REGIONAL — Responding to the county’s reopening plan, school districts in the Tri-Valley are grappling with how and when to return students to the classroom.
Hayden Caulder shows off her flamingo costume during Downtown Livermore Inc.’s Halloween Costume Lunch and Shop, on Saturday, Oct. 24. Due to COVID restrictions, the costume contest was virtual, and the carnival and trick-or-treat events were cancelled. Livermore Downtown Inc. is a 501(c)3 n…
The Rotarian Foundation of Livermore and the Livermore Valley Education Foundation are teaming up to help the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District purchase more than 1,000 Chromebook laptop computers.
Like that easy-going friend with whom you love to get a cup of coffee, Peets is a chill pal …
Jack Volponi, a member of Boy Scout Troop 931 in Livermore, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
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Hayden Caulder shows off her flamingo costume during Downtown Livermore Inc.’s Halloween Costume Lunch and Shop, on Saturday, Oct. 24. Due to COVID restrictions, the costume contest was virtual, and the carnival and trick-or-treat events were cancelled. Livermore Downtown Inc. is a 501(c)3 n…
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John Lucas, Pat Marin and Jenise Bachelder walk down First Street in Livermore, on Saturday, Oct. 24, during East Bay Area’s 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer's. This year’s event wasn’t a large, in-person gathering. Instead, organizers invited participants to walk in small teams of friends and fam…
The popular "Trick-or-Treat Trail" sponsored by the Livermore Police Department has been cancelled because of ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, but two new activities will take its place.
Halloween may look different this year, but the Alameda County Fairgrounds is bringing a safe, socially distanced and fun way to celebrate with the whole family.
Driving by at 30 miles per hour, as Holmes curves into First Street, hundreds of rose bushes blur together creating a larger-than-life bouquet known as Hansen Park.
The Livermore Public Library has recognized four volunteers for their efforts during 2020.
Horse enthusiasts and pedestrians alike spent some time soaking in the sun on the South Livermore Valley Trail, along Wetmore Road in Livermore, on Oct. 12. The trail takes nature lovers through natural areas to enjoy colorful wildflowers, birds singing and beautiful vistas while walking wit…
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The Pleasanton chapter of the National Charity League, a mother-daughter volunteer organization, is conducting its annual membership drive.
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With Halloween right around the corner and quarantine still in effect, one local business has crafted a creative way for kids to enjoy Halloween in a different form.
The City of Livermore, Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD), and Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD) will recognize Unity Day on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
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The Z-Cares Foundation, with local sponsorship, is hosting a month-long campaign to stand up to youth anxiety, culminating with a Virtual Coping Carnival opening at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 14.
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This year’s Witches Night Out had a fantastic line-up of restaurants and retail shops participating, and due to COVID-19 compliance, it was a whole new event.
With its annual pumpkin patch closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, G&M Farms in Livermore will be giving away an estimated 3,000 pumpkins on Saturday, Oct. 17, as a thank-you to the community for its past support.
The Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce (LVCC) will host a golf tournament on Monday, Oct. 26, at The Course at Wente Vineyards.
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Social bubble friends Juliana Molinelli, Brady Olivia-Herrington, Jack Larson, Sophia Chopp, Tori Owens, Alexis Thompson, Cody Olivia-Herrington, Kyle Thompson, Nick Larson, Abby Owens and Zoe Larson stopped by TJ and Jay Spencer’s ‘Essential Worker Skeletons’ display in Livermore to offer t…
Tri-Valley Haven’s annual Pace for Peace fundraiser to help survivors of domestic violence will be held virtually this year.
Tri-Valley Interfaith Interconnect, a multi-faith organization formed to promote understanding in the community, will host a virtual Religion Chat on Wednesday, Oct. 14, to explore how congregations try to bridge political or social justice differences within their memberships.
A tiny tot picks out a pumpkin as Joan's Farm and Pumpkin Patch opens for the season. (Photos - Doug Jorgensen)
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Author Pauline Wiles will teach writers what they need to know to create an effective website in a Zoom meeting on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.
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Local students will have an opportunity to compete in two national scholarship programs sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Valley Humane Society and Livermore Subaru are again teaming up to promote local dog and pet adoptions.
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Debra Lee Baldwin, an author and expert on succulents, will be the guest speaker for the Livermore Amador Valley Garden Club’s second Zoom-based virtual meeting from 7-8:30 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The City of Pleasanton’s original Climate Action Plan (CAP), adopted in 2012, outlined a variety of local actions to help reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance environmental sustainability, and prepare for climate change.
Alameda County has created a website designed for older adults to access services and participate in their community.
Do you want to learn a new skill, dabble in a new art form, get into shape, or finally take up that new hobby you’ve pushed back for so long?
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After 38 years of sharing what grew to become one of the nation’s biggest neighborhood Christmas light displays with major holiday crowds, Deacon Dave Rezendes’ event will go dark this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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If you are ready to get spooked this coming October, the Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park is bringing screams and scares as a drive through attraction for 2020.
Jews at Congregation Beth Emek, a Reform synagogue in Pleasanton will be meeting online for the holiest days on the Jewish calendar.
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As the coronavirus pandemic and economic fallout continues, people who are struggling to feed themselves also find it difficult to feed their beloved pets.
Registration is now open for Fall camps and programs offered by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Livermore Amador Valley Garden Club (LAVGC) will host its first ever Zoom meeting.
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One resident of Stoneridge Creek retirement community in Pleasanton is growing his neighbors’ interest in rare fruits.
Warren Slice, a longtime Livermore resident, will be celebrating his 90th birthday on Sept. 27. His family is hoping to surprise him with a flood of birthday cards.
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The Daughters of the American Revolution are encouraging parents who are home-schooling this year because of the pandemic to have their children create posters celebrating the ideals embraced by the U.S. Constitution in honor of Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23.
Best-selling author Rachael Herron will discuss how aspiring writers can attract attention to their work in a half-day virtual workshop hosted by the Tri-Valley chapter of the California Writers Club on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Taylor Family Foundation has cancelled its annual “Day in the Park” auction and fundraiser at Camp Arroyo because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hope Hospice recently announced the return of their popular Family Caregiver Education Series.
A senior lunch program for those age 60 and above, will be served curbside daily, Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. For more information, call 925-500-8241.
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St. Michael Catholic Church in Livermore will distribute milk, eggs, potatoes and fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The Interfaith Interconnect leadership team was astonished to learn that their Aug. 9 program, “Together Now,” has been viewed by more than 750 people.
Chung Bothwell has been reelected board chairman of the UNCLE Credit Union for 2020-2021.
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Over the past several decades, young people have been leading the charge for change in every area of American life — now, a local high schooler is making his mark as well.
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Four Pleasanton teens recently developed a foundation to give elementary school students a voice to express themselves.
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The Alameda County Fair is excited to continue to offer safe summer fun with drive-in movies, Grab-n-Stay food trucks, live on-stage drive-in concerts, live DJ concerts and more.
A Pleasanton senior living community is jumping on the virtual bandwagon, and a couple of dedicated residents are behind the tech switch.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Two seniors-to-be at Foothill High School in Pleasanton have organized a virtual career fair for Tuesday through Wednesday of this week.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) will see its graduates off this year in an explosive display.
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Livermore’s Thursday evening market is set to open June 18, from 4 to 8 p.m., in Carnegie Park.
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The Pedrozzi Foundation is awarding $327,500 in scholarships to 86 local scholars this year.
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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…
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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
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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.
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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.
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As the Tri-Valley continues to shelter in place, many people have turned to gardening to fill their time and beautify their yards.
