Blackhawk Living Magazine February 2020

Mailed Directly to Blackhawk Residents and Published Online

FEBRUARY 2020

Blackhawk

LIVING

Meet the Aguiars: Making the Most of Each Day! COVER PHOTO:

by Kim Lind Photography

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FEBRUARY 2020

Publication Team Publisher:

Jo Peek, Blackhawk Resident since 2014 Content Coordinator: Megan Scott Blackhawk Resident since 2010 Designer: Emily Lund Contributing Photographer: Kim Lind Photography

Advertising Contact: Jo Peek Email: JPeek@bestversionmedia.com

Feedback/Ideas/Submissions: Have feedback, ideas, or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.”

You may also email your thoughts, ideas, and photos to: mscott@bestversionmedia.com.

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Dear Neighbors, This month we are celebrating a certain romantic holiday in Blackhawk Living and introducing you to your neighbors, the Aguiars. Their love story spans across the country, and we were lucky enough they chose Blackhawk to call home.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate and enjoy fine dining in the Bay Area, our travel, food, wine, and golf columnist, Mike L. McColgan, reviews a San Francisco hot-spot.

Personally, if award-show spectating were a sport, I may qualify as an enthusiastic amateur, which is why I love February. With the Grammy Awards and Academy Awards this month, you can be sure to find me watching the red carpet fun. Happy Award Show Season and Valentine’s Day from Blackhawk Living Magazine!

Megan Scott Resident since 2010

Blackhawk Living Magazine is devoted to sharing stories, events and news among our neighbors in this wonderful community. If you have a story, event or news to share please email me at mscott@bestversionmedia.com.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 3

Expert Contributors Auto Sales & Service Kerri Anderson Pleasanton Automall Kerri.Anderson@hendrickauto.com 925- 737-5062

The Pleasanton Automall is a luxury automotive dealership housing the Acura and Lexus dealerships located in Pleasanton, CA. In addition to our flagships, we also carry a wide selection of quality pre-owned vehicles. We pride ourselves in offering a World Class experience to all of our guests. Visit us today or contact us online to experience the Pleasanton difference.

Dentist Dr. Larry Porteous DDS Larry Porteous Family Dentistry 925-736-9000

Porteous Family Dentistry- Larry Porteous DDS and Linda Porteous RDH have been serving the dental needs in the communities of Rodeo,Vallejo and Blackhawk/Danville for over 30 years.They are a full service practice, eliminating, in most cases, the need for referrals. Offering extended hours for your convenience. “Our practices are dedicated to treating and preventing dental diseases in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We strive to give each person the same respect, concern and care we would expect as patients.

Chiropractor Anatomy Power Wellness Dr. Tracey James (925) 457-0210 HelloWellness@ProtonMail.com AnatomyPower.com

Dr. Tracey James joyfully serves as a chiropractor, doula and educator. She provides chiropractic care to individuals of all ages, specializing in pregnancy and pediatrics with over a decade of experience immersed in supporting families during their birth process and fertility journeys. Dr. Tracey graduated with honors from Life Chiropractic College West with further studies through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) where she gained certification in the Webster Technique.

Cosmetic Surgery Stephen J. Ronan MD FACS Blackhawk Plastic Surgery and Migraine Center 925-736-5757 www.blackhawkplasticsurgery.com

Blackhawk Plastic Surgery has been offering their patients the highest quality cosmetic treatments in the Blackhawk area for more than 15 years. Now they are thrilled to introduce the Blackhawk Migraine Clinic led by migraine specialist, Alicia Choquette. Alicia brings over 5 years of migraine expertise to the Blackhawk Migraine Clinic and looks forward to helping patients live a better quality of life migraine free.

Education St. Isidore School (925) 837-2977 www.stisidore.org info@stisidore.org

St. Isidore School is the East Bay’s largest Catholic School serving TK-8th Grade. We believe each student is a unique and beautiful gift. We foster individuality in a familial environment, inspiring students to explore and grow. Our teachers create a love of learning by nurturing an inquisitive spirit, building connections, and developing critical thinking. We understand that today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders.

Financial Advice Best Financial Life Joe Morgan, CFP®, CFA 925-389-3889 joe@jwmwealth.com www.jwmwealth.com

Joe Morgan is a fee-only financial advisor who acts as an educator, guide, and protector of wealth to individuals and families. He created his own firm after a successful investment career because he wanted to help people find clarity in their aspirations, resources, and risks. When he’s not showing how financial advice doesn’t have to be dictated by stuffy suited men from Wall Street, he enjoys tennis at Blackhawk Country Club and hiking the Tri-Valley area.

General Contractor Cal York Construction, Inc. Cal York (925) 938-9984 calyorkcon@aol.com

Cal York Construction is a family owned construction and remodeling business operating for over 30 years in Walnut Creek and the East Bay. We have the expertise and talent to create your idea into reality. We’re conscientious and have a desire to serve our clients and make their remodeling dreams come true. We work closely with our clients to ensure that your project runs smoothly, on time and within budget.

Healthy Aging Medicine

Dr. Kim graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Temple University School of Medicine. He completed a Family Medicine Residency at the Carle Clinic in Champaign, Illinois. He started in private practice in Clayton, CA. However, frustrated with the reactive form of medicine, Dr. Kim went for additional training and is now boardcertified in Anti-Aging Medicine and in Obesity Medicine. Dr. Kim now practices a more proactive approach to medicine known as Valengerontology (Healthy Aging Medicine). Dr. Kim lives in Danville with his wife and 2 children.

Insurance Roger Fernando State Farm Roger Fernando Agency 925-244-1700 roger@rogerfernando.com

Roger Fernando has been a State Farm Agent for 30 years, starting his insurance agency in 1988.

Roger and his team are fully licensed. We take pride in giving personal, exceptional service, in talking and listening to our clients about their insurance needs. Our mission has always been to consult with customers as their insurance needs change, protect their insurance for the risks of everyday life and help recover from the unexpected loss.

Paul H. Kim, MD Medical Institute of Healthy Aging (925) 979-0979 www.mdiha.com

Find us online BlackhawkLivingCA www.BlackhawkLivingCA.com

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FEBRUARY 2020

Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com.

Interior Design & Decorating Raashi Design Sheeja Nair 925-236-0402 enquiries@RaashiDesign.com www.RaashiDesign.com

Sheeja Nair is the founder/principal designer of award-winning Raashi Design. She specializes in creating interiors and custom homes that are thoughtfully conceived with an emphasis on elegance, comfort, functionality, and the homeowner’s personal style. Her international design work influences her approach to using color, texture and lighting in exciting, yet tasteful ways. An out-of-the-box thinker, Sheeja’s background in engineering and physics uniquely qualify her to solve challenging design issues.

Jewelry, Diamonds & Timepieces Steve Padis Steve Padis Jewelry info@padisjewelry.com www.padisjewelry.com

Steve and Judy Padis own and operate Padis Jewelry, which has four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. They founded the company in 1974 and are proud to have earned a reputation as one of the finest jewelers in San Francisco, serving generations of clients for their most precious moments in life, from engagement to anniversary to milestone gifts. Padis Jewelry maintains top-tier relationships with the most sought-after designers including Tacori, Forevermark, Verragio, Breitling, Tag Heuer, and Roberto Coin. As members of the American Gem Society, Padis is among the top 5% of jewelers across the country.

Music: Soloist & Private Voice Lessons Professional lyric coloratura soprano, Elizabeth has extensive experience as a soloist in oratorio, concert, musical theatre, saElizabeth Hunter Ashley The Performance Studio 925-548-2694 Elizabeth@elizabethhunterashley.com www.elizabethhunterashley.com

cred music, and new music. She performs nationally and internationally with renown conductors, orchestras, composers, international communities, and holds a myriad of national credits including MM degree. As the proprietor of her vocal music studio, she has taught 300+ private students from youth to mature adults offering them a sustainable vocal technique, bi- annual voice recitals which include philanthropic fund raisers, music connections in the community, performance preparation for high school top choirs, vocal competitions, college prep. recordings, pageant training. Elizabeth is a member of NATS, CCMTAC, an adjudicator for CMEA, and NATS.

Orthodontics Dr. Richard Anthony Blackhawk Orthodontics 925-736-3311 richard.anthony@blackhawkortho.com www.blackhawkortho.com

Richard Anthony, DDS MS Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Dr. Anthony moved to Danville in 1970 with his family and attended the old Charlotte Wood Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School. Dr. Anthony attended the University of California at Berkeley and subsequently completed his dental education at the University of Southern California in 1990. Later that same year, he opened the current office location at the Blackhawk Medical Center where he practiced for over 27 years. Dr. Anthony, his wife Michele, and son Ryan live in Danville. The family can always be found up at Lake Tahoe either hiking, biking, skiing, boating, or relaxing at the beach.

Pool Service Jon Lubrano Atlantis Pools 925-736-0447 info@atlantispoolsdanville.com atlantispoolsdanville.com

Atlantis Pools Inc. is a family owned business that has been serving Contra Costa County for over 25 years. From pool repair, maintenance needs, remodels and updates, no job is too big or small for us. We take pride in the high quality service we give to each customer.

Real Estate​ Linda H Kralik, CRB, CRS Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties ​925-998-​9446 lkralik@pacbell.net

Linda’s love of the land began​while growing up in Danville riding her horse through the open​fields and trails that once crisscrossed the San Ramon Valley. Her most prized moments were​​early morning rides to the top of Mt. Diablo to watch the sun rise. Upon her return to the land of​her childhood, Linda began her real estate career over 30 years ago and has achieved many​ awards and top honors in her professional field.

Solar Energy Kyle Lowy Kota Energy Group 925-272-8013 Klowy@kotaenergygroup.com

Meet your neighbor: Blackhawk’s Solar Energy Expert, Kyle Lowy at the Kota Energy Group.

Set up a time that’s most convenient for you, meet with Kyle and take a look at the incredible Federal Tax incentives that are still available but going away soon! With industry leading (no worry) warranty coverage and award winning service, find out why Kyle+Kota is the solar choice of Blackhawk residents.

Be sure to ask about our family and friend referral program!

Tree Service Trex Donovan Buena Vista Tree Service 415-531-1247 ntdonovan@yahoo.com www.buenavistatree.com

Buena Vista Tree Service is committed to preserving our urban forests and environment. They recycle 100% of our green waste into a reusable landscaping product. Trex safely and efficiently handles all types of tree emergencies 24 hours a day to eliminate tree risks to people and property and significantly reduce your liability exposure.

Unique ​& Custom Travel Experiences Lori McDonald Cruise Planners 925-380-6208 lmcdonald@cruiseplanners.com www.McDonaldTravel.com

Lori McDonald, Travel Advisor, with Cruise Planners, wows her clients while considerately guiding their travel plans. Being passionate about helping her clients design the ultimate vacation, corporate travel, or assisting with a dream destination wedding, Lori’s expertise knows no bounds. Lori is professional, creative and detail-oriented. Each aspect of her clients’ land, sea, or river travel blueprint must be perfect.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 5

Resident Feature

Meet the Aguiars: Making the Most of Each Day!

By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010

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family of many talents, Noela, Sunil and their son Aidan all find joy pursuing multiple hobbies. Both tech industry experts by day, Noela and Sunil also share a love of the outdoors, adventure and travel. Noela loves to practice photography, bake, cook, decorate cakes and cookies, and play ping pong. Sunil is a lover of all things sports, especially basketball and football and you can find Aidan playing multiple sports including basketball, soccer, baseball and football. Aidan is also a huge animal lover and music fan. As you can imagine, with so many passions, there is rarely a dull moment in the Aguiar household.

Sunil and Noela met through a common friend. It began as a long distance relationship as Sunil lived in the Bay Area and Noela was in St Petersburg, Florida. Over a period of a year and a half, they made frequent trips to meet each other, sometimes in each other’s cities, and sometimes in other cities like Chicago, LA and NY. “On my birthday Sunil treated me to a trip to New York, on what turned out to be the coldest day of the year! I still remember us freezing our tails off despite wearing all the winter attire! That trip is one of the most memorable trips we’ve had. That’s where

we watched our first Broadway show together. After spending Christmas in New York, we headed to Miami and it was interesting going from the freezing cold to the humid heat. We were still wearing thick jackets while strolling on the beach,” says Noela.

They were married on December 29, 2005 in Goa, India where Noela grew up. She says she is grateful to have been able to be married in such a special place, “Goa has a reputation for being a beach paradise and hence a destination wedding place for many people from outside India. We consider ourselves lucky to have been able to get married there. It was a typical Goan Catholic wedding, everything was as I had imagined it to be. We descended down the stairs of the wedding venue, to a fireworks display right above us. We danced the night away to a live band. One of the highlights of the wedding was a saxophone performance by our talented brother-in-law Aaron Bennett, who carried his saxophone to Goa, all the way from the Bay Area.”

Both born in Mumbai, India, Noela grew up in Goa and moved to the US shortly after having started a career in IT. Sunil moved to California with family when he was 13-years-old and resided in Huntington Beach. The couple have found rewarding careers in the tech industry. Noela Holds a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Goa Engineering college in India. She worked in IT across various verticals including Cisco Systems, Yahoo, Vmware, and Nationwide Insurance. “After having spent many years in IT, I jumped the fence to work in a more customer facing role as a Customer Advisory Manager at Collibra, a software manufacturing company founded in Brussels and headquartered in New York. Collibra helps customers find, understand and trust their data, and enables customers to make critical business decisions based on this trusted data. Having worked in various roles over the years, I have to say that this one has been the most fulfilling. The role is focused on relationship building, and hence involves quite a bit of travel. It gives me a chance to work with names we can relate to, such as Starbucks, Nike, Twitter and Adobe. In this role, I am the fulcrum for all things Collibra for the customer, so I love that I have to work with all the organizations from within Collibra. I love that I can make an impact not only at Collibra but also with the customer, solving real business challenges, and deriving real value, be it in terms of increased revenue, cost avoidance, or risk mitigation,” says Noela.

Sunil has a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona and works at Nutanix, a converged infrastructure company in San Jose. He has spent around 20 years working in the Silicon Valley and has built products at a number of smaller start ups as well as larger software companies including eBay, PayPal, Yahoo and Citrix. Recently he says he has been involved in Enterprise software, “I enjoy the challenge and complexity of working in Enterprise software. The Bay Area attracts the most talented and innovative people and I love being immersed in that environment.”

A 5th grader at Tassajara Hills Elementary School, Aidan is very active in sports. He plays basketball and is a huge Warriors fan. He also loves baseball, soccer and football. Aside from ball sports, Aidan’s also great with anything that involves wheels and balance. He’s great at skateboarding, roller skating and hoverboarding. He loves his BMX bike and wants to be able to do more tricks with it. He has an artistic side as well and enjoys drawing and writing.

He has created many comic books with illustrations. His artistic nature spreads into music and dancing also. He has taken dance classes and even won a dance award.

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FEBRUARY 2020

The family just recently expanded to include an adorable dog. Aidan has been patiently awaiting a dog for years and now they can’t get enough of their mini Bernedoodle, named Ziggy.

The Aguiars love to travel and Noela says they try to visit somewhere new every year, “We usually try and travel to new locations. Some of our past trips have taken us snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, as well as sailing around the British Virgin Islands. The latter being the most interesting since we were able to charter a Catamaran and sail around the islands while dropping anchor where we wanted to. Mexico is one of our favorite haunts and we make it a point to make a trip there every other year.”

Giving back of their time and talents is a top priority for Noela and Sunil. The family attends St Isidore’s Catholic Church in Danville, and regularly volunteer at Tassajara Hills Elementary School. Sunil used to be on the Foundation Board at the school, and Noela helps with photography at various events. They also contribute

to a charity organization called Kiva. In addition, Noela has participated in several Tour de Cure fundraising cycling events in Napa, to raise money for diabetes and Sunil contributes to the American Cancer Society due to a close family member’s diagnosis of the disease.

After living in Fremont, the couple visited some friends in the Blackhawk area and became very impressed with the area. “We loved the location so much so that when we decided to move, we looked for places in Blackhawk, and have never looked back since. We’ve lived on Whispering Oaks Drive for seven years and we love how beautiful and green the area is, and the fact

that it is so very family oriented. We feel honored to be a part of this community. We love our neighbors and we all look out for each other. We also have a lot of friends who live in Blackhawk, so it’s always a great time hanging out at each other’s houses, or at the country club,” says Noela.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at mscott@bestversionmedia.com.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 7

Pet Adoption Corner

Coco

Rosemary Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday.

Nine-year-old Coco is a friendly, easy-going guy. He enjoys being walking around outside and sniffing everything. He likes hanging out with his dog pals and his human friends so long as they are giving him some love. This old boy would do well in a relaxed home where he can stretch out on some grass to chill-out.

Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www. arflife.org, or call (925) 256-1ARF.

The adoption fee for puppies (<6 months) is $300, for adult dogs is $250, for senior dogs (7+ years) is $125, and includes a discount on the first six-week session of a manners class.

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Three-year-old Rosemary is a beautiful soft colored tortie girl that will happily greet you by bunting her head in when she wants gentle attention. She is an affectionate cat that knows what she wants. She is looking for a forever home with couches to lounge on, window sills to soak up the sun, toys galore, and of course people to cherish her.

The adoption fee for kittens (<6 months) $125 or 2 for $200, for adult cats is $75 or 2 for $100, and for senior cats (7+ years) is $50.

FEBRUARY 2020

Real Estate

Active Real Estate Listings

in Blackhawk

Street

List Price

Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA

Blackhawk Dr

$1,549,000

2250

3

2

0

Deer Ridge Dr

$1,998,800

4430

5

3

1

Blackhawk Dr

$2,200,000

3963

4

3

1

Golden Oak Ct

$2,350,000

4916

5

4

1

South Ridge Ct

$2,498,888

5250

5

4

0

Blackhawk Club Dr

$2,499,000

5262

4

3

1

Blackhawk Dr

$2,880,000

6306

6

5

1

Quail Walk Court

$3,588,800

7066

6

7

0

Eagle Ridge Dr

$4,500,000

7010

4

4

2

East Ridge Ct

$4,888,888

7172

5

5

1

Source: Rockcliff 2.0 1/10/2020 Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 9

February

Wed., Feb. 12

Valentine’s Day Brunch & Line Dancing

@ Danville Senior Center 115 E. Prospect Avenue What’s sweeter than a brunch on Valentine’s Day? Come enjoy delicious food with good friends. After we eat – we dance! Learn a new line dance step or make up your own steps to the music. All are welcome to attend this sweet treat.

Time: 10-11:30am Pre-registration is required at www.danvillerecguide.com

Thurs., Feb. 13

Comedy with Liz Grant & Friends, Stand Up Comedy Series @ Village Theatre Art Gallery, 233 Front Street In this monthly stand-up comedy series, Liz Grant brings a host of Bay Area and L.A. comedians to the Village Theatre stage! Join these seasoned performers for this hilarious series.

16+ unless accompanied by an adult.

Time: 7:30pm Tickets: www.villagetheatreshows.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS give animals a second chance at life.

Visit www.tvar.org for tickets. Email lmenon@tvar.org with any questions or if you would like to volunteer.

Time: 6-10pm

Sat., Feb. 29

San Ramon Valley Rotary Annual BeerFest and BBQ Fundraiser @Danville Veterans Hall Includes beer tasting, dinner, music, silent and live auctions.

Time: 6-10pm Price: $55 Learn more at www.beerfestrotary.com

Tips for Change Community Fundraising Events

A Night of Drumming @Village Theatre The Danville Senior Center is excited to offer an evening of Eden Taiko Drumming at the Village Theatre. Taiko is a term that has come to mean “a traditional style of Japanese drumming” and the “exchange of energy.” It is the relationship of energy between a drummer and a drum, between a drummer and their fellow drummer(s), and between the drummers and anyone experiencing that drum. Experience the power of Taiko in this live performance - high energy fun for the whole family that will get your heart pounding and expand your cultural understanding.

Stay after the show and enjoy a treat and conversation with the performers.

Time: 7pm

Sat. Feb. 22

Every Saturday

Tri-Valley Animal Rescue Annual Gala

Farmers’ Market

@Castlewood Country Club The New Orleans themed “Mardi Paws” event will include a delicious dinner duet, a dessert dash, and a live band. Our auctions offer attendees the chance to bid on an attractive selection of items such as: A night stay at the Hotel Yountville with dinner at the award winning Lucy Restaurant, a VIP Dinner Party for 8 at the Forbes Mill Steakhouse, and many other great items including golf outings, wine tastings, tours, and more! TVAR relies solely on public support to help

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Celebration @Danville Community Center Time: 9am-1pm Though the Dr. Seuss birthday party is More information at www.pcfma.com for children aged 4-9Y, we understand that sometimes your younger children love Dr. Seuss just as much as your 4-9 year old. The Town of Danville and the Danville Library will allow your 1-3Y old to attend with their older sibling at a discounted rate. Don’t miss your favorite Dr. Seuss stories, fun and zany crafts, and many more surprises! Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Parents are required to attend with their child(ren). For more information, call the Danville Community Center at 925-314-3400.

Time: 4:30pm

Wed., March 4

@Albatross Restaurant See page 16 for more details.

Thurs., Feb. 27

Mon., March 2

Every Monday

@Gianni’s Italian Bistro Gianni’s Italian Bistro opens up their restaurant to support our local nonprofit community. Tips for Change is a fun and unique way for local charity organizations to raise much needed funds.

Volunteers and supporters of local nonprofits suit up and become your servers for the evening with all tips and 10% of sales going to support their organization.

This event occurs most Monday evenings between 5 and 8pm and is open to the public. Reservations required.

More information at www. giannissanramon.com

Blackhawk Living Anniversary Celebration

Save the date:

@Railroad Ave. Municipal Parking Lot - Downtown Get the freshest seasonal fare at the Danville Certified Farmers’ Market.

You’ll find fruits and vegetables direct from local farmers, along with fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants, fresh breads, and delicious specialty food items you can eat in the market or take with you to enjoy at home. It’s the perfect place to stock up for the week, or shop al fresco while socializing with friends. This event is located at Railroad & Prospect Avenues and offers free parking in the adjacent lot.

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Sat., March 28 Harmony & Healing Inaugural Fundraiser @Bankhead Theater in Livermore Harmony & Healing programs are tailored to the special requirements of each facility and patient. Interactions may include bedside performances/a playalong or common area performances for groups featuring solo acoustic, jazz and pop duos and even full bands (in larger common areas). Founder, David Victor says patients can enjoy the music from their rooms and H&H can even provide music lessons for patients able to hold a guitar or play a keyboard. Harmony & Healing will have their first inaugural fundraiser at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore featuring David Victor’s SUPERGROUP. Tickets are still available.

For more information about Harmony & Healing please visit their website at harmoneyandhealing.org FEBRUARY 2020

Blackhawk Bloomers Garden Club

By Kim Chandler, Resident since 2012

Come join us for our

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Luncheon

Social at 11:15 am & Lunch at Noon & Speaker at 1:00 pm in the Blackhawk Country Club Ballroom For:

DONALD BEGAMINI

“Many Varieties of Camellias and how to take special care of them”!

Donald Begamini, Advisory Board Member & American Camellias Society Representative, is an expert in the cultivation and propagation of camellias. At the tender age of 12 mirroring his father’s passion for camellias, Don entered a Camellias show in Martinez. His entry was recognized and thus began a lifelong devotion to this hobby.

He has been an active member in National and International Camellia Societies. Don has about 800 named varieties of camellias in his own garden and 200 seedlings. He has named several camellias, and hopes to name one for himself.

Come and be inspired!

Join Bloomers and join us!

Cost $33.00–Reservation Deadline February 21.

Email your Blackhawk Country Club number to Kim Modersbach at Budncam@gmail.com OR mail a check made out to Blackhawk Bloomers to Kim at 272 Stone Valley Way, Alamo, CA 94507 Questions? 925-820-3733 or 925-998-8216 All Blackhawk Country Club members are welcome to join Bloomers. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Schaeffer, our VP of Membership, at 3216 Blackhawk Meadow Drive, Danville, CA 94506 or at 408-666-6760

SAVE THE DATE:

March 25 Floral Fashion Show April 22 Native Plants presented by Pete Veilleux of East Bay Wilds May 27 Bees June 7 Bloomers Garden Tours

BLACKHAWK LIVING 11

Wine, Food, Golf & Fun

Maybeck’s Famous Beef Wellington

By Mike L. McColgan, Resident since 1990

F

or New Year’s Eve this year we experienced a special treat with a fantastic dining experience in San Francisco at a restaurant called Maybeck’s. This modern ItalianAmerican is owned by Erik Lowe and Aaron Toensing previously from BIX and Fog City.

Both individuals bring a wealth of cooking expertise to this iconic American mid-priced restaurant located at Scott and Lombard in the heart of San Francisco’s Marina district.

One of the house favorites is the Beef Wellington, which we ordered as our main entrée, and we were not disappointed. In addition, their elaborate menu will satisfy any ‘foodie’ appetite. An extensive wine list and assortment of cocktails are also available. There is a $25 corking fee if you bring your own wine. We brought a bottle of Jesse Katz’s Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon that paired well with the Beef Wellington.

We were pleasantly surprised when Erik sent us a tasting of Hamachi on a forbidden rice cake with avocado and a serrano chile. It was a great way to start our dining adventure.

We would also recommend trying the chopped salad and the garlic bread. For dessert we enjoyed the Dark Chocolate Molten Cake and the sensational Spumoni ice cream.

Maybeck’s has nightly specials, and we look forward to returning on a Sunday night where they feature Spaghetti night. The fried chicken can also be ordered at any time.

We would highly recommend that you add this San Francisco restaurant to your ‘must do’ list.

For more information and to make a reservation at Maybeck’s go to: http://www.maybecks.com/

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FEBRUARY 2020

Expert Contributor

Ladies Golf

Check out the 9ers

By Linda Marver, Resident since 2007

H

appy New Year! We Niners have another great year of fun times to play golf and socialize. We have our regular Thursday Niner playdates, day aways where we play other courses and opportunities to play here at Blackhawk with other Niners and make new friends during the week. If you are new to golf or are getting back into playing and looking for a great group of golfing gals, please contact our Membership Chair, Barbara Walsh at rb232walsh@comcast.net or (925)699-1259

Niners Board 2020 Captain: Jo Peek Co-Captain: Marlene Williamson Secretary: Kendal Goldthwaite Treasurer: Terri Lawson Tournament: Linda McColgan Membership: Barbara Walsh Handicapper: Mary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary Team Play: Dale Muth/Mary Porteous Rules: Cheryl Hanson Special Events: Rita Renner Open/Away Events: Etienne Melcher Guest/Eschange Days: Vicki Robinson Hospitality: Lucia DeBene Hospitality;Sunshine: Sandy Davis Publicity Committee: Webmaster/Facebook: Linnell McRee Publicity Committee: Graphic Arts/Bulletin Board: Etienne Melcher Publicity Committee: Newsletter/Photographer: Linda Marver Invitational: Linda McColgan

Jo Peek, Niners Captain 2020

Niners February Schedule Feb. 6th: Falls, front Feb. 13th: Lakes, back Feb. 20th: Falls, back; board meeting Feb. 27: Lakes, front; Charm Day

Mark your Calendars: March 12th: Spring Back to Golf March 20th: WNHGA Rules Seminar

BLACKHAWK LIVING 13

Blackhawk Women Upcoming Events

By Anca Strassman Kustu, Resident since 2015

Blackhawk Women Proudly Present: February Luncheon Speaker Edition:

An intimate conversation with David E. Behring

February 19, 2020 Please join us as Mr. Behring shares stories of how Blackhawk area was formed, the amazing history of the Blackhawk Museum, and the Wheelchair Foundation.

The Wheelchair Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating global awareness about the physically disabled and to providing wheelchairs to every man, woman, and child who needs

one but cannot afford to purchase one. The organization has distributed almost 1,150,000 wheelchairs in the last 19 years. The Behring family has built and contributed so much to the East David Behring Bay and we will learn more in our luncheon with David. David currently serves as the President of the Wheelchair Foundation.

RSVP to reserve your seat at the social event of the season.

E-Mail: BlackhawkWomenRSVP@gmail.com by noon, February 14th, with your BHCC number, or send a check for $33.00 written to Blackhawk Women and mail: Pat Jenkins 72 Blackhills Place, Danville, CA 94506.

All events require a Blackhawk Women membership. For many of our events, couples are welcome.

Other Activities Include: Book Buzz, Bridge, Bunco, Culinary, Hand & Foot, Knit and Stitch, Mah-Jongg, Mexican Train Dominoes, Movie Divas, TGIF, Wine & Dine, and other great special events!

JOIN US! Annual Membership dues is only $60.

Please visit our website: http://www.blackhawkwomen.com/about You can also e-mail Janinne Franke at: jfae@chevron.com to become a MEMBER!

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FEBRUARY 2020

Expert Contributor

Required for a Successful Portfolio

By Joe Morgan, CFP®, CFA, Principal: Best Financial Life, Resident since 2004

T

o have a successful portfolio, three things are required: Diversification, Risk Management, and Good Behavior.

I’ll dive a bit into the details, but before doing so, let’s get clear on how we define success in a portfolio.

Many Worlds, One Museum

It is not beating the markets or outperforming our neighbors.

Success is when your portfolio makes it possible for you to do all the things you want in life. Your portfolio is nothing without a financial plan for it to support. Period.

Turning to the elements of a successful portfolio, diversification is when you hold investments that are not working.

By definition, your investments should be doing different things and at times some of them will not look so pretty. That’s ok, as long as they support your growth in other times often enough.

Next, risk management is critical as we don’t want to build enough risk in our portfolio to totally destroy our strategy. The markets will provide the return we need over time, if we will only let them.

Into China Handcrafted Masterpieces that capture the essence of China's past & present

Automobile Gallery Rare & Significant Classic Car Display

Third, our behavior will be the deciding factor over time. Can we stick to our strategy in the down times? Can we maintain a steady hand in the great markets (and not get carried away)? These are difficult and important issues we must face throughout our investing lives.

For more detail, go to https://bestfinlife.com/blog and let’s start calibrating your path to clarity!

Best Financial Life is a Registered Investment Advisor with the State of California and Joe Morgan is a fiduciary to his clients at all times. If you’d like to ensure your finances are on the right track, schedule a call with Joe at www.calendly.com/bestfinlife.

Spirit of The Old West Explore the History of The American West

Art of Africa Incredible Art Treasures from Sub-Sahara Africa

3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville, CA www.blackhawkmuseum.org • 925-736-2277

BLACKHAWK LIVING 15

Anniversary Party Thursday, February 27 5:30 - 7:30pm Albatross Danville Join us for our Anniversary Party for Blackhawk Living and Danville Living. This is a chance to meet residents and thank our sponsors, all of whom make our magazine possible. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be enjoying fantastic food and drinks at Albatross Danville!

RSVP to reserve your spot!

Complimentary glass of wine for the first 50 guests.

No host dinner immediately following the event. http://bit.ly/AlbatrossPartyFeb2020

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FEBRUARY 2020

Expert Contributor

A Time for Selling

By Linda Kralik, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/ Drysdale Properties, Resident since 1984

I

f you are considering putting your home on the market, this is the time to evaluate if it is a good time to sell. Our local statistics indicate that late winter is the ideal time for listing and reaping the highest sales price for your home. Many families who are in the process of relocation due to a company move use the Spring Break in February to take the family on a “fact” finding expedition to their possible new home community. This fact-finding trip often makes the final determination on whether to take the company relocation and if so, the community where the family will settle. Sometimes it even becomes the time when a family will purchase their relocation home! Most families want to move when the kids are out of school.

Yet it actually pays to list in the winter, when buyers tend to have more urgency: A recent study has found that average sellers net a higher selling price during the months of December, January, February, and March than they do from June through November. And homes listed in late winter sell faster than those posted in late spring.

Should you put your home on the market now? Unless you need to sell (say, you’ve purchased your next home or are relocating for a job), it is important to evaluate the timing and to look at the market competition and conditions.

Schedule a Tune-Up And lastly, be aware of any issues that a buyer will be looking at and repair or replace them prior to going on the market! Winter buyers are particularly attuned to issues related to heating and maintenance. Get your furnace, HVAC, and roof inspected, and make any necessary repairs. Also on your to-do list: Clean the gutters, change air filters, and weather-strip the windows.

Many cold-weather house hunters will also be thinking about heating costs. Consider low-cost upgrades like insulating the attic or installing energy-efficient windows, close off any drafty doors, etc. Think like a buyer and inspect your home for any possible problem areas and be ready to fix or replace.

Okay, now you are ready to sell. Contact me, or a local realtor, ask for a market analysis to help in pricing your home appropriately, and be ready to move.

To understand your local climate, check the number of days on the market for current and recently sold listings. If most are sitting for more than 60 days, it’s safer to wait until spring, when more buyers will emerge. Yet, if the market times are in the single digits or just into the teens, this is indicative of a fast-paced market and gives the green light for selling.

If you do move forward, these strategies will help make your home a hot seller this winter.

Price It Right The quieter winter market brings special pricing considerations.

Unlike in spring, when there are more shoppers—and it may make sense to price low to try to generate a bidding war—you’re less likely to receive multiple offers. Since there are fewer buyers, the right fair market price should still attract a buyer.

Winter is also a bad time to test the market and list high. If the house doesn’t sell, you may need to drop below market value to nab a buyer before new properties appear in spring and make yours look stale by comparison.

The upshot: Take a conservative approach and price at market value.

It makes a win/win for both buyer and seller. Be sure that you check closing prices of comparable properties sold in the past 30 days. Then take a look at where your competition is and where your home will be listed in the order of price. Any home buyer will be doing the same, and if your home is not consistent with the competition it may be eliminated or not shown!

BLACKHAWK LIVING 17

Expert Contributor

What Does it Mean to Respond in a “Timely Manner”?

By Jon Lubrano, President, Atlantis Pools Inc.

A

s a business owner, I believe the difference between decent and outstanding service is communication. One of the biggest aspects of good communication is a quick response time. At Atlantis Pools, we love what we do, and being based in Danville and Alamo means we always have someone right around the corner who can stop by and take a look at your pool. We know when it comes to your pool, it’s important for you to receive a quick response from us, especially in urgent matters.

We are frequently asked how long it will take to complete jobs or how soon we can start. While we wish we could always say, “We can start today!” there are many factors to consider when scheduling repairs and installs, and we have to prioritize those customers with emergency situations like electrical and safety issues first. A safety hazard always gets top priority when it comes to scheduling, but please know we are doing our best to provide all our customers with the best service and the best quality work, and that means not taking any shortcuts and doing things right the first time. A pump or pool that is down is also a high priority for us to avoid unsanitary water conditions.

We have invested in software that allows for the best flow of communication between the customer and the service person.

It takes time to build a relationship, so you want to look for an experienced professional that’s been in business for a long time and plans to stay in business for a long time. We are a family owned business that has proudly been serving the Contra Costa County area for almost 30 years. From pool repair and maintenance needs to small and large remodels or updates to your pool, no project is too big or too small!

“We are so grateful for Atlantis Pools! We were having a pool party and 30 minutes before the party, our spa drained! We couldn’t figure it out. Jon and his team came immediately and saved the day! They worked in the hot sun to fix our spa in time for the party.

They are also great with our weekly cleanings and helping us learn about our pool and spa. They are very reasonable, too. I highly recommend Atlantis Pools!”-Liberty E. Danville 18

FEBRUARY 2020

Blackhawk: Life through a Lens

February Love... say it with flowers

By Sonia Lamba, Resident since 2015

L

ove is in the air. The shortest and last month of winter creates a mood for love with hearts and cupids. In Blackhawk too, this holiday of love has arrived. I see constant reminders like pink and red heart print mugs at the coffee shop; red roses in the boutique windows; heart balloons, chocolates and cookies dotting the checkout lines of the grocery store; valentine paraphernalia decking up the shelves of the seasonal aisles in every home store; kids getting excited about valentines day celebrations at school with card, candy and craft exchange; romance movies lineup on tv; plus maybe a cheesy marriage proposal with a candlelight dinner.

Tulips-classic elegant blooms to show perfect love

We express love or romance with chocolates, meaningful cards, jewelry or just straight and simple from the heart with flowers: 100% calorie free, vegan and a perfect instant mood lifter. I love the centuries old, traditional way too, but I don’t mind the other goodies now and then. Flowers show you care, they brighten any room and turn a frown upside down. A beautiful colorful floral arrangement Gerbera Daisy-this striking is worth a thousand words. Roses are beautiful happy bloom is always a favourite to receive not the only option. Flower shops are overflowing with lilies, tulips, carnations, orchids, peonies, daisies, buttercups and many more at this time of the year. So keep the love alive with flowers and get ready with red. To express deep feelings and undying love; pick pink. If you admire someone; say hello to yellow. If you feel cheery, chose orange for friendship. Hope you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Orchids-these exotic blooms symbolize love, beauty, luxury and strength

Sonia Lamba As an aspiring photographer, I have always loved taking beautiful photos of my friends and family, nature and travels. After having a fulfilling career in finance in New York, I moved to California in 2014 where my love for photography turned into an invigorating passion. Moving to gorgeous Blackhawk has further enriched and blossomed my love for the camera. I take my camera everywhere, regardless of how short the distance is. Knowing me, there is always a photo opportunity!

BLACKHAWK LIVING 19

Recipe

Baked Branzino Fish

By Parisa Z. Ambwani, Resident since 1983

Serves 2-3 Preheat oven to 375-degree F. Use a shallow baking pan, and add a little olive oil and swirl to coat the base of the pan.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

8 cups fresh water 8 small red potatoes, cut in half 1 small red bell pepper, seeded, quartered 2 sprigs rosemary 1/4 cup olive oil, plus a little extra for drizzling 2 tablespoons juice of lemon 2 sprigs fresh thyme, only leaves 3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 teaspoon sea salt OR to taste ½ teaspoon black pepper, ground 1 large whole branzino fish (small sea bass), gutted, scaled, rinse and pat-dry 8 button mushrooms, stemmed (see note 1) 2 firm red tomatoes, quartered 4 shallots

Garnish: 1 lemon, cut into wedges A few cilantro OR parsley sprigs

Note 1: How to clean mushroom: Clean mushrooms with damp towels or rinsed with cold water and pat-dried thoroughly and remove stem. Fresh mushrooms should never be soaked because mushrooms absorb water and will become mushy.

Note 2: Please be sure fish is at room temperature before cooking.

Fish can be cooked in many ways including baking, broiling, frying, grilling or steaming. Cook fish only for short time until fish flakes easily. Overcooked fish will result in a less moist fish. ©2019 Parisa Z. Ambwani------------All rights reserved www.enlightenedrecipes.com

Directions: In a pot add 8 cups water and bring to boil. Add potatoes, bell pepper, and rosemary (water should cover the potatoes). Bring contents to boil and cook in covered pot for 10-12 minutes, drain, discard rosemary and set aside.

In a small mixer bowl mix olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Brush generously the inside and outside of fish with this seasoning mixture. Place fish in the middle of the baking pan and arrange potatoes, bell pepper, mushrooms, shallots and tomatoes around the parameter. Drizzle a little extra olive oil on the vegetables.

Place pan uncovered on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fish is done. Increase oven temperature to 425-degree F. Transfer pan to upper rack and broil for 5 minutes or until fish is slightly golden brown.

How to Serve Fish: Remove the head, tail and debone the fish and decorate with freshly cut lemon wedges and cilantro. Serve with green salad.

About Parisa Z. Ambwani: Parisa, a native of Persia who moved to Blackhawk in 1983, has a BA in Fine Arts.

Deeply influenced by her mother’s cooking, she has spent three decades writing cookbooks and pairing food with her poetry, philosophy, herbs and spices, and herbal teas. Parisa’s unique cookbooks are known for their merging of useful culinary information with a clear understanding of the relationship with other human beings and with the universe.

She has followed this recipe to write and photograph six books that weave her beliefs into caring words on how to live life to the fullest.

Learn more by visiting her website, enlightenedrecipes.com

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FEBRUARY 2020

Pet Corner

Gutman Family finds their

Captain America through TVAR

By Lynne Menon, Marketing Communications Director Tri Valley Animal Rescue

J

oAnna and Mila Gutman were introduced to TVAR through their NCL volunteer work, having helped out at some local adoption events.

They worried about becoming fosters however, figuring they would fall in love with the animals and turn them all into pets. As it happened, they were friends with the foster mom of little “Max,” who had been returned when his adopted family suddenly had to move. Their friend asked the Gutman family to foster Max and sure enough, they fell in love and adopted the little guy after only a week. They changed his name to “Captain America,” as it suited the German Shepherd/Shiba inu mix much better.

Initially, little “Cap” was very timid and protective, but he assimilated into the Gutman family quite well. “He’s become very sweet,” said JoAnna. And this writer can certainly attest to that.

Cap is very friendly and affectionate and loves for you to pet his soft fur. “Cap is very human-like and so easy to train,” says JoAnna. “He’ll cuddle on the couch with Mila and even lets her play dress-up and hold him like a baby. We call him our super model dog. He’s so photogenic that a friend of Mila’s put Cap’s photo on stickers and magnets.“ The Gutman family enjoys playing fetch with Cap with tennis balls in the backyard, or he’ll have fun chasing after the tail on a flirt pole. When he’s not playing or being trained, Cap likes to just sit and watch. “He’s like a little old soul pondering life.” JoAnna and Mila are thankful for TVAR and their foster and adoption program; “Cap was the perfect fit for our family.”

BLACKHAWK LIVING 21

Expert Contributor

One Tiny Change at Any Age

By Dr. Tracey James, DC, Anatomy Power Wellness

T

here is no staying the same in the process of change.

Fully engaging in new healthy habits requires a shift and change for many other aspects of our lives. Isn’t it exciting that one tiny change shifted into a daily habit can be your catalyst for transformation? You can always start just where you are!

What healthy habits are a part of your life? Healthy behavior is an action to maintain, attain or regain good health and to prevent illness and disease. Some examples of healthy behaviors to optimize your health are: •

Movement or Exercising Regularly

•

Eating the rainbow for optimal nutrition

•

Getting adjusted optimize function

to

•

Partake in a meditation practice

•

Engaging in positive social connections

Whenever you are in your process of creating healthy habits, getting back into your groove, staying the course or seeking the unknown— we are here to support your journey, boosting brain body connection and optimizing adaptability. Call for a complimentary consult or come visit us at Anatomy Power Wellness: 3470 Camino Tassajara, Danville, Ca 94506: 925.457.0210

BLACKHAWK PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDSPA

• Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures • Accredited Private Surgery Center • Call for your Free Consultation

925.736.5757 3600 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Danville, California 94506 BlackhawkPlasticSurgery.com

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FEBRUARY 2020

Harmony & Healing

Charity Spotlight

By Michael Copeland

T

om Petty once said, “Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life.

There’s not some trick involved with it. It’s pure, and it’s real. It moves, it heals, it communicates and it does all these incredible things.”

Danville based David Victor, vocalist and guitarist formerly of the multi-platinum band Boston, also believes that music can do magical things. His non-profit, Harmony & Healing, brings live music to the bedsides and community spaces of patients and their loved ones in hospitals, healthcare facilities and cancer support groups.

“Our mission is to take patient’s and family’s minds off their challenges with live musical performances,’’ says David. “Music lowers patient stress levels, evokes positive associations and speeds

healing. It brings happiness to patient’s lives and the lives of their loved ones.”

“I’ve performed for audiences of 20,000 people, but there’s nothing more meaningful or rewarding than giving the gift of music to those who really need it most, at the time they need it most.”

Harmony & Healing has made musical visits to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, the Ronald McDonald House in Palo Alto, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, Doctor’s Medical in Modesto and Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, with more visits planned in 2020.

Harmony & Healing programs are tailored to the requirements of each facility and patient, including bedside performances and common area performances. Harmony & Healing offers soloists, jazz and pop duos and even full bands for larger common areas.

Patients often enjoy common area performances from their rooms.

H&H can even provide music lessons for patients able to hold a guitar or play a keyboard.

Harmony & Healing will hold their inaugural fundraiser at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore on March 28, 2020 featuring David Victor’s SUPERGROUP SF, a retrospective of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene. SUPERGROUP SF features the hits of Journey, Train, Creedence Clearwater, Janis Joplin, Metallica, Third Eye Blind and more. David’s most recent performance at the Bankhead last August 2nd was a sell-out!

For more information or to donate to Harmony & Healing, please visit their website at https://harmonyandhealing.org. To connect with David about bringing Harmony & Healing to your facility, you can email him at hello@harmonyandhealing.org or call 925-364-4517.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 23

Seek to keep your goals in mind and your portfolio one step ahead

Morasky Clay Wealth Management Mark Morasky, CPWA®, AAMS®, CRPC® Senior Vice President Senior Financial Advisor 925.945.4879 mark_morasky@ml.com

Together, we’ll take a fresh look at the opportunities that a changing world can provide. Call to learn more today.

Merrill Lynch 1331 N. California Boulevard Suite 400 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 fa.ml.com/morasky-claywealth-management

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value The Bull Symbol and Merrill Lynch are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

CPWA® is a registered service mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association dba Investments & Wealth Institute. AAMS® and CRPC® are registered service marks of College for Financial Planning. © 2019 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

ARNHWYSD | AD-10-19-0222.A | 470965PM-0119 | 10/2019

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FEBRUARY 2020

Expert Contributor

Abdominal Contouring (“Tummy Tuck”)

By Dr. Stephen J. Ronan, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery, Resident since 2007

A

ge, pregnancy or weight loss cause many changes in the body, especially in the abdomen. The ability of the abdomen to ‘rebound’ after childbirth decreases with each delivery. The typical patient that presents for abdominal contouring complains of extra skin, stretch marks, extra fat, and/or a stretched or loose abdominal wall. Some patients complain that they can’t see their belly button and others that their clothes don’t fit properly. The abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” procedure can address all of these issues.

The abdominoplasty is completed through an incision made across the lower abdomen in an area that is usually covered by undergarments. If there is too much skin, then skin is removed. If there is too much fat, then fat is removed. If the muscles or fascia are damaged, then they are repaired.

upper stomach... now pinch the skin of the lower stomach. You probably felt like there was more to pinch on the lower stomach.

A tummy tuck uses this naturally occurring difference to improve the contour of your stomach.

Sit-ups and other exercises may strengthen the muscles but no amount of sit-ups can bring the abdominal wall back into its normal, unstretched position. During the abdominoplasty operation, these muscles are plicated, or tightened, with sutures. This achieves a flatter and tighter abdominal wall.

Tummy tucks are often combined with other procedures, such as liposuction of the lower back or thighs, and/or a breast augmentation or lift. The outpatient procedure takes about an hour and most patients return to work in about 10 days. With the use of three day numbing, pain after surgery is significantly reduced and in some cases, eliminated.

Fat is a normal part of our bodies and can accumulate in predictable locations. These locations change somewhat with genetics, but in general, the amount of fat that lives on our lower abdomen is more than the fat on our upper abdomen. Pinch the skin of your

If you are interested in learning more about abdominal contouring or any other aesthetic procedure, please visit our office in the Blackhawk Plaza or call (925) 736-5757 for a complimentary consultation.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 25

Health and Wellness

Time to get some sleep!

By Dr. Asha Bajaj, Resident Since 1986

T

ime to get some sleep!

With the mad rush of the holidays, the family visits and round of parties, the first casualty is the lack of good restful sleep.

Suddenly you are yawning in the middle of the day, dropping and forgetting things, and catching the passing bug with a tickle in your throat. Experts say that if you feel drowsy during the day, even during boring activities, you haven’t had enough sleep. If you routinely fall asleep within 5 minutes of lying down, you probably have severe sleep deprivation, possibly even a sleep disorder. Micro sleeps, or very brief episodes of sleep in an otherwise awake person, are another mark of sleep deprivation.

In many cases, people are not aware that they are experiencing microsleeps.

Many studies make it clear that Sleep Deprivation is dangerous.

Sleep-deprived people who are tested by using a driving simulator or by performing a hand-eye coordination task perform as badly as or worse than those who are intoxicated. Sleep deprivation also magnifies alcohol’s effects on the body, so a fatigued person who drinks will become much more impaired than someone who is well-rested.

At least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year and 20 million experience occasional sleeping problems. These disorders and the resulting sleep deprivation interfere with work, driving, and social activities.

They also account for an estimated $16 billion in medical costs each year, while the indirect costs due to lost productivity and other factors are probably much greater. Doctors have described more than 70 sleep disorders, most of which can be managed effectively once they are correctly diagnosed. The most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.

The amount of sleep each person needs depends on many factors, including age. Infants generally require about 16 hours a day, while teenagers need about 9 hours on average. For most adults, 7 to 8 hours a night appears to be the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day. Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual. The amount of sleep a person needs also increases if he or she has been deprived of sleep in previous days. Getting too little sleep creates a “sleep

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FEBRUARY 2020

debt,” which is much like being overdrawn at a bank. Eventually, your body will demand that the debt be repaid. We don’t seem to adapt to getting less sleep than we need; while we may get used to a sleep-depriving schedule, our judgment, reaction time, and other functions are still impaired.

During sleep, we usually pass through five phases of sleep: stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These sleep stages progress in a cycle from stage 1 to REM sleep, and then the cycle starts over again with stage 1. Sleep appears necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings may develop. Sleep and sleeprelated problems play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine.

Sleep affects the immune system and your ability to fight infections. Sleeping problems are common in many other disorders as well, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, cancer, and head injury.

Sleep hygiene tips: • • • • • •

Maintain a regular sleep routine.

Don’t stay in bed awake for more than 5-10 minutes.

Don’t watch TV or read in bed.

Don’t drink caffeinated drinks 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Avoid substances like alcohol that interfere with sleep.

Exercise regularly.

•

Have a quiet, comfortable bedroom.

So remember to eat right, exercise in moderation, avoid alcohol and caffeine before bedtime and establish a good sleep routine.

Maintain a calm and relaxed attitude in life, savor the moment and get enough sleep.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Asha Bajaj, PT/DPT has 30+years experience in a variety of settings including the management and operation of an outpatient private practice in Walnut Creek. Asha has served in Bhutan, India, Vietnam and Malawi, Africa with Health Volunteers Overseas to train and develop their Physical therapy program. Asha has a special interest in Women’s health and did her doctoral project in the area of Bone health and Osteoporosis. Her goal is to promote health and lifelong wellness.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 27

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FEBRUARY 2020

In Our Own Backyard

Annual Wild Mushroom Warning

By Jen Vanya, East Bay Regional Park District

E

ach year, mushrooms come out after the first rains of the season, which began on November 26. Mushrooms are ecologically important and can look beautiful – but some of them contain dangerous toxins. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and Western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season.

Western Destroying Angel (left) and Death Cap (right) mushrooms are highly toxic.

The death cap and Western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals. In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the first organs affected after ingestion.

Symptoms don’t usually appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to the liver and renal failure if treatment is not sought immediately.

“Both of these toxic mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed,” said East Bay Regional Park District Naturalist Trent Pearce, who is based in Tilden Regional Park and documents the fungi in East Bay Regional Parks. “They are mostly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.”

The death cap is a medium-to-large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at the base of the stem. Though the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast. The death cap is not native to California.

The Western destroying angel is a medium-to-large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white

gills, a white ring around the stem that disappears with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.

“The Park District urges the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks,” said East Bay Regional Park District Public Information Supervisor Dave Mason. “Collecting mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed.”

The death cap and Western destroying angel can also be dangerous for pets.

“Dog owners should keep a close watch on their dogs during the winter months,” said Mason. “Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.”

While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, both of which are found in the Bay Area.

BLACKHAWK LIVING 29

Golf Destinations

Las Vegas High Desert: Paiute Golf Resort

By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012

O

ver seventy-five golf courses entice visitors around Las Vegas, despite the summer heat and lack of water.

The venerable architect Pete Dye passed away in January 2020.

Only one course has his name associated with it, the Paiute Golf Resort. On high desert terrain, it’s the ancestral home of the Paiute Indian Tribe.

There are no structures outside of the resort itself, making views of distant mountains and idyllic desert more impressive.

Here on the 3,800-acre Snow Mountain Reservation, the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe created a world-class golf destination.

Players have three championship golf courses to choose from, all designed by Dye. A 50,000-square foot clubhouse is the center of this desert oasis. Reminiscent of old private clubs, it sports a cozy cigar lounge with a view of the golf course. Located just 30 minutes northwest of the Las Vegas Strip, it is easy to find with an interchange on Highway 95., At an elevation almost 1000 feet higher than the Strip, enjoy cooler golf and a welcome escape from the urban noise and bustle. They allocate a significant amount of land to the resort, so two large practice ranges are available.

The Wolf course is the most challenging and ranked the highest at the resort. It is the longest course in the state of Nevada and promises a challenging golf experience. Five sets of tees are available, ideal for the higher handicapper. The Snow Mountain and Sun Mountain courses are the most scenic and most docile.

The Snow Mountain course is the original course and opened in 1996. Pete Dye integrated eight significant lakes over three courses providing water hazards on one-third of the golf holes. Pete’s signature railroad tie and deep bunker design elements intensify the experience.

The Wolf course ranks #10 in the state according to Golf Magazine’s 2016-17 rankings.

Railroad Ties Frame Bunker

mountains towering in the distance.

Pete Dye’s use of railroad ties in golf course design is legendary.

On the Sun Mountain course, sloping faces of bunkers embed the railroad ties. Bentgrass greens are large, undulating and firm. The first cut of rough is harmless. But the second cut is the sandy and scruffy desert where big scores can start. Fortunately, there is plenty of area around the greens for pitch shots helping to make this course friendly to the high handicapper.

The Sun Mountain course is a perfect introduction to the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. Exceptional conditioning exists on all three courses. Dye emboldened Wolf course with the most ferocious teeth, but all three are worth playing when in Las Vegas.

See high resolution photos and course profiles on my website at https://www.quintessentialgolf.com/destinations/ paiute-golf-resort-sun-mountain/

Sun Mountain Course We enjoyed the Sun Mountain course with its rolling terrain and native desert landscaping but without the usual Pete Dye severity.

The fairways are generous. Two Par 4’s less than 330 yards provide birdie opportunities. The course allows you to take in the solitude with a peaceful walk. Firing a 78 with six bogeys, it was a fast and fun round. The first hole illustrates the nature of Sun Mountain. A medium length Par 4 with wide fairways, limited bunkering and expansive views of the desert and distant mountains it represents a typical hole. Hole #5 provides a stunning tee shot over water with

If You Go: Course Info – Paiute Golf Resort (www.lvpaiutegolf.com) is a high-end public golf resort developed by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe. Located on the reservation are three golf courses – Wolf, Sun Mountain, and Snow Mountain.

Location - Twenty-six miles northwest of the Las Vegas Strip only 2 miles off Hwy 95.

Lodging – Plentiful hotels on the Strip, downtown or north and west of Las Vegas.

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Colossal Water Features

Quintessential Golf (https://www.quintessentialgolf.com) A source of golf travel inspiration, Quintessential Golf online magazine spotlights the most spectacular, enduring and scenic courses, resorts and golf adventures. Written from a playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s point-of-view, articles include magnificent high-resolution course images. Brought to you by Chuck Fox, single-digit golfer, writer and photographer based in Danville, California, he is fulfilling his passion and dream to play, photograph and share the romance and beauty of golf throughout North America.

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Expert Contributor

Alzheimer’s disease – alternative considerations

By Paul H. Kim, MD, Medical Institute of Healthy Aging

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amed after Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906, the first physician to identify the structural changes in the brain, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in the United States. This progressive brain disorder, presently believed to be irreversible, afflicts an estimated 5 million people in the United States.

Alzheimer’s is currently ranked as the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. However, in the older population, it may be ranked 3rd only behind heart disease and cancer as a cause of death. The hallmarks of Alzheimer’s are the beta amyloid plaques and the tau neurofibrillary tangles that are present on brain pathology on autopsy.

The present-day medicines to alter the course of the decline in Alzheimer’s that are approved by the FDA include donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine. These medicines work on the neurotransmitters to slow the progression of

symptoms. However, the underlying disease is unaffected by these medications. In other words, they are NOT a cure for the disease.

In the alternative literature, low dose lithium has shown some promise in affecting possibly the formation of tau proteins into neurofibrillary tangles by inhibiting the GSK-3 enzyme. The GSK-3 enzyme stands for glycogen synthase kinase -3 and plays a role in glucose metabolism. It is this involvement of the GSK3 enzyme that has led to Alzheimer’s being called “type III diabetes.”

The microdoses of Lithium used to help with Alzheimer’s disease are at doses 3000-4000 x lower than used in psychiatry to treat bipolar disorder. Along the same line, a second product, proline rich polypeptides, alters the expression of genes involved in beta amyloid formation and in tau protein.

In a November 2017 Stanford press release, an early study using young blood sourced plasma was shown to be safe in the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease. Although this study was not powered to show results of the treatment, it was noted that two of the three tests to measure functional ability improved with the plasma therapy over the placebo.

To learn more about these three products and others to affect Alzheimer’s disease in an alternative manner, please schedule your complimentary consultation with Medical Institute of Healthy Aging.

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Expert Contributor

3 Ways to Subtly Show Your Partner Your Favorite Engagement Rings

By Steve Padis, Steve Padis Jewelry

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ith Valentine’s Day and Engagement Season right around the corner, we thought this month’s topic was highly appropriate! An engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases made during the course of a person’s lifetime. It’s also an extremely personal and intimate decision. If you suspect that your loved one may be thinking of proposing, you may be wondering how to let them know your personal preferences without being too obvious about it. Read on for three tips aimed at subtly guiding your partner toward a ring you’ll truly love.

Put Pinterest to work.

If you’re like most soon-to-be brides, you probably keep a Pinterest board of your favorite wedding venues, dresses, honeymoon getaways, signature cocktails and so on. Consider collecting images of your favorite engagement ring styles too.

Then, leave your computer conveniently open one day when your partner is nearby. If he’s thinking of popping the question, he’ll be delighted to find your gentle hint. While you’re at it, “pin” your favorite jeweler, as well.

Do some “accidental” window shopping.

When you’re at the mall or strolling downtown, you walk past jewelry stores all the time. The next time you’re out and about, make an excuse to stop and peruse the bling. Perhaps say you want to check out a great jewelry store your friend told you about or maybe just find yourself drawn to something sparkly in a storefront window. In either case, take the opportunity to admire what you like and point out what you don’t. And remember: your hints don’t have to be in the context of an engagement ring. You might indicate that you prefer platinum over gold, a particular diamond cut or color, or a nontraditional design over a traditional one in a pair of earrings, bracelets or necklaces. If he’s got marriage on his mind, he’ll be grateful for any direction you provide.

help your partner feel more prepared to pick a ring himself. Or, if he’s close with one of your friends and you know a proposal is forthcoming, ask her to check in with him to see if he needs any guidance or ideas.

One last thing to keep in mind? Many couples are opting out of elaborate surprise proposals and opting into shopping together for an engagement ring. If you’re open to this arrangement, find a way to let your loved one know. This may be the best way to ensure that the ring of your dreams ends up on your finger.

Family-owned Padis Jewelry has been a trusted name in the jewelry industry for nearly half a century. To view our exceptional collection of loose certified diamonds, engagement rings, and fine jewelry, we invite you to visit any of our Bay Area locations – including our new Forevermark Boutique at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. We also have our flagship locations in San Francisco (now open every Saturday) and if in Napa Valley, be sure to join us at our recently re-opened Padis tasting room and jewelry store on Main Street in St. Helena.

Lean on your friends.

Wedding proposals can be contagious! If you have friends who have recently gotten engaged, this is the perfect opportunity to give your partner a nudge. Something as simple as, “Jack did a really great job picking out Sarah’s ring. I love the emerald cut diamond, although I think I would have chosen a platinum band over gold” can be naturally worked into a conversation and can 34

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