March 2020 Community Focus

COMMUNITY

FOCUS ourcommunityfocus.com

MARCH 2020

IN THIS ISSUE: • HIKING THE HILLS • ST. BALDRICKS • DO YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK?

PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK

SMALL TALK WITH TERI independent & locally owned

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

INSIDE

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

ONLINE: www.ourcommunityfocus.com

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

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Film Festival

13 Fun with Fennel

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Hear from the Mayors

10 High School Sports

14 Make Some Plans

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COVER:

6680 Alhambra Ave. Box #132 Martinez, CA 94553

Hiking in Briones Hills

925-335-6397

Photo by: Erik Hutslar

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Meet Jake Otsuka who lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, Marie, and their four boys. He’s owned his mobile bicycle repair business, Stix and Stones, since 2003. Jake has been racing bikes for fun for 20 years, and he also likes to ski.

How did you get into the bike industry? I fell in love with biking and skiing in college and started working in bike shops and ski shops in college part time. After graduating, I got a job in sales, got laid off in 2002, and ended up working in a bike shop and staying in the industry.

More about Jake: 1. I grew up on a farm in Orange County where we grew fruits and vegetables.

All my good memories include working with my brothers on the farm. The worst part was the long hours and getting sunburned.

2. I came to Northern California to go to Saint Mary’s College, met my wife in college, got a job right out of college, got married, and ended up staying here.

3. I had a massive heart attack 15 months ago and drove myself to the hospital.

The doctors said I was 15 minutes away from dying. I was lucky to get to the hospital quickly!

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Get Out and Enjoy the Scenery!

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline comprises 1,568 acres of bluffs and shoreline along Carquinez Scenic Drive between the town of Crockett and the hillsides overlooking Martinez. This parkland provides a gateway to the river delta region along the northern edge of Contra Costa County. The coastal hills rise steeply, up to 750 feet above Carquinez Strait. From the highest elevations, the view includes the marshland of Benicia State Recreation Area to the north across Carquinez Strait. From atop Franklin Ridge along the Franklin Ridge Loop Trail and the California Riding and Hiking Trail, the peaks of Mt. Tamalpais to the west and Mt. Diablo to the east pierce the horizon. Looking south from this high point are the ridges of Briones and Las Trampas Regional Parks.

The topography of this park consists of open, rolling grasslands, wooded ravines, eucalyptus-shaded meadows, and river shoreline. Multi-purpose trails provide access to canyon views and ridge-top vistas. At the northwestern edge of the shoreline park, the remnants of a former brickworks, grain wharf, and resort, all dating back to the turn of the century, recall the historic character of the site. The sights and sounds of tugboats along this broad waterway are also part of the charm and excitement of Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.

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has something for everyone. The trail, labeled “a moderate level hike,� offers picturesque hillsides and partial views of the strait.

Wildlife found in this area includes fox, deer, raccoons, squirrels, and gophers. Plant species found at the shoreline are typical of annual grassland and coastal vegetation.

Although there are no reservable picnic or camping areas, there are many lovely areas along the trail to sit and eat.

Trail Highlights: After walking to the top of Franklin Ridge along the Franklin Ridge Loop Trail, the peaks of Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo dominate the horizon. Franklin Ridge also provides open views of Briones and Las Trampas Regional Parks, providing an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the East Bay open spaces. The Nejedly Staging Area has a chemical toilet, picnic tables, and parking but no water fountains, so be sure to carry plenty of water.

Trail Directions: From the top of the Nejedly Staging Area, turn right past the chemical toilet and walk through the gate to the Hulet Hornbeck Trail. Head steeply uphill until the trail ends at the intersection with the Franklin Ridge Loop Trail. Make a left onto Franklin Ridge Loop Trail and walk the complete 2.25-mile loop. When you reach the Hulet Hornbeck Trail again, turn left and retrace your steps back to the staging area.

Excerpt from Trail Challenge 2020, www.ebparks.org.

Driving Directions: From Hwy. 4 in Martinez, exit at Alhambra Ave. and follow it north To Reach the Nejedly Staging Area: From Hwy. into Martinez. In downtown Martinez, turn left onto Escobar Street, drive three blocks, and 4 in Martinez, exit at Alhambra Ave. and turn north turn right onto Talbart Street. Drive three blocks again and bear left onto Carquinez Scenic into Martinez. In downtown Martinez, turn left onto Drive. Drive to the Nejedly Staging Area entrance on the left.

Escobar Street, drive three blocks and turn right onto Talbart Street. Drive three blocks again and bear left onto Carquinez Scenic Drive. Drive to the Nejedly Staging Area entrance on the left.

To Reach the Bull Valley Staging Area: From Hwy. 4, exit at Cummings Skyway and drive north.

Turn right onto Crockett Boulevard and drive to

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MARCH 2020 | 3

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Pleasant Hill

Help celebrate our awesome community members!

Celebrate the people, businesses and non-profits that enrich Pleasant Hill’s quality of life at the Community Awards dinner on Tuesday, April 14 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. Here are the nominees:

Citizen of the Year—The candidate has a

Non-profit of the Year—Nominees have

broad-based, multi-year record of assisting or supporting civic and/or community groups in Pleasant Hill, and has made substantial contributions toward improving our community.

They are Nader Jazyeri; Buddy Scauzzo and Minako McMahon; Jill Scheidel; Susan Wood.

made significant contributions to the community and have shown initiative and innovation in accomplishing their mission. The nominees are Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library; Hillcrest Church UCC Outreach Ministry; Pleasant Hill Lions Club; Bay Area Bike Project.

Citizen of the Year nominee Nader Jazyeri

Business of the Year—The business has made Teacher of the Year—The candidate must significant contributions to the community and shown initiative and innovation in the business affairs of the Pleasant Hill area. They are Amy’s Hallmark Shop; Wisegirl Ristorante.

Education Supporter of the Year—Schools thrive when parents and volunteers support teachers and students. This award honors an individual or individuals who have made a significant contribution in contributing to the ongoing success and student achievement at their school(s). The nominee is Mary Gray.

Green Award—This Award recognizes a person, organization or business that has shown outstanding leadership in sustainability and protecting the environment in the areas of energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction and/or pollution prevention. The nominee is Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks.

DON’T MISS IT! Winners will be announced at the event.

be an educator in a Pleasant Hill school who has made unique contributions toward educating our children, demonstrating dedication, innovation, and enthusiasm. This award is sponsored by the Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education (FPHE). The nominees are Valon Beriginn (College Park High); Dylan Bland (College Park High); Nicolette Bornstein (Fair Oaks Elementary School); Laima Haider (College Park High); Khoa Phan (College Park High); Jeanette Shearer (Valhalla Elementary); Kirsten Tharalsen (Valley View Middle School).

Citizen of the Year nominee Minako McMahon & Buddy Scauzzo

Teen of the Year—The candidate lives and/or goes to school in Pleasant Hill and has shown responsibility in his or her personal and school life, and a record of assisting and volunteering in the Pleasant Hill community. The nominees are Kai Arellano; Olivia Llamas.

Citizen of the Year nominee Jill Scheidel

Volunteer of the Year—The candidate has made a significant contribution in the past year (2019) in supporting civic and/or community groups in Pleasant Hill, thereby improving our community. The nominee is Robert Goldner (Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library Book Sales Manager).

Tickets are $50 per person, $25 for ages 14 and under.

Call the Chamber of Commerce at 925-687-0700 or go online at www.pleasanthillca.org/tickets.

The Community Awards are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, City of Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, Pleasant Hill Community Foundation, and the Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education.

Citizen of the Year nominee Susan Wood

Real Estate Advice

How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar

BY PETE SABINE

What if you could sell your home faster, at a higher price, without spending your money upfront on home improvements and repairs?

Let me introduce you to the

Concierge Capital Home Improvement Loan.

You can easily access funds, select vendors and services flexibly, and pay vendors directly with Concierge Capital funds instead of spending your own money to update, repair or stage your home to sell for the highest possible sales price.

St. Baldricks

Childrens Cancer Research Fundraiser

Citrus Salon is hosting the 9th annual St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving event, a special community event held on Sunday, March 15, at 11am.

In the U.S, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease -- more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and diabetes combined. And yet, all types of childhood cancers combined receive only 4% of the U.S. federal funding for cancer research. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long, healthy lives.

“Shavees” ask friends and families to make donations “on their head,” and in return they attend one of the thousands of volunteer organized events around the world where they have their

heads shaved in solidarity with kids fighting cancer. Last year, our community raised over $27,000 for life-saving cancer research, and we want to do it again for 2020!

Not everyone who participates is a “shavee.” You can also start a fundraising team, volunteer or donate.

To participate in St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event: 1. Head to https://www.stbaldricks.org/ events/mypage/7776/2020 2. Register as a “shavee” or volunteer.

3. As a “shavee,” you’ll GO BALD to show your support and inspire friends and family to donate to childhood cancer research.

4. Join us on March 15, 11am – 4pm, at Main Street Plaza in Downtown Martinez for the life-changing, head shaving event!

Sponsored by: Citrus Salon

To make this possible, Compass has partnered with Notable, an independent lender, to provide no upfront cost, 0% APR loans to qualifying applicants.

STEP #1 - Pre-Application: We assist you in forming a Home Improvement Plan with a list of recommendations to prepare your home for sale, including repairs, cosmetic updating, landscaping and staging. We provide our list of tradespeople and professional services as a resource to obtain cost estimates and a budget.

STEP #2 – Apply for Concierge Capital: You complete a 5-minute loan application through Notable. Eligible applicants will be pre-approved instantly and have the choice of receiving funds via ACH or on a Concierge Capital Debit Card. Once pre-approved, Concierge Capital funds are disbursed to you to spend as needed.

STEP #3 - Complete Home Improvement Plan project:

We assist you to select vendors to complete the work on their project.

Concierge Capital funds enable you to pay vendors as work is completed.

STEP #4 - Concierge Capital loan is paid from the sale proceeds at Close of Escrow.

There is no interest charge (0% APR) to you for the Concierge Capital loan. Your home must qualify under Compass Concierge guidelines. Subject to additional terms and conditions.

Share this unique program with anyone you know who could benefit from this valuable program. Available exclusively for our Compass clients.

Contact us today to discuss your goals and the professional services and resources we provide for our clients.

Call or Text (925) 297-5335 or send an email to Pete@FiveStarRealEstatePro. com Pete Sabine. Compass. License #00889760 SPONSORED CONTENT

Are you considering selling your home in 2020?

Now is the best time to plan and prepare your home for the 2020 Real Estate market…

Discover the power of Compass Concierge The hassle-free way to sell your home faster and for a higher price Compass Concierge helps you maximize your property value with home improvement services like staging, flooring, painting, repairs and landscaping

Take advantage of our Concierge Capital Home Improvement Loan 0% APR, with no loan fees or interest charges

Go to www.ConciergeCapitalLoan.com for details Home must qualify under Compass Concierge guidelines. Subject to additional terms and conditions. Compass - DRE License #00889760

Clip and save this valuable coupon ________________________________  Complimentary Staging Consultation  Estimate of Fair Market Value  Recommendations to Sell for Top Dollar Call or Text Pete Sabine - 925.297.5335 to schedule your consultation OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MARCH 2020 | 5

Mayor’s Message

Many times I am asked, “What’s the best way to get something fixed around the city?� or “How do I notify the city of something that needs the city’s attention?�

It’s as easy as the apps on your phone. We recently did a refresh of our city app, “Ask PHill.� This app helps us track service times of city staff as well as respond quickly to items in need of attention.

People often turn to social media or Nextdoor to vent their frustrations these days, but the best way to communicate and resolve issues with city staff and the

need for services is through “Ask Phill.�

(Important note: IN CASES OF EMERGENCY, use 9-1-1, not the app.)

To find the app, just go to the App Store or the Google Play store and search for “Ask Phill’ or “Pleasanthill� (all one word).

After downloading and opening the app, log in by creating a simple profile or by using your Facebook login (if you have one).

The app will prompt you to enable it to find your geographic location on your mobile device so that when you report potholes or tripping hazards, for example, the app

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will automatically identify the location and provide that information to city staff.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask PHillâ&#x20AC;? enables users to quickly submit service requests and other issues to the appropriate city department. Submitters can easily attach a photo to any request. The app also provides direct links to city departments, job postings, news announcements, meetings and agendas, and information about events, festivals, and other happenings.

For those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to download an app, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask Phillâ&#x20AC;? is also available on our city website at www.pleasanthillca.

org/AskPhill. For more information about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask PHill,â&#x20AC;? contact Community Relations Manager Gayle Vassar at gvassar@pleasanthillca.org. Thank you for being our eyes around town and keeping our city beautiful.

Public Meetings Civic Action No Meeting Scheduled City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 City Council Mar. 16 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:00pm. Contact: 671-5229 Architectural Review Mar. 5, 19 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 5:00pm. Contact: 671-5209 Planning Commission Mar. 10, 24 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Commission on Aging Mar. 12 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 5:00pm. Contact: 671-5229 Education Commission Mar. 25 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 7pm. Contact: 671-5229 PH Rec & Park Board Meetings are typically held the 2nd & 4th Thursday each month at District Office, 147 Gregory Lane. Meeting dates and agendas are posted 72 hours prior to meeting. Refer to recent agenda for meeting dates.

District residents are encouraged to contact board members about current issues facing the district.

Chamber Calendar March - Ambassador Meeting, 8:30-9:30am, Pleasant Hill City Hall Community Room March 10 - Morning Business Mixer- Hosted by WiseGirl, 8-9am, 1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill March 11 - 680 Networking Group, 8:30-10am, JFK University, 100 Ellinwood Way, Room 112 March 12 - Chamber Business Mixer- Hosted by Evoke Spinal Care, 5-7pm, 140 Gregory Lane, Suite 195, Pleasant Hill March 19 - Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 8-10am, Large Community room at City Hall March 25 - 680 Networking Group, 8:30-10am, JFK University, 100 Ellinwood Way, Room 112 March 30 - GAC, 4:30-6pm, WiseGirl Ristorante, 1932 Oak Park Blvd

CITY NEWS

Pleasant Hill City News Senior Housing Project

At the February 2 city council meeting, council adopted a resolution approving a request from Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) for a commitment letter for preliminary funding related to an 81-unit affordable senior housing projected.

SAHA, an affordable housing developer, is asking for a commitment letter for funding in the amount of $2,236,000 to develop the affordable units (and one market rate manager’s unit) at the Choice in Aging (CiA) campus at 490 Golf Club Road.

Income for the affordable senior units will include those earning less than 60% Area Median Income (AMI). The purpose of the commitment letter for funding would supplement funding costs for the proposed four-story housing project. The proposed units account for a substantial share of the city’s Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) and provide a critical opportunity for senior housing that is needed in the city. The city is projected to have enough Housing Asset Funds to grant SAHA’s request. SAHA estimates it will need its $500,000 predevelopment loan in June 2020 (first $250,000 installment) and February 2021 (second $250,000 installment for project permits). These would not need to be paid until entitlement and permit approvals have been secured.

In working to meet the low income housing needs of Pleasant Hill across the spectrum, Councilmember Carlson said, “I think this is a great opportunity for us as a city to meet any need for low income housing, and when we look at what’s being offered here, it’s a tremendous opportunity I just don’t think we can afford to pass up. In the future we will continue to work towards meeting the housing needs that we have in this city.” City Councilmember Harris agreed and said, “I think this is a tremendous opportunity for the city and for Choice in Aging. The fact that we have a proposal before us for senior housing makes all the sense in the world.” The development project itself has not been approved, as it still needs to go through the city approval process.

Planning Division Year End Review

In 2019, the Planning Division experienced the highest level of permit activity overall since 2012, as well as an approximately 25% increase in phone activity compared to 2018. In addition, more than 1,000 inquiries were discussed at the public counter over the last calendar year.

Planning Approves Permit for Rec and Park Utility Building

At the February 11 Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on a Use Permit, Development Plan Permit, and Architectural Review Permit for a new utility building and associated site improvements at Pleasant Oaks Park as proposed by the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District (PHRPD). The proposed project includes a new 2,196 square foot utility building with a maximum height of 15 feet 11 inches, (2) minor landscape modifications, and (3) new wall-mounted site lighting.

The proposed utility building consists of six interior compartments for the storage of field maintenance equipment for Pleasant Hill Baseball Association (PHBA) and Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. Four gas-powered “gator” vehicles would be housed in the utility building, and three (3) roll-up garage doors would serve an ingress/egress. The project site is located on the north side of Santa Barbara Road, approximately 100 feet east of the intersection at Monte Cresta Avenue and Santa Barbara Road at 2 Santa Barbara Road.

Friends March Book Sale

The next Friends of the Library book sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from 10am to 3pm. Book sales are held at the Pleasant Hill Library and offer a huge

selection of high quality, individually priced premium books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, puzzles, and board games as well as like-new books for sale. Fiction books are alphabetized by author. We will also have the usual range of all non-fiction categories, including biography, cooking, gardening, history, health, and travel. Most items are 50% off between 1pm and 3pm. There is no early entry and no bag sale at this event. Your purchases at the Friends book sales help fund the library collection and programs for all ages.

You can browse the newest and finest quality used books inside the library in the Friends Book Store on Tuesday, from 1pm to 3pm, and Wednesday through Saturday, from 11am to 3pm. At all our sales and in the Book Store, we accept cash, checks, and credit cards.

International Jewish Film Festival Three films with free admission on Saturday afternoon, March 7

The East Bay International Jewish Film Festival concludes on Sunday, March 8. The festival’s upcoming line-up includes serious dramas, romantic comedies, and documentaries. The latter includes films on the celebrated 1930’s baseball catcher Moe Berg, who served as a spy in Germany for the OSS (a forerunner of the CIA), legendary basketball player Aulcie Perry, a nature photographer whose dream of swimming alongside a polar bear is realized on film, and a Broadway producer whose productions nabbed over 40 Tonys and three Pulitzer Prizes.

“Because it is our 25th anniversary, we’re also bringing back what we call the Best of the Best, some of our favorites from the past 25 years. To thank our loyal audience, we’re presenting three of them with free admission on Saturday afternoon, March 7,” Levin notes. “One of these is my favorite. Gloomy Sunday is a visually stunning Hungarian mystery that spans decades and captures the distinct feel of the ‘30s and ‘40s. It’s a must-see.” The last day of the festival will focus on films that show the impact of prejudice on society and the importance of standing up to bigotry.

For a complete schedule and tickets, visit eastbayjewishfilm.org or call 925-2403053. Festival brochures are available at the Century 16 Theatres in Pleasant Hill and nearby merchants.

615 ALHAMBRA AVENUE, MARTINEZ, CA 94553 THANKS TO OUR CUSTOMERS FOR VOTING US #1!

2013 • 2014 • 2015 2016 / 2017 OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MARCH 2020 | 7

Mayor’s Message

On February 11, I gave my 18th State of the City address in front of a full house at Creekside Church. As we have done in recent State of the City events, I shared the stage with City Manager Eric Figueroa and Chief of Police Manjit Sappal. We covered our successes in paving projects, recruiting and retaining quality police officers, working toward our priorities of waterfront planning and development, expanding the bay ferry system to Martinez and the northern waterfront, increasing housing opportunities through transit-oriented development, and continuing emphasis on regional solutions to the problems of homelessness.

The event was kicked off with the introduction of Andrew Dunn, commissioner of the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs. Andrew announced the long awaited name of Martinez’ new professional baseball team. The Martinez

Mackerel is now officially and forever the Martinez Sturgeon. Opening Day is a home game on Field 3 at the Joe DiMaggio Ballfields at Waterfront Park on May 28. Spring training will begin during the second half of May, with specific dates confirmed in the near future. To get tickets, Sturgeon gear, and more information, visit www.MartinezSurgeon.com. It is going to be a great summer with professional baseball back in Martinez.

Speaking of Martinez Baseball, the Martinez Youth Baseball Parade will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 10am.

The parade will begin at City Hall at 525 Henrietta Street, go north up Alhambra, and turn right onto Main Street to Las Juntas. This is another wonderful community event that makes the community of Martinez so special.

Last month, Chief Sappal gave a presentation to the city council on the current

Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

state and plans for the future of the police department. Thank you to the voters of Martinez that overwhelmingly approved Measure X in 2018, (1/2 cent general sales tax for quality of life issues). The revenue generated by that measure has allowed the city to not only retain high quality officers but to attract high quality lateral transfers and new recruits. For the first time in my memory, the police depart-

ment is very close to being fully staffed.

With a fully staffed department, officers and command staff need the tools to do their job. More officers on the job means the need for equipment, vehicles, radios, cameras, etc. To support the men and women that provide safety and security to the community 24 hours a day, the city council approved a onetime investment of $449,000.

Chamber Calendar March 10- Ribbon Cutting at Ginger Thai, 5pm, 414 Ferry Street, Martinez.

March 12 - Chamber Business Mixer - Hosted by Function and Fringe, 5:307pm, 828 Main Street, Martinez.

March 25 - Martinez Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting April 25 - Citizen of the Year Awards Banquet, 6-9pm. A special event that recognizes people or organizations for their outstanding volunteerism and commitment to the community. IBEW Local #302 Hall, 1875 Arnold Dr., Martinez.

RSVP required. Tickets are $55 per person or $500 for a table of ten (10). The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, April 20. To purchase tickets contact the Martinez Chamber of Commerce at (925) 228-2345 or email Julie@martinezchamber.com

Public Meetings City Council Meeting Mar. 4, 18 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 6-9pm. Contact: 372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting Mar. 25 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-6pm. Contact: 372-3500 Planning Commission Meeting Mar. 10, 21 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 For confirmation, visit www.cityofmartinez.org

Senior Helpers 925-677-2150 www.seniorhelpers.com/ca/concord/careers

8 | MARCH 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Senior Helpers 925-677-2150 www.seniorhelpers.com/ca/concord/careers

CITY NEWS

Martinez City News

Police Department Presentation

At the February 19 city council meeting, council heard a presentation by the Martinez Police Department and Chief Sappal on the department staffing and reorganization plan, operational overview, and impact of hiring. According to the presentation and report, staffing within the police department for sworn and professional staff has improved over the last year. The department currently has 34 of the 37 police officer positions filled, three of which are in the field training program. The department expects to achieve full staffing for police officers later this year. The report also stated that the department has six of eight dispatcher positions staffed, with one of the dispatchers in training. Almost half of the current workforce in the police department is fairly new, as 19 of the 50 employees were hired after April 2017.

The department expects to expand capacity this year with a school resource officer, an additional community resource officer to assist with working on homelessness, two traffic enforcement officers, and two officers assigned to focus on emerging crime trends and neighborhood quality of life issues. The department is also looking at assigning an officer to work in collaboration with the Walnut Creek Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Danville Police Department, and San Ramon Police Department to form a task force to address the surge in property crimes affecting the region. The department also expects to increase service to the community with the addition of several specialty positions and will be exploring a regional approach to working with the mentally ill and incorporating scenario based training for staff with a focus on tactics, use/non-use of force, and de-escalation.

“Public safety is number one, and this council worked real hard with the community to get Measure X passed and hire, attract, and retain high quality folks in our police department. We’ve been successful,” said Mayor Schroder. He went on to compliment Chief of Police Sappal on a wonderful job. “Now that we have such great people working for us in the police department, we need to give them the tools to do that job. I am completely supporting the reorganization plan that you have and also the funding,” added Mayor Schroder.

Utility Box Beautification Project Approval

At the February 19 city council meeting, council approved the Utility Box Beautification Pilot Project design concepts and authorized the city manager to enter into agreements with the utility box artists. The goal of the initiative is to transform some of the city’s drab utility boxes into works of art that will enhance the beauty of the city’s streets and sidewalks for years to come. The city published the Utility Box Beautification RFP on October 21, 2019, and received 24 applications.

The selected artists include: Utility Box #1 (corner of Marina Vista Ave. and Las Juntas St.) -- “Kites” by Alexandra Riddle; Utility Box #2A and #2B (Corner of Alhambra Ave. and F St.) -- “Metamorphoses” by Louise Belle; Utility Box #3A and #3B (Corner of Alhambra Ave. and K St.) -- “Love is Key” by Colleen Gianatiempo; and Utility Box #4A and #4B (Corner of Alhambra Ave. and Paso Nogal Rd.) -- “Interlock” by Lollie Ortiz.

The pilot project is anticipated to cost about $10,000, with funding already allocated within the cultural and arts budget within the general fund.

service workers.

The Tuesday evening session is from 6pm-9:30pm on March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 14, and 21. The weekend marathon class is Friday, March 27, 6pm - 9pm, and all day Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, from 8am - 5:30pm. Both class sessions are followed by a simulated disaster exercise on May 2. To register or for more information, email: Martinz.cert@gmail.com to register or for more info.

Youth Baseball Parade

The Martinez Youth Baseball Parade is Saturday, March 7, beginning at 10am.

The route is from City Hall to Main Street. Spectators line the streets to cheer on all the athletes from the Martinez Youth Baseball & Softball Association and the Martinez Baseball Club.

New Water Rates

Beginning with the March 19 billing, the City of Martinez’ water rates will increase as authorized by city council at a public hearing on April 17, 2019.

Main Street Arts in March

Richie Wilkinson and John Bologni will be at Main Street Arts from March 2 29. In this show, you will see John’s carved puppets and chairs together with Richie’s whimsical “All About Me” portraits. Many personalities are on display, and many stories are told!

Richie’s career has explored many art mediums, but it has centered on the decorative arts. John Bologni also made a career in the decorative arts. Since retirement, he has focused his talents on carving “puppets,” adorning their bodies with collages, and pairing them with their individually styled antique style chairs. The artist’s reception is March 7, from 3pm to 5pm, at Main Street Arts, 613 Main Street, in Martinez.

Martinez Campbell Theater

The Martinez Campbell Theater will present “Same Time, Next Year” written

by Bernard Slade and directed by Associate Artistic Director Edwin Peabody, from March 27 - April 11. This is Slade’s most popular play about a long-term romantic tryst. Presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, with one Thursday performance on April 2 at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees (March 29 and April 5) at 2:30pm. Information may be obtained by calling (925) 350-9770, and tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by going to Brown Paper Tickets.

Brickyard Run - Save the Date

Save the date for the 50th Annual Luka Sekulich Brickyard Run on Sunday, April 5. Join the HOKA Aggie Running Club to benefit the Alhambra High School and the Martinez Recreation Division Scholarship Fund. The four and eight mile race is “out and back” on Carquinez Scenic Drive. For more information, contact: Brickyardrun@gmail.com.

New CERT Classes

Martinez Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is offering two free class sessions, beginning in March. The 20-hour class is based on the FEMA CERT Curriculum for emergency preparedness and disaster response. Martinez and Pacheco residents completing the class can elect to become city volunteer disaster OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MARCH 2020 | 9

International Jewish Film Festival Local Festival is 25 Strong

With the words “See a Film, See the World” as its motto, the 2020 EBIJFF reveals one of the main rationales for its creation 25 years earlier. “We wanted to reflect the diversity of our community, its make-up, and wide array of interests,” says Pleasant Hill resident and festival board member Debra Levin. “Our films have a global reach and also focus on contemporary issues as well as historic events going back centuries.”

The festival’s upcoming line-up includes serious dramas, romantic comedies, and a long list of documentaries.

The latter category includes films on the celebrated 1930’s baseball catcher Moe Berg, who served as a spy in Germany for the OSS (a forerunner of the CIA), legendary basketball player Aulcie Perry, a nature photographer whose dream of

swimming alongside a polar bear is realized on film, and a Broadway producer whose productions nabbed over 40 Tonys and 3 Pulitzer Prizes.

Levin notes, “Because it is our 25th anniversary, we’re also bringing back what we call the “Best of the Best,” some of our favorites from the past 25 years.

To thank our loyal audience, we’re presenting three of them with free admission on Saturday afternoon, March 7.

One of these is my favorite. Gloomy Sunday is a visually stunning Hungarian mystery that spans decades and captures the distinct feel of the ‘30s and ‘40s. It’s a must-see.”

Festival Director Riva Gambert, who has been with the event since its inception 25 years ago, is enthusiastic about this year’s line-up. “We’ve previewed

nearly 190 films in order to select the 45 on our schedule. As in the past, we’re closing the festival with a day of films focusing on the impact of prejudice on society and the importance of standing up to bigotry.”

These #StandUp movies include Unsettled, a moving documentary about LGBTQ asylum seekers, several of whom now live in the Bay Area. Also included is the lighter, music-infused drama Inside Out from South Africa. It’s definitely one of our “Best of the Best,” Gambert says. #StandUp concludes with two emotionally powerful dramas. City of War follows the heroic actions of the real-life John Rabe, a German businessman who lived in Nanking and heroically saved over 200,000 there in 1937 when a massacre occurred. Another real-life individual’s

actions are captured in Skin, a tense drama that focuses on a white nationalist’s decision to change his world view after he falls in love with a woman who rejects his hate-filled life. A short film on the same man won an Oscar in 2019.

The festival’s sponsors include the City of Pleasant Hill and its Downtown merchants, City National Bank, RINA Accountancy, Mechanics Bank, Destination Wealth Management, Sunrise Bistro, Bay Alarm, Diablo Valley Oncology, Buttercup Grill, Aaron Metals, Spiegelman Wealth Management, and the Contra Costa JCC.

For tickets and a complete schedule, visit eastbayjewishfilm.org or call 925.240.3053. Festival brochures are available at the Century 16 Theatres in Pleasant Hill and nearby merchants.

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Supporters include City of Pleasant Hill, Downtown Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa JCC, City National Bank, Sunrise Bistro, Sinai Memorial Chapel, Bay Alarm, Reutlinger Community, Diablo Valley Oncology, RINA Accountancy, Destination Wealth Management, Mechanics Bank, Aaron Metals, Buttercup Grill & Spiegelman Wealth Management.

10 | MARCH 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Real Estate News March 2020 Market Update

BY NORMA FLASKERUD

I have been a realtor since 1987. When I am out and about, I am asked the same question: How’s the market?

Since that IS the question on most people’s minds, I thought I would answer it!! As I write this, on February 22, the following statistics hold true and verify we are still in a strong seller’s market throughout central Contra Costa County. Here are some details to back that up.

Inventory of homes for sale remains low. Here are the numbers of single-family homes currently for sale in the following towns: Pleasant Hill 20 Walnut Creek 34 Martinez 5 Lafayette 26 Concord 54

Home sales continue to outstrip supply.

This is a seller’s market, so watch for upward pricing pressure if the trend continues. A recent Zillow report summarized that 2019’s healthy housing market is slated to continue into 2020. Low mortgage rates and high buyer demand are the drivers behind the strong market. This is not a buyer friendly environment, and as consumers continue to absorb available inventory, the market will

remain competitive in much of the country, as it is here. Locally, median prices offer an interesting snapshot of each town’s real estate values: Concord: $634,450 Martinez $697,965 Pleasant Hill $862,500 Walnut Creek $1,262,000 Lafayette $2,046,500

Some comments in our most recent market report provide insights. In Lafayette, the market continues to get hotter; it’s been a long run of more sales demand and fewer homes, creating a long run of increasing prices. There is no sign of prices changing from their current trend.

In Pleasant Hill, the report states prices have been flat for several weeks but are still in a seller’s zone; I will add that inventory has been SO low -- in the single digit range in January -- that there has not been enough action to change the market pricing trend.

(Houses are selling with multiple offers, which puts an upward push on prices, but the statistics are too low to show yet.) In Walnut Creek, the report is prices have reached a stasis point in terms of sales to inventory, but inventory is low enough to keep in the seller’s market zone. Concord and Martinez both offer a much broader range of home prices, with options for a broad range of buyers. Sales continue to outstrip supply, with upward pricing pressure if the trend

Ming’s in Print

continues, as predicted. In conclusion, our real estate market remains a strong seller’s market -- good for sellers, tough on buyers -- and is predicted to continue throughout 2020.

The Flaskerud Team has properties coming soon, so if you are a buyer, reach out to see if we have what you need and want. If you are a seller, we look forward to hearing from you, as we are top notch at advising our sellers on how to get top dollar in today’s market! In addition, we have buyers, ready and willing to buy, who are pre-approved by our trusted lender! Please reach out to us as we may have that motivated buyer ready to buy your property! We will make it happen!

The Flaskerud Team/Norma Flaskerud and Erik Flaskerud 925-338-2980, NormaFlaskerud@Remax.net www.PleasantHillRealEstate.com Re/Max Accord. DRE# 00867031 SPONSORED CONTENT

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SOLD

339 Strand Avenue, Pleasant Hill SOLD! 7 OFFERS! We cannot yet reveal the final sales price but suffice to say our sellers are very happy and the buyers are super excited to get in to their new home and make it their own!

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Buyers: Call now to see if what we have might fit your needs.

Sellers: Call now! We have ready and willing, pre-approved buyers!

Author Roger Chapin, book review editor and Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Michael Harris, and restaurant owner Mr. Ming celebrate mention of Ming’s Restaurant in Chapin’s book, The Dragon of God. OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MARCH 2020 | 11

Estate Planning

When Equal Isn’t Necessarily Fair

BY JEFFREY HALL, CPA, JD Probate /Trust Attorney

Equality is a noble concept and one many people turn to when deciding how to divide up their estate. There are many circumstances in which equal distribution of assets among beneficiaries is the right choice, but there are some cases where identical inheritances do not make the most sense. In such situations, the difference between what is equal and what is fair is obvious. Let us take a look at an example of each: Equal Division

In hypothetical one, you have three kids and want to divide your assets and wealth equally among them. All three are at similar I’m not in trouble anymore!

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places in their lives, have received similar emotional and financial support from you in the past, and are each responsible and capable of managing their individual inheritance.

Equal division is obvious and easy.

Fair Division

In hypothetical two, you have three kids but the youngest is still in high school. You paid for your oldest to attend a four-year college and he is now a successful accountant with his own home. Your middle child has opted to go to trade school instead and is renting an apartment in another state.

Here, evenly distributing your estate might not end up being truly equal. If you gave one child more money during their lifetime, equal distribution of your estate could lead to tension, and siblings who have not yet received as much financial support as others

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may feel slighted.

Planning for Division

While it is important to consider the feelings of your loved ones when dividing your assets, you have the right to do what you wish with your estate. When perceived inequality is a concern, it may help to talk to an attorney about your options. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you craft a custom plan that will carry out your goal of supporting each beneficiary in the specific way they need. In many cases, if you make a decision today and want to change it in a few years as your beneficiaries’ lives change, we are here to help. People’s needs will change over time, and it is just as important that you update your estate planning to reflect these changes.

One thing you should avoid? Putting off your estate planning. Failing to spell out your wishes ahead of time will cause your estate to be decided by a judge. In such cases, assets are typically divided equally and dis-

tributed outright. If this is not the outcome you want, it is crucial you have an estate plan in place. Left to chance, your loved ones could be caught in probate, battling for what they feel is their deserved inheritance.

There are many factors to consider when dividing your assets, but simply making the choice to move forward with an estate plan is a great start. Feel free to give us a call to set up a meeting. We are here to help you determine the best way to accomplish your goals--whether they are fair or equal-for distributions to leave to your beneficiaries.

Consult with your neighborhood estate planning attorney, Jeffrey Hall. You may visit his website at www.HallLawGroup.com or call (925) 230-9002. We are a veteran owned, veteran friendly law firm.

Disclaimer: this article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice nor the establishment of an attorney-client relationship.

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Champions!

Alhambra’s Historic Season

The varsity Bulldogs dominated the league finishing 10-0, clinching the league championships at home on Senior Night, February 13, vs. Mt. Diablo. This is the first time in Alhambra history that they have been undefeated in league, and it’s been 15 years since Alhambra basketball was crowned league champions. The varsity Bulldogs’ 12-game winning streak ended on February 18, narrowly missing the NCS Quarterfinals with a 53-57 loss vs. Hercules. Seven senior Bulldogs celebrated this same success as freshmen, when they also went 10-0 in league play.

Pictured (LtoR), 1st row: Logan Hancock, 2nd row: Asst. Coach Jake Carlisle, Head Coach Chris Petiti, Connor Gray, Jack Watkins, Anthony Wong, Lorenzo Fonseca, Joshua Palmer, Jakob Martinez, Nolan Duarte, Mario Taliaferro. 3rd row: Kent Haisley, Jake Randall, Austin Dewes, Jackson Hilton, Asst. Coach Marshal Hartman.

SPORTS

DAL Wrestling Sucess

Six College Park wrestlers qualified to compete at NCS by placing in the top five in duals at the DAL Championships on February 15. Jacob Quichocho and Andrew Hamant placed first in their weight class at the DAL Championships. Colter Seidenspinner and Mikey Gonzalez placed second, Ethan Schiefer placed third, Josh Segall placed fifth, and Ty Nelson was crowned the JV champion of the league.

The following weekend at NCS, senior Andrew Hamant placed third to advance to the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield. Good luck, Andrew!

Photos by Rebecca Seidenspinner

Falcon Andrew Hamant moves on to state!

College Park wrestlers successful at DAL Championships

CP Senior Night

A 10-0 league record repeated for these seniors, who celebrated the same success as freshmen.

The Lady Falcon seniors were celebrated at their last home soccer game. Pictured (L to R): Gracie Shughrou, Tessa Cherep, Courtney Silva, Ruth Acevedo, Jessica Vinogradov, Payton Heaney, G Rodriguez, Kaylee Gorham and Isabel Erice. Congratulations.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MARCH 2020 | 13

PAIR UP

Fun Fennel

A Flavor that Can be Used in Both Sweet or Savory Dishes

BY MARIA TERRY

Fennel is one of my favorite flavors.

The black licorice or anise flavor can be used in both sweet and savory preparations. I have put together this menu to feature some delicious fennel dishes.

I like putting together special lunches for friends because lunches are like “dinner-lite.” The food is simpler, dessert is unnecessary or uncomplicated, and no candles are expected. Furthermore, when you add wine or spirits midday, it’s almost like you are on vacation.

Start with the easiest salad possible, like simple spring greens dressed with this Creamy Fennel Dressing and topped with a few toasted pine nuts.

When serving a salad with wine, the most challenging part is balancing the acid. The food cannot be sourer than

the wine. You will need a wine with substantial acidity and salad ingredients that offset the acid in the dressing.

Verdicchio [vare-dee-kee-oh] is a white Italian wine grape grown primarily in the Marche region of central Italy and is ideal for salad. The name Verdicchio derives from the Italian word “verde,” which means “green” and refers to the slight green hue. It has lots of acidity and citrus flavors. I recreated the dressing recipe from one I had at a Lake Tahoe restaurant many years ago. They wouldn’t give me the recipe, so I worked for years to reproduce it. Fennel is the key to the flavor. The sugar and cheese in the dressing and the pine nuts on top balance the vinegar and keep the salad from overpowering the wine.

Continue the Italian wine theme with an Insolia for the main course. Insolia is a white wine grape from Sicily.

It has a silky texture with citrus, tropi-

cal, and nutty flavors. There is also a slight minerality that is reminiscent of wet stone or crushed rocks to create interest. It is perfect with Fettuccine with Mustard Greens and Mushrooms.

The silky pasta mimics the texture of the wine, and the mushrooms add an earthy note that picks up the minerality and nuttiness in the wine. The greens aren’t going to benefit the wine but add a welcome bitterness to the dish. In case you can’t find an Insolia, an Italian Pinot Grigio will work in a pinch.

Keeping things simple, end your meal with a small glass of Sambuca and some store-bought biscotti. Sambuca (sam-boo-ka) is an Italian anise-flavored liqueur. It is either clear (white sambuca), deep blue (black sambuca), or bright red (red sambuca). The traditional serving is with three coffee beans, each representing health, happiness, and prosperity. You can even ignite it to toast the coffee beans, but remember to extinguish it before drinking. For those who have to go back to work for the day, coffee is an excellent alternative with biscotti.

So, go on. Pair Up!

Maria Terry is a certified sommelier and wine educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com.

Creamy Fennel Dressing INGREDIENTS ½ cup olive oil ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup white wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. fresh fennel fronds (basil or tarragon), chopped 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese ½ Tbsp. distilled white vinegar ½ Tbsp. sugar 1 clove garlic or shallots, chopped fine ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper DIRECTIONS Blend all ingredients together and chill.

Yield: About 1 Cup

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

14 | MARCH 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Fettuccine with Mustard Greens and Mushrooms NGREDIENTS 10 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil plus a little more as necessary, divided 6 cups roughly chopped fresh mushrooms such as shiitake or morel Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. minced garlic 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh thyme leaves 1 tsp. fennel seeds 4 cups double-strength chicken broth or 4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth, boiled until reduced by half 6 cups packed roughly chopped mustard greens, green chard, or spinach 1½ pound dried fettuccine 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 4 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley DIRECTIONS Heat ¼ cup of the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the mushrooms and do not move them until they begin to brown, about 1 minute. Sauté until brown all over, about 5 minutes. Add another tablespoon olive oil if the pan is too dry.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add the garlic and cook quickly until light brown. Add the thyme, fennel seeds, and stock and bring to a boil. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until tender, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes.

Drain, refresh quickly under cool running water, and toss with the remaining tablespoon olive oil.

Stir the butter into the greens and add the pasta and parsley. Toss to heat through and add half of the Parmesan.

Toss well again and pour onto a heated serving platter. Dust with the other half of Parmesan and serve.

Yield: 6-8 Servings

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

Stronger Than You Know Do You Believe in Luck?

BY DENA BETTI

“I’m a great believer in luck. I’ve found that the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

Thomas Jefferson.

Luck is one of those things most of us wish we had more of, and the fact that some people seem to have more of it than others often stirs up emotions of unfairness within us. But lucky people aren’t lucky by coincidence. Lucky people understand that both good and bad luck exist, and if they want to be on the better side of it, then hard work and a powerful mindset help them get a little luckier.

As Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology once wrote, “Optimists endure the same storms in life as pessimists. But they weather them better and emerge from them better off.” The same is true with luck. We may not be able to personally control financial downturns, natural

disasters or other traumas in our lives, but we can endure them. With every challenge we face, we have the potential to add valuable resources to our toolbox. Lucky people appreciate the value of this type of knowledge and experience.

So How Do You Cultivate Your Own Luck?

1. Learn to be Lucky According to experts, luck isn’t something that just happens; it’s something you can learn. That’s the contention of a classic article in the UK’s Telegraph newspaper by University of Hertfordshire psychologist Richard Wiseman. The article lays out Wiseman’s research into the impact of luck on people’s lives. To conduct his experiments, he found and interviewed hundreds of people who either considered themselves very lucky or unlucky.

He found the difference between the two groups wasn’t left up to magical fairy dust but rather to actions and attitudes.

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When it comes to the consistently unlucky, Wiseman wrote, “Thoughts and behavior are responsible for much of their fortune.”

The converse is also true -- there are ways of thinking and acting that increase luck, and these can be learned.

2. Luck Is A Mindset

In his book The Luck Factor, Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire, England, also describes why lucky people tend to share traits that make them luckier than others. This includes the impact of chance opportunities, lucky breaks, and being in the right place at the right time. He says, “My research revealed that lucky people generate good fortune via four basic principles. They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good.” On the flipside, he says, “Those

who think they’re unlucky should change their outlook and discover how to generate good fortune.”

So, there you have it. When we approach life with hard work and a positive, calm, and relaxed mindset, it appears to have a big impact on how lucky we get.

The fact of the matter is most “overnight successes” or lucky breaks come at the end of years of hard work and an attitude of belief that good fortune is coming your way. This month, remember that luck isn’t a random game of chance; it’s something that happens because of you. Luck is something you can create for yourself. Enjoy the magical ride over the rainbow!

Dena Betti is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, chairperson for the #hersmile Nonprofit, and a certified life coach. Limited personal coaching slots are available. To learn more about the iSoulify workshop, visit http://strongerthanyouknow.com.

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Elections

BY DANIEL DuREE

Hopefully, your tax return is filed and you can move on to far more exhilarating activities, like finally taking care of (or revisiting) your estate plan. When starting the estate planning process, what should be your top priorities? Although probate avoidance is often the most talked about goal in the process, incapacity planning and the nomination of guardians if you have minor children are just as important, if not more.

Nominate Guardians for Minor Children

By executing a simple will, you can nominate potential guardians for your minor children. Although a judge would need to make the official appointment if anything happened to you, your nomination carries a lot of weight in the decision making process.

Incapacity Planning

In California, if you are alive but incapacitated and have not appointed an agent to act on your behalf for both health and personal care as well as financial decisions, you will be subject to the court supervised conservatorship process. However, you can opt out of this system by creating an Advance Healthcare Directive for personal and healthcare decisions and a Durable Power of Attorney for financial decisions.

Advance Healthcare Directive

By creating and signing an Advance Healthcare Directive, you can document your healthcare wishes and appoint an agent to carry them out in the case where

BY SUPERVISOR KAREN MITCHOFF

California’s primary election is coming up earlier this year, on March 3, 2020. As Californians go to the polls, it is important to ensure that your voter registration is up to date. Thankfully, the Elections Division of the County Clerk Recorder’s office makes it easy to find out. Contra Costa voters can check their registration status by going to www.cocovote.us and clicking the “My Voting Information” button. The lookup tool is also available by texting “Contra Costa” to 28683 (or “2Vote”).

If for some reason you find that you aren’t registered, there are a number of options available to you to ensure that your voice is heard on primary day. For those who wish to vote by mail, you have until seven days before the election to register to receive your ballot in the mail. To sign up to vote by mail, simply visit registertovote.ca.gov and select “Yes” in the vote-by-mail box in the online portal. For those who wish to register to vote in person, you can follow the same registration process as vote-by-mail but choose “No” in the vote-by-mail box.

For voters who choose to vote by mail, there are a number of options for returning your ballot. First and most simply, drop your ballot in the mail. As

Post Tax Time Estate Plan Priorities you are incapacitated.

Durable Power of Attorney

The financial corollary to the Advance Healthcare Directive is the Durable Power of Attorney for Finance. With this document, you appoint an agent to carry out enumerated financial actions on your behalf if you are incapacitated.

And Yes, Probate Avoidance Also

Don’t think that I was going to forget about the mortal enemy of all estate planning professionals, the probate process (cue ominous music). While nominating guardians for minor children and planning for potential incapacity are top priorities, avoiding probate is still vital to protecting your assets and ensuring an easy transition for your heirs.

By setting up a living trust and transferring assets into it, you can avoid the unnecessary expense and delay of California probate.

In addition to probate avoidance, a living trust can provide more complex distribution schemes than a will, which can provide for mixed families and avoid giving large outright gifts to beneficiaries who may not be ready for such responsibility.

If you have any questions about how you can get the peace of mind that only comes from knowing your family is protected, please call my office for a complimentary consultation.

Daniel L. DuRee is a third generation resident of Contra Costa County and a licensed attorney practicing in Walnut Creek.

He can be reached at (925) 210-1400 or visit www.DuReeLaw.com.

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long as your ballot is postmarked by election day, it will be counted. Second, the Elections Division of Contra Costa County has been busy installing permanent 24-7 ballot drop-boxes at the following locations in District IV: in Pleasant Hill, at the Contra Costa County Office of Education, on 77 Santa Barbara Rd., and in Walnut Creek, at Ygnacio Valley Library, on 2661 Oak Grove Rd. Third, you can drop off your ballot at the city clerk’s office during business hours at any city in the county. Fourth, early voting locations where you can cast a ballot before election day will also accept completed vote-by-mail ballots on Thursday, February 27, from 11am to 7pm; Friday, February 28, from 11am to 7pm; Saturday, February 29, from 8am to 5pm; and Monday, March 2, from 11am to 7pm, at the following locations: Antioch Water Park, at 4701 Lone Tree Way; Richmond Memorial Auditorium, at 403 Civic Center Plaza; and Hyatt House, at 2611 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill.

Finally, thanks to a new state law that took effect as of January 1, 2020, if you aren’t able to register before the primary, you can participate in sameday registration at your local polling place. Thanks to the hard work of our County Elections Division, voting is perhaps the easiest it has ever been. If you have any questions about the above information, please reach out to the Elections Division at 925-335-7800.

THE LAW OFFICE OF

DANIEL L. DUREE Estate Planning Attorney

925.210.1400 1535 North Main Street, Suite 240 • Walnut Creek

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

www.DuReeLaw.com

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

Read My Mind

©

Malcolm Gladwell

BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD

Malcolm Gladwell was a littleknown Canadian journalist in 1996 when he started “mining current academic research for insights, theories, direction, or inspiration” for several articles he was writing for The New Yorker magazine. He became an overnight sensation four years later when those articles turned into his first book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.

Originally used to describe that point in time when an epidemic becomes catastrophic and unlikely to be stopped, “tipping point” now refers more generally to “the critical point in a situation beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.” Gladwell shows how stopping certain behaviors before they reach the tipping point can make a significant difference.

He used two situations where New York City stopped vandalism before it reached the tipping point. One incident concerns breaking windows in abandoned buildings. When someone sees that windows in a building have been

smashed, he may have little compunction about breaking others. But if the broken windows are replaced immediately, he is less likely to be the first to break one. Gladwell also showed how New York managed to reduce the graffiti on its subway trains. Graffiti artists tag trains so they can see their work and get credit for it. There would be little reason to spray-paint trains if no one saw it or knew who did it. So New York came up with a simple but elegant solution. All subway trains in the system were cleaned of graffiti before they were sent out the next day. Thus, the artists were discouraged from spray-painting them in the first place.

With the publication of that book, Gladwell became a much sought-after author, lecturer, and podcaster. He followed The Tipping Point with four other thought-provoking and perceptive bestsellers: Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw And Other Adventures, and David and Goliath.

His latest book, Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About The People We Don’t Know, is as insightful and provocative as his other books and deserves your full attention. The impetus for this book was a tragic incident in which a white Texas police officer stopped an African American woman from Chicago for a minor traffic violation. She was arrested when the encounter “went south” because these two strangers could not communicate. She committed suicide while awaiting trial. Her death, Gladwell writes, “is what happens when a society does not know how to talk to strangers.”

Interactions with strangers often go wrong even when both parties speak the same language because “they have a failure to communicate.”

The potentially dangerous consequences of misreading people we don’t know are even worse when the strangers come from different cultures and speak different languages. That’s what happened when an Italian court wrongly 8th

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Saturday / April 11

Accepting Grant Applications

The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation has released its 2020 Community Grant application to public and nonprofit organizations in Pleasant Hill. The proceeds from the annual fund appeal held last fall will fund these grant awards. Any recreational, cultural, or educational program that serves the residents of Pleasant Hill may apply.

Grant Allocation Chair Betty Geishirt Cantrell states, “The foundation is very proud once again to be able to provide this opportunity to groups in our community. We work to strengthen community organizations to meet the challenges and needs of Pleasant Hill.”

The Community Grant Awards will be presented at our “Celebrate Your Community” event on May 7 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. We will also be recognizing outstanding employees of both the City of Pleasant Hill and the Recreation and Park District with stipends funded by the Holmes Family Fund.

Applications may be downloaded from the foundation’s website at www.

PHCommunityFoundation.org, where prior community grant recipients are also listed. Any questions may be sent to info@PHCommunityFoundation.org. The application deadline is April 1, 2020.

convicted American student Amanda Knox of killing her roommate.

A prime example of such failure to communicate was the 1938 Munich Agreement. Here, Britain’s Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain thought he could appease Hitler and prevent war by ceding Czechoslovakia’s Sudeten Territory to Germany in exchange for Hitler’s promise not to invade other European countries.

Neither spoke the other’s language but Chamberlain thought he could “read” this stranger. Unfortunately, he was wrong, as was Montezuma in misunderstanding Cortes’ intentions regarding the New World, the CIA misreading Cuban double agents, and frat boys misinterpreting the meaning of “no!”

And why can computers do a better job than judges of determining which defendants were better risks to be let out on bail? The computer can’t misinterpret their body language or facial expressions, as so often happens when we humans are talking to strangers.

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General Manager’s Message We take a lot for granted. The ability to play freely and without limitations is one of them. Our vision at Rec & Park is to be the leaders in providing WOW! experiences every day. These experiences are not limited to just certain people. We continue to look for ways to better serve the diverse recreational needs of the community and give people of all ages and abilities opportunities to play. In February, Rec & Park opened the very rst all-abilities playground to do just that. And the outcome?

Smiles for every body!

My Marketing & Communication Manager, Jen, shared an experience that I thought I’d pass along to you because it illustrates why we at Rec & Park do what we do. Jen was taking photos for the cover of our Spring/Summer Spotlight at the new all-abilities playground. She told me that when her model, a young boy with physical limitations, arrived at the park for the rst time, his face lit up with delight and he raced as fast as he could up the ramp and onto the new play structure. He was so happy. His parents were happy. His aunts and uncles were happy. Everyone was laughing and happy because this young new park pa fan now had a way to play alongside his cousin and other kids at the park.

It was a WOW! moment that was felt by all.

When she showed me the photos from the shoot, I started to smile too and my heart squeezed. A picture is truly worth a thousand words. The photo indeed captured this WOW! moment in time and celebrated joy and the importance of play for EVERY BODY. I am so proud of our Board of Directors and our park staff for making this playground a reality.

The idea for this new, colorful all-abilities playground came about when the Rec & Park Board of Directors began to plan for the belated installation a youth playground at Pleasant Oaks Park. The youth playground was in the original plans of the major park renovation project funded by Measure E passed in 2009. When funds fell short, the youth playground had to be put on hold…until now. A group of residents lead by Autumn Green with the All In Need organization came forward and suggested that an all-abilities playground would serve more children in community.

The Board agreed the need was there and subsequently earmarked capital project funds to make it happen. The plans moved forward and the new park officially opened on February 29, 2020. thrilled to be able to give chilI am so th dren of all abilities with more opportunities for these WOW! moments and more opportunities to smile. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the playground yet, I encourage you to go play this weekend.

Our new playground isn’t the only way to play in the months ahead. Watch for the Spring/Summer issue of our Spotlight recreation guide to discover all the variety of ways to put a smile on your face. Find the perfect summer camp for your kids.

Dance outdoors with family and friends to a line-up of great live music at our 11th annual Blues & Brews festival. Have a cannonball contest at our community pool and camp out with your friends at the Family Camp Out. Join a sports team with your buddies for a little fun competition.

Try a new class or activity that will bring you balance and self-growth. Find your joy and WOW! moments. We’re here to make sure there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to smile.

By Jen Thoits Communications Manager Pleasant Hill Rec & Park

eet Nader Jazayeri.

Nader is a man about town. Some locals even go so far as to nickname him “The Mayor”, an unofficial moniker that he con-ded that he doesn’t care too much for. He may not like it, but I think it is perhaps not so far off the mark given his active involvement in the community and his deep affection for Pleasant Hill. “It’s the last small town,” Nader said, “and is the perfect place for families.” Although he claims that he isn’t announcing his mayoral candidacy any time soon, Nader IS the leader of the “Gregory Gardens Community Crew” (GGCC), a group of roughly 30-40 people who lilive in Gregory Gardens neighborhood. They casually get together once a month to celebrate life and to toss around ideas on how to make their neighborhood and community the best possible place to call home. The GGCC members actively volunteer in community and help raise funds for local organizations. Many of the GGCC members are also huge Rec & Park fans and Nader said he is one of the biggest. “PH Rec & Park is a huge part of what makes Pleasant Hill great,” Nader said. “Me, my wife and two (adorable) kids especially love their community events—from the “Egg-citing” Easter Egg hunt to Blues & Brews Festival (so epic)!” His favorite event?

The Family Campout over Father’s Day weekend in June. Nader, his family and a huge group of GGCC families circle up their tents and have some good, hometown, old fashion fun in Pleasant Hill Park, which happens to be just a block away from home.

“Rec & Park events bring people together and help build a stronger community”, Nader shared. “People that play together, stay together.”

Thank you for sharing the love, “Mayor”, uh-hummm, I mean, Nader.

pleasanthillrec.com

From the Contra Costa County Historical Society

A History Note Bayou in El Cerrito

BY MARJORIE NEWTON

In the late 1960’s and the early 1970’s you could not turn on your radio or be in the vicinity of a jukebox without hearing the swamp rock and blues of the group called Creedence Clearwater Revival. For four years, their music topped the charts. Their music can still be heard today. “Proud Mary” was recently sung on “The Masked Singer” a television series. “I Heard It On the Grapevine” is the basis of a commercial.

Among the many hits were “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”, “Looking Out My Backdoor”, and “Midnight Special” The odd thing is that the band was made up of four individuals whose roots were in El Cerrito. It began when Doug Clifford heard John Fogerty playing in Room 508 of Portola Junior High.

The duo was joined by another classmate, Stu Cook. With Clifford on drums, Cook on piano, and John Fogerty on guitar, “The Blue Velvets” made their debut performance at a sock hop in 1959.

Tom Fogerty joined the trio, playing rhythm guitar and the quartet evolved into “The Golliwogs.” In 1967, the name was changed to Creedence for Tom Fogerty’s friend Credence Newball; Clearwater for the Olympia Brewing Company television commercial; and Revival for the four member’s commitment to their band.

In 1967, the band had three Top 10 albums, four hit singles, played at Woodstock and performed on the Ed Sullivan show. They had more records with hit songs on both sides of the record than any band up to that time.

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities March 1 – Pancake Breakfast 8:30-10:30am. Enjoy a stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage with bottomless orange juice and coffee. Special addition, biscuits and sausage gravy! Best deal in town! Adults and children ages 11+): $5, children (ages 5-10): $3, ages 4 & under eat FREE! March 11 - St. Patrick’s Bingo Bash 12-3pm. Free themed dauber to the first 100 people, $100 bonus jackpots on certain games plus raffles and giveaways throughout the day. Are you feeling lucky? Try a 10-game packet for $7 (PHSC members), $10 for 1st pack for non-members. Special games are $1 each. Hot dog lunch: $5 (lunch is pre-sale only-not sold day of.)

March 12 - Care Management Series presents “What is Subsidized Housing?” 2pm. Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) discuss their role in affordable housing, including where their subsidized properties are located, what is available, and how to apply for one of their units. Presented by Resident Services Coordinator Rebecca Myer. Light refreshments will be provided. Free but please RSVP to 798-8788 or online.

March 25 - Memory Café 1-2pm. Join us for various activities, socializing, meeting new people, etc. Designed for care partners and care receivers with mild cognitive impairment. Put on by JFCS. For more info, contact Dee at 925-9272000x638. Free. RSVP to 798-8788 or online.

May 1 - Laugh, Love & Learn Senior Live Well Forum 9:30am-1pm. Doors open at 8:30am for the Free Vendor Fair! Speakers include District Attorney Jill Henderson on criminal, physical & financial elder abuse trends and ways you can protect yourself, and Bob Coomber, an intrepid adventurer who uses his wheelchair to hike the Sierras. His story will inspire you to take a look at your own self-imposed limitations and perhaps reach beyond what you think is possible. Julie Levin, MFT, will guide us on boundaries. What are they and why are they important? Tickets on sale 3/9, $25 presale, $35 after 4/17. Register at the Senior Center or online.

233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788 Register for classes and events at www.pleasanthillrec.com

They continued producing hit albums and hits until October 1972

Tom Fogerty and his brother John had creative differences and Tom decided to leave the group. Tom released several albums but they were not as successful as those made by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tom died in 1990 from a tainted blood transfusion given to him when he was having back surgery.

John Fogerty is an active performer doing concerts, recordings, and occasional TV. In 2005, an album of Creedence and John Fogerty’s music was released

Stu Cook and Doug Clifford have worked together since the band’s breakup. In 1995, they put together a program called, “Creedence Clearwater Revisited”, a group with several wellknown musicians which toured.

The group rarely got together after the breakup. Not only were the brothers at odds with one another but Cook and Clifford also had hard feelings towards John Fogerty. When the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, John refused to perform with Cook and Clifford.

Creedence Clearwater Revival produced an enormous amount of popular music within a short period of time.

Their music is timeless and still enjoyed today. Springing from a bayou that never was in El Cerrito.

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

Martinez Senior Activities March 5 & 19 – Bingo. Sales open at 12pm. Game begins at 1pm. 5 per pack. $30 guaranteed minimum prize for 10 regular games. Special games (prize dependent upon sales). Everyone is welcome!

March 8 - Pancake Breakfast 8-11am. Breakfast includes pancakes, toast, eggs made to order, orange juice and coffee. Pancake Breakfast is the 2nd Sunday of every month. The event is open to the public, everyone is welcome! $5.00 adults, $3.00 children under 10 year of age.

March 13 - Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, 11:30am-1:30pm. Lunch served at 12pm. Enjoy a delicious, catered and traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal provided by Wilma Lott Catering. Please note request vegan/vegetarian option at sign up. It is first come, first served (limited meals available). After lunch, enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with a performance by the Crocketts, music and dance, and a raffle. Don’t miss out on the fun! Tickets are on sale today. The last day to sign up is Thursday, March 5 at 10am. $17 Per Person or $20 suggested donation.

April 3 - Silver Wings Performance, 11am-12pm. Do you love music? Lets take ourselves back to the ‘50s and ‘60s! Be sure to sign up so you can sing and dance along. It is sure to be a show you wont want to miss. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided. Sign up beginning Monday, March 2. This event is subject to cancellation if minimum participation is not met by the deadline date. $5 per person.

AARP Free Tax Preparation: Free tax preparation for the 2020 tax season will be offered by AARP Tax-Aide and provided by volunteer IRS certified tax counselors. Tax-Aide does not have an income limit but helps low and moderate income taxpayers of any age, with special attention given to seniors 50 +. You can make an appointment by calling (925) 370-8770 for the Martinez Senior Center site or (925) 726-3199.

818 Green Street, Martinez 925-370-8770

In the Mix With Bruce Brophy

BY PAUL COTRUVO

One of the reasons I enjoy writing this column each month is I get to share with you some of the great musical talent here in Contra Costa County.

Our area is filled with so many amazing artists. This month I’d like you to meet Bruce Brophy, and not because I am in a band with him but because he is one of the most respected and well-liked musicians in the area. A longtime career musician and an incredible guitarist, Bruce can be seen every week performing with one of his plethora of projects such as The Big Jangle, Fog 5, The Dan DeShara/Bruce Brophy show, and more.

There is no lack of work for this man.

But what I think makes Bruce special is that he is an extremely genuine and

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approachable person. In other words, just a really nice guy! And nice enough to answer some of these questions:

How old were you when you first decided you wanted to be a guitar player and who are some of your influences? I started playing guitar when I was 16. My early influences were Alex Lifeson, Steve Rothery, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, Robert Fripp and Rik Emmett, to name a few. Some later influences were Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Greenwood, and, of course, Mike Campbell.

What was the name of your first band? My first band was in high school.

We were called Iconoclast, named after an ELP song on the album Tarkus.

How many guitars do you have, and do you have a favorite? I have had many many guitars. I am down to around 15 or so. My current favorites are a sea foam green Telecaster and a Stratocaster made of various other strat parts.

What inspires you to write your own music? Writing music and playing guitar for me is the best therapy in the world. There is nothing like sitting down, creating some music loops, and escaping everything for a moment.

What have been some of the highlights of your career so far? In the ‘90s, my original band, Scream Radio, had local and international radio play and we were number 1 on a Chicago college station. I recorded some tracks for a prog album in Germany called Box of Crayons, Colorblind Chameleon. With my friends, I enjoy entertaining people in the cover band FOG5. I am honored to be playing with some of the best musicians/friends around with The Big Jangle.

What is your take on the music scene in Contra Costa? The music scene in Contra Costa is amazing; the amount of talent in this area is mindboggling. So many great venues to play: WiseGirl, Retro Junkie, Lucca, Vinnie’s, Fourth Bore, Dan’s bar, Roundup,

and Roxx, to name a few. So sad that Armando’s is now gone.

If you were a song, what song would be and why? If I were a song, I guess it would be “YYZ” by Rush be-

cause it takes you on musical journey.

Thanks Bruce!

Quote of the Month: “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” - Bob Marley

Paul’s Picks

March 6: Stung, The Broadway Club, 1342 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, 9pm March 7: The Big Jangle, Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, 9pm March 13: Ken Cooper, Back Forty, 100 Coggins Drive, Pleasant Hill, 6pm March 17: David Martin & Ken Cooper, WiseGirl, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 7pm March 20: Haulin’ Oats, Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main St, Walnut Creek, 9pm March 20: Pop Fiction, Dan’s Bar, 1524 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 10pm March 27: Midnight Flyer, Lafayette Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette, 8pm March 28: Zebop, Lafayette Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette, 8pm March 28: Stephanie & Joey, Rocco’s, 909 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, 8pm March 28: Fleetwood Mask, The Broadway Club, 1342 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, 9pm

Live Music Venues

Armando’s: 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, www.armandosmartinez.com Back Forty: 100 Coggins Drive-Pleasant Hill, www. backforty.us WiseGirl: 1932 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, www.wisegirlph.com Dan’s Bar: 1524 Civic Drive Walnut Creek, www.dansbar.com Roxx on Main: 627 Main St. Martinez, www.roxxonmain.com Rocco’s Pizzeria: 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek, www.roccospizzeria.com Retro Junkie: 2112 N. Main Street Walnut Creek, www.retrojunkiebar.com Vinnies: 2045 Mt. Diablo Street-Concord, www.vinniesbar.com

IN THE GARDEN

Spring Has Sprung Ramps, an Early Spring Treat

BY LESLEY STILES

March derives its name from Mars, the Roman god of war in ancient folklore. Traditionally, this was the time to resume wars because snow had melted and weather was warmer. Given our current political climate, the folklore is not too far off -- this year anyway. We will need to commune in nature to dispel differences as wildflowers mesmerize our total senses.

Spring comes in many guises in the Diablo Valley. Snow has frosted our beloved Mt. Diablo on my siblings’ birthdays, March 12 and 21, more than once. During drought years, I have eaten tomatoes from my yard come the sneaky ides. March brings the vernal equinox.

On this day, the sun stands directly over earth’s equator, forcing the shifting time to catch up with the month’s earlier daylight savings time on March 8. Spring forward as “fall back” catches up with the forward movement of clocks, decreasing sleepy time by an hour.

Making up for shifting hours, March brings the heady promise of freshly tilled soil yearning for baby seedling roots to gently push feathery roots comfortably in. Warmer days leading into balmy evenings intoxicate feverish heads to create the fabled spring fever. Blood comes closer to the skin, forcing the removal of shoes in the grass. Keep in mind that March 29-31 are the Borrowing Days.

According to lore, the last three days of March have a reputation for being stormy and living on borrowed time.

Things were a bit rougher back then.

Planting time gets a little crazy as the first spring planting brings hope of summer with every turn of the spade.

Over planting is inherently possible and creates space issues as joyous disregard takes over every time new seeds or seedlings are submerged into loamy, sweet-smelling earth with thine own fingers.

Seasonally at the farmers’ market,

produce is amping up. Sweet asparagus spears majestically present themselves, hoarding precious space on market tables and daring resistance to shopping bags. Carrots and beets are in their second harvest phase, securing candy sweet roots to roast. Tender greens of all kinds roar at you as you pass while winter citrus lingers defiantly. Hoop house strawberries are sweetening up and cherries are on the way. Sweet, spring baby garlic and onions are one of the most special treats of early spring.

Allium tricoccum, a North American variety of an extraordinary early spring treat better known as ramps, arrives, as well as wild leeks. Perfectly crossed sweet onion and tangy garlic flavors characterize this bulb-forming perennial with long, flat, smooth, green stalks that taper down to burgundy purple tinged diminutive bulbs bursting with life. Ramps have become the darling of chef circles and cause table frenzy in early spring, when they hit farmers’ markets and signal balmy futures and visions of asparagus, strawberries, and cherries, following quickly down the pike after a chilly season of citrus and broccoli. Part of the rapidly growing popularity of the ramp can be attributed to extremely high demand, a very short foraging season, and the mystery of this vegetable that is not quite an onion or garlic but encompasses the best of both flavor profiles. After a thorough cleansing, ramps are lovely simply tossed with salt and olive oil and then tossed on a first of the season hot grill. Smoky scents wafting up from this ramp will intoxicate as much as its inevitable consumption.

Dipped in a light beer batter and deep fried, the ramp becomes an impossible yet real colossal combination of French fry and onion ring, defying taste bud logic. Pickled in light rice vinegar, sugar, and sea salt brine overnight adds dimension to any charcuterie served.

Sliced and tossed into lightly buttered scrambled eggs invokes sighs. Being the first to discover the mischievous allium

among your food loving peers adds adventure and excitement to your hopeful quest towards ramp love and impending spring excitement.

Hiking in Briones and the surrounding hills is optimum in early spring. Mustard is blooming on rolling green hills spotted with calves and coyote puppies frolicking in the tall grasses. Flowers are starting to poke out as I scan the sides of the trail for my favorite, the elusive Yellow Globe Lily. Get out and move it to lose it.

Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy and Chef/ Owner of Roxx on Main, offering delicious, sustainable foods to the community.

She can be reached at lesley@roxxonmain.com • www.roxxonmain.com • www.lesleystilesfoods.com 925 370 ROXX

Arugula and Prosciutto Salad

INGREDIENTS 1 pound baby wild arugula ½ pound prosciutto, sliced thin and julienned ½ cup shredded pecorino cheese 1 lemon, zest and juice 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar 3 Tablespoons olive oil Lemon oil to finish Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Toss arugula in a large salad bowl with lemon juice, lemon zest, rice vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Toss well. Place salad on individual plates and sprinkle with prosciutto and cheese. Finish with lemon oil and possibly another crack of salt and pepper.

Serves 4

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2020 CAMPAIGN

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education (FPHE) suggests a donation of $100 or more. Donations of all amounts are appreciated. FPHE’s ability to issue school grants is solely dependent on the support of the community.

WHY GIVE? STRONG SCHOOLS BENEFIT YOU!

Strong schools greatly benefit students. They also help increase property values as more homebuyers understand our community’s dedication to supporting local education. Businesses thrive and grow. Most importantly, strong schools enhance the future of our community.

HOW TO DONATE

Donate online at www.fphe.org or mail to FPHE, P.O. Box 23851, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.

Since 2009, thanks to community support, FPHE has awarded over A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS in grants to our community’s 11 public schools.

HOW ARE DONATIONS USED?

FPHE HAS FUNDED:

Funds raised go to school grants issued in May 2020.

• Books for entire grade levels: reference, biographies, literature pieces, early readers.

• Classroom equipment: maps, graphing calculators, DNA research tools, lab equipment, LCD projectors, interactive whiteboards.

• Curriculum support items: math/science programs, “living history” programs, literature programs.

• Items to support the arts: musical instruments/supplies, stage lighting and audio equipment.

LEARN MORE

To become a FPHE member or learn more about 2020 campaign events, email contact@fphe.org.

Be a Part of Progress - Donate Today at www.fphe.org or mail the coupon below. Questions? Email contact@fphe.org.

Thank you for your commitment to education and our community.

HELP SCHOOLS THRIVE - GIVE $100!

DONATE AT WWW.FPHE.ORG

I wish to contribute the following to Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education: $100

HELP SCHOOLS THRIVE

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Please mail this coupon to: FPHE, P.O. Box 23851• Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Tax ID#: 26-2326345) • Please make check payable to FPHE Donations to FPHE’s 2020 Annual Campaign reduce the impact budget cuts have on the 11 Pleasant Hill public schools.

Your donation directly benefits language arts, math, science and enrichment programs.

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New Treatment Options Fighting Colon Cancer with Immunotherapy

BY JEWEL JOHL, MD

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates that almost 101,420 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in 2020.

While chemotherapy is still used to prevent recurrence of early stage colon cancer and treatment of advanced/metastatic colon cancer, immunotherapy is playing an increasing role in the treatment for certain groups of patients with this disease. Immunotherapy is the use of medications that utilize a person’s

own immune system to better recognize and destroy cancer cells. It can be used to treat some of those with advanced colorectal cancer as well certain other cancers that respond to manipulation of one’s own immune system.

An important part of the immune system is its ability to keep itself from attacking the body’s normal cells. To do this, it uses “checkpoint” proteins on immune cells that act like switches to turn on or off to start an immune response.

Certain cancers use these checkpoints to keep the immune system from attacking them. New immunotherapy agents that target these checkpoints hold a lot of promise as cancer treatments.

Drugs called checkpoint inhibitors can

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be used for patients whose colorectal cancer cells have tested positive for specific gene changes, such as a high level of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or changes in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. These drugs are used for patients whose cancer is still growing after treatment with chemotherapy.

They might also be used to treat people whose cancer can’t be removed with surgery, has come back after treatment, or has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). These drugs are effective mostly in those whose tumors test positive for MSI-H.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) are examples of checkpoint inhibitors that are currently available that target PD-1, a protein on immune system cells called T cells that normally help keep these cells from attacking other cells in the body. By blocking PD-1, these drugs boost the immune response against cancer cells.

These drugs are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion every two or three weeks.

Even though checkpoint inhibitors can be very effective and are exciting treatment options for those suffering from colon and certain other cancers, serious side effects can potentially occur. These drugs work by basically removing the brakes from the body’s immune system.

Sometimes the immune system starts attacking other parts of the body, which can cause serious or even life-threatening problems in the lungs, intestines, liver,

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hormone-making glands, kidneys, or other organs. Therefore, we closely monitor these side effects during clinic visits via physical exam and lab assessment.

Clinical trials are underway to see if these checkpoint inhibitors can be used in combination with chemotherapy in early stage disease (stage III) following surgery to prevent recurrence and in advanced stage (stage IV) to see if these drugs can be used early in the course of the treatment, either by itself or in combination with chemotherapy, to improve survival.

Join Dr. Johl and other medical experts on March 31, from 6:30-8:30pm, at “The Many Faces of Colorectal Cancer,” an educational seminar focusing on the unique issues experienced by colorectal cancer patients. Lafayette Library Community Room in Lafayette. Reservations recommended. Call 925-677-5041 x260 or email sgoldberg@dvohmg.com.

Jewel Johl, MD is a board certified medical oncologist and hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group. He has expertise in treating all forms of cancer and blood disorders and has a particular interest in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers and colorectal cancers. If you or a loved one is suffering from colon cancer and would like further advice or a second opinion and wish to make an appointment, you can reach us at 925-677-5041 or www.dvohmg.com.

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march 1 - 14

march 11

march 14

march 21

Natural Shocks

Magic Club

Oakley Through Time

A play based on Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy. This solo show tackles the theme of a woman in crisis. Check for times and ticket info at www.campbelltheater.com. Campbell Theater, 636 Ward Street, Martinez.

Assembly #112 Magic Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Denny’s Restaurant, 1313 Willow Pass Rd., Concord, 6:30-7pm – Greet and Meet Time. 7-8:30pm – Workshop Time (learning new effects or Lecture time), 8:30-10pm – Performance Time (bring a trick to perform). https://sam112.com.

45th Annual St Patrick’s Dinner Enjoy traditional St. Patrick’s dinner, raffle and entertainment by the Irish Step Dancers.

5:30 social hour, dinner at 6:30pm. $20per person, $10 children ages 6-12. RSVP: 925228-6574. Grace Episcopal Church, 130 Muir Station Rd, Martinez.

History talk and book signing. Local historian and author Carol Jensen presents an illustrated talk about her new book which walks us through the history of this fascinating pioneer town; 3– 4:30pm with intermission. RSVP is requested. Email mkting@cocohistory.org or call (925) 229-1042. Campbell Theater, 636 Ward Street, Martinez.

march 13

march 31

St. Patrick’s Party

Many Faces of Colorectal Cancer

Pleasant Hill Rotary hosts their 20th annual party at the Pleasant Hill Community Center at 5:30pm. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by emailing jbonato@aol.com or calling 9385433. No tickets sold at door.

An educational seminar focusing on the unique issues experienced by colon and rectal cancer patients. 6:30-8:30pm, Lafayette Library in Lafayette. Reservations recommended, call 925-677-5041 x260 or email: sgoldberg@ dvohmg.com

march 1 & 15

march 14

march 14

ongoing

How to Raise Your Own Chickens

The Stacey Show

St. Paul’s Concert Series

Volunteer with Seniors

San Francisco comic brings her comic styling to her hilarious characters. From church lady to stories about her family. (Carol Burnett kind of humor.) Online sales stop 2 hours before show.

Purchase tickets at www.campbelltheater. com. 2:30pm, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward Street, Martinez.

Anna Maria Mendieta Celtic and Classical Harp, 7pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. https://stpaulswc.org/ concert-series/

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

Spectrumcs.org.

march 7, 14 & 21

march 27

ongoing

Gardening in a Changing Climate

Model Train Show & Open House

Volunteers for Senior Van Service

Learn how to create, cultivate and enjoy a home garden through the lens of a changing climate. Saturdays, 9:30am-12pm, Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Rd., Pleasant Hill. sustainablecoco.org.

Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society hosts the largest HO scale layout on permanent display in the Bay Area in the building built especially for a model railroad.

Over 4,300 feet of track. Adults: $3, children and seniors: $2, children under 6 yrs free. 8-10pm, 2751 Buena Vista, Walnut Creek. www.wcmrs.org

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

Papa John Kiefer offer workshops to include topics on raising young chicks, laying hen maintenance, and sustainable coop construction. 1-3:30pm. Free; reservations required.

Lafayette location provided upon registration, chickenspapajohn@gmail.com.

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