July 26, 2004

Sunolian Carolyn Glass raised a whopping $3,105 for Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer on July 10-11, 2004 in San Francisco. Early morning opening ceremonies started at 5:00 a.m. in Golden Gate Park then these dedicated walkers trekked through the Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge and stopped in Sausalito for lunch, then it was back across the bridge to Chrissy field where they bunked down for the night. Carolyn was fortunate to have her tent located on the outside edge of the encampment so she had beautiful ocean view and an amazing foggy sunrise. Sunday morning called the walkers back to the Presidio then onto Golden Gate Park where closing ceremonies were held.

Carolyn said, "The people you meet there are the greatest people. You learn why they're walking, it's very powerful. Lots of people are cheering you on. There is one woman who is a breast cancer survivor and she is very inspirational to me. She plays a boom box that plays the song "I Will Survive" all day long and she cheers everyone along. When you get there its like stepping into a whole new world, you share your stories, everybody there has a story to tell and everybody is a listener. You cry together and you laugh together".

Carolyn's goal of $3,000 was surpassed this year by $105 so she has increased next year's goal to $3,500 and she is keeping her inspirational team name "Hacienda Angels of Hope". So named after the Senior Mobile Home Park in Pleasanton where she attends weekly Bingo. Carolyn would like to thank everyone in the community for their generosity and support.

I am sure most of you have noticed the recent closing of Sunol Blvd. at Koopman Rd. This temporary closure is due to road construction to make way for the Niles Canyon railway's new planned extension of tracks. This very exciting and historical event has been in the planning stages for sometime now and will offer railroad enthusiasts the opportunity to travel east of Sunol on 4 more miles of track. Pacific Locomotive Association representative Gary Dewees said there are two phases of this construction. During phase one the tracks will be placed across Sunol Blvd at what is called Hearst Siding and during the second phase the tracks will cross Sunol Blvd. at Verona Bridge. There will also be a special type of track insert to allow for bicycles to cross the road without getting their tires stuck in the track. Today also marks the beginning of railroad construction at Mission Blvd. in Fremont to allow the Niles Canyon Railway to cross into the quaint little district of Niles where they expect to be able to allow boarding by the end of the year. When all current track construction is complete the Niles Canyon Railway will be able to offer you a total of 12 miles of track.

Sunol residents and Fenestra Winery owners, Fran and Lanny Replogle must be beaming with pride over their recent win at the 2004 San Francisco Bay Wine Competition held during Alameda County Fair. Their Syrah and Proprietary Blend wines each won a silver medal and they won a bronze medal each for their Port, Syrah, Merlot, Dry Rose, White Riesling, Semillon, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Mourvedre, Petite Syrah, Pinot Noir and Alvarelhao wines. That's a total of 16 awards, very impressive!

Congratulations to Janet O'Laughlin and new husband Philip Gomes. Proud parents Jim and Pat O'Laughlin hosted the summer wedding at their home on July 31. Janet's sisters Chris and Colleen were attendants in the wedding party and childhood friend Lorie (Canaparo) Rueppel was matron of honor. The happy couple calls Brentwood their home.