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January 2020
Vol 4: Issue 1
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The Shadelands Scene
Community news, updates, and insights
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For nearly ten decades,
Easterseals Northern California
(formerly Easterseals Bay Area) has provided services to people with disabilities and their families, helping them live, learn, work, and play to their full potential. Its mission is to change the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day.
Easterseals Northern California (ESNorCal) is part of a larger family of companies, which includes the Catalight Foundation, the Behavioral Health Provider Network (BHPN), Easterseals Hawaii, and Xolv, that are working together to meet the demands of today's health care needs.
ESNorCal recently changed its name to better reflect the twenty-four Northern California counties in which the organization provides services. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Shadelands, the behavioral health nonprofit offers programming and services at eight clinical centers, from Lakeport (Lake County) to San Jose, working with clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities.
In early 2018, ESNorCal moved into its new Shadelands headquarters, a 52,501-SF space in Walnut Creek Executive Park, now home to 235 employees representing Catalight, ESNorCal, BHPN, and Xolv.
2730 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek Executive Park
Walnut Creek
925.266.8400
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2018 Easterseals Northern California Ambassador Malik (center) joined by his mother and brother
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"We chose to relocate to Walnut Creek based on the area's central location and the many amenities that both the park and the city offer its residents," says Lory Perkins, Director of Facilities. "We considered several properties and found the Shadelands location to be a good fit with a consistent look and feel we wanted to provide both our staff and clients. The café, onsite gym, plentiful parking, and nearby shopping and restaurants made our decision to choose Shadelands an easy one."
Meet the 2018
Ambassador Families.
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ARF IS SAVING BOTH ENDS OF THE LEASH®
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Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s
(ARF)
Pets and Vets Program
identifies dogs in overcrowded shelters who might have the necessary qualities to change a veteran’s life. These dogs are carefully selected and matched with veterans with PTSD. Like trusted battle buddies, they train together for approximately a year to become certified service dog teams.
Last month, ARF celebrated a record-breaking 21 graduates during an intimate celebration held at ARF’s Shadelands headquarters.
To serve more veterans in need, ARF continues construction on a new Pets and Vets training center, to be completed in Fall 2020. Read about the innovative center in the
April 2019
issue of
The Shadelands Scene
.
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2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.256.1ARF
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Watch the Pets and Vets video narrated by Tony La Russa
here
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WORKING WONDERS WITH WATER
®
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Founded in 1933 in Phoenix, Arizona,
Carollo Engineers, Inc.,
is the largest environmental engineering firm in the United States dedicated solely to the planning, design, and construction management of water and wastewater treatment facilities for municipalities, public agencies, industrial firms, and private developers.
“We're specialists in water and wastewater engineering—it’s all we do,” says Sue Welsh, senior office administrator, who has been with Carollo for more than 16 years.
With 46 offices and more than 1,100 employees nationwide, Carollo chose to locate its corporate headquarters here, in Shadelands.
Attracting professionals from around the world, Carollo employees are civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, and environmental engineers, as well as scientists, planners, architects, and computer-aided design (CAD) professionals. The Shadelands office is also home to business development, marketing, and graphics departments; and support and office services staff.
Originally located in the business park on Wiget Lane, and then Ygnacio Valley Road, Carollo recently moved its corporate office and 120 employees into new space at 2795 Mitchell Drive, occupying the entire two-story building with 35,015 square feet.
“Contiguous space was one of our key criteria when we were looking for a new location,” says Sue. “We didn’t want to be in multiple buildings. We also wanted to have amenities for our employees and that's easy access to trails, restaurants, grocery stores, retail, and services. So we certainly love the growth of The Orchards and all it has brought to Shadelands.”
Citing the free BART shuttle, Sue says access to and from BART is a plus for Carollo’s employees who take BART to work and who bike in from BART. The ample parking is also appreciated by employees who are pleased to find plenty of available free parking right outside the door.
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Mountain House (CA) Water Treatment Plant
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Carollo Corporate Headquarters
2795 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.932.1710
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Sue Welsh, Senior Office Administrator, Carollo Engineers, Inc.
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Sunnyvale (CA) Wastewater Treatment Plant
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Oak Harbor (WA) Clean Water Facility
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In October 2019, the American Public Works Association awarded the
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Vibe Volleyball Club
has been training and coaching girls ages 9 through 17 in the competitive sport and spirit of volleyball since 2005, holding clinics and playing games in school gyms in Danville, Lamorinda, and Walnut Creek, and even beach volleyball at Heather Farm Park. Its distinctive programs, year over year success, experienced and multi-cultural coaching staff, and philosophies about sports and sportsmanship have elevated Vibe Volleyball to one of the top clubs in the area.
Founder and coach Kris Keller has realized a dream come true with the opening last month of Vibe Volleyball at the
Shadelands SportsMall
. The new space is a 17,000-SF athletic play and training facility featuring two volleyball courts, Olympic flooring, specially designed training aids, and high ceilings with no obstructions—a gym Vibe can finally call its own.
Kris was born into the game of volleyball through his father, who was the United States National Women’s and Men’s team coach in the 1960s. “I was the little kid who shagged the balls for the players,” says Kris, whose father traveled the country running summer clinics and later traveled around the world for the International Federation of Volleyball. In his teens, Kris played on championship teams in Canada and Southern California. “I was a part of my father’s professional life in volleyball, which allowed me to develop a solid foundation for the game when I was very young.”
When his two daughters became of “volleyball age,” he taught them the fundamentals of volleyball, eventually forming a team with their friends and expanding his coaching activities. Says Kris with great enthusiasm, “I hopped on this volleyball train again 16 years ago, and I’ve been on it ever since.”
Vibe Volleyball has 23 teams designed for a variety of age groups and experience levels, from beginner to advanced play, with close to 40 head and assistant coaches. Club season runs November to May. Winter development clinics for ages 8-12 run December to February. Spring clinics run March to May. Sand season runs May through July. Summer clinics run while girls are out of school. Fall ball runs September and October.
“Every time a player touches the ball, she improves,” says Kris. “Word gets out that we’re having fun. The courts are small—900 square feet— so everybody celebrates everybody’s point and everybody’s win. Word gets out that we’re getting good. Word gets out that when girls do the off-season programs, they’re prepared for the club season and the chances that they make a club team are greater. It’s very exciting for everyone—for the girls and for us, as their coaches.”
For more information about volleyball and to register for clinics, visit
Vibe Volleyball Club
or call director and coach Kris Keller at
925.300.6166
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The new Vibe Volleyball Club gym at the Shadelands SportsMall features two courts, Olympic flooring, and high ceilings.
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Shadelands SportsMall
2640 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek
925.300.6166
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CONTRA COSTA CRISIS CENTER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS
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The holidays can be a difficult time for those who have experienced a loss and are grieving. It can be a challenge to honor loved ones and still participate in festivities.
The
Contra Costa Crisis Center
offers ongoing grief support groups as well as 24/7 telephone support. If you or someone you know needs extra support this post-holiday season, call
211
or
800.833.2900
, or
text HOPE to 20121
.
The Crisis Center
Grief Counseling Program
offers groups in English and Spanish, for different age groups, and in multiple locations throughout the county. All services are free and confidential. New group sessions facilitated by trained volunteers begin in January.
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307 Lennon Lane
Walnut Creek
925.939.1916
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SAVE THE DATE:
STARS TO THE RESCUE XXIX
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This year, ARF welcomes country music legend
Trace Adkins
as lead performer, along with Grammy-winning local group Pacific Mambo Orchestra, rock guitarist Al Pitrelli with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, and comedian Elayne Boosler.
Proceeds from Stars to the Rescue allow ARF to save dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and bring people and animals together to enrich each other's lives.
2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.256.1ARF
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Saturday, January 18, 2020
Lesher Center for the Arts
Walnut Creek
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Country music star Trace Adkins headlines ARF's Stars to the Rescue XXIX
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RAGA YOGA MAKES IT OFFICIAL
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Raga Yoga
enjoyed a festive late afternoon ribbon cutting on Friday, December 6, officially opening its warm and welcoming yoga studio at the Shadelands SportsMall. Holding the "big scissors" is CJ Lamborn, Raga Yoga owner and instructor, joined by her husband and co-owner, Bruce Lamborn (on her left), and flanked by Walnut Creek Chamber Ambassadors.
Read the new business profile of Raga Yoga in the
October 2019
issue of
The Shadelands Scene
Shadelands SportsMall
2662 Shadeland Drive
Walnut Creek
925.322.0701
Congratulations, CJ! Welcome to Shadelands!
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HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN AT
THE ORCHARDS
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On Tuesday, December 10,
The Orchards at Walnut Creek
held a festive holiday Jingle Jam for families and children, who enjoyed vocal and instrumental musical performances by local Walnut Creek students, hot chocolate and holiday treats, and visits with their favorite characters from
Frozen
and
Star Wars
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During the festivities, The Orchards at Walnut Creek and its merchants presented a "big check" for $1,200 to the Walnut Creek School District Band & Music Program, rounding up the total donation to $1,500 before the end of the evening.
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On hand were Nicky Lecher, Owner,
LunchboxWax
(far left), and Monica Hahn, Owner,
Elements Massage
(far right), to present the check to longtime Walnut Creek music instructors Ron Johnson and Jessica Batdorf in front of the holiday tree.
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C
orner of
Ygnacio Valley Road &
Oak Grove Road
Walnut Creek
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