This blog is dedicated to articles that have run in the East Bay Times (East Contra Costa County, California), Brentwood News, Oakley News, Antioch News, Pittsburg News written by community columnist and correspondent, Roni Gehlke.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Discovery Bay couple shoots for the stars with state-of-the-art photography
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: Discovery Bay Studios Photography
Type of business: Wedding and portrait photography
Owners: Kelly and Stacey Chance
Address: Based in Discovery Bay. On-site shoot locations.
Founded: 2007
Contacts: 925-216-4454; www.discoverybaystudios.com
Hours: By appointment
Number of employees: two
Products and services: Wedding, engagement, senior portrait, bridal boudoir, "trash the wedding dress" photography and video. Albums, photo books, photo-video fusion montages are also available.
How did you get into the business: The Chances started out shooting for a local paper, also did sports photography, aviation photography and video.
"We realized as a husband and wife team we could offer unique perspectives covering weddings," Chance said. "Kelly has a modeling and acting background and relates well with people, especially nervous brides. She has an artistic eye and the ability to make people look their best in photographs."
Stacey also said Kelly is a talented designer of wedding albums.
Chance added that he is an "early adopter" of the new technologies and enjoys deploying the latest gear to best cover events.
For example, over the last year he has incorporated stunning high-definition video clips into the custom-made slide show montages.
"Clients enjoy the fusion of photos and videos in these montages, comparable to what you might see on MTV," Chance said.
Best part about the business?: "Without a doubt, seeing the faces of clients when we present their materials," Chance said. "Often tears will flow when watching their new montage or viewing their albums. If we haven't made a client feel something, we haven't done our job."
Worst part about the business?: Telling a perspective client that they are already booked for another wedding on her wedding date. "Once we have a date booked that's it. Once we had a young couple actually change their wedding date so that we could be their photographers," he said.
Key to success: "Customer relations and delivering more than is expected. It's more than just photographs; it's developing relationships," Chance said.
He said they made many new friends who are newlyweds. Being around young love reinforces their own marriage, he said.
Biggest misperception about the business: How exhausting a day of shooting can be. Often times they feel like they've been hit by a truck after a big wedding.
"We play tennis on our days off and it's not nearly as physically demanding. That was a surprise," he said.
Future plans: "Keep doing what we're doing but at the same time keep raising the bar," Chance said.
They plan to stay on the leading edge of new ways to deliver the best product.
— Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: Discovery Bay Studios Photography
Type of business: Wedding and portrait photography
Owners: Kelly and Stacey Chance
Address: Based in Discovery Bay. On-site shoot locations.
Founded: 2007
Contacts: 925-216-4454; www.discoverybaystudios.com
Hours: By appointment
Number of employees: two
Products and services: Wedding, engagement, senior portrait, bridal boudoir, "trash the wedding dress" photography and video. Albums, photo books, photo-video fusion montages are also available.
How did you get into the business: The Chances started out shooting for a local paper, also did sports photography, aviation photography and video.
"We realized as a husband and wife team we could offer unique perspectives covering weddings," Chance said. "Kelly has a modeling and acting background and relates well with people, especially nervous brides. She has an artistic eye and the ability to make people look their best in photographs."
Stacey also said Kelly is a talented designer of wedding albums.
Chance added that he is an "early adopter" of the new technologies and enjoys deploying the latest gear to best cover events.
For example, over the last year he has incorporated stunning high-definition video clips into the custom-made slide show montages.
"Clients enjoy the fusion of photos and videos in these montages, comparable to what you might see on MTV," Chance said.
Best part about the business?: "Without a doubt, seeing the faces of clients when we present their materials," Chance said. "Often tears will flow when watching their new montage or viewing their albums. If we haven't made a client feel something, we haven't done our job."
Worst part about the business?: Telling a perspective client that they are already booked for another wedding on her wedding date. "Once we have a date booked that's it. Once we had a young couple actually change their wedding date so that we could be their photographers," he said.
Key to success: "Customer relations and delivering more than is expected. It's more than just photographs; it's developing relationships," Chance said.
He said they made many new friends who are newlyweds. Being around young love reinforces their own marriage, he said.
Biggest misperception about the business: How exhausting a day of shooting can be. Often times they feel like they've been hit by a truck after a big wedding.
"We play tennis on our days off and it's not nearly as physically demanding. That was a surprise," he said.
Future plans: "Keep doing what we're doing but at the same time keep raising the bar," Chance said.
They plan to stay on the leading edge of new ways to deliver the best product.
— Roni Gehlke
Around Oakley: Community Awareness Day set for Saturday
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
If you haven't already heard the news, local Pocahontas members are again hosting a Community Awareness Day. This event, set for Saturday, is a chance for residents to see what kinds of groups, organizations and other things the city of Oakley has to offer.
The idea for the event started a few years back when the Pocahontas Club ladies decided they wanted to get the word out about programs and assistance that is available to seniors, those with ill parents or family members and those who have to deal with all the details after a loved one dies. Since the beginning of the event a lot has changed in what kind of information will be available for people to see at the event.
The Pocahontas will still be offering information on medical care for seniors and the ailing, as well as help in filling out forms and information from public and county agencies, but the group also has invited area nonprofits, museums, the city staff, real estate offices, notaries, veterans and military organizations as well as other organizations.
The Oakley Chamber of Commerce will also be on hand to let people know what kind of businesses are available. There are a lot more businesses out there than just those that you see on Main Street. Many home businesses that offer everything from plumbing to cabinet making to sales of makeup products also will be represented at the event. It is really important to shop in your own hometown because the tax dollars are then put back into your community.
The East County Senior Coalition also will be on hand to help seniors by offering some health fair information. including screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and more. The East County Senior Coalition was formed to create one voice to identify senior needs and to advocate their solution.
The group is East County-based, but one of its volunteers is from Oakley. Harriett Zych makes sure that the Oakley seniors are well represented in the group and has worked hard to bring this type of health fair to Oakley over the past several years. It is wonderful that she and her group have been to work together with the Pocahontas and host this health fair at the same time as the Community Awareness Day as it gives a chance for seniors to get to see what else Oakley has to offer.
The East County Senior Coalition Health Fair will only take place until 2 p.m. so get to the event early if you want to see this attraction.
While the seniors in the community are checking out the health fair, the youth in the community might want to check out what kind of youth programs are available in Oakley. The Pocahontas has invited several youth groups, a volunteer organization, sporting organization and service clubs. There will also be a table on hand with information about the city-sponsored activities.
Hours for Saturday's event are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be located in the parking lot at the City Hall offices at 3231 Main St. The group has worked had to make sure there is something for everyone. It is a free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.
For the Contra Costa Times
If you haven't already heard the news, local Pocahontas members are again hosting a Community Awareness Day. This event, set for Saturday, is a chance for residents to see what kinds of groups, organizations and other things the city of Oakley has to offer.
The idea for the event started a few years back when the Pocahontas Club ladies decided they wanted to get the word out about programs and assistance that is available to seniors, those with ill parents or family members and those who have to deal with all the details after a loved one dies. Since the beginning of the event a lot has changed in what kind of information will be available for people to see at the event.
The Pocahontas will still be offering information on medical care for seniors and the ailing, as well as help in filling out forms and information from public and county agencies, but the group also has invited area nonprofits, museums, the city staff, real estate offices, notaries, veterans and military organizations as well as other organizations.
The Oakley Chamber of Commerce will also be on hand to let people know what kind of businesses are available. There are a lot more businesses out there than just those that you see on Main Street. Many home businesses that offer everything from plumbing to cabinet making to sales of makeup products also will be represented at the event. It is really important to shop in your own hometown because the tax dollars are then put back into your community.
The East County Senior Coalition also will be on hand to help seniors by offering some health fair information. including screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and more. The East County Senior Coalition was formed to create one voice to identify senior needs and to advocate their solution.
The group is East County-based, but one of its volunteers is from Oakley. Harriett Zych makes sure that the Oakley seniors are well represented in the group and has worked hard to bring this type of health fair to Oakley over the past several years. It is wonderful that she and her group have been to work together with the Pocahontas and host this health fair at the same time as the Community Awareness Day as it gives a chance for seniors to get to see what else Oakley has to offer.
The East County Senior Coalition Health Fair will only take place until 2 p.m. so get to the event early if you want to see this attraction.
While the seniors in the community are checking out the health fair, the youth in the community might want to check out what kind of youth programs are available in Oakley. The Pocahontas has invited several youth groups, a volunteer organization, sporting organization and service clubs. There will also be a table on hand with information about the city-sponsored activities.
Hours for Saturday's event are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be located in the parking lot at the City Hall offices at 3231 Main St. The group has worked had to make sure there is something for everyone. It is a free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Glee Club comes to East County
When the Fox television show "Glee" started this fall, Brentwood's Jacquelyn Klinger was delighted to see a show where kids came together to sing and dance in a club situation. After watching first few months she became inspired and wondered if she would be able to put together a program similar to what the group on the television show did.
"I've always loved to sing and thought the whole idea of Glee was a good one," Klinger said. "Singing is my passion and I know there are a lot of other kids who feel the same."
On the Fox series, a high school teachers decides to bring back the school's defunct Glee Club and help aspiring young underdogs realize their true star potential. Of course there is plenty of talent throughout the show as members of the club sing and dance their way into the hearts of the viewers. For Klinger that was part of the inspiration of building a similar club.
"Getting the chance to express what you are about is a good thing," she said.
With the help of her mother, Klinger approached her singing instructor, Heather Sandberg from Brentwood's Studio 26 and asked if Sandberg would be interested in helping the young girl set up the Glee Club. While Klinger is mostly just involved in singing she knew that the dancing aspect would be fun and interest other teens.
Liking the idea immediately Sandberg worked with Klinger to set the project in motion. Sandberg provided the location for the club to meet and the instruction for the Club. She even provided a venue where the participants in the club can test out their talents with an audience for the first time. Each year Studio 26 holds a recital where her students perform. She will be inviting the Glee Club students as well. She also hopes to find other venues throughout the summer for the Club participants to perform at.
"I really like the idea that the kids have been inspired by the TV show," Sandberg said. She even set up one of the songs from the show for the kids to practice as part of their presentation.
The Club started meeting for the first time in January. For the first meeting Klinger brought in nine of her friends to start the Glee Club. Since then, the group filled up at 23 students all between the ages of 11 and 18. Each offering their own set of unique talents according to Sandberg.
"Some have been in school plays and taken singing and dance lessons for years," Sandberg said.
Klinger has participated in the Brentwood Teen Theater and performed in productions like The Wiz and Anne. She has also participated in singing competitions at the Alameda County Fair.
Right now the group meets once a week for less than an hour. They are working on learning three dance routines and three songs. The songs include "Fame" from the popular 1980 movie, "Don't Stop Believing" from Journey and "Walking on Sunshine" from the 1983 band Katrina and the Waves. Sandberg said all of the songs are popular and still heard today on a regular basis.
Right now, Sandberg said, that the Club is pretty full but she is considering of adding a second class in the fall. Klinger said that she encourages others to start their own Glee Clubs.
"The Glee Club is much better than I ever thought it would be," she said. "I think it is so important for people to express themselves through this type of stuff. It is so awesome."
"I've always loved to sing and thought the whole idea of Glee was a good one," Klinger said. "Singing is my passion and I know there are a lot of other kids who feel the same."
On the Fox series, a high school teachers decides to bring back the school's defunct Glee Club and help aspiring young underdogs realize their true star potential. Of course there is plenty of talent throughout the show as members of the club sing and dance their way into the hearts of the viewers. For Klinger that was part of the inspiration of building a similar club.
"Getting the chance to express what you are about is a good thing," she said.
With the help of her mother, Klinger approached her singing instructor, Heather Sandberg from Brentwood's Studio 26 and asked if Sandberg would be interested in helping the young girl set up the Glee Club. While Klinger is mostly just involved in singing she knew that the dancing aspect would be fun and interest other teens.
Liking the idea immediately Sandberg worked with Klinger to set the project in motion. Sandberg provided the location for the club to meet and the instruction for the Club. She even provided a venue where the participants in the club can test out their talents with an audience for the first time. Each year Studio 26 holds a recital where her students perform. She will be inviting the Glee Club students as well. She also hopes to find other venues throughout the summer for the Club participants to perform at.
"I really like the idea that the kids have been inspired by the TV show," Sandberg said. She even set up one of the songs from the show for the kids to practice as part of their presentation.
The Club started meeting for the first time in January. For the first meeting Klinger brought in nine of her friends to start the Glee Club. Since then, the group filled up at 23 students all between the ages of 11 and 18. Each offering their own set of unique talents according to Sandberg.
"Some have been in school plays and taken singing and dance lessons for years," Sandberg said.
Klinger has participated in the Brentwood Teen Theater and performed in productions like The Wiz and Anne. She has also participated in singing competitions at the Alameda County Fair.
Right now the group meets once a week for less than an hour. They are working on learning three dance routines and three songs. The songs include "Fame" from the popular 1980 movie, "Don't Stop Believing" from Journey and "Walking on Sunshine" from the 1983 band Katrina and the Waves. Sandberg said all of the songs are popular and still heard today on a regular basis.
Right now, Sandberg said, that the Club is pretty full but she is considering of adding a second class in the fall. Klinger said that she encourages others to start their own Glee Clubs.
"The Glee Club is much better than I ever thought it would be," she said. "I think it is so important for people to express themselves through this type of stuff. It is so awesome."
It's A Girl Thing
Next weekend Oakley middle school age girls are invited to a free event that promoters hope will help answer questions and give girls skills that they don't normally learn in school and will useful for the rest of their lives. "It's A Girl Thing" is a charter program put together by both O'Hara Park Middle School and Delta Vista Middle School in conjunction with the City of Oakley.
The one-day event, which takes place Saturday, April 24, will feature a series of workshops that covers topics that are on many a young teenage girl's mind. They feature key discussions on drug awareness, self-defense, cyber smarts, self-esteem and more.
"The city was approached by O'Hara Park and Delta Vista middle schools with the idea," Lindsey Bruno, the parks and recreation supervisor for the City of Oakley, said. "This program is strictly set up for girls to help them learn skills that they generally don't learn in school."
Similar programs like "It's A Girl Thing" have been successful in other Bay Area cities and offers a way to approach hard issues that young girls may face now and in the future. The program is billed to be interesting and fun for teenagers. The organizers have found experienced individuals to come and speak to the girls during the different sessions.
Speakers will be coming from several organizations, Bruno said. For example the Discovery Counseling Center will be on hand to speak on "Self Esteem—Fact and Fiction". The Community Violence Foundation will be speaking on "Where do you draw the line? Flirting vs. Harassment". There will also be a fitness coordinator from Max Muscle who will be on hand to speak on "Nutrition for Girls", plus several other groups.
While there will be 12 different topics the girls will be able to choose from, each girl will only be able to fit three of the different sessions into one day. The organizers are asking the girls to pick out their top five sessions and building the day's schedule for each girl with three session, plus a free nutritious lunch.
They ask that an application be filled out, by today, that will allow the girls to pick their top choices, but if the girls hand in the forms next week they will still be able to attend the event. Bruno said that the girls just wouldn't be guaranteed what sessions will be available to attend. Some sessions are sure to fill up quickly, but since there are so many events available, there are likely to be enough interesting topics to go around.
As a key speaker to the event the organizers have lined up Antioch teen Sara Trail. Sara is a local success story. At an early age Sara mastered the craft of sewing and started her own business designing and selling clothing. She currently has two books published and a DVD she sells with details on how girls can sew and make their own dreams come true.
Currently she is attending Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek. Her ambition is to be a fabric or fashion designer. According to her website she makes her own clothes as well as household decor items. She is billed as being "precocious, full of hope and ambition, entertaining and motivating". Sara has been invited to show one of her quilts at Rev. Jesse Jackson's 68th Birthday Gala in November. Her quilt is entitled "By His Blood".
"It's A Girl Thing" will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at O'Hara Park Middle School. Pre-registration is required. Registration forms can be found at both middle school offices and at the City of Oakley offices. Bruno said that this event is open only for girls. The city is waiting to see if this program is popular for the girls and then decide to arrange a program for boys in the fall.
The one-day event, which takes place Saturday, April 24, will feature a series of workshops that covers topics that are on many a young teenage girl's mind. They feature key discussions on drug awareness, self-defense, cyber smarts, self-esteem and more.
"The city was approached by O'Hara Park and Delta Vista middle schools with the idea," Lindsey Bruno, the parks and recreation supervisor for the City of Oakley, said. "This program is strictly set up for girls to help them learn skills that they generally don't learn in school."
Similar programs like "It's A Girl Thing" have been successful in other Bay Area cities and offers a way to approach hard issues that young girls may face now and in the future. The program is billed to be interesting and fun for teenagers. The organizers have found experienced individuals to come and speak to the girls during the different sessions.
Speakers will be coming from several organizations, Bruno said. For example the Discovery Counseling Center will be on hand to speak on "Self Esteem—Fact and Fiction". The Community Violence Foundation will be speaking on "Where do you draw the line? Flirting vs. Harassment". There will also be a fitness coordinator from Max Muscle who will be on hand to speak on "Nutrition for Girls", plus several other groups.
While there will be 12 different topics the girls will be able to choose from, each girl will only be able to fit three of the different sessions into one day. The organizers are asking the girls to pick out their top five sessions and building the day's schedule for each girl with three session, plus a free nutritious lunch.
They ask that an application be filled out, by today, that will allow the girls to pick their top choices, but if the girls hand in the forms next week they will still be able to attend the event. Bruno said that the girls just wouldn't be guaranteed what sessions will be available to attend. Some sessions are sure to fill up quickly, but since there are so many events available, there are likely to be enough interesting topics to go around.
As a key speaker to the event the organizers have lined up Antioch teen Sara Trail. Sara is a local success story. At an early age Sara mastered the craft of sewing and started her own business designing and selling clothing. She currently has two books published and a DVD she sells with details on how girls can sew and make their own dreams come true.
Currently she is attending Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek. Her ambition is to be a fabric or fashion designer. According to her website she makes her own clothes as well as household decor items. She is billed as being "precocious, full of hope and ambition, entertaining and motivating". Sara has been invited to show one of her quilts at Rev. Jesse Jackson's 68th Birthday Gala in November. Her quilt is entitled "By His Blood".
"It's A Girl Thing" will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at O'Hara Park Middle School. Pre-registration is required. Registration forms can be found at both middle school offices and at the City of Oakley offices. Bruno said that this event is open only for girls. The city is waiting to see if this program is popular for the girls and then decide to arrange a program for boys in the fall.
East County Historical Society Museum Opening
"There is lots of interesting memorabilia in the museum and research library," said Linda Mitchell, member of the Historical Society committee and Oakley resident.
This past weekend the East Contra Costa Historical Society and Museum celebrated it's annual Opening Day at their Seller Avenue, Brentwood, location. The museum opens the first Saturday in April and stays open until the last Saturday in October. The museum closes in the winter.
The last Saturday in March the museum has a special day when East County residents are invited to come out for a free barbecue and a tour of the museum. They also host a craft show. Over the past couple of years the Opening Day has offered a theme with redecoration of the inside rooms of the museum. This year the theme was Byron Hot Springs and the group pulled together pieces of their collection that specifically had history related to the Byron Hot Springs and put it in one of the main rooms.
Much of the rooms have really changed since the last time I visited the museum about a decade ago.
Back then several rooms were each themed after of one five local communities. In the Oakley room there were pictures of past residents of Oakley, many dating back to the early 1900s. There were also pieces of furniture and souvenirs donated from Oakley residents.
That has all changed now and the rooms have been redecorated to include all the communities, but themed with children's toys, several different eras of clothing, quilts and photos from throughout the communities of Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Knightsen and Oakley.
"All of the Oakley photos and such are still in the research library," Mitchell said. "We never throw any of it away."
Mitchell said that so much is donated to the museum that it all can't be kept in the house at the same time so the volunteers on the committee try to move items around. Some of the collections in the museum are on loan from long time families of the five communities who want people to get a chance to see the merchandise, but don't want to part with the family memories.
"Also rotating the displays make them more interesting for people who want to come again and again to see the museum," Mitchell said.
Long time volunteer to the Historical Society, Pat Bello was on hand Saturday to show visitors around and talk about the displays. She was especially happy to see two new China head dolls from the mid-1800s that were donated to the museum. The dolls once belonged to Francis Eustis Donner Wilder, who was a surviving member of the famous Donner Party. At one time the dolls were said to belong to the two orphans who survived the Donner Party trek from Nevada to California, and relocated in the East County area. Although Bello believes that the dolls belonged to the children after they settled in the area.
"This is something we can all be interested in seeing," Bello said.
The museum, which is located at 3890 Sellers Avenue, is only open on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the third Sunday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For those who wish to check out the research library and the collection of photos and newspaper clippings on Oakley the special room is open on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. To schedule a docent led tour or an appointment contact Pat Bello at the museum at 925-634-8651 or check out the museum's website at www.schoolbell.com/history.
Neighbor: Uncle's death inspires Cathleen Knight to head Oakley's Relay for Life
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name: Cathleen Knight
Occupation: Real Estate agent for Intero Realty in Brentwood
Marital status/family: Knight lives in Oakley with her husband, Jeff, and 11-year-old son Dominic who is a fifth-grader at Vintage Park School.
Proudest civic achievement: Knight is currently the chair of the Oakley Relay For Life organization. Relay For Life is a nationwide effort that helps to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Knight was the co-chair for the Oakley group last year. She became involved with Relay For Life in 2004 after the death of her uncle.
"My uncle's death was the first time our family had ever faced cancer," Knight said.
The year her uncle died suddenly from complications related to skin cancer, Knight's family had been planning a special family cruise to celebrate her uncle and aunt's anniversary. The cruise was to take place in May of 2004. In December of 2003 her uncle became ill. He was gone by March 2004.
"It was very heartbreaking for our family," she said. "He went so quickly. It was obvious that he had had the cancer for a long time but didn't know it."
At the time of his death her uncle was working for a plumbing company in Vallejo and they had set up a team to participate in the Vallejo area Relay For Life and asked her and her family if they wanted to be part of the team. Knight jumped at the chance to get involved. Since then she has been involved in other teams and helped raise money for the worthy cause each year.
Knight's uncle had lived in Oakley at the time of his death, so when members of the Oakley community had started talking about setting up their own Relay For Life, Knight decided she wanted to be involved and volunteered to help take charge.
Future achievement: This weekend the second annual Oakley Relay For Life will take place. Last year the group learned a lot about running such an event and Knight took that knowledge and is working on making the 2010 Relay even better.
"One thing we learned is that it gets tough for people to stick it out after midnight," Knight explained.
The event takes place in a 24-hour period and teams walk around the Freedom High School track all day and all night long.
Knight has been working on getting more entertainment for the late hours of the Relay and making it more enjoyable for everyone. This year the Relay is bigger than last year, according to Knight. There are nearly 400 participants and a great many cancer survivors who are being honored.
"Facebook has really been a big help on getting people involved," Knight said.
Knight is extremely proud of all the teams participating in the event. One team that is participating in honoring Lucy Moyer, a Vintage Parkway Elementary School teacher who died last year of breast cancer. Moyer passed away in December, but before she died, she helped to organize a group of teachers and parents to form a team for the event. Knight said that the team has been doing so well it may turn out to be the biggest money earner.
Groups and organizations involved in: Through her work as a real estate agent, Knight is an active member of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.
Hobbies: Knight enjoys setting up events and activities. Over the years she has made a hobby out of putting together parties. "Anything really, from special occasions, weddings and birthday parties," she said.
She has gotten so involved that she decided to take a course to become a certified event planner. The skills learned have come in handy in setting up activities and decorating at the Relay For Life in Oakley.
What was the last book you read: Generally Knight said she enjoys self-motivational books. She also has read a lot of books and articles on real estate and event planning.
Favorite movie: Knight loves comedies and can't say which is her favorite. She says that she has watched "Dirty Dancing," starring the late actor Patrick Swayze and actress Jennifer Grey, several times and loves the ending of the movie.
— Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name: Cathleen Knight
Occupation: Real Estate agent for Intero Realty in Brentwood
Marital status/family: Knight lives in Oakley with her husband, Jeff, and 11-year-old son Dominic who is a fifth-grader at Vintage Park School.
Proudest civic achievement: Knight is currently the chair of the Oakley Relay For Life organization. Relay For Life is a nationwide effort that helps to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Knight was the co-chair for the Oakley group last year. She became involved with Relay For Life in 2004 after the death of her uncle.
"My uncle's death was the first time our family had ever faced cancer," Knight said.
The year her uncle died suddenly from complications related to skin cancer, Knight's family had been planning a special family cruise to celebrate her uncle and aunt's anniversary. The cruise was to take place in May of 2004. In December of 2003 her uncle became ill. He was gone by March 2004.
"It was very heartbreaking for our family," she said. "He went so quickly. It was obvious that he had had the cancer for a long time but didn't know it."
At the time of his death her uncle was working for a plumbing company in Vallejo and they had set up a team to participate in the Vallejo area Relay For Life and asked her and her family if they wanted to be part of the team. Knight jumped at the chance to get involved. Since then she has been involved in other teams and helped raise money for the worthy cause each year.
Knight's uncle had lived in Oakley at the time of his death, so when members of the Oakley community had started talking about setting up their own Relay For Life, Knight decided she wanted to be involved and volunteered to help take charge.
Future achievement: This weekend the second annual Oakley Relay For Life will take place. Last year the group learned a lot about running such an event and Knight took that knowledge and is working on making the 2010 Relay even better.
"One thing we learned is that it gets tough for people to stick it out after midnight," Knight explained.
The event takes place in a 24-hour period and teams walk around the Freedom High School track all day and all night long.
Knight has been working on getting more entertainment for the late hours of the Relay and making it more enjoyable for everyone. This year the Relay is bigger than last year, according to Knight. There are nearly 400 participants and a great many cancer survivors who are being honored.
"Facebook has really been a big help on getting people involved," Knight said.
Knight is extremely proud of all the teams participating in the event. One team that is participating in honoring Lucy Moyer, a Vintage Parkway Elementary School teacher who died last year of breast cancer. Moyer passed away in December, but before she died, she helped to organize a group of teachers and parents to form a team for the event. Knight said that the team has been doing so well it may turn out to be the biggest money earner.
Groups and organizations involved in: Through her work as a real estate agent, Knight is an active member of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.
Hobbies: Knight enjoys setting up events and activities. Over the years she has made a hobby out of putting together parties. "Anything really, from special occasions, weddings and birthday parties," she said.
She has gotten so involved that she decided to take a course to become a certified event planner. The skills learned have come in handy in setting up activities and decorating at the Relay For Life in Oakley.
What was the last book you read: Generally Knight said she enjoys self-motivational books. She also has read a lot of books and articles on real estate and event planning.
Favorite movie: Knight loves comedies and can't say which is her favorite. She says that she has watched "Dirty Dancing," starring the late actor Patrick Swayze and actress Jennifer Grey, several times and loves the ending of the movie.
— Roni Gehlke
Creativity, ingenuity helps Oakley girl score in Bubble Wrap® contest
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Young Megan Pato of Oakley never really thought of herself as an inventor, but she just might make it to the inventor record books if her Bubble Wrap invention is picked as No. 1 next month. Megan was one of 15 semifinalists in the fourth annual Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.
Pato, 13, is an eighth-grader at Park Middle School. Earlier this year she was approached by one of her teachers about the national contest and Bio-Bubble Covers was invented.
Pato is quick to give a lot of the credit for the invention to her teacher, Greg Morris, saying that he was the one who sponsored her for the invention contest and also helped her to enter.
The general premise behind the invention is simple. Bio-Bubble Covers use Bubble Wrap to cover emergency gurneys.
"The Bubble Wrap is more comfortable than just the material of the gurneys and they are more sanitary," Pato said.
She went on to explain that when gurneys are used by emergency medical technicians they get dirty quickly.
"A lot of times there is a lot of blood and dirt left on the gurney," she said.
Placing the Bubble Wrap over the gurney makes for easier cleanup. After the emergency is over the plastic is just thrown away, she explained.
Bubble Wrap is a product of the Sealed Air Corp., which is celebrating its 50th year of producing the protective padding. There were 2,500 young inventors who entered the competition.
The 15 semifinalists will vie for more than $20,000 in prizes and savings bonds in a competition that encourages creativity and ingenuity.
If Pato is chosen as the grand prize winner her school will also receive a $5,000 grant.
She is up against some pretty big competition, though. She'll have to beat out inventions like the Guitar Chord-inator, a device that helps dyslexic children or anyone with a visual processing/tracking problem learn how to play chords on a guitar.
Other ideas included a Bubblebeat, a lightweight, portable speaker system that requires no batteries; the Smart Toilet, a device that attaches to a toilet for conservation of energy and water; and Petri Bubbles, a scientific tool designed as an inexpensive alternative to Petri dishes.
Getting the chance to design this invention has given Pato some ideas on her future. Pato, who carries a 4.0 GPA at Park, has already applied to the Academy of Design and Engineering of Antioch High School, which she will attend next year. Right now she is interested in interior design, but the future seems to be wide open.
When not studying, Pato likes to play soccer and hang out with her friends. She hopes that she gets to win this competition so that her school can get the $5,000 grant.
"I'm also excited about the chance to maybe go to New York if I win," she said.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.
For the Contra Costa Times
Young Megan Pato of Oakley never really thought of herself as an inventor, but she just might make it to the inventor record books if her Bubble Wrap invention is picked as No. 1 next month. Megan was one of 15 semifinalists in the fourth annual Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.
Pato, 13, is an eighth-grader at Park Middle School. Earlier this year she was approached by one of her teachers about the national contest and Bio-Bubble Covers was invented.
Pato is quick to give a lot of the credit for the invention to her teacher, Greg Morris, saying that he was the one who sponsored her for the invention contest and also helped her to enter.
The general premise behind the invention is simple. Bio-Bubble Covers use Bubble Wrap to cover emergency gurneys.
"The Bubble Wrap is more comfortable than just the material of the gurneys and they are more sanitary," Pato said.
She went on to explain that when gurneys are used by emergency medical technicians they get dirty quickly.
"A lot of times there is a lot of blood and dirt left on the gurney," she said.
Placing the Bubble Wrap over the gurney makes for easier cleanup. After the emergency is over the plastic is just thrown away, she explained.
Bubble Wrap is a product of the Sealed Air Corp., which is celebrating its 50th year of producing the protective padding. There were 2,500 young inventors who entered the competition.
The 15 semifinalists will vie for more than $20,000 in prizes and savings bonds in a competition that encourages creativity and ingenuity.
If Pato is chosen as the grand prize winner her school will also receive a $5,000 grant.
She is up against some pretty big competition, though. She'll have to beat out inventions like the Guitar Chord-inator, a device that helps dyslexic children or anyone with a visual processing/tracking problem learn how to play chords on a guitar.
Other ideas included a Bubblebeat, a lightweight, portable speaker system that requires no batteries; the Smart Toilet, a device that attaches to a toilet for conservation of energy and water; and Petri Bubbles, a scientific tool designed as an inexpensive alternative to Petri dishes.
Getting the chance to design this invention has given Pato some ideas on her future. Pato, who carries a 4.0 GPA at Park, has already applied to the Academy of Design and Engineering of Antioch High School, which she will attend next year. Right now she is interested in interior design, but the future seems to be wide open.
When not studying, Pato likes to play soccer and hang out with her friends. She hopes that she gets to win this competition so that her school can get the $5,000 grant.
"I'm also excited about the chance to maybe go to New York if I win," she said.
Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.
Business Spotlight: New premium yogurt shop opens in downtown Brentwood
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: Scrumdillyumptious
Type of business: Premium frozen yogurt and sorbet
Owners: Robin and Dan Jolivette
Founded: 2009
Address: 647 First St., Brentwood
Phone number: 925-684-4556
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; open 8 a.m. Saturdays during Farmers Market season
Number of employees: five
Products and services: Frozen yogurt, sorbet, coffee, espresso, cappuccino, lattes and mochas.
How did you get into the business: "We thought for many years that it would be nice if downtown Brentwood had a frozen yogurt shop," Robin Jolivette said. "When just the right place came available, we decided to be the family to open one."
Jolivette said they chose to open a yogurt shop because yogurt is not only delicious and fun, but a healthier choice as well. Scrumdillyumptious offers a variety of toppings as well, including fresh fruit and candies.
Best part about the business?: "Our customers by far," she said.
Jolivette explained that they met so many wonderful people at the shop. She also enjoys watching children light up when they get their treats. "It makes our day," she said.
Worst part about the business?: "We are enjoying ourselves so much that we can't really think of anything bad about it," Jolivette said.
Key to success: "Consistency," Jolivette said. She also believes it is important to delight the customers each and every time with value, variety and a smile.
Biggest misperception about the business: "That all frozen yogurt is created equal," she said.
There are many factors to consider to achieve a premium product. Jolivette said that they have worked hard to find the best brands on the market.
Future plans: In the future Jolivette said they hope to add many fun foods and drinks.
"We are always looking and listening to our customers for what they are looking for," she said.
— Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: Scrumdillyumptious
Type of business: Premium frozen yogurt and sorbet
Owners: Robin and Dan Jolivette
Founded: 2009
Address: 647 First St., Brentwood
Phone number: 925-684-4556
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; open 8 a.m. Saturdays during Farmers Market season
Number of employees: five
Products and services: Frozen yogurt, sorbet, coffee, espresso, cappuccino, lattes and mochas.
How did you get into the business: "We thought for many years that it would be nice if downtown Brentwood had a frozen yogurt shop," Robin Jolivette said. "When just the right place came available, we decided to be the family to open one."
Jolivette said they chose to open a yogurt shop because yogurt is not only delicious and fun, but a healthier choice as well. Scrumdillyumptious offers a variety of toppings as well, including fresh fruit and candies.
Best part about the business?: "Our customers by far," she said.
Jolivette explained that they met so many wonderful people at the shop. She also enjoys watching children light up when they get their treats. "It makes our day," she said.
Worst part about the business?: "We are enjoying ourselves so much that we can't really think of anything bad about it," Jolivette said.
Key to success: "Consistency," Jolivette said. She also believes it is important to delight the customers each and every time with value, variety and a smile.
Biggest misperception about the business: "That all frozen yogurt is created equal," she said.
There are many factors to consider to achieve a premium product. Jolivette said that they have worked hard to find the best brands on the market.
Future plans: In the future Jolivette said they hope to add many fun foods and drinks.
"We are always looking and listening to our customers for what they are looking for," she said.
— Roni Gehlke
Business Spotlight: DB Motorsports offers small engine repair
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: DB Motorsports
Type of business: small-engine service and repair facility
Owner: Dusty Burge
Founded: August 2009
Address: 14689 Byron Highway, Building 2, Byron
Phone number: 925-584-4315
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; DB Motorsports also will come in for pickup or drop-off per request.
Number of employees: one
Products and services: Small-engine repair for motorcycles, quads, Jet Skis, generators and lawn and garden equipment. DB Motorsports also has several distributors to get OEM and aftermarket parts. They also install tires, and balance if necessary, provide full engine rebuilds, cylinder honing, minor and major services, including rebuild of forks and wiring issues.
How did you get into the business?: Burge has more than 15 years experience in the small engine service and repair industry. Last year he decided to open his own place and found a location in Byron.
Best part about the business: "I really enjoy meeting all the people who are into the same things I am into," Burge said.
Worst part about the business: "When I'm too busy that I can't go play with the toys," he said.
Key to success: "To do good work and make the customers happy," Burge said.
Biggest misperception about the business: "Parts from any machine will work to repair their machine," he said, explaining that all parts are machine-specific.
Biggest misperception about the business: "Parts from any machine will work to repair their machine," he said, explaining that all parts are machine-specific.
It is very important to purchase the right parts for the job to have a quality repair on the equipment.
Future plans: "Having full stock of tires, oil, oil filters, air filters and minor tuneup supplies available in stock at the shop," Burge said.
— Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: DB Motorsports
Type of business: small-engine service and repair facility
Owner: Dusty Burge
Founded: August 2009
Address: 14689 Byron Highway, Building 2, Byron
Phone number: 925-584-4315
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; DB Motorsports also will come in for pickup or drop-off per request.
Number of employees: one
Products and services: Small-engine repair for motorcycles, quads, Jet Skis, generators and lawn and garden equipment. DB Motorsports also has several distributors to get OEM and aftermarket parts. They also install tires, and balance if necessary, provide full engine rebuilds, cylinder honing, minor and major services, including rebuild of forks and wiring issues.
How did you get into the business?: Burge has more than 15 years experience in the small engine service and repair industry. Last year he decided to open his own place and found a location in Byron.
Best part about the business: "I really enjoy meeting all the people who are into the same things I am into," Burge said.
Worst part about the business: "When I'm too busy that I can't go play with the toys," he said.
Key to success: "To do good work and make the customers happy," Burge said.
Biggest misperception about the business: "Parts from any machine will work to repair their machine," he said, explaining that all parts are machine-specific.
Biggest misperception about the business: "Parts from any machine will work to repair their machine," he said, explaining that all parts are machine-specific.
It is very important to purchase the right parts for the job to have a quality repair on the equipment.
Future plans: "Having full stock of tires, oil, oil filters, air filters and minor tuneup supplies available in stock at the shop," Burge said.
— Roni Gehlke
Jazz and gospel star to perform at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg on Saturday
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Gerald Albright is performing at the Creative Arts Building on Saturday as part of The Gospel...
PITTSBURG — For the past 16 years, Director Silvester Henderson has used his many contacts in the music world to bring popular musicians to Los Medanos College for the Gospel Celebration.
This year, he achieved a longtime goal of landing one of the nation's most highly regarded jazz performers.
"I'm so excited to bring Gerald Albright to the Gospel Celebration this year," Henderson said.
Henderson secured Albright through his friendship with College of Alameda professor Glen Pearson, who had worked with the renowned jazz saxophonist.
"With Glen's help, I was finally able to get in touch with (Albright) personally, and got him to come to perform," Henderson said.
A California native, Albright lives in Denver. He is known for his television appearances, which have featured his musical talents in such shows as "A Different World," "Melrose Place," the Channel 2 and Channel 5 morning news shows, BET jazz segments as well as piloting a show in Las Vegas with "Designing Women" star Meshach Taylor.
Albright is renowned for his saxophone playing. Immediately after graduating from college, Albright did studio work with popular artists, including Anita Baker, Ray Parker Jr., Lola Folana, The Temptations and Maurice White, among others.
Over the years, he has toured with Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, Les McCann, Rodney Franklin and many more.
Albright was one of 10 featured saxophonists who performed at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. He also was featured at the Presidential Summit, as well as several private functions for the president.
With nine albums and one collaboration CD, Albright has carved a place in the music world as a performer, songwriter and producer after selling more than 1 million albums in the United States.
Also featured at this year's Gospel Celebration will be Casey and Erica Starr Pringle. The Oakland couple has a rich history in the gospel music genre.
Casey has been singing since age 4, when he performed at the church where his grandfather was pastor. Today, he still sings at the church, leading praise and worship.
He has worked with Henderson for several years, first at UC Berkeley's Young Inspirational Gospel Choir and then at LMC.
Erica Pringle also has been singing since age 4, when she started at another church, where her grandfather was pastor. She sang with the choir for years before eventually taking over the youth choir.
She also has sung with the gospel choir at LMC and with UC Berkeley's Young Inspirational Gospel Choir under Henderson's direction.
The couple sings with Bay Area gospel artists Lawrence Keith Matthews, Demetrius Tolefree, Amar Khalil, Dave Hollister, David Jackson and saxophonist Angelo Luster, another performer at this year's celebration.
The LMC Gospel Celebration includes several other artists, such as Regina Turner, Harvesters, S&R Dance Duet and The Ambassadors For Change. The Ambassadors For Change is an Oakland-based group that uses music to spread AIDS awareness.
"The group of 65 musicians will be on hand using their music to spread the word about safe sex, health consciousness and AIDS," Henderson said. "This is a great group of young people who are doing something very good."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Gospel Celebration
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Los Medanos College, 2700 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg
TICKETS: $14 in advance, $16 at the door. There is no parking fee on the LMC campus on Saturday evenings. For details, contact Henderson at 925-439-2181, ext. 3249, or mrgospl@yahoo.com.
Oakley's Freedom High students 'Walk Through Time'
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Stepping back in time, fellow students, families and friends had a chance to see the hard-won efforts of the junior class at Freedom High School last week when the students presented "Walk Through Time." The event brought to life over a century of United States history.
Each year for the past eight years, students have presented the "Walk Through Time" through a variety of ways. The current class collectively spent the last three months researching famous people of the past 110 years, using their roles in history to tell a story, taking visitors on a journey.
Visitors were invited into decorated booth or set areas that each represented a decade in time. Participating students each introduced themselves as a member of society from that particular decade.
"We worked after school building each of the sets," said Meagan Woolridge, playing the role of Eleanor Roosevelt. "We had to make up the theme and select the people who would be in the set."
Each student was asked to choose whom he or she wanted to represent for an assigned era. Then they had to research the role that person had in history and design an appropriate costume. The students chose people from all walks of life. On the set for the 1930s era each student introduced himself, using his character name, with a handshake and smile.
In attendance were actors like Borris Karloff, played by Alex Caballero, Joan Crawford, played by Sereena Villa and Shirley Temple, played by Haleigh Freier. Made famous by his fictional character in "The Grapes of Wrath," the students also portrayed Tom Joad, played by James Stroud. In the book about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Joad was an Oklahoma farmer who lost his crops and was forced to come to California to earn a living.
The students also presented photographer Dorothea Lange, played by Sophia Medina, made famous by the photo she took of the 1930 migrant mother, Florence Owens Thompson, also played by student Roico Casillas.
No discussion of the 1930s decade would be complete without Mr. Monopoly, according to Nicole Levi who played the game board character. The Monopoly game was released in the 1934.
The event also offered each of the students a chance to portray their characters in a skit on a small stage area. Shirley Temple (Freier) was given a cheer from her classmates after she sang one of Temple's songs made famous in the child star's movies in the 1930s.
Each of the students within each decade were also asked to devise a set that represented each of the era's personalities they chose. The 1950s featured a set of a 1950s ice cream soda shop. Standing in front of the storyboard was Lucille Ball of "I Love Lucy" fame, played by Shawna England.
"I was part of a popular American television show playing a ditsy housewife," England explained in character.
Next to her was a scene painted from the famous "Ed Sullivan Show," which introduced many unknown talents to the American public during the 1950s. Tyler Drinnen play the role of Sullivan in the school program.
Not all was fun and television on the 1950s set. Jennifer Salguero was also on hand playing the part of Rosa Parks. She talked about the fine she was charged when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in protest of segregation.
A very elegant Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy, portrayed by Claire Joseph, was standing to welcome all those who entered the 1960s set. Joseph was responsible for the set design in the 1960s booth. Although she is quick to give credit to all those in her group, members of her group all turned the credit right back to Joseph.
"Claire did such a great job on the walls," said Courtney Nevarez, who played Ethel Payne the first lady of the Black press. "She did a lot of research."
In their junior year of high school, students who take American Studies divide their time between American History and American Literature.
"Each of the decade sets had to be well-rounded in both subjects," Woolridge said.
The span of decades presented ranged from 1900 to 2000s. The 2000 decade featured a drawing of national disasters, including 9-11, Hurricane Kratina, Virginia Tech killings and the outbreak of swine flu. Students are graded on their participation and knowledge of their character.
For the Contra Costa Times
Stepping back in time, fellow students, families and friends had a chance to see the hard-won efforts of the junior class at Freedom High School last week when the students presented "Walk Through Time." The event brought to life over a century of United States history.
Each year for the past eight years, students have presented the "Walk Through Time" through a variety of ways. The current class collectively spent the last three months researching famous people of the past 110 years, using their roles in history to tell a story, taking visitors on a journey.
Visitors were invited into decorated booth or set areas that each represented a decade in time. Participating students each introduced themselves as a member of society from that particular decade.
"We worked after school building each of the sets," said Meagan Woolridge, playing the role of Eleanor Roosevelt. "We had to make up the theme and select the people who would be in the set."
Each student was asked to choose whom he or she wanted to represent for an assigned era. Then they had to research the role that person had in history and design an appropriate costume. The students chose people from all walks of life. On the set for the 1930s era each student introduced himself, using his character name, with a handshake and smile.
In attendance were actors like Borris Karloff, played by Alex Caballero, Joan Crawford, played by Sereena Villa and Shirley Temple, played by Haleigh Freier. Made famous by his fictional character in "The Grapes of Wrath," the students also portrayed Tom Joad, played by James Stroud. In the book about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Joad was an Oklahoma farmer who lost his crops and was forced to come to California to earn a living.
The students also presented photographer Dorothea Lange, played by Sophia Medina, made famous by the photo she took of the 1930 migrant mother, Florence Owens Thompson, also played by student Roico Casillas.
No discussion of the 1930s decade would be complete without Mr. Monopoly, according to Nicole Levi who played the game board character. The Monopoly game was released in the 1934.
The event also offered each of the students a chance to portray their characters in a skit on a small stage area. Shirley Temple (Freier) was given a cheer from her classmates after she sang one of Temple's songs made famous in the child star's movies in the 1930s.
Each of the students within each decade were also asked to devise a set that represented each of the era's personalities they chose. The 1950s featured a set of a 1950s ice cream soda shop. Standing in front of the storyboard was Lucille Ball of "I Love Lucy" fame, played by Shawna England.
"I was part of a popular American television show playing a ditsy housewife," England explained in character.
Next to her was a scene painted from the famous "Ed Sullivan Show," which introduced many unknown talents to the American public during the 1950s. Tyler Drinnen play the role of Sullivan in the school program.
Not all was fun and television on the 1950s set. Jennifer Salguero was also on hand playing the part of Rosa Parks. She talked about the fine she was charged when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in protest of segregation.
A very elegant Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy, portrayed by Claire Joseph, was standing to welcome all those who entered the 1960s set. Joseph was responsible for the set design in the 1960s booth. Although she is quick to give credit to all those in her group, members of her group all turned the credit right back to Joseph.
"Claire did such a great job on the walls," said Courtney Nevarez, who played Ethel Payne the first lady of the Black press. "She did a lot of research."
In their junior year of high school, students who take American Studies divide their time between American History and American Literature.
"Each of the decade sets had to be well-rounded in both subjects," Woolridge said.
The span of decades presented ranged from 1900 to 2000s. The 2000 decade featured a drawing of national disasters, including 9-11, Hurricane Kratina, Virginia Tech killings and the outbreak of swine flu. Students are graded on their participation and knowledge of their character.
Antioch science fair winners move on to next level
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
It isn't every day that two young high school students get to use the facilities at a lab the size of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Earlier this year Deer Valley High School science students Jasmine Gajeton and Jessica Chiang needed special equipment to prove a theory and the lab officials were happy to help in the name of science.
The girls were hoping to be able to find a significant difference between a piece of fruit and a piece of corn that had been genetically enhanced by farmers. The test was part of a project the girls were working on for the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair that took place at the end of March.
"The idea was to test two pieces of corn," Jasmine Gajeton, a 17-year-old senior, said. "One piece was grown without any genetic enhancement and the other was organic of genetically enhanced."
The girls spent the day at the lab using a special piece of equipment called a Real-Time PCR. Essentially the special device allowed the girls to use extremely fast cycles and temperature control systems to test the DNA of both pieces of corn and pieces of papaya.
"The equipment helped us to extract the DNA," Gajeton said. "That way we could see if the genetically modified corn was any different from the non-modified corn."
The girls actually wound up making two trips to the lab because on the first trip the test came out negative, meaning that there was no difference in the DNA. "Unfortunately, the second trip it came out negative as well," Chiang, a 17-year-old Deer Valley junior, said.
Not disappointed by the results, but determined to find the reason for there being no difference, the girls did further research and found that they might have received a different reading if they had different data.
"We explained all of the details on our display at the science fair," Chiang said.
Gajeton explained that all of the details are plotted out so that anyone can take the information and redo the test and find the specific genetic changes like the ones the girls were hoping to find.
For their efforts the girls won the top team award at the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair and their chance to move up to the next competition, Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, which takes place next month in San Jose.
Their project has now been redubbed "The testing of Zea Maize and Carica Papaya L. for genetically modified genes on a Real-Time PCR." It also won a special award at the local level called the University of California International Science and Engineering Fair Grant Award.
The girls will be up against 1,400 other students from more than 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and a grand prize of $50,000.
Other East County recipients of the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering awards include Grand Award winner (senior category), Alec Howard of Deer Valley High School who shared the top prize at the fair with De La Salle High School sophomore William Thornbury. Howard's project was called "One Dollar Auction" and explored behavioral science. Howard could not be reached for comment.
The four students are the only winners of the local contest who will move to the next step in the competition at the Intel ISEF, but there were other East County winners who will be able to attend the
California State Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles later next month, which the four will attend as well. They include Holy Rosary eighth-grader Jake Forrester, with his project "From Garbage to Energy," and Deer Valley junior Haider Yasamin, with her project "The Relationship Between the Distance and Size of Globular Clusters."
For the Contra Costa Times
It isn't every day that two young high school students get to use the facilities at a lab the size of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Earlier this year Deer Valley High School science students Jasmine Gajeton and Jessica Chiang needed special equipment to prove a theory and the lab officials were happy to help in the name of science.
The girls were hoping to be able to find a significant difference between a piece of fruit and a piece of corn that had been genetically enhanced by farmers. The test was part of a project the girls were working on for the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair that took place at the end of March.
"The idea was to test two pieces of corn," Jasmine Gajeton, a 17-year-old senior, said. "One piece was grown without any genetic enhancement and the other was organic of genetically enhanced."
The girls spent the day at the lab using a special piece of equipment called a Real-Time PCR. Essentially the special device allowed the girls to use extremely fast cycles and temperature control systems to test the DNA of both pieces of corn and pieces of papaya.
"The equipment helped us to extract the DNA," Gajeton said. "That way we could see if the genetically modified corn was any different from the non-modified corn."
The girls actually wound up making two trips to the lab because on the first trip the test came out negative, meaning that there was no difference in the DNA. "Unfortunately, the second trip it came out negative as well," Chiang, a 17-year-old Deer Valley junior, said.
Not disappointed by the results, but determined to find the reason for there being no difference, the girls did further research and found that they might have received a different reading if they had different data.
"We explained all of the details on our display at the science fair," Chiang said.
Gajeton explained that all of the details are plotted out so that anyone can take the information and redo the test and find the specific genetic changes like the ones the girls were hoping to find.
For their efforts the girls won the top team award at the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair and their chance to move up to the next competition, Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, which takes place next month in San Jose.
Their project has now been redubbed "The testing of Zea Maize and Carica Papaya L. for genetically modified genes on a Real-Time PCR." It also won a special award at the local level called the University of California International Science and Engineering Fair Grant Award.
The girls will be up against 1,400 other students from more than 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and a grand prize of $50,000.
Other East County recipients of the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering awards include Grand Award winner (senior category), Alec Howard of Deer Valley High School who shared the top prize at the fair with De La Salle High School sophomore William Thornbury. Howard's project was called "One Dollar Auction" and explored behavioral science. Howard could not be reached for comment.
The four students are the only winners of the local contest who will move to the next step in the competition at the Intel ISEF, but there were other East County winners who will be able to attend the
California State Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles later next month, which the four will attend as well. They include Holy Rosary eighth-grader Jake Forrester, with his project "From Garbage to Energy," and Deer Valley junior Haider Yasamin, with her project "The Relationship Between the Distance and Size of Globular Clusters."
Antioch resident selected as 2010 fair queen
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
As a young girl, Meghan Wristen saw the Contra Costa County Fair queen strolling the fairgrounds during fair week and thought someday that would be her.
When Wristen turned 18 this year and became eligible for the contest, she took her chance and won.
"I'm so excited to get my chance to walk along the fairgrounds and be a role model for young girls," Wristen said. "I hope to encourage other girls to take the chance and do this."
Wristen isn't a stranger to taking on leadership roles. As a Deer Valley High School student, she has held the position of freshman class secretary, secretary of the entire student body in her sophomore year, student body vice-president her junior year, and senior class president this year.
She enjoys talking with others and making her school the best it can be. She also enjoys being part of the Deer Valley swimming and water polo teams.
When she is not at school, she works at her church, Golden Hills in Brentwood, where she is a youth small group leader with the church choir.
Wristen and her family have lived in Antioch her whole life, and she has enjoyed attending many Contra Costa County fairs as a spectator. Now in her new role as the 2010 fair queen, she will represent the county at the fair itself, which takes place June 3-6. She also will represent the county in parades, festivals and other public engagements throughout the year.
"I've already had my first official service by helping at a face-painting booth at Prewett Water Park earlier this month," Wristen said. "All the little girls liked getting their face painted by the queen."
As the winner of the fair queen contest, Wristen was awarded a small scholarship, which she plans to use next year as she attends Los Medonas College to begin getting her general education classes out of the way. She plans to attend San Diego Christian College in a couple of years to study education, with hopes to become a kindergarten teacher.
"I've wanted to become a kindergarten teacher my whole life," she said.
Wristen said she is honored to be the 2010 queen and represent Contra Costa County. "It is my passion to embrace every moment while fulfilling my duties with a smile and cheerful hello. I am looking forward to a year full of unforgettable memories and friends that will be made," she said.
The theme for the 2010 fair is "Old Fashion Fun," and this year will feature a separate concert with MC Hammer. "Hammertime" is 7 p.m. June 4. Tickets for the fair and special concert are available on the fair's Web site at www.contracostafair.com.
For the Contra Costa Times
As a young girl, Meghan Wristen saw the Contra Costa County Fair queen strolling the fairgrounds during fair week and thought someday that would be her.
When Wristen turned 18 this year and became eligible for the contest, she took her chance and won.
"I'm so excited to get my chance to walk along the fairgrounds and be a role model for young girls," Wristen said. "I hope to encourage other girls to take the chance and do this."
Wristen isn't a stranger to taking on leadership roles. As a Deer Valley High School student, she has held the position of freshman class secretary, secretary of the entire student body in her sophomore year, student body vice-president her junior year, and senior class president this year.
She enjoys talking with others and making her school the best it can be. She also enjoys being part of the Deer Valley swimming and water polo teams.
When she is not at school, she works at her church, Golden Hills in Brentwood, where she is a youth small group leader with the church choir.
Wristen and her family have lived in Antioch her whole life, and she has enjoyed attending many Contra Costa County fairs as a spectator. Now in her new role as the 2010 fair queen, she will represent the county at the fair itself, which takes place June 3-6. She also will represent the county in parades, festivals and other public engagements throughout the year.
"I've already had my first official service by helping at a face-painting booth at Prewett Water Park earlier this month," Wristen said. "All the little girls liked getting their face painted by the queen."
As the winner of the fair queen contest, Wristen was awarded a small scholarship, which she plans to use next year as she attends Los Medonas College to begin getting her general education classes out of the way. She plans to attend San Diego Christian College in a couple of years to study education, with hopes to become a kindergarten teacher.
"I've wanted to become a kindergarten teacher my whole life," she said.
Wristen said she is honored to be the 2010 queen and represent Contra Costa County. "It is my passion to embrace every moment while fulfilling my duties with a smile and cheerful hello. I am looking forward to a year full of unforgettable memories and friends that will be made," she said.
The theme for the 2010 fair is "Old Fashion Fun," and this year will feature a separate concert with MC Hammer. "Hammertime" is 7 p.m. June 4. Tickets for the fair and special concert are available on the fair's Web site at www.contracostafair.com.
Stockton photographer publishes books on Byron Hot Springs
By Roni Gehlke
Correspondent
At the end of the 1800s and early 1900s the property was a playground for the rich and famous, offering a lavish hotel and restaurant. During World War II, while the buildings were still in operating form, the property was used as a Japanese internment camp.
Today the property is fenced off, sporting "no trespassing signs" to keeping the public at bay. The only thing left is the rubble of broken down buildings and rust, but to some that offers its own beauty.
In 2000 a Stockton resident, Kim Romena, was driving through Byron and decided to check out the property she remembered from visiting on Halloween in 1970.
She had just purchased a new camera in May of 2000 and was always looking for new scenes to photograph. She was left disappointed, though, as no one was around to help her find out how to get into the property and have a closer look.
"I was determined, though," Romena remembers. "I kept going back and looking for someone who could help get the key to the gate."
Later that year she was able to find the owners of the Byron Hot Springs property and was given permission to go out and document the property on film.
"The first five years the photos were taken in black and white," she said.
Romena noted that she was really taken by the stark sight of broken down buildings and the old palm trees, which were dramatic images in black and white.
"I like telling a story through my pictures," she said. "I like the rust and the broken windows."
Romena later decided that it was time to compile a book with her pictures. "With the Internet companies I discovered, it makes it easier to get books published," she said.
Romena knew that there would be people who would like to see the property, but she had no idea if she would sell a couple or thousands of books, so she started off small.
Once the first book was finished in late 2007, she began working on a second book with additional photographs. The second both book features mostly photographs, both in color and black and white, of the inside of the Byron Hot Springs building and surrounding property.
"These books are my photo journey on the property of historic Byron Hot Springs Resort and Spa. I spent seven years photographing what remains of a time gone by," Romena explained. "Byron Hot Springs is rich in history dating back to the mid-1800. I try to capture the beauty and elegance that lured people to this place."
Romena had not been inside the property for a couple of years until recently when the owners hosted an event to help promote Alexander Corbin's new book "The History of Camp Tracy."
"There were so many changes," she said. "There was a fire that took out one of the smaller buildings and one of the few oak trees had fallen in a storm."
After seeing this she decided to ask the owners if she could get inside the property once again to take new pictures. This past week she had a chance to get inside and took advantage of the overcast light to begin a new storytelling journey of the property.
Romena also has printed post cards and individual photographs from the site.
"With the current economy it is easier for some just to buy the individuals rather than the whole book," she said.
She was happy to see her booth at the recent East County Historical Society museum opener garner interest from the public.
"For me it is all about doing anything I can to help. I hate to see this property go the vandals, which is exactly what is happening. There is so much more graffiti there than there was just a few years ago."
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of Romena's "Byron Hot Springs" Volumes 1 and 2 can go to www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/470452 , or contact Romena at photography@byronhotsprings.com. For more information on the resort, see www.byronhotsprings.com.
Correspondent
At the end of the 1800s and early 1900s the property was a playground for the rich and famous, offering a lavish hotel and restaurant. During World War II, while the buildings were still in operating form, the property was used as a Japanese internment camp.
Today the property is fenced off, sporting "no trespassing signs" to keeping the public at bay. The only thing left is the rubble of broken down buildings and rust, but to some that offers its own beauty.
In 2000 a Stockton resident, Kim Romena, was driving through Byron and decided to check out the property she remembered from visiting on Halloween in 1970.
She had just purchased a new camera in May of 2000 and was always looking for new scenes to photograph. She was left disappointed, though, as no one was around to help her find out how to get into the property and have a closer look.
"I was determined, though," Romena remembers. "I kept going back and looking for someone who could help get the key to the gate."
Later that year she was able to find the owners of the Byron Hot Springs property and was given permission to go out and document the property on film.
"The first five years the photos were taken in black and white," she said.
Romena noted that she was really taken by the stark sight of broken down buildings and the old palm trees, which were dramatic images in black and white.
"I like telling a story through my pictures," she said. "I like the rust and the broken windows."
Romena later decided that it was time to compile a book with her pictures. "With the Internet companies I discovered, it makes it easier to get books published," she said.
Romena knew that there would be people who would like to see the property, but she had no idea if she would sell a couple or thousands of books, so she started off small.
Once the first book was finished in late 2007, she began working on a second book with additional photographs. The second both book features mostly photographs, both in color and black and white, of the inside of the Byron Hot Springs building and surrounding property.
"These books are my photo journey on the property of historic Byron Hot Springs Resort and Spa. I spent seven years photographing what remains of a time gone by," Romena explained. "Byron Hot Springs is rich in history dating back to the mid-1800. I try to capture the beauty and elegance that lured people to this place."
Romena had not been inside the property for a couple of years until recently when the owners hosted an event to help promote Alexander Corbin's new book "The History of Camp Tracy."
"There were so many changes," she said. "There was a fire that took out one of the smaller buildings and one of the few oak trees had fallen in a storm."
After seeing this she decided to ask the owners if she could get inside the property once again to take new pictures. This past week she had a chance to get inside and took advantage of the overcast light to begin a new storytelling journey of the property.
Romena also has printed post cards and individual photographs from the site.
"With the current economy it is easier for some just to buy the individuals rather than the whole book," she said.
She was happy to see her booth at the recent East County Historical Society museum opener garner interest from the public.
"For me it is all about doing anything I can to help. I hate to see this property go the vandals, which is exactly what is happening. There is so much more graffiti there than there was just a few years ago."
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of Romena's "Byron Hot Springs" Volumes 1 and 2 can go to www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/470452 , or contact Romena at photography@byronhotsprings.com. For more information on the resort, see www.byronhotsprings.com.
Business Spotlight: Makeology offers professional skin care, teeth whitening in Antioch, Brentwood
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: Makeology Beauty Bars
Type of business: Professional skin care and teeth-whitening
Owner: Jim Larsson; local manager is Stayce Robinson
Founded: July 2009
Address: 4099 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, inside In-Shape City Health Club; 180 Griffith Lane, Brentwood, inside In-Shape City Health Club
Phone number: 925-813-5094
Hours: by appointment
Number of employees: one
Products and services: Makeology is located inside the In-Shape City Health Clubs and offers skin care, nutritional supplements and teeth-whitening products. The also provide skin analysis, diagnosis and prescriptions, skin care classes, facials and teeth whitening services. Makeology offers nonsurgical face-lifts and treats acne, Rosacea, scars, discoloration, lines and wrinkles and many other abnormal skin conditions. It also provides a facial fitness program, in which they teach clients how to do it by themselves.
They also offer an FDA approved microcurrent that treats depression, anxiety, stress and sleeplessness.
How did you get into the business?: "I'm a licensed aesthetician," Makeology manager Stayce Robinson said. "I tried the medical-grade skin care and microcurrent/LED light treatment offered at the Beauty Bars with fantastic results."
She said was very excited when the opportunity came to manage the beauty bars in In-Shape gyms in Antioch and Brentwood.
"I really enjoy all the wonderful people that I've had the privilege to educate and get to know," she said.
Best part about the business?: "I love helping people improve the appearance of their skin and to educate people on the benefits of our breakthrough skin-care line that balances and corrects the skin's function," Robinson said. "I also love our skin-care classes as it is a great way for women to come together and socialize while beautifying their skin."
What is the worst part about the business?: "That I know the program helps people look and feel great but people don't know about us," Being inside the In-Shape City Health Club doesn't give Makeology curb appeal and people can't see the business from outside.
Key to success: "People can see a great difference in their appearance while at the same time having a great time at the Bar," she said.
Makeology offers some initial treatments for free.
"You will be able to judge if this is something for you with no out-of- pocket expense. I am extremely proud of working as a beauty bar manager allowing people to try before they buy," Robinson said. "Almost everybody that comes in wants to continue our program."
Biggest misconception about the business: "That it is expensive," Robinson said.
Robinson likens the services at Makeology to having a personal medi-spa without the high cost.
"You will discover the first time you have a treatment that it really relaxes and calms the nerves, lightens your mood and increases your well being," Robinson said.
Future plans: Makeology has beauty bars similar to the Antioch and Brentwood locations across the country and continues to open other operations regularly.
— Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Name of business: Makeology Beauty Bars
Type of business: Professional skin care and teeth-whitening
Owner: Jim Larsson; local manager is Stayce Robinson
Founded: July 2009
Address: 4099 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, inside In-Shape City Health Club; 180 Griffith Lane, Brentwood, inside In-Shape City Health Club
Phone number: 925-813-5094
Hours: by appointment
Number of employees: one
Products and services: Makeology is located inside the In-Shape City Health Clubs and offers skin care, nutritional supplements and teeth-whitening products. The also provide skin analysis, diagnosis and prescriptions, skin care classes, facials and teeth whitening services. Makeology offers nonsurgical face-lifts and treats acne, Rosacea, scars, discoloration, lines and wrinkles and many other abnormal skin conditions. It also provides a facial fitness program, in which they teach clients how to do it by themselves.
They also offer an FDA approved microcurrent that treats depression, anxiety, stress and sleeplessness.
How did you get into the business?: "I'm a licensed aesthetician," Makeology manager Stayce Robinson said. "I tried the medical-grade skin care and microcurrent/LED light treatment offered at the Beauty Bars with fantastic results."
She said was very excited when the opportunity came to manage the beauty bars in In-Shape gyms in Antioch and Brentwood.
"I really enjoy all the wonderful people that I've had the privilege to educate and get to know," she said.
Best part about the business?: "I love helping people improve the appearance of their skin and to educate people on the benefits of our breakthrough skin-care line that balances and corrects the skin's function," Robinson said. "I also love our skin-care classes as it is a great way for women to come together and socialize while beautifying their skin."
What is the worst part about the business?: "That I know the program helps people look and feel great but people don't know about us," Being inside the In-Shape City Health Club doesn't give Makeology curb appeal and people can't see the business from outside.
Key to success: "People can see a great difference in their appearance while at the same time having a great time at the Bar," she said.
Makeology offers some initial treatments for free.
"You will be able to judge if this is something for you with no out-of- pocket expense. I am extremely proud of working as a beauty bar manager allowing people to try before they buy," Robinson said. "Almost everybody that comes in wants to continue our program."
Biggest misconception about the business: "That it is expensive," Robinson said.
Robinson likens the services at Makeology to having a personal medi-spa without the high cost.
"You will discover the first time you have a treatment that it really relaxes and calms the nerves, lightens your mood and increases your well being," Robinson said.
Future plans: Makeology has beauty bars similar to the Antioch and Brentwood locations across the country and continues to open other operations regularly.
— Roni Gehlke
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