Civic Meetings

San Ramon City Council Meetings
Regular meetings for the San Ramon City Council are held at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month in the Council Chambers. Call 973-2500 for more information.

Clubs

Alamo Cribbage Club
The club plays cribbage for fun. It meets at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Safeway conference room, 200 Alamo Plaza. Call 284-7044 or e-mail almoy1@prodigy.net for more information.

Alamo Rotary
The Alamo Rotary meets at 12 p.m. every Wednesday at Roundhill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road. Call Mark Kahn at 837-3262 for more information.

Alamo-Danville Artists' Society
Alamo-Danville Artists' Society (ADAS) hosts monthly meetings featuring well-known guest artist demonstrations on the second Tuesday of every month. These meetings are free and open to the public. This society also hosts Art in the Park and Open Studios to raise funds for art programs in the San Ramon Valley area schools. Visit www.adas4art.org.

Blue Star Moms
This group meets for general meetings from 7-9 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at the Veterans Memorial Building, Veterans Event Room, 400 Hartz Ave., Danville. Members are moms, joining together to share their pride, devotion and worries for their sons and daughters serving in all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, and sons and daughters who are veterans. For more information, call 866-7035.

Breastfeeding Support Group
The San Ramon Regional Medical Center hosts a Breastfeeding Support Group which meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at the hospital, 6001 Norris Canyon Rd., San Ramon. A new topic is discussed at every meeting. For details, contact maggieschoon@hotmail.com or lrlillie@hotmail.com.

Danville Lions Club
This club meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Brass Door, 2154 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, San Ramon. For more information, call Tom Jackson at 984-1541.

Danville Mid-day Referral Group, BNI
Danville Mid-day Referral Group, a chapter of Business Network International, meets 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. every Wednesday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. Call Eric Samuels at 946-1400 for details.

Danville PM Toastmaster Club #1785
The club meets 7:30-9 p.m. every Wednesday at DVC, San Ramon Campus, 1690 Watermill Rd., San Ramon. Guests are welcome. For information, call Debra Elmore at 934-3113 or visit www.danvilletoastmasters1785.com.

Danville Women's Club
This club, currently celebrating 100 years of community service, meets for lunch, a program and a business meeting on the third Thursday of every month, Sept.-May, and on the first Thursday of June, at its clubhouse, 242 Linda Mesa Ave., Danville. For more information or to make a reservation to attend a meeting, call 837-1165.

Delta Nu Psi
Delta Nu Psi provides packages to troops in the War Zone. The group collects donations and puts together packages for the troops. For information, e-mail Alicia at deltanupsi@comcast.net or visit www.deltanupsi.org.

Diablo Bonsai Club
This club meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Rotary Room, upper level, at the Garden Center at Heather Farms, Walnut Creek. The club's library is open during its meetings. After the meeting, there's a class and workshop 7:40-9:30 p.m. For details, visit http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/diablobonsai/pg2.html.

Diablo Singles Dance Club
Diablo Singles Dance Club dances regularly the last Wednesday of the month 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Arts Education Building, corner of Ygnacio Valley Road and Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. The cost is $7 for members and $9 for non-members. All are welcome. Call 837-2851 for details.

Friends of the Danville Library
Friends of the Danville Library are renewing annual memberships and recruiting new members to help support, raise funds and sponsor programs for the Danville Library. There are many benefits of being a Friend, including merchant discounts, volunteer opportunities and preview of book sales. Dues and donations are tax deductible. Application forms are at the library, 400 Front St. Call 837-4455.

GFWC Dublin/San Ramon Women's Club
This women's club meets at 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Shannon Community Center in Dublin. This group is an active non-profit organization involved in many community and volunteer activities and supports many charities, including the cities of Dublin and San Ramon. For more information, contact Joan Ernst, publicity director, at pjoanie@comcast.net or visit www.dsrwomensclub.org.

Grandmothers Club
Grandmothers of all ages meet for lunch at 11 a.m. on the second Friday of every month at the Brass Door, 2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. If you're interested, call Janice Ridge at 837-8007.

San Ramon Valley Rotary Club
This club meets for dinner at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. Guests are welcome. The club offers a great way to make new friends while making a difference in your community. For information, contact Dany Gregory at 899-6771 or danygregory1@att.net.

Events

Glass House Museum Tours
The Glass House Museum, a restored Victorian at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon, is open for tours the second Saturday of each month - at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - when you can step back in time to explore the site and participate in free activities. Next door is Forest Home Farms Historic Park with tractor museum, which offers tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $5; $8 for both tours on the same. Tour tickets can be purchased at the Gift Shoppe. For more details, call 973-3284 or visit www.SanRamon.ca.gov.

Tour of the Blackhawk Museum
The Blackhawk Museum sponsors a docent-led tour of its Renowned Exhibitions at 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. The tour is free with admission. For information, call 736-2280.

Visit the USS Hornet
Across the Bay from San Francisco, take the family to visit the USS Hornet, a restored aircraft carrier in Alameda. The USS Hornet served in WWII and recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts. Tour the bridge, hangar deck, engine room, navigation bridge, captain's bridge, primary flight control and flight deck, or ride in the flight simulator. The Hornet is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors; $12 for military and students with ID; $6 for ages 5-17; children under 5 are free. Parking is free. The USS Hornet is at Pier 3, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda. Call (510) 521-8448 or visit www.uss-hornet.org for details.

Health

Open Gym
Danville offers Adult Open Gym 6:45-9:15 a.m. on Saturdays at the Los Cerros Middle School Community Gym, 968 Blemer Road, Danville. Drop-in fees are $4 for Danville residents, $5 for non-residents. Discounted 10-punch passes are available for $36 for Danville residents and $43 for non-residents. Call 314-3480 for details.

Kids and Teens

After-School Field Trips at the Farm
Forest Home Farms hosts after-school field trips, including Fun with Farm Animals, Behind-the-Scenes with Tractors, Dig in and Grow, and Preschool Fun at the Farm. Field trips are for groups of five children or more and can be booked Monday-Friday by calling 973-3284. Cost is $5 per child.

Free Online Tutoring Available
Contra Costa County Library is offering free homework help from expert online tutors to students grades 4-12 and beginning college 1-10 p.m., Monday-Friday, at http://ccclib.org.

Miscellaneous

Books for the Homebound Service
If you are a homebound individual living in the area and are unable to visit the Danville Library for materials, volunteers are able to deliver books to you. For more information, call Sandra Paiva at 837-4889.

Donations for Blue Star Moms Needed
The Blue Star Moms group depends on support and help to continue mailing the care packages they send all year long to our troops overseas. The group is also available to speak to community groups and school events about its programs to support the military here at home, as well as deployed troops. For more information, visit www.bluestarmoms.org.

Free Computer Instruction
The Danville Library is offering free computer instruction on Word, Excel, Powerpoint or the Internet by appointment only. To make an appointment, visit the Danville Library Information Desk or call 837-4889.

Pharmaceuticals Drop-Off
The Dougherty Valley Police Sub Station accepts prescription and over-the-counter medications 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, at the station, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon. Never place medications down toilets or drains because it can harm soil and water. Call 973-3300 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov/recycle/hazard.html.

Recycle for Breast Cancer
Recycle for Breast Cancer is open seven days a week accepting free drop-offs of computers, monitors, cell phones, laptops, servers and TVs, at 31 Beta Ct., Suite C, San Ramon. For more information, call 735-7203 or visit www.recycleforbreastcancer.org.

The Energy Primer for Kids
The Energy Primer for Kids is a 25-page booklet of simple facts pertaining to current energy issues and is useful for adults who are evaluating energy-related claims of politicians. For a free copy, write to Synergy Institute, P.O. Box 561, San Ramon, CA 94583. A speaker is available for groups wishing to hear about the global warming propaganda. Call 837-7612.

Seniors

Classes at San Ramon Senior Center
The Senior Center offers more than 30 hours of exercise classes each week, as well as a variety of dance classes. There also are fine art, craft, language, music and computer lab classes for Macs and PCs, plus senior issue lectures. The center is at 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. For a list of classes, visit www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/parks/programs/ages55+.htm. Costs vary. Call 973-3250.

Free Services for Seniors
The San Ramon Senior and Community Center offers free services, including: legal counseling, HICAP (Medicare, health insurance and long-term care insurance counseling), resource for housing options, notary service, financial advice and computer tutoring. It also hosts free blood pressure checks, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of every month. Located at 9300 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon. For more information, call 973-3250 or visit www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/parks/programs/senior/classes.

HICAP Appointments
The Health Insurance Counseling Advocacy Program (HICAP) offers its services free to anyone who is on Medicare or at least 60 years old and has questions about health insurance coverage. Appointments are available by calling 314-3400.

Lunch Program at San Ramon Senior Center
The San Ramon Senior Center offers a lunch program for seniors from 12-1 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. Participants must sign up by noon the day before they want the lunch. Options include a crab salad, hamburger or chef's salad every day, or what is on the lunch menu for that designated day. A deli bag option is also available, which must be ordered on Wednesday for Friday pick-up. The center is at 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. For more information or to place an order, call 973-3250.

Prime Time Ringers Handbell Class
Prime Time Ringers Handbell Class meets from 10-11 a.m., Tuesdays, in the back of Community Presbyterian Chuch's sanctuary, Danville. No previous experience is necessary. It is fun and it is free! Just bring a willingness to learn. Call Margaret Settle at 837-6371.

San Ramon Trailblazers
The San Ramon Trailblazers, a walking/hiking group, invites new members to join the group. It meets every Wednesday at various locations and is led by volunteer Nido Paras. This is an adults only group; no pets are permitted. To get on the e-mail list, call 973-3250 or e-mail trailblazer88@comcast.net.

Senior Center Computer Programs
The San Ramon Senior Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon, offers computer programs for seniors, including introductory, intermediate and electronics communications classes with PC computers. To register or find out more information, call 973-3250 or visit www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/parks/programs/senior/classes.

Senior Sneaker Trips
The Town of Danville hosts Senior Sneaker Trips to different attractions throughout the area. For a list of dates, go to the Danville Community Center at 420 Front St., call 314-3400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us.

Valley Oak Respite Center Activities for Seniors
Valley Oak Respite provides an interactive program for frail seniors and those afflicted with Alzheimer's or related dementias and physical disabilities, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. The cost is $30 per session, which includes a morning snack and beverage; participants should bring a bag lunch. For information or an application, call Carmen McCarthy at 945-8040, ext. 53.

Sports

Adult Open Gym Basketball
The Town of Danville holds drop-in basketball year-round at the Los Cerros Middle School gym, 968 Blemer Road, for ages 18 and up. Drop-in times are 7:30-9 a.m., Saturdays. Bring your own ball. Cost is $3 for residents, $5 for non-residents. Call 314-3400 for more information.

Danville Tennis Club
This club meets at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville for drop-in play from 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings. This club is for men and women of 4.0 level or above (also strong 3.5). Join the club for teams and events. Visit http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/danvilletennisclub/.

San Ramon Basketball Open Gym
The city of San Ramon offers basketball open gym for players 18 years and older, 7-10 p.m. on Mondays, at Iron Horse Community Gym, 12601 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon. Cost is $4. Bring your own ball and photo ID. Call Steph Chu at 973-3268 for details.

San Ramon Valley Tennis Club
This women's league is year-round for both A and B players who meet for practice weekday mornings. Membership is $30 annually. For information, call Patty at 820-8131 or Tilma at 736-3626, or visit http://srvtc.blogspot.com.

Soccer Camps with local Varsity Coaches
Soccer camp grades 2- 9 For more information, call Matt Zahner E-mail montevistamenssoccer@gmail.com.

Sunday Afternoon Badminton and Table Tennis
The city of San Ramon offers badminton and table tennis for players 6 years and older, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sundays, at Iron Horse Middle School, 12601 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon. Cost is $3 ($1 bills are preferred). Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. Three badminton courts and two table tennis tables are available for play. Players should bring their own equipment. Call Steph Chu at 973-3268 for details..

Sunday Morning Badminton
The city of San Ramon offers badminton for players 6 years and older from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sundays at Gale Ranch Middle School, 6400 Main Branch Rd., San Ramon. Cost is $3 ($1 bills are preferred). Six courts are available and players should bring their own equipment. Call Steph Chu at 973-3268 for details.

Support Groups

Bipolar Support Group
The Tri-Valley Support Group provides free peer support for people with mood disorders. It meets 7:15-8:45 p.m. every Wednesday at St. Clare's Episcopal Church, 3350 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton. Call 560-0842 for more information.

Chronic Pain Proactive Group for Women
Support Group for FIBRO, CFF and Chronic Pain meets 12:30-2:30 p.m. every other Wednesday. Call 234-5621 or e-mail dsashby@msn.com for more information.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? There is a solution to weight and diet obsession. This effective 12-step program has proven results. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins. This group meets 7-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. For a complete listing of East Bay meetings, call 838-1837 or visit www.foodaddicts.org.

Hospice Offers Support
Hospice of the East Bay (formerly Hospice and Palliative Care of Contra Costa) offers a variety of support groups and workshops for people experiencing grief and loss after the death of a loved one. All groups and classes are offered for a fee and require pre-registration. Fees are waived for those who cannot afford them. Call 887-5678, ext. 1068.

Overeaters Anonymous
The group offers a 12-step approach to issues around food, overeating, anorexia and bulimia. There are many different groups that meet at different times and places; visit www.dvig.org.

Volunteering

Urban Farmers' Fruit-Gleaning Project
Got excess fruit? Our volunteers will pick your trees, leave what you want, and bring the rest to local food pantries and animal centers. Learn more, register your trees, volunteer or tell a neighbor. Visit www.theurbanfarmers.org or email sustainabledanville@gmail.com for more information. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Animal Fosters Urgently Needed
Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is looking for short-term fosters for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. ARF will provide the food, supplies and vet care; all you need to do is provide the love. Call 296-3173 or visit www.arf.net for details.

Anna's Program
The specialized program of Hospice of the East Bay, Anna's Program, is looking for dedicated and caring volunteers to provide companionship and practical support for women with recurrent breast cancer. To apply for free training, contact Vicki Smith at 887-5675 or e-mail vickis@hospiceeastbay.org.

Assistance League of Diablo Valley
This chapter of the National Assistance League seeks new volunteer members to help with a wide range of philanthropic service projects in many Contra Costa communities. These include vision screening in elementary schools, distributing clothing to school children in need, daily reassurance phone calls to homebound elderly and handicapped clients, and staffing the chapter's Lafayette thrift shop. Call 934-0901 or visit http://diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.

Blackhawk Museum Docent Training
If you are interested in becoming a much appreciated part of the Blackhawk Museum family while contributing to your community, making new friends, learning new things, and having fun, become a docent! Call 736-2280, ext. 238 for more information.

Bruns House In-Patient Hospice
Bruns House In-Patient Hospice is seeking volunteers to fill two- to four-hour shifts during the weekdays and weekends. To apply for free training, call 887-5678 and ask for the volunteer department, or e-mail volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

California Independent Film Festival Association
Support the Arts in the Tri-Valley by joining the California Independent Film Festival Association. Membership donations support independent film events. For information, visit www.caindiefest.com.

CCI Volunteer Puppy Raising Program
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is looking for special volunteers interested in raising a CCI puppy for 15-18 months and is accepting applications. For information, call 1-800-572-BARK (572-2275) or visit www.cci.org.

Child Abuse Prevention Council
The Contra Costa County Child Abuse Prevention Council needs volunteer speakers for the community education program. Volunteers must complete a mandatory 24-hour speaker's training course. For information, call 946-9961.

Contra Costa Academy of Fine Art
The academy seeks new volunteers and members to help with tasks ranging from bookkeeping to recruiting instructors. The group meets 12-1 p.m. the second Friday of the month at Richard's Art & Craft Store, 225 Alamo Plaza, Alamo. Call Beth Batchelor at 837-5654 for details.

Friends of Discovery
The organization is looking for volunteers who can commit eight hours per month in the Thrift Station, 486 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Call the store at 820-1988.

Help Your Senior Neighbors
A lot of Danville seniors need rides to their appointments, stores or to special events. The Seniors' Club at Veterans Memorial Hall is looking for volunteers to provide rides on an "as-needed basis" on one or more Mondays a month. Call Jenn Overmoe at 314-3491 for more information.

Hospice of the East Bay
Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist hospice patients and their caregivers.  Opportunities include: volunteers who are fluent in Spanish; patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance to hospice patients and their caregivers; Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members after their loved one has died; Thrift Shop Volunteers to help in one of our six thrift shops (Dublin, Alamo, Concord, Antioch, Danville, and Walnut Creek) by sorting, pricing, preparing and selling merchandise; and Vigil Program Volunteers who can sit with patients that are actively dying--who do not have family or friends available--to ensure that no one has to die alone! To apply for free training, call 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or e-mail volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Docents are needed to lead class tours, teaching children and others about our important connection with wildlife and the world we share. No experience needed. Call 627-2444 or visit www.wildlife-museum.org for more information.

Make a Difference
Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living (RCJL) in Danville provides assisted living, Alzheimer's and skilled nursing care in a community our residents call home. Volunteers play a key role at RCJL, and opportunities are available for students and adults. For information, call Volunteer Coordinator Irma at 964-2098.

Mt. Diablo State Park
Mt. Diablo State Park offers many interesting ways to volunteer by helping with trail maintenance, serving as a docent at one of the Visitors Centers, helping with the new native plants garden or working on the trash removal program. Training provided for all areas. Call 837-6129 or visit www.parks.ca.gov.

Museum of the San Ramon Valley
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley welcomes volunteers and has a current need for greeters who give three hours one day a month to welcome visitors to the museum, register their attendance, and give them an introductory tour of the Waiting Room and the Museum Store. Call Carmen Curtis at 837-9781 or the museum at 837-3750 for more details.

San Damiano Retreat
Opportunities abound for people of all ages and abilities at San Damiano. Sit and socialize while helping with mailings, enjoy solitude and meditation while cultivating the flower, vegetable and fruit gardens or lend your support to the front desk and gift shop. Call 837-9141, ext. 307 or visit www.sandamiano.org.

Save Mount Diablo's Diablo Restoration Team
Save Mount Diablo acquires land then turns it over to park agencies. Before that happens, volunteers tackle clean-up, fence building, trail construction, planting, watering and habitat restoration, creek clean-ups, non-native plant removal and other work projects. Come and join this crew on the fourth Saturday of every month. For more information, call 947-3535 or e-mail George at gphillips@savemountdiablo.org.

Search and Rescue
The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training, including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass, tracking disaster response and search skills, and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call 646-4461.

Senior Center Volunteers Needed
The San Ramon Senior Center can use the help of volunteers at the front desk, tutors for the Senior Scholar Program, special event assistants, kitchen helpers, van drivers, activity instructors, as well as marketing and computer helpers. For more information, call 973-3250.

Sheriff Seeks Senior Volunteers
The Sheriff's Valley Station Office in Alamo is seeking people interested in assisting law enforcement in the community. Citizens should have a clean criminal history and would be responsible for one shift a week for four-and-a-half hours. Interested applicants should call Deputy Michael Carson or Volunteer Fred Perfetto at 837-2902.

Trails Maintenance
East Bay Trail Dogs is an all-volunteer group that has built, repaired and helped maintain single-track trails in the East Bay Regional Park District, the Mt. Diablo State Park, and Walnut Creek open space. Volunteers meet the fourth Saturday and one weekday each month. To participate, call Harry at 443-3925.

Volunteer Drivers Needed for the Senior Support Program
Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley is looking for volunteer drivers to transport seniors to their medical appointments. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license, a registered vehicle, carry automobile liability insurance, and have a clear DMV record. To sign up, call Jennifer Cullen at 931-5387 or e-mail ja.cullen@yahoo.com.