Older Adults Want Library, Parking, Transit
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NO. 114 Official community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004 Older adults want library, parking, transit s Walnut Creek braces itself for the Aso-called “silver tsunami” — the unprecedented growth in the number of older residents that is expected in the next 20 years as baby boomers reach retirement age — it is seeking to better meet the various recreation and social services needs of its senior citizens, which may include a new downtown library and more parking and transportation options. In a new survey of 1,700 seniors commissioned by the City, 94 percent rated their quality of life as “good” or Walkers and bicyclists now enjoy the beauty of new better. The results reaffirm the City’s New fountains grace water fountains installed earlier this spring in the goals, which include enriching the lives of duck pond adjacent to the community center at Heather Farm Park Heather Farm Park. seniors in the community by encouraging them to stay healthy and participate in OLDER ADULTS’ NEEDS, see page 4 City clerk status to be decided by WC City Council takes next step to voters in November speed up Comcast negotiations alnut Creek voters will get to decide n an effort to jump start stalled negotia- the same terms to which Seren Innova- Win November whether the city clerk Itions over a new cable TV franchise tions agreed in September 1999 when it should be an appointed position. agreement, the City Council in July agreed was granted a competing franchise under The City Council decided on July 6 to to ask Comcast Cable to submit a formal the Astound Broadband name. place the issue on the Nov. 2 ballot. proposal to provide cable and high speed Seren’s franchise required the company The city clerk’s duties, as defined in Internet services in Walnut Creek. to meet upgraded technical standards and State law, includes records management, The action is intended to hasten a final to provide channels and funding for municipal elections, and as the filing resolution with Comcast, which provides public, educational, and government officer for campaign reports and state- cable TV service to a majority of Walnut access programming. State law requires ments of economic interest. If voters Creek residents. the City to include the same requirements decide the position should be appointive, City staff have been in informal in any new franchise granted to Comcast. the clerk’s duties would not change. negotiations with Comcast and its prede- Walnut Creek has been working on the In Walnut Creek’s 90-year history, the cessor, AT&T Cable, since the company’s renewal process with the County and the city clerk position has been an elective previous 15-year franchise agreements cities of Concord, Clayton, Martinez, post held by 10 individuals. Cathleen expired in 2001 and 2003. Comcast has Pleasant Hill, Danville, and Moraga. This McKay was appointed in May to complete requested that the City renew the cable consortium has expressed frustration over Barbara Rivara’s unexpired term. franchises, but has balked at agreeing to COMCAST, see back page www.walnut-creek.org In a Nutshell City Event Tribal baskets weave artful Acorn Calendar reactions in Bedford exhibit Gathering, he Past in Present Tense: Four Decades of c. 1998 Basket of TBaskets by Julia Parker is a rich exhibition willow, September highlighting the masterful work and cultural dogbane 6 legacy of the renowned Native American basket Collection of Labor Day concert Deborah 6 p.m., Civic Park weaver at Bedford Gallery Aug. 31 to Oct. 31. City offices will be closed Combining various tribal traditions, including Valoma 10, 11, 12 those of the Kashaya Pomo and Coast Miwok Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival tribes, Parker creates baskets using a unique hybrid Bedford Gallery is located in the Dean Lesher 10 a.m.-6 p.m. North Main, Locust and of weaving techniques. Her work is included in Regional Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Dr. Cypress streets the permanent collections of the National Museum Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to of Natural History in Washington D.C. and in 5 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 6-8 p.m. October California at the Yosemite Museum. and other evenings when there are theater perfor- 23-24 A reception for the artist will be held on mance in the Regional Center. Harvest Holidays downtown (See What’s Happening) Wednesday, Sept. 15, 5-7 p.m. and is free to the Call 925/295-1417 for information about public. specific evenings. City Meeting What’s Happening Calendar Labor Day concert at Civic Park be held Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to noon at 600 No. City Council Enjoy free summer sounds at the City’s Labor Day Carlos Drive. Members —including those who join Sept. 21; Oct. 5, 19 Concert on Monday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m. in Civic Park. on the spot — are invited to the members-only sale 7 p.m. City Hall, 1666 N. Main St. The Walnut Creek Concert Band will perform (for best selection) on Oct. 1, 5 to 7 p.m. Call 947- under the direction of Harvey Benstein. 1678 or visit www.gardenshf.org. Planning Commission Sept. 9, 23; Oct. 14, 18 7 p.m. Movies Under the Stars: ‘Wizard of Oz’ Home composting workshops this fall City Council chamber The City’s popular “Movies Under the Stars” Free “Home Composting for Busy People” Arts Commission series at Heather Farm Park will continue with a workshops will be offered Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, 7 to Sept. 20, Oct. 18 4:30 p.m. rescheduled showing of MGM’s 1939 classic, The 8:30 p.m., at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Lesher Center for the Arts Wizard of Oz, on Saturday, Sept. 11 and the 2003 Marchbanks Dr. Registration is required; call 906- Transportation film version of Peter Pan on Saturday, Sept. 18. 1806. Commission Admission is free. The movies will be shown on Sept. 16, Oct. 21 7:30 p.m. the front ballfield at 8:30 p.m.; gates open at 7:30 Buy a tribute bench, tree at Boundary Oak City Council chamber p.m. Popcorn and beverages will be for sale. City-approved memorial benches or trees at Design Review Commission Boundary Oak Golf Course may now be purchased Sept. 1; Oct. 6, 20 Harvest Holidays returns to downtown as a tribute to a loved one. A brass name plaque 7 p.m., City Council chamber The Downtown Business Association will hold its can be installed with the bench or tree. For details, Park, Rec & Open Space 5th Annual Harvest Holidays in downtown Walnut contact Wes Allnut at 943-5899, ext. 426. Commission Sept. 13, Oct. 4 Creek the weekend of Oct. 23-24, 11 a.m. to 6 7 p.m., City Council chamber p.m., on Locust Street between Civic Drive and Leadership Contra Costa Mt. Diablo Boulevard. This free event will feature Leadership Contra Costa, an eight-month program City Council meetings fun festivities for the entire family with live music, designed to motivate and identify potential leaders are televised live on holiday arts and craft booths, children’s activities, and prepare them for community leadership, is Comcast Channels 6 and 26 (unincorporated), and on food provided by downtown restaurants, brews accepting applications for enrollment in the 2004- Astound Channel 29. They and wine, and an Oktoberfest area. 05 session. Participants meet monthly to learn are repeated the following prevailing issues in the community. For details and Saturday at 1 p.m. on all. Shadelands Antiques Show on Sept. 11 an application, call Marcie Hochhauser at the Walnut Creek Currents, The fall edition of the Shadelands Antiques Show Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce at 934-2007. a City-produced 10-minute will be Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the video digest on City Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum, 2660 WC librarian to retire activities and services: Ygnacio Valley Rd., Admission is free. More than Senior Librarian Ann Shelton, who Comcast Channels 6 and 26 — Daily at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 100 dealers are expected. Parking is available off has overseen the Ygnacio Valley and noon, 3 p.m., and Wed. at North Via Monte. Call 935-7871 for information. downtown branch libraries in Walnut 7:30 p.m. Creek since 1993, will retire Sept. 30 Astound Ch. 29 — Daily at Gardens at HF Fall Plant Sale Oct. 2 after 24 years with the Contra Costa noon and 7 p.m. The Gardens at Heather Farm fall plant sale will County Library system. Ann Shelton page 2 In a Nutshell YV library upgrade finished; Main St. work continues thoroughly refurbished Ygnacio AValley branch library reopened to the public on July 19 after four weeks of renovation that was financed with dona- tions to the Walnut Creek Library Founda- tion. The facility, which opened in 1975 as the Thurman G. Casey Memorial Library, is located at 2661 Oak Grove Rd. The fundraising campaign raised $165,000 (including a $20,000 pledge from the Friends of the Ygnacio Valley Library) to pay for seismic reinforcement, interior remodeling (including new The newly renovated interior of the Ygnacio Valley branch library on Oak Grove Road carpeting and chair 12345678901234 improvements on North Main Skate park 12345678901234 upholstery), and wiring for 12345678901234 Street between Civic Drive and The City Council voted Aug. 3 to award computers. 1234567890123PROJECT 4 Ygnacio Valley Road as part of a $639,500 contract to AJ Vasconi to build 12345678901234 “It exceeded all my 12345678901234 the City’s plans to beautify the the new skate park in Heather Farm Park.