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Pick your own fruit fresh from the tree!
Great thing to do early morning with your whole family!
Hercules Swim Center Grand Re-Opening July 6th. Click Here for more details.
Bay Area Children, Challenged by Homelessness Get a Brush of Hope
(Above image: "Presence" 38" x 44" Epson on Canvas Photography by Jojo Soriano. From one of a series of photographs taken in Kaua'i Island - to be auctioned off for the event.)
Artists, Community Leaders, Businesses and Art4Art organizers come together despite economy and creatively tackle Homelessness and Children through an Art Show and Silent Auction supporting DrawBridge.org
A benefit Artshow, Silent Auction and Raffle benefiting the Arts Program for homeless children from several Bay Area counties through DrawBridge.org will be held on April 17, 2009, Friday evening from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Hillside Community Center 1422 Navellier Street in El Cerrito, CA. ($10 Suggested donation)
Artists from all around the Bay Area and across the nation have been invited to donate works of art for the cause. "We have chosen DrawBridge.org to be the recipient of our efforts because of the wonderful works they've done with children in the Bay Area." says Jojo Soriano, Community Services Commissioner for the City of Hercules, and one of the organizers of the event. "We're urging community folks, City Council members of the West Contra Costa County region, businesses AND artists to come to the event, donate works of art, services, products for drawing, or simply attend and view works of art, have fun, food and wine! My friend from the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Malaga Smith, Board member has donated her services to be raffled off at the event. Sonia Rivas from the City of San Pablo is donating her photographs, La Strada of San Pablo is donating food, Cheri Soriano Escalante of Hercules is donating her decorating and floral services, and I'm donating one of my favorite Kaua'i photography enlargement on canvas - all to benefit the homeless kids in the Bay Area" added Soriano, a Realtor and marketing director of SEEDesign. "Most importantly, we’re hoping that people from the West Contra Costa County region will connect with DrawBridge.org, the organization that utilizes art to transform the challenges that these homeless children face - and help them along the way!" added Soriano.
According to Drawbridge.org, "The average age of a homeless person in America is nine. An estimated 44,000 children in 66,000 Bay Area families were homeless in 2005. Homeless children commonly experience loss, anger, depression, hopelessness, and isolation. These emotions have an overwhelmingly negative impact on children. Ideally, increased support would be provided during this time, but the reality is that there are few outlets for the emotional needs of children in shelters. Shelters focus on the survival needs of parents. Parents are unable to provide the extra support needed by their children because their own emotional resources are depleted in a time of crisis.
The children, sensing the parents' stress, often subjugate their own needs. At school, homeless children often begin a cycle of poor performance that has severe long-term effects.
Through art, children can release the build-up of potentially destructive emotions. The nonjudgmental and loving support of the DrawBridge staff enables the children to rebuild a sense of control and self-worth. Trained facilitators use art to transform self-hate into self-respect, violence into compassion, and powerlessness into active participation.
The children put into images feelings they are unable to speak. Slowly, their stories emerge and their voices are heard. The art facilitator is then able to begin a much needed process of communication between the child and their parents, shelter staff, the schools, and the larger community. DrawBridge reaches hundreds of children in shelters each year."
For more information about DrawBridge, please visit their web site at DrawBridge.org.
The organizers, art4art Team is still accepting works of art for auction and products or services for raffle; please e-mail art4art@comcast.net to donate or for more information!
Tsushima Bridge and John Muir Parkway Now Open
October 28, 2008 - Hercules, CA City Council, staff, contractors and residents celebrated the grand opening of Tsushima Bridge and the first phase of John Muir Parkway. Residents who live near Tsushima Street are encouraged to use the new passage which provides easy access to Interstate 80 and Highway 4. Since many drivers will take this new route, the bridge and parkway are expected to bring much needed traffic relief at the intersection of Sycamore and San Pablo.
Approximately 50 people walked across the new bridge to enjoy cookies and punch after the ribbon cutting ceremony which took place on the south side of the bridge. To see more photos of the event, click here
Proclamation by City Mayor Joanne Ward & Council Members for Citizen of the Year (Jojo Soriano), Youth of the Year (Cynthia Wang), and More!
April 22, 2008 -- Hercules, CA. Mayor Joanne Ward and City Council members presented the city proclamation for Citizen of the Year Award to Jojo Soriano, this year's recipient of the award by the Hercules Chamber of Commerce. Jojo Soriano was instrumental in the forming of the Hercules Farmers Market which is entering its second year in existence at the Creekside Shopping Center. During the Hercules Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner Banquet, Dr. Gabe Respicio of Optometry by the Bay gave a witty introduction of Jojo Soriano as he accepted the award and gave his acceptance speech. Jojo Soriano has been actively involved with several community events and fund-raisers and various business events and networking he has founded and organized including the Dynamic Referral Group, a BNI (Business Networking International chapter in which there are 70 chapters in the Bay Area, and hundreds more worldwide).
"Dr. Victor Kerenyi of the Hercules Wellness Center and President of the Chamber Board broke the news to me one morning," says Jojo. "I was organizing a group of business owners to join me at a business function the day of the Awards Banquet, and Dr. Kerenyi warned me that I needed to keep the date open as I will be the recipient of the award! Receiving an award such as this only propels me to be more creative and productive!" says Jojo Soriano.
A few months after Katrina hit, Jojo Soriano received a commendation from both Governor Arnold Swarzenegger and Senator Tom Torlakson for his and his marketing company's (SEEDesign.com) effort to help families and victims of Katrina reunite through a web site SEEDesign.com created which pulled together lists of online web portals to help reunite families at that catastrophic event shortly after Katrina hit. In 2002, he joined a number of politicians at the Vacaville prison to reachout to AIDS stricken inmates during the National AIDS Day. Jojo had traveled across the United States, Europe and Africa. He had visited World Vision relief projects in West Africa, and he had shown the JESUS FILM to the remotest Nomadic Tribe of Northern Kenya, Africa. Equipped with a power generator, Jojo and 2 of his team mates and an interpreter took on a short-mission trip to the nomads in hopes of sharing compassion and kindness to those who may not have heard. "I slept in a mud and cow-dung hut in the middle of nowhere among the Samburu tribe of Kenya. It was an experience I will never forget," added Jojo Soriano.
This year's Youth of the Year award goes to Cynthia Wang and a Special Recognition Award goes to Dr. Guy "Zak" Zakrevsky, principal of the Hercules Middle/High School. All three awards recipient were at the City Council Chambers to receive the city proclamation. This year's Business of the Year award goes to Victor Manrique of Coldwell Banker. V. Manrique was unable to attend the evening's event. Special recognition plaques and certificates were also presented to each recipients from the Hercules Chamber of Commerce, Contra Costa Supervisor Gayle Uilkema, Senator Tom Torlakson, Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier and Congressman George Miller. "Suitable for framing," says Supervisor Gayle Uilkema as she handed out the certificates to each of the recipients. Congratulations to all four recipients of this year's Hercules Chamber of Commerce's Awards Ceremony!
City of Hercules Community Update
On Saturday, April 26, 2008, the City of Hercules hosted a Community Update event from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Hercules Community/Swim Center. Over 300 residents (excluding children, staff, and presenters) attended the event to learn about various projects, programs, and planning in Hercules. An agenda and map of the city was given to each attendee. The map shows the locations of the current and future projects the city is working. The event opened with a welcome from Mayor Ward followed by a 20 minute presentation by Steve Lawton.
City Manager Oliva then closed the presentation by discussing the fiscal realities of the City. For the remaining hour and fifteen minutes attendees visited display tables to ask questions of the different representatives. Some of the content that was offered at the event is hyperlinked below.
To learn more about the topics and projects that were discussed at the Community Update, please click here:
Zin is a Zin! Or is It? Zinfandel Festival, Fort Mason San Francisco
January 24, 2008 -- San Francisco, CA
Rain or shine, it's going to be a Zin-full week at Fort Mason in San Francisco. It started Wednesday, and Thursday evening Jan. 24th, Fort Mason's Herbst Pavilion was packed with people holding wine glass and food plate during the events "Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing." Wineries were paired up with a food purveyor from all over the Bay area. "We've been pouring Zin at this event for over 13 years now! And every year, it gets better and bigger all the time! It's fun to watch people. Saturday is the big event! If you think tonight is crazy, wait until Saturday. Tonight, there are quite a number of wineries here from small family-owned wineries to the big producers, they're here," according to a winemaker from Healdsburg, CA. David, a local San Francisco resident brought his two friends - all ZAP members (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers). "This is our second year, and what a great way to spend your bucks sampling chef's tasty morsels paired with a glass of Zin. One of my favorites is the strawberries dipped in chocolate paired with Zin Port dessert wine! We're definitely going again next year, and we will not miss this Saturday's Zin tasting!" In fact, there were about 40 wineries at Thursday evening's event, and this Saturday, word has it that 200 wineries will be pouring Zins for a packful of people in two big buildings starting at 1:00 p.m. for ZAP members and 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. for the general public. For more information, and for ticket sales, visit www.Zinfandel.org/festival/ or simply click the image above.
New Year's Eve Gala in Hercules
Dec. 31st, 2007, Hercules, CA -- What an evening of celebration at the Hercules Community Center! The City of Hercules & Fil-Ams of Hercules hosted for the very first time, the New Year's Eve Gala attended by over 200 people! Fil-Ams and city staff worked diligently to put on this gala event chaired by Cheri Soriano-Escalante, owner of Bride's Eye View - event planning and florist, member of the Dynamic Referral Group (BNI) of Hercules. "It took a lot of hours and manpower to put on this type of event, and it turned out to be a great success! There was a 93-year old guest that really touched my heart it was great seeing her dance and just having a great time! She's an inspiration - and I wish my Mom would grow old and vibrant as this woman is." Cheri donated her time and event expertise along with the other Fil-Ams of Hercules officers including the former Mayor Ed Balico (Fil-Ams Board of Director) and his wife Evelyn, former Mayor Frank Batara (Fil-Ams President) and his wife Didi, Planning Commissioner chair Myrna De Vera (Fil-Ams Treasurer), Jojo Soriano (Fil-Ams PRO) Community Services Commissioner Vice Chair, Chita Torres (Fil-Ams Vice President), and the other officers and volunteers including Mindy Niualiku, City Staff. All worked together to welcome in the New Year! Five TYC (Teen Youth Council) delegates attended - and each one shared the positive experiences they gained by being in the TYC. "TYC helped us become active members of the community, helped us prepare for college entrance and the possibility of a future involvement in city council," said one of the TYC delegates. The event was a fund-raiser to help fund the newly built Hercules Teen Center programs.
Emceeing the event was Jojo Soriano, Fil-Ams Public Relations Officer, President and founder of the Dynamic Referral Group (BNI of Hercules). "It felt really good to see multi-generations represented at this event. There are kids dancing around and seniors doing ballroom dancing, and teen-agers dancing and enjoying the various musical genres performed by the live band Tradewinds and DJ Marc Escalante. "The nurturing part of me is very happy right now - our community folks are right here in the center enjoying the party, the 10-course buffet dinner, the music, and each other! " And, we don't have to drive miles away to get back home since most of us live in this neighborhood! For me, if any one of these folks is kept from harms-way during this party-driven event of the year because they chose to be here in their community and not elsewhere, then all the hard-work, all the hours of preparation, meeting with Fil-Ams and city Staff, hours of creating the marketing materials and publicity, grocery shopping, talking on the phone, selling tickets, decorating, etc., etc., all the hard work, is well worth it."says Jojo Soriano.
Jojo greeted the guests and introduced the band to perform the National Anthem followed by an invocation by Father Larry Young of St. Patrick's church in Rodeo. Frank Batara, Fil-Ams president greeted the guests and introduced the councilman Ed Balico, Mayor Joan Ward, Vice Mayor Joe Eddy McDonald and City Manager Nelson Oliva. In less than 2 months, Fil-Ams put this event together to help fund the programs within the Hercules Teen Center!" says Nelson Oliva. He and his wife Valerie participated in the plannning of the event.
DJ Marc Escalante kept dancing feet on the floor with his years of DJ experience - and it really shows. The music flowed well with the momentum building after each song! The countdown held everyone's anticipated welcome of the New Year - and people hugged, kissed, and wish everyone "Happy New Year!"
Documenting the community event once again is our photo-journalistic photographer Lilian Cruz of gigglestudio.com, another member of the Dynamic Referral Group (BNI of Hercules) donating her services. She took about 300 shots of the event. People can order online and all the proceeds go towards the Hercules Teen Center. So folks, view your photos - the images you'll see are low resolution. Keep in mind that Lilian has high resolution version of the images for enlargement on paper or canvas! To order, simply go to her web site
www.gigglestudio.com
Username: nygala
Password: hercules08
"To all who participated, thank you on behalf of Fil-Ams of Hercules and the City of Hercules! We hope you had a great time, and we hope to see you again at the next New Year's Eve gala! And may the New Year opens doors, sparks creativity, brings good health and great relationships!" Jojo Soriano
Thank you to the following:
Organizers
City of Hercules & Fil-Ams of Hercules
Corporate Sponsor
Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios, Inc.
Marketing & Advertising Sponsor
Jojo Soriano, Realtor, GRI, e-Pro
SEEDesign.com
Nelson Oliva, City Manager
Mindy Niualiku, City Staff
Greg Dwyer, Recreation Manager
Janine Shaheed, TYC Coordinator
Teen Youth Council
Fil-Ams Officers
GiggleStudio.com
Malaga Smith
CTSigns Plus
Valerie Oliva
Horizon Beverage
DJ Marc Escalante
Tradewinds
Rafael's Catering
Brando & Suzzette Romero
Cheri Soriano-Escalante of Bride's Eye View, Event Chair
Tickets/Promo Cards Distribution
Big Lots
Choko's Cuisine
Downey Savings
El Sol Restaurant
Shinsen Sushi
Happy Wok
Hunan Villa
Lucky's
NorthShore Dental
Optometry by the Bay
Prudential California Realty
Radston's Office Supply
Safeway
Mechanics Bank
UPS Store
Living in Hercules
Welcome to Your Community Web Site
Click here to view the Career Day online photo gallery!
May 23, 2007 Hercules, CA
Several Herculean businesses, professionals and city officials participated in the Hercules Middle/High School1s Fourth Annual Career Day as speakers to students about their professions. Among those that participated were Hercules City Manager Nelson Oliva, Tom Dalby of Hercules Police and many others including four members of the Dynamic Referral Group of Hercules: Lilian Cruz who photo-documented the entire event, Dr. Neera Puri, Psychologist Coach, Gabe Respicio of Optometry by the Bay, and Jojo Soriano of Soriano Executive Realty.
"We realize business community members are an integral part in helping our students to dream and visualize the career opportunities before them, connecting them to their future." says Lynda Cartwright, HMHS School-To-Career Coordinator.
"I was impressed with how organized and accommodating the faculty and students were. From pulling into the parking lot, to sitting down with two faculty member during the wonderful buffet lunch, I felt truly welcomed and appreciated." says Gabe Respicio of Optometry by the Bay. "The dialogue with students - especially some of the graduating seniors - was priceless. As we discussed many aspects of my Optometric profession, I was impressed with the realization that these students are more-than-capable leaders of tomorrow. Weeks from their commencement exercises, I could see in their eyes the pride of what they've accomplished, and the excitement of a future full of boundless potentials."
"It was truly a joy to be able to contribute to the younger generation of our community in this manner" says Jojo Soriano, Realtor and Web Designer. "The students were polite, attentive and very curious. I was happy that I was able to show them samples of my photography, graphic design portfolio, web design, and also talked to them a little bit about integrating everything that I've learned to market homes as a realtor in Hercules. I challenged the students to think about their intended audience and the message that they are to deliver. Web sites and print graphics both have their strengths and limitations. I pointed out the differences in the way their intended audience might receive the message, and really challenged them to know their audience. College/University life is fun - it gives you a more well-rounded outlook in life. I challenged them to be their own leader in their chosen profession." This was Jojo Soriano's first Career Day.
There were approximately 35 students per 40-minute session assisted by a teacher. Each presentation included: what you do, working conditions, educational requirements, salary projections, career outlook, career pros and cons, and the connection between your profession and educational goals.
If you or someone you know wants to participate in the next Career Day, please e-mail the following information to your community web site's sponsor: your name, profession, and contact information.
The Next Top Model Does Cat-Walk in Hercules
April 29th - Hercules, CA
Teen Youth Council of Hercules produced the 6th Annual Pre-Mother's Day Fashion Show event at the Community Swim Center Sunday afternoon. It was a fun event organized by the Teen/Youth Council and facilitated by Janine Shaheed, TYC Coordinator and leader of this group of creative and energetic teen-agers. Keeping them in line, organized, behaved, creative and productive, seems like an easy task for her, after all- Janine is a leader and a trooper. "Someday, these kids will reminisce to this very event and talk about the fun they'd had doing the skits, the fashion show, the "commercials" the dance steps and everything else they came up with during this event," says Jojo Soriano, Community Services Commissioner of Hercules as he made announcements during the event.
There were music, fashion show (casual wear, sports wear, sleep wear, business attire, etc) skits depicting teen scenarios with moral lessons, reminders about healthy diet, recycling, and even teen-age issue with annoying pimples. The show was indeed a great success. It was attended by the parents of the participants, friends and other family members, as well as the Mayor of Hercules Ed Balico, Vice Mayor Joanne Ward, and Community Services Commissioner, Jojo Soriano.
There were raffle items donated by the members of the Dynamic Referral Group of Hercules, with a grand prize winner picked out by Mayor Ed Balico shortly after the event ended. Grand Prize winner will receive GiggleStudio.com's large 20 x 24" portrait photography on canvas printed and framed which will be announced in the community web site www.LivingInHercules.com.
GiggleStudio.com's photographers were present documenting the event which will be posted online. Lilian Cruz, owner and the main photographer of GiggleStudio.com, Jojo Soriano, Realtor, and Cheri Soriano, Event Planner have graciously donated their time and resources for the fund raiser portrait photography which generated some money for the TYC. A large set-up with backdrop and flower arrangement donated by From the Bird's Eye View, an event planner owned by Cheri Soriano enticed attendees to sit for a portrait photography - all for the raffle ticket of only $5. Other items were raffled off including Chiropractor Dr. Victor Kerenyi's Tempurpedic Pillow, Jae Park Acupuncture Session, Dr. Neera Puri's Coaching Session, From the Bride's Eye View's floral arrangement, Jojo Soriano's Hawaii gift package (Kona Coffee and Chocolate Cover Macademia Nuts), and of course, GiggleStudio.com's grand prize of large canvas printed and framed. All donors of the raffle are active members of the new group of local businesses called the Dynamic Referral Group of Hercules.
The final raffled item was a bunch of Dried Lavender personally purchased by Jojo Soriano at the San Francisco Farmer's Market. With the show of hands, Jojo Soriano asked how many are planning on attending the Grand Opening of Hercules Certified Farmer's Market on May 5th, Cinco de Mayo at the Creekside Center between 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - and almost all raised their hands!
Janine Shaheed was tearful as Joanne Ward, the Vice Mayor presented her with a bouquet of flowers (donated by From the Bride's Eye View) and as her team of fun-loving and aspiring fashion models, artists, singers, and entertainers - and some of our future doctors, lawyers, politicians, and creative and productive work-force, gave her a big applause and a big thank you for leading these kids. Half-way through the event, Jay Fort, former Youth Commissioner of Hercules, took over the spotlight as he naturally entertained the crowd with his funny cat-walk, sampling of his music, and just his natural ability to host such an event. The word "shy" is not in this kid's vocabulary! Leasha Fort, his mother sat across the hall as she watched her son Jay just do his thing out there.
"Sitting from the back row of chairs and several feet from the runway of the fashion show, my sister Cheri Soriano and I were having fun identifying the parents of the kids doing the cat-walk on the runway. When the kids walk by the runway, it was easy figuring out who the parents are. It's usually the group of folks taking lots of pictures and video with a big grin on their faces. It was all fun to watch." says Jojo Soriano
Click Here to View the Slideshow of the Fashion Show!
Hercules Public Library Author Lecture Series:
"Real Women Scrap" by Tasra Dawson
 Hercules, CA -- April 17th, 2007 I attended my very first Hercules Public Library Author Series this week with a friend of mine that told me about it, Pamela Kimmel. She had seen the flier at her sister's home entitled "Real Women Scrap," and even though the title seem to focus on women scrapbooking, the idea intrigued me as a man, mostly as it involves the concept of creativity, story-telling, and doing something to provide a very personal and memorable experience to anyone viewing a finished scrapbooking project. The guest author is Tasra Dawson, and her book "Real Women Scrap" and "Lessons from the Scrapbook Page." Tasra is a full time author, personal discovery coach, speaker, and mother. "Back in 2002 I was a single mom planning a wedding, moving out of state, beginning a new job, and trying to keep it all together. It was a late night visit to the emergency room for mysterious (stress-related) stomach pain that started the adventure I am currently living.
With doctor's orders to rest for two weeks, God finally had my undivided attention and I began to reconnect with myself, my family, and my faith. Most of the time I was too busy filling my life with noise, distraction, and stuff, but not anymore. Those two weeks were a time of refreshing, reconnecting and creativity. I began scrapbooking again and found that the lessons I applied to make award-winning pages were the same lessons I should be applying to my busy life.
Learning and applying the lessons of balance, focus, symmetry, boundaries, comparison, sisterhood, and more allowed me to quit a stressful job and begin taking care of myself at least as well as I take care of everyone else." says Tasra Dawson.
As she shared about her story and her work, I came to appreciate the message that she came to share with us in the Taraya Conference room: "slow down and smell the roses." Scrapbooking is one experience that is creative and allows us to spend time with ourselves, in total serenity, reflection, and gratitude. Gratitude in the experiences we share with our friends and loved ones that we scrapbook with - and gratitude as we layout the photos and memories of those who are dear to us. I wonder sometimes, what would the page look like as we layout the photos and memories of the ones who had inflicted pain, or had broken our hearts, or had challenged us in life - would it look as interesting, as colorful, as pretty? Perhaps not. I do hope that anyone who wish to challenge oneself to scrapbook a challenging or painful memory - would come away with the gratitude for the lessons and the teachings that such experience has given her or him. "Thank you for the gift," I say - to all our memories, good and bad, happy and sad - for they make us who we are today! And thank you Tasra, for your message, a reminder to each of us all, to slow down, spend time with our loved ones, and take each moment with gratitude. Thank you Hercules Public Library, for giving our community a wonderful program. -- written by Jojo Soriano
For more information about the guest author Tasra, please visit her web site at:www.realwomenscrap.com.
Auction 2007 to Benefit Hercules High School Athletic Program
Titan's Silent Treasures Auction - Raised Thousands of Dollars
Hercules, CA -- on Saturday March 24th,2007, hundreds congregated at the Hercules Community Swim Center to participate in the 4th Annual Silent & Live Auction for the Hercules High School Athletic programs, a tradition that many hope will continue for generations to come! Many families and members of the business community in and around Hercules have donated food, office supplies, auto tools, gardening, handmade items, baby stuff, clothing, pet items, housewares, beauty products, gift baskets, health practioners, art work, jewelry, autographed out of print books, DVDs, sports memorabilia, gourmet food, wine, travel and dining, cooking.dinner parties and hundreds of other items - all auctioned off to benefit the athletic programs at Hercules High School!If you missed this year's event,you've missed out - on the fun, the great food and wine, and experiencing the energy of a community gathering together for the benefit of our High School athletic programs. Click Here to View the Online Slideshow. |
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| Hercules, CA |
| Updated 10:53 pm EDT, 7/2/2009 |
 | Condition: Clear
Temperature: 66° F
Wind: WSW at 5 MPH
Visibility: 10 mile(s)
Humidity: 48%
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You can't write a song out of thin air. You have to know and feel what you are writing about.
-- Irving Berlin
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