News Digest News Digest (September 03, 2004)

Necessities drive

Open Heart Kitchen, which runs a Tri-Valley soup kitchen in Livermore and in Pleasanton, is hosting a Necessities Drive on Sept. 11, as an outlet for people with a renewed sense of community while recalling the horror of the terrorist attacks three years ago. The group will accept donations between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at a park in Livermore at 460 N. Livermore Ave. Volunteers are also needed to help sort the items.

Items needed are toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, combs, brushes, bar soap, hand soap, deodorant, disposable razors, shave gel, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, tissue, toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes, jarred baby food, cleaning sponges, cleanser, cleaners for bathroom, kitchen, floor and glass, dish soap, laundry detergent, bleach, scouring pads, paper towels, canned vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce, pasta, rice, macaroni and cheese, rice dinners and instant pudding. Avoid the 21

Alameda County law enforcement agencies are holding an Avoid the 21 Labor Day weekend crackdown on driving under the influence of alcohol, with sobriety checkpoints at five locations. The campaign begins today and ends Monday, Sept. 6. The Pleasanton checkpoint will take place on Santa Rita Road near Pimlico Drive, said Sgt. Don Saulsbury of the Pleasanton Police Department.

California Highway Patrol cruisers will flood the freeways for the Avoid the 21 crackdown, named after the 21 agencies participating. Labor Day is the worst of the six holiday periods in terms of people killed by intoxicated drivers, say police. Last year's Labor Day weekend campaign resulted in the arrest of 133 DUI suspects. Making difference

Registration is under way for booths for the Make a Difference Festival, being held this year from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Pleasanton library. Now in its eighth year, the festival showcases dozens of nonprofit organization whose common goal is to link residents with community service opportunities.

The event is sponsored by the Make a Difference for Pleasanton Coalition. To register for booth space, contact Jerry Long at 462-5164 or Vicky Reinke at 846-7858. Advance registration is required.

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