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December 2013 Alamo Tree Lighting Festival is Almost Here!
Serving Alamo and Diablo
Sunday, December 1st, 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Alamo Chamber of Commerce will present the 2013 Alamo Tree Lighting Festival at 4:30pm, Sunday, December 1st in the Alamo Oak Tree Plaza next to Andrew H. Young Park at the corner of Danville Boulevard and Jackson Way. The festival signals the beginning of the Christmas holiday season for families with an evening of caroling, entertainment, beverages, and crafts. “Guests are urged to come early and stay late,” said the organizers. Opening the program and singing throughout the evening will be choirs from local schools, including San Ramon Valley High, Monte Vista High, Rancho Romero Elementary, Stone Valley Middle School and Alamo Elementary. They will be performing some beautiful holiday songs sure to get everyone in the spirit! Santa will hear the desires of the little ones. He will arrive early and be ready at 4:45pm for pictures so all kids will have a chance to share their Christmas wishes. Tables will be set up by various organizations with beverages provided by local civic groups including the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, and others. Supervisor Candace Anderson will speak to the crowd, share a few words, and switch on the lights for the beautiful tree. Contra Costa Food Bank will provide barrels for participants to fill with non-perishable canned or boxed foods to help the many families in need. An added barrel is available in front of Richards Arts and Crafts in Alamo Plaza all season long.
See Festival continued on page 28
The Medical Clown Project: Reaching the Person Inside the Patient By Jody Morgan The seven professional clowns of the Medical Clown Project (MCP) bring skills honed with Cirque de Soleil, the Big Apple Circus, and other worldrenowned companies to medical facilities throughout the Bay Area. Laughter, proven by recent scientific studies to be excellent medicine, is only one part of the therapy they provide. Whether relaxing pediatric patients by stimulating their inherent desire to play or temporarily reconnecting dementia patients with their ability to respond to others who care, the clowns engage the person inside the patient. In 1986, the Big Apple Circus started Clown Care, the first program in the United States utilizing professional clowns to provide therapy in medical facilities. At right, Jef Raz, MCP co-founder and Artistic Director. (Photo courtesy of MCP)
Local Postal Customer
See Clown continued on page 30 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Adopt a Family Bikes
Where did they go? Remember that pop-up bike shop last year that was open during the holidays in the old Blockbuster place in Alamo? They are located in Danville this year at 500 La Gonda Way at the corner of El Cerro. Adopt a Family Bikes is a local non-profit organization that collects donated used bikes during the holiday season. The bikes are cleaned, repaired, and safety checked before being distributed to local non-profits serving the homeless, foster children, unemployed, underemployed, persons in recovery, and Richmond school children identified by their teachers as unlikely to receive a holiday gift. Used bikes and volunteers are urgently needed to fill the huge need for bikes. The program got a late start this year as staff struggled to find an available work space, so the need for donations and help is especially great. No experience is needed to volunteer. Bikes can be dropped off Saturdays
See Bikes continued on page 28
Alamo Updates By Sharon Burke
Report of November Alamo Liaison Meeting
On the third Monday of each month, Alamo’s Supervisor Candace Andersen hosts an “Alamo Liaison Meeting” and welcomes any Alamo resident to attend and participate. Residents receive updates on police and traffic issues, air their concerns, ask questions, make announcements about community events, and stay updated on Alamo organizations. Following is a report of the November 18 meeting. The next Alamo Liaison Meeting is at 8am on December 16, 2013, at Sup. Andersen's Danville office. RSVP beforehand with Donna Maxwell, donna. maxwell@bos.cccounty.us. Supervisor Andersen began the meeting with the following announcements: The County Administrator's office is still researching her questions about the Police District 6 zone funds generated by newer homes built in Alamo. The Alamo Police Services Committee has been seeking answers as to whether these funds can be spent only in Alamo instead of countywide. The land use permit for the community gym at San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church was approved by the County Zoning Administrator. Use restrictions are required: no windows on the building can Volume XIII - Number 12 face nearby neighbors, no more than 450 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, persons can be on site at any one time on Alamo, CA 94507 the church property, use of the gym must Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 be stopped at 9pm Monday through SatFax (925) 406-0547 urday and at 7pm on Sundays. Neighbors Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher have appealed the decision to the County Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Planning Commission. Sharon Burke ~ Writer Branagh Development has withdrawn sburke@yourmonthlypaper.com opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do from its plans to develop the Westminster The not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today Retreat House property on Hemme Avenue. is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising
See Updates cont. on page 25
herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
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Page 2 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Boulevard View
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
I have been combing through my massive (58,000+) picture collection again. It’s great to relive fun times, important events, and holidays. Last month I declared to my nieces and nephews that it was “Family History Month.” My husband has a very large family, and over the years I’ve become the keeper of the majority of the family photos, both past and present. Even before my husband lost his parents, we had scooped up all the boxes of loose pictures, taken since the 1950’s, and began labeling/tagging, scanning, and organizing them. As I look through these photos, I have come to realize that the majority of the younger extended family members have never seen pictures of their ancestors. There are images of their grandparents, great grandparents, and sometimes great-great, and great-great-great grandparents as well as aunts and uncles. Without those people in their past, they wouldn’t be here today! And yet, I find that most of them know very little about these people who are part of their foundation. How many families just like ours have their treasures locked away in a box in a spare bedroom that one day someone will “get around to sorting”? Part of “Family History Month” uses Facebook to post weekly pictures for everyone to enjoy. It has been a lot of fun to display family photos and hear comments of how certain individuals share characteristics of those who are alive today. Everyone loves to see pictures of old homes they may have visited in their youth for family celebrations, or that some had only heard of. And of course, the young-adult nieces and nephews love seeing photos of their aunts and uncles from their younger years, and much fun is had poking the older generation in the ribs! Mostly, seeing the old photos starts conversations and brings us together. Last week I shared a group photo of 40 students who went on an 8th grade field trip to Yosemite Institute in 1976. We were all 13/14 years old, freezing cold, and hamming it up for the camera. My 20-year old children quickly remarked how half of the group were wearing their big, puffy, North Face down jackets; the similar style, brand, and jackets they pine for today. Our high school Facebook friends loved the photo and the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and memories. Stories of freezing in the cabins and snowball fights came back to life, and for a moment we were all back in junior high, re-living those activities and emotions.
I’ve also had the opportunity to connect with a distant in-law relative whose young husband passed away, leaving two small children behind. Now, a decade later, I was able to give them all a gift of a dozen or so photos of the children’s father as a young boy and young man. It was a great feeling to be able to share the images with their family. This is something I love doing. It puts a smile on everyone’s face and brings people together. What if everyone saw something special each day that made them forget their worries and harken back to a great time of life? Could it make a difference? Can you make a difference? Do you have boxes of photos waiting for action? Photos are for sharing. They don’t fulfill their purpose or promise when they’re kept in the camera or in a shoebox. Let them live! You need to do two things to get started. First, I use a local service to scan all my paper photos (regardless of size or condition). They provide me with a DVD full of the pictures. Next, I load them into my computer, and I use the free Google Picassa program to sort them using the Facial Recognition feature. While it takes a time commitment to train it to recognize everyone you know, it works very well and is worth the initial time investment. Once you’ve started this process, make sure you have excellent, verifiable backups of your computer. You don’t want to lose this library! As the family collector of historical memorabilia, I recently became the keeper of a silk/watercolor family tree dating back to the mid-1700’s. It has been in my husband’s family for as long as I remember, and it is something I’ve always loved, even though it has obviously had a rough road in the last 200+ years. It has suffered through water damage and other age-related maladies, but it still retains the original image. I had it reframed to help preserve it, and I have used information from it to do further family tree research. We’re lucky to live in an area where experts know exactly how to handle and care for historical documents like these. As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, it is the perfect opportunity to pull out your old photo books for everyone to enjoy. I encourage you to start conversations about those photos, and especially, label those photos while the older generation are still available to help identify faces. When we lose our older generation, we lose their memories and they may be the only people who can identify the subjects of our photos. Both young and old will find something of interest, and it will help strengthen the family by remembering its past. Otherwise the opportunity may be lost with those images never connecting our past and future generations. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 3
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Christmas Memories on Exhibit thru January 4
Christmas Memories at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will be on exhibit through January 4, 2014. On Friday, November 29th, following the Danville Oak Tree lighting, stop by the Museum Open House from 6:30-8:30pm. Features on display include tree model trains, an antique sleigh, Christmas trees, toys, a flying Santa, a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, a dancing cake, favorite Christmas story books, Pooh Corner, and lots more. The Museum is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville and is open Tuesday - Friday 1-4pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm, and Sunday noon - 3pm. For more information, visit www.museumsrv.org.
Danville Girls Chorus Winter Concert
The Danville Girls Chorus (DGC) will perform their Winter Concert, with seasonal music from around the world, on Saturday, December 7 at 11AM. The performance will take place at East Bay Four Square Church, located at 2615 Camino Tassajara Road in Danville. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under, and can be purchased at the door. DGC invites all to come and enjoy our holiday music from around the world to ring in this festive season. The Danville Girls Chorus is made up of 125 girls from 3rd to 8th grades from schools across the Tri-Valley area. The primary goal of DGC is music education. Under the direction of Ken Abrams, award-winning Choral Director for the San Ramon Valley High School, girls are taught the basics of vocal production and learn the fundamentals of musicianship and note reading. They are also introduced to a variety of musical styles, ranging from classical to contemporary, folk tunes, and pop music. This year the chorus will perform three major concerts, with our Winter Concert being the first performance of the 2013/2014 season. They will follow this performance with a spring concert in March, a tour and performances in May in San Diego, and a Pops concert in June. Please see our website www.danvillegirlschorus.org for more information on this event and other upcoming performances.
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SRV Newcomers Club Holiday Luncheon
The San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club is holding its Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 12 at the Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon with a 11:30 social and noon luncheon. The event is open to current and prospective members in the San Ramon Valley. For further information or a reservation, please contact Dee Bradshaw at (925) 837-9600.
Model Trains are Back at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum
For the 13th year, the European Train Enthusiasts (ETE) will bring their HO scale European Model Trains and Modular layout to the Blackhawk Automotive Museum, located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. ETE's Module Group has created remarkably detailed scale versions of European landscapes including mountains, villages, bridges, farms, lakes and industries, which come alive when they operate their trains through the countryside. Running now through January 5 you will enjoy seeing a wide selection of locomotives, freight cars and passenger cars representing various countries in Europe, as different members of ETE operate the layout on each day of the exhibit. This year the exhibit will also feature two special theme days: European Steam Engines - Saturday, December 14 and European High Speed Rail - Saturday, December 28. For more information, call 925-736-2280 or visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org.
Blood Drive
The need for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every two to three seconds, and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Please sign up for the Friday, December 6th blood collection which will be held at the Danville Grange Hall located at 743 Diablo Road, Danville from noon until 5PM. Visit www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood and enter your zip code under “Your Local Region” at the righ hand side of the page to locate and sign up for the event. Or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), and when prompted, choose menu option #2 to connect to Blood Donation support staff. Please join the American Red Cross in their lifesaving mission, and schedule an appointment today!
Page 4 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Breakfast with Santa
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On Saturday, December 14th Bethel 247 of Job’s Daughters International will be hosting their 20th annual Breakfast with Santa. This pancake breakfast fundraiser will be held at the Grange Hall, located at 743 Diablo Rd, Danville, from 8am to 12pm. Tickets are $8 per person (Children 3 and under are free). Price includes breakfast and a photo with Santa! There will also be crafts for kids, a craft boutique, a bake sale, and live entertainment from the Monte Vista Barbershop and Beautyshop! Contact Yvonne Reynolds at ReynoldsY@aetna.com or (925) 683-3685 for more information.
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Holiday Vigil
The Christmas Holiday is supposed to be a time of celebration and joy. Yet for many families or individuals who have lost someone they dearly love, the holidays can be a very difficult time to endure. The chaplains of the San Ramon Fire Protection District are sponsoring the third annual Holiday Vigil on December 8th at 7PM in front of the Danville Library. The chaplains wish to extend to the community an opportunity to acknowledge a loved one as they enter into the holidays. In the past, the vigil has been very well received and meaningful to community members as a way to express grief, remember a loved one, and join with others who are walking the same path. People who have attended have remarked how helpful it was to have a time such as this as they enter the holidays. “The chaplains of the San Ramon Valley, including law enforcement and the fire district, know too well the hardship people face at this time of year having worked intimately with many of those who have lost someone they love. This simple vigil is just one meaningful way to remember, honor, and include a dear one as the holidays come upon us,” notes Chaplain Nick Vleisides (San Ramon Valley Fire District, Danville PD, San Ramon PD). Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo to place on a remembrance wall if they wish. Songs will be sung. Names will be mentioned. Encouragement and hope for the future will be offered. Invite or bring someone...anyone who may benefit from this meaningful way to cope with loss during the holidays.
Sip & Shop Holiday Soiree
Please come to a festive event to kick-off to the holiday season at the St. Isidore School on Tuesday, December 3 from 6PM to 9PM. Enjoy wines from Hall Wines and hors d’oeuvres from Peasant and the Pear while shopping for unique gifts from dozens of vendors, including Bittersweet Lemonade, Boisset Wines, Beauty Counter, Dandelion, Danville Cigar, Games Unlimited, Garden Affair, Giagari Foods, Green with Envy, Hall Wines, Hairindipity, It’s a la Mode, Lather with Love, Le Jardinet, Origami Owl, Parade Horse Designs, Pelican Rock, Rodan & Fields, Silpada, Snail Mail Forever, Stella and Dot, Tart, The Nest, Whitley Designs, and Vici. Pre-purchased tickets are $30 and tickets at the door are $35. Space is limited. The event will be held at St. Isidore School’s Benson Center, located at 435 La Gonda Way. To buy tickets or find out more information, please visit stisidore. maestroweb.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Isidore School.
AAUW Presents their 9th Annual Holiday Home Tour
The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) presents their 9th Annual Holiday Home Tour on Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th from 10AM to 4PM. Five festive homes in Alamo will be showcased on this tour. Proceeds from the tour benefit local women scholars and Tech Trek. Prices are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors 65+. Prices go up $5 each after December 6th, so plan ahead. Tickets can be purchased in one of three ways. • US Mail: Send a check postmarked by December 6th, payable to DanvilleAlamo-Walnut Creek AAUW with a self-addressed #10 envelope to AAUW Holiday Home Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. • In Person: Tickets are available at East Bay Flower Company, located at 206 Sycamore Valley Road West (Danville Livery). Payment must be made by cash and checks only. The Flower Company is open from Monday - Friday from 9-6 and Saturday from 9-5. • Online: Pay through Paypal on our website at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/ programs/hht. A $2 processing fee will be added for each ticket. The tour and quilt drawing tickets are not tax deductible. No children under 12 years or pets are allowed to attend. E-mail any questions to aauwhht@gmail.com, or go to our website at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/programs/hht.
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” A Danville Community Band Christmas Concert
The Danville Community Band returns to the wonderful venue of the East Bay Foursquare Church for its annual Christmas performance on Sunday, December 1, starting at 3PM. Led by Director Robert Calonico and Founding Director Lawrence Anderson, the band presents a selection of memorable and exciting holiday music including “A Canadian Brass Christmas Suite,” Robert W. Smith’s “Christmas Declaration,” and Pola & Wyle’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Accompanying the band will be guest vocalist Nancy Groeneveld, and there will be a visitor from the North Pole as well. Come be a part of our annual family event as the band celebrates the holidays. Concert admission and parking are free! Join us at East Bay Foursquare Church, located at 2615 Camino Tassajara Rd. in Danville. For more information about the band, visit www.danvilleband.org.
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 5
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Alamo ~ Spectacular Westside Setting. This stunning 3 Bdrm, 2 Bath + loft home nestled in a lush, gated setting on a large .47 acre lot. Gourmet kitchen, brazilian hardwood, formal dining area & open living space. 1 block from Iron Horse Trail! VT: http://www.allaccessphoto.com/tours_flash/1415-livorna-rdalamo/#
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Alamo ~ Beautiful Alamo 2,743 square foot home with 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, situated on a level lot in a great neighborhood.
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Alamo ~ White Gate home with stunning view of Mt. Diablo and the hills. This 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home has over 2700 sq ft plus 3 car garage and located on a cul-de-sac. Wonderful orchard… Walking distance to 12 years of top ranked schools. Listed at $1,375,000 Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com
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Page 6 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
● Candice Andersen, County Supervisor ● Stone Valley Center
● Alamo Oak Tree Plaza ● Morgan Bonanno Paving, Grading & Seal Coating
• Diablo Valley Packaging, Inc. • Andrew Elkin, Realtor • First Choice Abbey Carpet • Frankel Goldware Ferber LLC • Law Of�ices of Brian Thiessen • Lee Shapiro • RW3 Technologies, Inc. • Stone Valley Dental • Summit Ranch • Taco Bell • Yen Nguyen‐Lenk, Image Dental of Alamo
Eric James Lef�ler, Photographer Charles Jennings, Santa
Alamo Hay & Grain Alamo Ace Hardware Alamo Plaza
Boy Scout Troop 216
Terri Delfosse, Chairperson, Publicity
Jane Lang & Daisy Troop 33410
Kevin Musante, Logistics Chair
Alamo Rotary
Cheerleaders of Monte Vista HS
California Highway Patrol
Cheerleaders of San Ramon Valley HS
CCC Public Works Department
Lauri Byers, Field Rep, Sup. Andersen’s Of�ice
CCC Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Michael Carson, CCC Sheriff’s Of�ice
Diablo Holdings, Ltd.
Kimberly French, Info Ofcr, SRV Fire Protection Dist
Kiwanis Club of SRV
Bob Hendry, Sr. Engr, CCC Public Works
Richard’s Arts & Crafts Round Table Pizza‐Pierre Kash SRV Fire Protection District Brent & Terri Tucker
John Lineweaver, Treasurer Bruce Marhenke, Safety Chair Andrew Elkin, Fundraising Lea Bartneck, Decorations Aide
Jerry Fahy, Sr. Traf�ic Engr, CCC Public Works
Teresa White, Entertainment Coordinator
Josh DeHart, TPR Traf�ic Solutions
Bill White, Master of Ceremonies
OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES ALL MONETARY DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/15/2013 ARE LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS.
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Relive an old-fashioned holiday by visiting Forest Home Farms Historic Park for Holidays on the Farm, December 7 and 14. Admission is free. The park will be open 10AM to 2PM both Saturdays in December. Two of Santa’s reindeer will be making a special stop-over in San Ramon to visit with the children at Holidays on the Farm on both Saturdays from 10:30AM to 1:30PM. Don’t miss this special chance to see these beautiful animals up close. Children will also get to visit with a Victorian Santa. On both Saturdays, there will also be sheep dog demonstrations, dance performances, holiday entertainment, tractor rides, old fashioned games, and Victorian ornament making. Delicious food will be available for purchase. The Welcome Center, Tractor Museum, and Gift Shoppe will be open. The Victorian Glass House Museum will be specially decorated just for the holidays. Glass House Museum Tours will be held at 10AM, 11AM, 12 noon, and 1PM. Farm tours are at 11AM and 1PM. Tours are $5 per person or $8 for both. On Saturday, December 7 bring the family to see A Nutcracker Puppet Show by the Puppet Company at 11:30AM. On Saturday, December 14 shop for unique gifts from over a dozen vendors at our Holiday Market. Vendors include Stuff-a-Bear booth, quilts, hand crafts, glass beads, paper crafts, mistletoe, and more. Forest Home Farms Historic Park is located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon. For more information, call (925) 973-3284.
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Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club Welcome Coffee
The Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club (not just for newcomers!) is holding a Welcome Coffee for anyone who is thinking of joining the club. This casual get together is the perfect opportunity to learn about the many facets of Newcomers while enjoying coffee and chatting with Club Members. The free coffee will be held on Tuesday, December 17, from 10AM to noon. For more information, visit www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com, call (925) 281-1307, or email alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
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Spreading the Holiday Spirit
By Supervisor Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County, District 2
The month of December can be joyful for many but stressful for others. For some it is a month of religious importance; a time to share and create memories with family and friends. Parties, gift-exchanges, and special holiday related events are celebrated by most of us. Regrettably, there are many individuals and families in Contra Costa County who are not so fortunate. They would like to share in the holiday spirit but do not have the means to do so. If you would like to make a difference in their lives, here are two simple ways you can help. Holiday Helpers Warehouse is a wonderful support to some of the neediest neighbors in Contra Costa County. The Holiday Helpers Warehouse has been a program of VESTIA (Volunteers and Emergency Services Team in Action) in Contra Costa County for the past 25 years. It provides a wide array of help to families in need including donations of food, new blankets, warm new clothing, new toys, books, board games, and shoe gift cards. The program is possible only with donations from local donors and groups, like you. The Holiday Helpers Warehouse will start taking donations in person on December 13th at 500 Ellinwood Way in Pleasant Hill, or you can drop off a donation of unwrapped new toys, blankets, or clothing at Supervisor Andersen’s office at 309 Diablo Road in Danville. Registered families will be picking up their gifts on December 16th and 17th in Pleasant Hill and on December 19th in Richmond. Another wonderful way to help those less fortunate is to donate to The 2013 “County Cares Holiday Food Fight.” This is the tenth anniversary of the challenge between Contra Costa and Solano counties. CalFresh (the State’s food stamp program) will see a 5% decline in funding this year. This monthly reduction of $36 per family began on November 1, 2013. Many of the people receiving help are working families who simply do not have the ability to make ends meet each month. Although canned goods are appreciated and accepted, the Food Bank asks County employees and their friends and families to donate money in order to assist the Food Bank’s purchase of fresh produce, which now accounts for nearly half of the food distributed. Also, because they buy in bulk, for every $1 donated the food bank is able to provide two meals to an individual. Please join this Food Fight by visiting www.foodbankccs.org and clicking on the link to the Counties Care Holiday Food Fight. The link will be available for donations to the “Food Fight” through the end of the year. Be sure to note where appropriate that you are giving as a “friend of CC County employees” and indicate Board of Supervisors, District 2, Candace Andersen as the department designee. It’s a big anniversary, so let the challenge begin! Lastly, please join me and my District 2 Staff for some holiday treats. I will be hosting two open houses in December: Lamorinda Open House San Ramon Valley Open House th Wednesday, December 4 Wednesday, December 11th 5pm to 7pm 4pm to 6pm 3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd. 309 Diablo Road Lafayette Danville This is an informal opportunity for me to personally thank so many of you who make a difference throughout Contra Costa County.
Delta Nu Psi - Donations for the Troops
Thanks to the excellent shoppers of Alamo and Danville we will not need to collect donations until January. We appreciate all of the wonderful donations and look forward to seeing everyone after the first of the year. At last count we have sent 27,466 pounds of “gourmet junk food” in 1,118 boxes. Please visit our website deltanupsi.org to read emails and see photos of our servicemen.
Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 7
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Page 8 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Rancho Romero Elementary School By Skye Larsh-Faraghan, Principal It Takes a Community
What do you get when you bring various kinds of individuals together with a common interest in providing the very best educational opportunities to children….?
Contact with the International Space Station
We were a “GO” for International Space Station (ISS) contact on Wednesday, November 13 at 11:42AM Pacific Time. Moving 17,000 mph, 250 miles above earth Astronaut, Michael Hopkins accepted the invitation to talk with students. Twenty students from Rancho Romero were selected to ask questions. Following is a sample: 1st Grade - What kind of experiments do you do on the ISS, and which one was your favorite or most recent? 3rd Grade - What are the short-term and long-term effects of microgravity on people? 5th Grade -How much are you allowed to bring with you for your six month stay on the ISS, and do you think that six months is too short or too long to live in space? Becca Rubsamen, a 16 year old sophomore, daughter of Reid and Amy Rubsamen, and former Rancho Romero student, made a dream come true by giving elementary school students a chance talk to astronaut Mike Hopkins aboard the ISS. Becca is a licensed amateur radio operator (call sign KJ6TWM) and applied for permission to do a direct contact. Becca built the short wave radio and antennas used to communicate. She was one of only 15 applicants approved nation wide and the only approved applicant from the state of California. For more information about this event and to see a video please visit Becca’s webpage at www.rebeccarubsamen.com.
Weather Station
A Rancho Romero science weather station is now online and can be viewed on the Weather Underground website. We would like to give a special thank you to Alex Varo, who set up the adapter to go online; our science teacher Mrs. Post, for her hard work on the weather station; and instructional technology teacher Matt Graham, who helped to get this project going and will be an integral player in efforts to integrate this into the STEM curriculum at Rancho. This project was a joint effort between the technology and science departments who received a grant some years ago for the weather station.
Professional Learning Community
November 1st was a Staff Development Day which allowed teachers and staff to work in teams to plan curriculum and design instruction aligned to essential components of the Common Core Standards and assessments. Teachers worked non-stop, developing Units of Study in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This work is incredibly important and demands time to think, research, inquire, and create. On behalf of Rancho we wish to thank our parent community for supporting these professional development days.
Upcoming Rancho Community Events December 16 December 17 December 23 – January 3
Winter Choir Concert Instrumental Winter Concert Winter Break
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The Sound of Music
By Stan Hitomi, Principal, Alamo Elementary School
For me, it just wouldn’t seem like the Holiday Season without music. Regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, each of us associates the holidays with music. This is especially true at Alamo School where music is woven into our lives each and every day! Every student at Alamo participates in our vocal (classroom) music program for 40 minutes, once a week. The vocal program is taught by Mrs. Nancy Raaum, who has been a fixture at Alamo School since 1998. Mrs. Raaum’s program is performancebased, with every child having the opportunity to take part in a formal concert each year. Kindergarten – 2nd grade focuses on reading rhythm patterns, singing rounds, and following music. In 3rd grade our students learn to read music and play recorders. Mrs. Raaum also supports our grade-levels with musical plays throughout the year. In November our 5th graders performed European Explorers in the New World, which takes a funny and entertaining look at the events that led to the exploration of the “New World” and a better understanding of some common misconceptions. This spring our 4th graders will perform Gold Rush or Bust!, while our 2nd graders will be performing in a play for the third consecutive year. In addition to classroom music, Mrs. Raaum also conducts the Alamo Chorus (grades 3-5). The Chorus meets weekly before school for one hour. This year, nearly 50 students will perform in approximately 10 concerts, with six of them being performances supporting community events such as the Alamo Music and Wine Festival, Alamo Tree Lighting, and the SRVEF Run for Education. Alamo School also offers band, strings, and chimes to compliment our vocal music program. Mrs. Karla Angle, in her fifth year at Alamo School, has developed a highly acclaimed instrumental music program. This year over 60 students participate in Mrs. Angle’s programs. Students can choose from the following instruments: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone or violin. Percussion is offered for second year students. Students receive 1/2 hour of instruction two times a week. Performances include SRVEF Run for Education Spirit Week, Winter Concert and Assembly, Area Band Festival, Alamo Hoedown, District String Festival, and the Spring Concert and Assembly. Together, Mrs. Raaum and Mrs. Angle provide Alamo School with a musical program that is second-to-none in the area. This is validated by the fact that over 100 of our students participate in either chorus or instrumental music. This is an amazing total considering that only grades 3-5 can participate in these programs, meaning that nearly half of the students at Alamo School are involved in extra-curricular music! As a principal, I feel that music programs are so important during the early years of education. Both Mrs. Angle and Mrs. Raaum’s programs go far beyond the music. Both of their programs stretch across other subject areas including science, world language, history, and multicultural education. Mrs. Angle has been known to include math and physics, as well as social studies and vocabulary (Italian) into her lessons. Mrs. Raaum will be including music from many cultures this year, including Kling glockchen Kling – Ring, Little Bell, Ring (German), Haida (Hebrew) and Nampaya Omame (Zulu). As we enter this holiday season, there will be many opportunities to enjoy our incredible musical programs. I hope you get a chance to experience the charm of their sounds and the brightness they will bring to your holidays! Enjoy.
Holiday Musical Performances and Important Dates
December 1, Sunday - Alamo Tree Lighting (chorus) December 6, Friday - PTA Holiday Luncheon, 11:45-12:30PM (chimes) December 13, Friday - Alamo School Winter Concert, 7PM (chorus, instrumental groups, Chimes) December 20, Friday - Chimes at Alamo School - morning carpool December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break NO SCHOOL
Upcoming Meetings and Events
AIA - Alamo Improvement Association - Please visit www.alamoca.org for upcoming meetings - Creekside Community Church -1350 Danville Blvd. Alamo MAC (Municipal Advisory Committee) - First Tuesday of each month 6pm - Alamo Chamber of Commerce Office 120-B, Alamo Plaza P2B - Police Services Advisory Committee - First Monday of each month, 5pm - Meets at Alamo Chamber of Commerce Office located at 120 -B, Alamo Plaza P5 - Round Hill Police Services Advisory Committee - Second Wednesday of each month, 7pm - Meets at Round Hill Country Club - Lower Level Meeting Room CERT classes - Community Emergency Response Team - Visit www. firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 9
Stone Valley Middle School
By Shaun K. McElroy, Principal SV is Full of Good Cheer
Our philanthropy based leadership class began performing community service in August. Since the start of the new school year, our leadership students have completed the following acts of service: • Weekly small group visits to local nursing homes • Candy Drive for Troops (Blue Star Moms) • Coins for a Cure – Juvenile Diabetes Foundation • Classroom aides at Mauzy School for the severely handicapped • Canned Food Drive for Contra Costa/Solano Food Banks • Visits to our “sister school,” Coronado Elementary in Richmond Our philanthropy based leadership class is supported by the local charity Pledge to Humanity http://pledgetohumanity.org and teacher Kathleen Arbulu.
Common Core Community Forum Feedback
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale Alamo - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers
away altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call toll-free 1-866-265-1682 and enter 2001. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
As a follow up to the three Common Core events held this fall, the most frequently asked questions were about “math path.” The link below takes you to the slide show from the community forums. The graphic details the math paths for This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2013 students in grades 6-12 - https://docs.google.com/a/srvusd. net/file/d/0B13xD-RrHkdnOTBNb0Q5dk1LRkk/edit?usp=sharing. Rotary Presents Dictionaries
Parent Volunteers Descend on SV
Stone Valley PTA organized a group of 50 “teachers angels” who descended on our campus on Wednesday, November 6th. Parents did everything from organizing bookshelves and creating bulletin boards to cleaning out rat cages and windowsills. Feedback from staff has been amazing as things that they just couldn’t get to finally got done. Thank you, teacher angels, for making a BIG impact at SV! Thanks to PTA President Janet Nunan for making this happen.
Socrates Visits SV
In late October, five Stone Valley staff members participated in a day-long workshop on Socratic Seminars. As part of good teaching practice, students participate in a Socratic Seminar to deepen their understanding of any given topic and to look at the information from a different point of view. Our 8th Core team is performing Socratic Seminars weekly with their students. Students in our Environmental Marine science elective participated in a Socratic Seminar to examine the research on a world without bees. Learn more at http://socraticseminars.com.
Next Generation Science Standards
Elementary Students
to
Recently the Rotary Club of Alamo presented dictionaries to the 3rd graders at both Alamo and Rancho Romero elementary schools. Part of a decades-long dictionary project of Rotary International, this dictionary distribution provides a tangible connection between Rotary clubs and the youngsters in their communities. Alamo Rotary has been presenting these dictionaries to 3rd graders since 1995 and students were delighted to receive the books. During the first two weeks in November, the six Rotary clubs if the San Ramon Valley (Alamo, Danville, Danville Sycamore, Dougherty Valley, San Ramon, and San Ramon Valley) delivered almost 2,500 dictionaries to the 3rd graders in the valley’s schools.
On September 4, 2013 the California State Board of Education adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). NGSS follows that pattern established by the CCSS with common curricular threads that extend throughout K-12. Additionally, there is significant “cross cutting” with the CCSS language arts and math standards. A quote from the National Science Teachers Association reveals the greater goal of NGSS. “The Next Generation Science Standards establish learning goals in science that will give all students the skills and knowledge they need to be informed citizens, college ready, and prepared for careers.” Similar to math and language arts standards, the NGSS defines the major shifts from the current structures to the future of science standards. • K-12 science education should reflect the interconnected nature of science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world. • NGSS are student performance expectations – NOT curriculum. • The science concepts in the NGSS build coherently from K–12. • The NGSS focus on deeper understanding of content as well as application of content. Beth Randall, Alamo Principal Stan Hitomi, and Carolyn Thiessen • Science and engineering are integrated in the NGSS from K–12. • The NGSS are designed to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship. • The NGSS and CCSS (English Language Arts and Mathematics) are aligned. Learn more at www.nextgenscience.org. As a science teacher, I am excited about these new standards for science education. We are currently working on a way to create a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) 5-12 path from our feeder elementary schools through our two local high schools.
Symphonic and Concert Bands to play at Disneyland!
The 7th and 8th grade band students will be traveling to Southern California in March 2014 to perform at Disneyland and attend a Disney Recording Studio Workshop! We are currently accepting donations to help defray the cost for travel expenses. Please contact our Music Director Ben Loomer at bloomer@ srvusd.net if you would like to make a donation. The actual cost per student is $549.
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Page 10 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Monte Vista High School
San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, Principal
Winter break will be here shortly, and it hardly seems possible that we are almost halfway through the school year. In reviewing the 2013 fall semester, we have had both highs and lows, but one thing has remained constant-- our community’s unwavering commitment to maintain all the elements that make SRVHS such an outstanding high school. We have a teaching staff that is uniquely dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students. Cindy Egan won the title of Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year, and her contribution at SRVHS extends far beyond the classroom in her work with our students as advisor for the E2 environmental club and her leadership as part of “Sustainable Danville.” Our Athletic programs continue to shine, and this fall we had the girls tennis, boys and girls waterpolo, football, and volleyball teams make it to NCS playoffs. We have exceptional coaches and students who are dedicated to playing at the highest possible level. At the “National letter of intent” signing in November, we had student athletes committing to scholarships at Stanford, Cal, and many other top schools in a wide variety of sports. Parents have had a busy fall culminating in the ski swap event which is the PTSA’s main fundraiser in November. Our seven Booster groups (Academic Boosters, PTSA, 21st Century Learning Foundation, Athletic Boosters, Wolf Tones, San Ramon Voices, and Theater Boosters) are responsible for single-handedly providing support for the SRVHS programs as a whole, and it is incredible to see the amount of time and commitment that parents give in their work with these programs. The 2013 Homecoming was the greatest ever! The class themes included The Great Barrier Reef, Great Britain, The Greatest Show on Earth, and The Great Gatsby. We have created a commemorative SRVHS Spirit DVD that is now on sale as a Christmas gift or graduation present. This DVD includes footage from our Welcome Back Rally (featuring Hans Delannoy’s last spirit speech), our unique homecoming rally and parade (featuring Ken Mintz as the Grand Marshall), and our football team’s scintillating victory over our cross-town rival (featuring great support from our student 12th man section!) As we move through December, I am looking forward to wearing my 6th man jersey as our basketball season gets underway and spending time with family and friends as we all enjoy some well deserved downtime during winter break. Go Wolves!
By Janet Terranova, Principal
October 29 marked the grand opening of our Workday Student Center. The student center is an amazing building which will truly transform the way students learn, work, and collaborate. When this project started, Workday funded a Teacher on Special Assignment (TSA) who was challenged with helping infuse technology into the curriculum – not, “oh, let me think of a lesson using technology,” but rather organic lessons using technology that simulate the workplace. In the past two years our students and staff have gained not only knowledge but the confidence to use technology as a true learning tool. In addition to our TSA, Workday also funds a computer instructional assistant who works in classrooms, helping ensure our technology works, and now in the student center at lunch, brunch, and after school to help students as needed. This work has made the Workday Student Center even more valuable for our students. This is truly a student center. All of the art work is student work, including the Dance and Drama posters that were student designed. We are fortunate to have such amazing and talented students. Many thanks to National Art Honor Society Club and Diana Govnik, their advisor, for gathering the art work and staging the artists work. The first day the students used the building I was eavesdropping on their conversations. As two girls were walking out of the building, one girl turned to her friend and said, “We are really lucky.” We are very lucky. Again, thank you to Workday and the Duffield family for providing opportunities for our students that are far beyond what can be found on any high school campus. Our students continue to be very busy. During the months of October and November students entertained the community with the Bach-to-School Concert, Dance Show, and a theater production of Harvey. Fall sports are coming to a close, and winter sports are beginning. November finds students collecting canned food, visiting our sister school Verde, and beginning to collect for our Adopt-a-Family campaign. If you would like more information about Monte Vista and events at the school, please visit our website at www.mvhigh.org.
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Sustainable Danville Area Tip of the Month By Cynthia Ruzzi
Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 11
Believe it or not, it’s already that time of year. If you’ve taken your lead from the many retailers around town, you set up your holiday lights at Halloween, changed colors subtlety to match the Thanksgiving season, and now you’re ready for the big finale. While I’d rather save energy and the hours of untangling and hanging thousands of bulbs outside my home to spend with friends, I don’t want to be known as the ‘Environmental Scrooge.’ So instead, may I suggest you trade-in your outdated incandescent holiday lights and ‘deck the halls’ with LED holiday lights? Switching to LED lights used to mean a large initial investment, but checking the holiday aisles of the local home supply stores, I was thrilled to find that there’s a bigger selection than ever, and the price is near parity with old energy-hog technology. Of course the real savings comes from reducing your holiday energy costs. As this year’s holiday advertisements rolled in, I noticed many stores offering trade-in opportunities and discounts on LED holiday lights. Do a little legwork, comparison shop wisely, and you’ll save yourself some green for your pocket. Also, don’t forget to look for sales after the holiday – it’s a great way to gain additional savings for your holiday wonderland. Our friend Bob O., retired Director of Finance and Facilities, The Athenian School, graciously shared the following quick dollar savings calculation with us to demonstrate what can be realized by switching from incandescent bulbs to LED lights. Say you put up 5 strands of 25, C9, 6.6 watt holiday lights. That’s 825 watts. Let’s say you turn them on for 5 hours each day for 30 days. At a total of 150 hours, that’s 124kWh. Now look at your last PG&E bill. Do you see an average cost of 15 cents per kWh? Let’s use that tier price for our calculations. That would make the cost of the power for the traditional lights $18.50. The 125, C9, .08 watt LED lights will cost you about $25 to purchase and will cost $.26 cents for the comparable season. A true carbon footprint calculation would include that the new lights have been manufactured and shipped using fossil fuels. The price of the LED lights is a good indicator of the CO2 generated, so we can assume that half of it is for energy used in some form. Bottom line is that the carbon footprint of the new lights may be covered in just one season of use by energy reduction at PG&E. That means the payback of your new lights is less than two seasons. If saving green for your pocket or ‘doing good’ for the planet isn’t your thing, then consider that LED lights are more durable and safer to run than incandescent lights. LED bulbs generate less heat, improving the life span of your holiday twinkle. You can expect LED light strings to last up to 100,000 hours, so using our assumption above at 150 hours a season, your LED lights will outlast Santa! The limited heat output of LED bulbs that contribute to their lifespan also provide safer illumination. It is definitely worth considering as you trim your family Christmas tree this year. Of course, there are advantages of LED lighting over traditional bulbs and CFLs beyond the holiday season. While incandescent 100-watt bulbs have been phased out throughout the US, the cost savings of replacing these inefficient bulbs in your home with LED or CFL is over 75% energy savings. And the cost of LED bulbs have come down tremendously since last year. You can now purchase a CREE or HALO LED replacement bulb for $7 and even replacement bulbs and trim for recessed cans for just $35. PG&E has a simple efficiency chart online that shows the watts for different bulbs at various lumens (brightness) which can be found at www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/rebates/light/products/index.shtml. In an honest disclosure, I am not a big fan of CFL bulbs. Each of these bulbs contains a small amount of mercury which means used bulbs must be treated as hazardous waste. That means it is against the law to put these bulbs in your waste or recycling bins. Instead, please bring them to your local Ace Hardware or Home Depot, which as a courtesy to their customers, will properly dispose of your residential CFL bulbs. Also, PG&E has a fact sheet, Recycling CFLs: What You Need to Know, www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/myhome/saveenergymoney/rebates/factsheet_recyclingcfls.pdf, which includes important information about proper cleanup procedures for broken CFL lights. Please keep your family safe, and follow these valuable instructions. Sustainable Danville Area hopes the joy of connecting with your family, friends, and neighbors over simple meals and activities will light your holiday season and all the days of the New Year. Please follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sustainabledanville.com or visit us at www.sustainabledanville.com.
Page 12 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Alamo Women’s Club
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The Alamo Women’s Club (AWC) was established in 1916 and is the longest standing service organization in the valley. We invite you to get to know us by joining us at one of our upcoming programs. Members come from many locations, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Jeri Strong, jeristrong@gmail.com. Share the Giving Season With Us - Once again the Alamo Women’s Club warmly invites and welcomes the community to join us December 11th for the Annual Hospice Tree Lighting. The Alamo Women’s Club has supported Hospice of the East Bay for many years by lighting the oak tree on our property at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. Each year our members anticipate the tree lighting as it signifies our kick-off to the season of giving and sharing. We invite you to celebrate the many friends and family members who have been helped by the services provided by Hospice Of The East Bay. In fact, our AWC Liaison Gayle Schapiro writes, “When I first became liaison to Hospice for the club, I was charged with the responsibility of making the community more aware of its services. Now, after several years, people frequently approach me with heartwarming stories of the experience their families have encountered through Hospice and the Bruns House. All of these expressions of Void After Dec. 15th appreciation confirm the importance of the club and the community’s continued support of Hospice.” Please Must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid in join us for our free two part program. The event begins at 11:30am with a bake sale and selling of lights to conjunction with other coupon promotions. pm Not valid on previous purchases. No cash substitutes. benefit Hospice. At 12:15 the program ‘A Time of Reflection’ begins with remembrances by family members May not be used for payment on account. of friends, family, and neighbors who have passed, and we light the Hospice Tree in their honor. The lighting is immediately followed by the holiday potluck luncheon and the second part of the program, ‘A Time for Cheer,’ which is hosted by Alamo Women’s Club. The entertainment provided by AWC includes a return performance for the second year of “On Q,” the small group from the Oakland/East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, Located in the Livery following the luncheon. Our clubhouse will be decorated for the holidays, and we invite all to celebrate the joy of the season and the benefits of Hospice of the East Bay and Bruns House. If you would like to join us on December 11th for the Hospice Tree Lighting and Luncheon please RSVP to njhowsmon@sbcglobal.net by December 8th. (For those who do not know, Bruns House was opened in 2004 to provide six acutely ill patients a private and quiet end-of-life setting that is not possible in a hospital.) We also encourage the community to give to others as we head to the end of 2013 and the season of sharing if you can. Alamo Women’s Club helps the following specific organizations throughout the year, and are all worthy of your donations: Brighter Beginnings, Canine Companions for Independence, George Mark Children’s House, Hospice of the East Bay, Knit for Kids, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, V.E.S.T.I.A., We Care Services for Children, and Youth Homes. We also provide an annual donation to Penny Pines Reforestation program on state lands, recycle eyeglasses for the Lion’s Club, and provide annual scholarships for Monte Vista and San Ramon High School students for the arts (photo, music, performing arts and art), as well as a scholarship for an emancipated foster youth and a returning woman’s scholarship to Diablo Valley College. This continues the AWC tradition which was begun in the 1950’s with our first scholarship in the field of nursing. However, since the mid 1990’s, with the loss of money to the arts programs at the public schools, our emphasis changed to the arts. In the last five years foster youth and returning woman scholarships were added. Heads up that our speaker on January 22nd will be Joanne Weir, who is a celebrity television chef. She will relate her history from the pastry line at Chez Panisse to her multiple television series and her own Sausalito restaurant. Non-member cost is $25. RSVP to njhowsmon@sbcglobal.net. Save the Date for our annual crab feed philanthropy fundraiser on January 25th at the Alamo Women’s Clubhouse at 6pm. The cost is $50 per person. For information and reservations, contact Lucy Oneto at 925-989-6393 or mama12@aol.com.
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Tax Talk with Bob
IRS Updates and an Interesting Case By Bob Shalon, IRS Enrolled Agent, H&R Block
Hello everyone. I hope you are all set for the holiday season and year end. Let me update you on the latest news from our friends at the IRS. Due to last month’s government “shut down,” the IRS is behind on printing 2013 tax forms and other set-up functions. The IRS has said that although they will not be processing returns at the very beginning of January, electronic returns should still be transmitted as they will be placed in a queue and processed in order once they are ready, which will probably be by the third week of January. Since most of us do not receive tax documents until late January and into February, this should not change your normal filing timing. At H&R Block we will be completing returns by the second week of January in order to get our clients with refunds the earliest returns possible.
Interesting Case
As part of staying up-to-date, I review IRS rulings regularly. As a preparer who has lived in Danville for 24 years and works locally, I found this decision against a tax preparer rather humorous: The taxpayer in this case was in the business of preparing tax returns for her clients. She testified that she ran Joyce’s Tax Service from her
home and that clients would come to her property to have their tax returns prepared. She testified that living in her neighborhood was stressful and that she felt harassed by her clients who would call her at home at any hour. For these reasons she contends that it was necessary for her to travel just to get rest so that she could function. She provided invoices to the court from a Holiday Inn, a car rental service, and a casino. The court said the taxpayer failed to show that her travel expenses were related to her business. A taxpayer’s choice about where to live is personal. The taxpayer’s travel for a good night’s rest was a personal expense, not a deductible business expense. While this tactic was very creative on Joyce’s part, the IRS denied her deduction, and rightfully so! Warmest regards and happy holidays. Please call me at any time at 925820-9570, email bob.shalon@tax. hrblock.com, or Bob Shalon, EA Master Tax Advisor • Enrolled Agent stop by my office located at 714 San 925.820.9570 Ramon Valley Blvd., 714 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite B, Danville Danville with any Sycamore Square (next to Lucky’s) questions. bob.shalon@tax.hrblock.com Advertorial
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 13
CVS Pharmacy ............................................ 314-9710 Izzy’s Place Alamo...................................... 820-1711 Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant ................ 743-8997 Aqua Salon & Spa ...................................... 837-7884 MD Liquors ............................................... 838-1888 Yan’s China Bistro ..................................... 837-8798 Fred’s Cleaners ........................................... 837-1180 Hospice Thrift Shoppe .............................. 820-6525 Taco Bell Express ...................................... 406-0185 Subway - Eat Fresh .................................... 362-1520 Allstate Insurance, Mario Pashai .............. 820-7300
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Page 14 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
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11/16/12 9:28 AM
Blending political activism, direct action, and social justice, the League of Women Voters, The Urban Farmers, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church will be hosting a film and discussion addressing hunger in America. The event will be held from 6:15pm to 9pm on Sunday, December 1st and is open to the public. Everyone is invited to enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, listen to short presentations by the co-sponsors, and watch a screening of A Place At The Table. Optional discussion groups will close out the night. The event will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette). Suggested donation is $10/person, $15/family. Please also bring a piece of fresh fruit or a vegetable to donate to a local hunger relief agency. Questions can be directed to Ashley Coates, ashleyaoc@comcast.net or 925-283-3638.
Celebrate the Joy of Remembrance at Hospice of the East Bay’s 27th Annual Tree of Lights
Hospice of the East Bay (HEB) invites the public to participate in its 27th Annual Tree of Lights Ceremonies The tree lighting offers community members a way to honor the lives of their friends and loved ones. Funds raised allow HEB to provide essential programs and services such as the Vigil Program which ensures no one has to die alone. Each light on every tree is symbolic of a life and will shine in honor or memory of a beloved friend or family member. By dedicating a Memorial Light for a minimum gift of $25, you can honor someone you love while directly supporting end-of-life patient care. Memorial donors of $100 and higher will have the option to have their names listed in the lighting ceremony program of their choice. For light dedications, donations, sponsorships, and event questions, call (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org. Please join a commemorative ceremony to enjoy music, poetry, remembrances by family members and Hospice staff, and the special moment when the tree lights up: • Alamo & Bruns House: Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo, Wednesday, December 11, 12:15PM
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Is DIY Estate Planning Wise? By Robert J. Silverman
A regular reader emailed me recently, stating that she enjoyed reading my articles and was eager for me to comment about a particular, well-advertised legal software program. She wondered, as she thought many other readers would, about the “legalities of the ... [software company’s] documents,” specifically Wills. She shared that she was single, with her primary asset being her home, and wanted to know if a Will generated by this software, notarized, would be “enough to prevent problems and probate after I pass?” I thanked her for writing to me and agreed that it would be a good idea to write an article on the subject. First, as most of you know who read my articles regularly, a valid Will (which, in itself, has a number of specific statutory requirements) is not enough to prevent probate. Without a revocable living trust, whether or not the above-referenced reader has a valid Will, a probate will be required on her passing. Most people are aware that avoiding a probate is generally desirable, and I often write about the many advantages of a living trust. Let’s next address the more general question: is “do it yourself” (DIY) estate planning wise? My opinion is that in most cases, it is not. The inquiring reader I described, who evidently has some familiarity with this popular estate planning software, might well have purchased it, self-drafted and signed her Will, and figured all would be fine. Yet, on her death, the required probate would diminish her estate by $10,000 - $20,000 or more in attorneys’ fees and costs, and therefore reduce by that amount what her loved ones and/or favorite charities would receive. I could literally write an article every month for the next several years just on trust and estate administration cases I’ve handled during the last 20 years in which problems, disputes, and lawsuits were caused by DIY estate planning. People who engage in DIY estate planning frequently think: “I can do this myself; my situation is very simple.” The number and types of drafting “traps” is countless, but I’ll give one example below of how easy it is to create a serious potential problem out of what is perceived as a simple estate planning drafting task. John Doe has a home worth $900,000, with a loan against it in the amount of $200,000. He also has cash accounts totaling $400,000. Without consulting or talking to anyone, John takes it upon himself to type up a testamentary document - Will or Living Trust - that states, in pertinent part: “on my death, my home is to go 100% outright to Betty Doe, my sister; and the rest of my assets go to Bill Doe, my brother.” How can the document be any more clear, right? Wrong! John dies and his estate is being administered. Betty claims that John’s intention is clear from his testamentary document - Betty is to receive the $900,000 home “100% outright,” meaning mortgage-free. In other words, Betty demands that the $200,000 mortgage be paid off from John’s $400,000 cash accounts. This would result in Betty receiving the $900,000 home with no mortgage, and Bill receiving $200,000 in cash ($400,000 in the cash accounts minus the $200,000 used to pay off the mortgage). I’ll bet you already know what Bill argues. Of course, he is adamant that John intended that Betty be distributed the house as John owned it; she would take over John’s obligation to pay the mortgage. So, Bill’s position is that he should receive the full $400,000 in cash. Although it might be interesting intellectually to discuss whether Betty or Bill has a better legal position, the “take aways” should be 1) Regardless of who will ultimately prevail, Bill and Betty could easily spend $50,000 - $100,000 or more on legal fees to resolve the dispute, not to mention the aggravation and damage to their sibling relationship, 2) Sadly, because John never communicated about this to anyone before he died, neither of his siblings know for sure what John intended, and 3) if John had hired an experienced estate planning attorney, the attorney would have discussed John’s intentions and drafted appropriate language to clarify those intentions (e.g. Betty shall receive the home “subject to liens and encumbrances,” or “free of liens and encumbrances”). Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 240, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474, rsilverman@ rsilvermanlaw.com, www.silvermanlaw.com. * Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and is not intended nor should it be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial
editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 15
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Holding a Family Meeting
Brought to you By Peter, Jim, Paul, and Bob
In conjunction with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor
If you’ve been working hard and investing for years, you probably have enough resources to live well and feel confident in your financial future. Your next consideration may be how to build a legacy for your family and future generations. No matter what your asset level, holding family meetings to clarify your values and plans for the transfer and management of your wealth can be an essential part of this process. Most people have a general idea about what they hope to accomplish with their wealth, but they may be unaware of the multitude of considerations and options available for realizing their goals. By creating a family mission statement of your values and communicating with your family about your basic philosophy of transferring assets, you can establish clarity and avoid surprises.
Getting Started
Area Agent Satisfaction Rating
It may be helpful to hold four meetings a year, around a calendar cycle, to identify longterm objectives and track progress—culminating with the fourth meeting with the family. • The first meeting: Working with your financial planner, you can begin to develop your family mission statement. This mission statement may become your most valuable strategy in terms of managing your assets through the generations. Talking with your advisor about your personal values, wealth transfer objectives, family goals, philanthropic concerns, and leadership issues can help you begin to fill out your statement. Your financial planner can introduce options for helping achieve your goals and maximizing family wealth potential. • The second meeting: The next quarter, you might want to hold a strategic meeting to review the current status of goals, update wills, and change tactics as needed. Although estate goals may not stay the same as circumstances change, the most difficult thing for parents to do is equalize assets because they want to make sure they are fair—but how to be fair can change with life events. • The third meeting: Planning for taxes, estate strategies, and specific charitable contributions early in the year ensures the time to maximize options. Bringing your attorney or accountant into these discussions may be beneficial, especially if they are willing to participate in a “family office model” structure. Traditionally, advisors work independently
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for a client and are not accountable to a group. But to be ultimately effective, the specialists should coordinate and collaborate on family issues as a team. The more communication there is between parties, the more success there will be in supporting the family’s goals. • The family meeting: The last meeting of the year is the annual family meeting. By this point, you should be clear about how your financial plans reflect their personal values, what the status of those plans are, and how you want to involve your children in realizing those goals. What arises from these meetings is a form of family governance—a shared responsibility between family members to help reach your wealth management goals. At these meetings you can designate who will fill leadership roles and how, whether it’s learning to manage trust assets or working with philanthropy. Each successive meeting should reinforce those roles and establish individual credibility within them.
Six Steps to a Successful Family Meeting
A productive family meeting may include the following key components that support harmony and efficiency: 1. Set the date in advance so that everyone can attend. 2. Meet in a pleasant, neutral space. 3. Kick off the meeting by introducing your specific goals for the meeting and your wealth philosophy. 4. Have a structured agenda that includes a presentation by one of your specialist advisors who represents your interests and can answer relevant questions. 5. Structure the agenda to encourage everyone’s involvement. Children need to feel addressed and have a safe forum to provide feedback and input. 6. Commit to meeting annually and devise a way for the group to regularly keep each other informed of issues or concerns. The ultimate goal is to get everyone working together towards the same aim. Over time there becomes a lineage or generational sense that the kids have to continue doing this for their kids. It’s the beginning of training the family on ways to transfer the wealth—kind of a dynasty concept, which is wealth plus value. Please contact Peter Waldron at 925-659-0383 to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. CRN201202-2065252 Paul Solorzano: California Insurance License #0A46330, Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827, Robert J. Waldron, Jr.: California Insurance License #0686859, James R. Westermeyer: California Insurance License #0C17637. Peter T. Waldron, James R. Westermeyer, Paul Solorzano, & Robert J. Waldron Jr. are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln FinancialAdvisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners, 3000 Executive Parkway, Ste 400, San Ramon, CA 94583. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln FinancialAdvisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. Advertorial
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Page 16 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Above and Below the Bay-Oakland Museum Exhibit By Linda Summers Pirkle
Over seventy-five years ago my dad, a San Franciscan, decided to hike on the newly opened Trans Bay Bridge connecting the East Bay to San Francisco. “When I was parallel to the Ferry Building, a policeman coming from the other direction (from Oakland) pulled over on the bridge and motioned to me. In those days the top level was for cars going in both directions, the bottom level was for trucks. I jogged across the lanes towards the officer who said walking on the bridge was not allowed; he gave me a ride to 7th Street, and I walked the rest of the way home,” explained Joe Summers, age 93. The Oakland Museum exhibit Above and Below: Stories from our Changing Bay shares quirky stories (like my dad’s) and shows dramatic footage of the building of “the most expensive, longest bridge ever built.” Two rooms are devoted to the exhibit; the first is about what is under the water and the second room is about what is above the water. The eerie audio heard throughout the “below” room is the “sonification” of the wave data recorded by deep water ocean buoys. It is mesmerizing. The second room, my favorite, focuses on above the Bay, celebrating the original Bay Bridge, the “Worlds largest bridge” at the time which opened November 9-11, 1936. You can see the “brother” bridge troll in this exhibit; the original troll is in the California History section of the museum. A short film, Bridging, S.F., captivated me. The 10 minute film plays continuously. Grab one of the four seats to watch the footage and listen to the soundtrack. The announcer explains how this “modern dangerous job” requires “skilled hands” and how every precaution has been made to make this bridge the “safest in the world.” We see “rugged men of steel run to their noon time dinner.” The film, shot in black and white, depicts the workers running and jumping on the narrow cat walks, hundreds of feet above the Bay. Watching the film it is easy to see how precarious it was for these workers, these “Men of Steel.” A few blocks from the Oakland Museum is the beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Light. No matter your religious leanOW Lee’s most comfortable collection. Made in the USA. ing, the building is worth a visit. Frank Wnuk, who signed up for a two year tour of duty as docent, is still giving tours five years later, along with 15 other dedicated volunteers. Wnuk says, “People from all over the world take the tours at the Cathedral. It won 32 architectural awards since it was dedicated in 2008.” An impressive sight as you enter the Cathedral is a huge depiction of Christ in Majesty. According to Wnuk, a photograph from a 12th century sculpture from Chartres Cathedral in France was the inspiration for the 90 foot anodized aluminum panels that dominate the center of the interior of the Cathedral of Light. Over 94,000 laser perforations allow light to shine through creating this extraordinary image. Free docent led tours are available every day, Monday thru Friday at 1PM. Ask to see the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament; it’s a lovely spot for meditation. *Cathedral of Christ the Light is located at 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland. Their phone number is 510-893-4711, and their website is cticathedral.org. The San Francisco Boys Choir performs their Winter Concert at the Custom Made Glass Doors To Fit Any Fireplace Cathedral on December 21 at 8PM. *Oakland Museum is located at 1000 Oak Street Oakland. Their phone number is 510-318-8400, and their website is museumca.org. Entrance is free every first Sunday of the month. Museum hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 11AM-5PM and until 9PM on Fridays. The exhibit Above and Below is at the museum until February 23, 2014. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consulwww.patio-fireplace.com tant and long term Danville resident, has been arranging and leading tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “If it’s a trip for my husband and me, my husband drives and I talk (he’s a captive audience) – the perfect combination! What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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reg. $79.99 Martha Meri Meri, Copic Markers, Pillow Pets a 50Stewart, Count LED Santas, Nutcrackers 16” Potted 24” Holiday Santas, Nutcrackers 16” Potted 24” Holiday Angels & Snowmen Light Set Santas, Nutcrackers VALUABLE COUPON 16” Poinsettia Potted Poinsettia Plant 24” Holiday Wreaths Indoor or Angels &features Snowmen Plant with same Wreaths Angels & Snowmen outdoor E-Mail Address
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reg. $24.99 reg. $29.99 Sign up for our e-mail list and enter a monthly drawing for a $50 Gift Certificate! reg. $24.99 Your Choic Yo Choice of 6 reg. $29.99 PROOF BY: ____________________________ O.K. WITH CORRECTIO E-MailO.K. Address Styles. *Alamo *Livermore I’m already on the list! reg. $49.99 Matching Garland PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTI PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE reg. $49.99 Also available in white. available One couponfor per family per day. Cannot be combined with other offers. Excludes custom framing and prior sales, Klutz Books, Demdaco, Sizzix, Willow Games, Wilton, Also available in white. Martha Stewart, Meri Meri, Copic Markers, Pillow Pets and Webkinz. Limited to stock on hand. Other exclusions apply. Discounts taken off regular price.
6’ Pre-Lit 6 function with lights solar Multi colored 11/26/13 cell 17:00:00 Santas, Nutcrackers $11.88 16” Potted % off & timer. Clear & Holiday Any One Regular 23” 24” $22.88 11.88 Deluxe 50 reg.Count $24.99 LED 23” $22.88 Multi colored lights g. $29.99 Priced Item Angels & Snowmen Light Set Pre-Lit Battery Noble Pine Poinsettia Plant Wreaths BA-0004991877-03.INDD (80.1%) 23” $22.88 reg. $49.99 BA-0004991877-03.INDD (80.1%) 50 LED $11.88 withCount same features Yo Your Choic Choice of 6 6’ Pre-Lit AT Also available in white. Operated LED CLIP ‘N SAVE! Garland Styles. ADVERTISER: RICHARDS CRAFTS INC PROOF CREATED AT: 11/20/2013 3:04 PM Yo Your Choic Choice of 6 6’ Pre-Lit Light Set $9.99 ADVERTISER: RICHARDS CRAFTS INC PROOF CREATED AT: Matching Garland Deluxe Styles. $49.99 26” Pine Wreath SALES PERSON: Marlene Vizcainoavailable for NEXT RUN DATE: 11/28/13 with same features Matching Garland Deluxe $11.88 reg. $24.99 te. Livermore Store 447-0471 Alamo Store 820-4731 Your Choic Yo Choice Marlene of 6 6’ Pre-Lit Pre-Lit $11.88 Noble PineSIZE: 5 X 18 reg. $24.99 Train Set or 30” Tree SALES PERSON: Vizcaino NEXT RUN DATE: 11/2 available for DUE: PROOF 11/26/13 17:00:00 Battery OUPONAlamo Plaza Shopping $11.88 Plaza 580 Shopping Center Battery Center Styles. $9.99 reg. $19.99 Pre-Lit Noble Pine Operated LED reg. $29.99 CLIP ‘N SAVE! $11.88 Garland PUBLICATION: BA-East Bay Publications 4502 Las Positas 1st St. Exit DUE: off Stone Valley Rd. Exit West off Hwy 680 Matching PROOF O.K. BY: ____________________________ O.K.Garland WITH CORRECTIONS BY: Rd., ________________________ Deluxe SIZE: 5 reg. X 18 PROOF 11/26/13 $19.99 $39.99 for Regular to Danville Blvd.,Yo Your Choice Choic of 6 $29.99 Operated LED Hwy 580, 1 Pine BlockWreath Right 1 Block. available Garland 26” 4 ft. Prelit reg. $59.99 $11.88 Styles. Battery OUPON Noble Pine PUBLICATION: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE Set BA-East Bay Publications 26” Pine Wreath Train or Pre-Lit 30” Tree Item $11.88 Matching Garland $11.88 Bring nostalgia back with our Train Set Ad Prices effective through 12/24/13 or 30” Tree Entryway Tree available20forpiece trainPROOF www.ShopRichards.com Operated LED O.K. BY: ____________________________ O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY: _________________________ Garland Indoor/Outdoor, $29.99 set and tracks gular $19.99 BA-0004991877-03.INDD (80.1%) Pre-Lit Battery 4 ft. Prelit reg. $59.99 Pine Wreath 6 function with solar $29.99 23” $22.88 reg. $49.99 $11.88 $19.99 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE em $11.88 reg. $24.99 Thank You For Supporting Local Family Business26” Sign up for our e-mail list and enter a monthly drawing for a $50 Gift Certificate! E-Mail Address
reg. $19.99
$11.88
50% off *Livermore
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One coupon per family per day. Cannot be combined with other offers. Excludes custom framing and prior sales, Klutz Books, Demdaco, Sizzix, Willow Games, Wilton, Martha Stewart, Meri Meri, Copic Markers, Pillow Pets and Webkinz. Limited to stock on hand. Other exclusions apply. Discounts taken off regular price.
Valid Through 12/24/13
Mon-Sat 9:00-8:00, Sun 10:00-6:00
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*Alamo
*Livermore
reg. $24.99
Mon-Sat 9:30-9:00, Sun 10:00-7:00
reg. $24.99
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reg. $39.99
reg. $39.99 4 ft. Prelit Bring nostalgia back with our or 30” Tree Indoor/Outdoor, Bring nostalgia back with our Multi colored lights (80.1%) Entryway Tree $36.88 SALESBA-0004991877-03.INDD PERSON: Marlene Vizcaino NEXT RUNWreath DATE: 11/28/13 26” Pine 6 function with solar Indoor/Outdoor, Valid Through 12/24/13 20 piece train set and tracks $29.99 *Alamo *Livermore $19.99 reg. $39.99 cell & timer. Clear & with reg. $79.99 6 function solar or 30” Tree RICHARDS CRAFTS INC PROOF CREATED AT: 11/20/2013 3:04 4 ft. Prelit 50 Count LED SIZE: 5ADVERTISER: X 18 PROOF DUE: 11/26/13 17:00:00 reg.PM $59.99 Multi colored lights
ADVERTISER: RICHARDS PROOF CREATED AT: 11/20/2013 3:04 PM reg. $59.99 cellTree & timer. Clear & Operated LED Also available in white. CRAFTS INCEntryway 20 piece train set and tracks
aming and prior sales, Klutz Books, Demdaco, Sizzix, Willow Games, Wilton, cate! and. Other exclusions apply. Discounts taken off regular price.
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I’m already on the list!
*Alamo
Train Set
Page 18 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Life in the Alamo Garden
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By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect Inviting Entries
It’s that time of the year when family and friends celebrate, and our Alamo homes are open and inviting. Inviting entries are an essential element in the creation of a successful landscape design. An inviting entry or portal is your first impression of your home and garden. It creates the mood! The portal gives your garden drama, definition, direction, structure, and interest. It leads you through the garden, frames the views, defines the “rooms,” and adds structural interest. A garden portal generally is an architectural element that is built e.g. an arbor, arch, gateway, fence, pergola, colonnade, or landscaped focal point. Most typically seen is an arbor, either arched or squaredoff. It creates the portal framework that makes a distinction that you, the participant within the garden, are entering into something. Think about how you might want someone to feel as they approach your garden and your front door. First, you want your guests to know where to find the entry to your home. Then, you wish to create a welcoming feeling that sets the tone for entry into your living space. Once you pass through the door into your home, you egress from one space to another and in doing so have gone from one environment to another. The garden portal essentially performs the same function in your garden. Gates beckon to be opened. The drama unfolds as you pass through from one space to another. What’s on the other side? Gates advance the opportunity to create the drama by how they are designed and where they are positioned. Fences provide an opportunity to frame an area of the garden as well as offer a portal to the next “garden” room. Fences give us security. They supply privacy so we can be ourselves. Fences add drama to expansive spaces that need to be brought into perspective. They create new rooms and therefore create new dramatic entries. Pergolas and colonnades offer a dramatic portal to view from while enjoying protection from a hot Alamo summer day. Sit in the shade and view the garden and relax. Pergolas and colonnades are the structural frameworks that creates a room and a portal simultaneously. We want to enter. Pergolas and colonnades can be built in many architectural styles that suit the theme of your home and garden style. Landscaped focal points are an easy way to create a portal. Certain plants such as Buxus microphylla japonica ‘Winter Gem’ (Boxwood) and Ligustrum japonicum ‘Rotundifolium’ (Privet) provide a more formal structural plant that can be used to form a dramatic entry. Looser plant forms such as Alyogyne huegelii (Blue Hibiscus), Hibiscus syriacus ‘Collie Mullins’ (deciduous Hibiscus) or tree roses placed at either side of an opening through a hedge of Boxwood or Pittosporum tenuifolium “Varigata” (Variegated Pittosporum) give the effect of an entry to another room. Garden portals lead the garden wanderer to the next surprise. Interest and curiosity lead them to the next portal that might be the vegetable garden where they can pause to pick the strawberries or cherry tomatoes. The next one may lead them down a colorfully planted “alley” or path where they can “stop and smell the roses.” Remember to have fun and be creative! A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: New entries added to an existing home can give your home a completely new look and feeling without redoing your entire landscape. Gardening Quote of the Month: “One of the most delightful things about a
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garden is the anticipation it provides.” ~W.E. Johns If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas, visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial
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Fabulous Bra Sale
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 19
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The Care of Mature Trees By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
Entering my sixth decade, the gathering stiffness in my joints deepens my appreciation that living systems change as they age. Trees also change as they grow older, but, for trees and humans alike, how gracefully we flower in later life is not determined by genetics alone. Long life for humans is a relatively new phenomenon. Our Paleolithic ancestors seldom lived beyond 35 years of age, and they would, I imagine, marvel that the average American now lives to be 78. However, long life for trees is nothing new. Methuselah, a bristlecone pine growing in the Sierras, has attained the astounding age of 4,838 and is the oldest documented living organism on our planet. It lifts my heart to acknowledge that the pine nut, which grew to become Methuselah, sprouted its first needles 2,268 years before the birth of Buddha, 2,832 years before the birth of Jesus, and 3,402 years before the birth of Muhammad. To promote long life, reduce the stresses on your trees. The densely packed clay soils common to the East Bay produce many stresses. Compacted soils lack air spaces and inhibit the movement of oxygen. Clay soils are soggy when wet (which promotes root rot), but they are hard when dry (which promotes drought stress). Improving the porosity of the soil by mulching, aerating, and, sometimes, by radial trenching reduces the stress on your tree. Mulching is the easiest and cheapest of these techniques. Two or three inches of quality mulch under the canopy of the tree, but not piled against the trunk, helps to keep the soil soft, moist, and cooler in the summer. Aerating aids soil porosity and reduces stress. To aerate the tree, use a deep root irrigator to drill many one-inch diameter holes to a depth of around 30 inches throughout the zone under the tree’s canopy. Pruning to remove dead and diseased branches reduces the stresses on the tree. Many fruit trees suffer from diseases, both fungal and bacte-
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rial, carried from flower to flower by pollinating insects. After entering through the flower, the infection spreads, usually slowly, down into the woody tissue. Pruning to a point below the spread of the disease increases the lifespan of the tree. As with humans, stresses can have cumulative effects. When pines are drought stressed, they are unable to make the sap they use to drown burrowing insects. Oaks suffering from oak root fungus have trouble taking up water and often suffer from drought stress. When planning elder care for your trees, several factors beg consideration: What is your emotional attachment to the tree? Is the tree a hazard? Will it become a hazard in the future, and, if so, when? What will it cost to maintain the tree? Will it attain ‘sabi,’ the beauty of aging, if given the correct care? I hope that as I grow older I accept Roethke’s challenge and ‘dare to blaze like a tree.’ If you wish to extend your tree’s lifespan please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial
Walnut Creek Garden Club
The Walnut Creek Garden Club Holiday Luncheon will be held on December 9th at 11am. This is their annual get-together to enjoy the holiday ambiance. The party will be held at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Entertainment will be provided by the Northgate High School Madrigals. Tickets are $28 and can be reserved by contacting Susie Paul at suzanne11@astound.net by Tuesday, December 3rd. Please make checks payable to Walnut Creek Garden Club The January 13 meeting, which will be held at the Gardens at Heather Farm, will include a business meeting, social time, and speaker Diane Bloomberg, Landscape Design Consultant and Certified Aesthetic Pruner (APA), who will demonstrate natural style pruning for plants and trees and will discuss basic pruning styles and tools. Please join the group at 9:30am, and find out if the Walnut Creek Garden Club is something you would enjoy. You do NOT need to be a gardener to be a member.
Page 20 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Clip Notes
By Jody Morgan
Mistletoe has never been my favorite holiday green. Bearing toxic berries, the sprigs suspended overhead permitting anyone beneath to steal a kiss from the next unwary passerby are plucked from a parasitic plant. But legends concerning mistletoe’s magic properties abound in ancient cultures, and its medicinal applications are the subject of ongoing modern studies. Mistletoe grows on many types of trees throughout Europe. Celts, holding oaks to be most sacred, considered oak-borne mistletoe to have supernatural powers warding off evil, ensuring fertility, and healing a variety of ailments. In 77 AD Roman author Pliny the Elder described the way Druids, the Celtic priestly and professional class, gathered mistletoe on the “sixth day of the moon,” at the time of both the summer and winter solstice. They laid a white robe upon the ground to receive their harvest because they believed mistletoe lost its powers if it touched the earth. Garbed in white, Druids ascended the tree, severing mistletoe from the boughs with a golden sickle. The bunch of mistletoe Celts hung over doorways to keep out witches eventually evolved into a seasonal decoration sanctioning amorous encounters. Another explanation for the custom of kissing under mistletoe comes from Norse mythology. The goddess Frigg, alarmed by a dream that her son Baldur would die, made every animate species and every inanimate substance on earth swear not to harm him. But Frigg forgot to get mistletoe to take the pledge. Loki, a mischievous shape-changer, made a mistletoe arrow and convinced the blind god Hoder to aim it at Baldur, causing the latter’s demise. In one version of the myth, grateful for Baldur’s resurrection, Frigg makes mistletoe serve as a potent promoter of peace and love. Warriors chancing to encounter their enemies in the presence of mistletoe were thenceforth obliged to lay down their weapons, while ordinary folks had to kiss. In other versions, the immediate cessation of hostilities caused by the sighting of mistletoe is executed as a perpetual memorial to Baldur. Similar in form and habit to the mistletoe festooning Old World trees, the North American variety sold throughout the holiday season comes from a different branch
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of the same plant family. Both are seeded on their host trees by birds that have feasted on their berries. Although poisonous to humans, the berries provide high protein food for birds, butterflies, and insects. The great purple hairstreak butterfly lays its eggs exclusively on the mistletoe berries that sustain its emerging larvae. The green dangling tangles of mature mistletoe are favored as nests by spotted owls and Cooper’s hawks. Once mistletoe germinates, it sends roots into the vascular system of its host to suck water and nutrients. Phorodendron, the generic name of the American species used to sanction holiday smooching, means “thief of the tree.” One explanation of the origin of the common name suggests that mistletoe, derived from the AngloSaxon “misteltan,” translates into modern English as “other twig” because mistletoe grows on the wood of other plants. Another interpretation using a different word root renders “mistel”as “dung” so that mistletoe, whose provenance is bird droppings, means “dung twig.” Although the two species of mistletoe referenced above do have the ability to photosynthesize and are technically hemi-parasites, in times of drought, they take full advantage of their hosts. Even though mistletoe has co-existed with its hosts for thousands of years as an important part of the ecosystem, judicious harvesting of mistletoe to protect endangered trees may be advisable. In Oregon, Misteltoe. com collects holiday product in areas designated for oak savannah preservation so that their commercial venture benefits local conservation projects. Native Americans found many of the same medicinal uses for New World mistletoe as their counterparts did for the Old World species. On both sides of the Atlantic mistletoe was used as a kind of “morning-after” pill as well as for producing the opposite effect of enhancing fertility. The Creek used mistletoe to treat pulmonary disorders. The Cherokee brewed remedies for headaches, high blood pressure, and epilepsy. In 1720, Sir John Colbatch published The Treatment of Epilepsy by Mistletoe based on his own research using mistletoe taken from trees at London’s Hampton Court. Is mistletoe effective in curing cancer? In 50 AD in Materia Medica, the Greek physician Dioscorides described his successful use of mistletoe in treating external tumors. Today researchers are studying the use of mistletoe in the treatment of certain cancers as well as in reducing the side-effects chemotherapy. So far their data is promising, but insufficient.
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 21
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Page 22 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Solar Currents
Postponing Your Solar Investment Delays Savings By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar
In the United States, the commercial and residential solar business is growing at a 30% pace this year. Growth is expected to continue to rise worldwide. Today there are 191,404 California solar projects in operation. Recognition of the financial benefits that a solar PV system can offer a home or business owner is leading this growth. Of course, green bragging rights come hand-in-hand with the financial savings, but they play a distant second. Financial return is by far the most compelling reason for most to “go solar.” The American Solar Energy Society recently published their annual “State of the Industry” analysis. I’m going to provide some quotes from the analysis and play “Peanut Gallery” to chime in with my observations or commentary. Here it goes. “Silicon modules are likely to remain stable at 80 to 85 cents per watt for the foreseeable future.” Due to the Chinese Government losing the International Trade Commission and US Department of Commerce trade cases, Chinese solar panel manufacturers are no longer dumping (that’s indeed a legal term) their illegally subsidized solar modules into the US market. Solar product prices have indeed stabilized. A commonly posed question is whether one should wait for prices to continue to come down to take advantage of a lower cost of product. It seems the jury is out. Waiting simply puts potential savings generated by a solar system into the future; a future where the savings can be applied to college tuition, a 401K, charity, retirement vacation travels, or other pursuits or passions. “The wealthy oil emirates are installing PV factories and solar farms on an accelerating scale because it makes no sense to burn oil for electricity when it can be sold for more than $100 a barrel.” I read this and I cringed. The Middle East oil Emirates are installing solar energy systems so they can sell America and the rest of the world more of their oil. Perhaps it’s a great business decision for them, but the sooner we’re completely weaned away from Middle Eastern oil for political and financial reasons, the better. Fortunately, what appears to be on the horizon is American energy independence, which at our current rate of adoption of natural gas and renewable sources can come as early as 2025, if we stay the course we’re on. “In the United States, utility companies are now aware that distributed generation (solar on rooftops) is poised to kill their business model.” Cry me a river! Although working with PG&E has been for the most part a very positive experience, the fact that PG&E indeed may have to adapt and compete as every other business has had to adapt and compete in this market will be welcome news. As you may have realized your choice of energy providers is extremely limited. Option One: PG&E. Receive no return on monies paid, recurring for life. Option Two: Buy your own solar system, and own your own power plant. Typically, a 10% return on investment is easily achieved. One thing is for certain: PG&E rates keep going up which makes the investment virtually no risk assuming the proper products and installers are utilized. Option Three: Enter into a Solar Power Purchase Agreement and switch energy providers; a financial institution buys and installs a solar system for your home and you pay for the electricity it produces. You’ll end up paying less than you’re currently paying PG&E. Consumer’s Corner: This time of year generates sales pitch falsehoods coming from solar contractors about the tax credits available for solar energy systems for residential and business customers. The Federal Tax Credit of 30% is NOT expiring, simply a customer’s ability to capture the Federal Tax Credit for tax year 2013 expires at the end of the year. The Federal Tax Credit will not expire until January 1st, 2017. Monetary savings generated by a solar system are very compelling, but equally compelling (to me anyway) are the obvious environmental advantages that come with generating your own power. Solar can also make your life more stress free; my family lives a very efficient lifestyle at home, but we no longer stress about living just a bit more comfortably in a more temperate and well lit home. Next Month: California Assembly Bill 327, the solar bill of the decade. Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715). Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s NEW and larger showroom at 100 Railroad Avenue, Suite B, Danville (behind Pete’s Brass Rail) or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com. Advertorial
Give the Perfect Gift this Season By Monica Chappell
Ingredients
Vinegar is vinegar is vinegar . . . or is it? Storebought vinegars are often muted. If you love to cook, then you know that it’s next to impossible to find quality red wine vinegar. It is usually made in bulk from poor-quality wine, and it rarely adds anything but sharp acidity to a dish. Luckily, making your own red wine vinegar is easy and cheap, if not quick. All you need are a few simple ingredients and some patience to make red wine vinegar.
1 bottle of red wine (Choose a bottle that you enjoy drinking yourself. Lower alcohol, fruitier wines tend to be more successful.) 1-gallon container (Earthenware is best, but a glass container will work too.) Cheesecloth A “mother” (a live starter to get the fermentation process going. The bacteria eat the alcohol and turn it into acetic acid. A “mother” can be found at a wine and beer making store, online, or from a friend who makes red wine vinegar.)
Instructions
1. Pour the wine and two cups water into the container 2. Add the “mother” and cover container tightly with cheesecloth 3. Store in a warm (70-80oF), dark place 4. Add a glass or two of wine (it doesn’t have to be the same wine that started the batch) to the jar every week. Move aside the “mother” when you pour in the wine so as not to disturb the fermentation process. 5. Store for about two and a half months, or until it tastes like vinegar. 6. Pasteurize the vinegar to keep it from continuing to ferment - dilute with water by 25%, heat to 155oF on the stove, and keep it at this temperature for 30 minutes. 7. Strain mixture through clean cheesecloth or a coffee filter into bottles or jars. Herb vinegar can also be made with finely-chopped fresh chives, celery leaves, or cloves of garlic (remove the garlic after 24 hours). Monica Chappell is a wine writer and educator. To see a list of wine appreciation classes, visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.
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My Clean PC
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 23
As I’m relaxing in my living room watching sports on TV, a commercial for PC cleaning software comes on. They are promoting this website that they want you to visit in order to download their magical software. These commercials drive me nuts. If it were really that simple to fix computer performance issues, I’d be their biggest fan and focus on other problems in my industry. But it’s not. These guys are grossly over-simplifying the situation, and in my opinion are not 100% honest because of the expectations they’re setting. First, I’m going to tell you how to get the exact same functionality that these guys are hawking, but for free. The functions this software performs are nothing new, not unique, and not worth spending $19.95. We use a free product called “CCleaner,” which you can find on www.downloads.com. It cleans all the temp files, junk files, and profile files and will remove junk from your registry. When you finish running that scan, reboot your computer then update your AVG and Malwarebytes software and run a scan in each of those, too. You’ve just done more than they can, for free. And, if your system was running slowly before this, I’ll bet it still is running slowly now. Usually these actions don’t make much of a difference at all unless the system has been grossly neglected. The truth is that there are many, many reasons why your system may run slowly. Clean-up software, whether paid or free, covers only a small part of the spectrum of possible maladies that slow down computers. And, slowness is a relative term. A computer that is running perfectly without any junk to clean up, can nonetheless feel like it’s crawling if it is connected to a network that is having issues or has an incorrect network setting. You can run clean-up software all day long, but it won’t help. When we approach a computer, we look at it holistically, and we ask a lot of questions. As an aside, I have to say that sometimes people get impatient with us when our telephone people ask them a lot of questions about what is going on. These questions are what help us determine the nature of the problem and are a critical part of our holistic diagnostic process. Our least favorite client is one that calls up, is too busy to give us the actual details of what is going on, and expects us to fix their system quickly and cheaply. Sometimes their assumption is that they’re just experiencing a “quick problem that will take five minutes to fix,” when the reality is that there is much more to the issue that needs resolving. So if you’re on the phone with us, don’t get mad with us when we ask you questions! In my opinion, the single area around which most computer slowness occurs is the hardisk. There are so many things that can go wrong. Start with the speed of the disk. Some spin at 5400 RPM’s, and some spin at 7200 RPM’s. There is a noticeable difference in speed between them. Next, look how much space is being used on the disk. If it’s over 50%, the performance is adversely affected. When I see a disk with over 60-70% consumed, I recommend cloning the contents to a larger disk. If I can lower the percentage used to 30% by putting them into a larger disk, I’ll improve performance. Finally, if the disk is having any issues, they will definitely affect performance, but they may not show up in the diagnostics. Please understand; just because a disk doesn’t have obvious diagnostic errors, it does not mean it’s healthy. I’ve seen this happen more times than I can count, and the problems go away when I swap out the hardisk. In laptops, I’ve made miraculous changes when swapping out failing or over-full hardisks with newer Solid State hardisks (SSD)’s. They’re more expensive, but they’re twice as fast and make a huge difference in system performance. Another area to check out is hardisk fragmentation. Fragmentation is caused when parts of your data get sprinkled around the platter of a hardisk, instead of being in a contiguous streak the system can read in one rotation. It’s like playing a song on a record player, but parts of the song are all over the record instead of being contained in just one of the circular ‘tracks.’ You can imagine how much that would slow down playing a song. It can slow down a system quite a bit. We use a program called “Auslogics Defrag” to deal with disk fragmentation. It’s free and available at www.downloads.com. The amount of RAM a system has will affect performance, too. If you’re in Windows 7 or 8, you should have a bare minimum of 4GB RAM. You really should have 6-12GB. The system processor also makes a big difference. I have never recommended an i3 processor for any reason. If you get a system, an i5 processer is the minimum I recommend, and an i7 processor should be strongly considered. The better you ‘buy’ a system, the longer it will last, and the better it will perform. Period. The point of this is that there are many factors which affect system performance. Very few of them can be affected in any meaningful way by running a piece of software from the internet. Save your money and don’t patronize these snake-oil salesmen! If you’d rather have a professional technician look at your system to analyze what’s going on, give my friendly staff a call at 925-552-7953, or email us at helpdesk@theportablecio.com. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family and look forward to seeing you in the new year. Advertorial
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Page 24 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
More Pipeline Safety Information By Roger Smith, AIA President
AIA is pleased to announce our new website, www.AlamoCA.org which features a navigation/tool bar for your use in becoming more informed about our community, reading past Alamo Today articles, printing AIA membership forms, and more.
2013 Recap
Following is a summary of information from our 2013 Alamo Today articles on Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (which you might save for reference). There is a new website, www.Ready.gov, that helps families become more prepared to survive an emergency. For more information on community and individual emergency preparedness programs available, also visit www.CitizenCorps.gov. There is information on basic items for a Family Emergency Kit along with a supplemental list of additional items to consider based upon health, age, entertainment, and pets. In addition, there is information on an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to organize your financial information. For information on food safety during and after an emergency, visit www.FoodSafety.gov. The State of California has an emergency plan structure that is designed to address both the mid-term and long-term impact of a major disaster. Information on this plan can be located at the State of California’s Office of Emergency Services website at www.oes.ca.gov. There are many opportunities for members of our community to become more involved in both Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
Neighborhood Watch
Interested in enhancing communication with your neighbors and neighborhood groups? The “Neighborhood Watch” program through the Sheriff’s Dept. with training sessions for volunteers is an important foundation upon which to build our Community’s Public Safety. “Neighborhood Watch” is a crime prevention program that stresses education and common sense. It teaches citizens how to help themselves by identifying and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. In addition, it provides citizens with the opportunity to make their neighborhoods safer and improve the quality of life. Neighborhood Watch groups typically focus on observation and awareness as a means of preventing crime and employ strategies that range from simply promoting social interaction and “watching out for each other” to active patrols by groups of citizens. Visit www.USAonWatch.org and www.ca-contracostacounty.civicplus.com for more information. AIA is interested in helping establish a network of interested representatives from various neighborhoods and neighborhood groups in Alamo to discuss the Neighborhood Watch program and its benefits. Please contactAIAat President@AlamoCA.org.
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The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) provides Emergency Preparedness classes and neighborhood programs for Earthquake and other natural disasters. Two Alamo neighborhoods are already participating in these programs SRVFPD also provides Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for individuals interested in assisting others during an emergency. “To become a CERT volunteer, one must complete the classroom training offered by a local government agency such as SRVFPD, the emergency management agency, or fire or police department. Contact your local emergency manager to learn about the local education and training opportunities available to you. Let this person know about your interest in taking CERT training CERT training is provided at no cost by SRVFPD. A series of six sessions totaling 20 hours of instruction comprise the training. Visit www.firedepartment. org/community_outreach/cert/ for more information. Alamo has more than 100 CERT volunteers; consider joining them! Each year, in September, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) holds an Emergency Preparedness Fair in Danville. Visit www.BeReadySRV. org for more information on this event.
Public Safety Committee
AIA is interested in attracting Alamo residents with suitable career experience in “First Responder” categories to volunteer time on our Public Safety Committee. Please contact AIA at President@AlamoCA.org.
AIA’s Annual Membership Drive
Alamo is a special community that all of our residents can be justifiably proud to call home. Now in its 58th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “Alamo the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, which is to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” Please watch for the AIA membership letter and form, then complete it, and return it to AIA to our P.O.Box 156, Alamo, CA 94507. Don’t be left out; now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA.
Alamo Police Services District P-2, Zone B
Deputy Michael Carson, Alamo Resident Deputy, activities for October: 191 Calls for service • 156 Self initiated calls • 9 Moving citations • 1 Nonmoving citation • 4 Reports • 1 Arrest
Deputy Carson Responded to or Conducted
9 Alarm calls • 16 Traffic enforcement • 2 Disturbing the peace • 6 Identity theft • 2 Outside assist • 16 Patrol requests • 19 School security checks • 19 Service to citizens • 4 Suspicious circumstances • 2 Suspicious subjects • 1 Tresspass • 1 Restraining order violation • 1 Warrant arrest • 1 Assault with a deadly weapon • 3 Battery • 1 Burglary • 2 Civil • 3 Found property • 2 Grand thefts • 5 Petty thefts • 3 Vandalisms
If I Were a Thief Program 66 Streets covered • 23 Flyers distributed Reported Incident
• Miranda Ave at Livorna Rd - Warrant Arrest - Deputy Carson responded to a reported solicitor in the area. Deputy Carson contacted the described subject near Livorna Park. The subject was positively identified by his driver’s license. A records check revealed he had several warrants from other counties and out of state. Deputy Carson arrested the subject for outstanding warrants and transported him to the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF). • Jackson Way - Battery, Resisting Arrest - Valley Station responded to the area of Jackson Way for a reported Battery. Upon arriving in the area, the subject, known to deputies, fled on foot in an attempt to evade Deputies and arrest. The suspect was apprehended a short distance away. During his apprehension, the suspect resisted arrest and was tased. The suspect was taken into custody without further resistance. He was transported to the MDF, where he was booked on the charges. Deputy Mike Carson is Alamo’s full time resident deputy. His position is funded by Alamo’s P-2B police services district, which includes approximately 60% of Alamo household. District households pay an $18 annual parcel tax plus a portion of the 1% property tax. The Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee advises Sheriff David Livingston on the resident deputy and his services. The Committee is composed of Alamo residents within the district and it meets on the first Monday of each month at 5pm in the offices of the Alamo Chamber of Commerce, located at 120B Alamo Plaza. Alamo citizens are welcome to attend the meetings.
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No Frills, Just Fit!
By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Boot Camp
The Gazelle, Abdominizer, Bowflex. Nordic Track, Stairmaster, Eliptical...For years we have been made to think we need expensive fancy gadgets to get fit. While these fitness crazes may sometimes work, many of them soon become relics, ending up at a garage sale with a few layers of dust. The truth is that all you need to get fit is the motivation and the will to do it. Outdoor exercise is a no frills way to ease stress, get your body moving, elevate your mood, and enhance your fitness. Hiking, biking, jogging, and organized outdoor fitness programs help many people meet and exceed their fitness goals. Our connection with nature is innate and was developed by our ancestors long ago as hunter/gatherers. New studies show spending just five minutes in nature improves mood, decreases blood pressure, and increases brain recovery. When we move outdoors, we respond to the stimulus of changing elevations, we adapt to changes in the ground below our feet, we breath fresh air, and we adjust to the natural obstacles nature presents. All of these beneficial stimuli increase our capability to adapt to change and the challenges of our daily lives.
Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 25
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10 habits you can start today for a healthier tomorrow:
• Get off the couch! We stare at our phone screens and our computers most of the day; take time off! Commit to walking for 20-30 minutes after dinner with your spouse, partner, friend, or pet at least five times a week. • Don’t procrastinate. The best time to start is always now. Start an exercise journal and get excited about your journey to a healthier and more well balanced life. • Reset your brain and body with quality sleep from between 6 to 8 hours every night. • Turn off the TV at least one hour before bed. The intense light stimulates your brain and contributes to low quality sleep. Get a great book and let your imagination work. • Trade nightly desserts for a nightly tea ritual. Trick that craving and soon enough it will be a memory you are empowered to live without. New studies show it only takes 90 seconds to beat a craving...so stick it out! • Most of us don’t drink nearly enough water. Aim for ½ your body weight in ounces every day to flush and purify your organs and aid your digestion. For example, a person that weighs 150lbs. should drink 75oz. throughout the day, regardless of the outdoor temperature. • Fill your plate with a colorful variety of fresh vegetables. Every color represents a different phytonutrient, and all have various health-promoting properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-health-promoting activities. • Get in a routine, not a rut. Mix up exercise to keep your body and your mind working. • Encourage friends and family to join you in your fitness endeavors. Those that sweat together, stick together. • Empower yourself and others toward fitness, and be held accountable. Join an outdoor exercise program like Gumsaba Boot Camp, and take the journey of fitness with our supportive community. While these changes may seem difficult at first, choose to allow yourself to be uncomfortable with that. Pick one or more that suits you, and commit to that habit for one week at a time. Small changes in your daily habits lead to bigger changes in your life; start small and what once seemed impossible will simply be part of your daily routine. Join Gumsaba for a FREE WEEK of Outdoor Fitness Boot Camp. Visit our website at www.gumsaba.com, and get started. Use promo code NOFRILLS to redeem your free week. All fitness levels welcome. For questions or more information, email info@gumsaba.com or call (925) 683 - 5630. Michelle Brown is an ACE certified fitness professional, a 2nd Degree Black Belt, blogger, public speaker and owner of Gumsaba Outdoor Fitness. Michelle and her company Gumsaba have been helping clients surpass their goals since 1998. Gumsaba is a Native American word that means “BIGTIME,” and was used to denote the great harvest festival where all would gather to celebrate the gift of life! Gumsaba has been voted “best Boot Camp” in the East Bay by Diablo magazine readers for two years running, and offers Co-ed, Womens Only, Mens Only and Teen programs year round. Advertorial
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Updates continued from front page
With the recent minor earthquake activity in the San Ramon Valley, Sup. Andersen encouraged Alamo residents to take the CERT training offered by the SRV Fire Department (Community Emergency Response Team). The next class is being offered January 25 and February 1, 2014, at SRV Fire headquarters at 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. For more information cert@srvfire.ca.gov. Sup. Andersen is supporting the VESTIA Holiday Toy Drive (Volunteer Emergency Services Team in Action) and toy donations may be dropped off at her office from December 2 to December 13. VESTIA is the volunteer group supporting county social services and donations will be distributed to the neediest families in the county. For a list of suggested toy donations by age and gender, email Donna Maxwell at donna.maxwell@bos.cccounty.us. Sup. Andersen is also supporting a canned food drive for the Contra Costa Food Bank, and her office will be accepting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the Food Bank until year's end.
Reports/Announcements/Questions from Residents
Resident Smitty Schmidt noted he was concerned about bicyclists who ignore stop signs on the Iron Horse Trail and proceed at a high rate of speed. Andersen responded that Alamo’s resident sheriff, Deputy Mike Carson, the California Highway Patrol, and East Bay Regional Park District all share responsibility for enforcing proper use of the trail and automotive traffic approaching the trail, with EBRPD police primarily responsible for patrolling the trail for speed violators. Sup. Andersen noted she would be following up with EBRPD with the complaints from Alamo residents. Alamo Municipal Advisory Council Member Steve Mick reported that the MAC is hoping to hire a staff member through the county who will be responsible for initiating and operating a recreation program for Alamo residents. He further reported that County Counsel had advised that all MAC subcommittees were subject to the Brown Act and the county’s Better Government Ordinance. He noted he serves on the Alamo Area of Benefit subcommittee with responsibility for school traffic issues, and the subcommittee had recently voted to
See Updates continued on page 29
Page 26 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Wear Your Pink Shoes Proudly By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
On days that I am scheduled to operate (3 or 4 days a week), my attire is comfortably predictable - scrubs and my favorite pair of clogs. The clogs happen to be pink, and I am often asked, “Why the pink shoes?” I usually respond by simply tugging up my pant leg a bit to reveal the familiar pink ribbon logo used by so many worthy causes that support Breast Cancer research and education. I don’t think about breast cancer for one month out of the year -- I think about it every day. Reconstructive surgery makes up a good portion of my practice. I feel so fortunate that my practice allows me to actively participate in the care and treatment of many breast cancer patients. As a staff member at John Muir Hospital, I participate in weekly Tumor Board meetings, often as a panelist. The cases presented at these meetings help us coordinate excellent treatment plans for our patients, and they demonstrate that breast cancer does not spare any particular demographic. One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer including the elderly, the 28 year old newlywed, the healthiest fitness guru, the couch potato, the vibrant career woman, and the mother, pregnant with her first child. Like most cancers, early detection is key to a successful outcome in breast cancer patients. All too often breast cancer is discovered in advanced stages, requiring surgery and breast reconstruction along with radiation and chemotherapy. The physical toll of breast cancer is costly enough, but the emotional toll of losing our breasts can be devastating. I am fortunate to be part of the team of people who make a positive impact in breast cancer patients’ lives by giving back to them something they thought was lost. Through advances and innovations in technique as well as new surgical materials, artful reconstruction of the breast has become a reality. Reconstructive breast surgery is now routinely performed at the same time as the mastectomy in close coordination with the general surgeon, enabling women to wake up from surgery with breasts. In some cases the nipples and surrounding areolas can be saved as well. The emotional testimonials and thanks I receive from my breast cancer patients feed my soul. I am continually amazed by the strength and courage these women possess through such tragic circumstances. I recently had the pleasure of seeing a 60 year old woman who was told she could not have her breast reconstructed after mastectomy 10 years ago because of thin skin. Now, with new techniques and materials, she will soon have breasts again. She will feel whole. The theme behind the breast cancer campaign is education and awareness. Realize that breast cancer affects us all. Please take the time to educate yourself, perform self breast exams every month, and please don’t delay your routine mammogram screening. To find instructions on how to perform a breast self-examination, please visit our website at www.personsplasticsurgery.com. Support the efforts of wonderful organizations like Susan G. Komen or the Avon Foundation. Join me in wearing your pink shoes proudly every day. Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Meals on Wheels
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
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Ask the Doctor
By Evelyn Peinado for Dr. Jeffrey G. Riopelle, MD
Hi. I’m Evelyn and I work for Dr. Jeffrey G. Riopelle. I asked him if I could write the article this month and share two special things that recently happened in the office. The first thing is we just completed a very successful Halloween candy drive. The idea was to have kids in local schools donate their Halloween candy and earn money for their schools. We feel it teaches the students the value of giving and sharing. The money was donated from Dr. Jeffrey Riopelle and his wife Donna Riopelle, Riopelle Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center, and a number of doctors from San Ramon Regional Medical Center, including Michele Riopelle MD, Shoha Kankipati MD, William N. Hamstra DO, Sanford L. Severin MD, Marshall Lee Chiropractor, Claudia S. Pinilla MD, John R. Krouse MD, Renee Hilliard MD, David T. Wong MD, Gloria Soto Reyes PT, Michael P. Sherman MD, PhD, Michael L. Wynn MD, Kenneth Passeri Podiatry, Judson Brandeis MD, Narendra Malani MD, and Craig and Dana Amack PT. The money was then donated to winning schools through Pledge to Humanity. Pledge to Humanity is comprised of the best group of volunteers and supporters. It is a group of children, young adults, mature adults, educators, professionals, and families all dedicated to a common mission - the desire to reach out to people of all ages in our local community and beyond to provide aid for their needs, to confront global issues of poverty, education, medical care, lack of access to clean water, and to provide the help and support needed. Through working together to achieve this common goal, we are finding that it truly is much better to give than to receive. Each winning school is to use the money for a special project of their choice such as providing Christmas toys for foster kids, Thanksgiving dinners for foster kids, or blankets for the homeless. Each school votes on which project to do. Meanwhile, all of the candy was given to Blue Star Mom’s who arranged to have it delivered to active military service personnel. We weighed all the candy in Dr. Riopelle’s office. First place went to Rancho Romero with over 282 pounds. Second place went to Montair with 222 pounds, and third place went to Stone Valley with 125 pounds. Congratulations also to The Creative Learning Center with over 75 pounds. Thanks goes to the schools and all of the kids for a successful Halloween candy collection contest for 2013. Natalie, who is doctor Riopelle’s daughter and a senior at Monte Vista High, and Dr. Riopelle have done this drive for several years now. This was one of the best contests ever. Everyone is looking forward to Halloween 2014. The second exciting thing that took place in the office was Dr. and Donna Riopelle’s anniversary party. They have been in practice for 25 years and had a party to celebrate. All of their clients and patients were invited Rachel Gai, Cybille Scott, Dr Riopelle, Alanah Scott, Grace to show their appre- Kennedy, Ellie Kennedy, Gaby Ghorbani, Katina Kennedy (in front). ciation. There was music, great food, and beverages for all. Each guest received a special treat. It was a night of fun and excitement. In addition, they honored the three winners of their “Do a good deed contest,” where kids and teens wrote essays about good deeds they had done for others. The three finalists all received awards for their efforts. The winner received a brand new iPad. It is such a pleasure to work for someone who does these types of things. For information on any of our programs, please call our office, San Ramon Valley Medical Group, Inc., at (925) 275-9333 or visit our website at www. riopellecosmetic.com. We are located at 5401 Norris Canyon Rd, Ste. 312 in San Ramon. Advertorial
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 27
Warm Wishes for the Happiest of Holidays from all of us at Stone Valley Dental www.yourmonthlypaper.com
Page 28 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
Controversy over PSA Screening By Stephen Taylor, MD
Urologists have been advocating Prostrate Specific Angigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer for over 20 years. Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men second only to lung cancer. In its earliest stages (curable stages), prostate cancer is usually completely without symptoms, and it can only be detected by PSA and occasionally
by digital rectal exam. PSA is a simple non-fasting blood test. PSA is made by both benign and malignant prostate cells, so all by itself, it does not signal prostate cancer. An elevated PSA blood test can be indicative of prostate cancer, an enlarged benign prostate gland, a prostate infection, or other causes. An elevated PSA will usually result in a referral to a urologist, who will determine the cause of the abnormal test. A digital rectal exam, prostate ultrasound xxam, prostate MRI, and a prostate biopsy are often necessary to establish the cause, and determine if there is prostate cancer present, or one of the benign causes for the elevated test. The U.S. Preventative Health Services Task Force has given PSA screening a “D” recommendation, based on a single very flawed study. In that study conducted for 10 years, they compared men who were assigned to a screening group (of which only 80% participated in screening) versus a group assigned to non-screening (of which 60 % voluntarily went for screening) and found that after 10 years there was very little decrease in the death rate from “organized” screening. Most prostate cancers grow very slowly and do not cause death for 10 to 20 years. So the 10 year “cut off” was far too short to show a significant decrease in prostate cancer mortality. Moreover, many men who were detected “late” (because of a delay in diagnosis if they were not screened) were caught at incurable stages: They are still alive at 10 years but suffering the effects of advanced prostate cancer or its treatment. In the Pre-PSA era, 90% of prostate cancers were detected at incurable stages. In the PSA era, 90% of prostate cancers are detected at curable stages. We know that some prostate cancers grow so slowly, that they do not require treatment in men with less than a 10 year life expectancy. These men are usually placed on active surveillance, where they are monitored for life threatening progression. Young men with over 20 years of life expectancy are offered treatment with curative intent: Either total removal of the cancerous gland (Robotic Radical Prostatectomy) or radiation therapy (Image Guided Radiation Therapy). These new ultramodern treatments both offer very high success rates and very few side effects. The American Urologic Association’s recommendation is that men should discuss with their urologist whether or not each individual patient is a good candidate for PSA screening based on their life expectancy, family history, co-morbidities (diabetes, kidney failure, severe coronary artery disease, previous stroke, etc.). We believe healthy men should have a baseline PSA when they turn 40, then at intervals ranging from 1-10 years based on the initial value. Dr. Stephen Taylor is a Urologist at Pacific Urology. He specializes in robotic urologic surgeries and prostate, kidney and bladder cancers. To reach Dr. Taylor, call 925-937-7740. Advertorial
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Bikes continued from front page
10am-4pm and Sundays noon-4pm through December 8th but are needed as soon as possible. Volunteers are needed during those hours through December 22nd. Hours will be expanded as more volunteers become available. Check the website for the most current volunteer hours at www.adoptafamilybikes.org. What was once an effort funded and manned by members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (www.sainttimothysdanville.org) in Danville has since become a community program with the support of individuals, local businesses, philanthropic organizations, schools, and scouting groups. The core volunteers remain year after year to take on the lion’s share of the work and ensure the integrity of the program. For questions and more information email adoptafamilybikes@gmail.com.
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Issues with the Newer Oral Anticoagulants By Robert Robles, MD
Treatment for a deep venous thrombosis (blood clot typically in the leg) and/or pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lungs) has followed a standard treatment regimen for many years. Originally, intravenous heparin (requiring hospitalization) followed by warfarin pills was the standard of care. More recently, the use of low molecular weight heparins or fondaparinux (Arixtra) which can be given as injections under the skin followed by warfarin has become a more convenient and equally effective treatment protocol. The recent approval of newer oral anticoagulants deserves some review and discussion. Dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and apixaban (Eliquis) are oral anticoagulants approved for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is also approved for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus and for blood clot prevention following knee or hip joint replacement surgery. These oral drugs have made long-term anticoagulation much simpler. There is no need for routine monitoring, and there are few interactions with food or other medications. However, each of these drugs has elimination through the kidney, and safe dosing requires accurate assessment of the kidney function. Overall, the risk of bleeding associated with these new medications is equivalent to warfarin. A commonly asked question is how to manage bleeding for patients on one of the newer oral anticoagulants. There are no approved reversal agents for these medications. Vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma (used to reverse the effect of warfarin) are ineffective in reversing the blood thinner effect of the newer oral anticoagulants. Special kidney dialysis techniques may remove some dabigatran (Pradaxa), while rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis) cannot be removed effectively by standard kidney dialysis. Orally administered activated charcoal given within 2-6 hours of the last dose of apixaban (Eliquis) may help reduce further absorption of this drug and can also be considered for rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Standard coagulation studies such as aPTT and PT/INR are not helpful in monitoring the anticoagulation effect of these drugs. However, these tests can be used to determine whether or not the blood thinning drugs are still present. Non-approved therapies for acute bleeding have utilized activated prothrombin complex concentrates (APCC) and factor VIIa. These drugs need to be used very carefully as they can provoke excessive clotting. These medications do not provide full reversal of the anticoagulant effects of the new oral anticoagulants. In summary, the new anticoagulants provide equal benefit and no extra risk for individuals requiring blood thinners. However, like all new medications, they pose unique challenges to safe use. Robert Robles, MD is Board Certified in Medical Oncology and Hematology. He practices with Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group, located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill and also sees patients in San Ramon. Dr.Robles can be reached at 925-677-5041. Advertorial
Festival continued from front page
Shelter, Inc. will have available a giant gift box for new, unwrapped toys, and they also will be collecting money to buy food and other gifts for families in our area who cannot afford such treats for the holidays. This amazing group is dedicated to helping in the prevention of homelessness and promotion of self-sufficiency among Contra Costa residents. It is an independent, charitable, nonprofit organization founded in 1986. We encourage everyone to participate in one of these charitable organizations, but it is not necessary to do so in order to enjoy the fun festivities for the evening! The festival is sponsored by the Alamo Chamber of Commerce with generous donations and sponsorships from local groups including the Stone Valley Center, Alamo Oak Tree Plaza, Office of Supervisor Candace Anderson, County Parks and Recreation, Alamo Plaza, Richards Arts and Crafts, World of Sound and Vision, Celebrations on the Bay and several other local merchants and benefactors. If you are interested in helping with a donation or for more information, visit www.AlamoChamberofCommerce.com. We also thank the cheerleaders from Monte Vista High, Boy Scout troop 216, as well as local Girl Scouts for helping with the pre-organization, set-up, and tear down. We are lucky to have fabulous kids like these in our area to benefit our community! During the event, one lane of Danville Boulevard will be closed between Stone Valley Road and Jackson Way. North and south bound traffic will be allowed along the open lane. Remember to support Alamo and its local businesses! We look forward to see-
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The Eye Opener
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Happy Holidays
Updates continued from page 25
recommend to the MAC that a traffic light be installed at Wilson Road and Livorna Road to control speed and traffic flow at Alamo School. The MAC had adopted the recommendation unanimously. However, this is in concept only and more information on costs and feasibility will be forthcoming from County Public Works. The MAC will also need to weigh this proposal against other AOB projects the community identified and which the MAC is now reviewing . Supervisor Andersen intends to recommend their final decisions regarding the priority of AOB ALL ITS OWN projects to the Board of Supervisors for implementation. Resident Alicia Watson of the service sorority Delta Nu 589 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville (925) 837-0261 Psi announced that her group has shipped an astounding 13,000 tons of “gourmet junk food” to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and donations of nonperishable, lightweight gourmet snacks and money for postage are welcome at her home at 6 La Sonoma Drive, Alamo. Alamo Rotary Member Diane Barley announced that Rotary members have been busy maintaining the new plantings on the Alamo off ramps, including weed control, and that Rotary had accepted the offer of a local artist who volunteered to paint floral murals on the unattractive Cal Trans equipment boxes on the off ramps (with the permission of Cal Trans). Resident Jo-Ann Jacobson reported that a high number of street lights seem to not be working on Stone Valley Road from I-680 eastward to Monte Vista, and Sup. Andersen noted her office would follow up with the County Public Works Department. Alamo Police Services Committee Member Bill Nelson reported that the Committee has for several months funded additional deputy coverage in Alamo for police coverage on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Committee is pleased with the program, and it is likely it will be made permanent. The Police Committee is continuing to pursue flashing radar speed signs at both ends of Alamo on Danville Boulevard, and since the County Public Works Staff does not have experience with these kinds of signs, the Committee is seeking information from the Town of Danville which has installed several of them around town. Alamo Improvement Association member Mike Gibson reported that Bill Hurley of the All Bay Farmer’s Market will appear at the next AIA Planning Committee to pursue AIA sponsorship of a Farmer’s Market in Alamo, and that everyone who had heard of the project had responded enthusiastically. He further reported that items referred by residents to AIA and by AIA to the County Code Enforcement Department have largely gone unaddressed in recent months. Sup. Andersen advised that any code enforcement actions be referred to her office for follow-up.
Now that 2013 is almost done, I think it is always good to review the past year and at the same time look forward to the coming year. First and foremost we need to thank our patients and community for supporting the office. Without family and friend referrals, our office would not be what it is. We strive to provide the best care, services and products, and we are extremely grateful that our efforts are appreciated by the community. Our staff commitment is to continue our superior service and hospitality for all of our patients and family members. We are constantly being asked during this time of year about flexible spending accounts (FSA) and how to use them at the office. The government has a wide range of specified expenses that qualify as a medical expense. These include any office co-pays, any necessary or elective surgical procedures (including LASIK), and many medical devices. Included in that list is any vision correction device (glasses, computer glasses, contact lenses, sports goggles, etc.) and sunglasses. As long as your purchase is made by the end of the year, it will count on your 2013 account balance. It is also recommended to fully utilize any vision benefits you have either through your medical or vision insurance. We are happy to look up your benefits for you. We just need to know which insurance you have and some information about the primary member on the account. Vision insurance benefits can be found online, and it takes only a few minutes. This past year brought about two new daily disposable contact lenses to the market. Vistakon’s Tru-Eye and Alcon’s Total Vision1 are adding more options to the popular daily disposable modality. Both of these lenses add a new dimension in 3518 health vision. We B Mt. profile, Diablo Blvd., comfort, Lafayette (925)and 299-1024 have found that patients are adapting and appreciating the benefits of daily disposable contacts, and these additions make the transition from monthly lenses very easy. Looking forward to 2014, there are insurance changes that are going 3518-B to affect us all. We definitely don’t have all of the answers, but we are working towards complying with the new requirements. Regarding using insurance at the office, most if not all group vision insurance is not going to change. For those who have VSP, Eyemed, and Medical Eye Services through your employer, those plans will remain the same as in 2013. Assuming your employer decided to keep the same plan for 2014, it will be the status quo. Most individual medical plans will also have benefits, but that will vary from plan to plan. Through these individual plans, the big change will be pediatric benefits. Qualified plans will cover the exam and basic materials for dependents under 19. Again, the allowances will be different depending on the plan, but kids will have frames to choose from to have their prescription filled at no cost to the patient. Finally, in this holiday season and all year round, it is important to think about those who could use our help. We always collect old frames and sunglasses and donate them to a local charity in January. They are distributed to people who cannot afford quality glasses. As long as the glasses are wearable, the condition does not matter. Regardless of appearance, they will definitely assist a person in need to help them see well. We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the years to come. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can Heartfelt & be reached at 820-6622 or visit his office at Supportive 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our newly updated website at www.alAt All Times... amooptometry.com, and like us on our Alamo Optometry Facebook page. www.excellentcareathome.com Advertorial
MADISON
Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 29
Winter has a style
Our mission is to provide personalized care, help maintain independence and enhance our client’s quality of life on a daily basis. • Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits ensure the right care plan • Hourly care for you • Live-in care • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt. • Elder referral and placement 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D Lafayette, CA 94549 (beside Trader Joe’s)
925-284-1213
Page 30 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
A Facelift without Surgery? Too Good to be True? By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
Many people would like to have a more youthful appearance yet would never consider a facelift or any other invasive procedure. A variety of technologies have been promoted as being able to produce non-surgical facelifts. The first device promoted for non-surgical skin tightening utilized radio frequency energy to bulk heat the skin. For some people there would be some degree of skin tightening but many saw marginal results. Skin tightening has taken a recent leap forward with technology that utilizes micro-focused ultrasound to heat and tighten tissue. While none of these devices can substitute for a facelift, they certainly can be of benefit to some people. Ultherapy has been in the news quite a bit these days and featured on 20/20, The View, The Doctors, and many other media outlets. This device is the only non-invasive procedure FDA cleared to lift the brow, chin, and neck. The device uses micro-focused ultrasound to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin deep in the skin which can non-surgically lift and tighten skin tissue with no downtime. The procedure takes about an hour and does not require anesthesia. The ultrasound heats multiple layers just beneath and within the skin. These are the
Clown continued from front page
Today the group visits 225,000 pediatric patients a year. In 2002, Dream Doctors, also targeting pediatric patients, introduced therapeutic clowning in Israel. In the past decade, scientists have proven that laughter promotes better blood circulation, relieves stress by regulating the secretion of the anxiety-response hormone cortisol, promotes the release of endorphins (natural painkillers), and even reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics. Although 90% of medical clowning worldwide focuses on pediatric care, MCP devotes much of its time to adults, particularly patients diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. “Pediatric patients going into a hospital are scared. All clowns have a sense of play that gives permission to the patients to play. When they do, they feel comfortable and it relieves their anxiety,” MCP clown Calvin Kai Ku explains. “The approach with adults is different from the approach with children. For adults, we provide a sense of camaraderie and friendship as someone who isn’t going to prod you and talk about your medical situation.” How did MCP, the first program of its kind established on the West Coast, come to address the needs of patients of all ages? Artistic Director Jeff Raz also founded the Clown Conservatory, the only comprehensive clown-training program in the United States. His students were performing outside a hospital when the nurse in charge of one of the adult units rushed up to them. “Do you work on adult units?” she asked before exclaiming, “I need you now!” As Raz notes, medical staffers often grasp the significance of what MCPprovides before the clowns complete their introductory demonstration. Kai Ku adds: “Having an excellent rapport with the medical staff is important. We have the same goal, but the form of therapy we offer is very different. By working together, we enhance the therapeutic experience.” In 2010, MCP ran its first pilot program at California Pacific Medical Center where Sharon (Sherry) Sherman, MCP Executive Director, has practiced. Dr. Sherman, Raz’s spouse, is a Licensed Psychologist and Community Health Consultant with a specialty in Health Psychology. She recognized immediately the role medical clowns could play in treating adults as well as children. Robert Sarison, Program Manager & RCFE Administrator at California Pacific Medical Center, describes why clown therapy is so successful. “The goal of clowning therapy is to ground people in the here and now. Patients laugh, clap, and sing, finding richness in the moment. It does not need to be theatrical because ultimately it is about being with people and not performing for them. People become more alert when the unexpected is introduced. A patient left sitting all day in a wheelchair without stimulation tends to shut down mentally.” Putting the patient in charge is an MCPhallmark. “The patient directs each interaction,” Ben Johnson, head clown, notes. “We use their verbal and non-verbal cues to determine duration, tone, content, etc.” Patients always have the option of refusing a visit. “We play to the person and not the patient,” he continues. “Hopefully that gives them the breathing room to interact on a human level which in turn generates a renewal of the energy needed to heal.” Clowns receive a staff briefing at the beginning of every shift so that they have a sense of what each patient might find comforting. Clowns perform wherever they are needed: patient rooms, intensive care, group settings and even at nursing stations. MCP clowns work in pairs. Because they take their cues from patient response, improvisation is the order of the day. “Each of our performers comes to the table with an individual repertoire of skills,” Johnson notes. “We also have common performance
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layers a surgeon would be operating on during a facelift. This results in skin tightening and lifting that occurs over about 3-6 months. The most common areas treated include the brow, face, and neck. A recently published study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed Ultherapy to be effective in lifting, tightening, and reducing wrinkles of the décolletage. Is Ultherapy a replacement for a facelift? I don’t believe any of the noninvasive treatments to be a true replacement for a facelift. If you have a turkey neck with a lot of excess skin, you would probably be better served seeing one of the many highly trained plastic surgeons in the area for a facelift. However, if you are not ready for such an invasive procedure and just want a smaller amount of lift and firming, Ultherapy might be for you. If you don’t want to undergo the risks of surgery or are not medically able to, then Ultherapy might be for you. The best results are typically seen in people ages 30-65 and are seen over the course of several months. This procedure does turn back the clock, but the clock does continue to tick. If you are interested in looking your best without undergoing the knife, please call us at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment. We are offering complimentary Ultherapy consultations between now and the end of the year with the mention of this article. We look forward to seeing you. Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call 925-838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial vocabulary including bits of business everyone knows, so your partner can step in and play any role that the situation requires.” Clowns are prepared to simply have a conversation if that is what the patient wants. “You need to be open with what’s going on with the patient. It’s not about you as a fabulous performer, but what each patient can get from you,” Kai Ku elaborates. “We are capable of temporarily dissolving dementia patients’ confusion. Through this we can get them to talk about themselves so we can discover what brings each individual joy and happiness.” Michelle Fouts, Executive Partner for Secure Dementia Unit at Laguna Honda Hospital, expresses her enthusiasm for MCP success on residential floors known as “neighborhoods.” A staff nurse discussed one patient labeled unresponsive. “She used to talk to me regularly, but she hasn’t spoken for the last year. But she was talking today with the clowns!” Fouts continues, “Agitation in persons with dementia is a symptom of an unfulfilled need. They are not able to tell us that need, and we have to be detectives. Some people end up on medication to treat the agitation. Our goal is to be great detectives so that less medicine will need to be taken and people with dementia will be able to live the fullest life possible. One of our needs is for fun and engagement. The Medial Clowns help bring spontaneity and joy to the moment.” Music plays an important role in relaxing patients. “Music creates movement within a person, a kind of vibration that reaches something within a patient and generates an emotional release,” explains Mahsa Matin, who can be seen performing in San Francisco as the one-person Beat Feet Orchestra. “The unexpected is what we generate. At first you need props, but as you get better all you need to be successful as a medical clown is yourself.” While medical clowns may delight their audience by doing handstands on a walker or performing up-close magic tricks, much of the time they spend with adult patients involves finding the connection that generates joy. Raz believes the MCP clowns have an innate ability to understand and respond taking on whatever role is appropriate. “In a performance dropping out of character is a negative, but in the case of medical clowning, you sometimes need to drop out of character and become just a human being in order to engage the patient. Once you have the patient finishing telling a story or completing another interaction, you can go full into a routine and then slide back halfway out of character to let the patient know you’ve had fun spending time together.” One challenge the MCP clowns face is transitioning between perceived realities. “Our job is not to take people anywhere but where they are. We need to enter their world and at the end of the session find our way back into our own world,” Raz says “For patients who have no one left, we can become family. Our visits once a week replace thatsocialization.”Havingwitnessedthe clowns’ impact, Fouts notes, “If I had my way, I would have them perform on everyneighborhoodonaregularweekly schedule two or three days a week.” As a non-profit organization, MCP is grateful for community support. To learn more about MCP, visit www.medicalclownproject.org Mahsa Matin finds the key to connecting with the or contact Jeff Raz: jeffraz@aol.com. person inside the patient.(Photo by Lenny Gonzales)
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Alamo Today ~ December 2013 - Page 31
Your Personal Nutritionist
How to Survive the Holiday Season Without Gaining Weight By Linda Michaelis RD,MS
What I hear from my clients this time of year is, “How can I enjoy the holidays without overeating and gaining weight?,” “Oh! I will just start again on January 1st,” or “How can I say no to all the goodies offered?” Here are a few tips that have proven successful. The key to success during the holidays madness is being mindful of your eating. What does this mean? It means developing a moment-to-moment awareness of what you are eating without judging yourself. It means deliberately paying attention to your thoughts about the food, taste, aroma, and sensation in your mouth. It means becoming aware of how you eat and then what you eat. For example, when you are eating quickly without savoring the food and then taking another serving, you are not eating mindfully. Think first when you arrive at a party and prepare a plate. Do you really like this food? Is it on my list of favorites, and then is it as good as I thought it would be? This again is mindful eating. Practice moderation, not deprivation, because this will only cause a backlash of bingeing and overeating. Some of my clients are chronic dieters who are so focused on the role that food plays in losing weight that they do not allow themselves to enjoy food. I teach all of my clients to enjoy the holiday parties that come around this time of year. They learn to realize that occasional overeating does not equate to instant weight gain. The next day after a party if you return to eating mindfully, you will be eating less. I see too many clients throw in the towel when they overeat at a party. They get very upset with themselves and end up doing it again. One effective tool is to observe what you do with your silverware when you are eating. Do you keep it in your hand the entire meal, or do you put it down between bites? Do you prepare another bite while you are still chewing? You are not eating mindfully when your attention is on your next bite instead of focusing on what is in your mouth. Put your fork down when you are chewing. You can also take finger foods and put them down in between bites. I always tell my clients to sit down and eat at a party instead of standing up because they will not be mindful when standing. Please become aware of your hunger signals. Eat when you are hungry, and stop when you are satisfied. There is no need to eat until you are uncomfortable to truly enjoy the party. It is okay to say “no, thank you” to your host when offered an appetizer that you do not like. Do not overeat from pressure at a party, and do all you can to be true to yourself and not give in. The number one rule is don’t arrive at your party too hungry. If you do, you are setting yourself up to fail because you will inevitably overeat. Have a substantial lunch the day of the party. Don’t just have a bowl of soup or salad; you should add at least 4-6 oz. of protein and a cup of veggies to make it a meal. Skip the breads which you will certainly have at the party. Perhaps make for yourself tuna stuffed in a tomato or an egg white omelet with diced ham and veggies. If you are asked to bring a dish, bring one that will help you through this event. Bring a shrimp cocktail, skewered shrimp, roasted veggies, grilled asparagus with balsamic glaze, or even fruit salad. These items will definitely balance your meal, especially when the offerings are mostly starch and fat laden. Please make time for your exercise program. You can burn off 300-500 calories with an intense hour of exercise. Also, arrive fashionably late if possible. Just think what that will allow you at your next party - definitely a few appetizers and a couple of holiday cookies. I counsel my clients during the holiday season by phone or e-mail. We speak often where I try to “hold their hand” through holiday parties. My clients give me an idea of what will be served, and we role play the event starting from the beginning of the day through the feast. It gives them a sense of confidence to attend the party with a plan in mind. It is a constant thrill for me to hear how, compared to past years, they have been able to sail through parties with even more enjoyment without overeating. Feel free to call me to discuss your upcoming party so we can put together a plan. I offer holiday gift certificates for nutritional counseling, please contact me to purchase. I am also glad to inform you that insurance companies will cover nutritional counseling. Please visit LindaRD.com for the list of companies that cover counseling, past articles, and more information about nutritional concerns. Call Linda at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail her at lifeweight1@yahoo.com. Advertorial
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Page 32 - December 2013 ~ Alamo Today
$700,000 124 Sugarloaf Ct $725,000 44 Hagen Oaks Ct $870,000 522 Tara Jean $875,000 20 Francesca Way $893,000 2960 Danville Blvd $903,000 1438 Sunnybrook Rd. $922,000 1285 Danville Boulevard $925,000 2631 Danville Blvd $944,585 465 Crest Ave $950,000 2546 Rolling Hills Ct $985,000 1028 White Gate Rd $985,000 71 Chancellor Ct $1,000,000 227 Angela Ave $1,000,000 369 Castle Crest Rd. $1,030,000 5 Brookdale Ct $1,032,500 33 Woodland Dr $1,038,388 3057 Lunada Ln $1,040,000 1060 Livorna Rd $1,049,000 23 Ray Court $1,050,000 2465 Lunada Ln $1,055,000 11 Winding Gln $1,062,500 2560 Joseph Drive $1,075,000 3030 Lunada Ln $1,076,000 1405 Entrada Verde $1,085,000 74 Chancellor Ct $1,099,000 6 Deodar Ln $1,099,000 512 Tara Jean Lane $1,125,000 5 Tanglewood Ln $1,135,000 16 Orchard Ln $1,149,000 1841 Piedras Cir $1,152,500 3150 Oakwood Lane $1,159,000 205 Crest Ave $1,160,000 Sales Price SqFt Price/SqFt 1577 Ridgewood Rd $1,162,000 3200 Stone Valley Rd $0 1826 $1,165,000 48 Hagen Oaks Ct. $0 5190 $1,175,000 1644 W Livorna Rd $530,000 1245 $425.70 $1,181,000 341 Castle Crest Rd $700,000 1910 $366.49 $1,183,000 2353 Hagen Oaks Dr $725,000 1055 $687.20 $1,200,000 79 Tracy Ct $870,000 1672 $520.33 $1,215,000 2890 Miranda Avenue $875,000 1642 $532.89 $1,225,000 1597 Hillgrade Avenue $893,000 2022 $441.64 $1,230,000 9 Ashford Ct $903,000 2401 $376.09 $1,245,000 987 Kirkcrest Ln $922,000 2709 $340.35 $925,000 2568 $360.20 $1,250,000 2455 Roundhill Dr $944,585 2049 $461.00 $1,250,000 20 Tanbark Ln $950,000 2411 $394.03 $1,275,000 21 Hagen Oaks Ct. $985,000 2248 $438.17 $1,275,000 2400 Alamo Glen Dr $985,000 2828 $348.30 3022 Roundhill Rd $1,290,000 $1,000,000 1956 $511.25 24 Cumorah Ln $1,300,000 $1,000,000 2761 $362.19 $1,300,000 300 Vernal Dr $1,030,000 1925 $535.06 2365 Royal Oaks Drive $1,305,000 $1,032,500 2246 $459.71 75 Janis Ct $1,325,000 $1,038,388 2920 $355.61 40 Hamilton Ct $1,340,000 $1,040,000 1657 $627.64 2473 Southview Dr $1,340,000 $1,049,000 2212 $474.23 14 Cypress Point Ct $1,359,000 $1,050,000 1890 $555.56 20 Garden Estates Ct $1,365,000 $1,055,000 2940 $358.84 39 Oak Trail Ct $1,375,000 $1,062,500 3616 $293.83 259 Imrie Pl $1,385,000 $1,075,000 3679 $292.20 255 Imrie Pl $1,385,000 $1,076,000 3118 $345.09 1591 Cervato Cir $1,390,000 $1,085,000 2563 $423.33 2342 Royal Oaks Dr $1,420,000 $1,099,000 2870 $382.93 1488 Via Don Jose $1,440,000 $1,099,000 2470 $444.94 1020 Ina Dr $1,442,750 $1,125,000 3469 $324.30 40 Kitoosh $1,450,000 $1,135,000 2824 $401.91 1672 Via Romero $1,450,000 $1,149,000 2415 $475.78 63 Mathews Pl $1,475,000 $1,152,500 3272 $352.23 329 South Avenue $1,500,000 $1,159,000 3942 $294.01 2035 Green Valley Rd $1,500,000 $1,160,000 3154 $367.79 212 Glenwood Ct $1,519,000 $1,162,000 2400 $484.17 908 Kirkcrest Rd $1,550,000 $1,165,000 3149 $369.96 45 Augusta Ct $1,557,000 $1,175,000 2621 $448.30 71 Incline Green Ln $1,575,000 $1,181,000 2900 $407.24 41 Gran Via $1,595,000 $1,183,000 3817 $309.93 230 Saint Paul Dr $1,600,000 $1,200,000 2766 $433.84 141 Regent Pl $1,607,000 $1,215,000 3202 $379.45 2495 Royal Oaks Dr $1,610,000 $1,225,000 2200 $556.82 2560 Joseph Dr $1,620,000 $1,230,000 2389 $514.86 1801 Green Valley Rd. $1,625,000 $1,245,000 3435 $362.45 1130 Castle Crest Ct $1,655,000 $1,659,000 105 Alamo Hills Ct $1,670,000 1536 Serafix Rd $1,670,000 12 Copenhagen Ct 1529 Saint Alphonsus Way $1,700,000 Amazing estate property324 Massoni Court on approx. ¾ of an $1,710,000 acre. 214 Vagabond Ct Large Luxury home. Flat64 Oak Meadow Ct lot, backs Iron Horse$1,749,000 Trail. $1,755,000 Guest house, second15 Inverrary Lane cottage and workshop. $1,800,000 $1,825,000 110 Southview Lane $1,827,500 219 Dorchester Lane
1910 1055 1672 1642 2022 2401 2709 2568 2049 2411 2248 2828 1956 2761 1925 2246 2920 1657 2212 1890 2940 3616 3679 3118 2563 2870 2470 3469 2824 2415 3272 3942 3154 2400 3149 2621 2900 3817 2766 3202 2200 2389 3435 2418 3833 3126 3184 3112 4942 2392 2512 2649 2818 2408 3841 2542 3338 3228 3366 3045 3683 3087 3351 3241 3281 3500 2887 3450 2869 2580 3058 3465 3745 3847 4006 3260 3616 5772 4200 3966 3674 4042
$366.49 $687.20 $520.33 $532.89 $441.64 $376.09 $340.35 $360.20 $461.00 $394.03 $438.17 $348.30 $511.25 $362.19 $535.06 $459.71 $355.61 $627.64 $474.23 $555.56 $358.84 $293.83 $292.20 $345.09 $423.33 $382.93 $444.94 $324.30 $401.91 $475.78 $352.23 $294.01 $367.79 $484.17 $369.96 $448.30 $407.24 $309.93 $433.84 $379.45 $556.82 $514.86 $362.45 $516.96 $326.12 $407.87 $400.44 $414.52 $263.05 $543.48 $519.51 $500.19 $475.51 $556.48 $353.81 $536.98 $411.92 $429.06 $411.47 $456.49 $385.56 $466.47 $430.54 $447.39 $441.94 $421.43 $519.57 $434.78 $529.45 $600.78 $509.16 $454.55 $425.90 $415.91 $401.15 $493.87 $448.01 $281.53 $394.05 $418.31 $454.55 $413.16
3636 4799 3593 3999 4436 4000 4514
$467.55 $356.32 $486.78 $438.86 $405.77 $456.25 $404.85
The Combs Team Professionals You Can Count On
Nancy
Call the Combs Team
92 5 -9 8 9 -6 0 8 6 107 Alamo Homes Sell in Broad Price Band
Just to be a little different this month, I thought I would list the homes that have sold in Alamo as reported on for the last half of the year (June 1- November 15). The first thing that jumps out is the wide variation in sold price and dollars paid per square foot. The statistical average for sold price in Alamo is $1,405,631 the average square foot price is $429. The price swath ranges from roughly $530,000 for a condo to $4,025,000 for a Luxury Home. Prices per square foot range from $425 to $710. Not one Alamo home sold for the exact statistical mean. The take away message is simply this homes are being judged on their individual merits now more so than in the past and pricing correctly is more important than ever. It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. If you would like an honest opinion of your home’s current market value, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. For more Alamo and Danville Real Estate articles, please visit our website at www. thecombsteam.com. May you and your family have Joyous Holiday Season.
www.TheCombsTeam.com
Address 1630 Las Trampas Road 114 Muir Ln 323 Alamo Square 124 Sugarloaf Ct 44 Hagen Oaks Ct 522 Tara Jean 20 Francesca Way 2960 Danville Blvd 1438 Sunnybrook Rd. 1285 Danville Boulevard 2631 Danville Blvd 465 Crest Ave 2546 Rolling Hills Ct 1028 White Gate Rd 71 Chancellor Ct 227 Angela Ave 369 Castle Crest Rd. 5 Brookdale Ct 33 Woodland Dr 3057 Lunada Ln 1060 Livorna Rd 23 Ray Court 2465 Lunada Ln 11 Winding Gln 2560 Joseph Drive 3030 Lunada Ln 1405 Entrada Verde 74 Chancellor Ct 6 Deodar Ln 512 Tara Jean Lane 5 Tanglewood Ln 16 Orchard Ln 1841 Piedras Cir 3150 Oakwood Lane 205 Crest Ave 1577 Ridgewood Rd 3200 Stone Valley Rd 48 Hagen Oaks Ct. 1644 W Livorna Rd 341 Castle Crest Rd 2353 Hagen Oaks Dr 79 Tracy Ct 2890 Miranda Avenue 1597 Hillgrade Avenue 9 Ashford Ct 987 Kirkcrest Ln
West Side Alamo Charmer
d Sol
Just Listed Alamo Estate
Country Estate 7 Acres
fers f o le ultip m with
Single Story custom 4 bedroom on flat half acre. Please call for details.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com 2455 Roundhill Dr 20 Tanbark Ln 21 Hagen Oaks Ct. 2400 Alamo Glen Dr 3022 Roundhill Rd 24 Cumorah Ln 300 Vernal Dr 2365 Royal Oaks Drive 75 Janis Ct 40 Hamilton Ct 2473 Southview Dr 14 Cypress Point Ct 20 Garden Estates Ct 39 Oak Trail Ct 259 Imrie Pl 255 Imrie Pl 1591 Cervato Cir 2342 Royal Oaks Dr 1488 Via Don Jose 1020 Ina Dr 40 Kitoosh 1672 Via Romero 63 Mathews Pl 329 South Avenue 2035 Green Valley Rd 212 Glenwood Ct 908 Kirkcrest Rd 45 Augusta Ct 71 Incline Green Ln 41 Gran Via 230 Saint Paul Dr 141 Regent Pl 2495 Royal Oaks Dr 2560 Joseph Dr 1801 Green Valley Rd. 1130 Castle Crest Ct 105 Alamo Hills Ct 1536 Serafix Rd 12 Copenhagen Ct 1529 Saint Alphonsus Way 324 Massoni Court 214 Vagabond Ct 64 Oak Meadow Ct 15 Inverrary Lane 110 Southview Lane 219 Dorchester Lane
1480 Laurenita Way 105 Byerley Ct 2519 Alamo Country Cir 333 Golden Grass Drive 20 Kemp Court 50 Crest Estate Dr 2132 Stone Valley Road 199 La Colina Drive 131 Wellington Lane 106 Muir Ln 119 Alamo Springs Drive 124 Alamo Springs Dr 123 Alamo Springs Drive 295 Barrington Lane 12 Country Oak Ln
$1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,275,000 $1,275,000 $1,290,000 $1,300,000 $1,300,000 $1,305,000 $1,325,000 $1,340,000 $1,340,000 $1,359,000 $1,365,000 $1,375,000 $1,385,000 $1,385,000 $1,390,000 $1,420,000 $1,440,000 $1,442,750 $1,450,000 $1,450,000 $1,475,000 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $1,519,000 $1,550,000 $1,557,000 $1,575,000 $1,595,000 $1,600,000 $1,607,000 $1,610,000 $1,620,000 $1,625,000 $1,655,000 $1,659,000 $1,670,000 $1,670,000
2418 3833 3126 3184 3112 4942 2392 2512 2649 2818 2408 3841 2542 3338 3228 3366 3045 3683 3087 3351 3241 3281 3500 2887 3450 2869 2580 3058 3465 3745 3847 4006 3260 3616 5772 4200 3966 3674 4042
$516.96 $326.12 $407.87 $400.44 $414.52 $263.05 $543.48 $519.51 $500.19 $475.51 $556.48 $353.81 $536.98 $411.92 ® $429.06 $411.47 $456.49 $385.56 $466.47 $430.54 $447.39 $441.94 $421.43 $519.57 $434.78 $529.45 $600.78 $509.16 $454.55 $425.90 $415.91 $401.15 $493.87 $448.01 $281.53 $394.05 $418.31 $454.55 $413.16
$1,700,000 $1,710,000 $1,749,000 $1,755,000 $1,800,000 $1,825,000 $1,827,500
3636 4799 3593 3999 4436 4000 4514
$467.55 $356.32 $486.78 $438.86 $405.77 $456.25 $404.85
$1,841,300 $1,875,000 $1,875,000 $2,050,000 $2,110,000 $2,125,000 $2,150,000 $2,200,000 $2,225,000 $2,280,000 $2,380,000 $2,450,000 $2,695,500 $3,195,000 $4,025,000
3847 4251 4242 4525 4674 5600 6603 5800 5555 4244 5069 4988 5903 5912 5665
$478.63 $441.07 $442.01 $453.04 $451.43 $379.46 $325.61 $379.31 $400.54 $537.23 $469.52 $491.18 $456.63 $540.43 $710.50
Joe
Build Your Dream Home
ng! i n i ema r e y on l n O Beautiful oak studded lots for sale one is 7 acres, one is 11 acres. $500k each
Just Listed Danville Charmer
G
IN D N E
P Amazing Country Estate featuring a large executive home on 7 wooded and private acres. Full view of Mt. Diablo. Call for details.
Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
3 bedroom, 2 bath home on flat lot backing a creek. Walk to 12 years of SRVUSD schools! Call for details. J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526