The Valley Sentinel_September 2020

Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon

Valley

Find out what’s new in the Valley at

The

Sentinel

www.valleysentinel.com

Arts • Activities • Auto • Business • Gardening • Seniors and more...

always for the community VOL 25 NO 5

September 2020

www.valleysentinel.com

SPOTLIGHT

Faith Sula at work

Teens Helping Seniors Danville student launches local chapter

By Staff Writer

17 year old San Ramon Valley High School Senior Faith Sula wanted to do something to help during this COVID crisis. Back in March when the shutdown happened, she learned of

ECRWSS

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70

See TEENS HELP page 5

The view along the Martinez Shoreline trail offers not only great panoramas, but a close up view of restored marshlands that provide habitat for many birds in season. Information panels along the way describe cultural and natural history as well as information about the firds, fish and other wildlife in the park. Dogs are not allowed in most of the park.

The shy Ring-tail Cat (Bassariscus astutus) is sometimes seen in Contra Costa County

Postmaster: Dated Material

By James M. Hale

In my more than fifty years as a wildlife biologist, many of my most memorable moments were my encounters with Ring-tailed Cats (Bassariscus astutus).

These delightful, mammals, primarily inhabit the arid regions of southwest North America. They may be found in Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Baja California, and Mexico, down to Oaxaca. I’ve enjoyed observing them during research along the south fork of the Trinity River in Humboldt County, the Sutter Buttes in the Central Valley, the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and New Mexico, to the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico.

Early California settlers called them Miner Cats, because they are

catlike, and sometimes would cohabit cabins with them. My friend’s cabin along the Trinity River had a resident “Miner Cat”, who instituted Integrated Pest Management, by keeping the rodent population under control. It became habituated enough for me to pet it, as it jumped up on my lap to check me out. Although normally secretive and shy in nature, and often unnoticed, Ring-tailed Cats are widely distributed and well adapted to disturbed areas.

Rocky desert habitats associated with water, riparian canyons, caves, mine shafts, and abandoned wooden structures are preferred habitats. Locally, in Contra C o s t a C o u n t y, t h e y a r e

elusive, and their population is unknown. A road-killed individual was recently observed in Tilden Park, and they have been live-trapped along the delta in Antioch.

I have seen their tracks in Las Trampas Regional Park, Kaiser Creek, Bear Creek in Briones Regional Park, and Mount Diablo, near Marsh Creek. Anecdotal accounts have come from Sleepy Hollow in Orinda. Unfortunately, these wonderful animals have been legally trapped for their fur. Extensive trapping led to population declines in some areas. The Ring-tailed Cat is now a Fully Protected species in California. Also known as the Ringtail, Ringtail Cat, Bassarisk, and Cacomistle, the

This Month’s Special Section:

Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. P.O. Box 1309 Danville, CA 94526 925-820-6047

Ring-tailed Cat is a member of the raccoon family. The facial mask and ringed tail are similarities with its relative, the raccoon. It’s other cousin, the true Cacomistle See RING TAIL page 3

Fall Home & Garden pages 6-7

page 2

THE VALLEY SENTINEL September 2020 valleysentinel.com

Autumn Virtual Events

Save Mount Diablo’s Fundraising Gala, Moonlight on the Mountain, Goes Virtual on September 12 Sproul. Malcolm’s lifelong pandemic. In a virtual gala, There is no cost to register

Save Mount Diablo’s signature annual fundraising gala—Moonlight on the Mountain—is going virtual this year to ensure the safety of our community. Scheduled for September 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, the online experience will be broadcast via livestream on YouTube and Facebook Live.

The event’s traditional setting—dinner under the stars on Mount Diablo—has made the fundraiser one of the East Bay’s top nonprofit galas of the season. This year,

organizers promise a return of everyone’s favorite Moonlight on the Mountain experiences: uplifting entertainment, beautiful vistas of our beloved mountain, exciting silent and live auctions, inspirational presentations, a live Fund-aNeed, plus for the first time, virtual audience participation.

In a special ceremony, Save Mount Diablo will present its highest form of recognition—the Mountain Saver Award—to long-time Board member, Malcolm

dedication to preserving open space, his stellar contributions to wildlife conservation, and his fierce love of the mountain have earned him deep respect and admiration. Save Mount Diablo is proud to confer its highest honor on this most deserving champion of the natural world.

The virtual gala experience is becoming widely adopted as nonprofits across the country are successfully moving their fundraising galas to an online format during the COVID-19

California Symphony Announces Details for Fall 2020 Virtual Concerts

Works span centuries with focus on American, living, and minority composers Bration! Roman first performed California Symphony, led

by Music Director Donato Cabrera, announces its fall video concert series, called Second Saturdays @ California Symphony, with performances on September 12, October 10, November 14, and December 12 at 7:00 p.m. PT. The concerts will simultaneously be broadcast on Walnut Creek’s local public access TV channel and online. Details at californiasymphony.org.

Through these presentations, California Symphony continues its mission to program a range of classical music spanning centuries, with a special focus on American repertoire and works by minority and living composers, including the Symphony’s first female Young American Composer in Residence Katherine Balch, Cuban-born American Paquito D’Rivera, early 20th century black English composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Americans Caroline Shaw (who became the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013), Allison Loggins-Hull,

and Joshua Roman. Each hourlong presentation will feature a guest artist and/or local California Symphony musicians in performance as well as preconcert conversations between the artists and Maestro Cabrera held online 30 minutes before each program premieres.

Season opener Bravo For #Beethoven 250 (9/12) features returning guest artist and Beethoven specialist Adam Golka as he performs two solo works for the composer’s 250th birthday: one of Beethoven’s last piano sonatas (#30) and one of his most technically challenging, Waldstein (#21).

V i r t u o s o V i b ra t i o n s (10/10) features violinist Robyn Bollinger and the California Symphony Wind Q u i n t e t . B o l l i n g e r, w h o was the soloist for the 2019 premiere of former Composerin-Residence Katherine Balch’s violin concerto, “ Ro c k s t a r c e l l i s t , ” composer, and returning f a v o r i t e J o s h u a Ro m a n performs an eclectic program with the California Symphony String Quartet in IT’S A Cello-

with California Symphony in 2012 and returns to Walnut Creek next year to perform on the Firebirds of a Feather program in the 2021–22 season.

In Season In Song (12/12), G r a m m y w i n n e r Ke l l e y O’Connor (mezzo-soprano) and standout Nicholas Phan (tenor) are joined by the California Symphony Brass Quintet in a presentation of seasonal selections.

“We’re excited to finally be back to doing what we know and love – making music.

We’re also fortunate that our programming mission so easily translates from the stage to the screen,” said Cabrera. “I can’t wait to whet your appetite with these intimate video presentations until we meet again in the concert hall.”

The fall programs are supported by Hewlett Foundation, Lesher Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Details about presentations offered in the second half of the 2020–21 season will be announced at a later date.

supporters view a livestreamed program, donate, and bid on auction items from their homes. With Save Mount Diablo’s paperless bidding system, participants will be able to use a smartphone or tablet to place their bids and to track items by “following” their activity without having to continuously return to a table or bid sheet.

“We are so grateful for all the support we have been receiving for our firstever virtual Moonlight on the Mountain during these unprecedented times,” said Ted Clement, Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director.

“Moonlight on the Mountain helps Save Mount Diablo raise critical funds to protect the mountain we love and nature, the ultimate foundation for our long-term health and wellbeing. Even during these trying times, we have much to be grateful for and celebrate, so we look forward to shining brightly with you on September 12th.”

for Moonlight on the Mountain.

Guests can register, donate, and purchase sponsorships on the same page at https:// savemountdiablo.ejoinme.org/ Moonlight2020. Anyone can help make Moonlight on the Mountain successful by sharing the event via email and social media.

Save Mount Diablo (SMD) SMD is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds 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 recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources.

Our office is at 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 320, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Learn more at www. savemountdiablo.org.

Comedy with Liz Grant Returns September 19 On September 19 bring out the birthday candles for a special edition of Comedy with Liz Grant & Friends as Liz Grant celebrates her birthday by making others laugh. Her guest and headliner, Ellis Rodriguez returns to perform on the virtual stage. Ellis is one of the up and coming stand-up acts on the scene today.

Being a birthday show, Liz Grant will also be your host and featured act this month.

During her career, Liz has opened for comics like for Dana Carvey, Robin Williams, and George Lopez. Nickelodeon and George Carlin both used her comedy writing services on their websites. Liz blends smart with silly, creating belly

laughs, snorts and /or tears.

For show times and ticket information, visit www. danville.ca.gov/vtshows. The show will be held on Zoom and the waiting room will be open approximately 20 minutes prior to the performance. If you are in a watch party or celebrating a birthday, please email vtboxoffice@danville. ca.gov to receive a birthday/ party shout out during the performance.

Some of the comedians may use mature themes and language in their material; age recommended is 18 and up.

For more information, c o n t a c t Pe r f o r m i n g A r t s Coordinator John Dunn at (925) 314-3418.

valleysentinel.com

September 2020

Fighting The Fires: News from the East Bay Regional Park District Camp Arroyo at Del Valle

by Ned MacKay

As you might imagine, E a s t B ay Re g i o n a l Pa r k D i s t r i c t f i re f i g h t e rs a n d operations staff have had their hands full dealing with the unprecedented series of lightning-caused fires that are burning in the regional parks, East Bay counties and throughout the state.

A i l e e n T h e i l e, p a r k district fire chief, provided this information about the park district’s firefighting efforts: During a period of 90 minutes on Aug. 16 there were 12,000 lightning strikes statewide, of which 560 caused fires. As part of a multi-agency firefighting team under the overall direction of CAL FIRE, park district firefighters fought fires on park district land and other open space, wherever needed, from Round Valley and Morgan Territory near Brentwood to Sunol and Ohlone Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County.

Fires started within 5 regional parks.

To give an idea of the area involved, the Calaveras and Canyon complex fire, RING-TAIL from page 1

(Bassariscus sumichrasti), inhabits the tropical forests of Central America.

The Ring-tailed Cat varies from buff to dark brown in color, with lighter u n d e r p a r t s. T h e f a c e i s f ox l i ke, w i t h a p o i n t e d muzzle and long whiskers.

The Latin name, Bassariscus astutus, means “clever little fox”. The large eyes and ears are an adaptation to its nocturnal habits. White rings surrounding the eyes facilitate night vision. The long, black and white tail, about the same length as its body, with 14 to 16 rings, aids in balance, as the Ringtailed Cat jumps around foraging for prey. The ringed tail acts as a distraction and target when being pursued by predators, and increases the Ring-tailed Cats’ chances for survival. Foxes, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, hawks, and owls prey on the Ringtailed Cat. The Great-horned Owl and Red-tailed Hawk are its main predators. The Ringtailed Cat excretes musk to deter predators during attack.

The body is very catlike, hence its various names.

They weigh from 1.5 to 3.5 pounds, and are from 24 inches to three feet in total

encompassing about seven counties, has burned more than 366,000 acres as of this writing.

The firefighting effort has required mobilization of the district’s entire firefighting team. This comprises 23 fulltime firefighters and some 34 on-call firefighter staff – district employees with other primary occupations, but who are also fully trained firefighters available when needed. The on-call firefighters were released from their primary district jobs to reinforce the fulltimers. And the park district lifeguard staff set up a camp at the district’s public safety headquarters in Castro Valley for firefighters coming off the line. The camp design c o n f o r m e d t o C OV I D - 1 9 protocols.

Another asset is the district’s Eagle 7 helicopter unit, which was one of the only early air resources available. Using the copters’ Bambi bucket capability, the Eagle pilots worked every day, assisting CAL FIRE by dropping more than 4,000 gallons of water on the fires.

A notable effort was at

Re g i o n a l Pa r k s o u t h o f Livermore. Camp Arroyo provides an environmental e d u c a t i o n ex p e r i e n c e t o children during the school year. In the summer and on some school year weekends, i t s e r ve s a s a c a m p f o r children with life-threatening illnesses, in partnership with the Taylor Family Foundation.

During the fire emergency, district firefighters, rangers, and park operations staff spent three days at Del Valle Regional Park and Camp A r royo , m a k i n g t h e s i t e more fire safe by clearing ve g e t a t i o n a n d s e c u r i n g buildings. Chief Theile called it a “tremendous effort.” As a result, if the fire does come through, a lot of fire damage will be averted.

A final assessment of damage will have to await post-fire inspection, but it appears that the Sunol Regional Wilderness visitor center was spared. Park residents were evacuated f r o m Ro u n d Va l l e y a n d Mission Peak.

Because of the fire emergency, the district closed all regional parks on Aug. 21, except for some shoreline

length. The short, straight, semi-retractable claws, are well-suited for climbing.

Their ankles are able to rotate 180 degrees, allowing the Ring-tailed Cat to maneuver difficult narrow passageways.

Small vertebrates, such as rodents, birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, reptiles, scorpions, insects, beetles, fruits, berries, and ironwood leaves comprise the majority of their diet.

A variety of other foods are consumed by this omnivore.

Ring-tailed Cats may be abundant in habitats with rich sources of water. Densities, as high as 50 individuals p e r s q u a re m i l e, h ave been recorded. Dominant male Ring-tailed Cats have territories ranging from 50 to 100 acres, contingent upon habitat type. Several females may have territories that intersect with males. Socially, Ring-tailed Cats live a solitary life, with limited interactions with one another, except during the spring breeding season. The gestation period is 45 to 50 days, during which the male provides food for his mate. Two to four cubs are in the litter. Ring-tailed Cat cubs open their eyes after one month, and are able to hunt for themselves in four months. Sexual maturity is reached in ten months.

The Ring-tailed Cat lives to about seven years in the wild, and perhaps ten years or longer in captivity. A variety of vocalizations, such as clicks, grunts, growls, squeaks, raccoon-like chattering, and barks, are used to communicate, particularly during the breeding season.

Like other carnivores, they mark their territories with feces and urine, a form of infraspecific communication.

Ring-tailed Cat urine is the most concentrated of all mammals, a waterconserving adaptation to life in their arid environments.

Ring-tailed Cats are able to survive long periods without drinking water. They survive on the metabolic water that they retain from their food source. The Ring-tailed Cat is listed as Least Concern on the International Union For Conservation Of Nature Red List. Some individuals may be easily tamed, and can make affectionate pets, and effective mousers. In August 1986, the Ring-tailed Cat became the state mammal of Arizona.

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

THE VALLEY SENTINEL parks and paved inter-park regional trails.

Chief Theile gave several reasons. For one, the air quality was really bad. Apart from health concerns, the thick haze made it impossible for firefighters to tell whether a fire was actually burning within a park.

Also, in the event that a fire did occur, firefighters and police would have a serious problem finding and evacuating park visitors or dealing with other emergencies. Their jobs are already dangerous enough.

And finally, CAL FIRE officials informed the district that 96 percent of their available resources were committed to the fires in the Bay Area and elsewhere in the state. Resources were stretched so thin, CAL FIRE said, that if a fire started in another regional park, the park district might have to fight it without assistance.

page 3

As of Aug. 27, improving conditions allowed reopening o f m o s t o f t h e re g i o n a l parks that had been closed.

Exceptions were parks directly impacted by the fire: Del Valle, Mission Peak, Morgan Territory, Ohlone Wilderness, Round Valley and Sunol.

If it becomes necessary t o c l o s e re g i o n a l p a r k s again, the park district urges everyone to abide by the rules. Please do not enter a regional park that has been closed. By doing so, you can endanger yourself and others, and force already overworked firefighters and police to divert from emergencies in order to escort you out of the area.

For up-to-date information about the status of regional parks, visit the district website at www.ebparks.org. Fire and COVID-19 reports are right at the top of the home page.

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

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

Real Estate Professional

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR PROBATE JOURNEY, I HAVE 8 SIMPLE STEPS TO PROBATE SUCCESS FOR YOU.

So, to add ease and calm in your life, if the time is right, please call:

Christian Rousset

925.890.4482

ChrisRousset09@gmail.com

Broker Associate

Delphi

Realty Group

Cal Bre # 01848037

page 4

THE VALLEY SENTINEL September 2020 valleysentinel.com

Strait Talk

By Beverly Lane, President, East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors

If you are looking for a scenic, breezy stroll on an early fall day, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline or Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline are both great choices.

To r e a c h M a r t i n e z Shoreline, follow Ferry Street across the railroad tracks from downtown Martinez. Turn right immediately on Joe DiMaggio Drive, which shortly curves left and becomes North Court Street. Then you can either park in the lot on the left, or drive to the end and park at Ferry Point.

There’s also an entrance at the end of Berrellesa Street.

The park is named in honor of Ted Radke and his wife, Kathy, both now deceased. Ted served on the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors from 1978 to 2014 and was instrumental in preserving the Martinez waterfront, obtaining funding for land acquisition, and working with legislators to protect the environment. Kathy worked to save Mt. Wanda from development, preserve Franklin Hills as open space, and with

Ted co-founded the Contra Costa Ecology Action Education Institute.

Martinez Shoreline has no hills unless you count the arch bridge over Alhambra Creek.

About three miles of trails in the park lead to beautiful views of Carquinez Strait, and restored marshlands that provide habitat for a multitude of birds in season. In order to protect wildlife, dogs are not allowed in most of the park.

Information panels along the trails describe the area’s rich cultural and natural history.

shoreline. Other panels provide information about the birds, fish and other wildlife in the park.

East of North Court Street, the city of Martinez operates Waterfront Park, which has group picnic areas, baseball fields, soccer fields and bocce courts. The city also manages Martinez Marina at the end of North Court Street.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline is on Carquinez Scenic Drive just west of downtown Martinez. One trailhead is the Nejedly Staging Area just past Alhambra Cemetery. From

Alhambra Creek and environs were once the site of a fishing village established by Italian immigrants. Martinez also saw service as a shipping and railroad center. And there were canneries along the Martinez

there, trails lead uphill to the top of Franklin Ridge, with expansive views of Martinez, Carquinez Strait and Mt. Diablo.

Another feature is the George Miller Jr. Trail, a twomile section of paved, multi-

“Building a Stronger Danville for Tomorrow”

Leadership + Experience + Responsible

Keeping Danville on Track •

Safest Town in California

•

Best Schools

•

Parks, trails, sports fields

•

Protect our 43% of open space

•

No Unfunded Liabilities

•

Balancing budget with NO DEBT

•

Support Small Businesses

Endorsements

Newell Arnerich - Danville Council/Mayor Robert Storer - Danville Council/Mayor Lisa Blackwell - Danville Council/Vice Mayor Mark Jewett , Vice President School Board Bill & Teresa White - Danville Business Owners (see website for complete list) FongForDanvilleCouncil.com

use trail between Martinez and Port Costa. No motor vehicles are allowed except for rangers and emergency traffic. The trail is wheelchair accessible, with great views of the strait and Benicia.

Now retired, Miller was a longtime congressman and highly effective advocate of parkland and open space preservation. He is a great friend of the Park District.

To reach the George Miller Jr. Trail, continue another mile and a half past the Nejedly Staging Area. Park alongside the road, but don’t block fire gates.

Or you can access this trail from the west side by driving toward Port Costa on McEwen Road from Highway 4.

Turn right on Carquinez Scenic Drive at the bottom of the hill

and drive to a parking lot and chemical toilet at the end of the road.

To visit another section of Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, drive down McEwen Road and turn left on Carquinez Scenic Drive at the bottom. In about a mile, look for the Bull Valley Staging Area on the right.

You can park at the top and walk the Carquinez Overlook Trail, or drive down the hill and visit Eckley Pier.

Brochures of both Martinez and Carquinez Shorelines, which include trail maps and lots of other information, can be downloaded from the East Bay Regional Park District website, www.ebparks.org. It’s your key to great outdoor experiences close to home.

Danville Business Directory Launched Connecting businesses with the community one click at a time As Danville’s business community continues to be hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic it is more important than ever to support these small businesses that have become part of the fabric of the community. To help residents stay connected with their local businesses, the Town of Danville has launched a cloudbased digital directory.

The new Danville Business Directory https://open. bludot.io/cities/danville/ businesses is the digital version of the Live Locally Guide. This user-friendly online business directory allows “Brick and Mortar” businesses to showcase their offerings to residents and visitors by featuring their menu of services, hours, promotional offerings and link customers to their social media platforms. It is easy to search by business types, view a map of business locations, browse current offers and promotions, and even check available delivery/pick-up options available.

This online resource is a helpful tool for either those searching for business information or businesses looking to share updates with customers.

Directory Highlights: • M a p v i e w : F u l l y integrated map view identifying business locations.

• S e a r c h a b i l i t y : Customers can easily search for businesses using a variety of filters.

• Flexibility: Cloudbased software provides businesses an easy way to update information or feature the directory directly from their website to customers.

• Connectivity: Serves as a platform where local businesses and the Town will soon be able to communicate with each other to share best practices, tips, alerts and more.

This feature will launch in fall 2020.

For more information, contact Program Coordinator Lianna Adauto at (925) 3143309 or ladauto@danville. ca.gov.

valleysentinel.com

September 2020

Newell Arnerich

Sponsored Content

THE VALLEY SENTINEL the word ‘City’ and ‘Town’ to be interchangeable. Thus, Danville quickly changed its name to the ‘Town of Danville’.

The ‘Town of Danville’ name fits well as it really is who we are. Thank you to Newell Arnerich for his dedication to keeping Danville a special

page 5

place to live. Kathy Waldo, a community volunteer said it best about Newell, “Thanks for all you do to make Danville a special place to live.” Let’s keep Danville safe and reelect Newell Arnerich to the Danville Town Council.

its small-town charm and leader in the careful planning outstanding quality of life. of Danville resulting in limited Danville started as a Township Civic participation growth and fending off the but had to incorporate in 1982 provides the basis to interact State of California to maintain as the ‘City of Danville’ until in a public forum style of selflocal control. Local resident a change shortly thereafter in government. The Danville and property owner, Jean the State Constitution to allow community has been guided Price, gives credit to Newell by citizens volunteering on Arnerich, “The endless hours, civic facilities committees, expertise, dedication and downtown task forces, heartfelt passion that Newell g e n e ra l p l a n t a s k f o rc e has contributed to making committees, Councilmembers, our town what it is, is truly Pa r k s C o m m i s s i o n , A r t s priceless!”

Commission, Planning Danville’s strong financial Commission, Design Review health has been guided by Board, Heritage Resource Newell’s “pay as you go” fiscal Commission and numerous policies which have continued non-profit community-based to keep Danville fiscally strong, organizations. The process to with a significant reserve, at a guide and make changes has time when other cities have been supported by electing faltered in multiple difficult civic leaders; councilmembers, economies. He has guided supervisors, regional parks Danville with no debt, no representatives and water post-retirement obligations, board representatives. no unfunded liabilities and the Danville Councilmember/Six most cost-effective community term Mayor Newell Arnerich is in the area. Newell is a selfless one of those who have helped leader who dedicates his time make Danville a special place to keeping Danville safe to live. the safest community in Danville did not happen California.” Over the past by accident – it was carefully years Newell has helped planned. Shortly after Danville regarded for her principled, energetic and ideaguide Danville throughHighly three residents voted to incorporate economic down turns driven and leadership, Renee was elected to the Danville in 1982, Danville set out on a re-built much of Old Town course to preserve and protect Highly regarded for her principled, energetic and idea Town Council in 2012 and served as Mayor in 2016.

Danville, that had vacancy open space. Today, over 43% rates of nearly 40% in 1995 driven leadership, Renee of the Town’s land area is Renee's approach is for proactive hands-on. Under Renee's watchful eye, Danville is was elected to the Danville Highly regarded herand principled, energetic and ideaand lacked Town investment. comprised of open space ranked in the top 20 places to live and the safest city in California the past threeserved as Mayor in 2016.

Danvilleconsistently isdriven financially one of Town Council infor2012 and leadership, Renee was elected to the Danville and park land. The Town’s years.

With an outstanding quality of life and a consistently balanced budget, Renee will the most cost-effective cities firstfor General Plan, adopted to preserve great and aboutRenee's Danville! approach is proactive hands-on. Under Renee's watchful eye, Danville is Town Council in 2012 served as Mayor inand 2016. ghly regarded her principled, energetic and ideaand thecontinue safest community ineverything in 1987, forecast that the Renee grew up in a military family, the daughter of a retired Command Sergeant Major, whosafest city in California for the past three consistently ranked in the top 20 places to live and the California, year over year. riven leadership, Renee wasout elected to the Danville Town would reach build Renee's approach proactive hands-on.

Under Renee's watchful eye, Danville istwoachildren. served for than 30and years.

Renee is a 30-year Resident and hasand Her balanced budget, Renee will years.

With an Danville outstanding quality of life consistently Danville is more ais special 2005, with a population consistently ranked in in thea daughter top 20 places the safest in California forher the past three 32 year old wentto tolive Sanand Ramon Valley High School and 17 year oldDanville! son is a own Councilby in 2012 and served as Mayor 2016. continue tocity preserve everything great about place that takes constant of 43,000. Councilmember years. oversight With ansenior. outstanding quality of life and a retired consistently balanced will Her Son-in-Law recently fromgrew the Military and sheRenee has two beautiful Renee up in abudget, military family, the daughter of a retired Command Sergeant Major, who and vision to keep Arnerich has been strong continue to preserve everything roach is proactive and hands-on.

UnderaRenee's watchful eye, Danville is great about Danville! grandchildren. served for more than 30 years. Renee is a 30-year Danville Resident and has two children. Her grew up ato military family, daughter a retired Command Major, who Valley in the top 20 places to live and the safest cityRenee in California forinthe past three Prior being electedthe to the Town of Council, servedSergeant on thetoDanville Planning Commission, 32 yearRenee old daughter went San Ramon High School and her 17 year old son is a served for more than 30 years.

Renee is a 30-year Danville Resident and has two children.

Her tanding quality of life and a consistently balanced budget, Renee will Danville Historic Design Review, and Danville Heritage Resource Commission for 8 years.

During thishas two beautiful the cash or check left for them senior.

Her Son-in-Law recently retired from the Military and she HELP 32 year old daughter went to San Ramon Valley High School and her 17 tightened year and old son is a e everything great TEENS about Danville! time Renee implemented stronger open space guidelines, historic Highly regarded for her principled, energetic ideato cover costs of the groceries. grandchildren. from page 1 senior.Payment Her Son-in-Law recently retiredand from the Military and she has two beautiful military family, the daughter of a retired Command Sergeant Major, who preservation guidelines updated two General can also be made Prior to beingPlans. elected to theDanville Town Council, Renee served on the Danville Planning Commission, driven leadership, Renee was elected to grandchildren. n 30 years. Renee is aan 30-year Danville Resident and has two children.

Her organization called Renee’s diverse service reaches beyond Danville andDesign her the board positions include: Heritage Resource Commission for 8 years. During this through online services such as Danville Historic Review, and Danville being elected to Council, Renee served onas the Danville Planning Commission, er went to San Ramon 17 year old is athe Town Te e Valley n s H eHigh l p i nSchool g S e nand i o Prior rs.her to Contra Costa Transportation Authority-Director • son Town Council in 2012 and served Mayor in 2016.

Venmo.

The volunteers follow time Renee implemented stronger open space guidelines, tightened historic Review, and Danville Heritage Resource Commission for 8 years. During this Law recently retired“Back from the andashe has beautiful thenMilitary there was lotDanville of two TRAFFIX-Director upHistoric on the•Design phone with their preservation guidelines and updated two General Plans. time Renee implemented open guidelines, tightened historic Renee's approach is• to proactive andthey hands-on.

Under Renee's watchful eye, Danville is confusion about COVID”, she Sanstronger Ramon Valleyspace Emergency Preparedness Citizens Corp-Board Member “customer” make sure Renee’s diverse service reaches beyond Danville and her board positions include: guidelines and updated two General Plans. ranked in the top 20 places to live and the safest city in California for the past three ed to the Town Council, Renee on the Danville Planning Commission, said. Faith feltserved thisconsistently would bepreservation an San Ramon Regional Hospital/Tenet Healthcare-Governing Board • delivered everything that was Contra Costa Transportation Authority-Director • Renee’s diverse reaches beyond Danvillebalanced and her board positions years.

With an outstanding quality of life and a consistently budget, Renee include: will esign Review, and Danville Heritage Resource Commission for 8 years.

During this opportunity to do something Southwest Area Transportation-Director •service ordered.

The shopping and TRAFFIX-Director • Region-Executive Contra Costa great Transportation Authority-Director continue to preserve everything Danville! ented stronger open space guidelines, tightened immediately to help the Meals on Wheels Diablo Board/Treasurer • historic delivery service is •free!about San Ramonregarded Valley who Emergency Preparedness Citizens Corp-Board Member • TRAFFIX-Director grew military family,•like the daughter retired Command Sergeant Major, Highly for her principled, energetic and ideanes and updated two General Plans. community.

“I’mRenee healthy, and•up in a of aCalifornia Cities-Member Faith would toLeague let of San Ramon Regional Hospital/Tenet Healthcare-Governing Board • San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Citizens Corp-Board Member served for more than 30 years.

Renee is a 30-year Danville Resident and has two children.

Her rvice reaches beyond Danville and her board positions include: am privileged with a car of my• everyone know• that The Member/Lifetime Member leadership, Renee was elected to the Danville Town thisOne Hundred Club-Boarddriven Area • herSouthwest Sanwent Ramon Regional Hospital/Tenet Healthcare-Governing Board 32 year oldto daughter San Ramon Valley High School and 17 year Council old son Transportation-Director isina 2012 and served as Mayor in 2016. ta Transportation Authority-Director own, so I had the means Danville Children’s Guild-Member • service • istoavailable.

Since Mealsis proactive on Wheels DiabloUnder Region-Executive Board/Treasurer • beautiful Renee's approach and hands-on.

Renee's watchful eye, Danville is Southwest Area senior.ways”, Her Son-in-Law recently retired from the MilitaryGala-Board and she has two Director help others in different On Broadway Member • starting • Transportation-Director the local chapter, there consistently•ranked inLeague the top 20 places to live and the safest city in California for the past three years. of California Cities-Member Meals on Wheels Diablo Region-Executive Board/Treasurer grandchildren. n Valley Emergencyshe Preparedness Citizens Corp-Board Member said Contra Costa County Sheriff's Posse-Member • • have only been a few requests.

With an outstanding quality of life and a consistently balanced budget, Renee will continue to preserve The One Hundred Club-Board Member/Lifetime Member • Planning Prior to being the Town Renee served on Ramon the Danville Commission, League of California Cities-Member n Regional Hospital/Tenet Healthcare-Governing Board everything great about Danville!

Teens Helping Seniors is elected of the San Valley-Auction Chair • to •Council, This service is not justMuseum for Renee grew up in a military family, the daughter ofGuild-Member athis retired Command Sergeant Major, who served for Danville Children’s • Board Thefor One Member/Lifetime Member Historic Seniors, Design Review, and Danville Heritage Commission for 8 years.

During Area Transportation-Director a teen volunteerDanville nationwide American Red Resource Cross-Leadership • • Hundred but anyone thatClub-Board more than 30 years. Renee is a 30-year Danville Resident and has two children. Her 32 year old daughter On Broadway Gala-Board Member •Programs Danville•Seniors Children’s timeprimarily Renee implemented stronger open space guidelines, historic als on Wheels Diablo Region-Executive Board/Treasurer effort.

The team Danville Women'stightened Club-VP of • assistance. went to San Ramon Valley High School and her 17 year old son is a senior. Her Son-in-Law recently needs and Guild-Member retired from the Military and she has two beautiful grandchildren.

Contra Costa County Sheriff's Posse-Member On Broadway Gala-Board Member Speaker •and Team Captain preservation updated General ague of California Cities-Member consists of teenagers fromguidelines Relay for Plans.

Life-Guest • and • two immuno-compromised people Prior to being elected to the Town Council, Renee served on the Danville Planning Commission, Museum of the San Ramon Valley-Auction Chair Contra Costa County Sheriff's Posse-Member Renee’s diverse service reaches beyond Danville and her board positions include: e One Hundred Club-Board Member/Lifetime Member • Speaker all over the country who Walk to End Alzheimer's-Guest andand Team Captain • Danville Historic Design Review, Danville Heritage Resource Commission for 8 years. During this face• a significantly higher time Renee implemented stronger open space guidelines, tightened historic preservation guidelines American Red Cross-Leadership Board Museum of the San Ramon Valley-Auction Chair Contra Costa Transportation Authority-Director nville Children’s Guild-Member seek to support vulnerable • Impact 100-Guest Speaker and Member • risk• of contracting• COVID-19, and updated two General Plans.

American Red Cross-Leadership Board Danville Women's Club-VP of Programs Broadway Gala-Board Member seniors in times of• need.TRAFFIX-Director We Lunafest-Empowering Women-Guest Speaker • • • and are prone to more severe Renee’s diverse service reaches beyond Danville and her board positions include: Danville of Programs San Ramon Emergency Preparedness Citizens Member ntra Costa County help Sheriff's Relay for Life-Guest Team Captain withPosse-Member grocery •shopping, During the Women's Campaign Renee would be Corp-Board honored your support and yourSpeaker vote onand November 3, 2020.

Contra Costa Transportation Authority-Director • Valley • with • symptoms.

It’s critical that thisClub-VP TRAFFIX-Director •is the Relay for Life-Guest Speaker and Team Captain San Regional Hospital/Tenet Healthcare-Governing Board seum of the San Ramon Valley-Auction Chair prescription pick up anyRamon “Greatness cannot be obtained alone.

It creation of many striving for the same goal.

Walk to End Alzheimer's-Guest Speaker and Team Captain • • and • demographic is supported in San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Citizens Corp-Board Member • Walk to End Alzheimer's-Guest Speaker and Team Captain Southwest Area Transportation-Director erican Red Cross-Leadership Board other errands that Let’s continue to reach that goal together.”

• • seniors Impact 100-Guest Speaker and Member San Ramon Regional Hospital/Tenet Healthcare-Governing Board • • times like these.

For more information please visit Southwest Area Transportation-Director • Impact 100-Guest Speaker and Member Meals on or Wheels Diablo Region-Executive Board/Treasurer nville Women's Club-VP Programs might ofneed assistance with • If you • Lunafest-Empowering Women-Guest Speaker • someone you know Meals on Wheels Diablo Region-Executive Board/Treasurer • Lunafest-Empowering Women-Guest Speaker League ofof California Cities-Member ay for Life-Guest Speaker and time.

Team Teens Captain during this will • During the Campaign would be honored with your support and your vote on November 3, 202 is in• need assistance, please of CaliforniaRenee Cities-Member •League the One Campaign Renee would be honored with your support your vote on November 3, 2020.

The Hundred Club-Board Member/Lifetime Member One and Hundred Club-Board Member/Lifetime lk to End Alzheimer's-Guest and Team Captain have the Speaker proper sanitation •Thecannot •During “Greatness be obtained alone.

It isMember the creation of many striving for the same goal. visit www.teenshelpingseniors.

Children’s Guild-Member •Danville “Greatness cannot be obtained alone.

It is the creation of many striving for the same goal.

Danville Children’s Guild-Member pact 100-Guest Speaker and Member equipment; they will wipe • Let’s continue to reach that goal together.” org and click on Danville. If On Broadway Gala-Board Member • Paid for by Renee Morgan for Council For more information please visit: to reach that goal together.”

On Gala-Board Member nafest-Empoweringdown Women-Guest Speaker and all the surfaces, •Let’s continue •Contra Costa County Sheriff's Posse-Member youBroadway have questions or you 2020 •Museum of the San Ramon Valley-Auction Chair Contra Costa County Sheriff's Posse-Member gn Renee would befollow honored with your support your on 3, 2020.

CDC guidelines.

There • andReneeMorganforCouncil.com wouldvote like to November volunteer, email FPPC#1350442 •American Red Cross-Leadership Board of the San Ramon Valley-Auction Chair be obtained alone. isIt no is the creation contact. of many The for the same goal. face-to-face •strivingMuseum teenshelpingseniors@danville.

•Danville Women's Club-VP of Programs •Relay for Life-Guest Speaker and Team Captain American Red Cross-Leadership Board ach that goal together.” volunteers leave the groceries • Danville Town Council com. These young people are •Walk to End Alzheimer's-Guest Speaker and Team Captain Danville Women's Club-VPfor of Council Programs at the front door and pick• up Paid for to by Renee Morgan 2020 For more information please visit: excited help!

Speaker and Member •Impact 100-Guest For more information pleaseSpeaker visit: and Team Captain Relay for Life-Guest • •Lunafest-Empowering Women-Guest Speaker FPPC#1350442 ReneeMorganforCouncil.com During the Campaign Renee would be honored with your support and your vote on November 3, 2020.

Walk to End Alzheimer's-Guest Speaker and Team Captain • ReneeMorganforCouncil.com “Greatness cannot be obtained alone. It is the creation of many striving for the same goal.

Impact 100-Guest Speaker and Member • Let’s continue to reach that goal together.”

Danville Town Council please visit: visit: Town Council Lunafest-Empowering Women-Guest Speaker For more information please • Danville Paid for by ReneeMorganforCouncil.com Renee Morgan for Council 2020

By Robert Storer

MORGAN MORGA MORGAN MORGAN MORGAN Re-Elect

Re-Elect

Renee

Re-Elect

Re-Elect

www.Arnerich.org

Renee Renee for Danville Town Council Renee for Danville Town Coun

On NovemberTown 3, 2020 it’s time to Re-elect Re-Elect for Danville Council

Newell Arnerich for Danville Town CouncilDanville Town Council

Renee

Responsible Experienced Leadership

for Danville Town Council

ReneeMorganforCouncil.com

Renee Morgan

Renee Morgan

Renee Morgan

Fall Home & Garden page 6

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

September 2020

valleysentinel.com

The Theater of Life

By Steven Wynn

On August 27, 2020, we celebrated the groundbreaking of construction at what will soon become the new home for the I Can Do That!

Performing Arts Center in Danville. This energetic, yo u t h t h e a t e r n o n - p ro f i t is bursting at the seams with demand for its drama, singing, and dance classes and first-rate musicals. I Can Do That! kids measure their “social distance” as time between classes, when they connect with friends and teachers. And do they connect! Even in a time of “distance learning,” with friends reduced to a Brady Bunch grid, I Can Do That! classes actually live up to the name of the platform that

hosts them – they ZOOM! What a joy to be part of the collaborative effort to convert the former Two Left Feet Dance Center into their vibrant new home.

Partners Shayna Ronen and Jarusha Ariel are the driving force behind the project.

Friends since childhood, they grew up performing together in the Belasco Theater Company, and bring their shared experience to a new generation of youth theater.

I n p r e - C OV I D t i m e s , Shayna and Jarusha found their students arriving early, and staying late. As Shayna t o l d C o u r t n ey Te a g u e o f Danville Patch in July, “We thought that theater was the whole point and we realized

it wasn’t. The whole point is community.” When the postCOVID era finally arrives, the new Performing Arts Center’s student-operated café is bound to be buzzing.

K i d s w i l l wa s t e n o t i m e reclaiming the word “social,” kicking “distance” to the curb.

When I was a student of architecture, the preeminent book that all architecture students hefted around was Spiro Kostof’s 1985 tome, A History of Architecture.

Ko s t o f wa s p ro f e s s o r o f architectural history at the

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!

379 Hartz Avenue, Danville, CA 94526 Entrance at rear of building, along Railroad Ave.

925.837.1422 (office) | 925.285.5582 (mobile) www.barryandwynn.com stevew@barryandwynn.com

University of California, Berkeley, until his death i n 1 9 91 . H i s l e c t u r e s were performances, as he enthusiastically guided students from prehistoric caves to modernism. The history of theater design was a favorite topic, highlighting the genius of Athens’ openair theaters of the Hellenistic period: “a pure example of the Classical type is the theater at Epidauros, adequate for more than 14,000 spectators, whose remarkable acoustics surprise visitors even now.”

When our own country crashed headlong into the Great Depression, the crisis was broad and deep. Kostof wrote, “The country, in the opening years of the Thirties, was in serious trouble. There we re f a r m e rs ’ u p r i s i n g s and hunger marches. More than a thousand homes were foreclosed every day.

Cities were going bankrupt.

Thirteen million people were out of work. The dispossessed squatted where they could – under bridges, in dumps, in railway yards, and in empty lots.”

The New Deal response to the crisis was remarkable for what it produced via an alphabet of agencies, like the PWA (Public Works Administration). Along with more familiar projects, like the levees and power plants o f t h e Te n n e s s e e Va l l ey Authority, or the Hoover Dam, were theaters. Outdoor theaters, “like the one cut in the canyons of Red Rock Park outside Denver,” wrote Kostof, promised a return to normal. In an echo of the past, this grand amphitheater can seat nearly 10,000 under the stars.

At last week’s groundbreaking celebration here in Danville, an echo of the many echoes of the past could be heard in the hopeful, resounding voices of the small group of masked youths who came to sing “No Day but Today” by Idina Menzel: There’s only us, There’s only this Forget regret, or life is yours to miss No other road, no other way No day but today Of all of Kostof’s wisdom, my favorite words of his are these: Architecture is a “social act” and “the material theater of human activity.”

All buildings have this in common, whether it’s your home, house of worship, restaurant, or local youth Performing Arts Center – the theater of life that happens within is architecture’s beating heart.

With appreciation to the team that made the I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center possible, including: Shayna Ronen and Jarusha Ariel, along with their Board of Directors; building owner, Marcus Madrid (Guaranteed Plumbing); Interior Designer, Kristin Phillips (Bellissimo D é c o r ) ; C o n t ra c t o r, J i m Wood (R&J Construction); Graphic Designer, Lisa Bond; and my colleagues here at Barry & Wynn Architects.

To learn more about I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center, or to donate, visit icandothatpac.org

valleysentinel.com

September 2020

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 7

JELLY CAN MAKE

A MESS OF

RECYCLING, TOO. >

WIPE OR LIGHTLY RINSE YOUR CONTAINERS AND PLASTICS, AND PREVENT CONTAMINATED RECYCLING. Empty. Clean. Dry. When you follow those three words you’re helping to keep our recycling valuable.

Bottles, cans and plastics that are dirty with leftover food or liquids can contaminate valuable recycling.

Do your part. Keep it clean and recycle smart!

recyclesmart.org

Senior Living page 8

valleysentinel.com

September 2020

New cancer diagnosis options for people with Medicare

By Seema Verma Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Each year, more than 250,000 women in the United States learn that they have breast cancer, and more than 20,000 find out they have ovarian cancer.

While most of these cancers happen randomly, about 5 to 10 percent are hereditary, meaning they are caused by genetic changes (called mutations) which are passed down in families.

Unfortunately, women with these inherited cancers have few treatment options.

That’s why the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently extended Medicare coverage to laboratory diagnostic

tests using next generation sequencing (NGS) for patients with inherited breast or ovarian cancer.

NGS testing gives a more complete profile of cancer cells than is possible with current tests, and may help identify proven, targeted treatments.

NGS tests provide the most comprehensive genetic analysis of a patient’s cancer because they can simultaneously detect multiple types of genetic alterations. CMS first began covering laboratory diagnostic tests using NGS in March 2018 for Medicare patients with advanced cancer that met specific criteria. With CMS’ recent coverage decision, more Medicare patients will have access to NGS to assist in managing other types of inherited cancers to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes.

Innovative technologies are transforming American m e d i c i n e, a n d C M S i s closely monitoring the rapid development of new tests and tools for diagnosing cancer.

We want to do everything we can to support women’s health and help patients get the care they need.

In addition to providing access to this testing for women, Medicare also covers testing for prostate cancer.

All men are at risk for prostate cancer. Out of every 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetimes, and two or three men will die from it.

The most common risk factor is age. The older a man is, the greater his chance of getting prostate cancer.

Some men are at increased risk for prostate cancer. You’re at increased risk for getting or dying from prostate cancer if you’re African-American

or have a family history of prostate cancer.

Medicare Part B covers digital rectal exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests once every 12 months for men over 50 (beginning the day after your 50th birthday).

Beneficiaries pay 20 % of the Medicare-approved amount for a yearly digital rectal exam and for physician services related to the exam.

The Part B deductible ($198 in 2020) applies. In a hospital outpatient setting, there’s also a copayment.

Beneficiaries pay nothing for a yearly PSA blood test. If you get the test from a doctor who doesn’t accept Medicare payment, you may have to pay an additional fee for the doctor’s services, but not for the test itself.

I n 2 01 8 , t h e U . S .

Preventive Services Task Force made the following re c o m m e n d a t i o n s a b o u t

prostate cancer screening: • Men who are 55 to 69 years old should make individual decisions about being screened for prostate cancer with a PSA test.

• B e f o r e m a k i n g a decision, men should talk to their doctor about the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer, including the benefits and harms of other tests and treatment.

• Men who are 70 years old or older should not be screened for prostate cancer routinely.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the many preventive screening services that Medicare offers for cancer and other diseases, at: https://www.medicare. gov/coverage/preventivescreening-services.

fields of the southern San Joaquin Valley holds some of the largest remaining wild places in California. It is a rugged, remote, difficult realm, a biodiversity ark incised by the San Andreas Fault. It is a historic mixing place, where Central Valley Yokuts and coastal Ohlones traded and danced, where California’s ever-morediverse future residents will seek escape and recreation.

And it is nearly unparalleled in ecological significance.”

The Diablo Range stretches from the Carquinez Strait all the way to the Antelope Valley in Kern County and contains some of the largest remaining unprotected wild places in California. The mountain range is huge, rugged, and remote. Bounded by Highway 101 to the west and Highway 5 to the east, the 150-mile long, 40- to 50-mile wide area is a blank spot on the

map for the public focused on its outer grassland foothills.

“Five miles in and 500 feet up,” Adams says, “oaks and chaparral appear, and it’s Mount Diablo multiplied.”

The Diablo Range covers 5,400 square miles and has many peaks, some of which are taller than Mount Diablo.

The tallest one is San Benito M o u n t a i n a t 5 , 2 41 f e e t .

Mount Diablo measures at 3,849 feet.

The range is extremely i m p o r t a n t f o r w i l d l i f e, crossed only by two major highways at Altamont and Pacheco Passes. It serves as a reservoir of biodiversity, a core habitat for wildlife in California.

Although golden eagle populations are declining in western North America, they’re stable in California because of the Diablo Range.

The Diablo Range: California’s Next Big Conservation Story

Save Mount Diablo Expands to Protect Mountain Range in Our Backyards primary acquisition Save Mount Diablo has launched a campaign to connect Mount Diablo to the whole of the Diablo Range, a 150-mile long mountain range and biodiversity refuge that’s next door to millions of people, but that most people know nothing about.

“The Diablo Range is the missing piece of the California conservation map,” says Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams. “It’s California’s next great conservation story.”

“Seventy-five percent of the ecologically important area around Mount Diablo has been preserved,” e x p l a i n s E d w a r d “ Te d ” Sortwell Clement, Jr., Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director, “while in the full 150-mile range, only 24 percent of the landscape has any protection. We’re going to change that. Save Mount Diablo’s first step is defining the range as a whole for the conservation community and the public and educating them about its importance.”

Save Mount Diablo’s public educational efforts

will include the full 150-mile Diablo Range. As part of this campaign, Save Mount Diablo helped to sponsor a newly published cover story and supplement about the Diablo Range in Bay Nature magazine, with the Santa Clara Valley Open S p a c e A u t h o r i t y. “ T h e Spine of California,” by Bay Nature Digital Editor Eric Simons, explores the most rugged, plant-rich stretch of California you’ve never heard of.

The cover story is the first article ever published specifically about the Diablo Range, and it includes the first ever published map of the public and protected lands of the Diablo Range.

“Our first effort is to put this place on the map,” notes Adams.

Also as part of the campaign, Save Mount Diablo recently expanded the geographic area in which it now does its land use advocacy; it now includes the three northern counties of 12 crossed by the Diablo Range. The organization’s

focus remains north of Highway 580 and around the main peaks of Mount Diablo.

The organization recently announced two acquisition projects on the main peaks, t h e 1 5 4 - a c r e Tr a i l R i d e Association conservation easement on North Peak for which it needs to raise a little over $1,040,000 and the $650,000 Smith Canyon project adjacent to Curry Canyon.

In addition to working in Contra Costa County between Highway 680 and the Byron H i g h w a y, S a v e M o u n t Diablo now also works in southeastern Alameda and southwestern San Joaquin Counties.

This area includes an essential, 10-mile-wide wildlife corridor (Altamont Pass is part of it) that connects Mount Diablo to the rest of the Diablo Range. It also includes one of the most important and vulnerable biodiversity hotspots in California.

According to Simons, “The 150-mile range of mountains from the Carquinez Strait to the oil

See DIABLO RANGE page 10

valleysentinel.com

September 2020

By Robert Cucchiaro

Often times we find that asking a professional for advice is like asking a barber if you need a haircut. An example of this that I see in my profession has to do with life insurance.

Meaning if you ask someone who sells life insurance for a living (and works at a large national insurance company), if you need life insurance, of course their answer will be an emphatic “yes”!

And while this may or may not be the case, an interesting question comes up when a client in their 60s has an old life insurance policy that they bought many years ago.

Usually these are whole life or universal life insurance policies designed to both protect the family in case the breadwinner died prematurely and provide a forced savings vehicle for retirement. Other times they are old term insurance policies that

were purchased while the kids were young and now are about to expire (or lapse).

Some of these policies worked out as planned but many did not, leaving those policy holders to ask, “now what?”

One of the services that my firm provides is a review of old insurance policies along with an analysis of options & recommendations. Often I find that people are surprised by the range of options they have when considering how to handle an old insurance policy.

For example: • You can do a tax-free exchange of cash value from a life insurance policy to an annuity, turning a dormant asset into a personal lifetime pension • You can convert an old term insurance policy into a permanent policy without going through medical underwriting.

So a person that may no longer be able to buy insurance for health reasons will now have a life insurance policy that will benefit their family

• You can withdraw cash value from an insurance policy in a manner so that it’s tax-free (be careful with this one) • Finally, you may run a return on investment analysis and decide that keeping an old policy and paying more premiums into it is actually what’s best for your family and overall financial plan.

The point here is this, asking a Certified Financial Planner what you should do about an old insurance policy is not the same as asking a barber if you need a haircut.

The answer may surprise you and if you have an old policy that needs to be reviewed by an independent professional, please give us a call at 925927-1900 or email me at rob@ swrpteam.com.

Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Visit us at www. summitwealthandretirement. com

More Virtual Events Candidates for San Ramon Mayor and San Ramon City Council elections this Fall are set to share their thoughts on key city issues during this public forum. Candidates for Mayor are running for a twoyear term and the candidates

for City Council District 1 and 3 are vying for a seat for a fouryear term, on the November 3, 2020 ballot. Moderated by Gina Channell, president and publisher of the Pleasanton Weekly/DanvilleSanRamon.com and Gina’s Editor, Jeremy Walsh.

East Bay CA native, and now Nashville based country singer, Grace Leer will perform both original and familiar songs to entertain and inspire us. Grace was one of the Top 10 contestants on American Idol 2020.

Attendance is free or you can sign up for the VIP package ($100) and receive a gala Party

be “crazy” to miss it!

Sunday, September 20, 2020 from 4:00 – 5:30pm PDT This is VIRTUAL event.

Links to join the gala will sent out registered attendees and posted to the gala website.

Register | Learn more at https://lazarex.org

Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club

The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club

Joan Gelfand will discuss “ G e t t i n g P u b l i s h e d : Yo u Can Be a Winning Writer” at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo branch of the California Writers Club on Saturday, September 12, 2020, from 9:30- noon at a virtual branch meeting.

Writers Table begins at 10:00 am.

“Writing for a Cause: Finding Purpose in Your

The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. We will be holding a virtual “Information Coffee” October 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM. This is a great way to find out more about our club. If you are interested, please contact us at alamodanvillenewcomers@ gmail.com.

Writing,” will be presented

by Lucinda Jackson and Jill Hedgecock, moderated by John Schembra.

M e e t i n g c o s t : $ 10 Members and Guests.

Register online at https:// cwcmtdiablo.org/currentcwc-mt-diablo-meeting/ Once registered, you will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting.

On August 31, the Town of Danville began the Garden Cottage Program, which will allow residents access to free, pre-approved, permit-ready, printable, construction plans for the building of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).

An ADU is a selfcontained living unit that is usually smaller than the main home on the same property. It contains a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. ADUs can be attached to an existing home or may be a separate detached building.

Under the Garden Cottage Program, residents can select from a range of ADU plans that will include Studio (640 sq ft), 1 bedroom/1 bath (840 sq ft) and 2 bedroom/2 bath (approx.

1000 sq ft). These customizable plans, designed by local

architects, will be offered in three architectural styles: Craftsman, Mediterranean, and Contemporary.

Applicants will need to consult with appropriate design professionals to prepare a site plan and any necessary grading plans. Each project is unique and may require additional approvals and fees from other agencies. Town staff can provide assistance with the application process and advise if additional approvals are required. For permitting assistance, call (925)-314-3330.

More information on the program can be found at: www. danville.ca.gov/gardencottage For more information, contact Civil Engineering Associate Guillermo Santolaya a t ( 9 2 5 ) 31 4 - 3 3 5 2 o r gsantolaya@danville.ca.gov.

Vintage Jewelry Fall Jewelry and Gifts www.etsy.com/shop/vintagejewelryetal

Questions, call Kathy Fanning at 925-242-0600. San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Join in at: https://members. sanramon.org/events/details/ san-ramon-mayor-and-citycouncil-candidate-forumdebate-6727

Treasure the Moments Virtual Gala - Shhh… in a Box and early admission It’s a Speakeasy! for a special experience. You’d Join this Speakeasy themed VIRTUAL gala to help all cancer patients have better cancer health outcomes.

This is a fundraiser for the patients and programs of Lazarex Cancer Foundation, a locally based charity helping advanced stage cancer patients seeking life & time through clinical trial participation.

Program provides designs to build accessory dwelling units

for all occasions

Virtual San Ramon Mayoral and City Council Debate Thursday, September 24th from 6-9pm

page 9

Garden Cottage Program Begins

Sponsored Content

Dormant Assets

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

The Town is recruiting for 14 volunteer positions on Town Commissions: Arts Advisory Board – Youth Member (1) 2-year term Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (2) 4-year terms Heritage Resource Commission (3) 4-year terms Planning Commission (5) 4-year terms Design Review Board (1) 4-year terms CCC Advisory Council on Aging (1) 2-year term CCC Mosquito and Vector Control District (1) 4-year term Applications are due December 1, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Members will be appointed on January 12, 2021.

Applications are available on the Town website at www.danville.ca.gov.

For more information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925)314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.

page 10

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

AUTO

2020 Lexus RC-F 2-DR Coupe

By David and Judy Colman

The latest iteration of the RC-F is a race car with license plates. Its 472hp V8 is the most powerful engine Lexus has offered to date.

In addition, Lexus makes Launch Control available for the first time in the RC-F. Engage Launch Control, and the RC-F will rocket from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 168mph. Styling has been subtly refined as well, with more dynamic creases along the flanks to rivet your eyes.

Base price of the RC-F is a bargain, at $64,900.

However, our $78,989 test model boosted that base price by $14,089. The most sizeable additions penciled out as follows: $1,500 for 19inch, hand polished, forged BBS alloy rims; $1,160 for triple beam LED headlights; $2,725 for Navigation with 17 speaker Mark Levinson Audio; $3,350 for Premium Package (heated/ventilated seats, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, power tilt/telescoping steering column, rear seat center console); $1,250 for Torque Vectoring Differential.

If we were placing an order for an RC-F, the only options that would make the cut on our Lexus coupe would be the 19-inch BBS alloys and the Torque Vectoring Differential. Together, this pair costs $2,750. That would save you $11,339 off the sticker price of our test car.

And who needs 17 speakers when you’ve got that soul stirring V8 to listen to? And a rear seat console with cupholders? You couldn’t pay me to climb back there for a ride. It’s virtually impossible to scramble in and out unless you are ten years old.

Let’s examine that BBS package. For the price of what you would pay for just one forged BBS rim in the aftermarket, you get a set of four beautifully c ra f t e d a l l oys, m o u n t e d with a quartet of the latest, stickiest street tires Michelin makes today: Pilot Sport 4S rubber sized 255/35R19 front and 275/35R19 rear. These wheels and tires offer the immense grip you need to make the RC-F behave. The Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD) is another insurance policy against sudden loss of adhesion - always a liability when you’ve got 472hp and 395lb.-ft. of torque on tap.

TVD insures you will remain pointed in the right direction when you elect to flatten a curve.

T h e cockpit of t h e RC - F simulates t h e operating environment of an F-15.

Like the jet, this Lexus offers a glass cockpit with digital simulations for speedometer, tachometer a n d a n c i l l a r y f u n c t i o n s.

The advantage of such a system becomes immediately a p p a re n t w h e n yo u u s e the console mounted drive mode dial to toggle between available states of behavior such as Standard, Sport and Sport+. In each instance the glass cockpit revises the instrument layout you see by altering visual indices like color, font size and style, and tach redline to suit the chosen

www. blueherongraphics.com

March 2009 September 2020

mode of performance. In Sport+ mode, for example, your gear selection choice is much larger than it appears in Standard mode.

The most businesslike of the offerings is Sport+ which clarifies the color, layout and redline of the tachometer to cue instant observation. Of course, the Sport+ setting does more than just revise the graphics of the dash.

Placing the dial in this setting also stiffens steering response, adds a hair trigger feel to the throttle pedal, and drops gearing from a relaxed gait to a more intense state of responsiveness. In Standard mode, for example, we noted that the RC-F was pulling 2200rpm at 70mph in top (7th) gear. When we punched up the Sport+

mode, rpm instantly soared t o 3 20 0 r p m a t t h e s a m e 70mph. Lexus has slightly revamped the organization of the dashboard for 2020, moving the drive mode control to the central console from its former position at the right end of the instrument binnacle. We preferred the prior location, which was DIABLO RANGE from page 8

The northern Diablo Range supports the highest density of golden eagles on the planet. The Diablo Range could also be the source for replenishing the genetic diversity of mountain lion populations in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Tule elk, nearly hunted to extinction in the 1970s, have recovered quickly in the Diablo Range. Bay checkerspot butterflies have their last stronghold along Coyote Ridge just above San Jose. And the Diablo Range offers great habitat for

valleysentinel.com

easier to find and manipulate than the new center console dial.

M o s t o f t h e ve h i c l e s we test offer a power to weight ratio of 15-22lbs/hp.

Exceptional models pare that efficiency number below 15, but very few come close to 10. This Lexus leads the c u r re n t c ro p of vehicles we have tested with an amazing figure of 8.2 pounds per h o r s e p o w e r.

With that kind of performance on offer, you’d better be ready to ante up at the pump, because the RC-F is a frequently refilled flier at 19MPG overall.

If you find the rather understated appearance of the RC-F too reserved, 2020 offers you the more erotically sculpted RC-F Track Edition.

This undisguised race simulacrum features carbon fiber front splitter, roof,hood and rear wing. The endplates

of the wing are embossed with the company’s “F” race logo, as are the headrests on the curvaceous bucket seats.

Interior tweaks include a spectacular bi-color red and black leather combination.

Red covers the seats, dash top and console sides, with black reserved for all other surfaces.

This attention to detail will cost you substantially more than the RC-F we tested. The Track Edition’s base price is $96,800. But if you opt for this ultimate refinement of the F theme, you will pick up a couple of tenths in the 0-60mph sprint because the Track Edition cuts the time to an astounding 3.96 seconds.

2020 LEXUS RC-F 2-DR COUPE ENGINE: 5.0-liter V8, 32 valve DOHC, dual VVT HORSEPOWER: 472hp TORQUE: 395lb.ft.@4800rpm FUEL CONSUMPTION: 16MPG City/24MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $80,014 HYPES: Take It To The Track G R I P E S : Re a r V i s i o n Impeded by Buttresses STAR RATING: 10 Stars

California condors to expand into as they recover from the brink of extinction.

The Diablo Range is threatened by energy development (both alternative and fossil fuelbased energy), suburban sprawl, and proposed dams and reservoirs. Wind turbines endanger golden eagles and other birds. And the Panoche Valley, part of the Diablo Range, now has a 4,800-acre solar farm.

This mountain range harbors incredible biodiversity that supports many rare, endemic (plants or animals found nowhere

else), or disjunct species (plants that are cut off from other populations and not expected to be there). It contains large swaths of land with serpentine soils, on which rare plant species that live nowhere else grow.

And some of the soils are “vertic clays,” which also support rare and endemic plant species.

Although the Diablo Range is right next to some large cities, large areas of it have limited to no cell phone coverage, light pollution, or major roads, an indication of its habitat connectivity.

valleysentinel.com

September 2020

An Unprecedented Election

By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

With the 2020 election nearly here it is important to talk about how the County will be running our upcoming November election in our current COVID-19 environment. Fair and valid elections are the foundation of our Republic and I, along with my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, remain committed to ensuring this year’s circumstances will not present any barriers to our constituents and their ability to participate in this very important democratic process.

As most are aware, this year’s Presidential General Election is on November 3. As part of the State of California’s COVID-19 safety response, every registered voter in Contra Costa will automatically receive a voteby-mail ballot, for this election only. This is a significant change because historically only those who are registered as absentee voters or those who specifically request one for an election are sent a voteby-mail ballot.

It is easy to return your ballot. No postage is necessary if you decide to mail the ballot through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Ballots need to be postmarked by election day and must be received within seventeen

days of mailing. However, if someone has concerns about the reliability mailing a ballot, voters will also be able to return ballots by dropping them off at one of more than 37 secure ballot drop boxes, starting 29 days before the election, from October 5 through Election Day. The Contra Costa Elections Department will also have two drive-thru drop off locations on the day before the election and Election Day, with the possibility of additional locations being added.

How safe are the ballot drop boxes? Each secured ballot drop box weighs 500 pounds and is made of 1⁄4” steel mounted on a heavyduty steel post that uses special security bolts to hold it in place.

The design of the opening of the ballot box is narrow, and it contains internal “baffles” which prevent tampering, the retrieval of envelopes, or other forms of interference.

At each daily service, every secure ballot drop box will be inspected for damage or evidence of tampering.

Another safeguard for election integrity is that there will be a team of two deputized employees from the County Election’s Office who will be collecting ballots daily. Once picked up, ballots are securely sealed in containers during transport.

If you plan to vote by mail for the first time in this election it is important to consider whether your signature has changed since you first registered to vote.

Those who are not regular vote by mail voters should have received a postcard last month asking you to resubmit your

California’s New Blueprint for a Safer Economy Courtesy of Contra Costa Health Services

California is changing the COVID-19 county monitoring list to make social distancing requirements and community re-openings more regular and predictable.

Effective Monday, Aug. 31, the state bands its 58 counties into four color-coded tiers according to two local COVID-19 data indicators: the county’s case rate per 100,000 population, and the percentage of tests that come back positive. Contra Costa and most other counties are now in the purple (most restrictive) tier. According to the new state rules: • There is no change to restrictions on in-person

education, or the state’s school waiver process in Contra Costa.

• H a i r s a l o n s a n d barbers may operate indoors.

• I n d o o r s h o p p i n g malls may reopen at 25% m a x i m u m o c c u p a n cy, i f food courts and other public congregation points remain closed, and the mall has an approved COVID-19 safety p l a n f ro m C o n t ra C o s t a Health Services.

We can all work together to reduce COVID-19 in Contra Costa and move to the next tier if we focus on reducing the risky behaviors that spread infection.

signature. One reason vote by mail ballots are not counted is because the signature required on the back of the envelope does not match that which is on file.

Even though you will be receiving a vote by mail ballot, you still have the opportunity to vote in person. Starting on October 30 there will be 16 in-person Early Voting Sites spread throughout the entire County. There will also be close to 150 polling places on Election Day. Later this month, just before ballots are mailed in early October, the Voter Information Guide will be mailed out, which will include the addresses of all voting locations.

While you can also return vote by mail ballots at polling sites, due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, the Elections Department is urging voters to return their ballots to less interpersonal locations, rather than at in-person sites. It is their desire to focus in-person locations for those that require in-person services (lost ballot, conditional registration, and language or ADA assistance).

If you want to verify whether your ballot gets to the elections department you can sign up to receive notifications about when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted by visiting WheresMyBallot. sos.ca.gov. You can also use

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 11

and the best way to limit the spread of COVID during the election this fall.

More detailed information about the election is available on the County Elections Department website at www. c o c ovo t e. u s. A s a l ways, f e e l f re e t o c o n t a c t my office at 925-957-8860 or SupervisorAndersen@bos. cccounty.us if you have any questions related to elections or any other matter.

the “My Voting Information” tool on the County’s election website to confirm if your ballot has been issued or received by the elections office.

If your ballot is damaged or lost, email ballot@vote. cccounty.us or call (925) 3357800 to request a replacement.

The Elections Department and Board of Supervisors b e l i eve vo t i n g by m a i l , returning the ballots by the USPS or in a ballot drop box, is a safe and secure way to vote,

PORTEOUS PORTEOUS PORTEOUS PORTEOUS FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY Larry LarryPorteous PorteousD.D.S. D.D.S.++Linda LindaPorteous PorteousR.D.H. R.D.H.

Larry Porteous, Linda R.D.H. Porteous, R.D.H. Larry Porteous D.D.S. +D.D.S. Linda + Porteous

“Let Our Family Be Family Dentist” OurBe Family BeYour Your Family Dentist” Our Family Be Your Family Dentist” “Let“Let Our“Let Family Your Family Dentist”

50% OFF

We Weare arecelebrating celebrating2929years years

We are 29 in years 50% OFF We arecelebrating celebrating 30 yearsArea. in ininpractice 50% OFF Teeth Whitening practice inthe theBay Bay Area. 50% OFF in practicein in the the Bay Teeth Whitening practice BayArea.

Area.

Our Teeth Whitening Teeth Whitening Our practice is dedicated for new patients (reg $450) Our practice is dedicated for new patients (reg $450) Our practice is dedicated to treating for new patients for (regnew $450) patients (reg $450) practice istodedicated totreating treatingand andpreventing preventing to treating and preventing and preventing dental indiseases in a (925) 736-9000 dental diseases a friendly, dental (925) 736-9000 dental diseases in a diseases friendly, in a friendly, 925-736-9000 (925) friendly, relaxed atmosphere. is 736-9000 relaxed ItItisisIt our relaxedatmosphere. our relaxed atmosphere.

Itatmosphere. is our 3840 Blackhawk Road our philosophy to give each person philosophy totogive person 3840Blackhawk Blackhawk Road 3840 Road 3840 Blackhawk Road giveeach each person philosophy tophilosophy give each person Suite 110 the same respect, care and concern the same respect, care and Suite 110 the same respect, care respect, and the same care and Suite 110 Suite 110 concern thatwant we would wantasto Danville Danville that wethat would want Danville concern we would Danville concern thatto wetoreceive would want to Across(Across Blackhawkfrom Rd. as a patient. patients.

Across BlackhawkAcross Rd. Blackhawk receive as areceive patient.

Rd. receive as a patient.

Independently Rated Highest in Quality

fromDraeger’s Draeger’s Market NINTH from Draeger’s Market Market) from Draeger’s CONSECUTIVEMarket YEAR

Independently Rated Highest in Quality Independently Rated Highest in Quality

NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR NINTH

IfIf you have an have aching tooth, want Ifanyou an aching tooth, you have tooth, If aching you have an aching tooth, to maintain good wantyour to maintain your good want to maintain good dental wantyour to maintain your good health, are interested in interested improving dental are dental health, are health, interested dental health, are interested your smilein your or just have questions improving your smile or justor in improving smile or just in improving your smile or just have or concerns, concerns, please call our office. We have questions orquestions concerns, have questions or concerns, ourlook office.

We look pleaseforward call please our office.

We look tocall meeting you. please call our office. We look

CONSECUTIVE YEAR

forward to meeting forward you. to meeting you.

forward to meeting you.

Providing Full Service Dentistry the Entire Providing Full Service Dentistry For The for Entire Family Providing Full Service Dentistry For The EntireFamily Family

Providing Full Service Dentistry For The Entire Family

WWW.pOrteOusFAMILYDeNtIstrY.coM www.PorteousFamilyDentistry.com WWW.pOrteOusFAMILYDeNtIstrY.coM

WWW.pOrteOusFAMILYDeNtIstrY.coM

Don’t forget to

Vote!

Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center Board Certified Cosmetic & Medical Dermatology

Counteract Aging with Collagen Rich Therapy • Micro-Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing • Smart Lipo • Fillers • Botox & Dysport • BBL/IPL • Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Providers: Michael J. Tomcik, M.D. Bettina Uwalaka, R.N. AdvAnced LAser

Michael J. Tomcik, MD

skin cAre center

Medical Group, iNc.

www.SanRamonDerm.com

Board Certified Dermatologist Over 35 years experience

101 Park Place San Ramon

925-743-1488

101 Park Introducing Place, Ultherapy Suite 101 • Only FDA approved, non-surgical procedure 925-743-1488 ultra sound San Ramon, CAthatto focuses stimulate the growth of new collagen www.SanRamonDerm.com • Lifts and tightens

Schedule Today!

the skin on neck, chin, and brow • NO downtime • Takes about an hour

Receive a free

page 12

THE VALLEY SENTINEL September 2020 valleysentinel.com

It’s a New Day!

DANVILLE

Would you like a New Look for your home?

We make selling your furniture fun, safe and hassle free!

1901 Camino Ramon 925-866-6164

CAMPBELL 930 West Hamilton Ave. 408-871-8890

SAN RAFAEL 75 Bellum Blvd.

415-924-6691

SAN CARLOS 1123 Industrial Road 650-508-8317

Make space for something new or just clear out items that no longer suit your style!

Call us and discuss what you have.

We take consignments 7 days a week!

www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com

315 Cortsen Road in Pleasant Hill • • • • • •

Heritage classes for children School field trips Sustainable Sustainable gardening gardening classes classes Displays of items from Displays of items from the the Pleasant Pleasant Hill Hill Historical Historical Society Society • • Meetings Meetings and and events events Rodgers Rodgers Ranch Ranch is is aa Pleasant Pleasant Hill Hill Recreation Recreation and and Park Park District District property and Pleasant Hill’s only historic site.

We property and Pleasant Hill’s only historic site. We are are aa nonnonprofi t, tax-exempt 501c3 organization profit, tax-exempt 501c3 organization

Rodgers Rodgers Ranch Ranch Heritage Heritage Center Center in Pleasant Hill is creating in Pleasant Hill is creating aa brick brick pathway in front of our 150 year pathway in front of our 150 year old old farmhouse.

Cement your place in farmhouse. Cement your place in history history with with an an engraved engraved brick brick to to honor or remember family or loved honor or remember family or loved ones, ones, or or highlight highlight aa business business or or organization. organization.

Information and an order form Information and an order form for the brick(s) can be found at for the brick(s) can be found at

www.RodgersRanch.org www.RodgersRanch.org

Barn Wood for Sale Barn Wood for Sale Call Chris at (925) 890-4482

(925) 890-4482 ForCall a Chris SafeatVisit during the COVID-19 Pandemic:

• Most of our events have been cancelled for the year • The park grounds are open provided that social distancing and mask wearing rules are respected • The Farmhouse itself is closed.

For more information please contact us at For more information please contact us at 925-937-3677 or visit www.rodgersranch.org 925-937-3677 or visit www.rodgersranch.org