DIABLO GRANDE COMING BACK. Just when some of us thought that the gorgeous hills of Diablo Grande, complete with lush golf courses and fine homes, may face eminent crisis about a year ago, new owners showed up to bring that resort area back to life. It looks like they are serious too! New general manager Hans Bratt promised that “we’re committed to reposition Diablo Grande to its original glory and even better.” Owners also plan to change the name, and hope to make this area one of the top 10 resorts in the country. We heard all that before when entrepreneur Donald Panoz came to town promising even more.

The investment of more than two million new dollars, split between the golf courses and the clubhouse has helped convince many of us that this resort west of Patterson and Crows Landing, (and part of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District), may be alive again and getting well. Management provides a long list of upgrades in its first renovation phase including landscaping, new golf carts, furniture around the pool, restored snack shacks and clubhouse training room and a restaurant open seven days a week. I’ve always thought that a nice restaurant serving the West Side could make it with the right management and chef on board. Now we will see once again.  The challenge now is to get the word out that this place is back in operation and growing. Talk has started again about a resort hotel and new clubhouse, which could attract corporate meetings for local, regional and western United States businesses.

I toured the area over the Labor Day Weekend, with my friend Doug Lucas driving, and we were pleasantly surprised. Less than six months ago, the area looked worn and overgrown and certainly didn’t entice any new people driving up there for a look. Today the place is transformed. I didn’t see a foreclosed home or a dry piece of grass on the golf courses. In fact, the course was being manicured by at least three men as we drove into the property. Then the new landscaped roundabout greeted us before we turned to head to the clubhouse area. Then the larger homes on the rolling hills sat above us looking as good as I’ve seen them. This place is on the way to a full recovery, and if you haven’t seen it lately, now is a good time to take a drive.

STANISLAUS COUNTY SUPERVISOR FULL OF SURPRISES. Jim DeMartini pulls rabbits out of his hat all the time. Now we hear about his ultimate magical moment. He found his birth mother in Stockton, walked up to her door and said, “Hi, I’m Jim DeMartini, born Aug. 11, 1953, and I believe you are my mother.” He was right, and even though she had misgivings about opening her door to a man who looked like a “politician” she was delighted. Since April Jim and his mother have been talking and visiting. His mother, Charlotte Bogue, gave him up for adoption at birth to get her life in order. Jim was adopted by Chester and Lucy DeMartini, farmers who lived near Empire. They owned various small acreages and successfully farmed in several places. Jim was an only child, and after his parents’ died he moved to the West Side and purchased 1200 acres in one area. Today he works as a successful farmer, engaged county supervisor and political activist. While he loved his parents, he was always curious about where he came from, so he hired a private investigator who helped him locate his birth mother. Today he not only has a mom, but also two living sisters. We are happy for Jim and his new found family.

LIFE AROUND HERE BEGINS NOW. I write this every year and I still believe it. The best time of year begins right now on the West Side. With Labor Day behind us and the holiday season ahead of us, men, women and children seem to enjoy this fall season the best of all! Our children and neighbors’ children are in school, and sports, concerts and events are happening just about every day. This a great time to either get to know your community or enjoy it as always.  Local organizations are looking for new members, and you can get involved with local charitable activities (that really get going for the holidays). Enjoy your fall!