The service will include a special invocation by retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Chaplain John Berger and a special wreath tossing ceremony off the ship and the presentation of Colors by the Boy Scouts of America.

Musical performances featuring The Hornet Band and The Young American Patriots Fife & Drum Corps will begin at 11 a.m.

“We would like to extend a special invitation to all veterans and their families to join us as we honor and remember the brave men and women who have unselfishly defended our country, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives defending our nation’s freedom,” said USS Hornet CEO and U.S. Navy Captain Randall Ramian, Supply Corp, United States Naval Reserve. “This is the 13^th year we have held this special ceremony and it is our privilege and honor to do so.”

Before and after the ceremony, visitors are invited to explore the many decks of the ship from the Captain’s Bridge to Engine Room. Exhibits include 13 Navy and Marine aircraft, ranging from WWII vintage to modern era, and the West Coast’s largest Apollo Moon Mission display.

Tours of the ship will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 with Military I.D., and $7 for kids.

About the USS Hornet Museum:
The USS Hornet Museum, a popular tourist destination for families located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages. Through field trips and live-aboard experiences, the USS Hornet offers educational programs focusing on naval history, science and space technology. A registered state and national historic landmark, the ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. Ample free parking is available across from the pier. The USS Hornet is also a unique, unforgettable venue available for corporate events; trade shows and expos; private parties and big band dances; and TV and film productions. For more information, ticket prices and event planning, visit:  www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.

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What: For one month every year, The Ruth Bancroft Garden transforms into an outdoor art gallery. The Garden’s world-class collection of succulent and drought-tolerant plants provides a spectacular backdrop for artists to display their works. Follow the meandering pathways to discover art that ranges from classical to irreverent, spiritual to functional. All works are for sale, with prices ranging from $60 to $50,000. With the majority of pieces under $5,000 (and most of those under $1,000), this is the perfect place to find art for the home garden.

For a list of featured artists, please visit: www.ruthbancroftgarden.org

Preview Party: Friday, June 14 from 5:30 to 8pm – Celebrate the unveiling of the exhibition and mingle with the artists while sipping champagne in the Garden at sunset. Advance ticket purchase required – $65/person; $60/RBG Members.

Opening Weekend: Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, 10am-3pm – First chance for the general public to view the sculptures. Bring a picnic, take a tour and meet the artists. Docent tours throughout the day, live music on Father’s Day. $10/person; $7/RBG Members, Seniors (65+), and Students; free for children under 12; free admission for dads on Father’s Day

More events throughout the show, including Art & Jazz Sunset Social (6/21), Art Festival Weekend (6/29 and 6/30), and Agave & Tequila Sunset Social(7/7). Visit www.ruthbancroftgarden.org for a complete list of events.

The Sculptures will be in the Garden through July 13

Where: The Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek CA 94598.

General admission: Adults/$10; seniors and students/$7; children and RBG members free during regular hours. Free parking!

For more photos and information: Phoebe Berke, Community Outreach Coordinator: 925-944-9352 / phoebe@ruthbancroftgarden.org

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First Independent School to Win the Award; To Be Honored on May 30—             

Danville, CA —The Athenian School’s commitment to environmental stewardship and radically reducing its carbon footprint has garnered the School Acterra’s 2013 Business Environmental Award for Sustainability. The Athenian School is the first independent school to be named a winner of these awards.

Over the past seven years, the School has reduced its carbon footprint by installing several solar power arrays that has resulted in a 60 percent reduction in the use of non-renewable electricity; decreased water consumption by 25 percent with the installation of low-flow toilets and an all-weather sports field; reduced natural gas consumption by 40 percent by replacing hot water supply and heating units with high-rated Energy Star systems; and reduced waste haulage by 45 percent by composting and recycling efforts. Athenian is an EPA Green Power Partner, a founding member of the Green School’s Alliance, and is certified as a green business by the Contra Costa Green Business Program.

“I am very proud of our students and faculty for helping making environmental stewardship a business priority,” said Bob Oxenburgh, Athenian’s Director of Finance and Business Operations, who has spearheaded the School’s environmental efforts. “Our business operations serve as a model to our students, and they have joined in improving all our practices to prove it’s possible to do good for the planet and improve business efficiency as well.”

Acterra’s Business Environmental Awards is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s oldest and most prestigious environmental recognition programs. Initiated in 1990, it is considered a heavyweight among award programs due to its rigorous application and judging process. “Our awardees participate in a thorough vetting process through which they demonstrate their environmental commitment and accomplishments,” states Committee Chair Laura Teksler. “In addition to a written application, all finalists must demonstrate their programs’ merits firsthand to the judges during a visit to their facilities. By the time they are selected to receive recognition, our awardees have truly proven that their programs are exemplary examples of corporate environmental leadership.”

Environmental stewardship is a founding pillar of the School and nearly all of the 472 students are involved with an eco-friendly project. Activities range from converting a gas-engine Honda into an electric car, reducing water use through sustainable agriculture techniques and improving rain catchment, and working in one of the two student-run organic gardens on campus.

The Athenian School will be honored at the 2013 Business Environmental Awards Reception on Thursday, May 30th at Intuit Corporation in Mountain View. For information regarding the other award-winning programs, please visit www.acterra.org/bea.

More information:

The Athenian School is an independent college-preparatory boarding and day school located in Danville, CA. An Athenian education inspires students to become life-long learners and confident, successful adults with a deep understanding of themselves, extraordinary skills for achievement, and the compassion to make a positive difference in the world. The School’s signature programs include the Athenian Wilderness Experience, international Interim trips, a robotics collective, and a student-built airplane project. With 450 students in grades 6 to 12, Athenian’s 75-acre campus lies at the base of Mt. Diablo in Danville, 32 miles east of San Francisco. The Athenian School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools. www.athenian.org.

Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet

Acterra is a non-profit organization with a 43-year history of environmental programming in and around Silicon Valley. Acterra involves and educate individuals, businesses and communities to take action against global warming, restore natural habitats, and cultivate environmental leaders for the future. For more information visit www.acterra.org.

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Carter/Sartain, a full-service marketing firm, has added The Pear Restaurant Group to its client roster.

Sacramento, CA, April 18, 2013 - Carter/Sartain, advertising, marketing and public relations agency, is proud to announce that it has become the agency-of-record for The Pear Restaurant Group, based in Danville, CA. “We’re certainly not the largest agency,” said Carter/Sartain senior partner Reginald Carter, “but the results we produce for our clients speak volumes.”

The Pear Restaurant Group approached Carter/Sartain after seeing the results the agency produced for a nearby financial services firm. “I asked my friend how her firm was able to get media attention from national publications like The Wall Street Journal and she referred us to Carter/Sartain,” said restaurant group co-owner Natalie Worth. “We look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

The family of restaurants consists of an eclectic mix of six individually-themed establishments in Danville, Blackhawk, Alamo,  and Napa, CA. The first of these, The Peasant and The Pear, first opened its doors in 2004. From their original location in San Ramon, CA, Natalie and her Chef husband Rodney needed to relocate to the larger Danville space in 2006 to accommodate the ever growing crowds, despite serving dinner only three nights of the week.

Later that year, The Peasant and the Pear went on to win Diablo Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant of 2006.” They opened four more restaurants over the next few years; The Peasant’s Courtyard and The Little Pear, both bistros, The Prickly Pear Cantina, a Mexican restaurant, and Ferrari’s Cucina Italiana which serves Italian fare. Their newest restaurant, The Pear Southern Bistro in Napa, features a fresh take on down home southern cooking.

Executive Chef Rodney Worth honed his craft while serving as chef at the popular San Francisco eatery, Bizou (now Coco 500). In opening his own line of restaurants, he wants to share his high energy, European cooking style with his customers.

By partnering with Carter/Sartain, The Pear Group’s executive team will be able to delegate the marketing duties so that they can focus on running their successful group of eateries. “We believe this will be an enormous time saver for us,” said Mr. Worth. “It’s also reassuring to know that an entire team is working on the marketing side of our business. They have the resources in place to get the job done so we don’t have to worry about it.”

Unlike most agencies, Carter/Sartain is focused on working exclusively with growing businesses and delivers the type of service usually only afforded to larger clients with much bigger budgets. The agency’s flexibility and scalability allows it to quickly adapt to client needs on an individual basis.

However, the hallmark of Carter/Sartain’s approach is their willingness to be accountable for client results. Rather than simply charging a flat fee for services, Carter/Sartain partners with its clients by tying the agency’s profit to the success of the client’s marketing campaign. “We only make money when the programs we create succeed for our clients,” said Mr. Carter. “It’s that simple.”

For more information contact Reginald Carter, Senior Partner, Carter/Sartain at (916) 563-7122, or email at rcarter@cartersartain.com.

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Sonoma by Lynn Downey

Sonoma, one of Northern California’s most desirable places to live and a popular tourist destination, combines small-town charm, a colorful past, and wonderful food and wine. Generously illustrated with period photographs, A Short History of Sonoma traces Sonoma’s story from the early Native American inhabitants through the establishment of a Spanish mission; the Bear Flag Revolt, early statehood days, and foundation of its wine industry.

Proximity to San Francisco and nearby hot springs helped make Sonoma and the surrounding Valley of the Moon a popular location for summer homes and resorts. This short history includes brief profiles of some of its intriguing residents, such as Mexican general Mariano Vallejo, the town’s first leader; Hungarian winemaker Agoston Haraszthy, who saw the region’s potential for wine; and writers Jack London and M. F. K. Fisher, who lived in the Valley of the Moon, drawn by its beauty and bucolic lifestyle.

Lynn Downey is a fifth-generation resident of Sonoma and historian at Levi Strauss & Co. She has published numerous books and articles on the West, including Wickenburg: Images of America, Levi Strauss & Co., and Fired By Ideals: Arequipa Pottery and the Arts and Crafts Movement. She is a frequent guest speaker and is available for interviews and author appearances.

This title is the fifth “Short History” from the University of Nevada Press, following histories of Lake Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas, and Carson City.

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Fourteen small-business owners are being honored at the Contra Costa Council’s 13^th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 10, at the Hilton Concord. Honorees were nominated by their local Chamber of Commerce for their achievements in building their businesses and their contributions to the community.

The luncheon keynote will be presented by Rich Stump, founder and principal at Fathom (http://studiofathom.com), a full-service East Bay product development company specializing in 3D printing, rapid prototyping and design. Congressman George Miller will also make a few remarks. Master of ceremonies will be Dan Ashley, ABC/KGO-TV news anchor.

This popular luncheon is presented annually by the Council’s Small Business/Entrepreneurial Task Force, led by Angela De La Housaye of De La Housaye and Associates, and David Kelly of Kelly & Associates.

The 2013 Chamber honorees, who will each be introduced by a Chamber executive, include:

Antioch Chamber: Nicholas Welzenbach, managing partner of Higgins Chapel Funeral Directors & Oak View Memorial Park, a funeral home and cemetery that supports community organizations and hosts a community garden for homeless and needy families.

Brentwood Chamber: Jeff Cohen, founder and CEO of Halt Medical, a developer and manufacturer of a breakthrough medical device (sold under the name of Acessa™) to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Concord Chamber: Tonya Amos, owner and operator of Aspire Pilates Center, a dedicated community supporter and fundraiser who donates classes and training to low-income students and athletes.

Danville Chamber: Bill White of Allstate Insurance William White Agency. Winner of multiple Allstate leadership awards, White brought back the Town Council Candidate Forum and supports many community causes and youth activities.

Hispanic Chamber: Pablo Martinez, owner of Carlos Shoe Repair, a “green” shoe repair business. Martinez has created the Carlos Cobbler School, an apprenticeship to teach foster kids the disappearing craft of making and repairing shoes.

Lafayette Chamber: Linda Higham, owner of The Storyteller Bookstore, an independent bookstore specializing in literature for children and young adults. Higham is a former teacher and employs other educators and librarians.

Martinez Chamber: Dan, Paula and Justin Kinder, owners of Kinder’s Meat *Deli* BBQ, a caterer, deli and retail business since 1946, now with multiple stores featuring the nationally recognized California BBQ brand.

Moraga Chamber: William F. Snider, owner of Moraga Hardware & Lumber, a traditional hardware store, and Across the Way, a home and garden store. Snider volunteers in schools, supports many charity and service organizations, and is a founder of Shop Moraga First.

Orinda Chamber: Allen Pennebaker, owner of Flying A Gasoline of Orinda, also owner of Orinda Motors, who converted a vacant gas station into a first-class service station. Pennebaker and his employees support community auctions and fundraisers benefiting Orinda schools and Scouts.

Pittsburg Chamber: John Felipe, owner of East Bay Karate-Do, is a 7^th degree Black-Belt karate master instructor and three-time national grand champion. He offers family-oriented martial arts experiences to students of all ages.

Pleasant Hill Chamber: Elena Hutslar, Becky Coburn and Jennifer Neyes, publishers of The Community Focus, an independent newspaper founded in 2009 and published to inform, entertain and connect the communities of Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pacheco, Walnut Creek and Lafayette.

Richmond Chamber: Mike Davidson, VP and CFO of Gardeners’ Guild, Inc., a Contra Costa Certified Green Business and employee-owned landscape management company. The community-minded firm supported a garden renovation project for the Richmond Library and the Solano Play Lot.

San Ramon Chamber: Mary C. Whipple, principal of the Law Office of Mary C. Whipple, providing mediation and litigation services. Whipple is active in the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee, the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club and the American Association of University Women.

Walnut Creek Chamber: Ingrid B. James, president and CEO of James Consolidated, Inc., manufacturer of the Volkner Turning System and JamesAir™ Medical Products, specialized support surfaces for the prevention and treatment of pressure sores. A public health visiting nurse, James received two U.S. patents on the overlay design and was honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Luncheon title sponsors are Chevron and Wells Fargo. (For more information, visit www.contracostacouncil.com or call 925.246-1880.)

About the Contra Costa Council: The Council is a private sector, public policy organization with a membership that includes business, government, education and labor. The mission of the Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa County and the region. For more information, see www.contracostacouncil.com.

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Contra Costa County Library recently launched a new Facebook page called Memories of a Lifetime in Contra Costa County. The page allows residents and anyone interested in the history of Contra Costa County to contribute to a fun and interactive local history initiative presented by the Library. Incelebration of the Library’s 100^th anniversary this year, the new Facebook page is a tool for people to “remember and go” over their past experiences in the County. Each Contra Costa County community library location is hosting events throughout the year to honor the longevity of the organization that has been known for “bringing people and ideas together” over the last century.

Memories of a Lifetime in Contra Costa County will include a timeline allowing people to document where they have been in the County’s last 100 years. Photographs of Contra Costa County places in the past and present will be included, in addition to interactive questions to get the community engaged and talking. Some questions will allow people to share their favorite anecdotes and martini recipes. Join Memories of a Lifetime in Contra Costa County by visiting https://www.facebook.com/pages/Memories-of-a-Lifetime-in-Contra-Costa-County-CA/516697705035627 and “liking” the new page. 

Contra Costa County Library serves over 902,000 residents of urban, suburban, and rural communities through 26 community libraries, 3 Library-a-Go-Go book dispensers, and online library services available 24/7 at ccclib.org. As the winner of numerous awards, including the 2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Contra Costa County Library is recognized as a leader among libraries implementing technology to improve service, reduce costs, and deliver on the Library’s mission of bringing people and ideas together. 

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On Thursday, May 9, 2013, the BART Board of Directors will review passenger survey results from our most recent “Bikes on Board” pilot and compare them to our earlier test last year. Staff will provide an update on a series of initiatives aimed to improve bikes access on our trains and at our stations and offer observations and an evaluation of the pilot. Directors will then determine next steps.

“What better day to review survey results and consider next steps than on Bike to Work day,” BART Board President Tom Radulovich said. “Feedback from our riders suggests most of them are open to modifying bike rules to allow greater access. Even better, 25 percent of those surveyed said they are more likely to ride BART if we relaxed our bike policy. The bike pilot was another demonstration of how our passengers can adapt and self-regulate when crowding becomes a factor.”

The very latest pilot was a five-day test held March 18-22, 2013. Unlike the first bike pilot, which was conducted only on Fridays last August, this one provided a better picture as it included a full work week with higher average ridership (an increase of about 17,000 trips each day). Bikes were allowed on all trains at all times, but during peak commute hours (7:00 am to 9:00 am and 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm) bicyclists were not allowed to board the first three cars of any trains to provide options for those who wanted to avoid bikes altogether. Customer feedback was an important element of both bike pilots.

SURVEY RESULTS

The pilot evaluation included observation by staff, members of the accessibility & bicycle task forces and the SF and East Bay Bike Coalitions. BART encouraged all riders to provide feedback and 2,153 people took the survey. To get a more scientific opinion from riders, BART conducted a random sample survey as well, which 1,720 riders participated in. Some key results from the random sample to be discussed at the Board meeting on May 9^th include:

Most riders feel unaffected by the change

• 84% = no impact on decision to ride

• 75% = little or no effect on their trip

Some riders unhappy with bikes during commute period because they feel trains are too crowded

• 13% reported problems during pilot mainly related to crowding

• 17% felt accommodating bikes made trip worse

• However, 81% felt there was enough room or that it was a little crowded but worked ok

Fewer Riders Opposed to Bikes on Board

• August 2012 = 37% in favor of keeping current restrictions

• March 2013 = 23% in favor of keeping current restrictions

NEW INITIATIVES

BART has been working on several initiatives to better accommodate bikes such as reconfiguring train car interiors to make more space for everyone, “bike waiting” zone decals at select stations with narrow platforms, expanding secure parking at BART stations, signage steering bikes away from escalators, a newly launched online/mobile train crowding feature as part of the QuickPlanner, and an upcoming bike etiquette poster campaign.

NEXT STEPS

Directors will determine the next steps for the “Bikes on Board” pilot. Any modification to BART’s Bike Rules will be made by the Board. The Board will hold its first night meeting of the year on May 23^rd at 6:00 pm and a modification to the bike rules is likely to be on the agenda. The agenda will be released Friday, May 17^th.

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SACRAMENTO – Eight days after two of its employees were killed by a rockslide while working to protect the traveling public, Caltrans honored its 180 employees who have lost their lives on the job at its 23rd Annual Workers Memorial May 2nd at the State Capitol.  

After nearly two years without a Caltrans fatality, Shawn Baker, 50, of Weed, and Joseph “Robert” Jones, 40, of Montague, died during a rock scaling operation to stabilize a hillside on State Route 96, west of Yreka. A third Caltrans worker, Kevin Skillen, 50, sustained moderate injuries and is recovering. 

“The workers memorial is a reminder that safety is a year-round priority. What we do is important to California, but nothing is more important than the safety of our workers and the public,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

Californians can help keep highways safe by slowing down in work zones and complying with the Move Over law, which took effect in 2007 and was amended in 2009 to add Caltrans vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights to the list of vehicles for which motorists must move over if safe to do so, or slow down. 

Caltrans recently installed new “Move Over” signs statewide to help save lives and increase safety for motorists, highway workers, California Highway Patrol officers, and other law enforcement. The signs display the messages, “Move Over or Slow for Stopped Emergency and Maintenance Vehicles” and “Move Over or Slow When Amber Lights Flashing.” 

The primary reasons for cone zone-related crashes include alcohol, speeding and distracted driving. Most cone zone crashes can be avoided if drivers slow down, pay attention, and don’t drive while impaired.  

Caltrans has partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop two funds to benefit the families of Caltrans workers killed on the job. The Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces, and the children of fallen workers may now apply for a Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship. If you’d like to make a donation, send your check to the California Transportation Foundation, 581 La Sierra Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864. Please designate which fund your donation should go to. Checks should be made out to the California Transportation Foundation, which will match donations dollar for dollar up to $7,500.

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