August '18 Community Focus

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IN THIS ISSUE: • FRIENDS MATTER CANDIDS • STRENGTH IN NUMBERS • NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AUG. 7

PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK

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COVER: National Night Out ’17 in Pleasant Hill. Read about the upcoming August 7 National Night details on pages 7 and 9.

PHOTO BY: Susan Wood, susanwoodphotography.com.

2 | AUGUST 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

INSIDE

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Library and Ball Fields

13 Junior Olympics

18

Estate Planning Mistakes

7 Scholarship News

16 Free General Store

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6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132 Martinez, CA 94553

925-335-6397

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Meet Mark Richardson, who lives in Concord with his wife, Christine, and their teenage daughters, Madison and Brianna. Mark is a service writer at the Toyota dealership in Concord. He also paints houses as a side job in his spare time.

What is your passion in life? It’s changed as life has progressed. I used to be passionate about hot rods and wanted to have the best and baddest car. I had a 1970 Camaro that I used to race. My passion now is taking care of my family.

Fun facts about Mark: 1. My favorite foods are steak and seafood, and my favorite place to eat is at The Dead Fish in Crockett.

2. I’m really into smoking meat. I have my own smoker and like to smoke briskets and ribs.

3. Our family likes to go up to the coast to places like Cambria and Bodega Bay to relax and chill.

4. My favorite place that I’ve been to is Maui. We took a helicopter ride over the whole island and it was awesome to see things you couldn’t see from a car. It hurt my ears really bad though; it felt like my ears were going to blow up.

Julie Says Bring on the Bees!

BY JULIE ROSS

A couple of years ago we had our front lawn and (hideous) juniper hedge ripped out and replaced with drought-tolerant plants, mostly California natives. Aside from the significant decrease in our water bill, we have noticed other favorable changes: more insect-eating Western fence lizards, hummingbirds, and butterflies along with some new visitors to our yard – native bees.

There are 1600 bee species native to California. Unlike the more familiar non-native honeybees, which have been introduced to North America from Europe, our native bees do not live in hives. California bees are solitary or live in small social groups. Many species burrow underground, some hang out on flowers to sleep, and others burrow in wood. And they don’t make honey.

A critical ability our homegrown bees do share with honeybees is pollination. Their search for food – pollen for the protein and nectar for the carbs – takes them from flower to flower, fertilizing field crops, orchards, and home gardens along the way.

Scientists have been working with

California farmers to use native bees in crop production to offset the “colony collapse disorder” that began plaguing honeybees in 2006. A clear cause of the mysterious decline in honeybees has not been determined but is believed to be a complex combination of pesticides, parasites, pathogens, including bacteria and or/viruses, and poor nutrition, which can result from bees being used to pollinate a single crop type, therefore, consuming a diet lacking a diversity of nutrients.

In experiments to put native bees to work, farmers have provided space to create native bee habitat around crops and orchards with native flowering plants.

In one such initiative, more than 60 native bee species were identified in a single farm in Brentwood after only three years -just one of many success stories emerging in modern-day farming using natural and sustainable techniques.

To learn more about our fascinating and essential local bees, there are two excellent articles published in Bay Nature magazine and available online: “In the Key of Bee, Singing the Praises of Native Bees,” (April 1, 2009) and “Spreading the Buzz About Native Bees” (June 19, 2014). Both articles feature interviews with bee guru Gordon W. Frankie, professor and research entomologist at UC Berkeley.

Frankie launched the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab website www.helpabee. org, which is chock full of information on creating and maintaining bee habitats at home – what to plant for seasonal bee gardening, how to build bee boxes and condos (great summer project!), and simple steps to take in welcoming native bees, which can be as simple as leaving a sunny patch of ground mulch-free to encourage burrowing bee species to take up residence.

For a fun day learning about honeybees and other pollinators, head over to Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek on Saturday, August 18, for the annual Bee Bop event. There is an active honeybee observation hive housed in Plexiglas on the exhibit floor where you can see all the action, including watching bees leave the hive through a clear tunnel to pollinate flowers outside the building and return with loaded pollen sacs or

“baskets,” located on their hind legs. There will be special programs all day.

Enjoy the rest of summer, especially the amazing fruits and vegetables of the season, courtesy of bees, butterflies, and nectar-loving birds. (And let’s not forget the agave-pollinating bats for those of you who enjoy tequila!)

For more information about Bee Bop, go to www.lindsaywildlife.org. You can reach Julie at julieakross@comcast.net

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(925) 957-1522 OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 3

With the Best of Intentions The Six Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes

BY JEFFREY HALL, Elder Law Attorney

If you’re like most people, you have the best of intentions with regard to how you want your estate distributed when you die or your affairs handled should you become incapacitated.

Unfortunately, without proper planning, your best intentions may not be enough.

Here are six of the most common estate planning mistakes people make:

1. Doing it yourself. Bad Idea. It is tempting to try to save money by using a do-it-yourself online service such as Robolawyer & Legal Zoom or just writing something up yourself, but these poorly drafted documents may only cost you or your heirs additional money in the end.

Without a legal education and years of experience, it is impossible to know what the right legal solution is to any particular situation and what planning opportunities are available. If there is anything about a family situation that’s not commonplace,

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using a DIY estate planning program means taking a LARGE RISK that can affect one’s family for generations to come. And only an attorney can determine whether a particular situation qualifies as commonplace. The problems created by not getting competent legal advice probably won’t be borne by the person creating the will, but they may well be shouldered by the person’s children and grandchildren.

2. Failing to plan. The biggest mistake is failing to create a plan in the first place.

Without an estate plan, your assets will be distributed according to the law in the state where you live. Usually, if you are married, your spouse is entitled to a portion of your estate and the rest is divided among other relatives. If you are single, your estate may go to your children, parents, or siblings. If you have absolutely no living relatives, then your estate will go to the state. This is probably not what you want to happen to your assets. In addition, without an estate plan, you have no way to name who will be the guardian of your children or who will act for you if you become incapacitated

3. Not planning for disability. A properly drafted estate plan not only specifies what will happen to your assets when you die; it also plans for what happens if you become incapacitated. It is important to have documents such as a power of attorney and health care proxy that appoint

someone you trust to act on your behalf if you can’t act for yourself. Elder law attorneys know what Medi-Cal legal language is necessary to gift assets so that Medi-Cal doesn’t recover against the estate upon death of the Medi-Cal applicant. LegalZoom has no clue about this.

4. Failing to fund a trust. Once you draft an estate plan, you aren’t done. If your estate plan includes a trust, you need to actually fund the trust by retitling assets in the name of the trust or the trust will be useless.

5. Not checking your beneficiary designations. You should periodically review your retirement plan beneficiary designations to make sure they aren’t outdated. Retirement accounts do not follow your will or trust—they are distributed according to the forms you fill out with the insurance company. You need to make sure you have named a beneficiary and the beneficiary is who you want it to be.

6. Not reviewing the plan. Once you’ve got an estate plan in place, it is important to keep it up to date. To ensure that you’re not making these and other common estate planning mistakes, talk to well respected Elder Law Attorney Jeffrey Hall, CPA, JD. Visit his website for information at www.HallLawGroup.com or call 925-2309002 to schedule an appointment.

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DO IT YOURSELF

Spin on DIY

Summer Lemonade Stands

BY REBECCA SEIDENSPINNER

Summer is here and the sun is shining. What better way to celebrate summer than with a lemonade stand? I mean, who can possibly resist cute kids and lemonade? It’s like the golden rule. You must pull over and support cute kids. Not only are lemonade stands

adorable, they are also a wonderful way to teach kids important life skills and lessons.

A lemonade stand will get them outside, away from technology, and teach them to count money and some good ol’ business skills. You can also add a charity component to your lemonade stand and let the kids pick who they would like to donate the money to. This will help them learn about the importance of money and also about giving and helping others.

First, for a successful lemonade stand you need to choose a great location. The more visible the location the better the sales will be. Give your kids a quick pep talk about manners, and if there is more than one working, have them take turns. One will pour the lemonade while the other collects the money and gives change. It’s important to establish these jobs before the start of business. We don’t want any arguing in front of the customers. Don’t be afraid to charge up to a dollar for a cup of lemonade. Customers are pulling over to support your cause and because your kids are so darn cute. Homemade signs are cre-

ative and great for advertising. These signs and smiles are going to grab the attention of your customers. A DIY lemonade stand with a cool refreshing glass of lemonade is what summer is all about.

Here is my favorite recipe for fresh squeezed lemonade. If no fresh lemons are available, Country Time Lemonade is second best and less expensive.

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade: 1 ½ cups lemon juice ¼ cup sugar 5 cups water

You can also add watermelon juice, raspberries or strawberries to make it fancy.

The lemonade stand my husband built for me many years ago when my children were small. We would spend summers in front of our house with our own lemonade stand. I took it to work and turned it into a Fresh Flower Market for my DIY kids at summer camp.

The Lemon Brothers lemonade stand. The brothers raised thirty dollars and split it up amongst each other to spend on the video game “Fortnite.” You have to admire their hard work and determination, even if the money went towards Fortnite dollars.

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These boys redesigned an old lemonade stand by painting and refurbishing it to make it ready for business. I think it looks amazing!

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OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 5

CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message National Issues Hit Home

If you follow sun signs, I am a Libra, an air sign symbolized by scales. (I am also a lawyer, a hot air sign symbolized by the scales of justice). Whether as a result of my sun sign, my legal training, or being a middle child, I am generally unflappable, even-tempered, and balanced in my views.

However, it can be difficult to maintain composure in the midst of the current polarized and political times. My equilibrium and that of the Pleasant Hill community were recently tested when the national discourse on immigration policy landed squarely in Pleasant Hill.

More than a decade ago the city issued a use permit to Southwest Key to operate a state licensed congregate care facility for unaccompanied immigrant minors referred to the facility under a contract with the fed-

eral government. The facility has operated in Pleasant Hill all this time with little notice or controversy.

In June, the Trump administration implemented a shift in immigration policy separating immigrant minor children from their parents that was short-lived due to intense public outcry and judicial intervention. While the public debate boiled over, the media quickly learned of the existence of the Southwest Key facility in our community and the presence of two adolescent girls separated from their parents that were housed there under the new federal immigration policy.

City Hall and members of the city council received many inquiries from the press and the community about this facility and its operations, with some demanding the city immediately shut it down. The city

Public Meetings Civic Action August 1 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 City Council August 6, 20 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:00pm. Contact: 671-5229 Architectural Review August 2, 16 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 5:00pm. Contact: 671-5209 Planning Commission August 14, 28 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Education Commission August 22 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 7pm. Contact: 671-5229

JENNIFER L. MARTIN, D.D.S. Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

401 GREGORY LANE, SUITE 126 PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523 925.676.8485 FAX 925.676.0288 www.drjennifermartin.com 6 | AUGUST 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Tim Flaherty, Mayor of Pleasant Hill

moved swiftly to investigate and, within our limited jurisdiction of the operations of Southwest Key, determined that the children in the facility were safe and well cared for, and the facility continued to operate within the conditions of its permitted use and within the license issued by the state.

The city published a news announcement on its website providing the best and most reliable information available to it about the facility and its permitted use. You can find that information at www.pleasanthillca.org/ southwestkey.

At the city council meeting on July 16, concern over the direction of our nation and the debate about the conduct of our president again descended on Pleasant Hill.

During public comment, one of our citizens was so concerned by President Trump’s conduct and statements at both the NATO meeting and summit with Russian President Putin that he felt compelled to come to the meeting and speak out. He spoke quietly and with emotion. He wanted his community to know of his concern for the direction of our country and the conduct of our president and the uncertain future awaiting his grandchildren. The next day I received an email from someone denouncing the speaker’s “hate-filled rant.” When did we

become so intolerant of other viewpoints?

It is this inability to listen to others who espouse ideas and viewpoints different from your own, this inability to engage in civilized discussion and debate absent of personal attacks, that causes me great concern.

If it matters to any of you, I am neither Democrat nor Republican, having first registered to vote in 1974 as a “Decline to State,” now known as “No Party Preference,” and have been so ever since.

Oak Park Development Update:

I am pleased to report that the City of Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa County, and the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District have approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between them that outlines how the development of the 15-acre Oak Park Parcel for the new library, ball fields, and single family homes is expected to proceed.

The MOU also apportions the anticipated cost among the three agencies for public infrastructure improvements related to the development.

For more details on the library project, visit www.pleasanthillca.org/library, the county’s proposed residential development at www.oakparkblvdresidential.com, and the Rec & Park District project proposal at www.pleasanthillrec.com.

Chamber Calendar Aug. 3 - Ambassador Meeting 8:30-9:30am, City Hall Community Room, 100 Gregory Ln., PH. Aug 7 - Chamber Wine & Beer Booth at the Market (Cut Loose performing at 6pm), 4:30-8pm, Trelany Rd, PH. Aug. 9 – Courtyard by Marriott – Chamber Business Mixer 5-7pm, 2250 Contra Costa Blvd., PH Aug. 16 - PH Chamber Board Meeting 8-10am, City Hall Community Room, 100 Gregory Ln., PH. Aug. 27 – Government Affairs Committee 4:30-5:30pm, Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggins Dr., PH Aug. 29 – Joint Chamber Mixer with Concord Chamber 5-7pm, Veranda, 2001 Diamond Blvd., Concord.

680 Business Networking - 2nd & 4th Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8-9am, JFK University, 100 Ellinwoood Way, PH OFF THE GRID Food Trucks - Wednesdays, 5-9pm, Trelany Road, PH Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays, 4:30-8pm, Trelany Road, PH

CITY NEWS

Pleasant Hill City News Summer Bike Challenge Concludes August 31

Free and open to everyone, the Summer Bike Challenge is fun, healthy, no-cost summer recreation. Bike to Pinewood Park, Pleasant Oaks Park, Gregory Gardens Elementary, City Hall, and other destinations through August. As part of the challenge, you can head to the YMCA on August 3 between 2:30-4:30pm and receive a free pass for gym/swim/basketball (must be with parent in gym if under 18). On August 7, get free admission to Lindsay Wildlife Experience between 10-12pm. On August 9, get free admission to Ruth Bancroft Garden between 10am-12pm. You can pick up your challenge card at the following locations: Pleasant Hill City Hall, Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Hill Community Center, Pleasant Hill Teen Center, Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park, Pleasant Hill Senior Center, Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA, and Coco Swirl in Downtown PH. Activate your Summer Bike Challenge Card by going to 511cc.org/go and each participant will receive one entry in the random iPad grand prize drawing at the end of the Summer Bike Challenge, on September 4.

National Night Out This annual event is on Tuesday, August 7, and is hosted by the Pleasant Hill Police Department. National Night Out celebrates strong neighborhoods, community policing and crime prevention. Bring your friends and family and head to the lawn at City Hall from 6pm to 8pm. The Lions Club will be serving free hamburgers and hot dogs.

American Iron Car Show

It’s a carfest on Sunday, August 12, in Downtown Pleasant Hill, with more than 100 pre-‘80s cars on display. Enter your car or just come down between 10am and 3pm and join in the fun: music, food, giveaways, and prizes for the best cars in various categories. For more details, contact Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District at (925) 682-0896 or visit www.pleasanthillrec.com.

1700 and 1750 Oak Park Boulevard New Library Project Moves Forward Along with Proposed Ball fields and Housing

A resolution was adopted at the July 16 city council meeting to authorize City Manager June Catalano to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Pleasant Hill, the county, and the Recreation and Park District designating the city as lead agency for environmental review and establishing terms for a potential property transfer and development for county-owned properties at 1700 and 1750 Oak Park Boulevard.

of approximately two acres. Together, the 10-acre property is undeveloped.

After completion of the Environmental Impact Report for all three projects, the city would acquire approximately five acres of the 10-acre site for the construction of the new library. The Recreation & Park District has an option through December 2019 to purchase the other half of the property to be used for future recreational uses. The county and district have agreed on a $3 million purchase price for this site. Councilmember Noack said, “This is going to be a wonderful civic site, with new ball fields, a new library, an improved street and road, and I think it’s going to be a fantastic project. I thank all the parties involved in getting this done.” The MOU also details cost sharing by the three agencies for public infrastructure improvements along Monticello Avenue and Oak Park Blvd., which is in the vicinity of the two properties.

The county-owned property at 1750 Oak Park Boulevard consists of approximately five acres and is the site of the current public library and administration building.

The county is considering applying for land use approvals from the city for the development of 5-acres at this site for a single-family residential subdivision. If it obtains such approvals, the county anticipates it will sell the 5-acre property to a homebuilder.

In addition, the school district has agreed to transfer a portion of the school district property to each - the city and the park district in exchange for ten percent of the net proceeds received by the county upon the sale of the 5-acre property.

Councilmember Harris said, “This has been a dream of mine for 10 or 12 years since I’ve been involved with this on the city council, and I’m just delighted that all three parties were able to come to what I consider to be a win, win, win proposition.

The folks that really win are residents and the folks who take advantage of our library and our recreation facilities. This is something that is going to put a bright future in this area of the city for all those folks. I don’t think we could have asked for a better outcome.”

Councilmember Harris went on to thank Jim Kennedy, a consultant with Contra Costa County, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Rec and Park District, City Hall staff, and the community members who supported Measure K in November 2016. Measure K established a half-cent sales tax in which a portion of the sales tax proceeds will fund the construction of a new library.

The new library is scheduled to begin construction in the fall of 2019, with anticipated completion in spring or summer of 2021. For more details on the library project, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/library.

Library Design Update

On August 6, city council will hear a library schematic design presentation. This will be the first presentation of architecture that is the next step in the process.

The recent town hall meetings have provided positive feedback to the design team on the building design plan, which allows for central open areas surrounded by more specialty areas. The schematic design should be approved by city council on September 17.

City Council Elections to be held this November

Breakdown of Proposed Projects

The county-owned property at 1700 Oak Park Boulevard consists of approximately eight acres. The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) is the owner of the property that is next to the county property (adjacent to Grayson Creek) and consists

Councilmembers Sue Noack and Michael Harris are up for reelection this year.

On June 4, 2018, city council adopted a resolution to consolidate the municipal election, to be held on November 6, 2018, with the general election, conducted on the same date. The resolution calls for the election of two city councilmembers.

A nominee must be a registered voter residing within the city. Nomination petitions may be obtained from the city clerk, located at 100 Gregory Lane, and shall be filed with the city clerk in person no later than 1pm, August 10. Candidates may submit a candidate statement 250 words in length. Statements must be submitted in block form and standard upper and lower case words. Appointments to pull nomination papers are strongly recommended. Interested candidates can make an appointment by calling the city clerk’s office at (925) 671-5237.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 7

CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message

The older I get, the faster time goes by. I cannot believe we are already more than halfway through summer and our kids will be heading back to school in a couple of weeks. Let us all enjoy the final weeks of my favorite season.

The month of August is a time when many of us take a vacation, and because of that, the city council does not normally meet in regular session. However, over the last few years we have had such pressing issues to deal with that we have scheduled special meetings in August. This year is no exception.

Very soon, what many call “the silly season” will begin -- the start of the midterm election campaigns for state and local offices, including the mayor and two seats on the city council. Nomination papers must be submitted to the

city clerk no later than August 10. This will be followed by almost three months of candidate forums, political mailings, blast emails, and signs in every corner of town. We will all be relieved when the “silly season” is over.

District Elections

This year will be a different election year for Martinez. As I have written about previously, under threat of very expensive litigation, Martinez was forced to move from “at large” elections (where the entire community has an opportunity to vote from an array of all candidates running for office) to district elections, where residents can only vote for candidates that live in their specific district. This year voters in District 1 and District 4 will have the opportunity to vote in their city council race. Voters in District 2 and 3 will vote in

Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

2020. Since the mayor’s position remains at-large, voters in all districts will be voting for that seat.

Now that the weather is conducive to construction, there are many projects underway in Martinez. Downtown Contra Costa County is performing the underground and foundation work for the new county government center between Marina Vista and Escobar Streets.

Paving Projects

With the help of Measure D and grant programs, there are paving projects commencing all over the city. Brown and Green Streets have all new ADA compliant corner ramps, and damaged curbs have been replaced. Both streets will soon be ground down about one foot, and a base of concrete mixed with the old ground asphalt will be laid and allowed to

cure for a few days. A thick layer of new, smooth asphalt will follow that. To review a map showing the location of projects to commence this season and to view the pavement management plan, visit: www. cityofmartinez.org/depts/engineering/ city_paving_projects.asp Clippers

Professional baseball is in full swing at the Joe DiMaggio Fields at the newly rebuilt Waterfront Park. The Clippers are gaining in popularity and attendance is growing with every game, reaching over 450 baseball fans at a number of games.

Come on down to Waterfront Park and support your hometown team. The season runs through this month, with the Clippers hosting the Pittsburg Diamonds at the last game, on August 31 at 6:30pm. This is real, inexpensive family entertainment.

Public Meetings

Markets change.

Are you prepared?

Stop by or contact your Edward Jones financial advisor to schedule a financial review.

City Council Meeting August 1, 15 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 6-9pm. Contact: 372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting August 1, 15 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Design Review Meeting August 8, 22 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Planning Commission Meeting August 14, 28 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 PRMCC Meeting August 21 (Park, Recreation, Marina, Cultural Commission City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 6:15-8pm. Contact: 372-3500 For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

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CITY NEWS

Martinez City News November Sales Tax Measure

At the June 27 city council meeting, council received a presentation of survey results regarding voter support for a sales tax measure in Martinez as well as the updated fiscal forecast.

It has been projected that the city will see an increase of approximately $1.5 million in costs (associated with city employee retirement benefits) over the next three years.

Council gave staff direction to begin exploring revenue enhancement options, including conducting polling of voters on a tax measure, and return with that information in advance of the deadline to add a measure to the November ballot. Council members agreed that a general tax increase would go into the general fund and would be the most effective way to continue support of public safety, school safety, and other city services.

In June, 501 telephone and online interviews were conducted with voters in Martinez who are likely to cast a ballot in November 2018. According to the survey, three in five voters offered support for a proposed general-purpose sales tax, and voters under age 40 offered very strong support for the measure. In addition, renters and voters of color were especially supportive of the proposed measure. The measure could be called “City Of Martinez Quality Of Life And Essential Services Measure,” with funding to maintain Martinez 911 police emergency response times, retain and recruit experienced police officers, address homeowners and school safety, protect open space and maintain parks, maintain storm drains and prevent flooding, and provide youth, senior, or other essential city services.

Regarding the ballot measure, Councilmember DeLaney commented, “As much as I’d like to explore alternatives other than a sales tax, I think we’re a pretty lean organization, so I don’t see a lot of room for cuts, and I do see support in this community that when we have needs, the community steps up. I say we go for a general (sales tax) and try to do the education that it’s going to take so that people understand the vital need we have for these funds and we don’t squander these resources and are transparent about how the money is spent.” Martinez City Council has asked its staff to compose documents that could put a half-cent sales tax ballot measure before voters in November. The ballot measure will be filed with the state of California by August 10.

Shakespeare in the Park

Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park returns to Susana Park on Sunday, August 5, at 3pm.

Enjoy professional live theatre with this year’s performance of Measure for Measure.

Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park is an annual play festival where residents of all ages can come together for free professional outdoor theater in Vallejo, Martinez, and Oakland. Established in 2010 by Vallejo resident Dalia Vidor, Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park produces one free live Shakespearean production each summer, presented in an outdoor setting.

National Night Out

National Night Out, a community police awareness-raising event, will be held at the Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm on Tuesday, August 7, from 6-9pm. Several first responders will be at the event, including the Martinez Police Department, Contra Costa 8 Protection District, American Medical Response, East Bay Parks Regional Police, the California Highway Patrol, and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.

This year, the Food Bank of Contra Costa – Solano will benefit from a fundraising food drive at the event. Attendees who bring a food donation will receive a free raffle ticket, with the raffle at 7:30pm. For more information or to RSVP, go to http://NationalNightOut2018.eventbrite.com. The Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm is located at 2647 Reliez Valley Road in Martinez.

City Manager Retiring

2019. Kilger was hired by the Martinez City Council in June of 2016 and was selected from a candidate pool of over 40 applicants that emerged from a nationwide search.

When Mr. Kilger was asked why he chose now to announce his retirement, he stated that January 1, 2019, will mark his 40th year in public service. “The nature of a city manager’s job requires that you are on duty 24/7,” said Mr. Kilger. “I have spent most of my career away from my family, and after discussing it with my wife, we decided it was time.”

Further, he stated that by announcing his retirement now, it will allow the council to recruit and hire a new city manager, which can take six to seven months to complete.

“I wanted to make sure there would be a smooth transition to the next Martinez city manager, something that has not happened in Martinez in almost a decade,” said Kilger.

Among the numerous projects he will be working on during his remaining months with the city will be completion of a staff succession plan. The plan will document the responsibilities, practices, and processes related to several key city positions that are held by long-term employees who are expected to retire in the next year. In the past, the city has not prepared for such retirements, and the decades of knowledge of city processes and practices left with the departing staff, hampering the efficient provision of city services and increasing costs of operation.

Lighting Up Main Street

One of the city council’s top priorities is to sustain downtown’s exciting momentum as new restaurants, microbreweries, and boutique shops unite with Main Street’s venerable businesses to spawn what some are heralding as the “Downtown Martinez Renaissance.”

In support of this direction, the city’s economic development team has been meeting with economic development stakeholders to solicit feedback about how the city can support local businesses. Over 80 business owners and representatives, worksite mangers, property owners, and real estate brokers have been interviewed to identify the needs of the business community.

In order to bolster evening patronage for the downtown businesses, city workers have drawn up plans to install new decorative light poles and fixtures in the Alhambra Creek Plaza. The plans also include a string of lights connecting all the light poles to produce additional lighting and ambiance as well as enhance public safety. The catalyst for this public improvement project was an outreach meeting that the city’s economic development team held with Main Street Martinez board members. At this meeting, business owners voiced their concern about a hurdle hindering the continued growth and revitalization of Main Street: the lack of lighting in the downtown plaza.

Summer Concerts and Movies

Shell Martinez Refinery continues to present summer concerts and movies in downtown Martinez through August 16. Concerts begin at 6:30pm, and movies follow at 8:45pm on the 600 block of Main Street. In addition, beer and wine are available as well as kids activities. If you’re going to the movie, bring something to sit on like blankets, pillows, and chairs. It can’t hurt to bring a jacket, too, as it can get cold at night.

Schedule: Garageland Rodeo performs on August 2, followed by the movie Hook; Frankie G and The Conviction performs on August 9, followed by the movie Big; The Big Jangle performs on August 16, followed by the movie Homeward Bound.

Art in the Park

The Martinez Arts Association presents the 49th annual Art in the Park festival. The free event is on Sunday, August 19, from 10am – 5pm, at Susana Street Park. Enjoy arts and crafts created by local artists, live music, including the high energy Tamsen Donner Band and The UnConcord, and food trucks and beverages, including wine and beer from Five Suns Brewing. There will be a silent auction that raises money to support the arts in local schools. There is plenty of free parking in downtown Martinez, with a golf cart shuttle from the farmers’ market area at the Starbucks plaza.

On July 12, Martinez City Manager Brad Kilger announced he is retiring in January OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 9

CITY NEWS

Community Benefits Program Walnut Creek North and West Downtown Specific Plans

At the July 10 city council meeting, Senior Planner Jeanine Cavalli reported that the public draft West Downtown and North Downtown Specific Plans propose to provide greater development potential (increased height, floor area, and/or density limits) in exchange for developer-provided community benefits. Through extensive community engagement, lists of preferred community benefits have been created for both plans.

At the direction of city council, the Housing and Community Development Committee conducted a roundtable discussion with the development community (developers, brokers, etc.) to identify a feasible process for implementing this community benefits program.

A basic premise of the West Downtown and North Downtown Specific Plans is that new development should be incentivized to provide community benefits such as affordable housing and public open space within the plan areas. Such benefits are a critical part of the vision for both West and North Downtown and cannot be achieved through public funding alone. An important part of the Specific Plans is to articulate incentives for developers to provide such benefits voluntarily in exchange for additional building rights.

West Downtown Community Benefits

include: affordable housing, publicly accessible open space, cultural arts space, public parking, and pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements within West Downtown.

North Downtown Community Benefits include: Giammona Square, grocery store, green buildings, affordable housing, shared parking garage, and free shuttle.

In terms of identifying the value of benefits and incentives, cities typically either use: 1) a point system, in which projects qualify for bonus points based on adopted criteria; 2) a menu or tier-based system, in which specific FAR or height bonuses are associated with particular amenities; 3) a negotiation-based system, in which community benefits and bonuses are considered on a case-by-case basis; or 4) a fund-based system, in which projects pay into a fund established to pay for community benefits.

A matrix that summarizes the pros and cons of each of these systems was provided to the council members. Given the desire for both certainty and flexibility, city staff recommends a hybrid approach that takes elements of the menu-based and tier-based approaches to provide certainty while also allowing room for negotiation to provide flexibility.

Councilmember Haskew said, “I believe the hybrid approach is the best approach because it’s a good idea to give an under-

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standing of the sorts of things that we would expect to have community benefit and to tier it in terms of what you get out of it if you go down that path. I am concerned that we also give the developers opportunities to come up with better ideas than what we can suggest. We need to validate that there is a business approach for the developer to even travel down this path. They need to get something out of the community benefit as well.”

Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva said, “I think this needs to be collaborative not only with

the community at large but also with the development community, and as this evolves I hope we bring them back in to basically give us their thoughts on what this might look like.”

Although the city council was asked to review the input from the development community and provide feedback as to what community benefits program they would like staff to explore, no formal action was taken. More public input and community hearings and engagement is forthcoming at future city council meetings.

Artist Call for W.C. Project

Walnut Creek Downtown (WCD) and the City of Walnut Creek are calling artists to submit artwork for an upcoming downtown project. Artists of all ages are requested to create artwork with a recycling theme to be displayed on Big Belly waste bins throughout downtown Walnut Creek. Work from selected artists will be installed temporarily on approximately 40 Big Belly waste bins during the city’s Community Service Day on Saturday, October 13.

The artwork will be displayed for one to three years.

Selected artists will have their artwork posted on WCD’s website. The selection committee will include representatives from Walnut Creek Downtown staff, city staff, current &/ or present city art commissioners, and one to two downtown business owners/managers.

When: Artist entries are due by August 6 at 11:59pm. Selected artists will be notified August 31.

How to apply: Images must be submitted via Dropbox by emailing a Dropbox link to services@walnutcreekdowntown.com.

Requirements: Frame size is 31 7/16”w x 45”h. Artwork should resemble this size as closely as possible. Artwork must incorporate a recycling theme/message. For more information about image requirements, please visit Walnut Creek Local Art.

About WCD: WCD works with its 650 members, partners, and the community to promote and enhance downtown business vitality. WCD is located at City Hall, 1666 N. Main Street, ground floor, in Walnut Creek.

CITY NEWS

Walnut Creek City News City Council Adopts Balanced Budget

The city council approved a two-year budget at its meeting on June 19 that will cover operating and capital expenses for the period beginning July 1. The city is entering into a period with revenues flattening and costs rising due in large part to pension obligations. As a result, the city staff approached the budget planning looking for new efficiencies and opportunities to save money while not sacrificing services to the community. Although this budget covers the next two fiscal years, work will begin again in the fall to address the longer-term challenges. To view the council deliberations regarding the budget or to read the budget documents and summaries, visit the city’s website at Walnut-Creek.org and select “public meetings” under the Government tab.

Lime Ridge Open

On July 15, Walnut Creek Communications and Community Relations Manager Betsy Burkhart announced that the Lime Ridge trails have reopened after being closed due to the fires in the area in late June. “Work has been completed to restore damaged trails in the Central Lime Ridge open space area that was impacted by fire late last month. The city has opened Central Lime Ridge once again to the public. Rangers and the city’s consulting arborist surveyed the trees along the trails and have determined the trails are now safe.”

August Music and Movies Under the Stars

Bring your family and enjoy free music and movies in Walnut Creek parks!

Bring a picnic or enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants prior to the movie.

Movies begin at sunset and live music begins approximately 1.5 hours prior to sunset. Moana is showing on Friday, August 17, at Civic Park. Music begins at 6:30pm and the movie at 8pm. Please do not bring pets. For more info, call (925) 943-5858 or visit WalnutCreekRec.org.

Happening at the Center for Community Arts Arts After Dark

On August 17, from 5:30-8:30pm, head to Shadelands Center for Community Arts for live music, complimentary beer, and art-making with Community Arts teaching artists. Must be 21 or over. There is a $5 entrance fee and all proceeds benefit Center for Community Arts’ scholarship programs. For more info, visit http://www.communityarts.org.

Weeklong Teen Studio Program

On August 6, join high school students from Walnut Creek’s partner city in Japan, Kita City, for a weeklong cultural exchange and art-making intensive. Take part in field trips, work collaboratively, present your work at a celebration event, and make new friends. Choose between exploring the visual language of photography and learning the fundamentals of drawing, painting, and mixed media studio art. For more info, visit http://www.communityarts.org.

Public Meetings City Council Meeting August 7 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 6pm. Contact: 943-5819 Design Review Meeting August 1, 15 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 Planning Commission Meeting August 9, 23 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 For Confirmation Visit: www.walnut-creek.org OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 11

OSIEL PHOTOS BY CONRAD ROWLING AND SAWYER GIESEKE

Friends Matter

Overwhelming Outpouring of Love

Mark Hughes, one of Osiel’s former coaches from St. Catherine’s CYO basketball when he was in 4th-8th grade, organized a fundraising event to assist Alhambra graduate Osiel Mendoza, diagnosed with ALS just two years ago at the age of 21, and his childhood sweetheart, Bella. When asked what promoted the idea, Hughes explained, “Osiel was always a kind and caring young man and the best teammate you could imagine. He continues to dedicate himself to causes that are bigger than himself and support others, and he even does fundraising for ALS research.” Newlyweds Bella and Osiel “experience typical challenges like any newlywed couple with big dreams, but their struggles are exacerbated by this dreadful disease,” said Hughes.

Mark and his wife were visiting the couple one evening and brought up the idea of hosting a fundraising event with the goal of raising enough money to cover their rent for a year. Mark added, “They are so humble and modest that it took a lot of arm twisting to convince them to let us do it. Once we had their approval, I called about a dozen of our dearest friends who all know what wonderful people they are, and we formed our committee.”

The group went to work immediately and came up with the event concept of collecting pledges and walking up Mt. Wanda. Within just eight weeks, they had met their goal of raising $25,000. But the community support didn’t let up. The donations exceeded their goal, raising more than $43,000 for the couple. Osiel and Bella were presented with the check at the celebration following the walk, and it was obvious they were overcome with emotion.

The committee is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love the community has demonstrated and would like to thank all the donors, including the many local businesses that made in-kind donations. Concord Iron Works was our title sponsor, Roxx on Main provided a breakfast buffet, Five Suns Brewery supplied beer, both Viano Vineyards and Bray Vineyards offered wine, and The New Frantics performed for the 150 attendees that joined in on the walk to the top of Mt. Wanda. It was all followed with a celebration at the Hughes home. Mark added, “It was truly a spectacular gathering of our local community.”

If you would like to make a donation, please email markrhughes@sbcglobal. net to coordinate.

12 | AUGUST 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Fundraising Committee: Mark Hughes, Chairman, Jeannie Eitelgeorge , Mark Eitelgeorge, Melanie Gil, Claire Hayhurst, Monica Higgins, Jim Higgins, Cha-Cha Hughes, Wendy Koerber, Kim Poyadue , Chris Savio, Lisa Savio, Angie Sylvia

Rotary Scholars Amazing Kids of Pleasant Hill

At a meeting in June, the Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill honored four amazing Pleasant Hill youths, including three scholarship recipients and a 2016-17 outbound exchange student.

Rotary started their high school scholarship program several years ago with one $500 scholarship to a deserving senior out of 15 applicants. Because of the impressive talent of the applicants, the club decided to up their program. This year they awarded $2,000 scholarships to three out of 45 applicants.

Meagan Nachand received the General Rotary Scholarship for her participation in Interact Club, StarQuest, and high school counseling. She will study biology at Sacramento State and plans to be a hearing doctor. The Will Fulton Interact Memorial Scholarship went to Jacob Ben-

John Picton, the Rotary Club’s 2016-17 outbound exchange student, recounting his experience in Sweden. Photo by Susan Wood Photography.

abou, who will be studying statistics and sports management at the University of Arizona. The Jim Nunes Performing Arts Scholarship was given to Nancy Griswell.

She is a pre-professional ballerina, plays several instruments, and will attend UC Irvine to study ballet, with a double major in biology.

Also present at the meeting was John Picton, the club’s 2016-17 outbound exchange student. John enthusiastically recounted his amazing experience in Sweden during his sophomore year. He had many exciting activities but says his favorite part was the people he met; he now has friends from all over the world. He said he used to want to be a lawyer but now may go into international relations.

These are some examples of how Pleasant Hill Rotary supports kids in our community. Junior high scholarships, sport teams sponsorships, Boy and Girl Scout sponsorships, and grants to schools are a few more. “Supporting youth activities is one of the most rewarding aspects of our club,” said new Club President Bob Lamson.

If you would like to learn more about Pleasant Hill Rotary, contact a club officer at (925) 405-5420 or email phrotarian@gmail.com. You can also join them at lunch meetings on Thursdays, 12:151:00pm, at the PH Community Center.

(Photos by Susan Wood Photography)

Pictured are Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill Scholarship recipients Meagan Nachand, Jacob Benabou and Nancy Griswell. Photo by Susan Wood Photography.

CalRTA Scholars

Junior College Recipients Honored

At the June 6 CalRTA (California Retired Teachers Association) Division 52 luncheon, ten graduates of Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Community Colleges were recognized with $5,000 in scholarships from the Diablo Vista Retired Teachers Scholarship Foundation (associated with Division 52). These students received these scholarships towards their final two years at a four-year university. This year, due to the generosity of two families, we were able to add scholarships in addition to the two funded by the Barbara Riggins endowment and the six paid for by donations from the CalRTA Division 52 membership.

One donated scholarship honored Orville Thisius, a longtime member, and Judge Walter Rogers, his wife, Mary Rogers, and their family, donated the other.

Our scholars, pictured left to right, back row to front:

Brandon Espinoza Ortiz, graduate of DVC, received the scholarship from the Judge and Mary Rogers family and will be going to UC Berkeley to study political science towards a career in immigration law; Claire Costelli, DVC graduate, will attend UC Berkeley, majoring in business and economics; Brendan Sullivan, graduate of DVC, will enroll at Santa Clara University to study communications and history, leading to a professorship; Justin Rieger, Los Medanos graduate, recipient of the scholarship honoring Orville Thisius, was accepted by San Diego State University to

study business; Chloe Lannes, graduate of DVC, is interested in teaching and will attend UCLA, majoring in English; Karen Kirchner, DVC graduate, was awarded one of the two Barbara Riggins scholarships and will study English and elementary education at Liberty University to become a teacher; Sophia Romanova, graduate of DVC, has been accepted to the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley, where she will study marketing and business; Ashley Faumuina, LMC graduate and a Riggins scholarship awardee, will earn a degree in business administration at St. Mary’s College with an emphasis on diplomacy and immigration law; and Melanie Carniglia, DVC graduate, will earn a degree in clinical psychology. Not pictured was Sonia Bustos Barocio, graduate of LMC, who plans to attend UCLA to pursue a degree in biology towards a career in biomedical research.

Sonia was unable to join us for lunch because she was accepted as one of a select group of individuals interning this summer at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Maryland.

All ten scholars have expressed the desire and passion to give back to society through their future careers. The scholars were presented certificates of recognition

by Ryan-Thomas Brown, a representative from the office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. For more information about joining CalRTA or donating to our scholarship foundation, go to www.Div52.CalRTA.org.

Pictured LtoR: Row 1 Ashley Faumuina, Melanie Carniglia, Row 2: Chloe Lannes, Karen Kirchner, Sophia Romanova, Row 3: Brandon Espinoza Ortiz, Claire Costelli, Brenden Sullivan, Justin Rieger OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 13

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Veterinary Hospital

Strength in Numbers A Letter of Thanks from the Josephs

Dear Falcon Family –

We are not even sure how to begin other than to say how much the Joseph family has appreciated your love and support. I know we would not be where we are today without it. Many of you have been following Ryan’s progress and know that he had a level C-4/C-5 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down at his initial diagnosis. He left John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek and went directly to Craig Hospital in Denver, a rehabilitation hospital that exclusively specializes in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). He has made extraordinary progress and can now breathe on his own, with movement and sensation in almost all of his body, including arms, legs, some fingers, legs and toes, and his elusive triceps just made an appearance. That said, we have been told it could take up to a year or more before we have an idea of how much may return, so there is still a lot of recovery possibilities left! We plan to stay in Denver this summer to take advantage of more rehab. Thank You Falcons!

Throughout our journey we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all of you. With every step, we feel like you have been behind us to help us navigate this unknown territory, and we are so lucky. Some incredible people have organized, assisted, and kept our spirits up during this time.

Jim Keck, Athletic Director – Coach Keck has been with us since the time of the accident, lending his support, organization, fundraising and media coordination skills in Ryan’s recovery. We are not sure when he sleeps, but he has continued to reach out and send his support to our entire family. The photos and Skype from school events/games/tournaments and epic selfies have boosted us all when things got crazy. What an amazing person; we are lucky to have such a role model at our school and as part of the extended Joseph family, because that is what he has become to us.

Falcons Booster Club & President Jeff Eide – What a group and what a leader! Organizing fundraisers, meals, assistance with demolition at our home, and probably more than we will ever know, the Boosters and Jeff were there. Recently, a check in the amount of $55,000 raised by the Boosters was sent to us – we were speechless and very grateful. We know how much energy goes into organizing and executing events and fundraisers and cannot thank you enough.

College Park Wrestling – Ryan’s team never left his side. Texts, cards, and care packages flooded our mailbox. Hunter Cantrell and the team set up a Go Fund Me site for Ryan on the very first day all on their own that continues to fund many of our expenses. The coaching staff has exchanged more messages with us than I can count, keeping Ryan’s spirits up. As a side note, one of the packages sent included a blanket that kept Ryan wrapped and comfortable throughout therapy. (At one point, he had a really hard time controlling his temperature, and that blanket kept the edge off the shivers).

College Park Lacrosse – Again, Ryan’s teammates stepped up. This time they provided much needed manpower to the demolition process at our home. They moved rocks and a shed and packed things for us so that we could move forward with the accessible improvements to our home. We were also flooded with photos and well wishes that fueled recovery.

Coach Ledin designed the Ryan Strong Logo that represents Ryan perfectly. A special visit from teammate Jake Eide was a highlight this spring when he came to visit while on a trip to Colorado.

Falcon Students, Staff and Administrators – Talk about “Strength in Numbers”! We have that and more! Thank you for the cards, texts, e-mails, packages, photos, and updates!

They all boosted our spirits. We were very lucky to have visits in person at Craig Hospital from the Turner Family (Caroline, Cindy & Paul) and the Stephens Family (Sadie & Mike). So many of you made donations to Ryan’s Go Fund Me account that it is staggering. Many others have sent checks and cash to add to the account to cover expenses. There was a record turnout for the “Ride for Ryan” pasta feed fundraiser that many of you attended and contributed to.

We understand that student Danny Romo even went door to door in his neighborhood to collect donations. Principal Alvarez and staff have reached out on several occasions to make sure that Ryan is doing well and to make sure that his academic needs are taken care of.

The outpouring of love and generosity from the Falcon Community is of such a magnitude that one would never experience something like this in a lifetime. It is incredible to be on the receiving end of such kindness. We are hoping that Ryan continues to make progress towards “Plan A” this summer, which is walking out of the hospital. We still have a long way to go, but we are hopeful, strong and moving forward with all of your help.

We are excited to see all of you soon!

Love, The Joseph Family, Ryan, Tom, Kristin & Haley

To donate please visit: www.gofundme.com/help-our-teammate-ryan OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 15

Striking Gold at Junior Olympics Two Pleasant Hill Young Ladies Make Waves

BY NATE O'NEIL PHOTOS BY STEPHEN MOORE.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the United States won more medals than any other country, including a total of 46 gold. Two sports where the US proved most dominant were swimming and gymnastics. Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and Simone Biles thrilled viewers across the globe with performances that demonstrated elite athleticism, mental fortitude, and deep commitment to their sport.

The sport of synchronized swimming is the combination of swimming and gymnastics. Just like swimmers, athletes in synchro must command the water. Just like gymnasts, athletes in synchro must command the deepest

core of their bodies to execute incredibly precise and acrobatic moves. They do all of this while in harmony with their teammates and holding their breath much of the time.

Atira O'Neil (13, soon to be a freshman at College Park High School) and Ayla O'Neil (12, an incoming 7th grader at Valley View Middle) are Pleasant Hill residents and members of the Walnut Creek Aquanuts Synchronized Swim Team. Both young ladies brought home gold medals from the recent US Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics, held at the University of Miami of Ohio in Oxford, Ohio.

Ayla's group of 11 and 12 year-old athletes stunned the competition with a difficult new routine never before seen

throughout the season. Atira's group of 13-15 year old athletes similarly stepped up to take the top spot on the podium, not only for the 8-person team competition but the 10-person combination competition as well, resulting in two gold medals for Atira.

The Junior Olympics featured the best teams from all corners of the United States.

11-12 team members: Dalia Ovadia, Carmen Kawakami, Morgan Woelfel, Karen Xue, Mako Begossi, Emma Moore, Chloe Davitiani, Ayla

O'Neil (Coached By Olga Kouznetsova and Kim Probst) 13-15 team members: Heather Ding, Megan Kerner, Alexis McCracken, Gillian O’Neal, Miya Yammamoto, Giordanna Zuniga, Olivia Tang, Atira O’Neil. (Coached By Kristen Smidstra, Tammy McGregor, Heather Olsen) The Aquanuts are celebrating their 50th year anniversary at this year’s fall show, scheduled for August 30 - September 2, at Heather Farm Park. More details can be found at www.teamunify.com.

11-12 year old (LtoR) Karen Xue, Carmen Kawakami, Emma Moore, Ayla O’Neil, Dalia Ovadia, Mako Begossi, Morgan Woelfel, Chloe Davitiani

Martinez Champs

The Martinez Diablos Baseball 10U team won the championship at the All World Baseball BASEBRAWL Santa Cruz tournament on June 3rd. Photo by Nicole Long 13-15 year-old (LtoR): Olivia Tang, Alexis McCracken, Gillian O’Neil, Heather Ding, Megan Kerner, Giordana Zuniga, Atira O’Neil, Miya Yamamoto I’m not in trouble anymore!

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Free General Store

White Pony Express Presents its 51st Mobile Boutique

BY STEVE SPRAITZAR

Continuing to serve the underserved in Contra Costa County, the nonprofit White Pony Express’ (WPE) “Free General Store” presented its 51st “mobile boutique” on April 15 at the Cambridge Elementary School in Concord. This school serves the neighborhood surrounding the Monument Corridor.

Over 800 students and family members from the Cambridge Elementary School and Cambridge Child Development Center attended the mobile boutique and were able to shop for new and like-new clothing, shoes, books, toys, and games. About 9,400 items were distributed free of charge. This boutique also included a “mobile grocery” at which WPE gave away—again, free of charge—over 5,700 pounds of fresh, delicious food.

The April 15 event was hosted by

WPE through its Free General Store (FGS), one of two primary programs through which WPE meets its mission of helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need. FGS delivers new and likenew goods to underserved neighbors, either through community groups that serve them or directly at innovative and joyful events called “Mobile Boutiques.”

WPE has given away more than 450,000 items of new or like-new clothing, toys, games, and children’s books—all free of charge.

ABOUT WPE: WPE is an almostall volunteer organization headquartered in Pleasant Hill. Through its Food Rescue Program and Free General Store, WPE helps people move from the margins to the mainstream by providing high-quality free food and clothing.

Carol Weyland Conner, PhD, spiritual

director of Sufism Reoriented, founded WPE in September 2013 when she was troubled that in a county of such abundance thousands were going hungry while at the same time food retailers were throwing out huge quantities of healthy, fresh food. In about 4 ½ years, WPE has rescued more than 6,000,000 pounds (equivalent to more than 5,000,000 meals) of fresh, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste.

Dr. Conner developed WPE’s Food Rescue and the Free General Store, both of which are free community service programs, to enable those who have more than they need to easily give to those with less so that all can share in the happiness and abundance of life.

Dr. Conner continues to serve advisor to WPE. WPE is a qualified 501(c)(3) charity, with about 400 dedicated volunteers.

Visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.

WPE’s AWARDS AND HONORS:

Community leaders have honored WPE and its founder with many prestigious awards: The San Francisco Foundation’s John R. May Innovation Award, the East Bay Leadership Council’s Outstanding Collaborative Project Award, the Sustainable Contra Costa’s Innovation in Food Systems Award, the Silver Spoon Award, awarded by Diablo Valley Dietetic Association in honor of its work in supporting the health of those in need by providing them healthy, nutritious food, and four awards from faith communities. Founder Dr. Carol Weyland Conner was named a Local Hero by the Contra Costa Times, a “visionary” in the Diablo Magazine “Threads of Hope” issue, and she received the Jefferson Award from KPIX TV station. In addition, Executive Director Gary Conner was asked to make a presentation at the Annual Conference for Ending Poverty in Washington, D.C.

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Estate Planning

Incapacity Planning for an Elderly Family Member

BY DANIEL DuREE

You may be familiar with using a durable power of attorney for incapacity planning as part of your estate plan, however, what if you have a family member who has an estate plan in place but is starting to lose capacity due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or simply old age? With some basic steps, you can smoothly transfer management of financial, personal, and healthcare decisions without going through the painful process of declaring someone incapacitated.

Transitioning Management of a Trust

Generally, a person will serve as

trustee of a trust until passing away or being declared incompetent by two separate doctors. Only at that time will the successor trustee take control and start managing the trust property. However, management can be more easily transferred by amending the trust and making the first successor trustee a cotrustee. This way, the original trust creator can still help manage the property alongside the co-trustee and eventually leave the co-trustee to do most of the management. Another benefit to this is that the original trust creator need not be declared incompetent and will remain a co-trustee until death. This simplifies tax preparation as well because a separate tax return must be filed when the creator of the trust is no longer a

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trustee or co-trustee.

Transitioning Management of Financial, Personal, and Healthcare Decisions

Similar to the trust management succession above, most Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Healthcare directives do not take effect until a person is deemed incapacitated by two doctors.

However, if a family member is slowly losing capacity but is presently still competent, an immediate durable power of attorney and/or advance healthcare directive may be created to transition decision making to another person.

With an immediate durable power of attorney, for example, the creator can still write checks, file taxes, etc., but their agent can also do these things on their behalf. So, instead of management going from only the principal having authority to only the agent having

authority, there is a smooth transition where both parties have legal authority to manage the principal’s finances.

If the deteriorating capacity of a loved one is addressed early enough, you can transition management smoothly without having to resort to declaring the person incapacitated or going through the painful conservatorship process.

As always, please consult with a licensed attorney before you make any decisions regarding incapacity planning.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give my office a call. I am happy to assist you in any way possible.

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.

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18

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Gabe Williams Les Schwab Tire Center For this week's #TinaTuesday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Gabe Williams, Manager of the Les Schwab Tire Center on Contra Costa Blvd. Gabe started working at Les Schwab when he was 17 year old sweeping floors at the Salem location.

Les Schwab employees are treated like partners; that’s why many of them have been with Les Schwab for well over 30 years.

Some stores have 120-200 years experience with all employees combined (Remarkable). Now let me share with you a little...

#T ina

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sd

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Ashton Simmons The Veranda Shopping Center For this week's #TinaTuesday I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ashton Simmons, General Manager of The Veranda. First let me give you a little background on Ashton. Ashton came from the East coast in September 2013 to be the Senior GM of both the Southland Mall and the Newpark Mall, then in 2017 he was hired by CenterCal Properties, LLC to be the GM of The Veranda.

Soon after becoming the GM of The Veranda, Ashton joined the Board of Directors of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce and soon after...

To read the the full #TinaTuesday blog posts visit https://www.pleasanthillchamber.com/blog/tinatuesday-3580 20 | AUGUST 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

A History Note

Sheriff Warren Rupf, a Larger-than-Life Wyatt Earp

BY MARGIE NEWTON, CONTRA COSTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

“The county’s own larger-than-life Wyatt Earp,” wrote the Contra Costa Times when eulogizing retired Contra Costa’s beloved Sheriff Warren Rupf, who died in August 2012, months after leukemia was diagnosed in late 2010.

Oakland native Warren Rupf graduated from Clayton Valley High School in 1960 and then enrolled in community college and worked in the Contra Costa Times pressroom. He enlisted in the Marines, served in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis, worked for PG&E for a short time, and then applied to the California Highway Patrol. During this period, he also applied to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department.

When the sheriff’s office responded before the CHP did, there began the 45year law enforcement career of Warren Rupf.

For his first assignment as a guard in the Marsh Creek facility, he purchased his uniform and a $120 Colt revolver from J.C. Penny. After serving as a deputy for six years, he was promoted through the ranks to assistant sheriff in 1979, a position he held for 13 years.

When Sheriff Rainey ran for and was elected to the State Assembly, Warren Rupf was the unanimous choice to succeed Rainey as sheriff. He became the county’s 21st sheriff in 1992 and was sheriff for 18 years. The only sheriff who had served longer was Sheriff Veale, who held the office for 40 years.

During Rupf’s tenure, the number of department employees doubled.

He stopped the sale of confiscated weapons to dealers. He established a Neighborhood Watch program and the helicopter unit. The Sheriff’s All Volunteer Extended Service program (SAVES) started in 1992. After 9/11, he created

Art in the Park Celebrating 49 Years of Art

The Martinez Arts Association (MAA) presents its 49th annual Art in the Park on Sunday, August 19, at Susana Park from 10am – 5pm. Over 55 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.

“Many of the participating artists return year after year because this is such a special event that always draws a large crowd. It has a local community feel to it, and this year we’re happy to welcome Martinez’s own Five Suns Brewing as our beer vendor,” says MAA President, Vernon Sanders.

There will be another great music line-up this year, featuring the Tamsen Donner Band, The New Frantics, Thomas Martin, The UnConcord, and the Landbirds. Don’t miss this year’s silent auction, which 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 Starbucks 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.

a disaster-preparedness radio communication platform. He was instrumental in the construction of a peace officers memorial in Martinez. He rode with the sheriff’s posse, a mounted unit in parades and ceremonial events. One of his proudest achievements was the establishment of Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., which has donated more than 4 million dollars to youth and service programs.

In his honor, on November 19, 2013, the 25-foot “Sheriff Warren E. Rupf” was commissioned and joined the Marine Patrol Unit.

Sheriff Rupf’s greatest regret was that kidnapped Jaycee Duggard had been held captive for 18 years in the house of a former convicted rapist and registered sex offender without being found by deputies. For this Rupf publicly apologized and revamped department procedures. Sheriff Warren Eugene Rupf served his community,

county, and country with dedication, honor, and courage. He was truly larger than life.

A History Note is presented by the Contra Costa County Historical Society’s History Center, 724 Escobar St., Martinez. Open hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 9-4 and third Saturdays from 10-2. Check out the website at www.cocohistory.com.

The Martinez Arts Association

49th Annual!

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

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PAIR UP

French Riviera in Summer Live Like the French

BY MARIA TERRY

The Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places on earth. This menu is anchored by the classic salad of Nice — Salad Niçoise. While the menu may seem daunting, do give it a try. There is a lot of chopping for the salad but no complicated cooking techniques, and

the rest of the meal is “purchase and plate.”

Start off this French inspired meal with a classic Italian sparkler, Lambrusco. Light red in color, Lambrusco is low in alcohol and lightly sweet. It is delicious with salty, fatty salumi.

Salumi are Italian cured meat products predominantly made from pork, like prosciutto. The word salumi is not a misspelling or variant of salami (sing: salame). Salame is a specific type of

salume.

Rosé is a quintessential summertime wine. Some like it dry, others like it a little sweet. One of my favorite dry rosés is from a little town in Provence called Bandol. Bandol is light salmon in color and has the aroma of fresh picked strawberries. It also has a lovely herbal quality that is the perfect complement to the green flavors of the Niçoise salad.

Sauternes is a French winemaking region that specializes in very sweet,

dessert wine. The wines are made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes that have been affected by the fungus Botrytis Cinerea. Blue cheese is one of sauternes best pairings. Stay in the French theme and pick Roquefort or choose another of your favorites.

So, go on. Pair Up!

Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com.

Salad Niçoise

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INGREDIENTS Vinaigrette 1/2 cup lemon juice 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium shallot, minced 1 Tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves 2 Tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves 2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Salt and freshly ground black pepper Salad 2 grilled or otherwise cooked tuna steaks (8 oz. each) or 2-3 cans of tuna 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and either halved or quartered 10 small new red potatoes (each about 2 inches in diameter, about 1 1/4 pounds total), each potato scrubbed and quartered Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 medium heads Boston lettuce or butter lettuce, leaves washed, dried, and torn into bite-sized pieces 3 small ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into eighths 1 small red onion, sliced very thin 8 ounces green beans, stem ends trimmed and each bean halved crosswise 1/4 cup Niçoise olives 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and/or several anchovies (optional) DIRECTIONS

Marinate tuna steaks in a little olive oil for an hour. Heat a large skillet on medium high heat or place on a hot grill. Cook the steaks 2 to 3 minutes on each side until cooked through.

Whisk lemon juice, oil, shallot, thyme, basil, oregano, and mustard in medium bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.

Bring potatoes and 4 quarts cold water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and cook until potatoes are tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon (do not discard boiling water). Toss warm potatoes with 1/4 cup vinaigrette; set aside.

While potatoes are cooking, toss lettuce with 1/4 cup vinaigrette in large bowl until coated. Arrange bed of lettuce on a serving platter. Cut tuna into 1/2-inch thick slices, coat with vinaigrette. Mound tuna in center of lettuce. Toss tomatoes, red onion, 3 tablespoons vinaigrette, and salt and pepper to taste in bowl; arrange tomatoonion mixture on the lettuce bed. Arrange reserved potatoes in a mound at edge of lettuce bed.

Return water to boil; add 1 tablespoon salt and green beans. Cook until tender but crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain beans, transfer to reserved ice water, and let stand until just cool, about 30 seconds; dry beans well. Toss beans, 3 tablespoons vinaigrette, and salt and pepper to taste; arrange in a mound at edge of lettuce bed.

Arrange hard boiled eggs, olives, and anchovies (if using) in mounds on the lettuce bed. Drizzle eggs with remaining 2 tablespoons dressing, sprinkle entire salad with capers (if using), and serve immediately.

..........................................................................................................................

IN THE MIX

In the Mix

Summer Tunes

BY PAUL COTRUVO

So here we are, right smack dab in the middle of summer.

There’s nothing better than heading to the beach with a boom box and turning up the music or blasting some tunes while you are barbequing. As a kid, I always loved songs that came out at summertime. Early on it was always Beach Boys songs such as “California Girls,”“Surfer Girl,” or “Good Vibrations” and Beatles songs such as “Here Comes the Sun,”“Love Me Do,” and, of course, the piece de resistance released in the summer of 1967, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It’s still my go to album today. Then, over the years, it was songs like “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams, “Sledgehammer,” by Peter Gabriel, and “Every Breath you Take,” by The Police. But what songs are out there today? I knew

last year’s songs such as “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and “Believer” by Imagine Dragons were huge hits, but what are the contenders today? I decided to dive into the deep end of the 2018 pool of summer songs (and have to admit I was a little scared).

To my surprise, there are some fun songs, poignant songs, and just rockin’ tunes out there. Kasey Musgraves’“High Horse” is kind of a throwback to the Bee Gees era of disco, with lyrics reminiscent of Carly Simon’s “You’re so Vain”: “Oh, I bet you think you’re John Wayne/Showing up and shooting down everybody/ You’re classic in the wrong way/And we all know the end of the story.”

Keeping with the country music vein (although there is nothing country about Kasey’s song) is a fun song by Jake Owen, “I was Jack (you were Diane).” Definitely a tribute to John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane” and falling in love to the tune

Paul’s Picks

August 2: Garageland Rodeo, Downtown Martinez (600 Block of Main St.), 6:30pm August 3: The Floorshakers, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm August 3: Divialicous, Dan’s Bar, 1524 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 10pm August 5: The Big Jangle, Summer by the Lake, PH City Hall, Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd., 6pm August 9: Frankie G. & The Conviction, Downtown Martinez (600 Block of Main St.), 6:30pm August 15: Dan DeShara, Zachary’s Pizza, 140 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, 6:30pm August 17: Static and Surrender, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm August 18: Native Elements, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista Martinez, 8pm August 18: Ken Cooper, Rocco’s Pizzeria, 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek, 8pm August 19: The Bell Brothers, Summer by the Lake, PH City Hall, Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd., 6pm

JOHN

years ago.

But if you just want to pump some tunes out for a party and get people dancing, “Finesse” by Bruno Mars, featuring Cardi B., will do the trick as will “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris, featuring Dua Lipa.

I did check out a lot of music, but I must say, I had to get out of the pool and back into my VW bug to find my comfort zone.

So, what am I putting on my playlist?

I will always download tunes that just take me back to a simpler time in my life. They may not be my all-time favorite tunes but ones that get you through those dog days of summer. Here is a partial list (btw, these songs are all summer releases): 1) “Hot Fun in the Summertime” - Sly and the Family Stone 2) “Sunshine Superman” - Donavan 3) “When Doves Cry” - Prince 4) “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers 5) “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” - The Rolling Stones 6) “Spill the Wine” - Eric Burden and War 7) “Gold” - John Stewart 8) “With a Little Help From My Friends” - The Beatles 9) “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” - Michael Jackson 10) “Summer in the City” - The Lovin’ Spoonful

I won’t bore you with any more of my picks. But, hopefully, this will jar your memory a bit, and when you are heading for that last family vacation or just wind-

ing down at the end of your day, you will turn up the volume on your favorite tunes.

Quote of the Month: “Summer means happy times and good sunshine. It means going to the beach, going to Disneyland, having fun.”- Brian Wilson

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Making an Educated Decision When is the Appropriate Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet? or neuter. Does this mean altering them at eight weeks old or six months old?

There are definite health benefits to spaying and castrating aside from the obvious one of preventing pregnancy.

Allowing a female dog to go through even one heat cycle can put her at risk for uterine infection (pyometra), which is treated through emergency surgery and aggressive support care. In addition, the risk of mammary tumors increases for female dogs after their first heat cycle. Male dogs can show territorial or aggressive behaviors if not castrated and have a bigger tendency to want to roam, thus putting them in danger of vehicular trauma and getting lost.

In support of delaying spaying or castrating, a study by Duerr and Duncan in 2007 demonstrated a correlation between early spay and castration and an increased incidence of knee injury.

This study demonstrated that dogs neutered earlier than 6 months had different joint conformations that can be associated with cruciate ligament tears.

It is still important to remember that demonstrating a correlation does not always mean causation.

So, how do you decide what is right for your dog? The answer is not simple

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factors for your dog. Together, you can make an educated decision to help your pet live a long, happy, and healthy life.

Dr. Louisa Asseo, owner of Oasis Veterinary Hospital, can be reached at (925) 954 – 8087, 6635 Alhambra Ave, Suite 100, Martinez, or visit oasisveterinaryhospital.com.

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Come to the Rescue Gala

The Contra Costa Humane Society (CCHS) will be hosting their annual gala fundraising and dinner event at the Perera Pavilion in the Pleasant Hill Community Center on Thursday, August 23, from 6 - 8:30pm. Coming to the Rescue raises much needed funds to support Humane Society programs and services, including dog and cat fostering, free and subsidized spay/neuter assistance, pet adoptions, and free pet food and supplies through the AniMeals program.

At the gala, community animal lovers will enjoy a buffet dinner, fine wines and beer, live and silent auctions, live music, and the opportunity to learn about the lifesaving work CCHS does to benefit animals in need. “Each day we see more animals in need of the vital services that CCHS provides. We rely on the support of caring individuals and businesses to deliver those services and make our community a better place for everyone,” says CCHS Board President Kevin Kosik. To learn more about Coming to the Rescue and to purchase tickets, visit comingtotherescue2018.eventbrite.com or call (925) 279-2247.

The mission of the Contra Costa Humane Society is to improve the quality of life for animals, decrease euthanasia rates, and educate the public to foster compassion, responsibility, and respect toward animals. Through programs and services, CCHS connects with individuals and private and public organizations to adopt pets, reduce the number of unwanted animals, and inform and engage the public on animal welfare issues in our community.

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for females. For small breed dogs with a decreased risk of joint problems, perhaps we can still spay at six months and avoid the risks of a first heat cycle.

For larger breed dogs and those predisposed to joint issues, perhaps we can delay the spay until they are a bit more skeletally mature. However, then you assume the risks of pyometra and mammary masses in the future. For males, the answer can be a bit simpler.

Delaying the castration until they are a bit more skeletally mature may be the safest option. Have this discussion with your veterinarian to identify the risk

CO

BY DR. LOUISA ASSEO

In recent years, there has been a lot of debate about the right time to spay or neuter your dog.

In shelters and rescues, spaying and neutering are done as early as possible.

Shelters adopt this policy to prevent more unwanted pregnancies and, therefore, more puppies and kittens in the shelters. In private practice, the trend used to be to recommend spaying or neutering dogs after completion of the core vaccines at 16 weeks but before the onset of puberty at six months.

This has been a discussion point in recent years. Now it seems that the “right” answer depends on whom you speak with and which article you read.

In 2013, an article by de la Riva and Hart concluded that early spaying and neutering resulted in more cancers and joint problems in dogs. However, the conclusions were very skewed. Was cancer higher in these dogs BECAUSE we spayed and neutered them, thus keeping them healthier and alive long enough to reach the age where cancers are seen? This article also did not address what is meant by an “early” spay

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Peppers Are Peaking

IN THE GARDEN

August Temperatures Aren’t the Only Things Hot

BY LESLEY STILES

As the fifth of seven months bearing the length of 31 days, August unceremoniously slithers into our summer, dry and quietly explosive, bringing the most heat of the year to cope with. Most people schedule vacations in August, escaping discomfort for a lake somewhere to the north if they are smart.

Meteor showers abound as August powers through, offering a few to gaze at in a dark sky. Perseids, a major of the bunch as well as the most visible, delights from July 17 to August 24. Falling stars are enough to cause loudly exclaimed wonder, more so even than the previous fireworks last month. They’re reason enough to slip away even if the heat doesn’t drive you out.

Vegetable gardens peak this month

Caldo Largo Soup INGREDIENTS This soup and recipe were always the most sought after when I owned Haute Stuff. I got it from Pauline Porreco when I worked at the venerable Dona Francisca’s in Benicia.

2 red bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced 2 green bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced 1 pasilla chile, seeded and thinly sliced 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped 1 can of tomato sauce 2 tablespoons of olive oil 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano, chopped ½ bunch of cilantro, chopped 4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock 1 cup of half and half ½ cup of grated dry jack cheese DIRECTIONS FOR TART

In a large heavy soup pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the peppers, onion, and garlic for five minutes on medium heat.

Add tomato sauce and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add the half and half, cilantro and oregano.

Bring back to a simmer and turn off heat.

Garnish each bowl with the grated cheese.

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as summer wanes, producing sought after figs, early apples, highest of the year sugar content melons and stone fruits, and ultimate, peak season peppers. All colors, shapes, and sizes can be seen, smelled, and purchased at your farmers’ market, but the best come from your garden. Specialized varieties of peppers abound in nurseries come late April, begging to be taken home and plugged into electrifyingly nutritious soil to bloom and grow into maniacally heated tongue burners or sweetest lovelies, chopped into your favorite dishes.

A couple favorites in my garden are the ever-popular Padron, aka Russian roulette pepper, coined by yours truly as 1 in 10 may destroy your taste buds. Guindilla is the same story but, hopefully, without the roulette part. Shishito is also a popular type of this “popcorn” pepper. Also coined as such by yours truly as they are simply sautéed whole with olive oil and salt in a hot pan until charred and eaten as one would popcorn -- popped into your mouth addictively, one after another.

Guindilla peppers hail from the North Western Basque region, flowing south to the La Rioja region of Spain and even spreading their love over to Bilbao towards the amazingly beautiful coast, growing in lush fields and providing a main staple in Spanish fare. Extremely similar in flavor to Padrons, these lovely, long, thin, squiggly, bright yellow-green peppers have the entire piquant, crazy addicting flavor palette of the Padron without the chance of incinerating your taste buds. Farmers in Northern California began growing Guindilla peppers specifically to provide aficionados of the Padron with a safer version of an incredible tasting pepper to consume.

Guindilla peppers are quite simple to grow in your own backyard if you are really on a pepper mission. Plant pepper plants in loamy, well fed soil in late spring for an early autumn harvest that should have you waxing ecstatic and extending your investment in time and water through late September.

Cooking Peppers

Grassy tasting and packed with mysterious pimento characteristics, these

peppers make a fabulous addition to most dishes, but as with the Padron, simplistic prep is the best prep. Heat a pan pretty hot, adding olive oil as it heats, and get that pretty hot but not smoking. Carefully place peppers in, totally whole, clean, and dry, and let them brown and blister well on all sides before cracking great sea salt onto them and removing from heat. Eat as soon as possible to touch by holding the stem and putting the rest into your mouth.

Discard the stems. Repeat. Prepare to eat and serve a lot. Not inexpensive for sure, mostly 6 to 7 bucks a pound, but worth every penny as well as very impressive to other food freaks at a party. Be the first one on your block at the amazing pepper throw down. Prepare the same way as above and keep on hand, refrigerated for up to a week, to spicily enliven any salsa or vinaigrette.

Classic Spanish Gambas Al Pil-Pil take on a gracious articulation with the addition of the Guindilla. Sauté chopped garlic, copious amounts, in olive oil and add chopped raw pepper to caramelize a bit before throwing in prawns to pink up and hit with lemon juice and salt, thereby deepening a salient relationship with the esteemed capsicum.

Cover a bowl of peppers laced with sliced onions with hot rice vinegar enriched with a dollop of honey, leaving to macerate for a bit and purposely provoking an emerging, brilliant pepper pickle condiment. Chopped in entirety raw and added to soups and stews perks up early autumn soups and stews sans the tongues on fire.

Pimientos de Padron, a.k.a. Padron peppers, are tiny green peppers from the stunningly beautiful Galicia region of Spain and are a popular tapas treat throughout Spain and everywhere else anyone has tried them. It seems that about one in ten are incendiary, while the rest are mild and grassy flavored. I refer to them as stealth peppers, with the occasional tongue bushwhacking they promise. South American folklore promises high aphrodisiac powers when consumed whole, which, fortunately, is the way you eat them.

Any way you choose to consume these beautiful treats, be prepared to have

an energetic shot of potassium as well as vitamin C injected into your blood stream.

They are both loaded for speed with that love. Farmers’ market or home procurement is irrelevant; getting some and sautéing up is essential.

Happy heat of summer - hope you see some falling stars. Hike early and often, imbibing in copious amounts of H2O.

Don’t miss the Annual National Night Out Event at the Alhambra Valley Christmas Tree Farm Tuesday evening, August 7, from 6 to 9pm. Enjoy a rare opportunity to meet all aspects of law enforcement and emergency responder personnel all in one place while socializing with your neighbors. Tour the incredible SWAT 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 with Midnight Flyer, an Eagles Tribute Band. This event is always free except for food and drinks. We are benefitting the Food Bank, so bring a can or two of something and get a free raffle ticket! For more info and to rsvp: NationalNightOut2018.eventbright.com.

Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustainable caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at lesleystiles@comcast.net, www.lesleystiles.blogspot.com and visit her new website: www.lesleystilesfoods.com.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 27

SENIORS

Presenting Legally Blonde

STARS 2000 and Performing Academy present Legally Blonde, The Musical at Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center on August 3 & 4 at 8pm and August 5 at 2pm.

A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde, The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Actionpacked and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances, this musical is so much fun, it shouldn’t be legal!

Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle geniously charms herself into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, Elle quickly realizes the true power behind being “legally blonde” and sets out to prove herself to the world.

Reserve your tickets for Legally Blonde by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006 or going directly to www.brownpapertickets.com to purchase tickets online. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Ticket prices range from $16 to $22, with special pricing for groups. For additional information, please visit www. stars2000.org or call (925) 324-7359.

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities Aug. 5 – Pancake Breakfast 8:30-10:30am. All ages welcome. Best deal in town! Enjoy a stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage with bottomless orange juice and coffee.

Adults (11+): $5, children (5-10): $3. Free for ages 4 & under.

Aug. 9 - Care Management Educational Series presents Tenant Rights; 2 - 3:30pm. Bay Area Legal Aid will discuss their work with assisting with subsidized housing, including tenants’ rights, reasonable accommodations and the eviction process. RSVP to secure your spot (925) 798-8788 or online at www.pleasanthillrec.com. Presented by Bay Area Legal Aid. CMP Series is sponsored by Carlton Senior Living.

Aug. 10 - Vagabond Players Present Sylvia. Enjoy live theater after Chef’s Lunch. Sylvia is about a couple, Greg and Kate, who move to Manhattan after 22 years of marriage. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park-or rather one that has found him-bearing the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention in this lively play. Tickets: Presale: $10, day of $15 Sept. 22 - Encaustic Painting Class 10am-4pm. Encaustic is a beeswax based paint that dates back to the 5th century. Kept molten on a heated palette, encaustic is applied to a surface and reheated to fuse the paint into a uniform enamel-like finish. Learn safety, working with heat sources, equipment, paints, collage materials, fusing layers, tools, priming appropriate substrates, scraping, pastel sticks and more! Bring a bag lunch. Expect to create 2-3 pieces of art. Wear cotton art clothes and closed-toe shoes. $105/$90 (Dist. Res.) Holiday Boutique-Call for Vendors Do you make handmade items? If so, join us for our annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 17. Applications can be found at www.pleasanthillrec.com 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788

Martinez Senior Activities

Wednesdays – Alzheimer’s Respite Program. Martinez Respite group is for those with mild to moderate dementia. Activities include exercise, crafts, games and projects to maintain social skills. Call to register. $15 per day includes lunch.

Thursdays – Bingo 1pm. Open for sales at 12pm. $5 per pack. $30 guaranteed minimum prize for 10 regular games. Special games with prize dependent upon sales.

Aug. 17 – Summer Bunco. A refresher course will be held before the game begins at 11:30am for those that have never played. Prizes go to the winner of most buncos, most wins, second and third most wins and there will also be a booby prize. Lunch will consist of hot dogs, chili, chips, fruit and drinks. Lunch at 12pm, game at 12:45pm. Deadline to purchase bunco tickets is August 15.

Sept. 7 & Sept. 14 – 2018 AARP Driver Safety & Refresher Courses 10am-2:30pm. The course is designed for drivers ages 50 and older to help update driving skills and knowledge of the rules and hazards of the road. You will learn about normal age-related physical changes and how to adjust your driving to compensate. Sign-ups available one month prior to class date. 925-370-8770. Space is limited. Payments are to be made day of class (cash or check only).

818 Green Street, Martinez 925-370-8770

28 | AUGUST 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Read My Mind

County Libraries

BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD

Tons of books have been written about US presidents, most about the five presidents considered truly great – Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, FDR, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt. Many other presidents were never regarded as great. And some were considered downright awful. However, some were never considered great while in office but look better in hindsight.

These “underappreciated presidents” left an indelible footprint in American history when viewed through the rear-view mirror of time.

Historian Ron Chernow became a household name when Lin-Manuel Miranda turned his biography of Alexander Hamilton into a Tony Award winning musical. Chernow’s latest biography is Grant, an insightful look at the life and times of Ulysses S. Grant, our 18th president (1869-77). At the time of his presidency and shortly thereafter, the Civil War hero was considered a drunkard and a crook.

His presidency was filled with corruption scandals. However, as Chernow points out, Grant was a hero to black Americans, earning him the admiration of Frederick Douglass, who called him “the vigilant, firm, impartial, and wise protector of my race.”

Chernow manages to weave a story of a man who, in spite of his faults, deserves more credit as a bold leader. Grant is such a noteworthy and complex story that I can hardly wait for Lin-Manuel Miranda to make it into a Broadway hit!

Candice Millard’s biography of James Garfield, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President, is more a tale of what might have been than that of an underappreciated president. Garfield was a brilliant, caring public servant who became a university professor while still a student. His service in the Civil War was exemplary, and his potential as president was unlimited. Unfortu-

BY SUPERVISOR KAREN MITCHOFF,

My staff recently attended a policy briefing held by First 5 Contra Costa, which invests in programs and advocates for policies focused on children during their first five years, the most important time in children’s development. First 5 shared a recent study they completed which was an assessment of Kindergarten readiness in Contra Costa County. There are many factors that play a role in determining kindergarten readiness, one largely being family income.

Another factor shared in this report was how many times a child visits a library. Investment in our libraries can significantly impact children through the learning activities and resources available there. You can find this report at First 5’s website: www.first5coco. org/

The Contra Costa County Library hosts storytime at all 26 branches. Storytime is an activity where parents and kids can learn and practice skills that are fundamental to early literacy. However, some families are not able to attend storytime for a variety of reasons. The county library is now offering video storytime through the library’s YouTube channel. You can find this channel at youtube.com/user/theccclib. Each playlist includes songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and stories. A new video will be available each month through the rest of the year. Singing, reading, playing, and talking are all critical early literacy skills. Storytime reinforces the library’s commitment to helping its youngest community members learn to read. Thanks to the help from Contra Costa County Television, these special videos feature several of the librarians from the county performing some of their favorites. I know the storytimes at the Pleasant Hill library with Patrick is a popular one for many families, so it’s great to see some of our community’s treasured storytimes included on the YouTube channel.

Another important program the county library offers is their free lunch summer program. There are nine libraries in the county offering this program in an effort to prevent

©

Underappreciated Presidents

nately, he was mortally wounded less than four months after assuming office in 1881.

Garfield did not die from the assassin’s bullet but rather from the medical incompetency of his doctors who used unsterile techniques to try to remove the bullet.

Even the great Alexander Graham Bell couldn’t save him with his latest invention, a metal detector. What makes Garfield’s loss even more painful is the presidency of his successor, Chester A. Arthur, “of whom the best anyone could say was that he was more honest than expected.” Millard’s biography is a fascinating story of an American president and “so-called modern medicine.”

Also worth your time is Robert W. Merry’s President McKinley: Architect of the American Century. Overshadowed by his successor, Theodore Roosevelt, McKinley (1897-1901) led the way to America becoming a world power. If it had not been for another assassin’s bullet, McKinley might have become one of our highestrated presidents.

Two recent books examine the life of Andrew Jackson, another underappreciated president. John Meacham’s American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House is a robust and well-documented story of our 7th president. In great detail, we learn about Jackson’s troubling personal life, his heroism in the War of 1812, and his populist tenure as president (1829-37).

Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger’s Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny doesn’t begin to compare with Meacham’s tome.

It’s more a tabloid story than a biography and not worth your time.

Bret Baier’s Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire paints a novel picture of Reagan’s attempt to disband the Soviet Union. While most of the credit should rightly go to Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan’s three-day 1988 visit to Moscow and his 1989 statement “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” surely helped. Unfortunately, Baier, a Fox News Channel anchor, seems more interested in lionizing Reagan than providing an evenhanded biography.

An Important Role in Learning

a summer nutrition gap. Many children face nutrient deficiencies when school closes for summer break. This makes it hard for children to learn or focus on anything other than hunger. Lunch at the library is part of a statewide collaboration between the California Library Association (CLA) and the California Summer Meal Coalition to unite libraries and summer meal providers and keeps kids healthy and engaged when school is out.

In addition to lunch, the libraries will offer a variety of free programs, including board games, arts and crafts, musical performances, Legos, movies, and more. Lunches are free for kids and teens 18 and under. For more information about the lunch at the library program, visit ccclib.org/summer.offer a variety of free programs, including board games, arts and crafts, musical performances, Legos, movies, and more. Lunches are free for kids and teens 18 and under. For more information about the lunch at the library program, visit ccclib.org/summer.

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OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | AUGUST 2018 | 29

Dearly Departed

Comedy at the Campbell Theatre

WOW (Women of Words) in association with Onstage Repertory Theatre is proud to bring to the Campbell Theatre an hysterical Southern comedy by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones.

It is hard to imagine a more comical group of kinfolks than the members of a Southern family named the Turpins.

In the Baptist backwoods of the Bible belt, somewhere below the Mason-Dixon Line, resides this beleaguered family that proves living and dying in the South is seldom tidy and, in this case, it’s always hilarious. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, the Turpins’ other problems continually overshadow the solemn occasion. Amidst the chaos, the Turpins turn for comfort from their friends and neighbors, an eccentric community of misfits who just barely manages to help each other through their hour of need and attend the funeral.

Dearly Departed is a funeral comedy that will leave you laughing out loud.

Before the end of the show, you will have come to love the quirky Turpins.

Heaven forbid if you were ever to wake up and discover that through some wicked twist of fate you were actually related to this zany family.

• Dates: July 27 – August 19 • Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm • General admission: $20 for seniors (62+) and $18 for students

Home Detailers Housekeeping Let the work speak for itself!

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CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE - 925-689-9823 30 | AUGUST 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

•P urchase tickets: womenofwords. brownpapertickets.com • For more info, call: (510) 881-6463 Who We Are

Women of Words Productions has been based in Fairfield, California, since 2013. We are two women with a passion for live theater. It is our desire to bring quality theatrical productions to our community by producing entertaining theater that makes you laugh and sometimes promotes thought that encourages discussion about relevant and current topics in our world today.

Women of Words will not shy away from tough or touchy subjects, and we hope to enlighten our audience on multicultural issues by promoting tolerance and understanding of diverse social and cultural backgrounds.

About the Martinez Campbell Theatre

The Campbell Theatre is a community theatre that provides live entertainment at very affordable prices for the benefit of theater lovers everywhere.

Featuring new works by local writers, actors, dancers, as well as internationally known performers, our all-volunteer staff enjoys providing a venue for your enjoyment in downtown Martinez at 636 Ward Street, Martinez, where parking is always free for our evening and weekend performances. The theater seats 99 and is available for rent to interested organizations.

CLEANING SPECIAL

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Martinez Clippers

S’mores at Sundown

Treasure Fest

The new expansion team in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Club plays at the Joe DiMaggio Field at the Waterfront Park in Martinez. This is the last month in the season to catch games at 6:30pm on August 1-3, 9-11, 17, 23-25, and 30-31. Ticket info: www.mtzclippers.com.

Homemade s’mores, live music, activities, crafts, stories, and more. Kids will love exploring along the garden paths and dancing on the lawn. The perfect summer family event for all ages. Heather Farm Park, 6-8pm, Walnut Creek. gardenshf.org

Tucker: The Man and His Dream

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Walnut Creek First Wednesdays

Senior High Steppers,

Music and Movie Under the Starts

Carlos Reyes & Friends

Festival on Cypress Street is full of live music, dancing, food trucks, wine and beer, Kids Fun Zone, interactive games, and free prizes. 5:30 – 8:30pm . Free admission. Walnutcreekdowntown.com

Dance to ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s music. Admission is $10. Betty Barnes Hall, Concord Museum and Event Center, 1928 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information, contact Carol Longshore, 925-785-5032.

Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s critically-acclaimed classic as a benefit for the Martinez Historical Society. Filmed entirely around the Bay Area, with some flashes of Martinez on display. $75 tickets. Search “Tucker” on EventBrite.com

Music begins at 6:30pm; movie (Moana) begins at 8pm. Admission is free! Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek

One part shopping, one part feasting, and one part music and entertainment. Treasure Fest (formerly Treasure Island Flea) is a unique monthly festival that showcases the best of the Bay Area. Pier 1, 10am - 4pm, Treasure Island, SF. www.treasurefest.com.

World-renowned violinist and harpist Carlos Reyes applies his classical training and more to a program of diverse blues, rock, jazz, and traditional forms. Cost: $35. Devil Mountain Coffee House, 8-11pm, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Ln., Walnut Creek.

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Bridal Gowns Through the Ages Exhibit

Party with a Purpose

Sunday Streets

Bridal Faire

Food, libations, & live music by Paul Cotruvo, with dancing under the stars! For adults 21+ and supports Contra Costa Interfaith Housing and Monument Crisis Center. Church of the Resurrection, 6-9pm, 399 Gregory Ln, PH. $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Tickets: EventBrite.com

Sunday Streets transforms one to four miles of normally congested streets into car-free spaces where kids can play and adults can stroll and mingle. Folsom Street from Essex to 10th Street, 11am - 4pm, San Francisco. www. sundaystreetssf.com

Vendors include caterers, bakers, DJs, photographers, event planners, hairdressers, and many more. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact christinebaltzley.wchs@gmail. com. Hosted by the Walnut Creek Historical Society. wchistory.org

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ongoing

Free Advance Health Care Directives for Seniors

Walnut Creek History Tour

Women of Words presents Dearly Departed

Volunteer with Seniors

Visit weekly on Sun. and Wed., 1-4pm, until Aug. 26 (excluding Aug. 12-19). Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek. $3 adults, $1 ages 6-17, free for WCHS members and children under 6.

Contra Costa Senior Legal Services, City of Concord, and AIG’s Legal provide free legal clinic for seniors 60 + residing in Contra Costa County. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord, 9:15– 11:30am.

Guided walking tour of downtown Walnut Creek is an easy 90-minute tour on city sidewalks that brings to life the early times of Walnut Creek. Meet at 9:30am at Liberty Bell Plaza, 1430 Mt. Diablo Blvd, WC. www.wchistory.com

Living and dying in the South is seldom tidy but always hilarious in this story of a colorful and dysfunctional family of backwoods Southern Baptists. Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. For details, visit www.campbelltheater.com.

Spectrum Community Services is looking for individuals who would like to work as as volunteers in senior centers all around the East Bay. Please call Spectrum Community Services at 510-881-0300 ext. 242 or fill out an application at www.Spectrumcs.org.

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th 16

Annual

#ShellMefRun

Sunday September 30, 2018 Register online http://martinezedfoundation.com/run-for-ed

Run begins at 8:30 am on Main St Race Day Registration 7-8 am

Join us for Martinez Family Fun Night Saturday, September 29, 2018 ď Ź 6-8 pm ď Ź Shell Clubhouse Sponsored by Martinez Kiwanis and Martinez Rotary $15 per person (current MUSD students are free with paying adult) Purchase tickets online at http://martinezedfoundation.com/run-for-ed