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November 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& NOVEMBER 2018
TRI-VALLEY CONSERVANCY: MANAGED CARE FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE
By Jody Morgan
Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) takes a three-pronged approach to preserving open space, continuing to cultivate its roots as an advocate for agriculture, while connecting trails through undeveloped land for recreation and conserving wildlife habitat. Established in 1994 as the South Livermore Valley Agricultural Land Trust, the non-profit re-organized in 2003 as TVC and expanded its land trust presence to encompass San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and the Sunol area as well as all of Livermore. Through conservation easements on private and public properties, TVC fulfills its mission: “Protecting open space for you, wildlife, and future generations to enjoy!” Why should Alamo and Danville residents care about what’s happening in Alameda County? Describing the escalating dangers of wildfires in Land on Fire, Gary Ferguson notes: “Given that some animal species won’t survive in the face of the rapidly shifting habitats that climate change induces, we’ll need to expand the Club Ambassadors from the Pledge to Humanity club at Monte Vista High School recently size of some of our current wild land preserves. Connecting landscapes with north- volunteered at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Soloano. They packaged produce south corridors to create better migration opportunities is among the most widely that will help feed the under-served in our county. endorsed ecosystem management strategies in the United States today.”
P’TACH LIBEYNU: OPEN OUR HEARTS
By Fran Miller
Connected trails through public and private land from Livermore to Mount Diablo and beyond enable people as well as wildlife to enjoy protected open space. (Photo by Craig Siders)
TVC Communications Director Beryl Anderson writes: “Having protected and connected habitat for wildlife is critical. The larger the area, the more likely it is to not only provide all of the components that wildlife needs to survive – food, water, shelter, and hopefully a mate – but also so that wildlife has a safe place to escape to if there is a disaster.” In 2017, smoke from Sonoma made air quality in Danville and Alamo so hazardous that local schools canceled outdoor activities. Where did endangered residents like the five-pound San Joaquin kit foxes, the smallest members of the
See TVC continued on page 16
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Mental illness is often surrounded by shame and silence. While diagnoses such as Parkinson’s disease or cancer are readily discussed in the open, a diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder is often shrouded in secrecy. Diana MaKieve has made it her mission that sufferers of mental illness and family members of those with mental illness need not live in silence and shame. The Alamo resident and member of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette is the initiator of several support groups for those facing the challenging stigma of mental illness. P’tach Libeynu/Open Our Hearts gatherings take place at Temple Isaiah but are open to all. It was nine years ago when MaKieve recognized the need for such a group. She had recently discovered that a good friend had suffered in silence with her son’s mental illness. Determined to break that history of isolation, MaKieve embarked on an effort to create an open and supportive climate for those living with mental illness and for their families. A safe and caring space, P’tach Libeynu/Open Our Hearts allows sufferers to tell their stories and what they’ve learned. Strategies and coping tools are offered, and future plans are discussed. “I began to explore the shame and stigma of mental illness in 2007, organizing a community committee of experts to help guide our beginning
See Open continued on page 20
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XVIII Number 11
Volume IX Number 11
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.