Community Focus by Community Focus

make some plansPRINCIPAL’S PAIR UP COMMUNITY AUGUST 2019

FOCUS SMALL TALK

MAYOR’S

DIY real estate trends

IN THIS ISSUE:

• CORNHOLE CELEBRITY

SENIORS

JULIE SAYS

city news

IN THE GARDEN

• MONUMENT CRISIS CENTER

ourcommunityfocus.com

s r a e y

• GRILLING SEASON

READ MY MIND

IN THE MIX city news

PAIR UP

julie says

MIX

SMALL TALK

ESTATE

READ MY MIND

JULIE SAYS

IN THE GARDEN PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

SPORTS

PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK

stronger than you know

SMALL TALK

MAYOR’S MESSAGE ESTATE PLANNING

IN THE MIX

READERS’ LOCAL FAVORITES

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

SPORTS: Sport Story Submissions info@ourcommunityfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION: Community Calendar calendar@ourcommunityfocus.com Content & General Inquiries: info@ourcommunityfocus.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES: All articles must be sumbmitted by the 15th of each month. ONLINE: www.ourcommunityfocus.com

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.

COVER:

4 PH Community Grantees

23 Martinez Arts

Julie Says

18 Illustrious August

25 Diablo Oncology

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Another milestone for the Community Focus, 10 years! We would like to thank our contributors, advertisers and our readers. We would not be here without all of you. Special thanks to our copy editor Alison Clary and designer Trish Heaney.

2013

INSIDE

2014

2015

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Meet Chris Solberg, a lifelong musician who lives in Pleasant Hill with Doris, his wife of 18 years. Chris has been a professional musician since 1970. He’s played in several bands, including Santana, Eddie Money, and Chris Isaak, among others. He currently plays in multiple bands, including The RaveUps, a Yard Birds tribute band. What’s your passion in life? Music and helping people realize their dreams and fanning their creative flames. You can be creative in anything: music, computer engineering, or being a barista. You can hate your job or you can put some energy and personality into it and make it special. More about Chris: 1. I fell in love with the Beatles and music on the same day I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show back in the 1960s. 2. I became a music teacher, mentor, and coach in 1991. I’m also a teacher of the “chemistry of human beings.” It’s the idea of playing what you feel and feeling what you play, and then doing that with other people to create energy. 3. I’ll be playing with Caravanserai, a Santana tribute band, at Todos Santos Park, on August 8.

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Julie Says

And Boom! A Decade Has Passed BY JULIE ROSS Back in 2009, someone I liked and respected a great deal asked to meet with me to talk about a project she had in mind. A few years previously I had volunteered with this person, Becky Coburn, on the committee putting together the first fundraising auction for Valhalla Elementary. She knew of my background in advertising, public relations, and journalism and wanted to pick my brain. We got together for coffee at Shadzee’s in downtown Pleasant Hill. Shadzee’s is no longer in business, but some of you might fondly remember their enormous mugs (bowls?) of cappuccino. Becky said that she and two friends were thinking about starting up a local

20th

ANNUAL

newspaper and what were my thoughts about that? Well, just a couple of months before my meeting with Becky, I had attended a speaking engagement featuring Len Downie, the former executive editor of the Washington Post, at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. At the time, newspaper readership was rapidly declining. The San Francisco Chronicle had been hemorrhaging money for years -- $50 million in 2008 alone – and was about to be sold or shut down. San Francisco was on the brink of becoming the biggest city in the nation to lose its primary newspaper. So, perhaps you can guess what my thoughts were about three people with no experience entering the newspaper business in 2009. I told Becky it was crazy. But as she fleshed out the idea over our giant coffees, the notion of a truly

sunset by the lake

Becky, Elena and Jen celebrating the paper four years ago. Photo by SusanWoodPhotography.com

community-focused newspaper, filled with neighborhood news, events, features, and advertising not found in other media outlets, began to make sense. I even agreed to write a column (this one) for the new paper, the Community Focus. I said to Becky at the end of our meeting it wouldn’t be easy, but if any-

one could pull this off, it would be Becky and her business partners, Jennifer Neys and Elena Hutslar. All three are extraordinary women, mothers, community supporters and publishers. Congratulations on 10 years of your crazy idea. Sometimes, it’s really good to be wrong. You can reach Julie at julieakross@ comcast.net

Summer Concerts

Pleasant Hill City Hall Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd

On the lawn by the lake

6-8 PM

And catch the rest of the 2019 season! Sep 1 David Bustamante solo ukulele performance (5:30)

& Top Shelf (6:00) Sep 8 Forejour

Jangle Aug 4...The Big band Tom Petty tribute

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Season Sponsors

Aug 18...Sun Kin gs Beatles tribute b and

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Five Star Real Estate Team Proud Sponsors of this event

Real Estate Trends Prior to Selling Consider This BY NORMA FLASKERUD You may recall that last month we discussed selling a house as-is vs. fixing it up. There are a myriad issues to consider. Either way, we do recommend the seller/homeowner having the home inspected prior to going on the market. I’ll answer two questions here: the why and the which of inspections. Why get a home inspected? Buyers have come to expect having inspection reports available to review prior to making an offer; it allows them to take into consideration the home’s condition, including what is easily seen on a walk-through plus things not visible like roof, foundation, electrical and plumbing issues. Meanwhile, the seller can use the information gleaned from

a report to do repairs prior to going on the market (or not) and pricing it appropriately. Which inspections do we recommend? We start with two: a general home inspection that looks at all the working systems of the house, plus the roof, chimney and crawl space/foundation, and a pest inspection, which looks for termites/beetles and dry and wet rot -- issues that damage wood. Sellers should consider also having roof, chimney, sewer inspections and, if needed, a pool inspection. We have experienced inspectors we can recommend. You need to know the reports must be disclosed. Sellers have been known to be unhappy with the report findings and have asked to hide them, but the fact is, they cannot. So why do it in advance? It allows the buyer to make an offer with full knowledge of the house

and not to have to restart negotiations after they get inspections and find out things are wrong. Plus, an educated seller may choose to do repairs in advance. Doing so allows them to shop for the best price and not be forced to pay top dollar because there is no time to get multiple bids. There are many nuances to this scenario and too many to explain in this short article, but suffice to say we have experienced many situations and we are happy to meet with you and explain what you need to be aware of to make educated decisions on how to best sell your home! Call the Flaskerud Team for all your real estate needs! We can guide you and help you with the most important transaction! Erik: 925-381-7276, or Norma: 925-338-2980. EFlaskerud@gmail. com or NormaFlaskerud@Remax.net RE/MAX Accord Norma DRE#00867031 Erik DRE#01891688

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CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message Wow, another fantastic Pleasant Hill 4th of July celebration. I wanted to share my thanks to our Pleasant Hill 4th of July Commission for their great work in organizing and putting on another great celebration in Pleasant Hill. They are a group of amazing individuals who are independent of the city and our Recreation and Parks District and organize everything: the Run/Walk, parade, celebration in the park, and, of course, the fireworks. They raise the money and coordinate everything with their partners, the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District, the city and its departments, service clubs and groups, and, of course, the many volunteers who make it all happen. I also want to express my thanks to the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District, our many service clubs and groups, our city staff and police department, and all of the volunteers who came together to support this event and make it such a tremendous success. I look forward to next year. If you are looking for a way to get more involved, I encourage you to check out the commission’s website. One of the many things that makes Pleasant Hill so great is our citizens’ desire to get involved and improve our quality of life. For several years, I have served on the council’s Interview and Nominating Committee. We interview and recommend citizens for appointment by the city council to a variety of committees, commissions, and boards. It is an opportunity to meet so many great people and see firsthand their desire to be involved. The hard part, of course, is having to choose who will fill a limited number of positions. The bright side is seeing these commissions and committees out in the community making a difference and supporting our community. I recently attended “Caregiver Conversations” here in Pleasant Hill, 6 | AUGUST 2019 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

hosted by the Family Caregiver Alliance. This was an event for family and friends who care for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions to come together for support and education. As I scanned the room, I saw that members of our Commission on Aging were attending. Our Commission on Aging is engaged in many activities that benefit our seniors, those who care for our seniors, and the community as a whole. They host events throughout the year that directly impact our senior residents and family members who care for them. Their annual “Car Fit” event is for senior drivers to get assistance with making sure their cars are adjusted and functional to meet the driver’s needs and abilities. They organize and host their own family caregiver respite and education events and are constantly working with the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and community groups to assess the needs barriers facing our seniors. Our commissions are also tasked with keeping the city council informed on issues specific to their role or topic. At our last council meeting, on July 15, the Commission on Aging presented a look at the future of Pleasant Hill and our senior population. It is anticipated that people over 55 will make up the majority of our population. Of course, with age can come health and other limitations as well as the financial challenges of being on a fixed or limited income. The Commission on Aging’s report comes at an opportune time as we move forward with our General Plan Update. Senior housing and the needs of our growing senior population is one of the issues to discuss as we plan the future of Pleasant Hill for the next 20 years and beyond. The commission went into great detail on the needs of our seniors during the presentation,

Ken Carlson, Mayor of Pleasant Hill

and I cannot recap it all here. For the full presentation, go to the city’s website and view the July 15 meeting video. If you are interested in events and activities from our Commission on Aging, look for them in the Community Focus, city’s Outlook magazine, or the city’s website. Thank you to our Commission on Aging for keeping our community

informed and educated in so many ways. Finally, another big thanks to our Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District, Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, and the many volunteers for a fantastic “Blues and Brews” event. The event was a great success!

Chamber Calendar August 6 - National Night Out, 6-8 pm, 100 Gregory Lane, PH August 8 - Chamber Business Mixer hosted by Homewood Suites, 5-7pm, Homewood Suites, 650 Ellinwood Way, PH August 8 - Children’s Miracle Network Celebration Fundraiser, 5-8pm, at the Residence Inn Pleasant Hill, 700 Ellinwood Way, PH August 13 - Morning Chamber Mixer hosted by Cancer Support Community, 8-9am, Cancer Support Community 3276 McNutt Ave, WC August 14 - 680 Networking Group, 8:30-10am, JFK University 100 Ellinwood Way, PH August 15 - Young Professionals Mixer, 5:30-7pm, Courtyard Marriott, 2250 Contra Costa Blvd , PH August 18 - Diablo Ballet School Open House, 11am-2pm, 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, PH August 20 - Membership 101, 10am-12pm, 91 Gregory Lane, Suite 11, PH August 28 - 680 Networking Group, 8:30-10am, JFK University 100 Ellinwood Way, PH

Public Meetings Civic Action Aug 14 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 City Council Aug 5, 19 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:00pm. Contact: 671-5229 Architectural Review Aug 1, 15 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 5:00pm. Contact: 671-5209 Planning Commission Aug 13, 27 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Commission on Aging August 8 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 5:00pm. Contact: 671-5229 Education Commission Aug 28 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 7pm. Contact: 671-5229 PH Rec & Park Board Meetings are typically held the 2nd & 4th Thursday each month at District Office, 147 Gregory Lane. Meeting dates and agendas are posted 72 hours prior to meeting. Refer to recent agenda for meeting dates. District residents are encouraged to contact board members about current issues facing the district.

CITY NEWS

Pleasant Hill City News

Upcoming Citizens Academy

A few spots remain for the next Citizens Academy. If you have an interest in local government and how it functions and want to know more about the City of Pleasant Hill, be a part of the Pleasant Hill Citizens Academy. Participants will learn about the various roles and responsibilities of each city department: city council decision-making and the legislative process at the local level; opportunities to volunteer with city commissions and committees; and the how the budget process works. Sessions will be held on Thursdays, from 6pm-8:30pm, with one Saturday morning bus tour. The first session is September 19. Participants who complete at least five sessions will be recognized at the October 21 city council meeting. To register, visit https://www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us and click on “Community” and “Pleasant Hill Citizens Academy.” For more information or questions, please call Danielle Habr at (925) 671-5221 or email dhabr@pleasanthilca.org. The deadline to register is August 31. Please note that you must be a Pleasant Hill resident or business owner to participate in the academy.

Commercial Cannabis Ordinances At the July 15 city council meeting, council agreed on a proposed ordinance allowing up to two “delivery only” medical retail businesses in the LI (Light Industrial), C (General Commercial), PAO (Professional and Administrative Offices) and RB (Retail/Business) districts, with the business being restricted to the second floor or above in the RB (Retail/Business) district through the conditional use permit process. The only buffer will be the state buffer of 600 feet from schools, day care centers, and youth centers. No storefront cannabis businesses would be allowed in the city. The city council would establish operational standards for any approved cannabis related businesses through a Commercial Cannabis Business Permit ordinance. On December 4, 2017, the city council adopted Ordinance No. 919, establishing a temporary moratorium on all commercial cannabis uses, except deliveries originating from outside the city. The moratorium provided additional time for the city and the community to decide whether to allow commercial cannabis activities in Pleasant Hill. The moratorium has been extended twice in accordance with state law and will expire on December 4, 2019. No further extensions are permitted. Councilmembers had a lengthy discussion over the benefits and drawbacks of storefront versus delivery only cannabis businesses. Mayor Carlson felt that storefronts would be a burden on city staff in terms of the licensing process and monitoring and handling complaints. In addition he said, “I just don’t see that Pleasant Hill needs to be on the cutting edge of marijuana dispensaries in a community this size. For us to have two adult use storefronts -- I just don’t see that as generating us a whole lot of money.” However, Councilmember Flaherty viewed the issue from an economic standpoint and said, “I think that it is situational and opportunistic that by allowing our surrounding communities to adopt ordinances more expansive, we will lose the economic benefit that is expected from allowing the commercial enterprise to be here in Pleasant Hill and that just doesn’t seem sensible.” He also went on to remind people that an overwhelming majority of Pleasant Hill residents voted in 2016 to legalize recreational use of cannabis. “I think we should respect the fact that the citizens in our community have expressed in many ways the fact that they want us to maintain that small town, family-friendly atmosphere, and having retail outlets I think is counter to what I believe is the desire of a majority of our residents,” said Councilmember Harris. “I

don’t get the sense that there is a significant portion of the population that’s interested in having retail establishments at this juncture,” he added. The zoning ordinance includes provisions that no applications are to be accepted until the city council establishes, through resolution, an application period, procedures, and guidelines to evaluate applications for cannabis retailer permits. This is the final step in the process and is expected to be included in a council meeting this month.

Friends Book Sales Remain Strong In the last three years, the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library have raised a quarter-million dollars through their book sales, in-library bookstore, and online sales to support ongoing library programs and the purchase of additional library materials. During the construction of the new library, the Friends will continue their normal operations, accepting book donations and holding book sales. The Friends will continue to support a robust set of programs for all age groups in the new library. We are busier than ever and encourage you to apply for a volunteer position in our bookstore. By sharing your time and talents with us, you can make a big difference in the quality of library service in your community. Please contact us at volunteer@phlibraryfriends.org.

Pick Up Your Fall Reads The next Parking Lot sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, next door to the Pleasant Hill Library at 1770 Oak Park Blvd., under the solar panels of the Department of Education, weather permitting. Gates open to the members of the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library at 9:30am. The general public is welcome to enter at 10am. A bag sale will be featured from 1pm – 2pm, in which patrons can fill a grocery bag full of regularly priced books and only pay $4 for the whole bag. Premium books are discounted at 50 percent off marked price during the same period.

Projects Needed for Community Service Day The 2019 Community Service Day is set for September 28, and organizers are looking for projects to engage and inspire volunteers. Hosting a project is a great way for schools, nonprofits, community groups and public agencies to introduce their organization to the community. For registration and additional details, go to pleasanthillca.org/volunteer. Projects must be located in Pleasant Hill and able to begin at 9am on Saturday, September 28. Most projects take no more than three hours to complete, although there are some exceptions. Project hosts need to provide supplies and have an array of necessary tools on hand, although many volunteers will bring their own. Community Service Day is organized by the Civic Action Commission and draws more than 750 volunteers each year. I’m not in trouble anymore!

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Mayor’s Message Earlier this year, the Martinez City Council held a goal setting session where we prioritized a number of projects to be undertaken and/or continued over the next year. At the top of the list was the continued revitalization of the downtown core and the Martinez Waterfront. Included in this revitalization is the return of water transit to the Martinez Waterfront & Marina. To help promote the future of water transit, I appeared before the Water Emergency Transit Authority (WETA) to express Martinez’ commitment to making a Martinez ferry a reality, to explain the many opportunities and some of the challenges we face, and how WETA can be included on our growing list of partners in bringing ferry service to our city. Below are the comments I made to the WETA board. Why the Martinez waterfront is a great location for ferry service • The area around the ferry dock is currently buzzing with economic activity and is well positioned for future development. Martinez is a transit hub and county seat, with a downtown Amtrak station serving 342,000 passengers a year and 9,000 county jobs, most of them in or near downtown. We also have a full-time visitor center and are currently witnessing an exciting revitaliza-

tion of our downtown that is attracting new workers and new visitors. All of this is happening within 1/2 a mile of our ferry landing – and the ferry landing itself is part of our beautiful 350-acre waterfront/ marina. • In addition, the city is embarking on several plans to attract investments and improvements to the waterfront-marina that include potential ferry service: • The Marina Trust Lands Use Plan (TLUP) covers 70-acres and includes the marina, 332 boat slips, and potential ferry service. • The Waterfront-Marina Master Plan Update covers the entire 350-acre waterfront. This plan will also include potential ferry service. • The Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative (NWEDI) – a partnership of MOU with seven northern waterfront cities (Hercules, Martinez, Concord, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood). This initiative will bring jobs and development to the Contra Costa County Northern Waterfront. Ferry service along the waterfront is key to making this plan a reality. Partnerships and efforts underway • The city has been working closely with the CCTA as well as the City of Antioch to estab-

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Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

lish a pilot commuter ferry between Antioch and Martinez. HWY 4 is very congested during commute times, with workers driving into Martinez from the Bay Point/Antioch/ Pittsburg area. A pilot commuter ferry is a great opportunity to help get those cars off the road. • We have been in contact with Dr. Joseph Pratt of Sandia National Laboratories and Thomas Escher and Joe Burgard of the Red and White Fleet about a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell ferry called the Water-GoRound. They received a $3 million California Climate Investments grant from the California Air Resources Board along with several other private contributions to help build the ferry and cover some of the initial operating costs. I was at the hull laying ceremony for the maiden vessel, and the Martinez Marina is an integral part of their pilot program, set to begin by early 2020. The purpose of this three-month pilot is to test out different routes and times, and we hope it shows commute passengers the benefit of ferries as an alternative to using clogged highways during rush hour. It should be noted that this pilot will include one ferry and will be testing out different runs throughout the Bay Area, so it is unlikely they will be operating out of Martinez on a regular set schedule. We continue to meet with private operators (such as Tideline and SFProp) to get

momentum going on a pilot ferry program. Ferry ridership potential • Data from the MTC-ABAG Bay Area Census demonstrates how many commuters are traveling to and from Martinez and the importance of creating new commute options: • 4,205 commuter trips each day from Bay Point, Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley and Brentwood to Martinez and on the HWY 4 corridor • 1,535 daily commute trips between Martinez and Richmond-Pinole-Hercules • Several thousand additional daily trips between Martinez and San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and other Bay Area waterfront cities. The Challenge/Ask In anticipation of future ferry pilot programs, the city spent over $800,000 dredging the marina, which was completed in 2017. The challenge for us now in terms of getting a pilot underway is securing funding to get our dock ADA accessible and to subsidize operations. With the support of WETA and the ongoing support of CCTA, a partnership with the City of Antioch, and potential partnerships with private operators, we can plug Martinez back into the Bay Area regional ferry network. We also envision WETA as an operator down the road as ridership grows and we are able to renovate our deep-water landing.

CITY NEWS

Martinez City News Pine Meadow Golf Course Dispute Settled In a July 12 press release, the City of Martinez communicated, “On July 10, the City of Martinez, DeNova Homes, Inc., Civic Martinez LLC, Meadow Creek Group LLC, Friends of Pine Meadow, and Martinez residents Tim Platt, Kerry Kilmer and Mark Thomson reached agreement on a settlement of all outstanding disputes about the disposition of the former Pine Meadow Golf Course and the validity and interpretation of Measure I. All parties have agreed to the following, subject to court and city council approval: DeNova Homes will develop 65 houses on approximately 12 acres of the former golf course; approximately 9 acres of the former golf course will become a public park, to be deeded to either the city or another appropriate entity; $1,000,000 of improvements on the park area and associated open space and pedestrian paths will be provided and paid for by DeNova Homes; the city will conduct a public process to determine park uses and associated public improvements in the park; and DeNova Homes will donate $500,000 towards the acquisition and/or improvement of public open space or parkland in or near the City of Martinez. Clarifying changes to Measure I’s language have been accepted by all the parties and will be put in place upon approval by the court and the Martinez City Council. All the lawsuits between the parties will be resolved.” For years, the parties have disagreed about the future of the Pine Meadow property and city policy regarding open space and housing issues. These disagreements have led to multiple lawsuits. Rather than continue suing each other, the parties have come together to reach a settlement based upon a common vision for the future.

Martinez Trust Lands Use Plan The Martinez Trust Lands Use Plan is a state-mandated document that describes the city’s existing and proposed uses for 68 acres of contiguous waterfront and submerged lands that include the Martinez Marina, bait shop, Eagle Marine, Martinez Yacht Club, dog park, amphitheater, and the Sea Scouts building, plus a 12-acre parcel that contains a railway. On July 24, the city held a community meeting to gather input from the public on existing and future uses of these lands. Possibilities include protection of maritime commerce, fisheries, open space, wildlife habitat, and water-oriented recreation. The Planning Commission and city council will review the city’s Parks, Recreation, Marina, and Cultural Commission (CPRMCC) this month and the draft plan in the fall. The city intends to embark on a comprehensive master plan for the entire waterfront area in 2020. The Trust Lands Use Plan is a first step in the planning process for this area.

Martinez CERT Have you wondered or worried about how to prepare yourself and your family for a major disaster? If so, you are invited to CERT’s Personal Emergency Preparedness class on Saturday, August 10, from 9am to 11am, at 525 Henrietta Street in the Martinez City Council Chambers. Come spend two hours learning how to prepare yourself and your family to be ready when a major disaster strikes. The morning will cover information you should know to be ready to meet this challenging time. You can RSVP to attend by sending an email to Martinez.CERT@gmail.com.

Last Music & Movies on Main On August 8, bring family and friends and head to Downtown Martinez at the Main Street Plaza for the last Summer Music & Movies on Main. Enjoy live music by Garageland Rodeo from 6:30pm - 8:30pm and then view the movie Small Foot under the stars around 8:45pm. Bring chairs and blankets. Shell Martinez Refinery and Downtown Martinez have presented this summertime event.

Celebrating 50 years of Art in Martinez! The Martinez Arts Association (MAA) presents the 50th annual Art in the Park on Sunday, August 18, at Susana Park from 10am – 5pm. Over 60 artists are expected at this free community event. Come and enjoy fine arts and crafts created by local artists, along with live music, food trucks and beverages, including wine and beer.

Twilight at Fernandez Ranch On Thursday, August 8, John Muir Land Trust presents “Twilight at Fernandez Ranch,” a community event to experience the agricultural heritage and natural wonders of the East Bay Hills. This free event is on Thursday, August 8, from 5:30-9:30pm, open to the public, and kid friendly! Come enjoy wildlife, stargazing, hiking, music, food, and more. To ensure comfortable viewing, guests should bring a blanket and/or chair and flashlight. Budding and experienced photographers alike are encouraged to bring a camera to capture the evening beauty of Fernandez Ranch. Your photograph may be selected for JMLT’s website. Enjoy stargazing with Eastbay Astronomical Society, face painting, food trucks, ice cream and more. For a complete schedule of events and to RSVP, visit https://jmlt.org/twilight.html. Fernandez Ranch is located at 1081 Christie Road in Martinez.

National Night Out The 5th Annual National Night Out takes place on Tuesday, August 6, from 6pm to 9pm, at the Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm at 2647 Reliez Valley Road in Martinez. Bring your own chairs, dancing shoes, and good vibes! The event includes dancing to live Eagles music by The Midnight Flyer Band, safety demonstrations from local law enforcement agencies, CERT Disaster Preparedness, Child ID Program, first responder displays from our local fire department and EMTs, kid’s entertainment, face painting, animal petting zoo, and a fundraiser to support the Food Bank of Contra Costa – Solano along with raffle prizes! National Night Out is a community police, awareness-raising event in the U.S. held the first Tuesday of August.

Campbell Theatres Charlotte’s Web WOW (Women of Words) in partnership with Onstage Repertory Theater continues the production of Charlotte’s Web, directed by Rusty DeLucia, through August 11 at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez. Showtimes are Saturdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. General admission is $20; seniors (62+), students, and individuals in groups of 10 or more is $18. Tickets can be purchased at womenofwords.brownpapertickets.com.

• • • • • •

Martinez Library Book Sale The Friends of the Martinez Library are having their quarterly book sale on August 10 from 10am-5pm. Friends only is 10am-11am (you can register at the door), and 114pm is come one, come all! You can fill a bag with books for $5. Bags will be provided. The Friends of the Martinez Library is an organization dedicated to improving library services in Martinez. Through membership donations and book sale earnings, the Friends provide the library with books, tapes, magazines, and compact discs. They also provide children’s and cultural programs for the community.

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CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message

Back to School Days are just around the corner and the City of Walnut Creek is ready. Student Health and Safety: As a city, we are fully committed to ensuring the safety and health of our children. School Resource Officers: This school year, two police officers will once again be assigned full time to provide school resource services to Las Lomas and Northgate High Schools and also to the two middle schools, Foothill and Walnut Creek Intermediate. Walking and Biking Safety: Crossing guard services will be provided both before and after school at key intersections and along the routes to seven of our public

schools within the city limits. • Foothill Middle • Walnut Creek Intermediate • Bancroft Elementary • Buena Vista Elementary • Valle Verde Elementary • Walnut Acres Elementary • Walnut Heights Elementary The crossing guard program is funded in partnership with these schools. Counseling Services: As in past years, the city will help fund the crisis counseling programs at both Las Lomas and Northgate and at the feeder elementary and middle schools. These services have been vitally important to our youth. Last school year,

Walnut Creek City News YV Road Rehabilitation Project Update In August 2017, the city council adopted a resolution to authorize the city to apply for OBAG2 (One Bay Area Grant 2) funding to rehabilitate the asphalt roadway on Ygnacio Valley Road and Oak Grove Road. The federal funding was programmed for the 2019 fiscal year; however, funding will not be available for allocation until the 2020 fiscal year and will be scheduled for 2021 construction. The project will rehabilitate the asphalt roadway on Ygnacio Valley Road between Civic Drive and San Carlos Drive. The project will also replace traffic striping, adjust utility covers as part of the pavement rehabilitation process, and install video detection systems at select signalized intersections to improve detection. In preparation for the project, the city will complete median improvements, including installing left turn extensions, median replacement, hardscape and landscape improvements, drainage, and pedestrian, communication, and lighting upgrades between Civic Drive and San Carlos Drive.

Second Saturday On Saturday, August 10, the city opens up the gates and brings you behind the scenes at the city corp yard. Street improvements, upgrades to parks, new city signs, street sweepers at work, and improvements to city facilities all stem from a facility on Lawrence Way that is tucked away near an entrance to Highway 680. Spend the morning finding out how the Public Works Department keeps things moving in Walnut Creek, from lawnmowers and huge trucks, to the complex technology that powers the city’s traffic operations center. Registration begins at 8:45am, with the tour getting underway at 9am. You can register on the City of Walnut Creek’s website: http://www.walnut-creek.org/home. The tour is open to those 14 years and older.

Final Month of Summer Bike Challenge Explore Walnut Creek from the seat of your bike, and take part in the fun summer event that will show you parts of the city you may not have yet explored. On August 6, bike to Ruth Bancroft Garden and enjoy free admission between 10am and 12noon. Challenge cards are available at City Hall, both Walnut Creek libraries, the Community and Senior Centers, and at our pools. Find out more at 511cc.org. 10 | AUGUST 2019 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Cindy Silva, Mayor of Walnut Creek

nearly 700 students took advantage of these services. After School Activities: For families seeking after-school enrichment for their children, we offer numerous after-school arts and recreation opportunities. •A t Foothill and WCI: intramural and competitive sports programs • At our community centers: classes and workshops in arts, STEM, and other personal enrichment subjects (e.g., beginning babysitting). • At Clarke Swim Center: swim lessons (fall only) Our two public libraries are open after school until 8pm (Monday-Thursday) and

until 6pm (Friday). Saturday hours are 10am – 6pm. The downtown library is on Broadway at Lincoln Avenue and is easily accessed from Las Lomas and WCI on the Iron Horse Trail. The Ygnacio Valley Library is on Oak Grove Road, just a few blocks from Foothill Middle School. Helping Our Schools: Our schools are always looking for community volunteers. All 12 public schools will have campus beautification projects on Community Service Day, Saturday, October 12. This is a great chance to help a school plant a garden, spruce up the landscaping, and do general clean-up chores. To sign up, visit www. Walnut-Creek.org/Service.

Project “Ready-to-Learn” “Ready-to-Learn” kicks off this month. The average family spends more than $700 per year on backpacks, school supplies and new clothes for their children, an amount that can be difficult to raise for many families in our area. You can help by contributing to the annual “Project Ready to Learn” backpack drive coordinated by the local nonprofit “Volunteer Emergency Services Team in Action.” This annual effort runs through August 9, and you can drop off filled backpacks at either of the two Kaiperm Diablo Federal Credit Union branches in Walnut Creek (325 North Wiget Lane or 1600 South Main Street). You can also order pre-filled backpacks. Find out all the details at the Project Ready to Learn website. Last year, nearly 1,670 filled backpacks were distributed throughout the County.

Youth Leadership Commission Seeks Applicants The City of Walnut Creek is accepting applications for its Youth Leadership Commission. This group of fifteen high school students who live in Walnut Creek provides a vital youth perspective to the city council on major issues in the community. Commissioners develop leadership skills, learn about local government, and engage their fellow peers in making a difference in the Walnut Creek community. Applications are online, and the city is looking to fill 10 spots on the commission. Interviews and selection of new commissioners will be in late August. Students interested in applying can contact Carla Hansen, assistant to the city manager.

Next Citizen’s Institute Dates and times for the 2019 institute are being developed now and registration for the next Citizen’s Institute will be opening in early August. Citizen’s Institute consists of seven evening and one Saturday morning sessions in which citizens learn first-hand how the city works; meet and get to know their neighbors, city officials, and city employees; gain an improved awareness of available city services and community resources; and discover opportunities to be involved with their local government. The cost is $25, payable first day of class. Anyone who lives or works in Walnut Creek (including unincorporated Walnut Creek) and has an interest in local government is invited to sign up. Classes are designed for 30-35 students to encourage discussion, involvement, and interaction. To be alerted when registration is available, sign up: www.walnut-creek.org/about-us/community-resources-programs/citizens-institute.

Estate Planning Can I Make a Video Will? BY JEFFREY HALL, Elder Law Attorney In the golden age of the smartphone, you’re never far from a camera. This has made the sharing of videos and photos easier than ever before. Easy access to a quality camera has led many people to wonder: Can I make a video will? More importantly, folks are curious about whether such a “will” can hold up in court. Given how ubiquitous technology is these days, it’s natural to have such questions! Unfortunately, though, the law has yet to catch up with the constantly evolving digital trends. Here in California, a will must be executed following particular legal “prima facie” elements such as it must be in writing, signed, and witnessed for it to be considered valid. Video wills can be used to accompany the written document, but generally, a standalone video account of a person outlining their estate plans will not likely stand up in court. It may, however, be used to contest a will. Some argue that the face-to-face, personalized nature of video wills should trump the old-fashioned signing of documents. While the way wills are handled in the future may indeed change, the law is unlikely to reflect such evolving at-

titudes soon. For all their benefits, video wills reflect just a few moments in time. Official documentation of the person’s wishes, complete with signatures and witnesses, will likely continue to remain supreme in the eyes of the law. That’s not to say, however, that all wills are written down all the time. Some states are willing to recognize oral wills made on a person’s deathbed. Also known as a nuncupative will, these oral statements are often made when someone is too sick to have their estate plans formally executed. Nuncupative wills aren’t accepted in every state, though, and they rarely supersede a written will (if one exists). If you have specific instructions for how your assets are distributed after you pass, it’s worth spending a little time with an estate planning attorney to formalize your will or trust. Should you choose to make a video will in addition to the written estate plan, it may be used as visual proof that you were of sound mind when you made it. You may wish to read the will on camera and add in explanations for the reasoning behind your choices. Such a video may help clarify your wishes and settle any will contests from relatives unhappy with their inheritance. Your legacy is important. Don’t leave

it to chance by recording your wishes on a smart phone. Instead, work with an experienced estate planning attorney – it’s the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out in the way you intend. To help determine the best way to prepare a will, consult with your neighborhood estate planning attorney, Jeffrey Hall. You may

visit his website at www.HallLawGroup. com or call (925) 230-9002. We are a veteran owned -- veteran friendly law firm. Disclaimer: this article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice nor the establishment of an attorney-client relationship. SPONSORED CONTENT

City Needs Input The City of Pleasant Hill is updating its General Plan, which will guide the city’s future for the next 20 years. To help create a plan that reflects the community’s needs and desires, the city is hosting a General Plan Update pop-up booth before and during the August 4 Concert by the Lake at Pleasant Hill City Hall. The pop-up booth will be open from 4:30 – 7pm. (the Concert featuring The Big Jangle is from 6-8 pm). Stop by the booth for a few minutes and help make Pleasant Hill the best it can be. At the General Plan booth, you can learn about current conditions as well as trends that will influence the future. In addition, there will be opportunities to provide feedback and share your thoughts. It’s your city, so come by and be a part of shaping its future! Look for the banner with the General Plan Update logo. For more information and to sign up for updates, go to pleasanthill2040.com

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Stronger Than You Know Mindfulness Revolution BY DENA BETTI In the early 1990s, I walked into a Tao meditation center near San Francisco’s Central Park. I was searching for tools to help me better control the automatic thoughts and images that might have been sabotaging my amateur golf career. These early steps into the metaphysical realm would provide vital tools as I walked forward into the next chapters of my life. However, I quickly found that mindfulness was a slippery slope. If I wasn’t careful, I could have easily checked out of being an active participant in life and made my focus on honoring Buddha under the Bodhi tree. Since then, mindfulness has gone mainstream, with celebrity endorsement from Oprah Winfrey, meditation coaches, monks, and neuroscientists. There are certainly worthy dimensions to mindfulness meditation practice. It is promoted as a force that can

help us cope better with life and find deeper levels of personal happiness. But, like I said, with its inward focus, many argue that mindful meditation may be the enemy of activism. According to Kabat-Zinn, who is often labelled the father of modern mindfulness, the fundamental message of the mindfulness movement is that the underlying cause of dissatisfaction and distress is in our heads. By failing to pay attention to what actually happens in each moment, we get lost in regrets about the past and fears for the future, which make us unhappy. Learning to focus turns down the volume on circular thought. Kabat-Zinn’s diagnosis is that our “entire society is suffering from attention deficit disorder – big time.” Kabat-Zinn’s book Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness says, “We all suffer a kind of ADD.” But a fundamental concern of becoming too introspective is that mindful meditation will make us too carefree and

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distanced from the real world, excusing us from all social responsibility. Luckily, I have found the exact opposite to be true for me. I use mindfulness to respond responsibly to the world around me and to respond responsibly to my internal thoughts and emotions as well. I believe my own mindfulness practice has made me more proactive, not less. But full disclosure, I had to make a conscious decision to not just “be.” I did not want to become a mindfulness blob that could not function in the world around me... quite the contrary. I found that the more I was able to calm the chatter in my mind, the more awareness I had, both internally and externally. Perhaps that’s the key point here. We can use mindfulness to settle our frenetic thoughts and gain more clarity. The catalyst must, therefore, be something more than celebrating self-centered “freedoms.” Mindfulness must focus both on our internal and external worlds. It must drive us to also pay

attention to our social responsibilities and move us towards a collective consciousness that finds genuine freedom within a cooperative and responsible society. Mindfulness, like positive psychology and the broader happiness industry, has worked diligently at attempts to depoliticize stress. However, if we are unhappy about our political climate, violence in our schools, and seeing our children incur massive debt through college loans, it is our responsibility to learn to be more mindful in a socially responsible way. Let us use our mindfulness as a powerful tool and conscious driver to move us towards being the change we want to be in the world. Dena Betti is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, on the board of #hersmile Nonprofit, and a certified life coach. For more information, email dena@ strongerthanyouknow.com.

Cornhole Championships Keep it Flat and Throw it Straight

BY DOMINIKE TAMBAZIDIS The first West Coast participant, Blake Demale, will be featured on ESPN2 from August 6 to 11 for the 2019 American Cornhole League Championships. An anticipated payout of over $180,000 for this championship will be dispersed throughout the winning teams. A local of Pleasant Hill, Blake Demale graduated from College Park in 2012 and is sponsored by Stay Pleasant Hill. He worked for PHBA Baseball Fields and is now employed by Joe and Sheila’s Stokley Property Management. Growing up, Demale was a very competitive baseball player, and although he did not seek going pro, he knew that he loved sports and loved to play them. His basic cornhole skills started when his grandfather first introduced him to it when he was 10 years old. Playing hours of a game they called “beanbags,” he picked up skills

of the cornhole game. He played at family reunions with homemade boards and bags and spent a lot of time as a kid motivated by his grandpa while his mother worked hard. Everyone around him showed the importance of integrity and productiveness, which carried over to Demale’s determination to win. “My first competition was at a bar and grill in Walnut Creek,” says Demale. “My grandpa and I partnered when I was 16 years old, and we won the tournament over 32 teams!” He started getting competitive in the sport at age 15, when a colleague at Stokley Properties informed him about putting a team together for a Sunday league through the Pleasant Hill Rec and Park. He soon started playing blind draw tournaments as well as attending monthly Saturday tournaments run by Ron Stokes and West Coast Cornhole. He practices an average of up to four hours a day and plays typically 6-10 hours a week, with tournaments nearly every weekend, locally or nationally. When Demale went pro, he was lucky enough to have top-

Principal’s Corner New School Year

JOSEPH G. ALVAREZ PRINCIPAL, COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL As we enter into our 2019-20 school year, I’d like to begin by saying welcome home to our new incoming freshmen students and families, and welcome back to our returning Falcons. I can already feel the excitement of the new school year. Our goals continue to be the same. • Teach common core state standards and ensure all students are learning at a high level, with a focus on equity for ALL students learning. • Ensure an environment where both staff and students are learning, reflecting, and have a strongly focusing on progress. • Maintain a school safety plan where both staff and students know how and when to

implement our plan of action. • Encourage each student to: engage in their education each and every day, get involved on campus, and have a strong plan of action. • Building a strong culture of resiliency for both adults and students continues to be a staple of our day-to-day process. This includes social media awareness and establishing a core belief and value system of accepting ALL who walk across our campus, as culture is what we allow. Please stay up-to-date with all the great things happening at CPHS via our website and Twitter feeds, and sign-up via our website for our weekly Falcon Flyer correspondence. As always, I wish you all a restful remainder of the summer time and hope to see you at our fantastic school events, where you can see just how excellent our staff and students are! Falcon up! #weareone

level players nearby such as Ken Jones, a local from Lafayette, and Nick Renevitz, a local in San Ramon, to inspire and mentor him to championship tournaments. “Being able to compete against these two over the years is what has prepared me for the American Cornhole League (ACL) pro division.” Demale said. The ACL is the hub for professional, collegiate, and youth competitive cornhole. The ACL states they are a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who drive the mission of the league: to grow the sport into a national and international sensation. American Cornhole League Commissioner Stacey Moore said, “It is our hope that each and every person in the United States learns of this new great sport and has access to play it. It is because of this goal that we truly believe anyone can play, and anyone can win. Blake Demale will participate in main events throughout all five days of the tournament: the pro doubles bracket with his partner, Scott Phillips, the advanced singles,

advanced doubles, and crew cup (4-player teams). He will also be in a conference championship (top 16 in each conference). Demale appreciates the support of his peers and teammates, especially his partner, Scott. He would like to thank Stay Pleasant Hill for sponsoring him and making it all possible, and he has high appreciation and thanks to Tracy Bakewell, his mother, for working hard all her life and happily raising him.

DIABLO FC SOCCER

RECREATIONAL FREE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM WHEN: Fall 2019 - Mid-August to mid-October WHO: Boys & Girls born between 2009 and 2015 WHERE: Newhall Park, Concord WHAT: Diablo FC has teamed with its sponsors to offer a completely free Rec Soccer Program for local youth. Our professional coaches will work with the kids and parent volunteers to provide one weekday afternoon training and Saturday morning games for 8 weeks in the fall.

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FUNdraising for Nami Mental Health Awareness Community Event in Todos Santos Park Please come out and join us on September 14, when NAMI Contra Costa hosts an activity packed morning at our annual NAMI CC in Motion, a Mental Health Awareness Community Event in Todos Santos Park in downtown Concord. This FUNdraising community event is to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination in our county. This is a free event, 9am – noon, and open to all ages. If you would like to participate in the stroll and form a team to support someone you know living with mental illness, register at https://www.firstgiving.com/event/34688/nami-inmotion-2019. This event will have a variety of engaging activities, including: 1. A stroll, great raffle prizes, and fun activities such as a hula-hoop contest, face painting, board games, and play area for children. 2. Community-based organizations host booths from local resources to offer information regarding the services they offer. 3. There will be a releasing of the doves in memory of those who have passed away 4. The stroll includes a visit to our new NAMI CC Offices, where we will be serving refreshments and provide an opportunity to learn more about our services. If you are not able to join us September 14, you can still participate by sending a check to: NAMI CC at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite V, Concord, CA 94520 or by making a tax-deductible donation online by visiting our website at namicontracosta.org. If you have questions, please contact Michele O’Keefe directly at Michele@namicontracosta.org, or call our office at 925-942-0767.

Letter to the Editor

With regard to Clarke Swim Center, the mayor of Walnut Creek stated in the July issue of Community Focus, “The 50-meter pool only serves about 450 people, and half of those people do not live in the community. I am still with the 25-meter pool because I think it best serves the greater good of the community.” I respectfully disagree and felt compelled to write this commentary. This weekend, my children will be participating in their Conference Swim Championship. The event is similar to the All City Meet that took place last month, where over 1,800 kids and their families participated. If you have ever been around Heather Farms during one of these events, it’s plain to see the pool facility and grounds is utilized to capacity. Swimming is one of the most popular sports in our community and, unfortunately, the city has not made the necessary investments in Clarke Swim Center to maintain our most valuable swimming asset. If we had an upgraded 50-meter swim facility, more events could be held and we could ensure that our children have the opportunity to enjoy and advance in one of our most popular sports. The city needs to support our kids and ensure that they have a 50-meter pool in Walnut Creek. – Chris Stump

Another busy day at Clarke Memorial swim center. Approximatley 1800 swimmers compete at the Walnut Creek Swim Conference Championships held annually at the swim center. Teams from all over the city of Walnut Creek particicpate in this meet.

14 | AUGUST 2019 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Monument Crisis Center Two Ways to Help This Summer Monument Crisis Center (MCC) has two great programs this summer to support children and families in need. Summer Food Boxes is the first program, and their goal is to provide 1,000 boxes of food for local families in need every year. There is a list of the most needed items available on the MCC website. To donate, you may also text “MCC” to 41444. “The most vital thing we can help

someone with is food and nourishment” says Executive Director Sandra Scherer. “Each month, we provide food to over 1,100 households and 3,000 people. It’s the most basic thing we can do to help families feel whole again, and it’s the heart of our mission.” The second program is the Annual Back-2-School Backpack Drive, which seeks donations of backpacks and gratefully accepts them between July

Non-Profit of the Year State Senator Steve Glazer of District 7 recently named monument Crisis Center California Nonprofit of the Year. Executive Director Sandra Scherer was in Sacramento on June 5 to accept the award at the 4th Annual California Nonprofits Day and said, “We are humbled by this incredible honor and grateful to be part of the special community of California nonprofits.” Senator Glazer said, “I was proud to name Monument Crisis Center my district’s Nonprofit of the Year. The work of Monument Crisis Center in Concord is critically important to families in need. It is a community-based, non-profit family resource center that directly confronts the root causes of poverty, delivers immediate assistance, and provides comprehensive wrap-around, safety net services for Central and East Contra Costa County.” Senator Glazer, Concord Council-

man Dominic Aliano, and Councilman Edi Birsan, along with hundreds of other attendees, were on hand on July 17 at Monument Crisis Center for an “in district” celebration of their award. Please visit their Facebook page for photos from the event. www.Facebook.com/ MonumentCrisisCenter.

1 and July 25. MCC is also looking for a variety of supplies for each backpack, and that list is available on the website. The most critical need is for backpacks for middle and high school-aged students, and MCC encourages donors to be creative in backpack choices. Please, no solid blue or red backpacks. Visit the site for a complete list of supplies, donation hours, and deadlines available at www.monumentcrisiscenter.org. Check out their Facebook page for more details about backpack distribution day, which is filled with music, food, backpacks and more! www.Facebook.com/ MonumentCrisisCenter. The Monument Crisis Center (MCC)

is a family resource center dedicated to providing food, education, safety net services, tools and assistance, concrete referrals and resources for families, seniors and individuals in crisis situations, providing pathways toward health and self-sufficiency, and promoting community awareness of needs and available resources to at-risk, low income Contra Costa County residents. MCC provides these services to more than 9,500 people a year, 100 new families a month. For more information, please contact Executive Director Sandra Scherer at Sscherer@monumentcrisiscenter.org or (925) 222-6868, or visit www.monumentcrisiscenter.org.

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PH Community Foundation Awards Celebrating Your Community For over 30 years, the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation has worked to strengthen community organizations, build endowment funds to meet ongoing and future needs, and offer flexible tax-deductible options for giving at all levels. Proceeds from its annual fund appeal provide funding for its annual Community Grant Awards. These grant awards were presented at the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Celebrate Your Communityâ&#x20AC;? event earlier this year. Grantees included: â&#x20AC;˘ Adult Day Services Network for a laptop and software â&#x20AC;˘ Choice in Aging for shade canopies â&#x20AC;˘ Diablo Theatre Company to upgrade its sound system â&#x20AC;˘ 4th of July Commission â&#x20AC;˘ Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library for its â&#x20AC;&#x153;City-Wide Readsâ&#x20AC;? program â&#x20AC;˘ Pleasant Hill CERT Foundation for storage containers â&#x20AC;˘ Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Senior Center for the CC CafĂŠ nutrition program

â&#x20AC;˘ Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District for its Special Recreation Halloween Dance â&#x20AC;˘ Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District for the Tinkers and Thinkers Make & Take â&#x20AC;˘ Project 2nd Chance for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;New for Youâ&#x20AC;? subscription â&#x20AC;˘ Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center for a tankless water heater â&#x20AC;˘ STARS 2000 for microphones Individuals and families can establish these organizations that, in turn, significant Each year, the foundation also presents endowments at the Community Foundation ly influence the residents of Pleasant Hill. We its Cornerstone Award to someone who has to develop funds that provide for regular also recognized three very special individucontributed directly to the foundation. This giving as well as tax deductions for the doals whose impact deserved high praise.â&#x20AC;? year, Jeff Clark of Stevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Printing was honnor. Two special grant awards were also pre Two public employees were selected to ored for his generosity in providing beautiful sented at the event from two of these funds: receive $500 stipends from Holmes Family printed materials to promote our commu11:30 am ~ 2:30 pm; 4:00 pm ~ 6:00 pm Exclude Holidays â&#x20AC;˘ Contra Costa Humane Society for their Fund. Oliver Holmes was onepm; of4:00 thepm foundnity events. 11:30 am ~ 2:30 ~ 6:00 pm Exclude Holidays Choice of any 2 Rolls: $8.95 or 3 Rolls: $13.95 â&#x20AC;&#x153;SNAP (Spay/Neuter Program)â&#x20AC;? from the ing members of of the Pleasant Hill CommuFind out more about the many projects, Choice any 2 Rolls: $8.95 or 3 Rolls: $13.95 Sake Maki salmon Spicy Yellowtail California Roll Mango Avocado Roll Guarino Community Fund In 2006, Holmes funded an grants and scholarships we have given SakeTekka Maki Maki salmon nity Foundation. Spicy Yellowtail California Roll Mango Avocado Rollout tuna Spicy Salmon NY Roll cooked prawn & Avocado Kappa Maki Tekka Maki tuna Spicy Salmon NY Roll cooked prawn & Avocado Kappa Maki Negihama Maki Yellowtail Spicy Tuna Alaska Roll Salmon, Cucumber & Avocado â&#x20AC;˘ AAUW for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Study Art & Musicâ&#x20AC;? program at annual award to be given to anAlaska outstanding to improve the quality of lifeAvocado in Pleasant RollHill Negihama Maki Yellowtail Spicy Tuna Roll Salmon, Cucumber & Avocado Avocado Roll Fair Oaks Elementary School from the Mary employee of the$7.95 Pleasant Hill Recreation and by visiting our website: PHCommunityFounSignature Rolls Each Signature Rolls $8.95 Each Signature Rolls $7.95 Each Signature Rolls $8.95 Each Walters Memorial Fund. Park District and City of Pleasant Hill. Ling dation.org. If you are interested in joining Community Grant Awards Chair Betty King from the City of Pleasant Hill and Sheila our all-volunteer board of directors, please Geishirt Cantrell stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had an incredemail us for an application at info@PHComGeorge from the Park District were chosen Dynamite California Crunch Pleasanton Pleasanton Jungle Sunset Dynamite California Crunch RedRed LionLion Jungle Sunset BlvdBlvd ible evening celebrating and supporting munityFoundation.org. by their managers to receive these awards. Crispy roll w/ snow crab Snow crab mix, tempura, Tempura shrimp, red onion, Cucumber, tempura shrimp. roll, bacon & Crispy fried spicy salmon, yellowtail Crispy roll w/ snow crab Snow crab mix, tempura, Tempura shrimp, red onion, Cucumber, tempura shrimp. CrispyCrispy PhillyPhilly roll, bacon & Crispy fried spicy salmon, yellowtail

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18 | AUGUST 2019 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

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Estate Planning

An Invaluable Estate Planning Tool BY DANIEL DuREE A revocable living trust is an invaluable estate-planning tool for spelling out who will receive your property while avoiding the scourge of the probate process. However, if a revocable living trust is not properly funded, it may end up being essentially useless. This begs the question, “What does proper funding of a revocable trust entail, and how do I know if this was done for my trust?” Funding a revocable trust means transferring legal title of the asset into the name

of the trust. Depending on the character of the asset, this will take a variety of different forms. I will discuss a few different common asset types and how to ensure that they are properly transferred into your living trust. Real Estate - Real estate is the asset most likely to cause problems in estate planning and end up stuck in probate. Real estate must be transferred into your living trust by grant deed, either during the initial purchase or via subsequent written instrument. Often, people will transfer their house into their living trust when they create the trust, but later move and forget to have the title company put the new property in the trust. This is very

Celebrating 50 Years of Art

The Martinez Arts Association (MAA) presents its 50th annual Art in the Park on Sunday, August 18, at Susana Park, from 10am – 5pm. Over 60 artists will be at this free community event. Come and enjoy fine arts and crafts created by local artists, along with live music, food trucks, and beverages, including wine and beer. MAA Board Member and event coordinator Vernon Sanders said, “This is an exciting year for the event -- our 50th annual celebration! We’re expecting this year to be bigger than ever, and vendor booth space sold out quickly. It’s always a great community event and benefits local art education.” A great music line-up will feature the Tamsen Donner Band, Thomas Martin, UnConcord, Paper Kayak, and the Landbirds. The Martinez Girl Scouts will provide the children’s activity this year for family fun. Don’t miss this year’s silent auction that raises money to support the arts in Martinez schools. Local businesses and artists have donated items for the silent auction, including paintings, gift certificates, and one-of-a-kind fabulous lawn flamingos. There is plenty of free parking in downtown Martinez, with a golf cart shuttle from the farmers’ market area at the Starbuck’s plaza. Art in the Park is the MAA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Founded in 1968 as a nonprofit organization, the MAA organizes and participates in many community events throughout the year. Our goal is to encourage art culture and education for local youth. Fundraising proceeds provide scholarships to graduating seniors as well as art grants for elementary through high school teachers. For more details about Art in the Park, please visit www.martinezarts.org.

1535 North Main Street, Suite 240 • Walnut Creek

transfer of ownership forms. IRA, 401(k) - Tax-deferred accounts deal with succession via beneficiary forms and are therefore not transferred into the trust. Depending on the circumstances, however, a trust may be named as a beneficiary. There are important tax considerations in this area, and you should talk to a tax professional regarding your particular circumstances. Because of the importance of keeping your living trust funded, you should periodically check to make sure that no assets have been left out. A little bit of effort now can save a lot of time, money, and inconvenience someday down the road. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call my office and I will be happy to help. Daniel L. DuRee is a third generation resident of Contra Costa County and a licensed attorney practicing in Walnut Creek. He can be reached at (925) 210-1400 or visit www.DuReeLaw.com. SPONSORED CONTENT

The Martinez Arts Association

in the

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common and requires probate to eventually distribute the property. Savings Accounts, Brokerage Accounts, and CDs - A savings account, brokerage account, or CD must similarly be titled in the name of the trust in order for the trust to function properly and keep the assets out of probate. An account or CD is titled in the name of your living trust by the institution where the account or CD is held. You must inform the institution that you want the account held in your living trust and give them a “certificate of trust” transfer document, which should have been included in your estate plan package. The institution will then put title to the account in the name of the trust. When this is done, your account statements will have the name of the trust as the account holder. LLC of Small Corporation Interest - An LLC membership or shares in a privately held corporation must also be transferred into the name of your living trust. This is done with

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TRUSTS • WILLS • PROBATE

• Live Music all day… • Food • Wine & Beer • Silent Auction

Free Admission!

For more inFormation visit: www.martinezarts.org e-mail: artinthepark@martinezarts.org https://www.facebook.com/maa94553/ All proceeds provide Art Scholarships for Martinez high school graduates

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2019 | 19

Meet Judy Haus and family.

General Manager’s Message Back to School (Already) By Michelle Lacy General Manager, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District

Can you feel it? Can you feel the buzz of excitement and nervous energy oating through the city as families prepare for the start of a new school year? Parents are cheering. Kids are groaning. And teachers are working hard to get their classrooms ready for “opening day”. It’s hard to believe that th it’s back to school time already. The Rec & Park 2019 summer season was a huge success and provided lots of fun, WOW! experiences for our community. Summer camp enrollment across all our classic summer camps was well up from 2018 numbers and we had lots of very happy campers. We also taught a lot of kids how to swim and be water safe with over 1,300 people enrolled in swim lessons this year! Thank you for playing with us this summer. As we bid a fond farewell to all those long, fun--lled summer days, we say hello to a burst of exciting activities and opportunities to learn and play in the month ahead. I encourage you to look through the latest edition of The Spotlight, our Fall/Winter recreation guide (in print & online). Inside you will nd information about everything fun in our District from our community events to pop-up play dates, after-school enrichment classes for

youth, teen after-school programs and after-work activities for adults who want more life balance. We have over 36 new activities to try out this season! Our youth services department also started oﬀering new activities for homeschool families in the community including enrichment classes, PE/Sports Medley classes and aquatic activities. As more families choose alternative education environments, Rec & Park is working hard to develop a variety of homeschool opportude nities. We welcome your homeschool class ideas and suggestions. Please reach out to our Youth Coordinator, Ally Craw at acraw@pleasanthillrec.com. Before your calendar begins to ll up completely be sure to add our 3rd annual Tinkers and Thinkers Innovation Faire on September 14 in Pleasant Hill Park to your plans. Unlike other passive science fairs or commercialized S.T.E.M. “maker” events, Tinkers & Thinkers is structured diﬀerently. This completely free, homegrown event is jammed packed with opportunities for guests to tinker with hands-on S.T.E.M.-based “make and take” activities. If you are an innovator, educator and/or S.T.E.M. supporter and would like to share your inspirations and/or provide an

interactive activity, I encourage you to participate as a “maker” exhibitor (free). Contact our event coordinator, Sheila Cotruvo at scotruvo@pleasanthillrec.com. Wishing all the cheering parents, groaning kids and hard-working teachers out there, a smooth transition back to school.

Upcoming Activities Aug 5

| Fall/Winter Registration opens

Aug 5-9 | Last week of Summer Camps for Youth & Teens Aug 15 | Teen After-School Program opens Aug 28 | FREE! Pop-Up Play Date 3:00-4:30 pm, PH Park Sept 14 | Tinkers & Thinkers Innovation Faire For more details, visit pleasanthillrec.com

pleasanthillrec.com Follow us @pleasanthillrec

The Fall/Winter 2019 edition of The Spotlight, our recreation guide is now available online or in print at any Rec & Park facility location. Registration for the Fall/Winter season opens August 5, 2019.

Judy and her husband, Chris Marker have joined a growing number of parents who have decided to homeschool their children. For Judy and Chris, the decision to homeschool was a natural progression from their daughter’s (12) and son’s (8) very positive Reggio Emilia preschool experience. Avid proponents of this inquiry/project-based teaching style, Judy and Chris wanted their children to continue on this path when it was time to start elementary school. Unfortunately, mainstream education offered limited mainst options. Homeschooling was their solution. Six years later, both children have been very successful. Part of the Reggio Emilia learning style allows the children to learn by doing enrichment activities they enjoy. This is where Rec & Park’s new homeschool classes and activities are proving to be valuable for this family. By providing a variety of activity options, the children are able to browse The Spotlight and choose the enrichment classes themselves. A big win for the kids (and right in-line with Reggio Emilia). For Chris, he appreciates that our homeschool activities are in Pleasant Hill during the day, which allows him to better balance homeschooling the kids and his work schedule. Judy also liked that our homeschool classes offer her kids the opportunity to socialize and make new friends with neighborhood kids in Pleasant Hill. More wins for this homeschool family who hopes we will continue to offer even more activities. Stay tuned, Haus-Marker family! We’re working on it! Thank you for sharing the love!

PAIR UP

Final Fling

Ah, The End of Summer

BY MARIA TERRY Seeing the lazy days of summer come to an end is bittersweet and makes you want to squeeze every last drop from each day left. This menu offers a host of unique Italian wines paired with tasty recipes to end the summer with a bang and create memories that will keep you warm throughout the winter. Start off your evening with an uncommon style of wine called Lambrusco. It is a fruity red wine with a touch of sweetness and a bit of fizz. Lambrusco packs more of a punch than your standard rosé and is delicious with the bold flavors of this Antipasto Cheese Ball. Its bright red fruit flavors bring out the meaty flavors of the salami. The sweetness counters the briny flavors of the olives and the slight bitterness of the herbs. Finally, the bubbles cut through the fat of the cheese. You won’t be disappointed if you try it, but if you can’t find it, a crisp rosé will work as well. Here in California we can grill almost all year long. Even so, barbequing in the summer, when the sun stays up so late, is particularly special. I love a coffee rub for thick cuts of meat because the bitter note from the coffee is balanced by the

sweetness of the brown sugar. Also, the sugar allows for caramelization, creating a flavorful crust on the steak. For pairing, try a Teroldego wine, which is from an Italian grape that is grown in both California and Italy. It has black fruit flavors along with chocolate, bramble, and coffee. Just about any red wine will work with your steak, but this one will really ink the memories of this meal into your brain and feed your soul for months to come. The perfect ending to this meal and the summer is a cool raspberry lemonade paired with Raspberry Peach Cake. I like desserts like this one -- not too fussy, not

Coffee Rubbed Steak INGREDIENTS 1 teaspoon ground coffee 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon brown sugar ¼ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 steaks, your favorite cut DIRECTIONS Combine all seasonings. Rub on both sides of steak. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Let rest five minutes. Yield: 2 Steaks

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too sweet -- definitely unforgettable. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a certified sommelier and wine educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com.

Antipasto Cheese Ball INGREDIENTS Cheese ball: 24 ounces cream cheese, softened ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and diced ½ cup red bell peppers, diced 3.5 ounces chopped salami pieces ¼ cup chives, chopped ¼ cup parsley, chopped 1 Tablespoon onion powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder Salt to taste For outside decoration: 2 cups pitted mixed olives (black, green, and Kalamata), halved lengthwise ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced or diced DIRECTIONS Combine all the ingredients for the cheese ball in a bowl and mix until the ingredients are well combined. Place a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on a clean bench-top or work surface. Scoop the cream cheese mixture out onto the plastic wrap and completely cover with another piece of wrap. Use your hands to mold the cream cheese mixture into a ball. Carefully pick up the cheese ball with one hand and peel off the plastic wrap on the bottom of the ball with your other hand. Place the ball straight onto a serving plate. Decorate: Remove excess oil from olives or tomatoes by laying them out evenly onto a paper towel. Firmly press each olive or tomato all over the outside of the cheese ball. You can brush the final product with a bit of leftover oil from the sundried tomatoes to add shine and flavor, if desired. Serve on top of crackers or rolled-up inside individual slices of salami or prosciutto. Yield: 14 Servings ..........................................................

Rasberry-Peach Cake INGREDIENTS Cake: 6 TBSP unsalted butter at room temperature 1 cup white sugar 2 large eggs room temperature 1 TBSP lemon juice Zest of 1 lemon ½ TSP vanilla extract 2/3 cup sour cream or plain yogurt 1 1/3 cup flour 1 TSP baking powder ¼ TSP baking soda ¼ TSP salt ¾ cup raspberries 1 small ripe peach peeled & sliced 1 TBS sugar 1 TBS flour Powdered Sugar / Whipped Cream DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a springform 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray. Make the cake by beating together the sugar and butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, one at a time, along with the vanilla, lemon juice, and zest, beating until combined and creamy. In a separate bowl, toss the flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Using a wide rubber spatula, fold in half the flour mixture, then the sour cream, and then the remaining flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Prepare the topping by combining the peeled peach slices, raspberries, sugar, and flour together in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly. After the cake has baked for 15 minutes, slide the oven rack out and scatter the fruit evenly, working quickly. Return to oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, another 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes on a cooling rack before releasing the latch of the spring form cake pan and removing it from the cake to continue cooling. Serve with powdered sugar sprinkled on top and whipped cream on the side. Yield: About 8 Servings

.......................................................... OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2019 | 21

IN THE MIX

In the Mix

Reflecting on the last 10 Years BY PAUL COTRUVO Congratulations, Community Focus, for enriching our lives over the last 10 years. What an incredible feat! I personally want to thank this paper for giving me the chance to be included with this monthly column. Music is such an important part of our lives, and I have been truly blessed to be able to use this platform to spread a little musical knowledge and expose some great musicians. I decided to look back at some the highlights of the past eight plus years of “In the Mix” interviews and memories. Very hard to do in this short article, but I picked a few that capture the spirit of our musical community. Hope you enjoy! My first interview was done back in 2011 with Jinx Jones. He is one of

the most talented and respected guitar players of the Bay Area and has established himself as one of the top rockabilly guitarists. I loved his answer to this question: “If you were a guitar, what kind would you be and why?” “Great question, and it is hard to decide on just one, but I guess I’d have to say a vintage Fender Jazzmaster. Why? Well, I’m ‘off-set and contour’ in a lot of ways, and I’m always confusing my identity as a jazz guitarist, country guitarist, and surf guitarist playing spy movie and spaghetti-western soundtracks.” I also enjoyed the answer that the amazing singer Stephanie Harwood gave in 2012: “If you were a song, what song would you be?” “I think I would be a little-known song by Imogen Heap called ‘Speeding

Cars.’ It’s a song about the trials that life brings and how you learn from them, and in the end it’s about loving yourself and those around you. “The paper cuts, the cheating lovers/The coffee’s never strong enough/ I know you think it’s more than just bad luck/Bye, bye, baby/ It’s just textbook stuff/It’s in the ABCs of growing up/Now, now darlin’/ Oh, don’t lose your head. Cuz’ none of us were angels/And you know I love you, yeah.” I loved learning the musical heroes for singer-songwriter Sin Silver: “Yes, many heroes. Bob Dylan - incomparable. Neil Young - a force of nature. Sinéad O’Connor - love her or hate her, she always speaks her truth. David Bowie - charismatic, chameleon-like. Jack White – brilliant, and in my mind hasn’t reached his peak. Bruce Springsteen - the boss!! And of course, Townes Van Zandt - One of my all-time greatest heroes. Under-appreciated genius.” Asking Frankie G, “If you were a blues song and why? “Be careful with a fool (‘cause someday he may get smart. He will treat you so cool and chilly, till he hurt you to your heart). Why? Because I like to try to pay it forward and treat people with kindness, hoping for the same in return. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. There are a lot of fools out there looking to take advantage of others, especially in our current day. I get a little cautious sometimes.”

Paul: Amazing what you learn about these musicians. I loved sharing my experience of my first trip to Liverpool. That’s right, home of the Beatles! The Fab Four! It was truly humbling to be able to walk down the streets where some of their most famous songs were born. I walked into the barbershop and saw the shelter in the middle of the roundabout on Penny Lane. I visited Strawberry Fields, which was the name of a Salvation Army children’s home just around the corner from Lennon’s childhood home. But one of my favorite moments was when we went to a graveyard in front of St. Peter’s Church. We were told that John Lennon used to hang out there and one day Paul McCartney joined him. As they were having a smoke, Paul noticed the grave of John Rigby and was curious as to why his granddaughter, Eleanor Rigby, also buried there, was married to a man named Thomas Woods but did not take his name. Paul was told that she kept the Rigby name as she was the last child to keep the Rigby name alive. As I stood there, you could feel the song come alive: “Ah, look at all the lonely people.” I stood in front of the childhood homes of all four of the Beatles and really got a feel for the beginning of the greatest band in the world. So, here’s to ten more years, Community Focus! Thanks again for helping to keep music a part of our community.

Paul’s Picks August 3: Syria, Back Forty, 100 Coggins Drive, Pleasant Hill, 6pm August 3: Corduroy (Pearl Jam Tribute), Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main Street, WC, 9pm August 4: The Big Jangle, Pleasant Hill Summer by the Lake, Pleasant Hill City Hall, 6pm August 8: Garageland Rodeo, Downtown Martinez at the Main Street Plaza, 6:30pm August 9: Pop Fiction, Dan’s Bar, 1524 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, 10pm August 14: The Dawdlers, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 7pm August 17: Brooks Lundy, Rocco’s 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, 8pm August 18: The Sun Kings, Pleasant Hill Summer by the Lake, Pleasant Hill City Hall, 6pm August 22: Zepparella, Todos Santos Plaza, Concord, 6:30pm August 24: Aki goes to Bollywood, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8pm August 25: Sunday Paper, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm 22 | AUGUST 2019 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

IN THE GARDEN

Illustrious August

The Season to Grill and Grill Some More BY LESLEY STILES The month of August is the eighth month of the year and the fifth of seven months to have 31 days, but the meaning of the word August translates basically to respected and impressive. “She was in August company.” Words and phrases associated with August range from venerable, hallowed, illustrious, highly regarded, high ranking, noble and regal, to name a few. I feel strongly that at this, the 10-year celebration of the Community Focus, that we are indeed in August company. Thank you, impressive ladies, for producing this paper as a major gift to our communities for all this time. Truly a labor of love. Thank you also for allowing me the honor and privilege of being a part of it with you. August brings some serious sizzle to the atmosphere ‘round these parts, creating a bit of ever growing personal thermal discomfort, but on the bright side, that blaze also more than gently encourages tomatoes to bloom and grow at an alarming rate. Fierce daytime heat forces tomato vines to get thick and sturdy, allowing for weighty luscious fruit to develop and hold steady until ripe. Can you say burrata and basil? Melons are waking up to bask in the sunlight and get sweeter by the second, promising a nice breakfast or sexy brunch. Douse cubes in plain, creamy yogurt and sprinkle with nuts and blueberries drizzled with local honey. Grilling Veggies and Fruits Whether or not you are growing it, corn is showing up in farmers’ markets everywhere, lovingly trucked in from our Brentwood neighbors. After removing and disposing of her sumptuous finery, simply cut raw corn off the cob and use in salads or, better yet, sauté with olive oil or butter and chopped fresh tarragon. Cut naked cobs in half, skewer, and slather in Mexican Crema to roll in chopped cilantro and garlic before placing on a hot grill for a few minutes before feasting on cherished

forms of charred alabaster love. Squash blossoms copulate profusely with pollinating bees at an alarming rate, forcing harvesting hands and minds to create culinary ways to use squash other than as an endless freezer supply of zucchini bread. Grate into crunchy squash fritters, slice and toss with olive oil and mint (yes, mint) to sizzle on a grill. Gently skewer chunks with cherry tomatoes, chicken or tofu, eggplant cubes, peppers, and sweet summer onions to grill or roast. Longer production encourages active imaginations to endeavor uses for our promiscuous cucurbit. Piled high in rainbow displays at farmers’ markets, peppers are absolutely peaking in mass sweet or fiery love. Sugar matches mercury, allowing for choices among kaleidoscopic colors so deep in hues and shades they could make a blind woman see. Buy a gaggle of different varieties of stone fruits at the farmers’ market and do a stone fruit tasting, noticing the nuances of each fruit as you compare flavors and sugar contents side by side. We do this in our garden classes and kids are amazed at the differences between the white or yellow variety and the differences in all the pluots or apriums. The same variety of stone fruits from different growers can taste vastly, surprisingly different when tried this way, and it is an entertaining as well as interesting activity. Stone fruits are also magically transformed when grilled. Cut in half, remove pit, and brush all surfaces lightly with olive oil. Place on hot grill for a few minutes. Use meltingly tender slices in salads or top with whipped cream. Taste anticipation hits hard in August. Memories from childhood, like walking on the canal trail picking blackberries or eating Satsuma plums from my mom’s tree with juice dripping down our arms, catapult into my mind from nowhere, jolting taste buds into procure and eat mode. Going to the recreation center, manically riding our bikes, and picnicking on the grass at the pool with bologna sandwiches, strawberries, ice cold Shasta root beer,

and ping pong, along with a camping trip or two, was basically summertime for us as children growing up in Pleasant Hill. Don’t miss our annual National Night Out Celebration at the Alhambra Valley Tree Farm on Tuesday evening, August 6, from 6 to 9pm. Enjoy a rare opportunity to meet all aspects of law enforcement and emergency responder personnel in one place while socializing with neighbors. Tour the incredible SWAT Bear Cat vehicle as your kids hang out in the petting zoo or climb on a fire truck. BBQ by Steel Smoking will be on hand as well as live music from Midnight Flyer, an Eagles Tribute Band. This event is always free, excepting food and drinks. We are benefitting the food bank, so bring a can or two of something and get a free raffle ticket! It is a fabulous raffle. More info and rsvp at NationalNightOut2019.eventbright.com. Roxx on Main update: All I can say is we better be open for business by the time this goes to press!! Contact us at www. roxxonmain.com, 925 370 ROXX (7699), or facebookroxxvipclub. On August 3, Garageland Rodeo will be whooping it up in our place, so come on down and join the fun. Food and drinks galore! 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

Marinated and Grilled Whole Chicken Perfect for al fresco dining along with sweet sliced tomatoes and those veggie skewers mentioned above! Bon Appetit! INGREDIENTS 1 whole organic free-range raw chicken, washed Five 3 to 4-inch sprigs fresh rosemary ¼ cup fresh thyme, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 whole lemon 2 tablespoons salt ¼ cup olive oil Disposable grill pan, doubled, or a very heavy-bottomed one you use on the grill only all the time that will fit the chicken. DIRECTIONS Grill, heated to at least 600 degrees Drizzle 1 Tablespoon olive oil in bottom of pan. Place chicken in pan and drizzle the rest of the oil all over it. Place ½ the rosemary sprigs inside chicken cavity and strip the other half and toss onto chicken. Salt with all the salt evenly over chicken. Toss thyme all over chicken. Peel the lemon in several pieces and scatter over chicken. Cut lemon in quarters and place inside cavity of chicken. Place pan on hot grill, avoiding direct heat, and let grill for one and a half hours, checking occasionally to see if top is burning and adjusting heat as needed. Grills are not an exact science. Serves 6 to 8 generously. I always save the carcass for an amazing stock.

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From the Contra Costa County Historical Society

A History Note The Tale of a Stolen Horse BY MARJORIE NEWTON Messenger, a beautiful, light, bay colored colt, was stolen from a pasture located on Miranda Avenue in Alamo. Messenger seems like an odd choice for the name of an Arabian horse. He was named after an English thoroughbred stallion that was imported into the newly formed United States of America just after the American Revolution. Messenger’s sire, Serafix, sired 44 Class A Halter Champions, more than any other stallion in the United States or Europe, living or dead. In September of 1965, the owner, John Rogers, a well-known and respected breeder of Arabian champion horses, reported the theft to the sheriff’s department. After three days of dickering, Mr. Rogers had agreed to sell the stallion to a young man who went by the name of Larry J. Chaput of Clyde, Kansas, for $2800. When Mr. Rogers took the check

to his Walnut Creek bank, he learned it was a forgery. Too late, the horse was gone. Sheriff Lieutenant Albert Luntz’s investigation discovered that a former employee of Chaput, Douglas Cook, aka Donald McClure and several other aliases, was the horse thief and check forger. Cook was arrested when a Watsonville garage owner became suspicious of the man when he attempted to sell him a $350 1964 Chevrolet engine for $100. Contra Costa County sheriffs were alerted to Cook’s location, and after a fierce struggle requiring three officers to subdue him, Cook was taken into custody. Cook pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft and was sentenced to nine months in the county jail. In October 1966, officers from Iowa arrived to take him to Iowa as a fugitive. As for Messenger, Sheriff’s investigators found him happy and healthy in his new home in Salinas. Unfortunately for the new

owners, Messenger was taken into custody and returned home to the Rogers’ Ranch. The last that we know of Messenger is that he was sold to a ranch in Washington. And, that is the end of the horse’s tale. A History Note is presented by the Contra Costa County History Center, 724 Es-

cobar St., Martinez. Open hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 9-4 and third Saturdays from 10-2. Check out the website: www.cocohistory.org. NOTE: Starting on August 3, the History Center will be open on both the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. We hope to see you there!

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities August 4 – Pancake Breakfast 8:30-10:30am. Enjoy a stack of pancakes or French toast, scrambled eggs and sausage with bottomless orange juice and coffee. Special addition, biscuits and sausage gravy! BEST DEAL IN TOWN! All are welcome. Adults (11+): $5, children (5-10): $3, ages 4 & under are FREE! August 8 - Care Management Series Presents “Hospice Debunked” 2pm. Find out the myths surrounding hospice as well as the facts. What does hospice do, when can they help you? Find out all of this and more! Presented by Hospice East Bay Free, but please RSVP to 798-8788 or online August 20 - Coffee with the Cops 9-10am.Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a police officer? Or would you like to get to know the local cops? Come over for a cup of coffee and chat with Pleasant Hill’s police. No RSVPs needed. Pleasant Hill Senior Center Holiday Boutique Call for Vendors. Do you make handmade items? If so, join us for our annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 16. Applications can be found on our website or at the kiosk in the Senior Center Lobby. 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788 24 | AUGUST 2019 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Read My Mind

The First Conspiracy BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD Ever wonder how our country’s history might have been altered if President Lincoln or President Kennedy had not been assassinated? Had Lincoln survived the attack at Ford’s Theatre and finished out his second term as president, would he have been able to reunite our country and bring equal rights to all our citizens? Would our country have been spared the anguish and divisiveness of racism? Had Kennedy survived the assassination attempt in Dallas, would he have been able to end the Vietnam War before it split our country apart and led to tens of thousands death on both sides? Unfortunately, we will never know the answers to these questions. Now, imagine what would have happened to our country if George Washington had been assassinated at the beginning the Revolutionary War. Without their military leader and most prominent citizen, would the colonists have been victorious against the British, the most powerful military force on earth? Instead of going to baseball games and singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” and eating hot dogs, would we be going to cricket matches, singing “God Save the Queen,” and eating steak and kidney pies? Fortunately, we do not have to contemplate these questions because Washington was not assassinated. Instead, he led our fledgling country to victory over the Brit-

ish. (I’m so glad because I don’t understand cricket and really don’t like steak and kidney pie.) But, did you know that there was a scheme to kill Washington as bizarre as the one that led to Lincoln’s assassination? Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch explore this plot in their well-researched book, The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington. Unlike many of Meltzer’s previous books, this book is not historical fiction. Rather, it is history that reads like some of the best spy thrillers ever written. “It’s one of the more remarkable stories to come out of the American Revolution, even if it’s not one you learned in history class.” Washington and his underrated army were fresh off defeating the British at Boston, a victory in early 1776 that “shocked the world” when a group of British sympathizers and loyalists hatched “a clandestine plan to strike a knife into the heart of the rebellion” by killing Washington before his army could take the British stronghold of New York City. New York’s Royal Governor William Tryon and New York City Mayor David Mathews, both prominent Tories loyal to the British, led the conspiracy. (At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, many colonists were loyal to the British crown.) Using secret messages dispatched from a ship in New York Harbor, Tryon and Mathews were able to enlist a member of

George Washington’s bodyguard, the Life Guards, to kill him. The plot might have succeeded if it hadn’t been for a botched scheme by a nitwit to counterfeit colonial currency. The conspiracy became known as the “Hickey plot.” Thomas Hickey, jailed for his part in the counterfeiting scheme, bragged to a cellmate that the counterfeiting was part of a much larger plot to kill Washington. The cellmate, no fan of the British or cricket, told his colonial captors about the scheme, which led to the arrest of the culprits. This scheme and the investigation that followed were the forerunners of “new systems of intelligence gathering” and started “a whole new field of American spy craft, counterintelligence.” The book includes many fascinating characters and actual events that are hard to believe but really happened. It’s an incredible story that both American history buffs and those who love spy thrillers are sure to enjoy.

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Charlottes Web

WOW (Women of Words) in partnership with Onstage Repertory Theater is proud to announce one of the greatest stories in modern literature and theater will be performed at the Martinez Campbell Theater. An enchanting story about an adorable pig named Wilbur, who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” • July 27th-August 11th, 2019 • Times: Saturdays 6:30pm and Sundays 2:30pm • General Admission $20, Seniors (62+), Students and Groups of 10+ $18 • Tickets can be purchased at: womenofwords.brownpapertickets.com OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2019 | 25

Diablo Valley Oncology Celebrates Ninth Year as Top Work Place BY LORI ORR, COO Cancer care is one of the most difficult and challenging fields imaginable, but those who choose it find a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction from the inspirational patients they treat. Our employees say their jobs make them feel like they are making a difference in people’s lives every day. Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group is very proud to be acknowledged by The Bay Area News Group as a 2019 Top Work Place. We are fortunate to have an outstanding team of administrative and clinical

staff who share a passion for helping our patients and their loved ones. Every day, our employees deal with the extreme highs and lows of fighting cancer and other serious diagnoses. We get to know our patients and their families very well, and we care for them and about them as if they were our own families. In turn, we receive from them the special gift of understanding that life is precious and not to be taken for granted. Passion like this may seem hard to find, but it is what drives us every day at Diablo Valley Oncology. The Top Work Place award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey that measures responses about workplace

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culture, communication, trust in leadership, team dynamics, career development and job satisfaction. For this year, 2,615 companies were invited to participate in the Top Work Place program and only 85 received the award. Diablo Valley Oncology achieved a ranking of number 8 in the midsize company category, our highest ranking to date. We have been voted a Top Work Place by our employees for 9 years in a row since first becoming eligible in 2010. Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group, founded in 2001, created the first multi-specialty medical group in the area by merging together with Pacific Urology in 2012. Four years later, West Coast Surgical Associates joined our practice. Currently, our multi-specialty group includes medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology, urology, general and oncologic

surgery. Specialty integration allows us to deliver an unprecedented level of medical care through comprehensive and coordinated programs. An example of this collaboration is our Women’s Cancer Center, where our team of breast cancer specialists provides individualized, multi-disciplinary consultations and treatment recommendations to patients all in one day – all in one place. For more information about the services or career opportunities at Diablo Valley Oncology, West Coast Surgical Associates and Pacific Urology, please visit our website at www.dvohmg.com or call 925-677-5041. We are always looking for people who are passionate about helping others and interested in being part of a dynamic and supportive medical team. SPONSORED CONTENT

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august 8

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august 27

25th Annual Sculpture Show

Summer Music & Movies on Main

Magic Club

View stunning sculptural art with the natural sculptural beauty of the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Event features works from a large variety of west coast artists. Open during Garden hours: Tues.Thurs. 10am-4pm / Fri.-Sun. 10am-5pm / closed Mondays. ruthbancroftgarden.org/events

Downtown Martinez at the Main Street Plaza on Thursdays from July 11 through August 8. Live music is 6:30-8:30pm followed by a movie under the stars around 8:45pm. Visit www. mainstreetmartinez.org for schedule.

Assembly #112 Magic Club meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1919 Wendell Lane, Pleasant Hill. 6:30 to 7pm – Meet and Greet; 7-8:30pm – Workshop (learn new effects or lecture); 8:30-10pm – Performance (bring a trick to perform). https://sam112.com

Many Faces of Gynecologic Cancers

august 4 and 18

august 10

august 22

september 6

Summer Concerts

Bag of Books Sale

Coming to the Rescue

Enjoy live music by the lake at City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Every other Sunday from 6-8pm. August 4: The Big Jangle and August 18: Sun Kings.

Friends of the Martinez Library are having a Bag of Books sale from 11 -4. $5 a bag and you choose the books! Martinez Library, 740 Court Street, Martinez.

Contra Costa Humane Society’s annual fundraiser is an evening of food, music with live band, and silent auction. Learn about the life-saving work that CCHS does every day. PH Community Center from 6-8:30pm. Tickets: www.comingtotherescue2019.eventbrite.com or call (925) 279-2247.

Back to School Game Night & Bake Sale

august 6

august 10

ongoing

National Night Out

Martinez CERT

Volunteer with Seniors

Join your neighbors to meet some of the finest law enforcement and first responders from 6-9pm at the Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm, 2647 Reliez Valley Rd, Martinez. Bring a can of food for the Food Bank and receive a free raffle ticket. www.NationalNightOut2019. eventbrite.com

Free Personal Emergency Preparedness class (PEP). Spend 2 hours learning how to prepare yourself and your family to be ready when a major disaster strikes. 9-11am at Martinez City Council Chambers, 525 Henrietta St. RSVP: Martinez.CERT@gmail.com.

Spectrum Community Services is looking for individuals who would like to volunteer in senior centers all around the East Bay. Please call Spectrum Community Services at 510-8810300 ext. 242 or fill out an application at www. Spectrumcs.org.

august 7

august 17

august 24-25

ongoing

First Wednesday

Vintage Market

TreasureFest

A street festival full of live music, dancing, food trucks, wine and beer, Kids Fun Zone, interactive games and free prizes. Music by Cut Loose. Free event, 5:30-8:30pm, Cypress Street, Walnut Creek.

100 vendors selling vintage antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts; music, kids activities and more. 9am-5pm, downtown Martinez.

One part shopping, one part feasting, and one part music and entertainment. A unique monthly festival that showcases the best of the Bay Area. 10am-4pm. Located at 500 Ave N, Treasure Island SF. $7 general entry, kids under 12 are free. Free parking. Pet friendly. www.treasurefest.com

Volunteers for Senior Van Service

Medical experts discuss unique issues of ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers and offer insights into the latest treatment options and clinical research. 6:30-8:30pm, Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Ave, Walnut Creek. RSVP to sjung@dvohmg.com

Bring your parents and friends, young and old, and play Cranium, Pictionary, card games, and more. Free, 6:30-8:30pm, First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 1802 Alhambra Ave, Mtz. Refreshments provided. All bake sale proceeds for shipping Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

Pleasant Hill Senior Center Van Service is looking for a volunteer ride schedule dispatcher. Only one morning shift each week (9-11am). For more information, visit pleasanthillca.org/seniorvan or call 925-671-5288.

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