July 2018 by Community Focus

COMMUNITY

FOCUS

JULY 2018 Reaching Over 50,000 Homes & Businesses

ourcommunityfocus.com

IN THIS ISSUE: • 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES • COMMUNITY RALLIES TO SUPPORT OSIEL • BLUES AND BREWS FESTIVAL

PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK

independent & locally owned

PUBLISHERS: Becky Coburn Jennifer Neys Elena Hutslar info@ourcommunityfocus.com ADVERTISING: Community Focus info@ourcommunityfocus.com COPY EDITOR: Alison Clary GRAPHIC DESIGN: Trish Heaney

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

MISSION STATEMENT The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening and building connections within our community.

COVER:

Plastic Straw Campaign

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Eye in the Sky

Spin on DIY

15 Scholarship News

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21 Pecan Pie Bars

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One of the many participants in a prior Pleasant Hill Fourth of July parade. PHOTO BY: Trish Heaney

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Life Changes

The Unexpected Loss of Don Flaskerud BY NORMA FLASKERUD As most of you probably read last month, my partner in life and work, Don Flaskerud, died suddenly of a heart attack on May 22. It’s been a shock and horrible loss for all of our family. He was our leader in every sense of the word. He was taken far too early. After much thought and heart searching, our son Erik and I have chosen to continue the family business of real estate. Don loved it, as do Erik and I. Serving people who need help selling or buying their homes has been our business for over 30 years, and it will continue to be. We chose to open our own Re/Max office 5 1/2 years ago and continue to have Re/Max Today, centrally located

in Pleasant Hill. Don is with us in every step we take and every client we work with, and his excellence in service and expertise continues to be exercised in all we do. His memorial service was standing room only. The sympathy cards continue to arrive daily. The notes from people who admired him in every way continue to warm our hearts. Just know he is with us as our journey continues on. Please call us for your real estate needs. Work is a comfort to us; so don’t be shy about asking for help! We are here for you. The Flaskerud Team continues! Please reach out to the Flaskerud Team for all your real estate questions and needs! We are here for you! 925338-2980 DonandNorma@gmail.com or NormaFlaskerud@Remax.net Re/Max Today 367 Civic Drive St., Pleasant Hill SPONSORED CONTENT

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Meet Andrew Nolan, who lives in Pleasant Hill with his wife and two kids, John and Rory. He has worked at College Park High School for 19 years as an English teacher. “I started here in 1999 and was 23 years old, so I was way closer to the ages of the kids than I was to the parents.” Why did you become a teacher? When I got out of college, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I started substitute teaching and really liked it. Fun facts about Andrew: 1. My favorite childhood food was macaroni and cheese in the blue box. My kids eat it now, and I eat whatever is left over. 2. I went to UC Davis and ended up being a history major with an English minor. 3. My favorite part of college was working on the daily school newspaper for two and a half years. 4. My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. My son’s middle name is Atticus, which is based on a character in the book. The book influenced me enough that I wanted to make sure it had some part in my family legacy.

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Frequent Flier Miles Do the Miles Expire When You Do? BY JEFFREY HALL, Elder Law Attorney Accumulated frequent flier miles can be valuable assets, but what happens to those miles after someone dies? Can a spouse or other heirs inherit them, or do the miles simply evaporate like a contrail? The answer to whether they can be inherited depends on the airline, but consumer experts say that even if the airline’s official policy is “no,” with a little perseverance the answer could be “yes.” What you often find is that the formal policy, as found in their terms and conditions, says that frequent flier miles cannot be given away through wills or trusts, but when you call the customer service center you find out that yes, in fact they will allow that. For example, JetBlue’s official policy seems unambiguous and airtight: “14. Miscellaneous Provisions. 14.1 Points are non-transferable and may not be combined among TrueBlue Members, their estates, successors and assigns. Accrued Points and Award Travel do not constitute property of Member and are non-transferable (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise.” However, when I called JetBlue

Customer Services Center, I was told that a beneficiary could inherit by supplying a death certificate and proof of beneficiary status. Go figure. United Airlines is more succinct: “Accrued mileage and certificates do not constitute property of the member and are not transferable other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United.” The general rule is that it never hurts to ask. I have found that airlines employees have shown themselves to be endearingly human when faced with a customer’s grief. If you know your deceased spouse’s or other relative’s frequent flier number and password, what’s to stop you from simply using the miles? That’s certainly possible, although misrepresenting yourself would violate mileage program rules. Moreover, you could easily have miles left over that are not sufficient for a ticket unless transferred to another account. You could also run into problems if you use a different credit card than the one linked to the deceased’s frequent flier’s account or have a different address or last name. I make it a point not to recommend that my readers break program operators’ rules, even if they are rules I disagree with. So I will leave you with a question: Is it worth the risk of being discovered and

losing the miles to avoid the hassle and, possibly, the expense of going through authorized channels? Your spouse or heir will probably have a better argument with the airline if you specify in your last will and testament or trust who should inherit your miles or points. And, if you’re in the unfortunate situation of knowing you’ll soon die,

either use the heck out of those miles or start transferring them now. Talk to your neighborhood elder law attorney, Jeﬀrey Hall, about preparing an estate plan that addresses these issues of “soft-assets” and “intangibles.” You may visit his website at www.HallLawGroup.com or call (925) 2309002. SPONSORED CONTENT

Mayor for a Day

The Pleasant Hill City Council works hard to promote public participation at all ages. We run mock city council meetings for various grade school classes, teaching them the civility of public debate. Some years ago we initiated a Mayor for the Day program to provide an elementary school student the opportunity to run a city council meeting. Our most recent Mayor for the Day was Jenna Balistreri, an 8 year-old second grader at Sequoia Elementary, who delighted the council and city staff with her shy approach to leadership and her excellent reading skills. I think Jenna is also a budding artist—she left me a drawing of the two of us and her pet bunny sharing the mayoral experience.

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Ribbons for the Red, White and Blue

BY REBECCA SEIDENSPINNER The Fourth of July holiday is one of my favorites, and I love to display the American flag all year long. When I see the American flag flying, it makes me think of how lucky I am to live in a country where I am free (and free to do all my favorite crafts). Last year

I painted a large American flag out of a pallet that I proudly display in my garden. This year, I decided to take a new spin on an American flag wreath by creating a bohemian flag out of ribbons, lace and a piece of a fabric scrap. I assembled it to a piece of driftwood that we had collected on one of our beach adventures. This easy DIY project is both simple and patriotic. Here are details on how you can make this festive flag:

1. Gather your supplies. You will need a stick or a dowel and tons of ribbons and lace in red and white colors. And a piece of blue fabric (even a blue bandana would work). 2. Tie the red and white ribbons to the stick. You can make it as long or as short as you would like it to be. The more ribbons the better as you don’t want it to look sparse. 3. Take the piece of blue fabric and make two small slits in the top with scissors and attach it to the stick with blue ribbon. This part will represent the blue portion of the flag. You could even attach 50 white buttons to represent the fifty states. I don’t have the time, patience, or sewing skills to do this, so my flag is just a blue piece of scrap material. 4. Attach a long piece of twine or ribbon and tie it on both ends so it will hang easily from a nail or hook.

I picture this whimsical ribbon flag flying in the wind and representing freedom, family, and the Fourth of July. Three cheers for the red, white and blue! Do you have a DIY project that you are interested in but aren’t sure where to begin? Need some advice or suggestions? I am happy to help. You can email me anytime at mamaspinner@hotmail.com. I would LOVE to hear about your projects. This summer, I am teaching a DIY class for kids through a Pleasant Hill Parks and Recreation camp. I am so excited to share my knowledge of crafts and all things DIY to kids at summer camp. Stay tuned this summer as I also take on refinishing a China hutch that has been in my husband’s family for years. I am going to give it a farmhouse facelift. I hope it passes with my father-in-law’s approval. He is a tough critic. Sending you all creative energy to complete your projects this summer. Happy Fourth of July!

Fourth of July farm girl Delilah Grace Ottobre with her prize chicken named Fire.

THANKS TO OUR CUSTOMERS FOR VOTING US #1!

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CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message June and July are red, white, and blue months for me. Mid-term elections, Flag Day, and Independence Day have me proudly displaying the American flag and draping patriotic bunting on the front porch. While most people share this patriotic spirit on the 4th of July, less remember that June 14 is Flag Day (and National Bourbon Day). Sadly, this patriotic spirit was not evident in our voter turnout statistics in the most recent election, and I am feeling mostly blue. Statewide, the voter turnout for the June 6 election was an anemic 33%. Two thirds of registered voters did not vote. I expect the level of participation is even lower when you factor in those eligible but too apathetic to even register to vote. Pleasant Hill showed some patriotic pluck with a 42% voter turnout. I acknowledge and thank those who took

the time and fulfilled their civic duty and voted, but where were the rest of you? I fear our polarized political climate and our divisive leaders are causing more of us to check out. Our behavioral norms have been pushed way off center. We need to push back to the center. Voting is the first step. If you have any ideas on how to improve voter participation, let me know. This year, the council voted to create the first ever Citizen’s Academy. The inaugural class starts this fall. Twenty Pleasant Hill residents or business owners who have an interest in how local government functions will attend five Thursday evening sessions and one bus tour of the city on a Saturday morning. Participants will learn about the various roles and responsibilities of each city department; city council decision making and the legislative process at the local

Public Meetings City Council July 16 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:00pm. Contact: 671-5229 Architectural Review July 19 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 5:00pm. Contact: 671-5209 Planning Commission July 10, 24 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Education Commission July 25 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 7pm. Contact: 671-5229

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Tim Flaherty, Mayor of Pleasant Hill

level; opportunities to volunteer with city commissions and committees; and the how the budget process works. This first session of Citizen’s Academy will be held beginning September 20 and ending October 18. Here is the schedule, and I hope it works for you: • Thursdays September 20 & 27, 6-8:30pm; October 4, 6-7:15pm; October 11 & 18, 6-8:30pm. • Tour of the city on Saturday, October 13, from 9-11am The deadline to register is August 31. Space is obviously limited, so sign up quickly online at www.pleasanthillca.org/ academy. For more information or questions, please call Danielle Habr at (925) 671-5221 or email dhabr@pleasanthilca. org. FOURTH OF JULY My post election blues will be washed away by the pomp of the city’s Fourth of July festivities (which I will sadly miss this year while I am out of town officiating a wedding). Nothing encapsulates the small town feel of Pleasant Hill better. The day begins with an early morning 5K run, followed by our cherished parade.

The theme this year is “Pleasant Hill - A Community United.” The 2018 parade grand marshal is Ryan Joseph, a College Park High School student that suffered a severe spinal cord injury. There was a wonderful community response to assisting Ryan and his family after his wrestling injury, which fits so well with this year’s theme. Get out early and save your space for prime parade viewing. After the parade, the celebration continues with a festival in Pleasant Hill Park, where you will find food, face painting, sack races, a giant slide, and more and can enjoy listening to The Indecision Band on stage. Buttons Z Clown will be back as will the watermelon-eating contest. A special highlight this year will be country music artist singer songwriter Allie Sealey singing the National Anthem. You might want to nap a bit and rest up for the fireworks that night at College Park. More food fun and music precedes the pyrotechnics. Visit www.phjuly4.com for full details on the day’s events and how to participate. I hope you all have a safe and sane celebration this year.

Chamber Calendar July 3 - Chamber Wine & Beer Booth at the Market (The Indecision Band performing at 6pm), 4:30-8pm, Trelany Rd, PH. July 6 - Ambassador Meeting 8:30-9:30am, City Hall Community Room, 100 Gregory Ln., PH. July 12 - Contra Costa Country Club – Chamber Business Mixer 5-7pm, 801 Golf Club Rd., PH July 19 - PH Chamber Board Meeting, 8-10am, City Hall Community Room, 100 Gregory Ln., PH. July 20 & 21 - 9th Annual Blues & Brews Festival, Friday 6-9pm and Saturday, 3-9pm, PH Park, 147 Gregory Ln., PH. July 25 – Multi Chamber MEGA MIXER 5-7pm, Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. July 30 – Government Aﬀairs Committee, 4:30-5:30pm, Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggins Dr., PH 680 Business Networking - 2nd & 4th Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8-9am, JFK University, 100 Ellinwoood Way, PH OFF THE GRID Food Trucks - Wednesdays, 5-9pm, Trelany Road, PH Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays, 4:30-8pm, Trelany Road, PH

CITY NEWS

Pleasant Hill City News Get Pedaling! Summer Bike Challenge Underway Free and open to everyone, the Summer Bike Challenge is fun, healthy, no-cost summer recreation. Bike to Pinewood Park, Pleasant Oaks Park, Gregory Gardens Elementary, City Hall, and other destinations, now through August. On July 13, 1-3pm, head to Downtown Crescent Drive for free Coco Swirl. On July 18, head to the library from 1-3pm for a free Jamba Juice gift card! You can pick up your card at the following locations: Pleasant Hill City Hall, Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Hill Community Center, Pleasant Hill Teen Center, Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park, Pleasant Hill Senior Center, Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA, and Coco Swirl in Downtown PH. Activate your Summer Bike Challenge Card by going to 511cc.org/ go. Each participant will receive one entry in the random iPad grand prize drawing at the end of the Summer Bike Challenge, on September 4.

Happening at the Library Students going into 5th or 6th grade can register for a free four-day acting workshop at the library this summer. On July 16-19, from 1-2pm, students can learn Shakespeare through lively action activities as taught at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. Space is limited, so sign up at http://ccclib.evanced.info/signup/ EventDetails. Pleasant Hill Middle School drama teacher Susan Kaar will teach the workshop.

Town Hall Meeting If you missed the June 12 Library Town Hall meeting at the Community Center, photos are available on PH City’s Facebook page. There was a review of the project along with public input on the preliminary design plans for the new library. Community members listened to a presentation and had an opportunity to ask questions and view some photos and preliminary design plans of the building. The design team has also published the “Library Building Program Document,” available to read online by going to www.pleasanthillca.org/libraryprogram. The document outlines the vision for the new library and details the proposed “Spaces & Places” that will make up the building. For more information about the library project, email mnelis@pleasanthillca.org.

Blues & Brews Festival The 9th Blues & Brews Festival is coming to Pleasant Hill Park on July 20-21. Rally your family and friends together to enjoy a line-up of some incredible local musicians and tasty craft brews! Friday night is a pre-party concert, 6 - 9pm, and features two live bands, Midnight Flyer and The Big Jangle. Also making its return on Friday night is the home brew contest and tasting. Saturday is the bigger live music festival that kicks off at 3pm. If you like craft beer, brew tasting tickets for Friday’s home brew tasting and Saturday’s craft brew tasting are now available for online purchase. For more information and tickets, go to www.bluesandbrewsfestival.com or call (925) 682-0896. This event is co-sponsored by Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District and the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Diablo Valley Relay for Life in Pleasant Hill When: July 28-29 Where: Pleasant Hill Middle School Time: 9am to 9am www.relayforlife.org Relay for Life is organized locally and benefits the American Cancer Society in its fight against cancer. This 24-hour event involves teams of participants who have pledged to continue walking around the track at PH Middle School in an effort to raise funds and awareness to save lives around the world from cancer. For more information or to sign up, go to Relay for Life Pleasant Hill. OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | JULY 2018 | 7

CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message Summer is my favorite time of the year. Kids are out of school and families are taking vacations. A few weeks ago, I had the honor of addressing the graduating class at Alhambra High School. The energy is always high and families are proud to see their children cross this major milestone in their lives. My message to the graduates was one of congratulations on their hard work and to remember to give back to those who gave so much to help them achieve this great accomplishment. On May 31, I had another honor of throwing out the first pitch at the season

home opener of the Martinez Clippers at the newly rebuilt Joe DiMaggio Fields at Waterfront Part. Over 500 people attended the first game, and everyone seemed to be enjoying this inexpensive family event. The team is still fine-tuning their community outreach, sponsorships, and overall fan experience. The city is waiting for PG&E to hook up power to the fields (everything is running on generators for now), and the new scoreboard and stadium seating should arrive shortly. You might remember that the city invested an additional $400,000 to make Field 3 a professional sized field, with

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Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

extra amenities such as a scoreboard, seating, safety netting, grass infield, and pitcher’s mound. That investment cost will be largely offset by grants and donations from local businesses and industries. One such grant for $100,000 has already been secured pending details of the agreement being finalized. The Fourth of July is almost here, and in Martinez, that means a parade down Main Street and fireworks at Waterfront Park. This is a wonderful hometown event, with all kind of community group entries. I am excited to again ride in the beautifully restored Jolt’n Joe with my fellow city council members. In addition, walking alongside the Jolt’n Joe will be the Martinez Clippers baseball team. In mid-August, the Jolt’n Joe will be competing in the Tahoe Yacht Club’s Concours d’Elegance wooden boat show, held on the west side of Lake Tahoe. The Jolt’n Joe has competed in this event and was honored with several awards. The Jolt’n Joe is not only an amazingly restored piece of art, but the history surrounding the vessel makes it even more special to those of us in Martinez as well as the entire wooden boat community. For more information on the show, go to https://laketahoeconcours.com/. Last month, the Martinez Veterans Commission, in conjunction with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, dedicated a new monu-

ment at the All Veterans Park, at the split of Alhambra Avenue and Berrilessa Street. This black granite monument honors the memory and sacrifice of 37 Martinez and Pacheco residents that laid down their lives for their country and community since World War I. We have all passed by this park, probably many times each day. Next time you pass, think about stopping and reflecting on what these monuments mean. Paving projects are happening all over the city this summer, with the most visible being the improvements on Brown and Green Streets. Handicap ramps are being installed on every corner, and soon the streets will be fully dugout and paved with smooth new asphalt. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to two men that recently passed away. Both cared deeply about Martinez and gave years of public service to the improvement and success of the community. John Sparacino spent many years on the Martinez City Council and was the first directly elected mayor. He was a businessman and continued to service the community until his death. Bill Wainwright came from a pioneer Martinez family who served on the Martinez City Council for four years. Bill and I frequently disagreed on issues, but we had respect for each other and our points of view. Both John and Bill will be missed.

Public Meetings

City Council Meeting July 4, 18 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 6-9pm. Contact: 372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting July 4, 18 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Design Review Meeting July 11, 25 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Planning Commission Meeting July 10, 24 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

CITY NEWS

4th of July Parade You’re invited to the 11th annual 4th of July hometown parade in downtown Martinez. Over 3,000 people gather to watch the parade, with groups, businesses, and individuals encouraged to participate and prizes awarded in several categories. The Kids Decorated Bike Parade will occur again this year. The kids will meet at the beginning of the parade and participate as a group, and all kids entered will receive an award. Come with a decorated bike or meet at the designated location to decorate your bikes prior to the parade. No parade application needed. Awards will be announced immediately following the parade at the judges reviewing platform. Come early for the Roxx on Main pancake breakfast and the flag raising ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Then watch the parade starting at 8am. Schedule of Events: 8 -10am: Pancake breakfast sponsored by Roxx on Main, 627 Main Street. 9 - 9:15am: Flag raising ceremony at Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street. 10am: Hometown parade on Main Street. Parade begins at Court and Main Street and ends at Alhambra Avenue. 9:30pm: Fireworks display at Martinez Waterfront. Fireworks begin around 9:30pm and last approximately 25 minutes. Find your favorite spot along the hills or come on down to the Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park for the best viewing.

DeNova Development Approved On June 6, the Martinez City Council approved development documents associated with DeNova Homes’ proposal to put 92 homes on the former Pine Meadow Golf Course. The move denied an appeal and approved the vesting tentative map to subdivide 26.77 acres in 98 lots for a 92-unit residential development for the Vine Hill/Center Avenue Residential Project. The development has been contentious for years, with the Friends of Pine Meadow arguing that the open space designation for Pine Meadow has been in place since 1973. Owner Christine Dean, whose father built the small golf course on the property, said at the meeting, “It is so important to me what goes on this land, and we have never tried to do disservice to the public by what we’ve presented. We went out of our way to pick the right developer in planning and everything that we can do, and for the last seven years we have been held hostage by a small group of people. Yes, we would have liked to have done different things with the property, but I’m asking the council to listen to the people and please vote responsibly and legally tonight.” Although many community members are concerned about the project, the acreage being taken over by homes, and Martinez open space issues in general, Mayor Schroder offered, “I think it’s time that we stop all this fighting over open space and cooperate on an open space, and I’m talking about Alhambra Highlands. The city has been negotiating with the owner of that property for a few years now and we’re making slow progress, and it’s a real possibility that this will happen but there’s no money right now.” Mayor Schroder added that the city is spending excessive amounts of money in legal fees over Pine Meadow. “But if we keep fighting over this parcel, we’re just spending all these legal fees that we could use to help acquire Alhambra Highlands.” Mayor Schroder suggested that there is hope in acquiring funding from interested parties, including East Bay Parks for the purchase of Alhambra Highlands. Dana Tsubota, executive VP of DeNova and general council, stated that in addition to developers fees paid to the city over this project, the school district would profit from the development: “This development would accommodate approximately $950,000 in school funding, rough numbers based on square footages that are estimated.” She went on to say that the school district has produced a letter stating it will be able to accommodate additional kids who may attend the local schools.

2018 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, 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.

Annual Fishing Derby On Saturday, July 7, from 10am-noon, kids ages 5-12 are invited to participate in the free annual fishing derby at the Martinez Marina. Bring your fishing rod and we will supply the bait! Everyone who participates receives a prize. A parent or guardian must accompany all children to sign photo/liability release. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, July 5 to participate. To register, go to www.cityofmartinez.org or contact Martinez Recreation at (925) 372-3510 for information. Space is limited to 40 children. No fishing license is required.

Clippers News The Martinez Clippers had their opening day on May 31 at the newly rebuilt Joe DiMaggio Field at Waterfront Park. The Clippers are a new expansion team in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. You can purchase tickets, view the schedule, and read game recaps and news on their website: http://www.mtzclippers.com/ or Facebook page. The primary parking and access for Clippers’ patrons this season will be in the North Parking Lot, located off Tarantino Drive.

Cooling Centers The Martinez Senior Center at 818 Green Street and Martinez Library at 740 Court Street are both used as “cooling centers” during extreme heat situations. The hours of operation for Martinez Senior Center: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am - 4:30pm, and Friday, 8:30am - 4 pm. Martinez Library: Monday, 12 – 8pm; Tuesday, 10am – 8pm; Wednesday and Friday, 12 – 5pm, and Saturday, 10am – 5pm.

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CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message In 2010, I decided to run for council specifically on the financial situation of the City of Walnut Creek. I knew then, just as I know now, that this community needed leadership with a firm grasp on financial management and a track record of success with long-term financial planning. Someone who understands the value of your and the community’s money and treats every dollar as if it were their own. Since being elected on this platform, I am proud to have been this type of leader -- fighting for common sense solutions to counter the everexpanding desire to spend. Unlike the federal government, the City of Walnut Creek is required, by law, to pass a balanced budget. As such, the city council, by a 4 to 1 margin, voted to move

forward with the 2018-20 budget in May. For the first time since the downturn in 2008, the city council was faced with the requirement to cut - the total necessary for this budget cycle was $2.2 million. To bridge the gap, the council majority chose to do the following: 1) Reduce the annual contribution to the city’s capital budget program totaling $500K per year. 2) Remove $1.7 million by focusing on staffing and departmental expense reductions. While the direction provided by the council majority - and with the expected approval at the council meeting on June 16 - has met the city’s obligation of a balanced budget, it is clear there is much more work to be completed. A look at

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the city’s long-term financial forecast continues to reinforce the notion, as it has for the last six years, that the city needs to determine what programs the city will continue to directly provide in the longterm or develop a mechanism to raise revenue (a fancy way of saying raise your taxes). I hope that this budget will be the turning point. I hope that we, as a council, and the community can finally come together and compromise on a solution that will work for the entire council. It is incumbent on us to identify solutions that are financially prudent and ensure the stability of the community services the city provides. The city manager sure believes this can happen and hopes to start a process

in the fall or winter that reviews all city services and ask the council to set a longterm direction. While I hold out hope for his objective - and believe we can have a better outcome than the same process we went through in 2012, when nothing changed - I hope all of us, councilmembers and community alike, can enter into this process with an open mind and a willingness to compromise for the betterment of our community. We have some hard work ahead of us, and I look forward to digging in. I strongly encourage residents to stay involved on this subject by attending upcoming city council meetings or reviewing our budget material by searching for “Budget” on the city’s website (www. walnut-creek.org).

Public Meetings

City Council Meeting July 10 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 6pm. Contact: 943-5819 Design Review Meeting July 18 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 Planning Commission Meeting July 12, 26 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 For Confirmation Visit: www.walnut-creek.org

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CITY NEWS

Walnut Creek City News

Drive. The new courts will be lit with an energy efficient, LED lighting system. Similar to the existing tennis courts, the new lighting fixtures will be equipped with glare control feature to reduce impacts on adjacent properties.

On June 14, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on a conditional use permit, filed by Garrett Newland of Macerich Northwestern Inc. on behalf of Life Time Athletic, to establish a 73,162 square-foot health club at 1315 Broadway Plaza. The site is north of Stanford’s restaurant and south of Zara’s retail store. The 50-foot-tall building includes a basement level and an activated roof deck. The facility would provide fitness activities generally found in health clubs, including cardiovascular and weight training, a basketball gymnasium, cycling and yoga studios, a salon, childcare services, rooftop lap pool, rooftop recreational pool, rooftop cafe, ground floor spa, and ground floor restaurant (with outdoor seating). The ground floor spa and restaurant uses would be open to non-members of the facility, while access to all other activities and amenities would require membership. The commissioners were generally in support of the project, and Vice Chair Bob Pickett said, “I think this is an appropriate use of the property and consistent with the vision for Broadway Plaza; it will activate Broadway Plaza and bring a different kind of use in there, and I think that’s good for it and a long-term benefit to the community.” Commissioner Eric Harrison added, “A health club at the mall is unique, but I don’t think its uniqueness necessarily means significant impact. Those off peak parking from the standpoint of operating in the morning, where they have a majority of clientele coming in between 4am and 10am, is counter to the operations of the mall.” Although parking and traffic impacts are the chief concerns of the public, the Planning Commission felt the project will provide an overall positive benefit to Broadway Plaza and provides a good compliment to the parking and use of the area overall. Chair Cindy Darling concluded by saying, “Looking at the project, I think it fits well within Broadway Plaza. It is that round peg in the round hole, and that’s our job. It’s not our job to pick economic winners or losers; we want to make sure that we are following the rules that we put forth when we approved the original Broadway Plaza expansion, and I believe this fits within those rules.” With a vote of 6-0, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a health club use, as required by the Broadway Plaza Planned Development Zoning District.

Summer Reading in Full Swing

Future Health Club at Broadway Plaza

HFP Pickleball-Tennis Court Additions At the June 19 city council meeting, council awarded contract 18-09, Heather Farm Park Pickleball-Tennis Court Additions Project, to Saviano Co. Inc. The Heather Farm Park (HFP) Pickleball-Tennis Court Additions project is included in the city’s 20162018 capital budget. The ten existing tennis courts at Heather Farm Park are regularly full, and there is a demand for more courts. In addition, demand for pickleball courts has increased substantially in recent years. With the limited space available, the project will add two new pickleball courts and one teaching tennis court within the existing HFP tennis center on Heather

This year’s Summer Reading Program at the library continues through August 4. The theme is “Reading Takes You Everywhere,” and readers of all ages can visit ccclib.org/summer for activities and challenges to feed the imagination and explore new skills. Visit any of the 26 Contra Costa County library locations to get a reading record or visit www.ccclib.org for more information on reading suggestions, prizes, and fun challenges.

July Music and Movies Under the Stars Bring your family and enjoy free music and movies in Walnut Creek parks! Bring a picnic or enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants prior to the movie. Movies begin at sunset, and live music begins approximately 1.5 hours prior to sunset. Coco is showing on Friday, July 13, at Tice Valley Park. Music begins at 7pm, with the movie at 8:30pm. On Friday, August 17, is Moana at Civic Park. Music begins at 6:30pm, with the movie at 8pm. Please do not bring pets. For further information, call (925) 943-5858 or visit WalnutCreekRec.org.

Summer Sounds Continues Summer Sounds on the Lesher Center Plaza continues in July, from 5:30pm7:00pm, with Tumbledown House on July 12 and T Sisters on July 26. This is the popular Summer Sounds concert series’ third season of free concerts. Beer, wine and snacks available for sale. communityfocus-ecomulch-ad-2014-8.pdf

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OSIEL COMMUNITY RALLIES FOR

In October 2016, at just 21 years old, Osiel Mendoza was diagnosed with ALS. Osiel is a Martinez native. He graduated from Alhambra High School in 2013 and the University of Oregon in 2017. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressively weakens one’s muscles. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous MLB player that battled with the illness. Osiel and Bella ALS is considered to be very rare in the United States. It is even more rare for a 21 year old to be diagnosed with ALS; the average age at the time of diagnosis is 55. There is currently no cure for ALS. Throughout his childhood, Osiel was involved in numerous community activities, particularly sports, including Martinez Youth Baseball and Softball Association, Heritage Soccer Association, and PHMSA AYSO. Osiel played on the varsity soccer team at Alhambra all four years and was captain of the team his senior year. Osiel was diagnosed with ALS at the beginning of his senior year at the University of Oregon, and just a few days after proposed to his childhood sweetheart, Bella, whom he met at Martinez Junior High School. The couple married in September 2017. Bella trains dogs for a living and has been training their golden retriever, Hendricks, to help Osiel. Osiel’s condition is progressing, and he is now confined to a wheelchair. Since his diagnosis, he has devoted himself to raising awareness for ALS and ALS research.

“How I look at it is that if I dread everything and I’m so down about everything, I’m not going to have a happy life for the time that I have remaining. But if I make the most out of every single day, make the most of the moments I have with friends and family and try to make a positive impact on other people’s lives, then one day, when I do go, people will remember who I am and, hopefully, that will have an impact on their life. This disease is scary and unpredictable, but I always hope for the best.” ~ Osiel Mendoza 12 | JULY 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

The Martinez community has gone to great lengths to support Osiel and Bella. Last year, a benefit soccer match was held in Osiel’s honor at Hidden Lakes Park. There will be another one this year on Saturday, July 28, at the Alhambra High School soccer field, from 11am2pm. There will be a celebration walk hosted on Saturday, July 21, at Mt. Wanda. The event is from 9:15am to 12:30pm and includes a walk up Mt. Wanda, music, and food. 100% of money raised at this event will go directly to Osiel and Bella in order to help them cover their rent. Please see flyer on the next page for pledge details. The goal is to raise enough money for one year’s rent. The message of the event is: “There may not be a cure, but there is a community that cares. Friends matter. From our home to theirs, let’s keep the lights burning bright! Be a part of the love! Why? Because on the walk of life there are many hardships along the way, and we have an opportunity to make life a little easier for Osiel’s journey.” Please consider attending these events in order to show your support for Osiel and raise awareness for ALS. * Information provided by Mark and Jeannie Eitelgeorge and Monica Higgins

ALS FACTS

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Although the life expectancy of a person with ALS averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, this disease is variable, and many people can live with the disease for five years and more. More than half of all people with ALS live more than three years after diagnosis. Once ALS starts, it almost always progresses, eventually taking away the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe and shortening the life span. How fast and in what order this occurs is very different from person to person. While the average survival time is 3 years, about twenty percent of people with ALS live five years, 10 percent will survive ten years, and five percent will live 20 years or more. Progression is not always a straight line in an individual either. It is not uncommon to have periods lasting weeks to months where there is very little or no loss of function. There are even very rare examples in which there is significant improvement and recovery of lost function. These ALS “arrests” and “reversals” are, unfortunately, usually transient. Less than 1% of patients with ALS will have significant improvement in function lasting 12 months or more. Approximately 6,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The incidence of ALS is two per 100,000 people, and it is estimated there are more than 20,000 Americans living with ALS at any given time. ALS occurs throughout the world, with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries, and it can affect anyone.

for his courage and fundraising efforts for ALS Awareness and Research

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Time:

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Saturday Morning, July 21 Mount Wanda, Martinez

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Meet at the Park & Ride at the bottom of Mt. Wanda.

Military veterans are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS. The onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or stiffness as early symptoms. Progression of weakness, wasting and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing and later breathing generally follows.

There may not be a cure for ALS, but there is a community that cares. From our home to the Mendoza’s , let’s keep the lights burning bright! Be a part of the love! Why? Because on the walk of life there are many hardships along the way and we have an opportunity to make life a little easier for Osiel’s journey.

WALK THE TALK—SHOW YOUR SUPPORT—

MarkRHughes@sbcglobal.net

GOAL = $25,000

There can be significant costs for medical care, equipment and home health caregiving later in the disease. It is important to be knowledgeable about your health plan coverage and other programs for which you may be eligible, including Social Security Disability, Medicare, Mediciad and Veteran Affairs benefits. Last Revised June 2016 from the ALS website.

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Plastic Straw Campaign Central Contra Costa’s Last Straw Participants

The use of plastic straws, along with other single-use plastics, has a detrimental effect on our planet. Making their way into our oceans, our soil, and the stomachs and noses of our wildlife, plastics are generating an unhealthy environment for us and our future generations to inhabit. Fortunately, countless businesses are taking steps towards protecting the health of our communities! Zachary’s Pleasant Hill, for instance, a 2017 Business of the Year award recipient, has been a role model during Crestwood Healing Center’s Central Contra Costa’s Last Plastic Straw campaign. In addition to now only providing straws upon request, they have switched out their plastic straws for compostable ones. Kevin Suto, president and CFO of Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, Inc., explains: “We’re participating because we want to do what we can to reduce waste and continue to be environmentally-conscious. Reducing the number of straws used by issuing upon request and using straws made from compostable material is another step we can take to do our part. Every little bit helps.” Zachary’s is not alone. After hearing a biologist explain the dangerous consequences of plastics ending up in our oceans, Dante Biale, son of Rocco’s Ristorante Pizzeria owner Rocco Biale,

knew that providing straws only upon request was a great addition to their already established practices of recycling, composting, and providing biodegradable to-go containers: “I don’t feel like it’s very hard to forego plastic. The less plastic, the less trash, the less damage. You have to start somewhere, and there’s no reason not to provide straws only upon request.” Other Central Contra Costa’s Last Plastic Straw participants, including Sorrento’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza in Walnut Creek and Giant Chef Burger in Pleasant Hill, only provide straws upon request and are making the switch to compostable straws as well. Thanks to these community leaders, there’s hope for a healthier future. We would also like to recognize the efforts of just some of the many other businesses in Central Contra Costa that made the commitment to going plastic straw free before our campaign began: The Rising Loafer (Lafayette); American Kitchen (Lafayette); Paxti’s Pizza (Lafayette); Metro Lafayette (Lafayette); and Dragon’s Spring (Pleasant Hill). If you are a business interested in joining our campaign, please contact Crestwood Healing Center’s Sustainability Coordinator Chloe De Lancie. Email her at cdelancie@cbhi.net or call 925-938-8050 ext. 14346.

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Rocco Biale and his son Dante Biale, from Rocco’s Ristorante Pizzeria, proudly display their Last Plastic Straw poster.

Interested in getting involved in the Last Plastic Straw movement as a consumer? We urge you to speak up and say no to plastic straws (and other single-use plastics), support businesses such as the ones listed above, and encourage new businesses to join us! You can also support the campaign by sign-

ing our petition (https://www.ipetitions. com/petition/make-ccc-straw-free/) and following our Central Contra Costa’s Last Plastic Straw Facebook page. Looking for more resources on how to help? Visit https://thelastplasticstraw.org/volunteer/individual.

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Avalanche took 1st place at the Davis World Cup over Memorial Day weekend. These girls won all six games over the 3-day weekend, only giving up one goal for the entire tournament. Three of our girls won awards for good sportsmanship. Our girls continue to shine on and off the field. Pleasant Hill should be proud!

Alhambra Scholarships

At a recent dessert reception at Alhambra High School in Martinez, the GFWC Martinez Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, a community service organization and member of the California Federation of Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clubs, presented their 2018 high school scholarships to (pictured L to R): Lizet Magana, Nicole Nelson, Hannah Ruvalcaba, Tia McClenahan, Jordan Davis, Kendall Hernandez, and Jessica Aung. In June, the club members held their annual baby shower, benefitting the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center layette program. Their table setting luncheon in October benefits their scholarship program. Members meet the first Tuesday of every month. For more information, please call (925) 372-6047.

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AAUW PresentsshipScholarships to Local Girls At our Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW ability. This year’s recipients of Pleasant Our branch is proud to award these (American Association of University Women) June brunch, scholarship awards were presented to local high school seniors and middle school girls. College scholarships were awarded to five local high school students, and we are sending five local middle school students to our AAUW Tech Trek camp. 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 leader-

PHCF Awards The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation presented its annual Community Grant Awards at the Celebrate Your Community event on May 3. The proceeds from the annual fund appeal provided funding for the awards, which include: • Adult Day Services Network for gait belts and instructional materials on safely moving people. • Contra Costa Humane Society for their new Innovation & Impact Initiative. • Choice in Aging for a home-like reading room for participants. • College Park High School Grad Night Boosters to support Grad Night for a safe, fun graduation celebration for seniors. • Diablo Theatre Company for costumes for Lion King Jr. • 4th of July Commission • Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library for a 3-D scanner for use in STEAM programs. • Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District’s Senior Center to support a performance of the Vagabond Players at the Center. • Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District for a Special Recreation Halloween Dance.

Hill-Martinez $1,000 AAUW Scholarships are Isabelle Ariana and Kianie Ramirez from College Park High School, and Lizet Magana, Hayley Ward, and Julia Quontamatteo from Alhambra High School. Isabelle is going to UC Irvine with a major in kinesiology/exercise science and Kianie is headed to Tufts University to major in anthropology. Lizet will attend UC Irvine and study criminology. Hayley is off to Southern Missouri State University, majoring in pre-med, and Julia will attend University of Nevada, Reno, with a major in nursing.

• Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District for the Tinkers and Thinkers Brushbots Project. • Project 2nd Chance for the Wilson Reading System Material Upgrade for adults with dyslexia. • STARS 2000 for microphones. • White Pony Express for food pantry access for Pleasant Hill families. Community Grant Awards Chair Betty Geishirt Cantrell stated, “We had a fantastic evening celebrating and supporting the work of these community-based organizations that greatly impact our Pleasant Hill residents. We were also able to present our Cornerstone Award to David Durant for his annual contributions to the foundation. He and other donors provided the funding for these invaluable projects.” To find out more about the many projects, grants and scholarships we have given out for more than 30 years, visit our website: www.PHCommunityFoundation.org. If you are interested in joining our board of directors, please email us for an application at info@PHCommunityFoundation.org.

young women our 2018 scholarships. Our branch strongly supports the local scholarship fund in many ways. Two of the fundraisers were A Salute to Spring and our Silent Coffee Klatch. Tech Trek Science and Math camp for girls, a program of AAUW California, was started 20 years ago and aims to encourage girls who will be entering eighth grade in the fall to consider careers in science, math, engineering, or technology. It features hands-on activities in math, science, and related fields. All sleeping, eating, instructional, and recreational facilities are located

on a university campus where camps are held. The following girls from our local Pleasant Hill and Martinez schools include Kenzie Kirshen, Andrea Maldonado-Rojas, and Molly Skinner from Martinez Junior High, Annika Nelson from Sequoia Middle School, and Victoria Umana from Valley View Middle School. Our Tech Trek program is supported and funded by our members and local organizations. We have received grants from Shell Oil and the Martinez Kiwanis Club as well as fundraising from A Salute to Spring, Bowling Blast, and Painting with a Twist.

Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW Local Scholarship recipients (LtoR): Hayley Ward, Lizet Magana, Kianie Ramirez and Isabelle Ariana. Not pictured: Julia Quontamatteo.

Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW Tech Trek girls (LtoR): Victoria Umana, Annika Nelson, Kenzie Kirshen, Molly Skinner, and Andrea Maldonado-Rojas and Diane Coventry (AAUW Tech Trek chairperson).

John Scott Awarded

John Scott Senz of Concord High School received a $2,000 First National Bank (FNB) of Northern California Scholarship Award at the 15th Annual 49ers Cal-Hi Sports Report Awards Banquet held on Monday, May 21, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium.

Pictured (LtoR) Cal-Hi Sports Report hosts Aubrie Tolliver and Robert Braunstein John Scott Senz and FNB of Northern California Executive Vice President Tony Clifford. OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | JULY 2018 | 17

SCHOOL NEWS

Graduation 2018

College Park Commencement at the Concord Pavillion JOSEPH G. ALVAREZ PRINCIPAL, COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL We just celebrated our 57th commencement, and while some aspects of the event did not go as planned, we were able to salute and celebrate more than 500 students graduating from College Park High School. I think the event was a classic example of the unexpected happening, no matter how well you plan or how hard you work. I was gratified to see our Falcon families and their extended families. I saw lots of grandparents, siblings, and family friends joining us on our special evening, and that made it even more memorable – for the right reasons. In my remarks to our graduates, coincidentally, I spoke about the new

experiences and frequent changes in direction or interests our students will experience as they progress through high school. A student may start high school envisioning him or herself as a star choir or band performer, stellar athlete, or with ambitions to take as many advanced placement courses as possible. For some students, these dreams carried them through to graduation and came true. For others, there were turns along the way that changed their ideas and dreams, and it’s that flexibility and adaptability that we celebrated on the stage with them. I’m proud of all our students for working hard on their visions for high school and the future, creating their path, and a willingness, if not an eagerness, to see the “new” open door. What’s next for our Class of 2018? Most of our graduates are going onto post-secondary education, 80% to

be exact, and the other 20% have plans to jump right into the workforce, enter military service, or take a “gap year” to see what unfolds and what new ideas they may create for themselves. I encourage all our graduates to have a plan but also to understand, accept, and anticipate a very important constant: change. I am so proud of our graduates. Not because they went through school with few errors or mistakes, but because they were perfect at being themselves and truly growing into their next selves. As our administrative team, teachers, and I plan for the next year, we will continue to take CPHS on a journey of learning and establish a culture of reflection that cultivates an inquiry-based approach to learning (and a willingness to make mistakes) to ensure students are learning relevant 21st century skills. Our school is not defined by the

mission statement on our walls but by the individuals who are on a mission. I am extremely fortunate to lead a staff that wants to make College Park the best it can be. The Pleasant Hill community never ceases to amaze me with their level of engagement in our school community and wanting to be a part of what makes CPHS great. As we welcome in our freshman class, I am excited to imagine what their next four years of high school will be like and take on the challenge of creating an environment in which they’ll have outstanding experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. I look forward to creating the same positive experiences for our (amazing) volunteers, community members, and neighbors who support and are an important part of our Falcon family. Best wishes for a wonderful summer. Falcon up!

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Estate Planning

Top Five Estate Planning Oversights 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 for a complimentary consultation about your particular situation and to discuss how these and other issues pertain to you. SPONSORED CONTENT

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Tim Fitzgerald US Cryotherapy, I am so excited to share with you this week's #TinaTuesday (well truth be told, I'm excited to share them with you every week). This week I had the great pleasure to sit down with Tim Fitzgerald, owner of US Cryotherapy in Walnut Creek. If you have never heard of Cryotherapy, you are in for a real treat. First, let me tell you a little about Tim. Tim opened US Cryotherapy, Walnut Creek (which is a franchise), in December 2017. He said it was for selfish reasons, because he had a herniated L4 and L5, which was becoming very...

Rob O’Reilly StatMed Urgent Care For this week's #TinaTuesday I had the privilege of speaking with Rob O'Reilly, COO at Stat Med Urgent Care. I was actually a patient at Stat Med last week due to a knee injury, so I thought this would be a great Chamber member to highlight for this week's #TinaTuesday. Stat Med was started by Dr. Armando Samaniego, MD, MBA in December of 2013 with it's first location in Lafayette in a shared office with a Radiologist (so convenient, right?). Dr. "Sam" wanted a place where people could get quality care quickly and efficiently. In June...

Dr. Louisa Asseo Oasis Veterinary Hospital For this week's #TinaTuesday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Louisa Asseo, Owner of Oasis Veterinary Hospital located across from the Virginia Hills Shopping Center. First off, let me tell you a little about Dr. Asseo (Louisa). As a child, her love for animals and a passion for science made the decision to pursue a career in Veterinary medicine a “no brainer”. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in General Biology from UCLA, and then received her DVM degree from UC Davis in 2002. Louisa has practiced in Contra Costa...

To read the the full #TinaTuesday blog posts visit https://www.pleasanthillchamber.com/blog/tinatuesday-3580

Ice Cream Social

July is National Ice Cream Month The Contra Costa County Historical Society is hosting an Ice cream social and open house to celebrate National Ice Cream Day and summertime in Contra Costa County. What better way to celebrate summertime in CoCo County than with a summertime favorite such as Ice cream! From Richmond in the west, to Brentwood & Oakley in the east, to San Ramon in the south, the big beautiful county we reside in is a great place to enjoy summertime activities. Haven’t seen the current exhibit or taken a tour of the county archives? Take advantage of this special opportunity to see how CCCHS preserves delicate records and special collections. Let’s celebrate our county history together over a scoop! WHAT: Ice Cream Social WHEN: Saturday, July 21, 12pm to 2pm WHERE: Contra Costa County History Center, 724 Escobar Street, Martinez DETAILS: RSVP is not required. Parking is free on Saturdays. $5 suggested donation at the door. For more information, visit www.cocohistory.com 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 18-step 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

Fit4Mom Launches in August FIT4MOM is dedicated to the Strength In Motherhood™ and will provide classes and support for moms in every stage of motherhood. Through FIT4BABY’s prenatal fitness classes, Stroller Strides, Body Back, and Our Village, women will have the opportunity for a great workout and peer support that works with Mom’s schedule. FIT4Mom builds communities for moms and their children alike. For more information about Fit4Mom Diablo Valley and to receive pre-launch class schedules contact Roxanne Brushaber at Fit4MomDV@gmail.com.

dairy annual production in the United States is more than 1.6 billion gallons. 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. * History of Ice Cream in America Source: Int’l Dairy Foods Assn.

A History Note: Eye in the Sky BY MARGIE NEWTON, CONTRA COSTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Before there were traffic cams and cell phones, a Cessna would take off, twice daily, from Buchanan Field, piloted by Warren Boggess, and fly over the roadways of the Bay Area. Warren could be heard on radio station KSFO reporting on traffic slowdowns and accidents he saw occurring below. For over 19 years, until 1985, his often humorous reports were broadcast. On occasion, his place was taken by wife Betty or one of his three children, all licensed pilots. One morning flight was cut short when fuel system problems forced Boggess to land in a muddy field near Danville. His plane landed upside down, but the pilot escaped with only a scratch on his forehead. His injury didn’t keep him from chairing the Concord City Council meeting that night or resuming his flights the next morning. Warren Boggess was born in Sunnyside, Washington, and came to California to attend Stanford, from which he graduated in 1941, with a degree in public administration. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, trained as a bomber pilot, and flew 45 combat missions in the South Pacific before he was discharged with the rank of captain. In 1942, he also married Piedmont resident Betty Morrison. They moved to Concord in 1946, where they started Pacific States Aviation, a flying school, and plane rental service. They borrowed a down payment of $700 for the first plane and began business in a tarpaper shack. In 1964, Boggess was elected to the city council and became mayor of Concord in 1969. During his time as councilman, the city developed seven

city parks. In 1970, he was elected to the County Board of Supervisors. He remained on the board for the next eight years, serving as chairman in 1975. Having been a veteran combat pilot, owner of a successful business, city councilman and mayor, county supervisor and board chairman, as well as radio traffic reporter, Warren took up a new career in 1985, doing TV commercials for companies such as Ford, Chevrolet, and KFC. At age 71, Warren Boggess died of a heart attack. The man who had played a major role in the development of Contra Costa County was suddenly gone. His imprint can be seen in the parks in Concord, the planning for incorporation of the Cities of San Ramon and Orinda and in Buchanan Field. Lasting memorials to a Contra Costa County hero. A History Note is presented by the Contra Costa County Historical Society’s History Center, 724 Escobar St., Martinez. Open hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 9-4, and third Saturdays, 10-2. Check out the website at www. cocohistory.com. OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | JULY 2018 | 21

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PAIR UP

Umami Tsunami One of the Five Flavors BY MARIA TERRY There are five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami (read: savory). One of the reasons I like pairing wines with recipes that have umami flavored ingredients is because their savory flavors balance sour flavors found in the wine. Mushrooms, meats, and nuts are all great examples of foods that are dominated by the umami flavor, and they all go quite nicely with wine. One of my most memorable pairings was fresh mushrooms dipped in ranch dressing paired with a refreshing Chenin Blanc. I wanted to start this menu off with a spin on that pairing. I found the recipe for Marinated Mushrooms and felt I had hit the jackpot. On its own, this recipe is

beautifully balanced. It has sour vinegar, sweet brown sugar, savory garlic and mushrooms, as well as bitter and spicy black pepper. Furthermore, the mushrooms are light, won’t ruin your appetite, and have virtually no calories. As a pairing, the savory mushroom and herbs enhance the fruity quality of the Chenin Blanc. As the main course, Bacon-Wrapped Venison Tenderloin comes with directions for roasting indoors. However, if you enjoy outdoor cooking during the summer, it can easily be completed on the grill. Even the Garlic Cream Sauce can be whipped up in a pan over the coals. Venison is a game meat with intense umami flavor. Game is defined as the meat of any animal that is hunted as food instead of raised on a farm. It is generally higher in protein and lower in fat yet higher in the healthy omega-3 fats. It has a full and rich deep flavor that is finer in texture than beef. Pair it with a full-bodied Syrah. The meaty, umami flavor in the meat will complement the meaty flavor in the Syrah. Recipe

Marinated Mushrooms

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INGREDIENTS 1 cup red wine 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced 1 pound small fresh mushrooms, washed and trimmed 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper DIRECTIONS In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the wine, vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic, bell pepper, red pepper flakes, and mushrooms. Bring to a boil, cover, and set aside to cool. Once cooled, stir in the green onions, oregano, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled or room temperature. Yield: 1 pound of mushrooms

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can be found at www.LaSommelierre. com. Banyuls is one of my favorite dessert wines made in the south of France. It is made primarily from Grenache grapes. The method for making Banyuls is called “mutage.” Alcohol is added to the fermentation process when there is still a fair amount of sugar left. The alcohol kills the yeast and stops the fermentation. The resulting wine is sweet and slightly less alcoholic than Port (about 16% vs. 20%). The nutty, fig-like flavor goes well with desserts that include nuts. These Salted Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are perfect for eating out of hand, sitting outside on a warm summer’s eve while sipping a lightly chilled Banyuls. So, go on. Pair Up!

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

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars INGREDIENTS Crust 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup confectioners sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch Pinch salt, optional and to taste 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks Filling 8 ounces roasted salted pecans, halves or pieces okay; about 2 cups (I used Trader Joe’s roasted salted halves) 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) 1 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/3 cup whipping cream or heavy cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside. Crust In a food processor, combine all dry crust ingredients and pulse a few times to evenly combine. With the processor running, drop cold butter chunks through shoot until evenly distributed and pea-

sized lumps and sandy bits form. Turn mixture out into prepared pan and pack down firmly with a spatula or hands to create an even, uniform, flat crust layer. Filling Evenly sprinkle crust with the pecans. Evenly sprinkle pecans with the chocolate chips; set pan aside. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, whipping cream, and heat on high power for 1 minute to melt. Remove bowl from microwave and whisk until mixture is smooth. Return bowl to microwave and heat for 1 minute on high power. Remove bowl from micro and whisk until mixture is smooth. Whisk in the vanilla and salt. Slowly and evenly pour the caramel sauce over the chocolate chips and pecans. Place pan on a cookie sheet and bake for about 30 to 32 minutes, or until caramel is bubbling vigorously around edges. Allow bars to cool in pan on a wire rack for at least 3 hours or overnight (cover with a piece of foil and/or put the pan inside large Ziploc) before slicing and serving. Yield: 9-12 Servings

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IN THE MIX

In the Mix

Pleasant Hill’s Blues and Brews Festival BY PAUL COTRUVO Summer is in full swing, the kids are out of school, temperatures are rising, and the 9th annual Blues and Brews Festival, held in Pleasant Hill Park, will be rockin’ on the weekend of July 20 and 21. Who knew that this festival, created over a few drinks at Magoo’s in Pleasant Hill with details written on a cocktail napkin, would have turned into one of the area’s most anticipated. This is one of my favorite events because you can choose to participate in the beer tasting or just bring a blanket and chair and listen to great music for free. Or both! The festivities begin at 6pm on Friday, July 20. Two bands kick off the weekend along with a homebrew contest. The popular Eagles tribute band Midnight Flyer will kick things off, with The Big Jangle finishing the night. The next day, and something new this year, the blues fest music will begin at 4pm! No more sweatin’ in the sun. This year’s lineup: The Spencer James Band, Delta Wires, Frankie G. & the Conviction, and, closing out the evening, Zydeco Flames. As you can see, I’m a little excited. To set the mood for the weekend, I decided to ask a few members of the Pleasant Hill Rec and Park and The Chamber of Commerce, “If you were a blues song, what song would you be and why?”

Rec and Park Board member Andrew Pierce: “I think mine would be ‘Paying the Cost to Be the Boss,’ by B.B. King. I think the song title is a good metaphor for the challenges of being a dad to three boys ages 8, 5, and 3.” Recreation Superintendent Nicole Watson: “I’ve been listening to a lot of Charlie Musselwhite’s music lately and even got to see him perform live at the Fillmore in SF earlier this year. Musselwhite is a legendary bluesman and a killer harmonica player who recently collaborated with one of my favorite musicians, Ben Harper. Their album No Mercy in This Land has been played in heavy rotation in my house (and car) for the last few months. I think if I were a blues song, I’d be ‘Love and Trust’ from that album. The song is about the importance we put on love and trust, even though they are sometimes not easy to obtain. Personally, I value love and trust a great deal, and in these times I wish the world had more of both.” Special Events Coordinator Sheila Cotruvo: “I’m a lover of music, all types. I can’t sing a note. I’m in awe of singers and their talents. I haven’t listened to much blues music but was introduced to my favorite blues song, ‘Stormy Monday,’ by T Bone Walker. My dear friend from my 20s, Tari Smith LaCourt, passed a few years back. I must have heard her sing that song 500 times during our friendship. She brought the house down with that song

Paul’s Picks

at so many venues in the Bay Area and beyond!” Pleasant Hill Rec & Park Board Member Zac Shess: “My blues song is ‘Riviera Paradise,’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Through unmistakable guitar playing, that song speaks volumes without a lyric. It’s a classic blues song though in the sense that it tells you how you’re feeling or want to feel.” Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Van Dorn: “’Pride and Joy,’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Reason is ‘I love my baby, like the finest wine!’” Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and Marketing Manager for Stay Pleasant Hill Michael Moore: “ It’s a trick question -

so depends on my mood. ‘Nobody loves you when you’re down and out’ (Blues the State of Mind) or ‘Jambalaya on the Bayou’ (Happy Blues) or just anything AC/DC.” Blues legend Frankie G.: “If I were a blues song, I’d be honored to be a song by Muddy Waters. A one-chord, greasy slide tune. Expressing the sadness that comes to an Italian man when one prepares Italian food badly. And expresses what a delicious world it would be when the pasta is cooked to perfection.” So hope to see everyone out there supporting this great event and live music! Quote of the Month: “Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you…” B.B. King

July 7: Hot Roux, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8pm July 7: Cut Loose, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm July 8: Two of Us, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm July 8: East Bay Mudd, Summer by the Lake, PH City Hall, Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd., 6pm July 11: The Bell Brothers, Zachary’s Pizza, 140 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, 6:30pm July 13: Dr. D, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm July 19: A$$hat, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 7pm July 20: Midnight Flyer/Big Jangle, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, 6pm July 21: 9th Annual Blues & Brews, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, 4pm July 22:Top Shelf-Summer by the Lake, PH City Hall, Gregory Ln & Cleaveland Rd., 6pm July 25: Me (Paul Cotruvo), Zachary’s Pizza, 140 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, 6:30pm July 29: Sunday Paper, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista Martinez, 4pm OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | JULY 2018 | 25

Those Pesky Fleas and Ticks Many Choices for Parasite Control

BY DR. LOUISA ASSEO I grew up in a time when we didn’t have many options for flea and tick control for our pets. Today, we are fortunate to have many options to control these pesky and dangerous pests. I remember powdery flea collars (which tended to provide shelter to the fleas more than kill them), flea “bombs,” and flea and tick shampoos and dips. What we tried to ignore was how these products could be toxic to our pets and not just their parasites. In the early 1990s, an insect growth regulator called Program (lufenuron) emerged on the market and revolutionized flea control by offering an oral product that was safe for our pets. As a “birth control” for fleas, it was a way to control flea populations.

Just a few years later, the market exploded with topical products such as Advantage (imidacloprid) and Frontline (fipronil). These products were so effective that flea infestations became much less common. What a fabulous improvement this was! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not get involved in safety and efficacy of these products, which can be used in home-based as well as agriculture pest control. These products definitely work, but perhaps they work too well as they can affect all insects and not just fleas and ticks. In 2015, a study proved that sublethal doses of fipronil could alter honeybee behavior and decrease their fertility. These products can also harm grasshoppers, butterflies, moths, and earthworms. They can get into our fresh waters and oceans, affecting the native invertebrate species. Fish that feed on these invertebrates are then ingesting and concentrating these pesticides in

their tissues. As this continues up the food chain, who knows what effects we can see in generations to come. We improved again. Revolution (selamectin) came out in the early 2000s. This is a topical product for both dogs and cats, but the medication is absorbed into the blood stream and thus does not have negative environmental issues. In 2013, the isoxazoline type drugs hit the market in products such as Nexgard (afoxolaner) and Bravecto (flurolaner). These are oral chews for dogs that protect against fleas and ticks. Bravecto even has a topical version for cats. These products really work! All of these products are approved by the FDA and proven to be both safe and effective. Revolution and the isoxazline products are not perfect either, but they truly are safer than our other options. Discussing these products with your veterinarian will help you decide if this is the right method of flea and tick control for your pets. No system is perfect. We need to protect our pets against parasites. We need to protect our environment from unwanted pesticides and their long reaching impacts. We have truly come a long way, and innovation will continue to provide newer and safer products in the future. We need to make an educated decision about

parasite control. In doing so, we can help our dogs, cats, honeybees, butterflies, and fish live happy and healthy lives. Dr. Louisa Asseo, owner of Oasis Veterinary Hospital, can be reached at (925) 954 – 8087, 6635 Alhambra Ave, Suite 100, Martinez, or visit oasisveterinaryhospital. com.

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IN THE GARDEN

O’Henry Oh My!

Peaches, the Finest of Stone Fruits BY LESLEY STILES Stone fruit season begins in summertime in California, especially visible on heavenly scented, bowing tables seen at local farmers’ markets. As ever more imaginative varieties of beloved juicy globes show up each year,

Peach Tart INGREDIENTS From Cooking for Mr. Latte by Amanda Hesser 1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ¾ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar ½ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons milk ½ teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter 5 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted and thickly sliced, about 6 slices per peach DIRECTIONS FOR TART Preheat oven to 425*F. In an 8-inch square pan, stir together 1 and ½ cups flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, milk, and almond extract. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture and mix gently with a fork, just enough to dampen; do not over work it. Then, use your hands to pat out the dough so it covers the bottom of the pan, pushing it to the sides to a height of about ¾ of an inch. It should be an 1/8 of an inch thick all around. Trim and discard extra dough. In a bowl, combine ¾ of a cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, and the butter. Using your fingers, pinch the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly and mixture is the size of tiny pebbles. Arrange the peaches in rows over the pastry; they should fit snugly. Sprinkle the pebble butter mixture over top. It will seem like a lot. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until shiny, thick bubbles begin enveloping the fruit and the crust is nut brown. Cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, preferably with thick dollops of whipped cream. Makes one 8-inch tart to serve six, with a little left over for breakfast.

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due to scientifically creative minds going for the gold, we must make hard choices. A lengthy, sometimes heated debate about which peach among the over 2,000 varieties grown in California is best vibrantly continues and always will. Cling or free stone? Big question, with lots of ramifications, especially if you are making jam or canning as cling takes more effort to eliminate the pit. There are many purists who will attest to cling. If you remember the taste of canned peaches from childhood, that is most probably an O’Henry cling peach. Iconic in flavor and texture and owning real piece of antique fruit history, there is no peach that has the flavor and juice equal to an honest to God O’Henry. Free stone peaches are great for eating out of hand and tossing into salads, don’t get me wrong, I love them all. But they aint O’Henry. An O’Henry peach is massive, bearing a beautiful sunset orange skin with shades of bright red tickling and blushing here and there upon her surface. Owing to thin skin with very little fuzz gives one permission to abandon peeling this peach, regardless of your grandma’s standards or what the creation is going to be. Once cooked, it won’t matter. Inside this Amazonian maiden, turmeric bright yellow flesh glistens while awaiting human tasting to commence. This peach is downright delicious, with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and honey emanating all at once. Did I mention the amount of juice it possesses? Surprisingly enough, they are not readily available pretty much anywhere except farmers’ markets. They do pack and ship well, which is usually an indicator of largescale distribution, but as aforementioned, that pit may have something to do with it. Just as seeded grapes pack immensely more flavor and floral nuance, so does the O’Henry with its large stone. Extra work with such varieties of fruits and vegetables is always worth the payoff. O’Henry is especially good for grilling. Toss pitted halves in olive oil and salt and place on a hot grill, flesh side down. Serve grilled slices atop arugula tossed in

lemon oil with sliced prosciutto. Pies, tarts, cakes, and crisps wait all season for their beloved O’Henry to lusciously wrap with their silken pastry and beckon their friend vanilla ice cream to join the bacchanalia. Definitely avoid fruit folly at all costs, and remember to pull away from O’Henry to sample other varieties of stones out there, especially those white nectarines. As amazing as a great peach pie is on that 4th of July BBQ table, the iconic watermelon does, for a day anyway, surpass, at least on an emotional level, that pie and causes even the non-lovers of the watery treat to claim it as a favorite. Cucurbit in origin, watermelons represent all that is good in summertime USA. Over the years, seeds in a watermelon have become almost obsolete, but fear not, as is the case with most of the amazing produce we are privileged to consume, seeded watermelons still exist at farmers’ markets. Yellow, pink, red, or green fleshed, watermelons have, as their name denotes, lots of fluid in their flesh, slacking summer thirsts as well as a glass of fresh, clean ice water. Twisting and winding its way through gardens and fields, this bodacious scrambling vine produces huge, juicy fruits, seeded or

not. Evidence of cultivation along the Nile Valley dates back to the second millennium BC. It is purported that seeds from the mighty melon were discovered in the tomb of Tut. Watermelon Salad As essential as sunlight at a Fourth of July BBQ, watermelons are perfectly formed for hacking into, leaning over slabs as juice drips along cheeks and chins. Just as amazing cubed with feta, basil and sticky balsamic, tossed with just a touch of cracked salt to be worthy of the beast, this is a salad worth making. Local hills are absolutely teeming with amazing wild life as well as summer time flora and fauna. A shady trail on a sun dappled morning is a treat that we are daily blessed to have in our back yard. Take a walk on a dirt trail and feel the bliss seep into your body and mind, setting you up for another summer day in the Diablo Valley. Happy 4th of July, people! Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustainable caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at lesleystiles@comcast.net, www.lesleystiles.blogspot.com and visit her new website: www.lesleystilesfoods.com.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | JULY 2018 | 27

SENIORS

Giving Hunger a Voice Innovative Three Month Program

BY CARLY FINKLE, Advocacy Manager at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano As graduation season winds down, we’d like to honor the grads of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano’s Speaker Series. This advocacy-training program for community members with have lived with experiences of hunger is designed to lift up the voices of real people facing hunger issues so they can become agents for change in their community. The Food Bank‘s inaugural Speaker Series kicked off in 2017 with the food pantry Faith Food Fridays and Toastmasters International. This year, the Food Bank and Toastmasters co-hosted the Speaker Series with the financial services nonprofit SparkPoint Contra Costa in Bay Point. The 3-month program consists of weekly workshops on public speaking, advocacy, and civic engagement. The

participants come together to share their stories of hunger and build a community of hunger fighters. Patricia Romero-Aguasvivas, a graduate from the first Speaker Series class, returned as a facilitator. “I decided to come back because after participating in last year’s series I had a real feeling of empowerment,” she said. “I felt confident in talking about something that is so personal to me…and advocating towards ending hunger.” In May, graduates from both Speaker Series put their advocacy skills to work at the state capitol on Hunger Action Day. Participants met face-to-face with their state elected officials, shared their personal stories of hunger, and called for the passage of public policies that support food access and economic security. Community members and elected officials attending June’s release of the Food Bank’s Hunger Study results

(foodbankccs.org/hungerstudy) also heard from some of the graduates of the Speaker Series as they described what it’s really like to be food insecure. “It’s more powerful for an elected official to hear directly from those who are personally affected by hunger and poverty,” said Mary Ann Buggs, advocacy & community engagement coordinator at the Food Bank. “It puts a face on the is-

sues. That’s what these graduates are able to accomplish.” Jesse Alvarez, a senior and disabled veteran who was one of 14 graduates from this year’s class, wants to see the program continue to grow. “It helped me to be confident in myself, fine tune my speaking skills, and become a positive influence in all aspects of life,” he said. “I am a proud advocate against hunger.”

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities July 6 – CHP presents Age Well, Drive Smart 1pm. Information on tuning up your driving skills, safety devices that can be used in most cars, and what DMV’s requirements are for senior drivers and much more. Free but reserve your space. Call 798-8788. July 12 – CMP Series presents If I Drink that Much Water, I’ll Have to go the Bathroom 2pm. RSVP (925) 798-8788. Presented and sponsored by Carlton Senior Living. July 17, 24 & 31 - Alzheimer’s Series 1pm. A special Alzheimer’s education series on Tuesdays. July 17: Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters; July 24: The Basics of Memory Loss, Dementia I& Alzheimer’s Disease; July 31: Effective Communication Strategies. Preregister by calling 925-798-8788. Free for all ages. 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788

Martinez Senior Activities

Thursdays – Bingo 1pm. Open for sales at 12pm. $5 per pack. $30 guaranteed minimum prize for 10 regular games. Plus 3 warm up and half time. Special games (prize dependent upon sales). Wednesdays – Alzheimer’s Respite Program. Martinez Respite group is for those with mild to moderate dementia. Activities include exercise, crafts, games and projects to maintain social skills. Call to register. $15 per day includes lunch. July 24 – Martinez Book Club 6-7pm. The Martinez Library Book Club is free and meets the 4th Tuesday of every month. July’s selection is Tortilla Flat, by John Steinbeck. Copies of the book will be available for check out at the informaton desk. If you have any questions you can call 925-646-9900. Pancakes brekfasts are on hold until September. 818 Green Street, Martinez 925-370-8770

28 | JULY 2018 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Read My Mind

City of Concord

BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD Not getting enough sleep? Can’t fall asleep and stay asleep? Well, you’re in good company! Two thirds of adults do not get enough sleep. To understand the power of sleep and the consequences of sleep deprivation, turn to Matthew Walker’s book Why We Sleep. Walker, a colleague of mine on the UC Berkeley faculty, is a world-renowned expert in neuroscience and the director of the UCB Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab. His book is the most comprehensive I’ve ever read on the subject of sleep. Reading it will be an eye-opening experience! (Pardon the pun.) In easy to understand lingo, Walker explains why we need to sleep and its many benefits. He also discusses the consequences of not getting enough sleep. You’ll learn about the effects of caffeine and alcohol on the sleep cycle (not good). You’ll learn how sleep differs in newborns, teens, adults, and senior citizens. But regardless of your age, Walker recommends at least 7–8 hours of sleep a night. If you saw an advertisement for an amazing breakthrough that is “a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer, enhances your memory, makes you more creative and more attractive, keeps you slim and lowers food cravings, and protects you from cancer, dementia, colds, flu, heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes,” you’d buy it, right? Not only does an adequate night’s sleep do all of these, it also makes you “feel happier, less depressed, and less anxious.” And, it’s absolutely free! Using his own research and that of colleagues, Walker explains the sleep cycle and why sleep deprivation can shorten your life. As a diet aid, adequate sleep reduces your craving for food because sufficient sleep produces leptin and ghrelin, two hormones that tell

BY SUPERVISOR KAREN MITCHOFF, It gives me such pleasure to join in celebrating the City of Concord’s 150th Anniversary -- their sesquicentennial celebration! It has been an honor to represent Concord residents for the past eight years. In addition to holding this office, I was chief of staff to both Supervisors Sunne Wright McPeak and Mark DeSaulnier, working with them to represent the City of Concord and its residents at the county level. During redistricting, I fought to keep the City of Concord in District 4 and not split among multiple districts. This large community of 128,000 people prioritizes a close-knit sense of community that participates in so many family-friendly events, including concerts in the park, farmers’ markets, concerts at the Concord Pavilion, Off the Grid food truck events, and many more activities. This community supports long established, small, family-owned businesses as well as new developments such as The Veranda. Concord has done its part in providing not just for the people of Concord but also for the entire county. In 2014, the mayor of Concord at the time, Tim Grayson, and the Concord Police Department helped to establish the Central County Family Justice Center. This is a public private partnership with an executive board that includes a representative from the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and Concord Police Chief Guy Swanger. On March 19, 2015, the Central County location opened its doors here, in Salvio Pacheco Square, where my office is located. The Central County Family Justice Center follows a regional model with a West County location, and an East County location is currently in the works. Their mission is to bring together our community to support the healing of family violence survivors and to integrate capable partners with a comprehensive service approach to renew individuals and our community from trauma of family violence. Another example of Concord partnering with the county to best serve residents

The Power of Sleep and Dreams

your brain you are full. Without an adequate supply of these substances, the craving center of your brain demands more food. Furthermore, deep sleep helps you dream. Dreams are amazing events that Walker considers “overnight therapy.” Like time, dreams “heal all wounds.” Deep REM sleep dreaming accomplishes two critical goals: sleeping to remember the details of your day, and “sleeping to forget or dissolve painful emotional changes wrapped around these memories.” In fact, studies have shown that “lucid dreamers can control when and what they dream while they are dreaming.” Powerful stuff! Man’s natural sleep habits centered on sunlight and darkness. Before electricity and other modern inventions, it was too dark at night to do anything, so we slept. Today, with electric lights, television, iPads, and iPhones, we tend to burn the midnight oil. Modern man has also gotten out of the habit of taking a midday nap. Walker discusses how naps of 20 – 60 minutes can reinvigorate the body and the spirit. (Now maybe my wife won’t try to wake me when I’m napping.) Rather than taking sleeping aids, Walker recommends the following to get a good night sleep. Stick to a sleep schedule, don’t exercise 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, avoid caffeine and nicotine, avoid alcohol before bed, avoid large meals and beverages late at night, don’t take a nap after 3pm, relax before bed, take a hot bath before bed (which actually lowers your core temperature to help you sleep.), keep your bedroom dark, cool, and gadget-free, get the right amount sunlight exposure during the day, and avoid bright screens of any size before you go to sleep. If you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do some relaxing activity until you feel sleepy. I wish all of you a good night’s sleep and sweet dreams. You can thank me in the morning.

Celebrating their 150th Anniversary

here is our partnership with the Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) Teams. The role of the CORE Teams is to go into the community and encampment areas to directly connect with the homeless population and extend available services to them such as shelters, warming centers, mental health services, mobile health and dental clinics, and many more accessible services. The City of Concord has made it a priority to financially contribute towards their own CORE Team to help address the needs in our community. So far, the Cities of Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Martinez have also partnered with the county on the CORE Teams. It makes all the difference to have a strong partner like the City of Concord serving our community. Likewise, the residents here truly make this a special place to be. I look forward to honoring this great city on its 150th anniversary celebration on July 4th and hope to see many of you there.

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Relay for Life 2018

Cancer fighters from around the Diablo Valley will gather the last weekend of July to show their support for the American Cancer Society in funds, expression, and commitment. It all takes place at the Relay For Life of Diablo Valley from 9am on Saturday, July 28, to 9am on Sunday, July 29, at the Pleasant Hill Middle School track. The relay is not a race or run, rather, it is a chance for everyone – of all ages and abilities – to walk the track at their own speed for as many laps as they wish. They may also participate in awareness-raising and fund-raising activities throughout the event. Fundraising efforts are already underway by individuals and teams from Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga. The Martinez Relay will be held separately on the same date. For details on the Diablo Valley Relay, go to http://relayforlife.org/diablovalleyca, e-mail relay4life.dv@yahoo.com, or call Ken Housfeld at 925-944-4898.

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Individualized Treatment BY TIFFANY SVAHN, MD The long-awaited results from the TailoRx (Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment) trial were released in June at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The results confirm that using the gene expression test (OncotypeDX) to assess the risk of breast cancer recurrence can spare many women unnecessary treatment with chemotherapy that will not benefit them. The most common type of cancer in women is breast cancer, with over 266,000 new cases expected in the United States this year. The majority of these cases will be estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2negative, axillary lymph node negative breast cancer. While many of these patients require chemotherapy to achieve the best outcome, there are many patients who will do just as well with endocrine (hormonal) treatment alone, without the added toxicities of chemotherapy. For several years, medical oncologists have utilized the prognostic information of gene expression assays like OncotypeDX for patients with ER-positive breast cancer to help them better predict which patients would benefit from chemotherapy. OncotypeDX’s gene-expression assay provides a recurrence score range from 0 to 100. Previous studies have shown that a patient with a high risk recurrence score would benefit from receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and a patient with a low risk recurrence score would not likely benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. For the patient

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with an intermediate recurrence score, we were uncertain of the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. The goal of this trial, which was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), was to address this gap of knowledge by determining whether chemotherapy is beneficial for women with an intermediate risk recurrence score of 11-25. It was a prospective clinical trial that enrolled over 10,000 women with this subset of breast cancer at 1,182 sites in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Peru. In fact, several of our patients from Diablo Valley Oncology participated in the trial. According to the authors, the findings suggest that chemotherapy may be avoided in about 70 percent of women with ER-positive, HER2negative, node-negative breast cancer. The findings also suggest that chemotherapy should be considered for the remaining 30 percent of women with ER-positive, HER2negative, node-negative breast cancer. The results of this ground breaking trial confirm that the majority of the ER-positive patients can avoid chemotherapy and just receive hormonal therapy. The findings are very helpful in supporting oncologists and patients when they are making decisions about the best course of treatment. Dr. Svahn is a medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. She developed the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, where breast cancer patients are seen by three breast cancer specialists in one visit. Dr. Svahn can be reached at 925-677-5041 SPONSORED CONTENT

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july 3-4

july 14

july 19

july 27-august 15

World One Festival

Document Shredding Fundraiser

Introduction to Aquaponics

Bring old tax returns, bills, business records, bank… (no x-rays or film). 11am - 1pm, 400 Taylor Blvd - Parking Lot, PH. Benefiting the Cancer Support Community. 925-677-5041 x272

Learn about this home-scaled method of growing fish and plants in one integrated system. 6-8pm, Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Rd., PH; $25. sustainablecoco.org

Women of Words presents Dearly Departed

july 6-14

july 15

july 19

july 28-25

Plotline Theater presents The Housekeeper

Sunday Streets

Summer IMPROVacation

Treasure Fest

Enjoy the 20th annual festival, which will be held at Cerrito Vista Park, with circus performances, hula hooping, music ensembles, dancers, craft vendors, food booths, and more. Free admission. Cerrito Vista Park at El Cerrito Plaza.

A husband hunting, trashy and self-inventing housekeeper worms her way into the home of a pretentious middle-aged bachelor. Worlds collide in this offbeat, delightfully zany dark comedy. Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. Show times: www.campbelltheater.com.

Sunday Streets transforms one to four miles of normally congested streets into car-free spaces where kids can play and adults can stroll and mingle. 11am-4pm At Mission from Duboce Ave. to 26th St. and Valencia St. V.

We are an improv group that focuses on TheatreGames, TheatreSports, and having fun. If you’ve ever watched “Whose Line Is It Anyway”, then you know what we do! Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. For details visit www.campbelltheater.com.

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

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

july 11

july 15-16

july 21

july 28 & 29

Walnut Creek First Wednesdays

The Other Other Theatre Co presents Almost an Evening

Staying Active and On Your Feet

Benicia Waterfront Festival

A presentation from physical and occupational therapists on the benefits of exercise. 10am-12 noon at PH Senior Center. Please call Danielle Habr at (925) 671-5221 to register.

The popular summer event is back with a splash! Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront locale with two days of live music, craft beer tastings, tasty foods, vendor village, and kids’ activity area; 11-6pm.

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

From 50% of the guys who brought you “Fargo”, “No Country for Old Men”, “Inside Llewyn Davis” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” comes 65 minutes of absolutely ridiculous one act plays. Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. www.campbelltheater.com.

july 14

july 16-20

july 23-27

september 23

Walnut Creek History Tour

Theater Classes for Middle & High School Students

Hillcrest Kidz Camp 2018

Bridal Faire

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

Shakespeare scene study 9:30-11:30am; Slammin through Hamilton 12-2pm; Slammin through Hamilton (high school) 2:30-4:30p. Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. www. campbelltheater.com.

Embracing the Fruits of the Spirit: Caribbean Adventure & Exploration. Music, crafts, games, and snacks included, 9am-2pm, ages 5-12, $75 per camper (camperships available). Hillcrest Church, 404 Gregory Ln., PH. www. hillcrestucc.org/events.

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

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