About John M. Zukoski
Background
John is the publisher of the Around Dublin Blog. He works at Robert Half International and lives in Dublin. As president of Dublin Rotary Club, John dedicates his free time to community service and helping others help themselves. John is also one of the founders of Tassajara Prep and a board member of Shakespeare's Associates.
Contact
Email: John M. Zukoski
Website: http://www.arounddublinblog.com
May 21, 2012 | 
No Comments | Topics: Local Issues · Opinions
Spencer Freeman Smith, a 32-year-old attorney living in San Ramon, CA, was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident that killed a bicyclist in Dublin last week. Smith has since been released from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on bail and reunited with his family. The news of Smith’s alleged hit-and-run must have come as a quite shock to his clients at Smith Patten. With offices located in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, Smith Patten specializes in employment law cases such as workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Continue Reading
May 20, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Local Businesses
Mathnasium, the Math Learning Center in Dublin, CA, helps local children keep their minds active throughout the summer months by offering programs designed to develop, maintain, and challenge their math skills and understanding. According to the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, kids lose, on average, one to two months of reading and math skills during summer vacation. Mathnasium’s summer programs can help minimize the effects of this “Summer Slide.”
“All kids can excel in school and on standardized tests when they’re given the chance to really understand the materials,” said Divya Sharma, Center Director of Mathnasium of Dublin. “When they start the school year prepared, without losing two or three months of knowledge, the results astound parents. All of a sudden, homework and tests are a totally different experience.”
Continue Reading
May 18, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Development
Many residents living in and around Dublin, CA may have noticed some construction activities at the Alameda County Courthouse site on Gleason Drive. “We are starting the removal of underground and abandoned pipes and foundations. It should take about two months to complete the removal,” shared Alameda County project manager David Savellano. “We anticipate awarding the construction contract later this year.”
Continue Reading
May 17, 2012 | 48 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Issues · Opinions
Around Dublin Blog gets all kinds of questions about Dublin, CA. A few years ago, many of the inquiries came from prospective families looking to buy a home in Dublin. In recent months, families are wondering if they should move out of Dublin and “upgrade” to a home in Danville, Pleasanton, or San Ramon. The following is a composite of the questions and concerns raised in various letters sent by clearly frustrated families in Dublin:
Dear Around Dublin Blog:
My partner and I first bought a condo in the Dublin Ranch Villages around 2005. Like many of our neighbors, we were sold on Dublin’s potential as a city and the promise of the Promenade. The Promenade was supposed to be “better” than Downtown Walnut Creek, and we were told to expect Tri-Valley’s answer to San Jose’s Santana Row in 2006. Over the next couple of years, we continued to hear rumors that the Promenade would break ground very soon, but nothing ever happened.
When an opportunity came for us to upgrade from a townhouse in Dublin Ranch Villages to a single family home in Dublin Ranch a few years ago, my partner and I jumped at the chance. We decided to stay in Dublin, in spite of our disappointment with the Promenade. We still believed Dublin was an up-and-coming city. We love our house in Dublin Ranch, and we are blessed with truly wonderful neighbors. Over the years our family has expanded, and we are outgrowing our home. As much as we love Dublin Ranch, the time has come for another upgrade. This time, we are not sure about staying in Dublin.
Continue Reading
May 15, 2012 | 1 Comment | Topics: Announcements · Schools · Things To Do
Kolb Elementary School in Dublin, CA will be holding its first Spring Jubilee on Sunday, May 20th. This special event will bring members of the community together for a day of games, food, and family. Principal Lynn Medici is hoping for a spectacular turnout at the newest K-5 school in Dublin.
The Spring Jubilee will include an inflatable slide, crafts, music, Jamba Juice, Loard’s Ice Cream, games, a raffle, and more. Admission includes wristband for access to all the games and booths, the inflatable slide, field activities like sack races and egg toss, the craft table, treats like popcorn and cotton candy, and one raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased online or at the event. Food provided by Baja Fresh may also be purchased in advance online or at the event.
Continue Reading
May 15, 2012 | 1 Comment | Topics: Announcements · Local Businesses
“Life is too short to make mediocre wine,” said La Rochelle Winery owner Steven Kent Mirassou at his winery’s recent “Grand Gru” Tasting in Livermore, CA. “We want to do something historically great with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This principle has driven La Rochelle to push beyond its comfort zone from crafting the exquisite Pinot Noirs that have become its signature to making Chardonnay wines that age very well like white Burgundies. Just in time for the warmer weather, La Rochelle’s spring release includes three 2010 Chardonnays at the $65 per bottle price point made from grapes sourced from Ferrington Vineyard in the Anderson Valley, Rosella’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and Dutton Ranch – Morelli Lane from the Russian River Valley.
Continue Reading
May 13, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Schools · Things To Do
Dougherty Elementary School is inviting residents in and around Dublin, CA to its Spring Fling Carnival on Friday, May 18th from 5:30PM to 8:30PM. The Spring Fling Carnival will have games and activities for all ages, food for all tastes, and lots of engaging entertainment for the entire family. “This is the first year Dougherty Elementary has organized a Spring Fling Carnival, and this fundraiser is certainly going to be a big hit with teachers, students, families, and friends,” said Nicola Golden of the Dougherty Elementary PFC Carnival Committee. “With the Principal in the Dunk Tank, a Rock Wall, over 20 games and activities, two cake walks, a silent auction, and a raffle. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Carnival always means lots of delicious food, and there will be plenty to choose from at this event. Locally owned Eddie Papa’s restaurant will be selling delicious meals and carnival treats. Gourmet food trucks will also be on hand, including Rice Rockit, Twister Truck, Munch India, and Veritas. Perennial favorites like Corn Dogs, Popcorn, and Cotton Candy will also be available. “Vito’s will be there with our scooter with menus and coupons,” said Scott Bolin, owner of the popular Vito’s Express at Grafton station. “Best of all, the vespa with a side car will be on site for everyone to take pictures in.”
Local community and business organizations will also be supporting the event at Business Alley. Stop by and visit more than 15 booths showcasing everything from Purses to Cake Pops, martial arts demonstrations, and our local police and firefighters.
Continue Reading
May 13, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · City Hall
The Rotary Club of Dublin, CA will honor three city employees – Officer Channing Rhodes, Staff Battalion Chief Brian Caminada, and Julie Carter – with its annual Superstar Award on Tuesday, May 15th. The special Rotarian lunch event will be held at the Dublin Ranch Golf Course from 12:00PM to 1:30PM. The Award recognizes Dublin city employees and school district officials for their embodiment of Rotarian life, as well as other core values Rotarians hold with high regard. The Superstar Award criteria includes leadership by example, ethics first (the Rotary 4-way test), openness to new ideas, and dedication to excellence.
Officer Channing Rhodes joined the Sheriff’s Office on September 30, 2001 and has worked on diverse assignments at the Santa Rita Jail, Eden Township Station, and Dublin Police Services. One of his many contributions involves developing Dublin’s Crime Free Multi-Housing program. By training and educating apartment managers on how to use the program, Officer Rhodes took the program to new heights. The program had an overall impact in keeping crime out of the community. The program also promoted a better understanding with apartment staff and residents on how to have a better working relationship with local law enforcement.
Continue Reading
May 12, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Local Issues · Opinions
Gautam Prasad, M.D., Ph.D. is a radiation oncologist at Epic Care’s Dublin center, located at 6380 Clark Avenue. He is urging residents in and around Dublin, CA to join him in voting Yes on Proposition 29.
Becki Jones of Pleasanton, CA remembers smoking her very first cigarette. Forty-five years and a stage IV lung cancer diagnosis later, the 62-year-old Tri-Valley local also recalls smoking her last. Just before her birthday last summer, Jones became one of the 110,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. “I found a lump in my abdomen and one in my breast,” said Jones. “I had surgery to remove them. To our complete surprise, it turned out to be metastatic lung cancer. Three days later, the doctors told me the cancer had spread to my brain.”
The diagnosis came as a shock. “I never thought it would happen to me. But, I knew right then I had to stop smoking, because there was no point in undergoing treatment otherwise,” said Jones.
According to Gautam Prasad, M.D., Ph.D., cigarettes contain nearly 70 ingredients known to cause cancer. Prasad is one of Jones’ doctors and a radiation oncologist at Epic Care’s Dublin location. “Just one cigarette is enough to get you addicted for life. Kicking the habit before you’re 30 can cut your chance of dying of a smoking-related illness by up to 90 percent,” said Dr. Prasad.
Continue Reading
