Good Neighbors by Faith Barnidge: YV Library landscape makeover, Lindsay Museum appreciates vets, Women Bridge to …

Landscape makeover

We love to hear about examples of collaboration between the business community and nonprofit organizations in our community.

The Ygnacio Valley Library in Walnut Creek will receive a "landscape makeover" this summer, funded entirely by private and local business and community donations, and made possible by grants from the William A. Kerr Foundation and the Walnut Creek Library Foundation.

The library, also known as the Thurman G. Casey Library, will debut the results this fall, coinciding with Walnut Creek's centennial celebration. Landscape architect Michael D. Fotheringham volunteered the landscape plans, creating two paved outdoor patio spaces, relocating existing bicycle racks, planting more attractive, drought-resistant plants, and installing a water-efficient irrigation system.

Volunteers from Mormon Helping Hands, under the auspices of the local arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is providing much of the labor. And lending a hand with operating earthmoving equipment is contractor Cliff Beck, with Republic Services stepping in with donations of Dumpster and hauling services.

The library, which was funded in part by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation and was a first in public/private partnerships for a Contra Costa County library, enjoys more than 95,000 visits annually and circulates more than 300,000 items.

Relay for Life

Relay for Life, a program of the American Cancer Society, raises funds for cancer research. The relay is not a race or run. Teams form in advance to raise money and educate visitors on cancer awareness, and must keep at least one member on the track for 24 hours to signify that cancer never sleeps, and neither does the fight against cancer.

There is no registration fee for cancer survivors, and they do not need to raise funds to participate in the survivor ceremonies at the relay, to be held at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, at Pleasant Hill Middle School, 1 Santa Barbara Road in Pleasant Hill.

Prior to the kickoff, a hearty breakfast will be served by the Pleasant Hill Lions Club, with cancer survivors as the special guests. The food is free, but donations to the relay will be welcomed.

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Good Neighbors by Faith Barnidge: YV Library landscape makeover, Lindsay Museum appreciates vets, Women Bridge to ...