PLEDGE TO HUMANITY OFFERS YOUTH THE SKILLS TO BECOME COMPASSIONATE LEADERS
By Jody Morgan
Pledge to Humanity (PTH) provides opportunities for young people to select and implement projects that have a positive impact on the lives of others. Seeing firsthand the difference they have made in someone else’s life gives PTH ambassadors an empowering understanding of their own ability to be compassionate changemakers in a complex world. Since its inception, PTH has inspired over 10,000 young volunteers from elementary school to college age to embrace serving those in need as a way of life.
Honored as a 2023 California
Non-Profit of the Year and chosen as Lamorinda Moms’ Charitable Partner for 2023/2024, PTH welcomes the public to the organization’s Fifteenth Anniversary Gala at the Round Hill Country Club on Saturday, September 30th
As a 10-year-old girl, Gaby Ghorbani looked into her heart instead of looking the other way when she spotted a boy no older than she was struggling to support himself by peddling candy and gum on the streets of Guadalajara, Mexico. She immediately felt the painful disparity between her comfortable circumstances as the daughter of upper middle-class parents and the boy’s abject existence. Since that day, she has reached out to help as many people in need, especially children, as possible. In founding PTH in Alamo, California where she raised her own children, Gaby wanted to give local youth opportunities to immerse themselves in the life-enhancing experience of bridging the gap between privilege and poverty.
Board President Carrie Barlow first learned about PTH when her son Cole
EUGENE O’NEILL FESTIVAL CONTINUES
The Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site located in Danville, preserves Tao House, the former home of America’s only Nobel Prize-winning playwright. Our community is fortunate to be have within its borders this US National Park jewel, just minutes away from downtown Danville. In the coming weeks, the 2023 Eugene O’Neill Festival will feature performances (attend the play Anna Christie, being rehearsed below in the old barn), walks (explore the landscape with local naturalist Sandi Hunt pictured at left), and local activities. See page 6 for details.
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher
While quarantine was a great time for animals in shelters and with rescue groups, these days the opposite is true. There is a crisis in the world of man’s best friends. In our area, there are thousands (and millions across the country) of dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, bunnies, guinea pigs, and more in need of a place to call home. Most shelters and rescues are at double to triple their MAXIMUM capacity, which can create a whole other set of issues as well. Many shelters have stopped accepting animals, which in turn leads to folks dumping them in fields, roads, or worse. Additionally, shelters should always be used as the ultimate last resort. Unfortunately, there are many times folks take animals to a shelter so the shelter staff have to make decisions that the pet owners should have made themselves.
The problem is multi-faceted -- people find themselves “too busy” for a pet as they return to the office, folks move to new housing that doesn’t allow pets, a pet owner passes away or faces a personal health crisis, pet care costs can become out of budget, there are fewer vets - some are retiring and some leaving due to the high stress of the profession (please visit the Not One More Vet website - www.nomv.org/about to learn about the mental health crisis many of our veterinary professionals face), many animals didn’t get fixed during quarantine which set rescue efforts back by decades, people obtain a “free” animal online or in front of a store (yes, that still happens) because it’s cute and little, or “beautiful,” and then dump it (often
A “free” animal is never free. At the minimum, every “free” animal will need vaccines and
An n ual Aut hors’ F ai re
Th ur sday, Octo ber 19 th
10:30 – 2:30, Lunch Served at 11:30
In my “spare time” I volunteer in kitten/cat rescue for the local Feral Cat Foundation ). Our family became involved with the group during quarantine when we were looking for something to keep us busy. There are several arms to the Feral Cat Foundation. One branch helps the community cats (AKA “feral”) in our area get fixed to curb reproduction. The other arm of the group takes in kittens (if there are enough fosters and resources) to raise in private homes until they are old enough to get fixed, vaccinated, Cat math is bad math. An unfixed female kitten can get pregnant as early as four months of age and have three to four litters a year, with typically three to six or seven babies per litter, for 15 or more years. They can have about 180 kittens in their lifetime. Over half of those 180 will be females, also able to have their own 180 babies. The pyramid of reproduction is frightening.
Bo undary Oak G o lf Co urse
3800 Valley Vi sta Ro ad, Wal nut Creek
Even “indoor only” pets need to be spayed and neutered. The number of times I’ve heard of an “indoor only” animal escape, even briefly, and come back pregnant is alarming. Getting our pets fixed can also stave off some common medical problems as well. That being said, spay and neuter services have become expensive. For lower-cost spay and neuter services I often refer people to the Contra Costa Animal Shelter in Martinez (www.ccasd.org), valleyhumane.org/programs/surgery-center/spay-neuter-services), or, while it’s a little bit of a drive, the Pet Advocate in www.thepetadvocatevet.com).
9 5 pe r pe rso n - Pre -registration Re quired
Many rescues and shelters have to make heart-wrenching decisions based solely on the perceived adoptability of an animal. Those with unique coloring
Sheldon Siegel, Moderator
Special Circumstances and Dead Coin
Susanne Pari
In the Time of Our History
Amy Peele
Hold, Match, and Cut
Hank Phillippi Ryan
The House Guest
Dan Hanel
In the Shadow of Diablo Series
10 Per Table Pay Together ⬧ Sit Together
All Tickets purchased in one sale will be seated together, under the purchaser’s name. Tickets available on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/2023AuthorsFaire or mail checks (include your email address) by October 7th to:
AWC, AF, PO Box 151, Alamo, CA 94507
WWW.AlamoWomensClub.Org
BLUE STAR MOMS COLLECTION
The Blue Star Moms are collecting donations for care packages on Saturday, September 9th from 9:30AM - 2PM at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Items requested include individual granola bars, Cliff bars, Rice Krispie treats, protein bars, Belvita, beef jerky, flavored tuna or chicken packs, and travel size toothpaste and body wash. For questions or more information, visit www.bluestarmoms.org
TOGETHER WE GIVE CLOTHING DRIVE GRATEFUL GARMENT ~ RETURNING DIGNITY TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Grateful Garment Project (www.grateful garment.org) provides new clothing to survivors of sexual assault to replace the clothing they give up as evidence. Sadly, Grateful Garment serves 35-40 California victims daily.
Partnering with the Alamo Women’s Club, a drive will be held to support these efforts. All donations must be NEW. Clothing is needed in all sizes for men, women, and children. Due to space constraints and critical need, the clothing needed is specific to these five items - long sleeve t-shirts, pajamas, sweatsuits, underwear, and sweatshirts.
Mark your calendar for curbside drop-off from 1- 6 September 21st at the Women’s Club Clubhouse located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo.
If you can’t make the event, donations (of the above listed items only) will also be accepted for porch drop off at a residence located at 172 Via Serena, Alamo through Wednesday, September 20
Together we can help provide survivors with the resources necessary for their first steps on the road to healing after such a significant trauma.
Checks made out to Alamo Women’s Club (tax ID #94-1426354) with Grateful Garment in subject line are also welcome. For more information, visit www.alamowomensclub.org
Your gift matters. Together We Give.
ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMER’S CLUB
WELCOME COFFEE
Are you new to the area or are you a long-time resident who would like to make new friends, get involved in the community, and socialize with other women? If so, please consider joining the Alamo Danville Newcomer’s Club (ADNC) for a Welcome Coffee to learn about the organization. The next coffee date is Thursday, September 21st at 9:30AM
Come to a casual get-together where you will be able to meet current and prospective members and learn about the many activities offered through the club.
Please RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com for more information.
DANVILLE “CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY” APPLICATIONS OPEN
Danville residents interested in the inner workings of law enforcement are invited to apply for the Citizens’ Police Academy, which begins a new session on October 4th
Danville police officer instructors will cover a number of topics, including Patrol Procedures, Traffic Enforcement, Impaired Driving, Investigations, Crime Scene Processing, Crime Prevention, Criminal Prosecution, and Driving Instruction.
Classes are held in-person on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9PM for six consecutive weeks, with two Saturday sessions.
Interested applicants can complete an application found at tinyurl.com/ 29jom3b2 and email it to lortiz@danville.ca.gov.
To learn more, visit www.danville.ca.gov/541/Citizens-Police-Academy.
FABRIC FOLLIES BECKONS BUY NEW SUPPLIES AT BARGAIN PRICES
Fabric Follies, Diablo Valley Quilters’ fabulous fundraiser is back with textiles, notions, and unfinished projects at bargain prices!The sale is open to the public on Saturday, September 23, 10AM- 2PM at the Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Proceeds benefit DVQ programs including creating pillowcases for Ryan’s Case for Smiles and making full-size quilts for Quilts of Valor.
To make a donation, prior to September 9th, contact Mary at info@diablovalleyquilters.org or 925-948-5458. To learn more about DVQ, visit www.diablovalleyquilters.org.
THE
By Joe Gatti
REPORT: YOUR GREATER DANVILLE AREA REAL ESTATE UPDATE
As we near Labor Day, the summer real estate season has been reminiscent of past cycles, pre-Covid. People are discussing vacations and last chance travel opportunities before the autumn season kicks in, and schools reopening bringing a calm smile to parents’ faces. On August 10 th, the July consumer price index (CPI) was released and inflation ticked up slightly from June’s 3% reading to 3.2%. The next CPI report will come out on September 13th. Its results will weigh heavily for the Federal Reserve at their next meeting on September 20th. As of this writing, the 30 year fixed mortgage rate reached 7.09%, the highest level of 2023.* We will look at how this higher rate environment is affecting the market for active, pending, and sold detached properties in our local area. The combination of rates and low inventory have actually been more favorable to sellers, but the buyers out looking for homes are savvy and have been patient this summer.
On August 16th, there were 132 detached properties listed as active in the greater Danville area, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon. Listings priced very competitively, having pre-market listing preparation (with little to no maintenance work for a future owner) have moved faster in this market. As we will see, active properties are priced higher than those reaching the pending and sold columns. The median price for current active detached properties is $2,398,650 and the average days on market is 41.** Buyers currently looking are juggling two factors: Inventory is low, limiting properties to view, and interest rates are fluctuating higher, creating a more complex and deliberative decision making process for them.
When we look at properties that buyers entered into contract on, we see a difference in original median list price when compared to the active properties above. There were 93 pending detached properties with a median price of $1,899,000.** The current properties going pending have a more enticing market entry price point for potential buyers who are weary of mortgage rate levels. The average time on market for these properties is 19 days, which is half as long as the current active category. There are 29.5% fewer pending properties than active ones, further showing buyers are taking more time and being more selective than when interest rates were considerably lower just a year ago.
A lower price point for properties going pending doesn’t mean the final sold price will be at that same level. When looking at sold detached properties for one calendar month, July 16 th through August 16 th, 111 detached properties closed escrow. The median sold price for these properties was $2,005,000.** The average time on market continued to go down to 14 days. Our takeaway is that professional pricing, and home preparation prior to placin g a home on the market, are more important than ever. Buyer demand is still widely present in our area. Higher interest rates and low inventory are making their decision making more thought out and careful than in previous months, but buyer presence is there when pricing and home characteristics combine to meet their needs.
If you would like to sell and receive a professional price valuation for your home or buy in our current market, please reach out to the Gatti Team for a private consultation. Our services and full time local experience will help create a personalized market strategy for achieving your selling and buying goals in our Greater Danville Area.
I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 11 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 760 Camino Ramon, Suite 200 office in Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time or have questions about this article, please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-588-3590. Our services are here for you!
*www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/business/mortgage-rates-housing-market.html
**Data taken from the MLS during specific dates and under the criteria mentioned within the article.
THE FIRST PEOPLES OF CALIFORNIA AN EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) is excited to announce its latest exhibition, “First Peoples of California.” The exhibit opens on September 12th and invites visitors to delve into the fascinating world of Native Americans in the San Ramon Valley.
Step into the captivating world of Native American history as you explore a curated collection that showcases the intricate tapestry of the lifestyle and art forms of their culture. From the vast landscapes to the vibrant traditions, “First Peoples of California” invites you to experience the rich heritage that shaped our community.
Learn about who lived in the San Ramon Valley beginning around 5,000 years ago. How did they get there? What was their life like? What did they eat? How were they housed? These interesting topics and more will be explored.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley welcomes visitors of all ages, whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the rich tapestry of our area’s heritage, this exhibit promises a memorable and enlightening experience.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Provided by Danville Police Department
In our ongoing commitment to your safety and well-being, the Danville Police Department is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. It's important to recognize the signs of mental illness and understand how you can support your loved ones during challenging times.
INDICATORS THAT SOMEONE MAY BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS
1. Noticeable Changes in Behavior: Keep an eye out for sudden and significant changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from social activities, mood swings, or extreme irritability.
2. Physical Symptoms: Unexplained physical ailments like headaches, digestive issues, or changes in sleep patterns can sometimes be linked to underlying mental health concerns.
3. Difficulty Coping: Struggling to cope with everyday challenges, excessive worrying, or a constant sense of hopelessness might indicate a mental health issue.
4. Social Isolation: Drastic withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed can be a sign of emotional distress.
5. Neglecting Responsibilities: If someone is neglecting their responsibilities at home, work, or school, it could be a sign of mental health struggles.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER
1. Open Communication: Approach your loved one with empathy and non-judgmental listening. Let them know you’re there to support them.
2. Educate Yourself: Learn about different mental health conditions to better understand what your loved one might be experiencing.
3. Encourage Professional Help: Suggest seeking help from a mental health professional, like a therapist or counselor, who can provide proper guidance and support.
4. Offer Assistance: Help them find resources and accompany them to appointments if they’re comfortable with it.
5. Respect Their Pace: Be patient and understanding, as recovery is a journey that takes time.
Remember, mental health matters, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. We encourage you to have open conversations about mental health, break the stigma, and be a pillar of support for those who may be struggling.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or crisis, please call emergency services or a crisis hotline right away. Together, we can foster a community where mental well-being is a top priority. Your Danville Police Department stands with you in promoting mental health awareness. Stay safe and look out for one another.
BART: YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW
On Thursday, September 21st at 11:30AM get ready to embark on a journey through time and technology with the exciting, free, virtual program titled “BART: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” brought to you by the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.
The program will be hosted by Michael Healy, retired head of public affairs for Bay Area Rapid Transit/BART. This virtual program promises to captivate audiences as it explores the rich history, current advancements, and future of one of the Bay Area’s most iconic transportation systems.
Since it’s opening 51 years ago, on September 11, 1972, BART has been making history. Listen and learn how President Eisenhower was critical to the establishment of BART and also hear about a marriage that took place on a BART train. These are just a couple of the interesting facts and stories that will be covered.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to dive into the past, present, and future of BART. To attend the presentation, visit museumsrv.org and go to the “Events” section.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
UPCOMING BOOK SALE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH ~ 10AM TO 2PM
The Friends of the Danville Library (FODL) will host a pop-up used book sale to raise money for our local library.
• Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 2pm
• Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library 400 Front Street, Danville
• Most books will be $1-5; less for children’s chapter books
• Cash, local checks, and credit cards accepted
• Book donations will be accepted during the sale. Limit of four bags OTHER WAYS TO HELP
• Become a Member of the FODL and support library programs
• Volunteer to work in the bookstore
• Donations of foreign bills or coins accepted
• Donations of BART paper tickets accepted
For more information, talk with any of the Pop-Up Sales Associates wearing green aprons. Or, visit the bookstore MondaySaturday 10am-5pm to speak with a volunteer.
FALL INTO FLUTE
By Karen Van Dyke
And we’re off! A new academic year is upon us, full of excitement and promise. As we turn our minds and our calendars from barbecues and summer sojourns to fresh textbooks, homework, and football games, it’s easy to allow considerations such as creative outlets and opportunities for personal growth to slip off the radar.
Many school-age students are returning to, or entering into school band programs, a marvelous and critical component of any well-rounded education. However, in order to bolster the work of the band director and fully expose the student to in-depth study of their instrument, private lessons are frequently necessary to pick up where ensemble instruction leaves off. Moreover, the discipline, the exercising of the memory areas of the brain, and the overall stimulation of cognitive function that takes place when practicing an instrument maps onto other academic pursuits, and supports overall mental health.
At this time, my Danville flute studio has a few openings for both in-person and on-line instruction. Lessons cover tonal work, technique, musicianship, interpretation, performance skills, and sight reading through examination of the classical solo repertoire. Lesson curricula are custom-planned depending on the age and goals of the student. All ages and levels are welcome. All-state band, college music major/minor hopefuls, school band students, adult amateurs, and total beginners thrive in my studio.
A resident of Danville, I am a lecturer in the Music Department at Stanford University, where I founded the highly acclaimed Stanford Flute Ensemble over two decades ago. In addition to my work at Stanford, I maintain an active and versatile career as a private flute teacher, freelance orchestral and chamber musician, and for the last 29 years as Director of Northern California Flute Camp, an international summer program for students ages 12-18 held in Carmel Valley (www.flutecamp.com). In my 35+ years of private teaching, my students have occupied the flute sections of all-state, county, and area youth ensembles, have won competitions, and numerous graduates of my private studio have gone on to major in music at top music schools.
Allow the gift of music to color your fall along with the changing foliage! For further information on lessons or to schedule an introductory Zoom lesson, please email kvandyke@ stanford.edu, or visit www. karenvandykeflute.com.
TOWN OF DANVILLE CONTINUES GRANT PROGRAM FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
Take the day of f for a good cause
Join this fun and challenging charity golf event on October 23 to raise support for hospice care in the Tri-Valley. You’ll be among an exclusive group of golfers who will take on this unique dawn-to-dusk personal challenge, playing 100 holes of golf in one day at Castlewood Country Club. This event has just 36 player slots. Sign up now to secure your place!
Benefiting Hope Hospice Hope100GolfMarathon.com
The Danville Town Council has approved a grant program that will allow Danville-based brick and mortar businesses and local organizations to be reimbursed for up to $5,000 for collaborative events and programs that promote patronage of local businesses.
In June, the Town Council approved funds for the Business Promotion Program, which includes $25,000 allocated to this grant program. Applications are now being accepted for events and projects from eligible businesses and organizations. The program is intended to encourage the community to “shop local” by supporting multiple businesses collaborating on a single event or project. The funds may be used to support marketing, technology, or certain event costs, and are made available through reimbursement after the expenditures are made. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, grants were awarded for collaborative events such as the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Sip & Stroll, Museum of the San Ramon Valley Shops and Hops, and the Danville Lions Club Restaurant Walk, among others.
Applications are being accepted for events and projects occurring between now and June 30, 2024. The Town will focus on awarding grants for events and projects that support:
• Providing opportunity for collaboration among multiple businesses.
• Engaging consumers with experiential events and widespread promotion opportunities.
• Promoting events directly driving business or cooperative marketing programs through print and/or digital mediums.
• Incorporating “Live Locally” branding into all marketing efforts. Program eligibility details, review criteria, and an online application are available at www.danville.ca.gov/bizpromogrant. Business owners and organization leaders with questions about the program can contact Lianna Adauto, Economic Development Specialist, at ladauto@danville.ca.gov
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY By
Jamie Westgate, Principal
Ahoy, Matey! This August we kicked off our school year with a kid friendly theme: Finding Treasure. Isaiah 33:6 reminds us, “He will be the sure foundation of our times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” We’ve been diving deep into God’s Word, and the more we look, the more we see this treasure the Bible describes. We’ve seen a few pirates lurking in the hallways, and we’re finding pearls of wisdom inside all of our classrooms which are setting us on course for a great school year ahead.
Our middle school is just about to head to camp for their annual spiritual retreat. For four days in September our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will enjoy Young Life’s Camp Woodleaf to grow closer to God and to one another. One of the hallmarks of SRVCA is a relational approach to academics. Students are so much more invested in the learning process when they know their teachers genuinely care. Taking time to paddleboard, play field games, make crafts, and perform silly skits give our teachers and administrators the opportunity to build memories and show students that we care about each one of them. Our school pastor, Bill Haslim will be sharing Biblical Truths with us each day where we can remind students God loves them and has a plan and purpose for each of their lives. We’re grateful for a volunteer group of parents who join us and make this magic happen. It promises to be a highlight to all middle school students who will come back with a treasure trove of stories!
So far, one of my greatest highs of the year was a TK student who shared during the first week of school that “I now know how to pray by myself at home!” The simplicity of this statement really caught my attention. It’s so easy in today’s world to just keep moving. At SRVCA, our mission is to inspire students to love God, learn for a lifetime, and lead like Christ. Teaching a child to pray is perhaps the most important life skill we can offer. As we steer our ship closer toward God, it is our greatest desire that all students find the rich truth of His love and grace. I’m excited for the year ahead and look forward to the adventures we’ll have together. Aaarrgh!
PTH continued from front page
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By
Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
Monte Vista’s (MV) first day of school was Thursday, August 10th and it was a real celebration welcoming our 2,200 students back to campus. Getting everyone together again always brings a ton of positive energy and lots of positive vibes as we are all excited to make 2023-24 an awesome school year.
In preparation for the first day of school, the MV staff enjoyed two Professional Development Days. Our work focused on further optimizing our weekly collaboration, improving our use of feedback and assessment in instruction, and retooling our site-level practices with attendance and student support. Both days were engaging, informative, and also a lot of fun. It is always wonderful connecting and reconnecting with our colleagues and to work on setting a great tone for the new school year. I would like to thank MV’s PTSA for providing us with a delicious lunch for our Wednesday session.
The first full week of school came with a lot of activities. We started the week with a series of Spirit Days and culminated with a School Rally and Back to School Dance which is always well attended by students. There was great participation by both students and staff and we had a lot of fun in the process.
MV’s athletic teams all started off their seasons, including the inaugural year of our Women’s Flag Football program. We are happy to provide another opportunity for our student-athletes to represent the MV community.
The final two weeks of August gave rise to our first athletic competitions of the season. MV Women’s Golf, Tennis, and Volleyball are all eager to repeat as EBAL champions and the rest of our fall teams are focused on doing the same. We look forward to seeing all of the hard work our student-athletes have put in over the spring and summer pay off on the field, court, track, and pool.
MV is off to a fast and successful start to the 2023-24 school year. Please check our website mvhs.srvusd.net or follow us on social media for up-to-date information about what’s happening at MV. It is going to be a great year.
was in 6th grade. Her daughter Emily became a PTH ambassador at the same age. Asked about projects she experienced as a PTH parent, Carrie writes: “That’s the thing about PTH. The parents weren’t really involved like we had to be for other charitable youth organizations. I would donate food so they could make sandwiches. I would drive them to BART where Gaby would take them into the City to hand out food, blankets, and toiletry kits to the homeless. That’s what I loved about it. Gaby was like Peter Pan. She inspired them to do these things without parents having to be there holding their hands or telling them what to do.” She adds that “they would come home and tell stories of their day and how they made someone else’s life brighter even for just a few moments in time because Gaby helped them see their potential for giving.”
Emily Barlow writes about volunteering with PTH for the first time as a 6th grader. “Gaby quickly became someone that I looked up to. She is one of the most selfless people I know, and Pledge to Humanity is the truest extension of herself.” Emily recalls lines from Mother Teresa’s Anyway poem that Gaby shared with her: “The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.”
Partnering with We Charities (formerly Free the Children) provides opportunities for young PTH ambassadors to reach out to children in Mexico, Ecuador, Kenya, and India. “My favorite PTH memory,” Emily recalls, “is when we went to Mexico to visit an orphanage run by a partner organization called Nuestros Pequerios Hermanos. We visited various schools, did projects with the children, took dance classes, ate meals together. It was an experience I will never forget.” As part of the mission, the volunteers traveling with Gaby took care of the animals and gardens that fed the children. That 2019 trip was the last one possible before COVID cut off the chance to travel. Getting international projects back on track is part of this year’s goals.
Despite COVID restrictions, however, PTH was able to fund the construction of Suenos Amores y Esperanza, a school in one of the poorest communities in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. PTH sustains the after-school program with tutoring and meal service to give children a safe haven and the chance to achieve their full potential. In July, Gaby attended the school’s graduation ceremony. “It was truly inspiring to see the kids feeling empowered, happy, and proud for graduation,” Gaby says.
Lilly Van Wagenen was a 4th grader when Gaby came to her school to talk about PTH. She was immediately impressed by all the projects young people were accomplishing. In middle school, she joined the Stone Valley PTH Club for moms and daughters. A holiday project geared to gathering gifts for local families convinced Lilly that her life’s work would be centered around helping others.“The action of handpicking the baskets and wrapping up the presents and gifting them to families that could not afford them is something that I will always remember. I had grown to care for these people and felt like I had a stake in making their holidays a little bit brighter,” she recalls.
When COVID canceled in-person activities at Monte Vista High School during her junior year, Lilly organized coat drives, blanket-making kits, and card-making kits for PTH club members to work on individually. Lilly took the completed projects to Gaby's house and together they distributed them to shelters and organization that could get them to people in need. As club president her senior year, when students returned from virtual learning, she worked with fellow officers to present the club's goals at the fall Monte Vista fair, signing up 70 members, more than double the number from previous years.
SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
By Hailey Gunderson, San Ramon Valley High School, Junior
San Ramon Valley (SRV) High School students kicked off the school year with an exciting, but jampacked, few weeks which included a school rally, a Welcome Back dance and the start of fall sports.
SRV’s Leadership class worked countless hours over the summer to prepare for the welcome back rally on the second day of school. On August 11th, hundreds of students filled the gym to celebrate a new school year, emanating SRV’s contagious school spirit. The rally consisted of games, including relay races and scavenger hunts, choreographed dances by the varsity cheer and pom team, awards, and the famous ‘Home of the Champions’ speech by SRV teacher Mr. Busboom. The rally was a great way to start the school year and create an inclusive and spirited school environment for every student on campus.
That same night, SRV had its annual Welcome Back dance. The freshmen had an incredible time singing, dancing, and meeting new people.
Switching gears to fall sports, this year is the inaugural season for women’s flag football. After a full week of tryouts, the team was formed, consisting of approximately 30 girls representing every grade. This is a new varsity sport and teams will be playing in the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL). The women are looking forward to a great season and a chance at being the first team ever in history to win EBAL for women’s flag football. The whole school and community is looking forward to watching this new sport.
Other fall sports at SRV include, cross country, water polo, women’s volleyball, tennis, and golf. All teams have concluded their tryouts and are training for a great season to come.
Many SRV students recently participated in “Breaking Down the Walls,” which is a program where students sign up and are pulled from their classes for a day to participate in a workshop led by one of Living for Learning’s top motivational speakers. In this workshop students had the opportunity to connect with a variety of different students on a deeper level than day-today conversations in the classroom. The hope is that students who attended the workshop are able to shift the way they think about peers, classmates, the school, and especially themselves.
Looking toward the next few weeks, SRV will hold homecoming the week of September 18th. The theme this year is “What’s Up SRV,” with each grade taking on a theme with the word ‘Up.’ Freshmen = Batter Up, Sophomores = Fixer Upper, Juniors = Surf’s Up, Seniors = Turn it Up. Each day of the week students will show their spirit by dressing up for one theme, culminating with a green and gold dress up day on Friday. On Friday, many activities will be held including the homecoming rally, a parade through downtown, and a football game against Liberty High. The whole community is invited to the parade and football game on September 22nd Homecoming festivities will conclude on Saturday with the Homecoming Dance. Homecoming is one of the best weeks of the year for many students. SRV’s school spirit really shines during homecoming.
That’s the latest around campus. 925.820.3640
DELVING INTO UC BERKELEY’S INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES AND WHY THEY MATTER IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Provided by Advantage College Planning
In the college application process, understanding the institutional priorities of your desired universities is key. These priorities not only illuminate a school’s future focus, but also highlight what they value. As a student, if your focus areas align with these institutional priorities, it’s a win-win situation - you not only demonstrate to the university that you are aligned with their mission, but you also find an institution that supports and enhances your interests.
Consider the University of California, Berkeley Institutional Priorities, which reflect its strategic vision for the future:
Transforming the Student Experience: This priority shows Berkeley's commitment to improving the overall student experience on campus. If you have a history of fostering positive change in your community or school, highlight these experiences in your application to align with this priority.
Culture of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Berkeley’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion underlines the importance they place on creating an environment where everyone belongs. Have you worked on diversity and inclusion initiatives? If so, this could significantly enhance your application.
Financial Stability: This internal priority underlines Berkeley’s fiscal responsibility. For students interested in finance or economics, this might provide opportunities to participate in initiatives to create a sustainable fiscal culture on campus.
Health Justice and Holistic Well-Being: Health and wellness are high on Berkeley’s priority list. If you’ve contributed to health initiatives or wish to pursue a health-related career, this focus aligns well with your goals.
Organizational Behavior and Development: Berkeley seeks to create a culture of trust, transparency, and innovation. Highlighting experiences in leadership roles or projects that demonstrate these qualities can resonate strongly with this priority. By comprehending these institutional priorities, you can emphasize elements in your application that align with the university’s core values and future initiatives. Doing so not only showcases your understanding of the institution, but also helps you stand out as a candidate who can actively contribute to these priorities.
This understanding is beneficial in two ways
For the student: When your focus areas align with the university’s institutional priorities, it means you’re more likely to find programs, resources, and a culture that supports and nurtures your interests.
For the university: Colleges seek students who will actively contribute to their community and mission. When a student’s interests align with a university’s priorities, it shows the potential for meaningful contribution.
However, it’s essential to remember that institutional priorities differ across universities. For every university you’re considering, research their priorities and see how your interests and experiences can align. This understanding will lead to a more effective application and, ultimately, a university experience that genuinely resonates with your personal and academic aspirations. Research may be challenging, but it’s an integral part of the exciting journey of finding the right college fit. Happy researching!
With offices across the country, and now with one in the East Bay, Advantage College Planning helps families with all aspects of college planning: choosing an appropriate major based on aptitude, personality, and interest, creating a list of good fit colleges and successfully completing college applications and essays.
Check out our website to access tons of free content (like this), register for one of our many seminars, or schedule a consult with us. Visit www.advcp.com/ eastbay or email eastbay@advcp.com. Advertorial
Open Monday - Thursday and the first two Saturdays of each month.
Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family
Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Veteran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction.
Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.
QUICK TRIPS
By Linda Summers Pirkle STEINHART AQUARIUMThe year 1923 was big for ideas, and for brothers. In Hollywood, the Disney brothers, Roy and Walt, founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, and locally Sigmund and Ignatz Steinhart established the world class Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, known as the “grande dame” of aquariums.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, my daughters, granddaughters, and I visited the California Academy of Science (CAS), home to Steinhart Aquarium. It’s a magical place full of memories for most people who grew up in the Bay Area.
Author Bart Shepherd, in a soon-to-be-released book The Spectacular Steinhart Aquarium, 19232023 shares fascinating stories about some of the dramatic expeditions to remote locales to find the myriad of animals that call Steinhart their home. The book is easy to read with wonderful photos and a decade-by-decade account of the evolution of Steinhart and aquarium science. If the past 100 years of Steinhart were told cinematically, it could be a Disney family film with some Indiana Jones adventure sprinkled in.
One story took place in 1967. While on a trip to a South American fish market, Academy trustee Wilson Meyer came across a young Amazonian manatee that had been harpooned. Shepherd writes, “He purchased the animal, bought it a coach seat alongside human passengers on a commercial airliner, and sent him back to San Francisco where he was treated for his injuries by the Steinhart veterinarian. For the next 17 years, Butterball, as he became known, wowed more than 25 million visitors and participated in 10 academic research projects.”
One of the oldest creatures to see at the Aquarium is Methuselah, an Australian lungfish, the oldest living aquarium fish in the world. Shepherd writes, “A resident for nearly 90 years, she shared a habitat with many other fish over the years, but prefers to live alone. Methuselah arrived via a Matson Navigation Company liner in November 1938 and has far outlived the 231 other fish from Fiji and Australia.”
It is estimated the total number of visitors to Steinhart over the past 100 years is 150 million and currently they average over a million guests each year.
As we meandered past display cases filled with sea creatures of all shapes, sizes, and colors, through the spectacular roundabout, and peeked into the “swamp” to see beloved “Claude” the albino alligator, it was wonderful to see people of all ages and, based on the different languages I heard, many from all over the world.
Shepherd eloquently observes,“In a time with innumerable threats to the natural world, one thing is certain: Screens will never replace the evocative experience of being eye-to-eye with a beautiful living creature and feeling a connection with nature.” Steinhart Aquarium is located at California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco. Their website is calacademy. org. They are open Sunday-Sunday. Groupon tickets are available online. Visit their website for maintenance closure dates of the Rainforest exhibit at CAS. A special thanks to Jeanette Peach, Assoc. Communications Director at Steinhart for sharing an advance proof of The Spectacular Steinhart Aquarium, by Bart Shepherd.
Linda Summers Pirkle is a travel writer, Francophile, consultant, and long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
WEIGHING OPTIONS: HOTELS VS. VACATION RENTALS FOR YOUR HOLIDAYS
By Alisha Berry, Alamo/Danville Area Travel Advisor, Cypress Loop Travel LLCAs summer bids adieu, the holiday season beckons, prompting us to contemplate the perfect lodging for our upcoming journeys. Whether orchestrating a family reunion, seeking a romantic escape, or embracing adventure, a pivotal consideration is the accommodation. Among the options, hotels and vacation rentals shine, each with its unique allure. Allow me to outline the advantages and nuances of both, aiding your decision-making process.
COMFORTS OF HOTELS
Hotels are renowned for impeccable service, offering assistance in all facets of your stay – from booking tours to local tips. The array of amenities, from pools and fitness centers to room service and daily housekeeping, adds an air of indulgence. Familiar brands ensure a consistent experience across locations, a plus for those seeking predictability based on prior positive encounters.
NAVIGATING HOTEL CONSIDERATIONS
Yet, the convenience of hotels can come at a premium, especially during peak holidays. Such expenses can strain budgets. Amid the hustle of many guests, personalized attention might diminish, and limited space without kitchen access may affect comfort.
CHARMS OF VACATION RENTALS
In contrast, vacation rentals provide an authentic experience, often reflecting local lifestyles. Ideal for families or groups, these offer cost-ef -
COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTION PLAN TO HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH
By County Supervisor Candace Andersen
In Contra Costa County (CCC) some of our most vulnerable youths are in foster care or breaking laws and ending up in the juvenile justice system. Our county is taking major steps to support these children and their families through a Comprehensive Prevention Plan (CPP).
In 2018, the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was passed. It addresses the foster care system within California by setting new standards and goals to increase support for families and children. It focuses on the improvement of prevention services, support services for children to remain at home, and better oversight and requirements for those being placed in treatment programs.
As a result of this act, CCC has created the CPP which focuses on a prevention-based approach to reduce the number of youths in the foster care system. The Contra Costa CPP steering committee and planning team include Children and Family Services, Probation, Child Abuse Prevention Council, CCC Office of Education, and several other committed members who have been actively involved in the development process of the plan. The Prevention plan focuses on mental health, substance use prevention and treatment, improving parental skills, and addressing the disproportionate number of youths of color in the juvenile justice system.
A needs assessment was conducted throughout the community to find youth that were at greatest risk of entry or re-entry into foster care or juvenile justice systems. East CCC, particularly Antioch, was identified to be the target community due to its lack of resources compared to population in need. According to the California Healthy Places Index, CCC sits at the 92.5 percentile for healthy community conditions while Antioch is at the bottom 10-15%.
Antioch’s population has grown along with the rest of the Bay Area, but needed services have not kept up, resulting in more needs within that community for quality programs. Through extensive data collection, the main groups in need of mental health/ alcohol services, family services, and others are poor, Black/African American, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ residents.
To address these issues and groups, a support system of five components was identified: concrete support to families in crisis; more accessibility to resources and services; focus on family preservation and parenting skills trauma-informed services, and public awareness to fuel these resources. From these, the CPP devised
fectiveness through shared expenses and the convenience of a kitchen. A homey atmosphere is especially appealing during the holiday season.
NAVIGATING RENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
However, vacation rentals exhibit variations. Cleanliness, amenities, and overall quality differ across properties. Unlike hotels, they may lack the same level of service, necessitating proactive planning. Interaction with individual hosts, rather than hotel staff, can lead to miscommunication or safety concerns. It’s essential to research, read reviews, and be mindful of potential costs, ensuring your choice aligns with your expectations. We hear far too many stories of things going wrong with privately hosted rentals.
DECIDING FACTORS
The choice between hotels and vacation rentals hinges on preferences, budget, and the desired experience. Hotels offer consistency and professionalism, ideal for those prioritizing convenience. Vacation rentals may offer a more personal, immersive stay, perfect for those seeking connection.
When deliberating, consider location, budget, group size, and desired amenities. If uncertain, a travel advisor can offer valuable insights including vetting hotels and properties.
For help and guidance on your next trip, please contact me at 925971-1755 or visit www.cypressloop.com . Advertorial
three main prevention levels to support families based on their individualized needs.
The first, or primary level of the plan, is to prevent harm before it occurs by offering supportive services and concrete support to families in poverty or those without housing through programs such as CalWORKs, CalFresh, housing programs, and more.
The second level is to stabilize families when at a crisis point. It is for families who have one or more risk factors such as mental illness, parental substance abuse, domestic violence, or young parental age. They will be provided with in-home services to help address the problems they are facing. The third level of the plan is for those who have already experienced child abuse issues or are involved in the juvenile justice system. The goal is to prevent future harm where it has already occurred. Much of the focus is on mitigating trauma and preventing a recurrence of foster care or justice involvement.
The guiding principles throughout all these plan levels stays the same: team based, family voice and choice, natural supports, collaboration and integration, community-based, cultural respect, individualized, strengths-based, persistence, and outcome-based.
To involve all these different aspects of the plan, the CPP Planning Team chose Motivation Interviewing (MI) as its strategy to address these. MI is a style of communication which focuses on good listening techniques and giving information and advice to empower change and strong relationships within families. It also has principles of engagement to help strengthen connections such as authentic communication between the provider and client and compassion for the client.
MI has shown positive affects when it comes to refining parental skills, mental health treatment, and family interaction. The benefits of MI include no training or educational requirements and is the most inclusive/accessible strategy for those throughout the community.
Next steps for implementation include identifying a Community Based Organization to be the CPP provider; pursuing and developing funding to sustain and expand the programs to serve the entire county, not just Antioch and East County; and to have existing County programs supporting youth focus more on prevention. Through this program we are very hopeful that we can provide our vulnerable youth with a much brighter future.
My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of unincorporated Walnut Creek. Please 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 925-655-2300.
Thank you to Summer Intern Sami Tripasuri for her contributions to this article.
VALLEY VIGNETTES By Beverly Lane
ALAMO ONCE CALLED ‘METROPOLIS OF FUTURE’
In the twenty-first century, the community of Alamo is a green enclave with large-lot homes tucked between Walnut Creek and Danville. As the second oldest community in the county (Martinez is older), its history is a long one. At one point, Alamo was even touted as the “metropolis of the future.”
“Alamo” means “poplar” or “cottonwood tree” in Spanish. This name was frequently used throughout Hispanic California.
Information about Alamo’s earliest years is available primarily because of a remarkable woman who wrote about them, Mary A. Jones. Jones recorded the reaction of her husband John when they first traveled through the San Ramon Valley before the Gold Rush in 1847:
“‘Mary, look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?’ There was nothing in sight but nature. Nothing to show that man had been here, except a little mud and stick hut close to where the Alamo Bridge is.” After they had looked for a while, John said, “If I live and can ever get a home here, I am going to have it.”
They did return, after living in San Jose and mining in the Sierras, finally coming to the valley with the William Mitchell family on November 10, 1851. Mary Ann loved the valley, writing at one point:
On every side, the valley and surrounding hills were covered with thick, velvety clover, and with wild oats standing waist high, waving and rippling in the summer breeze, like the bosom of a lake.
The community grew quickly in the 1850s, out-pacing Lafayette because of its excellent location. Alamo was the mid-way point for travelers going to and from Martinez and Mission San Jose. In addition, a road from the redwoods, west of the Moraga Valley, came over the divide and brought people to Alamo.
David and Eliza Glass moved to north Alamo in November of 1850 and established the first small trading post to take advantage of the location; this was the first store in the county outside of Martinez. It was followed in the next decade by George Englemeyer’s store and Captain Wall’s boarding house just 1 ½ miles south of Walnut Creek.
James D. Smith, who came to Alamo as a child, wrote later about the housewarming which Captain Wall hosted after his building was completed:
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
The music was two violins with the second violin, Arch Penniman, doing the calling for the dances…there was a large attendance from Lafayette, Moraga and from Martinez…a fine supper was served, and the dance closed when the company joined in singing ‘We Won’t Go Home Till Morning’ and they did not.
The Alamo post office is the oldest one in the San Ramon Valley, beginning in 1852 with John Jones as postmaster. It was in their home, which formerly belonged to the Garcias, and sat on a knoll east of the county road. People picked up mail and stayed to visit. Mary Ann Jones’ autobiography described post office activities: When his business called him away from home, I took care of the office. Many times men would come and get their mail and sit and read and talk until I felt like saying ‘Do go, I have to work.’ We had no stamps then, nor envelopes. We wrote our letters, folded and sealed them with sealing wax, and then paid ten cents for delivery. We had mail twice a week.
The entire Valley was sometimes described as “Alamo” in the early days. The census of 1860, for example, included the valley in Township 2 which was grouped as the “Lafayette and Alamo Post Offices.” In 1856, when Bret Harte wrote letters from the Tassajara Valley where he was a youthful tutor, he headed the letters with “Alamo” which probably indicated that post office.
Civilization in the form of churches, schools, stores, and lodges began as families moved in during the fifties and began ranching in the area. Alamo Masonic Lodge No. 122 held its first meeting in 1858. Mary and John Jones were instrumental in establishing a grammar school, regular camp meetings, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Union Academy (a boarding and day high school which opened in 1859). The first burial in the nearby Alamo Cemetery was recorded in 1856.
Alamo did not turn out to be “the metropolis of the future,” but in the 1850s it had the same natural beauty and the crucial location in which residents take pride today.
Sources: Virgie V. Jones book Remembering Alamo…and Other Things Along the Way; J. P. Munro-Fraser’s History of Contra
County (1882);
To learn more about The Rotary Club of Alamo and see current meeting dates and times, visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Danville Rotary Club meets virtually every Monday at noon. Learn more at danvillerotary.org. If you are interested in the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, they meet Tuesdays at 7AM. Contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com, call 925-336-0000, or visit dsvrotary.com. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets at the San Ramon Community Center on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-683-6310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 5:30PM-6:40PM. For more information, call 925-998-2924. Rotary Club of San Ramon meets at San Ramon Community Center every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm. For more information, visit sanramonrotary.org, or email mjzroberts@att.net, or call 650-483-4069.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets twice a month at 6:30PM on the first and third Wednesday at Mangia Mi located at 406 Hartz Ave, Danville. The group is looking for like-minded people who wish to volunteer their time for good causes to join the club. The group is a dinner-time club and meets at restaurants for dinner and business meetings in Danville. Danville Lions raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide, through fun and gratifying projects. Lions are well known for successful initiatives in vision health. Please visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/danvilleca to learn more or contact Club president Diana Gaines at 925-719-1553.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at The Grille at Blackhawk, located at 3540 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $30. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events.
The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
CLIP NOTES By Jody Morgan
An old superstition suggests anyone carrying goldenrod will find treasure. Seventy-five of the 100 goldenrod species occurring worldwide hail from North America. Employed medicinally by people around the globe, goldenrod was used to dress wounds, treat snakebite, cure sore throats, ease arthritis, and alleviate numerous additional ailments. Solidago, the botanic label for the goldenrod genus, comes from the Latin “solido” meaning “to make whole.” During the American Revolution, goldenrod was one of the readily available native plants brewed as a substitute for imported tea.
In Wildflower Folklore, Laura C. Martin writes: “During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, goldenrod powder was exported to London for its healing powers and was sold for as much as a half a crown per pound.” Sweet Scented Goldenrod (Solidago odora) was sold by Shakers to remedy a range of physical complaints. Amy Bess Miller records in Shaker Herbs: “It is excellent to use to disguise the taste of medicinal herbs.”
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs describes an experiment planned, but never realized. “Goldenrod gum, or goldenrod gumdrops for that matter, have not taken the country by storm, but they were once part of a farm merchandising dream. In 1948, an agricultural experiment station in Texas published detailed instructions for sweet goldenrod farming as well as how to pace the harvest so it wouldn’t overrun the processing operation. The acres upon hypothetical acres of goldenrod were going to be processed for the plant’s oil, which was to be sold as an ingredient for chewing gums, candies, and deodorants.”
On a mission to find a rubber-producing plant that could thrive in the United States, Thomas Edison enlisted the financial support of his friends Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. Together they founded the Edison Botanic Research Corporation in 1927 in Fort Meyers, Florida. A 1915 visit paid by Edison and Ford to self-styled plant engineer Luther Burbank at his Santa Rosa, California residence inspired the enterprise. The trio discussed America’s dependence on foreign markets for rubber. The US was purchasing 75% of total world production. World War I emphasized the desirability of discovering a commercially viable domestic resource.
Edison sought expert advice at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). He was enthusiastically received by Dr. Marshall A. Howe, Assistant Director, and Dr. John K. Small, Herbarium Curator. Neil Baldwin writes in Edison: Inventing the Century: “Edison settled into a makeshift lab prepared for him in a temporarily commandeered ladies lounge converted by obliging Garden administrators. He spent several days sketching, scraping bark, dissecting pith, grinding pulp in a coffee mill, measuring residue, mixing solvents, squeezing sap from stems and rubbing the exudation between his thumb and forefinger, and taking notes for the compilation of what would eventually amount to 530 laboratory notebooks devoted exclusively to ‘Rubber Studies.’”
After testing 17,000 plants, Edison identified a species of goldenrod as the most productive source of latex, the essential substance needed to make rubber. Breeding to improve the naturally occurring species resulted in a 12-foot-tall goldenrod dubbed Solidago edisoniana
Tasked with finding materials the NYBG still retained from Edison’s experiments, Lisa Vargues found a “yellowed letter, handwritten in pencil.” The handwriting proved a match for Edison’s.
Vargues writes in an article posted in Applied Science (“In Search of Thomas Edison’s Botanical Treasures” October 30, 2013): “Addressing the Head Curator simply as ‘Small,’ Edison’s undated letter discusses Solidago species and percentages of extracted rubber. A 1930 S. edisoniana label had been mounted along with a photo taken in Fort Meyers of a towering goldenrod. The folder contained additional treasures: a pressed S. edisoniana specimen, more photos, notes by W.M. Biswell (a Florida botanist and assistant to Edison), and slides.”
Searching the Herbarium’s collection of 7.3 million pressed specimens uncovered more Edison-related material. The article concludes: “After Edison’s death in 1931, the U.S. Department of Agriculture resumed the search for a domestic latex source, but the project ended when synthetic rubber was developed during World War II. “
Because goldenrod and ragweed flower about the same time, goldenrod has been blamed for causing hay fever, although ragweed is the actual culprit. Goldenrod pollen and nectar are important foods for bees and butterflies. Too heavy to be airborne, goldenrod pollen can’t reach a person’s olfactory organ until the nose is thrust into a blossom. Ragweed doesn’t produce nectar. The visually insignificant flowers are wind pollinated. The small, lightweight pollen wafts for miles on the slightest breeze. A single ragweed plant can produce over a billion grains of this allergenic nuisance.
“All throughout my education I felt that teachers and students were hyper focused on what your specific ‘job’ or ‘occupation’ would be. They always asked, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ and ‘not what do you want to do with your life when you grow up.’” Being part of PTH and having Gaby as a mentor taught me to refocus my thoughts and to pursue activities, education paths, and careers that fulfill my ‘life’s work’ which is my desire to help others and make a positive change in the world. When I use this mindset to drive my decisions, I really am able to feel passionate about my life and activities,” Lilly explains.
The transformative experience of witnessing how each simple act of kindness can make an amazing difference in the life of another person inspires PTH kids to become caring adults. As the PTH mission statement reads: “They grow into empathetic leaders who embrace a lifelong commitment to service ... At the heart of the Pledge to Humanity mission is our promise to champion these compassionate changemakers.”
When Emily Barlow graduated from college in May 2022, she returned home long enough to work with Gaby on implementing a new initiative: monthly projects offering opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate. Emily notes: “From finding venues to accommodate us to organizing projects based on seasonal need, a lot of planning went into creating events that would both strengthen the PTH community and provide large numbers of necessities to our partner organizations.”
Home for the holidays, Cole Barlow asked Gaby how he could help. She gave him wish lists from foster families and shelters. He shopped for the gifts, wrapped, and delivered them.
As a freshman at Cornell, Lilly found most charitable campus projects were simply donation-based. She contacted Gaby for help. Using supplies sent by Gaby, Lilly and her ILR women’s caucus mates put together 100 winter kits for shelters in Ithaca, New York. As an unpaid PTH summer intern, Van Wagenen assisted with the implementation of a new software program for PTH school groups that facilitates posting volunteer opportunities and tracking volunteer hours and worked with Monte Vista PTH officers on updating the club’s constitution. She will serve as Director of Philanthropy for her sorority this year.
From June 2022 through August 2, 2023 (not counting time spent by high school clubs), 3,077 PTH volunteers contributed 447,703 service hours. Although the people they served might term their achievements “priceless,” the State of California values each volunteer hour at $29.
See PTH continued on page 20
By Roger Smith, President
