Are angry neighbors vandalizing cars?

64 Pages·2015·12.45 MB·English

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA VOLUME 50, NO. 16 • 50 CENTS
Rossmoor Safeway remodel
delayed, date announced soon
Keith W. Turner, senior communications and government re-
lations manager for Albertsons Safeway, NorCal Division,
sent a notice to the News thanking Rossmoor residents for
their interest in the remodel of the Rossmoor Safeway store. He
said Safeway is excited to get the project underway and to bring
an “upgraded shopping experience to Rossmoor residents.”
He said that unforeseen delays have pushed back the start
date, but Safeway anticipates announcing a new date soon.
Highlights of the new store include:
• An enhanced and upgraded produce department, featuring
fresh-cut produce every day. Favorites like cantaloupe, pineap-
ple and watermelon along with fresh salsa and guacamole will
be made daily on the premises. Ready-to-grill packets of fresh
produce and condiments will also be available.
• The store will feature a variety of USDA Choice quality
beef, a more premium cut of meat. It’s perfectly aged, guaran-
teed tender and has more marbling for juiciness and flavor. Cer-
tified butchers will be on hand to discuss custom cuts, cooking
techniques and can cut anything to order.
• In addition, Safeway will offer thousands of local items from
growers like Driscoll’s and Cal-Organic Farms. There is more
local flavor throughout the store with items made right here in
The Hot Flashers tap dancers will perform at the Fourth of July celebration.
California. These products are marked with a “Local” tag on
the shelf so they are easy to find. The expanding selection will Enjoy assortment of Fourth of July events
include local favorites like Clover Stornetta Farms dairy from
Petaluma, free range Rocky Chicken from Sonoma County and
Bring family and friends at 10. The opening ceremony a.m. to 1 p.m. Caricaturist
Continued on page 2A
to Rossmoor’s Fourth of July featuring the flag presentation Gene Hamm will also be part
events that will be held at the and singing of the national of the fun.
Dollar picnic grounds on Sat- anthem will begin at 10:30 at The festivities continue
urday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to the Rotary Stage. with performances on the
2 p.m. There will be free kids’ outdoor Rotary stage featur-
The Lions Club will have games, arts and crafts, pop- ing Sonja Christopher and
pastries and juice available corn and popsicles from 10 Continued on page 12A
Fitness Center sponsors Rossmoor Games
The Fitness Center will the golf course cart paths. ternoon of Sept. 21 at the golf
participate in the Rossmoor Sign-ups will be for teams course. Bicycle on the Stanley
Games this year. only and may be made up of Dollar cart paths and walk/run
The sprint triathlon is on two or three persons. There on the Creekside paths.
Monday, Sept. 21. It will con- must be a minimum of eight There will also be swim-
sist of a 200-yard swim, 8-mile teams signed up to hold this ming time trials on Tuesday
News photos by Mike DiCarlo bike ride and 2-mile walk/run. event. morning, Sept. 15, at the Del
Members of the various arts and crafts organizations gath- The swim portion of the event Bicycle time trials (4 miles) Valle lap pool. Events will in-
ered as a unit to approach the GRF Board at its June meeting will be at Del Valle pool. The and walk/run time trials (2 clude: 50- and 100-yard back-
and ask for studio improvements. Shown clockwise, from top bike and run events will be on miles) will be held on the af- Continued on page 6A
left, are Gaby Miller (ceramics), Lee Jacoby (sewing), Ken
Lezin (photography) and Debra Van Laak (ceramics). Rep- Are angry neighbors vandalizing cars?
resentatives from the Wood Shop and art studios were also
there as part of VAMP (Visual Arts Modernization Project).
By Cathy Tallyn ing spaces. six of the vandalized cars were
Staff writer Since the beginning of the reported on one entry.
year, there have been 15 reports The perpetrators have keyed
Reports of vandalism are on of vandalism – 12 of them to expensive vehicles and in two
the rise in Rossmoor. And it vehicles and they appear to be cases spray painted a black
may be due to rage over park- related to parking issues. And, Continued on page 3A
Don’t fall
INSIDE THE NEWS
victim to scams
Section A
By Cathy Tallyn Arts and Leisure ..........20-28A
Staff writer Classified ......................32-43A
Main News .....................1-19A
Do you know that some- Movies ..........................26-28A
one may be targeting Op/Ed Columns ...........30-31A
your nest egg? Residents Forum .........29-30A
When it comes to fraud, se-
Residents ask GRF Board niors are the most likely to be Section B
the victims. Arts and Leisure listings ...15B
to revamp Gateway studios Don’t become a victim. Bridge ...................................4B
Attend the free Senior Scam Calendar ........................10-11B
By Wilma Murray again rallied forces for a Stopper Seminar on Thursday, Channel 28 TV Guide .......20B
Staff writer cause by the wearing o’ the T, July 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Clubs...................5-9B, 16-17B
Fireside Room at Gateway.
the current method to make a Excursions .....................11-14B
The program is sponsored
The GRF Board got statement to the GRF Board. Health ...........................18-19B
by Assemblywoman Catharine Mutual 8 takes out lawns, creates
“VAMP”ed at its regular This time white T-shirts Obituaries ............................9B
Baker, the Contractors State new spaces. See page 10A.
meeting June 25. That is to sported by a number of au- Religion ................................8B
License Board and the Golden
say, audience members once Continued on page 4A Sports ...............................1-4B www.rossmoornews.com
Continued on page 3A
2A RossmooR News • July 1, 2015
Comcast representative in
Little supervisor
Rossmoor three days a week
Rossmoor now has a dedi- days, 10 a.m. to noon, Wednes-
cated Comcast representative days, 1 to 3 p.m. and Fridays,
to ensure that residents receive 10 a.m. to noon.
the best customer service from Zaldivar has 12 years of
Rossmoor’s cable television Comcast customer service ex-
provider. perience and can speak with
Comcast representative Re- residents about Xfinity Voice,
becca Zaldivar will be at the Xfinity Internet, Xfinity Home,
Gateway Administration Of- Xfinity Apps and billing ques-
fice three days a week to an- tions. All residents are encour-
swer any questions that resi- aged to come and meet their
dents may have that could not new Comcast representative.
be answered by calling the The Comcast service num-
Comcast 800 number. ber for Rossmoor is 1-800-
Office hours will be Mon- 407-2997.
Cooling off
Steve Snyder was out and about recently and caught this scene of Cathy Cardinal with
her granddaughter, Lainey, 2-1/2 years, supervising the pavement removal on Pine Knoll
Drive.
New date for Safeway remodel to be announced
Continued from page 1A in every department, including ing bread, dairy, produce, meat
Petaluma, free range Rocky over 300 products from the and more.
Chicken from Sonoma Coun- Safeway exclusive USDA-cer- The deli section will make
ty and Three Twins Ice Cream tified organic brand O Organ- fresh dishes every day, in- This squirrel took refuge from the heat on Lorna and Jerry
from Petaluma. ics The organic selection of- cluding whole-roasted chick- Lasky’s shaded patio last week during the triple digit tem-
• The Rossmoor Safeway fers options for every meal in ens, fried chicken and fresh peratures.
will have more organic choices almost every category includ- sushi.
SERVING ROSSMOOR & WALNUT CREEK SINCE 1994
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RossmooR News • July 1, 2015 3A
Parking rage in Rossmoor may be key to auto vandalism
Continued from page 1A said Public Safety Manager “Vandalism is malicious; some that went unreported. ing into Rossmoor to commit
“X” on cars. One of those car Dennis Bell. “The way to han- it’s out of anger,” he said. Half of those reported oc- random acts of vandalism,”
owners said he suspected the dle it is not to vandalize your Except for carports and ga- curred on Oakmont Drive, Bell said.
vandalism may be retaliation neighbor’s property. There are rages, everyone has the same Entry 4. Walnut Creek Police are in-
for parking in one spot for lon- other avenues.” right to park their car, Bell “These cars were parked vestigating the vandalisms as
ger than 72 hours. Other vic- When there’s a parking is- said. legally. They weren’t blocking criminal acts and there could
tims also said they think the sue, residents can talk to their “We’ve had six (vandalisms) emergency access,” Bell said. be criminal prosecution.
vandalism is about parking is- neighbors and their Mutual as in the last month and there The suspicion is that angry Spray painting the cars was
sues. well as call Securitas, Ross- could be more,” he said. neighbors are keying cars and preplanned. “He thought about
“Parking is difficult in moor’s security service provid- Six is the number of report- spray painting them. it. It was not an accident,” he
Rossmoor – no doubt about it,” er. ed vandalisms, there may be “These aren’t people sneak- said.
Senior Scam Stopper Seminar will be held in the Fireside Room
Continued from page 1A group targeted by scammers,” prey on your heart strings.” Those who plan to attend reservations with Baker’s of-
Rain Foundation’s Public Safe- said Jane Kreidler, outreach A popular scam is to call the seminar are asked to make fice. Call 328-1515.
ty Office. coordinator for the Contractors a senior and tell him a grand-
“The community can bene- State License Board. “It’s real- child has been arrested and
fit from it,” said Dennis Bell, ly rampant.” needs bail money. “It gets to
Rossmoor Public Safety man- Kreidler will be one of the your heart,” she said.
ager. speakers. She’ll talk about how The grandparent is told not
There will be an hour- to hire a contractor and how to call the parents because
long panel discussion with not to be scammed by a con- the child doesn’t want them
another hour allotted for tactor. to know. A man in San Diego
questions from the audience. “We’ve been doing these County recently lost $300,000
Speakers will talk about seminars for 16 years. … Last in the grandparents’ scam, she
such things as contractor year we did 86 and we’ll prob- said.
fraud, Medicare fraud and ably do that many this year,” Such a large sum of money
real estate fraud. There will Kreidler said. is usually lost in a foreign lot-
TowINg AVAILABLE
be handouts. Scammers prey on the el- tery scam, she said.
“We’ve done this before at derly because they tend to have “The problem is it doesn’t [phone]

the Pleasanton Senior Center. more money and they seem to matter how educated you are
It was well received,” said Nick be more vulnerable. or what your job was. … A H PICK UP AND DELIVERY H MOBILE ESTIMATING H
Binzoni, a field representative “They’re not taking $1,000 man in Los Angeles County Approved by most major insurance companies
for Baker. or $2,000. They’re taking hun- was scammed out of $600,000
The Assemblywoman will dreds of thousands,” she said. and he was a retired Air Force 8 LocATIoNS wITH 3 NEAR RoSSMooR:
talk about legislation that re- “There are pockets of the colonel,” she said. 2140 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek • 925-210-1739
lates to senior fraud. wealthy … and they (scammers) If you educate people, the 2288 N. Main St., Walnut Creek* • 925-979-1739
“Seniors are the number-one know where they are. People less likely they’ll become a 3430 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette • 925-283-5600
victim. “The message needs to www.mikesautobody.com *Saturdays by appointment
Exercise daily to Rossmoor TV Channel 28’s 9 a.m. fitness show. get out,” Kreidler said.
R N PPO Provider for Anthem Blue Cross, HealthNet and
ossmooR ews
Blue Shield Dental Plans offered by Covered California
E T M
very ooth atters
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4A RossmooR News • July 1, 2015
GRF Board gets an earful from arts groups about shape of studios
Also hears about pickleball players’ needs
Continued from page 1A and crafts studios. set-up is not to code, she said,
dience members were embla- One by one they told Board and told an anecdote to illus-
zoned with the words “(re) members about problems en- trate her point.
VAMP our studios” in green. countered in Gateway studios, “When a simple hair dryer
VAMP is an acronym for Visu- from cramped space and poor is plugged into an outlet in the
al Arts Modernization Project air circulation to lack of Wi-Fi glaze room … can’t turn it on
and those wearing the shirts and dangerous electrical is- high because it trips the GFI,”
represented the studios at sues. she said.
Gateway – ceramics, sewing, Antiquated wiring was Al Kaufman of the Wood
art, photography and wood- a concern to several of the Shop Supervisors said the shop
working, in particular. speakers. Debra Van Laak of electrical panel also affects
They came in force to talk the Ceramic Arts Club talked the Lapidary Studio. He said
at the Residents Forum to im- about the confusing configura- the dust-removal system in the
plore the Board to do more to tion of electrical panels/circuit shop has never been balanced
improve the state of the arts breakers in the kiln room. The with the heating and air-condi-
tioning system.
Others, such as Rossmoor
Art Association President Pat
Mobile Grooming by Loel Solari, Photography Club Pres- News photos by Mike DiCarlo
ident Ken Lezin and Ceramic Jim Ellett, above left, and Roger Svoboda talked to the Board
Arts Club members Albione about the future of pickleball. Both wanted to ensure the Board
Serving Becnel and Gaby Miller talked looks at indoor courts.
about the need for more space,
Cats and Dogs particularly for storage. as those the other studios have portance of being able to watch
Lee Jacoby said the Sewing for showing off their work. instructional videos.
Studio needed a working ther- Several speakers mentioned The Gateway art studio
mostat and a display case, such Wi-Fi, as well, stating the im- plaza is where all of the real
estate agents bring potential
clients, Lezin said. “Don’t let
the pride of Rossmoor become
the disgrace of Rossmoor. The
future is here.”
GRF Director Geri Pyle
thanked the speakers for
bringing these issues to the
Board. “I think it’s important
that we attend to the safety is-
sues you’ve brought,” she said.
President Les Birdsall
agreed. The passion is there,
he said, and these multiple
[phone] requests have brought some
things “to our attention that we
do have to look at and will.”
www.mobilegroomingbyloel.com
Other speakers
The Residents Forum, while
predominantly peppered with
VAMP speakers, was not lim-
Pay off your current mortgage • Increase your monthly cash flow
ited to studio talk. Two speak-
Set up a line of credit • Receive monthly income ers gave the Board a list of
reasons to ensure facilities for
indoor pickleball.
No Payments Required*
Sunlight, dew and heat are
Proceeds are NON-TAXABLE all problematic for outdoor
play, Jim Ellett said. “It’s very
You hold title to your home
New important that we have indoor
The
– not the bank courts for our club to survive,”
Reverse Your heirs inherit your equity he said.
Roger Svobada, on the oth-
– not the bank,
er hand, suggested the Board
not the government.
Mortgage research opportunities for
Never repay more than your outdoor courts, but admitted
that indoor courts are safer for
home’s value
“more mature players.”
“As we mature, resident in-
Aging in Place = Living out your years in the comfort *Taxes and insurance paid by owner,
terest in pickleball will con-
must be primary residence and normal
and security of your own home, with grace and dignity! tinue to grow,” Svobada said.
upkeep required.
“Please also consider these
Higher Loan Amounts Now Available Explore the Horizons of Your Life! health and safety issues when
making your decisions.”
For your free, no pressure in-home
Two speakers talked about
consultation call me today!
925-969-0380 the Fitness Center, with Carl
Beth Brown addressing governance
3478 Buskirk Ave. #1000 and Roxanne Stallings talking
Miller-Bornemann
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 about conflict of interest.
[email protected] Brown talked about a vari-
www.YourReverse.com ety of occasions in which ef-
forts of the Fitness Advisory
Licensed by the Dept. of Business Oversight under CRMLA
Committee to ask questions
were met with nonresponse or
disinterest.
“We need to look at who we
are serving and what is the role
CA BRE #950759/01215943 NMLS #294774/831612/1850 • of the Fitness Advisory Com-
mittee,” Brown said. “Is it re-
Did you know you can purchase a home using a reverse mortgage? ally acting as an agent of the
Board or a rubber stamp?”
Your Local Reverse Mortgage Specialist — I live locally and I work locally! Stallings presented a chart
Continued on next page
RossmooR News • July 1, 2015 5A
GRF president announces advisory committee additions, offers thanks
Continued from page 4A will be located near the flag “This has been a very re-
to the Board comparing argu- pole at Gateway. The plaque, warding experience for me,”
ments for paying two different donated in commemoration Birdsall said. “I found it a great
rates to Fitness Center staff for of the Republican Club’s 50th experience. They were all well
the same service. Her premise anniversary, would honor “all qualified and eager to be a pro-
was that there is a conflict of those veterans who served our ductive and active committee
interest between Fitness Cen- great nation.” member.
ter staff pay incentives and the Birdsall said he had had the “I want to emphasize the
best interests of the residents. privilege of speaking with 20 importance of the resident
John Gilbert presented his applicants for advisory com- volunteers who serve on these
reasons why the Board needs mittee positions but was only committees. I want to tell them
to become more active in com- able to choose 10 for the three- how much they are appreciated
puter support for residents. year positions on Aquatics, and valued. Without the advi-
“Adequate computer assistance Audit, Finance, Fitness Center sory committees, this board News photo by Mike DiCarlo
for the Rossmoor communi- and Golf advisory committees could really not function … GRF Board President Les Birdsall and Vice President Barbara
ty is not being met,” he said. (see Board Actions on 6A for The resident advisory commit- Jordan observed an audience peppered with residents wearing
He suggested a facility like a names). He thanked all who tees and the GRF Board of Di- “VAMP” T-shirts. Gateway arts and crafts studio modernization
“chemistry lab” where people applied and who serve. rectors are a team.” was a big theme for the Residents Forum.
could exchange knowledge and
ideas.
CERT members Mary En-
gland and Marilyn Wilson
thanked the Board for putting
as one of its goals to work
with CERT in emergency pre-
paredness. Although it was
not selected as a goal with top
priority for the year, the wom-
en said they appreciated that it
was recognized as important.
England said Rossmoor CERT
would be sending six or seven
volunteers to the Northern Cal-
ifornia Regional CERT con-
ference and would continue its
work in Rossmoor emergency
preparedness.
John Nutley closed out the
forum by offering a little piece
of membership transfer fee his-
tory. The Board shortly there-
after approved Policy 102.1.4
Membership Transfer Fee, a
policy that sets no amount for
the fee, thus allowing the Fi-
nance Committee to make ad-
justments as necessary.
Goals, committees
and a plaque
New business was relative-
ly short and dispatched with
Take Advantage Of Our
virtually no discussion. The
Board quickly approved the
ExCEptional
goals it had chosen at the mid-
month meeting.
For 2015/16, the top five HEarinG aid
Board goals are to work with
the broadband consultant to BattEry SalE!
identify the best solution for
Rossmoor; continue with the
Del Valle complex renovation
and redevelopment; move for-
ward with exploration of the
GRF solar-energy project; re-
pair aging infrastructure and
facilities; and address facilities
for pickleball.
The Board also unanimous-
ly approved the Rossmoor Re-
publicans’ request to place a
plaque on a donated bench that
• Save $3.50 per package off our regular price
BE A RoSSMooR
• Stop by and purchase your batteries over-the
VoluNtEER counter, or
Volunteer Services offers • Call in your order of 2 or more packages, and
Rossmoor residents a variety we will mail them to you at no additional cost
of volunteer opportunities. • Sale price effective July 1 through July 31
Volunteering is a great
• Battery sizes include 10, 312, 13, and 675
way to get involved and stay
connected with the community. Call the hearing experts at
Residents can volunteer as
CSG Better Hearing Center
docents in the clubhouses,
as Friendly Visitors, in the
Serving the East Bay since 1975
Library, at the Medical Center,
to assist at dances and special 31 Panoramic Way (off Olympic Blvd.)
events, at Friday Lunch, to
Walnut Creek
escort trips and to help with
Rossmoor meal services. 938-8686
For information about
www.betterhearingwalnutcreek.com
Volunteer Services, call 988-
7703. Office hours: M-Th 9-12 & 1-5; F & Sat 9-12
6A RossmooR News • July 1, 2015
Early News
GRF B a
Jo Jones; Audit, Paul Rosenzweig; Finance, Chris Yahng; Fit-
oaRd ctioNs
ness, Claudia Tierney; and Golf, John McDonnell.
deadline
3. Approved five GRF Board goals for 2015-16 as follows: 1.
the following actions were taken by the GRF Board at its Work with the broadband consultant to identify the best solu- this week
meeting on June 25: tion going forward. 2. For Del Valle, the Board plans to select
1. Approved Policy 102.1.4 to omit the written reference to and begin implementation of the best option for the Del Valle
the amount of the Membership Transfer Fee. (Second reading) Sports and Fitness Complex redevelopment; set parameters The News will have an ear-
for physical changes at the complex; redevelop the complex ly deadline for the July 8 issue
2. Approved GRF committee appointments as recommend- in a single phase; and revisit implementing a guest use fee due to the Fourth of July hol-
ed by the president as follows: Aquatics Advisory Committee: at the complex. 3. Expedite consideration of the solar energy iday. Although the Fourth of
E.J. Koch, three-year term; Carol Meehan, three-year term; project proposed by the SolarPowered Rossmoor Club. 4. Plan July is on a Saturday, all GRF
and Dale Reynolds, three-year term. Audit Committee: Dave for repairs for aging infrastructure and facilities. 5. Address offices will be closed for the
Cutter, three-year term, and Sherwin Schwartz, three-year pickleball facilities. holiday on Friday, July 3.
term. Finance Committee: F. William Dorband, three-year All articles for July 8 are
term, and David Smith, three-year term. Fitness Center Ad- 4. Approved placing a commemorative plaque on a bench due no later than Wednesday,
visory Committee: Carol Green, three-year term, and Cath- to be donated by the Rossmoor Republican Club. The plaque July 1, at 4 p.m. All classified
erine Herdering, three-year term. Golf Advisory Committee: will say: “In Honor of All Those Veterans Who Served Our and display ads are due no lat-
William Herrick, three-year term. The committee chairper- Great Nation. Donated by the Republican Club of Rossmoor in er than Thursday, July 2, at 10
sons will remain the same for 2015-16 as follows: Aquatics, commemoration of its 50th anniversary – 1965-2015.” a.m.
For information on the early
deadline, call the News at 988-
We’re Sweet ... 7800.
Fitness Center
to sponsor
Rossmoor Games
Continued from page 1A
stroke, breast stroke, freestyle
and butterfly. There will also
be a freestyle distance swim of
200 yards, and a sprint of 25
yards.
Sign up for these events
no later than Monday, July
27. Register in person at the
Fitness Center front desk, by
phone at 988-7850 or via email
at [email protected].
The Fitness Center staff is
available to provide training
We’re Close By ... We’re Available ... tips as well as personal fitness
training.
Sign up forms are available
Drop-in Services in the Fitness Center.
Rossmoor Shopping Center
M-F, 9am-12, 1:15-5pm
Clubs hold
We’re Technically Experienced and Skilled... events during
the Games
We measure, monitor and manage your hearing continually.
Patented Hearing Engineering and long-history of successful fittings The Rossmoor Games will
be held Saturday, Sept. 12,
through Friday, Sept. 25.
We’re Quite Unique The clubs that plan to hold
events during the games are
Duplicate Bridge, golf (put-
You’ll love the way we care for you! ting), Billiards, Party Bridge,
Lawn Bowling, Bocce,
Partnership Bridge, Pickleball,
WALNUT CREEK Bunco and Dominos as well as
the Fitness Center.
If your club is not listed and
plans to participate, contact
HEARING AID CENTER
Kelly Berto in the Recreation
Department at 988-7703 or
call Kent Croswell at 937-5318
Creating custom solutions to return you to the world of sound by Friday, June 26.
Monday golf
tourney limits
Dr. Gil developed Hearing EngineeringTM engineering and brain science. Using measurement
course walking
because of the inadequacies he saw in the and  verification,  Hearing  Engineers  address  your 
traditional approach to hearing correction. He unique hearing difficulties and capabilities.
attributes that traditional approach to the failure A trained Hearing Engineer uses expertise and A golf tournament with the
of many hearing aid purchases and possibly to the patented instrumentation to customize sound- First Tee girls is scheduled for
accelerated cognitive decline in people with hearing loss. engineered prescriptions that optimize your ability the Dollar Ranch Course on
  Hearing Engineering combines the fields of sound  to understand speech in real-world situations. Monday, July 13, starting at
noon.
Minimal size and maximum versatility: that’s the beauty of Pure® Micon. Due to the tournament,
This extraordinary RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) hearing instrument offers walking on the course will be
more power, more features and more listening satisfaction – in the least limited. The Creekside Course
space possible. will be open all day to walkers
and the Dollar Ranch Course
925-933-3314 will be open until noon for
1986 Tice Valley Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94595 (Next to Rossmoor Safeway) walkers.
Visit our website: www.WCHAC.com For information, call the
Pro Shop at 988-7861.
RossmooR News • July 1, 2015 7A
Farmers’ Market gives IRV to discuss Rossmoor-owned Internet, TV
prizes for costumes Informed Rossmoor Voic- viewing as well as anyone who network that will provide high-
es (IRV) meets Saturday, July wants a system running on the speed Internet and TV to every
18, at 10 a.m. in the Fairway latest in technology. residence and present a vision
Celebrate Independence Day Friday
Room at Creekside to hear All three speakers are of the benefits a high-speed
speakers discuss a proposed Rossmoor residents with community-wide network
The Rossmoor Certified peaches, nectarines, plums Rossmoor-owned broadband technical backgrounds: Dick could provide to Rossmoor.
Farmers’ Market will host the and citrus are grown in the San network that would carry TV, Locke, Carl Brown and Dennis The meeting will last ap-
second annual Independence Joaquin Valley. phone and Internet to every Nugent. They will show how proximately 45 minutes and
Day Costume Contest on Fri- Come for the vegetables and residence in Rossmoor. a basic cable TV and Internet there will be time for questions
day, July 3, from 9:30 a.m. to stay for lunch. Hand-crafted The speakers will talk system works, describe what afterward. All Rossmoor resi-
1 p.m. at the Gateway parking tamales and falafel wraps are about how their proposed broadband means, describe a dents are encouraged to attend.
lot. The four categories for the available at the market. TV-plus-Internet set-up could
contest are best lapel pin; best The Rossmoor Certified cost less than the current cost
99% DiamonD CertifieD rating
hat; best vest and best overall Farmers’ Market is a loca- for cable TV alone. The sys-
for winDow/Door inStallation anD
dressed. tion approved by the County tem would be designed so
CuStomer ServiCe!
Judging will take place at Agricultural Commissioner that many companies, such as
the Farmers’ Market infor- where farmers offer for sale Comcast, AT&T, Astound, and
mation booth. The winner of only those fruits and vegeta- others could transmit over it.
each category will be award- bles they grow themselves. The proposed network could
ed a gift certificate for two For information, visit www. accommodate traditional TV
at Creekside Grill. Residents CAFarmersMkts.com or call
are invited to dress up in their the market hotline at 800-806- Tell the merchants on these pages that
favorite patriotic apparel and FARM (3276). you saw their ad in the Rossmoor News.
stop by the market to celebrate
Independence Day.
This market features many
new local, organic growers
“When Quality Matters”
and food purveyors. Local
Central Coast crops featured
at the market include organ-
ic Watsonville strawberries,
raspberries and blackberries.
Showroom hourS:
There are farms that cultivate Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm • Saturdays by appt.
organic vegetables, fresh let-
tuce mixes, colorful beets, free eStimateS
peppers and summer squash. Rossmoor Listed
First-of-the-season toma-
925-68Ma1de- i1n th7e U7SA6
toes and a variety of Asian
vegetables will be offered, in-
Richard Beil, Owner 2250 Commerce Ave., Ste. A
cluding bok choy, pea shoots,
Cal Lic. #890083 Concord, CA
mustard greens and sweet
www.westcoastwindowsanddoors.com
potato leaves. Tree-ripened
8A RossmooR News • July 1, 2015
Cash, checks
R m July 7: First Mutual new resident orientation .......10 a.m.
ossmooR eetiNGs
taken from Donner Room, Event Center
July 7: GRF Policy Committee ............................1:30 p.m.
Counseling
Board Room, Gateway
BOARD, MUTUAL AND COMMITTEE
July 8: Fitness/Aquatics Advisory committees ...9:30 a.m.
MEETING DATES
A thief made off with cash
Donner, Event Center
and checks from the safe in the All Golden Rain Foundation, Mutual and committee meetings
July 8: Mutual 30 board .......................................9:30 a.m.
Counseling Services office at listed here are open to Rossmoor residents. Meeting times and
Board Room, Gateway
Gateway. locations are subject to change. For information on GRF Board
July 8: Third Mutual Budget and Finance .........9:30 a.m.
The theft occurred between and committee meetings, call Senior Manager of Executive
Mutual Operations meeting room
12:30 p.m. on June 15 and 8:10 Services Paulette Jones at 988-7711; for information on Third
July 8: Compensation Committee .......................1:30 p.m.
a.m. on June 16, according to Mutual meetings, call Sharon Fees at 988-7718; and for in-
Board Room, Gateway
Walnut Creek Police. formation on all other Mutual meetings, call Anne Paone at
July 9: Third Mutual governing documents .......9:30 a.m.
There were no signs of 988-7775.
Board Room, Gateway
forced entry and it’s unknown
July 9: Aquatics Advisory Committee .................1:30 p.m.
if the safe had been locked, July 3: Fourth of July holiday – all offices closed
Board Room, Gateway
said Dennis Bell, Rossmoor July 4: Fourth of July celebration in Rossmoor
July 10: Golf Advisory Committee .........................9 a.m.
Public Safety manager. The July 6: General Plan Review Ad Hoc Task Force ....9 a.m.
Board Room, Gateway
loss was undisclosed. The po- Board Room, Gateway
July 13: Third Mutual board ......................................9 a.m.
lice investigation is ongoing.
Board Room, Gateway
July 14: Mutual 59 board .......................................1:30 p.m.
Board Room, Gateway
Wanted
July 15: Mutual 56 board .......................................9:30 a.m.
Board Room, Gateway
July 15: Mutual 48 board ............................................2 p.m.
Mutual Operations meeting room
Your coins - gold & silver
July 16: Second Mutual work session.........................9 a.m.
Mutual Operations meeting room
July 16: Mutual 70 Finance Committee ...................10 a.m.
Don’t get taken in. With large ads in newspapers for sales
Echo Room, Event Center
at local hotels or churches, everyone wins but you. July 16: Mutual 70 board ............................................2 p.m.
Board Room, Gateway
get a second opinion from a local dealer who has been
July 17: Fifth Mutual board meeting .......................11 a.m.
buying and selling in rossmoor for 30 years. Board Room, Gateway
July 20: General Plan Review Ad Hoc Task Force ....9 a.m.
I am a private dealer and individu- We Buy Board Room, Gateway
July 20: Fourth Mutual board ...............................1:30 p.m.
al. I’ve lived in Contra Costa Coun- All Rare Coins, Scrap-Gold And Silver
Board Room, Gateway
ty since 1945 and have owned a (such as Class Rings and Broken or
July 21: Mutual 65 board .......................................9:30 a.m.
Unwanted Jewelry)
local and well-known business for Donner Room, Event Center
Sterling Silver of any kind July 21: Mutual 8 board ..............................................1 p.m.
40 years. All purchases are kept
Old Silver Dollars Board Room, Gateway
private and strictly confidential. No
July 22: Mutual 28 board .....................................10:30 a.m.
Bank Rolls Of New Coins
purchase is too large. Business is Mutual Operations meeting room
Older Than 2000
done by appointment only. We can July 22: First Mutual budget and finance ................11 a.m.
90% Silver Coins such as Dimes, Board Room, Gateway
meet at my office or your home, my
Quarters, and Half Dollars Pre-1964 July 23: Second Mutual board ....................................9 a.m.
bank or your bank. I would be more Peacock Hall, Gateway
Silver Bars
than glad to have your relatives or July 24: Third Mutual Building Maintenance ........10 a.m.
Investment Coins Marketed
Board Room Gateway
friends join us to represent you at
in the 70s and 80s July 24: First Mutual board .....................................11 a.m.
our meeting. Please talk with others
Government-Sold Carson City Dollars Donner Room, Event Center
at Rossmoor. Many have sold to me. July 27 Mutual 68 board ............................................1 p.m.
Redfield Silver Dollars
Board Room, Gateway
Call for an appointment
Signed Pictures And Autographs July 28: GRF Finance Committee ..............................9 a.m.
Board Room, Gateway
July 30: GRF Board ...................................................9 a.m.
Joe Bristol
Peacock Hall, Gateway
925-798-6140 Fourth Mutual to hold annual meeting
Fourth Mutual will have its Thursday, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m.
annual meeting and dinner on Winners of the election for
two open seats on the board of
directors will be announced.
Annoying and Ugly Loose Dentures? The newly elected directors
will be seated during the busi-
ness meeting. A catered buffet
Get your teeth back again!
dinner will follow at 5.
Members of Fourth Mutual
are reminded to send in their
dinner reservations when re-
We have custom bridges with implants you never have to take out.
ceived in the mail in early July.
Members will also receive
information in the mail regard-
ing the election of directors.
Special offer for Those interested in running for
Rossmoor residents: election should file their candi-
date statement with the Board
Office at Gateway no later than
Wednesday, July 1, at 10 a.m.
The two open seats are cur-
rently held by directors Nancy
ADA 6010 Call and schedule your appointment with Dr. Moheb Partovi and Mike Leinbach,
both of whom are eligible to
Surgical placement As Seen on TV!
run for office again. The term
of single implant Visit us at UnlimitedSmiles.com
of office is for three years.
for more detailed information
*additional for crown & abutment
More details about the
meeting agenda and the dinner
San Miguel Dental Group
will be announced later. Ac-
commodations will be made
1844 San Miguel Dr. Ste. 206 • Walnut Creek, CA 94596 • 925-279-3326 for members who want to be
served at their tables rather
This special is a limited time offer and only scheduled for Tuesdays from 3 to 7 pm in Walnut Creek location.
than go through the buffet line.
RossmooR News • July 1, 2015 9A
Property taxes may increase for the 2015/16 fiscal year
Many property owners who crease in their property taxes. 100, Martinez, CA, 94553) or Applications are available by the assessor and the property
were granted a temporary re- Residents who disagree with going on the website at www. writing to Clerk of the Assess- owner to mutually agree to
duction in the value on their their current assessment may cccounty.us/assessor and click- ment Appeals Board, 651Pine change a value without a for-
property due to a decline in request a free informal review ing on the email tab. Street, Room 106, Martinez, mal hearing. The board may
market values in previous years by contacting the Office of the Do not contact the office CA 94553; by calling 335- accept the stipulation or reject
will experience increases in Assessor in one of the follow- until after July 1 because the 1920 or going on the website at it and set the matter for a hear-
property taxes for the 2015-16 ing ways: completing the form 2015 roll values are not pub- www.cccounty.us. ing.
fiscal year beginning July 1, at http://www.co.contra-costa. lic until July 1. There is a non-refundable Condo owners calling or
2015. ca.us/DocumentCenter/Home/ Residents also have the right filing fee of $40 for formal ap- writing to the office must refer
The state constitution al- View/34357, calling (313- to file a formal appeal with the peals. After the application is to the property’s parcel num-
lows the assessor to temporar- 7400), faxing (313- 7488), writ- Assessment Appeals Board filed, the stipulation process ber. Co-op owners just need to
ily lower the assessed value of ing (2530 Arnold Drive, Suite from July 2 through Nov. 30. may apply. The process allows give an address.
property under certain condi-
tions. Proposition 8 provides
that a property be assessed at
the lower of the property’s fac-
tored base value or the market
value of the property as of Jan.
1. The factored base value is
the original assessed property
value determined at the time of
purchase or new construction,
plus an annual inflation in-
crease not to exceed 2 percent
per year.
This year, after Contra
Costa County’s Office of As-
sessor’s annual review, the as- Rossmoor Chevron AutoCare
sessor has determined that the
factored base value of many of
the co-ops in Rossmoor is low- Complete Auto ServiCe For Your CAr
er than the full market values
as of Jan. 1, so the Proposition 1998 Tice Valley Blvd. Walnut Creek • 944-0899
13 factored base value has been
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enrolled.
In other words, tax assess-
Use your Safeway club card
ments have been restored to
at the pump to save up to
the amount they were before
the temporary reductions plus 20 cents/gallon
inflation. Market value is de-
termined by comparable sales
before and up to 90 days after Lube, Oil & Filter Fluid Service
Air Conditioning
Jan. 1, 2015.
Special $
The Office of the Assessor 20 oFF
Service
informed Golden Rain Foun-
dation that the county stopped includes:
sending out revaluation infor- • Diagnose System Condition • Full Chasis lube
• Performance and Electronic • Up to 5 qts. oil and oil filter
mation to co-op owners a few
years ago due to budget con- Leak Test System • With our parts, most vehicles • Coolant
straints. • Re-Charge with Freon • 36-point vehicle inspection
• Transmission
The assessor is only legally $4995 $2995
• Brake Fluid
obligated to send out notices
to the master parcels (to the • Power Steering
Mutuals in total) – typically in
May be combined for multiple
early July.
Regularly $89. Freon and Parts extra. plus oil disposal fee of $5 services
Co-op owners pay their
property taxes through the present coupon prior to service. present coupon prior to service. present coupon prior to service.
offer valid through 7-29-2015 offer valid through 7-29-2015 offer valid through 7-29-2015
monthly coupon because the
Mutuals handle the property
tax bills. Condo owners receive
an individual property tax bill.
If a condo is being revalued
due to Proposition 8, the con-
do owner will receive a notice
from the Office of the Asses-
sor.
GRF will not know the new
tax rate until the bills are re-
ceived in October.
Residents who live in co-ops
and had their property assess-
ment lowered in the past few
years may contact the Office of
the Assessor at 313-7400 and
find out if there will be an in-
DO NOT CALL: You can
register your home phone
number(s) on the national Do-
Not-Call list by phone or by
Internet at no cost. To add your
home phone number to the
national Do-Not-Call list via the
Internet, go to www.donotcall.
gov. To register by phone, call
1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-
290-4236 (TTY). You must call
from the phone number you wish
to register. For more information
on the national Do-Not-Call list,
visit our website at http://www.
fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/.
10A RossmooR News • July 1, 2015
Mutual 8 cuts its water usage by more than half
Turns turf into social areas
After four years of drought, scaped area per manor than
Governor Jerry Brown has re- any other Mutual, it has had a
quested that Californians cut- higher irrigation cost per unit
back on their water use by 25 than the other Mutuals, as well
percent over 2013 usage. as a greater opportunity to
Here in Rossmoor, efforts to save water and money.
comply with the governor’s re- In January 2014, the Mutual
quest are being carried out in a began to reduce irrigation in
number of Mutuals, including order to buffer their residents
one of the smallest, Mutual 8, from the increasing cost of
with 103 manors, and its presi- water. Several small areas of
dent, Cindy Ware. grass were converted to stones
Because Mutual 8 has a or bark mulch. Areas of lawn
higher ratio of lawn and land- that were out of sight from
Saving water can be fun for residents of Mutual 8. Cheryl and Bob Gray, left, welcome Bob’s son,
David, from Atlanta. They are among the first to enjoy the new decomposed granite patio, which
replaces a section of lawn in front of 1138 Skycrest Drive.
residents were allowed to go formal gathering areas. committee works closely with
brown. The Mutual has now re- the SolarPowered Rossmoor
In addition, the Mutual ceived approval to install Water Conservation and Land-
worked with Landscape Man- Rossmoor’s first drip irriga- scape Committees in devel-
ager Rich Perona to check the tion project and is developing a oping ideas that will not only
output of all irrigation lines, 2,500-square foot demonstra- lower water bills and add at-
changing them to match the tion garden featuring Califor- tractive landscaping but also
specific needs of plantings in nia native plants and low-water help Mutual 8 residents do
each area. Some lines were perennials. their part in getting through
turned off. Others were reduced These efforts have had a the current drought.
in flow. In more visible areas, huge pay-off. In June 2013, Mutual 8 and the other
the Mutual replaced lawn with the Mutual’s water bill was for Mutuals working hard to con-
low-water shrubs and mulch. 43,552 gallons/day. This year, serve water are to be congrat-
Two sections of lawn were con- it was cut to 18,834 gallons/ ulated. The governor should be
verted to patios to provide in- day. The Mutual’s landscape pleased.
to receive free digital service, order a
converter box or discuss ongoing customer
service issues with Comcast, Rossmoor
residents should call the following number
for help specific to Rossmoor:
1-800-407-2997
$1999 20% FREE
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