"The Horse, of Course" Exhibit Opens March 10 - Pleasanton Museum

"The Horse, of Course! - Horses in the History of the Amador-Livermore Valley"

New Exhibit at Pleasanton's Museum On Main Street

March 10 - August 15, 2010

"The Horse, of Course! - Horses in the History of the Amador-Livermore Valley," is a new exhibit on display from March 10 - August 15, 2010 at the Museum On Main Street, 603 Main Street, Pleasanton.

Ever since the arrival of the Spanish in the late 18th century, the horse has played an important role in the life of the Amador-Livermore Valley. The museum's latest exhibit examines how horses have shaped the valley's history through their work in farming, ranching, transport, athletics, and recreation.

Displays will include a re-created blacksmith's shop, original jockey's silks and memorabilia from the Alameda County Fairgrounds racetrack (including an autographed photo of jockey Russell Baze), posters and photographs from the history of the Livermore Rodeo, and a variety of objects, photographs, and documents that illustrate the horse's importance in the valley's history.

Two free events will help launch the exhibit.

--An Opening Night reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10 at the museum. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. There is no fee to attend.

--Calling all Cowgirls and Cowboys. Come and enjoy family fun at the free Community Round-Up at the museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. Kids, try out your roping skills, design your own brand, make-and-take a pony puppet, and more.


The museum is located at 603 Main Street, Pleasanton. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission is a $2 requested donation.

Contact (925) 462-2766 or office@museumonmain.org Visit www.museumonmain.org.

Photo credits: Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society



- Livermore Rodeo.



- Rider in Vaquero outfit.



- Alameda County Fairgrounds races, 1970s.



- Cattle Drive in Livermore, 1940s.


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America's Best Family Campgrounds

The East Bay Regional Park District’s three family campgrounds were named "best" in the nation according to Reserve America’s Camping Club, America’s largest community of active family campers. The District’s campgrounds at Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Del Valle Regional Park, and Sunol Regional Wilderness were among only eleven listed in California. It’s been a busy summer, too, as these campgrounds are booked on the weekends through August. Space is available on weekdays.

You’re welcome to take part in the evening campfire programs even if you’re not camping. Great family fun! Read more...

CA-10 "Out of Touch" Democrats

The California Political Bubble continues. How can candidates Garamendi and DeSaulnier consider running for the Congressional special election in California’s District 10? Our State Government is broken and in the process of shutting down, these two men are no small part of the problem yet they think voters will send them to Washington. This is what happens to career politicians; they get surrounded by a bubble and lose touch with the people they represent. I can't imagine anybody seriously thinking that these two individuals have done a good job. They represent exactly what is wrong with the State of California. It would be different if these candidates had exercised a leadership role in resolving California's budget crisis. Instead what are they doing in the middle of our financial mess? Running for a Federal office. Whatever happened to public servants sacrificing and working hard to get a difficult the job done? Their only priority is to get reelected. I hope that you will visit http://www.D10CA.com to see the many MUCH more qualified candidates seeking this position.

-Gary Clift

Solano County, CA

Community Responds to Urgent Needs of Shepherd’s Gate

Generous group gives a $50,000 matching challenge to the community--

We will match every donation given, dollar for dollar up to $50,000!

Shepherd’s Gate released information about the urgent need to raise $150,000 by the end of its fiscal year on June 30, 2009 to meet all of the program, ministry, and operational needs of the organization, to prevent cutting back on services to battered and homeless women and children.

A generous group of friends have responded by collecting a $50,000 matching challenge, meaning that every donation given by the community will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000!!!

Recently, Shepherd’s Gate has drastically cut expenses, including cutbacks in staff salaries and has had to lay off some long-time staff members, in an effort to avoid cutting back program services.

“We are so very grateful for this generous opportunity. Meeting this matching challenge is crucial in helping us continue our mission to care for women and children in crisis,” said Steve McRee, executive director of Shepherd’s Gate.
To help Shepherd’s Gate meet this matching challenge, please make a donation online at www.shepherdsgate.org, or mail to 1660 Portola Ave. Livermore, CA 94551 Attn: Accounting. If you have any questions please call Jennifer at (925)443-4283 ext. 204.

Shepherd’s Gate, with campuses in Livermore and Brentwood, serves more than 650 battered and homeless women and children each year. Some arrive with just the clothes on their backs, seeking a fresh start. For more than 25 years, Shepherd’s Gate has served over 9,000 women and children, providing Christ-centered housing and services such as professional counseling, drug and alcohol recovery, and job skills training to help women and children break cycles of abuse, addiction and homelessness. Shepherd’s Gate is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding, and relies on community donations and support.

Danville Farmers’ Market Open Friday, July 3rd

Danville Farmers’ Market Open Friday, July 3rd, Closed Saturday, July 4th

Danville, CA (July, 2009) - Due to the Annual 4th of July Parade and other local activities, the very popular Saturday Danville Farmers’ Market will be closed for the 4th of July. But don’t panic! There will be a special farmers’ market on Friday, July 3rd, 9am to 1pm, in the same parking lot as the Saturday market at Railroad and Prospect. All your favorite producers will be there on the 3rd so you won’t miss a thing. There will be great live music, tasty hot foods, and a special patriotic flag give-away.

The entire Danville community is invited to join us for this patriotic celebration of your local farmers and their fresh and local foods. Market manager, Max Timms, says “There will be great fun, live music and the best produce available. It’s going to be a lot of fun for everyone. Come celebrate the holiday with us.”

Whether you’re looking for juicy peaches, flowering orchids, flavorful onions and zucchini, sweet strawberries, Asian greens, fresh seafood, crisp green beans, vitamin-packed tomatoes or any other summer produce items, you’ll find them at the Danville Farmers’ Market. More than two dozen California farmers and other food producers are expected to be selling their goods in the market on July 3rd.

The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association is the state’s largest operator of Certified Farmers’ Markets, with over 60 Certified Farmers’ Markets weekly in the Bay Area during the peak summer months. Certified Farmers’ Markets are locations that offer only California-grown products sold directly to consumers by the farmers that grew, nurtured and harvested the crops. All PCFMA markets accept WIC FMNP (Woman Infant and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons) and EBT (the Golden State advantage food stamp cards).

For more information on the Danville Farmers’ Market, or to find another farmers’ market in your area, please contact the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at (800) 949-FARM or go to www.pcfma.com.

Onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda

Father's Day onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda

Sunday, June 21

Bring Dad aboard the historic USS Hornet Museum in Alameda on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, to experience "Living Ship Day." Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in mission briefings, see airplanes lifted to the flight deck, and sit in a fighter jet cockpit. Family activities and ship tours will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is ample free parking and a food concession. Admission is adults $14, seniors (65 and older) $12, Military ID and students $12, youth 5-17 $6, under 5 years free with paying adult.

The USS Hornet is a world-class sea, air and space museum with an emphasis on the legacy of naval aviation and the Apollo 11 mission recovery. Open for public tour are the restored flight deck, hangar bays, engine room, flight control, captain's bridge, sick bay, pilot ready rooms and combat information center. Included among the numerous exhibits are the "Apollo Splashdown" display and 15 aircraft ranging from WWII vintage to modern era. Dads can get a close-up look at a TBM Avenger, an F-14 Tomcat, an S-3 Viking, and an authentic Apollo space capsule.

The day before Father's Day, treat Dad to a special Flashlight Tour beginning at 8:30 a.m. and explore the lower decks of the USS Hornet that have not been opened to the public. The tour is $35 per person and includes museum admission for the entire day. Reservations are required.

For Flashlight Tour reservations or information about Living Ship Day call (510) 521-8448, x 282.

The Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to experience naval history, science, and space technology first-hand. A registered State and National Historic Landmark, the ship is permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Avenue, Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. The ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $6-$14 and there is ample free parking across from the pier. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.

USS Hornet Memorial Day Ceremony

USS Hornet Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25

A Memorial Day ceremony will be held onboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, May 25. The event will remember and honor those men and women in the military services who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Veterans of past and present wars will be honored during a special Memorial Day service, followed immediately by a wreath ceremony.

A registered State and National Historic Landmark and American treasure, the USS Hornet serves as a monument to the men and women who have unselfishly defended our country’s freedom throughout the centuries. Visitors can explore the many decks of the ship from Captain’s Bridge to Engine Room. Exhibits include 13 Navy and Marine aircraft, ranging from WWII vintage to modern era, and the West Coast’s largest Apollo Moon Mission display. Tours of the ship will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 with Military I.D., and $6 for kids.

The USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of inspiring people of all ages to experience naval history, science, and space technology first-hand.

The USS Hornet is docked permanently at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda and is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with gates closing at 4 p.m. The ship is berthed at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, in Alameda, CA. Regular admission price is $14 for adults, $12 with Military I.D., and $6 for kids. Free parking. More information: (510) 521-8448 or www.uss-hornet.org. Directions on how to get there.