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always for the community VOL 18, NO 910 October 2013
www.valleysentinel.com
SPOTLIGHT
From left to right: Robert Storer, Councilmember; Renee Moran, Councilmember; Colonel Allan Cruz, VP of Veterans Committee; Newell Arnerich, Mayor; Major General Ron Lowe, President of Veterans Committee; Karen Stepper, Councilmember, Chair of Capital Campaign for Veterans Committee
On September 17, the Veteran Memorial Building Capital Campaign Committee presented a check for $200,000 to the Town of Danville council members towards the construction of the new building and to highlight their continued acceptance of Donor Wall additions to honor community friends and family. We invite you to receive a Challenge Coin to present to a loved one over the upcoming holiday, as a representation of their gift (or pledge) to honor them on the stunning Mt. Diablo Donor wall that graces the steps from the main hall into the
ECRWSS
Postmaster: Dated Material
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See DONATION page 8
The Farmers Markets dazzle with beautiful squashes and fruits to cook and to decorate your home. The season has officially kicked off, and there is no season quite like this. Fall harvest’s fruits and vegetables will delight in reds, oranges, yellow and cream, with stripes, splashes and plenty of texture. Root vegetables, pears, apples, pomegranates and persimmons will excite your inner cook and designer! The Danville Farmers Market takes place every Saturday rain or shine in the Museum of the San Ramon Valley parking lot on Railroad and Prospect from 9am to 1pm.
Meet the Coast Horned Lizard by James Hale
T h e C o a s t H o r n e d L i z a rd (Phrynosoma blainvillii) is one of the most unusual and spectacular lizards in the San Francisco Bay area. Often called “horned toads” because of thorny projections along the back of the head, the Coast Horned Lizards belong to the family of lizards known as Phrynosomatidae. The majority of species in this family either live in wind blown dusty habitats or occasionally bury themselves in sand or fine soil. All members of the family have a characteristic specialized nasal passage, which has a “U”-shaped bend adapted to trap fine particles so they do not reach the lungs. Other family members include the Zebra-tailed lizards, fringe-toed lizards, rock lizards, spiny lizards, tree lizards, earless lizards, side-blotched lizards, and the horned lizards. All
representatives except the earless lizards occur in California. Our locally common western fence lizard or “Bluebelly” is a family member. Coast Horned Lizards reach about six inches in total length. There are two elongate occipital horns with several shorter ones on each side, which give this lizard its unique look. A row of spines along the lower jaw with several rows of shorter spines along the back complete the defensive armor of this species. Two rows of projecting fringe scales on each side of the body allow this lizard to bury itself into the sandy substrate with a shake and shimmy maneuver. The dorsal color is brown, reddish, purple or yellow. The venter or belly is yellow to cream sometimes accented with
dusky spots. Large dark or black marks on each side of the neck, extending onto the shoulders and down the back highlight this beautifully colored lizard. The male has larger back and head spines, a broader head, a swollen tail base, and larger femoral
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pores than the female. After mating, the female lays from six to twenty-one eggs (with an average of twelve), during April to June. The one inch long hatchlings emerge from July to September.
Health & Wellness page page page Fall Home & Garden page
See LIZARD page 15