Exclusively Serving the Blackhawk Community.
OC T OBER 2 018
Blackhawk LIVING
MEET
Eve Marie Shahoian: Bringing Jazz to Danville COVER PHOTO:
by Kim Lind Photography
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OCTOBER 2018
Blackhawk LIVING
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. © 2018 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
We Are Now Online!! Dear Neighbors,
www.BlackhawkLivingCA.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. This month you’ll meet your neighbor, Eve Marie Shahoian. She is working hard to bring jazz to Danville. She has spent her career in music, and we are fortunate to have her right here in Blackhawk. Our community calendar has fun suggestions on how to celebrate the changing of the seasons to the fullest. 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 Warmly,
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.
Chiropractic andFunctional Medicine Blackhawk Chiropractic Lori Hamilton, DC, CCSP 925-736-2663 www.drlorihamilton@gmail.com drlorihamilton.com
Dr. Hamilton is a passionate and committed healthcare practitioner providing a comprehensive and individualized approach to her patients’ well being. Backed with over 27 years of training and experience, she is uniquely equipped at putting the pieces of the clinical puzzle together. By identifying the root cause of pain and dysfunction, followed by individualized effective treatment methods, patients are given the platform necessary to achieve long-term positive outcomes.
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.
Financial Advice JWM Wealth Management, LLC 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.
Education The Dorris-Eaton School 925-930-9000 www.dorriseaton.org
The Dorris-Eaton School serves preschool through eighth grade students and is recognized locally and nationally for its academic excellence. Strong writing, grammar, and reading classes are paired with interactive science, math and history courses. Foreign language, technology, art, music, and physical education are integral components of the program. Our experienced faculty provides the solid foundation that enables our graduates to succeed in the finest high schools and universities in the country.
Elder Law Julie Fiedler Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning, Inc. 925-244-1185 www.HorizonLawCA.com Event Coordination and Design Eventfully Yours Event Designs Rayna Hess 925-370-1300 rayna@eventdesignsbyrayna.com www.eventdesignsbyrayna.com General Contractor S&J Properties Jim Long Office: 925-820-2924 Cell: 925-575-0183 jim@propertiesbysj.com propertiesbysj.com
Julie began her career as an RN, working in critical care for over 20 years before becoming an attorney in 2002. As an RN, Julie brings a unique, compassionate perspective to the practice of law. As an attorney, Julie advises in estate planning, with a specialty in elder law, working with seniors and their families in handling the challenges of aging and health related issues.
Rayna Hess has over 15 years of experience in corporate and private event planning. She is an expert at bringing your vision to life, creating a spectacular event that friends and co-workers will talk about for years to come. Rayna’s sophisticated designs, and effortless management style, make her a preferred vendor at a number of popular, local venues including Blackhawk Country Club. As co-owner of Chairs for Affairs Party Rentals, she also has high quality event rentals at her fingertips for each of her clients.
S&J Properties is a Design/Build company that specializes in residential remodeling construction projects. By performing both the design and construction, we provide the most beautiful, long-lasting and highest value remodeling projects in the industry. Our planning process is extremely thorough, which results in “no surprises” and a rapid and real timeline. Communication with clients, our partners and other regulatory organizations are optimized. We specialize in providing inspiring and custom solutions.
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.
We Are Now Online!! www.BlackhawkLivingCA.com 4
OCTOBER 2018
Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com. 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.
Mortgages Steve Cline Preferred Financial 925-820-5557 SCline@PreferredFinancial.com www.PreferredFinancial.com
Preferred Financial Group, Inc. is a local family owned business, funding over 11 Billion Dollars since 1979. We are the pioneer of the zero cost mortgage with access to over 15 national lenders and banks to obtain the lowest possible interest rate for your residential purchase or refinance. We listen, we educate, then perform like no one else in the industry.
Music & Fine Art Victoria Strochkova San Ramon Music & Fine Art School 925-336-0181 sanramonmusic@gmail.com www.sanramonmusic.com
Victoria Strochkova is a founder and Director of San Ramon Music and Fine Art School. Mrs. Strochkova has more than 25 years of teaching experience; in 2008 she decided to collaborate her expertise and experience with other great teachers, which led her to idea to establish music school in San Ramon. Our school is happy to offer the highest quality music instructions and performance opportunities for students of all ages. Mrs. Strochkova is a member of MTAC since 1998. She graduated from Kiev State Music College in 1988 and Kiev State Conservatory in 1993.
Orthodontics Dr. Richard Anthony Blackhawk Orthodontics 925-736-3311 richard.anthony@blackhawkortho.com www.blackhawkortho.com
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 Real Estate Linda H Kralik, CRB, CRS Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties 925-998-9446 lkralik@pacbell.net
Linda’s love of the land beganwhile growing up in Danville riding her horse through the openfields and trails that once crisscrossed the San Ramon Valley. Her most prized moments wereearly morning rides to the top of Mt. Diablo to watch the sun rise. Upon her return to the land ofher childhood, Linda began her real estate career over 30 years ago and has achieved manyawards and top honors in her professional field.
Security Solutions Katelyn Radtke 510-278-2583 foothill_locksmiths_inc@yahoo.com www.foothilllocksmithsinc.com
Katelyn Lucas Radtke is a Bay Area native with a passion for security, community, and education. She is the fourth generation and Operations Manager of Foothill Locksmiths Inc. Foothill Locksmiths Inc. is a Diamond Certified company, servicing the Greater Bay Area since 1956.
Tree Service Trex Donovan Buena Vista Tree Service 415-531-1247 ntdonovan@yahoo.com www.buenavistatree.com Veterinary Dr. Nick Bricaud DVM Blackhawk Veterinary Hospital 925-736-7440 drnick@blackhawkvet.com www.blackhawkvet.com Unique & Custom Travel Experiences Lori McDonald Cruise Planners 925-380-6208 lmcdonald@cruiseplanners.com www.McDonaldTravel.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.
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.
Blackhawk Veterinary Hospital is a full service hospital serving Danville and the surrounding East Bay. Our clients and patients are considered an extension of the Blackhawk Veterinary Hospital family and we strive to provide excellent and compassionate care combined with outstanding customer service. From vaccines to surgery we have all of your veterinary needs covered.
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 Eve Marie Shahoian: Bringing Jazz to Danville
E
By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010 | www.BlackhawkLivingCA. com
ve has devoted her career to music and performs her signature jazz melodies across the country, but after deciding to call Blackhawk home, the only thing that was missing was some local live jazz. She was determined to fix that and launched The Jazz Room at the Village Theatre in Danville. As the Founding/ Artistic Director and producer, Eve curates a line up of local and international artists. “The Jazz Room’s inception was January 2017 and 18 shows later, we are still going strong. Every month The Jazz Room at Village Theatre & Art Gallery provides a platform for young aspiring Bay Area talent as well as bringing in internationally acclaimed and Bay Area jazz favorites. I find it very rewarding being able to procure, support and share talent with our community,” says Eve. Eve says she is growing the jazz series quickly. “This month I’m introducing “Nights On Broadway”, a series of shows at the Village Theatre featuring Broadway and Cabaret style music. This January 18th, The Jazz Room welcomes Broadway stars Billy Stritch and Jim Caruso as they bring their internationally acclaimed show Cast Party. It’s my hope that The Jazz Room will continue to provide something that appeals to everyone from straight up jazz and big band to swing and cabaret! I take great care in selecting very high caliber talent and try to provide variety through the series of shows. I am very grateful to The Town of Danville for providing such a wonderful home for The Jazz Room. The partnership with the town has truly enriched my life!” Born and raised in Oakland, Eve says she comes from a very musical family, “My grandmother, Thelma, was a wonderful pianist and opera singer. My mother, Kitti, sang as child and teen. My great grandfather was a Principal Violinist with the Oakland Symphony. I grew up surrounded by music and spending weekends sitting at the piano with my grandmother singing.” Eve spent her childhood performing and was in show business performing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and with Liberace in Las Vegas. She worked as a soloist with local symphonies and traveled extensively before taking a break to attend college. Eve received a Bachelor’s degree from San Francisco University in Clinical Psychology. She also completed her Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Holy Names University with an emphasis on adolescent vocal development.
Eve and family
As an adult, music has continued to be a huge part of Eve’s life. “I have taught music for 20 years and when I’m not teaching, I am writing music and performing. I’ve released two records and my most recent, Believe, was up for consideration for the Grammy Awards. It was an honor to be invited as contender for the nominations celebration hosted by the Grammy’s San Francisco Chapter. In 2010 Billboard honored me for my original song, Waiting For You, which was played nationally on the radio and on Delta Airlines, where I was a featured artist.” Eve has attended the Grammy Awards Ceremony several times and performs throughout the Bay Area and New York City. “I’m very grateful for the amazing New York based musicians I collaborate with when I’m in town. My music director and pianist, Bette Sussman, was Whitney Houston and Bette Midler’s musical director. She has introduced me to amazing instrumentalists to collaborate with. I have to pinch myself sometimes as I am so grateful for these collaborations,” says Eve. Eve and her husband, Behrouz Memarzadeh, moved to Blackhawk with their two children in 2013. Her daughter, 17-year-old Aria, is a
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OCTOBER 2018
Eve Performing
senior, and son Arman is 14 years old and a freshman in high school. Eve says they knew right away that Blackhawk would be the perfect community for them. “It was the first time in a long time I felt I had finally found a neighborhood and community that felt cozy and reminiscent of the sense of community I grew up with. We love our neighborhood and taking our dog Chance on walks.” If there is one thing Eve wishes she could have more of, it would be
time, but she says she tries to make the most of every minute. “My motto is a balanced life is happy life! I try to make time for exercise, reflection, friends, family, and the importance of setting and achieving personal goals. I believe it’s important to teach by example, so I try to show my children the value of working hard, personal growth, challenging yourself and chasing your dreams. We must grow! It can be painful and frightening, but it’s essential for happiness. The one thing I wish for is more time! Time to travel with my children and see the world and more time to entertain my friends and family. Time passes too quickly and now that our children are both in high school, I feel a greater sense of urgency to make sure we continue to create both meaningful and everlasting memories.”
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.
There’s a Reason People Talk to Tucker!
Your Community Broker - Serving the Bay Area for 25 Years
Nicole Tucker 925-360-2125 TuckerRealEstateGroup.com CalBRE01145208
BLACKHAWK LIVING 7
Pet Adoption Corner
Hanson
Tommy
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.
Five-year-old Hanson is a mature gentleman who loves to be outdoors. This handsome guy is looking for a family who will take him on long walks or a nice hike. He loves treats and will do anything for them.
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, and includes a discount on the first six-week session of a manners class.
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Two-year-old Tommy is an animated boy with dashing tabby markings and an equally striking purrsonality. This social butterfly is full of life and will jump right into your lap for a cuddle session. He is quite the talker too, and will tell you all about his day of adventures. He enjoys playing with fun toys and would do best in a home with lots of space to run around and enrichment to keep him entertained. The adoption fee for kittens <6 months $125 and for adult cats is $75.
OCTOBER 2018
Real Estate Listings in Blackhawk
Active Real Estate Listings in Blackhawk Street
List Price
S Eagle Nest Ln Silver Maple Dr Live Oak Way Quail Run Ln Deer Crest Dr Deer Trail Dr Fox Creek Dr Silver Pine Ln Golden Oak Ct Silver Pine Ln Sugar Maple Dr Blackhawk Dr White Pine Ln Deer Meadow Dr Deer Hollow Dr Silver Meadow Ct Deer Ridge Rd Blackhawk Dr Blackhawk Dr Saddleback Dr Red Pine Ct
$939,950 $1,349,000 $1,395,000 $1,468,800 $1,524,000 $1,538,000 $1,598,000 $1,799,800 $1,825,000 $1,839,800 $1,849,000 $1,879,000 $1,925,000 $1,988,900 $1,998,000 $1,999,900 $2,065,000 $2,188,000 $2,299,000 $2,299,000 $2,428,000
Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA 2274 2430 2666 2677 3485 2946 2948 3477 4298 2848 3805 3395 4529 4299 4246 4641 3980 4124 4430 3523 4740
3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 6 4 4
2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 5 4 3 5 3 3 3 3 4
1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1
Source: Rockcliff 2.0
Street
List Price
Blackhawk Meadow Dr Red Cedar Ct Bent Oak Ct Blackkhawk Dr Deer Hollow Dr Blackhawk Dr Red Alder Ct Red Cedar Ct Blackhawk Dr Blackhawk Dr Rosewood Ln Pheasant Run Ter Oakridge Ct Eagle Nest Ct Eagle Ridge Dr Eagle Ridge Dr Red Pine Ct Saddleback Pl Blackhawk Meadow Ln Blackhawk Meadow Ln Blackhawk Meadow Dr
$2,448,800 $2,475,000 $2,488,800 $2,495,000 $2,545,000 $2,688,800 $2,688,900 $2,699,000 $2,850,000 $3,095,000 $3,280,000 $3,299,000 $3,495,000 $4,888,888 $5,200,000 $5,480,238 $5,900,000 $6,500,000 $7,999,800 $8,875,000 $15,500,000
Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA 4509 5390 4541 5113 4262 4930 5341 7200 5200 6656 6200 5667 7000 7410 7010 7672 5774 9716 8826 9955 6370
3 4 4 4 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 4 6 7 6 5
4 4 3 4 4 3 6 5 4 5 5 4 5 6 4 4 5 5 8 7 5
0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 0 2 2 3 1
9/10/2018
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
The Nagle Team
is proudly representing your community 50+ Years of Real Estate Experience and Over 1/2 Billion dollars in combined Blackhawk Sales The Nagle Team provides Excellence, Service and Results Michelle Nagle & Barbara Nagle
Michelle Cell 925 872-1478 Barbara Cell 925 872-1500
DRE # 01261283 DRE # 00828225
Real Estate is our Passion!
www.NagleNagle.com The Nagle Team J. Rockcliff Realtors President’s Club mnagle@rockcliff.com
3680 Deer Trail Drive Spectacular Blackhawk View Location! Stunning view property with gorgeous granite slab kitchen with gas cook-top. Lovely .16 acre. apx. lot 2,946 sq.ft. apx., 4 bdr. 3 ba. and 3 Car Garage. Gorgeous upgrades and appointments throughout! Call for more details!
We work, volunteer and live as friends among friends in your community
Experienced Negotiation Skills to serve our client’s best interests Extensive use of Technology based resources and Marketing
Your Real Estate Transaction will be handled with the utmost care J. Rockcliff Realtors is the consistent market leader in Blackhawk If you are thinking about buying or selling a home call The Nagle Team today! BLACKHAWK LIVING 9
Calendar of Events
October Sat., Oct. 6
Blackhawk Safety Day @Blackhawk Baseball field Bring the whole family and enjoy refreshments while you learn about safety. There will be fun for all. The event will feature SWAT Bearcat, Search and Rescue, Motor and Marine Units, Air Support and Helicopter, K9 Unit, Child Fingerprinting and more! Time: 9am to 12pm
Fri., Oct, 12
San Ramon Valley High School Homecoming Parade @ San Ramon Valley High School- 501 Danville Blvd Join San Ramon Valley High School students, parents and faculty as they show their Wolf Pack Pride. The San Ramon Valley High School Homecoming Parade is a downtown event that has promoted the spirit of the SRVHS Wolves student community since 1998. The parade route will begin at SRVHS on Danville Boulevard at 2:30 p.m. and rally along Railroad Avenue, E. Prospect Street, and loop back to the high school via Hartz Avenue. Time: 3:10pm https://www.srvhs.net/
Sat., Oct. 13
Friends of the Danville Library Book Sale @Danville Library Find a wonderful selection of titles at bargain prices all weekend long at the Friends’ of the Danville Library Quarterly Large Book Sale. Time: 10am-4pm
Sun., Oct. 14
Sat., Oct. 27
Night at The Museum 2018
Pumpkin Jubilee 2018
@Blackhawk Museum Don’t miss this fundraising evening event to benefit the Children’s Education and Transportation Fund. Time: 5-9pm Learn more at https:// blackhawkmuseum.org/ event/natm-2018/.
Sat., Oct. 20
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s @Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek 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. Join us Saturday, October 20th in Walnut Creek and join the fight against Alzheimer’s! Registration: 7:30 am and Walk Begins: 9:30 Visit www.alz.org/ walk for details.
@The Danville Livery The Danville Livery will be celebrating Halloween once again with their 14th annual Pumpkin Jubilee Festival. Kids and families are invited to dress up in their best Halloween costumes and participate in this year’s festivities. Time: 12-3pm Cost: Free
Every Monday
Tips for Change Community Fundraising Events @Gianni’s Italian Bistro Gianni’s Italian Bistro opens up their restaurant to support our local non-profit community. Tips for Change is a fun and unique way for local charity organizations to raise much needed funds. Volunteers and supporters of local non-profits 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
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
Thurs., Oct. 25
The Jazz Room Presents @Peace Lutheran Church Join Paul Smith from the UK, Internationally acclaimed musician, composer and Co-Founder of acclaimed UK Octet VOCES8 with two-time Grammy Award Winning Violinist Mads Tolling. This dynamic concert is an immersive musical experience with voice, piano and electronics. Featuring Vocalist and Artistic Director of The Jazz Room, Eve Marie Shahoian and Choirs. Tickets: www. peacejourney.org Time: 7:30-9:30pm Cost: $25
Helping families who want clarity in their financial lives. As a fiduciary at all times, I… ...provide clarity and peace to families regarding their financial lives ...serve families who have never worked with an advisor before, but are now facing one of life’s stressful transitions ...believe in knowing your aspirations, resources and risks. Understanding these is the first step toward clarity and peace My firm exists because financial stress is far too high for the average person. A little education combined with some strategy and a lifetime of coaching provides the confidence that allow our clients to live out their years with peace, dignity, and independence.
Contact Info:
joe@jwmwealth.com Website: www.jwmwealth.com
Blackhawk resident for 13 years 10
OCTOBER 2018
The Dorris-Eaton School
Open House October 23, 2018
Preschool 1286 Stone Valley Road Alamo 4 to 6 P.M.
Kindergarten through Grade 8 One Annabel Lane San Ramon 5 to 7 P.M.
dorriseaton.org
925.930.9000
Left to Right: Tamara Harper Fulton, Pam Perry, Karin Wallace, Dee Dee Crockett, Laurel Leftwich, Caroline Sanchez Cruz, Anna Emmett, Linda
Visit us online: WWW.ORTC.COM
WE
ESCROW!
Livery Shopping Center 419 Sycamore Valley Blvd, West Danville, CA
925.855.8700
BLACKHAWK LIVING 11
Charity Spotlight
Join the 2018 East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s By Lori Garcia, Resident since 1989
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. Join us Saturday, October 20th in Walnut Creek and join the fight against Alzheimer’s! Walk Website: www.alz.org/walk The 2018 Walk will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Heather Farm Park - Walnut Creek beginning at 9:30am with the stage program beginning at 8:30am. The Walk route, festivities, remembrance area and more provide a fun, hopeful and inspiring experience for all those in attendance.
Today, Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Over 5.7 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and according to newest research this number will grow to 14 million by the year 2050. Currently there are over 44,000 East Bay seniors with a known diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, many more diagnosed with younger onset. There are over 133,000 East Bay residents serving as their caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association is the nation’s leader in funding innovative research for a cure.
At the 2017 East Bay Walk, nearly 2,400 participants raised more than $590,000, making the Walk in Walnut Creek the 24th largest Walk in the country. This year, the 2018 East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek on October 20th, with over 2,500 walkers.
925-336-0181
sanramonmusic@gmail.com www.sanramonmusic.com
• We offer private lessons in music and art, (group classes are available for art only) • Music Lessons: Violin/Viola/Piano/Guitar/ Voice and Flute • We prepare for Recitals, Auditions for Orchestras (included outside of school such as Oakland Youth Orchestra, San Francisco Youth Orchestra, Palo Alto Youth Orchestra, Berkeley Youth Orchestra and more). • We prepare students for tests and competitions. • In art class students will learn main principles of realistic drawing and painting including the study of composition, value, color, and pictorial space. • Advanced students who want to pursue an artist career will develop portfolio for College submission.
Testimonials
Victoria’s love for music, appreciation for violin, and enthusiasm to with work with students of all ages and diverse backgrounds, makes her prefect as a teacher.
Saturday, October 20, 2018 Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek Registration: 7:30 am and Walk Begins: 9:30 Visit alz.org/walk for details.
Iren Gullapalli, Ph.D. | San Ramon, CA--
Victoria is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very easy to communicate with. She is always positive, encouraging and very respectful. My son is usually not very comfortable performing in front of an audience but Victoria provides plenty of activities that prepare her students to feel comfortable for the recitals. So far, my son has performed four times in the students’ recitals and has not complained yet. Helen Lin | Livermore, CA
We are proud to support our local schools and enrich our community with high standards of teaching music and art. We are taking a high degree of responsibility to teach and mentor the younger generation of musicians, and an artists who wants to achieve an expert level or pursue other interests having gained a skill that will bring them satisfaction throughout their entire life.
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OCTOBER 2018
Expert Contributor
Tips for an Open House By Linda Kralik, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Resident Since 1984
Your home is listed, the sign is in the yard and the marketing brochures in a stand by the front door. You are ready to begin opening your home to potential buyers. Your agent has asked for permission to hold an Open Home the first Sunday you are on the market. YIKES! People are going to come in and inspect everything. Potential buyers as well as nosy neighbors will peak into closets and drawers, nothing will be sacred. What have you done???
•
Get rid of clutter. You are going to move. Why not start packing now? The favorite saying of agents is, “less is better.” Keep thinking that as you look around your home
•
Remove personal items. See item 4 above! Pack up the family wall. Let buyers visualize themselves in those spaces
Fear not, it is not that bad and totally necessary to achieve the maximum results in the sale of your home. While over 70% of the buyers find their home on the internet, they very rarely buy the home without looking at it first. And the best way to look at a potential home is through an Open House. Often there are times agents working with Buyers will send them out on a Saturday or Sunday in search of the perfect house with a list from their Realtor of homes open that weekend. So what can you do as the Seller, besides panic? Here are a few basic ideas, many of which you have seen before as they fit several scenarios:
•
Remove pets if possible. While you LOVE your pets, others might not. Make sure you have made arrangements for a play day for those somewhere other than at home
•
Spread the word. Social media is a wonderful way of getting the word out. Your agent will use MLS, and other sources that feed off of local boards (Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, etc.) as well as the old fashion Real Estate Guides in the local newspapers
•
•
Let there be light. Make sure you are taking advantage of the light by opening all blinds and window covers. Turn on all lamps and light fixtures, even if it is sunny.
•
Protect your belongings. Remove or lock up any valuables. Your agent cannot be in every room with every prospective buyer at once, so be smart about what you leave out.
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Provide information. Always have a sufficient number of brochures and information packets available for the Open House. It is the best reminder to buyers, especially if the brochure has lots of photos in it.
•
Bake or buy cookies? Not always necessary, too many crumbs to vacuum after the open house. But I do like those small 8oz plastic water bottles, especially during the long hot summer days. They are small and easy to dispose of and if spilled, it is only water!
•
Stay Away! Let your agent do the selling, that is their job. The buyer wants to see themselves in the home, not hear how many memories you have in the home. Your best alternative is to not be there during the Open House.
•
Listen to feedback. Absolutely invaluable, so pay attention to what people are saying. You may not like it, but it is the reflection of the buyers wants and needs. Sometimes, you cannot change it, but sometimes you can, and then you have a sale.
Make a good first impression. This is key!! Freshen the landscaping and exterior paint, Purchase a few new items, a front door mat, a new mailbox or house numbers. Power wash the driveway and walkways, and remove cars from the front of the house.
•
Clean, clean, clean. “The property has to be in pristine condition when you have the open house,” Hire professional house cleaners, also do the windows and carpets.
•
Stage your home with furniture and accessories. Staging accomplishes two things, it makes the home look less personal and it gives a newer more modern look. If price is no object, this is a must.
I hope you find these ideas helpful for both you and your local Realtor. Before your first Open House, talk to your agent and find out what you can do to help him or her and your success will be their success. Good luck and happy home selling.
BLACKHAWK LIVING 13
Where in the World? Blackhawk Residents Travel Experiences
My Safari to Tanzania By Bobbi Bach, Resident since 1995
This summer I had the incredible opportunity to join my son, David Bach and his wife, Alatia Bradley Bach, on a Safari. Here are a few photos from my recent Safari to Tanzania. We were in Tanzania from August 5-15th. A safari was the last thing on my bucket list, and the experience far surpassed my wildest dreams. Every day was more exciting than the one before. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
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OCTOBER 2018
Expert Contributor
Personality Counts By Peggy Arman, The Dorris-Eaton School Selecting applicants for admission to private elementary, middle, and high schools and universities is a comprehensive process. Performance on standardized tests, grades, participation in extracurricular activities, talents, and service to the community are all considerations. However, with the increasing number of qualified candidates vying for a limited number of spots, the parent and student interview becomes increasingly more important and can be a critical deciding factor for the admissions committee. Schools seek individuals whose demeanor and personality will positively contribute to and elevate the learning environment as well as the school community. From the first contact with the private elementary, middle, and high school to the first school visit, students and their families are making an impression. A warm “Hello,” good eye contact, a firm handshake, and a clear speaking voice illustrate who the student is. Manners are important. Saying “please,” “thank you,” or holding the door for others are small gestures that make a big impact. The types of questions asked by both the parents and their child convey what the family values. Since picking the right school is about finding a good match, candidates need to be themselves, while also being aware that demeanor and personality are an important aspect of the selection process. Many on admissions committees are not only interested in someone’s innate ability, but (although somewhat tongue-incheek) someone they would like to have dinner with in ten years. So being able to carry on an intelligent conversation can be critical. Having knowledge of current events and being passionate about a subject or an experience enables a candidate to engage the school’s decision maker(s), regardless of whether it is during a student’s early or college education. Making a lasting impression on university alumni conducting interview screenings is increasingly critical as top universities in the country use a holistic approach to evaluating students. Of the 26,000 domestic applicants for the Harvard Class of 2019, “…about 3,500 had perfect SAT math scores, 2,700 had perfect SAT verbal scores, and more than 8,000 had straight A’s.” The admission rate was 5%. Another eye-opener is the acceptance rate for freshmen entering select universities in 2016 and 2017. Of those who applied, Stanford admitted 5%, Columbia accepted 6%, and University of California, Berkeley admitted 15%. Many elite universities use subjective “personality” criteria; accomplishments are not the sole or most important measure for admittance. Like private elementary, middle, and high schools, universities seek to admit those who will enhance their institutions. To increase the probability that your child is a desirable candidate for private school education and someone universities desire,
focus on developing intellectual curiosity. Engaging, bright people are often interesting to be around. Having a breadth of general knowledge and a willingness to dig deep into particular topics not only makes individuals sought after for your Trivial Pursuit team—they are also desirable people to sit next to in a classroom.
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Expert Contributor
Things That Matter the Most When Selecting an Orthodontist By Richard Anthony DDS MS, Blackhawk Orthodontics
Whether you are a child, teen, or adult, getting braces can be a daunting task. The most important first step is to find the right doctor. After all, you’ll be entrusting your doctor to perfect your most dazzling feature—your smile. Here is advice on how to find a talented orthodontist along with other important initial steps to take before selecting your doctor. Seek out recommendations on where to begin. Ask your dentist, friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors who they know to be an excellent orthodontist. If a particular orthodontist’s name comes up multiple times, that is a good place to start. Also ask your dentist why they recommend that individual and if there are others they also would recommend. Online tools can also provide immediate recommendations based on experience and location. Make sure to also browse the doctor’s website and Yelp pages to review testimonials and gauge patient satisfaction. When talking to people, find out their experiences and ask them pertinent questions. How friendly is the staff? Evaluate every action you have with the staff of the office, from the first phone call to the second you walk out the door. Are they helpful? Did you feel like they were too pushy? How accessible is the orthodontist? When you go in for the exam, watch the office run. Can you even find the orthodontist? Is he/ she interacting with the parents and patients? Do the patients and parents feel comfortable with the doctor? You should feel that the doctor is available to you at every appointment to explain what is happening in treatment and to listen to any of your concerns. Other aspects to consider include asking what are the office hours and number of days open during the week? Does the office accept your insurance plan? What does the practice charge for additional services? Are there extra charges for extended treatment? Ask who sees patients if there are after hour emergencies? Also, review the qualifications of the doctor. In the end, you are choosing an orthodontist—no an office, orthodontic technique, or particular bracket system. It takes technical skill to produce an optimal result. Review the doctor’s education (especially dental school and orthodontic school) and experience. Do not forget to smile. The process of finding the right orthodontist should be a stress free one. Relax and follow these recommendations in order to guarantee you’ll be happy and confident throughout the process!k
Dr. Nick Bricaud Hours of operation: M-F: 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 8:30am - 2:00pm Phone: 925-736-7440
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OCTOBER 2018
Blackhawk Women’s 18 Hole Golf Association By Lynn Prakash, Resident since 1987
Blackhawk Women’s 18 Hole Golf Association (BWGA) consists of 160 women who love to play the game of golf. They also love the socializing with friends new and old that is a part of this wonderful sport. Within the group, they have two traveling teams that play other clubs throughout the East Bay. They compete for both Overall Gross Scores (lowest golf scores) and Overall Net (lowest net score based on handicap). While they have two separate teams, there is great camaraderie between the two teams, and many players compete on both teams. Last month the Diablo Valley Team Play (DVTP) gals won Overall Gross for their league. The Diablo Valley Team consists of their lowest handicap players who play against 9 other teams throughout the Valley. Captains Amy Shell and Lisa Winsten led their team to their 7th straight victory!! This month the East Bay Team Play also won Overall Gross for their league. The East Bay Team Play League competes against 13 other teams throughout the East Bay, stretching from Ruby
Hill in Livermore to Green East Bay Team Play Team Valley near Cordelia. The East Bay Team Play league includes a wider range of handicap levels than the DVTP league. This was the first year that this league competed for both Gross Scores and Net Scores. Their team of 30 women competed at different Diablo Valley Team Play Team times throughout the long season – April to September. At mid-season they were tied for fifth place, but persevered with some pretty awesome golf scores in the second half of the season to climb to 1st place. Captains Lynn Prakash and Liz Barker celebrated with their team this week after clinching the title at Oakhurst Country Club on September 5.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING 17
Charity Spotlight
Horses Healing Hearts
lived up to its name when the organization donated Tanzy to Hana Musgrove
Linda Kralik
By Ashley Smith, Equine Guided Coach, Founder of Horses For The Soul and Advisor to Horses Healing Hearts, Inc.
Blackhawk Resident for 33 Years
It will be one year this month since Crystal, Hana’s companion and physical therapy horse, perished in the Tubbs Fire where she was boarded at The Cloverleaf Ranch. This was the kind of tragedy that shakes a person to their core. Crystal had been there for Hana as a reliable partner and friend, as well as helping Hana’s muscle function due to her Cerebral Palsy, which was a pre-birth condition. After a short time, Hana began losing weight and muscle because she did not have her horse. In addition, the heartbreak and grief were taking their toll on the girl emotionally. When Tanzy caught Hana’s eye in a photo, she came out to meet the horse at the rescue, and this incredible new journey began. The horse came in with the name Che. She was a 10-year-old mustang who found her way from a kill-buyers feed lot, to the 3H rescue, in hopes of being adopted into a loving home. Understandably, Hana was overwhelmed, so they began a process of slowly and steadily getting to know each other to determine if they would be right for each other. With everything Hana had been through and the additional training the horse needed to support Hana properly, it was going to take time, effort and financial investment. For the sake of healing Hana’s broken heart, and the mustang now called Tanzy’s heart too, Horses Healing Hearts supported them both through the process of establishing a relationship. When it was clear that the the two were going to help each other heal, 3H donated the horse outright to this incredible girl. Tanzy and Hana are truly an amazing and bonded pair. They have begun bareback yoga lessons, in which Tanzy is a willing partner and participant, and incredibly PATIENT. She lets Hana crawl all over her without hesitation. She knows that Hana comes to be with her once a day, every day. If it’s 1:00 pm and Hana isn’t there, Tanzy waits and nickers at every sound, hoping it will be Hana. If Hana has already been there, she waits patiently, without nickering, knowing tomorrow she will come. This horse is so much more than a pet to this girl. She is a provider of emotional support, physical exercise, friendship and trust. This girl is so much more than an owner to this horse. She is a provider of emotional support, physical exercise, friendship and trust. Our Mission is to educate the community about the value, benefits, and life changing gifts horses can provide to all of us while simultaneously providing assistance to equines in need. To learn more, visit www.HorsesHealingHeartsInc.org.
• Born and raised in the Danville area • A Member of the DD Riders • Five years on the San Ramon Valley AAU Swim Team • Moved back to Blackhawk in 1984 • Blackhawk Country Club Member since 1984 • Served as President for Women’s Tennis Asscociation • Served as President for the Blackhawk Swim Team • Served on numerous Blackhawk Country Club Committees • Blackhawk HomeOwner’s Association Board member for over 17 years
Featured Home
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Linda Kralik Broker Associate and Luxury Specialist 4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite #101 Danville, CA 94506
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CalBRE #00991436 OCTOBER 2018
Expert Contributor
Avoid Fraud and Theft from Unlicensed Contractors By Jon Lubrano, President, Atlantis Pools Inc.
Why hire a licensed contractor for remodel and repairs? Because the liability you expose yourself to if you don’t could put you at a big risk. We are all looking for a good bargain, but when it comes to your pool’s repairs and remodels, never skimp. The results could be catastrophic. I recently had to step in and save a job that an unlicensed contractor had walked away from. The contractor collected a $35,000 deposit and started minor work. Then he disappeared, making no further contact with the homeowners. Atlantis Pools was able to help them complete the job. This disastrous situation could have been avoided by hiring a licensed contractor from the start. When hiring a contractor for a large project, make sure to do some investigating. Ask for their workers compensation or general liability insurance company, and then call that company to make sure the insurance is up to date. If the contractor doesn’t have valid insurance, the homeowner is responsible if something were to happen. Also, keep in mind that documents are easy to forge and some very shady contractors will produce fake documents. That’s why calling to verify the information is important.
A licensed person has the required education, experience, insurance and qualifications to obtain a license. They must pass a competency examination before practicing. Licensed individuals are screened for prior criminal history, and their license can be revoke if they are not living up to professional standards. At Atlantis pools our service people specialize in repairs and are backed by decades of experience. We ofer a free estimate and diagnosis on all your pool needs. Please visit www. atlantispoolsdanville.com or email info@atlantispoolsdanville. com to schedule an inspection.
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BLACKHAWK LIVING 19
YOUR LOCAL BUILDING AND REMODELING COMPANY
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S&J Properties is excited to announce the opening of the new S&J Design Center, located in the Rose Garden Shopping Center in Danville, CA. A leader in the Tri-Valley area building & remodeling industry, S&J Properties has achieved a reputation for quality, innovation, and beautifully inspired designs. Our expert team stays current on the latest products, trends, and technology in the industry. The S&J Design Center helps our team add a comprehensive and personal design experience, in a warm and welcoming environment. These qualities combined with our fair and honest approach, results in the best remodeling experience and helps achieve S&J’s overall objective of continuing to make customer service and satisfaction our top priority. The S&J Design Center offers a variety of mid-to-high end products including; wood flooring, carpet, floor, wall, and glass tile, counter tops, window coverings and much more. Contact us and begin your personalized design experience!
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S&J Properties is a Design/Build company that specializes in residential and commercial remodeling construction projects. By performing both the design Jim Long and construction, we provide the most beautiful, long-lasting and highest value remodeling projects in the industry. Our planning process is extremely thorough, which results in “no surprises” and a rapid and real timeline. Communication with clients, our partners, the city, and other regulatory organizations is consistent and frequent so our timelines are optimized. We specialize in providing inspiring and custom solutions; whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, single room, landscaping, or an entire home or building. We invite you to take some time to explore us for yourself; talk with our clients and see a sampling of the high-quality work we perform.
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OCTOBER 2018
Expert Contributor
Don’t Pay Off Your Mortgage By Joe Morgan, JWM Wealth Management, Resident since 2004
Conventional wisdom can often lead us astray. This is often true in the idea that you should have no mortgage in retirement. There are three objectives to balance in your financial life: growing your net worth, managing the risk you take, and maintaining liquidity. It’s this last objective that comes into play with your mortgage. Once we are in retirement, our options for income are severely limited. With a known cash inflow each month, we are inclined to reduce our regular cash outflow to be sure we can meet our needs. Eliminating a mortgage payment can become quite tempting. However, taking a chunk of your savings to pay off your mortgage may also greatly reduce your liquidity. In retirement, it is especially important to retain liquidity as we are more likely to face large, unforeseen expenses.The most obvious would be health-related costs, but there can be many other challenges as well.
If we find ourselves in retirement with no mortgage payment, but little accessible savings relative to possible expenses, we could quickly get into deep financial trouble. Instead, it often pays to continue borrowing at 4 or 5 percent in order to maintain the liquidity we may need. Of course, all of this should be part of your overall financial plan, which is designed to protect you on all fronts while creating the best chance for continued growth in your lifestyle. JWM Wealth Management, LLC 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 take control of your finances, schedule a call with Joe at www.calendly.com/ jwmwealth. You can also learn more at jwmwealth.com.
BLACKHAWK LIVING 21
“We listen, we educate, then we perform like no one else in the industry.” We provide home financing services, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, jumbo and portfolio home mortgage products. We are a family owned business since 1979, when we pioneered the zero cost loan.
Steve Cline
Mortgage Broker and Insurance Broker Office phone - (925) 820 - 5557 Email - SCline@PreferredFinancial.com Website - www.PreferredFinancial.com
Steve has been a Blackhawk golf member since 2003.
Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning specializes in Estate Planning and Elder Law. As a Registered Nurse for over 20 years, Julie Fiedler has seen the consequences of accidents or illness that can happen at any point in life. Julie has tailored her practice to provide the highest level of quality in pre-planning for long term illness or accidents as well as protecting clients from Conservatorship and Probate. We offer a unique perspective in pre-planning that most estate planning attorneys do not. We look at estate planning as a part of our life plan. Call us today for a free consultation and review of your existing estate plan.
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2333 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Ste. 145, San Ramon, CA 94583
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www.HorizonLawCA.com Open Mon-Fri: 9AM-5PM; Evening and weekend appointments available by appointment only
OCTOBER 2018
Community Safety
What you Need to Know About Car Break-Ins By Blackhawk Police Chief Ian Hebert and Aaron “Wally” Barger, Resident since 2012
Car break-ins are rare in Blackhawk; in fact, you are more likely to experience the loss of personal property when your car is parked in a publicly accessible parking lot, a public parking garage or another public venue. Car burglaries are defined by a person entering a locked vehicle for the purpose of committing a theft or other crime. A theft from a vehicle is defined by a person entering an unsecured vehicle and taking property from the vehicle. A subtle difference in the locking of the vehicle, but a difference in how the crime is charged in court. Car break-ins can happen at any time and any place. Many publicly accessible lots do not retain attendants or private security on site 24/7, and other parking lots are devoid of sufficient lighting, cameras, and other deterrents to criminal activity. Burglars’ methods for committing these crimes vary from tools to simple devices, such as rocks, for breaking the glass. Sometimes, the value of the loss is exceeded by the damage caused entering the vehicle. Their method of escape also varies from fleeing on foot to leaving in a vehicle. A more “sophisticated” criminal team, may even employ
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surveillance tactics to reduce their chances of being discovered and increase their gains when removing property from vehicles during their criminal enterprise. Thefts from vehicles may be “crimes of opportunity” or pre-planned excursions but, without a doubt, they occur due to our leaving valuable items in plain sight. The number of thefts could be reduced if people were more attentive to the property contained within the vehicle and placed it in a locked trunk. Thieves don’t just target cars with cell phones or laptops on the front seat. Even crumpled clothing attracts thieves because it indicates the possibility of hidden items underneath. Expensive sunglasses or sunglass cases are likely indicators of other potential valuables in your vehicle. Another indicator of potential valuables can be phone chargers and other electronic device chargers. Whether you are a trusting person or you did not consider the possibility of a theft from your vehicle, it is better to secure or hide your belongings than to be the victim of these nefarious efforts. Community outreach can be a powerful way of deterring crime, both within and outside of Blackhawk. All of us should be cautious and avoid leaving items in our vehicles within plain sight. The Blackhawk Police Department strongly encourages residents to call Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 925-646-2441 if they see anything they feel is suspicious or believe they see individuals who might be surveilling a location in or near the Blackhawk community. We also recommend that you do not approach or confront suspicious individuals, rather we prefer you call your local police to deal with the incident.
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If you or a neighbor are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch program, contact Wally by email at “aaron.barger@yahoo. com”. You can also contact the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Prevention Unit, ask for Christina Lind-Winters at 925-313-2682 for additional information or to schedule an orientation meeting. BLACKHAWK LIVING 23
Expert Contributor
Dog Trick or Dog Treats? By Jenn Lagorio, Blackhawk Veterinary Hospital
Halloween can be lots of fun for people but scary for furry family members. Pets may not recognize family or friends dressed in costumes which can cause anxiety. Keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and temperament at all times. Even dressing up your pet can be stressful, so unless you know your pet loves it, skip the full costume and go with something simple like a handkerchief. If your pet loves costumes, be sure they are pet safe and don’t have dangling parts that can be eaten or snagged while walking. It’s always a good idea to make sure your pet has proper identification in case they get away from you while trick-or-treating, and always bring safe pet snacks to reward them. Also, be careful with Halloween candy, especially chocolate, which can be dangerous or lethal to pets. Keep all candy out of reach of precious paws and seek medical attention immediately if your pet ingests any.
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OCTOBER 2018
Pet Corner
Meet Bridget Arundine By the Arundine Family, Residents since 2015
Bridget is a 16 month old Goldendoodle. She should be called a waterdoodle because she absolutely loves to swim. Aside from swimming she loves playing ball and scanning the yard for the neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cat and any trespassing turkeys. Bridget loves tagging along for car rides and family outings. The minute she hears some keys jingling, she immediately runs to the door in hopes she can join in for some family fun or tag along for an errand or two.
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One of the cutest things about Bridget is she sleeps flat on her back with all four legs straight up in the air. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adorable. She also participates in the kids bedtime routines making her rounds from room to room for goodnight hugs and kisses. She joined our family less than a year ago and now we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine our lives without her! She gives us unconditional love, and has taught our kids responsibility and compassion. She has brought our family more joy and happiness than we ever imagined.
BLACKHAWK LIVING 25
Expert Contributor
California Proposition 5, Property Tax Transfer Initiative (2018)* By Steve Cline, Preferred Financial While not specifically related to mortgages, Prop 5 would come into play if you decide to purchase a new property in California. California Proposition 5, the Property Tax Transfer Initiative, is on the November 6, 2018 ballot in California as a combined constitutional amendment and state statute. A “yes” vote supports amending 1978’s Proposition 13 to allow homebuyers who are age 55 or older to transfer their tax assessments, with a possible adjustment, from their prior home to their new home, no matter 1. the new home’s market value, 2. the new home’s location in the state, or 3. the buyer’s number of moves. A “no” vote opposes amending Proposition 13 to change how tax assessments are
transferred between properties for homebuyers who are age 55 or older or severely disabled. If the new home’s value differs from that of the prior home, the Initiative would allow for an adjusted value between the old and new values. If the new home has a higher market value than the prior home, the assessed value would be adjusted upward. If the new home has a lower market value than the prior home, the assessed value would be adjusted downward. The formulas would be as follows: Upward adjustment: Assessed value of your prior home plus your new home’s market value minus your prior home’s market value. Example: You sell your house with a taxassessed value of $75,000 for $500,000.
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You purchase a new home for $800.000. The tax-assessed value of the new house would be $75,000 + $800,000 - $500,000 =$375,000 new tax base. Downward adjustment: Assessed value of your prior home multiplied by the new home’s market value, divided by the prior home’s market value. Example: You sell your house with a tax assessed value of $75,000 for $500,000 and purchase a new home for $300,000. The tax-assessed value of the new house would be $75,000 x $300,000 divided by $500,000 = $45,000 new tax base. As you can readily see, the tax implications are huge. *as reported on Ballotpedia.org
OCTOBER 2018
Wine, Food, Golf & Fun
Pebble Beach Hosts 2018 US Amateur For The 5th Time By Mike L. McColgan, Resident since 1990
Recently my wife Linda and Hall of famer son MJ attended the 2018 US Amateur held at “God’s Home Of Golf” Pebble Beach. We were involved as proud volunteers. MJ and Linda were assigned to Fairway One welcoming sponsors and players, and I was lucky to be selected as a walking scorer watching these “bombers of the future” try and win this special event at iconic Pebble Beach. We have done these jobs before at the US Amateur held at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and at the Presidents Cup and Cadillac Match play held at Harding Park. The US Open will return to Pebble Beach next June, in 2019, and PGA Championship and President’s Cup at Harding Park in 2020 and 2025. Harding Park is extra special for us as our Hall of famer son MJ won his first of 48 Gold Medals at this San Francisco treasure, filled with rich golf history. Some famous players who have won the US Amateur include Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicklaus won the Amateur at Pebble Beach in 1961 and was at his favorite course again this year watching his 49-year-old son try to win this coveted title. Gary qualified for the US Amateur, beating a 14-year-old player in a hard fought match. We stayed at the Abrego Hotel in Monterey offering a great location close to the golf course, clean and reasonable priced rooms, nicely appointed with fireplaces, pool and spa. In addition, having stayed here before, they greet you with a bottle of wine for being a past guest. If you are an NCGA Member, they also have a discounted room rate. We also enjoyed being close to Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row. the Monterey Aquarium and to a variety of many great restaurants. One of our favorites was the Beach House located on Lovers Point. They have a stunning view of the beach and the deep blue Pacific. It reminded us of our recent visit to Sydney, Australia. They have a sunset menu serving sand dabs, salmon, pork chops, chicken and clam chowder glasses of wine for $3.95 and Lovers Point micro brew for $3.00. These specials are offered up to 5:30pm. In addition, another one of our favorite places is the famous Tap Room at the Pebble Beach Lodge, voted one of the best 19th holes in America. You never know who will be eating here, and over the years we have enjoyed meeting many golfers and celebrities like current number one ranked golfer in the world Dustin Johnson. We also enjoy the rich history and their famous Kobe burger.
Beach House at Dusk
In the charming Oceanside town of Carmel, we enjoy strolling around this “live movie like town” enjoying watching the many happy tourists and locals. There are a variety of creative stores, art shops and restaurants to keep you busy for hours. We especially like the genuine Greek food and vibrant atmosphere complete with singing waiters at Dametra’s. It doesn’t get better than Breakfast at Katy’s Corner. Katy’s features morning specials named after local residents like golden voice golf announcer Jim Nance and former mayor of Carmel Clint Eastwood who are regular customers. It is rumored that Jim Nance also wants to be the future mayor of Carmel By The Sea. My first assignment as a walking scorer was Raul Pereda from Mexico against Trey Winstead from LSU. It was an exciting match full of birdies and lasting 23 Holes. Raul made a par on the 5th hole to win this exciting match. Trey made birdies on 14,15, 16, 17 and 18 to send the match to sudden death. His dad caddied for him and is also the golf coach at LSU. Raul was also an interesting young man. It was his first time playing Pebble Beach. I asked him what he thought and he said, “it was the most beautiful place and course he has ever seen.” The sad news is that one of these great young golfers had to lose the match. In addition, the 23 hole match tied for the longest match in US Amateur history in the last 20 years. My second walking scorer assignment was Cole Hammer from Houston, Texas who had the second lowest qualifying score against Josh McCarthy from our hometown of Danville, Ca. Cole is from Houston, Texas and will be a freshman at University of Texas next year. Josh went to De La Salle High school and is a junior at Pepperdine and played at Castlewood CC. It was a seesaw match with Josh 3-putting on number 16 and losing 1 up. As Jack Nicklaus says, “the Amateur is like winning a 5th major.” Cole fought hard to be the US Amateur Champion but lost in the semi- finals to Viktor Holland from Norway and Oklahoma State who birdied 6 holes on the back nine. Remember Cole’s name, as you will be sure to hear it again winning many more golf championships at the University of Texas and on the pro golf tour. We look forward to being part of the 2019 ATT Pro-Am in February and US Open next June at “God’s Home Of Golf.” https://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/pebble-beach-golf-links/ course-history/past-amateurs/ BLACKHAWK LIVING 27
Expert Contributor
Architectural Ceiling Beams By Jim Long, S&J Properties, General Contractor, Resident since 1991
Many of us think of two adjectives when we hear the word “ceiling”: flat and white. But there are different options! There are so many architectural details that can be incorporated into or onto a ceiling to bring the entire room to life. From rustic to contemporary, from cottage charmer to modern urban apartment, appropriate and appealing ceiling details can be found. There are countless ways to spice up this “fifth wall.”
are simply gorgeous to look at. Whether they are a crisp white or a rustic wood tone, you will be delighted if you incorporate beams into your home.
There are many ways to integrate natural material (or its successful imitation) into finishing of the ceiling. One of the oldest and most popular options today is ceiling beams. The ceiling surface itself may be made of wood or a combination of other materials. Exposed beams can be represented as a natural variant or colored.
Ceiling beams come in various geometric forms, ranging from simple, raw, small diameter logs, to the correct rectangular or square cut bar. But it is important to understand that the more relief on the coverage, the higher should be the ceiling of the house. The ceiling in the form of white-painted beams look great in loving the minimalism modern premises. This style is selected for the bright and spacious rooms with soaring ceilings.
One of the grandest design features you can put in any home is an open ceiling with exposed beams. There are many reasons why designers of both modern and traditional homes are choosing this trend. First, the open ceilings create a large, breathable space, making your home seem larger than it is. Secondly, the extra ceiling height can make your home seem brighter. You can attach large chandeliers and other types of light fixtures to draw your eye up and create the illusion of a lighter space. Lastly, they
Wooden ceiling panels look particularly impressive, which creates a completely unique atmosphere of closeness to nature, relaxation and recreation, together with the wooden surfaces in the decoration. Faux ceiling beams are a simple and budget friendly way to
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dramatically improve a roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dĂŠcor. They can accentuate ceilings of interiors, giving rooms a warm and cozy feeling with the exact look of real wood, without the extra weight and expense.
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Faux beams are available with three or four sides. Because they are lightweight, handling and installation is easy. The three-sided beams can be installed over existing structures such as smaller wood beams, structural steel beams, plumbing pipes and electrical wires or conduit. How realistic are they? Just wait until you see the accurate texture and grain. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re crafted from molds made of genuine wood, yet theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re much lighter in weight, eliminating the need for cranes and heavy equipment to lift them. The beams are made from rigid polyurethane preventing warping, rotting, twisting or checking like genuine wood can. You still get the great beauty of natural wood, from classic Tuscany to Rough Sawn, and the ever-popular Timber, to new styles like Driftwood and Pecky Cypress, a gorgeous but endangered and expensive wood.
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Custom sizes are available for most finishes. Many styles like Hand Hewn, Heavy Sandblasted and Aspen are available in curved beam options, which open a wide variety of design options. They really create a stunning look! If you are thinking of new ceiling treatments, getting the help from a qualified professional builder is worth the investment and long run value.
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Expert Contributor
Hand Selected Diamonds at Padis Jewelry By Steve Padis, Steve Padis Jewelry, Resident since 1989
How do you know that your local jeweler (Padis!) has the best selection of loose diamonds? Where do the diamonds come from? Who picks them out? We are here to answer a couple of these questions for you and hopefully clear the air on “diamond shopping” fog. Padis Jewelry’s diamonds are hand selected. Every single one of them. Why? To ensure the best selection to fit your needs. Padis Jewelry is one of the only American Gem Society accredited Gemological Laboratories in the San Francisco Bay Area. It takes specific tools and equipment to achieve this prestigious designation. Padis Jewelry not only has two GIA Graduate Jeweler Gemologists on their team, both ladies also hold the distinction of being Certified Gemologist Appraisers. This is the highest designation within the American Gem Society, which represents the top 5% of jewelers across the US. A member of the Padis family – usually Steve himself – hand selects every diamond you see in our cases. So you can be confident that every diamond is put through rigorous evaluation and strict testing to fit our high standards. We have thousands of diamonds ready to view daily in our showrooms. We also carry branded diamonds. From the historic and prestigious De Beers group of companies, we proudly carry Forevermark Diamonds. Forevermark Diamonds are one of the many beautiful and meaningful diamonds you will find in our store. What do we mean by meaningful? A Forevermark diamond is uniquely inscribed with its own identification number promising that the diamond is beautiful, rare, and responsibly sourced. Less than 1% of the world’s diamonds have the qualities to become a Forevermark diamond. Diamonds are a natural product of our earth, and it all starts with the mine of origin. To uncover these precious diamonds, Forevermark, as part of De Beers, carefully selects mines based on strict business, social and environmental standards. Forevermark currently sources diamonds from mines including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada. While most “conflict-free” diamond sources can cite Kimberley Process membership (an international trade standard to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the market), Forevermark goes beyond the Kimberley Process by supporting the advancement of communities and protecting the natural world, the ultimate source of diamonds. Forevermark’s passion for diamonds is matched by their deep sense of connection to the natural world, which they are dedicated to protecting for future generations. Forevermark is committed to the preservation and protection of habitats, their species, and the wider natural world.
This promise means you can be proud to own and wear your Forevermark diamond forever because the diamond originated at a carefully selected mine that benefits the people, community and country where it is located. Forevermark traces each diamond along its journey, ensuring strict business, environmental and social standards are met at every step. Padis Jewelry has an extensive selection of Forevermark diamonds for engagement rings of course, but also has Forevermark diamond stud earrings, necklaces, and other fine jewelry. When you visit, you’ll also see a collection of jewelry and timepieces from other luxury brands such as Tacori, Verragio, Henri Daussi, Michael M., Simon G., Roberto Coin, Breitling, TAG Heuer, and Michele, among others. Padis Jewelry has a team of Diamond Experts waiting to help you through this process. Stop in and let us show you just how easy selecting a diamond can be. Join us at one of the four Padis Jewelry locations and find the ring or piece of jewelry that speaks to you in a comfortable non-commissioned shopping environment or browse our website at padisjewelry.com.
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The market may change, but our focus remains the same: you You’re at the center of everything we do. Together, we’ll take a fresh look at the opportunities that a changing world can provide. Call The Morasky Group to learn more today.
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Merrill Lynch 1331 North California Boulevard Suite 400 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925.945.4800 • fa.ml.com/the_morasky_group 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. AAMS and CRPC are registered service marks of College for Financial Planning. Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®. Use of CIMA®, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals. © 2017 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. ARKKD9HB | AD-10-17-0516 | 470965PM-0117 | 10/2017
