Alamo Today, September 2014 by The Editors, Inc

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

September 2014

Serving Alamo and Diablo

Alamo’s Boulevard of Trees: a 25 Year Legacy of Beauty in Alamo By Sharon Burke

In downtown Alamo, more than 30 mature leafy Valley oaks and scarlet oaks adorn Danville Boulevard, providing a beautiful green canopy entry to our town and shade to our commercial area. Numerous studies have shown that trees planted in a downtown area enhance walkability, improve property values, enhance retail and restaurant sales, combat global warming, and provide a host of other benefits. But it wasn’t always so. Since Alamo is a county enclave, 30 years ago there was no master plan to plant trees or provide landscaping to relieve the concrete infrastructure. A volunteer committee changed all of that. Danville Boulevard was originally a stagecoach road, providing the main link from Martinez to San Jose. Around 1920, Danville Boulevard was tree lined by valley citizens as a memorial to Contra Costa soldiers lost in World War I. The trees grew into a lovely arching canopy that brought many visitors to the country to drive the beautiful boulevard in Alamo. Unfortunately, the trees were elms, and they gradually succumbed to Dutch Elm disease, with most of the trees disappearing by the 1970’s. In the 1980’s, Alamo community leader Brian Thiessen had the idea to replant the Boulevard canopy. His idea was to honor the 50 states by planting the 50 state tree species. A committee was formed which included Alamo residents, landscape architects, arborists, and garden club members. The state tree idea was soon abandoned when the arborists pointed out that some of those species would not do well in Alamo’s climate. Working with University of California Cooperative Extension Horticulture Advisor Douglas Hamilton, the committee selected nine species that would provide visual and seasonal interest, and size and shape diversity. They would also establish well in Alamo’s soil and climate, and would

Discovery Counseling Center: Building a Healthy Community

See Trees continued on page 28

By Jody Morgan

Serving Valley families for over 40 years, the Discovery Counseling Center (DCC), located at 115 Town & Country Drive in Danville, is a remarkable resource for affordable, high-quality mental health care. In addition to partnering with the San Ramon Valley United School District (SRVUSD) in a variety of innovative programs, DCC provides training in Mental Health First Aid and counseling for Seniors Citizens. Services at the clinic supplement school-based and community outreach offerings. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Friends of Discovery and generous grants from sponsors, DCC, a non-profit organization, is able to offer some programs free of charge, while keeping other fees modest. Staff includes over 40 licensed and pre-licensed therapists, social workers, and psychologists. DCC Executive Director Kathy Chiverton quotes National Institute of Mental Health research: “An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older – about one in four adults – suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” Chiverton continues, “When you include families, neighbors, colleagues, you can see how the vast majority of Stacy Touhy teaches a Mental Health First Aid Class. Photo courtesy of us are impacted in some way by someone dealing with a mental health issue. As a com- DCC. munity we need to talk about mental health and become more aware of the support and resources available to those who face mental health issues.” Volume XIV - Number 9 Evolving over the past 25 years to fill District needs, the School Counseling Intervention Program (SCIP) now 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, provides guidance in all SRVUSD elementary schools. Research indicates fostering resilience by helping students deAlamo, CA 94507 velop self-esteem and master skills critical for coping with whatever challenges they face is the most effective way to Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 maintain safe, drug-free schools. DCC Fax (925) 406-0547 PRSRT STD counseling is available two days per U.S. Postage Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher week in 16 schools and once a week PAID Local Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Permit 263 in the five smaller facilities. This shortSharon Burke ~ Writer Postal Customer Alamo CA opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do term intervention of 10-12 sessions can The not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today ECRWSS is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising

See Discovery cont. on page 34

herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

Page 2 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Boulevard View

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

Have you visited the world class Computer History Museum located in Mountain View? The amazing collection at the Museum takes visitors on a journey from abacuses to slide rulers, from card reading computers through the invention of the microchip, from the introduction of calculators through electronic games and gadgets, cell phones, personal computers, and more. Phew! It has it all! The Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the stories and artifacts of the information age. While the sharing and use of information has existed since the beginning of mankind, recently there has been an explosion in how many ways and how much easier we can now communicate. No longer are people sharing stories by painting pictographs on cave walls or etching characters on clay or stone tablets. Many of these old forms of communication could not be transported and remained in one place, many to be lost to the sands of time. As communication developed, writing began to appear on paper and papyrus, which enabled the sharing and distribution of information. In modern times, paper has been the most commonly used medium to communicate. That is, until recently. In less than forty years, the microprocessor era has facilitated the greatest information revolution in the history of humankind. The sharing of electronic information and the amount of data being learned, shared, and passed down is mind boggling. Many people (like me!) feel overwhelmed by the amount of information coming toward them every day. It used to be a significant undertaking to write a book, or for some, to simply write a letter. Thanks to electronic transmission, books can be conceived, written, published and distributed in just days, and we sometimes write tens of mini-letters (emails) every day. In many ways, now we hyper-communicate. The exponential growth of what we can do with these electronics devices and the plethora of information available has made some tasks more simple and efficient, and in other ways it has made our lives more complicated,

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urgent, and cluttered. We have so many modes of communication available now that it seems we spend a large amount of time consumed by it. Have you noticed how ever since the FAX appeared in 1988, everything has become so URGENT? All of this technology has accelerated the pace of business and society as a whole. On one hand it’s helped us do things faster, and on the other, maybe it’s amplified our impatience. And then there’s the smartphone! What a cultural force the iPhone and Android phones have become. There are texts and jingles, special songs to identify a specific caller, and alarms for an upcoming activity. There’s instant access to any knowledge we desire, in almost any form. We have strobe lights that inform us that messages are waiting and buzzers that silently tell us when someone wants to reach us. There are exclamation marks and color coding of our messages to denote that one communication is more important than all of the others, at least in the eye of the beholder! The technical revolution has brought us many wondrous innovations in all of this new communication. For instance, we can easily and instantly translate documents and information from multiple languages. I remember as a child when we received correspondence from distant relatives in Czechoslovakia, we would take the letter to an individual who could translate it for us. Now a webpage we’re on will automatically ask us if we’d like to translate the page from whatever language it’s in to English. Yes, please! Another form of communication that has exploded is the taking of pictures and the making of films, or in modern parlance, videos. In the 80’s I remember going on a cruise and there were multiple people lugging around video cameras the size of a carry-on suitcase. Most of the time they spent was behind the camera trying to capture the moments, instead of living in the moment. Today, we’re a society that is documenting every moment of every day, every happening, good or bad. We’re all publishers, authors, and filmmakers now. Take a walk through this evolution at the Computer History Museum located at 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Mountain View (www.computerhistory.org). Go visit, and see how far we’ve come.

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Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 3

Exceptional views makes this 5 bedroom, 6 bath 4300+ sq.ft. home with separate office/library one you don’t want to miss. Large Chef’s kitchen with center island, stainless steel appliances, & eating area that captures the views...Hardwood floors...All bedrooms have their own private bathroom suite. 3 car garage & more.

4 bedrooms, 3 baths with in-law on lush grounds. Private, pleasing, and elegant with Alamo Schools. See www.alamoluxuryhomes.com for Open House dates.

$1,979,000

$1,847,000

Gretchen Bryce • 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com

Michael Hatfield• 925.984.1339 michael@alamoluxuryhomes.com

Diablo ~ $200,000 Price Reduction! Walk to downtown! Detached, Private lane leads to single story rancher newer home with 9’ ceilings, crown packed w/Potential & Unlimited Possibilities. molding, hardwood floors, plantation 1.63 FLAT Acres, w/ Pool/Spa, Entertainment shutters and a gourmet kitchen! 3 Cabana & Tennis Court. Plant a vineyard, bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1800+ sq. ft. Move-in stable horses or build your estate home. It’s ready and price just reduced. all possible at this Diablo location. $1,649,950 $829,000

Walnut Creek ~ Fabulous single story unit in ROSSMOOR w/level entry. 2 bdrms + 2.5 bth + den/office over 1900sf. Inside laundry + 2 car attached garage. Large patio. Walk to the exercise facility w/indoor pool. Minutes to the community center & gated entrance makes this home the perfect location. $1,275,000

Tony Cristiani • 925.785.8948 tonycristiani@msn.com

John Lopes • 925.998.8262 john@johnlopes.com

Gretchen Bryce • 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com

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Page 4 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today Saturday, September 20th 10-7 PM Sunday, September 21st 10-6 PM Downtown Lafayette

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The Blackhawk Automotive Museum hosts a monthly Cars & Coffee event year round for all car enthusiasts. Held on the first Sunday of each month, starting at 8AM and ending to 10AM, the Museum welcomes all classic, collector, and special interest car owners and enthusiasts. The next event will be held September 7. On Cars & Coffee Sundays the Museum opens an hour earlier, at 9AM, and participating car owners will receive complimentary Museum admission tickets. The Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville. For more information, visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org.

the sun kings • foreverland • aja vu • PettY theft • • stealin’ chicago • ZeboP • the sPaZmatics • the big jangle • • east baY mudd • night moves • baY bridge beat • duo gadjo • • other PeoPle’s moneY • juice • bob athaYde & friends • • acoustic s&m • juke joint • red house all stars • dominant 7 • Presenting Sponsor

Festival Sponsor

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley, along with local veterans’ organizations, is hosting the Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony for the residents of the San Ramon Valley (SRV). This event will feature prominent guest speakers, hundreds of Boy and Girl Scouts with an array of American Flags, joint Police and Fire Department Honor Guard, the San Ramon Valley High Chamber Choir, a flight of doves, and many other patriotic contributions. There will be an essay contest based on this event with cash prizes for students in grades 1-12 who are residents of the five San Ramon Valley communities. The event will take place on Thursday, September 11th starting at 5:50PM and concluding at 6:40PM at All Wars Memorial, which is located at Oak Hill Park at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville. Master of Ceremonies for the event will be Karen Stepper, Past President of the Exchange Club of SRV. Keynote Speaker will be David Yuers, and current Exchange Club President, Richard Price will be a guest speaker. For information about the Exchange Club of SRV, please visit srvexchangeclub.org.

Blackhawk “First Sunday” Cars & Coffee

Presenting Sponsor

Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Festival Sponsor

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club 6100 State Farm Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Minuteman Press Lafayette

www.lafayettefestival.com www.facebook.com/lafayettefestival

Minuteman Press Lafayette

@friendly chamber #LafFest

6100 State Farm Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated Luncheon to Prepare for Upcoming Elections

Get prepared for the November 4th elections! Allison Olson, Advocate for California Federated Republican Women, presents “Unraveling the Propositions!” Allison Olson is a graduate of the University of California at Davis with a degree in Political Science. She was the Deputy Finance Director for the McClintock for Congress campaign and previously interned with Wilson-Miller Communications in Sacramento, a position that included tracking California legislation for clients of that firm. No stranger to Republican volunteer organizations, she chaired the Davis College Republicans group from June of 2006 until May 2008. She was also a fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies from April 2007 to May 2008. During that time, Allison studied in Israel and Washington, D. C. with counter-terror experts. Please join us for lunch and Allison’s talk at Crow Canyon Country Club, located at 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville on Tuesday, September 23rd from 11:30-Noon. The cost is $25. Please RSVP by Friday, September 19th to srvrwf.lunch@gmail.com or send your check to P.O. Box 1, Danville, CA 94526. For more information visit www.srvrwf.org. Save the date for lunch with Larry Greenfield, expert on the Middle East, on Tuesday, October 28th.

Delta Nu Psi Care Packages for the Troops

Delta Nu Psi will be at CVS in Alamo on Friday, September 5th from 11 -2pm, and at Lunardi’s Market in Danville on Friday, September 12th from 11am-2pm to collect “gourmet junk food” and postage for shipments for our servicemen. Some of their favorite treats are sunflower seeds, GoGo Squeez, salted nuts, beef jerky, and single serving macaroni and cheese. Please visit deltanupsi.org for more information as well as photos and emails from the men and women in the War Zone. am

Are you new to the area or a long time resident interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? We are a women's organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all we have to offer by visiting our website: www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. Our next new member coffee is September 23rd at 10am. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.

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Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 5

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editor@yourmonthlypaper.com editor@yourmonthlypaper.com editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Alamo Alamo Home Alamo Home Sales Home Sales – August Sales – August –2014 August Bed/Bath Bed/Bath Bed/Bath ListList Price Price List Price SaleSale Price Price Sale Price Alamo Home Sales –2014 July2014 2014 170170 Alamo Alamo 170 Hills Alamo Hills Court Court Hills Court 4/4½ 4/4½ 4/4½ $1,995,000 $1,995,000 $1,995,000 $1,725,000 $1,725,000 $1,725,000 Bed/Bath List Price Sale Price 115115 Alamo Alamo 115 Springs Alamo Springs Drive Springs Drive Drive 5/5½½ 5/5½½ 5/5½½ $3,189,500 $3,189,500 $3,189,500 $3,494,792 $3,494,792 $3,494,792 20 Alamo Glen Trail 3/2½ $2,200,000 $2,200,000 715715 Anderson Anderson 715 Anderson Ranch Ranch Court Ranch Court Court 5/3½ 4/3½ 4/3½ 4/3½ $2,049,000 $2,049,000 $2,049,000 $2,027,000 $2,027,000 $2,027,000 66 Alamo Glen Trail $1,649,000 $1,638,000 280280 Bolla Bolla 280 Avenue Avenue Bolla Avenue 4/2½ 4/2½ 4/2½ $1,199,000 $1,199,000 $1,199,000 $1,159,000 $1,159,000 $1,159,000 150 Alamo Springs Drive 5/4½ $3,395,000 $3,250,000 1120 1120 Castle Castle 1120 Crest Castle Crest Court Crest Court Court 5/4½ 5/4½ 5/4½ $1,788,888 $1,788,888 $1,788,888 $1,720,000 $1,720,000 $1,720,000 298 Barrington Lane 5/4½ $3,298,500 $3,500,000 249249 Castle Castle 249Crest Castle Crest Road Crest Road Road 3/2 $995,000 $995,000 $995,000 $1,101,000 $1,101,000 $1,101,000 954 Danville Boulevard 3/33/23/2 $950,000 N/A 2617 Danville Boulevard 4/44/4½ $1,095,000 $1,097,000 56 Copenhagen 56 Copenhagen 56 Copenhagen Court Court Court 4/4½ 4/4½ $1,925,000 $1,925,000 $1,925,000 $1,825,000 $1,825,000 $1,825,000 16 Denyce Court 5/2½ $1,460,000 330330 Crest Crest 330 Avenue Crest Avenue Avenue 3/23/2 $1,500,000 3/2 $729,000 $729,000 $729,000 $750,000 $750,000 $750,000 962 Easy 3/24/3½ $925,000 $905,000 172172 EastEast 172 Lane Lane EastStreet Lane 4/3½ 4/3½ $2,149,000 $2,149,000 $2,149,000 $2,150,000 $2,150,000 $2,150,000 727 Evelyn Court 5/3½ $1,849,000 $1,839,000 1484 1484 Emmons Emmons 1484 Emmons Canyon Canyon Drive Canyon Drive Drive 4/34/3 4/3 $1,239,000 $1,239,000 $1,239,000 $1,225,000 $1,225,000 $1,225,000 103 Golden Ridge Road 4/3½ $1,600,000 959959 Escondido Escondido 959 Escondido Court Court Court 3/23/2 $1,375,000 3/2 $1,300,000 $1,300,000 $1,300,000 $1,308,000 $1,308,000 $1,308,000 2230 Granite Drive 5/3 $1,329,000 $1,400,000 25 Francesca 25 Francesca 25 Francesca WayWay Way 3/33/3 3/3 $1,195,000 $1,195,000 $1,195,000 $ 1,216,500 $ 1,216,500 $ 1,216,500 986 Ina Drive 4/3 $1,499,000 $ 1,700,000 79 Jennifer 79 Jennifer 79Kimberley Lane Jennifer Lane Place Lane 6/4½ 6/4½ 6/4½ $2,198,500 $2,198,500 $ 2,250,000 $ 2,250,000 $ 2,250,000 32 5/4½ $2,339,000 $ $2,198,500 2,300,000 513513 Justin Justin 513 Morgan Justin Morgan Drive Morgan Drive Drive 5/4 $1,598,000 $1,598,000 $ 1,618,000 $ 1,618,000 $ 1,618,000 1481 Livorna Road 2/15/45/4 $889,000 $ $1,598,000 870,000 242242 LasLas Quebradas 242Quebradas Las Quebradas Lane Lane 6/3 $1,850,000 $1,850,000 $ 1,925,000 $ 1,925,000 $ 1,925,000 117 Monte Sereno PlaceLane 4/36/36/3 $1,050,000 $ $1,850,000 1,030,000 1900 1900 Las20 Las 1900 Trampas Trampas Las Trampas Road Road Road 4/3 4/3 4/3 $4,600,000 $4,600,000 $4,600,000 $ 3,900,000 $ 3,900,000 $ 3,900,000 Oak Crest Lane 4/3½ $1,425,000 $ 1,390,000 829829 Miranda Miranda 829 Creek Miranda Creek Court Creek Court Court 5/4½ 5/4½ 5/4½ $1,739,000 $1,739,000 $ 1,699,000 $ 1,699,000 $ 1,699,000 34 Oak Trail Court 5/3½ $1,569,000 $ $1,739,000 1,569,000 529 Oakshire Place 4/2½ $1,379,000 $ $1,050,000 1,500,000 1840 1840 Monte Monte 1840 Sereno Monte Sereno Sereno 4/2½ 4/2½ 4/2½ $1,050,000 $1,050,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000 3137 Oakwood Lane 4/3½ $ $1,179,500 1,460,000 1905 1905 Monte Monte 1905 Sereno Monte Sereno Drive Sereno Drive Drive 4/34/3 $1,280,000 4/3 $1,179,500 $1,179,500 $ 1,190,000 $ 1,190,000 $ 1,190,000 61 Court 5/44/3½ $1,399,000 $ $1,645,000 1,300,000 30 Oak 30 Oak Trail 30Orchard Trail Oak Court Court Trail Court 4/3½ 4/3½ $1,645,000 $1,645,000 $ 1,655,000 $ 1,655,000 $ 1,655,000 190 Oxford Court 4/3½ $1,795,000 $ 1,750,000 592592 Oakshire Oakshire 592 Oakshire Place Place Place 4/4½ 4/4½ 4/4½ $1,899,000 $1,899,000 $1,899,000 $ 1,899,000 $ 1,899,000 $ 1,899,000 124 Post Road Drive 4/2½ $ $1,938,000 1,825,000 2060 2060 Pebble Pebble 2060 Drive Pebble Drive 5/45/4 $1,625,000 5/4 $1,938,000 $1,938,000 $ 1,900,000 $ 1,900,000 $ 1,900,000 2356 Roundhill Drive 3/2 $1,228,000 $ 1,200,000 1808 1808 Piedras Piedras 1808Circle Piedras Circle Circle 4/44/4 4/4 $1,498,000 $1,498,000 $1,498,000 $ 1,500,000 $ 1,500,000 $ 1,500,000 2640 Royal Oaks Drive 5/3 $1,289,000 $ 1,410,000 1875 1875 Piedras Piedras 1875Circle Piedras Circle Circle 6/3½ 6/3½ 6/3½ $1,390,000 $1,390,000 $1,390,000 $ 1,300,000 $ 1,300,000 $ 1,300,000 90 Stephanie Lane 2/2 $1,298,500 $ 1,501,000 4040 4040 Stone Stone 4040 Valley Stone Valley Oaks Valley Oaks Drive Oaks Drive Drive 4/3½ 5/4½ 5/4½ 5/4½ $1,859,000 $1,859,000 $ 1,800,000 $ 1,800,000 $ 1,800,000 1012 Stone Valley Road $1,299,900 $ $1,859,000 1,290,000 3200 3200 Stone Stone 3200 Valley Stone Valley Road Valley Road Road 4/2½ 4/2½ 4/2½ $1,299,000 $1,299,000 $1,299,000 $ 1,200,000 $ 1,200,000 $ 1,200,000 242 Sydney Drive 4/2½ $1,324,000 $ 1,298,000 40 Stonecastle 40 Stonecastle 40 Vagabond Stonecastle Court Court Court 5/4 $1,499,000 $1,499,000 $ 1,420,000 $ 1,420,000 $ 1,420,000 220 Court 4/35/45/4 $1,988,000 $ $1,499,000 1,988,000 59 Stonecastle 59 Stonecastle 59 Vagabond Stonecastle Court Court Court 6/4½ 6/4½ 6/4½ $1,759,000 $1,759,000 $ 1,712,000 $ 1,712,000 $ 1,712,000 237 Court 5/3½ $1,749,500 $ $1,759,000 1,740,000 3100 3100 Stonegate Stonegate 3100 Stonegate Drive Drive Drive 4/4½ 4/4½ $1,850,000 $1,850,000 $ 1,850,000 $ 1,850,000 $ 1,850,000 70 Vernal Court 5/54/4½ $1,888,000 $ $1,850,000 1,765,000 40 S ViaStonegate Lucia Lane Drive 4/2½ $ $1,545,000 1,800,000 3185 3185 Stonegate Stonegate 3185 Drive Drive 4/44/4 $1,625,000 4/4 $1,545,000 $1,545,000 $ 1,480,000 $ 1,480,000 $ 1,480,000 55 Via Robles 3/23/2½ $1,180,000 $ $999,000 1,050,000 149149 ViaVia Serena 149 Serena Via Serena 3/2½ 3/2½ $999,000 $999,000 $ 1,249,000 $ 1,249,000 $ 1,249,000 1632 Via Romero 5/4½ $2,475,000 $ 2,340,000 All single family homes sold in Alamo 07/25/14 thru 08/23/14

All properties are HOT right now! Call Chris or Dea to help with your sale.

Dea Campbell

160 Virginia Lane 1308 Virginia Street

925.640.1727

4/3 4/2½

$1,399,000 $1,295,000

$ 1,375,000 $ 1,325,000

* All single family homes sold in Alamo 06/20/14 thru 07/24/14

CALBRE #01734129

hris Campbell’s family has lived in Alamo for nearly 100 years. As a lifetime Alamo resident, Chris’knowledge and affection for the area give him unique insight into the Alamo real estate market and local community. Chris Campbell is your neighbor and Alamo’s Real Estate Expert! ®

Direct

925-838-5700 • E-mail Chris@ChrisCampbellRE.net • Web

AARP Tax-Aide Call For Volunteers for 2015 Tax Season

Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by TaxAide and certified by IRS and Client Facilitators who schedule appointment and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is in November 2014, and classes for tax counselors start in January 2015. If interested, call LaVerne Gordon at (925) 726-3199 for information and to apply.

Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club

Chronicle Books Editor Bridget Watson Payne will present “The Power of Words and Images” at the next luncheon meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) on Saturday, September 13 at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill. Ms. Payne will discuss what she looks for in a winning book proposal, how to discover unique areas of writing and book publishing, the interaction of words and images in illustrated books, collaborations, and how to turn personal interests and passions into books. Ms. Payne has worked in publishing for over a decade with hundreds of authors, artists, and photographers. Her authors include Julia Rothman, Danny Gregory, and Yoko Ono. Her own books are This is Happening: Life Through the Lens of Instagram and New York Jackie: Pictures From Her Life in the City. Sign-in is from 11:30AM to noon, buffet luncheon is from noon to 1:00PM, and the speaker will present at 1:00PM. The cost is $20 for CWC members, $25 for guests. Reservations are required and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, September 10. Contact Robin Gigoux at ragig524@gmail.com or (925) 933-9670. Expect confirmation only if you e-mail your reservation. The California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch web address is http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/.

ChrisCampbellRE.net

AAUW Membership Brunch

Women in Film: From Evolution to Revolution

AAUW will be holding a membership brunch with author, speaker, and retired UC Berkeley Senior Lecturer Marilyn Fabe, PhD talking on “Women in Film: From Evolution to Revolution. The luncheon will take place on Saturday, September 27th from 9:30am - 12:30pm at Roundhill Country Club, located at 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo Marilyn has taught a wide variety of film courses for the Department of Film and Media at Berkeley, including many on the representation of women in film. Learn about the film industry through film clips and the role women played in that evolution. Film buffs will not want to miss this event. This program is open to the public, but reservations by September 22 are required. Pay online at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/2014-membership-brunch. For further information, contact membership co-chairs Tena at 925-8370826 or Soni at 925-286-1737.

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Page 6 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

32nd Annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival Saturday, September 6th, 3:30-10:30pm

The Rotary Club of Alamo is sponsoring the 32nd Annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival which will be held on Saturday, September 6th from 3:30pm to 10:30pm at Alamo Plaza. The fun-filled event is the Rotary Club of Alamo’s major fundraiser and will benefit the Alamo community; the music programs at six local schools including Alamo and Rancho Romero Elementary Schools, Stone Valley Middle School, Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley High Schools and the Lucille Mauzy School; and the Club’s international humanitarian projects. Headlining the event will be the Groove Doctors, an 8-piece band, who will perform from 8 to 10:30pm. The band’s incredibly diverse song list of home-run-hits from the last 50 years gets people of all ages onto the dance floor. Whether you want Disco/Funk, Motown/Soul, Classic Rock, 80′s-90′s, today’s top Hits or Ballads & Standards/Jazz/Swing, the Doctors can play it all.

Also performing will be the San Ramon Valley High School Jazz Band playing from 4 to 4:35pm, the Monte Vista High School Jazz Band playing from 5 to 5:35pm, the Alamo Elementary School Choir singing from 5:40 to 6pm, and the Stone Valley Middle School Jazz Band playing from 6 to 6:35pm. Also featured will be the Dublin Celts playing at various times during the day. The afternoon will also be filled with many activities for the entire family. Food, games, and business booths will be set up throughout the Festival. Kids will especially enjoy the play zone with a bouncy house provided by Alamo Parks and Recreation and a train from the San Ramon Valley Museum. There will be booths sponsored by Alamo and Rancho Romero Elementary Schools and Stone Valley Middle School, ARF will have dogs and cats for adoption, and there will also be kettle corn and snow cone booths. Business booths include Absolute Chiropractic, World of Sound and Vision, Alamo Luxury Homes/ReMax, and Majeroni Orthodontics. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 8pm and feature selections from FAZ’s Restaurant, Izzy’s Place, and the Rotary Burger Barn which will include hamburgers and gourmet sausages. Dinner tickets cost $15. At 7pm the Rotary Club of Alamo will recognize the Alamo Citizen of the Year. The Festival will feature a selection of wines from the wellknown Cline Cellars. Since the purchase of food, beer, wine, sodas, and water will help fund community, international and school music programs, the Rotary Club of Alamo asks that attendees purchase their food and beverages from the Festival booths and not bring in outside food or beverages.

The Alamo Music and Wine Festival Sponsors to date include: The Bach Group at Morgan Stanley, John Muir Health System, Tidewater Inc., Alamo Improvement Association, East Bay BMW of Pleasanton, Alamo Plaza/Colliers International, and the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional sponsors include Richards Arts and Crafts, Mauzy Partners, Oak Tree Plaza (Brent & Terri Tucker), Stone Valley Center, Empire Realty Associates (Don Morton), Ostrosky Enterprises, and Alamo Ace Hardware. “In kind” sponsors include Allied Waste Management, A1 Party Rentals, Alamo Today, Bay Area News Group, Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards and Faz Restaurants and Izzy’s Place.

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RAFFLE

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 7

The Festival will also feature a raffle with great prizes including: ♫ VIP Tour for up to six people of ABC-7 News (KGO), hosted by Spencer Christian, includes a live broadcast sitting and pictures at the anchor desk with the news team ♫ A scenic two-hour flight for up to three people with viewing ranges from the San Francisco coast, the Delta, or a tour of the Lake Tahoe area ♫ VIP tour for up to four people on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange ♫ A Day on the Bay - a sailboat tour of San Francisco Bay on the 34 ft “Full Tilt” for up to four people including lunch on Angel Island ♫ A Diamond Back Outlook Mountain Bike ♫ Cline Cellars Winery Tour and wine tasting for up to four people ♫ Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Tour and wine tasting for up to four people ♫ $100 gift certificate to Faz’s Restaurant ♫ $100 gift certificate to Izzy’s Place Restaurant ♫ Golf for four people, including cart at Round Hill Country Club ♫ 3 liter Jeroboam of Cline Cellars Cashmere ♫ 1.5 liter Magnum of Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvedre ♫ 1.5 liter of Cline Cellars Cashmere Raffle tickets may be purchased from Alamo Rotarians anytime leading up to the event and throughout the day of the Festival from Rotarians, members of the Interact Club, or at the Rotary booth. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.

Bring your family, neighbors, and friends to Alamo’s biggest and best block party!

For more information about the Alamo Music and Wine Festival, visit facebook.com/ RotaryClubofAlamo. For more information about the Rotary Club of Alamo, visit http:// alamorotary.org.

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Page 8 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

STONE VALLEY DENTAL welcomes

Dr. N. Yamato PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST and Dr. Y. Lai ORTHODONTIC SPECIALIST to the practice.

FREE Orthodontic Consultation for New Patients FREE Fluoride Treatment for children under 12 (must be accompanied by exam, teeth cleaning, and x-rays) Expires October 1, 2014

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Walk n’ Roll

It’s that time of year to slip on your running or walking shoes and hit the trail. That’s the Lafayette Moraga trail for Las Trampas’ 5th annual Walk n’ Roll on Saturday, September 27, 9AM- noon. Bring the family, get your exercise… and support a great organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. Registration is $25 per participant, or sponsor a client and their staff facilitator for $25. Registration includes event T-shirt, a raffle entry, Whole Foods goodie bag, games by 92.1 KKDV and Backyard Carnivals, refreshments, and entertainment by Bread & Roses. The course starts at Las Trampas in Lafayette, located at 3460 Lana Lane, and continues east towards Olympic Blvd., then loops back to Las Trampas. Register at www.lastampas.org, call (925) 310-2363, or email spestal@ lastrampas.org. Every dollar goes directly to client programs and makes a difference in the lives of those with developmental disabilities.

Exchange Club of SRV

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month in downtown Danville. Sign-in and social time begins at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The program features guest speakers and a business networking speaker. For more information, call Karen Stepper at (925) 275-2312, email coachstepper@yahoo. com, or visit www.srvexchangeclub.org.

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 9

Where Were You 5,000 Years Ago? The First People of the San Ramon Valley

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley recently opened its exhibit of the Indians of the San Ramon Valley. The First People migrated into the San Ramon Valley approximately 5,000 years ago. Tools made of stone, shell, wood, and fiber as well as regalia, foods, games, and examples of hunting and gathering will be on display. A major focus of the exhibit is the role of games in the cultural life of the indigenous people. California Indians are said to be the best basket weavers among the Native American groups. There is an interactive game for visitors to play as well as a station for weaving frames and cording where visitors can try out their basket weaving skills. A fine collection of baskets are on display. A slideshow about Ishi, the last Yahi, is on view at the exhibit. These valuable photographs demonstrate the skills and lifestyle of the first Californians. The Museum will schedule a Saturday morning talk bout Ishi and his contribution to our knowledge of indigenous people. There will be storytelling on Saturday mornings, focusing on creation myths and folk tales, to entertain our younger visitors and illustrate the importance of coyote, owl, and turtle to the First People. This exhibit runs through November 9th at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, located at the corner of Railroad and Prospect Avenues in downtown Danville. The Museum i s o p e n Tu e s d a y -Friday from 1-4PM, Saturday from 10AM -1 PM , and Sunday from noon - 3PM.

Page 10 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Assistance League of Diablo Valley Seeks Corporate Partners ®

Assistance League® of Diablo Valley is a nonprofit, member volunteer organization which is dedicated to improving lives in our community through hands-on programs. Established in 1967, with eight philanthropic programs and two auxiliaries today, the organization continually puts “Caring and Commitment into Action” by reaching out to people of all age groups in the Contra Costa community who are vulnerable. The chapter’s primary fundraiser, Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, is located in Lafayette. Another funding source comes from its Corporate Partners Program which enlists hands-on and financial help from the business and corporate communities. Corporate Partners Committee Chairman Lesley Salo reported that since 2006, more than 21 companies, as well as various community and elected officials, have participated, with many repeating each year. Consequently, the Corporate Partners Program has benefited from the efforts of 484 employee volunteers who have amassed 1,450 service hours and have donated $110,000 in grants and donations. Due to a challenging economy and a growing client base, Assistance League of Diablo Valley is seeking additional businesses and corporations to join the list of corporate partners. While employee volunteers have helped primarily with Operation School Bell® in the past, thrift shop opportunities and food box assemblage provide additional hands-on activities. Assistance League of Diablo Valley takes pride in its 76% return to the community in 2013-2014. With your help, we hope to match, if not exceed, that amount. To learn more about the Corporate Partners Program, please visit www.diablovalley.assistanceleague.org, or call (925) 934-0901 and ask for Lesley Salo or Linda Mercer, Corporate Partners Committee Co-Chairs.

Alamo Sheriff’s Station Staffed and Ready

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Station, located in the Alamo Shopping Center, is now staffed with volunteers to assist you Monday through Saturday from 8am-5pm and Sunday from 8am-12:30pm. When closed, citizens can use the outdoor red phone for all emergency and non-emergency calls. For help or information, call (925) 646-6180 or visit the office at 150 Alamo Plaza #C.

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Leadership Contra Costa: Get Involved and Make a Difference

The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is currently accepting applications for enrollment in Leadership Contra Costa, a program designed to motivate and identify potential leaders and prepare them for community leadership. Participants meet once a month by means of workshops, presentations from community leaders, and group exercises to develop their understanding of leadership roles and prevailing issues with the community. With an alumni roster of over 600 individuals, this program has proven to be an asset to the community and society. Leadership Contra Costa accepts 28 to 32 individuals from throughout the county with diverse backgrounds to participate in the program. The 28th year of the program kicks off at the end of September and meets the first Thursday of every month from October through May. To obtain an application for Leadership Contra Costa’s 2014 - 2015 season, please visit the Chamber’s website at www. walnut-creek.com.

Want to Become a Better Speaker?

Toastmasters allows its members to practice their speaking and presentation skills in a supportive environment. Our local club, Danville AM Toastmasters, meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30AM at Father Nature's Restaurant in downtown Danville (172 E Prospect Ave). Please drop by and visit us! For more information, contact Hans Thoma at danvilletoastmasters@outlook.com.

Upcoming Community 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 Women’s Club 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 ~ September 2014 - Page 11

Alamo Women’s Club

The Alamo Women’s Club is open to any woman who would like to join a “place where women come together to work toward a better community for all.” We have nearly 100 years of community involvement and a growing vibrant membership. Foodies the Musical is coming to Alamo September 24th at 11:30am. A rollicking musical revue about food, it’s called “one of SF’s littlest known musical treasures.” It is a show for everyone who eats AND who can laugh at it too. This very popular musical comedy continues onto a third year in San Francisco, and we are bringing it to the newly updated Alamo clubhouse. The musical was written by Morris Bobrow. Information can be found at www.foodiesthemusical.com or www.bobrowproductions.com. Limited tickets are available to the public at $35 (a bargain as it also includes lunch). RSVP to njhowsmon@sbcglobal.net no later than Thursday, September18th. The Foodies event will also showcase the annual membership drive and the renovated clubhouse which was completed this summer. You might have noticed as you drove by on Danville Boulevard that our building was a little

Get Yours At

• ALAMO BIKES • & skateboards

1483 Danville Blvd Alamo

925.837.8444

15th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival: “The Art of the Escape” Continues By Jody Morgan

‘tired looking’ and definitely needed lipstick and a mini facelift since it was built in 1951! Join us on September 24th for the Membership Kick-Off and Foodies! The Musical, and see the improvements, including many ADA upgrades and an enhanced interior. The clubhouse is available for rentals for events such as meetings, seminars, family celebrations, and more. We have ample parking and easy on-off access to the freeway. Call 925-820-1943 for information, rates, and availability. In August the Alamo Women’s Club helped VESTIA, the Volunteer Emergency Services Team in Action, by donating 60 back packs filled with needed school supplies for Contra Costa County Social Services whose families are unable to provide backpacks and school supplies for their children. Our volunteers worked very hard to make sure every backpack was age appropriate and completed with the necessary supplies - all backpacks and supplies were donated by our members. They included Nancy Combs, Nina Rowe, Caroline Bonny, Marsha Riley, Sandi McRae, Carol Atwater, Susan Klein, Kay Sanchez, and Diane Leventhal. The “Back Packing Day” is one of the continuing projects and events AWC members do to help philanthropies in our community. On Saturday, October 11th from 9am to 3pm we will host our Community Boutique and Garage Sale. The clubhouse, located at 1401 Danville Blvd. in Alamo, is an ideal location to reserve a space to sell your wares, so sign up early. Reservation cut off date is September 30th. Call or text Patty BallardEberle at 925-997-7855 for information. A parking lot space rate is $55 or a space inside our building is $70. The community is invited to come and shop til you drop! What a great way to enjoy a beautiful fall Saturday in Alamo! Our members come from all over the Tri-Valley area and are a diverse group. Contact Phyllis Clark of our membership team to join AWC at (925) 939-4814 or clarkphyllis@comcast.net.

The 15th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival launched in August continues through September with live theater, lively debate, vibrant visual art, and free walks in the wake of the “Father of American Drama.” Thanks to the partnership initiated in 1980 between the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House (EONF) and the National Park Service (NPS), residents of the San

At the Tao House property where O'Neill penned The Iceman Cometh, the cast rehearses their escape into the roles he created. (Photo courtesy of John Carter)

Ramon Valley don’t have to escape their home territory to experience the legacy of Eugene O’Neill, four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the only American playwright to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. “The Art of the Escape” focuses not on the physical prowess of perform-

See O’Neill continued on page 32

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Page 12 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

ALAMO PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS

NIKKI YAMATO, DDS A Diplomat of the American Board of PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY. She completed her Pediatric Dental Residency Program at Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York. Her professional background includes a teaching position as Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco where she received her DDS back in 2009. Dr. Yamato specialized in the management of pediatric oral diagnosis and treatment, trauma/injuries as well as interceptive orthodontics. Furthermore, she is adept in treating children and special needs patients under nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation and general anesthesia in the operating room. She is affiliated with Children’s Oakland Hospital.

MEET THE DOCTORS Call Today!

(925) 831-8310 Now Taking New Patients

YU-CHING LAI DDS, MS She received her DDS from UCSF, and completed her specialty in ORTHODONTICS & DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS from University of Rochester, New York in 2009. Her expertise includes early-age orthodontic management (two-phase therapy), multi-disciplinary orthodontic treatment, conventional metal & clear (ceramic) braces, Invisalign® & Invisalign Teen®, self-ligation braces (metal & clear), retainer and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJD). She is actively involved in research and has published several articles; one, notably explored TMJ treatment. Lastly, she is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese.

New Patient Special Free school backpack for patients under 12 years old Must be accompanied by exam, teeth cleaning, and x-rays

Stone Valley Dental 220 Alamo Plaza Suite E Alamo, CA 94507

W: www.stonevalleydental.com P: 925-831-8310 F: 925-309-2460 E:stonevalleydental@gmail.com

Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, September 20 and 21

Named “Best of the East Bay,” the 2014 Lafayette Art & Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, September 20 (10am-7pm) and Sunday, September 21 (10am-6pm) in downtown Lafayette. Come join this popular end of the summer party. The Festival is held just steps from the Lafayette BART station, a few blocks from the Lafayette-Moraga bike trail (secure valet bike parking provided), two blocks off Highway 24, and an easy walk or shuttle from complimentary festival parking. For two days, four stages will provide room to dance to familiar tunes played by 20 of the Bay Area’s best headliner cover bands, including The Sun Kings, Foreverland, Aja Vu, Petty Theft, Stealin’ Chicago, Zebop, The Spazmatics, The Big Jangle, East Bay Mudd, Night Moves, Bay Bridge Beat, Duo Gadjo, Other People’s Money, Juice, Bob Athayde & Friends, Acoustic S&M, Juke Joint, Red House All Stars, and Dominant 7. Popular wines, beers and ales will be served throughout the Festival, and there will be a Premium Wine & Craft Beer Pavilion, where will be selections of high-end wines and craft beer that most people never get a chance to taste, including wines from the backyard vineyards of Lamorinda. More than 20 of Lafayette’s top restaurants and Food Trucks will offer everything from pulled pork tacos to crab cakes, and over 260 local and regional artists booths, including the “Local Artists Alley,” will be present. Local artists will also be creating original art pieces to the rhythms of the Fiesta Lane Art Stage band music. Like what you see? You can buy it! Proceeds from the sale of this art will go to support Meals on Wheels. This is a family friendly festival, starting with a large Kid-Zone an interactive “Punch & Judy” style puppet show. There is also plenty for family dogs to see and smell, as well as easy access to festival water bowls! This event is a fundraiser that supports the Lafayette Chamber’s many programs, Lafayette Partners in Education (“LPIE”), and other local nonprofits. However, the Festival Experience offers many things that are free -- admission (including access to music stages), parking, easy shuttle service from Festival Parking, and secure bike valet.

Rancho Romero Elementary School By Skye Larsh-Faraghan, Principal

It is my pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all as we embrace the new school year. On Monday, August 25 the Rancho Romero staff eagerly awaited the arrival of 512 students. Classes in grades kindergarten through third grade average 24.1 students, while fourth and fifth average 30 students. Rancho Romero was once again a very busy place over the summer. Teachers moved into different classrooms, planned with colleagues, and attended workshops. Our fantastic custodial staff cleaned classrooms from top to bottom. New students registered, while others moved away. Class placement lists changed many times. All in all we are ready to go! Our goal this year is to fully implement Common Core Standards in ELA and mathematics, as well as implement new science standards in kindergarten and 1st grade. Furthermore, we aim to ensure that every student succeeds. This will be our first year of accountability measured by the California Assessment of Performance and Progress (CAASPP), California’s new assessment system. A strategic approach has been developed by the district to support elementary, middle and high schools with curriculum, powerful instruction, targeted interventions, and common assessments. I look forward to sharing more about our work, programs, events and student progress during the course of the year.

Upcoming Events 9/2 9/9 9/15-19 9/17

Back to School Night (Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd) Back to School Night (3rd, 4th and 5th) 5th Grade Outdoor Science Camp Principal’s Coffee (8:30-10am Library)

Alamo Sheriff’s Station Staffed and Ready

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Alamo Elementary School By Stan Hitomi, Principal

The much-awaited 2014-2015 school year has begun. In so many ways it will be one of our biggest years ever! Starting off, the enrollment at Alamo School has reached an eight-year high at 345 students. We also have our largest class of new teachers and a total of nine new staff members on campus. To top it all off, we will be celebrating Alamo School’s 50th Anniversary (1965-2015) this spring. To support our increased enrollment, we have added three new teachers to our staff. This year we welcome Amber George as a first grade teacher, Laura Larson, teaching a 2nd/3rd grade combination class, and Andrea Fettig to our 2nd grade team. In addition to our classroom teachers, we would also like to welcome our new support staff. Nancy Boomer and Joni Potter are joining us in 2014-2015 as classroom paraeducators. This is a homecoming for both Nancy and Joni as their children attended Alamo School. Both have a wealth of experience working with children, and their knowledge of the Alamo community will be a big plus. This year we are also adding a new Garden Educator to Alamo School. Lynn Hoaglin will be in this position that is designed to allow for our students and teachers to take better advantage of our new teaching garden. We are fortunate to be having our leadership returning for both parent organizations. Kristin Iribarren (PTA) and Susanna Lee (Ed Fund) return as Presidents of their respective organizations. Each has been able to assemble a very talented and passionate team which also includes parents Suzanne Miller, Ellen Janetta, Lindsey King, Amy Silver, Raylinn Bianchi, Christina Heil, Cathy Bennett, Kristin Bush, Maria Romo, Susanna Lee, Jen Phillips, Michael Inocencio, Jatinder Kooner, Alice Lee, Christy Campos, Carol Berkowitz, Laura O’Byrne, Jenn Hoffman, Kristin Iribarren, Clarissa Scott, and myself. We are guaranteed to have an incredible year with these talented parents leading the way. At this time we continue to make plans for our 50th Anniversary Celebration. Our PTA has already started selling spirit wear with the “1965” logo, and we are working with Maria Romo (PTA-Historian) to set dates/times for events. If there are any members of the community who have photos or stories about the start of our campus or would like to be involved in planning, please contact me at Hitomi@srvusd.net.

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 13

professional painters

endless possibilities

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Page 14 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

65 Childers Lane, Alamo

The Cox Team R E A L E S TAT E

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Stone Valley Middle School By Shaun K. McElroy, Principal Stone Valley Welcomes YOU

Stone Valley Middle School has been part of the Alamo community since 1950, and we’d like you to join us! Volunteer, follow us on our social networks, and lend your expertise. Join us in Twitter, Facebook, and live text messaging.

Stone Valley Has Gone Social!

• “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/pages/Stone-Valley-Middle-School. • Follow us on Twitter: @StoneValleyMS • Sign up for Text Alerts: Text @0c3a67 to 925-392-0796 Be sure to stay connected all year long!

Volunteer

Volunteers who put in two hours receive a sporty car magnet. Volunteer clearance http://www.srvusd.net/parents/volunteers. • PTA –Raylinn Bianchi, President - rebianchi@yahoo.com • Ed Fund – Elisa Tinker, President elisatink@yahoo.com • Student Supervision – Trish Theobald – ttheobald@srvusd.net • Field trips – Trish Theobald – ttheobald@srvusd.net • Pledge to Humanity – Gaby Ghorbani gaby@pledgetohumanity.org • Classroom volunteers by interest level – If you would like to volunteer in a classroom please contact the teacher directly. • Lend us your expertise in Science, Math, Engineering or Technology? Please help us grow our STEM programs. Contact me directly at smcelro@srvusd.net.

Who’s new at Stone Valley for 2014-15

Join us in welcoming our new teachers new teachers. • Linda Castillo – 6th grade math and accelerated Algebra I • Rick Denny- 8th grade science, Robotics & Engineering • Amelia Marciano – 6th grade core • Jeanne Chiodo – Art 2,3 and art in the exploratory wheel • Michon Garemani – 7c grade science and Forensic science

When selecting new teachers for Stone Valley we use the following criteria: Subject area expertise and passion - We believe that teachers choose their subject area because they have a passion for the content and that passion is contagious. Value added - We believe that creating relationships outside of the classroom is beneficial in building a healthy community. Collegiality- We believe that the best teachers collaborate with peers in an open dialogue of best practices. Choose to work at the middle grades level - We believe that the middle school years are a pivotal time in the learning process.

Facilities Update

We continue to move forward with plans for the construction of the new Stone Valley. The school board approved the conceptual design in May and on June 11th teachers and community members provided input to the facilities department. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2015 and the opening is scheduled for fall 2017. Updated information on construction projects throughout the district can be found on the SRVUSD website at www. srvusd.net/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1346747333230. Contacts for the Stone Valley project are Gary Black, Assistant Superintendent, Facilities & Operations (925) 552-2960, Richard Lowell Director, Facilities (925) 5522970, and Tina Perault Sr. Planning & Development Mgr. (925) 552-2969.

September Dates to Remember 6 6 9 15 22-25

Stone Valley Garden Work Day 9-11am (north end of campus) Alamo Music Festival 2pm – 11pm, Alamo Plaza Ed Fund Meeting 1pm – 2:30pm, Library PTA Meeting 8:30-10:30am Book Fair

Diablo Choral Artists Seeks Singers

Love to sing? Come join Diablo Choral Artists as they begin an exciting new season! The group has openings for all voice parts (especially tenors/ basses). Rehearsals are held on Mondays at 7PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 1924 Trinity Ave. in Walnut Creek. Call (925) 670-7089, e-mail info@vmschorus.org, or visit www.vmschorus.org for additional information.

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San Ramon Valley High School

By Ruth Steele, Principal

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 15

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale

At SRVHS we are moving in to the third year of a plan to incorporate Alamo - According to industry experts, away altogether. In most cases, you can technology into all of our classrooms there are over 33 physical problems that make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself as much as possible. During my first will come under scrutiny during a home if you know what you're looking for, and year as Principal we replaced every inspection when your home is for sale. knowing what you're looking for can help single computer across campus to A new report has been prepared which you prevent little problems from growing ensure that all students and teachers identifies the 11 most common of these into costly and unmanageable ones. were using computers that were as up-to-date as possible. That problems, and what you should know about To help home sellers deal with this issue lease runs out after five years, and the vision is to have as many them before you list your home for sale. before their homes are listed, a free report students as possible using personal devices at that point. Last Whether you own an old home or a brand entitled "11Things You Need to Know to year we invested in a large number of document cameras and new one, there are a number of things Pass Your Home Inspection" has been Chromebooks. These tools will be used extensively by teachers that can fall short of requirements during a compiled which explains the issues involved. and students to digitize assignments and tests and to improve home inspection. If not identified and dealt To hear a brief recorded message about the effectiveness of instruction and assessment. with, any of these 11 items could cost you how to order your FREE copy of this report, Technology is playing a more and more important role in our dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's call toll-free 1-866-265-1682 and enter classrooms and driving our educational practices. The Common critical that you read this report before 2001. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, Core tests, which will be rolled out to all Juniors this year, have you list your home. If you wait until the 7 days a week. to be taken on a computer, so this is one piece of the puzzle. But more importantly, our students are digital natives who might building inspector flags these issues for Get your free special report NOW to learn never be asked to handwrite an essay or jot down notes from a you, you will almost certainly experience how to ensure a home inspection doesn't reference book in a library. costly delays in the close of your home cost you the sale of your home. Many of our incoming freshmen were born in 2000. They sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers will graduate in 2018. This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright ÂŠ 2013 When you look down the list of student birthdays, it is really odd to see so many born outside of the 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. This generation of students are millennials. They may never have seen or used a record player, a cassette player, or even a CD player. Most will buy their music online and play it through an iPod or similar device. They can navigate most tablets and software platforms seamlessly, and their social lives are often largely conducted online! As I contemplate our goals for this school year, the challenge of tailoring our educational practices to better suit our students needs is of paramount importance. We are preparing them for a workplace which looks vastly different when most current 30 or 40 year olds entered it. I got my first email account and my first cell phone in 1998, the same year I started my first teaching job. Over the last 16 years, my use of technology has constantly evolved. While I will never use technology as intuitively as current students, I am far more discerning about which online/digital tools are legitimate, accurate, and appropriate for student use. That is where educators have the most important role to play - we need to help students in understanding their digital world and show them how to make sense of all the information that they have access to so that they can be savvy learners and critical thinkers. Our challenge is to stay far enough ahead of the curve to make sure that we can do that!

Page 16 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Monte Vista High School By Janet Terranova, Principal

We know summer is quickly coming to close as we see merchants start their back-to-school sales and parents begin to think about packing lunches again. School officially started August 25th, but Monte Vista staff have been on campus for weeks getting ready to welcome students. We officially welcomed the class of 2018 and students new to Monte Vista with a great New Student Orientation, followed later that evening with a dance just for new students. Our Link Crew Club and Leadership helped the students feel welcome. You could feel the energy in the gym and see the excitement on the faces of our students. Thank you to students and teachers who gave up their summer days to help with this great event. Registration was successful thanks to our volunteers who spent hours helping students and parents. We are thankful for so many community members that support Monte Vista. One goal that high schools have for all students is to help them learn to advocate for themselves and to be resilient. We know high school students have huge swings in their happiness meter. Some days they feel that they can conquer the world, and the next day they revert to your nervous little preschooler. Our job is to help students navigate those days and help them become self sufficient young adults by the time they leave Monte Vista. As a parent or friend of a high school student you can help. During their time in high school, students will hit some bumps in the road; how we help them respond to those bumps will determine their ability to be resilient. If your student comes home unhappy about a friendship, a grade, not making a team, etc., talk with them. Help them develop a plan to handle the situation. Let them take the first step to communicate with the other person. In the beginning, you may even need to role play the conversation, but as they become more confident and sure of themselves they will develop the resiliency that is a requirement to be a successful adult. Please let your student try to solve the problem, and only step in when necessary. “It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” (Ann Landers) With the beginning of the school year underway, we have many activities and opportunities for community involvement. For more information about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

Scottish Country Dancing

Come dance every Thursday evening, year-round (with the single exception of Thanksgiving)! No partner is required and no Scottish ancestry is required. Adult beginner classes for Scottish Country Dancing take place each week with free lessons at 8PM. More experienced dancers also begin at 8PM. Once a month Ceilidh dancing will take place as well. Dancing will be held at the Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Rd in Danville. All dance nights are drop-in. The first beginner lesson is free, afterwards the cost is $8/night or $6/night if attending a 10-week session paid in advance. Call Witsie at (925) 676-3637 or Kathleen at (925) 934-6148 for more information. For children’s classes ages 7 and up, please contact Cathy at (925) 284-9068 for dates and fees. 8

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SAT/ACT - Start Planning for College Now By Director of Club Z! In-Home Tutoring

For many seniors, fall means that final chance for taking the SAT or ACT. The SAT test dates are October 11th and November 8th for the fall. ACT fall dates are September 13th, and October 25th. Juniors can get an early start working on their best test score. Juniors may want to take the test or sign up for a mock test at their school. Consider which is the best test for you to take. It is important to know the differences between the two exams. Both tests contain math, reading, and writing, however the SAT has a focus on vocabulary, and the ACT has a section on science. SAT gives you a score for reading, writing, and math. You can obtain a possible 800 on each subtest. ACT gives you a composite score with a highest possible score of 36. You may find that you score higher on one test versus the other, depending on your aptitude for the various subject knowledge they measure. SAT may tend to have “trickier” questions. On the SAT, wrong answers are penalized by .25 of a point, and in some cases it may be better to skip a question than to guess. You will want to know these facts about the tests in order to prepare. It is not uncommon to test several times. All schools will take your best score, and most schools will take your best reading, and best math scores, even if they do not occur on the same test date. Start by deciding your score goal. Visit the website of your dream school, or visit a website such as www.collegeapps.about.com to explore any school in the US and find out how their students have scored on the SAT or ACT. Knowing this will allow you to set goals for a successful score. To give yourself a better chance of increasing your scores on either exam, consider working with a private tutor. Club Z In-Home Tutoring is offering a NoObligation Free On-Line Diagnostic Test. You will see how prepared you are and can decide if private tutoring may help you to increase your score. You can take this test in your own home at your computer. Taking sample practice tests and practicing on your specific areas of weakness is the best strategy for improving your scores. You may want to re-learn concepts that were difficult for you. This is often the case for geometry or algebra. For information on SAT and ACT individualized tutoring, contact Club Z! at 925-786-7149. It is typical to see a 100-200 point gain with the appropriate tutoring plan. Club Z! can customize a program for your goals. Plus the tutoring is individualized in your home. Please find test dates and important information about the SAT and ACT tests at www.clubztutoring.com/danville. If you are beginning the college application process, Club Z! now offers complete college consulting. We will help guide you through the process, analyze schools that are right for you, provide essay help, advise about financial aid assistance, etc. Call us for details! Start planning now for the college of your dreams! Advertorial

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San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society was formed in 1985 and now has over 170 members. The group meets at 10AM the third Tuesday of every month, except in August and December. The group gathers at the Danville Family History Center located at 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. The June 17th meeting will feature Richard Ferman talking on “Pennsylvania Research.” The group also conducts educational classes for its members and has various special interest groups. Everyone is welcome. For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, visit www.srvgensoc.org, or email SRVGS@SRVGenSoc.org.

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Friendly Options for Getting to School

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 17

By Sustainable Danville Area

The kids are back to school and are settling down to a routine. But, does the routine include an environmentally friendly option for getting to and from school? Forty years ago, over 50% of kids in the US rode their bikes to school. In 2004, only 3% of kids rode their bikes to school. Biking and walking has been replaced by parents zipping their kids to and from school and to other activities by car. This may seem safe and hassle-free for the kids, but it prevents kids from getting needed exercise, adds considerably to traffic congestion, sends a cocktail of pollutants into the air that we all breath, and emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Considering all of these factors, the “true cost” of driving our kids everywhere is more expensive than we might think. Fortunately, there are many environmentally friendly options for getting your kids to school and many compelling benefits for those that try them. Bike or Walk – Walking and biking are great alternatives for students that live a few miles from their school. These activities can promote responsible behavior, awareness of the outdoor environment, and fitness. Alamo and Danville have a number of bike trails and routes which are located near our schools. Investigate possible biking or walking routes. If you live far away from the school but want your child to start to experience walking/riding, find a safe place to drop them off and pick them up as far away from school as is appropriate for their ability. If your child plans to bike, take one or two trial runs with him or her, and make sure he or she has the right size helmet, working brakes, properly inflated tires, appropriate attire, and enough time to get to school. Also, pay attention to weather reports for back-up plans in case of bad weather at the end of the school day. Help your child learn the rules of the road, and ride in specially designated areas when possible. For bike safety tips, go to www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/ pedbimot/bike/kidsandbikesafetyweb/index.htm. Form a “Walking School Bus” or “Bicycle Train” – A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. The bus leaves when the farthest family begins to walk the route and pick up kids along the way. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school or as structured as a planned route with meeting points, a timetable, and a schedule of trained volunteers. A variation on the walking school bus is a bicycle train where a group of children and adult leaders ride together to school. Learn more about how to create safe routes to school at www.saferoutesinfo.org. Form a “School Pool” – This takes a little coordination but reduces your drives per week and definitely cuts down on energy use and air pollution. Carpooling also fosters a sense of community among riders. A carpool can give students a sense of responsibility about being on time and an arena where they can practice their ‘pleases’ and ‘thank-you’s’. Conversations in the car allow parents a chance to get to know what’s happening at school in a way a single child rarely shares. Learn more about carpooling to school at https://www.CarpooltoSchool.com. Take a Public Bus – Riding the public bus can be a wonderful experience for a child. Safe and reliable, there are public CCCTA buses in town that stop at or near many of our schools. The CCCTA school bus routes can be seen at http://countyconnection.com/maps-schedules/#school. Bus fares for CCCTA are $20 for a 12-ride pass and $60 for a monthly pass. One great source for free bus tickets is 511 Contra Costa, www.511contracosta.org. They will give two $20 bus tickets to a handful of kids who apply in the beginning of the year in exchange for filling out a survey at the end of the year. Other Tips – If you do drive (hopefully in a carpool), please remember to turn off your car while waiting. An idling engine operates far below its peak temperature, creating fuel residue in the engine and generating air pollution right where kids are congregating. Another suggestion is to try to combine a trip to school with errands that you need to run. This will save time, reduce your total driving, and reduce the number of times you need to start a “cold car.” Starting a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour creates up to five times more pollution than when the engine is warm. Preserving Quality Time – Many parents consider one-on-one time with their kids in the car to be a special time to visit. But there may be alternatives that are just as special or even better. You may consider talking with your child about alternatives which could preserve this specialness, knowing that such a change might enhance your child’s development while at the same time improve the future health of your child’s natural environment. Have other ideas to ditch the car for your ride to school? Send them to Sustainabledanville@gmail.com , twitter @greendanville, or www.facebook.com/ sustainabledanvillearea.

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Landscape Design or Maintenance?

Bay Friendly Qualified Professionals are Trained in sustainable landscape design & maintenance practices, to promote healthy soil, conserve water and save cost, while building beautiful gardens & urban landscapes. Find one in your community! Go to: bayfriendly.org and click on the link: Find a Bay-Friendly Qualified Professional

Page 18 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

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Thank you for supporting your local merchants.

Page 20 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Free BART Tickets with Discover & Go Museum Reservations

By Supervisor Candace Andersen

Although summer is fading into fall and school has started again, it’s still a great time to visit our Bay Area world class museums and cultural venues. This is especially true when you can get there for free using public transportation! Contra Costa County Library and 511 Contra Costa have partnered again to provide free BART tickets to Contra Costa County Library cardholders with Discover & Go reservations during the months of September and October. Discover & Go is a nationally recognized museum pass program developed by Contra Costa County Library that provides instant online access to free and low-cost tickets to over 40 museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other fun and interesting local cultural venues. It has made over 500,000 free cultural visits possible for Bay Area residents with library cards. Library cardholders can browse for tickets online by date or by venue. Once you make a reservation, you can print your tickets, plan your trip using 511.org, and link to a recommended reading list. Use your library card number to request Discover & Go tickets at www. ccclib.org/discovergo. To get free BART tickets, view your September/October reservation on your Discover & Go account. Click “View” and “Print Pass,” and then click on the 511 banner on your Discover & Go pass to sign-up and request your BART ticket. You may request up to three $10 BART tickets, which will be mailed to your home via standard 1st Class U.S. Postal Service within four business days of your request. The BART ticket offer is limited to one request per household, and the offer is available while supplies last. The free Discover & Go promotional BART tickets are available for use to visit the following venues: • Asian Art Museum • The Beat Museum • Bedford Gallery • California Academy of Sciences • California Historical Society • California Shakespeare Theater • Cartoon Art Museum • Chabot Space & Science Center • Children’s Creativity Museum • Chinese Historical Society of America Museum • Contemporary Jewish Museum • Exploratorium • Freight & Salvage • GLBT History Museum • Habitot Children’s Museum • Lawrence Hall of Science • Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment • Oakland Museum of California • Pacific Pinball Museum • UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive • UC Botanical Garden • Yerba Buena Center for the Arts This BART ticket offer is funded by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s Half Cent Sales Tax for Transportation Improvements (Measure J) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Transportation Fund for Clear Air. The promotion is intended to encourage the use of public transit to access museums and is not need-based. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.

Search and Rescue

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call 646-4461.

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Do You Have Intermittent Internet?

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

Do you remember what was it like before the internet and wireless networking? Vendors like AT&T and Comcast are doing their best to keep up with the demand, and they’ve done a pretty good job. There are always going to be problems, but from my vantage point it looks like they do a good job. Once in a while we find a problem that’s in the blind-spot of these firms, and that is what I’m going to share with you today. We have recently run into a situation that I want you to be aware of because it may be the source of considerable frustration with your internet service. It primarily concerns residential Comcast users who are using a certain type of equipment. The problems people have include sudden internet drops and network speeds that seem to wander up and down. The user may be getting five bars of service to their home network, but the internet connection seems to simply quit. What we’ve found is that most people “solve” these internet problems by resetting the power on the Comcast box, which gives them a random amount of uninterrupted service before it has to be reset again. Before I go on, let say that networking is complicated, and there are many factors which can influence your success. The situation I’m outlining concerns a certain set of conditions. To be absolutely sure my comments apply to your situation, you should have a professional come look at your gear to make a firm diagnosis and determination of next steps. Please don’t call Comcast and say, “Evan said so…” without first making certain my comments pertain to your situation! That said, Comcast issues many types of equipment in their quest to build the fastest broadband network. What I’m referring to here is their “all in one” unit which contains the cable modem, the router, and their telephone gateway in one package. It’s made by Arris. We have seen several models of these boxes, including ones that include wireless capability. By itself this gear usually works fine; this is important to note! However, in situations where people have other network equipment in addition to this standard-issue Arris box, we’ve seen and documented these intermittent network problems. Their equipment doesn’t appear to “play nice” with other network gear. When these problems happen, and you call 1-800-Comcast for support, they are probably going to tell you everything is fine with their gear, and that the problems are all on your end. Has that happened to you? The issues that occur are extremely difficult to track down, because it only happens in certain situations, and unfortunately it doesn’t show up when Comcast runs their diagnostics. In addition, because it doesn’t show up when they run their tests, they’re a little quick to blame your personal equipment or your IT company, because it looks to them like their issued equipment is working fine. I don’t blame them, and neither should you; the service-desk folks are doing their best and simply don’t have effective diagnostic tools for these types of issues. However, I’ve documented five individual cases of this occurring recently, and I have spent a lot of time proving this case, so this is definitely a problem. In addition, I’ve recently had a long talk with a 15-year Comcast installer who corroborated everything I’ve found, so I am on firm ground when I make these observations. If this might be your situation, what should you do? Luckily there is an answer. It concerns asking Comcast to split the functions of the all-in-one device into separate pieces and adding your own router to the equation. The full explanation takes more room than I have in this article space to outline, but we are happy to share the “recipe” for fixing this problem if you contact our office. The important thing is that there is an answer. In my opinion, Comcast still has the best product in our area, and it’s just a piece of equipment out there that is complicating things. It can be fixed! If you’re having network problems please let us know. Either email our helpdesk, at helpdesk@theportablecio.com, or call our friendly staff at 925552-7953, so that we can determine how your situation can be improved. Advertorial

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Life in the Alamo Garden

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 21

A Kitchen Garden By John Montgomery,ASLA, LandscapeArchitect

As I peruse my garden I find myself left with deep disappointment about the success with this year’s crops. I chalk it up to several things: 1) It’s been a busy summer for John, and I haven’t given my veggies the tender love and care I normally do; 2) The weather has been weird - from high temperatures to chilly days with radical fluxes either way; 3) I have severely cut back my water to conserve. Oh well, there is always next year! Here are some ideas if you are thinking of starting your kitchen garden.

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A kitchen garden mixes practicality and beauty when designed as a garden element. A vegetable garden and fruit orchard can be a fruitful adventure (pardon the pun!). When done tastefully and designed with intention and purpose, a kitchen garden will yield enough delicious produce to feed a family of four easily. I approach the design of a kitchen garden as a main element in the overall theme of the landscape. Like a trellis, a water feature, or a garden path, the kitchen garden is a hardscape element that you can unleash your creative genius on. The design of your kitchen garden should be functional. It should have a central pathway paved with a loose material such as crushed rock, pea gravel, or decomposed granite fines (DG). The pathway should allow physical and visual access to the whole garden. Overall, the garden’s layout should attract its visitors to its heart, whether it is for a moment of reflection, to pick and eat some sun-ripened strawberries, to harvest bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and onions for a grill on the barbecue, or to relish in your handy-work when you see your spring-sown seeds germinating into a future harvest. The pathway system in your vegetable garden should be wide enough to get your wheelbarrow easily around your raised beds. Most successful kitchen gardens in Alamo have raised beds, usually 18” to 24” high, to get your vegetables up out of the adobe clay which is so prevalent in Alamo. What you put in your raised beds is also very important. What I do for raised beds is construct them out of two 2” X 12” in height with 4” X 4” posts set into the ground with concrete footings to support them. You can make them in different shapes depending on your design. Squares, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, and polygons are all acceptable. Once they are built I staple a solid layer of half inch galvanized hardware cloth across the bottom to keep the gophers and other varmints out. Then fill your boxes with a good organic vegetable mix. The soil is the most important aspect of a successful veggie garden. Make sure it contains certified organic material. Some store-bought composts of late contain low levels of herbicides which seem to retard seed germination. Other composts, especially the ones from recy-

cled green waste, can contain some heavy metal elements. The best mix I have found is unfortunately only available at American Soil Products in Richmond. (They do deliver out here though!) I recommend automatic irrigation for your boxes. Overhead irrigation can be risky because of rot and mold it can perpetuate. I sprinkler my leafy crops, but I drip or flood my tomatoes, beans, corn, and fruit trees. Unless you are a dedicated gardener that has the time to hand water your crops, automatic irrigation is the best way to go. All it takes is one hot afternoon to fry your seedlings! Make your kitchen garden fun! Decorate it with fun and funky stuff. Add a water feature, old garden tools, statues, or whatever style décor you prefer. Make it a functional garden. It’s nice to have a potting bench or storage shed. Even a hot house is great for starting veggies from seeds in early spring. A kitchen garden takes a certain level of commitment, but the results can be very satisfying. I love my kitchen garden. It brings me a lot of joy to watch a seed germinate, grow, and produce a delicious side dish at the dinner table, and my kids love wandering through it grazing on the strawberries, cherry tomatoes, peaches, and carrots. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Even though I love watching seeds grow, some of the better results I have come from buying my plants already started. For instance, buy corn in six-packs as early as possible. Buy tomato starts from the Contra Costa Master Gardener’s Great Tomato sale. The results are fun and abundant. Gardening Quote of the Month: I used to visit and revisit it a dozen times a day, and stand in deep contemplation over my vegetable progeny with a love that nobody could share or conceive of who had never taken part in the process of creation. It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to observe a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a row of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mosses from an Old Manse. If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to Advertorial jmontgomery@jm-la.com. For design ideas, visit www.jm-la.com.

Page 22 - September 2014~ Alamo Today

Clip Notes

By Jody Morgan

If savory salads with a powerful nutritional punch please your palate, don’t pass up the purslane. While researching weeds that feed baby butterflies, I discovered that a plethora of plant species routinely removed from well-groomed landscapes is currently the focus of studies in improving the human diet. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), an invasive alien I have encountered in every garden I have ever tended, tops the list of weeds you’ll want to put on your table. You’ll often find it growing between cracks in urban sidewalks. Although purslane is a drought tolerant succulent, I have never seen it displayed in collections of dry garden ornamentals. However, despite its many unappetizing common names such as little hogweed, duckweed, fatweed, pussley and verdolagas, purslane has been considered a culinary delight in the Old World for thousands of years. Not native to the New World, purslane has been found in an archaeological site in Canada that pre-dates the voyages of Columbus. Definitely devoured by ancient Romans and Greeks, purslane found favor in India, Persia and even China and Japan before becoming a European kitchen garden staple. Like most contemporary Americans, I still think “Yuck” instead of “Yum” when I encounter this species popping up in my yard. The foliage is reminiscent of a miniature jade plant. The tiny yellow flowers are barely visible, but the seeds they produce are capable of germinating after 40 years of dormancy. Small segments have the capacity to regenerate, so plowing the plants under only leads to a more luxuriant crop. Grown as an annual in most climates, purslane can survive anywhere there is a growing season at least two months long. The handwritten collection of family recipes given to Martha Washington in 1749 by her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis, includes entries for making pickled purslane and purslane syrup. Edited by Karen Hess, the 1981 version is available as Martha Washington’s Booke of Cookery and Sweetmeats. An online variation of the pickling recipe calls for cider vinegar, garlic cloves and black peppercorns. Supposedly the resultant preparation is tasty with

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omelets and fish. In the “Economy” section of Walden, Henry David Thoreau notes: “I learned from my two years’ experience that it would cost incredibly little trouble to obtain one’s necessary food, even in this latitude; that a man may use as simple a diet as the animals, and yet retain health and strength. I have made a satisfactory dinner, satisfactory on several accounts, simply off a dish of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) which I gathered in my cornfield, boiled and salted.” Incidentally, the corn in Thoreau’s field undoubtedly grew better for the companionship of the weedy groundcover. Deep-rooted purslane penetrates all manner of unyielding soils, breaking the way for less aggressive plants such as corn to retrieve nutrients and water. The dense mat it forms creates a microclimate keeping the soil moist and cool for its neighbors. Health-conscious folks find purslane’s vitamin and mineral properties compelling. At the top of the charts, with six times more vitamin E than spinach and seven times more beta carotene than carrots, purslane provides vitamin C, magnesium, riboflavin, potassium and phosphorous. Most impressive of all, purslane is one of the richest known botanical sources of the Omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). One cooked cup contains just 20 calories. High in pectin, purslane is excellent for thickening stews and soups. Although it can be used as a substitute for spinach in many dishes, overcooking produces a slimy substance fit only for composting. Young leaves, stems and flower buds - all edible - are finally finding favor at US farmers’ markets as salad greens, where the lemony tang and peppery after-taste are drawing repeat customers. The Vitale brothers, chef/owners of Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano in Baltimore (an establishment that rates 28 out of 30 points on the Zagat scale for fine food), tried serving fresh purslane. Plates returned to the kitchen with the mystery green pushed to one side. The Vitales, who grew up enjoying purslane in their native Italy, had to educate their staff to extol its virtues before customers could be persuaded purslane was not a weird, weedy garnish. Even well washed, foraged plants seem unappetizing to me, but I am ready to try a purposely-planted plot. Under “Specialty Greens” Johnny’s Selected Seeds offers Goldberg Golden and Gruner Red Purslane. The listing for the former reads: “Upright growth habit. Flavor is crisp and mild. Pick as needed to within 2” of the base; new stems and leaves re-grow.”

Tassajara Grammar School Takes Center Stage By Beverly Lane

In the late 1800s, Danville, Alamo, and San Ramon pioneers built new school houses throughout the valley. There were six grammar school districts, and people in each area were proud to support better schools for their young people. One of these schools remains: the 1889 Tassajara Grammar School. This classic school house sits on its original site at 1650 Finley Road in the Tassajara Valley, east of Danville. A belfry, historic outhouses, rebuilt stable, picnic tables, flag pole, accessible rest rooms, and redwood water tower complete the modern picture. Two plaques recognize its history: a San Ramon Valley Historical Society plaque (1999) and a new National Historic Place plaque which will be placed this September. If buildings could talk, today’s small Tassajara School House would recount children reciting lessons, ciphering, and singing in a classic one-room school from 1889 to 1946. It is a popular spot for artists, photographers, and picnickers.

The Beginnings

The first small school house in Tassajara was built in 1865 by Alfred Wilkes; by the eighties there were more students than could be accommodated. On January 12, 1889, ten out of ten Tassajara School District voters approved the sale of $1,700 in bonds for a new school. The bonds were used to purchase a lot, build, and furnish a school. Peter Anderson was paid $200 for an acre of his land on Finley Road. The Livermore Echo Newspaper (March 14, 1889) reported that the contract for the new school was let to J. L. Weilbye of Sunol. In those days, such a small building would have been constructed soon after the contract was signed. The Contra Costa Gazette announced that the Tassajara School children raised their new flag on August 1, 1890, with appropriate ceremonies. Students from first to eighth grade walked, rode horses, and took buggies to get to school. In 1889 Richard D. Williams was the teacher. Roger Podva (born in 1884) began school in 1890 and said there were 42-75 students at the school when he attended, sitting two to a desk. They learned mental

arithmetic, reading, geography, spelling, and writing. A picture of George Washington hung on the wall. Historian Vivian Edmonston wrote, “Roger Podva said that the black walnut trees in the school yard were planted by the children, starting with the oldest child down to the youngest. That was Roger. His tree was planted by the ‘rest room.’” In an example of the American “melting pot,” Portuguese and Danish students exchanged lunches -- linguisa and sweet bread for sandwiches slathered with butter.

Later years

Because of dirt roads, the school year calendar varied. In 1921 school opened for the fall semester on July 18, according to the Contra Costa Gazette. It opened early “as a mid-term vacation of two months is taken each

See School continued on page 35

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Tree of the Season: The Monterey Pine

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 23

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

The imposing Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata, perhaps the most common large landscape tree in the Bay Area, is one of the most widely-planted trees on the planet. It covers millions of acres in places as far-flung as England, Chile, and Australia. However, its native range covers just a few square miles of the California coastline, which explains why it prefers a cool, moist coastal climate with well-draining soils. With their dense, towering canopies, dark, glossy green needles, refreshing scent, and magnificent sweep of boughs, Monterey Pines give the feeling of being in a forest. They provide habitat for many species of birds and butterflies. The beauty of these trees, combined with their immense vigor and rapid growth, appeals to landscapers who want a quick, tall screen between houses, a cool shady hillside behind their home, or an instantly woodsy subdivision. Unfortunately, the quick hedge or woodland effect you enjoy in the first year of the tree’s life can become a major safety hazard and a source of conflict with uphill neighbors when, two decades later, the tree reaches 50-70 feet in height. The Monterey Pine’s soft, brittle wood and its shallow root system combine to make it a serious hazard during winter storms on the hilly slopes. Away from its native habitat, it is vulnerable to root-rot diseases and, stressed by lack of water during our dry summers, it becomes prey to often fatal beetle infestations. The species is relatively short-lived, around 75 years, and its proclivity for toppling, or for shedding large branches, increases with age.

Coping with Pines

So what are we to do with these beautiful but bothersome pines that define so much of the Bay Area landscape? First of all, don’t plant any more of them unless you are willing and able to offer them ideal conditions. These include a large, level, adequately moist planting site, with porous soil, far from both houses and power lines, and with no uphill neighbors whose views your growing tree will obstruct. Monterey Pines also require regular care, including safety thinning every few years, as well as periodic watering, aerating, and fertilizing. If you are already living with Monterey Pines, reduce the safety risks through preventative maintenance before it’s too late. To improve drainage, invigorate your pine’s root system, and strengthen its resistance, we suggest aerating, then filling the holes with rich, porous organic matter (we use American Soil’s “Clodbuster” mix). Check your pine for infestations by looking for areas where whole branches are turning brown, as well as for small holes, tubes or splotches of pitch, or red “sawdust” droppings around the trunk and major branches.

Pruning Pines

The best time to prune any type of pine trees, and the only recommended time to prune Monterey pines, is between October 1st and February 15th. Sap from pruning cuts attracts beetles destructive to pines. These beetles are dormant during the fall and winter months. Given that the beetles can smell sap from long distances, it is important to prune your pine when they are inactive. Not only are the beetles themselves harmful, but some species can carry pine pitch canker, a fungal disease that disfigures pine trees and sometimes kills them. If your tree has dead tips scattered throughout the canopy it probably has pine pitch canker. If you want to prolong the life of the tree, as well as its appearance, now is the best time to prune out the diseased tips. Even healthy pines require occasional pruning to keep them safe and beautiful. To reduce the fire hazard associated with pines, fire departments recommend removing deadwood and taking branches back from buildings. Pines are sometimes subject to branch and column failure. Judicious thinning of the crown reduces the wind-sail effect of the canopy and thereby reduces the risk of the tree falling in a windstorm. Removing weight from the ends of heavy branches reduces the likelihood that those branches will break. The safety pruning of trees is an art as well as a science. A well-pruned tree should not only be safer, it should look beautiful. At Brende and Lamb, we take great pride in both the science and the art of pruning. Now is the best time to make your pines as safe, healthy, and beautiful as possible. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial

Page 24 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

What’s Happening Around Alamo By Roger Smith, President “Autos of Alamo” Car Show

Alamo’s Second Annual “Autos of Alamo” Car Show will be held Thursday, September 4th from 4PM to 8PM in Alamo Plaza. Please join us and enjoy locally owned vintage, classic, custom, hot rods, muscle cars, and more from the years of 1970 or older. Show off yours! Auto registration is only $5. For more information visit www.AlamoCA.org.

Alamo Farmer’s Market

The Alamo Farmer’s Market grand opening on July 27th was an immediate success. Supervisor, Candace Andersen, along with staff member Donna Maxwell, were in attendance for the opening which included a ribbon cutting ceremony and presentation of a “Farmer’s Market Gift Basket” to Supervisor Andersen by Bill Harlow, Manager of the All Bay Farmer’s Markets. Comments from shoppers included, “What a great idea,” “We should have done this years ago,” “Parking and access are so easy,” and “This was much better than ___ and ____” (you fill in the blanks). Shoppers were treated to music from April Gilbert and Fred McCarty with a selection of musicians scheduled to appear during the upcoming Farmer’s Markets, which continue each Sunday, 9AM to 1PM, through November 23rd. Please visit and enjoy the experience! Plan on stopping by the Information Booth with any questions you may have. General Information about Farmers Markets: All vendors have to be certified by their local County Agricultural Department confirming the produce is grown on their farm. Both organic and conventionally grown produce are certified in this manner. Contra Costa County’s Health Department regularly inspects Farmers Markets, as does the Fire Marshall for safety. In addition to regular visits from the health department and fire marshal, the Contra Costa

Alamo Police Statistics

There were a total of 48 total crimes reported during the month of July in Alamo which included alarm calls, assault with a deadly weapon, six residential burglaries (Alamo Hills Ct., Daniel Dr., Entrada Verde Pl., Neely Ct., Sara Ln., and Vernal Dr.), elder abuse, two cases of false imprisonment (Casa Maria Ct. and Danville Blvd.), three cases of found property, grand theft of a bicycle, two cases of identity theft, two mentally ill commitments, three cases of petty theft, possession of narcotics, prowler, receiving stolen property, two cases of suspicious circumstances, trespassing, two cases of felony vandalism, and two warrant arrests. On Bolla Ave three suspicious subjects were seen looking for unlocked vehicles. Deputies located the individuals and found they were in possession of a stolen pick-up truck and a gas powered stand up scooter. During the above mentioned burglaries, bicycles, electronics, and other miscellaneous items were stolen. Please remember to take precautions to prevent similar issues in your own homes and neighborhoods.

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Agricultural Department and occasionally State Agricultural Department will inspect the market. Specific Information about Produce: Quality, quality, quality. It is all about the quality. All produce is picked fresh and is at the local Farmer’s Markets within 24-48 hours of harvest versus a week or much more for chain grocery stores. What type of produce are you looking for? Organic or conventionally grown? Several vendors offer both - acquaint yourselves with those that do. Please remember that vendors are the best source of information about their own produce, so step up and ask them. Please also be aware that many vendors have tasting stations or provide samples for tasting.

32nd Annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival

Join Alamo’s Rotary Club on Saturday, September 6 for the 32nd Annual Music and Wine Festival. The event will take place from 3:30PM to 10:30PM at Alamo Plaza. Now known as “Alamo’s Block Party,” this annual event will feature food, wine, music, dancing, and other activities for the entire family and is the principal fundraiser for the Alamo Rotary Club’s efforts to support music programs in our local schools. Dinner ($15) and raffle tickets ($5 individual or 5 for $20) may be purchased in advance from any Alamo Rotary member or during the day of the event at the Alamo Rotary booth. For additional information, visit www.alamorotary.org. When you visit the Festival, make sure to stop by our Alamo Improvement Association booth for your free gift for attending!

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 59th 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.” I encourage you to become a member of AIA if you aren’t already. Our membership form is available at www.AlamoCA.org. Don’t be left out, now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA!

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Walnut Creek Garden Club

The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, September 8 at 9:30AM at the Garden at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek. It will include a business meeting, social time, and program featuring Carolyn Russell, floral designer at Orchard Nursery, who will share her expertise of flower arranging. You do not need to be a gardener to join the WCGC. We invite you to attend one of our meetings and consider being a member. Any questions can be e-mailed to mslittle44@gmail.com.

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Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 25

Do Retirees Need a New Investment Strategy? By Peter Waldron

In conjunction with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor

First growth, then income. If you’re like most investors, you want to achieve growth while you’re working and income after you retire. But that doesn’t necessarily make it smart to change your investment strategy when you retire by shifting your portfolio completely out of stocks into less volatile, “income” investments like bonds and cash equivalents.

The Tax Bite

As a rule, stocks are more risky and volatile than other types of investments. Therefore, you might decide, as some retirees do, to sell your stocks and reinvest in less risky securities in order to protect the gains you’ve achieved. But, unless the stocks you sell are in an individual retirement account or other tax-deferred retirement account, that move won’t preserve all of your accumulated gains. When you sell your stock, you’ll lose part of those gains to capital gains tax.

The Inflation Bug

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You may also create another, potentially more serious, risk. Without stocks in your portfolio, you increase the risk that future inflation will erode the real value of your investments and reduce your spending power. Let’s look at some numbers. Social Security’s normal retirement age is gradually increasing. For someone born between 1943 and 1954, it’s 66. If you retired today at age 66, your additional life expectancy would be 20.2 years according to IRS tables. No one knows what the rate of inflation will be in the future. But, over the past 20 years, (1994-2014) the Consumer Price Index (commonly used to measure inflation) has, on average, risen about 2.5% a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If inflation continues at the same average rate for the next 20 years, you’d need over $85,000 of income in 2034 to match the buying power of $50,000 today. The best way to fight inflation is to have the potential to earn investment returns that will keep you ahead of the erosion in your purchasing power of inflation. The problem is there’s no guarantee about the future returns of any variable investment.

A Better Way?

Instead of moving your entire portfolio out of stocks when you retire, you might consider other strategies. You could maintain your current portfolio mix until you retire. Then, gradually sell some of your stocks each year. This strategy would slowly reduce your exposure to the risk of owning stocks and also generate income to supplement any cash dividends and interest income you receive. You’d spread out your capital gains taxes and be able to keep a large part of your portfolio invested in stocks for a considerable number of years. Another strategy would be to simply reduce the portion of your portfolio that is invested in stocks as retirement approaches. For example, if 75% of your portfolio is in stocks before retirement, you might lower that percentage to 30% or another percentage that you’re comfortable with. That way, you’d still retain some opportunity to gain from any future stock market advances, but you’d also reduce your portfolio’s overall risk and volatility. When you say goodbye to your job, sticking with stocks may be a better strategy for a potentially very long retirement than moving to an all-income portfolio. If you want to know more about investment strategies during retirement, consult with your financial planner. Please contact Peter Waldron to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, (925) 659-0383 or peter.waldron@lfg.com.

Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offer investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners, 3000 Executive Parkway, Ste 400, San Ramon, CA 94583. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. California Insurance License #0E47827; CRN201305-2080400 Advertorial

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Just Chillin’

By Monica Chappell Never panic over warm white wine again-how to chill it down quickly

As the weather stays warm during our Indian summer, more of us will continue to sip lighter wines, and knowing how to chill these wines quickly is key to their deliciousness. Just as the right glass will enhance your wine experience, serving wine at the ideal temperature is equally as important. Now, this is not something to lose sleep over, but the fact is that properly chilled wines do taste noticeably better. Serving wine at its proper temperature enables you to taste the wine at its full potential. Most of the enjoyment that comes from drinking wine involves its aroma. Vapors are created as wine warms up, so the wine needs to be a few degrees below its ideal drinking temperature for you to enjoy it at its finest. The best way to chill a bottle of wine is to place it in the refrigerator overnight, and remove it 15 to 30 minutes before serving. Most of us, however, rarely use this kind of planning in our wine consumption. You just got home from work and a cold glass of rosé sounds perfect, or a friend stopped by to celebrate a promotion and you want to pop open some bubbles, but oops...the bottle is at room temperature.

Refreshing Whites

Light to medium bodied white wines, like pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc, should be served slightly warmer, at 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Full-bodied whites, like an oaked chardonnay and rosé, can be served lightly chilled, at 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Chilling white wines properly preserves their freshness, but if they are too cold they will be nearly tasteless. White wines served too warm will taste alcoholic and flabby.

Bubbling Beauties

Sparkling wine and sweet wines should start out totally chilled and are best served between 40-45 degrees. Put them in the refrigerator an hour and a half before serving or in an ice bucket with water for at least 20 minutes before serving. For vintagedated Champagne and other high-quality bubbly, you should let the bottle warm up a bit if you don't want to miss out on the mature character for which you’re probably paying extra. Wine will not stay at a constant temperature once it’s out of the fridge so keep an ice bucket handy or put the bottle back in the refrigerator between pourings. You needn’t become a maniac with a thermometer to get wine to the right temperature range; a little experience and a little tasting, and the wine itself will tell you everything you need to know. So chill this summer and enjoy a perfectly chilled glass of wine. Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in the East Bay. Visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com for a list of classes.

Page 26 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Leaving a Lasting Legacy By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

As summer winds down and schools start up, families tend to shift back into a focused learning mode. Our children study history, world history; U.S. history, and California history. As we get older, we tend to appreciate how interesting history is and how many valuable lessons can be learned by studying it. Ironically, family history - the most readily available kind, including the stories and lessons closest to our hearts – is often given little attention. Many people know shockingly little about their line of descent; sometimes they don’t even know much about their own grandparents or parents. We often hear: “Life is short.” At our core, we all want to be productive and useful, and we wish to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy of some kind – maybe to the world, but certainly to our loved ones. What’s one of the best ways to do that? One great way is to try to live, and give your family an opportunity to live, a healthy, balanced, and comfortable life. A substantial part of doing so involves achieving a certain level of financial success, which often leads people to do “legacy planning” for the succession of their financial assets. They do so by establishing appropriate financial, estate, tax, insurance, and asset protection measures. Most folks, however, miss a wonderful opportunity to incorporate something special into their legacy planning – taking specific steps to ensure that their stories, values, life lessons, hopes, aspirations, and/or dreams are passed on to loved ones. My experience in talking with hundreds of people about estate planning is that almost everyone has interesting experiences to share and significant lessons they’ve learned. The problem is that little, if any, ends up documented for the benefit of descendants. Lip service is often given to how these “intangibles” are ultimately much more valuable than material wealth. Yet, compelling and marvelously illuminating personal and family stories, feelings, morals, and the like are too often lost forever when someone dies. Sadly, the essence of these deceased loved ones is then unavailable to help teach their descendants the ways of the world, how to adjust their compasses, and what tools they might employ to help them enrich their life journeys. So, what might you do to leave a more meaningful and lasting legacy than

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solely planning with respect to your monetary assets? For starters, you might write an “Ethical Will.” An Ethical Will is not a legal document, and it can take on any number of forms. It can be as simple as writing a list of core values, a statement of hopes for loved ones, an expression of gratitude, a brief life story, foundational lessons to share, etc. Ethical Wills are fairly rare these days, even though people have been writing them for several thousand years. For more information and resources, many good books and pamphlets are available, including several written by a leading author on the subject, Minnesota physician, Barry Baines. You might consult his website at www.ethicalwill.com, which contains excellent resources. Another terrific way to capture this kind of legacy for your loved ones in perhaps an even more powerful and lasting way is to film your ethical will. The visual medium can present a magnificent, emotional connection to loved ones, particularly if filmed and edited well by a professional who specializes in such projects. Putting together a DVD is, for some, easier and more preferable than putting pen to paper. Creating your own, special film can be a wonderful gift to family and friends that can last decades. It is also frequently satisfying to the person making it because it helps reinforce that he or she has lived a remarkable life in his or her own way. If you would like a referral to one of several professionals who concentrate on these kinds of projects (and offer free initial consultations), please do not hesitate to contact me. For my own part, I try to help weave into my clients’ estate planning documents (such as Wills and Living Trusts) content that not only covers their “valuables,” but that is also consistent with and reinforces the kinds of positive values they want to pass on. Upon your request, I would be happy to provide you with any or all of the following, free: i) a tri-fold brochure on the pros/cons of alternative methods of holding title to property, ii) an “Estate Planning Primer,” iii) a complimentary introductory meeting. 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. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial

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To place an ad, share a story, or for more information about our papers, call 925.405.6397 or visit our website www.yourmonthlypaper.com Meals on Wheels

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Museum Volunteers Needed

Looking to get involved in the community? The Museum of the San Ramon Valley needs your help. Volunteer positions are available in the following areas: • Walking Tour Docents • Docents • Events Committee • Greeters • Educational Programs (One Room School/Indian Life) Call Eve or Donna at 552-9693, or email srvmuseum@sbcglobal. net for additional information.

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The Eye Opener

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry School and our Children’s Vision

It is hard to believe that most of summer vacation is behind us and school is back is session. August and September are usually the months when most parents prep their children for the upcoming school year. The to-do list usually includes purchasing school supplies, clothes, backpacks, etc. and scheduling yearly physicals for children with their pediatrician to ensure a healthy start to the year. Even though most of you realize the importance of vision and eye health, know that it is vitally important for your child to be able to see well at all distances and to have good eye-teaming skills to be able to learn and prosper at school. I will cover some of the main eye issues related to difficulty at school. I would say the most common diagnosis I find at the office is myopia, or near-sightedness. For students that sit far away from the board or in the back of a large lecture hall, having uncorrected or under-corrected myopia will lead to blurry vision and an inability to see the material on the board, screen, or overhead. I have found it common for younger children with this situation to have classroom issues in addition to lower grades due to the fact that they tend to be disruptive in class because they can’t see clearly more than a few feet in front of them. These students are unable to take notes off of the board and therefore often fall behind in class and miss assignments. At the opposite end of myopia is hyperopia, or far-sightedness. These students are in a constant state of focusing to allow clear vision. The closer the point of focus, the more work that is necessary to clear the image. That is why distance objects are easier to see than near ones. A low amount of hyperopia is actually desirable, since near-sightedness tends to evolve as the child enters adolescence, so it gives them a little head start. However, in larger prescriptions, hyperopia can cause near-avoidance, headaches, fatigue, eye turns, and an overall indifference to sustained up-close tasks. This can easily be diagnosed in the office as part of a comprehensive examination. The last prescription issue that can be a hindrance to vision is astigmatism. This is caused by the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, not being completely round. An easy analogy is that the cornea is shaped more like an egg than a ball. Astigmatism will generally degrade both distance and near vision; however, distance is usually a little more affected. It is important to note that this is not a disease; it is just the way the eye is shaped and can be treated with glasses or contact lenses just like myopia and hyperopia. In addition to having a prescription, all patients, including children, should have their binocular vision status evaluated. It is quite possible to not have any of the above-mentioned prescription issues, but to have poor eye teaming skills. If the eyes are not aligned properly and do not work well as a team, there will be learning and reading issues. These tend to present themselves more for reading than distance, but can definitely affect both situations. When the eyes do not work as a unit, a child might experience double vision, “stretching” or “ghost images” of letters, skipping of letters or lines of text, eyestrain, headaches, near-avoidance, or any combination of these. Depending on the exact diagnosis, the condition can be treated with glasses or vision therapy. I recommend having your child’s vision checked by an eye care professional instead of just relying on a school or pediatrician screening. Most children that need to be evaluated are generally picked up by these screenings, but the comprehensive evaluation I give at the office not only encompasses vision and binocular vision, but also covers neurological issues, color vision, peripheral vision issues, and an ocular health examination of both the front and back portions of the eye. We look forward to seeing your students in the office soon. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622 or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Advertorial @Alamo Optometry.

Alamo Today ~September 2014 - Page 27

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Books for the Homebound

If you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit the library, find out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at (925) 837-4889 for more information.

Page 28 - September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Trees continued from front page

require minimal water. The committee was pleased Mr. Hamilton specifically recommended Valley oak and scarlet oak as oak species were the most preferred by Alamo residents. The landscape plan drawn by Camp & Camp Landscape Architects sited trees the length of the Boulevard from El Portal in Danville to Rudgear Road in Walnut Creek. The thoughtful design even left many areas unplanted to preserve views of the Alamo hills from the Boulevard. In total, more than 300 trees were planted. In 1989, the Committee undertook the task to raise the then enormous sum of $250,000 to prepare planting plans, purchase trees, and water them for three years to establish them. Forming a nonprofit organization called the Alamo Parks Foundation to receive the funds and using the tagline “Bring Back the Beauty,” mailers went out to all Alamo residents, and funds poured in from the smallest $10 contributions to the largest contribution of $7,500 - a grant from the Alamo Parks District, R-7A. Every organization in Alamo contributed – AIA, Alamo Plaza, Alamo Women’s Club, the Association for the Preservation of Danville Boulevard, Rotary, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Danville Alamo Garden Club, Round Hill Garden Club, Round Hill Property Owners Association, Soroptimists, and Valley Waste Management. The residents of Gary Way held a block party and raised the money to buy a tree dedicated to the residents of their street. Even PG&E donated and planted two trees in memory of deceased employees. The support for the tree project was tremendous. Having raised the money, the Boulevard of Trees Committee worked closely with County Public Works. Plans were drawn by an engineer, and detailed drawings of exactly where and how each tree was to be planted were approved by Public Works. Every effort was made to ensure the trees were planted properly under County supervision and would last for generations as the committee had promised Alamo residents. I was asked to join the Boulevard of Trees committee in the fall of 1988 by a neighbor. I didn’t know her very well, and I didn’t know anybody else on the committee, but my neighbor didn’t have to ask me twice. I had young children at home, and I couldn’t wait to get out of the house and meet some civic minded people. Planting trees sounded wonderful to me. Twenty six years later, only that neighbor, Dianne Tinnes, Lillian Burns, and myself remain in town from the original committee. We have had to become vigilant about efforts by Public Works, PG&E, downtown property owners, and others who may threaten the future of the trees we planted so long ago. Recently, Dan DeRensis from the AIA Board has been helping our efforts to coordinate correct treatment of the trees, particularly the ones downtown. We are grateful that our Supervisor Candace Andersen has taken a leadership role and an interest in the trees and is working on developing a policy that will involve resident input before Public Works can issue a permit for tree work. Requiring a permit will hopefully prevent some issues that have happened in the past, such as numerous documented instances of property owners cutting down trees, using unskilled labor to root prune or top the trees, or pouring concrete too close to the trees. The Alamo Municipal Advisory Council has reviewed the tree issue several times and has strongly supported no removal of any Boulevard trees unless it is an absolutely necessary for safety reasons. When I look at the yellowed list of donors from long ago, it is very heartening to see how many family names are on this list who are still living in our town. There is a plaque hanging in the lobby of the Alamo Bank of America giving the names of those who donated enough money to dedicate a tree. If you are one of those donors, I would be glad to look up your tree on the planting plan and advise you what tree was planted by your family. Just email me at sburke96@hotmail.com.

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Don’t Blame The Spider By Dr. Jerome Potozkin

This time of year we see many patients with insect bite reactions. Most people come in complaining of a “spider bite.” When I ask the patient if they actually saw a spider or felt the spider bite them, the answer is almost always “no.” Some people come into the office fearful that they may have been bitten by a dreaded Brown Recluse spider. Brown Recluse spiders can cause a severe blistering and infected bite reaction. Fortunately, there are no populations of Brown Recluse spiders in California. They live in Texas and the central Midwestern states. Despite this information, the myth of the California Brown Recluse spider will continue. Well, if it wasn’t a spider, then what could have possibly caused that big red itchy insect bite? The most common type of insect bites I see in my practice are mite bites. In fact, I was once the victim of straw mites that bit me from head to toe. I unsuspectingly brought them into my house on dried flowers. The bites are incredibly itchy. Mites are so small that you can’t see them. There are many different types of mites that can live on animals and plants. Dust mites are another type of mite that can bite. Other insect bites that are fairly common are chiggers and bed bugs. Insect bites usually heal without treatment. Treatments for itchy insect bites can include over-the-counter and prescription topical steroid creams as well as topical anti-itch lotions such as Sarna. Most insect bite reactions are self-limiting. However, there is one type of mite that can actually burrow into your skin and live there. Scabies is a fairly common extremely itchy skin condition. This organism has plagued mankind for years. The small mite can get on the skin and spread via direct contact with others. There have been epidemics in nursing homes, daycare centers, and even hospitals. It usually occurs from the neck down. Many people have it in between their fingers and on their genitals.Sometimes scabies can be difficult to diagnose even with skin scrapings and a biopsy. In general, if I think someone might have scabies, I treat them. Treatment may consist of prescription creams or pills to kill the mite. As it spreads via direct contact, typically all household contacts should be treated. Even after successful treatment itching can persist for several weeks. Fortunately, this condition is completely curable. If you are concerned about any itchy red bumps you may have, we are happy to help you. Usually the eruptions caused by insect bites go away on their own without treatment. However, if you are uncomfortable or concerned, chances are we can help you. And remember, don’t blame the spider! 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

An Evening of Mystery

On Thursday, October 9th at the Walnut Creek Library’s Oak View Room, Project Second Chance, Inc. is sponsoring “An Evening of Mystery.” The event begins at 6pm with light desserts, followed by a panel discussion with authors Cara Black, Laurie R. King, and Terry Shames talking about their acclaimed mystery books. There will also be a raffle for prizes. Tickets are $15, with proceeds benefiting Project Second Chance. For ticket purchase, send checks payable to Project Second Chance, Inc., 1750 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. For payment by credit card, call (510) 918-4768. Visit the PSC website at ccclib.org/psc for more information.

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Your Personal Nutritionist

Eat Out Healthy and You Will Enjoy By Linda Michaelis RD MS

The good weather always brings people out to enjoy restaurants. In my practice I have observed that healthy eaters at home are not necessarily healthy eaters at restaurants. I often hear clients say they just want to indulge, or they just want to eat what they want. Others say there is never anything healthy on a menu, or the healthy items just don’t look appetizing. Honestly, this is where diners go wrong. It is my job as a nutritionist to coach my clients into understanding that they do not have to deprive themselves in a restaurant and can always walk out feeling like they had an enjoyable meal. Here are some tips I find useful. 1. Speak to a Manager (not the Server) Instead of ordering one of the “healthful” items on the menu (let’s face it, they can be bland), you can often order off the menu. You will need to talk to someone who knows all about the food and can make some revisions in preparation methods such as using no butter or less oil, or grilling or sauteing instead of frying. Managers are able to offer more interesting and flavorful suggestions according to your palette. I suggest my clients make a phone call previous to the dinner to discuss this with the restaurant staff so they will not feel that they are holding up their party with their special requests. I often will call the restaurant for my client and figure out the best entrees to order, and then my client can be happy to dine will all of the decision challenges removed. Some clients tell me that they do not even open the menu; they just sit, relax, and socialize. 2. Skip the Salad If you are ordering the salad “because it is healthy” or to get veggies, forget it. Salads often consist of lettuce of low nutrient value (dark greens have all the nutrition) along with high fat surprises such as croutons, cheese, nuts, bacon, and dressing-- adding up to as much as 500 calories for a side salad. Just order double veggies and no starch with the meal. If the meal is a la carte, order a side of broccolini or spinach. 3. Don’t Trust Your Instincts Unless you decide from the beginning to share an entree with a friend, it is

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 29

best to avoid restaurants that serve large portions. Dr. Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and author of Mindful Eating, showed in his research that people tend to eat 30-50% more when served large portions in restaurants, even if it does not taste good. 4. Ask for the Doggie Bag with Dinner I recently read in People magazine that it is chic to ask for a doggie bag along with your dinner order, so don’t feel uncomfortable about this. It really works. Chances are you won’t even miss the extra portion, and you will have a yummy lunch for the next day. 5. Stand Up and Lose Weight Have you often noticed that it is not until you stand up at the end of a meal that you notice how full you are? It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to send the “I am full” message to your brain. Find an excuse, such as going to the bathroom, to stand up midway during your meal and check in with yourself to see if you have had enough to eat. 6. Look at the Dessert Menu If my client is a dessert person, I tell them to look at the dessert menu first and then order backwards. Plan your meal around the wonderful cheesecake. This means go lite on the bread, and eat more protein foods and veggies. 7. Create Closure to the Meal Most of us need a signal that the meal is over. Unfortunately, for many of us it is when the food is gone and your plate is empty. I suggest a closure technique to reduce nibbling such as moving the plate away, covering it with salt and pepper, or ordering a cup of coffee to nicely end the meal. I assure you if you take these seven suggestions seriously you will not gain weight when dining at restaurants you frequent, even if you dine out several times a week. If you feel like you need a coach to hold your hand and help you lose weight the right way for once and for all, I would be thrilled to help you. I am glad to inform you that my services are covered by most insurances such as Aetna, Sutter Select, ABMG, Health Net, Hill Physicians, and other established companies. Please feel free to call me at (925) 855-0150 or email me at lifeweight1@gmail.com, and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles, recipes, and nutrition tips in my blog section. Advertorial

Page 30 -September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Walking Keeps Prostate Healthy By Brian Hopkins

We all know that if you want to improve your quality of life, you need to exercise more, eat healthy, and maintain an ideal weight, right? Not surprising, new research suggests that exercise both before and after prostate cancer diagnosis can maximize your chances of longer survival. What was more interesting was that the exercise of choice was brisk walking, not vigorous running or cycling. According to the researchers who presented their data at the American Association for Cancer Research – Prostate Cancer Foundation Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research, men who had a history of walking briskly prior to a prostate cancer diagnosis had more normally shaped blood vessels in their prostate tumors after diagnosis. And based on previous research, studies have shown that men with small, irregularly shaped vessels in their prostate tumor (found in the low to no exercise group) were linked to an increased risk of death. The theory is that a more normally shaped vessel in the prostate tumor may inhibit cancer spread in the body and improve the response rate to anti-cancer therapies. But what if you have prostate cancer? Don’t despair; exercise can still help. Other studies show significant benefits of exercise for you, too. One study showed that men who walked briskly for 90 minutes or more per week lowered their risk of dying from any cause by 46% (compared to men who walked slower and less often). And men who exercised vigorously three or more hours per week had a 61% lower risk of prostate cancer death (compared to men who exercised vigorously less than one hour a week). Another study showed that men diagnosed with cancer who burned approximately 3,000 calories or more a week doing physical exercise lower their risk of death from any cause by 50% compared to men who burned 500 calories from exercise. And lastly, research from a UCSF study reported that men who exercised vigorously three hours or more a week showed increases to several genes which are thought to stand in the way of cancer progression. My recommendation is to keep your blood vessels shapely and burn more calories by taking yourself out for a really fast walk – doctor’s orders! Interested in learning more about men's health issues? Join me and other John Muir Health physicians as we discuss health issues that affect all men. The “Men’s Health Seminar – Keeping You Healthy” is a free community seminar that will cover a variety of topics including erectile dysfunction, prostate health, and low testosterone. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 6 – 7:30pm at the John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus. To register, call (925) 941-7900. Dr. Hopkins is a urologist with Pacific Urology. He sub-specializes in cancer of the prostate, kidney, and bladder. He also has extensive experience with reconstructive and minimally invasive surgeries. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit www. pacificurology.com or call 925-937-7740. Advertorial

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Update on Blood Cancer CLL

By Kasra Karamlou, MD

Blood cancers affect the production and function of your blood cells. There are three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In most blood cancers, the normal blood cell development process is interrupted by uncontrolled growth of an abnormal or cancerous blood cell. There are three common types of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia is found in the blood and bone marrow. It is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. High numbers of abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection, and they impair the ability of bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets. Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system removes excess fluids from the body and produces immune cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. Abnormal lymphocytes turn into lymphoma cells, which multiply, collect in person’s lymph nodes, and over time can impair your immune system. Myeloma is a blood cancer that specifically targets plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce disease and infection fighting antibodies. Myeloma cells prevent the normal production of antibodies, leaving the body’s immune system weakened and susceptible to infection. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia seen in the Western Hemisphere. The majority of patients with the disease do not require therapy. However, for most patients who required therapy, the standard chemotherapy and antibody based therapies can have substantial toxicities and options for patients with recurrent disease has been limited in the past. There has been tremendous progress in understanding the biology of CLL, which has led to the introduction of novel therapies in the management of the disease. The role of B cell receptor in survival of CLL cells has led to the introduction and approval of two novel therapies, Ibritunib and Idelalisib. Both drugs inhibit the B cell receptor survival and migration signaling in CLL cells and have shown to produce durable responses in relapsed CLL with manageable side effects. These novel therapies are being studied in the upfront management of the disease as well and the results of these studies are eagerly awaited. Dr. Karamlou is a medical oncologist and hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group. He treats all tumor types with a special interest in hematological malignancies (Lymphoma, Leukemia, MDS and myeloma). Dr. Karamlou sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Brentwood and can be reached at 925-677-5041 or at dvohmg.com. Advertorial

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Mommy Makeover

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 31 Stressed? Overwhelmed? Anxious?

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

Mindfulness: Be present; find joy amongst chaos; As a mother of three and a Plastic Surgeon, I am acutely sensitive to how develop peace and balance; live your optimal life pregnancy effects our bodies. Classes ~ Workshops ~ Individual Sessions The experience of having three children has given me a unique perspective regarding how we view ourselves as women and mothers. I understand what Mindfulness – Tools for Living it is to be a busy mother and what it is to want my body to look and feel like Joree Rosenblatt it did before I had children. I understand the work of trying diet and exercise www.joreerose.com and the limitations of the abdominal muscles that are simply in need of a little work that even a million sit-ups will not provide. A Mommy Makeover surgery at Persons Plastic Surgery takes place at our certified surgery Our mission is to provide personalized care, help center, the Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery maintain independence and enhance our client’s quality of life on a daily basis. Center in Lafayette, over the course of a morning or afternoon. It is performed under a light sleep • Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits anesthesia. After surgery, you will be able to go ensure the right care plan • Hourly care Heartfelt & for you • Live-in care Supportive home or to a recovery suite in town with a private • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt. nurse. A patient is required to take two weeks off • Elder referral and placement from work and other duties in order to recover. I At All Times... 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D stay in close contact with each patient. Lafayette, CA 94549 (beside Trader Joe’s) www.excellentcareathome.com A Mommy Makeover is not just one proce925-284-1213 dure, but it’s a combination of individualized procedures (outlined below) that lift, tighten, and shape your body to help reverse the rapid changes that occur during and following pregnancy and breast feeding. Grief Support Groups and Classes Hospice of the East Bay has announced a schedule for their support Mastopexy (Breast Lift) and Augmentation groups and workshops for adults, children, and teens experiencing grief Breast surgery can be considered as early as six months following the compleafter the death of a loved one. tion of breast feeding. A mastopexy, or breast lift, restores the shape of the breast Classes will be offered at Hospice’s Administrative Offices, located and also the size and location of the nipple. Although a breast lift without implant at 3470 Buskirk Avenue,Pleasant Hill. may be just right for many women, some women may want a mastopexy augmenBereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community tation for additional size and projection. The augmentation can be achieved with members in need, however, donations are greatly appreciated. a silicone or saline implant, or with autologous fat grafting. Pre-registration is required for all groups and classes, except the dropAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in group. To register, please call Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. An abdominoplasty, commonly called a “tummy tuck,” is a plastic surgery proGroups for Adults cedure which flattens the abdomen by tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall, •Adults Who Have Lost a Parent ~ Mondays, 6pm - 8pm, October and it involves removing excess skin, fat, and stretch marks. The abdomen tends to take on a rounded appearance as we age, as our weight fluctuates, and after such 6 - November 24 •Widow and Widowers’ Support ~ Thursdays, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, events as childbirth. The muscle and tissues of the abdomen are weakened, and the pm pm skin becomes stretched, so no amount of sit-ups or leg raises can remove this shape. September 4 - October 23 and Mondays, 6 to 8 , September 29 A Tummy Tuck can re-contour and reposition these tissues with the added benefit November 17 •Drop-In Bereavement Support Group ~ 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of removing any pre-existing scars from the lower abdomen. of the month, 4:30pm - 6pm

Reshaping of Buttocks and Flanks (Vaser, Laser and Traditional Liposuction)

A trained plastic surgeon with the right tools is able to use liposuction techniques to alter the shape of the body through the removal and transfer of fat. An alternative to traditional liposuction, Vaser Liposuction uses advanced ultrasound technology designed to gently reshape the body. Sound energy is transmitted through small probes that diffuse the ultrasound waves and liquefy the fat for easy removal. I combine Vaser Liposuction with Laser Liposuction to achieve a result which is natural appearing and with less skin laxity. One more thing…the natural childbirth experience or just genetics can weaken and alter the shape and aesthetics of the female pelvic floor. When these structures are weakened vaginal rejuvenation surgery is an option. This can be used to improve the aesthetic appearance of the labia and can also rejuvenate to improve sexual function. There is also a G spot shot and a C spot shot of natural filler. These are the not often talked about, but they are highly satisfying procedures. Motherhood is wonderful and my children are the joy of my life. I am passionate about helping my patients achieve realistic goals through plastic surgery. My patients tell me every day that they are thankful for the changes we accomplished together. They tell me they wish they had done it sooner. I would be happy to consult with you about your desires and goals concerning the rejuvenation of your body. Barbara L. Persons, MD is a Board Certified 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

Groups for Children and Teens

•The Bridge - Bi-monthly support program for grieving children and teens. Support is also available for parents/guardians. Sign up now for the fall session. Hospice of the East Bay provides compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, while offering emotional, spiritual, and grief support for the entire family. As a not-for-profit organization, we accept all medically qualified patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hospice of the East Bay has served over 22,000 patients and their families since 1977. To learn about making a donation of time or money, contact (925) 887-5678, or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Group Helps People Cope with Death of Pets

When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief. Hospice of the East Bay and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month from noon - 1:30PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required. Hospice of the East Bay Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.

Page 32 -September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

O’Neill continued from page 11

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ers like Houdini, but rather on the mental magic practiced by ordinary individuals to create alternative realities that ease the burden of everyday existence. Taking a cue from the success of last year’s juxtaposition of two closely related O’Neill pieces (Chris Christophersen and Anna Christie), this year’s selection offers plays by different authors exploring the same theme: what happens when circumstances force us to Ask us about the IntelliFlo pump by Pentair, recognize the intricate illusions intertwined in proven to save $100 or more each month. the storylines by which we live. In addition, as certified Centerpieces of the Festival are Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opening at Danville’s Village Theater PGE installers we can on September 5th, and The Iceman Cometh offer a $100 PGE rebate beginning September 19th at the Old Barn at Tao House. Audiences viewing the two works on the pump! in tandem can appreciate the impact of O’Neill’s genius on the next generation of American playwrights while applauding drama created by a distinctly different talent. O’Neill completed Iceman at Tao House in 1939. Awaiting the end Visit our website at www.actionpoolrepair.com of World War II, he withheld publication until Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 1946. Cat debuted on Broadway in 1955, winning Tennessee Williams his second Pulitzer Prize. How similar are the themes of these dramas? A lively discussion, including information on each of the playwrights geared to give the general public a better understanding of the two artists and their work, takes place at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley at 2pm on Saturday, September 13th. Long time Foundation Board Member, Dan Cawthon, Professor Emeritus at St. Mary’s College, is already exchanging thoughts with Dr. Cheryldee Huddleston, Theatre Instructor and PEN Award-winning playwright on the subject. Is living in a day dream world different from hiding a personal secret within a web of deception? Are “pipe dreams” as the characters in Iceman generate them another aspect of the “mendacity” expressed in Cat? Come and ask your own questions or sit back and be entertained as the experts exchange insights. New for the 2014 program is an afternoon of short productions by numerous Bay Area theater groups interpreting the theme of confrontation between subjective and objective perspectives on realty. Groups will perform scenes chosen from their current, past or future repertoires at the Tao House Barn on Saturday, September 20th at 2pm. For those prepared to encounter the essence of escape artfully presented in sequential productions, one weekend has been scheduled to immerse patrons in the realm of live theater. Referring to the opportunity as the “Fire and Ice Weekend” Eric Fraisher Hayes, Artistic Director of Danville’s Role Players Ensemble (presenters of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) as well as Artistic Program Chair for EONF and Director of The Iceman Cometh, explains, “The ‘Fire and Ice’ weekend is a chance for the public to experience both of these powerful and poetic plays back to back as well as attend our special showcase of scenes from Bay Area Theatre companies Truth, Lies and Illusions.” Free to the public and available throughout the Festival, a juried show of two and three-dimensional art continues at the Village Theater Art Gallery, 233 Front Street, through September 28th. Presented by the Alamo Danville Artists Society and the Town of Danville, the show features work by 27 Bay Area artists including sculpture, ceramics, glass, photography and paintings, as well as a single entry of poetry paired with an abstract. Judge Amy Schell and fellow Gallery Committee members Marija Nelson Bleier and Tom Lemmer aided show coordinator Megan Parks-Haller in the selection process. Asked about how artists responded to the call for pieces exploring the human need for physical, psychological or emotional escape, Parks-Haller admitted, “Artists were challenged to stay in the theme - the tendency to step away or change our realities.” Freely interpreted, the “Art of the Escape” encompasses all the ways people take time out from everyday life, from enjoying a quiet cup of tea or traveling to a pristine landscape to inventing a fantasy space to inhabit. Likewise free of charge, hour-long historic walks through Danville take participants to places prominent in the town during the days when Eugene and Carlotta O’Neill resided at Tao House from 1937 to 1944. Meet docents at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Avenue on Saturday, September 6th at 10am or Saturday, September 27th at 1pm. Full details on Festival schedule, cost, and ticket purchase can be found on the EONF website www.eugeneoneill.org. Free transportation to all events at Tao House is provided by NPS. For information on free tours of Tao House, visit their website at www.nps.gov/euon. Tickets for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof can be purchased separately or as part of a season package at www.roleplayersensemble.org. Or stop in and visit Danville’s Information Center at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Is Food a Problem for You? Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information.

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Hearing Loss Association

Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Contact HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or (925) 2641199 or www.hearinglossdv.org for more information.

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Breath: Your RX for Stress

By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Boot Camp

Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 33

Cinema Classics By Peggy Horn

No one is immune to stress. From the sudden jolt to the The Thin Man more subtle and perpetual aggravations of life, every one of This month’s Cinema Classic is The us deals with some form of stress on a daily basis. Though Thin Man, (1934) starring the debonair we may not be able to control the source of our stress, we William Powell and the enigmatic Myrna can learn to control our reaction to it. Loy. The Thin Man was based on the novel Our physiological stress response involves a chain of of the same name and written by Dashiell chemical reactions that result in the release of adrenaline. This Hammett. The director, W.S. Van Dyke, elevates our blood pressure and induces shallow breathing. shot the whole movie in twelve days and When we allow ourselves to respond to stress with tension or anger, we are sending managed to garner four Academy Award nominations. The film our brain a signal to keep stressing. When we breathe mindfully, our brain releases also features Maureen O’Sullivan, famous for her role as Jane, neurohormones that tell our body to relax. Training our minds to respond to stress the wife of Tarzan (“Me Tarzan – You Jane”), and also famous with breath is clearly beneficial to our well being. for being the real life mother of actress Mia Farrow. The first task in exploring the breath is observing and feeling it. Ideally, this is William Powell plays the role of Nick Charles, an urbane practiced in a stress-free environment like a quiet room. If possible, practice in the and jovial gentleman who is also a highly successful detective recovery position described below. If not, find a comfortable and supportive seated – so expert that the criminals who have been caught by him position. Don’t worry about the length of the inhale and exhale; just observe and brag about it, claiming no other detective could have done it. feel. Repeat this until the timer rings. Nick is married to Nora (Myrna Loy), who is as elegant as Observe and Feel the Breath: Set a timer with a gentle ring on low volume she is beautiful. Moreover, she is a good sport and seems to for three minutes. You will need a chair for recovery position. Lie on your back enjoy sleuthing as much as her husband does. The extremely facing the front of the chair. Support your lower legs by placing your calves on attractive duo together work out who murdered the victim, all the chair pad, thighs parallel to the walls and shins parallel to the floor. Place your the while living their sophisticated lives, walking their dog, palms down on your belly so that your thumbs touch just below the navel. Start celebrating Christmas, and throwing parties. Even the dog, the timer and close your eyes. Asta, a wired hair fox terrier, is refined. What makes Nick • Upon inhale say “inhale” in your mind. Feel your rib cage and belly expand. Charles particularly lovable is his circle of friends that includes • Upon exhale say “exhale” in your mind. Feel your belly and ribcage deflate. criminals and the most ordinary members of the hoi polloi – Once you have completed a few sessions observing and feeling your breath, they love him! move on to equal breathing. Equal breathing is known for its calming effects on The Thin Man generated five sequels, all as fun and as jaunty the nervous system and can be used any time, any where. The method below is for as the original. It has been said that the characters Nick and those who are just beginning a mindful breathing practice and can be adjusted for Nora are loosely based on Dashiell Hammett and his real life more advanced breath training. sweetheart, Lillian Hellman. Whatever the basis, watching the Equal Breathing: Find a comfortable seated position or take recovery posture. film is especially enjoyable due to the refinement and grace of Avoid forcing your breath. Meet your breath where it is and grow it over time. If Nick and Nora’s movements, appearance, and manners – they four counts are too much effort, start with two. Pick a one syllable word that feels are both so elegant! And the film is beautifully made with lots calming to you. You will use it to fill the space between counts. The word “love” of shadowing and gorgeous portraits. The Thin Man and its five is my example, but you can replace it with any positive word you like. Joy, calm, sequels are available for rent or purchase online. light...it’s up to you. Musical Notes: And on the subject of elegance, I nominate • Upon inhale count 1 love, 2 love, 3 love, 4 love. Peggy Lee singing, “Why Don’t You Do Right?” (1942). Not • Upon exhale count 4 love, 3 love, 2 love, 1 love. even the summer temperatures can stand up to the ultimate cool • Repeat for 5 - 10+ minutes Distractions will come in the form of sound, sensation, and thought. When you Miss Lee seems to generate; she appears to know a secret that realize you are distracted, return to the breath without self judgement. As long as we don’t know. See for yourself! you keep coming back to the breath, you will make progress. More advanced, deeper breathing requires practice. It takes time for the lungs to gain capacity and for the mind to develop patience. When we don’t give ourselves time to acclimate to deep breathing, we do not reap its valuable benefits. Take your time and respect where you are so that you make progress. Next time the stressors of life arise, respond with mindful breath. Take that opportunity to improve your well being rather than train yourself to stress out. It’s time to let go of habits that are not serving the great person you truly are! TM Michelle Brown is an ACE certified fitness professional, 2nd Degree Kung Fu Black Belt Disciple, Level 2 certified TRX Functional Trainer, TRX RIP Certified Trainer, TRX Mind Cars • Trucks • Vans • Boats • Real Estate Body Certified Trainer, Trigger Point Rehabilitation Therapist, board member on the California Health Corps, blogger, public Live Operators on hand 7 days a week speaker, and owner of Gumsaba Outdoor Fitness. Michelle has Tax deduction • All transfer documents handled been helping clients surpass their goals since 1998. Gumsaba Free pick-up • Running or not in most cases has been voted Best in the East Bay by Diablo Magazine readers for two years running, and offers outdoor fitness programs year round. Join Gumsaba for a FREE CLASS. Visit our website at gumsaba.com to get started. Use promo code GOGOAL www.thefallenheroes.org to redeem your free week. For more information visit www. Advertorial gumsaba.com or call (925) 683-5630.

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Page 34 -September 2014 ~ Alamo Today

Discovery continued from front page

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be continued at the clinic as needed. Kathy Kane, DCC Clinical Director and SCIP Director, comments, “The need and interest in supporting children’s social and emotional development is very keen in this area. Families are very fortunate to have this level of service.” Follow-up evaluation shows that 95% of students receiving DCC support exhibit positive change in at least one area of adjustment. Seventy percent of students show improvement in five or more. Predominant problems addressed include family transition, anxiety, low self-esteem, social isolation, social skill deficit, behavior management, and emotional regulation issues. DCC interns are essential to SCIP success. Overseeing their work is an aspect of her job that Kane finds thoroughly rewarding. “I love watching the interns blossoming in the field. We put a lot of thought and energy into keeping our program at a high level because we are responsible for bringing up the next generation of therapists. I also feel rewarded by knowing (and seeing through the eyes of our counselors) that our program is truly making a difference in the lives of the children in our valley.” DCC encouraged Jen Zink, then an intern, to develop what has become one of their most popular programs. Although SRVUSD had curriculum addressing “bullying,” Jen realized the model was geared toward typically male aggression, failing to address how girls tend to denigrate their peers. Piloted in 2010, “EmpowHer” will be offered in at least eight elementary schools this year. Monthly sessions with all Danville Town Councilmember Newell Arnerich, DCC Board Members Lorraine Frey and Julie Liu, and DCC Executive Director Kathy Chiverton celebrate the of the girls in the 4th and 5th grades build a basis for trust and confidence. Zink writes: “The sessions focus first on understanding the ways girls display rela- launch of the Senior Program. Photo courtesy of DCC. tional aggression. Girls become aware of how their behaviors can negatively affect the relationships that are important to them. Exclusion, gossip, dirty looks, digital drama (cyber-bullying), name-calling, and ‘stealing friends’ are all behaviors that damage friendships. We identify the deeper underlying reasons why these behaviors occur. Sessions emphasize the importance of bystander action, equipping students with actions to take when they witness these alternative forms of aggression. Students develop language skills to communicate emotional issues with fair and positive responses empowering students to gain assertiveness. Finally, we learn healthy coping skills to remain strong and resilient.” The companion piece “Guy’d2Greatness” is now offered to boys. Reaching students (1,400 last year) before they enter grades where relational aggression typically peaks is another way DCC takes a proactive role in building a healthy community. Inspired by the suggestion of an SRVUSD educator, DCC created Alternative to Suspension (ASP) permitting first-time offenders facing tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana-related disciplinary action to chose counseling over suspension. Chris Duerrmeir, Staff Therapist, notes, “Every clinician working ASP has a slightly different approach but the main goal of the program is to look at what the purpose of the substance use is and to assess its severity.” Students first meet one-on-one with a clinician and second with one or more parents or guardians present. Duerrmeir explains at the outset, “We are not here to judge you or to tell you what to do or not to do. We are here to have an open and honest exploration and awareness about a student’s alcohol and drug use.” The facilitation of dialogue between adult and teen makes each aware of the other’s deepest concerns, replacing resentment with understanding. Mental Health First Aid, a national program brought to Contra Costa County by DCC last year, teaches a 5-step action plan to recognize and offer appropriate initial help to people exhibiting symptoms of a mental health issue. Stacy Linder, one of three DCC therapists certified to teach the 8-hour courses, has conducted several for SRVUSD personnel “to help teachers and support staff who are not mental health professionals understand and respond to individuals at risk.” Evaluation forms inCheckout line at the Thrift Station circles the store as customers latch onto bargains. dicate material addresses precisely the issues educators encounter. Open sessions Friends of Discovery teamwork keeps pace with the pressure so everyone comes out for interested community members are being planned. Linder writes: “The ultimate smiling. Photo courtesy of DCC. goals are to create a common language around mental health in our community and to remove the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues.” Senior Citizens now have access to help at the Danville Veteran’s Hall Senior Center where DCC psychologist Fran Rapport organizes conversation groups on requested topics and holds regularly scheduled office hours. Rapport, a long-time school psychologist, remarks, “I appreciate working with seniors who are interested in counseling and are motivated to make use of our time together. While some seniors are interested in counseling for issues that have been present in their lives for many years, others have more recent changes in their lives that bring them to want some counseling.” Some conversation groups find the company so enjoyable, they continue meeting for months. The Thrift Station, managed by Friends of Discovery, provides 40% of the DCC budget. Started in 1973 with goods scavenged from yard sales and a small loan from founder Marge Early’s mother, the Thrift Station now thrives on highly desirable clothing, household goods, furniture, toys, and books from local donors. Specialists in each area price merchandise and stage it in bins so stock on the floor can be replenished regularly. Lorraine Frey, President of the Friends, says, “Every day is an adventure. We don’t order what we sell; we sell what we are given, and we never know what that will be.” Does the community recognize how much DCC offers area residents? Frey reports, “People used to bring donations to the Thrift Station because we were an easy, local drop off location. We always said: ‘Thank you very much. We appreciate your donation.’ In the last year and a half, many people are responding: ‘Thank you for what you do.’” The all-volunteer Friends are a hard-working, dependable group. Visit the Thrift Station Monday-Saturday from 10am-4pm at 486 San Ramon Valley Boulevard in the Crossroads at Danville. Learn more about DCC programs, sponsors, their September 22nd Golf Classic at Crow Canyon Country Club, and their October 11th evening of Music and Laughter at Danville’s Village Theatre by visiting www.discoveryctr.net.

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Cancer Support Community

The Cancer Support Community, located at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek, offers the following free support classes. For information and reservations, please call (925) 933-0107.

Kid Support

A ten week support group for children who have a parent, grandparent, or other family member with cancer (either in treatment or post-treatment). This group offers children ages 5 – 12 an opportunity to make friends and learn skills to help them when cancer is in their lives. The classes are held Thursdays, from September 18th through November 20th from 6pm – 8pm. A Parent Orientation meeting is required and will be held on Thursday, September 11th from 4pm – 6 pm.

Frankly Speaking About Metastatic Breast Cancer

Information about the latest treatments for metastatic breast cancer will be presented. The talk includes treatment options, side effect management, and ways to cope with the social and emotional challenges. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4th from 4pm – 6pm with Lesley Martin, MD, an oncologist with Mt. Diablo Solano Oncology.

Breast Reconstruction

Learn about breast reconstruction options, planning for reconstruction and recovery, choosing not to have breast reconstruction, managing side effects, and choosing a healthcare team. The talk will be held Tuesday, October 21st from 6pm–8pm with Eric Mariotti, MD, a board certified plastic surgeon. The events is for cancer patients, their families, and friends.

Hospice Volunteers Needed

Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients and their caregivers. Opportunities include: • Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling • Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy • Mobile Notaries to witness the signing of important documents • Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members after their loved one has died • Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance To apply for free training, call Hospice at (925) 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency that helps people cope with end of life by providing medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

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Alamo Today ~ September 2014 - Page 35

School continued from page 22

year during the heavy rains of the winter when students residing in the rural sections are unable to attend.” In 1946 Tassajara School enrollment dropped to 11 after two large families moved away. Some parents thought that students could get a better education by going to a more modern school. The school closed, and students, teacher Gertrude Arendt, and their desks transferred to Danville for elementary school. The abandoned school fell on hard times. The bell disappeared, windows were broken, and Washington’s picture was stolen. Tassajara volunteers organized to save the School House, replacing the foundation and roof, putting in new wiring, and making other improvements. They created the TassajaraHighland Improvement Association and, in 1970, a new volunteer fire district. An annual picnic at the school included a barbecue, raffles, auctions, games, and recruitment for fire volunteers. Funds were raised for the restoration. Eventually the picture of Washington was returned anonymously by the youth who took it; in a note he said his conscience had bothered him. Mrs. Arendt donated a World War I Liberty Bell from Pleasanton.

The Twenty-first Century

The Tassajara Fire District maintained the school and, when the district merged with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District in 1990, the school became the responsibility of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. Beginning in 1994 docent-teachers from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley opened school again to provide a living history one-room school experience for third graders. Last year 2,700 third grade students attended the school. In 2012 the Museum took title to the School and site and, in 2013, its significance was recognized when the Tassajara Grammar School and site were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. On September 10, 2014, the Museum will host an event celebrating that recognition. Call (925) 837-3750 for information. Center stage is where this school belongs. The restored Tassajara Grammar School stands as a tribute to the caring community which saved it and the Museum which is committed to its preservation.

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Alamo Single Level vs. Two Story: Which is Better?

larger on average than the single story. Amazingly, despite the size differential both two story and single story four Nancy and I get a lot of questions about the difference between Alamo single story homes and two story homes. I once read somewhere that people who live in bedroom homes are selling in less than three weeks time. Off the top of my head, I two story homes outlive their single story counter parts by an average of eight years. would have thought that the two story homes might take a little longer to sell, but as That’s great, but I figure if you add up the total amount of time they actually spend it turns out Alamo two stories are on average selling faster by two days than single climbing, it’s probably a wash. Anecdotally, you might think every “Baby Boomer” story homes. At 19 and 17 days respectively, it is a super hot market. It appears the Alamo two story home is dominating the single story in each of in the world or at least in Alamo is looking for a single story to rest their failing knees. So, this month I thought we could take a look at the difference between the the categories. However, when we adjust dollars for size, the picture is not the same. two and see if any myths can be busted. The data presented in the chart is for four Alamo single story homes are selling at $496 per square foot compared to $476 per bedroom homes sold between January 1st and August 26th, 2014. No other criteria square foot for their counterparts, the two stories. This is a significant difference of $20 per square foot, or 4.2% in favor of the single story. Inch for inch and foot for were applied to the analysis. In Alamo, 28% more single story homes sold than two story homes during this foot, it appears the single story homes in Alamo are tops. So which one wins, single story or two story? I am pretty sure it is both. Priced time period. Forty-five single story homes sold versus 35 two story homes. If you look around town and the composition of our Alamo neighborhoods, these numbers at nearly $500 per square foot anyone selling an Alamo home is coming up a winner shouldn’t surprise you. The least expensive Alamo single story sold for $999,000. this year. Nancy and I have more than 2,900 email subscribers who receive this article in adThe least expensive Alamo two story home sold for $989,000. The most expensive single story home sold for $2,350,000, and the most expensive two story home sold vance of publication. You can add yourself to the list by sending me an email or signing for $3,900,000. So, at the bottom of the price range, the single stories have it and up for it on our website www.thecombsteam.com. I assure you no spam will follow. Trying to figure out your next move? Need numbers and answers to make your at the top, it’s not even close, the two story homes win, hands down. On average, single story homes in Alamo are selling for $1,425,899 while their two decisions? Nancy and I will be happy to provide you with a personal consultation story counterparts are blowing them away with an average sales price of $1,743,341, to help you figure it out. No charge and no pressure just our honest opinions. making the single story approximately 18% less expensive than Alamo’s average Please call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. two story home. Alamo 4 Bedroom Home Sales Jan. 1-May-Aug 26 In real estate size is very important, so if we look at the differAlamo Sold DOM List Price Sold Price Sq. Foot $ Sq. Foot ence in size between the homes in the two groups, we find Alamo Single Story 45 19 $ 1,415,150 $ 1,425,889 2896 $ 496 single story homes to be quite a bit smaller. Single story homes Two Story 35 17 $ 1,776,622 $ 1,743,341 3676 $ 476 average 2,896 square feet compared to the two story’s massive 28.0% 12.0% -20.0% -18.0% -21.0% 4.2% 3,676 square feet which makes the Alamo two story home 21% % Difference

Magee Ranch Executive Home

7.93 Acre Lot

SOL

Immaculate 5 bedroom Single Story, Great Flow, Pool spa Level play yard. Priced to Sell $1,639,000

Amazing updated 4 bedroom single story has it all. Large level lot beautiful pool and pavilion.

Alamo Oaks

Anderson Ranch Single Level

Great lot for sale in a mapped subdivision between Alamo and Lafayette. Natural setting with many oak trees. Call for details and pricing.

Diablo Creek Single Story

Priced to Sell $1,679,000

SOL

Updated 4 bedroom 3595 sq. foot home with 1.13 acre lot. Perfect for horses or a vineyard. Priced to Sell $1,839,000

Nicely updated 4 bed single level with level lot and Views! Priced to Sell $995,000

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.

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