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JUNE 2017 • ALAMO TODAY • PAGE 1
JUNE 2017
HERB DAY: TREAT THE PALATE; TICKLE THE NEW HEMME PARK UNDERGOES, PASSES IMAGINATION By Jody Morgan ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
The Northern California Unit of The Herb Society of America (HSA) holds its tenth annual celebration of Herb Day on Sunday, July 9 from 10am – 4pm at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Road, Pleasant Hill. Free activities for all ages are planned with hands-on crafts for children as well as informative presentations and exhibits for adults. Admission and parking are also free. Vendors displaying plants and herbal products for sale are staged throughout the property leaving space for attendees to enjoy the gardens. What is an herb? Originally the term was applied to any plant that died back
By Sharon Burke
In recent months, several residents have raised environmental concerns over Alamo’s new Hemme Station Park, under construction at the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Hemme Avenue. Before purchase by the Alamo Parks District from the SRV Fire Department in 2014, environmental assessments conducted by two different professional engineering firms cleared the park parcel. The first was commissioned by SRV Fire in 2006 and performed by Kleinfelder, and the second was commissioned by the County in 2014 and performed by ENGEO. In addition, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the County performed an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Despite this triple review, it was discovered in late March that the two environmental firms and the CEQA reviewer had not been informed that the parcel hosted a Standard Oil filling station from 1936 to the 1950’s (end date uncertain) when that corner was the site of the Shady Way Inn, a roadside fruit stand and restaurant, with three gas pumps installed adjacent Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents the to modern day Danville Boulevard, then State Highway 21.
SeeConcert Park continued Series on page 18 2017 Summer
Karen Mahshi and Denise Koroslev with some of the herb beds at Rodgers Ranch NCUHSA maintains. Photo by Jody Morgan.
BOCCE, MOVIES, & CONCERTS! Fridays 6:30 6:30-- 8:30p.m. at Livorna Park LIVORNA ( A t t h e c o PARK r n e r o fBOCCE L i v o r n aCOURTS R o a d a n dOPEN M i r a nJUNE d a A v e16 nue
in Alamo)
All Alamo residents are welcome to the grand public opening of the FREE ADMISSION! Livorna Park bocce ball courts, set to the ground in winter. Eventually the term designated any plant thought to for 6pm Friday, June 16. The bocce be useful to mankind. Holly Shimzu defines an herb as “plants (trees, shrubs, ball courts were authorized by the vines, perennials, biennials, or annuals) valued historically, presently, or po- Alamo Municipal Advisory Council in June 23rd: The Sun Kings tentially for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal qualities, insecticidal qualities, to Beatles a townwide survey which Performing theresponse music of The with driving economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the coloringenergy, material spot-onfound arrangements, vocal harmonies bocceand courts to be the number they provide (HSA’s Essential Guide to The Beginner’s Herb Garden). one recreational amenity desired by Herb Day gives the thirty or so active members of the Northern California residents. Total cost of the courts Unit (NCUHSA) the chance to share their individual expertise in all aspects will be around $600,000, funded by a of the use and culture of herbs in a fun-filled event open to everyone in the grant received from East Bay Regional The Sun Kings will perform the music of Beatles. JuneThe 30th: Mike Amaral’s community. Culinary use of herbs is always a popular topic, but at Herb Day Parks District through voter approved California Beach Boys attendees can also discover ways to use herbs in everything from household Measure WW. The two courts will be Tribute band to the Beach Boys bringing cleaners to potpourris and natural dyes. Young folks always enjoy making open during park hours, and will be harmonies, energy, and excitement precise leaf rubbings and floral head wreaths. Herbal teas and herbal flavored water available on a first come first served Volume XVII - Number 6 are available for tasting. 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, basis. The courts are not lit, and play Alamo, CA 94507 See Herb continued on page 22 will cease at nightfall.
Local Postal Customer
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS & July 7th: The Houserockers PRSRT STD CONCERT Rock & SoulSUMMER band playing timeless classics SERIES U.S. Postage
Enjoy therhythm following horn and sectionsevents which PAIDfeaturing dynamic are being presented by Alamo Parks Permit 263 and Recreation with support from the Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Alamo Municipal Advisory Council
See Livorna cont. on pg. 28
Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Sharon Burke ~ Writer
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