Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Local farm owner, police successfully return wallet to William Shatner

The celebrity purchased four baskets of chilled cherries and $2 worth of corn.

 

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By Robert Airoldi

William Shatner boldly went where many have gone before. Unfortunately, he left his wallet behind. Shatner stopped at the Fruit Barn produce stand on Pacheco Pass July 20 and accidentally dropped his wallet in a corn bin, according to news reports.

When Gary Tognetti, owner of B & T Farms, showed up to work the following day and saw the wallet – and after his initial shock at seeing the famous name — he texted his friend Officer Mark Tarasco with the Gilroy Police Department.

The celebrity, who played “Captain Kirk” on the “Star Trek” series, purchased four baskets of chilled cherries and $2 worth of corn.

It took two hours and some teamwork to connect with Shatner’s agent about the star’s missing wallet. Officer Tarasco said celebrity status aside, the department made sure they did their due diligence.

“We were vague about what we found and we wanted to hear them correlate, you know, not just the wallet, but the contents as well,” he told ABC7 News.

Tarasco said the wallet was then overnighted through FedEx back to Shatner in Beverly Hills.

On Tuesday morning, this tweet was posted to Shatner’s verified Twitter account: “I would like to thank Gary and Natalie of B&T Farms @TfarmsB for their extreme honesty in returning my lost wallet. They are obviously good citizens. I would also like to thank Officer Mark Tarasco and Sergeant John Ballard from the @GilroyPD My best, Bill”

Of course they are, William. Glad you got your wallet back.

Santa Clara County has launched a new lifeline phone number for people to call in times of mental health or substance use crisis, with teams of trained counselors available 24/7 to offer support by phone or an in-person response, depending on the nature of the situation.

The lifeline — reached by dialing 9-8-8 — is the result of a push to make similar crisis and suicide prevention services available across the country. The county’s 988 operation includes an array of mental health services designed to de-escalate crisis situations.

“This new lifeline is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to provide compassionate mental health services in all aspects,” said Board of Supervisors President Mike Wasserman, who represents the South Valley. “By calling 988, people will get connected with services as well as receive immediate help for those experiencing a crisis that could result in harm to themselves or others.”

The county’s new lifeline is designed to provide support for those experiencing emotional or mental health distress, including thoughts of suicide, fearfulness, or other mental health or substance use crises. Loved ones and others can also call 988 if they are concerned for someone else.

“988 is easy to remember, making it simple for people facing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide to get the help they need,” said Sherri Terao, director of the county’s Behavioral Health Services Department. “When you call 988, trained crisis counselors will answer and give you compassionate support. The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.”

Congratulations to Greta Hansen, who was appointed by Santa Clara County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith as the county’s next chief operating officer. Hansen fills the position that will be vacated by Miguel Márque. She is the county’s chief assistant county counsel, having served in various roles in the office of the county counsel for the past 13 years.

As COO, Hansen will be responsible for all operations of the county. She will be the first woman to serve in the position.

“I am pleased to share that Greta will be the county’s next chief operating officer,” Smith said. “She is an incredibly capable and proven leader, has a deep commitment to the county’s mission and its residents, and her many talents are well-known within the county organization and throughout our community. She will bring tremendous intellect, integrity, and heart to this critical position.”

Hansen received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her law degree from U.C. Berkeley. She currently serves on the board of the nonprofit group Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

“The county’s core mission is to provide the safety-net services on which our entire community depends, particularly our most vulnerable residents,” she said.

Congratulations on your new job, Greta!