The Poet Laureate and City Historian volunteer positions which were assigned as two-year appointments by the City Council to enhance services within the Heritage and Cultural Arts Division will be expiring on May 20, 2010.  Ronnie Holland (Poet Laureate) and Georgean Vonheeder-Leopold (Historian) were the first volunteers to assume these original positions and have served the City admirably during their two-year commitments.  City Staff is now in the process of initiating a new recruitment for both positions.  As part of the recruitment process, the incumbents may choose to re-apply for the position they have filled, as well as any other qualified candidates.

The minimum qualifications for the Poet Laureate include:

1. Be a Dublin resident or work in Dublin
2. Be Age 18 or older
3. Be the author of published poetry or be willing to publish poetry during their term
4. Be willing to create and read poetry for civic events and dedications
5. Be willing to serve as a resource to the Heritage & Cultural Arts Division
6. Be willing to share their love of poetry with people of all ages
7. Be ready to serve a two-year term with no compensation

The minimum qualifications for the City Historian include:

1. Be a resident of Dublin or the descendant of Dublin family
2.  Be Age 18 or older
3. Be a published author or willing to publish
4. Be willing to serve as a resource to the Heritage & Cultural Arts Division
5. Possess the ability to write and communicate effectively
6. Possess knowledge of the City and its history, demonstrated through writing and research

The position applications are currently on the City’s website and flyers have been distributed to the Library, Civic Center, Shannon Center and Senior Center.  Additionally, press releases have been mailed to the media and flyers will also be mailed to local Colleges, Literary affiliates, local Poet Laureates in surrounding cities and any interested parties.  Finally, staff will contact potential candidates known within the community.

The deadline for the recruitment process is April 16, 2010 and all applications will be referred to Mayor Sbranti for final recommendation to the City Council in May.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
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When James Fulwiler took over as the coach of the Dublin High boys soccer team four years ago, he inherited a program in shambles. There wasn’t a complete set of uniforms, there were just 28 kids in the program and the Gaels were hardly a factor in the competitive Diablo Foothill Athletic League. “We sat down with the athletic director and told him the first couple years were going to be tough, but we’d have a winning record in the third year and compete for the DFAL title every year after that,” Fulwiler said.

He was spot on. The Gaels won eight games in his first two years, and shot up to 13 wins last year before winning the DFAL title this year.

“At the start of the year, our goal was to win 15 games and qualify for (the North Coast Section playoffs),” Fulwiler said.

Just qualify?

“You have to remember we haven’t been on that (playoff) stage before,” Fulwiler said. “There have been a couple (Dublin) teams to make a showing, but with an early exit.”

With a 17-3-2 record during the regular season, the Gaels already exceeded their own expectations, but what they did in the postseason will be remembered for a long time. After picking up a pair of relatively easy wins in the first two rounds of the tournament, the Gaels went to penalty kicks with previously undefeated Albany and earned a berth in the championship, winning 2-1 (4-2 on penalty kicks).

Playing at home as the designated visitor against undefeated Bishop O’Dowd — a team ranked No. 21 in the nation by ESPN Rise — the Gaels were in the underdog role they’d become accustomed to.

With the full support of the Dublin community, the Gaels again forced penalty kicks and again came out on top 2-1 (4-3 on penalty kicks).

“I don’t know if a team has ever gone through two undefeated teams to win a championship before,” Fulwiler said. “The beauty of this team is that they were freshmen when (our coaching staff) took over.”

Fulwiler’s philosophy was fairly simple: Focus on defense and let players in the program develop together.

“We had 12 seniors on the team this year and we’ll probably have 12 seniors next year,” he said. “We want the kids to have a chance to learn how to play together before they get to varsity.”

Having three talented senior captains didn’t hurt either. Forward and DFAL MVP Cody Hoster, along with center midfielders Jamie Somerville and Nico Portugal, provided leadership for a team Fulwiler essentially described as a coach’s dream.

“They were just 18 kids who all got along and wanted to play soccer,” he said. “There were no egos, no problems at all.”

Throw in the play of unheralded goalie Roberty Silky, who stepped up big in both shootouts, and its hard to believe this was a team that flew under the radar for so long.

SRV streak comes to an end: When Castro Valley topped San Ramon Valley in Saturday’s NCS Division I girls’ soccer championship, the Wolves’ record run of four straight titles came to an end. It also marked the end of the East Bay Athletic League’s dominance.

Castro Valley is now the only team that does not currently play in the EBAL to have won a soccer title at the highest level in history.

Most people, myself included, were under the impression that Carondelet’s titles in 1994 and 1999 were the only ones won by non-EBAL schools. But thanks to a tip from former Monte Vista coach Greg Fish, I’ve learned that is not actually the case. When the Mustangs won NCS titles in 1993 and 1994, they were members of the Bay Valley Athletic League. They returned to the EBAL in time to win NCS again in 1996.

Written by Kyle Bonagura, Columnist.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
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Spring is just around the corner and the City of Dublin has so many fun ways to put the spring back in your step! From all-time favorites to fresh new classes, you’re sure to find something for everyone! Don’t miss out…the Spring Session is starting soon and registration is already open!  For the full lineup of classes and activities, refer to your Winter/Spring 2009-2010 Activity Guide.  For more information, call the Parks & Community Services Department at 556-4500.

A sampling of Spring classes…

Tri-Valley Young Performers Academy presents Family Album
Picture yourself in your own family album with this incredibly funny, sometimes touching, yet always entertaining play. In Family Album, some scenes are just plain fun, like ‘TV Wars’ and ‘Name That Stress.’ Other scenes capture the heart, such as ‘The Funeral’ and ‘Senior Split.’ Invite family and friends to our two performances which will be held on Friday June 4 and Sunday June 6 at the Dublin Senior Center.

Dance Like the Stars - Latin Basics I; Latin Basics II
Learn the Cha Cha and Rumba with a former Arthur Murray dance instructor. Learn proper Cuban motion and the easy routines with turns that will prepare you for any dance, party or wedding. These simple instructions build confidence quickly and will help to improve your leading and following skills.

Junior Golf School
Golf continues to be one of the hottest youth sports trends and often becomes a lifetime sport! This friendly introductory class is open to all skill levels. Basic full swing fundamentals and short game skills (chipping and putting) will be taught, as well as golf rules and etiquette.

Dinner by the Kids!
At the first class, we will plan our four course dinner which will include an appetizer, salad, entree, side dish, homemade bread and dessert. Staying within our budget, we’ll do our shopping online and then begin preparing the meal. On Friday, we’ll finish preparing the menu items, set the table and sit down to enjoy our feast…and then we’ll also clean-up! Each student can invite one guest to join the class on Friday to share the scrumptious meal with us.

Zumba for Fun & Fitness
Ditch the workout and join the party! Zumba is the latest cardio/dance fitness craze. You will have a ton of fun enjoying the Latin music and Cha Cha, Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton songs while kicking up your cardio rate and getting into the party mode. You do not need any dance experience or a partner, just simply follow the instructor’s dance steps. Before you know it, the hour is over and you have had a great time cardio dancing to Latin music. Both women and men are welcome to join in the fun.

Don’t miss these fun family events!

3-on-3 Teen Basketball Tournament   March 12
St Patrick’s Day Celebration   March 13 & 14 (Visit www.DublinStPats.com)
Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk   March 14
Tri-Valley Teen Job Fair   March 20
Spring Eggstravaganza   April 3
Victorian Nature Crafts Workshop   April 3
Family Sports Fest   April 11
Teen Improv Night   April 16
Dublin Pride Week   April 24 - May 1
May Day Workshop   May 1
DubTown Jam   May 14

For more information about any of these events please visit our webs, or call us at 556-4500.

Tags: Dublin Updates, Dublin Events by Tim Sbranti
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