060799-Times

Reported in The Valley Times
June 7, 1999

Capsule quest seeks grounds for hope

By Michael Pena
TIMES STAFF WRITER

LIVERMORE --- Mysterious disappearances: the city of Atlantis, the sock in the dryer, all things Lycra.

And, of course, Livermore's time capsule.

The quest continues at noon Tuesday for the elusive metal canister supposedly buried 25 years ago in Centennial Park. A search team, encouraged by a dozen callers who claim to be in the know, and metal detector companies offering assistance, hope to hit pay dirt.

But the people charged with finding the capsule --- supposedly containing a bumper sticker, various pins and buttons and a bottle of petite sirah --- may have dug themselves into a hole they couldn't climb out of if they tried. "If we don't get this thing on the second try, this is going to be the Livergate of 1999," said Barry Schrader of the Centennial Committee. "Luckily, everyone has a sense of humor about this."

Schrader said the public is invited
to Tuesday's shindig at 4th and Holmes streets to help --- or to heckle. City workers dug a 4-foot-deep hole and poked around Livermore's memorial totem pole last Tuesday without success.

They were going on a rumor by a former Public Works director. City officials and others who actually filled the canister have been unable to help.

Aside from unsolicited calls from tipsters, the city has been contacted by news reporters from around the country --- some with tongues in cheek --- to get the latest scoop. Mayor Cathie Brown's office has fielded requests from Fox News and the Associated Press.

"It's amazing how this stuff spreads," Schrader said. "I just came back from Yosemite. I had to leave town after all this time capsule stuff."

The International Time Capsule Society says Livermore is not alone, that thousands of communities have not been able to find their buried treasures. But Livermore is taking this case a little more seriously than

the missing sock.

One caller referred the city to a Navy environmental services group at Mare Island in Vallejo. Another said his father was on the crew that originally buried the metal capsule. One person even said it was buried right under the totem pole.

"Somebody said it was by the library" said Kris Adams, special projects coordinator for the mayor and City Council. The library, which is about a mile and a half from the totem pole, will be the site of the millennium time capsule to be buried at the end of the year.

That one --- a double-walled, stainless steel container resembling a beer keg designed by Sandia-California National Laboratories to hold explosive materials --- will be marked by a plaque placed above ground.

And another subtle reminder.

"Lots of (media) coverage so we won't forget where it's at. We can't afford to lose another one," Schrader said. "It was funny that everyone from the city had amnesia all of a sudden."

April 2, 2000


Reported in The Valley Times June 7, 1999
Capsule quest seeks grounds for hope
By Michael Pena TIMES STAFF WRITER LIVERMORE --- Mysterious disappearances: the city of Atlantis, the sock in the dryer, all things Lycra. And, of course, Livermore's time capsule. The quest continues at noon Tuesday for the elusive metal canister supposedly buried 25 years ago in Centennial Park. A search team, encouraged by a dozen callers who claim to be in the know, and metal detector companies offering assistance, hope to hit pay dirt. But the people charged with finding the capsule --- supposedly containing a bumper sticker, various pins and buttons and a bottle of petite sirah --- may have dug themselves into a hole they couldn't climb out of if they tried. "If we don't get this thing on the second try, this is going to be the Livergate of 1999," said Barry Schrader of the Centennial Committee. "Luckily, everyone has a sense of humor about this."	Schrader said the public is invited to Tuesday's shindig at 4th and Holmes streets to help --- or to heckle. City workers dug a 4-foot-deep hole and poked around Livermore's memorial totem pole last Tuesday without success. They were going on a rumor by a former Public Works director. City officials and others who actually filled the canister have been unable to help. Aside from unsolicited calls from tipsters, the city has been contacted by news reporters from around the country --- some with tongues in cheek --- to get the latest scoop. Mayor Cathie Brown's office has fielded requests from Fox News and the Associated Press. "It's amazing how this stuff spreads," Schrader said. "I just came back from Yosemite. I had to leave town after all this time capsule stuff." The International Time Capsule Society says Livermore is not alone, that thousands of communities have not been able to find their buried treasures. But Livermore is taking this case a little more seriously than	the missing sock. One caller referred the city to a Navy environmental services group at Mare Island in Vallejo. Another said his father was on the crew that originally buried the metal capsule. One person even said it was buried right under the totem pole. "Somebody said it was by the library" said Kris Adams, special projects coordinator for the mayor and City Council. The library, which is about a mile and a half from the totem pole, will be the site of the millennium time capsule to be buried at the end of the year. That one --- a double-walled, stainless steel container resembling a beer keg designed by Sandia-California National Laboratories to hold explosive materials --- will be marked by a plaque placed above ground. And another subtle reminder. "Lots of (media) coverage so we won't forget where it's at. We can't afford to lose another one," Schrader said. "It was funny that everyone from the city had amnesia all of a sudden."


April 2, 2000