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Torrico honors downtown businesswoman as 'local hero'
Leslie Braga praised for community service, involvement

State Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-20th) has honored local businesswoman Leslie Braga "for her tremendous contributions" to the community.

Braga owns and operates Leslie Marie Body & Skin Care on the second floor of 280 Division St.

Braga was one of seven individuals honored as "local heroes" in the 20th State Assembly District, and the only one from Pleasanton.

"At a time when much apathy exists around us, we take a night to honor these ordinary people who do extraordinary things," Torrico told 500 constituents at his second annual "State of the 20th Assembly District" address at the Newark Hilton Hotel.

Braga has been active in the Pleasanton Downtown Association and working with other merchants to improve downtown business and pedestrian traffic.

She has been doing massages for the last 18 years including the last nine years in Pleasanton. A day spa, the business features facials, body treatments, waxing and nails.

"A lot of places use a lot of equipment for the services they offer," Braga said. "My goal here is to be really hands on and treat each person individually, not by machine."

Braga has five employees and also has a retail store where customers can purchase facial and body cleansing supplies.

--Jeb Bing

Posted by Ron Fartsky, a resident of another community, on Jan 5, 2008 at 12:28 pm

I think this person deserves all the accolades she gets. You Go Girl!

Posted by JAC, a resident of another community, on Jan 6, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Unfortunately information in the article "local hero" is inoorrect. The address is 280 Division St., not the one mentioned above. The spa does not offer nail service. The comment that the spa offers hands-on service is very true. The reference to using equipment was only in comparison to spa's that offer types of machinery for workouts. There is no equipment of this type at this location other than necessary items for waxings, facials, etc. It is tuly hands-on. Anyone is welcome to pull up the website, Leslie Marie Body and Skin Care, to gather more information on this site. It is a delightful place to visit and one that you will enjoy.

Posted by Susie, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 7, 2008 at 8:25 pm

Best spa I have ever been to and Leslie is just terrific. She really cares about her clients.