My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague

Saturday, November 1, 2025

The Heritage Downtown ( THD) and Other Senior Living Communities Nearby

Several of my Co-Residents Requested that I write A Short History of THD. Here's what I found in the Internet.

I have been playing with ChatGPT: Here's the response on my Query on the History, Ownership and Current Management of the Heritage Downtown-My Second home. Remember ChatGPT makes mistakes so be sure to check the facts, before making your decision on any events regarding your needs for Senior Living in the Walnut Creek Area.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of The Heritage Downtown—its history, ownership, and current management:

🏙️ History & Milestones

Opened with a "ribbon cutting/rebranding" ceremony on July 11, 2017, at which Walnut Creek's mayor officially proclaimed it “Active Senior Living Day” for its focus on vibrant, engaged senior living The Heritage+9MarketersMEDIA+9Seniorly+9.
Designed from the start as an “active senior community”, embracing fitness, cultural engagement, and strong local partnerships (e.g., Lesher Center for the Arts) The Heritage+3MarketersMEDIA+3The Heritage+3.
Earned multiple honors as “Best of Senior Living” from A Place for Mom in 2023, 2024, and 2025 A Place for Mom+2The Heritage+2The Heritage+2.

🏢 Ownership

The property operates under the name The Heritage Downtown Senior Apartments, located at 1785 Shuey Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 A Place for Mom+10Mirador Living+10DAYNA WILSON REALTOR+10.
It is positioned as a premium 55+ active/independent senior living community, offering both independent and optional assisted living services (the latter through a partnership with LivHOME) Walnut Creek Magazine+6Senior Living+6Caring+6.

👥 Management & Leadership

Community Relations Director: Jenny Shively, often the public face at events and press releasesPRWeb+3MarketersMEDIA+3DAYNA WILSON REALTOR+3.
Manager: Barbara Simpson, overseeing resident move-ins and day-to-day facility operationsMarketersMEDIA+9Walnut Creek Members+9Senior Living+9.
Local staff (45) includes activity coordinators, housekeeping, maintenance, culinary chefs (Chef Joel Torres at Newton’s) servers and cooks, and administrative personnels DAYNA WILSON REALTOR+5Walnut Creek Magazine+5Mirador Living+5.
Upper Management: COO-Rachel Ryan. CEO-Max? -Son -in-Law of the Val and Erik Watts (Husband of Amy Watts); I have met Rachel, but not Max ( I am not sure of this).

🧭 Community Philosophy & Local Engagement

Built with a “city-adjacent, suburban” design, it offers resort-style amenities—gardens, pool/spa, salon, fitness center, library, cinema, restaurant—and curated social programming priceselfstorage.com+2Mirador Living+2The Heritage+2.
Maintains robust partnerships with downtown institutions like the Lesher Center for the Performing Arts, the Farmers’ Market, and local cafes and retail stores—facilitating an integrated, walkable experience The Heritage+1The Heritage+1.
Philosophy centers on “active aging”—supporting physical, social, emotional, and intellectual engagement through wellness programs, live music, classes, excursions, and cultural events Mirador Living+1The Heritage+1.

🧩 Snapshot Summary

Aspect	Brief Summary
Inception	Opened 2017 as an active, engaged senior living community
Location	1785 Shuey Ave, Walnut Creek—quiet residential street near Downtown
Housing Options	1–3-bedroom independent apartments; assisted living optional via LivHOME
Ownership	Privately operated senior living facility with professional staff leadership
Management	Jenny Shively (Community Relations), Barbara Simpson (Manager), with on-site culinary, wellness/activities, and administrative teams
Focus	Independent, healthy, engaged senior lifestyle with strong local ties and high-end amenities

Summary: Since its establishment in 2017, The Heritage Downtown has positioned itself as a premier active senior living community by combining luxury amenities, proactive wellness programming, and downtown Walnut Creek connectivity. Its leadership—led by Jenny Shively and Barbara Simpson—emphasizes community partnerships and high-quality services, supported by awards and local acclaim. Since my move here in June, 2023, I have observed rapid employee turnover in the Activity and Services Sections( Drivers and Front Desk Personnels)

Here’s a refined breakdown of what I found about The Heritage Downtown regarding pricing, resident programs, and reviews:

💰 Pricing Trends-The following rates are no longer valid, I believe as of this writing date

Independent living starts at approximately $6,095/month per Seniorly, though exact rates depend on floor plan and care levels Reddit+13Seniorly+13Family Assets+13.
Rates have stayed relatively stable. Additional services (e.g., memory care, vision care, assisted living) may incur extra costs through Hillandale Home Care.

🎯 Resident Programs & Amenities

Wellness-centric offerings: Fitness (including yoga, aqua, tai chi, Zumba) classes, a heated pool and spa, meditation, walking groups, and excursions (e.g., trips to San Francisco) Assisted Living Center+8The Heritage+8The Heritage+8.
Cultural engagement: exclusive partnership with the Lesher Center for the Arts—priority access to performances and events The Heritage.
Social & enrichment activities: Art classes, live music, wine tastings, educational talks, library and cinema nights, Bingo, Bridge, Mahjong and other Tile Games The Heritage.
On-site amenities: Newton’s restaurant with fresh, locally sourced and garden-grown meals served in a fine-dining atmosphere Sponsor occasional special Dinners, for example Filipino Dinner Night, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Special Dinners
The Heritage+8The Heritage+8planningtovisitthephilippines.blogspot.com+8; salons, fitness rooms, gardens, and outdoor spaces .
Support services: optional assisted care via partnerships (e.g., Hillendale Home Care and LivHOME), on-site vision care, barber/beauty salon, and transport for both medical and daily needs The Heritage+1Care Changes+1.

🌟 Resident & Family Reviews

Ratings & Awards

Consistently honored as Best of Senior Living (2023–2025) by A Place for Momplanningtovisitthephilippines.blogspot.com+2The Heritage+2The Heritage+2.
Rated 4.7/5 based on ~60 online reviews; Seniorly score is 9.2/10 from 75 reviews Seniorly.
Caring.com gives it 4.6/5 across 18 reviews; AssistedLivingCenter.com places it at 4.9/5 from 34 Google reviews.

Highlights from Reviews

Staff & service: "Very nice staff," "friendly, caring, and competent," "staff always went the extra mile"Reddit+6The Heritage+6Seniorly+6.
Community atmosphere: "Like a college sorority house," "wonderful active senior community," "strong sense of community" Reddit+8The Heritage+8Caring+8.
Amenities: Beautiful grounds, clean public spaces, spa-like pool, gym, salon, movie theater, libraryCaring+1Assisted Living Center+1.
Food: Generally praised as "excellent," "great food," though some mention limited menu varietySeniorly+2planningtovisitthephilippines.blogspot.com+2Caring+2.
Location: Prized for downtown proximity and walkability The Heritage+4Reddit+4Reddit+4.

Noted Challenges

Parking can be limited, especially for guests and workers Seniorly+2The Heritage+2Assisted Living Center+2.
Assisted living drums up mixed feedback—some find the transition or options limited .
Management responsiveness & policies: occasional delays in mail/package handling or responses Family Assets.
A small number of residents noted aging facility parts and need for updates ﹘ though widely appreciated the upkeep and renovation efforts .
My Personal Addition: Rapid Employee Turnover the last 3 years-affects staff and resident morale and slight reduction in Activities, such as Excursions, etc...

🧾 Final Take

Price-wise, expect around $6,095–$8,500/month, depending on service level, size of Aparments—competitive for Downtown Walnut Creek.
Programs span wellness, cultural events, dining experiences, and supportive health services, all with a strong “active aging” ethos.
Overall sentiment: highly positive about community, staff, food, and amenities; minor concerns around parking, assisted care, and property age—but not deal breakers for most.

Here's a comparison of The Heritage Downtown with several senior living options in Walnut Creek and nearby:

🏡 Community Comparison

The Heritage Downtown

Price Range: $6,200 – $8,500/month for independent living; Paying for Senior Care+15Olera Care+15Elder Life Financial+15
Care Levels: Independent + optional assisted living
Amenities & Atmosphere: On-site restaurant, fitness classes, theater, salon, social activities; urban, walkable to downtown Olera CarePrice Self Storage
Pros: Central location, upscale services
Cons: Higher cost, apartment-style living only, no memory care

Rossmoor (Tice Valley)

Structure: Large, gated active adult community with 6,700 residences—co-ops, condos, some homes Price Self Storage+2Olera Care+2Reddit+2Price Self StorageReddit+4Wikipedia+4Price Self Storage+4
Price: Homes range $300 k–1 M+; plus HOA fees around $800–1,000/month Seniors.FYI+8Reddit+8Reddit+8
Care: Independent living only; no assisted or memory care
Amenities: 2 golf courses, pools, tennis, bocce, trails; feels like a small town SFGATE+12Reddit+12Price Self Storage+12
Pros: Ownership, variety of housing and amenities
Cons: No care services, high upfront cost + monthly fees

Viamonte

Price Structure: Entrance fee + monthly charges; specific costs not disclosed Reddit
Care Levels: Independent, assisted, and memory care available
Amenities: Pool, spa, fitness center, multiple dining venues, recreation programs Reddit+15Price Self Storage+15Atria Senior Living+15
Pros: Full continuum of care
Cons: No ownership; limited housing variety

Atria Walnut Creek

Price: Studios from ~$4,495, 1‑beds ~$6,895; memory care ~$8,195/month Olera Care+2SFGATE+2Seniors.FYI+2Price Self Storage
Care Levels: Independent, assisted, memory care
Amenities: Bistro, pool, salon, fitness, library, OT/PT services Price Self Storage
Pros: Wide care options, comprehensive amenities
Cons: Higher-end pricing, limited floor-plan variety

Walnut Creek Manor

Price: Studio ~$914; 1‑bed ~$1047; 2‑bed ~$1,327/month (appears below market—possibly subsidized or error)Seniors.FYI
Care Level: Independent living
Pros: Extremely low cost
Cons: Limited scale; long waitlists and communication challenges Olera Care+4Seniors.FYI+4Atria Senior Living+4Price Self Storage

The Inn of Walnut Creek (Board & Care)

Price: Semi-private $3,900; private $4,800–5,000/month Seniors.FYI
Care Level: Assisted living in small home setting
Pros: Affordable personalized care
Cons: Limited privacy/amenities; small-scale board & care

🔍 At-a-Glance Table

Community	Type	Price Range	Care Offered	Ownership?	Highlights
Heritage Downtown	Urban, rental apartments	$6,200–8,500 + assisted	Independent & assisted	No	Downtown walkability, upscale amenities
Rossmoor	Large gated community	$300 k–1M homes + HOA	Independent only	Yes	Ownership, golf, pools, clubs
Viamonte	Mid-size facility	Fee structure, no listing	Independent/assisted/memory	No	Full continuum of care
Atria Walnut Creek	Facility-based	$4,495–9,195	Independent to memory care	No	Strong care services, many amenities
Walnut Creek Manor	Low-cost independent	≈ $1,800/month	Independent only	No	Budget-friendly, but small and limited availability
Inn of Walnut Creek	Board & care home	$3,900–5,000	Assisted living only	No	Affordable, intimate setting

🧭 Which Might Fit Best?

Want ownership + resort-style life? Go with Rossmoor—luxurious but high cost and no care services.
Need care continuum on-site? Viamonte and Atria provide assisted & memory care.
Prefer urban, rental lifestyle with optional care? Stick with The Heritage Downtown or choose Atria for more care options.
Budget is tight? Home-board care (“Inn”) or Manor may help but with limited scale/service.

💬 Local Insights

Redditors observe:

“Rossmoor is great for security and independent living within a gated/guarded community but it’s not exactly cheap… condo prices are reasonable but HOA is around $800–1,000/mo.”Seniorly+15Reddit+15Reddit+15Elder Life Financial+3SeniorLiving.org+3Paying for Senior Care+3RedditReddit+7Reddit+7Atria Senior Living+7Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4Reddit+4Atria Senior Living+2SFGATE+2Paying for Senior Care+2Olera CarePrice Self StorageAtria Senior Living+1Wikipedia+1Seniors.FYISeniors.FYI
“The Heritage Downtown… they do have a very nice onsite restaurant, activities, transportation… residents responsible for own laundry.” Reddit

✅ Summary

If your top priority is downtown access, apartment living, and flexible care → Heritage Downtown is a strong choice.
If you plan to age in place, favor ownership, and enjoy community amenities → Rossmoor suits you (but know it’s no-care independent living).
If care and services matter most (including memory care) → Consider Viamonte or Atria.
Personal Note: THD has currently 153 residents. There is a waiting list, but tours are still on-going by appointment only. I have resided in this place for over 2 years and I am very happy. Be sure to call the Office ( 925-943-7427) to verify all rental/fees information in this posting.
Meanwhile, Did you know that......
Kamaru—or cricket adobo—is a prized delicacy from Pampanga, the culinary capital of the Philippines.
For many non-Kapampangans, just the thought of eating insects makes them squirm. The crunch, the juices that burst from the abdomen, and the bug-like appearance all add to the “yuck” factor. But for locals, kamaru is a savory treat, often sautéed in garlic, onions, tomatoes, and vinegar, and enjoyed with rice like any comfort food.
Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s crawly. But if cooked right, adobong kamaru might just awaken the daring foodie in you—and make you question why you were ever scared of something so tasty.
Finally, Did you know?
Filipinos are the second-largest immigrant group in the United States—but they’re often unseen.

Despite their large numbers, Filipino Americans don’t usually form visible ethnic enclaves like Chinatowns or Little Saigons. Instead, they often blend into broader communities, making their cultural footprint less obvious.

Why? Experts point to a mix of factors: Strong assimilation due to U.S. colonial history.  A large number of healthcare and military workers who settle near hospitals and bases rather than ethnic hubs

Fewer Filipino restaurants or branded neighborhoods compared to other Asian groups

The result? A quiet but powerful presence: they’re everywhere, contributing in hospitals, schools, and service sectors—but without the big banners or bold signs.  

Highlights of My Professional Career

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.

My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.

The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.

Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.

My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.

My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.

One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.
The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.

One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.

My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.

Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.

This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.

In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.

Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.

In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.

After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.

In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.

As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.

It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.

In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.” I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.

There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing one’s job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with one’s immediate supervisor. Working individually develops one’s skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.

Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops one’s skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like: