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
January 18, 2012 | 
5 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Businesses · Opinions
Ross Stores recently confirmed that it will be moving its headquarters from Pleasanton to Dublin’s Emerald Point office complex by mid-2014. Ross reportedly paid around $68M for the Dublin facility that will have 414,000 square feet of class A space and be able to accommodate up to 2,050 employees. Ross had also reportedly been looking to buy the raw land owned by the Alameda County Surplus Authority to build its new headquarters from the ground up directly across from Sybase.
That plan would have included the parcel billionaire developer Rick Caruso had planned to build his first lifestyle center in Northern California . Caruso Affiliates recently killed that project.
“This move will accommodate the long-term growth of our corporate office staff for the foreseeable future. We are outgrowing our existing office space and the purchase provides us with full control,” said Ross spokeswoman Bobbi Chaville. “We looked at several options and at the end of the day, the purchase was much more favorable than staying in our existing space and made strategic sense.”
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January 16, 2012 | 6 Comments | Topics: Development · Parks
Braddock & Logan recently put the finishing touches on the necessary infrastructure and utility improvements at the 4.6-acre Positano Hills Park in Dublin, CA. The City of Dublin is expected to start construction on the $1.5M park in Spring 2012. Final design of Positano Hills Park is underway, and construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2012.
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January 15, 2012 | 2 Comments | Topics: Local Businesses · Things To Do
Chinese Soup Pot is a food blog created by a Dublin resident who aims to reveal a different side of the Chinese food tradition – “slow fire” soups. From tasty and healthy soup recipes to demystifying common Chinese herbs, this new website is a great resource for anyone who wishes to learn about the centuries-old soup making tradition in Chinese culture. Chinese Soup Pot is also on Facebook and Twitter.
What makes traditional Chinese soups different is that butter and cream are never used, making them lighter and healthier than the creamy versions many Americans are accustomed to eating. To make up for the flavor, vegetables, herbs, and lean meats are often used as the main ingredients.
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January 13, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Local Businesses · Restaurants · Things To Do
The Taste of the Tri-Valley and San Francisco’s Dine About Town 2012 will be extending the holiday joy for Bay Area residents in search of the perfect meal at a reasonable price. The Taste of the Tri-Valley is expected to feature at least 30 Tri-Valley restaurants with prix fixe lunch and dinner options from January 21th through January 29th. Some of most renowned chefs at some of the finest restaurants in the Tri-Valley such as Esin, Maria Maria, Patrick David’s, Coco Cabana, Blue Agave, and Underdog Wine Bar will showcase their culinary styles for diners.
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January 12, 2012 | 14 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Local Issues · Opinions
Suspected burglar Jose Luis Gonzales Franco escaped from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, CA on Monday. Before being arrested at Video Only in Dublin’s historic shopping district seven hours later, Franco was joyriding around town in most of his prison garb on a stolen bicycle. Franco’s big adventure reportedly started in the same area off Tassajara Road where MythBusters misfired a cannonball and damaged several homes during an experiment conducted on the Alameda County Bomb Disposal Range. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office oversees the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and runs Dublin Police Services for the City of Dublin by contract.
The City of Dublin stayed silent throughout the seven-hour manhunt. The CodeRED Emergency Notification System could have been deployed to warn residents about the escaped inmate. The last time the City of Dublin used the CodeRED Emergency Notification System was to let residents know about the public meeting at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office regarding the MythBusters cannonball incident. The City of Dublin also had the option to warn the general public through the neighborhood watch program. Instead, City officials chose to keep its network of neighborhood watch block captains in the dark.
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January 9, 2012 | 6 Comments | Topics: Local Businesses · Opinions · Retail
Residents living in and around Dublin, CA shop at Target for everything from diapers to electronics to groceries. The addition of the East Dublin Target at Fallon Gateway has made bargain retail much more accessible for consumers; however, many families are ditching Target for Amazon Prime as a way to save money and to get the best selection on everyday items. Although shopping at Target is fairly easy for most folks, shopping with Amazon Prime is even more convenient for people whose busy schedules make that trip to the store a luxury they cannot afford.
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January 5, 2012 | 8 Comments | Topics: Development · Opinions · Parks
The City of Dublin, CA is moving forward with SunCal Companies and Argent Management’s 187-acre Dublin Crossing master planned project. RBF Counsulting will spend the next 15 months preparing the Environmental Impact Report and Specific Plan for Dublin Crossing at a cost to the developer of $368,535. Dublin Crossing is expected to feature roughly 1,600 new homes, possibly 300,000 square feet of commercial space contingent on market demand, 50 acres of open space presumably comprising the nine toxic soil areas, and eight acres for an elementary school. According to SunCal’s Joe Aguirre, all but one toxic soil site still requires remediation. “It is good to see the progress and that something is happening,” observed Councilmember Don Biddle.
The City of Dublin had originally demanded to have 46 acres of land set aside for a central park at Dublin Crossing; however, SunCal Companies and Argent Management are now proposing to reduce the size of the park in exchange for offering to build and maintain the park. SunCal Companies and Argent Management will most likely place the burden of park maintenance on the Dublin Crossing Homeowners Associations. “We should take the money and run,” exclaimed an excited Councilmember and Congressional candidate Eric Swalwell.
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January 4, 2012 | 8 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Businesses · Opinions · Parks · Restaurants · Retail
Dublin, CA and the greater Tri-Valley region had a phenomenal year in 2011, but 2012 is expected to bring many more thrills and surprises for residents. This year should be one marked by the emergence of fantastic shopping centers, restaurants, new parks and paths, and other amenities to be enjoyed by all. While the reasons for optimism are limitless, the Around Dublin Team would like to share our top 10 list of things to look forward to in 2012.
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January 3, 2012 | 9 Comments | Topics: Local Businesses · Opinions · Retail
Sears Holding Company recently announced that it will soon be shuttering up to 120 of its underperforming Sears and Kmart stores. While the Pleasanton Sears at Stoneridge Mall has been left off the initial list of 80 stores, the sputtering store may eventually get the axe as most shoppers simply cut through the store from the parking lot to the rest of the mall. While electronics and appliance sales at the Stoneridge Mall location appear to be brisk, the second and third floors with home goods and apparel see fewer people than Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Hayward on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.
Much like rescue boats hurtling passengers from the Titanic, Sears also spun off its interest in the expanding Orchard Supply Hardware chain of stores recently to help retain some value for investors.
Celebrated hedge fund legend Eddie Lampert has led the turnaround attempt at Sears and Kmart for the past few years. Initially, Lampert was able to provide tremendous results by cutting costs to the bone. Lampert’s strategy provided a short term boost to profits, but it also damaged the Sears and Kmart brand. Irritated customers have flooded online forums with complaints about deteriorating stores, poor customer service, and lackluster merchandise.
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