People | Contra Costa Herald

Congressman DeSaulnier announces he has leukemia, will continue to serve in office

May 7, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

On Thursday, U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA11), issued the following statement about his personal health.

“Last summer, I was diagnosed with the most common leukemia in the world, a cancer named Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). I recently completed aggressive chemotherapy. I feel fortunate that I had a positive response to this treatment, and that neither CLL nor the treatment impacted my professional work.

CLL is a chronic disorder many Americans face, which doctors liken to diabetes and hypertension. While CLL cannot currently be completely cured, incredible breakthroughs, medical advancements and cutting edge therapies are allowing it to be managed over a lifetime. As a result of these developments, there are approximately 1.2 million Americans, like myself, living long, full lives with blood cancer.

Before sharing my diagnosis, I had much to consider personally and professionally. My doctors assured me that people with CLL, myself included, could continue to work and function at a high level. The medical professionals were right; I have been able to go home every weekend, except one, logging over 170,000 miles flown, held 14 town halls, had meetings with thousands of constituents, and maintained a 99.1% voting average in my first session of Congress.

By publicly sharing my story, I hope to add my voice to the growing number of people fighting cancer and the other chronic conditions so many families confront. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of our district, and do so stronger and with a better understanding having faced this experience.”

DeSaulnier represents most of Contra Costa County in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Former Contra Costa Fair Manager, Lori Marshall becomes first woman CEO of Cow Palace

May 3, 2016 By Publisher 1 Comment

New Cow Palace CEO, Lori Marshall

The Board of Directors of the Cow Palace welcomed Lori Marshall into the role of Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2016. Her role at the historic Bay Area venue began as the Deputy Manager in July 2015, but was quickly promoted to the role of CEO when Ken Alstott, (Cow Palace CEO from April 1, 2013 – March 31, 2016), announced his retirement.

Marshall is the first woman in the 75-year history of the Cow Palace to lead the organization, and is responsible for managing the physical and fiscal over site of the facility in addition to putting on the annual signature event, the Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show and Rodeo.

The venue has a historic presence in the Bay Area, with concerts that featured legendary headliners like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Prince; and serves as a space for various expositions, consumer and trade shows, sporting events, as well as a variety of community, religious and charitable events.

“I’m excited to lead the Cow Palace as a premier destination for events in the Bay Area, and continue the tradition of producing the Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show, and Rodeo, for many years to come” said Marshall. The Cow Palace has a rich history after 75 years in the Bay Area community and I’m honored to be part of that. As a 4-H member in my youth, I used to show animals at the Junior Grand National Livestock Show, so to come back in this role is truly a full circle moment.”

Lori comes to the Cow Palace with a degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and decades of event and facility management experience. Lori grew up in Brentwood and worked for 25 years at the Contra Costa County Fair in various positions, with her last seven years as CEO.

She has served in a variety of roles within industry associations such as Western Fairs Association, International Assn. of Fairs & Expositions, and California Fairs Service Authority, in addition to participating on boards of numerous civic organizations such as the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, Knightsen School Site Council and the Contra Costa Winegrowers Association.

ABOUT THE COW PALACE – The Cow Palace promotes and showcases a variety of entertainment and events to serve the needs and reflect the cultural diversity of the community. Annually they conduct a unique event, ‘The Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show, & Rodeo’, and continues to encourage youth participation in the agricultural industry. The organization provides a well-managed, year round multi use facility for the use and enjoyment of the Bay Area and surrounding communities. The Cow Palace is located at 2600 Geneva Avenue, in Daly City. For more information visit www.cowpalace.com.

Diane Burgis receives Women Improving the Environment Award from the Contra Costa Women’s Hall of Fame

March 23, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Diane Burgis, a trustee on the East Bay Regional Parks District Board and Executive Director of Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed received the Women Improving the Environment Award from the Contra Costa Women’s Hall of Fame, Tuesday night in Concord.

The Board of Supervisors established the Contra Costa Women’s Hall of Fame in October 1997 to acknowledge those exceptional, multifaceted women who have enhanced life in Contra Costa County through their careers and volunteer activities.

The honorees have made a difference through their efforts towards equity, innovation, service or achievement in commerce or community outreach.

Burgis was nominated by Susan Morgan, a Director on the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board. “Through Diane Burgis’ leadership as Executive Director of the Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed, the protection of natural resources including creeks, water quality and open space has become a priority to our community and its leaders,” said Morgan. “Much of Diane’s work has been funded part time and she was able to accomplish great things for our environment and the Watershed by working beyond her paid hours and by recruiting and encouraging support from volunteers in the community.”

Marsh Creek is one of the fastest urbanizing watersheds in California, and the creek flows for 30 miles through the rapidly growing communities of Brentwood, Oakley and Antioch in eastern Contra Costa County and into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of the many volunteers who contribute their time and talent to protecting, conserving and restoring the Marsh Creek Watershed,” said Burgis.

Burgis is a candidate for County Supervisor in District 3 in the June election. This is the second honor she has received since entering the race.

Assemblywoman Bonilla honors Clayton resident Collette Carroll as the 14th Assembly District 2016 Woman of the Year

March 16, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Collette Carroll with Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla on Assembly floor, Monday, March 14, 2016. courtesy of Susan Bonilla’s Facebook page.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) recognized Collette Carroll as the 2016 Assembly District 14 Woman of the Year during the annual floor ceremony, on Monday, March 14, which honors outstanding women making an impact in their local communities and across the state.

Collette Carroll, a resident of Clayton, California is a 2015 CNN Hero and the President and Executive Director of California Reentry Institute (CRI), a nonprofit organization that prepares and supports men through the transition from prison to freedom. Through her Empowered Reentry Program based out of San Quentin State Prison, Collette provides inmates with the tools and assistance to become contributing members of society, proving that with preparation and support, the cycle of incarceration can be broken.

“It is an honor to recognize Collette for her courageous work and its impact on California,” said Bonilla. “Her dedication, passion and commitment has transformed the lives of CRI graduates. The work she has accomplished inside and outside of our prisons for over 16 years proves that change and rehabilitation can happen when given the opportunity and support.”

In 2008, Collette created CRI when she realized the work she was doing was simply scratching the surface and that in order to make a successful transition from incarceration to freedom, men needed a solid and seamless pre-and post-release program. The comprehensive program which Collette runs inside San Quentin is a minimum 20 months and has had a remarkable, zero percent recidivism rate for all graduates of the program.

This past February, Collette held a graduation for a class of 43 and will begin a new class in late Spring. For more information about Collette and CRI, please visit: http://californiareentryinstitute.org/.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) was elected in November 2010 and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which includes Contra Costa County and Solano County.