In a Nutshell ◆ Fall 2012

NNNNNOOOOO. 159. 159. 159. 159. 159 Community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek Community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek Community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek Community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek Community newsletter of the City of Walnut Creek FALL 2012FALL 2012FALL 2012FALL 2012FALL 2012

www.walnut-creek.org

11,703 and countingNaomi Rotramel of Davey Trees measures a tree as part of an inventory currently underway thanks to a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.Trees on public streets, in parks, and in the Open Space areas around ranger homes andpicnic areas are among those being counted. The inventory notes the tree’s location,species, size, age and condition, as well as other factors. Having this information readilyavailable will help the City proactively take care of its trees.

Special report inside“A CommunityConnected: The2012-14 BudgetStory” illustrateshow the Cityprovides serviceson behalf of thecommunity, andhighlights someof the financialchallenges weface going forward. You’ll find this specialreport inside the Nutshell.

Calling volunteersCommunityService Day isset for Saturday,Oct. 6. Last year,more than1,000 peoplegave a half day to work on one of 42projects. This year, more than 50 projectsare waiting for eager volunteers. A list ofprojects and sign-up information startson Page 5. Need to feed the meter? Phone it in!City Hall countersto close on FridaysThe following public counters will beclosed on Fridays starting in September:Business License; Community Develop-ment (Planning and Building); PublicServices (Engineering and Traffic); andnon-emergency Police Services. Thechange reflects the impact of staffreductions over time and will give existingstaff the ability to still provide excellentcustomer service Monday throughThursday while fulfilling other necessaryduties on Fridays. More information,including exact start date, will be postedat City Hall and on our website.

Paying for parking at WalnutCreek’s meters used to meansearching for coins to feed the

meter. Then, the City added a pay-by-credit card option. Now here comes Option 3: Pay byphone. The program is being tested at meterson Locust Street. Customers using theservice can: • pay for parking from their phone • receive a text reminder when timeis almost up • add time without returning to themeter (subject to time limits)To get started, download the app at

www.paybyphone.com or call the phonenumber posted on participating meters. There is no cost to the City for thisservice; however, customers pay a 25-centper transaction fee to PayByPhone. While the service is new to WalnutCreek, it’s already in place in more than 30cities in the United States, includingSacramento and San Francisco. Just lookfor the PayByPhone sticker on the side ofa parking meter.

Fall 2012 ◆ In a Nutshellpage 2

Public MeetingsCity Council and allCommission meetingsare televised live andavailable on demand.

Here’s what’s happening

Fall highlightsFall highlightsFall highlightsFall highlightsFall highlights(check cable listingsfor showtimes or goto walnutcreektv.org)

Walnut Creek TV is onComcast Channel 28(incorporated WC only),Rossmoor 26, AstoundChannel 29, and AT&TU-Verse Channel 99. Forstreaming video andprograms on demand,www.walnutcreektv.org.

Channel information

Veterans Daycoverage

WCTV’s ‘Creek Currents’ wins state award

Photo at right: Creek Currents hosts Ruby Lopezand Brendan Moran with the STAR award.

Walnut Creek TV willfilm the Veterans Dayceremony to be airedon a regular basisthroughout the fall.On Veterans Day,Nov. 11, watchspecial airings ofLiving Historyfeaturing WalnutCreek veterans.

September 15Live! WalnutFestival parade

Walnut Creek TV’s monthlymagazine show “Creek Currents”received a first-place Star Award from

the California chapter of the National Associationof Television Officers and Advisors. “Creek Currents” features the people, placesand programs that make Walnut Creek special.Hosted by Ruby Lopez and Brendan Moran,“Creek Currents” can be seen on Walnut Creek TVas well as on YouTube (youtube.com/cityofwalnutcreek). Check local cable listings forairtimes.

Experience thishometown paradefrom the comfort ofyour living roomwhen Walnut CreekTV broadcasts livesfrom Main Street.

Handbag display through Sept. 9The Walnut Creek Historical Society presents “It’sin the Bag! - A Girl Can’t Have Too Many Purses”,a whimsical display of handbags over the years.The exhibit runs through September 9. TheMuseum is at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road.

Northgate March-A-Thon Sept. 8On Saturday, Sept. 8 enjoy the annual NorthgateHigh School March-A-Thon from 9 a.m. to noon.Walnut Creek’s only marching band will paradefrom Northgate High School to Quiet Place Drive,Springfield and Meander, and streets in between.To support the high school music program, tax-deductible donations are accepted atwww.northgatehs-pfc.com/nimb.html.

Walnut Festival newsThe Walnut Festival is celebrating its 75th year!The Twilight Parade will be held on Saturday, Sept.15 at 6 p.m. along Main Street from Mount DiabloBoulevard to Civic Drive. The Festival will beThursday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 23 atHeather Farm Park. More information is availableat www.thewalnutfestival.org.

Saturday Walks with Mayor

The “Second Saturday Walks with the Mayor”wraps up this fall with walks on Sept. 8, Oct. 20(note change fromsecond to thirdSaturday) and Nov. 10.Join other communitymembers for interestingwalks to see WalnutCreek at “street leveland feet pace.” Guides to each walk, along withinstructions on where and when to meet, areavailable at www.walnut-creek.org/walks or call925-943-5895.

Lose a Lawn/Get a Garden Sept. 29Learn how to replace your lawn with a beautifulwater-wise landscape at this workshop onSaturday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Experts willinstruct on design, irrigation and plants specific tothe Diablo Valley climate. The class will be held atthe Contra Costa Water District Center. $20includes lunch. Call the Gardens at Heather Farm,925-947-1678 or visit www.gardenshf.org.

Shred Day at ARF on Oct. 6Bring documents in need of shredding to Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation on Saturday,Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. - noon. For $5 a box, ShredWorks Mobile Document Shredding will securelydestroy documents in their shredding truck. Allproceeds benefit ARF; no oversized boxes please.ARF is located at 2890 Mitchell Drive. ContactKathleen Huls at 925-296-3118 or visit www.arf.net.

Save Our Sports run Oct. 7The United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation(UMDAF) “Save our Sports” 5k run will beSunday, Oct. 7 at Newhall Park in Concord. Inaddition, there will be a 5k Fun Run/Walk and the aKiddie Run. Proceeds help pay for high schoolathletics in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.Visit www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org.

Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11As is tradition, the City invites the community tohonor veterans at a ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 11at 11 a.m. The Walnut Creek Concert Band willprovide a musical tribute to the generous men andwomen who served our country. More details willbe available on the City’s website later this fall.

Craft Fest at Bedford on Nov. 4Bedford Gallery’s Craft Fest will be Sunday, Nov. 4from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the gallery.

September on‘Creek Currents’Brendan checks out apiece of paradise - theRuth Bancroft Garden- while Ruby checksout the alwayspopular Vic Stewart’srestaurant.

In a Nutshell ◆ Fall 2012 page 3

War novelist tomake exclusiveWest Coast visit

War novelist Jeff Shaara will make anexclusive West Coast appearance inWalnut Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at theLesher Center for theArts as part of this year’s“One City One Book:Walnut Creek Reads.”

Among his 12 novels,Jeff Shaara has writtenboth a prequel andsequel to The KillerAngels, this year’s“Walnut Creek Reads” selection and thePulitzer Prize winning novel written byMichael Shaara, Jeff’s father.

The Killer Angels tells the story of thethree days of the Battle of Gettysburgthrough the perspectives of commandersof both armies. It is considered by many tobe the best Civil War novel ever written.

Tickets to Jeff Shaara’s presentationare available at Lesher ticket offices, bycalling 925-943-SHOW or by visitingwww.LesherArtsCenter.org.Other “One City, One Book” events

Three other community events willcelebrate the book this fall. All will be heldat the Walnut Creek Library and are free.Seating is limited; make reservationsonline at www.WCLibrary.org.

• “The Civil War in 3D” — Wednes-day, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. (3D photo demo)

• “California and the Civil War” —Monday. Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.

• “Letters from the Storm: GettysburgCorrespondence” — Wednesday, Oct. 3,7:30 p.m.“One City, One Book” discussions

Three book discussions are slated.Book discussions are free to the publicand do not require reservations.

• Friday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m., RossmoorCreekside Clubhouse (Rossmoor only)

• Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m., WalnutCreek Library

• Monday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m., YgnacioValley Library

For more information, visitwww.WCLibrary.org or call 925-935-5395.

Walnut Creek Reads is spearheaded bythe Walnut Creek Library Foundation andthe Contra Costa County Library.

Artists havelong lookedto the natural

world as a sourcebook for creativeprojects andstrategies. Captured:Specimens inContemporary Art explores the ways inwhich contemporary artists have staged adialogue between the arts, scientificexploration and organic materials. Theworks offer a glimpse into theimpermanence and vitality of wildlife andthe botanical world, encouraging us toquestion our assumptions about thecurious world of unusual and uniquecreatures around us. This dynamic show runs from Sept. 6 -Nov. 18. An opening reception will beThursday, Sept. 6, 6 – 8 p.m. Tours are available for school classesand adult groups. Call 925-295-1423.

An exhibition to ‘capture’ imagination

Jo Whaley “Smerinthus saliceti”

Seeing a show at the Lesher Center?Tickets to performances at the LesherCenter come with free entrance to thegallery that same day.

Peaceable Kingdom: Animals, Realand Imagined is a juried show that is

open to U.S. artists working in all media.Peaceable Kingdom invites artists toinvestigate our storied and richrelationship with the animal world. The deadline to submit work is Jan. 9,2013. Entries must be submitted onlineusing SlideRoom.

Calling all artists - juried show at Bedford To find out more and to apply online,visit www.bedfordgallery.org The jurors for this show are StephanieCannizzo, Associate Curator at BAM/PFAand Cathy Kimball, Executive Director andChief Curator of the San Jose Institute ofContemporary Art. The exhibition will be on view March 3– May 19, 2013.

Kristen Taylor, Devil Mountain Chorus director, with the chorus at a Division contest.

Devil Mountain Chorus making beautiful music for all

Gentlemen of all ages wishing toharmonize in an active chorus are

invited to join the Devil Mountain Chorusfor their weekly rehearsal on Tuesdayevenings at Trinity Lutheran Church Hall. The Chorus and director Kristen Taylorjust attended the Northern California

West Division Convention, and performedat Art on the Main and BroadwayPlaza.Look for them at the Walnut Festival. For questions about joining the chorusor hiring them for functions, call Al Eamesat 925-376-4916 or visitwww.devilmountainchorus.org.

Fall 2012 ◆ In a Nutshellpage 4

Everyone is invited tothe first community

workshop on the WestDowntown Specific Plan,to be held at 7 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 30 at St.Paul’s Episcopal Churchin the Parish Hall, 1924Trinity Ave. The West DowntownSpecific Plan is focusedon exploring the potentialfor new homes andbusinesses betweenMount Diablo Boulevardand the BART Station;making easier pedestrianand bicycle connectionsbetween the BART Station and

Residents wanting tohelp their commu-

nity in event of disasterare invited to take theupcoming CommunityEmergency ResponseTeam training. Classeswill be Monday nights,Sept. 10 - Oct. 15, plus a final drill onSaturday, Oct. 27. There is a $25 fee. In event of disaster, CERT graduateswork together to safely respond to theneeds of the community. CERTs play avital role in the City’s Emergency Man-

Shadelands GatewaySpecific Plan UpdatePublic meetings 4th Friday of eachmonth, 6:30 p.m. City Hall

West Downtown Specific Plan workshop

Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers tobecome members of a team providingfree tax preparation for individuals of allages. Volunteer positions include TaxCounselors who are trained by Tax-Aideand certified by IRS, and ClientFacilitators who schedule appointmentsand assist clients at tax sites. CallLaVerne Gordon, District Coordinator, at925-726-3199 for information.

Disaster teamtraining startsin September

CERT students Ahnna Brossy (right) and Kathy Zahner tendto a “victim” during the June CERT graduation drill.

agement plan and are sworn in as volunteerDisaster Service Workers upon completionof training. More information is available atwww.walnut-creek.org/cert or emailcert@walnut-creek.org.

West Downtown Specific Planarea

downtown; andpreserving the Almond-Shuey neighborhood. The purpose of theworkshop is to presentinformation about thearea as it exists today,and to invite communitymembers to share theirvision for the area’sfuture. The long-termgoal is to create a planthat the community isproud to support. For details, contactAndrew Smith at 925-943-5899 x2213 orasmith@walnut-

creek.org, or visit the webpage atwww.walnut-creek.org/westdowntown.

The Central Contra Costa Solid WasteAuthority, which manages the garbage andrecycling services for Walnut Creek, isseeking community input as it develops newsolid waste franchise agreements. There will be a Community Workshop atWalnut Creek City Hall, 1666 N. Main Street,from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, todiscuss current services and potentialchanges for the future. Questions? CallAshley Louisiana at 925-906 -1801.

AARP Tax-Aide seekingvolunteers Weigh in on waste plan

The City’s Home Rehabilitation Loanand Grant Program offers grants of up to$10,000 to qualified homeowners foremergency home repairs, to address safetyissues, and for accessibilityimprovements. Funds are limited. Call 925-674-7886 for more information.

***** The Contra Costa Association ofREALTORS®, in conjunction with theCity, is offering a limited-time grant to helpfirst-time homebuyers. The “HOA HelperGrant” provides $2,500 to cover initialhomeowner association payments forsuccessful applicants. To qualify, buyersmust have closed escrow and been incontract with a licensed REALTOR®through the purchasing process. ContactLaura Simpson, Housing DivisionManager, at 925-943-5899 ext. 2236.

An advisory committee tasked withcreating a draft Specific Plan to guidefuture development of 25-acres owned bySafeway Stores, Inc. at the corner of OakGrove and Ygnacio Valley Road is review-ing a variety of potential land uses.

Over the past several months, the 11members of the Shadelands GatewayAdvisory Committee committee havereviewed technical reports, including amarket demand study and a preliminarytraffic assessment; and received publiccomments from City residents, includingWoodlands and Northgate communitymembers.

Though a draft plan is still in the works,the advisory committee has consideredallowing land uses such as Senior Hous-ing, Retail (including a new 55,000 sq-ftSafeway store), Restaurants, Health Club,and Office/Medical within the Plan area, aswell as dedicating several acres of land topublic green spaces, such as a centralgreen, pedestrian promenades, bicyclepathways, and a community garden.

The Advisory Committee meets thefourth Wednesday of each month.

For more information, visitwww.walnut-creek.org/sgsp, or contactEthan Bindernagel at 925- 943-5899 ext.2250 or Bindernagel@walnut-creek.org.

Assistance for homeowners and buyers

In a Nutshell ◆ Fall 2012 page 5

7:30 a.m. Check-in & free pancake breakfastHeather Farm Community Center

8:45 a.m. Meet at project site9 a.m. Work begins

New this year! Some projects offer afternoon shifts!

With more than 50 projects tochoose from, Community ServiceDay offers something for all ages,all interests, and all skill levels. Fordetails on these projects, visit theCommunity Service Day webpage,www.walnut-creek.org/service.

ANIMALS (PETS & WILDLIFE)

ARF Giving Tree OrnamentsCreate wish-list ornaments for ARF'sholiday giving tree. Ages 10+

Equestrian Center BeautificationPaint fences and do general landscapeclean-up work at the Walnut CreekEquestrian Center at Heather Farm. Allages. Late shift option available.

Lindsay Wildlife MuseumGarden Beautification& Storage OrganizationSpruce up the museum gardens andreorganize museum storage. Ages 8+

WC Open Space Foundation:Nest Boxes for Bluebirds & Wood DucksBuild nest boxes for installation in theopen space and at Heather Farm Pond.Ages 12+

ARTS

Civic Arts Education:Frog Sculpture Painting & TilingPaint and tile the outdoor frog sculpture atthe ShadelandsArts campus. Ages 16+

Civic Arts Education:Paint DarkroomsRe-paint four small darkrooms atShadelands Arts Center. Ages 15+

Civic Arts Education:Paint Exhibit PanelsPaint panels and pedestals used for artseducation exhibits. Ages16+

Lesher Center Costume ShopClean and organize our theater costumes.Ages 16 +

Digging debris in the Open Space during the 2011 Community Service Day.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUPS

Cancer Support Community:Exterior Beautification ProjectsVolunteer carpenters needed to buildplanters and repair fencing. Adults only

Cancer Support Community:Landscape BeautificationPlant new landscaping for the center.Ages 16+

Creek Kids Care: Art Party for All AgesJoin the Creek Kids and help create artworkfor fundraising stationery, benefittingFresh Start Walnut Creek. All ages

Turn to next page for more projectsand registration details!

SaturdayOctober 6

Give a half-day for the community, help a favorite cause

Fall 2012 ◆ In a Nutshellpage 6

How tovolunteer

1. Go to www.walnut-creek.org/service to get detailed projectinformation and the link to theregistration system.

2. Use the online volunteerregistration system to sign up.You can register as an individualor on behalf of a family or group.(Please, only one project!)

3. Mark your calendar forOctober 6 and build a betterWalnut Creek!

Don’t have Internet access?Call the Community Service Dayhotline: 925-256-3505.

Fresh Start Homeless RespiteCenterBeautificationSpruce up the windows and landscaping atthe Fellowship House. All ages

Meals on Wheels/Senior OutreachServicesWindow BrighteningHelp us brighten the offices by cleaningwindows, glass partitions, and blinds.All ages

GARDENS

Gardens at Heather Farm: HeritageGarden MakeoverRe-create this garden with new plants,mulch and flagstone. Ages 16+

COMMUNITY RESOURCEGROUPS

Historical Society: ShadelandsRanchGarden PathsHelp create footpaths in the Children’sGarden at the Shadelands Ranch. All ages

Rossmoor Community Garden Fall PrepHelp Rossmoor seniors with fall gardenwork. Ages 14+

Ruth Bancroft Garden: Staff Our FallFestival!Help staff the 2nd Annual Fall Festival,and join in the fun! All agesLate shift option available.

Senior Center Garden PlantingPlant a new garden at the Senior Center atCivic Park. Ages 16+

The 2011 Community Service Food Drive brought in more than 4,000 pounds of food.How much can we gather this year?

NATURE (CREEKS, PARKS,OPEN SPACE)

Bayberry Pond Habitat Restoration(WC Open Space Fnd. & WC Kiwanis)Help rake up weeds to prepare for winterplanting at Bayberry Pond in Lime RidgeOpen Space. Ages 10+

Downtown Creek Mini-Clean-Up (Friendsof the Creeks)Help clean up a downtown section of LasTrampas Creek near the California Boule-vard bridge. Ages 12+

Howe Homestead Picnic Area RenovationHelp update the picnic area with new trees,space for picnic tables, and other garden-ing tasks. All ages

Lar Rieu Park Fall Clean-upVolunteers will spread mulch around treesin the park. All ages

Native Creek Plant Propagation (Gardensat Heather Farm & Friends of the Creeks)Plant seeds and cuttings for a creek habitatrestoration project.Ages 12+

Sugarloaf Creek Clean-upClear overgrowth in a creek bed in theSugarloaf Open Space. Ages 16+

Give a half-day for the community, help a favorite cause

GARDENS

Community Service Day is fun for all ages.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden, theEquestrian Center, and FoothillMiddle School projects offermorning and afternoon shifts.

AFTERNOON SHIFTS!

In a Nutshell ◆ Fall 2012 page 7

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Lead SponsorAAA Insurance

Premier SponsorsMechanics Bank

Lions Clubs (Diablo Valley,Rossmoor, Walnut Creek,

Ygnacio Valley)

Major SponsorsArcher Norris

Kaiser Permanente, Diablo AreaJohn Muir Health

SafewaySports Basement

Major SupportAllied Waste

Pacific Rim RecyclingPeet’s Coffee

PowerBarScott Valley Bank

Media SponsorsContra Costa Times

Walnut Creek Magazine

Thank you toour sponsors

All of our Walnut Creek public schools aresponsoring campus beautification projectsinvolving gardening, clean-up and/orpainting work. Elementary schools involved areBancroft, Buena Vista, Indian Valley,Murwood, Parkmead, Valle Verde, WalnutAcres and Walnut Heights. Intermediate schools are Foothill -which is sponsoring campus beautifica-tion and interior facelift projects - andWalnut Creek Intermediate. High schools are Las Lomas andNorthgate.

Neighborhood Food DriveSupport both the Food Bank of ContraCosta and Solano and the MonumentCrisis Center by collecting food in yourneighborhood. During the week beforeOct. 6, you will distribute food bags(provided by the Food Bank) to neighbor-hood homes. Then, on Oct. 6, you willcollect the bags of food and bring them toHeather Farm Community Center.

Rossmoor Rotary Food DriveRossmoor residents can bring a bag offood to Rossmoor’s Gateway Clubhousebetween 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 6.Rossmoor Rotary will collect for the FoodBank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Lions Clubs Eyeglass CollectionBring used eyeglasses to Heather FarmCommunity Center on the morning ofCommunity Service Day to donate to theLions Clubs. The eyeglasses are refur-bished and sent around the world to the needy.

FOOD & EYEGLASS DRIVES

SCHOOLS LIBRARIESIf libraries are your passion, you can helpout at one of our two public libraries —Walnut Creek (downtown) or YgnacioValley library — or at one of six schoollibraries: Buena Vista, Indian Valley,Murwood, Parkmead, Walnut Heights andWalnut Creek Intermediate.

Rossmoor volunteers cleaned the Saklan Burial Ground outside the Rossmoor gates.

Walnut Creek TV host Brendan Moran chatswith a young volunteer as she pulls weedsat the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF).

Join us at HeatherFarm CommunityCenter for a FreePancake Breakfast,courtesy of ourlocal Lions Clubs.

Start the daywith pancakes!

Fall 2012 ◆ In a Nutshell

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*****ECRWSS**POSTAL CUSTOMER

1666 North Main StreetWalnut Creek, CA 94596

NutshellIN APRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

WALNUT CREEK CAPERMIT # 282Published quarterly and mailed to

Walnut Creek residents and businesses

Editor:Gayle Vassar

Communications and Outreach Manager

We welcome your comments and questionsCall 943-5895 or vassar@walnut-creek.org

For past issues, go online at www.walnut-creek.org

CITY COUNCILBob Simmons, Mayor*Kish Rajan, Mayor pro temGary SkrelKristina LawsonCindy Silva

For appointment: Call 256-3504*

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICESLorie Tinfow, Director/Assistant City Manager

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTSandra Meyer, Director

ARTS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICESBarry Gordon, Director

POLICEJoel Bryden, Chief of Police

PUBLIC SERVICESHeather Ballenger, Director

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFCITY MANAGER

Ken NordhoffCITY ATTORNEY

Bryan WenterCITY CLERK

Suzie MartinezCITY TREASURER

Ronald Cassano

Caroline Gick is thenew head

librarian for WalnutCreek’s libraries. Shejoined the ContraCosta Library systemin 2003 and was mostrecently head librarianin Orinda. Sincelibraries are places toget information, wedropped in towelcome Caroline andask a few questions.Q. You’ve been here afew months; what isyour impression ofWalnut Creek’s libraries? Walnut Creek’s libraries are well lovedand well used community centers. Thereare people (at the new library) working allday with their laptops, study group roomsbeing used for small meetings, andparents and children coming to programs.It’s a lively environment where people aredoing whatever they want to do.Q. What is the biggest misconceptionabout libraries? That we are all about books. We offerso much more! For instance, library card holders can

Getting to know Walnut Creek’s new librarianget free passes tomuseums, zoos and localattractions through ContraCosta Library’s “Discoverand Go” program. Our docent programsare phenomenal, and theYgnacio Valley branchoffers a lot of programs toengage the teens who gothere after school. You don’t even have tocome to the library — somuch is available online.Q. Have you been herelong enough to thinkabout future goals for

Walnut Creek’s libraries? My overriding goal is to bring newpeople into the library who have not beenhere before. We don’t always do a goodjob of telling our story. I would love to goout and talk to community groups abouteverything we have to offer.

To arrange for a presentation by HeadLibrarian Caroline Gick, call 925-977.3340. For ‘Discover and Go’ passes tomuseum and other attractions, go to http://ccclib.org/discovergo or visit either ofWalnut Creek’s libraries.

Caroline Gick

WC Action for BeautyCouncil introducesPeople’s Choice Award

For the first time, local communitymembers are being invited to votefor their favorite local architectural

design project. The Walnut Creek Action for BeautyCouncil has added a People’s ChoiceAward to its 2012 Community Awards. TheCommunity Awards recognizes localprojects that have improved thecommunity through superior design. Last year’s honorees included SasaRestaurant; John Muir Medical Center,Walnut Creek; the Robert I. SchroderOvercrossing (Treat Boulevard-Iron HorseTrail); and the Contra Costa Associationof Realtors building. The list of nominees for the People’sChoice Award is available on the websiteof Walnut Creek Magazine(www.WalnutCreekMagazine.com). Online voting is open throughMonday, Oct. 1. The People’s Choice Award recipientwill be announced at the Action forBeauty Council’s annual awards luncheonon Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Scott’s SeafoodRestaurant. Tickets are $50 and may bepurchased by contacting Janet Abrams at925-932-2746.