Mailed Directly to Blackhawk Residents and Published Online
OCTOBER 2020
Blackhawk
LIVING CA
Meet the De Choudens Family, Fitness and Fun Photo by Indigo Moments Photography
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OCTOBER 2020
Table of Contents Letter to Residents
05
Expert Contributors List
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Meet the De Choudens: Family, Fitness and Fun Cover Article
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ARF Adoption Stars
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Real Estate Statistics
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Calendar of Events
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Finances When Your Husband Passes
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Helping Stevie
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Your Attorney: The Park Ranger
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Invest in Hope Golf Tournament
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The New I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center
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No Regrets..A 5-Part series on Selecting the Best Shutter (Part 4)
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Tips for designing kid’s room
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Check out the 9ers
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Quintero Golf Club – An Arizona Jewel
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Fall Craft Ideas
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Minimize the Risk of Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft
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Pebble Beach Golf 2020
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Our perfect Oregon trip
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Rosy Fruit Salad Recipe
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The Times They Are a Changin’ – And So Are We: Padis Jewelry Downtown Napa is Now Open!
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Pet Adoption Corner
Expert Contributor
Pet Corner
Expert Contributor Charity Spotlight
Arts and Culture
Expert Contributor Expert Contributor Ladies Golf
Golf Destinations
Crafts Corner
Message from Blackhawk Police
Wine, Food, Golf & Fun Life through a Lens
Expert Contributor
BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 3
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OCTOBER 2020
Dear Neighbors, Publication Team Publisher:
Jo Peek, Blackhawk Resident since 2014 Content Coordinator: Megan Scott Blackhawk Resident since 2010 Designer: Emily Lund Jo Peek
Contributing Photographer: Indigo Moments Photography
Advertising Contact: Jo Peek Email: JPeek@bestversionmedia.com
Whether you love football, the new fall TV season, the holiday blockbusters on the horizon, or the oodles of new books to devour, October is a good time to be a fan. I can’t be the only one tempted to spend a day on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. I love October in Blackhawk when the beautiful fall colors are in full swing, the houses are decorated with ghosts and goblins and we get to see the neighborhood kids in their costumes. With COVID-19 regulations, we aren’t sure what Halloween will look like in Blackhawk this year, but we do know the community will come together as it always does to make the season special. This month you’ll meet your neighbors, the De Choudens. They’ve shared a lifetime of adventures together, and we’re excited to share their story with you. Warmly,
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.
Megan Scott Resident since 2010 We are 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.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 5
Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com. 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.
Custom Window Treatments Home Living Window Fashions Shem Isaac 925-351-4509 shem.isaac@gmail.com
Shem Isaac has been in the Window Fashions industry for over 16 years and presently serves as President of Home Living Window Fashions, a company he founded with his wife Melody Isaac. With a mission to help people Live Better By Design, the Isaacs bring passion and enthusiasm to every project and provide solutions to their clients challenges with privacy, light control, and insulation, while providing a beautiful design. Shem is nationally known as an expert on shutter construction and installation, and provides training and mentorship to other pro’s within the industry. He is a CSLB licensed contractor and holds classifications in Window Coverings and Awnings.
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.
Family Law Katrin Cusak Law Offices of Katrin M. Cusack kmcusack@cusack-law.com 925-786-5455
Katrin is a divorce attorney headquartered in San Ramon. She is a gritty and tough advocate with over twenty years of high-pressure experience. Her reputation among judges, mediators, and fellow attorneys is of unwavering reliability, fierce loyalty to her client’s best interests, and proven dedication to providing sound legal and practical advice. When not representing clients, Ms. Cusack trains with her dressage horse, Barristo, in preparation for their next competition.
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.
Find us online BlackhawkLivingCA www.BlackhawkLivingCA.com
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Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com.
Home Maintenance Home Inspections Plus Mark Beck 925-240-0441 m.beck@localinspector.com www.localinspector.com
At Home Inspections Plus, we have two basic rules: client satisfaction and long-term relationships. With our many years of business experience and over 6,000 fee paid inspections, we believe after you try our service, you will gladly refer others to us and use us in the future. Realtor and consumer inquiries welcome!
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.
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 Elizabeth Hunter Ashley The Performance Studio 925-548-2694 Elizabeth@elizabethhunterashley.com www.elizabethhunterashley.com
Professional lyric coloratura soprano, Elizabeth has extensive experience as a soloist in oratorio, concert, musical theatre, sacred 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.
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.
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Resident Feature
Resident Feature is proudly sponsored by Tucker Associates Real Estate
Meet the De Choudens Family, Fitness and Fun By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010
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fter 26 years together and living in multiple countries, states and cities, Giovanni and Lily De Choudens always find ways to fill their lives with adventure and fun. The couple met in Puerto Rico in 1994. “I knew Gio’s sister, and one evening she invited me to the bar where he used to bartend while going to college. That evening after his shift was over he asked me to dance, and we immediately hit it off,” says Lily. After two years of dating, Gio proposed to Lily, and they were married shortly after that. After about a year of marriage, they welcomed daughter Gia to the family, and two years later came a second daughter, Valeria. Both born and primarily raised in Puerto Rico, it was a career opportunity for Gio that launched their first move to the states. “I had never lived outside our beautiful island until 2000 when we decided to move to Fayetteville, Arkansas as Gio was offered a role with the Procter & Gamble team that is responsible for the Walmart business,” shares Lily. Gio grew up spending part of his childhood in Puerto Rico but also lived in Ecuador and Florida. The move to Arkansas ended up leading to multiple relocations for the family including living in Mexico, Kansas and of course, California. “We first lived in the East Bay when we moved to Livermore in 2004. After returning to California in 2009 and again in 2016, we knew we wanted to be in Danville as we simply love the small town feeling with big city amenities as well as the sense of community,” says Gio.
met a ton of great people that are now part of our extended family. While recent events have certainly created a lot of uncertainty, I am so happy to be able to do something I am passionate about on a daily basis and can’t wait to reopen and welcome everyone back soon!” says Lily. As a family, The De Choudens are passionate about fitness. “We always wanted to bring a new concept to the area and one that the whole family could get involved in. When Gio isn’t at work, you can always find him at Shred415. Both of our daughters are also involved. Valeria is an instructor and Gia helps with our social media and marketing,” adds Lily.
Gio studied marketing, but his career has been in sales and business development. He has worked for large corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Clorox, Electronic Arts and Samsung, as well as start-ups primarily focused on telecommunications and tech. He is currently the Vice President of Alliances for Charter Communications.
Both Gia and Valeria graduated from Monte Vista High School in Danville and are currently attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Gia will graduate this year with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a minor in Political Science while Valeria is in her second year in Graphic Communication and Journalism. Both daughters danced competitively throughout their childhood since they were toddlers. Valeria also sang with the Monte Vista choir throughout high school. They are currently focused on their education as well as being active in social justice causes.
Lily worked for her family’s business in Puerto Rico until their first daughter was born in 1999. She was a stay-at-home mom until just recently, when she decided to open a business in the local community. “After a lot of research and exploring, we decided to open Shred415 San Ramon, a high intensity interval training boutique gym that is focused on community building and being more than a workout. The past two years have been a lot of hard work, but we have also
Two dogs complete the De Choudens family. Migo is a 10-year-old rescue Poodle and Bichon mix. “Despite being only 10 pounds, he runs the house. We recently got a Bernedoodle puppy named Koda who is now 7-months-old. She is a very loving and affectionate dog. After we unexpectedly lost our Bella, our Cavalier King Charles, in December 2019 at age 11, we could not have found a better dog to join our family,” says Lily.
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Some of the family’s favorite pastimes include traveling to tropical locations. “We love to travel as a family, particularly to tropical places with beautiful beaches as well as places that have a rich history and new adventures to explore. As a family we also love all things Disney and spending long days at the park. I have to admit that we prefer Disney World over Disneyland,” adds Gio. No matter where they travel, Gio and Lily say they love being able to come home to Blackhawk, “One of our neighbors came over with a bottle of wine as a housewarming gift the day our moving truck was
unloading. Needless to say, I knew at that moment we had found the right place as we certainly enjoy a nice glass of wine. We feel fortunate to be able to live in this great and safe community. There are so many opportunities to be as engaged and active as you’d like. While our current schedules do not allow us to take full advantage of the many options that Blackhawk has to offer, we value having them available and know that we will benefit from it in the future.”
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.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 9
Pet Corner
Birdie
ARF Adoption Stars Submitted by ARF
Hula
Looking for a furry friend during this trying time? Good news — ARF is now offering a no-contact virtual adoption process! If you see an animal you’re interested in on our website, just fill out an online inquiry form. Once your inquiry has been received, you will be added to our virtual adoption queue.
Six-year-old Birdie is a sweet, sensitive girl searching for a special someone to take her under their wing. She loves tasty treats, the company of other canine friends, and napping in cozy spots. While Birdie enjoys walks in quiet areas, loud cars and heavy foot traffic are overwhelming for her. Birdie’s perfect home would be a calm, quiet household with another gentle, low-key dog who would like to be friends. The adoption fee for puppies (<6 months) is $350, for adult dogs is $250, and senior dogs (7+ years) and special needs dogs are 50% off the adoption fee.
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. 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.
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Ten-year-old Hula will happily greet you with a gentle meow and head bunt. This sweetheart is so affectionate and enjoys being close to people. He is looking for a loving home with lots of cozy places to snuggle, including your lap, where he will happily purr up a storm. Hula has some arthritis in his spine and is taking gabapentin for pain management. Hula’s adoption fee has been prepaid by a generous donor. The adoption fee for kittens (<6 months) is $150, for adult cats is $100, $25 off each for multiple cats/kittens, and senior cats (7+ years) and special needs cats are 50% off the adoption fee.
OCTOBER 2020
Real Estate
Real Estate is proudly sponsored by The Nagle Team
Active Real Estate Listings in Blackhawk
Street
List Price
Street
List Price
Jacaranda Dr Silver Fir Ln Blackhawk Dr Deer Ridge Dr Red Fir Ct Blackhawk Meadow Dr Chestnut Pl Red Alder Ct South Ridge Ct Saddleback Ct South Ridge Ct Quail Walk Ct Deer Crest Dr Oakridge Dr
$1,175,000 $1,769,800 $1,995,000 $2,148,900 $2,295,000 $2,350,500 $2,418,800 $2,588,000 $2,599,000 $2,650,000 $3,388,000 $3,588,800 $3,838,800 $3,998,800
Eagle Ridge Dr East Ridge Ct Blackhawk Meadow Ln Blackhawk Meadow Dr
$4,398,800 $4,888,888 $6,499,800 $12,500,000
Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA 1825 3353 3963 4644 4920 4618 4975 5341 4492 4940 6342 7066 6749 6910
2 4 3 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 5 5
2 2 3 3 4 3 3 6 3 4 5 7 5 4
0 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 2
Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA 9580 7172 8826 9400
7 5 7 6
7 5 8 9
1 1 2 0
Source: BridgeMLS 9/10/2020 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 agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
THE NAGLE TEAM IS PROUDLY REPRESENTING YOUR COMMUNITY! FEATURED PROPERTY
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312 Jacaranda Drive, Blackhawk
The Nagle Team Barbara and Michelle DRE #00828225 | #01261283
Michelle Barbara
925.872.1478 925.872.1500
3 Beds | 2 Full Baths | .13± Acre Lot
BEAUTIFUL GOLF VILLA! Located on .13± acre lot with charming courtyard entrance. Sweeping golf course views. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths + bonus area.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 11
October 2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sun., Oct 11
The VIRTUAL Run for Education @your computer 37th Annual Run for Education - is now VIRTUAL! Our virtual run is a race where you can run, jog, walk or roll for the distance of your choosing. Whether on the road, trail, treadmill or track, you pick the finish line. Complete a virtual 1K (Friendship or Mini Run), 5K, 10K, or create one of your own. Should you choose to time yourself, you can upload the results and even print a certificate of completion! Learn more www.srvef.org/the-run
Fri., Oct. 16
SRVHS Homecoming Parade @SRVHS and Downtown Danville Parade is from 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM in Downtown Danville
Sat., Oct. 24 The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s @ Bishop Ranch 2700 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Registration: 7:30 am and Walk Begins: 9:30 Visit www.alz.org/walk for details.
Every Saturday Farmers’ Market @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. Time: 9am-1pm More information at www.pcfma.com
Every Tuesday and Thursday On-line story time @home via Contra Costa Library See our favorite storytellers create impromptu story times every Tuesday and Thursday Time: 10am ccclib.org
Month of Oct. Free Fun on the Farm - New Hours @Forest Home Farms, San Ramon Forest Home Farms is now open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. At this time, Forest Home Farms is operating strictly as a park--there will be no hands-on activities. Please remember to adhere to social distancing and wear a mask.
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Expert Contributor
Finances When Your Husband Passes By Joe Morgan, CFP®, CFA, Principal: Best Financial Life, Resident since 2004
I
t feels like your world has been turned upside down, because it has.
And dealing with your finances is the last thing you want to do, but they are a “must” in today’s world. Here’s the good news: all those things you think (and other’s may be telling you) are a priority, are probably not. There are things that are important and urgent and other things that are important and not urgent. Understanding that difference and applying it to the tasks in front of you has never been more important. Most financial tasks in front of you are important, but not urgent. So, what’s urgent? Getting access to all your accounts and paying your bills (including taxes). That is the most important thing to do right now. From there, create a running list of everything you think you have to do, assign each task for timing (now, soon, later), and begin
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thinking about who can help you with each item. Many women have walked the path you are now walking, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel. For more details, check out a deeper analysis at www.BestFinLife.com/blog, but in this space I want to simply make the point that this can be very important. For a limited time, I am offering a completely FREE financial conversation on the topic of your choice. FREE, that is, from cost and also FREE from any sales pitch. Simply schedule your call here: www.calendly.com/bestfinlife/free-financial-conversation. 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.
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Pet Corner
Helping Stevie
By Janine Collins, Blackhawk resident since 1999
A
few times a year an incredibly special dog arrives at the East County Animal Shelter that needs Tri-Valley Animal Rescue’s extraordinary help. This past month brought that special dog, and we named him Stevie. Just 7-8 months old, this beautiful Doberman was abandoned at the shelter and we worried he had been abused as he was very fearful and nervous. But once our volunteers got to know him, Stevie touched their hearts. When we learned he had a congenital health issue that would need an operation for him to survive, the team vowed to try and save him. To help dogs like this takes dedication from our volunteers and generosity from our supporters. Stevie spent his first week or two at the shelter where our volunteers walked and socialized him. When he was ready, we found him a foster home that was committed to giving him a safe and loving home as we worked on the plan to make him well. One of our veterinarians mapped a course of care, and we created a fundraising drive to raise the money needed for this care. With the help from our wonderful donors we raised the money needed, and Stevie successfully made it through his operations. He’s going to need some ongoing care, but he’s all set to live a happy and healthy life. For anyone that’s had a sick animal you know what it’s like to make these decisions. It is the same for us that volunteer for Tri Valley Animal Rescue. These animals
become ours even if it is temporary. Stevie will continue to live with his foster family until we find him his forever home. And when we do, we’ll know that we saved one more life and one more forever home is going to have a terrific new addition.
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Expert Contributor
Your Attorney: The Park Ranger By Katrin M. Cusack, Esq.
T
he legal system is like a huge national park. Think of it as Yosemite, or Yellowstone, or The Grand Canyon, or any other vast open space that comes to mind. As an attorney, I am your park ranger, and I have worked in this enormous, vast open space called “The Legal System” for more than twenty years. Now, do I know every square inch of this vast open space? No. No one could, but I’m more than familiar enough with it to know how to guide you from one side of it to the other. My role as your park ranger is to help you get around The Legal System and guide you to your destination. Say you want to get to End of Litigation Lookout. I, as your park ranger, can’t tell you “the best way” to get to your destination (and anyone who says he/she can isn’t being honest with you). I can’t step into your skin and determine what’s “best” for you – the only person who can determine the “best” way to reach your destination is you. What I can do is, tell you the options you have to reach End of Litigation Lookout. I may tell you about a direct path that gets you there faster, but this direct path is expensive and part of it leads you right in front of a cave entrance to the home of an especially mean and aggressive bear. Now, this bear is known to totally annihilate anyone who disturbs its peace and quiet. It may or may not be at home when you get there; it may or may not be hibernating; it may or may not come out at all. But if it’s home and if it comes out, there’s nothing I can do to protect you from it. I may also tell you about a less-direct route to where you want to go, which takes a lot longer but is less expensive than the direct path and goes nowhere near the bear cave (so you avoid all that risk). Which path is “best” for you? Only you can make that decision. But once made, it’s my role to guide you along whichever path you choose. And off we go. Can you change your chosen path after venturing into The Legal System? You bet. This happens frequently. Sometimes the path can be easily changed; other times the terrain of the originally chosen path makes changing direction a bit more challenging. And, there are times when it’s not so much a matter of changing paths as it is making a brief stop to rest and recharge in order to continue onwards. My role is to advise you of the cost and potential risks/consequences associated with the options available, let you decide how you want to proceed, and then guide you accordingly. Together, we can get you to the destination you choose. By the way, the view from End of Litigation Lookout is amazing.
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OCTOBER 2020
Charity Spotlight
Invest in Hope Golf Tournament Sponsored by Blackhawk Living CA All photos taken by Shelby Zell
Invest in HOPE A golf tournament benefitting PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Blackhawk Country Club We would like to thank those that came out and volunteered, donated and golfed! We had a lot of fun. See you again next year!
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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 17
An Exceptional Experience. Sold 14 homes in August, with 43 YTD worth $73 Million, 16 in Blackhawk. # 1 For A Reason.
What Clients Have to Say: “Joujou is thorough, professional, and always acting as an advocate for her clients. She doesn’t “sell”; she doesn’t need to. Joujou and her team simply execute at the highest level.” -Buyer in Diablo, CA
Blackhawk •
$6,499,800
3118 Blackhawk Meadow Lane
Danville
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$5,998,800
Blackhawk
1080 Finley Road
•
$4,888,888
16 East Ridge Court LUXURY RETREAT
7 Bed 8 Full + 2 Half Bath 8,826 Sq Ft 0.75 Acres 3118blackhawkmeadowln.com
6 Bed 4 Full + 4 Half Bath 8,000 Sq Ft 5.17 Acres 36 Car Garage 1080finleyrd.com
5 Bed 5.5 Bath 16eridgect.com
7,172 Sq Ft
0.62 Acres
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
18
OCTOBER 2020
#1
Top 100
$1.2 Billion+ 350+
35+
In Blackhawk
Nationwide per 2020
Lifetime Sales
Lifetime Homes
Years of Real
2013-2019
WSJ Real Trends
Value
Sold in Blackhawk
Estate Experience
Blackhawk •
$4,398,800
Blackhawk
929 Eagle Ridge Drive
•
$3,998,800
Blackhawk
201 Oakridge Drive
•
$3,838,800
3510 Deer Crest Drive NEW LISTING
7 Bed 7.5 Bath 9,580 Sq Ft 929eagleridgedr.com Blackhawk
•
0.97 Acres
$3,588,800
3441 Quail Walk Court
5 Bed 4 Full + 2 Half Bath 6,910 Sq Ft 4.13 Acres 201oakridgedr.com
6 Bed 5.5 Bath 6,749 Sq Ft 3510deercrestdr.com
Blackhawk
Blackhawk
•
$2,799,900
411 Bent Oak Place
•
0.52 Acres
$2,595,000
5436 Blackhawk Drive NEW LISTING
6 Bed 7 Bath 7,066 Sq Ft 3441quailwalkct.com Blackhawk
•
1.15 Acres
$2,418,800
5 Bed 3.5 Bath 5,191 Sq Ft 411bentoakpl.com Blackhawk •
20 Chestnut Place
0.36 Acres
$ 2,148,900
4 Bed + Study 3.5 Bath 4,008 Sq Ft 0.5 Acres 5436blackhawkdr.com Blackhawk •
3433 Deer Ridge Drive
140 Silver Fir Lane
4 Bed + Study 3.5 Bath 4,644 Sq Ft 0.39 Acres 3433deerridgedr.com
NEW LISTING
4 Bed 2 Full + 2 Half Bath 3,353 Sq Ft 0.71 Acres 140silverfirln.com
Joujou Chawla chawlarealestate.com
$ 1,699,998
NEW PENDIN LISTING
PENDING
4 Bed + Bonus 3.5 Bath 4,975 Sq Ft 0.53 Acres 20chestnutpl.com
NEW LISTING
510.406.4836 joujou.chawla@chawlarealestate.com
DRE 00890002 BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 19
Arts and Culture
The New I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center
By Shayna Ronen, Executive Director and Co-Founder of I Can Do That! PAC
W
hen shelter-in-place hit in March the founders of I Can Do That!, a Danville based youth nonprofit, immediately pivoted to ensure their High School Musical cast of 50 and their tons of students in theater classes would still be able to rehearse and stay connected. Now, 6 months later, not only is ICDT! continuing with virtual classes as well as adding outdoor and indoor socially distanced classes, they are expanding to build a Youth Center in Downtown Danville. In November of 2019, without any notion of what was to come in March 2020, I Can Do That!’s founders Shayna Ronen and Jarusha Ariel signed a lease on a building in Downtown Danville and set out to build the I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center. The new 6,000 square foot Center would have three rehearsal studios, a costume room, cafe, and two outdoor lounge spaces for local youth to call their own. There they would ‘use the power of community, wellness, and the performing arts to fuel our youth; the individuals who will become the problem solvers, citizens, and leaders we need in this world.’
by a San Francisco based company, One Hat One Hand, and will be ‘the central art piece of the Center, ‘showing the boldness, creativity, and love that ICDT! is all about’. Names will be featured on this wall as tribute to those who helped bring this Center to life, especially during this challenging time. Ronen and Ariel were just named one of Diablo Magazine’s ‘Agents of Change’ for their work in keeping our local kids ‘socially connected, learning, finding joy, and creating an empowered view of themselves and the world around them.” If your family, foundation, business, or club is interested in learning more about the project, please reach out to Executive Director, Shayna Ronen at Shayna@ICanDoThatPAC.org.
Upon signing the lease, Ronen and Ariel also began a Capital Campaign to raise $750,000 to complete the renovation of the space. “We wouldn’t have been shocked at all if fundraising stalled or completely stopped once the pandemic hit,” said Ronen, “but our community wouldn’t let that happen.” Since going into shelter in place ICDT! has raised over $400,000 bringing their total to $607,832.
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These funds have come in from tons of local families as well as clubs like the Rotary Club of Danville / Sycamore Valley, and foundations like the Donald Zonshine Family Foundation all who gave over $10,000 to be included on the Center’s Donor Wall. This Donor Wall will be designed
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No Regrets...
A 5-Part series on Selecting the Best Shutter (Part 4) By Shem Isaac, Home Living Windows
The finish is what you see first. Of course we are talking about the paint or stain finish. Remember when we were talking about the conditioning of the wood, and how the wood should be very dry, and that most companies get this step right? When the wood is ready to be painted it’s referred to as “thirsty”, because it will soak up the primer and paint so readily. The first coat of primer is applied, and the wood absorbs the primer deep into the wood. As it’s applied, the edge grain can curl up as the wood absorbs the primer. This small curl needs to be removed before painting can continue or the finish will not be smooth. Ideally, after the first coat of primer is applied, the wood is hand sanded to remove the curl. Next the wood is primed again, and there will be more curl. Hand sanding should continue between coats of primer and paint to ensure the ideal finish. Unfortunately most shutter companies just put layer on layer of primer and paint and the curl gets more and more pronounced. When the shutter is in the window the curl will be visible as the sun will highlight the shortcuts taken during the finishing process. There is another issue with paint finishes called overspray. This is caused when the paint is applied unevenly, or more commonly when a coat of paint is applied when the preceding coat hasn’t fully cured. The paint will pool along the edge of the louver and look uneven. This is a sign of a shutter that is rushed in it’s production. It’s sad that so many companies put their sights on getting a shutter done sooner than they should rather than taking a little more time and doing it right. The installation of the shutters is very important and the installation starts at the measure. Imagine if we select a wonderful wood that is properly cut and dried, constructed with mortise and tenon joinery, painted with an 8 stage finishing process, and then the dealer sends out Micky Mouse and Goofy to do the install. All the good work you did becomes meaningless. It’s important to select an installer with years of experience and good online reviews. As an installer myself, I can spot the heroes from the zeros in a minute. To help you out though here are a few questions I’ve asked when interviewing installers before. “What makes you a good installer?” If they have arrogance or cockiness then that’s a red flag. The best installers I know are humble and always learning. Another question is “Do you prefer to use screws or nails for installing shutter frames?” If they are dismissive of either that’s a sign of an immature installer. The fact is that both methods are useful depending upon the frame selected and the application. A good answer will be “With this frame and these openings I’ll be using ________.” This is a sign of a thoughtful well rounded professional. Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses
BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 21
Expert Contributor
Tips for designing kid’s room By Sheeja Nair, Interior designer, Raashi Design, LLC
D
esigning a bedroom for your child can be challenging from finding the appropriately sized furniture pieces to color schemes and themed bedrooms. But sticking to a few key rules can take the stress out of designing. The most important thing to keep in mind when designing your child’s bedroom is to choose pieces that can grow with them. As your toddler transitions into childhood and into the preteen years, their taste will undoubtedly change. Stay away from overly themed bedrooms that may not transition well as your child starts to grow up. Choosing neutral colors for the larger areas, such as the wall colors and furniture pieces, will allow you to accessorize with more statement colors. Rather than painting a baby girl’s bedroom pink, choose pink bedding and pillows, which can easily be switched out when your daughter decides that she’d rather paint a
mural on her wall. Let your child get in on the fun by letting them choose artwork for the walls or even better, have them MAKE art for their wall, for a more personal touch. Convertible cribs that start out as a crib and can be transformed into a toddler bed will allow you to use the furniture for a longer period of time and prevent you from having to purchase a new bed with every growth spurt, and make sure to choose appropriate furniture pieces. Keeping these ideas in mind when designing your child’s room will allow the design to have more longevity.
22
OCTOBER 2020
Ladies Golf
Check out the 9ers By Linda Marver, Resident since 2007
O
ctober has arrived! This has been quite the year with all kinds of ups and downs. Luckily we have been able to golf with friends and enjoy the outdoors. September was challenging with the large number of fires around our state. dropping ash and soot on the course and blocking the sun as well as several days of unrelenting heat. But we persevered and golfed on in spite of everything. If you are looking to join a fun golf group, give us a try! Contact our Membership Chair, Barbara Walsh at (925)699-1259 Or rb232walsh@comcast.net.
Charm Winner is Sandy Davis.
Flight A 1st Place Low Gross – Karen Bryden 2nd Place Low Gross – Joanne Knapp 1st Place Low Net – Linda Maddalon Low Putts – Joanne Knapp
Flight B 1st Place Low Gross – Jo Peek 2nd Place Low Gross – Linda McColgan 1st Place Low Net – Rene Hirshberg 2nd Place Low Net – Sally Ryan Low Putts – Sally Ryan Ace of Aces, Low Gross – Marlene Williamson Ace of Aces, Low Net – Jo Peek Most Improved – Pat Burgess
In celebration of Halloween, I am including a flashback picture from our Country Niner Day in March!
Niners October Calendar Oct. 1st - No Play Oct. 8th - No Play Oct. 15th - Falls, Board Meeting Oct. 22nd - Lakes, Front/Charm Day Oct. 29th - No Play Oct. 31st - Halloween
BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 23
Now Open
Beginning June 13th
Weekends only by appointment Facemasks and social distancing will be required. Call for details. • Style, Sophistication & Speed Reign Supreme • An Imperial Past – Lives & Breathes • Destinies Collide & New Nations are Born • Culture & Folklore are Carved into History • Rivals Battle & Triumph – Only the
Fittest Survive…
This is Blackhawk Museum...
Experience World of Nature Coming Soon in 2020
3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville, CA www.blackhawkmuseum.org • 925-736-2277 24
OCTOBER 2020
Golf Destinations
Quintero Golf Club – An Arizona Jewel By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012
“Y
ou’ve got to play the Quintero Golf Club, it’s amazing,” we hear on this visit to Arizona. Far away from other courses or civilization, it’s eighteen miles west of the Interstate and sculpted from rugged desert landscape. We found a challenging course exquisitely manicured with tour quality greens and dramatic panoramas. A large rusted looking metal sign with the letter Q cutout Beautiful Mix of Color announces the turn into the golf course. It’s easy to drive by it. We arrive to a tiny building housing a small restaurant and proshop. It’s a small journey to the Quintero Golf Club practice range near the first hole set a mile and one half away. Suddenly, a perfectly manicured range and practice green appear foretelling the start of a great round. The drama starts at the first hole with an elevated tee and panoramic views. Sometimes courses with many elevations have some crazy holes. Quintero Golf Club is a Rees Jones design, and he has carefully sculpted holes in the High Sonora Desert. It doesn’t feel gimmicky. Landing areas are generous. Although molded into the natural vegetation of the desert, he leaves six to ten feet of rough for your errant shots off the fairway. Then it’s the lush Arizona desert - rocks, gravel, cacti and scrub brush. Full Bar on the Course
Most Rees Jones greens have back and sides that run off down a slope.Quintero Golf Club is no exception. These are some of the finest bentgrass greens you’ll ever find. Large, hard and fast shots will often roll off down the greenside slopes. Substantial yet subtle breaks will perplex you. In the summer heat of Phoenix, perennial rye is overseeded with Bermuda. On the ninth, players make a steep climb for the par 3 shot and view of the Panorama’s Galore day. On this 188-yard hole players must carry water and a rock wall to a large sloping green. Views of the pinnacles in all directions make it difficult to concentrate. Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses
foreground.
Another favorite is the fourteenth (my second birdie). A 541-yard par 5, your tee shot to a generous fairway is framed by twin peaks in the background and pristine desert in the
Fact filled crystal clear hi-resolution screens on the carts enhance the experience. And rarely yardage books include practice range numbers as they do here. At Quintero Golf Club you’ll remember sharp peaks, outstanding conditioning, elevated vistas, exceptional greens and excellent service. “You’ve got to play the Quintero Golf Club, it’s amazing,” is excellent advice. Explore other Southwest golf courses from Quintessential Golf Magazine. Find High resolution photos at: www. quintessentialgolf.com/destinations/ quintero/
If You Go: Yardage: Five sets of tees span from 5043 yards to 7249 yards. From the back tees (Black) the rating is 75.3 and the slope is 148. The Gold/Silver Combo tees have a 72.0 rating with a slope of 140. Location - Fifty miles northwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Eighteen miles west of Interstate 17 in the middle of the desert. Lodging – Five two-bedroom suite casitas on property. Otherwise, nearest lodging is in Sun City, twenty-nine miles southeast. Fees: $100 to $280 depending on time of year and day. Discount for AZ residents, Troon Card Holders and with Stay and Play packages.
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 player’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.
BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 25
Crafts Corner
Fall Craft Ideas By Michelle Barry, Resident since 2018
T
his month I’d like to give you some craft ideas for Fall / Halloween and get you started thinking about Holiday gift giving ideas. The website www.creativebug.com has a lot of instructors with great and creative ideas. One of their instructors, Twinkie Chan, has a beginner crochet series of lessons she released this month: Crochet Sampler: A Daily Practice. I’m on day nine of the “Sampler Series” and I am enjoying it immensely. The longest lesson in the Daily Practice has been 15 minutes. If you can spare 15 minutes each day, you can learn to crochet and Twinkie Chan makes it fun. Here’s a picture of the sampler: There are three things I LOVE about crochet. The first is that the investment into the craft is minimal. You can get started for $10. Buy a skein of yarn and a crochet hook and off you go. The second thing I
Twinkie Chan’s Crochet Sampler on www.creativebug.com
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like is that if you make a mistake, you just pull the project apart (back to a ball of yarn) and start over. The third thing I like about it is you can take it with you wherever you go.
Twinkie Chan’s Black Cat on www.creativebug.com
Halloween Craft Ideas Halloween is quickly approaching! Halloween is typically a fun time for young and old. Since we are not sure how much we’ll be able to celebrate this year, crafts are a great way to get us in that Halloween spirit! The website www.creativebug.com has the cutest crochet cat I’ve ever seen! My daughter and I think it’s adorable and will be doing this as our Halloween project. Twinkie Chan is also the instructor and her videos make the process easy.
The instructions are in the link below: https://www.womansday. com/home/crafts-projects/ how-to/a8649/halloweendecoration-broom-candybags-how-to-110915/
Morasky Clay Wealth Management Mark Morasky, CPWA®, AAMS®, CRPC® Senior Vice President Senior Financial Advisor 925.945.4879 mark_morasky@ml.com
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OCTOBER 2020
The website www.womensday.com had another great Halloween craft idea: “Halloween Broom Candy Bags”. This is super simple and you can use things around the house to complete it. You just need to add the candy! Another craft that caught my eye was this “Cardboard Haunted House” on the website www.projectkid.com
If you make anything inspired by my articles, please post them on Instagram. I’d love to see them. Use the hashtag #BHLMCrafts Happy crafting!
Holiday Gift Ideas If I’m going to make gifts for the holidays, I try to make them early. I’ve started now, to ensure they’re completed Although it looks by early to mid December. This year I decided to sew a complicated, it is fairly simple and it will keep kids pillowcase! This was, by far, the easiest thing I have engaged for hours. Find the ever made. It took less than 30 minutes, start to finish. I instructions at: purchased the Lola Dutch fabric from Wooden Gate Quilts https://projectkid.com/ cardboard-haunted-house/ in Danville. Lola Dutch is a series of children’s books. I plan to give the pillowcase as gifts and I’m going to include a Lola Dutch book with each one. Wooden Gate Quilts gave me the instructions for free. There are also many videos online you can follow. Just search for “How to make a pillowcase with French seams”. The fabric choices are endless.
Wooden Gate Quilts gave me the instructions for free. There are also many videos online you can follow. Just search for “How to make a pillowcase with French seams”. The fabric choices are endless.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 27
Message from Blackhawk Police
Minimize the Risk of Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft By Tricia England, Blackhawk Police Chief
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ake a minute to think about your habits – do you delete spam emails? Do you keep your Social Security Number in a secure place? What about you statements and receipts – do you shred them before throwing them away? There are some simple steps you can take to reduce or minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Practice safe internet use. Privacy is an important issue, especially in the information age. To keep your data safe, delete spam emails asking for personal information and keep your antivirus and anti-spyware software up to date. Shop online only with secure web pages (check your browser for an image of a lock or look for “https” in the address bar). Never send credit card numbers, Social Security Numbers and other personal information via email. Destroy private records. Tear up or shred credit card statements, ATM, credit or debit card receipts, bank deposit receipts, loan solicitations and other documents that contain private financial information.
Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox regularly and consider investing in a mailbox lock. When mailing bill payments and checks, consider dropping them off at the post office or in a secure mailbox. These are simple changes that can have a big impact on your personal security. Be careful with your Social Security Number. Your Social Security Number is a major target because it can give identity thieves access to your credit report and bank accounts. Never carry your card with you. Instead, memorize your number and keep the card in a secure place at home or in a safety deposit box. Never write or print your Social Security number on checks. Check your credit report. At least once a year, obtain and review your credit report for suspicious activity. Request your free credit report once every 12 months. Consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Visit www.annualcreditreport. com to request your credit report online, by phone, or through
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the mail. To get a free estimate of your credit score, visit www. whatsmyscore.org/estimator. Be aware of scams. Always be on the defensive with your private information. Never give out personal information to telemarketers or respond to emails from someone claiming to represent your bank, credit card issuer, a government agency, a charity, or other organization. If you think the request is legitimate, contact the company directly to confirm. Crime Prevention Tips: Preventing Auto Burglaries ~ Always roll up vehicle windows and lock all doors. Hide your personal belongings. If you leave property visible in your vehicle, your vehicle is automatically a target. Store items in your trunk before you arrive on-site; avoid storing items in your trunk after you park. Preventing Residential Burglaries ~ You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood and remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes. Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, set your alarms, consider installing security cameras, and call the Police when you see something suspicious! Robbery Prevention Tips: • Trust your instincts. If you sense trouble, get away as soon as possible. • Show confidence. Walk at a steady pace, keep your head up and avoid carrying lots of packages…It can make you look
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defenseless. Don’t look like an easy target. Robbers want someone who will provide the least resistance. If you look like you know where you are going, walk with your head up and eyes alert, you will most likely be left alone. Be observant. Remain alert and observe the people around you. Know who is walking behind and in front of you. Things to watch for include suspicious persons or vehicles, people who are wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather (e.g. a long or heavy coat in warm weather), and people just loitering around. Walk in well-lit areas. If possible, do not walk alone. Be aware of your surroundings. If you think you are being followed, go to a crowded area. Do not carry large amounts of money. Carry keys in your hand.
IF YOU OBSERVE SUSPICIOUS PERSONS OR ACTIVITIES, CALL THE POLICE. FISHING IS NOT PERMITTED AT ANY OF THE LAKES OR PONDS IN BLACKHAWK AND IS CONSIDERED TRESPASSING. TRESPASSERS WILL BE CITED. Blackhawk Police Services 1092 Eagle Nest Place (925) 736-1018 Dispatch (925) 646-2441
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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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 29
Wine, Food, Golf & Fun
Pebble Beach Golf 2020 By Mike L. McColgan, Resident since 1990
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panish Bay Inn, Piper, Roy’s Restaurant and More...
Recently we had the pleasure to return to Pebble Beach and celebrate our birthdays at ‘God’s Home of Golf’: Pebble Beach. We have a rich memory bank of experiences at this special place. AT&T’s, US Opens, US Amateur and playing Pebble Beach is one of the greatest experiences in golf. We always stay at Spanish Bay and enjoy the entire experience. General Manager Rod Schinner runs a ‘first class’ operation. The oceanfront Inn features world class service, pool, spa, tennis and restaurants. It will instantly rejuvenate your mind, body and soul the minute you enter the Inn. The smell of the cracking wood burning in the huge fireplace, beautiful orchid flower arrangements and heavenly views of the sun-splashed deep blue Pacific immediately relieve the ‘stress’ of modern day living. We especially enjoy sitting by the fire pits on the oceanfront patio bar watching the piper play ‘Amazing Grace’ every night at sunset. Our son MJ is also a great photographer and captured a world class picture of the ‘piper‘ playing a few years ago. This ‘piper’ experience never gets old and is a great way to relax before going to dinner at famous Roy’s restaurant. Roy’s is one of our favorite restaurants and offers a variety of sushi creations and steaks from their open kitchen overlooking the ocean. Last year our favorite chef, Thomas Keller, was enjoying dinner next to our table. He is also an avid golfer and plays in the AT&T Pro Am.
To conclude your Pebble Beach experience, we recommend that you visit the charming town of nearby Carmel. It has a variety of restaurants, inns, art galleries and is full of happy people from all over the world, smiling and walking their dogs. We especially enjoy ‘Katy’s Place’ for breakfast, which features the famous sportscaster and local resident Jim Nantz‘ “Augusta Special’ as well as a variety of other sensational selections. In conclusion, Pebble Beach is a ‘must do’ bucket list experience. We look forward to returning soon. For more information and to make reservations go to: https://www.pebblebeach.com/ accommodations/the-inn-at-spanish-bay/
If you are staying at the Inn, you can also play golf at some of the ‘best’ courses in the world. Spanish Bay has a challenging links course, and, for special occasions, you can also play Spyglass Hill or famous Pebble Beach. If you are a NCGA member, you can get a great rate at nearby Poppy Hills. Pebble Beach recently held the US Open and US Amateur. It is a special experience of ultimate beauty and ‘rich‘ history that ‘every’ avid golfer should do one time. The new Tiger Woods designed and former Peter Hay short course is slated to open in 2021. It will feature some challenging holes including a copy hole of famous par 3, number 7, on the Pebble Beach course. After your day playing Pebble Beach, we highly recommend going to the legendary Tap Room. The Tap Room is rated as one of the most famous 19th holes in the world. You never know what famous people you may see there. The food is great, and it is a fun place to discuss your ‘great‘ golf shots and ‘missed‘ putts. Enjoying an ice-cold Guinness or glass of your favorite wine, Kobe burgers and coconut cake is a fabulous ending to your Pebble Beach golf experience. 30
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Life through a Lens
Clear and deep blue waters of Crater Lake.
Our perfect Oregon trip
part of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. It’s an hour drive from Bend. The crunchy dry clay slopes, cooked by the sun are colorful layers of red, tan, yellow, gold, orange, and black, formed as a sequence of past climate change. Changing light and moisture levels drastically affect the tones and hues visible in the hills. This epic landscape is also know for ancient leaf and animal fossils from million of years ago. This Nature’s art is definitely a beautiful tapestry colored by sediments and wildflowers.
By Sonia Lamba, Resident since 2015
We also spent one day hiking on the beautiful Canyon and Homestead trails at the amazing Smith Rock State Park, another gorgeous natural wonder, also an hour drive from Bend. It’s famous for jagged rock faces that rise above the crooked river as it snakes along the canyon floor.
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his COVID summer we road-tripped to Oregon. We were looking forward to exploring its awe-inspiring natural wonders like its beautiful coast, volcanic mountains, lava trails, waterfalls, and deserts.
It’s amazing that we saw all this and so much more of Oregon from behind the wheel of our car. It was definitely a memorable trip and we were all the more thankful and in love with our own, not so little, natural wonder in the backyard - Mount Diablo. Where did your car travels take you this summer?
The first night we stayed at the Historic Prospect Hotel, midway between Rogue Valley and Crater Lake. It is surrounded by National forests and wilderness areas on the banks of stunning Mill Creek. Here, we hiked up a short distance to see the Rogue River and the three waterfalls: Pearsony, Mill Creek and Barr Creek. The next morning, we drove for around 45 minutes to Crater Lake, definitely a highlight of our trip. The deepest lake in America is so pure and blue and is in the belly of a giant erupted volcano Mount Mazama. For us, it was a jaw dropping experience and one of the most picturesque sights for me! We hiked up to Watchman Peak Vista Point for amazing views of the Wizard Island, a floating wonderland inside the the lake. Another highlight of our trip was The Painted Hills, one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon and
The majestic Smith Rock State Park
Colorful and stunning Painted Hills
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!
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Recipe
Rosy Fruit Salad By Parisa Z. Ambwani, Resident since 1983
Serves 1 Preparation Time: 5 minutes • 1 red apple, cored, sliced • 1 seedless orange, sectioned • 1 peach, pitted, sliced • 2 cups green lettuce, cleaned, pat-dried, cut into bite-size pieces Dressing: • ¼ cup champagne seedless grape juice OR “Mint-Vinegar Dressing” * • 1 pinch of thyme (optional) For individual serving, alternate, slices (apple, orange, and peach), on top of green lettuce. Place dressing (mixture of grape juice and thyme) in a small container on the middle of salad plate. Variation: A simple fruit salad with peach/pear/papaya (my favorite fruits) combined with cherries, grapes, berries etc. *Mint-Vinegar Dressing: Add ¼ cup apple cider vingar, and ½ cup water into a small saucepan, bring to simmer.Stir in 2
teaspoons sugar and a few sprigs of mint. Simmer for 1-2 minutes and adjust the sweetness and mint flavor if needed. Remove mint and let salad dressing cool prior to use. You may double the ingredients to serve more people. Note: Dip fresh apple and peach slices into mixture of lemon juicewater to prevent from discoloring. Holistic Journey: Love frees us like a gentle dove; the power of this freedom only God can see. © Parisa Z. Ambwani-----------All rights reserved www.enlightenedrecipes.com 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 seven books and over 1000 recipes that weave her beliefs into caring words on how to live life to the fullest. Learn more by visiting her website, enlightenedrecipes.com.
BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 33
Expert Contributor
The Times They Are a Changin’ – And So Are We: Padis Jewelry Downtown Napa is Now Open! By Steve Padis, Padis Jewelry and The Broadway Plaza Forevermark Boutique
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020 has certainly been QUITE the year. We’ve faced a global pandemic, civil unrest, devastating wildfires, and orange skies right out of a horror movie. As a family and a company, we have been evaluating how we can best serve you, our clients, and we are ready to meet you where you need to be met. We understand that everyone has their own preferences on handling these unique times. Know that the Padis Jewelry team is going to do absolutely everything we can to make you feel comfortable and exceed your expectations. Now it’s time to celebrate all those “I Do’s”, “I Love You’s”, and “Will You Marry Me’s.” We are grateful for our community’s commitment to safety and health and we look forward to welcoming you back to Padis Jewelry – either at our Broadway Plaza Forevermark store, our locations in San Francisco, or our brand new store in downtown Napa! Napa is the perfect local day or weekend getaway; just a short drive away. The congestion of the Bay Area and San Francisco quickly disappears into rolling hills of open space and fresh air of the Napa Valley. The vibrant restaurant scene and the copious amounts of wine available certainly helps one relax and enjoy! The Padis Family has long been involved in the local Napa community, and is now taking an exciting step further with a brand new 4000 sq. ft. Padis Jewelry & Wine Tasting Experience, located within the luxurious Hotel Andaz. This vast new Padis Jewelry Napa Valley location is nestled among outstanding
restaurants, luxury shopping and tasting rooms, with short walks to the scenic Napa River and Oxbow Market, a hub of central Napa and a destination for any local visitor. The Napa Padis experience features an enormous selection of sought-after designers like Tacori, A Jaffe, Verragio, and Breitling, as well as one of California’s largest collections of Forevermark diamonds, which are ethically-sourced and traced from mine to finger. Additionally, the location is aiming to create a first-of-its-kind unique luxury experience by adding a space for exclusive Padis wine tastings and a Breitling Bar and Boutique, set to open later in the year. Plus, there’s free parking at the Clay Street garage to make shopping even more convenient. Padis Jewelry will be announcing a (socially-distanced) Grand Opening celebration soon, so be sure to register at padisgems.com/napa to get your invitation to the festivities! We sincerely thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life’s most precious moments. Email us at concierge@padisjewelry.com or visit our website at www.padisjewelry.com to book your appointment either virtually or in person.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 35
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