The Dublin Parks & Community Services Department will offer a new in-person program beginning Monday, Aug. 17, to help students in grade 1 through 5 navigate distance learning.
A Pleasanton senior living community is jumping on the virtual bandwagon, and a couple of dedicated residents are behind the tech switch.
Kaia is gorgeous, and she knows it! This sassy girl loves to strut her stuff. Join this one-…
Anthony Mitine, a member of Troop 908 in Pleasanton, has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.
More Community News
A Pleasanton senior living community is jumping on the virtual bandwagon, and a couple of dedicated residents are behind the tech switch.
featured
The local Livermore Pleasanton Elks Lodge has been shut down during the current COVID-19 crisis, but they have been working hard to secure grants to help the local community.
Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle is sponsoring an online “poetry slam” for residents of District 2, from 11 to 24-years-old, to express their feelings about shelter-in-place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
featured
Local students who have been attending an online music camp this summer will perform a “mini-musical” version of "The Sound of Music” on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
featured
Two members of the local DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Jose Maria Amador Chapter in Pleasanton were able to take part in the ‘No Regrets’ tour when it came through the Bay Area.
Tri-Valley Interfaith Interconnect, community members and clergy representing different faiths and cultures, will host an online event from 5-6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9.
Two seniors-to-be at Foothill High School in Pleasanton have organized a virtual career fair for Tuesday through Wednesday of this week.
featured
As a fundraiser for Livermore schools, the Livermore Lions Club will award prizes to the three most “liked” pet-in-a-costume photos posted to its Facebook page between now and Aug. 31.
As a community service, Hope Hospice will present a free educational webinar about the Five Wishes document.
featured
On Tuesday, July 28, CityServe conducted a free mask giveaway and food distribution at Inklings on Main St. in Pleasanton. Christine Beitsch-Bahmani, working with CityServe, plans to distribute masks at Marylin Avenue School in Livermore on Thursday, July 30. (Photos - Doug Jorgensen)
Bills Made Clear, a public-service project organized by Harvard University freshman and Pleasanton native Alexander Chen, and CityServe of the Tri-Valley, a local nonprofit organization, will host a webinar on Aug. 8 focusing on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the payment of medical bills.
The first of three drive-in movie nights put on by the Dublin Parks and Recreation at Dublin High School took place on the 16th. The dates for the remaining movies are Thursday, July 23th, and Thursday, July 30th.
featured
Novelist George Meredith encouraged us all when he said, “Don't just count your years, make your years count.” But Manuel R. Moreno, retired Army Master Sgt., has truly lived up to the sage advice.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Art Buzz Pleasanton will host an online painting class at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Five young Alameda County authors, including one from Pleasanton, received top awards this year in the Alameda County Fair creative writing competition.
featured
This August, Girls Math Association (GMA) at Dublin High School will host the 2020 GMA Math Contest, an online math competition for girls in grades 5 to 8.
featured
Seen here at J & R Sports Supply, a gun shop in downtown Livermore, the sign instructs patrons to not wear a mask upon entry. When contacted by a reporter, the sales associate who answered the phone hung up. (Photo - Doug Jorgensen)
featured
10-year-old Chloe Botrous of Livermore decided to make her voice heard after seeing George Floyd’s arrest on the internet, so she created chalk art statements. Shown above is her chalk art reminding people to be safe over the July 4th weekend. (Photo - Claudia Berrios)
featured
Critter Camp, the Valley Humane Society’s summer program for children 9-14, has gone virtual this year because of health concerns and Alameda County restrictions on in-person gatherings.
The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce has cancelled its annual golf tournament, which had been scheduled for Aug. 7 at the Callippe Preserve Golf Course.
Porter Awarded Degree in Political Science
featured
Teachers and students from the Pathways Program at Murray Elementary School in Dublin recently participated in a food drive to benefit Tri-Valley Haven, a vital community resource serving adults and children who have experienced domestic or economic upheaval.
Good news for dog owners.
Costello Receives Dual Degrees from Susquehanna
featured
Three Dublin High School students have received the Excellence in Water Research Award for their Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair project.
Alameda County is now accepting applications for its 2020 Youth Leadership Academy, a free program for high school juniors and seniors interested in learning about local government.
featured
The Interfaith Community Pleasanton Blood Drive will be held Saturday, July 11, at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, and Friday, July 17, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Stover Receives Degree in Biochemistry
A new book with an insider’s view of President Trump’s impeachment trial was released on June 16.
Kumar Receives Faculty Honors at Georgia Tech
Dimitri’s Taverna, along with other restaurant owners, set up tables for “picnicking” with takeout food in downtown Livermore June 9. (Photos – Doug Jorgensen)
featured
Two Livermore seniors rising received a surprise last week when Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District board member Anne White presented them with the Brown Book Award.
featured
Blake Kenney, a member of Boy Scout Troop 908 in Pleasanton, has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.
Beginning Wednesday, June 3, Dublin Library will begin "no contact" service, where patrons can pick up materials from the library by appointment, Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Visit bit.ly/NoContactPickUp for more information.
featured
Three Amador Valley High School graduates have been awarded scholarships by the Pleasanton-based Go Green Initiative, a nonprofit that promotes environmental awareness.
The Livermore chapter of the National Charity League is recognizing 11 graduating high school seniors for contributing nearly 1200 hours of volunteer work over the last six years.
featured
The Alameda County Fairgrounds will become into a drive-in movie theater every Friday and Saturday night, beginning June 12 through July 25.
Sunflower Hill, a nonprofit that raises organic produce, said this week that it had donated nearly 400 pounds of produce to local organizations since the Alameda County shelter-at-home order took effect in mid-March.
featured
The Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) will see its graduates off this year in an explosive display.
featured
Livermore’s Thursday evening market is set to open June 18, from 4 to 8 p.m., in Carnegie Park.
featured
The Pedrozzi Foundation is awarding $327,500 in scholarships to 86 local scholars this year.
featured
The Livermore Public Library will be encouraging reading this summer with game boards, downloaded from the internet, that can be completed for free books and awards.
A celebration of graduating eighth-graders took place in front of East Avenue Middle School in Livermore this week. “We needed to do something to celebrate the kids,” said Mistee Guzman, Principal. (Photos - Doug Jorgensen)
The City of Dublin recently held a Community Cake Wars event, and the public is encouraged to vote for the best entries by Friday, May 29, at 5 p.m.
Dennis Fanucchi of Livermore sports a mask honoring his cats. Please share a photo of yourself wearing a mask with editor@independentnews.com. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Fanucchi)
With social-distancing measures in place, visitors were able to select fresh seasonal produce. (Photos - Doug Jorgensen)
The coronavirus targets everyone, but I fall into that most vulnerable segment of the demographic: people over 65. My contemporaries and I are the ones everyone was looking out for in the beginning of the quarantine with slogans like, “Please don’t kill my grandmother.” But as this lockdown …
Social distancing was not a barrier to Dave Pitcher, Pleasanton North Rotary president-elect, as he presented a $5,000 donation to Vicki Gordillo, president of the nonprofit Assistance League of Amador Valley, on May 20. Funds will support the league’s Operation School Bell, which in 2019 sp…
featured
Z-Cares, a nonprofit foundation helping teens and families cope with severe anxiety, has launched a “What Makes Me Happy” challenge on social media for Mental Health Awareness Month during May, with the goal of receiving videos from every state.
On April 29, the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore (RFL) recognized its community grant recipients, awarding $65,022 to fourteen community organizations at the Rotary Club of Livermore online meeting.
Alden Lane Nursery celebrated 65 years in business in Livermore on May 14. Founders Ruth and Jack Williams first opened the go-to place for plants and gardening advice in 1955 in the Livermore countryside. Their daughter, Jacqueline Williams-Courtright, continues to operate the business. (Ph…
A new Pleasanton-based nonprofit, FreeMeals.org, is working with Bay Area restaurants to provide meals to local families in need.
The Robitaille brothers – Connor, 12, Ethan, 10, and Aidan, 7 – decided to thank first responders in their Pleasanton community by writing a giant thank-you note in chalk on their court. It ended up being so big, they needed their grandfather to take pictures with his drone. (Photo - Courtes…
Fan Receives Chinese Language, Literature Prize
featured
This Memorial Day, Livermore residents who got to know him will be missing the late Walter Hughes, who passed away April 26 at the age of 98.
featured
Students from William Mendenhall Middle School in Livermore and Thomas S. Hart Middle School in Pleasanton were recognized in California’s annual National History Day competition, which was held online this year because of the state’s shelter-in-place regulations.
featured
As the Tri-Valley continues to shelter in place, many people have turned to gardening to fill their time and beautify their yards.
A message of appreciation appeared at Amador Valley High School during Teacher Appreciation Week. (Photos - Doug Jorgensen)
In an effort to help the local community, the Mony Nop Real Estate Team in Livermore is launching a program called the “Mony Nop Grocery Drop.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home order, many people are finding more time to read, and the Alameda County Library System, which includes a branch in Dublin, has some “matchmakers” on staff to help with their selections.
Cattlemens Steakhouse and MeterSwap, a provider of smart meter services, have teamed up to feed over 2,000 frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including workers this week at Stat Med Urgent Care in Livermore and Falck Ambulance, which operates in Alameda County.
featured
In mid-March when it became clear that many of the senior’s rites of passage wouldn’t happen, the Livermore community found ways to honor their 2020 graduates.
The Tri-Valley Career Center is still operating, virtually. They are conducting workshops and classes online via Zoom.
featured
Due to the extension of the shelter in place order to June 1, the City of Livermore’s Thursday evening farmers’ market in Carnegie Park will postpone its opening to June 4.
The City of Dublin will host another virtual "Community Conversation" Friday, May 8, from 2 to 3 p.m., via Zoom Video Communications.
The 80th annual edition of the Pleasanton Rose Show will be limited to online pictures this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the statewide shelter-at-home order.
featured
With donations down dramatically since the statewide shelter-at-home order was issued, supplies at the AniMeals pet food pantry operated by the Valley Humane Society in Pleasanton, are at an all-time low, just when the need is greatest.
featured
Thomas M. Garberson, a 2002 graduate of Livermore High School, has been named general counsel at Eskaton, a Sacramento-based nonprofit providing senior living and care facilities at Northern California locations from Burlingame to Roseville.
Valerie DeClue and her daughter Danica are seen wearing masks in Pleasanton while attending the Stanford Health – ValleyCare nurses protest. Please share a photo of yourself wearing a mask with editor@independentnews.com (Photo – Doug Jorgensen)
The City of Pleasanton announced the Pleasanton Farmers Market will open this Saturday, May 9.
Health care workers from Stanford Health in Pleasanton gathered to protest in what those present called a fight for their union contracts. "They're canceling our schedules to save (money), and we’re losing hours,” one protestor said. (Photo - Doug Jorgensen)
featured
In a time when the average first marriage lasts eight years, reaching a milestone anniversary like 65 is something to celebrate – unless there is a global pandemic scheduled, in which case, the party will have to wait.
featured
On Tuesday, May 5, Livermore resident Betty Cockerill Lewis was surprised with a celebration in honor of her 106th birthday outside of her Heritage Estates residence.
With county orders for all workers and residents to wear masks effective April 17, locals in the Tri-Valley are making their own. Seen here, Pleasanton resident Jeanne Brophy, a member of Amador Valley Quilters, is one of many using her skills to follow the order. Please send us a photo of y…
A special thanks to author Bill Leach for his poem entitled “Livermore,” which ran in last week's paper. Below is a note from the author:
Music Together Tri-Valley, an early childhood music program based on family and teacher interactions, is now posting online videos during the shelter-at-home order because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building on the success of its spring-break online art classes, the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center is launching a twice-weekly series of classes for children from 5- to 10-years-old, beginning May 5 and running into June.
Some of The Independent’s readers have shared with us how they’ve been coping since the shelter-in-place took effect. One reader offered a poem inspired by Edgar Allen Poe (below.) Another, Pierre Bierre of Pleasanton, has continued to develop a mathematical system.
Livermore Lions Club president Ben Barrientos and fellow Lions members are preparing food and grocery staples and IHOP breakfasts for families in need in Livermore.
Livermore streets and downtown feel empty this week, but nature continues to show beauty and symbols of hope. (Photos - Doug Jorgensen)
With kids unexpectedly out of school and most activities cancelled, it might be a good time to pick up some reading material at your local book store. One recommendation from Julie Wheeler, owner of the Town Center Books in Livermore, is “One-Third Nerd,” by Newbery-award winning children’s …
Dublin High School seniors are encouraged to apply for the $1,000 Don Biddle Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must plan on attending a college or vocational school in Fall 2020.
The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation has announced five nonprofit organizations that will benefit from its 26th annual Livermore Valley Wine Auction on Sept. 26.
The Alameda County Arts Commission is asking residents to submit nominations for the county’s 2020 Arts Leadership Awards. Nominations are due May 15, and must be submitted online at www.acgov.org/arts/awards.
Dublin
To promote his shows at the newly christened Fillmore West, Bill Graham plastered posters around Berkeley, California, at 3 a.m., because he couldn’t get owners to display them in their shops. Soon, though, young people began taking the posters down and hanging them on their walls at home.
Alameda County District 1 Supervisor Scott Haggerty will leave office this year at the end of a 24-year, six-term career. From an app on his phone, he will quickly cite the days, hours, and minutes remaining on his term and jokes, “But who’s counting?” But then he is also quick to note that …
The City of Dublin is proud to present its newest public art installation: "A Chair to Remember." The community is invited to view these 20 Adirondack chairs, beautifully painted by local artists, at Dublin Civic Center (100 Civic Plaza), March 12-15. Beginning Monday, March 16, the chairs w…
The Pleasanton Library is seeking volunteer tutors for its adult literacy program, Pleasanton Reads.
The City of Dublin is accepting applications to sponsor a banner honoring a local service member or veteran. The banners will be displayed along Dougherty Road from Memorial Day to Veterans Day 2020. The deadline to become a sponsor is March 25.
The Independent wants to know how you and your family are dealing with the disruptions in daily life. If you are a business owner, how have you had to adapt?Email us at editor@independentnews.com, and be sure to include photos whenever possible.
The Big O Tires Concert Series returns to the Alameda County Fair, June 19 – July 12, with a little bit of country, some rock ‘n’ roll, alternative music, and more knock-out performances.
Based on the premise that adults should play too, Pleasanton recreation coordinator Mark Duncanson will teach an improvisation class at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave.
Pleasanton’s Museum on Main will display the work of local street photographer Tao Guan in an exhibit opening Wednesday, March 18. “The Pleasanton Ones,” named after Guan’s 2018 self-published photography collection, will feature more than 40 images of Pleasanton and its people, as well as o…
Tony Green, a motivational speaker focusing on environmental issues, will discuss Project Drawdown at a meeting of Tri-Valley Citizens’ Climate Education, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, at the Livermore Public Library, 1188 S. Livermore Ave.
The Pleasanton Library is now offering online registration to obtain a library card. Known as “eCard,” a new webpage streamlines the registration process for new members and provides immediate access to the library’s digital content providers.
The Livermore Amador Valley Garden Club will hold its 34th annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 4, in the parking lot at Amador Valley High School, 1155 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton.
featured
Pleasanton Military Families will be filling care packages for deployed troops at its Spring Pack Out, beginning at 8:45 a.m., on Saturday March 14, at the Veterans Memorial Building on Main Street in Pleasanton.
Art enthusiasts Nancy and Gary Harrington will lead two Pleasanton Public Art Walks, one in March and one in April. This is the 10th year the Harringtons will be leading the local art walks.
San Francisco Bay Area artist Gary Bergren will teach a class in painting landscapes intermediate students from noon to 3 p.m., the first and portraits from photographs for beginners and three Saturdays of the month, at the Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 Eighth St., Livermore.
