The Valley Sentinel_February 2021

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always for the community VOL 26 NO 1

February 2021

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SPOTLIGHT

Longtime East Bay Parks GM Bob Doyle retires

After a remarkable 47 years of service at the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), General Manager Robert E. Doyle will be retiring at the end of this month. His legacy is one that will last generations and serves as an inspiration to many.

His long list of accomplishments benefit millions of East Bay residents. For the past 10 years, he has been General Manager of the largest regional park system in the nation, with over

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See BOB DOYLE page 3

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Each year, the East Bay Regional Park District launches its “Trails Challenge” program that features 20 different trails throughout the parks to get people out and enjoying new trails and different venues. This is year 28! A guidebook, t-shirt and commemorative pin for those who complete the challenge is an incentive to get out on the trails. For information, see the article on page 3.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

By James M. Hale

The diminutive, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula), is difficult to observe on its breeding grounds, as it usually forages and nests high in the coniferous canopy. Throughout the East Bay Area and Contra Costa County, during migration and winter, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is more conspicuous, as it nervously flicks its wings, while flitting about low vegetation in pursuit of food.

The classic, jit-jidit, two and three note call, heralds the Rubycrowned Kinglet’s presence. Rubycrowned Kinglet vocalizations and songs have been described as remarkably loud and complex for its size. One of the smallest North American birds, the Rubycrowned Kinglet is placed in its own subgenus, Corthylio, as it is not closely related to other kinglets.

Currently, three subspecies are recognized.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a very small bird, no more than four and one half inches long, with a wingspan of up to seven inches, and weighing five to ten grams. Olive-green plumage, two white wing bars, and a white eye-ring, are diagnostic characteristics in both sexes. Males have a brilliant red crown patch that usually remains concealed, unless the bird is agitated or threatened. Juveniles are similar in plumage to adults.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets bare an uncanny resemblance to Hutton’s Vireo.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet i s m i g r a t o r y, w i t h p e a k migration periods in March to the northern breeding grounds, and in October, south to its winter range. Breeding habitat is the spruce-fir forests in the northern, mountainous regions

of Alaska, Canada, and the United States.

Winter habitat in the southern United States and Mexico consists of a w i d e va r i e t y of vegetation types, from mainly open deciduous woods, streamside thickets, mixed evergreen forests, and other habitats.

The flight of the Rubycrowned Kinglet has been described as “swift, jerky, and erratic”. This “tiny dynamo” actively forages from treetops to low bushes, carefully examining twigs, tree trunks, and foliage, or sometimes hovering while feeding. Their wing-flicking behavior is characteristic, as

This Month’s Special Section:

Seniors

page 6

the kinglet hops from branch to branch. On occasion, an aerial insect catches the kinglet’s attention, and it will fly out in pursuit of its prey. Insects, spiders, berries, and tree sap are favorite foods.

During courtship, the male Ruby-crowned Kinglet may See KINGLET page 4

page 2

THE VALLEY SENTINEL February 2021

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Bay Point Regional Shoreline

By Beverly Lane East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors

If you’re looking for a new park to explore, consider Bay Point Regional Shoreline in East Contra Costa.

Bay Point isn’t actually new; East Bay Regional Park District acquired the land in 1996. However, the park district has just completed an extensive and environmentally friendly restoration that has returned the shoreline to its former natural state.

The project has created habitat for a great variety of animals and plants. Nor have we people been forgotten.

There’s a mile-long entirely flat and accessible loop trail that provides great views of the wetlands and at greater distance, the high hills overlooking the Delta shore. You can also see the Sacramento-San Joaquin River joining the bay.

Another unique feature is a floating pier, designed to rise and fall with the tides. It’s also designed so that kayaks can be taken in and out of the water. With the pier and improvements, the park is part of the San Francisco Bay Water

Trail, though it is not yet shown on the Water Trail map.

The park provides important shoreline access to tidal marshlands and waterfront open space. It’s one of the few public access points to shoreline on the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta between Martinez and Oakley.

Because the park is located at the approximate midpoint of the San Francisco Bay Estuary and the SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta, convergence of saltwater and freshwater there creates a rich and varied ecosystem.

The restoration project changed 30 acres of wetlands and grasslands back to their original natural state, reversing the effects of more recent dredging and marine use.

High areas that had been filled during sand dredging operations were lowered to restore tidal marsh. Material excavated was used to raise the level of the park’s existing Harrier Trail. The Harrier Trail was redesigned for disabled access. It was also designed to prevent flooding, even during potential sea level rise due to climate change. A bridge was installed over a newly excavated tidal channel.

Another habitat improvement was a tidal marsh – a ponded area subject to

ebbs and flows, surrounded by pickleweed, providing habitat for the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse and fish such as delta smelt and longfin smelt.

For the benefit of park visitors, interpretive panels have been installed with information on the park’s natural history.

The Harrier Trail is paved, easy for walkers and people who use wheelchairs. There are picnic tables with shade structures, flush toilets, drinking water, benches, and trail overlooks for wildlife viewing at the variety of habitats created by the project.

The area including Bay Point Regional Shoreline has a varied history. The first inhabitants were Native American tribes, including the Bay Miwok Chupcan and Ompin, occupying the shore of Suisun Bay between what is now Port Chicago and Oakley.

From the 1850s on, the site was between two Mexican land grants. It remained largely undisturbed until the 1950s through the 1980s, when its owners diked a section for settling ponds and the sanddredging operation.

In 1978, a California District Court decree required that the J-shaped channel along the park’s eastern edge be dug to open the area to tidal action as mitigation for the sand dredging. When East Bay Regional Park District acquired the property, the Shell Oil Spill Litigation Settlement Trustee Committee provided a portion of the purchase price.

BOB DOYLE from page 1

BECOME A MEMBER! Purchase an annual Regional Parks Foundation Membership today for “contactless” access to your East Bay Regional Parks! Your tax-deductible gift provides unlimited day use parking, free dog access (up to 3 dogs), free swimming, and much more. There are several membership levels to chose from.

To learn more visit: www.RegionalParksFoundation.org/ Join or call 510-544-2220.

1,000 employees and 125,000 acres of land. After joining EBRPD as a park ranger at Tilden Regional Park, he rose through the ranks to become Chief of Land Acquisition and Trail Planning in 1986, and General Manager in 2010.

Since he became Chief of Land Acquisition, EBRPD’s park size has doubled, including 20 new parks thanks to his efforts.

Before Bob Doyle began his fruitful work at EBRPD, his roots trace back to Save Mount Diablo. In 1971, he joined the nonprofit as a founding Board member. One of his mentors was Save Mount Diablo cofounder Dr. Mary Bowerman.

In 1978, at age 25, he became President of Save Mount Diablo, a position he held for 11 years. Since 1971, public space preserved on and around Mount Diablo has increased from just under 7,000 acres to more than 120,000

Funding for the marsh restoration came from a variety of sources. The California Department of Parks and Recreation put in a total of $950,000 from its Land and Water Conservation Fund and Habitat Conservation Fund. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy’s Proposition 1 Water Bond contributed $2.1 million. Other funding came from Contra Costa County, the National Fish and Wildlife Service, and the park district’s voterapproved measures, WW and AA. Total cost of the project was $5,362,912.

The park reopened on Nov. 20 with a virtual ceremony that can be viewed on the park district website, www.ebparks.org.

The park is a gateway to the Delta’s abundant natural world and a great place to go for a relaxing shoreline walk.

I’d recommend checking the tables for high tide before you visit; wildlife viewing will likely be better when the water fills the marshes. acres. A significant portion of this conservation is because of Bob Doyle; for example, he negotiated the acquisition of 5,000 acres for Save Mount Diablo State Park.

In 1988, Bob Doyle hired Seth Adams as Save Mount Diablo’s first employee, now our Land Conservation Director. Seth says, “For years [Bob and I] spoke nearly every day. Hundreds of people can say Bob Doyle was their most important mentor. I’m one of them.”

In addition to hiring Seth as SMD’s first employee, Bob Doyle grew the organization from 1,000 members to 5,000.

In total, he served on Save Mount Diablo’s Board for 25 years.

Seth notes, “Bob lives conservation. Many can speak to all the places that Bob Doyle has helped save, and I can list hundreds including tens of thousands of acres, as well as creation of 20 new regional

B ay Po i n t Re g i o n a l Shoreline is located at the end of McAvoy Road in the community of Bay Point, adjacent to McAvoy Boat Harbor. From eastbound Highway 4, take the San Marco Boulevard exit just past the top of Willow Pass. Turn left on San Marco Boulevard and head toward the river. After the underpass, San Marco Boulevard becomes Willow Pass Road. After you pass Evora Road, turn left on Port Chicago Highway.

From westbound Highway 4, take the Willow Pass Road exit to Bay Point. Turn right on Willow Pass Road, then left on Port Chicago Highway.

Once you are on Port Chicago Highway, drive north toward the river and McAvoy Harbor. When Port Chicago Highway curves sharp left, go straight ahead instead onto McAvoy Road and cross the railroad tracks. But don’t enter the harbor. Turn left instead onto the road that parallels the tracks. Bay Point Regional Shoreline is just ahead, at the end of that road.

Bob Doyle with Senator John Nejedly in 1980. Photo by Norm Fisher

parks. Helping implement over a billion dollars in capital funding.”

Throughout his 47 years of work, Bob Doyle has been the epitome of conservation.

Seth continues, “John Muir is the East Bay’s most famous conservationist but most of his work was elsewhere. I’d argue that in the list of Drurys, Mott, Trudeau, Bob Doyle has been the most effective environmentalist in the history of the East Bay. Bob Doyle has had a greater positive impact on the physical geography of the East Bay than any other individual.”

valleysentinel.com

February 2021

East Bay Regional Parks Looking Forward

by Ned MacKay

As we bid a not especially fond farewell to Year 2020, we can look forward with cautious optimism to better times in 2021.

In the East Bay Regional Park District, there are some good things coming. The newly restored Bay Point Regional Shoreline in East Contra Costa has opened and is well worth checking out. Planning continues for the opening of Concord Hills Regional Park (which will likely be renamed), with first public access possible later in 2021.

T h e d i s t r i c t ’ s 2 0 21 budget funds some other major projects too, including opening of Brickyard Cove in McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, the new Dumbarton Quarry campground at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, Lone Tree Point extension of the San Francisco Bay Trail, and the remodeled

Rocky Ridge Visitor Center at Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore.

Another big project in 2021 is restoration of McCosker Creek in Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in the Oakland Hills. The creek is being freed from culverts, creating new habitat for a variety of animals and plants.

These and other projects can be viewed in the 2021 budget posted at the park d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e, w w w. ebparks.org.

Of course much depends on defeating the pandemic.

For the present, COVID-19 restrictions remain in place at the park district. All visitor centers, water fountains (except bottle fillers), campgrounds and reservable facilities are closed.

Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, Ohlone Wilderness in southern Alameda County, and the

Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley re m a i n c l o s e d . H oweve r Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County a n d Ro u n d Va l l ey s o u t h o f B re n t wo o d h ave n ow reopened. Remember that dogs are not allowed in Round Valley, because it’s habitat for the rare and endangered kit fox.

All the inter-park trails are open, from the Marsh Creek Regional Trail in Brentwood to Alameda Creek Trail in Fremont. Trails within the parks are open as well. Because walking and riding the trails has become a major recreational activity due to restrictions on other forms of diversion, please observe posted trail rules and exercise common courtesy.

The district asks visitors to wear masks, especially in places such as gates and narrow footpaths where six feet of social distancing is difficult. Bring your own water, pick up after your dog, and pack out your trash.

Trails Challenge 2021

by Ned MacKay

With the arrival of the New Year comes another annual Trails Challenge in the East Bay Regional Park District. This is its 28th year.

Trails Challenge is the free, self-guided hiking and bicycling program offering everyone an incentive to explore new parklands or seek out new trails on familiar ones.

To enroll, all you have to do is visit the park district website at www.ebparks.org/ tc. There you can download t h e Tr a i l s C h a l l e n g e guidebook and maps of the 20 trails listed in this year’s challenge.

Hike or ride any five of the listed trails, or 26.2 miles of trails within the park district. Submit your trail log online or by mail by Dec. 1 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. The pins will be available in late June.

The park district also has scheduled free distributions of guidebooks and commemorative T-shirts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and/or Sundays at tables set up in front of visitor centers.

One T-shirt per person and one guidebook per family will be available, while supplies last. The T-shirts are always popular, so supplies may not last long. Check with your nearest park district visitor center before you go.

All 20 featured trails are now available on the AllTrails app. First download the free app, sign-up and log in, then go to https://www. alltrails.com/lists/ebrpdtrails-challenge-2021 and click on “Copy to my lists”, followed by “Continue in App”. The featured trails will show under ‘Lists’ in ‘Plan’.

The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, and share your photos, comments etc. with others.

Tr a i l s C h a l l e n g e i s sponsored by the park district, the Regional Parks Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente HMO. Every year at least 10,000 people participate.

There’s a challenge trail near you no matter where you live in Alameda or Contra Costa Counties.

They range in difficulty from easy to strenuous, so there’s something for every fitness level.

Some examples: there are easy challenge trails at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in El Sobrante, and Brushy Peak Regional Preserve near Livermore.

For a moderate hike, visit Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, or Wildcat Canyon Regional Park in Richmond.

Challenging hikes are available at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon, and Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley.

The guidebook also has lots of good information on safety, equipment, and hiking with kids and pets.

Unfortunately we are all still contending with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. So the park district urges everyone to visit the parks only with immediate family or household members.

Also please observe social distancing of six feet, and have masks available for use when social distancing is impossible, such as on narrow trails or at park gates.

Please pack out your trash; do not leave trash or dog waste bags on the trail.

The good news is that although all visitor centers remain closed to the public, s eve ra l p a r k s t h a t we re initially closed have now reopened. These include Ro u n d Va l l e y s o u t h o f Brentwood, Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton (with boat launch by hand only), and Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County.

For up-to-date information on what’s open or closed, click on “COVID-19 Closures” at the top of any page at the park district website.

THE VALLEY SENTINEL Since the pandemic situation is constantly changing, it’s a good idea to check the park district website before you go, in order to determine the status of any restrictions. You can click on “COVID-19 Closures” at the top of the home page.

While you’re at the website, download a map of the park you’re planning to visit.

While you are out in the parks, look for seasonal changes in the natural world, whose cycle continues regardless of the pandemic.

Fo r i n s t a n c e, w i n t e r rains will bring beautiful, tiny, bell-shaped flowers to the manzanita bushes.

Manzanita is present in almost every regional park,

page 3

but the flowering is especially noticeable on the Chaparral Loop Trail at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch.

Another later winter bloomer is Indian Warrior, a magenta-colored plant that grows underneath the manzanita, deriving nourishment from the manzanita roots. A good place to see it in profusion is the Manzanita Trail and Manzanita Loop at Sobrante Ridge Regional Park in El Sobrante.

Winter is a great time to explore the regional parks and other open space, as what we hope will be abundant rainfall brings the grasses and flowers back to life.

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL February 2021

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Discover Diablo with Save Mt. Diablo Hike Series Explore some of the East Bay’s premiere hiking spots with Save Mount Diablo in 2021, including areas rarely open to the public. The Discover Diablo hike series offers interpretive family walks, guided hikes, and property tours, all free to the public. Trailblazers of all ages and skill levels are welcome.

In response to growing demand, Save Mount Diablo is adding hikes and new

activities to the series for a total of 36 excursions in 2021.

New offerings will include climbing, mountain biking, and bilingual hikes in Spanish and English. The ever-popular tarantula walk will be offered twice, and a special hike will celebrate the California State Parks centennial.

There will be a unique opportunity to take what may be a last look at Del Puerto Canyon—the site

KINGLET from page 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are common and widespread.

However, their populations regionally rise and fall, with many individuals apparently perishing during exceptionally inclement weather. National Audubon Society scientists have used over one and forty million observations, as well as sophisticated climate models to predict how climate change will affect this bird’s range in the future. It has been suggested that the Ruby-crowned Kinglet has a high vulnerability, with over seventy percent of their breeding range, predicted to be lost. Logging and uncontrolled wildfires have reduced the breeding range. The species is projected to shift north, out of the conterminous forty-eight states, for which threats data are available.

James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, ethnobiologist, and ecological consultant. Please visit his website at www.dochale.com

crouch horizontally, fluttering its wings, and raising red crown feathers while singing.

The female builds a wellengineered, hanging cup nest, constructed of moss, lichen, rootlets, conifer needles, bark strips, twigs, and spider webs.

She lines it with soft feathers, animal hair, and plant down.

From four to twelve eggs are laid, a remarkably large clutch for such a small bird. Only the female Ruby-crowned Kinglet incubates the white to buff-colored eggs, which are covered in brown spotsthat are concentrated at the large end. The eggs hatch in about fourteen days. Both parents feed the nestlings in the well protected nest, which is usually from forty to ninety feet high in a spruce or other conifer. After sixteen days of parental care, the nestlings fledge.

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for a proposed reservoir in the Diablo Range (east of Patterson, CA). Del Puerto is rich in wildflowers, wildlife (including Tule elk), dinosaur bones, and Native American sites, all of which could soon be under water.

“There has been a renewed appreciation for the outdoors in the last year.

Through the Discover Diablo Series, people are fortunate to be able to explore and discover the beauty of Mount Diablo with experienced guides,” said Ann Notarangelo, Community Relations Manager for the Martinez Refining Company.

“Our refinery has sponsored these hikes since 2017 in the hopes people will enjoy learning more about the mountain, while spending quality time with family and friends.”

The Discover Diablo program was started by Save Mount Diablo in 2017 to connect local communities with the amazing natural world of the Mount Diablo area and to build awareness about land conservation.

Hikes take place on one of Save Mount Diablo’s

conserved properties or on a collaborating partner’s land that Save Mount Diablo helped to protect in years past. These include Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation lands.

Discover Diablo hikes are guided by experts steeped in the natural history and lore of the region, who both educate and entertain while emphasizing the breathtaking beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer.

S ave M o u n t D i a b l o hopes the Discover Diablo series will spark a passion for the Diablo Range and deepen people’s connections to the land and nature. All Discover Diablo hikes are subject to, and will honor, all applicable COVID-19–related restrictions then in place for our area.

According to Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people, Save Mount Diablo, and the land, helping our communities develop a strong

sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants, as that is what it will take to ensure the precious Mount Diablo natural area is taken care of for generations to c o m e. T h i s ye a r we a re excited to offer an expanded and diverse set of offerings to invite more people out to connect with nature and Save Mount Diablo.”

There is something for us all to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo, so be sure to hit the trails in 2021 and find your own individual inspiration!

R S V P r e q u i r e d . To e n s u re e v e r y o n e h a s a n equal opportunity to attend, registration for hikes in March onward will open two months prior to each hike’s date.

See our full schedule of upcoming hikes, view and RSVP online at http://bit. ly/Discover-Diablo-HikesCalendar You can also download and print a flyer of the schedule here: http://bit.ly/ DiscoverDiablo

Nesting Castle Rock Falcons protected by closure

by Ned MacKay

It’s time once again for the annual reminder that the Castle Rock formation overlooking Diablo Foothills Regional Park near Walnut Creek is closed to public access from now through July 31 to allow peregrine falcons to nest in peace.

The rocks are located in Mt. Diablo State Park, but visitors usually access them from the Stage Road Trail in Diablo Foothills.

Signs are posted at several access points advising of the closure. In general, the boundary line is Pine Creek.

Peregrine falcons are remarkable birds. About the size of crows, they prey mostly on smaller birds, but also on mammals including rodents and bats. They are capable of diving at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour, which makes them the world’s fastest animal.

Pe re g r i n e s a re n o longer on the federal endangered species list, but in California they are still fully protected under the state’s Fish & Game Code.

It’s vital to leave them alone during the nesting season, which runs from

Feb. 1 to July 31. If disturbed, they can fail to mate or abandon their nests.

An all-volunteer natural history education team keeps watch on the peregrines at Castle Rock during the mating season. In 2020, two pairs of nesting peregrines were seen in the rocks. However, neither pair ever settled into incubation, so no chicks hatched. Usually there’s just one nesting pair up in the rocks; the presence of two may have been distracting.

Peregrines are very territorial.

So please don’t venture up into the rocks during the peregrines’ mating season.

Everyone’s cooperation is appreciated. Trespassers can be cited and the fine is expensive. * * * Since we’re on the subject of closures, remember that a few regional parks and facilities remain closed due to COVID-19-related restrictions.

T h e m a i n exa m p l e s a re Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, and all visitor centers.

Other parklands can be closed due to adverse weather conditions such as high winds.

To check on park status before heading out, go to the park district website, www.ebparks.org. At the top of the home page, click on “COVID-19 Closures.” Farther down the page, you can put the cursor on “Parks & Trails”, then click on “Park & Trail Closures.”

Also on the “Parks & Trails” menu is a “Report Incident” option, where you can report non-emergency situations, hazardous trail conditions, e t c. Fo r e m e rg e n c i e s o r park rule violations, call the park district public safety department dispatchers at (510) 881-1121. * * * The park district is in t h e p ro c e s s o f p l a n n i n g public access for 3.89 acres of new parkland at Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda, next to Crab Cove Visitor Center. The “McKay Master Plan” also includes street improvements along McKay Avenue for better traffic circulation, and proposed new recreational facilities.

You can find out more about the project and take an online survey to offer your input on the plan. To do so, visit www.ebparks.org/ McKayMasterPlan.

valleysentinel.com

February 2021

Alamo Roundabout Update The Alamo Roundabout, planned for the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Orchard Court -- at the entrance to the Alamo Plaza Shopping center, is still in the design phase which is 65% complete. The current proposal includes a decorative stacked wall in the center of the roundabout with a tree and up lighting as part of the landscape features. Additionally, two proposed Alamo monument sign options have been created for the wall.

The concept of installing a Roundabout was recommended several years ago by the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) to Supervisor Candace Andersen after it was determined that accidents at that intersection were more than twice the level of other locations along Danville Boulevard. The MAC also considered installing traffic signals at that intersection, but chose the roundabout option as not only a way to improve traffic

and pedestrian safety, but to be an architectural statement for downtown Alamo.

County Public Works Staff is working on utility coordination for relocations and adjustments that will be required for construction. Negotiations are also taking place regarding the acquisition of some needed right of way from adjacent property owners. Once this is completed, Public Works will put the project out to bid and award the construction contract.

Construction is anticipated to start in Spring 2022 and should take nine months to complete. It will include multistage construction in order to keep traffic along Danville Boulevard open. Current costs are estimated to be $2.6 million, which will be funded through a combination of Federal funds, specifically the Highway Safety Improvement Program, Measure J funds and local gas tax.

Obituary

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

Annual Wild Mushroom Warning Each year, mushrooms come out after the first rains of the season, which began on November 26. Mushrooms are ecologically important and can look beautiful – but some of them contain dangerous toxins. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and Western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season.

The death cap and Western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals.

In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the first organs affected after ingestion.

Symptoms don’t usually appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to the liver and renal failure if treatment is not sought immediately.

“Both of these toxic mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed,” said East Bay Regional Park District Naturalist Trent Pearce, who is based in Tilden Regional Park and documents the fungi in East Bay Regional Parks. “They are mostly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.”

The death cap is a mediumto-large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at AdvAnced LAser

Left: Western Destroying Angel

the base of the stem. Though the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods.

It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast. The death cap is not native to California.

The Western destroying angel is a medium-to-large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that disappears with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.

“The Park District urges the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks,” said East Bay Regional Park District Public Information Supervisor Dave Mason. “Collecting mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed.”

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Born December 3, 1959 Home with the Lord January 6, 2021

Sharleen was born on December 3, 1959 in Turlock, CA to William and Shamiran Marshall. She attended Turlock schools and graduated from Turlock High School.

Sharleen loved living in San Ramon, CA for many years and spent most of her career working in the field of ultrasound. She was passionate about her work and loved helping people. Sharleen enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many places during her career. She mostly loved going to the ocean (Carmel being her favorite) and visiting art galleries.

Sharleen is preceded in death by her father William Marshall and sister Shirley Marshall. She is survived by her mother Shamiran Marshall, sister Elizabeth Templeman (Greg), niece Alysia Templeman, nephew Ethan Templeman, uncle and aunt Sam and Rose Bidkaram, aunt Marlene Bidkaram and several cousins.

Her family and friends will miss her beautiful smile and passion for life. Sharleen bravely battled cancer for 2 1/2 years, but since she had accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she has the blessed assurance of her new home in Heaven.

Donations can be made in honor of Sharleen to: Operation Smile, Mercy Ships, David Jeremiah Ministries.

Right: Death Cap

The death cap and Western destroying angel can also be dangerous for pets.

“Dog owners should keep a close watch on their dogs during the winter months,” said Mason.

“Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.”

While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, both of which are found in the Bay Area.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning.

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Senior Living page 6

valleysentinel.com

December 2020

5 Reasons to Join a Book Club when Living in Assisted Living

by Mary Lynn Brook, Senior Living Specialist

Reading at any age is important but when seniors move to an assisted living community a good book club will improve the quality of their lives. Staying active in an Assisted Living community is vital in reducing depression and isolation.

Joining a book club may be overwhelming for new residents who are moving to an Assisted Living community.

But now more than ever it is important to connect with others in meaningful activities.

Book clubs are important in assisted living because research shows reading helps long term memory, focus, and concentration. In her article, Being a Lifelong Bookworm May Keep You Sharp in Old Age, by Marina Koren, SMITHSONIANMAG.COM, JULY 3, 2013, she talks about

giving our brains a workout.

Reading and retaining words requires more mental energy than, watching TV or playing Solitaire on an IPad. Ac c o rd i n g t o Ko re n , “In particular, people who participated in mentally stimulating activities over their lifetimes, both in young, middle, and old age, had a slower rate of decline in memory and other mental capacities than those who did not.”

No matter your age it’s important to read. There are many reasons to join a book club when you live in Assisted Living. These are 5 Good Reasons to Join a Book Club: 1. Socialization, in a d d i t i o n t o g i v i n g yo u r brain a workout, a book club can be social. It brings together residents in a group environment to share their ideas about the book they are reading. They may have so much fun and meet someone new.

2. Expanding residents’ horizons beyond the walls in assisted living. Reading brings the outside world to the residents’ world without

Here When You Need Us Hospice East Bay team members have always been heroes, but they have shone even brighter during COVID-19.

They work 24 hours a day throughout our community, providing the highest quality care for patients and their families.

Hospice East Bay is proud to be part of this caring community, especially during this challenging time.

HospiceEastBay.org (925) 887-5693

leaving the building. Books offer a glimpse into the lives of other people, different cultures, and current events.

3. Practicing effective communication skills in a book club helps residents clarify what they have read in the book. Residents will question each other about ideas and opinions. In addition, they will provide feedback to each other when discussing characters and plot.

4.

Setting goals for reading is a good thing for residents. Sometimes residents get overwhelmed if they feel pressure to join an activity or group especially if they were not social when living in their home. But reading is an individual activity and can be done at one’s own pace.

Whether the resident chooses to join the conversation or sit and listen it’s up to them, but both are better than staying in their room.

5. Sometimes residents get comfortable and won’t try new things. When they commit to joining a book club they may have to read books that they ordinarily would not read. And they may have to discuss topics they are not exposed to on a regular basis.

Improving long-term memory in seniors through the book club is just as important as exercising. The mental challenge of reading

and retaining information helps delay the onset of dementia. A science advisor Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, to the Alzheimer’s Association published an article in USA TODAY that states, “ brain-challenging activities build a reserve of neuronal connections, making it take longer for the Alzheimer’s process to destroy enough neurons for symptoms to emerge.” As the residents read and discuss the material in the book they are retaining the information and helping the brain stay young.

Reading helps improve concentration, focus, and thinking skills. Coupled with a book club reading is a positive and rewarding experience for seniors living in assisted living.

If you are looking for a book for your book club try reading, Happy for No Reason,

by New York bestselling author, Marci Shimoff. Why not start your year off right and learn how to reset your happiness button.

Take the Happiness Quiz from “Happy for No Reason”, Questionnaire. According to Aristotle, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim, and end of human existence.” Make 2021 the year of the book and join the club.

For the last 25 years , Mary Brook has been writing with a focus on Health and Wellness, Family, Adventure, and Travel. For the last 15 years, she has concentrated on the senior living industry. After graduating from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, she has been writing and content development helping small businesses achieve their objectives.

To read more from Mary Brook, https://www.clippings. me/marylbrook

Impact Diablo Valley Fund at the East Bay

Community Foundation Awards Meals on Wheels Diablo Region with Grant to Launch Senior Breakfast Program Impact Diablo Valley Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation has awarded an $80,000 grant to Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. These funds will allow MOW Diablo Region to expand its Breakfast Bag program to Bethel Island and Bay Point.

“Our mission is to reduce food insecurity for low-income and homebound seniors,” says Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Executive Director, Caitlin Sly. “We are grateful for the support from Impact D i a b l o Va l l ey Fu n d a n d for their commitment to improving lives in the senior community.”

Bethel Island and Bay Point are two of the mostneedy communities Meals on Wheels Diablo Region serves.

The grant makes it possible for MOW Diablo Region’s Breakfast Bag program to deliver a second meal of the day to an additional 40 vulnerable seniors, providing a total of 10,400 breakfast bags to clients who are facing hunger. The bags include nutritious food such as fresh fruits, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, string cheese, hard boiled eggs, coffee, and tea.

MOW Diablo Region’s mission is to improve the overall health of isolated seniors. We help seniors

remain independent and live with dignity as long as possible. “The Breakfast Bag program has been a real lifeline for me. It was the answer to getting the food I need and it lets me know that I am not alone in the world,” says Linda, a MOW Diablo Region Breakfast Bag client.

Meals on Wheels Diablo Re g i o n a p p r e c i a t e s t h e support of Impact Diablo Valley Fund at the East Bay C o m m u n i t y Fo u n d a t i o n helping us feed vulnerable seniors and helping people understand the hunger that exists in our community.

valleysentinel.com

February 2021

Sentinels of Freedom For over a decade, helping severely wounded post-9/11 Veterans successfully transition to civilian life has been Sentinels of Freedom’s primary mission, and has never been more critical than now.

The good news is that, thanks to their supporters, they have been able to continue to help severely wounded Veterans like Sentinel Peter Jones complete their education, find career-focused employment, and gain financial independence despite the challenges 2020 presented.

Peter was accepted into their program after serving 13 years in the Army as a Special Forces Medic with the Green Berets. While on a Special Forces Operational Detachment patrol, Peter and his team were hit with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) during an ambush causing the Humvee he was in to lose control slamming Peter to the front and pinning his helmet between the roof and turret causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While the team attempted to find safety, the Humvee cleared a 4 ft. drop, causing him to land on the

gunner’s bench with his hips unsupported, which eventually led to a hip replacement on both sides. Forced to leave the military due to his injuries, he felt lost and as if his life and career vanished into thin air.

It was not until he connected with Sentinels of Freedom that he saw the possibility of a new career through higher education could become his reality. With the support of the Valley Sentinel readers like you, Peter has now graduated with his bachelor’s degree and is continuing his education to become a medical doctor. There are over 625 Sentinels stories to be read on their website at www.sentinelsoffreedom.org.

Every dollar entrusted with Sentinels of Freedom has been invested into helping Veterans, like Peter, become selfsufficient, successful members of their families, communities, and our great nation.

If you would like to be a part of their mission and make 2021 a year of positive impact of which we all can be proud make your donation at www. sentinelsoffreedom.org/donate.

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

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$40,000 from Travis Credit Union Helps Deliver Meals and Services to Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Clients Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is grateful to our generous donors who helped us raise $20,000 as a matching donation from Travis Credit Union, through the Travis Credit Union Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Initiative.

The $40,000 we received because of the match from the Travis Credit Union Foundation will help Meals on Wheels Diablo Region meet the 40 percent increase in need for home delivered meals we have seen since the beginning of the pandemic. These funds will go toward meal delivery as well as services like Fall Prevention, Health and Wellness, Care Management, and our Friendly Visitors Program.

“We are extremely grateful for the support from Travis Credit Union Foundation from its Covid-19 Relief Initiative. Their generous match will benefit isolated and food insecure seniors in the community,” said Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Executive Director, Caitlin Sly. For more than 50 years, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has improved the lives of vulnerable seniors living in Contra Costa County by delivering nutritious meals and wraparound services that allow seniors to remain in their homes, safely and with dignity.

As a full-service organization,

we are dedicated to addressing all the needs of the seniors we serve. In addition to meal delivery, we provide exercise and fall prevention classes, home safety modifications, elder abuse prevention, and much more.

“The Travis Credit Union Foundation gives 100% of donations back to our local communities, and we are proud of the recent fundraising collaboration with Meals on Wheels Diablo Region because of the immediate relief that will be provided to our friends and neighbors through their vital service,” said Travis Credit Union’s Director of Corporate Relations, Damion Alarcon-Young.

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is the only Meals on Wheels that delivers both meals and services to seniors in Contra Costa County.

Thousands of people every

year reach out to us for help.

Whether it’s a meal delivery or support service, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Delivers Reliably! To learn more visit www. www.mowdiabloregion. org About Travis Credit Union Foundation Tr a v i s C r e d i t U n i o n Foundation supports financial e d u c a t i o n , l i t e ra cy a n d wellness initiatives and is the philanthropic arm of Travis Credit Union. The Foundation’s mission is to build financially empowered communities and its vision is to create philanthropic solutions for building sustainable financial wellness in communities for generations to come. 100% of funds raised go back to the community. For more information about the Travis Credit Union Foundation and its COVID-19 Relief efforts go to www.TCUFUND.org

Sentinels of Freedom is a national nonprofit organization that helps severely wounded post-9/11 Veterans with comprehensive personal support and financial assistance as they complete their higher education and achieve success in their post-military careers.

Community Input We at The Valley Sentinel welcome comments and suggestions from the community at large. We love hearing from you! However, consideration is only given to those who provide their name, address and phone number. Twoway communication is essential for growth and understanding. Write us at P.O. Box 1309, Danville, 94526, email to drousset@valleysentinel.com, or call us at 925-820-6047. Thank you!

—Denise Rousset, Publisher

HELP OUR SENTINELS STORY CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. WWW.SENTINELSOFFREEDOM.ORG

Sentinel John W. Walding Business Owner

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Contact Us at 925-380-6342 or info@sentinelsoffreedom.org

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL February 2021

valleysentinel.com

Virtual Events February 13 Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club 9:30am-1:30pm. Awardwinning local author Penny Warner will present “Talking the Talk: How to Make Your Dialogue Sound Realistic” at the virtual meeting. Register online at https://cwcmtdiablo. org/current-cwc-mt-diablomeeting/ Once registered, you will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting. $5 for members, $10 for guests. More information: cwcmtdiablo writers.org.

This Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic evening dinner with a side of hilarity.

Exclusive to this show, you can give a special dedication to your loved one that Liz Grant will read during the show. After your ticket purchase, email Liz at lizgrant. com with your dedication.

Tickets are $15 each and are available at http://danville.ca.gov/vtshows, or call 925-314-3400. This show is held on Zoom and a link to the show will be emailed one hour before the start of the show. All ticket sales end at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 13. 18+.

For more information, contact Performing Arts Coordinator John Dunn at 925314-3418 or jdunn@danville. ca.gov.

February 13 Liz Grant Headlines Annual Valentine’s Day Special 7:30 pm. Join us on Zoom, for the best of Liz Grant’s relationship and dating material all compiled into one incredible show. Liz’s smart and silly style along with sharply crafted jokes from her real-life create the perfect recipe.

February 18 The History and Future of the Sunol Water Temple:

11:30am. This is a free virtual presentation from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley Carla Schultheis, the Watershed and Environmental Improvement Program Manager for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Carla will be speaking on the history and future of the Sunol Water Temple.

There are only three water temples in the United States. Yes, one of them is located in Sunol. To attend this free online presentation please visit our website at museumsrv.org and go to the Events section or call 925 837-3750.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave Danville CA 94526. We are presently closed due to Covid19 county restrictions.

February 27 Ruby Slippers – There’s No Place Like Home Hope Solutions’ 2021 Virtual Gala 5:30- 7pm. All proceeds benefit local homeless families and individuals in Contra Costa County This year, Hope Solutions will present our annual fundraising gala, Ruby Slippers There’s No Place Like Home in the comfort of your own home.

Ruby Slippers will be virtual and live-streamed from our event page, https://hopesolutions.ejoinme.org/RubySlippers2021. More information: Carrie Veurink, Manager of Development & Outreach at cveurink@hopesolutions.org or call (925) 542-5068.

March 8 Walnut Creek Garden Club 2021 Virtual Fundraiser 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. You

need not be present to win.

Proceeds provide funding for our Community Outreach Grants.

To be included in the drawing, please make a donation of $30 to the Walnut Creek Garden Club. Send check and your email address by March 1 to: Jan Howard, 1801 Wales Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94595. To attend the drawing via Zoom, please contact Maureen Little at mslittle44@gmail.com.

You will be notified if you win and are not present at the Zoom meeting. Go to our website www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org to view the great Prize Opportunities that include Sloat Garden gift cards, fifteen theme baskets, succulent and orchid bowls, and more. We hope you will support the WCGC and our Community Outreach Grants fundraiser that gives annual grants to local worthy organizations.

New Wastewater Research Project Will Help Monitor COVID in our Community

Central county residents may be flushing valuable data about the virus down the drain (but Central San is here to collect it!)

New Wastewater Research Project Will Help Monitor COVID in our Community Central county residents may be flushing valuable data about the virus down the drain (but Central San is here to collect it!)

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) is participating in a new regional wastewater monitoring project to help track and combat SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Wastewater is a rich source of information about the health of the population it comes from. As the pandemic continues to surge across the country, scientists and public health officials are increasingly

turning to wastewater-based epidemiology to help spot early warning signs of rising infection rates, track trends, and monitor hot spots.

In November, Central San began collecting wastewater samples three times per week at its treatment plant inflow to look for the virus. The District also began weekly sampling at one of its metering stations where wastewater from the Concord area enters Central San’s sewer system.

Samples from the metering station will help researchers investigate how monitoring further “upstream” within the system could provide a more focused picture of virus levels in one sub-region.

Central San’s treatment

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plant, located in Martinez, cleans wastewater from nearly half a million residents of central Contra Costa County, including more than 140,000 residents of Concord and Clayton.

The monitoring and research are part of a regional collaboration led by the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), which has launched a new laboratory to provide rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA—the genetic material of the virus— in wastewater. UCB also is coordinating with Bay Area public health departments, including Contra Costa Health Services, to identify what data would be most helpful in responding to the virus.

“We’re still in the early stages, but it’s an exciting opportunity,” says Central San Associate Engineer Amanda Cauble, who, along with Senior Engineer Dan Frost, Laboratory Superintendent Mary Lou Esparza, Senior Chemist Blake Brown, and others have been spearheading Central San’s COVID research efforts.

Along with wastewater s a m p l e s, C e n t ra l S a n i s supplying metadata about when, where, and how each sample was collected, as well

as flow rates, water quality data, population size, and other information. This metadata will help UCB and the health departments correlate Central San’s wastewater data with results from other wastewater utilities, as well as with clinical testing data. “It’s a big team effort, both within and external to Central San,” says Frost.

In addition to the collaboration with UCB, since early summer Central San has been collecting samples at its treatment plant as part of a Stanford University study looking at how concentrations of the virus RNA vary throughout the treatment process. The District also has been collecting samples since June for various other COVID trending efforts.

“We’re eager to help where we can and support the emerging science around COVID-19 and wastewater,” says Brown. Beyond the fight against COVID, the current research also lays the foundation for responding to potential disease outbreaks in the future. “We’re learning a lot about wastewater-based epidemiology as a tool,” she adds, “and that will make it easier to mobilize next time.”

About Central San Central San’s mission is to

Central San chemists Sal Rosales and Jesse McDermott collect wastewater samples for screening for the coronavirus.

protect public health and the environment through safe and effective wastewater collection, cleaning, and disposal. It also operates a household hazardous waste collection facility, provides recycled water for landscape irrigation, and promotes pollution prevention through various educational, informational, and inspection programs. Central San serves nearly 500,000 residents and more than 3,000 businesses over 145 square miles in the central Contra Costa County area. It is operated by over 280 employees and a five-member elected Board of Directors.

valleysentinel.com

February 2021

State Disabilities Program Names Ambassadors New video tells how people with disabilities can reach their goals He previously Eight people have been chosen for the State’s new Ambassador program representing CalABLE, a savings program that gives eligible Californians and outof-state residents the ability to save for disability-related expenses by putting money in tax-advantaged investments, while protecting their eligibility for means-tested public benefits programs.

State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who chairs the board that oversees CalABLE, announced the new Ambassador program along with a video that features all eight representatives. The Ambassadors are current account holders.

“Each Ambassador is a strong advocate for how the CalABLE program has enabled them to live independently,” s a i d Tre a s u re r M a . “A l l of them have compelling stories, which will help the CalABLE program attract new participants when they i n t e ra c t t h ro u g h o u t t h e state.”

“The Ambassadors a re a n ex t e n s i o n o f t h e CalABLE team, helping to spread the word about CalABLE and sharing their personal experiences on how the program is helping them achieve a better life.

In addition to the video, they will be featured in our educational materials and monthly webinar series,” said Dante Allen, CalABLE Executive Director.

The Ambassadors’ stories are captured in the video link at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=0lxh LHVExEc&feature=youtu.be CalABLE, which stands for California Achieving a Better Life Experience, manages $32.6 million in assets from 5,640 account holders. The CalABLE Savings Plan opened to the public on December 18, 2018.

The Ambassadors will serve a one-year term. They are: Armand Bujanda is 28-years-old and from Los Angeles County. He recently graduated from Arizona State University and wants to use his CalABLE account to move into an apartment and attend graduate school. In 2018-2019, he was on the Youth Advisory Council for YO! Disabled

& Proud, a program of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC). Armand supports the disabilities community by working with youth at his local Independent Living Center, helping young people transition from high school to college, apply for benefits, and become financially independent.

Antonio Contreras is 21-years-old and from Alameda County. He attends Georgia Tech University and is working toward acquiring two certificates - one in Ac a d e m i c E n r i c h m e n t , Social Fluency and Career Exploration, and another in Social Growth, Leadership, and Career Development.

Antonio resides in a student apartment with three other ro o m m a t e s, wo r k s p a r t time at L.A. Fitness and Decatur CoWorks and has an internship on campus at the Student Information desk. He uses his CalABLE account to save money from his jobs and pay for his college expenses.

Gordon Fuller is 66-yearsold and from Sonoma County.

He is an entrepreneur known for his innovation in virtual/ augmented reality, artificial intelligence, spatial web and Blockchain networks.

Gordon is the co-director of the Inclusive Cities Lab at the World Enabled/Victor Pineda Foundation, working to eliminate the digital divide for persons with disabilities and older persons. He hosts a weekly discussion forum, “Spatial justice accessibility and inclusion,” as part of a new podcast series, “I Love You, Lead On.” Jenny Zegarra Huacachi is 25-years-old and from San Joaquin County. She is the mother of Melissa Chavez.

Jenny has been a community activist since she arrived in the United States from Peru.

Jenny’s advocacy allowed Melissa to be mainstreamed in public schools, where she received her high school d i p l o m a . J e n ny re c e n t l y opened a CalABLE account so she could invest and save for Melissa’s future.

Miguel Lugo is 39-yearsold and from Los Angeles County. He is a motivational speaker and a comedian with the stage name “El Chueco.” He refers to himself as a sit-down comedian.

worked with adults who have a disability.

Miguel wants to use his CalABLE account to begin a non-profit company that can assist people in his community.

Angelina Neglia is 23-years-old and from San Diego County. She is the mother of Tyler Schultz. Tyler attends City College and is majoring in Radio, Television, V i d e o , F i l m P ro d u c t i o n , and is also doing a paid internship with a video film production company with the help of the San Diego Regional Center. Angelina said that CalABLE opens the door to life’s possibilities for Tyler.

Alan Reid is from Marin County and the father of M a s o n w h o i s 2 3 - ye a rs old. Mason attended UCLA ex t e n s i o n i n L A , a n d i s an artist at the Cedars Art Studio and a featured artist in the Roller Coaster Online Art Exhibit. Alan, a former financial services leader, believes that once financial advisors are aware of the benefits of CalABLE, it will become a key part of their plans for any family that qualifies. Alan was able to transition Mason’s 529 College Savings account to CalABLE to pay for Mason’s medical needs.

Sandra Smith is 39-yearsold and from Sacramento County. She is the mother of Chad. Sandra is the former chair of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and is the Chair of Disability Rights California.

Sandra describes herself as a “seasoned disability consumer, parent and child advocate trainer.” Sandra is using Chad’s CalABLE account to provide financial independence for him.

Under CalABLE, aftertax contributions earnings grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals, when used for a broad range of Qualified Disability Expenses, are federal and state tax/ penalty-free. The Plan is m a n a g e d by T I A A- C R E F Tuition Financing, Inc. The California ABLE Act Board sets investment policies and oversees all activities of CalABLE. Full program details and information on how to enroll is available at CalABLE’s enrollment website: CalABLE.ca.gov.

Be kind to the environment – please recycle this newspaper

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

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Village Theatre Art Gallery’s 11th Annual Juried Exhibit: Artists Celebrate Their Favorite Artists Calling all artists! For t h e V i l l a g e T h e a t re A r t Gallery’s 11th Annual Juried Exhibition, the Gallery is seeking artists to show us which artists inspires their artwork the most.

For this year’s juried exhibition, applicants are being asked to show which a r t i s t s ’ wo r k s t h ey f i n d uplifting and inspiring. The Gallery is seeking artists to paint, draw, sculpt, etc. in the style of any artist, living or from history, who inspires and informs their artwork the most. This exhibition will be a tribute to those creators who, through their work, have inspired others to work in various mediums to bring their individual visions to life.

The Gallery is accepting submissions through the online site www.callforentry. org. The call for art will remain open through February 19, 2021.

Exhibition dates are set for March 25-May 21, 2021.

The exhibit will be online only as the Village Theatre Art Gallery remains closed in accordance with Contra Costa County Health Orders. Should the health order change, the Gallery will reopen its doors so the artwork can be seen in person with a limited number of guests at one time in the Gallery for viewing.

For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mnelsonbleier@ danville.ca.gov.

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The Town of Danville is looking for residents interested in serving on one of several commissions seeking new volunteers;

Youth Representatives – 1 Arts Advisory Board; (2-year term) 1 Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (2-year term) Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission – 1 regular, 1 alternate member (4-year terms) Senior Advisory Commission – 1 regular member (4-year term) Arts Advisory Board – 1 regular member (4-year term) Poet Laureate – 1 position (2-year term) Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee – 1 representative (4-year term) County Connection Citizen Advisory Committee – 1 representative (2-year term) Applications are available on the Town website at www.danville.ca.gov/Commission-Recruitment.

The deadline to file an application is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Applicants have the options to interview with the Town Council on June 8 or June 15, 2021.

For additional information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or cityclerk@danville.ca.gov.

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL

AUTO

2021 Toyota GR Supra 2.0

By David and Judy Colman

Colin Chapman, the brilliant English founder of Lotus sports cars, once said that the best way to improve vehicle dynamics was to "add lightness." It's an edict that has gone unheeded today as manufacturers burden every new product with enough needless accessories, electric motors, and hybrid batteries to make a camel collapse.

Enter the new-for-2021 GR version of the Toyota Supra.

This turbocharged 4 cylinder model joins the 6 cylinder

Supra which made its debut in 2020. The 3,181lb. GR weighs 267 pounds less than the 6 cylinder model. But the lighter 255hp Supra GR also makes 127hp less than the turbo 6 model. Lay out the power-to-weight ratios of the two, and you'll discover that the GR's number is 12.4lb/ hp versus 8.86lb/hp for the turbo 6.

So the turbo 6 is the clear winner in any comparison, right? Not so fast. By "adding lightness" to the GR, Toyota

March 2009 February 2021

has perfected the 2019 Supra platform by installing an exceptionally lively and light weight turbo 4 in the engine compartment. The loss of two cylinders and all the extra equipment required by the turbo 6 reduces weight over the GR's front wheels and improves the turbo 6's 52/48 front/rear weight distribution ratio to near 50/50. Thrashing the GR through a series of challenging switchbacks on the coast route seals the deal. This is one of the most nimble, controllable, aggressive sports cars I have driven since I spent cockpit time in Colin Chapman's first generation Lotus Elan. The fact that it is available today for a modest investment of $42,990 will gladden the hearts of sports car enthusiasts everywhere.

Our test GR was equipped with just 2 significant options. The first was the s t u n n i n g s h a d e o f N i t ro Ye l l ow p a i n t w h i c h c o s t $425. The second was a $3,485 Technology Package which adds navigation and bumps up stereo performance

with a 12 speaker, 500W JBL system controlled by a touchpad rotary dial. But to get the navigation system a n d t h e u p ra t e d s o u n d , yo u m u s t a l s o a c c e p t a couple of features we found objectionable. One, called "Speed Limit Information, " posts a transitory speed limit sign prominently in the information display. This number starts to blink if you exceed the posted limit.

Moreover, the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which is also part of the package, will under certain circumstances disallow your selected cruise

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speed if it is over the posted limit. On such a sports car as the GR, these big brother features are unnecessary and unwanted. So you might think twice about opting for the Technology Package.

Another irritation that diluted driving enjoyment was the "Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist" which is unfortunately standard issue on the GR. This bit of nanny oversight will fight you for control of the steering wheel whenever you change See TOYOTA page 11

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February 2021

THE VALLEY SENTINEL

page 11

Bounce Back Contra Costa:

A Helping Hand for All During the COVID-19 Economic Recovery

By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

W i t h 2 0 21 s e e i n g a boost with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Contra Costa County, my colleagues and I on the Board of Supervisors, along with our county Health Officer, are optimistic that our County is headed in the direction of getting the coronavirus under control.

Saving lives and reducing the spread of the virus has been my chief concern from the very beginning of this pandemic. Another priority has been moving the County toward economic recovery for all residents and businesses. Recovering from the economic devastation wreaked by COVID-19 will truly be a collaborative and substantial effort.

Though 2020 was a trying year for many business owners and employees, one bright spot was the development of the Workforce Development Board’s (WDB) Bounce Back Contra Costa campaign.

Launched last Spring, Bounce Back Contra Costa offered hotline services for TOYOTA from page 10

lanes without first signaling your intentions. Unlike the gentle nudge provided by such steering intervention in In fact, deselecting steering intervention requires a 4 level computer routine when a simple on/off dashboard button should have been provided in the first place.

In the grand scheme of things, you will probably set the GR up according to your desired specifications and never again be troubled by these intrusive aids. In that case you will quickly learn to cherish this new offering as the best sports car Toyota has made since the last Supra disappeared from the US market in 2003. The GR has been a long time coming.

Toyota introduced it as a prototype in 2014, when it was called the FT-1 Concept.

Even in 255hp 4 cylinder turbo form, the GR lives up to the performance promise

businesses and individuals struggling to find resources amidst the pandemic. To date, the WDB staff have provided support to 347 businesses and 885 individuals through the hotline resource, with WDB receiving almost $1.4 million dollars in COVID-19 emergency funds to support impacted individuals i n o u r c o m m u n i t y. T h e WDB’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, with the campaign now being shared as a best practice across the State.

While the WDB has been an indispensable resource for businesses and employees/ jobseekers throughout this pandemic, for many decades the organization has helped contribute toward and foster a prosperous local economy through its vast network.

The Wo r k f o rc e Development Board of Contra Costa County provides a variety of quality services to businesses in Contra Costa County and the greater East Bay. The WDB assists all businesses, primarily at no cost, and matches employers with the diverse and skilled workforce of our region.

The 25-member Board brings together leaders from business, economic development, education, l a b o r, c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d organizations, and public agencies to align a variety of resources and organizations

to generate economic vitality.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors appoints the members of the WDB, who are then tasked with creating and harnessing local and regional workforce development efforts. The WDB must effectively utilize a broad range of financial, human capital, and other resources and assets that are contributed or supported by a bevy of stakeholders.

The WDB provides a multitude of services for employers, employees, as well as job seekers. From c u s t o m i z e d re c r u i t m e n t events for companies, general recruitment services, job postings for job seekers, on-the-job training, space for recruitment events, to layoff assistance and outplacement services for businesses that are downsizing or closing.

Another recent development from the WDB has been its creation of virtual courses related to career training via Metrix E-Learning System through its “Skill Up Contra Costa” initiative.

For jobseekers interested, go to eastbayworks. metrixlearning.com.

The WDB has also partnered with the California Employers Association to provide the Contra Costa Laid Off / Furloughed Employee Resource Webinar, where you can get questions about topics such as unemployment

of that wild looking original FT-1. With standard launch control engaged, the GR will clear the standing start quarter mile in 13.1 seconds at 105mph, turning 0-60mph in just 4.2 seconds. A Sport Mode button on the dash quickens the GR's reflexes, tightening suspension and throttle response. Another bonus of selecting Sport Mode is its amplification of the exhaust note's strident blat as you run the 8-speed automatic gearbox to the engine's redline of 7000rpm in each gear.

While the turbo 6 version of the Supra rides on 19 inch alloys and radials, the GR utilizes 18 inch, 10-spoke alloy rims shod with model specific, soft compound (TW 300) Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber (255/40ZR18 f, 275/40ZR18 r). These tires, although an inch shorter in diameter, are the same width as those specified for the

turbo 6 Supra. They are also ZR speed rated for the GR's top speed of 155mph. With the level of stick provided by these premium Michelins, and the amount of scat generated by the turbo 4 motor, the new GR tops the list of affordable rides for high performance addicts.

2021 TOYOTA SUPRA GR 2.0 ENGINE: 2.0 liter inline 4, twin scroll turbocharged, DOHC, 16 valve H O R S E P OW E R : 255hp@5500rpm TORQUE: 295lb.ft.@1550rpm FUEL CONSUMPTION: 25MPG City/32MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $48,040 HYPES: Incredible Directional Agility G R I P E S : N e e d s Re a r Wiper, Fewer Nannies STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10.

insurance and healthcare coverage answered from experts at WDB and the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.

To register for the Laid Off Webinar, visit wdbccc. com. You may also call the no-cost hotline at 1-888599-7645 M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I also invite business owners or anyone else interested in the COVID-19 economic recovery process to join Supervisor Mitchoff a n d m e a t t h e B o a rd o f Supervisors monthly Ad Hoc meeting on COVID Impact a n d Re c ove r y. T h i s i s a forum where people can ask questions ahead of time or ask questions of our health officers during the meeting,

and he or his deputies will provide answers. Our next meeting will be held on February 18th. The agenda, available at least 96 hours before the meeting, will be posted on contracosta. ca.gov.

For more information on Bounce Back Contra Costa, free assistance can be found by calling 1-833-320-1919 M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email bouncebackcoco@ehsd. cccounty.us. The campaign’s website is wdbccc.com/ bounce-back-contra-costa/.

For WDB-related inquires, you may send them to wdb@ ehsd.cccounty.us or call (925) 671-4560.

As always, my office is available to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call 925-957-8860 for any such inquiries.

State Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Military Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Presidential Inauguration and Physical Security

The following may be attributed to CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray, Cal OES Director and Homeland Security Advisor Mark Ghilarducci and California National Guard Ad j u t a n t G e n e ra l D av i d Baldwin: “Following the events that unfolded in our nation's capital last month and subsequent information from federal law enforcement officials, our agencies want to assure Californians of the following efforts to ensure their safety: Our collective agencies are working closely together and remain vigilant to respond to potential threats that may occur anywhere in the state, including the Capitol.

Collectively, we maintain

strong relationships with our security and intelligence partners at the local, state, and federal levels and are continually monitoring and sharing information about possible emerging threats to the state.

Together, our role is to safeguard lives and property and ensure that California remains a safe place for those who live, work, and travel within the state while ensuring the ability of individuals and groups to lawfully exercise their First Amendment rights.“ For security and safety reasons the agencies will not be commenting further on specific matters involving local preparedness plans or personnel deployment.

Advertise in The Valley Sentinel!

For information, please contact Denise Rousset at 925-820-6047 or email info@valleysentinel.com.

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL February 2021

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