News Digest News Digest (August 20, 2004)

Newspaper expansion

Embarcadero Publishing Co., which owns the Pleasanton Weekly and three papers on the peninsula, has purchased Marin County's Pacific Sun newspaper, it was announced this week.

Embarcadero Publishing was started in 1979 with the launch of the Palo Alto Weekly, which expanded to twice weekly in 1993. That year it also purchased the Almanac, which serves Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley. A year later it acquired the Mountain View Voice.

In an expansion move to the East Bay, Embarcadero Publishing opened the Pleasanton Weekly in January 2000. It now has a circulation of 18,000 delivered every Friday, plus additional street distribution in stands around the city.

The Pacific Sun has been publishing weekly for 40 years. Its owner, publisher and editor, Steve McNamara, just turned 70 and decided it was time to try other things. "When he approached us, we leaped at the opportunity," said Bill Johnson, Embarcadero founder, CEO and publisher. "Marin County is a perfect complement to the markets we already serve." Kudos for local authors

Pleasanton resident Ame Beanland's book, "Nesting: It's a Chick Thing," is No. 10 on the New York Times' best seller list under Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous. Workman Publishing is joining with Towne Center Books, 555 Main St., to celebrate the success with a Tickled Pink Party from 7-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17, open to the public. "There will be pink champagne and petit fours," said publicist Sarah O'Leary in New York.

Also, "Let Go, Let Miracles Happen" by Pleasanton resident Kathy Cordova was the winner in the biographical/self help category for this year's COVR 2004 Visionary Award. The Coalition of Visionary Resources is a not-for-profit trade organization that supports independent retailers, wholesalers and publishers of visionary books, music and merchandize. "Let Go" is published by Red Wheel/Weiser & Conari Press.

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