East Bay roundup of news

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 24, 2009 | by Tri-Valley Herald

Oakland

'green corridor' update: Officials from Richmond, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland will update one another on their progress in a partnership forged 1-1/2 years ago to create a "green corridor" for generating jobs and revenue.

The free event will be held 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Oakland Metropolitan Museum, James Moore Theater, 1000 Oak St. in Oakland.

The keynote speaker will be Jay D. Keasling, chief executive officer of the Joint BioEnergy Institute and acting deputy director of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.

The event is open to the public, but attendees are asked to reserve seating by calling 510-238-3169.

In December 2007, the mayors of the four East Bay cities agreed to work together to nurture the green industry and seek federal dollars for research and job training for locals. The cities also promised to create programs and policies promoting energy conservation, green construction and a green industry.

-- Katherine Tam

Dublin

arrest in Hit-and-run case: The driver of white BMW 2004 linked to a hit-and-run accident Monday evening on northbound Interstate 680 has turned herself in, the California Highway Patrol said.

Sobhanieh Mostakhdemin 25, of San Mateo, arrived with her attorney Wednesday afternoon at the Dublin office of the CHP and was arrested on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury and on suspicion of reckless driving, CHP Officer Steve Creel said.

Two witnesses helped officers identify the driver of the BMW that struck motorcyclist Robert Demartino Jr., on Monday near Sunol Boulevard in Pleasanton, Creel said.

Witnesses said the BMW was traveling at more than 100 mph, nearly colliding with several vehicles. The driver began closely following a 2005 Chevrolet SUV before a curve in the highway, and Demartino was just ahead on a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R750.

The BMW struck the rear wheel of the motorcycle, forcing Demartino to the pavement, where he hit his head, Creel said. Demartino was taken to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. His condition is not known.

--Sophia Kazmi

Stockton

charlie daniels band at fair tonight: The San Joaquin County Fair opened its five-day run on a blistering hot Wednesday, with fairgoers seeking out frozen treats to beat the heat. Organizers are hoping that the return of horse racing will boost attendance to 100,000 this year.

The fair is open from noon until 10 p.m. through Sunday, with free nightly concerts at 8 p.m.. Tonight's headliner is the Charlie Daniels Band.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children (under 5 admitted free). For more information, visit www.sanjoaquinfair.com or call 209-466-9207.

-- Elizabeth Croisetiere