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July 2015 The Bounty Garden: Meeting the Needs of Neighbors By Jody Morgan
The Bounty Garden (TBG), located in Hap Magee Ranch Park, is now in its third full harvest year. Every ounce of organic produce grown goes to local residents most in need through the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. TBG provides hands-on training to volunteers of all ages who want to learn sustainable practices to use in their home gardens. TBG offers experienced gardeners the opportunity to share their knowledge and reap satisfaction from serving their community. Volunteers savor the serenity of the garden while working within. Passersby relish the view of orderly beds of greenery from without. Getting the project approved was harder than keeping it going has proven to be. During a tour of the Food Bank organized by her school, Amelia Abramson was
Serving Alamo and Diablo AIA Spearheads Pipeline Safety Initiative By Sharon Burke
Do you live near the Iron Horse Trail or frequently walk or bike its leafy stretch? Do your children attend Rancho Romero School? Do you shop or dine at the local shopping areas? All of these areas are located within close proximity This exposed jet fuel pipeline was installed in the 1960’s, next to to a high pressure jet fuel the bridge crossing a seasonal creekbed on the Iron Horse Trail between La Serena and Hemme Avenue in Alamo. This area pipeline which runs from is in close proximity to Rancho Romero School and Creative Martinez to the San Jose Learning Center preschool as well as numerous residences. Airport straight through the heart of westside Alamo. The pipeline was installed decades ago, when Alamo was a rural, lightly inhabited area, and when pipeline regulations were less stringent than today's safety conscious era. The Alamo Improvement Association (AIA) has undertaken a leadership
See Pipeline continued on page 24
A 50 Year Tradition - The Kiwanis Danville 4th of July Parade By Fran Miller
The TBG Hive. L to R: Kathy Torru; Co-Founders Amelia Abramson and Heidi Abramson; Marilyn Gray-Raine; Kellee Reed; Louise Fredriksson; Joann Oliver; Eric Schneider; Janet Howes. Absent: Cynthia Ruzzi. (Photo courtesy of TBG).
appalled by the emptiness of the area reserved for fresh produce. She returned to her Alamo home determined to find a way to improve the situation. Together with her mother Heidi, Amelia tackled the lengthy process of convincing Danville’s Town Council that TBG was a viable proposition that would enhance Hap Magee Park and continue to be productive year after year. On November 15, 2011, Danville Town Council unanimously approved a license agreement with The Bounty Garden Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Cynthia Ruzzi, co-founder of Sustainable Danville and a member of the TBG Hive (the garden’s management team), comments, “I was amazed by Amelia’s insight. How remarkable for a child in our community to have been so moved by a simple visit to the Food Bank. Amelia understood the difference between her diet – based on an abundance of fresh produce – and the diet of those less fortunate based mainly on canned goods.” Multiple Eagle Scout projects built raised beds and compost bins. Using her expertise as an architect, Heidi restored the small shed within the garden boundaries to house tools, harvest-weighing equipment, and information about the garden. The original plan for rainwater collection was abandoned when town estimates demonstrated how little water the garden would require. TBG’s water bill runs about $150 a year. Toro donated their latest spray nozzle system. More efficient than drip irrigation, it directs water to the roots.
See TBG continued on page 25
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Danville’s most festive annual gathering - the Kiwanis Danville 4th of July parade - celebrates fifty years this summer, and parade organizers are planning a gala event. The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley, parade coordinators Photo by Cindy Gin. since 1975, expect between 35,000 and 40,000 attendees from throughout the Bay Area, making the parade the largest annual event in the San Ramon Valley. This year’s theme is “Kids on Bikes. Smart, Safe and Healthy.” The Grand Marshall of the parade is the Robert Pack Family. Through the years, the parade and its audience have exemplified small town appeal, often drawing comparisons to the iconic musical The Music Man. The sea of lawn chairs, multi-generational families, and red, white and blue clothing do make for a movie-like visual. “This parade helps to give a small town feel to this growing region,” says Ron Kosich, Kiwanis member and chairman of the parade. “It provides a link to the past and to our nostalgic idea of what a small town used to be.” Longtime Danville resident Vickie Sciacca has been attending the parade since she was a young girl, when she Volume XV - Number 7 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, lived within walking distance of the Alamo, CA 94507 parade route. She remembers the small, Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 homey feel with 4-H groups, school Fax (925) 406-0547 bands and horseback riders, and the exAlisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher citement prior to parade day. She recalls Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com one particular year where rumor had it Sharon Burke ~ Writer that the stars of “Bonanza” would be The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today participating. The rumor turned out to not is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising
See Parade continued on page 8
herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
Page 2 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Boulevard View
How many ways can you eat zucchini? By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
It’s July. I’ve let my lawns go brown and am only watering my garden. At every house we have owned we have always carved out a small patch of dirt for a garden. I love picking the seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables available right outside my door. I am actually a fairly lazy gardner and don’t spend a lot of time with careful planning as to the layout of where the plants will go, or even planting seeds in neat rows. I only loosely follow the seed planting instructions, and I generally let grow what may. I don’t spray or fertilize or even boost with Miracle-Gro. I figure whatever happens to pop up was meant to be. My garden is full of a variety of plants. Some are planted and some are “volunteers” arising from seeds that had fallen from a vegetable in a previous year. There are peppers, tomatoes, fava beans, beets, lemongrass, carrots, potatoes, eggplant, herbs, leafy greens, and zucchini -- LOTS of zucchini. A couple months ago I planted four zucchini plants. I’m not sure if I’ll ever learn the lesson of thinning my garden; I somehow feel the need to keep every plant growing. Why did I think four zucchini plants was a good idea? All of our organic matter food scraps, as well as coffee grinds, napkins, and egg cartons get put in a compost tumbler. The new dirt gets added to the planter beds which seem to be providing super nutrients to the squash. It seems every day three or four 8-10” long zucchini appear. You can’t let the garden be unattended for even one day or else you’ll walk out to several green baseball bat sized squash which have been known to serve as temporary speed bumps on streets where drivers go a little too fast. There are many stories about prolific zucchini. On the Inlander.com website there is an article titled “Zombie Crop.” It begins, “In my old neighborhood, we only locked our doors during zucchini season. Waves of the vegetables would arrive at our doorstep, sent by those who were too sick of them to eat any more. No matter how many stir-fries, fritters, pizzas, and tamales we threw them at, the zucchini kept coming ... like a crowd of hungry zombies.” Being that zucchini has a fairly neutral flavor, it can be incorporated into many
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recipes. In the past I have made zucchini soup, zucchini-potato pancakes, zucchini casserole, zucchini fries, and zucchini bread. I have sauteed them, skewered them, and grilled them. I have sliced the zucchini in thin strips and substituted them in place of pasta. I was trying to get slightly ahead of my game this year and found a plethora of new recipes which use zucchini. Last weekend as I was trying to expand my zucchini horizons, I embarked on a cooking spree. I added grated zucchini to my waffles. I made a warm zucchini and cream cheese dip. I sliced them thin, added a little oil and salt, and made zucchini chips. However, the most creative new way I found to use my zucchini was for Cherry Limeade Zucchini Popsicles. You have to be careful when you “market” these to your guests and family members because their first thoughts may be, “Eeew, yuck!,” or “Gross.” It is perhaps best to just call them Cherry Popsicles and leave out the details. They were such a hit in our house that they all disappeared in a day! It is time for a new batch.
Cherry Limeade Zucchini Popsicles from Creativegreenliving.com
Makes 6 popsicles • 1/2 of a medium sized zucchini • 10 cherries (fresh or frozen) • Juice of 1 1/2 limes • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/2 cup warm water Remove the stem and/or blossom ends from the zucchini and cut into about 8 pieces. Add to blender. Pit cherries and remove stems if needed (or use frozen cherries). Add cherries and lime juice to blender. Mix the sugar and water, stirring until dissolved (you can quicken the process by using warm water or cooking on the stovetop until sugar is dissolved). Add the sugar water to the blender, and blend about 1 minute or until smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until solid. Even with all of my new recipes I am still not sure if I will be able to keep up with the abundance of zucchini. Be careful if you come over to our home. We hand out “party favors” just for stopping by!
Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents
2015 Movie Under the Stars Movie starts at 8:30 p.m. at Livorna Park in Alamo
(Located at the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue)
Admission is Free
RETRO NIGHT Friday, July 10th
FAMILY NIGHT Friday, July 24th
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! DIAMOND SPONSORS
PETE’S BRASS RAIL CAR WASH
AND
Doug and Cindy Gin
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
Bring blankets, chairs, flashlights, snacks, family and friends. For information call Recreation Staff at (925) 313-2272.
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
Noon International Sweeney Kovar Financial Advisors Inc. Greenan Peffer Sallander & Lally LLP Mayor Dick & Kathy Waldo
Sunset Development Alamo World Travel Law Offices of Ken Begun First Choice Abbey Carpet
NBC Bay Area Talk Radio KSFO 560 Alamo Today/Danville Today The Valley Sentinel San Ramon Valley Times
For more information about the 2015 Kiwanis parade visit kiwanis-srv.org/parade.
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 3
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Exhibit on the Museum at 30
On June 23,the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will opened a new small exhibit called “The Museum at 30, Celebrating Three Decades of Service.” The exhibit will end on November 8. While this display is in place, Model Trains, Journey Stories, and Indian Life exhibits will be featured in the depot’s freight room. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley has served the community for thirty years, working to promote knowledge about the rich history and culture of the San Ramon Valley. The San Ramon Valley includes Alamo, Diablo, Danville, San Ramon, and Blackhawk. Started by the San Ramon Valley Historical Society in 1985, an army of museum volunteers raised funds, moved the historic Danville Southern Pacific Depot in 1996, and opened the restored depot as a museum in 1999. This 2015 exhibit tells the story of the museum’s evolution from vision to reality. Even before a building was acquired, museum members mounted exhibits at the Danville Fine Arts Gallery in the Village Theatre, put up displays in the San Ramon Library, sponsored lectures, and recorded oral histories. They initiated the Tassajara School living history program for third graders and the Indian Life program for fourth graders. Working with Rose Ferreira, Millie Freitas, Betty Dunlap and Virgie Jones, the museum organized walking tours of Old Town Danville and the Alamo Cemetery. This exhibit will include history quilts (including the Miracle on the Hudson quilt), a video of the depot move, and treasures from the archives (new ones each month). On the second Sunday afternoon of each month, residents are invited to come to the museum and share memories of life in the San Ramon Valley. A suggestion box will be available, inviting visitors to help plan for the museum’s future. The museum is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. For more information go to museumsrv.org. Summer hours at the museum are June 27 to August 23 from 10AM-1PM Tuesday - Saturday, and 1PM-3PM on Sunday.
Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club
Are you new to the area, a long time resident, newly retired, or empty-nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club is 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 the club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. Our next new member coffee will be held in August. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 75, San Ramon Valley, meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building, located at 400 Hartz Ave., Danville, on the corner at East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue. Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. The next meeting will be held July 15th. For more information, contact Post Commander Ernie Petagara at (925) 3629806. Find out more about theVFWand our Post at www.vfwpost75.org.
Treats for the Troops
Delta Nu Psi is collecting “gourmet junk food” to send to American troops in Afghanistan. The group will continue sending packages as long as American military members are in the War Zone. Much of the food sent is not normally available to the troops. So far Delta Nu Psi has sent 1,316 boxes weighing a total 31,690 pounds to the troops. On July 2nd Delta Nu Psi members will be at CVS Pharmacy in Alamo and on July 10th they will be at Lunardi’s in Danville. Collections will be held from 11am to 2pm both days, rain or shine. If you or your child would like to create a greeting card for one of the troops with perhaps a drawing and message we will be glad to accept them and forward them. Money for postage is also always appreciated. For more information, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
Alamo Plaza Presents...
National Night Out Tuesday, August 4th 4:00pm - 6:00pm SHOPPING CENTER
Danville Boulevard & Stone Valley Road www.AlamoPlazaShoppingCenter.com 1-800-762-1641
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Page 4 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Sons in Retirement
San Ramon Valley Branch 128
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. The group has monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, bocce ball, bridge, computers, and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. The club’s next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, July 15th at 11AM. A fee of $23 includes luncheon, speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. The July guest speaker will be Robert Fish, a military historian, who will provide insight on the USS Hornet’s role in the Apollo 13 space program. To reserve a space, please email the club by Thursday, July 9th at info@sir128.com. The meeting will take place at the San Ramon Golf Club, located at 9430 Fircrest Lane in San Ramon. For more information about this Retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
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Las Trampas Branch 116
Sons In Retirement Las Trampas Branch 116 welcomes guests to socialize with us at our monthly luncheon beginning at 11:30AM on Monday, July 20th. The speaker will be Justin Alumbaugh, English and Social Studies Instructor and Head Football Coach at De La Salle. Lunch is $15. The luncheon will take place at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, located at 1475 Creekside Dr. Guests are welcome and may make reservations by calling 925-322-1160. If you are retired or semi-retired and want to make new friends, participate in fun activities and better enjoy your leisure time, we welcome you to join with us. SIR Branch 116 has some enjoyable bridge sessions, and we get a good turn out of worthy and honorable opponents. Our bridge games are purely for fun, and Master Point skills are not a requirement for this group. We are always looking for new to join the fun, and we generally have from 5-8 tables playing Chicago style bridge. We play on LOW PRICE GUARANTEE players nd the 2 and 4th Tuesdays each month starting at 11:30AM at Round Hill Country Club, Alamo. Duplicate Alamo bridge is also offered the first Tuesday of the month at the Walnut Creek Bridge Center, starting at 10AM. For information about all of our activities for retired men, please visit www.Branch116.org. Shades & Shutters
925-457-1385
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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.
Blackhawk “First Sunday” Cars & Coffee
and
Cards and Gifts
always
FREE Gift Wrap! on items 15.00 or more.
Town and Country and The Livery 8
Lost Dog!
$50 REWARD
If you find her and your name is drawn!
Alamo Zoe is Missing
Alamo Zoe has become lost in this paper... Search through Alamo Today and see if you can find her! She is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find her.
To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found her, along with your name and address, to: Lost Dog! ~ Alamo Today 3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507
Joan Oakley is our winner
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 going to 10AM, the Museum welcomes all classic, collector, and special interest car owners and enthusiasts. 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 Circle in Danville. For more information, visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org/carsncoffee.html, call (925) 736-2280, or email museum@blackhawkmuseum.org.
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 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.
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 Sheriff Substation, 150 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 ~ July 2015 - Page 5
Blackhawk ~ Gorgeous updated newer home at Blackhawk Country Club. This 6 bedroom 5.5 bath home has over 6300 sq. ft. which includes a large kitchen open to the family room with sliders to the pool plus Library/den with built-in's and fireplace. Beautiful hardwood floors as well as travertine marble through most of the home. Large master suite with huge walk-in closet w/ all built-in's. Listed at $3,299,000. Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com
Blackhawk ~ Sharp home on the golf course at Blackhawk. This 4 bdrm, 3 bath home has an updated kitchen w/granite counters & informal eating area. All bthrms remodeled. One bdrm & bath on main floor now used as an office with built-in's. 3 car garage w/pull down storage & lots of cabinets. Enjoy the summer at your own pool. Great views to the Diablo Hills. $1,295,000 Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com
Alamo ~ Views! Views! Views! Elegant, exquisite craftsmanship highlight this 5 bedroom, 4 bath, hilltop estate. Tall ceilings, media and office suite on 2.4 acres. California Distinguished Alamo schools, Call now! $2,799,000 Michael Hatfield ~ 925.322.7775 Michael@alamoluxuryhomes.com
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Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents the
2015 Summer Concert Series
Fridays 6:30 6:30-- 8:30p.m. at Livorna Park
(At the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue in Alamo) Admission is Free
June 19th: The Sun Kings
Performing the music of The Beatles with driving energy, authentic arrangements and spot-on harmonies.
SRVHS Recognizes Student Athletes
Nearly 40 San Ramon Valley High seniors were recognized for their high school athletic accomplishments. These college bound athletes are committed to various college programs across the United States. This year was sensational as team after team compiled of skilled athletes accomplished remarkable goals. • 20 of 22 athletic sports competed beyond league • Numerous teams went undefeated in the very competitive EBAL league • EBAL championships went to women and men’s water polo, men’s soccer, women’s and men’s swim and dive, men’s lacrosse, and women’s co-champion lacrosse • NCS champions include women’s water polo, women’s swim and dive, men’s soccer, and men’s lacrosse • Pom (3.57 GPA) and men’s soccer (3.44 GPA) received the distinction of being recognized by North Coast Section as Scholastic Team Award Winners • 23 combined men and women swimmers qualified for the California state championship swim meet • It was the first time in SRVHS history that the Wolves became CIF Division I State Basketball Champions The saying holds true: it takes a village to raise a child. Parents, coaches, alumni, sponsors, fans, teachers and mentors all helped to make SRVHS the proud Home of Champions.
July 3rd: Mixed Nuts
Kick off the 4th of July weekend by listening to popular music that spans 7 decades. Bring your dancing shoes.
July 17th: The Houserockers
Timeless rock and blues classics come to life with a dynamic horn and rhythm section.
July 31st: The Fabulous CruiseTones Enjoy a wide variety of familiar dance songs from any decade up to the hits of today!
August 14th: Moonalice
This roots-rock band of seasoned musicians mixes a variety of genres with extended musical improvisations.
Bring blankets, chairs, snacks, family, and friends. For information call Recreation Staff at (925) 313-2272.
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Alamo Women’s Club
Alamo Women’s Club Members enjoy social activities such as book clubs, excursions, golf, sewing, speaker luncheons, and more. We also serve together raising money for and volunteering at several local charities. Members say “Participating here has given me a sense of accomplishment, fellowship, and fun!” We are open to any woman who would like to join no matter where you live or what your age. Join us at one of these upcoming activities. • July 14: “A Stitch in Time” sewing group • July 15: “The Bookies Group” book club • July 16: Prospective member cocktail hour • July 17: Music in Livorna Park • July 31: Music in Livorna Park See our website www.alamowomensclub.org/events/calendars for details and to RSVP for the above activities, or call 925-820-1943.
Meals on Wheels
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
Document Shredding Fundraiser
Safeguard your personal information and protect against identity theft while recycling and helping people fighting cancer in our community. Bring your old tax returns, business records, bank and credit card statements, cancelled checks, bills, receipts, and other documents to be shredded. The event will raise funds to benefit The Wellness Community and will be held at the California Cancer & Research Institute, located at 400 Taylor Blvd in Pleasant Hill, on July 25 from noon until 2PM. The cost is $20 for the first box (standard record size storage box) and $5 for each additional box.
Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 7
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JULY
Cookware~Bakeware~Gadgets Get 10% off on USA made kitchen items thru July19th. Not good on Sale merchandise.
We hope to see you at our Kitchen Counter Events! Call the Kitchen at 925-837-2420 to reserve your seat!
Alamo Ace Hardware |3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo | 925-837-2420 www.AlamoHardware.com
Page 8 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Alamo Elementary School By Stan Hitomi, Principal
When the doors to our school close each year, we say good-bye to both students and families who have called Alamo School their home for many years. These students move on to middle school and continue to grow and explore their futures. For most, their next stop will be Stone Valley Middle School (SVMS). For a few of our students that journey has already begun to take shape. Brady Weida, Colby Milligan, and Ashley Liao auditioned and have been selected for the SVMS Jazz Band. Under the tutorage of Karla Angle (director of Alamo’s instrumental music program), these students have flourished. Brady will play the Alto Sax, Colby the Tenor Sax, and Ashley the Clarinet for the SVMS Jazz Band. It is rare for Alamo School to produce a single 6th grade qualifier for the Jazz Band, so three is simply amazing! Congratulations to Brady, Colby, and Ashley! Other students from Alamo will benefit next year from SVMS reinstating its school chorus in 2015-16, after cancelling the program last year.
Parade continued from front page
be false, but Sciacca still remembers the anticipatory thrill. Sciacca’s late mother, Hazel Pappalardo, never missed the parade; she watched her last at age 101 from her special viewing spot off the beaten path. “She absolutely loved the parade,” says Sciacca. “Her favorite entrant was the Budweiser Horses who participated about a decade ago. She watched from her special perch at the start of the parade, then hopped in her car to get to the end of the route so she could see them again.” Sciacca recalls the feeling of pride that she and her friends felt about “their” parade. “There was a sense of prestige,” she says. “This was our town and our special event, and we were proud that people came to Danville to see it.” Sciacca says that the parade continues to provide a gathering spot for those who grew up in Danville. “The parade is like a reunion.” The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley (an international, coeducational volunteer service club) has overseen all aspects of the parade for the past 40 years, including the announcers, entrant flow control, bands and entertainment, water and final end of Parade street cleanup, and works with the Town of Danville, the police department, local military chapters and others in organizing the more than 125 parade entries in 24 categories: Marching Unit, Band, Horse, Float, Majorette, Parade Theme, Antique Auto, Bicycle, Novelty/Comic, Animal: Non-Horse, Special Interest Auto, Scout Troop, School, Dance/Theatrical, Family, Country Club, Neighborhood/Homeowner Association, Church Group, Retail Business, Service Business, Sports Team, and Community Service/Special Interest – NonProfit Community Organizations, Civic or Public Safety Organizations. Each participant weaves through the parade route running from the corner of Hartz and Railroad Avenues, down Hartz and San Ramon Valley Boulevard, and ending at the corner of San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Sycamore Valley Road. The annual parade serves dual purposes – to simply provide entertainment and also to raise funds to help support the annual Kiwanis Foundation Grant’s Program. Kiwanis of San Ramon Valley, whose motto is “Serving the Children of the World,” has distributed nearly $700,000 to local non-profit organizations supporting children and the elderly since the Club began soliciting parade sponsorships in the mid1990’s. “This parade provides the perfect circle of giving back to the community,” says Kosich. The Kiwanis Danville 4th of July parade begins at 9am on July 4. For more information, visit www.kiwanis-srv.org/parade.asp.
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This will especially benefit the nearly BACK-TO-SCHOOL twenty 5 th graders Bring in this coupon to get a FREE upgrade to who participated in safety lenses on your child’s first pair of glasses. Alamo School’s choAND rus this past year. 25% off their second pair of glasses* Music plays an important part of the Poplar Spectacles Optometry 215 Alamo Plaza Suite D | Alamo CA 94507 lives of our students 925.202.2846|poplarspecs.com at Alamo School, so Valid through 9-30-15 our families are ex(*Some restrictions apply. Cannot combine with insurance or other discounts.) cited to hear about the return of the program and the return of Mr. Ben Loomer as a full-time music director at SVMS. The biggest change for our students and their families next year will be a new principal at SVMS, Jon Campopiano. He is following Mr. Shaun McElroy who was at the helm of the school for over 13 years. Mr. Campopiano will step in at a time when SVMS will be undergoing a major facelift for the first time since it was founded in 1950. What an exciting time for all of our families! Each year our 5th graders choreograph a routine to the song “We Are Family” and perform the number at our Stepping-Up Ceremony at the end of the year. At no time has this song had greater meaning than during our celebration of Alamo School’s 50th Anniversary, 1965-2015. The year-long celebration will come to end in the fall, with a 50th Anniversary Celebration for the entire community on Sunday, September 20th. This past April we held a 50th Anniversary Celebration for our current students and a few special guests from Alamo School’s past. Due to parking and capacity, that event had to be limited. The event on September 20th will be open to everyone in the Alamo community; please save-the-date! It will be held in conjunction with our annual “Day on the Green” and “Hoedown” (which has been moved to the fall). Both are festivals with music, food, and fun for all. We are hoping that as many of our former students, staff, and families will be able to attend. In fact, we will encourage and support groups interested in taking advantage of the day as a venue for a mini-reunion. More information and details for the event will be posted in the August and September letters in Alamo Today, as well as on the Alamo School web page. In the meantime, we ask that people spread the word to our extended Alamo School Family!
Important Dates 8/4 8/12 8/13 8/17 8/25 9/20
Annual Update Opens on Parent Portal Alamo Online Registration opens New Family Orientation 6:30 – 7:30PM (adults only) Registration 4 - 7PM Registration 9AM - noon First Day of School (minimum day schedule) Alamo School – 50th Anniversary Celebration
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Free Recycled Water for your Home Irrigation By Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 2
During this historic drought we’re all looking for innovative ways to save water. One idea for both conserving water and saving money is to use recycled water for outdoor landscaping. The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District and the Dublin San Ramon Services District are offering free recycled water for home irrigation. They have established water filling stations that allow residents to pick up water for outdoor use at their homes. These programs can help you conserve the drinking water supply by using recycled water for your lawns, gardens, and landscaping. Most people don’t think about the agencies providing their sewer services, but here is a little background about the two that serve the residents in my Supervisorial District. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District was formed in 1946 and began with a simple 50 miles of piping serving a population of 15,000. Today, it serves nearly 500,000 customers and has about 1,000 miles of piping. The Dublin San Ramon Services District had a slower start, as it began to form in 1960 under the name The Valley Community Services District. Back then only 30,000 customers were served, but today they serve 120,000 people with about 150 miles of piping. In order to use the recycled water station these Districts offer, you must first sign a Residential Recycled Water Use Agreement, be trained in proper procedures, and receive an ID card and stickers for your water containers. These Use Agreements are available on each District’s websites (dsrsd.com and centralsan.org) or at the stations. Please bring your own containers, which must have water-tight lids and be secured for safe transport. The minimum container size is 1 gallon, and the maximum container size is 300 gallons per trip. There are no limits on trips. Be aware: water is heavy! One gallon of water weighs 8.345 pounds; 100 gallons weighs 834.5 pounds. When driving a vehicle with such a heavy weight, be sure to allow enough stopping distance. Please note that anyone who signs up is allowed to use Dublin San Ramon
Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 9
Services District recycled water station, regardless of being a customer or not. However, the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District only allows customers to use their facility. Eligible communities include Alamo, Blackhawk, Clayton, Concord, Clyde, Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, and other Central County unincorporated areas within the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District service area. Remember that the water you pick up at your local recycled water station should NOT be consumed or allowed to run off into storm drains as it does not meet drinking water standards. The Dublin San Ramon Services Residential Recycled Water Fill station is located inside the DSRSD Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, 7399 Johnson Drive in Pleasanton. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays the station is open from noon until 7PM. On Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays they are open from 8AM to noon. The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District’s Residential Recycled Water Filling Station is located at their Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 4797 Imhoff Place in Martinez. It is open Monday through Saturday 9AM to 3:30PM. The Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is also a great resource for customers of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. Bringing your Household Hazardous Waste to the facility helps prevent it from reaching our waterways. Examples include household cleaners, automotive care products, paint and related products, garden care and pest control products, and propane tanks. Understand that state regulations limit the transportation of Household Hazardous Waste to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per vehicle. Individual containers are also limited to a 5 gallon capacity. Be sure to seal the containers and pack them carefully to prevent tipping, spillage, or breaking when transporting them. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is open Monday through Saturday from 9AM to 4PM, and its location is noted above. 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. A special thanks to one of my summer interns, Peter Hutchinson, for his extensive contribution to this article. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.
Page 10 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park By Linda Summers Pirkle
In addition to his love of baseball, San Francisco Giants manager, Bruce Bochy has another passion: he loves San Francisco and he loves exploring it on foot. An avid walker, Bochy recently wrote a book, aptly called A Book of Walks. I enjoyed this very readable account of his favorite walks and thoughts on life. The little guide weaves delightful personal stories together with wonderful walks in seven areas of the nation (all close to baseball parks, of course). Not surprisingly, Bochy’s favorite walk is in San Francisco. The preface, by Steve Kettmann, publisher of A Book of Walks, sums up Bochy’s approach to life, or the “Bochy Way,” which consists of four points: Be yourself, don’t overthink, trust your people and your gut, and lastly, lose yourself in a long walk. Divided into eight short chapters, the guide appeals to me for a few reasons. The easy written style feels like you are having a chat with the beloved coach. I like the way Bochy suggests general routing on his walks as opposed to other walking tour guide books that meticulously steer the readers with very specific street by street directions saying where to turn, what to do, and which lamp post to notice. He seems to respect his readers and their ability to figure out the way to create their own walking adventure; the important point he makes is to get out and walk. As he says in the chapter called “My Everest: To the Golden Gate Bridge,” “If you need to move along at a pretty deliberate pace and stop often to rest, so what. Take the whole day! Make an adventure of it. Whether you’re a visitor to our city or you’ve lived here your whole life, that’s a walk that will make you feel good; it will make you feel alive. It will make you feel more like yourself.” Bochy’s favorite walking itinerary is from AT&T Park to Coit Tower. He explains, “I love that walk so much. I could tell you about every pier, every stretch of the way, shoot, almost every crack in the pavement…But if I described every detail for you here in my little book, I’d take some of the fun out of it for you.” The walk includes well known tourist spots Fishermen’s Wharf and Aquatic Park. “Aren’t we all tourists somewhere sometime?” he writes. “Thee tourists are usually friendly, and might even nod to me, like I’m some kind of local attraction, right up there with the sea lions barking out in the bay.” His trek takes him to restaurant row at the wharf, and being there, he writes, “always makes me hungry, even if it’s early and they’re not opened up yet: Castagnola’s, Lou’s Fish Shack, Pompeii’s Grotto, then Cioppino’s and Capurro’s Restaurant. Then you’re into Aquatic Park, where I’m always amazed to look and see whole groups of people swimming in the ice-cold water of the bay.” If you follow Bochy’s walking tour to either Coit Tower or to the Golden Gate Bridge and have a bit of extra time to explore the Fishermen’s Wharf neighborhood, the San Francisco Maritime National Park is a nice place to learn more about the city’s seafaring past. Besides exhibits in the Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building and the Visitor Center, you’ll see five vessels: Alma, Balclutha, Eureka, Hercules, and C.A. Thayer-all designated National Historic Landmarks. * San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, year round from 9:30AM to 5PM. Admission is free. A ticket is needed to board the historic vessels on Hyde Street Pier, and the cost is $5 per person (price goes up to $10 October 2015); ticket is good for seven days. Ticket booth is located on the pier. The Waterfront Walking Tour, an hour long ranger-led guided tour, is offered on weekends at 10:15AM. Meet in the lobby of the Argonaut Hotel, 495 Jefferson Street, located across from Aquatic Park. It’s free; call (415) 447-5000 during business hours for more information. *The Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel located across from Pier 45 overlooking fishing boat basin is interdenominational. There is a Catholic Mass in Latin every Sunday at 10AM. Bruce Bochy’s book, A Book of Walks, is available at local bookstores and as an eBook. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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An Evening with the Stars
By Jim Scala
Drive up Mt. Diablo on July 18th, and arrive at the lower summit parking lot by about 7PM for an inspiring evening with the stars. The program will begin at 7:30PM. You’ll see the universe as never before. Members of the Mt. Diablo Astronomical society (MDAS) will be standing by their telescopes to show you celestial objects. The views will capture your imagination, and the night sky will never be the same again. Every visitor says, “Wow!” many times during a viewing. Astronomy is called the “gateway science” because many scientists, engineers, and medical doctors say their scientific curiosity was sparked and nurtured by looking through an amateur’s telescope. MDAS’s main mission is outreach. Any member will say, “We like to show everyone what’s out there.” The programs for 2015 are outstanding. They will inspire anyone and cause many young people to think about science. By about 10:30PM you’ll leave on an escorted drive down the mountain with much to discuss. Return on one or all of the dates shown below for more inspiring evenings. July 18, 7:30PM ~ Explore our Sun ~ How does the Sun power Earth? Arrive at 7:30 to safely view the Sun through telescopes. After sunset, view the rest of the stars in our Galaxy. August 15, 7:30PM ~ Our Place in our Galaxy ~ Build a mental model of our Milky Way Galaxy – and our place in it. Find the center of our galaxy. Tour the telescopes through our galaxy. September 19, 6:30PM ~ Moon: Earth’s Lost Rock ~ How would Earth be different without the Moon? How is our Earth like our Moon? Explore the surface of the Moon in telescopes. You’ll be ready for the eclipse of September 27th. October 17, 6PM ~ Search for Alien Worlds ~ What will the first alien life we discover likely look like? Explore where weird life exists on Earth. What does that tell us about life elsewhere in the galaxy? Which stars have planets where life might exist? For more information, visit www.mdas.net. Click on “Public Program” for a link to the 2015 Event Calendar and also a link for directions to Mt. Diablo and the Lower Summit Parking Lot. Plan to enter the park before sunset, and allow 30 minutes for the drive to the lower summit lot. Better yet, arrive early, bring a sandwich, and watch astronomers set up telescopes. Even that will be a learning experience.
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 11
Grill-icious Dishes and Wines to Go with Them
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale
By Monica Chappell
Are you fired up yet? Have you got your grill on? Summer won’t last forever. So light that charcoal, sit back, and enjoy some of the season’s best eating and drinking. Here are a few of my favorite grill-icious pairings.
Cab & Steak
Any time of year, steak and red wine is a classic combination, but it’s especially so in the summer. A perfectly grilled steak has charred flavors that complement the tannins in red wine. Try a rib eye or New York strip with a rich Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet is a big, full-bodied wine that contains tannin so when you enjoy Cabernet with red meats that are richly-marbled like rib eye steak the fat in the meat coats your palate and acts like a buffer against the tannins making the wine seem softer and more pleasant to drink.
Filet & Merlot
Alamo - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers
away altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call toll-free 1-866-265-1682 and enter 2001. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
If filet mignon is your deal, try merlot. Cab is not the best choice to serve with lean red meats like filet mignon, This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors CalBRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2015 tenderloin, or flank steak that have precious little fat to coat your palate. These lean red meats taste better with less tannic Cinema Classics and Musical Notes reds that are more “fruity” like Merlot, Zinfandel and Beaujolais cru.
Sergeant York By Peggy Horn
Sausage & Sangiovese
One of the most wine-friendly of sausage dishes, sausage and peppers are great on the grill, and while their charred flavors still merit a big red, a high acid fruitier one will complement the sweetness of the peppers. A good Tuscan red would be in order.
Salmon & Pinot
Is there any better way to cook salmon than on the grill. Pinot Noir is the ideal pairing with grilled salmon—the light red fruits and earthy, savory nature of a good Pinot are a perfect counterpoint to the rich, slightly sweet and savory pink meat of the salmon. Since salmon is an oily fish, a Pinot with at least medium acidity helps to cut through and balance the dish’s oiliness.
BBQ Chicken & Rosé
And last but not least, there’s Honey Barbecued Chicken. The slight sweetness in the barbecue sauce can make a dry wine taste sour, so my go to wine is an offdry rosé. Barbecue chicken can be prepared in a variety of ways, but if a sweet barbecue sauce is used, rosé is a reliable pairing. Will you be firing up your grill this summer and what wines will you be sipping alongside? Let us know at wineappreciation101@gmail.com. Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette. For a class schedule visit www.backtothetablecookingschool.com.
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This month’s recommended Cinema Classic is Sergeant York, (1941) starring Gary Cooper, Joan Leslie, and Walter Brennan. The film, directed by Howard Hawks, was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, and it was the highest grossing film of 1941. It won the Academy Award for Best Actor (Gary Cooper) and Best Film Editing. The movie is based on the true life history of Alvin C. York (1887-1964), one of the most decorated United States soldiers of World War I. The film tells the story of how Sergeant York achieved this notoriety. He was awarded eight medals for bravery during the War, including the Medal of Honor. To explain his acts of resolute courage that generated his being awarded the Medal of Honor, included below is a portion of the text on his Medal. “Fearlessly leading seven men, he charged with great daring a machine gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machine gun nest was taken together with four officers, 128 men, and several guns.” He single handedly captured 132 German soldiers, and thanks to his extraordinary marksmanship, he avoided mortal wounding by six German soldiers who simultaneously rushed him with guns during this incident. In spite of his heroism, he was a modest man. He was also a Godly man who did not claim any glory for himself but attributed his heroism to God for directing him and protecting him. His patriotism was outstanding and he vigorously defended his country even though his religious beliefs were against killing. Gary Cooper played the part of Sergeant York, and Walter Brennan played the role of his minister in the church that he so devoutly attended. Joan Leslie played the role of Sergeant York’s fiancé, Gracie Williams. Mr. Cooper’s portrayal of Alvin York is very fine and seems to capture the essence of the real Sergeant York. See this movie as a belated Memorial Day tribute or on or around July 4th as an upcoming homage to what makes this country great.
Musical Notes
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In 1941, the same year Sergeant York was released, Glenn Miller and his orchestra made the first recording of “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” Harry Warren composed the music and Mack Gordon wrote the words for this cute, funny, wonderful song! Avail yourself of the opportunity to hear this performed by Glenn Miller himself, and witness greatness.
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Page 12 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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Can I? Yes, You Can
By Cynthia Ruzzi, Sustainable Danville Area
I have to admit I was jealous when I received Carol’s text. The photo showed she was already testing her brand new Ball Fresh TECH Electric Water Bath Canner with Multi-Cooker. With urgency, I replied, “Whatcha cookin?” I imagined early season peaches, green beans, or even the first tomatoes. The possibility was endless and I counted the days until my new canner would arrive or Carol shared some of her ‘to-die-for’ dill pickles. Home canning is one of those passions that folks rarely talk about, but ardent ‘canners’ spend hours lovingly processing and ‘putting up food.’ There are many reasons to consider canning food at home. Love in a jar: For some, canning is a connection to their past—a reminder of time spent with family or a link to their heritage. Maybe it’s a jar of preserves based on a family recipe that brings you back to after-school snacks or a crisp dill pickle in the middle of winter that smacks of a summer’s picnic, but it’s right there in the jar no matter when you need a flood of memories. A joyous gift: It’s hard to go wrong sharing the gift of food. There’s something special that comes from presenting or receiving home canned foods. I don’t feel the pressure to consume it immediately, but I also appreciate the love and caring that has gone into the preparation of the gift. I pack my pantry with jams, pickles, pasta sauces and apple pie-in-a-can, and when the holidays roll around...well, I have a back-up plan to cover everyone on the list. It’s a matter of taste: Let’s face it, locally grown, harvested in season produce, canned when just ripe, beats a commercial product any day. I know the quality of the organic, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables I preserve, and it beats a supermarket’s effort any day. Best said by avid food writer and author of Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up Small Batches of Seasonal Foods Eugenia Bone, “Preserving is an extension of the values that made you shop in the farmers’ market in the first place.” If asked, I’d agree and add, “The values that bring me back to the garden again and again. The terroir sweetens more than the wine.” Health is wealth: My first choice is organic fruits and vegetables whether I’m growing or buying them. This way I can help my family avoid harmful additives and pesticides. Home canning also helps avoid BPA, a harmful chemical often in the plastic lining of metal cans, such as those used for tomatoes. Eating for the planet: Canning your own food lowers your environmental impact.
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Mason jars are reusable and thus reduce the packaging associated with buying conventionally packed foods.Additionally, consuming foods that are trucked thousands of miles burns fossil fuels, contributing to pollution, and often delivers foods that are rendered tasteless from being picked and packed before peak ripeness. Simple home canning allows you to enjoy delicious ‘pantry to table’food year-round from your own backyard. Save a penny: Eating seasonally is not only good for the planet; it’s also good for your pocketbook. When you grow or buy produce in season, it’s bountiful and therefore cheaper—making canning an economical way to stock the pantry. There are many canning resources, including Getting Started videos from Ball. Visit www.freshpreserving.com/tools/waterbath-canning. You’ll also find recipes for everything from jams to pickles, along with one of my favorites I use as gifts:
Apple Pie-in-a-Jar
• Submerge 12 cups organic sliced, peeled medium apples in 4C of water and ¼ cup lemon juice to prevent browning • 2 ¾ C organic sugar • ¾ C cooking starch • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg • 2 ½ C unsweetened apple juice • 1 ¼ C cold water • ½ C lemon juice • 7 16oz pint size glass preserving jars, lids and bands 1. Prepare water canner. Heat jars in water until ready for use. Do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside. 2. Blanch apple slices (2 batches of 6 cups) in large pot of boiling water for one minute. Remove with slotted spoon and keep warm in covered bowl. 3. Combine sugar, cooking starch, cinnamon, and nutmeg in large stainless steel saucepan. Stir in apple juice and cold water. Bring to boil, stir constantly and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice and return to boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. 4. Fold apples into hot mixture. Before processing, re-heat, stirring until apples are heated through. 5. Ladle hot filling into hot jars leaving 1” of headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rims of jars. Center lid on each jar and apply bands until fit is fingertip tight. 6. Process jars in water canner for 25 minutes. Remove jars and set on kitchen towel to cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex when center is pressed. 7. Tag with date. Add your favorite pie crust recipe if preparing as a gift. Enjoy! Send us your favorite canning recipe at sustainabledanville@gmail. com, or visit us at www.facebook.com/sustainabledanvillearea.
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 13
Searching for Real Estate Just Got a Lot Easier!
Download Your Free App Today @ www.BradGothberg.properties © 2015 BradGothberg.properties. All rights reserved. | BradGothberg.properties Real Estate Web Site & Search Engine | Brought to you by Brad Gothberg Cal Bre # 00964026 The facts, comments and numerical information contained in this marketing material have been obtained from third party sources by J.Rockcliff Realtors. The information has not been verified by J. Rockcliff Realtors and/or its agents. Interested purchasers are advised to thoroughly investigate all aspects of the information herein to determine if the property satisfies the requirements of the buyer for the buyer’s intended use of the property.
A Trip to the Land Down Under
By Betsy Ahlberg, Alamo World Travel
Ever wanted to go upside down without bungee jumping? Head “Down Under” and visit Australia and New Zealand -- homes of dramatic vistas, hospitable people, and great food and entertainment? The Aussies and the Kiwis know how to have fun! We experienced that on a 12-day cruise from Sydney to Auckland aboard the Celebrity Solstice. We arrived two days early to acclimate and took a day tour to the Blue Mountains while our traveling companions visited the Sydney Opera House. Our last day in Sydney was Australia Day (like our July 4th). We were treated to spectacular fireworks in Darling Harbor with live music before we boarded our ship. It was the first time for us to travel on Celebrity...it was wonderful. The ship is big and never felt crowded. We chose Personal Choice dining, were taken care of by a wonderful waiter, and were able to sit at the same table at the same time all week (Hint... book your dining ahead). We did enjoy one night “out” in the on-board and quite elegant French restaurant where lobster was cooked at our table. Our first stop was in Tasmania where we explored the charming town of Hobart. Tasmania’s rugged coastlines, jagged mountains, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls implore us to come back and visit again. Next we headed across the Tasman Sea to the West Coast of New Zealand, arriving at majestic Milford Sound. The ship sailed deep into the sound to see the waterfalls and dramatic clouds up close. Dunedin, on the southernmost tip of New Zealand, came next. Settled by the Scots, it feels as if you could be in Scotland with its charming buildings and lovely old estates. There was great shopping as well for those of us always on the hunt for unique gifts and souvenirs.
We then sailed north along New Zealand’s east coast to Akaroa, a bright, small town set like a gem on a very deep bay. We booked a small sailboat cruise around the bay and were rewarded with sightings of seals, thousands of birds, an albatross, and singing and jumping tiny blue dolphins. Our friends chose an inland excursion to see sheep and tiny blue penguins. Windy Wellington was next. It is the southernmost town on the north island. We took a shore excursion to a sheep ranch on the remote highlands across the bay from the city and enjoyed a fascinating demonstration of how dogs herd the sheep. We finished off the day with a visit to Wellington’s famous botanical gardens. We enjoyed a couple warm and sunny days at sea, spending most of our time in the covered atrium at the adults-only pool. On our last day we sailed into the Bay of Islands where we signed up for an excursion aboard a “tall ship.” Once on board, we cruised among the islands and were surprised by a pod of dolphins swimming alongside our ship, jumping out of the water and doing flips. It was the perfect entertainment! We stopped for lunch and went swimming. More intrepid adventurers climbed the tall rigging and jumped into the sea! Later we hiked to a lookout point where we could see the entire bay and its thousands of islands spread out before us. An alternate excursion was to Piercy Island’s “hole in the rock” where you can jet thru a huge arched rock formation. Finally, we arrived in Auckland. It was sad to leave our comfortable home aboard Solstice. We chose to spend our last day on Waiheke Island near Auckland known for its wineries. You can take a “Hop On, Hop Off” winery tour to as many as 10 charming wineries. This will be another spot to return to and stay a few days. Between the attentive service from the dining and housekeeping staff to the stellar entertainment and delicious meals aboard Celebrity Solstice, all of us in our party of six had a fabulous time. Make New Zealand your next vacation destination! Betsy can be reached at Alamo World Travel and Tours in Alamo, or by email at ahlbergtb@gmail.com. Let me help you plan your next great travel adventure, by land or sea, riverboat or sailing yacht. Alamo World Travel & Tours- 34 years of Individual and Group Travel. We are located at 3201 Danville Blvd #255 in Alamo. Please call us at 925-837-8742, email info@ alamoworld.com, or visit our website at www.alamoworld.com. Advertorial Ask us, we’ve been there!
Page 14 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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Page 16 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
How Much are your Trees Really Worth? By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
With the world in economic and ecological turmoil, it pays to take a deep breath and consider the real value of your assets. It’s best to start this exercise close to home because for most Americans their largest asset is their home. A surprisingly large contribution— between 8 and 19%1 — to the value of your home comes from your trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants. If your house is worth $500,000, that places the value of your plants at between $40,000 and $90,0000. Your trees deserve care commensurate with the value they add to your home’s portfolio. Trees, of course, have value far beyond real estate. Here’s a quick tour of values economists give for urban trees: Trees add to home values and thereby form part of the tax base. In so doing trees help fund schools, fire protection services, and police. Trees work to clean the air. In the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb pollutants and even convert harmful chemicals, like nitrogen oxides and airborne ammonia, into benign forms. Trees act to reduce local tax rates by reducing infrastructure costs. Trees absorb rain and slow the speed at which storm water accumulates, thereby helping to prevent flooding and the need to install larger storm drains. Trees not only filter pollution, they help prevent it. Shade from trees can reduce air conditioning needs by as much as 30%, and trees planted to intercept prevailing winds can reduce heating needs significantly. “Projections suggest that 100 million additional mature trees in US cities (three trees for every unshaded single family home) could save over $2 billion in energy costs per year.” 2 Trees also help prevent car pollution. In the Sacramento area, an astounding 16% of air pollution comes from cars parked in the sun. Shade from trees greatly reduces the loss of gas, thereby reducing air pollution. Trees aid healing. When hospital rooms have views of trees, patients heal at a measurably faster rate. Trees help us fulfill Dorothy Day’s maxim: create a world in which it is easier to be nice to each other. Studies find that trees in public housing neighborhoods reduce levels of fear and decrease aggressive behavior; and students with ADHD develop more self-discipline when they play in natural settings.
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Berkeley calculates that for every $1.00 the city spends on planting and pruning city trees, its citizens reap $1.40 in measurable benefits; for Sacramento the return is $1.80, and for New York City an astounding $5.00 is the return for every dollar spent. The value added to pruning and planting trees on your own property is higher than that for street trees because trees have a real effect on real estate prices. Overestimating the value of trees to the entire planet is impossible: how can you put a price on the continuation of human life? If too many trees are stripped from the planet, then tipping points in the carbon cycle are crossed making global warming spin out of control… and making the world too hot for human life. Our Earth is small, and global warming makes it ever smaller. The easy division between what is global and what is local no longer holds: a ton of carbon dioxide from burning rainforests in Borneo heats the air as much as a ton of carbon dioxide from the tail pipes of commuter traffic on I580. We are all part of the problem. We are all part of the solution. Trees play a role in all three strategies to fight global warming. Trees help reduce energy use, and they may someday become a source of renewable biofuels. We can protect and restore rainforests and other carbon sinks. Through its work in the Borneo Project, Brende and Lamb works hard to leverage local support for the protection of rainforests. Closer to home we can all help with strategic planting of urban trees to sequester carbon, to reduce heat island effects, and to lower energy consumption. The dividends far outstrip the costs of caring for trees as a necessary part of the ‘green economy.’ Like other living beings, trees do require care. With people it costs less to avoid getting sick than to pay for a cure. The same is true with trees. Quality care improves the health of your trees, extends their lifespan, and increases their beauty. Quality tree work pays dividends to you and to the planet. If you need help, do not hesitate to give us a call for advice or to do the work. At Brende and Lamb, we have 20 years of experience balancing the aesthetics of your trees and shrubs and maintaining your screening needs. 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 1. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119210532.htm 2. http://www.treefolks.org/store_biglist.asp
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Life in the Alamo Garden
Hardscapes By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059
Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 17
One of many important decisions you will make while designing your Alamo garden will be what kind of surface materials you will be using for your patios, walkways, decks, and hardscape. Today the choices in materials are numerous and sometimes overwhelming! When you think of what has been available in the past, you think of dull gray broom-finished concrete, tan Arizona flagstone, red brick, and redwood. Today, a myriad of hardscape materials are available. Natural stone products such as flagstone, slate, wall ledger, and rock have dominated current trends in hardscape materials. In the past ten years the natural stone industry has grown by leaps and bounds. When considering natural stone as your primary surfacing material, you must understand that it is the most expensive approach. Generally, natural stone surfacing runs $20 to $45 a square foot when mortared over a concrete base. Those prices indicate current market averages including material, labor, and profit by licensed contractors. With the awareness of “Green” building methods, manufactured surfacing material choices have also gone off the chart. There is an abundant choice of Call for details manufactured stone and pre-cast concrete products in a multitude of colors. These products make long-lasting affordable surfaces for patios, walls, and veneers. They 925.939.8300 are less expensive and less labor-intensive to install, and prices range from $12 to solartechnologies.com $25 a square foot depending on your surface and product. Lic. #932914 A very popular trend that came into the industry about twenty years ago is interlocking concrete pavers. When first introduced, the shapes, colors, and surface choices were limited. Today, interlocking pavers span a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes. Pavers have become the new “cheaper” solution to large expanses of surfacing such as driveways, patio, plazas, and streetscapes. Concrete once dominated the industry as the number one choice of surface materials. Recently, pavers have taken over because of effective cost, ease of installation, sustainability, and a more creative design detail. Interlocking paving generally ranges from $12 to $25 a square foot. Concrete is still one of the most popular choices for hardscape. It is cost effective, although concrete prices have sky-rocketed over the past five years as petroleum prices increased shipping costs. Concrete’s versatility is its strong point. Innovations in concrete treatments have soared in efforts to keep up with the natural stone industry growth. New treatments such as dust-on color hardeners, pigmented acid stains, multi-colored stamped concrete, and creative designs have given concrete a new lease on life. These new treatments have replaced exposed aggregate, salt finish, and broom finished concrete. Concrete prices range from $12 to $25 a square foot. Wood surfaces have fallen in popularity because of rising costs, maintenance concerns, and environmental issues. Redwood was once abundant locally but has now become expensive and marginal in quality because of the halt in foresting and environmental concerns. If a natural wood product is what you’re looking for, redwood has been replaced with Ipe (e-pay) or ironwood ($35-$65 a square foot) and other sustainable woods. Manufactured wood products such as “Trex” and “TimberTech” have also become extremely popular because of their environmental approach and low maintenance. If you are looking for a wood look as a choice in hardscape, there are many choices ranging from $35 to $45 a square foot. One of my favorite hardscape materials is gravel or decomposed granite for informal patios and paths. This is the lowest cost solution, ranging from $3-$7 a square foot. When I work with my clients in the creation of their garden environment, choosing the hardscape material can sometimes be one of the highest hurdles to get over. With adherence to the design process the choices are narrowed by the design goals and budget decisions to an appropriate choice that you will be happy with for many years to come. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Material selection is time consuming and can be very overwhelming when rummaging through stone supply yards. In our design process we order samples to bring out to your site to see in person. Check our HOUZZ profile, www.houzz.com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects. Gardening Quote of the Month: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”~ Thoreau Advertorial If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or visit www.jm-la.com.
Page 18 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Clip Notes
By Jody Morgan
Heirloom tomatoes bear little resemblance to their wild Peruvian progenitors. How tomatoes made their way to Mexico remains a mystery. The Aztecs began cultivating them around 700 AD and called the small, irregular nuggets “tomatl.” Early in the 16th century Spanish explorers brought seeds home from the New World. Called “pome dei Moro” (apple of the Moors) in Spain, tomatoes were dubbed “pomme d’amore” (love apple) in France. The first tomato to reach Italy was probably yellow. Italians named it “pomi d’oro” (golden apple), from whence we get pomodoro sauce. English gardeners began growing tomatoes as ornamentals in about 1590, but remained unconvinced of the culinary merits of the fruits. In his 1597 Herbal John Gerard writes about the Love Apple: “In Spain and those hot Regions they use to eate the Apples and boiled with pepper, salt, and oyle: but they yeeld very little nourishment to the body.” He continues: “Likewise they doe eate the Apples with oile, vinegre, and pepper mixed together for sauce to their meat, even as we in these cold countries doe Mustard.” Although native to the New World, tomatoes arrived in American gardens with immigrants from the Old World. Popular in New Orleans cuisine by 1800, tomatoes gradually gained acceptance as far north as New England by 1830. At Lafayette College in Pennsylvania in 1847, head gardener Harrison Woodhall Crosby developed a method for canning tomatoes. During the Civil War canned tomatoes answered the call for non-perishable rations readily transportable to Union troops. Increased demand following the war launched the quest for bigger, better specimens. The “Father of the Modern Tomato” Alexander Livingston of Reynoldsburg, Ohio spent years breeding a commercial tomato that was smoothskinned, meaty, and flavorful. Prior to his 1870 introduction of ‘Paragon’ the average tomato was small, ribbed, hard-cored, hollow and watery. Livingston eventually released another 30 new varieties. In 1887, John Thompson Dorrence created a range of condensed soups for the Campbell Company. His innovative process reduced the price of a
Around Town
By Roger Smith Alamo Farmer’s Market
Alamo residents no longer have to travel to other communities to enjoy the benefits of a year-round local Farmer’s Market. Bill Harlow, of the Bay Area Farmer’s Market Association, is the manager of our local Alamo Farmer’s Market. Bill’s family has been in our Alamo/Walnut Creek area since 1977. He has a genuine interest in the sustainability of small family farms, the “heart and soul” of California Agriculture and the “Buy Fresh – Buy Local” movement that Alice Waters has supported and popularized. Bill is enthusiastic, as are many Alamo residents, about the opportunity to have fresh produce from certified growers available to our community. Please include a visit to our local Alamo Farmer’s Market in your Sunday schedule. You will find the very best in fresh produce, friendly and knowledgeable vendors, music, and plenty of free parking. Question: Do you know the difference between the combination fruits known as “Pluot(s)” and “Aprium(s)”? Take a guess, then learn the answer in our August Alamo Today column.
Be Careful Before You Dig!
California state law says you must call before you dig. It is important to know the exact location of underground utilities, pipes, and wires. By not calling and having your dig spot properly evaluated, you could damage a basic telephone cable and disrupt service to a home, or you may cut a fiber optic cable carrying millions of calls and expose yourself to costly repairs. Plus, there is the real possibility of an explosion from hitting a gas line or an electrocution from an electrical line. Here are the important highlights of the law. • Delineation of the proposed excavation site is mandatory. Mark the area to
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can of soup from 30 cents to just a dime. The ‘J.T.D.’ tomato named in his honor was bred by Campbell to suit growing conditions in New Jersey. By crossing ‘J.T.D’ with ‘Marglobe’ (one of the first disease resistant selections), Lyman Schermerhorn developed ‘Rutgers’ in 1928 and released it in 1934. As described in the November, 1934 issue of New Jersey State Horticultural Society News: “The Rutgers tomato produces a large plant with thick stems and an abundance of vigorous foliage to protect the fruits from sunscald.” The taste was tantalizing. “The flavor of the fruit is very pleasing and makes a juice with a medium high percentage of sugar with low acidity which is just intermediate between the sweet Marglobe and the tart J.T.D.” No one purposely took the taste out of tomatoes. The break-through that caused commercial tomatoes to lose their flavor was a mutation that made entire fields of fruit simultaneously ripen a reliable red. When they bred the trait into virtually every modern variety, growers had no notion the miraculous discovery disabled the gene enabling tomatoes to produce sugar in their fruit. They blamed poor soil, premature harvesting, and refrigeration en route to market (all contributors to the problem) for flavorless tomatoes. While experimenting with the introduction of weed genes into tomatoes at UC Davis, biochemist Ann Powell produced tomatoes that turned an intense green prior to ripening. Extra chlorophyll gave the fruit the ability to photosynthesize its own sugar rather than depend solely on what the leaves would share. Follow-up research demonstrates that growers can now counteract the mutation causing bland flavor without giving up the appeal of uniformly scarlet globes of fruit. Heirloom tomatoes generally need to be picked ripe. Sold close to the field of origin, they make up in taste for what they lack in unblemished appearance and disease resistance. Despite the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes in which they come, heirlooms have been proven to lack genetic diversity. Brendan Borrell writes in “How to Grow a Better Tomato: The Case against Heirloom Tomatoes” published in Scientific American, March 30, 2009: “Heirlooms are the tomato equivalent of the pug –that ‘purebred’ dog with the convoluted nose that snorts and hacks when it tries to catch a breath.” Heirlooms are simply varieties that have existed for at least 50 years and are openpollinated, meaning seed from the parent provides essentially identical offspring. Thus heirloom seed can be passed along from each generation of gardeners to the next. be excavated with water soluble or chalk based white paint on paved surfaces or with other suitable markings such as flags or stakes on unpaved areas. • Call at least two full working days prior to digging. • Your permit for digging will not be valid without a Dig Alert ticket number. • If the utilities have facilities within the work area, they will mark them prior to the start of your excavation and if not, they will let you know there is no conflict. • The Law requires you to hand expose to the point of no conflict 24” on either side of the underground facility, so you know its exact location before using power equipment. It is always best to call 811 before you dig! Visit www.Call811.com and www.USANorth811.org, or call the UnderGround Alert service at 811. As stated on the DigAlert website, www.DigAlert.org, failure to get this free evaluation can result in fines up to $50,000, and you could be charged with the repair costs of damaged underground facilities. Why risk it? Call before you dig.
AIA’s 2015 Annual Membership Drive and Report
Alamo is a special community that all of our residents can be justifiably proud to call “Home.” Now in its 60th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “Alamo - the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, which is to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” Please review your AIA 2015 Annual Report which was recently sent to homes. Additional copies are available at the Information Booth at our Sunday Alamo Farmer’s Market. Please complete your membership form and return to AIA at P.O. Box 156, Alamo, CA,94507. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to Alamo residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out; now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA!
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Energy Matters
Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 19
By Mark Becker, GoSimple Solar
Almost 14 years after 9/11, it’s probably universally agreed that the greatest foreign policy challenge America faces centers on terrorism and the potential manifestation of large-scale terror attacks again onto our shores. There is no doubt that American energy policy is currently influenced by our reliance on foreign oil. In the spirit of Independence Day, I contend that reduction of reliance on foreign oil will enhance our domestic security. Stated less politically correct: If America didn’t need foreign oil, how deeply involved would we be in some of these regions? Many of these nations are vying for less of our influence; let’s grant them their wish. Citizen sacrifice as in wars past can be our path. Historically, America’s citizenry was forced to sacrifice to contribute to war efforts. Nowadays, citizen’s contributions to the war effort don’t necessarily have to be sacrifices in the traditional sense at all. Lessening a carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency are traditionally associated with “saving the planet” yet “contribute to the war effort” in geopolitical terms means helping to reduce our nations’ reliance on foreign energy sources. New paths can become clear in foreign policies matters, especially those related to the Middle East. Many veteran organizations, such as “Operation Free” (www.OperationFree.net), are marketing this same tactic as an excellent means to indirectly support our troops and our national security. If you are seeking a direct way of “supporting our troops,” www.SemperFiFund.org is amongst the best. Seeking energy savings at your home or business is one of the few tactics that citizens can adopt which benefit them and their finances, our national security, and hence our service-members (who follow the orders of our elected government). Having fought in a Middle East War myself, I’m a firm believer that energy efficiency and energy independence is a win-win for our citizens and our nation, and it was that vision which led to the creation of GoSimpleSolar. It may sound a bit altruistic, but I firmly believe, based on the above line of logic, that alternative energy businesses provide these and other benefits to the consumer/citizen, our nation, and indirectly to our much valued service-members and veterans. Indeed, tens of thousands of separating veterans are employed in the solar industry, five of them at GoSimpleSolar and our associated companies. Solar PV, done right, is a long-term investment, and shouldn’t be treated like a commodity product or service. It’s impossible to accurately rate the actual quality or long-term service of a company or product that hasn’t been in the market for very long. All consumers should follow this edict if they want to reduce risk in a solar PV or other construction related project. Relating the solar industry to stock market investment: There are three kinds of solar products and installation providers. “Day Trade” installers and products where long term risk is maximized via a quantity over quality approach at very low margin and lowest initial cost. These projects can indeed return short-term beneficial results. “Commodity Installers” partially mitigate the risk and can return mid-term results depending on how their commodity approach to installation performs. Long-term risk elimination and resulting highest and safest margins result with selection of an “AAA/Prime Bond” installation company. Proper licensing, installation practices, and reliable non-proprietary equipment choice eliminate risk. What a consumer must realize: The risk resulting from the business model that a solar PV installation company practices falls directly onto the customer’s lap. It will be their project that suffers the consequences of a shortcut approach (which may or may not be transparent to the customer). Customer education is paramount. An excellent finance path for consumers: PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loans provide simple financing for solar and performance roofing projects through your property tax bill. Solar PV is especially compelling to finance. You can buy your own electricity at a much lesser cost for the next 30 years than you’ll pay PGE for it, you’ll get a 30% Federal Tax credit for doing so, and you’ll be cash positive from day one. When
you OWN your own solar PV system, you’ll keep all the savings. If GoSimpleSolar can help you achieve the financial rewards a high quality solar PV system will provide and the energy independence that will result, please feel free to contact us. Of course, with our licensed tradesmen, we can properly provide for your roofing, day-lighting, back-up power, energy efficiency, or solar related needs. Mark Becker is the President and business owner of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, CSLB 948715. GoSimpleSolar is one of the very few (and proud) solar PV installers utilizing both licensed roofers and licensed electricians for installation work, project managed by a solar PV NABCEP professional. For questions or comments email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com or call 925-331-801. Advertorial
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Page 20 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Don’t Let Fear of Lawsuits Disrupt Your Sleep!
By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law
Within the last decade, studies have shown that the wealthiest American families are increasingly worried about being targets for big lawsuits. Even people of more moderate wealth often have fears about potential liability from being sued. Relevant statistics are not comforting either, reflecting that 15-20 million civil lawsuits are filed each year in the U.S. and that the annual cost of litigation to our society exceeds $200 billion. Yet, many people commonly conduct their personal and financial affairs in a manner that leaves them unnecessarily vulnerable to the very litigation they fear. So, what are some of these common, dangerous actions and omissions? • Employing domestic help without proper insurance coverage. • Owning real estate investment property in one’s own name. • Owning a small business as a sole proprietorship. • Having insufficient scope and/or coverage limits of personal insurance (e.g. home, auto). • Having no estate planning documents or poorly/incompletely drafted ones. The “first line of defense” for most potential liabilities should be strong, comprehensive personal insurance. Many people, including knowledgeable professionals, are not well informed about detailed aspects of their P&C (property and casualty) insurance coverage. During our busy lives, insurance often gets the short shrift. I encourage you to call your insurance agent and schedule a complete review of each insurance policy you own. In fact, such reviews should be done regularly. During the reviews, you should identify coverage and explore what additional policies, endorsements, or riders you may be advised to purchase. If you employ domestic help, talk to your insurance agent about “employment practices liability insurance.” If you don’t have a personal umbrella insurance policy (which serves to increase the coverage limits of any applicable underlying policies), obtain a quote for one. Premiums are usually very affordable in view of the extra coverage provided. In general, obtain a broad scope of coverage to protect against all likely risks. Of course, you should also manage your premiums, deductibles, and limits to ensure optimal coverage at an affordable cost. If you own real estate investment property in your own name, or a sole proprietorship business, you should seriously consider forming a business entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC). Properly forming and operating a business entity helps shelter your personal assets (e.g. home and bank/brokerage accounts) from potential liabilities arising out of owning, renting, and/or managing a business or investment property. Exposure to potential liability from your sole proprietorship or investment property may seem extraordinarily remote. But, rather than relying on statistical improbability (e.g. how relatively unlikely it is that you will be sued and found liable in connection with your business or investment property), you should focus on the potentially devastating financial consequences if such unlikely scenario were to occur. The “bottom line” is that business entities are typically a very attractive and affordable means of providing a great deal of extra protection in our litigious environment. Having no estate planning documents or documents that are poorly or incompletely drafted can also cost you or your family in countless ways. Besides
Cancer Support Community
The following events are held at the Cancer Support Community, located at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. Events are free of charge to attend. For information and reservations please call (925) 933-0107. Helping Ourselves with Chinese Medicine ~ Tuesday, July 14th ~ 6PM – PM 8 ~ Learn ancient and effective mind-body techniques for alleviating the side effects of treatment, building immunity, and promoting general wellbeing. Includes breathing visualization exercises, acupressure demo, and discussion about food energies. Facilitated by Anna Ritner, Lac. The Power of the Mind Body Connection – Wednesday, July 22 ~ 6PM – 7:30PM ~ Both empirical science and western medicine have observed a strong link between the mind and the body, a connection long recognized by many spiritual disciplines and traditional healing practices. Learn about this fascinating relationship and how to utilize it to the benefit of your wellbeing. With Orion Taraban, Cancer Support Community Predoctoral intern. Love and Laughter Comedy Night – Saturday, July 25th ~6PM to 8PM ~ Jason Loves’s quick wit and self-deprecating approach have endeared him to audiences the world over. He has performed overseas for the troops and on the seas for cruise lines. Jason was a finalist at the Cabo Comedy Festival and at the World Series of comedy in Vegas. For cancer patients and their caregivers.
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having the basic documents in place (Trust, Will, Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive), have you obtained recent legal advice about these important concerns: i) Is your Trust optimally structured in view of major new Federal Estate Tax law enacted in 2013? ii) Do your Health Care Directives contain HIPAA release provisions? iii) Is your Trust properly funded (are substantially all of your assets in the trust)? iv) Is your real estate properly titled? v) Do your Will and Trust have adequate provisions to protect your minor or young adult children? vi) Do you have beneficiary designations on file for your life insurance and retirement plans that are consistent with your current wishes and tax efficient? vii) Do your documents designate appropriate trustees, executors, and agents, in whom you have confidence to carry out your wishes reasonably and without damaging and avoidable family conflict? A wise man (many believe it was Thomas Jefferson) once said “the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” The more vigilant you are in taking reasonable steps to protect yourself and your loved ones, the better off you and they will likely be. Besides being financially prudent, this vigilance just might help you sleep like a baby… Upon request, I’ll be happy to provide you, on a complimentary basis, any or all of the following: i) an “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) a brochure on alternative methods of holding title to property; iii) an introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 7054474; 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
Has Your Retirement Been Monte Carlo’d? By Peter Waldron
Brought to you by Peter Waldron. In conjunction with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.
No, Monte Carlo is not a casino. Monte Carlo is a method used to approximate the probability of certain outcomes by running simulations with random variables. Monte Carlo in the financial planning world is used as a tool to determine the probability that an individual will run out of money or have enough money through retirement. More importantly, Monte Carlo can be used to test a variety of different scenarios or objectives. For example, in retirement, an objective may be to have money for your children or charity, or you may want to protect against having long-term care that would wipe out your retirement assets, leaving a surviving spouse with little to no money. Monte Carlo can be used as a tool to stress-test your portfolio and your cash flow to ensure that you have a high probability of success in the event of market volatility, high inflation, and many other events. Monte Carlo tested portfolios have optimal balance to get them through the bad times and the good times of retirement. Why should you use Monte Carlo? According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, after 20 years of retirement 13% of the highest income earners will run short of money in retirement. Through Monte Carlo you can set realistic figures for your short, intermediate, and long term spending objectives (i.e. vacation, second home, inheritance). Having the ability to stress test your future financial objectives allows you to make informed decisions. Retirement is like jumping out of an airplane. The probability that your parachute is going to open should be 99%. Most people don’t know the probability of their parachute opening in retirement, and they plummet to the earth with complete uncertainty. This causes them to fear every gyration in the market as if it is the end of the world. What Monte Carlo does is try to help people remove fear from their retirement plan. 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. Advertorial
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 21
Seats on the CIO Bus
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
My favorite pastime is reading, and I have always enjoyed a good book. One I recently finished is called Good to Great. It was written in 2001 by Jim Collins after he and his team conducted an in-depth study on what makes companies transcend from “good” to “great.” The lessons it teaches are vivid and timeless. One of the lessons is similar to one I learned from Walter Isaacson’s book written about Steve Jobs. That lesson? You have to “have the right people on the bus.” Steve Jobs called them “A Players,” as in A, B, C, etc., and he was fanatical about only hiring and working with “A” players. Beyond that rigid definition which spoke directly to skills of the individual, there is another way to look at having “the right people on the bus,” and how it relates to what we do so well at Portable CIO. I’ll explain. From my perspective, the “IT” service world is broken into segments. One of these segments is called the “One Man Band” (OMB), and it’s just like the name describes. It’s an individual who has some amount of technical expertise and who bops around fixing problems for people, usually for a bargain hourly rate. It might be a student who has an aptitude for computers, earning extra cash while he’s in college, or it could be someone who has decided to start their own consultancy after serving in some official capacity in the IT field. There are many OMB’s, usually advertising in places like Craigslist. The downfall of the OMB is that they only have time and skills to be a technician for hire, and they are limited in the breadth and depth of services they are able to deliver. A OMB is only one person servicing an account which makes them indispensable but also the weak link. And being only one individual, their skillset is often fairly static. When they are unavailable because they’re with another client or at their “real” job, or they’re sick, their clients needs go unmet and communication is slow. The primary complaint I hear when we take over an account previously serviced by an OMB, is that the client just can’t get a call back, and there is a lack of “big picture” planning and guidance. Boiled down, the OMB is a screwdriver for hire, and firms eventually realize they need a lot more than that. For overall IT support it’s not effective or sustainable to hire one person to cover all of the disciplines necessary for a smooth running, safe, and reliable IT infrastructure. It’s just not a good use of your money. It’s at this point that our metaphor about “seats on the bus” begins to make sense. A full service team such as Portable CIO has the capability, vision, and experience to guide your business. In terms of the skills one can bring to the client, it’s the difference between someone riding a motorcycle with a backpack, and someone driving a panel-van full of tools to the client. A single individual cannot simultaneously bring all the skills of a strategically thinking CIO, an infrastructure specialist with an extensive software toolset, a network engineer, a project manager, and a staffed helpdesk to answer the phone and triage issues. Businesses need all the skills of a fully staffed IT department AND a manageable and predictable IT budget. That’s what Portable CIO brings. For a consistent and manageable monthly fee which is a miniscule fraction of what it would cost to “own” all of these resources and skills internally, we handle everything. This approach is called Managed Services, and we are a Managed Services Provider (MSP). A typical IT professional earns $65k before benefits and other employee costs. That one employee has a finite skillset. Put an IT team together, and you have a payroll of a half million dollars before any hardware or software tools are purchased. Or you can leverage someone who has already put together that team, who has bought the software and is expert with the hardware, and use what you need of their offering to help your business grow. It makes sense. That’s what we do. This approach enables us to deliver best-practice IT solutions to your company for a fraction of the price. If you think it’s time for a change, I’d like to talk with you about how fractional ownership of your own CIO team can make your life easier. It starts with an email to info@theportablecio.com or a call to 925-552-7953. Advertorial
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Page 22 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
The New Breast Implants By Dr. Barbara Persons
As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who completed a fellowship in Aesthetic, Breast, & Laser surgery, I have been on the cutting edge of breast augmentation surgery for many years. I have been amazed and delighted at the incredible advances the leading breast implant manufacturers have made in the past 10+ years and wanted to share the history of breast implants with you. • 1942 - Eugene G. Rochow of Harvard University, pioneered the manufacture of commercial silicones • 1963 - Dow Corning launches the first silicone gel-filled breast implant. • 1968 - Saline filled implants launched in the US in 1968. [First Generation] • 1970s-80s - Silicone implants widely used in the U.S. [Second Generation] • 1992-2006 silicone implants banned in the U.S. due to concerns about performance • 2006 Third Generation Silicone implants FDA approved The Third Generation implants offer many benefits over earlier products: • They feature a multi-layer shell (exterior) with a barrier layer to make them more durable • They are filled with a special gel that is quite cohesive (non-spreading). You can cut an implant in half, and there is no flow of the gel. Despite the advances in these Third Generation implants, every patient has unique needs and desires. In a typically week, I consult with a dozen or so women seeking breast augmentation. A number of questions and topics are discussed with the most popular being, “saline or silicone”? There are many factors involved in making the proper choice. This makes the need for an in-depth consultation even more critical. In general, most women are choosing the new generation of silicone gel implants versus saline, although an increasing number are also opting for fat grafting as an adjunct to implant augmentation or reconstruction. Recent studies have supported the use of fat grafting to the breast and I often perform liposuction of the bra roll for a “contour” breast augmentation. Both silicone and saline implants have an outer silicone shell. The silicone
Oh No! I have a Bulging Disc, now What?! By Dr. Kristin Moore, DC
(Formerly Dr. Kristin Hazleton, DC)
No one wants to hear these dreaded words from their Medical Doctor: “I’m sorry, it looks as though the cause of your back or neck pain is from a bulging disc in your spine.” Oh great, now what?! When you ask your doctor how to proceed, he or she will typically recommend one or more of the following options. 1. Pain medication and anti-inflammatories 2. Injections at the site of the herniation to numb the pain locally 3. Surgery to cut away the portion of the disc that has bulged and irritated the surrounding nerve tissue But there are other options that are just as effective…if not more so! I specialize in several natural and pain-free techniques that help my patients manage pain and eliminate discomfort caused by bulging discs. Spinal Decompression Therapy is a fantastic, natural, and pain free option that works wonders for my patients. This treatment consists of using a mechanical device that will gently traction the specific spinal joints to relieve pressure on the affected disc. Over a series of treatments negative pressure will be created within the spinal disc, and it will slowly begin to ease the symptoms of the bulge.
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implants which come pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel whereas the saline implants are filled with sterile saline after being placed. As an aside, the debate surrounding the safety of silicone implants has largely been resolved, as there has not been a single substantiated case of silicone filled implants causing systemic disease. Saline implants tend to be chosen by a younger demographic prior to having children. Because these implants are filled after they are placed under the breast tissue, the incision can be more distant (such as the umbilical method of implantation) and will result in almost no visible scarring and has no impact on breast feeding. Saline implants have a lifespan of 7-10 years. Saline implants are less optimal for women seeking larger implants such as a D cup. Silicone implants have once again become the more popular choice among all age groups, even though the implants themselves cost more, as the thicker, gel-like consistency creates a more natural look and feel. These implants can create a natural effect for women desiring small, moderate, or ample breast size. The procedure using this type of implants requires a small incision, often in the crease below the breast, resulting in a very small scar, typically hidden under the breast. The risks associated with silicone implants are similar to those associated with saline while having a significantly longer lifespan. Recent advances in fat harvesting and grafting have made fat transfer a growing method of breast augmentation in my practice. It is ideal for women looking to increase their breasts by one half to one cup size, for example from B to a small C. Fat transfer is often incorporated with breast lift (mastopexy), reconstruction and augmentation. Mild liposuction is used to remove the fat from an unwanted area such as the flanks or abdomen and injected without a need for any additional incisions. Whether you are considering a breast augmentation for the first time or are a patient with existing implants looking for a change, I look forward to sharing my experience and expertise in determining the most suitable augmentation option for you. Dr. Barbara Persons is a plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon and is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. is her cosmetic & reconstructive surgery center, conveniently located at 911 Moraga Road, suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925-283-4012 or drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial fortable and relaxing. This includes treatment of both lumbar and cervical spinal discs. Some patients find it so relaxing that they doze off during treatment!
How long will it take for me to feel better?
Typically patients begin to feel some symptomatic relief in approximately 3-5 visits. However, on average it can take close to 20 visits (a few months) for the structure of the bulge to be stabilized in order to create longer lasting results. That being said, every injury is different; some will take a little longer to heal, whereas others may heal a little faster.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for spinal decompression?
The best way to find out if Spinal Decompression Therapy can help ease the pain and discomfort caused by your bulging disc is to call my office and mention this article from Alamo Today. Judy, our office manager, will then schedule you for a complimentary 15-minute consultation with me. That will give me a chance to discuss your condition with you, and it will also give me a chance to determine if this is the best route for you. To learn more, please visit www.drkristinmooredc.com, call 925-362-8283, e-mail drkristinmooredc@gmail.com, or visit our office located at 125-G Railroad Avenue in Danville to schedule your complimentary consultation Advertorial today!
How effective is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal Decompression Therapy is very effective when used to treat certain types of disc bulging. It can also help aid in eliminating radiating nerve symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or pain into the extremities. However, Spinal Decompression Therapy is not recommended to treat all spinal disc conditions. It is very dependent on the location of the bulge and also the size of the bulge.
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy a comfortable procedure?
All of my patients have found spinal decompression to be incredibly com-
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 23
Alamo’s 1st & Only Pediatric Dentist! Alamo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Welcomes Dr. Allan Pang Dr. Pang completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. After Tufts he completed a General Practice Residency at University of California, Los Angeles. Thereafter, Dr. Pang practiced general dentistry in the community of Los Gatos, California for two years. It was during this time that he realized how much he enjoyed working with his pediatric patients and returned to school to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. His residency in Pediatric Dentistry at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City allowed for him to have extensive training in treating the well child and those with special healthcare needs such as children with craniofacial disorders and developmental disabilities. Dr. Pang has been in private practice since 2008. He is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, a Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
(925) 831-8310
Page 24 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Use of Robotics Advances Laparoscopic Surgery By Richard Long, MD
As opposed to open surgery, which is done through larger incisions, laparoscopic surgery is abdominal or pelvic surgery performed by placing a scope and operating instruments through tiny incisions in the patient. Laparoscopic surgery represents a huge advance over open surgery, allowing faster recovery and shorter hospitalization for patients, and conventional laparoscopic surgery is the standard of care for many surgeries nowadays. However, it has its limitations. Robotic surgery represents an evolution in laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery differs from conventional laparoscopic surgery in that there is a robotic interface between the surgeon and the laparoscopic instruments and scope. The robotic instruments are the same long sticks used in laparoscopic surgery, but the instruments not only open, close, and rotate, but also articulate just like a human wrist. The movements are more intuitive; to move the instrument left, the surgeon moves to the left. Any tremor is subtracted by the robotic computer, making the instruments perfectly steady. Finally, the scope placed through a small plastic tube has two lenses and two cameras, each feeding one eye of the surgeon. This provides three dimensional vision and is far superior to the two dimensional view with no depth perception surgeons have with conventional laparoscopic surgery. The
Immunotherapy Giving Hope for Cancer Patients By Gigi Chen, MD
There have been exciting advances in the area of immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer in 2015. Our immune system has the ability to differentiate self versus non-self. It also plays an important role in controlling cancer. This year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting highlighted some new immunotherapy treatments for a number of cancers including metastatic melanoma, metastatic lung cancer, and colon cancer. One drug, called Ipilimumab (Yervoy), acts to increase the body’s immune response against cancer cells. It is the first drug to be associated with an improvement in overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. Two other drugs, Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), were approved by the FDA in 2014 for the treatment of metastatic melanoma after progression during Yervoy treatment and, in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma, after progression during treatment with a BRAF inhibitor. These drugs are monoclonal antibodies that target PD-1, a protein that inhibits T cell responses. Blocking PD-1 pathway allows the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells and therefore has incredible promise as a therapeutic target. The plenary session at the American society of clinical oncology meeting this year highlighted the Checkmate 067 trial, which is a phase III trial of Opdivo alone or combined with Yervoy as first line treatment in patients with advanced melanoma. The study showed that Opdivo alone or combined with Yervoy resulted in significantly longer progression-free survival and higher response rate than Yervoy alone. There are, however, more side effects associated with combination therapy which need to be considered carefully. In the area of lung cancer, patients with advanced squamous-cell lung cancer who have disease progression after first-line chemotherapy have had limited treatment options. There was a randomized international, phase III study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of Opdivo, as compared with standard chemotherapy Docetaxel (Taxotere). Overall survival, response rate, and progression-free survival were significantly better with Opdivo than Taxotere. Opdivo is now FDA approved for treatment of metastatic squamous cell lung cancer after progression on first line platinum based chemotherapy.
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surgeon sits at a console, looking down towards his or her hands through a pair of binoculars. However, instead of seeing hands, the surgeon sees the instruments inside of the patient. Every movement at the console is duplicated precisely by the robot inside of the patient. This makes complex surgery in small spaces, particularly those with a lot of suturing, much easier and safer than conventional laparoscopic surgery. The effect is that the surgeon has become a tiny person inside of the patient. The robot is not performing the surgery. The surgeon is performing the surgery with a robotic interface. Some oppose robotic surgery and claim that it is too expensive and unnecessary; anything that is done robotically can be done with conventional laparoscopy. While this is true for some surgeries, more complicated surgeries such as prostate removal or partial kidney removal for cancer can now be done robotically, making the surgery available to all patients by surgeons who have access to a robot. What does all of this mean? Robotic surgery patients don’t recover faster than laparoscopic patients. However, robotic surgery expands the indications for laparoscopic surgery, allowing almost any surgery that used to be performed through an open incision to be done endoscopically. Overall, this results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, less blood loss, and (for some surgeries) better cancer control. Dr. Long is a board certified urologist with Pacific Urology and sees patients in San Ramon, Concord, and Fremont. Dr. Long specializes in robotic surgery, prostate cancer, and complex kidney stone disease. He also practices general urology. For more information, call (925) 937-7740 or visit www.pacific-urology.com. Advertorial In the area of colon cancer, there was a small phase II study to evaluate the clinical activity of Keytruda in patients with progressive metastatic carcinoma. The researchers found overall survival rates to be superior for those patients who had mismatch repair–deficient colorectal cancer. There were many other trials with encouraging results in immunotherapy. Some of which include gastric, renal cell, hepatocellular, bladder, and triple negative breast cancers and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At Diablo Valley Oncology, we have been using these newer agents in our practice as well as participating in clinical trials. We are optimistic that the research is showing great success with therapies that tap a patient’s immune system to help fight their disease. Gigi Chen, MD is a medical oncologist and hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group. She treats all types of cancers and blood disorders, with a special interest in lung and gynecologic cancers. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Advertorial (925) 677-5041.
Pipeline continued from front page
role in bringing pipeline issues to the attention of Alamo residents. Two public forums were sponsored in June by AIA, featuring a panel of industry and hazardous materials experts to answer Alamo questions about the safety of the pipeline, which is owned by the Kinder Morgan Company. Longtime Alamo residents well remember the fatal pipeline accident on the Kinder Morgan pipeline in November 2004. Five construction workHow such a pipeline would be installed in conjunction ers using welding tools were with a bridge using current safety standards, securely killed when a backhoe nicked installed beneath the bridge. the pipeline in Walnut Creek, just a few hundred feet from the Alamo border. The resulting explosion could be heard all over Alamo, and the fireball was visible for miles. The pipeline runs down the South Broadway extension in Walnut Creek, on the Iron Horse Trail through Alamo and into westside Danville. The AIA applied for, and received, a federal grant of $50,000 to address pipeline issues in Alamo. In addition to sponsoring the two forums, the grant paid for training for SRV Fire Department personnel so first responders would have the latest information about responding to a pipeline incident.
See Pipeline continued on page 27
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The Eye Opener
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Polarized Sunglasses
Now that school is over, we are all looking forward to the summer; that usually means vacations and more time outdoors. With this increased time outdoors, we all should look for ways to protect our eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. I think by now most people that wear sunglasses are familiar with polarized lenses. In addition to providing valuable UV protection, polarized lenses make colors more vibrant and eliminate annoying glare. Polarized lenses are available in all types of prescriptions and lens styles including single vision, bifocals, and progressives. First, we should discuss the definition of a polarized lens. When light bounces off a surface (water, road, dashboard, etc.), it is mostly reflected horizontally. That means that reflected sunlight does not bounce off a surface equally in all directions; it comes at the eyes in a horizontal plane causing glare and distortion. Since reflected sunlight comes at the eyes in this predictable manner, we can combat this annoying glare with a polarized lens. This lens contains a properly oriented filter that specifically eliminates this harmful glare. This filter does not impact the appearance of the lenses, but it selectively eliminates glare. People with polarized lenses now see the world more clearly and with more vibrant colors because glare is not present to compromise your vision. Polarized lenses have many everyday applications that make them the lens of choice for your next pair of prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. While driving, those annoying reflections from your hood and dashboard are eliminated. While walking or biking, the glare off the road on a sunny day is removed. For those who are on the water fishing or boating, like to go to the beach or like to ski, the glare off of the water or slopes can be debilitating. Assuming the water is clear, you will be able to see through the water to the life beneath the surface. While skiing, the vision will be a lot easier with the glare from the snow removed. These lenses come in gray and brown and are available in several materials including plastic, polycarbonate, and high-index and in single vision, bifocal, and progressives. However, there are now multiple color options in single vision lenses. These include colors in the yellow, green, and orange ranges. These are mainly used for specialized activities such as fishing, boating, and golf. As an additional benefit, all polarized lenses come with a UV coating, so all harmful ultraviolet radiation is blocked from getting to the eyes. Keep in mind that the most important thing about sunglasses is the ultraviolet protection. A pair of sunglasses without ultraviolet protection is relatively useless. If you choose to not have the lenses polarized, please ensure that ultraviolet protection is added to your lenses. However, all polarized lenses come with a UV filter, so all of your sun wear needs are addressed with one lens. Our sunglass collection, including all Maui Jim sunglasses, comes with clear optical quality polarized lenses; however, we can use almost any frame to insert prescription polarized lenses. We look forward to seeing you in the office this summer. 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 @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
TBG continued from front page
Amelia left for college before the first harvest was in, but she keeps in touch with TBG progress. She writes, “Though I was raised always having my hands in the soil, I lost touch with gardening once I began middle school. With the creation of The Bounty Garden came a rekindling of my interests in sustainable agriculture. I really love that The Bounty Garden can help people rediscover the excitement of growing their own food.” Every step of the process is documented, and adjustments to the program are made as indicated. Each garden bed has its own diary detailing what was planted, how much was harvested, and what problems arose. “A garden is never done, “ Ruzzi observes. “Conditions are always changing, so we are always learning.” In order to include anyone interested in participating, TBG reserves half of the beds each season for new volunteers. On Opening Day (the only event every bounty grower is required to attend) each gardener or group draws the number for the bed they will be tending. Once a volunteer has completed a season, he or she is eligible to be a “foster gardener” available to care for a bed when current gardeners are on vacation. Each of the multi-talented members of the Hive has a specific task. Janet Howes, who arranges hospitality for Opening Day and workshops and plans field trips for volunteers, notes, “The Bounty Garden organization is so smooth that it doesn’t demand a huge chunk of our lives. It is not overwhelming and the people involved are a lovely group.” Joann Oliver, Volunteer Coordinator, concurs: “The Bounty Garden is a great opportunity for volunteers to do something useful without a huge time commitment. It takes as little as 20 minutes a week.” Novices are taught everything they need to know. Newest member of the Hive, Master Gardener Eric Schneider remarks, “The Bounty Garden involves everyone from little kids to retired guys.” Girls Scout Troops and Garden Clubs, families, and individuals have all adopted beds. Volunteers don’t worry between visits to the garden because Garden Keeper Marilyn Gray-Raine lets them know if their bed needs attention. “I try to get over there (a 15-minute bike ride on the Iron Horse Trail) most days just to check the beds, hoses, compost, etc. I just love puttering around such a beautiful place, and I feel very ‘connected’ to the earth and the cycle of life,” she explains. No one involved thinks of TBG as a chore. Treasurer Kathy Torru comments, “Being part of the Bounty Garden Hive is a lot of fun and very rewarding: wonderful people, a beautiful setting, and a great way to make a difference in the lives of people where we live.” Harvest Coordinator Louise Fredriksson says, “Being at The Bounty Garden is my relaxation.” The cool storage container built by volunteer Garrett Long simplifies Food Bank produce pick-ups. On behalf of their clients Rachel Braver writes, “For
Alamo Police Statistics
See TBG continued on page 26
Sheriff David Livingston reported 34 crimes in Alamo during the month of May which included alarm calls, auto and residential burglary, drunk/drug driving, forgery/fraud, found property, identity theft, medical hospitalization, mentally ill commitment, outside assist, petty theft of a bicycle and other items, service to citizen, suspicious circumstances, uncontrollable juvenile, and vandalism.
Reported Incidents
Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment
Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 25
In each of the following residential burglaries, the homes were examined and processed for evidence. All cases are ongoing investigations. Roundhill Rd., Residential Burglary: The unknown responsible(s) gained access through an unlocked garage door. Keys, a wallet, and a checkbook were stolen from the home. Davey Crockett Ct., Residential Burglary: The unknown responsible(s) gained access into the home through the use of force and stole numerous items such as watches and jewelry. Ridgewood Rd., Residential Burglary: The unknown responsible(s) gained access through an unlocked door. The home was ransacked, and several items were stolen. Before the end of the day, 99% of all stolen items were recovered and returned to the victim. Stone Valley Way, Residential Burglary: The unknown responsible(s) obtained access to the home through the use of force. Several pieces of jewelry were stolen.
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Page 26 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
TBG continued from page 25
the one in eight residents of Contra Costa and Solano Counties served by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, fresh fruits and vegetables can be out of reach for their budgets. With the help of volunteers growing produce to donate, the people served by the Food Bank receive the freshest produce to share with their families.” Schneider notes, “There is no middleman. All the food you grow goes directly to the people who need it.” TBG donated 3,500 pounds of produce in 2014 and hopes to increase that to 4,000 pounds this year. Already educating volunteers with workshops on seedlings, composting, and harvesting, Kellee Reed displays her day's bean harvest. Photo TBG has a long-term goal of provided by TBG. teaching other communities how to organize easily run organic gardens. Hive members are happy to answer visitors’ questions. Kellee Reed, who handles TBG media relations, says, “It is fun to engage with passersby who stop to read our sign or look over the fence. In the true sense of community, they are welcome to look around and learn.” In 2014 when eight beds were added to the original 24, water usage increased more than expected and the harvest failed to increase as much as expected. Heidi and the Hive assessed the problem. The irrigation timer was reprogrammed. Analysis of the soil indicated that the nitrogen level was low in every bed. Although volunteers regularly add compost to the organic soil originally installed, the compost available from leaves and garden clippings on site lacked enough green matter to provide sufficient nitrogen. “What we have learned about keeping the soil healthy has become a kind of mantra for us,” Heidi explains. “Feed the soil and the soil will feed you.” Planting winter cover crops (Schneider’s suggestion to generate nitrogen) will be implemented this fall. The initial plan rotated beds so that a cool crop was planted in February, Heidi Abramson restored the shed on site. Tools, information and harvest- followed by a warm weighing equipment all fit neatly in place. Photo by Jody Morgan. crop and another fall cool crop. The warm crop produced 73% of the annual harvest even though it involved only half of the beds. Put another way, 67% of the effort was yielding only 27% of the produce. Consequently, in 2016, TBG plans to devote all beds to a single warm crop harvest. TBG runs on a tight budget with about half of the annual expenditure going to insurance. Thanks to generous donations from individuals and a grant from the Danville Alamo Garden Club, no fundraising events have been needed. Volunteers provide organic seeds and/or seedlings, many purchased with a TBG discount at nearby Sloat Garden Center. All tools are carefully maintained and stored on site. Visit www.thebountygarden.wordpress.com to learn how to volunteer and/or support TBG so you can share in the magic. “The Bounty Garden is a slice of serenity – a green peaceful place,” says Kellee Reed. “You can touch, feel, and smell the vegetables and feel good about accomplishing a valuable community service.”
What is a Dermatologist? By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
“What is a dermatologist?” sounds like a simple question. However, last month when I was at a dinner party, someone asked me this question in an earnest fashion. No one had ever asked me that question before, but I’m sure several may wonder about the answer. In essence, a dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. Dermatologists treat more than 3,000 different skin diseases including skin cancer, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and nail disorders. Dermatologists may specialize in one or more areas of sub-specialization. In addition to treating skin disease, dermatologists also work to improve the appearance of their patients skin such as by treating wrinkles, ages spots, signs of aging, and acne scars. The road to becoming a dermatologist is a long one. To become a dermatologist one must graduate from a four-year college and then attend a four-year medical school. During medical school one must apply for a residency in dermatology. Because of the competitive nature of obtaining a residency, only one in three people who apply for a residency in dermatology are able to secure a position. For those that don’t obtain a residency, they can reapply the following year or choose a different specialty. Following medical school one must then do a oneyear internship followed by a three-year residency in dermatology. After graduation from residency some dermatologists will obtain additional training in an area of sub-specialization. This is known as a fellowship. I was fortunate to perform my advanced fellowship training at UCSF where I received intense training in Mohs micrographic surgery, laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology. Other fellowships include dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, and research. Upon graduation from one’s residency in dermatology, a doctor is considered “board eligible” but not “board certified.” Following residency most people seek board certification. This requires having completed a residency in dermatology. One must then sit for a proctored lengthy examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology, which is one of the boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Prior to the early 1990’s, when one took their boards they issued a lifetime certificate. Since the early 1990’s (when I trained), an individual receives a time-limited board certification, requiring retesting and continuing education to maintain one’s board certification. I am fortunate to be a board-certified dermatologist with advance fellowship serving this wonderful community. 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 Advertorial or visit Potozkin.com for more information.
C L A S S I F I E D FOR RENT
CONDO VACATION RENTAL Mauna Lani Resort, Big Island. New luxury 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo on 4th fairway. Minimum 3 night stay. Contact Alamo owners for discounted rate. (925)381-7042, Alamomgt@usa.net
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 27
Group Fitness: It’s ON!
By Michelle Brown, C.P.T, C.G.T.
If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. - African Proverb Entering into a group fitness setting as a “newbie” can be terrifying and overwhelming. People are moving at warp speed and ‘naturally’ know what is coming next; the strong sense of self worth and confidence they exude can seem untouchable and intimidating. Remember that these are skill sets they have earned, and once they were newbies, too. With a consistent, committed effort to becoming better, any newbie can ascend to great heights! Just do it! Join that group class, and if you are already a part of a fitness community, these are good reminders for you as well. 1. Be ready. Come prepared with the equipment you need and a willingness to learn. Newbies should always make contact with the class program director before attending. Email or text ahead of time, and give a few days notice so they have time to assess your situation, make sure the program is right for you, and discuss your history with the Coach of the class. 2. Arrive a few minutes early. Being late to a group fitness class is a bad idea. The warm-up is essential to your injury-free experience. The instructor has plans for the group, and tardiness will break up the rhythm. #notcool 3. Show up. When you commit to doing it, DO IT. Often times just getting there is the hardest part. No one ever regrets a great workout, but they definitely regret not showing up. No excuses! You say it, you do it. 4. Check in. Check in with your body, and express any soreness that concerns you have to your Coach before class. Ask for modifications to exercises that aggravate any injury you are dealing with. If it is your first class, make sure the coach knows about your recent knee surgery or that nagging shoulder. Trust me, we want to know! A well-prepared instructor will have modifications ready for you. 5. Stay present. Chatting, checking text messages, and making phone calls is distracting, unsafe, and unacceptable. Big things happen when we are present. Spend time with your body wisely instead of frittering it away on small thoughts or small talk. 6. Stay positive. Let’s be realistic...some days are not super fabulous! Life can be ROUGH. Sometimes a good plow through the workout is what we need, and sometimes moving slowly will create a balance that we didn’t know we needed. No matter what, go to class. Life is an endless sea, an ebb, a flow. Try to ride it rather than fight it. There is always a reason to stay positive if you are looking for it. 7. Accept where you’re at. If you haven’t worked out in a while, enter slowly so that you create proper movement patterns and quality motor skills. Faster is not always better. Give your body time to build the strength and stamina it needs to go faster without injury. A special caution to the sedentary athlete...the ‘93 NCS playoffs were over 20 years ago. How time flies and yes, how things change. Please don’t recreate your touchdown sprint on the first day of class. 8. Be cool. For those who have been in the class for years, remember how it felt to be the newbie. Be friendly and encouraging, smile, and say hello. Introduce yourself before or after class, and tell the newbie what you love about your class and how it felt when you were new. A few kind words can be extremely powerful and even life changing. 9. Know your limits. Take breaks when needed. At an outdoor class, a seated or lying position on your mat, or a short walk is appropriate. In a group yoga class, child’s pose or mountain pose is always acceptable. In a gym setting, exit with care and step out of the room for fresh air. 10. Be patient. Change does not happen over night. Understand that your body and mind are going to need time to adjust to the rigors of a group setting. If weight loss is your goal, realize that exercise is but one piece of the whole health picture. Nutrition, hydration, rest, and mental health will all need to be considered in your plan. The benefits of group fitness are clearly remarkable. Being afraid is to be expected. Don’t let that fear stop you from getting your group fitness on. Use these tools, and you simply can’t go wrong. Michelle Brown is an ACE certified fitness professional, 2nd Degree Kung Fu Black Belt Disciple, Level 2 certified TRX Functional Trainer, Certified Trigger Point Rehabilitation Therapist, a board member on the California Health Medical Reserve Corps, blogger, motivational speaker, and owner of Gumsaba Fitness programs. She has been helping clients surpass their goals since 1998. Gumsaba offers outdoor fitness programs, personal, small group and sport specific training. Join Gumsaba for a FREE CLASS. Visit gumsaba.com and click get started to redeem your free week with promo code GOGROUP. www. Advertorial gumsaba.com.
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Pipeline continued from page 24
The grant will also cover the cost of a comprehensive report prepared by the Pipeline Safety Trust (www.pstrust.org) a nonprofit organization dedicated to pipeline safety awareness. The Trust brings together residents, safety advocates, government, and industry in a nonadversarial manner to achieve solutions to pipeline safety. AIA President Roger Smith noted some of the most concerning issues specific to Alamo include two locations where the jet fuel pipeline crosses a creekbed and is exposed and not buried. One of these locations is on the Iron Horse trail between La Serena Avenue and Hemme Avenue and is located just 200 hundred feet from the playing fields at Rancho Romero School. The other exposed pipeline location is where Wayne Avenue intersects the trail. The AIA is awaiting the results of the Pipeline Safety Trust report, due in Fall 2015. Roger’s expectation is that the report will give specific safety recommendations for Alamo and a plan of action to achieve them. Roger also mentioned another issue AIA would like to see addressed which is the installation of more shutoff valves along the pipeline in case of a spill incident so a hazardous material spill could be confined to a smaller area. Earthquake safety measures are another concern that will be addressed in the report. The County’s TV Channel, Contra Costa TV, videotaped the AIA-sponsored forum and AIA intends to upload the two hour long presentation and question and answer session to its website shortly. Visit the AIA website www.alamoca.org for more information about the pipeline safety initiative and to view the video. Kudos to AIA for pursuing this important issue. Having been founded in 1955, AIA is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. For sixty years, this nonprofit association with dedicated volunteers and no paid staff has been working hard to preserve Alamo's character and represent the public interest in Alamo. In 2015, AIA is more relevant than ever, with two recent major AIA achievements: bringing the Sunday Farmer's Market to Alamo and the pipeline safety initiative.
Page 28 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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Average Sales Price
Average Sales Price
This month I wanted to focus on what I consider to be the average Alamo family home of 4 bedrooms and equipped with 2-3 baths and see if the upward market trend we observed throughout 2014 can be seen here at the half way point of 2015 as well. At the peak of the real estate market in 2006-2007, the average price paid for one of these 3,000 sq. ft. gems was $1,512,000, selling at a stratospheric price of $504 per square foot. Supply was very low and demand was very high. If you recall those bygone days, the competition for real estate was so hot that in a typical sale you had to beat out 4-5 other bidders to obtain an Alamo home. It was a very unusual time. Since then our market has plummeted, most significantly from 2007-2009. In 2010 the multi-year free-fall was Danville Sales Price the market hit bottom. showing signs of being broken and by the end of 2011 Through the first five months of the year and 19 days of June 2015, the price for $1,200,000 Alamo family homes has increased significantly compared to last year. Current average $1,150,000 sales price stands$1,100,000 at $1,470,000 compared to $1,362,000 in 2014. This represents a price increase of 7.9% over the $1,050,000 Alamo Family Home previous year. Dollars $1,000,000per Avg. Price $950,000 square foot increased in lock $1,500,000 $1,469,000 $900,000 $1,450,000 step from $456 to $487 for a $850,000 $1,400,000 6.8% increase. $800,000 $1,362,000 $1,350,000 For the year, a $750,000 total of 37 $1,300,000 $1,297,000 2 3 4 5 homes in this classification 1 $1,250,000 Years 2011-2015 have been sold. Inventory re$1,200,000 mains low with only 16 simi$1,150,000 lar properties currently on the $1,108,000 $1,100,000 $1,083,000 market. They carry an average $1,050,000 list price of $1,939,934 and a 1 3 5 $567 per square foot price. Years 2011-2015 The active listings have a list price range from $1,295,000 all the way up to $2,998,000. Alamo family homes are selling at a rate of 6.6 per month. The current inventory sits at 2.42
Blackhawk, Saddle Back Estate Home
month’s supply which is still a wee 4 bed 2-3 bath homes Sales Alamo bit on the low side. We are probably Year $ Sq. Foot Avg. Price Size Sq. Ft. 2011 $ 360 $ 1,083,000 2980 beginning to see the early stages of a 2012 $ 379 $ 1,108,000 2923 return to a normal market supply of 2013 $ 445 $ 1,297,000 2914 between three and six months inven2014 $ 456 $ 1,362,000 2986 tory. A total of ten homes are pending 2015 $ 487 $ 1,469,000 3118 sale at this time. While no one can predict the future, Economics 101 says tight supply equals higher prices. With what can be observed in the data now, it’s likely that our current positive trend will continue, although perhaps more slowly. The threat of higher interest rates in the near future may possibly motivate buyers who have been sitting on the fence to jump into the market and accelerate price appreciation. At the same time those rising interest rates may just as easily motivate sellers to get out of the market and increase the amount of inventory. So, more than likely, gently rising interest rates will have a limited impact on the health of the Alamo real estate market. Are we in a real estate bubble? Seven years have passed since the big crash and with the recent run up in home prices, we are still a full 3% below peak prices. Today, interest rates are 30% lower than back then and average income in Alamo has increased by more than $10,000 per household. Add all this to our continuing job and population growth, very limited increases in new home building, and incredibly tough lending standards and it’s a challenge for me to believe we are in the midst of a real estate bubble. If I were asked to characterize our current market, I believe “Strong” would be the best word to describe it. We are blessed to live in this truly amazing country. Show you love it too by displaying an American Flag. Have a very safe and Happy 4th of July. It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. Computer generated estimates of your home’s market value are probably wrong. If you would like a multi-dimensional analysis of your home’s current market value, based on years of Alamo market experience, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. For more Alamo and Danville Real Estate articles, please visit our website at www.thecombsteam.com.
Alamo New Construction Views!
Executive Luxury Home
Views of Mt. Diablo from nearly every room. 5 bedrooms, spacious open and bright, estate vineyard, pool and pool house. Priced to sell $4,125,000.
Mt. Diablo views from this casually elegant & completely luxurious Braddock Logan model home. 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath. Priced to sell $1,899,000.
Alamo, Whitegate Single Story
Alamo, Vineyard Estate
NG
DI N E P Private custom retreat on 2.27 Acres. 5 bedroom. Views! Soaring ceilings chef’s kitchen, large master bedroom suite. Priced to Sell at $2,599,000.
Stunning Mediterranean single story on nearly an acre. 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,946 square feet. Price to sell $1,435,000.
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.
Classic Mediterranean home on 1 acre. Views! 4 bed plus office, large master suite, chef’s kitchen, amazing outdoor entertainment area, vineyard. Priced to sell $1,674,500. J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526
Page 30 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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Alamo Today ~ July 2015 - Page 31
Page 32 - July 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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