The Hercules Express - Issue 2

EXPRESSTHE HERCULES

A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR THE CITY OF HERCULES

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McCoy, Romero, Kelly win City Council seats

TUESDAYNovember 27, 2012

Issue 2

Staff photo

Arts and Film....................7Business Profile..............9Library Gala...................10Sports............................11

Inside this Issue

Editorial...........................2Pet of the Week...............2Crossword.......................4Police Log.......................4Hercules Transitions......5

Happy

Weather for Hercules, CA

Councilwoman’s censure tabled

The Rodeo Hercules Fire Department (RHFD) responded early Monday morning to a call that a vehicle plunged onto Interstate 80 from the Appian Way overpass in Pinole, 25 feet above.

The RHFD was one of several dispatched at 12:02 a.m. when the Dodge Durango landed on its roof across two westbound lanes of Hwy 80. According to Brian Lowry, RHFD Battalion Chief, the car left south bound Appian Way, crashed through the concrete overpass guardrail and fell onto the freeway

below, partially collapsing the passenger compartment.

The two males inside the car, a 20 year old driver from Concord and his 21 year old male passenger, also from Concord, sustained only minor injuries and were able to leave the vehicle without any assistance. They were treated at the scene by American Medical Response units. A REACH Air Ambulance medical helicopter was cancelled following their narrow escape. Pinole Police are investigating the accident to determine its cause.

By Alyssa Morrisey

Car plunges from Appian Way Overpass

Council approves sale of Victoria Crescent

After a crowd dispersed from City Hall, following a marathon public hearing on a censure against council member Myrna de Vera, the council quietly began to pick up the pieces of the City’s finances. With only an hour left during the last city council meeting on Tuesday, November 13, council members approved a number of key resolutions - including the purchase of the Victoria Crescent.

The motion allowed City Manager Steve Duran to execute a purchase and sale agreement with City Ventures, LLC for the price of $2,125,000. The amount of money the City will walk away with after the close of

escrow is unknown, but it is believed to be around $1.9 million, after closing costs and commissions.

City Ventures, formerly known as Olson Company, will transform another of the City’s potential commercial properties into a residential neighborhood.Unlike the new “Town Centrale” apartment complex on the vacant Sycamore North site, the 6.37 acre Victoria Crescent parcel will feature 36 to 44 single family homes, possibly duets, similar to those surrounding it.

“We really pride ourselves on what we do. We focus on cities to develop sites in these central locations. Often those sites are complicated and... require a lot of work with the surrounding community,”

By Alyssa Morrisey

After spending nearly two hours discussing one agenda item, the Council tabled discussion on a resolution that would censure Council member Myrna de Vera for a 30 day period.

The censure was drafted for de Vera’s alleged role in “interfering with the administration of a Pinole-Hercules Wastewater Treatment Plant contract” by asking the City of Pinole to approach an employee of design contractor HDR Engineering, Kent Von

Aspern, who had been writing netative comments about de Vera in the comment wheel of the Pinole-Hercules Patch blog. Charges allege that the councilwoman used her governmental position to stifle Von Aspern’s freedom of speech.

The resolution would not only publically reprimand de Vera, but would prevent her from assuming position as Vice Mayor in 2013, as dictated by the normal rules of rotation, and, it would fine her to the tune of $1,000.

A request to hear a censure resolution was submitted by

resident Chris Tallerico. The resolution itself was written by outgoing Council member Gerard Boulanger. Evidence Boulanger submitted to support allegations included emails between de Vera and Dean Allison, Director of Development Services in Pinole that were obtained by the West County Times newspaper for an article.

The documents submitted with the resolution, however, do not directly show de Vera asking for Von Aspern to stop posting about her, though

By Alyssa Morrisey

• see VICTORIA CRESCENT on page 12

• see CENSURE on page 10

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After a contentious race, candidates Sherry McCoy and Bill Kelly, and current Mayor Dan Romero won seats on the Hercules City Council during the November 6 general election. McCoy and Kelly will replace outgoing members William Wilkins and Gerard Boulanger, while Romero will keep his seat for another four years.

McCoy gathered the largest amount of votes on election

day, affording her the largest number of votes overall with 3,069 votes, 17.35 percent. Romero placed second by a narrow margin with 3,038 votes, and 17.17 percent. Kelly won by a large margin during early voting, but fell back to third place on election day - he gathered 2,966 votes, 16.77 percent overall.

William Wilkins, a solid second place with early ballots, fell back to fourth on election day with only 15.5

percent. Candidate Hector Rubio gathered just over 13 percent of the vote while Phil Simmons gathered just over 11 percent. Outgoing Council Member Gerard Boulanger gathered the least votes, with 1,475, roughly eight percent.

Candidates will be sworn in during their regular board meeting on December 11. The Council will also reorganize, determining the next Mayor and Vice Mayor.

By Alyssa Morrisey

Council members Myrna de Vera (left), Gerard Boulanger and Mayor Dan Romero hear a resolution that would censure de Vera for alledgedly infringing on a government contractor’s free speech.

Claims of personal bias rial public hearing

Happy Holidays

NEWS2 THE HERCULES EXPRESS Tuesday, November 27, 2012

No story is too small for the Hercules Express. We welcome your news and your opinions on any topic.

The Express reserves the right to edit articles and letters submitted. Opinion pieces should not exceed 500 words, and letters should not exceed 250 words.

Do you want to get your news into the Express? Send all text and photos to [email protected]. Emails with no subject line will not be opened. The deadline for submitting news, photos and opinion items is the Thursday before the coming issue.

Send us your news

Pet of the weekLeo is an adorable, Hershey’s Kiss brown Chihuahua who would love to be your new best friend. Leo is 3 years old, weighs about 10 pounds and is neutered, mi-crochipped and current on his vaccines. He gets along well with other dogs and would love a cozy, warm home to call his own for the holidays. For more information on Leo, please visit our website at www.cchumane.org or call us at (925) 279-2247.

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THE HERCULES EXPRESS

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Senior Center rings in holidays with crafts fair

Pedro Ramos poses in front of Maria Perez’s knitted hats and scarves.

A Stella&Dot jewelry display by Grace Dwyer.

The Hercules Senior Center kicked off the holiday season with a Holiday Craft Fair, Saturday, November 10. Proceeds from the event were spent toward helping the Senior Center keep its doors open, despite its delicate financial state.

Vendors of handmade goods from as far away as Manteca paid a fee to sell their handmade wares, and donated one of their items to a silent auction. The fair featured a diverse mix of including handmade cloths and jewelry, brochures for career training services to baked goods and Tupperware. The Holiday Craft Fair bears some similarities to the Holiday Craft Bazaars once held at the former Market Hall location until 2010. Many of the vendors say they are happy to return to Hercules after selling their items there in previous years.

Outgoing Council Member Bill Wilkins said that the Crafts fair is one in a series of three events meant to plug the senior center’s roughly $22,000 budget deficit, which also included the Hula Luncheon and Pancake

Breakfast in October. He added that many City events now serve the dual purpose of raising money for the City’s troubled programs and reintroducing citywide parties back into the calendar.

“We are doing what we

can,” Wilkins said. “We gave up [events] like the cultural festival last year in order to help plug that [financial]hole.”

Wilkins said the Crafts Fair ran smoothly. The city now focuses its attention on the Holiday Tree Lighting, taking place on December 9.

Judy Florendo poses in front of her baked goods at the Hercules Senior Center Crafts Fair.

Paula Morrison (left) and Susan Tarvin show off their handmade wares.

Staff photos

By Alyssa Morrisey

Victoria Florendo peaks up from behind her handmade jewelry and handbags display.

EditorialHow you can support your new

local newspaperI’m overwhelmed by the positive response the paper

has received so far, as we drop our 12-pager off to various neighborhoods. Countless people have asked me about subscriptions. As much as we could use the revenue from subscriptions to offset some of our costs, I really do believe that the Hercules Express should remain a free newspaper.The purpose of this little rag is to inform, educate and entertain readers throughout Hercules, empowering their civic decision making. Part of that mission is reaching as many Herculeans as we can.

Moreover, achieving the right number of subscriptions and the right number of advertisements is a delicate dance that few modern newspapers have mastered. Instead, we count on local businesses to pick up the tab by advertising. This provides businesses around town a way of reaching residents like yourselves, as well as being our bread and butter.

Printed news provides information on multiple subjects, is pleasing to the eye, triggers a tactical response and is typically read by more than one household member. The drawback is that it is a pricey endeavor.

Since we remain a free-sheet, we cannot guarantee the paper will arrive on your doorstep or mailbox every single month. To reach as many as we can, we often stagger our delivery schedule, meaning that we cannot reach every neighborhood (or even every household in a normal monthly rotation. You can, however, continue to pick up the paper at one of several Hercules locations, some of which are all listed on page 3.

Though there are ways you can help your local along. If you enjoy reading the Express, and support the idea of Hercules having its own independent news source, the best way to support us is to patronize your local businesses. Money spent inside Hercules, stays in Hercules. Consider shopping locally this holiday season. Hopefully throughout the year our advertising, and features section should give you some ideas of the gems that exist right here in Hercules.

If you visit a shop after seeing an ad in the Express, make sure you let the owner know. If you cannot find our newspaper, ask local businesses to carry it. You might even consider advertising yourself. Do you have a major activity that you want to communicate to our readers?

I assure you that reports of the demise of newsprint, to quote Steve Jobs, are greatly exaggerated. Stay tuned. I hope to see the newspaper grow from 12 pages to 32 or more, and to increase the frequency to at least twice per month. Please continue to send us your news and views to make this community newspaper truly great.

— By Alyssa Morrisey, Editor and Publisher

Editor and PublisherAlyssa Morrisey

[email protected]

ContributorsMark ReynoldsJojo SorianoAlexandrea Kern, JSHS class of ‘13

Special ThanksVigil Beth Rapiz

1511M Sycamore Avenue, #113, Hercules, CA 94547, (510) 992-3171

SportsMike Wade

NEWS 3THE HERCULES EXPRESSTuesday, November 27, 2012

City honors veterans

See you in 2013!The Hercules Express will return in January 2013. Copies of the Express can be found at our distributors:Anna’s FlowersHercules FitnessCreekside CafeRoundtable PizzaMountain Mike’s PizzaBig LotsThe Hercules LibraryThe Senior CenterCity HallStarbucks, Willow AvenueSunflower BakeryRealty World (Railroad Avenue)Miss us? Find the Hercules Express on Facebook and Twitter, and stay tuned for our new site, www.herculesexpress.com.

Holiday Tree Lighting returns, Dec. 9

Bidding open for Hercules Municipal Utility, due Jan. 9

The city is edging closer toward selling the Hercules Municipal Utility (HMU), the troubled, publically held Utility corporation that currently loses thousands in overhead costs each month. Three months after Measure N, the local ballot initiative to sell the HMU was approved by voters, the City is ready to accept bids for developers wishing to take over the utility.

The City Council approved a resolution to open the bidding period for the sale of the Utility, effective Wednesday,

November 14. The city said in a report that it will accept “highest and best” bids after the January 9, 2013 due date. A committee consisting of Deputy City Manager Elizabeth Warmerdam, consultant Bodington & Company and councilmember John Delgado will vet the incoming proposals.

The City released the first request for qualifications on September 11. Warmerdam said each organization that participated in the initial round of bidding qualified to advance to the next.

“We actually did receive

a number of statements of interest which we were very excited about,” Warmerdam said, though she would not divulge any specifics about the proposals, nor reveal the number of proposals being considered.

Whichever successor is chosen to take over the HMU will undergo a lengthy environmental and engineering process to be reviewed by the planning department, after which the terms of sale will be set. The council is expected to hear a proposed purchase agreement in late April or early May.

By Alyssa Morrisey

On the eve of its 100th birthday, the Contra Costa County Public Library system was recently honored as a recipient of the 2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service on November 14. This is the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

IMLS Director Susan Hildreth presented the National Medal for Museum and Library Service to five libraries and five museums at a ceremony in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House. The guest of honor was Cecilia Munoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Medal winners are those that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. In the case of the Contra Costa

County Library system, those innovative approaches include Snap & Go, a mobile app for smart phones, Discover and Go, which allows patrons free or low cost entrance to local museums and galleries, and Project Second Chance, which trains tutors for adults who want to develop their reading skills. As part of this system, the Hercules Library offers all of these programs to its patrons. Visit http://ccclib.org to learn more about this award and all of these outstanding programs. There is also a Presentation of the IMLS Ceremony November

14, 2012 on YouTube.In 2013, Contra Costa

County Library will celebrate its 100th birthday. On July 21, 1913, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized the establishment of the county’s library system. All branches, including Hercules, will be taking part in next year’s festivities with kickoff events being planned for January. Next month, the Board of Supervisors will proclaim 2013 as the “Year of the Library” in Contra Costa County.

Library given nation’s highest honor at White House ceremony

The singing and dancing Aerobi Kids entertaining a crowd at the Community Swim Center in 2008.

The City tipped its hat to a number of City employees, volunteers and residents who have served the country through the military.

Former Police Explorers volunteers currently serving in the military include Benjamin Cantwell (U.S. Marine Corps), Kristin Barrios (US Marine Corps), Ricardo Lunk (US Marine Corps), Brian Cervantez (US Marine Corps), Sam Stewart (US Marine Corps), Laron Cook (US Army), Jeremy Scott.

Employees who are veterans include Police Chief Bill Goswick (US Navy), Sargeant Ruben Rodriguez (US Navy), Sargeant Earnest Taylor (US Navy), Detective Alex Abetkoff (US Navy), Officer Dwayne Collard (US Army), Sargeant Ezra Tafesse (US Army), Planning Director Robert Reber (US Navy) and Deputee City Clerk Liz Warmerdam who served in the US Army.

Two Hercules citizens, Specialist Aaron Tallerico (US Army), Matther Vogel (US Army), were also thanked for their service.

Although it has been two years since the City cancelled all city-wide festivities, the Holiday Tree Lighting is still going strong, thanks to some of Hercules’ many nonprofits.

After holding the first volunteer-lead tree lighting last December, organizers have set this year’s lighting at the Community Swim Center. The tree used for last year’s lighting at City Hall died and was removed.

This year’s party promises to open the holiday season with performances from HMHS Orchestra, Chorus and Ensembles, Broadway Rhythm and Dance. the Miss Hercules Organization and

Girl Scout troop 30268 to name a few.

Organizers include the Hercules Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, W.C.C. Leo Club, Van Putten Foundation, Hercules Relay for Life, Hercules Education Foundation, Rotary Club, Hercules Library Foundation, Friends of the Hercules Library, Fil-Ams of Hercules, Hercules P.D. and Explorers, St. Partrick’s Church, Valley Bible Church and Boy Scout Troop 76.

The Holiday Tree Lighting has been a fixture in the Hercules Community for a number of years, along with the now cancelled Cultural

Festival and Fourth of July Parade.

Organizers hail the return of the holiday event as an important step to turn Hercules to normalcy, following its near financial meltdown in 2011.

The Community Swim Center tree decked out for the 2008 Holiday Tree Lighting.

Contra Costa County Library Board Members and Directors receive the IMLS’ Medal for Museum and Library Service at the White House.

NEWS4 THE HERCULES EXPRESS Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Public hearings and community meetings open to the publicTuesday, Nov. 27 - City Council meeting - 7 p.m.City Council Chambers, 111 Civic Drive.

Thursday, Nov. 29 - Community meeting - 7 p.m. Community meeting to discuss future use of Sala Restaurant site and building. City Council Chambers, 111 Civic Drive.

Monday, Dec. 3 - Planning Commission - 7 p.m.City Council Chambers, 111 Civic Drive.Upcoming Hearings:We anticipate the following project hearings at the Planning Commission meeting on Dec. 3:

• Proposal to enclose a 239-sq.-ft. second-story deck at 136 Hemlock.

At the Design Review Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 30, Commissioner Bowermaster recommended the project for full Planning Commission consideration, without changes or additional conditions. (Commissioner Mitchell recused himself due to work-related relationships with both the applicant and the applicant’s representative.)• Proposal to relocate “Aguirre Fitness” to 718 & 720 Alfred Nobel Dr. (North Shore Business Park) from its current location at 1581 Sycamore Avenue (Creekside Shopping Center).• Proposal by Verizon Wireless to install antennas to the existing PG&E lattice tower on the open space land south of the intersection of the Falcon Way & Refugio Valley Road.

The Design Review Subcommittee reviewed the plans this week, but without the project representative present. The project is contingent on Verizon agreeing to the City’s lease terms for installing ground-based equipment on City-owned land ($2,000/month, similar to an existing lease agreement with AT&T for the same location).

Monday, Dec. 10 - Community and Library Services Commission meeting - 7 p.m.City Council Chambers, 111 Civic Drive.

Monday, Dec. 17 Planning Commission - 7 p.m.City Council Chambers, 111 Civic Drive.

November 15, 2012Auto Burglary: 4:55 a.m.

An Officer responded to the 100 block of South Wildwood. The reporting party said he came outside at 4:50 a.m. and found the trunk open on his 2002 Chevy Tahoe. The victim said an unknown suspect took his set of Golf Clubs and a Speaker. There were no signs of forced entry found but stated he locked his vehicle when he parked it at 7 p.m. the night before.

November 16, 2012Stolen Vehicle: 8:25 a.m.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Wildwood for a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim reported that sometime between 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 8 a.m. on Nov. 16, someone stole his 1999 Chevy Camaro which was parked on Village Parkway.

12:04 p.m. An Officer responded to Sycamore at Civic for traffic collision. One of the parties complained of pain but refused medical treatment. Both vehicles were driven away by the owners.

5:16 p.m. An Officer was dispatched to the Hercules Police Department for a

lobby detail. The victim reported that her husband told his mother if she came home tonight, he would blow her head off. Officers attempted to locate the husband with negative results. This case is under investigation.

November 17, 20121:50 a.m. An Officer

stopped a Silver 2005 Chrysler 300 for a DUI investigation. The driver, Shavonne Williams of Concord displayed objective symptoms of being intoxicated. After Williams blew into a PAS device twice, with results of 0.117% and 0.113%, Williams was arrested for DUI and the vehicle was towed. Williams was later cited and released after a blood draw at HPD.

9:04 a.m. A volunteer Parking Enforcement Officer towed a blue 2007 Nissan Altima from Refugio Valley Park for expired registration. The Nissan was towed/stored by Certified Towing.

9:16 a.m. An Officer was dispatched to 116 Scotts Valley for a theft report. The victim reported that sometime between 8 p.m. the night before and 8 a.m. that morning someone stole all

four rims and tires from her vehicle. The vehicle has been parked in the driveway of 116 Scotts Valley for the past two weeks.

2:23 p.m. Volunteer Parking Enforcement Officer towed a black 2002 Jaguar X Type from IFO 124 Oriole Court for expire registration. The Jag was towed/stored by Freemans Towing.

4:45 a.m. An Officer stopped a vehicle on San Pablo Ave and John Muir for a vehicle code violation. The driver, Cameo McGee of Antioch was cited for driving with a suspended license.

Auto Burglary: An Officer responded to Franklin Canyon Golf Course for an auto burglary report.

8:00 p.m. An Officer responded to the 400 block of Forest Park and contacted the victim who said that her boyfriend grabbed her by the wrist during an argument, causing injury. The case will be forward to DA’s Office for review.

10:54 p.m. An Officer towed a Copper ’00 Chevy Suburban from the parking lot of Chase Bank, 3600 San Pablo Avenue. The Suburban had expired registration dated January 2012. The last fees that were paid were in 2011. A& D Tow responded and towed the Suburban.

November 18, 2012Auto Collision: 5:00

a.m. Hercules Officers were dispatched to a roll-over collision on Willow Avenue near Sycamore Avenue. Officers arrived and found the driver standing on the shoulder near her overturned vehicle. The driver said she fell asleep at the wheel causing her vehicle to veer to the right and subsequently roll over. The vehicle slid upside down on the roof for approximately 200 feet before coming to rest. The driver did not have any injuries and arranged for a private party tow.

11:40 a.m. Pinole PD requested assistance regarding a residential burglary in

progress in the 200 block of Buckskin Ct. Hercules Officers assisted with a perimeter position; however the suspects reportedly fled on foot prior to arrival and were not located. It was determined that the suspects had not gained entry into the residence and there was no other suspect information available at this time.

Domestic Battery: 12:14 p.m. Officers responded to the 90 building of Glenwood for a reported domestic dispute. At the same time, the reporting person, who was the daughter of the two subjects involved in the dispute came to the Hercules Police Department and stated that her father pulled her mother’s hair pushed her and then slapped her with an open hand across her face. After further investigation, the husband was placed under arrest for domestic violence. An emergency protective order was issued and served. The husband was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility without incident.

12:49 p.m. An Officer conducted a traffic stop on 1993 Toyota Camry 4 Dr. at 4000 San Pablo Ave. The driver, Selvin Lopez was found to be an unlicensed driver. Lopez was cited and released.

DUI: 8:36 p.m. An Officer conducted a traffic stop on a 97 Lincoln town car at the Park and Ride on Willow Ave. The driver, Benjamin Estrada of Hercules, was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest. His PAS results were 0.17 and 0.19. A blood draw was conducted at HPD and Estrada was cited as released to a responsible person.

November 20, 2012Located a missing juvenile:

1:15 am. Officers contacted a juvenile on Sycamore Ave near Redwood. During their contact it was determined that the juvenile was reported as a runaway on November 6 to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. The juvenile was given a ride home to Rodeo.

Hercules Police Log

53-year-old Vallejo resident Lillian Elisaia was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from her vehicle on eastbound I-80, just outside of the Willow Avenue exit in Hercules.

According to the CHP, her vehicle was at the shoulder when an SUV collided with her car. Elisaia, who was in

the passenger seat and was not wearing a seat belt was ejected from the vehicle. The male driver, believed to be her husband, was also on the scene but was apparently unharmed.

Her vehicle collided with one of around 2:20 p.m, according to California Highway Patrol logs.

The accident blocked all but one eastbound lane

of traffic for approximately two hours. News helicopters circled Hercules, just outside of the Willow off ramp for hours. Traffic on San Pablo and Willow Avenues, and Westbound also came to a stand still.

The accident was still under investigation and the driver was not charged as of the time of print.

Fatal crash halts Hercules trafficBy Alyssa Morrisey

NEWS 5THE HERCULES EXPRESSTuesday, November 27, 2012

Find the Hercules Express on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

LettersDear Editor,Finding a copy of the Hercules Express on our porch turned out to be a welcome surprise. I almost dumped it straight into the recycling bin, but the headlines caught my attention. I ended up reading it cover to cover. I just wish I received it sooner...I already voted by mail last week (before October 30). Had I known then what I know now from reading the candidates’ interviews, I would have voted differently.Anyway, good luck with Hercules Express. I hope you get a lot of advertisers. I’ll promise to make a conscious effort to patronize their product/service if it means I’ll continue receiving free issues of the Hercules Express.-- Janice Talan

Dear Editor,I cannot say that I am pleased with this election, only one

of the candidates I voted for was elected to the [Hercules] City Council this month. However, I think I speak for all Herculeans when I say that I am happy the election is finally over!

For a town of only 24,000, I have never seen an election so devisive and downright nasty. That’s really saying something because I lived here during the recall election in 2011. I think this city really needed a change in leadership this year, and that is essentially what we got. However, like Obama with the Republican-run House of Representatives, our new City Council will have to now put their differences aside and work together. After an election of name-calling and fingerpointing, I really hope that this is still possible.

I implore our new City Council to set aside the rhetoric and get down to the business of selling the rest of our property portfolio, finishing the Intermodal Transit Center and saving our city from bankruptcy. Otherwise, we may not have a city left to argue over.-- Renee Hamilton

Hercules TransitionsThe Trials and Tribulations of Market Hall

By Alyssa Morrisey

The first installment in a monthly series examining Hercules’ finances and recovery.

Crews are now taking down Market Hall, which has remained vacant since early 2011 due to financial mismanagement. The developer of the privately held land, Red Barn, and the City of Hercules have abandoned plans to develop the property, hoping to sell it to a retail developer.

In 2005, the City had big dreams to turn the piece of land that the defunct market now sits on into the entertainment corridor of the City, resembling a smaller scale version of Walnut Creek. However, Hercules’ well publicized financial scandal through a wrench into plans to turn the atrium of the city into a “new urbanist” town center.” New Town Center

In January of 2009, the City gave its blessing to the “Hercules New Town Center” development, the product of the City’s four-year and multi-million dollar effort to acquire land for what would be Hercules’ “entertainment corridor.” New Town Center was part one of a seven part program to establish “downtown.” Other projects included similarly abandoned plans to develop Sycamore Crossing, Sycamore North and Hilltown, to name a few.

New Town Center included seven parcels, totaling 35 acres. It would include 1,650 dwelling units and 516,250 sq. ft. of commercial/office space. The lots would tie into the regional Intermodal Transit Center, for which the federal and state government pledged millions. Over ten years of work went into the molding of the programs, since the initial drafting of the Central Hercules Plan.

During the January meeting, The now disbanded Hercules Redevelopment Agency changed zoning plans on the properties, allowing Newport Beach based developer, Red Barn, to develop a six acre site called “Market Town.” The site, where Market Hall was located, sat on the former WestCat Park and Ride lot.

Market Town itself would consist of 320 units, 326,000

sq. ft. of retail and 80,000 sq. ft. of office space with about 1,015 parking spaces. The lot was on one of Hercules’ most prized stretches of land, just off of I-80, and Highway 4, and on the intersection of two of the city’s main arteries, San Pablo and Sycamore Avenues.

To pull off the project, the City gifted Red Barn with a $12 million development contract. Though, given the State’s dire economic situation, Phase 1 of Market Town was placed on hold indefinitely. Instead, Red Barn co-founder Tom Weigel devised a temporary solution. He proposed to transform three of the site’s six acres into “Market Hall,” a “temporary town center” with “moveable retail,” a stage for entertainment and a center for gatherings.

The design was an edgy,

Hercules’ Market Hall, owned by Red Barn was one of the city’s most pricey investments, that was revealed to be financially insolvent.

After the November 14 Regular Board of Directors meeting, District staff and fellow Directors congratulated the successful re-election of Directors John Mills and Beth Bartke.

Winter log burning guidelines now in effect

• see MARKET HALL on page 8

Winter Spare the Air season is here. Starting November 1, it is now illegal to burn wood, manufactured firelogs and other solid fuel, indoors and outdoors, when a Winter Spare the Air Alert is called. The Winter Spare the Air season runs through February 28, 2013.

The Air District calls Winter Spare the Air Alerts when weather conditions trap pollution close to the ground and air quality is forecast to be unhealthy.

“We have fine-tuned the Winter Spare the Air program this year to be more health-protective and to address localized impacts from wood smoke,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “Cigarette smoke, wood smoke has serious health impacts for Bay Area residents.”

Wood smoke pollution is especially harmful for children, the elderly and those with respiratory

conditions. Weather conditions in the winter can cause soot to build up to unhealthy levels. If air

quality is forecast to be unhealthy, a Winter Spare the Air Alert will be called for the next full calendar day. During an alert, the use of wood burning devices, including fireplaces, pellet stoves, wood stoves and outdoor fire pits is forbidden.

Bay Area residents can check before they burn by calling 1-877-4NO-BURN or visiting www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov. You can also sign up for automatic e-mail alerts at www.sparetheair.org or sign up for automatic phone alerts by calling 1-800-430-1515. There is also a Spare the Air iPhone and Android app.

Beginning this season, first-time violators of the Wood Burning Rule will be encouraged to take a Wood Smoke Awareness course.Those who choose not to take

the course will receive a $100 ticket. Second violations are subject to a $500 ticket, with the ticket amount increasing for any subsequent violations. There are also year-round prohibitions on excessive smoke, and on the burning of garbage and other harmful materials in fireplaces and woodstoves. Residents concerned about wood smoke pollution may call 1-877-4NO-BURN or visit

An exemption is available for residents and businesses that burn wood as their sole source of heat and have no other permanently installed heating source.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (www.baaqmd.gov) is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the Bay Area. For more information about Spare the Air, visit www.sparetheair.org.

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Tired of buying ads at top dollar in a paper that reaches far beyond your market area? Advertise in the HERCULES EXPRESS and encourage people in Hercules to shop locally.

Contact [email protected] or call 510-992-3171 for details.

THE HERCULES EXPRESS

SCHOOLS6 Tuesday, November 27, 2012THE HERCULES EXPRESS

School meetings open to the publicWCCUSD School Board meeting, Nov. 28Wednesday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond.WCCUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, Dec. 5Wednesday, December 5 at 6 p.m. in the WCCUSD office, 1300 Potrero Avenue, Richmond.WCCUSD Community Budget Advisory Comm., Dec. 6The School Board appointed, community based advisory committee will meet to discuss budgetary issues on Wednesday, December 6 at Alvarado Adult School, 5625 Sutter Avenue, Richmond.WCCUSD Multilingual DAC, Dec. 6, 7The Multilingual District Advisory Committee advises the school board on issues related to English learners. They will meet Thursday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday December 7 at 9 a.m. at Helms Middle School, 2500 Road 20San Pablo.JSUSD Govorning Board meeting, Dec. 12Wednesday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the John Swett School District office, 400 Parker Avenue, Rodeo.

Schools return to business as usual after high stakes electionSeveral key ballot measures could have cost WCCUSD and JSUSD millions

When voters approved Prop 30 on Tuesday, November 6, they spared both of Hercules’ school districts about a combined $13 million in cuts. The measure passed with 54 percent of the vote during this year’s general election.

The temporary tax measure raises the sales tax to 7.50 percent from 7.25 percent, and increases income taxes for Californians who earn more than $250,000 per year and joint household that earn above $500,000. The measure also prevents almost $6 billion in automatic trigger cuts to public education.

Despite a valiant effort by the governor and California Teachers Association to pass Prop 30, there is no net gain from its passage. While the proposition prevents mid-year trigger cuts from taking place, they do not yield any new funds to the school district.

“I think that it is appropriate that during our meeting before Thanksgiving that we talk about how thankful we are that Proposition 30 passed, and that our local measures for parcel tax and bonds passed

as well,” WCCUSD Associate Superintendent Sheri Gamba said

Gamba explained that thanks to a healthy reserve fund, and the passage of Measure E and G and Proposition 30, the district expects to stave off layoffs and cuts to program for at least the next three years.

“Had we not had Proposition 30, we would be facing a $12 million cut to an already very tight budget,” she added.

However, Gamba explained that the district is still in financial hot water. WCCUSD has sustained cuts to its program since the state first began tightening its belt in 2008-09, principally cuts to program and increasing class sizes. The district will still be in be in a state of deficit spending to the tune of over $12 million, the amount of regular State funding lost since the economic downturn. There is no telling if this money will ever be repaid by the state.

Fortunately, the school board set aside a special reserve fund that the district will use to keep the district

from sliding into the red over the next three years.

The John Swett School District also wipes its brow after the November election. JSUSD stood to lose up to $441 per student, or $700,000 overall. This, coupled with the district’s steep, ongoing decline in enrollment would have spelt disaster for the district. The governing board would have likely have negotiated with its bargaining units to reduce the school year to 165, down from 183. That is roughly 10 percent of the normal school year.

With WCCUSD’s local Measures G and E safely passed by voters, Gamba added that WCCUSD will be able to keep its libraries, athletics and counseling departments intact among other services.

“We will have services that other school districts won’t have, and that is because of our community and the support that we have received from them,” Gamba said.

“I applaud the community for supporting us in these economic times, and our employees as well,” she later added.

WCCUSD board urges Hercules to retie knot with district

JSHS band takes band championships

The John Swett High School marching band received a score of 90.8, the highest in John Swett history in the Fairfield Tournament of Championships. It was a perfect ending to the season, as well as a perfect ending for this year’s seniors. After performing in the cold, wet weather, both the band and color guard came out second in their division, while the drumline came out first in their division as well. This competition consisted of every finalist band in the Northern California Band Association (NCBA), over 50 in all.

The John Swett Music Department has become the school’s finest ambassador as the marching band, colorguard, and drumline take multiple victories at competitions across the state. The band journeyed to Pleasanton for a hot day on the street at the Foothill Band Review. While there, they received third for marching band, sixth for color guard, and sixth overall in drumline. The following weekend, they found themselves in Napa for the combined Napa/Vintage Band Review where they

earned first place for all three groups in their division. In a significant victory, the drumline finally broke its past the score of 90, making that the best score they had ever received in the program’s history.

The John Swett Music Program, as well as over 50 bands across the state of California, competed in the NCBA, a circuit that formed in 1990. Members of each band must wake up at an unreasonable hour, pack their bags, and head to their school to get on buses, which will take them on a ride up to four hours long. Immediately after warming up, they get into formation for competition –known as a block –and head to the parade route.

During inspection, one or two judges scan the band to ensure that their uniforms and instruments have been maintained to an almost military perfection, where not even a fingerprint is visible and that the overall look is of complete uniformity. They the march up to the warm-up zone, where the marching band is allowed to perform a quick run-through of their entire performance. Afterward, the band marches forward a few

By Alexandrea KernJSHS Class of 2013

School Board President Charles Ramsey addresses the Hercules City Council.

West Contra Costa School Board President Charles Ramsey made a “personal plea” to the Hercules City Council to create joint meetings between the Council and the School Board. The move would begin to repair years of miscommunication between WCCUSD and the city at the edge of its boundary map.

“I want to start off on the right foot here with the City of Hercules sometime in January,” Ramsey said.

The school district once held regular joint meetings with its member cities, but talks have fallen by the wayside in recent years.

Ramsey added that the school district is already setting up similar meetings with Richmond, San Pablo and neighboring Pinole. It already meets regularly with the El Cerrito City Council.

Ramsey focused on the positive strides being made

in Hercules schools. He also thanked voters in Hercules for their “vote of confidence” in passing the Measure G

Prop 30 - Temporary Taxes to Fund EducationYES 53.9%NO 46.1%

Prop 38 - Tax for Education Early Childhood ProgramsNO 72.3%YES 27.7%

John Swett Unified School District Governing BoardJerrold “Jerry” Parsons 27.66% 2,188 votesNorma Jean Clerici 26.82% 2,122 votesJim Delgadillo 25.40% 2,009 votesVirginia Silver-Rimbach 19.50% 1,543 votesWest Contra Costa School BoardTodd Alan Groves 29.12% 24,476 votesRandall “Randy” Enos 27.95% 23,497 votesAntonio A. Medrano 24.89% 20,924 votesRobert Studdiford 17.68% 14,860 votesMeasure A, CC Comm. College Dist. Parcel Tax (2/3 Vote)YES 64.84% 199,825 votesNO 35.16% 108,364 votesMeasure E - WCCUSD Bond MeasureBONDS YES 63.48% 38,085 votesBONDS NO 36.52% 21,911 votesMeasure G - WCCUSD Parcel Tax (2/3 Vote)YES 74.65% 44,850 votesNO 25.35% 15,231 votes

Election Results

By Alyssa Morrisey

• see WCCUSD on page 7

By Alyssa Morrisey

• see BAND on page 7

Photos by Mary KamkarThe John Swett High School marching band pratices at the Fairfield Tournament of Champions in Fairfield, CA.

ARTS AND FILM 7THE HERCULES EXPRESSTuesday, November 27, 2012

HHS stages bold take on Complete Works of William ShakespeareBy Alyssa Morrisey

When Samuel T. Coleridge recorded the original Complete Works of William Shakespeare, he likely did not have this in mind. The Hercules High School and the Teen Youth Center troupe turned Shakespeare on its head, putting their spin on the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s 1987 classic, Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).

The comic farce, that originated from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, parodies all 37 plays that make up the Complete Works, plus some sonnets and poems, all through the course of three hours. The play powers through this wearisome task with surprising comedic twists and even audience participation.

Unlike similar adaptive takes on the Shakespeare’s plays, Abridged calls for heavy improvisation. In true

Shakespearian fashion, actors also portray themselves portraying a number of characters. To cut corners, students lumped several categories of play together, and portrayed comical shorts from some favorites like Romeo and Juliet, Othello and even the infamous Titus Andronicus.

Much has changed since 1987, thus HHS’ version of the play was punctuated by some hyper-modern references that playwrights Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield could not have foreseen like internet memes, I-pads and Jersey Shore.

Though, much stayed true to the original. Student actors spend the whole first 10 minutes on Romeo and Juliet alone. Ronniesha Ford Spears, in outrageous pink muumuu and blond wig and Justin Blincoe played inner

city star-crossed lovers. Randell Ricasata also gave an extremely comical, yet brief performance of Juliet’s distressed nurse.

There were some other moments of hilarity when MacBeth and MacDuff fenced across the stage in full Scottish golf attire with heavy accents.

The players were unafraid to tackle many of Shakespeare’s carnal themes of “moist young flesh” and gruesome violence. Actually, they welcomed them, for instance, turning the obscenely violent Titus Andronicus into a cooking show sketch. Titus, played by Christian Fangon, his severed hand wrapped in gauze, explains how to make a human pie for a dinner party. He drains Demetrius’ (or Chiron’s) throat, played by Dante Spruit, who spews what one can only assume is catsup across the stage.

Dante Spruit (left), Emilio Cuartero, Marwin Fernandez, Elena Rosellini, Lynn Donahue, Christian Fangon, Randell Ricasata, Ronniesha Ford Spears, Justin Blincoe, Ashlyn Nicole Smith, Natori Marshall.

Photos by Charles Anderson

Randell Ricasata and Ashlyn Nicole Smith.

Ronniesha Ford Spears and Justin Blincoe put a somewhat urban spin on classic romance, Romeo and Juliet.

HMS advanced orchestra shows off composing talent

Hercules Middle School advanced orchestra students joined others around the Bay Area to show off their composing talents on October 15. With the help of Composing Together mentors Katrina Wreede and Moses Sedler, students wrote short poems that they transformed into musical pieces.

The program was

sponsored by the Hercules Music Boosters Association. Students read their poetry in front of an audience in the Hercules High School Theatre, and then played their compositions. Students debuted two new songs “The lsland” and “Start.”

Wreede, Director of Composing Together called the HMS orchestra program “exceptional.”

“Over 850 young

people have participated in Composing Together over the last five years, and l would like you to know that [the HMS] kids were truly one of the most joyful groups to work with. They are creative, dedicated, inspiring, and just a whole lot of fun. They also demonstrate respect and appreciation for the excellent learning experiences they have with Sharon Calonico,” Wreede added.

The HMS Advanced Orchestra class performed their compositions during a concert at the HHS Theater on October 15.

Library serenaded by Ellis Island Folk Band

By Alyssa Morrisey

blocks until they reach the competition zone, where the music program performs for a panel of judges, who sit high up on risers with recorders in hand and score sheets laid out in front of them.

They then set up their own formation and perform another piece consisting of not only music, but non-linear movement. As the drumline

performs, a judge circles them, noting their musicality, marching and posture. After their performance, they put their percussion instruments back on the cart, get back into their marching band formation, and march back to the bus.

In total, the band marches about three to four miles, all usually before noon. At the awards ceremony, each band finds out not only their placement in their division,

but also their score, which allows them to see how they did against other bands.

The John Swett music department, a program with over 80 years of age since its formation, has taken the streets across California, bringing home many victories throughout the years. This year, the band, guard, and drumline at John Swett had a long journey to the championships, but made it victoriously.

BandContinued from page 6

The Ellis Island Old World Folk Band delighted Herculeans at the library on Tuesday, November 13. Their arrival was in many ways a joint jam session and history lesson. The award winning band is a pioneer in the revival of klezmer music, an early 20th century, eastern European, Jewish tradition brought to America by the immigrants who frequented Ellis Island. Jews and thousands of other immigrants were processed there daily until the island station was closed in 1954.

The group also tells the story of the transition of Jewish music throughout the 20th Century, often playing Yiddish swing songs and other latter works.

The band has been featured in concerts, festivals, cafes and private celebrations across the Bay Area. They have also been honored with awards from the cities of Berkeley, Albany and Alameda.

The Ellis Island Old World Folk Band performed at the Hercules Library on Tuesday, November 13.

Parcel Tax and Measure E Bond Program on November 6.

“Everybody sees the beautiful Ohlone [building] coming up... Once that is finished we will embark on a beautiful new science center for Hercules [Middle] High School, we’ll embark on a new auditorium for Hercules High Schoo. So, there’s a lot of good projects coming up because of the support of the community,” Ramsey said.

Some tension between the school board and the City when the former City Management and Council failed to pay dues to the school district for plans to expand the City’s population.

Though the current City Council has spoken continuously about reopenning the lines of communication with the district.

Recently, the district approved the City’s request for a second resource (security) officer.

School BoardContinued from page 6

• see SHAKESPEARE on page 12

FEATURES8 THE HERCULES EXPRESS Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Fall at the Hercules LibraryFree events open to residents• Thursday, Nov. 29 - Bingo! 4 p.m.

Come join us for a game of Bingo and win cool prizes, on the fourth Thursday of every month at 4 p.m.

• Mondays - Story Cone Movies for Kids, 3 p.m. Join us for movie time. The library shows family-friendly movies for kids in the story cone, every Monday at 3 p.m.

• Tuesdays - English Conversation Class, 2 p.m. Join the Hercules Library every Tuesday at 2 p.m. for your chance to speak. Classes discuss the news and other relevant topics.

• Tuesdays - Story Time, 7 p.m. Story Time and crafts for the elementary crowd, every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Hercules Library.

• Wednesday Morning Play Pals - 10 a.m.Parents - you don’t have to wait for story time to come to the library with your little ones. Bring your babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for free play time with puppets, toys, puzzles, music and friends. Chat with other parents, meet new play dates and, of course, find new books to read to your child. Moms groups welcome.

• Wednesdays - Word Processing Basics Series - 10 a.m. Beginning computer skills classes at 10 a.m.

• Thursdays - Peek-a-Books, 10.15 and 11 a.m. Bring your little one (ages 0-3) for stories, songs, and fun at either 10:15 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.

• Thursday Afternoon Videogames, 4 p.m. Come play our Nintendo Wii from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., on the second and third Thursday of every month.

• Tuesday Dec. 4 - Lego at the Library, 4 p.m. The first Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. the Hercules Library hosts the LEGO Club in the large front conference room. Ages: 5-12 (WARNING - LEGO parts are small and are a choking hazard for children 3 and under).

• Wednesday Dec. 5 - HTLP (Hercules Teen Library Promoters), 4 p.m. The H.T.L.P. is dedicated to fundraising for the Library as well as planning and hosting teen programs. If you are in 8th grade or older, you can come to meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m. and help make the Library a better place for teens. If you join the group, you will get community service hours and eat tasty snacks.

• Thursday, Dec. 6 - Board games, 4 p.m. Come join us for afternoon board games at the Hercules Library, on the first Thursday of every month at 4 p.m.

• Saturdays - Knitting Group, 2 p.m. Looking to spend a pleasant Saturday afternoon with great company, good conversation, and creative ideas? Then gather up your knitting needles, crochet hooks, looms, and yarn and join the knitting group 2 p.m. All skill levels welcome. For ages 11 and up.

• Tuesday, Dec. 11 - Pokemon Club, 4 p.m. Join the Hercules Library for movies and get together with other kids for Pokemon fun, Tuesday November 13 at 4 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 15 - Guitar Concert, 3 p.m. Ron Galen returns with his students from Contra Costa and Laney Colleges for a delightful afternoon of music, Saturday, December 15 at 3 p.m.

• Monday December 31, Poets of the Square Table, 7 p.m. Calling all poets and lovers of the written word. Bring your own works or those of other poets to share with the group Monday, December 26th at 7:00. Everyone welcome!

Story time at the library, Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Pinole Children ’s Theatre Workshop presents the delightful musical A Christmas Carol based on the classic holiday story by Charles Dickens. The performance features 48 local young performers directed by Stacy Norgaard, Leah Wilson, Anjee Norgaard and Justin Madfes.

Performances are December 7 and 14 at 8 p.m. and December 8 and 15 at 2 and 4 p.m. All seats are $10 and may be ordered by calling the box office at 724-9844. Performances are at the Pinole Community Playhouse, 601 Tennent Avenue in Pinole. The Children ’s Theatre Workshop is sponsored by the City of Pinole Recreation Department.

Youth perform A Christmas Carol, Pinole Playhouse, Dec. 7

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Market HallContinued from page 5artsy take on Hercules’ industrial past. The street opened into the Hall to allow food trucks and other temporary retailers. The town hub also once hosted weekly farmer’s markets, and various City events like the Holiday Craft Bazaar and the Tree Lighting.

Red Barn initially hoped to begin work on its permanent project in April 2012, though this never happened.Red Barn

Former Assistant City Manager Lisa Hammon aired the City’s dirty laundry in her resignation speech in December 2010, lifting the curtain on the state of the city’s projects. State Controller John Chiang’s office had alreafdy begun an audit and investigation of the Redevelopment Agency’s projects.

Among many claims Hammon made about the City’s spending were allegations that Red Barn had squandered $100,000 per month from the City for management of Market Hall, including petty expenses like travel across the country, miscellaneous landscaping, extra compensation for executives and associates and even charitable donations on

the City’s behalf. While Red Barn managed to rack up an impressive tab, they had not even begun Phase 1 of New Town Center.

Hammon also publicly lambasted the City for paying Red Barn’s invoices without reviewing the charges. It was later revealed in the State Auditor’s report that the City had also paid lender fees for Red Barn to mortgage land on New Town Center.

Subsequent investigations into the city’s finances showed its projects were hemorrhaging money at a similar pace. In

the lead-up to Hercules’ recall election in June 2011, all of the city’s projects were put to a screeching halt, including New Town Center.

The stoppage of its projects brought litigation against the City from Ambac Insurance Corp., who helped secure the city’s municipal bonds to build projects, and general contractor Oliver and Company.

With the City now owing hefty court settlements (due in March 2013), owing the state for its RDA dissolution and having a structural deficit in its general budget, it began liquidating its properties to the highest, and what it believed to be the best bidder.

While Market Hall is still in private hands, the City hopes the property owner will sell to a developer that will help generate sales tax dollars toward its general fund.

Next month: the collapse of the Hercules Redevelopment Agency, and a look at the city’s economic situation.

Sketch of the intended appearance of “Market Town,” from San Pablo Avenue.

FEATURES 9THE HERCULES EXPRESSTuesday, November 27, 2012

Local Spotlight

Arpilleda opens Anna’s Flowers on Railroad Ave

I want Herculeans to take a vacation: Bali, Island of the GodsBy Jojo Soriano

Who would have thought that a search for video footage online for a special project would lead one to Bali, Indonesia. I needed to purchase video footage of the ocean and seas for a special psychosocial awareness piece I was working on, when I came across footage of Bali’s undersea world. Two weeks later, I got my Open Water Scuba Diving certification (PADI) and dove in the cold waters of Monterey - which led me there two years later. It took a 16-hour flight from San Francisco to Taipeh, then to Denpasar, Bali.

This trip was my second year with the largest diving group in the USA, Diving for Life (DFL) which celebrates its 21st year as a charitable 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to have fun diving the best dive spots of the world while raising funds to support various healthcare organizations that help people with HIV/Aids victims all over. Last year, our trip to Cozumel Mexico, raised over $90,000.

The day we arrived in Bali marked the 10th anniversary of the bombing in the island, so security was tight. With the Indonesian President visiting the island, traffic was also extra heavy. Some of our 135 US, Australian and British divers were questioned.

I arrived later with a fellow diver Doug, an App software

writer from the Silicon Valley. Both intrepid travelers amidst heavy traffic heading towards Candidasa Resort, we waited patiently with our private shuttle heading 2.5 hours east of Bali, our station for a week long diving retreat. In Hercules, we have open spaces and grassy fields – Bali has rice fields, one inside a restaurant. Yes, you have to see to believe.

According to veteran DFL divers, this trip was unique. Every boat was different in size and type, and the first two were shore dives. We had to fight the waves to get in and out of the ocean. Despite some of the challenges encountered, my underwater video camera footage takes me back in awe of these dives, the sea creatures, large and tiny, the thousands of fish - colorful nudibranchs, a garden of eels (hundreds of them), a giant manta ray above

me, a poisonous lion fish and a large school of jack fish that made the sea turn black.

I have gained an enormous respect for the ocean, being mindful now of overfished species and the amount of trash thrown on the ocean. I was tempted to start a petition to mobilize the hundreds Balinese youth on motorcycles to clear up the shores we entered in – I figure it will only take a weekend, and a renewed sense of pride and ownership. It only takes a few community leaders to organize to create a space where people can contribute.

While other divers went home, a longer stay afforded my diving buddy, Carl (a dive master from Alameda), and myself time to visit an orphanage, BaliKids.org. The orphanage is overseen by two outside agencies from US and Australia.

The Hercules Real Estate market, starting from mid-August 2012, shows a continuously active market with 247 combined units that are active, pending sale and sold. That is compared to the three months before that had a slightly higher volume, 263 overall units.

The average number of days for smaller units sold is 17 days, 95 of which are condos, townhouses and duets. Add 14 to 45 days (and sometimes up to 6 months for short sale transactions) to close escrow. Single-family residential units or detached units average 32 days sold on the Market.

Lenders are also now offering Relocation Assistance, between $2,500 to $30,000 after a short sale - an alternative to foreclosure. Other lenders offer a much

higher relocation assistance to distressed homeowners who have failed to qualify for a home loan modification. Take advantage of this program ending the end of this year.

Prices have been slashed almost in half in many cases since the collapse of the real estate bubble, and monthly mortgage payments in many cases have become more reasonable and sustainable than during the housing boom. Some with foreclosures and bankruptcies have even gotten back into the housing market only three years after their foreclosure. Plus, with a short sale, it now only takes two years before one can get back into the market again.

We are seeing more and more regular sales (62 this period), along with most units being sold short (or short sale, 145 units) of what is owed,

and more homes are still being foreclosed on and sold as an REO, about 39 units that past three months.

Tax ReliefAs an aside, the National

Association of Realtors (NAR) sent out a call to action to members during the first week of November urging them to support an extension of tax relief on mortgage forgiveness.

“Under federal law, cancelled debt is generally considered taxable income. Since 2007, however, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has exempted home owners from paying taxes on the amount of money their mortgage lender forgives as a result of a loan modification, short sale, or foreclosure. The act is due to expire at the end of the year, but the bill would extend the relief through

2014,” the NAR report explained.

“Over a quarter of all transactions still involve distressed properties. Homeowners should not be forced to pay a tax on money they’ve already lost with cash they never received,” the organization added.

Many families have been displaced, and uprooted from their neighborhoods. But, more often than not, distressed homeowners, after resolving their housing issue through a short sale, ongoing Bankruptcy proceedings or other foreclosure alternatives,

experience a renewed sense of self. Within a month, their energies are renewed and stress is reduced. The situation does not define who they are. It is just an impermanent housing situation, and can be resolved.

Even during bankruptcy proceedings, when one title holder does not want a foreclosure on his record, one can still opt to sell through a short sale. This too has been done.

Jojo Soriano is a Realtor and Director of Hercules Chamber of Commerce.

By Jojo Soriano

Market data shows Hercules Real Estate in recovery

TYPE

DETACHED

CONDOS

TOWNHOUSE

DUETS

NOTE: DATA THE LAST 90 DAYS from 11.14.12 (Single Family or Detached, Condos, Townhomes & Duets)

TOTAL UNITS

152

55

28

12

# ACTIVE

15

7

3

1

# PENDING

84

22

13

5

# SOLD

53

26

12

6

DOM

32 Days

17 Days

17 Days

17 Days

HERCULES REAL ESTATE MARKET DATA

Coming soon, www.herculesexpress.com

• see BALI on page 12

Hindu water temple near Bali, IndonesiaPhoto by Jojo Soriano

Anna Arpilleda opened the doors of Anna’s Flowers on Railroad Avenue on July 14, filling a space that had been vacant for over seven months. Arpilleda, who has operated A2 Imagine Events in Hercules for over six years said she decided to open the shop to compliment her burgeoning event planning business.

“I have been serving Hercules for over six years already. We deliver flowers all over the city,” Arpilleda said. “

“Most of the things in here were from my garage. It was starting to get really full,” she laughed.

Anna’s Flowers is the only boutique retail storefront on Railroad Avenue, after the Dynamic City Skate Shop closed in the same location in December 2011. The area is mostly surrounded by the crowded but sleepy Chelsea by Bay and Waterfront Promenade neighborhoods, with the Powder Keg Pub and Restaurant being the area’s only other major daytime draw.

The Railroad Avenue shops were developed in 2005, as part of the City’s grand plans to turn the area into a major, mixed-use commercial and residential neighborhood. When plans fell apart in 2011, shops

• see FLOWERS on page 10

By Alyssa Morrisey

Anna’s Flowers openned on Railroad Avenue in July 2012.

Staff photos

LOCAL10 THE HERCULES EXPRESS Tuesday, November 27, 2012

ReAd White and Blue Gala raises over $19,000 for library

The Hercules High School Orchestra, lead by Sharon Calonico entertains guests.

Richard Speed and Lillian Castillo-Speed show off their masks.

Childrens’ Librarian Gia Paolini, and face painter Donna Now. Proceeds from the Library Gala will be used to expand library operating hours.

she did write to Allison that Von Aspern was “attacking” her. Allison then forwarded Von Aspern’s comments to the HDR VP Craig Olson, and then assured de Vera “we should not be seeing any future postings. If I do, I will get back to the firm.

Vice Mayor John Delgado motioned to table the resolution, with Mayor Dan Romero staunchly providing the only nay vote.

“I would like to apologize to the City of Hercules... it is now 9:20 and we have not discussed any of the business of the city,” Delgado said.

“We have limited or no resources. I was very concerned about any discussion going on here - what it would do in terms of future litigation against the City. But... the allegations are huge,” he added.

The motion would put off any action on the resolution until January, when the new council reconvenes - effectively removing Boulanger and Wilkins from the discussion. This, he said was because of his suspicion that Boulanger may have invited his personal bias against de Vera into drafting the resolution.

“Right now, this would appear to be a personal vendetta, and that is not what this council is supposed to be doing... Anything that we do on this tonight is never going to be respected,” Delgado

said.Discussion on the item went

into overtime when a gallery of public speakers packed the council chambers. Most were de Vera’s supporters, including several members of her family.

Speakers called the push to censure de Vera “hastily drawn” and “vindictive.” They accused Boulanger of drafting the agenda item as a last act of revenge, after de Vera pushed for his censure in 2011, for allegedly lying on his candidate statement.

Boulanger also submitted the resolution to censure de Vera the day following the contentious City Council election. De Vera’s husband, Manuel, was also the contact for the Save Hercules PAC that campaigned fervently against Boulanger.

The resolution was also made without approval from

the City Attorney, who took issue with clauses that would remove de Vera from the normal mayoral rotation and fines imposed on her.

De Vera’s attorney also argued on her behalf, alleging that members of the council corresponded behind closed doors to push the resolution, and that the agenda item could not be passed without Tang’s approval - to which Tang disagreed.

Tallerico himself also rescinded his original request.

Some of the speakers lobbied the council to censure de Vera, citing the serious allegations made in the resolution. Most however, were eager to “move on,” from a council that has considered punishing three of its members in the last 18 months.

CensureContinued from page 1

The Hercules Library Foundation sends a huge thank you to the generous supporters who spent the evening with us at the ReAd, White and Blue Gala Dinner-Dance on October 27. While sipping a beverage from the bar tended by the Hercules Rotary Club, guests enjoyed pre-dinner music played by the Hercules High School Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band.

Throughout the evening, there were opportunities to bid on silent and dessert auction items as well as to decide where to place those red, white and blue raffle tickets. Many also enjoyed visits to the face painting table and the photo booth to take home memories of the evening. After a buffet dinner by Rafael’s Catering, guests shared their sweet treats with their tablemates while dancing and listening to tunes played by Deejay Max Cayetano. Assistance was provided throughout the evening by

members from Kiwanis and Interact, Hercules service organizations.

The Gala was also a financial success – raising more than $19,000 to maintain Hercules Library operating hours. Guests went home with trips to Cancun and Tahoe, wine tasting certificates, wine, artwork, Giants memorabilia and many coupons for free meals and other services.

Again this year it is our goal to raise $50,000 in order for the Hercules Library to remain open 40 hours each week. If we are successful in raising an additional $20,000, we pledge to use that money to reopen the library on Sundays. Stay up to date with our fundraising progress and upcoming events by visiting us at http://herculeslibraryfoundation.com.

We hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we did and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

By The Hercules Library Foundation

on Railroad Avenue, John Muir Parkway and nearby Alfred Nobel Drive became abandoned, surrounded by a sea of sleepy suburban neighborhoods.

With the absence of a commercial downtown, there is little foot traffic during the day. To save on costs, some of Arpilleda’s neighbors’ shops remain closed during the day and meet only by appointment.

“It is tough to be here when all of your neighbors are mostly closed during the day,” she said

She added that while a retail store alone would likely not survive on the sleepy corridor, the shop acts as a buffer for her event planning business.

Customers can wander in to order floral arrangements, and shop for greeting cards, invitations, jewelry and keepsakes. Arpilleda also uses the shop as a meeting place for her event clients, who hail from as far away as Tahoe, or Discovery

Bay. She handles corporate events for big dogs like NASA, Microsoft, and the San Francisco Business Bureau, and locals like the John Swett Unified School District and Bay Area hospitals. Arpilleda also plans destination events, and weddings across northern California.

“I would end up driving for up to four hours to meet my clients. I opened the shop partially for the convenience of not having to drive to clients,” she said. “ This is a place where customers can come and hang out, they can peruse, I can get them a coffee and we can talk about their events.”

Despite the slow economy, and the fact that many Herculeans shop online or leave the city for larger commercial outlets, her shop’s down-home local atmosphere and her successful event planning company have kept her afloat.

In fact, she hopes the shop will help revive the area.

FlowersContinued from page 9

SPORTS 11THE HERCULES EXPRESSTuesday, November 27, 2012

A thrilling 7-1 season for 15th seeded Hercules High School Titans ended with a 38-7 post-season loss to second seeded Marin Catholic

High, in Kentfield, during the first round of the North Coast Section Division III playoffs.

With early losses to Alcanes in Lafayette and Mission High School in San Francisco, the team picked up

a seven game winning streak, advanced them to the playoffs on November 10.

The Titans could not break the MC Wildcat’s defense, but not for lack of trying. They had possetion of the ball for 11 straight plays in the first quarter, with no touchdown to show for it.

Marquise Davenport secured his name as player of the game by completing a 38 run into the end zone, scoring the team’s only touchdown of the night in the fourth quarter. Loran Fonseca completed the kick bringing the Titans’ score

FALL SPORTS WRAP UP

Become a Student Sports Reporter for the Hercules Express

See your name in print and fulfill your first journalism position by becoming a student sports reporter. Students choose games and matches to cover and are given bylines

for articles appearing in the Express. A keen interest in sports or reporting is necessary - experience is not

necessary.

Contact: [email protected] for more details

Attention Students and ParentsJohn Swett spikers have historic season, 9-1 in league

The John Swett Womens Varsity Volleyball team managed to turn an unlikely success at the beginning of the season into a 9-1 winning streak, and received the first Womens Volleyball Banner ever in John Swett history.

“With the league being cut in half [early in the season] it

gave us equal, if not somewhat better competition rather than being beaten by the more advanced, more developed schools such as Albany, Salesians, St. Joes and other schools that have a long history of great athletes,” said Womens Varsity Volleyball Coach, Al Todd.

Todd added that while John Swett does not have the

ability to recruit players and has only one coach on staff, the players dedicated time during the season to improve their own skills.

After an early loss to Pinole Valley in September (3-2), they pummeled nine worthy advisories, including Hercules, Kennedy, Richmond and De Anza.

By Mike Wade

Exciting season for Titans ends in 38-7 loss to Marin Catholic

Staff photo

The San Francisco 49ers entered play on Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints with a record of 8-2-1 after taking the Chicago Bears 32-7.

Earlier in the season they tied the St. Louis Rams 24-24 in a disappointing effort last Sunday. The showdown with the Bears is a pivotal matchup because the 49ers trail the 7-2 Bears for the second seed, and thus a first round bye in the NFC playoff race.

The 49ers offense has been led by quarterback Alex Smith, running backs Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, tight end Vernon Davis and wide receivers Michael Crabtree, Mario Mannigham and Randy Moss.

Smith currently leads the NFL with a 70 percent completion rate, while Gore and Hunter are seventh and tenth in the league respectively in yards per rushing attempt.

Crabtree leads the team with 50 receptions for 567 yards, followed by Davis (35 receptions for 404 yards), and free agent acquisitions Manningham (36 receptions

for 412 yards) and Moss (16 receptions for 266 yards).

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith is the third in the league with 9.5 sacks thus far. Fellow outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks is second on the team with 4 sacks. Inside linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis lead the team in tackles with 81 and 72, respectively. Defensive backs Dashon Goldson and Chris Culliver share the team lead with 2 interceptions apiece.

The 49ers lead the second place Seahawks (6-4) by two games in the loss column in the NFC West. After hosting Chicago on Monday night, they will travel to New Orleans and St. Louis for a two-game road trip before returning home to face Miami on December 9. They then close the season with road games at New England and Seattle before returning home for the season finale against Arizona.

(All statistics compiled from ESPN.com.)

Season Recap: 49ers are 8-2-1

By Mark Reynolds

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FinalHercules 0 0 0 7 7Marin Ca. 14 10 7 7 38

Hercules vs. Marin Catholic Football

• see VOLLEYBALL on page 12

The HHS Titans walk it off during an earlier 2012 game. The Titans lost to second seeded Marin Catholic during the Nov. 10 North Coast Division III Playoffs.

By Mike Wade

to 7 overall.But by then, the Wildcats

had already completed four touchdowns and 38 points, 14 from the first quarter alone.

HHS Senior Davenport (#5) rushed a game total of 122 yards. Junior Clarence Corbin (#8) completed a total of 9 tackles, 5 of them solo.

12 THE HERCULES EXPRESS Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Friends and clients with grown up children donated toys for the children of BaliKids, some of whom are HIV positive. Their wish list included medication for lice, vitamins and milk. Carl donated money and I presented the gifts and donations to I’Gade and Komang, project managers for the orphanage. The facility literally rose out of the rice fields. The four month old building is state-of-the-art facility serving the orphaned children of Bali, by providing medicine, housing and education. It was a great detour from diving.

Once there, our driver I’Made guided us through a waist deep, Hindu water temple. The temple had several stations where gallons of mountain spring water poured from sculpted mouths. All were required to wear a sarong. Carl and I agreed on what we would do as non-Hindus - Carl, a self-proclaimed Atheist whose kindness and compassion ironically, are god-like qualities, and I, a practicing Buddhist.

Carl and I both agreed to simply give thanks, make

our own personal requests and I, to renounce a couple of items – one of which was way overdue. It was truly a highlight.

Day 3 and dive number five were at Blue Lagoon. It looks like the hills of Refugio Valley Road, right past the High School, only the hills were covered with living corals and anemones. Swimming above and under you, are thousands of fish. A gentle current takes you on your journey. Do not blink less you miss something.

That’s when Carl, my dive

buddy, clapped his hands and then outstretched them. When we resurfaced, I asked what he was trying to communicate to me. His reply, “Aren’t we lucky?” In Balinese, you say, “Kita Buruntung.”

Add Bali to your bucket list and do not put it off. Do it now while you can still hike those hills, dive the depths, climb the stairs of a few temples and while whomever you’re with are here with you.

Jojo Soriano is a Herculean and world traveler

said Phil Kerr, Vice President of Development at City Ventures.

Kerr explained that City Ventures managed to push through a sensitive project in San Lorenzo, at which 425 people showed up to a city planning meeting opposing it.

“It’s a process. It takes time. It takes working very closely with the community to figure out how to develop a site that works for the developer, that works for the land owner... and that works for the community,” Kerr added.

City Council members pressed Kerr for just how much time the purchase would take, given their debt obligations. Kerr said the closing process would likely take nine months, with the option of two, three-month extensions. The two phase

construction project would likely span 18 to 20 months.

“Our goal is to work as quickly as possible,” Kerr said, noting that his company will work with the community and Planning Commission to gain necessary entitlements.

The motion passed 4-1, with councilwoman de Vera providing the only dissenting vote. De Vera motioned that the purchase agreement be tabled until the new council convenes in January, noting it may be a controversial decision. No one seconded the motion.

All proceeds from the sale will be used to pay off debt incurred from a court ordered settlement with Ambac Assurance Corp. The lawsuit is one of two currently tying up all of the City’s excess revenue, along with one filed by Oliver Construction.

The proposed project is

now subject to a the approval of a CEQA Addendum to the site’s prior environmental reports, a design review, a zoning amendment by the Planning Commission.Commercial plans

The City had big plans for retail space on the site. The vacant lot was acquired by the City’s Redevelopment Agency (RDA) in 2009, and was once sought after by Wal-Mart.

When all Redevelopment Agencies were mandatorily dissolved by the State, property assets were immediately liquidated.

Much of the City has remained split on the sale of Hercules’ property assets. Many have taken issue with the fact that the city will miss out on retail sales tax money that could help solve its fiscal crisis. Others believe that selling the properties quickly is of the essence.

The Council has said that if Hercules fails to pay its debts from its lawsuits by next year, it will likely need to declare bankruptcy.

According to a City Manager report, bids were solicited from all potential user groups, including commercial office, retail and residential - but “the only interest came from residential developers... with single family builders making the best offers.” The report also said that office and research and development development is not currently an active market in West Contra Costa County, because of high vacancy rates and a lack of interest.

The report also disclosed that SummerHill Homes originally had aspirations to develop the area, but declined to go forward with the purchase of the parcel for $2,350,000 during due diligence. Other offers from Castle Companies, DeNova Homes, DR Horton, Signature Properties, South Coast Communities and Toll Brothers were also considered during the latest round of offers.

“When it came time for playoffs, that is where having the league cut in half did not come to our advantage, seeing that we had to play the upper echelons of the league and out first game was against St. Joe’s,” Todd said.

St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda overwhelmed John Swett 3 sets to 0 on home turf. Though, the team managed to qualify for the NCS Championships. However, they suffered a final defeat from Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa (3 sets to 0), ending their billboard year.

“Even though it was a trouncing at the hand of Cardinal Newman, the ladies played their tales off, tried as best as they could but in the end it was just too much,” Todd said.

Todd added that star middle blocker Melissa Adiego “played her heart

out” in both the league series and playoffs, with 4 blocks against St. Joes, and 2 blocks against the talented Cardinal Newman team.

“If we had 5 more players like her, I am sure we would be a force to reckon with,” Todd said. “I look forward to having her on the team next season as she is only a junior. The young lady has a future in volleyball and I hope colleges all around come to take a peek at one of our games, because I know that with a more advanced coaching staff she can develop into a star.”

Todd thanked the entire team for their part making this an historic season, and wished luck to seniors Nia DeaCampo, Alejandra Castrillo, Alexis Vargas and Alexus Dailey.

“May you ladies succeed in whatever you set your mind too. Thank you all again players, families and friends for being a part of this great season,” he said.

Victoria CrescentContinued from page 1

Christian Fangon (left), Natori Marshall, Dante Spruit and Emilio Cuartero attempt to lighten the morbid themes of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus by converting it to a cooking show.

VolleyballContinued from page 11

ShakespeareContinued from page 7

BaliContinued from page 9

Victoria Crescent and surrounding lots have been untouched since the Redevelopment Agency acquired them in 2009.

Staff photo

Rice terraces in a province outside of Bali, IndonesiaPhoto by Jojo Soriano

“Last year we had a lot of serious plays, and this year we were look at comedies,” HHS and HMS Drama Teacher, Joyce Thrift said. “We divided the casts between the middle school and high school, and that allowed me to do a smaller cast. It also allows more flexibility to do something a little more adult.”

The cast dedicated the entire second act to Hamlet (played by Spruit), inviting the entire audience to participate

in Ophelia’s delirium and calling some very hapless audience members onto the stage to scream and shout. Actors then reiterated the play in double time, triple time and then backwards leading to the play’s finale.

All in all, it is not an easy task to abridge Shakespeare’s entire Complete Works, but the HHS cast pulled it off effortlessly, while appearing to have a blast while doing it.

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The Hercules Express - Issue 2