 below, taken from the San Ramon General Plan (pages 4-5 from online link http://www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/gprc/images/chap7.pdf):

Do I Live in the Dougherty Valley?

Anyone living in the 94582 zip code is considered to be a DV resident. Many families who just moved to the area do not even realize they live in the DV, and unless parents have a child ready to enter kindergarten, they are usually unaware of the overcapacity situation in the schools.

Are My Children Currently Affected By These Problems?

Since 2003, overcapacity in DV elementary schools has been an on-going problem at Coyote Creek, Hidden Hills and most recently, Live Oak. When some Hidden Hills and Coyote Creek residents first moved into the area 4–8 years ago, they could not have imagined being in a lottery situation and yet their oldest children were recently put on the wait list at their perspective schools. Even if your oldest child is already enrolled in a DV school and the younger one will receive sibling priority, these children STILL need to be accounted for since they will fill a kindergarten space. This is why EVERYONE with a child age 0-4 years old needs to participate in the survey today.

Has the District Taken Steps to Address the Dougherty Valley (DV) Overcapacity Situation?

On April 9, two SRVUSD Board Members, President Greg Marvel and Clerk Bill Clarkson, spoke at a Town Hall meeting at Live Oak Elementary to answer community questions. Over 100 residents filled the MPR to hear their responses and the meeting ended with a Q&A session. Furthermore, since March 2006, Superintendent Kessler has been willing to listen to community concerns and he has made every effort to include the Windemere residents in the planning and discussion process. Once the District learned there would be 46 kindergarten students on the wait list at Live Oak, Assistant Superintendent Brown and her staff worked quickly to open an extra kindergarten class for Fall 2008. In addition, the facilities department rapidly implemented a few of the residents’ suggestions, such as the online survey and distributed survey flyers to preschools in the area. Our community greatly appreciates all the hard work and efforts put forth by the District, but we feel the District is like the little Dutch boy: merely using his fingers to plug holes here and there in the leaky dam. Until we know how much water the dam holds (or how many preschoolers live in the DV), how can the District effectively plan for the future?

Why the Grassroots Movement to Publicize the Survey?

Currently the SRVUSD’s main priorities are dealing with the State’s budget cuts, so the community is taking the initiative to assist with publicity and extra distribution coverage of the round-up flyers. In the past, the District has relied upon possibly outdated projections to estimate the number of preschoolers. Many of the DV parents planned ahead and moved here when our children were still toddlers because of the excellent reputation of the schools. We strongly believe it’s in our children’s best interest for the District to do the same and plan ahead for future elementary school capacity needs.We want to do everything possible to ensure the District has a ballpark figure of the number of preschoolers currently living in the DV. Therefore, we would appreciate the media’s help in disseminating the information below:

The School District is conducting a Preschool Round-Up for all children ages 0-4 residing in the Dougherty Valley. During the months of April and May, Facilities staff will be collecting information from parents to assist in projecting the number of students entering Kindergarten at Coyote Creek, Hidden Hills, Live Oak, and Quail Run Elementary Schools in the Fall of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Please participate via the online survey by visiting the SRVUSD website at www.srvusd.net

Click on the “Pre-School Round-up!” link under the “News and Announcements” heading in the left-hand column. If you would like to printout a hard copy for distribution, there’s an online printable pdf as well.

To go directly to the online survey, please visit:
http://survey.srvusd.k12.ca.us/survey/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=552

How Can I Learn More About This Situation?

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the next page or join the Yahoo! group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/windemereowners/

School District Preschool Round-up Survey FAQ

Q: Who should participate and when is the deadline?
A: Dougherty Valley residents with children ages 0-4 years old are requested to complete the SRVUSD’s Pre-School Round-up Survey during the months of April and May. Facilities staff will collect information from parents to assist in projecting the number of students entering Kindergarten at Coyote Creek, Hidden Hills, Live Oak and Quail Run Elementary Schools in the Fall of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Q: Do I live in the Dougherty Valley?
A: Everyone residing in the 94582 zip code is considered a DV resident.

Q: Why should I participate?
A: Overcapacity in DV elementary schools has been an on-going problem since 2003 at Coyote Creek, Hidden Hills and most recently, Live Oak, which had 192 participants in a kindergarten lottery for 150 spots. 4–8 years ago, when some Hidden Hills and Coyote Creek residents first moved into the area, they NEVER imagined being in a lottery situation— yet their oldest children are currently on the kindergarten wait lists for Fall 2008. Even if your older child is already enrolled in a DV school and the younger one will receive sibling priority, these children STILL need to be accounted for since they will fill a kindergarten space. By completing either the online survey or mail-in survey, your information will provide more accurate data so the District can better estimate future capacity needs.

Q: How do I determine which year my child will start kindergarten?
A: Please note that these are just general guidelines and parents know their children’s capabilities best.

Child’s Birthdate Year to Begin Kindergarten
December 3, 2003–December 2, 2004 Fall 2009
December 3, 2004–December 2, 2005 Fall 2010
December 3, 2005–December 2, 2006 Fall 2011
December 3, 2006–December 2, 2007 Fall 2012

Q: What if I decide to hold my child back a year before entering kindergarten?
A: That is perfectly fine because the year you record on the survey is NOT set in stone. The District recognizes that as the time actually approaches for your child to begin Kindergarten, you may decide to hold your child back a year. This is why the survey also requests your child’s birthdate.

Q: Why does overcapacity already exist in our new elementary schools?
A: The Dougherty Valley schools capacity was estimated based upon projected student generation factors (SGF)* of:

Grade Levels Single family Multi family
K-5th grades 0.519 0.079
6th-8th grades 0.172 0.058
9th-12th grades 0.187 0.087

The District’s original projections assumed an average of about 0.4-0.7 student per household would be attending K-12th grade during any given year. *Data taken from Table 7.2-2: Projected Enrollment in San Ramon from the San Ramon General Plan 2020 – pages 4-5 from online link http://www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/gprc/images/chap7.pdf

Q: How can I help with the DV community’s grassroots efforts?
A: 1) Forward the online link to everyone you know who lives in Windemere, Gale Ranch or the Bridges:
http://survey.srvusd.k12.ca.us/survey/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=552
2) Printout hard copies of the survey flyer and drop them off at your children’s extracurricular activities, preschools, play groups, etc.
3) Talk to parents around your neighborhood and at the parks and encourage them to participate.
4) Join the Yahoo! group to keep informed about the issues:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/windemereowners/
5) Please contact DV1voice@yahoo.com if you'd like to help.

Thank you very much.
We greatly appreciate your help.

San Ramon City Council Votes to Close Recycling Center on Earth Day

2008-04-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

The City Council in San Ramon considers the City Recycling Center unimportant when there is money to be made. Recycling Center at Omega Road has been an important part of San Ramon environmental health for 17 years. It has been effective run by Valley Waste Management for many years and has become a regional asset for residents throughout the Tri-Valley area.

The City Council voted to close the center permanently on August 30 even though the 2020 General Plan requires that the city have a recycling center. They do not plan to open another site. The center land which is owned by the residence of San Ramon, will be sold off to a developer to build housing and retail mixed buildings similar to the conditions under which the City Center was sold off to Sunset Development.

The City Council has determined that we don’t need a recycling center any more. The money paid to Valley Waste Management in our monthly trash fee for operating the center ($146,000.00 per year) will go now be given to the city to put in their general fund and not returned to the residence of San Ramon in lower fees.

The San Ramon General Plan calls for the establishment of a permanent recycling center located within the city. The existing site should not be closed until another sit is selected. Until then redevelopment of the site can wait. Mixed use housing in this area is not a good idea. It will be in the middle of light industrial uses that are not going anywhere. That may be the plan all along, to drive local businesses out of the city by putting housing in the center of other uses. Just think what conditions these houses will be in five years with trucks from Morgan Masonry running around all day in the resident’s front yard. I call that instant plight.

The Recycling Center serves many purposes besides recycling. It serves to show that we in San Ramon care about the environment. It provides a show place that recycling is important and should saves materials from going to landfill which are fast becoming full. It teaches us and our children that the earth is not unlimited and should be protected. Recycling and reuse of materials are important to our future and our children’s future.

The City Council wants to show us that they care more about money and their economic agenda than the environment quality of our live in San Ramon. This should not be so in San Ramon and we should tell them at the next council meeting on May 13th. If you care about Earth Day and the environment come and say so.

Jim Gibbon, AIA

San Ramon For Open Government

Boy Scouts Camporee

2008-04-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

The Boy Scouts of America Mt Diablo Silverado Council Meridian District servicing the cities of Alamo, Danville and San Ramon is holding their annual Camporee on April 26th and 27th.

The Camporee will bring together over 600 scouts for a weekend of camping and activities that promote and build the character of our youth and focus on the theme of American Heroes. This year’s Camporee will highlight the highest youth achievement of Eagle Scout and invites any Eagle Scouts living in Alamo, Danville and San Ramon to come and celebrate at the scouting event on Saturday afternoon the 26th of April.

The local Boy Scouts district has advanced over 395 Eagle Scouts locally in the last 7 years.

Notable Eagle Scouts over the last 50 years include J.W. Marriott, Michael Bloomberg, Captain Jim Lovell of Apollo 13, Neil Armstrong, Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer and the late President Gerald R. Ford. We would like to invite any local Eagle Scout interested in attending please contact marksmith68@comcast.net.

City Council Agenda for March 25, 2008

2008-03-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Sign up to have the City of San Ramon City Council Meeting Agenda notice emailed to you. Subscribe here.

Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 925-973-2539 if you have any questions.
The agenda for the March 25, 2008 meeting is now posted at the URL below. Simply click on this link to view:
www.sanramon.ca.gov/councilagenda/yr2008/cc03-25-08.htm

You may also access the current City of San Ramon City Council and other agendas by:
1. Opening the City of San Ramon's web site at www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us
2. Clicking the appropriate selection from the "PLEASE SELECT" drop-down menu on the upper right hand corner of our welcome page.

Doug Burr Revamps Traffic Safety Initiatives

2008-03-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

A group of San Ramon residents, led by Doug Burr were seeking to have the city of San Ramon add 11 stop signs in the Windemere neighborbood and reduce the speeds to 30 miles an hour for all of Windemere and East Branch Parkways.

The city was suing Doug for not having a separate initiative for every single stop sign and for their assessment that the speed limit initiative would have been unconstitutional under state law for police using radar to enforce speed limits in those areas affected by the speed limit initiative.

However, when the state's highest court declined to review a similar "pre-election challenge", it would have required Mr. Burr going to a full trial and costing him a lot of money.

Burr and hundreds of other residents feel that the "Windermere neighborhoods are unsafe, with poorly planned intersections." Contra Costa Times

Burr would like to add a scaled back initiative with just four stop signs near Hidden Hills Elementary School.

Read the history of the Windemere Stop Signs and Speed Limit Initiatives.

Boy Dies After Being Struck by Bus

2008-03-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

A 10 year-old boy dies after being struck by a shuttle bus at the intersection of Montevideo and Vera Cruz drives.

The accident occurred around 3:30 PM on Friday 3/22/08. The shuttle bus was proceeding to make a right turn onto Montevideo from Vera Cruz drive, when the driver hit the boy coming east on Montevideo drive, against traffic.

The boy went to Montevideo school.

View Larger Map

Traffic is getting much worse on both Montevideo and Vera Cruz drives. Both roads are becoming major east west arteries and highly traveled streets, as drivers use these in order to avoid the traffic jams that are occurring more and more on Bollinger Canyon Road.

To read more about this accident and see the news video, go to the KTVU News Story and click the video on the right. Right click when playing video options to view in full screen mode.

Parties Jointly Announce Settlement of SROG's Lawsuit

2008-02-29T15:18:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

Date: Friday, February 29, 2008

Contacts: City of San Ramon: Marc Fontes, Economic Development Director, 925 973-2578

Sunset Development Company: Alex Mehran, President and CEO, 925 866-0100

San Ramon for Open Government: Jim Gibbon 925 786-8280

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Parties Jointly Announce Settlement of SROG’s Lawsuit Against the City of San Ramon, Challenging the City’s Approval of the San Ramon City Center Project

The City of San Ramon, Sunset Development Company, and San Ramon for Open Government (“SROG”) jointly announced the settlement of SROG’s lawsuit against the City, challenging its approval of the San Ramon City Center Project and the accompanying Environmental Impact Report. The City Center Project, which was unanimously approved by the City Council in December, will feature a new City Hall, library, transit center and police headquarters, along with residential living, office space, retail, and entertainment components. The settlement agreement will also result in SROG dropping two referendum petitions it has been circulating to challenge development agreement amendments for the Project.

SROG had sued the City alleging that the approval violated the California Environmental Quality Act and the City’s 2020 General Plan.The settlement calls for Sunset and the City to make a number of changes to the project, including: reducing the heights of the project’s tallest buildings to no more than ninety feet (resulting in reducing the office buildings from seven to six stories), reducing the condominium buildings adjoining the Iron Horse Trail to a maximum of seven stories, and taking several steps to reduce the project’s traffic and air quality impacts.

The project changes also include reducing the project’s total office space and associated parking by almost fifteen percent, expanding the three-year trial free shuttle program to cover both the City Center and the rest of Bishop Ranch, scheduling express shuttle buses to and from BART for both AM and PM commute hours. In addition, the City and Sunset will support a pedestrian/bicycle-accessible flyover crossing busy Bollinger Canyon Road at the Iron Horse Trail.

The settlement also requires all CityCenter buildings to be “LEED – Silver” certified – a high level “green building” standard that promotes sustainability and will reduce the project’s environmental footprint.

Along with the project changes, the settlement commits the City to moving forward with enacting a local ordinance requiring that any future buildings outside of CityCenter in excess of five stories go on the ballot for voter approval.

SROG spokesperson Jim Gibbon stated, “We were concerned that this project, while desirable in some respects, was going to overload city streets, block out regional views, and set a bad precedent for the future. While the changes that Sunset and the City have agreed to, do not fully address all the issues that prompted the lawsuit and the referendum petitions, we think that the changes do make it a much better project.”

Sunset’s President, Alex Mehran, is pleased that the project will move forward on schedule. “We have always felt we have proposed a project that the citizens of San Ramon want to see happen.We’re pleased that this settlement will allow the project to move forward on schedule and San Ramon will realize its longstanding goal of having a downtown.”

San Ramon Mayor H. Abram Wilson echoed the City’s satisfaction with the settlement. “We think this settlement is a win for everyone concerned, especially the people of San Ramon, who will get the CityCenter they have wanted for so long.”

# # #

County Places Road Block to Tassajara Valley

2008-02-29T12:24:00.000-08:00

The Contra Costa Times reported that Contra Costa County is putting up a road block at the moment, in regards to San Ramon expanding the sphere of influence to Tassajara Valley.

San Ramon's environmental impact report has sent "red flags" to the Contra Costa County's Local Agency Formation Commission, the agency which oversees annexations. The report states, "no new development is being contemplated" but, the San Ramon General Plan refers to possible "future development of the area."

Additionally, the environment impact report was found lacking in many areas including: "potentially significant environmental effects, conversion of agricultural land, loss of open space, effects on utilities and impacts on public services," was stated by Local Agency Formation Commission's executive director, Lou Ann Texeira, in her letter to the city.

Danville leaders are also concerned because the San Ramon environmental impact report did not take into account the traffic and other environmental impacts that would directly affect Danville.

Note: The current county's voter-approved urban limit line in the Tassajara Valley bars any development until at least 2026. But, having San Ramon's sphere of influence extended into the Tassajara Valley could bring development to that area as soon as 2010.

Tassajara Valley Could Be Next For San Ramon

2008-02-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

San Ramon, CA

Interesting story from the Danville Weekly News

San Ramon eyes Tassajara Valley
City wants 4,900 rural acres under its sphere of influence

The Danville Town Council expressed concern at its study session Tuesday morning that San Ramon wants to include the Tassajara Valley in its sphere of influence.

Read the entire story at www.DanvilleWeekly.com website.

Also, isn't it interesting how Tassajara Valley sphere of influence has been recently "quietly" talked about again? The Danville Weekly is the first to report about it. Here is another quite insightful article titled: San Ramon Makes Move For Future Growth

Below is the official notice from the City of San Ramon.

NOTICE OF INTENT AND PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION.

PROJECT: City of San Ramon Sphere of Influence Amendment- Tassajara Valley Planning Subarea

LOCATION: Approximately 4,900 acres East and Northeast of the City of San Ramon within the Tassajara Valley generally bisected by the Camino Tassajara Roadway to the Contra Costa /Alameda County Line.

APPLICANT: City of San Ramon

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: The purpose of this Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) is to analyze the environmental impacts associated with amending the Sphere of Influence for the City of San Ramon to include the Eastside Specific Plan Area, also referred to as the Tassajara Valley Planning Subarea in the City's General Plan (the project). This IS/ND is intended to inform City of San Ramon decision-makers, other responsible agencies, and the general public of the proposed project and its environmental consequences. This IS/ND is also intended to provide the CEQA-required environmental documentation for all requisite City and Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) actions. No new development is contemplated by, nor would any such development be permitted as a result of, the Sphere of Influence Amendment. The Sphere of Influence Amendment would enable the City to cooperatively join the County and area landowners in initiating the Eastside Specific Plan planning process.

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING: The Tassajara Valley Planning Subarea is the easternmost planning subarea of the City of San Ramon. This subarea is within the City's Planning Area but outside of its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and Sphere of Influence. Currently, much of the land in the planning subarea is dedicated to agricultural uses, such as spring pasture and livestock grazing, with a few orchards, small horse ranches, and rural residential uses such as five-acre ranchettes. The majority of existing land is in private ownership and development is clustered along Camino Tassajara and side roads.

DECLARATION

Based on the Initial Study dated February 4, 2008, the Planning Services staff has determined:

_X_ This project does not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, nor to substantially reduce, threaten or eliminate plant, fish or animal communities, or important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory.
_X_ This project will not have a detrimental effect upon either short-term or long-term environmental goals.
_X_ This project will not have impacts which are individually limited, nor cumulatively considerable.
_X_ This project will not have environmental impacts which will cause substantial adverse effect upon human beings, either directly or indirectly.
_X_ This project will not adversely impact wildlife resources.

The aforementioned findings are not contingent upon any mitigation measures.

The Initial Study and Negative Declaration are available for public review on the City of San Ramon Website at www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us. Public copies are also available for review at the City of San Ramon Planning Division during regular businesses hours (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), at the address below. Additional public copies of the proposed negative declaration are also on file at the San Ramon Senior Center, San Ramon Community Center, Dougherty Station Community Center, San Ramon Library, Dougherty Station Library, and with the City Clerk.

The public is hereby invited to submit written comments regarding the environmental findings and Negative Declaration determination. Such comments may be submitted prior to the close of the posting period.

Posting Period: February 4, 2008 to February 25, 2008

A public hearing before the City Council to consider the Negative Declaration is scheduled for March 11, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, California, 94583.

Contact Person: Lauren Barr, Senior Planner (925) 973-2560
City of San Ramon, Planning Services Division
2226 Camino Ramon
San Ramon, CA 94583

Download PDF Version

Register To Vote

2008-02-10T16:08:00.000-08:00

Let Your Voice Count.

With this being a presidential election year, with national, state, and local issues of importance coming before the voters, now is the time to register to vote.

The following is important information to make sure your voter registration is current:

Voter registration cards are available at the following locations:

* local Post Office
* Department of Motor Vehicles
* local Library
* local City Clerk Offices
* Contra Costa County Elections Office

Fill out Voter Registration Cards CLEARLY in dark ink and always make sure you SIGN your name in order for your registration to be valid.

If you live in an apartment, always make sure you fill in the apartment number of your residence address.

Once your affidavit of registration is submitted to the Contra Costa County Election Department for processing, you should receive WRITTEN NOTIFICATION within 3-4 weeks. If you do not receive notification, please contact Contra Costa County Elections at 925-646-4166.

REMEMBER, ALWAYS RE-REGISTER IF YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR NAME, RESIDENCE ADDRESS OR MAILING ADDRESS!

See: Contra Costa Voter Registration Information

Register to Vote Online

California On-line Voter Registration

Complete this on-line form and the Secretary of State of California will mail a typed registration form to you. After you receive the pre-typed form, just sign it and mail it to your county election official. They recommend you use this service at least one month prior to election day to avoid missing your opportunity to vote due to postal delays.

Once you receive your form in the mail, which takes approximately 7 to 14 days, you must sign, date, and return it by mail to the county elections official on the return address side of the voter registration card. Please make sure all of the information is correct and drop it back in the mail. State of California will pay for the postage!

For security purposes, full on-line voter registration is not yet available and current law requires the voter's original signature be affixed to the VRC, by completing the information requested in the on-line form of the state website, a registration card with your information will be printed and mailed to you.

You can also download the voter registration form, print it out, fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it back directly to:

Contra Costa

Stephen L. Weir, County Clerk
555 Escobar Street
P O Box 271
Martinez, CA 94553

(925) 335-7800
(925) 335-7842 Fax
Toll Free (Domestic) 1-877-335-7802

Hours 8:00am - 5:00pm

Website: www.cocovote.us

San Ramon For Open Government Files Suit to Protect Public/Citizens

2008-01-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

SAN RAMON FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT FILES SUIT OVER MASSIVE CITY CENTER PROJECT TO PROTECT PUBLIC/CITIZENS

GROUP CHALLENGES CITY CENTER MIXED USE PROJECT TRAFFIC, DENSITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PROJECT AT ISSUE

San Ramon CA. - San Ramon for Open Government, a group of San Ramon residents, filed a lawsuit today to prevent the San Ramon City Center Mixed Use Project from moving forward. Spokesman Jim Gibbon warns that the project could create a traffic tsunami and cost taxpayers million of dollars. The lawsuit was filed challenging the adequacy of the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) and for violating the voter approved San Ramon General Plan.

On November 6, 2007 the project was approved by the Planning Commission and the SEIR was certified. Subsequently, two appeals to the project were filed, including one by Gibbon representing San Ramon for Open Government. On December 11, 2007 the appeals were heard by the city council and denied, the SEIR was re-certified and the project approved.

Gibbon says the City Council is attempting to change the intent of the voter approved 2020 General Plan. It specifically states the City Center is to be primarily ‘a cohesive mix of civic, compatible retail, and open space uses with an arts and entertainment focus. Intended as a vital core for San Ramon, the City Center will be a people place first and include a performing arts center, library, and small scale retail establishments, such as restaurants and cafes, bookstores, gift shops, etc.’ “What this council created is a massive urbanized commercial center with high rise office buildings, no cultural venues and no open space in blatant disregard to the voter approved General Plan,” states Gibbon. Gibbon added that the project is primarily structured to economically accommodate the Sunset Development Company.

According to the SEIR, the project will also generate a minimum of 30,000 additional vehicle trips a day, creating an unacceptable increase in traffic density along already congested Bollinger Canyon Road, Norris Canyon Road and Alcosta Boulevard. Many residents expressed concern that Bollinger Canyon Road will become a traffic morass of unparalleled proportions, with commuters spilling into residential neighborhoods in search of routes around Bollinger Canyon Road.

Other unavoidable environmental impacts generated by this project according to the lawsuit are a significant degradation in air quality, increased noise impacts and the glare generated by illuminating the City Center at night.

Gibbon believes the City Council is ignoring the wishes of San Ramon residents by revising the voter approved General Plan and moving forward with this project. Consequently, he is not ruling out a referendum on the project in an effort to allow San Ramon voters to make the final decision on the project. “The City Center Mixed Use Development is the biggest issue facing San Ramon since incorporation of the city. Why shouldn’t they have an opportunity to vote on the project?” says Gibbon.

Contact: Jim Gibbon
www.SROG.org
(925) 828-8563
(925) 226-5680

Go to SROG press release. Save and print press release PDF file.

I Got A Ticket For Having A Garage Sale!

2008-01-14T12:46:00.000-08:00

Crazy World We Live In: Especially in San Ramon

Are you thinking about having an impromptu garage sale to get rid of your unwanted items. Well, think again. If the San Ramon City Council has its way, the impromptu garage sale will be a thing of the past or dare we say, a fine coming down your way if you do not register your garage sale with the city first. Yes, you could be breaking the law if you want to have a garage sale when your neighbor down the street has one, and you think, no big deal if we have ours too.

Council Members Scot Perkins and Carol Rowley are all for more laws on the books restricting freedoms. They sandwich their arguments for having a city wide garage sale registration program with saying things like, "added value," "additional advertising vehicle for sales," and "help reduce reliance on posters and signs."

The Contra Costa Times article states in the article: San Ramon garage sales could become regulated that, "The proposed garage sale restrictions -- which include limiting when and where residents can post signs and permitting garage sales to last no more than two days at a time -- are needed to discourage chronic garage sale impresarios, San Ramon officials said."

"There's the education element, there's the enforcement element and there's the added value to the resident," said San Ramon Councilman Scott Perkins. "I believe having a registration requirement serves residents by adding an additional advertising vehicle for their sales."

Such a feature might also help reduce residents' reliance on posters and signs to draw people to their events, said Councilwoman Carol Rowley.

Maybe San Ramon Needs More Laws on the Books.

Here are some ideas for the City Council to consider:

1. Garage doors must be kept closed at all times.

2. No basketball hoops in plain view of the street.

3. No parked cars on the streets in residential neighborhoods after 8:00 PM.

4. No commercial vehicles parked in driveways overnight.

5. No recreational vehicles parked in the street, even if relatives come to visit in their motor homes.

6. No blue, pink, black, orange, green, white, yellow, or red color houses with trims that are not color coordinated, or whatever color you don't like. (City needs to have everyone's house color go to the city architectural review committee for approval when repainting.)

7. The City needs to implement a snoop committee to report back to the architectural review committee, which reports back to the City Council. To make it easier on everyone; the snoop committee, the architectural review committee, and the City Council can be the same five members.

Wow, maybe the City Council thinks we live in the San Ramon Homeowners Association and needs to restrict even more of our freedoms.

I hope the City Council doesn't read this, because they just might think those are some great ideas for additional laws on the books.

And, while we're at it, you can say goodbye to having an entire homeowners association garage sale too. That would be way too many garage sales for one area at a time.

San Ramon Tribune
Editor

City Council Agendas and Meeting Locations

2008-01-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Stay Up To Date With the City Meetings
Place your email request with the City to have the agenda emailed to you when the agendas are published. Subscribe to the City Of San Ramon current City Council Meeting, Planning Commission Meetings, and Parks & Community Services Commission Meeting agendas. Emails will be sent out at least 72 hours in advance.

Note: Next meeting is:

Read the Next Meeting Agenda January 8, 2008 with this San Ramon City link.

January 8, 2008

Note Change of Location
San Ramon Community Center
12501 Alcosta Boulevard

CLOSED SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M.

Contra Costa Home Sales Down 46 Percent year to year

2007-12-31T07:32:00.000-08:00

Home Sales in the East Bay took a turn for the worst in November. DataQuick Information Systems issued a report showing that Bay Area Home Sales were down on average 36% with Contra Costa County showing a decrease of 46% from previous November 2006 total home sales. Median sales prices also dropped in Contra Costa County of 6.9 percent.

All Homes	Number Sold Nov-06	Number Sold Nov-07	Percent Change	Median November 2006	Median November 2007	Percent Change
Alameda	1,560	985	-36.9%	$581,000	$565,000	-2.8%
Contra Costa	1,627	879	-46.0%	$567,500	$528,500	-6.9%
Marin	285	206	-27.7%	$847,500	$871,000	2.8%
Napa	125	81	-35.2%	$599,000	$562,000	-6.2%
Santa Clara	2,028	1,317	-35.1%	$673,000	$678,000	0.7%
San Francisco	568	479	-15.7%	$760,000	$814,750	7.2%
San Mateo	678	504	-25.7%	$749,000	$780,000	4.1%
Solano	629	313	-50.2%	$441,000	$375,550	-14.8%
Sonoma	542	363	-33.0%	$535,000	$470,000	-12.1%
Bay Area	8,042	5,127	-36.2%	$620,000	$629,000	1.5%

Source: DataQuick Information Systems, www.DQNews.com

DQNews.com Report

Bay Area home sales stuck at two-decade low; price picture mixed

The Bay Area's housing market remained in a bit of deep freeze in November, when sluggish demand kept sales at a two-decade low for the third straight month. Prices continued to hold up best in the region's core markets, while some outlying areas posted more double-digit annual declines, a real estate information service reported.

East Bay Business Times Reports

Mortgage crisis front and center: Biggest risk for economy is real estate

The housing market dominated economic and financial headlines in 2007, and is expected to be a major driver next year as well.

"Housing is front and center, and a major risk factor going forward," said Scott Anderson, a senior economist at Wells Fargo & Co. who puts the chances of California entering a short, shallow recession at almost 50 percent.

Business spending generally follows consumer spending, Thornberg said, so a slowdown in consumer spending will typically be followed several months later by a slowdown in business spending. He will be watching to see if there are dramatic decreases in business spending in the second and third quarters of 2008.

Anderson at Wells sees a potential slowdown in commercial real estate next year, which in 2007 stayed fairly strong as the residential market tanked. With banks tightening credit and scrutinizing loan portfolios, "we've seen the best days in commercial real estate," Anderson said. "Our fear is it could deteriorate more than expected."

Toys For Tots Dancing With The Stars

2007-12-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

A Toys For Tots Event will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 from 12 pm to 2 pm at Taqueria El Balazo 250 Market Place San Ramon, CA 94583.

Through the gift of a shiny new toy, the Toys for Tots Foundation provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children who might otherwise be overlooked this holiday season. Sponsor a toy and give a child recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime.

There will be a special guest appearance by Dancing With The Stars professional dancers Mark Ballas and Derek Hough.

We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and our goal is to collect 500 toys in 2 hours.

You can contact Nicole Pizani if you need more information at 510-604-2204.

City Council Votes Against Downtown Appeals

2007-12-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Two Appeals Were Denied By City Council Pertaining to the Certification of the City Center Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report and Approval of the Associated Project Entitlements.

John Nunes and the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 5 filed an appeal with the City of San Ramon. After hearing public testimony, and testimony from the appellant and respondent, the City Council voted against the appeal. They voted for the downtown project with the addition of an amendment that would positively block (restrict) "Big Box Retail", 75,000 sq. ft. or more with 10% of non sales tax items from being allowed to reside in the Downtown Center without a vote of the City Council.

Solar Gone To Waste
Also included and passed by City Council was an energy savings amendment for the Downtown Center, which would include some solar and/or energy saving switching of lights off when not in use. However, the language on this amendment was somewhat more of a acquiescent olive branch offering than having any real teeth in promoting green or energy savings.

Jim Gibbon, representing San Ramon for Open Government also had submitted an appeal to the City of San Ramon pertaining to the certification of the City Center Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report and approval of the Associated Project Entitlements. After hearing public testimony and testimony from the appellant and respondent, the City Council voted against this appeal also.

An interesting amendment was included in voting for the Downtown Center in relation to this appeal in regards to "Congesting Pricing" and/or paid for parking. In essence, the City of San Ramon, Alex Mehran of Sunset Development, and the City Council voted for this amendment, that if Congestion Pricing and or paid for parking was implemented at a regional level, that San Ramon would also implement paid for parking at the Downtown Center.

It is interesting to note that there seems to be a conflict of interest between the City of San Ramon, the City Council, Alex Mehran of Sunset Development Company and the passage of the City Center Downtown plan. Because the City is in a partnership with Alex Mehran, there were blatant signs from the City Manager, Herb Moniz, of deferring issues to Alex Mehran for approval or not approval of selected items. In a somewhat of a comical situation, Councilman David Hudson came out and strongly and totally apposed the additional Congestion Pricing Amendment be added, but then when Alex Mehran spoke out in favor of adding the amendment, Councilmemeber Hudson sheepishly found himself on the wrong side of the majority and quietly and disgruntling voted for it.

You have to wonder, does the City really get any land out of this deal. Because of the past land deals with Alex Mehran, in which he allegedly sold (escrow shows it was sold on paper) the prime pieces of property to the City which includes the 7.5 acre property and 11 acre "City Center" property, Alex in fact maintained a type of veto right on what the property could be used for, and he could exercise his right to buy back the property from the City for any reason for just the cost that he sold it plus cost of living increases. This is a sweetheart deal for Alex Mehran and Sunset Development Company, because the land is worth so much more now. So, now the City is going to be giving up prime real estate land for a building. But, is the City really going to own the land the building is standing on? Will the City even own the building or will it be leased to the City of San Ramon? Additionally, it is interesting to note that because the financials have remained hidden from public scrutiny, there simply is no way to analyze the true merits of this partnership between Sunset Development Company and the City of San Ramon, and how this Downtown Center will ultimately play out for the stakeholders, the Citizens of San Ramon.

Feel free to submit your news stories for publication consideration. Read the introduction to the San Ramon Tribune Newspaper for information.

Speed Limits Set Higher in Windemere

2007-12-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

The San Ramon City Council passed an ordinance increasing the speed limits on Albion Road, East Branch Parkway, Monarch Road and Windemere Parkway.

30 MPH on Albion Road, from Bollinger Canyon Road to Windemere Parkway.
40 MPH on East Branch Parkway, from Bollinger Canyon Road to Windemere Parkway.
40 MPH on Monarch Road, from Bollinger Canyon Road to Dougherty Road,
40 MPH on Windemere Parkway, from Bollinger Canyon Road to East Branch Parkway.

Doug Burr, who has brought two proposed initiatives to include stop signs and a speed limit of 30 MPH for all of Windemere Parkway and East Branch Parkway spoke out against the increased 40 MPH speed limits on these roads. Doug reported that other cities have implemented exactly what his initiatives are to reduce speeds and make it safer for the children. Doug asked the City Council to vote against the 40 MPH increase in speeds indicating that setting the speed limits higher will likely result in even higher speeds in the future.

City Staff reported that because a traffic study showed that the average speeds are currently above the 30 MPH speed limits (45.8 miles per hour on Windemere Parkway and 40.17 miles per hour on East Branch Parkway based on the traffic study) that setting the speed limits at 30 MPH would make it unenforceable by the police using radar according to state law. According to staff, the 85'th percentile speed is set in 5 mph increments, rounded to the nearest 5 mph. The City Traffic Engineer has the discretion to lower the rounded 85'th percentile speed by 5 miles per hour. If the posted speed limit is not based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey, then the roadway is considered a speed trap and unenforceable by radar in the State of California.

Areas within 500 ft of schools would still have a 25 mph school zone, but only when children are present. There is a legislative proposal that would increase the area to include 1000 ft where schools are present. City staff is also formulating increased coverage for parks and recreation areas to also be included in the 25 mph zones, but only when children are present. This would have to be voted on by City Council to incorporate this into the entire City of San Ramon Parks and Recreation areas.

Doughery Valley Traffic Signals are being planned for many of the intersections on Windemere Parkway and East Branch Parkway. According to the Traffic Signal Engineer, lights can be timed to allow for a smooth flow of traffic through the area with lights timed in waves to any speed limit desired.

While traffic lights are in fact generally designed to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic, they are not exactly an effective measure for reducing speeds.

Under a coordinated control system for synchronizing the signals speed is self-regulated; drivers traveling too fast will arrive on a red indication and end up stopping, drivers traveling too slowly will not arrive at the next signal in time to utilize the green indication. In synchronized systems, however, drivers will often use excessive speed in order to "make" as many lights as possible. (See traffic lights)

It is also important to note that the scheduled opening in the spring of 2008 of Windemere Parkway to Camino Tassajara connection will significantly increase traffic on the roadway, and is anticipated that speeds will increase once that occurs.

Feel free to submit your news stories for publication consideration. Read the introduction to the San Ramon Tribune Newspaper for information.

City Council Elves : Elf Yourself

2007-12-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

The San Ramon City Council Gets in the Holiday Mood.

Councilmember David E. Hudson, Councilmember Scott Perkins, Mayor H. Abram Wilson, Vice Mayor Jim Livingstone, and Councilmember Carol J. Rowley perform for the citizens of San Ramon. Here they are putting on the Santa Elf costumes to get us all ready for the holidays.

See them live for a limited engagement at Elf Yourself. Links to each Dance number are found here.

The first production number is called: Santa's Four Elves

The second production is a solo by: Councilmember Rowley titled: Santa's Favorite

From all of us to all of you, Happy Holidays San Ramon City Council Members. Keep the smile on your faces. You guys look good in the elf costumes. Ho Ho Ho!

Brunch With Santa

2007-11-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

Come and spend brunch with Santa Claus on Saturday, December 8'th at three different times at the Alcosta Room in the Community Center. Sessions include 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, and 12:30 PM till 2:30 PM. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up early for visiting with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves for a variety of brunch treats. Both children and adults must register. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here for more information for Brunch With Santa.

ALCOSTA ROOM
COMMUNITY CTR
12501 ALCOSTA BLVD

SAN RAMON
CA, 94583

Phone: (925) 973-3200

David Benoit "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

2007-11-29T22:43:00.000-08:00

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Photo by Andrew VonBank/Associated Press

Join Jazz pianist David Benoit and his band as they bring life to Vince Guaraldi's magical music from the Peanuts Christmas Specials. "Christmastime Is Here," "Linus & Lucy's Theme," and other favorites sparkle under David’s masterful touch. An accomplished musician and Grammy winner David Benoit's career successfully spans both the jazz and classical worlds. Relive the joy of youth with your favorite Peanuts songs performed masterfully by David Benoit and his band.

Does this man know how to have a good time?

Sunday 12/9/07 4:00 PM
Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
10550 Albion Way
San Ramon, CA

Ticket Information

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2007-11-29T22:16:00.000-08:00

Twas The Night Before Christmas

A realistic dramatic and musical story based upon the inspiration for Clement Moore's famous poem. This heartwarming play is a reminder of all the family traditions for the holidays. The excellent holiday performance for the entire family has two acts and a Victorian turn-of-the century drawing room setting. The show has been described as 'Heartwarming and delightful...' -Chicago Tribune

Order Tickets

Stop The Lawsuit Now!

2007-11-19T23:15:00.000-08:00

Stop the Lawsuit
Email
citycouncil@sanramon.ca.gov

Hi, my name's Doug Burr, and I live in San Ramon, California.

Eighteen months ago, the principal of this school (Hidden Hills School, San Ramon) asked me to help and get some stop signs in front of the school so our kids would be safe when they walk to school.

So, I asked the city, and they said no. So, I wrote an initiative to put on the ballot, and let the voters decide. Well, the city sued to stop me, and I think that's wrong.

I think democracy is what makes this the greatest country in the world. And I'd like to ask this entire country to e-mail Mayor Wilson and the San Ramon City Council, and ask them to stop the lawsuit.

God Bless America

www.stopsignsinwindemere.com

Send in your articles for publication consideration to the San Ramon Tribune. Read the introduction to the San Ramon Tribune Newspaper.

30,000 Cars Per Day By Year End!

2007-11-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

The County Master Plan estimates 30,000 cars per day; the posted speed signs will change to 45 miles an hour when the connection to Camino Tassajara is opened by the end of this year.

The cities of Danville and Dublin are putting pressure on the County to open the connection sooner to move their traffic onto San Ramon streets. Commuters from Livermore to Walnut Creek are expected to take Camino Tassajara to Windemere Parkway to Bollinger to avoid the 580/680 interchange.

Camino Tassajara/Blackhawk residents are expected to use East Branch Parkway (in front of Windemere Ranch Middle School) to avoid the evening backup on 580. They will remove the stop sign on East Branch at Arlington Way.

Stop Signs In Windemere NOW!

What are we asking for? Stop signs at 11 intersections and 30 miles an hour posted for all of Windemere Parkway and East Branch Parkway! Windemere Parkway is classified as a regional collector like Bollinger Canyon Rd. Every intersection on both of those roads has either stop signs or traffic lights. The majority of intersections on Windemere Parkway have no traffic control.	What else are we asking for? The Mayor and the San Ramon City Council must act! We want the City Council to pass an ordinance stating the stop signs will be installed and the posted speed signs changed to 30 miles an hour. We want this prior to the City of San Ramon taking control of Windemere Parkway. Waiting until the City of San Ramon has jurisdiction is a delaying tactic. The Council will want the transportation department to do a traffic study. The result of the study will be that a road designed for 55 miles an hour traffic should be posted at 45 miles an hour and have the current configuration of traffic lights. The county has already done the study. (see new info below) This is a political decision, not a traffic department decision.

Join us at: www.stopsignsinwindemere.com

Update and new information: The county is no longer planning on raising the speed limit to 45 mph, it is the City that plans to raise the speed limit to 40 mph.

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San Ramon Sues Their Own Residents

2007-11-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

San Ramon, CA
The City of San Ramon has sued to stop Doug Burr, resident of San Ramon, for bringing forth the Stop Signs and Speed Limits Windemere Initiatives, and to prevent the initiatives from being placed on the ballot.

"I just want the children in this neighborhood to walk to school in safety," said Doug. The City Council then voted in closed session to authorize the lawsuits.

Doug Burr spoke at a previous City Council meeting in September 2007, requesting that the City Council take action and support a resolution which would keep the speed limit on Windemere Parkway and East Branch Parkway at 30 mph instead of the County's plans to increase it to 45 mph. (see new information update below)

Windemere Public and School Safety Zone Windemere, San Ramon, CA : Google Interactive Map

Mayor H. Abram Wilson thanked Mr. Burr for bringing this item to the Council's attention and stated that he will forward this item to appropriate City staff to evaluate. The Mayor announced that, "resident safety is of paramount concern to the Council and that this is not a Dougherty Valley problem but a City problem." The Mayor said, "Council will follow the proper procedures so that any action taken will be done legally." Reference.

Look At The Legal Action Taken!

San Ramon City Sues to Stop Safer Streets for Children!

Mayor H. Abram Wilson's "proper procedures" according to a closed session of City Council was to promptly file not one, but two legal lawsuits against Doug Burr for bringing initiatives forward that will reduce the speed thorough a section of Windemere where children go to school. The proposed initiatives include reducing the speed limit back down to 30 mph and the placing of a number of stop signs in the residential neighborhood where parks and Hidden Hills Elementary School are located.

The City "maintains that the initiatives are invalid because it 'embraces more than one issue' to wit: establishing a speed limit of 30 miles per hour on Windermere Parkway in the Windemere Development; and, establishing a speed limit of 30 miles per hour on East Branch Parkway in the Windermere Development."

Doug Burr disagrees with the City's legal conclusions and maintains "that the Proposed Initiative does not 'embrace more than one issue.'"

The city is taking the same tact with the stop signs initiative, and filed a second lawsuit against Doug on the stop signs initiative.

So, the City wants a judicial determination and is suing Dour Burr for a judicial declaration of invalidity on the initiatives, for costs of the suits (each suit estimated to be over $25,000 in damages to the City), and for any other further relief as the Court deems just and proper; as a way of preventing him, or any others from getting the petition on the ballot. (Speed Lawsuit and Stop Signs Lawsuit PDFs)

Doug has set up a Winderemer website with more information about the Stop Signs in Windemere at www.stopsignsinwindemere.com.

Here is what the residents of Windemere want.

Stop signs at 11 intersections and 30 miles an hour posted for all of Windemere Parkway and East Branch Parkway!

Windemere Parkway is classified as an arterial like Bollinger Canyon Rd. Every intersection on Bollinger has either stop signs or traffic lights. The majority of intersections on Windemere Parkway have no traffic control.

All of the intersections are in front of schools, on intersections children use to walk to school or in front of parks.

What intersections specifically?

1. East Branch Parkway and Arlington Way (There was a stop sign, it has been removed)
2. South Bellingham Way and Windemere Parkway
3. Silva Way and Windemere Parkway
4. Kearney Way and Windemere Parkway
5. Holborn Way and Windemere Parkway
6. Windside Lane and Windemere Parkway
7. Albion Rd and Harcourt
8. Albion Rd and Silva Way
9. Craiglee Way and Harcourt Way
10. Sherwood Way and Baker Way
11. Sherwood Way and Melbourne Way

San Ramon's Alcosta Blvd., south of Bollinger Canyon Rd., is a good example of what they want. If the City can put stop signs and a 30 mph speed limit there, why can't they put them in Windemere?
The Stop Signs in Windemere website has over a 125 petition signers listed with many more signing up and are outraged by what the City of San Ramon is doing to their own people.

The San Ramon City Council's idea of following the will of the people is to rule them with an Iron Fist.

Is this America or is this Russia during Stalin's reign and bringing the Hammer down on the people, or is it Germany under the reign of Hitler? You be the judge.

Post Your Comments Online

Update and new information: The county is no longer planning on raising the speed limit to 45, it is the City of San Ramon that plans to raise the speed limit to 40.

Chevron Looking at Algae Harvesting for Producing Bio-Fuels

2007-11-01T23:55:00.000-07:00

Chevron and National Renewable Energy Laboratory to Collaborate on Research to Produce Transportation Fuels Using Algae

Joint effort to identify and develop algae strains for feedstock in next-generation biofuels

SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced today that they have entered into a collaborative research and development agreement to study and advance technology to produce liquid transportation fuels using algae.

Chevron and NREL scientists will collaborate to identify and develop algae strains that can be economically harvested and processed into finished transportation fuels such as jet fuel. Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., will fund the initiative.

The research project announced today is the second under a five-year strategic biofuels research alliance between Chevron and NREL announced in October 2006. The first involves bio-oil reforming, a process by which bio-oils derived from the decomposition of biological feedstocks are then converted into hydrogen and biofuels.

"We are extremely pleased to join Chevron in this path-breaking research," said NREL Director Dan Arvizu. "NREL operated the Aquatic Species Program for the Department of Energy for nearly 20 years, giving us unique insights into the research required to produce cost-effective fuels from algal oils or lipids. Our scientists have the advanced tools and the experience to rapidly increase the yield and productivity of key species of algae. In Chevron we have found an ideal research partner with the skills and knowledge to transform these algal lipids to cost-competitive fuels and to distribute those fuels to consumers."

"Biofuels will play an increasingly important role in diversifying energy supplies to meet the world's growing energy needs. Chevron believes that nonfood feedstock sources such as algae and cellulose hold the greatest promise to grow the biofuels industry to large scale," said Don Paul, vice president and chief technology officer, Chevron Corporation. "Collaboration between industry, universities, research institutions and government is essential to overcoming the technological and commercial challenges of manufacturing high-quality transportation fuels from unconventional feedstocks. Chevron is pleased to partner with the nation's preeminent renewable energy laboratory in this important research."

Algae are considered a promising potential feedstock for next-generation biofuels because certain species contain high amounts of oil, which could be extracted, processed and refined into transportation fuels using currently available technology. Other benefits of algae as a potential feedstock are their abundance and fast growth rates. Key technical challenges include identifying the strains with the highest oil content and growth rates and developing cost-effective growing and harvesting methods.

About the National Energy Renewable Laboratory

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the DOE by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle. More information about NREL is available at http://www.nrel.gov.

NREL supports the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Biomass Program. NREL is the lead national laboratory of the virtual National Bioenergy Center, which was established to support and help the DOE coordinate the nation's biomass research activities. The center has primary responsibility for carrying out the agenda of the Office of the Biomass Program of the EERE and other related goals. Collaborating with industrial, academic, related EERE programs and other governmental research, development and commercialization efforts is central to that agenda.

About Chevron

Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. We have approximately 58,000 employees, and our subsidiaries conduct business in more than 180 countries. We operate across the entire energy spectrum -- producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products and services; manufacturing and selling petrochemical products; generating power; and developing and commercializing the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron expects to spend approximately $2.5 billion on alternative and renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency services between 2007 and 2009. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at http://www.chevron.com.

SOURCE Chevron Corporation

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Biodiesel from algae

Matt Mathis, left, and Roger Simmons, technicians with the Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management, sample the water in a stock tank being used to grow algae at New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Artesia. Researchers are working to determine the best methods to grow and harvest the algae, which can be used to produce oil for biodiesel fuel. (01/08/2007) NMSU

Bay Area Shakes 5.6 Earthquake Alum Rock

2007-10-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

The Bay Area Area

From the USGS website, the earthquake that hit approximately 8:05 PM, 5 miles North North/East of Alum Rock on the Calaveras Fault and was 5.6 on the Richter Scale with after shocks being felt in San Ramon also. Some of the cities which the Calaveras Fault passes through or near are: Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Sunol, Milpitas, San Jose, Gilroy, and Hollister.

Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada

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including new CA-NV pages at - http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm

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Update time = Tue Oct 30 20:21:14 PDT 2007
MAG DATE LOCAL-TIME LAT LON DEPTH LOCATION
y/m/d h:m:s deg deg km

1.2 2007/10/30 20:19:52 38.827N 122.784W 2.8 4 km ( 2 mi) NNE of The Geysers, CA
1.6 2007/10/30 20:16:12 37.404N 121.750W 8.2 8 km ( 5 mi) ENE of Alum Rock, CA
0.5 2007/10/30 20:15:38 38.790N 122.757W 2.0 4 km ( 3 mi) ESE of The Geysers, CA
1.3 2007/10/30 20:13:48 37.403N 121.749W 8.2 8 km ( 5 mi) ENE of Alum Rock, CA
1.5 2007/10/30 20:12:55 37.419N 121.745W 11.1 9 km ( 6 mi) NE of Alum Rock, CA
1.4 2007/10/30 20:12:23 37.409N 121.675W 7.3 14 km ( 9 mi) ENE of Alum Rock, CA
5.6 2007/10/30 20:04:54 37.432N 121.776W 9.2 8 km ( 5 mi) NNE of Alum Rock, CA

For current earthquakes in the Bay Area, click on the tremors on the map to view current information.

Solar Opportunity Gone To Waste

2007-10-25T23:44:00.000-07:00

Cough Cough

In light of the latest headlines in the news about San Ramon in the Contra Costa Times, City hopes to cut emissions by 11 percent in three years, one can't help but think that the proposed downtown city center plan is a green opportunity gone to waste.

The City Officials are so quick to think that this is the best deal for the city that they have overlooked what is happening in the world today and even more importantly what is happening in our own backyard.

The Contra Costa Times reported, "Within three years, San Ramon hopes to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases by 11 percent, city leaders announced."

San Ramon Mayor H. Abram Wilson was quoted as saying, "It's not just for the environment -- it makes good sense for the bottom line." And, Dave Krueger, the San Ramon Public Services Program Manager was quoted when questioned how the city will reduce its emissions once the environmental research is complete, he responded, "we aren't quite there yet."

Herein lies the rub. San Ramon city officials are looking to reduce emissions, but the downtown center will do anything but reduce emissions. Not only will the downtown center not reduce emissions, but it will significantly increase emissions with the increase in traffic congestion and thousands more car trips, each and every day. Watch what happens to emissions in the San Ramon Valley when that occurs.

Now, if that doesn't make you cough as it is, the planners of this Downtown City Center Design have not even considered the environmental impact of not going green. Not only have there not been studies of how to improve the environment by using solar energy at this mega center, but the positive economic impact that could be attained by designing solar throughout this project has not been considered either. On the other side of the coin, Google just recently installed photo voltaic solar panels at the Googleplex. Google committed to solar energy production because it made economic and environmental sense. The payback period is 7.5 years, and after that time, everything is free energy generated by the sun. Check out the Google Solar Panel Project and the fly-over video.

The best time to design for solar is when the project is on the drawing board to begin with, not after it is already built. Energy is not going to get any cheaper, and the opportunity to do the right thing is at hand. Hey Guys, go back to the drawing board. Let's not let it go to waste.

The City Center: Solution to a "Done Deal"

2007-10-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

So much for the San Ramon Planning Commission! So much for the City Center Project not being a "Done Deal". Once the Planning Commission approves the DSEIR on November 6th the project will go before the City Council. The City Council will have three meetings during the holidays and before any one gets back from enjoying of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it will be another "Done Deal".

This is all by design and in the past they would have gotten away with it, but not now. The city's plea to "trust us" is too late. They are trying this trust us one too many times. There is no trust left.

Trust is given when trust is earned. The City Council manipulated the 2020 General Plan in 2002, they manipulated the Rezoning process in 2006, and they manipulated the Open Space Ordinance this year. There is only expectation left, and it is one of self interest and of a private club mentality. Expectation of a public forum and public representation is gone and in its place is private business to business partnerships and 'Done Deals'.

The City Center Project has been in the works for years. The first budget workshops were held in February 2004. The Economic Development Advisory Committee and Bay Area Economics held retail sector workshops in July 2005 and drafted a Strategic Plan. The city staff made a presentation to the City Council in October 2005. At the same time the City Council held private meetings with Sunset Development to form a private partnership. In 2006 the City Council made changes to the General Plan, the zoning, and created the Mixed Use Zoning. Finally, in March of 2007 the City Council rolled the finished City Center Project in a joint staff and committee meeting. All this maneuvering and decision making was done behind a wall of silence.

The first “public” input to the project in September 2007 before the Planning Commission came with statements that this project was NOT a done deal. After two meetings we found out that it was a “Done Deal”. No changes could be allowed because it would upset the economics of the deal. So much for the public trust.

What you can't trust is the private financial deal. What you can't trust is the "Statement of Overriding Consideration". What you can’t trust is the traffic study. You can't trust this project that is more suited to San Francisco. You can’t trust a project that is expected to cost $775,000,000.00 and the city is going to be rich from the sales taxes. You can't trust what they say is the real cost of this private “Done Deal”.

Trust me this is going to cost the City of San Ramon plenty. This starts off as a land grab. The city purchased the 11 acres and then the 7.5 acres from Sunset Development for real money ($12,000,000.00). In this deal the City Council transferred the FAR (Floor Area Ratio) to Sunset Development's other projects which left no use for the 18 acres except for public uses. After years of turning down proposed public uses the City Council rezoned the properties to Mixed-Use and added an FAR of 1.35 to them. They then rezoned from non- private uses to eight story buildings. The estimated value of the 18 acre property with the new zoning, in current dollars, is between $60,000,000.00 and $80,000,000.00 as it stands empty.

In the City Center Project the city owned property gets lost. The property where the new Civic Center is to be located is not even owned by Sunset Development, it is owned by Chevron. Chevron is already asking for compensation. No one knows whether the city will own the new Civic Center or lease it from Sunset Development.

It appears the city will get an increase in sales taxes but Sunset is expected to ask for a share of the increased revenue. What other guaranties is the City Council going to make in the name of this "Done Deal" project? The financial deal should be made public before we vote on this deal. The voters of San Ramon should have a chance to Vote on whether they agree with this deal or not.

This City Center Project needs to be redesigned to meet the needs of the public and not impact the city as severely as the present proposal shows. If the Project is built, it should have the following changes:

The buildings should be a maximum of five stories with a smaller total square footage to be compatible with the rest of Bishop Ranch. This is a reduction of about 50% from the proposed size. The parking lot structures should be reduced by one half the proposed size.

The Civic Center should be located on the north side of Bollinger Canyon Blvd and next to Central Park so that it has a relationship to other public uses. The size should be doubled to about 300,000 sq. ft.

The proposed City Center Plaza should face onto the Iron Horse Trail and Central Park.

All environmental effects of the project should be mitigated and not be a “significant and unavoidable cumulative impact”. Not a letter of “Statement of Overriding Consideration” from the Mayor to allow significant environmental impacts.

The City Center project should be approved by the citizens of San Ramon. If the City Council does not give them the opportunity to vote, a Referendum on the Project will be needed.

Article submitted to San Ramon Tribune