October 2015 Community Focus by Community Focus

Pleasant Hill • Concord • Martinez • Lafayette • Walnut Creek

COMMUNITY

FOCUS

OCTOBER 2015 Reaching Over 50,000 Homes & Businesses

ourcommunityfocus.com

IN THIS ISSUE: • MARTINEZ HOME TOUR • DVC FOOTBALL • ROCKETSHIP CHARTER

Julie Says

True Trick or Treat Terror BY JULIE ROSS It’s almost Halloween again, so maybe you and your family have already been thinking about costume choices. According to the National Retail Federation, last year’s most popular costumes for kids, aside from characters from Disney’s Frozen and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, were “princess, animal and Spider Man.” None of those is particularly scary. What house is haunted by a fairy, ladybug or superhero? Perhaps your taste runs to the more frightening on this ghostly night and you are trying to come up with the scariest, most scream-worthy costume of all. What will strike the highest level of fear into the very souls of your friends and neighbors? Will it be a zombie, ghoul, demon, goblin, witch, vampire – or clown? The obvious answer, of course, is clown. Is that painted carnival dweller a purveyor of slapstick hilarity or a violent psychopath? You just can’t tell by looking, and that’s why clowns scare the bejesus out of

us. Years ago when we lived in Washington, D.C., I was shopping in Georgetown, when suddenly, walking straight toward me on the crowded sidewalk was a clown in full white-faced regalia. I, of course, immediately took evasive action by quickly crossing the street, whereupon the clown flung his arms wide and shouted out, “HEY, everyone, that lady is AFRAID OF CLOWNS!” This clown was not only terrifying, but also I think quite rude to call me out like that. I am not saying all clowns are homicidal maniacs, but I do feel it’s prudent to exercise caution. I’m not alone in my opinion of the Bozos of the world. In 2008, Nursing Standard magazine and the BBC reported on the results of a research study by Sheffield University in the United Kingdom conducted to help select cheerful décor for children’s hospitals. Among the 250 children surveyed, clowns were “universally disliked.” Not surprising. At my younger son’s preschool, the children had a visit one morning from a fairly ordinary looking middle-aged woman. She introduced herself as “Feather the Clown,” and proceeded to transform herself, step by step, until she was indeed

AHA! News

Anti-Hazing Awareness Movement City Proclamation The City of Pleasant Hill is proclaiming October as Anti-Hazing Awareness Month. The proclamation will be made at 7:30pm on September 28 at the city council meeting. Zachary’s Fundraiser Enjoy food from Zachary’s Pizza while raising funds to support the AHA! Movement. The fundraiser is all day, dine in or take out, 11am-10pm, October 14. Zachary’s will give 15% of sales to AHA! when the flyer is presented. The flyer can be found at either ahamovement.org or AHA! Movement on Facebook. Dine on the patio in the evening and listen to Paul Cotruvo play for a few hours. Created in 2015, the AHA! Movement seeks to end the practice of hazing by educating young people about the degrading, tortuous, and potentially fatal dangers associated with hazing. AHA! was founded by Debbie Smith to honor the memory of her son Matthew Carrington, a 21-year-old student from Pleasant Hill, who was killed during a hazing ritual while attending California State University, Chico. 2

october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

a full-on clown character, complete with bulbous nose, giant shoes, big red wig and all. Horrifying. The idea was, of course, for the children to lose their fear of clowns by seeing it was just a regular person under all that makeup. What sort of thought process is behind that bit of twisted logic? How about this instead – just don’t put on all that weird stuff in the first place! Seriously. There is a scientific term for those with a major aversion to clowns – coulrophobia. It is defined as “an abnormal fear of clowns.” How can a fear of clowns possibly be abnormal? Seems to me to be more a mainstream state of mind than a psychological aberration. Just type “I Hate Clowns” into your search engine and the first thing that pops up is the “I Hate Clowns” website, www.ihateclowns.com, sponsored by the (clearly rational) anticlown community. I dare you to go to YouTube and

watch the “Top 10 Scariest Clowns in Movies and TV.” I made it not quite 20 seconds in before I had to squeeze my eyes shut and click the stop button. Beyond chilling. The choice is yours. Will you dress as a mummy, gorgon, banshee or clown? We all know which will inspire the most terror. Send in the clowns! Just not to my house, please. It’s a no-clown zone. Year-round, not just on Halloween. You can reach Julie at julieakross@ comcast.net

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COVER:

A house in the Martinez Home Tour, built in 1937, where Joe DiMaggio and his new bride, Marilyn Monroe, spent the night. PHOTO BY: Susan Wood

INSIDE

Fleet Week

22 Carondelet Legacies

Changing the Face of Beauty

18 Book Review

24 River Cruising 101

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As Russ Sees It Check Me Out!

BY RUSS CARROLL So, after a couple of years of being single and on the sidelines, I started thinking perhaps it was time to get back in the game. My next thought was, “Okay, big boy, what’s the plan?” I tried the evening bar scene. I don’t think I fit in well with that crowd. Everyone looked at me like I must be there looking for my daughter. I tried dressing the part, but was sad to learn that men don’t wear Members Only jackets anymore, and all the guys are in a tad bit better shape than I. I hit a couple of places that were known for hosting an “older” crowd. Oh my. I left thinking if those were the women of my future, I was headed back to the sidelines, pronto. My next plan? Online dating. I perused a few sites before selecting one whose claim to fame was matching people with similar interests. They also seemed to have members that were more “mature.” Okay…I’m in. Building a profile took me two days. I have filled out mortgage applications that were shorter than my dating profile. Then it kept kicking it back to me because I refused to add a photo. I finally uploaded a picture of George Clooney. I thought my profile read well for the most part. It contained a certain flare of humor that I hoped gals would appreciate. “I am a Gemini and I like water sports.”

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Seemed funny to me. Unfortunately, I have been informed on multiple occasions that not everyone thinks I am as funny as I do. I think the real breakdown in my profile came in the form of describing my current situation. Perhaps I should have lied. ”I am currently unemployed. I rent a room from a friend, and my car is wrecked, so I ride my bicycle everywhere. However, if you live on or near the #9 or #18 bus lines, we could make this work. I only dance at weddings and first dates, however, I have been known to show some flexibility around this on New Year’s Eve. I don’t like to travel and I hate hiking. My idea of wine tasting is a glass of cheap red wine, ESPN Sports Center, and a recliner. However, if things work out between us, I would consider moving to the couch with you.” What’s weird is that I have only received one response, and that was from a gal who found my profile funny and was certain I must be kidding. After assuring her it was all true, she dropped her membership and I was unable to follow-up. In baseball terms, I am 0-2 and haven’t hit safely in two years. Maybe I should just sit tight and hope that the next cable repair person is an over-50, co-dependent hotty who is attracted to my flaws. Or, perhaps a woman in one of those catalogs who wants to come to America but needs a “sponsor.” It might be nice to have a girlfriend who has to leave the country if she decides to leave a relationship. But…that’s just how I see it.

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The following sponsors make this tour possible: Shell Martinez Refinery, Cole Real Estate, Shell Chemical Company, Republic Services, Shell Western States Federal Credit Union, Hagin’s Automotive, Bisio / Dunivan, State Farm Insurance, Matthew Rinn, AgentLes Schwab Tire Center, Martinez, EcoMulch, Community Focus, City of Martinez, U.S. Bank and Leading Edge Pest Management.

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I V E R S AR NN

an intact Craftsman Era interior (where restrooms and parking is plentiful). Nextdoor is the Shell Refinery Museum. Both buildings are located at 1635 Pacheco Boulevard. The tour includes the 1927 Veterans Memorial Building, the1890 Borland House (Martinez Museum), and John Muir’s 1882 Italianate Victorian mansion, with the adjacent 1849 Martinez Adobe. An added feature of the home tour is the opportunity to meet homeowners who can answer questions and discuss renovating and furnishing their older homes. The tour includes antique automobiles parked in front of the homes, the Joltin’ Joe (Joe DiMaggio’s pleasure boat), live music, demonstrations and refreshments. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by credit card at www.martinezhometour. com or www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-martinez-historic-home-tour, with cash or by check at Char’s Flowers (635 Main Street), Rumain’s Jewelry (510 Center Avenue), Bagel Street Café (580 Center Avenue), The UPS Store (Lucky Shopping Center) and I’ve Been Framed (411 Ferry Street).

20 YEARS NN

How would you like to visit a house where Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe once stayed? Or walk through the guest room where they spent the night? You can do this on the 2015 Home Tour in Martinez, Saturday, October 10 from 10am to 4pm. Eight private homeowners open up their beautiful vintage homes to the public, courtesy of the Martinez Historical Society. Joe DiMaggio’s uncle and aunt Pete and Mary Amato previously owned one of the homes, a Spanish Revival constructed in 1937. Other homes were built in a variety of historic home styles, such as Arts & Crafts, Craftsman, and Cape Cod Revival. Construction dates range from 1912 to 1941. “Some of the homes have beautiful interior woodwork,” said Carolyn Duncan, chair of the Home Tour Committee, “especially the Craftsman homes.” Other details include vintage light fixtures, gorgeous wallpaper, antique appliances, and romantic stairways. “These homes were built in an era when homeowners did not stint on quality,” said Marlene Haws, who helped select houses on the tour. One of the Craftsman homes has a secret room. John Curtis, president of the Martinez Historical Society says docents will show visitors how a built-in bookcase swings open to allow passage into the hidden room. This house was on a previous tour, but a whimsical feature has been added. Six public buildings are also included, including the 1937 Shell Clubhouse, with

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A raffle will determine which lucky tour goer will win a dinner for four, served in the dining room of the Amato Home, where Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe themselves once dined. ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

Estate Planning

Estate Planning for Blended Families BY DANIEL DuREE The issues involved in estate planning are both complicated and emotionally charged for any family. Things become even more difficult when a husband or wife has children from a previous relationship. The decisions become more important because of the possibility that children from a previous relationship may not end up with anything if the surviving spouse spends all of the assets or changes the estate plan. If the children are strictly provided for, there is also a possibility that the surviving spouse may not have enough money to support him or herself. This is a very common issue and can be dealt with in a couple of ways. With proper legal planning and communication, many potential problems can be mitigated. I will discuss the three most common ways of dealing with estate planning for a blended

family. We will assume the family is using a revocable trust for probate avoidance. Leave all assets in control of the surviving spouse A married couple can create a jointly settled revocable trust with agreed upon beneficiaries and spouses acting as cotrustees. In its most simple form, when one spouse dies, the other spouse is sole trustee and the trust is still fully amendable and revocable by the surviving spouse. What this means is that even if the children of the deceased spouse were initial beneficiaries, the surviving spouse has the power to amend the trust and remove them as beneficiaries. It is not uncommon for a surviving spouse to amend a trust years after the death of the first spouse because their relationship with some of the initial beneficiaries (e.g., the deceased spouse’s children) has changed over time. The other potential issue arises when a surviving spouse enters a new relationship and amends the trust in favor of their new

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significant other. Split the Trust at the Death of the First Spouse Another option is to split the trust in half at the death of the first spouse with half of the trust being irrevocable and earmarked for the deceased spouse’s children. The trust can be drafted so that the surviving spouse has access to all of the income but none of the principal, or all of the income and a certain percentage of the principal per year. It can also be written so that the surviving spouse only has access to the deceased spouse’s half after they have spent their own half. Of course the danger with this scheme is that the surviving spouse needs the assets to care for him or herself and is unable to access them. Give the Children Their Share at the Death of Their Parent The easiest way to deal with estate planning for a mixed family, if practical, is

to simply leave a certain amount of assets to the children when their parent dies. That way, the children are provided for and the surviving spouse has control over the remainder of the assets to support him or herself. Although the children may not end up with as much as under the split trust scenario, they will receive the money earlier and the surviving spouse will be better protected. There are numerous other permutations of a trust that can combine different aspects of these three approaches. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to call and I will be happy to discuss this and any other estate planning issues in further depth. 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.

Insurance News

Changes in Open Enrollment BY COLLEEN CALLAHAN In September, my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary by having a wonderful dinner at the Dead Fish and leaving the following morning to go camping in Oregon. Full disclosure, we have a travel trailer; I am not the roughing it kind of gal! Oregon is beautiful and the scenery is diverse, much like California. We were able to see the seasons begin to change. Fall is definitely a time of change, and not just in the seasons, colors, and schools. Thanks to the government, it is time for changes to our health insurance. October 15 is the beginning of the annual open enrollment period for those that have Part D Medicare prescription coverage. If you are not happy with your plan or if your medication list has changed, now is time to research other options. There will be loads of advertisements. If you want to do some

research yourself, check on www.Medicare. gov. An insurance agent certified to work in Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug market can also help. You have until December 7 to move to another plan, and the new plan is effective January 1, 2016. The government, in its infinite wisdom, selected the fall for the annual open enrollment for anyone with an individual health insurance plan. It is also time to obtain coverage if you have been uninsured. This year, the federal guidelines state the open enrollment will be from November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016. If you are not pleased with your plan, now is the time to make changes. If you need help with your prescription plan or you would like to change your health insurance, please give me a call. Thanks to those of you that called last month. I realize it is not just my mom who reads these articles! Colleen Callahan Insurance Services is located in Pleasant Hill. Contact her at 925363-5433 or ccallahan@callahaninsurance. com.

Changing the Face of Beauty Martinez Model Cora Slocum BY ALISON CLARY October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Hundreds of people will participate in the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk at Pleasant Hill Middle School, Sunday, October 4, 10am – 3pm. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise $150,000 to support the non-profit organization, Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay. When you go to this event, you will be in good company with “Cora’s Crew,” a dedicated group of friends and family of Cora Slocum, daughter of Martinez residents Kerri and Scott Slocum. Cora is a four-year-old with Down’s syndrome. She also happens to be a model. Kerri says her daughter got involved in modeling when she was just two years old through a promotional video for Easter Seals of the Bay Area. “She was such a natural that the photographer suggested I look into modeling for her. Then, last year, I saw a segment on the Today Show about the organization Changing the Face of Beauty, and I started following them on Facebook.” Changing the Face of Beauty challenges traditional perceptions and definitions of beauty. It celebrates diversity by advocating for equal representation of people with disabilities in advertising and media. Kerri says, “It’s an important mission because the more exposure people have to those different from themselves, the more acceptance and inclusion will be shown to individuals, regardless of their abilities.” She describes Cora as a determined little girl who is social, engaging, and full of joy. “She loves playing with her big brother

and sister and enjoys preschool, books, music, and dancing – just like most 4 year olds! Milestones that come naturally for her peers have taken more time for her. But, we’ve been privileged to have therapists and teachers that have guided her and set no limits on what she can accomplish and she has thrived.” With a personal commitment to challenging stereotypes, Kerri told me what the international movement towards inclusiveness of people with differences in the media means to her. “Advertising still has a long way to go. The fact that Cora’s story went viral is indicative that people are ready for more ‘real’ models that are currently underrepresented. Whenever models with disabilities are profiled it makes national news. My hope is that by the media-recognizing individuals of all abilities, more doors will be open for full inclusion in other areas of life.” Cora has had two catalog shoots with Livie & Luca, a local children’s shoe company, and Kerri says, “As long as she continues to enjoy modeling, we’re hoping for more work for her in the future.” The mission of Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area is: “To empower, inspire and support people with Down syndrome, their families and the community that serves them, while fostering awareness and acceptance in all areas of life.” For more information on how to donate or register for the Step Up For Down’s Syndrome Walk in Pleasant Hill, go to www. dsconnection.org.

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Buying or Selling? Putting Your Home on the Market BY GLENN ALLEN When you decide to put your home on the market, you should spend some time getting informed and doing as much research as you can. My initial appointment with potential seller clients is often an educational process that gives them a preview of winning strategies and insights that will help them through the home selling process. Eventually, there comes that moment when you have to take a leap of faith, hire the Realtor that goes to work for

you, and trust your Realtor’s expertise and judgement. Getting educated and picking the right Realtor is particularly important in a low inventory market like the one we’re experiencing in our area right now. The number of buyers looking is seasonally down, reducing the chances of a high number of multiple offers and forcing sellers to up their game a bit. Here are some tips for reducing seller anxiety, particularly when the stakes are high and they are trying to get top dollar. Be open to your agent’s direction. The stress of a tight real estate market can

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cloud your sense of judgment, even if you are a skilled businessperson. Multiple offers and the need to make quick decisions leave many homeowners not knowing what to accept. Moreover, you might be so emotionally attached to the property that you overestimate its worth and don’t want to accept the listing price and marketing strategies your Realtor recommends, something that can potentially shave thousands of dollars off the final sales price. Take a deep breath and remember that you did your homework. This is a top-notch professional who gets results for others, and he will work hard to do the same for you. Be willing to let the agents show your house. Having your house on the market can be a major inconvenience, especially if you have kids. The house must remain clean and staged for the duration. Also, being flexible and allowing last minute calls to show your home will increase the number of buyers seeing your home. Find a Realtor who is the right match for you. There are some basic things that all agents should have: experience on the ground in the local market, a proven marketing strategy, affiliation with a reputable company, and a top record of sales.

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The agent you select should have something else, though, and that is the ability to listen and connect with you. Don’t work with someone when the connection feels “off.”You should have common values and a good rapport. Otherwise, it will be hard to trust your agent when it counts. My team and I offer personalized service and flexibility in this low inventory market. We have decades of local experience in the Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek area and will work with you tirelessly to make sure your house receives top dollar. Our goal is to be your Realtors for life and to earn your trust. To see what some of my recent clients have said about working with my team and me go to www. Zillow.com and in the agent search tab put “Glenn Allen.”You will find 40+ reviews that share how we work. You can follow me on Facebook (HomeSearchContraCosta) and Twitter (GlennAllenRE), or contact my team and me at 925.709-1000/Team@talktoglenn. com. Re/Max C.C.Connection, Inc. In the fast-paced world of real estate, we’re what you can count on.

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DAY O F THE DEAD

F E S T I VA L O F T H E A LTA R S

Sat, Oct. 31, 2015 | 2pm to 8pm Main St. Plaza in Downtown Martinez | FREE | Food, Music, Community Altars

Celebrating the Mexican tradition of honoring the ancestors. Bring photos, flowers and mementos of loved ones to place on altars. Dress in traditional dĂa de los muertos skeleton motif. Traditional skull face painting. All ages welcome.

A month-long celebration: Oct 2015 Visit www.MainStreetMartinez.org

Artist and Vendor booths available. Contact Main Street Martinz 925.228.3577 ourcommunityfocus.com â&#x20AC;˘ october 2015

City of Pleasant Hill

Mayor’s Message Community Service Day We just celebrated our 11th annual Community Service Day with hundreds of volunteers laboring at almost twenty projects sites around the city. Since its inception in 2005, the event has involved around 9,000 volunteers and more than 35,000 hours of community service logged. Other highlights include: • 15 tons of food collected for the Contra Costa Food Bank • 650 bikes repaired and donated to foster children • More than 40,000 children’s book covers cleaned and sorted • Creeks and open space areas cleared • Six tons of trash removed from Ellinwood Creek • Organic and instructional gardens cleared, prepared for winter, or planted • Hundreds of plants and trees added to parks and gardens These are just some of the many achievements made possible by volunteers during Community Service Day. I want to thank all of you who have participated over the past 11 years in this great communitybuilding event. Keep up the good work!

New LED Streetlights The city is working with PG&E to convert approximately 1,600 PG&E-owned, non-decorative streetlights to energy efficient and longer lasting Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures. LED streetlights brighten streets and neighborhoods, providing residents with

reliable, clean and affordable energy. They use 50 to 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and require less maintenance. They have a more natural-looking light, can last up to four times longer than traditional bulbs, and provide greater visibility for pedestrians and drivers alike. Each installation takes approximately 10 minutes per lamp fixture, with all work being done in public. Residents will be notified of replacement activity occurring in their neighborhood prior to PG&E’s arrival. For more information, go to www.pge.com/ streetlightupgrade or email streetlightupgrade@pge.com with any questions.

design and manufacturing of the signage. The first phase of this proposal would install eight new gateway markers to replace the current “pagoda” signs and up to 29 wayfinding signs to highlight main attractions, such as Downtown and key buildings and parks, in order to help both residents and visitors navigate major destinations in the city. For more information on this project, contact Economic Development Manager Kelly Calhoun at kcalhoun@pleasanthillca. org or call (925) 671-5213.

Gateway Signs Proposed

Architectural Review Commission Oct. 1, 15 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 5pm. Contact: 671-5209

Over the past year, city staff has worked with Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) urban design consultants on designs for new gateway signs, as well as wayfinding signage around the city. The process included ten public workshops and multiple focus group meetings to solicit input from various community members regarding design concepts and locations for the new signs. WRT presented the draft plan for new gateway and wayfinding signs to the city council at its meeting on August 17. The design concept shown here was approved by the council. City staff will now begin working with WRT on the engineering

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october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Public Meetings

Civic Action Commission Oct. 7 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 City Council Oct. 5, 19 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 Library Task Force Oct. 12 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 11am. Contact: 671-5229 Planning Commission Oct. 13, 27 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Education Commission Oct. 28 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Community Room, 7pm For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us

Chamber Calendar 10/3 & 10/4 – Art, Jazz & Wine Fest Saturday, 10am-6pm and Sunday, 11am-5pm, Downtown Pleasant Hill. 10/3 – Saturday Evening Concert: East Bay Mudd 6:30-8:45pm, Downtown Pleasant Hill. 10/8 – Business Mixer 5-7pm, Republic Services, 441 N. Buchanan Circle, Pacheco. 10/12 - Office closed in observance of Columbus Day. 10/26 - Green Business Committee 4-5pm, Daily Digital, 3440 Vincent Road, Suite I, Pleasant Hill. 10/26 - Government Affairs Committee 5:30-7pm, Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggins Drive, Pleasant Hill. 10/28 – 680 Professional Business Women’s Network 6-8pm, Call for location. OFF THE GRID Food Trucks Wednesdays, 5-9pm, Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill. Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill. Save the Date! 11/4 New Member Orientation 5pm-6:30pm in the Community Room at City Hall.

City of Pleasant Hill

City News Uncertain Future for Grayson Woods Golf Course The 9-hole Grayson Woods golf course, located at the end of Grayson Road, closed earlier this year and is currently up for sale. At the August 17 city council meeting, a presentation was made by Dan Borenstein on behalf of the 125 homeowners from the neighborhoods surrounding the golf course who signed a “Protect Grayson Woods Open Space” letter. The letter urged city council to remain committed to the open space restrictions of the Grayson Woods development. In 1989, the City of Pleasant Hill approved the Grayson Woods Hillside Planned Unit Development (HPUD), and part of that development included a density transfer. Mr. Borenstein explained that, “Rather than develop the entire property, a nine-hole golf course (open space) was included in the plan, and the development rights for that land were transferred to the surrounding property.” Thus, the developer, Davidon Homes, built more homes (the Grayson Woods Subdivision) than would normally be permitted in exchange for preserving the open space. In 1998, the Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission approved development of the golf course and the 26-acre, 9-hole course opened in 2001. Colliers International is the marketing agent for the sale of Grayson Woods Golf Course. The property is designated as open space in the general plan, and changing its use would require an amendment to the general plan and a zoning change. In 2007 and 2014, the owners of the Grayson Woods golf course made unsuccessful attempts to try and sell the property. Mr. Borenstein said, “We bought these properties with the knowledge that we would have open space. These ongoing development threats affect our quality of life and property values. The letter we are submitting to you tonight, signed by more than 125 property owners, demonstrates our unified message that we oppose attempts to develop the course.” More news on the fate of the property and open space will be available in the coming months.

City News Continued on October 14 at 7pm. The workshop offers residents high-quality compost bins for $40 (retail $129) for those who attend. Composting your yard trimmings and food scraps is easy, great for your yard and garden, kind to our environment, and good for you too! Save money, save water, and conserve natural resources. The one-hour workshop is held in the large community room at City Hall. Register now by calling Annette Kaufmann at (925) 671-5265 or online at www.pleasanthill.net/compost.

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October is Anti Hazing Awareness Month The City of Pleasant Hill proclaims October as Anti Hazing Awareness Month on September 28 at the city council meeting at 7:30pm.

Instructional Garden Open House Educational Event The Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden (PHIG) team is having an open house and educational event on Sunday, October 11, from 2-5pm. The open house includes a garden tour with hands-on activities to engage all visitors, including families, and celebrates eight years of restoring the abandoned site and creating a wildlife habitat. The garden is also a water conservation demonstration garden. The garden tour includes a composting demonstration, advice on how to attract native bees and provide for bluebirds, and a hands-on water quality study to kick off a Pleasant Hill Green Team project. PHIG is at Pleasant Hill Educational Center, opposite Pleasant Hill Middle School and Pleasant Oaks Park ball fields. Park in parking lot and walk over to the garden. Event is free, but reserve ahead of time for garden tour at phigarden@gmail.com.

Composting Workshop

The City of Pleasant Hill is hosting a free backyard-composting workshop ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

City of Martinez PHOTO BY STAHLBERG

Mayor’s Message If you go to the city’s website (www.cityofmartinez.org) and tab to the mayor and city council section, you will see the following passage: “It is the responsibility of the Council to ensure the welfare of the people of Martinez. To that end, they are empowered to pass ordinances and resolutions, approve the spending of money, and set general policy for the City.” At first glance it seems rather simple, but I have found that almost everyone interprets “ensuring the welfare of the people” in a different way, including members of the city council. One thing that is consistent on every city council in California is that the city council sets policy and the city manager and his/her staff is

charged to carry out that policy. As mayor and city council members, we are in constant communication with our residents, businesses, and visitors. We receive hundreds of emails and dozens of phone calls every week. Some are simple complaints about potholes and speeding cars. Others can be more involved regarding the long-term planning of the city. But what about all of those residents that never call their mayor and city council members, never attend meetings, and don’t write letters to the editor? Their voice is just as important as those that do. As a group, the city council confers with citizens, businesses, outside funding agencies, and city staff to formulate

Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

direction for the future and funding priorities. In an effort to reach out to a broader spectrum of our population, the city has commissioned a Martinez Citizen Survey. This scientific survey is being sent to a small sample of Martinez households. We are gathering demographic information such as age, income level, number of family members, etc., but will concentrate on the level of support (or lack of support) for several specific city projects. The survey is completely anonymous and can be completed online or mailed. Watch your mailbox for the survey, and if you are one of the households scientifically selected, please complete and return it. Your participation in this

survey is very important and will help the Martinez City Council make decisions that affect our city. Whether you are sent the survey or not, you should check out the very important and very easy to read Budget in Brief. This is a 9-page document with a synopsis from the city manager and simple graphs of where money comes into the city and what it is used for. Instead of searching through hundreds of pages of the actual budget, you can easily scan the graphs and charts. You can find the Budget in Brief at http:// www.cityofmartinez.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=12065.

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City of Martinez

City News Martinez Restaurant Tour 2015 Join us for a delicious event in quaint downtown Martinez on Saturday, October 10, 1:30 to 4pm. Sample tasty treats from great downtown restaurants. This is a walking tour, so bring comfortable shoes and an expandable belt. All funds from the tour support the Oohs, Ahs and Giggles program, a free performing art series for children. Call the Martinez recreation office at 372-3510 to purchase tickets; go online at www.cityofmartinez.org and click on “Class Registration” tab on the left side, or stop by City Hall Recreation Office, 525 Henrietta Street or the Senior Center, 818 Green Street. Tickets are for adults only and are $15 each.

Barbara and Marty’s Halloween Hunt On Thursday, October 22, 3:30-5pm, head to Holiday Highlands, at Figtree Lane and East Woodbury Lane, for some free Halloween fun. There will be crafts, candy, and face painting. Go on a candy hunt, decorate a candy bag, and have your face painted. The candy hunt will be at 4pm sharp. Space is limited to the first 100 children, ages 3-12 years old. Register on line at www.cityofmartinez.org or call the recreation office at 372-3510.

Public Meetings

City Council Meeting Oct. 7, 21 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 Design Review Meeting Oct. 14, 28 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-5pm. Contact: 372-3500 Planning Commission Meeting Oct. 13, 27 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting Oct. 7, 21 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-5pm. Contact: 372-3500 For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

Chamber Calendar If interested in attending ambassador meetings, call (925) 228-2345 or email Rachel@ martinezchamber.com.

Joltin’ Joe

Fully Restored and Winning Awards The Joe DiMaggio Hometown Hero Project is hosting a “re-christening” party to celebrate the completion of the fully restored Joltin’ Joe, a 22-foot Chris Craft 1947 Runabout, given to Martinez’s favorite native son, Joe DiMaggio, by the New York Yankees on October 1, 1949, and subsequently donated to the City of Martinez in 1991. Proceeds from the re-christening party benefit the Joe DiMaggio Martinez Hometown Hero Project, working toward the establishment of a Joe DiMaggio Museum. The re-christening party is on Thursday, October 1 (the same day the New York Yankees awarded Joe the boat), at the Cobra Experience Museum, 777 Arnold Drive, Suite 200, in Martinez. The event takes place 5-7:30pm and include hors d’oeuvres, libations, the unveiling of the Joltin’ Joe, and a Cobra Experience tour. Members of the Martinez Historical Society will be on-hand with a Soundbite Booth, where participants can be interviewed about Joe DiMaggio and become a part of local history. The Joltin’ Joe recently won four awards: “Most Improved Boat” and 2nd in its division at the South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic, and “Best Restoration-NonProfessional” and 2nd place in its class at the Concours d’Elegance in Lake Tahoe. “Not bad for the first two times out,” says

Rick Aldridge, lead carpenter on the boat restoration. Helping spearhead the Hometown Hero Project is Martinez Councilmember Lara DeLaney. “I am amazed at all the work, love, and dedication that the Sons of Italy and Carpenters Local 152 put into restoring this boat,” says DeLaney. “The city was given a valuable piece of history, and it needs to be showcased and preserved.” DeLaney adds that the Hometown Hero Project also includes the development of a walking tour to highlight the locations of Joe DiMaggio’s significance to Martinez; the creation of a Joe DiMaggio statue designed by Mario Chiodo, a world-renowned sculptor; and a mural welcoming Amtrak passengers to the home of Joe DiMaggio, John Muir, and the martini. The Joltin’ Joe could be displayed in parades across the country, further enhancing Martinez as a destination and celebrating our Italian fishing village heritage. The cost to attend the re-christening party is $56 per person. Reservations are required by September 30. For reservations and more information, contact Sons of Italy member Anne Mobley at 925-788-8824. For more information about the Hometown Hero project, visit www.martinezhero. org or www.facebook.com/JoeDiMaggioHometownHeroProject.

10/4 - 13th Annual Shell Run for Education Support our Schools! Registration at 7-8am, 5K/10K and Run/Walk at 8:30am, on Main Street. For more information and to register, visit www.martinezedfoundation.com or call the race hotline at (925) 3135562. 10/8 - Chamber Mixer Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm. Co-hosted by Dr. Francis, Muir Family Dentistry, and Behind the Plate Clubhouse Grill, at Muir Family Dentistry Office, 1124 Arnold Drive, Martinez. Great networking, food, and fun. Bring a raffle prize and have your business announced. 10/12 – Closed Monday. The office will be closed in observance of Columbus Day.

SUBMIT A STORY Have something to share? Deadline for submissions is the second Friday of each month. info@ourcommunityfocus.com ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

City of Walnut Creek

Mayor’s Message Why Indoor Agriculture? As was the case for most cities, development in the last half of the 20th century had the effect of moving the sources of our food far from our city. Urban agriculture is the growing of food in urban areas. It brings sources of food closer to people who need food, and it often means healthier food. For the last six months, Walnut Creek has been studying adding community gardens to some of its parks. This is important work, but we also need to study how to encourage business to grow food indoors. The technology around indoor agriculture is changing very rapidly, and the need is great. By 2050, there will be about 9 billion people to feed, with no new land for agriculture, and climate change will cut current yields by 25%. Indoor agriculture

has tremendous potential for 21st century agriculture, and it may be our best choice. One version is the ‘vertical farm’. This can involve new construction or simply the conversion of old, warehouse-type buildings into agricultural production. Some versions involve the growing of vegetables and fish in a system whereby waste from the fish can be converted into fertilizer for the plants. One design involves a three-level structure which can be placed on any large body of water. The top level collects rainwater and solar energy, the second level involves hydroponic agriculture, and the bottom level involves offshore aquaculture. The indoor agricultural technologies use less land, thereby allowing our existing land to be used for other purposes. Second, they use less water. One estimate is that

Bob Simmons, Mayor of Walnut Creek

a head of lettuce grown using aeroponics requires 1% of the water a head of lettuce grown in the field does. This allows outdoor agriculture to focus on tree crops, which are more difficult to grow indoors. Third, crops grown indoors are less likely to be attacked by insects, critters, and field-borne diseases. Fourth, it is more productive. Indoor agriculture can produce crops year-round, thus increasing productivity of the farmed surface by a factor of 4 to 6, depending on the crop. Fifth, it means local jobs and is safer and easier than picking many of the field crops is. Sixth, it can be placed in urban or residential areas, reducing farm-to-table distance. Seventh, it is not subject to climate, whether it’s drought, high winds, or too much rain; therefore, it is more reliable and enhances food security.

Areas where population density is much greater, or land is not as arable, are moving quickly in this direction. There are other reasons why we aren’t moving ahead more quickly. First, the cost of building a structure and the cost of utilities are higher than land-based agriculture. Second, there is a lack of public demand, largely influenced by the lack of awareness of the need for change. This means there is insufficient political support for making the critical investments that are needed. Third, there is a substantial, solid, grounded degree of support for not making any change from the current, land-based approach. As with any new technology, it just takes time for it to be accepted and implemented, and it will probably require some level of public investment if we wish to assure a food-safe future.

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City of Walnut Creek

City News Larkey Swim Center Update The Larkey Swim Center at Buena Vista Avenue and First Avenue was closed to the public in late August to allow for demolition and reconstruction of the 45-year-old pool at Larkey Park. Construction will begin this winter and is expected to open for Summer 2017. When the Swim Center reopens, the pool shape will be “squared off” and deepened to ensure the pool can safely and simultaneously accommodate varying swim activities and ages of swimmers, host a full swim meet of 10 lanes or feature a synchronized swim show with 500 or more spectators. Also added will be shade structures, bathhouse upgrades and a kid-friendly splash playground, paid for in part by the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation. Learn more about the project by visiting: www.larkeysplash.org.

Community Service Day Community Service Day is Saturday, October 10, and a few of the projects are already full! For the first time, every public school in Walnut Creek is hosting a project. Come give a half day to make your neighborhood school shine, or sign up for one of dozens of other projects. Go to www.walnut-creek.org/service for details and online registration. Groups welcome!

Walnut Creek Top 100 Best Places to Live According to Livability.com, Walnut Creek ranked #11 out of 100 as one of the best places to live in the small to mid-sized U.S. cities category. “The Art and Wine Festival in Walnut Creek highlight the city’s impressive food scene. Restaurants and residents that strongly support farmers’ markets helped Walnut Creek earn a spot on our list of the Best Foodie Cities. Beyond great places to eat in Walnut Creek, the city provides residents with top-notch schools, a bevy of entertainment options and lots of recreational opportunities. Residents are politically active and engage in many community events,” said the online resource for researching communities. Livability ranked more than 2,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 to come up with their third annual Top 100 Best Places to Live.

First Wednesdays Don’t miss the Red Carpet Runway Outdoor Fashion Show featuring fabulous fashions and accessories from The Red Box on October 7 at 7pm on Cypress Street (between Main & Locust Streets). Also, Dueling Pianos brought to you by 2 Grand Entertainment.

In Search Of Oktoberfest? We Have You Covered Don the lederhosen and lace up the dirndl dress – Oktoberfest is coming to Walnut Creek! Presented by Walnut Creek Downtown and the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, this free, day-long, family friendly festival recreates the beloved German traditional fall celebration. Event is from 10am-5pm, in Downtown Walnut Creek on Locust Street between Cypress Street and Civic Drive.

Calling All Goblins, Superheroes, Princesses and Witches! On October 23, you’re invited to creep through downtown Walnut Creek collecting Halloween treats from participating businesses while you enjoy live magic by Howie Didit! Starting location is Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic

City News Continued Drive where you can pick up a map of participating businesses between 2:00pm4:30pm. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Convenient parking available at the following city parking garages: 1625 Locust St. (next door to the Lesher Center) 1350 Locust St. (between Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Cypress St.) Metered Parking throughout Downtown Walnut Creek Special note: Broadway Plaza has their own Trick-or-Treat event that takes place on October 31 from 5:30-7:00pm at participating retailers. Visit www. broadwayplaza.com/Events for more information.

Public Meetings City Council Meeting Oct. 6, 20 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 6-11pm. Contact: 943-5819 Design Review Meeting Oct. 7, 21 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 Planning Commission Meeting Oct. 8, 22 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 943-5819 For Confirmation Visit: www.walnut-creek.org

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Announcements and Events

New Fall/Winter SPOTLIGHT Now Available! Fall into fun with lots of exciting events, activities, and classes for the whole family to enjoy. Visit pleasanthillrec.com for details and registration. Teen Scene After School Program. M-F dismissal at 6pm; Pleasant Hill Teen Center, 147 Gregory Ln. A fun and safe place for teens to go after school! Program offers a perfect combination of structured activities and time to just hang out. Transportation is available from PHMS and VVMS to Teen Center. Questions? Call (925) 691-5645 Fairytale Princess Party (ages 1-6 yrs) October 21 (new date!) 3:30-4:30pm, PH Community Center: Perera Pavilion. Be a princess for a day with your mom (or dad). Wear your princess dress. Includes fairytale princess story time, a snack, and creating a very special princess crown. Parents must also register. Pre-register by Oct.16. Share the Magic October 23, 7-10pm, at PH Community Center, Perera Pavilion. All new show every year! Enjoy an evening filled with fun, mystery, and excitement. See illusions, card experts, and close-up performers from the Society of American Magicians. Come in costume for chance to win a prize. Pre-registration required; call (925) 682-0898. $10 in advance/$12 at door. Tickets available online. Trunk or Treat October 30, 6-8pm, at PH Teen Center Parking lot, 147 Gregory Ln. Family fun! Trick-R-treat from decorated vehicle trunks decked out in spooktacular style. Crafts, activities, and goodie bag for each child. Hot dogs and drinks available for $1. ! ! ! !

FUN NIGHT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 3, 2015 RegisterFAMILY for the race online at:

at Shell Clubhouse 6-8pm www.martinezedfoundation.com/run-for-ed/ The Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs are joining forces to host the Martinez Family Fun Night to raise funds for the Shell/MEF Run for Education. All proceeds will be donated to the MUSD schools.

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Family Fun Triathlon (8 yrs & up) November 1, 9am (check in @ 8am.) Pre-register by October 15. PH Education Center, 1 Santa Barbara Rd. Sign up for this non-competitive, family fun fitness triathlon (Swim, Bike, Run!) Register at pleasanthillrec.com. Pre-registration ends 10/15. 40th Anniversary! Turkey Trot Trail Run (All ages) November 22, 9am-1pm. Briones Regional Park, Bear Creek Entrance. Experience the tradition of annual 8.4-mile race in the beautiful hills of Briones Regional Park. Winners take home a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner! Not for beginning joggers. Rain or shine. Pre-registration ends 11/11. Call (925) 682-0896, email sgeorge@pleasanthillrec.com, or visit pleasanthillrec.com for information & registration. Fall Adult Sports Leagues Team up with some friends for adult sports fun: soccer, softball, flag football, cornhole (new) and kickball. League play starts early October. Team registration packets at pleasanthillrecsports.com or email sgeorge@pleasanthillrec.com. Holiday Event Rentals Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District has the perfect venue for your family or business holiday parties and events. Contact Ryan Herriman at (925) 6765200. Special Recreation Dances Music by Rhythm Master DJ Fridays, 7-9pm. 10/16 Pleasant Hill Senior Center; 11/13, Concord Senior Center; 12/18 Walnut Creek Heather Farms. Admission: $7 per person (caregivers free). For more information, call Katrina Hunn at (925) 691-5645. New & Popular Adult Workshops To register and view additional self-enrichment classes, visit pleasanthillrec.com. Retirement Planning Today Learn how to create an informed plan for retirement while integrating your own goals and values with your partner. Community Center, Republic Room. Session 1 (4608.401): Oct. 25 & Nov. 1, 9:30am-12:30pm. Session 2 (4608.402): Nov. 6, Nov. 13, 6:30-9:30pm. $61/$49 (Dist. Res.) Beginning Spanish Hola! Students will have fun learning basic conversational, reading, and writing skills and gain knowledge about Spanish speaking countries, their histories, and cultures. No previous knowledge is necessary. Senior Center, 8 weeks, Wednesdays, Oct. 22Dec. 17, 6-7:30pm, $120/$105(Dist. Res.)

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San Francisco Fleet Week Taking place every October on the Marina Green over Italian Heritage Weekend, SFFW’s air show, parade of ships and many community events have become a significant and integral part of the city’s local culture and economy. Special events take place October 8 through October 12, attracting over a million people every year. Air Show The air show includes a variety of aircraft from United Airlines, The Patriots Jet Team, U.S. Coast Guard, and more, culminating with a breathtaking display from The United States Navy Blue Angels. Humanitarian Village On the Marina Green during the air show, military and civilian first responders exhibit and demonstrate humanitarian assistance and disaster response resources, such as field hospitals, water purification systems, and command vehicles.

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Marina Green Festival A variety of military exhibits, along with many civilian food stands, souvenir tents, and rides for kids are available. The K9 Heroes Program Military, police, search & rescue and fire dogs demonstrate their talents in saving lives, while post-traumatic stress therapy dogs show how their love and guidance assist veterans returning from war. Duboce Park, Duboce & Scott Streets, San Francisco. Parade of Ships and Ship Tours Throughout Fleet Week, thousands of visitors climb aboard amphibious carriers, destroyers, and cruisers docked at the Embarcadero to get a glimpse into the day-today lives of the sailors serving in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy. For full schedule information, please visit fleetweeksf.org.

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Overcoming Injury Motivation Comes One Step at a Time BY KEVIN ARNDT, FORMA TRAINER I make my living helping people overcome injuries, including people who are working with physical therapists and have a long way to go. I always had sympathy for those with serious injuries that required surgery. I felt their pain, and it motivated me to help them. But until I had my own major injury that required surgery, I could never truly understand what they were going through. This may not “hit home” with a lot of people, but I hope it reaches a few. Back in March, I had a freak snowboarding accident. I dislocated my left shoulder, tearing the labrum and breaking the glenoid fossa. Don’t go searching in your anatomy book for what this is. It meant if I ever wanted to lift my arm overhead again without it dislocating, I had to have surgery. Scary thought. I sought advice from anyone who had similar surgeries. They all said the same thing: the pain is bad for the first two weeks, and physical therapy is

the worst. But one young athlete told me something that stuck, “All of it sucks, but you will be a stronger person at the end for having to go through this.” At first, I shrugged his comment off, believing he was a kid who hadn’t experienced much hardship. Months later, I realize “the kid” was spot on. Overcoming a major injury isn’t so much dealing with the pain, but the mental strain it puts you through, day in and day out. Every hour, every minute and every movement, you are thinking about it. The fear that you are going to slip, someone is going to bump the injury or you won’t get better fills your mind. At first, I lived hour-to-hour (when my ice machine provided the biggest pain relief), then it was day-to-day, then week-to-week. Now it’s monthto-month and eventually, it will be as though my injury never happened. My athlete was right. I am stronger because of this experience. I’m stronger because of what I learned about goal setting and

Hall of Fame

College Park 9th Annual Banquet The annual hall of fame dinner and induction ceremony, sponsored by the Falcon Foundation, will be held Thursday, October 8 (to coincide with CP’s homecoming week), at the St. Andrews Church multi-use facility, 1601 Mary Drive, in Pleasant Hill. There will be a no host bar at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6:30pm. Bay Area sportscaster Joe Fonzi will be the MC for the event. This banquet is open to the public and is a fundraising event to benefit Falcon athletics and funding for other school disciplines that have been affected by the ongoing Mt. Diablo School District budget cuts. Athletes to be honored: Mick Sytkowski for 1962 basketball baseball Dave Whipple for 1971 football - basketball - track & field Norm White for 1971 football - basketball - track & field

Audra Kepler for 2009 golf - softball Team to be honored: 1994 baseball team Coaches to be honored: Chuck Woolridge and Steve Nesheim, cross country - track & field Special Achievement Award: Oscar Rodriguez, “The Voice of the Falcons” Falcon Foundation “All American Award”: Carl June, Class of 1971 Tickets are $55.00 per person and you must make reservations by October 1. No tickets will be sold at the door. Send checks made out to: HOF Falcon Foundation, 3129 Sonoma Valley Dr., Fairfield, CA 94534. For questions, contact: Jerry Pollard CPHS Hall of Fame Committee at jerrypollard@yahoo.com or call (916) 813-5401.

execution, not because of the hardships. I always knew I was going to get better, so I just focused on the day-to-day things I had to do to get to the end. Coincidentally, this is the same approach you are supposed to take in order to reach any goal. A lot of research shows you shouldn’t focus on the goal itself, but rather the work it takes to get to your goal. The reason is fairly simple: when you picture your goal, your body releases dopamine, giving you the “good feeling” of accomplishing it

already, even if you haven’t taken any steps yet. Focusing on the end goal can act as demotivation. Instead, focus on the individual steps and hard work it will take in order to accomplish your goal. Instead of focusing on losing 20 pounds, focus on what you are going to eat for that next meal or picture the hard work you are going to put in at the gym. Just focus on meal-to-meal, workout-to-workout. You will be more successful along the way and stay more motivated.

Workout For Charity Boot Camp Takes off 10,000 lbs.

On Saturday, September 26, the Concord location of Transform FX Fitness Boot Camp (TFX) celebrated their new location, 1865-A Adobe St., with three workout-for-charity sessions. Anna Dornier, the owner of Transform FX Fitness Boot Camp, said, “I really wanted to do more than just throw a party for the new location. This gave people a chance to experience one of our workouts, explore the new location, and contribute to a worthy cause.” TFX held three 45-minute workouts for a minimum $10 donation to the TFX Building Homes for Santa Pancha, Nicaragua campaign. “I started TFX as morning workouts in the park. Then I got a studio and another trainer and just kept growing bit by bit,” Dornier commented. With studios in Concord, Baton Rouge, LA, and Sugar Land, TX, Dornier’s “bit by bit” method appears to be working. Each studio offers workout membership packages as well as 6-week weight loss challenges guaranteed to take 20 pounds off each participant. “In 2014, we helped clients lose 5,000 pounds with the challenge program,” reported Dornier. “This year, we’re aiming for 10,000.” Member Joshua Muldau swears by the program, “It isn’t some type of diet food or counting points or eating

premade meals; it’s you taking control of your life!” For more than 15 years, Muldau yo-yoed between 220 and 285 pounds – always using the Weight Watchers method for each loss. After three 6-week challenges, Muldau’s weight is down by over 70 pounds, and he has his eye on at least another 10. “I am continuing with TFX and could not have done it without them. TFX held me accountable which is what I was missing. It’s a support system, it’s nutritional training, and, most of all, it’s a family.” The TFX Building Homes for Santa Pancha, Nicaragua campaign is a part of the larger King’s Ransom – 1000 Homes in Nicaragua project. Santa Pancha is a small village built over an abandoned and collapsing mine. The poverty-stricken village has almost no infrastructure, making potable water scarce and a sanitation system non-existent. Dornier said, “I was lucky. My family was able to leave the Philippines and go to the United States. Not everyone can do that. I believe that sharing my success is part of how I maintain it. When my mentor, Dani Johnson, told me about the 1000 Homes in Nicaragua project, I knew that being part of the Santa Pancha phase would be perfect for launching the new Concord site.” The overall TFX goal is to raise $15,600 – enough to build 3 of the 84 planned two-unit homes.

ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

Falcon Girls Fly

Hawks Take PGF by Storm

The College Park cross country team is off to a great season. They have competed most recently at the De La Salle Nike Invitational where the girls FroshSoph team took second place in a highly competitive field. The team was led by Freshman Kylie Tseng who took fouth place overall. Sophmores Julia Parks, Emily Orellana, Chloe Beardsley and Emma Swanson rounded out the top five for the Falcons. Other team members include: Tayler Hall, Haley Friel, Reyna Winn, Hope Friel, Lexi Ketron, Ysabel Ketron and Amber Lanza. The Falcons travel to Daly City for their next invitational before starting League competition. Good luck Falcons! Photo by Jason Parks.

The Lady Hawks went 5-0 over the weekend of August 29-30 in an 18U Gold Premier Girls Fast Pitch Tournament, scoring 51 runs and giving up 4. The team is comprised of girls from College Park, Concord, Alhambra, Berean Christian, Benicia, and Pinole Valley. Patrick Monahan, current College Park varsity softball assistant and long time PHBA coach, has 8 first team all league players on this team who are looking forward to many more victories this fall!

Reckless Takes Gold

The PHMSA U12 Girls took the gold medal at the Stanford Summer Classic in Palo Alto over the weekend of August 22 and August 23. The team won all four of its games via shutouts, with tremendous goalkeeping and defense. This victory comes on the heels of a 2nd place finish at the Brentwood Soccer Tournament on July 25 and 26, where Team Reckless lost in the final match in overtime.

Pictured from top (L to R): Patrick Monahan, Sophie Damianakes, Emma Wigren, Jessica Rogers, Sarah Clifton, Morgan Azevedo, Tricia Leong, Coach Ray Kime, Bottom (L to R): Elvia Alvarado, Jina Skidmore, Madison Pozzi, Olivia Mackey, Madeline Cervantes, Alyse Butterfield, Annika Johnson.

Kaos Takes First The U15 Girls Heritage team, Kaos, participated in the Walnut Creek Cup the weekend of August 22 and 23. Kaos started with a loss to Benicia Arsenal by a score of 3-2. Undaunted, they came back strong to beat Sacramento Union 4-0, then logged a second shutout against Walnut Creek Reign, 3-0. Kaos met Benicia Arsenal in the championship, playing smart, tough, and with great determination; they never stopped pushing forward. Kaos won the cup by a score of 2-0 - three shutouts in a row. Way to come back, ladies. Photo and article submitted by Lia McCormick.

Top Row (L to R): Coach Bob Puljiz, Kaeli Griffin, Lauren McCassey, Casey Briethaupt, Mallory McCarthy, Laura Howard, Kaitlyn Chang, Jessica Cortez, Riley Lins, Coach Denis McCarthy. Bottom Row (L to R): Taylor Chow, Sierra Barker, Mia Puljiz, Bella Lopez, Chloe Wakefield, Ingrid Decesaris, Joselyn Hom. Photo by Melissa McCassy.

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Vikings Football

DVC is Victorious in Home Opener BY MATT SCHWAB The Diablo Valley College football team won its home opener 26-10 over Chabot College on September 11, thanks to a dominant defense, an opportunistic offense, and the mighty right leg of Brandon Brown. Lasting visions from one of the state’s marquee matchups took the form of Marc Anthony Hor’s bull rushes, a young secondary’s growing confidence, and the resolve of quarterback Drew Anderson, who shook off some hits to complete 30 of 49 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns.  “We’ve got some warriors that are playing really well right now,” Coach Mike Darr said proudly.    All Brown did was boot four field goals and thunder kickoffs deep into the end zone for touchbacks. Punter Jacob DeMaio delivered a texbook kick that pinned Chabot on its 1-yard line in the fourth

quarter.  DVC entered Friday’s game ranked No. 7 in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau’s poll of coaches, two spots below Chabot, which walloped Butte 30-9 in its opener behind quarterback Jose Ferreira’s throwing and running.  So, Chabot brought a lot to Viking Stadium, but the DVC defense had the final say. The Gladiators’ only points came off turnovers, setting up short drives beginning inside the DVC 30-yard line.  “It felt good to get the win,” Anderson said. “The defense played really well, so it was good. We’ve still got a lot of stuff to work on. There’s time, so we’ll get it together.”  Darr saw his secondary come of age against a quality opponent.

He observed only two or three coverage breakdowns overall.  “I talked to the corners early in the week, and I said, ‘Look guys, I’m putting the game plan on you. Chabot does what they do very, very well. They count on you to have less numbers in the box. They count on you to be undisciplined. If you don’t have an extra guy in there, they gash you with it.’ So we had to take some chances and put (the defensive backs) out there on islands, and they really responded well.”   Marquis Davenport had an “excellent game,” Darr said. True freshman safety Kyle Trego followed his stellar all-around effort in a 45-14 win over Feather River with another interception

in the fourth quarter, setting up Brown’s fourth field goal.  Marcus ArmstrongBrown and CJ Cornwell, the team’s only two returners on offense, each had a touchdown catch and combined for 21 receptions and 195 receiving yards.  Moreover, defensive lineman Chris Mulumba of Finland, a transfer from Chabot, was a force to be reckoned with.  “The defense played better than we needed them to,” Armstrong-Brown said. “On a couple of those three-andouts, they came and got the ball right back, the offense just put together the drives that we needed, and our field goal-kicking was amazing.”  ArmstrongBrown added that the Vikings did what they expected to do -- win. Vikings’ October Home Games: Friday, October 16 vs. De Anza at 7pm Friday, October 23 vs. Foothill at 7pm

ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

Help a Child Read

Read My Mind

Books are more than the stories inside. They’re a key to unlocking the potential in every child. Help a child learn to read by volunteering for the Reading Readiness program in Pleasant Hill elementary schools. The Reading Readiness program targets students in grades K-2 by assisting teachers with reading programs used in the classroom. Volunteers are placed under a teacher’s guidance and work with students on word lists and reading in individual and group settings, giving them the confidence they need to thrive. There is no previous experience necessary to volunteer--just a commitment of one hour a week. In accordance with MDUSD rules, volunteers need to be fingerprinted and TB tested before entering the classroom. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please email Cindy Rubin, Volunteer Coordinator, at readingreadiness@fphe.org.

BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD No book in recent memory has been the subject of as much notoriety and controversy as Go Set A Watchman, Harper Lee’s follow-up to To Kill A Mockingbird, her “must read“ 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning book. To Kill A Mockingbird is Lee’s only previous novel and one of my favorites. It was one of the best selling books of the 20th century, selling over 40 million copies. (It’s believed that Go Set A Watchman was the original title Lee intended for To Kill A Mockingbird.) Just to refresh your memory, To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during the Great Depression in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. The narrator is Jean Louise Finch, affectionately known as Scout, who is six-years-old when the story begins. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. While a guilty verdict from the allwhite jury is never in doubt, Atticus becomes the symbol of integrity and racial equality for his passionate defense of this innocent man. Gregory Peck’s unforgettable Academy Award winning portrayal of Atticus in the 1962 movie was named “the greatest film hero of the past 100 years.” It’s against this background of Atticus as hero and the staunch defender of justice and equal rights that we catch up with Jean Louise and him 20 years later in Go Set A Watchman. The manuscript, lost for decades and only discovered recently, was written and set in the mid1950s, the beginning of the civil rights era. Jean Louise now lives in New York. Grown and no longer called Scout, she returns to Maycomb only to discover that her 72-year-old father is not the man she thought he was. He’s a racist. So begins the controversy. How could the once

Reading Readiness Program

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Harper Lee

iconic Atticus have changed so much? Jean Louise can’t come to terms with this new version of the father she once held in such reverence. The book’s title comes from the Old Testament, Isaiah 21:6, where the prophet Isaiah envisages the fall of Babylon: “For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.” According to historian Wayne Flynt, a longtime friend of Lee’s, she “grew up in a Bible-reading family. Go Set a Watchman means somebody needs to be the moral compass of this town. God set Isaiah as a watchman in Babylon to set the people straight and keep them on the right path.” In Mockingbird, Atticus is “the moral compass” set to keep Maycomb “on the right path.” Now that Atticus appears to be a racist, who is the moral compass in Watchman? In spite of his bigoted leaning, is it still Atticus, or is it now Jean Louise? If Atticus had been a racist when he defended Tom, would he be any less of a hero? Wouldn’t he be more heroic for setting aside his bigotry in the name of justice? While these questions remain, the book has a valuable message: “The time your friends need you is when they’re wrong. They don’t need you when they’re right.” Some readers were appalled by what appears to be this change, this fatal flaw, in Atticus’ once honorable character. I wonder if he really changed at all. Maybe the change has been in Jean Louise, who no longer sees her father as a god, but now as a man, subject to the foibles that beset all of us. Unlike Mockingbird, Watchman is not a great book or a must read. Regardless, it is thoughtprovoking and a great conversation starter.

Pair Up

Sherry Delicioso BY MARIA TERRY Northern California is truly one of the best wine regions in the world, however, there is a long list of other places I would love to visit. At the top of my bucket list is Jerez, Spain, where they make a special wine called sherry. I love the idea of strolling the rustic streets, going from bar to bar, sipping sherry and eating small plates of tapas along the way. Sherry is made primarily from the Palomino grape, although sometimes the Pedro Ximénez grape is part of the blend. Sherry is a non-vintage wine because it is made in a barrel “system” called a solera. Wine from each harvest is added to the solera, blending over time with years past. Sherries range along a spectrum from dry to sweet, from pale-yellow to almost

black. There are four Fino-type sherries: Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado and Palo Cortado. Fino-type sherry is protected by “flor,” a special film of yeast that covers the wine for all or part of its time in the solera. The flor prevents oxidation, keeping the wine light in color and fresh in flavor. The other type of sherry is called Olorosotype. There are three: Oloroso, Cream and Pedro Ximénez. Oloroso-type sherry is generally darker and more oxidized; it is unprotected by flor and often fortified like a Port wine. The sweetness of any sherry depends on how much sweet Pedro Ximénez juice is added. Dryer and lighter, Fino-type sherry is an excellent aperitif. Start your meal with a simple pairing of Fino sherry and Marcona almonds with serrano ham. Finos have a fresh minerality with a hint of almond that will cleanse the palate of the soft, buttery Marcona almonds and salty-sweet ham.

Fino sherries are not aged; they should be treated like a regular white wine. Serve them chilled and at their peak of freshness. They will keep in the refrigerator for two to three days. The second course increases in complexity when you choose a dry or off-dry Amontillado sherry and pair it with a roast pork loin topped with a decadent cream sauce made from almonds, garlic, and shallots. An Amontillado sherry is a slightly fortified, aged Fino sherry. The aging results in a light amber color and a roasted, nutty flavor. The oxidation, sugar, and fortification allow Amontillado to keep in the refrigerator for several months. I like this recipe served with sautéed spinach and creamy mashed potatoes that can soak up a little extra sauce. A small amount of Pedro Ximénez grapes goes into making a 100% Pedro Ximénez sherry. For this sherry, the grapes are picked and then laid out in the sun

for two to three weeks. Most PX sherry is nearly black in color and as dense as molasses. It has fig newton and deep licorice flavors. Because it is so sweet and thick, you can serve it for dessert on its own or drizzle it over vanilla ice cream. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area, www.LaSommelierre.com.

Roast Pork Tenderloins with Almonds, Garlic & Sherry Shallot Cream INGREDIENTS ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil 2 boneless pork loins, 4-5 lbs. total Garlic powder 2 cups sliced skin-on almonds 1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley 3 tbsp finely minced garlic

2 tbsp unsalted butter 3/4 cup minced shallots 1 cup Amontillado sherry 2½ cups heavy cream Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350°. Toast the sliced almonds on a baking sheet for about 7 to 10 minutes. When they are cool enough to handle, roughly break them up with your fingers and combine with parsley and garlic. Toss with ¼ cup olive oil. Put the mixture in a baking pan and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a metal spatula until golden brown. Set aside. Raise the oven temperature to 450°. Coat the tenderloins liberally with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In an oven-proof skillet, sear tenderloins on all sides in 2 tbsp olive oil. Then, put the pork in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. Cover it with foil to keep it warm. While the pork roasts, make the sherry shallot cream: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the minced shallots and cook over low heat until they are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the sherry and simmer briskly over medium heat for a few minutes. Add the cream and simmer again for about 5 minutes to reduce the sauce by about half. The sauce should thicken enough to coat a spoon. Add the almond-parsley mixture, to the sherry-shallot cream and heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice the pork into 1” medallions and spoon the sauce over the meat. Yield: 6-8 Servings

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The Legacies of Carondelet

Alumnae and Daughters Share High School Experiences BY JAKI JONES On September 7, 1965, three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and three lay women opened their doors to 120 freshman students. For 50 years, Carondelet High School in Concord has continued to educate women of heart, faith and courage. Carondelet is innovative while providing a faith-based, college prep education. The school also prides itself on the population of legacy students who walk down the same hallways and cross the thresholds into classrooms once occupied by their mothers. Although chalkboards and textbooks are replaced by iPads, whiteboards and Google Docs, it is the former and current daughter’s of alumnae that is a testament to the strength of the comprehensive educational program. According to Lindy Dallimonti Sullivan, Class of ’02 and a religious studies teacher and community relations coordinator, “We currently have 60 alumnae mothers who have a daughter at Carondelet High School (CHS), and three of those mothers have two daughters who are current students. In addition, we have one grandmother (Class of ’71) whose granddaughter is a student. Of the legacies, nine are current freshmen and two are sophomores.” Carondelet fosters sisterhood and excellence in all areas of life, education, spirit, and community, and the alumnae are proud to have their daughters share in the experience. Joanne McGuire Giorgi, Class of ’86, explains, “We knew Carondelet was the best choice for our daughter when we moved back to the area. We felt the strong sense of community that I experienced would be the perfect choice for her. Not only will she have a strong academic education, but we know Carondelet will also provide her with the opportunity to be part of a large faith community that works to serve others.” Barbara Hockel Lopez, Class of ’81, has four daughters: a junior, a graduate (’13) and two more daughters she plans to send. She looks back on her time at Caron24

Carondelet High School welcomed 11 new legacy students this year.

delet and says, “I recall being in my geometry class and suddenly realizing, hey, I’m actually pretty smart. I can get an A! It was all because of my great teacher and the way he challenged me and believed in my abilities. From that point on, I pretty much had nothing but A’s. The caring, challenging environment unlocked my potential, and this same environment of excellence exists today. What sets Carondelet apart is the desire to infuse human excellence with an eternal perspective.” The sisterhood and female-led organizations made an impression on Amparo Sevilla-Merryfield, Class of ’84, and it’s why she sent her daughter, now a sophomore. “Women can achieve anything they choose. We had female-led student government, female-led social clubs, etc. It was a matter of how much we chose to do. We had no gender-imposed limitations. It was important to see that reality,” she said. Carondelet asks that students see beyond their close-knit environment by serving the community. And the emphasis on community service is significant to alumnae parents as well. “I loved Carondelet’s focus on developing young women. The emphasis on personal achievement, combined with the development of dedication to community service is unparal-

october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

leled. I wanted my daughter to have the same environment of high expectations and incredible support as she navigated through her high school years,” said Erika

Parlog, Class of ’91. “The most valuable life lesson that I cherish to this day is that Carondelet guided me to be true and honest to myself and to God and gave me the courage and strong education to enter college with confidence,” said Ruth de Borja Duque, Class of ’90. The supportive community allows students to discover their strengths, accomplish their goals and enter college well prepared. In commemoration of a half century in education, the high school celebrated this milestone along with De La Salle High School, also celebrating 50 years as a Catholic boys high school, with a grand reunion for alumni the weekend of September 12. In addition, an on-campus “Celebrating Five Decades of Sisterhood” rally was held September 11. Carondelet currently has 800 students and is the only all-girls school in Contra Costa County. For more information, you can visit their website www.carondelet.net.

Showcase: A Space Odyssey On Sunday, October 24, 5-10pm, enjoy an evening of outstanding College Park High School musical group performances, featuring Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Jazz Ensemble. The event at the Concord Hilton is the largest fundraiser for the music program, with a silent auction, live auction, musicians auction, dessert auction, and wishing tree. On October 9-11, raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $29 in front of Lunardi’s Market in Walnut Creek. All proceeds of the event and raffle go directly to the College Park Instrumental Music Program. Tickets are $75 per person and include a sit-down dinner and music. Due to popularity, this event will likely sell out. Please make your reservations early. Tickets can be purchased online at www.biddingforgood.com/cpimb. For best seats and prices, RSVP by October 10 (tickets will be $85 after the 10th.) Visit www.cphsmusic. net for more information.

SUBMIT A STORY Have something to share? Deadline for submissions is the second Friday of each month. info@ourcommunityfocus.com

Student Creates Donation Drive Alhambra Senior Raises Money for Middletown High School BY JAKI JONES Alhambra High School senior Alicia Marazzani is collecting school supplies, backpacks, gift cards and other items to give to students at Middletown High School who lost their homes in the recent Valley Fire. “I realized that their basic needs are being met by the Red Cross and people donating, and that’s important, but these kids aren’t going to have a life to go back to if we don’t help them, so I am driving for new school supplies, new and gently used packs, semi-formal wear, and gift cards to school supply and sporting goods stores to get them back into day-to-day life,” she said. While listening to the news reports, Alicia was struck by the losses of not only the families, but also the students that will miss a significant high school experience: Homecoming. “I saw kids my age talking on the news saying, ‘Homecoming’s

been cancelled’, and if this happened in Martinez I don’t know what we would do. It’s so unifying for us, and we really come together at that time of year. Middletown is much smaller, so this must be a huge deal. I felt really bad for them,” she said. Alicia also learned that players on the high school football and volleyball teams lost jerseys and gear in the fire, creating an additional reason to give. She is also collecting semiformal dresses to help provide something to wear when the Homecoming dance is rescheduled. Once Alicia received approval from her leadership teacher, Mrs. Griffin, and Principal Tom Doppe to organize a collection at school, she contacted the Middletown principal, Bill Roderick, who lost his own home to the Valley Fire, to ask what they needed. She then commenced a social media campaign to help the fire victims. “I tried contacting everyone I know to see if they could help somehow spread

the word, and we got the word out and it got pretty big. Other schools and leadership programs started contacting me to see how they could help, and we’ve spread into Mt. Diablo Unified School district. This is the first time I’ve really done anything this big”. This month, Alicia will drive to Middletown High School with the school supplies and gift card donations. The homecoming dresses and sporting goods

will be delivered later. If you would like to help, collection barrels can be found at the following schools: John Muir Elementary, John Swett Elementary, Morello Elementary, Martinez Junior HS, Alhambra High, and the MUSD office. The Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools include: Ygnacio Valley High School, Concord High School, Sequoia Middle School, and Hidden Valley Elementary.

Homecoming Schedules Alhambra High 10/23 Parade leaves Alhambra at 3pm for Main Street. Football game: JV @ 4pm, V @ 7pm College Park High 10/9 Homecoming Tailgate event 3pm, Music parking lot Football game at DVC: JV @ 4:30pm, V @ 7pm Northgate High 10/23 Football game at Northgate: JV @ 4:30pm, V @ 7pm

I CAN. I WILL.

That's the Spirit. At Carondelet, you’ll gain conﬁdence to discover your highest potential. With our innovative programs, personalized counseling and strong emphasis on faith, Catholic values and character development, young women are better prepared for college, career and life. That’s our heritage. That’s the spirit of Carondelet.

O P E N H O U S E 2 - 4 PM, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1st admissions@carondeleths.org w w w. c a r o n d e l e t . n e t

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ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL

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ORGANIZATIONS

Martinez Dia de los Muertos Festival

Festival Information

Martinez is celebrating Dia de los Muertos Festival of the Altars Saturday, Oct. 31, 2-8pm at the Main Street Plaza. This event is a celebration of life through art, music, food, and community altars that honor those who have passed away. Artists create personal altars to be displayed during the festival. Visitors attending the festival are encouraged to dress in Dia de los Muertos motif and to celebrate the life of loved ones who have passed on. A variety of Dia de los Muertos events and workshops will be offered in Downtown Martinez throughout the month of October, all leading up to the main event on Oct. 31. Now through Nov 7: Free art exhibition featuring featuring the Mexican folk art of papel picado by artist Julia Linsteadt. Martinez Library, 740 Court St. Sat. Oct.17: Nicho Workshop, 1-3pm, led by Lorena Castillo. Learn to make small altars, or “nichos,” for your ancestors. Free workshop. Martinez Library, 740 Court St. Sat. Oct. 31: Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery Tour, 10-11:30am, Martinez Cemetery, headstone hunt, and crafts. Pre-registration required (925) 3723510. Hosted by Martinez Parks and Recreation. Free event. Sat. Nov. 1: Festival of Altars, 3-9pm Altars created by local artists, traditional food, music, family activities, costumes encouraged. Free event. The Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union sponsors this event. Main Street Plaza in Downtown Martinez.

Call for Artists

We are seeking proposals for large-scale altars (up to 10x10 feet) to be shown in a one-day outdoor altar festival at the Main Street Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2-8pm. Proposals are due October 15 Main Street Martinez invites traditional, contemporary, and experimental altar proposals that address grief and loss on a social, spiritual, and personal level. We encourage and support altars that engage community participation. Your altar should invoke the community to come together, celebrate, and express emotions associated with those who have passed away. To apply and receive guidelines for proposals, email Lorena Castillo at locaworks@gmail.com or visit www.MainStreetMartinez.org.

Day of the Dead Art Exhibit The Martinez Gallery’s annual Day of the Dead exhibition opens Saturday, October 17 to coincide with the Main Street Martinez Zombie Brew Crawl. The Gallery at 630 Court St. is open until 6pm and will be hosting a beer station for Brew Crawl participants. The special exhibit will be on display through October 31, along with the current exhibit Abstraction & Expressionism. Large and small art works and affordable gift items are available for purchase. For additional information on the gallery visit www.gallery.martinezarts. org or call 925-370-6270.

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In the Mix

Steve Sage - A “Coaster,” a “Drifter,” and an “Imperial” with a DeArmond pickup mounted in the sound hole. It’s one of the last of the American-made Epiphone guitars. Oh, and a big Standel amp too. PC: Do you play any other instruments? SS: Yes, trumpet and piano. PC: Who are some of your influences? SS: I try to stay very open-minded with no stylistic boundaries. As for electric guitar, Jeff Beck & Jimi Hendrix opened up my ears. George Barnes was a wonderful jazz guitarist who gave us lessons in Concord. Jimmy Bryant just floored me with his playing. Joe Pass and Les Paul were both so melodic. Any of the Miles Davis family tree, like Tony Williams, Weather Report, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Mahavisnu Orchestra. PC: Do you have a favorite moment of your career so far? SS: Every show is my new favorite moment! PC: What inspired you to start teaching the music class at DVC? SS: When I wrote those electric guitar courses in 1989 there was nothing like them in the whole state. So there was an opening and the timing was right for the culture. Those classes have since turned into a full performance program. We’ve had over 8,000 musicians and 2,500 bands in those “Rock, Rhythm & Blues” classes. That’s a network that just keeps connecting more players than ever. We just celebrated a 25-year reunion at Yoshi’s with alumni, friends and guests playing all day. PC: What is your assessment of the music scene here in Contra Costa County? SS: I try my best to support all of the

working players here in Contra Costa today. I also produce, stage manage, perform and volunteer a lot of my time in order to insure that there will be a tomorrow for our future performers too. PC: If you were a song, what song would you be and why? SS: You know, when I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed

anybody’s help in any way. But now those days are gone… just kidding! For me it’s “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. It just puts me in the best mood every time! PC: Thanks Steve! Quote of the Month: Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music. -- Jimi Hendrix

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BY PAUL COTRUVO The best part of writing this column is featuring local musicians who not only possess amazing musical skills, but also give back to the community. Steve Sage is one of those rare people. I first met Steve back in the ‘80s. He was tearing it up back then and he has not stopped. Over the years, Steve has performed as a “Coaster,” a “Drifter,” and an “Imperial” with Little Anthony. You may have also seen him playing in the area with the likes of Carlos Reyes and the Tongue and Chic Orchestra. But I think my favorite thing about Steve is that he champions the idea of grooming up-and-coming performers. He created the “Rock, Rhythm & Blues” program at Diablo Valley College, and for the last 26 years he has been teaching students the tricks of the trade and booking them into local clubs, giving them the opportunity to get their feet wet and share the stage with some professional musicians. He is walking the walk and talking the talk, making sure that live music continues in our community. On top of all that, Steve is just a great human being. He was gracious enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions. PC: How old were you when you first played guitar? SS: I started playing the guitar when I was 13 years old. PC: Do you remember the name of your first guitar? SS: Yes, it was a 1969 Epiphone Caballero

Paul’s Picks

October 3: East Bay Mudd, Pleasant Hill Art & Wine Fest, Crescent Drive, PH 6:30pm October 3: Jim Caroompas, Roxx on Main, 627 Main St., Martinez, 8pm October 10: Sin Silver and the Avenue, Dallimonti’s, 1932 Oak Park Blvd. PH 9:30pm October 15: Mark Blasquez, Rocco’s Pizzeria, 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road, WC, 8pm October 25: The Sunday Paper, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm October 31: The Big Jangle, Back 40, 100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill, 7pm October 31: Lumberyard, Dallimonti’s, 1932 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, 9:30pm October 31: Mad Karma, Dan’s Bar, 1524 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 10pm October 31: Delta Wires, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8pm

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In the Garden

The Short, Sweet Life of McIntosh Apples BY LESLEY STILES As I pen this column, unrelenting fires rage all over California and the West. So little water and so much devastation for those affected by these roaring, totally unforgiving, amoebic infernos, fueled on all sides by nothing less than the best firewood money can buy. My sister and her family are among the many hundreds of folks that are staring hollow-eyed at the gaping nothingness of their burned-out properties. How do you recover from something like this? Anyone ever burned out can tell you that you never really, totally, do. The smell and pain, tinged with a little nagging fear, will linger long after new buildings, photos, and memories are created. But, they all got out alive, unlike others, and life goes on in the strong and beautiful communities of the mountain people that live

daily with the threat of fire, never expecting it to really, actually, happen to them. Blessings to all. Considering the small amount of water my fruit trees and vegetable gardens have received all summer, surprisingly, it has been a wacko year for apples, among other produce. I have a red delicious tree that looks like something out of The Wizard of Oz that’s going to start talking to you and throwing apples if your response ain’t right. Granny Smiths are big and juicy and falling almost faster than I can pick them off the tree or ground. At College Park High School, the apple tree has so many apples that Coach Keck reports his weight room students are eating them. Usually the first to ripen at summer’s decline are McIntosh apples. Said to be descended from a single tree discovered in a field in Canada by farmer John McIntosh in 1811, the McIntosh apple has seen some days. Chains of DNA history abound

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around this apple, and it has sparked many a new variety off its branches when mixed with other heirlooms. Attractive, with dark red to crimson and green swaths of tint running through, these creamy fleshed beauties have a sweet crunch, with just the right acidity. McIntosh apples are an early variety and at their peak, perfectly ripe off the tree, by mid-September to midOctober. They don’t hold very well past a week or two of picking before losing a bit of characteristic brightness. Any variety of apple is great for concocting fresh applesauce to eat warm with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla bean. Cakes explode with apple flavor while the red skin of the apple gives the batter a complex pink hue. Cider from the McIntosh is thick with lavish texture and glittery palate notes. Savory applications can cause a pitter patter of the heart when apples are sautéed with butternut squash and onions and baked into a quiche with a tender, buttery crust and dollops of smooth, melted chevre. Pork chops sautéed to a crispy exterior are enhanced immensely by the addition of your precious apple sauce. Chicken goes classical when coupled along with buttery, sautéed apples, cognac, and cream. Heirloom apples refer to a seed that has not been altered. Easterners feel possessive about their apples, but in Northern California and the Northwest, we have some pretty fine heirlooms to choose from at the farmers’ markets. Fragile heirlooms don’t ship well and will not be obtained elsewhere, unless it is off your own tree. Core apples whole and slice into rounds to brush with walnut oil and place on a medium hot grill. Grill three minutes on each side and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar immediately as you remove them. Puree one cup of fresh strawberries and warm in a saucepan. Drizzle over apple slices. Whether it is an Arkansas Black, Honeycrisp, Red Banana, Black Twig or Cox’s Orange Pippin, the flavor of an heirloom apple soars miles above the flavor of a common apple grown who knows where, who knows when. And isn’t it just better when you are looking the farmer in the

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

Apple and Pear Bars w/ Streusel Topping INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cups white whole-wheat flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tsp sea salt 1 cup turbinado sugar ¾ cup almond milk 2 tbsp coconut oil 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 egg 1 cup diced apples 1 cup diced pears ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries Streusel Topping ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup oats ¼ cup whole wheat flour 3 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp vanilla 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tsp sea salt DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350* Spray a baking pan with coconut oil. I use a large cookie sheet with edges but any baking dish will do. Measure dry ingredients into pour bowl or onto a piece of parchment paper for easy pouring into wet ingredients. Combine sugar, milk, egg and vanilla and beat well. Pour in dry ingredients and mix lightly. Add fruit and fold in. Spoon into baking pan. Mix all streusel ingredients together until moist and crumbly. Sprinkle generously onto batter in pan. I poke holes into the batter, like Foccacia bread, so topping actually gets into the batter. Bake for 15 minutes and check to see if top is firm. Bake another 5 if needed. Let cool a bit and cut into squares or bars as desired.

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Wild & Drought Stricken! Water Scarcity Impacting our Local Wildlife

BY NORMA BISHOP We are all aware that 2015 in California continued a drought of historic proportions. We’ve given up lawns, fifteen-minute showers, and washing our cars, and I think many of us feel psychologically “parched.” The surrounding hills are pale and dry. Some days their horizon is nearly obscured, veiled in the smoke of distant wild fires. The entire landscape seems so fragile that it might turn to dust and blow away. Imagine the effect on our native wildlife. When we visit the grocery store, we still see green produce, and our food choices, though more expensive, are still numerous. For the raccoons, opossum, foxes, bobcats, and birds, food sources are vanishing, and the situation becomes more desperate as the searing summer heat burns its way through the fall calendar. We stopped watering our lawns. And where are the slugs that used to feed the small, omnivorous mammals and birds

that visited our yards? And those small mammals were prey for larger animals and the raptors. Nature’s food chain has been seriously disrupted. We’ve seen the effects of drought firsthand at Lindsay Wildlife’s rehabilitation hospital. Animals, including many adults that would be fat and glossy at this time of year, are coming in under-developed, diseased, dehydrated, and have poor prognoses because of their weakened condition. Litters are smaller, and the young are in similarly weakened condition. Vernal wetlands, streams, and springs have dried up. Reptiles and amphibians, some of them already threatened or endangered, like the Western pond turtle and tiger salamander, cannot reproduce and live. Without water, no habitat can support a sustainable population of any species. Volunteers and staff at Lindsay Wildlife note that more adult animals have been brought to the hospital this season. Record numbers of injured and ill squirrels,

songbirds, and small mammals, especially opossums, arrived in shoe boxes, laundry hampers, cat carriers, and blankets, carried by children and people of all ages. Laurie Moon, a long-time volunteer, says that severely debilitated animals are harder to treat and may not survive. “When that happens, when they die, or we have to euthanize animals to end their suffering, it’s hard. Especially newer volunteers are deeply affected.” Lindsay’s director of veterinary services, Dr. Guthrum Purdin, is well aware of the effects of the drought. “Many people don’t realize that the drought may be a factor even in injuries and diseases. When water sources dry up or prey becomes scarce, animals travel farther and may be forced to cross highways into more populated areas where there’s increased risk for injury.” Animals also congregate around the fewer, remaining water and food sources, where they risk contracting diseases carried by others. Foul, contaminated water is a risk

factor as well. What can you do? If you have a bird bath or small, recirculating fountain, please do keep it operating and keep it clean. Regularly scrubbing and rinsing it with a solution of 1 part bleach to 1 part water will keep the water safe. Keep your dog and cat indoors where they cannot attack the wildlife that come to your water source. And keep up those 5-minutes showers! You might even skip one once in a while—Save the Water for the Wild—keep our wild creatures healthy and share the world we all live in! Visit Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek to encounter our native wildlife up close and personal and learn more about living with the wild. If you find an animal that needs care, immediately contact Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, 925-935-1978; visit us online at www.lindsaywildlife.org. Even a few hours can make the difference between death and survival.

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Travel Trends River Cruising 101

BY MARGARET MINER There’s a travel buzz in the air, and it’s all about river cruising. No doubt you’ve received a catalog or postcard in the mail and seen advertisements online and on television. River cruises are a lovely alternative to large, ocean-going vessels and their itineraries; you can explore regions simply not accessible by sea and enjoy a more intimate and luxurious travel experience. If you’re ready to set sail but don’t quite know where to begin, here are a few tips to help you get started: Choose a river cruise line: Just like ocean cruise lines, each river cruise line offers a unique style to travelers, and finding the one that fits you best is imperative. Viking River Cruises boasts the largest fleet on the European rivers; Avalon Waterways offers stunning “all suite” ships, with 8 x 11 foot sliding glass doors for gorgeous views; Uniworld is known for their truly allinclusive luxury experience; and AmaWaterways features award-winning cuisine

and sailings hosted by world-renowned winemakers. Talk to your travel agent about which line may best suit your style. Choose a timeframe: You’ll find that river cruises sail from March to December. There’s a high season from June to August, when prices are higher and crowds are larger; May and September sailings offer milder weather; and you’ll find enchanting Christmas markets in Germany and Austria in November and December. Regardless of when you choose to sail, you’re bound to find an itinerary to fall in love with. Choose an itinerary: For first time river cruisers, the beautiful Danube or the stately Rhine rivers are excellent choices. Perhaps you’d like to explore Portugal’s Douro River or sail through the Netherlands and Belgium during tulip time. AmaWaterways offers themed cruising: art, wine, Jewish heritage, literature, history, and even knitting. Is there a city in Europe that you’d like to spend extra time in? Most river cruise

lines offer you the opportunity to extend your stay either before or after your cruise to explore the grand cities of Europe. Bonus: Would you rather stay stateside? Un-Cruise Adventures offers 7-night round trip sailings on the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, aboard the 88-passenger S.S. Legacy. No passports or longhaul flights necessary. And don’t forget the Mighty Mississippi, with an option to explore the streets of New Orleans or the music of Memphis.

Once you experience a river cruise for yourself, you’ll have a hard time choosing which river and region to explore next. Now is a great time to book for 2016 for best pricing and availability, so choose your river and get ready to sail. Margaret Miner is the owner of VinoCruising, a full-service travel agency. She’s a Certified River Cruise Specialist and would love to speak with you about your next vacation! She can be reached at mminer@cruiseone.com.

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Oktoberfest

WALNUT CREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITORS BUREAU AND WALNUT CREEK DOWNTOWN PRESENT

UT CRE E

Come celebrate the changing of the seasons at the first Walnut Creek Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 17, 10am-5pm. Presented by Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Walnut Creek Downtown, this free, day-long, family-friendly festival recreates the traditional German fall celebration. Oktoberfest features include beer, brats, wine, live entertainment, and fun for the entire family. Don your lederhosen or lace up the dirndl dress and head to the Harvest Stage featuring Petty Theft, Revolver, and Mustache Harbor. After building up a thirst - and an appetite - sample a seasonal brew and munch on a soft pretzel while taking in the harvest- themed wares of street vendors and unique artisans lining Locust Street between Cypress Street and Civic Drive. Every respectable Oktoberfest has a Biergarten, and this one will transport you directly to Bavaria with dozens of your favorite brews and the lively sounds of international music. Polka anyone? Visitors to the microbrew sampling area will discover local craft beers, such as Calicraft Brewing Company and Pyramid Alehouse, to enjoy with a prime beef slider on a pretzel bun from

Celebration Comes to Walnut Creek

2015

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, wiener schnitzel, and sauerbraten from Massimo Ristorante, among other tasty treats. Youngsters of all ages will enjoy the Kinder Platz children’s area, with giant slide, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and much more. Choose your “Great Pumpkin” in the Halloween Patch on Bonanza Street and support the Walnut Creek Education Foundation at the same time. Come out and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather with family and friends at the first Walnut Creek Oktoberfest. FREE admission. Parking garages are conveniently located at 1350 Locust Street, 1625 Locust Street, and 1390 Broadway. Public transportation includes BART & the FREE Walnut Creek Trolley. For complete Walnut Creek Oktoberfest information, visit WWW. WALNUTCREEKDOWNTOWN.COM/OKTOBERFEST

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 10AM–5PM Locust Street between Cypress Street & Civic Drive

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Children’s Activities & Pumpkin Patch

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P L E A S A N T

H I L L

C H A M B E R

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It’s Your Business.

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

This Weekend!

t zd z r A Ja an

e n i W Fest

Downtown Pleasant Hill Saturday Oct 3rd, 10am - 6pm Sunday Oct 4th, 11am - 5pm

Excellent line up of live music both Saturday and Sunday, featuring, The Big Jangle, The Groove Doctors and East Bay Mud, just to name a few!

Ta s t e e r s ! Be Craft Presented By

Sample a variety of excellent local craft beers.

New Member Orientation November 4, 2015 • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Free Music • Premium Wine Craft Beer Garden • Arts & Crafts Fun weekend with family & friends

The New Member Orientation will connect new Chamber Members with Chamber Ambassadors, Chamber Staff, current Board of Directors, and fellow new members. You will also be able to: ■

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Develop a deeper understanding of Chamber processes

and opportunities Strengthen your connection to the Chamber Community Enroll in committees and Networking Groups Learn about many of the discounts, services, and sponsorship opportunities available

Location: Pleasant Hill City Hall Community Room 100 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Contact Information: Pleasant Hill Chamber (925)-687-0700

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It's the perfect event for families and friends! See you there!”

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All in Need

Face by Greene

Help For Families with Special Needs Being a parent of any child is a daily battle, but being a parent of a child with special needs takes the stress of parenting to a whole different level. Autumn Green, founder and executive director of All in Need, Family Support (AiN), knows firsthand that parents who have children with special needs face similar joys, successes, challenges, and setbacks of regular parenting. Parents strive to support their children the best way they can, while also trying to continue all of the typical activities of family life, including work, school, church, sports, and more. This can be overwhelming, and that’s where AiN comes in. With already hectic and demanding schedules, parents don’t have enough time to fit in all of their kid’s regular afterschool activities, let alone add occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, or tutoring into the mix! Well, parents, you don’t have to face these challenges alone any longer! AiN is here to provide you with a little calm in the storm, a little relief from the pressure that starts to weigh you down. Revive: “Revive,” AiN’s respite care program, gives parents the chance to take care of themselves so, in turn, they can take better care of their children. Held once a month on Saturday nights, this three-hour session is filled with fun activities that offer kids, 18 and under, a time to both socialize and work on their gross and fine motor skills. Because AiN has developed such a nurturing, educational, yet FUN environment, kids don’t even realize they are actually developing skills. During this event, the children are under the supervision of AiN’s trained volunteers in a 1:5 volunteer-to-child ratio, so parents can have peace of mind while they are getting their “me” time.

AiN’s Background: Autumn started the program when her youngest son, Yaakov, began having behavioral issues. He was originally diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder, but because his diagnosis didn’t qualify for state assistance, Autumn couldn’t get the support she needed for her family. Autumn had to overcome many hurdles to get Yaakov the therapy and support he needed. Eventually, Yaakov’s diagnosis was changed to Asperger’s syndrome, and with the appropriate support in place, his behavior started improving. Through her experiences with Yaakov, Autumn learned that other families were facing similar challenges and weren’t always able to get the needed support from existing programs. That’s when Autumn decided to be the change. AiN was born shortly after, not only to provide respite care and fun events for kids with special needs, but to provide resources and support to their families as well. For more information about AiN’s services or to become a supporter of AiN, visit www.allinneed.org. AiN Trunk or Treat Trunk or Treat will be held on Saturday, October 24th from 4 – 6pm for children who have special needs and their families. We will have candy, games, photo booth, and an iPad raffle! This event will be held at the Oak Park Christian Center parking lot, 2073 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. RSVP at info@allinneed.org. We are in need of business sponsors and community members who are willing to participate in handing out candy from the trunks of their car. Please contact Autumn Green if you would like to help out with this very special event, at 925-257-4246.

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Flipping for Dollars Pancake Fundraiser Benefits Seniors

Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services’ (MOWSOS) Fall Prevention Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday, September 13, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, was a “syrupy sweet” success! Held on Grandparents Day, more than 240 guests enjoyed a plate full of tall stack flapjacks, blueberries, scrambled eggs, and sausage while helping MOWSOS raise $13,690 to benefit seniors in critical need of home safety modifications. “One in three older adults will have a fall this year, and often the fall results in the loss of independPleasant Hill Councilmember Tim Flaherty with pancake flipping ence and a costly recovery,” says contest winner, Mia Bishop, age 9. Alayne Balke, MOWSOS’s Fall Prevention Program manager. For as little as $600, the Fall Prevention Program performs home safety assessments and installs grab bars, shower benches. and other assistance devices that greatly reduce the risks of a fall. These devices also help to lighten the burden for family caregivers. “Our program also includes exercise classes because keeping active is one of the most important ways to improve balance and reduce fall risk,” says Balke. Master of Ceremonies and Pleasant Hill Councilmember Tim Flaherty and District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff helped facilitate a lively raffle drawing and even flipped pancakes with the kids.

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

Oct. 2 - Taste of Italy 3-5pm. A sampling of Italian wines and delectable hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and coffee will be served. Adults 21 & over ONLY! Pick up ticket at office or call (925) 370-8770. Donation: $8 for members, $10 for non-members. Sponsored by the Martinez Senior Center & Chateau III Independent, Assisted and Memory Care Community, Pleasant Hill. Oct. 11 - Pancake Breakfast 8-11am. Breakfast includes pancakes or toast, sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee. All welcome. $4 for adults/$2.50 for children 10 and under. Handmade crafts will be on sale. Always open to the public. Oct. 30 - Vagabond Players Present: Too Old for the Chorus but Not Too Old to be a Star. Doors open at 1pm, performance begins at 1:30pm followed by a light buffet & ice cream social. A smart, funny musical revue about men and women who find themselves suddenly 50! Set in their neighborhood retro coffee shop, five characters express in 18 musical numbers the gamut of their frustrations and joys – from troublesome relations with demanding parents and cutting edge technology to finding delight in second careers. Tickets on sale now; $8 members/$10 non-members. Nov. 6 - AARP Driver Refresher Course 10am-3pm. Course for those who took the 8-hour AARP Driver Safety Training in the past 4 years. Either course qualifies you for a mature driver discount. (Please check with your insurance agent for details.) Make checks payable to “AARP” at the time of registration; $15 for AARP members/$20 for non-AARP members. Bring AARP membership card to first class. Order lunch at our C.C.Cafe. (For ages 60 years and older.) Donation $2; those under 60 years may attend for $5 donation. Call 646-2598 by Thursday, Nov. 6, before 12pm.

SENIOR CALENDARS SPONSORED BY:

Linda J. Weihofen

Reverse Mortgage Specialist 925.348.4267 • TALK2LW@yahoo.com Helping you to understand the NEW Reverse Mortgage

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788

Calling All

CRAFT VENDORS

Join the Pleasant Hill Senior Center’s 2nd annual Holiday Boutique and Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21st. The application for vendors is on our website at www.phseniorcenter.com.

MON-SAT 11-6

Oct. 5 - Pancake Breakfast 8:30-10:30am. Enjoy a stack of pancakes or French toast, eggs, sausage, and orange juice and coffee. All ages welcome! Adults (11+) $5; Children (5-10) $3; 4 & under Free! Senior Center, Chateau Room. Book Sale in the dining room supports Friends of the Library. Oct. 8 - Care Management Series, “Alzheimer’s 101” 2pm. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association of the East Bay. The Care Management Series brings a variety of topics and helpful resources from experts in the community the 2nd Thursday of the month. Free. Space is limited. Reserve your spot by calling 798-8788. Oct. 14 - Special Presentation: “Beyond Betrayal: The Art of Forgiveness” 1pm. Presentation defines the 5 steps necessary to let go of resentment so you can learn to get beyond the effects of the past and live in the present with a forgiving heart. Free. RSVP by calling 798-8788 or visiting the Senior Center. Oct. 23 - CHP Age Well, Drive Smart Presentation 1pm. CHP will offer information on tuning up driving skills, safety devices that can be used in most cars, DMV’s requirements for senior drivers, and much more. Free. Sign up to ensure your space: 798-8788.

Women’s Quality Consignment 925.808.8765 • thedejavuboutique.com

1630 CONTRA COSTA BOULEVARD, SUITE A • PLEASANT HILL 34

october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Oct. 24 - Movie Screening: AGE OF CHAMPIONS 1pm. Inspiring story of a group of athletes that captures the triumphant spirit of competitors as they tackle the challenges of old age with grace, humor, and optimism. Sponsored by Day Real Estate. RSVP: 798-8788 or visit the Senior Center. Free. Oct. 24 - Taste of the Vine 3pm. Wine, food, and laughter with a chance to win some prizes! Sponsored by the Chateaus of Pleasant Hill. Tickets: $10 presale or $15 day of (based on availability). Senior Center Dining Room.

Crowd Opposes Rocketship Charter County Board of Education to Vote in October BY JAKI JONES Over 200 supporters of Mt. Diablo Union School District schools attended the September 16 meeting of the Contra Costa County School Board to ask that the board deny Rocketship Education’s application to open a charter elementary school on Monument Boulevard in MDUSD’s attendance area. Historically, established charter schools drain financial resources from the public schools in a given district. The meeting, held at Pleasant Hill Middle School, began with a rally at 4pm, followed by public comments at 5pm. Rocketship submitted a charter petition to the MDUSD school board over the summer, and on August 10, the board voted 5-0 to deny the charter petition. Rocketship subsequently appealed their petition to the Contra Costa County Board of Education. A Rocketship spokesperson at the meeting said he was there “on behalf of the 1100 parents and families in the Monument corridor who are petitioning for Rocketship to open a school to give them additional options in their community. We think we can be a powerful option that parents can choose from if they choose to take that opportunity.” Guy Moore, Mt. Diablo Education Association (MDEA) President, believes that the petition signatures were not collected honestly. He feels that families were mislead and intimidated into signing when Rocketship organizers were seen in front of a Concord elementary school. Moore said, “They stood out front

and made statements to people: ‘This is a bad school,’‘This school is going to be shut down because of low test scores,’‘If you want somewhere for your kids to go to school, you need to sign this, because we’re bringing in a school that will serve your students.’”“They were creating hysteria among the community,” he added. Moore believes it will be difficult to find people and families in the Monument corridor who really want the charter, and that Rocketship is creating this artificial demand. A majority of the public comments during the meeting reflected that residents did not ask for Rocketship and were in favor of their own elementary school community, which includes Fair Oaks, Cambridge, Meadow Homes and Ygnacio Valley. One person stated that Meadow Homes Elementary “is a safe place where children are learning.” Rocketship Education was established in 2007, operating in San Jose with 160 students and has since grown to nine schools serving 5000 students in primarily low-income areas in San Jose. Rocketship is planning to ex pand into Contra Costa County and open seven schools: two in Antioch, one in Pittsburg, two in the MDUSD, and two in West County. “Do I believe Rocketship is good for our students here? It’s not,” Moore is adamant. “It’s a relic of No Child Left Behind. We’re moving beyond the narrow focus on tests that don’t completely show where a student is. Are they better schools? They claim to be better, but are they really? There is no proof of that.”

Photo credit: Michele Hill

The Contra Costa County Board of Education approved a Performing Arts charter over the summer that had previously been turned down by the Mt. Diablo Board of Education on May 18. The County Board of Education will vote to either approve or deny Rocketship’s

charter application at the next meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at Pleasant Hill Middle School. There will be a gathering at 4pm with an opportunity for further public comment beginning at 5pm. If approved, the charter will be valid for five years.

EL TAPATIO authentic mexican restaurant

JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR! MONDAY - FRIDAY 3 PM TO 6 PM SPECIALS ON HOUSE MARGARITAS & DRAFT BEERS FREE CHIPS AND SALSA TACO TUESDAY SERVED ALL DAY

SUNDAY BRUNCH SERVED 10 AM - 2 PM

Open 7 Days: Mon - Sat 11AM - 9 PM • Sundays 10AM - 8PM

40 Golf Club RD., Pleasant Hill 925.676.2420 • WWW.ELTAPS.COM

Got Candy? Want Cash? The orthodontics office of Jennifer Martin will be having their annual Halloween Candy Buy Back Friday, November 6 between 3pm and 5pm, at 401 Gregory Lane, Ste. 126, Pleasant Hill. The candy will be donated to the Blue Star Moms and distributed to troops serving our country. Anyone can participate. Call if you have any questions, 925.676.8485.

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

401 GREGORY LANE, SUITE 126 PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523 925.676.8485 FAX 925.676.0288 www.drjennifermartin.com ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

Wine & Roses

Sunday, October 4 • 4-7pm

at The Gardens at Heather Farm

Wines of Sutter Creek come to Walnut Creek! Taste select, premium wines from Amador County paired with Mediterranean small plates by local caterers and chefs.

Tickets: $65 each

(925) 947-1678

gardenshf.org

Hospice East Bay presents the

TREE OF LIGHTS Celebration for 2015

Please join us for the tree lighting ceremonies in Martinez & Pleasant Hill. Martinez Ceremony Saturday, November 7th, at 5:00pm Morello Avenue, north of Arnold Drive

Pleasant Hill Ceremony Thursday, November 19, at 6:30pm Gregory Lane, near Cleaveland Road

To dedicate a light, call (925) 887-5678 or visit www.MartinezHospiceTree.com or www.PHHospiceTree.com

october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Garden Gala

Celebrate Wine & Roses in Walnut Creek Taste the wines from Sutter Creek without leaving the city limits during The Gardens at Heather Farm’s annual fundraising gala, Wine & Roses, scheduled for Sunday, October 4, from 4 to 7pm. Headlining this year’s event are wines donated by Wine on 49 - a collaboration of wine tasting rooms located within walking distance from each other along Main Street in Sutter Creek, known as the jewel of Amador County and the gold country. Pourings include selections from Bella Grace, Yorba, Scott Harvey, Miller Wine Works, and Le Mulet Rouge. Mediterranean-themed small plates created by Blue Heron Catering, Checkers Catering, Elegant Occasions Catering, Il Fornaio, Sunrise Bistro & Catering, The Vegetarian Gourmet, Yalla Mediterranean, and more will be paired with the Wine on 49 selections for what is sure to be a palate pleasing evening. During the evening, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of freshly made Sangria as they stroll through The Gardens, watch plein air

artists, enjoy live music performed by the Dirty Cello Band, and bid on items in a silent auction. Silent auction includes donations from Wente Family Estates, Concannon Vineyard, Navlet’s Garden Centers, Sloat Garden Center, Small Thyme Catering, and more. Tickets are $55 - $65. All proceeds from this event benefit The Gardens at Heather Farm. Purchase tickets online at gardenshf.org or call 925.947.1678. About The Gardens at Heather Farm A Certified Wildlife Habitat and Certified Green Business, The Gardens at Heather Farm (GHF) provides six acres of educational gardens and programs for youth, adults and persons with di sabilities. A qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, GHF is self supporting through memberships, fundraisers, grants, private donations, facility rentals and program fees. The mission is to inspire and educate our community about sustainable gardening and stewardship practices that preserve and protect our environment.

Celebration Tree Martinez Tree of Lights The Hospice of the East Bay is pleased to announce that for a limited time only, the majestic oak tree, located on Morello Avenue, is available to rent to commemorate milestones such as birthdays, adoptions, weddings, proposals, anniversaries, children’s sports teams, graduations, retirements, military homecomings, or whatever you are celebrating. Traditionally, the Martinez Tree of Lights is only lit during the holiday season as part of the “purchase a light” program that benefits the Hospice of the East Bay. Now the Martinez community can rent the tree for one week, which includes a keepsake banner and tree lighting every night to mark the occasion. Tree reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $125 per rental. (A two week lead-time is

requested.) For complete details and to make a reservation, please visit www. CelebrationTree.org. Your donation is tax deductible. All proceeds benefit Hospice of the East Bay, which provides compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients while offering emotional, spiritual and grief support for the entire family. As a not-for-profit organization, they accept all medically qualified patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. They also offer free bereavement services to the entire community, having served over 23,000 patients and their families since 1977. The official Tree of Lights lighting ceremony this season will take place on Saturday, November 7, at 5pm. Visit www.MartinezHospiceTree.com to learn more and to purchase a light in memory of a loved one.

Up at Night?

New Treatments for Nocturia BY JEREMY LIEB, MD Night time urination, also called nocturia, is a very common problem as we get older. I’ll start off with an anecdotal patient visit. A few years ago, a fellow came to my office for a new patient visit because he was getting up at night to urinate 4-5 times. After further questioning, I determined he was drinking four beers every evening. When I told him my first recommendation was to reduce evening beer intake, he just looked up and said, “Well doc, I guess that I’ll be getting up to pee at night.” I share this story to explain that there is no magic pill to reduce nighttime urination. The most important information is to determine why someone is getting up too many times and try to reduce risk factors. For example, the most simple and first recommendation is to reduce evening fluid intake. Obviously, less drinking after dinner means less urine production overnight. Always remember to have a nice glass of water in the morning to start your day so you do not get dehydrated. The next bit of advice is to lower salt intake. Salt allows the body to retain more fluids, which can lead to feeling bloated. This stores water in the body and gets released when you lie down. Another recommendation is to

elevate your legs during the day or wear compression stockings or long, tight socks. Most fluid is retained in our legs and this helps squeeze out fluid during the daytime. If you take several medications, it’s helpful to determine which ones can be taken in the morning vs. night. For example, taking vitamins or safe medications (such as cholesterol pills) at night may lead to more urine because of the water used to wash down the pills. Talk with your primary care doctor and determine which meds can be taken in the morning to reduce nighttime fluid intake. Occasionally, I’ll have a patient come into my office who is taking a diuretic water pill at night. Obviously, this leads to a ton of urine production at night. There is a medication called desmopressin which is commonly used with children to reduce bedwetting. This will reduce urine production overnight, but unfortunately, the FDA recently voted against approval for the indication of nocturia because it can lead to diluted body salt level. That said, there are plenty of studies that show in a low dose it can safely be used to reduce nocturia. Dr. Lieb is a Board Certified Urologist with Pacific Urology. Pacific Urology has offices in Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon, Brentwood, Livermore, Fremont and Antioch. For more information, call 925-937-7740 or visit www. PacificUrology.com

NO JOB TOO SMALL FAMILY & LOCALLY OWNED MONTHLY SERVICE

Saturday, October 24, 2015 Please join us as we celebrate the annual “Many Faces of Breast Cancer” Come and experience a special event focusing on the unique needs and issues of breast cancer survivors. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they speak to issues that directly affect over 2.5 million survivors in the US today. The program will provide insights into imaging follow-up, lymph node surgery, lymphedema, latest research, pyscho-social issues and benefits of targeted physical activity. Q & A session to follow the presentation.

Lesher Center for the Arts Stage 3, Knight Theatre 1601 Civic Drive Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Saturday, October 24, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Space is limited. Advanced registration required. Admission, parking and refreshments are free. Parking available in the North Locust Garage, adjacent to the theatre. Please mention you are with The Many Faces of Breast Cancer.

Tiffany Svahn, MD - Moderator Vivian Wing, MD Radiologist Cynthia Grace, Psy.D Clinical Psychologist

Mark Ellinwood, Owner • PO Box 23774 • Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Leslie Jerge Certified Pilates Instructor

RSVP: 925-677-5041

ANTS • SPIDERS • MICE • RATS • FLEAS • 1 TIME SPRAY OK ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

Business Directory Buck Shot & Any Reason

Local Qualit y You Can Trust!

Pleasant Hill

www.jlgcomputersolutions.com Friendly, experienced help for computer, tablet & smartphone. Any appliance or device. PC & Mac.

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

COLLISION

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

Special Shows for Assisted Living, Convalescent Homes & Hospitals

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

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

ADVERTISE • Reach over 40,000 local customers! • Largest circulation of any local paper! • Get more for your advertising dollar!

Repair, Virus Removal, Upgrades, Wireless, Security, Tutoring, Installs, Purchase Consulting & More

CALL JONATHAN GROSS AT 925.338.9644 References Available • Technically Challenged Welcomed!

LEADING EDGE

PEST MANAGEMENT, INC. TERMITE SPECIALISTS Inspections, Eco-Friendly Treatments & Professional Repairs

800-471-5555

BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY AD

WWW.LEADINGEDGEPM.COM

925.335.NEWS • www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Lic.#PR6202

ADVERTISE • Reach over 40,000 local customers! • Largest circulation of any local paper! • Get more for your advertising dollar!

BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY AD 925.335.NEWS • www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Advertisers Agent 2000, Derek Knapp Carlton Senior Living Carondelet High School Cold Stone Creamery Colleen Callahan Insurance Services Colorz Hair Gallery Deja Vu Boutique Diablo Valley Oncology EcoMulch Ellinwood Exterminators El Tapatio Flaskerud - RE/MAX Today Forma Gym

Glenn Allen Team – RE/MAX Hagin’s Automotive Hammer’s Heating and A/C Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital Hire My Husband Home Detailers Housekeeping Hospice Tree of Lights Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA Jack’s Restaurant & Bar Jennifer L. Martin D.D.S. King’s Cleaning Kobe Japan Law Offices of Daniel L. DuRee Law Offices of Lauren Smykowski Leading Edge Pest Management Inc. Les Schwab Tires

Linda J. Weihofen Main Street Martinez Matt Rinn – State Farm Insurance Maureen Ingalls - RE/MAX Accord Moulding Company Mt. Diablo Solano Oncology Group Navlet’s Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Pacific Urology Parkway Smiles Dental Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Pleasant Hill Family Dentistry Pleasant Hill Rec & Park RC Sausedo Construction Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Samuels Construction

SAFE Credit Union Senior Helpers Shell Western States Credit Union Shell Oil Stat Med Urgent Care The Gardens at Heather Farm Transform FX Fitness Trio Skincare Inc. Walnut Creek Downtown Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce Waters Moving and Storage Wealth & Tax Planners Wence’s Restaurant

Fall Cleaning Special

10/31/15

october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Make Some Plans september 30

october 5

october 10

october 22

Dining for Soroptimist

Dan Ashley’s Golf Tournament

Talk on Housing

Have lunch, dinner or takeout on Wednesday 11am – close, La Tapatia, 536 Main St., Martinez , and 15% goes to Soroptimist Int’l of Martinez to support their mission. Must present flyer available at www. soroptimistmartinez.org.

Round Hill Country Club. Our goal is to send 300 underserved kids to Camp Concord in Lake Tahoe. Website: www.friendsofcamp. com.

Walnut Creek Community Service Day With more than 50 projects to choose from, there’s something for every age, ability and interest. Sign up quickly to get the project of your choice at the 5th annual Community Service Day at www. walnut-creek.org for details and registration.

Affordable housing advocate and Martinez City Councilmember Anamarie Avila Farias discusses the challenges of expanding affordable housing in Contra Costa. 7 pm, Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Rd, Walnut Creek. Sponsored by the Diablo Valley Democratic Club. 925.946.0469 or www.dvdems.org.

october

october 10

october 24

Navlet’s Free Classes

Alhambra Cemetery Cleanup

Special Needs Trunk or Treat

Help provide some much needed cleaning, gardening, and beautification of the historic site. Please bring garden tools, gloves, and a friend. 10am-2pm. Call Martinez Recreation Department for information 925-372-3510.

For children and their families. This event will be held at Oak Park Christian Center parking lot, 2073 Oak Park Blvd., PH. RSVP at info@ allinneed.org or contact Autumn Green if you would like to help with this special event at 925-257-4246.

Fall is for Planting: 10/3, 10am - Pleasant Hill; 10/4, 11am - all locations; Fall & Winter Color: 10/10, 10am - Martinez; Waterwise Gardening: 10/11, 11am - Pleasant Hill; Houseplants: 10/17, 10am - Pleasant Hill; Small Space Gardening: 10/18, 11am - Pleasant Hill; Spring Flowering Bulbs: 10/24, 10am - all locations.

october 3 & 4

october 6

october 24

Harvest on the Delta Quilt Show

PH Garden Study Club

Oktoberfest!

Corky Quirk presents “Bats: Environmental Benefits,” 7pm. Free, guests are welcome. PH Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, PH. 925323-9314 or www.phgsc.com.

Grace Episcopal Church, 130 Muir Station Rd., Mtz. Tickets $20; Free for children 12 and under. 5:30pm Social Hour; 6:30pm Dinner. For tickets and information, call: (925) 3838386 or email jennifer.sabroe@sbcglobal.net.

10/3, 10am-5pm; 10/4, 10am-4pm. Delta Quilters present the 23rd annual quilt show. Quilting exhibits, demonstrations, vendors, boutique, gift baskets and food service by Nature’s Bounty. Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Free Parking.

october 4

october 8-10

october 11

october 28

Shell/MEF Run for Education

Le Top Children’s Clothing Sale

Lindsay Wildlife’s 60th Birthday Bash

Become an Entrepreneur

Support MUSD schools at the 13th annual run. Register early at www. martinezedfoundation.com, or on race day from 7-8am. Race begins at 8:30 on the corner of Estudillo and Main Street in Martinez.

Local children’s clothing company is offering high-end playwear (for ages 0-7 yrs.) at over 70% off retail prices! Thur. & Fri., 9am-5pm; Sat. 9am-2pm. C.K. Enterprises, 2301 Arnold Industrial Way, Suite C, Concord; 925-771-5100.

Birthday & Community Open House, 10am to 5pm! A free day at the exhibit hall and a community festival from 11am-4 pm in Larkey Park. For more information go to lindsaywildlife.org/open-house. www. lindsaywildlife.org

The Contra Costa Women’s Commission in partnership with JFK University’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Center will present a dynamic panel discussion. 5-7:30pm, JFKU Inst. of Entrepreneurial Leadership, 2151 Salvio St., Ste. 350, Concord. Information and reservations: www.womenscommission.com.

october 4

october 10

october 19

october 30

Martinez Historical Society

Become a Foster Parent

Sons In Retirement

Neighborhood Church Trunk or Treat!

Monthly meeting, 1-3pm, Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 930 Ward Street, Martinez. Speaker will be Seth Adams, Director of Land Conservation for Save Mount Diablo. Seth will focus his talk on the 2013 Morgan Fire.

The Northern California Family Center is looking for caring families to provide foster care services for children & short-term emergency care. Free Orientation/Training in Concord. If interested please contact the NCFC at (925-370-1990) www.ncfc.us..

Monthly luncheon, 11am. $15 includes lunch. Speaker Leigh Kjeldsen, Au.D., with Valley Audiology will discuss hearing loss, causes and remedies, and the latest in hearing and balance research. WC Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr. Call 925-322-1160. www. Branch116.org.

5-8pm, 1786 Second Ave., Walnut Creek. Bring the whole family for a fun night of costumes, cars, & candy! Enjoy games, a bounce house, food & drinks. To enter a car or for more information, call 925-765-1184, www.neighborhood-church.org.

ourcommunityfocus.com • october 2015

Vote Now!

Vote now for YOUR FAVORITE car repair shop, restaurant, boutique, sport bar, dentist and more!

2015

Online voters automatically entered to WIN a gift card to one of the winning restaurants!

2015 READERS’ LOCAL FAVORITES

VOTE ONLINE SEPTEMBER 15 - OCTOBER 31 2015

ourcommunityfocus.com winners published january 2016

october 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com