BASS Cancer Center, Arts+Rec Job Fair Coming to Shadelands

February 2022

Vol 6: Issue 2

The Shadelands Scene

Your place for community news, updates, and insights

HI-TECH BASS CANCER CENTER OPENING SOON

BASS Medical Group (BASS) is partnering with Contra Costa Oncology (CCO) to bring comprehensive, compassionate, and personalized cancer care to the SF Bay Area.

Opening soon in Shadelands, the hi-tech BASS Cancer Center will provide medical oncology and infusion services, advanced radiation treatment options, PET/CT imaging, and patient support services in an integrated and collaborative cancer care center.

Colin Construction Company, a leading health care construction firm, designed and built the 100,000-SF BASS Cancer Center and associated BASS medical clinics located at 575 Lennon Lane.

The cancer center will be wholly owned and operated by BASS, a multi-specialty medical group with more than 400 providers and 40 specialties in the Bay Area and Central Valley.

The BASS Cancer Center has been designed “as an integrated multidisciplinary center to address the complex clinical needs that cancer patients have and is intended to exemplify how cancer care can be better," says Inez Wondeh, CEO of BASS Medical Group. "Between BASS' multitude of medical and surgical specialties and the capabilities that our partners bring, we believe we will provide the best care possible to our patients."

The BASS Cancer Center will serve patients throughout the SF Bay Area, Central Valley, and other regions in Northern California.

On the right, the 100,000-SF BASS Cancer Center and associated medical clinics located at 575 Lennon Lane.

BASS Cancer Center

575 Lennon Lane

Walnut Creek

The BASS MRIdian™ System from ViewRay, the most advanced radiation therapy platform currently available.

Learn more about the BASS Cancer Center here and look for grand opening news in future issues of The Shadelands Scene.

ARF THRIFT STORE: A LIFELINE FOR DOGS AND CATS

The ARF Thrift Store, operated through Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), offers a wide variety of second-hand treasures ranging from quality clothing and furniture, to books, toys, crafts, small counter-top appliances, and more.

Click on this video link and take a step inside.

Purchases and donations support the life-saving efforts of the ARF Emergency Medical Fund®, founded in 1995, which provides quality, affordable veterinary care through the ARF clinic for the companion animals of low-income Contra Costa County residents who are facing serious financial crises.

Located in Concord at 1950 Market Street, the thrift store welcomes donations of new and gently used clothing, accessories, furniture, household items, and more. Visit the store's website for details about donation policies.

And check out the latest deals on the ARF Thrift Store Facebook page.

History of the

ARF Emergency Medical Fund®

ARF was founded in 1991 and originally located in a storefront in Concord. Inspired by the variety of calls for help they received from the community, ARF volunteers Bev Greenbaum, Dorothy Bullard, Elvira Clark, Enid Schlichtman, and Dolores McCoskey, known as the EMF Ladies, began making and selling crafts to raise dollars to help caregivers who couldn't afford veterinary care. From this effort, the ARF Emergency Medical Fund® was formed—a lifeline for thousands of dogs and cats for more than 25 years.

ARF Thrift Store

1950 Market Street, Suite H

Concord

925.685.0908

Visit the website for

store hours and

drop off instructions

VIAMONTE'S GRAND OPENING: WORTH THE WAIT

On December 1, 2020, amid the challenges of COVID restrictions, Viamonte at Walnut Creek, a development of Sequoia Living and the first continuing-care retirement community in Contra Costa County, began moving its first eager residents into their new homes.

By the end of 2020, 49 apartments were moved in and Viamonte celebrated with a ribbon cutting attended by immediate principals. The larger grand opening was postponed until such a time when restrictions were lightened and assembling was allowed.

That time came one year later, in December 2021, when Viamonte at Walnut Creek held a festive grand opening celebration. Guests included Walnut Creek's (then) Mayor Kevin Wilk, Sequoia Living and Viamonte staff, planning and construction principals, Viamonte vendors and board members, and of course, the residents, bringing the number of attendees to about 250.

Viamonte was presented with a framed photograph of the ribbon cutting, and Mayor Wilk presented the residents with a proclamation. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of classical and jazz music, a tango demonstration, food and drink, and each other's company.

"The event was a wonderful celebration of all the hard work that went into the planning of Viamonte at Walnut Creek," says Executive Director Melody Allan, "as well as a celebration of all the residents and staff who make Viamonte their very special home and place of work."

Read more about Viamonte at Walnut Creek in the July 2018, June 2019, February 2020, and September 2020 issues of The Shadelands Scene.

Viamonte residents come together to celebrate new homes and new friends.

Executive Director Melody Allan and Sequoia Living Board of Directors member David Jamison admire a photograph of Viamonte's December 2020 ribbon cutting.

Viamonte at Walnut Creek

2801 Shadelands Drive

Walnut Creek

925.621.6600

Viamonte residents and guests enjoy time together to celebrate the grand opening.

COCOSPA STUDENTS BACK TO

IN-PERSON LEARNING & PERFORMING

Contra Costa School of Performing Arts (SPA), the first public charter middle/high school in Shadelands, integrates academic programs with pre-conservatory training in five areas of performing arts: dance, theater, instrumental, vocals, and production & design.

After 18 months of distance learning due to the pandemic, SPA welcomed students, teachers, and staff back to campus in September for in-person instruction for the 2021–2022 term, its 6^th school year. Most of the 421 students returned to campus, with about 10% choosing to stay home engaged in long-term independent and online study.

“In previous years, students entered through the front door, all grade levels were mixed around the campus, and teachers taught multiple grades levels,” says Lisa Kingsbury, Director of Community Engagement and SPA co-founder.

“To give everyone the space and time they needed to acclimate after so much time away, we split the campus physically so high school started on one side of the building and middle school started on the other side, with separate entrances between high school and middle school and staff.”

As restrictions eased and State and County guidance evolved, SPA again adapted. Now all students enter and exit through the front door greeted by hand sanitizers, and masks and vaccines are mandated.

“The measures we took, in addition to providing free testing for students and staff, allowed us to open for in-person instruction on time and resume our live performances, which was exciting for all of us,” says Lisa.

“To be able to gather with family, friends, and fellow students for a live performance was very, very special.”

In October, students performed playwright Alison Carr’s “Tuesday” for two sold out weekends in the campus “Black Box” theater. SPA also hosted a November dance performance and December vocals and instrumental performances.

May will be a big month with two plays, two dance shows, a vocals Rodgers & Hammerstein evening, and a follies revue on the calendar.

Contra Costa School of

Performing Arts

2730 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.235.1130

SPA students exit in all directions after a full day on campus.

Lyrics from Hamilton greet SPA students, staff, and visitors in the front hallway.

In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27), 8^th and 9^th grade theater majors performed scenes from playwright Michael Slade’s And a Child Shall Lead.

The public is encouraged to attend all performances. Check the website for dates, times, and ticket information.

To learn more about Contra Costa School of Performing Arts and its weekday school tours, which will resume soon, contact Lisa Kingsbury, lisa.kingsbury@cocospa.org.

TWO WAYS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND GIVE BACK

The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau counts hundreds of Shadelands businesses and nonprofits as members, providing them access to resources and relationships that enable them to market their products and services, expand their networks, grow their organizations, and give back to their communities.

Chamber Orientation

Want to learn more? Check out the Walnut Creek Chamber website and register to attend the Chamber's next Chamber Orientation, Wednesday, February 23, 4–5pm. Designed for new, current, and prospective members, this meeting offers an overview of the Chamber and its programs, events, and networking opportunities, as well as ways to get involved in civic, business, and community life.

Leadership Contra Costa

Leadership Contra Costa (LCC), presented by Kaiser Permanente and coordinated by the Walnut Creek Chamber and East Bay Leadership Council, is a premier countywide leadership program, designed for people who want to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

Now in its 35th year, LCC is accepting applications for the September 2022–May 2023 Class. Apply here.

For more information about the program and interview process, contact Bob Linscheid, President & CEO, Walnut Creek Chamber, 925.934.2997.

Walnut Creek Chamber staff (l-r) Linda Vesneski, Shawn Filardi, Marilyn Schmidt, President & CEO Bob Linscheid, Lynn Pauline, and Nicole Hankton

Walnut Creek Chamber of Comerce & Visitors Bureau

1280 Civic Drive, Suite 100

Walnut Creek

925.934.2007

For a full description of the

Leadership Contra Costa program, click here.

CITY OF WALNUT CREEK

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

WCAlert is an emergency warning system managed by the City of Walnut Creek that automatically alerts subscribers about emergencies and other important community news. WCAlert enables the City to provide community members with critical information quickly in situations such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuations.

Text WCALERT to 888-777 to receive time-sensitive notifications via text, and opt in for additional notifications via email, landline, or business phone by signing up here.

If you need assistance registering with WCAlert, contact the Civic Park Community Center at 925.943.5852, Monday through Friday, 9am–1pm.