Thousands celebrate at Vallejo's 155th parade

By TONY BURCHYNS/Times-Herald staff writer

"My mom and my daughter are in the parade," said Alves proudly, sitting by five family members on Sonoma Boulevard near Florida Street. The family arrived at 8:30 a.m. to find ideal parking, she said.

Alves' daughter, Crystal, was marching with Glen Cove Elementary School's crossing guards. The family's grandmother, Erlinda Carter, runner-up in a local Filipino charity group's beauty contest, was being driven in a car.

But the most exciting parade patron may have been Alves' 22-month-old daughter, Joanna.

"It's her first Fourth of July parade," Alves said as her youngest daughter gazed at the spectacle. "For her, it's special."

Thousands like Alves and her family took to city sidewalks to watch the parade, which started at 10 a.m. at Tennessee Street and Broadway and ended downtown at Georgia and Sacramento streets. The patriotic event was followed by live music and festivities at the Marina Green behind John F. Kennedy Library, the much-heralded Ducky Derby race, and fireworks at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and the waterfront in Benicia and Vallejo.

Fire and police personnel patrolled the city all day, but reported no problems during the parade and other public events before dusk. Meanwhile, police also patrolled a crowd of 23,000 people at Discovery Kingdom, where some patrons were removed from the park and arrested for public intoxication, Vallejo Lt. Abel Tenorio said.

Spectators enjoyed classic cars, dance troupes, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations and traditional Mexican horsemen that paraded down Tennessee Street, Sonoma Boulevard and Georgia Street.

"It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without a parade," said Gene Serex of Albany, who's been coming to Vallejo's Independence Day parade since the early 1980s to enjoy it with friends.

Vallejo postal worker Joy Stovall donned red, white and blue pants for the occasion. She said Fourth of July is one of her favorite holidays, adding it's a chance for Vallejo citizens celebrate unity and overcome hardships.

"It's a good time to gather together as a nation," Stovall said. "And it's a healthy thing for Vallejo. I'm seeing so much togetherness."

About 100 volunteers acted as parade marshals, said Robert Briseño, president of the Vallejo Parade Association. The nonprofit spent more than five months planning this year's event, he said.

After the parade, guests danced at the Marina Green to the patriotic sounds of Steve Logoteta's Orchestra and Jazz Band. A Vallejo Symphony Brass Ensemble concert followed. A celebration with giant puppets marked the 176th anniversary of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo's marriage to Francisca Benicia Carrillo. Vallejo puppeteer Michael Nelson designed the two puppets representing the couple.

At the waterfront, William Kim's Tae Kwon Do Center provided some lively demos after wowing parade watchers with kicks, spins and chops.

"We do it every year," said William Kim, whose students range from age 3 to adults. "The kids enjoy themselves. It gives them a great chance to show their technique to the crowd. But mostly, it's just a lot of fun for us."

When live music wrapped up, hundreds of Vallejoans huddled at the Mare Island waterfront for the 12th annual Great Vallejo Ducky Derby. The fundraiser pitted thousands of rubber duckies against each other in a 15-minute race.

With more than 6,000 tickets sold, the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce grossed more than $30,000, organizers said. After expenses are paid, the money will be used to buy dictionaries for local third-graders. The ducks were each assigned a number and the top three ticket-holders won prizes. Lisa Cox won a 2008 Chevy Aveo after placing first, but was absent when her name was announced. Jacob Rushing came in second and won a $2,500 savings account from U.S. Bank. Elsa Nafarrete took third, winning a Discovery Kingdom Experience for four.

Festivities continued at Marina Green until dusk with Askari Sowonde Productions presenting the Solano Youth Theatre, Gator Beat, Raven Fire, King David Reggae Band, Lolita Sweet and more on the main stage. Food venders served hundreds of pounds of barbecued beef, chicken, pork, teriyaki sticks and, of course, hot dogs.

In Benicia, families showed their patriotism at Thursday's Torchlight Parade followed by a picnic with hot food, live entertainment and an open-air market Friday at Benicia City Park. A colorful fireworks display at the First Street waterfront capped the day's events.

In Vallejo, residents gathered under the stars at the Mare Island waterfront to watch the sky explode, in what organizers said was one of the city's best fireworks shows ever.

Wells is key figure in young boy's life, and in organization

By RICH FREEDMAN/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 06/22/2008 08:20:06 AM PDT

He's a Big Brother. And has been since 2000.

"I was working at the Napa Chamber and met with the BBBS (Big Brothers/Big Sisters) staff to help them get the word out about the program in Napa," Wells said. "They were - and still are - in desperate need of mentors for their kids who were seeking 'Bigs.' I thought I could help them by getting involved."

Wells recalled hearing about Big Brothers when he was a kid, "but didn't have a clear understanding of what it was until I learned about the program from their staff."

Wells has had two "little brothers" in his eight years with the organization.

"Eric was my little brother for a few months before he and his mom moved up to the Redding area," Wells said.

"I was fortunate enough to be re-matched with Joseph a few months after that, and we've been matched for seven years now," he added.

Wells does what he can to support the BBBS, including involvement in the annual Napa Valley Comedy Night that's June 28 at the Napa Valley Opera House.

It's more than just raising money, said Wells, who lives in Vallejo. "Having fun, raising awareness for the organization, meeting with the other volunteers and staff who are involved in such a worthwhile cause," he said, ticking off several factors.

BBBS has been more than just an outlet for Wells' interest in helping young people.

"I first met my lovely wife, Ellie, while we were both serving on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters advisory board in Napa," Wells said. "She used to be a Big Sister."

While he obviously enjoys his responsibilities as a Big Brother, he would like to do more.

"Wanting the very best for my little brother but only having a limited amount of time to spend to encourage him about his potential future" is most frustrating, Wells said.

It's more than offset by the rewards, he added.

"There are many rewards, but I would say the most rewarding part is two-fold," Wells said.

"First, seeing the world from his perspective is a grounding experience and a nice change of mental pace from the constant demands of the business world. Second, feeling like I am making a small difference for the better for somebody's future is tremendously rewarding."

For Wells, it's no secret why he should be a Big Brother.

"In my case, I feel that impacting our local youth in some small, positive way will have exponential impacts on their lives and the lives of people they come into contact with," Wells said.

Article Launched: 05/30/2008 06:57:46 AM PDT

AB 2716 would require all employers to offer paid sick leave that would accrue and carry over to succeeding years.

Union leaders applaud the Assembly's vote while some business organizations say it's a terrible idea.

The Vallejo Chamber of Commerce has not yet taken an official position on the measure, but the California Chamber of Commerce opposes it as "unrealistic," said Vallejo chamber president Rick Wells.

"The California chamber says it's part of an ever-increasing number of costly mandates imposed on employers that can backfire against workers," Wells said.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

If it becomes law, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma's bill would make California the first state to require paid sick leave for every worker. The San Francisco Democrat's measure would allow the leave to be used for a personal illness, to care for a sick family member, or to recover from domestic violence or sexual assault.

The bill would impact all businesses, said Angie Wei of the California Labor Federation. Firms of 10 employees or more would be required to provide up to nine days leave annually, while smaller firms would need to provide up to five days.

Some local business owners say the measure's timing couldn't be worse.

"With everything going up, this extra cost would probably force us to raise prices," said Mengchhay Tran, owner of Vallejo's Front Room at the Wharf. "Flour has gone from $9 a bag to $40. Can I charge my customers 14 percent more? No. It's bad timing. It sounds good for the employees, though. If I were working for someone, I'd want it."

Tony LoForte, owner of Vallejo's Zio Fraedo restaurant, said while he's "not an ogre" and would like to offer paid sick leave to all his employees, a measure mandating it would hurt.

"We have so much turnover here, it would be hard for us," LoForte said. "It wouldn't be good for the small business owner, especially in this fragile economy."

Proponents say the bill would protect more than 5 million Californians about a third of the work force who are forced to choose between working sick or losing pay.

The National Federation of Small Business/California complained in a statement that the measure is "a multi-billion dollar job-killing mandate."

The Assembly approved the bill, 43-25, with no Republican support. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no public position on the matter.

• E-mail Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at RachelZ@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6824.

By Tony Burchyns/Times-Herald staff writer

Article Launched: 05/21/2008 06:58:16 AM PDT

Thirteen Franklin Middle School students, most of whom have perfect attendance records and 4.0 grade point averages, were awarded the tickets to this afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Franklin principal Michael David said.

One student from Turkey is seeing his first baseball game, David said. The student arrived two years ago unable to speak English but is now excelling in regular classes, David said.

Another student had disciplinary problems, but turned himself around, David said.

The reward for good work is meant to help change the school's image of devoting more attention to "bad students" than to good ones, David said.

Plagued with disciplinary problems, Franklin Middle School reflects other schools in the district, which overall has one of the Bay Area's highest suspension rates for violence and drugs, according to California Department of Education statistics.

"Usually, it's the bad students who get the attention," said David, who became principal last summer. "A lot of times, the best students are overlooked."

Earlier this year, school officials raffled iPods and gift cards to students with undamaged textbooks. More prizes are promised to students who finish the year with perfect attendance records.

With less money for counselors and support staff than affluent school districts, Vallejo's best students are often treated more like non-problems than celebrities, officials said.

"You have to use your resources for the students who need the most support," said Vallejo school district spokesman Jason Hodge. "Students who are the highest-achieving get overlooked."

Thanks to the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, which provided the free A's tickets, some of Franklin's hardest workers are getting the attention they deserve, Hodge said.

Vallejo Chamber of Commerce president Rick Wells said the tickets came from a longtime member who was looking for "worthy" recipients.

"We contacted the district thinking there are probably a lot of kids who are behaving well and attending school on time," Wells said. "If it does just a little bit of good ... it makes us feel we are contributing."