NO. 130 Official community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek MAY/JUNE 2007 Iraq returnees to be honored on Memorial Day or the fourth consecutive year, the FCity Council will be honoring Walnut Creek servicemen who have returned from military duty in Iraq and Afghanistan at its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 28. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the gazebo in Civic Park, corner of North Broadway and Civic Drive. Mayor Sue Rainey will present commendations to U.S. Army Specialist Michael Rodriguez III, who received the Bronze Star for meritorious service while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003; U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Sgt. Checking out a model library Joe Lindsay, who served in Afghanistan Project designer Paul Jamtgaard and Project Architect Colette Chew of Group 4 Architects January through May 2006; and U.S. inspect a new scale model of the planned Walnut Creek Library that is now on display at the Navy E5 Justin Montana, who was downtown library, 1644 North Broadway. deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom March through August 2003, and who also provided support in Hurricane Celebrate City’s pioneer beginnings Katrina in September 2005. Assemblyman Guy Houston will be on Heritage Day at Borges Ranch the keynote speaker, and the Walnut oin the City of Walnut Creek for a fun life on the ranch in the early days of the Creek Concert Band under the direction Jfamily day celebration of its frontier 20th century. of Harvey Benstein will perform several days at the annual Heritage Day event on Family activities will include crafts musical pieces. Saturday, June 9 at Borges Ranch in the and games for children, demonstrations Shell Ridge Open Space. by 4-H, the Diablo Cloggers, music by the The event will be from 11 a.m. to 5 Jug Band, square dance caller Bob Elling, Inside p.m. Admission is $5 per family. Parking and exhibits by the Lindsay Wildlife • Getting yourself will be available at nearby Northgate Museum, Walnut Creek Open Space and your pets High School, 425 Castle Rock Rd., where Foundation, Save Mount Diablo, and the ready for a a shuttle will run to and from Borges East Bay Regional Park District. disaster, p. 4 Ranch throughout the day. The Essanay Silent Film Museum will • The Greening of This year, the grandsons of pioneer show Charlie Chaplin and Billy Bronco Walnut Creek, p. 5 rancher Francisco Borges — Dan Borges movies filmed in nearby Niles Canyon. and his cousin, Frank Borges (who was Food will also be available to • Major crime declines, p. 7 born in the Borges ranch house) — will purchase. be on hand to meet visitors and talk about For more details, call 925-942-0225.

walnut-creek.org In a Nutshell City Event Bedford to exhibit student works this spring edford Gallery is accepting entries for its Calendar BContra Costa Youth Art Exhibition, which this year is entitled Paved Paradise: Perspectives May on (Human) Nature and will run June 10-July 22. It is open to all high school-aged youth in 5 Walk the Library Walk Contra Costa County — student artists are asked (See What’s Happening) to present their vision of the relationship between themselves and the world, especially the effect of Marisa Pineda, Snapshot, 2004, tempera 20-21 human “progress” on our natural surroundings. Art on the Main All media are welcome. Entries must be submitted The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; free Main Street to a teacher representative by May 21. Entry generously sponsored the exhibition with a forms are available at www.bedfordgallery.org. $25,000 grant. 28 The exhibition will be juried by Kim Anno, an Bedford Gallery, located at the Lesher Center Memorial Day Ceremony internationally known artist and Professor of Art for the Arts, is a program of the City of Walnut 10 a.m., Civic Park at the California College of the Arts. Creek. For more information, call 925-295-1417. (see story, page 1) June What’s Happening 2-3 Art & Wine Festival Arts, Adventures & Academics for kids Miniature horses return to Heather Farm (See What’s Happening) Arts, Adventures & Academics is a unique The Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek will summer school provided by the Walnut Creek present its annual Janet Read Memorial Miniature City Meeting School District and Civic Arts Education, a Horse Show at the north end of Heather Farm program of the City of Walnut Creek. Classes for Park on June 23-24. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Calendar boys and girls entering grades 1-8 will be held Admission is free; food will be available. This June 25-29, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Walnut Creek popular competition will have adults and children City Council Intermediate School, 2425 Walnut Blvd. Child showing miniature horses, which are generally May 1, 15; June 5, 19 7 p.m. supervision option available before and after only 34 inches tall. Call 925-939-2929. City Council chamber school. For more information or to register, call City Hall, 1666 N. Main St. 925-943-5846 or go online to www.arts-ed.org Aquanuts’ ‘Night of Champions’ June 16 Planning Commission The Walnut Creek Aquanuts synchronized swim May 10, 24; June 14, 28 7 p.m. LPGA-USGA Girls Golf clinics team will present their annual fundraiser, “Night City Council chamber LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Walnut Creek of Champions,” on Saturday, June 16 at Clarke Arts Commission provides an opportunity for girls to learn to play Swim Center in Heather Farm Park. Silent and May 21, June 18 golf in a supportive environment. Over 20 hands- live auctions, raffles, food and drink. Event 4:30 p.m. City Council chamber on clinics and on-course play are available features an exhibition by the 2008 Olympic team. throughout the year at Boundary Oak and other Gates will open at 2 p.m., and the performances Transportation Commission area courses. Membership fee is $90. will end around 6 p.m. Call 925-934-4792. May 17, June 21 Scholarships are available. For more information, 7 p.m. City Council chamber contact Natalie Inouye at 925-256-4121. Free composting workshops offered Free “Home Composting for Busy People” Design Review Commission May 2, 16; June 6, 20 Shadelands Antiques Show set June 10 workshops will be held May 8, 15, and 22, 7-9 7 p.m. Over 100 dealers will be selling their antiques and p.m. at Heather Farm Community Center, 301 N. City Council chamber collectibles at the semi-annual Shadelands Antiques San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek. A compost/ Park, Rec & Open Space Show on Sunday, June 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the vericompost workshop will be conducted May 20, Commission May 7, June 4 Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum grounds, 1-2 p.m., at the Walnut Creek Farmers Market, 7 p.m. 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road. The event benefits the downtown library parking lot, corner of North City Council chamber Walnut Creek Historical Society. Admission is Broadway and Lincoln Avenue. Reservations are free. Call 925-935-7871 for more information. required; call 925-906-1806. City Council meetings are televised live on Comcast Channels 28 and Art & Wine Festival at Heather June 2-3 Healthy gardening workshop offered 26 (unincorporated), and The 26th annual Walnut Creek Art & Wine In partnership with the City, the Gardens at on Astound Channel 29. Festival returns to Heather Farm Park on June 2- Heather Farm will hold a Healthy Gardening They are repeated the 3. Hours are Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, Workshop on Saturday, May 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The following Sunday at 1 p.m. on all. Video of the 11 a.m.-6 p.m. A petting zoo, miniature train rides, class covers building/maintaining healthy soil, meetings is also available music. Free parking and shuttle service from managing pests and weeds, and choosing plants. online at walnut-creek.org Shadelands; on-site paid parking available. Call Registration for this free program is required; call the Chamber of Commerce, 925-934-2007. 925-947-1678 or go online to www.gardenshf.org page 2 In a Nutshell Off-leash dog area under construction in Heather Farm Park onstruction should be underway by Cearly June and completed later this summer on the new off-leash dog area at the northerly end of Heather Farm Park. The one-acre area, which was designed with the assistance of Walnut Creek Dog Owners Group (WCDOG), will have separated sections for small/ senior dogs and larger dogs. It will be near parking and restrooms, and easily accessible for those in wheelchairs. The Council, on March 6, approved an amended master plan for Heather Farm Park to add the off-leash dog area to the REMEMBERING WALNUT CREEK’S HERITAGE TREE LADY — Evalyn Bell, who was the moving force behind the preservation of heritage oak trees and the high standards of plan. design and landscape development in Walnut Creek for over 40 years, died March 31 at the Rules for the use of the dog area are age of 96. Photographed in 1987 in front of the Heritage Oak she helped save at Scott’s being prepared by staff and will be similar Restaurant, Bell was a longtime president of the Walnut Creek Action for Beauty Council. to those already in effect at San Miguel Park. Currently, that park hosts the only 9 a.m. each day. additional plantings to provide a buffer designated off-leash dog park in Walnut The new off-leash dog area will have a for the residential neighborhood to the Creek. Users can access it between 6 and six-foot-high external fence and north of Heather Farm Park. Mystery, musicals & mayhem highlight Walk the Library Walk benefit slated May 5 Center REP Company’s 41st season he 5th annual Walk the Library Walk to raise funds for children’s summer ank Williams, Agatha 2008. Michael Butler directs this T reading programs will be Saturday, May 5. Christie, and William surreal comedy that depicts what H The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon Shakespeare will each take a might have happened during that (registration begins at 8 a.m.) starting bow in Center REPertory legendary late-night meeting between from the Ygnacio Valley branch, 2661 Company’s 41st Season, Nixon and Kissinger the night before Oak Grove Rd. and ending at the which will open Sept. 6 and Nixon’s resignation. downtown library, 1644 No. Broadway. run through June 14, 2008. Shakespeare’s A Midsummer The registration fee is $15/person or The season includes six Night’s Dream, March 27 - April 26, $30/family. productions – four plays and 2008. Butler again directs, this time The event is co-sponsored by the two musicals – in the giving a fresh treatment to the Bard’s Walnut Creek Library Foundation, both Margaret Lesher Theatre in immortal tale of magic and mischief. Friends of the Library groups, and the the Lesher Center for the Arts: Musical of Musicals (The Diablo Valley Lions Club of Walnut Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Musical), May 15 - June 14, 2008. A Creek. Sept. 6 - Oct. 6. This award-winning hit in New York and London, this For details go to wclibrary.org musical story of the legendary singer- hilarious spoof is actually five songwriter features live performances musicals — each with the same plot of his greatest hits. but written and performed in the style City Council TV now Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, of five different famous Broadway on Comcast Ch. 28 Oct. 18 - Nov. 17. This celebrated composers: Rogers and Hammerstein, ust a reminder to viewers of the City whodunit boasts a stellar cast of Bay Stephen Sondheim, Jerry , JCouncil meetings on Comcast Cable Area actors, including Center REP Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Kander that Walnut Creek’s community access Artistic Director Michael Butler. and Ebb. channel has moved from Channel 6 to Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Season subscriptions are available Channel 28. Dec. 6 - 16. Back for its 10th year, now from $128 to $377. For more The change took place March 21 as Center REP’s perennial holiday information, to receive a free color part of the City’s new franchise favorite will again be directed by brochure, or to reserve your place in the agreement with Comcast. Scott Denison, general manager of 07-08 season, call 925-943-7469 or visit Astound Cable customers can still find the Lesher Center for the Arts. the Ticket Office at 1601 Civic Drive or the live and taped City Council meetings Nixon’s Nixon, Jan. 31 - March 1, at Barnes and Noble, 1149 So. Main St. on Channel 29.

In a Nutshell page 3 Don’t be scared — EARTH- be prepared with CERT training QUAKE et ready to help yourself and your Gcommunity in 2007 – sign up for Community Emergency Response Team How to plan for (CERT) training. The six-week course includes lessons — and survive — on suppressing small fires, shutting off the next Big One utilities, light search and rescue, disaster here was a whole lot of shakin’ psychology, disaster First Aid, triage, and goin’ on in Contra Costa County many other response techniques. in March, and it served as a Upon graduation, people will be potent reminder to all of us that San Francisco, April 18, 1906 assigned to a CERT team. If a disaster T strikes, CERT team members are we need to prepare for the inevitable Big Bay Bridge and leveled a long section of One that scientists have been predicting the Cypress Freeway in Oakland. encouraged to check on their own for several years. These things can and do happen here families and home first and then assemble A pair of 4.2 magnitude temblors and it’s never too late to get ready. That at a pre-designated site to work together shook the ground in central Contra Costa means not forgetting your pet (see article to respond to the needs of the County on March 1 and 2, jolting resi- below) and getting basic training that neighborhood. dents out of a relatively complacent mood could help you and your neighbors (see More than 400 people in Walnut Creek with regards to earthquake activity. story at right). have taken the training since its inception Those recent quakes couldn’t hold a For more information on emergency in 2004. candle to the Loma Prieta earthquake of preparedness, go online to walnut- CERT is a partnership of Walnut Oct. 17, 1989 — a 7.1 shaker that killed creek.org and click on “Emergency Creek’s Citizen Corps Council and the 67 people, brought down a portion of the Preparedness” in the Quick Links menu. Contra Costa Fire Protection District. CERT will be offered two more times in 2007, beginning July 24 and Sept. 19. Don’t forget to prepare your pets ... All classes take place from 6 – 9:30 p.m. ne of the sobering lessons of at the Fire District Training Center, 2945 OHurricane Katrina is the critical need Treat Boulevard, Concord. to plan for animals in an emergency. The To register, email Community City of Walnut Creek is partnering with Relations Manager Gayle Vassar at Contra Costa County Animal Services to [email protected] or call her at promote awareness among pet owners 943-5899 ext. 189. about how to keep pets from becoming For more information and the disaster victims. complete calendar, go online to walnut- At the top of the list: Keep your pet’s creek.org and click on “Emergency license up to date. If you and your pet Preparedness” in the Quick Links menu. become separated following a disaster, the license information may prove vital to Pet Emergency Checklist reuniting you with your animal. ❏ ❏ Next, when making your family’s Crate/ Muzzle Carriers ❏ Toys disaster kit, don’t forget about your pets! ❏ Leash/ ❏ Treats Use the Pet Emergency Preparedness Harness ❏ Poop bags supply checklist at right as a guideline, Emergency Response Team (CERT) ❏ Collar/ID ❏ Laminated and fill a backpack or other easily training to teach residents to help tags photo of pet(s) transportable container with the essentials themselves and their neighbors in the ❏ Collapsible ❏ Calming that your pet might need if stores were wake of disaster, Animal Services is in the water dish medication shut down or you and your companion process of developing a Pet Emergency ❏ Water ❏ Litter pan/litter animals needed to evacuate and stay in Preparedness Team program. PEP Team ❏ Food ❏ Medical emergency shelters. members may help set up and operate (7 day records supply) ❏ Vet contact In addition, why not take a Pet First temporary animal shelters or perform ❏ Can opener information Aid and CPR class? Classes are offered other pet-safety tasks in keeping with ❏ Blanket ❏ Emergency twice a month through Contra Costa emergency operations plans. ❏ Booties to phone County Animal Services. Call 925-335- Look for more about PEP in future protect feet numbers 8340 for class dates and times. issues of the Nutshell, or contact County Just as the City offers Community Animal Services at 925-335-8340. page 4 In a Nutshell The Greening of Walnut Creek How the City is embracing the practice of sustainability oncerns over global warming and how humans may be inadvertently causing a catastrophic change in the Earth’s climate have Cprompted many cities to “go green” – meaning they have adopted any number of policies and procedures aimed at doing Large picture windows and a natural light feature on the roof are among the many “green” features designed into the new Walnut Creek Library, as depicted in this model (which is things in an environmentally friendly way. currently on display at the downtown library, 1644 North Broadway). Terms such as “green building practices” and “sustainability” have been also an example of how buildings should In 1989, Walnut Creek became one of emerging in discussions at City Council be more environmentally sound. the first cities in the East Bay to adopt a meetings on matters ranging from off- wide-ranging recycling program that leash dog areas to the new library. The How else the City is being “green” included providing residents with separate community at large is acknowledging that Walnut Creek, like so many other bins for lawn clippings, newspapers, there is a more environmentally-conscious cities across the state, has adopted a aluminum cans, and plastic bottles. The way to live. variety of energy-saving programs to cut recycling revolution was so successful A “green building” uses various down on gas and electricity costs, that in 2007 recycling programs are durable materials that integrate to save improve air quality, and encourage the use second nature for cities and citizens who energy and resources, which translates of “green” materials in the construction of have embraced the notion that reusable into long-term energy cost savings. homes and commercial buildings. materials are a good thing, if only to The development community has Walnut Creek was one of the first extend the useful life of our landfills. expressed an interest in green building cities to establish a commute alternative “The City of Walnut Creek, as a practices, and the City is focusing its own program for its employees aimed at business, has been doing the right things efforts on the new downtown library. reducing emissions and traffic. During the for a long time,” said Harriman. “It all energy crisis of 2000, City staff members boils down to ‘best business practices’ — How green will the new library be? took a hard look at their practices, from that is, operating your business so it is the The City’s latest “greening” project turning off lights when leaving an office, most environmentally friendly. It’s may just well be the biggest. When the to lowering the thermostat, to recycling thinking and doing things that don’t City Council adopted the funding and used motor oil from City vehicles. GREENING, see back page construction plan for the new Walnut Creek Library on January 16, it approved funding to help the project meet Helpers needed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Creek Clean Up Day Design (LEED) requirements. “Walnut Creek is positioned very or the 18th time, volunteers can help nicely to embrace these practices,” said Fremove a year’s worth of debris Sr. Planner Scott Harriman. “We have an from Walnut Creek’s three downtown opportunity to be a success story.” creeks on Creek Clean Up Day sched- City leaders are to making uled Saturday, May 12. sure the new library meets a wide range Volunteers should sign up by 9:30 of “green” standards, including the use of a.m. at Civic Park, corner of Civic Drive sunlight to warm and light the interior by and North Broadway, where they can using large windows and a roof tower, also pick up plastic trash bags. A free storm water management, an Energy Star- barbecue lunch for all participants will rated roof, energy efficient heating, follow the activity. cooling and lighting, and use of recycled This event is co-sponsored by the City materials. By using a variety of and Friends of the Creek. For further sustainable building strategies, the City information, contact Lesley Hunt at 925- can ensure that the new library is not just 937-6791. a place for gathering and learning, but

In a Nutshell page 5 City Council Update On-street parking fee hike studied As a first step toward achieving market rate on-street parking, the City Council in May will consider raising the hourly parking meter rates from 50 cents to $1 on the heaviest parking areas in the downtown. The Downtown Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and Broad- way Plaza have all expressed support for the meter increase in the Main Street/ Locust Street/Broadway Plaza area. If the rate increase is approved, the parking meters will be modified to use the new rates in July. The increased revenues will be used to provide more parking. New commissioners sworn in City Clerk Patrice Olds, left, gave the oath of office to Walnut Creek’s newest batch of City Teen job search commissioners at the March 6 City Council meeting. Sworn in were (from left) Dave Powell, Planning; Laurie Kozisek, Transportation; Alan Moore, Planning; Suzanne Masella, Arts; Reggie Marshall, Arts; Paul Meyerhofer, Transportation; Matt Francois, Planning; and Kish Rajan, Transportation. Low-cost home rehab loans available f you need to bring your home up to than $53,000 a year. Icode or make an improvement for For more information on the Home safety or energy efficiency reasons, the Rehabilitation Loan Program and emer- City offers low-interest loans to qualified gency grant program, contact Pat Corum, residents. 925-335-1137, or go online at walnut- Under its Home Rehabilitation Loan creek.org and click on “Housing” under Program, the City offers loans of up to “Quick Links.” $60,000 with 3 percent simple interest over 20 years, and payments aren’t due until the house is sold. To qualify for a loan, a family of four must not earn more than $91,300 a year. Tip Wellness This year the City has issued four loans. Each year, the City makes available Sugarloaf Open Space Range Bruce $320,000 for the program. Be alert to transfats Weideman showed Las Lomas High School Emergency grants up to $10,000, students Stephanie Ehrlich and Liane Lyn ransfats are PROVEN to harm which do not need to be repaid, are also skulls of wild animals found in the open Tyour health. Choose foods with 0 space while inviting them to apply for a available to low-income households for grams of transfats on the nutrition summer job with the City at the annual roof repairs, plumbing problems, and facts label. THEN check the “Ingredi- Teen Summer Job Fair on March 1, which other emergencies. To qualify, a two- ent Statement” for hydrogenated oils, attracted over 350 local students. member household must not earn more partially hydrogenated oils, and shortening. City’s Public Services Director to retire These are TRANSFATS that may ublic Services Director municipal career stretches back to 1975, not be listed on the nutrition facts label PDan Richardson will when he began working for the City of if there is less than 0.5 grams/serving. retire June 29 after five Concord. He also held top level public Every little bit hurts! Choose food years at the helm of the works positions in the cities of Piedmont, without any transfats. City’s largest department. Suisun City, and San Carlos. Got a wellness tip? Submit it to Richardson, 55, who In Walnut Creek, Richardson oversaw www.wellnesscitychallenge.com. If it is joined the City in 1998, the City Hall expansion, Heather Farm Richardson chosen and printed in the Nutshell you was formerly assistant Park expansion, and the North Main will win a fun and exciting prize. department director in 2001-02. His Street improvements. page 6 In a Nutshell Major crime declines CRIMINAL OFFENSES ajor crimes dropped significantly in M2006 as the Police Department saw CRIME 2005 2006 CopTalk a decrease in homicides, rapes, assaults, burglaries, and thefts. Homicide 2 0 A summary of criminal offenses in Rape 8 3 By Officer Joe Donleavy Assaults 546 460 2006 compiled by the Police Department Robbery 39 41 Solicitors require permits shows that there were no homicides Burglary 508 431 ou’re sitting down among the 32,058 calls to the police for Theft 2,142 1,773 Yto dinner with the service (9,728 of the calls required Auto Theft 279 259 family when there’s an follow-up). Vandalism 726 793 unexpected knock at the In 2006, the department also D.U.I. 345 421 front door. You get up investigated 855 non-injury auto Sex Offenses 20 30 from the table, answer accidents and 255 injury auto accidents, Weapons 45 43 the door, and are greeted which included three fatalities. by a solicitor selling magazine subscriptions. Whether or not you’re actually interested in buying the A Look Back: magazines being solicited, you need to ask yourself: “Does this person have a A century of permit to sell subscriptions door to door?” The Walnut Creek Municipal Code banking in WC regulates solicitors and itinerant merchants even years into the new 20th century, to protect residents against fraud and Sthe little town of Walnut Creek saw burglary, to minimize the unwelcome the creation of its first banking institution, disturbance of citizens and the disruption launching the growing community into a of privacy, and to otherwise preserve the new world of high finance. public health, safety and welfare. Joseph Silveira, owner of the Valley Walnut Creek’s first bank, San Ramon Valley Sec. 6-5.03(a)of the Municipal Code Mercantile on Main Street, had offered Bank, was erected in 1908 on Main Street. states: “It shall be unlawful for any banking services to townsfolk out of his person to engage in the business of store. He soon recognized that Walnut creek. The following year, Silveira built a commercial solicitor or itinerant merchant Creek’s 450 residents needed a local bank modern bank at the southeast corner of or to engage in the activities of a to hold their savings and provide loans. Main and Duncan (see photo). charitable solicitor in the City without Silveira and a group of business Silveira eventually took over Robert first registering (with the City).” associates formed the San Ramon Valley Noble Burgess’s First National Bank of Further, Sec. 6-5.03(b) states: “It shall Bank on June 28, 1907, with $25,000 in Walnut Creek in a 1925 merger. In 1927, be unlawful for any person to engage in capital. San Ramon Valley Bank sold out to the business or activities of a commercial The bank was originally housed in an Liberty Bank, which in turn became the solicitor or itinerant merchant unless such 18-by-25-foot building on Duncan street Bank of Italy (eventually renamed Bank person or his or her employer has first midway between Main Street and the of America in 1929). obtained a (City) business license...” There is a difference between commercial solicitors and charitable Time to Bike to Work on May 17 solicitors. A charitable solicitor is defined alifornia’s annual Bike to Work Day many of these trails will have hosted as a person who requests funds or other Cevent is on Thursday, May 17. Please energizer stations that day for your contributions or sells goods or services consider joining convenience. from door to door or from a temporary thousands of others in Walnut Creek will be location for charitable or other bona fide the Bay Area by cycling Re-Cycling hosting an energizer non-commercial purposes. Charitable to work that day and station manned by solicitors are not required to have a enjoy the health members of the Bicycle permit. However, persons soliciting for a benefits, reduced air Advisory Committee at commercial enterprise are required to pollution, and no the Walnut Creek BART have their own permit, separate from the waiting in traffic. station. Please stop by company’s business license. Start planning now by getting you and and get refreshed and tell us about your So remember, if you are your bike in shape. There are citywide cycling commute. uncomfortable about the solicitation, ask bike maps available at City Hall or check Additional information on Bike to to see the solicitors permit and if they out your local bike shop for some advice. Work Day events and prizes can be found refuse or do not have one you can call the Walnut Creek has outstanding paved trails at http://bicycling.511.org/. We look police to come contact the solicitor. which can help guide you around the area, forward to seeing you on a bike May 17th.

In a Nutshell page 7 ‘Nanny McPhee’ is next feature City Directory for Movies Under the Stars Arts Education classes 943-5846 Bicycle registration 943-5844 o inaugurate its fifth season, the City’s Honda. Building Division, permits 256-3549 Taward-winning Movies Under the The City is seeking individuals to help Business licenses 943-5821 Stars series at Heather Farm Park will plan future Movies Under the City Clerk’s Office 943-5818 feature Emma Thompson in Nanny Stars events. The City Hall main number 943-5800 McPhee on Saturday, May 19. committee meets monthly City Manager’s office 943-5812 It will be shown on the front at 4 p.m. at Heather Farm Civic Park rentals 943-5853 ballfield at the Park at Ygnacio Community Center. For Crime prevention 943-5885 Valley Road and North San Carlos further information about Employment hotline 943-5817 Drive. The movie will be shown at the Committee, contact Fingerprinting 943-5844 dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.). Senior Recreation Supervisor Flood zone info 943-5839 Admission is always free at Todd Trimble at 925-943- Garbage collection 603-1144 Movies Under the Stars. Come 5899, ext. 420. Heather Farm Pool 943-5856 at least one hour early to reserve Future showings will Leisure Service classes 943-5858 a lawn spot. include: Over the Hedge (July Mayor’s Office 256-3504 Popcorn and beverages will be 21), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Open Space information 943-5854 available for purchase. Low lawn chairs Factory (August 18), and Charlotte’s Web Planning/Zoning hotline 256-3558 will be allowed in designated areas only. (September 8). Police (non-emergency) 943-5844 No pets please. This year’s special Teen Night will Public Information 943-5895 The premier sponsor for this first feature Raiders of the Lost Ark on DLRCA Ticket Office 943-7469 show of the 2007 season is Walnut Creek September 7. Senior citizen activities 943-5851 Street light outages 943-5854 Greening From page 5 of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) for Reprographics, Lesher Center for the Arts pollute and conserve natural resources their environmentally-friendly practices. and City Hall. To become a certified and can be sustained for decades to come.” The City of Walnut Creek has received green business, the operation must Several City departments and facilities certification as a “green business” in five demonstrate how it conserves energy and have been recognized by the Association areas: Parks, Vehicle Maintenance, water, recycles and reduces waste.

CITY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Sue Rainey, Mayor* CITY MANAGER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Gwen Regalia, Mayor pro tem Gary F. Pokorny Lorie Tinfow, Director/Assistant City Manager CITY ATTORNEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Charlie Abrams Paul Valle-Riestra Valerie Barone, Director Cindy Silva CITY CLERK ARTS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES Gary Skrel Patrice Olds Barry Gordon, Director CITY TREASURER POLICE Ronald Cassano Tom Soberanes, Chief of Police PUBLIC SERVICES * For appointment: Call 256-3504 Dan Richardson, Director

PRESORTED IN A STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE Nutshell 1666 North Main Street PAID Walnut Creek, CA 94596 WALNUT CREEK CA Published bi-monthly and mailed to PERMIT # 282 Walnut Creek residents and businesses

Editor: Brad Rovanpera *****ECRWSS** We welcome your comments and questions. Please call 943-5895 or 943-5800 POSTAL CUSTOMER Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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