News Digest News Digest (October 29, 2004)

Character nominations

The Community of Character committee is accepting nominations through Nov. 5 for community members or organizations demonstrating the character trait "compassion." The monthly to bimonthly recognition program is part of the community-wide initiative "Building a Community of Character."

Nominations for individuals or/and organizations are accepted online at www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/character.html. Nominations may be made at anytime up to the deadline.

Individuals not eligible include those currently serving in a publicly elected office or seeking a public office, members of the Community of Character committee, and prior honorees. Individuals may not be nominated by a relative, and nominees must live in or serve Pleasanton.

Other upcoming nominee deadlines are self-discipline, Jan. 7; honesty, Feb. 4; respect, March 4; and integrity, May 6. 'Celebrating Deborah'

A community committee has announced plans to celebrate the public service career of Deborah Acosta McKeehan as she retires after 14 years as Pleasanton's City Manager. The event, entitled "Celebrating Deborah," will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5, at the Palm Event Center, 1188 Vineyard Ave. For more information, call Dave Walden at 426-8383, ext. 26. Vacation halts ketchup poll count

With the real results of the presidential election only four days away (we hope!), the ongoing polling of diners for the Pleasanton Hotel's "ketchup poll" came to an abrupt halt when restaurant owner Bill Laube left on vacation. At last count, Sen. John Kerry appeared to be maintaining his lead over President George W. Bush, 603 to 461.

The balloting, which started in September, was based on where diners placed their tomato seeds, with one seed given to each customer to place in a Heinz ketchup bottle for Kerry or a W Ketchup bottle for Bush.

The idea was centered on a battle begun earlier this year when an Eagle Bridge, N.Y., company created "W Ketchup" to gain market share for its ketchup over the Heinz brand, manufactured by the Pittsburgh-based company that is associated with Theresa Heinz-Kerry, wife of the Democratic presidential candidate.

Laube, who is in Chicago, is due back before Election Day to make a final count.

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