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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& APRIL 2019
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES: INSPIRING GARDENERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE By Jody Morgan
CHROMATICA PERFORMS WORLD PREMIERE OF “O TIME” BY DANVILLE-NATIVE COMPOSER
Chromatica, the popular Danville-based chorus, will perform the world premiere of “O Time,” a piece it commissioned from Stacy Garrop, a noted composer who graduated from Monte Vista High School in Danville in 1988. She now lives in Chicago. In 1986, Stacy was in her sophomore year at Monte Vista. She took an AP music theory class with Jay Lehmann. “The teacher was a jazz trumpet player, and he said one night to go home and write a piece of music. The minute he said this, it was like this door opened that had always been shut. Suddenly, there it is, and you’re looking at a whole new room, and all these colors are there. I just didn’t want to leave it. So,
See Chromatica continued on page 18
Students in 5th and 8th grade Pledge to Humanity (PTH) groups teamed up with another local charity, Winter Nights, to fund-raise for a good cause recently. The 5th grade PTH “Goodness” group, that includes students from Rancho Romero and San Ramon Valley Christian Academy, baked brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and cupcakes and encouraged Safeway shoppers to indulge themselves. Despite the wind and the rain, they raised close to $200. The proceeds will cover the cost of a small petting zoo, that came to the Winter Nights shelter on a recent Saturday morning and surprised the children. In addition, the industrious PTH group “Hope’ composed of 8th graders from Stone Valley, cleaned out their closets and hosted a well attended garage sale. The team was excited to raise enough money to pay for a magician to visit the families staying at the Winter Nights shelter during the weekend of their stay. We are grateful to everybody who had a hand in making these two events possible and very proud of our warm-hearted PTH students.
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Bringing Back the Natives (BBTN), now in its 15th season, began as an annual one-day tour of private gardens in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties featuring native plants, pesticide-free yards, and water-conserving practices. The 2019 self-guided tour on Sunday, May 5th from10am-5pm includes 35 gardens ranging in size from a tiny pocket oasis to an extensive wildlife-welcoming preser ve. Scheduled talks and musical entertainment are provided in many locations. With added events including hands on workshops, access to native plant nurseries, consultations by designers specializing in landscaping with natives, and a website with extensive information, BBTN currently offers resources year-round tailored to the needs of East Bay gardeners from Native birds depend on native flowers and the insects they nurture. Photo by David Harper. novices to experts. Alive with birdsong since its 2015 transition from lawn to native landscape, Maria Sargent’s Danville garden is on the tour for the third time this year. Sargent relates: “Growing natives in my front yard has changed my mind set in terms of what I appreciate. I love having the garden filled with birds. I often have five birds using the birdbath at a time.” Maria demonstrates how to make and maintain mosaic birdbaths at 2PM. From 11AM-1PM, Mike Theilen plays acoustic guitar and sings songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Delighted that her low-maintenance natives need no fertilizer, Maria finds the reaction of her neighbors rewarding. “I feel good when neighbors walk by looking at the plants and listening to the birds. I feel I have made a small difference – especially when they stop to ask about a particular plant they want to put in their own yard.” A 2018 tour visitor wrote: “I especially liked the plant selection at Maria’s garden and how the design supported bird habitat. The longer I stayed in her garden, the more I liked it!” Sargent had never considered gardening with natives until she attended a program with Pete Veilleux of East Bay Wilds. Captivated by his message, she
See Natives continued on page 19
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XIX Number 4
Volume X Number 4
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
There’s a term being thrown out labeling the United States as a “Couch Potato Nation.” It’s not a very endearing title, but I’m sure it’s probably pretty accurate. A recent study showed nearly half of all Americans get no exercise each day. A statistic from the report, The Path Ahead was even more alarming to me by noting, “Today, kids spend less time outside than prison inmates, with the average child playing freely outside for just four to seven minutes a day.” This study, commissioned by the REI Co-op, notes that the average American now spends about 95% of their life indoors. It further reports that we are becoming an “indoor species,” which comes with consequences: “Our health and well-being may suffer. And the less we value our outdoor spaces, the less likely we are to protect them.” The latest edition of the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans states,“A single bout of physical activity can sharpen your mind, reduce your anxiety, lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep, and strengthen your body’s ability to convert blood sugar into energy. Regular physical activity can improve your brain health, reduce your risk of eight different forms of cancer, and lower your risk for excess weight gain. Chronic health conditions improved by physical activity include osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression.” We are fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of local options to get out and about. These include Mt. Diablo, the Iron Horse Trail, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, Lafayette Reservoir, and more. Sponsored by Save Mount Diablo and the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, and produced by Audio Guides to the Outdoors, Audible Mount Diablo (AMD) (www.audiblemountdiablo.com) “is an invitation to adventure.” Their “About” page on their website notes, the site’s “free multimedia tours combine lively interviews and music with the rush of wind and the chirps, howls, and growls of wildlife. Naturalists heighten visitors’ appreciation of the sights and sounds at each stop, tell tales of the mountain’s past, and suggest what to look for around the next bend. Photographs pop up to help identify plants and animals. It is perfect to prepare for your first--or your hundredth--trip up the mountain.” “Tours include: Introducing Mount Diablo, commentary and sounds related to the mountain’s natural heritage and human history; Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, a six-mile hike on the eastern slope of Mount Diablo featuring the rocks, the boomtowns, and nature’s remarkable recovery from the largest coal mining operation in California history; Mary Bowerman Tour, a gentle but spectacular one-mile hike focusing on geology and history at the top of the mountain; The Trail Through Time, a scenic 6.3-mile survey of Bay Area geology; Mitchell Canyon, a two-mile-long tutorial in natural and human history; Rock City, a 1.6-mile walk focusing on history, geology, and plants; Rocks, Fights, and Fire at Perkins Canyon, an easy two-mile loop with three optional side-trips, on the east side of the mountain; Los Vaqueros Watershed, a four to nine mile walk through one of the Bay Area’s newest and largest parks; Grand Loop, a strenuous 6.8-mile jaunt that covers views, history, birds, flowers, and conservation; Curry Point, a 6.5-mile hike covering birds, wildflowers, knobcone pines, and the history of Blackhawk Ranch; Lime Ridge, a four mile ramble through a botanical and wildlife preserve that showcases some important conservation victories in Contra Costa County; Round Valley, an eight mile hike exploring grassland ecology, including eagles, ground squirrels and kit foxes; and Plants of Twin Peaks, an eight mile ascent through wildflower heaven.” If you subscribe to AMD’s podcast channel, you can download a selection of their video podcasts to your phone and watch or listen to them when it’s convenient for you. You can subscribe to AMD guides on iTunes and Google Play Music, or use the podcast app of your choice and subscribe to AMD’s RSS feed. We have the resources to change the alarming statistics of being sedentary. Seize the day, get outside, and enjoy all that our area has to offer. Happy spring!
CROCKPOTS FOR BUTTE COUNTY Over 560 Crockpots to fire survivors now sent!
Would you like to purchase a Crockpot for those who have lost everything? A new one shipped costs less than $25. Email me at editor@yourmonthlypaper. com if you’d like to help with this or other items.
Alamo Rotary’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt
and Family Fun Day
Club of Alamo
Saturday, April 20, 2019 Livorna Park The Rotary Club of Alamo will sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Livorna Park. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. Last year the event attracted over 700 children including parents, grandparents and other friends, the crowd was estimated at over 2,000 people. The club hid almost 10,000 eggs! In addition to the Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, where parents will have a chance to take photos, there will be music by the East Bay Banjo Club, children’s games, balloon men, face painting and other fun activities. Coffee, donuts, chocolate milk and water will be available for sale. The egg hunt will take place at 10:00 a.m. sharp. There will be three age groups for the egg hunt: children under the age of three (0-3); children ages four to six (4-6); and children ages seven to ten (7-10). Children should bring their own baskets for the egg hunt. Parents should allow ample time for their children to be on time to participate.
Rotary Club of Alamo
JOIN US FOR LUNCH!
Alamo Rotary Club meets at Round Hill Country Club 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays
SPONSORED BY
Joan Grimes, Attorney At Law, The Law Offices of Joan Grimes, (925) 939-1680
A FEW MORE HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR TWO WEEK STAY BY VISITING STUDENTS RotaryAds.indd 6
1/16/19 2:57 PM
For the 17th year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area for a two week visit of our area. The students will arrive on April 22nd and depart May 3rd. 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 weekends. The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully motivate you to consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate. For more information or to find out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at dachary.martine@orange.fr. Past host families will answer any questions you have. The local contact is Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925)718-5052.
ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMERS
Are you a new resident of Danville, Alamo, Blackhawk, or Diablo, a longtime resident, newly retired, or empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization, whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on April 23rd from 10AM to Noon. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
FRIENDS OF THE DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Danville Library(FODL) will hold their quarterly book sale April 26th through April 28th at the Danville Library, located at 400 Front Street. On Friday, April 26th, FODL Members are invited to a preview sale from 9am-10am. Public hours will be held from 10am-5pm. Saturday, April 27th, public hours will be held from 10am- 4pm and on Sunday, April 28th a $5 Bag Sale will be held from 12:05pm-3:45pm. All items that fit into a grocery-sized paper bag will be yours for only $5! On Friday and Saturday all hardcover books, books on tape, and DVD’s are $2, and all paperback books and CD’s $1.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
THE FIFTIES AT SIXTY AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
April is busy at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The month starts with the great Shops and Hops on April 4. Enjoy an evening of craftbrewed beer tasting and small eats from 6-9PM. Stroll downtown Danville visiting various shops and restaurants who will be hosting these great local craft brewers. Tickets are available online at museumsrv.org or at the Museum. Two free events will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, located at 400 Hartz Ave. in Danville. On April 19 at 1:45PM, enjoy the classic 60’s movie Bullet. This movie features Steve McQueen and a very famous car chase through the streets of San Francisco! On April 25th at 7PM, photographer and historian Steve Burchik will narrate a series of photographs from Vietnam taken during the war. A discussion about the War and its impact on life in the sixties will be had. On April 27th at 10:30AM at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Beverly Lane and others involved in various incorporation efforts will provide stories about the many attempts to bring cities to the San Ramon Valley during her presentation titled “New Cities in the Valley? No!” Admission is free. Stop by the Museum to learn how transportation was changing as old Highway 21 was to be replaced by 680, a new freeway connecting the valley with the greater Bay Area. Step back and see a collection of Barbie dolls and accessories. Play with an Etch a Sketch or try some tricks on a Duncan Yo Yo! These and much more are at the Fifties at Sixties exhibit now at the Museum. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, call 925-837-3750 or visit museumsrv.org.
SHEEP SHEARING DAY WITH SRHF
APRIL 27TH, 11AM – 3PM
Sheep shearing is one of the San Ramon Historic Foundations (SRHF) largest annual events drawing over 1,000 people to Forest Home Farms Historic Park located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, in San Ramon. The event is an opportunity for community members of all ages to come together and enjoy a day on the farm while learning and having fun. Sheep will receive their annual haircut and provide an opportunity for SRHF to demonstrate how sheep are sheared. You will see how their wool is removed, cleaned, and spun into yarn all while the sheep dogs are herding the next sheep in line to get their haircut. Forest Home Farms was built and settled in the early 1800s and your attendance will help in the preserving this unique piece of San Ramon history. Stop by for a fun-filled day on the oldest homestead in San Ramon that is open to the public. Besides the sheep shearing there will be a sheep dog demonstration, wool spinning, viewing at the tractor museum, music, crafts, a gift shop, Glass House Tours, food, tractor rides, and more. Order tickets online (Early Bird tickets before April 14) at SRHF.org or purchase at the gate. If you have questions, please call Lynette Gerbert at 925-210-2290.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
For almost two decades, The Danville Family History Center has been serving the community. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal which provides access to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. The Center is located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. The Center is closed on major holidays and the last two weeks of December. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
EE R F
Easter Bunny
Bring Your Camera to take your own photos
Plush Bunny Ears for children 12 and under while supplies last
Scavenger Hunt maps available at the Guest Services Table
Face Painting Balloon Art Kids Craft Music & More! You’ll be entered to win a 25 Safeway Gift Card bit.ly/AlamoBunny
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
EASTER EGG HUNT AND FAMILY FUN DAY AT LIVORNA PARK
On Saturday, April 20th, the Rotary Club of Alamo will be hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day at Livorna Park located at the corner of Livorna Rd., and Miranda Ave. in Alamo. There will be three age groups for the egg hunt: children under the age of three (0-3); children ages four to six (4-6); and children ages seven to ten (7-10). The event begins at 9AM, with the egg hunt taking place promptly at 10AM. The Easter Bunny will be available for picture taking, and there will also be face painting, two balloon guys making balloon creations for the kids, and games. The East Bay Banjo Club will be performing in the gazebo. While there will be about 10,000 eggs at the park it only takes minutes before they’re all gone. While the event is free, this is also a fund raising event for the Club and donation jars will be at each entrance with a requested $5 donation if you are able. With the money raised, the Alamo Rotary Club, in partnership with businesses and residents of Alamo, makes a difference in the world. The Club helps fund two free medical clinics in Contra Costa County. The Club also supports the Bay Area Crisis Nursery in Concord and the Choice in Aging Adult Day Care Center in Pleasant Hill which provides a loving and nurturing environment for frail and disabled senor citizens. When you arrive at Livorna Park you’ll notice colorful daisies “planted” all around. These daisies have been purchased by local businesses to show their support for making a difference in the world and to promote their businesses. Alamo Rotary appreciates their support and asks that attendees patronize their businesses. Many local residents of have also purchased a daisy. Their daisies are for a loved one, to remember an event, or commemorate an achievement. If you would like information about buying a daisy send an email to Dick Olsen at dickolsen@att.net.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION DAY
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley will hold a Child Abuse Prevention Day on Saturday, April 27th from 10AM-noon at the north end of Lunardi’s located at 345 Railroad Ave in Danville. 2018 2019 The free event features pony rides, L’il 2018 --2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018COMMUNITY - 20192018 Reds Barnyard Petting Zoo, Jungle James WINNERS 2018 - 2019 --AWARD 2019 COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS Reptile Petting Zoo, police fingerprinting COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS In recognition of their outstanding achievements and dedication toWINNERS thelocal localbusiness business community, the In recognition of their outstanding achievements and dedication to the community, the COMMUNITY AWARD COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS kids, and a firethe engine to check out. In recognition of their achievements and dedication to the local community, the for In recognition ofoutstanding their outstanding achievements and dedication to the thebusiness local business community, the eir outstanding achievements and dedication local business community, Danville Chamber of Commerce would to theto following award winners... Danville Area Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge acknowledge the following award winners... recognition ofArea their outstanding achievements andlike dedication to the local business community, the r In outstanding achievements and dedication to the local business community, the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge the following award winners... The Exchange Club supports many local Danville Areaoutstanding Chamber ofachievements Commerce would liketotothe acknowledge following award recognition of their and dedication tofollowing the localthe business community, the In recognition outstanding achievements and dedication local business community, the winners... Danville Area Chamber of Commerce wouldthe likefollowing to acknowledge the award winners... amber ofInCommerce would like to acknowledge award winners... hamber ofof their Commerce would like to acknowledge the following award winners... Area Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge the following award winners... DanvilleDanville Area Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge the following award winners... projects such as college scholarships, the BUSINESS THE YEAR NEW BUSINESS YEAR BUSINESS OFOF THE YEAR NEW BUSINESSOF OFTHE THE YEAR BUSINESS OF THE NEW NEW BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS OFYEAR THE YEAR BUSINESS OFYEAR THE YEARVeterans Hall, and a local 9-11 ceremony. OF THE YEARNEW NEW OF THE Creamery YEAR S OF THEBUSINESS YEAR BUSINESS OF THEBUSINESS YEAR Cupcakery Old Towne Danville Bakery Smallcakes Old Towne Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery OFYEAR THEBakery YEAR NEW BUSINESS OFYEAR THE YEAR BUSINESS OF Danville THE NEW BUSINESS OF THE The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Faz restaurant in OldBUSINESS Towne Danville Bakery Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery Old Towne Danville Bakery Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com Old Towne Danville Bakery Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery Danville Bakery Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery SS OF THE YEAR NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com Visit www.srvexchangeclub.org and join the group for lunch! Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com Old Towne Danville Bakery Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery Danville. Old Towne Danville Bakery Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery
2018 - 2019 COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS
Smallcakesdanville.com lebakery.info Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com Danvillebakery.info Smallcakesdanville.com BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR BUSINESS PERSON OF THE NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS PERSON OFYEAR THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OFYEAR THE YEAR Keva DoddOF ~ Whim House The Thrift Station BUSINESS PERSON THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RSON OF THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Keva Dodd ~ Whim House The Thrift Station BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station KevaKeva DoddDodd ~ Whim House The Thrift Station ~ Whim House Thrift Station Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station Keva Dodd ~ Whim House The ThriftThe Station d ~ Whim House The Thrift Station Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station Keva Dodd ~ Whim House The Thrift Station Keva Dodd ~ Whim House The Thrift Station www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station mhouse.com Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station Whimhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station
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Smallcakes Cupcakery Creamery Smallcakesdanville.com
ROLE PLAYERS ENSEMBLE PRESENTS
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP
What do Victorian melodramas, lurid CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR dime store novels, Wuthering Heights, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OF THE Lee CITIZEN Halverson Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR OFYEAR THE YEAR ERSON OF THE YEAR NON PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR ANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Alfred Hitchcock, and hysterically funny www.vmbsrv.org Lee Halverson www.eugeneoneill.org Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OFYEAR THE YEAR HARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OF LeeTHE Halverson Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House Lee Halverson Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House www.vmbsrv.org comedy have in common? Well, sprinkle www.eugeneoneill.org Lee Halverson Lee Halverson Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House www.vmbsrv.org Foundation Tao House www.vmbsrv.org www.eugeneoneill.org Lee Halverson Halverson www.eugeneoneill.org O’Neill Foundation Tao House ugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House www.vmbsrv.org www.vmbsrv.org Lee in some vampires, werewolves, and www.eugeneoneill.org d ~Eugene Whim House The Thrift Station geneoneill.org www.vmbsrv.org www.vmbsrv.org www.eugeneoneill.orgEMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR www.eugeneoneill.org mummies, and you have The Mystery of Irma Vep. This madcap mash up of EMPLOYEE THE Nick Tenaza ~OF Town of YEAR Danville mhouse.com www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR all things horribly funny is heightened even more (as if that were possible) by www.danville.ca.gov EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Nick Tenaza ~~ Town ofofDanville EMPLOYEE OFYEAR THE YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE Nick Tenaza Town Danville the fact that all 14 different roles (some living, some dead, some undead!) are Nick Tenaza ~ Town of Danville www.danville.ca.gov Nick Tenaza ~ Town of Danville Nick Tenaza ~ Town of Danville www.danville.ca.gov www.danville.ca.gov performed by just two actors (lots of frenzied backstage costume changes!) Nick Tenaza ~ Town of Danville Nick Tenaza ~ Town of Danville www.danville.ca.gov www.danville.ca.gov www.danville.ca.gov www.danville.ca.gov in the Bay Area’s premiere performance of this play by an all-female cast! ANIZATION OF THE YEAR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Shows will be held April 12-28 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. at the Village Theatre, located at 233 Front Street, Danville. Lee Halverson Tickets are available online at www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com, at Danville Foundation Tao House Community Center, 420 Front St, Danville, at the Theatre box office one www.vmbsrv.org ugeneoneill.org hour before the show, or by calling 925-314-3400. A Sneak Peek event will be held Thursday, April 4th at 7pm at the Danville Library, Mt Diablo Room, located at 400 Front Street. CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP F E AT U R E D P R O P E R T I E S
COMING SOON!
CUSTOM BUILT HOME + GUEST HOUSE
NEW CONSTRUCTION
JUST LISTED
292 DAVEY CROCKETT COURT, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,500 SF, .49 ACRE LOT
26 N. JACKSON WAY, ALAMO 6 BEDS, 5.5 BATHS, 4,317 SF, 1 ACRE LOT
66 CREST AVENUE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 4 BATHS, 4,631 SF, .77 ACRE LOT
15 LOWER GOLF ROAD, PLEASANTON 4 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 3,258 SF, 27,690 SF LOT
OFFERED AT $1,590,000
OFFERED AT $3,490,000
OFFERED AT $$2,799,000
OFFERED AT $2,090,000
MICHAEL & JACKIE GERRY | 925.209.5130
MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS | 925.765.9095
MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS | 925.765.9095
ALISON J. PETERSEN | 925.984.7214
JUST LISTED
ACTIVE
SOLD FOR $260K OVER ASKING PRICE
SOLD
1 TYLER COURT, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 3,655 SF, .51 ACRE LOT
8376 SATURN PARK DRIVE, SAN RAMON 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2543 SF, 4,240 SF LOT
207 ACACIA LANE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,781 SF, .58 ACRE LOT
2405 BLACKSTONE DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 2,271 SF, 15,600 SF LOT
OFFERED AT $1,775,000
OFFERED AT $1,129,000
SOLD FOR $1,755,000
SOLD FOR $1,390,000
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
LAURA BARBARA TEAM | 925.389.7601
JOHN FONDNAZIO | 925.817.9053
TERESA ZOCCHI | 925.360.8662
SOLD • OFF MARKET
SOLD FOR $165K OVER ASKING PRICE
SOLD OFF MARKET • REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD • REPRESENTED BUYER
788 TUNBRIDGE DRIVE, DANVILE 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 2,540 SF, 18,000 SF LOT
536 BANYAN CIRCLE, WALNUT CREEK 5 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,669 SF, .21 ACRE LOT
1225 TULANE DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK 6 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,712 SF, .23 ACRE LOT
2096 CASA NUESTRA, DIABLO 4 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 4,310 SF, .34 ACRE LOT
SOLD FOR $1,325,000
SOLD FOR $1,255,000
CALL AGENTS FOR SOLD PRICE
LISTED FOR $2,750,000
LAURA BARBARA TEAM | 925.389.7601
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214
BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500
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DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA 925.878.8047 925.482.4142
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MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS 925.765.9095 925.765.0629
MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL 925.984.1344 925.980.9952
MICHAEL & JACKIE GERRY 925.209.5140 925.209.5130
SABRENA LAWTON 925.768.2992
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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
TOWN OF DANVILLE HOSTS 2ND ARTIST OPEN STUDIOS
The Town of Danville is searching for artists to participate in the second annual Artist Open Studios. This free event is set for May 11-12. The public will be able to visit artists’ studios throughout Danville, view their work, and get a sneak peek into the artists’ creative process. Artists interested in participating in Open Studios should visit https://townofdanville.submittable. com/submit. Be sure to include a short biography as well as two high resolution jpeg’s of your work to be included in the Open Studios brochure. Artists must have a studio in Danville. The deadline for sign-ups is Friday, April 12th. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Program Supervisor Jessica Wallner at (925) 314-3426 or jwallner@danville.ca.gov.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison
Tri-Valley Trapper Spring is here and it’s time to tackle your exercise regime again! Dance is one of the best exercises you’ll find. Scottish Country dancing is aerobic, very sociable, and fun! No partner is required and no Scottish ancestry is needed! Beginners are welcome anytime. Classes take place each week at 8PM. More experienced dancers also begin at 8PM in a separate class. Come dance every Thursday evening, year-round. All classes are held at the Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Road in Danville, and all dance nights are drop-in. The first beginner lesson is free; afterwards the cost is $10/night or $8/night if attending a 10-week session paid in advance. Spectators are always free! Join in the fun Thursday, April 18th and you’ll be treated to demonstrations of a variety of dance styles across the U.K. You can meet some of the dancers and be comfortable with what would be involved with dancing at the Grange. For more information contact Monica (925) 575-7637 or Kathleen (925) 934-6148.
925-765-4209
DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS
On Thursday, April 18th, please join the GFWC Danville Women’s Club members at their clubhouse, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave., Danville, for their monthly luncheon and to hear Sonia Lo, CEO of Crop One Holdings. Sonia will discuss urban farming and its role in conservation. To reserve a spot, contact Marijke at (925) 997-2197 to make your reservation. Lunch is free for first-timers and $8 for others. Socializing begins at 11AM followed by the speaker at 11:30AM, lunch at noon, and a business meeting at 1PM. You’re welcome to stay after the luncheon for the business meeting and to learn more about the Club. On Thursday, May 2nd, come join the fun at the Blackhawk Country Club Ballroom (599 Blackhawk Club Drive in Blackhawk) for the GFWC Danville Women’s Club 23rd annual fashion show! Your check for $55 should be made payable to GFWC Danville Women’s Club and mailed to Fashion Show, P. O. Box 564, Danville, CA 94526. Reservations are due by April 18th. For more information, call Lori at (925) 922-3210 or e-mail dwcfashionshow@gmail.com. Net proceeds will benefit Hospice of the East Bay, Teen Esteem, and other charities. Bring your checkbook and cash for silent auction items, opportunity box drawings, and a no-host bar! Club members hope to see you there!
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. The next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 15th at 11am. The guest speaker will be novelist Gisela Zebroski who will present on Stalin’s 1948 blockade of Western Berlin and the subsequent airlift to save over two million Berliners from starvation. The $26 luncheon includes a meal, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space for the March luncheon, please send an email by Thursday, March 14th to info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information about the retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
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ALAMO WOMEN’S CLUB
JEWELRY LIQUIDATION SALES
Alamo Women’s Club is sponsoring a jewelry liquidation sale to provide scholarships for Bay Area foster youth and low income students. The event will take place at the Creekside Community Church located at 1350 Danville Blvd, Alamo from 10am -4pm on Saturday, April 5th and 10am to 3pm on Sunday April 6th. Prices for costume jewelry start at $5 and designer jewelry is 50% off the lowest market price.
DON’T MISS A FUN TIME AT BOOTS & BLING!
Mark your calendars for Boots & Bling a fun evening of BBQ, libations, instructor-led line dancing, and live and silent auctions with fabulous items. Mosey on down to the Alamo Women’s Club located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo on May 4th from 5pm to 9:30pm. Tickets are $75 per person with all proceeds to benefit local philanthropies and scholarships. Tickets are available at Eventbrite - Boots & Bling (https://www.eventbrite. com/e/boots-and-bling-tickets-56658409829?aff=ebdssbdestsearch ) or by mailing your check to Alamo Women’s Club, P.O. Box 151 Alamo, CA 94507 by April 20th.
BLACKHAWK REPUBLICAN WOMEN
On Thursday, April 11th, the Blackhawk Republican Women invite you to an informative evening with Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 2 speaking on “The Role that County Government Plays in Shaping Your Quality of Life.” Ever wonder what the County does for you? Come find out from your own County Supervisor, who was first elected in 2012, re-elected unopposed in 2016, and will run again in 2020! Many rememb er C andace as Danville Councilwoman and Mayor between 2003 and 2012. With a B.A. in Public Policy and Juris Doctorate from BYU, she began her legal career as a Prosecuting Attorney. She put her legal career on hold to serve the community and raise her family. She remains an active volunteer in her church and community. Come find out how the County administration impacts residents’ lives and how we can have a voice in it! The talk will take place at the Blackhawk Country Club, Grille Room. Check-in, social time, with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar begins at 5:30pm and Candace will speak at 6pm. The cost is $27 or $15 student with ID. Please make your reservations by noon, Tuesday, April 9th by contacting Penny Jaspar at pjaspar@earthlink.net or 952-943-6221.
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
AM RADIO 1610: A MUST LISTEN IN EVERY EMERGENCY
By Candace Andersen
Do you have a transistor radio at home for access to vital information during an emergency? If not, don’t forget that there’s usually one in your car. This may be an important resource when a disaster strikes. San Ramon 1610 is a low-power AM radio station that provides residents and motorists with accurate information about incidents and emergency operations in real time. The station is operated by the City of San Ramon. Antennas were recently upgraded to improve reception. Coverage extends from the southernmost point in San Ramon all the way to Alamo. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) system, also known as a Travelers’ Information Station (TIS). While radio and television broadcasts are usually the best source of ongoing information about emergencies, if your electricity and the internet are down, the “old school” technology of this AM radio station will be invaluable In addition to AM Radio 1610, residents should also stay up to date through other methods of communication. Access to information during an emergency is imperative, as is having a communication plan in place with family, neighbors, and friends. Below are some of my favorite apps, websites, and other services that I use to stay better connected to the services available to us here in Contra Costa County, District 2. Register your cell phone with the Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) so you can be informed about emergencies and disasters that could impact your neighborhood such as wildfires, gas line ruptures, earthquakes, or floods. The Contra Costa County CWS is operated by the office of the Sheriff and is the “Reverse 911” system that calls residences in an emergency. If you no longer have a land line or are away from your home, you may miss receiving a message. It issues alerts about situations in the County that pose an imminent threat to life or health. Visit the website at cococws.us, and enroll your cell phone number in the service. If you are social media savvy, you can receive alerts in your Twitter feed and get text messages on your phone. Go to Twitter and follow @CoCoCWS, and set your cell phone to receive a text alert. The PulsePoint mobile app, developed by San Ramon Valley Fire, allows CPRtrained individuals to be notified if someone nearby is potentially in need of CPR. The app also pinpoints the location of all publicly available AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) in the area. If you’re not yet trained in CPR or need a refresher, now is the perfect time to take a class. With Hands-Only CPR, the technique is easier than ever to learn and perform. Visit bereadysrv.com and click on “training” to find out how to learn CPR. To download or learn more about the PulsePoint app, visit pulsepoint.org/app. Be Ready San Ramon Valley is a one-stop shop for all the latest information on Emergency Preparedness. The information on this site will help you and your
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
family understand potential risks and how best to mitigate your risks through preparation and training. During a disaster, the number and scope of incidents will likely far exceed the ability of your local fire department to provide effective emergency services. Consider signing up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. It is an all-risk, all-hazard training course designed to help protect your family, neighbors, and your neighborhood in an emergency situation. The BeReadySRV.org site is brought to you by the San Ramon Valley Citizen Corps Council (SRVCCC). Contra Costa County residents outside of the San Ramon Valley should visit cwsalerts.com to learn about the Contra Costa County C8 CERT program. Several local public safety agencies use Nixle to connect via text in an emergency. Simply send a text message with your zip code to 888777, and you will be instantly registered to receive text messages from local public safety agencies in your area. If you want more control, you can create a Nixle account at nixle.com and tailor exactly what information you receive and how you want to receive it – via text message, email, mobile application, or web browser. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides a free service that can send you automated notification emails when earthquakes happen in your area. Visit USGS Earthquake Alerts at earthquake.usgs.gov/ens/. After creating an account, subscribers can configure alerts based on location and magnitude of the earthquake. Another great resource for tools and plans to use in the event of an emergency is the American Red Cross. They have checklists that families can download to help prepare for a natural disaster at redcross.org. The Red Cross works every day to ensure communities are ready and prepared for disasters by training those interested in lifesaving techniques, and empowering everyday people to develop the skills, resources, and networks needed in order to prepare for a disaster. The better prepared one is, the more quickly one has the opportunity to recover following an incident. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH TOASTMASTERS
Do you hate speaking in front of a group? You’re not alone. However, good presentation skills are demanded by nearly every employer these days. Toastmasters can help you overcome your public speaking challenges! Toastmasters is an organization where people can fine-tune their speaking skills and receive valuable feedback. Beginning and advanced speakers are welcome. Local chapter Danville AM Toastmasters meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30AM in downtown Danville. For the location and other details, please visit 4143.toastmastersclubs.org, or email DanvilleAMToastmasters@gmail.com.
Thanks to all of the generous shoppers who have helped charity group Delta Nu Psi send 40,256 pounds, over 20 TONS of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones! Temperatures in Kandahar and Kabul are in the teens at night and a little over freezing during the day. Hot cereal is always appreciated! The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on the first Friday of each month and at Lunardi’s in Danville on the second Friday of each month. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 1:45PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
Weddings, Graduations, Memorials, Cioppino, Pasta, & Crab Feeds.
Events from 50-500.
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
Let Russ Belleci & Belleci Family Catering
take care of your event food needs. To schedule food for your gathering call Russ at 925-708-5167 or 925-937-6886 Email rizzieb@aol.com
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
VALLEY VIGNETTE
WHO’S IN CHARGE? INCORPORATION EFFORTS IN THE SIXTIES ~ PART I, 1961 AND 1964 By Beverly Lane
During the sixties, as San Ramon Valley’s population grew, the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA) and others initiated several efforts to incorporate Alamo and the San Ramon Valley as a city. There were four early attempts: one discussed in 1956, one in 1961 which did not get to the ballot, and two which voters rejected in 1964 and 1967. It was no coincidence that these first efforts occurred during this decade. The Valley population tripled between 1950 and 1960 and doubled from 1960 to 1970. Longtime and new residents were alarmed at the rapid changes occurring with scant local control. There were no sewer pipes, inadequate water supplies, deficient road capacity, and few Sheriff deputies. Since the valley was under County control, development plans were made by the County Planning Commission and five Supervisors. In 1955, the AIA was organized to “preserve and foster the established character of Alamo as an agricultural and semi-rural residential area.” They thought that County decision-makers were not approving developments appropriate for their community and worked to influence those decisions. In the sixties, the AIA was joined by the Danville and San Ramon Homeowners Associations. The San Ramon Valley Chamber of Commerce had a planning committee which also weighed in on development and other plans. Arguments for and against incorporation were similar in the sixties’ cityhood efforts (and in the later seventies’ campaigns). Proponents charged that taxes generated in the valley were being spent by the County elsewhere and wanted local people to make development decisions. They called for more parks, better roads and recreation programs for youth, and a larger police force. Opponents were certain taxes would go up, feared a loss of community identity, and worried about decisions being made by unknown elected city leaders. They were generally happy with the status quo and had good relationships with County planners and Supervisors. The first efforts took place in 1956 and 1961 and were initiated by the AIA. The AIA feared that Walnut Creek might annex parts of Alamo and was unhappy over several County decisions. An AIA study in 1956 examined what income a potential city would have and discussed levels of government services, then decided not to put incorporation on the ballot. In 1961, the AIA’s Committee for Self-Government called for local people to be in charge. They gathered signatures to give Alamo voters an opportunity to vote for or against a new city. Owners of 51% of the assessed valuation (AV) were needed to approve such an election. Round Hill County Club had just begun, and, since the owners (including the powerful and active Harlan Geldemann) still needed more county approvals, they opposed the vote. Emotion was high as arguments pro and con were featured in the weekly newspaper, The Valley Pioneer. This effort never came to the ballot because the opponents went to the assessor’s office and copied the proponents’ signature list and “with evangelistic fervor” (according to writer Eleanor Rusley) persuaded many of the original 70% who had signed to withdraw their support. The Committee for Self-Government did not realize this was happening until it was too late. The opposition group was able to present a successful petition against the election which included 51% of the AV. It was all very legal. Then, on September 29, 1964, an effort to incorporate Alamo and Danville went to the voters. The AIA, Danville Homeowners Association, and the San Ramon Valley Chamber of Commerce organized as the Citizens for Self-Government Committee to campaign in favor. The chairman was Dr. Vernon Graves. Alamo- Danville Incorporation Boundary in 1964. Opposition came from the development and real estate community which was uneasy about who from the city might be approving their proposals. They formed the Committee Against Incorporation of the San Ramon Valley. William F. Anderson headed the opposition though he admitted that a city “might be inevitable but we think it is too premature at this time.” When the advocates sent a Yes on Incorporation brochure and endorsed five of the 17 candidates, the opposition was outraged and charged “machine politics.” Placed on the ballot was a choice of names for the new city; the City of Alamo-Danville defeated the City of San Ramon Valley by 842 to 782. Had the measure passed, the City Council would have been T. J. Ahern, Herman Sandkuhle, Max Lauritzen, Richard Moulds and John Hartwell. Some very effective signs at the end of the campaign proclaimed, “ALAMO, DO YOU WANT TO BE SWALLOWED BY DANVILLE?” The proposed City of Alamo-Danville was defeated by 128 votes, 2086 to 1958. Another incorporation attempt with an unusual border came to the ballot in 1967. Sources: Museum of the San Ramon Valley archives which include Eleanor Rusley’s “History of Incorporation Movements in the San Ramon Valley,” Valley Pioneer articles, and Beverly Lane’s “Trying for Home Rule in the San Ramon Valley.”
“APRIL SHOWERS” LUNCH & FASHION SHOW
Friends of Blackhawk Museum is hosting an “April Showers” luncheon and fashion show on Wednesday, April 10th. Social time begins at 11am followed by lunch and the show at noon. The cost is $40. Come see elegant and attractive fashions for men, women, and children, and also enjoy gift-basket raffles. Make reservations by calling 925-736-2280 or emailing info@ blachawkmuseum.org. The Blackhawk Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, in Danville.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call (925) 646-4461.
ACTION POOL REPAIR
Serving Alamo & Danville Since
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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
ALAMO ELEMENTARY
By Stan Hitomi, Principal
This month I would like to focus on our student leadership program at Alamo School. Much of our student activity is coordinated through the Alamo School Student Council. Our Student Council is up to some exciting things. For the past two years, Alamo has taken a new approach to Student Council. We have redesigned the process of becoming a Student Council member with the hopes that selection is less about popularity and more about actual leadership skills. The Alamo Leadership Team is selected through teacher recommendation as well as candidates writing a paper of what a leader should look like. In addition, we have two students from each 3rd through 5th grade elect Class Representatives, which is a more traditional selection process. Together, we are able to have more students involved overall, as these two elements form our Student Council. The Alamo Student Council has been making a difference through fundraising and drives. A few months ago, we held a coin drive which raised $1,336.10 which we donated to the Red Cross (earmarked for helping victims of the California fires). More recently, we collected over 300 pairs of new crew socks for Project Perry, a local organization who sends the socks to our military abroad. Students are also in the process of selecting Spirit Days, where students and staff dress up in a theme, such as College Day or Sports Day. In addition, we are in the process of setting up a friendship bench that was built by Dylan Nakahara, Alamo School alum, for his Eagle Scout Project. Our student council members will be trained to monitor the bench for lonely students who want to play with someone during recess. Our upcoming fundraiser will raise money for Lazarex, which is a local foundation raising money for Cancer Research. In addition, Student Council helps get the word out regarding the Character Counts personality traits such kindness or respect. Finally, Alamo leadership students are about to be trained in recycling and will be selling reusable bamboo sporks (spoon/fork) to limit waste from our lunch service.
ALAMO SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL
3rd - Leadership Hazel Raaum Juliette Parkinson Addison Bush Ella Jane Hoffman Alex Dickson
4th - Leadership Jacob Mann Sophie Taylor Jayden Sran James Finkel Rain Diwa-Crew
5th - Leadership Analise Riebli Macy Volk Audrey Hauskens Maggie Heneman Haley Blackman
3rd – Class Reps 4th – Class Reps 5th – Class Reps Ella Gilad Layla Larez Alicia Pak Yusef Keen Justin Ng Sophia Hoskins Henry Hauskens Chloe Lam Kennedy Bergen Mackenzie Buckham Charlie Callison Eva Andrews Anthony Rocca Tyler Long Lara Veit Victoria Crane Our Student Council officers for 2018-2019 are Macy Volk, President and Jacob Mann, Secretary/Treasurer. Our Student Council advisors are 4th grade teachers Tara Hegarty and Katie Inkabi. Go Mustangs!
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, offers a Historic Military Museum & Library as well as a Veteran Resource Center. The Museum & Library is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM. Every Saturday from 8AM to 11AM a Veteran Coffee and Pastry social is held. To access resources for Veterans, you can connect with a County Veteran Service Officer every Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM. For an appointment, call 925-313-1481. To learn more about the Veteran’s facility and programs, visit www.vmbsrv. org or email info@vmbsrv.org.
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SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
One of the things I love most about SRVCA is the opportunity to partner with parents. I tell them from time to time that although I know the children are “theirs,” our teachers also feel like they are “ours.”We are very attached to our students, and like their parents we want the very best for the future of each one. Because of that, we work intentionally on their academic progress, their social development, and their spiritual growth (including character and understanding of God’s Truth). In addition, I love to partner with local pastors and youth leaders who demonstrate a deep love for kids and their families. A triangle of support between home, church, and school provides stability for a child who is navigating the challenges presented in today’s world, and it’s a blessing to be in a community where I can see the riches of this sort of healthy partnership. Recently, I received some new information from the Barna Research Group which was documenting the impact (both positive and negative) that schooling affects in students’ spiritual formation. Students learn much more than academics in a school setting; they explore friendships, develop a work ethic, and learn to discern right from wrong. Although all schools may not have the privilege of sharing faith-based principles, all students are spiritually impacted by experiences that happen during the school day. Ray Pennings, the Executive Vice President of Cardus, commented about this study, “If parents are feeling concerned about the spiritual formation of their children, Christian schools can be important spaces of spiritual formation. Children flourish and grow spiritually when they are immersed in a community of faith; cultivating church-home-school relationships is integral to forming this community.” Mr. Pennings highlights the findings that Christian school graduates report significantly higher belief in Christian teachings, and are more likely to pray, read the Bible, and attend church regularly. The author of Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us “a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” This scripture reminds us that we find greater strength when three units are crafted together. Such is the case for church, home, and school. It truly is a blessing to see this happen firsthand at SRVCA. I wish you all a lovely Easter season this month and look forward to a beautiful (and hopefully dry) spring season ahead!
MT. DIABLO BRANCH CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB ~ THE ESSENCE OF STORYTELLING
Elizabeth Stark will discuss “The Essence of Storytelling” at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) to be held on Saturday, April 13th at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, located at 611 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill. Stark will cover Character - how every character goes into a scene with expectations and motivations, and writers must create the questions, and develop reaction and emotion; Conflict - how characters and obstacles show tension to create conflict; and also Change - the nuts and bolts of a scene to move a story forward. Elizabeth is the host of Story Makers Podcast, and the author of the novel, Shy Girl. She has co-written and co-directed several films, including FtoF: Female to Femme. She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and currently teaches at BookWritingWorld.com and SonomaCountyWritersCamp.com, is producing a feature film, and finishing a novel, Optical Illusions. Sign-in takes place from 11AM to noon, followed by the luncheon from noon to 12:45PM. Elizabeth will speak from 1-2PM. Registration is $25 for CWC members and $30 for guests. The reservation deadline is noon, Wednesday, April 10th. To reserve, visit the CWC Mt. Diablo website at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting. When online, to pay by cash or check, select “Pay at Door.” To use credit card or PayPal, select “Pay with PayPal.” Learn more about the Club at http://cwcmtdiablowriters.org.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
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PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
March was quite a month at Monte Vista (MV) and both students and faculty were happy to take a well-deserved week off for spring break. There have been many happenings at school over the past few weeks as well as quite a bit to come. Recently, MV welcomed incoming members of the Class of 2023 and their families at our annual Freshman Parent Night. As always, the event was well attended and we enjoyed seeing our new freshman for the first time. Many thanks to Monte Vista’s counseling team and the many student and parent groups that participated. After Parent Night MV’s faculty hosted AP / CTE Night where returning students had the opportunity to make decisions about which courses to take next school year. They also got to hear from our counseling staff about scheduling for next year. Once again, the event was well-attended by our families and also a lot of fun. Thanks to our counseling team, the many members of MV’s faculty who participated, and to MV teachers Jill Seidenverg, Julie Nevis, and Carrie Leadingham for their work at this event. On March 2nd, Monte Vista’s Women’s Soccer made history yet again by winning their second consecutive CIF NorCal Regional Championship against a skilled Davis High team. With nine minutes remaining in the match and Davis up 1-0, MV’s Emiley Benner took a long pass from midfield and tied things up with a clutch goal. MVs defense held strong for the reminder of regulation play as they continued to push back against several attacks from Davis’ front line. In the “golden goal” overtime period, MV’s Megan Edelman took in an indirect penalty kick from Becca McCourt and placed a perfect winning shot into Davis’ net to complete a 2-1 victory. What made this win sweeter was the path this team had to take towards the championship. After being upset in the NCS Semi-Finals, they received a #6 seed in the CIF Playoffs which meant they defeated the CCS, NCS, and Sac-Joaquin champions on their path to the CIF Title. What a great
season for this amazing group of young women and their coaches, Chris Lum and Karen Huether! On Saturday, March 9th, MV students celebrated at the annual Junior Prom hed at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland. The weather was a bit rainy, but as always, our students made it a memorable event. I would like to thank the many parent and faculty volunteers, our MV’s leadership class, MV’s activities director, Tommy Greenless, and our parent leader Victoria Santa Maria for all of their work for putting together this amazing and classy event. It has been an awesome run for the Mustangs so far this year. We look forward to the home stretch when we return from Spring Break and prepare for April. May, and graduation.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. The need in our communities remains great. Seven days a week, WPE Food Rescue volunteers take trucks to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets where they pick up thousands of pounds of surplus food—high quality, nourishing food (fresh meats, dairy, eggs, deli, baked goods). Most all of this food is distributed free-of-charge to those in need within two hours of the donation. In its first four years, WPE delivered more than 6,000,000 pounds of food (equivalent to 5,000,000 meals) that the hungry would have gone without. Also, in addition to rescuing food, WPE collects donations of new or like-new clothing, shoes, toys, games, and books. More than 400,000 of these items have been distributed to those in need—all free of charge, through WPE’s unique “Mobile Boutiques” and its Direct Distribution program. Interested volunteers should please contact Mandy Nakaya at 925-8186361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www. whiteponyexpress.org.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL By Maria Ward, Principal HAPPY MARCH!
“With God all things are possible.” ~Matthew 19:26 At St. Isidore School, we encourage students, staff, and parents to incorporate the Gospel Values into their day-today life. Throughout April, we will celebrate the monthly gospel value of HOPE. Hope is defined, in the dictionary, as an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation or desire. It’s easy to feel hopeful when life is happening according to plan and things are going smoothly. When faced with moments of hardship and uncertainty, I encourage you to put your hope in God. Trusting that God is beside you, guiding, and loving you provides the comfort and security needed to navigate whatever comes your way.
CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS
Please take a moment to stop by the Annual Book Fair from April 2nd to April 10 in the Bensen Gymnasium. This year’s theme takes you back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The Book Fair offers quality books for children of all ages as well as adults. The Book Fair will be open after mass on Saturday, April 6th and Sunday, April 7th. I hope to see you there! th
KIDS AGAINST HUNGER
I am excited that our school is once again participating in the Kids Against Hunger Program. The Kids Against Hunger organization aims to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in America and to feed starving children throughout the world. On Monday, April 15th, our students will participate by helping to package meals for the poor and hungry in the Philippines. TK through first-grade students will witness the meal-making and decorate the packaging bags. Second through eighth-grade students will each have an opportunity to make packaged meals during the school day. Together, students, parents, and staff will assemble over 15,000 meals and raise funds for humanitarian organizations worldwide. It is always wonderful to see the children excited about helping those in need.
EASTER BLESSINGS
As the season of Lent draws to an end, we turn our thoughts to Easter and the hope and joy it represents. The resurrection of Christ is not about death, but life! Easter symbolizes a new beginning and a new chance for us all. I encourage you to embrace this chance, live life in God’s image, and spread faith, hope, and love. On behalf of our staff and myself, we wish you and your family a blessed and hope-filled Easter.
16TH ANNUAL ART & WINE STROLL THURSDAY, APRIL 18TH ~ 6PM – 9PM
Raise a glass to one of Danville’s most coveted events, the 16th Annual Art & Wine Stroll. Rally your friends and family for a lively night of celebration of local wine, art, and shopping at the Danville Livery and Downtown Danville. Select businesses in both locations will stay open to host some of the area’s finest wines and THURSDAY, APRIL 18 exhibit artwork by local artisans. Ride the trolley between Downtown Danville and the Danville Livery, stroll around the participating stores,6PM-9PM and enjoy wine samplings, small bites, artwork, and live entertainment. Due to its popularity, tickets sell quickly. Last year’s local attendee, Joe, commented, “What an absolutely delightful experience! The merchants were hospitable TICKETS: $35 | $15 DD and accommodating. Their stores shined and merchandise was placed in a very 2019ARTWINESTROLL.EVENTBRITE.COM convenient and pleasing manner. The majority of stores had wine available, served DANVILLEAREACHAMBER.COM by mannered and wine-educated individuals.” DANVILLELIVERY.COM (925) 837-4400 General Admission pre-sale tickets are $35 and $15 for non-drinkers/designated drivers. Tickets can be redeemed for a wine glass and tote bag at either downtown Danville or BY:night of the event. Danville Livery check-in locations from 5:30pm toPRESENTED 7:30pm the The event is hosted by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Danville Livery. Go to Eventbrite for further information and ticket purchase https://2019artwinestroll.eventbrite.com.
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PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
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QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
TOMALES BAY HISTORIC TONY’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT REOPENS
Steps from the Piazza Espana on Via Borgognona in Rome, there is a lovely historic restaurant called Nino’s. It was founded in 1934 by two brothers Gioacchino (Nino) and Mario Guarnacci who together created a Tuscany-inspired restaurant that is still thriving today. For many years, it was a favorite in the film industry and art community, and patrons including Roberto Rossellini, Frederico Fellini, and Ingrid Bergman frequently dined there. Since 1983, Nino’s eldest daughter Maria and her siblings Egidio and Anna have been managing the restaurant. It is sophisticated yet understated with a menu that includes Beef Tagliati, Bean Soup Frankovich, Balsamic Vinegar Veal, and an outstanding homemade creme caramel. Not a touristy spot, the clientele is mostly people who live or work in the neighborhood. My youngest daughter and I were guests at this delightful restaurant when our Italian friend Rosario treated us to an unforgettable afternoon visiting film locations from the classic film Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It was a perfect day which culminated with dinner at Nino’s. Apparently, Audrey Hepburn was also a fan of Nino’s. It was a fitting end to a marvelous day; dining in the very spot that my daughter’s favorite fashion icon dined. Another historic restaurant, Tony’s Seafood, located in Marshall, CA. is built on the pilings over Tamales Bay. It is a bit closer to home and has its own history dating back to 1948. Founded by a Croatian fisherman and his family, Tony’s is well known for their barbecued oysters. When Tony’s Seafood went up for sale, their neighbors, Hog Island Oyster Company co-founders John Finger and Terry Sawyer, were thrilled to purchase the landmark. Finger and Sawyer, who were long time Tony’s regulars, decided to restore the restaurant, and in February 2019 they reopened. With a fresh new look and more seating, the new owners wanted to keep the cheery atmosphere of the original Tony’s. John Finger, co-founder of Hog Island, explains, “Tony’s has been special to us since we were starting our farm and families, and working so hard that it was hard to take it all in. We’d go down the road for a beer at Tony’s, and all the special beauty of the area would hit us—it reminded us of how absolutely lucky we were. For that, we want to make it a distinctly Hog Island place but also pay homage to its history, personality, and place in the community, maintaining original elements.” My son and I visited Tony’s the second Sunday after it reopened. We arrived, got a table in 10 minutes (the wait is usually longer), and almost on cue, a hail storm started. It was an amazing 15 minutes of pounding pellets on the usually calm bay. The storm passed and by then most of us were chatting with our neighbors, exchanging storm stories, and delighting in the coziness of being inside a cheery restaurant with wall-to-wall windows on the bay. We were delighted seeing and tasting Chef Matt Shapiro’s dishes which included fish and chips, oyster po’boy, oysters on the half shell and barbecued, linguine with clams, Stemple Creek hamburgers with tartar sauce, and produce mostly from the Marin Farmers Market. Tony’s Seafood is located at 18863 Shoreline Hwy Marshall, CA. Their website is Tonysseafoodrestaurant.com, and the phone number is 415-663-1107. Current hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11:30AM-8PM. Check their website for updated spring-time hours. No reservations are needed except for parties of 12 or more. Linda Summers Pirkle travel consultant and long-term Danville resident has arranged and led 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. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
TRAILS CHALLENGE 2019
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The system comprises 121,397 acres in 73 parks, including over 1,250 miles of trails. The District acquires, manages, and preserves natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy now and into the future. The parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. You are invited to enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, golfing, and nature study in the parks. No registration is needed to participate. While supplies last, a free printed Guidebook and t-shirt are available at participating Visitor Centers to get you started on the Challenge. You can also download the Guidebook at https://www.ebparks.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=30819. The Guidebook includes detailed trail descriptions for hikes in 20 regional parks and trails. Hikes range from easy to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians, and many are wheelchair accessible. To complete the challenge, hike five of the trails – or 26.2 miles of trails. All 20 featured trails are also now available on the AllTrails app. Download the free app, sign-up, log in, and then go to https://www. alltrails.com/explore/list/east-bay-regionalparks-trails-challenge-2019 and click on “Copy to my lists,” followed by “Continue in App.” The featured trails will show under “Lists” in “Plan.” The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, and share your photos, comments etc. with others. In addition to this self-guided program, the District offers many naturalist-led hikes Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 throughout the year. Visit their calendar at https://www.ebparks.org/cals. 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl For more information about the Trails Concord San Ramon Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone Challenge visit https://www.ebparks.org/ac(925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) tivities/hiking/trails_challenge.htm.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
CUBA - WHERE PAST & PRESENT INTERSECT
By Jeremy Barcan, Alamo World Travel & Tours
I just returned from a short cruise to Havana, Cuba. I can still visualize the places I’ve seen and smell the fragrances of the Havana air. The best way to summarize my impressions of Havana is to say that it’s a city of extreme contrasts: gorgeous landscapes and views basking in a caressing sun and interesting architecture, contrasted with the signs of communism. The old and the new reside side by side: old, colorful Spanish colonial buildings adorn the promenade from the ship terminal along the sea line and several blocks inland in contrast to 19th and 20th century edifices that need repair. Nothing captures Havana charm more than vintage American cars from the 1950’s. They have been kept up to look like matronly ladies, sporting a fresh coat of paint as if they were wearing makeup. Along the fine old Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles you’ll see around, you are bound to also see brand new luxury BMW’s and Mercedes cars carrying license plates that identify their owners as high-ranking communist government employees. However, the majority of cars you catch on Havana’s uncongested roads are 1970 and 1980 old Russian Ladas; arguably the world’s lowest quality mass produced cars ever. Cubans have a contagious love of life and like having American tourists again in their midst. It must be their mixture of Latin and African cultures. Here are some important tips to my fellow Americans who are contemplating travel to Cuba -- Havana is a very safe city with a low crime rate. If you have a chance, take advantage of low costs, and have dinner at one of the local privatelyowned paladares (rather than fancier government owned restaurants). Travel to Ultimately, bear in mind that Cuba is in a transition mode. If you wish to experience the authentic Cuban atmosphere and lifestyle, go now because in five to seven years, it will have become more gentrified and more Americanized. For more information on travel to Cuba or any other locations, please contact me at jeremy@alamoworld.com. For over 38 years, with the Danville Area Chamber! Alamo World Travel & Tours has been taking care of all your travel needs. Luxury, Standard, or Custom Travel; Cruises; River Cruises; Tours and Resorts for individuals or groups. Please visit our office at Come join the Chamber on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 3201 Danville Blvd. Suite 255 in Alamo, call 925-837-8742, or visit our Cuba’s Charming Colonial Cities & Havana awaits you! website at www.alamoworld.com. Ask us; we’ve been there. Advertorial
Hear more about this exciting trip
8 DAY TOUR FROM CAMAGUEY TO HAVANA NOVEMBER 3-10, 2019
Danville Chamber Office, 117 Town & Country Dr
$2994 Double, $3644 Single
RSVP to Alamo World Travel - 925-837-8742
Wednesday, April 24th ~ 5:30PM
You do NOT need to be a Chamber member to go on this trip!
LAND ONLY PRICES! Single rooms on request basis only. Price increase $200 pp on 4/15/19 Limited space available - Reservations accepted on first come basis only.
determines not only the final color of the wine, but to a certain extent the WHAT’S IN YOUR EASTER amount of tannin extracted from the skins and seeds as well. Join the Danville ChamberBASKET? on this special people-to-people program which allows Americans ROSÉ BY ANY OTHER NAME
and Cubans to share meaningful interactions while enjoying the rich history and cultureRosé of spans the style spectrum. Because rosé refers to the color of the wine, By Monica Chappell
this amazing country. EveryEaster day of your travel program is filled with compelling as opposed to a specific grape variety, the wine can be made from a variety is almost here, and families everywhereeducational of ideas red grapes and their blends, including Mourvédre, Sangiovese, Grenache, will where be gathering around the dinnercan table to share feast their activities and conversations, both Cubans and Americans openly
Syrah, and loved ones. not sound like some and opinions. On this with Cuba friends tour program, you'll alsoThis havemay a chance to explore of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. With the variety of
grapes used to make rosé, the character of the wine ranges from light and the best time to think about serious food and wine pairings, but if your family is anything like mine, the fruity to medium bodied with hints of tannin. Try a rosé from California or centers of Camaguey, Trinidad, and Havana have been named UNESCO World Heritage Italy, but especially try one from Spain or from Provence, France. end of Lent is one of theall happiest of days. Chocolate, Discover the joys of drinking pink. It'scoffee, an experience no other! redSites. meat, or even like (gasp!) wine, whatever you Monica Chappell is a local wine writer and educator and can be reached at may have given up for the last 40 days, it’s time to reintroduce yourself. If your wineappreciation101@gmail.com. family celebrates Passover, impress the crowd with a tasty kosher wine using many of the same basic principles.
Cuba's colonial cities with their cobblestone streets and historic architecture. In fact, the city
THE EASTER HAM
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Neighborhood Watch is a community action and problem-solving If you are serving an Easter ham, the ham is often prepared with glazes or program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues toppings that are sweet and can balance the inherent saltiness of the actual Organized by your community. Through organized problem-solving activities, within meat. Well-paired wines can accomplish the same objective. If I had to choose your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any but one wine to accompany an Easter ham, I know what I’d choose in a community issues that concern residents. heartbeat. Unfussy rosés are bursting with red fruit flavors and pair with a Meetings can be held by a Crime Prevention Specialist who will share variety of holiday foods, especially Easter ham. Rosé’s flavor profile has enough more information about the program. Please contact Christina Lind-Winsweet fruit to balance the salt in the ham and enough acidity to support the ters at (925) 313-2682 or clind001@so.cccounty.us for more information. combination without compromising the flavor in either the ham or the wine.
ROSÉ 101
Rosé wines are made from red wine grapes fermented just a short time with their skins. Colors range from light salmon to bright pink to mediumdeep rose. The length of time the juice is in contact with the crushed skins
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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
People have been robbing honey from bees for thousands of years, but managing bees to pollinate crops is a relatively recent development. Cave paintings in Spain dating back 8,000-15,000 years depict humans climbing trees and scaling cliffs to harvest honey. Ancient Egyptians began practicing beekeeping at least 5,000 years ago. Yet the noun “pollinator” and the verb “pollinate” did not come into English usage until the late 19th century. The fossil of a female worker bee discovered in Nevada and described in the May 7, 2009, issue of Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences indicates that possibly as far back as 14 million years ago, honey bees existed here. Why they became extinct is a mystery. Honey bees now toiling in the United States are of European ancestry, brought by early settlers in the early 17th century. Although some farmers kept honey bees in basket-like skeps or hollow logs, many raided hives of colonies that went feral. To find honey trees, folks practiced “beelining.” Foraging bees lured to a dish with a bit of honey fly straight back to the hive once sated. People pinpointed the location of honey stores by noting the intersection of their flight paths. Until L. L.Langstroth, an Ohio Congregational minister, invented a hive with movable frames in 1851, every honey gathering procedure involved destruction of the hive. The Langstroth hive made moving bees from place to place to extend their season of honey production possible. Following the flowering cycle of nuts and fruits, bees are currently moved from state to state to pollinate large spreads of agricultural mono-crops. Yet even though they don’t make enough honey for people to harvest, North America’s approximately 4,000 species of hard-working native bees are extremely efficient pollinators. Honey bees can’t pollinate tomatoes. Paige Embry, author of Our Native Bees: North America’s Endangered Pollinators and the Fight to Save Them, began crisscrossing the country to work with bee experts when she learned that fact. Tomatoes are New World natives. Tomatoes are self-fertile, but getting decent fruit set requires assistance from an insect that can vibrate its wings to release
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB VINTAGE FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON
The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) invites you to a Vintage Fashion Show Luncheon, a fundraiser for the community programs of the WCGC. All modeled clothes are authentic vintage fashions and are presented by Goodwill Bags models. Music to fit the era will be played. The luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 16th from 11:30AM-2PM at Crow Canyon Country Club located at 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Tickets are $50.Lunch is your choice of Asian chicken salad or blackened salmon salad. Contact Jan at 925-933-5861 or janhoward2003@comcast.net for reservations.
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB
On April 8th, the Walnut Creek Garden Club will feature Jim Spinello talking about “Butterflies in Your Garden.” Jim has raised butterflies since grade school. He will demonstrate how to raise the different species in your own garden. His videos and slide-show are amazing. The meeting will take place at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. The business meeting begins at 9:45AM followed by social time at 10:30AM and the program at 11AM. Everyone is invited. For questions, email mslittle44@gmail.com.
FIESTA CINCO DE MAYO~SUNDAY, MAY 5TH
Get ready for a South-of-the-Border-themed garden party, Sunday, May 5th at 5PM, at The Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek. “Fiesta Cinco de Mayo” features live music by “Mariachi Mi Mexico,” and an array of tasty Mexican-inspired foods. Visitors will love taking in the fresh evening air among thousands of blooming roses. People may bid on raffle items and test their taste buds on a salsa “heat scale.” Each ticket includes frozen margaritas on demand, beer and agua fresca, tequila tasting and a complimentary souvenir shot glass, and savory appetizers and desserts. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Purchase tickets online at https://gardenshf.org/fiesta. Proceeds support The Gardens at Heather Farms community-based public garden and environmental science programs for local schoolchildren.
the pollen. Native bumblebees now perform this task in greenhouses. Prior to enlisting their services, humans used labor-intensive vibrating tools. The first business offering bumblebees for managed pollination was established in 1987. Bumblebees are semi-social. Colonies last a single season and are minuscule compared to honey bee hives – 100-500 bees versus thousands. Because pollen not nectar is their focus, a package of 75+ worker bees surviving 12-14 weeks can pollinate a greenhouse of 10,000-15,000 square feet. Bumblebees, unlike persnickety honey bees, forage on cloudy, foggy, and rainy days and are on the job at 40-degree temperatures. Honey bees stay home until the mercury hits 60o. Blue orchard bees, nicknamed BOBs, are also managed as pollinators despite their independent spirit. Two hundred and fifty to 750 female BOBs can pollinate the same acre of fruit trees that requires one or two hives of 20,000 honey bees to accomplish the task. In Meet North America’s Native Pollinator: The Blue Orchard Bee, Dan Nosowitz writes, “Blue orchard bees, unlike honey bees, won’t make a hive their home for generations on end; if you release a whole bunch of blue orchard bees near a nice custom-made nest, a good percentage of them will just … fly away. And then you’ll have to do the whole thing again next year. Blue orchard bees might be efficient pollinators, but they’re terrible employees.” Bees are diverse. Many nest in the ground in solitary dwellings. Others prefer pithy stems. Some will fly as far as two miles to forage. Others only travel a few hundred feet. But despite being endangered by habitat loss and pesticides, our native bees are resilient. Embry notes: “If we just stop kicking the bees quite so hard, we can help them – and see the results almost immediately. Renounce pesticides. Plant flowers that bees in your area like. Be a little slovenly in the garden, leave some old broken stems and let a little bare dirt show. The bees will come.” Operation Pollinator, re-planting golf course areas not requiring perfectly trimmed turf into bee-supporting vegetation, came to the US in 2012. By 2016 twenty-nine states boasted golf courses embracing the concept. At the University of Minnesota, grass specialist Mary Meyer and bee specialist Maria Spivak are collaborating on developing the “Bee Lawn.” The goal is to have a green space that looks and functions like a lawn but still provides flowers to nurture bees.
AAUW GARDEN TOUR
Come and enjoy the 19th Annual Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Garden Tour on Mother’s Day weekend! The Tour will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 10th and 11th, from 10AM to 4PM. Tickets are $35 if purchased by May 2nd, and $40 thereafter. Five outstanding gardens in Alamo and Danville will be featured. Among the many highlights are, an English-inspired garden in the mode of Gertrude Jekyll—undulating color and texture utilizing mostly Mediterranean plants, a family entertainer's heaven, an English garden, a Mediterranean riverside spa and an award winning vineyard with a spectacular view. Please plan on attending and bring a mom! Mail your $35 ($40 if mailing after May 2) check payable to “AAUW Fund” along with a self-addressed, stamped business sized #10 envelope to: AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. Beginning April 10th, tickets will also be available at East Bay Flower Company located at 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W., Danville (Livery Shopping Center) with payment by cash or check only. Tickets are also available online at https://daw-ca. aauw.net/successful-garden/. For questions, email daw.aauw@gmail.com. The tour will take place rain or shine and please, no children under 12. Profits from the Spring Garden Tour help provide one of the largest sources of funding for graduate women in the world. The AAUW Fund gave more than $3.9 million enabling more than 250 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations in the 2018–19 academic year. To learn more visit https:// daw-ca.aauw.net. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
Results. Pure and Simple.
Don Magalhaes Coming Soon - Completely remodeled Desirable Magee Ranch Estate 5 Bed
3 Bath 3,500 Sq Ft Pool & Spa
Call for Details
925.786.1855 don@compass.com DRE 00897221
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
LIFE IN THE ALAMO/ DANVILLE GARDEN
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
As the weather warms up here in the Bay, we have the joy of spending more time outside in the landscape. Evenings outside are one of our favorite times. Whether late-night entertaining or sitting alone on a hot summer night after the kids have gone to bed, the landscape unfolds for us in a different way after nightfall. Landscape lighting allows us to enjoy our outdoor living spaces late into the night, safely illuminating paths and steps and lending definition to patios, structures, and planting. Landscape lighting can create an ambient evening experience, illuminating a dining area, gracing a wall with mood-defining sconces, or twinkling overhead from a pergola’s beams. Beautiful in their simplicity, café lights and pendant lamps offer atmospheric illumination, more for the ambiance than for powerful light. When it comes to the patio, there are infinite choices for these focal light fixtures. Based on the style of a space and its use, designers choose lighting with the same detailed care that we put Downward-facing wall sconces illuminate stairs and into every other aspect of the gardens in this complex terraced design. We also landscape. If you are making incorporated strung café lights on this project – cute! choices for your own landscape, we recommend picking a fixture theme and sticking with it. Matching is never a bad thing when it comes to good design. In lighting pathways and steps, there are again myriad choices! For a more
modern look, inset lighting or riser lights on steps and walls are minimalist and effective. We use them on projects of all styles for their great effect. For ornamental lighting, especially on a path that winds though a garden, downward-facing path lights are classic. For convenience and lasting durability, lighting that can be controlled by an interior switch (or, we have heard, even a phone app!) is the best way to go. LED landscape lighting lasts for a long time on minimal energy. Solar path lights are This landscape is enhanced with riser lights on the getting better, but you do have bluestone steps. Wall fixtures with a classical look fewer options, and of course they match the black detailing. don’t do great in shade. Finally, in lighting gardens, fountains, and other features, we use a variety of techniques to highlight focal points and create definition. Up-lights on trees, shrubs, walls, and sculpture have powerful impact, and well lights at the edge of a border can create an ambient effect. The one key to landscape lighting is keeping the light where you want it! Choosing lower wattage lighting and angling fixtures away from the eyes of guests (and neighbors) will create beautiful, nonblinding lighting. With that in mind, bring light into your outdoor space, and love your landscape all night long! “I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh J. Montgomery Designs creates new outdoor living spaces and updates tired yards to show off your landscape in a completely new light. Lighting plans, planting advice, and complete overhauls are all in our repertoire! Contact our Alamo studio at 925-820-8884 to schedule a Complimentary Consultation, or visit our online portfolio at jmontgomerydesigns.com. Advertorial
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM – LONG-TERM CARE By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Healthier lifestyles and meaningful advances in medicine bode well for longer life expectancies, but a resulting challenge - the elephant in the room - is long-term care. How are you going to pay for your potential longterm care needs? Many elderly and baby boomers understand the importance of this question. Some do not. Others choose denial. For the purposes of this article, “long-term care” means custodial (not medical) care - in which one or more third parties are required to provide care for activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom. Such care may be at home, a convalescent hospital, nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a similar place. A prevalent myth is that Medicare covers long term care. Medicare coverage may apply, but it is very limited – generally only for skilled, not custodial, care and only up to 100 days. So, if you end up needing long term care for more than 100 days, you need to find other resources to pay for it. Another myth is that Medicaid (in California, “Medi-Cal”) is always a viable option; often, it’s not. Medi-Cal is available only for those with little income and who meet other eligibility requirements (e.g. having extremely limited assets, other than a home that may be partially or fully exempt). Even those who qualify must contribute substantially all of their income toward their long-term care expenses before the government pays the balance. Additionally, the Department of Health Services typically has a lien on a decedent’s assets to recover any Medi-Cal benefits that were paid out. Many complicated rules apply to Medi-Cal eligibility, recovery, and related planning strategies. Anyone who wishes to evaluate Medi-Cal as a potential long-term care alternative should obtain appropriate legal advice from an elder law attorney experienced in that niche. Another common misconception is that most people can “self-insure.” A
Chromatica continued from front page
www.yourmonthlypaper.com relatively small percentage of people are in that position. In California, high quality custodial care often costs $9,000 to $12,000 per month, if not more. Furthermore, many who are able to self-insure don’t want to risk diminishing their estate so dramatically as to leave little or no inheritance to their loved ones. If one develops Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, long-term care needs could extend for up to a decade or longer, with a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One alternative that should be explored carefully, particularly by successful baby boomers, is to buy private, long-term care insurance. Fortunately, many different plans are available, enabling you to custom-design your coverage based on how long a period you want to cover, the waiting period before coverage starts, the maximum amount per day that can be paid out, whether benefits are adjusted for inflation, etc. There are also “hybrid” plans that combine life insurance and long-term care benefits. Many people convinced that they cannot afford long-term care insurance premiums are wrong. Moreover, some clever ways to pay for some or all of your premium may be feasible without reducing your current cash flow, such as using, selling, or exchanging existing life insurance or obtaining and withdrawing funds from a reverse mortgage. If you contact me, I will be happy to refer you to several seasoned longterm care insurance agents with whom you can explore your options. NOTE: long-term care insurance is not the right solution for everyone. However, that doesn’t mean you should just ignore the elephant in the room. I encourage you to think about the issue, identify your long-term care funding alternatives, and coordinate this with your estate and tax planning professionals. Estate Planning |Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors.
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after that assignment, I just started writing more and more pieces,” said Stacy. She studied with H. David Hogan (one of the founders of the Walden School for Young Composers) in the Bay Area while in high school. Having played the saxophone in high school, Stacy attended the University of Michigan which had a strong saxophone and percussion program. She went on to complete her Master’s degree at the University of Chicago and her Doctorate at the University of Indiana. “Indiana had six orchestras, choirs everywhere, and, once again, a strong saxophone program and a strong percussion program. That really helped open some doors that otherwise I might not have considered.” Stacy has written extensively for saxophones. Stacy has been commissioned by the world-renowned Chanticleer and Kronos Quartet ensembles, by the St. Louis Symphony, and by the San Francisco Choral Society along with many others. She is the recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters 2019 award, the most recent of several awards. Along with her music, Stacy is an accomplished potter and a short story writer. In 2017, Chromatica performed a Garrop piece titled “Love’s Philosophy.” Based on poems by Shelley, Coleridge, Keats, and Byron, it examined flirtation, desire, lust, and the loss of love. It demonstrated Garrop’s remarkable ability to match music to words. Based on this experience Chromatica asked Garrop to compose a piece that it could perform as a world premiere. The result is “O Time.” Once again based upon poetry, in this case by Yeats and Herrick, Milton, and Van Dyke, it examines both the joys and losses that the passage of time inflicts. It finishes in the third movement with a sensitive setting of Van Dyke’s poem that focuses on the different ways in which individuals experience time passing. “Stacy Garrop lights up any venue where her work is performed” said David Huff, founding director of Chromatica. “Her mastery of choral dynamics and pacing are perfectly illustrated in “O Time” and the piece is both beautiful and deeply affecting. We are delighted with the result of our commission.” Stacy will attend the May 4th concert and a prior rehearsal. Chromatica was founded in 2011 by Chris Kenber and Sharon Kantor who (happily) chose David Huff as the founding music director. Not only an experienced director, David Huff has a background as an operatic tenor. He is also an excellent voice teacher. Chromatica is accompanied by Julie Rieth, an outstanding pianist both as an accompanist and as a soloist. She also teaches piano. The chorus has 32 members, male and female, and has grown from seven singers when it started. The group has always performed eclectic repertoire, altogether different from most community choruses. It has performed music from the 12th to the 21st century in at least six languages. Its most recent concert series focused on Russian choral music. Chromatica’s decision to commission a piece from Garrop puts it in a small group of community choruses willing to press the boundaries of conventional repertoire. Made possible through the generosity of donors, this commission is the first of many in the chorus’ future. Concerts will include Garrop’s “O Time” are scheduled for 7pm on April 27 at Peace Lutheran Church in Danville, 4pm on April 28 at St. Perpetua’s Church in Lafayette, and 7pm on May 4 at Grace Presbyterian in Walnut Creek (opposite the entry to Rossmoor). The concerts will include works by Brahms, Copland, and Samuel Barber. And to emphasize the eclectic nature of its repertoire, music by Cyndi Lauper and the group Chicago will also be on the program. Tickets and more information are available at www.chromaticachorale. org or at the door. More information on Stacy Garrop is available at www.garrop.com. Chromatica is always looking to add singers, and applications are available on their website.
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HOW DO YOU KNOW? DON’T YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF?
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners
“I have it all done” is a statement that I have heard multiple times over the years when I ask people about their long-term financial plan. I respond with, “How do you know?” This month, I will be concluding the six-part series where we explore this dialogue. I will reiterate that you must have your strategy tested with a real-life scenario to know for certain that you “have it all done.” There are a few major life events that can test your strategy: death, a major health event (disability, stroke, dementia, etc.), retirement, divorce, the sale of a company, and receiving an inheritance. You can plan for the worst, but it is not until a major life event occurs that you can be certain that your plan will be successful. Last article, we discussed the commonly overlooked planning elements in the event of selling your company, and this month’s article will focus on receiving an inheritance. In laying out the schedule to this six-part series, I would have never thought that I would have had several first-hand experiences with receiving an inheritance. Unfortunately, I lost my aunt and my uncle this past year. From their passing, I have had the opportunity to reflect first-hand on what an inheritance is and how to handle it. There are two types of inheritances that I can render: sentimental and non-sentimental. Each type has their own responsibility. Non-sentimental inheritance can take the form of cash, stocks, real estate, business entities, or random household items. This type of inheritance is generally simpler to deal with as you can sell or liquidate these items. In some situations, the benefactor may have wanted to ensure the gifts go towards specific things they had in mind. An example could be that someone was saving money to pass to their children to help them fund their grandkids’ education. Most properly drafted estate documents can cover a lot of scenarios where the benefactor expresses desires on how the inheritance could or should be used. However, many people never get around to expressing their wishes in their estate document or ever will, so the beneficiary has the responsibility to do
April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
what they think the benefactor would want done with their gifts. Sentimental inheritance is the heirloom passed from generation to generation: a watch, house, stock, or a knick-knack of some kind. I believe this type of inheritance is imbued with the wishes of the benefactor and should be treated with care and respect; sentimental inheritance tends to be part of the family history. What often happens is that these gifts get thrown to the wayside as people purchase more modern items. Some gifts that are inherited are not realistic to manage or maintain (think Hearst Castle) and need to be liquidated because it is not feasible for the beneficiary to keep. It is sad that what might have been someone’s prized life possession is just tossed away. Whether it is a sentimental or a non-sentimental inheritance, it is important to understand that it is yours now and it was someone’s before, and that someone probably wanted good to come out of it. What happens too often is an inheritance is given without any discussion with the beneficiaries prior to the benefactor’s death, so the beneficiaries squabble over the inheritance, and the outcome leaves them full of anger and regret. Communication is the best solution to help a benefactor to alleviate and eliminate this common problem. It is better to convey what you want to have happen with your belongings rather than to leave it up to chance that your beneficiaries will know and do the right thing. This article only scratches the surface, but the key takeaway from the article is that your financial life will be different after receiving an inheritance, and working with an advisor or a team of advisors will help you understand the impact of receiving an inheritance and will help you plan for your future. Receiving an inheritance is receiving someone’s hopes and dreams. ~ Peter Waldron Please contact me to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. 3201 Danville Blvd, Suite 190, Alamo, CA 94507. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. 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. CRN2468924-031919 Advertorial
Natives continued from front page
asked Pete to design and install her garden. An $800 EBMUD lawn conversion rebate helped finance the project. “One of my goals is to help people make the connection between their yards and the greater, wild world around us,” Pete explains. “I want people to experience the beautiful harmony that I see around me when exploring the woods, meadows, and high rocky outcrops around the bay because those are the sanctuaries for the remnant native plant communities around us.” Studying native plants in their remaining natural ecosystems gives Veilleux the insight essential to choosing the right plants for each garden. “Crickets are one of the first creatures to identify a newly planted native garden. I can walk through a neighborhood in the dark and recognize a native plant garden by their song,” Veilleux relates. Bringing insects back into gardens is the first step to getting birds to return. Ninety-six percent of North American terrestrial birds feed their young on native insects. Only 1% of the approximately four million known species of insects in the world has a negative impact on humans. Kathy Kramer, creator of BBTN, describes some of the many advantages of gardening with natives: “They have evolved to live in our climate, so they’re Installed in 2015, Maria Sargent's front garden boasts 70 species of native plants. used to our five months of wet weather and seven months of dry. Garden with native plants, and you will reduce your water bill and can reduce or eliminate pesticide use. Native plants are low maintenance, so you can spend the time (or money) spent on mowing and blowing on other things. And native plants are the best when it comes to attracting birds, bees, and butterflies.” Reading Sarah Stein’s Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards inspired Kramer to search for native plants for her own garden. As Kramer soon learned, finding the native plants she wanted was extremely difficult in the 1990s. Her tireless dedication now makes finding the tools for re-establishing the floral-faunal-microbial balance of a vibrant ecosystem possible in any East Bay yard. “Incorporating beautiful California native plants into the garden, eliminating pesticides, and reducing the use of water are actions everyone can take to help the environment,” Kramer believes. She finds current inspiration in the work of Professor Douglas Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, whose research documents the critical relationship between native plants and the birds, pollinators, and hence human life they support. Native flowering plants bring birds to frolic in Maria Sargent's mosaic birdbath.
See Natives continued on page 20
PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
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Natives continued from page 19
“It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something we all dream of doing: make a difference,” Tallamy notes. “Our success is up to each one of us individually. We can make a measurable difference almost immediately by 5356 Clayton Rd., Suite 215 planting a native nearby.” In Gardening for Life Tallamy writes: “Chances Concord, CA 94521 are you have never thought of your garden – indeed all of the space on your land – as a wildlife preserve 925.852.8412 that represents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the United States.” He adds, “As garwww.forrestersaccounting.com deners and stewards of our land, we have never jackie@forrestersaccounting.com been so empowered to help save biodiversity from extinction, and the need has never been so great. All we need to do is plant native plants.” The BBTN website contains a wealth of information. Identify plants that will succeed in your geographic area by studying plant lists posted for every garden on the tour. Click on “Find a Nursery” for places to purchase native plants and discuss options with knowledgeable staff. Designers specializing in landscaping with natives are noted. Nancy Neimeyer’s 3,300 square-foot Clayton garden is 99% native. A volunteer enthuses: “The clever signage she created made my volunteer assignment so much easier. The garden in full bloom was a lesson in native plant design. I feel many look at natives as majoring in green with little color. Nancy’s floral display was outstanding.” Native bees, butterflies, and quail as well as finches, fence lizards, and alligator lizards are equally enchanted by the makeover that replaced a large lawn with a tranquil garden using 75% less water. In Moraga, two remarkably different gardens demonstrate the range of possibilities presented by landscaping with natives. Al and Barbara Kyte’s wildlife sanctuary, enhanced each of the more than 40 years they’ve been planting, reflects the natural California landscapes they love to hike. Anne Chambers and Ed McAlpine’s garden contains 26 varieties of fruit trees. Tour attendees since BBTN’s inception, they replaced a swimming pool and lawn in 2017 with more space for edibles. Twenty-six varieties of fruit trees thrive on site. Workshops fill fast. Still available are April 27th, May 11th, and May 25th with Judy Adler, whose property was on the original tour. Judy’s rainwater retention system is remarkable. Adler invites participants to her garden to learn about growing natives through hands-on lessons. “Because I am an environmental educator by profession, I decided it would be more meaningful for me and those interested in native plants to offer more in-depth experiences consistent with Kathy’s mission.” Judy teaches native plant propagation from seeds, cuttings, and divisions; discusses water conservation; and showcases gardening with nature in mind. Native Plant Extravaganzas on April 20, May 4, and May 5 from 10am-5pm support the tour and make purchasing native plants easy. East Bay Wilds at 2777 Foothill Blvd., Oakland (entrance on 28th Ave.) is open all three days with over 400 kinds of reliable natives that are often hard to find as well as a huge selection of eclectic garden art. Veilleux offers potted container gardens of natives suitable for small spaces and will be on hand to answer questions. Watershed Nursery at 601A Canal Blvd, Richmond will also be open April 20th with Native plants entice birds year-round to Maria Sargent's hundreds of California natives. Additional nursfront yard. eries and garden art providers will be open May 4th and 5th. Since the tour was launched in 2005, enthusiastic homeowners have opened over 250 gardens to share their success with bringing the sound of birdsong and the motion of butterfly wings back to their yards. Many have taken advantage of water conservation rebates for lawn removal. All express a bit of wonder of being able to spend time relaxing their own thriving wildlife preserve that needs little care. Visit www.bringingbackthenatives.net for information. Addresses of gardens on tour are only available with tour registration. Register by midApril to receive your Garden Guide by mail. Kramer, a 2013 Jefferson Award winner, graciously helps late registrants by supplying addresses where they Colorful natives in Nancy Neimeyer's garden welcome wildlife and dazzle humans. can pick up a Garden Guide on tour day.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
IF YOU AREN’T USING RMM + REMOTE CONTROL, YOU AREN’T COMPETITION By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Back in the “old” days of IT support, we helped people with all types of computer problems over the telephone. Since there weren’t any commercial remote-control tools for us to reach into the client’s computer yet available, we were forced to work through the fingers and eyes of whomever we were speaking with. This was quite difficult. Many people are freaked out by technology, and for whatever reason some people are really hard to help over the phone. It can be inefficient and frustrating to conduct telephone support for people if you have to rely on them doing what you say. Sometimes, the communication gap was something we simply couldn’t get past. In many cases, the frustrated client opted for a service call to their location or to bring their computer into our office for repair. These days, we manage our client systems in a better way. We have developed a full suite of tools we install on client computers. The collections of programs, called Remote Machine Management (RMM) tools, allow us to secure, monitor, fix, and remote control our client’s systems as necessary. We do this for both PCs and Macs. The great thing about our RMM solution is that we notice problems before our clients do. We can pro-actively deal with an issue and may not even need to remotely control the machine. We may just need to push a corrective code or tell the system to fix itself via remote commands. Beyond security, the most valuable commodity I can provide to our clients is a consistent computing experience. Our tool-set is designed to remove the blips of trouble that cause people stress and loss of productivity. There are so many moving parts to technology and so many interconnected programs. When you think about how many companies are providing bits and pieces to your computing experience, it can be mind boggling that it all works as well as it does. When you have a master system like ours managing your computer, you end up with a more secure, consistent, and productive environment. We have had clients who were concerned about the privacy of the data
stored on their computers that we access. My staff sign confidentiality statements and work from a code of ethics that dictates our access to client systems is never exploited. The bottom line is that either we have your trust, or we do not. If we don’t, we’re the wrong firm for the client. When we sign on, we may incidentally see things on a computer, and we always minimize or close workin-progress that’s been left on a client’s screen because we’re not interested in anyone’s personal business. We’re there to keep the platform running and to fix problems. We don’t have the interest, inclination, and most of all, time, to poke around in someone else’s business. In other words, we are on your team. Beyond the security of the computer itself, password hygiene is one of the areas that everyone can improve upon. I know you’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again; use different complex passwords for every website, service, and application you access. If the website will accept it, use a phrase with spaces. The problem with using the same password everywhere isn’t your password complexity per se; the problem is that any of the sites you visit may be hacked. If you’re using the same password everywhere, you suddenly have a lot of exposure on all the other websites that share the same password. You may find it helpful to acquire a password management program such as LastPass, OneLogin, or one of many others (there are a lot of them). I’ve used both LastPass and OneLogin and can attest to their effectiveness in managing the plethora of sites, usernames, and passwords we need to use every day. To be frank, it’s all a bit of a pain, and this is a new problem that we didn’t have to deal with twenty years ago. It’s like the problem of having too many digital photos and saved files to cull through; this is a brand new issue we deal with that causes a lot of stress. If you run a business and don’t have an overt and purposeful security plan in place for your computers, I think you’re a sitting duck. Beyond the security benefits, there are many reasons why it makes sense and saves you money to use a managed service like the one we offer. Our tool-set is proactive, and when something does need to be done on your system, it can be quickly and efficiently handled remotely by a skilled technician before it gets out of control. Maybe you’re unsure. If you’d like to discuss your situation and get an honest appraisal, please call or email the friendly staff at Portable CIO at 925-552-7953 or info@pcioit.com, and we’d be glad to help. Advertorial
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President WATCH FOR FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS AT OUR ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET
Bill Harlow of the Bay Area Farmer’s Market Association is leading the effort to make our Alamo Farmer’s Market an important part of your Sunday. Bill’s family has been in our Alamo/Walnut Creek area since 1977. He has a genuine interest in the sustainability of small family farms, the “heart and soul” of California Agriculture and the “Buy Fresh – Buy Local” movement that Alice Waters has supported and popularized. He has been the manager of several Bay Area Farmer’s Markets and is enthusiastic, as are many Alamo residents, about the opportunity to have fresh produce from certified growers available to our community. It is about the quality. All produce is picked fresh and is at the local Farmer’s Markets within 24-48 hours versus a week or much more for chain grocery stores. What type of produce are you looking for? Organic or conventionally grown? Several vendors offer both. Please acquaint yourselves with those that do. Vendors are the best source of information about their own produce, so step up and ask them. Many vendors also have tasting stations or provide samples as well. Enjoy great produce, wonderful music, easy parking, and good vibes. The Alamo Farmer’s Market is located in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd near Bank of America in Alamo. It is open, rain or shine, Sundays, 9AM – 2PM.
APRIL IS “CALL BEFORE YOU DIG” MONTH
Homeowners, and even some professionals, often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call, even for small projects like planting trees and shrubs. The 8-1-1 hotline is a free service that allows people to obtain information about what may be buried beneath the excavation surface area, including natural gas pipelines, electric power lines, and other infrastructure. The depth of utility lines varies, and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Calling 8-1-1 before every digging job gets your underground utility lines marked for free and helps prevent undesired consequences. Call 8-1-1 a few days before you start any digging project, and your call will be routed to your local One Call Center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig, and what type of work you will be doing, and your affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. In a few days, they’ll send a locater to mark the approximate area of your underground lines, pipes, and cables, so you’ll know what’s below - and be able to dig safely. You’ll avoid injury, expense, embarrassment - and a very inconvenient day in the dark. For more information on your local One Call Center or to make an online request for utilities to be marked (where available), visit www.call811.com or call 8-1-1 or 800-642-2444. For your personal safety, as well as the safety of our community, we encourage everyone who is digging, excavating, drilling, trenching, grading, etc. to call 8-1-1 before they dig. You can also learn more at www.usanorth811.org.
The Rotary Club of Alamo meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. For information about the group, contact Peter Walron at peter.waldron@ lfg.com. The Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. For information, contact Bob Chace at bchace@pacbell.net or by phone at (925)838-7007. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Jim Coleman at coleman_jd@pacbell.net. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets for dinner every Wednesday night at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville. Networking and social time starts at 6:30PM with the meeting starting at 7PM. For more information, call Bernie at 925-352-2155. You can also visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Lastly, Rotary Club of San Ramon meets every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club. For more information, contact Dennis Harvey at dennis@dharveyrealtor. com or 925-519-4748.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant, located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests, and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 6:30PM at Crow Canyon Country Club on the third Wednesday of every month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the fight against diabetes, and many local charities. The group has interesting speakers at each meeting. Contact Truman Howard (925) 787-2565 or truman.howard@gmail.com for reservations. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, visit www.danvillelionsclub.org.
CELEBRATING OUR 64TH YEAR
Now in its 64th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo (and Danville) residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement: to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts over the last 63 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Please watch in May for your upcoming AIA 2018 Annual Report, ballot, and membership form. Then, complete and return your annual membership form to AIA at PO Box 156, Alamo, CA 94507. Please also visit our website at www.AlamoCA. org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out; now is the time to renew or become a member of AIA.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
CHURCH BATTLES CREEK INVADER
By Lyn Arscott and Dick Heron, Friends of San Ramon Creek
The beautiful San Ramon Valley Creek runs adjacent to the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church in Alamo. Our creek is a wonderful ecosystem that provides a home to countless native creatures and plants. However, the ecosystem is threatened by an aggressive, invasive plant called Arundo Donax. The plant looks like bamboo, grows very rapidly, and can reach a height of 30 feet. This plant was introduced into America by early European settlers for use as thatched roof material. Later it was used for erosion control along creek banks but it has since been demonstrated that its spreading habit can contribute to erosion by diverting the stream flow. Today, it is crowding out native plants, is a fire hazard, can impact the flow of the creek to the point where flood control can be a concern, and it is deleterious to the habitat of fish and other wildlife. It is listed as a noxious weed in California and Texas. State and local environmental and water departments have been concerned about this invasive plant for many years and encourage property owners to remove the reed Volunteers removing Arundo from San Ramon Creek. Note the height of the reeds and the method and replace it with native species. With input from experts at our County Department of Public Works, a team comprised of volunteers from the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, the Friends of San Ramon Creek (a local volunteer organization), local Boy Scout Troops, local high school students and other volunteers, has developed and tested appropriate protocols to remove Arundo in an environmentally protective manner from the banks of the creek on church property. Protocols include cutting the reeds by hand as access to the creek by machines is not practical or appropriate in order to protect the habitat. The reeds are cut just above the ground level, hauled out of the creek by volunteers, and transported to a green waste disposal facility. Access to the creek should
See Arundo continued on page 26
A BRIGHT UPDATE ON MELANOMA TREATMENT
By Jeffrey Zweig, MD, Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Melanoma skin cancer is unfortunately on the rise worldwide and is now considered the fifth-most common cancer diagnosis in the United States. It is estimated that in 2019, there will be over 95,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the US and over 7,000 deaths. Luckily, most patients will be diagnosed with early stage disease whereby surgery alone is curative. However, for those that develop advanced or metastatic disease, there has been an explosion of breakthrough therapies over the years that have been proven to prolong overall survival, offering new hope in a disease that was once considered significantly fatal. In contrast to several other types of solid tumors whereby chemotherapy can play an important role, in advanced melanoma, chemotherapy has not been shown to significantly improve overall survival, with response rates usually less than 20%. Rather, activating the immune system to target cancer cells via immunotherapy antibodies as well as the use of oral molecularly targeted BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations have changed the landscape of melanoma treatment. All patients with metastatic melanoma should be tested for activating mutations in BRAF, specifically BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations. If present, these mutations implicate a pathway by which these cells replicate and serve as a target for drug therapy. It was initially shown that the BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib have efficacy in treating melanoma and prolonging survival compared with chemotherapy. Now, it is known that combining BRAF inhibition with blocking a downstream target called MEK, can further enhance response rates, progression free survival, and overall survival. As of 2019, there are now three combinations of BRAF/MEK inhibitors approved by the FDA for patients with BRAF V600(E/K) mutations – dabrafenib/trametinib, vemurafenib/cobimetinib, and encorafenib/binimetinib. All provide a remarkable response rate of around 70%. Toxicity can be an issue though, specifically diarrhea, fevers, and chills, and can require dosage adjustments or temporary interruption of therapy. Immunotherapy or checkpoint inhibitors work by taking the breaks off the immune system and blocking inhibitory signals that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells. Currently, the anti-PD-1 antibodies pembrolizumab and nivolumab are approved as single agent options in patients with advanced melanoma, with or without a BRAF mutation, with objective response rates over 40%. These immunotherapy drugs have been shown to be superior to ipilimumab, a CTLA-4 inhibitor, that was the former immunotherapy approved in this disease and was a major advance to historical high dose IL-2 treatment. Furthermore, the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab has been demonstrated to have improved responses over either nivolumab or ipilimumab alone, though at the risk of higher toxicity. As the immune system is being activated, patients can experience inflammatory immune related toxicities, which can lead to therapy interruption and sometimes the need for steroid administration. Excitedly though, a subset of patients treated with immunotherapy can have a complete response to treatment, allowing for long term disease control and the potential to discontinue treatment after a few years. Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or the combination of nivolumab/ipilimumab are all now standard of care options in patients with new onset metastatic melanoma with or without a BRAF mutation. In those patients with a BRAF V600(E/K) mutation, they are candidates for either molecularly targeted treatment or immunotherapy upfront, and this decision is individualized, based on disease burden and symptoms, side effect profiles, patient comorbidities, and of course, patient preference. Whether immunotherapy or targeted therapy is used upfront, either option can be reserved as a second line treatment. These therapies have not been compared head to head, though a randomized trial is underway to address the question of how best to sequence them. All in all, melanoma treatment in the advanced setting has undergone a revolution in the last years, with a subset of patients that experience long term durable responses to treatment. Numerous trials are underway, looking at new immunotherapy as well as molecular therapy combinations. The future is indeed bright, and there remains much optimism for continual improved therapies and advances as time progresses. We at Diablo Valley Oncology, through the California Skin and Melanoma Center, provide multidisciplinary care of not only melanoma, but all skin cancers, drawing upon the insight and expertise of our medical oncologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists to optimize the best treatments and care for our patients. ****Join Dr.Zweig and other skin cancer and melanoma experts at the Many Faces of Skin Cancer on April 23, 2019, at the Lafayette Library from 6:30 - 8:30pm. Reservations are recommended. Call 925-677-5041 x272 or email sjung@dvohmg.com.**** Dr. Zweig is a boardcertified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group. One of his sub-specialty interests is in the treatment of melanoma. To reach Dr. Zweig, please call 925-677-5041 or visit www.dvohmg.com or www.calskincancer.com. Advertorial
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
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POETIC YEARS AT ALAMO
In 1937 Benjamin Fred Hall, son of early Alamo settler Myron Ward Hall, penned a book titled Poetic Years at Alamo. In the Foreword of the book, B.F. Hall, as he was known, writes in July 1937, “Alamo is one of the smallest and oldest towns in Contra Costa County. Myron Ward Hall, my Father, came to this beauty-spot over eighty years ago, and I have seldom been far from it. The San Ramon Valley, with its mountain background, has inspired poets and painters. There I saw the hardships of Pioneers, and now see the comforts of modern life. My verses express a few of the memories and attachments that have made ALAMO always ‘Home’ to me.” We share some of his spring-time poems here.
THE EYE OPENER
ALLERGIES AND DAILY DISPOSABLES By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Now that the rain is hopefully winding down, seasonal allergies are about to run rampant. Speaking from a personal point of view, I know dealing with running nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and tearing is no fun. I am already having patients come into the office with complaints similar to my own. The treatment plan for each person is different, but the drugs, drops, and contact lens modalities we use are similar. Most of us take either a prescription or over-the-counter antihistamine. These usually help alleviate some of the systemic symptoms of runny nose, congestion, etc. In some patients, it also helps with some of the ocular issues of tearing, itching, and redness. However, the main side effect of these medications is dryness. If the eyes are dry, it can actually worsen some of the ocular symptoms because there are fewer tears to wash away the allergens in your eye. For this reason, I also recommend topical drops to help in the fight against allergies. These drops do not solve the problems but generally enable the patient to function in the spring months. There are several types of drops that can be used depending on the severity of the symptoms. For a mild case, I usually recommend artificial tears and a prescription drop like Bepreve or Pazeo. The tears are used to help lubricate the eye and flush out the allergens that are sitting on your eye, causing the itching and redness. Bepreve and Pazeo are used to counteract the effect of the allergens on and around your eye while also helping to prevent further episodes. For the more advanced case, I recommend a short-term use of a topical steroid, which will calm the eye down quicker. Because of potential side effects, a drop of this kind should only be used for a relatively short period of time. I usually instruct my patients to use the drop for about a week, and then use the antihistamines to
keep the allergic reaction at bay. I believe the use of steroids should only be used when indicated, but they are a wise treatment choice in those patients that are really suffering. For contact lens wearers, this is the time of year that leads to decreased wear time, build-up on the lenses, and overall intolerance of wear. Most patients wear their lenses for less time and/or dispose of them more often. For all of my potential contact lens patients including those with allergy issues, I recommend daily disposable contacts. These lenses are thin, are easy to adapt to, do not require any cleaning or solutions, and are always comfortable because you put a fresh lens on every day. Whether you are a recreational wearer for sports or weekends or wear them every day, these lenses are best for convenience, lens hygiene, and lens comfort. A new lens leads to better vision and eye health because of no lens build up and a decreased risk for infection. Even though wearing contact lenses during the spring months might be difficult, having a fresh lens every day provides the possibility of longer and more comfortable wear. Lastly, when combined with a rebate for a year-long supply and not having to purchase solutions and cases, the cost is very similar to a year-long supply of two-week or one-month disposable lenses. Obviously, every patient and situation is different. Some patients don’t like taking drops and some patients are in love with their current lenses, so daily disposables might not be an option. At your visit, you will be evaluated on your particular signs and symptoms, and you will be given the appropriate treatment plan. The issues and treatments discussed have generally worked well for my patients in the past. Most of the time, it will be a combination of these that will work best. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
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CARING HANDS ~HELP A SENIOR
Life at any age involves challenges, but these intensify as we age. The first concern may be that it becomes too difficult to drive to the doctor, the grocery, or to just get a haircut. Support systems change, neighbors and friends may not help as expected, and loneliness may put a damper on daily routine. Caring Hands volunteers offer friendship which makes an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for many seniors. Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, a collaborative community outreach program between John Muir Health, social service agencies, congregations of various faiths and the communityat-large, creates finely-tuned one-on-one matches. The program is dedicated to helping aging adults in Contra Costa County remain independent as long as safely possible. If you have time to volunteer, consider joining Caring Hands as a caregiver or occasional driver. Enriching matches are created; loving friendships and deep relationships are formed. Care receivers treasure a friendly visit, a walk in the park or other social outing. Reading mail, letter writing, or providing respite care to give a break to a family member are thoughtful services which can make a big difference to a frail or isolated senior. Since so many older adults need transportation to doctor’s appointments or stores, the best volunteer for Caring Hands is someone who is available once a week for 1-3 hours on a weekday and who can provide transportation. Volunteers receive ongoing education, support, and recognition of their efforts. Training classes are held in odd numbered months. An orientation/interview and pre-registration is required. Perhaps you can be that friend who gives a waiting senior hope and help. For a volunteer application or for more information about Caring Hands, please contact Stacy Appel, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 952-2999.
April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
HANDS GIVE AWAY YOUR AGE?
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) “Prime Time” is a gathering of senior adults who like fellowship, fun, and making new friends! The group meets in the Multi-Purpose Room of Community Presbyterian Church from 9:30AM – 12:30PM on Tuesdays, September to May. Please join in the fun. Activities often include games (cards, dominoes, and mahjong to name a few), blood pressure screening, water painting, devotions, informative presentations, and various forms of entertainment that also take place. A home-made lunch is provided for $4. Get pampered, get fed, and get loved! For more information, visit www. cpcdanville.org/primetime/.
Does your face look great but your hands give away your age, making you look older than you feel? Is the skin thinning? Do you see a bunch of brown spots cropping up? You are not alone. While we pay lots of attention to our face, many people ignore their hands. For some, their hands can make them look older than their face. Most of the changes are from sun damage as well as natural aging. There are many things you can do to prevent and treat these signs of aging. The sun is your enemy when it comes to aging skin. Most of us apply sunscreen to our face, yet many forget about our hands. I recommend applying a sunscreen of at least a 30 SPF to all exposed skin each morning. For most people, this means their hands and face. Additional topical treatments that can help include SkinCeutical’s Neck Chest & Hand Repair Cream as well as SkinCeutical C E Ferrulic Serum. This can help with the damage inflicted by ultraviolet radiation. The most important part is sun avoidance and sunscreen. Many people notice that as they age the skin on the back of their hands appears thin, and the veins and tendons become more noticeable. In general, there is not a lot of fat in our hands. As we age, the fat atrophies and there is a loss of collagen and elastin. This creates that thin veiny look that many don’t like. This look can be improved with a simple in-office procedure. Radiesse was the first dermal filler deemed safe and effective by the FDA to correct volume loss in hands. Restylane has also recently been approved for this. This procedure takes about 10 minutes. We usually apply a topical numbing cream, and then we inject Radiesse into the back of the hands and massage it into place. This results in an instant, long-lasting smoothing effect, and veins and tendons become less noticeable. Age spots, also known as liver spots, on the back of hands have nothing to do with age or your liver. These brown spots are caused by the sun you receive during your lifetime. They can be pesky and annoying. Fortunately, they can be treated with laser or light-based technology. We use the PicoWay Laser to treat these spots. This advanced laser shatters the pigment into small dust-like particles that get reabsorbed by your body. The spots can be crusty for about 5-7 days and then pink for a week or two before they fade. Most people that we see concerned about how their aging hands appear choose to have Radiesse injected as well as have their brown spots zapped. For the month of April, we are offering a complimentary PicoWay Laser treatment for brown spots on the hands ($500 value) for any patients that receive Radiesse hand rejuvenation injections. Call us today at 925-838-4900 to schedule your complimentary consultation. To take advantage of this special offer, please bring this article or a copy with you. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We are accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and at www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
BOOKS FOR THE HOMEBOUND
GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER
CPC PRIME TIME
If you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit the library, find out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at (925) 314-3756 for more information.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. Your help is needed 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.
No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center (GCSC)! The mission of the Center is to promote physical and mental wellbeing through programs and social activities for those aged 50+ years old. On Mondays and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, MahJong, Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. GCSC celebrates members’ birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual $50 member fee. Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. For more information, contact Wendy Lee, 925-7186222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www.goldencrane.org.
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
BODY CONTOURING
By Dr. Barbara Persons
The sun is shining brighter and longer, and the temperatures are rising. Summer is just around the corner. We all know what this means - shedding our winter clothes and showing more skin. Wouldn’t it be incredible if you could take those unwanted areas of fat and move them somewhere else? Thankfully, we have the technology to do so! The process, called fat transfer or fat grafting, involves removing fat from one area of the body via gentle liposuction and injecting it into a more desirable area. Desirable areas include, but are not limited to, the breasts, buttocks, cheeks, under-eye hollows, hands, and other parts of the body that have lost volume due to the normal aging process. Techniques in body-shaping and fat reduction procedures have improved vastly in recent years. Today, the procedure is performed as follows: prior to liposuction, a tumescent solution is placed under the skin to locally numb the area. Unwanted fat is then removed using a safe, blunt-tipped cannula and suction. The suctioned fat is purified and kept sterile to be evenly injected, creating a soft and natural look. Fat is a glistening, gold color when it is removed from the body, so you will often hear fat referred to as “liquid gold.” Because the fat comes from your own body, people refer to fat grafting as a “natural” surgery. The fat will thrive when placed in a new area without any adverse reaction or possibility of rejection, which has lent to the procedure’s increasing popularity. According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction was the second most popular surgical procedure in 2018. Although this procedure
cannot remove cellulite or solve obesity, it helps to achieve a slimmer body appearance. It is important to note that liposuction is a shape changer, not a weight changer. As fat grafting rises in popularity, I have been seeing more and more patients specifically choose this procedure over a traditional breast augmentation using breast implants. Traditional surgery requires an incision, the dissection of a “pocket,” and placement of the implant with stitches to close the incision site. With a fat transfer procedure, there are only small incisions with very minimal scars. The ideal fat transfer candidate is searching for a relatively small enhancement to the breasts, has natural lift with good bust contour, and has excess body fat on other areas of the body. When it comes to any surgical procedure, do your research! If you are considering fat transfer, or any other plastic surgery, please go to abplasticsurgery.org and make sure your doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon. It is likewise important to find out how long they have been offering the procedure you are looking for (the correct answer is over ten years!). In my experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon performing procedures of this kind for over two decades, I caution my patients and those considering cosmetic surgery to not be ensnared in the illustrious promise of deals of any kind. Fat grafting procedures, when performed safely and correctly, can be truly life changing for patients of all ages. Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925-283-4012 or drpersons@ personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB FREE VISION SCREENING SERVICES
The Danville Lions Club, along with certified Lion members, offers vision screening at no charge to public and private schools, senior care facilities, learning centers, and children’s centers in Danville and San Ramon. Danville Lions use the Spot infrared camera that combines auto-refraction and video retinoscopy to test the eyes. From three feet, the camera is used to take a digital photograph so the information acquired automatically assesses a person’s vision in as little as five seconds. The Spot camera screens for the following refractive errors and gaze analysis: irregularly shaped corneas or lenses, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. The Spot camera is safe and quick, and can easily process 50 to 75 people in a short visit. Danville Lions are most interested in using the Spot screening at public school locations and children’s learning centers. For more information and to schedule dates for screening, please contact Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 352-6111 or watermanchiro@yahoo.com.
ROTACARE PITTSBURG FREE MEDICAL CLINIC CELEBRATES SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
The Rotacare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul is celebrating its 8th anniversary of serving the uninsured and underinsured in our community. Since its inception in 2011, the Clinic has provided over 11,300 medical visits for uninsured patients. Operated by a partnership between St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County and Rotacare Bay Area, the clinic provides care to the uninsured, who find it challenging to get care without insurance. Even with implementation of the Affordable Care Act, it is estimated that 40,000-60,000 of our county residents are without health insurance. Dr. Hamid Khonsari, volunteer medical director, leads the volunteer team of physicians, nurses, health educators, translators, and others delivering the clinic’s services to the community. “We started off seeing patients for urgent care reasons,” long-time nurse Angela Rivello said. “It was shocking to see how sick members of our community were. As time went on, we repeatedly saw patients with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, and we realized that a need existed for something more than urgent care.” In response to the needs of the community, the clinic started to evolve to meet them. With the continued help of the dedicated team of volunteers, the Free Medical Clinic added days, added providers, developed a hypertension and diabetes clinic, and established asthma follow up care plans. One such evolution is the addition of the Transitional Care Clinic, made possible by a grant led by the Alamo Rotary Club, which has been in operation for one year. The goal of the Transitional Care Clinic is to ensure lasting Arundo continued from page 23 patient success managing chronic diseases. The Clinic has produced outbe limited to dry weather, generally between June 15 and October 15. Care standing results, with patients able to entirely reverse their hypertension issues through health education classes, group exercise, nutrition instruc- must be taken not to leave any cut reeds on the ground as they might take root and particular care must be taken to minimize damage to the native tion, and case management follow up. vegetation. The next step is to control regrowth by careful spot treatment of Eight years later, that fledgling clinic, with its rapidly evolving set of programs, has served thousands of people, providing specialized and nec- the new shoots with an herbicide approved for use near creeks. The group will then plant native species such as willow to protect against erosion and essary care to our most vulnerable neighbors here in Contra Costa County. to enhance the ecosystem. But there is more work to be done. You can be part of the solution! State and County Resource ConservaThe rate of uninsured Californians is projected to be disproportionately tion Authorities encourage property owners who own part of the creek to Latino (65%) and low income by 2020. More than 2/3 of adults who do remove the invader and plant native species. However, when conducting not have health insurance are employed yet unable to afford insurance. In any work in a creek bed, care must be taken to protect the creek and reguorder to keep up with the health care crisis in the East Bay, Saint Vincent de Paul needs your help. We are looking towards the future in order to lations may apply. The Friends of San Ramon Creek, as part of the Walnut Creek Watershed continue serving the community by ensuring a more efficient and accurate Council, have mapped the entire Walnut Creek watershed using satellite filing process by digitizing medical records, and expanding the clinic to be imagery to show the enormous extent of the invasion. They are also available open more often. to provide advice to property owners on how to remove the invader. More For more information about the Rotacare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic information is available at https://www.ccrcd.org/fosrc.html. at St. Vincent de Paul, including how to get involved, visit www.svdp-cc.org.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
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PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
DO YOU SUFFER FROM RESTLESS LEGS?
By, Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, Align Healing Center WHAT E X AC TLY IS RES TLES S LEG SYNDROME?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by throbbing, pulling, creeping, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable, and sometimes overwhelming, urge to move them. Symptoms occur primarily at night when a person is relaxing or at rest and can increase in severity during the night. Moving the legs relieves the discomfort, which can range in severity from uncomfortable or irritating to painful. The most distinctive or unusual aspect of RLS is that lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms. Most people with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Many people with RLS report that their job, personal relations, and activities of daily living are strongly affected as a result of their sleep deprivation.
WHO’S AT RISK FOR RLS? • • • • • • • •
Individuals with iron deficiency anemia Individuals on antidepressant medication Pregnant women Frequent blood donors Those who have undergone gastric surgery Chronic smokers and alcoholics Individuals under chronic stress Children with ADD/ADHD
RLS DRUGS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS
The drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of RLS are Mirapex, Neupro, and Requip. These medications (originally developed for treatment of Parkinson’s disease) work by making dopamine more available to receptors. These medications can have side effects from nausea, depression, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and impulse control disorders. RLS will certainly affect quality of life, but so do these other severe side effects. Research is now revealing the significant role of nutrition and other natural approaches to RLS.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO REDUCE RLS
RLS has been linked to low levels of dopamine. The neurotransmitter dopamine is an important messenger in the brain which helps to regulate much of our body’s functions, including thinking, behavior, mood, and especially in the case of RLS – rest and movement. Low levels of dopamine can trigger the urge to move our limbs, as found in RLS. Both iron and folate play key roles in the production of dopamine. Magnesium and zinc levels also have an impact on RLS. I personally believe in running specific blood tests in order to zero in on what is deficient in each individual to ensure the most effective outcome. Micronutrient testing allows a person to know exactly what to eat and specifically what to supplement in order to support the healing of their RLS.
HEALING YOUR RLS
Conditions like restless legs syndrome can significantly interrupt daily life. At Align, we work to figure out what the body needs and provide that in a course of treatment. Through natural techniques based in science such as specialty lab testing, personalized supplementation, low-force chiropractic to restore nerve function, and laser therapy to speed-up the healing process, we can correct the critical imbalances causing the RLS. There is nothing more gratifying than helping a patient resolve an issue utilizing natural therapies that give them their life back. For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, Align Healing Center, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call (925)3628283. Visit us on the web at www.AlignHealingCenter.com. Advertorial
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Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams
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Contact Lens Exams
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Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses In many cases, we are able to make your glasses in our office with our On-Site Lab
215 ALAMO PLAZA SUITE D ALAMO, CA 94507 www.poplarspecs.com
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY MONDAY—FRIDAY: 9 - 6 SATURDAY: 9 - 4
925.202.2846 NEW ART EXHIBIT AND OPENING RECEPTION AT BLACKHAWK GALLERY
Founded in 1977, the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) is a non-profit organization which provides support and education to local artists. Additionally, ADAS is a big supporter of local public schools, having donated generously to various school projects in past years. The ADAS will host the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new Exhibit ‘Reflections’. A Gala Reception will be held on Saturday, April 27th from 5pm to 7pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres. The exhibit will be on view seven days a week from Friday April 26th to Sunday July 7th. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The ‘R ef le c t ions’ exhibit features one guest artist and forty member artists. Guest artist Aimee Bosschart will be showing her hand-built ceramics. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art. Flower Vases by Aimee Bosschart The Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville, in the Blackhawk Plaza. The phone number is 925-648-8023. Regular Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am6pm. Special holiday hours on Memorial Day and Independence Day are 10am-5pm. Learn more at https://adas4art.org/blackhawk_gallery or www.facebook. com/AlamoDanvilleArtistsSociety, or by emailing the Blackhawk Gallery Director Kerima Swain at swain.kerima@gmail.com.
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WATER WAVE THERAPY FOR ENLARGED PROSTATE
By Parminder Sethi, MD
April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 29
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin
INTRODUCING EMSCULPT D
Offering Treatments for: Skin Cancer Moles Precancerous Lesions Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Warts, Molluscum Keloid and Scar Revisions Psoriasis and Vitiligo Cysts and Lipoma Hair and Nail Disorder Underarm Sweating Physician-Strength Skin Care Products
ONLY FDA CLEARE Benign enlargeELECTROMAGNETIC ment of the prostate (BPH) is one of the most ETING TECHNOLOGY TARG common diseases that affects American men. D AN L NA MI ABDO It has been estimated that 70 % of all men R BODY FO S LE SC MU GLUTEUS PAD have enlarged prostate by the age of 60. By CONTOURING, FAT Offering Cosmetic Treatments for: LIFT! TT age of 80, 90% of men are affected. REDUCTION AND BU Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars lpt cu MS Symptoms of BPH can be divided into DrWilliamTing.com/E Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, two categories: obstructive and irritative and Rejuvenation voiding symptoms. Obstructive urinary Frown Lines and symptoms consist of difficulty to initiate the Jawline Reduction Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and urinary stream, intermittent and slow stream, Post-injection Bruising and post void dribbling. Irritative voiding Pigmentation and Melasma Sun Damage and Scars symptoms include sensation of not being able A place where beauty Body Sculpting to empty, urinary frequency, urgency, urgent Thinning Hair and/or Balding and healthy skin meet incontinence, burning upon urination, and Hair Removal Visit us at our Center of urge to get up at night to urinate. Technology & Procedures Excellence with a combined Offered When the symptoms are mild, watchful 12,000 square foot, state Cellfina waiting is often recommended. When the Cool Mini for neck of the art, newly renovated symptoms become moderate or severe, they Coolsculpting® Our Women’s suite. We are dedicated Cryoshape can be treated with medication, minimally Wellness Center to Medical, Cosmetic, and Diolite 532 laser now offers EMSella, invasive office procedures, or surgeries. EMSculpt Surgical Dermatology and FDA approved noninvasive EMSella A new and unique procedure demonstrating are a place for medical electromagnetic technology Excel V Laser impressive results is Rezum therapy. It basically treatment (with clothes on) Excimer Laser skin consultation, aesthetic uses steam, technically known as convective Fractional CO2 Laser for urinary incontinence rejuvenation, and face and GenesisPlus Laser and feminine intimate radio frequency water vapor thermal therapy, body contouring. Infini Microneedling RF rejuvenation! to treat the enlarged prostate. This minimally Models are used. Kybella DrWilliamTing.com/EMSella invasive procedure can be performed in a few Liposonix® Microneedling with PRP Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com minutes under local anesthesia in the office MiraDry for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, setting using local anesthesia. Clinicians use a Mohs Micrographic Surgery product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. NBUVB Phototherapy hand-held device that provides radio-frequency Pico Genesis generated thermal energy in the form of water Schedule your free cosmetic consultation appointment today! PicoSure Laser vapor to the prostate. The energy transported by PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation William Ting, M.D., Vbeam Laser Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon the water causes thermal damage to the enlarged Silhouette InstaLift targeted prostate tissue, which in turn causes the 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Spectra Laser 2262 Camino Ramon Hercules, CA 94547 prostate cells to die. Over time, the body absorbs Superficial Radiotherapy San Ramon, CA 94583 Tel: (510) 669-5700 Tel: (925) 328-0255 Thermage™ the treated tissue as part of the natural healing Ultherapy™ Email: staff@caldermcare.com process, shrinking the prostate tissue and, as it drwilliamting.com Vaser Shape *Welcoming new Medicare patients VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation does, symptoms of BPH are relieved. Patients are able to drive themselves home after the procedure and can expect to return to their routine activities within a few days. Patients may experience symptom relief in as little as two weeks, and maximum benefit occurs in one to three months. It is an excellent option for patients who have failed other BPH therapies and are looking for an alternative to drug therapy or more invasive surgery. Pacific Urology is proud to be one of six Centers of Excellence in the world to offer the Rezum therapy for patients with enlarged prostate. To date, we have performed close to 500 procedures with great results and no major complications. Dr. Sethi is a board certified urologist with Pacific Urology. His urology group has offices in Walnut Creek, Concord, Brentwood, Livermore and San Ramon. For more information, call 925-937-7740 or visit www.pacific-urology.com. Advertorial
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH ADULT LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30 PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah, located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the two-story building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For more information or to RSVP, contact karen@ mmcohen.com.
COPING WITH DEATH OF PETS
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 (HoEB) 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 second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7PM 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 HoEB (925) 887-5681. HoEB Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.
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PAGE 30 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2019
HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America from 10AM to noon on the first Wednesday of the month at the Vista Room at Hillside in Rossmoor located at 3400 Golden Rain Rd., Walnut Creek. Everyone is welcome. A hearing loop assistive listening system is available and the meetings are also captioned. For more information, email HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org, call 925264-1199 or visit www.hearinglossdv.org.
PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP
Parkinson’s Network of Mt. Diablo offers support groups men and women with Parkinson’s along with their caregivers. Each support group meets independently starting at 9AM. After a short recess at 10:15AM there is a monthly presenter. Each presenter is highly qualified in their fields of expertise sharing the latest information or advances on all aspects of Parkinson’s. Support group meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month from 9AM to noon at Grace Presbyterian Church, located at 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek. For more detailed information, visit www.PNMD.net or call Abraham Raja at 925-939-4210. COMPUTER SERVICES, IT DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION, IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
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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.
C L A S S I F I E D HANDYMAN SERVICES
Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring NO JOB TOO SMALL! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877
HAULING/CLEAN-UP
Residential, commercial, and office dump runs. Garage, yard, basement, and estate clean-ups. Construction, appliance, furniture, electronics, hazardous waste removal. Tree trimming-removal. Fast same day service. Low rates, free estimates. Insured. 925-899-5655
PAINTING SERVICES
Interior, exterior, and commercial painting. 40 years of service in Alamo and Danville areas. Excellent references. Free estimates and color consultations. Call Richard Dean Painting 925-837-6291. License #540063
Place Your Classified
Reach over 21,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies...$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117,Alamo,CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.Payment by check made out to “The Editors,” or credit card placed on file by calling 925-405-6397 must be received before ad will print. Your canceled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
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April 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 31
SERVICES FD1634
Funeral | Cremation | Catering
• Pre-Planning • Burial or Graveside Services • Cremation Services • Veteran Services • Life Celebrations
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YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
A NUTRITION PLAN FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Many senior high school students have recently heard from colleges regarding acceptance for next year’s class. I know many students who want to take responsibility for their nutrition while away from home and also lose excess weight once and for all to start with a new image at college. They know mom and dad will not be around to provide meals, and they will have to make their own food choices at the dorm cafeteria or other spots on campus. Many students come to me and do not realize what balanced meals and snacks truly are. They do not know how to read a food label and often just look at calories. They don’t understand that there is so much more to the food label such as looking at the more important food components like protein, fiber, and sugar. Often, a student will come back from orientation and show me the college website where the student eating facilities and menus are listed. My job is to help them evaluate all that is available on campus and show them what would be great prospective meal plans based on their class schedule. I am happy to note that there is often a Trader’s Joe’s or other market close to campus. In my counseling sessions, I make a point to include a visit to a market of their choice to show them what makes great meals and snacks for times that dining halls are closed. On a recent visit to the store with my client Sam, she was excited to see that she could buy low fat macaroni and cheese as long as she used the dish as a topping on broccoli which is also available in a convenient steam-in-the-bag option. We also looked at buying baked potatoes or sweet potatoes which can easily be cooked in the microwave in her room. Sam liked the idea of topping the potato with Fage nonfat yogurt which tastes like sour cream and is great with salsa. I also recommended instant oatmeal packets with a side of yogurt and fruit, all again easily available and quick for a meal during study times. I showed Sam great soups that are hearty and high in protein and fiber such as Amy’s Lentil and Veggie Soup, black bean soup and Minestrone soup. We learned how to evaluate soups and to
be aware of how many servings are in a can. I showed her that she has to multiply the protein and fiber by how many servings are listed on the food label. While shopping, we looked at buying baby carrots or hearts of celery as well as almond butter to make a great portable snack. I could see after our store visit that Sam was relieved that she could now manage her nutrition when left to buy her own foods at college when she was off the school meal plan. I make myself available to students via text which is how most like to communicate. Often, I receive photos of their meals at restaurants or even pictures of the nutrition label of food packages and with questions regarding my opinion on whether I recommend it or not. I see too many kids using protein shakes and bars and thinking that they are a complete meal after a workout. Yes, it is good to repair your muscles, but many find they end up being hungry soon after consuming them, and they do not follow up with a healthy meal. My suggestion is to eat a high protein and fiber meal such as an omelet with veggies and meat or a baked potato topped with chili rather than the shakes and bars. A balanced meal is always better. If you would like me to help you improve your nutritional knowledge and feel your best before entering college, please start keeping a food diary before you make an appointment. I promise you that this will be an experience that will change your young life. The good news is that most insurance companies, including ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Sutter, and United Healthcare, cover counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutritional concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@yahoo.com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles and nutrition tips on my blog. Advertorial
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