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valleysentinel.com
January 2012
VOL 17, NO 1
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SPOTLIGHT
“1 Closet” teen charity finds success at SRVHS
Looking forward to a New Year!
By: Susan Beck
A simple dinner conversation about someone adopting a teenager sparked an idea to make a d i f f e r e n c e. L a u r a Graham, Bishop O’Dowd sophomore came up with an idea for a teen charity, 1 Closet, collecting gently used and new clothing for low-income teens. With the support of her mother, Sue Graham, Laura reached out to friends, schools, neighbors and stores for donations. In August she met a parent at Plato’s Closet in Pleasanton, who encouraged her to contact their teen’s school for support. Earlier this month, San Ramon Valley High School Leadership Class embraced the idea, holding a successful clothing drive.
ECRWSS
Postmaster: Dated Material
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See CHARITY page
Hiking the trails in the East Bay Regional Parks helps us discover new vistas. The upcoming 2012 Trails Challenge now in its 19th year, is a free, self-guided hiking program that covers 20 selected routes to choose from. Participation in the Trails Challenge will get you out into the parks, in the fresh air and get your heart pumping. Over 10,000 people signed up for the Trails Challenge in 2011! See page 5 for the story.
New law will affect plans in each community By Nora Heston
Originally passed in late June, the law set to eliminate redevelopment agencies across the state was deemed constitutional just weeks ago by the Supreme Court and may result in serious consequences for both the Town of Danville and the City of San Ramon, said officials. Current and future town and city projects including street beautification, affordable housing efforts and general downtown repairs may be cut while elimination of local redevelopment agencies could mean the loss of land and other assets, as well as jobs for some.
The passing of this law will result in the shutting down of redevelopment agencies effective February 1. Danville’s redevelopment agency, was originally formed in 1986, and currently serves a 140-acre area from San Ramon High School South to Boon Court and from Iron Horse trail to Diablo Road. Ac c o r d i n g t o J o s e p h Calabrigo, town manager at the Town of Danville, no job losses are expected as a result of the agency closing and no redevelopment funds currently pay salaries; however future projects including sidewalk beautification, downtown repairs and affordable housing projects will have to be put on hold.
The City of San Ramon, however, is in a different position. Economic Development Director Marc Fontes said the loss of jobs is a distinct possibility for the City and will need to be considered as part of the 2012-2013 budget, scheduled to be reviewed in a few months. Nothing has been decided as yet. “ We ’ r e d i s a p p o i n t e d with the court’s ruling,” said Calabrigo. “There are additional funds that we would have been in a position to be able to collect between now and 2026 that we would have put to work to make additional improvements in our downtown area.” See REDEVELOPMENT page 10
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New Year - New You! pages 7-9
Á la carte
Winter 20
11/2012
Look f or the nex of A L a Carte m t issue agazin this Sp e ring! (For m ore in format ion see pa ge 3.)