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
April 28, 2012 | 
No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Schools
School routes in and around Dublin, CA may get a lot safer with the help of an innovative bicycle program. The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) with partner Cycles of Change recently announced that they have launched the new BikeMobile program and unveiled the newly designed BikeMobile vehicle. The BikeMobile and its bicycle mechanic staff will visit schools and community organizations and events to deliver no-cost hands-on bicycle repair and bicycle safety training to promote riding bikes to school.
BikeMobile Fix-a-Thons are pre-arranged using an online signup form at www.bike-mobile.org. On the designated day, students bring their bikes to the BikeMobile, recognizable by its bright graphics, parked at their school or other pre-determined location. BikeMobile staff supply parts and expertise to help youth repair their bikes. Safety-essential accessories, such as locks, lights and bike helmets, are also available to increase bike safety, and encourage children’s enthusiasm for riding bikes to school.
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April 26, 2012 | 2 Comments | Topics: Announcements
Dublin business owner and community volunteer Stacey Shurson is asking Tri-Valley residents to help her to reunite a dog with his owner. “At the 2002 Dublin Partners in Education art auction, I bought this wonderful piece of artwork titled My Dog Jetta. We have enjoyed “Jetta” for a decade, but we are now remodeling our home,” explained Shurson. “I would love to give Jetta back to the artist, so she may share this wonderful piece of her childhood with her family.” According to Shurson, this talented artist was a Dublin middle schooler back in 2002. The plate on the artwork lists the artist name as Ikumi Minase.
Dublin residents who are friends or family of Ikumi Minase are encouraged to ask Ikumi to contact Shurson at her office to schedule a time to pick up the artwork:
Stacey Shurson, President
IIW Insurance Services of California, Inc.
11875 Dublin Blvd #D179, Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 833-8700
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April 23, 2012 | 7 Comments | Topics: Restaurants
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse at the Fallon Gateway shopping center in Dublin, CA is off to a great start after serving hundreds of Tri-Valley residents during its soft opening over the past few days. The overall experience at the latest BJ’s in Dublin is nothing short of marvelous. Friendly service staff is ready to greet customers by the grand entry arch at the lobby. The restaurant has an open floor plan that features wide aisles, gorgeous hardwood floors, and unfinished high ceilings for that rugged industrial look.
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April 22, 2012 | 1 Comment | Topics: Announcements · Local Businesses · Things To Do
Bay Area non-profit organizations can pick up free children’s books from Half Price Books in Dublin, CA this Tuesday, April 24th. The books were donated by the local community during the company’s 14th annual Half Pint Library book drive. This special giveaway event will begin at 2:00PM. Any not-for-profit organization that can use or distribute children’s books is invited to stop by and get books while supplies last.
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April 18, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Parks · Things To Do
After a good first season, the Farmers’ Market in Dublin, CA will be open again for business on Thursday, May 3rd, at Emerald Glen Park. The Market will run each Thursday, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM, through September 27th. This season, the Market will be held near the much more visible corner of Tassajara Road and Central Parkway, close to the playground area at Emerald Glen Park.
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April 17, 2012 | 15 Comments | Topics: Announcements · Local Issues · Public Works
Late last month, Dan Scannell resigned from the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) Board of Directors, after serving more than 11 years. His decision was prompted by time constraints with his new job, a desire to spend more quality time with his family, and the realization that it is someone else’s turn to serve. “It’s been an honor to serve with you and the rest of the Directors and I wish you the best in the future. Please let staff know I am very impressed with their ongoing work and have immensely enjoyed working with all of them,” wrote Scannell in an email to the DSRSD Board of Directors, General Manager Bert Michalczyk, and District Secretary.
“We appreciate his years of service on the DSRSD Board,” said President Rich Halket. “As a father of two young sons, I understand the desire to spend more time with his family.”
Many DSRSD ratepayers got to know Scannell, when he stood up for residents and voted against an unpopular bonus payout to DSRSD employees last October. The Board approved that plan by a 3-2 vote, giving $283,000 in bonuses to 37 of the district’s 110 employees from a “surplus” created by increased rates. “I’m admittedly biased,” said Scannell. “I hope they find another fiscal conservative who will continue to challenge the status quo.”
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April 15, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Things To Do
The School of Imagination is hosting the sixth annual “Happy Talkers Community Outreach” program on Saturday, April 21st at its therapy and education center in Dublin, CA. The School of Imagination is a leading education center that pairs typically developing children special-needs children in a nurturing learning environment. This community outreach event is the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in California’s history, offering free screening and early intervention for developmental delay and autism. In just a few short hours, parents will receive answers about their child and on-site referrals to a host of support agencies for families with a child in need. The expert advice and the invaluable referral information would normally take months to obtain and curate.
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April 14, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Things To Do
To celebrate National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th, Hope Hospice of Dublin, CA is inviting the Tri-Valley community to a free film screening of “Consider the Conversation” at the Vine Cinema in Livermore from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. This award-winning documentary on a taboo subject highlights American’s struggle with communication about and preparation for one’s end-of-life. The film seeks to show end-of-life as a normal process rich in opportunity for human development.
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April 13, 2012 | 1 Comment | Topics: Opinions · Restaurants
The Habit Burger Grill in Pleasanton, CA has quickly become the star of the new Pleasanton Gateway shopping center on Bernal Avenue off I-680. With the Tri-Valley’s latest Safeway as its anchor, Pleasanton Gateway has already attracted many well known tenants including Wells Fargo, Union Bank, Panda Express, Baja Fresh, and Great Clips. According to The Storefront, a blog dedicated to retail commercial real estate in the Tri-Valley, the “new center is fetching rents in the $4 per square foot range.” Based on the occupancy rate and the number of visitors, Pleasanton Gateway appears to be doing much better than Dublin’s Grafton Station with Lowe’s as its anchor.
Open since late February, The Habit Burger Grill at Pleasanton Gateway launched to a huge crowd who learned about the chain’s new location mostly through word-of-mouth. The long lines and packed house at The Habit are the result of the beloved burger chain’s commitment to premium ingredients, gourmet flare, and incredibly reasonable prices. Succulent burgers charbroiled to perfection sell for under $5. Sandwiches with tender marinated breasts of chicken, tri-tip, albacore tuna, or veggie patties on artisan bread cost between $5 and $6. Shakes run for about $3, and ice cream cones are just one buck. No wonder so many throughout the Tri-Valley have already developed The Habit, as a family of four can eat like royalty for under $40 in Pleasanton.
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