Mike Doyle

Green Danville

April 5, 2010 by Mike Doyle

Just in time for Earth Day, April 22nd , I’d like to talk about a few things that Danville is doing to be more green.

I am proud to report that the Town of Danville has made great strides in its effort to become more environmentally sustainable. In 2009, the Town Council approved a Climate Action Plan, setting out to reduce the Town’s Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) by at least 15%. The plan also provides a wide range of best practices aimed at achieving that goal. Some of the ways the Town has been proactive in its sustainability efforts include: adding more fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids, to the Town’s fleet; improving efficiency of heating and air conditioning systems at Town facilities; promoting access for pedestrians and cyclists through the Town’s trail program; promoting recycling, including e-waste recycling; and, lowering building permit fees for residential solar installations. Please visit the Town’s website at www.ci.danville.ca.us to find more ways to conserve energy and to develop new ways to help Danville live up to its goals of making our community both healthier and more sustainable.

Another way we are looking to be more environmentally conscious, while at the same time improving our levels of service to our residents, is by looking at technology and how it can help us in bringing needed services and information to Danville.

The Town Council has endorsed implementation of “Government 2.0” principles, which encompasses the enhanced use of technology to bring government services, processes, and information to the fingertips of its residents around the clock. To that end, the Town will be conducting a Technology Needs Assessment Study to determine both short and long-term technology needs. In addition to adding another dimension to the way in which we provide service and information, the trend towards digital media also means less paper being used and discarded into our landfill. We will continue to keep you apprised of the Town’s efforts in moving forward toward this exciting change in service delivery for Danville residents.

Spring is a time of new beginnings and with our recent Program Expo detailing all of our spring and summer programs and the opening of our natural grass fields to our local sports and athletic groups, Danville is a place where there’s always something going on.

Please e-mail me with comments, questions, or concerns at mdoyle@ci.danville.ca.us or join me at “Mornings with the Mayor,” the First Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Father Nature’s, 172 E. Prospect Avenue. This is an opportunity for Danville residents to get an update on what is happening in the Town and to meet with me informally to discuss any concerns or issues. I hope to see you there.

Danville Farmers’ Market:
Saturdays 9am – 1pm; Year-Round, Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm May10 – Aug 16. Corner of Railroad & Prospect St.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated
meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month except June-August at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville at 11:30a.m. – 1:30p.m. Lunches are $23. Please join us to hear informative speakers on important issues! Info: Sonali @ (925) 314-9194.

04/24, Saturday, 7am – 6pm: Lend a Hand Day
The Town of Danville and an estimated 100 volunteers from the community are joining forces to Lend-a-Hand in the community by helping older adults in need who reside in the Danville local area. The annual Lend-a-Hand Day event, now in its seventh year, provides senior citizens no-cost yard cleanup and
minor home repairs. Info: www.ci.danville.ca.us, 925-314-3400/3491.

05/02, Sunday, 8am – 11am: Workday Devil Mountain Run 10K & 5K
Location: Railroad Avenue Municipal Parking Lot. Choose from two flat and fast courses, 5K or 10K, and enjoy the fresh air and scenic beauty of the Iron Horse Trail. 100% of the entry fees will go directly to the Children’s Hospital & Research Center, Oakland-Northern California’s only independent children’s hospital. The event will also host a Kid’s Fun Run with non-competitive 50 and 100-yard dashes for ages 3-8. To learn more and to register, visit www.rhodyco.com or call 415-759-2690.

05/06, Thursday, 6pm – 9pm: Danville Spring Wine Stroll.
Local artists will showcase their works while Napa and Sonoma wineries pour their best vintages-all against the backdrop of music and merriment. Your $25 ticket includes a commemorative glass, wine tasting, food, entertainment, and shuttle service between the event’s two locations, Downtown Danville and the Livery. Tickets sell out quickly so get yours soon. Info: (925) 339-8330 or visit www.discoverdanvilleca.com.

Friday 05/07 & Saturday 05/08 10am – 4pm: 10th Annual Danville-Alamo Branch of AAUW Garden Tour.
Eight Delightful Gardens located in Alamo and Danville. $30 if postmarked by April 30th, $35 thereafter; $25 for seniors 65+. Includes light refreshments.
Call Mary at (925)831-1784 or gardentour@aauw-da.org. No children under 12. All proceeds benefit American Association of University Women’s Educational Foundation which supports aspiring female scholars.

05/27, Thursday, 5pm – 8pm: Doggie Night.
Danville’s Doggie Night offers fun for you and your four-legged friend. Follow the map to Doggie Night businesses for free dog treats and canine couture. Check out the Best Dog Trick contest. And prance through the pet fair where you’ll meet pet sitters, photographers, trainers, veterinarians, and more. It’s sure to be a howl. Doggie Night will begin at Molly’s Pup-purr-ee at 425 Hartz Ave. www.discoverdanvilleca.com.

Danville Priorities

March 4, 2010 by Mike Doyle

Danville’s unique small town atmosphere is a vision held by all who have served on the Town Council. Maintaining this vision requires concerted effort, careful decision-making and cautious implementation. Most of all though, it requires planning. Each January, the Town Council holds its Annual Planning and Goal Setting Workshop. This day-long meeting provides council members an opportunity to meet with key staff, set priorities and make decisions for the upcoming year. It also provides an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of the past year.

In March, the Town Council approved a Retail Retention and Promotion Incentives Program designed to enhance support of Danville’s retail sector during these challenging economic times. To date, the program has awarded 36 marketing grants, totaling $72,000, 15 facade improvement grants, totaling $145,500, and eight cooperative advertising grants for retail areas, totaling $30,000. Also, as a result of this program, the “Danville in Style” campaign was launched, tying together all the retail business interests under one umbrella. It currently features 681 businesses including retailers, restaurants, spa, salons, and other services. I encourage you to log on to this exciting and rich website at www.danvilleinstyle.com.

In August, yellow TRAFFIX school buses began rolling throughout the San Ramon Valley for the 2009/10 school year. What this means for residents is less congestion and more green lights. In November, the doors to the renovated Village Theatre were re-opened to the public. Part of the renovation plan was to create additional space in the entrance lobby for the Village Theatre Art Gallery. The art gallery will present a wide variety of shows, historically-grounded exhibitions, and traveling art exhibits.

On a more regional and national level, I, along with other Mayors from the Tri-Valley area, attended the 78th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors, in Washington, D.C. While there, we met with members of the California Congressional delegation to discuss the FY 2011 Federal Agenda for the Tri-Valley. Meetings were held with Senator Barbara Boxer, staff from Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, and Congressional Representatives Jerry McNerney and John Garamendi. Topics of discussion included transportation, affordable housing, and telecommunications.

On January 16, I had the honor of being a presenter at the 31st Annual Shellie Awards at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to all the award recipients.

One of my goals as Mayor this year is to continue to have an open and frank dialogue with the great citizens of Danville. I value your input. Please e-mail me with comments, questions, or concerns at mdoyle@ci.danville.ca.us. or join me at “Mornings with the Mayor,” the First Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Father Nature’s, 172 E. Prospect Avenue. This is an opportunity for Danville residents to get an update on what is happening in the Town and to meet with me informally to discuss any concerns or issues. I hope to see you there.

Danville Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm. Year-Round, Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm May 10 – Aug 16. Corner of Railroad & Prospect St.

Danville Tennis Club (DTC): Tue/Wed/Thurs Nights. Sat/Sun AM. 3.5 – 5.0 level players. Adults. Coed. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/danvilletennisclub

Until 03/28: 33rd Annual ADAS Spring Art Show featuring works by exceptional artists in the East Bay. Judge’s and People’ Choice awards will be announced at the Opening Reception on Saturday March 28 from 5 pm to 7 pm. Blackhawk Gallery, 3461 Blackhawk Plaza Circle. Gallery hours are Monday -Saturday 10 to 8 PM, Sunday 11 to 6 PM. The art show is free and open to the public.

03/13, Saturday, 10:00am: The Always Provocative Martin Swig presents a Talk: The State of the Automobile Industry – After the Crunch of Last Year, Who Came Out Ahead? Who Lost? And What Does the Future Hold? Martin Swig is a San Francisco Bay Area-based car collector, vintage racer, founder and chief organizer of the California Mille, La Carrera Nevada, and other notable U.S. vintage car rallies and events.Info: 925.736.2277 www.blackhawkmuseum.org

03/20, Saturday, 9.30am – 12noon: Danville-Alamo Branch of AAUW presents a Wellness Panel Presentation discussing women’s health issues in the second half of life with a focus on women over 50. Sondra Altman, MD presents a talk titled “Hormones: The Good, The Bad and The Confusing.” She will be joined by Linda Michaelis, RD, Nutritionist who will discuss ideas about eating correctly and Asha Bajaj, DPT, Physical Therapist discussing “Bone up on Bone Health”. Fee is $8 /person. Info: Loretta at 765-0895.

03/27 – 04/27: 2010 Save Mount Diablo Art Exhibition hosted by the Kevin Milligan Gallery & Wine Bar of Danville. The opening reception is Saturday March 27th from 5:00-10:00pm and is open to the public. The show will feature painting, mixed media, photography, ceramics, sculpture and furniture by artists inspired by Mount Diablo. Dine for Diablo is March 24 thru 27. Proceeds of art sales will go to the local East Bay citizens non-profit, Save Mount Diablo. Info: (925) 309-4648

04/03, Saturday, 9.30 – 11am: Eggstravaganza at the Danville Community Center. A fun-filled morning of Easter egg hunt, arts and crafts, face painting, and more. Hunts are organized by age so every child has equal opportunity to find treasure-filled eggs. Bring your camera and take your little one’s picture with the Spring Bunny. Pre-registration is required. Info: www.ci.danville.ca.us (925) 314-3400

Recognizing Service

February 1, 2010 by Mike Doyle

During this past holiday season I had the great privilege, on behalf of the Town of Danville, of welcoming home two active duty servicemen at an Operation Welcome Home ceremony hosted by the Town of Danville on December 27 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Operation Welcome Home was started in March 2004 as a way to thank and recognize those in the armed forces for their service to our Country. I was honored, along with Mayor Abram Wilson from the City of San Ramon, District 3 Supervisor Mary Piepho, and Vice-Mayor Doug Horner from Livermore, to present proclamations expressing appreciation for the sacrifices these young men are making on our behalf.

Honorees included United States Army First Lieutenant Eliot Proctor, a 2003 graduate of San Ramon Valley High School, and a 2007 graduate of the Military Academy at West Point. Eliot returned home this past November, after having served one year in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. United States Air Force Senior Airman Brian Fuchs was also recognized. Brian returned home this past October after completing an assignment at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam to support the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron training mission. I want to also thank our Blue Star Moms who hosted the reception following this ceremony, and express the Town’s appreciation for all they do for our young men and women serving in the military.

In December, I was delighted to attend the Courts of Honor of seven Boy Scouts. Kyle Murray, Jonathan Stewart, Alexander Giampaoli, Ashley Betts, Tanner Kirk, Tanner Newsom, and Mark Talley all obtained their Eagle Scout Awards after completing community projects, which also involved hundreds of service hours.

At our regular Council meeting on December 15, the Council held a public hearing on our update of the 2007-2014 General Plan Housing Element. Since this discussion included 25 potential “opportunity sites” to study, we had a room full of interested people. After a great deal of discussion and public comment, we made changes to the sites, but did approve the Housing Element. In 2010, we will be moving forward with a complete General Plan update, with more public meetings and citizen input.

It was a joyful occasion for the Town last month, when Congressman McNerney delivered $200,000 of federal funding to be used toward the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Building on Hartz Avenue. Site preparation for the building began last month, with construction planned for this coming June. When completed, the building will better meet the needs of our veterans and seniors as well as community organizations and private user groups.

One of my goals as Mayor is to hear from more of the citizens of Danville. Please e-mail me with comments, questions, or concerns at mdoyle@ci.danville.ca.us. or join me at “Mornings with the Mayor,” the First Friday of each month at 7:30 am at Father Nature’s, 172 E. Prospect Avenue. This is an opportunity for Danville residents to get an update on what is happening in the Town and to meet with me informally to discuss any concerns or issues. I hope to see you there.

Exchange Club San Ramon Valley Luncheon every 2nd Wednesday, 12:00 – 1.00 pm, $16 Faz, 600 Hartz, Danville. Info: 925-275-2412/ coachstepper@yahoo.com

Danville Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm; Year-Round, Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm May10 – Aug 16. Corner of Railroad & Prospect St.

Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville, 12.15-1.30pm. Soroptimist’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month except June-August at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville at 11:30am – 1:30p.m. Lunches are $23. Please join us to hear informative speakers on important issues! Info: Sonali @ (925) 314-9194.

Vietnam Vets of Diablo Valley Meetings will be held on the first Thursday of each month at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr, Danville, Ca 94526, Social 5.30 pm , Dinner 6:00 pm, $ 25.00. Website: www.vnvdv.com

Danville Tennis Club (DTC): Tue/Wed/Thurs Nights. Sat/Sun AM. 3.5 – 5.0 level players. Adults. Coed http://groups.yahoo.com/group/danvilletennisclub

02/20, Saturday, 11am – 2pm: Recreation Expo 2010 at the Danville Community Center 420 Front Street. Get a jump-start on planning your summer. Day Camps o Facility Rentals o Picnics o Special Events o Swim Lessons & Aquatics o Visual & Performing Arts. Info: 925-314-3400

03/04 -03/28: 33rd Annual ADAS Spring Art Show featuring works by exceptional artists in the East Bay. Judge’s and People’ Choice awards will be announced at the Opening Reception on Saturday March 28 from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Blackhawk Gallery, 3461 Blackhawk Plaza Circle. Gallery hours are Monday -Saturday 10 to 8 PM, Sunday 11 to 6 PM. The art show is free and open to the public.

03/13, Saturday, 10:00am: The Always Provocative Martin Swig presents a Talk: The State of the Automobile Industry – After the Crunch of Last Year, Who Came Out Ahead? Who Lost? And What Does the Future Hold? Martin Swig is a San Francisco Bay Area-based car collector, vintage racer, founder and chief organizer of the California Mille, La Carrera Nevada, and other notable U.S. vintage car rallies and events.
Info: 925.736.2277; www.blackhawkmuseum.org

Looking Back, Looking Forward

January 8, 2010 by Mike Doyle

On behalf of the Danville Town Council, I would first like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and to take a few moments to recognize and express my appreciation to outgoing Mayor Newell Arnerich. During his tenure as Mayor, he represented Danville at a very high level. On behalf of the entire Town, “Thank you Newell.”

The Town Council was honored to formally acknowledge and show its appreciation to community members at its annual awards event, which was held at the Danville Community Center on December first. Former Councilmember and Mayor Mike Shimansky received the prestigious Danville Award (posthumous), for his dedication of service to the Danville Community. His wife, Sue and daughter Cyndi, accepted the award. Award of Special Recognition was given to Danville Police Chief Chris Wenzel for his six years of excellence in overseeing Danville’s Police Department.

The Parks & Leisure Services Commission Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Valley Youth Council for implementation of the online Needs Assessment Survey that led to ways to serve the local high school population with recreational opportunities and education about current issues. The Arts Commission Volunteer of the Year was given to Kevin Chen for the time and commitment he has generously provided to the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The Town Volunteer of the Year award was given to Richard Schumm for his dedication and commitment
to coaching youth basketball.

Awards of Merit were bestowed upon the following: Robin Kelly, for her volunteerism and dedication to the EPIC Healthy Choices Program at San Ramon Valley High School and the youth in the community; Danville Police Reserves, for volunteering their time to provide an invaluable service to the Danville Community; Tony Carnemolla, for his leadership and service to the veterans in the Danville community; San Ramon Valley Sports Alliance, for their cooperation and teamwork in representing youth and adult sports leagues in the Danville community; CPC Job Connections, for ongoing programs to provide support and encouragement to the unemployed; Colette Ankenman, for establishing Baragwanath Blessings, creating blankets and hats for newborns in South
Africa; Meony Newman, for her dedication and willingness to always go above and beyond as the C.E.O. of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The first Michael K. Shimansky Community Service Award was given to Christy Dodge, for her community service with the Special Olympics in Danville. Congratulations to everyone!

One of my goals as Mayor in 2010 is to hear from more of the citizens of Danville. I value your input. Please e-mail me with comments or questions at mdoyle@ci.danville.ca.us. All are invited to “Mornings with the Mayor” the First Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Father Nature’s, 172 E. Prospect Avenue. Due to the holidays, the January meeting will be on January 8. I hope to see you there.

I look forward to working with you next year as your Mayor!

Exchange Club San Ramon Valley Luncheon every 2nd Wednesday, 12:00 – 1.00 pm, $16 Faz, 600 Hartz, Danville. Info: 925-275-2412/ coachstepper@yahoo.com

Danville Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm Year-Round, Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm May10 – Aug 16. Corner of Railroad & Prospect St.

Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville, 12.15-1.30pm. Soroptimist’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month except June-August at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville at 11:30a.m. – 1:30p.m. Lunches are $23. Please join us to hear informative speakers on important issues! Info: Sonali @ (925) 314-9194.

01/11, Monday 7pm – 8.30pm: SAT Strategy Session with Princeton Review. Getting ready to take the SAT? The Danville Library will be offering this informative and helpful program that will focus on making the most of the SAT process and achieving the best possible score. Location: Danville Library. Info: (925) 837-4889
01/15 – 02/06: Role Players Ensemble presents a daring, zany black comedy “Kimberly Akimbo” at the Village Theatre, 233 Front Street.Tickets:$15-$25.00. www.villagetheatreshows.com or (925) 314.3400.