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COMMUNITY

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JULY 2017 Reaching Over 50,000 Homes & Businesses

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IN THIS ISSUE: • 4TH OF JULY FESTIVALS • REMEMBERING DODIE JONES • CENTRAL COUNTY HOMES

PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK

Julie Says

Road Trip!

BY JULIE ROSS

I had a pretty much culture-free childhood growing up in the late ‘50s and ‘60s.

My dad was a petroleum geologist, so he and our family were transferred wherever Marathon Oil was sent to explore for the much-maligned fossil fuel. By the age of six, I had lived in Bismarck, North Dakota; Sidney, Nebraska; and Jackson, Mississippi, locations not then (and mostly still not) known for cultural offerings.

In 1964, my mom, dad, three brothers, and I packed up, once again, this time in a brand-new aquamarine station wagon (a trendy color at the time -- woohoo!), and left the South for the Great White North, settling in Calgary, Alberta. At the time, Calgary had a reputation as a “cow town,” without much going on other than a thriving ranching business and related commerce. The city was still on the cusp of reaping the benefits of the discovery of huge reserves of oil in

Alberta.

Calgary was and remains a lovely (and cold!) city in the foothills of the Rockies, with a booming downtown alongside the swift, white waters of the Bow River. Calgary then had a population of about 350,000, which has since grown to over 1.4 million. My dad’s office in 1964 was in the Elveden House, which, at 20 stories, was then the tallest building in the city. The Elveden house is completely dwarfed in the dense, skyscraper-riddled skyline. The arts and fine dining arrived in tandem with population growth and a strong economy.

Prior to the influx of oil people and oil money, these cosmopolitan pleasures were hard to come by (nonexistent). For many, travel to more sophisticated locales provided a broader outlook. Well, our annual summer vacations did not take our family to more sophisticated locales but did provide a (generally odd) diversity of experiences, courtesy of the great American Road Trip.

In our case, summer travel usually involved a lengthy drive from Calgary to Iowa.

Yes, Iowa, where both of my parents originated. Day one of our family trip involved covering more than 400 miles to arrive in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, which, as you might imagine, was also somewhat short on cultural offerings. Day two of our trip was always a highlight because we stayed overnight in Jamestown, North Dakota, home of the World’s Largest Buffalo. Culture (however odd) at last!

The buffalo is made of concrete and is 26 feet tall by 46 feet long. It weighs 60 tons.

It was built in 1959 by Elmer P. Peterson, an art teacher (obviously a major talent) at Jamestown College. The work was commissioned by Harold Newman, a billboard salesman who wanted “to create something so big and magnificent that passersby would have to stop in the city.” Harold was indeed a visionary. My family stopped in Jamestown on every trip to visit this “big and magnificent” work of art. My dad would pick me up so I could reach the bison’s beard and give it a pet.

You will be delighted to know that the

giant buffalo statue still stands, surrounded by the quirky and, of course, culturally rich Pioneer Village and National Buffalo Museum. Keep in mind, this is just one roadside attraction among thousands in our country to visit this summer on your way from A to B. See them all at www.roadsideamerica.com.

This summer, we are planning a road trip up through Northern California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia to visit high school friends from Canada who have retired in the Okanagan Valley, a land of beautiful lakes, fruit orchards, and even a few good wineries. Can’t wait to see what attractions we discover along the way. I don’t think we will do much research before we head out. Sometimes it’s best to let serendipity be your guide.

Happy summer, and may all your travels broaden your perspective of the human experience. (If all else fails, Jamestown awaits. Trust me, the giant buffalo is a sure thing.)

You can reach Julie at julieakross@ comcast.net.

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COVER: Pleasant Hill’s Fourth of July Parade.

Photo from Trish Heaney.

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july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

INSIDE

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A Local Hero Honored

16 Interview with Leo Vigil

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Red, White & Cute

7 Baseball Players Give Back

19

Parkway Smiles in Focus ..............................................

6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132 Martinez, CA 94553

925-335-6397

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

by Teri Norbye

Meet Dan Ashley, who lives in Walnut Creek with his wife. They have two grown children.

Dan has been an anchorman for ABC-7 News (on KGO-TV) since 1995. He’s also the lead vocalist in a rock band called PUSH. “Singing has become a great joy and a chance to connect with viewers in a new way. PUSH is playing a lot these days; the Alameda County Fair is coming up!”

Which news story has affected you the most?

There have been many, but a few spring immediately to mind. Reporting from Columbine High School the evening of the shootings and in the days afterward, and riding out the massive Hurricane Hugo that hit Charleston, South Carolina, convinced we would be killed.

Best and hardest parts of the job? The best part is the chance to report what’s happening in the community and to be a part of the community in such a unique way. I am always grateful when people come up to say hello. The worst part is the long hours: ten, twelve, fourteen hours every day.

Plans for the Fourth of July? Put the flag up at my house. I usually emcee a local parade then go to work.

625 homes sold in Pleasant Hill Use the Flaskerud Team for your real estate transaction! Call now for their top notch service!

Call The Flaskerud Team for ALL your Real Estate needs Don, Norma, and 120 Whittier Rd, PH — $699,000 Erik’s listings...

1642 Ruth Dr, PH — $675,000 3401 Coyote Cr, Clayton — $587,000 1711 Teakwood Cr, Martinez — $630,000

Don & Norma Flaskerud Erik Flaskerud

RE/MAX Today 367 Civic Drive #7 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Visit them at www.PleasantHillRealEstate.com, www.DiabloValleyHomesToday.com, or email DonaldFlaskerud@Remax.net NormaFlaskerud@Remax.net or EFlaskerud@Remax.net

925-338-2980 CalBRE #s — Don: 00971602, Norma: 00867031, Erik: 01891688

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ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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Real Estate Trends Estate Planning Don’t Lose Hope

BY NORMA FLASKERUD

Imagine you finally found the house of your dreams. It has everything you hoped for in a home, from the right countertops to the right landscaping. You spend hours envisioning the parties you’ll throw in the backyard. But fate intervenes.

For some unfortunate reason – most likely a fierce bidding war -- your offer doesn’t get accepted. How do you recover? Here are some tips.

Get Right Back in the Saddle

If you must have a pity party, do it quickly. Perhaps a quick toast to what might have been. Then, dive straight back into search mode. In today’s market, things move fast. You don’t want to miss an even better home while you’re mooning over photos of the lost listing.

Don’t Dwell on one Dwelling

Delete the listing of the home that got away. Erase the pictures you took with your phone when you toured. Do your best not to compare new homes to the one you lost.

There are lots of homes with lots of new possibilities. Keep an open mind.

Don’t Settle

Don’t let your frustration push you into a hurried purchase of the next available property simply to get the process over with.

Stay true to your shopping list of features you need and want.

Re-evaluate Your Budget

Take another look at what you can spend and what the homes you’re looking at

Top Five Estate Planning Oversights

have been selling for. Do you need to add a cushion to be more competitive when making an offer? Or do you need to start looking at a less expensive neighborhood to find a home that has everything you want?

Talk to Your Agent

Your RE/MAX agent will be full of advice for surviving the lows – and highs – of your real estate journey. In our experience, our buyers are usually happier with the house they end up with than the one(s) they missed out on. As the saying goes, everything happens for a reason!

The good news for those that have lost out in bidding wars, there are rumblings the market is leveling and slowing to a more normal pace. The market slows to a more normal pace in summer months. It’s a great time to get back in the market as a buyer if you’ve taken yourself out. It will stay calmer until after Labor Day; so many are on vacation! Keep that open mind while watching for new listings. We would be happy to help you find the home of your dreams. As Realtors who represent an abundance of home sellers, we know how to write an offer that will get accepted.

We want to thank all who donated to the fireworks this year! We met our goal of reaching $5000 in donations which, when matched by us, increases what is spent by $10,000! The fireworks will be spectacular!

See you there.

Call The Flaskerud Team for all your real estate needs. Don and Norma: 925-3382980 or DonaldFlaskerud@Remax.net or NormaFlaskerud@Remax.net.

SPONSORED CONTENT

BY DANIEL DuREE

This month we celebrate our independence by eating chili dogs in the park and watching fireworks while the “Star Spangled Banner” plays. After your sunburn heals, exercise your freedom to protect yourself, your family, and your assets from the long arm of the state and their probate courts with proper estate planning.

The following are the top five most common estate-planning oversights we encounter. When you are ready, we are here to make sure you and your family are protected.

1. More than $150,000 Held Outside of a Trust

In California, if you have more than $150,000 in gross assets held outside a living trust, at least part of your estate will likely be subject to probate. That’s expensive and time consuming for your heirs. It is also easily avoidable by setting up and properly funding a living trust.

2. Minor Children with no Guardians Nominated

If you do not properly nominate guardians for minor children in a will (separate from a trust), a judge will decide who will raise your children if you are gone. Nobody wants a judge to make that decision without their input.

3. Incomplete Beneficiary Forms

Although most people have a first beneficiary on their retirement accounts

and life insurance policies, most do not have secondary or “contingent” beneficiaries. Many beneficiary forms are also outdated and do not reflect current wishes.

4. Healthcare Wishes are Not Spelled Out

Almost never does a client walk through the door without a strong opinion regarding their end of life care.

Document those wishes and appoint someone to carry them out with an advance healthcare directive.

5. No Planning in Case of Incapacity

In California, if you are incapacitated without proper planning, you will be subject to a guardianship, which is a court oversight of your personal, healthcare, and financial matters. You can appoint someone to handle these issues with the proper documents and avoid having a judge make final decisions for you.

While these are common oversights, with a fairly minimal amount of effort and the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney, you can protect yourself, the people you love, and your hard-earned assets by setting up a proper estate plan.

If you have questions or would like to start the process, we are happy to help.

Daniel DuRee is a California estate planning attorney and real estate broker. Contact him at (925) 210-1400 to discuss how these and other issues pertain to you for a complimentary consultation about your particular situation.

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THE LAW OFFICE OF

DANIEL L. DUREE Estate Planning Attorney

925.210.1400 1535 North Main Street, Suite 240 • Walnut Creek

Please call today for a complimentary consultation at my office or in your home.

www.DuReeLaw.com

TRUSTS • WILLS • PROBATE 4

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Local Fourth of July Celebrations

Enjoy the Many Parades, Festivals and Fireworks Throughout our Community Clayton Pancake Breakfast 7-10am The day starts early with the Clayton Valley/ Sunrise Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center Street. Breakfast is just $7 for adults and $5 for kids.

Parade 10am The parade will begin at Center and Oak Streets. No advance entry is needed for the Kiddie Parade – just show up by 10am at the flagpole with decorated bikes, trikes, scooters, and the family dog.

Concord 5KRun & Walk 8am Concord Police Association presents the 6th Annual Stars & Stripes 5K Run & Walk at Todos Santos Plaza, Downtown Concord.

All proceeds from this race benefit Monument Crisis Center and Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Run or walk a nice 3.1 mile route that you are sure to enjoy!

Parade 10am Get a good seat along the new and improved parade route beginning at Mt. Diablo High School on Grant St., going south to wrap around Todos Santos Park, and returning to Mt. Diablo High via Galindo St. Cheer loudly for your favorite entry and let the parade participants know how much you enjoy their performance.

Home Town Picnic 4pm The gates at Mt. Diablo High School will open at 4pm for the annual 4th of July Festival with a kids carnival, food booths, vendor exhibits, and live entertainment on stage featuring The Bell Brothers at 7:30pm.

Fireworks 9pm The day will conclude with a fireworks display held at Mt. Diablo High.

Martinez Pancake Breakfast 8am-10am Sponsored by Roxx on Main, 627 Main St. Flag Raising Ceremony 9-9:15am Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward St. Hometown Parade on Main St. 10am Over 40 entries include many community groups that will march down Main Street.

Parade begins at Court St. & Main St. and ends at Alhambra Ave. & Main St. Fireworks 9:15pm Fireworks will light up the night at Martinez Shoreline Park. Join the crowd at the Water-

front or head over to your special viewing spot before 9:15pm. Pyrotechnics begin around 9:30pm and will last approximately twenty-five minutes. Waterfront Park will be by parking permit only and vehicles with boats. Limited Handicapped Parking is available, so arrive earlier in the day.

Moraga Fun family festivities are held all day at the Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary’s Rd., Moraga.

Pancake Breakfast 7:30-10:30am Dog Parade 9am Community Booths 9am-1pm Children’s Bike Parade 10:30am Family Magic Show 12:30-1pm Inflatable Jumpies 10am-4pm Food, Wine and Beer Booths 11am-8pm Music by David Martin’s House Party 7pm Fireworks 9:15pm with music following the fireworks

Orinda Pancake Breakfast 7:30-10am The Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Pancake Breakfast in the park/Community Center, 28 Orinda Way. Flag Raising Ceremony 7:55am At the flagpole in front of the Community Center Haley’s Run for a Reason 8am Participants meet in front of the Community Center Orinda Library Book Sale 9am Friends of the Orinda Library Book Sale in Library Breezeway, 26 Orinda Way Parade 10am Parade route begins in front of Wells Fargo Bank, 80 Moraga Way to Camino Pablo and then to Orinda Way. Community Activities 11:30am-1:30pm The festivities have continued to grow year after year with lots of fun activities for children: from a Hot Wheels race to balloon animals to making things at the Home Depot booth. Adults also have plenty to make them smile with several great bands playing throughout the day and a plethora of great food and drinks to enjoy. All activities are held at the Community Park, 28 Orinda Way

Pleasant Hill Firecracker 5K Fun Run 8am

The 5K Fun Run plus a 100-yard dash for little ones begins at 45 Crescent Drive. Check the website www.phjuly4.com for updated information about online registration information and the day’s activities.

“Red, White, and Bloom” Parade 9:30am Always entertaining, the parade has something for everyone, from the Blue Devils C Corp to the International Suburban Dads BBQ Drill Team. The new parade route provides an excellent viewing opportunity this year on the lawn at City Hall. It starts at the intersection of Gregory Lane and Cleaveland Road (next to Pleasant Hill Park) and continues along Cleaveland and turns east on to Trelany Road (adjacent to City Hall) then back on to Gregory Lane to Contra Costa Blvd. From there, it continues on the traditional route through Downtown Pleasant Hill.

Fun at the Park 10:30am Enjoy entertainment, food vendors, children’s games, a petting zoo, and activities throughout the day at the Pleasant Hill Park. Enjoy live music from dr. D. Fireworks and Festivities 6:30pm Come to College Park H.S. for dinner and stay for an amazing show! Slow Hand BBQ, IzzyA’s Frozen Custard and Cool Spoon Vending will be selling their delicious food and desserts. Live entertainment begins at 7:15pm with rock and roll band Fast Times.

Pyro Spectaculars will begin the fireworks show at dusk, around 9:20pm.

Photo SusanWoodPhotography.com

Walnut Creek Park Concert Join the Walnut Creek Concert Band under the direction of Harvey Benstein and assistant conductor Johnny Johnson to celebrate our nation’s 241st birthday, and the band’s 30th anniversary in a wonderful evening concert full of 4th of July music and patriotic favorites. Bring your friends, bring your family! You are encouraged to come out early and have your own picnic in the park, and don’t forget your lawn chairs! It will be a great start to the evening before all the Bay Area fireworks begin. The free concert is from 6-7pm at Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek.

Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

JEFFREY HALL, MBA, CPA, Esq.

The Law Office of Jeffrey Hall, Inc., is an estate planning law office serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties in a wide range of estate planning matters, including:

Probate Trusts and Estates Trust Administration Trust Litigation Conservatorships

www.HallLawGroup.com 925-230-9002 ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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A Spin on DIY Red, White and Cute

BY REBECCA SEIDENSPINNER

I have always loved the Fourth of July holiday. There is something special about celebrating freedom and independence. So many Americans all over the United States are spending time with friends and family.

There are parades, barbecues, food, and fun, and then the spectacular finale, the evening fireworks show.

Every year I like to dress up my family in patriotic colors on the Fourth of July. Years ago, I would buy each family member the classic five dollar Old Navy T-shirt with a flag and the year on the front so that we would all match. The past few years I have turned the Fourth of July family t-shirts into a family craft activity.

We have made red, white, and blue tiedye t-shirts with a simple tie-dye kit from Michael’s, and most recently we crafted

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the cutest handprint flag t-shirts. These are perfect for all the children in your family.

Here are the supplies that you will need: a white t-shirt, red and blue acrylic paint, and a paintbrush. First, place a brown paper bag or newspaper inside the t-shirt so that the paint doesn’t bleed through to the other side. Paint your child’s hand blue and place it sideways on the front of the shirt to represent the blue part of the flag. Next, using the red paint let your child paint stripes horizontally next to the blue handprint.

If your brush is too big or you want to accommodate little hands, use a q-tip or let them use their finger. Don’t worry if it doesn’t come out exactly as you envisioned. It is still red, white, and blue - a patriotic t-shirt that they can be proud as any American to wear.

My favorite Fourth of July project is the American flag that I painted out of an old pallet I picked up on the side of the road. The flag sits in my garden and

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

represents freedom and liberty all year long. This DIY project gets so many compliments and it is simple to make. Start with a pallet that is in good shape and free of cracks in the wood. I used the same red, white, and blue acrylic paint from the t-shirt project. Using blue painter’s tape, I taped off a square and painted the corner blue. While the blue paint was drying, I painted the bottom and sides of the pallet with alternating red and white stripes. I removed the painters tape and filled in the spot where the tape was. I used a star

FOURTH OF JULY

stencil to carefully add white stars on top of the blue paint.

Your kids are now dressed up for your Fourth of July barbeque. You have a beautiful and patriotic pallet flag that can be used as a backdrop for your family to pose in front of for photos or just admire.

All you need are some festive foods, drinks and desserts. Check out my Fourth of July board on Pinterest, under the name Rebecca Seidenspinner. It is loaded with red, white, and blue sweets and treats for your Fourth of July holiday!

A Local Hero Honored

Flaskerud Saved the Life of a Teen Swept off a Ledge

On June 24, 2016, local resident Erik Flaskerud was cliff jumping in Santa Cruz in a wet suit when he heard voices calling out for someone and saw young men looking over the water in a narrow cove. After a minute or two, Erik saw an arm come to the surface from a person floating face down. He jumped in the water, as did a surfer who happened to be walking by.

Together, Erik and the surfer turned the person over while friends on shore yelled that they were going to jump in to help. Erik yelled back to stay put; he did not want to have more rescues on his hands!

Erik and the surfer (named Aaron) pulled the young man to the shore, where onlookers helped pull him out. Luckily, two medics plus Erik’s friend Alex Tripp of Pleasant Hill, an ER tech, were on shore to help 18 year-old Caesar Martinez, who was unconscious, turning blue, and clearly drowning, with water pouring out of him.

At first they felt a weak pulse, but it then stopped, and they worked valiantly on

him until rescue paramedics arrived. They were able to resuscitate him, but he was taken to and remained in Stanford ICU. He had suffered a head injury and was in a coma for a couple of days. After the hospital and rehab, Caesar was later released and he has made a full recovery. Erik kept in touch with Caesar’s family and friends and visited him in the hospital a couple of times. He was greatly relieved to see him get better.

During the incident, tourists on shore took photos, and one captured the large wave that swept Caesar in. Also on shore was a San Jose fireman who called 911 after seeing the young man walking along the cliff and disappearing after the rogue wave came in. At a recent Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting held on May 23, Erik and many others were honored for providing an outstanding team effort with Emergency Medical Services. Erik was recognized as a bystander who helped extricate an individual who fell from an ocean cliff into the sea and suffered cardiac arrest. The fireman from

SAFE OCEAN SWIMMING ADVICE AND TIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE THIS SUMMER Whether your favorite activity is swimming, body surfing, rafting, kayaking or boogie boarding, below are the major causes of accidents and ways you can avoid injury.

LATERAL CURRENTS Lateral (also known as “littoral”) currents flow parallel to the beach. They range in speed from fast flowing to subtle movement. These currents pose little threat to the average swimmer, but weaker swimmers can be pulled into rip currents and heavy surf simply by the force of lateral currents.

RIP CURRENTS Rip currents are the major cause of surf accidents. They are characterized by a strong flow of water rushing back out to sea. Rip currents occur when large amounts of water accumulate near shore due to natural wave action. Since water seeks its own level, the broken waves take the path of least resistance. This powerful flow of water can pull even strong swimmers into deep water. Generally, the size and strength of the rip currents are in proportion to the size and frequency of the wave action the larger the waves, the stronger the rip currents. Depending on lateral currents, rip currents can be fixed at one location or can occur at more than one point along the beach. Large rip currents can be recognized by the sandy discoloration of the water.

Pictured (LtoR): Surfer Aaron, medic at scene, Alex Tripp, Caesar Martinez (victim), Erik Flaskerud, San Jose Fireman who witnessed it, called 911, and brought the photos to everyone.

San Jose showed up at the supervisors’ meeting and presented Erik with the photos -- a true surprise.

Erik grew up in Pleasant Hill, lives with wife Courtney and son Caden in Martinez, and, besides loving to surf, is a realtor with RE/MAX Today in Pleasant Hill.

He swam with Pleasant Hill Dolfins from age 5 through 18, swam competitively with College Park High School and DVC, played water polo for them, and became a licensed lifeguard. It was his comfort in the water and his bravery that helped save the life of Caesar Martinez.

1. Check with the lifeguard on surf conditions before swimming. If lifeguards give you directions or instructions from the stand, obey them.

2. Never swim alone - use the buddy system.

3. Don’t overestimate your swimming ability, especially early in the summer when the water is cold. Swimming ability is severely decreased in cold water.

wave passes over you. Timing is important, dive into the base of the wave just before it breaks. Do 4. Judge your ability to participate not dive if the water is too shallow in beach activities based on your - instead crouch and keep a low swimming skills without the assisbody profile. tance of rafts and other flotation devices.

7. If caught in rip currents, relax and swim toward the shore at a 5. Never dive into shallow water, 45-degree angle until you are free or water of unknown depth. of the current. If the rip currents 6. If you are confronted by a large are strong, swim parallel with the wave and there is not enough time shoreline in the same direction as to get away from it, try to dive the littoral current and then swim underneath the wave. Keep your diagonally toward the shore. If you body as low as possible until the are not able to swim out of the

currents, call or wave for help.

8. When body surfing, do not ride waves in a straight line toward shore. Instead, surf at an angle to the waves. Stay away from the white water in the wave center to avoid going “over the falls.”

9. Never swim while intoxicated.

Alcohol impairs judgement, unnecessary risks are taken and a swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance of an accident. *Source: STORMFAX® Guide to Safe Ocean Swimming.

ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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City of Pleasant Hill

Mayor’s Message Pleasant Hill Celebrates the 4th of July

If you are like me, the Fourth of July is one of your favorite holidays. Pleasant Hill really knows how to celebrate Independence Day, thanks in large part to our Fourth of July Commission. I asked Commission President Chris Tipton and past Presidents Jim Bonato and Allen Vinson for the history of the Commission and this year’s activities. With the help of longtime volunteer Dee Wood, here’s what they provided.

The Fourth of July Commission began in 1976 as the Pleasant Hill Bicentennial Commission. The name was changed to the Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Commission after the bicentennial.

It continued as a small, local observance of Independence Day. In those early days, the parade route was not lined with parents and children as it is now.

About 13 years ago, Jim Bonato joined the Commission as a volunteer and shortly thereafter was elected its president. Jim served in that position for twelve years. Under Jim’s leadership, the parade was able to draw major attractions such as the Army’s 91ST Division Marching Band, the Barbecue Dads, the Wells Fargo Stage Coach, and Tap Dancing Christmas Trees. Jim is being honored this year as the parade’s grand marshal.

Eleven years ago, Jim, Dawn Block, and Bob Strena organized the Firecracker 5K Fun Run before the parade to support Pleasant Hill schools by having runners designate the local school to which they wanted their registration fee donated. Over $125,000 has been raised and donated to our local schools. Dawn served as the announcer for Fun Run.

There’s more fun after the parade at The Party in Pleasant Hill Park. It’s grown each year, adding live music 8

and a pie-eating contest, which was quickly changed to a watermeloneating contest. This year, the Party will be another exciting event, with loads of free fun, including giant inflatable slides, Zorbs, bouncy houses, clowns, a petting zoo (started by my wife and me), kid’s games, face painting, a zip line, lots of treats, and BBQ by Back 40.

As you might’ve guessed, I participated in all the eating contests. My favorite was definitely the chocolate pie eating, or should I say pie “gulping,” contest.

The day isn’t over yet. Starting at 6:30pm, College Park High School is the site for more live music, ice cream, and Slow Hand BBQ. Around 9:15pm, the sky over CPHS will be lit up by an amazing fireworks show by Pyro Spectacular!

With the financial support of Don and Norma Flaskerud, the Commission was able to greatly expand the fireworks show some years ago. This year, the Flaskeruds are offering to match donations up to $5,000. The Commission is supported by donations from local sponsors, businesses, and individuals.

Over the years, many Pleasant Hill citizens have volunteered to serve on the Commission and help plan the day.

Volunteers include high school students, senior citizens, and everything in between. Being on the Commission is an amazing opportunity to work with the city, learn leadership and public speaking skills, and do something that has a lasting impact on our community!

You’ll be working with great people who really care about our community.

Interested in volunteering or donating to the fireworks? Contact Chris Tipton at ctiptonph@yahoo.com or see the Commission’s website at phjuly4.com for more information.

We owe special thanks to the Pleasant Hill Police Department and our

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Michael G. Harris, OD, Mayor of Pleasant Hill

public works team for all their time and effort in helping make the day safe and a huge success. I look forward to seeing you at Pleasant Hill’s Fourth of July

celebration.

PS. Here’s a question for the kids: Do they have the Fourth of July in England?

Public Meetings City Council July 3, 17 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 Civic Action Commission July 5 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 Architectural Review Commission July 6, 20 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 5pm. Contact: 671-5229 Planning Commission July 11, 25 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Commission on Aging July 13 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 5pm. Contact: 671-5229 Education Commission July 26 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 7pm. Contact: 671-5229 For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us PH Rec & Park Board Meetings are typically held the 2nd & 4th Thursday each month at District Office, 147 Gregory Lane. Meeting dates and agendas are posted 72 hours prior to meeting. Refer to recent agenda for meeting dates. District residents are encouraged to contact Board members about current issues facing the District.

Chamber Calendar 7/6 - “Wine at the Plaza” Summer Concert Series: Fleetwood Mask, 6–8:30pm, Downtown Pleasant Hill Plaza, in front of JACK’s Restaurant & Bar 7/7 - PH Chamber Ambassador Meeting 8:30-9:30am, City Hall Community Room, 100 Gregory Lane, PH 7/13 - Chamber Business Mixer 5-7pm, See’s Candy (across from Kohl’s), 2380 Monument Blvd., Suite E, PH 7/14 & 7/15 – Blues & Brews Festival 6-9pm Friday & 12-6pm Saturday, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, PH 7/20 - PH Chamber Board Meeting 8–9:30am. Contact Chamber for location.

7/20 –Ribbon Cutting, Ombudsman Service of Contra Costa 5-6:30pm, 2255 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite 204, PH 7/27 – MEGA MIXER hosted by Concord Chamber 5-7pm, Concord Clarion Hotel, 1050 Burnett Ave., Concord 7/31 - Government Affair Committee 4:30-6pm, Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggins Dr., PH 680 Business Networking - 2nd & 4th Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8:30-10am, JFK University, 100 Ellinwood Way, PH OFF THE GRID Food Trucks – Wednesdays, 5-9pm, Trelany Road, PH Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday* through October 28, 9am-1pm, Trelany Road, PH

City of Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill City News Immigration Policy

A resolution of the city council, adopted at the June 5 meeting, declared the City of Pleasant Hill’s commitment to being a welcoming, inclusive, tolerant, and safe community for everyone. A portion of the resolution states, “The City of Pleasant Hill believes in and is committed to continue our work to build a community that is welcoming, inclusive, just, law-abiding, and safe for all individuals regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability status, gender, gender identity, immigration status or country of origin.”

Mayor Harris affirmed, “This is an important issue. I think we’ve sent a very clear message to our community and to those who look at our community of what our values are. We value inclusion, equal protection, and safety, and we value equal rights.”

Councilmember Carlson praised Pleasant Hill as a city that already exemplifies the values of a welcoming community of inclusion and equal rights and said, “I don’t think this is new to us; this is just putting it into words and reaffirming the values that we really hold dear.” Council also asked that, as part of the resolution, the Civic Action Commission consider developing events to promote diversity in Pleasant Hill. The full resolution can be found the on the city’s website, ca-pleasanthill3.civicplus.com/.

Pleasant Hill Tourism Improvement District

The City of Pleasant Hill City has entered into an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce to administer the Pleasant Hill Tourism Improvement District (TID).

TIDs are being used throughout the United States to encourage increased hotel occupancy, and the hotels in Pleasant Hill have expressed an interest in using this model to form and grow a stable funding source to support the improvement of their business. The funding source will be dedicated to providing services, primarily marketing, that benefit businesses directly. The program will have the goal of increasing overnight visitation and room night sales. The assessment would be paid by visitors and not by city residents. The cities of Walnut Creek and Concord have recently created tourism improvement districts and are able to fill their hotel rooms.

The city will be responsible for collecting the assessment on a quarterly basis from each lodging business located in the boundaries of the PHTID. The proposed PHTID will have a five (5) year life, beginning April 1, 2017, through March 31, 2022.

The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce will serve as the PHTID’s Owners’ Association, and the Chamber will create a TID Committee, be charged with managing funds and programs, and provide annual reports to the city council.

2017 Summer Bike Challenge is Back

Explore Pleasant Hill via your bicycle! Sponsored by 511 Contra Costa, this event is free and open to everyone – children and adults. The Summer Bike Challenge is fun, healthy, no-cost summer recreation that asks bicyclists to go to parks, schools, downtown, the library, farmers’ market, and more. Download your challenge card by going to www.511contracosta.org, ride your bike to a destination on the square, and check it off. Check off 12 squares by September 3, and you’re eligible to enter a drawing for an iPad Mini.

Bike Challenge Freebies

If you arrive on a bike, you can pick up free Coco Swirl in Downtown Pleasant Hill on July 14 between 1pm and 3pm; free Jamba Juice gift cards at the Pleasant Hill Library on July 20 between 1pm and 3pm; and free admission at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum on August 8 between 10am and 12pm. Visit the 511 Contra Costa website at 511contracosta.org/SBC to print out your challenge card, and don’t forget to enter the grand prize drawing for an iPad Mini.

dence Day n e p e d n I and Bloom e it h W , d Re o urth f July o F in

Family fun ALL DAY at Pleasant Hill’s 4th of July!

Pleasant Hill

Fun entertainment ALL DAY on the stage & lawn!

National Anthem— College Park A-Capella Club

6:30am

Registration for Firecracker Fun Run

8:00am

Start of the 12th annual Firecracker 5K Fun Run

9:30am

Start of Pleasant Hill’s famous hometown Parade

dr. D—Rock and funk that will rock you!

Buttons Z Clown Bouncer of Monkees, Space Adventure Slide, Speed Sport, Robo Surf, Undersea Adventure, Candy Zones

10:30am Party-in-the-Park Sack races, bean bag toss, water balloon launch, face painting, crafts, watermelon-eating contest, slide, Petting Zoo, and more.

Refreshments and water available.

7:15pm

PLUS! Great food from:

Back 40 Texas BBQ (in the park) Slow Hand BBQ (6:30 at CPHS) Gotta Love Kettle Corn (in the park) At both venues: Cool Spoon Vending Izzy A’s Frozen Custard

Fast Times (dance hits from the 60s up to today) and Fireworks over College Park High School to follow (food available)

THANK YOU...to all the businesses and individuals who made this possible!

City of Pleasant Hill Don and Norma Flaskerud Re/MAX Today (Fireworks Sponsor)

Grand Sponsor / Crackling Finale Patrick & Shirley Campbell Foundation Pleasant Hill Coin & Jewelry

Pleasant Hill Rotary Foundation Republic Services

Sponsor / Starburst Olson Family/Pleasant Hill Grocery Outlet Pleasant Hill Lions Club

Nicolo Manlapaz, CFP, MBA Ameriprise (Parade Prize Sponsor)

Bob Kelly Steve Wallace

Patron / Kaboom Contra Costa Country Club Donaghu Graphic Designs Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA Oasis Veterinary Hospital Orchard Supply Hardware

Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Pleasant Hill Orthodontics/ Greg Miller Pleasant Hill Rec & Park District R. J. Gordon Construction, Inc./ John G. Johnson

Samuels Construction Sisters Hillcrest Dry Cleaners Sloat Garden Center The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, Inc.

Supporter / Oooooooh Bill’s Ace Hardware/Bill Wygal Deutscher Properties Corp Diablo View Veterinary Dorothy and Steven Anderson

Gary Todoroff & Lynne Devereux Jim & Margi Alkire Magoo’s Grill of Pleasant Hill Martin Family Orthodontics / Jennifer Martin, DDS

Paul Harmenzon/ Denise Gudzikowski Sharon Wilkerson and Ralph McDonald Stokley Properties, Inc.

Donor / Aaaaaaah

All America Flag Co., Marilyn King Angelica & Srikanth Reddy Ardis & Charles Richards Becky Eaton Bennett Berke Charlene Balderston

Claire Shigley Cristina Stieger-Maguire Everall Inc DBA Crown Construction Frank Begert Gudrun B. Pleasonton

Irene Adcock John & Beverly Prosek Martha L. Williams Patricia Derickson Richard Ingalls Salon Innovations/Aloma Levine

Sheila & Charles Tucker Stacy Pollicino Susan & William Regan Tracy Williamson Victoria Reed

ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

9

City of Martinez

Mayor’s Message

This is my favorite time of year. The weather is warm but not blistering hot.

The hills are turning brown, but a hint of green is hanging on. Alhambra and College Park High Schools graduated their seniors last month, and I had a great time addressing the Alhambra graduates and their families as mayor of this wonderful community.

This is also the time of the year when city councils review their draft budgets and Capital Improvement Programs (CIP).

In Martinez, we are working on developing a two-year budget and a five-year CIP.

On May 31, we held a special session of the city council to review these draft documents and ask staff questions, make suggestions, and give direction. Both documents must be finalized and adopted

prior to June 31.

The draft budget shows that Martinez is in excellent financial health. Due to our conservative assumptions and fiduciary policies, we have experienced unexpected surpluses and have built a healthly reserve. Going forward, we do not expect to continue to see surpluses and may need to subsidize some operations with excess reserves. We are investing in economic development with the goal of continuing the revitalization of the downtown core and waterfront, which will increase our revenue stream.

Budgets are not very exciting, except maybe to accountants and CPAs. But what is exciting to most residents is seeing improvements to their community such as paved roads, manicured parks and a

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july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

litter free environment. That is where the CIP comes in.

The Martinez City Council adopts an updated five-year CIP every two years, concurrent with the two-year budget process. Funding for those first two years is then allocated in that budget. Why do we adopt a five-year CIP when we only fund two years? This allows us to plan ahead for needed major capital projects, even when funding is not yet available.

The 2-year funded CIP program project list primarily consists of projects that rehabilitate existing facilities rather than build new ones. They are grouped into non-recurring projects such as the Reliez Valley Road Pathway; Ward Street utility undergrounding; the new pedestrian bridge from the Amtrak station to the parking lot on the north side of the tracks; Ferry Street improvements to the indoor sports facilities north of the tracks; Waterfront Park and ball fields renovation; traffic signal at Pacheco and Arnold; parking meter conversion; and a downtown parking study.

The Routine Maintenance Projects that are planned include street paving, slurry sealing, and cape sealing of both major collector streets and residential neighborhoods. Funding for these projects come from State Gas Tax and Measure J return to source funds and grants.

The recent dig out and paving of Center Avenue and Morello Avenue at Highway 4

is an example of a major capital improvement project that was planned years ago and experienced delays due to many factors out of the control of the city, but it is finally done and is a pleasure to drive on!

The recent passage of Measure D, a ½ cent sales tax dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of roads and streets, took effect on April 1. This tax will triple our annual paving budget and allow us to make much needed improvements to our streets, especially in our residential neighborhoods. We expect the first quarterly revenue payments from the state in July.

Outside of the CIP and Measure D funding, both Brown Street and Green Street (from Alhambra to Court) will be dug out and repaved, thanks to a special grant for Priority Development Areas (PDA).

On a completely different note, an exciting asset that is coming to our community is professional baseball. We are hard at work to bring one of the two new teams in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs to the Martinez waterfront, starting in the 2018 season. The Martinez Clippers will play at the soon to be rebuilt fields at Waterfront Park and will provide low cost family entertainment for the region. We have a committed owner, a unanamous city council, and a supportive community that will make this unbelievable opportunity a reality.

Public Meetings City Council Meeting July 5, 19 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 6-9pm. Contact: 372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting July 5, 19 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Design Review Meeting July 12, 26 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Planning Commission Meeting July 11, 25 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

City of Martinez

Martinez City News 2017 Summer Bike Challenge is Back

Explore Martinez via your bicycle! Sponsored by 511 Contra Costa, this event is free and open to everyone – children and adults. The Summer Bike Challenge is fun, healthy, no-cost summer recreation that asks bicyclists to go to parks, schools, downtown, the library, farmers’ market, and more. Download your challenge card by going to www.511contracosta.org. Ride your bike to a destination on the square and check it off. Check off 12 squares by September 3, and you’re eligible to enter a drawing for an iPad Mini.

Bike Challenge Freebies

If you arrive on a bike, you can pick up free ice cream at Main Street Sweets in Downtown Martinez on July 13, between 1pm and 3pm; free Jamba Juice gift cards at the Martinez Library on July 19, between 12 noon and 2pm; and free treats at Barrelista in Downtown Martinez on August 9, between 10am and 12pm.

Council Ad-Hoc Subcommittee Formed Waterfront Park Professional Baseball Club Ad Hoc Subcommittee Formed

Last April, the city council directed staff to meet with representatives of Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs (PAPBC) to determine if the proposed Waterfront Park improvements could accommodate their use. Kevin Reilly, owner of the Vallejo Admirals, a professional baseball team, is interested in expanding the number of teams in their league and believes that once the Martinez Waterfront Park fields are renovated, it would provide the opportunity for a team in Martinez to utilize Championship Field 3, the largest of the other fields in the park. Field 3 will contain larger dugouts, room for expanded seating, enhanced lighting, and a potential grass infield, (irrigation is currently stubbed out), which would be needed for the professional team as well as a clubhouse/changing room or some type of portable office for the home team and possibly the visitors.

City staff from recreation, engineering and administrative services, Mayor Rob Schroder and Councilmember Noralea Gipner, along with consultant Lonnie Karste, who has been assisting the city on the Waterfront Park Improvement Project, met with Kevin Reilly.

Given the number of financial and community use issues that need to be addressed to determine if the park can adequately accommodate a professional baseball team, the mayor and city manager recommended the council form a council ad-hoc subcommittee. At the May 17 city council meeting, Mayor Schroder appointed himself and Councilmember Gipner as members of the Waterfront Park Professional Baseball Club Ad-hoc Subcommittee, ratified by the city council.

Mayor Schroder said, “I don’t think that it’s any secret that I want to pursue this. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, but I think we can do that. It is a huge economic development opportunity, and the way I’m looking at it is, this is just the first step of how we are going to be rebuilding our waterfront and the activities that are going to occur. We are going to start master planning and looking at what kind of development we are going to see down there.” Although there will be no housing, the plan could include a small hotel, restaurant, recreational facilities, and kayak rentals, to name a few. “This is not just about baseball and bringing in a professional team; we are positioned perfectly right now, things are starting to come together, and we need to take advantage of these opportunities,” added Mayor Schroder.

City News Continued

A parking analysis, ticket pricing, and options for concessionaires need to be discussed in the coming months. The city hopes that the baseball fields will be available for use by the 2018 season. There would be about 40 home games a year, occurring on both weekdays and weekends.

Annual Fishing Derby on July 8

All children ages 5-15 are invited to participate in the Martinez Recreation annual fishing derby from 10am-12pm. Participants should bring their own poles and hooks. Bait will be provided. Everyone who participates receives a prize. A parent or guardian must accompany all children to sign a photo/liability release form. To register, go to www.cityofmartinez.org or call the recreation office at (925) 372-3510 for information. This event is limited to 40 children, and no fishing license is required.

Measure H Pool Passes

Measure H pool passes for Rankin Aquatic Center are now on sale for Martinez residents and non-residents. Measure H season passes are good for recreation and lap swimming, but the pass may not be used for water aerobics. Purchase your pass at the Recreation Office, 525 Henrietta St., during normal business hours. A picture ID will be taken, and for the resident rate, a proof of residency is required. Adult passes are valid through October 28, and youth pool passes are valid through September 10. Recreation office hours are 8am-noon and 1-5pm. For more information, call (925) 372-3510.

Lunch in the Library Program

The Contra Costa County Library is serving lunch at nine library locations in the county this summer in an effort to prevent a summer nutrition gap.

Many low-income children face nutrient deficiencies when school closes for the summer break. Participating libraries will offer a variety of free events, including board games, arts and crafts, musical performances, Legos, movies, and more.

Children ages 1-18 are invited to stop by the Martinez Library at 740 Court Street from 12:30-1:30pm to enjoy a free lunch and special stories and activities on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, now through August 9. For more information about the Lunch at the Library program, visit ccclib.org/summer or call (925) 646-9900. Lunch in the Library is part of a statewide collaboration between the California Library Association (CLA) and the California Summer Meal Coalition that unites libraries and summer meal providers and keeps kids healthy and engaged when school is out.

Best Mechanic

ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

11

City of Walnut Creek

Mayor’s Message

Hard to believe it is already July! I hope you’ve had a chance to visit the new Larkey Park Swim Center and enjoy the splash pad. Likewise, I hope you’ve had a chance to see the Bullman with Bulldog statue, displayed prominently at Mt. Diablo and Main. I mentioned both in my last article.

We have a new city manager, Dan Buckshi, who will start on August 7. Dan has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. In the public sector, Dan worked his way through the ranks to serve as the county administrative officer for San Luis Obispo County, a job in which he has excelled since 2012.

Dan has an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s of Public Policy degree from California

Polytechnic State University. He and his wife, Kristen, have two daughters, Sophia and Claire. We are excited to have Dan as our new city manager and look forward to great things under his leadership.

We also need to acknowledge and thank Fran Robustelli for the extraordinary job she has done as our interim city manager. During her tenure, we faced numerous challenging issues that we have been able to address in large part due to her thoughtful and professional guidance.

Turning to our many events and activities throughout the summer, I want to highlight just a few of our family events. One family favorite is the Chevron Family Theater Festival on Saturday,

FOXTAIL SEASON Dr. Jim Beebe and Dr. Jill Oliveira want to remind all pet owners that foxtail season is upon us. Be careful where your pet travels!

We are a caring, full-service animal veterinary facility that provides comprehensive medical services for your companion dogs, cats, rabbits and pocket pets.

2609 Pleasant Hill Road • Pleasant Hill 925-942-4411 diabloviewvet.com HOURS: Monday -Friday 8:00am-6:00pm

12

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Rich Carlston, Mayor of Walnut Creek

July 15, at the Lesher Center for the Arts.

Be prepared for a fun day of characters, activities, events, and shows. It is truly a day of magic for kids of all ages.

Another fun family event is when Finding Dory, our feature from Movies Under the Stars, will be shown at Civic Park on July 14. There is nothing quite like playing games and then watching a classic movie with your family while munching on popcorn under the stars.

We hope to see you there.

For either of these events, also schedule some time to go to the Bedford Gallery. During July, the exhibit is Sweet ‘n Low: An International Show of Cute. The show explores the genre of cute and features works by legendary artist Margaret Keane, among others.

Also, keep in mind that on the third Saturday of each month during the summer, you can join the Bedford Gallery docents for a walking tour of Walnut Creek’s wonderful public art collection.

For those of you who love to sing, consider joining the Walnut Creek Chorus for a summer sing-along on July 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Sing along to music from Broadway shows and Disney movies. For those of you who like to make short films, please note that Mountain Shadow Film Society holds its 3rd Annual Short Film Competition at the Las Lomas Theater, September 1516. Your short film should be submitted to them for consideration no later than July 31, www.mountainshadow.org.

And don’t miss the Walnut Creek Downtown sponsored First Wednesday Street Fests, where you can always find great music, activities, fellowship, and food.

I could go on and on about the activities in Walnut Creek in July, but I’m out of space. Let me conclude by wishing you a wonderful and safe summer filled with adventure, exploration, fun and good food.

Public Meetings City Council Meeting July 4, 18 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 6pm. Contact: 943-5819 Design Review Meeting July 19, 7pm Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 Planning Commission Meeting July 13, 27 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 Civic Park CERT Quarterly Meeting July 27 Civic Park Community Center, Assembly Hall, 6:30pm.

For Confirmation Visit: www.walnut-creek.org

City of Walnut Creek

Council Addresses Homelessness

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At the June 6 city council meeting, council unanimously directed the interim city manager to work with the regional homeless partnership group to: 1) Establish membership on the task force to include staff and citizens from each community; 2) Set a regular meeting schedule and rotate the location of the meetings through the cities and ensure the schedule and location does not preclude the existence of a local Walnut Creek homelessness group; 3) Bring solutions identified as being particular to Walnut Creek to the city council’s Housing and Community Development Committee for review and recommendation to the city council; and 4) To provide an update on the task force to the city council by the first meeting in August.

This decision comes on the heels of the May 23 city council retreat, when the council discussed its priority to develop realistic responses to homelessness that includes educating downtown businesses regarding appropriate ways to provide food to the homeless and educating citizens on the County’s Coordinated Entry program that being homeless is not a crime in and of itself. The city will work to find appropriate locations and allowances for homeless to sleep in their cars and reinforce/formalize the city staff/Trinity Center’s Homelessness Task Force.

The Cities of Concord and Walnut Creek have agreed to split the $143,259 cost for a two-person team to work 20 hours per week in each city. The team could hit the streets as soon as July. Last January, Pleasant Hill and Martinez agreed to jointly pay for a fourth team through the end of the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

activities during the entire run of Sweet ‘n’ Low! Create your own show-inspired sculpture, relax with fun coloring, or take part in a scavenger hunt. Sweet ‘n’ Low features artwork from over 130 local, national, and international artists who extend the genre of cute from cuddly and precious to creepy and ironic. From kitsch and Margaret Keane’s Big Eyes to Japanese anime and contemporary Pop Art, we’re unleashing the roly-poly, goofily-gamboling, saccharine-honeyed creatures on this earth and beyond!

CO

Walnut Creek City News

City News Continued

COMMUNITY SPONSOR

Summer Sounds @ the Lesher Center

PROUDLY SUPPORTED

BY THESE COMMUNITY SPONSORS Businesses Invested in the Community

This free concert series returns to the Lesher Center Plaza on select Thursday evenings from 5:30pm to 7pm. Performances include: The HillBenders on July 6; Box Set Duo, Trio on July 20; and Tumbledown House on July 27. The concerts are sponsored by the Diablo Regional Arts Association. Visit www.draa.org/events/ summer-sounds/ for more performance information.

Chevron Family Theatre Festival

The 10th Annual Chevron Family Theatre Festival returns on Saturday, July 15, from 10am to 4pm, at the Lesher Center for the Arts. The Force will be strong again when Star Wars descends on the Lesher! There will be Jedi, Imperial Stormtroopers, and 16 other Star Wars characters in authentic, LucasArts - approved costumes. Children (and parents) will once again build their own LEGO droids to help save the galaxy. Take photos with favorite characters all in the Chevron Family Theatre Festival not at all far away. Visit www.draa.org/events/chevron-familytheatre-festival/ for the full festival schedule.

Don and Norma Flaskerud Broker/Owners Flaskerud Team

Rinn a Community Sponsor.

Learn about the benefits ofMatt becoming Contact us at info@ourcommunityfocus.com

Movies Under the Stars

Bring your family and enjoy these special outdoor moving screenings at Civic and Heather Farm Park! Bring a picnic or enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants prior to the movie. Movies begin at sunset. Civic Park movies include live music before the movie begins.

Friday, July 14, at Civic Park – The Secret Life of Pets, (music begins at 7pm); Friday, August 4, 6:30pm, at Heather Farm Park – Finding Dory; Friday, August 25, at Civic Park – Grease, (music begins at 6:30); $2 suggested donation for Heather Farm Park movie. The City of Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek Recreation and Walnut Creek Downtown bring Movies Under the Stars to you. Please do not bring pets.

For further information: (925) 943-5858.

Art and Play Sunday

On July 2, 12pm-5pm, come out to the Bedford for free family fun and art

Celebrate your Birthday and Special Occasions with us!

FEATURING:

• Enjoy Outdoor Patio Dining • Live Music Saturday Evenings • Groups from 5 -100 • FREE PARKING

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www.peonygardenrestaurant.com ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

13

Grant Recipients

Celebrating the Community

The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary with its annual Community Grant Awards at the Celebrating Your Community event on May 16. The proceeds from the annual fund appeal provided funding for these recipients and projects: • All in Need Family Support: Trunk or Treat, trick or treating for youth with special needs • Boy Scouts of America: College Park welcoming map display kiosks, Eagle Scout project • Choice in Aging: Fun in the Sun/Safe in the Shade, shade canopies • College Park High School: Grad Night scholarships for seniors to attend • Diablo Theatre Company: Sing Out portable stage pieces for Beauty & the Beast production • 4th of July Commission: 4th of July festivities in Pleasant Hill • Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library: Pleasant Hill Reads book give-away for summer reading program • Monument Crisis Center: Safety Net Project services for 150 Pleasant Hill families, including food, after school programming, and senior programming • Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District: special recreation Halloween Dance, with DJ, photo booth, and refreshments for adults with special needs • Project 2nd Chance: adapted classics

collection update, CDs for adults learning to read • Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center: beautification project, landscaping • Senior Center: Fitness for All, free fitness classes • Teen Center: Gardening Center, supplies for a vegetable garden

In addition, a special award was given to the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for their Science, Arts & Math Program at Fair Oaks Elementary School. This award is given annually from the Mary Walters Memorial Fund. Mary was a former board and AAUW member who had a soft spot for the children at Fair Oaks.

Community Grant Awards Chair Betty Geishirt Cantrell stated, “The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation is very thankful to all the people who have generously donated. Their philanthropy has enabled us to provide much needed support to our local community organizations. We are also celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and are proud of the positive impact we have been able to make in Pleasant Hill all these years.”

Find out more about the many projects, grants, and scholarships given out over the past 30 years by visiting www.

PHCommunityFoundation.org. If you are interested in joining the board of directors, please email for an application at info@PHCommunityFoundation.org.

Pictured are the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation’s Grant Award recipients.

14

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

CP Principal

Dearest Falcon Family JOSEPH G. ALVAREZ PRINCIPAL, COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

I am continually in awe of the tremendous contributions from our College Park community in their support of our students, staff, and families.

There have been so many people whose support has made a huge difference in our ability to build and sustain our special Falcon community – on campus and off.

I’d like to offer special thanks to people like Kelly St. Germain, who updates our website; Kendra Phair, who sends out our weekly Falcon Flyer; and our fantastic booster clubs who get behind and support our new initiatives and continued efforts. Our Parent Teacher Student Association is so generous in their support of our classrooms, with energy, ideas, actions, and funding. Our school site council has been essential throughout the year in helping guide decision-making about funding, budgeting, and policy that is in the best interest of all students.

I’d also like to thank the incredible, dedicated, and hard-working CPHS staff – teachers, support staff, teachers’ aides, custodians, technology personnel, and campus supervisors. Their dedication to all of our students and each other means we really have made College Park High School a destination school for teaching, learning, and success as well as a place where employees are valued and appreciated.

We are losing a few campus Falcons to retirement this year, which is bittersweet as these employees have contributed so much to our students, their families, and our campus life. To Mrs. Sheila Welsh, Ms. Denise Saldavar, Mr. Peter Weiss, and Mr. Jim Runyan, we salute you and thank you for many years in education and your efforts at educating our youth and future of tomorrow.

As I delivered my graduation speech to this year’s class of 2017, I commented on how our future is bright and how I see a class that has shown perseverance, tenacity, and overall grit. We have great students who are solidly on a path to becoming capable,

compassionate, creative, and collaborative future leaders. I told students to “do what makes YOU great,” as success is unique for each of us. I want students to remember that as they venture out as young adults, life will sometimes be uncomfortable, uncertain, and maybe even scary, but it’s okay to make mistakes. This is how we all learn! We continue to pick ourselves up and trust our own voices and abilities. You don’t have to be fearless, but don’t let fear stop you.

Our Falcon students will be spreading their wings and flying high and far next year.

More than 440 of our seniors will be attending college in the fall, and others will make decisions over the summer about future academic and career training plans. Here’s where they’ll be landing: • University of California (UC) - 38 • California State University (CSU) - 99 • California independent or private - 23 • Out-of-state public - 24 • Out-of-state independent or private - 11 • International universities - 1 (University of the West of England) • Diablo Valley College (DVC) - 216 • Other California community colleges - 24 • Out-of-state community colleges - 2 • Trade, career, or vocational institutions - 6 • Enlisting in the armed services - 13

Additionally, we have students who plan to jump immediately into the workforce; others will pursue apprenticeships.

Still others are preparing to embark upon church missionary work. Whatever the plan, they leave College Park prepared for adventure and learning.

As I close, I’d like to say that my first year here with you has been filled with wonderful surprises and learning experiences. I have been so impressed and grateful for the strong sense of community on campus that has reached out to our families, neighbors, and community partners. For my second year, I’ll be going in with hope and optimism and purpose, with expectations that will translate into action plans. I know one constant remains, and that’s you. We have the best students and community around, and I thank you for being part of that.

First day of school is August 22 – we’ll see you then!

Scholarships Awarded

PHM AAUW Awards Students from Several Local Schools

At the Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW (American Association of University Women) May brunch, college scholarship and Tech Trek camp awards were presented to eleven students from local schools. It is the mission of AAUW to break down barriers for women and girls by promoting education and supporting personal and professional growth. Each recipient was honored by members, family, and friends.

Five very deserving high school seniors were recognized for excelling in their high school years, not only with excellent grades but also in community service and leadership ability. They were each awarded a $1,000 AAUW scholarship in recognition of their achievements. The recipients for this year’s Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW Scholarships are Jessica Singh, Amy Nguyen,

and Hayoun Lim from College Park High School, and Sarah Emigh and Morgan Azevedo from Alhambra High School.

In the fall, Jessica, who is interested in biochemistry, is going to UCLA, and Amy is headed to Long Beach State with a major in biology. Hayoun will attend UC San Diego to study mechanical engineering. Sarah is off to Chico State University and would like to go into the nursing field. Morgan will attend UC Santa Barbara with a major in communications.

Pleasant Hill-Martinez is proud to award these young women its 2017 scholarships. This branch of AAUW strongly supports its local scholarship fund through several events, including their yearly fundraiser, A Taste of Fall, held last October, and a silent coffee klatch. Members generously support

Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW Tech Trek campers (LtoR): Kira Funk (Sequoia Middle School), Mia Puljiz (Martinez Junior High), Ellie Schichnes (Pleasant Hill Middle School), Dee Lara (Martinez Junior High), Diane Coventry (Tech Trek Chairperson). Not pictured: Jasmine Kimbrough (Valley View Middle School) and Jailynn Lozano (Martinez Junior High).

Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW Local Scholarship recipients (LtoR): Jessica Singh (College Park), Amy Nguyen (College Park), Hayoun Lim (College Park), Sarah Emigh (Alhambra High). Not pictured: Morgan Azevedo (Alhambra High).

this local cause.

Tech Trek, a program of AAUW California started in1998, is a science and math camp aimed at encouraging girls who will be entering eighth grade in the fall to consider careers in science, math, engineering, or technology. The camp features hands-on activities in math, science, and related fields. All sleeping, eating, instructional, and recreational facilities are located on a variety of university campuses throughout California where camps are held. Campers are exposed to programs in fields such as astronomy, engineering, chemistry, marine biology, and environmental studies to enhance their

learning experience and students are introduced to a variety of potential career areas.

In June 2017, six girls from Martinez and Pleasant Hill attended the Tech Trek camp at the Sonoma State University campus. The following local seventh grade outstanding students were chosen because of their passion for math and science: Kira Funk (Sequoia Middle School), Mia Puljiz, Deandra Lara, and Jailynn Lozano (Martinez Junior High), Ellie Schichnes (Pleasant Hill Middle School), and Jasmine Kimbrough (Valley View Middle School). Congratulations to all of these exceptional young women!

MAA Awards Students

The Martinez Arts Association (MAA) has awarded $1,000 in scholarships to two seniors from Alhambra High School who plan on keeping art in their futures.

Gabrielle Solis describes drama as “an art I love so deeply,” and she enjoys making people “feel something” when she performs. Gabrielle has been accepted to Sonoma State University, Humboldt State, and three universities in Oregon. Clearly, she has a choice where to earn her minor in theater arts and obtain a teaching credential. Gabrielle was a student teacher for middle school drama classes and plans on being a drama teacher for middle school or high school students.

Aaron Sullivan has a variety of experience working on sculpture pieces and mural art, designing posters and T-shirts, and helping build a house for Habitat For Humanity in New Orleans. He has been accepted to the University of Nevada, Reno and hopes to incorporate design elements into computer science work.

MAA supports the arts in local schools through teacher grants and student scholarships. The scholarship program is intended to support students’ educational goals in the arts and is primarily funded by MAA’s annual Art in the Park event, which is coming up August 20.

For more information about MAA or Art in the Park, visit www.martinezarts.org.

Aaron Sullivan

Gabrielle Solis ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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Twelve Year Run

The Bada Bing Club acquired more championship hardware in their 12-year softball championship-run after scoring almost 60 runs in back-to-back games. “It was our greatest post season performance,” said Mark Garcia.

DVC Hall of Fame Inductees

Steve Ward, DVC Hall of Fame founder and chairman, announced the 2018 DVC Hall of Fame class, which will be inducted Feb 22, 2018, at a dinner/induction ceremony at DVC.

2018 Inductees are: Marv McKean, DVC Football & Tennis Coach; Gene ‘Butch’ Rounsaville, Football, Basketball & Baseball; Sue Lindh, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball; Dr. Mike Oberlander, Team Doctor for Athletics; Will Levy, Basketball; Lindsey Azevedo, Softball; Robert Hubbard, Football and Stephanie Hanf-Grinstead,Track & Field

For ticket information, contact Steve Ward at sward@dvc.edu.

A Worthy Cause

Baseball Players Step Up to the Plate

On March 30, several members of the Alhambra High School junior varsity baseball team spent their day volunteering at the annual Little League Challenger Baseball Jamboree. The all-day event was held at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, and a total of 24 teams from around the Bay Area were in attendance. The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges the opportunity to enjoy the game of baseball. Today, over 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.

The Alhambra ball players arrived at the park bright and early and began the morning by prepping the ball fields for an exciting day of baseball games.

Once the action began, the volunteers traded in their rakes and shovels for microphones and partnered up with teammates to show off creative, playby-play calling skills. When the Alhambra players weren’t busy announcing the participants over the PA system, they were rooting on the young athletes and exchanging handshakes and high fives throughout the day.

The participants took a break in the action to attend a special awards ceremony. They also had the chance to visit with family and friends during a barbeque lunch. The Alhambra players used this opportunity to mingle with

participants and praise the young athletes for their spectacular performances on the diamond. They were also invited to pose for a few group photos with participants before heading off to the ball fields for a final round of games.

Rich Brightman, one of the lead organizers for Sunday’s event, said the Challenger Jamboree would not be possible without the help and support from our local sponsors, donors and volunteers. Mr. Brightman was very impressed by the large turnout of volunteers from the Alhambra baseball program and is looking forward to seeing them back at the event next year.

Alhambra High School JV coach Steve Elliott said he was grateful his players had the opportunity to participate in this special event. “I think it’s important we teach our high school athletes the value of giving back to their communities, especially when it involves a program they can easily relate to.” Coach Elliott said he felt the boys were a little humbled by their experience today. “I think it was definitely an eye opener for our players to watch the participants compete on the field today. It puts things into perspective and reminds us all of what we have to be thankful for.”

For more information on the Little League Challenger Division, contact your local Little League president, or email challenger@LittleLeague.org.

2015

THANKS TO OUR CUSTOMERS FOR VOTING US #1!

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Pictured (LtoR): Coach Seth Stockton, Andrew Lawrence, Payton deBonneville, Nolan Lawrence, Amon Williams, Coach Steve Elliott, JT Griffin, Tyler Boyce, Mateo Roberts, Duncan Adams, Lorenzo Fonseca, Calvin Reed and Dillon Elliott.

Legendary Dogs Senior Sensations Bid Farewell

After three straight NCS Division II titles, the Alhambra Lady Bulldogs finally lost a playoff game, falling 11-7 to defending Division I champion Freedom High School. As you may or may not know, AHS was required to play up a division this season after the three-peat and, therefore, had to compete against the largest populated schools in the area.

After edging Granada 3-2 in the first round, they experienced the heartbreaking walk-off road loss to the Falcons in the second round. It was an extremely emotional ending for some.

Joining the team as freshmen back in 2014, Bri Perez, Karlee Sparacino and Miranda Nilson have helped the team accumulate an unbelievable 94 wins over a four-year period. They were joined in 2015 by Morgan Azevedo, Regan Silva, and Maci Shepherd, and then Kimiko Zapanta in 2016.

Two time league MVP, Perez had a career .569 batting average, 169 hits, 75 extra base hits, an incredible 185 runs scored, and 31 homeruns, not to mention 94 stolen bases in 96 chances. Sparacino also earned a league MVP award and slugged .522 with 175 hits, 58 extra base hits, 141 runs scored, and 14 dingers over the same period of time. Most impressively though, she drove in a whopping

170 runs. Nilson’s biggest season was her junior year, when she hit .408. She had 29 hits, with nearly half of them going for extra bases. This included 3 round-trippers and none bigger than her two-run blast against Newark Memorial in the NCS championship game at St. Mary’s College.

For Azevedo, her sophomore and junior years were highly productive as she totaled a .383 average with 56 hits and 36 runs scored. First baseman Silva’s three-year totals were a healthy .353 average, with 79 hits, 73 RBIs, and 26 extra base hits, including 8 four-baggers.

Catcher Shepherd went out with a bang, slamming three bombs her senior year to go along with her .308 batting average.

And last but certainly not least, leadoff hitting sensation, Zapanta. Over a two-year span, she slapped around 79 hits and scored 76 runs along with her lofty .485 batting average. And how about 57 stolen bases without ever being caught? Unbelievable!

Uniforms have been turned in and these young ladies have walked on the field at AHS for the very last time. They have made major contributions to the softball program and without question, are a huge reason for its success. They are going to be dearly missed.

Lady Bulldogs (pictured L to R) Back row: Morgan Azevedo, Regan Silva, Maci Shepherd and Miranda Nilson; Front row: Bri Perez, Kimiko Zapanta and Karlee Sparacino

Spring Championships

The multi-generational Roadrunners softball team adds a championship trophy to their collection, and sport new T-shirts thanks to the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District.

Track and Field Clayton Valley: Brandon Abon, Anthony Lowe, Cameron Reynolds and Javier Balderamos placed1st in the boys 4x100 meter relay; Anthony Lowe, Cameron Reynolds, James Ward and Justin Lowe placed 3rd in the boys 4 x 400 meter relay; Aidan Jackman, 2nd in boys 110 hurdles; Anthony Lowe, 2nd in boys 400 meters; Brandon Abon, 5th in boys 100 meters; Aidan Jackman, 5th in boys 300 hurdles, 5th in boys high jump; Cameron Reynolds, 3rd in boys 200 meters; Daylon Hicks, 3rd in boys high jump; Aidan Jackman, 5th in boys high jump; Jason Rogers, 11th in boys pole vault; Francis Jordan, 22nd in boys long jump; Jeffery Williams, 5th in boys shot put, 1st in discus; Jack Fouts, 12th in boys discus.

Congratulations to all of the athletes.

The high school track season wrapped up on June 2 and 3 at the California State Meet. Athletes qualified by finishing their event in the top three at the NCS Meet of Champions held at UC Berkeley on May 26 and 27. Several local athletes had top performances.

College Park: Sophia Llamas, 13th in girls 400 meters; Jake Heinlein, 8th in boys 400 meters; Noah Hurley, 2nd in boys pole vault.

Northgate: Amy Christensen, 5th in girls pole vault, 7th in 100 hurdles; Peter Michiels, 2nd in boys high jump, 12th in 110 hurdles; Julia Hagedorn, 12th in girls 400 meters.

Alhambra: Marissa D’Atri, 3rd in girls 800 meters; Jenna Coffman, 17th in girls triple jump.

College Park athletes and coaches at the Meet of Champions. ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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In the Mix

Interview with Leo Vigil

BY PAUL COTRUVO

This area is filled with many accomplished musicians, and Leo Vigil is no exception. Long time drummer of the legendary PHDs, Leo’s versatility is unparalleled. He can play every style of music, whether it is jazz, blues, funk, rock, or country. He has recorded some great jazz CDs on his own (Diversity is my favorite) and has been a staple of the renowned Carlos Reyes Band.

Besides all that, Leo is nothing less than a gentleman. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for many years, and he is kind, funny, professional, and just an amazing human being. A favorite moment for me is when Leo comes out from behind his drum kit and performs James Brown’s “Sex Machine.” Leo took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions, so meet Leo Vigil.

PC: How old were you when you first started playing drums? Were they your first instrument of choice?

LV: After years of banging on pots and pans, boxes, and pillows, when I was 7, my parents bought me a “real” drum set. I went through a couple of sets until I got my first professional set at age 12. I immediately started playing with bands and played my first night

club in San Francisco at age 14.

A little dark secret I don’t share much is I played the accordion from age 8 ‘til around 11. The beauty of this was it trained my ear for chord structure, melodies, intervals, voicing, etc. I actually developed a bad habit during this time. Instead of reading the music, I looked through it and played by ear.

The negative - I don’t read music. The positive - I can memorize a song by hearing it once or twice, all the parts!

PC: Who were some of your inspirations and influences?

LV: I was inspired by all forms of music and still am, from The Beatles to The Lawrence Welk Show, The Monkees to The Tijuana Brass, The Banana Splits to Led Zeppelin. As a child, we would go on vacation and drive for hours.

My parents always had the radio on, sometimes it would be Wolfman Jack (R&B, soul, funk) or Latin music (cumbia, ranchera, cha cha, bolero, corido, etc). Nowadays, when I’m not studying music for a show or session, I listen to classical.

One of my major influences was James Brown. He had great, innovative drummers. His music was responsible for the genre “funk”! James as an entertainer changed my life; I wanted to be him, and I tried as a kid.

PC: What have been some of your favorite musical highlights so far?

Paul’s Picks July 1: Delta Wires, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8pm July 4: Garageland Rodeo, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm July 5: Billy Schaub, Zachary’s Pizza, 140 Crescent Dr., Pleasant Hill, 6:30pm July 9: The Bell Brothers, PH Summer by the Lake series, Gregory Lane & Cleaveland Rd., 6pm July 14: Big Jangle, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, 7pm July 14: Native Elements, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8pm July 14: GG Amos, WiseGirl,1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm July 15: Brews and Blues, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, 12:30-6pm July 15: Kyle Jester, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm July 20: Scotty O’Neill, Rocco’s Pizzeria: 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, 8pm July 23: Aja Vu, PH Summer by the Lake series, Gregory Lane & Cleaveland Rd, 6pm July 30: The Sunday Paper, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm

LV: Hmm, that’s a hard one. I remember doing a show for a couple of thousand people and getting a standing ovation after my drum solo. That gave me goose bumps and made my eyes water.

But I think the best highlight so far was to hear songs I composed being performed live or on the radio. One of my compositions was used by HewlettPackard at the C.E.S convention in Las Vegas a couple of years ago on their big screen displaying the new products.

That was a great feeling -- and lucrative.

PC: Who would you name as the best three drummers of all time and why?

LV: I wouldn’t classify them as “the best” because, as the saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but it would be sacrilegious to not say Buddy Rich. That said, I’m more from the school of Gene Krupa. Rich is an amazing drummer. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice. Once, my buddy since kindergarten, Curtis Ohlson, was playing with him at, of all places, The Stone in SF. Buddy was a great technician! Flawless! Krupa played a little more from the heart and soul. I think since I’m a self taught/nonschooled musician, I gravitated toward Krupa’s style.

I’d have to put David Garibaldi (a great technician) on that list. I was playing in a band with horns in 1970-71 and we played a few Tower of Power songs.

That taught me a whole lot and really opened the door for my playing. He was and still is an innovator.

Tony Williams would have to be on that list also. He broke ground with Miles Davis at a young age, playing

jazz in the ‘60s. By the ‘70s, he was at the forefront of the birth of the fusion genre. He had the power of a rock drummer and the finesse and chops of a jazz player.

PC: As such a versatile musician, if you could choose just one style of music, what would you choose and why?

LV: Ha! I get asked this question all the time, especially when I conduct clinics. I think my answer usually is disappointing: I JUST LOVE PLAYING DRUMS! I am very lucky. I get to play a wide variety of music and with musicians from all genres! Over the last 15 years, when I’m driving or playing dominoes at home, I listen to classical! I am fascinated by the arrangements and melodies but mostly the counter-melodies.

PC: If you were a song, what song would you be and why?

LV: LOL! Never thought about that.

Okay, let me think…you made me think. I narrowed down from 20, to 15, to 10, to 5, to 1. Not to sound cliché, but “Stairway to Heaven” would be my pick.

It is such an epic piece of music! I love a song that tells a story, not so much lyrically but musically. It takes you on an emotional ride and touches your inner feelings.

Blues and Brews: Check out Leo on July 15, when he will be drumming for Purple Haze, a Jimi Hendrix tribute band, headlining at the Pleasant Hill Blues and Brews. Also on the bill: Dr. D, Jr. Deville, Jinx Jones & the Kingstones, and Frankie G. & the Conviction. It’s going to be an amazing day of music, and it’s free! Music starts at 12:30pm; Purple Haze goes on at 5pm. Come early, stay late, and support local music.

ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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Keeping Cool

Special Care for Pets in the Summer

EXPIRES 7/31/17

CS Cake Ad February 2015.pdf

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2:50 PM

BY DR. LOUISA ASSEO

This is my time of year. I have always joked that I am part reptile, soaking up the heat and basking in the glorious sun. However, the story is different for most of our furry companions.

Most of us have been warned about the dangers of leaving pets inside a locked car. On an 80⁰ day, temperatures inside a car rise rapidly and can jump to over 100⁰ in 10 minutes or less.

Even on a cooler 70⁰ day, temperatures can exceed 100⁰ within 20 minutes! As dogs cannot sweat well, their internal body temperatures rise quickly, which can result in heat stroke and death very quickly. So, the best plan is to not leave your dog unattended in a car.

What about taking dogs on walks on hot days? Aside from carrying water and finding shaded paths, consider that your friend is walking barefoot. If it is too hot for your feet, then it is definitely too hot for their paws! Boots for dogs can help against the heat, but they also prevent heat from escaping from the paw pads, one of the few places where dogs have sweat glands. Switch up your routine by walking with your dog in the early morning hours or late in the afternoon or evening, when the pavement is cooler for them. Also, while it might be fun to bring your friend to all of the great events that our community puts on in the summer, it may be best to leave him at home in air conditioning rather than make him brave the hot pavement while strolling through a festival or other gathering.

Rabbits and rodents, especially guinea pigs and chinchillas, are uniquely sensitive to the heat and more prone to heat stroke. These species are much more adapted to cool temperatures and can struggle if their environment rises above 80 degrees. They have glorious thick coats and mostly lack sweat glands. Rabbits can dissipate heat

from their ears, but guinea pigs and chinchillas do not have this ability. On hot days, place a frozen water bottle or two in their environment. They can snuggle against the ice block to keep themselves cool. While most companion rodents live indoors, where we have better control of the temperature, some rabbits live outdoors in hutches. These are the bunnies that worry me the most. They cannot create underground burrows to escape the heat. If the day is expected to reach over 80⁰, please bring them inside to cooler temperatures.

Also consider grooming them to keep their fur as light at possible.

Even our cute mini pig friends need special considerations when housed outside. Pigs have only a few sweat glands that work minimally to dissipate excess heat. They need water (or mud) to wallow in. This cools pigs by mimicking the evaporative qualities of sweat.

Providing shade and fresh cool water at all times can make these babies more comfortable in the heat of the season.

Here’s to a great summer and hoping you and your pet pals can beat the heat!

Stay cool!

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.

Oasis Veterinary Hospital proudly sponsors the

PET ADOPTION CONNECTION www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Read My Mind

Ribbon Cutting

BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD

We read books for many reasons: to be entertained, to be informed, to be motivated, to be inspired, to escape reality, to improve ourselves, to help others, and to make us think. Two recent books by best-selling authors really made me think about our modern world and what the future holds.

Thomas Friedman’s Thank You For Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in This Age of Accelerations is a most worthwhile follow-up to his bestseller The World Is Flat. The title comes from an incident when a reporter was late for an interview with Friedman. During that “free time,” Friedman had an opportunity to reflect on our modern age and the future. The result is this book.

While we humans are fairly adaptable creatures, “our capacity to adapt is being outpaced by a supernova of three ever faster things: technology, the market, and climate change.” To help understand how fast things are changing, Friedman focuses on 2007, the year that brought us the first iPhone and the transformation it started.

Later, in a clever analogy, Friedman applies Moore’s law (microprocessor power doubles every two years) to automobiles. If automobiles had progressed as rapidly as microprocessors, today “the 1971 Volkswagen Beetle would travel at 300,000 miles per hour, cost 4 cents and use one tank of gasoline in a lifetime.” Mind-boggling!

We live in an ever-changing world, moving at a faster pace than ever before. Friedman tries to explain “why so many things seem to be spinning out of control.” In spite of this, his conclusion is that we are going to be okay. As a guide for the perplexed, “This book is very hard to beat.” Food for thought in deed!

Moneyball author Michael Lewis’ latest book is The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds. It’s

BY SUPERVISOR KAREN MITCHOFF, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, DISTRICT IV

On June 12, I held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Hookston Station Landscaping Project. The completion of this project provides a second paved trail adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail for pedestrians, new trees and shrubs, and a historical sign which provides trail users with information on this former railroad corridor.

This Contra Costa County project was constructed by Mark Scott Construction and funded with Park Dedication and East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW grant funds. It was completed in partnership with the Colony Park Neighbors Association, East Bay Regional Park District and the Iron

©

Two Books That Really Made Me Think an eye-opening look at the friendship that started the science of behavioral economics. Never heard of “behavioral economics?”

Neither had anyone else until two Israeli geniuses came up with the concept.

The idea was so brilliant, revolutionary, and mind altering that it won the Nobel Prize in Economics.

This is the story of psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, whose collaboration “became one of the greatest partnerships in the history of science” and turned the understanding of human behavior upside down.

Their research became the undoing of the false view that “the mind is somehow rational, untrickable, and potentially infallible.” Our minds consistently try to fool us, but we can avoid being fooled if we follow their advice.

Consider how our preconceived notions, not rationality, influence our decision-making. You flip a coin five times and it comes up heads each time.

What are the odds it will come up heads the next time? Many think it’s less likely to come up heads because it came up heads five previous times. In reality, each flip is independent and not based on previous flips. So, regardless of how many times the coin comes up heads, the odds of it coming up heads next time are still 50-50.

Here’s the example that really got me. Would you rather win $500 or take a 50-50 chance on winning $1000?

Most take the 50-50 chance on winning $1000. Now, would you rather lose $500 or take a 50-50 chance on losing $1000? Most take losing $500. The odds are exactly the same in both situations.

Why do we ignore the laws of statistics and simply go with our guts? To find out and learn more about two fascinating individuals, The Undoing Project is a must read that will really make you think.

Joining Forces For Enhancement Horse Corridor Advisory Committee.

This project is adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail between Hookston Road and Mayhew Way in Pleasant Hill. We had a great turn out for this event including East Bay Regional Park District Board Director, Beverly Lane. Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Sue Noack joined us, along with Walnut Creek City Councilmember Kevin Wilk. We also had representatives from the business community: Steve Van Dorn, Executive Director & CEO of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, and Lynette Busby, Executive Director of Contra Costa Centre Transit Village.

This project is a great example of how the County can collaborate with the community on a project that will benefit all of our residents that utilize our extensive trail system. I want to thank the community and all of our partners that helped to bring this vision to fruition.

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Free!

sunset by the lake

summer concerts On the lawn by the lake at

Pleasant Hill City Hall

Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd

LIVE MUSIC & FUN! FOOD & BEVERAGE sales!

Jul 9...The Bell Brothers Hot country rock & roll

Catch the rest of the 2017 season!

Aug 6

FOOD VENDORS

East Bay Mudd (Classic fun & soul)

Aug 20 The Big Jangle (Tom Petty tribute band)

aLeigh Slice of It ts except...

Jul 23...Aja Vu Rock and jazzy blues

at all concer

Steel

6-8 pm

Smokin’ BBQ

Sep 3

Groove Doctors (Variety dance party band)

on July 9

Ice cream sales by BSA Troop 221

Sponsored by Pleasant Hill Civic Action Commission Visit www.pleasanthillconcerts.com for all concert information.

Oasis Veterinary Hospital

City of Pleasant Hill

Club of Pleasant Hill

Yoga is all about harmonizing the body with the mind and the breath.

Enjoy A Y Summer Membership!

IRVIN DEUTSCHER FAMILY YMCA Special Enrollment Offer!

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july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

350 Civic Drive Pleasant Hill CA

T: 925-687-8900 www.IDFYMCA.org

Pair Up

Island Dreaming

BY MARIA TERRY

When summer hits Northern California with the full force of its heat, I like to break out the mocktails and cocktails. They are cool and refreshing in the heat of summer because they can be taken down to almost freezing. This dinner centers on an island theme, with tropical favorites like coconuts, plantains and papayas. You may even be inspired to get out your hula skirt or don a flower lei.

Start off the evening with Coconut Mojitos made with coconut water, fresh mint, and lime. A bit of sugar in the cocktail offsets the heat in the Spicy Sweet Dipping Sauce for crispy fried plantains.

Plantains are a member of the banana family but are often prepared as a savory dish. Although they need to be twice-

Seared Tuna Burgers with Ginger-Garlic Mayo INGREDIENTS 4 3/4-inch-thick tuna steaks (each about 5 to 6 ounces) 4 teaspoons olive oil 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 4 oversize sesame-seed sandwich rolls, toasted 1 bunch arugula, stems trimmed DIRECTIONS Sprinkle tuna with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add tuna and cook until brown outside and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer tuna to plate. Add ginger and garlic to same skillet; stir 30 seconds. Scrape into small bowl. Mix in mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Spread bottoms of rolls with mayonnaise mixture.

Top with tuna, arugula, and tops of rolls.

Yield: 4 Servings

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cooked, the first step can be done ahead so that all you have left is the final fry just before serving.

Continue the evening’s island theme with Seared Tuna Burgers and Hawaiian Coleslaw. Tuna makes such a beautiful burger with its cool red center and meaty texture. The tuna is seasoned simply with salt and pepper. This allows the garlic-ginger aioli to stand out. Pair with the Cucumber Cocktail, which is delicate in flavor and will be a supportive partner that won’t fight for the spotlight. To complete the trio, Hawaiian Coleslaw has classic bits of pineapple for sweetness and apple cider vinaigrette for punch.

Keep the end of this island meal

Coconut Mojito INGREDIENTS 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves 4 ounces fresh lime juice 4 ounces simple syrup 16 ounces coconut water, chilled 8 ounces white rum, chilled Ice DIRECTIONS Put the mint, lime juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Muddle for a few seconds to release the flavor from the mint.

Pour in the coconut water and rum. Add ice to fill a pitcher, and stir to combine and chill.

Yield: 4 servings

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Cucumber Cocktail INGREDIENTS 1 cup cucumber vodka 1 cup tonic water ½ cup cucumber juice ¼ cup fresh lime juice ¼ cup simple syrup Handful fresh mint leaves Ice cubes, for serving DIRECTIONS Divide the ingredients in half, add each half to a cocktail shaker, and shake to combine. Pour in glasses filled with ice and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

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simple by serving a fresh papaya filled with raspberries for dessert. And, don’t forget to squeeze on a bit of lime to bring out the sweetness of the fruit. Furthermore, as a fun, non-alcoholic option at any time during this meal, try a Ginger Rosemary Zinger. The combination of spicy ginger with herbal rosemary is unexpectedly delicious, and both are known to aid in digestion.

So, go on. Pair Up!

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

Ginger Rosemary Zinger

Fried Plantains with Spicy Sweet Dipping Sauce INGREDIENTS Canola oil, for frying 3 green plantains ¼ cup garlic, minced Lime juice Salt and fresh cracked black pepper 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes Dash cayenne pepper Dipping Sauce 2 fresh limes 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 1 tablespoon sweet hot mustard 1 teaspoon horseradish, prepared 1 tablespoon rice vinegar DIRECTIONS In a bowl, combine the juice of 1/2 of lime, sweet chili sauce, mustard, horseradish, and vinegar. Set aside. Heat ½” of oil in 12” pan with a heavy bottom. Cut plantain on diagonal into 1-inch thick pieces; remove peel. When oil is hot, add the plantains and fry both sides until golden. Drain on paper bag. Sprinkle with salt and minced garlic while hot. With a flat bottomed, heat proof, glass bowl, smash plantains evenly flat, embedding garlic into them. Return to hot oil and fry until dark golden brown.

Remove, drain again on a paper bag.

Season with lime juice, more coarse salt, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.

Serve while hot with dipping sauce.

Yield: 4-6 Servings

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INGREDIENTS 1-2 teaspoons ginger juice (I like The Ginger People’s Organic Ginger Juice) Juice of a wedge of lime Sugar, honey, or sweetener to taste Club soda Sprigs of rosemary and leaves Bits of candied ginger DIRECTIONS Mix the ginger juice, lime juice, sugar or sweetener, and club soda together.

Throw in some rosemary leaves. Stir.

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary stem and bits of candied ginger (FYI: If you are planning on adding bits of candied ginger into the drink, it will become sweeter due to the sugar around the candied ginger).

Yield: 1 Serving

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Hawaiian Coleslaw INGREDIENTS 1 (8.5 ounce) package coleslaw mix 1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon dried cilantro DIRECTIONS Mix coleslaw mix, pineapple, and onion together in a bowl. Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, brown sugar, cilantro, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until dressing is smooth. Pour dressing over coleslaw mixture and toss to coat.

Yield: 4-6 servings

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ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

23

In the Garden

Summer Berry Bliss - Delicious on their Own, in Salads or Desserts

BY LESLEY STILES

July is said to be the hottest month of the year, “dog days,” when hot, sultry climates take over our lives and promote many hours near water. Named after the Roman general Julius Caesar by the Roman senate, soaring mercury definitely drives habits and tempers as any good general would.

Summer is here, and what a long, strange trip it has been. Many longslumbering, water-thirsty plants have been provoked after the wetter than usual winter and spring. Fruits, bulbs, and berries have awakened, creating one of the plushest early summer produce seasons on recent record. Cherries are pretty much out, but sauntering in are some of the sweetest stone fruits I have sampled in years. White nectarines, yellow peaches, King Kong plums,

pluots, apriums, you name it. Varieties are dazzling enough to compete with aforementioned dog days to shake off any heat-related doldrums you may be incurring.

Responding especially lusciously well, berries are taking over farmers’ markets, with scents wafting off many bowed tables, beckoning for consumption. Blueberries, olallieberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries - all in droves at unseasonably low prices - await purchase and consumption while tantalizing visions of pies, tarts, crisps, and jams dance on overactive palates.

Summertime in California and the Northwest translates into berry porn. Out on a trail or side of a lane somewhere beautiful, there’s sure to be blackberry or elderberry bushes, filled to drunken blue jay capacity and dripping juice, plumply and proudly waiting for human or avian picking. With this amazing profusion of berries, scientists, in all their curiosity

THE HOSPITAL WITH THE FAMILY TOUCH SINCE 1976 WISHES YOU

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Pet Happiness HILLCREST VETERINARY HOSPITAL Zachary J. Anderson, DVM Joseph A. Thibedeau, DVM Terri Lamp, DVM

and stamina, created the amazing, fat, juicy olallieberry. Pronounced oh-la-leh, it is a tender, dainty little cross between the loganberry and the youngberry.

Each of which is a cross among blackberries, raspberries, and loganberries. Could get confusing if one lingered on the wherefores, but placing said olallieberry on your tongue and closing your eyes as it melts into your taste buds should alleviate all doubts of origin as it is replaced by sheer berry bliss.

Simple uses of berries

Top short cakes of the pound or biscuit variety with berries macerated in a drop of sugar to pull out the juices, along with a touch of water and Grand Marnier; set aside and forget for a few hours, then drape over cake and top with honey sweetened, whipped mascarpone. In a word, heavenly. Tossed into fresh market greens along with feta and toasted, chopped almonds dressed with lemon juice and olive oil creates a salad fit for any party table, large or small.

Mixed into any seasonal fruit combination, it makes a tasty salad, but mixed into granola and yogurt and topped with honey defines early morning breakfast splendor. Whether lovingly fresh picked along the canal trail or bought at the farmers’ market, seasonal berries take the cake.

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.

Shortcake Shortcakes for any kind of Fruit!

I like a nice, fluffy, barely sweetened biscuit for my shortcake. Warm from the oven with just a touch of butter on it, ladled with cut up fruit that has been able to macerate for an hour or so, possibly with a bit of Framboise or Grand Mainer and a dollop of honey sweetened whipped mascarpone, this is shortcake nirvana.

INGREDIENTS 2 ¼ cups flour 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar 4 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons melted butter ¾ cup buttermilk or milk DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 425*. Butter a pie tin or glass. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl: flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut the 4 tablespoons butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers or a pastry blender until it resembles dry breadcrumbs. Add the milk and mix quickly until dough comes together in a sort of sticky mass.

Pat into pie pan, brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter, and sprinkle teaspoon of sugar on top. Bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly brown on top. Cut into 8 wedges.

Serves 8

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www.hillcrestvet.com 925-676-1909 Special Event, Aviation & Adventure Photographer in Pleasant Hill, CA

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2015

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july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Dodie Jones Remembered A Friend Pleasant Hill Will Never Forget

BY CAROLE LUCIDO

Dodie Jones was a person you could never forget. She was larger than life, and she played an important and influential role in Pleasant Hill. She worked at the Pleasant Hill Community Center for nearly 40 years and left a legacy of enthusiasm, happiness, and joy that touched generations. She passed away on February 9, 2017, at the age of 96, but her spirit lives on.

Doreen Royston Jones started at Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District (PHR&PD) as a preschool teacher. A mother of three, Dodie was attuned to the joy and excitement of discovery and learning. She told me once how she taught the children at PHR&PD Preschool about dinosaurs. She showed the children pictures and described the prehistoric animals. She asked them to look around and said something like, “Dinosaurs lived in places just like Pleasant Hill! Maybe you can find a dinosaur egg right here in Pleasant Hill Park.” I can picture the twinkle in her eye as she watched the kids squeal with delight as they found their treasure – a dozen baby cantaloupes she had hidden earlier in the day throughout the lawn and shrubbery.

I met Dodie at PHR&PD in the fall of 2000, when I was hired to help with communications. She was the communications manager in charge of community outreach, and she also managed programs for the District. She orchestrated an inviting and enriching schedule of classes that produced income for the District while enriching the lives of participants.

During this time, I never gave much thought to how old Dodie was. She had a youthful spirit and an innate joy of life. It was such a pleasure to work with her. In fact, when we worked at Earth Day at the Concord Pavilion, she totally outdid me despite being 37 years my senior. After about six hours out in the warm, pollenfilled hills, the event was over and I had a bad case of hay fever. I was over-heated and headed home to a cool shower and

a place on the couch. Dodie, however, went back to the community center and worked for another few hours! At this time, Dodie must have been 82 years old.

Dodie had a passion for learning and elicited a creative spark in persons of all ages. She established Recreation Summer School and assembled a team of both teen and adult instructors. She interviewed each one and carefully taught the teens what a job interview was like and what it’s like to have a job. Over the 34 years she managed the program, she brought even more joy to the youth of the city.

When we worked those long hours, we would share stories of our lives, and Dodie’s stories were the best. She shared how her mother had been an upperclass English lady who married for love and left the privileged life in Britain for life on a farm in Morgan Hill, California.

Dodie was the only daughter, and her mother insisted she learn the finer parts of life, like playing the piano and learning French. Dodie’s brothers were allowed to run free outside, while Dodie had to find time for her studies before she could figure a way to slip out. At one point in her adolescence, her grandmother must

Dodie’s life seemed to be a series of circles rich friendships and experiences woven together to form a beautiful pattern of life.

have been worried about her upbringing because she insisted that Dodie come back to England to live with her. I’m not sure how long that lasted, but Dodie had an appreciation of English tea, spoke French, and played the piano.

Dodie was a mother of two daughters and a son. The family lived in an old Victorian home in Alameda, and Dodie worked for the recreation department at the city. Tom McHale became a friend of the whole family when he was in high school. He said, “Dodie was the first ‘hippy-mom’ I ever met. She encouraged her kids to eat natural foods, enjoy the outdoors, speak their minds, read, and not watch television (they didn’t even own one.)

“There was always some craft on the kitchen table,” he recalled. “It might be clay, watercolor or acrylic paints, or even cake decorating.” Tom decided to join the Marine Corps and spent one year in Vietnam. When he returned home and was going to college, Dodie encouraged him to go into recreation. It was her good word that helped Tom get a job with the Alameda recreation department. A few years later, Tom graduated from college and got a job with the fledgling Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. Tom is proud of the fact that he was the one who hired Dodie at Pleasant Hill Recreation.

Dodie’s life seemed to be a series of circles – rich friendships and experiences woven together to form a beautiful pattern of life. She continued to work for Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District and brought young people together with art, music, and culture.

Tom McHale continued to visit, and Dodie kept up with the rest of us via the telephone and email. She always made you feel so welcome and appreciated.

She was free with her praise and would lift you up so that you could become the best version of yourself. I hope that all of us who were lucky enough to know her can live up to her 96-year legacy of living with a smile, a twinkle in our eye, and a positive expectation for what is to come.

ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

25

P L E A S A N T

H I L L

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

It’s Your Business.

Consumers are more likely to do business with a company July 2017 if it’s a member of their local chamber of commerce.

PLEASANT HILL HAPPENINGS

Don't miss out on the biggest event of the Summer!

Welcome New Members

Diablo Valley Camp Bow Wow

Doug Fleming

Pet and Home Care

Barbara Booth

(925) 200-4891

Zio Fraedo's Inc.

Anthony Lo Forte Sr.

(925) 933-9091

Les Schwab Tire Center

Gabe Williams

(925) 825-5940

The Light Digital

Paul Benton

(510) 243-9483

Evoke Spinal Care

Fredrick Dietzen

(925) 523-1022

Valerie Peirano

(925) 370-9425

(925) 446-4724

P. Richard Means Peirano Jewelers Est. 1976

26

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Join us for some fun, excellent craft beers, sumptuous wines and awesome music at our 8th Annual Blues and Brews Festival July 14-15 at Pleasant Hill Park. If for some reason this great event doesn’t fit into your schedule, don’t miss our Mega Mixer on July 27 at the Concord Clarion Hotel. We expect over 300 people in attendance so you are sure to make new contacts to grow your business! Thank you for your continued support and see you around Pleasant Hill.

Steve Van Dorn President & CEO

91 Gregory Lane, Suite 11 • Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 • 925.687.0700

www.pleasanthillchamber.com

As Russ Sees It Keeping it Simple

BY RUSSELL CARROLL

As a man, I can safely say I know a lot about men. I have been one for a long time. I have spent the majority of my life working with, living with, and hanging out with men. It’s simple with men. We get it. There is no need to complicate things or make them harder than they are. Less is more with men. Like Steve Martin in The Jerk, we only need a few things: a great woman to hang out with, food (preferably something from the meat category), drink (preferably something from the beer category), and shelter (preferably something with a pool). That’s it. That’s all we need. Let me offer a couple of examples.

Men can sit in a pub and watch sports talk shows with no volume.

Although we may know what topic is being discussed, thanks to the on-screen titles, we have no idea what is being said. Yet, we will sit there for a couple of hours and stare at the TV like we can read lips. It can get really interesting when we start to debate the point the host is making even though we have no idea what it is. See, we are simple.

Our wives can take the kids and go away for a week and we will dirty the following dishes: one bowl, one spoon, one knife, one fork, one coffee cup, and one regular glass. You see, we can eat our morning cereal out of the same bowl we will eat ice cream from later that evening. We will also use the same spoon for both meals. Yes, ice cream is a meal, just ask any man. We will use the same coffee cup all week while utilizing that same cereal/ice cream spoon

to stir with. Any meal that cannot be consumed from atop a paper towel will get the same plate, knife, fork, and, yes, the same spoon, if one is required. The glass is for milk, water, and beer. Yes, we do rinse between uses. If we get to feeling fancy in your absence, we may crack open a bottle of wine, however, the wine does not require a wine glass. No need to dirty something that only has one purpose. The spouse returns to a nearly perfectly clean kitchen and is happy, at least until she sees the dirty clothes pile.

Oh well, no one’s perfect, but we are simple.

The example that best describes our simplicity is our desire and willingness to catch a foul ball at a baseball game. Men will run over small children, scale the elderly, and dive onto concrete to secure a baseball hit by a batter from the other team we have never heard of. We don’t care. It’s a baseball. I swear you could line us all up along the foul line and have some no-name big leaguer throw the ball into the outfield, and we would race to it like a pack of dogs chasing a tennis ball at the park. We are simple.

Men also have a keen sense of smell.

We smell ourselves to see if we need a shower, our clothes to see if we can wear them again, and the bathroom to see if it needs a little air freshener before leaving. Our sense of smell makes up for our complete color blindness. Colors are our kryptonite. We are simple.

So, ladies, I say we are simple and easy to have around. Just understand our strengths and our weaknesses. Don’t ask us to pick out clothes that match.

And try to keep a baseball around just in case you need our attention. But…that’s just how I see it!

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Parkway Smiles Dental Proctecting Your Smile

What a way to kick off the summer with the victorious win of our very own Golden State Warriors! Many of us get inspired and perhaps motivated to try getting into the sport ourselves or support our youngsters in such activities as basketball, baseball, soccer, and the like. But before we put on our gear, let us not forget the one very important piece that protects our smile, the mouthguard.

Although our teeth are the hardest structure in the body, they are not invincible to trauma. Unlike the nails that grow out every couple of weeks, our teeth do not. The teeth do not have the ability to regenerate or grow a new surface. When the tooth fractures due to trauma, it can be restored by other types of materials such as resin, porcelain or metals, and can be costly. Prevention is still the best option.

There are different types of mouthguards available, the custom-made or the self-molding ones. Whichever type you choose, if your smile is worth protecting, then it’s worth the investment.

Parkway Smiles Dental welcomes new patients. Give us a call at (925) 2298890 to schedule an appointment. We are located a 1029 Arnold Drive, Suite 9, Martinez. www.ParkwaySmilesDental.com

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ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

27

Scoop of History Celebrate our County

The Contra Costa County Historical Society (CCHS) is hosting an ice cream social and open house to celebrate National Ice Cream Day and summertime in Contra Costa County.

Haven’t seen the new exhibit “Justice and Judges” or taken a tour of the county archives? Take advantage of this special opportunity to see how CCCHS preserves delicate records and special collections.

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday, July 15, 10am-3pm at the Contra Costa County History Center, 724 Escobar Street, Martinez. RSVP is not required. Parking is free on Saturdays. $5 suggested donation at the door. For more information, visit www.cocohistory. com.

ABOUT THE EVENT National Ice Cream Day

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by over 90 percent of the nation’s population.

The History of Ice Cream in America The first official account of ice cream in the New World comes from a letter written in 1744 by a guest of Maryland Governor William Bladen. The first advertisement for ice cream in this country appeared in the New York Gazette on May 12, 1777, when confectioner Philip Lenzi announced that ice cream was

available “almost every day.” Records kept by a Chatham Street, New York, merchant show that President George Washington spent approximately $200 for ice cream during the summer of 1790.

Inventory records of Mount Vernon taken after Washington’s death revealed “two pewter ice cream pots.” President Thomas Jefferson was said to have a favorite 18step recipe for an ice cream delicacy that resembled a modern-day Baked Alaska.

In 1813, Dolley Madison served a magnificent strawberry ice cream creation at President Madison’s second inaugural banquet at the White House.

Until 1800, ice cream remained a rare and exotic dessert enjoyed mostly by the elite. Around 1800, insulated ice houses were invented. Manufacturing ice cream soon became an industry in America, pioneered in 1851 by a Baltimore milk dealer named Jacob Fussell. Like other American industries, ice cream production increased because of technological innovations, including steam power, mechanical refrigeration, the homogenizer, electric power and motors, packing machines, and new freezing processes and equipment. In addition, motorized delivery vehicles dramatically changed the industry. Due to ongoing technological advances, today’s total frozen dairy annual production in the United States is more than 1.6 billion gallons.

* History of Ice Cream in America Source: Int’l Dairy Foods Assn.

Martinez Senior Activities 818 Green Street, Martinez 925-370-8770

Thursdays - Bingo. Sales at 12pm and play from 1pm to 4pm. $5 per pack, $30 guaranteed minimum prize for 10 games.

Thursdays – TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 9-10am (8:30 weigh-in). TOPS is an affordable, nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness education organization with thousands of chapters throughout the U.S and Canada. Annual membership is $32 plus $4 monthly dues. First meeting is free. Drop by to visit. For information call (925) 387-5009.

Fridays - Coloring Club 10:30am-12pm. Coloring is good for you. It helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation and brings out creativity. All supplies provided.

Free.

July 9 - Pancake Breakfast 8-11am. This delicious breakfast includes pancakes or toast, sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee. Everyone is welcome. $4 for adults; $2.50 for children 10 and under. Volunteers needed! If you’re interested in helping set up, serving breakfast or cleaning up, please contact the front desk at (925) 370-8770.

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788 June 30 - Clarinet Fusion “Hello Summer!” 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets: $5 pre-sale, $8 day-of.

July 4 - Pancake Breakfast 8-10am. All ages welcome! Enjoy a stack of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and orange juice and coffee. Adults (11+) $5; Children (5-10) $3; 4 & under free!

July 13 - Care Management Program Series 2-3:30pm. “What to Look for When Hiring In-Home Care,” presented by LivHome. Free, call 798-8788 to RSVP, space limited.

July 18 and 20 – Life Management Classes 7/18: “Ducks in a Row” Discuss elements, tools, and planning tips for a long life journey. Learn about legal issues, eating well, exercising to keep healthy, and how to identify an advocate who will be able to convey your wishes and values, 10-11:30am. 7/20: “The Elephant in the Room” Aging comes with lots of changes and fears about what lies ahead.

This workshop creates awareness of important “sensitive” topics that will help alleviate fears of the unknown as well as help start difficult conversations between you and your family, 6-7:30pm. Presented by Eldercare Services at Senior Center, Classroom 2. Each workshop is $6/$5 (Dist. Res.)

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july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Protect Your Identity and Shred It (for Cancer)

BY JEWEL JOHL, MD

We all understand the importance of saving important records like tax returns, bank statements credit card statements, medical records, warranty cards, receipts, service records, etc. But how long do we need to save these records and which need to be shredded?

The Department of Consumer Protection suggests saving every taxrelated document (including relevant receipts and cancelled checks) for seven (7) years after you file the return. Aside from that, opinions differ; here are some reasonable guidelines: • Keep pay stubs and cancelled personal

checks for one (1) year, then shred those that you won’t need for tax, warranty, or insurance purposes.

• Shred all credit card, debit card and ATM receipts after you have checked the transactions against your monthly statements; store those you are saving for tax purposes.

• Shred all statements from your health plan, and anything that bears your signature, credit account number, phone or cell phone number, social security number, or medical or legal information.

• Keep store receipts until you are sure you won’t need to return or exchange the item.

• Keep warranty cards, instructions, and receipts for high-ticket items for as long as you own the item.

SB562 Continued

BY COLLEEN CALLAHAN

Well, it passed out of the Senate and is now in the Assembly. The vote, mostly along party lines included our state senator who voted with the herd.

When I called his office to voice my displeasure the young man handling the telephone could not understand my dismay. Sadly, he believes all care will be free and that one size fits all is the way to go. I wonder if the young staffer has read the text of the bill. I have.

The proponents of SB 562 suggest that we have a high uninsured rate in California. In fact, it is approximately 7 percent, and many of those have made the choice to stay uninsured. There is no method of paying for this bill. The State Senate is not concerned about the loss of jobs expected across a variety of sectors, not only insurance industry professionals. The California Association of Health Underwriters predicts nearly 500,000 jobs will be lost in California.

There has been a great deal of coverage of this issue. In one article, Micah Weinberg, President of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute said,

“the bill exploits widespread confusion about good healthcare policy and how other countries achieve them.

The bill’s proponents lead people to believe that only the United States has a profit-based system and everywhere else has a fully government-run system producing better care at lower cost. In truth, every industrialized country has a hybrid system and all are wrestling with the same challenges – especially healthcare costs.”

While on a trip to Ireland last year, I saw a billboard advertising private health insurance. Today, a man called needing help; he is Canadian and he was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. He does not want to return to Canada for treatment because the wait is too long.

For more information, my professional health insurance association, CAHU.org, has a full description of the bill, or please call or email me. I will be happy to provide talking points about these bills.

Colleen Callahan, CLU, CASL, LUTCF. Colleen Callahan Insurance Services is located in Pleasant Hill. Contact her 925.363.5433 or ccallahan@callahaninsurance.com.

SPONSORED CONTENT

• Keep invoices for any permanent home improvements until you sell your house.

• Store car maintenance records until you sell the car, at which time you should give them to the new owner.

Keep the purchase order and title for as long as you own the vehicle.

• Keep records of the purchase and sale of mutual funds and stocks until you’ve reported the transactions to the IRS, and then keep the records with your other tax-related documents.

• If you have additional questions, consult a qualified tax adviser for more info.

On July 15, 2017 Diablo Valley Oncology will be hosting our annual Document Shredding Fundraiser in the parking lot of our cancer center. Bring old tax returns, bills, business records, bank statements and other documents containing personal information to our event. (Please no x-rays or film.) Make a

charitable donation to Cancer Support Community and all of your documents will be shredded on site by a certified shredding company. 1-3pm, 400 Taylor Blvd, Pleasant Hill. For questions call 925-677-5041

Dr. Johl is a Board Certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cancer Support Community. To learn more about Dr. Johl and Diablo Valley Oncology, visit www.dvohmg.com.

SPONSORED CONTENT

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

2015

401 GREGORY LANE, SUITE 126 PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523 925.676.8485 FAX 925.676.0288 www.drjennifermartin.com

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LAW OFFICES OF

LAUREN SMYKOWSKI

1255 treat blvd. ste 300 walnut creek, ca 94597

www.smykowskilaw.com ourcommunityfocus.com • july 2017

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Business Directory Buck Shot & Any Reason

Local Qualit y You Can Trust!

Pleasant Hill

Fun "LIVE" Music from the 50’s thru 80’s For Any Occasion

COLLISION

Collision Repair & Painting • Frame Straightening Insurance Claims • Glass • Customs

Special Shows for Assisted Living, Convalescent Homes & Hospitals

www.PleasantHillCollision.com • email phcollision@aol.com 925-939-1160 • 1581 Oak Park Boulevard • Pleasant Hill

Contact Buck• 925-787-6149 www.buckshotozoneband.com

budget

HARDWOOD • CARPET • VINYL LAMINATE • TILE & STONE

handyman service

NEED

CUSTOMERS? Central County

HOMES

Pacific Coast Carpet

Specialized in Home & Commercial Repair RELIABLE & AFFORDABLE

1081 Detroit Ave., Concord, CA 94518

For Central Contra Costa Homeowners & House Hunters

If you can walk on it, you’ll find it at Pacific Coast Carpet.

• Contractors License #777628 • EPA Certified Renovator www.budgethandymanservices.com Phone: 925.689.1339 • Mobile: 925.577.3025

Phone: 925.609.2150 www.pacificcoastcarpet.com

Robert Angelsberg

PLEASANT HILL • WALNUT CREEK • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • CONCORD • CLAYTON

For the Home You’ve Always Wanted...Call Us Today

A monthy resource publication of Community Focus and Concord Pioneer & Clayton Pioneer

SAMUELS CONSTRUCTION

Get your business in Central County Homes, a guide for Homeowners and House Hunters.

• Kitchens • Bath Remodeling • Tile • Cultured Marble • Granite • Additions • Windows • Doors • Concrete • Foundations • Driveways • Patios • Fences General Contractor Lic#652185

samcon60@gmail.com • 925.260.4448 313 Gloria Drive, Pleasant Hill

Advertisers

Agent 2000, Derek Knapp Bryce Shumacher, Realtor City of Pleasant Hill Clayton Business & Community Assoc.

Cold Stone Creamery Colleen Callahan Insurance Services Diablo Valley Oncology Diablo View Veterinary Medical Hospital Dudum Real Estate Group Ecomulch

Ellinwood Exterminators El Tapatio Flaskerud - RE/MAX Accord Grocery Outlet Hagin’s Automotive Hammer’s Heating and A/C Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital Hire My Husband Home Detailers Housekeeping Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA Jack’s Restaurant & Bar Jennifer L. Martin D.D.S.

REACH 200,000 CUSTOMERS!

John the Painter Julie McCoy – RE/MAX Accord Law Offices of Daniel L. DuRee Law Office of Jeffrey Hall, Inc. Law Offices of Lauren Smykowski Martinez Auto Body Matt Rinn – State Farm Insurance Maureen Ingalls - RE/MAX Accord Moulding Company Oasis Veterinary Hospital Parkway Smiles Dental Peony Garden

Home Detailers Housekeeping Let the work speak for itself!

Deep Cleaning - Everytime • Dust Door Frames / Baseboards • Clean Fireplace • Complete Dusting Rotate Couch & Chair Cushions • Move Furniture • Hardwood Floors • Vacuum Furniture (Spot) Wash Walls • Oil Wood (Kitchen Cabinets, Baseboards, etc.)

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE - 925-689-9823 30

july 2017 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Pleasant Hill 4th of July Commission Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Pleasant Hill Rec & Park Ruth Bancroft Garden Samuels Construction Senior Helpers Stokley Property Management Services Susan Wood Photography Waters Moving and Storage Wence’s Restaurant WiseGirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails

CLEANING SPECIAL

$50 OFF On First Detailed Cleaning For New Clients Only SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! BONDED

EXPIRES 7/31/17

Make Some Plans july 1

july 9

july 13 & 14

july 23

Legos Creators Camp

Rodgers Ranch Herb Day

Blues and Brews Festival

Antique and Collectibles Barn Sale

This free family event includes activities about herbs and gardening, tours, presentations and vendors.10am - 4pm, Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Rd., Pleasant Hill. www. norcalifornia-herbsociety.org/

Pre-party concert with the Big Jangle, Friday, 6-9pm. Enjoy 25 plus breweries and live music from 12-6pm on Saturday. Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, PH. www.BluesandBrewsFestival.com.

The Walnut Creek Historical Society is cleaning out the barn and the attic. Stop by and check out antiques and collectibles from 9am-2pm at the Shadelands Ranch Museum at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekhistory.info

july 4

july 9 & 23

july 15

Firecracker 5K Fun Run

Sunset by the Lake Concerts

Document Shredding Fundraiser

Registration is open for the Pleasant Hill July 4th Firecracker 5K Run and Walk school fundraiser. Entry fee $35. Register at raceroster. com/events/2017/12380/firecracker-5k.

Free Sunset by the Lake concerts on the Pleasant Hill City Hall lawn. Concerts take place every other Sunday through Sept. 3, from 6-8pm. July 9 features The Bell Brothers; July 23 is Aju Vu. Arrive early to grab a good spot.

Benefits the Cancer Support Community. Bring old tax returns, business records, and other sensitive documents to a certified shredding company to be shred on-site. (No x-rays, films or cds), 1-3pm, 400 Taylor Blvd, Pleasant Hill, (925) 677-5041.

july 11, 18 & 25

july 15

july 24 - july 28

Tuesday Night Blues

Ice Cream Social

Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8pm at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. See the line up at www.ci.concord.ca.us.

The CoCo Historical Society is hosting an ice cream social and open house to celebrate National Ice Cream Day. Stop by for a scoop and a tour of the county archives! $5 suggested donation. 10am – 3pm, 724 Escobar St., Martinez. www.cocohistory.com.

Hillcrest Church Kidz Camp

Kids ages 5-11 can drop into the weekly meet-up of creative builders. Make anything with the huge collection of bricks while advanced builders can invent and program their own robots with Lego Mindstorm EV3 kits.

2-3pm at the Pleasant Hill Library.

M-F, 7/24-7/28, from 9am-2pm. “All God’s Children” will explore Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity. Visits to a synagogue, mosque, and ashram are planned. $75 per camper; “camperships” available. Call Hillcrest Church, (925) 689-8260, or visit hillcrestucc.org. 404 Gregory Lane, PH

july 6

july 13

july 19

july 27

Wine at the Plaza Summer Concerts

Free Advance Health Care Directives Prepared

Like Magic?

Dynomite Thursdays

The Society of American Magicians Assembly #112 meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7pm, at Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1919 Wendell Lane, Pleasant Hill. Open to all!

Contact Mark at (510) 701-7207.

Free family fun at Susana Park at Susana and Estudillo Streets in Martinez. Magic of Bill performs at 2pm.

Free live music, 1st Thursdays through Sept., Downtown Pleasant Hill. Come listen to the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Fleetwood Mask, 6:30-8:30pm, in the Plaza Courtyard.

Beer and wine available for purchase at the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce booth.

Contra Costa Senior Legal Services will prepare an AHCD for any senior, 60 or older, residing in Contra Costa County. Call Concord Sr. Center, (925) 671-3320, for your appointment.

july 8

july 13

july 20

july 27

Annual Fishing Derby

Downtown Martinez Concert

29th Annual Music and Market Series

Business Mega Mixer

Kids ages 5-12 are invited to participate from 10am-12pm. Bring your fishing rod.

Bait is supplied. Pre-register by July 6 at www.cityofmartinez.org or call (925) 3723510.

Come to downtown Martinez for six weeks of summer music, arts & crafts, movies & more!

Every Thursday from 6-8pm through August 17, at the 600 block of Main Street, Martinez.

The California Cowboys will be performing from 6:30-8pm at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord as part of the Thursday night Farmers’ Market and Music Series. Enjoy fresh food and line dancing. View schedule at www.cityofconcord.org.

Join the Concord Chamber for the annual mega mixer with Lafayette, Moraga, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Orinda, Hispanic, and Walnut Creek Chambers. 5-7pm at Clarion Hotel, 1050 Burnett Ave, Concord. www.concordchamber.com.

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