Live Locally Newsletter Winter 2019

WINT E R 2 019

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 Happy New Year! The holidays are past us and we are heading into a brand new 2019. And what better way to start off the new year than with a new Live Locally newsletter?

In this first newsletter of the year, we have some great information for you. Our center spread features the programs and outreach that help make the Danville Police Department the amazing agency that it is. Also in the area of public safety, enjoy a short perspective piece from one of our sergeants on using the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system in helping stop crime.

We’ve had projects finish up, like the brand-new Village Theatre Municipal Parking Lot, which added around 130 new parking spaces to the downtown. And we have projects starting up, like the Front Street Creek Bank Stabilization Project. Crews remain active elsewhere, as well, like the bike lane improvements happening around town.

Hundreds of Danville residents turn out each year to give back to the community during Lend-A-Hand Day

WHAT'S INSIDE...

Why Danville Recycles

Teen Drivers Start Smart

Volunteers Lend-A-Hand

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PA G E 5

PA G E 8

A lot is happening in Recreation, as we have a new exhibition opening at the Village Theatre Art Gallery, a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and our fantastic Recreation Expo, where visitors can learn all about the many different programs available in the Town of Danville, and receive discounts on summer courses and other programs.

It’s all in here, and more. So dive right in and live locally in 2019!

Why Danville Recycles DID YOU KNOW CALIFORNIA HAS COMMITTED TO DIVERT 75% OF ITS SOLID WASTE FROM LANDFILLS BY 2020?

RESIDENTIAL HOUSES GENERAL CART INFORMATION

Use your blue cart for recyclables (paper, plastic, metal, etc.)

Did you know the U.S. exports about one-third of its recycling and nearly half has been going to China?

China has used recyclables to supply its manufacturing boom, but the boom has slowed and now they are insisting that recyclables be much cleaner.

These new policies dramatically reduced the amount of recycling it’s accepting.

YOU CAN HELP BY: Wiping food residue out of containers with a paper towel and put the paper towel in the green organics cart

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Use your green cart for organics (yard clippings, food scraps, food soiled paper, etc.)

Keeping plastics and containers empty, clean and as dry as possible

3 Use your black cart for landfill/ garbage (non-recyclable solid waste)

For more information, go to: www.recyclesmart.org

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Placing recyclables in cart loosely for easier processing

Refraining from putting pet waste in green cart

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The Town of Danville is calling on residents to follow Town ordinances and keep their dogs on leash while out and about.

A common complaint in Danville’s community parks and school parks is pets who are being allowed off-leash by their guardians. This is occurring in areas where children play and user groups have activities ranging from picnics to sports activities.

This creates several issues, including: • Aggressive dogs attacking other dogs or people • Digging which damages the turf and creates safety and liability issues

5 Your service fee is based on the size of your black cart, the more you recycle, the less you pay.

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Residents Reminded of Danville Leash Ordinance

Not putting plastic bags in organics cart

• In addition to being unsightly, feces left behind creates health issues for children and others that come in contact with them • Damage to synthetic turf and other park amenities

Just a little wipe will do me!

Get me out of this jam!

Dog owners are responsible for keeping their pets on leash, cleaning up after them, and preventing them from damaging grounds in parks and schools.

Contra Costa County and Town ordinances require that dogs must be kept on leash. For those who wish to take their dogs off-leash, it is recommended they use the Canine Corral Dog Park at Hap Magee Ranch Park.

AN OFFICER’S PERSPECTIVE MARK JOHNSON

Following the heavy rainstorms of 2014, the creek bank on Front Street collapsed downstream from the Diablo Road bridge

What to Watch For: Projects Happening in Danville FRONT STREET CREEK BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT Construction of the Front Street Creek Bank Stabilization Project begins this spring. Located downstream from the Diablo Road Bridge, the project will repair a creek bank failure caused by heavy rains that occurred in 2014. The project includes the construction of a retaining wall to shore up the creek bank, prevent further landslides, and protect the roadway. Once the retaining wall has been completed, large boulders and native plants will be installed to further stabilize the bank.

OSAGE STATION PARK PATHWAY IMPROVEMENTS The existing asphalt concrete pathway, located at Osage Station Park, will be receiving new pavement improvements in summer 2019. The project consists of grinding and crack sealing the existing pavement, followed by application of a pavement overlay.

Construction is expected to be completed before the start of the 2019/20 school year.

SAN RAMON VALLEY BOULEVARD LANE ADDITION The design phase is underway to modify the intersection of San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Podva Road to accommodate two southbound lanes, two northbound lanes, a northbound left turn pocket and bicycle lanes in both directions.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2019.

MAINTENANCE OUTREACH Town of Danville Maintenance staff routinely work with local gardening groups to educate the community on the proper care of plants and landscaping.

We have been having remarkable success using the Town-wide Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system since it was installed two years ago. ALPR technology provides a strong defense against criminals and assists in solving crimes and apprehending criminals after crimes are committed.

In August 2018, I was working as the supervisor for the Town’s afternoon shift and received information from a neighboring agency to be on the lookout for a man who recently committed a shooting in their city. I checked the suspect’s license plate in our ALPR system and saw that his vehicle had been coming into town near the downtown area in the late afternoon on a regular basis.

Knowing the suspect’s pattern, I was able to gather a few officers and wait for him to come back into town.

Sure enough, the next day, at about the time we expected him, the man suspected of the shooting drove back into town.

Coordinating with several officers, we were able to take him into custody without any use of force and without him having an opportunity to flee, which would have put the community at further risk.

I was happy to have an advantage that allowed me to prepare my team to effect the arrest of a dangerous person entering our community in the safest manner possible.

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Improvements to Bicycle Routes With its expansive network of bicycle routes and trails, Danville has become an increasingly desirable riding destination for bicyclists. Through its Capital Improvement Program, the Town continues to improve safety and enhance the bicyclist experience by investing in upgrades to bicycle facilities. Recently completed projects have included the installation of green-colored, high-visibility pavement markings to bicycle lanes on Camino Tassajara, Sycamore Valley Road and Danville Boulevard.

The next phase of this project focuses on improvements to bicycle lanes on Diablo Road from the Downtown area to the Green Valley/Diablo Road intersection. The project includes bike lane expansion, restriping and widening of existing, additional bike lane guide signage, and the addition of high-visibility pavement markings to guide bicyclists through heavily-traveled intersections such as the Interstate 680 on/off-ramps and Green Valley/Diablo Road intersection.

The project, funded by the Contra Costa Measure J ½-cent transportation sales tax, is expected to be completed this spring.

For more information, contact Transportation Manager Andy Dillard at (925) 314-3384 or adillard@danville.ca.gov.

An overview of the Village Theatre Parking Improvement Project

Village Theatre Parking Lot Set to Open As the Town continues to work on improving the amount of parking available to residents, Danville is set to complete a new surface parking lot located on Front Street next to the Village Theatre & Art Gallery.

As part of the project, the existing building located at 279 Front Street was demolished, the area excavated and graded. In order to maximize the use of the space the existing parking at the Village Theatre site was reconfigured and integrated into the design of the project to create one large lot of approximately 200 public parking spaces, an increase of 130 spaces. Completion of the work will include installation of landscaping, lighting, and bioretention facilities for storm water management. It is expected to open in January.

For more information on the Village Theatre Parking Improvement project, contact City Engineer Steven Jones at (925) 314-3339 or sjones@danville.ca.gov

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High visibility green pavement markings are being installed in town to help with bicyclist safety

Start Smart traffic safety class

CHP Helps Teen Drivers Start Smart Parents who are concerned about the safety of their newly minted drivers or those about to start driving now have a class to help prepare their young one for the road.

Traffic statistics show that the first one to two years of licensure are some of the most dangerous years for teens. In fact, teen drivers are four times more likely to get in a collision than an experienced driver.

With these safety statistics in mind, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is partnering with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) to provide Start Smart, a teen driver education class held at various locations in Danville and San Ramon in Winter and Spring 2019.

This free two-hour traffic safety class is designed for drivers and soon-to-be drivers, aged 15–19 years old, and their parents/legal guardians. The highly impactful class covers the laws, obligations, responsibilities, and expectations that are part of operating a motor vehicle. While these classes are geared toward SRVUSD students, all California students/parents are welcome to register and attend.

For more information, go to: https://www.srvusd.net/startsmart

Diablo Road Trail Study Completed A key component of the 2017 Parks, Recreation and Arts Strategic Plan Update was the community’s desire to continue expansion of the Town’s trails network and to close gaps that exist throughout the network. Dating back to 1987, the Town has envisioned the establishment of a contiguous pedestrian and bicycle trail along the Diablo Road corridor to provide a safe, non-motorized vehicular connection to the neighborhoods in northeast Danville.

With the potential for obtaining right-of-way dedication as part of the proposed Magee Preserve Development Project, the Town moved forward with retaining a consultant to conduct a feasibility study looking at potential alignments for a new 8 to 10-foot wide paved multi-use trail that would connect the Diablo Road/Green Valley Road corridor to the west to Blackhawk Road/Mt. Diablo State Park south access to the east. The study identifies road and creek crossing location options, trail alignment routes, costs, and provides analysis of the feasibility of creating the trail. Should the Town acquire the right-of-way, the next phase of the project will include environmental and design work.

The study can be found at www.danville.ca.gov/diabloroadtrail or www.danville.ca.gov/645/diablo-road-trail-feasibility-study.

For more information on the Diablo Road Trail Feasibility Study, contact Transportation Manager Andy Dillard at (925) 314-3384 or adillard@danville.ca.gov.

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Community Policing: USING EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION TO KEEP DANVILLE SAFE The Danville Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Allan Shields, uses a community policing philosophy that promotes partnerships and problem solving between the police and the public. Danville PD relies on the community to help keep Danville safe.

Coffee & Cocoa with the Cops at the Danville Library

Recess with the Cops

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Checking out a squad car at Coffee with the Cops

EDUCATION

OUTREACH

CRIME PREVENTION: A part of problem solving is taking an active role in employing prevention techniques, which can dramatically decrease the chances of crime happening to you. While no safety or prevention tip can ever guarantee immunity from crime, taking a few extra minutes to think about and use good crime prevention techniques can often remove one key factor criminals are looking for: opportunity. The Danville Police Crime Prevention Team often speaks at community meetings, HOA meetings and with businesses to educate residents and business owners on ways to minimize the opportunity for victimization.

THE DANVILLE CITIZENS’ POLICE ACADEMY:

YOUTH SERVICES: The Danville Police Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its youth. Two School Resources Officers are assigned to high schools in Danville. The School Program Coordinator, a licensed therapist, provides programs and assistance to the K–8th grade students. Part of Youth Services includes providing community presentations promoting responsible choices and life skills. The School Resource Officers and School Program Coordinator often host educational sessions on topics including alcohol & drug prevention, bullying, decision making, digital citizenship, respect and tolerance.

If you have ever wanted to get an extended look at what law enforcement is really like, the Danville Police Department would like to invite you to attend a one of a kind insider experience. Hosting two, 7-week academies per year (in the fall and spring), classes delve into topics such as patrol procedures, K-9 operations, traffic enforcement, impaired driving, investigations, crime scene processing, special weapons and tactics (SWAT), firearms, and driving instruction.

This is a free program and a truly unique and worthwhile experience. Visit the Town’s website to access the application for the Spring 2019 academy. www.danville.ca.gov RECESS & COFFEE WITH THE COPS Coffee with the Cops is a program intended to offer Danville residents the opportunity to chat with police officers in a casual and friendly setting. This is a great chance to have a voice in how you want to see your Police Department run. Finding out about the next event is as easy as following us on the Danville PD Facebook Page or your local Nextdoor page. www.facebook.com/danvillecapolice

SERVICES Did you know the Police Department also offers the following services for residents?

COMMUNICATION SOCIAL MEDIA: We continue to look for ways to connect with our residents and visitors to the Town. We use several methods for getting information out to our community. We utilize social media such as the Danville Police Facebook Page, the Town of Danville Twitter page, Instagram and Nextdoor to inform residents about our upcoming events.

For road closures and emergency alerts, we utilize Nixle, which is a text-based system that users can subscribe to. To subscribe to Nixle, text your zip code to 888-777 or you can visit Nixle.com.

Like Coffee with the Cops, Recess with the Cops is a program designed for connection but this time with the Town’s younger residents.

Middle and elementary school students in Danville get the opportunity about once per month to play, chat and connect with police officers in a fun and relaxed setting: their school playground. These visits are just as much fun for the officers as they are for the kids.

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING: The Danville Police Department often relies on the eyes and ears of their residents when a crime or emergency occurs. However, citizens are sometimes hesitant to report crimes because they are worried about their own safety or don’t want to get involved. For situations like that, The Danville Police Department utilizes a text-based system for reporting anonymous tips. Nixle Tips ensures that the tip information is relayed directly to law enforcement but does not provide the contact information of the reporting party, in order to protect their anonymity. Please note that this system should not be used to report emergencies. To use the Nixle Anonymous Tips, simply text the words DANPD followed by your tip to 888-777.

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Carseat Installation and Safety Checks

Medication & Sharps disposal drop boxes

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Livescan Finger Printing

Vacation House Checks

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Boy & Girl Scout Group Tours

You Are Not Alone resident welfare checks

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Learn About Danville Programs at Recreation Expo Get a jump start on summer planning by attending the Town of Danville’s 10th Annual Recreation Expo.

Attendees can meet a variety of contract class instructors and Town staff who will be on hand to showcase upcoming activities for the spring and summer. Get your questions answered in person.

Learn more about the programs offered such as swim lessons and summer day camps, as well as youth, adult and senior activities in art, cooking, fitness, foreign languages, and much more.

Expo participants are eligible to receive a 10% discount for programs listed in the Spring Activity Guide and Summer Camps Brochure. Discounts are not available for swim passes.

The Recreation Program Expo event is set for Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street.

Hundreds of Danville volunteers help out local seniors each year on Lend-A-Hand Day

Danville Volunteers Lend-A-Hand to Local Seniors For the 16th year in a row, local volunteers will join forces to provide assistance to Danville senior homeowners in the form of yardwork, raking, mowing, trimming and gutter cleaning.

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At the April 27, 2019 Lend-A-Hand Day Event, community volunteers will join forces to help area seniors by providing individual attention to homeowners who may be no longer able to maintain their yards themselves. This event is “powered by volunteers” and the Town is looking for community members to participate.

Volunteers range in age from teens (with adult supervision) to seniors. No yardwork experience is necessary. Volunteers are assigned to houses based on home assessments made by the Danville

Maintenance Department, who determine size and scope of each home project. Homeowners should be 55 years or older and live in Danville to apply.

Senior homeowner applications are available at the Danville Senior Center or by calling (925) 314-3430.

For more information about volunteering go to www.danville.ca.gov/volunteer or contact Volunteer Specialist Julie Mason, at (925) 314-3478 or jmason@danville.ca.gov.

‘COLORFUL’ NEW ART EXHIBITION OPENS Just in time to chase away the winter blues, The Village Theatre Art Gallery will feature an eclectic collection of colorful abstract art as its first exhibition of 2019.

Visitors are invited to explore the range of colors and media in this fun show, ‘Symphony of Color,’ which is set to open January 10, 2019.

The exhibit will feature the work of a Bay Area art group, abstract7. This group of artists, comprised of Yao-pi Hsu, Gloria Huet, Marjorie Law, Sudell Lreis, James Ong, Donna Orme and Tetty Tsu, was established in 2011.

An Opening Reception is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 10. Residents can meet the artists and see their work.

For more information on the upcoming exhibition, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov.

DR. SEUSS:

Thing 1, Thing 2, this could be you!

Celebrate the 11th Annual Dr. Seuss Birthday Party March 1, 2019 at the Danville Community Center.

Don’t miss your favorite Dr. Seuss stories, fun and zany crafts. Sign up now at www.danvillerecguide.com.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 came out to enjoy a festive celebration for Dr Seuss’ Birthday

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Each year the Town of Danville trains and employs area teens to work as lifeguards at community pools

WHY HAVE A SPORTS FIELD MORATORIUM? Closure allows for the repair, renovation and winterization of the fields

Allows grass time to rejuvenate after all the heavy use during the year

Ready for Your Best Summer Job Ever?

Each year, the Town of Danville depends on nearly 100 seasonal employees to help teach, develop, and serve as role models to the young children of the Danville community. Camp counselor and lifeguard positions offer many development opportunities to those who are new to the workforce including communication, teamwork, and responsibility.

These life skills will benefit staff long after the summer is over and will continue into their future.

All selected staff go through extensive training to ensure pertinent skills and techniques are mastered.

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 3 to August 2. Come join us for the best summer ever!

Applications are due no later than April 22, 2019.

For more information or to apply, visit www.danville.ca.gov/summerjobs or contact Human Resources Analyst Qiana London at qlondon@danville.ca.gov.

Natural grass sports fields closed December 3–March 1

Grass will be seeded, fertilized and aerated

Baseball infields will get new ball field mix and be prepped for the season

Camp Counselors take Danville youths on a day trip to A’s Stadium

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live locally GET ACTIVE

As we think about the new year, our minds inevitably turn to resolutions, particularly healthier lifestyle intentions. If you are looking for inspiration to get more active, or changing up your current routine, boutique fitness studios are fast becoming a popular way to blend your favorite types of exercise. These studios offer fullbody and targeted workout classes, often mixed with mindfulness or heart-pumping, camaraderie-building fun in under an hour.

The experience is intimate, empowering and less intimidating than large gyms. Boutique studios are opening all over Town, with memberships that can work with your New Year goals and budget.

Get active… Live Locally.

Photo by Kevin Wong

S T U D I O B O U T I Q U ES Barre3 Balanced workouts mixed with ballet and pilates movements leaving you empowered

406 HARTZ AVE 362-4836

Club Pilates 3418 CAMINO TASSAJARA Low-impact machines offer full-body workouts 854-5500 that strengthen mind and body

CrossFit ATI High intensity classes to challenge your fitness and increase strength

462 HARTZ AVE 552-9741

Danville Yoga & Wellness Center 125 TOWN & COUNTRY DR Variety of yoga practices including meditation, 838-7878 sound healing, and holistic wellness Just Be Yoga & Meditation 400 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD Range of classes, trainings, retreats and more 553-7970 to build and deepen your yoga practice IM=X Pilates 812 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD Integrated approach to pilates-based exercise 453-6937 with cardio and strength training Koko Fit Club 499 SAN RAMON VALLEY BLVD Individualized coaching through a customized 718-5799 3-step Koko Smartraining System Proformance Pilates 201 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD Specializing in Pilates reformer classes 984-2055 for effective and efficient movement StarCycle 155 RAILROAD AVE Indoor cycling studio with beat driven, cardio rides to ignite your body, metabolism and mind The Studio 730 CAMINO RAMON Specialty fitness zones create the ultimate training experience 266-3860

Photo by Candice Rana

Business Spotlight S AV O R Cielito Cocina Mexicana Authentic, fresh, regional Mexican cuisine

445 RAILROAD AVE Opening Soon

Cocina Hermanas 501 HARTZ AVE Fusion of Mexican street food and traditional recipes Opening Soon

S P EC I A LT Y Blackhawk Grooming 9000 CROW CANYON RD Upscale grooming and spa treatments for pets 736-5900 Diablo Design Group 154 E. PROSPECT AVE Interior designers and home furnishings studio 309-4828 Design for You 117 TOWN AND COUNTRY DR Elegant jewelry, repairs, appraisal and classes 899-1789 Osteostrong 3442 CAMINO TASSAJARA Unique approach for developing skeletal strength 967-2809 Spree Clothing Boutique 806 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD Fun, modern clothing and accessories 984-2134

D ISCOVER MO RE WAYS TO #LI VELO CALLYDA NVI LLE Follow Us @livelocallydanville Download our guide: www.danville.ca.gov

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T H E TOW N O F DA N V I L L E I S O N I N STAG R A M !

Follow one of our accounts to see how we like to Live Locally Town of Danville: @TownofDanvilleCA Danville Recreation: @DanvilleParksCA Economic Development: @LivelocallyDanville

2 0 1 9 DA N V I L L E TOW N C O U N C I L Mayor Robert Storer Vice Mayor Karen Stepper Councilmember Newell Arnerich Councilmember Lisa Blackwell Councilmember Renee Morgan

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS T H E DA N V I L L E AWA R D was presented to Beverly Lane for her efforts in promoting and preserving Danville’s history.

THE MICHAEL K. SHIMANSKY C O M M U N I T Y S E RV I C E AWA R D was presented to Hannah Stephenson for her fundraising efforts to support Parkinson’s research and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

A N AWA R D O F S P EC I A L R EC O G N I T I O N was presented to Dan McGovern for One Festival, Two Countries—Eugene O’Neill Festival.

Parks & Leisure Services Commission Volunteer of the Year Award: Dan Galvin for volunteering as the DASH Hikes leader for the past eight years, totaling over 768 hours.

Arts Commission Volunteer of the Year Award: Tricia Grame for her passion and promotion of the arts in Danville.

Town Service Volunteer of the Year Award: Mary Maki for her dedication and volunteerism with the Danville Senior community.

Police Volunteer of the Year Award: Carol Priete is the “Swiss army knife” of volunteers in the Danville Police Department and has contributed over 2,500 hours of service to the Danville community.

AWA R D S O F M E R I T Piano Project: Lauren Torchiana, Katherine Gillen, Grace McClure, Kelly Anderson. High school students who brought the idea of street pianos to the Town to encourage the spontaneous community that the pianos create.

Bill Green: For veterans speaking engagements to

high school and middle school students that give them a better understanding of veterans.

Danville Women’s Club: For their extensive

community service.

Ridge Hike for Prevention: Caroline White, Kathryn Benvenuto, Val Lacommare. For organizing a very successful and highly-attended event in Downtown Danville that raised over $90,000 for Breast Cancer Prevention.