Alamo Today, February 2013

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

February 2013 The Wheelchair Foundation: Giving Hope Gaining Purpose

By Jody Morgan

The Wheelchair Foundation has delivered nearly 920,000 wheelchairs in over 150 countries since its inception in 2000. As founder Kenneth Behring’s original goal of giving one million wheelchairs to disabled individuals around the world nears fulfillment, global need continues to grow. An estimated 100 million people unable to afford a wheelchair are waiting in hidden corners of the earth for the chance to experience the empowerment of mobility.

Wheelchairs were not among the donations Behring was packing in his private plane in 1999 when LSD Charities (the humanitarian outreach branch of

Josh Routh connects with a nonagenarian in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, one of many wheelchair recipients from 4-96 years of age he has met in Latin America. Photo courtesy of Don Routh.

the Church of the Latter Day Saints) asked him to drop off their aid packages en route to his African destination. He readily agreed. Included in that cargo were six wheelchairs bound for a hospital in Romania. “Little did I know,” he writes, “that those six wheelchairs would change the direction of my life.”

Behring, a successful Danville developer, defines the joy generated by setting a wheelchair recipient’s dreams in motion as the achievement of purpose. In his 2004 autobiography Road to Purpose, he recounts, “I lifted a small Vietnamese girl from the ground and placed her in a wheelchair. In that instant, she found hope...Her face opened into a smile, her eyes as bright as the noontime sky. And I knew for all she had changed in that moment, I had changed even more.”

Initially, Behring explored recycling used wheelchairs. The process proved the reverse of cost-effective. Packaging for shipment added to the expense of parts and labor for repairs. Then Behring asked manufacturers to design a durable wheelchair priced according to the high volume of orders he anticipated. One product seemed perfect, but it required two hours to piece together when uncrated. Today’s model comes in five sizes, ordered with regular or all-terrain tires, and can be assembled in 15 minutes. Averaging shipping costs to all destinations, the Foundation can deliver each wheelchair for just $150.

In Bolivia a comparable product costs $1,700. In many countries, the price of a wheelchair exceeds an average laborer’s annual income.

See Wheelchair continued on page 27

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA

ECRWSS

Serving Alamo and Diablo Hope Remains for Local Hunger Relief Agencies

By Ashley Hagin

It’s the season for rain and snow, and while parts of the country are seeing some drought relief thanks to recent rain, the majority of the country remains in a drought Reuters is calling “the worst in over 50 years.” The drought has primarily affected corn and soybean crops which were in the poorest conditions the USDA has ever recorded.

While a potential global food crisis may be looming, hope remains for local hunShalani and her daughter collect crates of oranges. ger relief agencies.

The Urban Farmers, a volunteer-based grassroots East Bay organization, rallies together fruit tree owners and volunteer gleaners to gather fruit for the needy – specifically for local hunger relief agencies.

The organization could not sustain its mission without the generosity of local fruit tree owners. Homeowners with backyard trees register with the organization, inviting volunteers to come pick excess fruit from the trees after the homeowners have taken what they need. And while the homeowners’ donations are essential, so too is the power of community.

See Farmers continued on page 22

New Valley Station Commander

Lieutenant Leslie “Skip” Warren, a 22-year veteran of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, is happy to return to Valley Station where he worked as the Alamo Resident Deputy and as a Patrol Sergeant. He is an experienced leader with a law enforcement background that includes assignments in Custody Services, Field Operations, and Support Services. Lt. Warren notes, “I am looking forward to being your Valley Station Commander. As a Valley resident for the past 18 years, I am excited about working with the community I am a part of. I have a vested interest in improving the quality of life issues in the Valley and continuing Volume XIII - Number 2 with the strong bond between this com3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 munity and the Office of the Sheriff.”

Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Lieutenant Warren holds a Bachelor Fax (925) 406-0547 of Arts Degree in Political Science and Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Finance from Humboldt State University.

Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Valley Station is located in the Sharon Burke ~ Writer Alamo Plaza Shopping Center at 150 sburke@yourmonthlypaper.com Alamo Plaza #C, next to Round Table The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today Pizza. Their non-emergency phone is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement. number is (925) 837-2902.

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Page 2 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

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Boulevard View

The three monthly“Today” papers - Alamo Today, Danville

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor • • Today News, and Lafayette Today Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer reading are hyper-local, with the focus books, newspapers, and magazines in the hardcopy being positive people and orgaprint form. Don’t get me wrong. I constantly use my nizations in the immediate areas Every computer, month, we run aandcoupon iPhone, iPad to in get ainformation, play yourfind paper by current far temperature, each paper serves. My intention is variety of papers games, getand reviews, out the to slow things down for you and has the Geocache, best return!

The other localare times and websurf.

But there when I website provides a number of While our share stories about your families, newspaper has a good return; but, it is want all the lights and noises to just go away.

I want leads for membership, I still feel that your neighbors, interests, actually to about 1/2 ofand what my advertising dollars are your well-spent byand disconnect curlwe upsee withcome a good book. local businesses to hopefully proin from Alamo Today.

Your paper has Old-fashioned, hardcopy print materials don’t blink on and off,advertising they don’t in the Alamo Today and Danthe best results for us. mote deeper connections with those ville Today. need charging or replacement batteries, and they don’t break. They don’t I can always tell when a new ~ Dick & Terri Delfosse, Richard's Arts and Crafts near us.

I hopewhen to engage you as a issue delivered; that’s my phone talk at you, display videos, give alerts or chimes, or deliver ads that popisup reader in a way that is distinct from starts ringing with requests for memberout of nowhere. They quietly engage, inform, and entertain. They’re worn, digital media. I am not interested in ship information. warm, and familiar. drama or the latest disaster.

You can I know people read their local ‘Today’ ~ Karen C. Lang, Membership Services Director When I head out of the house I feel as though I am constantly bombarded get that in any Hill breaking news paper. Our patients routinely bring in Round Country Clubfeed with digital images. While pumping gas, a little TV screen on the pump tries the paper or comment about the most if you want. I am interested in the to sell me products and entertain me with the latest and greatest happening. recent article written by their doctor. stories that connect us to each other.

While at a restaurant there is often a giant TV screen with the of-the-moment For us, the ‘Today’ papers provide an While the Internet can be exhilasporting event or show. avenue for healthcare education and rating with constant links and new We made While waiting in line at a fast food restaurant the other day, I noticed no over $2000 today - I credit that cancer awareness – which is part of our trails explore atToday. a rapidNever pace, I to the article in to Lafayette one was interacting with each other, even if they entered the restaurant with community mission. hope that these papers immerse doubtI am the power of what you are doing! and embrace you in a way the Internet can’t. someone else. ~ Everyone was individually engaged with their phone.

Sandy Goldberg, Community Outreach Manager, After beingofatLafayette the helm Library of Alamo Today for over eight years, Lafayette Today ~ Joan Stevenson, Friends not sure anyone wasDiablo talking Valley on theirOncology, phones, but ratherCreek they were playing a Walnut (seven years) and Danville Today News (four years), the mechanics of assembly game, or sending emails, texts, or tweets.

Contact: are easier, but the stories remain the backbone of these papers.

I notice amongst myself, my family, my friends, and the public in general Alisa Corstorphine The “Magazines - The Power of Print” ad campaign explains it this way: an almost Pavlovian response to various tones, songs, and alarms alerting us “A new medium doesn’t necessarily displace an existing one. Just as movies Utilizing Alamo Today and Danville Today editor@yourmonthlypaper.com to calendar events, emails, updates of “breaking news,” ticklers, and gives The paper generous coverage to local didn’t kill radio.

Just as TV didn’t kill movies. Just as instant coffee didn’t kill for the past texts, 3 years has been instrumen925-405-6397 reminders. Somehow these alarms and alerts take priority over anything we nonprofits, it focuses on our community' s accoffee. An established medium can continue to flourish so long as it continues tal in the growth of my business. For me, were doing at the time.

Our eyes the sound or flash as iftivities, whatever gives business people ex- is why people aren’t giving up swimming, and it to offerlocal a unique experience...Which these papers allowdivert me toto reach my exact is being communicated is now top priority.

It’s sort of like the ‘call waiting’ posure in a substantive way.

Each issue I learn just because they also enjoy surfing,” and hopefully that’s why you’ll continue patient base with information and a local effect, when someone puts you on hold to answer another incoming call. www.yourmonthlypaper.com something newtoabout community. enjoymy theown “paper in the hand” feeling from the “Today” papers instead of presence that I could not obtain with any ‘What about me?’ you ask. ~ Kathy Merchant, Executive Director, words on a screen. other print or media.

Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation ~ Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D, Alamo Optometry editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

September 2011 Bargains For Charity!

Serving Danville

Our Community Remembers

The Blackhawk Museum Guild was organized in 1991 by co-founder Pat Behring The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley along with local veterans’ as the volunteer entity of the world-class Blackhawk Museum, a non-profit corporation organizations is hosting the Tenth Anniversary 9-11 Remembrance Cerdedicated to “ensuring significant automotive treasures blending art, technology, culture, emony for the residents of the San Ramon Valley. and history would be exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.”

The event will be held at All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park, located at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville, on September 11 and will begin at 5:50PM and conclude at 6:40PM. Immediately following the ceremony there will be a free community “American picnic” featuring hot dogs and ice cream.

This event will feature prominent guest speakers, hundreds of Scouts with an array of American Flags, joint Police and Fire Department honor Guard and Fife & Drum Corps., a bagpiper, a flight of doves, renowned tenor George Komsky and many other patriotic contributions.

Guest speakers include Winston Copeland, Rear Adm. Ret., decorated Navy Squadron Commander and Joe Viscuglia, 9-11 Survivor.

There will be an essay contest based on the event with cash prizes for high, middle, and grade school student residents of the five San Ramon Valley communities. The essay title and prizes will be announced in a subeditor@yourmonthlypaper.com sequent press release. The essay forms and instructions will be distributed at the event and will be available online at srvexchangeclub.org.

Guild members pose with some of the treasures people will be able to purchase at the 2nd Annual Blackhawk Bargain Basement Sale Committee members shown above from left to right front row are: Joyce Farrell, Barbara Fromm and Carol Ching. Second row: Mary Lou Paschal, Chairman Joyce Tucker, Dee Thompson, Honey Pettigrew, Pat Behring, Danielle Smith, Linda Swofford and Wynne Dalley. You will not want to miss this sale!

September 2011 Lafayette Community,

Serving the Lafayette Community

The almost 200 Guild members serve as docents and help with fundraising Big Brothers/Big Sisters By Fran Miller Patty Guinto, age 31, is a busy woman. Her job is demanding, she has a Join David and Jay in and operational activities.

In the spring of 2009, Blackhawk Museum guild member Joyce Tucker flew to crazy commute, she plays sports, and she enjoys time with friends and family.

Feeding the Berlin, Germany to seeHungry her newest grandchild. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she SRV Emergency Preparedness Fair The economic crisis is continuing spent three days in the hospital.

Unable to speak German, she spent her time develop2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 and the San Raunabated.

Unemployment in Contra ing a new idea to raise money for the Blackhawk Museum. After spending many hours mon Valley Citizen Corps Council would like to invite you to remember and Costa lists County is and over 11%. making of jobs plans, sheEven settled on the idea of holding a rummage sale. prepare at the 6th annual San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair. though all have been negatively Whenwe Joyce returned home, she presented the idea to the Guild Steering ComBoth the Town of Danville and the City of San Ramon along with various impacted by this down turn, those See Guild continued on page 23 See Fair continued on page 7 who are at the bottom of economic ladder are Time struggling even with the Taking toforTalk Trees By Jody Morgan Jay Lifson and David Thebasic art of of bonsai culture seeks the essence of aGerson tree’s encounter with the forces of nature most necessities: food.toAdistill over thestudy course of athat lifetime presenting in a container miniature specimen carefully trained to recent shows moreby than 26% of households withachildren in California express the struggles the treetomight have undergone and of overcome in the landscape. Developed do not have enough money buy an adequate amount food. Thus David in Japan and fromJay anLifson even more practice of growing trees in pots, the centuries old art Gerson haveancient teamedChinese up to help families with children, seniors, made its firstwith major debut in Europe the who Parisface World Fair Exposition of 1889. individuals disabilities, and all at those hunger each and every day Initially unable to make owncommunity. bonsai survive, Europeans began gossiping about “Oriental secrets” and “Japanese editor@yourmonthlypaper.com in ourtheir greater magic.”

Today bonsai clubs across the United States, including our local Diablo In July David, a Lafayette resident and school board member of the LafayetteBonsai Club, eagerly share information about creating, caring for and exhibiting bonsai.

School District, accepted the position as Executive Director of Loaves and Patience is the essential virtue practitioners of the art of bonsai require. Although the Japanese term bonsai Fishes of Contra Costa, a small secular non-profit organization whose sole loosely translates as “to plant in a basin,” putting a tree in a pot is just the beginning. Kunitoshi Akabane mission is to feed Bonsai the hungry Contra Costaothers county. the same Jay, as a boy helping his founded the Diablo Club of in 1981 to teach the At art that he firsttime, observed Executive tend Director Lafayette of Commerce, joined thethat Loaves grandfather treesof in the Japan.

KnownChamber to his friends as K, Akabane insists anyonePatty willing to take the K Akabane holds a camelia in training Guinto with “little sister” Sarah and to Fishes board of directors. time properly follow the basic steps he teaches can successfully grow bonsai. For some, he admits, expressing the essence She lives an active of most Bay AreaAlamo residents yet, sheDiablo always finds does easily, Loaves Fishes to cult address hunger county? of September a What tree comes forand others it is adodiffi process.

But in heContra believesCosta any novice enthusiast willing to takelife thetypical necessary 2011 Serving and time to specimen. spend with her “little sister” Sarah, age 15.

Loaves and sequentially Fishes operates fivethe dining halls in Martinez, Bay Point, Antioch,a pleasing time to move through process of nurturing and training can produce Volume II -Big Number 11 th “I'm not going lie,” laughs Guinto, a volunteer with Brothers/Big Sisters Pittsburg, and ispartners with Fresh Start in Walnut Creek and the first and step,Oakley K explains, toand keep your tree alive.

Sustaining a life is a responsibility.

Pruning and to shaping the tree 29The Annual Music Wine Festival Taking 3000F Danville Blvd. Sarah #117, Alamo, CA 94507 of the Bay Area (BBBS), “but on more than one occasion, and I have simply after you have lived with a tree The Alamo Music and Wine Festival is anSee annual community celebration beneficome tHelp continued on page (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Time toto do it.

PRSRT STD 24 done laundry together because it was the Telephone only time I had the whole week for the first year. Once you have waing, in part, our schools’ music programs while providing a variety of activities for Fax (925) 406-0547 U.S. Postage Sometimes that's just how is. But if you make it a priority,Talk there is always time European Miller with tered daily, fed, repotted andlife studied the entire family.Handball This 29th annualLeague Rotary event By willFran be held Saturday, September PAID Alisaeasy Corstorphine ~ Publisher for BBBS. I think volunteers are surprised at how and rewarding BBBS is.” senior Dylan Wilson had a greatPermit summer 10thSeventeen-year-old from noon to 11P.MCampolindo at the Alamo Plaza in Alamo.

263 – one the nature of your tree, you are ready editor@yourmonthlypaper.com BBBS Trees cont. on page 8 of the best in athis long timewill – and he annual creditsfavorite, the fun the to handball.

Not the two-on-two Alamo CA starting Headlining event be the fabulous “Cruise Tones” to envision how the tree would age The opinionsSee expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville News.

Danville ByToday Jody Morgan urban handball featured in every filmed at aboutplayground 8pm. This talented group will play a widebuddy varietymovie of songs fromon thethe latestreets 50’s toofthe in Lafayette the landscape. Art, Observing the and Wine, Music Today News is not responsibleFestival for the content of any of the of bonNew European handball,under a more team-oriented version involving hits ofYork, todaybut – perfect for dancing thephysical, stars. Also playing this year for the first time advertising herein, nor does publicationThe implyart endorsement.

See Bonsai cont. on page 1517th and Saturday, September Sunday, September 18thseeks sai culture will besimilar another Area band “Detroit Disciples” starting at 4pm. Local school rules topopular those ofBay basketball and– water polo.

Come take part in Lafayette’s “end of summer party” attothe Lafayette distill the Art, esmusic groups will perform starting Wine, and Music Festival. The Festival takes place downtown 10amsenceand ofruns a tree’s at Noon. Come listen to the many pm September 7 on Saturday, September 17th, and 10am-6pm on Sunday, encounter with the talents from the San Ramon High th andofthere is a forces nature School Bands, the Monte Vista 18 . Free parking is available at the Lafayette BART station, lots. over the Better courseyet, of High School bands, and the Stone free event shuttle to take you to and from the BART parking Byron Nobriga gets advice from K Akabane lifetime by preLot. Valley Middle School’s Jazz Band. take BART! Ride your bike and park in the secure Bike aParking in a container miniature carefully trained to express Admission is free as awell!

Comespecimen be a part of one of the largest outdoor It is always surprising every year to senting th the struggles the tree might have undergone and overcome in the landfestivals in Contra Costa County.

Now in its’ 16 year, the Festival expects see the talents of our local youth. scape.

Developed in Japan from an even more ancient Chinese practice over 100,000 people to come stroll through the venue area.

There will be more The day will be filled with many of growing in pots, centuries old artfoods madefrom its filocal rst major debut 250 finetrees arts and craftsthe booths, delicious restaurants, activities for the entire family. than in Europe at the Paris World Exposition ofand 1889.

Initially musical unable vendors, wineries and Fair microbreweries, continuous Food, games, and local business food to make their own bonsai survive, began gossiping about presented on three stages.Europeans A kids area will feature entertainment booths will be set up throughout entertainment “Oriental secrets” and magic.”

Today bonsai across activities for kids of“Japanese all ages, and a special exhibit andclubs sale of workthe by Wilson was instrumental, along with Lafayette resident Nickarea.

Holden, in creating the festival Kids will enjoy and See Bonsai continued on page 22 the European handball league in which he played. the Holden, a Campolindo play zone set up byjunior, the Mt. local artists, will be located in Artist in La Fiesta Square. Chance initiated the grass roots effort. Through word-of-mouth Facebook postings, Diabloand Regional YMCA and the Alley, Project Second Kids Zone tickets are $1-$5 for Alamo Improvement Association.

Holden’s self-initiated league managed to capture the attention and interest of more By Fran Miller Volume V - Number 9 activities, Drink Tickets are popular feature than 80 local high schoolers, making-up seven teams,Our whomost gathered weekly thisfor pastthe different PO BOX 1335 With nearly 20% youth – the Rock Climbing Wall – $6 for an individual ticket, and an summer to compete on Moraga’s Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School blacktop.

LAFAYETTE, CA 94549 of the United States will again be there! We also have individual wine or beer glass is $5.

Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 See Handball continued on page 14 population estimated added the very fun and exciting Combination packages are available!

Fax (925) 406-0547 to be dyslexic, it is aleditor@yourmonthlypaper.com kids train from PRSRT the Museum For complete Festival STD of San most certain someone Ramon Valley. U.S. Postage information visit www.

Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher you know struggles PAIDfrom ARF, lafayettefestival.com Animals brought or call the The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not Permit 21 with reading. Many reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is the Animal Rescue Foundation, started by our own Alamo resident, Tony La Russa will Lafayette Chamber of Commerce necessarily Lafayette CA not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, their illiteracy bebe in attendance including rescue dogs that now provide therapy to those in need. The athide 925-284-7404. nor does publication imply endorsement. special animals and their trainers can tell about their particular pet and the therapy they hind excellent coping provide. ARF will also have information for their organization and details on adoptable strategies, and many have managed to get pets available from their Walnut Creek location.

This year, dinner tickets will be only $15 each. These tickets will be good for a through school and dinner from one of several excellent area restaurants: Forli’s, Faz, Maggie Rays, even graduate with and Don Jose’s. The Alamo Rotary will also have a booth offering gourmet hot high school diplomas.

Challenged readers Project Second Chance volunteer tutor Helen Byer with dogs, burgers, and chips at affordable prices.

In addition, the Festival will feature wines from two outstanding California wineries: are everywhere, and, her student, Ike. Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Winery. Visitors may purchase commemorative wine glasses according to Laura Seaholm, program manager at Project Second Chance litat the event. Soft drinks, beer, and water will also be available. eracy program, it is not due to lack of intelligence. “Many people, particularly Raffle Prizes: Raffle prizes will include an Apple iPad, an Amazon Kindle, a Fine Art those with dyslexia, simply needed to learn to read differently,” says Seaholm, Print from photographer Marnie Goodfriend, a Diamondback Outlook Mountain Bike who states that about half of Project Second Chance’s students were born and from Alamo Bikes, $250 Maria Maria Gift Certificate from Bob Myhre, a 3 liter bottle educated in the United States, but never learned to read and write at the level of 2010 Cline Cellars Cashmere from Cline Cellars, a 3 liter bottle 2007 Jacuzzi Family they wish – probably due to some Vineyards Pinot Noir from the Jacuzzi Family, a Bay Cruise for four from Celebrations type of learning disability. on the Bay, and two nights at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino, from A. D. Seeno ConProject Second Chance Volume XI - Number 9 struction. You will definitely want to take your chance at winning one of these excellent (PSC), the Contra Costa County prizes! Raffle tickets will be available at the Festival for $5 each or six tickets for $20. Library Adult Literacy Program, 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 See Music and Wine continued on page 31 offers free, confidential one-onFax (925) 406-0547 one basic literacy instruction Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher PRSRT STD to people who are over 16 Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com U.S. Postage years of age, out of school, Sharon Burke ~ Writer PAID sburke@yourmonthlypaper.com and conversant in English.

Permit 263 opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do Alamo CA Most students are between The not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today is not 35 and 55 years of age, and responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor

See Chance cont. on pg. 30

does publication imply endorsement.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 3

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Page 4 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club

Please join us at a free Welcome Coffee on Thursday, February 28th from 10AM to noon to learn about the Club. For further information, please call (925) 281-1307.

The “Future of Fitness” is here.

Danville Community Band Dinner Concert

The Danville Community Band, under the direction of conductor Robert Calonico, an evening dinner and concert titled, ‘What I did for Love’ on Sunday, February 10th.

The band will be joined by vocalist, Jodi Aldredge.

The event begins at 5:30pm with no-host cocktails, dinner at 6pm and the concert at 7:30pm, and is open to all. Plan to bring your Valentine and enjoy an early celebration. The dinner and concert is $48 per person.

Blackhawk Country Club, located at 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, is taking reservations for the event to be held at their venue. Call (925) 736-6500 for reservations. For menu details for the dinner concert, or more information about upcoming performances, visit the band website at www.danvilleband.org.

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Host Families Sought for Visiting French Students

Save $89

For the eighth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the South of France are coming when you join the club to Danville. Every visit by the students has been better than the last. The students will arrive on April for Alamo Today Readers! th nd Hurry! Offer expires 2/28/13.

20 and depart May 2 (after our local Spring Break).

The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and one weekend.

The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate.

499B San Ramon Valley Blvd. • Danville, CA 94526 For more information or to find out about past 925-743-0802 • danville.kokofitclub.com year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at caussefly@wanadoo.fr or dachary.martine@orange.fr.

There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you (including the editor of this paper!). The local contact is Danville parent Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or 925-718-5052.

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Purchase or Refinance a home through Fannie Mae with more than 4 existing financed properties, investors must meet all of the following criteria: • Own between 5-10 residential properties with financing attached • Make a 25 percent down payment on the property; 30 percent for 2-4 unit • Minimum credit score of 720 • No mortgage lates within the last 12 months on any mortgage • No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last 7 years • 2 Years of tax returns showing rental income from all rental properties • 6 months of PITI reserves on each of the financed properties For refinances, loan-to-value is capped at 70% for all property types.

A Night on Broadway

Come join the Xenophon team of supporters for A Night on Broadway gala dinner, auction, wine toss, dance, and more to support Xenophon Theraputic Riding Center. The annual gala is the biggest fundraising event of the year.

The event takes place on March 9th from 6-10pm at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. The cost is $100/person, and reservations are required. For more information visit www.xenophontrc.org, email to mparino@xenophontrc. org, or call Mari Parino at (925)212-8788.

Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center is located in a beautiful rural setting in Orinda. They offer life-changing experiences for children with a wide range of disabilities. They provide therapeutic horseback riding in a safe and secure environment. The children achieve goals that they never before dreamed possible and focus is put on enhancing their unique abilities. With a horse as their guide, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

Meals on Wheels

Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers.

Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.

Wind ‘n Sea Sailing Club

The non-profit Wind 'n Sea Sailing Club is holding a sailing training class at a member’s home in Danville on Wednesday, February 20th at 7PM. This class will cover “Basic Sailing Skills, Knots, and Terminology,” and will be followed by further sailing classes.

Contact Jan at (925)837-3381 for further information.

MAC Explores Bocce Ball Courts

On Tuesday, February 5th at 6PM, the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) will discuss the possibility of replacing the sand volleyball court at Livorna Park with two bocce ball courts. The public is invited to attend the meeting and provide their input on this potential project.

The meeting will be held in theAlamo Chamber of Commerce office located at 120-B Alamo Plaza (next door to the Alamo Palace Restaurant). For more information contact Stephen Dexter, Chief of Staff with Supervisor Andersen’s office, at 925-957-8860.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 5

Coming Soon....7556 Corrinne Street San Ramon. This home is ideal for an in law set up. Two MASTER bedrooms one upstairs & one down. 5 bdrms, 3 1/2 baths 2 car garage w/side access. lg kitchen family rm combination, built in 1964 & expanded to a 2869 sq.ft. hm. Lg Lot. It does need some TLC but nothing major. Not a short sale or Bank owned property. Call Don for further details & market date. $699,000.

Don Magalhaes

wwwRealtor4All.com

925.242.8999

Alamo ~ Priced to Sell at $300K below appraisal! Dramatic European-inspired home perfectly-placed atop a knoll w/views from most every rm. Amazing features include; butler pantry, wine cellar, cupola ceilings, bonus rm w/kitchenette, pantry, cupola ceilings, 2 laundries. New construction, move in ready! $2,198,000

Alamo ~ Best location, best value in Alamo! Darling One bedroom plus Office Townhouse w/two car garage looking over the pool & courtyard in Alamo Village! This is a great time to invest in little places like this! For you, your kids or an investment – these values won’t last for long! $260,000 Nancy Benvenuto

925.784.1955

Alamo ~ Gorgeous, private-gated, Westside Alamo. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4000 sq. ft. home on 1.27 acres. Featuring an Italian-style gourmet kitchen, wine cellar, cul-de-sac and fantastic Alamo Schools. Potential Short Sale. $1,389,000

Michael S. Hatfield 925-984-1339

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Page 6 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

was a prominent leader in the 1860s who served as a Trustee for the Union Academy High School (1859-1868). He and his wife joined the Danville Grange #85 as a charter members in 1873.

John and Catherine Hartz came later, purchasing 220 acres west of Danville’s main street (Front) in 1888. When the San Ramon Branch Line of the Southern Pacific extended from Avon to San Ramon in 1891, Hartz deeded the right of way and sold 8.65 acres of his ranch for the large Danville station. Having a remnant piece of land between the station and Front Street, in July of 1891 he subdivided the land into lots and established a new street, Hartz Avenue.

More names will be shared next month. Visitors are welcome to tour the new Museum of San Ramon Valley exhibit “What’s In A Name? Tracing Our Valley’s Early Families,” which features many early valley families.

Pioneers at Cox’s Grove. c. 1890

What About These Names? By Beverly Lane

Let’s talk about names, chickens, and a romantic intersection which is no more.

Livorna Road appeared on Alamo maps because of a chicken farm. A Danville Journal article on Jan. 12, 1917, confirmed the origin of the road’s name. Its headline: “‘Livorna” Home of Royal Line of Leghorn Poultry.

Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Hunter named their home near Alamo “Livorna.” According to the article, the word means “Leghorn” in Italian. Four years earlier the Hunters purchased four acres and set out to raise leghorn poultry, a distinctive breed which H.L. worked to maintain “in distinctive and perfect strain.” The newspaper describes the productivity of the birds, cleanliness of the poultry houses, and success of his marketing. H. L. hatched 10,000 chickens annually and sold all but 1,300 of them which he raised himself. The whole article may be read at the Museum of San Ramon Valley’s research library.

And the romantic intersection? Love and Hartz, of course. At one time Love Lane connected with Hartz Avenue, creating a junction where Love met Hartz. Sometimes the signs would disappear around Valentine’s Day. Two decisions were made which ended this sweet pairing. The new Town of Danville decided to extend Railroad Avenue through to Hartz in the 1980s, and the school district needed more parking and a location for an auditorium, so Love Lane was reconfigured to enter Railroad Ave. Love is named for the Robert and Amelia Love family which owned much of northern Danville in the 19th century. Today’s road was likely a ranch lane which led to the Love Ranch and house (built in 1860 and still standing). Love

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What’s in a Name, Tracing Our Valley’s Early Families

Adventurous men and women traveled to California beginning in the 1840s. They moved to Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, and the Tassajara Valley, and today we see their names on roads, canyons, schools, and home developments. Displaying the Museum’s archives, photographs, clothing, agricultural equipment, saddles and flags, this exhibit provides insights into the lives of our founding families.

Running now through April 20th, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is hosting a new exhibit that focuses on early families in the Valley. The exhibit features ledgers, scrapbooks, farm diaries, and minute books from the early twentieth century as well as actual farm equipment, branding irons, a wedding dress and suit, a ukulele, and an antique family desk and sewing machine -- all from the Valley’s pioneers.

The exhibit emphasizes these founding families along with the families they married into: Baldwin, Coats, Freitas, Harlan, Podva, Stone, Wiedemann, and Wood. All these families came in the mid-nineteenth century, were active with schools, joined the Danville Grange or other fraternal organizations, and have their names on street signs, schools, or canyons. Visitors will receive a card with the name of one of these pioneers and will search for that person as part of their museum experience.

As a special in the Valley Portrait Gallery, held in theWomen Museum’s The feature, San Ramon Valley Republican Waiting Room, visitors can see photographs or drawings displayed in elaborate nineteenth century frames of families fromPresents all over the Valley. San Ramon Fire Chief Bill Fereira’s grandparents are on view, Minerva Fowler Harlan appears in a confection of a hat, and Charles and Cynthia Wood look solemnly at visitors. There are 26 not-to-be-missed portraits with short biographies recounting their stories.

Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. The Museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 1-4pm, Saturday from 10am-1pm, and Sunday from 12-3pm. Find out more about the Museum by calling (925) 837-3750 or visiting museumsrv.org.

Fed

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated Present Former Congressman, Bill Baker

Taxes as Big as Texas!

As a fourth generation Californian, Heather Gass, Founder of the East Bay Tea Party

Congressman Bill Baker has seen a lot of changes in the way California“The does Dark busi- Side of Sustainability” ness, especially when it comes to taxes…

Prior to becoming an activist for private property rights and for liberty, Heather was a net or should we say… paying your fair share! for 17 years. She is the author of three technical books and dozens of IT training videos. I In Congress he was active in addressing founded the East Bay Tea Party which has over 3000 members and affiliates nationwide.

California’s economic, transportation, and Party group’s major focus is Agenda 21 and private property rights. Heather has been edu science research policies.groups While serving motivating conservative all over the state and has become an expert on One Bay A in theofState Assembly he was a Budget Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and 9 Bay Area Regional Planning. If you have been Analyst for theforCalifornia Department Finance.

Hetoalso is planned the Town ofState Danville by 2030, youofjust might want comewrote to our a January weekly column entitled, “The Angry Taxpayer.” If you are still an angry taxpayer, plan to attend this informative meeting while enjoying the wit of this former Congressman! th The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26 . Social time starts ~ 11:30am Social am at 11:30 , and the luncheon and speaker begin at noon. The cost is $25.

For reservations,~call at 925-837-5465 or email srvrwf.lunch@gmail.

12Mary Noon Luncheon and Speaker ~ $25.00 com. Reservations are due by Thursday, February 21st. To assure yourself a place at the table, pleasecall makeMary your reservation early!

For reservations, 925.837.5465 To learn more about San Ramon Valley Republican Women or e-mail: srvrwf.lunch@gmail.com Federated, please visit www.srvrwf.org.

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 7

4 0 3 5 S t o n e Va l l e y O a k s D r i v e , A l a m o

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Veterans of Foreign Wars

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) will be held on Wednesday, February 20th. The VFW Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville.

The building is located on the corner of East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue.

Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. For more information, contact Post Commander Ernie Petagara at (925) 362-9806. Find out more about the VFW and our Post on the internet at www.vfwpost75.org.

Free Tax Preparation

Free tax preparation for the 2013 tax season is available starting in February from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. All tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit for whom they can serve. EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000.

For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites, please call (925) 9733250 for the San Ramon Senior Center site, or (925) 480-7202 for the St. Isidore Ministry Center site. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring to the appointment your: • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Photo ID for yourself and spouse • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2011 Tax Return.

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW

AAUW and Delta Kappa Gamma are hosting a joint meeting at 5:30pm on February 26th at Scott’s Restaurant in Walnut Creek. The speaker will be Assistant Professor Priya Mariana Shimpi from Mills College speaking on young children’s language development. The cost of the event and dinner is $35. For reservations, please send a check made out to DKG to Densie Dolan, P.O. Box 551, Alamo, CA 94507 with menu choice of salmon, chicken, or vegetarian.

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW offers scholarships and supports women for personal and professional growth, community leadership, and friendship. For more information visit www.aauw-daw.org.

AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four-year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree or equivalent. Prospective members can contact Tena at 925 837-0826 or membershipvp@aauw-da.org.

Delta Nu Psi Collection for Troops

We are desperate! We just mailed off 16 boxes of “gourmet junk food” to the Troops, and our supplies for February boxes are low. Dried fruit, beef jerky, salmon in foil packets, chicken/tuna salad mix, trail mix, energy bars, and more will all be gladly accepted for mailing.

Please see our website, www.deltanupsi.org, or stop by our collection table at Lunardi’s in Danville (345 Railroad Ave) on February 8th from 11am-2pm for more ideas. We hope to see you there.

Bob Shalon, EA

Master Tax Advisor • Enrolled Agent

925.820.9570

714 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite B, Danville Sycamore Square (next to Lucky’s)

bob.shalon@tax.hrblock.com

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Page 8 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Rancho Romero Elementary School

By Skye Larsh-Faraghan, Principal

Several exciting field trips have occurred at Rancho Romero recently, causing me to pause and reflect back on the phrase Hands-on Learning.

Hand-on Learning, or Learning by Doing, seems to have its historical roots in the nineteenth century when American schools had bleak learning conditions, and it was felt that science in particular required a much more active approach. In my research I discovered that it was during the 1960’s that computer techies coined the term, although it truly has been an ancient practice and has become a mark of good teaching in science, math, and other studies.

The best definition I found describes Hands-on Learning “as involving the child in a total learning experience which enhances the child’s ability to think critically. The child must plan a process, put the process in motion using various hands-on materials, see the process to completion, and be able to explain, defend or justify the attained results.”

Hands-on Learning has Common Core Standards written all over it and offers another example of an excellent teaching strategy already in use.

This week, sixteen 4th and 5th grade students had the opportunity to visit with some of the nation’s best scientists and engineers at the Lawrence Livermore Lab (LLL). Students focused on the Laboratory’s Discovery Center, which provides visitors with a window into state-of-the-art research programs, computational capabilities, and experimental tools. Those students who attended were charged with taking notes, asking questions, and participating in experiments. Fifth grade teacher, Marisa Henrichs, and fourth grade teacher, Sandrine Wright, designed a follow up task that asked the students to create a presentation using the applications Educreations or iMovie in order to teach a lesson about an experiment and the science behind it to classmates. The teachers connected the hands-on science experiments learned from real scientists with the 5th grade science standards, increasing the depth and complexity of understanding and moving students from passive learners to roles of actively teaching and learning.

The day after students returned, I sat down with five of the 4th and 5th graders to assess the value of the field experience. In excited and enthusiastic voices they had this to say: We were really learning and understanding things like elements and atoms.

We went from seeing things in a textbook to working side by side with experts. It doesn’t get much more interesting.

It is important to combine learning inside school and outside school.

This experience allowed us to gain perspectives about what real science looks like and why it is so important.

I was so impressed that one of the scientists attended Cal Berkeley and received a Ph.D, like my dad.

We will continue to explore opportunities for our students to get this type of quality field experience, bringing in 21st Century Skills and new Common Core Standards.

Next stop: In February, 16 members of the Rancho Romero Student Council will visit Coronado Elementary School to discover the true meaning of a sister school. After attending classes, interviewing students, and meeting with the principal and student leaders, Rancho Students will collaborate on a presentation to be shared with all students.

8

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Alamo Elementary School

By Stan Hitomi, Principal

Many people know of my background in science and my fondness for data. As a principal, I can tell you that there is no shortage of data in our schools.

There are test score, demographic, behavior, nutrition, and safety data that is used to inform our school plans and to set goals. But in our world of “numbers,” we can sometimes overlook some of the most important information about our students and our schools.

That was the case shortly after our return from the winter holidays. I am not certain how or when it got there, but I noticed a yogurt cup filled with soil and a fern planted neatly inside sitting on the planter box in front of our school. One of our students had obviously forgotten it there, so I left it thinking whomever it belonged to would return to claim it.

A couple of days later, I noticed that the cup was still there. It was in the same place, exactly as it was earlier in the week. I found that odd, since the planter box is in the front of the school and is one of the busiest places on campus. Several hundred children and adults passed by that cup each day.

I would have thought that it would have been destroyed or thrown into the garbage. Intrigued by its survival, I decided to leave it over the weekend.

Come Monday, to my delight, it was still there! For nearly two weeks the cup and plant sat on the same spot in front of Alamo School. I mentioned it to teachers and our custodian, and they had been watching the plant with the same engagement as I had. We agreed that the plant was clearly someone’s treasure, and that our students and parents had treated it with an appropriate level of respect. As I write this letter, the cup is still there, unharmed, three weeks later. Someone had moved it into the planter box to improve its safety.

This story will never show up in the data that the state or anyone else might record or analyze, but for those of us at Alamo School, it is a reminder of what we are a part of….a school where people respect each other and their “treasures.” I am taking the plant into my office today, hoping we can find its rightful owner.

Important Dates February 18 February 23 March 8 March 11-15 March 15

President’s Day – No School SRVPTA Parent Conference Teacher Workday – No School Conference Week Talent Show – The “A” Factor

Upcoming Meetings and Events

AIA - Alamo Improvement Association - Please visit www.alamoca.org for upcoming meetings - Creekside Community Church -1350 Danville Blvd.

Alamo MAC (Municipal Advisory Committee) - First Tuesday of each month 6pm - Alamo Chamber of Commerce Office 120-B, Alamo Plaza P2B - Police Services Advisory Committee - First Monday of each month, 5pm - Meets at Alamo Chamber of Commerce Office located at 120 -B, Alamo Plaza P5 - Round Hill Police Services Advisory Committee - Second Wednesday of each month, 7pm - Meets at Round Hill Country Club - Lower Level Meeting Room CERT classes - Community Emergency Response Team - Visit www. firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Stone Valley Middle School

By Shaun K. McElroy, Principal Common Core State Standards

How can we prepare our kids for success in the new Common Core State Standards Environment?

First – Have a plan. The San Ramon Valley School district recently published Common Core State Standards Two Year Implementation Plan. The plan will be spearheaded by Director of Education Toni Taylor and Dr. Kathy Moore, Teacher on Special Assignment. This dynamic duo has created a strong supporting cast made up of representatives from every school site in three disciplines: English Language Arts, Mathematics, and various other academic disciplines. These groups of educators make up the Common Core Task Force. It is worth noting that math task force work is being supplemented by a generous grant from the San Ramon Valley Educations Fund (SRVEF). The SRVEF grant money provides the math task force with access to the Silicon Valley Math Initiative (SVMI. org) research and trainers. Task force members in turn train teachers at their schools sites. The next two years will require an immense amount of time, energy, ingenuity, and dollars to provide a full implementation of the plan.

To view the plan, visit http://bit.ly/10Qoeir.

Second - Know what’s expected. Education is no longer a read and regurgitate profession. Learners in the new CCSS system will need all of the following skills to be college and career ready after high school.

Here are the 21st Century Skills established by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.p21.org.) * Critical Thinking and Problem Solving * Collaboration across Networks and Leading by Influence * Agility and Adaptability * Initiative and Entrepreneurialism * Effective Oral and Written Communication * Accessing and Analyzing Information * Curiosity and Imagination Third – You gotta get your (child’s) mind right! Dr. Carol Dweck, professor at Stanford University and author of the book Mindset provides the background for this TED talk. Mindset research defines intellect as a variable and not a fixed property. How we approach the conversation with our children is critical to their success. Watch/listen to Eduardo Briceno speaks about how our Mindset affects our intellectual growth. Find out more at http://youtu.be/pN34FNbOKXc.

2013 Parenting Conference

The San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs presents its annual parenting conference, Parenting 2013 & Beyond, on Saturday, February 23rd at Dougherty Valley High School from 8:30am to 2:30pm (Check-in begins at 7:45am).

This year’s keynote speaker is Mike Robbins, who will talk about “The Power of Appreciation.” Please contact Vanessa Berastain at srvparented@gmail.com to find out more, or visit the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs website at www.srvcouncilpta.org.

Stone Valley Leadership Classes First Semester Accomplishments

• Created all school-wide games and activities for Wacky Wednesday and Friday themes • Created signs and posters for upcoming activities • Organized and ran Wacky Wednesday games each week at lunch • Ran contests and prizes for theme dress up days • Volunteered at Get Acquainted Pizza Night • Guided parents at Back to School Night • Created a 9/11 remembrance anniversary video • Brought High School Nation’s The Christopher Brothers concert to SV • Held a school-wide moment of silence for Sandy Hook Elementary Visited • Classrooms at Stone Valley to promote all school-wide activities • Coronado Elementary School in Richmond • Mauzy School for special needs children • Senior Residence Homes in Alamo Donations •Coins for a Cure for Juvenile Diabetes • Primo’s Run for Education • Bake sales for free lunch program in India • Breakfast sales for Hurricane Sandy victims • Holiday toy collection for Coronado Elementary • Wrapped gifts at Coronado Elementary for parents • Letters to Santa for The Make A Wish Foundation Our thanks to teacher Monique Metzcus, Gaby Ghorbani, and Pledge to Humanity.

Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 9

BARBARA MALAN

DRE #00793282

925.831.3329 bmalan@cbnorcal.com

40 Hamilton Court, Alamo-Move in Ready!

This elegant Traditional Bryan Ranch single story home offers four bedrooms, three full baths, a beautiful formal living room with Marble fireplace and a formal dining room with a boxed custom ceiling, both with gleaming hardwood floors. The spacious family room with floor to ceiling stone fireplace, built-in entertainment center and wet bar opens to the covered back patio. A large kitchen with dining area, breakfast island bar and hardwood floors overlooks the patio, pool and elevated spa. The large master suite opens to the patio and pool. This home is filled with custom amenities and upgrades throughout. The professionally landscaped yard with all it has to offer is an oasis of privacy and serenity. Near the end of Stone Valley Road East. San Ramon Valley School District Buses service this area! Call for a private showing.

Offered at $1,340,000

For More Photos and a Virtual Tour http://www.allaccessphoto.com/40hamiltonct

AAUW Offers Scholarships to Local Women

The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek branch of the American Association of University Women is offering scholarships to local women.

Last year five deserving recipients received $2,000 each. This year awards will range from $1,000 to $2,000. A special grant will go to the Jane Trittipo scholarship winner.

Applicants must be a college junior or higher, as of September 2013, at an accredited college or university. Graduate and post-graduate students can also apply.

Applicants will be accepted who are from Walnut Creek and the San Ramon Valley - please see the website for more specific requirements.

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of scholarship, educational goals, and campus or community involvement.

Completed scholarship applications must be postmarked by March 1st, 2013.

Applications and information are available online at www.aauw-daw.org.

For additional information, email Lgood67334@comcast.net and put “Local Scholarships” in the subject box.

Valley Teen Idol

The San Ramon Valley Rotary Club is hosting auditions for Valley Teen Idol on March 2,3, 9 and 10. Middle and high school students with a talent for singing or playing a musical instrument are encouraged to audition. Semi-finals will be conducted on April 9 for instrumentals and April 10 for singers. The Final Competition will be held on April 30 for instrumentals and May 1 for singers at the Village Theater located at 233 Front Street in Danville. Grand prize is $1,000 and a recording session, 2nd prize-$500, 3rd prize-$250, and 4th to 10th-$50.

For more info, contact Sharon Mace at 510-909-8791.

San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10AM the third Tuesday of every month, except August and December, at the Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. There will be a speaker at every meeting.

Everyone is welcome.

For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, visit www.srvgensoc.org, or email SRVGS@SRVGenSoc.org.

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Page 10 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

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Monte Vista High School

By Janet Terranova, Principal

Welcome to the second semester at Monte Vista! Most of our classes are year-long classes, so student schedules typically remain the same. However, for all students, this is a new beginning. If you have a student who may have struggled with time management or study skills, this is a perfect opportunity to have a new start. It is easy for us, as adults, to believe we have all the answers for our struggling student and even easier for us to “lecture” them on what they need to do to improve. Unfortunately, experience tells us that this is rarely, if ever, successful.

A conversation addressing your concerns and willingness to help your student develop some positive strategies may be more successful. Sometimes, referring to an area that you need to improve upon will open those lines of communication and the feeling that we are all struggling to improve. Keep in mind that giving students a laundry list of what they need to change is probably not productive. Counselors, psychologists, and educators all suggest having your student develop one or two very specific goals for the semester. “Studying more” is really not a specific goal. “Reviewing notes regularly for my World History class” is much more specific. Discuss with your student strategies they will use to accomplish that goal such as, “Twice a week I will reread my notes, highlight important facts, and briefly summarize what I have learned.” Now, the tricky part, talk with your student about accountability.

“How will I know that you have accomplished this goal?” You could suggest having the student show you the highlighted notes, discuss with you the summary, etc.

Having just two doable goals makes success more attainable. Listing numerous goals or goals that may not be achievable leads to frustration and giving up.

While you may see many more areas that could use improvement, concentrating on two attainable goals and seeing success builds lifelong skills.

As usual, Monte Vista is a whirlwind of activity. Winter sports are in high gear, and spring sports will soon begin practice. Our Drama class will present The Rimers of Eldritch, by Lanford Wilson. The Science Alliance Mentor Buddy Program, Student Recognition Project, and practice ACT programs are just a few of the activities scheduled for February.

If you want to know more about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J Concord (925) 680-4433 (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)

San Ramon Valley High School

By Ruth Steele, Principal

As I write this, I have been Principal at San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS) for exactly one semester (That’s 90 instructional days to be precise). Being a principal of a high school is a little daunting at times.

I am responsible for 2,200 students, I manage almost 200 staff members, and I answer to a few thousand parents. My responsibilities include the safety of every single one of the SRVHS’s students and staff as well as the oversight of all instructional programs.

In light of the tragic Sandy Hook shooting and the Taft Union High School shooting, school safety is at the top of everyone’s priority list. At San Ramon we are going through our internal procedures, our emergency systems, and all aspects of school security to make sure all areas have been addressed.

There have been many positive things happening recently. Our new pool was ready for the start of swim season, and it is a beautiful new facility. This coming summer we will be replacing the bleachers on both sides of the football field as a direct result of Measure D’s passage. The SRVUSD Curriculum Directors are working with school sites to roll out the Common Core standards and to help to prepare staff at each site to begin working towards using the Smarter Balance Assessments. These programs will help provide students with a thorough, skills based education that will mark a positive step forward into true 21st Century learning.

As a new Principal, these are exciting and hopeful times, and I have seen how fortunate I am to be leading a school that serves such a uniquely supportive community. My conclusion so far is that despite the challenges, school administrators in this district have never been better placed to be able to effect positive and lasting reform in our schools, and for that I am extremely grateful.

Former Mayor to Narrate “Lincoln Portrait”

On February 15th, 16th and 17th the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra teams up with former San Ramon mayor H. Abram Wilson to perform Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. Also on the program is St. Mary’s College professor Marty Rokeach’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra.

For tickets and more information visit www.contracostachamberorchestra. org/concerts.html.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Sustainable Danville Area Tip of the Month

Alamo Today ~February 2013 - Page 11

ART CAMP at ALAMO PLAZA

By Cynthia Ruzzi, President Sustainable Danville Area For the Love of ...Chickens

To everything there is a season, even food. Incorporating seasonal, local, whole foods into your daily diet provides a healthy balance for you and the environment. Eating vegetables and fruits soon after harvest maximizes the nutrients in the food. Besides being better for the environment, seasonal, local food is usually more cost effective and generally tastes much better. My husband and I certainly think so.

We love trying new, local foods, and so, we were delighted when Jake, our 11 year old neighbor and self-professed chicken farmer, invited me to learn more about ‘growing’ fresh, local eggs. Jake had wanted to raise a brood of hens since 2nd grade when he hatched chicks as a classroom project.

SUMMER CAMP SPRING CAMP Roadie, J.J., Chevy, Hazel, and Fluffy make up Jake’s clucking crew. He th th March 11 - April 5 , Ages 8-16 June 10th - August 23rd, Ages 8-16 started off with six chicks, but Scrambles was retired to a rural farm when Daily sessions: M- F, 10AM - 1PM (No camp July 4th & 5th) one morning, the family heard crowing. Apparently, crowing is the first iden M -F, 2PM - 5PM Daily sessions: M- F, 10AM - 1PM tifier that a chick is

M -F, 2PM - 5PM $40/session a rooster and not $40/session Sign up before February 28th a hen. Danville Sign up before May 28th and pay $35/session keeps the peace by and pay $35/session Please inquire about our Art Parties and Classes for Kids and Adults banning roosters within city limits.

SPECIALS J a k e ’s b r o o d Full Day (Two sessions/day) $65 | Five sessions/week $160 started laying eggs Full week (10 sessions/week) $300 when they were just For more information and camp schedules, please visit our website, call, or contact us at sales@colorbundles.com. “Like” us on Facebook (Facebook.com/colorbundles) to see under five months our new art projects and events. 220A Alamo Plaza, Alamo, CA 94507 old and will continue to offer eggs for www.colorbundles.com | 925.727.3137 about two years. It takes a chicken 24 hours to produce an egg, and production is dependent on having at least 13 hours of daylights - so maximum production from the flock is 35 eggs per week. Jake basically knows which chicken has laid which egg because he has different breeds that lay different colored eggs. His flock includes a Rhode Island Red, two Brahmas, and two Americana chickens who lay green eggs! Yes, there really are green eggs – just like in the Dr. Suess book, Green Eggs and Ham. The family picked these breeds because they can handle both our hot summers and cold, wet winters with aplomb.

Jake spends between 10 – 30 minutes a day caring for his brood. The chickens greet him when he opens the screen door to give them their feed or a special treat of cantaloupe (in season of course). The girls mostly ignore the family when they sit out in the backyard. Jake says the chickens have a great relationship with his cat, Nutmeg – especially since the chicks have grown larger than the cat. Jake recommends adopting chickens all at one time to limit competition (pecking order) between the hens.

Jake’s chickens have plenty of room to ‘eat local’ by roaming around a large part of the backyard eating bugs. Thanks to Jake’s dad, Chris, these hens have a chicken palace to rival anything offered in the William Sonoma catalog. Chris admits he didn’t save much money by making it ‘DIY’ style - though he used reclaimed wood for all the construction. Chris said one of the most important architectural elements for the coop is to include lots of ventilation in the design and to secure on all sides, including underneath the coop, to protect from raccoons and other predators.

As a ‘parting gift,’ or perhaps in exchange for the chocolate chip cookies I brought with me, Jake gave me eggs that were laid that day. Excited, I picked some spinach from my garden and cooked up a simple omelet that very night. Can you get more seasonal or local than that?

At Embracing the Season for a Healthy, Balanced Diet (Sustainable Danville Area’s forum on February 20th from 6:30pm – 8pm at the Veterans Club Z! 1-On-1 Tutoring Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville), you’ll learn how In Your Home! to savor local flavors from our guest speakers as they talk about the inspira• All Subjects • PreK-Adult tion they gain by embracing the seasons. Sebastian Miller, Executive Chef of Piatti’s Danville, is known for bringing contemporary flavors to the plate • Reading • Writing • Math using seasonal, local ingredients prepared in a simple, unpretentious manner.

• LD/ADD/ADHD • SAT/ACT Prep Sebastian reveals how he creates the ever changing ‘market menu’ at Piatti’s • Study Skills Program • Affordable Rates and how you can do the same at home. Angela Stanford, Registered Dietitian • Degreed Professionals • Flexible Schedules and Holistic Food & Nutrition Advisor at Vital Nutrition & Wellness, brings a holistic approach to eating. She combines 20 years of working in the food Call to Reserve Your Tutor Today! and health industries with roots on her family farm and love for cooking and organic gardening. For more information, visit www.sustainabledanville.com www.clubz.com and join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sustainabledanvillearea).

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Page 12 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Alamo Women’s Club

The Alamo Women’s Club was established in 1916 and is the longest standing service organization in the valley. The organization welcomes members from the Alamo, Danville, and Walnut Creek areas. The current focus of the nearly 100 strong women is Current Events and Health, Children, Family, and Women’s Issues. We are proud of the difference we make in the lives of others through our many outreach and philanthropic programs.

We continue to enjoy our entertaining speakers at our luncheons the fourth Wednesday of each month. This month with Mick La Salle, film critic of The San Francisco Chronicle, we kicked off our movie group and will be seeing each of the Academy Award nominated films over the next several months. Many members of the community joined us for Mick’s entertaining event.

February

Our February 27th speaker will be Vietnam veteran Marv Tuttle. Marv was involved in a car accident in 1998 and sustained a spinal cord injury, which resulted in paralysis from the waist down. He studied and became a peer mentor for new spinal cord patients, both civilian and military. For the past 10 years he has been both a diver and a guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where he started a non-profit organization that teaches scuba to special needs children. In November 2010 he was blessed with his dog Yara from Canine Companions for Indepen- Women’s Club members and Canine for Companions future adoptee.

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dence, one of the non-profit organizations supported by the Alamo Women’s Club.

He will be speaking about his story and the many ways that Yara helps him, including in his work with special needs children. His website is www.specialkidsscuba.org.

This is also the time of year that we begin our Scholarship Committee search reviewing qualified entrants for four local high school scholarships in the arts, scholarships to returning women students at DVC, and a new scholarship to support foster children who have aged out of Youth Homes. This tradition spans nearly 25 years and is an important component of our community philanthropy efforts.

March

We have a day trip planned to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park on March 6th followed by lunch at to the Cliff House.

On March 27th, our speaker will be Mary Jo Ignoffo, a history teacher at De Anza College. Mary Jo has published the unraveled story about the real Sarah Winchester, Captive of the Labyrinth. She will speak on the fascinating true story in connection with either a book club selection, a field trip to the Winchester Mystery House, or both.

April

Our April speaker, Ronda Giangraco, is the author of The Gathering Table.

A former stand up comedian, Ronda was diagnosed at 48 with multiple sclerosis.

Determined to walk to her kitchen until she could no longer walk, she hosted weekly Sunday dinners for eight for a year, celebrating life and sharing with friends the progression of her illness. In her book, she talks about the need to share these meals and be nurtured by friendship in return. She also blogs on The Gathering Table, and is a national spokesperson for the MS Society.

Our Club

The club is available for your rental needs. If you are interested in renting our facilities, please contact Perchak Properties and ask for Laurie or Mike at 925-831-8970. Please visit their website at perchakproperties.com.

Please check our website (www.AlamoWomensClub.org) to learn about the club, upcoming events, and rental information and rates. See our banner in front of the club for future events. We welcome you to contact us to join our speaker programs. Luncheons are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. For membership or information, please contact Jeri Strong at jeristrong@gmail.com.

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 13

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Bad Gas

By Sean Harrington, Specialty Sales Classics

With our coldest and wettest months behind us, and the shortest days of the year locked in the 2012 history books, we are free to dream of spring - the miracle of the annual rebirth of our natural world. The bursting blossoms, the birds and the bees and, for some of us, the intense primeval desire to re-experience this annual natural phenomenon from the driver’s seat of the machines of our youth, our classic cars and trucks.

Typically, classic and exotic car owners are by nature fastidious about the care and maintenance of their investment, bordering on acting like doting parents to a member of their family. They know that buffing their custom paint is only done on an extremely clean surface. They know that good quality lubrication is important to the health of the engine, and they know a quality antifreeze not only protects from the extremes of temperature but from internal corrosion of critical rotating parts. They understand that out-of-aligned wheels are going to chew up tires, and improperly greased suspension components will cause high wear leading to poor handling. These are standard issues of motorcars and have been since motorcars became available, but there are new threats to the health of your classic or exotic vehicle that you may even be aware of.

Your baby may be your grandfather’s Oldsmobile but it’s not using granddad’s gasoline. Lots has changed over the last few decades including the move from analog to digital, man on the moon, and robots on Mars. Gasoline has evolved from a dirty fuel to the new generation of clean fuels required to meet pollution control targets. Today’s highly oxygenated fuels, especially California blended gasoline containing ethanol, has a surprisingly short shelf life. While you are not likely to notice this degradation in your daily driver where you replenish your gas once a week, it does affect the typical classic or exotic car owner who may only drive the car a few times a year.

It is estimated that 70% of emergency backup generator engine failures are fuel related. Think about Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, earthquakes,

and other natural disasters, and know that the problem is real. Classic and exotic vehicles are in a similar category of limited use.

Here at Specialty Sales Classics we often encounter clients whose cars, while looking fabulous, are hard to start, run poorly, smell terrible when running, or won’t run at all. This all seems to happen for no apparent reason. Bad gas and gas related issues are often the culprit. That gas you purchased a year ago is no longer Chevron or Shell.

The liquid lurking in your tank now resembles a Sherwin-Williams varnish product.

Today’s modern fuels can start degrading in a matter of weeks. Not only does it gum up the small diameter fuel lines, but the dreaded varnish and sludge will wreak havoc with the ultra-small diameter jets, orifices, and moving parts of a carburetor; fuel injector aren’t immune from these maladies. Water grabbing and separation caused by ethanol addition to our fuels can actually cause rusting in the micro orifices of fuel injectors. In addition, the chemistry of this cocktail can rot your gas tank. Adding insult to injury, imagine the physical debris from a rotting gas tank that could be sucked into the same small lines, jets, and orifices. This can often lead to an expensive repair requiring a new fuel tank and many man-hours of labor to clean the fuel lines and intricate passages.

So, how can you keep your gas from going bad and keep your car ready and willing for that next spring fling? There’s no easy surefire solution to long-term gas storage and degradation, but there are precautions you can take. Purists would say to drain the tank and run the fuel lines dry. This is easier said than done, and it’s not really practical. A more realistic approach would be to keep your gas tank nearly full to reduce exposure to air, but not completely full, so the gasoline can expand or contract as the temperature changes. Try to minimize temperature swings. Store your car in a cool place to reduce evaporation and oxidation. Use a gas stabilizer, and remember to run your engine so you have stabilizer in the fuel lines and the carburetor float bowls. Remember stabilizers are meant to prevent gasoline from going bad. They won’t restore bad gas to its former health, but dilution with fresh gas may work. If you suspect that you have seriously bad gas, do yourself a favor and consult an expert before attempting to start your car.

Check out our entire inventory at www.SpecialtySales.com, and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at TheCarGuy@SpecialtySales.com, or call 800-600-2262.

Advertorial

Page 14 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Find Anything

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

I received an interesting email, and I thought you’d enjoy the content. The email contained a link to a YouTube video (http://youtu.be/F7pYHN9iC9I) sponsored by Febelfin Bank, set in Brussels, Belgium. The premise of the video is that there is a mind-reader who sets up in a tent in a public square.

Unsuspecting tourists are ushered into the Bedouinlike tent, where a touchy-feely Fabio-esque mindreader proceeds to gyrate and gesticulate while apparently sensing and divulging the secrets each person hides. Of course, nothing is ever that simple. Once the mind-reader has thoroughly impressed his patron, a curtain is pulled aside revealing several masked researchers in front of internet-

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connected terminals. What is the message? It’s that there is almost limitless information about you on the internet for free, and for a little bit of cash, a whole bunch more can be found.

What the video didn’t show was that when the individuals were first interviewed for their “mind reading,” they gave several pieces of identifying information to the screeners. The information they provided helped the researchers behind the curtain start drilling into their lives. By exploring social networking sites, finance sites, and mortgage and property value sites, the researchers were able to fill the earpiece of the mind-reader, who was a trained actor, with enough useful facts to convince anyone that he had supernatural power.

Of notable interest in the video were some of the intimate personal tidbits that were relayed back to the victims, because that information was openly provided by those individuals on social networking sites. The public in general, and most young people specifically, don’t have a clue how much of an information trail they’re leaving behind on the internet. Maybe it’s just naiveté, or maybe laziness, but why would someone post intimate and specific details of their opposite gender encounters on a social networking site for anyone to read? The person in the video looked genuinely shocked that the mind-reader knew these details; it didn’t look intentional. It must not have occurred to these people that most employers troll the social networking sites for disqualifying information on job candidates before extending offers. It’s not worth the risk.

What can you do to protect your privacy? It helps to first divide your privacy concerns into areas of information you can control and areas that are out of your control. Keep in mind that there is a fair amount of information accessible through public websites connected to public records that you can’t stop. In other words, the information was always available in the past, but before the internet it took a lot more effort and time for someone to access it. For example, in 1980 if a newspaper wanted to find out how much I bought my house for and how much my mortgage was, they would have had to wait for weekday business hours, drive down to the county records office, and manually search for the property records on microfiche until they found it. Today, that same reporter can go to a website, put in my name, sift through the results until he finds the right “Evan Corstorphine,” and he has it all. That’s instant-access 24x7x365. But some information does require a special request, specifically Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

An example of this public access was in White Plains, New York last December where the White Plains Journal News requested a search of all registered gun owners in their area under a FOIA request, and The Journal published a map of them online. While it was a legal FOIA request, many considered it an abuse of journalistic privilege and of the FOIA process. While they cannot yet directly link the events, there have been burglaries at the homes of some of those citizens listed on the website where their noted possessions were stolen. Obviously this is an extreme case, but you need to know how broadly you are potentially exposed in this age of instant electronic access. You never know who may have an axe to grind.

An area of information you can control is what goes into social and business networking sites such as Facebook and Linkedin. I find it very difficult to understand the privacy rules on the popular site Facebook, so I have limited my use of it for personal information until I know with utter certainty who can access what I post and where it can be used. I think most people have no idea who can read what they post, and maybe it doesn’t matter to them, and that’s OK. But it does matter to me, and I don’t necessarily want everyone I’ve “friended” to be able to dig into every intimate detail I’ve posted for family use. As long as you know for certain and can make an educated decision, do what you think is right.

Obviously there is a lot more to privacy than I can cover here!

If you’d like to chat more about your particular concerns or have specific questions you’d like to discuss, please call the friendly staff at Portable CIO at 925-552-7953, or email helpdesk@theportablecio. com.

Advertorial

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 15

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Fire Station Closures Affect All of Us

By Supervisor Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 2

There has been a lot in the news lately about fire station closures and fire districts. Many people don’t know that fire services are not provided by the cities or the County, but they are run by separate agencies called “fire districts.” My Supervisorial District 2 has three fire districts covering it: San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District, and Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

For the most part, the history of each fire district began with volunteers assembling and training themselves to protect what was mostly rural and farming land dating back as far as 1912. The current fire protection districts are an outgrowth of this.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) was formed in 1980 after the consolidation by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of the Danville Fire Protection District and the San Ramon Fire Protection District. The new District served the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon - a 70 square mile area. With the reorganization of these two districts, five locally elected directors governed the newly formed District. In 1991, LAFCO completed the annexation of all territories of the Tassajara Fire Protection District and transferred them to the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, which included Tassajara Valley and the southern boundary of Morgan Territory. The major revenue sources of the District are property taxes (93%), ambulance service fees, and interest income. Total income for the year ending June 30, 2012 was $52,936,340. The District employs approximately 191 personnel.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) was formed on July 1, 1997 as an independent special district. MOFD was created through the consolidation of the Moraga Fire Protection District and the Orinda Fire Protection District to provide more efficient fire protection and emergency medical services. The MOFD provides fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services in the City of Orinda, the Town of Moraga, some unincorporated county areas adjacent to the municipalities, and the community of Canyon. The MOFD covers an area of roughly 47 square miles and serves a population of approximately 38,000 people. The major revenue sources of the District are property taxes, ambulance service fees, and a new cost recovery program to recoup some vehicle accident costs. Total budgeted income for the fiscal year 2012-13 is $17,781,231. The District employs approximately 71 personnel.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) was originally formed by the merger in 1964 of the Central Fire Protection District (Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill) and the Mt. Diablo Fire Protection District (Concord, West Pittsburg, Clayton, and Pacheco). In the years since, many other fire districts have been annexed into ConFire to create the current district. Mountain View (unincorporated Martinez), Martinez, Lafayette, Bay Point, Island, Briones, Riverview, San Pablo, Oakley, and Pinole Fire Districts have all become a part of ConFire. The District serves more than 600,000 residents across a 304 square mile coverage area, operates 30 fire stations, and responds to approximately 45,000 incidents annually. Total projected revenue for the fiscal year 2012-13 is $102,313,737. The District employs approximately 298 personnel.

Although all fire districts in Contra Costa County have been hit hard by a decline in property taxes and increased employee and pension costs, ConFire has been impacted the most. The County Board of Supervisors, which serves as the ConFire Board of Directors, voted last month to close four stations as a cost saving measure. The stations closed are Station #4 - 700 Hawthorne Drive, Walnut Creek, Station #12 – 1240 Shell Avenue, Martinez, Station #16 – 4007 Los Arabis Avenue, Lafayette, and a partial closure of Station #11 – 6500 Center Avenue, Clayton.

These closures impact all of our fire districts because of agreements to support each other through “Automatic” and “Mutual” aid. We are looking at both short term and more importantly long term solutions to make ConFire sustainable. These include continuing to control expenses, reducing pension obligations and employee expenses, and finding more cost efficient ways to respond to medical emergencies, which make up more than 80% of all ConFire calls. We hope to expand our use of volunteer/reserve firefighters, seek greater cost recoveries, and apply for additional grants. We are examining the efficiency of where all of our fire stations are located.

For example, rather than eventually reopening Lafayette Station 16 in its current location, we are exploring with MOFD the possibility of a joint firehouse on the Orinda/ Lafayette border to better serve both fire districts.

We often talk about being prepared for disasters, but it’s important to be prepared for emergencies in our own homes. Please ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in your house and routinely checked. Have fire extinguishers on hand, and know how to use them. Consider the installation of a residential sprinkler system. Create defensible space around your home and property in the event of a brush fire, and attend citizen CPR/CERT classes and training.

For more information about the fire station closures, please see the ConFire website at www.cccfpd.org, or contact my office with any questions: Dist2@bos. cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.

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Page 16 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Quick Trips

By Linda Summers Pirkle Gourmet Chocolate Walk in San Francisco

When I was in my twenties, I lived in Paris. Every so often I splurged on delicious chocolate from one of the many chocolate shops. The little shops reminded me of fine jewelry stores; the chocolate morsels were very different than the See’s that I was accustomed to.

I have returned to Paris every few years since then and have been fortunate to bring my daughters on some of my trips. One of our favorite things to do is visit the chocolate shops. We do visit the museums, of course, but chocolate shops are a close second on our itinerary.

When I discovered San Francisco Gourmet Walks, (www.gourmetwalks.com) Chocolate Walk, I was thrilled. My friend Sue (another chocoholic) and I met up with our small group at Justin Herman Plaza at two in the afternoon on a rainy Saturday. Our very personable tour guide, Shane Fallon, started us out with a bit of history about the company. “Gourmet Walks was started in 2007

by Andrea Nadel, a dynamic woman and devout lover Furniture o ti a P of fine chocolates. Moving from NYC to the Bay Area, SPARE THE AIR er Sale d r O l ia c e p S USE GAS LOGS & fIRE PITS she was astounded by the number of gourmet chocolate makers. By combining her love of tourism and food, she started Gourmet Walks.”

Before starting on our three hour walking tour of the city’s finest chocolate shops, Shane suggested we “pace ourselves’ on our journey of tasting some excellent chocolate.

Tarragon grapefruit, star anise and pink peppercorn, lavender vanilla, rose caramel, and candied orange peel are just a few of the different kinds of gourmet choco- Open Tuesday thru Saturday lates we were able to sample and buy. Gourmet chocoCustom Glass 10am to 6pm lates, according to our guide, are made from all natural Doors am pm products and no artificial preservatives.

Sunday Danville 11 925.648.0293 to 5 One of our stops, Teuscher (www.teuschersf.com), on Camino Tassajara Closed3426 Monday Sutter Street carries the truffle made famous by Oprah Alamo 925.820.8492 3189 Danville Boulevard with her “favorite things’ list. According to Assistant Manager Hang Phan, when Oprah mentioned the truffle on her show, every one of their stores sold out within one day of the announcement. Not to add to the hype, but our sample of “Oprah’s favorite” was truly delicious!

3426 Camino Tassajara Danvil Teuscher also has an extraordinary window display. Feb3426 Ca ruary is a great month to check it out, with their signature floral display and red and white boxes.

3189 Danville Boulevard Alamo Open Tues thru Sat 10 to 6 One of the most unique stops along the tour was Fog 3189 Da Sunday 11 to 5 • Closed Monday City News (www.fogcitynews.com), a tiny shop on Market Street. According to owner Adam Smith, Fog City News started out offering international newspapers and magazines. Customers commented they could get French Limonade, and the latest Paris Match magazine, so why not also offer fine French chocolates? Soon they were importing chocolates, not just from France but from all over the world. They currently carry hundreds of premium chocolate bars. Employees keep tasting notes on everything they carry. No matter what question our group asked about their fine chocolate, our chocolatier was ready with an informed answer.

Our tour lasted three hours. We learned about the “bean to bar” process, had delicious samples to take home, and of course, made chocolate purchases. *Gourmet Walks offers gift certificates for the chocolate lovers in your life; they will thank you for it. They have also added a Valentine Cupcake and Chocolate tour for the month of February only.

Gourmet Walks can be reached by email at info@gourmetwalks.com or by calling 855-503-0697.

Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has been arranging and leading tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “If it’s a trip for my husband and me, my husband drives and I talk (he’s a captive audience) – the perfect combination! What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

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Page 18 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Life in the Alamo Garden

Water As A Garden Element

By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect

We long to dip our hands under it, stick our big toe in it, and submerse our bodies under it. Every successful garden has some form of a water element as a main attraction. It may be a huge rushing waterfall cascade, an Italianate fountain, a koi pond, or a simple wall fountain. Whatever the size and magnitude of the feature itself, water brings a sense of peace, connection, serenity, and reflection to a garden.

There are several different approaches that I take in determining the design of a water feature. What is the size, scale, and terrain of the land? Is the water feature intended to be a focal point? What is the level of sound that is needed from the water feature? Does the water feature have a function?

Size, scale, and terrain play a significant role in the design of a water feature.

If you have a large Alamo lot tucked up against a hillside, you probably have a perfect opportunity to have a natural water feature like a waterfall, stream, brook, or thundering Sierra cascade ending into a pond or even a swimming pool. Hillside backgrounds often times are the best terrain for a waterfall cascade which lends itself to a more natural setting. Typically, I don’t like creating a “fake” backdrop for a waterfall because they never look very natural. If you’re going to build a natural water feature, do your best to recreate nature’s artful

Go Green This Valentine’s Day

Lover’s Day Aloe Tour, Sunday, February 10

The Ruth Bancroft Garden’s “Lover’s Day Aloe Tour” is an all-day event focused specifically on the Garden’s dramatic Aloe collection.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden has an unparalleled collection of aloes, including hybrids not found anywhere else in the world. These winter bloomers put on a stunning show with colorful, dramatic flower stalks. There will be three one-hour docent tours offered throughout the day, highlighting the most spectacular blooms and describing of the plants’ history and native habitats.

Hot drinks and nibbles will be served, including sweets from TCHO and Rachel Dunn Chocolates. Sign up to have your portrait taken by a professional photographer, or pick up a memento for your sweetie – handmade jewelry, ceramics, floral arrangements, and dish gardens will be available.

Docent tours will be held Sunday, February 10th at 10:30am, noon, and 1:30pm. A Members-Only tour will be held at 3pm. The Garden is open from 10am-4pm and is located at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek. Admission is $15/person or $20/couple.

For more information, call (925) 944-9352.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is open to the public daily. It is filled with thousands of stunning succulents. Ruth started the Garden, adjacent to her home, in 1972 with one-gallon pots of a wide variety of succulents, many of which are still growing in the Garden. Opened to the public in the early 1990s, the Garden is an outstanding example of a water-conserving garden, appropriate for its Mediterranean climate, and its staff are internationally respected authorities on succulents and dry gardens.

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hands. Build it into the natural terrain, not onto the terrain.

The scale of a water feature is relevant to the purpose of it. Nine times out of ten a water feature is a main focal point in a garden. If it is a main attraction, design it so people can hear it, see it clearly, and access it easily and safely. A decorative fountain can often be a stunning focal point. Make sure to scale it to its surroundings.

There’s nothing more disappointing than a wimpy little fountain surrounded by a massive piece of architecture. Be bold not gauche!

The sound that a water feature makes is very important. We love the look and feel of water, but often times the sound of water can be unnerving or irritating. Most of us can remember the uneasy feeling of the water feature that sounds like the male of the species doing his business in the toilet (Hopefully that was said with some political correctness!), or the Sierra cascade next to your main patio that is so overwhelmingly loud that you have to scream at the top of your lungs to have a conversation. The sound that resonates from your water feature needs to be appropriate for your surroundings. For instance, the Sierra cascade is great for a golf course clubhouse terrace view across a lake or at a distance from your main patio in the background.

Water sounds can be very soothing and relaxing. The right sound tends to be different for each and every client. I once had a client who wanted a “lakeshore water-lapping-on-the-beach-sound” and one who wanted a “babblingbrook-sound.” Before you undertake selecting a water feature, listen for the sounds of water that please your senses.

The function of a water feature as a garden element is very important. The function can take many forms depending on the intention for its use. It can also have several different functions separately and at the same time. Swimming pools, waterfalls, ponds, fountains, rills, vanishing edge, shear descent, wall fountain, fleur-de-lis, cascade, etc. all have many different functions. Basically, all of the five senses are available to please with your water feature at any given time or maybe all of them at once - sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste! All of the aforementioned water features can fulfill the function.

Water as garden element is essential for the successful design of your garden.

It will bring you peaceful joy and connection to your landscape. It will attract and bring wonder to all who enter it.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: A well-done water feature begins with good design and is implemented by an experienced craftsman. Ask to see some finished referrals from your contractor.

Gardening Quote of the Month: How often it is that a garden, beautiful though it be, will seem sad and dreary and lacking in one of its most gracious features, if it has no water. - Pierre Husson If you would like me to write on any particular subject email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial

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Solar Currents

Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 19

By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar

American Energy Independence: The bad news is that America has again increased her appetite for energy. The good news is that the majority of the energy plants constructed in 2012 are renewable biomass, solar, geothermal, hydro, and wind plants. Domestic oil and gas production are also up. As a result of our every increasing energy independence and energy exports, there are predictions are that a geopolitical shift in energy pricing will move from the Middle East to the United States within the next 10 years. This may eliminate the price fluctuations that we suffer from as a result of international events or politically motivated embargoes.

Lease vs. Purchase of Solar: There is one very important factor that consumers must take into account when considering a solar lease. A leased solar system will reduce or eliminate your electricity bill. However, the leased solar system carries a monthly lease cost. The difference between the lease cost and the electric bill reduction is the savings the consumer should realize. A financial company owns the system and pockets most of the savings generated via the lease. It used to be that a leased solar system was the only choice for the consumer with no investment cash available for a purchase. Much like a traditional loan agreement, a leased solar system is a contract between a consumer and finance company to make payments on the leased system for 20 years. However, the main difference is that a solar lease never leads to an ownership position in the solar system.

The Path to Ownership (and greater returns): The federal government has recently provided backing for loan products through private banks, at reasonable interest rates, for energy efficiency home improvements. This zero down PowerSaver loan product allows consumers to trade electric costs for loan costs (vs. lease costs). The proceeds of the loan provide a “Path To Ownership” that a lease does not provide.

Some industry experts are predicting that this loan option will be a “lease killer” because consumers will be made aware that ownership always results in much greater financial savings.

Another Reason to Own: Recently I was surprised to hear that leasing companies often restrict their customer’s access to online solar system performance monitoring. Lease companies would rather not field continuous calls from homeowners who have concerns about their systems production and the resulting arguments about payments for perceived underperformance.

The perceived “underperformance” is oftentimes attributed to kilowatt overproduction estimates by the contractor during the bid process (Discussed in last months article). In most cases, the actual performance numbers are appealing enough to the consumer, but in these competitive times, the “anything to get the job” approach can prevail. From a consumer’s standpoint, I believe that the lessee/owner of a solar array has an absolute right to monitor the system’s performance and get accurate performance calculations; after all, they’re the ones paying for it.

California Solar Initiative FACT: According to California statute, solar contractors and solar equipment providers are required to keep all solar installations operational for 10 years at no cost to the consumer. Purchase of a solar system ensures that it will be maintained for 10 years, assuming you choose a contractor with integrity and longevity in the industry.

Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715).

Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s showroom at 114 West Prospect Avenue in Danville or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com. Advertorial

High School Writers Contest and Workshop

The California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch will be sponsoring their Second Annual High School Writers Contest. The theme is “My Story, My Vision” and is open to all students attending high schools in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon in grades 9, 10, and 11.

The contest is free to enter. Deadline for submission is March 22, 2013. Entry categories include poetry, personal essay, and short story.

Cash prizes will be awarded to nine students. For more details, visit http:// trivalleywriters.org/high-school-contest/.

The CWC Tri-Valley Branch invites writers of all genres and experience levels to learn about their craft at its monthly meetings, workshops, and special events. For more information about California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch, contact Paula Chinick at president@trivalleywriters. org or visit www.trivalleywriters.org.

Page 20 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Topping Trees?

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

At Brende & Lamb we get the occasional request to remove some or all of a tree’s crown, a process called topping.

There are many reasons why people ask to have a tree topped: increased light, better view, safer tree, or reduced leaf litter. Though it seems counter-intuitive, topping almost always produces the opposite of the desired effect. Topping can decrease available light, mar the view, make a safe tree unsafe, and even increase leaf litter. Take, for example, topping to decrease the shadow cast by a tree. This may work in the very short term, but topping stimulates rapid growth, causing the tree’s crown to thicken, thereby cutting out light after just a few growing seasons. Over time, you get more light for your pruning dollar if instead of topping you give the crown a judicious thinning. When done correctly, thinning doesn’t over stimulate the tree, and it enhances the tree’s aesthetics instead of seriously, sometimes irredeemably, damaging it.

Another common misperception is that topping will make the tree safer; it almost always does just the opposite. Most topped trees decay at the point at which they were topped. Topping also stimulates production of long lanky shoots. Given that these shoots grow out of decaying wood, topping often turns a safe tree into a hazard that increases over time. Some of the more dangerous trees we’ve seen were topped years ago with no follow-up pruning. If you have a previously topped tree growing close to your home, it is a good idea to have a competent arborist give it a safety evaluation. Previously topped trees can be made safer by pruning to reduce wind-sail and by reducing weight on leggy branches.

People sometimes top trees to reduce leaf litter, but most trees respond to topping by putting out a profusion of leaves to help repair the damage. In short order, the owner of a topped maple will spend more time with rake in hand than before the topping.

Topping to increase view is often done without realizing that the new

Clip Notes

By Jody Morgan

Once upon a time when American schoolchildren were taught to revere the virtue of veracity as exemplified by their nation’s foremost politicians, “Honest Abe” Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated on February 12th and “I-cannot–tell-a-lie” Washington’s was recognized on February 22nd. The featured dessert for the latter date was cherry pie, and generations of American youth believed in their first President’s inability to prevaricate. Ironically, most experts now agree that the tale supporting young George’s truthful nature is a fabrication. Even those who argue that the story was a piece of Washington family lore cannot present documentation for the incident. Nevertheless, based on his gardening proclivities at Mount Vernon and his wife’s culinary records, serving cherry-based confections to honor Washington’s memory is entirely appropriate.

Mason Weems is credited with publishing the earliest written account of the cherry-tree-chopping myth in the 1806 edition of his biography of Washington.

The itinerant preacher declared the tale to have been told to him by an elderly lady who was Washington’s first cousin. He quoted her as saying of young George: “He unluckily tried the edge of his hatchet on the body of a beautiful young English cherry-tree, which he barked so terribly, that I don’t believe the tree ever got the better of it.” William McGuffey incorporated the story as a moral parable in his series of reading texts introduced in 1836 as Eclectic Readers, and reprinted through 1960 as McGuffey Readers. With sales estimated at 120 million copies, the books and the lessons they taught influenced the thinking of children across America for almost 150 years.

George Washington’s family was not the only prominent colonial clan to hand a cherry tree tale down to their descendents. In Wild Fruits, Henry David Thoreau recounts: “Family tradition says that my grandmother, who lived in Weston, brought over the first ripe cherries of the year to her brother, Simeon Jones, who was confined in Concord Jail as a Tory, on the day of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the seventeenth of June, 1775.” Thoreau distinguishes between the

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view will include an ugly tree. If the tree in the view is a bay, a eucalyptus, or any number of other fast-growing species, the topping will fail to provide view for long because the topped tree will soon produce sprouts that shoot up into the view. Well-planned pruning can often capture view, and it is often possible to enhance the beauty of the tree in the process. A beautiful view framed by a beautiful tree is far lovelier than a view over the top of an ugly and scarred tree.

Another frequent request for topping comes from people about to sell their homes who think that topping their trees will increase the sale price. Real estate professionals know that beautiful trees can raise property values by as much as 20%, whereas a topped tree can be a liability . . . something the bidder on your house might ask you to deduct from the sales price so that they can have the tree removed.

For further information about the perils of tree topping, go to the website of the International Society of Arboriculture, and read the article at www. treesaregood.org/treecare/topping.aspx. If you are thinking about topping, please reconsider. It is possible to enhance view, increase light, and make trees safer without topping. Doing so does, however, require competent pruning by tree professionals.

If your trees need a little TLC please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood.

Advertorial

Walnut Creek Garden Club

The February meeting for the Walnut Creek Garden Club will be held at the Camellia Room in the Gardens at Heather Farm, located at 1540 Marchbanks Rd in Walnut Creek, on Monday, February 11th at 9:30AM. The program will feature Joanie Smith, owner of East Bay Nature in Walnut Creek. Her presentation, “Birds in the Backyard,” will include a slide show, and she will speak about attracting birds to our gardens.

Guests and prospective members are welcome to attend. For more information, email jadmd3@sbcglobal.net. cultivated English cherries his Tory relative enjoyed and several wild species of cherry native to New England.

In American Gardens in the Eighteenth Century, Ann Leighton notes of growing English cherries that: “Those with carefully designed kitchen gardens, like Washington, liked to espalier them against a wall as well as to line them up in orchards.” She also comments that like Jefferson, Washington was “partial to May Dukes, Carnations, Black Hearts, White Hearts, and Morellos.” This list includes both sweet cherries, which could be picked and eaten straight from the tree and sour cherries, which needed to be cooked with sugar to be palatable.

The May Duke is a hybrid between sweet and sour cherries, while the Morello is a late-flowering sour cherry. The Carnation cherry is sour, but both Back and White Hearts are sweet. Sour cherry species tend to be self-fertile, but sweet cherries generally require a companion pollinator to set fruit.

Early settlers rejoiced to see cherry trees growing wild in the New World, only to learn that while they excelled in providing wood for cabinetry, their fruit was almost inedible. In New England’s Prospect, published in 1634, William Wood writes: “The cherry trees yield great store of cherries, which grow on clusters like grapes; they be much smaller than our English cherry, nothing near so good if they be not very ripe. They so fur the mouth that the tongue will cleave to the roof and the throat wax hoarse with swallowing…” Steeped in rum, they were good for Cherry Bounce, a popular colonial beverage.

The so-called English cherries made their American debut in 1629. Exactly when they reached the British Isles is open to speculation. Some contend that birds delivered them to England prior to their intentional planting by the Romans in the first century A.D. In Greece, they were cultivated as early as 300 B.C. Fruit-bearing cherry trees are thought to be native to the area between the Caspian and Black Seas.

Martha Washington’s cookbook offers recipes for desserts including fruit tarts and pies, though none specifically for cherry pie. Transcribed by Karen Hess and published in 1995 by Columbia University as Martha Washington’s Booke of Cookery and Booke of Sweetmeats, the volume contains recipes for cherry preserves, cherry wine, and cherry paste. After checking the recipe for Martha’s Cherry Bread-and-Butter-Pudding, I’ve decided to stick with serving my own lattice top cherry pie for President’s Day.

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 21

The Perfect Patio Set

3198 Danville Blvd. • Alamo

925.984.2660

By The Patio & Fire Place staff

It’s the perfect time to start planning for spring and summer outdoor events. If your patio furniture has seen better days, now is the time to visit the Patio & Fire Place store to replace it. Custom orders made in February and March will arrive just in time for warmer weather.

Serving the Bay Area since 1975, our staff is well trained to take care of your outdoor furniture needs. Allana, who can be found at our Alamo store, has been in the patio industry since 1999. Her past experience at Frellen’s has given her a strong depth of knowledge to work with homeowners and businesses in creating their ideal outdoor living spaces that are not only beautiful but functional. Jay, who can usually be found in our Danville store, has an art and design background that gives him the distinctive eye in putting together a pleasing outdoor patio arrangement. His past experience of over 15 years at Simons and Frellen’s gave him a solid foundation in this business. Jay and Allana provide home consultations and design work to help you create your ultimate patio.

Patio furniture is no longer all about redwood or teak. Today’s market includes beautifully crafted sets available in a variety of materials that will turn your outdoor living area into your own personal resort.

Aluminum has surpassed all other metals and come out on top as the most popular for outdoor furniture. It is lightweight, durable, hand-welded, and best-of-all, virtually maintenance free.

Aluminum is inherently rust-resistant and covers the spectrum of styles from ultra modern to traditional.

Wicker, which refers to a weaving method rather than a material, comes in rattan, bamboo, willow, and synthetic. Conversation sets generally include a sofa, love seat, club or lounge chairs, a rocking chair or two, coffee table, and side tables. Today’s wicker furniture is constructed to stand up well to outdoor use.

Where wind is a concern, wrought iron is an excellent option. From clean, simple lines, to intricate designs, wrought iron provides a classic look that also requires little maintenance, and it won’t blow around.

Did you make a resolution to be more “green” this year? If so, check out our recycled furniture options. These pieces are made from recycled plastic bottles and containers. The eco-friendly sets are suitable for any climate.

They won’t crack, rot, fade, or splinter, and they are a solid color throughout.

If wood is still your go-to choice, we have many solid premium teak sets available which are crafted to withstand the elements for many years to come.

To complete the look, the Patio & Fire Place carries a full line of fire pits to make any outdoor living space shine.

Our experienced staff will help you chose the best items for your taste, needs, and budget. Our Danville store is located at 3426 Camino Tassajara in Danville, and the Alamo store is re u it located at 3189 Danville Blvd. Both stores rn u Patio F er Sale rd O l ia c e Sp are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

For questions or more information, call the Danville store at 925-648-0293 or the Alamo store at 925-820-8492. Advertorial

Over 35 years of experienced care and personal service.

• Prescription glasses and sunglasses • Lab on premises for replacement lenses • Prescription sportswear for cyclists • Contacts replaced in 1-2 business days • Designer and affordable eyewear for the

entire family

Monday-Friday - 10AM - 5:30PM • Saturday -10AM - 1PM

M. E. L A N D O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E Custom Houses . Remodels . Additions

Make the most of your investment by starting with a quality design that adds value to your home.

OFFERING: Over twenty years of home design experience.

Complete service from concept to completion.

Simple additions, complete remodels and custom homes.

Beautiful curb appeal, excellent layouts and structural economy.

Complimentary initial design consultations.

CONTACT: Mark Landolf Email: mark@melarchitect.com

925.8 37.3434

Alamo Sheriff’s Station Seeks Volunteers

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Station in the Alamo Shopping Center is looking for volunteers to assist in law enforcement in our community. The volunteers are assigned duty at the Station's lobby to greet visitors, answer phones, participate in the “If I Were a Thief” program, and assist in law enforcement sponsored events.

Adults who do not have a criminal history and who can serve five hours a week should call Lieutenant Tom Chalk at (925) 646-6180, or visit the office at 150 Alamo Plaza #C to pick up an application.

Mustang Tigers U13 Girls - NOR CAL Silver Division Champions. Bottom front, left to right: Poppy, Sara, Emily, Paige,Jenna; Top, left to right: Claire, Emily, Grace, Natalie, Julia, Madison, Morgan, Leah, Kayla, Amy; Coach Richard, Coach Mark, Coach Gary

Page 22 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Farmers continued from front page

Last summer, Danville resident Shalini Kumar began exploring programs to engage her children’s minds when she came across an event organized by Sustainable Danville being held at Peace Lutheran Church.

Through Sustainable Danville, Kumar found The Urban Farmers.

Kumar attended a speech given by Siamack Sioshansi, co-founder of The Urban Farmers. Sioshansi’s talk touched Kumar. “It broke my heart that up to 125,000 people eat [food from the Food Bank] every day, and 25 % of them are children,” she said. “It bothers me that so many children have to suffer from a basic need to be fed in this beautiful country.”

Eager to help, Kumar quickly mobilized her neighbors, and within 48 hours, The Urban Farmers had received 14 new tree registrations – six locations, all within less than a three-mile radius. With such little driving to be done, The Urban Farmers were able to harvest upwards of 740 pounds of fruit in a four-hour time frame. “On a typical day we can harvest four backyards,” says Sioshansi, “but in her neighborhood, since travel time is minimal, we have gone to five and six homes in a day.”

How did Kumar round up so many tree owners? “I simply wrote up a flyer and sent it to all my friends and neighbors,” Kumar says. “What can I say?

People are just plain generous!” In addition to sending out emails reminding friends and family to register their fruit trees, Kumar’s daughter brought flyers door to door with a friend, and each girl in her Girl Scout troop pledged to talk about The Urban Farmers to at least one other person.

Kumar also spread the word by including information about the organization in the parent newsletter at her children’s middle school. “I asked the communications person to put it in the newsletter with the hope that one or two parents will read it and act on it,” Kumar says.

Kumar, who has an orange tree, two cherry plum trees, a baby fig, and a bay plum tree with hopes to plant more, says that when she told friends and family about The Urban Farmers, “They were just happy that all the extra fruit would be put to good use!”

As a result of Kumar’s efforts, The Urban Farmers have received 34 new tree registrations. Combined, those trees produced upwards of 3,400 pounds of food – enough to feed 680 people for a day at virtually no cost.

Such donations are extremely important to local food banks. With recent cutbacks to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provided by the Federal government, food banks have experienced higher operating costs, resulting in fewer high protein items. “Programs like TEFAP are essential at the local level,” says Daniel Scherer, Logistics Coordinator at the Monument Crisis Center.

When local hunger relief agencies such as the Monument Crisis Center receive less TEFAP support, they must compensate with other programs to ensure clients receive proper nutrition, which is costlier for the Center. Scherer describes the Pantry Food Program, which runs five times a week: Qualifying clients who meet income requirements and bring in necessary paperwork can pick up food once a month; at this time, they also receive TEFAP support. “Our Pantry Food Boxes contain non-perishable food items including pasta, rice, beans, oatmeal, cereal, canned fruit, vegetables, beans, soup, fish, tomatoes, and peanut butter,” says Scherer. However, “In July our list dropped from the usual seven or eight items down to six which consisted of tuna, green beans, peaches, shelf stable milk, rice, and rotini. While the tuna was great, all the other items are fairly cheap. You can compare this to the menu for May which consisted of canned apricots, assorted vegetables, corn, vegetarian soup, peanut butter, dried plums, lentils, and whole wheat rotini.”

Donations from groups such as The Urban Farmers help ease the financial difficulties of local food banks by providing quality organic produce at no cost. Scherer points out, “Fresh produce is incredibly expensive to purchase in a grocery store. To be able to provide food as nutritious as [the produce from The Urban Farmers] to our clients is invaluable.”

How can you help?

• If you have fruit trees with excess fruit, register them on The Urban Farmers website, www.theurbanfarmers.org.

• Tell your friends and neighbors. There is a flyer on The Urban Farmers website that you can download or email to friends and neighbors.

• Help get the word out by placing an announcement in the newsletter at your children’s school, your house of worship, and community lists.

Do you have room for a tree or two? The Urban Farmers will help you buy, plant, and raise local delicious fruit.

For more information, contact The Urban Farmers at (925) 297-5525.

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New Estate Tax Law - How to Seize a Key Opportunity

By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

New Estate Tax legislation (enacted January 3rd) creates a compelling opportunity for many married couples who have a Revocable Living Trust. Below, I’ll: a) give you some background; b) describe the opportunity and to whom it applies; c) explain why, if this applies to you, you will lose the opportunity if you don’t change your Trust before the first spouse dies; and d) identify the harm caused by failing to change your Trust.

The new Federal Estate Tax exemption – the net value of assets you may own at death without being subject to this tax – is $5.25 million, and it will be indexed for inflation annually. Any excess is subject to Estate Tax at a 40% tax rate.

During the last few decades, the exemption has increased dramatically – from $600,000 - $675,000 throughout the 90’s, to between $1 million and $3.5 million between 2001 and 2009, with tax rates applying to excess amounts varying from 45-55%.

Besides having a dramatically lower exemption for the last few decades, applicable laws since 2001 have all included a “sunset” provision. Each such provision mandated the reduction of the exemption to $1 million on the law’s sunset date. Due to the uncertainty and to plan conservatively (i.e. counting on a lower exemption), many couples established what’s known as a “formula” (aka “A-B” or “A-B-C”) Trust. The primary goal of most formula trusts is to take advantage of potential Estate Tax savings.

The mechanism for realizing these tax savings is to allocate assets into two or three separate sub-trusts after the first spouse dies. Essentially, by creating these sub-trusts, a married couple can double the amount of assets they are entitled to pass on free of Estate Tax to their children or other loved ones - potentially producing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax.

At this point, you’re probably saying to yourself, “Thank goodness for formula Trusts; I need to be sure I have one!” Not so fast. For married couples with estates of up to several million dollars or more, formula Trusts were indeed the “holy grail” of estate planning for many years. They can still help accomplish certain non-tax goals, such as providing some control during the surviving spouse’s life over what happens to the assets that belonged to the first spouse to die. This can be particularly useful in estate planning for blended families.

Aside from these various kinds of “control” reasons to have a formula Trust (which should certainly always be considered), the current exemption of more than $5 million is such that a huge number of couples no longer need a formula Trust!

You might reasonably ask why you shouldn’t keep your A-B Trust in the remote event that you end up needing it. Because there are important, yet not commonly understood, disadvantages of a formula Trust. They are typically much more expensive to administer, and they are much more inconvenient to manage after the first spouse dies.

An attorney is generally needed to help the surviving spouse comply with complicated rules in allocating and transferring assets into their respective sub-trusts. Separate records and accounts are required. A separate tax return must be prepared and filed for the ‘B’ Trust every year of the surviving spouse’s life.

Unfortunately, I have met with too many new widows or widowers to whom I had to deliver the bad news - explaining the ramifications of his or her formula Trust. Frequently, the surviving spouse tells me that if their attorney had explained the pros and cons of formula and non-formula Trusts when their Trust was drafted or when it was last reviewed (or when it should have been last reviewed) by their attorney, the couple would have definitely decided on a non-formula Trust. And by making that decision, the surviving spouse would have saved a lot of attorneys’ fees, costs, and inconvenience.

You should be on high alert if you are married and have net assets unlikely to ever exceed $5 million (in fact, because of a newer “portability” rule, even if your assets will not likely exceed $10 million). If you have a formula Trust, you should obtain expert legal advice and assistance about the pros and cons of amending and restructuring it into a non-formula Trust. If you fail to make this change, you may subject the surviving spouse to years of unnecessarily complex, expensive, and aggravating Trust administration.

Simple is often better; sometimes less is more…

Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, 1333 N. California Street, Suite 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 944-9700; rsilverman@ sbllp.com. His practice emphasizes Estate Planning, Trust Administration & Probate, Real Estate, and Business. Mr. Silverman offers a free introductory consultation.

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 23

Analyzing the Flows in Your Financial Plan Brought to you by Peter, Jim, Bob, & Paul In conjunction with Spectrum Wealth Partners, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.

For most investors—even those with significant wealth—a secure financial future doesn’t simply happen. Instead, it must be carefully crafted to help meet your most important goals and leave nothing to chance. Of course, the future is unpredictable, and your own personal situation changes over time. That makes it all the more challenging to answer the most crucial of financial questions: Are you on track to achieve your financial objectives?

As an investor looking to make the smartest possible decisions about your money, you need a comprehensive understanding of your current financial situation and a reliable roadmap of where you’re headed. The key lies in an important but often overlooked component of the financial planning process called cash-flow planning.

In short, cash-flow planning helps you determine if you’ll accomplish your goals and live the life you desire. It can give you the knowledge to better control your financial destiny. At a basic level, cash-flow planning is the process of analyzing your annual income sources, such as salary and investment income, against your annual income uses, such as debt, living expenses, and taxes—in short, “money in” versus “money out.”

Analyzing Your Personal Balance Sheet

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Working with your financial planner, you can employ advanced computer modeling to develop “what if” scenarios about your financial future by projecting your cash flow, asset growth potential, taxes, the size of your estate, and other relevant financial data over the full length of your life expectancy. This will allow you to complete a series of ‘what if’ situations that are designed to assist you in making intelligent decisions regarding one or a series of objectives.

Armed with such knowledge, you can analyze whether your current financial plan is adequate—or whether you and your financial planner need to make any changes to stay on course. You’ll also be well positioned to make financially sound decisions as new needs arise, such as financing an education for a child or grandchild, purchasing a vacation home, or disposing of a highly appreciated asset such as concentrated stock or real estate. Consider the ways cash-flow planning can enhance just a few elements of your overall financial plan: Retirement planning. Cash-flow planning analysis allows you to estimate the growth of your overall net worth each year, based on the specific financial strategies you use or are planning to use, as well as the impact of taxes and inflation. You and your financial planner can evaluate that information to assess if you’re saving and building wealth fast enough to help reach retirement on schedule and in the way that you envision. Likewise, cash-flow analysis will enable you to create the optimal retirement income distribution plan built around your specific needs to help ensure you don’t outlive your savings.

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Estate planning. Without proper planning, estate taxes may significantly erode much Monday - Saturday: Lunch and Dinner of the estate you plan to leave to your heirs or to charities. But the cash-flow-planning Sunday: Dinner only process can help your heirs avoid unpleasant surprises in the future by estimating your We Offer a Full Bar and Lounge estate tax burden and other related costs. Your financial planner can work with you 3168 Danville Blvd, Alamo Margaritas are a House Specialty to implement estate tax reduction strategies that give you maximum control over the disposition of your assets.

Business succession planning. If you are an entrepreneur, the decision to keep or sell your firm can significantly affect the strength of your cash flow and overall net worth.

By using techniques to develop multiple “what if” scenarios, you’ll be well positioned to make the most informed business-succession decision possible—one that reflects your needs, those of your family, and those of any partners or employees you wish to include in the process.

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Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN201009-2046472 Advertorial

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Page 24 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

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SHOP LOCA

Tree Lighting Committee Members Honored As December’s Members Of The Month

The Chamber honored those responsible for presenting December’s Tree Lighting Festival which brought much joy to our community! The committee was chaired by Terri Johnson-Delfosse who coordinated the many facets and details of the event together with Kevin Musante, John Lineweaver, Andrew Elkin, Darlene Gayler, Teresa White, and Bruce Marhenke. Also providing much assistance with the Chamber’s annual gala event were Eric James Leffler, Lea Bartneck, Mike Kofford, Brent Tucker, Bill White and Craig Shotwell.

Congratulations to each of you and thanks so much for your great work!

And our thanks to many the young people who brought us much joy with their wonderful voices while singing many favorite holiday songs! You and your teachers were superb — The residents of Alamo are very proud of you all!

Our appreciation also to the Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff’s Volunteers, the CHP, and our local Fire Department for making the event so safe for everyone!

MEET OUR NEW, 2013 BOARD MEMBERS!

We’re providing their names, place of business, and their telephone numbers in order that other Chamber members or community residents can communicate with them regarding thoughts, suggestions, or questions regarding the Chamber’s mission, activities, and events. All telephone numbers are in the 925 area code.

Chairman Sharon Schuyler, Celebrations on the Bay, 708-8546 Past Chairman Keith Gilbert, Ace Hardware, 837-2420 Vice Chairman Kevin Musante, World of Sound & Vision, 820-4900 Treasurer John Lineweaver, Stone Valley Center, 837-3665 Secretary Steve Mick, 838-7570 Co-Membership Chair Andrea Scott, Alain Pinel Realtors, 791-2511 Co-Membership Chairman Andrew Elkin, Kensington Estates, 260-3451 Publicity Chairman Richard Wood, E-Paynow.com, 788-5057 Newsletter Bruce Marhenke, Alamo Communications, 831-0352 Awards & Recognition Jose Avelar, Don Jose's Restaurant, 743-8997 Mixer Chair Teresa White, Allstate Insurance, 820-7500 Member at Large Magid Emrani, RPM Mortgage, 286-7900 Member at Large Dianne McArthur, Ace Hardware, 925-837-2420

Santa and The Girls!

Thanks Eric James Photography.

We Welcome Residents To Join Us At Our Next Mixer At Wells Fargo Bank. Feb. 27th 5:30-7:30!

Chairman’s Message

We are on our way into 2013 and having just finished our new board planning session, some changes are on the horizon. Since I promised to share with you last month, let me tell you about them.

New forms of communication, increasing the value the Chamber offers to our business community, fun and engagement for members and all we touch, and launching a business referral program are just a few items on our action plan. Our goals are lofty, but our 2013 Board of Directors are ready to serve Alamo.

Just today, I received a messages on our Chamber voice mail about business referrals, upcoming 2013 event dates, and a concern about a neighborhood issue. It shows me that the people of Alamo know that we are here and we care.

Evidence of that care and action was abundant at the Crab Feed, Installation, and Awards Dinner last week as we honored many of our members. Business Person of the Year, Russ Belleci of The New Ristorante Forli, Volunteer of the Year, Terri DelFosse of Richards Arts & Crafts, Ambassador of the Year, Linda Devenney of Diablo Holdings, 12 members of the month, 10 high school scholarship winners, and many others were recognized for their valuable contributions on so many levels.

So, share our mission, share a visit to our members, and share some extra $$$ in Alamo this month.

Visit our website to see what’s happening at www.alamochamberofcommerce or drop me a note at Sharon@celebrationsonthebay.com with something to share .

And Remember….

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. ~Dr. Seuss Sharon Schuyler, 2013 Chairman - Alamo Chamber of Commerce Celebrations on the Bay Did you know you are responsible for your Business directory listing in our online directory, including Business name, address, phone number, website, and more? Visit www.alamochamberofcommerce.com to check that your listing is correct.

Shop Local 2013 Have you seen our new interactive map at www.shopalamo94507.com?

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 25

A Voice for Alamo – the Alamo MAC

By Michael McDonald

What is the Alamo MAC? In California, since the late 1960’s, municipal advisory councils (MACs) have existed to advise county governments on issues pertaining to their respective communities. The intent was to provide a focused voice to County Boards of Supervisors on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County in those communities where MACs were formed.

After the voters of Alamo chose not to incorporate in March 2009, the County Board of Supervisors felt it was important to provide Alamo with another avenue for community input on Alamo issues to supplement the work of their Supervisor. Consequently, in August 2009, the Alamo MAC was created by the Board of Supervisors, consolidating a number of existing advisory bodies and providing a forum to advise the board on a wide range of topics and services provided by the County. These issues include parks and recreation, land use and code enforcement, lighting and landscaping, public safety, transportation, and other issues of interest to the community. In addition, the MAC would relay information from the County back to the Alamo community.

Redistricting changed Alamo’s County representative. Every 10 years the United States takes a census of its citizens. In California, once the population is determined, our counties are equally divided into districts, so they are equitably represented by elected officials. Following the 2010 census, Alamo moved from District 3 to District 2, and our Supervisor changed from Mary Piepho to Gayle B. Uilkema, who sadly passed away in May 2012.

On June 26, 2012, Supervisor Candace Andersen officially took office as the District 2 Supervisor. Communities within her reconfigured district include Alamo, Canyon, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Parkmead, San Ramon, Saranap, and additional unincorporated areas within Walnut Creek.

With approximately 14,570 residents, Alamo is the largest unincorporated area within Supervisor Andersen’s district. She values the importance of her constituents having access to a municipal advisory council and urges all Alamo residents to participate in these monthly meetings, when possible.

The MAC members, Alamo residents appointed by the Supervisor, evaluate what has been presented to them and make recommendations to the Supervisor after hearing what the public has to say on the various issues. Supervisor Andersen also encourages the MAC to bring topics to her which they wish to see the County address. All meetings are open to the public, and residents are strongly encouraged to voice their opinion on any matter before the MAC. The seven residents appointed by Supervisor Andersen for the next four years are David Barclay, Ed Best, David Bowlby, Michael McDonald, Steve Mick, Janet Miller Evans, and Anne Struthers, with one youth representative slot yet to be filled.

The Alamo MAC meets on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6pm in the Alamo Chamber of Commerce offices located at 120-B Alamo Plaza.

For more information about the Alamo MAC, including current and previous agendas, please visit Supervisor Andersen’s website at www.ccounty.us\district2, and click on the Alamo MAC link.

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Alamo Police Services District P-2, Zone B

Deputy Mike Carson, Alamo Resident Deputy, activities for December 2012

Deputy Carson Completed:

203 Calls for service • 4 Field interview cards • 9 Reports • 1 Arrest

Deputy Carson Responded to or Conducted

4 Alarm calls • 2 Warrant arrests • 3 Found property• 2 Lost property • 4 Suspicious circumstances • 4 Service to citizens • 1 Vandalism • 6 Outside assists • 1 Grand theft • 3 Petty thefts • 1 Auto Burglary • 3 Residential burglaries • 2 Civil issues • 1 Drunk in public

If I Were a Thief Program (Crime awareness and prevention) 992 Streets covered • 421 Flyers distributed

Reported Incident

• Danville Blvd. - Forgery/Fraudulent Documents - Dep. Carson responded to a report that a white, female adult entered a local bank and attempted to deposit a forged check. The bank management conducted an internal investigation before determining the check was fraudulent. During the time they were investigating, the suspect left the bank without the check.

The bank employees did not immediately call Sheriff’s Dispatch. A short time after the suspect left the bank, another white, female adult entered the bank and attempted to cash a forged check. The bank management took the forged check and the suspect’s identification to conduct a “customer signature verification.” During this incident, bank employees called Sheriff’s Dispatch to report both incidents. The second suspect became nervous and left the bank prior to Dep. Carson’s arrival, but she left her identification and the forged check behind. Both cases are ongoing investigations.

Deputy Mike Carson is Alamo’s full time resident deputy. His position is funded

by Alamo’s P-2B police services district, which includes approximately 60% of Alamo household. District households pay an $18 annual parcel tax plus a portion of the 1% property tax. The Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee advises Sheriff David Livingston on the resident deputy and his services. The Committee is composed of Alamo residents within the district and it meets on the first Monday of each month at 5pm in the offices of the Alamo Chamber of Commerce, located at 120B Alamo Plaza. Alamo citizens are welcome to attend the meetings.

Page 26 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Alamo Improvement Association

By Roger Smith, President Pipeline Safety in Alamo

Residents from Concord to Sunol remain concerned about several pipelines located within the Iron Horse Trail Corridor which includes Kinder Morgan’s fuel pipeline and PG&E gas pipelines, some operating at 1000psi or greater. There are many other utilities crossing over and under the pipelines and PG&E, EBMUD and CCCounty Sanitation/Drainage all have been performing periodic excavation and digging work in this corridor, independently of each other.

Occasionally, certain sections of pipeline have to be located manually because the owner of the pipeline is unable to verify its exact location.

The reality of all of this is that the original right of way documents for boundary easements, grants, crossovers, and more have been compared to the CCCounty’s records and are not always in agreement.

What does this mean to you and other Alamo residents?

First, if you are a property owner along the Iron Horse Trail, you may find that your property boundaries have been ignored in the location of utilities. You might contact your Title Company and discuss this with their legal experts. Also, contact Kinder Morgan and PG&E and the CCCounty Public Works Dept. to discuss this further.

Second, all Alamo residents need to become more aware of Pipeline Location and Safety Issues.

Basic Advice - Become Aware of any digging being performed in your area and become Safe by asking those parties performing the digging to provide proof of their verification of pipelines in the vicinity.

Reporting Unsafe Conditions - Utilities

If you are a customer and need to report an unsafe situation, contact your utility company directly at the number shown on your utility billing. To file a complaint about your utility, do so at http://cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/forms/Complaints or directly at (800) 649-7570.

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Project Supervisor, Georgettia Gregory, can be reached by email at gg1@cpuc. ca.gov. Visit their website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/safety/Pipeline.

National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) enables the user to view their data by County. NPMS data consists of gas transmission pipelines and hazardous liquid trunk lines. However, it does not include information on the connection lines to residences. NPMS advises that their data is for information purposes and that anyone excavating needs to contact 811 to verify locations before any digging occurs. Visit their website at www.npms.phmsa.dot.cov/PublicViewer.

California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Pipeline Safety Division coordinates with the Office of the State Fire Marshall (SFM) in regulating the safety of approximately 5,500 miles of intrastate hazardous liquid transportation pipelines and acts as an agent of the Federal Office of Pipeline Safety concerning the inspection of more than 2,000 miles of interstate pipelines. The SFM also maintains Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based maps of all regulated pipelines and have been named the state repository for pipeline data by the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Visit http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/pipeline/pipeline.php and http://www.osfm.fire.ca.gov/pipeline/pipeline_locationrequest.php.

Public Safety Committee

AIA is interested in attracting Alamo residents with suitable career experience in “First Responder” categories to volunteer time on our Public Safety Committee.

Please contact AIA at President@AlamoCA.org.

Neighborhood Watch

Interested in enhancing communication with your neighbors and neighborhood groups?

AIA is interested in helping establish a network of interested representatives from various neighborhoods and neighborhood groups in Alamo to discuss the Neighborhood Watch program and its benefits. Please contact AIA at President@ AlamoCA.org.

Not at member of AIA? Consider joining and “help us, help you” and the rest of our Alamo community. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for more information and a membership form.

Reporting Emergency Conditions

If you are aware of an emergency such as a downed electrical wire or the smell of gas, first call 911. You can also call the main number for your utility listed in your phone directory or contact PG&E directly at (800) 743-5000.

Agencies Responsible for Oversight of Pipelines and their Safety

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ensures that the state’s natural gas pipeline systems are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained according to safety standards set by the CPUC and the Federal Government. The CPUC oversees the operation of the three investor-owned utilities who serve natural gas to the bulk of California residents and businesses. Their Program and

Diablo Valley Oncology Doctors Receive Patients’ Choice Award

The recognition of the Patients' Choice Award reflects the difference that a particular physician has made in the lives of their patients. The honor is bestowed to physicians who have received near perfect scores as voted by their patients. Of the nation's 830,000 active physicians, only 5% were accorded this honor by their patients in 2012.

All physicians at Diablo Valley Oncology recently received this prestigious award. They are physicians Matthew Sirott, Robert Robles, Jewel Johl, Tiffany Svahn, Gigi Chen, Esther Catalya, Sachin Kamath, and Sophia Rahman. These medical oncologists, hematologists, and radiation oncologists were rated by their patients on various components of care such as ease of appointment, promptness, courteous staff, diagnosis accuracy, amount of time they spent with the patient, their bedside manner, and follow-up care.

They received the highest scores, a near perfect four star rating by their patients. In fact, the practice has more doctors recognized than any other oncology practice in the area.

Dr. Robles, the group’s blood cancer specialist, has received the award three years in a row. One comment from a patient’s review states, “Dr. Robles explained my blood disease to me in a way I could understand. His medical knowledge and experience really impressed me. I know I am in good hands in his care. I would recommend Dr. Robles to my best friend or parents.”

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To view the complete Patients’ Choice “MD report card” profile of each physician, visit www.patientschoice.org.

Diablo Valley Oncology is located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill. The cancer center is the largest freestanding, nonhospital based facility in Contra Costa County. The center brings together medical oncology, hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging, clinical trials, and supportive care services – all in one convenient location.

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You vs. Flu – Who Will Win this Season?

Natural Defenses for you and your Family

By Melissa Ko, DC and Kimberly Liotta, DC

We are in the middle of a flu season, and so far, it’s been a bad one. These days, we’re hearing about the flu everywhere. Everyone is asking how many people are sick, which bug is going around right now and how bad it is, who’s at risk, etc. There are constant reminders on the radio, on billboards, and on signs at grocery store Dr. Ko pharmacies saying “FREE flu shot here! 10% off your groceries when you get your flu shot!” There has been much controversy on whether or not vaccinations are safe and effective, but we would like to share a different perspective of looking at illness. Each of us naturally has the weapons and defenses to battle even the nastiest of germs lurking around, if we give our bodies the chance.

As doctors, we understand that healing and health come from within. We practice these principles clinically on a daily basis. Our work is primarily centered on the spine and its integral role in maintaining a healthy nervous system. The nervous system controls all aspects of our health, including immune function. We have the opportunity to harness and enhance the body’s natural abilities to fight unwanted pathogens. The driver behind the wheel of immunity is the sympathetic nervous system, better known as the “fight or flight” response. This enables us to survive events that jeopardize our health, such as a man-eating tiger or infection from virus and bacteria. Studies in the 1970’s show that the spinal column has direct influence on the sympathetic nervous system. For example, nerves from the spinal cord in the upper back control an important immune organ called the thymus gland. When people have a misalignment, or subluxation, in this area of the spine, the surrounding nerves, tissues and muscles, as well as the organs those nerves innervate, will be affected. Thus, when patients have their spines checked for alignment, they are improving the overall function of their nervous systems.

While some improvements are subtle, others can be quite profound. For instance, a study done in the 1990’s demonstrates how chiropractic treatments enhance the body’s production of the immune cells that eat up invading pathogens. Think of these cells as Pac-man, traveling through your body looking to

Wheelchair continued from front page

Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 27 gobble up any bugs that don’t belong. Another study found that patients under chiropractic care have 200% higher immune competence as compared to those not under chiropractic care. This immune superiority occurred regardless of age! Isn’t that great to know when taking babies and elderly populations, those considered most at risk for the flu, into consideration? Think about that; is there anything out on the market right now that can even come close to boasting 200% immune system improvement? And, without all the side effects?

Of course, there are many other factors that boost your immunity. Eating a clean diet free of toxins, inflamma- Dr. Liotta tion, and allergies can boost your immune system simply because your gut is a major immune organ. Getting plenty of sleep, fresh air, and sunlight to produce vitamin D, a crucial component for immunity, and managing your stress levels are just some of the important lifestyle factors we discuss with our patients to create the best, holistic wellness strategy for them. There are certainly a multitude of alternative, natural, and safe ways to allow your body’s innate intelligence to deal with illness.

Yes, people are pretty sick these days, and nobody enjoys the unpleasant symptoms of infection. There is a heated debate going on about the safety of vaccines; this choice of whether or not vaccination is right for you and your family should be researched and well informed. No health decision for your precious loved ones should be made for the sake of convenience or a discount on tonight’s dinner.

Whatever your immunization choice is, everybody benefits from having a strong and effective immune system. From our experience, patients who regularly have their spines checked for alignment enjoy healthier lives and are more resilient to the nasty germs and bugs that are always going to be lurking out there. Remember, health comes from within. Give yourself and your family the chance to fight colds and the flu the natural way- get your spines and nervous systems checked today!

References • Murray DR, Irwin M, Reardon CA, et al. "Sympathetic and immune interactions during dynamic exercise. Mediation via a beta 2 - adrenergic-dependent mechanism." Circulation 1992 86(1): 203 • Korr IM: "Andrew Taylor Still memorial lecture: Research and Practice - a century later." J Am Osteopathy Assoc 1974 73:362. • Pero R. "Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results." The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.• Brennan P, Graham M, Triano J, Hondras M. "Enhanced phagocytic cell respiratory bursts induced by spinal manipulation: Potential Role of Substance P." J Manip Physiolog Ther 1991; (14)7:399-400.

Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit their website at www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call 925-837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Advertorial Our mission is to provide personalized care, help

The Wheelchair Foundation runs an adminismaintain independence and enhance our tratively lean operation, funneling virtually every client’s quality of life on a daily basis. dollar into providing wheelchairs. Volunteers and • Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits service organizations across America do much ensure the right care plan • Hourly care Heartfelt & of the fundraising. Unanimously declaring the for you • Live-in care Supportive • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt. positive return on their investment inestimable, • Elder referral and placement donors traveling on distribution trips pay their own At All Times...

3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D expenses. On the receiving end, similar groups Lafayette, CA 94549 arrange local logistics including identification of (beside Trader Joe’s) www.excellentcareathome.com 925-284-1213 recipients and appropriate configuration of the wheelchairs they require. They also fund and coordinate transportation to remote locations where wheelchairs are most needed. Rotary International, with clubs in over 200 countries, is frequently involved in all aspects of the process.

Since Bill Wheeler, founder of Blacktie Transportation, invited them on their first journey, Josh Routh and his father Don have made 20 distribution trips to 11 countries. In the remote town of Juigalpa, Nicaragua, they met a 26 year-old woman who had been waiting eight years to acquire the wheelchair she needed to utilize the scholarship to Managua University she earned as a high school honors graduate. Finally enabled to pursue her studies, she chose psychology so she could help families coping with disabilities. In poorer places, when one family member is disabled, another often has to stay home from school or work to act as caregiver.

Josh tears up as he describes a recipient brought to a wheelchair distribution in a wheelbarrow and another crawling through the dust to get there. Born with cerebral palsy, Josh has never walked. Although doctors predicted he would remain a quadriplegic, never uttering an intelligible word, the 33-year old San Ramon resident drives his own car and lives independently. A cashier at Nob Hill, Josh dedicates much of his time to aiding others.

“When you give someone the gift of mobility, you are giving them freedom and dignity…and when someone has freedom and dignity then they have hope for the future,” explains Don Routh. Now retired, Don spreads awareness of the worldwide need for the means of mobility and the elation engendered by improving the life of each wheelchair recipient. One of his initiatives at a Hayward elementary school gave low-income Latino students the opportunity to celebrate joy in their joint accomplishment: raising enough money to send six wheelchairs to less fortunate peers in El Salvador.

Don Routh plans to introduce the program the “Three Amigos” (Don, Josh and Bill) are currently piloting with the Pleasanton Unified School District to additional area school districts this spring. They provide live and video presentations, posters, collection containers, and fundraising ideas. Wheeler offers Blacktie’s community bus free for one field

See Wheelchair continued on page 30

Hayward students connected with peers in El Salvador by sending wheelchairs and t-shirts.

Page 28 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

The Eye Opener

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Visual Fields

Since we now have a new automated visual field machine in the office, I thought it would be a good time to discuss this important topic. I think most, if not all, patients have had their visual fields tested when they have visited the optometrist. Most patients just assume it is something done during the visit, but few are probably aware of the many indications to assess visual fields and what possible visual field deficits can tell about your eyes and overall health.

To understand visual fields, we must first discuss how peripheral vision is created and processed by the brain. It is important to note that each area of the retina corresponds to the opposite area in the visual field, i.e. the superior area of the retina corresponds to your inferior visual field, and the temporal retina (area closer to your ears) corresponds to the nasal visual field. The photoreceptors throughout the retina all send their signals to one area in the back part of the eye that comes together and then exits the retina as the optic nerve. Part of each optic nerve crosses to the other side of the brain at a place called the optic chiasm located very close to the pituitary gland. Next, these fibers travel through different parts of the brain until they reach the occipital lobe, which is in the back of the head. By knowing the type and location of the peripheral vision defect, your optometrist can have a good idea where the potential issue is. For example, a pituitary gland tumor will cause a temporal field loss in both eyes. Since the nerve fibers of the nasal optic nerve cross over by the pituitary gland, those fibers are therefore damaged and will cause a visual field deficit.

As a visual field defect can occur anywhere along the optic nerve trail, a condition of the optic nerve itself will cause a specific kind of field loss. As most people are aware, the location of your optic nerve is your blind spot because there are no photoreceptors on the nerve itself, just the fibers from the photorecep-

A Day to do Something Special

By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Saint Valentine was a third century Roman saint who has long been associated with the tradition of courtly love. Every February 14th gifts and letters (an estimated one billion Valentine’s Day cards each year) are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Saint Valentine. The oldest known valentine was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans (Go forth, my heart, with my lady…with grace and mercy.) By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for both friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection.

I like to think of Valentine’s Day as a day to do something special. Some of my fondest memories are of writing cards for elementary school classmates. In some years, however, it was the preparation for Valentine’s Day that was special.

Valentine’s Day is a time to feel and look your best. Whether you are preparing for a romantic evening, warming up the winter blues, or want to give a gift to someone, here are eight ideas that might help you on your way.

1. A consultation - I find this to be one of the most important interactions I have with my patients. I enjoy answering questions and offering both personal and professional advice. I’m often surprised at how many people ask if surgery is right for them.

2. Botox or Dysport injection - Most commonly used around the eyes and forehead, it can be used both to prevent and treat wrinkles.

3. Volumizing filler injection - This is an excellent way to refresh your appearance, address moderate to severe facial wrinkles, and give youthful contour to the skin.

4. Fraxel laser treatment - Certainly not what King Henry V had in mind when he hired a writer to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois - we’ve come a long way since then. For Valentine’s Day preparation, I recommend a first treatment one week before the big day. A series of treatments (generally 3-4) address texture problems, fine lines and wrinkles, and pigmentation issues such as brown spots, but results are noticeable after just one treatment.

5. Laser genesis is a great no-downtime, painless procedure for acne prone skin.

While there’s never a simple cure-all for problem skin issues, laser genesis is a good

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tors. Therefore an enlarged blind spot will show up when there is an infection, inflammation, or trauma of the nerve; the area immediately surrounding the nerve head will be swollen and therefore will not function properly. Most types of optic nerve diseases will also show specific patterns of field loss like glaucoma.

Glaucoma is one of the more well-known diseases that are monitored by visual fields. Since glaucoma slowly kills the optic nerve, there will be a corresponding field loss associated with the dead and dying section of the nerve.

One of the other main reasons to assess visual fields is to make sure there are no effects on the macula from certain medications. Early detection can very often help to prevent vision loss. It is common that visual field loss will precede actual vision loss, so it is not sufficient to follow these patients by routine vision assessment alone. Some common medications that warrant this are tamoxifen (for breast cancer), and plaquenil (a drug commonly used to treat some autoimmune diseases such as lupus). There are certain types of visual tests that should be done on these patients to monitor them. Communication with the prescribing doctor is also paramount to inform him/her of any visual effects so any modifications in their treatment plan can be made.

Unfortunately, doing this test does require a patient to have relatively good vision. So, for conditions such as advanced macular degeneration or other conditions with severe vision loss, a visual field assessment is not very useful because the patient does not have the acuity necessary to do the test. A visual field test is a valuable tool in assessing the eyes, visual system, and the body as a whole as certain medications and diseases such as diabetes and hypertension can cause conditions in the eye and brain that would show up in an eye exam and/or a visual field test.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-820-6622 or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our newly updated website at www.alamooptometry.com, and become a fan on our Alamo Optometry Facebook page.

Advertorial place to start as the laser has enough heat to kill the bacteria in the active breakouts.

6. While not exactly the vestige of Christian and ancient Roman Valentine’s tradition, laser hair removal is a real windfall of living in the 21st century. Several treatments are generally needed, and it works best for darker hair types.

7. Longer lashes! - Latisse is a treatment used to grow lashes, making them longer, thicker, and darker. More voluptuous lashes in just six weeks, are “romantique”!

8. Skin care products - There’s a pleasure in taking time to care for your own skin, and a cream or lotion can also make a nice gift - something to be wrapped up and enjoyed.

Sometimes just the process of sharing wisdom (and taking away some of the mystery of youth and beauty) is the most rewarding part of my day. Happy Valentine’s Day! Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ personsplasticsurgery.com.

Advertorial

Stroke Support Group

The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County will hold its February meeting on Monday, February 11th in the Ball Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek Campus (1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek) from 7-9PM. The speaker will be Gerald Starr, a stroke survivor. The title of his presentation is “My Stroke Story.” After the program, attendees will break up into three coping groups: stroke survivors without aphasia, stroke survivors with aphasia, and caregivers and families of stroke survivors. Each group will be led by a trained professional. For further information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Hearing Loss Association

Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations are accepted. An assistive listening system is available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact HLAADV@hearinglossdv. org or 925-264-1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org for more information.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Don’t Believe the Tanning Hype!

By Dr. Jerome Potozkin

When I was a teenager I spent my summers working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. I remember applying suntan oil with an SPF of 2. My friends and I would actually have tanning contests that I would usually win. Today, this strikes me as ironic since I spend my professional life treating skin cancer as well as the photo damage the sun causes. To simplify things, the sun has two major long-term effects upon your skin. Firstly, it causes skin cancer, and secondly, it causes premature aging of the skin. Despite all the scientific information, the tanning industry is about to launch a major public misinformation campaign telling you about the benefits of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. In the words of the rap group, Public Enemy - Don’t Believe the Hype!

Last month the tanning association was formed, representing over 1,400 salons in what amounts to a five billion dollar a year business. The tanning association plans a major public relations and lobbying effort to get people to tanning salons. The tanning industry is taking its lead from big tobacco.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized UV light as a carcinogen. The tanning industry is ignoring actual scientific studies and making up its own data. Organized dermatology organizations have fought the tanning industry. In California it is actually illegal to provide this service for anyone under the age of 18. Legislation to ban underage tanning was originally sponsored by CalDerm, an organization representing dermatologists in California.

What about Vitamin D? The tanning industry clings to the idea that tanning beds are great because UV exposure stimulates the production of Vitamin D. This is true. However, if you happen to be Vitamin D deficient, you can get all the Vitamin D you require in your diet or with supplements. In effect, you can get the Vitamin D without exposure to a known carcinogen.

The tanning industry claims that organized medicine’s attack on tanning is because of some conspiracy we have with the manufacturers of sunscreen.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, I spend much of my professional life

Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 29 treating skin cancers and the ageing effects of the sun. It would go completely against every dermatologist’s financial self-interest to advise you not to go into tanning beds. Usually, when someone gives you advice that is contrary to their self interest, it is advice you can trust. If you wish to tan, use one of the many self-tanners that you can apply to the skin. The products have come a long way from the old ones that left you looking like an orange.

In general, to protect your skin from ultraviolet damage, I recommend that you do what you love outdoors but that you avoid the peak sun hours, and apply and reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Since early diagnosis of skin cancer is crucial, I recommend an annual skin check by a board certified dermatologist and monthly self-checks. If anything changes on your skin get it checked out. Lastly, stay out of the tanning beds.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His office is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call 925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information.

Advertorial

Grief Support Group Helps People Cope with the Death of a Pet

When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief.

Hospice of the East Bay and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month from noon - 1:30PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.

For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required.

Hospice of the East Bay Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.

Page 30 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Your Personal Nutritionist

By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS. Healthy Eating: Recognizing Your Hunger Signals

Do you remember a time when you were famished and kept eating until, oops, you ended up feeling uncomfortably full? One reason that many of us are not at a healthy weight level is because, somewhere along the line, we stopped listening to our body signals that naturally tell us when we’re hungry and when we’re full. Learning to recognize those signals again can help you get to a healthy weight and stay there.

The signals are still there, but we’re out of practice when it comes to paying attention to them. As babies we ate intuitively - we fussed when we were hungry and stopped eating when we were full. As we grow up, the world “teaches” us when to eat via things such as advertising, imposed meal times, holiday meals, and grandma’s comfort foods. We confuse cravings with hunger and end up overeating.

The hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that is responsible for controlling feelings of hunger, appetite, and the satisfaction one feels after eating a meal. Did you know that it takes 20 minutes for the hypothalamus to send signals that you are full? This explains why we keep eating and then 20 minutes later feel uncomfortably full. The objective is to reset your hypothalamus, and control it by eating more slowly.

This is indeed the painless way to begin your journey to weight loss this new year.

Do you know how to distinguish between real hunger and cravings? Hunger is a painful sensation caused by the need for food. There is a signal from the brain and stomach that food is needed for energy. Signals from your stomach may include growling, an empty hollow feeling, and/or hunger pangs. Your brain may send signals such as headache, trouble concentrating, irritability, or fogginess.

Hunger does not go away over time, it only gets worse.

Unlike hunger, craving signals do not serve a life-sustaining need. They often last over a period of 10 minutes and are usually triggered by emotions such as stress, boredom, sadness, etc. With hunger, any food will quell the sensation; only one specific food like chocolate will satisfy the craving.

In my practice I teach my clients to distinguish their hunger from craving by keeping a journal to track their hunger and satiety before and after eating.

Interestingly, it initially sometimes takes them a day or two or more to feel real

Wheelchair continued from page 27

trip per school to either the Blackhawk Museum/Wheelchair Foundation exhibits or a wheelchair sports event. Ten wheelchairs are available for schools to borrow in rotation for students to test drive or use in fundraising races or sports competitions. For information, e-mail donrouth@comcast.net.

Eva Carleton, Regional Director of Operations of Latin America and the Caribbean, travels on 3-4 distribution trips a year while coordinating the delivery of 40-50 projects. Every working day she helps provide someone with what she

A wheelchair recipient with Kenneth Behring (right). Photo courtesy of the Wheelchair Foundation

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hunger. In the past they were eating all their meals before they received hunger signals. They soon learn that food truly tastes better when they are hungry.

I often work with a hunger scale (see below) and have my clients keep track of how they are feeling before and after they eat. I tell them that it is best to eat when their hunger level is at a 3 or 4, and not to wait until they are at a 1-2 and feeling very, very hungry. At that point they will most likely overeat and choose unhealthy foods. The 3-4 level allows them to make conscious decisions to eat the right amount of healthy and tasty foods Next time you have a meal, make it a point to pace yourself. Take a bite of food, lay your fork down, take a drink of water, and partake in conversation. Continue this practice throughout the meal, and check in with your body. This method will help you to slow down and get to the feeling of satisfaction and away from that ugly fullness.

Hunger Level

Sensations and Symptoms

1 Starving, weak, dizzy 2 Very hungry, cranky, low energy, a lot of stomach growling 3 Pretty hungry, stomach is growling a little 4 Starting to feel a little hungry 5 Satisfied, neither hungry nor full 6 A little full, pleasantly full 7 A little uncomfortable 8 Feeling stuffed 9 Very uncomfortable, stomach hurts 10 So full you feel sick I always stress that food is a celebration of life. You can still lose weight if your food is tasty and even when it has some fat. Cravings, which are often for fat, sugar, and salt, are normal and can have a place in a healthy balanced diet.

I teach my clients how to enjoy the treats, and then bring the day back into balance. When they are succeeding they know that they do not have to feel guilty.

Weight loss to me is a program that teaches you how to lose weight and keep it off forever while still eating your favorite foods.

I am glad to inform you that your health insurance may pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www.LindaRD. com for past articles, recipes, and nutrition tips in my blog section.

Advertorial considers a basic human right: a wheelchair. “Without a wheelchair,” Carleton notes, “you have to ask for everything you need.” Eva’s mother’s quality of life improved dramatically once she accepted how enabling the device could be. She no longer has to ring for a nurse every time she wants a simple object like a tissue.

In a Columbian community several hours from Bogota, Carleton met a woman who had been unable to work for five years due to a spinal injury. Thanks to her Foundation wheelchair, she was back at her job. Minutes later, Eva encountered another wheelchair recipient happily earning money keeping parked cars safe.

“It is always a joy to give someone a wheelchair and it is an even greater joy to personally watch and hear how that wheelchair improved their life,” explains David Behring, President of the Wheelchair Foundation. David met Tran Nghia in 2003. Born with a neurological disorder, the Vietnamese high school student depended on family and friends to carry her everywhere. She needed a wheelchair to attend university to study English and become a doctor. The following year David visited her family and they kept in touch. In November 2012 they met again in Hanoi. “Nghia unfortunately could not become a doctor due to her disability but she did learn English and translates documents for a Vietnamese company. … Her smile was as radiant as I remembered it back in 2003.”

Kenneth Behring makes a point of shaking the hand of every wheelchair recipient. “All we ask in return is a smile.” Partnering with non-governmental agencies permits the Wheelchair Foundation to give the gift of mobility with no strings attached. Creating global friendship and promoting the joy of giving are additional aspects of this non-profit organization’s mission “to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen, and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one.”

The Wheelchair Foundation’s annual Charity Ball at the Blackhawk Museum February 23rd is open to the public as are all Foundation fundraisers. Jeff Behring, Director of Special Benefits, offers a Wine for Wheels private party plan getting rave reviews nationwide as a means for finding personal purpose while sharing fun with friends. To register for the Charity Ball, plan a Wine for Wheels event, learn more about Foundation activities or to make a donation, visit www. wheelchairfoundation.org. Road to Purpose is available at the Danville Library.

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Alamo Today ~ February 2013 - Page 31

“The Best Is Yet to Be” Forum

The fifth annual “The Best Is Yet to Be” forum will take place from 8:45AM to 1PM on Friday, February 22nd in Walnut Creek. Five speakers will describe elements of positive aging. Topics include new nutritional guidelines, avoiding scams, benefits of pet ownership, and creative ways of dealing with challenges.

A free senior information fair will be held throughout the morning next door to the forum. Sixteen exhibitors will describe their varied services and furnish prizes, pamphlets, and gifts.

The events will be held at Heather Farm Community Center, located at 301 N. San Carlos Drive in Walnut Creek. Sponsor of the event is the nonprofit Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging. It will donate proceeds to the Walnut Creek Seniors Club.

“Our goal is to give seniors and their offspring information and ideas that will enrich their lives,” said Robert Kain, the foundation’s executive director.

Speakers at the forum include nutritionist Kathy Napoli, who will describe “The Secrets to Longevity,” and Elena Bicker, ARF’s executive director, who will talk about the benefits of owning a pet. Concord Transcript columnist Ezio Kobyashi’s subject is “It Pays to Stay Active.” Consultant Tony Jimenez’s topic is “Creative Ways to Cope with Challenges.” Eloise Patella, manager of Family Protective Services, will focus on the latest senior scams and ways to avoid them.

Lunch is included in the $20 admission. For tickets at the door, the admission is $25. To register, visit www.dv-fa.org or call (925) 945-8040.

You Deserve It!

Pamper Your Skin

Lan’s SKIN CARE Call Today

Diablo Singles Dance Club

Diablo Singles Dance Club holds a public dance the last Wednesday of each month from 7:30pm-10:30pm at the Shadelands Art Center located at 111 N. Wiget Lane in Walnut Creek. There is live music, refreshments, and free parking. The cost is $7 for members and $9 for non-members. For information, call 925-837-2851.

(925)283-3732 3416 Mt Diablo Blvd. #A Downtown Lafayette www.lanskincare.info

Is Food a Problem for You?

Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information.

Cancer Support Community

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The following class is held at the Cancer Support Community, located at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. Classes are free, but reservations are required. For information, call (925) 933-0107.

What You Need to Know About Your Man’s Prostate ~ February 19 ~ 6PM to 8PM This is an opportunity for women to learn about prostate health, prostate cancer screening, and prostate cancer without your man being present. Presented by Dr. Patrick Swift, MD, a radiation oncologist with Alta Bates Summitt Medical Center.

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Three spaces, 3,500sf. Fantastic location/visibility. Please call Shawn Willis 925-988-0502. DRE 01095619

Alamo Today Classifieds

Reach over 6,300 homes and businesses in Alamo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Run the same classified ad in our sister papers “Lafayette Today” or “Danville Today News” at half off!

Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print.

Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

Name_________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ # of Words_______________ Phone________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________

Page 32 - February 2013 ~ Alamo Today

The Combs Team

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Professionals You Can Count On

Nancy

Joe

Call the Combs Team

®

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Alamo Real Estate Sales: December Sales Brisk, Buyer Confidence Returning

Alamo Real Estate sales for the month of December were brisk with a total of 11 properties closing during the month. Prices ranged from $575,000 to $2,618,000. This broad price range is a sign of a healthy market for Alamo Real Estate. The average price paid for Alamo Real Estate in December was $1,109,000. This is an improvement over last year and yet another sign that the Alamo Real Estate Market is on the road to recovery. The average dollars paid per square foot hit $366, a very strong number.

The highest dollars paid per square foot for an Alamo Home was $454 for a small property on Stone Valley Road. A property representing new construction on Golden Grass Drive fetched $1,575,000 and $375 per square foot. A West Side Alamo property on Via Romero obtained a purchase price of $1,400,000 and $415 dollars per square foot. A luxury home on Biltmore Ct. in Round Hill Country Club obtained a price of $2,618,000 and $414 dollars per square foot. The fact that these four very nice properties did so well during the month of December is a positive sign for Alamo Real Estate and shows clearly that buyers are willing to step up and spend aggressively on nicer homes.

If a theme emerged during 2012, it was that buyers evaluated Alamo Real Estate carefully, and less desirable properties were discounted significantly, while homes that were updated to today’s tastes commanded prices approaching what were seen prior to the market downturn in 2008. It will be interesting to see if this theme persists during the spring selling season or if the high tide of the 2013 peak buying season lifts all boats. Through the halfway point of January 2013, it looks like the tide is coming in. Even short sale prices are rising.

Nancy and I are frequently asked why Alamo Real Estate is selling so briskly and why multiple offers are becoming common place again. It’s Econ 101. Demand is outstripping supply by a large measure; prices are moving upward. Our inventory of homes for sale is as low as I have ever seen it, and there isn’t enough available space remaining to build a significant supply of new homes in Alamo.

There are other prominent factors as well. The quaint country charm of the area is one. Another is the desirability of our schools. The SRVUSD is blessed to have a taxpayer base that values and invests in education. Because of its superior location, Alamo benefits disproportionately from this.

It looks like Stone Valley Middle School will receive a much needed rebuild. The development of

Alamo Short Sale

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a more pleasing campus on Miranda Avenue will bode very well for properties located in the Round Hill Area over the long haul. A third reason Alamo real estate is doing well is due to a big and important demographic shift. The Baby Boomer’s children are now starting families, and the number of school age children is rising and will probably continue to rise for many years. I predict the return of the “Wait List” for our grade schools. A fourth reason for the real estate prosperity is the proximity of Alamo to the freeway and ease of access to the city. I think we can expect that the additional tunnel bore and the new Bay Bridge will work in conjunction to bring Alamo a little closer to the city, at least time wise. I couldn’t say which of these reasons is the greatest, but together they are, and will continue to be, quite powerful.

Apart from the intrinsic value proposition of the Alamo community mentioned above we are experiencing a huge benefit from reduced prices, at least from the buyer’s perspective. Having dropped nearly 30% since the beginning of the downturn, Alamo homes are as affordable as they have been for a very long time (I didn’t say cheap!), and they have roared back quickly. Yesterday, I saw an ad for a 10 year loan at 2.5% interest rate. With these two beneficial impacts, we have homes selling at about a 30% discount from peak price and interest rates at nearly half of what they were during the peak in 2007. That is a huge stimulus for buyers. I also read that unemployment in the Danville Area is at 4.3%, which is considered full employment or better. In addition, the Silicon Valley technology incubator, which we are blessed to be so near, is once again popping out millionaires by the thousands...it’s been 13 years since the last big tech breakout...remember the Dot.com Days? Now it’s “Social Media,” “Mobile Computing,” “The Cloud,” and “Big Data” changing the way we work and live. All of these positives are increasing buyer confidence, and people who have been sitting on the sidelines are jumping into the market. Increasing confidence leads to greater financial risk-taking, and that is good for Alamo home sales. The chart supporting this article and all of our recent articles can be found on our website www.thecombsteam.com.

If you have been thinking about selling your home, Nancy and I would be glad to prepare a free market analysis specific to your home. We would welcome the opportunity to help you develop ideas on how to best prepare your home to optimize its market value. Please feel free to give us a call or send an email to joecombs@thecombsteam.com.

Round Hill Single Story

Build Your Dream Home

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Amazing single story home on quiet cul-desac. This will be pending in no time!

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Remodeled to perfection. Incredible chef’s kitchen. We represented the buyers.

7 acre lot, 11 acre lot, 1.1 acre lot.

Call for details and pricing.

Investors Welcome

Investors Welcome

Contemporary Single Story

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DI N E P Incredible 3 bedroom single story home in a nice neighborhood at a below market price! Call for details.

Short sale. Beautiful remodel, single story.

Investment opportunity. Call for details.

Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources.

Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

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Superb remodel with a fantastic chef’s kitchen in very desirable location, pool. Call for details.

J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526