Alamo_Today_May_2015 by The Editors, Inc

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May 2015 It’s a Wonderful Life

Serving Alamo and Diablo History Day Winners Head to State By Jody Morgan

By Laura Altamirano

While there hasn’t been much rain or snow or sleet or hail in Alamo, residents have always known they could count on George Bailey to help deliver the mail. For 18 years, the affable Bailey has served as the face of the Alamo post office. His friendly demeanor has given many patrons reason to eagerly anticipate a postal visit – something ordinarily considered a tedious chore. He knows the names of most of his customers and considers many of them friends…friends whom he will miss upon his retirement at the end of May.

George Bailey greets a customer in the weeks before his retirement.

Bailey has seen many changes within the USPS over his 25-year career, and he has adapted well to the new technology and automation required by USPS to maintain profits. But one thing that has never changed is Bailey’s dedication to customer service. He truly enjoys meeting people and learning about their lives. He goes out of his way to make customers feel welcome and valued. “All you have to do is just look a customer in the eye, greet them, acknowledge that they are there, and be willing to help them as much and as quickly as you can,” he says. “I have been in some businesses where you feel like you’re not welcome and where you feel like you could not approach anyone; I like to be approachable.”

See George continued on page 25

An Evening with the Stars By Jim Scala

Drive up Mt. Diablo on May 23rd, and arrive at the lower summit parking lot by about 6:30PM 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. You’ll see craters of the Moon and the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Some deep sky objects including nebulae and star clusters should be viewable. 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. In twilight,

See Stars continued on page 24

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA

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From the moment research on the annual National History Day (NHD) theme begins to the culmination of competition at the week-long National Finals held in June, 500,000 students supported by 40,000 dedicated educators enthusiastically pursue the study and presentation of their topics. Participants come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools, American Samoa, International Schools of Asia, and Guam. California’s program involves 44,000 scholars in grades 4-12 in 34 counties with the top 1,000 selected to attend State Finals. This year 44 Contra Costa County finalists are preparing for state-level judging on May 8-9 at William Jessup University, just north of Sacramento. What begins for some students as a classroom assignment quickly evolves into a compelling adventure. Brenda Stutzman, co-coordinator for Contra Costa History Day, includes two-dimensional poster board projects in her 5th grade curriculum at Golden View Elementary. Broad NHD themes suggest a starting point for topic selection. This year’s theme is “Leadership and Legacy in History.” Initiated in the Academically Talented Program, NHD is expanding throughout the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) as teachers, parents, and pupils praise the skills NHD imparts. “The program sells itself,” Stutzman remarks. “The bar of excellence is being raised in California through National History Day.” Stutzman has been explaining the benefits to fellow academic professionals over the past three years, but her students are often the best ambassadors for NHD. She is pleased to report, “As our fourth and fifth graders have moved up into middle school, many students still want to compete. The middle school teachers have recognized the interest and been willing to sign on as sponsors for these students.” Among her former pupils now in middle school going on to State this year are Going on to State with their Group Documentary are SRVUSD school students Mike Finnessey and Shannon Zheng, Noah Tran, Shannon Zheng, middle who first experienced NHD at the Elementary Level. and Mike Finnessey. Tran says of producing his historical paper: “The actual process of writing and researching an in-depth essay was a great way to develop better research skills. The annual themes and judging have also helped improve my argumentative skills, as NHD is all about selling your point and how it relates to the theme. I’m motivated to keep participating in NHD because I get a chance to creatively express my knowledge of a topic.” Zheng and Finnessey are presenting a group documentary. Zheng writes: “The NHD project experience is an exciting and stimulating process that taught me the fundamentals of in-depth research and thinking through being able to explore and gain knowledge on topics in history that I am personally passionate about.” Preparing for each level of competition, students continuously add information and rework projects. Finnessey comments; “What motivates me to stay involved is that feeling that you know everything about your project, and then finding that new perspective, or obscure anecdote Volume XV - Number 5 which changes everything.” 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, NHD was founded in 1974. California Alamo, CA 94507 is one of a handful of states piloting poster Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 board competition for 4th and 5th graders who currently cannot advance beyond Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher the state level. Junior (grades 6-8) and Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Sharon Burke ~ Writer Senior (grades 9-12) participants may opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do write individual papers or work alone The not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today or in groups on exhibits, performances, is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising

See History continued on page 26

herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

Page 2 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Boulevard View

Celebrating Bike Month on a Bicycle Built for Two By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

When I was in my early teens my mother found a police auction that the family attended. I remember the atmosphere was like an exciting garage sale. The auction consisted of recovered items that could not be reunited with their owners. What I remember most was a plethora of bicycles for auction. During the preview we found a brown, Schwinn tandem bicycle, sitting in a heap. It was missing a wheel or two and needed some love. Coming from a hands-on family, it was just the project for dad to tackle with his daughters. We bid on the bike and won the auction. Shortly after winning the tandem, another bicycle came up on the auction block that had wheels which would fit the newly acquired tandem. As the bidding started on the homely bike with the desired wheels I remember raising my hand and offering 10 cents for it. My opening bid garnered an “are you kidding” look from the auctioneer, so I bumped up my opening bid to 25 cents...going, going, gone! I won the bike and was able to harvest the wheels for our tandem project. We cobbled the two bikes together, made some tweaks and modifications, and created a new bike that became the envy of all of the neighborhood kids. Many fond memories were made riding around the neighborhood, performing circus stunts such as switching seats while riding, and piling more than two people on board as we circled around the block. It was nerve-wrecking to be in the back seat where the handlebars remained in a fixed position! As my sisters and I grew older, the bike moved down to our family beach house in Pacific Grove. There, once again, the bike took our family and friends on many excursions along the beach and into town.

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Over the 40+ years of having the bike it was given new tires, brakes, and tuneups and was well used. After four decades of keeping the bike maintained, dad lacked the interest to fix it again, and a sister and her husband decided to replace it with a new, shiny, tandem. Upon hearing the old bike was headed for a recycling center, my son spoke up and said he’d like to tackle the fix-up project on the old tandem. I brought it to his home in San Jose where he and his roommates took it for a quick spin and then started the tear-down process. The wheels are off, the rusty fenders are getting polished, and it looks like the bike will have a new lease on life once again. Perhaps one of the allures of the tandem is its old-fashioned novelty. In 1892 English composer Harry Dacre wrote a song titled “Daisy Bell.”As noted by author David Ewen in the book American Popular Songs, “When Dacre first came to the United States, he brought with him a bicycle, for which he was charged import duty. His friend William Jerome, another songwriter, remarked lightly: ‘It’s lucky you didn’t bring a bicycle built for two, otherwise you’d have to pay double duty.’” Dacre was so taken with the phrase “bicycle built for two” that he soon used it in a song. While I didn’t remember the song being called, Daisy Bell, I do remember the jingle of the line: “Of a bicycle built for two.” The old fashioned lyrics ‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true/ I’m half crazy over the love of you/ It won’t be a stylish marriage/ I can’t afford a carriage/ But you’ll look sweet/ Upon the seat/ Of a bicycle built for two’definitely harkens to another era. The bicycle built for two leads to people being together on a common adventure. I hope that the old tandem bike continues to bring fond memories for my son and his friends, and maybe he will take his mom for a spin once it is all back together again.

 What types of pipelines are in Alamo?  What types of pipelines are in Alamo? What types of pipelines are in Alamo?  Who is responsible for the pipelines in  Who is responsible for the pipelines in  Alamo? Who is responsible for the pipelines in Alamo? Alamo?  What are the risks associated with our  What are the risks associated with our  pipelines? What are the risks associated with our pipelines? pipelines?  How can you help keep Alamo safe  How can you help keep Alamo safe  How can you help keep Alamo safe from pipeline risks?  What types of pipelines are in Alamo? from pipeline risks?  Who is responsible for the pipelines in from pipeline risks?  Get your questions answered by Alamo?  Get your questions answered by  private and public agencies that deal Get your questions answered by  What are the risks associated with our private and public agencies that deal pipelines? private and public agencies that deal with Alamo’s petroleum pipelines.  How can you help keep Alamo safe with Alamo’s petroleum pipelines. from pipeline risks? with Alamo’s petroleum pipelines.  Get your questions answered by private and public agencies that deal with Alamo’s petroleum pipelines.

Learn more at: www.alamoca.org

Learn more at: www.alamoca.org Learn more at: www.alamoca.org

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Alamo ~ Spectacular views and warm ambiance highlight this 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath estate. This elegant 6400 sq. ft. home with media room and office sits on 2.4 spacious acres. $2,849,000

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 3

Alamo ~ BRING AN OFFER on this wonderful 4 bdrm, 3 bath single story home on quite court in White Gate. Fabulous backyard w/views to open space. Pool & spa + large patio. 3 car gar w/extra high door. 400 sq ft finished attic w/full bath. $1,299,000

Michael Hatfield ~ 925.984.1339 See www.alamoluxuryhomes.com Flyover video!

Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com

Alamo ~ GRACIOUS home on 1.08 Acre on PRIVATE LANE. Wonderful Oaks & MT. DIABLO Views. CUSTOM BUILT & REMODELED hm. 3400 sq. ft, 4bdrms, Large Master Suite w/ Fireplace. DBL FMLY RM w/picturesque windows & Fireplace. AWESOME HRDWD FLRING. Vaulted ceilings, large family dining rm. GORMET KITCHEN w/Granite slabs & SS appliances & 3 ovens! Flowing decks/patios, great natural light. Wonderful ALAMO OAKS, Close to all 12 grades of ALAMO SCHOOLS. Riding trails to Mt. Diablo. HORSES Permitted. Highly sought after Special Area, yet close to Downtown Alamo & Danville. $1,575,000 Jay Weymouth 925.915.1100 jayweymouth@yahoo.com

Danville ~ Elegant Craftsman style home in MaGee Ranch on a small lane w/great backyard. 5bedrm, 6.5 bath home w/over 5000 sq ft. Enjoy summer fun in the pool/spa & evenings around the outdoor fireplace. Large bonus room… Wine tasting room. Must See! $2,449,000

Walnut Creek ~ 5 New Semi Custom Homes! 4 & 5 bedrooms, 2827 sq ft to 3821 sq ft on flat as a pancake lots ranging from 12,000 sq ft to over 15,000 sq ft. High end finish work, 10’ ceilings, luxurious master suites, gourmet kitchens & 3 car garages. Prices start at $1,375,000 Tony Cristiani ~ 925.785.8948 tonycristiani@msn.com

Page 4 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Join the Celebration

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14 Annual AAUW Garden Tour th

The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be holding their 14th annual Garden Tour on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th from 10AM - 4PM. The tour will showcase five delightful gardens located in Alamo and Danville. Tickets are $35 each. No children under 12 or pets, please. For tickets with garden locations, purchase online at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden. Tickets (cash or check only) are also available at East Bay Flower Company, located at 206 Sycamore Valley Road West in the Danville Livery. All proceeds from the tour go to AAUW funds, the educational heart and soul of AAUW, supporting aspiring female scholars. To find out more, visit www.daw-ca.aauw.net/garden.

Grand Opening Featuring our new Miele kitchen May 16th and 17th

Demonstrations throughout the weekend Door prizes, Tastings, and Grand Opening Promotions Over 4,000 Kitchen items to See!

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club

Alamo Ace Hardware |3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo | 925.837.2420 www.AlamoHardware.com

Friends of the Blackhawk Museum Present Artist Roxana Santo De Hayden

If you have been wondering who painted the fabulous murals in the Blackhawk Museum’s new exhibit, “The Spirit of the Old West,” wonder no more! It is the Friend’s of the Blackhawk Museum’s May speaker, Roxana Santos De Hayden who will be giving a presentation and tour at our Wednesday, May 13th meeting from 10am to noon in the Auto Dining Room. Roxana was educated in Architectural Interior Design in London. She earned the distinguished Painters-Stainers Award from the Polytechnic of the South Bank, and she was named best in all England for the year 1981. Shortly thereafter she relocated to Milan, Italy where she worked for the next 17 years as a full-time interior and industrial designer. While in Italy, she became fascinated by trompe l’oeils and frescos. In her last four years in Milan, she became a professional trompe l’oeil and mural artist. In 1998 Roxana moved from Italy to the San Francisco Bay Area where she now resides. Roxana will give a presentation and then take us on an exciting tour of her work in The Spirit of the Old West Museum. The event is free to Blackhawk Museum Members, $15 for non-members, and $10 for Senior Citizens. You won’t want to miss this program! The Blackhawk Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. For more information, e-mail dee4life@earthlink.net.

Danville Lions Club

The Danville Lions Club meets for dinner at the Brass Door Restaurant in San Ramon at 7PM on the first Wednesday of every month. Contact Truman Howard at (925)787-2565 or truman.howard@gmail.com for reservations. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, visit our website at www.danvillelionsclub.org.

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. The club’s next new member coffee will be held Tuesday, May 26th at 10AM. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.

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DESTINATION . . .

Pending in 7 days with multiple offers

Alamo

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 5

Just Listed, South Walnut Creek

Carolyn With . . .

774 Fair Oaks Drive, Alamo 4 bedrooms | 3.5 baths | Approx 3605 sf

$1,700,000

My investment in staging, photography and advertising this property using Zillow, Luxury Portfolio, and 2500 postcards resulted in high interest and the property is pending well over asking price.

7 bedrooms | 3 baths | Approx 2501 sf This lovely, updated home is situated on a flat .33 acre parcel in desirable Walnut Heights! Currently configured as elderly care home but easy to convert to standard residence. Newer kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, roof – everything! A wonderful business opportunity or family home. Feeds to top rated schools!

CAROLYN GWYNN Realtor®

CalBRE #01888136

(925) 336-7525

CGwynn@EmpireRA.com www.CarolynGwynn.com

The Realtor you list your home with DOES make a difference: The Carolyn Gwynn Real Estate Advantage: Call me today at (925) 336-7525 to discuss how business acumen, high work ethic, professional photography, staging and preparation, and the knowledge that goes with being a lifelong East Bay resident will make the difference for you. www.CarolynGwynn.com Based on information from the CCAR MLS. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed by MLS or Empire Realty.

Blackhawk “First Sunday” Cars & Coffee

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.

Labyrinth Opening

The Hap Magee Labyrinth is finished, and a grand opening dedication will take place on Sunday, May 31, at 4pm. The park is located at 1025 La Gonda Way in Danville. Please come and experience the new park amenity.

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Page 6 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Alamo Jewelry, Fine Art, & Craft Show

Painters, jewelers, sculptors, and other artisans will be gathering on Mother’s Day weekend at Alamo Plaza Shopping Center for the annual “Alamo Jewelry, Fine Art and Craft Show.” This popular two-day event will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10 from 10AM to 6PM. This year’s show features local and regional artists exhibiting original works of art including paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, glass, woodwork, mixed media, photography, and more. The pottery of David Yager represents the exceptional quality of artistry presented at the Alamo festival. His pottery is known for its classic shapes and high-fire cobalt blue glazes. David studied glazing techniques for two years with New York ceramic artist, Michael Lucero, whose work is shown in the Smithsonian. “This celebration of art offers a great opportunity for art lovers to meet with and purchase directly from some of the West Coast’s most talented artists and artisans,” said festival director John Holland. To reach the Alamo Plaza, take the Stone Valley Rd.West Exit from Hwy. 680, then turn right 1 block on Danville Blvd. Admission to the festival is free. Additional show information and maps are available online at www.jhfestivals.com.

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale Alamo - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers

Loaves and Fishes Annual Fundraiser

Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa will be holding their annual “Food for Thought” event on June 7th from 2PM to 5:30PM at The Hacienda De Las Flores, located at 2100 Donald Drive in Moraga. The event, held at a garden party venue, will feature food, wine, beer, auctions, and entertainment. Participating restaurants are Lark Creek, La Finestra, Rustic Tavern,The Cooperage American Grill, Walnut Creek Yacht Club, Corners Tavern, along with Loaves and Fishes own Chef, James Porter. The cost is $65 per person, or reserve a table of 10 for $650. Register at www.loavesfishescc.org or call 925-687-6760. The mission of Loaves and Fishes is to feed the hungry of Contra Costa County by providing free hot nutritious meals at five dining facilities. Proceeds from this event will help Loaves and Fishes raise funds to support their safety net program.

Danville Community Band Concert

The Danville Community Band will present their concert “As Summer Was Just Beginning” on Sunday, June 14 at 3PM at Community Presbyterian Church, located at 222 W. El Pintado Road in Danville. Escape spring and burst into summer with the Danville Community Band and their season finale performance. They’ll be playing some tunes that may remind you of summertime activities or vacations including “Sunday in the Park,” “Circus Galop,” “It’s A Small World,” Gershwin’s “Strike up the Band,” and more! The band will also feature a percussion concerto and one of the pieces they performed recently at the Association of Concert Band’s National Convention, Jan Van der Roost’s “Puszta.” The concert is free. For more information about the band, visit www.danvilleband.org. 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

Liz Kerr is our winner

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.

Submit your Applications for the 2015 Kiwanis Danville 4th of July Parade

The San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Danville 4th of July Parade committee is now accepting parade applications for parade entries now thru June 25, 6pm. The theme of the Parade, proudly presented by Alamo Ace Hardware, will be “Kids on Bikes - Smart, Safe, and Healthy.” In partnership with Street Smarts San Ramon Valley, the parade will highlight the fun, health benefits, and safety of bicycling, starting at a young age and potentially lasting a lifetime. Register at www.kiwanis-srv.org/parade.asp today. Mark your calendars for the July 4th parade which will start at 9AM. Expect about 125 entries in 24 different categories. Categories include 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 – Non-Profit Community Organizations, and Civic or Public Safety Organizations. The Parade is an incredible event which typically attracts between 35,000 and 40,000 attendees. Some folks describe the parade as something from The Music Man and others say it’s simply the last vestiges of small town America. The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley is a community service club which is comprised of local business leaders and community residents who enjoy sharing good fellowship, building enduring friendships, and helping local organizations and individuals with community service projects and grant funding. For information on membership or how to be involved, please email JohnLineweaver@gmail.com.

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Pipeline Safety on Iron Horse Corridor Forums

The Iron Horse Trail may be a popular place to ride a bike or walk a dog, but our well-trafficked thoroughfare is also a major conduit for utilities, including a pipeline that carries gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel just a few feet underground. To help residents learn more about the pipeline and others like it across Contra Costa County, the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA) will host a pair of educational forums on June 3 and June 6 to discuss safety requirements, oversight responsibilities, and the risks of living near pipelines. The meetings, co-sponsored by the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Commission, will include speakers from the national not-for-profit Pipeline Safety Trust, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and Kinder Morgan, the energy company operating the pipeline under the Iron Horse Corridor. Topics will include an overview of the regulatory framework, including maintenance and inspection requirements, common causes of incidents, community resources for finding information and communicating with regulatory agencies, and strategies for reducing risk. Michael Kent, the county’s Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, will facilitate a question-and-answer panel for attendees at both forums. The meetings are part of a greater public education campaign funded by a $50,000 grant obtained by the AIA from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The grant also funded first-responder training for handling hazardous liquid pipeline emergencies, held at the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District in March, and a “Call 811 Before You Dig!” community information campaign for Alamo and surrounding communities. Underground utility lines run throughout Contra Costa. The southern part of the county is bisected by the LOW PRICE GUARANTEE Iron Horse Trail, portions of which include Alamo water and sewer pipes, Shades & Shutters electric and telecomlines, flood 925-457-1385 munication control channels, gas The Right Look for a Lot Less distribution pipes, and •Free Measuring & Installation• the petroleum pipeline. Because of the abundance of under-

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 7

ground utilities, it is important for all residents to know about lines in their area, for anyone who digs to call 811, and to have precise information about their location. Many longtime residents became aware of the issue in 2004, when a crew digging a trench for a new water line beside the Broadway Extension in Walnut Creek, near Las Lomas High School, hit the Kinder Morgan pipeline. The explosion killed five workers and seriously injured four others. That tragedy underscored the need to prioritize pipeline and underground utility safety in the San Ramon Valley and throughout Contra Costa County. The AIA encourages everyone to attend a community meeting in June to learn more. The first forum is scheduled from 6:30PM to 8:30PM on Wednesday, June 3, at Creekside Community Church, 1350 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. The second forum, featuring the same agenda and speakers as the first, is scheduled from 10AM to noon on Saturday, June 6 in the Contra Costa County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street in Martinez, in the Board of Supervisors chamber. For more information about the AIA or the technical assistance grant from the Department of Transportation, visit alamoca.org.

Fallen Heroes Celebrity Golf & Bocce Ball Tournament and Tribute Dinner/Auction

Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes is proud to announce their 6th Annual Fallen Heroes Celebrity Golf & Bocce Ball Tournament & Tribute Dinner/Auction at Diablo Country Club, Diablo on Monday, June 1st. The event begins with breakfast followed by an honor guard tribute and national anthem. Golf will be a shotgun start/scramble format with a bocce tournament kicking-off at 1pm. A cocktail reception and silent auction begins at 4:30pm, followed by dinner, tribute, and live auction beginning at 6pm. Evening entertainment will included renown tenor Daniel Rodriguez a former NYPD officer known as the ‘Singing Policeman,’ and celebrity appearances by Gary Plummer, Barry Sims, Larry Wilcox, Ron Masak, and more! Proceeds benefit the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund for the children of fallen peace officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty in California. Seventeen peace officers and firefighters who died in 2014 will be honored for their sacrifice in protecting their communities. Scholarship awards will be presented at the event. For additional information or to sign-up for the event, visit www.thefallenheroes. org, or call (925) 831-2011. Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to honoring and supporting fallen California Law Enforcement and Fire Service personnel by paying tribute to their sacrifice and providing relief to their family members who have lost their beloved heroes in the line of duty.

Page 8 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Fine Mexican Dining

Treats for the Troops

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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. On May 8th and June 12th Delta Nu Psi members will be at Lunardi’s in Danville and on June 5th they will be at CVS Pharmacy in Alamo. Collections will be held from 11am to 2pm both days, rain or shine. Money for postage is also always appreciated. For more information, visit www.deltanupsi.org.

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 Avenue in Danville, on the corner at East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue. Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. For more information, contact Post Commander Ernie Petagara at (925) 362-9806. Send mail to VFW Post 75 San Ramon Valley, P.O. Box 1092, Danville, CA 94526. Find out more about the VFW and our Post at www.vfwpost75.org.

Sons in Retirement

743-8997 In Stone Valley Shopping Center

Enjoy Our Patio Dining Monday - Saturday: Lunch and Dinner Sunday: Dinner only We Offer a Full Bar and Lounge 3168 Danville Blvd, Alamo Margaritas are a House Specialty

Blue Star Mom Collections

The Blue Star Moms will be holding collection drives on the following dates. • May 30 ~ 10AM to 3PM ~ Lucky’s, 21001 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon • June 6 ~ 10AM to 3PM ~ Veterans Memorial Blvd., Danville • June 20 ~ 10AM to approximately 2PM, care package packing/mailing at Camp Parks For more information or to find out how to drop off other donations, contact Linda Johnson at lcjassoc@gmail.com. Monetary donations are always appreciated to cover our postage expense. Checks can be made payable to and mailed to Blue Star Moms, PO Box 2537 San Ramon, CA 94538. For a list of items the group is looking for, visit www.bluestarmoms.org. The following events will be held to raise funds for Blue Star Moms. • May 29 starting at 10AM ~ Golf Tournament at Callippe Golf Course, Pleasanton. For more information, contact Jake at Callipee Golf Course at (925) 426-6666 x18 or Michelle Miller at chellem@bak.rr.com. • June 29 from 5:30PM - 9PM ~ Gianni’s Restaurant, Tips for the Troops, 2065 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. To make reservations, call (925) 820-6969 or visit www.opentable.com/giannis-italian-bistro?rid=108103& restref=108103.

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

San Ramon Valley Branch 128

Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. We have monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, our members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, bocce ball, bridge, computers, and more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. Our next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 11AM. Please join us as we’ll be celebrating our branch’s 30th Anniversary with a barbecue, prizes and entertainment provided by a local women’s quartet, LA DI DA. We’d love to see you at this fun celebration. The $23 fee includes barbecue luncheon, entertainment, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space, please email Gopher Removal us by Thursday, May 14th at info@ No Poison sir128.com. The event will be held at the San Ramon Golf Club, 9430 Fircrest Lane in San Ramon. 925-765-4209 For more information, visit www. SIR128.com.

Las Trampas Branch 116 W e have many

special activities scheduled this month, including a luncheon for our ladies with live entertainment by vocalist, Antonia, who has performed in the Bay Area, LA, New York, Italy, and Africa. The event will be held at the Contra Costa Country Club, located at 801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, on Thursday, May 14th. This is our annual Spring Fling and includes lunch, entertainment, door prizes and surprises. On Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20 the fun continues with a twoday golf outing in the Carmel Valley with spouses and guests, and a BBQ dinner at Rancho Cañada Golf Course. The SIR Computer and Technology Group will have a special presentation on TV streaming by SIR Neil Schmidt, from 9:30am to 11:30am on Thursday May 21 at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive. Neil will cover the different options and methods for connecting your TV to the Internet and explain some of the free, as well as paid, things you can do with a connected TV besides streaming movies. If these are activities you like to do, then you may find even greater enjoyment in doing them with the friendly group of retirees. We welcome guests to attend our monthly meetings and invite you to become a member. For more information about these and our other activities for retired men, please visit www.Branch116.org.

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Alamo Elementary School Cheers to 50 Years! By Stan Hitomi, Principal

In 1876, a 2.5 acre property at the northwest corner of Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd. was sold by Mary Ann Jones for $200 and was to be used for school purposes, the first Alamo School. In 1893, the school was destroyed by fire and replaced by a second Alamo School. In 1940, a $20,000 bond was passed, and the third Alamo School was built on the same site. This school remained in use until 1965. In 1965 Alamo Elementary School was moved to its present location at 100 Wilson Road. On Wednesday, April 22nd students, staff, parents, friends, and retirees gathered at Alamo School to celebrate the 50th Anniversary (19652015) of the current campus of Alamo School. All 360 students, along with over 100 staff and guests, gathered in the school’s outdoor amphitheater to celebrate this very important birthday! Key guests included Howard Nemir, one of the original teachers and principal from 1979-1984; Tom Lotz, principal from 1984-1988; Joan Benbow, principal from 1988-1998; and Donna Yokomizo, principal from 1998-2004. Also in attendance was current San Ramon Valley Unified School Board Member Rachel Hurd, Superintendent Marc C. Shelton, former Assembly Member Joan Buchanan (and a former Alamo Elementary PTA Presdient), County Supervisor Candace Andersen, and Sally Schultz, an original teacher from 1965. Supervisor Andersen provided the school with a Resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of Alamo School. The students who gathered for the ceremony were able to hear from both Howard Nemir and Sally Schultz about the early days, “before we had a multipurpose room” and in the days when “we had no lower playground.” Sally told students about the very first day when Alamo School opened….she had 60 students! The students also heard from Joan Buchannan and Sue Benit (4th grade teacher who has taught at Alamo School for 30 years), who talked about what makes Alamo

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 9

School such a special place. The speeches included student speakers Berit Powell and Ella Economos who spoke on behalf of the Student Council. The celebration included performances by the Alamo School Band and the School Chorus. Vocal music teacher, Mrs. Raaum, had prepared a special version of the song “Best Day of My Life” sung by the entire school. The celebration also included a time capsule ceremony and birthday cake for Alamo School. Mrs. Angle’s (instrumental music teacher) advanced band played Happy Birthday while all of our students and guests sang Happy Birthday to Alamo School. During the course of the celebration, I reminded our students that “In our Alamo School community we value relationships in a very deep and meaningful way.” “Once you work or go to school at Alamo, it stays with you for the rest of your life.” The number of friends, alumni, and retirees that joined us for this celebration are a testament to these relationships. A special Thank You goes out to Maria Romo and the Alamo PTA for coordinating the celebration. I would also like to thank Howard Nemir, Sally Schultze, Mary Dietler, and Sue Benit for serving on the planning committee. We were sorry that we could not include everyone in this celebration, but we were limited by space (mostly parking). We are, however, planning another celebration for the fall where we can include all of our current and past students, staff, family, and friends. Please look for an announcement in the August edition of Alamo Today.

Alamo School Principals (from left to right) Stan Hitomi (2010-present), Tom Lotz (1984-1988), Howard Nemir (1979-1984), Joan Benbow (1988-1998) and Donna Yokomizo (1998-2004).

Page 10 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Rancho Romero Elementary School By Skye Larsh- Faraghan

April 22, 2015 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement – Earth Day. Earth Day was established as a way to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental problems. Recently, I asked my stepdaughter what she and her college friends considered to be the most compelling issues of the times, issues that demand immediate action. Without hesitation she stated, “Environmental awareness and protection.” I was not surprised, given her chosen field in Global Studies. Further, according to a recent poll shared on MSNBC, “Millennials’ say they are more focused on the environment than their parents’ generation, 76% to 24%, and are particularly concerned with education about the environment, climate change and food security.” Environmental education is directly taught in the science courses and elementary science curriculum, further integrated in social sciences, reading and writing across multiple subject areas. However, where we are seeing more emphasis and need to continue is in the areas of relevancy, application, and impact. Students are seeking out ecological information and ways to get involved. They want to feel and do things related to environmental causes that make a positive difference to themselves and for the greater good. Throughout San Ramon Valley Unified School District, schools and students are making a difference through partnerships with community-based businesses and/or non-profits, school garden projects, Green Clubs, recycling programs, and classroom or grade-level challenge-based learning projects. These types of activities tackle such issues as pollution, endangered animals and water conservation, along with sustainable options. Recently Charlotte Wood Middle School and Rancho Romero Elementary School were recognized for achieving “Wastebusters” status through RecycleSmart’s 4Rs Wastebusters Program. The program aims to help decrease waste in K-12 schools within its service area. Noted in the Danville Patch, Rancho Romero became a Wastebusters certified school in 2009/2010 for the first time. The school has increased awareness and diversion of recyclable lunch waste by posting student-made posters and talking to students during lunchtime; thereby, building knowledge about recyclable materials. The school works to minimize paper copies and implemented a double-sided copying policy. Students in 3rd-5th grade volunteer on a Green Team to support the school with recycling, reusing and reducing. Teachers assisted in the design and enhancement of a beautiful edible garden, using compost from school lunches. Additionally, several outside learning areas have been created through the joint effort of PTA, RREF, teachers and students. What started as an environmental movement in 1970 remains of critical importance in 2015. Our children want and have proven to be the catalysts for change. Inspiring, including and empowering our youth will establish healthy habits and appreciation for environmental beauty, in turn, imagining a more sustainable future for all.

Danville Girls Chorus

June Audition and Upcoming Show

Are you a girl in 2nd to 7th grade who loves to sing? Join the Danville Girls Chorus! Come audition for the group’s 2015-2016 season on Tuesday, June 2nd at 3:45pm at San Ramon Valley High School. Visit www. danvillegirlschorus.org to register for the audition. The Danville Girls Chorus (DGC) is made up of 155 girls from 3rd to 8th grades from schools across the Tri-Valley area. The primary goal of DGC is music education. Under the direction of Ken Abrams, award-winning Choral Director for the San Ramon Valley High School, girls are taught the basics of vocal production and learn the fundamentals of musicianship and note reading. They are also introduced to a variety of musical styles, ranging from classical to contemporary, folk tunes, and pop music. The chorus will perform its POPs Concert “Whatever You Imagine” on May 30. This final concert of the 2014-2015 season will be held at the East Bay Four Square Church, 2615 Camino Tassajara Road, Danville. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, and can be purchased at the door. Come join the Chorus for an energetic tribute to your favorite animated classics from both television and film! For more information on the audition and upcoming performances, visit www.danvillegirlschorus.org.

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Stone Valley Middle School By Jenise Falk, Principal

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” ~ Vince Lombardi Stone Valley Middle School has been a very busy place these past few weeks ~ as we “chase perfection!” We have welcomed our incoming 6th graders (one of our largest classes in a long time!) to Stone Valley! After a spirited cheer led by our mascot, Larry the Lion, our 8th grade WEB team (Welcome Everybody) led 200 students from Rancho, Alamo, Montair and other elementary schools on a tour of our campus. Parent chaperones also had an opportunity to see drawings of our new school and tour the campus. It was a wonderful day! The following evening, we held our parent orientation for incoming 6th graders. Sixth grade teachers and support personnel presented our academic program and also the great opportunities in our elective classes. Go Team Go!! On Friday May 1st, our Ed Foundation sponsord the Fitness Challenge. Students form teams and participated in a fun obstacle course designed by Diablo Cross Fit along with parent leaders. Through pledges and sponsorships, we hope to have raised $10,000 for our Ed Foundation. It was a great event! Teacher Karen Jacobs and 8th grade student Catie Powell were selected as our Teacher and Student of the Year and will be honored at the Alamo Rotary luncheon on May 20th. Karen has taught Resource at Stone Valley for over 15 years and is a caring, compassionate, and thoughtful professional. Catie enjoys all of her classes, especially science. She hopes to become a photographer. She is a leader on campus and participates in many sports and fundraisers for worthy causes. Stop on by! On May 21st, Stone Valley will welcomes all parents and student to our annual Open House. Festivities begin at 6:30pm with a chance to grab a nice Mexican dinner on campus. At 7pm, we will convene in the gym to celebrate our PTA award winners and Rotary winners. After the presentation, classrooms will be open for touring. It is always a wonderful evening, celebrating the great work of our students. We have begun our state required testing in English language arts and math. Testing will continue through May 14th. Students are using desktop and Chromebooks computers to complete the tests. Thanks to our teachers, tech staff and the district office, all of the technology is working well! Our new school! We have been meeting regularly with the project manager as to the plans for temporary housing and our new permanent building. It will be simply gorgeous! We have the architectural renderings in the office; please stop by and see them. We hope to be in our temporary housing by December 2015, with construction beginning January 2106. It is an exciting time as we welcome our incoming 6th graders, make plans for the construction, plan to welcome a new principal, and celebrate our 8th graders as they promote on to high school. We are proud of the high academic and behavioral standards at Stone Valley and are very excited for the future!

Panama-Pacific International Exposition Exhibit By Jody Morgan

In 1915 California invited the world to attend the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco. Between February 20th and December 4th of that year, almost 19 million visitors accepted the invitation. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MuseSRV) celebrates the centennial of the fair as a core partner with 50 other organizations with an exhibit opening at MuseSRV on May 5th. San Ramon Valley residents can get a glimpse of exposition exhibits and memorabilia, can watch a DVD about the fair, and enjoy a silent film produced in 1915 to advertise PPIE. On May 14th MuseSRV joins the Danville Library in hosting Laura Ackley, author of the newly released book San Francisco’s Jewel City. The free program begins at 7PM in the Diablo Room. Visit www.museumsrv.org for more details and www.ppie100.org for related events around the Bay Area.

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Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 11 E!

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The New SAT

What to Expect and how to Prepare By Susan Sokat, Director, Club Z!

In March, 2016, the College Board will roll out the new SAT test, with some major changes from the old SAT. Current sophomores who will be taking the SAT as juniors in 2015/16 will now be seeing the new SAT. Many students will be happy to know that the new SAT is Right Only Scoring. You are no longer penalized for incorrect answers. Here are some of the other changes that you can expect.

The New Writing Section

Essay writing is now optional. There are, however, some major changes to the essay. The old SAT asked a student to take a position on an issue and write about it. The new SAT will require a student to read a passage and write a thorough analysis. The previous writing section allowed 25 minutes, and the new SAT writing section allows 50 minutes. The writing section is now at the end of the test, instead of the beginning. The Writing score will be presented separately, so we predict most students will tackle it anyway. Without Writing, the total possible score will be 1,600, (still a possible 800 per section, Math and Reading/Language)

The new SAT Sections

The Reading section allows 65 minutes to complete. Emphasis will still be on reasoning, however with a clearer focus. Reading will now include historical and scientific passages, and some data interpretation. This is similar to the ACT. There will also be evidence-based reading, where students are required to answer where they found the information. The Language section, formerly the multiple-choice Writing section, will allow about half the amount of time as before, now 35 minutes, which means students will have to move quickly. The Math portion includes three sections, for a total of 80 minutes. Multiple choice sections include one with a calculator and one without. There is also a grid-in section. The ACT will also incorporate changes, but not quite as major as the SAT changes. The ACT continues to be more of an achievement test. The total possible composite score is 36, which is an average of the curriculum components.

The best way to prepare for either test is to engage the services of a tutoring company. Club Z! offers a proven test preparation program with impressive results. The program is completely individualized for each student’s needs and is offered in-home with experienced teachers/tutors. Club Z! has been recently named “The Best of Danville, 2015” for tutoring Advertorial services. For more information, please call 925-786-7149.

Monte Vista High School By Janet Terranova, Principal

It is difficult to believe it is May. Spring is always a busy time for high schools. We certainly have not finished the school year and our emphasis in the classroom continues to focus on what students need to learn before the end of the year. Around campus, however, students sometimes get mixed messages. Students are choosing classes for next year, we have ASB elections, and planning has begun for graduation. As a staff we are working on registration, new student orientation, and our master schedule. No wonder it is sometimes hard for our students to concentrate. You can help your student to stay focused by continuing to monitor school work and attendance. Remind them that summer does not start until June 12 and you have high expectations for them as they complete this school year. Our students are fortunate to have access to Naviance’s “Family Connection” which is a web-based service designed especially for students and parents to help make decisions about colleges and careers. Each grade level has a specific focus. Our ninth grade class will be introduced to Naviance in May with a concentration on “Who Am I.” During this introduction students will: • Complete a Myers-Briggs based assessment • Complete a “Do What You Are,” personality profile which offers career suggestions suited to your personality type • Explore a variety of careers • Begin to build a resume, highlighting their involvement at MV or within the community during their years in high school, to use as the begin to apply for colleges and jobs This is a busy time of year for students. If you want to know more about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

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Page 12 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

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.

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.

San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, Principal

Once Spring Break is over, April and May fly by, and before you know it, we are in June and its finals week and graduation. We have already started planning out the graduation seating arrangements for families with members who have specific mobility needs or seating access issues. Candace Molano, the Office Manager at SRVHS, is the point person for any questions about Graduation (June 12th) for the Class of 2015. As we navigate the last few weeks of the school year, it is nice to reflect on the achievements of our staff and students. A number of our teachers were recently recognized at the first San Ramon Valley Education Association’s Excellence in Education awards: Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Rich Ault (English), and nominee for the award went to Robin Groch (Biology). The winner of Creativity award was Penny Davis (Marine Biology and AP Environmental Science), and the nominee was Kirsten Harper (English and AVID). The Golden Apple (rookie) award was given to Kim Tretten (Anatomy and Biology), and the winner of the Community Service award was given to Janet Willford. The SRVEF Shining Star award winner for SRVHS was Dearborn Ramos (Biology and AVID). There have also been many notable achievements from athletic/academic and arts/CTE programs. Our varsity basketball team won the state championship at the Haas Arena in Berkeley, and a community celebration will be held on May 15th during lunchtime. The mayor, Mike Doyle, will be in attendance, and there will be a ceremony for the team where they will receive team rings and a proclamation. Our Odyssey of the Mind team won their state championship and progressed to the national competition, and the SRVHS robotics team competed in state competitions and placed in the top five teams. Staff members Karen Young, Chad Cochran, and Chris Van Wolbeck were involved in supporting these programs. There are many other great things happening, but these are some of the highlights! Next month, there will be updates on the SRVHS construction project, the BYOD technology program, and the results of the Stanford Survey that almost every student took as part of the “Challenge Success” program. Please check the SRVHS website www.srvhs.net for upcoming events.

Rancho Romero’s den of 5th grade scouts just completed their Arrow of Light award. A large group also did their Super Achiever Award and got all 20 pins. They have graduated onto boy scouts with honors. Top Row: Leo Tyler, Bennett Hazard, Gavin Gookins, and Luke Bracco. Bottom Row: Daniel Davis, Colin Boynton-Westney, Nick Heyman, Nico Homayounfar, and Xander Stoltenberg.

Local Swimmers Win Gold

Recently swimmers from Aquabears Viking Club competed at the 2015 Short Course Far Western Swimming Championships. For the past 90 years, the Championships have been one of the most competitive age group swimming meets in the United States, attracting swimmers from across the country and even from around the world. The Club team included Isabella Barattolo (15-16) of Alamo in the 100 Free, Marie-Claire Schillinger (17-18) of Orinda in the 100 Breaststroke, Arjun Sharma (17-18) of Alamo in the 100 Butterfly, and Brittany Usinger (17-18) of Lafayette in the 50 Freestyle, 100 and 200 Butterfly. Additionally, the 11/12 Girls 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle relays both took first place. Local swimmers Jessica Davis and Shelby Suppiger from Lafayette, Sophie Lurie from Orinda, and Ana Jih-Schiff from Danville made up the relay teams. For Club information, email aquabearsvc@gmail.com, or visit www.swimviking.com.

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ACTIVE LIVES editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 13

UMMER 2015

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

he Alamo Municipal Advisory Council and the Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA are pleased to announce a pa ring new recreation programs to Alamo. This summer, the Y will be offering recreation for your entire fa

SUMMER 2015

 Youth Day Municipal Camps Advisory Council and the Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA are pleased to announce a partnership to The Alamo o Mad Science Camp bring new recreation programs to Alamo. This summer, the Y will be offering recreation for your entire family! o Engineering FUNdamentals using LEGO® Youth Day Camps 

o Mad Science Camp o Engineering Adult Fitness classesFUNdamentals using LEGO®

o Yoga  Adult Fitness classes o Beginner Strength and Balance o Yoga o Beginner Strength and Balance

 Adult Group Day Trip to Livermore Valley Wine Country Group to Livermore Valley Wine Country o AAdult great wayDay toTrip spend an afternoon. o A great way to spend an afternoon.

more information, contact theYYat at (925) (925) 687-8900 or visit the Y the Alamo website at website www.alamorec.org For moreFor information, contact the 687-8900 or visit Y Program Alamo Program at www.alamorec.org Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA • 350 Civic Drive Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

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Pictured are adventurous Alamo residents traveling in style with Black Tie Transportation setting off on the first day trip sponsored by Alamo Recreation via Irvin Deutscher YMCA. Pictured left to right are: Paul Morrison-driver; Dee Assael-YMCA, Bob Kinser, Lee Banister,Toni Cinegran, Ted Sciacqua, Patti Miller, and Nan Hudson. They were off to visit the Asian Art Museum and eat dim sum in San Francisco. The next Alamo day trip is wine tasting at Wente Vineyards on August 14.

Page 14 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Alamo Women’s Club

The Alamo Women’s Club (AWC) is open to any woman who would like to join “A place where women come together to work toward a better community for all.” We have nearly 100 years of community involvement and a growing vibrant membership. Our members reside in many East Bay cities, and we offer Philanthropy, Community, and Celebration. On April 22nd at a packed clubhouse, AWC members, scholarship recipients and their families, and philanthropy representatives from each AWC supported charity celebrated our Philanthropy and Scholarship Awards ceremony. This is a favorite event of club members who witnessed demonstrations and performances by the impressive award winning recipients. Presentations by Scholarship Committee Chair Jone Sapiro, were followed by the DVC and foster youth scholarship presentations, and then the philanthropy representatives received their awards. Awards were presented to the following students. • Del Amigo High: Joey Gantz, drama and programming. He graduated in his junior year and is moving on to DVC. • Monte Vista High School: Arielle Herman, a talented pianist, harpist, vocalist, dancer and poet. Daniel Pollack, speech and debate and a national winner from the Forensics League with a Seal of Distinction at local, regional and national tournaments. Samatha Teshima, pianist and manager editor of the school newspaper, The Stampede. • San Ramon Valley High School: Isabel Gervis, specialized theatrical lighting and design, Odyssey of the Mind Competition. Voted SRVHS “Best Theater Technician.” Nicole Horton, singer and songwriter planning a double major in music and communications. Benjamin Weinstein, acting, directing, screen writer and trumpet player. Best male actor “Wolfie” Award. He has over 30 YouTube videos. • Diablo Valley College Returning Women Scholarship: Justine Rawlings is a mother who maintains a 4.0 GPA and is member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society. • Youth Homes Foster Youth: Marcella Fromm is a single parent and a full time DVC student with a goal of achieving a masters degree in Social Work. Cherreyle Poindexter is a Los Medano Community College student with a major in early Childhood Development who wants to become a preschool teacher. Nisa Winslow is currently at DVC and is aiming for a masters degree in sociology hopefully at Mills College.

Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents

2015 Movie Under the Stars Movie starts at 8:30 p.m. at Livorna Park in Alamo

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AWC is proud to support the following charities: An Elderly Wish, Brighter Beginnings, Canine Companions for Independence, George Mark Children’s House, Hospice Foundation of the East Bay, Lazarex, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, VESTIA, We Care Services for Children, and Youth Homes. Nina Rowe of Alamo, AWC Philanthropy Chair, presented awards to each of their representatives. At the May luncheon, the Alamo Women’s Club will also make its yearly donation to a program called Penny Pines. Penny Pines was established in 1941 by the San Francisco Sportswomen Association to reforest national and state forests. The program has grown to all 50 states, and is now supported by many groups throughout the nation such as our women’s club, garden clubs, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. A donation of $68 provides seedlings for about an acre of land. The labor is provided by the USDA Forest Service who replenishes and replaces damaged areas from fire and other causes. AWC has supported the Penny Pines cause since 1965 by collecting monthly donations of loose coins from our members, and we minimally contribute $68 as our yearly donation to California forests. The forest service estimates that nearly $1,000,000 has been donated to California forests, and using those funds more than two million pine, fir, redwood, and giant sequoia seedlings have been planted on National Forest land in our state. Donations to the cause can be sent to Regional Penny Pines Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592. Be sure and designate which forest you prefer. Additional information can be found on the Forest Service website at www.fs.usda. gov/detailfull/sbnf/home/?cid=STELPRDB5289898.

AWC Scholarship Recipients. Front row: Ayushijav Bayaraa, Justine Rawlings, Arielle Herman. Back row: Sarah Issersohn, Lilliana Beltran, Nisa Winslow, Joey Gantz, Samantha Teshima, Daniel Pollak, Nicole Horton, Isabel Gervis, Benjamin Weinstein. Not pictured Marcella Fromm, Cherreyle Poindexter, and Latasha Johnson.

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Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 15

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Northridge/Danville Danville - This very desirable home and neighborhood are located in the Northridge Community of Danville. This beautiful family home is in Move-In Condition and has been tastefully upgraded. The Home features 4 Bedrooms (one downstairs) and 3 remodeled Baths. This approx 2,200 sq.ft. home is in great proximity to top rated schools, greenbelts, parks, and Blackhawk Plaza. WILL NOT LAST!

CAL BRE# 00964026

Alamo - This property is in a very desirable neighborhood of Alamo close to Middle school and short distance to High School. This single level with a large, private, ﬂat .49 acre backyard, has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and is approx. 2,774 sq.ft. and has a gorgeous redone pool with waterfall, large grass area and plenty of space for entertaining. PERFECT FOR THOSE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS!

Asking $1,399,000

istin

Danville Danville - Absolutely spectacular home with completely remodeled kitchen. $$$$$ In upgrades. Gorgeous outdoor living space, pool, spa, steps away from Mt. Diablo State Park, Athenian School and Diablo CC. Approx. 4,000 sq. ft. 5 Bedrooms, 4 Baths, 3 car oversized garage with side yard access on a .45 acre ﬂat lot. Especially at this price YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!

Asking $1,685,000

* Seller and Brad Gothberg must agree on price and closing date

Exotic Iberia with Crystal Luxury

By Mike Mullery, Alamo World Travel

It goes without saying that we had an unforgettable vacation on our Crystal Cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona via Morocco. Everyone enjoys a Crystal Cruise for the ultimate in luxury cruising. We boarded the Crystal Serenity in Lisbon, a city with a rich combination of beauty and history, then checked into our luxurious Veranda Stateroom after enjoying a welcome glass of Cava sparkling wine. We were on our way! Our Bon Voyage dinner was a sumptuous feast as was the Captain’s Gala dinner on the second evening. A Crystal Cruise is all-inclusive, so alcohol, gratuities, enrichment classes, and premium restaurants are all included at no additional charge. Crystal ships are considered mid-size, carrying around 1,000 passengers--large enough to have top-notch entertainment and activities, yet small enough to have the attentive service and exclusive amenities that have won them Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure’s top awards in their category for nearly 20 years. Our first stop was Funchal, Portugal, a picturesque port city with a gondolastyle cable car that conveys you up to a high vista point for pictures of the city and the ocean spread out below. Next stop was Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the Canary Islands, another fine port with great photo opportunities. Our amazing meal that night onboard Crystal was at Silk Road (featuring celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s cuisine) at no extra charge. The following day we were off to Arrecife, famed for its rock reef and active volcano, where we rode a camel for the first time. The next port was Agadir (my first time in Morocco) with its beachfront promenade and lively Kasbah, followed by Cadiz, a Spanish port city with a

3,000+ year history. Valencia, the home of paella, found us indulging in this piquant seafood specialty, of course! We ended our adventure in Barcelona, probably my favorite city -- the history-rich home of Gaudi and his renowned La Sagrada Familia cathedral. In between exotic ports, there was never a lack of things to do on Sea Days. We enjoyed Computer University@Sea classes including Photoshop and Power Point. We relaxed by the pool with a beverage and a book, played trivia, listened to lectures, watched movies, had lunch at the Trident Grill, and visited the Ice Cream Bar. The entertainment each night varied between comedians, dancers, and shows including some very talented local musicians. Along the way I snapped a picture of a rainbow ending right on our own Crystal Serenity. Not a pot of gold, but close. When you cruise on Crystal, you will be pampered -- and then eagerly look forward to your next cruise! Mike Mullery has cruised on 12 different cruise lines, visited over 50 countries, and has been working at Alamo World Travel for almost 10 years. You can visit Alamo World Travel & Tours (34 years of Luxury Travel--Cruises, Tours, Resorts and River Cruises) at 3201 Danville Blvd. #255, Alamo 94507 (Between Ace Hardware and Peasant’s Courtyard), call 925-837-8742 or visit www.alamoworld.com. Advertorial

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Quick Trips

By Linda Summers Pirkle San Francisco Flower Mart

While most of San Francisco is asleep, the Flower Market located on the corner of Fifth and Brannon Streets is busy with coffee toting florists, designers, and vendors greeting each other in the wee hours of the morning. The Mart opens for business at midnight, when trucks with fresh blooms, plants, and everything to do with floral design arrive for the day’s sales. One of just five Flower Markets in the nation, Martha Stewart has called it “the best.” Besides great customer service, the Mart, which has been in the SOMA (South of Market) area since 1956, is the best place to find gorgeous cut flowers, potted plants, and floral supplies at excellent prices. I have been going to the Mart since I was in my teens, when fresh flower sales from buckets set up along the side of the road were popular. I drove a cute little 1963 VW (the Flower Bug) from the East Bay, arrived at the Mart at around 5AM to purchase carnations and roses, and then sold the flower bunches to clients. It was a fun part-time job, and I enjoyed talking to and visiting with the vendors who were always very helpful. Florists and designers from as far as Oregon and Utah make the trip two or three times a week. Currently there are over 50 vendors at the Mart, each selling their specialty, some product grown on their own farms. The month of May is a wonderful time to visit the Mart for all the gorgeous flowers, especially the hydrangeas. I spoke to Dr. Jerry Bolduan, retired physician and owner of Green Valley Growers, a long time S.F. Mart wholesale seller (booth#89) whose hydrangeas are renowned for their spectacular colors and sizes. “Our hydrangea colors range from lightest pale blue all the way to deep indigo or even navy blue. Purples vary from light lavender and lilac to deepest

See Flowers continued on page 26

May is Bike Month

By Cynthia Ruzzi, President Sustainable Danville Area

It’s a celebration of bikes during the month of May; a reminder to get rolling again; a gateway to riding more often; a time to evangelize the beauty of bikes; and much, much more. Since 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike Month, and the League of American Bicyclists has sponsored this celebration of bicycling for decades. National Bike-to-Work Week and Bike-to-Work Day are often cited as the month’s flagship events—but Bike Month is about more than just getting to and from the office. Bike East Bay went out and asked local bicyclists why they ride. It turns out we all have different reasons. Some of us ride because it’s cheap or because it’s simply the easiest way to get around. Others ride because they believe riding bikes is a way towards strengthening their community’s sustainability and health. With growing cultural awareness around health and wellness, sustainability and economic savings, bicycling is being seen by new and broader audiences as a simple solution to many complex problems, from reducing obesity rates to increasing mobility options. And

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Walnut Creek Veterinary Hospital Jill Christofferson, DVM 130 La Casa Via, Suite 103A Walnut Creek, CA 94598 925-448-2908 www.wcvethosp.com while a Saturday ride on the Iron Horse Trail demonstrates the growing number of multi-generational bicyclists—the National Household Travel Survey showed that the number of trips made by bicycle in the U.S. more than doubled from 1.7 billion in 2001 to 4 billion in 2009. This year’s Bike-to-Work Event is scheduled for Thursday, May 14th. Throughout the East Bay, there will be over 100 Energizer Stations to fuel your journey to work, school, and about town. The event’s organizers, 511.org and Bike East Bay, have a simple webpage to help you find an Energizer Station along your route. Visit https://bikeeastbay.org/energizer for an interactive map of where and when on May 14th you can pick up your free Bike-to-Work Day canvas bag and other goodies to make the ride fun. Take the pledge to ride this May at the You Can Bike. Visit their website www.youcanbikethere.com and enter to win prizes at the end of the month. Bike commuting is a growing phenomenon with over a 62% rise since 2000. Bicycling is a ‘zero-pollute’ travel option, and the Bay Area is the best place in the country to ride a bike to work, to school, on errands, or to a local restaurant for lunch or dinner. There are thousands of miles of bike paths, lanes, and routes, and the 511BikeMapper at http://gis.mtc.ca.gov/btp/ can help you find them. For longer trips, combine bicycling and public transit, and 511.org will guide the way with information about taking bikes on transit http://bicycling.511.org/ infrastructure/transit.aspx. Need more reasons to consider riding your bicycle this season? One study showed that the average bike commuter lost 13 pounds in the first year without changing their diet. While that’s enough to get me ‘back in the saddle,’ 511 Contra Costa is rewarding folks who make the change from driving alone to bicycling—or carpooling, taking transit or walking. The Drive Less Commuter Incentive Program provides eligible participants a $50 check. To receive the incentive you must live or work in Contra Costa County, be 18 years of age or older, would otherwise drive alone to work and lastly, complete the brief questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of their program. Want to apply? Visit http://511contracosta.org/commuterprogram/ to get started today. We want to know what motivates you to ride your bike locally. Is there anything that would encourage you to use this transit mode more often? We want to hear from you. Send us your pictures from Bike-to-Work Day and join us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/sustainabledanvillearea or email us at sustainabledanville@gmail.com.

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Life in the Alamo Garden

Understanding the Design Process By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 19

A landscape design is more than the result of designing with plants. Designing a landscape or outdoor environment is as complex (in most cases these days) as designing a house. With the complexity of client’s wants and the degree of difficulty of Alamo lots, the design process takes time, patience, and professional expertise. Most homeowners don’t understand the complexity that goes into a landscape design. A full scale design project usually entails knowledge of planning, construction, engineering, design creativity, and budget analysis. You might find that the average Alamo project has a scope of work that includes a swimming pool, water features, concrete, masonry, carpentry, or built structures like a pergola or cabana, retaining walls, structural and geotechnical engineering, irrigation and drainage systems, electrical and landscape lighting, planting, and long-term maintenance considerations. In developing a landscape design, there are three phases of the design process that needed to be considered in order to achieve the end result. Phase one of the design process is the conceptual design. In creating the conceptual design, the landscape architect needs to gather a lot of information before Call for details embarking on sketching out ideas. The first step is user analysis in which the land925.939.8300 scape architect interviews the client and analyzes the wants, desires, vision, and solartechnologies.com function of the users of the landscape. The second step of phase one is site analysis Lic. #932914 which is the process the architect goes through in getting to know the site and its parameters. Site analysis includes site visits which look at location and proximity, legal boundaries, set-backs and easements, neighbors, zoning and jurisdictional issues, homeowner CC&R’s, soil and geotechnical issues, and existing conditions. There is a lot involved in this phase, and the conceptual design is not on the table yet! Once all the user and site information is analyzed, the layout of the site can be measured or surveyed and drafted out as the base plan for the design. Every home has a footprint; property lines, and existing conditions like trees, fences, patios, slopes, etc. guide the architect to create an appropriate design that can actually be built. And now, the conceptual design can be done! This is the process where the ideas are flushed out in an accurately scaled schematic drawing that represents the user, the site, and the ideas. This is the fun part and the creative part of my job, and it is the fun part for my clients as well. This is where their vision comes to fruition (on paper) and the designer’s creativity is expressed. The last part of phase one is to understand that the conceptual ideas can actually be built. In understanding this, the client needs to accept the ideas, the architect needs to know that the project can be built as designed, and the project must fit the client’s budgetary needs. Designing to the client’s budget is a priority! Phase two of the design process is taking the conceptual design and producing the construction documents that are essential in giving the planning and permit department and contractors all the information they need to permit and build the project. The construction drawings are blueprints that include general notes and specifications, hardscape plan, planting plan, irrigation and drainage plan, electrical and lighting plan, and construction details that show how each element will be constructed. This includes the materials, methods, and engineering. Once the construction documents are finished, the owner can get bids and hire a contractor to build the project. Most often the landscape architect is involved in assisting the client with questions from the contractor, clarifying the scope of the project, analyzing the bids, and holding the client’s hand through this often-times stressful process of contract negotiations. It would seem that once the owner selects a contractor or contractors, the design process is over. Actually, design decisions and interpretation will continue to take place throughout the project implementation. Phase three of the design process is Construction Phase services that include site observation to make sure the design “ideas” are realized and to make sure the contractor adheres to the plans and specifications of the construction documents. The scariest part for my clients is the actual construction. This is where contractors notoriously cut corners, delete elements, or inflate the budget with change orders. The landscape architect can assist the client and contractor in monitoring the construction; which includes design decisions, interpretation, revisions and changes; and guiding the design vision to reality. I have been perfecting my design process now for over 35 years. A successful project takes creativity, a budget and patience, and the outcome of each and every project has been stunning and satisfying. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Landscape Architects hold a license from the state and must pass a very comprehensive state board exam to qualify to be licensed. Ask for a licensed Landscape Architect when considering your project. Gardening Quote of the Month: “How much the making of a garden, no matter how small, adds to the joy of living, only those who practice the arts and the science can know.” - E. H. Wilson If you would like me to write on any particular subject email your ideas to jmontgomery@ Advertorial jm-la.com or visit www.jm-la.com.

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Energy Matters

Memorial Day By Mark Becker, GoSimple Solar

Traditionally, a folded, triangular American flag in a case is given to a deceased veteran’s grieving familymember during a memorial service. Perhaps a wreath or flowers are laid on a veteran’s grave, or maybe a street, building, military base, or airport is named after them. Events such as these are amongst our nation’s efforts to memorialize deceased veterans as a thank you for their service to our nation. Please take a moment of introspection to remember why we have a Memorial Day holiday. Estimations are that renewable energy will replace fossil fuels as the primary source of electric power by mid-century. A solar PV system installed on an average home today will have paid for itself more than ten times 20 years from now. Thirty-year product warranties are now available. Expected solar panel life can be even longer assuming the proper products are chosen. Safe and long-term financial returns are the reason why more than 246,000 California homes and businesses have “gone solar.” More good news for our veterans and our nation: The Department of Energy’s “Solar Ready Vets” program has increased its scope to 10 participating military bases. This program trains and readies separating military personnel for jobs in the fast growing solar PV industry. If you haven’t already, you may get an unsolicited phone call from the “Renewable Energy Council,” a Better Business Bureau “F” rated company. You will not get accurate or adequate information from doorknockers and spam callers. Seeking out a highly rated solar company who can provide facts and data in the consult/sales process is the best way to see what solar can do for you. Negate risk by using a NABCEP certified design and project manager, American products, licensed roofers, and licensed electricians. This approach may have slightly higher initial cost, but it will always result in the lowest long-term cost of ownership due to no, or very limited, call-backs over the life of the system. Solar, done right, is an extremely reliable investment. Many Middle East OPEC nations are making great efforts to remain

Clip Notes

By Jody Morgan

Charles Francis Greville didn’t need to leave London on dangerous discovery expeditions to have a distinctly diverse group of plants named in his honor. He simply had to travel in the proper social circle. His friendship with Sir Joseph Banks, advisor to King George III on the Royal Gardens at Kew, gained Greville membership in the Royal Society as well as the Society of Dilettanti, an elite fellowship of art-lovers. In 1804, at a meeting attended by Banks and their comrades, Greville was first to inscribe his name on the document establishing what later became the Royal Horticultural Society. Banks packed enough near-death experiences into his three-year voyage with Captain James Cook on the Endeavour to script a long-running television series. Of the company of 96 men who embarked from England on August 25, 1768, only 54 survived the journey. Little was known of Australia when Endeavour anchored off the coast in 1770 and Banks gauged the demeanor of the greeting party on the beach to be inhospitable. Despite the hostile reception the inhabitants extended, Banks and his intrepid associates went ashore at Botany Bay on the 28th of April. Trekking inland, Banks collected the first specimens of numerous native plant species ever seen by a European, including some belonging to the genus eventually named for Greville. Greville was not a wealthy man, but he managed to rent a property in London with sufficient space for a greenhouse and garden to display his collection of rare plants. Among his treasures was a vanilla orchid raised from a cutting he obtained from the Marquis of Blandford’s holdings. It bloomed late in the winter of 1806-1807, causing a commotion among horticultural enthusiasts.Two contemporary botanical works included comprehensive reports, but they disagreed on proper nomenclature. An exquisitely detailed depiction of Greville’s orchid done later by Franz Bauer included a ripened seedpod. Bauer (hired by Banks in 1788 to do artistic renderings of specimens at Kew) was known for the remarkable accuracy of his drawings. Had a self-fertile vanilla vine finally been discovered? Cuttings from Greville’s flowering vanilla sent to the botanical gardens at Liege, Belgium

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economically relevant for as long as possible. They’re conserving their oil by installing very ambitious solar projects. As a result, they’ll have more oil to sell to nations that remain reliant on it. Even the Saudi Minister of oil has recognized that their time is limited. He said, “The Stone Age came to an end not for a lack of stones, and the oil age will end, but not for a lack of oil.” It would be wonderful for our energy policy to be independent of our foreign policy some day. It’s our actions that help accelerate that process. Some of you may have seen GoSimpleSolar’s military surplus M923A2 five-ton cargo truck; we’ve purchased her for many reasons. Remembrance: Using her for local events to memorialize our veteran’s sacrifices. Message: She runs on alternative fuel (used vegetable oil, a biofuel). American Energy Independence: We shouldn’t need imported oil. Community: She provides smiles to the kids who love to ride and sit in her. Charity: She’ll be used to support a local veteran’s organization. If you see her outside our showroom in downtown Danville, please feel free to ask for a “tour.” This Memorial Day, I’d like to personally memorialize friends and squadronmates who died too young in battle or training accidents: Major Gene “Smokey” McCarthy, Captain John “Homey” Edwards, LtCol Dave “Rhino” Green, LtCol Lee “Bubba” Lenderman, Lt Tom “Riggsy” Riggs, Major Ken Johnson, Lt Chris Tanner, Major Mike Bradley, LCDR Dale “Doc” Phillips, LtCol Bob “Ramrod” Theilmann, Major John “Casper” Walsh, Major Steven Palumbo, Capt David Cross, Lt Pat Fleming, Capt William “Dome” Cronin, Capt Gary “Dilly Bop” Dillon, Capt Kevin Dolvin, Capt William Hurley, Sgt Kenneth Keller, Sgt John Kilkus, Cpl Timothy Romei, LCpl Thomas Adams, Capt “Super Dave” Herr, Capt James Thorp, Cpl Albert Haddad, Cpl Kurt Benz, Lt. Colonel David Knott, Lt Steve Viser, Capt Scott Paul, Capt Bruce “Tuna” Bolton, Capt Mark Vagedes, Capt Ken Hill, Capt Steve Leslie, and Capt. Michael McGrevey. Of course we memorialize Danville’s own Lcpl Joshua “Chachi” Corral, KIA, Operation Enduring Freedom, 2011. Rest In Peace, we’ll remember all of you. 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@ Advertorial GoSimpleSolar.com or call 925-331-8011. spawned vines subsequently planted on the Island of Reunion (aka Bourbon). Only a few mutant flowers fruited before Edmund Albius discovered the secret to simple manual pollination and Greville’s greenhouse-grown wonder became recognized as the progenitor of world-renowned Bourbon Vanilla. Greville died in 1809, more than three decades before his vanilla vine’s progeny began making island planters wealthy. London’s Portman Nursery purchased the plants he left behind. The decision by Scottish botanist Robert Brown to officially name a genus of plants after Greville came in 1810. Any owned by Greville himself would have borne other names during his lifetime. Based on specimens collected by Banks at Botany Bay in 1770, Carl Linnaeus chose to label a genus of plants “Banksia” in 1782. Working with a closely related group discovered during the same expedition, Brown decided the kindred plants should honor Banks’s friendship with Greville and be called “Grevilleas.” Banksias and Grevilleas belong to the Protea family named after ancient Greek river god Proteus. Like the shape-changer Proteus, whose essence reflected the mutable nature of water, both groups are vastly variable. Drought-tolerant and tough, many Grevilleas do well in California gardens as long as they aren’t fed fertilizer high in phosphorus. Some have bottlebrush blossoms; others have inflorescences that resemble surreal spiders. The evergreen foliage may be soft as fern fronds or sharp as juniper needles. Grevillea robusta (Silk Oak Tree) can be 90 feet high. Grevillea thelemanniana ‘Baby’ is a 10-inch tall groundcover. The cultivar ‘Ned Kelly’ blooms almost year-round in Australia. A shrub like many of the Grevilleas often used as hedges, ‘Ned Kelley’ has orange-red flowers attractive to birds and bees. Originally introduced in 1980 as ‘Mason’s Hybrid’ for the nurseryman who registered it, then called ‘Kentlyn’ for the nursery of origin, ‘Ned Kelly’ was renamed and heavily promoted to trade upon the legendary exploits of a bushranger some hail as Australia’s Robin Hood and others remember as a murderous marauder. The ‘Ned Kelly’ specimen planted by Ruth Bancroft seemed reluctant to be caught in bloom. Fleeting glimpses of the flowers weren’t sufficiently rewarding to make it a regular docent tour stop despite its association with Australian folklore. New at the Bancroft Garden and plant highlight for March 2015 is Grevillea petrophiloides ‘Big Bird.’ The San Francisco Botanical Garden displays 50+ Grevilleas, allowing visitors to identify favorites to try at home.

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The Incense-Cedar

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

The incense-cedar graces many Bay Area gardens with its shade, beauty, and intriguing fragrance. Calocedrus decurrens, its Latin name, means beautiful cedar. The striking contrast between the vibrant greens of its leaves and the trunk’s rich reds creates a pleasing aesthetic further enhanced by the relaxed elegance of the weeping foliage. The beauty of this tree is not confined to the realm of the visual. The incense-cedar gives off a distinctive fragrance that fills the air with a pungent aroma strongly reminiscent of gradeschool classrooms and the unforgettable smell of the pencil sharpener. In my youth, and still largely today, pencils were made from the soft and distinctively fragrant wood of Calocedrus decurrens. The incense-cedar is not a true cedar (thus the hyphen). The so-called “true cedars” are native to the Mediterranean and the Himalayas, and are members of the genus Cedrus. These include the majestic Deodora and Atlas cedars, as well as the famous Cedar of Lebanon. The incense-cedar, which may live a thousand years and attain a height of 150 feet, is a true California native. It evolved in North America, and its current range extends from the Cascade Mountains in northern Oregon, through the Sierra Nevadas, and down to the Sierra San Pedro Matir of Baja California. Throughout its range it has been important in the lives of Native Americans. The Klamath tribe of Oregon wove its bark into baskets. The California Paiutes made infusions of its leaves for colds. The Round Valley tribe of Mendocino Country used leaflets as flavoring when leaching acorn meal. This species has provided Native Americans with food, shelter, clothing, and music. The incense-cedar’s natural resistance to rot made it very useful both in antiquity and in modern times. Homebuilders use it for siding, decking, moulding, and interior paneling. Landscapers use its chips and bark for mulch. Its wood is made into furniture, shingles, and railway ties. Sawdust and wood scraps help fuel co-generation of electricity. The softness of the wood and its resistance to splintering make the incense-cedar

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 21

ideal for encasing pencil lead. However, these qualities also make the wood fragile, brittle, and potentially somewhat problematic as an urban landscape tree. When it grows as one trunk from a thick base to a single pyramid-shaped crown, the incensecedar is relatively stable; it requires little work other than the periodic removal of deadwood. But if the trunk of the tree divides into multiple columns or has large branches which turn up and rise parallel to the trunk, the tree has structural problems that make it vulnerable to column failure. After some recent winter storms, Brende & Lamb looked at many incense-cedars that had shed branches and sometimes entire columns. Most of the failed trees suffered from a malady of tree anatomy called included bark. This structural defect occurs when the bark at the crotch folds inward, and interrupts the continuity of the fibers supporting the columns. Good pruning can ameliorate many structural problems. Co-dominant stems (more than one column of roughly the same diameter) are more likely to fail than trees with a single leading column. Sometimes reducing one of the competing leaders can minimize the hazard. If column removal is not advisable for aesthetic or functional reasons, it is often possible to cable the multiple stems together. However, individual trees are so unstable that removal is the safest alternative. Whatever you do, do not top these trees. Topping a cedar will eventually produce many unstable columns multiplying the risk and, ultimately, the expense of keeping the tree. Preventative medicine is almost always less expensive and more effective than later surgery. If you plant an incense-cedar, choose nursery stock with only one trunk and no crotches with included bark. Remember that a seedling cedar can grow to over a hundred feet, and that tall trees may cause view concerns for yourself and your neighbors. Calocedrus has graced the California landscape for almost 200 million years. With a little forethought and good pruning, the incense-cedar can continue to bless Bay Area gardens with the subtle fragrance of childhood. It takes a little effort to live at peace with this large California native, but its bounty of colors, shapes, and scents make that effort worthwhile. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial

Page 22 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Estate Planning Strategies for Blended Families, Part 2 By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

Estate planning for blended families can be complex, sensitive, and difficult. Here, I will explore a few potential strategies that can be used to help overcome limitations of commonly structured living trusts. Case study facts: Jay, 65, and Bea, 55, married. Each has children and assets, as follows: The ‘J’ Family: Jay’s children are Jeff and Judy, 40 and 35 years old. Jay has an $800,000 home, with no mortgage, and cash and securities totaling $200,000. The ‘B’ Family: Bea has a daughter, Betty, 20 years old. Bea has cash, securities, and retirement plan funds totaling $400,000. Upon marrying, Jay and Bea moved into Jay’s house and plan to stay there indefinitely. They have good jobs, are in reasonable health, plan to retire within five to ten years, and do not have long term care insurance. Generally, it’s most efficient for couples - even blended families - to establish a joint living trust (which can hold community property and separate property assets). Typically, blended family trusts are structured to split into two pots (“sub-trusts”) on the first spouse’s death. The deceased spouse’s assets go into one pot and the surviving spouse’s assets go into the other. Jay and Bea each need to make two critical decisions about their living trust - what will happen to the assets of the deceased spouse: 1) during the surviving spouse’s life?; and 2) upon the surviving spouse’s death (if any assets are left?). Jay and Bea obtain expert legal advice and do some important soul searching about the first question. If he or she dies first, does he or she want his or her assets to go: a) immediately to his or her children?; and/or b) outright to the surviving spouse?; and/or c) into a trust to be used for the needs of the surviving spouse (on the survivor’s death, remaining assets in the deceased spouse’s pot, if any, usually go to the deceased spouse’s children)? If Jay dies first, he might give most or all his assets, including the house, to Jeff and Judy. If so, where will Bea live? She could use some of her own $400,000 to buy a small condominium, or she could rent. But, would Jay be comfortable with Bea having that standard of living and financial risk, par-

SAVE LIVES! Be an Organ and Tissue Donor By Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor

My colleague on the Board of Supervisors, Federal Glover, is currently hospitalized while awaiting a heart and kidney transplant. In support, the Board took action to declare April as National Donate Life Month in Contra Costa County. Thus, I thought it timely to write about the extreme need for organ donation and the California Donor Registry. More than 123,000 individuals nationwide and more than 22,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list. Unfortunately, 21 people die each day simply because the life-saving organ they needed was not available in time. The need for donated organs is especially urgent in Hispanic and African American communities. A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine can save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 50 others; and a single blood donation can help three people in need. Millions of lives each year are saved and healed by donors of organs, tissues, marrow and blood; and the spirit of giving and decision to donate are not restricted by age or medical condition. More than 12 million Californians have signed up with the state-authorized “Donate Life California” Registry to ensure their wishes to be organ and tissue donors are honored. While 50% are registered nationally, only 39% of the eligible state population is registered. “Donate Life California” is a private, nonprofit entity created to administer the organ, eye, and tissue donor registry dedicated to saving the lives of thousands of Californians awaiting life-saving transplants. Administered by California’s four nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organizations, or OPOs (which facilitate the donation process in the state), the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry enables Californians to personally consent to the donation of organs, tissue, and cornea after death. In California, consent (first-person or by the family) is given in ap-

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ticularly if she lives a long life and has substantial long-term care expenses? Alternatively, Jay could leave only his $200,000 outright to Jeff and Judy, and keep the house in trust for Bea. Thus, Bea will have a nice house to live in with low expenses. But Jay may not want to tie up the bulk of his assets (his home) that way. If Bea lives to age 100, Jeff and Judy would not inherit the lion’s share of their father’s assets until they are 80 and 85. Jay could avoid this by: a) keeping his home in trust for Bea for some fixed number of years; or b) mandating that the house be sold; that a portion of the sales proceeds be used to purchase a (more modest) replacement residence for Bea; and that the other portion of the sale proceeds be distributed to Jeff and Judy; or c) purchasing a life insurance policy for, say, $500,000 or $1 million, naming Jeff and Judy as beneficiaries, and then leaving the home either outright to Bea or in trust for her lifetime. If Bea dies first, she might give her $400,000 to Betty, feeling fine about that since Jay has substantial assets of his own. But, Jay’s major asset, his home, is illiquid. So, without any of Bea’s assets, he could easily use up his liquid assets and need to sell his house (or obtain a reverse mortgage). Another consideration is that even if Jay lives to 90, Betty would only be 45 - a fairly young age to receive her mother’s inheritance. Accordingly, Bea may wish to: a) leave her $400,000 in trust for Jay’s lifetime, during which he is allowed to use interest only, thus, supplementing his income while preserving the principal for Betty when Jay dies; or b) purchase a life insurance policy for, say, $250,000 or $500,000, naming Betty as beneficiary and leave her $400,000 outright (or in trust, as described above) for Jay. I’ve just scratched the surface, but the above examples illustrate that careful planning can result in providing for loved ones in a practical manner while avoiding potential conflicts between step-parents and step-children. 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) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw. com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial

proximately 80% of cases where patients are pronounced brain dead and are medically suitable to be organ donors. The Registry allows Californians who are 18 years of age or older to register their personal authorization to donate specific or all organs and tissues upon their death. Minors may register to express their wish to become donors, but their parents/legal guardians are responsible for granting consent for donation until they reach 18 years of age. When a patient in a hospital has suffered a severe, non-survivable brain injury, the hospital contacts the local organ procurement organization (OPO). Only after the family has been informed of the patient’s death or imminent death is the opportunity for donation discussed with the family. In cases where the patient was not a registered donor, the family is asked for authorization. With permission and after the patient’s medical team has declared death, the recovery process moves forward, which includes establishing medical suitability of the donor and finding appropriate recipients. Organs are assigned based on a complex medical formula that is established by transplant doctors, public representatives, ethicists and organ recovery agencies. UNOS (the United Network for Organ Sharing) maintains a national list of patients waiting for organ transplants. A donor’s blood type, tissue type, body weight, and size are matched against patients on the list. If there are multiple matches, priority is given to the sickest patients or, in the case of kidneys, those who have been on the waiting list the longest. Factors such as race, gender, age, and income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ. The vast majority of designated donors sign up through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when they apply for or renew their driver license and/or ID card. You can also enroll online at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org. If you’re not already signed up as a donor, please consider registering today. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.

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Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 23

Don’t Let Health Care Costs Crack Your Nest Egg By Peter Waldron

Brought to you by Peter Waldron. In conjunction with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.

Escalating health care costs can undermine the best-laid retirement plans. One of the biggest risks lies in the cost of long-term care. Unfortunately, health care costs in general have been outpacing inflation, and this trend to may continue. Even if you’re currently in good health, you can’t guarantee that it’ll continue in your later years. Not being prepared can be very expensive. According to MetLife, the national average cost for a semiprivate room in a nursing home is $6,752 a month and $7,543 a month for a private room. At that rate, it wouldn’t take long to put a sizable dent in the most nest eggs. Most people think of long-term care as nursing-home care, but, in fact, most of the people who need long-term care need it in their own homes or in assisted living. This means that nursing homes are only one part of the picture. About 60% of the population over age 75 will need long-term care for approximately three years, whether in a nursing home, assisted-living facility, or at home. The latter two alternatives – while usually less expensive than nursing-home care – are by no means cheap. Care in an assisted living unit costs $3,550 a month on average, according to MetLife. Round-the-clock care at home can also add up fast.

Insuring Against the Cost

Long-term care insurance policies are designed to defray the cost of nursing-home, assisted-living, and at-home care –costs that are not covered by Medicare except in very limited circumstances. Today’s policies typically offer the same daily benefit for each level of care. Eligibility kicks in when an individual is unable to perform two out of six “activities of daily living.” These include toileting, bathing, and being ambulatory. If you have $10 million in assets, you may not need long-term care insurance. But $5 million may not be enough, as comfortable as it seems, especially if half of those assets are locked up in illiquid assets such as real estate or if you want to leave as much of your estate as possible to your heirs. The government adds an incentive in terms of partially taxdeductible premiums. For 2013 the yearly maximum deductible amount of $360 for those under age 40 rises to $4,550 for those over age 70. But don’t wait to buy long-term care insurance until age 65, because premiums then could be very high. The most cost-effective purchase point is from the early 40s to the early 50s. Whenever you buy, be sure to buy a policy that increases benefits to keep pace with inflation. You can also keep costs manageable by electing a waiting period before benefits begin and by limiting the length of coverage to four or five years instead of a lifetime.

Beyond Long-Term Care

If you retire at age 65 or beyond, Medicare plus a Medicare Supplement policy should cover most of your medical expenses. If you retire earlier, however, you may want to purchase a personal health insurance policy. Either way, it’s crucial to select coverage that matches your lifestyle. For example, if you enjoy foreign travel, you may want to consider a policy that includes coverage outside of the United States. Long-term care insurance is designed to be flexible where you can control the costs relative to the benefits you wish to receive. Long-term care policies offer various kinds of coverage. Some offer adjustments for inflation, others pay only for a stated number of days, and others offer a life-time benefit. When deciding on a policy, you should compare the benefits of different types of policies, the limitations and exclusions, the types of facilities the policy would cover, and the cost of the premiums. 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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Page 24 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Pipeline Safety in Alamo By Roger Smith

Please attend our 6:30PM Pipeline Safety Workshop meeting on Wednesday, June 3 at the Creekside Community Church located at 1350 Danville Blvd. in Alamo.

Pipeline Safety Workshop June 3rd Agenda

Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Dept. staff, Kinder Morgan Pipeline staff, California State Fire Marshal’s office staff, and the Pipeline Safety Trust staff will start off with brief introductions on the history of the Pipeline Safety Trust. They will also cover the national context and recent local pipeline incidents.

Pipelines 101

The Pipeline Safety Trust staff will discuss the types of pipelines around us as well as the regulatory framework and agencies responsible for the pipelines. The discussion will provide information concerning who you can call for questions and what material is available online. The staff will discuss safety requirements for construction, operation, and maintenance of pipelines and causes of recent incidents. The probability of risk will also be talked about along with ways of reducing our risk along with Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance recommendations. Pipeline owner/operator Kinder Morgan and the California State Fire Marshal will follow with their presentations. Issues to raise include: - Regulations/operations/maintenance/inspection and specific information on creek bed crossings and valves - High Consequence Areas - identification and changes, and - Plans for testing/maintenance/repair and communications for anomalies, along with the expected pipeline life, and right-of-way info. Pipeline Safety Trust staff and Michael Kent, Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, will cover ways to increase pipeline safety and the County’s involvement. A facilitated Question & Answer panel with Michael Kent will follow. If possible, please submit your specific pipeline safety questions in advance to President@AlamoCA.org.

Pipleine Concerns

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We all need to become more aware of pipeline location and safety issues. Please attend the Pipeline Safety workshop, become aware of any digging being performed in your area, and become safe by asking those parties performing the digging to provide proof of their verification of pipelines in the vicinity.

Reporting Unsafe Conditions

If you are a customer and need to report an unsafe situation, contact your utility company directly at the number shown on your utility billing. If you need o file a complaint about your utility, you can do so at http://cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/forms/ Complaints or directly by calling (800) 649-7570.

Reporting Emergency Conditions

If you are aware of an emergency such as a downed electrical wire or the smell of gas, call 911 or the main number for your utility listed in your phone directory.

Be Careful Before You Dig!

You can 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. There is also the real possibility of an explosion from hitting a gas line or an electrocution from an electric line

California State Law Says, “You Must Call Before You Dig!”

Contact your UnderGround Alert Service by dialing “811” for more information you can also check www.DigAlert.org. This is a free service. Failure to call before digging can result in fines up to $50,000 and you could be charged with the repair costs of damaged underground facilities. Why risk it? Dial the toll-free number, give your job site information to the Dig Alert representative, and they will notify all of their members having underground facilities in the area.

AIA’s 2015 Annual Report and Membership Drive

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 watch for your upcoming AIA 2015 Annual Report, ballot and membership form. Then complete and return these to AIA, P.O. Box 156, Alamo, CA. 94507. Please 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!

COMPUTER SERVICES and REPAIRS

Residents from Concord to Sunol remain concerned about several pipelines located within the Iron Horse Trail Corridor which include Kinder Morgan’s fuel pipeline operating at 1200 psi or greater. What makes pipeline management difficult are the many other utilities crossing over and under the pipelines and the fact that PG&E, EBMUD and CCCounty Sanitation/Drainage all have been performing periodic excavation and digging work in this corridor, independently of each other. Occasionally, certain sections of pipeline have to be located manually because the owner of the pipeline is unable to verify its exact location.

Stars continued from front page

before observing action starts, you’ll be treated to a short talk entitled, “Planets of our Solar System.” Then you’ll walk among the various telescopes and see a spectacular sight through each one. 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 11PM you’ll leave on an escorted drive down the mountain with much to discuss. May 23, 7:30PM ~ Planets of our Solar System ~ Here’s your chance to explore three planets plus our Moon through the telescopes. Make a Pocket Solar System and imagine what it would be like to live on other worlds. 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, arrive early, bring a sandwich, and watch astronomers set up telescopes. Even that will be a learning experience.

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Chain of Events

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

If you know me, you know that while I’m certainly immersed in technology, I also live in a state of awe at these inventions and creations that surround us. I am grateful for what I have and at the amazing intellects that have combined to bring us these tremendous products. These products are just the latest in a long line of life-enriching inventions that we have enjoyed and often take for granted. We recently welcomed a new little member into the extended Portable CIO family when one of our staff had a baby boy. I started to think about the amazing inventions that this little person will simply accept as “normal” and things I am familiar with that he’ll only read about in history books or see in museums. I was discussing all of this with my daughter, who shares my feelings of awe at modern technology, and we started to talk about all of the things that have had to be created and improved upon for something as wondrous as our iPhones to exist and function. The smartphone is an amazing device, one that can transmit your voice and image around the world and which connects you to the largest database in the world: the internet. The chain of events, inventions, services, and patents that makes this smartphone possible is mind boggling if you stop to think about it. I realize this may seem a little geeky, but I’m going to mention a specific Star Trek: Next Generation episode that has always stuck in my mind. This episode had to do with time travel, and a character’s realization that one cannot pick and choose key events from our past to erase, because all of our experiences, good and not so good, weave together to form the tapestry of our lives and who we are. When we pull a single thread, we unravel the entire tapestry with unintended consequences. The point is, there are so many interwoven pieces that have enabled the creation of the smartphone, that in the same way the removal of any one of them would have unknown and probably catastrophic consequences. It’s an amazing web of interdependent pieces of technology.

George continued from front page

Bailey was born and raised in Florida. The travel bug bit when he was 19, and he joined the Air Force with the hope of traveling the world and experiencing other cultures. He was stationed in Thailand and Okinawa, Japan, and took a tour in the Panama Canal Zone of Central America. He also served in Hawaii, Alaska, and a number of other states before retiring at age 39 as an E7 jet propulsion specialist; the last eight years of his career were spent as a manager at Travis Air Force Base. As retirement restlessness settled in, Bailey was anxious to return to work. An application submitted to the USPS garnered several job offers, and he waited until the right position came along. He accepted a mail processing clerk position in Walnut Creek where he worked the night shift for a few years. A desire to work regular business hours led him to a customer service supervisory position – a role he has amicably and ably held for 18 years. “The job can be routine, but you never know what the next customer is going to bring, and you have to learn how to think quickly and you have to be informed of your products and your services,” says Bailey. “My previous job in the Air Force was in aircraft maintenance, and I wanted something entirely different. I wanted a new challenge. I had never worked in customer service before, and I wanted to give it a try. I think I did pretty well with it.” His customers and co-workers agree. “George is the face of customer service,” says friend Linda Buschmeyer. “George has always been kind and helpful; his work ethic has never wavered, and no problem is ever unsolvable to him. He lets you know that ‘it’ll be fine’ or ‘don't worry, it’ll be okay,’ when he is helping you. I remember a few years ago when he was gone from his familiar post behind the counter and how much he was missed by all of the regular customers. There were so many people asking about him that the staff decided to create a mini-PO Box to hold well wishes just for him! Stationery was provided and it had to be refilled 2-3 times a week; that is how much he is a part of the Alamo community. It will be a completely different experience walking inside the doors of the Alamo post office and not hearing the familiar twang and seeing the kind smile given to all. I know how very much he will be missed.” Former co-worker Terry DeMonte concurs. “George has always had ‘grace under pressure.’ His homespun expressions are fun, and he is warm and loves people. George is just a caring, sweet man. He ‘pegs’ people right away and knows what to say to make them comfortable. He always was a total professional.” Bailey plans to remain in the Bay Area through the summer, and he will then

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 25 What if Shockley, Brattain, and Bardeen hadn’t invented the transistor in 1947, paving the way for the invention of the integrated circuit (IC) in the 1950’s and subsequent miniaturization of modern electronics? What if Moore and Noyce hadn’t founded Intel in 1968? What if what we now call the “internet” was kept private as “Darpa-Net,” to be only used for government research and defense contractors? What if Steve Jobs stayed at Reed College and studied philosophy instead of dropping out to start Apple? There are thousands of similar stories, players, systems, and companies that have gone into providing the modern conveniences we enjoy every day. Instead of going backwards to figure out the iPhone, I decided to look forward and start thinking about what’s coming next. A little searching on the term “2020 predictions” turned up an amazing amount of material from people who spend their careers thinking about the future. For instance, even though it is not a huge producer when compared to oil or nuclear power, solar power will take over other types of power generation because of the sheer quantity of solar cells that will be fabricated directly into the building materials we use. A whole house will generate power, dramatically changing the power equation. By 2020, a $1,000 personal computer will have the raw processing power of a human brain. By 2030, it will take a village of human brains to match a $1,000 computer. By 2050 (assuming a global population of 9 billion), $1,000 worth of computing power will equal the processing power of all human brains on earth. In the next five years, human blood will be fully synthesized, and also within five years, scientists expect to be able to do a whole-body transplant. In other words, they expect to be able to take the head off of someone, and transplant it onto another body that maybe is working better. Holy smokes. In networking, gigabit broadband service will be in every home, and every household appliance, every device, every car will be in some way connected. Finally, robotic consciousness is expected within the next 15 years. We are at the point where life seems to be beginning to imitate art. Want to learn more? Go watch Star Trek or Star Wars to see what’s coming next! Strategic planning based on technological trends is one of the services that Portable CIO offers, and if you would like to consider some of these questions in a business context for your organization, small or large, Portable CIO can help. Reach us via email, info@theportablecio.com, or call (925)552-7953. Advertorial relocate back to Florida where his extended family maintains a Black Angus cattle farm. He, and they, eagerly await the reunion. “I want to be more involved with my family who is just as excited as I am to have me back in Florida,” says Bailey, who looks forward to a little relaxation before deciding what to do next. “I am not going to do anything in a hurry,” he says. “I will relax and see what I click with and find interesting. This is a point in my life when I want to decompress, but I know that within 6-7 months I’ll be wanting something to do to get out of the house.” He looks forward to more travel, specifically to Europe where he never had an Air Force assignment. He enjoys hiking, and he wants to revisit Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, Washington DC, and the Smithsonians. He also enjoys good movies, reading, old automobiles, state fairs, and museums. Upon his retirement and relocation to Florida, Bailey takes with him many fond Alamo memories. “I have gotten to know you and your families, and many of you have become friends. It has truly been a pleasure being associated with you these past years.”

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Page 26 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Skin Cancer

By Dr. Jerome Potozkin

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Alamo resident, happy birthday to you! Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way I would like to discuss the status of your “birthday suit.” If you haven’t had your skin checked by a board certified dermatologist since your last birthday, I would encourage you to schedule an appointment now. I bet most people reading this can’t even remember the last time they had a complete skin examination by a dermatologist. In medicine, an ounce of prevention goes a long way. This is especially true in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancer. May marks skin cancer awareness month. There are about 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. It is estimated that there will be about 132,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed this year. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can be lethal. In fact, one person dies every hour from melanoma in the United States. However, the good news is that early diagnosis can lead to a complete cure. Approximately 75% of skin cancer deaths are from Melanoma. Surprisingly melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults ages 25-29. While melanoma can be deadly, most patients that we see are diagnosed at an early and fully curable stage. If you have a spot that has changed in color, it might be a melanoma, and you should get checked. Extensive research is being done to discover new treatments for advanced melanoma. Despite these advances, patients do best when a diagnosis is made early. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancers. These can appear as non-healing sores or crusted bumps. Some simply appear as a red patch that can be misdiagnosed as dry skin or eczema. The good news is that these skin cancers are much less likely to spread than melanoma.

Flowers continued from page 18

royal purple. Pinks vary from pale blush to almost red in color. We actually have red colors later in the year due to colder nights and matured flowers.” When Green Valley Growers started over 25 years ago, hydrangeas were not that well known as cut flowers in the U.S. But then Bolduan’s hydrangeas caught the attention of Martha Stewart. Bolduan recalled, “When Martha found us more than 25 years ago, she was fascinated by our ability to grow a large variety of hydrangeas. I even hand carried ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangeas to Martha’s East Hampton property for her gardens there.” On market days, Pablo, who has been with Green Valley Growers for over 26 years, makes the trek to the S.F. Mart with astounding blooms. The hydrangeas can sell out quickly, so it is best to pre-order. Another booth to check out is J.P. Evergreen (booths 41 and 43). Jesus Palafox, proprietor of J.P. Evergreens, has been coming to the market since he was a young boy. He assisted his father with “cutting branches, pushing crates, watering the trees at the ranch, and doing just about anything that needed to be done.” He carries everything needed for arrangements except the blooms. On a recent trip to the Mart he was selling cherry blossom branches, eucalyptus (spiral, seed and pods) pussy willows, tree tulips, dogwood, and his specialty, curly willow. His faithful boxer Samie always accompanies Jesus to the market and has been a fixture in the booth for over ten years. *If you are ordering hydrangeas for a special occasion, Jerry Bolduan at Green Valley Growers suggests bringing fabric swatches to match for color. There is no extra fee for color matching and no minimum order if you pick up at the S.F. Mart. Minimum order for shipping is $200. Check their website at www.greenvalleygrower.com for more information and how to preorder. *Visit the Mart soon; the property has recently been sold, and changes are in the works. The S.F. Flower Mart is located at 640 Brannon Street, San Francisco. Hours for the general public are 10AM-3PM, MondaySaturday except on Giants game day when the market closes earlier. 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. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

Most skin cancers have a genetic component. The other key ingredient is sun and ultraviolet exposure, such as that from tanning beds. In order to prevent skin cancer, I recommend an ounce of prevention. Do what you love but avoid the peak sun hours between 10am and 2pm. Apply and reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Men can use a lotion with sunscreen after they shave each morning. Forget about going to tanning beds, however spray-on tans are fine. Lastly, see a board certified dermatologist once a year for a full-body skin check. It is also a good idea for you to check yourself once a month so that you will be able to notice if a mole or a spot is changing. Many people have started to worry about getting enough Vitamin D if they use sunscreen. The simple solution is to take a Vitamin D supplement which is equally as effective to the Vitamin D you get from sun exposure. Skin cancer is most often treated with minor in-office surgical procedures that almost always can be performed with local anesthesia. For patients who are not good surgical candidates, radiation treatment can be effective. Some small or superficial skin cancers can be treated with topical creams that stimulate your own immune system to destroy the cancerous cells. Our approach to skin cancer treatment is to educate our patients about the advantages and disadvantages of treatments that are appropriate for their condition. If you have any spots that you are concerned about or if you can’t remember the last time you were checked from head to toe by a board certified dermatologist, please call my office now at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to check you and to wish you a Happy Birthday! The screening for skin cancer is much easier than screening for other conditions such as via colonoscopies, prostate exams, and pap smears. Don’t just sit there worrying about that spot that has been worrying you; pick up the phone and make an appointment. Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial

History continued from front page

documentaries, or websites. Annotated bibliographies must emphasize primary sources and include interviews. Judges evaluate the presentation’s interpretation of historical material and the ability of the presenters to communicate the significance of their topic in history. Judges offer constructive comments that indicate how much they value each student’s achievement. Julienne Sauer, one of five Dougherty Valley High competitors eligible for State, placed first at Nationals in the individual exhibit category as a middle school student. She eagerly shares her expertise, encouraging others to participate. “NHD is an inspiring program that has helped me learn how to conduct good quality research that is applicable to all academic disciplines. I enjoy selecting a topic that interests me and shaping the presentation to fit the theme,” Julienne writes. “I have been inspired by the individuals I have researched and by the students I meet at the competitions, especially at the Nationals where there are students from all over the world.” Daniel Dunn has judged State and National projects for several years. As Executive Director of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, he suggested the Board offer a cash prize this year in conjunction with their Lincoln exhibit to the Contra Costa student whose project best reflected Lincoln’s leadership. Julian La from Golden View Elementary was elated to be the winner. Dunn hopes many students will take advantage of the Museum’s archives and contacts. “As a judge,” he explains, “some of the most interesting storylines used by NHD students are those that are largely unknown. Students will sometimes ignore their local communities to tell national or international stories while their local areas may have interesting and compelling aspects to their histories. Since much of the judging emphasis is the use of primary resources, a student’s local historical societies and historical agencies can provide access to a wealth of resources.” On February 21st, 204 NHD contestants gathered at the Blackhawk Museum for the third annual Contra Costa History Day competition. Since Stutzman teamed with co-coordinator Sia Sauer, Julienne’s mother, to promote NHD in Contra Costa, the local event has doubled in size each year. 2015 competitors came from as far away as Richmond’s Making Waves Academy. Sia Sauer learned about NHD in New Jersey when the program was integrated into her older son’s middle school curriculum. Her younger son competed in New Jersey and in California after the family moved. Both brothers went to Nationals. Sia talks with teachers interested in incorporating NHD into their curriculum and advises students who want to compete but don’t have teacher guidance. She notes, “NHD offers an opportunity for students to experience project based learning. It also helps them learn about research and how to present a topic to an audience. It fosters their self-confidence and sense of accomplishment. The judging process is very encouraging and all students step away from the process with skills that will help in everyday life.” For almost a decade, the Behring family has sponsored NHD. The competition, held each June at the University of Maryland, is officially named the Kenneth E. Behring National Contest. When Ken Behring established the Blackhawk Museum, Smithsonian exhibits comple-

See History continued on page 29

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Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 27

Lets Talk Squats!

The Eye Opener

By Michelle Brown, C.P.T, C.G.T.

Ok, I’ll say it. I REALLY LOVE SQUATS. They are the Queen of foundational movement and a pillar of any quality exercise program. Done correctly, squats will increase mobility and strength while enhancing all activities of daily living. So let’s talk SQUATS! There was a time when squatting deep, or below 90 degrees, was considered bad for your body by many health professionals because there is a possibility of overload on the knee joints if a squat is improper. While it is true that some people have injuries and wear and tear on their bodies that makes deep squatting a bad idea, many of us simply need to work on our strength and mobility to get below 90 degrees in our squat. After all, humans have used deep squats throughout evolution to do some pretty important daily activities, right?! With the evolution of functional exercise, many programs are now encouraging people to get deeply into their squat once they acquire the mobility and stability they need to do them properly. Now, well-educated fitness professionals are incorporating deep squatting in every workout they program for their clients. Having said that, great trainers know when a deep squat is contraindicated. If your knees do not allow pain-free deep squats, then surprise...your goal should not be deep squats! The goal then becomes strengthening the stabilizing muscles of your knee joints. There are many alternative exercises that can help you accomplish your goal. Squatting may still be possible, but keep in mind that pain in the knee is a signal to stop doing whatever you are doing. For those of us who still have stable knees, deep squats done properly will give our knees longevity and help us maintain mobility and stability into and through our golden years. If you have never worked on your squat before, you should meet with a trusted and qualified fitness professional that can assess your current physical condition and make recommendations specific to your needs. If you are ready to start squat progressions, a great trainer will give you the proper guidelines and, depending on your body, some accessory exercises that you will need to work on before you go below 90 degrees in your squat. The TRX suspension trainer is a very useful tool that I use for people entering into a squat intense program. The added stability of the TRX suspension trainer helps in understanding the specific muscular engagement and alignment that is required for a proper deep squat. Some specific elements of a proper squat are unique to your body, but there are some consistencies in all proper squats. For instance, body weight should be dispersed about 60% in the heels and 40% in the ball of the foot throughout the duration of the movement. Knees should remain stable and do not abduct (move toward mid line of body) during the duration of the movement. The low back should maintain mild lordotic curve and the cervical spine should remain neutral in order to balance the extension of the lumbar spine in a deep squat. Remember, every body is different. No body is perfectly balanced or exactly alike. My squat will not look like yours, even if both of us have accomplished a proper squat as we have different lever lengths, body types and personal history. Also, remember that getting ahead of your progress is where injuries inevitably happen. Don’t add weight to a deep squat until you can do 20 proper squats without. Even if you have been an athlete in the past, that does not mean that you should hit the gym and do 50 or 100 squats. Enter your squat program with the priority of moving better than you do today, and you will make more efficient progress in all areas of your physical fitness. Michelle Brown is an ACE certified fitness professional, 2nd Degree Bok Fu Do Black Belt Disciple, Level 2 TRX certified, TRX Mind Body Certified, a Trigger Point Self Rehabilitation Therapist, board member on the CHMRC, blogger, inspirational speaker and owner of Gumsaba Outdoor Fitness Programs. Michelle has been helping clients surpass their goals since 1998. Gumsaba offers outdoor fitness programs year round in the great outdoors. Join Gumsaba for a FREE CLASS. Visit our website at gumsaba.com to get started. Use promo code SQUAT to redeem your free week. www.gumsaba.com (925) 683-5630. Advertorial

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

As many of my current patients are aware, I am a big proponent of daily disposable contact lenses. They offer easy handling, better contact lens hygiene, and convenience. Instead of being just for the occasional weekend/sports enthusiasts, this modality has become an emerging trend for all wearers. My patients love the freedom, comfort, and vision that daily disposables give them, especially during this time of year when allergies are running rampant. Even though seasonal allergies diminish comfortable contact lens wear regardless of lens type, dailies have the advantages of their thin lens design and lack of build-up on the lenses due to the fact that a new lens is used every day. What is even more exciting than the ease of use is that there are more options available for patients. Up until recently, there were only handling-tint sphere contacts, which therefore only permitted single vision wear or monovision. This excluded a large patient population that have astigmatism, those who need reading help and monovision was not a suitable solution, or those who want to change their eye color with contact lenses. The recent addition of daily toric disposables, daily multifocals, and daily colors has tremendously extended the options for patients. Even though all prescriptions are not available with these extended options, a large portion of patients will now have the ability to try dailies. Patients with astigmatism now have a few options when it comes to daily disposables. A wide range of powers are available; roughly 90% off all prescriptions will now be obtainable. Patients have been happy with the comfort and vision these lenses provide. Patients can use these lenses for single vision distance with readers, if needed, and monovision. For those patients who want comfort, convenience, and good vision at all distances, daily multifocals are now here. Regardless of if you are going to wear them every day or just for weekends or sports, these lenses are a terrific option. The advantage they have over monovision is that the patient can see both distance and near out of each eye, instead of distance out of one eye and reading out of the other. Having both eyes see the same allows for more comfortable and clear vision. With the improved comfort and vision these lenses provide, daily multifocals are growing in popularity. The last addition to the daily disposable market is color contacts. These are just coming to market, so our office does not have the diagnostic sets in the office, but we are able to order the colors for patients to try. They are made by Vistakon, are made of the same material as the Acuvue 1-Day Moist and are available in a wide range of sphere powers, but not toric lenses as of now. For those patients that are already wearing these lenses, the transition is completely seamless. We are looking forward to adding these lenses for patients who want a change in their look for full-time wear, evenings out, or vacations. It is important to note that all of these lenses mentioned will not meet everyone’s prescription or expectations. However, the increase in options makes the possibility of good, comfortable vision more likely. Regardless of if you are an established wearer, haven’t worn contacts in years, or have never tried them, we are here to help you decide what option(s) would be best for you. 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 Advertorial join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.

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Alamo Today Classifieds

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Page 28 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

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Hydration is Key to Avoiding Kidney Stones By Dr. Wei Zheng

As the California drought is extending into its fourth year, it is safe to assume that this coming summer will be a long and hot one. There is no better time than now to start talking about kidney stones: how and why they are formed, signs and symptoms, and finally, treatment options. The fall season is dubbed by urologists as “stone season” since we see most of the kidney stone patients during this time. To understand the reason behind this surge, one needs to know how the stone is formed. First, tiny little crystals are formed in a supersaturated urine which are the result of dehydration. With time, these crystals aggregate to form a stone nidus, which then snowballs into a stone. The entire process can take a few weeks, but more typically it takes a few months. People tend to be more active and spend time outdoors in the summer, and without proper hydration...voilà, we have our “stone season” in the fall. The most common symptom of a kidney stone is unmistakable back/flank pain. It was described by many as one of the worst types of pain one can have. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, blood in the urine, or symptoms that mimic urinary tract infection such as constant urge to urinate or burning with urination. The treatment of a kidney stone depends on its size and location. Stones that are smaller than 4-5 mm have an excellent chance to pass spontaneously. Proper pain management, good hydration, and physical activities are the keys for this expectant therapy to work. In some cases, medications called alfa blockers, such as Tamsulosin, can be given to certain patients to aid the stone passage. If the stone is too big to pass on its own, then it can be treated with one of following treatment options: Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterscopy with laser lithotripsy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The most commonly used treatment is ESWL. This non-invasive, outpatient procedure is done under either heavy sedation or general anesthesia. It usually takes no more than 40-45 minutes to do. Most of the patients can return to work 1-2 days post procedure. To improve the care for kidney stone patients in our area, Pacific Urology and John Muir Health have joined forces to form a kidney stone center. The goal of this center is to have kidney stone patients seen the same day kidney stone symptoms are present and have the stone treated within a day or two if the stone is deemed to be impassable. Of course, the best treatment is to have no treatment at all. The best way to avoid a kidney stone is to practice HYDRATION. How do you know you are adequately hydrated? Look at the color of your urine. It should be light yellow or clear at all times. Have fun this summer! But remember to keep a bottle of water around, unless you want to see me in an emergency room this fall. Dr. Zheng is a board certified urologist with Pacific Urology and sees patients at offices in Concord and Walnut Creek. Dr. Zheng specializes in the medical management and surgical treatment of kidney stones, he also practices general urology. For more information, call (925) 609-7220 or visit www.pacific-urology.com. Advertorial

Take 5 Strokes Off Your Best Golf Game! By Dr. Kristin Moore, DC

(Formerly Dr. Kristin Hazleton, DC)

Spring has sprung. The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and the weather is getting warmer; that means golf season is in full swing, well, for most golfers, at least. Golf can be very strenuous on the body, and if you’re feeling a hitch in your swing, it can be a nightmare for your scorecard. I treat many golfers in my office, and every single one of them has told me that they wished they had come to see me sooner. And almost all of them have told me that I have improved their golf game. Can I guarantee that I can take five strokes off of your best score? Absolutely not! I can, however, realign your spine, balance your spinal range of motion, and alleviate golfing related injuries. This can lead to a more efficient and effective golf swing. Here are some of the most common questions that golfers ask me. What are the most common golf injuries? 1. Back Pain 2. Golfers Elbow 3. Plantar Fasciitis 4. Knee Pain 5. Shoulder Pain Is it ok to continue to play even though I have one of these injuries? You can continue to play; however, the likelihood of your injury getting worse becomes much higher. As it gets worse, it is much more difficult to treat and can take much longer to recover. How do you treat golf injuries? I have many different methods to treat all of the most common golf injuries. I typically start off by realigning the spine and extremities to make sure the structure of your body is in complete balance. Then, I will utilize active release technique in order to release any muscles or ligaments that may be decreasing your spinal range of motion, thus preventing a full and effective golf swing. Next, I may use laser therapy to help decrease inflammation and pain that may have developed due to your injury. Lastly, in some cases I add spinal decompression therapy in order to treat a bulging disc in your back due to the rotational swing. How many treatments will I need in order to recover? This depends on the severity of your injury. Sometimes golfers need only a handful of treatments in order to feel normal, while others may take 10 to 20 visits. When can I start playing golf again? This is the MOST asked question that I receive! Again, this really depends on the extent of the injury and the amount of time you have been suffering from it. I can guarantee you, though, that I will do everything in my power to help you get back on the golf course as soon as possible! How do I learn more? The best way to find out if I can help with your golfing related injuries is to call my office and tell them that you read this article in the Alamo Today newspaper. Judy, our office manager, will then schedule you a non-obligation complimentary 15-minute consultation with me. That will give me a chance to discuss your condition with you and for me to determine if I can help you. What have you got to lose but your pain and possibly a few strokes off your game! To learn more, please visit www.drkristinmooredc.com, call 925-3628283, e-mail drkristinmooredc@gmail.com, or visit our office located at 125-G Railroad Avenue in Danville to schedule your complimentary Advertorial consultation today!

Meals on Wheels

Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.

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Squamous Cell Carcinoma Skin and Retinoids

Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 29

By Christine Chung, MD

I recently met a vibrant, athletic, well-dressed woman who had just turned 60 years old. Six months earlier, she had developed a red bump on her left forehead, just above her eyebrow, which was squamous cell carcinoma State of the art equipment with the latest technology. (SCC), a type of skin cancer. She was treated with Mohs Over thirteen years of experience providing advanced surgery, a procedure in which a dermatologist shaves comprehensive eye care. off layers of skin to remove the cancer. Unfortunately, my patient’s skin cancer kept recurring in that same area. After her third Mohs surgery, we treated her with radiation therapy to decrease the risk of cancer re Comprehensive eye & contact lens exams currence. After her last treatment, she wanted to know if she had done anything Cataract Evaluation, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy that had led to her skin cancer. “Dr. Chung, did I get my skin cancer because of and Glaucoma Evaluations all the Retin-A that I’ve used for my wrinkles?” she asked. SCC of the skin is one of the most common malignancies diagnosed in the  Our eyewear US, with over 700,000 new cases each year. It occurs most frequently on sunGlasses and sunglasses that are selected for their exceptional quality exposed skin in fair-skinned individuals, though it may also develop in people of craftsmanship such as: SALT, OWP, DITA, NIKE, OLIVER PEOPLES, TOM FORD, GÖTTI with darker skin. SCC of the skin is associated with exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, and it occurs more often in older people. Patients who have under Lab on-site gone organ transplantation and require chronic immunosuppression are also at In many cases we are able to make your glasses in OUR office greater risk of developing skin cancer. This type of cancer can take many forms, including flat red spots, painless bumps, or scaly patches on the skin. A doctor 925.202.2846 needs to biopsy the skin to confirm the diagnosis of cancer. Open Monday-Saturday Over 90% of skin SCC are cured with local therapy alone, usually surgical 215 Alamo Plaza Suite D excision like Mohs. An advantage of Mohs microsurgery is that the surgeon can look at the cells as they are being removed, to ensure that all of the cancer has Alamo, CA 94507 been fully excised. Low-risk SCC may also be treated with freezing (cryotherapy), (Next door to Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Alamo Plaza) radiation therapy, or a topical cream. Some patients may need radiation after Visit us on or at surgical excision, if the cancer cells have aggressive features, such as invasion www.Poplarspecs.com into the local nerves, or if the cancer continues to return even after being surgically removed. Also, the surgeon may refer the patient for radiation if the tumor could not be fully excised. To answer my patient’s question, her skin cancer was most likely caused by her history of sun exposure, rather than the use of Retin-A cream. Retin-A contains retinoids, which are derivatives of Vitamin A often used in anti-aging creams to help promote skin renewal. In fact, retinoids that are taken orally can decrease the risk of SCC of the skin in certain high-risk populations. However, retinoids in topical form have not been shown to reduce skin cancer risk. But remember that when you use Retin-A and other topical retinoids, your skin is more susceptible to ultraviolet light. If you use these products, take special care to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen. Dr. Chung is a Radiation Oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group. She sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Berkeley and can be reached at 925-825-8878. Attend an educational program on May 20th, 6:30-8pm at the Walnut Creek Library’s Oak Room. “The Many Faces of Skin Cancer” will feature a panel of medical experts who will discuss the most current information regarding prevention, early detection, risk factors, treatment options. To register call 925-677-5041. Advertorial are selected to advise teachers and students interested in participating in NHD. History continued from page 26 Smithsonian now chooses its own 50 winners, one from each state, to bring mented the automotive displays. A member of the Smithsonian Board as well as their exhibits to the National Museum of American History the Wednesday of the History Channel Senior Vice President, Libby O’Connell introduced the Behrings Nationals and talk with visitors about their projects. to Cathy Gorn, NHD Executive Director. Like many non-profits, NHD desperately Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer follows the actual NHD needed major donors. The Behring family came through immediately – not only with funding, but also experience of a group of Kansas girls whose tenacious research finally connected them with innovations that with Sendler, a Polish woman who saved 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust. Contact Sia Sauer/Brenda Stutzman for more information at contracostacountyhd@ continue to enhance the NHD experience. gmail.com or visit http://contracostahistory.wix.com/cccnhd or go to www.nhd.org. David Behring, Alamo Police Statistics a National History Sheriff David Livingston for Alamo reported during the month of March, there Day Trustee, enjoys were 51 reported crimes including alarm calls, battery, burglary, civil crimes, disjudging as much as turbing the peace, drunk in public, fraud, identity theft, lost property, petty theft, his mother enjoys phone harassment, receiving stolen property, suspicious circumstances, vandalism, presenting awards. and warrant arrest. Some incidents are described below. He explains that his • Stone Valley Middle School, Vandalism - A window on campus was dammother was studying aged with the use of a brick although nothing appeared stolen. to become a teacher • Alamo Plaza and Danville Blvd., Auto Burglary - A vehicle parked in the Key sponsors of NHD, Ken Behring (far left) and Pat Behring (far when she married Safeway parking lot was burglarized. A window had been smashed in, and a laptop right) enjoy hearing NHD contestants describe their projects. and has always val- was stolen from the seat. Also, a vehicle parked in the Starbuck’s parking lot had a ued the efforts of educators. The Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award she window smashed in during the first few hours of business. A tote bag was stolen. established honors two teachers from each NHD affiliate (one for junior level grades Historically, burglaries are on the rise during the summer, which is just around 6-8 and another for senior level grades 9-12). Two National Award winners each the corner. Do not forget to secure your homes and cars, set alarms, and be vigilant receive $10,000. Behring Teacher Ambassadors, who have shown “outstanding by calling the Sheriff’s Office immediately when encountering suspicious activity. creativity, commitment and inspiration in developing students’ interest in history,” For non-emergencies call (925) 646-2441, and for emergencies call 911.

Office in Alamo Plaza

Page 30 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

Your Personal Nutritionist

Hidden Sugars Lurking in Our Food By Linda Michaelis RD,MS

In my practice I have seen many knowledgable clients who do not realize how much sugar they consume each day. My client, Charles (name changed), was referred to me by his doctor for prediabetes. Every morning for breakfast Charles enjoyed his favorite Raisin Bran cereal along with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. He thought this was a healthy choice for him. After our meeting he realized that he was eating two servings of cereal with almost two cups of milk each morning and was consuming almost 40 grams of sugar from the cereal plus 20 grams of sugar from milk with its naturally occurring lactose (milk sugar). His total sugar intake from his bowl of cereal was 60 grams. His glass of orange juice accounted for another 30 grams of sugar. I taught Charles that one teaspoon of sugar is equal to 4 grams. Charles was consuming 90 grams of sugar each morning, or about 20 teaspoons of sugar. Charles almost fell out of his chair from surprise. Now, of course, that was only breakfast. Charles learned from his employees that Greek yogurt is good for you, and thus he purchased all the berry flavors for the office to snack on. Unfortunately, his nonfat blueberry Chobani brand Greek yogurt has 20 grams or 5 teaspoons of sugar. I informed him that many companies now offer Greek yogurt with about 10 grams of sugar or less which is more acceptable. Once in a while Charles frequents Starbucks and orders a non-fat vanilla soy latte. I reminded him about the natural sugar in the milk along with the sugar in the vanilla flavoring. I told him that fewer “pumps” of flavoring was a good way to reduce the amount of sugar in the drink. Charles mentioned that for lunch he often has a turkey sandwich with chips and a Coke to drink. Did you realize that an average size Coke, has 30 grams, or about 6 teaspoons, of sugar? To wean Charles off of the Coke I recommended drinking just a half serving over a lot of ice or diluting it. I introduced Charles to “no sugar added” Snapple and Sparkling Ice that is also carbonated. He has now weaned himself off of Coke and is enjoying Raspberry Sparkling Ice.

Refreshed not Weird: How Botox, Dysport, and Fillers Should Look

By Dr. Barbara Persons, Persons Plastic Surgery

A friend had just finished a high level business meeting with two women. He said, “What is it about 40-year-old women who have been overdone?” He was talking about people that have gone overboard on injectable treatments such as fillers and Botox. My initial thought... he doesn’t realize that these women are not forty-something. They do look younger than their 50 years, but they look overdone. This is indeed a problem, and it’s becoming a more common problem that I am being asked to fix in my practice. Facial rejuvenation is one of the top requests I receive. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all like the thought of a refreshed version of ourselves. Ultimately, gravity wrinkles and loss of volume over time will ultimately be most improved by surgery: a neck lift, facelift, eyelids, etc. But, for many patients, natural fillers and fat grafting, Botox, Dysport, Filaser, and RF treatments provide a safe and effective treatment to subtly improve our look. The key in facial rejuvenation -- from Botox to fillers to fat grafting -- is achieving a look that is youthful, not “weird,” as my friend stated. The look should be refreshed, never overdone, and most importantly natural. Aging gracefully is just as important as looking beautiful, and the secret here is ensuring no one can guess there been a treatment done in the first place. As an expert in face work, I have many tools to use, but the secret to subtle, successful artistry is understanding how exactly to use them. There are two basic sets of concepts when it comes to facial rejuvenation. The first is lifting with volume replacement, and the second is improvement of texture, lines, pigment, and laxity. There was a time when we associated aging only with “gravity.” However, we now understand that volume loss can also dramatically change the aesthetic balance of the face. Volume loss occurs in soft tissues and bone, especially in the temporal areas, nasolabial fold, and the

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Food products have many ingredients that contain sugar. Various names for them include white and brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, corn syrup, dextrin, honey, invert sugar, maple syrup, raw and beet sugar, cane sugar, evaporated cane juice, high fructose corn syrup, malt, molasses, and turbinado sugar. Please realize that when fruit juice is listed on bakery goods it is also referring to a sugar.

Hidden Sugars in Foods

Food Serving Size Added Sugar Angel food cake 4 oz piece 7 tsp Banana cake 4 oz piece 2 tsp Brownie, no icing 1 oz piece 4 tsp Cheesecake 4 oz piece 2 tsp Chocolate cake, iced 4 oz piece 10 tsp Chocolate chip cookie 1 cookie 2 tsp Coffee cake 4 oz piece 5 tsp Cupcake, iced 4 oz piece 6 tsp Fig Newtons 2 cookies 2 tsp Gingersnaps 1 cookie 3 tsp Glazed doughnut 1 doughnut 4 tsp Oatmeal cookie 1 cookie 2 tsp Chocolate candy bar 1 bar 4.5 tsp Chocolate mint 1 piece 2 tsp from Sparkspeople website 2015 Clients often ask, “How does a high sugar intake affect them other than weight gain and possible diabetes?” People don’t realize that sugar can also feed yeast, fungi, and detrimental bacteria in your gut which can cause bloating and gas. Symptoms such as joint pain, headaches, fatigue, inability to lose weight, and constant sugar cravings can often be decreased with a lower sugar intake. If you feel you are having a difficult time controlling your cravings for sugar, which is not helping your weight loss efforts, help your yourself by allowing me to set up a food plan that will work with your life. It is perfectly fine to have sugar in your day as long as it is eaten in a balanced way. I am glad to inform you that insurance companies such as Aetna, Sutter, Health Net, ABMG, and Hill Physicians will cover nutritional counseling. Please visit LindaRD.com for the list of all insurance companies, past articles and information on nutrition. Call me at (925) 855-0150 or email me at lifeweight1@gmail.com. Advertorial cheeks. This results in hollow areas of the temples, sunken eyes, eye bags, tear troughs, mid cheek breaks, marionette lines around the mouth, droopy skin at the jaw, and excess neck skin and bags. The combined effect of volume loss, sun exposure, and age also contributes to increased skin laxity, which presents as wrinkles around the eyes, the forehead, and the middle brow. The face looks more aged, more tired, less full, and overall less youthful. In the wrong hands, or with the wrong product (cheap counterfeit versions of many popular products like Botox, Dysport and fillers are a real problem), the results are only made worse...you become overdone and look weird The correct approach in my opinion is a whole face approach: recreating the beautiful normal. With Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin, the muscle relaxers, I recommend a balanced treatment. This means relaxing each of the main muscles, say in the forehead or around the eyes in a balanced synergistic way. Fillers and fat grafting should be used to perform a liquid facelift while keeping the proportions natural. Phi or the ideal proportions can be referenced. Properly treated lips should look natural, not weird. Nasolabial folds should not look like sausages - laser treatments and/or Botox/Dysport for fine lines and wrinkles and the right filler for replacing volume. There are new fillers such as Voluma, Restalyne Silk, and Radiesse Plus for treating very specialized areas of the face that may be worth the higher cost. Most importantly, consistency is key. Make sure you use a well-trained, highly skilled injector with a heightened aesthetic sense who is able to learn the intricacies unique to your face. Find a physician or nurse injector you like, and stick with that person. Most people who end up overdone have had multiple visits with multiple doctors. Our nurses, Melissa and Brittney, work hard with me to make sure you look natural. As always, we look forward to meeting you at Persons Plastic Surgery for a consult so we can demonstrate our approach to consistent results. Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. is located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. To contact me call 925-283-4012 or email drbarb@ Advertorial personsplasticsurgery.com.

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Alamo Today ~ May 2015 - Page 31

Page 32 - May 2015 ~ Alamo Today

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The Alamo Real Estate Hot Market? Cold Market?

I love the Charles Dickens line from A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” That’s how the Alamo Real Estate Market is shaping up so far this year. For this analysis, I used year-to-date data and I broke the Alamo market into five parts in increments of roughly $500,000. What I found is quite interesting. For Alamo as a whole, inventory is incredibly low. As of this writing we have only 62 homes listed for sale. Twenty-seven homes are listed as pending. One of these homes, incredibly, fits into the price band from $0-$499,000. This is by definition, a hot market. In the next price band $500,000 to $999,999, seven units have sold. On average they sold in 28 days, at a price of $813,429, were 1,673 square feet in size, and sold for $486 per square foot. Only one month of inventory remains. It’s definitely a hot market. From $1,000,000 to $1,499,000, 24 units have sold. On average they sold in 26 days for $1,291,349, were 2,436 square feet in size, and sold for $530 per square foot. Remaining inventory will last for 1.5 months in this hot market. Incidentally, a month ago, Nancy and I obtained more than $800 per square foot for one of our clients in this price range. The property was a little over 1,700 sq. ft. In the next price band $1,500,000 to $1,999,000, nine units have sold. On average, the properties that did sell, sold in 22 days, at a $1,563,611, were 3,165 square feet in size and sold for $494 per square foot. Nine months of inventory in this price range remains. This is a cool market. From $2,000,000 to $2,499,000 five units have sold in an average of 91 days, at an average price of $2,194,200. They averaged 4,524 square feet in size and sold for $485 per square foot. Remaining inventory will last for nine months in this cold market. In the top tier price range from $2,500,000 and up five properties have sold. Those sold averaged 24 days-on-market, and a price of $3,458,800. These large properties were on average, 5,336 square feet in size and sold for $543 per square foot. The current inventory level for these pricey homes stands at 16 months. This market is cold. In looking at the market, from this perspective it is pretty clear that buyers are being very selective in purchasing properties priced from $1.5 million and up as only 19 have

sold compared to 31 in the lower price points. That said, it appears that buyers move relatively quickly when a property is found with a perceived value equal to its price range. With the exception of the $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 price range, most properties are selling on average, in less than a month. This suggests that buyers whom can afford to pay this much, are choosing not to spend the money, or perhaps the $2,000,000 price tag has become a huge mental barrier as was the $1,000,000 mark 20 years ago. What all this tells us is that pricing properly will still yield a very fast sale. It also tells us that if a home isn’t sold within the first month, it’s very likely that the property is not priced properly and the offer price should be carefully re-examined against its peers that have sold. This examination should be multi-dimensional and not just include price per square foot, which can be misleading. For the remainder of the year, I would expect that the hottest parts of the Alamo market will remain hot. This will most likely continue until inventory builds to more normal levels of 3-6 months. I suspect one of two things will happen in the coldest parts of the Alamo market, the high end properties. Either sellers will make intelligent price changes or they will begin withdrawing their properties from the market. 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 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 Home Sales YTD April 2015 Price Range Active Pending Solds D.O.M $0-$499,000 0 1 0 0 $.5mm-$999,000 2 7 7 28 $1mm- $1.499mm 9 8 24 26 $1.5mm-$1.999mm 20 7 9 22 $2mm -$2499mm 11 1 5 91 $2.5mm & Up 20 3 5 24 * Number of months required to consume current inventory

Alamo Condo

IN D N E

Avg. Sold Price Avg. Size $ $ 813,429 1,673 $ 1,291,349 2,436 $ 1,563,611 3,165 $ 2,194,200 4,524 $ 3,458,800 5,336

$ Per Sq. Ft. Inventory* $ 0 $ 486 1 $ 530 1.5 $ 494 9 $ 485 9 $ 543 16

Alamo View Home

IN D N E

Updated 2 bedroom 1.5 bath condo in downtown Alamo. Walk to Starbucks.Priced to sell at $499,000

Stunning views from this highly upgraded 4 bedroom 3.5 bath view home. Priced to Sell at $1,499,000.

Blackhawk, Saddle Back Estate Home

Alamo, Whitegate Single Story

Alamo, Vineyard Estate

Private custom retreat on 2.27 Acres. 5 bedroom. Views! Soaring ceilings chef’s kitchen, large master bedroom suite. Priced to Sell at $2,650,000.

Stunning Mediterranean single story on nearly an acre. 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,946 square feet. Price to sell $1,435,000.

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 $1,785,000.

Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

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