Timing is everything. Just ask Press publisher Greg Robinson or his wife, Sandie. The two are resting uncomfortably at home this week, recovering from a motorcycle spill they took while participating in last week’s Lions Club poker run. Greg reports that Sandie broke a couple of “minor bones” in her foot and hand, while he is suffering mostly from severely bruised ribs. Both of them have the road rash and other contusions you might expect from a low-speed bike crash, which Greg said happened as he made a left turn. As for the good timing: Retired Brentwood Police Chief Mike Davies and Lt. Kevin King were part of the Robinsons’ group, as was firefighter David Piepho. The incident occurred near Livermore, where former Fire Chief David Wahl and his wife Karen happened to be at the time, and they provided a lift to the hospital. If you’re gonna lay it down, that’s a pretty good crowd to have around when you do it. Get well soon, guys!

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We assumed these over-the-top action sequences occurred only in the movies: An Antioch police officer conducting a traffic stop was given false information about the vehicle’s registration. As he reached inside the vehicle to detain the driver, she put the pedal to the metal and sped off, dragging him about 90 feet before he could reach the emergency brake. The driver then fled on foot – no match for the officer, who overtook her like a cheetah running down a wounded antelope. The vehicle turned out to be stolen, and the driver was arrested on charges of auto theft, possession of stolen property, probation violation and possession of burglary tools – though her Felony Assault on an Officer (who fortunately sustained only minor injuries) will, no doubt, be her big ticket to a long stay behind bars.

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It’s good work if you can get it… Judges at last weekend’s Oakley Almond Festival bake-off had the onerous task of sampling an array of home-baked goodies including a delectable mud pie (the winner), a scrumptious tray of almond rocha, and an amazing almond/poppy seed pound cake. Onlookers, including at least one Oakley City Council member, were rewarded for their show of support with samples of the almond-inspired treats.

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Ally Jenkins, the 14-year old who recently underwent a double lung transplant, hasn’t been released from the hospital yet, but that didn’t stop her from celebrating Freedom High School’s homecoming last weekend. With the help of family and the nursing staff at UCSF, homecoming came to Ally, as a hospital waiting room was transformed into a private dance floor, complete with balloons and decorations, for the Freedom High freshman and her boyfriend to dance the night away.

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Skaters are preparing for battle at the Brentwood Skate Park this weekend as Brentwood Police Activities League presents Sk8wars. MTV reality star Drama from “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” will be making a guest appearance at the event, which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, so make sure to stop by for your chance to rub elbows with a celebrity, and then stay after for the barbecue. All money raised will benefit PAL.

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Shopping cart thieves beware! In hopes of reducing the number of abandoned shopping carts around town, the Oakley City Council recently approved a new city ordinance that will make it illegal for anyone to take a merchant’s shopping cart off the premises for personal use without written permission from the business owner. Anyone who is seen carting around town with a stolen cart will receive a citation.

– Compiled by Press Staff