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Couple's Net
by Chandrama Anderson
Is Watching Porn Considered to be Cheating?
Jan 21, 2022 | 5 comments

Doing College
by Elizabeth LaScala
How to Write an SOP
Jan 21, 2022 | 0 comments

Tim Talk
by Tim Hunt
McNerney hangs it up after eight terms
Jan 20, 2022 | 14 comments

Art Space
by John A. Barry and Bill Carmel
But Is It Art?
Apr 26, 2021 | 1 comment

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"Godbeams Over Danville"
This image was taken just at daybreak from a hillside on the west side of the 680 fwy. The sun is low on the horizon causing the sun beams to be filtered by the clouds producing expanding "godbeams" over the town of Danville. This image won best of show in the recent Tri-Valley Photo contest. Submitted by Richard Valenti on Jan 24, 2014

Livermore Arts presenting 'Pandemania Days'
From the first mandated shelter in place day on March 17, 2020, through the official lifting of restrictions on June 15, 2021, artist Elizabeth Addison publicly posted her daily artwork and writing as a new series, "Pandemania Days." Wednesday, 4:19 PM

Broadway comes to the Bankhead
Livermore Arts has two New York musical acts coming to the Bankhead Theater -- Jeremy Stolle on Jan. 21 and the Queen's Cartoonists on Jan. 26. Monday, 3:41 PM

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Open Mic Night
The San Ramon Valley Diversity Coalition is inviting members of the public to an open mic event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at city hall in San Ramon. Wednesday, 8:29 PM

Garden club featuring royal gardens
Livermore-Amador Valley Garden Club members and guests will learn about some famous English flower shows and gardens at their Jan. 13 meeting on Zoom. Wednesday, 7:26 PM

GUEST OPINION: California can’t isolate itself, try as it might
Californians have often seen themselves as separate from the rest of the United States. That tendency, or conceit, manifests itself in unique policies whose advocates contend will position the state as a leader of global stature. Tuesday, 4:32 PM | 1 comments

'Jake's Women' postponed
Due to rising COVID cases, Encore Players has postponed performance dates of "Jake's Women," the Neil Simon play originally set for Jan. 14-16 at the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore. Tuesday, 4:40 PM

Smothers Brothers, Al Franken shows postponed
Out of an abundance of caution, the Smothers Brothers and comedian Al Franken have postponed their upcoming shows at the Bankhead Theater. Thursday, 5:14 PM

Guest Opinion: California redistricting won’t change Democrats’ control
Superficially, California's politics seem poised for a big upheaval in this election year, but appearances can be deceiving. Much of it will be a game of musical chairs as politicians shift from one venue to another. Wednesday, 1:49 PM

Unique sound headed for Firehouse
We Banjo 3, a quartet based in Galway, Ireland, and Nashville, is coming to the Firehouse Arts Center at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26. Tuesday, 5:29 PM

Violins of Hope proclaim: Life is good
When master violinmaker Amnon Weinstein of Tel Aviv decided to share his collection of instruments that survived the Holocaust, to be played in concerts around the world, he named his organization Violins of Hope. Monday, 7:00 PM

Harrington Gallery reopens with watercolors
After being closed for the holidays, the Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse Arts Center will reopen Saturday, Jan. 8, with the California Watercolor Association's 52nd National Exhibition featuring works by its 85 premier painters. Sunday, 6:14 PM

Tribute to the Eagles
Eagles tribute act Midnight Flyer will perform at the Firehouse Arts Center. The Bay Area band, with a repertoire of more than 100 songs, recreates the music exactly as Eagles' fans remember it. Wednesday, 7:48 PM

Elvis legacy lives on
Firehouse Arts Center kicks off a new year with the return of Jim Anderson & the Rebels and their homage to Elvis Presley, 'Happy Birthday, Elvis,' on Jan. 9, the day after his 87th birthday. Tuesday, 7:50 PM

Valley Views: Christmases I have known
After last year's cancellation, 'The Nutcracker' is back. In 2016, we attended a performance of the ballet, and it became our special holiday tradition. With 7-1/2 decades behind me, I have experienced many types of Christmases... Sunday, 4:18 PM

Tri-Valley author McCarroll debuts first book in children's series
Growing up in Dublin and Pleasanton, Janet McCarroll was shocked and fascinated to learn that royalty existed in real life across the pond, not just fairy tales, when her mother told her about Princess Diana. Friday, 9:14 AM

Empower Empathy: Award-winning board game created by two Tri-Valley moms
To help children learn another important life skill -- empathy -- Angel Liang and her friend Tina Wong of Dublin have spent the last three years developing a board game called Empower Empathy in which the players work together. Wednesday, 1:41 PM

Young San Ramon Valley artists to display work in 'Impressions of Light'
More than a century after the rise of the French impressionists, local residents will be getting a crash course on the legacy of this movement, and its relevance to the present day, in an upcoming art exhibit in Danville. Thursday, 10:53 AM

Holiday Happenings 2021: Events help Tri-Valley community celebrate the season
This long Thanksgiving weekend ushers in the winter holiday season for people in the Tri-Valley. Here's our recap of special events for the holidays in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville now through New Year's Day. Friday, 11:32 AM

Tri-Valley author's crime and sci-fi stories make for a good read
Livermore writer John G. Bluck has released his latest short story volume, 'Florida Grand Theft & Other Tales,' with the same gutsy characters that pleased fans in his previous works. Friday, 4:00 PM

Staying Healthy: Tri-Valley author sees work-life harmony as a 'three-legged stool'
A study in selflessness, Reena Gupta's work has centered on helping others, and her personal life has been deeply affected by a strongly communal household and close family ties. However, Gupta does not advocate self-abdication. Sunday, 11:58 AM

'Lifetime' of inspiration: Pleasanton's Lauryn Marie releases new collection of songs
Lauryn Marie left last fall to attend college in Nashville, where she is majoring in songwriting and minoring in music business. She has just released her second EP, "Lifetime," a collection of five songs she wrote in her freshman year Thursday, 4:23 PM

California rugged: Diablo Range runs 150 miles down the state's center but is still little acknowledged
A mention of the Diablo Range in the Tri-Valley is likely to draw the response: 'What range? Do you mean Mount Diablo?' The range runs from the Carquinez Strait south through 12 counties for a total of 150 miles to the Antelope Valley. Sunday, 4:15 PM

Seniors Series: Film icons come to life for 2022 calendar
Cossette Sun, 83, had long been a fan of Audrey Hepburn, so when the call went out to Stoneridge Creek residents to portray Hollywood icons for a 2022 calendar, she was game. Friday, 1:44 PM

Valley Views: Movie theaters, where wrinkles loom large
I found it invigorating to see actresses I had watched for decades advancing into their mature lives alongside me. But the wrinkles! I've been enjoying movies on small screens at home so to see those lovely faces magnified was a shock. Sunday, 10:53 AM

Becoming Bob Ross: Emmy-winning makeup artist transforms local actor into famous TV painter
When late TV artist Bob Ross suddenly appeared in a Mountain Dew commercial this spring painting one of his iconic scenes, viewers were taken aback. He's actually portrayed by (a transformed) Bryan Mazzarello, who is from Pleasanton. Thursday, 2:14 PM

Valley Views: Alamo, prehistory to now
I poured over a new book, 'Historic Tales of Alamo, California' by Beverly Lane with Sharon Burke, which answered questions I'd had since buying a house off Livorna Road in 1981. For instance, where did the name Livorna Road come from? Sunday, 6:56 PM

Staying Healthy: Biking on Mount Diablo
Whether it's road cycling or mountain biking, Mount Diablo serves as a premier destination for bike riders both locally and throughout the Bay Area -- particularly among residents seeking outdoor refuge during the coronavirus pandemic. Friday, 2:33 PM

Danville students take second and third in DeSaulnier's Congressional Art Competition
Danville high school students Menglin Cai and Kaitlyn Yasumura received runner-up and second runner-up honors, respectively, in the Congressional Art Competition of California's 11th District. Sunday, 12:49 PM

Student filmmakers recognized at 'Be Reel!' video awards
A collection of aspiring young filmmakers from the San Ramon Valley were honored during the San Ramon Valley Street Smarts virtual “Be Reel!" video contest awards ceremony last week. Sunday, 2:37 PM

Eugene O'Neill Foundation announces 2021 Travis Bogard Fellows
Five artists have used the turbulent times to find inspiration and hone their crafts, efforts that have been rewarded by being selected for the Eugene O'Neill Foundation's prestigious Travis Bogard Artist in Residence Program. Friday, 10:51 AM

Pleasanton actress stars in new film, 'It's What's on the Inside'
'My character's inner struggle with her mental health and self-isolation is on full display in this film, and my hope is that it validates anyone going through similar struggles because they're not alone and there is hope,' she said. Sunday, 6:33 PM

Cancer battle shows Ballistic athlete's personal resolve, maturity