The Valley Sentinel_Sept. 2021

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Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon

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SENTINEL always for the community VOL 27 NO 7

Regional Trai

September 2021

SPOTLIGHT

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Look inside for the latest Regional in Nature Activity Guide!

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Park Named After Thurgood Marshall Summer Harvest Activities Spiral Snake Craft Summer Stars in Dark Skies Hot-Weather Hiking Tips Plus many more fun activities for kids and families!

Thinking of Volunteering?

Just Do It!

On your next visit to Tao House, look for the Ghosts of Tao House posters which invite visitors, hikers, and dog walkers to pull out their phones, scan a QR code, and watch O’Neill’s

Save Mount Diablo was critical to the restoration of peregrine falcons on and around Mount Diablo beginning in 1989. Seth Adams helped bring together and fund a group of keen biologists and volunteers. The three youngsters of the remote nest site spent days together acquainting themselves with aerodynamics. Here, two of the sibs practice the moves of a mid-air exchange of prey, a critical skill all peregrines must master. Photo by Duy Dang. For more See TAO HOUSE 7/21/21, 3:02intricate PM information about the Peregrene Falcon pleaes see story on Page 3. page 4

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The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

By James M. Hale

The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is a stiff-tailed duck from North America. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek oxus for “sharp”, and oura, for “tail”.

The specific epithet jamaicensis means “from Jamaica”. Pleistocene fossils of Ruddy Ducks at least eleven thousand years old have been unearthed in California, Oregon, Virginia, Florida, and Illinois. Three subspecies are recognized. The Andean Duck of South America is considered by the American Ornithological Society Society as conspecific.

The Ruddy Duck is a small, compact duck with a stout, scoopshaped bill, and long, stiff tails they often hold cocked upward.

They have a slightly peaked crown on their head, with short, thick necks. Males have blackish caps that contrast with their bright white cheeks. In spring and summer, males

have rich chestnut plumage and bright, sky blue bills. After molting during fall and winter, male Ruddy Ducks turn grayishbrown above and paler below, with dull gray bills. Females and first-year males are brownish like winter males, however, with a blurry stripe across the cheek patch. In flight, Ruddy Ducks exhibit solid dark wing tops. They are up to seventeen inches in length with a twentyfour inch wingspan, and up to two pounds in weight.

Ruddy Ducks are diving ducks that feed most actively at night on aquatic insects and other foods, which explains why one may often see them sleeping during the day, with their head tucked under a wing and tail cocked up. Midge larvae are their favorite food in summer. Seeds and roots of plants that include pondweed,

smartweed, sedges, and grasses are consumed. Mollusks and crustaceans are strained from the muddy bottom with the comb-like lamellae on their bills. Small fish are sometimes eaten.

After arriving on their breeding waters, Ruddy Ducks form pair bonds that are established and reinforced w i t h e l a b o ra t e c o u r t s h i p displays. Nest sites are chosen in protective, dense, marsh vegetation over shallow waters. The female constructs a woven platform of grasses, cattails, rushes, and sedges that is anchored to emergent vegetation. She lines the nest with down. Five to fifteen eggs are laid. Occasionally, Ruddy Ducks lay their eggs in other waterbirds’ nests, including those of other female Ruddy ducks. The female incubates

This Month’s Special Section:

the eggs for twenty-three to twenty-six days. The hatchlings are precocial, and leave the nest within a day after hatching.

They are able to swim and dive immediately, as well as feed themselves. The mother Ruddy Duck tends to her young until their first flight in about six weeks. Southern birds sometimes have two broods in a season. The oldest recorded

Fall Home and Garden page 6

See DUCK page 5

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL

September 2021

Big Break Shoreline

by Beverly Lane East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors

entry at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. with a maximum of 50 participants per hour.

Registration is required.

These popular, inclusive programs are designed to accommodate visitors of all abilities. The East Bay Regional Park District’s mobile visitor center will be at the park, with a tank displaying the kinds of fish that inhabit the Delta waterways. Hands-on activities will include onland fishing clinics, hands-on activities about the effects of and solutions to marine debris, painting with watercolors, and volunteering to pick up litter in the parks.

To register for All Activities Days, email bigbreakvisit@ ebparks.org or call 510-5443050 with your name, phone number and group size.

Non-registered visitors are welcome at the park on Sept.

17 and 18, but the event is open

If you haven’t visited the Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta yet, you are in for a treat. Here are some of the fall programs to check out.

Big Break is in Oakley.

Keeping our oceans and waterways clean and free of plastic and other marine debris is the theme of free public programs scheduled there through September.

Programs with that theme are scheduled at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon every Saturday and Sunday of the month.

Registration is recommended, although if space allows, dropin participants can join.

only to registered participants.

Non-registered visitors will be able to enter the visitor center only if there are open spots.

Saturday, Sept. 18 is also Coastal Cleanup Day, an annual statewide, nationwide and even international effort during which volunteers pick up trash from shoreline and inland parks.

“Plastic debris is extremely harmful to wildlife, and we all share the responsibility of preventing it from getting into the environment,” said Pia Loft, acting supervising naturalist at Big Break.

A highlight of September will be All Abilities Days on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17 and 18. There will be timed

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Although Big Break’s role in Coastal Cleanup Day will be limited to naturalist-guided programs during All Abilities Days, other shoreline parks in the East Bay Regional Park District will have volunteer cleanup activities. To find Coastal Cleanup Day opportunities, check out EBRPD – Volunteer/Get Involved (ebparks.org).

valleysentinel.com Apart from the special activities, autumn is a great time to visit Big Break, because lots of migratory birds arrive, and there is plenty of wildlife to see.

Big Break is home to 70 species of birds and several species of mammals including beavers, muskrats and river otters.

Big Break Regional Shoreline is located at 69 Big Break Road off Main Street in Oakley. The park is open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted.

Gate hours for the parking lot in September are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Big Break’s visitor center has exhibits highlighting the area’s natural and cultural history. The visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursdays through Sundays for information and walk-through with limited exhibit access, due to Covid-19 protocols.

For general information on Big Break, call 510-544-3050.

The Diablo Diary—Creatures, Controversies and Threats Event will feature wildlife biologist Joseph Belli’s Book and his lifetime of experiences in the Diablo Range Joseph Belli will read parts of his book, The Diablo Diary, tell stories about his lifetime of experiences chasing wildlife in the Diablo Range, and then participate in a short conversation with Seth Adams, Save Mount Diablo’s Land Conservation Director.

Southeast of San Francisco lies the Diablo Range—familiar to many, but little-known.

Though much has been written about the California landscape, the Diablo Range has largely been overlooked. Wildlife biologist Joseph Belli, a lifelong resident of the region, seeks to change that. In The Diablo Diary, he presents twenty-five natural history essays focusing on the creatures, controversies, and threats to this sizable tract of de facto wilderness on the edge of the Bay Area. Writings on Mountain Lions, California

Condors, and Tule Elk share space with pieces on California Tiger Salamanders, San Joaquin Kit Foxes, and horned lizards.

Their stories address larger environmental issues: habitat loss, the threat posed by invasive species, the consequences of water development, and policy decisions, both local and national. Along with essays on animals are human stories, ruminations on isolation, mortality, and coping with change, as well as humorous writings. Written with the eye of a scientist, the zeal of an activist, and the soul of an artist, The Diablo Diary is a fascinating study of an oftoverlooked mountain range and its inhabitants.”

Bio: Joseph Belli has explored the Diablo Range since he was a child, when his family

moved to its foothills. He earned a degree in conservation biology at San Jose State University and has worked for the National Park Service, surveying the land, animals, and plants in the area. He lives in Pacheco Pass near Henry Coe State Park. He is working on his second book, about the California Condor Reintroduction Program, for which he is a volunteer.

Pups in Parks Why Rules Differ

By Wallace De Young, Outreach Board Chair for the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, and a natural history docent for Mount Diablo State Park

Dog owners almost always believe that their canine family members are the smartest, best trained, and most loveable pups ever born. I know I feel that way, and often enjoy being out hiking with our dog in parks and public spaces. You can’t help but smile as you see how happy it makes them as they explore all of the amazing sights and smells along the way.

I felt just this way when, a few years ago, I began a hike with my wife and our leashed dog. We passed through a gate, absorbed in conversation, only to be stopped about 100 yards in by a Mount Diablo State Park ranger. He already had his citation book in his hand. “No dogs in the park,” he said as he pulled a pen from his pocket and began writing. I protested, flabbergasted. “What?! But he’s leashed!” I had hoped for a warning, but was told that the warning was posted on

the gate we had just walked though. The ranger handed me a citation for $350, a tough way to learn a lesson, and one that, at the time, I clearly had no true appreciation for. It is somewhat ironic that, many years later, that very ranger helped train me to become a docent for the State Park. And, no, I didn’t have the guts to remind him of my previous canine indiscretion.

Now I know that only some wild areas allow dogs, sometimes even off-leash.

Others categorically ban dogs – yes, even my brilliant, trained, and loveable pooch.

As a Mount Diablo State Park natural history docent, I often make my way into the park via East Bay Regional Park District property. I step from a land of dogs, often allowed offleash, to the State Park where bringing your dog along can cost you big bucks.

So, why the dramatic difference?

Cameron Morrison, the supervising ranger for Mount Diablo State Park, and Dania Stoneham, the unit manager for seven local East Bay Regional Parks, agreed that differences in dog-related regulations stem from state and regional parks’ unique mission statements.

Layered on top are specific ecological considerations and use designations for each environment.

“Regional parks are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, and part of a being human is being part of a community - a community of all user groups that come,” Stoneham says.

“Dogs have become part of people’s families, and given the EBRPD mission, to exclude them would be like excluding a family member. We do look at each See PUPS page 3

valleysentinel.com

September 2021

Mt. Diablo’s Peregrin Falcon Nesting Season’s Dramatic Outcome

Mom was delivering lunch when the attack came. A pigeon was clutched in her talons, a fat and important meal for her three noisy nestlings, who needed every calorie she could give them in preparation for their first flight, only days away.

Kendall Oei, a core member of the Peregrine Team in Pine Canyon, an all-volunteer group of naturalists, was on duty in a remote part of Mount Diablo State Park when he witnessed this dramatic moment. He’d been studying the chicks when they suddenly fell silent and ducked, eyeing the sky.

Hearing the scream of adult falcons, Kendall looked up too. A flash in the sky: the mother. She veered upward, away from the nest, and in

her wake, closing fast, was a smaller raptor, a prairie falcon, awake to the slower speed of the burdened mother, and intent on stealing her prey.

The peregrine took a sharp turn straight up while nailing a rollover, putting the pigeon between her and the incoming missile like a shield. Undeterred, the prairie falcon put on its brakes to grapple aboard, and the birds tumbled together out of the sky and disappeared behind the tree line, out of sight.

Whatever happened behind that screen of trees among the cliffs, the peregrine managed to prevail, and lunch proceeded as if nothing had happened.

The P-Team monitored two peregrine nests this season, one in Pine Canyon and one in the

remote cliffs of Mount Diablo.

Seven chicks hatched in total.

All were banded during their fluffy white dinosaur stage, but only the three chicks at the remote nest made it into the air. The loss of the other four in Pine Canyon happened at night, unobserved by the P-Team; but one body was recovered, and the cause of death was evident: another raptor had attacked, this time with deadly intent. At dusk or after dark, a great-horned owl swept into the nesting cavity on silent wings and killed all four nestlings.

After World War II, DDT, a newly-developed pesticide, had emptied the mountain of its peregrines, and prairie falcons moved in. Less affected by the poison due to a more

to have a place that I can explore and enjoy outdoor with my dog. I also agree that we should prohibit dogs entirely from some wild places. We all know that dogs like to chase animals.

Morrison reminded me that this can deter animals from returning to an area frequented by dogs, resulting in abandoned nests or dens. Dogs chase horses, sometimes resulting in injuries to horse or rider, and Morrison says he’s taken reports of dogs biting campers, hikers, and bicyclists.

Stoneham and the East Bay Regional Park District have the challenging mission of balancing the protection of wild land while allowing a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Dog owners are one of the largest park user groups, and the district tries to welcome them into the parks and provide a good visitor experience. “We do create rules regarding dogs to limit the impact on the natural environment,” she says. For example, one rule that has been in place for several years requires that all dogs be leashed when within 200 feet of a trailhead or parking lot. (Did you know this? I didn’t.) “This creates an important buffer because even very well-behaved dogs get excited when going into the park.” Some regional parks also have leash-only areas, or those where dogs are entirely prohibited.

We can’t talk about dogs in our parks without mentioning poop. We’ve all heard the argument that horse waste is all over the trail, so what’s the big deal about a bit of dog waste too? The answer is, there is a big difference. Both Morrison and Stoneham are quick to point out that horses are vegetarians and their waste will quickly decompose. Dog waste on the other hand, does not decompose quickly and while it is present it serves to mark territory. Dog waste is biologically considered a litter item, while horse manure is not.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies dog waste as a dangerous pollutant, in the same category as toxic chemicals and oil. Wild animal feces simply return nutrients and resources back to the ecosystem that produced them in something of a closed loop.

On the other hand, dog feces contain harmful parasites and germs, and even after a year, these contaminants can remain in the soil.

While differing park rules about dogs is a source of confusion, I remain grateful that we have places where we can still enjoy the outdoors with our best buddies, and those wonderful wild places where wildlife can be free from the very real and negative impacts that dogs bring.

PUPS from page 2

specific area and develop a plan regarding dogs, but we do try to allow the park user to have as much of an experience as they can within the limitations of the environment.”

Morrison explained that State Parks’ mission statement puts more of an emphasis on preserving and protecting resources. So, how do we get from “preserving and protecting resources” to the State Parks’ not allowing dogs in undeveloped areas, such as trails? “Many people don’t realize that dogs can spread domestic diseases and parasites to wild animals,” he says. “And dogs are territorial.

Marking territory can confuse coyotes and foxes, and deter them from remaining in the area. Even the scent of a dog can disturb or frighten the wildlife”, said Morrison. He went on to say that State Parks are generally larger, more significant culturally and have more natural resources, requiring a different approach than those in a regional park.

So, now we’re back to the dilemma that got me into trouble -- passing through a gate, and suddenly you’re “not in Kansas anymore, Toto!” We’re all accustomed to urban “zoning,” as society attempts to combine several compatible activities by use. The same holds true as we grapple with use of our wild areas. While the stewards of our East Bay Regional Parks are more often than not striving to accommodate recreational activities, our State Parks are primarily focused on preserving cultural and natural resources.

Are these goals at odds with each other? It’s interesting that the subject of dogs is often at the center of such a question, especially when state parks and regional parks border one another. Personally, I am grateful

THE VALLEY SENTINEL varied diet, they became the falcon lords of the cliffs, common enough that, in 1989, when a team of biologists and volunteers debated a method of restoration, they chose to place young, captive-raised peregrines in prairie falcon nests. Prairie falcons are excellent, undiscriminating parents: they fed every chick in the nesting cavity with alacrity.

The restoration of the peregrines in our region has been so successful that in the greater Bay Area there are now 35 monitored nest sites. That’s 70 birds.

In late May, at least ten days prior to the deaths in Pine Canyon, the P-Team knew that a great-horned owl was lurking near the nesting cavity. It’s typical for this large and fierce predator to plan an attack on fellow raptors. Once falcons fledge, they have little to fear from owls: they are mobile and fast, even as youngsters. But four fat, beer-bellied, pre-flight nestlings deep in a rocky cavity are easy to trap.

Having monitored the Pine Canyon birds for seven years, here’s what the P-Teamers think happened: The owl had spent the day in a small cavity near the foot of the very cliff the peregrines had chosen as their home for the season. The peregrine cave was large and commodious; the owl’s barely larger than itself.

The peregrines knew the owl lay in wait, but they had no way to dislodge it from its fortification without risking grave injury.

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The owl bided its time.

One evening, the peregrine parents, exhausted after a day of feeding and watching over their quartet of chicks, retired for the night in their separate bedroom cavities close to the nest. As they drowsed, the owl’s powers grew. Excellent night vision, silent flight, and near proximity all came together in a powerful array. The owl flushed from its cubbyhole and flew up just a hundred feet, brushing the cliff with its wingtips, to land at the threshold of the peregrine cavity, broad wings out to block the opening.

The peregrine chicks cowered together at the back of the cavity, making an easy target.

It was all over fast. The peregrine parents would have tried frantically to intervene, but a great-horned owl is a fearless, dangerous foe, capable of mortally wounding the parents too. They withdrew at some point, wisely.

There’s good news: the parents are still in residence around Pine Canyon, and still interacting on the broader slopes of Mount Diablo, where we’re lucky to have so much conserved land, promising another try next year at the arduous task of raising kids.

For more information about our local peregrines: h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e. com/watch?v=fFqtvJhx5U&t=2079s or contact Staci H o b b e t , L e a d , Pe re g r i n e Te a m i n P i n e C a n y o n : anastasiahobbet@gmail.com.

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL

TAO HOUSE from page 1

characters come to life in short monologues filmed at Tao House. This compelling Ghosts of Tao House signage was produced by Foundation volunteer Sarah Seewoester Cain who responded to the call for.

When asked what inspired her to raise her hand to help, Sarah shared, “I’ve always thought it was so cool that a Nobel-prize -winning playwright lived right here in Danville...and that his estate has been so impeccably preserved. The main draw for me was being able to contribute to something local, in my own community, while also being part of a larger cause... promoting the vision of O’Neill whose work is known and lauded by so many worldwide.” Sarah’s design and photoshop knowhow along with creatively working around nap time for her young sons is a perfect match. Sarah notes, “I have loved how personalized and easy the volunteer experience has been! Not only is it flexible based on my availability, but the board and Foundation staff took the time to learn about me. They found ways for me to contribute based on my unique background, skills, and volunteer interests.”

Wo r k i n g w i t h t h e Foundation Sarah observed, “I knew that EONF hosted live performances at Tao House,

September 2021

but I had no idea of the breadth of EONF’s outreach. They not only produce plays for theatre enthusiasts, but they offer programs for theatre students, budding writers, academicians, and seasoned playwrights and artists.” With this variety comes needs for diverse ideas, talents, and interests.

Skills in communications, consulting, design, website d e v e l o p m e n t , s t r a t e g y, member development, event planning, and more can help contribute to the foundation’s vision.

If you’re considering helping out, in Sarah’s words, “Just do it...volunteer! I wish I had done so sooner. It’s easy and incredibly flexible.

Whatever time or talent you can give will be genuinely embraced and appreciated.”

Artist Day-Use Deadline:

Sept. 30 for Session C (Fellowships Dec. 1– March 31) The Travis Bogard DayUse Program offers Bay Area artists access to the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Fellows may work in scholarly or creative writing, playwriting, or the visual arts, including stage design. Artists may work alone or as a team.

For more, visit www. eugeneoneill.org/artist-inresidence-program/

Anniversary Sale 22 years

September 22nd 12-6 pm

Balloon Pop Sale Patron Raffle and more treats to unveil…

391 Hartz Ave. Danville 925.837.2664

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Eugene O’Neill Festival 2021: Beyond the Horizon The Eugene O’Neill Festival returns this fall with a combination of live and virtual events.

The festival centerpiece will be a filmed production of O’Neill’s first great drama, Beyond the Horizon. The play was the playwright’s first to appear on Broadway and won him the first of his four Pulitzer prizes. In addition to the film, there will be two live performances of Beyond the Horizon on the last weekend of September.

The festival will be rounded out with the premiere of EONF Artistic director Eric Fraisher Hayes’ playful and informative theatrical lecture Eugene O’Neill: 51 Plays in 51 Minutes at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, as well as a hike, a downtown walk, and a special storytelling campaign entitled “Tiny Horizon Stories”.

The play Beyond the Horizon calls for a combination of outdoor and indoor scenes, which have traditionally been difficult to represent. Our production will be filmed to highlight the natural beauty and farm-like qualities of the Tao House property. Additionally, two live performances of the play will take place with seating at reduced capacity. These special live performances will utilize a combination of outdoor and indoor settings which require some minimal walking.

Beyond the Horizon, Live: Sat. Sept. 25, 4pm and Sun. Sept. 26, 4pm.

Beyond the Horizon, the Film: Sat. Oct. 2 Additional event details and tickets are available at eugeneoneill.org.

The First People, an exhibit at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley The First People, an exhibition of California Indians, will be at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, August 26 to November 14. In this display, visitors will see Indian home models, cave paintings, maps, hunting nets, arrowheads, a complete acorn-processing set up and stunning Indian-made baskets. Examples of some beautiful, hand woven baskets from the Phelps Collection will be on display. Docents will allow visitors to try some of the traditional games as well.

A special section will showcase the arrival of Spanish soldiers and missionaries after 1769.

Called Two Cultures Collide, contrasts in building materials, foods, art, music and tools will be shown. This European invasion revolutionized Indian culture.

The Museum will sponsor a special event: Don Phelps will hold a sale of his American Native Silver and Turquoise Jewelry. He will also give appraisals at $10 per evaluation. Proceeds donated to the Museum. Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.

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 and, Sunday 12-3. You can contact the museum at museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750

Pass It On®…

The Tenacity to See the Stars

By The Foundation for a Better Life®

One of the most often used behavioral descriptors today is Attention Deficit Disorder, which basically means unable to sit still or focus for longer than a few minutes. All parents know that ADD worsens when chores or homework are involved. And if we’re honest with ourselves we all suffer from Attention Deficit if the task at hand is something we are not interested in, like say counting the stars in the universe. Most of us would drift off into somnambulism in less than a few minutes of staring upward. But fortunately for us, the heavens were an early fascination for Galileo. He was the Italian engineer, physicist, and father of observational astronomy. That means a lot of night shifts looking up and wondering how things work.

He lived and worked in the early 1600s, charting the phases of Venus, the breadth of the Milky Way, Jupiter’s moons and even sunspots. Galileo was wont to explore new realities based on science. The universe held his attention and he worked tirelessly to understand it, even after he was convicted of heresy during the Inquisition and put under house arrest for the last 10 years of his life.

Rather than complain about his inability to move about, Galileo turned his attention to what he could do in the confines of his studio.

He expanded his research on the motion of objects and the strength of materials. If that sounds boring think about this: you can draw a straight line from Galileo sequestered in his primitive lab to Elon Musk and SpaceX. Galileo stuck with it when his friends abandoned him, when he was confined to his home, when he was feeling the affects of age. He was curious and driven. Elon Musk is equally driven and fearless in his exploration. SpaceX is changing just about everything about space exploration, from reusable rockets, to greater payloads, to radical innovations in spacesuits and parachutes.

Musk has a vision of what space holds for the future, and he is sticking to it no matter the obstacles.

Max is a different kind of explorer. He’s 6-years-old. His bedroom is littered with batterypowered contraptions that light up, move, rattle, and roll. His first-grade teacher says Max has a hard time paying attention in class, yet Max will work for

hours to figure out the electrical circuit between a battery, a motor, and a propeller. He’s also building his own telescope.

“I want to see what Jupiter’s rings are really made of,” he says. Perhaps if Galileo were in school today with his curious nature he would likewise be a little restless. Curious minds are always seeking problems to solve. As we learn to channel our curiosity into actions and finally results, we learn the power of stick-to-itiveness. Tenacity is the result of a challenge we give ourselves, a bigger vision to accomplish. Someday Max will make the connection to what he is learning in school to what he is building in his room, the same way Galileo saw the importance of his research while confined to his house.

So maybe the next time we feel bored with a task or chore we need to look up at the stars…and challenge ourselves to reach for them.

The Foundation for a Better Life® promotes positive values to live by and pass along to others.

Copyright © 2021 | The Foundation for a Better Life® All rights reserved. | www. passiton.com

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September 2021

Superintendent Of Schools Will Name Contra Costa County’s Top Educators During Virtual Ceremony Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey will announce Contra Costa County’s top educators for the 2021-22 school year at the county’s 49th-annual Teacher of the Year Gala, which will be held virtually on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 5 p.m.

Broadcast live on edTV (Comcast Channel 32/AT&T U-verse Channel 99) and live streamed at cocoschools.org/ toy, the ceremony will feature Teachers of the Year from 17 of the county’s 18 school districts, the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the Contra Costa Community College District.

Supported by Title Sponsor Chevron and Visionary Sponsors Lesher Community Foundation, Martinez Refinery Company, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education, the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Program seeks to honor and recognize teachers throughout the county for the amazing work they do every day.

The county’s two Teachers of the Year are determined by a panel of leading educators and community representatives from the four finalists: • A l i s h a D o u g l a s s (Liberty Union High School District/Liberty High School)

• K r i s t e n P l a n t (Acalanes Union High School District/Miramonte High School) • Michelle Wilson (San Ramon Valley Unified School District/Dougherty Valley High School) • Christina Zenzano (Pittsburg Unified School District/Rancho Medanos Junior High School) The two Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year go on to compete for the title of California State Teacher of the Year, the results of which will be announced in October.

Superintendent of Schools Advises County Schools, Districts to follow State’s Universal Masking Mandate “There is a clear public health Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey today voiced her endorsement and support of a letter from the California Department of Public Health that affirms the legal obligation for school leaders to follow the universal masking requirement in K-12 settings.

A letter from State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón was sent to education leaders throughout the state last week that outlines the legal and financial risks, and health consequences schools and school districts face if they fail to enforce the universal mask requirement for indoor school settings.

“We’ve known for a long time that masks would be critical to our ability to return to in-person instruction safely,” Mackey said. “The letter from Dr. Aragón reaffirms the science behind universal masking, and clearly lays out

consequences for schools and school districts that choose to ignore science and place their communities at greater risk. I strongly encourage and advise all of the schools and school districts in Contra Costa County to follow the guidance to protect their students and staff members and avoid potential legal and financial consequences.”

School leaders have both a legal duty and a “moral imperative” to protect California’s students, Dr. Aragón said. Failure to do so, he wrote, “will expose schools and school leaders personally to substantial legal and financial risks.”

“COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant, poses significant health risks t o s t u d e n t s, a n d a d u l t s responsible for their safety should do everything possible to minimize those risks,” Dr. Aragón said in the letter.

justification for requiring universal masking in K-12 schools to minimize those risks and avoid the needless tragedy of a student dying from COVID-19 due to exposure that could have been prevented through universal masking.”

While schools have the flexibility to develop local protocols for enforcing the mask requirement, they are not allowed to opt out of the requirement.

“The universal mask requirement is a public health directive that all schools are required to follow, similar to other public health orders, including orders that have been implemented both before and throughout this pandemic,” Dr. Aragón said.

“The State is committed to working with schools, local governments, and other state officials to ensure schools implement this requirement to keep children and staff safe.”

Diablo Valley Quilters Diablo Valley Quilters is a local non-profit based in Danville. Our goal is to p ro m o t e q u i l t i n g i n t h e community and we have a active Outreach program, supplying baby quilts to low income families and we provide thousands of bright and cheerful pillowcases to hospitalized children.

We are having our biennial fundraiser (postponed from last year) Fabric Follies & More on September 18th at the Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. We open at 9:30 am and close at 3:30 pm. There is plenty of free parking available.

If the church parking lot is full, drive around back and park in the Victorian medical building parking lot, which has a gate entrance to the church.

We are selling quilt shop fabric for $3/yd in addition to quilt books, patterns and every notion you can think of, in addition to a good amount of craft supplies. We accept cash, check or charge. Please come and bring your friends! Please wear your mask.

Questions? Contact Pauline O’Connell at 925-3235550 or Maryann Maiorana a t 9 2 5 - 91 8 - 1 2 5 9 . w w w. diablovalleyquilters.org

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 5

SRVUSD Seeks Committee Members for Parcel Tax committee members serve a Oversight The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is seeking members for its Parcel tax Oversight Committee.

The committee provides oversight to the Board of Education to ensure that the funds are spent as intended by the voters of the parcel tax.

The committee meets at least twice per year and reports on an annual basis to the Board and community on how these funds have been spent. All meetings are open to the public.

Four member positions and one alternate will be appointed by the school board. Parcel Tax DUCK from page 1

Ruddy Duck was a male that was at least thirteen years and seven months old. He was banded in British Columbia in 1951 and found in Oregon in 1964.

Ruddy Ducks were imported into the United Kingdom in 1946 by conservationist Sir Peter Scott. Escapees from wildfowl collections established themselves as wild populations in Great Britain and Europe. The Ruddy Duck’s aggressive courting behavior and willingness to interbreed with the endangered native White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephalus) of southern Europe, lead to concern amongst

two-year term. They will not be compensated and will serve no more than two consecutive terms. Members shall reside within the boundaries of the SRVUSD and shall be registered voters.

Applications are due no later than 3:00 p.m. on September 17, 2021.

Recommendations/ appointments will be made at the October 5th Board Meeting.

For additional information and to download the application visit our website or contact Sandra Corsetti in the Business Office, at scorsetti@srvusd.net, or (925) 552-2905.

Spanish conservationists.

Culling programs were started to extirpate the Ruddy Duck as a breeding bird in Great Britain and Europe. Since 2016, it has been listed as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern. This means that it cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. In North America, hunting and habitat loss have been the main causes for the Ruddy Duck’s eradication.

James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, ethnobiologist, and ecological consultant based in Contra Costa County. Please visit his website at www.dochale.com

For A Life of Intellectual Exploration and Meaningful Contribution Challenging and Experiential Classes Average 15-17 students Students Inspire Each Other to Think Critically, Problem Solve, and Collaborate Unmatched International & Wilderness Programs 100% Admitted to Outstanding 4-Year Colleges Diverse Global Community on an Extraordinary 75-Acre Campus Transportation and Financial Aid Available

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ADMISSION OPEN HOUSES FOR FALL 2022 ENROLLMENT

Grades 6-8 January 8 1:00 pm Grades 9-12 January 9 1:00 pm To register for an Open House, please visit our Admission webpage and choose “Apply Now”

Fall Home and Garden page 6

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

California Modern

By Steven Wynn

Mid-century modern architecture continues to attract a loyal following, over seventy years after its inception. Each year, our residential projects include any number of mid-century modern houses. We modernize these modern homes, with n ew f e a t u re s, s t r u c t u ra l and energy upgrades, and even more open plans and generous spaces. But the character-defi ning elements that made them so appealing remain – walls seemingly made of glass, exposed postand-beam construction, open plans, low-slope roofs, and clean lines.

We’re adapting an iconic style for a new century. But in reality, what we recognize as mid-century modern was itself a series of adaptations of what came before.

The International Style originated in 1920’s Europe, along with the Bauhaus, a German art school that became one of the most influential leaders of modern design. Mies van der Rohe was the last director of the Bauhaus, and like many other European designers he was greatly influenced by the bold, free-flowing work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

JRW CONSTRUCTION, INC. 381 Hartz Ave., Danville, Suite B www.jrwconstructioninc.com phone 925.831.1615 fax 925.831.1643 lic. 694292

CUSTOM HOMES ADDITIONS REMODELS BATHROOM AND KITCHEN REMODELS TENANT IMPROVEMENTS COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL

September 2021 World War II displaced many of Europe’s greatest architects, including Mies.

He and others brought their m o d e r n i s t m ove m e n t t o America, where it flourished alongside the more organic modern works of Frank Lloyd Wright and other American designers. The style developed into a uniquely American form that was popular through the end of the 1960’s.

Some communities were magnets for modernism, and retain remarkable collections that are worth taking a trip to visit: Palm Springs, CA; Columbus, IN; Albuquerque, NM. And of course, our own Bay Area features countless mid-century modern homes, including thousands of “Eichler’s.”

Joseph Eichler and his family moved from the Bronx to the Bay Area in 1925, where they worked in the family’s butter and egg business. Eichler rented the Sidney Bazett House in Hillsborough in 1943, a Usonian-style house designed

by Frank Lloyd Wright. His experience in that home inspired him to become a real estate developer of Modernist homes. By 1966, his company

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had built over 11,000 homes throughout California.

Eichler’s homes “bring the outside in,” and define the California Modern style. Many of Eichler’s design features were adopted by others, and made more broadly appealing by including glass walls that faced the street (Eichler homes were inward-facing, and rarely had windows facing the street).

/ J. Hettinger Interiors; Eagle Peak Builders; photos by Mark Gebhardt) In this second remodel, the original home was influenced by California Modern design but lacked an open, flowing plan. We removed an interior wall separating the kitchen from the family room and replaced it with open counter seating.

Now, windows that “bring

In this recent remodel of a mid-century modern home in Danville, we added a covered entry porch with polycarbonate sheet panels to frame the bold, orange entry door. We expanded the house to the rear for a larger kitchen and family room, while retaining the l i v i n g ro o m ’s g l a s s wa l l facing the street. (Barry & Wynn Architects; Ron Smith

the outside in” achieve their full potential, daylighting an open plan. (Barry & Wynn Architects; Bifulco Construction) Whether your house is a true Eichler, or a 1960’s hybrid with a hodgepodge of California Modern features, there is ample opportunity to modernize and improve while preserving authenticity.

Creating and transforming spaces great and small.

We’re here to help with your remodel, addition, outdoor room, or new home.

Schedule a free consultation today.

We’ve Moved!

925.837.1422 (office) | 925.285.5582 (mobile) 379 Hartz Avenue, Danville, CA 94526 www.barryandwynn.com Entrance at rear of building, along Railroad Ave. stevew@barryandwynn.com

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September 2021

San Ramon Chamber of Commerce accepting nominations for 2021 Community Awards Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving people for five awards: Citizen of the Year, Business (or Business Person) of the Year, Educator of the Year, Employee of the Year and Green Company/ Individual of the Year Award.

“The Business and Community Awards event is an opportunity to thank and give appreciation to individuals who have made a s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e re n c e and contribution in our community,” said Stewart

Bambino, San Ramon Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. “Come and network, enjoy good food and honor those around us who help to make San Ramon an exceptional place to live and work.”

Anyone may submit nominations for these awards. The Nomination form and information regarding the criteria for each award category are posted on the San Ramon Chamber website, www.sanramon.org.

Virtual New and Future Member Orientation Zoom

S e p t e m b e r 2 8 , 2021 , 4:00pm - 5:00pm You’re invited to the New and Future Member O r i e n t a t i o n o n Tu e s d ay, September 28th at 4pm with Mr. Stewart Bambino, President/CEO of the

S a n Ra m o n C h a m b e r o f Commerce. Also, if you are a long-time Chamber member and need a refresher course on the many benefits and services we offer our Chamber members, we’d love to have you attend again!

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 7

Businesses sought for Scarecrow Stroll Danville preparing for second annual fall celebration Danville visitors and The Town of Danville is seeking retail/restaurant or personal service businesses in downtown Danville to participate in the second a n n u a l S c a re c row S t ro l l coming this fall. Eligible businesses can create their own scarecrow or opt to receive a complimentary scarecrow kit. Scarecrows will be displayed outside Danville businesses between October 1 and October 30, 2021.

Businesses are encouraged to add personality to their festive figure and show off their fall spirit.

residents will be able to join the Scarecrow Stroll and follow the map to discover all the creative scarecrows w h i l e re d i s c ove r i n g a n d supporting local businesses.

The community will also be able to share photos of their favorite scarecrows on social media and tag the Town for a chance to win prizes.

Applications for businesses wishing to take part in the Scarecrow Stroll can be found by visiting www.danville.ca.gov/ scarecrowstroll. Applications will close on September 8, 2021.

For more information, contact Teen Coordinator Lindsay Gallardo at (925) 31 4 - 3 4 0 3 o r l g a l l a r d o @ danville.ca.gov.

Delta Variant, Vaccine Rollouts and the Latest Health Update Caring for our Community Webinar 10am - 11am. September 30, 2021 Register Today!

Presented by Stanford Health Care / ValleyCare, and brought to you by the S a n Ra m o n C h a m b e r o f Commerce.

Join us for a discussion on the latest updates of the COVID Delta variant, the vaccine progress in our community and the updates in the Stanford health Care / Valley Care system.

These updates include

developments in their stroke p ro g ra m , c a rd i ova s c u l a r services, and the most recent updates in technology and imaging services.

Speaker: Mino Sastry (Vice President, Service Lines and Market Development)

Reimagine your garden This fall, you can trade up your thirsty garden for a water wise one. The lawn goodbye starts with help from EBMUD. Apply for a rebate (recently increased!) to replace your lawn and upgrade inefficient or leaky irrigation, and you can enjoy a beautiful garden next summer.

For more conservation tips and rebate info visit ebmud.com/drought.

Senior Living page 8

Jun

Danville Senior Center

115 E. Prospect Avenue, Danville • (925) 314-3430 • Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM-5:00PM Friday, 8:00AM1:00PM www.danvilleca.gov/seniors Stay Informed Do you want to know what’s going on at the Danville Senior Center and the Town of Danville? To do so, visit www.danville.ca.gov, click on the envelope icon to sign up for updates. From there, enter your email address, first and last name and choose the type of information you would like to receive.

Book Club Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:30am in the Art Room. Call (925) 3143430 to find out what they’re reading!

Senior Citizens Club Mondays, 9:00am – 11:00am in Community Hall AB at the Senior Center Bingo, Drop-In Bridge Lessons & Mah-Jong!

N ew m e m b e rs we l c o m e. $15 annual membership to join • $10 registration paid quarterly. Call (925) 314-3430 for more information.

L o o k i n g f o r Vo l u n t e e r Facilitators T h e f o l l ow i n g c l u b s a re looking for a volunteer to resume their meetings: DASH (Danville Area Senior Hikes) Hiking Group, 2nd & 4th Weds. of the month Wr i t i n g C l u b - F r i d a y mornings, 9:00am – 11:00am STEM Club (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) 4th Tuesday of each month, 2:30pm-4:00pm Contact Leah Martinez. For more information (925) 3143431, lmartinez@danville. ca.gov.

In-Person Acbl Bridge, Acrylic Painting, Bollywood Dance, Fusion Bridge Classes, Buzz Sessions, Dancercise, Feldenkrais,

Jacki Sorensen’s Aerobic Dancing, Kamanawanaplaya, Language Classes, Luk Tung Kuen, Mat Pilates, QigongShibashi, Senior Self Defense with Cane, Assist, Senior Stretch, Spanish, Tai Chi Tai Chi Chih & Qigong, Ukulele for Beginners, Welcome to Medicare.

Stay Tuned AARP Smart Driver Course, Cooking Classes, Computer Classes. DASH Hiking Group, Game Day Line Dancing, Peer Support Group, Senior Day Trips, and Writing Group.

Registration If you would like to register for any classes and/or programs, you can register in person at the Danville Senior Center or you can register online at www.danville.ca.gov/ recguide.

Senior Advisory Commission Next meeting: October 27, 2021, 4:00 PM, Visit www. danville.ca.gov/agendas for meeting information.

Friday Senior Lunch Program The Danville Senior Center is working with Contra Costa County to offer a “Café Costa” Senior Friday Lunch Program. Reservations must by made by Thursday at noon to dine-in on Friday. To make a reservation, please call (925) 314-3430. Menus are posted online at www. danville.ca.gov/seniors. $3 Suggested Donation for those 65 years and older And $5 Fee For Those Under 65.

Journey To Medicare: The A,B,C And D’s Of Turning 65 Guest Speaker: Laurna Bulahan Sponsored by: Colleen Callahan Insurance

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September 2021

Services. This interactive presentation will cover the different parts of Medicare, when to apply and different options available to you. We will also touch on Group B e n e f i t s, “ s h o u l d I s t ay or should I go?” Veterans Memorial Building #29332 Sep 21 T 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Free Medicare 2022 – What You Need To Know Guest Speaker: Diane Whaley Sponsored by: HICAP W h a t ’s h a p p e n i n g w i t h your Medicare prescription drug or Advantage plan for the coming year? Medicare Open Enrollment occurs from October 15 to Dec 7, 2021.

Every year plans change their covered drugs, copayments, p hys i c i a n n e t wo r k s a n d more. Even if you like your current plan, it may no longer be best for you in 2022. Also, your health care needs may have changed. Join us to learn more about Medicare and get an overview of the changes for 2022. Veterans Memorial Building #29543 Oct 19 T 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Free Welcome To Medicare Age 50Y & Up | Diane Whaley Free “Welcome to Medicare” classes are for those who are new to or soon will enroll in Medicare, as well as family m e m b e rs o r c a re g i ve rs.

Learn how, when and where to enroll, what Medicare covers, what it costs and how it coordinates with other coverage. The class will also review how to find and select prescription drug and Medigap supplemental plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans. Materials are provided.

These classes are presented by Contra Costa County Healther Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) volunteers and staff. HICAP is a volunteer-based program sponsored by Medicare, the California Department of Aging and Contra Costa C o u n t y. Vo l u n t e e r s a r e registered with the California Department of Aging. HICAP does not sell or endorse any products. Veterans Memorial Building #29589 Sep 11 Sa 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Free (N) #29590 Oct 9 Sa 10:00 AM12:00 PM Free (N)

Welcome To San Ramon’s Alcosta Senior and Community Center The Alcosta Senior and Community Center is an active independent activity center for adults ages 55 and older. It is a place for all people to participate, establish relationships, and share similar interests with others in a friendly environment. Patrons are welcome to sit wherever they wish and are encouraged to participate in multiple activities.

Join us in continuing to make this a welcoming Center by saying “hello” to someone new, inviting someone to join you for lunch or holding the door for someone.

For questions regarding Senior Programs, please contact the Center at (925) 973-3250.

Senior Nutrition - Cafe Costa The Contra Costa County Health Services Senior Nutrition Program provides nutritious daily meals countywide for adults age 60+. These meals meet 1/3 of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), served in a social setting at 17 CC Cafe’s and 96 Meals on Wheels routes in local communities throughout the county, or delivered to the residence of homebound adults. The City of San Ramon contracts with Contra Costa County Health Services to serve the meals provided by the County to individuals over the age of 60 Monday – Friday at Cafe Costa in the Alcosta Senior & Community Center.

Café Costa welcomes seniors back to enjoy lunch on weekdays at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center!

Sign up at the front desk by 12:00pm the business day before you would like lunch.

If you are unable to come for lunch after you have ordered, please call the Senior Center at 973-3250 to cancel your order. First-time seniors will need to arrive early to fill out a NAPIS form and County paperwork certifying they are over 60. Please bring exact change or utilize our Nutrition Pass. The menu is available at the front desk or on our website at https:// bit.ly/3C1c2R4. $3 suggested donation for persons 60+ / $6 required fee for persons under the age of 60.

S e n i o r E x p re s s Va n Transportation is provided for San Ramon residents between their home and the Alcosta Senior and Community Center, MondayFriday. Riders must sign up

24 hours in advance. $3 each way, $1 discount for Encore Members. Reserve your trip: call 925-973-3250.

Va n S c h e d u l e D ay [ A M ] Center Departure [PM] Center Departure Monday 8 : 30 a m 1 : 0 0 p m Tu e s d ay 8:30am 3:15pm Wednesday 8:30am 1:00pm Thursday 8:30am 1:00pm Friday 8:30am 1:00pm Senior Advisory Committee Presentation & Wo r k s h o p Fe e d b a c k Monday, Oct. 18 • 11:00am12:00pm • Zoom Join your Senior Advisory Committee Members and staff as they discuss topics that are important to you! Everyone is encouraged to attend to foster relationships and share information about different cultures, activities, and more!

To sign up, call the Alcosta Senior & Community Center at 925-973-3250 and provide your name, email, and phone number. Participants will receive an email invitation to the Zoom meeting.

Volunteer Opportunity The San Ramon Senior Center Foundation is seeking volunteers to pick up and drop off bakery items and foods from local grocery stores. Volunteers to prepare foods are also needed weekday mornings. For more information, please email the Foundation at srscf1@gmail. com.

Seeking New Instructors Do you have a special talent that you would like to share with others or know someone that can? The Alcosta Senior & Community Center is seeking instructors for new fitness programs, Seea ALCOSTA SENIORS page 9

valleysentinel.com

September 2021

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 9

Governor Newsom and Legislature Strike Deal to Save Alameda County’s Environmental Treasure, Tesla Park of funds for the value of has been a long, difficult, and The agreement between environmental advocates, the State Legislature- championed

by Assemblymember BauerKahan and Senator Glazer, the Governor and California Department of Parks and Recreation will protect Tesla Park and relocate OHV activity to a more suitable location A long-awaited agreement was reached with the Legislature, the Governor and California Department of Parks and Recreation to protect the environmentally sensitive and habitat-rich Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area (Tesla Park) from off-highway vehicle use on the land. This deal arises from years of advocacy by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), Senator Steven Glazer (D-Orinda), the County of Alameda, and a coalition of environmental groups including the Sierra Club and Friends of Tesla Park.

“This rich biological and cultural area’s fate has been tied up for years in the courts, proving to be a drain on our State resources and needlessly putting this unique land in jeopardy,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. “We are incredibly thankful that the Governor has recognized Tesla Park’s vital importance, including it now in the ongoing protection of critical natural

resources in California. It has been my great honor to fight alongside Senator Glazer, the Sierra Club, Friends of Tesla Park and the countless organizations and individuals to ensure this land will be protected and enjoyed by all of California’s citizens.”

Tesla Park, a 3,100-acre parcel of land located in eastern Alameda County, contains habitats for vulnerable species, as well as sacred sites for Native people and historically significant mines. The park is at the intersection of biotic zones, resulting in rare and valuable diversity such as Blue Oak woodland and mountain savannah grassland.

It is a richly biodiverse area that has drawn naturalists, ecologists, zoologists, and other life scientists to that land for more than 100 years.

The many organizations who fought for this deal include the Sierra Club California, County of Alameda, City of Livermore, East Bay Regional Park District, Friends of Tesla Park, and the Society of American Indians.

In the late 1990s, State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR) purchased Tesla Park without an appropriate acquisition environmental impact report (EIR) or public review being conducted. Since then, Sierra Club California

and its partners have intensely opposed opening the area to damaging OHV recreational u s e. T h e u s e f o r m o t o r vehicles was challenged in court, and earlier this year, the judge ruled that the EIR was inadequate and that State Parks needed to redo it. In the ruling, the judge opined that preservation would be the best option for this land.

Assemblymember BauerKahan and Senator Glazer have led the legislative fight to save Tesla Park and have jointly authored five bills over the last number of years – which have resulted in a vast coalition of environmental leaders, legislators, local advocates and community members rallying together to protect this land.

The agreement removes Tesla Park from the existing Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area and makes it an independent park under the authority of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The agreement also bans off-highway vehicles from ever accessing the land.

By protecting this land, the agreement furthers the goals of the Governor’s October 2020 Executive Order to advance efforts to protect biodiversity and to conserve 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030. The transfer

the land into the State OffHighway Vehicle Fund allows for future development of an OHV recreation area elsewhere at a more appropriate location for such activities, cementing a “win-win” deal for environmentalists as well as off-road vehicle enthusiasts, and staving off future costly litigation for the State.

“We applaud the decision by the California Legislature and Administration to preserve the important ecological value and biodiversity of Tesla Park by banning off-highway vehicle recreational use,” said Brandon Dawson, Director of Sierra Club California.

“Sierra Club California and our local allies have advocated for decades to protect Tesla Park. This proposal represents a major victory for environmentalists across the state.”

“Tesla Park, a jewel in the crown of mountains ringing the Tri-Valley, has been saved,” Friends of Tesla Park steering committee member and Livermore resident, Nancy Rodrigue, said. “It’s an amazing feat that Tesla Park will now forever be protected with no motorized recreation.

The future holds Tesla as a protected native landscape for hikers, history buffs, nature lovers, research and education. Saving Tesla Park

now rewarding journey. We are grateful for the tremendous work of so many, including Assemblymember BauerKahan and Senator Glazer, for saving Tesla Park as a legacy for future generations.”

“This is a win-win for all involved,” Senator Glazer said.

“Our community and region gets to preserve this natural and cultural treasure while the off-road enthusiasts will keep their current park and receive funding to develop another park on land that’s more suitable to that kind of recreation.”

“What a wonderful way t o c e l e b ra t e L a b o r Day weekend knowing our beautiful Tesla property is preserved in perpetuity thanks to Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Senator Steve Glazer working closely with our community to protect this important natural and cultural resource. Special thanks to the Friends of Tesla for their leadership,” stated East Bay Regional Parks District Director, Ayn Wieskamp.

AB/SB 155, the Natural Resources budget trailer bill, went into print late Sunday night, September 5th and will have been voted on by both houses of the Legislature before the end of the 2021 legislative year on Friday, September 10.

Grab N Go Resource Fair at San Ramon Senior Center The City of San Ramon will be hosting its Senior Resource Fair on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center (9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, CA) The Free Senior Resource Fair includes health and wellness professionals

distributing information on senior care, local housing experts, information on local restaurants and shops. This year, in addition to vendor booths and presentations, a Grab & Go Resource Bag will be available for pickup as well for places that offer discounts.

ALCOSTA SENIORS from page 8

Senior Legal Services Consultations T h i r d We d n e s d a y of the month at 2:00pm Contra Costa Senior Legal Services provide free, halfhour consulting services i n t h e a re a s o f c o n t ra c t l a w, e l d e r l a w i s s u e s , landlord tenant issues, medical, conservatorship, b a n k r u p t cy, re a l e s t a t e, a n d p r o b a t e. A t t o r n e y s are available to assist yo u w i t h q u e s t i o n s a n d concerns. Please sign-up for appointments at the front desk or call (925) 973-3250.

multi-cultural classes, and o p p o r t u n i t i e s. Fo r m o re information, call Suzy Chow at (925) 973-3211 or e-mail: schow@sanramon.ca.gov.

Friendly Helper Are you a senior who needs someone to pick up a prescription, go to the supermarket or post office, or need help with other errands?

T h e n Fr i e n d l y H e l p e r i s here to help you! For more information, call Carolyn Eghrari, Health and Wellness Associate at (925) 627-7895 or ceghrari@mowdr.org

Sentinels of Freedom is a national nonprofit organization that helps severely wounded post-9/11 Veterans with comprehensive personal support and financial assistance as they complete their higher education and achieve success in their post-military careers.

HELP OUR SENTINELS STORY CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. WWW.SENTINELSOFFREEDOM.ORG

Sentinel John W. Walding Business Owner

Sentinel Lina Efremenkova Louisiana State Univeristy

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Contact Us at 925-380-6342 or info@sentinelsoffreedom.org

page 10

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

AUTO March 2009 September 2021

valleysentinel.com

2022 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T SEL

By David Colman

VW's ever expanding SUV family is starting to look like those generational rear window decals showing baby at one end and gramps at the other. For 2022, VW's new baby is the Taos, which slots into the leadoff spot formerly occupied by the Tiguan. In 2018, VW drastically upsized the Tiguan from subcompact to compact plus, a move which left room for introduction of an all new subcompact sibling called Taos. Actually, the Taos is just over an inch wider and longer than the original Tiguan, so it feels quite spacious inside. Adding to that airy impression of our test vehicle was a $1,200 power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof. This was the only

foundation for everything from sedans to SUVs. VW builds two varieties of Taos.

The front-wheel-drive version we tested connects an 8-speed automatic transmission to a 158hp turbocharged, 1.5 liter inline 4. An all-wheeldrive Taos is also available.

This one connects the same engine to a DSG dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox. The FWD Taos utilizes a torsion beam rear axle while the AWD model is equipped with a fully independent multilink rear suspension system.

Various equipment levels of both models start cheap but get expensive fast. Our top echelon FWD Taos SEL t r i m m e d t h e f ro n t s e a t s with Vienna leather, added dual zone Climatronic air

option tacked onto the $31,490 base price of our platinum gray metallic Taos SEL. The Taos, like so many other VW products, is based o n t h e c o m p a ny ' s M Q B platform which serves as the

conditioning, rain sensing wipers, park distance control assist, and 18 inch black aluminum alloy rims shod with 215/50R18 Bridgestone Turanza LS100 radials with a treadwear rating of TW 560.

San Damiano Retreat presents: Evening Under the Stars: Appetizers, Bluegrass & Auction The cost is Cost $50.

Join us for a festive gathering with wine, plentiful appetizers, and auction. Enjoy the sounds of the Home Grown Bluegrass band on Saturday, September 25 from 3 – 7:00 PM

For more information or for reservations, call Janet Gardner at (925) 837-9141. San Damiano Retreat is located at 710 Highland Dr, Danville, CA 94526-3704.

The optional panoramic roof consists of two enormous glass panels which cover both the front and rear seating areas. A semi-translucent interior screen covers both panels. the inside screen can be fully retracted to expose the entire interior to filtered light. However, only the front glass pane slides open to the elements.

This roof bathes the already inviting interior in waves of natural light. VW has done a commendable job of fitting the SEL with supportive and handsome two-tone leather front seats. Both are heated, as is the steering wheel. Even the outboard rear seats are leather covered. The dash layout looks upscale, and works so well that I was able to program my XM Satellite favorite channels into the unit faster than any recent vehicle.

The 10.25 inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument panel connects the large faced tachometer (6000rpm redline) to the equally large speedometer with a plan view map showing the terrain your are currently traversing. This map is simplified, with no call outs for route numbers or street names. For more detailed information, utilize the adjacent 8 inch touchscreen dash-top navigation unit.

The driving dynamics o f t h e Ta o s a r e n o t a s scintillating as its crisp appearance would lead you to believe. The 158hp turbo needs to be micromanaged with the gearbox to extract maximum performance. Even so, acceleration will not leave

you breathless. Unfortunately, VW does not equip the Taos with paddle shifts, so any gear swapping must be done by first placing the console mounted gear lever in the manual gate, then bumping the Tiptronic stick to and fro for upshifts and downshifts.

The gearbox, however, is slow to respond to your commands, and sometimes chooses not to respond at all. Even if you are in manual mode, the transmission will automatically upshift to a higher gear as rpm nears redline. Likewise, the gearbox will not select the lower gear you have commanded if it senses an over-rev might occur. VW has eliminated the usual stick adjacent gear selection indicator in favor of an illuminated pattern atop the shift knob. This small type face call-out is impossible to read in daylight, so you're never really sure what gear you're in until you confirm your choice with a second glance at the dashboard enumeration.

VW fits the SEL grade Taos with its full suite of safety and semi-autopilot driving aids. At Wolfsburg,

this belt-and suspender approach to driving is known as IQ.DRIVE. Included in the portfolio are Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane keeping assist, emergency assist medical notification, front assist emergency (and pedestrian) braking, blind spot monitor, and rear traffic alert. We did test the Travel Assist on the freeway while crui sing at 65mph in a heavy crosswind. The system kept shuffling the steering from one direction to the other as it coped with each new blast of wind, leading us to wonder if a vehicle rather than a human can be charged with DUI. 2022 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T SEL Engine: 1.5 liter TSI 16-valve DOHC inline 4 turbocharged Horsepower: 158hp Torque: 184lb.-ft.

Fuel Consumption: 28MPG City/36MPG Highway Price As Tested: $33,885 Hypes: Cute Looker, Nicely Tailored G r i p e s : Re c a l c i t r a n t Gearbox Star Rating: 8.5 Stars out of 10

Veterans Memorial Building Now Open and Seeking Volunteers!

The Veterans Memorial Building is open and needs new volunteer docennts. If enough people are not enisted to fulfill this rewarding opportunity,

they will be forced to cut the days or hours of operation.

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift once or twice a month.

For more information call Dennis Giacovelli, President, at (925) 383-6455 or email him at houseworks@pacbell.net

Volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide for 2022 Tax Season Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers?

A A R P Ta x - A i d e i s looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages residing in Contra Costa

County. Tax-Aide volunteer p o s i t i o n s i n c l u d e Ta x Counselors who are trained

by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is in November 2021, classes for

tax counselors start in January 2022. Service is from February through April 15, 2022.

If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/ taxvolunteer or call (925) 7 2 6 - 31 9 9 f o r a d d i t i o n a l information.

valleysentinel.com

September 2021

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 11

Don’t Take the Bait: How Seniors Can Avoid Phishing Scams For more information, and Other Forms of Internet Fraud

By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

password, and being mindful when using public Wi-Fi, and by using safe passwords that would be difficult for scammers to decipher.

It can often be difficult for individuals to come to the realization they have been scammed. In these instances, law enforcement officials recommend reaching out to the authorities as soon as possible, within 48 hours preferably. Much like solving a violent crime, the odds of solving cybercrimes, or refunding its victims, become much less likely as time goes on. When it comes to financial transactions in these scams, the difference in a day could make all the difference between you getting your money back or not.

In Contra Costa County, we are incredibly concerned about internet scams, and how to protect our residents, specifically our senior population.

visit contracosta.ca.gov.

T h e re a re a d d i t i o n a l resources as well. If you received, or suspect you received a phishing email you may reach out to the AntiPhishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. If you were sent a phishing text message, forward it to SPAM (7726). You may also report the phishing attack to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.

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You wouldn’t leave your wallet in your car in plain sight.

You’re careful to lock your doors.

Perhaps you’ve even installed a doorbell security camera to heighten the protection of your home.

We’re all mindful of the precautions we should take to ensure the safety of our belongings.

Nevertheless, when it comes to practicing cyber safety and protecting ourselves and our loved ones from the myriad of crimes present on the web, we tend to be less aware of how to avert the many dangers and risks out there.

We are all capable of becoming victims of internet scams, yet there is one demographic that is by far the most susceptible.

Simply put, our senior population spent most of their lives without the internet as we know it today. As a result, they are less likely to be savvy with the technology. Moreover, given the impact of the Coronavirus, our elders have been more shut in and isolated than ever, often leading to increased internet use for human connection. To their detriment, they are often most preyed upon by the criminals who generate these scams.

Considering almost every facet of our lives depends on having access to the internet, choosing to abstain from using the internet is not a realistic option.

Fortunately, there are many resources for seniors that can allow them to use the internet safely and effectively, without sacrificing their privacy.

It is important to first note the extent to which internet scams and other fraudulent actions permeate. The simplest of tasks, such as using your debit card to put gas into your car, a simple Facebook friend request, or even using online dating sites put you at risk of falling victim to a scam.

Law enforcement agencies admit that most individuals engaging in internet fraud scams are not lowbrow, petty criminals; they are typically intelligent, capable of crafting advanced and intricate schemes that are able to deceive even the most prudent of internet users. Furthermore, as Dave Mathers, Senior Inspector at the

Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, notes, internet scams and phishing schemes are fast evolving, targeting both individuals, businesses, and government agencies alike.

Additionally, the offenders aren’t confined to being local perpetrators, but capable of residing anywhere in the world.

Therefore, internet use requires prudence and judgment, and the use of some basic tips.

Scammers are after both your money and data and go after this precious information via text, email, or by phone.

Their fraud manifests itself in a bevy of different ways, ranging from Medicare scams, phishing attacks, or in unique ploys, such as an email requesting money for a relative of yours being held in a foreign jail. The tactics are always changing, making recognizing these schemes even more difficult.

But while the “Nigerian prince emails,” also known as advance-fee scams, may be easy to sniff out these days, often the most innocuous of emails or texts you receive may be the instrument of choice for scammers.

These emails or texts may state there has been suspicious activity on your account, or an attempted login. They may request you confirm personal information, provide a link to a payment, or include a fake invoice. These fraudulent requests may even appear to come from a legitimate company you use, such as Netflix, Amazon or your bank. What makes these scams most insidious is that they take advantage of the wellintentioned and dutiful nature most people possess.

Most hard working, tax paying citizens would feel immediately compelled to click on such a link if a seemingly legitimate source is claiming they failed to submit a payment.

Similarly, if someone told them that they were being charged several hundred dollars for an item or subscription, they would want to immediately correct the error.

To combat these efforts, make sure you’re visiting the legitimate websites for companies. Only communicate via numbers and email addresses found on those sites. When you receive a suspicious email, hover your mouse over the sender and you may see that the true sender’s email address is not from the legitimate company.

There are many other useful safeguards, such as keeping your computer or phone software updated, secure your internet connection by protecting your wireless network with a

There are many agencies in our County working together to ensure the protection of elder and dependent adults in our community. These include: • Police and the Sheriff’s Department • A d u l t P r o t e c t i v e Services (APS) • The Long-Term Care Ombudsman • The Public Guardian’s Office • The District Attorney’s Office These entities have experience in several types of fraud and abuse targeted specifically at seniors, including: • Embezzlement by Power of Attorney • Home Repair Fraud • Identity Theft • Investment / Securities Fraud • Opportunistic Thefts • Sweetheart Swindles • Sweepstakes / Lottery Scams

page 12

THE VALLEY SENTINEL September 2021 valleysentinel.com

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