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always for the community VOL 29 NO 3
March 2022
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SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
“Be Reel!” Video Contest for Middle and High School Students! By Greg Bernard
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The Western Grebe’s elaborate mating rituals are a sight to see By James Hale
The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is the largest grebe in North America. It weighs up to four and one half pounds, with a wingspan more than three and one half feet. Adults may reach almost three feet in length, with the long bill, head, and swan-like neck making up one half its length. It is the long neck that gives rise to the Western Grebe’s folk names of “swan grebe” and “swan-necked grebe”. Their striking red eye and straight, greenish-yellow bill are diagnostic. The whispy, raspy, haunting call of the Western Grebe is a classic sound on western waters. The long legs are located well back on the body, an adaptation for diving and fast, underwater
pursuit of their fish prey. Clark’s Grebe is a very similar looking close relative. Much phylogenetic and taxonomic research has been done to help understand the relationship between Clark’s and Western Grebes. Presently, both Western and Clark’s Grebes have two recognized subspecies. The Western Grebe exhibits classic countershading in its coloration, an example of Thayer’s Law. They are dark gray or black above, and white below. This method of camouflage is an adaptation for protection against predation from above and below. The Western Grebe is a water bird that breeds in colonies on ponds and lakes, with marsh and open water habitat, throughout
western North America, from Canada to Mexico. It winters in saltwater, primarily off the Pacific Coast, or in brackish water bays and estuaries. They are a common site in Contra Costa County in the appropriate habitat. Western Grebe fossils from the Late Pleistocene Epoch have been identified from southwestern North America. Western Grebes breed in colonies, sometime reaching into the hundreds, and generally on large inland lakes with plenty of marsh habitat for nesting. Their “Rushing Ceremony’, a spectacular, ritualized courtship and mating “dance” performed by both sexes, is dramatic and a treat to observe. The pair rear up in unison and patter across the surface of the water
to dive at the finish. It is truly one of nature’s wonders and gems. The synchronous, courtship behavior functions to strengthen the pair-bond in the monogamous Western Grebe. Once the pair-bond is established, the “Weed Ceremony” is initiated. The ceremony begins with the couple bobbing their heads up and down in water, and follows with them diving to retrieve aquatic vegetation from the bottom. Upon surfacing, the “weed” is held and presented with the bill. The ceremony continues until one of the pair flips away the “weed” to the side while resuming to a normal posture in the water. Weed Ceremony usually precedes mating and nest building behavior in Western Grebes. GREBE, continued page 7
This Month’s Special Section: page 6
Home & Garden
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL March 2022
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Save Mount Diablo Wins Major Legal Victory Against Seeno to Protect Pittsburg’s Hills On February 10, the Contra Costa County Superior Court handed Save Mount Diablo a major victory in its legal challenge to the City of Pittsburg’s approval of the 1,650-unit Faria/Southwest Hills Project. According to the ruling, the city’s environmental review was inadequate in numerous ways. Faria was proposed by Seeno companies/Discovery Builders, Inc./Faria Investors LLC on the spectacular and highly visible major ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord and could include grading and houses visible across the ridge. As a result, the City of Pittsburg is required to overturn approvals for the project and correct environmental review. The city and Seeno/Discovery Builders will also be required to pay Save Mount Diablo’s legal fees. It remains to be seen whether the developers, Discovery Builders, Inc. and Faria Land Investors, LLC, or the City of Pittsburg will appeal the decision. The Pittsburg City Council—then-Mayor Merl Craft; then–Vice Mayor Holland Barrett White; and Councilmembers Shanelle Scales-Preston, Juan Antonio Banales, and Jelani Killings—all voted to approve the proposal in February 2021. (The mayor and vice-mayor
designations rotate among the councilmembers.) They ignored hundreds of letters and public comments that opposed the project. Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the project’s approval in March 2021. If the project had moved forward, it would have meant the development of a major, new residential subdivision on 606 acres of ridgeline and hillside grazing land in what is currently unincorporated Contra Costa County, immediately south of the City of Pittsburg. The biologically rich site supports sensitive wildlife species and rare plants and is in one of the most visible and most environmentally constrained areas of the county. The Faria project would have fragmented open space and damaged wildlife corridors. The proposed housing development would have changed the beautiful green hills forever by annexing the property to the City of Pittsburg and locating 1,650 new residences far from jobs, transit, and services. The Faria project would have also impacted the new East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 at the Faria site’s southwestern edge, formerly part of the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Save Mount Diablo
and its partners advocated for the creation of this new park over many years. The Faria project would have been located directly above the new park on a ridgeline, degrading views from surrounding areas. The Contra Costa Superior Court ruled that the City of Pittsburg’s environmental review of the project was inadequate in four major ways: 1. It failed to analyze any impacts that would results from the 150 accessory dwelling units that were added by the City of Pittsburg at the last minute. This is important because the number of units affects
every part of environmental review from traffic to water supply to schools, etc. and will make correcting the environmental review complicated; 2. It failed to include a baseline description of biological resources that could be impacted by the project, specifically specialstatus plant species; 3. It failed to consider the water supply impacts of adding 1,650 new housing units in the area, which is especially important given years of drought and increasing fire danger; and 4. It failed to adequately disclose or mitigate the project’s air quality impacts, including greenhouse gas impacts, without which
Image Credit and Caption: • Aerial view of Pittsburg’s beautiful hills and the adjacent Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 in Concord. Credit: Cooper Ogden.
New Legislation Introduced to Regulate Gun Ads Targeting Kids AB 2571 restricts dangerous advertising of firearms to children and youth Assemblymember BauerKahan Introduces Legislation to Regulate Manipulative Gun Advertisements Targeting Children A B 2 5 71 r e s t r i c t s dangerous advertising of firearms to children and youth. At a press conference today in San Diego, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), j o i n e d G ove r n o r G av i n Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and others in announcing the introduction of AB 2571. AB 2571 seeks to restrict the malicious and manipulative firearms marketing geared towards children and youth. This bill comes at a time where California has experienced a collision of two major public health crises over the past years: COVID-19 and gun violence. “California is a leader
and one of the states with the strongest gun laws, it is remarkable that we still allow the marketing of weapons of war to our children” said Assemblymember BauerKahan, “Your children, my three kids, have a right to live long, happy lives, free of gun violence.” Gun violence has been cited as the third leading cause of death for Californian children and youth between ages 1-17. Approximately 3 million children are directly exposed to gun violence each year- at home, at school, in their communities, and social media. Exposure to gun violence has resulted in children’s injuries, emotional trauma, and death. The gun industry has targeted a younger audience through children’s books, mascots, apparel, and guns adorned in cartoons and brightly colored logos to
development will continue to make the climate crisis much worse. “The court’s decision says to developers: ‘You don’t get to kick the can down the road. You have to do a thorough analysis of your project’s impacts before you lock in project approvals,’” said Winter King, Save Mount Diablo’s attorney from Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger. “The court got it right.” The court’s ruling means that the City of Pittsburg’s approval of the project is null and void. The court also noted that additional impacts—such as geologic hazard impacts resulting from grading and filling, and impacts on
appeal specifically to children a n d yo u t h . [ 1 ] F i re a r m companies have expanded to advertising on social media platforms to connect youth to their gun selling websites. These platforms include YouTube, Twitter, social media influencers, and streaming services that children and youth disproportionately frequent. The last time any attempts to regulate firearm marketing was in 2014 through the unsuccessful passage of the federal Children’s Firearm Marketing Safety Act. Since t h e n , g u n v i o l e n c e by and affecting children has skyrocketed - in 2021 alone there were approximately 259 unintentional shootings by children, resulting in 104 deaths and 168 injuries.[2] AB 2571 will limit the type of advertising and marketing geared towards children and youth.
“Gun manufacturers are responsible for the killings that result from their marketing of guns specifically to our children- the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary being one of the most egregious examples of this. Gun manufacturers target kids with everything from children’s books about guns to special smaller weapons to make it easier for them to hold and shoot. The gun manufacturers are targeting our children to maximize profits, without any concern for the countless lives lost by children to gun violence” said Assemblymember Bauer.
streams and agricultural lands—would need to be addressed in more detail. Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement said, “Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, flora and fauna, and to defend our parks. In this case that was just decided in our favor, Save Mount Diablo had to stand up against some very powerful interests to help further the work of protecting these treasured resources, which add so much to our collective quality of life.” “Although I’ve worked for Save Mount Diablo on this issue, I’m also a Concord resident,” said Juan Pablo Galván Martínez, Save Mount Diablo’s Senior Land Use Manager. “This project infuriated me as an openspace lover, a wildlife enthusiast, and someone who is deeply worried and taking action to stop SAVE MT DIABLO cont. om page 3
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March 2022
Lifeguards Sought for 2022 Swim Season The East Bay Regional Park District is actively seeking 50 new lifeguards for the 2022 swim season at its 10 East Bay swim facilities, which include lakes, lagoons, and pools. All new lifeguard positions are seasonal, full-time positions from May through September. Anyone 16 and over before April 23, 2022 are encouraged to apply. Starting pay is $20.17 per hour. 12345There are six different testing dates scheduled
on Saturdays and Sundays during the last three weekends in March. Participants will be asked to swim 550 yards in under 10 minutes, carry a rescue board 50 feet, retrieve three dive rings under 4-7 feet of water, tread water for two minutes using only their legs, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from under water. There will also be a short informal interview after successful completion of the swim test
on the same day. Participants who pass the tests will be invited to the Park District’s Lifeguard Academy beginning Saturday April 23rd, 2022, where they will receive paid training and certification in open water lifeguarding. The Lifeguard Academy takes place over five consecutive weekends in April and May, with the swim season beginning in late May for most facilities.
Black Diamond Mine Tours by Ned MacKay There’s fascinating history hidden within the hollow hills of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. From the 1850s to the early 1900s, the area that now includes the park was California’s most extensive coal-mining region. And from the 1920s through mid-1940s, silica taken from the hills was used in glassware production and at iron foundries. You can learn more about both mining eras during underground tours, available by reservation from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, March through November. The tours lead through the sand tunnels of the former Hazel Atlas Mine. The next stop is a section of simulated coal mine with mannequins and a sound track, recreating the dark and dangerous underground environment (but without the danger). For safety reasons, all tour participants must be at least seven years old and parent participation is required. Due to COVID-19 protocols, masks are required and social distancing is encouraged. People should bring jackets, since mine temperatures are in the mid 50s year-round. Hard hats are required and will be provided by the park. Fee for the full tour is $8 per person. Black Diamond Mines also has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the
kiosk is attended. For more information and reservations on the various mine tours, visit the park district website at www. ebparks.org, or call 888-3272757, option 2. Also, the underground Greathouse Visitor Center is open on weekends to all ages, free of charge. The center contains displays and artifacts from the park’s mining eras. Black Diamond Mines has lots to see and do aboveground as well. For example, it’s a premier springtime wildflower venue. You can seek out wildflowers on your own by walking the park’s Chaparral Loop, Manhattan Canyon or Ridge Trails. Or there may still be space on one of two guided wildflower hikes for ages 10 and older (parent participation required). The first is a 5.5-mile hike from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 at Black Diamond Mines. The second is a four-mile hike from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 27, this time at Diablo Foothills in Walnut Creek, another good wildflower park. Participants should be prepared to cover some steep and uneven terrain, dress for the weather, and bring food and water. Both hikes are free of charge, but require
registration. Visit www.ebparks.org. And there’s more: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and discover Black Diamond Mines’ Irish connection during a hike from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. The hike is free, but again, registration is required. While we’re talking about walking, next in the Wednesday Walks series is a hike for ages 18 and older from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 16 at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline near Martinez. Meet the leader, naturalist Trail Gail Broesder, at the Nejedly Staging Area, which is on Carquinez Scenic Drive just west of town. This is a hilly climb with great views of the strait and the Diablo Valley. Wednesday Walks are a series of free, naturalistled hikes exploring various regional parks. For information on the Carquinez Strait hike, call 510-544-2233. And Trail Gail is leading a safari in search of newts, salamanders and frogs from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 at the Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. The group will search the nature area ponds for signs of the amphibians. The program is free of charge and registration is not required. Meet at Tilden’s
THE VALLEY SENTINEL SAVE MT DIABLO cont. from page 2
catastrophic climate change. Since this affects both cities, I want both city councils to work together to protect the hills and ridgeline.” “This is a major victory for Pittsburg’s hills,” stated Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams. “Open space, habitat for wildlife, and the community’s scenic views have won the day, and poorly planned development will not go forward, for now. We are very happy with the court’s decision.” “On the other hand,” said Adams, “while our victory is costly for the city and Seeno/Discovery Builders in time and money, it does not stop the project forever. After correcting environmental documents, the Pittsburg City Council can approve Seeno’s huge project again if they choose. But now they have a second chance to make it better by protecting the ridgeline and neighboring regional park. We don’t have to argue about protecting ridgelines Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Central Park Drive. Call 510-544-2233. Or you can search for saltwater wildlife with the help of a naturalist during a low tide exploration from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda. The program is free and registration is not required. Meet at the Crab Cove Visitor Center at the end of McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue. For information, call 510-544-3187.
At Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, there’s a program at the visitor center nectar garden from 11 a.m. to noon every Saturday and Sunday. It’s a chance to learn about pollinators, plants, the butterfly life cycle, and how to create your own home native plant garden. The program is free and registration is not required. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. For information, call 510-544 3220.
There’s always something interesting going on in the regional parks. For full information, visit the website, www.ebpark.org.
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in other cities. The Pittsburg City Council should do the right thing.” ___________________
About Save Mount Diablo Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit www. savemountdiablo.org.
Family Fun In The Parks by Ned MacKay Elsewhere in the regional parks, there may still be time to register for the Gold Rush Adventure at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, organized by naturalist Ashley Adams. The backstory is that a Wild West bandit has hidden “gold” throughout the park. Ashley will provide clues to the locations. Show up for the rush with your team any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. You’ll discover hidden stories about Black Diamond’s past during the search, and win prizes, too. Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. The program is free of charge, but registration is required. For registration and information, call 888-3272757, option 2. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220. This is just a partial list. For full information on park district programs, visit the website, www.ebparks.org.
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL
March 2022
2022 Hike for Hope Registration is Open Annual fundraiser returns to in-person format at Del Valle Regional Park Hope Hospice has opened registration for its 2022 Hike for Hope, which will take place on Saturday, May 14, at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Registration remains open through the event day, but interested parties are encouraged to sign up by April 15 for a T-shirt guarantee. A limited number of event shirts are available to those who register after April 15 on a first come, first served basis. Register at TheHikeForHope.com, or call (925) 829-8770 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hope Hospice is also seeking event sponsors. Various publicity benefits are provided at four sponsorship levels. A Friends & Family sponsorship is available to individuals who would like to honor the memory of a loved one. Anyone interested in sponsoring should connect with Hope Hospice prior to April 15 so that their
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company logo/family name can be included on the event T-shirt. Details are available at TheHikeForHope.com. About the Hike The Hike for Hope is an annual fundraiser for Hope Hospice. Money raised through registrations and peer-topeer supporting donations benefits patient care and helps keep grief support, dementia education, and family caregiver resources available to the public at no charge. The community’s participation helps Hope Hospice care for more than 2,000 East Bay neighbors each year. Saturday, May 14, 2022 Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore Fiesta Grande Picnic Area Route Options (volunteer trail guides are stationed along the routes for safety) • 2.6 miles: easy out-andback lakefront route that can be shortened to your comfort
level • 4.4 miles: adds a moderate incline loop Start anytime between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. When you finish, enjoy a FREE barbecue lunch sponsored by MCE Corp. Tax-Deductible Registration Donation $35 adult, for participants age 18 and up $15 youth, for participants ages 13–17 Free for kids 12 and under (registration still required to get a shirt) New! $80 family package includes registration for 2 adults and 2 youth Register at TheHikeForHope. com, or call (925) 829-8770 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Tickets on sale now! Annual Sentinels of Freedom Gala on May 21, 2022. Please save the date on your calendar! We’re going to be back in person, live at the Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville, California at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21st, 2022. We are honored to have two heroic keynote speakers this year, James F. “Jim” Amos and Johnny “Joey” Jones. General James Amos is a retired United States Marine Corps Four-Star General who served as the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps. As a Naval Aviator, Amos commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during the Iraq War in 2003 and 2006. Combat-wounded USMC Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny “Joey” Jones turned a traumatic, life-changing disability into a personal mission to improve the lives of all veterans. Over the last 20 years, we have successfully assisted 650+ wounded veterans
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across the nation in all business disciplines to reach their goals in education and careers with our program services. As trusted friends & supporters in the past, we are reaching out to you first. We look forward to seeing you on May 21st, 2022 as we gather to honor the United States Marine Corps, some of our outstanding Sentinel Veterans, and community supporters for an evening of great food, music, presentations, and inspiration. Not able to attend? Join Us Virtually! Tickets for this virtual event are $13 dollars in honor of the 13 fallen U.S. Service Members from the Kabul Attack on August 26th, 2021. There are many other sponsorship opportunities like sponsoring the Color Guard Meals ($300), the MIA table ($500), or even the Bag Pipes ($1,500). Your name or company logo will be recognized on the sponsorships showing our appreciation.
Students and parents should take FAFSA verification seriously The federal government requires many students who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to verify the information they reported. The U.S. Department of Education chooses the students whose FAFSA information is verified. Their parents may also be required to provide information. Verification ensures that the students who really need financial aid to pay for college or technical training receive it. Students chosen for verification must complete the process before they can receive financial aid, so families should prepare to provide the requested information as quickly as possible. As soon as students are notified their FAFSA is being verified, they should begin the process. Putting it off will only lead to frustration if the process isn’t finished when
classes are ready to start, according to KHEAA. Many colleges do the verification themselves. Others have an agency handle the process. KHEAA provides verification services to over 30 colleges and universities in the U.S. KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA. For more information about those services, visit www.kheaa.com. In addition, KHEAA disburses private Advantage Education Loans on behalf of its sister agency, KHESLC. For more information, visit www. advantageeducationloan.com.
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March 2022
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Spring Home & Garden
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March 2022
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
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Remodeling a Not So Big House By Steven Wynn
Construction is booming across the San Ramon Valley, with older Ranch and Mid-Century Modern homes seeing additions and remodels, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) dotting back yards as a result of California’s more permissive laws governing their approval. California’s Senate Bill 9 further opened the doors to new development that may redefine older neighborhoods by allowing residential lots to be split, and duplexes to be built on each smaller lot. In the midst of this wave of residential reconstruction, it can be helpful to take a breath
and remember the warmth and neighborhood scale of our older neighborhoods. These modest Mid-Century homes define much of our community, and they’re ripe for modernization. But while we update Ranchers for a new generation of families, not every remodel demands a costly second floor addition, or massive change in scale. Smaller homes work, especially when given a more open plan and adding selectively. We can maintain the warmth of the Rancher while preserving the scale of our neighborhoods that drew many of us here in the first place. And with construction
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costs higher than ever, we can keep budgets under control by embracing the Not So Big house. Sarah Susanka, FAIA is an author who wrote the bestselling book, “The Not So Big House.” She writes “Not So Big doesn’t necessarily mean small. It means not as big as you thought you needed. The ideal size for your Not So Big House depends on your financial situation, the size of your family, and your personal preferences.” Susanka continues, “a Not So Big House is approximately a third smaller than your original goal but about the same price as your original budget. The magic is that although the house is smaller in square footage, it actually feels much bigger.”
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the project featured with this article. In the “Before” photo, you see a typical Danville Mid-Century home on the West Side – little street presence, and a compartmentalized interior of small, boxy rooms. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in about 1,300 square feet. Some may look at that size and assume that of course we
would at least double the size of the home. But that wasn’t a priority for our client, who was looking instead to modernize the aesthetic while improving the layout by opening up the living spaces and adding modestly. This project is currently under construction and I look forward to bringing photos of the finished product to a future article. The rendering seen here illustrates the aspirations
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of our design approach, an effort that maintains the Mid-Century Modern scale while introducing upper windows that highlight the interior volume. Inside, we are opening walls between kitchen, dining, and family room. We’re widening they main hallway to five feet wide by removing a utility closet. With new light, volume, and open spaces, the house will feel much larger than the original, boxy plan. A small addition expands the primary bedroom suite, with glass walls opening to the rear yard and pool. When complete, this Not So Big House will be a 1,600 square foot jewel appropriately scaled to the neighborhood and to the needs of the homeowner. Yes, another client with a different program might add another bedroom, or home office, or ADU in the rear yard. Houses can grow, learn, and adapt as the needs of families change over time. It is always worth remembering, though, that a quality plan is better than brute quantity. The Not So Big House is more than just achievable – it is often the preferred approach to update our aging, smaller homes.
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March 2022
Con Fire Graduates Fire Recruit Academy 56, Adds 27 Probationary Firefighters To District Ranks By Steve Hill Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced the graduation of its Fire Recruit Academy 56 and the addition of 27 new probationary firefighters to the District’s ranks. The new firefighters will join crews across the District, bolstering ranks that have been challenged by the impacts of the Omicron spike. Speaking at Wednesday evening’s graduation ceremony, Fire Chief Lewis T. Broschard III said, “You chose to serve in one of the most honorable and respected professions in the world. You’ve learned from the best and are now ready to enter the next chapter in that profession. Academy 56, I wish you all the best for long and rewarding fire service careers.” Broschard added, “After completing a rigorous 20-
week fire recruit academy training program these firefighters are exceptionally well prepared to step into new roles as probationary firefighters in fire stations across our very busy District.” The graduating recruits underwent a physically and mentally challenging 20week course of instruction using the latest firefighting and training techniques. In addition to basic structure firefighting techniques, recruits learned wildland fire, rescue, automobile extrication, hazardous materials and other techniques they can be expected to put to use in their first assignments as probationary firefighters. Training is designed to develop each recruit’s ability to function under stress and perform as a member of a disciplined firefighting crew. Immediately prior to graduation, the recruits
participated in the traditional end-of-academy “crucible” exercise, a realistic 48-hour period designed to replicate what they will soon face in actual shifts In their first assignments as probationary firefighters. The crucible exercise included numerous simulated incident responses including a vehicle accident rescue and structure fires, and concluded with deployment to a training wildfire atop Mt. Diablo’s Eagle Peak, which required a six-plus mile hike in full wildland fire gear. The graduation ceremony was held at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts on March 2, before an audience of several hundred family members, friends, local officials and public wellwishers. Each graduate was “pinned” with their firefighter badge and sworn in as a probationary firefighter.
GREBE, continued from page 1 Greeting Ceremony follows Weed Ceremony and is characterized by dip-shaking, bob-shaking, bob-preening, and arch-clucking. These breeding behavior dances are known to be the most elaborate in water bird species. Finally, the male Western Grebe feeds the female, completing Mate Feeding Behavior, and leading to nesting.
resulting in the last egg being abandoned. Immediately upon hatching, the young climb onto the back of the attending parent. The family soon leaves the nest, and the young are raised and fed by both parents. Fledglings take their first flights at about ten weeks of age. Western Grebes dive underwater, and propelled by their feet, pursue fish for food, which they spear or grab with their pointed bill. Crustaceans, insects, polychaete worms, and salamanders are also eaten. Like other grebes, Western Grebes also eat feathers. The oldest recorded Western Grebe was a female of at least eleven years of age, when she was found in California.
disturbance by boaters near nest sites, entanglement in fishing lines and gill nets, and habitat loss have contributed to population declines throughout their range. The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan estimates about 110,000 breeding Western Grebes in North America, and rates the species a 12 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, and as a Species of Moderate Concern.
Nest building, performed by both sexes, begins from late April through June. Reeds, cattails, and plant debris, with sodden materials and feathers for lining, are used to construct the floating nests in shallow water, which are anchored to emergent marsh vegetation. From one to six, usually two to four, pale bluish eggs are laid. Both Western Grebe parents incubate the clutch for about twenty-four days. Hatching is not synchronous, sometimes
At the beginning of the 20th century, tens of thousands of Western Grebes were killed for their silky white breast and belly feathers, which were used for clothing and hats. Pollution from pesticides and oil spills,
James M. Hale is a Vertebrate Zoologist, Wildlife Biologist, Ethnobiologist, and Ecological Consultant based in Contra Costa County. Please visit his website at www.dochale.com.
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 7
A Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish a free Virtual Program
In celebration of St. .Patrick’s Day on March 17 at 11:30 the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will present a special free virtual program on the Irish. This program will focus on Irish immigration and specifically on some Irish immigrants who had a large impact on our community. Elizabeth Creely from the Irish Consulate will join us for a brief introduction to Irish immigration to San Francisco during the gold rush to open the program. Steve Minnear the historian for the City of Dublin CA will speak about some specific Irish immigrants: Michael Murray, Jeremiah Fallon and Eleanor
Fallon. You are probably aware of Fallon Road or Fallon Middle School. Learn about the interesting impact these immigrants had on our community. As they would say in Irish “bí linn le do thoil”, or please join us for this fun and informative persentation. To attend this free online presentation please visit our website at museumsrv.org and go to the Events section or call 925 837-3750. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave Danville CA 94526. The museum is Tuesday-Friday 1 to 4 Saturday 10 to 1 and Sunday 12 to 3.
Senior Living page 8
Meals On Wheels Diablo Region Joins In Special Month-Long March For Meals Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of The Older Celebration Americans Act Nutrition Program
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Meals on Wheels Diablo Region announced today that it will be participating in a special March for Meals celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, the federal legislation that helps to fund community-based programs like Meals on Wheels. Throughout the month of March, MOW Diablo Region will join the national Meals on Wheels network to raise awareness and rally support for this vital public-private partnership that has helped provide our local seniors with an essential service needed to remain healthy and independent at home. The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This year, Meals on Wheels programs
from across the country are joining forces for the awareness campaign to celebrate 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to
speaking out – to ensure we are able to deliver for another 50 years.” MOW Diablo Region’s celebration will continue throughout the month of March, as we support our local older Americans with our health and wellness programs. “ We a r e p r o u d t o
come. “The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program is the only federally supported program designed to be an antidote for both senior hunger and isolation,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Despite decades of proven success and bipartisan support, funding for this program has failed to keep pace with the rapidly growing need for its services. With the nation’s senior population increasing dramatically, now is the time to support local Meals on Wheels programs – through volunteering, donating, and
b e c e l e b ra t i n g t h e 50 t h Anniversary by continuing our focus on sustainable nutrition, health, and wellness for our seniors” – Caitlin Sly, Executive Director For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute, or advocate for the seniors in our community t h i s M a rc h , v i s i t w w w. mowdiabloregion.org.
White Pony Express Needs Your Help Supporting Ukranian Refugees
rescue organization on a mission to eliminate hunger and poverty – serves on the executive committee of the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). We are built to be agile and respond to disasters by providing the very best we have to give.
Community Input We at The Valley Sentinel welcome comments and suggestions from the community at large. We l o v e h e a r i n g from you! However, consideration is only given to those who provide their name, address and phone n u m b e r. Tw o - w a y communication is essential for growth and understanding. Write us at P.O. Box 1309, Danville, 94526, email to drousset@ valleysentinel.com, or call us at 925-8206047. Thank you! —Denise Rousset, Publisher
WPE is collecting supplies to make 800 medical kits as part of a medic training program on the Ukrainian border. We are also assembling pallets of medical aid that will be shipped to a warehouse in Lviv and transported to outposts in Ukraine. We anticipate the need for (and are therefore collecting and packing) hygiene kits, warm clothing, shelf-stable food, and other necessities. The WPE model was created to be responsive in a crisis. WPE – a food and goods
The WPE community and our dedicated volunteers are hosting drives and raising funds to purchase supplies, boxes, and to pay for shipping to send aid to Ukrainian refugees. Please visit our Support Ukraine webpage for a comprehensive list of items needed: whiteponyexpress org/supportukraine
Senior Living valleysentinel.com
page 9
March 2022
“Dementia Denial” Doesn’t Mean What You Think, Says Expert Tami Anastasia
Contact: Tami Anastasia tami@tamianastasia.com 408.343.9656 LOS GATOS, CA – MARCH 7, 2022 – When a loved one denies that they’re forgetful or accuses their spouse or adult child of hiding or stealing a missing item, the caregiver may claim that their loved one is in “dementia denial.” But according to
Tami Anastasia, author of the new book, Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver: Learning to PACE Yourself (ISBN 9798985315301), “dementia denial” is a misnomer. “Once someone is diagnosed with dementia, the confusion, forgetfulness, and accusations are a reflection of brain cells malfunctioning – not of denial.” Anastasia notes that 80% of people diagnosed with dementia have anosognosia, which results from damage to an area in the brain that involves self-reflection. “This means that, due to the changes in their brains, the person with dementia may lack insight or awareness,” Anastasia said. “In other words, they don’t know what they don’t know.” The person with dementia may insist they are fine, and they believe what their brain tells
them because their brain cells are not functioning properly. “That said, dementia denial does occur – but it occurs in loved ones, rather than the person with dementia,” said Anastasia. While it’s understandable that a caregiver spouse or adult child may wish and hope that the dementia diagnosis isn’t true, Anastasia says that the sooner the loved one is diagnosed, the sooner the family can discuss care options. “Knowledge is power, and coming to terms with the diagnosis can help caregivers get the tools they need to plan for the future,” she said. In her new book, Anastasia offers those tools, writing that one key to reducing the caregiver’s frustration and anger is understanding that the thoughts and behaviors of a person with dementia are
Tales of California Pioneer Women The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is now presenting an exhibit that illuminates the hardships, joys, and life of pioneer women in California. These women will tell, in their own words the story of traveling by land and sea to settle in California prior to statehood. In 1900, The Association of Pioneer Women of California formed and collected the reminiscences of women who arrived in California before 1854 in a single ledger. This incredible document, filled with over 800 handwritten stories of
a function of the disease. She goes on to offer a wealth of strategies that can ease the caregiver’s journey. “Approaching challenging behaviors within a framework that I call the ‘4 D’s of Dementia Care’ – detach, document, diffuse, distract – can exponentially improve the quality of life for both the caregiver and their loved one,” said Anastasia. ABOUT “ESSENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR THE DEMENTIA CAREGIVER” Essential Strategies for the Dementia Caregiver: Learning to PACE Yourself (ISBN 9798985315301, KDP) offers a fresh and practical approach to the challenges faced by wives, husbands, and adult children who care for loved ones with dementia. Using the 4 D’s of Dementia Care – detach, document, diffuse,
thousands of pioneers whose stories were never recorded; each one had a story to tell which is lost to time. This exhibit will run through May 22, 2022. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave Danville CA 94526. Our hours are Tuesday-Friday 1-4, Saturday 10-1,Sunday 12-3. You can contact the museum at museumsrv.org or call 925837-3750.
ABOUT TAMI ANASTASIA Tami Anastasia is a dementia consultant, educator, and speaker. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling, a Certificate in Gerontology, and a Certificate in End of Life. Tami is an Evergreen Certified Dementia Care Specialist and a Certified Senior Advisor. For more than 30 years, Tami has provided counseling services, dementia guidance, emotional support, and care strategies to family and professional dementiacaregivers.
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California pioneer women and in the collection of The Society of California Pioneers, is the basis for this exhibition. Together, the ledger and exhibition create a more complete and balanced understanding of our shared history, by highlighting the voices of women who traveled to California. The ledger, however, does not represent all women. As such, an important section of the exhibition is comprised of diverse portraits of unidentified women. These women represent the
distract – caregivers can find solutions for behaviors ranging from shadowing to wandering to medication refusal.
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“Understanding Advanced Illness” At times, it seems as if what may have begun as a single medical diagnosis morphs into many. This presentation teaches about the most prevalent co-existing medical conditions among the elderly and the importance of medication management. Guidance is provided about when to consider comfort care in place of curative care and aggressive treatments.
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AUTO March 2009 March 2022
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
2022 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium Without question, the biggest buck you can bag in the ultra-high performance sector is the GR (Gazoo Racing) Supra. At an all-in price of $56,910, you’re also getting the best bang for that buck. With a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds, a quarter mile dash of 12.1 seconds at 117mph, and a governed top speed of 155mph, the latest edition of the turbo 6 cylinder Supra produces .44 Magnum power for a .22 Caliber price. Now lots of fast cars don’t handle. And many fine handlers aren’t fast. But the GR Supra defies convention because it’s not only a slingshot in a straight
line, but a hip hop champ in the corners. You can buy this Toyota and use it to win local and national level autocrosses without spending a dime to throw a setup on it. That’s because Toyota has already done everything you need to go fast. The only question is - are your reflexes quick enough to keep up with your Supra? On a stretch of really twisty road, you discover that the steering of the Supra is so precisely weighted that you must feed in just the right amount of lock to keep the car tracking through sequential apexes. The immediacy of the connection between hand
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and wheel is akin to what you would experience racing an
the low roofline confining, the rear vision almost nonexistent.
open wheel formula car. It’s exceptionally rare to find this synaptic feedback in a street legal car. The fact that Toyota has nailed the delicate nexus endorses their observation that “the 2022 GR Supra is driven by a single-minded focus on the feeling you experience behind the wheel. The GR Supra is ready to unleash pure driving pleasure at every turn.” A lot of manufacturers of far more expensive sports cars routinely make this kind of claim. Very few can substantiate it with the kind of authority exhibited by the GR Supra. You may be familiar with Toyota’s racing organization in the USA called TRD (Toyota Racing Development). This outfit has built everything from Indy cars to NASCAR stock cars, with a lot of off-road champions as well. Now the company is expanding their race slate by introducing the GR Supra as well as a new GR version of the Toyota 86. Gazoo is the name of the garage where Toyota racing projects originated back in 2008. Gazoo Racing is responsible for recent victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Rally Championship. While that GR badge on the butt of the Supra may not mean much to the casual observer, it does in fact denote the company’s total commitment to high performance driving You sense that laser focus the instant you slip into the allbusiness cockpit of the Supra. With the possible exception of 2 beverage receptacles, there is nothing superfluous about the design of this fighter jet environment. The highbacked race style seats fit snugly, the pedal box is small,
That’s because the GR is all about fast forward, not slow backward. To be sure, the GR carries the usual parking alerts if you absolutely must back up, along with a full bevy of safety aids like lane departure warning with steering assist, pre-collision warning with
pedestrian detection, automatic high beam control, and speed limit information conveyed on a head-up hologram. But to Toyota’s everlasting credit, you can deselect any of all of these aids as you see fit. After all, when you’re clipping apexes, you don’t necessarily want or need a bevy of automated nannies squawking, blinking or otherwise raining on your parade. In particular, you will marvel at the incredibly high level of lateral grip generated by the GR’s Michelin Pilot Super Sport radials which are mounted on forged 19-inch aluminum 10-spoke alloys. The front Michelins measure 255/35ZR19, 20mm narrower than the rears at 275/5ZR19. 13.7-inch, 4 piston Brembo front brakes coordinate aircraft carrier stops with 13.0-inch
2 piston Brembo rear brakes. All four rotors are ventilated, insuring long life at track days. The heart of the GR equation is its all-aluminum straight 6-cylinder engine, long a Supra trademark. In its latest guise, the 3-liter unit makes 382hp thanks to turbocharging and intercooling. It even manages an impressive 25 MPG in overall driving duty. Although a manual gearbox is not offered in the Supra, the 8-speed automatic transmission gets the cog swapping done very nicely, especially if you slot the stick into manual mode and process gear changes via the paddles behind the steering wheel. We were especially impressed with the fact that this gearbox will not automatically shift up no matter how close you come to redline in a given gear. This kind of obedience is rarely found today, and a true measure of just how far Gazoo
Racing trusts the driver to do the right thing at the right time. 2022 TOYOTA GR SUPRA 3.0 PREMIUM ENGINE: 3.0 liter inline 6, aluminum block and heads, 24 valves, DOHC, turbocharged and intercooled H O R S E P OW E R : 382hp@6000rpm TORQUE:368lb.ft.@1800rpm FUEL CONSUMPTION: 22MPG City/30MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $56,910 HYPES: Track Day Tool Supreme GRIPES: Lack of Rear Wiper STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10
valleysentinel.com
March 2022
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 11
San Ramon Valley Street Smarts 17th Annual “Be Reel!” Video Contest for Middle and High School Students! Do you know a middle or high school student who is interested in filmmaking? If so, the San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Annual Street Smarts “Be Reel!” Video Contest is for them! Students create public service announcement videos on a traffic safety theme. This year’s theme: “Be Safe, Alert, and Don’t Get Hurt!” The contest offers students the opportunity to educate the community on traffic safety issues that
are shared online and also presented at San Ramon Valley Elementary and Middle School Traffic Safety Education Assemblies. Videos submitted should feature middle and/or high school student(s) demonstrating and/or reflecting the theme in their submission. With the current Covid-19 guidelines, students must consider online formats and follow social distancing, masking, and other safety guidelines when filming projects. A maximum of
three (3) students in grade levels 6th – 8th and 9th – 12th are allowed to be on record as official production team members and will be eligible to receive prizes. The top video entries, in each grade level, will be honored and awarded prizes in the following categories: “Best Use of Special Effects/Animation” “Best Plot/Storyline” “Best Editing” Each member of the
winning video production team in each category will receive a $50 gift card. All remaining finalists will receive a consolation gift card prize. Entries are due Thursday, April 14, 2022. Please view complete rules, required forms and more information at street-smarts. com “Video Contest.” STREET SMARTS is a traffic safety education program serving the San Ramon Valley. The program is a partnership between the
San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the City of San Ramon, the Town of Danville, the County of Contra Costa, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs and other Community Partners and Sponsors.
page 12
THE VALLEY SENTINEL March 2022
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