PITTSBURG
A group of 25 clients, volunteers and staff from the Pittsburg-based Lions Center for the Visually Impaired (LCVI) recently toured downtown Oakland’s historic art deco Paramount Theatre.
The group was energized by the passion of docent and restoration expert David Boysel, who shared the colorful history that has led to its current state of opulent beauty. The private tour was organized by the LCVI to encourage clients to stay connected, active and to get out to experience the best that the Bay Area has to offer.
The tour was followed by a lunch at nearby Shake Shack restaurant before the seniors returned to their homes in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties.
“Sitting in the velvet theater seats listening to the Wurlitzer (pipe organ) play — it felt like we traveled back to 1931, when the theater first opened,” said Mac Coates, an LCVI client who visited the Paramount (paramountoakland.org) for the first time.
The LCVI provides free supportive services for blind and visually impaired seniors in Solano, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. For more information about the group, call 925-432-3013 or visit lcvi.org online.
— LCVI
EAST BAY
Beware of toxic mushrooms in parks during rainy season
With the return of winter rains, park visitors may have noticed mushrooms popping up in East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) properties. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of the district’s parklands and may look beautiful but sometimes contain dangerous toxins.
The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay parks during the rainy season.
Both species contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately.
Both mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present. The death cap is a medium to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem and a large white sac at the base of the stem.
The western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that can disappear with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring.
Park district officials urge the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks. Collecting any mushrooms in the district is not allowed. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.
While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also occur in the Bay Area. For more details online, visit ebparks.org/safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms.
— EBRPD
CONCORD
Youth scholarships to provide recreational opportunities
The city of Concord’s Recreation Services Department has relaunched its youth scholarship program to provide recreation opportunities for young residents.
Through this program, underserved Concord youth can experience traditional summer recreation activities, including group swim lessons and Splash Camp at Concord Community Pool, Lil’ Explorers day camp for preschoolers, Backyard Explorers day camp for elementary students, East Bay Explorers day camp for middle school students and the Counselor-in-Training program for teens ages 12 to 15.
The Youth Scholarship Program is open to all Concord residents younger than 18 who meet financial qualifications and submit a completed application. Awardees will pay a nominal enrollment fee of $10 to $50 per program. Participation is limited and based on funding availability.
“We are delighted to bring back the scholarship program for summer 2024, creating more opportunities for Concord youth to experience our most popular summer programs,” said Steve Voorhies, the recreation services director.
Applications will be available starting Jan. 10 and will be accepted until spaces or funding are exhausted. To learn more about the program online and to apply, visit cityofconcord.org/youthscholarship.
Funding for this program was made possible by the one-time allocation of federal funds through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Concord received $27 million from the act, and the Concord City Council directed $7 million into various city projects and initiatives, including this scholarship program, which received $100,000.
— city of Concord
BRENTWOOD
Apply in February for student intradistrict school transfers
To balance enrollment among the comprehensive school sites in the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD), attendance areas for Liberty, Freedom and Heritage high schools were established.
Students who live within the LUHSD boundaries but would prefer to attend a school not designated for their residential area must each apply for an intradistrict transfer. The “open enrollment” period will be the month of February for students and parents to complete intradistrict transfer requests for the 2024-25 school year. Decisions regarding these requests will be made by May 15.
Intradistrict Transfer request forms will be available online at luhsd.net or can be picked up from the school district office at 20 Oak St. in Brentwood starting Feb. 1. For any questions, call Valerie Noble at 925-634-2166, ext. 2021.
— LUHSD
ORINDA
AAUW chapter meeting Jan. 16 to discuss food insecurity
The American Association of University Women, Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch, will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 16 in the Orinda Community Church at 10 Irwin Way in Orinda. The meeting is open to the public, and the topic will be food insecurity in Contra Costa County.
A panel of speakers will drill down on this topic and examine and discuss ways that the AAUW branch can support families with food Insecurity in Lamorinda and Contra Costa County. Speakers at the meeting will be Daniel McCarthy, the Gael Pantry coordinator at St. Mary’s College in Lafayette; Janette Kennedy, of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County; and a representative from the Contra Costa Food Bank.
— Marilyn Evans
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