Disocovery Bay Press -Published 08/28/2008

http://www.discoverybaypress.com/article.cfm?articleID=20268

Residents of the Live Where You Play community came out in force last weekend to help promote local businesses at the Lakeview Plaza in Discovery Bay. Under a hot August sun, the outdoor celebration was another perfect day in paradise, complete with wine, music and yes, cheeseburgers.

“This is nice,” said Juli Peterson of the event she attended with friends. “It’s relaxing and fun. It’s an easy way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”
The local event, sponsored by the merchants in the Lakeview Plaza, featured an array of catered goodies, home-baked treats and elegant appetizers. Live music was provided by local band Take 2, and the Discovery Bay Sports Bar and Steakhouse held free drawings every half hour. Prizes included the artwork of Mark Godard, internationally renowned for his silly, sly and whimsical paintings of martini glasses and animated olives.

Jan and Mike Todorovic, property owners of Lakeview Plaza in general and two of the plaza’s businesses in particular (The Spa & Salon at Discovery Bay and Todorovic Dentistry), felt that given the current economic times, a local business block party might be a nice way to bring the community together – and they were right.

“We had a great turnout, even better than we expected,” said Jan. “Everybody’s a little slow right now and we just wanted to help promote all these wonderful businesses. Discovery Bay has supported us tremendously and we just wanted to return the favor.”

The event also marked the grand re-opening for Marples & Associates Realtors, established over 30 years ago at what is now the Lakeview Plaza site. And although Marples & Associates operates offices throughout East County, this particular location has sentimental meaning.

“We are just so thrilled to be back home, and we are thrilled with the turnout,” said Cathy Marples. “We’ve been wanting to come back here forever, but there was just no room in the manger, so this is a wonderful homecoming. It (the party) is also a big boost for the community and a chance for us to say thank you to a community that has given us so much.”

Also new to the plaza is the Discovery Bay Visitors Center. Open just a few weeks, the center will house the Chamber of Commerce offices, Dove Publications and a conference room available to chamber members. Residents and visitors can purchase Discovery Bay memorabilia and clothing at the center, and artwork by local artists will also be on display and available for purchase.

“This is a great place for residents and businesses to get local information about their community,” said Chamber President Tim Mobley. “Discovery Bay has never had something like this before and we’re very excited. It will be a nice addition to the plaza and the community.”

For all the merchants at Lakeview Plaza, including the Oriental House and Pierce Chiropractic, the afternoon event was such a success that the next get-together is already in the works.

“We’re planning another community event for Christmas,” said Jan. “We’d like to have Santa on a fire truck, pictures, and all kinds of things. This was so much fun; we can’t wait for the next one.”