http://www.SanRamonExpress.com If it is local and useful, it is on SanRamonExpress.com. en-us Just before Josh Hart stepped into Thursday's California Public Utilities Commission meeting to join a group of people protesting PG&E's ongoing installation of SmartMeters, Hart sold his cell phone.]]> A lawyer for a wheelchair user who sued the Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. restaurant chain said Wednesday she hopes a ruling from a federal appeals court in San Francisco will lead to better facilities for disabled people. ]]> Local Pet Food Express stores, including the Danville location at 609 San Ramon Valley Blvd., are hosting dog wash fundraisers to help Contra Costa County K9 Bronco get a bullet-proof vest. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, Aug. 1. ]]> As students and teachers gear up for the start of classes Aug. 23, two elementary schools in San Ramon will see new leadership. The San Ramon Valley Unified School District board selected Barbara Mallon as the new principal at Twin Creeks Elementary and Nadine Rosenzweig as the principal at Live Oak Elementary. ]]> What makes a strong community leader? Well, I'm about to find out and share with you. As editor of the Danville Express and the San Ramon Express, I am joining 23 others in the Leadership San Ramon Valley class of 2011. ]]> With many families choosing again to grow their own food in a family garden, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is taking it back to the time of Victory Gardens with their latest exhibit. During World War II, home gardens lessened the pressure on the public food supply and indirectly aided the war effort. ]]> Meet Felix, a playful yellow Labrador with the most beautiful light brown eyes. Felix may be 4 years old but he looks and acts like a puppy. Felix is polite with most other dogs, but he does not care for cats. He weighs 65 pounds and loves to cuddle and go for long walks. ]]> Shortly after being sworn in, San Ramon's new Citty Attorney Sheryl Shaffner was called upon Tuesday night to give the staff report on the item to reconsider including rebuttal arguments in the ballot measure on the 2030 General Plan. ]]> By the end of the year, Camino Tassajara, one of the longest major thoroughfares in the area, will be less bumpy, safer for pedestrians and it'll be more high-tech. ]]> A golf outing to raise money in the fight against testicular cancer raised more than expected, according to organizer Bob Hammer. Hammer, who started the fundraiser "Have A Ball" six years ago out of his Danville garage, said the daylong event brought in $183,000.]]> In his most recent Art Space blog, writer John Barry explores truisms associated with art: beauty is in the eye of the beholder and art is anything you can get away with. What then is to be said when the beholding eyes are those of the general public and the 'piece' in question is a proposed temporary sound wall constructed on the west side of the Caldecott Tunnel's fourth bore? ]]> 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.]]> Some weather forecasters are saying this summer is the coolest in the San Francisco Area in 40 years. In San Ramon, Tuesday is expected to reach the mid to upper 70s with west winds of 5 to 10 mph. ]]> The California Department of Public Health is alerting consumers who have purchased prepackaged hummus salad, wraps and sandwiches to be aware that the products may be contaminated with a dangerous bacteria that can cause serious health problems.]]> A few weeks into the new fiscal year is a good time to take a look at the City's economic development, particularly the new budget, and see how the City of San Ramon is using funds to stimulate the local economy. This three-part series will explore topics such as the use of municipal dollars to the current economic climate and how it impacts residents. ]]> A townhome located at 185 Alamo Square sustained about $200,000 in structure damage and $50,000 in property damage Sunday afternoon. Adjacent units also sustained damage, which is estimated at $20,000 each. ]]> People voted with a cork Thursday night for rabbit terrine and a 2008 estate reserve zinfandel. It was part of the a night of food, wine and competition at the annual Taste of Terroir event that puts wineries and restaurants up to the challenge of creating the perfect paring. ]]> A man working underground at the Mustang soccer complex in Danville after a bucket containing concrete debris weighing about 100 pounds struck him in the head, according to a report from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.]]> Kids' Country campers came by the busload – literally – to Hap Magee Ranch Park for a day of fun in the sun. More than 100 kids covered the grass field playing games like kick ball, water balloon toss and hula hoop contest. Later on that morning, a magician came to wow the crowds of kids taking part in the Kids' Country summer camp. ]]> The Directors of the Dublin San Ramon Services District recently voted to increase sewer rates by about $40 a year for residential customers and raise the maximum "temporary" infrastructure charge from $18 every other month to $30 for residential water customers.]]> A few weeks into the new fiscal year is a good time to take a look at the City's economic development, particularly the new budget, and see how the City of San Ramon is using funds to stimulate the local economy. This three-part series will explore topics such as the use of municipal dollars to the current economic climate and how it impacts residents. ]]> Car windows across San Ramon were shot out last night by someone with a BB gun, police said. Sgt. Mike Boehrer said windows in about 20 cars were shot overnight.]]> Brothers Garrett and Kyle Weiss came back from the 2006 World Cup in Germany with a goal. They'd been impressed by the dedication of fans from Angola, and the two teens from Monte Vista told their parents they wanted to build soccer fields in Africa.]]> Although Rett Syndrome is one of thousands of genetic disorders, it is one of four that was able to be reversed in a lab. In 2007, researchers found a way to reverse it in lab mice, giving hope to many, such as the Nues family of Danville, whose daughter Katie was diagnosed in 2003. Yet, without funding, research to safely replicate it in humans needs more research. This is why Paige Nues is hoping to win a $250,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Everything project.]]> A few weeks into the new fiscal year is a good time to take a look at the City's economic development, particularly the new budget, and see how the City of San Ramon is using funds to stimulate the local economy. This three-part series will explore topics such as the use of municipal dollars to the current economic climate and how it impacts residents. ]]> California's jobless rate continued to show very slight improvement in June, dropping another 0.1 percent to 12.3 percent, according to a report issued today by the state Employment Development Department.]]>