Font ResizeTake one part enthusiasm, one part energy and one part high spirits, and what you've got is a successful community service project by a troop of Boy Scouts and adult volunteers.
Concord Boy Scout Troop 429 is sponsored by the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, at 3039 Willow Pass Road, where the troop meets weekly in the Fellowship Hall.
But out in the church parking lot, the stripes marking the parking spots for the cars were looking a little faded and worn. So Scouts and adult volunteers from Troop 429 swept down the parking lot and then painted new stripes — lots of stripes.
"The Scouts had a lot of energy and spirit even after several hours of painting the parking stripes," said church member Pat Rishell. "This was a service project to show their appreciation to their sponsor."
Participating in the painting day were Aric Bauer, Life Scout; Mark Bauer, quartermaster; Karl Grothman, parent; Steven Grothman, Tenderfoot Scout; Karen Hansen, troop secretary; Peter Hansen, assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout; Stephen Hansen, Star Scout; Caleb Herman, Tenderfoot Scout; Tommy Premo, new Scout; and Jennifer Rupert, advancement chairwoman.
The troop is involved with several other activities, including attending Wolfeboro, a weeklong camp where they hiked, learned outdoor skills, wood carving and cooking, and worked on advancement in rank.
"And at a recent Court of Honor held at
Hats off to the Boy Scouts and adults of Troop 429 on their painting skills and community efforts.
Christmas is coming
It doesn't seem possible but we are a week away from the holiday season. First there's Thanksgiving and then Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Day.
For the volunteers with Christmas for Everyone (CFE), things are moving into high gear for the big day. The goal of the nonprofit organization is that no one spends Christmas alone, and for the 22nd year, people in need will enjoy a day of entertainment, gifts and a full Christmas dinner.
Martinez resident Mary Perez is the founder and director of CFE, and she starts the day after Christmas to be sure that there are enough gifts, food and used clothing for the following year. She is able assisted by the volunteers of her committee — Kelly Boysen, Maxine Chan, Syd Dempsey, Kathryn Garms, Sandy Hue, Cathy McRoberts, Karen Ramos, Steve and Wendy Reiser, Heather Searles, Kathy Searles and Steve Wallace.
Christmas for Everyone will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25, at New Hope International Church, 2120 Olivera Road in Concord.
"Volunteers provide free transportation to and from the host church. Each person receives a new gift and almost-new clothing. We serve a traditional Christmas meal, provide entertainment for both children and adults. Food and a gift can be delivered to the homebound upon request," according to the Web site at www.christmasforeveryone.com.
Right now, the committee is looking for donations — of food for the feast, of lots of gently used clothing, of gifts to be given. And they need more volunteers to help on Christmas Day. The people who are served number in the thousands.
Don't wait for mid-December — for more information, contact Wendy Reiser at cfeconcord@gmail.com or call 925-228-2233.
Places to go
Beautifying Bancroft
Just about everyone and everything can use a little pick-me-up now and then. For the Ruth Bancroft Garden, it's some tender loving care. The garden is closed for a two-week period between the summer and winter season, mostly to prepare the most tender and sensitive plants for the cold and wet weather and to install covers over some of the plants.
This year, there was more activity than just the preparations for winter. The break included some renovations of the nearly 40-year-old botanical garden.
"The Ruth Bancroft Garden received funding from the city of Walnut Creek's Civic Pride Grant to renovate the aging landmark gazebo at our north entrance, known as Ruth's Folly, built in the early 1970s by Philip Bancroft Jr., Ruth's husband," said Rebecca Ines, development director, in a news release.
"We have also just completed a gardenwide gravel pathway renovation, adding a fresh layer of gravel on all garden pathways."
When you consider the amount of gravel needed for all the winding pathways in the three acres of the garden, board member Greg Randall took on a huge task. But with the help of volunteers, Randall and others completed distributing the gravel and smoothing out the pathways in time for the garden's reopening Nov. 14. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
A folly is a building constructed deliberately as a decoration — for fun and lightheartedness, instead of for housing or shelter — and thanks to the employees of Painless Painting of Concord, Ruth's Folly looks bright and fresh.
If you visit the Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek, you just might be lucky enough to see Ruth, who turned 101 in September, scooting around the garden, checking on her acres of succulents.
Sing, sing, sing
It's the beginning of the holiday season so it must be time for the ABC "Any Body Can" Singers, who perform at convalescent hospitals and assisted-living facilities in Central County.
Everyone is welcome to come sing along — it's an easy format, complete with songbooks. All caroling begins at 6 p.m. at the location, unless otherwise noted.
"Anyone may join us — the spirit is more important than the voice," said founder Maxine Chan.
Upcoming dates:
Tonight — 5:30 p.m. at "Light Up the Night," Crescent Drive in downtown Pleasant Hill
Tuesday, Dec. 1 — Willow Pass Health Care, 3318 Willow Pass Road, Concord
Wednesday, Dec. 2 — San Miguel Villa, 1050 San Miguel Road, Concord
Thursday, Dec. 3 — Pleasant Hill Manor, 40 Boyd Road, Pleasant Hill
For information, call Chan at 925-969-9693.
Items for the column can be e-mailed to goodneighbor@bayareanewsgroup.com or mailed to Jacquie Oliverius/Good Neighbor, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. Submissions to the "Good Neighbor" column about upcoming events must be received by noon Wednesday, at least one week before the event date. Due to space restrictions, non-timely items may not be immediately published.
