Deer Valley High teacher publishes book about coming of age

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

As a high school science teacher Jeff Adkins knows that a teacher is an important role model to teenagers. While that idea may have become clearer to him in the last 12 years of teaching at Deer Valley High School, the lesson was taught to him as a teenager himself after meeting a teacher who changed his life. His experiences during that time in his life became the inspiration of a newly published coming of age novel penned by Adkins called "The Boy Who Skipped".

After receiving a teacher award in 2007, Adkins was asked what prompted him to become a teacher.
"I remembered how my high school theater teacher had encouraged me to get into teaching and how my life was colored from that time period in my life," Adkins said.

It was then he decided to put his memories down on paper before too much time passed and he forgot all of the important details. He even went so far as to contact the teacher he remembered and asked her for her opinion.

Adkins calls "The Boy Who Skipped" an "almost" autobiography.

"Most of the story is about my life, but I've changed the names of the characters and combined two or three of the people into one character so it wouldn't be so complicated," he said.

In the book Adkins tells the story of a 13-year-old boy, renamed Jeff Mason, who lives within the Appalachia area of Eastern Kentucky where Adkins grew up in the 1970s. The story tells of the lonely life of a boy approaching his teen years living in the isolation of the Kentucky back hills.

The boy is invited to participate in his school's play, "The Taming of the Shrew." In the book Mason meets a fellow student and seeks her affection. As in Adkins' real life, the boy is helped by his drama teacher and mentor.

Adkins describes "The Boy Who Skipped" as a story of the underdog seeking to triumph against seemingly impossible odds," he said. "The novel is based on my life growing up as a science geek with a romantic heart."

While he believes young adults and older readers will enjoy this book, he said high school students would relate to it as well. While this book takes place more than 30 years ago, the references and emotions are still the same today.

This isn't the first writing endeavor for Adkins. He previously published informational books on astronomy. This book, however, is certainly written more from the heart, he said.
Next up, Adkins plans to work on the next book in his astronomy series. After that, he isn't sure if he will do another book like the "The Boy Who Skipped," but he said he did enjoy the experience of writing it.

Adkins said that he will be working to find places to do book signings and speak on the book in the next few months. To purchase a copy of the book go to the publisher's website at www.lulu.com/spotlight/astronomyteacher.

Brentwood sculptor Cindy Williamson in prestigious San Francisco show

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

"Sculpting is one of the more time-consuming arts," she said. "Once I get my hands in the clay it is really fun and I want to do more of it. The longer process is really satisfying."

Over the past 10 years Williamson has moved from having fun with her art to taking it more seriously and showing her work at shows and competitions. She has been invited to show her art in the Ceramics Annual of America: Exhibition and Fair next month at Fort Mason in San Francisco.

"This is a very high-caliber show," Williamson said. "The art they show is from all over the country."
Williamson said she is honored to exhibit her work at this show.

Her art includes sculptures of animals and humans. Recently she has become interested in going to baseball games, which gave her the idea of making a sculpture of a baseball player. The first sculpture was made using a male model. Later she added a baseball uniform.

"The uniform is an impressionist view of the clothing," she said. She named the 36-inch statue "Bottom of the Ninth." She is currently working on a second baseball sculpture, but this time she is using a photo instead of a live model.

Williamson has exhibited extensively in Northern California in colleges and commercial galleries. Colleges and private collectors throughout the United States also own her work. She has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Laguna Clay Award at the 2008 California Clay Competition.

Williamson has been a Brentwood resident seven years. Before that she and her son lived in Antioch.
She also enjoys spending her time teaching sculpture in Brentwood elementary schools.

"It is such a treat to work with the kids," she said. "All day long they have to put pencil to paper, but when they get to put their hands in the clay their faces light up and they get so excited."

While working with the younger children she said she is amazed just how talented some of the children can be. She especially likes working with the special-needs children because sculpting is something they can do that they can have fun with and feel successful.

Aside from the Ceramics Annual of America, which takes place Sept. 10-12, Williamson's artwork can be viewed at a solo exhibit at the Eddie Rhodes Art Gallery at Contra Costa College in San Pablo from Oct. 24-Nov. 21.

Antioch family florist blossoms with new generation of owners

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of Business: Paula's Family Florist

Type of business: Florist

Owners: Christopher Trotta and Paula Franchetto-Trotta

Founded: March 2006

Address: 1412 A St., Antioch. The business is located in the "little, yellow house" on the corner of A and 15th streets.

Phone number: 925-756-6000

Website: www.paulasfamilyflorist.com

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Number of employees: family-owned and operated

Products and services: Paula's Family Florist features custom floral arrangements and plants for all occasions. The company specializes in wedding and sympathy work.

How did you get into the business?: The couple is the third generation in the florist business. It started with Paula's grandparents. "We are in the same building that my parents had their florist for over 30 years," Franchetto-Trotta said. "Combined, we have over 50 years in business."

Best part about the business: "Interacting with customers and creating floral designs that meet their visions," Franchetto-Trotta said.

Worst part about the business: Like many self-employed people, Paula Franchetto-Trotta says long hours are the worst part to a business.

Key to success: "Quality products, affordable pricing and superior customer service," she said.

Biggest misperception about the business: "People think that because the flowers are coming from a florist that they are too expensive. That is why a lot of people buy flowers from the grocery store," she said. "Really, that isn't true. We work hard to keep our prices competitive and economical."

Future plans: Fresh seasonal flowers come to the store on a regular basis. On Fridays, Paula's Family Florist sells a special bouquet of seasonal flowers for just $5 each.

-- Roni Gehlke

Around Oakley: Beautification projects abound in city

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

An unofficial beautification plan must have been in effect in the city of Oakley for the past few weeks, as not only city streets are being improved, but also local churches and residences are starting to show off their shine. Just a quick drive around the small city limits reveals many improvements.

Over the past few years the decline in the economy has been evident by the many foreclosed homes throughout town. With no one living in the homes, front lawns started to go to weeds, despite the city's attempt to pass ordinances that would keep properties well-landscaped even if they were unoccupied.

Now, homes are being purchased and the new residents are taking an active interest in beautifying their landscaping. An added advantage is that the cooling temperatures are allowing spring and early summer flowers to stay in bloom longer. Longtime residents are also adding new landscaping to their properties.

Many of the local churches throughout town are finally able to complete projects that are adding visual appeal as well as space to their properties. The corner of O'Hara Avenue is looking vastly different these days with St. Anthony Church adding its new parking lot. The project is a big change for the church that for years only had a sand lot for parking.

The city will soon be adding a sidewalk in front of the church, which will be an even bigger improvement to the busy street corner.

Members of the New Lifeline World Ministries on Empire Avenue are finally getting to the finishing touches of their new buildings. The group has been working for several years to move from the prefabricated building on their lot into a new structure. They are currently working on parking and landscaping.

A fire destroyed a major portion of the Destiny Church on O'Hara Avenue in September. The church has been working on fixing the damage. This last week, improvements have brightened up the outside of the building.

The repairs are ongoing. In the meantime those wishing to attend services are welcome to visit the city's council chambers on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

There have been a lot of street closures, detours and delays as the city works on street improvements over the past few weeks. One of the biggest area of improvements is Empire Avenue near Laurel Road. The new center divides and road expansions will be going on for the next few weeks. When they are done, Empire Road between Laurel and Neroly roads will be four lanes with turnoffs onto the local residential streets.

Unfortunately, that is as far as it goes. Once the road continues over the railroad tracks it is no longer in Oakley's sphere of influence and becomes Antioch and Brentwood. Those two cities will need to work together expand the road further for better access to Slatten Ranch.

O'Hara Avenue has been getting some nice new sidewalks which is a big help for the Freedom High School students who walk the road to and from school. There is still a rather large area that needs sidewalk additions. Let's hope that happens soon. During the rainy season the children tend to move into the street along that area as the sand puddles up.

In all, kudos should go out to those making an effort to make Oakley look nicer.

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

Neighbor: Freedom High's Steve Amaro believes in importance of athletics

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name: Steve Amaro

Occupation: Athletic director, tennis coach and English teacher at Freedom High School.

Marital status/Family: Amaro lives in Brentwood with his wife, Jennifer, whom he met playing tennis and married in 1998. The couple have two children Lindsey, 8, and Ashley, 5.

Educational and employment background: Amaro said that he didn't start out his college career with the idea of becoming a teacher.

"I wasn't the best student in high school," he said.

He first attended Diablo Valley College to study business. That same year he opened a deejay business.
After the first year in college, an English teacher at DVC told Amaro he was wasting his time with business and convinced him to change his major to English. At the same time a coach at DVC asked him to join the tennis team. Amaro had played tennis in high school and enjoyed the sport.

After changing his path to English, Amaro then attended Saint Mary's College and later got his master's degree from San Francisco State where he was the youngest person in his class.

His first job was teaching summer school English the year before he received his teaching credential.
"In that class, 70 percent of the students passed at a proficient level," Amaro said.

In May of 1998, while on his honeymoon, Amaro received a call from Freedom High School asking him if he was interested in a position at the school.

"I liked the community feel and Freedom was a new school. Now I love Oakley and the people here," Amaro said.
Amaro was also offered a position as the assistant coach for the girls tennis team during that time.

Proudest civic achievement: "Watching Freedom become the center of pride in this community," Amaro said. "I know that is a biased view. I think Freedom is a safe and nurturing place."
Being a teacher is a large source of pride for Amaro.

"Any graduate from here can go out and change the world. I am lucky to have this job and have a chance to make a difference with these students," he said.

Future Achievement: Amaro is working on his doctoral degree in educational leadership. His doctorate thesis relates to how extracurricular activities affect how students see the world from different perspectives.

He hopes to still teach English and to get the chance to teach a course that will show principals and teachers the importance of athletics in a student's life.

Groups and organizations involved in: Amaro is involved in many organizations related to education and athletics, including The National Federation of High Schools, National Council of English Teachers, Athletic Coaches Association, North Coast Athletic Coaches Association and United States Professional Tennis Association.

Amaro still works with the deejay company he started in college and every year donates his time to provide music for organizations such as the annual barbecue picnic the Sheriff's Office of Contra Costa County holds.

Hobbies: Amaro plays tennis, runs, plays the video game Rock Band with his daughters, deejays occasionally and spends time with his own children, as well as his students.

What was the last book you read: "I wanted to see why all the kids were so interested in 'Twilight,' so I just finished reading 'Eclipse,' " he said.

The "Twilight" series by Stephanie Myers has sparked a sensation among teens, along with three movies. "Eclipse" is the latest in the series.

Favorite movie: "That is a hard one. It is easy to say 'Star Wars,' " he said. "I can still remember seeing it in the movies when I was young."

He also said he really like Disney's "The Lion King."

-- Roni Gehlke

Around Oakley: Library looking for Youth Squad members

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

What better way to develop programs for teens and younger kids then having a group of teenagers help decide what the younger crowd likes to do? That is the idea behind the Oakley Library Youth Squad. Now that classes are back in session at Freedom High School, where the Oakley Library is housed, the library staff is again looking for a group of teens to get involved in the Squad.

"We are looking for enthusiastic and energetic teens to help," said Andrea Freyler, the Oakley library assistant in charge of the program. "There is no limit to the amount of kids who can get involved."

Although the program has been around for seven years, this is the first year Freyler has worked with it. She's hoping that students will come up with some activities that will make going to the library more fun for kids.

The Squad is open to all kids from eighth grade and above. Freyler said the program is run by the students; she is only the adviser. Squad participants will be asked to put together programs that will encourage community involvement.

"There isn't a set amount of programs per month, but I'd like to see something every month or two," Freyler said.

With schoolwork and other after school activities, Freyler knows that young people lead busy lives. She has scheduled the Squad to meet just once a month. The first meeting is set for 3:30-5 p.m. Aug. 19."I'll let the students decide if they want to keep that day or change it and how often after that," she said.

Squad members will also have to set aside time to set up activities for the programs. Freyler said there is no requirement for how much the teen gets involved in the group, but for each activity the group sets she hopes that at least five teens will participate to make the program the best it can be. There is no adult involvement in the activities. The teens will be asked to run the program completely from start to finish.

Programs in the past have included "Hallow Boo Loo," a Halloween party last fall, and read-a-thons involving books teens love. That's what they did last year, Freyler said. The type of programs are completely up to the Squad participants.

Teens must be dependable and responsible. As a member of the Squad they will interact with readers of all ages and contribute to the Oakley community library.

"This is really a community service project," Freyler said.

All interested volunteers must fill out applications, which are available at the Oakley Library. For more information, contact Freyler at Oakley Library at 925-625-2400 or afreyler@ccclib.org.

The Oakley Library is at 1050 Neroly Road. The library is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 2-9 p.m. Thursday, 2-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

One other note about the Library: Percy Jackson fans are invited to the Camp Half-Blood Regional Meeting at the Oakley Library, from 2-3 p.m. Aug. 14. The event will include games, prizes, blue food and more. This program is open to fourth- through sixth-grade "demigods" only. Registration required. Please sign up at the Oakley Libraries front desk in advance.

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

Business Spotlight: Oodles of Noodles a unique Brentwood eatery

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: Oodles of Noodles and More
Type of business: Fast, casual restaurant
Owner: Jonathan Lei
Founded: July 2007
Address: 6670 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood
Phone number: 925-418-4970
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Number of employees: six

Products and services: Oodles of Noodles offers a menu of noodles, rice, brown rice, wraps, grilled with one's choice of fresh vegetables, tri-tip, chicken breast, pork or prawns on a circular grill in view of customers.

"A fresh spin on Mongolian barbecue," Lei said. "We are also the only restaurant to offer a zero-calorie, zero-carb noodle."

How did you get into the business: "Even though my wife and I have owned Digger's Diner in Concord for 12 years now, I had a separate career as a real estate developer," Lei said. "While DiAnn was having the time of her life running the diner, I was doing what I loved, designing and building custom homes."

When they had their first son, Lei, took a year off to spend time with his new family. The couple had a daughter 18 months later. One year off quickly turned into four years away from his career.

"When I was ready to get back to work again, the economy was so bad that I did not feel there would be a market for custom homes. So DiAnn and I took a chance and opened our second Digger's Diner location in Brentwood," he said.

Lei said they were so well-received because they were the first retro family diner in town and it was just what area needed. Then two years later, they decided to bring another unique restaurant to Brentwood by opening Oodles of Noodles.

Best part about the business?: "I enjoy meeting new people and watching them leave happy and satisfied," he said. "I also like the fact that I get to design and build the restaurants myself. It is very rewarding for me to see all the hard work in planning, building finally come to fruition and be a hit with the customers. It's the developer in me happy to get a creative outlet I guess."

Worst part about the business?: Not being able to spend time as much time as he liked with his family while the establishing the new restaurant.

"I got really used to spending a lot of time with my kids," Lei said. "I joke about being proud to be the only dad I know to potty-train his kids. So aside from everything else, this is the worst part for me. Luckily, I have the best kids in the whole world and they are very understanding that this is short-term."

Key to success: "To have an original idea and the best people to execute the concept to the highest possible standard," he said. "They are others, of course, but these two criteria will transcend even a bad location. Customers are seeking us out because they heard we have amazing food and a very friendly staff."

Biggest misperception about the business: Lei said the biggest misperception is that starting and eventually running a restaurant is hard.

"It really isn't. All you have to do is have a good concept, the best staff, a good sales force, a marketing team, controller, a legal team, financial adviser and a maintenance crew, and you are set."

Lei said if you have to do it all yourself like he did, then it is a little harder. "All kidding aside, running a restaurant is just like any other small business, you do whatever it takes to keep it going," he said.
Future plans: "To take four years off," he joked. "Seriously, I want to change the world, one bowl at a time."
-- Roni Gehlke

Friend's death inspires East Bay bodybuilder

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Photo cutline: Antioch resident Tim Hammett has won the prestigious "2010 Mr San Jose Overall Champion" - a premier San Francisco Bay Area competitive bodybuilding event. This win qualifies Tim to compete in National-level bodybuilding events leading to professional status.

In December of 2008 local bodybuilder Dan Zamora lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer. Inspired to honor his friend, "Danco," retired competitive bodybuilder Tim "T-Bone" Hammett decided to come back after five years for one more championship and win for his friend.

At 39, Hammett didn't waste any time getting back in shape. It took just seven months of extensive working out and a good healthy diet to complete the win he was looking for. Last month he took home the top prize at the 2010 Mr. San Jose Overall Champion. In the same event he also won first place in the heavyweight division.

"This was an awesome heartfelt thing for me," Hammett said about the win for the friend who was the first to call him T-Bone. "It is a great feeling for what it represented."

Hammett had been weightlifting for more than 25 years when he decided to retire from competing in 2005. He won his first competition in the 2000 as the Excalibur Overall Novice. In 2005 he won first place in the San Francisco Heavyweight Competition and second place in the Sacramento Heavyweight Unlimited.

Hammett said that although his friend didn't know he had taken on this goal before he passed away, he knows that Zamora would have been cheering for him.

In 2007 Zamora won the Mr. Contra Costa County title. Shortly after the competition he started having stomach pain while doing his regular workouts. Those pains turned out to be cancer. "He was a winner," Hammett said.

Before the competition last month, Hammett also participated in a team for Relay For Life in Martinez in Zamora's honor.

To get into top physical shape for the Mr. San Jose competition, Hammett followed a strict workout and diet regiment.

"Competitive bodybuilding is about fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it take regimented workouts and heavy weight training, but also a special diet of high protein, low carbs and minimal good fats," he said crediting his girlfriend, Jessika Green, with her support in helping him prepare his meals.

Since he took on the challenge honoring his friend, Hammett's father, who has battled cancer four times, is once struggling with the disease. Hammett has decided to spend the next year working on a new goal. He hopes to compete in the 2011 Mr. Universe Competition and win that award in his father's honor.

For those interested in getting involved in competitive bodybuilding he said that "you must live the sport, commit to the weight training, stay true to your diet and have a very supportive team behind you."

Hammett said that part of his support team includes his colleagues at Delta Diablo Sanitation District, where he works as a Collections System Worker II.

City of Oakley furloughs

City Hall Closed
For furlough days, essential services such as police will still be open, however, City offices will be closed. The offices will re-open the day after.

The city thanks you for your patience.