HALFWAY TO CONCORD » pleasant hill

Bonilla: Challenges for County

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:16:25 +0000

Supervisor Bonnila (D4) was recognized as the new Chair of the Contra Costa County Supervisors during a luncheon held January 6. Bonilla addressed the many challenges ahead and the need to work together to solve them as well as create more effective organization for the future. See slideshow.

Harry Potter appears, Nov 29

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:20:50 +0000

Do dreams of playing Quidditch, boarding the train at Platform 9-3/4 for a visit to Hogwarts and meeting Harry, Hermione, Granger and Ron Weasley keep your student’s imagination spinning? Perhaps the would-be-sorcerer sharing your home has even been inspired by J.K. Rowling’s books to try his or her hand at writing. If so, here’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, local authors and members of the California Writers Club will be at the Pleasant Hill Barnes & Noble bookstore (552 Contra Costa Blvd.) from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. to talk to Contra Costa County middle school students about the group’s annual Young Writers Contest and FREE writing workshops. Special guest Harry Potter will also be on hand.

Students from all over the county have participated in this contest and workshops each year, inspiring them to write. Besides earning an opportunity to chat with published writers, many students come away with prizes, kudos and a possible head start to a future as a writer.

Need another incentive? How about cash? Twenty-seven sixth-, seventh-and eighth-grade winners will share $1,575 in prize money and attend a banquet where they hobnob with authors of many genres. Need a bigger nudge? Maybe free chocolate rings your chimes.

Need to do a little multitasking? Check a few names off your gift list while you’re at Barnes & Noble — just think of all the gift-giving events coming up in the months ahead: holidays, birthdays, Mr. Dumbledore’s anniversary as headmaster, broom-christening parties, pet frog and rabbit adoptions . . . .

Present a sample voucher you’ll receive from the authors, and Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of your purchase to help support the Young Writers Contest.

Oh, yes: and about Harry Potter. Look for him in the Target/Toys R Us parking lot. He’ll be the one with the Hogwarts robe and a menacing cloud of helium balloons. One of those balloons (while supplies last) will contain a $20 gift card redeemable at Barnes & Noble.

Kiwanis & NBC food drive, Nov 22

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:51:04 +0000

On Saturday, November 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., NBC Bay Area Chief Meteorologist John Farley brings his Holiday Food Drive to Bay Area Lucky locations. NBC Bay Area and Bay Area Kiwanis volunteers will collect food and money to benefit local food banks at Lucky Supermarket. Generous donors can purchase a special $10 & $20 bag filled with nutritious groceries. The Kiwanis Clubs throughout Contra Costa County will be collecting donations at SaveMart and Lucky stores this Saturday and delivering the donations to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Participating Diablo Valley locations.

Antioch, SaveMart, Contra Loma Blvd
Anticoh, SaveMart, East 18th St
Antioch, Lucky, Lonetree Way
Concord, Lucky, Clayton Rd
Danville, Lucky, Sam Ramon Vlly Rd
Livermore, Lucky, Portola Ave
Livermore, Lucky Holmes St
Martinez, Lucky, Arnold Dr
Oakley, Lucky, 2545 Main Street
Pleasant Hill, Lucky, Crescent Plaza
Pleasanton, Lucky, W. Loas Positas
San Ramon, Lucky, Crow Cyn Commons
San Ramon, Lucky, San Ramon Blvd

How to thank Donors, Nov 20

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:25:28 +0000

The CBO Center will hold a seminar on how to best thank the donors that support your organization. Register now for event at JFK University in Pleasant Hill, Thursday, November 20m from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. $25 includes breakfast.

Kelli-Ann Nakayama will lead the seminar. She has held senior fundraising positions at organizations including Leadership Public Schools, Legal Services for Children, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. Kelli-Ann is a fundraising consultant specializing in board and volunteer development, major gifts, and institutional giving. She received her Certificate of Fund Raising Management (CFRM) at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, MA from San Francisco State University, and BA from the University of California at Berkeley. Mrs. Nakayama currently serves as the Vice President of the Bay Area’s Development Executives Roundtable board of directors, and host of DER’s Major Gifts Magic quarterly support group. She and her husband live in Oakland with their young son and two rescue dogs.

East Bay Fundraising Roundtable, Nov 20

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:43:27 +0000

The CBO Center will present “Creative Ways to Thank Donors,” with Kelli-Ann Nakayama, Thursday, November 20, 8:30 - 10:00 am at the John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill. $25 includes programs and breakfast - click to register Learn about donor stewardship and retention. Join your peers in an informal discussion of meaningful and unusual ways to say thank you to your donors - whether they are annual givers or donors of major gifts.

Schedule for 22nd Annual Hospice Tree of Lights

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:50:54 +0000

Hospice of the East Bay invites the public to participate in its 22nd annual Tree of Lights ceremonies to be held in 15 locations throughout Contra Costa in November and December. Each light on every tree is symbolic of a life and will shine in honor or memory of a friend or family member. Please join any of the commemorative ceremonies to enjoy music, poetry, talks by local dignitaries and the special moment when the tree lights up. Note that The Children’s Tree lighting will be held Sunday, December 14, at 5:00 p.m., at Oak Alley, behind Va de Vi Restaurant, located at 1151 Mt Diablo Blvd, in Walnut Creek,

A suggested donation of $20 per light can be made by sending a tax-deductible check to Hospice Foundation of the East Bay at 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill , CA 94523. Credit card donations may be made by calling Joy at the Foundation office (925) 887-5678. Please note which tree you choose to buy a light for, and the name of the person being remembered or honored. See the Locations and Times or check the nearby Calendar of Events.

Local Chambers host Fourth Annual Business Connection Expo, Nov 6

admin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:31:38 +0000

Join the Concord, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Martinez, and Hispanic Chambers for a great event! Connection 2008, is the Fourth Annual Business Expo that will be held, Thursday, November 6, 2008, 4:00 pm to 7:00 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord. Network - Showcase your business - Make business contacts. FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC!

PR and media basics for non-profits, Oct 8

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:43:58 +0000

The CBO Center offers a seminar on Public Relations and Media Basics for Non-Profits on October 8, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. at JFK University in Pleasant Hill. A guide to PR Basics including examples and instruction in use of standard tools (news release and pitch writing; database management; media relationship building) and how to set up a basic PR campaign for your business or organization that will get the attention you need. $65. Register Today.

Deal Hudson to address Citizens for Responsible Government, Sept 27

admin — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:38:30 +0000

The Citizens for Responsible Government will offer an evening with Deal W. Hudson, September 27th at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Hudson, an influential commentator on the growing political influence of Catholics and Evangelicals, is the director of the Morley Institute for Church & Culture, and is the former publisher and editor of CRISIS Magazine, a Catholic monthly published in Washington, DC. Tickets are $55 and include no-host cocktails, autograph and book sale, dinner, and presentation. Contact 937-3435 to RSVP or more info.

College planning seminars help families find financial aid

admin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:30:47 +0000

According to College Planning Specialists, financial aid applications have risen 20% across the state of California. Families are having to choose between staying in their homes, saving for retirement, or paying for college now that getting into top colleges is so competitive? College Planning Specialists offers a number of College Planning seminars in Walnut Creek, Danville, Clayton, and Pleasant Hill that help parents access financial aid money, achieve financial aid for high income households, even send your child to a private school for less than the cost of a Junior College. See the web site for full seminar schedule and more information.