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June 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& JUNE 2019
RUTH BANCROFT’S LEGACY GROWS ON
By Jody Morgan
The Ruth Bancroft Garden (RBG), legacy of a remarkable woman’s vision and dedication, continues to develop in new directions. Complimenting the RBG’s extensive and ever-growing collection of drought-tolerant plants from around the globe, the Coit Family Visitor and Education Center opening June 26 th enhances the garden’s natural ability to educate and entertain. Thoughtfully designed interior spaces provide year-round facilities for programs, workshops, social gatherings and Water feature suggested by Lester Hawkins reflects folly Ruth meetings – all availBancroft designed. Photo by Jody Morgan. able for reservation for private events. Begun almost 50 years ago as Ruth’s personal endeavor, the garden has gained immeasurable value as a community resource since opening to the public in 1992 as the pilot project of the Garden Conservancy. Falling in love with form rather than function, Ruth began collecting rosette-shaped succulents in the 1950s. California’s building boom had yet to make water conservation a critical issue. While other gardeners were still keeping their succulents in pots, she made the bold move of planting her already significant store of unusual specimens in-ground in a three-acre area bared by the demise of a walnut orchard. In 1972, Ruth enlisted the advice of Lester Hawkins of Western Hills Nursery to plan the initial beds. She approved his suggestion that even a dry garden needed a water feature, but overruled his objection to contrasting the architectural Ruth Bancroft (photo courtesy of the Ruth
JOIN THE CLEANER CONTRA COSTA CHALLENGE By Fran Miller
While Earth Day is a great time to show appreciation for our planet, doesn’t it make sense to display gratitude to Mother Earth on a daily basis? Sustainable Contra Costa believes so, and that’s why they’ve issued the ‘Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge,’ a program that encourages and promotes ear th-f riendly lifestyle changes such as taking shorter showers or packing school lunches in re-usable containers. This new program empowers Contra Costa residents to create a healthier environment, reduce pollution, and save money. The Challenge gives communities an online tool to quickly and easily create a personal plan to act on climate change, share their success, save money, and build a stronger community. All suggested action items are simple and achievable. “We all want Contra Costa County to be a wonderful place for families
See Challenge continued on page 17
DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH ACADEMY
By Fran Miller
Do you know a middle or high school student in grades 7 to 12 with an interest in law enforcement, forensics, investigations, and the criminal justice system? Maybe he or she would like to learn about which level of force police offers select in apprehending a criminal. If so, the Danville Police Department Youth Academy (grades 10, 11, and 12) and Junior Youth Academy (grades 7, 8, and 9) provide invaluable insights into the role of
See Academy continued on page 9
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Volume XIX Number 6
Volume X Number 6
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