editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& JANUARY 2019
FRUIT TO NUTS: CALIFORNIA RARE FRUIT CONTRA COSTA CIVIL GRAND JURY GROWERS SEEK THE BEST By Jody Morgan LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE
California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) was organized in 1968 as an association of gardeners and orchardists dedicated to exchanging their knowledge and experience of raising rare fruits. The non-profit now has chapters throughout California as well as in Arizona and Texas Their mandate has expanded to embrace seeking the most delicious and nutritious edibles offered by the entire vegetable kingdom. Their mission includes preservation of seldom seen varieties, educational outreach on what can be grown in a Sean Taylor regales Golden Gate members with tales particular climate or found in of growing and producing chocolate. (photo courtesy specialty markets, and sharing of Mark Hughes) the enjoyment of good food. The Golden Gate Chapter serves the Bay Area and welcomes anyone interested
See CRFG continued on page 13
By Linda Summers Pirkle
The Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury is looking for a few good women and men, 19 to be exact. Every year citizens just like you apply to serve a term of one year on the Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury. You must be 18 years or older, a citizen of the U.S., and currently a resident of Contra Costa County for at least one year. You need to possess ordinary intelligence, sound judgment, and good character. You are eligible to apply if you possess enough knowledge of the English language to communicate both orally and in writing and never have been convicted of a felony, malfeasance, or other crime.
WHAT DOES THE CIVIL GRAND JURY DO?
The Contra Costa County Superior Courts website describes the Civil Grand Jury this way: “In California, the Grand Jury system consists of 58 separate grand juries-one in each county-that are convened on an annual basis by the Superior Court to investigate the operations of the various officers, departments, and agencies of local government. Each Civil Grand Jury determines which officers,
See Jury continued on page 11
ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT WITH THE OAKLAND STROKES
By Fran Miller
They come from as far as Burlingame and Pleasanton. The Bay Area teens who participate in the Oakland Strokes rowing program gather weekdays in the late afternoons and on weekends in the early morning to glide in unison along the Oakland Estuary. On any given day, more than 200 of them gather at the team boathouse in Alameda off of High Street. The tunnel and bridge commutes can be daunting, but for those who experience the team camaraderie of time on the water, the trek is well worth it. This nationally recognized rowing program is known for its strength of community and for the passion it instills in its young participants – some of whom row as a casual and fun activity, and some of whom zealously commit to the sport. “The time commitment for those in competition is definitely intense!” says parent volunteer Kareema Young, an Alamo resident, “but the rewards are great. Aside from the physical fitness and learned time management skills, the camaraderie surrounding this team is one of the best byproducts. Rowers take care of rowers no matter where they are in the world. They know the brutal workouts they’ve all endured day after day and have an unbelievable respect for one another, which translates into a village that takes care of its own to the nth degree. “And in terms of fitness, I have never seen a sport that offers such overall physical training. A day on the water of a varsity rower can average two 45minute expeditions to the Bay Bridge or around Coast Guard Island, and there is usually one day of land training which includes a run and strength training.” The hour-long commute in each direction doesn’t phase Young’s son Carter, who has been rowing for five years and won a national championship last year. The 17-year old San Ramon Valley High School junior started in 7th grade, two days each week, later progressing to the novice and then varsity group, with practices six days per week. He at first found the everyday drive to Oakland intimidating and difficult to manage, but coordinated carpools
See Row continued on page 16
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XIX Number 1
Volume X Number 1
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.