Danville Living Magazine February 2020

Mailed Directly to West Danville Residents and Published Online

FEBRUARY 2020

Danville LIVING

MEET THE

Jordan Family: A Mother-Daughter Duo COVER PHOTO:

by Indigo Moments Photography

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FEBRUARY 2020

Publication Team Publisher:

Jo Peek, Danville Resident since 2014 Content Coordinator: Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017 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: asullivan@ bestversionmedia.com.

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

Dear Neighbors!

This February we are celebrating our 4th anniversary of being a part of the west-side/ downtown Danville community, and we couldn’t be more excited! Look for an invitation to our anniversary party here in our pages - we’d love to see you there!

In this issue you will meet Janice Jordan, our real estate expert contributor and long-time Danville resident. Janice and her daughter, Jenna, share a tight bond and live life to the fullest.

I can’t wait for you to get to know these awesome women.

Also in this issue you’ll find some exciting town events and meet two cute kittens! Enjoy this issue of Danville Living Magazine!

See you around town!

Alexandra Sullivan Content Coordinator

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

DANVILLE LIVING 3

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

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

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

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

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

Event Coordination and Design

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.

General Contractor

Full-service complete, kitchen remodeling and bathroom renovation company based in Santa Clara. We are licensed to operate in CA. Our expert designers and in-house insured contractors will provide high-end, timeless, elegant, sophisticated, and classic complete renovation, kitchen remodeling and bathroom renovation.

Home Maintenance

AAA House manager is your partner in home maintenance. Trusted and reliable House Managers tackle your to-do list and help you create a plan to get ahead of future maintenance needs, all to keep you home running smoothly. Whether you have a leaky faucet, smart home tech to install, or need your gutters cleaned, AAA House Manager works for your home so your home can work for you.

Eventfully Yours Event Designs Rayna Hess (925) 370-1300 rayna@eventdesignsbyrayna.com www.eventdesignsbyrayna.com

Ryan H. Done Right Home Remodeling Inc. 1-800-816-0000 homeprofessionals26@gmail.com www.donerighthomeremodelingca.com

AAA San Ramon 925-314-2600 www.aaa.com/housemanager

Find us online DanvilleLivingCA www.DanvilleLivingCA.com

Committed to the well-being of our clients and community The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group 1331 North California Blvd., Suite 650 | Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Direct: (925) 279-1701 us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/carbonellforreywmg Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value © 2019 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. 4 19-WC-180_MattForrey_AD_KC_R2_FINAL.indd 1

FEBRUARY 2020 4/3/19 7:52 AM

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

Interior Design

Drawing inspiration from her clients, travels, and architecture, designer Casey Howard brings a refined, eclectic eye to each of her projects. At Casey Howard Designs, founded in 2012, the design team specializes in Full-Service Residential Interior Design, including new construction, small and large-scale renovations as well as furnishings and interior styling. With a high level of project management expertise, CHD simplifies the design process to ensure that your experience is enjoyable and effortless.

Jewelry, Diamonds & Timepieces

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.

Real Estate

Janice Jordan comes from three generations of real estate experts. Her passion and perseverance, combined with 30 years of experience and being a Danville resident for over 20 years, is her key to creating an extraordinary client experience, always exceeding expectations, and the reason clients call on her every time they are buying or selling a home. She is an upstanding member of the community and spends her time volunteering and supporting local events. In her spare time, Janice enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and spending time with her daughter Jenna, her horse, Wilder, and Australian Shepherd, Buster.

Wealth Management

Local Danville residents, Jim and Matt have worked with families in the Bay Area for the past two decades. The Carbonell Forrey team offers customized investment planning and management services based on each individual’s unique set of needs and objectives. With a family-first approach, the team prides itself on delivering an exceptional experience so that clients are able to focus on the other important aspects of their lives.

Casey Howard Designs, Inc. Casey Howard (925) 725-4223 Info@caseyhowarddesigns.com caseyhowarddesigns.com

Steve Padis Steve Padis Jewelry info@padisjewelry.com www.padisjewelry.com

Janice Jordan Broker/Associate at Compass janice.jordan@compass.com 925-580-7482

Jim Carbonell Matt Forrey The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group 925-279-1701 carbonellforreywmg@rbc.com www.rbcwmfa.com/carbonellforreywmg/

DANVILLE LIVING 5

Resident Feature

Meet the

Jordan Family: A Mother-Daughter Duo

By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

In 1984 Janice graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science and began her working career in high-tech. “I was selling computers with 2 floppy disk drives; one for the program and one for the data. Monochromatic monitors and huge dot matrix printers. Pretty funny looking back now to see how far we’ve come.”

After working in the tech industry for a few years, Janice decided to go back to her roots and pick up the real estate license she’d had since she was 18. Knowing the value of a good location, she opened up a mortgage company next door to her parent’s real estate office.

Loans had dropped below 10%, and Janice’s business was flooded with clients.

“While I was in college I became obsessed with aerobics. Think Joanie Greggins, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jane Fonda. I started teaching aerobics while going to college and kept it up after graduation, and I am still teaching to this day.” It was her love of fitness that led Janice to pursue a degree in Sports Psychology right after college, but after two years of schooling, she decided that it wasn’t the career for her.

“My job as the owner of a mortgage company was going quite well, so I stuck with my career as a lender and kept teaching aerobics [on the side].” In 1996, Janice’s parents were ready to retire but didn’t want to lose the family business. So Janice merged her company with theirs and formed The Jordan Group, doing both residential real estate and mortgage loans. Since then, Janice has continued to grow her business and is now allied with Compass as a Broker/Associate.

Janice has one daughter, 16-year-old Jenna. They also have two pets, Buster, an 8-year-old Australian Shepherd, and a cat named Mouser.

Jenna is a sophomore at Monte Vista High School where she plays on the JV tennis team. She also plays soccer with Mustangs and previously won 2nd place in a world cheerleading competition with her competitive cheer team in Livermore. Where her heart lays, though, is with her horse Wilder. Jenna has owned him for seven years and houses him at Summit Ranch. Although she’s taken him to shows, she prefers riding him for pleasure in both Western and English styles.

Janice and Jenna love being outside. One of their favorite trips is going to Hawaii, “[we] do everything we can in the water. We body surf, boogie board and paddleboard everyday we can when we visit.” They’ve also traveled to Paris and the Atlantic Beach areas of France, Barcelona and the island of Mallorca in Spain, and Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, Greece. Following along with their adventurous spirits, on a trip to Club Med in Punta Cana, they both tried out the trapeze!

Jenna, Buster, and Janice

A

s a third-generation real estate broker, it’s safe to say that Janice Jordan knows the ins and outs of the business. It was an interesting route to finally settle into her fitting career, but one that gave her plenty of stories for sure!

Seven years ago, when Jenna was 9, they decided to open their home to a foreign exchange student, in hopes of expanding their family unit. Lea arrived from France and began her senior year at San Ramon Valley High School. It was a wonderful, successful year for everyone. “It really was a cultural exchange; we learned so much about French culture and we shared our American ways with her. Now Jenna will always have a sister, even though she lives in France!” They still get to see Lea every couple of years, either by visiting her in Europe or when she comes to California.

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FEBRUARY 2020

Janice has owned her West-side home on Del Amigo for over 20 years. She bought the home, built in 1942, from its original owner (and builder!). Over the years she’s updated, remodeled, and added to the home - originally a one-bedroom with a loft over the garage. But one thing that Janice was determined to hold onto was the home’s original look and feel, including its red exterior with white trim, earning it the neighborhood nickname “The Red Barn House.” Since being outside as often as possible is so important to both Janice and Jenna, they take full advantage of the large lot, mature oak trees, and have favorite activities for different seasons, like barbecuing in the summer, and in the colder months, cuddling up under a warm blanket by the outdoor fire pit to watch the night sky.

Living right on Del Amigo gives the Jordans so much joy. From their home, they are able to walk downtown and enjoy some of their favorite local events, like the Fourth of July Parade, where they love soaking up the town spirit. And if downtown isn’t on the docket,

Jenna and Janice on one of their world adventures!

they head up to Eugene O’Neill Park with their dog for a trail walk or mountain biking trek. Other hobbies for Janice include teaching pilates at her home, snowboarding, scuba diving, and playing pickleball!

Knowing her neighbors is one of Janice’s favorite things about living here in Danville, and she would love to start having an annual block party for everyone to mingle and get closer. So the next time you see Janice, Jenna, and Buster out for a walk, or any of their other awesome outdoor activities, stop and say hi!

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 asullivan@bestversionmedia.com.

DANVILLE LIVING 7

Pet Adoption Corner

Coco

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

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

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

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

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

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

FEBRUARY 2020

Real Estate Listings in West Danville Addresses in Bold are Seller’s/Buyer’s represented by Ron and Joe Gatti | 1/10/20

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Ashley Cir Kuss Road Loch Lomond Way

Cambra Ct Highland Ct

$720,000 $1,449,000 $1,590,000

1292 2676 2314

3 3 4

2 3 3

$1,695,000 $3,275,000

2457 4885

3 5

2 3

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Ilo Ln Westfield Cir Elworthy Ranch Dr Elworthy Ranch Cir

Elsie Drive La Gonda Way Sorrento Ct Hilfred Way

$514,500 $769,000 $918,000 $919,000

1012 1788 1804 1804

2 3 4 4

1 2 2 2

$1,129,900 $1,299,000 $1,500,000 $4,795,000

1941 2203 1847 4997

4 3 3 5

3 2 2 3

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

1121 San Ramon $649,000 Valley Blvd Elworthy Ranch Dr $999,500 Verona Ave $1,300,000 Flora Vista Pl $1,500,000

Kuss $1,995,000 Tim Ct $2,205,000 Nadine Pl $2,274,000 Cordell Drive $2,575,000

$630,000

1301

3

2

$995,000 $1,350,000 $1,485,000

2119 1510 2678

4 3 4

3 2 3

$1,973,000 $2,205,000 $2,216,000 $2,575,000

3655 2946 2831 3221

5 4 4 4

4 3 4 3

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.

As Danville Natives, we know Danville and the San Ramon Valley Take a look at recent activity in your community!

Coming Soon

Sold

440 Montcrest Place, Danville

1121 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 3,010 Sq Ft | 1.6 Acre Lot | Views of Mt. Diablo Call for Price

3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1,301 Sq Ft | $630,000

Call us regarding how our Compass Concierge and Bridge Loan programs can help you!

Ron Gatti Broker Associate 925.596.1972 gattirealestate@gmail.com DRE 00623995

Joe Gatti Broker Associate 925.588.3590 gattirealestate@gmail.com DRE 01914487

gattirealestate.com 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.

DANVILLE LIVING 9

February Fri., Feb. 8

Recreation Program Expo @Danville Community Center, Valley Oak Room Get a sneak peek of what the Town of Danville has in store for Spring and Summer! Meet recreation staff and a variety of specialty class instructors to get all of your questions answered in person.

Time:10am-1pm

Mon., Feb. 10

Mother Goose Storytime @Danville Library Bring your babies and young toddlers to storytime to enjoy stories, songs, finger plays, and bounces. This is a wonderful way to introduce your young ones to books and the enjoyment of reading!

Geared for ages 0-2, but all are welcome.

Time: 11:15-11:45am

Fri., Feb. 12

Valentine’s Day Brunch and Line Dancing @Senior Center Our Valentine’s Brunch and dancing with Reggie continues! Come enjoy delicious food with good friends. After we enjoy a delicious hot breakfast, we are lucky to have Reggie back to teach us more line dancing! Learn a new line dance step or make up your own steps to the music. All are welcome to attend this sweet treat.

Cost: $12 Time: 10-11:30am

Sat., Feb. 15

Post-Valentines Day Party Benefiting The Seva Foundation @Faz Restaurant, 600 Hartz Avenue, Danville It’s NOT too late to meet your valentine at this fun party! Adults of all ages

CALENDAR OF EVENTS welcome. Suggestion: Wear something red! Your ticket gets you: free appetizers throughout the party, fun mixer game (with prizes), and a drawing for a bottle of wine and gift certificate. Hosted by The Party Hotline: All of our parties are fundraisers for The Seva Foundation to restore sight to the blind. Every $50 we raise at the party finances a cataract surgery for one blind person in one of the poor countries of the world! So please invite all of your single friends!

Cost: $10 Time: 8-11pm

Fri., Feb. 17

Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown @Lesher Center for the Arts Two of the greatest bands of all time face off in a high-energy, adrenalinepumping musical showdown. The Fab Four, represented by tribute band Abbey Road will engage in a barrage of hits against premier Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction. It’s a faceoff you won’t want to miss! For more information, and to purchase tickets, go to www.lesherartscenter.com Cost: $51-$71 Time: 7:30

Fri., Feb. 28 - Sun., Mar. 8

ICDT Presents: Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat @The Village Theatre and Art Gallery Come check out I Can Do That Theater’s newest show! The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes alive in this musical retelling of a truly timeless tale! With lyrics by Tim Rice and music

by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is set to a multitude of musical genres, spanning from country-western and calypso, to bubblegum

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pop and rock and roll. This family-friendly story with familiar themes and catchy music is sure to bring you to your feet! For other showtimes and to purchase tickets, go to www.villagetheatreshows.com Cost: $20 Time: 7pm

Every Saturday

Farmers’ Market @Railroad Ave. Municipal Parking Lot-Downtown Get the freshest seasonal fare at Danville Certified Farmers’ Market. You’ll find fruits and vegetables direct from local farmers, along with fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants and fresh breads. 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 Monday

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

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

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

FEBRUARY 2020

Non-Profit Spotlight

HOW Danville Ends 2019 on a High Note

By Kindra Brusseau, HOW Danville Chapter Leader

N

ovember was the last month of 2019 that we hosted a Helping One Woman dinner. It was our biggest event to date at 160 people, and it was especially neat to have that many people there because Shana, our November recipient, and her husband have only lived in Danville for the last year and have no family close to them. They were shocked by the support our community showed them.

Shana Carroll is a mother to 4 little ones who was diagnosed with cancer in June 2019 and by July was told it had already spread. She is undergoing aggressive treatment but has a very positive outlook. She is the sweetest, most grateful woman. Her husband, Mike, came and made an amazing speech about his wife. Both of them cried tears of joy as were able to raise a wonderful amount of money for them.

For our first event of 2020, the January dinner, we sold out at over 230 tickets! We are so glad to have found a new event space at Crow Canyon Country Club that can accommodate our rapidly growing dinners. Our dinners are held on the second Tuesday of every month, and the next recipient is picked at the previous monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dinner.

To follow along with all the good weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to do, check us out on Instagram at @howdanville and on Facebook, Helping One Woman Danville. If you wish to be added to our monthly newsletter, please email howdanville@gmail.com.

DANVILLE LIVING 11

Expert Contributor

What’s a BMR?

By Janice Jordan, Compass Realty, Resident since 1998

R

ecently I saw a home for sale in SF that would normally sell for over $1 million dollars that was for sale for $355,000.

How could this be? This is called “Below Market Hint: It is NOT a cool German automobile!

Rate Housing.” It is the supposed answer to cities whose housing has become unaffordable for the working class or the just graduated population. This is a requirement of all builders who build new subdivisions to offer a certain percentage of their homes at a very low price.

Does it work?

There are many “qualifications” in order to make an offer on a BMR. There is a maximum income threshold, based on number of people in the family. You must be a first time home buyer. In some cases, you must currently live and/or work in the same town in order to qualify.

Ok, so let’s say you fit those criteria, then what?

You find a realtor to help you write the offer. Best to find a realtor who is familiar with this BMR program so that they know what ‘closing costs’ you can pay and what costs the seller must pay. You are NOT allowed to bid OVER asking. So, you and 50 other people, just like you, will be bidding on this home. And, if all the offers are exactly alike (because you can’t bid over asking) then who decides who gets the house? The city that set up this program will make the final decision and some cities use a point system. 1 point if you are a vet. 1 point if you are retired. 1 point if you live in the same town. 1 point if you work in the same town. 1 point if you are disabled. Those with the most points will get first priority to whittle down the field of offers.

Let’s say you ‘get’ the house ….

Yeah celebrate!! You get to enjoy home ownership at a fraction of the cost of your neighbors for as long as you want. But, there are restrictions with ownership... you are not allowed to rent the home and when you are ready to sell, you cannot set the price. The city will require you to sell the home to another BMR buyer and a price that they set based on current market low income standards. So, you can’t enjoy the benefits of the wonderful California appreciation gains like your neighbors will, but you have had the benefit to live where you work, school your children in local schools with high educational standards and afford a lovely home for less than you could rent a similar home. There will be some appreciation that you can benefit from, but it will be far less than a non BMR home.

As always, call me directly if you have any questions or would like to learn more about these programs in your city. See you around town. ~Janice

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FEBRUARY 2020

In Our Own Backyard

Danville:

New to Me!

By Sandra Mcmullen, Resident since 1992

I

t all started with a “Just For Fun” post on NextDoor. I asked if there were any places in Danville that you pass by but you’ve never been to and the response was so much fun! I was amazed at what I didn’t know about the town I’ve lived in for 31 years! So, after 39 people responded, I decided I needed to go out and discover a “new to me” Danville.

The first location was a bit of a surprise. I have driven past it a million times and never, ever noticed it. Right in the middle of a parking lot at the south end of town in Danville’s Sycamore Square Shopping center is a small grove of redwood trees. In the middle of that grove there sits a plaque on a stone base.

It honors Charles Gardner Goold and his wife Allie Johnson Goold, early pioneers in the Sycamore Valley and Danville.

The Goold Family acquired the land in 1900 and planted the redwood trees in 1913. The 1960’s progress brought the new interstate freeway, along with it the Sycamore Valley Road exit, pushing the family to sell their lands. The San Ramon Valley Historical Society placed the plaque in 1975 and honestly, it could use a little cleaning to help it stand out.

The plaque honoring the Goold family

The secret rose garden at St. Isidore

Next I discovered the ”secret” rose garden behind the ministry center at St. Isidore. What a lovely, serene spot. There must be over 200 rose plants in raised beds in the garden. Many are dedicated to deceased loved ones. It’s Winter now, but come Spring I will be returning here as I can only imagine the beauty and the fragrance when all those rose bushes are in full bloom.

Lastly, one person wrote of the seven trailheads on the west side of Danville; I had no idea! These trailheads connect to each other through a trail system that takes you to the top of the ridge of the Las Trampas Regional Park – and even connect you to both San Ramon and Lafayette. I found the entrance on Remington and the views up there are spectacular!!! I could not find the entrance on Montair, but it is a long and winding road so I could’ve easily missed it. The other entrances can be found on Del Amigo, San Damiano, Camille, Hemme, and Las Trampas. All that beautiful open space right in our backyard!

A big thanks to all who responded, there’s still more places I look forward to discovering. This really was a lot of fun! We really do have a treasure trove of citizens in our little Town.

Can you spot this marker on your next drive by?

Sandra Mcmullen immigrated from Ireland when she was just 3 1/2 years old. She recently retired from a composite career in Workforce and Economic Development designing training programs funded by both the state of California’s Employment Training Panel (ETP) and or the Federal Workforce Investment Act. Sandra loves fishing, traveling, and being an adventurous grandmother!

DANVILLE LIVING 13

14

FEBRUARY 2020

Tee Time

Tee it Up

Hole 14, A tricky Par 4 at 523 yards and with elevation over a creek up to the green surrounded by bunkers

at Canyon Lakes Golf Course

By Lynne Harrosh, Resident since 2008

B

uy Local. Play Local. The Canyon Lakes Golf Course & Brewery, a public course, is just that place. It is minutes from the freeway, but feels like you’re far from the chaos of life. The rolling hills, the warm welcoming of the Clubhouse, the restaurant, and Taproom Micro Brewery give you the notion you are miles away from home.

The newly remodeled clubhouse restaurant and event center has inside and outside seating with views of the San Ramon Valley and Mount Diablo. It is a beautiful location for events, a family dinner, or to watch a game on one of the many TV’s. The Taproom, opened in 2017, has a 10 barrel brewing system and a scratch kitchen.

Their award winning beer is served both at the Taproom and in the Clubhouse restaurant. They offer a series of limited release beers from local farms with seasonal ingredients. The service and quality of food is outstanding.

Another great part of this golf course is the price, which ranges from $30 to $69 depending on time and day of play. Juniors have a flat rate of $15! Between the price, the views, the outstanding food, the micro brews, and the great course, this is a place to share time with your friends and family and to renew your mind… buy local, eat local, play local.

This plane crash landed on the course as it was being built in the early 1980’s

The Canyon Lakes Course, as it is referred to, was designed by Ted Robinson and opened in 1986. It is a par 71 golf course with 6,431 yards from the longest tees. The front nine and the back nine seem to be very different. The front nine has a few big water features, including creeks you have to hit over and that run alongside the fairways, many are dry, some are not. The fairways and greens have views of stunning Mt. Diablo. The back nine boast views of the San Ramon Valley, City Center Bishop Ranch, and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. All 18 holes are nestled in the rolling hills with elevation and sloping fairways and greens, some greater than others!

The course is lined with Redwood trees, Oak trees, and other natural shrubs and plants. Along the water’s edge are large White Pampas grass and cattail plants that are a treat to see.

On Hole 4, you need to lay-up to the water and then hit a 80-100 yard shot over a creek to the green, which has two bunkers on one side and Canyon Lake on the other. It is a tricky shot because you can psych yourself out with the various water features, the bunkers and the layup! However, very fun and exciting when you land on the green in 2!

This is one of my favorite holes on the course, not just because it is fun, but because my grandma used to live right across the lake from the 4th hole green. Memories just come flooding back every time I am there.

The Pro shop, unlike other Pro shops has a TV and lounge! It is a good place to catch a game, hang out before your tee time, or relax after your game. One of the most interesting bits of decor in the shop is the series of photos showing a small plane that crash landed right in the middle of the under-construction course! Thankfully there were no deaths or serious injuries. It just serves now as a bit of Canyon Lake Golf Course history.

The Taproom is ready for the big game and full of cheering fans enjoying the micro brews and lunch

The entrance to the newly remodeled Crow Canyon Golf Course & Brewery

Lynne Harrosh is an avid golfer and traveler. Follow her on Facebook & Instagram @TeeItUpTravel to get connected to the best places to golf, golf technology, golf equipment, discounts on green fees, stay & plays, and golf travel lynneharrosh@me.com

DANVILLE LIVING 15

Community Info

Summer Camp Shopping with the Danville Rec Expo

By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010

T

he Danville Recreation Expo is celebrating its 11th year of exhibiting summer camps, and there’s no denying that Danville offers some of the best summer camps in the East Bay. The Rec Expo offers a variety of diverse choices ranging from sports, to science, to arts camps all in one place. It is the community’s rare opportunity to see and sample so many camps before committing to a program.

Parents get a face-to-face introduction to the instructors and staff, and children have the opportunity to try a Lego demonstration, make a magic potion, or read a script before deciding on the camp.

This Expo truly has something for everybody. Mad science, Ballet classes, and KAOS camp, just to name a few of the many booths that will be on display.

Parents and kids alike lineup outside the doors of the community center, adjacent to the Danville library, as early as 9 AM, hoping to be the first inside to grab a complimentary tote bag and sign up for their favorite camps. Early registration has its benefits too. Parents receive a 10% discount off of every summer camp that they enroll their child in that weekend. This makes quite a financial impact for families with several children or parents that need to use multiple camps over the summer.

Ten year old Emma M. never misses the expo, “I like seeing all the new camps and all the demos you can try out.” And 12 year old Kate L. says, “I love the fun interactive activities, especially the STEM demos.” Doors open at 10 AM on Saturday, February 8.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? That’s no problem.

Danville’s extensive activity guide is available at the Expo and online with an even bigger variety of choices to suit your needs.

For more information on the Danville Rec. Expo. visit www. danville.ca.gov/Recreation or call the Danville community center at (925) 314-3400 Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street.

Saturday, February 8, 10 AM to 1 PM

Stephanie Seaberg has lived in the East Bay for the last 30 years, and is a SRVHS Alumni. Steph is a play-writer and director for Theater Performance Workshop, KAOS Camp, and Golden Oak Montessori. Steph lives for cooking, theater, photography, travel, and singing.

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FEBRUARY 2020

Pet of the Month

Pets of the Month:

Coco and Rocky

By Jeff Seaberg, Resident since 2003

C

oco and Rocky are siblings that play together, nap together and together, have stolen our hearts.

Many Worlds, One Museum

Only 12 weeks old when adopted, (now 20 weeks) these two ARF kittens have added so much joy and laughter to our home.

Coconut, or Coco for short, has the softest fur and the sweetest personality. She will leap to adeptly catch paper wads and purrs loudly when being petted. Her brother Rocky is a polydactal cat (he has thumbs!) and is a rambunctious boy who loves turkey and climbing on my shoulders. They both wrestle and chase each other with boundless energy. Then they will quietly lie down together for a nap. Upon waking, they groom each other and get back to the important business of looking out the window at the world. And eating!

Both kittens love to stretch and have their bellies rubbed. You know they are content when you hear them purring together. Or as I call it, in stereo. They loved climbing the Christmas tree, but thankfully never toppled it. Only a couple ornament casualties. A small price to pay when you see their cute heads peeking out from the tree.

These two kittens fill every day with their energy, cuteness and love.

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

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

Automobile Gallery Rare & Significant Classic Car Display

Art of Africa Incredible Art Treasures from Sub-Sahara Africa

3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville, CA www.blackhawkmuseum.org â&#x20AC;˘ 925-736-2277

Rocky and Coco like to hang out together

Sweet Coco loved the Christmas season!

Rocky is always down for a little wrestling DANVILLE LIVING 17

Arts and Culture

Art Exhibit at the Village Theatre and Art Gallery: Art of the African Diaspora

By Marija Nelson Bleier, Visual Arts Coordinator, Town of Danville

F

or the first exhibition of the New Year, the Town of Danville’s Village Theatre Art Gallery is doing an exhibition in honor of Black History Month. The VTAG has partnered with the Richmond Art Center, and the Danville gallery is pleased to be a satellite exhibition space for the RAC’s 24th annual exhibit, Art of the African Diaspora. This exhibit is organized each year by The Art of Living Black Steering Committee in partnership with the Richmond Art Center. The Steering Committee is a dedicated group of established Bay Area artists touched by the vision of founders Jan Hart-Shuyers and Rae Louise Hayward. The group’s mission is to preserve and expand the vision of their beloved founders by supporting emerging, mid-career and established artists of African descent.

The exhibit at the VTAG features artwork by 12 Bay Area artists of African Descent as well as select art by nationally and internationally recognized artists of color from the private collection of long time West Danville resident and art collector, Laurie Ferreira.

In conjunction with this exhibit, there will be a free children’s artwork that is set to take place on Thursday, February 20 right at the Gallery. Children between the ages of 5-11 years will be lead on a tour of the exhibit and then create their own works of art inspired by that which they see in the show. Registration through the Danville Community Center is required as space is limited.

Into the Mist by Stephan Bruce, acid on brass

A Closing Reception is scheduled for Thursday, February 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served and as always, this event is free and open to the public.

For more information on the art exhibit or the children’s art workshop contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mnelsonbleier@ danville.ca.gov.

Improvisation, Ozell Hudson, acrylic on canvas

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FEBRUARY 2020

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

RSVP to reserve your spot!

Complimentary glass of wine for the first 50 guests.

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

DANVILLE LIVING 19

Arts and Culture

Color Play II: Springtime Art Exhibition at the Village Theatre Art Gallery

By Marija Nelson Bleier, Visual Arts Coordinator, Town of Danville

W

hat better way to celebrate both springtime and Women’s History Month (the month of March) than with a bold and lively exhibition that brings color and vibrancy to the forefront of viewers’ minds in an exhibit that embraces the elegant combination of femininity and bold fresh movement through rich and vibrant color. This exciting new exhibit at Village Theatre Art Gallery is guest curated by Marin artist and longtime Gallerist, Ellen Levine Dodd. This will be Levine Dodd’s follow up exhibition at the VTAG, she curated Color Play in 2017, and it was so well received by viewers that she has chosen to come back to Danville for another round of color conversation and exploration in Color Play II. This is an exhibition featuring all fresh and new works full of vibrant hues and tones in a show that invites the audience to explore their personal and emotional interactions with color. As always, admission to the gallery is free and all artwork will be for sale. Why not bring the spring right into your home with a new colorful painting to enhance your space? The exhibit will feature

From Whence We Came by Ellen Levine Dodd. Mixed media on wood panel

both large-scale and small works, this exhibition provides a variety of color experiences, including paintings and prints of diverse media and materials.

The art exhibit will be up from March 14-April 25. All are welcome to attend the opening Where the Wind Blows by Ellen reception scheduled for Saturday, Levine Dodd. Mixed March 14 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. media on canvas Come by for free refreshments and an opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists.

For more information please contact Visual Arts Coordinator for the Town of Danville, Marija Nelson Bleier mnelsonbleier@ danville.ca.gov or 925.314.3460

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FEBRUARY 2020

Business Profile

St. Isidore School is a place for kids to thrive

By Kara Navolio

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hat began in 1962 as a small private school in Danville has grown into the largest Catholic elementary school in the East Bay. Since its beginning, St. Isidore School has prided itself on academic excellence.

The students are inspired to achieve their highest academic, emotional and spiritual potential.

The school features two classes per grade level from TK (Transitional Kindergarten) to 8th grade and continues to add interesting enrichment and extracurricular programs like dance, art, book club, robotics and Makerspace, a STEM-integrated classroom with opportunities for hands-on learning.

At St. Isidore School, the parent and school communities work collaboratively to ensure success for all students. Current Principal, Maria Ward, has been part of the St. Isidore community since 2002, first as a teacher for eight years, then as Vice Principal and Principal. She is also a parent of current and former students, which allows her a unique perspective as an administrator. Her oldest child, Elizabeth, graduated from St. Isidore in 2018 and now attends Carondelet. Her sons, Joe David and Charlie, are in 7th and 5th grades, respectively.

Ms. Ward says, “I love building relationships with the families.

I think as educators we are most proud when students grow and thrive. It is always exciting to see them embrace a new concept and lesson. Most students start with us in Kindergarten, and the transformation from early education to middle school is amazing.

It’s a gift having them with us so long. It is always wonderful to hear where they go after high school. We feel blessed that many alumni come back to visit.”

Most of the staff at the school have been there for a long time, making it like a second home. “We operate more like family than co-workers,” adds Ward.

St. Isidore invites the community to come for a visit! More information can be found on their website, www.stisidore.org.

DANVILLE LIVING 21

San Ramon Valley High School

A Self-Taught Artist Brings Style and Passion to SRVHS

By Shelby Falahat, Junior Reporter, SRVHS

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hether it be theater, drawing, dance, or music, art plays an enormous role in the lives of most San Ramon Valley High School students. In 2019, San Ramon Valley High showcased the arts by hosting art galleries, dance shows, choir concerts, and plays - all demonstrating the passion students hold for the Arts. Hence, in 2020, SRV hopes to expand the spotlight onto self-taught artists to provide them with a larger platform.

Sahaana Anathan is a junior at San Ramon Valley High School who appreciates the realm of art. While balancing multiple Advanced Placement courses, Sahaana sets aside time in her busy schedule to fulfill her passion. In the sixth grade, she began developing her own style of art. As a young artist, drawing with graphite seemed to be the easiest tool to create realistic pieces. As a result, Sahaana began recreating artwork she admired while she pondered on how to execute her own “style” of art.

In middle school, Sahaana realized that she loved the concept of Realism. Realism is the ability of being able to portray even the smallest aspects of a person with great detail as well as accuracy. Young Sahaana found art in the eyes of Realism to be beautiful and inspiring, thus initiating her passion to begin creating pieces inspired by the concept. With this new concept in mind, Sahaana began drawing larger scaled portraits instead of whole body figures. She stated, “I personally feel that with zoomed in pieces, I’m able to include more details and spend more time on my portraits/pieces.” In addition, the concept of Realism allows for a variety of colors to be incorporated, making the piece come to life.

As a Freshman in high school, Sahaana began utilizing charcoal pencils, but she found that the pencils would smudge quite often.

Hence, she recommends acrylic paints to new artists. In the summer of her sophomore year, Sahaana was gifted paints for the first time; specifically acrylic and watercolors.

Sahaana revealed that she is still attempting to master the techniques of watercolor, and as a result, she prefers to use acrylic paints for her artwork.

An aspect of Sahaana’s talent that sets her apart is that she is a self taught artist. “For me personally, one thing I like about my art is that it’s self-taught: I haven’t taken any art classes that led into my style today, so it makes it that much more impactful when I see myself improving,” remarked the young artist. When asked about the inspiration of her pieces, Sahaana says that she always uses references with drawings, due to the fact that capturing the uniqueness of humans is challenging at times. Every face is different, so she finds it difficult to think of proportions, shapes, and the space between each human. The most significant challenge is distinguishing the differences of hair textures and styles. In art, Sahaana reveals that the actual paints make each piece unique as well as adds a personal touch.

Skull, “I got the idea from one of the assignments the art classes had at SRV. I loved that level of Realism, so I wanted to try it with acrylics. Truly, it’s my favorite piece yet.”

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Koi Fish, “The Koi Fish painting was a piece I constantly drew while I was improving my technique. It was the first real animal I drew and painted. The Koi Fish is such a gorgeous creature, so I knew that I had to paint it. This piece inspires me to create more painting where humans aren’t the main focus, but realistic wildlife is the star of the piece.”

Although Sahaana enjoys various forms of art, she mainly paints inspiring individuals who she admires. With every portrait she uses Realism to make each piece original and elaborate. By sharing her story, Sahaana hopes to provide aid to artists of all ages as they begin to fulfill their passion. Art spreads and brings joy to individuals from across the globe, and such a connection is what inspires Sahaana to further develop and improve her technique each day.

Shelby Falahat is a senior at San Ramon Valley High School.

She loves writing as a tool to express herself as well as learn about the world around her. She also has a passion for working with children. Recently, Shelby has had the opportunity to work at Kumon, which has allowed her to teach young students math and reading. In addition, she loves to travel with her family across the globe.

FEBRUARY 2020

Expert Contributor

Abdominal Contouring (“Tummy Tuck”)

By Dr. Stephen J. Ronan, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery

A

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

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

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

Fat is a normal part of our bodies and can accumulate in predictable locations. These locations change somewhat with genetics, but in general, the amount of fat that lives on our lower abdomen is more than the fat on our upper abdomen. Pinch the skin of your upper stomach... now pinch the skin of the lower stomach. You probably felt like there was more to pinch on the lower stomach.

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

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Jill Fusari

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

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

DANVILLE LIVING 23

Expert Contributor

Home Trends

to Look Out for in 2020

By Lauren Parker, AAA San Ramon

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hile 2019 proved to be a more subdued, earthy year for home décor and design, lovers of everything lavish and extravagant will be pleased to hear that more decadent styles are on the horizon.

Here are some new home trends to look out for in 2020.

The Roaring 20’s Are Back

Makes sense after all. Expect to see furniture and home accents incorporate aspects of art deco and art nouveau — serpentine lines and whiplash curves inspired by nature; bold, graphic designs; repeating patterns; and vibrant color palettes.

Working With the Elements

As we continue to deal with increasingly destructive weather, expect more homes to be equipped with new and improved systems and appliances. Fire suppression systems are gaining popularity in areas susceptible to wildfires. For the increasing number of power outages, homeowners are choosing liquid natural gas generators which are

easier to access during an emergency, are more affordable, efficient, and burn more cleanly than oil or diesel.

Propagating Plants

From succulent gardens to hanging plants, greenery grew in popularity (pun intended) in 2019 and is here to stay in 2020. Lush trends you can look forward to include living décor, garden rooms, and colorful foliage. Happy gardening!

Bold Colors & Designs

If 2019 was about minimalist design, 2020 is predicted to be all about the bold and bright. Think bathroom designs that pop, over-the-top window treatments, floral wallpaper that’s anything but demure, geometric and abstract backsplashes, and many more opportunities to flex those creative muscles.

For more information about AAA House Manager and properly maintaining your home, visit aaa.com/housemanager.

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FEBRUARY 2020

In Our Own Backyard

Annual Wild Mushroom Warning

By Jen Vanya, East Bay Regional Park District

E

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

The death cap and Western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals. In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the first organs affected after ingestion. Symptoms don’t usually appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to the liver and renal failure if treatment is not sought immediately.

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

other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast. The death cap is not native to California.

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

The Western destroying angel is a medium-to-large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that disappears with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.

The death cap is a medium-to-large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at the base of the stem. Though the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with

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

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

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

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

DANVILLE LIVING 25

Expert Contributor

3 Ways to Subtly Show Your Partner Your Favorite Engagement Rings

By Steve Padis, Steve Padis Jewelry

W

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

Put Pinterest to work.

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

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

Do some “accidental” window shopping.

When you’re at the mall or strolling downtown, you walk past jewelry stores all the time. The next time you’re out and about, make an excuse to stop and peruse the bling. Perhaps say you want to check out a great jewelry store your friend told you about or maybe just find yourself drawn to something sparkly in a

storefront window. In either case, take the opportunity to admire what you like and point out what you don’t. And remember: your hints don’t have to be in the context of an engagement ring. You might indicate that you prefer platinum over gold, a particular diamond cut or color, or a nontraditional design over a traditional one in a pair of earrings, bracelets or necklaces. If he’s got marriage on his mind, he’ll be grateful for any direction you provide.

Lean on your friends.

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

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

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

One last thing to keep in mind? Many couples are opting out of elaborate surprise proposals and opting into shopping together for an engagement ring. If you’re open to this arrangement, find a way to let your loved one know.

This may be the best way to ensure that the ring of your dreams ends up on your finger.

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FEBRUARY 2020

DANVILLE LIVING 27

1393

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From home maintenance to home improvement, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here to help reignite that spark between you and your home.

Get started at AAA.com/HouseManager or visit our San Ramon branch located at 2435 San Ramon Valley Blvd Ste 5, San Ramon Š 2019 AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. All rights reserved. AAA House Manager is a service provided by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah.

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FEBRUARY 2020