Danville Living CA May 2023

The 20th Anniversary of the Drive Fore Mobility Golf Tournament Charity Spotlight

Publication Team

Publisher: Jo Peek, Danville Resident since 2014

Content Coordinator: Anne Angstenberger, Resident since 2006

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: aangstenberger@bestversionmedia.com.

Hello Neighbors!

May in Danville is one of my most favorite times of year! The excitement of the school year celebrations, end of the year sports activities, and the beginning of backyard grilling and swim season....warmer days are here and the vibrancy of our little town is alive.

Danville Living is thrilled to feature the Blatter family this month! You’ll read all about this “Danville native” and “big city girl,” turned west side resident family. They are full of fun and energy, fitting right in with their neighbors. We also have a wonderful collection of educational articles, athletic highlights, and serval opportunities to enjoy music, art, and community events right in downtown. Enjoy!

If you have a story to share or know a neighbor that you would love to see on our cover, please send me an email at aangstenberger@bestversionmedia.com. We welcome all families, couples, or individuals - the only requirement is that our feature family live on the west side of Danville. So send your friends and neighbors my way, I can’t wait to meet them!

See you around town!

Anne Angstenberger

Content Coordinator, Resident since 2006

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 me at aangstenberger@bestversionmedia.com

Jo Peek

Expert Contributors

Advertising - Print & Digital Danville Living CA

Jo Peek

925-272-8246

DanvilleLivingCA@gmail.com

www.DanvilleLivingCA.com

Banking Community Bank of the Bay Team Danville

925-838-2902

info@bankcbb.com

www.bankcbb.com

Cooling & Heating Eco-Pro

844-605-2194 callecopro.com

Cosmetic Surgery

Stephen J. Ronan MD FACS

Blackhawk Plastic Surgery and Migraine Center

925-736-5757

www.blackhawkplasticsurgery.com

Dentist

Dr. Cynthia Stephenson, DDS

Dentist of Walnut Creek

925-938-6000

www.dentistofwalnutcreek.com

Dermatology

Wallach Derma Center

Adam Wallach, M.D.

925-837-8848

www.WallachDermaCenter.com

Life Coach

EYC Life Coach

Christina Dalton

925-872-4726

Christina@EYHLifeCoach.com www.eyhlifecoach.com

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

Over the last 9 years, Jo Peek has been helping local businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools connect with our community on a deeper level. She works with each client individually to customize a marketing campaign to suit their needs, timeline and budget.

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).

Eco Pro is a family-owned and operated HVAC company established in 2016 with over five decades of combined technical experience, serving six major counties in Northern California, including Pittsburg and the surrounding areas. Call (925) 272-0094 today to learn more about our services and request a same-day service appointment!

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.

We recognize that all of our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stressfree, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice. We are pleased to welcome you and your family, and we look forward to working with you.

At Wallach Derma Center, our top priority is providing first-rate dermatologic health care. We have built a stellar reputation by developing relationships with our patients. We strive to understand your concerns, to answer the questions you have, and to develop an optimal, personalized treatment plan for you. Because of our strong emphasis on continuing education, we are able to offer you the latest, most advanced dermatologic treatments, with meticulous attention to both your good health and appearance. We have extensive experience in the treatment of a wide array of skin conditions in patients of all ages.

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.”

Expert Contributors

Memory Care

Carefield Pleasanton Memory Care

Parveen Singh 925-750-8744 www.carefieldpleasanton.com

Mortgage CrossCountry Mortgage LLC

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

Real Estate

Lisa Hopkins-Cochran Compass 925-964-5010 Lisa.Hopkins@Compass.com www.LoveHomes.pro

Remodeling America’s Dream Homeworks

Vlad Chernioglo (916) 739-0996 vladc@dreamhomeworks.com

Wealth Management

Jim Carbonell Matt Forrey

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

Wine

The Barnyard Epicurean Wine Bar

Lisa and Will Dickson 925-725-4594 thebarnyardepicurean@gmail.com www.barnyardwinebar.com

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

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.

Lisa’s consultative and solutions based approach to real estate sales has been impressing her clients for 32 years. Lisa is an East Bay native and longtime resident of Danville, where she’s been involved in the community while raising her two children. Lisa takes pride in excellent communication skills, creativity, attention to details, and empathy, to provide the ultimate customer experience and successful transactions. Contact Lisa for “Service from the Heart.”

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.

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.

The Barnyard Wine Bar is that warm and welcoming cozy place – a new but familiar escape. Smells of wood, barrels, and corks; sounds of clinking glasses & laughter. Velvet energy, good vibes & light, coupled with delicious wines, cheese, charcuterie, craft beer and acoustic music. An ambient venue for date night, friends’ night out or elevated private party. Born and raised in Northern California, Will & Lisa’s journey has always involved the passion of the rich foods and wines of the region. Welcome to the Barnyard Wine Bar experience.

Find us online DanvilleLivingCA

Meet the Blatter Family

Happy to be “Home”

By Anne Angstenberger, Resident since 2006

Photos provided by the Blatter Family

Jason and Kristina met in San Francisco in 2008 while Kristina was working on completing her doctorate in psychology. Jason was living in the city at the time, and his roommate threw a party that Kristina was attending. A few weeks later Jason and Kristina went on their first date and eventually married in 2013 at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. A Danville native, Jason is one of 6 siblings, and graduated from Monte Vista High school. He then attended Utah Valley University for his undergraduate degree and currently works in finance as the Director of Trading and Operation at a Mutual Fund in San Francisco. After growing up in Las Vegas and being the youngest of five siblings, Kristina received her undergraduate degree at UNLV, then completed her doctorate in San Francisco at The California School of Professional Psychology. Kristina currently works as a psychologist at Kaiser Permanente, specializing in treating adults with eating disorders.

The Blatters’ oldest daughter, Presley, is 5 years old and is in TK at Montair Elementary School. Presley loves rainbows, and she is lucky enough to play on a T-Ball team named the Rainbow Unicorns, coached by her dad, Jason! If she is not coloring, you can find Presley riding her bike on the trails and parks of Danville. Presley also plays Mustang soccer, swims at Del Amigo Pool and is taking her shot at theater classes at I Can Do That Performing Arts Center. Little sister Eden, the Blatters’ 2-year-old, loves to eat, laugh, and attend her neighborhood Monterssori preschool near their home.

After living the big city life for 15 years, Jason was very determined to convince Kristina of “the merits of Danville.” As a Danville native, it took him until after college, and living in different cities, to realize “how good he had it back in Danville.” After having children of his own, he was on a mission to fulfill his desire to move back home and raise his growing family in Danville. He spent 5 years trying to sway Kristina into changing her plans to be a “city family” and to move to the suburbs. On one lucky weekend, the couple was visiting Jason’s parents in Danville and they “just so happened” to stop at an open house that fit the criteria to make both Jason and Kristina happy, especially its location close to downtown. Little did Kristina know, Jason knew the open house was taking place, but did not share that information with Kristina ahead of time! Jason’s childhood memories of playing little league, attending the 4th of July parade, riding bikes on the Iron Horse Trail, birthday parties at Golden Skate and sports celebrations at the Pizza Machine (now Melos)....could finally become a reality for his own children one day as well.

Living in Danville has been a blessing to the Blatters in many ways. They love the location of the Iron Horse trail and local Danville restaurants. Some favorites are Yo’s on Hartz, Mangia Mi, Primos and Pete’s Brass Rail. The Blatters also enjoy the street fairs, the Farmers’ Market every Saturday, Story Time at the Danville Library, and playing at Osage and Hap Magee parks with their girls. One of their favorite traditions is watching the 4th of July Parade. They are lucky enough to live at the end of the parade route and hope they can continue to host parade watching parties with friends and family for years to come. The family also loves hosting watch parties for the 49ers, Warriors and A’s games. In his free time, Jason volunteers at his local church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, organizing capture the flag, nerf wars, bowling and other games for 8-9 year old boys. Jason also keeps busy being active in the Montair Dad’s club, playing in an adult softball league and hosting friends in his backyard for Friday afternoon pickleball games. Meanwhile, Kristina loves to host a monthly book club, listens to countless hours of audio books, spends too much time searching for her missing airpods/phone that the

kids have misplaced, and cooking gourmet meals for her and Jason. You can also find her keeping up on world events through the “news,” which is her term for her favorite morning radio show “Sarah and Vinnie.”

Jason and Kristina share many memories of traveling together, including their favorite, Croatia. Even though it’s a bit more difficult to travel with small children, the Blatters enjoy carving out time each year to vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They also love visiting Kristina’s family in Las Vegas and between both families, Presley and Eden have 26 cousins! Quick trips to Tahoe and Pebble Beach are also Blatter family favorites. A yearly golf trip with high school and college friends is definitely one of the things Jason thanks Kristina for allowing the tradition to continue! As the Blatters continue to enjoy their west side neighborhood of established families, they are happy to share in building the next generation of children playing in the yard and making memories as a community. Jason and Kristina are thankful to their neighbors for making them feel so welcome in Danville and “blessed to be part of this community.”

ARF Adoption Stars

By Christa Noriega, Adoption Manager

Adopt a new best friend at ARF in Walnut Creek! View available dogs and cats online or visit ARF in-person: Tuesday-Sunday, 12-6 pm, with early-bird sign-in available on weekdays beginning at 9 am. Our team is excited to guide you in choosing a pet, share information about their history and behavior, and provide helpful resources.

Here are a couple of our adorable animals looking for love:

Scone Cherub

One-and-a-half-year-old Cherub is the fluffiest girl! This fun-loving, furry pup is looking for a family to call her own. If you’re looking for unconditional love and lots of cuddle time, she’s your girl! She is ready for a picnic in the park, a long walk on the beach, or to stay and cuddle up with a good book. Come say hi and let her show you that she can be your lifelong pal! Cherub has a positive history with other dogs. She currently weighs 53 pounds.

ARF adoption fees:

• $250 for an adult dog

• $375 for a puppy (<6 months)

• $150 for a special-needs dog

• $200 for a special-needs puppy (<6 months)

• $150 for a senior dog (7+ years)

• Adoption fees waived for US military Veterans

Two-year-old Scone is a scrumptiously adorable and sweet girl who sees with her heart what she can’t see with her eyes. And what does she see, exactly? She sees your love, care, and affection. She sees herself safe, warm, and loved in her forever home – your home – happily curled up on your lap, purring and making biscuits before she drifts blissfully to sleep under the warm blanket of your adoring gaze. Scone will bring your life a comfort and enrichment you didn’t know was possible, and she deserves exactly the same and so much more! Come meet this special girl today.

ARF adoption fees:

• $125 for an adult cat

• $175 for a kitten (<6 months)

• $200 for two adult cats, $300 for two kittens

• $75 for a special-needs cat

• $100 for a special-needs kitten (<6 months)

• $75 for a senior cat (7+ years)

• Adoption fees waived for US military Veterans

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.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS May

May 2

Tea Dance

@Senior Center

Join us for an afternoon Tea Dance with DJ Geri Foley. We are excited to have Geri join us and bring her dancing/hosting talents to the Danville Senior Center. Geri has been hosting dances in the East Bay for 24 years. She is looking forward to sharing great music, dancing tips and line dancing instruction with us. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity of a fun afternoon! Pre-registration required. Register at www.danville.ca.gov/recguide.

Time: 1-3:30pm

Cost: $8 (R), $10 (NB)

May 4

May The 4th Be With You: Scavenger Hunt, Costume Contest, Jedi Training

@Town Green

All padawans are invited to learn how to become a Jedi Master as the Town of Danville celebrates all things Star Wars! Start your journey at 11:00 a.m. at the Danville Community Center with a scavenger hunt around downtown Danville. The hunt will go until 5:00 p.m. for all those younglings who have school during the day. Once you’ve finished your hunt, your training beings on the Town Green at 4:00 p.m.! Costumes are encouraged! The scavenger hunt and costume contest are free. The Jedi Training activity requires registration. Time: 11am-5:30pm

Cost: Free scavenger hunt and costume contest. Jedi Training- $6

May 6

@True North

Art Event open to the public with music and wine tasting. Wines are from vineyards in France. The diverse artworks of intuitive painter MK Hargrove will be displayed for viewing or purchase. Prints can be ordered. Over 25 large and small pieces of abstract and landscape works for your enjoyment. MK (Marilyn) will also launch her book of poetry at the event. Not to be missed! Perfect time to shop for art and enjoy your favorite Danville restaurant! For more information, visit https://truenorthcalifornia.com/ or https:// www.mkhargrovecontemporary.com/.

Time: 3pm until dark

Cost: Free

Fri. & Sat. , May 12 & 13

Gardens that Inspire

After a two year’s hiatus, The Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek (DAW) Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is preparing for our Gardens that Inspire Tour. Five homeowners in Danville and Alamo will open their spectacular private gardens through which participants may enjoy self-paced, self-guided walking tours. Each garden space is unique and beautiful. We hope you’ll join us for renewal and inspiration in these wonderful outdoor spaces! More information and to purchase tickets: https://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden2023/

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: $40 pp

May 20

Art in the Park

@Town Green

Enjoy hands-on art projects for the whole family on the Town Green. For more information, call the Village Theatre Art Gallery at 925-314-3467 or email artgallery@danville.ca.gov.

Time: 1-3pm

Cost: Free

May 21

1776: An Award-Winning Musical Trip

@ Excursion to Broadway San Jose

Join this senior trip on a chartered bus to see a unique play at Broadway San Jose. They knew they would make history, but not what history would make of them. Fed up with living under the tyranny of British rule, John Adams attempts to persuade his fellow members of the Continental Congress to vote in favor of American Independence and sign the Declaration. But how much is he willing to compromise in the pursuit of freedom? And to whom does that freedom belong? Transportation is included. Bring a snack as lunch is not included. Register at www.danville.ca.gov/recguide.

Time: 11am-4pm

Cost: $127 (R), $152 (NR)

March 25-May 26

Convergence, The Intersection of Wax, Color Pigment and Design Art Exhibit @ Village Theatre Art Gallery

A collection of encaustic paintings on panel, an ancient art form explored in modern times. The exhibit will be on display from March 25 to May 26, 2023. More information can be found at: artgallery@danville.ca.gov.

Time; 4pm-6pm

Cost: Free

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, seafood, meats, local honey, and baked goods. More information at www.pcfma.com

Time: 9am-1pm

Cost: Free

“Proud of my Mommy” A New Kind of Storybook

By Alicia del Prado, PhD

When I make lunch for my sons in the morning, I listen to Dolly Parton’s classic song, “9 to 5.” With my cup of coffee in hand, I find it to be the perfect anthem to take on a day of work at the office as well as parenting. I am proud of both the struggles and fun that accompany this lifestyle that involves prepping for meetings and Little League alike. I want my two children, Ethan and Mason, to feel proud of their mother who juggles career and mommyhood.

That is why in 2020 my best friend Shebani Patel and I wrote the storybook “Proud of my Mommy”. The book features the journey of children and their working moms and celebrates the parent-child connection even when we are physically apart from our children. The characters in “Proud of my Mommy” work in business, as first responders, in science, teaching, service, and more. The moms work inside and outside of the home to provide the best for their children and families as well as contribute to the betterment of their community.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 71% of mothers in the United States participate in the labor force. Yet, the value and

often necessity of mothers’ working is not a topic typically tackled in children’s literature. That’s the gap “Proud of my Mommy” aims to fill. Our young readers love relating to the children in the stories, and especially love the matching bracelets that are featured in the book. At the end of the storybook, readers are invited to draw their own mothers and write reasons they are proud of their moms.

“Proud of my Mommy” is available for purchase at everyone’s favorite, local toy store Games Unlimited in the Livery. Or visit the Mommy and Me Pop up Shop on May 4th, 2023 (1pm-4pm) in downtown Danville on the corner of Front & Prospect for some Mother’s Day shopping. Love you More and Beyond Active will be there as well as a chance to pick up a copy of “Proud of my Mommy” with a hand written dedication. Hope to see you there!

Register for Mustang Soccer

By Melissa Durkee, Marketing & Communications Director, Mustang Soccer

Registration for our Fall 2023 is open for U5-U19 players. We have many different levels and programs for all types of players to enjoy!

The Level IV - Recreational & Recreational Plus Programs are the largest divisions within the club with over 65% of participants playing at this level. There are no tryouts for this level of play and the program consists of an 8-10-game season. These teams have volunteer coaches and the Recreational Plus teams have one training per week with a professional Mustang Soccer trainer. The season begins in August and it is open to U5-U19 for Recreational and U9-U14 for Recreational Plus.

The Level III - Competitive Select Program, formerly known as the Competitive Premier/Bronze Division, is a fantastic bridge between recreational soccer and the upper competitive levels. Our Competitive Select teams are unique, as they have a parent volunteer coach, who the club has approved, based on their experience, licenses, and background, and a professional Mustang Soccer trainer. These teams begin their season in June/July and are open to birth years, 2005-2015.

The Level I - ECNL Program & Level II - Pre-ECNL, Elite I, & Elite II Program are our highest levels of competitive soccer at Mustang. Close attention is paid to the tactical, physical, and mental development of our players and our philosophy aims to develop more creative and technically proficient players and prepare them for soccer at the high school and college level whenever possible. These teams have professional coaches, are a year-round commitment, and are open to birth years, 2005-201,1 for Level I, and 2005-20016, for Level II. Level II also includes our Juniors Program which is open to birth years, 2016-2017.

If you have any questions about any of our programs, please read more on our Programs page on our website and/or reach out to our Board of Directors assigned to each Level. Their info can be found on our website, mustangsoccer.com, on the Contact Us page.

Danville Oaks take on New Zealand

By Jacqueline Walker, Danville Oaks Rugby

Jones

On Easter Sunday, the Danville Oaks Boys Varsity Team touched down at San Francisco International Airport after a very successful 10-day tour to New Zealand. The tour comprised three matches, three high level training sessions, and covered a good amount of the North Island. Also sprinkled in were some amazing Maori cultural experiences, adrenaline fueled jetboating, luging and whitewater rafting, and a Super Rugby match to cap off an epic week.

The three score lines were;

Danville Oaks 44, Bishop Viard College 0

Danville Oaks 21, Rotorua Boys HS B 5

Danville Oaks 52, Rosehill College 14

All three matches were highly physical encounters where the Oaks played with tremendous poise under pressure. Strong set pieces, stifling defense and well worked tries set the tone in all the matches. Additionally, the reserve players were able to get

significant playing minutes to enhance their development. Oaks return to training this week with an eye on the upcoming NorCal championship title and remain focused on the Nations HS championship competition at the end of May. The Oaks want to thank all of our local sponsors and supporters who have made it possible for us to proudly represent the trivalley. We hope to see you at an upcoming match!

Photo provided by Troy

Birdies then Bubbles

By Ashley Kettmann and Michelle Smith Czarnik

“I’m too intimated”

“I’m going to embarrass myself”

“I don’t know what I’m doing”

These are just a few of the things that women have said when asked why they don’t play golf. And this is how Birdies then Bubbles was created…

Birdies then Bubbles is a new women’s golf company that hopes to involve women of ALL golf levels to get out to the golf course and fall in love with this wonderful game. Golf doesn’t have to be intimidating or scary, but we understand that for many it can be. So many women won’t sign up for a fun golf tournament with men, because they are worried that they aren’t as good enough, too slow, don’t know all the rules, etc….. So Birdies then Bubbles is planning women only golf tournaments. Some women want to go to amazing golf resorts and destinations like their spouse, but just with their girlfriends…Birdies then Bubbles is planning women only golf getaways to some of the best golf courses in the United States. Some women are too intimidated to start playing golf at all because they feel like they won’t be able to understand the game…Birdies then Bubbles is planning 2 day beginner golf clinics for women, where only women golf instructors are there

to teach starting with the basics from the lingo to the swing. Golf should be fun (and it is, we promise)!! Birdies then Bubbles plans to bring the fun to golf and women. Grab your friends, grab your clubs, and grab your champagne flutes because Birdies then Bubbles is going to take you on a golf journey that will blow your mind and help you reach your golf goals!

About us:

Meet the founders of Birdies then Bubbles; Ashley Kettmann and Michelle Smith Czarnik. Two women who love the game of golf and are passionate about growing women’s involvement within the game. Ashley and Michelle want to empower other women to learn, play, and enjoy this wonderful sport.

Ashley grew up in Pleasanton. She played golf on the boys golf team at Foothill High School and played golf in college at San Jose State University. While at SJSU, Ashley was the 2004 WAC Player of the year and an All American. After college, Ashley played professional golf from 2005-2010. While playing on tour, Ashley was also a contestant on the Golf Channel’s Big Break 6 and Big Break 7 where she was a fan favorite for her sass, whit, and sarcasm. Ashley is now married and a mom of 4. She lives in Livermore with her family and has been giving golf clinics to women for 12 years. She is passionate about helping women feel comfortable on the golf course in any situation. She truly believes that there is no better feeling than watching other women fall in love with the game of golf.

Michelle grew up in Danville, CA and started playing golf at the age of 6 years old at Blackhawk CC. She later played for the boys golf team at Monte Vista High School. While taking a detour from the college golf life Michelle started her career in the golf industry. She was an assistant pro at The Bridges Golf Club, The Course at Wente Vineyards and Palo Alto Hills CC between 19992007. She ran corporate and celebrity golf events as well as taught junior and women beginner golfers. Michelle is a mom of two kids at St Isidore School in Danville and the cofounder of BoxMedia (a professional skills enrichment education platform). Since leaving the golf industry, Michelle has volunteered to run school and charity golf events. She says changing from a competitive golf mindset to learning how fun and social the game truly can be is what lead her to seeing how much of a need there is for more women out on the course!

Check them out @birdiesthenbubbles on Instagram for more information and upcoming events!

Contra Costa County Churches Hosted Prom Night to Shine Prom celebrated People with Special Needs

By Deana Dickerson, Director of Missions, Community Presbyterian Church

Acollaboration of local churches, Cornerstone Fellowship, Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, CPC Danville, Creekside Community Church, and Cornerstone Christian Center, served as a host of Night to Shine 2023, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, celebrated people with special needs and was held in-person by host churches around the world simultaneously on Friday, February 10, 2023. These local churches were excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how cultures embrace people with disabilities and to engage the church worldwide to honor their local community of people with special needs, ensuring they know they are valued and loved.

Every guest of Night to Shine entered this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests received the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor… all leading up to the moment when each guest was crowned king or queen of the prom.

“I’m so excited Night to Shine 2023 was back in-person! All around the world, individuals with special needs were celebrated like they should be. We’ve been able to adapt over the last couple years but being back together in person to cheer for every guest as they walked the red carpet, dance the night away with their friends, crowned them as a king or queen of the prom and most importantly, telling every single one of them that their life has purpose and they are loved by us and the God of this universe,” said Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation.

The foundation offers ongoing disability ministry resources through Shine On, a ministry that equips the global church and families living with disability with innovative resources, training, and programs to eliminate barriers and cultivate life-giving community.

Night to Shine launched in 2015 with 44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers honoring more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom. In February 2020, 721 host churches and 215,000 volunteers came together to celebrate 110,000 honored guests with special needs. Over the past two years, Night to Shine innovated and endured through the pandemic with the first-ever virtual Night to Shine, celebrating thousands of honored guests through unique adaptations including a complete virtual video experience and socially distanced Shine Thru drive-thru events.

For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit: www.timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine.

ABOUT TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION

The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. This mission is being fulfilled every day through 16 initiatives in the fields of Orphan Care + Prevention, Special Needs, Children with Profound Medical Needs. To learn more about how the Tim Tebow Foundation is serving the world’s most vulnerable and sharing God’s love by fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, visit www.timtebowfoundation.org.

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

Give Back to Our Community in 2023

By Judy Lloyd, President & CEO

of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Photos provided by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce

Join the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce – Give Back to Our Community in 2023

The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce continues to serve as the convener, champion, and catalyst for our community, offering high quality programming for our members and the community at-large. Among the things we are most proud of is our partnership with local non-profit organizations. In 2023, the Chamber is focused on several local activities to give back.

DANVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FUND

The Chamber started a 501(c)3 non-profit fund, in partnership with Three Valleys Community Foundation. The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Fund focuses on charitable and educational activities that support the greater good in our community.

Among our educational activities was a kick-off event, held on November 2, 2022, at the Blackhawk Country Club to shine a spotlight on youth mental health. A separate fund was also formed for grant-making. You can learn about these funds and help to our efforts for community outreach and grant-making, which will go directly to non-profit organizations in the Greater Danville Area and San Ramon Valley.

VETERANS DISCOUNT PROGRAM

The Chamber also forged a partnership with VFW Post 75 on “Hometown Heroes”, a veterans’ discount program for local businesses. You can learn more on our website about how to become a participating business.

COMING SOON – WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE PROJECT

In 2023, the Chamber will also be launching a new women’s enterprise project to help women business owners learn about

financial management, social media and marketing, how to become a champion networker, and other practical skills.

“We are proud of these partnerships, which do even more to demonstrate the love we have for our community,” said Judy Lloyd, President & CEO. “We welcome any and all who want to contribute to these efforts, either through their company or as a volunteer.”

More information may be found on the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce website at https://danvilleareachamber.com/.

Empowering Challenges to Embrace Change for Self Improvement

By Christina Dalton, MS, PPS, PCC, EYH Life Coach

Fromthe time I was a little girl, I was always sensitive to anyone touching my eyes. In fact, I was sensitive when other people played with their eyes. In first grade, I remember two boys, Ralph and Darrell. They had the amazing talent of turning their eyelids inside out. To this day, I find that to be one of the most disgusting things in the world. At 19 years old, my eye doctor informed me that if I want to control my stigmatism, I need to wear hard lens contacts. I am sure you can imagine my thrill as I locked myself in the bathroom trying to somehow get the contact lens into my eyes. I eventually learned a little trick - put the lens on my bottom lid and flick it in. Perfect! I have compensated using this trick for many years so as not to touch my eyes. My contacts and I have had a love-hate relationship, between dust in my eyes during a tennis match, to losing them in the most difficult times and places, I have accepted them as my daily routine. But, when my eye doctor first identified that I may need cataract surgery, the thought of the process truly scared me. How do I get past this one? Fortunately, three years ago the surgery was denied because my cataracts had not progressed enough. I was relieved. I could not envision doing the surgery with the idea of anyone touching my eyes.

But here we are now - 2023. Playing winter tennis, where the sun barely rises above the courts, I have suffered the pain of the light hitting my eyes, even with dark sunglasses. In visiting my eye doctor this time, he was thrilled, “ I have great news! You’re now ready for surgery.” Panic came over me as I fained a smile. My phobia for this operation returned. But this time I am a different person than I was three years ago. I have developed inner tools to manage and control my anxiety towards what I fear. Am I perfect at managing my anxiety and negative perceptions? Like anything else in my life, I believe in mastery over time. I will approach this with all the joy of what the final product would look like. Reminding myself that I would have a world without contacts and that I would be able to see through eyes as clear as when I was nine

years old, excites me. I share this story because we all have limited views that keep us from self improvement. My apprehension about the surgery is a perfect example of how I could grow and benefit if I would accept the process. As we look within ourselves, what is something that you would like to tackle, whether physically or mentally, but your attitude towards the challenge keeps you from moving forward? I am now excited, withal scared, as I mentally accept the possibilities of this operation. Jumping into the ocean to snorkel and seeing the beauty of fish and the clarity of ocean seas, playing a tennis match with no concern of dust in my eyes; waking up in the morning with full vision - what an opportunity to rejuvenate myself. The possibilities of accepting this operation surely outweigh my fears.

Stay tuned, and I will do a follow up article sometime this summer, the outcome of my surgery. In the meantime, I challenge each of you to pick that one barrier that has held you back from self improvement. What tools do you have to surpass, your limitations? Feel free to reach out if you need a partner to develop your inner tools to embrace change, and relish your opportunities.

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.

Live Music Events!

By Chelsea Ames, Musician and West Side Resident

Photo by Kim Lind Photography

For the last 20 years, since leaving college, my husband and I have focused on our careers and raising our 4 kids who are now growing into their teen years. In 2018, I decided it was time to record my songs that I wrote back in my college days. In 2021, I released my first album “Big Little Dream” which captures a lot of stories from my life from the last 20 years. I have been performing at local restaurants and wine bars in Danville and plan to venture out to new towns such as Walnut Creek and Napa this season, playing songs from my album, a ton of covers such as Stevie Nicks, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Janis Joplin, Tom Petty and lots more.

I’m very excited to share new songs that I have written as well as share my new single I just released on March 3, “Star of the Show.” Dedicated to my husband, Mark, as we celebrate 20 years of marriage and to all four of our kids for giving me the gift of motherhood. As I face the reality of our first born turning 18 and leaving the nest soon, I wrote this song to give myself strength to “let her go, and be the star of the show.”

My album and latest single are available on all streaming platforms as well as my website chelseaames.com. Please check out upcoming live music show dates, specifically at local restaurants in Danville: Sideboard, The Barnyard Epicurean, and Hazy Barbecue.

What is Real Estate?

By Lisa Hopkins-Cochran, Realtor® at Compass

Ilike to think of it as an investment in a very limited resource….specifically, planet Earth. When you buy a home, you are actually becoming the proud owner of a small piece of the planet. When you think about home ownership like this, it is easy to understand why real estate has historically been such a solid investment and why with population growth, values have climbed astronomically over the past 70 years.

We all want to make excellent decisions when we invest. The long standing advice, “Buy low - sell high,” holds true today. As property values have climbed, prospective buyers find themselves questioning how it could possibly be the right time to buy. I remember the fear that I felt over the price that I paid on the second home I purchased, in 2000. The home and yard were beautiful and offered just about everything that I was hoping to find within my budget, however, the price was higher than any other home had ever sold in the same neighborhood. Today, the value of that home is over 300% higher.

The Bay Area in general (and specifically the west side of Danville) has been notorious for crazy-strong “Seller’s” markets. The best homes often receive overwhelming interest, and bidding wars are not uncommon, especially when the market is strong. My advice to buyers searching for a long time investment is to buy when the market is uncertain and others decide to sit on the fence. Why? You can actually be true to yourself and make a smart decision. A balanced market provides a much bigger selection of homes to choose from, so that you can shop and wait to find the one that most closely matches your needs, your budget, desired location and your dream style or features. You will likely also be in a stronger position to negotiate favorable terms, including inspection contingencies. As many past home buyers know, this can be far less expensive than paying top dollar for a house that isn’t necessarily what you want or need, or gambling on unknown conditions. If it’s a long term investment, history shows us that you will likely see both a great return on your investment and the joy that comes from living in a house that feels like home!

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a little piece of the planet, I’d love to be your guide. My experience is worth so much more than an app on your phone. You can reach me at 925-964-5010 or Lisa.Hopkins@Compass.com. Perhaps it’s time to help your kids with their first home investment?

Sun-dried Tomato and Artichoke Chicken.... AKA “Emilio’s Chicken”

By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010

Seriously, this is my new favorite. I got this recipe from a fellow chef, Emilio, and it’s perfect for your next party. It has the sweetness of the sun dried tomato, the tang of the artichokes and a lovely creamy texture. This sauce is especially perfect if you have a mixed company of vegetarians and carnivores. This sauce is perfect over grilled chicken, but you can also pour it over a bed of cheese ravioli. I do insist, however, that it be served with a nice piece of toasted garlic bread so you can mop up all that gorgeous sauce at the end of the meal. I sometimes like to make this a day ahead because it’s even better the next day.

Time: 20-30 minutes

Serves 6-8 People

You will need:

• 2 TBS butter

• 4 Cloves minced garlic

• 1/3 C. Marsala wine

• 2 TBS Tomato paste

• 1 C. Artichoke hearts, (about half a can) drained and finely chopped 1 C. Sun-dried tomatoes, with the oil, finely chopped

• 1 TBS Lemon juice

• 1/2 TBS White vinegar

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 2 C. Heavy whipping cream

• 1/4 C. Milk

• 1/3 C. Parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• 8 pieces of cooked chicken breast prepare the way you like it. (I use the Air fryer)

Putting it together:

Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan and add the garlic. Cook the garlic for 30 seconds or until it becomes fragrant. Stir in the marsala wine and tomato paste. Then add the artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon juice. Bring it to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer for five minutes. Stir in the vinegar and mustard. Then add the heavy cream, milk, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and salt pepper. Bring it to a very gentle simmer for 10 minutes. It is very important not to let the cream come to a full rolling boil, but to heat it through and gently thicken. Pour the sauce generously over the chicken and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

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.

Volunteer Opportunities for Danville Teens

By Kaylan Rizkalli, Member of the Danville Youth Council

Whether you want to volunteer to give back to our wonderful community, or desperately need to get those service hours in, trust me, we’ve all been there, spring is one of the best seasons to do it. I am here to provide you with my top three ways to do service in Danville, and to help you give back.

One of my favorite ways to volunteer is by connecting with the elderly in our community. The Sunrise of Danville is an assisted living home where you can spend time with the lovely elderly. Although volunteering directly might be difficult due to new stipulations COVID-19 may have created, you can always write birthday cards for senior citizens who might have one coming up. If you call (925) 831-1740, the number for the Sunrise of Danville, and tell them your idea, they would be more than happy to give you a list of birthdays and some guidelines to follow.

Moreover, a simple way to serve children in hospitals is through The Crayon Initiative. All you have to do is collect crayons, repackage them, place the crayons in a box, and send them off to the organization. The Crayon Initiative will do all the work for you by remolding them, and give the new and improved crayons to children in hospitals (check out a detailed instruction page at thecrayoninitiave.org where there is a section entitled Give). By following these simple steps, you can change a child’s stay in a hospital immensely.

Lastly, if none of these ideas appeal to you, Danville’s official volunteer page is a great place to look for service opportunities that do! Simply search danville.ca.gov, type in “volunteer opportunities” into the website’s search, and create your own volunteer profile. You can now pick from a plethora of service opportunities like the “Craft Prep 2023 Winter” where you can utilize your craft skills to prepare activities for schools/Danville events, the Dr. Seuss Birthday Party where volunteers help run stations and activities, and much more. Make sure you check the age requirements on all of these

opportunities, and to pick something you are genuinely interested in doing.

Now that you have a list of fantastic service opportunities, you have no excuse not to go out and better our community-or get those service hours in!

Kaylan Rizkalli is currently a Freshman at Carondelet High School and loves to be active in her community. She is a part of Model United Nations and the Photography club at her school, and plays soccer and lacrosse. In her free time, she loves to play piano and read mystery books. She is thrilled to be a teen journalist for Danville Living CA because of her love of writing and excitement over being able to share her thoughts on different topics to her peers and neighbors.

The best returns are more than financial

Are Your Teeth Ready for Retirement?

By Dr. Cynthia E. Stephenson, DDS

Dental

health maintenance and prevention can be a game changer, saving patients significant money, discomfort, and inconvenience, now and well into the future. Preventive opportunities that are proactive and unique are hard to come by when you’re rushed in and out of your dental appointments. At our practice, we are passionate about allowing time for a personal relationship with you and providing exceptional care.

If you have a few years before retirement, we can look at the history and quality of your existing dental restorations and anticipate what might last you the rest of your life and what may not. While we don’t have a crystal ball in healthcare, there are objective aspects that can help us determine if fillings and crowns might last. How long restorations have been in place, the type of material used, and the quality of the seal around the tooth helps determine longevity.

We don’t diagnose based on insurance, but we can plan and help you minimize out of pocket expenses with proper treatment planning. We can prioritize dental work that falls into the “maintenance” and non- emergent categories. And help you plan to replace failing restorations a little at a time, even over multiple years.

Once in retirement, as well as at every age, we are taking our time to look at your specific risks in the categories such as “your bite”, “your teeth”, and “your gums”.

“Your bite” refers to the mechanics and the forces on the teeth. We check to make sure the teeth are hitting evenly in the correct spot so your jaw is in a healthy position, minimizing arthritis in the jaw and achy facial muscles. Sometimes inexpensive, non-invasive shaping of older restorations can minimize heavy forces on the individual teeth and prevent breakage over time. Some people have adapted to shifting teeth and the risk for future damage is low; some people do need protection at night when heavier forces can take place.

For “Your teeth”, risk of new dental decay can be minimized or eliminated for adults. Productive discussions about beverages consumed, how and when you eat, and the length of time sugars and acidic food and beverages stay on the teeth can all be key factors in preventing decay. It doesn’t mean you are never able to have sugar, but it can mean a small amount of more natural sugars, such as dark chocolate after dinner before you brush your teeth, verses eating acidic oranges or sports drinks all afternoon can make a significant difference in new areas of tooth decay. Correct tools and techniques for brushing don’t have to take a long time but can produce 85% more effective tooth decay prevention.

“Your gums”, or risk for periodontal disease, varies between people. Genetics and medical conditions can play a role in risk and

determine how much effort individuals need to give to cleaning their teeth and gum pockets to stay healthy. Dentists can only give you good information on your unique situation if they take time with you, looking at your current situation, your medical history, and the historical information about your teeth, which provides us a good roadmap to create not only a preventive long-term plan but also a financial plan concerning your health.

Dental Health Retirement Planning

Some up to date current products and techniques for optimal oral health might include:

Annual exams and oral cancer screenings including radiographic assessments at least yearly, and cleanings every 6 months are a minimum. Patients with high risk periodontal disease or significant restorations may benefit from root planning every 2 years, and cleanings every 3 months.

A daily routine might include: Using the Sonicare in the morning, wearing Perio Protect trays for 20 minutes every morning, brushing after meals and in the evening, using the water pick with Carifree prescription mouth rinse in warm water, and Sonicare before bed and applying prescription Fluoride in Vivara clear custom trays that function as retainers, night guards, whitening trays and fluoride vehicles; all which provide optimum prevention. This is one of the best plans you can do at home to save costs for dental care in retirement.

Please inquire if you would like a dental health maintenance and prevention plan for the next chapter of your life! Call Today (925) 378-3145 or visit www.DentistOfWalnutCreek.com.

Eyelid Surgery: Enhancing Appearance and Restoring Function

By Stephen J. Ronan, MD FACS

As we age, the skin and muscles around our eyes start to loosen and sag, resulting in the appearance of bags under the eyes, droopy eyelids, and fine lines and wrinkles. These changes can not only affect our appearance but also our vision, making it difficult to see clearly. Fortunately, eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can address these issues and restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance to the eyes.

Eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids. During the procedure, excess skin, fat, and muscle are removed or repositioned to improve the appearance and function of the eyes. Upper eyelid surgery typically involves making an incision in the natural crease of the eyelid, through which excess skin and fat are removed. The muscles in the eyelid may also be tightened, and the incision is then closed with fine sutures. Lower eyelid surgery may involve making an incision just below the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid, depending on the patient’s needs. Most often, fat grafting is done simultaneously to replace lost volume on the face, especially below the eyes. Sometimes the cheek is lifted as well.

Eyelid surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means the patient returns home on the same day as the surgery. Recovery time varies depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient, but most people can expect to return to work and regular activities within a week or two. The benefits of eyelid surgery extend beyond just improving one’s appearance. The procedure can also improve vision by removing excess skin and fat that may be obstructing the visual field. In some cases, eyelid surgery may also be recommended for medical reasons, such as to correct ptosis (drooping eyelids) or to address skin cancer.

Eyelid surgery is a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of the eyes and restore function to those who may be experiencing visual obstruction. If you are considering eyelid surgery, please schedule a consultation with me so we can discuss your personal

goals and determine if the procedure is right for you. To schedule this complimentary consult, please call 925-736-5757. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

The 20th Anniversary of the Drive Fore Mobility Golf Tournament

By Michael Copeland, Discovery Counseling Center

InKen Behring’s book, The Road to Leadership, he shares his transformation from a man of means, business success and personal accomplishments to a person of purpose. In 2000, he placed a little girl in Vietnam into her very own wheelchair. This gentle act of kindness filled a void in him that no amount of money, no collection of cars and not even ownership of a professional football team had ever brought him. It had everything to do with finding and sustaining joy. I recently sat down with Ken’s son David, President of the Wheelchair Foundation, to talk about his father’s legacy and the lasting appeal of their Drive Fore Mobility golf fundraiser benefiting the Wheelchair Foundation that to date has donated over 1.8 million wheelchairs to grateful recipients in over 156 countries.

“Since its inception, we’ve only missed the golf tournament two times. In 2020, due to the outbreak of the COVID pandemic and one year it directly conflicted with our Foundation’s 1,000,000 Wheelchairs Gala.” David says the popularity and ultimate success of the annual golf event is in large part thanks to four contributing factors.1. Corporate sponsors, companies and individuals who support the cause, 2. The beautiful Blackhawk golf course, 3. The day/event itself, which has food, games or spirits on every hole and, 4. The auction which procures rare and unusual items with a heavy emphasis on special wine packages. “Our committee, of roughly 10 people, with two co-chairs, do an amazing job each year and we couldn’t be prouder of our success.”

“I never fully understood the importance and impact these wheelchairs make to people in impoverished parts of the world. You’ll come away changed”, said former KTVU Sports Director and longtime Drive Fore Mobility MC, Mark Ibanez who has been on two wheelchair

missions. “The Behring Global Education Foundation is actually the umbrella organization that oversees not only the Wheelchair Foundation, but the Blackhawk Museum as well,” David informed me. “The Wheelchair Foundation’s mission is to bring mobility to every child, teen and adult in the world who needs a wheelchair, but can’t afford one,” David added. During our conversation, David said most of us can’t imagine such an impoverished area where people literally drag themselves throughout the streets. A wheelchair provides these individuals with a sense of freedom, dignity and social interaction that quite simply expands their world.

Proceeds from the annual golf event stock shipping containers full of wheelchairs that different groups and organizations deliver throughout the world, including but not limited to Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, China and Africa. Mexico is a favorite recipient country of the Wheelchair Foundation as many of their cherished partners in that part of the world know exactly how to get chairs to the people most in need. As a Rotarian of 23 years, David enjoys working with Rotary clubs and they have been responsible for sponsoring almost ¼ of all wheelchairs donated. David adds, “we encourage many of our donors to bring along their teenage children to experience international community service which often makes a huge transformation in their lives.

This year’s Drive Fore Mobility golf tournament and auction takes place on August 21st at the Blackhawk Country Club. For more details visit their website at https://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/ event/20th-annual-drive-fore-mobility-golf-tournament/