2023 APRIL ~ Alamo Today & Danville Today News

FREE VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES ENLIGHTENS AND ENTERTAINS

By Jody Morgan

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s Virtual Speaker Series continues monthly based on popular demand for the entertaining and informative programs. Originally initiated in June 2020 as a stop-gap measure when COVID concerns canceled in-person plans, the presentations immediately captured the imagination of a broad audience of area residents. The wide range of well-documented topics extends the Museum’s ability to connect the community with the history of the San Ramon Valley and put in context the connection of the area’s past with its future potential. Those who can’t watch the series live on third Thursdays at 11:30AM are invited to enjoy the recordings at their leisure. Offered free, the series has inspired delighted viewers to make most welcome donations in support of the non-profit’s mission of bringing history alive for the community with exhibits, tours, school programs, and archival collections.

Producing the Virtual Speaker Series is a team effort. Dan Dunn, Executive Director of the Museum, notes, “We get larger audiences than we would get for our old traditional go-to-a-lecture-hall talks. I will have people stop me several times a week to tell me that they just watched a recorded program,

Recently

FRIENDS OF SAN RAMON CREEK PRESENTATION

thank us for the series, or have a suggestion for a topic they would like to see.”

Donna Grier, the Museum’s Administrative Director explains, “After life started to go back to normal, we thought of having quarterly virtual programs. We thought people would start going back to their pre-pandemic activities and wouldn’t watch a mid-day program. What we found was we have a very loyal following who looked forward to the programs.”

John Keenan volunteers as Chair of the Museum’s Marketing Committee. In addition to finding presenters, he works along with Dan and Donna to address

See Speaker continued on page 16

Join in on a journey into the intimate world of wildlife in the San Ramon Valley and California. Learn how to locate and respectfully observe wildlife in your own neighborhood. Discover the artistry of nature photography through the camera lens.

Friends of San Ramon Creek are proud to sponsor a free presentation by local photographers Jeff Torquemada and Wendy Sparks (Jeff and Wendy Photography) on Monday, April 24th at the Danville Library from 6 - 7pm Please come to the presentation to learn more about the wildlife around us. See more at www.instagram.com/jeffandwendyphotography/?hl=en

San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS) Auto Shop class rebuilt the 1948 8N Ford tractor pictured above. SRVHS maintains one of the few high school Auto Shop programs. Alamo resident Charles Tomacci purchased the tractor eight years ago. While the tractor sat idle the majority of the time, Charles had an idea to partner with the Auto Shop class for restoration. During the last year, Charles supplied the needed parts and shop teacher Wyatt Slanec (pictured at right) provided the student instruction. Senior student Nadav Meiri (at left) is the student project manager.

Wyatt drove the tractor next door to Big-O Tires in Danville to install new tires. Once the finishing touches are complete, the tractor will be transported to the Tomacci cattle ranch in Mariposa where it will be used for brush hogging, vegetation cutting, and weed abatement.

Norris Wagon in San Ramon Village 1868. Photo courtesy of Museum SRV.

BOULEVARD VIEW

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher

I recently stumbled upon Google Earth Pro. This is NOT just accessing the Google Earth app, but is a free program to run on your computer (go to www.google. com/earth/versions/#earth-pro to download). With this program I have been able to go back in time 85 years and “soar” over the Valley and the Bay Area as part of the “Historical Imagery” collection.

These historical images are a treasure trove. The photos were stitched together to cover much of the Bay Area. I found my childhood home in South Bay and am sleuthing an old mystery photo that is held at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.

A 2012 article on maps.googleblog.com notes, “In August of 1938, a pioneer of aerial photography, Harrison Ryker, worked with pilots out of Oakland Airport to create a series of high resolution images of San Francisco. Each pilot flew from north to south, completing about 12 passes to create a group of vertical black-and-white photographs, overlapping each other by approximately 30 to 50%. The result was 164 large prints covering the entire city at about one meter resolution. You can enjoy the entire collection online, courtesy of the David Rumsey Map Collection.”

To map

The post continues, “While cataloging these historic images, our team geo-referenced each photo to create a mosaic of all the images, corrected for terrain variation, lens distortion, and variance of angle. This was a challenging task because we did not have any records of the project’s camera calibration report, lens used, or any other specifics on how the original photos were produced. Rather, we had to rely on placing ground control points in the correct places to get the desired accuracy. Glenn Bachmann of the Rumsey Map Collection led this project, the results of which allow the 1938 imagery to be overlaid on current satellite views of the city in Google Earth when you turn on historical imagery... The individual aerial photos that make up the mosaic above of the entire city of San Francisco are each 50cm high and 60cm wide, with an effective scale of 1:2,000. The prints are in very good condition with high contrast and sharp detail.”

It is endlessly fascinating to compare the views from 1938 to the current landscape. With this program, new life is given to photos, pulling them out of the archives and encouraging comparison to present-day imagery. Being able to overlay current streets and landmarks can help complete the stories and resolve long-time mysteries. Another fun twist is to colorize images. Ancestry.com offers this option for free. I took the Museum picture and hit the “colorize” button and ended up with a new way to look at the same photo.

If you have old photos or old belongings, please do the next generation a favor and label what you can, and if you know anything about the photo below, or would like an emailed version, please let me know. Passing down our stories, knowledge of items, and photos brings them to life.

Shops Hops

Cra� Beer Stroll 2023

ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMER’S CLUB

WELCOME COFFEE

Join friends and family for a fun-filled evening of craft beer tasting at the Shops & Hops Craft Beer Stroll in downtown Danville benefitting the Museum of the

The

ticket includes a commemorative glass, beer tasting and food bites. A $10 designated driver ticket includes non-alcoholic beverages and food.

Purchase Tickets at MuseumSRV.org or scan the QR code

Are you new to the area or are you a long-time resident who would like to make new friends, get involved in the community, and socialize with other women? If so, please consider joining the Alamo Danville Newcomer’s Club (ADNC) for a Welcome Coffee on Thursday, May 11th at 9:30AM to learn about the wonderful organization.

Come to a casual get-together where you will be able to meet current and prospective members and learn about the many activities offered through the club.

Please RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com to get more information about the next Welcome Coffee!

1939 satellite picture near Danville Blvd. and Camille Ave. in Alamo. Circled area is possible location of photos below.

Click on Clock icon to access the 1938 images.

satellite photos with current landscape, add in the features found under “Layers.”

Old Museum photo possibly taken near the end of Camille Ave./ Irongate Ct. in Alamo along with the same photo colorized. Photo property of Museum of the San Ramon Valley.

San Ramon Valley’s educational and community programs.

$35

DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB

Please join the members of the GFWC Danville Women’s Club at the upcoming shredding event on Saturday, April 15th from 9AM to noon. The event will be held at the Clubhouse located at 242 W Linda Mesa Avenue, Danville.

The cost is $15 per standard banker box size container (staples and paper clips are okay). Please remove binders, large metal clips, plastic, CDs, or metal items. You retain your storage boxes for reuse or recycling. The event will close early if the truck is filled and will operate rain or shine.

Computer hard drive destruction will also be offered for $15 each (out of computer).

This is a drive up – drop-off – go event. Net proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Patty Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund. Shredding will be done in your presence. Check or cash payments are preferred.

Email danvillewc@gmail.com or call 925-837-1165 with any questions.

TOUR THE ALAMO CEMETERY

On Saturday, April 22nd at 11AM docents from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will provide a public tour of the Alamo Cemetery located at 130 El Portal, Danville. The tour will last about an hour.

On the border of Alamo and Danville, this cemetery is full of pioneer grave sites, with the first documented burial having taken place in 1856.

Some names important to early San Ramon Valley history may be seen on this tour, including Stone, Love, Boone, Podva, and Bollinger. Historic reenactors will also provide stories about Charlotte Wood, Mary Ann Jones, and R.O. and Mary Cox Baldwin.

Space is limited to 50 (two groups of 25). To attend this free tour go to museumsrv.org, click on the “Events & Programs” tab, and then “Upcoming Events & Programs” to reserve your spot. Or, call the museum at 925-837-3750.

BREAST CANCER PREVENTION PARTNERS

LAS TRAMPAS RIDGE HIKE

Take a Sunday morning hike on Sunday, April 30th with your East Bay Community while raising awareness for Breast Cancer Prevention at the fourth annual Ridge Hike for Prevention in Danville.

Starting and finishing at the event Expo set up in the north end of the Lunardi’s parking lot in downtown Danville, you will choose either a rigorous 10.5 mile hike up the Las Trampas Ridge starting at 7:30AM, a 6.5 mile hybrid walk/hike up the Iron Horse and Camille Trail starting at 9:30AM, or a 6 mile walk on the Iron Horse Trail starting at 10AM. All hikers/walkers will be supporting the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ (BPCC) efforts to stop breast cancer before it starts by fundraising a minimum of $275.

At the finish line there will be an event Expo and all participants will be treated to lunch and beverages provided by local restaurants. Partnering with the Town of Danville, all proceeds from this event will benefit the BCPP’s mission of eliminating our exposures to toxic chemicals and radiation in our environment.

To learn more and register, visit https://tinyurl.com/4vb3626m.

PUPPY RAISERS NEEDED!

Early Alert Canines (EAC) is realizing a long-time dream by starting a puppy raising and breeding program. This means puppy raisers are needed to be ready to go by SUMMER!

PUPPY RAISING MEANS

• Opening your home to a puppy who will become someone’s life-saving partner

• Being fully trained and supported by the EAC team and community

• Helping train the puppy to become a successful service dog

• A 4-18 month commitment, where EAC works around your schedule. Take breaks and vacations while someone else cares for the dog

• Becoming part of the EAC family and knowing that you are making the world a better place

Two informational sessions (one on the morning of Saturday, April 15th and the other on the evening of Thursday, April 20th) will be held to answer all of your questions before you make a commitment. Learn more and discover if becoming a puppy raiser is right for you! Contact EAC Head Trainer Liz at LJohnston@EarlyAlertCanines.org.

REPORT: YOUR GREATER DANVILLE AREA REAL ESTATE UPDATE

By Joe Gatti

How much difference a month makes! In a matter of weeks, we have gone from inflation being our main issue of concern for the US economy to weakness in the banking system. This month’s article will focus on two topics we will likely revisit in the months ahead: banking stability and local housing inventory. The acute rise in interest rates beginning one year ago has recently shown serious strain on regional banks. Bank failures, like Silicon Valley Bank, have pushed news of inflation to the back burner. However, on March 22nd, the Federal Reserve raised their fed funds rate .25 basis points in a continuation of their fight against high U.S. inflation levels. Despite these gloomy financial headlines, we have seen a return to multiple offer situations in our local real estate market due largely to low inventory and resilient buyers ready to find their dream home when interest rates move downwards.

National attention went from inflation before March 10 th to banking instability after. How did March’s banking turmoil directly affect our local real estate market? From March 10 th to 20 th, five banks either failed, were acquired, or received some form of government support. News of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Silvergate Bank, Credit Suisse, and First Republic were dominating news headlines. Investors frantically repositioned investments into treasury bonds. The 10 year treasury yield, as a result, went from 4.07% on March 1 st to 3.38% on March 23 rd. Home mortgage rates mirror activity of the 10 year yield. Consequently, the average 30 year fixed mortgage went from 7.1% to 6.44% during the same period.* Current banking instability is resulting in lower mortgage interest rates, which is providing prepared buyers with opportunities.

The only issue for prepared buyers is the amount of homes available. From February 15th to March 22th this year, 88 detached properties sold in the greater Danville area, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon. These properties had a median sold price of $1,950,000 and were on the market for an average of 29 days.** Contrast that with February 15 th through March 22 th, 2022. Interest rate levels were still at their lowest, resulting in 145 detached properties being sold. The median sold price for these properties were $2,361,001 and they averaged 10 days on the market.** A difference of 39.3%, or in other words, 57 fewer properties have sold in the greater Danville area during the same time period this year.

What can be said for our local market currently is that properties listed as active are receiving considerable attention from buyers. Sellers are beginning to place offer dates and, if the home is priced correctly, then we are seeing multiple offer situations. There are certain buyers who are going to buy during the spring period, regardless of banking instability news, and there are currently too few houses for sale to satisfy them. This is most evident at specific price points, for example, detached homes between one million and two million dollars. At the current interest rate levels, a loan payment for a two million dollar home comes out to be around $12,000 a month. Once you go beyond this threshold, the comfort level and qualifying capabilities for buyers becomes more difficult. If you would like a professional price valuation for your home, or want to begin the buying process, please reach out for a private consultation. Our services and full time local experience will help price your home correctly, and provide you with the necessary insight to navigate our local market successfully.

I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 11 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 760 Camino Ramon (Suite 200) office in Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time or have questions about this article, please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-588-3590. Our services are here for you!

*CNBC: US10Y and US30YFRM quotes March 23, 2023. **Data taken from the MLS during specific dates and under the criteria mentioned within the article.

APRIL BOOK SALE!

The Friends of the Danville Library (FODL) will host a pop-up used book sale to raise money for our local library. There will be books of all genres and for all ages. The prices can’t be beat! Most hardbacks will be priced at $2 and most paperbacks at $1, or even less for children’s chapter books.

Every sale offers a little bit of everything: fiction, nonfiction, classics, vintage, cookbooks and crafts, art and music. There is also a selection of new fiction and nonfiction (2020 to 2023) priced slightly higher from $3 to $5. Cash, local checks, and credit cards will be accepted.

The sale will be held in the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street, Danville.

The next book sale will be held Saturday, April 29th from 10am to 2pm

BOOK DONATIONS

Book donations will be accepted during the sale. Please limit donations to four bags per day.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Have you been traveling and have some extra foreign bills or coins? Bring them in and donate it to the Friends of the Danville Library. Do you have any of those BART paper tickets lying around? Bring them in and the Friends can submit to BART under their Tiny Tickets program available to nonprofit organizations. All proceeds benefit the library.

VOLUNTEER!

Volunteering with the FODL is a great way to support the library and to be involved with the community. For more information, talk with any of the Pop-Up Sales Associates in the green aprons at the Book Sale event.

CHROMATICA ANNOUNCES “FAITH, HOPE... MUSIC TO INSPIRE!” CHORAL CONCERTS

Chromatica’s April concerts will take place on Saturday, April 15th at 7PM at Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville and on Sunday, April 16th at 4PM at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 433 Moraga Way in Orinda. The Peace Lutheran concert in Danville will feature its popular (and free!) wine reception after the performance.

The poster for these concerts features the colors of the Ukrainian flag and Chromatica has added Ukrainian words to the always popular “Do You Hear The People Sing?” from Les Misérables

The centerpiece of the April concerts will feature the glorious “Mass in D Major” by Antonín Dvořák. Written for a patron to celebrate the opening of a chapel in the grounds of his country estate, it is the only surviving Dvořák Mass.

The balance of the program includes the aforementioned “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “Voces Lucis” by Andrea Ramsey with lyrics by Grammy-nominated Charles Anthony Silvestri, and “All That Could Never be Said,” from Grammy-nominated Christopher Tin’s The Lost Birds . The program also includes Pentatonix’s popular “Sing,” Carole Bayer Sager’s “The Prayer,” “You Raise Me Up,” and the lovely “I Miss You.”

“This program is sung in English, Latin, Italian, and Ukrainian and demonstrates Chromatica’s ability to perform many different kinds of choral music. It promises to be an enthralling event,” said David Huff, founding musical director.

Chromatica Chorale was founded in 2011 and now includes 28 men and women singers. Led by David Huff, and accompanied by the exceptional pianist and assistant director, Julie Rieth, it seeks to perform challenging pieces at a high level of professionalism.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and children 10 and under are admitted free. For concert tickets and to find out more about Chromatica, visit www.chromaticachorale.org. Tickets for all concerts are also available at the door. For a more personal look you can find Chromatica on Facebook.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLASSES

Join an Adult Beginner’s Scottish Country Dance class on Thursday nights from 7PM -8:30PM. Experienced dancers continue until 9:30PM. Lessons are $8 each. All lessons will be held at The Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Road, Danville. Great exercise, enjoy the music, and connect with friendly people. Wear comfortable clothes and soft shoes. No partner needed! Proof of Covid vaccination required.

For more information, call Kathleen at 925-934-6148 or Monica at 925-575-7637.

ADULT DAY CARE IN DANVILLE

Valley Oak Respite Center (now managed by Danville Dementia Day Care) has provided day care for memory impaired adults for over 30 years. Caring for loved ones with dementia is a 24/7 responsibility. Respite care allows caregivers freedom for four hours a day that they would not otherwise enjoy.

The program helps dementia sufferers to be more social and outgoing. Activities include games, crafts, exercise, singalong music, BINGO, and daily facts and memory joggers. Participants benefit both mentally and physically at the Center.

The Center is currently open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30AM until 2:30PM. Participants bring their own lunch and a morning snack is provided. The cost is $60 per session.

For more information call 925-915-0030 or email ValleyOakRespiteCenter@gmail.com

A FUN EVENING OF SHOPS & HOPS A BEER STROLL THROUGH DANVILLE

Enjoy a fun-filled evening of craft beer sampling and shopping during the annual Danville Shops & Hops event. This craft brew stroll benefits the educational and commu nity programs at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. This great event takes place on April 27th from 6-9PM.

Participating downtown Danville merchants will host craft brewers and offer small bites, while area breweries pour their crafted creations.

Your $35 ticket includes a commemorative glass, beer tasting, small bites, and entertainment. The Designated Driver ticket is $10 and includes small bites and a non-alcoholic drink. Tickets can be redeemed for beer glasses at the corner of Railroad and Prospect Avenues from 5:30-7PM the night of the event.

The event promises to sell out early so reserve your glasses now by going to museumsrv.org. Click on “Events and Programs” to sign up.

DANVILLE THRIFT STATION SEEKS NEW VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers, 18 years and older, are needed at The Thrift Station in Danville. This year the store celebrates 50 years of serving the local community, selling new and gently used donations. Store proceeds support the exceptional, low-cost, broad-reaching mental health services provided by Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley. Discovery’s mental health services are integrated into all San Ramon Valley public schools. Since the store’s founding in 1973, $11.5 million has been raised for Discovery.

The Thrift Station is an all-volunteer organization of dedicated, welcoming, and enthusiastic volunteers supported by a large, loyal customer base.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 4PM, and is located at 486 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Danville--next to Los Panchos restaurant. The phone number is 925-820-1988.

If you are interested in joining the warm and welcoming volunteer family, please complete the application form at www.discoveryctr.net/the-thriftstation or email the Membership VP at Thriftvols@gmail.com. You can also stop by the store and apply in person by filling out a blue form kept near the front register. Volunteers agree to work two 3-hour shifts a month.

Come join the family of volunteers!

Pictured left to right Kenia Mora, Activities Coordinator; Jean Morrison, Program Director; Gary Peer, Administrator; and Thu Do, Program Assistant.

‘GROWING WITH GRACE’ FUNDRAISER

Grace Cooperative Preschool invites all to attend their event “Growing with Grace,” an Earth Daythemed fundraiser. The event takes place on Sunday April 23 th from 11 am-2 pm at Grace Cooperative Preschool, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd in Walnut Creek. The event is free to attend, though donations are welcomed, and will include a raffle for fabulous prizes, free crafts for kids, and more. Prizes include a two night stay at a rental house in Capitola, wine tastings, gift cards and much more. The Hella Street Tacos food truck will be available to purchase lunch as well as the Kona Ice truck for dessert!

All proceeds from donations and the raffle will go towards Grace Preschool programs, including a new play structure. If you cannot attend but would like to purchase raffle tickets, please email gpsfundraiser@gmail.com

SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

By Jamie Westgate, Principal

Our 8th grade Class of 2023 recently returned from their trip to the East Coast after learning about our nation’s heritage, furthering our understanding of democracy, and making memories with one another. In seven fully packed days, students visited Washington D.C., Gettysburg, and New York City. A few highlights to the trip were a tour of the U.S. Capitol, Mt. Vernon (George Washington’s home), the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Museum of the Bible, and four of the Smithsonian Museums, all located on the National Mall. In New York City, they enjoyed the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where many looked up the original immigration documents of distant relatives. One of the greatest moments we enjoyed was a privately arranged visit with two Navy Seal members who spoke to our students at Arlington National Cemetery. Their reflections were deeply impactful, and gave us a new appreciation for the military’s commitment to serve our citizens and keep them safe. Every year, God seems to bless us with something unexpected, and this conversation with such brave servicemen certainly was a gift to our students.

At the end of March, our Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) hosted the SRVCA Gala which brought the adults in our community together for the first time in three years. Keeping in line with our theme for the school year, parents celebrated a fun aviation theme, “Soaring…Eagle Air is Ready For Take Off.” We raised money for community events hosted by PTF (Fall Carnival, Grandparents’ Day, Worship Night, and many more) and also for new bleachers which will provide safer and more comfortable seating for our sporting and special events. Our school is blessed with a wonderful parent community who generously supports special projects at SRVCA while participating in opportunities like the Gala to build community.

Finally, our school completed its accreditation process just before spring break. Every six years, eight areas of school practice are carefully evaluated by administrators and educators outside our school community. These team members provide unbiased feedback on things like instructional practices, safety, governance, communication, and mission/vision. The process is always beneficial and has allowed us to see God’s faithfulness to care for our school in many ways. We are grateful for this loving school environment and the commitment of staff members to inspire students to love God, learn for a lifetime, and lead like Christ.

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

Not even a series of atmospheric rivers over the past couple weeks could stop all of the activity that has been happening at Monte Vista (MV). Our campus has been buzzing with activity. Nothing better represented this energy than our Multicultural Fair held at the end of March, during our Student Support period. Our students celebrated the diversity of our school with presentations, music, activities, and food. It was an incredible event that was enjoyed by all.

MV’s Winter Musical, “Mean Girls,” hosted four wonderful, sold-out performances in March. Thanks to MV’s VAPA teachers, Chris Connor, Rosalind Neisinger, Ryane Siegel, and Ed Cloyd, and their incredible group of students for this outstanding production.

MV Choir followed up with their own set of concerts beginning with their Spring Concert which was held at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. April 13th – April 17th, MV’s Concert Choir is headed to New York where they will perform at Carnegie Hall. To close out the month of April, our Chambers Choir will participate in the Golden State Festival on April 25th .

MV’s Instrumental Music Program is following their own slate of events. MV’s Orchestra attended the SF Symphony Open Rehearsal on March 30th and will be headed to the District Strings Festival on April 19th. MV’s Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will both attend the Large Ensemble Competition on April 22nd and MV’s Jazz Band will compete in the LPAF Performing Arts Festival on April 28th and 29th

MV’s Women’s Basketball and Men’s Soccer teams both concluded their season with NCS Championships. On the court, MV Women’s Basketball was dominant in the final with a big win against Granada. MV Men’s Soccer went into an overtime period against a very tough Vintage squad before scoring a “Golden Goal” for the win. Both teams entered the CIF Northern California Playoffs and made strong runs before falling short. In the semi-finals, Men’s Soccer competed well against nationally ranked Davis before falling 3-2. Also in the semis, MV Women’s Basketball made a late run, but came up just short against Pleasant Valley. We are proud of these teams of young men and women who worked so hard to earn these titles and to represent our community.

So far, the weather has had a major impact on our spring sports. However, we know that once the rain has past, our teams will be in full swing for the month of April.

On Saturday, March 11 th, MV celebrated its annual Junior Prom at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland. I would like to thank Lili Lillie, our Junior Class Parent, the many parent volunteers, leadership students, faculty volunteers, and our activities director, Tommy Greenless for all of their hard work in making this amazing and classy event. Our students had a blast!

MV Athletics Boosters held their Crab Feed fundraiser at the Danville Community Center. The event was well attended and fun for all. I’d like to give a huge shout-out to MVAB President Bridgit Pelley and the many volunteers who made this event such a success.

The Mustangs are stampeding through 2023. We are all looking forward to the home stretch when we return from Spring Break and make the final run towards graduation and the end of the school year.

Congratulations to the Monte Vista High School boys varsity soccer team. The team took first place in the North Coast Section Division 1 East Bay Athletic League and continued to play for the state championship losing out in the second round to Davis High school.The team is coached by Beau Fisher and Matt Atencio.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOY SCOUT TROOP 302’S NEWEST EAGLE SCOUTS!

Aidan Chang, Gian Ciapponi, Benjamin Inocencio, Tyler Inocencio, Ronald Kan, Luca Matei, Alex Sainio, and Miles Smith all achieved the coveted rank of Eagle Scout at varying times during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In January 2023, over 100 guests gathered to witness the three-year-delayed Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony for these patient young men. The boy’s resilience and persistence came as no surprise to those who know them. To achieve the rank of Eagle, one must complete 21 merit badges with at least fourteen of them in the ‘Eagle-Required’ category. In addition, they must hold leadership roles and complete individual comprehensive service projects in their community, also known as their Eagle Projects.

Aidan designed and led the construction of 13 hands-free hand washing stations for the Walnut Creek Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Gian organized, implemented, and oversaw his vision to paint the map of the United States on the playground blacktop at his former elementary school, Alamo Elementary. Ben designed and led the construction of a children’s chess table and chairs for his former school, Alamo Elementary. Tyler led a needs-drive for Winter Nights family homeless shelter in Contra Costa County. Ronald led a landscaping project at Grace Presbyterian Church to replace 250 cubic feet of old, spent dirt with new dirt, and also installed a rock the garden. Luca’s project involved removing a huge patch of the invasive plant arundo on the creek banks in Civic Park, Walnut Creek. Alex planned and supervised the building of 10 owl boxes that were then donated to the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society for the protection of owlets, and eradication of rodents. Miles worked with friends of San Ramon Creek to eradicate and clear arundo.

Now that these young men will be moving onto college, Troop 302 will be actively recruiting both young Scouts and prospective merit badge counselors. An informational meeting for any East Bay residents who would like to become involved with Troop 302 will be held at 6 PM on April 24 th in the Oak Room at Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek.

Pictured, back row, left to right - Tyler Inocencio, Miles Smith, Luca Matei, and Benjamin Inocencio Front row - Alex

is Aidan Chang.

THE QUILT AS ART- PUBLIC AND PERSONAL A FREE VIRTUAL PROGRAM

On Thursday, April 20th at 11:30AM the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is proud to host Dolores Miller from Studio Art Quilt Associates for a free virtual program.

Dolores Miller is a textile artist living in San Jose. Her art often expresses wonder at the vastness and complexity of the universe and explores our place in it, our sense of belonging. Dolores is a board member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), whose mission is to promote the art quilt. She has been a juror at national textile art events and curated several regional art quilt exhibitions.

Both traditional quilts and art quilts can be visually appealing, but unlike traditional quilts, which are primarily created to be functional, art quilts are created as artistic expression. While they incorporate traditional quilting techniques, art quilts may also include non-traditional materials and methods and may address contemporary issues. Art quilts can range in size from small wall hangings to large installations and are often displayed in galleries and museums and are now being seen as fine art.

Ms. Miller will talk about her role in the world of art quilts with SAQA as well as personal work created during the Covid-period.

To attend this free, interesting, informative, and online presentation, visit museumsrv.org and go to the “Events” section.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

“TOWN TALKS” WITH DANVILLE MAYOR

Danville’s Mayor, Robert Storer, hosts the monthly “Town Talks with the Mayor” series on the first Friday of each month at 9AM via Zoom.

Community members are encouraged to join the discussions. Participants can ask questions via chat or email questions ahead of time to towntalks@danville.ca.gov. Mayor Storer invites guests to discuss various topics of interest to Danville residents. Recordings are at www.DanvilleTownTalks. org/town-talks-with-the-mayor where you can find all the information for this program, including previous recordings.

For more information, contact Cat Bravo at 925-314-3377 or cbravo@ danville.ca.gov

SRV GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 to provide its members with resources, assistance, and educational opportunities that help them successfully research their ancestry. The group publishes a monthly newsletter and offers monthly meetings of small groups with common interests to discuss their specific areas of research. SRVGS also provides resources ranging from a large selection of reference books to information on local genealogical libraries.

You are invited to join the Tuesday, April 18th, 10AM ZOOM meeting with a presentation by Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal. Her talk is titled, “Learn from Lineage Societies Without Being a Member.” O’Neal is a professional genealogist, writer, educator, and national genealogical speaker. Her specialties include methodology, technology, and online research resources. Since 1987, Elizabeth has made it her goal to research, share, and preserve her family stories. She is the author of the family history lifestyle website, Heart of the Family™ (www.thefamilyheart.com) where her mission is to help others make the past part of their present.

To become a member of SRVGS, visit srvgensoc.org and click on the “Join SRVGS” tab on the left side of the home page. For questions about the group, email president@srvgensoc.org

Sainio, Ronald Kan, and Gian Ciapponi. Not pictured

Contractor

VALLEY VIGNETTE By

Beverly Lane

TASSAJARA GRAMMAR SCHOOL

In the San Ramon Valley, there were six grammar school districts which served students from Alamo, to San Ramon, to Tassajara Valley. All schools eventually had classic buildings with one to two rooms, but only one school remains. It is the Tassajara Grammar School, a gem of a one-room school building standing at 1650 Finley Road, east of Danville in the Tassaraja Valley. It is currently surrounded by verdant spring hills.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley owns the school and provides a popular living-history program for third graders from the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. It is also a destination for picnickers, artists, and small parties. A belfry with bell, historic outhouses, rebuilt stable, picnic tables, flag pole, accessible rest rooms, and a redwood water tower complete the modern picture.

The school has quite a history which includes some rescues by people who loved it. The second Tassajara school was built when there were too many students to fit in the first one. Peter Anderson was paid $200 for an acre of his land on Finley Road after a January 12, 1889 vote in which ten out of ten Tassajara School District voters approved the sale of $1,700 in bonds for a new school property, building, and furnishings.

The Livermore Echo Newspaper (March 14, 1889) reported that the contract for the new school was let to J. L. Weilbye of Sunol. In those days, such a small building would have been constructed soon after the contract was signed. The Contra Costa Gazette announced that the Tassajara School children raised their new flag on August 1, 1890, with appropriate ceremonies.

Students from first to eighth grade walked, rode horses, and took buggies to get to school. In 1889, Richard D. Williams was the teacher. Roger Podva (born in 1884) began school in 1890 and said there were 42-75 students at the school when he attended, sitting two to a desk. They learned mental arithmetic, reading, geography, spelling, and writing. A picture of George Washington hung on the wall.

Historian Vivian Coats Edmonston wrote, “Roger Podva said that the black walnut trees in the school yard were planted by the children, starting with the oldest child down to the youngest. That was Roger. His tree was planted by the ‘rest room’.”

In an example of the American “melting pot,” Portuguese and Danish students exchanged lunches -- linguisa and sweet bread for sandwiches slathered with butter.

In 1946, the school closed when a large family moved away, leaving only 16 students attending the school. Most students transferred to the modern Danville Elementary School and some went to Pleasanton. Their teacher, Mrs. Arendt, and desks moved to Danville as well. The students worried about entering large classes and learning new names. The school building languished.

Eventually, the volunteer Tassajara Fire District maintained the school. Community members, led by Gordon Rasmussen, re-roofed the building and created a new foundation. When Tassajara Fire merged with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) in 1990, the SRVFPD took responsibility for the school and site. Then, after some persuasion, and with the support of longtime school care-giver Vera Reinstein, docent-teachers from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley opened school again in 1994 and provided a living history one-room school experience for third graders.

The SRVFPD wasn’t quite the right fit for the school and property, but they took care of it and looked for another property owner. They razed the original wood shop and open horse stable as the small buildings collapsed. Fortunately, Chris Truebridge of Shapell Industries stepped up to build a restored stable, painted and straightened the original outhouses, fixed the sewage field, and built a handicapped-friendly restroom.

On August 14, 1999, the San Ramon Valley Historical Society dedicated a historic plaque which stands next to the school. In 2012, the Museum took title to the school and property. Today, the Museum owns and manages two of the San Ramon Valley’s restored historic buildings -- this school and the 1891 Danville Southern Pacific Depot. In 2014, the school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After a break during the Covid years, third grade classes are again attending the school and learning what a one room school was like in the 1880s. The program is entirely volunteer-led and the Museum welcomes new volunteers.

A popular spot for artists, photographers, and picnickers, the preserved Tassajara School stands as a tribute to the caring community which worked to save it. Center-stage is where this historic school belongs.

Sources: Museum archives, Vera Reinstein, Betty Casey, Gordon Rasmussen, Contra Costa Gazette (1889,1890, 1921), Vivian Coats Edmonston’s “Tassajara School.”

VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE “OFFICE” TO YOU

The Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office is removing barriers by opening a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an in-person experience.

Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more. Visit the office website at www.contracosta. ca.gov/vets during open office hours for one-on-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm, and on Fridays 9 am to noon.

Staffing the virtual office are Veterans Service Manager Sidney Jones, an Air Force Veteran, and Veteran Services Representative Buck Carmichael, a Marine Corps Veteran. Both have long-time experience connecting vets to critical services.

For more information, please call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.

VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) meet at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, except as otherwise noted.

• American Legion Post 246 meets on the first Wednesday of each month (except August) at noon. For information, visit www.americanlegionpost246.org, email commanderpost246@gmail.com, or call 925-272-8480.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM. For information, visit vmbsrv.org or email info@vfwpost75.org.

• Viet Nam Veterans of the Diablo Valley meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5PM at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. For information, visit http://vnvdv.org/index.html or call 925-838-6445.

• Marine Corps League Detachment 942 meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:30AM. For information, visit www.mcldet942.org

• Blue Star Moms Detachment 101 meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM. For information, visit www.bluestarmoms.org or call 925-587-4037.

• Bay Area Navy Nurse Corps Association holds two general meetings in June and December. For information, visit https://nnca.org, or email bannca@nnca.org.

• Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley holds coffees on Saturdays from 9AM to noon.

Drawing by Geoff Bishop.

The last Tassajara School class and teacher, 1946.

Photograph of school showing the original wood shop.

2023 HIKE FOR HOPE REGISTRATION

Hope Hospice has opened registration for

HIKE HOPE for

MAY 6 Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore

Your participation helps Hope Hospice care for more than 2,000 East Bay neighbors each year. Money raised through registrations and supporting donations benefits patient care and helps keep grief support, dementia education, and caregiver resources available to the public at no charge.

Self-paced hike Barbecue lunch Lawn games

Raf f le prizes Silent auction Fundraising

LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Alamo and see current meeting dates and times, visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Danville Rotary Club meets virtually every Monday at noon. Learn more at danvillerotary.org. If you are interested in the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, they meet Tuesdays at 7AM. Contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com, call 925-336-0000, or visit dsvrotary.com. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets via Zoom every Wednesday night from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-683-6310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 5:30PM-6:40PM. For more information, call 925-998-2924. Rotary Club of San Ramon meets at San Ramon Community Center every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm. For more information, visit sanramonrotary.org, or email mjzroberts@att.net, or call 650-483-4069.

DANVILLE LIONS CLUB

The Danville Lions Club meets twice a month at 6:30PM on the first and third Wednesday at Mangia Mi located at 406 Hartz Ave, Danville. The group is looking for like-minded people who wish to volunteer their time for good causes to join the club. The group is a dinner-time club and meets at restaurants for dinner and business meetings in Danville. Danville Lions raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide, through fun and gratifying projects. Lions are well known for successful initiatives in vision health. Please visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/danvilleca to learn more or contact Club president Diana Gaines at 925-719-1553.

EXCHANGE CLUB

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at The Grille at Blackhawk, located at 3540 Blackhawk Plaza Circle 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 $30. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.

KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY

The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in 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, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org

CLIP NOTES By Jody Morgan

“A much-loved child has many names,” my mother would remind me whenever my brother gave me a new nickname more embarrassing than its predecessors. Although this proverb has numerous other translations, the meaning remains the same. Applying that wisdom to plants, it’s clear that one of my favorite spring-blooming native shrubs has been much loved by people of different cultures across North America. Common appellations applied to most Amelanchier species include serviceberry (often pronounced “sarvice” berry on the west coast), shadbush, and shadblow. Western serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia, is also called saskatoon, pigeon berry, Juneberry, and sugar pear.

Hiking throughout California in search of garden-worthy native plants, Lester Rowntree encountered many varieties of western serviceberry. Indeed, since species within the Amelanchier genus freely hybridize in the wild, even experts have trouble correctly labeling the shrubs they discover. Widely distributed throughout California, serviceberry grow as a broad, short shrub in one location and a small upright tree in another.

In Flowering Shrubs of California (1939), Rowntree writes: “Amelanchier alnifolia, Shad-bush, is usually a wide, rather rounded, six-foot, deciduous shrub, frequenting mountain slopes from 200 to 8,000 feet, mostly in moist places. Sometimes, like Prunus emarginata [bitter cherry], it covers wide areas; traveling mile after mile through either of these shrubs in full bloom gives you an elation like that which comes from driving through miles of flowering prune or pear orchards. In the higher mountains, Prunus and Shad-bush often grow together and both bloom while the snow is still banked high, with the earlier Violets and Anemones and Shooting Stars and the first unfolding Pussy Paws. But A. alnifolia comes lower down the mountains in the northern Coast Ranges and associates with quite a different crowd.”

Rowntree dismissed the berries as “insipid and not very good to eat,” but Native Americans and early settlers enjoyed them both fresh and dried. In western Canada serviceberry trees are commercially grown for their fruit. In unprotected places, birds often consume all of the berries as soon as they ripen.

Rhonda Ferree, who retired in 2018 after serving 30-years as a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension, writes in her ILRiverHort Blog: “ Serviceberries are beautiful native trees with tasty edible fruit. Recently I picked several fruits to eat with cereal and freeze for smoothies.” Technically, the fruit is not a berry but a “pome,” like the apple to which it is related. Ferree notes that the fruit reminds her of a tart cherry candy. She believes the most flavorful Amelanchier is the saskatoon, or western serviceberry.

I first learned about shadblow’s connection to shad when I lived in Massachusetts. Decades ago, I observed a spring shad run there. On the east coast, Native Americans knew the fish would be running up-stream when the shadbush bloomed. Like salmon, shad return from the ocean where they mature to spawn in fresh water. Members of the herring family, American shad, weighing up to 12 pounds and sometimes reaching a length of 30 inches, are native to North America’s Atlantic coast. Introduced into the Sacramento River in 1871, shad quickly adapted to life along the Pacific coast.

Unsubstantiated legend asserts that an early spring shad run near their Valley Forge camp saved George Washington’s troops from starvation. Washington did run a profitable fishing business at Mount Vernon, however, that included netting shad and herring. MountVernon.org states: “No occupation was more satisfying to George Washington than farming, but no plantation activity was more lucrative than fishing.”

The history of the term “serviceberry” is more complex. In New England, colonists lacked heavy equipment to dig graves in ground frozen solid in the winter. They realized that once the serviceberry blossomed, the ground would have thawed sufficiently for proper burial services to be performed.

Not being trained botanists, European settlers frequently applied the common name of a familiar Old World plant to a similar-looking plant they found growing in the New World. In England a distant cousin of the Amelanchier clan, Sorbus domestica, was called service tree. The flowers are similar, both trees belong to the rose family, and both bear small edible fruit. The derivation of “service” in the case of the European tree has nothing to do with the verb “to serve.” It comes from the Old English “syrfe,” which in turn is thought to relate to the Latin word “sorbus.” Since the European service tree doesn’t bloom until summer, it never played a role in marking arrival of the spring thaw.

ALAMO, DANVILLE GARDENS FEATURED ON UPCOMING GARDEN TOUR

Registration for the free, Nineteenth Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase is now open, at BringingBacktheNatives.net

This year, there will be four days of inspiration: two days on-line and two days in- person. In addition to native plant gardens, the Tour now also showcases green home features. Homeowners who have installed solar panels, heat pumps for heating and cooling the house, induction ranges, and more, will be on hand to answer questions about their electrification efforts.

ON-LINE TOUR

The on-line Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase will take place the weekend of April 16th and 17th from 10AM-3PM. This event will be kicked off on April 16th with a keynote presentation by the inspirational, best-selling author Doug Tallamy.

The on-line tour will feature beautiful native plant gardens that attract birds, bees, and butterflies, and a variety of talks on gardening with native plants.

IN-PERSON TOUR

The award-winning in-person tour will allow registrants to visit more than 50 beautiful, water-conserving, native, plant gardens on Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th from 10AM-5PM. All of the homes have native plant gardens, 20 will also be sharing their green home features.

Two native plant gardens are located in Alamo and Danville, both are open on Sunday, May 7th. Patricia Ramsay and Shawn O’Leary’s Alamo garden, designed by Kelly Marshall Garden Design, replaced large lawns with an attractive, low-maintenance, water-conserving garden that creates habitat for wildlife. Oak trees, the ecological workhorses of the garden, provide shelter for birds, and places on which butterflies and moths can lay their eggs. Berries on the pink flowering and chaparral currants, fuchsia flowering gooseberry, manzanita, snowberry, and coffeeberry provide food for birds.

Maria Sargents’s Danville garden, designed and installed by East Bay Wilds, was paid for, in part, by a lawn removal rebate from EBMUD. This beautiful front garden contains 70 species of native plants, which thrive on the attractive undulating raised beds that flow across the garden. Eight species of manzanita and five different types of California lilac provide structure and greenery throughout the year.

WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, April 10th at the Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr. in Walnut Creek. Registration begins at 9:30AM, followed by a brief business meeting, social time, and an educational program.

The program “Floristry with Materials from Garden Pruning” will be presented by Steven Brown, AFID, department chair of Environmental Horticulture/Floristry at City College of San Francisco. Steven will show techniques in floral arrangements using cuttings available from the garden, including use of geraniums in floral arrangements.

The public is welcome to visit meetings and to become a part of the Club. For more information, visit www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org. Learn more about the speaker at https://tinyurl.com/2p83zp65.

Maria Sargent’s garden in Danville. Photo by Maria Sargent.

PREPARE FOR SPRING DIGGING AND GARDENING

By County Supervisor Candace Andersen

After a long winter with record rainfall and colder than usual temperatures, many of us are eager to return outside and start planting and refreshing our home gardens and landscaping. I always look forward to spending time at our local nurseries and selecting flowers and bushes to enhance my backyard.

Please remember before you dig to call 811 to identify utility lines running through your property. A project involving digging without first calling 811 puts the lives of nearly two in five American homeowners and others in danger each year. A single underground utility line strike can result in harm, costly repairs, fines, and annoying disruptions.

Any operation that involves digging, such as planting a tree or shrub, building a deck, or installing a pool, requires a call to 811 to find out what’s below. Utility line depths might differ for several reasons, including erosion, prior digging projects, and uneven ground. To reduce risk, utility wires must be clearly identified in every site, even those that have previously been marked. A quick phone call to 811 links customers to their local contact center, which notifies the relevant utility companies of their intention to dig. This happens many days prior to digging. Following their arrival, experienced locators indicate the approximate positions of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both, at the digging site. Calling 811 prior to digging is simple, cost-free, and required by law.

Both homeowners and professional excavators can call the 811 authorized tollfree line, supported by regional offices. Spanish-speaking and other translation services are offered by Underground Service Alert of Northern/Central California and Nevada (USA North), which is staffed around-the-clock, seven days a week.

Along with calling 811, here are some PG&E safe digging tips:

• Dig safely: When excavating within 24 inches of subterranean utility wires’ outer edges, use hand tools. Until the project is finished, leave utility flags, stakes, or paint marks in place. The dirt is backfilled and compacted.

• Be mindful of the lines: If a utility line is visible, dig parallel to it and take all necessary care when removing soil from its vicinity.

• Recognize the warning signals of a natural gas leak: Look for dirt pouring into the air, bubbling in a pond or creek, and dead or dying vegetation in a normally moist region. Smell for a “rotten egg” smell. Listen for hissing, whistling, or roaring noises.

If there is a possible gas leak, PG&E advises customers to first call 911 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. Those nearby must leave right away and warn others to stay away if a gas pipeline sustains an unintentional dent, scratch, or other damage. Anything that could cause a spark, such as cell phones, matches, garage door openers, vehicles, or yard equipment, should only be used while a safe distance away.

If this is the year you are going to get serious about gardening, the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County is offering a full line of gardening seminars this spring, some in person and some by webinar, including soil fundamentals, vermicomposting, irrigation, seasonal prep for summer vegetables, and many more. The UC Master Gardener volunteers of Contra Costa County partner with the County Library and other groups to present topics that will help you grow a healthy, thriving, and sustainable garden. Learn more and register for these events at ccmg.ucanr.edu.

Composting organics is now the law (Senate Bill 1383) for everyone in California. Green waste is not supposed to go to the landfill. In our RecycleSmart service area, food and green waste can go in your green cart, or you can choose to compost at home. By composting at home, you not only reduce organic material sent to local landfills, but create a beneficial soil amendment for your garden to grow healthy food. Home composting takes little time, space, and effort. RecycleSmart offers free composting workshops at several locations around District II. Visit www.recyclesmart.org/workshops for more information about home composting and to register for workshops.

My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of unincorporated Walnut Creek. Please 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 925-655-2300.

QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle ANSEL ADAMS

His nanny hastily dressed him after the big quake hit early in the morning of April 18. Four year-old Ansel Adams was playing outside when an aftershock from the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 caused him to lose his balance. He stumbled into a brick wall, face first, breaking his nose. Since the Adams’ family home was located in the outskirts of town, they had limited damage to their two story mansion, but Ansel’s broken nose became a lifetime reminder of that day.

The book Ansel Adams: An Autobiography, (Little Brown and Company,1985) is a must read for Ansel Adams enthusiasts. It also offers a glimpse into life in the San Francisco Bay Area during the early 1900’s.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) renowned photographer, environmentalist, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor for his artistic and environmental efforts, was born in San Francisco. Ansel’s family home, built in 1903, was only one of a few built on the sand dunes overlooking the Presidio. On a cliff, the views from the mansion were of the Marin hills and the sea. Ansel reminisced about hearing the sound of the surf from his bedroom window and wrote, “I wanted to run down to the beach in the sun, rain, or fog and expend the pent up physical energy that simply fermented within me. Today I would be labeled hyperactive.”

One of my favorite sections of the book is the chapter about Ansel’s school year in 1915. His parents enrolled him in a succession of schools, but Ansel detested institutional education. He wrote, “Each day was a severe test for me, sitting in a dreadful classroom while the sun and fog played outside.’’ His father concluded that his entry into yet another school would be useless. So,instead

SONS IN RETIREMENT

LAS TRAMPAS BRANCH #116

of a traditional school, Ansel’s father gave him a year’s pass to the newly opened Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the World’s Fair, which, he wrote, “would be my school for the year.” He studied literature and practiced piano at home then took the trolley to the Expo. He wrote, “The exposition was large, complex, and astounding; a confusion of multitudes of people, more than I had ever encountered, with conversations at excitement levels and innumerable things to see.” At the Expo, thirteen-year old Ansel made many visits to the painting and sculpture exhibits at the Palace of Fine Arts, and wrote, “I saw work in the modern vein-Bonnard, Cezanne, Gauguin, Monet, Pissarro, Van Gogh. They had little effect on me at the time, though I remember viewing them repeatedly. I now wonder what subconscious effect they had in the years to follow.”

Ansel wrote, “I often wonder at the strength and courage my father had in taking me out of the traditional school situation and providing me with these extraordinary learning experiences…I trace who I am and the direction of my development to those years of growing up in our house on the dunes, propelled especially by an internal spark tenderly kept alive and glowing by my father.”

In 1932, Ansel Adams had his very first museum exhibit at the de Young Museum. In April, 2023, “Ansel Adams in Our Time” opens at the de Young Museum celebrating his significant contributions to the photographic medium and his environmentalism pairing work with contemporary photographers. The exhibit, which runs April 8-July 23, 2023, is a homecoming for the artist, bringing with it the opportunity to discover new facets of his life and work as a self-described “California photographer,” says Sarah Mackay, Assistant Curator, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts.

For details, visit famsf.org. The de Young Museum is located in Golden Gate Park at 5 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco. The Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30AM-5:15PM.

Linda Summers Pirkle is a travel writer, Francophile, consultant, and long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com

Sons in Retirement (SIR) Las Trampas Branch 116 helps semi-retired and retired men lead active lives. All ages are invited to partake in enriching social activities. There are minimal dues and no major commitments. Come join the group to make new friends and social connections and stay active. Monthly meetings are held at Boundary Oak Golf Course.

The robust and well organized nine-hole and 18-hole golf programs are in full swing. Play is at Boundary Oak and other courses in the area. There are two different book groups that meet monthly. A very active fishing group takes place with participation from SIR members in the area. Join our pickleball group for a fun way to get some exercise. The bridge group meets for lunch twice a month. Put on your shoes and take an easy hour-long walk every Friday morning with the Amiable Amblers walking group and also join in the monthly sponsored walking tours to explore local areas. Spouses and friends join in on wine tastings which take place at members’ houses and group dinners which are held at local restaurants.

To learn more or become a member, visit https://sirinc2.org/branch116, or call 925-322-1160. Come join the group and have some fun!

SAN RAMON VALLEY BRANCH #128

Are you looking for ways to stay active, make new friends, and have more fun in retirement? Look no further than Sons in Retirement #128, a social organization for men over 50 who are retired or are nearing retirement.

At SIR 128 we believe that retirement is an opportunity to pursue new interests, travel, and spend time with friends and loved ones. That’s why we offer a wide range of activities that cater to every taste from hiking, pickleball, book clubs, wine tasting, lunch in the park, golf, and more.

Each month, SIR128 has a variety of events. In the upcoming months we will be touring TCHO Chocolate Factory, taking the Ano Nuevo Elephant Seal Walking Tour and SF Giants Oracle Park Tour, and attending Giants, A’s, and Warrior games. These outings are a great way to have some fun and make some new friends.

If you are ready to start that next chapter of your life, join SIR 128 today and discover a fun and rewarding world of opportunities.

SIR 128 will not be having their monthly meeting in April. Instead they will be having a Ladies Day Luncheon to celebrate and appreciate the amazing women in their lives. Regular meeting will resume in May.

If you’re interested in attending a luncheon/meeting as a guest, email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about the group, visit www.SIR128.com.

BRANCH

#146

If you like making friends for life while participating in fun social activities, then SIR Branch 146 may be what you’re looking for. There are almost 50 activity groups and half of them can include your significant other as well. Visit www.sir146.com and click on any activity icon to learn more. You can also get additional information in a recent newsletter containing photos, activity schedules, contact information, and write-ups. Visit www.sir146. com/newsletter_recent.html

Activities include nine-hole and 18-hole golf, hiking, biking, pool, photography, birding, fishing, dining out, cards, dominoes and games groups, theater, great travel adventures, and more! Most months, the group enjoys a delicious catered luncheon with interesting and timely speakers. The meetings are held at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek on the second Thursday of the month. Reservations are required, as is attendance at least five times per year. Besides luncheons, most SIR are in two or more activities. Many men have been members for over 20 years. Broadening your network of friends and having fun is what it is all about. To make a reservation or learn more, email br146recruitment@gmail.com.

Ansel Adams “The Golden Gate Before the Bridge,” 1932.

Ansel Adams “Moon and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park,”1960.

CONTESTING WILLS & TRUSTS

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

When an individual passes away, their assets are distributed according to their revocable living trust, assuming they had a trust that was properly funded with their assets or, if not, via their will. If they die without a funded trust or valid will, then distribution will be governed by the “default” state laws of intestacy.

However, disputes often arise over the validity of a will or trust (“testamentary documents”), which can lead to a will or trust contest or related litigation. This article will provide an overview of the topic, including common grounds for contesting a person’s will or trust. I’ll also give a brief example of a case my firm is handling.

Common grounds for contesting a will or trust and, if successful, potentially invalidating the document are:

1. Lack of Testamentary Capacity : Generally speaking, the person creating the testamentary document must have the cognitive ability to understand the nature and extent of her property, who their close relatives are, and the disposition of assets they are making under the document.

2. Undue Influence: If someone exerts undue influence - using their position of power or trust to pressure the testator to make a certain disposition that they may not have otherwise made – validity of the document is subject to challenge.

3. Fraud or Forgery : If a will or trust was obtained through fraud or forgery, it is subject to invalidation.

4. Improper Execution: A will (and to a lesser extent, a trust) must be executed strictly in accordance with state law requirements to be valid. Less common scenarios can sometimes plausibly support a will or trust contest, including when: a) The testamentary document did not meet execution requirements, but the defects are considered “harmless” and the testator’s intent is clear; or b) The testator promised or contracted to make a will or trust and breached that contract; or c) Marital claims and/

or compelling equitable reasons exist that cause a judge to rule that a will or trust is unenforceable or must be modified.

I’m handling the case described below, involving improper document execution (names and facts altered to protect identities), that demonstrates how seemingly small errors can have major unintended consequences: The testator, “Bill,” was divorced, had no children, and owned a home. Bill had a five-year relationship with a domestic partner, Betty, and he had a close relationship to his mother, Mollie. Mollie had substantial doubts about her son’s relationship with Betty, but never rocked the boat; she just wanted Bill to be happy. Bill had serious medical issues and his health declined rapidly, but he still had capacity. Bill thought his situation was simple so he could do his own will. He downloaded a will form from the internet, typing it up such that Betty would get everything upon his death. He signed it and had it notarized.

When Bill died, Mollie contacted me to ensure that Bill’s affairs would be handled properly. I informed Mollie that: a) Bill’s will was invalid, as notarization is not a legal substitute for having a will signed by two witnesses; b) Since the will was invalid, Bill died “intestate,” and thus Mollie was the sole beneficiary, not Betty; c) I could help her probate Bill’s estate, as required; and d) Betty would inevitably hire an attorney to argue that the defect in the “will” should be deemed harmless error and thus the will should be enforced. I’m now trying to settle this for Mollie so that litigation can be avoided.

In a future article, I will present additional case studies and describe some tips for avoiding will and trust contests.

|Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business|

Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, 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. Advertorial

TECHNOLOGY MATTERS PREVENT RANSOMWARE

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.

If you follow local news you may have heard about the City of Oakland and the recent ransomware attack they’re dealing with. It’s a complex and difficult situation. I have a lot of empathy and compassion for everyone affected, and I believe this was a preventable problem and that the city of Oakland had not prepared themselves adequately. I have this opinion because we are in the business of helping businesses harden their defenses against bad actors, and hardly anyone is properly protected. It’s not terribly difficult, but it does require discipline to execute the plan.

Here is a high-level list of what I would hope every business (and individual) has in place to protect themselves. There’s of course more, or less, that should be done in some cases, however, this is a very good start.

Two-factor Authentication (2FA) requires a user to provide two authentication factors to verify their identity when logging in. The first factor is typically something the user knows, such as a password. The second factor is usually something the user has, such as an SMS or one-time email code.

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is similar to 2FA, and usually employs the use of an authenticator to give you a six-digit time-based code to enter into the website for authentication.

Password complexity. More than 12 characters, all four character sets, longer is better.

Use unique passwords. The bad guys love people who use the same password for everything. It saves them so much time.

Password management. Many companies have begun providing their employees with a password manager such as 1Password, Keeper, or LastPass to safely store the plethora of passwords we require to operate in the digital age. You should too. DNS filtering. This is a system that checks the address of a website your system says it wants to visit against a master database of bad sites. If it’s in the database, your computer can’t access the site. This is a must-have for ransomware defense.

Standard vs Administrator permissions for end users. Most people enjoy unfettered administrative access to their computers. The problem with this is that if a hacker gets access to your computer through a download, they too have

Speaker continued from front page difficulties spotted during rehearsals. “We really don't know how well they understand and can work on Zoom until the dry run,” John says. “Presenting on Zoom has its own unique issues and we work to smooth them out and make the transition from one speaker to another clean and a good experience for the audience. I want the speaker to focus on giving the presentation and not worry about the chat stream or Zoom issues.”

Keenan adds, “I tell the presenters that my objective is twofold -- to inform and entertain. That is the goal of each program. We are focused on history starting with the San Ramon Valley, but we spread out to stories that are interesting and informative on the Bay Area.”

administrative access and can do anything they want. If you are a standard user, they’re blocked from doing most nasty things.

Content filters. These go hand-in-hand with the DNS filtering, and prevent employees from visiting harmful sites. It can also be used to prevent access to time-wasting or inappropriate-for-work websites.

Active and updated antivirus. Every computer. No exceptions. Macs too. Back-end scanning tools. If ransomware does find its way into your system, there are tools that can detect what’s going on and isolate the affected computer so it can’t spread. It’s like turning on a sprinkler system in a room that has a fire.

Centralized data storage. Storing your data in a central, identifiable location is important. If some of it is local and some of it is on a server, you made the job of backups that much harder.

Workstation file backups. If there’s anything worth saving, it’s worth protecting. If you get ransomware, you can recover from your backups. If you don’t have backups, you’re in a world of hurt.

Server image-based backups. If a server becomes infected, we want to be able to turn it off, wipe it, and restore it from bare-metal with an image-based backup that was taken before the infection. We have tools to do this that put you back to work in an astoundingly short time.

Email spam filters. We all deal with spam. Some is just annoying and some of it is malicious. There are probably a few phishing emails sitting in your mailbox right now. Spam filters are an important, if imperfect, defense.

Notices of external email senders. We have seen several cases of outside people pretending to be someone internal to your company sending a message that authorizes improper payments. They’re usually spotted very late, and people lose thousands to millions of dollars from these scams. Noting when an email comes from the outside vs inside the organization would have made all the difference in most of these cases.

Having documented and communicated processes for dealing with phishing emails, suspicious emails, ransomware attacks, etc. Have a plan or prepare for chaos.

Internal network scans to identify vulnerable systems, such as workstations, printers, iOT devices, etc. There are lots of ways “in” for the bad guys using commonly used appliances. A scan helps identify those so you can lock the doors.

If you follow these guidelines, you will be miles ahead of most people and an unattractive target for the bad guys. They’ll go after someone who didn’t take the time to protect themselves. Need help implementing this? Give us a call at 925-552-7953 x1 or email info@pcioit.com.

Steve Minniear was an obvious choice as speaker for the inaugural presentation. Currently Dublin City Historian, Minniear is an expert on the topic already requested by several Museum members - “Highway 21 to Interstate 680.” But, Steve had to consolidate information he could have shared for hours on the history of the road that connects us into a 45-minute program. “The challenge in doing a Zoom presentation for the first time, instead of speaking to an audience in person, was that I had to decide what would entertain and engage the audience with no ability to adjust to what immediately captured their attention or was putting them to sleep,” he recalls. “Although creating the actual Zoom talk took about 10 hours over the course of two days, the research that went into collecting the material I had at hand took many years.”

Once the only road from Martinez to San Jose, thoroughly congested before I-680 was completed, Highway 21 has reverted to being North Main Street in Walnut Creek, Danville Boulevard in Alamo, and Hartz Avenue and San Ramon Valley Boulevard in Danville as it continues through San Ramon. Minniear provides images of the days when farmers depended on the route to get their produce to market, and every able-bodied man was required to spend five days a year maintaining the road or hire a worker to perform his duties.

Unless you’ve been lucky enough to take one of Bill Clarkson’s guided tours of little-known traces of the Valley’s history, you’ll find several surprises in his presentation of “The Secret History of San Ramon.” Although some of the historic images the former Mayor of San Ramon incorporates in his talk may be familiar to long-time residents, views of remnants of the old stagecoach route, the cobblestone low-water crossing of the San Ramon Creek, and the fault line running through the area might not be. Did you know the boys who discovered the nugget of gold that launched the California Gold Rush once lived in the Valley?

Highway 21 in Alamo. Photo courtesy of Steve Minniear.

5 TAX DEDUCTIONS HIGH-INCOME EARNERS OFTEN CLAIM

By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Waldron Partners

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”~

Albert Einstein

Those with great wealth must carefully manage their tax obligations so they can preserve their assets and maximize cost savings. Fortunately, there are many tax deductions available to everyone, including ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals; it’s just a matter of finding and claiming applicable ones with the assistance of a trusted financial advisor. Taking advantage of appropriate deductions can potentially reduce one’s tax burden while ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and lowering or eliminating the stress that is frequently associated with taxes.

This article discusses five tax deductions that can, in the right circumstances, positively impact one’s bottom line. Read on to learn more.

CHARITABLE DONATIONS

The super-wealthy and others may be able to claim a deduction on their federal taxes if they donate to a qualifying organization, such as a nonprofit, foundation, or charity. Since these are usually high-value contributions that have accumulated over time, the taxpayer will sometimes see a sizable reduction in their taxable income. Taking advantage of this particular deduction is beneficial not only because of its potential financial reward, but also because it enables philanthropists to support the causes they believe in and create positive social change.

PROPERTY TAXES

Another option for everyone, including the ultra-wealthy, is to deduct their property taxes. In this case, when an individual files their taxes, they can itemize their local and state real estate taxes, and mortgage interest. Property taxes can add up quickly for those who own high-valued real estate, so this type of deduction has the potential to substantially reduce a yearly income tax bill. Consulting with a financial advisor will help high-income earners maximize their itemized deductions and potentially lower their taxable income.

DEPRECIATION

Depreciation refers to a decrease in the value of assets over time due to wear and tear, age, or obsolescence. The timing and assignment of this deduction can vary depending on asset type, but it still has the potential to be an important part of the tax equation for those UHNW individuals who own rental properties or businesses. Although it may not be possible to capitalize on all available depreciation benefits, even small changes can lead to a significant amount of savings for those in this income bracket. By using some well-considered strategies, real estate investors and other ultra-high-net-worth individuals might benefit from deducting depreciation on their federal taxes.

RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS

People of all financial standings, including the ultra-wealthy, can also deduct retirement plan contributions. Many business owners and entrepre-

neurs are big fans of this deduction as it enables them to put money aside for retirement while potentially avoiding hefty taxes. Additionally, it’s beneficial for those who are self-employed or have high incomes as they can potentially save thousands of dollars each year based on the amount they can deduct. Knowing how to take advantage of this deduction and others helps ensure that wealthy individuals can keep their tax liability to a minimum.

INVESTMENT INTEREST

Yet another way individuals can potentially maximize their ROI and reduce their overall taxable income is to deduct investment interest. Depending on how much one’s investments earn in interest, this might end up being a significant tax break. One should work with a financial advisor, however, to understand all the nuances and complexities that surround this particular deduction. For example, investment interest cannot exceed its corresponding income in any given year. When used correctly, this deduction can be an effective way to save on taxes.

Without a doubt, those with substantial wealth would be remiss not to consider taking advantage of tax deductions to reduce their annual taxable income. Deducting charitable donations, property taxes, depreciation, retirement plan contributions, and investment interest are just a few of the ways one can potentially reduce taxable income while remaining compliant with both state and federal laws. It can be complicated to navigate the many different deductions that are available, but this can be overcome with research and advice from qualified financial and tax advisors. Understanding which deductions apply to one’s specific situation is the key to achieving potentially significant tax savings every year.

“A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right.” ~ Anonymous.

We can help you with your financial situation. You do not want to go through life wondering what could have been - contact Peter today at 925-708-7397 or peter.waldron@lfg.com.

Disclosure: Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding any tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

Peter T. Waldron, California Insurance License #0E47827, is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory services through Sagemark Consulting, a division

ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)

By Roger Smith, President NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

We all need to be better prepared to protect ourselves and our neighbors. Please join AIA for a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 26th from 6-6:45PM, and meet Farah Ali, our Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Specialist for the Neighborhood Watch program. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for the access code for this presentation. Learn about the Crime Prevention Triangle, Recognizing Suspicious Activity, Reporting a Crime, Preventing Mail-Box Theft, Preventing Package Theft, and Operation I.D.

You can also email CSU@so.cccounty.us to reach the specialist in your area for crime prevention information, Neighborhood Watch guidance, and community events. Provide crime tips by using any of the following methods:

• Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division - (925) 313-2600

• Office of the Sheriff Dispatch - (925) 646-2441

• Anonymous Voice Message - (866) 846-3592

• E-mail - tips@so.cccounty.us

Do not call 911 unless you have an emergency or a life-threatening situation.

“CALL BEFORE YOU DIG” IN APRIL AND ALL YEAR LONG

The 811 hotline is a free service that allows people to obtain information about what may be buried beneath an excavation surface area, including natural gas pipelines, electric power lines, and other infrastructure. Homeowners and professionals may not always be aware of the importance of marking utility lines before excavation, but calling before a digging job, even small projects such as planting trees and shrubs, can help prevent undesired consequences.

To use, call 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging. 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. Your affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. In a few days, they’ll send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes, and cables, so you’ll know what’s below and be able to dig safely.

For more information on your local One Call Center, or to make an online request for utilities to be marked, visit www.call811.com, call 811, or 800-642-2444.

VISIT THE ALAMO FARMERS MARKET FOR A HEALTHIER 2023

A big “Thank You” to all of the Farmer’s Market shoppers who braved winter storms and atmospheric rivers to faithfully support our Market vendors! An excellent source for fresh fruits and vegetables for your diet and dining pleasure is available at the Alamo Farmer’s Market! The tail-end of winter fruits and vegetables, and upcoming spring fruits and vegetables are available, along with fresh fish and dairy.

Two new hot food vendors, “Marcin’s Polish Kitchen” and “Yuri’s Peruvian Food,” will be available for your take-out enjoyment. Look for updated information about the Alamo Certified Farmer’s Market on NextDoor.com

The Market is sponsored by AIA and is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America.

HAPPY 68TH BIRTHDAY

Alamo is a special community that all of our residents can be justifiably proud to call “Home.” Now in its 68th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live!”

In May, watch your mailbox for the AIA 2023 Annual Report, ballot, and membership form. Complete and return to AIA at P.O. Box 156, Alamo, CA 94507. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to local residents, membership forms, and more.

Speaker continued from page 16

“Introducing residents to the history of their community is one way to get them engaged in supporting it,” Clarkson remarks. His own research is an ongoing journey of discovery. “When you’ve seen hundreds and even thousands of historic pictures,” he explains, “you begin to get a sense of who was where. Once you’ve viewed multiple sources, the mosaic comes into focus giving you an intuitive feel for some aspects of the Valley’s history that leads you to finding enough detailed information to turn that intuition into facts. That’s the difference between gathering some fast-facts and building an in-depth understanding of how things are connected.”

After leading with the intriguing story behind the construction and restoration of the Sunol Water Temple’s intricate interior, Carla Schultheis, Watershed and Environmental Improvement Program Manager for San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, describes current development of the surrounding property linking the land’s ancient history with provisions for a sustainable future. The 18-acre Sunol AgPark provides education in growing organic crops to farmers and hands-on environmental experiences to children. A state-of-the-art native plant nursery grows plants for the formal botanical garden planned to represent habitats from the entire Alameda Creek Watershed, which will surround the soon to be completed Alameda Creek Watershed Center. Since pre-construction excavation unearthed 13,000 Muwekma Ohlone artifacts, the project has embraced honoring the people who occupied the site for 2,000 years.

Once welcoming students to the Museum for the annual Indian Life Program was clearly not happening, Renee Spitz was enlisted to give a virtual presentation that could be used by classroom teachers, but also appeal to a wider audience. “California's First People: Then and Now” aired on September 24, 2020.

Inspired by attending the Museum’s Tassajara One-Room Schoolhouse Program as the parent of a 3 rd grader a few years ago, Renee volunteered as a docent for both Indian Life and One Room Schoolhouse Programs. “When I work in-person with 4th graders at the Museum in the Indian Life Program and with 3rd graders at the Tassajara One-Room Schoolhouse I am able to feed off the energy in the room,” Renee explains. Both age groups are curious and open to dropping out of their tech-centered space to immerse in the way they might have experienced life in bygone days. They ask many good questions! Although the curriculum for each program contains more information than I can ever fit into a single session, I am endlessly inspired to do more research.”

In both programs a lead docent and an assistant docent work together. Usually, several parents are present along with the classroom teachers. “We love to have people come in and experience the programs for themselves,” Spitz notes. “Spend a morning watching how the docents connect with the students and share their knowledge. There are many different volunteering opportunities with both programs.”

The Museum has lots of additional volunteer opportunities with flexible schedules -- behind the scenes, helping Museum visitors, and staffing tours. The Alamo Cemetery Tour, subject of one of the most popular Virtual Speaker Series programs with 6,500 views, will be given in person on

See Speaker continued on page 20

Highway 21 Sign & Kolb Truck at 2016 Conference of California Historical Societies. Photo courtesy of Steve Minniear.

THE EYE OPENER By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry WOMEN’S EYE HEALTH MONTH

Since April is Women’s Eye Health Month, I thought it would be a good idea to tackle this topic. Unfortunately, most sight-threatening conditions that exist affect women more than men. In some cases, women are twice as likely to be impacted. Every year, more women are diagnosed with cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. The main reasons are women generally live longer than men, hormonal fluctuations, and women are more likely to suffer from auto-immune diseases. Eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration, which usually affect the elderly, are going to be more prevalent in women due to a longer life span. The likelihood of being afflicted with these diseases does increase with age. For example, for macular degeneration, one in five women over 70 years old are affected and one in three over 85 years old. Cataracts affect everyone equally, but again is age dependent. In most cases, the longer a person is battling cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, the worse the vision tends to get.

Hormonal levels can also affect vision. Changes in hormone levels associated with pregnancy and menopause can lead to dry eyes. Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are vitally important for tear production and consistency of the tears. Dry eye is a condition when the eye does not manufacture enough tears and/or the composition of the tears is poor. When the eyes are dry they tend to burn, sting, and become red, which leads to blurry vision. Any disruption in the tear layer will lead to the situation where the cornea does not adequately provide a clean and clear refracting surface for the eye. Since the cornea is the first thing light encounters as it enters the eye, if the cornea is disrupted in any way, vision will be compromised.

In addition to age and hormone levels, women are also more likely to suffer from auto-immune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Sjogrens syndrome, all with ocular side-effects ranging from dry eyes, optic nerve disease, and vision loss. Since there are no cures for these ailments, treatment is aimed at lessening the symptoms. Medications, such as anti-inflammatories, lubricating drops (including Restasis), and punctal plugs can definitely keep redness, irritation, and dryness under control.

Since most of these ailments are either genetic or age-related, the only thing that can be done is lifestyle modification. This includes eating well, stopping smoking, and monitoring and treating any systemic issues that arise. As of now, the only cure for any of the above-mentioned ailments is cataract surgery. Removing the cataract will restore brightness, color quality, and vision. All other conditions, therefore, require early diagnosis. Between systemic medications and ocular drops, many of the side-effects of the conditions can be managed. As always, proper eye care can lead to diagnosis, treatment, and, if necessary, a referral to a specialist.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165, in Alamo. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry.com, or find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial

YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION SO THEY WILL LISTEN

By Linda Michaelis RD, MS

No one teaches parents how to be effective teachers when it comes to food, nutrition, and body image. I see a lot of parents give up. My job is to show them how they can be effective and rewarding at the same time.

I am sure you remember a favorite teacher that transformed the way you thought about a subject. One parenting mistake we make is pushing our reasons for health and fitness onto our kids instead of giving them room to discover the reasons on their own. We need to not lecture, but show them how activities they enjoy are impacted by nutrition. They will be able to run the mile faster or score more goals in soccer. Kids are more interested in present benefits of looking good, clear skin, and improved sports performance. Encourage your child to notice how food or combinations of foods gives them energy as opposed to feeling sleepy when eating too many carbs. Show them how to become the expert on their body and to learn what foods make them feel high energy. Kids usually are not concerned with preventing diabetes or other health issues.

I am glad to tell you, teens I coach notice that with improved nutrition they see a difference in their hair, skin, and nails. Their hair is shiny and does not fall out, their skin is not red all the time and has fewer breakouts, and their nails grow and are stronger and tend to not break easily.

Taste and appearance of food is important for children of all ages and must go hand in hand with good nutrition. I constantly teach parents how to make the plate look attractive. The veggies must be tasty. Take the time to saute them in garlic, olive oil, and spices they like. I enjoy visiting Skinnytaste. com for healthy recipes that are high in flavor and use fresh ingredients.

Stock your kitchen with quality food and allow your children to participate in making meals and snacks. When they come home from school put out a variety of fresh veggies with ranch dressing or hummus along with chicken strips and BBQ sauce. If healthy food is in front of them, they are hungry, and it looks inviting, they will eat it.

Make a family menu and be prepared and organized with meals along with reasonable desserts.

Dedicate one night a week to “kid cook night.” Let your child pick out a healthy recipe with you, and take them shopping for the ingredients. They

will definitely eat the meal they prepare and be proud of themselves as well.

One area that I work on with families is how to understand the food label. Please take the time and teach your child how to read the food label. Show them the serving size and what that actually looks like. Often the serving size is very small compared to what they might eat. Maybe they are having three servings of cereal and need to realize that is three times the amount of calories. Show them the sugar content which can often be a big surprise.

Older kids will not be successful if you are not a role model for them. The best way for them to do well is if they are not singled out for their eating habits, and the family all follows the same healthy meal plan. Maybe this is your chance as a parent to improve your nutrition for the sake of your child.

Another area that a parent can help a child with is guiding them to understand how media is superficial and how much work goes into making people look perfect via makeup, hair styling and photo-manipulation. They need to understand how unrealistic advertising is and not to be taken by commercials on TV.

These topics are typically what I will discuss in sessions with families. If you feel that you need the support and education for your family, I am happy to assist.

Nutritional counseling is usually covered by health insurance including ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Hill, Sutter, UHC and others. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what your plan offers. Please visit www.LindaRD.com to learn more about my services. Email me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your nutritional concerns and see how I may help you. Advertorial

BECOME A FOOD RESCUE HERO

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS DESPERATELY NEEDED!

White Pony Express (WPE) is helping meet the growing need for healthy food in our communities. Hunger is on the rise, and fresh, nutritious food is out of reach for many of our neighbors. WPE needs volunteers willing to drive to help us meet this need. This can happen in a personal vehicle or one of our fleet vehicles. If you have a little time to spare and a good driving record, we would love to welcome you to our team of food rescue heroes.

For more information, email volunteer@ whiteponyexpress.org.

UNLOCKING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF YOUR 15-MINUTE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER

By Ann Marie Giusto, RN

Raise your hand if you can think of three things you can effectively do in 15 minutes. At the top of your list may be taking 15 minutes to save 15% with Geico Insurance. In all seriousness, does an office visit with your primary care provider make your short list? Where was the genesis of the “15 minute” primary care appointment, and how can we effectively leverage this precious time with our trusted resource?

Show me the money....yes, the reason for the 15 minute appointment is due to the government and insurance reimbursement. Back in 1992, Medicare developed a formula in an attempt to reduce the variability in physician fees unveiled a new method for paying physicians. This impacted reimbursement throughout the healthcare system, including physician office visits.

Based on a formula, a typical primary care office visit translated to 15 minutes of physician time. Medicare then set its reimbursement rules based on this length of time and commercial insurance companies followed their lead. Aside from some modifications, the 15 minute primary care visit is still the norm today.

A recently published study in the Annals of Internal Medicine1 found that even when a patient is in the exam room, health care providers were spending about 50% of their time actually talking and/or examining the patients while spending almost 40% charting. Your 15 minute appointment just became eight minutes. And, let’s hope your healthcare provider washes his or her hands for the recommended 30 seconds, logs into the computer, and double checks you are the person he or she is supposed to be examining -- another seven minutes. Tick tock. The bottom line is that there is little time to actually listen, talk, or examine patients during a 15 minute primary care appointment.

HOW CAN WE MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE “15 MINUTE” PRIMARY CARE APPOINTMENT?

With competing priorities, stress, anxiety, confusion (and the list goes on)...preparing for a doctor’s appointment might not even cross your mind. And, asking for help is even a farther after-thought. But when the average wait time to get a doctor’s appointment in 2022 was 26 days2, preparing for your primary care appointment is more important than ever. Some suggestions for you or your loved one include:

1. Be prepared - Write down your concerns and information so when telling your story, you can get to the point

2. Bring someone to advocate for you, as well as take notes

3. Prioritize your concerns - Start with the most important issue you would like to discuss in case you run out of time

4. Be concise - Use your notes to explain your symptoms clearly, avoiding unnecessary details

5. Ask questions, especially if you are not clear with the plan of care or not satisfied with what you’re hearing

The time you take BEFORE your appointment will help make the time DURING your appointment, whether 15 minutes or not, more effective. For additional support, including coaching for appointments, referrals to local health care providers, discussing options, or coordinating health care providers, please call for a complimentary consultation at 925-202-8250. For more information, visit www.BeWellRN.com. Ann Marie Giusto and team of compassionate registered nurses are available 24/7. (Be Well at Home-Concierge Nursing Care Inc is not a nurse advice line). Advertorial

1 https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M16-0961 accessed online March 2023

2 https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-everywhere-are-waiting-longer-to-see-a-doctor-2022-10 accessed March 2023

Speakercontinued from page 18 Saturday, April 22 at 11AM. The one-hour tour is free, but registration is required.

On March 16, Beverly Lane presented her fourth program in the Virtual Speaker Series: “History of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD): Democracy in Action.” Lane’s firsthand knowledge of how EBRPD was formed and grew to include 125,000 acres and plans for future expansion comes from longtime service as an EBRPD Director. Now retired from that post, she is Curator of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley and author of several books and articles on local history.

With “Stir Crazy Quilts” continuing through May 31 st at the Museum, the choice of Dolores Miller for the April 20th Virtual Speaker presenter is a natural. Miller’s work as a textile artist and quilter has been juried into regional and global exhibitions. She writes: “My art often expresses wonder at the vastness and complexity of the universe and explores our place in it, our sense of belonging.”

Register for programs, find volunteer opportunities, join, donate, and if you are lucky enough to be in time to purchase, buy tickets for Shops & Hops in downtown Danville Thursday, April 27th from 6-9 PM. Tickets for the popular Craft Beer Stroll sell out quickly! Proceeds benefit Museum programs. Find all the above on the Museum’s website: museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Many of our neighbors cannot afford to feed and clothe themselves or their families. Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to serve the community are available at White Pony Express (WPE).

WPE, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pleasant Hill, is a nonprofit that rescues fresh surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets. This food is then delivered free to organizations that feed the hungry. In addition, high-quality clothing, children’s toys, and books are distributed free of charge.

Hundreds of volunteers make WPE possible. They volunteer because they believe in the mission and know they are helping others who have urgent needs at this critical time in their lives. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer or call Mandy Nakaya, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 925-818-6361 or email Mandy@whiteponyexpress.org

Sunol Water Temple with adjacent botanical garden and Alamo Creek Watershed Center soon to be completed. (courtesy of SFPUC)

ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER? LET US HELP.

By Jerome Potozkin, MD

As I write, we are expecting the next atmospheric river to hit the Bay Area. Oh, what a wet winter this has been! Hopefully, as you read this, sunny skies are in the forecast and you’re thinking about warmer weather and shedding some clothing. As the spring season rolls around, many people start thinking about getting their bodies ready for summer. Two popular cosmetic treatments that can help you achieve your desired look are laser hair removal and CoolSculpting.

Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to permanently reduce unwanted hair. It works by targeting the hair follicle with a laser beam, which damages the follicle, and prevents it from producing new hair. Unlike other hair removal methods, such as waxing or shaving, laser hair removal offers long-term results, saving you time and money in the long run. It also reduces the risk of ingrown hairs, which can be painful and unsightly. The ideal candidate for laser hair reduction has light skin with dark hair. This scenario results in the maximum amount of energy destroying the hair follicle with minimal absorption by the outer layers of the skin. Darker skinned patients with dark hair can be successfully treated, but will usually require more treatments and with more conservative energy settings. Unfortunately, lasers are ineffective in treating light colored hair or peach fuzz. Other technologies are being investigated to remove light colored hair, but they are still off on the horizon.

One of the main benefits of laser hair removal is its versatility. It can be used on virtually any part of the body, including the face, legs, underarms, and bikini area. This means you can feel confident showing off your skin in any outfit without worrying about unwanted hair. Laser hair removal has advanced since it began in the 1990’s, and the current lasers are faster, more effective, and hurt less.

In our office, men and women typically seek treatment for different areas. Women usually seek treatment for any facial hair, armpits, legs, and bikini area. Men often seek treatment for hairy backs and shoulders. Most people will require at least three treatments spaced about eight weeks apart. Some will require some ongoing maintenance. Cost depends upon how large of an area is treated.

Now is the ideal time to start treatment, as most people notice the excess hair in the summer when they shed clothing. It is important to seek treatment in an experienced facility. As with any medical procedure, it is not without risk.

CoolSculpting, on the other hand, is a non-invasive fat reduction treatment that can help you achieve a toned and sculpted body in time for summer. It works by freezing fat cells in the targeted area, causing them to die off and naturally be eliminated by the body. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold temperatures than other skin structures, so we can selectively destroy the fat cells without harming the other skin structures. CoolSculpting is FDA-approved and has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for reducing stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. CoolSculpting has become the gold standard for non-surgical fat reduction. It is not for women only. We see many men who seek treatment as well. The most common areas we treat for women are abdomen, bra fat, and inner and outer thighs. For men it works great for pesky love handles and abdominal fat. Many men feel that excess weight makes them look out of shape, tired, or older. Diet and exercise, plus CoolSculpting, can be an excellent remedy. This procedure requires no social downtime or time off work.

One of the main benefits of CoolSculpting is its non-invasive nature. Unlike traditional liposuction, there are no incisions or downtime required. You can resume your normal activities immediately after the treatment, making it a convenient option for those with busy schedules.

Both laser hair removal and CoolSculpting are popular treatments for getting summer-ready, but it’s important to keep in mind that they are not quick fixes. Both treatments require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results, so it’s important to start early in the spring to ensure you have enough time to complete your treatments before summer arrives.

In summary, laser hair removal and CoolSculpting are two effective cosmetic treatments that can help you feel confident and ready for summer. Whether you want to eliminate unwanted hair or reduce stubborn pockets of fat, these treatments offer long-term results that can help you achieve your desired look.

Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. He is the author of “Botox and Beyond: Your Guide to Safe Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures.” The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial

HELP! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE RIDES TO SENIORS AND VETERANS

Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that gives rides to seniors and veterans in Contra Costa County. Volunteer drivers are needed to escort seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old. Please call Mobility Matters at (925) 284-2215 for more details. You can learn more about Mobility Matters at www.mobilitymatterscc.com

FUN AT THE DANVILLE SENIOR CENTER

The Danville Senior Center offers a Monday Senior Lunch program. Lunches are provided in partnership with Café Costa and served at noon each Monday. Participants can enjoy puzzles and board games in the Community Hall at the Danville Senior Center (located at 115 E Prospect Ave, Danville) before lunch and stay for a free weekly movie following lunch.

Residents wishing to participate will need to complete a County NAPIS form and call in their reservation by noon the Friday before. Forms are available at the Danville Senior Center. The lunch program is provided in partnership with Contra Costa County and has a suggested donation of $3 for those 60 and up. Those under 60 can still enjoy lunch for a $6 fee. Menus are available at www.danville.ca.gov/seniors, and vegetarian options are available by request.

For more information or to call in a reservation, please contact the Danville Senior Center at (925) 314-3430.

To place an ad, share a story, or find more information about our paper, contact us at 925.405.6397 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com .

NO MORE KNEE-DLESS SUFFERING TREATING KNEE PAIN IN 2023

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

Are you suffering from knee pain that is stealing your joy for life? Are you looking for a safe and effective solution that doesn’t involve surgery or medication?

Knee pain can be debilitating and significantly affect a person’s quality of life. It can limit mobility, cause discomfort, and reduce the ability to perform everyday activities. Traditional treatments for knee pain include physical therapy, pain medications, and surgery. If you’re suffering from knee pain and haven’t found relief with other treatments, consider the benefits of chiropractic treatment and Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) therapy.

Chiropractic care is a non-invasive approach to healthcare that focuses on the alignment and function of the musculoskeletal system. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic can promote healing, alleviate pain, and improve mobility throughout the body, including the knees.

Chiropractic care can effectively relieve knee pain through a combination of manual therapies, exercises, and lifestyle recommendations. Here are some ways we use chiropractic care to help with knee pain:

1. Correcting misalignments - At Align, we identify the misalignments in the spine or pelvis that may be causing imbalances in the nerves and muscles of the legs and pelvis that may be affecting knee function. Using manual adjustments, we can realign the joints, reducing knee stress and improving mobility.

2. Soft tissue therapy - Tissue therapies such as massage, myofascial release, and neuro-muscular reeducation alleviates muscle tension, improves circulation, and reprograms the muscle memory to the affected area. This can reduce pain and inflammation in the knee joint.

3. Laser and exercise therapy - Laser therapy reduces pain and inflammation. While specific exercises are given to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, improving stability and reducing the risk of further injury. Stretches improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.

4. Nutritional advice - We recommend dietary changes or supplements to help reduce inflammation and improve joint health.

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care effectively reduced knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. The study followed 73 patients over a period of 12 weeks and found that those who received chiropractic care experienced a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in knee function.

STIR CRAZY QUILTS

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is excited to continue the exhibit, “Stir Crazy Quilts: Quilting During the Pandemic.” The exhibit features 40 stunning quilts created by artists during the Covid 19 pandemic. Each quilt is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and artistry of the human spirit during those difficult times.

Visitors will be able to see a wide variety of quilts, each one a unique expression of the quilters style and artistic vision. Some quilts are traditional and timeless while others are modern and bold featuring bright colors and innovative design.

The museum is thrilled to be showcasing these beautiful works of art. The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, but these quilts show us that creativity and beauty can come from challenging times. It is hoped that visitors will be inspired and uplifted by these beautiful works of art.

On the fourth Tuesday of the month admission will be free. In addition there will be a quilting demonstration from 1PM-2PM. April’s demonstration will be on how to make a microwaveable cozy. The exhibit will be on display until May 31st.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

In addition to chiropractic care, MSC therapy is a revolutionary treatment option that can help to repair and regenerate damaged tissue in the body. MSCs are a type of stem cell that can differentiate into various cell types, including bone, cartilage, and muscle. By harnessing the power of MSCs, doctors can target the specific area of pain and help regenerate damaged tissue. When injected into the knee joint, MSCs help repair damaged tissue and reduce inflammation, leading to a reduction in pain and an improvement in function. MSC injections offer a non-surgical option for treating knee pain, which means that patients can avoid the risks associated with surgery, such as infection, scarring, and a lengthy recovery period.

Studies have shown that MSC injections can have several benefits in treating knee pain. One study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine found that MSC therapy effectively reduced pain and improved function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study involved 30 patients who received injections of MSCs into their knee joints and found that they experienced significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that MSC therapy effectively reduced pain and improved function in patients with knee pain due to meniscal tears. The study involved 40 patients who received injections of MSCs into their knee joints and found that they experienced significant improvements in pain and function compared to a control group.

Chiropractic treatment and MSCs may provide a powerful therapeutic combination to relieve knee pain. Chiropractic treatment helps ensure proper alignment and function of the knee, while MSCs help regenerate the damaged tissue. The benefits of this combined treatment approach are numerous. Not only can they alleviate pain, but they also help improve mobility and range of motion. Chiropractic and MSC therapy work with your body’s natural healing abilities to alleviate pain, avoid surgery, and eliminate the need for long-term pain medication.

In conclusion, chiropractic and MSCs offer two promising options for treating knee pain. By restoring proper alignment and function and promoting tissue repair while reducing inflammation, these treatments can help alleviate pain and improve mobility in the knee. So if you’re struggling with knee pain, chiropractic care and MSC therapy may be a natural, non-invasive way to find relief. Contact us today at (925)362-8283, or book online at AlignHealingCenter. com, to schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the founder of Align Healing Center in Danville and has been practicing functional medicine since 2000. Advertorial

TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND

Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making weekday reassurance calls to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified. This service is free! Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-934-0901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www. assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley

QUILTING DURING THE PANDEMIC, AN EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SRV

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925-831-8310

StoneValleyDental.com

220 Alamo Plaza, Suite E, Alamo Next to Safeway

Open Monday - Thursday and the first two Saturdays of each month.

Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family

Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Veteran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction.

Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.

SCAR REVISION

By Dr. Barbara Persons, MD, FACS

Traumatic injury to the face, neck, nose, ears, and lips can cause an unsightly appearance and a loss of function. Most patients have a general idea that something may be done to improve the appearance (most common), function, or both. In most instances, a properly planned and executed repair of the problem can gain much improvement. There are generally multiple alternatives that are created by the specific circumstances of the injury or developmental deficiency. The operations for repair are generally done in several stages. Each stage is planned to allow for the healing process and to accomplish specific goals. This type of surgery is generally very satisfying to the patient and to the physician alike.

The operation performed depends upon the problem and is usually performed using local anesthesia. The techniques involved may be to rotate, move, or attempt to hide a visible scar in a region that is less visible and to render the scar itself less visible. At times, tissue may be “borrowed” from other areas of the body. Occasionally, a synthetic material may be used to recreate natural architecture.

Though this type of surgery can be very rewarding, there are some constraints of which the patient must be aware. The final result may not be apparent for one to one and a half years after the initiation of the revision process. The patient will have to participate in the process and follow instructions very carefully. Meticulous attention to detail by the surgeon in the planning and execution of the repair must be matched with the same attention by the patient during the healing phase. This period may last only three to six weeks or may last as long as three to six months. We have never found this to be a significant deterrent as the attention to detail has only one great beneficiary: the patient. It is important to realize that although significant improvement in appearance may be achieved, perfection or complete elimination of scars is never possible.

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

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region has many volunteer opportunities to aid seniors in our communities. Do you have a few hours a month to spare? Become a home meal delivery driver and assist in getting prepared meals to those in need. The Friendly Visitors, Friendly Callers, and Friendly Helpers programs check in on seniors and also can assist them with everyday errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up medications at a local pharmacy.

For more information, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved, or contact Eileen Stephens at estephens@mowdr. org, or 925-482-2622, or Tuyet Iaconis at tiaco-nis@mowdr.org or 925-891-4872.

This patient was bothered by the appearance of a scar on his face. Fraxel laser was used to reduce the appearance of the scar, enabling the scar to almost completely disappear.