Danville Living CA May 2022 by Danville Living CA

Mailed Directly to West Danville Residents and Published Online

Danville

MAY 2022

Meet The Carrigg Family: Better Together

Photo by Kim Lind Photography

MAY 2022

Table of Contents Letter to Residents Expert Contributors List An App To Help Women Business Spotlight

Meet the Carrigg Family: Better Together Resident Feature

ARF Adoption Stars Pet Corner

Real Estate Statistics Calendar of Events Tri-Valley Animal Rescue Six Ways You Can Improve Range of Motion Expert Contributor

A Boost of Confidence Expert Contributor

Nola Pardi Proll Shows Twenty Years of Work

05 06 07 08 10 11 12 13 14 15

A Letter From Mustang Soccer

Balingit Comes up Big with Game-Winning Catch

Local Sports Local Sports

Set To Thrive: Helping Our Communities Foster Youth

Agape Villages Foster Family Agency

Mother’s Day in “The Sandwich Generation” Caught in The Middle

Navigating Home Financing During Divorce

The Call to Help Ukraine

Adventure Time: Road Trip to San Diego

Tricked-Out Turkey Burger

Who is still on the fence?

What We’ve Learned: Looking Toward Our ‘New Normal’

A Brighter Day Charity’s 6th Annual Golf Tournament

Financial Literacy Programs for Your Business

Year of Random Holidays

Charity Spotlight

Expert Contributor

Expert Contributor Around the World Adventure Time

Cooking Corner

Expert Contributor Expert Contributor Charity Spotlight

Expert Contributor

Kid Corner

Meals on Wheels Charity Spotlight

DANVILLE LIVING CA 3

Mary Bonham Real Estate

JUST SOLD OFF MARKET

YOUR WESTSIDE REAL ESTATE EXPERT

8 Diamond Court | Danville

Sold For $3,900,000 SOLD OVER ASKING

MARY BONHAM 925.997.1987 mary.bonham@theagencyre.com marybonham.com

614 Glen Road | Danville

Sold For $3,150,000

Your Top Choice Home Remodeling Experts! • • • • •

Licensed and Insured Local, Family Owned & Operated Professional Installation Services Full Service, Start-to-Finish 20 Years in Business

These are the services we are offering Custom Cabinets Cabinetry Refacing • Custom Granite and Quartz Countertops • Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

• • • • •

Flooring Siding Home Remodeling Walk in Baths Windows and Doors

HOT SUMMER SALE 10%

www.dreamhomeworks.com | (925) 464-2707 | Lic. #853669 Hours: Mon - Fri: 8a.m. - 6p.m. Sat: 10a.m. - 2:30p.m.

Off

Here to make your dream home a reality!

MAY 2022

Hey Neighbors! Publication Team Publisher:

Jo Peek, Danville Resident since 2014 Content Coordinator: Jennifer Kamena Designer: Kristen Baker Publisher Assistant: Jennifer Kamena Jo Peek

Publisher Assistant: Alexandra Sullivan 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. © 2022 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

I can’t believe this moment is here - but this will be my final letter in Danville Living CA! I am officially moving on to other ventures and will be handing over the reins to another amazing Danville resident. It has been such an honor to tell your stories and share your successes over the last three and a half years. Thank you to every cover family, expert, advertiser, and resident contributor who has made my time here so fun and fulfilling. This month we are featuring the fantastic Carrigg family. Mike and Erin are the kindest, most fun-loving couple you could hope to know! They are parents to two awesome kids, Carter and Ryan. I hope you enjoy reading their story. We also have a full Calendar of Events and helpful articles from our incredibly knowledgeable expert contributors. I would like to take this moment to introduce you all to Jennifer Kamena, Danville Living CA’s new Content Coordinator. Some of you may recognize her from her family’s time at Montair, others may know her from SRVCA. If you would like to share a story or article with her, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to her at jkamena@bestversionmedia.com. Thank you for a wonderful experience! I look forward to seeing everyone around town!

Alexandra Sullivan Publisher Assistant

We are dedicated to sharing your stories and interests. If there is anything you would like to share with our community, or see in our magazine, please don’t hesitate to email jkamena@bestversionmedia.com

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

DANVILLE LIVING CA 5

Expert Contributors

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

Banking Community Bank of the Bay Team Danville 925-838-2902 info@bankcbb.com www.bankcbb.com

Established in 1996, Community Bank of the Bay (CBB) is an independent, community-focused bank. Our mission is to foster and promote economic development in the communities we serve. We take the time to listen, understand, and develop customized financial solutions to support the needs of businesses. CBB is a FDIC member, SBA Preferred Lender, and a CDARS depository institution. We are California’s first FDIC-insured certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Chiropractic Sycamore Valley Chiropractic (925) 837-5595 info@sycamorevalleychiropractic.com www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com

Serving the Danville community since 1984, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is here to provide you with the highest quality in natural health care. In our comfortable, welcoming environment, you’ll feel right at home. Whether you’re looking to restore your body after an injury has left you sidelined, or want to feel as good as possible, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is the perfect place to begin your journey to wellness.

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 care in the Blackhawk area for more than 20 years. Including a fully accredited on-site surgery center, clinical Med Spa and top ranked Hair Restoration Center, Dr. Ronan’s team of skilled professionals are dedicated to delivering transformative results with every treatment.

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

End of Life Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park Bob Gordon (650) 550-8808 info@cypresslawn.com https://www.cypresslawn.com

Robert Gordon Jr. began his career at his grandfather’s cemetery and funeral home as a teenager — he worked in every position, eventually rising to the level of Vice President. He went on to hold director positions at both the El Camino Group and Service Corporation International. Bob is now the President and CEO of the Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association. He is a licensed funeral director and cemetery broker.

Interior Design Casey Howard Interior Design Casey Howard 925-725-4223 info@caseyhowardid.com www.caseyhowardID.com

Casey Howard Interior Design is a full-service boutique interior design studio specializing in residential and hospitality. Work with us on new construction, large and small scale renovations, and full-scope furnishings projects. CHID’s edgy classic aesthetic is grounded in functionality layered with the unexpected and provocative. Based in the heart of Danville, California, CHID works throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, Marin County, Silicon Valley, and beyond.

Life Coach EYC Life Coach Christina Dalton 925-872-4726 Christina@EYHLifeCoach.com www.eyhlifecoach.com

Christina Dalton is the principal Life Coach for Expanding YOUR Horizons. She is credentialed through ICF as a PCC, Professional Certified Coach. She has worked with people in all stages of life; including students, families, new businesses, etc. Christina embodies the passion and enthusiasm for you to reach your FULL professional and personal potential. “Working with us is a wonderful journey in growth fueled by empowerment, passion and execution.”

Memory Care Carefield Pleasanton Memory Care Parveen Singh 925-750-8744 www.carefieldpleasanton.com

Carefield Pleasanton provides exceptional memory care in a lovely senior living community located in Pleasanton, CA. With a nurse on staff and a compassionate team, we provide 24/7 support with a personalized care plan, an enriching calendar of activities, delicious dining, & private residences. Take a tour today.

Find us online DanvilleLivingCA 6

MAY 2022

Expert Contributors

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

Mortgage CrossCountry Mortgage LLC W. Todd Galde 925-854-5238 todd.galde@myccmortgage.com www.toddgalde.com

After more than 20 years, Todd Galde has mastered the process of helping borrowers with different income sources, matching the correct loan to their unique circumstances. We teach and advise, then we customize. A Direct Lender, Team Galde offers solutions with competitive rates and financing programs that give you more qualifying options, including the unique NINE Loan for owner-occupied purchase or refinance. Learn more at www.The9Loan.com.

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

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.

Remodeling America’s Dream Homeworks Vlad Chernioglo (916) 739-0996 vladc@dreamhomeworks.com

Our company offers one-stop shopping for your complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. We handle the design, materials and installation in house, so you only deal with one, full-service company. Find all the styles, fixtures and products for your renovation project in our 20,000 sq. ft. kitchen and bathroom showroom.

Roofing HRC Roofing and Solar Inc Cris Hernandez 855-827-8957 cris@hrcroofingandsolar.com www.hrcroofingandsolar.com

Cris Hernandez started his career in his late teens. After gaining enough experience and aspiring to grow professionally, he started his own company. HRC Roofing and Solar Inc. has over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial installations and repairs of all roofing types, gutters and solar. Quality workmanship is HRC’s guaranteed for all your roofing and solar needs. CSLB Lic: 918651

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

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.

An App

Business Spotlight

To Help Women By Shannon Passalacqua, Founder and Owner, Miscarriage Warrior App

’ve created an app, Miscarriage Warrior, to help women emotionally heal after a miscarriage. After experiencing six miscarriages myself, I noticed a lack of resources and support to help me through the grief. I understand that with a pregnancy loss comes a unique grief, and I wanted to create a space for women to turn to express that grief as well as receive support from other women who had experienced similar loss. The Miscarriage Warrior App also provides tools and techniques to work through the anxiety, PTSD and depression that can arise after a miscarriage. Women who have used the app have said “Because of the tools Shannon and the app have taught me, I have found peace and know that I will be ok”. I’m using my psychology degree and my coaching experience to also provide free trainings to doctors and nurses on the long-term emotional effects a miscarriage can have on a woman. I created a free care folder for doctors to give to their patients. Each folder contains a loving letter, a

checklist of items to purchase and first steps to take, as well as a copy of my E-book “4 Steps to Emotionally Healing After a Miscarriage”. I’ve also created a oneto-one healing program that will help a woman re-connect with herself, her values and her energy so that she can find her joy and vibrancy for life again.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 7

Resident Feature

Meet the Carrigg Family: Better Together

By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

ade up of Mike, Erin, Carter and Ryan, the Carrigg family began their story over a decade ago, just a stone’s throw from where they live now.

Set up by a mutual friend, Mike and Erin met up for a blind date at a Danville Livery staple, Luna Loca. They enjoyed a night of great conversation and lots of laughs. After dating for a bit, they exchanged vows on the top floor of the Saint Francis Hotel in San Francisco and have been happily married since 2010. Both balanced their academic load in college with athletics - Mike played rugby for two years at UC Berkeley, graduating in 2000. Erin received a full athletic scholarship to play soccer at University of Southern California. She was on the team all four years and loved the whole experience. After graduating in 2002, she came back to her hometown of Danville. With Erin’s parents in Alamo and Mike’s parents in Lafayette and Orinda, the Carrigg family often extends beyond just Mike, Erin and the boys. Erin says, “the grandparents are a big part of our lives.” Whether it’s soccer, baseball, rugby or football, the Carrigg boys often have a very happy and excited fan base. Carter and Ryan are energetic and lovable kids. They have a great network of neighborhood friends that they spend a lot of time with: swimming and climbing trees being two of their favorite group activities. This year Mike is assisting with Carter’s baseball team and managing Ryan’s team. According to Erin, “Mike is a very dedicated Dad. He goes above and beyond for our family.” Carter and Ryan aren’t the only two in the house that stay active: Mike loves golfing and Erin plays tennis. Erin is also a Board member for the Montair Foundation, helping to organize multiple fundraisers for the elementary school throughout the year. 8

Mike is the Executive Managing Director of Colliers International in Pleasanton where he has spent the last 22 years working as a commercial real estate broker. Each year the whole family takes a trip to Hawaii for his annual sales awards trip. One of Erin’s favorite travel stories (sorry Mike, it was too good not to share!), is about an uninvited dinner guest: “One time during our visit we went out to a really nice dinner at one of the fancy hotels in Wailea. While we were enjoying our fancy meal, a HUGE cockroach landed on Mike’s sleeve and started running up his arm towards his neck/face. Mike FLEW out of his seat and started running around the restaurant yelling “cockroach” and screaming at the top of his lungs. I’ve never laughed so hard. I’m laughing while I’m writing this!” Erin is a real estate agent at The Agency in Alamo. It’s a career she’s incredibly passionate about, and has been studying her whole life, “My Dad managed the REO Department at World Savings Bank for 25 years; I learned everything I know about real estate from him.” After college she began a career in the industry, but on the loan side: First working for a national bank as a Loan Representative and Asset Manager, overseeing all the bank-owned properties in the greater Bay Area. These days she is taking her years of experience and consistent hard work and putting it to amazing use finding families their dream homes. MAY 2022

Aside from parents and grandparents, another fixture at the boys’ activities is the family dog, Tracy, named after the city they got her in. She is a 12 year old cockapoo and is so incredibly sweet!

Photo provided by Dana Shular

Spending time together as a family is #1 on the Carriggs’ to-do list. They prioritize it and truly love each moment. Whether it’s at their family cabin in Tahoe, downtown Danville, or in their own backyard, they look forward to the quiet moments where everyone can just be together. The Carriggs moved into their current home about six years ago. Living on a small court with just a few houses, the last couple of years have really helped strengthen all the neighborhood relationships. Of course the kids make it easy, and the laughter in the court brings everyone outside to catch up. “Mike and I are most proud of the family we’ve created and the life we’ve built for ourselves in Danville. We feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this community.” A favorite question posed to our cover families is “What is your family motto?” Mike and Erin say, “Our family motto is to treat everyone with kindness and put your best foot forward each day.”

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

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 jkamena@bestversionmedia.com.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 9

Pet Corner Jazz is a sweet, gorgeous girl who is on the shy side, but she doesn’t let that stop her from exploring and having a good time. She would do well in a home with a back JAZZ yard where she can run around and exercise both her body and her nose and play to her heart’s content. This loving girl is sure to bring a lot of fun wherever she goes and will definitely jazz up your life once she comes out of her shell! Jazz has a positive history with other dogs. She is currently six months old and weighs 36 pounds. Jersey is a gentle sweetheart who will steal your heart with her giant ears that she could practically fly away with, not to mention her incredibly loving personality. This darling girl just wants to crawl in her

ARF Adoption Stars By Christa Noriega, ARF Adoption Manager Adopt a new best friend at ARF in Walnut Creek! View available dogs and cats online or visit us in-person during open hours – no appointment necessary! We’re open for adoptions Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 6 pm. Here is a litter of German Shepherd siblings currently looking for love:

ARF adoption fees: $250 for an adult dog, $350 for a puppy (<6 months), $125 for a special-needs dog, $175 for a special-needs puppy (<6 months), and $125 for a senior dog (7+ years). Adoption fees are waived for US military Veterans. 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.

person’s lap and be loved on all day! She can be a little fearful and would do great in a home that can help build her confidence as the only pet in the household. She is currently six months old and weighs 36 pounds. Jordan is a sweet, cuddly, and handsome young lad who wants nothing more than to be glued to his person’s side. He needs a loving adopter who will help him feel adored and secure, build his confidence and work on his manners, as JORDAN well as provide him with lots of play and exercise for all that puppy energy! This beautiful boy is sure to grow into an amazing companion who will provide an abundance of love and cuddles for years to come. He is currently six months old and weighs 30 pounds.

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

MAY 2022

Real Estate Listings in West Danville

Real Estate is proudly sponsored by Gatti Real Estate Addresses in Bold are Seller’s/Buyer’s represented by Ron and Joe Gatti | 3/10/22

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths Midland Way Elworthy Ranch Drive River Rock Ln Morris Ranch Highland Dr

$699,950 $1,298,888 $1,378,000 $2,950,000 $3,250,000

1114 1804 1492 3575 3366

2 3 3 4 4

1 2 2 3 3

Hartley Drive Jewel Terrace W Prospect Ave El Dorado Ave El Dorado Ave El Dorado Ave El Dorado

$824,900 $879,888 $1,398,000 $1,475,000 $1,475,000 $1,475,000 $1,650,000

1283 1559 1225 1695 1688 1706 1805

2 2 1 3 3 3 3

2 2 1 2 2 2 2

1012 1207 1678 1544 1587

2 2 3 3 3

1 2 2 2 3

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths ILo Lane Hartley Dr Danville Oak Pl River Rock Ln Camino Encanto

$560,000 $799,000 $1,249,000 $1,298,000 $1,799,000

$600,000 $885,000 $1,250,000 $1,462,500 $2,050,000

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths Margaret Ln Love Ln. Veda Dr Cliffside Drive La Gonda Way Lot 3

$3,499,000 $3,995,000 $4,999,999 $5,200,000 $5,998,000

2000 1200 4500 6640 7200

5 3 4 4 4

3 2 4 4 4

El Dorado Mariposa Ct Harmony Court Glendora Cir Cambridge Ct William Ct

$1,675,000 $2,198,000 $2,995,000 $4,109,900 $4,200,000 $4,250,000

1805 1835 3549 4400 3980 4288

3 4 3 5 5 5

2 2 4 4 4 4

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths Clipper Hill Rd 480 Veda Dr Alexander Ln Diamond Court

$1,899,000 $2,275,000 $2,590,000 $3,698,000

$1,899,000 $2,275,000 $2,525,000 $3,900,000

2040 2504 2393 3765

3 4 4 5

2 2 2 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.

480 Veda Dr, Westside Danville 4 Bd | 2.5 Bth | 2,508 SqFt | .25 Acres | $2,275,000 Pending

Dream Westside Danville Location! This home combines single-story Danville Rancher charm and serene backyard privacy near restaurants, shops, entertainment, schools, and the Iron Horse Trail.

137 Gaywood Rd, Westside Alamo

45 Corte Nogal, Westside Danville

3 Bd | 2 Bth | 2,800 SqFt | .64 AC | $2,695,000

4 Bd | 3 Bth | 2,078 SqFt | .31 AC | $2,400,000

Pending

Joe Gatti Broker Associate 925.588.3590 DRE 01914487

Ron Gatti Broker Associate 925.596.1972 DRE 00623995

gattirealestate@gmail.com gattirealestate.com

Truly one of a kind Westside Alamo home on .64 of an acre lot! The main home’s expansive, flat backyard, features 2 separate cottages: an ADU (approx. 620 Sq Ft) and a Pool House/Studio (approx. 302 Sq Ft).

Sold

Dream location! The single level home centers on a kitchen/great room design with single beam volume ceiling and skylights. Moments away from the Iron Horse Trail, Downtown Danville, and award winning schools.

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 CA 11

May

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Through Thurs., May 19 Women Who Dare

@The Village Theatre Art Gallery Artwork by the Bay Area Studio Artists, an exhibit inspired by and in honor of women of historical importance. A tribute to the trailblazers who chose to challenge and dare societal norms.For more information, call the Village Theatre Art Gallery at 925-3143467 or email artgallery@danville.ca.gov Time: Hours vary

Sat., May 21 Friends of the Danville Library Pop-Up Book Sale

@Danville Library Don’t miss the Friends of the Danville Library Book Sale! There will be various genres for sale including non-fiction, general fiction, mysteries, cookbooks, art books, children’s books, gift items, book bags and more! Find some great deals at these special popup sales for one day only each month! All proceeds benefit the Danville Library. The Friends also host a small bookshelf in the library (by the library’s print station) where you can browse and purchase book titles and DVDs for all ages. The shelves are regularly refreshed with new materials! Time: 10am-2pm

Through Sun., May 22 Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women

@Museum of the San Ramon Valley This exhibit illuminates the hardships, joys, and life of pioneer women in California. These women will tell in their own words the story of traveling by land and sea to settle in California prior to statehood... The ledger, however, does not represent all women. As such, an important section of the exhibition is comprised of diverse portraits of unidentified women. These

women represent the thousands of pioneers whose stories were never recorded; each one had a story to tell which is lost to time. For more nformation: https://museumsrv.org Time: Hours vary

Sun., May 29 - Mon., May 30 San Ramon Art & Wind Festival

@Central Park, San Ramon This annual event features fine arts, crafts and specialty food vendors, 3 entertainment stages headlining international music, party bands and variety entertainers, children’s shows, gourmet food courts, family amusement zones, professional choreographed kite flying demonstrations, and free kite making workshop. The Art and Wind Festival is a pet-friendly, bikefriendly and family-friendly event! Time: 11am - 6pm

Mon., May 30 Memorial Day Ceremony

@Oak Hill Park Join the Town of Danville in the Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. More information can be found at https://www.danville.ca.gov Time: 10:30am - 2pm

Every Monday Free Monday Movies

@Senior Center Enjoy a free movie every Monday at 1:00 PM at the Danville Senior Center Community Hall. Email seniors@danville.ca.gov for the full list of movies. No registration required. Time: 1-3pm 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 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.

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

SAVE THE DATE Sat., Jun 18 Meals on Wheels: Dining to Deliver Gala

@Roundhill Country Club Join Meals on Wheels in their annual fundraising event, Dining to Deliver. This 1920’s themed event will offer a chance to have fun while you help your elderly neighbors. There will be a live and silent auction, dinner, and dancing to a big band. Paul Heggen, award-winning Chief Meteorologist at KPIX-TV will serve as the Master of Ceremonies! Time: 6pm Go to mowdiabloregion.org/upcomingevents for more information MAY 2022

Tri-Valley Animal Rescue By Janine Collins, Blackhawk resident since 1999

Daiy - Foster Dog Program at T VAR

Many

WORLDS W WO ORL R DS One MUSEUM M MUSE USEUM

Miss Daisy is a 3 year old little chihuahua who is a lovebug who likes to be the queen of attention. She will gladly paw at you almost like a high five when she would like you to pet her. If you are looking for a wonderful lap dog, she is your little lady. Daisy does well with meeting other dogs; however, she prefers to be the only dog on your lap. Daisy would be the perfect companion for anyone wanting an adorable cuddle bug as she happily gives kisses too. She likes to be photogenic too. Miss Daisy sleeps well in her crate and instantly will sleep in a dog bed. TVAR gives deserving animals like Daisy another chance by taking them into foster care. All TVAR dogs live in foster homes till adopted. Foster families get to know each dog’s personality and needs in a home settingallowing TVAR to find the right match so dogs and adopters thrive!

t tm

Now Open

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

World of Nature

Reserved Tickets Required Available at blackhawkmuseum.org

Now Open

Peluche - Foster Kitten Program at T VAR Meet Peluche, the ultimate lap kitty! TVAR rescued this 13 year old boy from the local shelter because he is such a special, loving kitty. He likes nothing better than to sit in your lap and purr ALL.DAY.LONG!... He’ll take an occasional break for playtime with his various toys (and laser!) and eating too :). A nicer kitty you just can’t find. Peluche wants to be your one and only. He’s looking for a home without other animals so he can be the ONLY apple of his adopter’s eye. He’s got a serious looking face though is a complete softie. Pictures are difficult as once you come close he comes forward wanting to be picked up and loved. He’s on special food to keep his kidneys working smoothly and definitely enjoys his meals.

Automobile Gallery

The Spirit of The Old West

TVAR’s cat, kitten and bottle baby programs rescue cats and kittens some only days old - who are unable to be adopted from the shelter and place them in foster homes where they receive medical care, love and a home setting until they are healthy, able to be spayed or neutered and ready for their forever homes.

Tri-Valley Animal R escue (T VAR ) Giving them Another Chance TVAR is a locally based and volunteer run 501(c)3 animal rescue organization. We assist in saving over 1,000 animals yearly in the TriValley and surrounding areas. We are celebrating just short of 30 years of saving lives with over 250 local volunteers. At TVAR, we rely solely on Public Support to fund our life saving programs. All TVAR’s foster animals go directly from the local Animal Shelter into foster homes where they receive much needed love and socialization and where they are kept until adopted. We also have an invaluable Shelter Program where our volunteers spend countless hours every day at the local shelter working with the Dogs, Puppies, Cats and Kittens and the Public..

Art of Africa

Into China

925-736-2277 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville, CA We are following all COVID-19 protocols. DANVILLE LIVING CA 13

Expert Contributor

Six Ways

You Can Improve Range of Motion By Dr. Jesse Call, D.C., Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

f you aren’t moving…you aren’t living! At our practice, we believe that movement is life, yet for so many people today, moving is difficult due to decreased range of motion. When range of motion is inhibited, it’s common to experience pain and discomfort which may lead to overcompensation in other body parts as they try to pick up the slack, beginning a cycle of dysfunction. Instead of dealing with poor range of motion and the pain it can bring, here are a few different ideas for getting back to proper movement. Don’t let stress get out of control. It’s no secret that stress can cause problems in the body, but did you know it can also keep muscles tense, limiting movement? If you’re feeling stressed before exercising, try some breathing exercises to calm your body so that you don’t go into your workout with already tight muscles.

After working out, remember to stretch the muscles you just used. Spend at least 10 minutes doing light to moderate stretching after exercising. Stay hydrated. When your body and muscles don’t get enough water, a variety of health problems can occur—especially relating to tightness and cramps, which can further restrict range of motion. Consider getting a massage. Massage helps to relax tense and tight areas, while promoting circulation that may help with healing. Get moving. Staying active helps to keep the motion you have and helps to train your body to increase your pain free range of motion. Visit us for an evaluation. We’ve helped numerous patients just like yourself move easier and better with a focused, gentle chiropractic care plan. We’d love to learn more about your goals and help you understand the benefits of adjustments firsthand. Contact us today to learn more.

“Trust us for affordable, dignified cremation services.” We’re the Bay Area’s only simple cremation provider to offer the Cremation with Confidence Guarantee™ — a verified 10-step process to ensure your loved one is treated with respect every step of the way.

Cremation services available for $995. Ask us how we can help. EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER

ROBERT A. GORDON JR. President & CEO

FD #1856

AllCountyCremationServ.com · (650) 343-3914

MAY 2022

Expert Contributor

A Boost of Confidence

By Dr. Stephen J. Ronan, MD FACS, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery and MedSpa

ost women interested in breast augmentation are intelligent, successful, and well-adjusted individuals who are simply concerned with their breast size. The overwhelming majority of women who undergo breast augmentation are very satisfied with their result. Because of such high patient satisfaction and improvement in self-image, it is not surprising that breast augmentation is one of the more common aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed. There are two main groups of women that are typically interested in breast augmentation. The first group is women who feel they never developed the breast volume they desire. After surgery, many of these patients benefit psychologically and experience an improvement in self-confidence. In fact, studies show that many women have a better self-image and less anxiety, depression, and shyness after breast augmentation. The second group of women that commonly seek breast enhancement are those that lost volume after pregnancy, a condition called postpartum breast involution. Many of these patients complain that they have nothing left after nursing and/or having their baby. Typically,

these patients have an augmentation which restores their breast volume…and sometimes a bit more! A mastopexy, or breast lift, procedure can be performed at the same time to lift and improve shape simultaneously. Breast augmentation is a safe procedure and does not typically affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. When we place the breast implant behind the chest muscle, it never touches the breast tissue, and most patients do not have a permanent change in sensation after the augmentation. Another method of breast enhancement involves transferring fat from another part of the body to better shape and enhance the breast. We call this fat transfer or fat grafting. To provide the safest environment, I believe that all surgery should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in a fully accredited surgery center or hospital with an anesthesiologist present. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for breast enhancement is to schedule a consultation with us. During this complimentary appointment, we will discuss the procedure in detail and review your options, questions and concerns together. If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation or other cosmetic procedure, please give us a call at 925.736.5757. Until then, we look forward to hearing from you!

Nola Pardi Proll

Shows Twenty Years of Work

Arts & Culture

By Tricia Grame, Ph.D., Resident since 1985

ola Pardi Proll, 96 years old, a professional artist, has lived in Danville on Montair Drive since 1959, in the home her husband Bill built. Their three children, Leslie, Danielle and Bill all went to San Ramon Valley High School. Nola is exhibiting 20 of her amazing marble sculptures at the Italian Museo, “Rhapsody” in Fort Mason Center, until August 28, 2022. She is exhibiting with two other Italian women artists, Serena Bocchino and Kara Maria. In 1999, Nola enrolled in the Marble Arts Workshop in Pietrasant, Italy. She returned there every summer to carve and relish

the immersions in the ambiance of marble art. Flying to Pisa, renting a car, then driving to Pietrasanta to carve for a month became a ritual for 7 years. She also speaks Italian and French fluently, a woman that continues to inspire many. She exhibits at the Blackhawk Gallery, a member of Alamo, Danville Artists Association and has been in exhibitions at the Danville Village Gallery. Nola carves and chisels in her studio on Montair and loves working outside facing Mt. Diablo. Her exhibition includes works from 2000 to 2021. Nola’s imaginative multi-faceted sculptures reveals her love of stone, nature’s found objects, shells, driftwood, and the sea. A sense of the primitive pervades her work. Her dance background and interest in African, Etruscan, and Near Eastern art have influenced her approach to stone. She studied dance with Walton Biggerstaff and then launched a solo dance career performing throughout the United States, Europe and the Far East. Her interest in Africa culture was reflected in her dance choreography and in her self taught wood carvings. She also created her own paper-mache puppets, and became professional puppeteer in the Bay Area for many years. DANVILLE LIVING CA 15

MAY 2022

Local Sports

A Letter From Mustang Soccer By Richard Northing, Mustang Soccer President

Mustang Community, One of our key Vision Goals in our Mustang Soccer Mission Statement is “We will absolutely support players across all diverse backgrounds in an equitable way.” After a few incidents that challenged this goal in the back end of 2021, we have recently introduced a mandatory program of Equity and Inclusion education for all of our coaches and older players and their parents. Given the worldwide attention to this topic, Mustang’s focus on this area is likely no surprise to you. There is an abundance of wonderful content available to provide education around Equity and Inclusion, but we believe we have distilled the important topics into a focused class using the best content available from The Institute for the Study of Sport, Society, and Societal Change

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

- ISSSSC (https://www.sjsu.edu/wordstoaction/) and long-term partner, Positive Coaching Alliance (https://positivecoach.org/). We are excited and optimistic about the impact this program will have on our players and community, and ask for your full support.

Find Share AND

more local sports articles just like this on BVMSports.com

DANVILLE LIVING CA 17

Local Sports

Balingit Comes up Big with Game-Winning Catch By Ricky Helton, Resident since 2004

had the opportunity to attend a few of San Ramon Valley High School’s Baseball games recently.

The first one I caught was the SRVHS freshman team - down 7 runs, but they wouldn’t stay down for long. With lots of grit and determination, they came back and ended up with a win vs De La Salle. The second game I managed to make was the varsity matchup between SRVHS and De La Salle. What a great game it was! You could feel the tension and excitement in the air.

MAY 2022

M. Banderas was pitching that day and ended up leaving the game after 3.5 innings due to an injury. He pitched well against a dangerous hitting team and held them to 2 runs until the third inning. Later on in the evening, with SRVHS up by two runs, it still felt like it was anyone’s game. SRVHS J. Lewis wasn’t about to allow this game to get away from them - his double helped bring in the runs necessary to lead SRVHS to the win. And finally, the game-winning, diving catch was made in fantastic style by E. Balingit. Of course it wasn’t him alone, it was a pure team win. Between great pitching, timely hitting and amazing plays on the field, all of the boys went home that night knowing they made the W happen.

The NINE Loan No Income, No Employment? That’s OK. If you have lots of equity, good credit, and money in the bank after closing… we have a home loan for you.

Contact me today. W. Todd Galde, VP | NMLS256864 M 925.381.8190 | D 925.854.5238 Todd.Galde@myccmortgage.com ToddGalde.com

Scan me!

Team Galde

CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE™

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC | 3130 Crow Canyon Pl. Ste. 215, San Ramon CA 94583 | CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC does not provide tax advice. Consult a tax advisor for further information. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. The testimonials approval. Certain restrictions apply. Call for details. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS3029 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Branch NMLS2029980 DANVILLE LIVING CA 19

Charity Spotlight

Set To Thrive:

Food Bank Helping Our Communities Announces Foster Youth By Lisa Henderson, President & CEO

May is Foster Care Awareness Month! Set To Thrive launched in 2021 and came from the idea that children entering the foster care system deserve access to new, brand-name essential items to provide them a sense of comfort and confidence during a difficult time in their lives. There are approximately 1,000 children in foster care in Contra Costa County and approximately 1,200 in Alameda County. The moment when a child enters the foster care system is a moment of extreme vulnerability and stress, and it can often be traumatic. Many of these children only have the clothes on their backs, and maybe little more. Set To Thrive is a California nonprofit charity that seeks to ease that transition by providing these children with a custom bag – a Thrive Bag. We fill each custom Thrive Bag with a new backpack or duffel, two days of clothing, underwear, socks, tennis shoes, hygiene items, as well as other items to help ease

Biggest Match in 47-year History

the transition. We customize each bag for each child, including fit, ethnic hair care products, LGBTQ ordering options, By Joeletc. Sjostrom, Food Bank president and CEO Our goal is to help each child thrive in their new home and community. We work directly with many organizations – County agencies and private nonprofit groups – that support foster children. When a new child enters the system, those organizations request a Thrive Bag through the Set To Thrive website fillable order form. Once ordered, we provide that child’s custom-ordered Thrive Bag to that organization within two days. Set To Thrive currently serves our community’s children from ages 0-18 years old that are entering into or transitioning within the foster care system. We have been very successful during our inaugural year. Our growth plans include both expanding to surrounding counties and also partnering with other foster organizations that assist foster youth who “age out” of foster care on their 18th birthday. Set To Thrive relies on individual donations and corporate partners. For more information on how you can help, please visit our website at www. settothrive.org.

MAY 2022

Agape Villages

Charity Spotlight

Foster Family Agency By Jennifer Oxe, Community Engagement Director, Tri-Valley

What does Agape Villages Foster Family Agency do? Agape Villages is a local foster family agency, and we service 14 counties throughout California, with corporate offices in San Ramon. We have a large presence in the Tri-Valley, Central Valley, and Sacramento. We recruit, train, and certify people who come to us and want to take in kids who have been removed from their biological homes. Unfortunately, there are over 60,000 kids in foster care in California alone. At Agape, we aim to heal the whole child with the programs we provide, and eventually reunite them with their biological parents, which is always the goal. What are some of the reasons a child may need to be temporarily placed in foster care? Most of the time it is due to abuse, neglect, and/ or drug/alcohol problems in the home. A large majority of the cases are identified at school and are then called into the Department of Children and Family Health who then go out to the home for a welfare check. DCF then determines if the child should be removed from the home and placed in foster care for their own safety and well-being. Is Agape Villages recruiting foster parents and how long does it take to get certified? Yes! We are constantly recruiting foster parents. Last year we turned down over 500 kids due to a lack of foster homes. It’s not just Agape, most all agencies cannot find enough foster parents. It only takes about 6 weeks to be fully certified to take in a child. The process includes a background check, TB test, home safety evaluation, and CPR certification as well as some classes. What are some of the programs that Agape offers to its parents and foster kids? A master’s level social worker is assigned to each foster child. They visit each child once per week, develop a plan for that child based on their specific needs. A typical “needs and services” plan could include the following: •

Counseling: Many kids come to us with severe emotional and psychological issues

•

Enrichment: This program lets our kids participate in

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

extracurricular activities such as playing a sport, taking a music/ dance class, etc. •

Independent Living Skills (for teens): Teaches the kids how to live successful lives outside the foster care system. It provides nutrition/finance/legal classes, Resume writing/job placement, SAT classes, Junior college tours, and much more.

•

Girls Group: We have a teen girl’s group that meets once a month. This group really gives the kids a chance to bond with each other, share stories, struggles, and it also lets them know they are not alone and that there are other kids out there in foster care who share their same feelings. The girls venture out and do fun things like movies, mini golf, amusement parks, museums, and much more. The girls share a great bond and have improved self-esteem because of this group.

What do you wish people knew about the experience of being a foster child? What can society do to make things better for these children? I think the kids always say that they just want to be accepted and treated like the other kids, especially at school. They certainly don’t want to be known as “the foster kid” in classes and in their neighborhoods. I think we can teach our kids to be more kind and accepting of everyone, no matter their background or childhood experiences. How does Agape raise funds for the critical foster care programs? We have 3 major events every year. May is foster care awareness month and we have a big campaign rolling out to raise 100k! One thing we are doing is asking local realtors to contribute $500 from each home sold in the month of May. We think this is a great opportunity for realtors to make a huge difference in the lives of local foster kids. We also have a fall fundraiser and a combo event with another non-profit in December. We honestly can never raise enough! For more information, please contact me. Jennifer Oxe, Community Engagement Director, TriValley (jenoxe@agapevillages.org OR 408-930-9951) Thank you!

DANVILLE LIVING CA 21

Expert Contributor

Mother’s Day in

“The Sandwich Generation” Caught in The Middle By Christina Dalton, MS, PPS, PCC, EYH Life Coach

“T

o describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.” —Maya Angelou

Mother’s Day has become more than a simple celebration.If you have earned the honors of this title, then you are an amazing superwoman! In the 21st century Motherhood has become more than raising children. Many mothers today are part of the “Sandwich Generation.” This is a rising group of adults, mainly in their 40s, 50s and early 60s, who are responsible for their adult children as well as caring for their elderly parents. 30% of 25 to 34 year old adults still reside with their parents! And 47% of this generation is caring for aging parents. Imagine being responsible for both at the same time! Being a dual-caregiver is becoming all too common, creating both a financial and emotional drain as you navigate to maintain sanity and survival. This is true especially for mothers who carry the majority of the burden as they fulfill the role of parent, daughter, caregiver and wife. Sometimes this also means stepping it up as a daughter-in-law too. To be Supermom is an understatement if you are in the Sandwich Generation. With so many stressors, it is difficult to stay balanced. The result can be depression, guilt and isolation. It is nearly impossible to carve time to be a good spouse, parent and child simultaneously because, more often than not, the caregiver mom is more concerned about the health of others and sacrifices her own needs in the process. The question becomes, “How do you stay present for everyone while preserving your own values, wellbeing, joy and self-worth?” Proper management of your own needs is critical for you to stay healthy, avoid care-giver burnout, and still be present for your parents and your children Here are some helpful thoughts to guide you as you do your best during these challenging times.

The key is communication and conversation. Create time for discussion and exchange with your parents and your adult children. Whoever you are in charge of financially, set boundaries on the amount you will provide for monthly expenses. For the children, that conversation should include the plan for when they will be financially independent. Keeping the doors for communication open for family members is an opportunity to avoid built-up stress and caregiver burnout. Allow for an open dialogue of expectations while recognizing each family member’s feelings and their boundaries. Encourage respect and cooperation for everyone involved. As you consider everyone’s needs, be kind to yourself. Eat healthy, get rest, exercise, and spend time with friends that rejuvenate you. Remember, laughter is the best medicine to relieve stress. Most importantly, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you are overwhelmed. If you lack a support system, a life coach can partner with you to rediscover your inner power.

Keep in mind: A peanut butter and jelly sandwich describes those caregivers that are stuck between aging parents and children. If you are a sandwich of any kind…let’s talk. I would love to help you to explore who you want to be in this next phase of your life. Christina Dalton is the Principal of EYH Life Coach. She applies her own personal and career transitions along with several degrees and credentials to provide insight and knowledge into the coaching experience. Christina handpicks her staff, all of whom are ICF credentialed and have unique experiences to create invaluable coaching sessions.

If your financially dependent adult children are unemployed or underemployed, how do you provide guidance in their job search? This may mean a conversation on ways to interview, build a successful resume and network. I often partner with clients on how to conduct an informational interview to develop and grow connections. If you are supporting your child’s rent, maybe it’s time to set rules for them to move back home and set up a practical budget. Setting healthy monetary boundaries may be just what your adult child needs to establish their financial independence. To further cut expenses, what lifestyle changes could your elderly parents consider that may well provide them greater value and allow you more financial freedom? What would this conversation look like for you and your parents? 22

MAY 2022

Expert Contributor

Navigating Home Financing During Divorce

By Todd Galde, CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC.

Home Financing Customized for Family Law One of the most stressful events in a family’s life is divorce, and one of the biggest points of contention is what to do with the family home, especially if there are children in the picture who want to stay in their respective schools and the remaining spouse does not have sufficient income to refinance the existing mortgage in their name only. Conventional lending rules require at least six months of on-time payments of the spousal and child support, and the six months don’t begin until after the divorce has been finalized with the courts. This could be 12-24 months after the initial separation was filed. Fortunately, there is a resolution: Introducing the NINE Loan, a revolutionary home loan based on common sense underwriting, a fast and simple home loan solution that does not require any income or employment for owner-occupied refinance or purchase transactions. The NINE loan allows the remaining spouse to refinance in their name only and possibly even get cash-out to pay the departing

spouse their share of the equity… before the spousal and child support are usable for Conventional financing. The departing spouse can then purchase a new home without the old mortgage affecting their ability to qualify in the future. Consider this revolutionary home financing that solves an ageless challenge for families going through a divorce. Please visit me online at www.TheNINELoan.com or more information. When you are ready, you can book a Confidential Strategy Session online at http://galde.co/css or call my cell at 925-381-8190. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. Call for details. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Todd Galde has spent the last 20 years mastering the process of helping borrowers with different income sources match the correct loan to their unique circumstances. Teach, advise, then customize!

DANVILLE LIVING CA 23

Around the World

The Call to Help Ukraine By Soren Busselen, San Ramon Valley High School

rom the week of Monday, March 15th to Tuesday, March 20th, my dad and I were in the countries of Germany and Poland, as well as the border of Ukraine. When airport security asked “traveling for business of pleasure?”, my father and I would automatically reply “pleasure”. However, that is far from the truth. You see, we have raised $23,000 from friends and family in a single week for this “vacation”, and rather than spending it on poolside drinks and fancy dinners, we bought hundreds of gallons of diesel and almost $9000 of medical supplies. Why? Because we are on a mission. A mission to help the Ukrainian people in any way possible. Our base was a small hotel in Berlin. From there, my dad and I drove across the entirety of Poland to a small Polish city bordering Ukraine. This was a ten hour drive. After spending the night at a little Polish hotel, we awoke with the sun and drove to a warehouse, where we dropped off all of the medical supplies we had collected (gauze, wound cleaner, bandages, tape, medication) to be driven directly into Ukraine in a few hours. We drove to the nearest refugee center and parked alongside military vehicles, each of which sported the Ukrainian flag, Polish flag, German flag, or American flag. It was then we entered the refugee center, stepping into the tragedy to witness with our own eyes. Cots, hundreds of them, in disheveled rows. Many people sat upon their single blanket, gazing intently upon nothing visible. Some were still trying to sleep, despite it being noon. No one’s phones were charged, few people had any personal items with them. There was an unsettling blend of solemn silence, sounds of anguish, and small children babbling to one another. There were dogs, too: sitting quietly with

their families, eyes wide and tail still. I saw a Ukrainian woman who had recently lost a leg during a Russian attack, and a grown man hiding under his covers. I saw a person my age, wearing a sweatshirt with a character from my personal favorite TV show, sporting similar hair to my own. This person was sitting on their cot, no one with them. An air of heaviness surrounded them as they stared straight ahead, unblinking, with unforgettable eyes of despair, a shell of recent memories. I wanted so badly to go over to them, compliment their sweatshirt, joke about us being hair twins, and give them a hug, but this was simply not possible, for I speak English and they most likely only speak Ukrainian. This was one of those times where Google Translate could not possibly translate the emotion I needed to convey. Later that day, my dad and I were driving seven refugees and their pets to Berlin. A mother and two young sons, another mother and her single teenage son, and two older women with their two cats, Lapka and Rada. None of them spoke any English, so Google Translate really saved the day. Not too long into the ride, Yehor, the sixteenyear-old sitting behind me with his mom, began asking me questions via a translation app. He asked about my age, why I was at the Ukraine border, and to my amusement, where in England I am from. I shared with the whole car one of the few Ukrainian phrases I know “Я з Америки’’ (‘’I am from America’’), which was met by surprise. The woman sitting next to me, Tanya, pointed at my phone speaker, and I allowed her to speak into Google Translate. She began crying and saying how my dad and I are blessings and we were saving her and her sons’ lives. She spoke about how her twelve-year-old neighbor had been killed a few days ago when a bazooka struck his home, ending his and his parents’ lives way too soon. Yehor’s mother shared that her cousin’s house was near where a large bomb was dropped, and it collapsed atop her cousin and his wife, along with their four children, all under the age of 11. They remained alive beneath the wreckage for a short time, but no one was able to fish them out and help was nowhere close to being on the way. I have yet to think of a way to respond to that, other than tightly hugging the woman beside me. Once back in Berlin, we found every one of our new friends a place to stay or a train that would take them to their final destination. Upon our many

hugs and tears of farewell to each person, Yehor grinned and pulled out a Google Translate that stated, “I won’t ever forget you, thank you so much. Let’s stay in contact?” We exchanged contact information, and I believe that we both agreed that if we had been born closer to one another, we’d have been great friends. Two days later, my father and I completed another round trip to the border and back, bringing more kind Ukrainian people to Berlin. This group was an old couple and their beagle, and an adult with his 70-year old mother. His mother was restricted to a wheelchair, and the complexity of helping her into the van prevented us from allowing more people inside, though I wouldn’t trade her out for the world. She was very on edge and had never before been in a car, so was either carsick, screaming, or yelling at her son for the entirety of the ride. I’m really grateful that he remained with his mother during this time of crisis. By the time each person was safely dropped off at their respective locations, my dad and I were so drained that we could barely function. I was away from home for one week, but it might as well have been a year. I feel that my life has been forever changed. I think I really did something for the first time. And now, returning home and seeing everything has stayed the exact same-- I feel like an alien. I am used to feeling like an outsider, and being uniquely satisfied with my own being. However, returning from driving refugees across an entire country whilst learning their stories and figuring out their next step is incomparable to anything I’ve ever endured. And I truly am grateful for this experience. I am grateful for all the kind people I met; Berlin, Germany for welcoming the Ukrainian people with open arms; Poland for taking in all of these people who are in need; and the kind Ukrainian people I met.

MAY 2022

Adventure Time:

Adventure Time

Road Trip to San Diego By JP Sullivan, Third Grade

ver Spring Break, my family took a road trip down to San Diego. On the way down we went to San Luis Obispo. The first thing we did there was try ax throwing. It was so fun. I tried a lot of times and even hit the bullseye! It was pretty shocking that I was able to do it! I always thought only grown ups would be allowed to try, but the age limit was only 8 - so I got to do it! In SLO we also found the famous bubble gum alley... it was gross and surprising. My dad and I pretended to shove my mom into the wall. She was very grossed out. Our next stop was Solvang. We had the most delicious sausage lunch there. I ate so much food. We also had little donuts called “aebleskivers”. Then it was a long drive through Los Angeles, where we saw the Hollywood sign and Universal Studios, past Disney Land, and then finally San Diego! We stayed on Coronado island. It wasn’t too sunny the first day we were there, but we still played on the beach. We saw Navy SEALS practicing and went to the San Diego Zoo. It was a great trip!

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

DANVILLE LIVING CA 25

Cooking Corner

Tricked-Out Turkey Burger By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010 It’s officially burger season, which means I’m on the hunt for the latest and greatest way to experience this ever evolving miracle on a bun. Beef burgers get pretty tired in my house, which is why we often switch it up to turkey or chicken. This burger is packed with so much flavor that you won’t even need any condiments. It’s also nice and light, so you won’t fall into a food coma afterwards like I often do with a beef burger. And if you think this is great on a bun, it makes a fantastic meatball too.

Makes 3 medium burgers You will need • 1 pound ground turkey (I use a blend of dark and white meat) • 2 tablespoons soy sauce • 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon fresh ginger paste • 1 clove minced garlic • 1/4 cup chopped green onion • Salt and pepper to taste • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flake or cayenne pepper (optional) • 1/2 cup of apricot preserve • 2 tablespoons butter Putting it Together

the burgers are cooking, heat the butter and apricot preserves in a small sauce pan and mix until melted and blended. Generously brush the apricot sauce over the hot burgers before serving.

Bonus recipe!

Want to make these into meatballs? No problem! Prepare the turkey burger mixture the same way as above, but add one egg and 2/3 cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs. Mix it well and shape them into golf ball size meatballs. Place them on a lined cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350° oven for 20-25 minutes. Double the apricot/butter sauce and drizzle over the meatballs when you’re ready to serve. (Pairs well with rice pilaf or couscous).

In a medium bowl, combine the turkey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, pepper flake, salt, pepper and onion together and mix well. Shape them into three patties and place onto a preheated and oiled grill. Cook the burgers for 4-5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remember that turkey burgers should NOT be pink inside. While

925-550-8159 SoriaContractor.com

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.

Remodels | Additions | Bathroom Remodels Demolition | New Construction Fabricate and Install Countertops | Kitchen remodels

MAY 2022

Expert Contributor

Who is still on the fence? By Janice Jordan, Real Estate Broker Associate, Compass, Resident since 1998

The question on everyone’s mind right now is “how will the market change with the increase in interest rates?” There are many expert opinions out there. They run the gamut of 1) prices will continue to increase because inventory will remain low….. to a more moderate opinion of, 2) the market will slow due to decreased affordability with higher rates,....... all the way to the doom and gloom of 3) another recession is bound to happen. For those of you who will be buying a home, acting now is in your best interest. The charts below show the cost of waiting. These charts show that the future cost isn’t just price appreciation, it is the lost appreciation, it is the higher down payment in the future, it is the higher taxes, etc that all go with next year’s price, and so on. These factors, coupled with rising interest rates should make anyone who is on the fence want to take action now. If reading this piques your interest, call me with your questions and scenarios and I, along with my expert mortgage agent, will do an analysis for you. See you around town, Janice Jordan 925-580-7482

Janice Jordan is a third generation real estate expert. She has lived in Danville for over twenty years. In her spare time Janice loves to hang out with her daughter Jenna and go on outdoor adventures of all kinds.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 27

Expert Contributor

What We’ve Learned: Looking Toward Our ‘New Normal’ By Robert A. Gordon Jr., President & CEO of Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Resident since 2017

he past few years have forced all of us to face unprecedented circumstances and to change direction — sometimes at a moment’s notice. Throughout these turbulent times, one thing remains the same: Cypress Lawn’s unwavering dedication to serving families throughout the Bay Area. Organizations that continue to succeed through adversity have a clear understanding of how and why they show up every day. For 130 years, associates of Cypress Lawn have woken up, suited up, and served. They have always understood that we share a sacred trust with our community. They count on us to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help them celebrate life, heal from loss, and remember those they love. It is a promise we deliver thousands of times per year on an at-need basis, and tens of thousands of families have before-need plans with us. This number continues to grow as our team of advisors keeps sharing the benefits of planning ahead. At Cypress Lawn, we aim to deliver impeccable service in a timely and caring manner. We believe in always doing our best and looking

Does Your Loved One Have Alzheimer's or Dementia? Careﬁeld Pleasanton is here to help.

for ways to make our best even better. We support this vision by acting in accordance with our company values, which guide our interactions with families. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This could apply to any activity, but in my mind, it fits so well with those of us who have chosen the funeral and cemetery profession. Trusting our team to preplan your funeral or commemorate your loved one’s life means you receive dedicated, professional care that puts your family’s needs front and center. If you’d like to learn more about the many ways our team at Cypress Lawn can serve you and your family, contact us today by visiting www. CypressLawn.com or by calling 650-550-8808. We are here 24/7, whether you’re in immediate need or wish to plan for the future. We look forward to serving you and your family for years to come.

Our Lightfinder™ Memory Care respects the life experiences, history and legacy of your loved one. From encouraging strengths and capabilities to assisting with personal needs, our team is available 24/7 and is dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and spirit. Call 925-750-8744 to speak with our memory care consultant today.

Ask About Our Move-in Specials.

4115 Mohr Ave. • Pleasanton, CA 94566 925-750-8744 CarefieldPleasanton.com RCFE #015601206

MAY 2022

Charity Spotlight

A Brighter Day Charity’s

6th Annual Golf Tournament By Elliot Kallen, Presented by Prosperity Financial

Shedding light on teen mental health awareness Friday, June 24th 11:30 am (shotgun start) Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton, CA A Brighter Day has raised awareness over the last six years and has become a powerful force in preventing teen suicide. All proceeds will be used to provide programming and resources to drive positive change in the lives of teens and their parents and spread the word that there is always a brighter day. How can you help? Register to play, become a sponsor or volunteer. For more details visit: https://abrighterday.info/golf-tournament/

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

DANVILLE LIVING CA 29

Expert Contributor

Financial Literacy Programs for Your Business By Your Lending Team at CBB Business owners and managers often think about training their employees directly within their subject matter expertise or current job duties. However, developing employees for their present and future positions (and general well-being) can have tremendous benefits. One area of development many organizations provide for their employees is financial literacy.

Financial literacy programs help teach sound financial practices and principles to managers, employees, and other people working in your business – not just those working in Finance. These programs can cover topics such as:

Find a champion to help deliver the program (and get others excited about it) • Break down the training into bite-sized pieces (30-minute lunch & learn) • Make it relatable to their work • Create a plan that includes follow-up training sessions to keep the information fresh One of the best ways to start this new program is to survey your employees for their understanding of the best practices for business finance and budgeting. Then, you can take the information gathered in the survey to connect it to the work they are currently doing and how it will benefit them in the future.

•

Benefits of a Financial Literacy Program

What is a Financial Literacy Program?

• • •

General terms such as balance sheet, profit and loss, and cost of goods sold; Common financial principles and how they are used in daily decisions; Value creation and how short-term expenditures can yield long-term results; and Better employee business acumen – meaning the people who have some amount of budgeting in their jobs are more likely to understand how to assess problems and make decisions.

Research shows that when people are financially literate about business finances, as a bonus, it can translate to their personal finances. When your employees can have a better grasp on their personal finances, they are more likely to have less stress, reduced sick days (because they are less stressed), greater productivity, and better workplace loyalty.

•

Providing financial literacy programs to your employees gives them an entirely new set of tools to solve problems, empowering them to be better employees. They can now utilize the knowledge they learned from your training and apply it to work situations, their personal lives, and our communities. Business owners will feel great knowing they are helping share financial education and knowledge with their employees, and employees will have better morale and overall higher productivity. Creating a financial literacy program doesn’t need to be difficult or complicated. If you are interested in setting up a program for your employees or yourself, contact Community Bank of the Bay’s Business Relationship Managers and start the path to financial empowerment for your employees, yourself, and your business! https://www.bankcbb.com/contact/

How to implement a Financial Literacy Program

Financial literacy programs can be included in your employee training and development plan – and can be put together with the help of financial experts who can help:

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.

19-WC-180_MattForrey_AD_KC_R2_FINAL.indd 1

4/3/19 7:52 AM

MAY 2022

Year of Random Holidays

Kid Corner

By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

Coming into 2022 we wanted to bring a little less screen time into our lives. So we thought about the easiest way to keep that up all year long, because let’s be honest: if it isn’t easy, we won’t last. Enter what we’re calling the “Year of Random Holidays!” Interpret and Celebrate however you’d like! Hope some of these brighten up your days!! May 10: National Shrimp Day

May 18: International Museum Day

May 11: Eat What You Want Day

May 22: Vanilla Pudding Day

May 13: Apple Pie Day

May 23: Lucky Penny Day

May 15: National Chocolate

May 32: National

Chip Cookie Day

Meditation Day

May 16: Mimosa Day (try it

June 1: Go Barefoot Day

with sparkling cider and OJ!)

June 3: National Egg Day

May 17: World Baking Day

June 7: Chocolate Ice Cream Day

If you partake in any of these awesome holidays, please send us some pictures! We’d love to see how everyone celebrates! Email your photos to jkamena@bestversionmedia.com or tag us on Facebook and Instagram at @danvillelivingca

Charity Spotlight

Meals on Wheels Gala:

Dining to Deliver

By Zoe Broussard, Meals on Wheels

Deliver Gala on June 18, 2022, at the Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. This 1920s-themed event will offer a chance to have fun while you help your elderly Danville neighbors. There will be a live and silent auction, dinner, and dancing to a big band. Paul Heggen, award-winning Chief Meteorologist at KPIX-TV will serve as the Master of Ceremonies! “In addition to the older adults we serve, MOW Diablo Region has many volunteers and donors who live in Danville,” says Sly. “We hope everyone in the neighborhood will join us for this fun and impactful event.”

“D

anville is a very nice neighborhood, so people are always surprised at how many seniors we serve in their community,” says Caitlin Sly, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. “There are seniors who don’t drive any longer, find cooking difficult, and have a fragile support system. They are the hidden hungry, and without MOW Diablo Region they wouldn’t be able to maintain an independent life in their home.”

For information on tickets, to be a corporate sponsor, or to donate an item to the auction, go to mowdiabloregion.org/upcoming-events.

To help MOW Diablo Region continue to meet the need for home-delivered meals and lifesaving services to seniors, they are hosting the Dining to DANVILLE LIVING CA 31

1393

FRAZZANO TSE TEAM LO O K ING TO S E L L? J U ST H AN D U STH E K E YS .CO M # 1 CO MPASS CO NC IE RG E TEAM NAT IO NWIDE IN 202 1

Joe Frazzano

Alex Tse

925.890.0285 DRE 00982431

925.788.1432 DRE 01386010

Joe_Frazzano_Re AlexTse88 FrazzanoTse.com

$802K

$362K

OVER ASKING

$1342 PER SF

HIG H EST PRICE P ER S F I N DA NVI L L E Y T D 5 41 E L P I NTAD O ROA D, DA NVI L L E 4 B D | 2 BA | 2 , 3 1 0 S F | $ 3,1 0 0,0 0 0

1 2 1 8 D U TCH M IL L D RIVE, DA NVIL L E 4 BD | 2. 5 BA | 2 , 4 28 SF | $2 , 350,0 0 0

$19.4M+

$1B+

$2.2B+

Over list price on our listings 2020-2022

In closed sales volume 2017-2021

In lifetime home sales

Scan the QR code to receive a free home valuation!