San Ramon to celebrate Independence Day with Eagles tribute band concert
By City of San Ramon
The San Ramon Fourth of July Celebration Concert will feature The Boys of Summer, an Eagles Tribute Band, and a celebration of the City of San Ramon’s 40th Anniversary. The concert will take place tomorrow in San Ramon’s Central Park Amphitheater at 12501 Alcosta Boulevard, from 5–8 p.m.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a reading by the San Ramon Poet Laureate, followed by patriotic music performed by Olympia Fields, the brass section of the San Ramon Symphonic Band, followed by a salute and recognition of our Veterans and active-duty military personnel, and the singing of the National Anthem by San Ramon resident Sofie Donati. The headliner, The Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band, will take the stage at 6 p.m. and entertain the crowd with The Eagles’ greatest hits.
Additionally, food will be available for purchase from sweet and savory food truck vendors. The San Ramon Arts Foundation will have wine, beer, soda, and water available for purchase. Shade structures, tents, and umbrellas will only be permitted at the top of the ridge/hill to ensure lines of site remain open.
Danville to celebrate Independence Day with Kiwanis July 4th parade
Celebrating our Educators in Downtown Danville
By Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley
The Kiwanis-Danville Parade will take place on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 from 9am-noon in downtown Danville, California.
This year’s parade theme is Celebrating our Educators and our Grand Marshal is Chavonta Edington, Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley has organized and conducted the annual Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in partnership with the Town of Danville since 1975. The parade attracts 30,000-40,000 spectators each year and is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate America’s birth.
The parade is co-sponsored by the Town of Danville, supported by community groups such as the Aktion Club, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, National Charity League, and Boys Team Charity, and sponsored by local businesses and individuals (see our Sponsors page). All proceeds raised are redistributed to local nonprofits through grants issued by the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foundation (see our Grants page).
PARADE DETAILS
Date & Time
The parade will begin at 9:00am on the morning of Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, and will run 2.5 to 3 hours.
Location
The Parade will take place along Hartz Avenue and San Ramon Valley Boulevard from approximately 9am to noon, starting at San Ramon Valley High School at Railroad Avenue. The Parade route will end at Town and Country Drive like last year. The parade can be seen from either side of the street and there is always plenty of room for everyone!
Seating
Sidewalk space is available for bring-your-own-seating on a first come, first served basis after 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 3rd. Unattended seating positioned along the route prior to 6:00 p.m. are subject to removal by the Town. Parade-goers are kindly asked to respect the following:
- Do not block handicap accessible ramps on the street corners or sidewalk access. Please be mindful of those who need to use the ramps as well as local merchants and property owners along the parade route. All unattended items set-out prior to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 3rd are subject to removal. Please note that the Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley, Town of Danville, and other organizing groups are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Chalk and tape may NOT be used to reserve seating along the parade route as it creates a mess and in no way reserves your space. Volunteers and/or Town Maintenance staff may remove these markings and materials as part of the sweep.
- Please be considerate. The downtown Danville area will be very crowded before, during, and after the parade. In addition to the above requests, everyone in attendance is asked to exercise patience, consideration, and common sense throughout the event and cooperate with one another so that all can see and enjoy this great annual tradition.
Parking
Parking is available at several municipal lots including:
- Clock Tower Parking Lot
- Danville Library/Community Center Parking Lot
- Front Street Municipal Parking Lot
- Railroad Avenue Municipal Parking Lot
- Rose Street Parking Lot
- Village Theatre Parking Lot
Given the expected crowd size, parking in or near the downtown Danville area will be very limited and alternative travel arrangements such as walking or biking are strongly recommended. Parade-goers may consider parking at the Sycamore Park & Ride parking lot and use Iron Horse Trail to walk to the downtown Danville area. Accessible parking near the parade route is available at the Crossroads Shopping Center located at Hartz Way and San Ramon Valley Blvd. in the back by JD Academy Of Salon + Spa. Accessible seating along the parade route will be offered at the grandstand viewing area at Oak Court and San Ramon Valley Blvd. A golf cart shuttle will be available to transport individuals to the viewing area from the Crossroads Shopping Center.
Street Closures
The streets along and surrounding the parade route will close at approximately 6am on the day of the parade. Please arrive early and plan on parking on the outskirts of town and walking or biking to downtown Danville.
Tentatively, the following streets will be closed:
- Danville Boulevard between El Cerro Boulevard and Railroad Avenue
- Railroad Avenue between Hartz Avenue. and Love Lane
- La Gonda Way between El Cerro Boulevard and Danville Boulevard
- Prospect Avenue between Hartz Avenue and Front Street
- East Linda Mesa Avenue between Hartz Avenue and the Rose Street Parking Lot
- Hartz Avenue between Railroad Avenue and Hartz Way
- San Ramon Valley Boulevard between Hartz Way and Town and Country Drive
- Town and Country Drive between San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Sheri Lane
Through traffic may utilize Danville Boulevard from north of El Cerro Boulevard and San Ramon Valley Boulevard south of Sycamore Valley Road West. The parking lots for Danville Town and Country, Danville Livery, and Sycamore Square will be open and accessible.
Animals
Due to noise, crowds, heat, the presence of young children, and nature of the event, we do not advise bringing non-service animals to the parade.
Refreshments
Some businesses in the downtown Danville area will be open during the parade and may offer food and beverages for purchase. Street vendors are not permitted. Parade-goers are encouraged to bring refreshments with them to the parade.
Per Town of Danville ordinances, consumption of alcohol in a non-designated area is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Promotional Items
Many parade entrants choose to distribute promotional items to parade-goers along the parade route. While we welcome this tradition, please note that parade entrants are only permitted to hand items out during the parade, and entrants are NOT PERMITTED to throw items under any circumstances. Spraying water is also strictly prohibited.
We ask members of the community to assist entrants in abiding by these important rules by not encouraging the throwing of items or spraying of water during the parade.
Public Safety
In addition to the safety tips provided throughout this page, the Danville Police Department requests the community’s assistance in reporting any suspicious activity: If you see something, say something.
Please report any suspicious activity to law enforcement personnel patrolling the parade route. If you cannot locate an officer and feel something constitutes a safety hazard and should be dealt with immediately, call 911. If you feel what you are seeing does not need an immediate response, you can contact the Danville Police Department’s non-emergency number, (925) 820-2144.
For more information click here.
Alamo man charged with running $39 million Ponzi scheme
Derek Vincent Chu faces up to 20 years in prison and $250K fine for each count of wire fraud
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Derek Vincent Chu, charging him with crimes related to an alleged $39 million Ponzi scheme involving over 100 victims, on April 26, 2023, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.
According to the indictment, between late 2013 and 2020, Chu, 41, of Alamo, Calif., used several companies to raise $39 million by fraudulently soliciting investments in the purchase and resale of professional basketball tickets and luxury suites at Oracle Arena, in Oakland, California; the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California; and the Chase Center, in San Francisco, California. The indictment further alleges that Chu induced investors by making numerous materially false misrepresentations, including how the investor funds would be used, how investors would be repaid, and whether the investments were secured by collateral.
According to the allegations in the indictment, Chu commingled the investors’ money between his own personal accounts and his companies’ accounts, which resulted in investor money being used to repay other, earlier investors, and for other unrelated expenses. Furthermore, the indictment alleges that Chu misappropriated and diverted more than $7.3 million of investor funds for his own personal benefit, which included paying credit card debts; making cash withdrawals; paying for travel, luxury automobile and jewelry purchases; and paying utilities bills, among other things.
The indictment charges Chu with eight counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 2, and three counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1957 and 2.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Each wire fraud count has a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine in the amount of $250,000. Each money-laundering count has a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine in the amount of $250,000. The court also may order a term of supervised release, fines or other assessments, restitution, and forfeiture, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Chu was arrested this morning and made an initial appearance before the Hon. Laurel Beeler, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. Chu’s next appearance is scheduled before Judge Beeler on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, for appearance of counsel.
The Special Prosecutions Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the San Francisco Police Department.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California’s victim specialists by email at: USACAN.DCVictimAsst@usdoj.gov.
Opinion: The importance of early civic engagement for teens
Anay Pant during his video presentation for the 2023 Youth Hall of Fame Awards. Video screenshot.
By Anay Pant
Last year I participated as a High School student poll worker in the 2022 November Midterm elections. This was the first time I felt civically engaged practicing democracy in some form in my country. In a couple of years, I can cast my vote!
Historically, youth voter turnout has stayed around the 25% mark in the USA. It does not indicate that the youth are averse to voting, however studies show that there are structural barriers for youth to participate.
One such barrier is early education and awareness. The USA high school curriculum requires at least 1 semester of American Government class. Topics include the constitutional framework, federalism, the three branches of government, bureaucracy, civil rights and liberties, political participation and behavior, and policy formation. However, the content is not realized in an interactive way, as most students stop at reading a few chapters or watching a documentary.
The reason I got inspired and action oriented was due to my teacher. My teacher gave us practical opportunities such as forums to hear from and interact with our elected representatives e.g., Rep. Mike Thomspon (CA-4), Monica Tranel (MT-02 runner up) and authors such as Mick Rappaport, who have written extensively on the subject. We had lively discussions in class and homework assignments that did not feel like regular homework. We spoke about current events such as the Nov 2022 midterms, and the importance of student poll workers. I only wish I had been exposed to this subject and my teacher much earlier.
Another structural barrier is the individual themselves. At home, early civic education largely depends on the motivation of parents and children’s interest in the subject. Most teens spend little time (<120 minutes per day in the USA) with parents due to the many engagements and distractions.
Teens are constantly occupied (I know it firsthand!) with daily activities such as schoolwork, sports, after school clubs, internships, hobbies, spending time with friends, social relationships, college admissions planning etc. It is also a period of emotional growth and hormonal changes with ups and downs and mood swings. A smartphone is perhaps the biggest time sink. Research shows that 95% of US teens have access to smartphones today.
I am a second generation American, with interest in the subject. However, my parents are not well versed in this subject and are themselves learning their civic duties. Therefore, for the 7.2 million second-generation Americans, civic education at school might be the only option.
As an example, as a Junior, I spend about an hour with my parents daily, maybe two on weekends. Our conversation is usually about academics, family, sports, our pet dog, a movie or food. In my case, my dad and I share a love of history and politics, so we occasionally talk about WWII or political satire from Saturday Night Live or John Oliver. For a second-generation teen like me, school becomes the most important and sometimes the only resource for civic education.
Considering these barriers, it makes sense to start civic education and engagement much earlier. I can also attest through experience that:
- Middle schoolers have more time than High Schoolers
- Middle schoolers are at the age where they start to form their own opinions about the world around them. Giving them a chance to get involved in their community can help them develop a sense of duty, ownership and responsibility.
Why is this so important?
It is important for each individual to understand their civic duty and make it a habit to vote. The habit should be inculcated in the younger years. Over time when diverse voices from all walks of life exercise their right to vote, it will lead to an equitable and just democracy that most communities can benefit from.
In the 2022 mid-terms, the youth (ages 18-24) turnout was the second highest in three decades6 and quite impactful. Young people across the country had their voices heard and were able to support causes they cared about. According to a Harvard poll around 40% of young voters indicated that they would vote in the election. Overall, around 27% youth ballots that were issued were cast in total.
So, in conclusion I urge my readers to advocate for civic education in Middle School and share the tips below with your school boards and community leaders.
What can schools do
- Start civics education early – in middle school
- Encourage students to participate as volunteers in polling stations – local or state-level
- Expose students to experts, community leaders, and other activists
- Allow students to organize and run creative programs such as podcasts, talks
- Recognize students who participate in civic engagement programs
What can communities (Non-Profits, Community Leaders) do
- Community leaders can create educational programs e.g. field visits to city hall, high courts, etc.
- Recognize students who participate in Civic engagement programs
- Nonprofits e.g. Campus Votes could expand their college programs to create school specific programs as well.
I would also love to hear more tips from the readers!
Research Links
[3] https://www.financialsamurai.com/the-average-amount-of-time-parents-spend-with-their-kids-a-day/
[4] https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/
[5] https://cis.org/Report/ForeignBorn-Population-Hits-Nearly-48-Million-September-2022
[6] https://circle.tufts.edu/2022-election-center#youth-turnout-second-highest-in-last-three-decades
[7] https://iop.harvard.edu/fall-2022-harvard-youth-poll
[8] https://www.campusvoteproject.org/
About Anay Pant
I am a Junior at The Athenian High School in Danville, California. I got interested in civic engagement during the American Politics class I took last semester. The class had a profound effect on me. I was motivated to participate as a student poll worker in the Nov 2022 midterms. I wanted to continue with finding ways to motivate my peers to become aware and action oriented. I launched a civic engagement platform called Qrated (https://qrated.weblium.site/) last year with some success. I am working towards finding avenues to help me outreach my platform
On April 4th, I was awarded the Contra Costa County – Youth Hall of Fame Awards for Leadership & Civic Engagement by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. (See related article here)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anay-pant/
Park District acquires 768 acres next to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Mt. Diablo State Park
Finley Road ranch property in the Danville area. Photo: EBRPD
Finley Road ranch property
By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District has purchased the 768-acre Finley Road ranch property located in Contra Costa County at the western edge of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and the southern edge of Mount Diablo State Park. The acquisition preserves forever one of the largest remaining pristine open spaces adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park. The property was officially acquired on April 24, 2023. Park District board of directors voted to authorize purchase of the property on March 7, 2023.
“The acquisition is an important step toward a long-desired staging area at the end of Finley Road,” said Park District Board Director John Mercurio. “Access to western Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and southern Mount Diablo State Park has been limited over the years and this property is an important step toward improving public access.”
The Finley Road Ranch property includes a flat, accessible area for a potential staging area that would provide access to the property and significantly improve public access to the Park District’s Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and the adjacent Mount Diablo State Park.
Finley Road ranch map. Source: EBRPD
“The Park District thanks our partners for their contributions toward the acquisition, including the California Coastal Conservancy and Save Mount Diablo,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “The acquisition supports the Park District’s mission of habitat preservation and providing public access for recreation, and furthers California’s 30×30 Initiative goal of conserving 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.”
The Park District is a supporter of the state’s 30×30 Initiative and participates in the initiative’s partnership coordinating committee, which works toward implementing the policies of the 30×30 Initiative and facilitates coordination among state and federal public agencies, tribal partners, and other non-governmental partners.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Danville resident Alan Kalin among Bay Area 2023 Bike Champion of the Year Winners
Danville cyclist Alan Kalin on the road up Mt. Diablo. Photo: MTC
Bike Month begins May 1, Bike to Wherever Days all month, Bike to Work Day is May 18
Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days (BTWD) organizers have named the winners of the 2023 Bike Champion of the Year (BCOY) awards. Given to individuals for inspiring bicycling in their Bay Area communities, this award recognizes riders in the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties for their commitment to cycling as the primary mode of transport.
Here are the 2023 Bike Champion of the Year award winners:
- Contra Costa County: Alan Kalin, who almost single handedly made bicycling on Mount Diablo safer through a first-of-its-kind project that has become a model for biking safety across the nation.
- Alameda County: Demorea “Truckie” Evans, part of Oakland’s Roll Out Crew, believes that “It’s going to take all of us to see the change that we desire to see.”
- Marin County: Dave Rhoads actively volunteers with the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) and advocated for safer bicycle infrastructure and the use of bicycles as a means of transportation.
- Napa County (co-winners): Violet Grove, our youngest champions ever at age 13 and a great inspiration for the future, and Donal O’Briain, who started riding his bike for transportation just about the age of Violet and has never stopped pedaling or advocating for bicycles.
- San Francisco County: Hansel Palarca-Reiva, who learned to bike as an adult during the pandemic. “I know that learning to ride as an adult can be terrifying, embarrassing, and intimidating,” he said. “But the joy that awaits you is truly worth the struggle, and I say all this from personal experience.”
- San Mateo County: Marin Holt founded Coastside on Bikes, connecting people who need bikes to people who have bikes that need a new home – over 200 bikes to date!
- Santa Clara County: April Beyersdorf is this year’s second youngest rider as a junior in high school, and the founder of her school’s Sustainable Commuting Club. The club’s mission is to encourage other students to feel confident biking and taking public transit, with a goal of reducing traffic congestion and protecting the environment.
- Solano County: Robert “Bob” Haran, who was inspired by the kids in “Spanky and Our Gang” at age 10 to start riding and hasn’t looked back since.
- Sonoma County: Bill Petty says his morning bike commute is better than coffee, and he brings that enthusiasm to his participation as a Climate Rider with Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s Green Fondo fundraising team and weekly rider with the Santa Rosa Taco Tuesday Ride.
About the Contra Costa County Winner
Alan Kalin’s passion for cycling isn’t just about the ride. “My story is one of dogged determination to prevent collisions and save lives on the roads of Mount Diablo,” says Alan. A Danville resident and Bay Area native, he started riding Mount Diablo three days a week in 2010 after he retired. He grew alarmed by the ambulances and medivac helicopters that were too often seen transporting cyclists off the mountain. Seeing that little was being done to prevent bike vs. car collisions, he set to work.
Alan started by first establishing the Mount Diablo Cyclists and analyzing hundreds of traffic reports.
Using the data and his own experiences on the mountain, he recognized that the accidents were largely occurring on or near blind curves. Picturing an old county road with car turnouts, Alan envisioned a solution that would separate cyclists from the cars with bike turnouts. He became a driving force behind the now 45 turnouts that give bicyclists safe harbor as they ride the 11-mile Summit Road on Mount Diablo. With its resulting 80% reduction in collisions, the first-of-its-kind project has become a model for biking safety across the nation.
But he isn’t done yet. Alan continues his advocacy and fundraising efforts to finish Phase II of the Bike Turnout Project in honor of friend and fellow cyclist Joe Shami who was killed in a collision in 2021. This phase will add the final 43 turnouts called for in the safety plan. He’s also working to redesign the Lafayette roundabout that was the site of his friend’s death and is involved in numerous projects as the Chairman of the Bike Danville Bicycle Advisory Commission.
“Cycling is about the people you meet and the journey,” Alan says. He loves that every ride is different, and that he is part of an ever-growing community of cyclists in Contra Costa County that take care of each other. He still loves riding today as much as he did when he was a kid, remembering fondly that back then “Mount Diablo felt like just a big hill,” and a train still ran on the Iron Horse Trail.
Full details about the winners can be found here.
Each winner will receive a Public Bikes handlebar bag from Mike’s Bikes, a $50 gift card from Sports Basement, a laminated, boxed set of San Francisco Bay Trail map cards from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)/Bay Trail, and a picnic/stadium blanket from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
Photo by Noah Berger
Don’t miss Bike to Wherever Days during the entire month of May, as well as Bike to Work Day on May 18! Details can be found online at Bayareabiketowork.com. Follow us on Facebook at @biketoworkday, Twitter @BikeToWorkSFBay, and Instagram @biketoworkday_bayarea.
Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days is presented by MTC (the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area), 511 (the region’s traveler information system), Amazon, and Stanford Medicine. BTWD 2022 also receives regional support from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), as well as from many sponsors at the local level. Prizes for the Bike Champion of the Year winners were donated by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), MTC, Sports Basement, and Mike’s Bikes.
Autonomous shuttle service opens to the public at San Ramon’s Bishop Ranch
Presto vehicle on the move at Bishop Ranch. Photos: CCTA
CCTA announces first in Bay Area free service to enhance mobility for both work and play
By Linsey Willis, Director of External Affairs, Contra Costa Transportation Authority
SAN RAMON, CA – Yesterday, Monday, April 24, 2023, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) launched the Bay Area’s first autonomous shuttle program to be open to the public. The Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program will run through fall 2023, providing free, electric shuttles to four key destinations within Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California. CCTA’s groundbreaking program will be available to the community Monday through Friday from 7:30am – 5:30pm. This marks the launch of CCTA’s PRESTO — a new suite of mobility options that will include bike share, scooter share, and express bus service in addition to autonomous shuttles. PRESTO will prepare the Bay Area for the future of transportation and increase transit options for all, including transportation-challenged and underserved communities in Contra Costa County.
“We’re excited to be able to provide the public with free access to these zero-emission, low-speed, autonomous shuttles. The service can help cut down on harmful emissions, reduce congestion on our roads, and create a new, accessible connection to transportation hubs throughout Contra Costa County, and we’re grateful to Bishop Ranch and the city of San Ramon for sharing our vision of a brighter future for the county,” said CCTA Board Chair Federal Glover.
CCTA’s partnership with Bishop Ranch allows campus employees and anyone from the public to experience the safe and accessible service that autonomous shuttles offer. Bishop Ranch’s 30,000 employees and miles of private roadways, bisected by public roads, make it an ideal location for the program’s launch. The program is funded in part by an $8 million grant award from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) program.
“We are proud to be a part of such a beneficial project and we look forward to seeing members of the community trying out PRESTO here on Bishop Ranch,” said Alex Mehran Jr., President and CEO of Bishop Ranch by Sunset Development Company. “CCTA is bringing impactful innovation to the everyday lives of people and will help positively impact how we all get around.”
Celebrating the new autonomous shuttle are (L-R) CCTA Board Member and Danville Town Council Vice Mayor Karen Stepper, BEEP, Inc. CEO Joe Moye, CCTA Executive Director Tim Haile, San Ramon Vice Mayor Mark Armstrong, CCTA Board Member and Pleasant Hill City Council Member Sue Noack, CCTA Board Vice Chair and Danville Town Council Member Newell Arnerich, CCTA Board Member and Hercules City Council Member Chris Kelley, Jennifer Rizzo of Senator Glazer’s office, Gayle Israel of Supervisor Candace Andersen’s office, Concord City Council Member Dominic Aliano also of Senator Glazer’s office, and Alexander Mehran Jr., CEO and President of Bishop Ranch by Sunset Development Company.
CCTA is also partnering with Beep, which specializes in testing autonomous shuttles to create and manage stress-free and self-sufficient autonomous mobility solutions. Beep has tested autonomous shuttles around the country, including in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and even at Yellowstone National Park. PRESTO shuttles do not have drivers, pedals, or a steering wheel, but an attendant is always on board to make sure riders have a safe and pleasant experience. The Beep Command Center also remotely monitors the shuttles at all times to ensure the shuttles are operating safely
“It’s an honor to partner with CCTA to deliver autonomous mobility solutions to Bishop Ranch,” said Joe Moye, Beep CEO. “CCTA shares our commitment to bringing these innovative technologies to communities to test how shared autonomous mobility can transform how we access goods and services. Our autonomous shuttles in San Ramon will provide all members of the community access to key destinations and opportunities at Bishop Ranch.”
The Bishop Ranch PRESTO shuttle will take passengers along a route with four stops throughout Bishop Ranch and City Center. PRESTO shuttles hold up to eight passengers plus an attendant and have a maximum speed limit of 15 miles per hour. The service is family-friendly, but riders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. More information on how to use the shuttles can be found at ridePRESTO.com.
The Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program will help CCTA develop services that could soon provide transit solutions in office parks, campuses, suburbs, and town centers. Just as CCTA’s INNOVATE 680 program aims to connect the I-680 corridor through seamless, efficient, and accessible modes of travel, this latest deployment is another example of how CCTA is bringing the future of transportation to Contra Costa County and the greater Bay Area.
CCTA plans to bring shuttles to several public events across the county this summer to make it easier for people to see and experience autonomous shuttles first-hand.
About Beep
Beep delivers the next generation of autonomous, shared mobility solutions through its software and services. Specializing in planning, deploying and managing autonomous shuttles for private and public communities, Beep safely connects people, places and services with autonomous networks that reduce congestion, eliminate carbon emissions, improve road safety and enable mobility for all. Beep leverages the data and learnings from its deployments to enhance and advance the safety, experience and operating capabilities of autonomous platforms. For more information visit ridebeep.com.
About Bishop Ranch
Owned and developed by Sunset Development since 1978, the family-operated company is guided by the long-held vision of making Bishop Ranch a distinct Californian community. Spread across 600 acres in Northern California’s San Ramon Valley, Bishop Ranch is where community, commerce and culture collide to create a thriving, walkable downtown for the city of San Ramon and a significant job center for the region. At its core, the 10-million-square-foot, next-generation workplace is one of the country’s largest office campuses and home to 30,000 employees and a dynamic mix of more than 600 businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, local startups and everything in between. With an award-winning transit program and a deep commitment to sustainability, Bishop Ranch aims to be the largest distributed power generation site in the world with 80% of its energy produced on-site by solar.
The heartbeat of Bishop Ranch is City Center, a $300 million, 300,000-square-foot, open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination. With its range of nearly 60 distinctive retailers and notable restaurants – including The Slanted Door, LB Steak, Boba Guys and Fieldwork Brewing Company — along with Equinox Fitness, the luxurious LOT Cinema and the inviting public square, City Center is a unique and ever-popular gathering place. From art and music events to a thriving farmers’ market, City Center is the destination for social and cultural experiences.
With an unwavering commitment to build a walkable downtown, Bishop Ranch will soon introduce several distinctive residential communities, eventually numbering some 6,000 homes. Also planned is a new boutique hotel, as well as restaurant and retail options throughout the various neighborhoods. For more information, visit BishopRanch.com.
About the Contra Costa Transportation Authority
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. With a staff of twenty people managing a multibillion-dollar suite of projects and programs, CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.
First San Ramon Valley InterFaith EarthFest April 23
See Hope – Seed Change theme
By Barb Kusha, Interfaith – San Ramon Valley
Interfaith – San Ramon Valley (I-SRV) and the Town of Danville have partnered to launch a fresh kind of Earth Day celebration, one focused on what is working right here, instead of on the gloomy eco-forecast. Its goals are to provide inspiration and to spur behavior change and ongoing commitment to sustainability as a way of life through recognizing and honoring our sacred relationship to nature.
The first annual InterFaith EarthFest, See Hope – Seed Change, celebration will bring together the San Ramon Valley’s interfaith community along with civic leaders, students, environmental, and community groups to channel their collective energies for the common purpose of moving toward a more responsible relationship with the planet. “Through an afternoon of ritual, art, music, pop-up speakers, booths, eco-activities and ceremony, the partnering groups and participants will draw hope from one another and inspire ongoing commitment to local action,” says Rabbi Dan Goldblatt of Beth Chaim.
“This new partnership is a big deal,” notes Pastor Steve Harms of Peace Lutheran Church. “The town’s leaders are coming together with religious leaders and the public and various interfaith congregants for the express purpose of meeting our urgent environmental issues head on with combined resources, ideas and energies. It has created a wonderful synergy of resolve and devotion.”
The event is Sunday, April 23, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville. It is free and open to the public. Parking is limited, but more is available at nearby commercial shopping plazas.
InterFaith – San Ramon Valley has been around for nearly 20 years, and includes members from many faith traditions. Participants in the InterFaith EarthFest include representatives from the following groups: Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, LDS, Muslim, Sihk, Sufi, and Taoist.
The afternoon will also include:
- youth chorus group, drumming and dance performances
- specially-curated art exhibit from local students and makers
- kids activities, food, and booths
- break-out sessions for in-depth learning
- labyrinth walks
- special displays of sacred texts from participating faiths that speak to the divine obligation we all share to preserve nature
Community partners for the event include Save Mount Diablo, Sustainable Contra Costa, Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), San Ramon Valley Unified School District, The Crayon Initiative, Cool the Earth, White Pony Express, Central Sanitation District, Republic Services, Rewire Community, SOJA and others.
EkoLinq, a Tri-Valley based recycling company, will collect for resale and recycling, on the spot free of charge unwanted textiles of all types including clothes, towels and sheets, from gently-used to rags.
About Interfaith – San Ramon Valley
I-SRV is a community group of diverse faith congregations from across the valley who are committed to learning, sharing, listening, and acting together. Learn more at https://www.interfaithsrv.org.
St. Patrick’s Day Concert in San Ramon Friday night March 17
The San Ramon Community Chorus is performing a free St. Patrick‘s Day Concert on Friday, March 17 start at 7:00pm at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center at 9300 Alcosta Blvd. This annual show will also feature performances by the McBride School of Irish Dance. We hope to see you there!
Source: YouTube video screenshot
Source: McBride School of Irish Dance
The Community Chorus is open to those who enjoy recreational singing in a friendly, stress-free atmosphere. We sing familiar tunes from Broadway classics and folk. No experience or auditions are required. Sessions end with a performance (optional participation).
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