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 12, 2012 | 
13 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Local Issues
Dublin, CA’s City Council recently voted to give itself an 8.2% increase to ensure that future candidates are sufficiently motivated to run for office. The generous and forward-looking councilmembers now earn $904 per month with an extra $100 per month for Mayor Tim Sbranti. “There is a huge commitment,” said Councilmember Kevin Hart, referring to the amount of work city councilmembers are expected to do in their roles as volunteer servant leaders for all Dublin residents.
While residents are aware of the small stipend Dublin city councilmembers receive for their services, most do not realize that the City of Dublin also gives councilmembers free health, dental, and vision coverage with a cap on City-paid monthly premiums up to $1,440 per month.
With a maximum cost of $2,340 per month, councilmembers working only 40 hours per month receive total compensation and benefits of $58.60 per hour, which works out to be an annualized cost up to $121,885.40 per year for each councilmember.
“Councilmembers are treated as employees as it relates to health insurance. They can use the $1,254.68 monthly contribution and select to participate in any of the plans listed,” said City of Dublin Public Information Officer Linda Smith. “They do not receive cash in lieu of insurance – they either opt in or opt out.”
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April 11, 2012 | 4 Comments | Topics: Opinions
Residents living in and around Dublin, CA are breathing a collective sigh of relief as the Bay Area job market heats up in response to a recovering economy. Jobless claims are at a four-year low, the USA unemployment rate fell to 8.2% in March, and the American private sector has added over four million jobs in the past two years. At a time when IT professionals can practically write their own paychecks, Yahoo!’s recently announced layoff of 2,000 employees must have seemed like an unexpected windfall for recruiters in the social media, niche marketing, research, and e-health sectors. Many recruiters have more job openings throughout the Bay Area than they can fill and have long salivated over Yahoo!’s incredible talent pool.
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April 11, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Local Businesses · Things To Do
La Rochelle Winery in Livermore, CA has announced a date for the unveiling of its anticipated “Grand Cru Collection.” The first of these wines will be released on Saturday, April 21st, 2012. The initial release will include four limited bottlings: 2010 “Rosella’s Vineyard” Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands; 2010 “Ferrington Vineyard” Chardonnay from Anderson Valley; 2010 “Morrelli Lane” Chardonnay from Russian River Valley; 2009 “Donum Estate” Pinot Noir from Carneros. The “Grand Cru” program focuses on the most sought-after Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyard sites in California.
Winemaker Tom Stutz and Owner Steven Kent Mirassou will conduct three one-hour tastings in the Reserve Room at La Rochelle, highlighting vineyard information and winemaker insights for the debut 2012 offering. The sessions will take place April 21st at 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 3:00PM. Reservations are required as space is limited. Cost is $20 per person and complimentary for Steven Kent and La Rochelle club members. Please call (925) 243-6442 to reserve your space. This event is “21 and over” only.
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April 10, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Development
Valley Care Health System will be opening a brand new urgent care facility in Dublin, CA on April 16th. The new urgent care facility will be located on the first floor of the southern wing of the Gateway Medical Center, next to Palo Alto Medical Foundation building. The initial urgent care facility will have nine physicians and 68 employees; however, plans are already in the works for an expansion if sufficient demand exists. In fact, Valley Care’s goal is to take over the entire building adjacent to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation building eventually.
As the culmination of a partnership between Valley Care Health System and Webster Orthopedic Group, the urgent care facility in Dublin will provide an “after hours” option to get treatment for sprains, illnesses, and other medical problems that do not require emergency room treatment, according to Valley Care spokesperson Denise Bouillerce in a recent Contra Costa Times article. “People can show up without appointments,” said Bouillerce. “This is about serving our growing customer base.”
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April 8, 2012 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Things To Do
The next peace.love.swap event in the Tri-Valley will be held on Sunday, April 29th from 9:00AM to 11:00AM at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park in Dublin, CA. Rock’ Jump is located at 5875 Arnold Road, Suite 100. peace.love.swap is a special organization that produces local kid’s clothing and gear swaps. Parents can get together in family-friendly venues to recycle and swap gently used items. The cost to swaps is $5 to swap, if you purchase your ticket online, or $7 at the door. Swap families also get to jump on trampolines for free.
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April 7, 2012 | 6 Comments | Topics: Announcements · City Hall · Parks
The City of Dublin is seeking suggestions for the name of the next neighborhood park, which will be constructed in the Schaefer Ranch development. Residents have until Thursday, April 12th to participate in an online survey to suggest park names.
The 10.6-acre site will feature 6.3-acres of developed parkland with open meadow, playgrounds, basketball court, tennis court, horseshoe pit, covered picnic area, game tables, pathways, and a restroom building.
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April 6, 2012 | 11 Comments | Topics: Announcements · Local Issues · Things To Do
MoveOn.org recently announced that it will be providing progressive direct action training in Dublin, CA and hundreds of other American cities from April 9th through April 15th. The “99% Spring Action Training” will be held on April 15th at the Dublin Library from 1:00PM to 4:30PM. “The goal is to pave the way for a 99% Spring filled with a huge wave of progressive direct action nationwide,” said MoveOn.org civic action leader Lenore Palladino.
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April 5, 2012 | 21 Comments | Topics: Local Businesses · Opinions · Restaurants
Johnny Garlic’s made a tremendous splash when it became the new anchor restaurant at Hacienda Crossings in Dublin, CA last year. The crowds have seemingly remained robust despite receiving a ghastly 2.5 out of 5 star rating from over 300 Yelpers, with more than 50% of the reviews under 3 stars. What is there not to love about Johnny Garlic’s? Johnny Garlic’s features great food from a menu designed by foodie legend Guy Fieri, a terrific location right next to one of the top movie theater complexes in the Bay Area, and a super friendly wait staff, yet it is having a tremendous time getting love from everyday Yelpers.
The Around Dublin Team visited Johnny Garlic’s on a recent Saturday for an early lunch before catching The Hunger Games at Regal Hacienda Crossings IMAX. The menu offered some clues to why Johnny Garlic’s Yelp reviews have been so rough.
The prices on most items are simply too high. Johnny Garlic’s raises the bar high by charging Ruth’s Chris Steak House prices for an above average Applebee’s experience. We ordered a plate of Brick Wings for $10.95, a rack of Baby Back Ribs for $26.95, and a Seared Yellow Fin Ahi Ciabatta for $15.50. The Seared Yellow Fin Ahi Ciabatta is $3 more than the price listed on the website. Our total lunch bill with an iced tea came to $61.28 after tax.
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April 4, 2012 | 36 Comments | Topics: Local Issues · Opinions · Schools
Residents in Dublin, CA will have a chance to vote for another bond measure proposed by Dublin Unified School District (DUSD). The $99M school bond measure will appear on the June 5th ballot. At $29 per $100,000 of the assessed property value, a Dublin home with an assessed value of $500,000 will have to pay an extra $145 per year. The new $99M measure is in addition to the $184M Measure C bond approved in 2004.
Dublin resident and taxpayer advocate George Williams has formed a group to oppose the DUSD’s latest tax levy. The following is an open letter from Mr. Williams:
The taxpayers in Dublin, CA are again being asked to tax themselves with another $99M School Bond. According to the District Superintendent, DUSD will “need” another $200 Million in the near future.
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