Author: Heather Ruiz

Ways to Help Others

As we are all quarantined in our homes, with our families and animals, let’s not forget about those that are still working tirelessly to help others

Local Spotlight: Dreamland Baby, Featured on Shark Tank

We are so happy for Dreamland Baby! Tara was recently featured on Shark Tank. To view the episode, click here!

“If there’s a will, there’s a way” –Dreamland Baby’s Founder, Tara Williams lives by this motto.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Tara and listening to her astounding story of how she started Dreamland Baby. Her story is inspirational and incredible.

It all started with a few mishaps in life and taking a wrong turn, but ended up becoming one of the most beneficial moments! Tara’s son, Luke was the inspiration of Dreamland Baby. We all know the fatigue and overwhelming feelings we have with a newborn and the lack of sleep seems endless, especially if your baby doesn’t sleep well at all. Tara and her husband were already dealing with job layoffs and adapting to a 4th child. One night, while sitting on the couch, Luke was fussy and couldn’t seem to fall asleep(which was always the case with him).

She decided to put a heavy weighted blanket on him, hoping this will calm him down and relax him, and it did! Searching all over the internet, Tara could only find weighted blankets for older kids and dogs, but nothing for babies. Surprised by the outcome, Tara took matters into her own hands. Luckily, her mother-in-law knew how to sew, so Tara told her what she wanted for Luke. When the first blanket was completed, something amazing happened…Luke slept through the night, for the first time!

If you really want to do it. You can make it happen.

Her story is inspirational to all moms out there; whether it be a working mom or stay-at-home Mom. How does she do it all? Tara continues to say, “If there’s a will, there’s a way” Her will is strong and determined to help out struggling sleep-deprived parents.

Her passion and love for helping others materializes in her success. Not only is she helping babies sleep through the night, she is giving parents their life back.

I’m doing other moms a disservice if I don’t get this out there-I’m obligated to help other people.

There are sacrifices Tara sustains constantly by having a company to run and a family to attend to. She has learned to become a time-management pro! Being a mom of 4, business owner, and a wife – she has managed to do it all! Tara works early mornings before the kids wake up, during naps, and when they go to sleep at night.

Managing your time wisely can get you a long way

Tara knows what it’s like to struggle and not know where to turn and she wants to share with anyone struggling out there, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

We are excited to see what the future of Dreamland Baby will convey! To find out how Dreamland Baby started, visit Tara’s website to read her captivating story.

You can check them out here: Dreamland Baby

Community Cup Danville

A Danville Teen, Lindsey Lonergan started Community Cup Danville to help local businesses!

We may not be able to grab our daily cup of coffee in town, but we CAN still fill it by participating in Community Cup.

Let’s help our local businesses through these uncertain times by donating the money you would typically spend on your morning jolt to this relief fund.

All money raised will go directly to the Danville Chamber of Commerce, which will be used to help our local shops bridge the gap to reopening. Soon, we’ll be able to support our favorite businesses in person. Until then, pour a cup of compassion, knowing that every dollar you donate will flow directly to our downtown!

Click here to donate!

McDonald’s Giving Free ‘Thank You Meals’ to Healthcare and Frontline Workers

As an appreciation for their selfless service, McDonald’s will be giving free “thank you meals” to healthcare and frontline workers, starting April 22-May 5. They will need to be in uniform or show their badge at checkout.

During breakfast hours, front-line workers will have the option to choose an Egg McMuffin, Chicken McGriddle, or a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. Each comes with a side of hash browns and a soft drink, tea, or hot coffee.

In the afternoon and at night, frontline workers will be able to choose a double cheeseburger, 6-piece McNuggets or a Filet-O-Fish. Each comes with a side of small fries and a soft drink, tea, or hot coffee.

Masks! DIY, Donate, or Purchase!

Always remember to also help protect yourself and prevent spreading the virus to others:

Danville Father Accuses Ex of Potentially Exposing Kids to Coronavirus

The Coronavirus figured into an unusual child-custody dispute Monday morning in a normally quiet Danville neighborhood.

A Danville resident, Lisa Henning Low called 911, saying her ex-husband had pointed a gun at her as she tried to pick up their two daughters, ages 7 and 10.

I rang the doorbell, and I knocked and he opened the door,” Low said.
“He said, “I’m not giving you the kids. Get the hell out of here.’ And he pulled a gun on me.”

Danville police detained her ex at gunpoint and searched the house, but no gun was found. Geoff Gillette, a Danville police spokesman, said officers determined no crime had been committed and that it was a civil matter.

Low says she was stunned when officers said they couldn’t help her get an emergency protective order, and that her daughters would be staying with her ex.

He told police he was concerned that Low was potentially exposing their daughters to the coronavirus because she works as an ER doctor at Kaiser .

She said her ex wanted “to have the children taken from me because of his concern for the children and their exposure to COVID-19,” Low said.

Low, who works at Kaiser in Walnut Creek and Antioch, said her children aren’t in any danger.

“The risk to children is minimal,” she said. “I don’t feel the children are at any serious risk. No child under 10 has died.”

She says everyone at Kaiser has been taking proper precautions.

“We’re in protective gear. We wear N-95 (masks), we wear shields, we cover our eyes, we wear hairnets,” she said,

By phone, Low’s ex-husband confirmed to KTVU he’s concerned that because Low works at Kaiser, that she could be endangering the children,. He said he doesn’t know who’s been in the ER and that just because the coronavirus hasn’t been reported doesn’t mean it hasn’t been at the hospital.

But he denied pointing a gun at his ex-wife, saying he’s never owned a gun. He said, “This was a concoction that she did for dramatic effect.”

For now, Low says she’s in limbo because Contra Costa County Superior Court is closed because of the pandemic. She hopes other first responders and doctors in her situation won’t go what she’s going through.

“I’m completely distressed, you know? There’s nothing now I can do. I feel completely hopeless,” she said.

*** Disclaimer*** Source is from FOX 2 KTVU News. This is a copy of the News Report.

Forge Pizza in Danville is Closing

According to their website, Forge Pizza in Danville will be closing their doors for good on Sunday, March 15th. The cafe-style restaurant, located inside the Lunardi’s building in Iron Horse Plaza, has been sold to new owners who will be launching a new concept in the coming months.

The Forge Pizza, which opened in Danville as their second location in 2013, will remain open in their other 2 locations in Oakland’s Jack London Square and Napa’s Century Center.