Archive for November, 2011
by John M. Zukoski on November 30, 2011 | 
2 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Local Issues
The All-American City of Dublin, CA is about to join other cities across America in paying tribute to the Historic Lincoln Highway. Prior to the interstate highway network that was built out during President Eisenhower’s administration, the Old Lincoln Highway was considered to be the “Main Street Across America.” The Dublin Historical Preservation Association (DHPA) recently provided the impetus to encourage the City of Dublin to sponsor the Lincoln Highway Association (LHA) by offering to cover the costs of buying and installing four Lincoln Highway historical signs in Dublin.
According to DHPA President Steve Lockhart, husband of former Dublin mayor Janet Lockhart, the locations of the signs will be installed along the Dublin Boulevard corridor within a block or so of the intersections at Dougherty Road and Donlon Way. No signs will be installed in East Dublin.
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by John M. Zukoski on November 29, 2011 | 2 Comments | Topics: Local Issues · Opinions · Retail
For many shoppers, the only thing more interesting than Black Friday’s door-busting low prices are the stories of Black Friday’s tramplings, shootings, and other bad behaviors that ensue when shoppers “stop being polite and start getting real.” According to Kit Yarrow, a consumer research psychologist who teaches at Golden Gate University, the knowledge that “only the strongest are going to be able to get the bargain is what causes that desperation people feel.” To the victor go the spoils indeed.
America’s largest retailer Walmart had its share of madness this past Black Friday when a group was robbed and one person shot in the San Leandro Walmart parking lot, a Southern California woman allegedly pepper-sprayed fellow shoppers to secure an Xbox 360 with Kinect, and one unfortunate shopper unintentionally mooned the camera in what will be known as the Waffle Riot of 2011. Unlike its sister stores, the Walmart in Livermore, CA was a model of civility and consideration this past Black Friday as shoppers worked together to secure great bargains without gun shots or pepper-spraying.
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by John M. Zukoski on November 28, 2011 | No Comments | Topics: Local Businesses · Opinions · Retail
In the United States, Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day, which traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season. It also marks the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit or are “in the black.” With many retailers throughout the country, including those in and around Dublin, CA, opening their doors on Thanksgiving night, what used to be “Black Friday” has now become “Black Thursday” with the early start. According to early estimates by the National Retail Federation, 226 million shoppers visited stores and online during the four-day holiday weekend, up from 212 million last year. The same report also indicated that the average holiday shopper spent $398.62 this weekend, which is up from $365.34 a year ago. In a year of mostly gloomy economic news, these numbers are giving retailers hope for better profits. “A solid Black Friday suggests the rest of the season should be pretty good,” said Ken Perkins, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts-based Retail Metrics. “Those who have jobs have been willing to spend.”
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by John M. Zukoski on November 27, 2011 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Things To Do
The Hindu Community and Cultural Center at the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Livermore, CA will be offering a free health fair this Saturday, December 3rd, from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. This free health fair is open to everyone. Guests can expect free medical advice on Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Women’s Health, Nutrition & Diet, Chiropractic Services, Physical Therapy, and Eye Disorders. In addition, free evaluations for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol will also be offered.
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by Vickie Nagy on November 26, 2011 | No Comments | Topics: Opinions
The condo real estate in Dublin, CA remains very much a seller’s market. At the end of October, Dublin had roughly just 1.2 months of available resale inventory. Most real estate professionals consider anything below 5 months of inventory to be a seller’s market. Unfortunately the Dublin condos sold in October were primarily distressed properties. Of the 15 units, 7 were short sales, 7 were foreclosures, and only 1 was a traditional resale. Multiple Listing Service recorded no new condo or townhouse resale in October.
Of the 15 resale condos that closed in October, 10, or 66%, sold at or over list price:
- One-bedroom, 3 units, $120,000 to $185,000
- Two-bedroom, 5 units, $257,000 to $322,000
- Three-bedroom, 7 units, $300,000 to $510,000
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by Around Dublin Team on November 25, 2011 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · City Hall
The City of Dublin, CA is cordially inviting everyone to this year’s holiday tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 1st. Bring the entire family and join City Hall as City leaders and staff kick off the holiday season with this annual special event. The City’s holiday tree and City Hall will become aglow in red, white, and blue in honor of Dublin’s “All-America City” status.
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by John M. Zukoski on November 24, 2011 | 1 Comment | Topics: Development · Local Businesses · Restaurants · Retail
The All-America City of Dublin, CA has much to be thankful for in 2011. A thawing economy, an improving job market, and a thrilling election season ahead provide the backdrop for this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations, as more and more families move to the newer part of town for its highly rated K-8 schools and well-designed parks. Spurred by the influx of new arrivals, the pace of new home construction in East Dublin has picked up significantly over the past year, seemingly bucking the national trend.
Dublin’s historic big-box shopping district has seen a tremendous resurgence with the grand openings of DSW, Half Price Books, Sprouts Farmers Market, REI, and Sports Authority. Billionaire developer Rick Caruso’s $13M purchase of the 14-acre parcel next to Hacienda Crossings and Sybase has captured the imagination of the Tri-Valley, as everyone eagerly awaits the latest high-end retail masterpiece by the renowned shopping center magnate. While details remain scarce about the Caruso project, tilt-up construction has already begun at Paragon Outlets in Livermore, which is kitty corner from the new Target at Fallon Gateway in Dublin. According to some bullish estimates, the new Livermore outlet mall may open as early as November 2012, just in time for next year’s Black Friday extravaganza.
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by John M. Zukoski on November 23, 2011 | 2 Comments | Topics: Announcements
Whether you are deep-frying, roasting, or barbecuing your turkey in and around Dublin, CA, do not pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. Grease blocks drains and sewers, and a raw sewage backup is a sure-fire recipe for a holiday disaster. As Thanksgiving approaches, Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) would like to keep the drains of all of its rate payers in Dublin, San Ramon, and Pleasanton free and clear of grease clogs.
DSRSD is joining with other local wastewater agencies in an “Avoid Pain in the Drain” campaign this holiday season, sponsored by the Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group. “You might think it doesn’t hurt to rinse a small amount of grease down the drain, especially if you use hot water. But hot water only pushes the grease a bit further down the pipe where it solidifies and traps debris,” said Dan Gallagher, operations manager of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility operated by DSRSD. The extra load of a big holiday dinner may be all it takes to form a messy clog that backs up sewage into your home.
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by John M. Zukoski on November 22, 2011 | 8 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Development · Local Businesses · Restaurants
Dublin City Council recently dipped into its economic development toolkit to give Stanforth Holdings, LLC a $95,000 credit to reduce the estimated $380,000 water and sewer connection fee levied by the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) for the future BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse building. Stanforth Holdings, LLC is also known as Charter Properties or Lin Family. Stanforth Holdings, LLC will pass the remaining charge along to BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.
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