It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Livermore, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Rennie and I have had care givers provided by All Best Care of Tri-Valley since the”
“Rennie and I have had care givers provided by All Best Care of Tri-Valley since the end of April this year. We have been very pleased with the care givers and the support from the office. We would recommend this agency anytime.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Livermore, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Livermore, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Livermore, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
I felt this quakeA light magnitude 1.2 earthquake hit 12.2 km (8 mi) away from Livermore, California, United States, in the early morning of Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 at 3.49 am local time (GMT -8). The quake had a very shallow depth of 0.1 km (0 mi) and was too small to be felt by people.Hint: Click on the image to see different maps of this quake!Minor magnitude 1.2 earthquake at 0 km depth12 Nov 11:50 UTC: First to report: USGS after 2 minutes.Earthquake details Date &...
I felt this quake
A light magnitude 1.2 earthquake hit 12.2 km (8 mi) away from Livermore, California, United States, in the early morning of Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 at 3.49 am local time (GMT -8). The quake had a very shallow depth of 0.1 km (0 mi) and was too small to be felt by people.
Hint: Click on the image to see different maps of this quake!
Minor magnitude 1.2 earthquake at 0 km depth
12 Nov 11:50 UTC: First to report: USGS after 2 minutes.
| Date & time | Nov 12, 2026 11:49:02 UTC - 10 hours ago |
| Local time at epicenter | Thursday, Nov 12, 2026, at 03:49 am (GMT -8) |
| Status | preliminary (automatic detection) |
| Magnitude | 1.21 |
| Depth | Unknown |
| Epicenter latitude / longitude | 37.6005°N / 121.6758°W Alameda County, California, United States |
| Seismic antipode | 37.6005°S / 58.3242°E |
| Quality | 8 seismic stations |
| Shaking intensity | II Very weak shaking |
| Felt | 0 reports |
| Primary data source | USGS (United States Geological Survey) |
| Nearest volcano | Clear Lake (180 km / 112 mi) |
| Weather at epicenter at time of quake | Clear Sky 5.9°C (43 F), humidity: 76%, wind: 2 m/s (4 kts) from E |
| Estimated seismic energy released | 4 x 106 joules (1.11 kilowatt hours) | about seismic energy |
Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in the US California
The closest larger town near the epicenter is Livermore, a town with 88,000 inhabitants in the United States, in 12.2 km (8 mi) distance to the northwest, but it is unlikely that the quake was felt there.
| Distance | Place | Max. shaking intensity(*) | Region | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 km (8 mi) | Livermore(pop: 88,100) | I: Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 19 km (12 mi) | Pleasanton(pop: 79,500) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 26 km (16 mi) | Dublin(pop: 57,700) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 27 km (17 mi) | Tracy(pop: 87,100) | : Not felt | San Joaquin County, California | United States |
| 28 km (17 mi) | Milpitas(pop: 77,600) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 28 km (18 mi) | Fremont(pop: 232,200) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 30 km (19 mi) | Union City(pop: 74,500) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 33 km (21 mi) | Newark(pop: 45,300) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 33 km (21 mi) | San Ramon(pop: 76,100) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 35 km (22 mi) | San Jose(pop: 997,400) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 36 km (23 mi) | Hayward(pop: 158,300) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 37 km (23 mi) | Santa Clara(pop: 126,200) | : Not felt | California | United States |
| 37 km (23 mi) | Brentwood(pop: 59,000) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 38 km (23 mi) | Castro Valley(pop: 61,400) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 38 km (23 mi) | Danville(pop: 44,400) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 40 km (25 mi) | Ashland(pop: 21,900) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 41 km (25 mi) | Sunnyvale(pop: 155,800) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 41 km (26 mi) | San Lorenzo(pop: 23,500) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 42 km (26 mi) | Campbell(pop: 41,100) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 43 km (27 mi) | Lathrop | : Not felt | San Joaquin County, California | United States |
| 43 km (27 mi) | Mountain View | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 44 km (27 mi) | East Palo Alto | : Not felt | San Mateo County, California | United States |
| 44 km (27 mi) | Cupertino(pop: 60,600) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 44 km (27 mi) | Oakley(pop: 39,800) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 44 km (28 mi) | San Leandro(pop: 90,700) | : Not felt | Alameda County, California | United States |
| 45 km (28 mi) | Palo Alto(pop: 66,900) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 45 km (28 mi) | Los Altos | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 46 km (29 mi) | Manteca | : Not felt | San Joaquin County, California | United States |
| 46 km (29 mi) | Antioch(pop: 110,500) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 48 km (30 mi) | Menlo Park(pop: 33,400) | : Not felt | San Mateo County, California | United States |
| 48 km (30 mi) | Moraga(pop: 17,300) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 48 km (30 mi) | Walnut Creek(pop: 68,900) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 48 km (30 mi) | Saratoga(pop: 31,000) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 49 km (31 mi) | Los Gatos(pop: 30,700) | : Not felt | Santa Clara County, California | United States |
| 51 km (32 mi) | Pittsburg(pop: 69,400) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 51 km (32 mi) | Redwood City(pop: 85,300) | : Not felt | San Mateo County, California | United States |
| 51 km (32 mi) | Pleasant Hill(pop: 34,800) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 52 km (32 mi) | Stockton(pop: 305,700) | : Not felt | San Joaquin County, California | United States |
| 52 km (33 mi) | Concord(pop: 128,700) | : Not felt | Contra Costa County, California | United States |
| 110 km (69 mi) | Sacramento(pop: 524,900) | : Not felt | California | United States |
Notes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.
The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.
| Mag | Depth | Time GMT2026-11-12 | Epicenter | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.21 | 0.1 km0 mi±1 km | 11:49:02.85 | 12 km SE of Livermore, CAEpicenter uncertainty: ± 0.3 km | USGS (United States Geological Survey) |
Based on data from the past 56 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 1,800 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):
The area where this quake occurred has a high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 7 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 15 to 20 years.
LIVERMORE, CA — Following the news that Chinese agents had been engaging in widespread "honeypot" operations across the United States for years, former Congressman Eric Swalwell was reportedly heartbroken to learn that Chinese intelligence had been seeing other people.Sources revealed that the disgraced former lawmaker was despondent upon finding out that, despite how much he had treasured the relationship, the Chinese government had been going behind his back and cheating on him this whole time."This is re...
LIVERMORE, CA — Following the news that Chinese agents had been engaging in widespread "honeypot" operations across the United States for years, former Congressman Eric Swalwell was reportedly heartbroken to learn that Chinese intelligence had been seeing other people.
Sources revealed that the disgraced former lawmaker was despondent upon finding out that, despite how much he had treasured the relationship, the Chinese government had been going behind his back and cheating on him this whole time.
"This is really a kick in the gut," Swalwell reportedly said. "I really thought we had something special. Come to find out, the Chinese intelligence community had been seeing other people all along. You think you know someone and can really open up to them and confide in them and tell national secrets to them, and they go and do something like this. It really ends up coloring the way you see other Chinese spies out there on the dating scene, you know?"
Though no official public statement was made, one Chinese intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity said the community still valued their time spent with Swalwell. "We benefited greatly from Mr. Swalwell," the source said. "We will always care very deeply about him and wish him well in his future relationships with other foreign intelligence agents. We just think it's better if we just remain friends."
At publishing time, Swalwell had been seen cruising through Chinatown, reportedly on the prowl for his next stint as a valuable asset to the Chinese Communist Party.
A quantum physicist interviews for the job of a lifetime at a modern university — but does he have what it takes to survive a flurry of DEI questions?
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Alameda County demanded ICE stop using jail property for immigration enforcement, citing repeated violations and public safety risks.DUBLIN, CA — Alameda County sent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a cease-and-desist letter Monday demanding that the agency stop conducting civil immigration enforcement operations on county property, including Santa Rita Jail.Interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle sent Julio Hernandez, the acting field director for ICE in San Francisco, a letter accusing the agency of violating the...
DUBLIN, CA — Alameda County sent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a cease-and-desist letter Monday demanding that the agency stop conducting civil immigration enforcement operations on county property, including Santa Rita Jail.
Interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle sent Julio Hernandez, the acting field director for ICE in San Francisco, a letter accusing the agency of violating the county’s ICE-free zone policy. Weddle claimed that Alameda County Sheriff's Office staff at Santa Rita Jail have repeatedly informed ICE personnel of county restrictions on using its property for civil immigration enforcement, but that agents ignored those instructions.
Weddle also noted that on Nov. 1, an ICE agent chased an individual from the jail parking lot into the lobby, where the individual was detained. On Nov. 8, two ICE agents were involved in a physical confrontation with members of the public inside the jail lobby. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office called attention to these incidents in a post, and noted that effective immediately, access to the jail is restricted to individuals with appointments and official business only. A sign has been put in the jail lobby stating that as property owned or controlled by the county, it may not be used for any civil immigration enforcement activity, according to the county’s letter.
The letter made the following demands:
The letter is not legally binding, and ICE has defended its right to conduct enforcement on county property. When Alameda County first enacted its ICE-free zone in January, the Department of Homeland Security called the policy “legally illiterate” and argued that enforcing federal immigration laws is a “clear federal “responsibility.”
"The Trump Administration is utilizing all lawful options to carry out the largest deportation operation in history, just as President Trump promised," ICE said in a statement. "We will not apologize for defending the homeland -- this is exactly what the American people voted for."
However, the county could sue the federal government if the violations continue. David Levine, a professor of law at UC College of the Law San Francisco, told KTVU that he thinks the county “should win” because the matter concerns county property, though matters could be complicated if ICE had a proper judicial search warrant to be in the jail.
The letter follows an uptick in ICE detentions across the East Bay, particularly near Santa Rita Jail and the East County Hall of Justice. ICE has arrested at least 19 people in Oakland, Hayward, Livermore, Union City, Berkeley and Dublin, according to the Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership. ICE agents have also entered Wilma Chan Highland Hospital in Oakland to monitor a detainee receiving medical care, according to ACILEP.
“Already, we have seen that ICE is deterring people from seeking medical and other critical services, and their presence at the county jail is keeping friends and family from visiting and providing support,” the letter said.
The Great Elephant Migration will bring 30 handcrafted elephant sculptures modeled on real wild elephants to Livermore this fall.LIVERMORE, CA — A herd of elephants is on its way to Livermore, and once they arrive, they plan to stay for a while.The Great Elephant Migration, a global public art and fundraising initiative featuring a traveling herd of life-size Indian elephant sculptures, is making its Bay Area debut in downtown Livermore. From Oct. 10 to Dec. 6, the hand-crafted elephants will be on view in front of the ...
LIVERMORE, CA — A herd of elephants is on its way to Livermore, and once they arrive, they plan to stay for a while.
The Great Elephant Migration, a global public art and fundraising initiative featuring a traveling herd of life-size Indian elephant sculptures, is making its Bay Area debut in downtown Livermore. From Oct. 10 to Dec. 6, the hand-crafted elephants will be on view in front of the Bankhead Plaza and Stockmen’s Park.
Each elephant is a faithful, life-size replica of a real wild elephant living in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India. A collective of Indigenous artisans known as The Real Elephant Collective knows each elephant by name and personality, and crafts their replicas using Lantana camara, an invasive species that has overtaken large areas of India’s forests and displaced wildlife from its natural habitat. Harvesting the weed for sculptures helps clear it from wildlife habitat.
The elephants began their world tour in 2021, and have traveled everywhere from London to Miami to Beverly Hills to Newport, Rhode Island to New York City. The presence of large-scale elephants in dense, human spaces highlights the nature of human coexistence with large animals.
“The Great Elephant Migration carries a simple idea across the world: people and wildlife can share space. The project draws inspiration from Indigenous communities in India that have lived alongside wild elephants for generations,” Three Thirty-Three Arts, a Bay Area public art nonprofit that partnered with Livermore Valley Arts to bring the elephants to Livermore, said in a news release.
Livermore will be the herd’s only stop on the West Coast in 2026. The GEM selected Livermore as its Bay Area location after community members lobbied to bring them there and raised funds.
"Long story short, we explained to the Elephant Family USA that Livermore would be a good Bay Area location (Tri-Valley) that would suit this exhibition well, and two locations in Downtown Livermore specifically would be a great display site," said Sage Loring, executive director of Three Thirty-Three Arts. "The overarching idea is that even the suburbs of large cities can bring culturally rich and beautiful exhibits to their own. Big cities don't have to be the sole culture center, there can be plenty of outposts too, like Livermore."
The visit to Livermore is officially hosted by Livermore Valley Arts and Three Thirty-Three Arts, with support from the city of Livermore, LVA Director Jean King, and Visit Tri-Valley. The exhibit will be free and open to the public, though individual elephants are for sale for anywhere from $8,500 to $22,500.
Since 2024, The Great Elephant Migration has granted more than $1.4 million in proceeds to support communities living alongside elephants, lions, tigers, buffalo, grizzly bears, and other wildlife. Funds also support Indigenous-led and community-based conservation, sustainable livelihoods, habitat restoration, and projects that help people and wildlife coexist.
“The Great Elephant Migration is a powerful example of how art can create connections to culture, conservation and our shared world,” said Anne Giancola, Visual Arts and Education Manager for Livermore Valley Arts. “Livermore Valley Arts is proud to be part of creating those connections - bringing an extraordinary artistic experience to our community while inviting people to think more deeply about our relationship with the natural world and the importance of protecting it.”
"This temporary installation is truly unique. It has fired the imaginations throughout our community," said Livermore Mayor John Marchand.
For more information, visit 333arts.org/gem.
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Patch reached out to candidates for the LVJUSD Board of Trustees. Meet Deena Kaplanis, who's running to represent Area 5. LIVERMORE, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees Areas 2, 3, and 5 with questions we feel Livermore voters want to know. This is the first LVJUSD Board election with districts.We reprinted their answers verbatim.Below, read the responses of Deena Kaplanis, a board incumbent and chiropractor running for re-election. Kap...
LIVERMORE, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees Areas 2, 3, and 5 with questions we feel Livermore voters want to know. This is the first LVJUSD Board election with districts.
We reprinted their answers verbatim.
Below, read the responses of Deena Kaplanis, a board incumbent and chiropractor running for re-election. Kaplanis was elected to an at-large seat in 2024, and is now running in District 5.
What is your educational background?
I am a former 2-Sport Scholar Athlete Graduate from Whitter College with a BA in Kinesiology & Leisure Science, a Minor in Psychology and an emphasis in Pre-Med. I graduated Cum Lade with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences. During my first year on the LVJUSD School Board, I earned a Master's in Governance from the California School Board Association.
What is your professional background?
I am a board certified Doctor of Chiropractic with over 20 years of experience in my field. I have been in private practice for the majority of my career with experience also in the concorporate world. While finishing up college, I worked in the athletic department supporting the Athletic Director and Coaches. I also have experience working as an assistant volleyball coach and designing the strength & conditioning program for the Whitter College Women's Volleyball Team.
Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?
Yes, I was elected to the LVJUSD School Board in 2024.
What are the top three issues facing LVJUSD right now?
1)Stability- we've had a lot of changes recently and it has been challenging for our district as a whole and the community to understand. 2)Transparency- we can do better communicating, keeping families engaged and involved in their student's educational experience. 3)Fiscal Responsibility- we need to get our finances in order and prioritize educational excellence and student achievement
What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year in office?
Stability in our budget while still offering a high quality educational experience for our students- I'd like to restore student programs and/or supports that were eliminated during our large budget reduction.
LVJUSD approved nearly $15 million in ongoing budget reductions for 2026–27. Which reductions do you support, oppose or hope eventually to restore, and how would you pay for any restoration?
I support ALL Student programs and supporting student services such as the project youth build program, paraprofessionals that support students and teachers in the classrooms, and elementary mental health supports and counselors. We need to balance our general fund expenses, maintain a healthy reserve, and secure grant funds that have or are going to expire.
This is LVJUSD’s first election using trustee areas. What unmet need do you see in your trustee area, and how would you advocate for it while still governing on behalf of the entire district?
Honestly, we can use more health and safety supports across the district but specifically in my area. For example, I would like to see more mental health and behavioral supportive services for the classrooms and students in Area 5.
Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponents?
I have no special interests. I would just like to continue serving the students and families in our community to the best of my ability by restoring the foundations of education that allow students to love learning, achieve high, and become productive citizens! I have a proven record of true leadership and accountability. I am involved in many ways in our schools and community. I am accessible, approachable, and willing to talk to anyone (even the ones that see things differently). I am open minded, a great listener, and willing to continue doing the hard work.
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