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June 2014 The Gardens at Heather Farm
Serving Alamo and Diablo Lots of Good News in Alamo
By Jody Morgan
More than a thousand roses bear blooming testimony to the success of the sustainable gardening principles practiced at the Gardens at Heather Farm (GHF). A Certified Wildlife Habitat and Certified Green Business, GHF is open free to the public daily during daylight hours. Although the 6-acre parcel that contains GHF remains the property of the City of Walnut Creek, GHF is a separate nonprofit organization responsible not only for the design and maintenance of the gardens, but also for educating the public about preservation and protection of the environment. Visitors routinely ask docent Christy Wilson where the heather is. They are startled when she responds that heather doesn’t grow well in Walnut Creek. As a member of one of GHF’s founding families, the Howards, Wilson has lots of historical information to share. Heather Farm, she explains, is named for Heather
Rita Shand and Maria Genova are proud to be caught in the act of propagating plants for the Gardens at Heather Farm. Photo provided by the Gardens at Heather Farm.
King, a champion stallion owned by John W. Marchbank who purchased Sulphur Springs Ranch in Walnut Creek in 1921 to breed thoroughbred race horses. Scenes for MGM’s 1931 release Sporting Blood, the first motion picture in which Clark Gable had a starring role, were filmed at Heather Farm. Marchbank arrived in California around 1906 already in possession of a fortune made as miner and gambler. His subsequent efforts gave gambling and horseracing a measure of respectability. He played Santa Claus at Christmas, distributing food and funds to widows and orphans. During the Depression of the 1930s, he is reputed to have saved several homes from foreclosure. Marchbank died in 1947 at the age of 78. His Spanish-style house is preserved as the rectory of St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Walnut Creek had only 447 residents when Marchbank established Heather Farm and a mere 2,420 in 1950. In 1951, the opening of 38 stores at the Broadway Shopping Center, Contra Costa’s first major retail center, initiated a steep increase in population. When Heather Farm Park officially opened on July 4, 1970, Walnut Creek boasted 39,844 inhabitants. The concept of creating a garden center for community members to learn
See Gardens continued on page 23 Local Postal Customer
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ECRWSS
Schools, Parks, Economy Looking Up By Sharon Burke
There is lots of good news to report this month in our little burg. At Supervisor Andersen’s last Alamo Breakfast Meeting, representatives of organizations and companies around town reported on several exciting happenings coming up in the next few months. Starting off the meeting, Alamo resident Steve Mick, Chair of the SRV School District Facilities Committee, reported that the Committee, after a thorough analysis of the existing buildings at Stone Valley Future Alamo park site. Middle School, has recommended to the school board that the school be completely demolished and a new state-of-the-art facility be constructed. The conclusion from building experts was that the school was too old and in too poor condition to remodel. The new school will be two stories, similar to the Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon. Hopes are that the new school will open by August 2016. The Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) has formed a subcommittee to offer recreation programming to Alamo residents. The subcommittee has invited the Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA in Pleasant Hill to present a proposal to the MAC for senior trips, exercise programs, and recreational classes in Alamo. In a 2011 survey mailed to all Alamo households and returned by
See Alamo continued on page 12
Prepare for High Fire Danger
By San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
California is experiencing elevated fire conditions due to drought. San Ramon Valley Firefighters would like to remind residents that creating and maintaining defensible space around their homes is critical. Firefighters urge property owners to not delay in preparing their family and home for wildfire. Take the following actions now: • Maintain 100 feet of defensible space around all structures. • Properties over an acre may Volume XIV - Number 6 require fuel breaks around the pe3000F Danville Blvd. #117, rimeter. Alamo, CA 94507 • Clear all needles and leaves Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 from roofs, eaves and rain gutters. Fax (925) 406-0547 • Limb up trees six feet from the Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher ground. Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com • Remove branches away from Sharon Burke ~ Writer The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do roofs and 10 feet from chimneys. not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today • Keep wood piles and other is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising
See Fire continued on page 14
herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.