Hats Off America 10K Run 5K Run/Walk

13th Hats Off America Red T-Shirt 10K Run/5K Run or Walk

--Founder Sparky George of San Ramon has run 10,500 miles since September 2002 to honor memory of fallen soldiers--

Come and join Sparky George, the Bear Flag Runner and an old Marine, at the 13th Hats Off America Red T-Shirt 10K Run/5K Walk on Saturday, November 8 beginning at 10 a.m. at Sycamore Valley Park, 2101 Holbrook Drive, Danville, rain or shine. Entry fee is $35 per person. There is no entry fee for volunteers. All runners and volunteers will receive a red t-shirt, and lunch donated by El Balazo Restaurant.

Hats Off America will send a check for $3,000 to the Gold Star Arroyave family, bringing the total to $11,100. See their story at www.hatsoffamerica.us.

Founder Sparky George, owner of Classic Auto Restoraton and Repair in San Ramon, has run 10,500 miles since September 2002 to honor the memory of fallen soldiers. Sparky has been running six miles a night, five nights a week, with a five-pound weight pack since September 15, 2002 and has run 10,500 miles (by the run date)and counting for Hats Off America, a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness for the families of soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

El Balazo, four years, Domenico's and Danville Advertising are HOA sponsors.

Ten Hats Off America fundraising events are held each year and include Hats Off America 10K Run/5K Walk on September 6, 2008, November 8, 2008, February 7, 2009 and June 6, 2009; 6th Annual Casino Night, March 21, 2009 and the 6th Annual Car Show, May 16/17, 2009.

For information or to register or volunteer, contact Sparky George at (925) 855-1950 or thebearflagrunner@yahoo.com The site includes links to other organizations that support our troops. Hats Off America is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Hats Off America, Americans taking care of American families.

Tri-Valley Clay Figure Sculpting Classes

Adam Reeder, an accomplished Bay Area Figure Sculptor, will be teaching clay figure sculpting classes to members of the Tri-Valley community.

Adam, who has a studio in San Francisco, but lives in San Ramon, has been a figure sculptor for 10 years.

His recent accomplishments include:

• 1st Place Figure Sculpture in the Academy of Art 2008 Spring Show


• Juried into the National Sculpture Societies 2008 Figure Sculpture Competition


• Juried into the Loveland Colorado Annual Sculpture Invitational 2008

"There are very few people who teach figure sculpting, and I want to be able to share my love of sculpting with others," Adam said. Adam focuses on sculpting people, both male and female. He specializes in sculpting realistic form with accurate anatomy and proportions.

Adam has been asked by many to teach classes and share his love of figure sculpting with the community. He has decided to start a few classes in the East Bay.

Adam's recent sculpting work can be viewed at www.adamreeder.com

The classes will be held on:

Monday nights from 6-8:30 starting Oct. 20th at the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore. Located at: 2466 Eighth St., Livermore, CA, 94551

And

Tuesdays from 6-8:30 starting Oct. 14th at Tri Valley Monart in Pleasanton. Located at: 3015 Hopyard Rd # I, Pleasanton, CA

The classes will continue indefinitely. The cost of the classes are $30 per class.
For now, the classes are for adults 18 and older.

Adam is also working on setting up classes in Danville and San Ramon beginning in the spring and winter of 2009.

If you are interested in learning more about clay figure sculpting and taking a hands-on class, but don't see the times or locations that would work for your schedule, please contact Adam for more information.

Times and locations are subject to change, so please call or email Adam ahead of time to register for the class.

His number is 801-671-6994

Learn The ABCs of Starting a Business

SBDC Presents Pre- Venture Training - For those who are thinking of Starting a Business. Learn the ABCs before you begin . . .

What: The Contra Costa Small Business Development Center presents "Pre-Venture Training" - a 3-week entrepreneurial training program that helps you gather your thoughts and organize your ideas before you start.

Pre-Venture Training focuses on what it takes to be an entrepreneur and to be your own boss. Classes are hands-on with real world instruction that includes presentations, individual and group work sessions, group discussions.

The goals of the Pre-Venture Training Program are to:

• Assist you in developing your business idea.
• Introduce you to the business plan and the planning process.
• Provide you with a collaborative and interactive learning environment.
• Present business education as it applies to your small businesses.
• Encourage networking opportunities
• Facilitate the start of your profitable business.

Where: Concord

When: Three Wednesdays: November 5th, 12th & 19th; 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Cost: $59 for all three sessions.

For more information, please call the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at 925-646-5377

The Contra Costa Small Business Development Center is a partnership program with the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) and is co-sponsored by the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, City of Pittsburg, Antioch, Contra Costa County and Walnut Creek Community Development Block Grants.

Website: www.ContraCostaSBDC.com