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News digest

Meet Weekly publisher and editor

The Pleasanton Weekly publisher, Gina Channell-Allen, editor, Jeb Bing, and other staff members will be on hand to talk with guests at the first Pleasanton Weekly Night from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, at Gene's Fine Foods, 2803 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton. Gene's Fine Foods, which is hosting the event, will provide hors d'oeurves, and there will be wine tasting.

Guests are invited to bring questions and story ideas, and get to know the people behind Pleasanton's community newspaper. For more information, email gallen@PleasantonWeekly.com or call 600-0840.

Buy a gift when you vote

The Peddler Shoppe, located near the entrance to the Pleasanton Senior Center, is extending its hours on Election Day to accommodate folks who go there to vote. On Nov. 6, the shop will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Peddler Shoppe features handmade wooden toys, a variety of unique quilts, knitted hats, slippers, organic dish clothes and specialty trivets. A portion of the proceeds goes toward the cost of operations, and the rest goes to the item's maker.

The shop is staffed by volunteers; its normal hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

No Zone 7 increase until 2014

Zone 7 water users won't see a rate hike until 2014, thanks to ongoing cost-cutting measures, according to the water agency. Over the past few years, Zone 7, which serves Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and the Dougherty Valley, has cut its annual operating budget by more than $4 million.

Cuts include a hiring freeze, employee benefit and cost-of-living wage concessions, and using more in-house resources to lower the amount and cost of outside contracts. Zone 7 has also cut the cost of chemicals by participating in a consortium of Bay Area water agencies that buy the same water treatment chemicals and can save by buying in bulk.

The agency is also reducing its energy costs through a new solar system.

Rates will go up by the inflation rate -- about 2.65% -- in 2014. That will add about $1.04 a month to the typical household bill, assuming bulk suppliers of water pass along the increase to their customers.