The Dublin Library is offering its first ever Family Fun Night at the Library on Saturday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. Travel the world through the magic of its music with musicians, Don O’Brien and his son Shane. Don and Shane play and demonstrate musical instruments from all over the world including African percussion instruments, the Australian didgeridoo, maracas and castanets from Mexico, penny whistles and the Peruvian ocarina. Children will get a chance to play many of the instruments. This program is appropriate for families with children in kindergarten through 8th grade and up.

Don O’Brien is a music ethnologist, and has directed the Benicia City Elementary School Bands and Choirs as well as being a school counselor and teacher. He and his son have traveled the world, collecting musical instruments and learning about other cultures.

Family Fun Night at the Library is generously funded by the Friends of the Dublin Library. Attendance is free.

The Dublin Library, a branch of the Alameda County Library system, is located at 200 Civic Plaza in Dublin and is wheelchair accessible. An ASL interpreter will be provided with at least 7 days working day’s advance notice. For this service, please call 925-828-1315.

Tags: Dublin Events by Tim Sbranti
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“Counting Everyone – Only Once – and in the Right Place” is the official theme for Census 2010, which opened up its Pleasanton office at a packed special reception on January 20^th. The Pleasanton office will manage the count for the entire Tri-Valley and over half of Alameda County. I had the opportunity to speak at the event along with Supervisor Scott Haggerty and representatives from the Census Bureau and the faith community.

2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state, and tribal governments over the next 10 years. According to a Brookings report for fiscal year 2008 and updated in 2009, the exact amount of money per person allocated based upon Census date for California is nearly $1,700, so a lot is at stake financially to make sure that everyone is counted properly.

Beyond the obvious financial importance of the Census, local, state, and federal legislative districts are drawn based upon the Census, so a complete and accurate count is critical to garner proper representation. Many policy decisions on social programs, services, and amenities are also based upon Census data. In addition, over 5,500 jobs will be provided locally in 2010 working for the Census, and many businesses will make decisions related to economic development based upon the information.

This year’s survey is one of the shortest since the inception of the U.S. Census in 1790 with just 10 questions. The 2010 Census only asks for your name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It only takes about 10 minutes for the average household to complete the Census questionnaire.

By law, all people must complete the survey, but it is also mandated by law that all responses are used for statistical purposes only. The information that is compiled is strictly confidential and is not shared with any person or organization.

For more information, go to www.census.gov/2010.

Tags: Tim's Travels by Tim Sbranti
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As part of our City’s newly adopted Business Visitation Program, Councilmember Don Biddle, Economic Development Director Linda Maurer, and I went to Sybase to go on a tour with Vice-President Brad McIntyre. Our visit to Sybase was very informative, and we were extremely impressed with not only their facility but the many ways they have managed to remain successful despite a difficult business climate.

The overall goals of the Business Visitation Program are to help retain and expand Dublin businesses. This program allows the City to learn more about the needs of our business community along with finding ways that we can help companies succeed. A visit earlier this year to Pan Digital proved to be very fruitful, as the worldwide industry leader in digital picture frames was considering moving to another City. During our visit, we discussed the benefits of doing business in Dublin and found out the company’s specific needs as they grew out of their facility. Based upon that information, we were able to find them another suitable location in our City.

For the month of February, we will be visiting the Palo Also Medical Foundation. We typically visit companies that are large employers, generate large amounts of sales tax, and/or have regional significance. However, our desire is to visit all types of businesses which are both large and small. If you are interested in arranging a Business Visitation with myself and our City’s Economic Development Committee, please e-mail me at tim@timsbranti.com.

Tags: Tim's Travels by Tim Sbranti
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