Live Locally Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2021

S P RING 2 021

live locally TOWN OF DANVILLE Q U A RT E R LY N E W S L E T T E R

Message from the Town Council Spring has sprung and we are ready to move into a new season.

Welcome to the latest edition of the Live Locally Quarterly newsletter, where we will take a look at all of the programs, projects and events happening in the Town of Danville.

In this issue, we will give you an update on the status of the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program and how residents are using it to add space on their properties. We’ll explain what is involved in the permit process and what you need to do when conducting work on your home.

In our center section we will take a look at how COVID-19 has affected our business community, and the ways that the Town of Danville’s Economic Development staff have worked to help in that recovery. You can also learn some great tips on how to make your home office work for you.

The Danville Police Department will walk you through how to be safe from scams, as well as giving you important information on how to seek access to mental health assistance during these difficult times.

We’ll look at some new building projects, like the replacement of the iconic gazebo at Hap Magee Ranch Park, or the new bridge across San Ramon Creek near the Danville Library and Community Center.

Photo by Paige Green

WHAT'S INSIDE...

Celebrate Earth Day

Supporting Local Businesses

New Gallery Exhibit

PA G E S 4 – 5

PA G E S 6 –7

PA G E 1 0

As things are still in flux we will let you know about what events are on the horizon, and whether they will be taking place out in the community or in virtual space.

We’ve got a lot to share between these covers. We hope you’ll take a moment to check it out and enjoy all there is to love about Living Locally.

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!

Accessory Dwelling Unit Program Underway In 2020, the Town of Danville launched a Permit-Ready Garden Cottage Program to incentivize the community to seek construction of quality Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that meet Danville’s design standards. The program is intended to encourage the construction of smaller living units in Danville that are accessible to a wider range of income levels.

Once again, Danville invites all Force-sensitive members of the community to celebrate Star Wars. This fun annual tradition hosts festivities for all ages from Padawan to Jedi Master. Participating families can help defeat the Empire by completing the Padawan-Pod Race Drive Thru, enjoy the 12 Parsecs Kessel Run Fitness Challenge, or learn the ways of the force with Jedi Master Andy Zandy.

May the 4th Be With You! Register online at danville.ca.gov/recguide or call (925) 314-3400 for details.

A selection of pre-approved, permit-ready blueprints for secondary living units designed by local architects are ready and available for download free-of-charge to Danville residents.

Since the Town has already reviewed these plans for building safety and architectural design, permit applications are eligible for reduced fees and expedited plan review.

While interested parties will still need to consult with the appropriate design professionals to prepare site-specific details for their building permit application, this program significantly reduces the upfront cost and planning typically required to design and build a second dwelling unit. Final plans and supporting calculations for a 640 square foot studio, an 840 square foot 1-bed, 1-bath, and a 1000 square foot 2-bed, 2-bath unit are available to view and download now at www.danville.ca.gov/ADU. The Town’s ADU website has information and a number of helpful resources available to guide applicants through the building permit process. Per state legislation enacted on January 1, 2020, any property in a single-family residential zoning district is allowed one detached accessory dwelling unit provided they meet size and setback restrictions, so almost all owners of a single-family residential property are eligible for this program.

For more information on the Garden Cottage Program call (925) 314-3330 or email building@danville.ca.gov.

Legislative Update The 2021 Legislative Session will continue to focus on housing production in response to what is seen as an untenable housing shortage. In 2020, the state determined the need to build 1.8 million new homes by 2025 to meet that demand.

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Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins has established a group of Senators to work on housing production and develop the “Building Opportunities for All” Senate Housing Package, which includes Senate Bills SB5, SB6, SB7, SB8, SB9, and SB10.

Many of the policies that have been introduced over the past two years include: • eliminating single family zoning by allowing residential homeowners to create lot splits and build duplexes on a single-family lot with ministerial approval.

• prohibiting HOAs from restricting home rentals to less than 25% of the homes under their purview.

• allowing residential development on existing lots currently zoned for commercial office or retail space.

• infill development requiring residential units be built to a minimum density to accommodate housing.

• limiting the number of public hearings to approve new developments.

• limiting Danville’s local authority to regulate construction of ADUs. The Town Council continues to engage directly with State Legislators to advance solutions, addressing regional housing needs while fighting to maintain local control and community character.

THE TOWN OF DANVILLE NEEDS YOU!

STAYING ACTIVE AND FINDING THE FUN

The Town is currently recruiting for a number of commission and board positions. These include: Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission One regular member, 4-year term One alternate member, 4-year term One youth representative, 2-year term Arts Advisory Board One regular member, 4-year term One Youth Member, 2-year term Senior Advisory Commission One regular member, 4-year term Poet Laureate One position, 2-year term Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee One representative, 4-year term County Connection Citizen Advisory Committee One representative, 2-year term Applications due: Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 4:00 p.m.

LEAH MARTINEZ Program Supervisor—Adults and Seniors In the past year, we have learned how strongly we rely upon and appreciate human connection for work, for fun and for our overall well-being. In the Parks & Recreation field, the professional objective is to create community through people, parks and programs.

Over the past year, I have been delighted to see the increased and creative usage of outdoor spaces for physical wellness and mindful relaxation.

As the Recreation, Arts & Community Services (RACS) Department, we have worked to bring community events to new and innovative spaces: a sprinkling of Hearts downtown to lift spirits, virtual senior fitness classes that allow regular fitness routines to continue from a living room or office, a drive-through Spooktacular that made sure Halloween was still a sweet treat, and virtual cooking, comedy and more through the Village Theatre online. The objective of these programs is to shrink the perceived spaces between us and offer meaningful connection with those around us.

This year, we continue to challenge Danville to “Find the Fun” with a website offering of crafts, reading suggestions, recipes and scavenger hunts at www.danville.ca.gov/findthefun. The challenges of the past year are no match for the small-town atmosphere and outstanding quality of life, demonstrated by the people in Danville making the conscious choice to connect in parks and with programs.

Interviews: June 8 and 15, 2021 Terms begin: July 1, 2021 Questions: Contact City Clerk at cityclerk@danville.ca.gov Applications on website: www.danville.ca.gov/commissionrecruitment

Residents concerned about the further erosion of local control and the impact of these housing mandates are encouraged to contact State Legislators and learn more about the bills that impact the Town: 7th District Senator Steve Glazer: (925) 651-4007 and https://sd07.senate.ca.gov 16th District Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan: (925) 328-1515 and https://a16.asmdc.org/ https://focus.senate.ca.gov/housing

Steps to Secure a Permit 1

Review your zoning district and identify your setback requirements to understand where you can build.

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Review the Permit Directory at www.danville.ca.gov/PermitCenter for Submittal Requirements and project information.

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Prepare a submittal package per the submittal requirement checklist.

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Contact any outside agencies listed on the project’s submittal requirements checklist for approval.

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Complete a Building Permit Application.

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Submit Application and/or Plans to the Town.

Applications are accepted online at www.danville.ca.gov/CSS or by appointment. Schedule an appointment to submit in person by visiting www.danville.ca.gov/bookings or calling (925) 314-3330.

The Permit Center is currently open by appointment only. To make an appointment, you can: • Book online at www.danville.ca.gov/bookings • Call (925) 314-3330

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HAP MAGEE PARK GAZEBO TO BE REPLACED Ask a Danville resident what their fondest memory of Hap Magee Ranch Park is and, for many, the answer will focus on the beautiful gazebo within the meadow.

Installed in 2005, the gazebo has featured prominently in engagements, weddings, graduations, and proms. With the loss of the historic oak tree that shared the meadow, the gazebo has become even more a focus of the park.

After years of extensive use and exposure to the elements, however, the gazebo is now in poor condition and needs to be replaced. The new gazebo will have a similar architectural design to the existing and be painted to match, while also being slightly larger.

Set to be installed in summer 2021, the new structure will serve the community for years to come and hopefully continue to feature as a landmark for many more happy memories in the lives of our residents.

Public Transit in a Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has had large and farreaching effects on many areas, including public transportation. Stay-at-Home orders meant an increase in working and studying from home, which resulted in significantly reduced traffic on our roadways and less of a reliance on public transit.

While less traffic is always a welcome benefit, the reduced need for public transit has taken a financial toll on transit agencies around the country and has challenged their ability to maintain services.

Since March 2020, County Connection, Contra Costa’s fixed-route transit bus provider, has been responding to the numerous health and safety orders and protocols while continuing to provide operations as an essential service provider. In addition to following the protocols, County

Connection has had to make continual temporary adjustments to their routes and schedules to offset a nearly 70% decrease in ridership that has occurred since February 2020.

Fortunately for Danville residents, the primary bus route (Route 21) that runs through town has not been significantly affected. However, the express bus routes (Routes 92x and 95x) that provide more direct connections to and from the Sycamore Park and Ride and BART stations have had some reductions in frequency, but for now are planned to continue to operate.

For more information and latest updates on County Connection operations and services, please visit www.countyconnection.com.

EARTH DAY IS THURSDAY, APRIL 22: “RESTORE OUR EARTH” A senate bill is aiming at helping the state move in a greener direction. Senate Bill 1383—Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in California requires the state to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. In other words, the state must reduce organic waste disposal by more than 20 million tons annually to meet this goal by 2025.

Organic waste produces methane in landfills. Methane is a super pollutant creating global warming and climate change. What is organic waste? It is green waste, wood waste, food waste, and fibers such as paper and cardboard.

How can you help reduce organic waste?

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Reduce unwanted mail by visiting www.dmachoice.org to opt out of national junk mail; contact local and regional companies sending you unwanted mail and ask to be taken off their list

Just Mow/Don’t Bag—Leave grass clippings on your lawn; the clippings will decompose, adding much needed nutrients to your lawn and lighten the waste you bring to the curb

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MAIL AND PACKAGE THEFT The United States Postal Service has seen a rise in mail theft over the past few years. With an increase in online shopping and delivery services, package thefts are also on the rise. To reduce your chances of becoming a victim, consider some of the following tips.

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Deposit outgoing mail in a mail slot in the post office or hand it to your letter carrier.

Don’t leave outgoing mail or packages unattended in your mailbox for pick up.

Pick up mail and packages promptly. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you are expecting checks, credit cards or other valuable items, ask someone to pick up your mail and track when they are supposed to arrive.

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If you move or change your address, immediately tell the Post Office and anyone else you do business with by mail.

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If you are going out of town, ask someone to pick up your mail and packages every day.

If you are frequently away, consider using a P.O. Box.

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Purchase a locking mailbox. Ask your local postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes.

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Choose a shipping option that requires you to sign for delivery.

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Arrange to ship the package to another location for someone else to receive. This can be a friend, relative or trusted neighbor.

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Consider installing a security camera or video doorbell to monitor activity at your mailbox and on your porch in real time.

Celebrate Earth Day

BY REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Show your commitment to renewable energy and help celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2021 by taking the MCE DEEP GREEN Challenge. It is the easiest step to help fight climate change by converting to 100% renewable electricity.

90% of Danville residences are powered with the MCE Light Green 60% renewable energy service. For less than $5 more a month for an average residential customer, you can opt up to DEEP GREEN 100% renewable energy service, completely eliminating your electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions for your home.

DEEP GREEN service comes from California wind and solar power. Half of the Deep Green premium goes toward the DEEP GREEN Renewable Development Fund, which helps to fund the build out of local renewable energy projects.

To take the challenge and OPT UP to DEEP GREEN 100% renewable energy go to www.mcecleanenergy.org/100-renewable/

SAMPLE RESIDENTIAL COST COMPARISON

60% renewable

39% renewable PG&E

MCE Deep Green

Electric Delivery

$69.84

$69.84

$69.84

Electric Generation

$43.50

$58.89

$48.50

Added PG&E Fees

$15.22

—

$15.22

$128.56

$128.73

$133.56

MCE Light Green

Monthly Cost

100% renewable

Based on typical usage of a residential customer in our service area at current PG&E and MCE rates effective as of January 1, 2020 under the E-1 rate schedule. Actual differences may vary depending on usage, rate schedule, and other factors. Estimate provided is an average of seasonal rates.

Organic Waste is the Largest Waste Stream in California

Purchase products with less packaging

Use reusable shopping bags

Compost food scraps and yard trimmings in your back yard Taking these steps is a great way to celebrate Earth Day everyday and help steer California to a better climate.

California disposed of approximately 27 million tons of organic waste in 2017

California’s Waste Stream

Paper 18% Food 18% Lumber 12%

Source: CalRecycle

Other Organics 19%

Non-Organic Waste 33%

In California, millions are FOOD INSECURE • 1 in 8 Californians • 1 in 5 Children

California throws away MORE THAN 6 MILLION TONS of food waste every year!

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Supporting Local Danville businesses have had a tumultuous year and have had to adapt to and endure many unexpected changes. Our community is strong and has shown a huge amount of love and support for our businesses and a deep appreciation for the role they play in the Town of Danville. As part of the efforts to keep our businesses open and viable, ongoing support from the community is crucial.

Commitment to shop and support local will continue to help heal and restore what this Town holds dear. In support of this priority, the Town has created and implemented programs to highlight and uplift these business owners and operators to financially and logistically make it through these difficult times and be successful for the long term. Some of the more recent efforts are outlined on these pages. We continue to be your partner in all the ways to #livelocallydanville. www.danville.ca.gov/businessresources

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Town of Danville partnered with Townsend Public Affairs to offer free personalized 1:1 support for local businesses to help navigate access to state and federal support.

FORWARD FOCUS BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM Town Council approved appropriation of $525,000 to aid Danville businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This reimbursable grant program provides financial support targeting specific areas of need for struggling businesses.

As of March 2021, 115 grants had been approved. www.danville.ca.gov/businessfunding

CAP ON RESTAURANT DELIVERY FEES An urgency ordinance adopted by the Town Council established a temporary cap of 15% on commission, fees, and costs charged by third-party food delivery services. This cap ensures restaurants retain a larger percentage of customer payments and will be in effect for the remainder of the pandemic.

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Businesses

DANVILLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

MARKETING OUR COMMUNITY

Highlighting local businesses through the pandemic was a priority from the start. The creation of a free comprehensive online directory of local businesses has allowed them to showcase their goods and services, hours of operation, promotions and more, all designed to really promote what our community has to offer. www.danville.ca.gov/businessdirectory

From take-out campaigns to shopping strolls, local and regional promotion efforts were leveraged to support business during shifts in operations and outreach.

The Scarecrow Stroll and Tree Trail were forged by the Recreation, Arts & Community Services (RACS) Department while Your Town Monthly and the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce led the way on the Pledge to Support Local Campaign as an effort to focus holiday spending locally. Most recently, Visit TriValley satisfied our appetites through their first Taste Tri-Valley Restaurant Week. Join us now for To Danville, with love. Learn more at www.todanvillewithlove.com

YARD SIGN MESSAGING Coordinating messages of community support and safety provided complimentary marketing for businesses and a way to communicate to the wider community the importance of supporting our businesses and keeping each other safe.

CURBSIDE PICK-UP ZONES Dedicated pick-up zones were created to promote takeout and curbside pick-up for local restaurants and retailers in our downtown spaces. The signs were a visible beacon to remind patrons it was both easy and safe to support establishments in the downtown corridor.

DIRECT OUTREACH Unique businesses require personalized assistance and the Town’s Economic Development team made this a priority by hosting monthly Forward Focus webinars to connect with the business community, share timely information and address questions and concerns. In addition, a weekly update was sent to business license holders. The team reached out to businesses in person, by phone and by email to get feedback on the best ways to help and to provide access to resources and programs. Businesses were personally contacted via phone and email to provide them with guidance and resources.

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Pavement Management:

WHO DECIDES WHEN A STREET IS REPAVED?

READY, SET, SUMMER JOBS 2021!

Each year, the Town of Danville depends on nearly 100 seasonal employees to help teach, develop, and safeguard Danville youngsters during summer camps and aquatics programs. In addition, they help serve as role models to the children who attend these programs.

The Town of Danville is currently recruiting responsible and enthusiastic individuals to lead our annual summer camp and aquatics programs. Summer jobs run from June 1 to August 6, 2021.

Camp counselor and lifeguard/swim instructor positions offer many development opportunities to those who are new to the workforce. The life skills they learn will benefit them long after the summer is over and into their future. All selected staff go through extensive training to ensure pertinent skills and techniques are mastered.

All county and state COVID-19 guidelines will be followed during trainings and the programs themselves to ensure the safety of the employees and the participants.

Applications are due no later than May 15, 2021 for lifeguard/swim instructor positions.

For more information or to apply, visit www.danville.ca.gov/HR or contact Human Resources Manager Qiana London at (925) 314-3356 or qlondon@danville.ca.gov.

Lifeguard/swim instructor positions will remain open until filled.

TOWN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS As part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to protect environmental resources, maximize water efficiency and maintain the look of our landscape areas, several locations around town have recently been renovated with new plantings. A key priority of these projects has been to bring in more water-efficient vegetation to reduce overall water use. The work has included replacing unusable grass areas—such as medians and along roadways—with drought tolerant trees and plants. Additionally, after an extensive amount of plant material was lost in the recent drought, the Town has been systematically rejuvenating these areas with new plantings making them seem brand new again.

Some landscape replacement projects include: Crow Canyon Road—grass area replaced with trees and plants southbound approaching Tassajara Ranch Drive Camino Tassajara—unhealthy vegetation replaced eastbound near Fairwood Court Danville South Park—new drought tolerant plants installed around the perimeter of the basketball court

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There are 324 lane miles of public street serviced by the Town of Danville. Each year, several of them will be repaired and repaved through the ongoing Pavement Management Program. With a budget of $3 million, the program has to make determinations as to which streets are maintained in which year.

These determinations are made using a standard measure of pavement quality called the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). PCI is the scale used to describe a pavement condition, based on a numerical value from 1–100. The PCI rating is determined by visual inspection of pavement condition, age, and distress. A PCI of 100 represents a brand-new street, while a PCI of 0 represents a completely failed street. The Town of Danville maintains a consistent goal of keeping an average PCI of 70 on our roadways, and it is currently at 81. Streets are carefully evaluated and ranked by professional consultants at least every two years. The last such evaluation was performed in March 2020.

The schedule for street maintenance is driven primarily by PCI ranking and available budget.

Streets with the same type of maintenance needs are grouped together to reduce the cost of the work and confine the project impact to a smaller area of the neighborhood. Streets in need of work are added to a ‘Candidate’ list, which is then prioritized based on several factors such as budget, location, neighborhood, and future utility/site improvements in that location over the next 3–5 years.

If a street requires work, it will receive temporary repairs, and remain on the candidate list until it can be placed on the project plan. We keep all neighborhoods with low PCI that are not selected for treatment under consideration and continuously monitor street conditions to perform any temporary repairs until they can receive treatment.

For more information on the Pavement Management Program, contact Associate Civil Engineer Nader Salama at nsalama@danville.ca.gov.

New Footbridge Installed The Town of Danville recently constructed a footbridge connecting the Danville Town Green, a central community gathering and recreation space, to the new Riverwalk community and Diablo Road.

The bridge provides a new north/south connection in the Town’s trail network. The alternative access to the downtown park will allow pedestrians and bicycle traffic to shorten their travel distance by a half mile and increase safety by avoiding three busy downtown intersections. Additionally, the bridge is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and encourages access for individuals of all mobility levels to get closer to nature, the San Ramon Creek, as well as the Danville Library and Community Center.

Consistent with various local plans, like the Parks, Recreation and Arts Strategic Plan, the project promotes active transportation and healthy recreation opportunities, such as bicycling, walking and running by connecting existing trail systems to one another for more fluid movement.

It’s Time to Lend-a-Hand As we continue to work through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to help one another. Each April, the Town of Danville hosts Lend-a-Hand Day, a community event designed to “lend a hand” to local seniors by providing basic yard clean-up services. This volunteer-driven event is being reformatted this year to maximize safety for volunteers and seniors alike.

Senior homeowners who apply for assistance will provide a task list of weeding, spreading mulch, or raking. Volunteers will be matched to houses based on the difficulty and size of the tasks. Working in

SPORTS FIELD MORATORIUM ENDS

small groups, volunteers will participate outdoors only with masks and social distancing to protect everyone’s health.

House clean-ups will be smaller in scope to allow for smaller volunteer groups to participate.

Without volunteers, this event would not be a success! To sign up to volunteer, register at www.danville.ca.gov/volunteer.

Danville’s natural grass sports fields and dog park reopened February 28. During the closure, maintenance crews made repairs, replaced sod and renovated the fields for the new season.

How to Recognize a Scam: Tips from the FTC 1

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Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know. Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE. They might say you’re in trouble with the government, you owe money, someone in your family had an emergency, or that there’s a virus on your computer. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.

Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately. Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you.

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Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way. They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.

For more information on scams and what to do when you’ve been scammed, visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.ftc.gov.

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TAKING CARE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN A CRISIS There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on individuals in ways that we are just starting to comprehend. One of the biggest impacts has been on mental health. Being isolated, losing your livelihood, dealing with death, loss and grief can all lead to depression and anxiety.

For some people, this is their first time dealing with these conditions and they may not know where to turn. Accessing mental health services can be intimidating if you have never done so. Here is a list of places to turn when you may need some extra support to work through the feelings of sadness or anxiety that can be overwhelming at times.

• Your Health Insurance Provider: Often times counseling is included in your insurance plans.

Reaching out to your insurance provider can get you a list of service providers and sometimes these are covered or subject to your normal co-payments.

• 211: Contra Costa County’s Services hotline. This is a great database of different resources, including mental health, provided for community members at a variety of price points. (and sometimes free of charge) https://cccc. myresourcedirectory.com/ • Your Employee Assistance Program through work: Many employers offer an EAP which include no-cost counseling options. These are still confidential and are not shared with your employers and cannot impact your employment.

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New Gallery Exhibit a Tribute to Those Who Inspire For the Village Theatre Art Gallery’s 11th Annual Juried Exhibition, the Gallery sought out artists to paint, draw, sculpt, etc., in the style of the artist who inspires and informs their artwork the most. Inspired By… is a tribute to those visionaries who came before, an exhibit for artists to celebrate and honor the legacy of other artists. For centuries, artists have looked to one another to learn about new ways to create. Artwork elicits a visceral reaction from the viewer—which artist’s work speaks to your soul and why? This exhibition strives to show off an array of styles, subject matter, and media and is intended to leave revelers of art feeling inspired. The audience will be invited to look at the work and see if they can tell, based off style and subject matter, which famous artist acted as the source of inspiration. This exhibit is currently running and goes through May 28, 2021.

The next exhibition, Altered & Reimagined, will open on Saturday, June 19, 2021 and run through July 30.

Check the website, www.danville.ca.gov/vtart for updates on a planned reception with a limited number of people permitted into the Art Gallery to view the artwork.

To learn more about the current exhibit or future volunteer opportunities in the Gallery, contact Visual Arts Coordinator, Marija Nelson Bleier at mnelslonbleier@danville.ca.gov or (925) 314-3460.

Zooming Across Generations A bright spot coming out of the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is that the past year has been one of creative connections. Danville’s teens and seniors have taken to technology to keep communicating. The Danville Youth Council, whose members are made up of engaging and creative middle school and high school students, had the chance to interview some local, inspiring seniors in a brand-new program called Zooming Across Generations.

Ten special guests, aged 55 years and older, answered questions generated by the teen interviewers about their lives and hobbies, and explained how their careers evolved throughout their lifetime. The interviewees range from a line dance instructor who discovered a passion for dance once he retired, a decorated veteran, a suicide hotline counselor, and a 102-year-old woman who was a navy nurse during Pearl Harbor.

Each story was unique and impressive, made more meaningful by sharing it with each set of teen interviewers. Seniors and Danville Youth Council members learned over Zoom just how much they had in common. Speaking about what matters to them, whether it was family, hobbies or how the pandemic is affecting them in similar ways, helped close the perceived gap in generations.

The community is invited to share in these special and impactful interviews as they are available for viewing on the Danville YouTube channel @TownofDanvilleCA or by visiting the Danville Youth Council website: www.danville.ca.gov/DYC.

live locally D ES I G N O F T H E T I M ES

Making your remote office space work for you

As working from home becomes a new normal for many people, creating practical work spaces can be a challenge. Some tips on how to make these spaces unique and efficient were shared by one of our local design experts, Casey Howard, Principal Designer at Casey Howard Interior Design.

Photo courtesy of Casey Howard Interior Design

5 TIPS ON DESIGNING AN IN-HOME OFFICE SPACE 1 2 3 4 5

Work-life balance boundaries are easily blurred when you’re working from home, so even if your in-home office doesn’t have a dedicated room, create definition for your work area so you can step away from “the office.”

Invest in a quality chair and balanced lighting to keep you feeling good physically, and ease the strain on your eyes after a day of screen time. Computer work benefits from a table lamp with a shade to fill light at eye level when seated; whereas a desk lamp that shines light downward, is appropriate for work done flat on the table.

Consider storage and organization. Not only will you function most efficiently when you know where everything is, but the benefit of being able to file away papers and hide a printer is worth every effort.

Don’t be hemmed in when shopping for a work surface. There are a lot of incredible tables and consoles that work wonderfully as desks, and can then be easily repurposed in the future.

Quick tip: check the height, as some consoles can be taller than table height.

Be camera-ready! In the Zoom-era, it’s important to think about what is behind you. We love moving desks away from the wall, looking out into a room. Add a favorite piece of art, wall sculpture or funky mirror over a console or credenza shelf against the wall behind the desk to frame you perfectly for video conferencing.

SO ME LO CA L B USINESSES TO C O NSIDE R FO R YO UR PR O JECT : At Home Decor & Design

800 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD W 831-1344

Casey Howard Interior Design

Danville Interior Design Gallery

120 W LINDA MESA AVE 725-4223 300 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD 838-8040

Diablo Design Group

154 E PROSPECT AVE 309-4828

Furbelows Fabrics

100 RAILROAD AVE 837-8579

Home Consignment Center

1901 CAMINO RAMON 866-6164

Kriste Michelini Interiors

222 RAILROAD AVE 820-3844

Photo courtesy of Casey Howard Interior Design

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Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Danville, CA Permit 71

Town of Danville 510 La Gonda Way Danville, CA 94526-1740

Postal Customer

DANVILLE TOWN COUNCIL Mayor Renee Morgan rmorgan@danville.ca.gov Vice Mayor Newell Arnerich narnerich@danville.ca.gov Councilmember David Fong dfong@danville.ca.gov Councilmember Karen Stepper kstepper@danville.ca.gov Councilmember Robert Storer rstorer@danville.ca.gov

COMMUNIT Y EVENTS Due to the fact that this publication is created several weeks prior to being delivered, it is challenging to provide information on upcoming events due to the changing restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay up to date on what events are scheduled and whether they will be in person or virtual, go to the Town of Danville’s Community Calendar at www.danville.ca.gov.

STAY CONNECTED VISIT US

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#LiveLocallyDanville

O SAG E R O S E P R U N I N G Each year, Town of Danville Maintenance staff prune over 1,500 rose bushes throughout Osage Station Park. This labor of love helps to keep them healthy and promote vigorous growth.