COMMUNITY
FOCUS ourcommunityfocus.com
DECEMBER 2020
IN THIS ISSUE: • CITY’S GAYLE VASSAR RETIRES • OLIVER HOLMES AWARDS • VETERANS HONORED
PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK
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MISSION STATEMENT The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening and building connections within our community.
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COVER:
Super Holiday Marketplace
8& 11 Read My Mind
20 A History Note
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Photographer Susan Wood captures her granddaughter, Emma Jean Rubbicco, enjoying the wonder of Christmas. Photo by: SusanWoodPhotography.com
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Meet Kellie Joe who lives in Pleasant Hill with her wife. She’s the founder and sole employee of Queen of Crusts, a “take and bake” pizza kit home delivery business. Kellie Joe and her wife also co-founded Chicks and Love Pizza, a farmers’ market and pizza catering company. How have you been affected by Covid-19? My wife is a frontline worker as a nurse and I’m an essential worker with a home delivery business. Covid-19 has made me realize that I’m able to roll with the punches for whatever obstacles come my way. What is your biggest challenge? My life has been composed of one challenge after another. As a female in a male dominated industry, Asian American female, and member of the LGBTQ+ community, challenges are always there to greet me. I try my best to embrace challenge. I look them dead in the eyes and grab them by the horns! What do you like to do for fun? We LOVE going to Disneyland and Universal Studios! We’re foodies and love to cook and dine out. We enjoy taking trips along the coast with our two pups. More about Kellie Joe: 1. My first career choices were magician and comedienne. 2. I once entered a Madonna look-alike contest. 3. I’m a distant relative of Woody Harrelson.
Julie Says
Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! BY JULIE ROSS What a glorious day it was. Massive grizzlies wrestled and frolicked in their pool just a few feet from where we stood. Majestic lions sunbathed, revealing some very impressive teeth with their wide yawns. A mother baboon kept her baby in check with a firm grip on the little one’s tail, preventing repeated attempts to join in roughhousing with the “big kids.” A condor took flight right in front of us as eyes grew wide, taking in the nine-foot wingspan of this enormous,
graceful bird. Even the jaguar was out, pacing for a while before leaping into a lookout tree. Having voted early, my husband and I spent Election Day at the Oakland Zoo, where there was a refreshing and widespread apathy concerning the Electoral College among the non-human residents. Politics aside, it was a much different zoo-going experience during a pandemic, with regulations reducing the number of people allowed in. To visit, we registered in advance online and received timed-entry tickets. Reduced capacity meant parking was a breeze, with no lines to enter. Fewer
people also meant better access to observe the animals; no crowding. It was quiet. A really nice break and a great way to spend the day. During the holidays, the zoo also promises to be a great place to spend an evening. For the rest of this year and through January 17, 2021, the zoo is hosting a new event called Glowfari, which is replacing its annual Zoolights event. Glowfari is a lantern festival featuring hundreds of life-sized and largerthan-life- sized illuminated creatures. Visitors can take a mile-long walk through dozens of towering wild animal lanterns, including a full-sized elephant. If you haven’t been to the Oakland Zoo in a while, you will be pleased to find modern new gondolas to whisk you up the hill to the California Trail (no more terrifying chair lift). For Glowfari,
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the gondolas will be festively lit and take you back in time to observe giant prehistoric creatures in lantern form, among them a T-Rex, a stegosaurus, and even a couple of pterodactyls. This year there are larger light displays, longer hours, and more available dates for the evening program. While enjoying the amazing lantern art, visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about the importance of every species on earth and the zoo’s commitment to conservation. Find out more for either a day trip or to attend Glowfari at the zoo’s website, www.oaklandzoo.org. Either way, you can create a special memory this holiday season while supporting the educational and conservation efforts of the Oakland Zoo. Happy Holidays! You can reach Julie at julieakross@ comcast.net
925-381-7272 ErikFlaskerud@Remax.net
Looking for a sign that I’m the right Realtor for Pleasant Hill? Found it. I’m a neighbor, former teacher, and Realtor serving Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Walnut Creek & Lamorinda.
Angie Evans Traxinger 925.305.8677 www.angieandjoan.com angie@angietraxinger.com DRE #01828901
OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | 3
ADUs Are Good for People and Places
Communities that Understand ADUs Allow Homeowners to Create Them
ADUs ARE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTION • ADUs can generate rental income to help homeowners cover mortgage payments or simply make ends meet. The income provided by an ADU tenant can be especially important for older people on fixed incomes. • Since the land on which an ADU is built already belongs to the homeowner, the expense to build a secondary residence is for the new structure only. The lot is, in a sense, free. • ADUs are typically owned and managed by homeowners who live on the premises. Such landlords are less likely to raise the rent once a valued tenant has moved in. Many ADUs are created for family members to reside in for free or at a discounted rate. • Although market rate rents for ADUs
tend to be slightly more than for similarly sized apartments, they often represent the only affordable rental choices in single-family neighborhoods, which typically contain no studio or one- bedroom housing options at all. • Some municipalities are boosting ADUs as part of affordable housing and anti- displacement strategies. Santa Cruz, California is among the cities with programs to help lower-income households build ADUs or reside in them at reliably affordable rents. ADUs ARE ABLE TO HOUSE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES • An individual’s housing needs change over time, and an ADU’s use can be adapted for different household types, income levels, employment situations and stages of life. • ADUs offer young people entry-level
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housing choices. • ADUs enable families to expand beyond their primary home. • ADUs provide empty nesters and others with the option of moving into a smaller space while renting out their larger house or letting an adult child and his or her family reside in it. ADUs ARE JUST THE RIGHT SIZE • Generally measuring between 450 and 1,000 square feet, ADUs work well for the one- and two-bedroom homes needed by today’s smaller, childless households, which now account for nearly two- thirds of all households in the United States. ADUs ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT • ADUs require fewer resources to build and maintain than full-sized homes.
•A DUs use significantly less energy for heating and cooling. • ADUs are community- compatible. •A DUs offer a way to include smaller, relatively affordable homes in established neighborhoods with minimal visual impact and without adding to an area’s sprawl. • ADUs provide a more dispersed and incremental way of adding homes to a neighborhood than other options, such as multi-story apartment buildings. As a result, it’s often easier to get community support for ADUs than for other housing types. SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS (AVERAGE HOME SIZES), U.S. CENSUS BUREAU (AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZES)
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Real Estate Advice Why Your Home Has Not Sold BY PETE SABINE After putting your house on the market, you might be hoping for a quick sale —especially if you’ve invested a lot of money to improve the house or your neighborhood is in high demand. While you should not panic if the house does not sell right away, you should be concerned if you haven’t received an offer after six weeks. Here are some reasons your house may not be selling: The asking price is too high If your house is overpriced, it is not going to sell. The longer your property stays on the market, the less likely it will sell at the asking price. Compare your property to similar properties that recently sold within your area to get an accurate idea of its true value. Do not make the mistake of adding 100% of the cost of any renovations
you made. The cost of all renovations does not always translate to equivalent added value. Poor presentation If the listing of your home has a poor description and/or amateur photos, most buyers will not want to visit. Make sure your Realtor creates a listing that attracts the attention of buyers with professional photos and videos of the interior and exterior of your home. Houses that smell do not sell A dirty house leaves a bad impression on buyers. Hire a professional to thoroughly clean the interior, including appliances, carpet, and windows before showing your house. Lack of emotional appeal If your home is vacant, do not show an empty house. This makes it difficult for buyers to imagine living in it. Stage your house with furniture and decor to give buyers a sense of space and how it can be used. You want the buyer to feel at home when they tour your home.
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The décor or remodeling is too personalized Take down your personal décor so buyers have an easier time imagining living there. You might think that dark paint and fixtures in the master bathroom are incredible, but that does not mean potential buyers will agree. If your home improvements or decor are too personalized, most buyers will not get past your unique style and choices for fixtures and finishes. Less is more If you have too much furniture, it will make the house feel smaller than it is. Too many repairs are needed The more repairs needed, the less likely a buyer will want your house. Many buyers do not want to deal with the cost or effort of doing repair work, even if it is just small repairs such as tightening a handrail or replacing a broken tile. The market trend changed Some-
times a hot market can temper by the time your home is offered for sale. Your Realtor should be monitoring competing homes for sale and the supply/demand ratio and communicate with you to make any adjustments in your marketing strategy. You hired a novice Realtor A seasoned professional Realtor makes all the difference in selling your home at the highest possible price within a reasonable period of time. The common mistakes on this list can be remedied, however, one of the best ways to avoid making them is by hiring an experienced Realtor. We know how to set the stage for your success. Call us to win with us! Pete Sabine & Leslie Whitney: 925.297.5335. Discover more real estate pro tips. Find our podcasts at FiveStarRealEstateTeam.podbean.com. Compass #01866771. SPONSORED CONTENT
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Super Holiday Marketplace Shop Safely and Support Local Crafters The 11th annual free Super Holiday Marketplace is December 5 in Pleasant Hill and December 6 in Concord. This two-day event is a wonderful opportunity for one-stop shopping to find everything on your holiday gift list. Shoppers will find a potpourri of gift items from nearly 50 vendors in a socially distanced
setup. A face covering or mask is required to attend, and temperatures will be taken of everyone entering each day. The indoor holiday marketplace allows shoppers to get special, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for family, friends, and colleagues. A gift bag from Stanford Children’s Health is presented
Ruth Bancroft
“Garden of d’Lights” Safe Outdoor Event The public is invited to experience this unique East Bay holiday lights exhibit. Using thousands of LED lights and specially programmed lasers, the illuminated garden comes alive at night as magical, colorful sculptures are created from the hundreds of illuminated cacti, succulents, and trees. Visitors, young and old, will delight as they wander through the meandering paths and experience the garden in a whole new way. With more lights and more lasers, this year’s “Garden of d’Lights” is set to be better than ever and is a must-see this holiday season. Due to Covid-19 and the need for social distancing, capacity is limited, so timed entry and tickets must be purchased online in advance. Masks will be required at all times for guests aged 3 and older. Garden of d’Lights is part of a continuing series of events welcoming the public into the garden. This light exhibit has been created by an almost all-volunteer team working together for almost a year. It is open to the public on weekends, but on weekday evenings, individuals and companies may rent the garden and outdoor patio for private
events. Now in its 28th year, Ruth Bancroft originally planted this public garden in the 1970s on property her family began as a ranch in the 1880s. Today the garden has become an internationally acclaimed dry garden with a collection of unique and rare plants from all over the world. Each year the garden welcomes over 20,000 visitors and offers educational workshops and classes for adults and children. All events are fundraisers, and 100% of the proceeds are used to maintain and operate the garden. Details and tickets: ruthbancroftgarden.org/lights2020 Dates: Weekend evenings (Fri/Sat/Sun) through December 20 Timed entries: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm General admission: Adults $20 / Children $10 (ages 6-15) / children 5 and under free/ Garden members: Adults $16 / Children $8 Ruth Bancroft Garden is located at 1552 Bancroft Rd in Walnut Creek. For more information, ruthbancroftgarden. org/lights2020 or email lights@ruthbancroftgarden.org
to the first 200 families each day, with a number of free items included in each bag. On Saturday, December 5, the free marketplace is at Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. off Taylor Blvd., from 10am – 3pm. The marketplace shifts on Sunday, December 6, from 11am – 3pm, to Clayton Valley Charter High School, 1101 Alberta Way in Concord, one block off Ygnacio Valley Rd. There is free admission and free parking each day. Donations of much-needed food will be accepted each day for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Shoppers can register for free tickets in advance on Eventbrite or by visiting www.SuperHolidayBoutique.com and will be given a $2 Holiday Buck at the door to be used for their first gift purchase. COVID-19 protocols for Super Holiday
Marketplace MASKS REQUIRED - Staff, vendors and attendees are required to wear mask/acceptable face coverings. TEMPERATURE – Everyone entering the marketplace will have temperature taken. BOOTH LAYOUT – Booths and aisles are distanced six feet apart. CROWD CONTROL – Building capacity will stay at 25% at any given time, including staff, vendors, and attendees. CLEANING/SANITIZING – Hand sanitizers will be at the entrance and at every booth. Restrooms will be at limited capacity, with cleanings throughout open hours. ADDITIONAL CHANGES - No sampling or tasting of food/beverage products and no appearance by Santa Claus or other entertainment
OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | 7
CITY NEWS
Mayor’s Message Thank you, 2020 While 2020 was not the year any of us wanted, it has restored my faith in our community and in humanity overall. If you spend much time on social media or watch the news, you may question the faith in humanity part, but I have seen Pleasant Hill residents rally and do what we can to support one another and get through this challenging year together. Starting in early March, when the shelter in place orders first came out, people have checked on their neighbors to make sure they were ok and offered to get much-needed supplies for those
who could not venture out. A special shout out to Jason at Grocery Outlet, whose daily social media videos helped calm some of the early panic around grocery shopping. Residents who work in industries that were classified as essential were often faced with long hours and stressful situations to perform their jobs. Businesses were either shut down or forced to modify their operations and, in many cases, had to reinvent themselves on the fly. Some residents faced layoffs, while others were suddenly working from home, which presents its own set of
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Matt Rinn, Mayor of Pleasant Hill
challenges. I don’t think there was one Zoom meeting where I didn’t hear a dog barking or other sounds of home life. Our kids in school suddenly went to distance learning. Kudos to all the teachers who are doing the best they can while learning new systems and engaging their students remotely. I could keep describing all kinds of scenarios, but the over-arching theme is that throughout all this, people kept going above and beyond for others and showed that we do care about each other in this community. I know the stress and anxiety is a challenge from
day to day, and yet we carry on knowing this will get better. As I write this, the governor has placed Contra Costa County back into the purple tier and declared a curfew for non-essential activities again. I have full confidence in Pleasant Hill -- we will get through this latest period together again. On December 7, my term as mayor will be over, and the city will swear in a new mayor. I want to thank you all for your support during my year as mayor and wish my successor the best. I look forward to serving as your councilmember for the next four years. Love to all.
Virtual Entertainment The Peter Pan Foundation presents a heartwarming series of winter inspired showcases you won’t want to miss, featuring local youth and teen performers, professional headliners, and special guests from the Broadway stage. Sunday, December 6, 2pm Frozen matinee Sunday, December 13, 2pm Radio Hour matinee Evening Shows: Friday, December 4, 5pm Saturday, December 5, 5pm Friday, December 11, 5pm Saturday, December 12, 5pm Friday, December 18, 5pm For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.peterpanfoundation.org. In addition to our virtual winter
show, the PPF is busy creating and sharing music and magic throughout the season! The organization hosted a special Halloween Zoom party for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, is presenting several special concerts of “oldies and classics” to be shared virtually with local retirement homes, and recently brought their annual “Wish Upon A Star -- Veteran’s Day” performance to Children’s Hospital Oakland in a new virtual format that was shared with patients through the hospital’s closed circuit TV system. Please consider a donation to The Peter Pan Foundation so we can continue to create and share our music, magic, love, and light with the community. Donation link can be found on our web site: www. peterpanfoundation.org.
CITY NEWS
Pleasant Hill City News Community Relations Manager Gayle Vassar Retires a Second Time Gayle Vassar, the City of Pleasant Hill’s community relations manager, is retiring (for the second time) this month. Her roots in Pleasant Hill began in 1995 when she first moved to Gregory Gardens with her son and worked as a newspaper reporter. In 2000 she joined the City of Walnut Creek, eventually becoming their communication & outreach manager. During that time, she became acquainted with Pleasant Hill PIO Martin Nelis. “After I retired at the end of 2017, I reached out to Martin to see if he needed any volunteer help. I was supposed to meet with city staff to assist with planning the first Citizens Academy when Martin was tragically killed in a bicycle accident.” Gayle agreed to work for the City of Pleasant Hill on a temporary basis, but it segued into a full-time position that lasted for more than two years. “Martin was in many ways the heart of Pleasant Hill and losing him left a huge void,” said Gayle. “While no one could ever take Martin’s place, working for my hometown has been an honor. I have loved getting to know so many wonderful people who give of themselves to make our community the special place it is - far too many to name here - and being part of projects like the new library, Community Service Day, and this year’s Community Conversations on Social Justice.” Vassar was recently honored with the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation’s Oliver Holmes Award for outstanding city employee. She will be moving to Genoa, Nevada, a town nestled at the foot of the Sierra in the beautiful Carson Valley. “It’s where my grandparents lived, and I still have family there (including my 90-year-old mom). I love the wide-open spaces and the sense of reconnecting with my roots.” Still, she added, “While I am excited about starting the next chapter in my life, I will always have a special place in my heart for the people and places of Pleasant Hill.” We thank her for all of her work and contributions to the City of Pleasant Hill and wish her well in her next chapter.
Things may get worse before they get better, but they will get better. In the meantime, we have a lot of work to do to make it all happen. As Robert Frost once penned, “But I have promises to keep/And miles to go before I sleep/And miles to go before I sleep.” Will you join us on our journey? The easiest way to donate is to visit phlibraryfriends.org. If you want to make a donation by check, please send your check to Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library, 35 Crescent Drive, Suite A, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. Your donation is a tax-deductible charitable contribution. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We send all donors a written acknowledgement (if your donation is accompanied by a name and address) for your tax purposes. We hope you find comfort wherever you can. Thank you so much for your support. ~~ Susan Weaver, President
Library Livecam Do you wonder how construction of our new library is proceeding? Now you can see for yourself anytime by visiting the Livecam webpage. To watch, go to the City of Pleasant Hill’s webpage at www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us and click the “Community” tab at the top of the page. Then click “Library Project” on the left side and then the “Library Livecam.” In addition to a continuous video stream, the Livecam gives the option of looking at time-lapse images from specific times and dates. To keep everyone in the loop, project managers will be issuing a monthly status report that will also be posted on the Library Project webpages under Documents & Presentations.
ARCHITECTURAL MOULDINGS
Will You Join us on our Journey? A Message from Friends President, Susan Weaver 2020 is a year we will never forget: a worldwide pandemic, devastating wildfires, intense heat, orange skies, an historic election, and your favorite library demolished. Where did we find comfort? We found it in a cherished book, a favorite movie, and soothing music. The Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library were there. We opened a bookstore to comfort you. We collected books, we followed protocols, and we opened a bookstore, both real and virtual. We continue to be here to serve the community and support our new library. As a lifetime member, previous donor or regular member, you have already shown that you appreciate that knowledge is important in this world. The Friends is committed to supporting our new library with the best programs in the county. The new library will open in just over a year, and we need help from our friends. We know times are tough for many, but can you once again look to your hearts to support the best cause in the world - educating and entertaining our citizenry?
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CITY NEWS
Mayor’s Message One of the drawbacks of writing this column each month is that the deadline is about two weeks before it is published. Some of the things I write
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about are actions the city council has not yet taken but has on a meeting agenda that has not yet happened. Most of the time I am reporting accurate information and outcomes, but that was not the case last month. I had announced that the city council established and appointed the Anti-Racism, Discrimination, Pro-Inclusion & Equity Task Force (ARDPIE). That did not happen. The city council did consider the proposal, but after concerns from the public and members of the city council about the process in selecting candidates to serve on the task force as well as the number and the ethnic make-up of the candidates, it was decided to continue the proposal until the following meeting. At the meeting on November 4, the city council agreed to establish the ARDPIE Task Force and open the application process again but with a more robust outreach program to attract additional and more diverse applicants. The city council also directed staff to research high quality facilitators that have experience in this area to help us in the selection of task force membership, outlining the process, and setting goals and a timeline. We want to make sure that we get this right, with meaningful
10 | DECEMBER 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez
recommendations and outcomes. We are now in the midst of fall and the weather is colder and getting wet. This affects the outdoor dining program and creates new challenges for restaurants, merchants, and the city. With the county slipping back into the red tier, indoor dining is no longer allowed and restaurants and merchants are relying on outdoor operations and take-out. City staff has been working for weeks to create a way for businesses to use tents and canopies that can help them stay open outdoors during inclement weather. Staff is incorporating input from the Contra Costa County Health Department, Con Fire, city attorney, and neighboring cities with outdoor dining programs to finalize the new application. It has been difficult to navigate all the health and fire safety regulations, and we are all frustrated with the amount of time this has taken. However, it is imperative that we keep all patrons safe and the city protected from a liability standpoint. Over the last several months, I have reported on planned improvements for downtown, including the installation of Big Belly trash and recycling stations downtown. Negotiating this pilot program has been a long haul with the
Big Belly folks, with planned delivery of the units to be November 30. So if all goes as planned, they will have been installed as you read this. Two major paving and sidewalk improvement projects were completed last month. Court and Pine Streets, from Marina Vista to Susana Street, were completely ground down several inches and repaved with new asphalt. Sidewalks along the route were reconstructed to meet ADA requirements and all new traffic striping has been completed. A similar project was recently completed on Berrellesa Street, from Marina Vista to Jones. Thanks to Measure D, which tripled our paving budget, you will see our streets and roads continue to improve all over the city.
CITY NEWS
Martinez City News Martinez Outdoor Dining and Retail Program Update Papi’s Italian kitchen at 712 Main Street is the newest participant in the outdoor program. The additional downtown businesses that have permits to operate on portions of sidewalks, streets, and parking lots include: Bar Cava, Barrelista, Copper Skillet, Del Cielo, Five Suns, Lavender Moon Interiors, Mighty Market, Lemongrass, Nu Rays, Roxx on Main, Taco Daddy, Troy Greek Cuisine, and Whiskey Lane. Cue & Brew, which is located outside of downtown at 1029 Arnold Drive, has also received a permit to operate outdoors. In addition, Estudillo between Marina Vista and Escobar will be closed to cars beginning at 3pm on Thursdays instead of beginning at 2pm on Fridays. Thursday street closures on Main Street have been removed from the program schedule. Main Street closures continue to start one hour later, at 3pm instead of 2pm. The 700 block of Main Street continues to be reopened to auto traffic on Saturdays from 7am until 3pm.
ARDPIE Task Force
The new Anti-Racism & Discrimination and Pro-Inclusion & Equity (ARDPIE) webpage can be found by visiting www.cityofmartinez.org and clicking the “City Government” tabMain atStreet theMartinez top of the page. Then click “Commissions and Committees” Martinez Chamber McGuire Harley-Davidson 649 Main St. Ste. 106 of Commerce 93 1st Ave N, Pacheco Martinez of Commerce and the ARDPIE serve asChamber the continually updated 603 Marina Vista Ave. Task Force link. This webpage will Prizes & Main Street Martinez source of information on the Task Force and the work being completed. The comquares & find the Letter Letter Letter lake in the box to present me card to win gift munity Mighty Marketforce was OWL WISE Mail Center Martinez the potential for implicit bias and systemic task createdPakto address e necessary! 739 Ferry St. 505 Estudillo St. #7 649 Main St. Ste. 102 racism within city programs, policies, and procedures. s season is the
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ture updates regarding the reopening of the rest of Golden Hills Park within the coming months. Highland Avenue Park improvements include replacement of the play structure and reconstruction of the basketball court. At John Muir Park and John Sparacino Park, improvements include constructing pathway and lighting improvements. Each of the four parks will also receive various landscaping, irrigation, drainage, fencing, and park furniture improvements. The contractor has completed the reseeding of the grass area at Golden Hills Park, installed new light poles, and completed the underground electrical wiring for the new poles. Most of the new asphalt pathways and concrete walkways have also been installed along with the new basketball court. The contractors are working on trenching and undergrounding for the new electrical service from PG&E to the Romtec modular building. The completed portions of the park will remain closed so that the lawn and other landscaping improvements have time to establish, as was done on other Measure H park renovations. Under a separate contract, the renovation of the tennis courts at Golden Hills Park and the court resurfacing is now complete. At Highland Avenue Park, the new basketball court has been installed along with new ADA walkway access. The general contractor completed demolition work and substantially completed work on the new playground, so the new play structure installation began in November. At John Muir Park, the new lights have been installed and the pathways restored.
Downtown Family Fun Holiday Hopper Papi’s 712 Main St.
Retro Now 531 Main St.
Rose's Barbershop 831 Main St.
During the holiday season, Main Street Martinez and the Martinez Chamber of Letter Letter Letter Commerce have joined forcesSal's inFamily partnerRoxx on Main Kitchen 627 Main St. Main St. ship with the Martinez F Refining823Company to present the Family Fun Holiday Letter Letter Letter Slowhand BBQ Slice of Italeigh SB Trading Co. & Hopper. In effort to &encourage the comMartinez Cheesesteaks NorCal Succulent Shop Pizza 601 Main St. 621 Las Juntas St. 628 Escobar St. munity to shop locally and patronize loLetter Letter Letter cal businesses, the Family Fun Holiday The Cobra Experience Sunflower Garden Taco Daddy's 777familyArnold Dr. #200 Ferry St. 915 Main St.a fun, in partnership with Hopper436brings Martinez Martinez Refining Company friendly,Letter interactive scavenger hunt and Letter Letter interactive experience that will have White Rabbit Boutique The Mud Room The UPS Store 0272 529 Main St. 631 Main St. 1155-C Arnold Dr. people exploring the entire city while staying safe along with an opportunity to win Letter Letter over $3,600 in prizes.Letter The event began on November 15 and runs through DecemYouphoria Beauty and Wellness Studioto be entered for prizes by January 8, 2021.) ber 31. (Must submit pass 519 Main St. PickA up a game card at any one of the participating business locations (while Letter Letter supplies last) or print your game card from home (MainStreetMartinez.org). There Fill out & Submit Game card to one of the locations listed below by January 8th for your chance win. Cash Trail - play one or both to double your are two games: Snowflake Hunttoand Play one or both games to double your chance at winning. Di chance winning. Game card drop off locations are Martinez Chamber of ComName:at ________________ Phone:______________ Email: ___________________________________ merce or Pak Mail Martinez. Martinez, California Game CardCenter Drop Off in Locations:
HolidayHopper
Shopne
Martinez Chamber of Commerce: 603 Marina Vista Ave. Pak Mail Center Martinez: 649 Main St. Ste. 102
f
ay
Support Small this Holiday Season Small Business. BIG Heart.
Park Improvements Project Update or mail to: Main Street Martinez, PO Box 776 Martinez, CA 94553
The project will improve facilities at Golden Hills Park, Highland Avenue Park, John Muir Park, and John Sparacino Park. The renovation of Golden Hills Park includes demolition and construction of a new community building, reconstruction of the basketball courts, and resurfacing of the tennis courts. The Golden Hills Park Tennis Courts project was accepted by city council on November 4, 2020, but the courts are not expected to be open until the end of January 2021. The city will provide fu-
Martinez Fishing Pier Renovation and Ferry Point Improvements Second Community Walk Through 12/5 Join the City of Martinez for a second community walk-through to discuss potential improvements to the Martinez Fishing Pier and Ferry Point area. The walkthrough is on December 5, from 10am to 12pm, at the Ferry Point in Martinez. Community input is valuable as staff prepares the development of a Prop 68 Competitive Grant application. You can register via email with your full name: recreation@ cityofmartinez.org. Please bring your mask and practice social distancing. The first community walk-through at Ferry Point was held on October 24, where community members helped staff identify their preferred and recommended locations for the various recreation features and amenities proposed to be included in the grant application. Staff then developed mock-ups of both the current and proposed site plans based on the community’s input for Ferry Point and the Fishing Pier. On November 17, Parks, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission held a community workshop via Zoom to discuss potential improvements to the Martinez Fishing Pier and Ferry Point area.
OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | 11
Estate Planning
What to do with Family Heirlooms and Keepsakes BY JEFFREY HALL, CPA, JD Probate /Trust Attorney When most people think of estate planning, they think of assets that include money, real estate, and personal property. But an estate can also include invaluable personal property such as family heirlooms or keepsakes. This type of property should not be overlooked in your estate plan just because it may not have a high dollar value; it still has sentimental value that cannot be quantified. Part of a thorough estate plan is determining how you want these priceless family heirlooms and keepsakes distributed once you are gone. Issues You May Face An “heirloom” is a particular piece of personal property passed down from one generation to the next that will continue to be passed down for generations to come. Be sure to talk about the family heirlooms and keepsakes with your family so that feelings and expectations regarding these items are out in the open. Also, think about having your heirlooms and keepsakes appraised, if possible, by someone reputable so you can provide your heirs with the necessary documentation and the items can be appro-
priately identified in your estate planning. How to Distribute When it comes to family heirlooms and keepsakes, typical division plans may not work. If the item is of low dollar value, there may not be a way to monetarily equalize the distribution. This can also be the case if the dollar value of the keepsake is incredibly high compared to the value of the remaining estate. Furthermore, if there is only one of such an item, there is no way to split one item between multiple people. Whether it’s great-grandfather’s WWI medals, the cherished family crystal, or your mother’s pearls, you will need to decide the best way to distribute these assets based on your unique family situation. Regardless of who receives these items, they are usually distributed by way of a personal property memorandum in those states that permit this practice. The personal property memorandum allows you to express your wishes and avoid the hard feelings that could come about by leaving all of the personal property equally to your children. This document is a written statement regarding specific property; the document is then referenced in your last will and testament or living trust and identifies who should inherit what property. This
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document also has the added benefit of being able to be modified or revised without the need to execute a new will or amend your trust. However, please remember, items listed in a personal property memo must be personal property – not real estate, cars, or bank accounts. Gifting During Life Because of the sentimental nature of family heirlooms, you may want to consider gifting these items during your lifetime instead of waiting until your death. If you gift your family heirlooms and keepsakes during your lifetime, there is a personal joy in witnessing your loved one receiving the family treasure. That being said, be careful of gift tax issues that may be incurred, depending on the value of the item. Another concern that you may want to address, depending upon the value of the family heirloom, is whether or not this lifetime gift should be
considered part of the recipient’s share of your eventual estate. Estate Planning Advice A comprehensive estate plan that considers all assets – including family heirlooms and keepsakes – is key to making sure your wishes are followed once you are gone. Contact us to learn about your options under applicable law and to ensure that all of your assets, no matter what the monetary value is, are covered under your estate plan. Call your neighborhood estate planning attorney, Jeffrey Hall, at (925) 230-9002 to schedule an appointment, or you may visit his website at www.HallLawGroup.com. We are a veteran owned --veteran friendly law firm. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice nor the establishment of an attorney-client relationship. SPONSORED CONTENT
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CONTACT SUSAN 12 | DECEMBER 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
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VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS VETERANS REMEMBERED AND HONORED IN 2020 STYLE - PHOTOS BY SUSAN WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY On November 14, the Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill honored veterans by driving by as many of their homes as possible. There were representatives from our local police, fire department, and various branches of the armed services.
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Oliver Holmes Awards
Pleasant Hill Community Foundation Oliver Holmes Ceremony Oliver Holmes was a Pleasant Hill resident devoted to community service and public parks. He first served on the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Board of Directors when the first community center and Brookwood Park were built. Later, he served as mayor and city councilmember for the City of Pleasant Hill and director of the East Bay Regional Park District. During his tenure with the city, the PH Police Station was built and then the new City Hall. Holmes was chosen as Pleasant Hill’s Citizen of the Year in 1994 and was one of the founding members of the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation. In 2006, Holmes funded an annual award to an outstanding employee of the park district and City of Pleasant Hill. Each received special recognition and a check for $1000. Holmes passed away at the age of 85 in 2007. The city manager of Pleasant Hill has chosen Gayle Vassar for this year’s Oliver Holmes Award. Gayle began as a volunteer with the city in 2018. Shortly after that, the city lost its beloved public information officer and Gayle agreed to assist the city on a short-term basis with its social media, Civic Action and Education Commissions, garbage and recycling contract management, and public information efforts. Gayle
did an outstanding job during a difficult time and was asked to accept the position of community relations manager. Gayle has done an amazing job keeping the community consistently informed during the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) that began in fall 2019; has made the city’s Facebook page a fun, accurate, and informative source for residents, businesses, and visitors; dramatically increased subscribers to The Weekly Update; and ensured the Outlook newsletter continued to be a valuable source of information for residents. She also provides informative and timely updates on the new library and the COVID-19 pandemic and helped implement the Civic Action Commission Diversity Subcommittee’s social justice conversations this past summer. Gayle is passionate about her work and keeping the community she loves engaged and active. The general manager of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District has chosen Danny Martinez for this year’s Oliver Holmes Award. Danny started in 2010 as a recreation coordinator who provides programming and childcare for families at Gregory Gardens Elementary. Through the on-site childcare program, Danny provides a safe and nurturing environment for children. He has made a huge impact on individuals
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TRUSTS • WILLS • PROBATE 16 | DECEMBER 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
and families, especially those with special needs. During the pandemic, Danny has led the charge to provide safe distance learning opportunities for families of essential workers and those that must work out of the home. The CARES Academy that Danny has developed has been a lifeline for so many families during these challenging times. President of PHCF Aloma Levine states, “The Pleasant Hill Commu-
nity Foundation is proud to be able to continue to provide the Oliver Holmes Awards virtually this year. We plan on returning to present these awards at our ‘Celebrate Your Community’ event in 2021 when we are all able to gather again.” For more information about the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation, visit our website at www.PHCommunityFoundation.org.
Estate Planning 2020 Is Almost Over (Finally) BY DANIEL DuREE If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s that 2020 was a universally subpar year. Thankfully, it’s almost over, and with a new year comes the opportunity to move forward instead of looking back. There is, however, one major recent change from the November election that I do want to mention. Prop. 19 Eliminates Parent to Child Property Tax Exclusion on Non-Primary Residence Although you probably didn’t notice this because it wasn’t mentioned on the ballot, Prop 19 eliminated the $1m in base exclusion value on a nonprimary residence that a parent can transfer to their child without property tax reassessment. The actual ballot text talked about helping fire victims. What that means is that if you own a second property and pass it to your children, for property taxes it will be reassessed at full market value at the date of death. With continued dizzying house price appreciation, this will likely result in a hefty property tax increase. You can still pass your property tax basis on your primary residence to your child or children, just not on any other property. If you own any rental properties, you should think about how this may affect
your plans. Lessons Learned from 2020: Despite the usual emphasis on tax minimization and asset preservation in my business, if there is a takeaway from 2020, maybe it’s that there are problems that all the money in the world can’t solve: a health crisis, social unrest, and a highly polarized culture. These problems can only be mitigated through kindness, empathy, understanding, and respect. And these things are all free. Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy, and fulfilling 2021. Daniel L. DuRee is a third generation resident of Contra Costa County and a licensed attorney practicing in Walnut Creek. He can be reached at (925) 210-1400 or visit www.DuReeLaw. com. SPONSORED CONTENT
Read My Mind
©
Ken Follett
BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD Over the years, I have reviewed a number of Ken Follett’s books and always found them enjoyable and worthwhile. He is a prolific author whose books range from World War II spy thrillers to historical fiction to gripping nonfiction and have sold over 160 million copies worldwide. I’ve been a big fan of his early spy thrillers Eye of the Needle and The Key to Rebecca. These thrillers are riveting stories about World War II, with amazing heroes and treacherous villains. Rather than keep to this genre, Follett showed his versatility as an author with two novels of The Kingsbridge Series set in medieval England, The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. It’s not often that an author can switch genres as effortlessly as Follett does. In these books, he shows a knack for vividly tracing history with fictional characters that matter. He continued writing historical fiction with his Century Trilogy series, Fall of Giants, Winter of the World, and Edge of Eternity. In these books, Follett tracks several generations of five interconnected families of different nationalities from World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. He uses pivotal historical events along with enduring and indelible fictional characters. Follett masterfully mixes his fictional characters with real historical events and real people who helped shape the 20th Century. Follett takes another detour with Notre Dame: A Short History of the Meaning of Cathedrals, using what he learned about cathedrals from researching The Pillars of Earth. Follett was distressed by the 2017 fire that could have destroyed Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, a beloved Paris landmark. He uses this catastrophe to tell a wonderful story about
Notre-Dame, “from its construction to the role it has played across time and history,” its connection to Europe’s other great cathedrals, and its influence on Follett’s The Pillars novel. His latest novel, The Evening and the Morning, is another example of his wonderful storytelling. Beginning in England in 997 CE and spanning 100 years at the end of the Dark Ages, it’s the third book in The Kingsbridge Series and a prequel to his blockbuster bestselling novel The Pillars of the Earth. The book has something for everyone, including “murder, sex, and unholy ambition,” with a cast of engaging heroes and dastardly villains. It starts with a violent Vikings raid on the English coastal village of Combe. This raid thwarts our 18-year-old hero, Edgar, for running away with his one true love, the married Sungifu. Edger has lost almost everything in the raid, Sungifu, his father, and the family’s boat-building venture. This forces Edgar and the rest of his family to move to “a rural backwater” where Edgar hones his skills as a builder. It’s here where he meets the beautiful Norman noblewoman Lady Ragnar, her cruel husband, Wilfwulf, and a “thoroughly corrupt bishop,” Wilfwulf’s even more evil brother, Wynstan. He’s “a ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power in this epic tale of ambition and rivalry, death and birth, and love and hate.” Staying alive is an every day challenge, where “those with power wield it harshly, bending justice according to their will.” There is “no clear rule of law, chaos and bloodshed reign.” Every
chapter of the book brings another traumatic disaster, including “rape, murder, arson, infanticide, and a series of ongoing betrayals.” Follett owes much of his success as storyteller in this genre to the almost seamless way he channels his gifts as a thriller writer to the larger demands of historical fiction. “The result is a massive entertainment that illuminates an obscure corner of British history with intelligence and great narrative energy.” It has been said that Follett’s Kingsbridge Series is the story of “the building of a civilization, with its laws, structures, customs, and beliefs.” At almost 1000 pages, the book is a commitment. But Follett’s storytelling is so brilliant and fast-paced that reading the book will not be tedious but rather take you on a journey into the past that will seem like “a jaunt through the days before England was merry.” Dear Reader, It was just a couple of months ago that I reviewed Jeopardy! icon Alex Trebek’s recent memoir, “The Answer Is ... Reflections on My Life.” He noted he was dying from cancer when he wrote it and dedicated it to “those who are hoping to become survivors.” Unfortunately, Alex lost his battle with this dreaded disease and died a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, this book is an inspiration to anyone suffering during these challengI’m not in trouble anymore!
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PAIR UP
Taking Center Stage The Elegance of White Wines BY MARIA TERRY Red wines often take center stage at winter parties. Along with those red wines, you frequently find heavier red meat dishes. This holiday meal features beautiful white wines and a menu that is decadent and satisfying but won’t leave you feeling over-stuffed. Orange-Fennel Salad is perfect for the holidays with its dark green bed of arugula, bright-red dried cranberries, and delicate white crescents of fennel bulb. The salad is a lovely mix of acid from the red wine vinegar and oranges, bitterness from the fennel and arugula, and sweetness from the fruit. A Chenin Blanc from France called Vouvray is a white wine made with no oak contact. It is particularly good with fresh herbal flavors and a delicate partner to start the meal. In Northern California, Dungeness crab comes into season just in time for the holidays. Served cold over salad or warmed with drawn butter, it is a true delicacy. Our family’s favorite way to eat crab is roasted with garlic and olive oil. And, since dipping is fun, try this Herbed
Aioli to take the flavor up another notch. Chardonnay is a classic pairing with crab, sparkling or still, and the richness of chardonnay-based wines brings out the sweet flavors of the crab. Eiswein is the German word for icewine. It is a luscious dessert wine made from grapes that froze on the vine. Since only the water freezes inside the grape, the pressed grapes result in a liquid that is concentrated and sweet. Many different grapes are made into icewines. In Ger-
Roasted Crab INGREDIENTS 1 large Dungeness crab, cooked 6 cloves garlic, finely minced 2-3 Tablespoons extra light olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt DIRECTIONS Clean the crab and break the body into fist-sized sections. Break the legs and claws into sections. Toss crab sections in garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle liberally with salt. Roast in 400º oven for 10 minutes until just heated. Watch the garlic to keep it from burning. Yield: 2-4 servings, depending on what else you are eating
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many, the most common grape used for Eiswein production is Riesling. Canada is known for using Vidal and Cabernet Franc. Other notable icewine grapes are Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Chenin Blanc. Any white icewine pairs well with this sugar-dusted Asian Pear Bundt cake. The combination will have you dreaming of
Herbed Aioli Dipping Sauce INGREDIENTS 1 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, finely minced Juice of ½ lemon 1 Tablespoon chopped basil 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro ½ teaspoon chopped tarragon 1 teaspoon kosher salt DIRECTIONS Add mustard, garlic, and lemon juice to the mayonnaise. Stir in the basil, cilantro, and tarragon and add 2 or 3 tablespoons warm water to thin the mayonnaise and make a fluid sauce. Season with salt. Yield: 1 Cup
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Orange-Fennel Salad INGREDIENTS Large fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 medium oranges cut into supremes (wedges with pith and membranes removed) 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar Salt and pepper 2 Tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries 4 cups baby arugula DIRECTIONS Place the sliced fennel and oranges in a salad bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper, and toss to distribute. Place on top of a bed of arugula and sprinkle with sweetened cranberries. Yield: 4 Servings
.......................................................... 18 | DECEMBER 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
snow-capped mountains! So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a certified sommelier and wine educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com.
Asian Pear Cake INGREDIENTS For the Fruit Mixture: 3 cups Asian pears (diced) 1 cup pecans (chopped) 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup sugar For the Cake: 1½ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup whole wheat flour 1 cup brown sugar (packed) ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda ¾ cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 large eggs DIRECTIONS Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 325°. Combine diced pears, pecans, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar; toss. Cover and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and soda. Mix to blend thoroughly. With an electric mixer on low, stir in oil, vanilla, and eggs until well blended. Stir in the fruit and nut mixture until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes. Turn out onto the rack to cool completely. Transfer to a serving plate and dust with powdered sugar. Yield: 16 Servings
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IN THE MIX
Healing the Planet One Song at a Time BY PAUL COTRUVO We could not be more divided in this country. WAIT! Before you start attacking, this article is not about who is right or wrong, red or blue, masks or freedom, etc. This article is about how music can and will be the healer for our planet. With all the challenges facing our world today, adding music to your daily life not only heals your soul but also has been proven as a health benefit. It stimulates your mind and body. 2020 was the most challenging year in my lifetime. As a working musician for 45 years, my gigs were suddenly cancelled. For the first time in my career, playing live was not an option. Depressing for sure, but instead of surrendering to the restrictions and inability to perform, it was music that continued to lift me up. The lockdown over the last nine months gave me an opportunity to slow down a bit and discover new music. I think it is the silver lining of this pandemic. So, I decided to give you some recommendations of music I discovered (maybe not new to you). These albums are positive and uplifting. If you are looking for something warm and soul soothing, Fleet Foxes new album, Shore, will not disappoint. If you are not familiar with Fleet Foxes, they are an alternative, folk-rock, progressive group out of Seattle, headed by front man Robin Pecknold. If you took the Beach Boys Pet Sounds and mixed it up with a little Crosby, Stills, & Nash and lush, ethereal music, you’d get the Fleet Foxes. It’s an album of hope and positivity. Download this one now. It is my favorite album of 2020. The amazing Alicia Keys released her 7th studio album, appropriately called Alicia, back in September. There are many great songs featured on this LP, but my favorite is “Underdog.� As Alicia told Rolling Stone, “Some people may think of the word underdog as a
negative word, but I see it as a powerful word, representing people who may be underestimated and yet still rise to the challenge and exceed expectations. I love this song so much because it is about real life and real people and our experiences. We have all been in a place in our lives where we have had to defy the odds. It is never easy. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is, ‘They say I would never make it, but I was built to break the mold.’ I don’t think there’s a person on the planet that hasn’t felt that way.� From the moment Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia begins, it immediately draws you into a world of dance-pop filled and up-tempo ‘80s inspired tracks. This one will just make you get up and dance! And finally, you know I could not leave off Tom Petty. In 1994, he released his masterpiece, Wildflowers. It took him two years to finish the project. When money, etc. and listen to different acts. he submitted the record to the record This year, due to the pandemic, this will company, they said it was too long be done virtually. Every week they will and he had to cut some material. So, feature four to five acts plus information twenty-six years later, Tom Petty’s estate on how to donate to many different released the album that he wanted. charities. The album is called Wildflowers & All And finally, now that we have the Rest. They not only remastered the reached the end of 2020, we can look original tracks but also added in the forward to a better future. Although I songs that were left off. If you purchase the ultimate five CD package (of course I had to for research purposes), you get demos, alternate takes, and live performances. It’s not only a must for any Tom Petty fan but for anyone interested in
great songwriting. These suggestions will not only
! " # make great gifts but also lift your spirits.
! And speaking of lifting your spirits, it is the season of giving. This year more than ever, we need to reach out and $$% &
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$% ' ( ) * !+ ,) - 34 342 &"/"2.! help the less fortunate. One way to do this while hearing some good music is to tune in every Friday in December, from 4:30pm -- 6pm, to the Martinez Music Mafia Facebook Page and their YouTube Channel. In years past, the Mafia held shows at Armando’s in Martinez where you could bring a toy, give some 2 1 $ 5
did feel there were some silver linings in this crazy year, I am so looking forward to hearing and performing live music. Cannot wait to see you there! Happy New Year! Quote of the Month: “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright.� ~~ Bob Marley
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SPORTS
Girls on the Run
Building Confident, Healthy Girls
BY CATHERINE MURIEL Did you know that a girl’s self-confidence peaks at 9 years old in the United States, and by adolescence, girls begin to experience faster rates of decline in physical activity, lower levels of confidence, and higher rates of anxiety compared to their male peers? Girls on the Run of the Bay Area is changing that. Since 2002, Girls on the Run has served over 23,000 girls in the Bay Area. The organization encourages girls to live up to their full potential through a combination of social & emotional lessons and physical activities and aims to ensure that every girl, regardless of activity level, ethnicity, race, or economic status, benefits from the program. Their results are apparent and lasting. Nearly 85% of girls improved in confidence, ability, character, and people skills. The program is delivered in the fall and spring, usually after-school, by trained volunteer coaches. Each season lasts for 10 weeks, with sessions held twice a week for about 75-90 minutes
per session. The program ends with a community impact project by each team and a magnificent 5K celebration! All the girls receive a journal, water bottle, T-shirt, PPE, and, for those who cannot afford them, a new pair of running shoes. Fees are on a sliding scale to ensure every girl can participate. “She just lights up when she talks about Girls on the Run and receiving energy awards. She said to me the last time, ‘I’ve even made a really good friend.’ It is really beautiful to see! Thank you again!” – social worker, Supporting Bay Area Families Girls on the Run delivers a solution that young girls need - especially right now – to provide the social, emotional, and physical support they crave. During this pandemic, the prevalence of physically inactive students has posed severe challenges for children and adolescents, affecting girls’ physical and emotional health. Having been recognized as an essential business by California, Girls on the Run operated outside while strictly abiding to both state and county laws on
Girls on the Run at Larkey Park, Walnut Creek. By Susan Wood Photography
social distancing. They provided girls and coaches with the necessary materials to have a fun, safe, and productive practice each week outdoors. “It’s fun, my friends are there, it’s outside, it’s exercise.” – Current GOTR participant As the fall season wraps up, Girls on the Run is now planning their spring season, commencing in March. If you are
interested in coaching, register on the website https://www.gotrbayarea.org/ coach. High school students are always welcome and receive community service credit. You can also sign up to hold a spot for your girl during the Spring season. For more information on Girls on the Run of the Bay Area, visit https://www. gotrbayarea.org.
Aquanuts Stay Strong Facing Training Challenges During the Covid-19 Pandemic The 2020 Artistic Swimming* season was cut off almost before it began for the world-renowned Walnut Creek Aquanuts.** 2020 had been shaping up to bring national championships, gold medals, and national team placements to the Aquanut team. Despite quarantine and pool closures, the athletes trained daily over Zoom and the team is optimistic about the 2021 season. Now back in the water, the team is still restricted in what they can do because of social distancing. Even so, Junior Coach Kristen Smidstra says, “It is such a relief to have pool time after months of online practice and be able to give the swimmers a small sense of normalcy right now.” WCA has already won a virtual com20 | DECEMBER 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
petition put on by USA Artistic Swimming. This National Skills Battle tested strength, power, and flexibility on land. The Aquanuts dominated, placing three squads in the top four in the country. The team will enter another virtual competition later this month, but this time they are back in the water competing with socially distanced routines to music. The challenge for the Aquanuts now is finding ways to pay pool fees and continue to train athletes at the elite level after the loss of their main fundraiser, Bingo at the Blue Devils Bingo Hall. “Like many other organizations, WCA is facing financial challenges, but we are lucky to have extremely dedicated families and creative thinkers to get through this. The Blue Devils have been a great partner
and we hope to get back to Bingo soon!” says Kim Probst, WCA Head Coach and 2008 Olympian. *The sport of synchronized swimming has officially changed it’s name world-wide to artistic swimming. **The Walnut Creek Aquanuts is a world-renowned artistic swimming
Pre-Covid-19 competition. Photo Credit: Stephen Moore
club based in Northern California. Our mission is to develop athletes from novice to elite, building both bodies and minds and instilling skills that will serve our swimmers throughout their lifetimes. For more information, please contact Heather Olson at publicity@aquanuts.org or go to www.aquanuts.org
Cross Country Keeps Running
SPORTS
Despite Setbacks, Records are Being Broken on the Track BY COACH MIGUEL CASTRO With a top ranked girls team and top returning individuals in NCS Division II on the boys end, the Falcons were ready to make some noise that would top the excitement of the last couple of seasons, but then their spring track season ended early and their fall cross country season was postponed due to COVID-19. However, the Falcons were approved for summer and fall camps using pods by the Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) following Contra Costa County Guidelines and were able to stay competitive and race. Results can be seen at athletic.net on the College Park xc and track and field pages. Recently, the Falcons participated in the HOKA ONE ONE POSTAL NATIONALS, which is a virtual competition that merges two mile times from time trials all across
Lindsay Reed traveled to Indiana to compete XC Town race.
the country. The Falcons finished ranked 5th in California on the boys and girls end. Nationally, the girls team was ranked 35th and not all returning varsity girls were able to participate. The girls were led by juniors Lindsey Reed (11:38.0) and Marlo Taylor (11:49.0). Completing the top five scoring team were freshman Missy LeClaire (12:20.0), and juniors Isabella Alviz (12:44.0) and Aiyana Lawler (13:31.0). The boys team was led by senior Sebastian Vaisset-Fauvel (9:45.0) and sophomore Alex Lamoureux (9:47.0). Rounding out the top five scorers were junior Lev Afonine (10:28.0), senior Carson Nagel (10:53.0), and freshman Luka Afonine (11:05.0), which gave the boys a national ranking of 58th. Lacking opportunities to race in California due to safety concerns, junior Lindsey Reed packed her bags and flew to
Terra Haute, Indiana, to participate in the XC Town USA Meet of Champions. Reed battled against not only girls from all over the country but also 22 mph winds and cold weather conditions. Reed took 31st place in her race with a 5k time of 20:19.6. Only a week later, Reed and her teammates would get the opportunity to race a 5k on the track for the first time on Friday, November 20, at College Park. The 5k is not a race that is very common in high school track and field and athletes have limited opportunities to take on that distance. There were no previous 5k times on a track by a College Park female athlete, but Reed went for it and set the bar high and now holds the school record for 5k on the track at 18:15.06. Taylor followed with the second best time in 19:12.71. LeClaire also broke the 20-minute mark as a freshman with a solid time of 19:50.94.
Alex Lamoureux now holds the school record for 5k after running a time of 15:42.3.
Sophomore Alex Lamoureux was training to run 5 minute miles for the first two miles of the race, and he effortlessly hit his splits before pushing himself in that final mile and peaking perfectly with a new school record of 15:42.86. Andy Peabody had previously run 15:46.81 in 2006. Lamoureux’s and Reed’s times currently rank them at number 2 in the league compared to teams and individuals that have also run 5k time trials on the track this fall. There were personal bests and goals met all around at the recent 5k time trial, and athletes will get one more opportunity to continue their taper and race a 3200m on the track the evening after Thanksgiving before taking a break and resetting for the start of the new winter cross country season, which is also still pending.
Pod B after finishing their 5k race under the lights.
CP College Commits
Primo Rodriguez will be playing baseball for Sacramento State next fall.
Morgan Crosby will be playing softball for Colorado State next fall.
Two female water polo athletes we be continuing their sport next year. Kelsey Meyers will head to Cal State Northridge and Molly Ostrowski will be attending Arizona State OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | 21
From the Contra Costa County Historical Society
Can Celery Be Canned? A Brief Look at the Canneries of Contra Costa BY MARJORIE NEWTON According to a story by Nilda Rego in Volume 2 of her series Days Gone By, from 1911, the California Fruit Canner’s Association Cannery produced canned celery. The title of her story was, “When the Smell of Cocktail Sauce Hung in the Air.” Further, according to an article transcribed by the Genealogy Trails History Group from F. J. Hulaniski’s 1917 The History of Contra Costa County, “The small islands [in the Delta] adjacent to the mainland are rich in soil. Contra Costa County is famed for its celery, the white variety, which thrives on the delta land.” White celery? The canneries were located on the Antioch shore along with the Santa Fe Packing Shed. California produced
celery year-round. It could be shipped in refrigerator cars. So, why put it in a can? Canneries offered seasonal work, and the workers were mostly women. Antioch has chosen to honor these workers with a monument entitled “The Cannery Lady.” The sculptor was Elizabeth MacQueen. The bronze statue stands on West First Street near the Amtrak Station. At her feet are empty cans. On her arm she carries a tray on which are featured the products that were canned: tomatoes and asparagus but not celery, neither white nor green. A search for canned celery on the internet came up with cans of dehydrated celery, cream of celery soup, celery seed, celery tonic, and celeriac, which is
celery root. Celery extract in a gel is used as a mosquito repellant. The extract is thought to lower blood sugar in prediabetes, act as a sleeping sedative, and as a remedy for gout. Searching for a recipe for canning celery looked more promising. An article gave only two suggestions: freeze or dehydrate/roast. Freezing was not available to the canneries in the early 1900s, and dehydration of foods did not become a widely used commercial process until World War II. Celery is often an ingredient in canned products though not the main ingredient. When all else fails, try YouTube. The process of canning celery in glass jars is detailed there. You are cautioned to de-bubble. The contents of the jars are used in soups, stews, and sauces. But jars are not cans.
In short, no evidence has been found for canning celery in cans. Perhaps the celery went to the packing shed and not the cannery, where it was loaded into Santa Fe Railroad refrigerator cars for shipment to all parts of the country. If you have any information about celery being canned, please let us know. A History Note is presented by the Contra Costa County History Center, 724 Escobar St., Martinez, using materials from the Society’s collections. Open hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 9-4, and the first and third Saturdays, from 10-2. While the History Center is closed due to the coronavirus, check out its website: www.cocohistory. org or join us on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/cocohistory
P.H. Senior Center
Classes and Virtual Programs Dec. 2, 10 and 17 - Coping with COVID Series The Commission on Aging has created a senior health series led by community experts to share tools to help us get through this time. These free events will be presented in partnership with PHSC in a Zoom format. No need to register. Empower Your Senior Dollars: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1pm Zoom ID: 880 8027 3016 Passcode: 100100 Home Care & the Coronavirus: Thursday, Dec. 10, 11am Zoom ID: 984 4981 6001 Passcode: phill Coping with COVID-19 Stressors During the Holidays: Thursday, Dec. 17, 2pm Zoom ID: 850 2072 0150 Passcode: 100100 Dec. 15 - Get Smart with Food Labels, 11am Food labels can help you make healthier choices. They give you information about calories, number of servings, and the nutrients in the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. Learn about these labels to help empower you to make healthy choices. No registration necessary. Presented by Jessica Mosquera from Humana. Zoom Meeting ID: 849 8196 4057 Password: 100100 Virtual Holiday Social: Dec. 16, Wednesday, 3pm Celebrate the holidays by picking up a bag full of goodies to celebrate on Zoom on Dec. 16. Pick up the bag on Tuesday, Dec. 15, between 10am-1pm. There will be a special holiday craft, beverage to keep you warm, yummy goodies, and more. There will even be a special guest performance on Zoom! Registrations due Friday, Dec. 11. You don’t have to participate in the Zoom call. Sponsored by The Lodge at Glen Cove. $7/per bag. Register early by calling 798-8788. 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788 Register for classes and events at www.pleasanthillrec.com 22 | DECEMBER 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM
Wanted: Kind Hearts & Giving Spirits Volunteering, Restoring Hope BY JASMINA BREEN There is no denying the holidays look different this year. Volunteering can be a wonderful way to restore hope in others and us. At a time when much of what is happening in the world feels outside of our control, we can lean into small acts that make a big difference. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano relies on the support of more than 1,000 dedicated volunteers each month to sustain the fight against hunger. The gifts born from acts of service are priceless; just ask Maggie Petersen, one of the Food Bank’s loyal volunteers, who says, “If you are thinking about volunteering somewhere and the issue of hunger touches your heart, consider the Food Bank. This is a place where it truly does take a village of volunteers and staff working together every day to address food insecurity. There are a variety of volunteer
opportunities.” Maggie has been donating her time since 2006 because the Food Bank’s mission appeals to her and the work is rewarding. “There is so much food insecurity in the communities we serve. I feel good knowing that our efforts directly affect people’s quality of life. I’ve met some really neat people and enjoy interacting with my fellow volunteers and Food Bank staff. Plus, for me, it’s fun!” She and other volunteers spend each shift packaging anywhere between 400-1,200 boxes. “The food that goes into these boxes is purchased by the Food Bank, generally weighs about 30 pounds each, and contains staples such as cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, tomato products, pasta, beans, and more,” explains Maggie. COVID-19 has caused a dramatic spike in demand. The number of in-
Pictured is Maggie Petersen, one of Foodbank’s loyal volunteers.
dividuals the Food Bank serves each month has skyrocketed from 178,000 to 270,000. That’s why they need volunteers now more than ever. If you’re looking for a way to help heal your community, fill time, and feed families this holiday season, visit foodbankccs.org/volunteer for a break-
down of available opportunities and learn about their COVID-19 Volunteer Safety Protocols. Registration is required. You can sign up for one shift or become a regular volunteer. No training is necessary -- just a kind heart and giving spirit!
Circle of Giving Playbook White Pony Express (WPE), founded by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner in 2013, rescues and delivers high-quality food and clothing to partner agencies across Contra Costa County. WPE recently launched their new fundraising campaign, “The Circle of Giving Playbook.” Circle of Giving is a model for picking up surplus food and goods and delivering to neighbors in need. Join White Pony Express (WPE) as they share their seven-chapter “playbook” and collectively raise $500,000 so that everyone can share in life’s abundance, especially those severely impacted by the pandemic. The effects of the pandemic have particularly affected seniors, the unhoused, students, and isolated neighbors in need—the very populations that WPE serves. WPE provides fresh, nutritious food and cold weather clothing to those in need because they know the challenge is great—and growing. Fifty percent of working parents have reported job losses or hour reductions due to COVID-19, and that number goes up in underserved communities. In Contra Costa County, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness has skyrocketed -- up 43% since 2017. A heartbreaking 1 in 4 Americans are skipping meals or relying on food donations during the pandemic, often for the first time. The demand for WPE’s rescued food has risen steeply since the onset of the pandemic and put a substantial strain on its financial resources and volunteer base. WPE has tripled their food donations and is experiencing a dramatic rise in clothing requests at the White Pony General Store. Pallets of food, arriving by the truckload, have necessitated additional staff, vehicles, equipment, technology, training, and safety measures. By presenting their “Circle of Giving Playbook,” WPE hopes to raise the funds needed to keep critical channels of service flowing through Contra Costa County. The goal of their campaign is to inspire you, appreciate you, share how you can help, and have a little fun along the way! Please make a financial gift to WPE between now and December 31. If they meet their fundraising goal, it will provide food and clothing to those that need it, bringing them from the margins back into the mainstream during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To support White Pony Express, please send your contribution to 3380 Vincent Road #107, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, or donate online at https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/donate-funds.
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HOLIDAY SPECIAL EVENTS 2020
General Manager’s Message Let There Be Light!
Santa and his elves will be waiting to accept them and extend their happiest holiday greetings. As cars depart the mail Hello December! the “Snow Place Like Home Light Fest”. station, they’ll tune in to holiday music on I’ve never been so happy to see you. I am Piggybacking on the tremendous success a special North Pole radio station and visit of the “Spellbinding Halloween House more than ready to turn the page on this several “train stops” (booths) along the dumpster--re year and start a whole new Decorating contest” in October, Rec & Park way to pick up festive surprises from local chapter. In fact, I’m ready to throw out the is hosting a similar event for the holidays. se service organizations and businesses in entire book and start a new one called, Participants register by December 18 at our community. It will be fun--lled imagi“Rise of the Phoenix”. What would you title pleasanthillrec.com to enter the contest nary train ride with lots of holiday cheer! your new year’s book? for a chance to win gift card prizes. Judges Pre-registration is required for a 15-minute We do, however, have one more month will then visit homes, review submitted drive-through time slot. Fee: $5 per child. house photos and announce the winners to go and it looks like we still have some Spaces will be limited, so we encourage on December 21 on our social media more darkness to get through together. you to sign up early. Public health guide pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) The good news is that there is light at the lines will be strictly followed and all partici@pleasa end of the tunnel! There are promising @pleasanthillrec. Each contestant’s house pants must stay in their cars. This event will COVID-19 vaccines in the pipeline that may will be listed on a new and improved route take place rain or shine. begin to protect frontline medical profes- map available at pleasanthillrec.com and For the seniors, our Senior Center staff sionals and the most vulne vulnerable as early as on our social media sites. Contestant has planned several festivities in their efphotos will also be posted on social mid-December. On December 21, the forts to keep people connected and enwinter solstice arrives, bringing the return media. This new Light Fest event is gener- gaged over the holidays including in-perously sponsored by the Rotary Club of of more sunlight. And then there are the son Holiday Parking Lot Bingo, a virtual holidays, a time to celebrate miracles and Pleasant Hill. Together, our goal is to light Holiday social and a special holiday Senior give joy to others. All these “light sources” up our neighborhoods with holiday cheer Meal Deal. We have also partnered with will help dispel the darkness this month and lift our collective community spirit. Choice in Aging to distribute gifts to Rec & Park is also turning up the light by seniors homebound due to the pandemic. and give us what I, and so many others, have been struggling to hold on to all year: hosting a brand new, covid-safer outdoor We have ornaments with gift ideas hangevent called the Ho! Ho! Holiday Express hope for a brighter, healthier future. ing from our special “Giving Tree” at the PH Drive Thru on December 12. This DriveIn December, Pleasant Hill Rec & Park Senior Center. To learn how you can particstaff is turning up the wattage to make this Thru event will replace our annual Holiday ipate, contact our Senior Center staff at season the best and brightest for the Pleas- Festival this year. Registered families will (925) 798-8788 (Tues-Thurs, 9 am-12 pm). ant Hill community under the current cirtravel along the Ho! Ho! Holiday Railway All gifts must be delivered new and un cumstances. We are starting off with a for some festive holiday fun! Children of wrapped no later than December 9 to PH holiday house decorating contest called all ages can drop off their letters to Santa Senior Center. For more information visit, at the Holiday Express Mail Station where pleasanthillrec.com/341. By Michelle Lacy General Manager, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District
Join us this month by lighting the way through the end of this dark 2020 tunnel. Inspire more hope. Give more joy, kindness, compassion, patience and goodwill to others. Sprinkle in good humor too. And don’t forget to spread a whole lot of holiday cheer. No ba-hum-bugs allowed! Let there be light! Wishing you and your family a bright and healthy holiday season. Follow us @pleasanthillrec
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