Albany, Berkeley Year In Review 2017

ALBANY, BERKELEY, CA —2017 is nearly in the books. While some people will be happy when this year is behind us, for others, it was momentous. Some of your neighbors got engaged or married, while others had a baby. Some graduated from college, or started their dream jobs.

As we pause for a few minutes to look back on the year, rather than look at riots, fires, traffic accidents or winter flooding and mudslides, we’re taking stock of some of the things that brought smiles to our faces, or caused our chests to swell with pride.

The Golden State Warriors clinched another Championship. A joyous throng some one million strong descended on Oakland to celebrate with the team at a victory parade and rally. Warriors fever was heated, as one fan paid a staggering amount of money for courtside seats at Game 5. Meanwhile, 2017 also marked the year that the Warriors broke ground on a privately funded, $1 billion arena in San Francisco.

Many animals won our hearts this year. Remember the feisty kitten who clung to the undercarriage of a speeding police cruiser? Or the bobcat that was nursed back to health after being hit by a car? The mama duck who stood guard next to a storm sewer after her ducklings fell in. And the Clydesdale that was rescued from a ravine. Plenty of people are willing to step in to help animals when they can’t help themselves.

Here are some of the stories that made us smile or made our chests swell with pride. We're adding them in no particular order. What would you add to the list?

Albany:

$40 Million Winning Lotto Ticket Sold In Albany

• Happy holidays!!! Someone you know may now be stinkin' rich.

Albany Middle School Teacher, Principal Accept Award

• The pair traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent Albany Middle School - named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School.

Albany Groundbreaking To Be Held Monday

• Wondering what happened to the money raised by Measures B & E? Come see for yourself!

Albany High School Vice Principal Hired

• Larry Pratt was brought in from outside of the district. The school board approved the hiring Tuesday.

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival To Screen Movies In Albany, Oakland

• 64 films from 14 countries will be shown from July 27-Aug. 6.

New Principal Appointed at Marin Elementary School

• Her appointment was approved by the school board on Tuesday.

Albany's Memorial Park Clean-up Day

• Join your neighbors this Saturday to help clean-up Memorial Park!

Tilden Nature Area and Little Farm Seeks Volunteer Docents

• Do you like cows and kids? Then you might be perfect for their docent program. And don't worry - they'll train you.

The End Of The Rainbow: Photo Of The Week

• This beautiful scene had drivers pulling over to take photos!

Albany's SchoolCARE Making A Difference In Local Schools

• The local organization is raising more than a quarter of a million dollars, this year alone, for Albany public schools.

Calif. Teen Receives Make-A-Wish Trip to Rome (Photos)

• The 16-year-old student and three family members will say, 'Ciao Roma' next month.

Berkeley:

Berkeley Teen Wins $10,000 Scholarship, Trip To Washington

• He is one of 2 California teens chosen for the honor.

4 UC Berkeley Students Win $100,000

• The prize is from a data science competition staged by a hedge fund.

Berkeley Runners Dominate Half Marathon Leader Board

• Money raised supports the Berkeley Public Schools Fund, the official charity partner of the Berkeley Half Marathon.

Stinky Corpse Flower Prepared To Open In Berkeley

• The stinky bloom is a rare occurrence. This plant last bloomed 7 years ago.

Look: Chalk Art Contest Winners

• These are the winners of the Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival in the Gourmet Ghetto.

Cal Golfer Chosen For 2017 USA Walker Cup Team

• Junior Collin Morikawa will represent the USA against Great Britain in prestigious tournament.

Amazon Opens Pick-Up Store in Berkeley

• If same-day shipping isn't fast enough for you, drop by the new brick-and-morter store.

Meet Berkeley's 3 New Police Officers

• They were sworn-in last Friday.

Berkeley Teen Selected As Presidential Scholar

• The 161 winners were chosen out of a group of 5,100.

-Image via Patch