Oakley.Now-Roni

Business spotlight: Side photography business is a family affair for Dsicovery Bay's Munanas

2011-06-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

Name of business: Smiles: Creative Imaging
Type of business: Photography
Owners: Julie and Luke Munana
Founded: 2005
Address: Home-based studio, Discovery Bay
Phone number: 925-766-5773
Hours: By appointment
Number of employees: two, as well as independent contactors when needed.
Products and services: Smiles: Creative Imaging offers portrait photography, specializing in maternity and newborn photos. They also offer photography services for family photos, seniors, weddings and special occasions.
How did you get into this business?: When Julie Munana's grandfather died in the late 1990s he left a camera that no one knew how to use. At the time Munana was a nursing student and needed a few more credits and decided to take a photography class.
"I just loved it and I started taking pictures of friends and family and got a lot of positive reactions," she said.
Before long she had decided to make her hobby into a business.
Best part about the business?: "Getting to meet new people and being apart of some of the most special moments in life," Julie Munana said. "We are in the business of preserving memories."
Munana said they love to capture individual family dynamics. That includes "the amazing beauty of each pregnancy, the innocence of a child, the connection and passion between a bride and groom, and the personality and spunk of seniors," she said.
Worst part about the business?: "I don't think there are any downsides to the business," she said. She went on to say that she loves every aspect of the business, from meeting clients, brainstorming locations and creative poses, shooting the pictures, post processing and delivery of photos to her clients.
Key to success: "Always going the extra mile to please our clients so they will want to come back again and again, and in turn, send us referrals," Munana said.
Biggest misconception about the business: "I believe the biggest misconception in this business is that people tend to think that anyone with a good camera can take a good picture," Munana said.
She explained that to some extent this is true; however, having the ability to manipulate the camera and its functions, know lighting techniques, and have those personal connections with people to draw out emotions and capture them, that is when "art" is born.
"I have found that when first time clients hire us, we have always exceeded their expectations," she said.
Future plans: "We both work full-time jobs in addition to having this business. I would personally love to make my photography business my primary job," Munana said. "I love it, and to do this would be a dream come true."
-- Roni Gehlke

Delta Science Center works on raising profile

2011-06-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

By Rowena Coetsee
Contra Costa Times

OAKLEY -- Delta Science Center is trying to raise its profile.

The organization, that is -- not the building, which doesn't yet exist.

"It's a little confusing," said Roni Gehlke, executive director of the nonprofit group that will be sharing its name with an educational site East Bay Regional Park District has planned for Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley.

And one where Delta Science Center might find a new home.

Its namesake is an approximately 5,500-foot structure that also will acquaint the public with the Delta's ecosystem when it opens, which Gehlke said will be either late this year or in early 2012.

Once that happens, the Delta Science Center -- the organization -- which currently operates out of a sanitary district's office, hopes to move into part of Delta Science Center -- the building.

In the meantime, the organization has designed a new logo to reinforce its identity and has set up a new phone number to ensure the public can reach it.

In addition, Gehlke, along with board President Mike Painter, have spent the past six months reintroducing the center to the public.

They've been speaking to a variety of groups around East County, giving presentations to Antioch, Pittsburg and Oakley city councils, as well as to service clubs, local water districts and educators.
Delta Science Center isn't a physical place, per se, but an organization that evolved from discussions Ironhouse Sanitary District initiated with a couple other entities nearly two decades ago.

Its mission is to foster an appreciation for the approximately 700 miles of waterways that supply a huge portion of the state's drinking water and nurture a rich array of plants and wildlife.

In that vein, the center has gotten young people involved in its projects; Gehlke noted that it once arranged for 500 Freedom High School students to gauge the health of Marsh Creek by analyzing water and soil samples.

Another activity called for teen volunteers to collect water from the Delta at different times of the day and year to test the concentrations of salt and toxins.

For the past several years Delta Science Center has been publishing and distributing free calendars containing facts about the Delta to fifth-grade classrooms around East County.

Now Gehlke and an Oakley schools administrator are meeting with teachers to come up with a curriculum that builds on topics highlighted in the calendars such as the region's endangered species and the crops that farmers grow on some of the 57 islands in the Delta.

The goal is to incorporate these lessons into not just science classes, but English, math and history as well, Gehlke said.

Delta Science Center is aiming to have them on DVDs by September so it can give them to fifth-grade teachers at the same time it distributes approximately 10,000 calendars to classes from Martinez to Rio Vista and everywhere in between.

The organization also plans to put more youngsters on the water this year.
Last year, Delta Science Center paid for two Oakley fifth-grade classes to explore the Delta aboard the Robert G. Brownlee, a research vessel used for educational cruises during which youngsters can fish or observe some of the water's microorganisms through microscopes.

This year Gehkle said the organization is trying to drum up the thousands of dollars needed to send 20 East County classes on the half-day excursions.
Reach the Delta Science Center at 925-289-5711.
Rowena Coetsee covers Oakley. Reach her at 925-779-7141.

Business Spotlight: Clothes boutique sells Southern Asian wear

2011-06-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: K Styles
Type of business: Women's clothing and accessories studio
Owner: Shalendra Sharma
Founded: February 2011
Address: Antioch
Phone number: 925-757-4429
Hours: By appointment only
Number of employees: one
Products and services: K Styles features authentic Southern Asian wear, including women's blouses, tunics, leggings and tops. They also carry necklaces, bracelets and earrings, including pieces made of sterling silver, cubic zirconium and gemstones. In addition, K Styles sells purses, pillbox's, business card holders and fashion accessories.
How did you get into the business?: At one point Shalendra Sharma and his wife, Kajal, were talking about the lack of local boutiques that carry Southern Asian clothing and thought it was something that's needed. Shalendra looked into what it would take to open a store and K Styles was the outcome.
Best part about the business?: K Styles premiered in February at a show at the Fremont Hilton. The idea is to display their clothing and accessories in exhibition settings to get the word out.
"This gives us the added advantage of being able to move our inventory quickly and not just in our own community but outside as well," Kajal Sharma said.
She said she likes the fact that they can keep their in-home studio and also move their business to various events.
Worst part about the business?: Sharma said that they haven't encountered a downside so far. She did say that while many of their items come from within the United States, some are purchased overseas. In those cases, it's an involved process returning them to the manufacturer if product arrives damaged.
Key to success: "Keeping our product line fresh and unique," Sharma said.
She said that K Styles is working hard to vary merchandise and ensure that it isn't the same thing that can be found at local department stores. They are keeping their setting much like a boutique that features one-of-a-kind items.
Biggest misperception about the business: Sharma said that usually the only source of the Southern Asian fashions is from major department stores and there isn't a large selection.
"It wouldn't be uncommon to go to an event and find someone who is wearing the same outfit or one that is just in a slightly different color," Sharma said. "K Styles offers unique clothing."
She said that everything is so unusual that you know if you are wearing something from their selection you won't be seeing someone else in the area with the same outfit.
Future plans: "Get out there and spread the word," she said.
K Styles has been at several Bay Area events and plans to continue marketing itself this way. They will be attending a show in Berkeley and then a large show at Cal-State East Bay over the July 4 weekend.

Around Oakley: Friends of Oakley to host car show, kids festival fundraiser

2011-06-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Car show enthusiasts looking for fun, local family entertainment will want to check out the Friends of Oakley's "Fun In The Sun 2011" event Saturday at O'Hara Park. All of the proceeds from the car show will go to the Friends of Oakley's Christmas Basket Program for this coming holiday season.

While the show-and-shine-style car show will be a big part of the event, the coordinators have added some new attractions to make this event a lot of fun for children as well.

"We still have the jumps and clowns, but this year we've added spin arts and a Party Line train to the show as well," Pat Anderson, Friends of Oakley board member and event coordinator, said.
For even more fun, Anderson said there will also be face painting, crafts, a story time corner, bubble corner and game garden. Local business Pompei Nursery will be on hand to offer a "Green Thumb Zone" and kids will also want to head over to the "Make a Guess Grove" to have a chance to win a prize. The kids festival will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the same hours as the car show.

The event will also feature a hot dog lunch with beans, chips and a drink from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Children also will have a chance to pick out their favorite cars in a kids' choice award.
For the past few years, the Oakley organization has been sponsoring the event and helping out other Oakley causes, but Anderson said this year the group has decided to keep the funds for its own Christmas Basket Program. Their hope is to increase the number of families that they help throughout the holidays from 200 to 300 this year.

The group started just a few years back, primarily by Oakley City Council members and a few other Oakley residents, as a way to give back to the community. One of its first goals was to provide a holiday food drive similar to that of the Brentwood Community Chest. As a matter of fact, the Brentwood organization helped the Friends of Oakley kick off their fundraiser in the first year to secure a way for Oakley to take care of their own. Now the Friends of Oakley take care of Oakley residents in need under this program.

Over the years, the group has gone from helping 150 families to 200. Now, if support goes well this year, kicking it up to 300 served will be a large help to those in need in Oakley.

The group is raising money through the car show entries and ticket sales for games and food at the events. Gaming tickets can be purchased per game, but keep in mind that this is an excellent cause, so even if you purchase a few extras, know that you are really helping someone in need.
O'Hara Park is at the corner of O'Hara Avenue and Cypress Road.

Everyone is welcome to attend, not just Oakley residents. What a great idea for some local fun in the sun.

Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Around Oakley: Train crossing means delays for certain neighborhoods

2011-06-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Living in a community with a major railroad running through the center of it, one can get used to a lot of things. For instance, there is the noise factor. On a summer evening with the doors and windows open it isn't unusual to hear the train whistle at least two or three times before one train leaves town. It doesn't matter if you live by the tracks or a mile away.
Depending where you are located it is even possible to hear the clanging of the crossing bells. For someone like me who lives right behind the crossing, it is even possible to become so accustomed to the noise that sometimes a train can go by and you would completely miss the noise altogether.
However, that said, it's still bothersome that the Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe seems to take liberties with the amount of time it keeps the crossing closed on the Big Break Road. For those who aren't familiar, there is a side track to the railroad crossing adjacent to the DuPont property where BNSF stores train cars. For quite a few months now the railroad company has been picking up cars in the middle of the day, about 2 p.m. or so, a couple of days a week. While doing so they must close the gates and stop train traffic while the train backs up onto the side track and picks up the new cars.
California State Law says this is permissible under Cal. [Pub. Util.] Code § 1225.2 (1999). The law states that in this instance it must be completed with its intrusion in 10 minutes.
During the past month I've been monitoring the wait time since this is a crossing I frequent, and it seems that I'm always coming or going just when the workers are out shifting trains. On three separate occasions the wait time was 15 minutes or more.
Many people who live in the Vintage Parkway subdivision complain that it takes even longer to get through the crossing. Many times there are at least five or more cars waiting on each side of the tracks. Many who wait on the side closest to Vintage Parkway side make illegal three-point turns to go around the other direction to get away from the train wait.
The big question is what can be done about it? Not much really. It is really just a misdemeanor to hold up traffic. It would require the Oakley police to be stationed at the tracks with a time clock each time the railroad drops off or picks up a load of cars on those tracks. That is probably a waste of time for the precious few officers Oakley has.
Those interested in complaining can go straight to the source and contact BNSF by writing a letter and letting them know there is a concern. Or, check the website at www.bnsf.com/communities/contact-us. Good luck. Maybe if enough people complain they can speed up the process of picking up and dropping off the cars or move it away from this crossing altogether.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Around Oakley: Community service program could be on chopping block

2011-06-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

A rumor is going around that the Liberty Union High School District, which includes Oakley's Freedom High School, will cut the Community Service Hours for seniors program next year.
This kind of rumor has hit the school waves every few years since the program started more than 20 years ago. Unfortunately, with the current educational cuts, who knows whether it will actually happen this time around.
Since its inception, the community service program has been controversial among students, their parents and the district. Although most students just grimly grin and bear it, others think the program lacks the ability to convince students, who are not already of that frame of mind, to become active volunteers and civic-minded.
"It really isn't volunteering if I'm forced to participate or not graduate," said Marco, a senior at Freedom High School who did not want his last name published.
As part of the American Government standards and benchmarks program, all seniors are required to volunteer their time working for a not-for-profit community group, such as their church or a local festival, or come up with a project that consists of a community service project that would qualify under the school's requirements.
This is not just a program Liberty Union High School District thought up on its own. The program is run in most high schools throughout the country, and if kids from East County think they have it bad, watch out because some districts are requiring much more.
San Francisco's school district reportedly is requiring 100 total hours that students begin their freshman year, completing 25 hours every year.
In Washington, the school district requires 60 hours of community service during students' senior year.
Back when the Liberty program started, I was in charge of the Oakley Almond Festival and for years used anywhere from 50 to 100 students to help with odd jobs for the weekend-long event.
For the most part, students were enthusiastic to have the chance to work with their friends and spend the warm weekend outdoor, but that wasn't everyone.
Added to that was the fact the festival was a simple program to get involved in and could fill all 20 hours in one short weekend, making it a quick fix for the students.
Some students hoped that with a big event like the festival, officials really wouldn't notice whether they clocked in and then disappeared for the day, only to sneak back in hoping no one noticed so that they could get credit. Obviously, those students weren't really understanding or learning anything from the concept.
The general premise of the program is well-intended. Learning the value of community service is sorely needed by today's youth. If the program stays, my own son will have to participate next year.
Some communities have changed the program to where local businesses and organizations, such as Good Will, actually have the students work and learn skills such as how to use computers, cash registers and the like in exchange for the hours. This changes the general premise of the program from community service to life skills.
If this rumor about Liberty's program is true, perhaps that might be an exchange in the program rather than giving it up.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Exotic woods are award-winning artist's medium

2011-06-11T23:43:00.001-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
Contra Costa Times

In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people in your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or email jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.

With zebra, Bolivian, cocobolo and so many other varieties of exotic woods to choose from, woodworking artist Victor Habib has no shortage of ideas for future projects for his favorite hobby. His eclectic creations have been featured in local galleries and businesses throughout the area, and one of his pieces just won first prize at the Discovery Art League's Annual Show at the Weber Gallery in Brentwood.
"You won't find any of the wood I use at Lowe's and Home Depot," Habib said.
In fact, there are times when Habib will take a trip to Berkeley or one of the other exotic wood suppliers he uses and not find a single piece that suits his needs.
For most of his life Habib has enjoyed woodworking. According to his wife, Toni, he has made 800 birdhouses and sold every one. His art, however, stretches much further than the simple birdhouse. The style that won him the award at the Discovery Art League competition is based on a series of musical instruments that Habib has produced.
"The contra bass combines two instruments," Habib said describing the piece. "The neck of the bass is wavy and there is also a piano attached."
Habib describes himself as a "green artist" and said that the woodwork in his pieces is intricately cut to use the various exotic woods' natural beauty. In one design of a guitar he made 67 cuts in the neck alone, numbered each piece and offset the wood putting each piece back giving a linier-line affect.
Habib is a self-taught artist who has worked with wood all his life as a hobby. He built his first clubhouse when he was 6, later he built everything from entertainment centers to cabinetry. He also worked on building trophy cases for local high schools.
"I started getting tired of that kind of work and went looking for something different," he said.
One of his unique creations turned out to be a 3-D city, which included 15 buildings and ended up being 4-by-6 feet. The whole project took 250 hours to complete.
The style he chooses to work with allows him the chance to place his creations on a wood canvas, or to frame it, keep it unframed or even keep it free-standing. One of his first creations in this style was a set of piano keys that seem to come out of a wall.
Habib has several pieces on display at the Weber Galley in Brentwood at the Discovery Art League's annual exhibit. Those pieces will be on display until the end of the month. He also has work on display at the Fridley Art Gallery in Brentwood and a couple of pieces on the walls at the CoCo County Wine Co., also in Brentwood.

Business spotlight: Antioch's Eco Business Centers offer low-cost facilities for small businesses

2011-06-11T23:41:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: ECO Business Centers
Type of business: Executive Office Suites
Owners: Glen Laughton and Joe Reano
Founded: January 2011
Address: 505 W. Second St., Antioch
Phone number: 925-526-4465
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Number of employees: two
Products and services: ECO Business Centers offers three major programs an education center, office suites and incubation services. The location is designed as a place where home businesses can host business meetings or just have a site to do their work in peace and quiet.
The building site helps local business people by providing low-cost cubicles and offices, a shared administrative services, conference rooms, phone system, kitchenette, copy and print center, file servers and Internet access.
"We provide an eco-friendly instant office so entrepreneurs can pick up their laptops, walk-in, sit-down and plug in to an entire office infrastructure they'd have in a mid- to large-size company," ECO Business Centers owner Glen Laughton said.
ECO Business Centers also offers classes for businessowners. One of their current successful classes involved learning about social media marketing for small business.
How did you get into the business: Laughton said he previously owned his own global business out of his home. He found that he was running a lot of meetings out of the local Starbucks and that just wasn't conducive to a good working environment.
At the time his now business partner Joe Reano was working for him. Reano had some property with a building in downtown Antioch that he thought would make a good place from which to operate Laughton's business.
With the building more than 6,000 square feet, the idea for ECO Business Centers was born, Laughton said. It became an idea that would encompass other businesses with the same needs as Laughton's company.
Best part about the business: "Rather than opening a new business in another location and upping the startup cost, we offer businesses a place where they can host business meetings and have shared administrative help," Laughton said.
"In most cases people don't realize all the cost of opening a new business until they actually start putting all the money into it. More than half the businesses fail in the first year."
Laughton said that ECO Business Centers provide new business owners, and business owners ready to take that next step in growing their business an alternative.
Worst part about the business: It's not necessarily the worst part, but Laughton said a challenge for him is making new business owners understand the true cost of opening a business.
"People don't know what it truly costs to open a business until they do it and start paying," he said.
Key to success: To help people and himself in making ECO Business Centers a success Laughton applied for nonprofit status. This will allow him to keep his costs down by accepting donations and allow others to take advantage of the services offered.
Biggest misperception about the business: Laughton said that the biggest misperception in starting a new business is that the cost of startup is more than just the cost per square foot of a business property and the merchandise it sells.
"This is really a good solution for home-based businesses and new startup businesses. It is a way to really keep the costs down," he said.
Future plans: ECO Business Centers is always working on providing new educational opportunities, including online and in-person classes. On June 6, the business will host Social Media Marketing 101: Understand the power of Twitter, Bitly, and TweetDeck.
-- Roni Gehlke

Plenty of volunteer opportunities for Oakley teens

2011-06-11T23:39:00.001-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

A first-time summer job is usually an opportunity for a teen to make some of his own spending money or even the chance to save for college or a car. It is also the opportunity to learn how to take on the responsibility of a job and gain important experience needed to pursue future jobs.
Unfortunately, between the current job market and the reduced summer vacation schedules for Freedom High School, Oakley students who want to find a summer job may not find it an easy task.
Part of the problem is that these days there are adults with more work experience who are able to keep a job past the summer who are also looking for jobs. That leaves teens with less experience fewer options.
As with many things these days, perhaps it would be best for teens to be creative and think toward the future. There are various opportunities for volunteering during the summer throughout East County.
Of course, a volunteer position doesn't help with the money needs that everyone seems to have these days, but the idea has merit if one is thinking to the future. Working for local nonprofit groups in designated jobs can offer job experience that can be used on a resume. That may not mean much to a teen who doesn't quite understand how the job market works, but most parents should understand the importance of getting some work experience under one's belt.
Two organizations in Oakley are calling out to teens in hopes of bringing in the needed help to run their programs this summer.
The Oakley Library is looking for "enthusiastic and energetic" teens to help with the Summer Reading Program. This year's theme is "One World, Many Stories."
The library is hoping that the students will volunteer for two-hour shifts per week for June 14 to July 23. The program is open for those entering eighth grade and up. Their job would be to help spruce up the library, track supplies and prizes, explain the Summer Reading Program to participants of all ages and assist with record keeping.
A position like this will teach teens responsibility of coming in at assigned times, learning about the work necessary, working under supervision and completing tasks.
Those interested are asked to fill out an application, which is available at the library. The students then attend a half-hour orientation meeting, at the Oakley Library, which is at Freedom High School.
For more information, call the Oakley Library at 925-625-2400 or email afreyler@ccclib.org.
The city of Oakley offers a similar volunteer program. It is looking for Junior Recreation leaders who will help run the city's summer camp programs. This city is looking for teens ages 13 to 16.
Those interested in this position will be working with the children. While experience working with children is preferred, it is not necessary. Those who are interested are encouraged to apply at the city offices. For details, call the city at 925-625-7044 or email coelho@ci.oakley.ca.us.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Around Oakley: Demolition of Round Table building brings back memories

2011-06-11T23:37:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
Contra Costa Times

Without much fanfare or excitement demolition crews came out and leveled the former Round Table Pizza building last week, leaving nothing but a blank slab where the building used to be. Most people would say, good riddance, the building was considered an eyesore. To some, however, the building meant a lot of childhood memories.
For nearly 40 years the corner of Main Street and Vintage Parkway building was as close to a community center as Oakley ever had. It was not unusual on any night to stop in to pick up a pizza and find scores of children running around playing with the toys in one of the side rooms or the video game machines in the front.
It also wasn't unheard of to hear the sounds of off-key renditions of "Happy Birthday" coming from the backroom while enjoying a slice of pizza with your own family in one of the front rooms.
The backroom in the former Round Table Pizza restaurant also hosted weekly and monthly meetings from many of the local service clubs and organizations over the years. For many years it was the home of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce meetings. The first public meeting for the Oakley Almond Festival was held there. The Oakley Incorporating Committee even held fundraisers at the location.
Shy of restaurants in town with enough space to hold a dinner, Round Table Pizza became one of the prime spots to host an event. I'm sure even the owners can't tell you how many birthday parties
were hosted on-site over the years.
Of course the added appeal was always that the owners of the restaurant would throw in discounts and give prizes of free pizza to just about anyone who would ask, but that was just icing on the cake.
A few years back, with help from the city of Oakley, Round Table Pizza relocated its restaurant to the corner of Main Street and Carol Lane next to Starbucks. They still have the space to host a party now and again, but their location is much more compact than the older place.
Things change, that much is true. We can't always keep the old buildings in town just because of the fond memories attached to them. There are always new locations to make new memories. It was just sad that the building didn't seem to get a proper goodbye, that was all.
Over the past several months the city has acquired the old Round Table Pizza property, as well as CentroMart, Oakley Plaza (the buildings behind CentroMart) and the complex next door to CentroMart, which is owned by Pompeii Properties. This is all part of the plan of redeveloping downtown Oakley, allowing for a median in the center of Main Street, adding in more parking in that area and updating the storefront buildings along that corridor.
This will give downtown Oakley a much fresher look. That is important so the city can start attracting sorely needed business to the area. The old Round Table Pizza property is being set up to invite a restaurant to the space.
While I miss the former Round Table Pizza that once was, I hope the new improvements will help encourage more businesses to come to town.
It is often sad to see the amount of growth that has been happening in Brentwood and Antioch, while Oakley, in need of the tax dollars that the new businesses can bring, is still struggling.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Local nurses recall service in quake-ravaged Haiti one year later

2011-01-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people who are serving your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or e-mail jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.

By Roni Gehlke
Correspondent

As first responders with the San Francisco Bay Area Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Aileen Hayes and Lynn Fox were part of the first wave of nurses that was on site at the earthquake in Haiti a year ago.

The earthquake took the lives of 230,000 people and left more than 300,000 people injured. The two Sutter-Delta Medical Center nurses stayed to help as many as they could for two weeks.

The local nurses’ team was on call during January when the disaster hit, said Hayes, an emergency room nurse. "When the call came in about the earthquake, we were on a plane the next day to Haiti."

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit just 16 miles from Haiti’s capital on Jan. 12, 2010, leaving over 1,000,000 homeless. Along with the first earthquake there were a reported 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater, causing more injuries for several weeks after the first earthquake.

The registered nurses slept outside on the American Embassy grounds. Hayes said it was pretty rustic. Even so, this was nothing new to either Hayes or Fox as they both have been with the team during several relief missions.

"I have also been deployed to New York in September 2001 for the 911 Twin Towers attack, as well as Hurricane Katrina," Fox said. "Several other hurricanes, and the Democratic National Convention in 2008."

Fox said Haiti was the team’s first international deployment.

Once the team was able to get started much of the work was assessing the patients’ needs, treating sprained and broken limbs and ribs, stitching and bandaging cuts, and keeping the patients as comfortable as possible.

"We began providing care from two tents set up as urgent care and emergent care for those in the camp surrounding us," Fox said. "We worked 12-hour shifts and treated various types of injuries and medical problems. We even delivered a baby."

"We didn’t have any surgery capabilities," Hayes said. "We had to wait until the USS Hope arrived."

Hayes said that she became involved with the San Francisco Bay Area Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) CA6 team through Fox. Inspired by her Holy Rosary Church group vacation Bible school, Hayes was looking for another similar organization to work with and found that this team was just what she was hoping for.

For Fox working with this team has been a fulfilling experience.

"Through our training, teamwork and professionalism we have done the very best we could under the conditions we have experienced on every past deployment, including Haiti, and any future ones," he said. "In disasters of this kind you have to take the small victories. Many times you cannot do much but things like delivering the baby. Treating a sick child makes a huge difference for those individuals."

Both Fox and Hayes found the Haitian people were very gracious, friendly and nonviolent. The people in Haiti aren’t used to health care and many times the nurses needed to convince them that they were there to help and accepting care was a good thing.

"There are two things that stick with me, and I will remember forever. One was walking throughout the tent city of tens of thousands providing care surrounded by curious onlookers and those needing care. It was eerie but exhilarating at the same time. I’ll never forget that," Fox said.

"The second was providing care from the back of a military truck in the middle of a dirt road debriding burns on the legs of a young girl miles from nowhere."

After five deployments with the team, Hayes said that she wished she could work doing these services full time.

"I love working with the people and being able to use my skill set as an emergency nurse in places where they need it the most," she said. "Doing this has given me a whole different outlook on life."

Around Oakley: Recently retired Dennis Nunn worked quietly behind the scenes for Oakley

2011-01-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Sometimes it is hard to believe how quickly time goes by. Over the past month on several occasions I've had the opportunity to see old Oakley friends whom I haven't seen in quite a while. Some are still working quietly behind the scenes in Oakley to keep the town running. In many cases, the public doesn't even know their names.

Before Oakley was incorporated into a city more than a decade ago, there was a small group called the Oakley Municipal Advisory Council or OMAC. OMAC consisted of five Oakley residents who met a couple of times a month, like the Oakley City Council does today, and listened to the concerns of the people, and with the help of the Contra Costa County staff and supervisors, made decisions for the town.

These people had far from local control, but they were the only advocates Oakley residents had to fight for their concerns. The leader of that group for many years in the 1990s was Dennis Nunn.

Last week Nunn retired from his staff position at the Ironhouse Sanitary District, but I couldn't let him leave without making sure that people realized what an important role he held, not only at the district, but also for the city of Oakley. A role that, for the most part, has gone unnoticed over the years.

Nunn may not be part of the City Council those know today, but he was an important part of shaping the city of Oakley. As part of OMAC, he worked on many committees and spent countless hours going to meetings and speaking for those who normally didn't have a voice with the county supervisors.

He also worked for many of the beginning years on the Oakley Incorporating Committee and helped Oakley become a city. He worked as the chair of the committee alongside another dedicated Oakley resident, Kathi Baladad.

Before taking on the job at the Ironhouse Sanitary District, he sat on the district's board for seven years. This was back in the late 1980s when a lot of changes were being made at the district, which was working on incorporating with Bethel Island into one special district and building its first plant.

In the early 1990s Nunn took time out of his already busy schedule to chair the Oakley Almond Parade for the Oakley Almond Festival committee, and he briefly served on the Oakley Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Nunn also volunteered on the board of directors of the Delta Family YMCA in the 1990s.

In 1996 he received a special lifetime achievement award for his service to the community from the Oakley chamber. It's an award that has only been given out to three people over the years.

As he retires from the sanitary district he will also be retiring from the levee district RD830, a position he has held for nearly two decades.

Nunn was an employee of the sanitary district for 17 years, working as the administrative services manager. Also retiring from the district last week was John Mitosinka, who worked for 11 years as the vehicle/equipment mechanic.

There are so many others, like Nunn, who aren't remembered as much as they should be for all of the important work they did for their community. Even though that work was done years ago, it is no less important than the work that is done now. The legacy of their work lives on in the community where you live today.

Business Spotlight: Stained glass store offers one-stop shop

2010-12-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

Contra Costa Times

Name of Business: Stained Glass Instruction and Design

Type of business: Stained glass

Owners: Kathie Godfrey and Richard Masadas

Founded: November 2006

Address: 613 W. 9th St., Antioch

Phone number: 925-755-7443

Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday through Friday

Number of employees: 2

Products and services: Large selection of stained glass supplies. Stained Glass Instruction also offers stained glass repair services, classes, workshops and gifts, and free pattern resizing. Kathie Godfrey has been certified to teach by national glass work instructor and television host Vicki Payne.

How did you get into the business: "My mother wanted to take a stained glass class and talked me into going with her. I taught Richard, and the rest is history," Kathie Godfrey said.
Godfrey opened her store with her friend, Richard Masadas, whom she instructed in stained glass. When opening her storefront, Godfrey decided to share a business space with her son, who opened a silk screening business called T-Shirts and More INK, or TSaM as many know it.

Best part about the business?: "Meeting new people who also enjoy creating stained glass," Godfrey said. "Teaching the art of stained glass and watching how excited the students are when they finish their first project and how skillful they become over time."

Worst part about the business? Godfrey said she hasn't found anything about the business she doesn't enjoy.

Key to success: "Enjoying what you do," she said.

Biggest misperception about the business: "People thinking that they could never make a stained glass project," Godfrey said. She explained that stained glass is an art people can be taught.

Future plans: "To offer more classes and workshops," she said. She has a beginner class that started Saturday and runs Saturdays through Jan. 22. The class is from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the eight weeks, with the exception of Christmas and New Year's Day, which both fall on Saturdays. Godfrey said she supplies all the glass and tools needed for the class.
-- Roni Gehlke

Oakley resident sets sights on Miss California title

2010-12-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

OAKLEY -- In a few weeks, Oakley resident Victoria Leanna White will represent Contra Costa County in the 2011 Miss California USA Pageant. While there, she is hoping to draw attention to the World Vision organization.

White, 22, has been busy over the past several months working to promote the Christian humanitarian group that works with children, families and communities on issues of poverty and injustice.

During the pageant Nov. 20-21, White will take part in an interview and a question-and-answer session where she can speak about herself and the organization. The pageant, which will take place in Palm Springs, will be televised.

White has participated in pageants in the past but none as big as Miss California USA. This pageant is the middle step to the Miss USA title, the first being the Miss Contra Costa County.

Unlike some of pageants, Miss California USA doesn't host a talent show but bases its competition on a personal interview, swimsuit and evening gown competition, and a question-and-answer period. The judges base their scores on character, poise, confidence and personality.

White recently graduated from UC Berkeley. With her bachelor's degree in legal studies, she plans to attend law school at Columbia or New York University.

She also decided to participate in the pageant because she could win a scholarship that would be a big help with law school tuition.

White has always been interested in becoming a lawyer like her mother. She remembers when she was in the third grade and decided she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps.

While attending elementary school in Berkeley, she was elected and served as conflict manager in third and fourth grade. She also attended the Math Olympics at Holy Names College while in elementary school, winning a silver medal.

As a student at Deer Valley High School, she competed on the varsity track team all four years and made it to the state meet every year. She also was a member of the gospel choir and acting club, and participated in several dance shows.

She was an honor roll student all four years of high school, and in her spare time she volunteered with children's youth track meets.

In her senior year, White was offered several track scholarships but decided to focus strictly on academic scholarships. She attended San Francisco State University before moving to UC Berkeley.

White plans to start law school in the coming year, and her dream is to obtain her Juris Doctor and practice International Human Rights Law.

"After receiving my law degree, I want to work within the United Nations and eventually start up a nonprofit that works with underprivileged children locally and around the world," White said.

White has already started working with the underprivileged by volunteering with the San Francisco chapter of the National Legal Guild, working on committees for international human rights. She also served on the Human Rights Committee and the 9/11 Committee, did work with the Innocence Project, and worked on the Grand Jury Indictment Project.

As part of the Miss California USA pageant, White has chosen to promote and donate part of the sponsorships she collected to the World Vision organization.

"It is a very dedicated organization that does good work," she said.

Daugherty's art is more than an illusion

2010-12-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people who are serving your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or e-mail jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.

For Brentwood artist Augustus "Gus" Daugherty, it was a natural transition from art collector to artist. For more than 20 years the retired computer systems consultant attended art shows and collected pieces that he liked.

"One day I saw something and said, 'I can do that,'" Daugherty said, recalling the time 12 years ago when he decided to switch from art collector to artist.

In his spare time Daugherty took art classes and learned different techniques in painting. Since then he has worked on various styles until he found his current art form: optical illusion art.

"About six years ago I was in Florida and saw this optical illusion art that really intrigued me," he said.

"So when I came home I started my own."

Daugherty describes optical illusion art as a painting or drawing that appears to move when you walk by it. His first piece, a 6-by-3-foot painting, took nearly a year and a half to complete.

Over the past several years, Daugherty has completed a series he calls the "Optical Illusion Series."

Each of the five paintings features cabanas on white sandy beaches with various people in bathing suits enjoying the sun.

His artwork will be featured at Brentwood's Fridley Art Gallery and Museum this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. The gallery will host a reception for the artist on both days from 4 to 7 p.m. Wine and food will be served at the reception.

This will be the first time that the whole series will be seen together in a gallery setting, Daugherty said. One of the pieces was shown at an art gallery in Stockton earlier this year, and Daugherty participated the Brentwood home art tour last year where some of the paintings were displayed.

Having some carpentry experience, Daugherty taught himself optical illusion art. He uses wood to create the illusion of the art moving.

"I'm intrigued by watching people walk by the art and stop to look again," he said.

Daugherty explained that people catch a movement that they don't expect as they walk by, but really what they are seeing is the three-dimensional aspect in the artwork.

He also said that at different times of the day the lighting around the art can play tricks on the painting, leaving shadows like you would see on a real beach.

Retiring 10 years ago after a long career in the computer programming industry, Daugherty spends most of his days working on his art. In the mid-1960s, when computers were still considered science fiction, Daugherty was working for NCR Corp. and had the opportunity to move from his home in the San Francisco Bay Area to Dayton, Ohio, where he was trained with a group of people from all over the world to learn computer programming.

The program featured was geared specifically for hotel reservations and became the pilot system for the Hyatt Regency Hotels.

"When I came back to San Francisco to help the Hyatt install the program, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse," he said.

Daugherty was happy to come back home and worked for several years for the Hyatt Corp. before moving on to work for Bank of America and retiring.

WHAT: Augustus Daugherty solo show

WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. reception Nov. 13-14; gallery opens on Saturday at 11 a.m., on Sunday at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Fridley Art Gallery and Museum, 1185 Second St., Suite J, Brentwood

COST: Free wine and hors d'oeuvres reception

INFO: 925-783-2853

Holiday home tours on tap in East County

2010-12-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Luetta Spencer of Discovery Bay can get very festive during the holiday season, but this year she has an even better reason to go all out with her decorating. That's because she has agreed to open her home to the general public to get a look at how she celebrates the holidays.

Spencer is one of six Discovery Bay residents who will part of the Discovery Bay Holiday Home Tour.

Now in its 10th year, this tour is sponsored by the Discovery Bay Community Presbyterian Church and takes place on Dec. 5.

Other local oraginzations are also hosting holiday house tours, with the Liberty Union High School Educational Foundation hosting a tour Dec. 4 and Antioch Woman's Club on Dec. 12.

Last year, Spencer and her husband were away before the holiday, but she was quick to put up a few things when they came back. So this year she is going no-holds barred decorating nearly every room in her house for the tour.

"We were involved in the boat tour this year and the ladies of the holiday show asked me to do this and I said, 'I love the holidays,' so why not?" Spencer said.

Spencer has selected a theme for each of the rooms decorated in her house. Each room holds a tree with family mementos that she and her family collected over the years. She also has rooms where her grandchildren stay when they visit.

"The boys are into sports, so the room is filled with football, soccer and tennis items and a tree decorated in the theme," she said. "My granddaughter's room is filled with Geisha girls and a Japanese theme."

Spencer said she didn't purchase a lot of new items for the tour, but she did make up some new floral arrangements to display.

Discovery Bay Holiday Home Tour begins and ends at the church from 1 to 4 p.m. At the beginning of the tour, participants will be given a map of the homes in the tour and sent on their way to explore. The tour will be followed by musical entertainment, refreshments, door prizes and drawings.

Earliest arrival time at the church is 12:30 p.m. The church is at 1900 Willow Lake Road, Discovery Bay. Tickets are available in advance and at the door for $20. For tickets call Alice, 925-634-8470, Bev, 925-513-1939, or 925-634-0184. Proceeds from the event benefit the church's community projects.

Brentwood tour
Looking for a way to not only raise from for the Liberty Union High School District Educational Foundation, but also boost awareness of its programs, the group has decided to host its first Holiday Home Tour this year and offer a look at some very festively decorated Brentwood locations.

The Foundation was able to put together a tour with four homes and two businesses in the Brentwood area. The Dec. 4 tour starts at noon and goes on until 4 p.m. The event begins and ends at Hannah Nicole Vineyards, where attendees can pick up a Holiday Home Tour map.

"After the tour, attendees return to the winery for libations, refreshments, door prize drawings, live entertainment from our local high schools and a silent auction," said event coordinator and tour home participant Karen Rarey.

One of the homeowners on the tour, Kelli Nunn, will be showing her professionally decorated home by local home stagers Trish Dohren and Dana Mace of Staging Strategies.

Also involved in the tour is Exclusively Yours, a store dedicated to Christmas items this time of year.

All money raised will benefit the LUHSD Educational Foundation whose main mission is to enhance and enrich the educational programs within LUHSD. Rarey said that the foundation provides grants to teachers for new innovative programs and scholarships to students.

Tour-goers can purchase their tickets in advance or on the day of the event at Hannah Nicole Vineyards at 6700 Balfour Road. Tickets are $25 in advance (includes a glass of wine), $30 day of the event.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at http://EducationWins.org/ or by mail at LUHSDEF, 20 Oak St., Brentwood, CA 94513.

Antioch's home tour
Antioch's Holiday Home Tour, which is sponsored by the Antioch Woman's Club, will be held Dec. 12. The Rivertown event will feature five homes and three businesses and include some of downtown's Victorian homes.

The tour will be from noon to 3:30 p.m. A reception will be held at the Veterans Memorial Hall on the corner of Sixth and E streets from 2:30 until 5 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 per person by calling Liese McCause at 925-777-1831 or Connie Komar at 925-522-8663 or at the following Antioch businesses: Teazz, 606 W. Second St., Boutique la Bellisima at 2220 A. St., Secured RV Storage at 6313 Bridgehead Road.

The event will also include a silent auction. Money raised will go toward local charities and scholarships for local high school students.

Sheriff's deputy writes inspirational novel

2010-12-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people who are serving your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or e-mail jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.

More than 22 years of experience as a San Francisco sheriff's deputy went into the development of the main character in the novel "Mutual Combat/Mutual Respect." Written by Antioch resident Clarence Lewis III, this fictional story explores the life of a young troubled boy and the life-changing circumstances that bring him positive changes as an adult.

In 1993 Lewis began writing down his experiences in hopes to one day publish a novel that could help people understand the life of teenagers growing up in low-income urban neighborhoods. After 10 years of making notes, a friend convinced Lewis it was time to get to work on writing his novel.

"The book is about growing up in a 10-block world neighborhood in the 1970s," Lewis said.

The main character isn't really one individual, Lewis said but rather a type of person much like the street kids whom Lewis saw every day in his line of work.

When Lewis completed the book in 2009, he had created a work of fiction that featured Emmanuel Charles Harris, a young man born in San Francisco to immature parents, who grows up a product of his surroundings. In his story, Emmanuel crashes with another kid, "Little Mack," in a fight for life with both opponents determined to win. Neither can afford to lose, but over time they realize they need each other.

In the end, Emmanuel has to decide if he wants to end this fight so that the next generation in his neighborhood doesn't have to fight the same war he has been fighting.

Lewis said that he worked hard to "develop the right kind of street creed and authenticity" into the book. Along with the book, he has created a discussion guide that has already been used in prisons and juvenile detention centers.

Lewis spent several months at the San Francisco County Jail working with the inmates involved with Project Rebound.

"We read the entire book and went through the attached discussion book," he said. "The inmates read the book to each other."

Lewis' book has also been used in an administration of justice class at San Francisco City College in a similar manner with the students. He has also sold the book to several prisons and individuals in other areas around the world.

Lewis would like to see "Mutual Combat/Mutual Respect" made available in more high schools and colleges throughout the country.

"Someone who knows a young person who needs to be encouraged through bad times would be interested in purchasing this book," Lewis said. "This book shows how someone's life can go from bad to good."

When his is not working as a sheriff's deputy, Lewis is a pastor for the Bayview Hunter's Point Church in San Francisco. He also spends time with his own children here in Antioch.

The book is available for $18.95 at www.dunieboy.com or $15 if purchased before Christmas. The discount is his way of giving back to those who are supporting him, he said.

Business Spotlight: New Brentwood scrapbook store offers variety of classes, craft styles

2010-12-01T19:58:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: Art Inspired Studios
Type of business: Scrapbook store
Owners: Patti Snyder and Diana Daijogo
Founded: June 2010
Address: 3860 Balfour Road, Suite F, Brentwood
Phone number: 925-684-7056
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Number of employees: two

Products and services: Scrapbook and altered art supplies. Scrapbook, card making and paper arts classes. Classes offered for beginners to advanced, in shabby chic, vintage or simple styles. They also offer a kid camps and private parties.

How did you get into the business: "Being scrapbookers and card makers, this was the next step for us. We started out as an online kit club," Snyder said.

For three years Snyder and Daijogo's club was called Scrap for a Cure.

"After many of our favorite stores closed, we found that there was a demand for a store that mixed scrapbooking, card making and altered art together. We became Art Inspired Studios," she said.

Best part about the business?: "We love meeting people. Photos are a cherished part of every family and often times they are stuck in boxes or stashed away on a computer hard drive," Snyder said. "We help people get their photos organized and put in albums."

She said she also likes teaching beginning scrapbooking classes as well as classes helping people use their supplies in other ways. She said that Art Inspired Studios offers mixed-media classes such as working with canvas and paints, card classes and more.

Worst part about the business?: "I can't say there is a worst part. The challenge with any business is to carry or offer everything," Snyder said. "Sometime we don't have that specific piece of paper or a certain sticker our customers are looking for. But there are always ways to work through those challenges."

Key to success: "Customer service is the key to any business," she said.

Biggest misperception about the business: "Scrapbooking is too hard or takes up too much time," Snyder said.

She explained that scrapbooking is only as hard as people make it. "We are here to help guide you in the right direction," she said.

Future plans: Snyder and Daijogo are very excited to be here in Brentwood and plan on being her a long time.
-- Roni Gehlke

Orthopedic surgeon helps prevent injuries on the field

2010-12-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

By Roni Gehlke
ANTIOCH -- Football is the top scorer when it comes to racking up sport-related injuries, according to the study by the American Journal of Sports Medicine. That is one of the reasons why Antioch orthopedic surgeon Benjamin Busfield takes to the field on Friday afternoons and evenings during football season to lend a hand.

"Football is a high-contact sport more than any other, and kids get hurt," Busfield explains.
During the football season Busfield attends both Antioch and Deer Valley high school's football games. He works on the sidelines attending to players who might be injured during the games.

Busfield said he always had a passion for sports and participated in a sports fellowship in Los Angeles. During that time, he worked with professional athletes who played for the Dodgers, Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings.

"I know what these injuries look like, so if I can help a young athlete on the field to prevent further injury, then I am putting my training to good use," Busfield said.

Busfield specializes in sports medicine in his medical practice at Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation in Antioch. He believes that "taking his profession to the players before they have to become patients" is the best way to give back to his community."I know because of economic cutbacks, many high school sports can no longer afford to have a paid medical trainer sitting on the sidelines," Busfield said.

"Football is a full-contact sport and can be dangerous, especially when it comes to concussions."

"So I want to help these young athletes in any way I can, and volunteering to be on the sidelines allows me a front row view to assess injuries that may occur, and provide the coaching staff and parents a professional medical opinion about the injury in real time."

Busfield hopes that having a local professional in the front line who knows the complexity of football injuries will bring peace of mind to coaches and parents.

Busfield said that while football does have a reputation for injuries, cheerleaders actually have the most injuries on the field. Since he has been volunteering this season, though, there haven't been a lot of injuries at either Antioch or Deer Valley high schools.

While his practice is in East County, Busfield lives in Lafayette with his family. He was raised in Benicia, and although he spent some time in Southern California, he said he enjoys living and working in this area.

Around Oakley: Outside artists paint their own view of downtown Oakley

2010-12-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Sometimes it is interesting to take a look at your town from another's perspective. Last week while driving down Main Street in downtown Oakley, passing cars had a chance to see a group of artists lined up with painting easels and brushes honing their craft. Their goal was to paint a view of Oakley's downtown curve.

"This is really a great view for an artist," said Francis Palermo, the instructor for the Open Plein Air class sponsored by Pittsburg Adult Education.

The general concept for the class is that members travel throughout East County each week finding the best views of each area and painting the general landscape.

Curiosity got the better of me on my way back from the post office, and I decided to stop and see how they viewed my hometown. The group consisted of eight artists, all at different levels of expertise.

Palmero, who was substituting for the class for a friend last week, is best known for mural art projects throughout Pittsburg, including the mural at Heritage Plaza. Palmero commented that one of the most interesting aspects of downtown Oakley is at the curve that begins on Second Street heading toward O'Hara Avenue.

"It is interesting to see the lines of the telephone poles heading down the street," Palmero said. "You don't see that very often anymore."

Several of the artists centered their paintings of watercolor, oils or pastels on the building the old-timers in Oakley call the Old Hotel. In 1910 the Dal Porto family, which consisted of patriarch Salvadore, his wife, Maria, and their five children, Anthony, Frank, Ben and twin daughters, Lena and Edith, opened the Oakley Hotel.

The original hotel, was destroyed in a fire in 1924, but a new building was quickly erected in its place and reopened in 1926. That building still stands on the corner of Second and Main streets. The building has since been refurbished with stucco walls and two-toned paint. New businesses have opened inside, and while the second floor remains vacant, a few years back the owner was interested in filling the building with suites to house small office firms.

The double-door entrance to the building still stands where in the early 1900s businessmen would stop to register for a room for the night. The old wooden doors have been replaced with glass and metal.

The front building now operates a small ethnic grocery store, but it didn't seem like any of the artists were getting too technical about the current actual inhabitants of the building.

As a matter of fact, if one were to see through the eyes of the painters, the buildings could be in any small town and drawn from any era. As Palmero pointed out, the above-ground telephone poles do tend to date the view.

Salvadore Dal Porto and his family were responsible for a good amount of business growth in downtown Oakley for his time. He not only built the hotel, but his son, Bernard, built the locally famous "Ben's Place" on the first floor of the hotel. It was known as a soft drink parlor and pool hall.
The Dal Portos also built the original post office building that is still located on Main Street across from the Old Hotel, the Oakley Garage and the Oakley Theater.

It would be interesting to know what Salvadore might think of Oakley today. He certainly didn't view those telephone poles when he first opened his hotel. Perhaps someday future Oakley residents will see one of these paintings of downtown Oakley and say, "Hey, wow, look at those telephone poles down Main Street. You don't see anything like that these days."

Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Longtime Oakley volunteer Lenny Byer honored at dinner

2010-11-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

Lenny Byer and Board Member Doug Hardcastle

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Last Sunday Red Man-Pocahontas Hall was packed to the gills with Oakley's old guard attending a dinner in honor of Lenny Byer. The event was in celebration of 40 years of volunteer service to the Oakley community as a member of the sanitary district board of directors.

Those in attendance included former members of the Ironhouse Sanitary District board, neighbors, family and friends.

"Lenny is a very talented person and that talent built the sanitary district," said former sanitary district board member Dave Michelson. "He got me involved with the fire department. He changed my life in 1974."

Byer became a director of the Oakley Sanitary District in 1970 -- he was unseated this fall by challenger David Huerta -- but his list of accomplishments as a volunteer to this community starts earlier than that. Byer and his wife of more than 50 years, Joanne, have been a driving force in building Oakley into the community it is today.

In 1957 he became an Oakley volunteer firefighter and served in until he retired in 1997. I first met Byer at a fire in 1989, where he and Oakley's volunteer firefighters were helping the Brentwood Fire Department extinguish a fire in the hills outside Brentwood.

While the fire was moving up the hill, being helped along by the windy day, Byer was a calming force helping to direct those around him and put the fire out as quickly as possible.

Over the years, Byer has been a member of the Brentwood Rotary Club, Brentwood Mosaic Lodge, the Oakley-Knightsen Fire Commission and the Oakley Municipal Advisory Council. He was the owner of Byer Auto Body in Brentwood and as such became an advocate for all the businesses in Brentwood and Oakley.

"Lenny's service to the community started before he was involved in Oakley," reminded Doug Hardcastle of the Ironhouse board of directors. "He was a member of the military before he started volunteering in Oakley."

Several dinner guests stood in front of the audience and Byer remembering years gone by, thanking Byer for the good times and his calming influence, as well as his mentorship over the years.

When it was time for Byer to speak, his words were heartfelt as he remembered former sanitary district general manager Dave Bauer and his wife Sinde. Dave Bauer passed away earlier this year. Byer remembered Bauer for his leadership, saying "he will be missed."

He also thanked the 32-member staff of the district. "I'd put them up against any other sanitary workers in Contra Costa County," he said.

I think Painter said it best when he asked: "Where else have you heard of someone volunteering and having the fortitude and personality to put in 40 years for their community the way Lenny has?"

Byer's wife, Joanne who has been on the Board of Directors for the Liberty Union School District for many years said, "I am very proud of Lenny and his time on this board. Without the sanitary district Oakley wouldn't be what it is today," she said. "Oakley has paved roads and so much more, because of the sanitary district."

The sanitary district has certainly come a long way since Byer started when all there was a redwood septic tank on the river. Today, of course, there's a new state-of-the-art plant, which is expected to be completed next year.

Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.

Best in local quilting featured at fairgrounds this weekend

2010-10-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

More than 200 quilts will be displayed at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch this weekend as part of the annual Delta Quilters Guild Quilt Show. Each year, local quilters display their new creations, and visitors get the chance to see the latest in quilt merchandise and designs.
"Those interested will even get the chance to vote on their favorite quilt displayed at the show," one of the show's organizers and Delta Quilters Guild members said.
The Delta Quilters Guild has been hosting the quilt show for nearly two decades in an effort to help raise money for the many causes the group supports. "Just a few of those organizations includes Shepherds' Gate in Brentwood, Aspira foster children, neonatal care at John Muir and Kaiser and more," Beck said.
The group also makes quilted bibs for babies and toddlers, and quilts are sold to help with cancer research.
"One of the highlights of the show this year is a raffle where the grand prize is the most spectacular quilt," Beck said
Each year, a committee within the guild puts together an "Opportunity Quilt," which is raffled off, and the money raised goes toward several of the group's charitable causes, plus quilt education and quilts that are donated. This year, the quilt features a Maggie Walker "Roseville" design.
The quilt being raffled was made by seven members of the Delta Quilters Guild, including one who added the custom quilt work.
"The design is inspired by Roseville Pottery," Opportunity Quilt coordinator Ellie Conley said of the 60-inch-by-60-inch quilt. "There are 1,100 hand-sewn appliqués designed within the quilt. The whole project took a lot of work and time."
More than one cash offer was made on the quilt for $2,500, Conley said. The group hopes that it will raise more than that in raffle funds. The raffle will end on March 14.
Also featured at this year's quilt show will be the renowned "Mr. Quilt." Don Linn will offer demonstrations on his specialty of long arm quilting and quilt designing.
Linn is the author of "Sophisticated Stitches" and "Art Deco Design Quilts." He also hosts regular classes on quilting in his hometown of Redding.
He has been quilting for 15 years with a goal of putting together what he says is the finest machine quilting possible. Linn will speak Saturday and Sunday.
This weekend's quilt show will take up two buildings at the fairgrounds featuring one full building of quilts and a second building offering vendors, a general store that will feature quilts and fabric, slightly used items such as "gently" read quilt magazines and a boutique with holiday items and more.
Lunch will be available for purchase and provided by downtown Antioch's Harvest Bounty.
The show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the door for $7 each.
Those under 8 and over 80 are free. Raffle tickets are available for Opportunity Quilt at the show or from guild Members for $1 each or six for $5. For more information, see the guild's website at www.deltaquilters.org.

East County women walk to raise breast-cancer awareness

2010-10-24T14:27:00.001-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Thousands of people will participate in the walk-a-thon in an effort to help raise money for breast cancer research. "Each one of those people walking has their own personal reason," Tesler, 54, said. "It is hard to find someone who hasn't been affected by cancer in some way."
For Tesler it all started because four of her aunts were diagnosed with cancer. Of the four sisters, three died before the age of 40.
"Two of the sisters had breast cancer," she said. "When Avon came up with this walk, I had to do it."
Tesler's first walk was 12 years ago when she walked from Santa Barbara to Malibu. That walk lasted for three days.
The next walk she took was 10 years ago in San Francisco. At the time she not only walked for her aunts but for a friend who died from cancer three days before the walk.
"This is something we can do to bring awareness to the cause. Everywhere someone has a daughter or a niece who was hurt by this disease. We are doing something," Tesler said.
Before each of these walks each of the participants is asked to raise money to donate to breast cancer research. As a team, Tesler and Kohler, otherwise known as the California Dreamin' team, have made a goal to raise $5,000 from friends and family who supported their efforts. Last week they were nearly there with Tesler raising $2,130 and Kohler raising $2,300.
Tesler has already walked in the New York marathon once and is excited about getting the chance to complete the walk again. Despite having foot surgery earlier this year, she has been able to walk every other day or so. As of last week she and Kohler were up to walking 18 miles in one day.
This time Tesler isn't only walking in the memory of her aunts and friend, but another friend who died in January. Antioch's Renee Mercado was well-known to the Antioch community, having worked at Deer Valley High School. Tesler and Mercado went to high school together in Antioch and remained friends over the years.
Kohler was also a friend of Mercado. She has walked with Tesler in the past and is happy to help the cause in New York. She also walked in the Avon Walks for Breast Cancer in 2000 and in 2006.
"This year, I will be walking in memory of an old friend, Linda Dupree, who fought breast cancer for many years and ultimately lost her battle in 2006 on the very weekend we were walking in New York," Kohler said.
Kohler said that she would also be walking in memory of her longtime friend Jimmy Matejeck, who passed away after a battle with cancer in August 2009.
"During my training and walk, I will also be honoring my friend Tami and my cousin Stephanie, two strong women survivors and warriors in the fight against breast cancer," Kohler said.
Kohler said that the Avon Foundation funds both local and national organizations in five key areas: medical research, education and early detection programs, clinical care and support services, all with a focus on the medically underserved.
To help the California Dreamin' team make its goal, donations can be sent directly to www.avonwalk.org. Go to "donate," enter either Betsy Kohler or Annette Tesler where indicated and follow the prompts.

Work continues toward bringing health care clinic to Oakley

2010-10-24T14:25:00.001-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

OAKLEY -- For 25 years, Maria Juanita Fernandez has lived with diabetes, which she said requires significant care that is difficult to afford without insurance.
"Diabetes is like cancer. It starts damaging parts of your body a little bit at a time," Fernandez told a standing-room-only audience Sept. 15 to discuss plans to bring a health care clinic to the city.
Three years ago, Fernandez said she had a wound on her foot because of complications from diabetes. Because she could not afford the treatment, she didn't immediately seek medical attention for the injury, and had to have her toe amputated.
With no insurance, Fernandez was given a $34,000 bill for her treatment. She was able to pay $6,000 before she had to stop working because of health reasons.
Only six months later, she had another lesion on her toe that would not heal. This time, she went to Mexico and was charged $100 for treatment. Three months ago, she had another toe amputated.
"We need a clinic here in Oakley," she said through a translator. "Many of the people my age can't drive and can't get to other clinics out of town. We deserve to have preventive care in this situation."
Stories like Fernandez's inspired a group at St. Anthony Church to look into why the city, home to more than 36,000 residents, does not have a doctor's office, much less a clinic to help the uninsured.
Over the past five years, Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) has worked with city leaders and several local legislators to open a clinic in Oakley with the help of an Oakland-based organization, La Clinica. La Clinica is preparing to sign a lease on a space in Cypress Square Plaza off Main Street by Big Break Road.
At last week's forum, CCISCO representatives honored several contributors and volunteers for their effort to bring the clinic to Oakley. They also said they are $163,562 from reaching their fundraising goal.
"We have received many generous donations," CCISCO co-chairwoman Iris Gomez said.
So far, the group has racked up $915,000 through several large contributors, including John Muir Health Foundations ($450,000), Sutter Delta Medical Center ($200,000) and Kaiser Permanente ($40,000).
Gomez said the group is waiting for Kaiser's national board of directors to sign off on an additional $500,000 grant that will not only help the clinic open its doors but also provide the needed funds to sustain the operation for the next three years.
"Kaiser is the key," Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery said.
He said that if the grant comes through, the clinic could open its doors early next year.
Additional funding would be necessary for the clinic to stay open. One option for funding could be the federal health care bill signed into law in March.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows for money to support clinics in communities throughout the nation. Supporters of the Oakley clinic hope that their community will be one of them. The federal grants will not be decided until next summer.
Help from local leaders would be needed to obtain the funding, Montgomery said. Gomez encouraged residents to continue writing letters to let legislators know of the need for a clinic in Oakley.
The clinic will offer an array of medical services, including prenatal care and referrals to specialists. Most important to organizers here, La Clinica will make special efforts to accommodate low-income residents. The clinic will help new patients access state and federal health care funds, and offer services on a sliding-fee scale.

Neighbor: Carlile is honored for her work at Knightsen Elementary

2010-10-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

When Kay Carlile first heard that she had been named Knightsen School District's teacher of the year she was surprised and honored to receive the award. Although she has worked with the district for many years she started working as a full time teacher in 2005.
Carlile first came to the district in 1997 watching over students as a yard duty worker. For many years she also worked as a substitute teacher, including taking over one teacher's class every Friday.
It wasn't until 2005 that she decided to work for her credential and teach full-time for the school district.
"In 2005 I spent half day teaching kindergarten and working on my credential," she said.
In 2006 Carlile was hired on full time, teaching a combination classroom that was set up to teach kindergartners and first-graders. During the past few years she has been working on a character program. The program is devised to help teach children good character traits starting at a young age.
"Most schools have a character program like this of some kind," she said. "It kind of went away for a while, but it is needed more and more now. A program like this needs to be in the kids' language."
Carlile studied a program called "The Leader in Me" through UC San Diego. The program features "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." Carlile said essentially the idea is to help students develop skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21st century. By doing that it decreases discipline referrals, teaches and develops character and leadership, improves academic achievement and raises levels of accountability.
Carlile said that she loves working with children this age and seeing the changes they make in just one year.
"When these children come to me they don't really even know how to hold a book," she said. "By the end of the year they are reading and seeing that is exciting."
Carlile raised her own two boys, who are now off at college. She worked in the Knightsen 4-H with her sons and was a leader and camp director for two years.
Now that her children are grown and out of the house, she feels she is starting a new stage in her life and she is working on ideas of what to do next.
"It's an odd feeling not having them in the house all the time anymore," she said.
In the meantime, she is enjoying the new school year and getting to know the new children who are now having their first experiences in elementary school.