Lawler Ranch Air Force Fuel Line Update

We are providing this update to keep the community informed regarding continuing work being conducted along Lawler Ranch Parkway related to a fuel pipeline leak discovered on Tuesday.

Overnight Tuesday, environmental contractors working for Travis Air Force Base flushed the storm drains along Lawler Ranch Parkway to remove a small amount of residual fuel that had entered the system. Because this storm drain empties into Suisun Marsh at Johnston Way and rain is in the short-term forecast, additional precautions are being used to ensure there is no possible damage to the Suisun Marsh as a result of this incident.

Because some rain water is continuing to percolate into the storm drain from the surrounding soils, crews will continue to be on the scene on a 24-hour basis for the next several days removing all water from the storm drain. This is being done as an environmental precaution only. There is no public safety risk or any problem with the drinking water in the area. The concern is focused on preventing the possibility of any residual fuels from reaching the Suisun Marsh.

Environmental crews will remain on the scene to monitor the situation and respond as changes in the situation may require.

Travis Air Force Base officials are preparing a plan with local and state regulatory agencies to permanently fix the valve leak.

We will continue to update this blog as information is available. You may subscribe to automatic updates to this noticing system by entering your e-mail address in the box in the left column. You may discontinue that subscription at any time. We do not utilize your personal information for any other purpose.

Suisun City Crews Assist Air Force with Fuel Line Leak

FUEL LEAK DISCOVERED AND CONTAINED HIGHWAY 12 AT LAWLER RANCH PARKWAY

Suisun City staff assisted Travis Air Force Base officials control a small fuel line leak discovered on Tuesday by local contractors working near the intersection of Highway 12 and Lawler Ranch Parkway.

City Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works had crews standing by to assist the Air Force with the leak in military fuel line. There was determined to be no threat to public safety, local water supplies nor local waterways as a result of this leak. Some material entered the storm drain system, but measures were taken to control the fuel and prevent it from entering any wetlands areas.

Environmental contractors working for Travis Air Force Base were expected to work late into the night hours flushing storm drains in the area to remove any residual fuel ahead of expected rain on Wednesday.

Travis Air Force Base released the following statement regarding the incident:

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A fuel leak was discovered in a pipeline off Travis Air Force Base near the intersection of Highway 12 and Lawler Ranch Road Feb. 24.

The pipeline leak was discovered at approximately noon by local contractors working near the intersection.

The eight-inch, low-pressure pipeline, owned by Travis, delivers JP8 fuel to the base. Travis engineers are working in conjunction with local authorities to determine the exact origin of the leak.

“The leak poses no threat to the public,” said Lt. Col. Wade Lawrence, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “Members of the 60th CES continue working with the Suisun City officials and state and county authorities to mitigate any adverse environmental impact.”

The incident remains under investigation and more details will be released as soon as they become available.

We will keep you posted on any updates to the situation in the coming days.

Violent Crime Drops in Suisun City

INCIDENTS OF MOST THE MOST SEVERE CRIMES DROP TO 5-YEAR LOWS

Violent crime in Suisun City has declined to a five-year low, with significant declines in assaults of all categories including aggravated and simple assault, and rapes, the Suisun City Police Department recently announced.

The department saw decreases in burglaries to a three-year low, and auto thefts to levels not seen in five years. The only crime categories showing an increase were robberies and simple thefts, a trend typically associated with a downturn in the economy and consistent with the experience of other local law enforcement agencies, Suisun City Police Chief Ed Dadisho said.

The decrease in violent crime is attributed to several factors, but primarily the following:

• New beat structure where each beat is composed of one sergeant as a Beat Coordinator and four officers assigned to the specific beat.
• Creation of a new Special Enforcement Detail that is composed of two sergeants and six police officers working as a task force targeting high crime areas during peak crime days.
• Funding from the Department of Justice to target violent crime associated with gang members.
• Eighteen live feed surveillance cameras located strategically throughout the City, a network that is very rare in cities of 27,950 residents.
• Aggressive community-oriented policing style that is focused on increasing Neighborhood Watch programs and using Code Enforcement to target blighted areas.

"The Police Department will continue to use these programs and strategies to reduce violent crime even lower, but we will begin focusing out attention on robberies," Chief Dadisho wrote in a City Council update. "Our task force will concentrate its efforts to areas prone for robberies to prevent and deter, and hopefully capture the suspects."

To learn more about crime patterns in your neighborhood, click the iMap link on the Police Department's web page.

Police Seek Help Identifying Suspects

VICTIMS TARGETED IN ARMED CONFRONTATION

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two men responsible for an armed confrontation at a Suisun City home on February 5, 2009. Police have released sketches of the suspects in the hope someone will identify the men and come forward with information to assist in the investigation.

The first suspect is described as a Hispanic man approximately 35 to 45 years of age with an average build who stands about 5-feet, 8-inches tall. He wears his black hair combed to the left, and has a distinctive scar on his right cheek.

The second suspect is described as a Hispanic man approximately 23 to 28 years of age who stands about 5-feet, 10-inches and weighs about 180 pounds. He wears his dark brown hair combed back.

The pair allegedly knocked on the front door of a Suisun City home. When the victims answered the door, the suspects entered the house, pointed the gun and threatened the victims. There was a struggle over the weapon, and one of the victims wrestled away the gun.

Both suspects ran from the house, and fled in a white Chevrolet Astro van with blue stripping waiting nearby. The victims were not physically injured.

Police do not believe this was a random incident. The initial investigation indicates that the victims were purposefully targeted by the suspects.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects is urged to contact Suisun City Police Detective Eric Vera at 707-421-7361.

Sunset Avenue Project Enters Final Phases

ROAD CLOSURE PLANNED FOR FEBRUARY 17-21

The $2.8 million Sunset and Railroad Avenue road widening and safety improvements project is nearing completion. But the last major construction step will cause unavoidable major disruptions starting Tuesday, Feb. 17.

For more information and detour details, visit www.suisun.com

Union Pacific Railroad will replace the metal road panels that form the actual traffic crossing over their two rail tracks at Sunset Avenue. At the same time, crews will do initial work needed to relocate and replace the crossing arms that protect the public from passing trains.

The railroad work is necessary partly because the Sunset Avenue project added a traffic lane in each direction from Travis Boulevard to the Railroad Avenue West intersection.

Also, Union Pacific is upgrading all crossing, bridges and rail ties on their lines between the Capitol Region and the Bay Area to provide more reliable commuter and freight rail service.

These tracks support Amtrak's Capitol Corridor commuter trains, which carry more than 130,000 a month between the Capitol Region and the Bay Area on trains that make 30 daily stops at the Suisun City Train Station. It's the third busiest commuter rail line in the nation. >>Click for important commuter service information.>>

During this construction period, the Suisun City Public Works Department urges motorists to avoid the area by using alternate routes. One suggested route is outlined on the project page on the City's website.

The $2.8 million in improvements to this major Suisun City gateway include:

• Sunset Avenue widened to four traffic lanes
  
• Coordinated traffic signals at Railroad Avenue East
• Traffic signals at Railroad Avenue East and West with East Travis Blvd. to coordinate with the Union Pacific Railroad warning system
• New medians on both sides of the railroad crossing
• New bike lanes
• New left turn lanes
• New sidewalks along Sunset Avenue
  
• Enhanced street lighting
• Improved storm drainage
• Installed new landscaping and signage
• Enhanced rail crossing safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists
  

'Talented Mr. Ripley' Comes to Suisun City's Harbor Theater

Starting on March 5, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' will begin a nearly month long run at the Harbor Theater in Suisun City's Waterfront District. It's a great play, so plan on joining us.

The Vallejo Times-Herald ran a short interview this morning with Lee Ann D'Amato, one of the leads in the Solano College Theatre production.

Actress plays evil Dottie in 'Ripley,' believe it or not

By RICH FREEDMAN/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 02/13/2009 01:01:22 AM PST

There just may be a little Aunt Dottie in Lee Ann D'Amato. And for those familiar with "The Talented Mr. Ripley," that can't be a good thing.

"She's not the nicest person in the world," D'Amato said of her character. "She's really evil. I think she's the reason Tom Ripley became a serial killer."

Though the Vallejo actress has never provoked anyone to murder, "I'm sure I have a dark side," she said.

Not that she needed to look inside herself to bring Dottie to life in the Solano College Theater's production that opens March 5 at the Harbor Theater in Suisun.

"I have a relative who is similar to Aunt Dottie," D'Amato said.

The actress is excited about the role and working again with director George Maguire.

"George is an actor himself, so he totally can relate to what you go through to do a part," D'Amato said.

The director gives direction, "but doesn't direct you to the point where you think it's his vision of the part," D'Amato said. "You feel you're able to explore what you want to do and that the part is truly your own."

Besides, she added, "I think he's hysterically funny. That helps a lot. I giggle all the time during rehearsals. I enjoy a director who's a hoot. He has great stories. I'm having a blast."

The admiration is mutual.

"I've known her for almost 18 years, and she is a kick to be in a room with," Maguire said. "A lot of humor and simultaneous depth, and above all friendship and familiarity."

Whatever the role, the reasons D'Amato takes to the community theater stage hasn't changed in 20-plus years.

D'Amato's fresh off her performance as pirate in "Pirates of Penzance" for the Vallejo Music Theatre last October. She laughed that, as a 48-year-old, "I was a little long in the tooth to play a maiden. So I said I'd do it only if I played a pirate."

"I do it because I love to act," she said. "It's my thing. Everyone has their love. I'd act in my living room if I could get people over. And my friends know this. That's why they say, 'Meet us in a public place.'"

Despite her experience, there's always the jitters no matter what the play, D'Amato said.

"I'm always nervous with every part," she said. "Every single show. I believe that's what gives me energy and hopefully makes me portray roles well. I always feel nervous. I don't care how smoothly it's gone in rehearsals. Until I walk on stage. Then it vanishes."

It's just fine if loved ones are in the audience, D'Amato said, as long as it's not the front row.

"I actually like knowing people come to see me. I like to know friends, family and loved ones care enough to come," D'Amato said. "But I almost prefer not knowing, of course. But that's impossible. They usually call and tell me they're coming. I just want to go ut and do the part and not be thinking about that kind of stuff. As long as they're not in the front row. I try to ask, 'Please don't sit too close.'"

A 26-year Vallejoan, the actress said she might take a shot at directing some day. All the better if it's Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."

"I if can get a venue and put together the money and cast to do that particular play," D'Amato. "I would kill to direct that."

She thought for a minute. Aunt Dottie, perhaps, would kill to direct.

"I would maim to direct that play," D'Amato said.

Scrabble at the Suisun City Library

Come to enjoy a game of Scrabble with other locals the second Tuesday of every month at the Suisun City Library.

Everyone can play. You can bring your own Scrabble board.

For info, visit the Library at 601 Pintail Drive or call 1-866-57-ASKUS.

Nominate a "Solano County Wonder"

OF COURSE, WE THINK SUISUN CITY IS PRETTY WONDERFUL!

Amy Blanc Elementary School third graders have launched a project to try to identify Seven Wonder of Solano County.

Of course, because it is the 21 Century, they have a web site and they want your help!

From their site:

Inspired by the book, The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, by Betty G. Birney, in which a young boy living in tiny rural Missouri farming community is challenged by his father to to find seven wonders in his small town, the third grade students at Amy Blanc are trying to identify seven wonders in Solano County, California. If you live in Solano County or have ever lived or spent time here, then you are invited to submit a man-made or natural wonder for consideration.

We have some Suisun City suggestions:

• The Suisun City Waterfront District
• Suisun Marsh
• Suisun City Hall
• The Suisun City Harbor Lighthouse
• The wonderful, generous residents of Suisun City
• Suisun City Library
• Suisun Wildlife Center
• Rush Ranch

Here's a link to the kids' site where you can help them out! Their deadline is in April, and plan to announce their list in June.

A book for every child: Giveaway program is run by teens

TEENS BRING PROGRAM TO SUISUN ELEMENTARY

I spotted this in the Vacaville Reporter this morning. It's great to see local teens recognized for working with the younger kids.

By Ryan Chalk/ RChalk@TheReporter.com
Posted: 02/05/2009 01:00:54 AM PST

One book at a time, brothers Kyle and Brady Baldwin are bringing smiles to children's faces.

On Wednesday, Brady Baldwin, along with two other volunteers, visited two classrooms at Suisun Elementary School in Suisun City, to read stories to the students and give each one a book to take home.

Brady and his brother are the founders of My Own Book, a nonprofit organization designed to promote reading and distribute brand-new children's books to less fortunate children.

Inside Janet Robertson's first-grade classroom, Armijo High School seniors Sarah Doolittle and Blanca Guerra took turns reading stories as students got up, one by one, to pick out a book from one of the three boxfuls that Baldwin carted in with him. Once the students picked a book, Baldwin placed a personalized bookplate with their name on the inside cover.

"It feels really nice to see all the kids," said Guerra. "They really enjoy it and have fun with it."

The brothers started the organization a few years back as part of their Suisun Valley 4-H service project. Since then it has blossomed, with the pair and their devoted volunteers reading and distributing more than 16,000 books throughout schools in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District and at Solano County Library branches.

Brady, who's brother Kyle is currently attending Bryant University in Rhode Island and doing outreach on the East Coast, said they get books from publishers and bookstores for free or at a discounted rate.

Their organization recently won a $10,000 grant sponsored by Best Buy, which will allow them to purchase and distribute 8,000 new books.

"Usually, the average children's book is pretty expensive," said Brady Baldwin. "We're trying to get a book to every child 8 and under. And if their family doesn't have the means to buy a book, they can give us their address and we'll send them a book."

This month, the brothers are promoting their National Share the Love of Reading Month event. They encourage every teen and adult in the nation to buy a children's book, read it to a child and then give it to him or her.

Anyone who knows of a child who needs a book can contact the brothers through their Web site at www.myownbook.net, or write to Brady Baldwin, 4657 Green Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 94534. Include the child's name and a personalized book plate will be added. Schools are invited to participate in the program as well.

Our thanks to the Vacaville Reporter for letting us link to their story and help spread the good news.

Suisun City Library Offers SAT & PSAT help

Remember the SAT test? Was that one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of your young life or what?

Our friends at the Suisun City Library are attempting to make it a bit less awful for this generation. Here's how:

In cooperation with KAPLAN, the Suisun City Library is offering FREE practice exams with results seminars.

The exams are on Saturday, February 21 and April 25. Here are the exam times each day:

• PSAT - 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• SAT - 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The results seminars follow onThursday, February 26 and April 30 at 6-7 p.m.

To register, call 1-800-KAP-TEST (1-800-527-8378)

The all-new Suisun City Library is located at 601 Pintail Drive.

Take a Walk (or Tour) on the Wild Side!

Here's a bit of news from our friends at the Suisun Wildlife Center:

The 13th annual San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival is taking place February 6, 7 and 8th.

As part of this wonderful event celebrating the Bay and its marvelous ecosystems that includes field trips, tours and all-day events and exhibitors on Saturday and Sunday, the Suisun Wildlife Center is offering a Wildlife Center tour on Friday, Feb. 6, from 2-3 p.m.

Come visit the new non-releasable Coyote, see the Golden Eagle up close, and find out how the Wildlife Center has rescued and cared for Solano County's wildlife since 1977!

We will also be at the Festival on Mare Island in Vallejo on Saturday and Sunday.

To register or for more information, call the Wildlife Center at 707-429-4295. Call today, space is limited!

The Suisun Wildlife Center, located at the south end of Kellogg Street in the Waterfront District, is one of our local gems and well worth your time if you haven't gone by to see it!

Small busines tax tips offered

From Vacaville Reporter

Posted: 02/01/2009 01:02:47 AM PST

"Tax Tips for Small Business" is the title of a workshop to be held 6-8 p.m., Feb. 5, at the Suisun City Council Chamber, 701 Civic Center Blvd., in Suisun City.

The program will be presented by Teri Johnson, owner of Vacaville-based Bookkeeping and More and business advisor to the Solano College Small Business Development Center.

Cost is $20. Reserve a seat by calling the SBDC at 864-3382 or registering online at www.SolanoSBDC.org.

Check here for more information