eyelash growth

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER — Sightings of football players, baseball players, chick magnets and punk rockers were typical. Some dressed to the nines in formal attire — tuxedos for the guys, crinoline and ruffles for the ladies. still others sported crowns or took the low-key approach, donning sunglasses even as the sun began to set.

So began the First Wednesday street party Aug. 3 at Wayside Park, the staging area for the annual “Pooch Parade” sponsored by Tri-Valley Guide Dog Puppy Raisers. Almost 150 dogs of all shapes and sizes rested as they waited for their moment in the limelight, enjoyed dog massages, or let off steam at the agility playground.

Sherry Konig’s border collie-shepherd mix Sadie was an eye catcher with her pink hair, red false eyelashes and black and pink “Flash Dance”-inspired attire.

Dude, a Golden Doodle owned by Joan and Alan Linn, was resplendent in a tuxedo. Chris Williams’ Chihuahua, Isabella Rose, might only weigh a few pounds but the layers of ruffles in her dress made her a standout even next to Great Danes.

Harry, a white golden retriever, attended au natural, accompanying the only float in the parade — the creation of Nancy Eaton’s granddaughters Haley and Courtney, visiting from new Orleans. Inspired by Harry’s never-ending drive to retrieve tennis balls, the wagon was covered with more than 100 bright-green tennis balls glued and stacked and topped with a sign advertising his “’services.”

Lynn Holt knows a thing or two about real service dogs. She is a Guide Dog puppy raiser and her black Labrador, Zander, would be in the parade later on. “The $10 registration fees for the parade will go toward our food supply for the year,” Holt said about the organization.

Just before 6 p.m., parade organizer Ellen Aguire directed entrants to line up behind a percussion group composed of teenagers playing bongos, drums and noisemakers, who led the canine brigade through downtown chanting, “Who let the Dogs out?”

Booths lining Main Street offered a one-stop shop for all things Pleasanton. The public met with subcontractors to discuss solar, cabinetwork and other home projects. they talked tutoring with educators and watched martial arts demonstrations.

Nonprofit groups such as the Tri-Valley Conservancy and Shepherd’s Gate attended. The Pleasanton Military Families displayed framed collages of local military personnel serving overseas.

Some folks opted to watch the parade from the comfort of an outdoor table at Fontina’s, where Ford and Mary Roberts were settled in, or at Strizzi’s where Anna Ruotolo, Don Cooper and Betty Taylor took in the scene. Mike and Paula Avriett listened to one of the three bands from the Farmer Restaurant in the Pleasanton Hotel.

Those who chose to eat al fresco had many choices — too many from Noland’s Cake Shop, where red velvet cake, white cupcakes with butter cream and strawberries, and the deadly “Chocolate Diablo” were the picks.

At the Pleasanton school district table, Kay Huff, Kitty Harvey and Nancie Whiteside were among those lining up to talk to Debi Covello, the director of Pleasnaton Partners in Education, and to meet the new school superintendent, Parvin Ahmadi.

There’s one more chance to take in the sights, sounds and flavors of our community at the last First Wednesday bash of the season downtown Sept. 1. Hope to see you there.

Contact Susan Hayes at aroundpleas@aol.com.

<a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_15748222tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_15748222Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:14:24 GMT 00:00″>Around Pleasanton: Dog days of summer