Bent Creek Winery 5455 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 455-6320 www.bentcreekwinery.com

Special Tastings include: New Releases of 07 Petite Sirah Port, 07 Zinfandel Port, and 07 Red on Red blend

Regular winery discounts available Live Music: Jazz by the Two Guys.

Food Pairing: Cabana Dave’s Clam Chowder paired with Chardonnay and Truffle Gateau Chocolate paired with Port

Vendors: Truffle Gateau www.trufflegateau.com, Alexa Danner (jewelry, wine charms, tote bags), JoAnn Duncan, Christmas craft arts, Sally Ann Flak (unique jewelry)

No Tasting Room Fee

Big White House & John Evan Cellars 6800 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 449-1976 www.bigwhitehouse.com

Special Tastings include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tawny Port, and Riche Mignon

Vendors: The Final Touch Designs (button jewelry) www.thefinaltouchdesigns.com, Caryne Mount (wearable art) www.carynmount.com

Tasting Fee is $5

Bodegas Aguirre Winery 8580 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 606-0554 www.bodegasaguirre.com

Special Tastings include: White and traditional Ports plus 6 estate wines

Estate wines non-reserve 30% off, all others 10% off

Food Pairing: Chocolate and Port Pairing

Vendors: Barrel Works (candle holders, lazy susans, bottle racks made from wine barrels)

Tasting Fee is $5

Charles R Vineyards 8195 Crane Ridge Rd., Livermore (925) 454-3040 www.charlesrvineyards.com

Special Tastings include: 07 Syrah, 08 Chardonnay. 20% discount on case purchases

Live Music: Antone Lee & His Magical Guitar, Christmas carols and country ballads

Food Pairing: Chardonnay and select cheeses

Vendors: Camille’s Gift Shop (jewelry, stained glass garden art, french soaps, earth friendly candles, and more) Cavalier, James Courtney (Cavalier Caricatures), Candles by Boss Designs, Merry Bon-Bon (delectable chocolates), Artwork (by artists – Lenore Kreit, Don Waldear, Carol Eicher, Bonnie Bartlett, Christine Mikulice, and Michel Robles)

No Tasting Fee. Groups of 8 or more $5 (refundable with purchase)

Chouinard Vineyards 33853 Palomares Rd., Castro Valley (510) 582-9900 www.chouinard.com

Special Tasting of Apple Wine . Case Special – $99 for a case of 05 Petite Sirah

Sachiko Campe (pottery blown glass, jewelry, silk scarves), Bonnie Mathis Hanmade Ceramics, Chris Wallace,  Ailsworth (hand knitted items), Donna Jeffreys (hand knitted hats).

No Tasting Fee

Concannon Vineyard 4590 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2505 www.concannonvineyard.com

Special case discounts available,  Live Music. Southwestern food bites by Posada Catering

Vendors: Trina Fleer (jewelry and purses), Party Lite (candles), Beauty Society (anti-aging skincare and make-up) www.angelapinon.societyskincare.com, Gold Canyon (candles) www.mygc.com/societydiva

Tasting Fee is $5

Crooked Vine Winery 4948 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 449-0458 www.crookedvine.com

Sale on case purchases,  Food pairings and specialty desserts available

Vendors: Beauty Society (anti-aging skincare and make-up) www.omgdiva.society.skincare.com, Gold Canyon (candles)  www.mygc.com/omgdiva

Tasting Fee $5

Cuda Ridge Wines 5385 East Ave., Livermore (510) 304-0914 www.cudaridgewines.com

Special Barrel Tasting and Gift Baskets Available

Guest Santa Appearance. Holiday Music.

Food Pairing: Papa Dino’s Italian Orzo Soup and Portuguese Kale Soup

Vendors: Mom Dino’s Crafts (holiday crafts), Watercolors by KB (water color pictures) www.kb-art.com

Complimentary Flight, $5 Port Tasting, $5 Barrel Tasting

Deer Ridge Vineyards 1828 Wetmore Ave., Livermore (925) 245-9756 www.deerridgevineyards.com

Special Tastings: Award winning 04 Cabernet and 07 Chardonnay

Wine available by the glass, food for purchase. Cooking demonstration each day.

Enter-to-Win a free wedding. Raffle for a free Green Shed (on display at the winery)

Vendors: Kim Pace Designs (jewelry), Soap Sister (handmade soaps and candles), Stonewear Jewelry, Dechen Designs (pashima and cashmere shawls and scarves), Sew n’ Wild Oats (Home décor items made from barrel staves), Erin Davis Pottery (handmade pottery), Worthington Gallery West (Handcrafted international arts and crafts), Green Sheds (garden sheds made from recycled materials) www.greensheds.net/holidays2009info.htm

There is a Tasting Fee

Eagle Ridge Vineyard 10017 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 447-4328 www.eagleridgevineyard.com

30% off case purchase (mix and match) of your choice.

Food: Hot Mulled Wine and Jim’s Tri-Tip Chili available for purchase

Vendors: Not your Mother’s Tupperware (children’s gift sets and wineglasses) www.my.tupperware.com/daniellejbeck, Bag it Up (designer inspired handbags and accessories) www.annsbagitup.com, JJ Designs (hand pained glassware, note cards, embroidered linens) www.buyjjsdesigns.com

No Tasting Fee

Eckert Estate Winery 2400 Arroyo Rd., Livermore (925) 371-8606 www.eckertestate.com

Special Tasting includes: Viognier and Late Harvest Primitive. Special pricing on case sales.

Vendors: Arroyo Windmill Groves Olive Oils and Noyo Reserve Exotic Mustards

No Tasting Fee

el Sol Winery 8626 Lupin Way, Livermore (925) 606-1827 www.elsolwine.com

Special Tasting includes: New Release Reserve Cab & Reserve Merlot. 25% off Merlot Rose purchases

“Bottle it Yourself” with custom holiday gift labels

Vendors: Funzees (one of a kind baby gifts that edgy to sweet, funny and unique) www.funzees4u.com, Paula Carvalho’s Jewelry (one of a kind handmade jewelry) www.paulasjewelry.net

Tasting Fee $5

Elliston Vineyards 463 Kilkare Rd., Sunol (925) 862-2377 www.elliston.com

Special Tasting includes: Champagne, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon

Select wines on sale, 10% bonus on gift card purchases over $100, holiday gift baskets

Food: Beautiful holiday hors d’oeurve display

Vendors: Silpada Designs (fine sterling jewelry) www.mysilpada.com/kim.tanton, Chanteuse Designs (handbags, aprons, holiday stockings) www.chanteusedesigns.com, Apriori Beauty (anti-aging products) www.aprioribeauty.com

No Tasting Fee

Fenestra Winery 83 Vallecitos Rd., Livermore (925) 447-5246 www.fenestrawinery.com

Food Pairing: Holiday foods paired with wines

Vendors: Robert Shimmon (large format black and white photography) www.photosmash.net, Glass by Debra (custom lamps and nightlights in stain glass), Shimmering Stones Jewelry

Tasting Fee $5

Garré Vineyard & Winery 7986 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 371-8200 www.garrewinery.com

Special Tasting includes: 06 & 07 Cabernet Franc, 06 & 07 Cabernet Sauvignon, 06 & 07 Syrah (side by side tastings)

Santa will make a visit on Sunday. Christmas cookie crafting for kids on Sunday. Warm coat drive.

Food: Chef Ty’s Holiday Stew, Christmas sweets, and Hot Mulled Cider.

Vendors: Teez Handsuds (Bath and body products) www.teezhandsuds.com , Amy Schwab Designs (Accessories) www.amyschwabdesigns.com , Carde Blanche (personalized stationary & gifts) www.cardeblanche.com , Cheshire Cat Photo (photos) www.cheshirecatphoto.com , Kalli Crawford (jewelry & accessories) www.kallicrawforddesigns.com , Cookie Lee Jewelry (Maria Howell), J&M Woodcrafters, Renee Ryder (Christmas Ornaments), Jealousy Jewels

No Tasting Fee

La Rochelle Winery 5443 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 243-6442 www.lrwine.com

Complimentary mulling spice with wine purchase, 20% off wine purchase of 4 bottles or more

Vendors: Belgique Truffle Gateau by Linda Bartlett Keys (truffles) www.trufflegateau.com, Mokulele Farms by Debbie Donald (coffee, honey, macadamia nuts from Kona) www.mokulelefarms.com, Cookie Lee Jewelry www.cookielee.biz/esuite/home/leslietakemura

Tasting Fee $10, $15, $20 depending on flight (each served with a food pairing)

Les Chênes Estate Vineyards 5562 Victoria Lane, Livermore (925) 373-1662 www.leschenesvine.com

Special Tasting New Release 07 Mouvedre

Music by Les Amisde Les Chenes Violinists.

Food pairing with Chef Jim. Winner of the ‘Take Les Chenes Around the World’ announced Sunday at 3pm

Vendors: Les Chenes Mustards and Olive Oils, Holiday gift items

Tasting Fee $5 and refundable with purchase

Little Valley Winery 739 Main St. Pleasanton (925) 862-9006 www.littlevalleywinery-lavender.com

10% off each bottle of Sparkling Wine (20% off case)

Live music: Saturday 1-4pm. Open until 9pm on Saturday. Santa and Tree lighting in Downtown Pleasanton.

Vendors: Little Valley Gift Boutique featuring Lolita glasses, lavender products, wine shirts, and more.

Two complimentary tastes. $5 for tasting flight of 6 wines

Longevity Wines 35 Rickenbacker Circle South, Livermore (888) 325-9463 www.longevitywines.com

Food: Phil’s famous Pulled Pork Sandwiches and other goodies.

Santa will make a surprised visit on Saturday.

Vendors: Lia Sophia (fine jewelry), Robbin’s Family Farms (olive oil and balsamic vinegar) and Chocolates by Raffiné

No Tasting Fee

McGrail Vineyards 5600 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 373-6214 www.mcgrailvineyards.com

Special Tasting includes: 05 and 06 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. 1 complimentary taste per Toy for Tots donation

Live Music: Tank Half Full band on Saturday 1-5pm and Sunday 12-4pm

Vendors: CC Kelly Handbags (high end inspired bags), Scott Cleek Studios (wine inspired art) www.sjstudio.com , Arkwright Designs (jewelry) www.arkwrightdesigns.com

Tasting Fee $5

Mitchell Katz Winery 1188 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton (925) 931-0744 www.mitchellkatzwinery.com

Futures of 08 Sangiovese offered. Case discounts on Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay

Santa Clause will visit on Sunday 2-4pm

Vendors: Truffle Gateau www.truffleg.com , Artisan’s Creative Marshmallow Co. (beautifully decorated marshmallows) www.artisanmarshmallows.com , Twisted Silver (fine and funky jewelry) www.twistedsilver.com

Tasting Fee $5

Murrieta’s Well 3005 Mines Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2390 www.murrietaswell.com

Library wines available for tasting and purchase

Special discounts on library wines to public and wine club members

Tasting Fee $10

Nottingham Cellars 2245 S. Vasco Rd., Livermore (925) 294-8647 www.nottinghamcellars.com

Special Tasting includes: Ralphi’s Red Blend. 20% off Ralphi’s Red Blend purchases

Tasting and food pairings all weekend

Vendors: Riella Creations (unique hand-crafted jewelry) www.riella.etsy.com , Pat Cranor Designs (watercolor art, kachinas, mixed media) www.patcranor.com

Tasting Fee $5

Occasio Winery 2445 S. Vasco Rd., Livermore (925) 371-1987 www.occasiowinery.com

Club Members enjoy 20% discount. Purchase a club membership as a gift and receive 20% discount on wines

Wreath making on Saturday with seatings at 12:30 and 2:30pm

Wine Blending with Winemaker John Kinney on Sunday at 1:30-2:30pm and 3:30-4:30pm

Tasting Fee $5 for flight of 3 wines. Complimentary taste of Gold Medal winning Pinot Gris

Page Mill Winery 1960 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore (925) 456-7676 www.pagemillwinery.com

10% off bottles and 20% off case purchases

No Tasting Fee

Retzlaff Estate Winery 1356 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore (925) 447-8941 www.retzlaffwinery.com

Special Tasting includes: Old Library Verticals. 6 pack discounts and case discounts

Food Pairing: Truffles with Port, Spiced Ciders, Hot Chocolate and Cookies

Vendors: Handmade Porcelain Santas, Jewelry Crafters, Massages

Tasting Fee waived with purchase

Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery 3053 Marina Ave., Livermore (925) 447-4280 www.rmwinery.com

Special Tasting includes: Rubino Port and 06 Cabernet Sauvignon (State Fair winner)

Live Music both days. Food: Complimentary soup, Gingerbread houses that are 3 ft. tall.

Vendors: Cookie Lee (high fashion jewelry), The Toy Box (high end toys at deep discounts), Serendipity (handcrafted original jewelry inspired by LV wine country, The Cork Lady (cork ornaments), Crafts by Anne Marie (LV wine country ornaments made from wine labels)

No Tasting Fee

Ruby Hill Winery 400 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton (925) 931-9463 www.rubyhillwinery.net

Special Tasting includes: Peacock Patch Reserve Zinfandel. Holiday Gift Packs available

Live Music: Saturday 3-5pm.

Food Pairings: 1-5pm on Saturday & Sunday. Raffles throughout the weekend

Vendors: Lil Hooksters (purse hooks) www.lilhookster.com, Cookie Lee (jewelry) www.cookielee.com , Petra’s Scarves (hand knitted scarves) , Pampered Chef

Tasting Fee $5 (waived with Toys for Tots donation)

Stony Ridge Winery 4948 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 449-0458 www.crookedvine.com

Sale on case purchases

Food pairings and specialty deserts available

Tasting Fee $5

Tamás Estates 5489 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2380 www.tamasestates.com

Special Tasting includes: Barbera Port. 15% savings on touring wines and 25% on case purchases

Barrel Tasting in the Winter Wonderland Barrel Room

Vendors: Eugenia Zobel (Porcelain Art) www.eugeniastudio.8m.com , Anita’s Creations (Christmas crafts and ornaments), Country Patchwork (Handmade quilts and blankets)

Tasting Fee $10

Tenuta Vineyards 633 Kalthloff Commons, Livermore (925) 960-1006 www.tenutawinery.com

Call winery for activities.

The Singing Winemaker 5143 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 606-9463 www.teslavintners.com

Call winery for activities.

The Steven Kent Winery 5443 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 243-6440 www.stevenkent.com

Special Tasting includes: 08 Cabernet Port

Complimentary mulling spice with wine purchase, 20% off wine purchase of 4 bottles or more

Vendors: Belgique Truffle Gateau by Linda Bartlett Keys www.trufflegateau.com, Mokulele Farms by Debbie Donald (coffee, honey, nuts from Kona) www.mokulelefarms.com, Cookie Lee Jewelry www.cookielee.biz/esuite/home/leslietakemura

Tasting Fee $10 (includes glass and 3 pairing stations of special cheeses and chocolate)

Thomas Coyne Winery 51 East Vallecitos Rd., Livermore (925) 373-6541 www.thomascoynewinery.com

Live Music: Traditional Holiday Singers

Vendors: Michelle’s Jewelry Box, Tony’s Wood Works (gifts made with barrel staves )

Wente Vineyards 5565 Tesla Rd., Livermore (925) 456-2305 www.wentevineyards.com

Special Tasting includes: 07 Small Lot Orange Muscat, 07 Small Lot Late Harvest Riesling, 07 Small Lot Petite Syrah

Port. 20% Savings on Vineyard Selection & Heritage Block Wines

Santa will make a visit on Sunday 1-3pm, Barrel Tasting both days

Vendors: Eugenia Zobel (Porcelain Art) www.eugeniastudio.8m.com, Anita’s Creations (Christmas crafts and ornaments), Stonewear Jewelry (handcrafted jewelry) www.stonewearjewelry.net

Complimentary Flight and $10 Flight, Barrel Tasting $5

White Crane Winery 5405 Greenville Rd., Livermore (925) 455-8085 www.whitecranewinery.com

Annual Holiday “sparkling wine special” – buy two bottles at regular price and the third is $1

Food: Mushroom and Wine Meatballs

Santa will stop by from 12-2pm on Sunday

Vendors: Beauty Society (anti-aging skincare and make-up) www.bedazzled.societyskincare.com, Gold Canyon (candles) www.mygc.com/bedazzled

Wood Family Vineyards 7702 Cedar Mountain Dr., Livermore (925) 606-7411 www.woodfamilyvineyards.com

Special Tasting includes: New Release 07 Cabernet Sauvignon from Quail Creek Vineyards

Food Pairing: Soup and wine pairing, fudge, and farmstead cheeses

Vendors: My Sisters Jewelry (unique jewelry using sought after gems and metals) www.terryfunkejewelry.com, Live

For More Fudge (traditional chocolate and gourmet fudge with fresh cream and butter) www.Liveformorefudge.com, Fiscalini Cheese (a rich dairy tradition, handcrafted cheese from Modesto) www.fiscalinicheese.com

Tasting Fee $5 includes glass and food pairings

A map, albeit an ugly one, of the alternatives under study for BART to Livermore. If BART really wants to sell this extension, maybe use a background color that isn't charcoal?

This post will be the first of a two part look at ridership estimates in public transit: first, looking at the merit of BART’s Livermore Extension; then, a more formal examination of ridership estimates as a whole.

As Transbay Blog reports, BART has just released the Draft Program EIR for its latest extension to Livermore, outlining five alternatives fill the 5.1-13.2 mile “gap” in BART service from Dublin to Livermore, a wealthy suburb of roughly 85,000 people.  The cost? $1.12-$3.8 billion.

This extension is really the latest in BART’s expansion paradigm that seeks to complete the system’s original goals of a seamless all-Bay system, while rewarding suburban taxpayers in the process.  Livermore is just one piece of BART’s next wave of expansion that includes San Jose, Antioch, and the Oakland Airport. I’ve often discussed how BART is really the only system in the nation that defies logic by building miles and miles of costly heavy rail subway technology to stretch its system to outlying suburbs, but today I’d like to focus on how BART has managed to keep getting funding for these projects with its ridership projections.  BART has justified the merit of the Livermore extension with forecasts that project as many as 38,000 new riders by 2035, which is not bad at all for a suburban extension.  But, before we jump to conclusions with these “facts”, let’s take a look at the performance of BART’s ridership estimates in its last wave of extensions in the 1990s:

Pittsburg/Bay Point–achieved 53% of its projected ridership

4.5 miles  $506 million (1996 dollars)

Daily ridership: 12,000 (2005 est.) 6,300 (2005 actual) 6,600 (2009)

Dublin/Pleasanton–achieved 74% of its projected ridership

14 miles $517 million (1996 dollars)

Daily ridership: 11,000 (2005 est.) 8,100 (2005 actual) 10,100 (2009)

SFO/Millbrae–achieved 45% of its projected ridership

8.2 miles $1.5 billion (2003 dollars)

Daily ridership: 34,300 (2010 est.) 15,500 (2009 actual)

Total, BART’s extensions have achieved an average of 52% of their projected ridership.

The Livermore extension alternatives fall into two groups: a longer two station alignment expected to attract 33,000-38,000 riders in 2035 for a cost of $3-4 billion, and a shorter one station alignment expected to attract 23,000-25,000 in 2035 for $1-1.75 billion.  Here’s the catch: BART reports these numbers in the EIR as boardings and exits, so already you can cut them in half to compare them with other stations, leaving us with roughly 17,000-19,000 riders for the two-station alternatives and 12,000 riders for the one-station alternatives (remember that Livermore is a city of about 85,000, yet BART is projecting as many riders per station as stations in Downtown Oakland, Downtown Berkeley, and the Mission).  Given that BART has on average only reached 52% of its long-term projections and has never exceeded 73%, it’s reasonable to expect about 9,000-10,000 riders for the two station alternatives and about 6,000 for the one station alternatives.  For the sake of this analysis, let’s give BART the benefit of the doubt and assume that actual ridership will be 73% of its projection, yielding 12,000 riders and 8,000 riders, respectively.

Let’s take a step back for a second: At 7-13 miles, BART to Livermore will cost $3-4 BILLION for a best-case scenario of 12,000 daily riders? As Barney Frank would say: on what planet does BART spend most of its time? BART would say that these are the most accurate models possible for 2035 transportation behavior, so it’s unfair to compare them with current ridership figures and past projects.  I say, what credibility does BART have left to make such assertions?  BART has NEVER delivered on its ridership estimates, and when the stakes at hand are billions and billions of dollars for one of our most effective responses to climate change, peak oil, declining public health, congestion, and population growth, why trust them now? Even the simple 5 mile, $1.5 billion for a maximum of 8,000 riders is a complete ripoff–as I’ve written before, Salt Lake City is building 70 miles of rail for $2.8 billion in seven years, while Denver is building 140 miles of rail and BRT for $6.2 billion in seven years.  In contrast, add together the great triumvirate of BART’s Livermore, San Jose/Warm Springs, and Oakland Airport extensions, and BART is building about 35 miles of heavy rail for $10.5 billion over the next two decades.

The issue here is how the Bay Area will make the most of federal, state, and regional funds in the next 25 years to deal with an additional 2 million people.  Transit money does not grow on trees; every extra dollar we pour into BART’s heavy rail system is a dollar that could be going toward Geary light rail, ACE, Capitol Corridor, Dumbarton rail, a streetcar system in Oakland, a better VTA light rail system, a region-wide BRT network, and ultimately a second transbay tube.  Between the Dublin/Pleasanton, Pittsburg/Bay Point, SFO/Millbrae, Livermore, and San Jose extensions, as well as the Oakland Airport Connector, the question becomes:

How many billions must we spend before we realize that BART’s heavy rail system is the single most cost-ineffective technology available?

]]> http://systemicfailure.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/bart-releases-livermore-extension-deir/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:57:09 +0000 Drunk Engineer http://systemicfailure.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/bart-releases-livermore-extension-deir/

BART has released its Draft EIR for a proposed Livermore extension.

• Projected Cost: $1.1-$3.9 billion BART bucks ¹
• Projected Ridership: 20-30k new BART riders (2035 projection)

For 2008, Caltrans reports traffic volume on I580 is approximately 220k vehicles per day. 25 years from now, the volumes will be considerably greater.

Conclusion: the BART extension would capture negligible 10% mode share.

The majority of I580 traffic is regional, originating from points well beyond Livermore (Tracy and the greater Central Valley). The extension of BART tracks a mere 10 miles Eastward is not going to attract many customers in the corridor.

So once again, we see how plans by CHSRA to route high-speed rail through Pacheco instead of Altamont will utterly screw traffic in the East Bay for the next quarter century.

¹Conversion from BART Bucks to US currency varies from project to project, but is typically in the range of +50%.

323 S. Livermore Avenue

Currently home to Wienerschnitzel, this 2,112± square foot building on a 15,047± square foot lot is for sale. The sale includes all equipment inside the building.

Sale price: $2,250,000 ($1065.34 per square foot)

I spent Wednesday morning walking around downtown talking with business owners, residents, and a few building owners. The topic on everyone’s mind was unanimously the planned Regional Theatre. From my discussions it seems as though there is a great divide in the support of the 2,000 + seat theatre. That said, I will continue to remain neutral as I think we have MANY years before this even becomes a reality.

Currently, the group behind the Bankhead and the new theatre is trying to refinance Bankhead and get the financing in order to build the new theatre. At the tune $100 million dollars, I don’t think anyone is jumping at the chance to finance the project. Despite not having the funding, they are moving forward with construction drawings.

Prime Retail Outlets - According the Economic Development Department at the City of Livermore, Prime will be breaking ground early 2010 and construction will be wrapped-up in 12-18 months. This development will be located at the El Charro road exit.

Toyota Dealership - After lots of controversy, Toyota will be moving forward with the new dealership on North Front Road, off Vasco. Ground breaking will begin early 2010 and is expected to be completed in 12 months.

Groth Brothers Site - Groth sold their site to Swenson Builders a few years back but has continued to occupy the space. At this point, there is no immediate development plans but the site is in entitlements for a 4-story mixed use project including ground floor retail.

Residential Development:

The former Livermore Honda Site - Purchased by Pinn Brothers in the height of the market, the piece of land located on the corner of First Street and Portola remains vacant. Rumor has it another well-known home builder has purchased the land recently and Pinn Brothers has dissolved.

First Street Site -  Pulte purchased a number of contiguous parcels in 2005 located across the street from Palasage as you are coming West bound on First Street into downtown. This property is being offered for sale with a condo map. I don’t foresee any development going on for a good long while for this parcel.

It has been announced that Bridgelux – a LED manufacturing company based currently in Sunnyvale- will be relocating to Livermore. Bridgelux will be taking space at the former Lam Research campus located on Collier Canyon Road and North Canyons Parkway. Bridgelux is expected to have over 500 employees at its height.

The pair of 120,000 square foot buildings have been vacant since 2007 when Lam signed deals but never occupied the buildings. For more information on Bridgelux:

http://www.bridgelux.com/

Every time I think of PW Market I hear that jingle from KKIQ “Joey Franco’s PW Market…”

Located on North Vasco Road, PW is known for selling hard to find and specialty foods. PW does own their retail building and yes, PW is officially closed.

Have no fear, another grocer is in negotiations for the space and I don’t think we will see that spot sit empty for too long. Everyone involved in the deal is being very hush-hush so no word yet on who the grocer will be. Rumors include a grocer from Southern California and an out of state grocer.

There are a couple different tenants in the market that are aggressively taking down space including Fresh & Easy, Ranch 99, Sprouts Farmers Market, Henry’s Farmer Market, Smart & Final, and Grocery Outlet. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a large grocer such as Safeway or Ralph’s make a go at it either.

As previously posted, there is a new tenant moving into the old Firehouse Bistro space at 2369 1st Street in Livermore. The name of the new establishment is Sanctuary Ultra Lounge. It is rumored to be a reincarnation of Movida, but from what I am told there is not much truth to that.

This new venture will include some light plates but is geared toward a more youthful yet sophisticated lounge with a pool table in the back room and able to accomodate private parties. The proprietor calls it, “very comfy, cozy, hip, and swanky”.

Look the grand opening around December 1st.

At 6:36 a.m., I finished shovelling for the first time. My lungs ached and cried out in anguish; I felt accomplished, though short of breath. I had pushed it too far, for sure. However, I wanted to go to work. I needed to go to work. I miss my office, my students, the back and forth motions of ideas in action. Alas, it was not destined today.

Over 24 inches of snow has fallen on my deck. One can no longer see where I even shoveled. In fact, it looks as if it has not been shoveled. At some point, the inevitability of not being able to open my front door will happen. Snow is pouring down from the sky — it looks like a mixture of a feather pillow fight and a snowglobe. Oh wow. I just saw snow fall from an Evergreen. Beautiful. So, I’m working and healing. And, praying the electricity does not go out.

But, damn, it feels good to feel better. I am so grateful for all of the support, kind words, and healing wishes.

If you live east of the Rockies, this could be the trip for you.  We’re putting this together for Partners in International Birding for next year.  It will include a pelagic trip out of Monterey.

Sunday, September 12th- Friday, September 17, 2010

One day extension for Monterey pelagic birding trip.  Further two-day extension offered for trip to see second California endemic, Island Srcub-Jay off Ventura.

Target birds: Yellow-billed Magpie, greatly reduced in number by West Nile virus and possibly endangered.  One of two California endemics.    California Thrasher, California Quail, California Towhee, California Gull,  Anna’s Hummingbird, Black Oystercatcher, Band-tailed Pigeon, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Tanager, Black Phoebe, Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Wandering Tattler, Marbled Godwit, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Cassin’s Auklet, Marbled Murrelet, Pink-footed Shearwater, Buller’s Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Black-footed Albatross, Ashy Storm-Petrel, Sabine’s Gull, Arctic Tern, Clapper Rail, Cinnamon Teal, Elegant Tern, Pacific Loon, Clark’s and Western Grebe, Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorant,  Thayer’s Gull, Heermann’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Western Gull, both pelicans, White-tailed Kite, Red and Red-necked Phalarope, Spotted Towhee, Wrentit, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Tricolored Blackbird, possibly all three scoters.

Mammals: California sealion, California ground squirrel, coyote, harbor seal, harbor porpoise, white-sided dolphin, humpback whale, sea otter, river otter, elk, mule deer, black-tailed jackrabbit, bobcat.

Sunday, Sept. 12.–Arrive at SFO.  Early arrivals will get in some birding in the afternoon.

Monday, Sept. 13– We bird San Francisco.  Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Brandt’s Cormorant, Chestnut-sided Chickadee, Heermann’s Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Clark’s and Western Grebe.  Short seawatch for loons and other ocean birds.  Migrants could include Western Tanager, Bullock’s Oriole Hermit Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler.

Tuesday, Sept. 14–Point Reyes National Seashore and Marin County.  Look for some of Point Reyes’ storied vagrants.  All three scoters possible, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, Acorn Woodpecker, California Quail, Hutton’s Vireo, Wilson’s Warbler, Black Phoebe, Western Bluebird, Wrentit, Spotted Towhee, Tricolored Blackbird.

Wednesday, Sept. 15–Inland to Livermore.  Yellow-billed Magpie, California Thrasher, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Westrern Meadowlark, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Spotted Towhee.

Thursday, Sept. 16–Calaveras Big Trees in the Sierra Foothills.  Giant sequoia trees. White-headed Woopecker, Mountain Chickadee, Mountain Bluebird, possible Sooty Grouse, Dipper, Burrowing Owl, possible Mountain Quail.

Friday, Sept. 17–Go to Big Sur at dawn for California Condor.  There are now more condors in the wild thanin captivity as the restoration program continues to work for the largest birds in North America.  Also possible Dipper, sea otter, any ocean birds we’ve missed.   Those not staying for pelagic extension, return to SFO in the afternoon.   All pelagic birders will overnight in downtown Monterey near boat docks. Friday afternoon in Monterey can used for sight-seeing,  a visit to the huge Monterey Aquarium or general loafing about. 

Saturday, Sept. 18–Debbie Shearwater Journeys leave the dock early.  This Shearwater Pelagic Trip will be with California’s premiere offshore birding outfit.  Expect three or more species of shearwater, Black-footed Albatross with Laysan possible, Ashy Storm-Petrel, a handful of alcids including Cassin’s Auklet and Marbled Murrelet, Arctic Tern, Sabine’s Gull and all three jaegers.  With luck at least one South Polar Skua as well.

Further extension possible for those wishing to make the trip south to Ventura and a short boat ride out to see the Island Scrub-Jay on the only island it inhabits, Santa Cruz Island.  The drive south would take place on Sunday, Sept. 19.  The boat trip on the morning of Monday, Sept. 20.  Participants could fly out of LAX late Monday or on Tuesday.  Returning to San Francisco would require the remainder of Monday so flights would need to be on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Santa Maria BBQ

Many have heard about our BBQ Competition on November 14, 2009.   We are still taking enrollment for the contest at www.greenleafbbq.com for any interested individual or team.

This contest is open to all with no fuel restrictions – bring your best skills and grills to win a trophy and some cash.

Competitors will be using Traeger Grills, Big Green Eggs, Drum Smokers, Gas Grills, and perhaps even a few Weber kettle or WSM smoking all day.

If you’re interested in learning to BBQ or smoke meats, this is the place to visit and ask questions.

Our BBQ shop will be open during the competition, offering special deals on Big Green Egg, Traeger & Weber products in addition to our great line-up of BBQ rubs and sauces.  Check out our website to shop early in our online store.

Here are the details:

*No Fuel Restrictions – Charcoal, Gas, Pellet, Electric or Wood Allowed.

Thanks to all teams that have already committed to joining us!
-Tim

Kim Yoo Suk (born 19 January 1982) is a South Korean pole vaulter.

He finished eighth at the 2003 Universiade. He also competed at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2005 World Championships without reaching the final.His personal best jump is 5.66 metres, achieved in July 2005 in Livermore. Via : Wikipedia

Fuk Mi Sushi & Seafood Buffet

I was reading my local Independent Newspaper today and found two articles on recycling/trash in my local area.  One was about my city and one about the city next door.

In my city, Livermore, CA,  the monthly rates for trash pick-up have been approved to go up next July (~$3.00 per household.)  That was the main genesis for the article, but the interesting part was the change for commercial customers.  As part of the negotiations between the company and the City’s Public Works Manager, drop box waste fees are now based on weight as well as frequency of servicing.  Savings incentives were put in place for less material or lower service frequency.  Rather than one price fits all, reward those who reduce waste.  I like it. Seems this might be a good idea for local residents too.  I know that since we started paying attention here at home, we have significantly reduced what we contribute to the landfill.  Some weeks, sometimes several weeks in a row, we don’t even bother to take the non-recycling garbage can to the curb.  But it takes some effort and commitment.  A little incentive could go a long way.

In my neighboring city, Pleasanton, CA, changes are being made for residential customers.  While both cities have curbside recycling, to my surprise, Pleasanton’s old system was a two can system: one for yard waste and one for everything else.  Recyclable material was sorted out from the garbage at a facility.  While quite convenient for the customer, I can’t even imagine how difficult and inefficient that would be at the sorting center.

Pleasanton implemented the program in October with the intent of capturing more recyclable material.  Their new program sounds very similar to Livermore’s program: a can for yard/food waste, a can for all other recyclable materials and third can for the rest.  This makes a lot of sense to me.  Next step is for Pleasanton to increase its list of recyclable materials to be as impressive as the recyclable materials list is for Livermore.

Although recycling is not equal across this nation, it appears that in my local area, things are starting to unify.

So that’s what’s happening around here, what’s going on in your neck of the woods?

It’s official! The First Street Alehouse is the proud new owners of 2106 1st Street in downtown Livermore. The building is the former home of Floor to ceiling and it 6,600± square feet. They do not plan to use the entire building but preliminary plans dedicated about 4,500± square feet to just the restaurant.

Due to the large amount of construction that needs to be done I would guess they won’t be moved-in and ready to open the doors until 1st quarter of 2010.

Congrats to the Alehouse!

Deal Details:

Rumored purchase price: In the neighborhood of $270 per square foot

Size: 6,600± square feet

Closed Date: September 29, 2009

I am so excited! We found a new home for the closet @ Brown Eyed Girl on First Street in Livermore. The closet is there empty right now but it is getting ready to be filled now that summer is over and I am doing good in 4th grade. We are even going to be in the Livermore Holiday Parade. We are looking for a flatbed truck to put the closet on and decorate. Then me and my friends will be singing the closet’s theme song. It will be so much fun.

Ta Ta For Now,
Cozy

Leila Swisher, supervising Librarian
Livermore Public Library

Livermore labs laid off over 1200 workers, among other companies’ layoffs.
The library took a proactive stance, expecting that it would be a while before things got better.  Classes, newsletters and programs didn’t seem to be enough, so they hired a full time career advisor as part of the Free2Succeed Job Center. Her true value lies in free 1 on 1 advising sessions: strategies, online applications, resume writing, etc. The center also holds monthly classes in creating online resumes and linked-in profiles, engages special speakers,  holds mock interviews, and offers support groups.
Livermore hosts successful employer meet & greet nights, similar to a job fair – some programs had over 200 people and up to 14 businesses attending! The programs are open to everyone, not just cardholders, and the feedback so far is overwhelmingly positive.
Leila then showed an upbeat video showcasing the program and three of its successes.

Q- How will the counselor position be funded in future?
A- friends; funded for the next year. 30 hrs/wk

Q-How many companies at job fair?
A-up to 14 companies; local employers, staffing agencies, restaurants, etc.

Q-how does she help those w/ no computer skills
A-help, refers to computer labs

Q-What are the counselor’s qualifications?
A-She has a background in employment counseling; had to learn about libraries.

Q-are you getting parolees or other challenged people?
A-Not sure; but get all kinds of people.

Q-Biggest challenges?
A-Grant application was a bear; funding; number of people needing advising session – long wait list

Q-publicity?
A-press releases, web site; word of mouth

Q-how reaching businesses?
A-The job center manager sends out letters, attends meetings such as the chamber of commerce; taps former work connections

I’m really sorry for my recent lack of posting.  Though so far I have only had one viewer…so I’m sorry to you. I’m also sorry to myself, I said I would do this everyday and I’m already slipping.

First of all the reason for the late post: I’m moving into college. That’s right folks I am now officially living in UCLA! I’m so excited for this new adventure.  But there where quite a few days of packing and driving and moving. So this is the only free time I have found to post.  My roommates all went down to Westwood and I decided to stay behind and do some photo editing and blogging. Here is the result:

On the boy front I’ve been texting him a bit everyday (not as much as I would like…and that makes me nervous).  However I have come up with a good nickname for him.  I will now call him Clark Kent.  This came up from lastnights texting session where I said he says “swell” a lot and he responded that it was a “Clark Kent” thing.  I thought that was so fitting.  He wants to be a journalist and from all indication he is a really nice guy.  So I think I’m calling him Clark for a while…I’m hoping we will meet again soon…but I don’t know.

12:02am – 12:27am
[this is unedited stream-of-consciousness action, written while hanging out on tables outside a library at the university of texas.]

i’ve finished the little pink notebook i carry with me. the adventure with it began on november 25th, 2008, on a walk around my neighborhood in livermore, california. tonight, i’ve finished it on a walk around the fine city of austin, texas. i am absolutely in a confused state of mind. i have absolutely finished off this notebook with scribbles and scrabbles and doodles. wish the last piece would have been one that was satisfactory, but alas, the notebook was finished without a bang — it finished with mediocrity.

at least the rain has stopped. as of this afternoon, the first day of my jetblue travels, i began to crave a kind of domestic living. it’s a post-burning-man thing, and not the best of things when one considers i’m about to embark on a two-month journey traveling around the country. for the first time in quite a while, i feel pretty fucking alone — as if i’m confusd about my focus in life — as if my best friends, or the ones i speak to most, are or were practically all lovers… as though the most intimate parts of me are seen and shed and left out here somewhere… pointlessly, even, in the long run, maybe. and i feel guilty for my pleasures and alone in my struggles, with whom to share it with but those who don’t quite understand? or those who are themselves too invested to hold an unbiased opinion on the matter? i feel blinded by hope — simultaneously confused by reality — to create a concoction of being strung around like a rag doll that’s at once using and being used. mutual needs might be fulfilled in a temporary arena, but one can’t help wonder what the long run, the ultimate picture of it all, is. more often than not, these are of no concerns to me — they rarely pop up in life as problematic. or thought of seriously. cuz ultimately i’m not the type of person that really cares about the future very much at all. i’m generally pretty confident that things will work out in my favor, but on days like today, i’m just thinking what the point of it all is, and it feels like just about everyone’s serving himself or herself in the end.

on days like today, i think that perhaps life is not all peachy and we need only to fulfill our own desires above all else. how we live is selfish and the point of everything we do is riddled with self-serving motivations, and if that’s the case, how can anyone ever really love? what the hell is love, and how can it exist? i hate usually the cynical arguments that even the most basic humanitarian actions of being good and serving others are rooted in a selfish desire to feel good about oneself, but on days like today, i see that… i see it in others, and i see it in myself.

it’s all perspective, really. the same actions viewed one day are rooted in love, the next day rooted in selfishness. i’m ranting like a motherfucker. i feel alone is all, and i’m wondering what i want out of life and where i want to be. where i want to live, what i want to do, who i want to see. i’m feeling domestic. for this very fleeting (i’m sure) moment, i want to be rooted, to be comfortable, to have that pointless fucking disgusting soul-death comfort lifestyle i loathe so much. it’s just for today. it’s just for right now. but for today and right now, being pampered and taken care of and not being alone sounds perfect. the moment and feeling will pass. the eggs are just wanting babies, probably. but i’ve felt off all day without being able to explain or verbalize it correctly. writing is my catharsis. it’s helped me through all things. i’ve written it. i’ve done it. so it’ll be fine. beyond this…

This year the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association implemented a few changes in the logistics of its annual Harvest Festival: The shuttle buses operated only on Sunday and 21 winemakers set up tasting tents at Robertson Park.  Here are my observations and reactions to this year’s festival.

(Disclosure: For several years, my wife and I have been part of the volunteer corps at Retzlaff Vineyards. We have been Retzlaff futures club members on-and-off since the late 1990s. Gloria Retzlaff Taylor conceived the Harvest Festival, several years before we started volunteering our time at her family’s winery.)

The Buses: NO COMMENT

We didn’t ride the buses this year, so I cannot comment on the routes or how well they were serviced. We did see a significant rise in ticket prices this year despite the recession. I’m sure part of the cost delta went to the increased cost of renting the buses.

My suggestion: Instead of paying the bus company, perhaps the Winegrowers Association should consider being paid for the privilege of shuttling the hordes. The bus company could charge every passenger by the ride of offer a prepaid day and/or weekend pass. Tipping the driver would be allowed.

Robertson Park: MISS

We visited the park in the middle of the afternoon on Sunday.

The ticket tents at the park were the central point for attendees to purchase and pickup prepaid wristbands. Many attendees complained bitterly that they had to stand in line for over an hour to receive their wristbands. For a festival that is open for only five hours on opening day, that is a significant issue.

The 21 vintners at the park were located in 12’x12’ tents placed on the perimeter of large tents that covered tables and chairs for festival attendees. Interspersed between the vintners were crafts vendors of different types and even a bathroom renovation contractor. Around the two large tents on the green, the vintners were placed approximately 20 feet away. One hard-covered structure was ringed by vintner tents that came right up to the edge of the covered, paved area. Food vendors were clustered in one area on the green, away from the wine and guest tents.

Robertson Park felt like an art and wine festival. Not a bad idea, but would you pay $50 to attend it? Probably not. To make up the cost of a day ticket you would have to visit every one of the wineries present and taste all their offerings to make up the equivalent of seven six-ounce glasses of wine. That’s nearly two bottles divided into 42 one-ounce tastings; after the second or third winery your palate won’t know the difference between good wine and grape juice with rubbing alcohol. You would have spent an extra $10 or so on food. And you would be in no condition to visit the wineries not represented in the park.

My other observation was that none of the attendees had any chance of starting a relationship with any of the wineries. The intimacy and personality of a tasting room could not be replicated and the vintners (or their volunteers) were too busy pouring to talk about their wines or wineries. I wonder if the Winemakers Association will do a survey of attendees to find out how many winery names and labels they recall.

Around the Valley

We visited three wineries on Monday, in addition to a final stop back at Retzlaff.

Eckert: MISS

We visited Eckert at the winery rather than at Robertson Park. We hadn’t been here for at least two years and were actually more interested in their olive oils than the wines. They were pouring their viognier and cuvee blend at a tent by the driveway, reserving the tasting room for the revenue samples: $3 for three wines, which we declined. The viognier was crisp and drier than expected; the cuvee was interesting but did not appeal to us. I vaguely remembered reading that the winery offered several different olive oils, so I was disappointed when we were offered only one. And although it tasted fresh and clean, it had a bitter note that we didn’t enjoy.

Charles R: HIT

Our visit to Charles R was almost a yawner. The chardonnay was crisp and dry, and the syrah was smooth and balanced. But the zinfandels and port were part of the revenue tasting and we opted to pass. We browsed the art and crafts. What made the stop memorable was the conversation we had with the Charles R, Dick Bartlett. He talked about Randy (“He’s the winemaker; I’m just the bankroll.”) and the ruckus the night before at their neighbors, White Crain Winery. He had convinced Randy to stay out of Robertson Park and had no reason to regret his opinion. He shared some of his wine-buying adventures and his stories about working with some of the other winemakers in the Livermore valley. He left us with fresh insights into how the winemaking community relates with each other.

BoaVentura de Caires: HIT

BoaVentura is not a member of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, and so Brett did not require a festival wristband to allow guests to taste his wines. This weekend he had the table white, syrah, and green, black, and maroon cabernets in stock. To complement the wines Monique had laid out a Danish fontina, a brie, an Irish cheddar, kalamata olives, and home-grown table grapes. There was an olive oil to taste, but we found it too bitter. The crowd started to arrive just as we were finishing our tastings. We unpacked the meats, cheese, fruit, and croissants and picnicked at one of the umbrella tables on the lawn.

Retzlaff: HIT

We ended the weekend where we started. We tasted the red futures in the barrel room, and joined Noah’s audience as he explained how wine is made. We touched base with Bob and called it a day.

Will we be back next year? Count on it!

As of today I have been informed a lease has been signed at the building formerly occupied by the Firehouse Bistro at 2369 1st Street in Livermore. The concept is that of a drinking establishment with food, rather than a restaurant. More details to come…