Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

News digest

Pleasanton elementary schools will participate in the International Walk to School Week from Oct. 5-8. Schools will hold morning celebrations for students and parents to enjoy refreshments hosted by the city beginning 30 minutes prior to the first bell.

"Walk to School Day will allow parents to spend time with their children and see how beneficial walking to school is for their children and their school," said Lisa Adamos, Economic Development Specialist with the city of Pleasanton. "It teaches the students safe walking habits and helps reduce traffic around the schools."

The annual event is part of Rides to School, Pleasanton's School Traffic Calming Program. Parent volunteers will help coordinate the refreshment parties, which will welcome the hundreds of walkers each morning.

Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation invites everyone to Party Palooza 2010, a series of special events to raise money plus spread the word about the foundation, which provides financial help to cancer patients for healing therapies not covered by insurance.

Palooza launches tomorrow night with an International Food Flight as well as Under the Tuscan Sun, an evening of Italian food and bocce ball. Other events include Art Palooza with a trip to the De Young Museum; Comedy Night: Stand Up Against Cancer; Oktoberfest Car Rally; A Whole New You spa day; Bountiful Harvest Luncheon; and Abracadabra: A Magic Show for the Entire Family.

For a complete list of events, call (866) 862-7270 or visit www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org/palooza.

October is dedicated to stopping crime, and McGruff the Crime Dog will be at the Pleasanton Police Department from 3-5 p.m. today giving out crime prevention materials and other goodies in reusable Halloween bags. The quantities are limited and will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

The Pleasanton Police Department reported that crime is down both nationally and locally. On the national level, violent crimes have gone down since the 1990s with a 5.5% drop in violent crimes and a 4.9% decrease from 2008 to 2009 alone.

Police also said Pleasanton had its lowest crime rate in 22 years in 2009 but noted that preventing crime takes action from everyone. The city has more than 200 Neighborhood Watch groups, and the Police Department has nearly 30 volunteers, citizen and teen academies, D.A.R.E. and other outreach programs.