Vol. I, Number 13 • October 26, 2009 www.trivalleyviews.com

Happy campers: The Taylor Family Foundation needs help in sending kids to camp. Page 5

Cuts lead to closure: Tight budgets lead Dublin San Ramon Services District, Pleasanton court to limit hours. Page 6

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TriValley Views • October 26, 2009 • Page 3

Around the tri-VAlley

By JeB Bing

Early anxiety over the swine flu has waned a bit primarily because the large numbers

of flu-like illnesses being reported are just that: typical influenza that we deal with every year. It’s early for a flu outbreak, which usually comes in the late fall/early winter time frame. This year’s outbreak is catching many before we’ve gotten our annual flu shots although the lines at grocery and drug stores and other locations that are providing the shots show that we’re lifting our shirtsleeves quickly to gain protection from the disease. Flu is nothing to slough off. A typical flu outbreak kills about 36,000 people each year in the U.S., with most victims already suffering from other health complications. Now, with the weather getting cooler and people spending more time indoors, germs flourish, infections spread more easily and the worst may be yet to come.

That’s especially true in our schools in the Tri-Valley, where we’re seeing an increase in the number of students who are absent due to reported flu-like symptoms. Elementary schools are reporting a higher number of absences due to flu-like symptoms. Families with children in individual elementary classrooms that find five or more students are home with the flu are being notified by their teach-ers. At middle and high schools, the principals are notifying families if there are more than 20 students with these symptoms at a grade level. No one really knows if any of these cases are the H1N1 virus since most suspected cases of the swine flu have been mild or moderate, hardly dis-tinguishable from the typical flu, which, as we all know, can be bad enough. That’s why everyone should have a regular flu shot as soon as possible and then consider the H1N1 vaccination when it becomes avail-able.

Health experts tell us that virus-

es are unpredictable and adapt-able, and a mild strain can mutate into something that packs a nasty punch. Anyone in the family who travels should be especially vigi-lant since some countries — India, for one — are shutting down col-leges, schools, movie theaters and other places where people con-gregate to help contain the H1N1 and other flu outbreaks. Last June, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, a super-epi-demic, although again, it’s unclear if it was a typical flu or H1N1 epidemic. Adding to the uncer-tainty was a report by a presiden-tial advisory group in August of a “plausible scenario” in which a swine flu epidemic could cause up to 90,000 deaths, three times the number felled in a typical flu sea-son. Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention countered that the toll would most likely not approach that number.

Clearly, as we are already seeing in our public schools, this could be a worse-than-average flu season, which is why so many of us are rushing to have the shots. It’s the second time around for the flu con-cerns. In the initial outbreaks last spring, several schools closed in neighboring counties, although not in Alameda, and there were two-to-three suspected H1N1 cases in Pleasanton, although those turned out to be typical flu illnesses. In New York, where the outbreak was the biggest, 800,000 New Yorkers, or about 10 percent of the city’s population, developed symptoms attributed to the swine flu virus.

Here, students were barely at their desks for the new school year before teachers, school nurses and others started lecturing them on the neces-sity to wash their hands often, use sanitizers that schools are now pro-viding and cover their mouths when coughing. This is good because, as the Brooking Institution reported last month, closing schools and day care centers across the country because of swine flu could cost between $10 billion and $47 bil-lion in lost revenue, salaries and unscheduled time off for parents who also must stay home to care for children who are out of school. n

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ABOUT THE COVER From L-R: Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartipi, Alameda County Congestion Management Agency Executive Director Dennis Fay and Congressman Jerry McNerney experience the new HOV lane along eastbound I-580 on a WHEELS bus ride taken after the ceremony. Photo by Janet Pelletier.

Page 4 • October 26, 2009 • TriValley Views

BY JANET PELLETIER City leaders and elected offi-

cials recently lauded transportation improvements that are expected to bring some relief to the 150,000 people who commute daily on Interstate I-580.

The California Department of Transportation held a ceremony in Livermore earlier this month for the completion of five miles of what is planned to be an 11-mile high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on eastbound I-580.

The $123-million project, which broke ground in August 2008, is being funded by state Proposition 1B, a transportation bond passed by voters in 2006.

This is the first in a three-phase project. The first segment runs from the Portola Road overcross-ing to Greenville Road. The second phase will be from Hacienda Drive in Pleasanton east to Portola and the final phase will include the construction of auxiliary lanes from Isabel Avenue to North Livermore Avenue and from North Livermore Avenue to First Street.

The HOV lane is anticipated to shave time off of motorists’ com-mutes as well as encourage car-pooling. Interstate 580 is one of the most congested freeways in the Bay Area. The eastbound com-mute in the evening is the third worst, and the worst on a per-mile basis, according to a study by Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty praised all who worked on the project, saying it came in on time and within budget.

“I drive out on this road every day and I’m looking forward to

using it,” he said. Haggerty said the carpool lane

will not only improve congestion, but also air quality. The HOV lane is just one of a few improvements made in the past year to help ease traffic backup in the morn-ings and early evening weekdays. Metering lights that were installed at on-ramps along I-580 “are saving 10, 15, 20 minutes on (motorists’) commute times,” he said.

While the HOV lane is for carpool-ers, solo drivers will be able to use the express lane by paying a toll.

Congressman Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, whose district includes the I-580 corridor, helped secure federal funding for the proj-ect and said the freeway is very important to national trade.

“This is a true corridor,” he said. “It opens the Bay Area to the rest of the country, Stockton. The more we keep this flowing, the more it benefits the country.”

State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, echoed McNerney’s comments, adding that the population in the Tri-Valley region has grown from west to east and as a result, I-580 has become a parking lot during the commute periods.

“One of the greatest challenges we have ... is getting people from point A to point B,” she said, add-ing that this will benefit the move-ment of goods with the Port of Oakland, the third largest port in the state, and the Port of Stockton, the fourth largest. ■

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From L-R: Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartipi, Alameda County Congestion Management Agency Executive Director Dennis Fay and Congressman Jerry McNerney experience the new HOV lane along eastbound I-580 on a WHEELS bus ride taken after the ceremony.

TriValley Views • October 26, 2009 • Page 5

BY JANET PELLETIER A lawsuit filed by a patients’

rights group against ValleyCare Health System may possibly be headed to trial.

The Patient Physician Alliance, which bills itself as a grassroots orga-nization based in Berkeley, states in its claim that ValleyCare, which operates a hospital in Pleasanton and medical offices in Livermore, “has hired doc-tors through an illegally formed entity in violation of state law.”

In its claim, filed in Alameda County Sept. 2, the alliance said ValleyCare must have 40 participat-ing doctors in 10 different specialties in accordance with state law. The suit also alleges that the medical provider engages in unfair business practices.

“Specifically, the hospital is using its power to refer patients to favor its employed physicians over commu-nity doctors; it is using its real estate holdings to force doctors out of their offices and ultimately out of private

practice altogether as a means of recruiting physicians into the hospi-tal’s controlled group,” said Charles Bond, an attorney representing the Patient-Physician Alliance.

Bond said because of this, patients will have less choice as to who cares for them.

“The hospital is using unfair strong-arm tactics to drive private physicians out of business so the hospital can take over the entire delivery of health care in the area,” he said.

The alliance had sought a restrain-ing order forcing ValleyCare to close its medical foundation clinic imme-diately, but an Alameda County judge denied its request Sept. 18, ordering the suit to go to trial.

For its part, ValleyCare denies an impropriety and said the accusa-tions are just that — accusations.

“The lobbying organization sought to convince the court that the medical foundation was not

operating in compliance with a stat-ute that exempts the medical foun-dation from clinic licensure require-ments as a clinic that contracts with a group of 40 or more physicians,” ValleyCare spokeswoman Denise Bouillerce said in a statement.

Bouillerce said the medical foun-dation does comply — its 41 doc-tors are associated with ValleyCare Physicians Associates, which is an independent medical group owned and controlled by physicians who practice in the Tri-Valley.

ValleyCare, a nonprofit health provider, has been operating in the region since 1961.

The Patient Physician’s Alliance filed an amended complaint late last month to challenge the judge’s ruling. A case management confer-ence to go over matters in the case has been scheduled tentatively for Jan. 15 and at that point, the judge will decide whether the case will go to trial and when. ■

Lawsuit against ValleyCare Health System may head to trial

Patients’ rights group claims health organizationhas monopoly on providing medical care

BY EMILY WEST For kids attending Camp Arroyo

in Livermore, it’s not just about having fun at summer camp, it’s about feeling normal. Run by the Taylor Family Foundation, it serves kids with special needs who may not normally have a chance to have the classic childhood experience.

Ellen Taylor, president and founder of TTFF, said the bonds campers create during a summer or weekend camp continue beyond the limits of Camp Arroyo.

“We want these kids to come together and learn from each other,” she said. “They can build a sense of community, hope and awareness.”

It’s also helpful for the family members, with parents able to access information on topics like insurance and siblings connecting with other siblings to lean on each other.

Founded in 1990, the foundation offers programs for kids with life-threatening and chronic diseases, developmental disabilities and those who are at-risk. Camps are held at Camp Arroyo, located near Lake del Valle in southeastern Livermore. The facility started in 2000 in a part-nership with the East Bay Regional Park District and is co-operated by the YMCA of the East Bay.

Children come from all over Northern California with afflictions such as brain tumors, skin disease, diabetes, AIDS and burn survivors, to name a few, are able to come together and have carefree fun. While medical treatments and equipment could prevent these children from attending a typical camp, the facilities at Camp Arroyo have been designed to accommodate the campers.

In listing some of the more popu-lar activities, Taylor said swimming

in the 3,500-square-foot adapted pool is up there, along with the rock wall for climbing, ropes course, horse program, activities in the meadow, and skit and talent nights at the amphitheater.

“Each group brings in their own activities,” Taylor said, mentioning casino night with jelly beans to pirate nights. “Every group has a dance night, which may be the most fun. Some are like proms because some children are so sick that they may never go to the prom.”

Yet, times are tough for area non-profits and TTFF is not immune. Earlier this year, Taylor announced the cancellation of their popular fundraiser, Day in the Park. The down economy would make it dif-ficult for restaurants to participate, as many of them are no longer in business.

Without strong financial support

as in years past, the foundation has had to reduce staffing in order not to affect the program offerings, which are still in high demand.

Taylor said the camp calendar is booked through 2011 and said they will continue to find ways for the nearly 3,000 campers they serve each year to be able to attend. Right now, the effort is being made through their latest fundraising effort called Kids-to-Camp. The foundation is seeking donations big or small to provide direct services to campers.

“Now is the time we need dona-tions the most, to provide our nearly 3,000 Bay Area campers the best time of their lives, so they can enjoy our camp and provide a respite time for almost 6,000 par-ents of the campers,” she said.

To learn more about the Taylor Family Foundation or to donate, call 455-5118 or visit www.ttff.org. ■

Embracing childhoodThe Taylor Family Foundation seeks help in sending kids to camp

THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION

At Camp Arroyo kids with special needs are able to put those aside to be a kid. Put on by the Taylor Family Foundation, these camps include activities such as water games on the meadow, skit and talent nights in the amphitheater, rock climbing and swimming, just to name a few.

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Page 6 • October 26, 2009 • TriValley Views

The Dublin San Ramon Services District in Dublin and Alameda County Courthouse in Pleasanton are two agencies joining a growing number of others in planned clo-sures to save money amidst budget cuts.

The DSRSD administrative office is now being closed on alternate Fridays through September of next year. The district has reduced operating expenses by laying off employees and asking others to take unpaid time off. Closing the office every other Friday enables the district to schedule employee furloughs efficiently, provide a predictable schedule for custom-

ers, and reduce heating and air conditioning costs, according to General Manager Bert Michalczyk.

The administrative office, located at 7051 Dublin Blvd., will be closed on the following Fridays and holidays during the remainder of 2009: Oct. 30; Nov. 13, 26 and 27; and Dec. 11 and 25. The alter-nate Friday closures will continue through September 2010.

The Dublin San Ramon Services District serves more than 143,000 customers, providing water service to Dublin and Dougherty Valley and wastewater collection and treatment to Dublin, south San Ramon, and Pleasanton (by con-

tract). For more information, visit www.dsrsd.com.

A budget-cutting plan to close all California courts one day per month went into effect for the first time last month, including the Alameda County Courthouse in Pleasanton.

The closures on the third Wednesday of each month will apply to all state courts, including the trial-level superior courts of 58 counties, six regional appeals courts and the California Supreme Court. The plan was approved by the California Judicial Council, the governing body of the state court system, in July. The shutdowns

will continue until the end of the fiscal year in June 2010, but will be reconsidered by the council in January.

The closure days will be treated as holidays for purposes of calcu-lating court deadlines. As on holi-days and weekends, one judge in each court will be available to sign emergency orders. The council was authorized by the state Legislature to select a method of closing courts one day per month to cut costs during the state’s budget crisis.

The remaining closure days in the current fiscal year will be Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 19 and June 16.

Area agencies plan closures due to budget cuts

Axis Community Health, which provides medical, mental health, substance abuse counseling and health education services to the uninsured and underinsured, recently received two grants total-ing $35,000.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District awarded Axis Community Health $30,000 to provide direct medical and edu-cational interventions for approxi-

mately 335 patients who suffer from severe asthma. The grant will allow for one-on-one medical care that will include educational sessions, telephone advice and follow-up care from Axis’ medical staff and program nurse.

In addition, $5,000 was received from Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), the contract manager for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as part of

its 2009 LLNS Community Gift Program. The funds will provide additional medical visits for low-income Tri-Valley children who otherwise would not be able to access medical care.

“At a time when our patient load is exploding due to layoffs and the resulting increase of unin-sured people in our community, these funds are urgently needed and very much appreciated,” said

Axis CEO Sue Compton. “The Lab funding will allow us to serve more children by extending hours at our pediatric clinics and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District funding will help us to significantly improve the health of low income patients who are struggling with asthma.”

—Janet Pelletier

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TriValleyViews.comTriValleyViews.com

Dublin awardedstimulus funds

$187,000 will be used toward energyefficient lighting at city parks

Stimulus funds recently award-ed to the city of Dublin by the federal government will be used to install energy efficient lights in parks.

The funds total $186,700 and are coming in the form of a clean ener-gy project grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They were allocated by the U.S. Department of Energy to help com-munities improve energy efficiency and create local jobs.

Rosemary Alex, who is Dublin’s parks and facilities development coordinator, said the city is plan-ning to use the money in two or three of the following parks: Alamo Creek, Shannon, Kolb, Dolan and Mape.

Specifically, the city will embark on an LED light retrofit project that will help reduce municipal energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by replacing older public lighting within the parks with newer and more efficient lighting technology.

“The LED lights are more energy efficient, so it will reduce our cost of energy consumption over the long term, thus saving money,” Alex said.

“By choosing to conduct an ener-gy efficiency project within city parks, the project will be visible to the community and provide envi-

ronmental and safety benefits to all Dublin residents,” Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti said. “It is anticipat-ed that the project’s visibility will increase interest in more energy efficient practices elsewhere within the city.”

Alex said design work would most likely begin after the first of the year.

“I would anticipate construction to begin sometime next summer and fall,” she said. ■

“The city is planning to use the money in two or three of the follow-ing parks: Alamo Creek, Shannon, Kolb, Dolan and Mape.”

TriValley Views • October 26, 2009 • Page 7

Goings Ona calendar of TriValley events worth a look

Oct. 27-Dec. 1Write a Novel iN a MoNthIn this class, write more than you ever thought, learn about yourself and your writing process, gain confidence in your creativity, and pound out the rough draft of novel. It meets from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays from Oct. 27 to Dec. 1. Class is $99 and $15 for materials. Call 424-1467 or visit www.laspositascollege.edu/com-munityed.

Oct. 29tWilight of the BoMBsPulitzer Prize winner, Richard Rhodes, is the author or editor of 22 books and the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants for research and writing. He will speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Liver-more. Tickets are $30-$40 for adults and $15-$20 for students 21 and under. Call 373-6800 or visit www.livermoreperform-ingarts.org.

Oct. 31seNior health suMMitVisit with health and resource vendors at the Senior Health Summit, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Dublin Senior Center, 7600 Amador Valley Blvd., Dub-lin. Enjoy free presentations, food, music, giveaways, and sign up for raffle prizes and more. Sponsored by Palo Alto Medi-cal Foundation, Senior Helpers, and the Dublin Senior Center. Call 556-4511.

Nov. 1ChuCkles for CharityFour comedians will entertain from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 at Bunjo’s Comedy Club, 6513 Regional St., Dublin. Proceeds to benefit the Arc of Alameda County, a nonprofit that provides life-skills and vocational training to people with devel-opmental disabilities. Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Call 510-357-3727 or visit www.arcalameda.org.

Nov. 7aNiMal lover’s BoutiqueHelp Tri-Valley animals while shopping for unique gifts for people and pets, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, Feline Medical Center, 3160 Santa Rita Rd., Pleasanton. Proceeds will benefit the Just Like New Fund which assists with one-time emergency veterinary costs for sick or injured pets to prevent euthanasia due to lack of funds. Visit www.valleyhumane.org or call 484-1224.

holiday drive for operatioN: s.a.M. Remembering our Heroes Winter-Holiday Drive, sponsored by Operation: S.A.M. (Supporting All Military) will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at Pleasanton Wal-Mart, 4501 Rosewood Drive. Call 443-7620 or visit www.operationsam.org.

Nov. 11aMeriCaN red Cross puBliC Blood driveThe American Red Cross is holding a public blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Safeway Fitness Facility, 5858 Stoneridge Mall Road. Call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) or go to HelpSaveALife.org/NC (Sponsor Code: SAFEWAY84) to schedule an appoint-ment.

Nov. 16-23operatioN ChristMas Child ColleCtioNOperation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organiza-tion Samaritanís Purse, will be collected gift-filled shoe boxes to hurting children around the world. The organization hopes to collect 8.2 million boxes this year, with a goal of 50,000 for the Bay Area. CrossWinds Church, 6444 Sierra Court, will accept boxes from Nov. 16 to 23. For more information, call 800-343-1459 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

Nov. 19put a little love iN your heartThis event, supporting Open Heart Kitch-en, is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Blacksmith Square, 21 South Livermore Ave., Livermore. It features classic rock guitarist Roger Kardinal, wine tasting and appetizers, jewelry and sports memorabil-ia sales, and raffle prizes. Call 580-6793 or visit openheartkitchen.org.

Dec. 13Bay Bells — light a CaNdleBay Bells will perform a holiday concert at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Shannon Community Center, 11600 Shannon Ave., Dublin. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 12 and younger. Reservations recommended. Call 556-4500 or visit www.dublinrecguide.com (No. 21930).

OngoingNetWorkiNg eveNtCareer Networking Event for ExecutivesExecutives are invited to a Breakfast Career Networking meeting for mid- and senior-management from 7:30-9:30 a.m., on the third Tuesday of every month, at Mimi’s Cafe, 4775 Hacienda Dr., Dublin. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for non-members if pre-registered; $35 at the door. Call 218-1868.

farMers MarketIsland Earth’s farmers market is open from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays and and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays in the parking lot between Macy’s and Sears at Stoneridge Shopping Center. It features organic produce, artisan wares, fresh flowers and more. Call 415-834-5358 or visit island-earthfarmersmarket.org.

yMCa Model Court/legislatureYMCA Youth & Government program is open to high school students this year. Teens will have fun learning and meeting people from all parts of California. Call Jeff, 475-6108, or visit www.calymca.org/mlc.

aNiMal fosters Needed Tri-Valley Animal Rescue is looking for fosters for cats, kittens, dogs and pup-pies. We provide training on how to be a foster, food and vet care; you provide love and a place for them to stay until they are adopted. For cats/kittens call Linda 961-0260 for dogs/puppies call Lisa 355-9039. Visit www.tvar.org.

voluNteer driversSenior Support Program of the Tri-Valley is looking for Volunteer Drivers to transport seniors to their medical appointments. The Senior Transportation Program supplements existing public and paratransit services by providing rides via volunteer drivers. For information, call Jennifer at 931-5387.

EMILY WEST

People check out the produce at the new farmers market taking place Fridays and Sundays at the Stoneridge Shopping Center.

Page 8 • October 26, 2009 • TriValley Views

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