Category Archives: Lafayette

There’s a new gun law coming in 2014 that has gun owners stocking up on long guns now before a new registry begins new years day.

With only two days left until the law goes into effect, it has temporarily boosted gun sales across California. In the last week of 2013, gun sales are up 30 to 50 percent according to local retailers whom are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

California expects rifles such as this Remington 700 (left) to be registered.

The registry goes into effect on Jan. 1, and would require long gun owners to register their weapons like handgun owners already do. It would track the make, model and serial number of the gun, as well as the person who owns it.

Previously dealers would destroy personal information on long gun owners after a background check had been completed. Now they’ll register those purchases with the state.

In 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed Assembly Bill 809 into law. According to Brown’s statement:

 Anytime someone purchases a firearm in California, whether a long gun or handgun, their personal information is sent to the Department of Justice for a criminal background check. While purchaser information on handguns is retained, purchaser information on long guns is destroyed.

Since the state already retains handgun purchaser information, I see no reason why the state should not also retain information pertaining to the sales of long guns.

According to the law, tomorrow, December 31st is the last day to purchase non registered shotguns, long guns or rifles in California. While it takes approximately 10 days to pass a background check to be able to purchase a gun, as long as the financial transaction is completed before the end of the 31st, the gun will not have to be registered.

New gun owners have until January 20th to take possession of the gun to avoid registration. Guns purchased before Dec 31 but picked up after January 20th will have to comply with the new registration laws.

Many customers are stocking up on long guns now rather than waiting until 2014 when they would have to registered. Long lines, packed stores and rapidly decreasing inventory of long guns including rifles and shotguns are being reported from local retailers. Triple A Sporting Goods in Vallejo, pictured below, received a high volume of customers looking to purchase the coveted guns.

“It’s been busy as shit since the new law” says one gun dealer at Triple A Sporting Goods whom was literally running to help waiting customers. The store’s clerk also mentioned a shortage of particular guns and that they were sold out completely of certain things.

The owner of  Just Guns, John Deaser of Sacramento called the law an unnecessary invasion of privacy, despite his recent profit increase. Deaser says many of his customers are stocking up on long guns now rather than waiting until 2014 when they would have to register. “These are law-abiding citizens,” he said. “They’re not trying to beat the system or anything like that. They just don’t want to be tracked.”

The National Rifle Association claimed the bill violates the Second Amendment and will waste an estimated $400,000 in state taxpayer money.

One customer, a U.S. Combat Veteran, whom asked to remain anonymous wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. “The 2nd amendment guarantees all Americans the right to have and keep firearms. Any type of gun registration on any level is a violation of that amendment.” He also stated “When the U.S. government is putting out laws that are indirect violation of it own U.S. Constitution, you can be sure there’s a problem in our country.”

Wow! It’s crazy out there. With Christmas only 2 days away the stores and parking lots are filled to capacity with last-minute shoppers.

Check out the lines outside of HoneyBaked Ham Store on Concord Ave! There must have been close to 100 people in line waiting. The line was from the front door, across the parking lot and even out on to Adobe St.

If you need to go out today, it’s worth it to make a plan. However one thing is for sure; the closer it gets to Christmas the more activity and intense these stores will be.

Be safe, stay calm and happy shopping!

In case you were looking to enjoy that time-honored tradition of gathering friends and family around your holiday fire; you might have to wait on that.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has issued a Spare the Air alert for the 10th consecutive day in a row. This is a startling number considering in the past, the most consecutive days in a row for Spare the Air alerts have been only 3. This ban forbids private citizens from burning fires in their private homes and on their private properties. This even includes outdoor BBQ, fire pits and other wood burning activities.

For years now the BAAQMD has targeted specific holidays as “Spare the Air” days for years now. These holidays have been primarily Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

This year it seemed the tide has changed, or so we thought.

After the Diablo Reporter and several other local news outlet have published articles outing the controlling organization; they had surprisingly lifted their “Spare the Air” ban for Thanksgiving. For the first time in at least 5 years, the 7 million Bay Area residents were allowed to enjoy the traditional holiday fire.

However, it seems we will have to pay a price for the Thanksgiving Day fires. Today, Tuesday December 17th, is the 10th day the BAAQM has issued consecutive Spare the Air alerts. So far, they have issued a total of 14 Spare the Air alert this season and it that’s just the beginning.

If caught burning wood on Spare the Air days, you could face being reported by neighbors, facing fines upwards of $400, forced to attend a Spare the Air school (paid by tax payers) and even forced evacuation of your home with the possibility of it being condemn or seized. To add insult to injury, we were unable to find any California law that states it’s unlawful to burn wood anytime, even on Spare the Air days (If you find one, let us know!).

BAAQM claims that the Spare the Air alerts are issued depending on air quality conditions, however, it seems as though particular holidays are targeted every year. Will banning burning for 10 days be enough to allow burning on Christmas or on New Years?

For those that are wondering what the public thinks of the fireplace police,
it’s not good. According to March 2012 ABC article, “Residents have called the inspectors “communists,” “disciples of Hitler,” “a disgrace to this country,” “inconsiderate,” “obnoxious” and “out of control.” In one (letter), the writer said he’s “enraged” that they’ve “ruined every holiday…” Another told them they’re going to hell.”

To find out more information on the Spare the Air legal issues, who’s supporting it and how this costly program affects its residents and how they feel it about it, click here.

The team at DiabloReporter.com will continue documenting the alerts as they correspond to the holidays and publish our findings in our upcoming Spare the Air reports. And since we can’t enjoy the real thing today (unless you’re a rebel 🙂 ) perhaps this will help a little.

Tell us what you think about the issue? Is this program for the greater good or another system to control the lives of millions? How many more days of wood burning ban is to come?

The East Bay Bike Party (EBBP) is at it again! EBBP is a mobile party for riders of all ages, experience levels, and types to meet, ride, and play together in the streets. Rides are 12-16 miles long with 2 stops at public spaces along the route. Rides move at a slow pace and volunteers assure everyone makes the correct turns.

Riders express their creativity through the ride’s theme. This Bike Party come dressed as a Pirate or a Ninja or a Pirate Ninja or a Ninja Pirate or whatever.

Music is a big part of the EBBP experience along the route and at the party stops where dancing is off the hook. They have promised will be games again this month and all volunteers will receive a special edition PvN spokecard 🙂

Each ride is a unique, once in a lifetime experience right here in your own backyard. Check out the information below if your interested in an awesome time!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

-INVITE WISELY: If you’re inviting friends, make sure that they think that safety is sexy & know the Bike Party code.
-PICK UP YOUR TRASH: This one’s simple – if you brought it in or ate/drank it, you pack out the can/wrapper/trash with you.
-VOLUNTEER: Volunteer to take a corner and lead the Bike Party through a turn. Make new friends and help make Bike Party awesome.
-COME PREPARED: This is an unsupported ride, so bring whatever you’d bring if you went on a long solo ride. A patch kit, tools, lights, snacks & layers are a good start.
-KNOW THE CODE: If you come out this Friday, this is what the people around you will expect. And you’ll make more friends if you ride safely. Making friends and meeting new people is what this ride is about, after all:
Stay Right
Stop At Lights
Ride Straight
Don’t Hate
Pack Your Trash
Don’t Get Smashed
See you Friday! BIKE PARRRTTYYYY!!

Meet at 7:30pm at Rockridge BART station, roll at 8pm! For more information about East Bay Bike Party, click here.

Christmas is a time for giving, or getting, FREE Stuff!  Here’s a great list to get you in the FREE Stuff Holiday mood!

Keep Checking Back – I’ll add more FREE stuff as Christmas approaches!

FREE Christ Centered Christmas Freebies

FREE Worldwide Christmas Scrapbooking Freebies

FREE 30 Christmas Mailing Labels

FREE Christmas Music from Chaos

FREE Christmas in Brass CD

FREE 3-Piece Christmas Ornaments

FREE 2013 Christmas Seals

FREE Christmas Video Message from Santa

FREE Christmas Tree Fire Safety Hang Tag

FREE Call From Santa Claus Personalized For Your Child

FREE Printable Christmas Coloring Pages

FREE Elf Yourself ◄ FUN! ► PLUS a FREE Elf Yourself Calendar

FREE Christmas Books for Kindle

FREE Christmas Music Downloads

FREE Christmas Educational Worksheets

FREE Santa Apps for Android

FREE Christmas Fonts

FREE Letter from Santa

FREE Printable Holiday Label and Tag Templates

FREE Android Apps

FREE Letter to Santa

FREE Holiday Music Downloads

FREE 12 Days of Christmas Kids Freebies

Wonderful Words of Life Free Christmas in Brass Music CD.

American Lung Association 2013 Christmas Seals Now Available.

SparkleDusted Free Cards Free printable and ecards featuring many beautiful, elegant, funny and unique Greeting Cards for most occasions to send.

Free Personalized Video From Santa Give a personalized video message from Santa!

Collage Free collage holiday card.

Santa Claus Videos Santa Claus answers letters from children asking him questions. These free videos will entertain your kids. You can also enjoy free videos of Santa Claus set to popular Christmas songs, along with pictures of jolly St. Nick.

Christmas Tags Free printable gift tags.

Free Christmas mp3 Legal and free downloads of the most famous traditional Christmas music.

Lowe’s Build & Grow Free Holiday Train Engine on December 14th at 10:00 am.

Green Hill Free Christmas Music Sampler: 20 Holiday Favorites.

10 Free Cards from Zoggin   What is Zoggin? It’s a fast, easy way to design and print custom cards, photo books, calendars and blogs. We’d love for you to give us a try – for FREE! Enter the code below at checkout to receive 10 free cards in any size (there are 13 sizes to pick from) and get FREE SHIPPING. Use code: ZOG10FREE at checkout.

Santa at Home Hey kids here is your chance to email Santa. Santa answers all his letters so check your mailbox soon for a reply.

Acavano   Free greeting card, mailed including stamp.

Appalachian Christmas Dream A free Christmas novel, 88 pages long in pdf format.

It’s almost officially Black Friday!!! Make sure you have a game plan to tackle all your favorite stores. To get you started, the Diablo Reporter has gathered a HUGE list of local Black Friday Freebies!!!! Be prepared for packed stores and parking lots! Stay safe!

All offers are on 11/29/13 unless otherwise noted.

Contact Amber Olsen for a FREE facial and color consultation! She is offering a BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF on EVERYTHING! (925) 586-8504 to order!

► FREE Black Friday Cash Back Shopping

► FREE Workouts at Gold’s Gym on Black Friday

► FREE AFTER REBATE ► 3 Appliances from Kohl’s – 11/25 thru 11/29

These particular appliances can be as little as FREE after Kohl’s cash and rebates!

• Presto Cool Touch 20-in. Electric Griddle – $19.99 (reg. $39.99)
• Crock-Pot 4-qt. Programmable Slow Cooker – $19.99 (reg. $39.99)
• Bella Rotating Waffle Maker – $19.99 (reg. $39.99)
• Bella Panini Maker – $19.99 (reg. $39.99)

Here is a scenario to get THREE for FREE

Buy 3 of the appliances listed above for $59.97 Save 15% off with code BLACKFRI at checkout Pay $50.97 at checkout

Earn $15 in Kohl’s Cash Submit 3 of the $12 Pre-paid Visa mail-in rebates – $36 in rebates Final price = FREE after you figure in the Kohl’s cash and rebates!

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at TigerDirect.com 11/29 and 11/30

These offers are valid Black Friday (11/29/13) and the following Saturday (11/30/13).

TigerDirect.com has a couple of nice FREE After Rebate offers that would be nice FREE Christmas Gifts to give or keep for yourself.

• FREE CuiZen 6-cup Rice Cooker – Sale price $9.99 but FREE After Mail In Rebate
• FREE Eastwear 15.6″ Laptop Backpack – Sale price $9.99 but FREE After Mail In Rebate
• FREE 120 disc carrying case for CDs/DVDs – Sale price $9.99 but FREE After Mail In Rebate

Prices are valid in stores only – not online.  Limit 1 per person. While supplies last. No rainchecks.  No substitutions.

You will find all of these items in the TigerDirect.com Black Friday Sale Flyer.

► FREE Coffee on Black Friday at QuickChek 

► FREE Day of Fitness at Bally’s Total Fitness for “Feeling Fat Friday” (Black Friday)

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at CVS 11/28 thru 11/30. You will need a FREE CVS Extracare card to take advantage of these offers.

• Free CVS Batteries – 4 pack – AA or AAA $4.39 Value – You will need to get the coupon at the in-store CVS Coupon Center for this one
• Free Mars Candy Bar Singles (Twix, Snickers, M&M) 75¢ Value –  After extrabucks Rewards
• Free GUM Toothbrush 2 Pack – $2 Value – After extrabucks Rewards

► FREE Black Friday Bonus Bucks (up to $500) at Sports Authority to First 80 11/28 & 11/29

► FREE gift cards!  Half Price Books opens at 7 a.m. on Friday. The first 100 customers through the door get a free tote bag and a $5 gift card. One bag per store will have a $100 gift card.

► FREE gift cards! The first 100 people in line at Big Lots stores at 6 a.m. Friday morning will get a $10 reward card. One person at each store will get one for $100.

► FREE Seattle’s Best Coffee on Black Friday

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at Costco – Cookbook – Starting 11/29

Costco will once again be giving away their FREE Holiday Cookbook starting on Black Friday.  These are available in stores through 12/1/13 while supplies last.

The new FREE cookbook is called Enjoy Cooking the Costco Way and features recipes using Costco products.

► FREE cd! Macy’s is giving away a free Lil Wayne compilation album when you spend $50 or more.

► FREE jersey! Toys R Us is giving away a free jersey when you buy select Nerf Dart Tag items.

► FREE gift cards! Walmart Get a free $100 gift card when you purchase select smartphones, possibly yielding a profit.

► FREE stuff Walgreens has a great HUGE list of free after rebate (rewards) items for the Thanksgiving shopping  days.  These offers are valid 11/28/13 (Thanksgiving Day) through 11/30/13. All of these items will be featured in the Walgreens Sale Flyer for 11/28/13.  Register rewards are valid toward a future purchase at Walgreens.  They DO expire, so make sure you use it quickly.  In fact, you can purchase something on the same visit immediately after you receive the register reward.  That way you certainly won’t forget. These offers are good for in store only.  Limit 1 coupon per customer per printed offer. A Walgreens Balance Rewards card is required to get the sale price as well.

Here’e Walgreens free register rewards items:

• Free $15 Gift Card with Purchase of 2 $25 iTunes Cards
• Free 25 4×6 Photo Prints with $10 Purchase of Gerber Foods
• Free Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner – $2.99 Value
• Free Swisse Multivitamins – Men’s/ Women’s – 60 Ct – $10 Value
• Free Scunci No Damage Hair Elastics – $3 Value for 2
• Free Crest Toothpaste – $3 Value
• Free Pro-NRG Protein Water – $1.99 Value
• Free Opti-Free Solution – $2 Value
• Free Magnilife Foot Cream – $9.99 Value
• Free Neilmed Sinus Spray or Gel – $5 Value
• Free Tums Refreshers – $4.50 Value
• Free Schiff Digestive Advantage – $8 Value
• Free Gelusil Antacid – $3 Value
• Free Sleep Sheets Sleep Aid – $4.99 Value
• Free Dream Water Sleep Shot – $2.50 Value
• Free Cepacol Lozenges – $1 Value
• Free Got 2B Shampoo – $4.99 Value
• Free Walgreens Maxi Pads – $1.99 Value
• Free Magnilife Restless Legs Cream – $8 Value
• Free Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo – $4.99 Value
• Free Reach Toothbrush – $3 Value
• Free Blistex Lip Protectant – $2 Value

► FREE gear at Gamestop! Get a free $25 gift card and free backpack when you buy the Wii U Skylanders SWAP Force Bundle for $300. Get either a free LEGO toy set or free LEGO keychain when you buy a LEGO game.

► FREE stuff! Rite Aid has several free After Rebate (rewards) items for the Thanksgiving/Black Friday shopping weekend.  These items are featured in the Rite Aid sale flyer that is valid 11/28/13 thru 11/30/13. Rite Aid Wellness+ Card required.

Here’s the list of free stuff that you can get:

• Free 3 Carmex Lip Balm – $3 Value
• Free 3 Yardley Moisturizing Soap – $3 Value
• Free Conair Brush or Scunci Elastics – $1.99 Value
• Free Rite Aid Nuts or Trail Mix – $1 Value
• Free 2 Rite Aid Tape – $1.50 Value
• Free Philips Earbuds – $7.99 Value

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at Office Depot– Batteries – 11/28 thru 11/30. Energizer Max Alkaline Batteries AA or AAA, 4-PK are on sale 2 for $4 with a $4 Mail In Rebate (not reward) making them free. You do have to look for specially marked packages with the rebate form and info. Offer valid 11/28/13 through 11/30/13, while supplies last, in store only, no rainchecks.

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at World Market – Downton Abbey Tea Cup – First 100 – 11/29

Cost Plus World Market will open at at 7AM on Black Friday, 11/29! They will open back up Saturday and Sunday at 8AM. On Friday, 11/29 only, be one of the first 100 customer in line to score a FREE Downtown Abbey Tea Cup in Gift Box (no purchase necessary!). And, from 11/29-12/1 they will be offering up an Abbey Tote Bags as a gift with a $20 in-store purchase. There will be a new tote bag each day, while supplies last.

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at OfficeMax – Batteries – 11/28 thru 11/30. This is a FREE After Rewards offer. Choose 20 Packs of AAA or AA Duracell Coppertop alkaline batteries. You will pay $16.99 per pack and get $16.98 back in MaxPerks Bonus Rewards making them 1¢ per pack! Offer valid 11/28 thru 11/30. LIMIT 2 – In store only. Member’s MaxPerks ID card must be presented at time of purchase.

► FREE Black Friday Dog or Cat Antlers at Petco with ANY Purchase – 11/29 ONLY

Petco will be offering up a FREE pair of dog or cat antlers with any purchase on Black Friday, 11/29, for Petco Pals Cardholders. Plus, you can snag 50% off select treats, supplies, toys, and apparel in-store on Friday, November 29th, as well.

► FREE stuffed stocking! The first 100 customers through the door at every Petsmart store will get a free stocking stuffed with dog and cat treats and more than $100 worth of coupons. Most stores open at 7; but some open at 6 a-m so call your store ahead to find out.

► FREE Lobster Tail! Red Lobster will give you a free Maine lobster tail with the purchase of any adult dinner entrée on Black Friday. You do have to “like” Red Lobster’s Facebook page to get a coupon to take with you.

► FREE Black Friday Donuts & Coffee at Fred Meyer Stores

► FREE Black Friday Stuff at Staples – 11/28 thru 11/30

You will be able to get these items for free after mail-in rebate.
◾Free Case of Staples Multipurpose Paper – $54.99 Value – LIMIT 1 – In store only
◾Free 500 Ct Ream of Multipurpose Paper – $6.99 Value – LIMIT 2 – In store only
◾Free Staples Photo Paper – 8.5″ x 11″ – $14.99 Value – LIMIT 2 – In store only
◾Free Pentel Pens 5 Pack – $5.29 Value – LIMIT 1
◾Free Kaspersky Internet Security Software – $59.99 Value – LIMIT 1
◾Free Quickbooks Simple Start 2014 – $99.99 Value – LIMIT 1
◾Free $20 Staples Gift Card with the purchase of a Keurig Mini K10 Brewer
◾Free $25 Staples Gift Card with the Purchase of a Keurig Office Pro K145 Brewer
◾Free HP Photo and Business Communication Paper with the purchase of HP photo and business communication paper

► FREE Black Friday Disney Snow Globes at JCPenney

JCPenney is once again giving away FREE Disney Mickey Mouse 2013 Snow Globes when they open at 4 am on Black Friday, November 29, 2013.

These have been pretty popular the last couple of years and I am sure that this year will be no exception.

The FREE Snow Globes are while supplies last and there is no mention (online or in their ad) of how many each location will have available to give away.

► FREE Layaway at Walmart through 12/13/13

Like freebies? Join us on Facebook, Twitter or bookmark us at DiabloReporter.com to stay informed on all the best local freebies!