http://www.SanRamonExpress.com If it is local and useful, it is on SanRamonExpress.com. en-us Cinderella was there, as were elves and choirs, horse-drawn wagons, hot chocolate, lights twinkling and grand -– and of course Santa Claus. Several thousand San Ramon residents turned out to enjoy the festivities that surrounded the lighting of this year's 70-foot Christmas tree.]]> This week, college admissions advisor Elizabeth LaScala responds to reader questions. Sit down, prep your pencil and learn how contacting a school representative early will get your admission application an A+ in Doing College.]]> While others are running through stores, San Ramon Parks and Community Services wants people to start the Holiday Season with its annual San Ramon Bah Humbug 5K Run and Walk. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, December 4 at Bishop Ranch II.]]> Hospice Foundation of the East Bay will host an estate sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Dec. 3-4, at 3642 Crenna Ave., Concord. Items include fine antiques, antique furniture, lamps, European figurines, large tapestries, vintage X-mas, numerous tools, household items
and a yard brimming with garden statuary,
ornaments and much more. Proceeds to Benefit Hospice of the East Bay.]]> City of San Ramon and the San Ramon Historic Foundation present "Holidays on the Farm" at Forest Home Farms Historic Park and Glass House Museum located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Enjoy special holiday entertainment including "A Time to be Jolly" puppet show, Victorian ornament making, tractor rides and a visit with a Victorian Santa, tomorrow from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4. Call 973-3200. ]]> Start off the holiday season to a healthy start at the Bah Humbug! 5K Run/Walk starting tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at Bishop Ranch #1. Cost is $40. Participants will receive a holiday long sleeved T-shirt and goodies at the end of the race. Call 973-3200. ]]> Come experience the vivid photography of Kathy Boyd Little and meet her tomorrow night from 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery in the San Ramon Community Center, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Kathy uses a camera to paint with neon light creating images with brilliant saturation of color. This series of photographs are complemented by a set of local landscapes. Call 973-3372. ]]> Are you a baseball fan that is sad the season has ended? If so, we have three adoptable puppies named after famous baseball teams, so season can live on in your home! ]]> Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has partnered with a local courseware developer and Dougherty Valley High School by contributing $10,000 toward a one-of-a-kind pilot course in algorithmic geometry. ]]> San Ramon Valley merchants are taking their cues for the holiday season from John Jay, one of America's founding fathers, who said "Hope for the best, plan for the worst." Some retailers are more hopeful than others, though.]]> San Ramon's new plan to redevelop part of the city's north end met with opposition from business owners in that area from the moment it was unveiled. The plan, formally known as the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan (NCRSP), would zone the entire 295 acre parcel mixed use.]]> Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) is now the official winner of the Nov. 2 election that saw him gain a third term in office with a full 1% lead over his Republican challenger David Harmer.
]]> It's the stuff of special memories, but it all costs money. ]]> The San Ramon Chamber of Commerce has appointed Stewart Bambino as its president and chief executive officer. He has served as the Chamber's interim executive director since March 2010.
]]> Homes throughout the area are decking their halls in preparation for the American Association of University Women's (AAUW) holiday home tour.]]> 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.]]> George Rogers claimed winning lottery ticket worth $305,253.]]> Santa was often depicted beardless but has always been jolly, says Art Space writer John Barry contemplating Kris Kringle's roots. Our current image of Santa Claus comes from the Dutch "Sinterklaas," short for "Saint Nicholas," and was only popularized in the nineteenth century.
]]> It's been a complicated year for California High School teacher Randy Kinavey. The 37-year veteran English teacher was diagnosed with cancer, and took time off to be treated. Meanwhile, the 60-year-old was nominated for the Warren W. Eukel award by Cal high's PTSA president, Cynthia Byers, who also was the parent of one of his students.]]> The City of San Ramon is planning to renovate the landscaping in the medians on Bollinger Canyon Road between Cobblestone Drive and Ascension Drive.]]> San Ramon Valley Mormons recently selected Jared Stone as their new president to oversee the six congregations that make up the Danville California Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Combined, these congregations comprise more than 2,500 church members in San Ramon, Danville and Alamo.]]> Tomorrow, business owners will be treated to a free breakfast while they learn about what the city of San Ramon wants in the way of new development in the North Camino Ramon area. The NCRSP (North Camino Ramon Specific Plan) vision is for a blend of retail and housing, near new and current jobs.]]> It's no secret: Helping others feels good. As more people choose the holidays to give an extra bit of help to others, we asked nonprofit groups if we could print their wish lists for anyone who wants to play Santa for needy causes. The response was enthusiastic.]]> Chabad of Contra Costa joins thousands of Chabad centers across the globe that are staging public displays of the Menorah and its symbolic lights as part of its Chanukah outreach campaign.]]> No on Measure W advocate Phil O'Loane read a prepared comment at the City Council meeting last week, and San Ramon Observer Roz Rogoff analyzes his statements in her latest blog. "O'Loane was not reappointed to the Planning Commission, which he and many others attributed to his opposition to Measure W," she writes.]]> "Christmas Memories," a delightful exhibit of Christmases past in the Valley, opens at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley on Friday evening, following the Danville Tree Lighting. The exhibit has a display of trees from earlier eras -- the 1890s, 1930s and 1950s. Nestled under the trees are model trains, toys and keepsakes from these generations.]]> Relive an old-fashioned holiday by visiting Forest Home Farms Historic Park in December with no admission fee. The park will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first three Saturdays in December.]]>