http://www.sanramonexpress.com If it is local and useful, it is on SanRamonExpress.com. en-us A fairly well-kept secret, a two-mile section of the Carquinez Scenic Drive between Martinez and Post Costa has become a haven for bicyclists and walkers. In Art Space, John Barry discusses quirky art on the trail -- which is slated to become a gravel path operated by the East Bay Regional Parks District next year. ]]> The man who killed the young woman whose body was left in a trash can beside a road in Pleasanton has been sentenced after pleading guilty to her death. Javier Sandoval, 35, was sentenced June 12 for the killing of Ana Flores-Pineda, 25.]]> San Ramon is down one candidate in the race for City Council as Parks Commissioner John Mills withdrew his bid for personal reasons. There are two available seats on the Council. ]]> Police are trying to track down the thieves who stole 11 go-karts from the Valley Christian Center in Dublin two weeks ago]]> In this week's Doing College, expert admissions advisor Elizabeth LaScala answers a reader's question about early college advising for driven middle school students. Creating a strong academic path, finding meaningful summer activities and easing the transition to high school are all benefits of early advising, LaScala writes.]]> Senior ditch day may be a longstanding tradition in local high schools, but every time a student misses school, whether it's an excused absence or not, it costs the district money.]]> The San Ramon Police Department provides San Ramon Express with a record of its calls each week. This is a sampling, omitting the more mundane, such as routine traffic stops, service requests, noise complaints and domestic disturbances. ]]> One of the biggest mysteries about the opera "Médée" by late 18th-century composer Luigi Cherubini is why its last few pages are blacked out with charcoal. For centuries the opera was performed incomplete, but X-Ray technology developed by scientists at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) has allowed them to uncover the hidden score. ]]> Planners from the Metropolitan Transportation Committee and Association of Bay Area Governments reviewed and discussed public comments on Plan Bay Area Friday morning. The four-hour meeting highlighted concerns and added new initiatives. ]]> Spend $1 to attend the Alameda County Fair on opening day plus $1 for rides -- which leaves money to spend on corn dogs, turkey legs and funnel cake. The Fair, in its 101st year, opens Wednesday and runs through July 7.]]> Having trouble getting your kids to eat their vegetables? Having a vegetable garden at their school might be enough incentive to kids eating healthier.]]> San Ramon police were scheduled to be part of a gun buyback program being sponsored by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. Now, they're not so sure. "We are not completely bought into this yet," said police Chief Scott Holder.]]> A dollar a voter. That's the voluntary campaign spending limit approved Tuesday night by the San Ramon City Council. The vote was unanimous, although Councilman Scott Perkins was not present.]]> The San Ramon Valley is hardly a Mecca or Jerusalem, but thousands of people make a pilgrimage here to see and be touched by a woman who's been called one of the 12 most influential contemporary religious leaders. Mata Amritanandamayi -- known as Amma or the hugging saint -- is in her ashram, the M.A. Center, in the hills just west of San Ramon.]]> Congratulations to the class of 2013 from California, Dougherty Valley and Venture high schools. The Express wishes San Ramons's 1,192 graduates well on their journeys ahead whether it be college, vocational school, the military, straight to work or a year off.]]> The Eye of Diablo is in serious disrepair after years of neglect. On June 11, repair crews removed the beacon from the summit building to begin renovation work in advance of the annual Pearl Harbor Day remembrance ceremony. ]]> A lack of vegetables, milk or exercise haven't stopped Marge Headley, who turned 100 years old last week. A world traveler, Headley said the secret to her longevity is a positive attitude.]]> Sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke and other heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States but patients who experience sudden cardiac arrest more than twice as likely to survive if that episode occurs in the San Ramon Valley. ]]>