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T H E S U N O L I A Ndissatisfaction with Stevens butwould not elaborate further citing“attorney-client privilege” and that,upon completing work with the firm,moved to end their contract withthe District. (Under the newlyappointed board, F3 Law’s contractwas reinstated last month.)Over the course of the past year,this publication has sought to makepublic the precise legal advice theDistrict originally received fromStevens in regard to the originalSeptember flag policy. Our researchalso undertook reviewing guidancefrom the District’s other legalpartner, CSBA, who has advisedneighboring school districts on flagpolicies, as well as attempting toN.B. BURKE, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTFORMER BOARD MEMBERS SUBJECTED SCHOOLTO OVER A YEAR’S WORTH OF TURMOILBefore the recent recall of schoolboard members Ryan Jergensen andLinda Hurley, the Sunol Glencommunity faced over a year ofturmoil that began in May of 2023,when Hurley’s conservative agendaoriginally raised concerns.Tensions somewhat simmered untilSeptember last year, when theboard's decision to ban the LGBTQPride flag drew national attention.Jergensen, then board president,defended the move, claiming it wasthe “safest legal course of action”based on advice he says the district’slawyer provided to the board. At thetime, that lawyer was Josh Stevenswith F3 Law. Just over 12 weeks laterin December, Jergensen citedinquire directly with Stevens this pastJune (he did not respond).In pursuit of transparency for thecommunity, it was The Sunolian thatrequested today’s school boardagenda item to make public theoriginal legal advice sent fromStevens to the school board back onSept. 9, 2023 in regard to flagresolution no. 23-2024-08. With thisrequest, we now see that what setoff the community's year-longconflict––the legal advice to ban thepride flag––was not onlyunwarranted, but it was an entirelyfalse narrative. And now we have Stevens’ originalemail with his actual advice to theboard to prove it.Continues on page 8NEW ARTBANNERSDOWNTOWNSUNOL,PG. 14 VOLUNTEER ATNILES CANYONRAILWAY THISHOLIDAY SEASON,PG. 6‘YOUR LAWYER ISSHAKING HISHEAD NO’ IS NOWAN APT CLAIM,PG. 9

This newsletter is published on or around the5th of each month and is available for sale inan online subscription format only, via ourpublishing platform, SimpleBooklet. Currentyear’s back issues, including previous year’sarchives, will also be available for a feethrough SimpleBooklet. The goal of thispublication was, is and will continue to be to“Promote a more informed Sunol.” Oursubscription fees cover our production costs,while our advertising fees are donatedannually to a local organization of ourchoosing. Our objective is to provide access toall Sunolians, both readers and writers. Allsubmissions and contributions are subject toethical fact checking and verification. Allgroups in town are invited to submit monthlycolumns for publication, and we invite stories,comments, letters, photos, inquiries and otherinformation that would be of interest to thecommunity, and all contributions are subjectto approval and/or correction, guidance,delay or refusal. This paper is dedicated toproviding all points of view within thefollowing guidelines: (1) All submissions are tobe respectful, supported by factualinformation (when applicable) and signed; (2)All submissions will be confirmed by theeditor; (3) Space for Letters to the Editor islimited to 250 words maximum. We reservethe right to accept or refuse submissions andedit for context and length. We also reservethe right to refuse advertising that in ouropinion does not reflect the standards orvalues of the newsletter and Managing Team.The opinions expressed, whether by paidadvertisement or editorial content does notnecessarily reflect the views of thisnewspaper. Content submitted may bereprinted and acknowledged without consentin future publications.Z O N E 7 W A T E R A G E N C YWednesday, August 21st at 7 PM in the Zone 7Headquarters Building 100 North Canyons Parkway, LivermoreDuring this month’s meeting, we will have a special DeltaConveyance Project Update. Presenters will includeGraham Bradner, Executive Director, Delta ConveyanceDesign and Construction Authority (DCA); and Dr. DavidSunding, Emeritus Professor, University of California,Berkeley.You can download and view the agenda at by clicking here.VIDEO: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84376181824LIVE STREAMING: Comcast Channel 29 AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 (Livermore)Streaming Live at tv29live.orgT H E S U N O L I A NP A G E 2 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4This issue was guest editedGuest Edited,Geraldine Baldassarre,Publisher EmeritaGeneral ManagerOpen until filled,manager@thesunolian.comIssue Contributors:Kristen Bobertz, Victoria Cloutier, Lisa BallContributing ReporterN.B. Burke,nb.burke@thesunolian.comGeneral Leads:nb_burke@proton.meSecure email:Neil Davies,Publisher-At-Largepublisher@thesunolian.com

T H E S U N O L I A NRARE CHANCE FOR AUGUSTRAIN––SO SAYS NWSThis coming Friday, the weather could get a little more interestingwhen a low-pressure system moves across Northern California,according to the National Weather Service.“We have a chance for real rain. … That’s mostly for the North Bay,with a 10% to 20% chance,” said Dylan Flynn, a forecaster with theweather service’s Bay Area office. “I would say this is a rare chancefor August rain in the Bay Area.”The low-pressure system off the Pacific Northwest coast hasrecently brought rain and thunderstorms to Oregon andWashington, influencing cooler weather in Northern California.Unlike the warm, dry conditions associated with high pressure, low-pressure systems bring cooler, wetter weather.“We’re catching the tail end of those disturbances over the PacificNorthwest, which is why we’re seeing the cooler temperatures,” saidFlynn.Monday morning began with cool temperatures and patchy fogalong the Bay Area coast. However, the afternoon warmed up, withinland valleys reaching the 80s and coastal areas staying in the 60s.FROM NSW BAY AREA & ONLINE REPORTSA U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 P A G E 3

OPINIONThe opinions, views, andperspectives expressed in articles,editorials, and letters to the editorwithin The Sunolian are those ofthe individual authors and do notnecessarily reflect the officialstance or opinions of thepublication, its editorial board, orits staff. The Sunolian iscommitted to providing a platformfor–and to seeking out–diversevoices and opinions, fostering opendialogue and discourse within thecommunity. However, thepublication does not endorse ortake responsibility for the accuracyor validity of the viewpointsexpressed by contributors. Readersare encouraged to criticallyevaluate the content and formtheir own informed opinions.This issue was Guest EditedNeil Davies, Publisher-At-LargeT H E S U N O L I A NC O M M U N I T Y M E M B E RSubmit your request to join ourEditorial Board to help determinethis paper’s position on local issues:editor+board@thesunolian.comE D I T O R I A L B O A R DT H E S U N O L I A NEditorial deadline & publication scheduleSubmission guidelines for Opinion (Guest) EssaysSubmission guidelines for Letters to the EditorP A G E 4 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NA U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 P A G E 5

Holiday Train DecoratingFeeling in the Christmas spirit already and want tochannel those feelings into something illuminating?The Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights DecoratingCrews have already started their work and wouldlove to have you join them.Exterior and interior crews will both work during theday on Wednesdays this year to get the train ready.The exterior crew has already started their work asshown on the SP twin unit coach pictured above.The interior crew will begin their efforts on the firstWednesday of September. All work takes place inthe Brightside yard in Niles Canyon, located at 5550Niles Canyon Road. Train of Lights Event VolunteeringTo operate the Train of Lights each evening, it takesover 35 volunteers to make the train event happen.There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities;some on the train and some off of the train. Somejobs cover both rides while others are just for oneFROM NILES CANYON RAILWAY, NCRY.ORGVOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND AT NCRY FOR THEHOLIDAY SEASON––AND COULD EARN YOU A TICKETride or even before one ride. The bottom line, however, is that NCRY needs a lot of help to make their largest annual fundraiser a success, and they would love it if you could spare just one day to volunteer. Volunteers do not have to be membersalthough NCRY encourages you to join so that yourvolunteer hours count toward earning tickets fortheir Members Only Train of Lights trains. Every 30volunteer hours earns a ticket to one of the twotrains they operate each year and you can earn upto 6 tickets.In all cases, training will be offered to anyoneinterested so please do not fear that you may notknow exactly what to do.Please have a look and see what you may be able tohelp with. When you are ready, you can sign up rightonline via our portal hosted at on our Members’website, but accessible to all––just click here to learnmore and sign up.T H E S U N O L I A NThe SP Twin Unit Coach is getting decked out for the holidays in preparation for the Niles Canyon Railway Train ofLights. Photo shared online by NCRYP A G E 6 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NA U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 P A G E 7A recent mountain lion sighting on the Pleasanton-Sunol ridge serves as a reminder that we share ourbeautiful open spaces with some remarkablewildlife. While mountain lions and other animals likecoyotes, bobcats, and deer are native to our region,they usually go out of their way to avoid humancontact.Here’s what you need to know:Mountain Lions in the Area: The ridge is a naturalterritory for mountain lions, and although theirpopulation has decreased due to factors likeconstruction and habitat encroachment, theyremain an important part of our ecosystem.Fact Check: Did you know you’re more likely to beinjured by a cow or bee sting than a mountain lion?Encounters are extremely rare, and mountain lionsFROM EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS, EBPARKS.ORGare more afraid of us than we are of them.Safety Tips:Always be aware of your surroundings, especiallyin wilderness areas.1.Avoid hiking with headphones and stay alert.2.If you see a mountain lion, don’t run away. Standyour ground, make yourself look larger, andslowly back away.3.Coexisting with Wildlife: Respecting and appreciatingall wildlife is key. By staying informed and aware, wecan continue to enjoy our natural spaces safely whilesupporting the delicate balance of our ecosystem.For more information on wildlife safety and how tostay prepared during outdoor activities, visithttps://www.ebparks.org/safety.

T H E S U N O L I A NTheir interest is clearly notin the success of ourstudents but in the passingof their agenda. If we re-elect Jergensen back to theschool board we shouldonly expect more of thesame––to the detriment ofour school and ourstudents.— RICH BONDERSON,SUNOL PARENT & VOTERAttorney Josh Stevens with F3 Law, advising the school district back in Septemberof 2023 that he did not believe that “a Board Resolution on this subject matter islegally necessary”and that “it is my legal opinion that the flying of the Pride Flagduring the month of June does not create liability for the District.” Click on theemail above to expand and read in its entirety, or view it on the school boardagenda by clicking here.“The fact that he lied to the wholecommunity and then fired theattorney to cover it up takes thisbeyond a difference in opinion towillful deception,” communitymembers Scott Chong and AnnaWang said in a joint statement viaemail for this article. While there isno direct link that Jergensenmoved to terminate Stevens’ legalservices with the district in order tosuppress the original legal advicehe had provided, for some, theconnection is prettystraightforward.In Stevens’ Sept. 9 email to theboard, which was sent theweekend prior to the nowinfamous and national headline-grabbing school board meeting, hemade it emphatically clear that hislegal opinion on the matter ofdisplaying the pride flag during themonth of June did not createliability for the District. Moreover––and perhaps more damnatory––Stevens’ goes on to declare: “I wasdirected to put together aresolution that restricted the display of flags on schoolproperty by the District, except forthe flag of the United States ofAmerica and State of California.Consistent with that direction, Idrafted a resolution that will comebefore you on September 12 foryour consideration,” he continues,“please be advised, however, thatthe defensibility of this resolutionshould not be construed as legaladvice that you should pass thisresolution. My legal opinion on thismatter can be summed up asfollows....you can pass thisresolution, but you don’t have to.”At the subsequent Sept. 12 boardmeeting, Jergensen took it uponhimself to erroneously determinethat the “safest” course of actionwas to pass the resolution, stating:“My understanding is that thisposition and the proposedresolution treats everyone thesame without discrimination and isthe safest––that’s my words––indiscussion with legal.” From his seat in the audience,Stevens simply shook his head noas the rest of those in attendancesat in a rare moment of stunnedsilence until one attendee, AustinBruckner Carrillo, who works forthe Alameda County DistrictAttorney's office, interjected loudlywhile standing toward the back ofthe dais: “Your lawyer is shakinghis head no.”Taking into consideration theemail email Stevens sent to theboard just 3 days prior to thismeeting, and it seems far-fetchedthat Jergensen could be so far offcourse in his understanding of thevery straight-forward messagefrom legal counsel.At one point earlier during theSeptember meeting, whichStevens was in attendance for aslegal counsel, Jergensen made itclear he would not allow Stevensthe opportunity to engage with theboard. When formerSuperintendent / Principal MolleenBarnes requested Continued on next pageContinued from page 1P A G E 8 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

FORMER BOARD MEMBER’S LACK OF ‘UNDERSTANDING’WINDS A CONTRIVABLE JOURNEY OVER PAST YEART H E S U N O L I A NContinued from previous pagethe advice of Stevens, Jergensenquickly interjected that “This is theboard’s meeting and we do notrecognize the attorney speaking.”This lead to Trustee Ted Romointerjecting to ask for Stevens’advice on Barnes’ behalf and adisruptive back and forth ensuedbetween Jergensen and Romo,with many audience membersloudly expressing their dismay atthe spectacle.When Romo asked Jergensen whyhe would not allow anyone toengage with the lawyer, Jergensensaid “Because we have protocol.”Before the meeting was overJergensen had cleared the roomas the nearly 4-hour meeting wasdisrupted repeatedly by publicoutcry––and the false narrativeJergensen put forth about hisunderstanding of Stevens’ adviceto the district about banning thepride flag as the safest course ofaction took on a life of its ownfrom there:School Board Meeting, 9/12/23“I must....weigh in the balance thelegal ramifications of not doingwhat it’s in this resolution today.”– Trustee Linda HurleyCiting the since debunked theorythat the US Supreme Court rulingin 2022's Shurtleff v Boston wouldbe the case law used to litigateSunol Glen, Hurley relied on thefallacious argument, stating: “Onelawsuit could take this schooldown. So based on myunderstanding of the law in thatthe Supreme Court decision andupon the vulnerability of ourschool, I am making the decisionbecause I have been voted as acustodial person and trustee ofthis board to watch out for theContinued on next pageYour attorney is shaking his head no.— AUSTIN BRUCKNER CARRILLO, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THEALAMEDA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S COMMUNITY SUPPORTBUREAU AND CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORHAYWARD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTchildren and the school, thewelfare of the school and I feel it,incumbent upon me. a fiduciaryresponsibility to watch out forthe safety of furtherance of thisschool.”Direct Mailer, 9/21/23“In Shurtleff v. City of Boston, theSupreme Court made it clear thatlack of a specific flag-displaypolicy left Boston open to legalaction,” and “When I returnedfrom vacation, I learned our thatour District counsel was draftinga resolution addressing thesituation for the legal protectionof our school” and “Myaffirmative flag-policyvote....represented my portion ofa legal concern.”– Trustee Linda HurleySchool Board Meeting, 10/10/23“The board decision to fly onlythe American and California flagwas made to avoid politicalbattles and legal issues.”– Resident James Lowder SF Chronicle Letter to theEditor, 12/7/23“I will continue to protect thedistrict against legal action andwork to keep Sunol Glen Schoolpolitically neutral and to obey thelaw.”– Trustee Linda HurleyInform Sunol Letter, 12/15/23“A Sunol citizen came to Molleen[Barnes] and wanted to fly adifferent flag. Molleen deniedhim. He was accompanied by anattorney and stated that he A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 P A G E 9

DOES RECENT FLAG POLICY CHANGE ONLY BRINGSUNOL RIGHT BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN?T H E S U N O L I A NContinued from previous pagewould sue the school if the Prideflag was not taken down, quotingthe Shurtleff v. Boston SupremeCourt decision. It’s important tonote that we would have lost thatlawsuit because we did not have aflag policy” and “The pride flag wasremoved and Mr. Jergensenasked our school attorney to drafta policy or resolution that wouldkeep our school “safe legally”.”– Trustee Linda HurleyInform Sunol Letter, 12/19/23“If the school allows only someflags to fly while denying otherflags could open the door topotential lawsuits.”– Resident Rodney ZeisseSchool Board Meeting, 1/23/24“I made my decision completelylegally and completely in caringfor the school....we would havelost [a] lawsuit.”– Trustee Linda HurleySchool Board Meeting, 3/12/24“We are vulnerable due to the sizeof our school my decision wasnever about the LGBTQIA plusCommunity––it was about thelegal safety of our school, as Godis my witness that is the truth andthat is why I made that decision.”– Trustee Linda HurleyInform Sunol Letter, 6/14/24“If any flag is to be flown in thepublic square then, the publicentity has to fly all otherrequested flags in turn“ and “Thenext thing I learned was that theschool attorney agreed with meon the law AND that Mr. Romohad opposed the idea of onlyflying the Stars and Stripes andthe State flag.“– Resident Joseph HurleyContinued on next pageBefore being stolen, the Pride flag hung along the school’s fence in 2021. Photoprinted with permissionSunol Glen’s interim boardcurrently includes AlamedaCounty Board of Education(ACBOE) president, Cheryl Cook-Kallio, and one of its trustees,Aisha Knowles, as well as Sunolresident Trustee Romo, who wasquickly appointed as the schoolboard president. At their firstmeeting last month, the interimboard breezily voted to reinstateF3's Josh Stevens.The board also repealed theoriginal flag resolution fromSeptember 2023 and replaced itwith a new policy, which states:“the Governing Board desires torectify its past actions and to adopta more reasonable, limited policyaddressing the concerns of theSunol community with respect tothe District’s sole flagpole at itsschool, while avoiding anoverreach by the District withrespect to constitutionallyprotected free speech andexpression by teachers, staff andstudents while on District property.”The new resolution goes on toessentially layout that the Districtflagpole may only be used for theUS and California flags, but thatthe other flags or banners, asdetermined by theP A G E 1 0 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

SEVERAL APPLICANTS FOR APPOINTMENT ALSOREPEATED THREAT OF LAWSUIT T H E S U N O L I A NContinued from previous pageSuperintendent, may bedisplayed on other Districtproperty––such as the school’sfence-line.The board, however, did notclarify, address or offer a solutionas to how the District will preventthe Pride flag from being stolenonce again––just as it was all theway back at the beginning of theissue. Nor did the board addressor acknowledge the manysurrounding districts thatcurrently post a Pride flag ontheir flagpoles during the monthof June and their reason(s) fordoing so, which may be toprevent theft. The interim board will bereviewing board applicants attonight’s meeting to fill aprovisional appointment on oneof the board’s vacant seats, andit’s possible there will be adecision announced on theboard’s selection. The candidatenames are listed below, as wellas on the school board’s agenda,and may be clicked on to bringyou to their applicationsubmission: Sarah Knutsen;Michelle Wong; Jamie Do;Thomas Knutsen; James Lowder;and Chris Bobertz.Several of the applicants havebeen frequent commenters overthe past year at the boardmeetings, with it coming to lightthat Knutsen made a request ofthe ROV last March to review therecall petition signatures onbehalf of Jergensen (as reportedin Inform Sunol). Lowder, on theother hand, has submitted atleast 15 complaints to thedistrict––all of which weredismissed without cause yet assome have pointed out, still costthe district time and money inlegal fees (as reported in ourJune 28 issue).In the general election inNovember, two applicants filedwith the Alameda CountyRegistrar of Voters: Sunol parentErin Choin (campaign website:www.erinforsunol.com) andSunol parent––and recentlyrecalled––Ryan Jergensen(campaign website:www.drjergensen.com). AsTemecula’s school districtrecently learned after theirsuccessful recall campaignagainst school board memberJoseph Komrosky, Sunol hastrended closely behind in almostan identical scenario.It has been months now sincethat infamous September 2023school board meeting in Sunol,and it seemed prudent to reachback out to Bruckner, with theunderstanding that he may haveseen the writing on the wallmuch more clearly in regard tothe ‘legal advice’ that actuallynever existed but somehow became the criterion talkingpoint. “I've led Alameda County'slongest running Prideorganization for over 15 years.Ryan [Jergensen] is a threat topublic education and is part of anational effort led by theRepublican party to overtakeSchool Board elections,” he saidbefore continuing, “During histime as president of the board,he misused the judicial system asa political pawn, spent tens ofthousands of dollars onunnecessary legal fees in aneffort to save his political careerand created a culture so toxicthat Sunol's long-timeSuperintendent resigned, as didmany staff. Ryan's heart is not inserving the Sunol community,but in furthering a dangerousright-wing agenda.”While various educationalbanners and signs are up onceagain in the District of Sunol––and a newly cautious flag policy isin place––come June 2025 islikely when this policy’sconvictions will be tested. Will it be enough?Yet again we see that our prior board membersJergensen and Hurley were gaslighting the Sunolcommunity. Through misdirection and misconstruingthe facts, they passed the resolution they wanted underthe guise of legal advice.— RICH BONDERSON,SUNOL PARENT & VOTERA U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 P A G E 1 1

T O M ’ S P I C K STom Harland,ContributorHere is the best S.F. Bay boat trip ever:Drive to the Vallejo S.F. Bay Ferry Terminal.(Sunol to Vallejo is about 1 hour Sundaymornings). Next, take the 9:15am ferry to theSan Francisco Ferry Terminal. (There are. also10:15am and 11:15am departures, but youwill want the early one). Sit in the upper deckof the ship or outside for the best view.On this sea voyage, you will see the shorelinebetween Vallejo and Richmond, the EastBrother Lighthouse, sail under the RichmondSan Rafael Bridge, past Tiburon, Angel Islandand Alcatraz. Now you are in for a treat. Have brunch at theS.F. Ferry Building (great empanadas) andafterwards, take the 1.5 mile walk toFishermans Wharf. On this street voyage youwill see a most interesting assemblage ofstreet performers, hot dog vendors, underthe cart margarita making, con artistexhibitionists, and skate boarders. Plus: thebest view of the bay.Take a historic tram ($2) back along theEmbarcadero to the Ferry Building. Last ferryback to Vallejo is at 9pm––don’t miss it! Ferry leaving times for the Vallejo S.F. BayTerminal are 9:15am, 10:15am, 11:30am.$9.30, ($4.60 over 65, and under 17, 5 or lessfree). Tickets on line atsanfranciscobayferry.com. Ferry leaves theS.F. Bay Terminal for Vallejo at 1:40pm,2:40pm, 4:05pm. Parking garage across thestreet is $8 for 24hrs. Next month: Best walking and bike path inthe bay area. Schedule directly online,where you can see mymenu along with theproducts I am retailing. ~ Kristen BobertzCalifornia State Certified MassageTherapist CAMTC # 66816California State LicensedEsthetician # 96856www.SkinAndBodyWellnessByKristen.comALL MASSAGES ARE 10%OFF IN SEPTEMBERT H E S U N O L I A NWONDERFUL SENSE OF TASTE CAN’T BE TAUGHTP A G E 1 2 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4Vallejo S.F. Bay Ferry Terminal289 Mare Island Way, VallejoAt the Foot of Georgia Street in Downtown Vallejowww.sanfranciscobayferry.comThe Vallejo S.F. Bay Ferry makes its way to the Ferry building inSan Francisco. Photo shared online at www.visitvallejo.com.

P A G E 1 3SCOTT SANDERS, SUNOL COFFEESUNOL’S OUTDOOR OASIS:A CALL FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORTT H E S U N O L I A NSunol, CA - Nestled in the heart ofour beloved Sunol, the historicbuilding located at 11882Main Street has always been acornerstone of our community.This year, we are embarking on aheartwarming initiative toenhance the Northeast yard ofthe building where Sunol Coffeenow operates its charming mobilecoffee shop. Our vision is tocreate a welcoming seating areacomplete with tables, chairs,umbrellas, and an array of pottedplants, and we need your help tomake this dream a reality.A Vision for TogethernessImagine a vibrant, cozy cornerwhere parents, teachers, andresidents can gather, relax, andconnect. This outdoor seatingarea will not only provide acomfortable spot for enjoying adelicious cup of coffee and apastry from Sunol Coffee but alsoserve as a beautiful, communalspace for our children, parents,and teachers to enjoy. It will be aplace where ideas can be shared,friendships can blossom, and ourcommunity spirit can thrive.Why We Need Your SupportCreating this outdoor oasis is nosmall feat. We aim to raise fundsfor high-quality tables andchairs, sturdy umbrellas and toprovide shade on sunny days, anda variety of potted plants to adda touch of nature’s beauty. Wealso need to plan for the rainyseason and make plans forblocking and diverting rainwaterand perhaps install some outdoorheaters to keep the spot cozy oncold days. This space will be atestament to the unity andgenerosity of the Sunolcommunity, and everycontribution, big or small, willA U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4bring us one step closer to ourgoal. Our preliminary roughestimate of costs is $4,000 to$6000 for ground preparation,fencing and gates for the westand south side and of the area,umbrellas, tables, chairs, garbagecans, heaters, fans, misters etc.How You Can Help1. Monetary Donations: Financial contributions can bemade directly to our GoFundMe(https://gofund.me/e627fcc0)No amount is too small, and everydollar will go towards creating aspace that we can allbe proud of.2. In-Kind Donations: If you have new or gently usedtables, chairs, umbrellas, orpotted plants that you’d like todonate, please email us byclicking here. Your in-kinddonations are just as valuable anddeeply appreciated.3. Volunteer Your Time: We are also seeking volunteers tohelp with the set-up andinstallation of the seating area.Whether you have a green thumbor are simply willing to lend ahand, your support is crucial.Scott and Tony of Sunol Coffeewill be maintaining the area dailyand will also provide free Wi-Fiand 24/7 recorded video security.Upcoming Fundraising EventsTo kickstart our fundraisingefforts, we will be hosting a seriesof community events. Stay tunedfor details on our bake sale, silentauction, and family fun day. Theseevents will not only raise fundsbut also bring our communitycloser together, reinforcing thebonds that make Sunol sucha special place to live and learn.Join Us in Making a DifferenceLet’s come together to create aspace that reflects the warmthand generosity of our Sunolcommunity. Your support willleave a lasting legacy for futuregenerations of Sunol students,parents and residents alike.Together, we can transform theNortheast yard into a beautiful,welcoming oasis for all to enjoy.For more information on how todonate or get involved, pleasecontact Scott Sanders at(925) 789-7501 or visit ourwebsite at www.sunolcoffee.com.Together, We Can CreateSomething Beautiful!Top Left: Sketch of new seating area. Middle: a single table with no chairs orumbrella in need of some sprucing up. Right: Extended seating area shows thepossibilities for future coffee dates. All photos submitted by Scott Sanders

KRISTEN BOBERTZ, CONTRIBUTORT H E S U N O L I A NIf you remember my article from afew months ago about the artbanner group in Sunol, you'llremember that a few times ayear, a group of Sunol artistscreate beautiful and artistic artbanners that are placeddowntown along Main Street. Lasttime was the Ohlone Tribe, whichwas a beautiful tribute to theNative Americans who lived hereoriginally. Those banners havesince come down, and the nextcollection went up on July 25th.Meet This Collection’s CuratorThis new collection's curator wasMorgan Mitchell, an art teacher atSunol Glen School who lives inPleasanton. Mitchell, a passionateadvocate for art education, sawthis as an opportunity to bring thecommunity together through art.Mitchell decided to take alighthearted approach and cameup with the theme "The NextAnimal Mayor of Sunol" given theupcoming November elections.A Fun and Creative CollectionThe participating artists put theircreativity to the test by creatingpieces of art featuring differentanimals that are running for aseat to be the next Mayor ofSunol. This unique and playfultheme aimed to bring some joyand humor to the localcommunity in the midst of whatcan be a serious and oftentension-filled political season.Each artist brought their ownunique style and interpretation tothe theme, resulting in a diverseand vibrant collection of artbanners. From a majesticmountain lion to a hairy tarantula,quirky cute dogs to adistinguished rooster, the piecesNEXT ANIMAL MAYOR OF SUNOL: ART BANNERSTAKE A LIGHTHEARTED APPROACH TO POLITICSshowcase a wide range of artistictalent and imagination.Now that the art banners havegone up on Main Street, residentsand visitors are encouraged totake a stroll and admire thecreative works of our local artists.What animal do you think wouldmake a good Mayor of Sunol? A Shining ExampleIn a world that can sometimesfeel divided and polarized, art hasthe power to bring peopletogether and bridge differences.The Next Animal Mayor of SunolArt Banner Collection is a shiningexample of how creativity andimagination can help us see theworld in a new light and find joy inunexpected places.So, as you walk down Main Streetand gaze upon the colorful andcreative banners, take a momentto appreciate the beauty andwhimsy that art brings to ourlives. And remember, when itcomes to politics, a little humorand creativity can go a long way inmaking our world a brighter andmore hopeful place.Top: Annie Thomson painted thiscute but somewhat frighteningTeddy the Tarantula. Do you think aTarantula would make a goodmayor? Above: Tom Harlandpainted this No Drama Llama. Ithink we could all use a little lessdrama! Left: Chris Bobertz painted avery distinguished looking roosterwho seems to be ready for business.With the amount of chickens in thistown, this rooster is sure to be readyto rule the roost. All photos byKristen BobertzP A G E 1 4 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NLeft: Lisa Ball painted Kevin the Dog. This quirky and silly pup would surely put a smile on everyone's face as Mayor.Middle: Lisa Evans painted her dog, Belle. What a magical representation of Belle looking up to Bosco to try to becomethe next Mayor of Sunol. Right: Lynn Kozma painted her cute dog, Gage. You might have even seen Lynn and/or Derek walking around withsweet Gage at the downtown park! All photos by Kristen BobertzLeft: Kate Graham painted a beautiful majestic Tule Elk. Photo by Pauline BergeronMiddle: Cindy Kizanis painted a beautiful, strong & fierce Mountain Lion. Mountain Lions have sporadically beenspotted all over Sunol. Photo by Kristen Bobertz.Right: Larry Allen and Ken Chapman from Kore came to help hang up the art banners. Photo by Pauline BergeronP A G E 1 5A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

www.pleasantonfun.comResidents Only:Beginning 8amWednesday, August 14, 2024Open Registration:Non-Resident beginning 8amFriday, August 16, 2024Recreation Administration PhoneHours:Monday-Friday, 8am-6pmFriday, 8am-5pmEnroll now: www.pleasantonfun.comT H E S U N O L I A NP A G E 1 6 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4In June, the Livermore Public Library received 52entries for their Library Card Art Contest from artistsof all ages. Library staff chose 10 finalists. Over thecourse of two weeks, 444 members of the Livermorecommunity voted for their favorite design, with thewinning design receiving 73 votes.Congratulations to artist Victoria Tichy, whose designwill be printed on the next batch of library cards.Tichy's design is an original watercolor that she"scanned and digitally touched up within Photoshop."In speaking on her inspiration, Tichy said, "I wasinspired by visiting land that [Tri-Valley Conservancy]protects under conservation easements, and mywork giving me an opportunity to play a part in toprotecting these spaces."Look for this new design later this year!

August 2024 is American Muslim Appreciation andAwareness Month. At 7 p.m. on August 20, thePleasanton City Council will join communitiesthroughout California in recognizing August 2024 asAmerican Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.This Proclamation acknowledges the rich history andguiding virtues of American Muslims and commendsMuslim communities in California for the lastingpositive impact they have made and continue to maketoward the advancement of the state and the nation.American Muslims contribute greatly to the fabric ofCalifornia and to causes that help people from allfaiths and backgrounds in California, in the UnitedStates, and around the world by providing familyservices, scholastic supplies, medical assistance,before and after school programs, recuperation effortsfollowing natural disasters, and food to the hungry.AMERICAN MUSLIMAPPRECIATION MONTHT H E S U N O L I A NINDIGENOUS PEOPLES CELEBRATIONA celebration of story, song, and dance appreciatingthe long history of culture and traditions that NativeAmericans and Hispanic Americans have preservedthrough the centuries. Featuring Altar, Land Acknowledgement, TraditionalDance, Storytime, Book Giveaway, Flute Performance,Community Drum Circle, and more.Free and open to the public; all are welcome.2400 1st St, Livermore, CA, 94550Keep up to date, become a performer, vendor, orvolunteer: https://livermorearts.org/arts-education/enrichment/ P A G E 1 7A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

February, Vol. 7, Special Issue https://midd.me/shLWMarch, Vol. 7, Iss. 2 https://midd.me/shLWFebruary, Vol. 7, Iss. 1https://midd.me/QAtZBe sure to alsofollow us onFacebook wherewe also announcethe publication ofour next issue.Click or scan below for our 2024 issues availableonline:T H E S U N O L I A NWE GOT ISSUES: CHECK IT OUT ONLINEOur 2024 issues are now available in print and online. Ouronline format includes interactive, multimedia andembedded videos, and is presented as an onscreen,digital, flippable booklet. Our digital version convenientlyincludes reference links throughout.April, Vol. 7, Iss. 3 https://midd.me/ICLxCONTACT PUBLISHER TO ADVERTISEAdvertising Rates for the 2024 Feb, Mar, Apr and May editions are on the house during our inaugural re-launch. You may contact the Publisher, Neil Davies (publisher@thesunolian.com) regarding advertisingrates past the May issue. For advertising sizes and artwork requirements, contact the Editor & LayoutDesigner, Cammie O’Connor (editor@thesunolian.com) for specs and file types. P A G E 1 8 A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 2 4