COMMUNITY
FOCUS
APRIL 2020
IN THIS ISSUE: • ELEVATE YOUR SPIRIT • HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY • SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
ourcommunityfocus.com
Our community continues to demonstrate its strength through compassion by supporting its neighbors and businesses during this uncertain time.
We are stronger and more resilient together. PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK
SMALL TALK WITH TERI independent & locally owned by Teri Norbye PUBLISHERS: Becky Coburn Jennifer Neys Elena Hutslar info@ourcommunityfocus.com ADVERTISING: Community Focus info@ourcommunityfocus.com COPY EDITOR: Alison Clary GRAPHIC DESIGN: Trish Heaney
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MISSION STATEMENT The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening and building connections within our community.
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City News
A Place Called Wonderland
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9 Book Views and Suggestions
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Covid-19 & Your Emotions
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Vegan Abundance
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Meet Joe Mello who lives in Oakley. Joe currently works at Urban Remedy in Concord, and he and his sister started a CBD business four months ago. He is also an assistant trainer at the Game Speed Sports Training facility in Concord What is your baseball experience? I’ve played baseball my whole life, ever since I was three years old. I played as a pitcher in independent baseball leagues until I was hurt in 2018. The worst injury I ever had was about two years ago, when I tore my oblique while pitching. It felt like a grenade went off in my stomach. I was out for almost four months and my body is still recovering. I’ve taken time off the last couple of years to try to get my body back to feeling 100% and see if I can continue playing. More about Joe: 1. I’m into health and wellness; I like looking for alternative ways to heal the body. 2. My passion used to be baseball, but now it’s bettering myself to better other people in terms of health and wellness. 3. For fun I like being outdoors, going on hikes, walking my dog, and being around family and good people!
While Sheltering in Place... Elevate Your Spirit LEARN HOW TO DRAW
PLAY CARDS
PLAY BOARD GAMES
FACETIME FAMILY
SOLVE A PUZZLE
TRY COLORING
START MEDITATING
SCIENCE PROJECT
BAKE SOMETHING
DE-CLUTTER A ROOM
YARDWORK
DANCE PARTY
LEARN TO PAINT
WASH WINDOWS
LEARN A NEW HOBBY
BINGE WATCH SHOWS
TRY A NEW RECIPE
WRITE A NOTE
BUY TAKEOUT FROM A LOCAL RESTAURANT
GO ON A BIKE RIDE
RESEARCH YOUR ROOTS
LISTEN TO PODCASTS
SKYPE A FRIEND
SCAVENGER HUNT IN YOUR HOUSE
READ A GOOD BOOK
DO NOTHING
HIKE A NEW TRAIL
Virtually Go There Stream Broadway Hits
Audible Stories:
More Activities Can Found Here:
www.broadwayhd.com
www.stories.audible.com/start-listen
www.randomactsofkindness.org
National Park Visual Tours:
Zoo Virtual Tours:
For Good News Only:
www.nps.gov/yell/learn/
www.kids.sandiegozoo.org
www.goodnewsnetwork.org
photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | APRIL 2020 | 3
Julie Says
What is an ADU?
Great BIG Nature
BY JULIE ROSS As I write this, I’m looking out the window at the rain coming down. Incredible to think that every single drop of that water is holding hundreds, maybe thousands, of tiny living organisms. Makes you look at even a lowly puddle in a whole new way. The natural world has always had the ability to amaze us and lift our spirts with delight. It’s sad that most of the stories we hear about our environment focus on negative, gloom-and-doom tales of destruction and extinction. That’s why I was so excited to come across a wonderful, positive source of nature news. Canadian filmmaker Bryan Smith and renowned naturalist Brian Keating recently teamed up to launch “Great BIG Nature.” Their mission is to create a Great BIG Community to connect with nature and enjoy and help protect our natural spaces. Keating and Smith believe that because technology has become so pervasive, the path to getting people back out into the real world starts with the virtual world. To this end, they have created and continue to create a series of short online videos and podcasts – most just a few minutes long – designed to motivate, educate, and inspire. You can watch these videos on the Great BIG Nature YouTube channel and also access videos and podcasts on the website www.greatbignature.com.
How can you benefit? I just watched the “Monarch Butterfly” video, which provided five minutes of awe -- clouds of millions of butterflies spending the winter in a Mexican forest after migrating an astonishing 3,000 miles or more from their summer homes in Canada and the Northern United States. Watch singing lemurs, a hippo whisperer, and perhaps the world’s cutest penguins, all through the lens of hope provided by the Great BIG Nature team. Aside from the videos and podcasts, another easy way to get a quick pick-meup is to follow Great BIG Nature on social media. Recent Facebook postings include a remarkable snippet on how flowers can “hear” the buzzing approach of bees and respond by instantly increasing the sugar content of their nectar; photographs of the beautiful geometric patterns produced when water droplets react to different musical notes (who knew?); and a look at how a couple in Brazil restored a devasted rainforest by planting two million trees. Great BIG Nature speaks to the importance of our psychological well being by connecting with the natural world, not only by appreciating its beauty and complexity but also finding our place within it. It offers the kind of breaking news reports you might actually want to hear. Tune in soon. Julie is a UC Certified California Naturalist and has been involved in wildlife education and rehabilitation in the Diablo region for many years. You can reach her at julieakross@comcast.net.
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Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been known by many names: granny flats, inlaw units, backyard cottages, secondary units, and more. No matter what you call them, ADUs are an innovative, affordable, and effective option for adding much needed housing in California. ADUs have grown exponentially in number as more cities, counties, and homeowners become interested in increasing the supply of affordable housing. What are the benefits of ADUs? • ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators. • ADUs can provide a source of income for homeowners. • ADUs are built with cost-effective wood frame construction, which is significantly less costly than homes in new, multi-family infill buildings. • ADUs allow extended families to be near one another while maintaining privacy. • ADUs can provide as much living space as many newly built apartments and condominiums, and they’re suited well for couples, small families, friends, young people, and seniors. • ADUs give homeowners the flexibility to share independent living areas with family members and others, allowing seniors to age in place as they require more care. In October 2019, California Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 68 (AB68), making it easier and more affordable to build accessory dwelling units. Summary of recently enacted, new ADU rules in California: • Faster ADU plan review times • Local agencies are prohibited from imposing strict requirements that exceed state mandates. • More flexible ADU size and set back requirements • Allows both regular size and “junior” ADUs on the same property • Allows ADUs for multi-family units and duplexes • Prohibits local agencies from charging “impact fees” for ADUs under 750 sq. ft. Regardless of its physical form, an ADU is legally part of the same property as the main home it resides near. It cannot be bought or sold separately as a condominium might. The owner of the ADU is the owner of the main home. Installing an ADU in your backyard will certainly increase your property value. After all, it is an additional permanent living space on your lot. The kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms are viewed as additions to your primary home. To discuss your options and see how these new rules can help you, contact your Pleasant Hill resource, ADU4You, a one stop shop that handles the entire project at a fixed, affordable cost. 925-979-5516 or sales@ADU4You.com.
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CITY NEWS
Mayor’s Message I am writing this on day two of the three-week “shelter in place” ordered by our county health officer. By the time this print edition reaches homes, we will be two-thirds of the way through. Hopefully, you’ve been able to use this time to discover a favorite new TV show, catch up with friends and family over social media, and even clean out that junk drawer you’ve been meaning to get to. I’ve been enjoying the creative posts on Facebook by the Pleasant Hill Police Department’s new Social Media Team. Realizing that the shelter in place order limits opportunities for positive interactions with the community, the Social Media Team is focusing on building relationships virtually. If you haven’t started following @PleasantHillPD on Facebook, @phpdofficial on Instagram, and @PHillPD on Twitter, now is a great time. I’ve also been brainstorming ways to support the local businesses that have been
impacted by COVID-19. Many have had to close during this shelter in place period, while those that are allowed to stay open may have seen a huge drop in customers. Nearly all of our restaurants have take-out or delivery options as well as gift certificates for future in-person dining. Retail stores, nail salons, and other small businesses that are closed during the shelter in place order may also have gift cards or certificates that you can buy now and give in the future for birthdays and other special occasions. While these are unprecedented times, it’s good to know that we have a structure in place to manage any kind of emergency. The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) is a statewide process that was put into effect after the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm destroyed nearly 3,000 homes and killed 25 people. One of the challenges during that horrific firestorm was a lack of
Pleasant Hill City News
County Supervisors Set Dates
At the February 10 Board of Supervisors meeting, the supervisors adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals for the sale of 1750 Oak Park Boulevard and fixed May 12, 2020, as the date for receiving proposals for development. The residential project includes 34 two-story units with 7 accessory units that comply with the city’s 20% low-income housing requirement. In addition, a “pocket park” will be constructed by the builder and dedicated to the Pleasant Hill Rec and Park. The supervisors authorized the county librarian to permanently close the Pleasant Hill Library at 1750 Oak Park Boulevard at 6pm on June 3, 2020, and execute a sublease with the City of Pleasant Hill for temporary library space. The library closure and sale of the property will “maximize public safety while multiple construction projects are underway and minimize neighborhood disruption by completing projects in tandem.” Supervisor Karen Mitchoff mentioned how cost prohibitive it would be for Pleasant Hill Library to remain open through June 2022 and during construction of the new library. She listed that keeping the HVAC operational would be at a cost of over $300K; electrical maintenance would be performed at around $718K; and repairing the roof, should it fail, would cost approximately $1.2 million. The Contra Costa County Public Works Department provided the estimates. Supervisor Chair Candace Andersen looked at the cost benefit of closing the library and said, “To be able to open a new library with at least 800K worth of new materials is significant, and in the long run I think it’s the most efficient way to get this library built and meet the needs of these four partners working together.”
ARC Discusses Development at 401 Taylor Boulevard At the March 5 Architectural Review Commission meeting, the ARC conducted a study session to provide feedback on an Architectural Review Permit and PUD Concept Plan (Re6 | APRIL 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
Matt Rinn, Mayor of Pleasant Hill
coordination between first responders, utilities, and government agencies. As a result, state lawmakers passed legislation mandating the creation of a standardized emergency management system that clearly lays out the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the response. In layman’s term, it helps us all “stay in our lane.” In the case of COVID-19, Pleasant Hill is part of a countywide response led by Contra Costa Health Services. While we have not (at least at the time that I’m writing this) had to open our own Emergency Operations Center, we have been in daily contact with Contra Costa Health Services and the Office of Emergency Services to stay on top of developments and gain valuable information to share with our own community. All of our city employees, from police to finance, are trained in SEMS. We also have a Comprehensive Emergency Management
Plan that fleshes out how Pleasant Hill uses the SEMS structure to provide for the safety of our community in times of disaster. In addition to trained employees, we are fortunate to have a robust Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, with volunteers ready to assist in our neighborhoods. CERT just revamped their website; if you’re looking for something to do during the rest of the shelter in place period, surf their site at pleasanthillcert.org and pick up some preparedness ideas so you’re ready for the next time we face an emergency. (Hint: Their Home Preparedness Kit checklist lists toilet paper under “essentials.”) This time of “shelter in place” will come to an end, and we will be enjoying all Pleasant Hill has to offer again. I look forward to seeing everyone around town when that happens. And now, I’m going to go wash my hands again.
zoning) request submitted by the applicant, CDP Pleasant Hill, LLC, located in Danville. The applicant is looking to develop a residential subdivision at 401 Taylor Boulevard on the corner of Taylor Boulevard and Lucille Lane. The site is currently occupied by the Seventh Day Adventists Headquarters and the Adventist Book Center. The Architectural Review Permit is for the design of a 46-unit residential subdivision and related improvements. The 4.96-acre site is proposed to accommodate 46 attached two-story and three-story residential townhouse units with a maximum 35-foot building height. The townhouse units would consist of floor plans ranging in size from 2,101 – 2,791 square feet. Sixteen (16) of the 46 townhouse units are proposed to include an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). The ARC provided comments to the applicant, including modifying guest parking locations, landscaping, open space uses, and design. The project will consist of rezoning, general plan amendment, major subdivision, and development plan permit, all to be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council at a later date.
City sets up COVID-19 Webpage Community Awards Postponed To make it easier to find information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the impacts on Pleasant Hill (e.g. programs closed, events cancelled), the City of Pleasant Hill has set up a special webpage where city staff can post updates and links to key resources. Go to www. pleasanthillca.org and click on the banner at the top of the page. The page also includes links to important health resources, including Contra Costa Health Services, which is managing the COVID-19 response for all Contra Costa cities and does frequent updates. Community Awards event is postponed until this period of “social distancing” and COVID-19 has passed. While City Hall is closed to the public, staff continues to provide essential services by appointment. Documents may be dropped off at City Hall during regular business hours. City page: pleasanthillca.org/covid-19 County page: cchealth.org
CITY NEWS
Mayor’s Message As I write this, the Contra Costa County Health officer announced a mandatory order banning all public and private gatherings of 100 or more
people through the month of March. This order is legally binding, and those that violate the order are subject to fines and imprisonment. As of today, March
Martinez City News Senior Center Closed until April 8 The Martinez Senior Center will remain closed to the public until April 8 or as directed by Contra Costa Health Services. City staff is available to answer phones and provide support to the senior community from 9am to 1pm. All phone calls will be logged so that city staff can determine the services and resources needed. City staff will continue to support Meals on Wheels and CC Café by remaining as a pickup and drop off location (no sit down meals). Registered participants of the CC Café program who are identified as being at higher risk will be contacted by city staff to arrange pick ups for 7-day frozen meal packs at the Senior Center that will be provided each Tuesday. Staff will coordinate with outside organizations, agencies, and the Senior Citizens’ Club of Martinez membership to solicit donations. Those interested in donating will be instructed to call the Senior Center office line at (925) 370-8770 to make arrangements for donations. Additional resources: Food Bank of Contra Costa, 4010 Nelson Avenue, Concord, 94520, (925) 676-7543; Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa, 835 Ferry Street, Martinez, 94553, (925) 293-4792.
Proclamation of Local Emergency On March 16, City Manager Eric Figueroa proclaimed a local emergency. The proclamation is not in response to a direct incident within Martinez but rather relaxes the city’s purchasing requirements to allow the city to acquire goods and services at a moment’s notice, enhancing its ability to protect public safety. The proclamation is also required for City of Martinez taxpayers to be reimbursed from national and state agencies for expenses incurred during the emergency.
Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez
14, there are 29 Contra Costa residents infected with Covid-19 and there have been no deaths. As you read this, I am sure those numbers will have changed for the worse. The normal content of my monthly message announces upcoming events and issues being discussed by the Martinez City Council, however, this month, all I can announce is that all Martinez events have been cancelled due to this health order. These include the Sunday farmers’ market, Bay Area Beer Festival, Mini-Motorland, Arbor Day, Swan Day, St. Baldrick’s Foundation Martinez Shave-Off, and the closing of the Martinez Senior Center. The city has also closed the bathrooms in all of our neighborhood parks with the exception of Waterfront Park. We will continue to hold regular and special city council meetings, however, we will be limiting in-person attendance to 40 individuals, appropriately spaced apart. We will allow people to submit comments via email as well as prior to the meeting. Only the city manager, city clerk, video technician, and myself will be physically in the city council chamber. The other city council members will at-
tend the meeting remotely via conference call. The conference call set-up is all being done under the new direction of the governor. I, along with the city council, prioritize the health and safety of our community above all else. For this reason, we are taking special precautions in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which I know disrupts your daily life. These measures are taken solely in the interest of public health and safety. I sincerely hope that the situation will improve in the coming weeks and we can return to a more normal course of business. Until then, I urge everyone to follow the guidelines of our health and safety experts at Contra Costa Health Services and routinely visit their special website, https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/, which is updated daily and dedicated to addressing the pandemic. You can learn more about steps taken by the city on our coronavirus page at www.url.gov. It is my hope that as you read this the pandemic is subsiding and daily life and the economy are on the road back to normalcy. Stay safe and be healthy.
Farmers’ Market Reopens The Martinez Farmers’ Market reopened on Sunday, March 22, due to its classification as an essential business and necessary food source during this time of “Shelter in Place.” The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market (PCFMA) will be practicing health safety precautions to create a safer environment: no food sampling, no musical entertainment, and no public seating. As many items as possible will be pre-bagged for grab and go. Farmers and producers are encouraged to bring hand-washing stations and wear gloves. There will also be increased space between vendors’ stalls for additional safety. If you go, you are asked to wash all fresh fruits and vegetables, practice social distancing, not form lines, and shop quickly to allow others space. Only touch fruits and vegetables that you intend to buy or have the farmer pick out your produce. The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market webpage states, “We believe that our farmers’ markets are essential food resources and we are committed to keeping them open for as long as possible. We are also committed to helping to keep our communities safe, so if we are instructed to close a farmers’ market by a local health authority due to their concerns about the Coronavirus, we will comply.” The PCFMA will be posting any changes to market schedules, including closures, on Facebook: facebook.com/PCFMA or their website: https://pcfma.org. Martinez Covid-19: website: www.downtownmartinez.org/covid-19-emergency-relief
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Real Estate Advice
Buying or Selling a Home During the Covid-19 Crisis BY PETE SABINE such as a buyer’s or seller’s inability to travel From time to time, to sign documents, closings of or delays in “black swan events” related government and business services, overtake the ability of including delays by or closing of lenders, parties in a real estate title/escrow, county assessor/recorder, or transaction to allocate otherwise, the parties to the real estate the risk of nonperformtransaction should consider incorporating ance. Such events are often addressed by a these provisions as a part of the purchase “force majeure” clause that allows a party to agreement: suspend or terminate performance when 1. In the event a delay occurs that affects the Close of Escrow date due to any reason circumstances that the parties could not related to COVID-19, Buyer and Seller shall have anticipated or are beyond their control agree to extend the Close of Escrow date make performance of the contract impossiup to ___ days towithout allow additional time for ble or impracticable. Sell your home faster, at a higher price, spending your Coronavirus money upfront on improvements and repairs either party to perform. The current global 2. In the event a delay occurs that affects (COVID-19) pandemic has the potential for a contingency removal and/or contractual unprecedented impacts on real estate transThe hassle-free way to sell your home faster and for a higher price. obligation by either party due to any reason actions, including travel restrictions, shelterCompass Concierge helps you maximize the value of your home with related to COVID-19, Buyer and Seller shall in-place government required isolation, and repairs, cosmetic updating home improvement including staging, agree to extend the contingency removal closure of both government andservices private ofdate and/or contractual obligationservices date up fices required to fund, close, and record real improvments and more! +100 home improvement to ___ days to allow additional time for eiestate transactions. In the event compliance with purchase ther party to perform. agreement contingencies, contractual ob3. The Loan Contingency shall remain in efDiscover the Concierge Capital home improvement loan... ligations, or the close of escrow is not posfect until the lender delivers loan funds to APR, with no loan Escrow. fees or interest charges sible or practical as0% a result of unforeseen circumstances related the COVID-19, * This protects the buyer the event the Go totowww.ConciergeCapitalLoan.com forindetails Pete Sabine
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buyer incurs a loss of income or employment during the transaction escrow. 4. Regarding Closing and Possession, Seller reserves the right to rent back the property from Buyer up to ___ days from Close of Escrow. Seller shall deliver to Buyer a written notice to exercise rent back option and specify the Occupancy date no later than ___ days prior to Close of Escrow.
* This allows the seller to adjust timing to vacate the property, confirm moving arrangements, and prevent additional costs for interim housing before moving to their new home. Pete Sabine. Call or Text 925.297.5335 Pete@FiveStarRealEstatePro.com Compass. License #00889760 SPONSORED CONTENT
From the Contra Costa County Historical Society
A History Note A Place Called Wonderland BY MARJORIE NEWTON Once upon a time, there was a place called Wonderland that was designed for the delight of children. Over the entrance was a sign that read: “Into This Royal Playground Pass Only Happy People, Big and Little.” The tiny empire was ruled over by King Norman. Wonderland was located in the Park and Shop in Concord. Construction of this strip mall began in 1955, formally opened for business in 1957, and was completed in 1959. Among the original 18 tenants were Grant’s, Woolworth’s, J.C. Penney’s, and Kahn’s department stores. King Norman’s Wonderland and toy store was at the eastern end of the Park and Shop. Children could choose to ride on the merry-go-round, drive miniature cars, or go on the Ferris wheel or train. Many children celebrated their birthdays there during the 10 years it was in operation. The only original business that remains today is Chick’s Donuts. King Norman, born Norman Rosenberg in Chicago in 1918, was a naval officer stationed in San Francisco during World War II. On a blind date he met Doris Brodofsky, who became his wife of more than 60 years. Their business, which began in Richmond in the early 1950s, grew to 21 stores throughout the Bay Area. King Norman and Doris, known as Page Joy, could be seen on Saturday mornings on KGO-TV. To see what Wonderland looked like in 1956, go to You Tube to watch a video, at www.youtube.
com/watch?v=1FeJo-WxhAM. Eventually, the Rosenbergs sold their business. In 1965, Park and Shop expanded, adding new stores in place of where Wonderland once stood. But that was not the end of the story. After a time in Oakland, the rides returned to Concord in 1970, no longer in Wonderland but now in Pixie Playland. Pixie Playland is located at 2740 East Olivera Road in Concord. The owner of the equipment retired in 1989 and sold the rides to the City of Concord. Additional rides were added in 1995. Children continue to celebrate birthdays in the park and enjoy the rides that once brought happiness to their parents and grandparents. “A History Note” is presented by the Contra Costa County History Center, 724 Escobar St., Martinez, using materials from the society’s collections. Open hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, from 9-4, and the first and third Saturdays, from 10-2. Check out www. cocohistory.org.
Stronger Than You Know Covid-19 and Your Emotions BY DENA BETTI Most importantly, I hope you and your loved ones are safe. I want to address the current situation we all find ourselves in, thanks to COVID-19. For our family, COVID-19 feels like a one-two punch that even Mike Tyson would be proud of. My daughter Jenna passed away at fourteen. We missed doing so much with her. Now, with COVID-19, it looks like circumstances out of our control will rob us from experiencing so much of our middle daughter’s high school senior year. Yes, it’s a lot to take in. These kinds of blows hurt, and how could they not? Emotions like insecurity, fear, worry, anger, and disappointment are heightened, which is natural given the circumstances we’re dealing with, right? What I’ve learned in my lifetime is our circumstances do not get to dictate our state of mind without our permission. One of my
favorite quotes is from Viktor E Frankl: “When we are no longer able to change our situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” This doesn’t mean we push our emotions away; actually, it means quite the opposite. Today my wish is to help you acknowledge all those emotions whirling inside you due to the impact of COVID-19 and learn some tools to help you feel more in control. You may not be as helpless as you are feeling. It is time to find ways to reduce your anxiety levels and feel empowered. The following tools are presented with permission by my dear friend Grace Redman in her blog, “Dare to Achieve” (https://www.daretoachieve.com): 1. Pray and/or meditate - This will help reduce fear and anxiety, providing you with a sense of peace. The Breethe meditation app is currently offering a free meditation collection titled “Inner Wellness During Coronavirus.” Check it out! 2. Make an effort to stick to a routine - Stick
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to your normal wake and sleep times as much as possible and get dressed for the day, albeit a little more casually if you like (hello sweats and yoga pants!). 3. Laugh! - It’s really important to keep laughing in times of stress. It raises our vibration by releasing endorphins, those wonderful “feel good” hormones. 4. Get out in nature - Fresh air and the sounds and sights of nature provide a wonderful form of therapy and healing. While you still need to practice social distancing, take a walk with your partner or kids and just enjoy time in each other’s company without any digital distractions. 5. Practice gratitude - This is the most important staying sane tip. No matter what the circumstances, understand that this law of the universe is always in effect: what we focus on grows. If we remain focused on the news, our fear and anxiety will heighten. Try to select one short time of the day to get updated on the news, then switch that source off, be it TV,
phone, or radio. Turn your focus to what you’re grateful for instead. Ask yourself, what am I most grateful for right now? 6. Be of service - Reach out to people in need and ask how you can support them. While you should still adhere to social distancing guidelines, often all someone needs is to just have another person hear and validate their feelings. You can easily do that on the phone or online. Even though many of the things going on around us are out of our control, I believe there is even more in our control. It’s in the most challenging of times that we are challenged to turn inward and reflect on all the power that lies within us. I am here to support you. Please email me at dena@strongerthanyouknow.com to connect. Dena Betti is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, chairperson for the #hersmile Nonprofit, and a certified life coach. Limited personal coaching slots are available. To learn more about the iSoulify workshop, visit http:// strongerthanyouknow.com.
WORD SEARCH Find the names of some of our local restaurants currently providing “curbside service” or takeout. Note: California has eased alcohol rules for restaurants, allowing to-go sales for beer, wine and cocktails with food purchase.
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OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | APRIL 2020 | 9
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IN THE GARDEN
Coping
In Times of Crisis we Have the Golden Opportunity BY LESLEY STILES As I pen this missive, our world is in a different space then we are used to. It’s still early, so I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow or in the near future. Everyone has been hit hard as you all know. You are the everyone. It’s been interesting to observe different coping mechanisms. Some feel that stocking up on a thousand rolls of toilet paper will do the trick. Others are baking. Lately, every time I go to the grocery store, I notice people buying lots of cake mixes. At Harvest House in Concord, the flour bins were literally empty, which means customers are baking from scratch. I’ve seen lots of families outside playing with their kids. I like that. There are lots of people taking in fresh air, walking the streets, and enjoying breaks in the much-needed precipitation. At first panic, farmers’ markets were closed but are now deemed an essential service. My heart sings for that news. People shopping in the open air and buying fresh, organic produce from people that need the money is a no brainer. Regardless of this awful, potentially deadly virus that has overtaken us, we still need to live. How we live is how we get through this mess. I maintain that we need to keep our humanity and sanity. I believe if we slow down while navigating this new life, we will be able to be nice to other people as we pick at the Soviet era empty shelves in the grocery store of our new normal. My mom got a letter on her door from a neighbor telling her to call if she needed anything -- grocery store, errands, anything. My mom is 90 and my sister and I take pretty good care of her, but what a nice surprise that letter was. In times of crisis we have the golden opportunity and privilege to make stuff better. To make ourselves better. It is handed to us because everywhere you turn, something needs to be fixed, loved, helped, nurtured, or even taught a new way to do a job. We get to do this because the need is there, and we are in an abnormal crisis. At a time when we need it the most, we cannot have physical 12 | APRIL 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
contact. At first it was kind of a joke to bump elbows or feet, but it wears on a person. If you are a hugger like me, it’s hard, and now is the time we need it most. It’s ironic that in times of crisis what we really want to do is hug each other and tell each other it will be ok. For me, not being able to have physical contact with my friends is difficult to remember. Yikes! That’s right, no hugs. When we come out the other side of this and are allowed to hug friends and strangers again, I believe our humanity meter is going to be way up. I believe humility, kindness and making do with less are going to be positives that come from this. I believe spending time with our kids and loved ones with our eyes and ears open is going to be an astounding gift we receive when all this is over. I believe we may slow down and be a little more grateful for all our blessings. Here at Roxx on Main we are working hard at counting our blessings. We are trying everything to stay alive. It’s a small, young operation and it’s going to be rough, but hopefully, we will come out whole and everyone will get back to work so we can build again. Cancelling music gigs, going to a skeleton staff, washing dishes, they all make it so real. We are, at this writing, open for take-out and delivery only. I also believe in eating good food, so we are super fortunate that the farmers’ markets are still open to us, at least as of this writing. Asparagus, peas, green garlic, and greens of all kinds are sugar sweet and begging to be bought. Berries are starting to make their spring appearance and carrots are screaming sugar bombs. Hope and spring go together hand and hand, and this is a fabulous time of year to be outside roaming the market and hiking the hills. For years, as I have hiked our hills, social distancing has never been an issue as there aren’t enough folks on the trail to scare you, BUT now that everything else is banned, I hope that while you are getting out for fresh air you will run into friends and neighbors and greet each other warmly (even as you keep the allotted space between) and can look forward to the day when we can once again hug or shake a hand.
As of this writing, we are open for take out and delivery only. We have a full menu and wine list on our website www.roxxonmain.com. We are able to sell bottles of wine and beer unopened. We also have gift certificates available for future fun!! There
Asparagus Pasta with Garlic and Mushrooms
INGREDIENTS 3 Tablespoons olive oil 1 pound cooked pasta such as Orecchiette or small shells to hold sauce 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock, heated 1 pound asparagus, sliced in ½ inch pieces 4 stalks of green garlic, cleaned and sliced Zest of 2 Meyer lemons 1 cups sliced cremini mushrooms 6 ounces of Reggiano Parmesan cheese 3 Tablespoons chopped parsley Kosher salt and freshly grated pepper DIRECTIONS Heat olive oil in a deep sauté pan. Add green garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes until it begins to caramelize. Add the mushrooms and asparagus and sauté for 3 to 4 more minutes. Add a cup of stock and let it come to a boil. Simmer for a few minutes until asparagus turns bright green. Add pasta and lemon zest and heat through. Season w/salt and pepper and toss in parsley. Garnish w/shaved Parmesan. Serves 4
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WILL be future fun down here!! We aren’t going anywhere and have a full music line up online for when we do reopen for other than takeout and delivery!! We thank the community greatly for all the support you are giving us!! Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy and Chef/ Owner of Roxx on Main, offering delicious, sustainable foods to the community. She can be reached at lesley@roxxonmain.com • www.roxxonmain.com • www. lesleystilesfoods.com 925 370 ROXX
Fresh Fruit Crisp
INGREDIENTS 6 cups fruit (maybe berries from the farmers’ market) 1 cup white whole wheat flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 cube butter, melted 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 cup oats 1 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS Preheat oven 375*. Spray 8x8 baking dish. Place fruit in dish. Mix flour, sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, oats, and salt in bowl. Crumble onto fruit. Bake one hour until fruit bubbles and top is crunchy and lightly browned. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or cold the next day for a very decadent but sensuous and utterly fulfilling breakfast. Serves 6
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How to Say No
Reconsidering Your Role in Others’ Estate Plans
BY JEFFREY HALL, CPA, JD Probate /Trust Attorney It is important to think carefully about your ability or willingness to serve as an executor or trustee for someone else. If a family member or friend has asked you to serve as the executor of his or her estate or as trustee of a trust he or she is creating, there are a number of factors you should consider before accepting either of these important roles. What to Consider Before Accepting the Role of Executor or Trustee First, keep in mind that you will be in a position of trust and will be held to a high standard of care when carrying out your responsibilities, and if you breach that duty of care, you could be personally liable to the estate or trust or to the beneficiaries. Second, you should consider the complexity of the deceased person’s estate or trust and, in the case of an executor, the complexity of the probate system in your state. Third, think about personal issues. Do you live too far away to carry out your duties without substantial inconvenience and expense? After considering these factors, if you decide you do not want to be the executor or trustee, the next steps depend upon the stage at which you decline that role.
Saying No to an Executorship or Trusteeship Before Death Occurs If someone asks you to serve as their executor or you find out that you have been named as executor in someone’s will, you should simply communicate what an honor it is to be asked to fulfill that role but let them know that you are unable to accept. There is no formal legal procedure to follow when declining to act as an executor. After Death But Before Formal Appointment The law may vary from state to state, but, typically, if the person who named you as executor has died but the court has not yet formally appointed you as executor, you should notify the beneficiaries or heirs of the estate of your intention to renounce the role of executor, fill out and sign a “declination” form, and file the form in the probate court that handles the estate. Resignation After Acceptance Of Executorship If you have been formally appointed as the executor by the probate court but wish to resign, you must file a petition for removal with the probate court. Until a new executor is appointed, you will continue to have a duty to protect the estate. After The Trust Is Created But Before Acceptance Very similar to state rules below. Give Us a Call. We can help you determine whether to accept or decline a role in someone else’s estate plan by providing a thorough explanation of what is involved
and the correct method for declining or resigning that role if you so choose. If you have already taken on the role of trustee or executor, you need to check with us to make sure that you follow all the proper steps to avoid possible liability for failing to fulfill your fiduciary duties. Consult with your neighborhood estate planning attorney, Jeffrey Hall. You may visit his website at www. I’m not in trouble anymore!
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Read My Mind
Š
The Deserter
BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD Nelson DeMille became a popular author with his “action, adventure and suspense novels“ like The Charm School, Plum Island, The Lion, and The Cuban Affair. They were spellbinding thrillers about secret Soviet agents, mysterious murders, hidden treasures, ruthless villains, and brave American heroes. The Charm School was a sinister little Russian village where young KGB agents were taught how to be “perfect Americans� so they could infiltrate the United States and spy on us without being noticed. (Think of the TV series The Americans.) In Plum Island, we met John Corey, an NYPD detective recovering from injuries on Long Island. He learned of the murder of biologists on neighboring Plum Island along with a plot to develop biological weapons
there. Corey takes on “a dangerous search for the secret of Plum Island� and tries to prevent a major catastrophe. In books like The Lion and The Panther, Corey attempts to capture or kill notorious Arab terrorists. In many of these books, Corey was teamed with Kate Mayfield, an FBI special agent. Much of the enjoyment of the books in this series was generated by the playful and humorous banter between these two as they try to prevent one terrorist attack after another and find the elusive fanatics. A few years ago, DeMille published my favorite of his later novels, The Cuban Affair, (reviewed here previously), a tantalizing mystery about a hunt for “buried treasure� in Cuba during the reign of Fidel Castro. DeMille’s most recent book, The Deserter, is a significant departure from his earlier works. It’s the first of his novels that he co-authored with his screenwriter son, Alex. The story takes place in Venezuela (rather than in the Middle East or
the U.S.). The heroes this time are Army officers Scott Brody and Maggie Taylor. They’ve been sent to Caracas, one of the most crime-infested cities in the world, to find an Army deserter named Kyle Mercer. After deserting the Army in Afghanistan, Mercer was captured by the Taliban, tortured, and then made a daring escape. Since then, the Army has been trying to find him to determine why he deserted, how he escaped the Taliban, and why he was working with revolutionaries trying to overthrow the corrupt Venezuelan government. Brody and Taylor’s search take them to the slums of Caracas and a brothel that features under-age girls. After Brody makes another of his outrageous puns, Taylor says the only really clever line in the book: “No more stupid jokes.“ Unfortunately, The Deserter seems to be one stupid joke after another. The plot is lame, the characters unengaging, and the story goes nowhere. Rather than rooting for the
heroes to find Mercer and bring him to justice, I was rooting for Mercer. You know a story is terribly flawed when you start rooting for the villain because the hero is so obnoxious. The Deserter didn’t have the same vibe as DeMille’s previous books. I’ve seen this with other authors when they have someone co-author a book or use a ghostwriter. Often the co-writer does most of the writing, so the book loses the flavor of the main author. I was waiting for the usual thrilling Nelson DeMille ending, but it never came. Needless to say, The Deserter was a major disappointment, especially since my expectations were so high based on DeMille’s previous books. If you want a real sense of adventure, clever and engaging characters, and a powerful and intriguing thriller, read his earlier works, like Plum Island, The Charm School, The Lion, or The Cuban Affair. Better yet, read all of them.
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Real Estate News
Spring Market, The Pandemic, Interest Rates BY NORMA FLASKERUD As we go to press, we are under a 3-week “shelter in place” order! We all hope this flattens the curve and allows the risk of the virus spreading to lessen and life as we know it to go on. For now, it seems insights about the real estate market, as it’s been, as it is, and as it may be, are appropriate. 2020 thus far has been a steaming hot seller’s market! Inventory remained low, so each house that came on the market got many offers, was bid up, and went pending very fast. Of course, most people do not sell in winter, so the number of new listings was low. We Realtors experienced a huge number of attendees at weekend open houses. 50-100 visitors was normal! Then came the shelter in place order. But the buyers are still out there; they want to buy. The sellers still want to sell. As of this writing, we are not allowed to hold an open house or broker’s tour, as you can well imagine. Some sellers are authorizing their agents to market them OFF the Multiple Listing Service to see if they might attract a buyer or even get a purchase contract written “subject to the buyer seeing it in three weeks, or when shelter-in-place is lifted.” Not every seller needs a house to be given full market exposure. Many are happy if they get their fair market value; they don’t need multiple offers. We have ways to promote a house for sale off the MLS as long as
the seller authorizes it and signs a required form. We can get it done; just call or email and we can make it happen! (If social isolation continues, this may become the temporary norm.) We have been top listing and selling agents in Pleasant Hill for many years. What is it about Pleasant Hill people love? So many things. It’s a great central location; you can hop over Taylor Blvd. to Lafayette, BART, or Highway 24 to Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco. Or you can cruise along scenic Alhambra Avenue to Highway 4, which offers easy access to west Contra Costa County, the Richmond and Carquinez Bridges, Highway 80, or east county. You can merge onto Highway 680 north or south to places farther afield, or access our own PH BART Station! And the shopping! It’s so easy to pop into Sun Valley Mall or over to Walnut Creek’s lovely Broadway Plaza. There are plenty of great medical options here, with hospitals in Walnut Creek and Concord. The schools are largely high performing and high scoring, with wonderful parent and teacher engagement. The recreation is great; the award-winning Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District is a leader in the state for all things park & recreation! And don’t forget the setting; what used to be an ancient sea-bed shore rises from the low land of Highway 680 up into the Briones Park hills, and we get to enjoy all in between, traversing it by bike or walking it via the lovely canal trail. Thanks for being amazing neighbors and making Pleasant
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Hill an awesome place to live! Interest rates: The feds lowered the interest rate. We shortly saw 30-year fixed rates lower than ever, but they jumped up and settled in the mid 3% range and the rate market is volatile. More than ever before, you need a trusted advisor! Buyers are clamoring to buy a house and get low, fixed-rate loans. If you are such a buyer, know we will begin showing houses again soon, hopefully, by mid-April! Meanwhile, we know sellers are excited to sell; inventory should really jump up once the shelter in place is over! The Flaskerud Team has signed listings ready to be sold. Stay in touch. Call us at 925-381-7276 (Erik’s cell). Our office is closed for a few weeks, but leave a message at 925-338-2980 or email us. The Flaskerud Team/Norma Flaskerud www.PleasantHillRealEstate.com Re/Max Accord. DRE# 00867031 SPONSORED CONTENT
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Happy Birthday! Ellen Coe Turns 100! BY PATTY WHEATLEY We welcome a new centenarian to our community! Ellen Berniece Coe, born Ellen Berniece Gabriel on March 21, 1920, in Astoria, Oregon, will celebrate her 100th birthday with friends and family at Scotts Seafood Restaurant in Walnut Creek. Ellen’s father was an ironworker who
worked on bridges, so the family moved around a lot. They wound up in Walnut Creek, and she took the train to Mt. Diablo High School. When she married Robert Coe, they vowed to keep their children from having to move, and true to her word, she has lived in the same house in Pacheco since 1955. She is most proud of having raised five hardworking sons. (The
youngest is 68.) Ellen says the secret to her longevity and good health is her trust in Jesus. She stays young by keeping a positive attitude and maintaining friendships. She and her group of friends go out almost every Friday night for social activities and dinner. Â The highlights of her life are hard to
limit but include getting married, having children, watching their successes, and so much more. One of her favorite memories is when her youngest son, Doug, took her to Lake Louise in 2010. She feels blessed to be living in her own home and drives herself to church every Sunday. What an amazing example of how life can be lived. Happy birthday, Ellen Berniece!
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Spreading Cheer and Hope Rainbow Hunting Kids spread love with neighborhood rainbow art scavenger hunts and colorful chalk drawings throughout the community.
At Home? What to Read? Recommendations from School Librarians The Focus asked our local MDUSD teacher librarians for some website and book recommendations to keep our K-12 kids reading and learning for the duration of the school closures and shelter in place. Laurel Burns, teacher librarian at Strandwood and Gregory Gardens Elementary Schools, recommends the Steve Spangler science site (stevespanglerscience. com) for fun and easy science projects and Storytime From Space (storytimefromspace. com), where astronauts read to you from space. For book titles she recommends: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (4th - 6th); Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen (4th - 6th); The Mysterious Benedict Society (series) by Trenton Lee Stewart (3rd - 5th); Narwhal’s Otter Friend by Ben Clanton (K - 2nd); and Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman (TK - 2nd). Deborah Wiley, teacher librarian at Pleasant Hill Elementary: “As far as websites go, I recommend the Contra Costa Library. The libraries are closed, but there is access to their e-books and e-audiobooks and streaming through Kanopy and Video Storytime.” For books, she recommends: Interrupting Chicken (K - 2nd) by Ezra Stein; The One and Only Ivan (3rd - 5th) by K.A. Applegate; and The War That Saved My Life (4th - 6th) by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley. Ruth Shumate, teacher librarian at Valley View Middle and College Park High School: “Contra Costa County Library re-
sources have been very helpful. I want to recommend Flipster digital magazines, especially How it Works, a science and technology magazine for young people. If students do not have a county library card, they can apply for an e-card online that will allow access.” One of her recommended websites is Story Corps (https://storycorps. org/). The mission of this organization is “to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.” There are thousands of moving stories to hear. Another of her favorites is Pixar in a Box (https://www.khanacademy. org/partner-content/pixar/), now with the Khan Academy. Pixar in a Box is a behindthe-scenes look at how Pixar artists do their jobs. Another is the Newseum website (www.newseum.org/) for “Today’s Front Pages,” the daily front pages of newspapers from around the world, including the San Francisco Chronicle. Her book recommendations for middle school are: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Rascal by Sterling North, and Survivor’s Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz by Michael Bornstein. For high school she likes: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott; Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing; Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand; Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer; and Zodiac: The Shocking
True Story of the Hunt for the Nation’s Most Elusive Serial Killer by Robert Graysmith. She added, “Appreciate each day and do what you can to make your corner of the world a better place. Looking forward to being back at school and seeing all of you again!” Valhalla Elementary Teacher Librarian Jennifer Neys said, “April is National Poetry Month. Shel Silverstein (www.shelsilverstein.com) and Jack Prelutsky (ackprelutsky. com) are very popular with students, and both poets have fun, interactive websites. To keep up with nonfiction reading and current events, I love Dogonews (www. dogonews.com), and for those with curious minds and lots of questions, I recommend Wonderopolis (www.wonderopolis.org). Diana Conner, teacher librarian at Sequoia Elementary and Sequoia Middle said, “Many children’s authors are reading their books aloud on Instagram. Mac Barnett is reading one of his books every day at noon (https://www.instagram.com/macbarnet). Set your alarms, brew a cup of somethin’, stop, and take a listen. Storytime online (www.storytimeonline.net) is the work of the Screen Actors’ Guild. Famous actors read stories and talk about why they love reading storytime. Carson Ellis, an illustrator, started the Quarantine Art Club at carsonellis.com/ blog.” For upper elementary to middle school students, Diana says, “Start reading a series. It will carry you through the shelter in place. Try Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shan-
non Messener; Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein; The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier; The Ranger Apprentice by John Flannagan; The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall; and Planet Omar: Accident Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian.
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PAIR UP
Vegan Abundance
From Appetizers to Dessert, Lots of Ways to use Veggies! BY MARIA TERRY Veganism is a healthy lifestyle that many people follow. Since I love vegetables, I was inspired by the number of recipes I found that fit the vegan format and do not require a lot of specialty ingredients. Vegetables can be challenging to pair with wine because they generally have no fat of their own. Wine benefits by pairing with foods that have fat to smooth out the acid and/or tannins, particularly the tannins. Keep in mind that some wineries use non-vegan products in the production of the wine, like fining (removing solids) with egg whites. So, if you want your pairings to be strictly vegan, you’ll need to seek out information on how the wine has been treated before bottling. Fava beans, also known as broad beans, contain a small amount of unsaturated fat and are filled with vitamins and minerals. I adore the flavor and texture of the paste that they produce. This Vegan Fava Bean and Radish Bruschetta recipe is particularly tasty because it combines tart lemon with slightly bitter radish along with a high note of mint and a low note of black licorice from the fennel. The crunchy, umami crostini with olive oil and garlic is the perfect vehicle on which to spread the delicious paste. Just about the only wine that can handle these pungent, verdant flavors is Austrian Grüner Veltliner (groo-ner veltleen-er). Grüner has bright acidic flavors of citrus with a unique white pepper note. It is the quintessential vegetable wine. If you can’t find a Grüner, you could substitute a Sauvignon Blanc, perhaps one from New Zealand for its intensity. Grüner Veltliner from Austria is made in two formats, regular and Smaragd. The Smaragd (smah-rawgt) is a riper version, with more viscosity and richness. This is why I chose to pair it with the Vegan Artichoke, Asparagus, Pea and Green Onion Risotto. Risottos have a silky texture that comes from the release of the starch from the rice during the slow cooking process. 18 | APRIL 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
There are no sure answers as to why we crave sweets at the end of a meal, but I believe it is because when our stomachs are full our taste buds shut down and our brain signals us to stop eating. Since the sweet receptors are likely the last to shut down, the only thing left that tastes good is sweet food and wine! This complex Vegan UpsideDown Cake with Apricot, Cardamom, and Maple is an excellent choice. The floral apricot flavor is enhanced by sugary maple and woodsy cardamom. Nothing less than a super sweet, complex wine like a Beerenauslese from Germany will manage this flavor bomb. Beerenauslese (beer-in-owslay-seh) is made from hand-picked grapes that hang on the vine until they are almost
Fava Bean and Radish Bruschetta INGREDIENTS 1-pound fresh fava beans, shelled 2-3 medium radishes, julienned (about 1/2 cup) 1 tsp. lemon zest 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. chopped mint leaves 1 Tbsp. chopped fennel fronds (optional) Salt and Pepper 8 baguette slices (1/2-inch-thick, 3 to 4 inch long) ¼ cup olive oil 1 garlic clove, peeled DIRECTIONS Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook fava beans for 2 minutes. Drain and transfer beans to a large bowl of ice water. Let cool and then drain. Slip the outer skin off each bean and discard the skin. Place the beans in a large bowl and coarsely mash with a fork, leaving some beans whole or in chunks. Combine the beans, radishes, lemon zest, lemon juice, mint leaves, and fennel fronds (optional). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Brush olive oil over both sides of the baguette slices and grill or broil. Rub toasts with garlic and then spoon the fava bean mixture on top. Sprinkle a little extra salt on top and serve. Yield: 8 Servings
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raisins. The resulting wine is intensely sweet and very dense. Also, because it is grown in a northern region, it achieves ripeness while retaining its acidity. The result is great sugar levels balanced by high acid levels. A terrific combination.
Vegan Artichoke, Asparagus, Pea and Green Onion Risotto NGREDIENTS 4 cups vegetable stock 2 cups water ¼ cup olive oil 1 yellow onion, finely diced 1½ cups Arborio rice 1½ cups shelled peas 12 ounces asparagus (trim tips and slice stalks on a bias) 1 cup green onions, thinly sliced 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and halved Kosher salt Lemon and minced fresh chives for garnish DIRECTIONS In a small pot, heat the stock and water over medium-low heat. In a large heavy pan or pot, add the olive oil over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and stir often, sautéing for 5-7 minutes. Add the rice and stir with the onions, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the rice is translucent except for a white center. Now start adding the hot vegetable stock a halfcup at a time while continuously stirring with a wooden spoon. As the stock absorbs, add another half cup. Continue until all the stock is absorbed and the rice is cooked to al dente. This should take about 20 minutes. In the final 5 minutes, add the peas and asparagus and stir in. At the very end, gently fold in the artichoke hearts and green onions. You may need one last addition of stock just before serving to make sure the risotto is loose. It should not clump up and should spread out like porridge in the bowl. Season to taste with kosher salt, sprinkle with fresh chives, and serve with lemon wedges. Yield: 4-6 Servings
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So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a certified sommelier and wine educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com.
Vegan Apricot Upside-Down Cake NGREDIENTS ¼ cup melted extra-virgin coconut oil, plus 1 Tbsp. for pan ¾ cup maple syrup, plus 1 Tbsp. for pan 18-20 small apricots (1 quart), halved and pitted 3 cups large flaked dried unsweetened coconut 1¼ cup flour, divided 1¼ tsp. ground cardamom ¾ tsp. baking powder ¾ tsp. baking soda 2 oz. whole almonds with skin, ground fine 2 Tbsp. flax seeds, ground fine ¼ cup water 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar ¼ tsp. salt DIRECTIONS Line the bottom of a springform pan with parchment paper. Spread 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil over the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Add 1 Tbsp. maple syrup and spread it over the bottom of the pan. Arrange apricots in circles, cut side down, on the bottom of the pan. Set aside. Add coconut to a food processor and add a handful of the flour. Blend until coarsely ground and set aside. Place remaining flour, cardamom, baking powder, and baking soda into a medium bowl. Add almond meal and ground coconut, stir to combine, and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together flax seeds and water, then add maple syrup, oil, vanilla, vinegar, and salt, and whisk again. Pour into dry mixture and stir until just combined. Pour over apricots and gently spread batter evenly over the fruit. Place cake on baking sheet and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Yield: 6-8 Servings
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IN THE MIX
In the Mix
Music for the Quarantine BY PAUL COTRUVO I was planning on writing a whole different article this month, but due to the horrible news of the coronavirus, I thought I would go in a different direction and try to lighten things up. Since we are all selfquarantined, I’m reminded of that old premise, “If I were on a deserted island and could only bring 10 albums, what would they be and why?” For years I have given this much thought -- not that I was planning to be stuck on a desert island or in my home -- but it raises a great question about what makes a great album. For me it means it always sounds fresh every time you listen to it, you always discover something new that you didn’t hear before, or something about it puts you in a place of reflection. Plus, it’s an album that I still listen to today. There is no hesitation about what my choices for 10 must have albums would be: 1. Joni Mitchell, Hejira. This album was written while she was driving across country and completely captures what Joni calls, “The sweet loneliness of solitary travel.” Amazing musicianship, including Jaco Pastorius on fretless bass. I have not stopped listening to this record since 1976. 2. George Harrison, All Things Must Pass. Recorded and released in 1970, it was Harrison’s first solo work after the breakup of the Beatles. Not only is it an album of amazing songs but his slide guitar work is out front and perfect. 3. John Lennon, Plastic Ono Band. Another gem released in 1970, Lennon’s extremely personal and raw production is his finest solo work. If you have never heard this album, find a quiet place and listen to a man revealing his inner soul. Genius. 4. Pat Metheny Group (also known as the white album). This jazz fusion record release from 1978 not only features Pat on some incredible guitar playing but
Lyle Mays’ keyboard work is simply inspiring. When I need some quiet moments, this is the one. 5. Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run. This album changed my life. It is Bob Dylan meets Phil Specter in New Jersey. One word - epic! 6. Grateful Dead, Live Dead. If you were going to sum up San Francisco in 1969, this would be the album. Free form improvisations recorded at the Fillmore West. This one contains “Dark Star.” 7. Jefferson Airplane, Volunteers. You can see there is a theme to my taste as I grew up to the San Francisco scene. Many of the songs on this classic are still relevant today. 8. Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A Changing. Dylan at his best. Young, angry and ready to change the world with songs concerning issues such as racism, poverty, and social change. 9. The Who, Who’s Next. Pete Townshend wanted an album to follow up the classic Tommy, so he created Lifehouse, but due to too many complex issues, they scrapped the project and released some of the songs from that project, which just happened to be their masterpiece. From “Baba O’Riley” to “Won’t get Fooled Again,” this is classic rock. 10. Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers. The Stones at their best. Raw rock ‘n’ roll and blues. 11. Oh yeah, I know I said 10, but it’s my island and I am bringing all my Beatles records. After all, it’s the Beatles! Hope you can find music that will help you get you through these uncertain days. One thing I know, music will save us! Speaking of uncertainty, I will optimistically still put out a Paul’s Picks list below, but it looks like April events may be cancelled. Visit all local venue websites for further information. Also, I was going to announce that, starting in April, Angela Warren and I want to start a “Writer’s Night” on Wednesdays at WiseGirl in Pleasant Hill. The concept is to try and recreate Nashville’s “Bluebird Café” atmosphere
in our area. There are very few places for singer-songwriters to play their original songs, and it’s been a long time coming. So, keep an eye out for the official starting date on the WiseGirl website, www.
wisegirlph.com. Quote of the month: “The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.” ~~ Bruce Springsteen
Words of Appreciation Our community has come together to support our small businesses. Owners share their gratitude …
Angela Warren, owner of Wisegirl “The last week plus has been nothing short of a Twilight Zone episode for all of us. Even with so much uncertainty consuming all of us, so many of you made time to check in with me, promote my business, order food, etc. Please know your support has kept me hopeful and optimistic. I truly hope everyone is in good health and I am sending my love and sincere gratitude to all of you!”
Lesley Stiles, owner of Roxx on Main “Can I just say that we are overwhelmed, albeit not surprised by the outpouring of love, generosity and support from our community? People rock. I almost feel guilty trying to keep the doors open when so many people are having such hardships. But stay open we must to still be there when our new normal finally gets old and goes away and we get back to our very much missed old normal. We are beyond grateful and thank everyone from the depths of our endless well of gratitude.”
Keep it Up
OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | APRIL 2020 | 19
By Jen Thoits Communications Manager Pleasant Hill Rec & Park
M
General Manager’s Message Silver Linings
By Michelle Lacy General Manager, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District “No matter how dark the forecast, every cloud has a silver lining. “ -Unknown As the dark cloud of the novel coronavirus looms above us, I thought I’d take this opportunity to highlight how together; we can make lemonade out of these lemons we’re dealing with. Right now, we are all tasked to help ““atten the curve” to protect our collective physical well-being by carefully following shelter-in-place mandates and the Center of Disease Control’s personal hygiene recommendations. While we do our due diligence to protect each other, however, how do we cope with this restrictive new way of life? A lot of people are struggling to adjust, including yours truly. People are scared; they’re worried about their livelihood; and they are gaining a whole new appreciation for teachers and all those people who provide us with essential services (not to mention toilet paper). So how do we make life better? I did a little research and the best collective advice I found is as follows. First, cut yourself some slack. These are not normal times. Focus on the things that are working. And for the things that aren’t? Let it go and try to look for more positive ways to improve the situation. Be nice to other, especially to yourself. Think of others. The social distancing mandate is put in place for a reason. Absolutely nobody is immune to the impact this virus is having on our community, both from a public health standpoint and an economic one.
Although our Rec & Park recreational programs and community facilities are temporarily shut down per the state shelter-in-place mandate, we are still here he and working to serve the community within those guidelines to help you nd some silver linings. A few essential services like park maintenance, trash collection, payroll and warrants, virtual Board meetings, and limited Senior CC Café meals continue. CC Café meals for adults over 60 years old are available for pick up only on Tuesdays . Meals must be per-ordered by 12:00 pm on Monday prior to Tuesday pick up date by calling (925) 771-7641. This is subject to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Our recreation and marketing staff also stand ready to serve. They are working remotely and preparing for the time when the COVID-19 cloud clears. We hope it will be sooner than later! In the interim, they will be providing ideas, tips, contests, challenges and all sorts of fun stuff for you and your household to stay active, entertained, and connected through our new “Stay In & Play” Virtual Recreation Center. Each department will be frequently posting new content to the virtual rec center at pleasanthillrec.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @pleasanthillrec for the latest updates on ways to play during this time. upd Our goal is to help you nd some silver linings in your day and to help make life better. Stay well. Share your own silver linings or fun indoor activities with us at mlacy@pleasanthillre.com.
eet Laurie Croft. Laurie used to think that the Pleasant Hill Lau Senior Center just wasn’t for her. She was only 63 years old after all. That all changed when a friend of Laurie’s encouraged her to join the Golden Notes choir that holds practice every week at the Senior Center. Laurie was reluctant to join the choir at rst. She was very modest about her singrs ing abilities and said that the main reason she joined was because Golden Notes choir would often perform at local assisted living facilities. As a choir member, Laurie saw rsthand just how much the residents loved and appreciated their performances. The music would lift their spirits and brighten their day. Laurie, a giver by nature, was hooked. Golden Notes choir gave her a way to give back and make a difference. As she frequented the Senior Center for choir practices, Laurie soon became curious about the other senior programs and services there. What other ways could she give back to the community and spread joy? Laurie approached the Rec & Park senior center staff and they welcomed her with open arms. Not too pushy, the staff offered lots of opportunities that not only allowed her to give back but to also receive in return. Laurie jumped in with two feet and helped with senior events. She went outside her comfort zone and served as a trip escort on local day trips for adults. She loved it! And she worked in the CC Café that serves hot, nutritious meals to seniors th every day. Through her volunteer efforts, Laurie made new friends, tried new things, grew as a person and deenitely made a difference with each life she touched through her service. It turned out that the Senior Center was for her after all. “It is a gift,” Laurie shared. Thank you for sharing the love, Laurie.
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