NO. 120 Official community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005 Library bond goes before voters Nov. 8 he City Council has placed a bond Tmeasure on the November 8 ballot intended to raise $21 million toward construction of a new downtown library. The Council voted unanimously Aug. 2 to place the general obligation bond measure on the special election ballot. The new library would replace the existing one, opened in 1961, with a facility in the same location that meets the needs of the community as identified by residents over years of discussion. Regional Center Manager Scott Denison surveys the John Denver memorabilia to be displayed LIBRARY, see back page during the Sept. 8 to Oct. 8 run of “Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America.” City scores theatrical coup with City gives OK John Denver tribute at Center to Comcast for one but not forgotten, John Denver “Almost Heaven: John Denver’s system upgrade Ginfused his joyful music with a spirit, America” kicks off Center REP’s ambi- passion, and optimism that has resonated tious 2005-06 season before heading to he City Council has given the green with his legions of fans for over 30 years. New York for an off-Broadway run. In Tlight to Comcast to begin upgrading Now Denver’s life and music are being short, it’s a real coup. its cable TV system in Walnut Creek. celebrated in a special tribute by the City’s “It’s a huge opportunity for our The July 19 agreement permits Center REPertory Company that will get audiences to help launch a show that’s Comcast to increase the channel capacity its West Coast premiere Sept. 8 at the going to Broadway,” said Center Manager of its system and make it possible for the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts. DENVER, see back page company to offer high-speed Internet, telephone service, and more high definitition television (HDTV) channels. Come to City’s emergency readiness fair Comcast will also provide and optical on’t leave safety to chance. Get the short classes on building a home fiber network to connect all the Dtools and the know-how to survive emergency preparedness kit. kingergarten-12th grade public schools in the event of a disaster at the Walnut Kids can play in the “Kids Safety (except Las Lomas High School, which Creek Emergency Preparedness Fair. Fun Area” and check out the fire trucks, already has an optical fiber system) to The fair will be Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 ambulance and police car, while adults greatly improve the schools’ ability to am. to 3 p.m., in Civic Park. will have a chance to learn how to provide instruction videos to teachers. Twenty exhibitors and vendors will operate a defibrillator and talk to people The upgrade is expected to take a year offer everything from hands-on lessons around the world via HAM radio. to complete. Meanwhile, the City expects in shutting off gas and water valves to EMERGENCY FAIR, see back page to wrap up a separate franchise agreement with Comcast later this fall. www.walnut-creek.org In a Nutshell City Event Community artists display their works in ‘Local Voice’ Calendar show at Bedford Gallery n an age when so many people don’t know their September Ineighbors, we may be surprised to learn the 5 person next door is, in fact, an artist. Labor Day Concert (See What’s Happening) Local Voice: Defining Community Through Art, City offices are closed a juried exhibition at the Bedford Gallery Sept. 13 Bedford Gallery is in the Dean Lesher Regional 9, 10, 11 through Nov. 13, will highlight those artists who Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Dr. Admission is Pacific Fine Arts Fair live and work in Contra Costa County. $3, general; $2, youth 17 and under; free, children Main and Locust streets 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition is designed to open a dialogue 12 and under. Ticket holders to events in the between local visual artists and the greater Regional Center are admitted free on ticketed date. October community, exploring the kind of art being made Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 in this area, by whom, and why. p.m.; and Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 6-8 p.m.; 8 Movies Under the Stars Local Voice will bring together the work of and other evenings when there are theater produc- “The Sound of Music” Contra Costa’s diverse artists, exhibiting the best tions. The Gallery is closed Mondays. Heather Farm Park; free (See What’s Happening) art being created locally in a variety of media, For more information, visit the website at genres, and conceptual approaches. www.bedfordgallery.org or call 925-295-1417. City Meeting What’s Happening Calendar Labor Day concert at Civic Park Gardens at HF Fall Plant Sale Sept. 17 Enjoy free summer sounds at the City’s Labor Day The Gardens at Heather Farm fall plant sale will be City Council Concert on Monday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. in Civic Park. held Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 600 No. Sept. 20; Oct. 4, 18 7 p.m. The Walnut Creek Concert Band will perform Carlos Drive. For a 10% discount on Sept. 17, City Hall, 1666 N. Main St. under the direction of Harvey Benstein. bring your Gardens membership card or become a Planning Commission member on the spot. For details, call 925-947-1678 Sept. 1, 8, 22, 29; Oct.13, 27 Movies Under the Stars: ‘Sound of Music’ or visit www.gardenshf.org. All proceeds benefit 7 p.m. City Council chamber The City’s popular “Movies Under the Stars” the gardens. series at Heather Farm Park will finish its 2005 Arts Commission Sept. 19, Oct. 17 season with a sing-along version of The Sound of Home composting workshops this fall 4:30 p.m. Music, the 1965 Julie Andrews film classic, on Composting is a quick, easy and inexpensive way Lesher Center for the Arts Saturday, Oct. 8. Admission is free. The movie to reduce your garbage significantly. To learn how Transportation will be shown on the front ballfield at dusk; gates to do it, free “Home Composting for Busy People” Commission Sept. 15, Oct. 20 open at 7 p.m. Popcorn and beverages will be for workshops will be offered Sept. 6 and Oct. 4, 7 to 7:30 p.m. sale. Please, no pets. 8:30 p.m., at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 City Council chamber Marchbanks Dr. Reservations are required; call Design Review Commission Harvest Holidays returns to downtown 925-906-1806. Sept. 7, 21; Oct. 5, 19 7 p.m., City Council chamber In celebration of autumn, the Downtown Business Association will hold its 6th Annual Harvest Park, Rec & Open Space Leadership Contra Costa sign-ups Commission Holidays in downtown Walnut Creek the weekend Leadership Contra Costa, an eight-month program Sept. 12, Oct. 10 of Oct. 15-16, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Locust Street designed to motivate and identify potential leaders 7 p.m., City Council chamber between Civic Drive and Mt. Diablo Boulevard. and prepare them for community leadership, is City Council meetings This free event will feature fun festivities for the accepting applications for enrollment in the 2005- are televised live on entire family with live music, holiday arts and 06 session. Participants meet monthly to learn Comcast Channels 6 and 26 (unincorporated), and on craft booths, children’s activities, food provided by prevailing issues in the community. For details and Astound Channel 29. They downtown restaurants, brews and wine, and an an application, call Marcie Hochhauser at the are repeated the following Oktoberfest area. For more information contact the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce at 934-2007. Saturday at 1 p.m. on all. Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association at Walnut Creek Currents, (925) 933-6778 or e-mail [email protected]. Meals on Wheels seeking volunteers a City-produced 10-minute Because of increasing demand for the Meals on video digest on City Shadelands Antiques Show on Sept. 10 Wheels program in Walnut Creek, program activities and services: The fall edition of the Shadelands Antiques Show organizers are seeking volunteer drivers who can Comcast Channels 6 and 26 — Daily at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., will be Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the deliver hot, nutritious meals to frail, homebound noon, 3 p.m., and Wed. at Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum, 2660 seniors during noontime, Monday-Friday. The 7:30 p.m. Ygnacio Valley Rd. Admission is free. More than program seeks interested persons who have free Astound Ch. 29 — Daily at 100 dealers are expected. Parking is available off time (about 90 minutes a week) during the noon noon, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. North Via Monte. Call 925-935-7871 for details. hour. To volunteer, call 925-937-8607. page 2 In a Nutshell Opening of skate park set for later this fall other Nature is apparently not a Mskater. A combination of late spring rains and high summer temperatures has conspired to slow down construction at the new Walnut Creek skate park in Heather Farm Park. Contractor A.J. Vascone cannot easily pour cement for the mostly concrete, $800,000 facility when temperatures are above 90 degrees because it tends to dry faster than it can be finished. The grand opening is still planned later Construction work progressed this summer on the new Walnut Creek Skate Park at the corner this fall.