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USF opens campus in Pleasanton

The University of San Francisco has announced the opening of its USF Pleasanton campus at 6120 Stoneridge Mall Road, accessible to interstates 580 and 680, within walking distance of BART and near the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) station.

The campus has six classrooms with integrated networking, audio-video equipment and wireless Internet, plus a staffed library and computer lab.

USF has had an East Bay campus for 30 years, formerly in San Ramon. Classes at the Pleasanton campus are primarily held nights and weekends for adults to complete their bachelor's degree, earn a teaching credential or a master's degree. The programs are offered through the School of Management, School of Education, and School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Adoptathon for pets a success

The preliminary adoption number for the 2012 Maddie's Matchmaker Adoptathon last weekend is more than 2,600 dogs and cats, including 30% senior and/or treatable animals. The goal of the Adoptathon is to find homes for all shelter dogs and cats, especially those that are usually hard to place.

Sixty-three rescue groups participated this year, offering the animals for free and being paid from $500 to $2,000 per adoption from the $3 million that Maddie's Fund pledged to empty the shelters.

In Pleasanton, Stoneridge Shopping Center hosted eight rescue groups and shelters, and Valley Humane Society on Nevada Street adopted out 75 animals. It reports that it still has a number of kittens and older cats available.

BART riders like vinyl

A random sample of more than 1,200 BART customers found that its train riders prefer the new vinyl seat covers compared to the fabric seats, validating the decision to outfit 100 more cars with the easier-to-clean material. When asked if BART should change more seat covers because the vinyl is easier to clean, 90% responded favorably.

More than 50 cars have been converted to the new seat covers, and BART expects to increase that number to 100 by the end of July. By early next year, 200 train cars should have the new seat covers. Some train cars have decals near the door stating: "New Seats on Board." Cars with the new seats have posters giving customers directions on how to provide feedback.