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January 2021
Vol 5: Issue 1
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The Shadelands Scene
Community news, updates, and insights
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CONTRA COSTA CRISIS CENTER VOLUNTEER HONORED WITH 2020 THREADS OF HOPE AWARD |
Every year, volunteers of all ages who provide vital services to people in need are nominated by their peers for the prestigious Diablo magazine Threads of Hope recognition. A team of judges selects a handful of these exceptional nominees to be featured in the December issue of Diablo and honored at the live Threads of Hope event, which was held virtually on December 10, 2020.
This year, Urooj Kazmi, a longtime volunteer with Contra Costa Crisis Center, was among the five local heroes chosen for the honor. Through her selfless acts of volunteerism, she is changing our community for the better in creative and generous ways, notes Diablo magazine.
Read the moving stories of Urooj and the other four honorees in Diablo magazine here. Watch Urooj tell her story about the importance of listening and the joy of being in service to others here.
Congratulations, Urooj!
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Urooj Kazmi, tireless volunteer for the Contra Costa Crisis Center and Diablo magazine's 2020 Threads of Hope Honoree |
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A GROUNDBREAKING RIBBON CUTTING AT VIAMONTE |
Officially opened to residents on December 1, Viamonte at Walnut Creek held a celebratory ribbon cutting on December 2, 2020. Located at 2801 Shadelands Drive at the corner of North Via Monte and Shadelands Drive, Viamonte is a state-of-the-art development of Sequoia Living and the first continuing-care retirement community in Contra Costa County.
By mid-December, 60 residents had moved into 39 apartments, and by the end of December, another 15 residents had joined them.
Between January and April 2021, management expects 20 to 25 more residents to call Viamonte home.
"When we opened on December 1, it was like learning to fly a plane in mid-flight," says Melody Mitchell, Executive Director of Viamonte. "Not only was there so much going on with moving during a health crisis, but there is a good deal of amazing technology in this facility.
"We had to learn the technology first, then teach our residents while unloading and unpacking boxes. I'm happy to say that all is going well on this adventure, and I'm also happy to report that we are expecting the vaccine soon."
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Dave Latina, Director of Development, Sequoia Living; Sara McVey, President, Sequoia Living; Sam Palley, Cahill Construction; Gary Freeman, Viamonte Board of Directors; Karin Gendron, Viamone; Matt Nethercutt, Harris and Associates; Victoria Bankerd, Viamonte; Melody Mitchell, Executive Director, Viamonte; Suzette Wong, Viamonte; Adrienne Kohler, Viamonte. |
Preview Center
165 Lennon Lane, Suite 105
Walnut Creek
925.621.6600
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THE KOLL COMPANY PARTNERS TO GIVE HOLIDAY GIFTS TO KIDS IN NEED |
This past holiday season, The Koll Company, property managers of Walnut Creek Executive Park, brought joy to young lives by partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and participating in its annual Holiday Gift Drive. On December 10, 2020, donations of toys, clothing, and food that had been assembled from children's Wish Lists were distributed to hundreds of children in need and their families, including 30 children sponsored by The Koll Company, helping to make the holiday season an unforgettable one for so many.
"The Koll Company has a long history of volunteering and charitable giving to nonprofit organizations that bring hope, comfort, inspiration, and opportunity to kids, families, and communities," says Gerald O. Yahr, Managing Principal, The Koll Company. "In keeping with this mission, we felt that the collaboration with the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Holiday Gift Drive was the way we could personally make an impact in our community during a particularly difficult year.”
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Walnut Creek Executive Park
125 Oak Grove Road
Walnut Creek
925.974.0240
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MEDICAL MASSAGE ALLOWED DURING COUNTY RESTRICTIONS |
While Contra Costa County and the SF Bay Area are under regional stay-at-home orders, Elements Massage remains open to treat clients seeking massage for medical reasons.
"With all the stress people are experiencing during the pandemic, scheduling time for self-care and regular massage is more important now than ever before," says Monica Hahn, owner, Elements Massage Walnut Creek.
While doctors' notes will not be collected out of respect for medical privacy, the salon will require clients to verify that they have been advised by a doctor or chiropractor to seek massage therapy.
"Our approach goes far beyond relaxation. Our experienced massage therapists are trained to provide physical and mental relief through therapeutic massage techniques that are customized to clients' medical needs to heal body and mind."
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2870 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek
925.266.4200
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SWIM LESSONS DEEMED ESSENTIAL IN ANY TIER |
Matthew Alberti, owner & CEO of the American Swim Academy (ASA), and the United States Swim School Association (USSSA) have announced drowning prevention classes, including swim lessons, have been deemed essential by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
“Swimming is a life skill,” said Rebecca Sol, director of American Swim Academy Walnut Creek, located in the Shadelands SportsMall, in a December 2019 newsletter story. “Swimming is the only sport you have to learn that will save your life. If a child doesn’t learn how to swim, there’s every potential of it not ending well. It’s our life mission to teach children how to swim. We have a lot of fun here, but we take our jobs very seriously."
The designation by the CDPH will help greatly in the continued mission to prevent drownings in California. Learning to swim is a critical tool and part of a multi-layer drowning prevention plan, as demonstrated by studies that show that formal swim lessons between the ages of 1 and 4 can help reduce the risk of drowning by close to 90%.
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“As we work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we must also continue to carry out public health activities that prevent children from fatal accidents or being permanently harmed by preventable injuries” says Lisa Zarda, executive director at USSSA. “We applaud leadership at the CDPH for deeming drowning prevention, including swim lessons, as essential.” |
Read the full press release here.
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SAVE THE DATE: STARS TO THE RESCUE'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY, JANUARY 30, 2021 |
This year's fundraising event boasts an all-new online format and features headliner Gloria Estefan.
Proceeds from Stars to the Rescue allow ARF to save dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and support programs that bring people and animals together to enrich each other's lives.
Visit ARF's website for news and updates about celebrity performers and gala activities.
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2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.256.1ARF
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OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS |
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts (CoCoSPA) is now holding open enrollment for all grades through January 27 for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, and is hosting one final live Informational Evening, Monday, January 11, 7pm, via Zoom. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from and chat directly with school leadership and students. Visit Informational Evening for details and the Zoom link.
CoCoSPA is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 6-12 offering a full college prep academic curriculum alongside conservatory level training in one of five arts majors: dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, and production & design.
A wealth of information can be found on CoCoSPA’s robust website under the Enrollment tab, which walks prospective students and parents through the school, programs, and enrollment process. While the campus is currently closed to visitation, staff and students have created a number of videos that take viewers on tours of the school facility, and others that profile the arts and academic programs and specific majors.
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2730 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.235.1130
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For more information about
2021–2022 enrollment, contact
Lisa Kingsbury,
Director of Community Engagement
for details of the January 11
live event and Zoom link.
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INTERESTED IN HELPING
PEOPLE IN CRISIS?
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Thursday, January 7, 7-8pm
Thursday, January 14, 7-8pm
[the 14th is a repeat of the 7th]
Tuesday, January 12, 7-8pm
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307 Lennon Lane
Walnut Creek
925.939.1916
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CLEAN JUICE OPENS IN
THE ORCHARDS
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Shadelands welcomes Clean Juice, the original USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise with more than 80 stores nationwide and another 60+ stores in development.
Located in The Orchards between LunchboxWax and The Lash Lounge, Clean Juice officially opened last November 21, 2020.
Realizing the importance of an organic, plant-based diet, co-founders Landon and Kat Eckles started Clean Juice in 2016. Rooted in healthy body and strong spirit, Clean Juice offers fresh juices, smoothies, açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices, specialty toasts, and its own trademarked Greenoa bowls—mixed greens and grains topped with healthy ingredients.
Call ahead or walk in—all service is take-out.
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The Orchards at Walnut Creek
2850 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek
925.354.9659
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(l-r) Clean Juice team members Shelby and Zen prepare juice and food items from the juice bar's USDA-certified organic menu. |
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THE DIABLO VALLEY FARMERS' MARKET SERVES UP FRESH, ORGANIC PRODUCE WEEKLY |
Good news for people who love fresh produce. The certified Diablo Valley Farmers' Market is open Saturdays in Shadelands, 9am to 1pm, N. Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive. Signage and safety measures are in place. Enjoy the bounty of fresh, organic, in-season produce picked at the peak of ripeness, from farm to table.
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