Archive for category Pleasanton

Hollywood Video in Pleasanton Closing

This past weekend I was in Hollywood video and overheard the cashier telling a customer that the store would be closing. I didn’t surprise me, as competition from Netflix and online streaming movies must be pretty stiff. The main problem with the old-fasioned movie rental stores is that people have busy lives and avoiding late fees is next to impossible. And people hate paying late fees.

A couple of weeks ago my dog chewed up the box for a Hollywood rental DVD I left sitting on the coffee table. The DVD was fine and the cover paper was ok, so I figured I’d return it, they could pop it in a new box, and bill me for the box if they felt like it. That day I received a call on my cell phone from Hollywood video while I was shopping at Safeway. The employee informed me that I would be charged for the DVD I “destroyed.” I asked if they couldn’t just put it in another box since the DVD was ok. He said, no, I would have to pay for the whole thing.  No big deal I said, but told him in that case I’d like to keep the DVD, and asked how much it would be. He replied that I could have the DVD after I paid for it, and couldn’t look up the price until I came into the store.

About a week later my wife went info the store and tried to pay for the DVD. Instead, the cashier put the DVD and cover paper in another box and returned it to the shelf.

The moral of the story could be that in these economic times inconsistent customer service won’t cut it. However I see Holywood Video as more of a company struggling just to keep it’s head above water, and they probably did the best they could with what they had. Sure, they could have addressed the “late fee” issue more proactively. Netflix has been around for a long time, and other companies, like Blockbuster, were able to do a better job of coming up with similar programs. In the end, it’s not really a surprise though. I just wonder what business will take it’s place in the shopping center? Any ideas?

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Almost 1000 DUI Arrests in First Week of Holiday Crackdown

Law enforcement has been busy this holiday season kicking off it’s annual 17-day winter crackdown on drunk driving. The program, which covers 9 counties in the bay area and includes 125 law enforcement jurisdictions, has seen a drop in arrests compared to last year.

Alameda County law enforcement agencies made 352 DUI arrests in the first week in the program, which is by far the most arrests made within a Bay Area County.

DUI Lawyers Pleasanton
Walnut Creek DUI Lawyers

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The Cocktail Monkeys - Pleasanton Downtown Free Concert in the Park

The Cocktail Monkeys rocked downtown Pleasanton tonight with their hard-edged brand of danceable rock. Best show so far this year!

From The Cocktail Monkeys

I am personally accused by the spokeswoman for the Pleasanton Downtown Association of placing tarps, rocks and nails on the lawn.

From The Cocktail Monkeys

The Cocktail Monkeys Rock The Park

From The Cocktail Monkeys

From The Cocktail Monkeys
From The Cocktail Monkeys

Lead Singer of The Cocktail Monkeys

From The Cocktail Monkeys

Bass Player for the Cocktail Monkeys

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Pleasanton Music in the Park with The Cool Tones

Friday, June 5th, 2009 - Lion’s Wayside Park, Pleasanton, California.

The Cool Tones entertained a packed park on Friday, with their family-friendly brand of big band swing.

Pleasanton Music in the Park with the Cool Tones

Pleasanton Music in the Park with the Cool Tones

Pleasanton Music in the Park with the Cool Tones

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Pleasanton Web Design Services

Time for a bit of self-promotion - it’s my blog after all. Pleasanton Web Design Company - TP Designs creates Websites for businesses in the Bay Area, and is based in Pleasanton. In fact most of my current customers either reside, or do business in Pleasanton. If you have a project in mind, give me a call at 925 485-0050, and we can discuss it. If downtown is convenient for you, I prefer to meet at Tully’s (free internet), but can do Starbucks near Ruby Hills if you are in that part of town.

Here are some of the services I have to offer:
Web Design
Print Design
E-Commerce
Search Engine Optimization and Promotion

I’m currently working on a new website that details and demos the most popular web applications, so I can show you how to get up and running within your budget and time frame. I’m not a salesman, so if you’re impressed by slick talk and pie in the sky, I might not impress you. I do know how to get the job done, so if that’s your goal, give me a call of visit my Bay Area Web Design site.

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Pleasanton Free Concerts in the Park Start up for 2009

Free Concerts on Friday evening are a summer tradition in Pleasanton. They are put on by the Pleasanton Downtown association and sponsored by various Pleasanton Businesses. The concerts are held at Lions Wayside Park, at First and Neal Street.

The first concert was held Friday, May 29th, and the last will be held on September 4th. Check out the Pleasanton Pulse Events Calendar for acts and starting times. The music is kid and senior friendly, so it’s fun for the whole family.

Here are some tips to help you better enjoy your concert experience.
1. Get up early on Friday, run by the park and throw down a blanket and some chairs. Don’t be a hog. This is how it’s done, so don’t feel bad about reserving your spot, because these concerts are packed.
2. Bring dinner. Come a little early and share dinner with your family.
3. Don’t drink too much. There are children here and no one likes a public drunk. And the Pleasanton Police are watching.
4. Have dessert at the Creamery on Neal. Everyone likes soft-serve ice cream.
5. Enter the drawing put on by the Pleasanton Weekly. You could win.

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Pleasanton Police Out in Force Prior to Memorial Day

Possibly due to increased funding for the “Click It of Ticket” program, Pleasanton police appear to be increasing patrols prior to the Memorial Day Holiday. Pleasanton Police do a great job of keeping our streets safe, and hopefully this increased presence will make those intoxicated would-be drivers think twice.

Edit 5/26/09 - Source - Pleasanton Weekly

DUI Arrests the week prior to the Memorial Day Weekend
May 16 - 5:44 PM - 5500 Block of West Las Positas Blvd
May 19 - 11:06 AM - Intersection of Fairlands and West Las Positas
May 21 - 12:29 AM - Intersection of Valley and Quarry Lane
May 22 (Friday) - 9:44 PM - 7900 Block of Kentwood Way
May 22 (Friday) - 11:32 PM - 4200 Block of Silver Street

Next week we’ll see the figures for DUI arrests over the Memorial Day Weekend in Pleasanton.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Pleasanton, check out the Pleasanton DUI Lawyer website of O’Connor, Runckel and O’Malley. They are former prosecutors and a superior court judge and offer free consultations.

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2009 UPA California High School Ultimate Championships in Pleasanton

The tournament took place at Donlon Elementary School and at Harvest Park Middle School in Pleasanton CA on April 25 - April 26, 2009. There are pictures of the 7th Place Game, played on Sunday at 1:30 PM.

Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Final Score:
Gunn High School (Palo Alto) - 15
Foothill High School (Pleasanton) -  12

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

Ultimate Championships - Gunn High School vs Foothill High School

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Pleasanton E-Waste Collection Event at the Fairgrounds

Have an old TV, monitor, computer or other electronics that you want to get rid of responsibly, yet inexpensively. Well, then the annual FREE E-Waste Recycling Event held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds is for you!

Where?
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Avenue
Gate number to be announced.
Pleasanton, CA 94523

When?

Friday April 17th 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday April 18th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday April 19th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

This event is put on by Electronic Waste Management. For more information, visit their website at http://noewaste.com/calendar/event-display.php?7

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Pleasanton Bike and Hiking Trails

Here’s a list of bike and hiking trails that are available for you enjoyment in Pleasanton, California:

Paved Trails
The Centennial Trail (Alamo Trail)
Iron Horse Trail
Bernal Trail

Unpaved Trails
Arroyo Mocho Trail
The Preserve Area Trails
Centennial Trail (Arroyo de la Laguna Trail)
Pleasanton Canal Trail
Arroyo Del Valle Trail
Augustin Bernal Trail
Callippe Preserve Trail

For map with access points Click Here (PDF)

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