VOLUME LII, NUMBER 30 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015 High Water Savings Are Killing Valley Trees Find Out What's By Ron McNicoll lawns, but also the death of fruit. Removing them is a for herself, and not for the of the times, Palmer has With a Valleywide water trees that have depended on financial loss, as well. board. rngaged her own arborist; Happening conservation effort of 46 the irrigation of those lawns. Losing trees also hurts Palmer has 18 trees, in- several friends also use the percent in June, compared to Zone 7 Water Agency the community as a whole. cluding three oaks in the same advisor. Check Out Section A the same month in 2013, the board president Sarah Palm- Collectively, the cooling front yard, which she says Jackie Williams Cour- There is information on the Valley may lead or be near er, who lives in Livermore, shade can make a difference keeps the temperature on the tright, owner of a Livermore book chosen for Livermore leading the state in water said that trees all over the in a neighborhood and a city. house down by 10 or 15 de- nursery and a former Zone 7 Reads Together; reviews conservation efforts. city are dying. It's a loss to Trees give off oxygen and grees. Redwoods in the back board member, emphasized of two plays; more on the However, that might not homeowners who may de- evaporate water from their yard are mountain Sequoia, the importance of saving Berlin Wall and listings of be a good thing. The price pend on them for the energy leaves, so that is also lost which don't require as much trees. meetings and events. of that water conservation savings from shade on the for the environment, said water as coastal redwoods. "All trees are stressing. appears to be not only brown house, for decoration, or for Palmer, who was speaking In what may be a sign (See TREES, page 7) Livermore Pleasanton Given Voice of To Put Up People Award No Smoking The City of Livermore has been selected as the Signs in Parks winner of the 2015 Voice of the People Award for Trans- and on Trails formation in Foundations of Livability. The announce- The Pleasanton City ment was made last week Council voted unanimously by the National Research to ban smoking in city parks Center, Inc. (NRC). and on trails. The ban would The City was also a final- include parking lots adjacent ist for the Transformation in to the parks and trails. Economy award. Assistant City Attorney The NRC’s National Citi- Larissa Seto told the council zen Survey™ (NCS) reports that the Youth Commission resident opinions and satis- had led the way in proposing faction with local govern- the ban. ment and services with a Youth Commissioners scientific, representative said the proposal to ban sample approach. For the past decade, Livermore has smoking in parks and along used the National Citizen trails was because youth and Survey™ as a tool to obtain families use them. Smok- community feedback about ing creates health and fire city services and needs and hazards, as well as littering issues in the parks. "The goal (See LIVERMORE, page 9) will be to have a healthier, cleaner city and to make a statement that we want to Low Water Use stop people from smoking." Photo - Doug Jorgensen Mayor Jerry Thorne Drives Zone 7 The Pleasanton Relay for Life took place on July 18 at Pleasanton Middle School starting at 9 a.m. The 24-hour asked if there had been any to Look at cancer fund-raising walk is sponsored each year by the American Cancer Society to raise money toward cancer discussion regarding ban- research and local organizations that assist cancer patients during treatment. This year's walk included themed ning smoking in the down- Fiscal Future laps, the luminaria and fight-back ceremonies. A total of 14 teams and 124 participants were on hand for the fund- town and whether there By Ron McNicoll raising. As of Tuesday, over $48,000 and reportedly been raised. For more photos, go to page 8. had been any talks with the With the drought and its Pleasanton Downtown As- dramatic water conservation sociation (PDA). figures reducing revenue for City Manager Nelson Zone 7 Water Agency, the Fialho said there have been Valley's water wholesaler LPC Facilities Rentals Due for a Climb concerns voiced by the PDA has hired a consultant to ex- about banning smoking. We Las Positas College teams, soccer teams and update of district policies, rental of facilities: one with are working with the orga- amine long-range economic (LPC) plans to update its other community groups that said Jeff Kingston, vice a lower cost for groups that planning, which may affect nization. facilities rental schedule use the facilities. president of administrative do not charge its members "Downtown should be future water rates. to reflect current costs. In- The change is part of the services at LPC. any fee for an activity, and The board voted unani- creases will affect swim college board's systematic There are two fees for (See NO SMOKING, page 4) mously July 15 to hire Rafte- (See FEES, page 4) lis Financial Consultants to conduct the study for a fee not to exceed $100,000, with National Study Taking $15,000 reserved for pos- County sible contingencies. Raftelis was selected from among Place At Livermore Winning five firms that responded with proposals. Woman’s Ranch Awards The Valley water retailers become an important part of in June achieved an average By Jeff Garberson Alameda County con- The Sagehorn Russell a nationwide scientific effort savings of 46 percent, com- tinues to receive national ranch lies some 200 miles to understand the “outer awards. It has been selected pared to the base month of skin” of the Earth, the part north of Livermore, not to receive 14 Achievement June 2013, thanks to custom- far from the town of Wil- that carries ground water, ers strong cutbacks on water surface soil, animals and Awards from the National lits. Dry brown grass cov- Association of Counties use. Zone 7 had projected ers its hills and valleys. vegetation, up through the (NACO) for a wide range of only 15 percent conserva- Lichen-covered rocks poke tree canopies. tion, by looking at earlier up through the soil. It’s the part of Earth programs that include initia- conservation estimates when Deer roam there, and where we live, and for tives to protect the environ- the current rates were set last sometimes elk. Mice and that reason has come to be ment, enhance public safety fall. Now, with the reality ground squirrels hide in the known as the Critical Zone. and leverage innovative tech- of retailers' demand being undergrowth from hawks. In the words of the Na- nologies to make operations so much lower, there is less Bobcats prowl among stands tional Science Foundation, more efficient and enhance revenue than projected. of madrone and Manzanita “It’s where rock, soil, water, customer service. Residential water rates while cattle seek shade un- air and living organisms It is the largest haul of for this year were hiked by der dusty looking oak trees. interact to shape Earth’s awards Alameda County 3 percent. Another 3 percent In short, the Sagehorn surface.” NSF recently an- has ever won in NACO’s increase is set for 2016. Russell ranch looks much nounced an effort to better annual Achievement Awards However, that could change, like any other working cattle coordinate the efforts of its program that recognizes depending on the consul- ranch in the drought-stricken 10 critical zone research counties around the country sites. Similar efforts are tant's study. A progress re- hills of Northern California for innovative programs now taking place in Europe, port is expected from the at this time of year. that modernize their opera- Closer inspection shows China, Australia and other consultant at a special board tions and increase services that it is anything but aver- parts of the world. to residents. meeting on Aug. 26. In this country, the sites, age, however. Owned by Photo - Doug Jorgensen The awards will be pre- Traditionally, the board called observatories, are Marilyn Russell, a retired The Livermore Art Association's annual Art Under the sented at NACO’s Annual has set the following year's Livermore High School located at diverse sites from rates at the September and Oaks was held last weekend at Alden Lane Nursery in Meeting later this month. field biology teacher, it has (See STUDY, page 5) Livermore. For more photos, go to page 8. October meetings. If di- (See AWARDS, page 9) rectors think rates should be raised, there would be PET OF THE WEEK time for the board to act in Inside You’ll get along swimmingly with Neptune! The September, assuming there five-year-old feline sports tempest-tossed fur, but were enough information SECTION A Editorial..............................4 waves of peace will wash over you with this mighty available for the board to Art & Entertainment............ 8 Mailbox...............................4 fellow at your side. Lose yourself in the depths of be comfortable setting new his sea foam eyes and treat this big bundle of love rates. Bulletin Board..................10 Roundup...............................2 Last year, for the first like a god. Neptune rules at Valley Humane Society, Milestones ...................... 12 Short Notes......................9 time, the board set rates 3670 Nevada Street in Pleasanton, Tuesday through on a two-year schedule, MAIN SECTION Sports.................................6 Saturday from 10am – 4pm.