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November 2015 White Pony Express: Closing the Gap Between Waste and Want By Jody Morgan
White Pony Express (WPE) was founded in 2013 to close the gap between food wasted on a daily basis and the growing number of Contra Costa residents struggling to survive on insufficient rations. The all-volunteer organization has rescued over two million pounds of comestibles including meat, dairy, fresh produce, and prepared products and distributed them to individuals for whom most of these items were previously unattainable. Recognizing additional needs of the population they serve, WPE added a Free General Store in 2014 using Mobile Boutiques to make new and gently used clothing, toys, and children’s books accessible to clients unable to reach conventional donation centers. By providing retailers happy to give with a cost-free, dependable method for delivery to those in need, WPE has earned the gratitude of both donors and Ken and Toni Hastings check products going to their first morning delivery. recipients. Officially established on September 22, 2013, WPE began with founder Carol Weyland Conner’s realization that providing transportation free of charge was the key to connecting local retailers whose excess food often went to waste with Contra Costa County organizations serving those in need. When first approached, organizations were cautiously enthused. They wondered how an all-volunteer start-up with no paid employees could make this vision work. Executive Director Gary Conner smiles as he recalls overhearing conversations expressing amazement as WPE exceeded expectations, collecting food seven days a week and getting it to end users within two hours of pick-up, as promised. How was this possible? Conner explains, “When we opened our hands in generosity, generosity poured in to us. A faith group provided space and paid the utility bills. Volunteers donated a computer and printer. Loaves and Fishes donated a commercial refrigerator and freezer. A volunteer gave us money to buy a refrigerated van.” In two years time, non-profit WPE has grown exponentially. The 400 regular volunteers supported by 100+ donors deliver almost 5,000 pounds of nutritious food per day to 50+ organizations throughout Contra Costa County serving shelters, people with disabilities, recovery centers, food pantries, and cooking classes for low-income students. As of October 1, 2015, the Free General Store had held 30 Mobile Boutiques, distributing 80,000 items of clothing and 40,000 toys, books and games all free of charge. The latest boutique held at Monument Impact Health Fair on October 3rd gave out 5,400 articles of apparel and 3,500 toys and books. Daily distributions of clothing as well as food keep statistics a moving target.
Serving Alamo and Diablo Alamo Tree Lighting Festival Sunday, November 22nd ~ 4:30pm-6:30pm
The Community Foundation of Alamo will present the 2015 Alamo Tree Lighting Festival beginning at 4:30pm on Sunday, November 22. The festival signals the beginning of the Christmas holiday season for all to share an evening of caroling, entertainment, beverages, and crafts. “Guests are urged to come early and stay late,” said the organizers. Students from local schools, elementary through high school, will be performing. Of course, Santa will make his annual appearance and hear what the dreams and wishes are for this Christmas! There will also be light treats and beverages provided by local restaurants as well as local civic groups. The Tri-Valley Choral Group will open the signing portion of the event and then be roaming with the crowd, singing for everyone throughout the evening. A small group will also sing while
See Festival continued on page 29
San Ramon Chronicles: Stories of Bygone Days Beverly Lane’s Latest Valley History Book By Jody Morgan
Beverly Lane, currently Curator of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, adds a new book to her work on Valley history with the release this fall by The History Press of San Ramon Chronicles: Stories of Bygone Days. The text begins by touching briefly on life in the shadow of Mount Diablo before California was ceded to the United States in 1848 at the conclusion of the war with Mexico, just as the Gold Rush began. Continuing to detail the development of San Ramon from a sparsely populated village to a city of some 75,000 inhabitants, Lane’s latest book is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered who the early Backed by the Museum of the San settlers were whose names are commemorated Ramon Valley's display, Beverly Lane on contemporary street signs, what happened introduces San Ramon Chronicles. to the original village center, or how plans to give now sprawling San Ramon a cohesive identity have fared in recent years. Volume XV - Number 11 Even with numerous carefully docu3000F Danville Blvd. #117, mented historical articles to her credit Alamo, CA 94507 See White Pony continued on page 20 as well as two books and a booklet, Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Lane realized she had many more stoFax (925) 406-0547 PRSRT STD ries to tell. “After 30 years of looking U.S. Postage Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher at and researching the history of the whole PAID Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Local Valley,” she explains, “I want to share Permit 263 Sharon Burke ~ Writer Postal Customer more information which now sits quietly The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do Alamo CA necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today in file folders.” When she approached The not is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising ECRWSS
See Chronicles cont. on page 22
herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
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San Ramon Valley High School’s 37 Annual Ski, Board, and Bike Swap November 7th th
The San Ramon Valley High School Parent Teacher Student Association has been hosting a community-wide ski and snowboard swap for over 37 years, and this is the second year the event will include bikes. This year the event takes place on November 7th, from 10am to 4pm. Admission is $5, and children 5 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Are you interested in finding the best deals? New this year from 9am to 10am is Early Bird Admission price of $20 per adult and $20 for up to two children. SRVHS Ski, Board, and Bike swap is the largest swap in the East Bay with over $1 million in inventory brought by local residents as well as from large retailers offering goods at bargain prices. The San Ramon Valley High School gym will be filled to the brim with new and used merchandise. Come join the fun with the live broadcast from KKIQ and yummy treats from local food truck vendors. This is the second year the swap will include bikes, biking equipment, and apparel. A large inventory of new and used bikes for all ages and skill level will be on hand. Danville bike retailer 6Fifteen Cyclery will be there to help with questions and recommendations, as will Stix and Stones and members of the San Ramon Valley High School Mountain Bike Club. The Ski and Snowboard Swap is a great place to see the latest products and outfit the entire family. There is a huge selection of boards, skis, boots, helmets, and clothing, along with experts to assist you. Representatives from local ski clubs will be available to answer questions about their clubs and the sport. Retailers include Hughes Ski Hut, Nor-Ski Sports, Sports Cove, Land Park, Demo Sport, and Four Seasons. In addition, community members are invited to sell their bikes, ski and snowboard equipment and clothing on consignment. Consignment equipment check happens at SRVHS on Thursday, November 5th from 6pm-8pm and Saturday, November 7th from 7am-8:30am. Donations are accepted anytime. Please contact srvswap@gmail.com. Come to the swap and bring your friends on November th 7 . Take advantage of this great opportunity to update your bikes, ski and snowboard equipment and support the students at San Ramon Valley High School. Directions to SRVHS: Highway 680 to Danville, exit El Cerro West, two blocks to Danville Blvd., turn left, and San Ramon Valley High School is one block on the right. For more information, visit http://skiboardbikeswap.com.
Kiwanis Fall Food & Turkey Drive
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley is teaming team up with NBC Bay Area and Safeway Grocery Stores for the club’s annual Fall Food and Turkey Drive to be held on Saturday, November 21st. The group along with help from some 30 volunteers from Key Clubs, family, friends, and members of the National Charity League, will be outside Safeway stores in Alamo, Blackhawk, San Ramon, and Dougherty Valley from 10am to 4pm collecting $10 for each grocery bag provided by Safeway. The bags of groceries will be delivered to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties located in Concord. Our goal is to help fill all local food banks so that no child or family will need to go hungry this holiday season. Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday from noon to 1:30PM at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. The meeting includes networking, lunch, and a guest speaker. Additional information may be obtained on their website www.kiwanis-srv.org.
Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club
Are you new to the area, a long time resident, newly retired, or an empty-nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club is a women’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www. alamodanvillenewcomers.com. Our next new member Wine and Cheese Social will be held December 1st from 7-9PM. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
Saturday, December 5th 12pm - 2pm Join Santa and his elves for: FREE Magical Fun Pictures with Santa Street Entertainment Train Rides and More! Don’t forget to bring your camera!
RSVP to (800) 762-1641 for a FREE Gift!* *While supplies last.
SRVGenealogical Society
You are invited to attend the free November 17th meeting of the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society from 10AM-noon at the library of the LDS Church, located at 2949 Stone Valley Road in Alamo. The program for this meeting will be about German Research and will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. For information, call Ed O’Donnell at (925) 310-4691, visit http://srvgensoc.org, or e-mail SRVGS@SRVGenSoc.org.
www.AlamoPlazaShoppingCenter.com
Located at Danville Blvd. and Stone Valley Road.
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 3
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Boulevard View
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
The other day I traveled to the South Bay to visit my 98 year old grandmother who is living in a senior center. Upon entering the building I was lured down the hall by a booming and jolly voice. I followed the voice to a room where I found 3040 seniors (including grandma!) in a lively game of bingo led by a man with a name tag that read “Victor.” From the moment I stepped into the room I could tell Victor loved his job. He loved where he worked, and the people he interacted with loved him. Victor kept the bingo action going and the crowd engaged. With the almost rapid speed of an auctioneer he called out the bingo numbers. I was amazed at how well grandma kept up with his pace! I noticed that Victor appeared to have genuine care and interaction with everyone in the room. He knew all of the bingo players by name and had a connection with each. It seemed to me he naturally made everyone feel special and important. As he interacted with the players, he looked them directly in the eye and sometimes gave them a sweet touch on the back. As the players got to the last rounds of the game, Victor switched up the game so there were winners as each ball was drawn. He had individual players pick out a ball from a basket and each time said, “Pick a number and I hope it is yours!” The facility is lucky to have such an individual in such an important role. Victor stood out and captivated my attention, and I’ve pondered what characteristic made such an impact to me. Was it his voice? Was it that he seemed extremely gregarious? Was it the way he interacted with everyone? Was it that it seemed the right person was in the right job? Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” If I asked Victor I don’t think he would say he was working. The environment and human interaction seemed to fit like a glove to his personality. Media legend Oprah Winfrey noted, “How do I define success? Let me
tell you, money’s pretty nice. But having a lot of money does not automatically make you a successful person. What you want is money and meaning. You want your work to be meaningful, because meaning is what brings the real richness to your life.” As I mentor and interact with several recent college graduates discussing ideas for what is next for them in their lives, I try to find out “what floats their boat,” what is their passion. Are they looking to make a fortune? Do they want to sit at a desk or computer all day? How important is human interaction? If they like working with people, do they prefer face-to-face or via the phone? Do they want to invent and create? Do they want to live locally, move, or travel the world? Do they want to work in an office or in the out-of-doors? Do they crave trade skills and like to work with their hands? While students graduate with a degree or trade, a lot of times there is a big unknown as to what the next step will be. There are so many choices available for how to spend time, how to build careers, how to give back to others, and how to give our lives meaning. I feel that Victor exemplified being the right person for the right job. While I had wanted to personally share my observations with him and thank him for being a part of grandmas life, he had disappeared by the time I went to introduce myself to him (but, I will be sure he gets a copy of this issue to let him know the impact my observations had). When you do things you love -- whether it’s work, fun activities, or spending time with friends and family -- you attract more of that into your life. I hope the upcoming holidays bring you the opportunity to do the things you love with the people you love to be with.
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Page 4 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Alamo ~ Alamo Oaks Country. Acre, new horse stalls. Perfect! Just what you’ve been looking for! Great Views, Custom rebuilt with NEW Gourmet kitchen with Granite, Wolf Range and more. New baths featuring jetting tub, steam shower, hardwood, large windows, skylights, TWO family rooms. This Fabulous 4 bdrm, 3 bath home is essentially new! $1,998,000
Alamo ~ Ancient Oaks, private estate setting at top of it all. Amazing appeal! Vintage one level home, plus EXTRA LOT. RARE OPPORTUNITY to live in existing Vintage home and develop the adjacent home site. Spectacular, Panoramic views to Mt. Diablo, Las Trampas Ridge and beyond. One of a kind. $1,895,000
Jay Weymouth ~ 925.915.1100 jayweymouth@yahoo.com
332 Alamo Square, Alamo ~ Tranquil Views of the Tree Lined Creek from this Single Level 3 bdrm, 2 bath End Unit! This West Side Alamo Townhouse sits in a Gated community for Ultimate Privacy and Seclusion. Expansive Deck with Creekside Location and Lots of Windows to Enjoy the Views. Remodeled Kitchen with Granite Countertops and Stainless Appliances. Guest Bedroom with Deck Access and Views. Approximately 1639 sq. ft. Inside Laundry & 2 Car Detached Garage. Close to Iron Horse Trail, Shopping, Freeway Access and More! HOA is $415 per month., Includes Pool! This one won't last! $699,000 Don Magalhaes ~ 925.242.8999 donmagalhaes@gmail.com
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 5
Danville ~ 2 Acre Horse Property located minutes to downtown Danville and Walnut Creek Bart station. This property includes a 4 stall lighted barn with paddocks, wash room, and tack room plus riding arena and pasture. The 4 bedroom 3 bath home has expansive views of the hills. There is an eat-in remodeled kitchen with top of the line appliances & French doors to the deck. A great room includes a cozy fireplace. Additional 345 sq. ft. Multi purpose room is attached to the 2 car garage. Listed at #1,750,000 Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com
Danville ~ New to market wonderful single story 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home with remodeled kitchen and gorgeous hardwood floors. Vaulted ceilings give an expansive feel. Private backyard includes a large pool plus grass area. This home has great access to Walnut Creek Bart as well as walk to downtown Danville. Listed at $1,149,000 Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 gretchenbryce@msn.com
Moraga ~ Single Family Home in a Desirable Moraga Neighborhood. Open Floor Plan with Spacious Living Area and an Abundance of Natural Light. Large Living Room with Wood Burning Fireplace and Large Windows Overlooking the Front Yard. Master has Large Stall Shower, Sliding Glass Doors & Views of Pool and Walk in Closet. Tranquil Backyard Setting. $949,950 Tim Palumbo Russ Darby
~ ~
925.943.3332 925.362.0460
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Page 6 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
COLDWELL BANKER TOP 1% !
Sold by the COPLAND GROUP
DON AND TRUDI COPLAND KELLY COPLAND
CalBRE # 0 0519020 & 0 0888473 CalBRE # 0 1376412
925-‐‑362-‐‑2282 www.CoplandGroup.com
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Check out our “coming soon” properties online!
Here’s what our customers are saying…
"Extremely knowledgeable, competent, thorough, organized, professional and, of course, fun! Hands down the best agent team we have ever worked with. “ ⎯ 2479 Roundhill Drive (Sellers) "The Coplands are what every buyer hopes they are getting when they set out to purchase a home, a Five Star Realtor Concierge Team. At every step they wereoftop communicators demonstrating their commanding knowledge of East Bay real estate. “Friends thenotch Blackhawk Museums” I recommend them without reservation to both buyers and sellers. " ⎯ 29 Tam O Shanter (Buyer) Present David Behring, Guest Speaker
“Battlefields and Memorials-Why We Need Them!”
Friends of Blackhawk Museums David Behring is President of the Wheelchair Foundation and former President of
the Seattle Seahawks. He also served as Board Member of the Smithsonian Presents David Behring Discussing Battlefields and Memorials Institution’s Natural Museum of American History and is leader in many local and Why We Need Them organizations including the All Wars Memorial. He graduated from Princeton
University with a History major andFoundation holds a Law Degree from the President University of David Behring, President of the Wheelchair and former Miami. David has been married for 25 years to his wife, Lisa. They two of the Seattle Seahawks will host a presentation at the Blackhawk Museumshave Auto children, Stephanie and Christopher. Dining Room to discuss “Battlefields and Memorials and Why We Need Them.” David has served as Board Member of the Smithsonian Institution’s All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park in Danville Normandy, France Gettysburg Natural Museum of American History and is leader in many local organizations Museums-Auto Dining Room including the All Wars Memorial.Blackhawk He graduated from Princeton University with a History major and holds Law Degree University Miami. 3700aBlackhawk Circle from Plaza, the Danville, Californiaof (925) 736-2280 th . Social time will The presentation will be held Wednesday, November 11 Wednesday, November 11, 2015 be held from 10-10:30AM, and the program runs 10:30-11:30AM. Social: 10-10:30a.m. (Refreshment) Program: 10:30-11:30a.m. Members and their guests are free. Non-Members are charged $15 at the door. Members and their guests free.Blackhawk Non-Members, $15 atPlaza, the door. The Blackhawk Museum is located at are 3700 Circle in Danville. For information, call (925) 736-2280. Become a Museum Member Today!
FREE Gift With Purchase! Purchase 100.00 or more of Spartina Handbags, Jewelry or Accessories and receive a FREE Spartina Gift! Walnut Creek, Broadway Plaza Danville, The Livery MADISON Next to McCaulou’s, Lafayette
Presents Special Guest Chef Tanya Holland of 5PM
Join us at The Kitchen for a Cooking Demonstration and Brown Sugar Kitchen book signing (book must be purchased in-store). $55/person. Call 925-837-2420 to reserve your spot.
Alamo Ace Hardware |3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo | 925-837-2420 www.AlamoHardware.com
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 7
Blue Star Moms
On November 9 the Blue Star Moms will hold their Tips for the Troops fundraiser dinner at Gianni’s Restaurant, 2065 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon. All tips and a percentage of the checks will go to Blue Star Moms East Bay Chapter 101, so TIP BIG! Funds raised will go towards postage for the group’s Hugs for the Holidays care package mailing and for their annual Gold Star Parents (those who have lost a son or daughter while serving) event. A raffle will also be held. Reservations are available from 5 - 8:30PM. Care Package donation drop off for Hugs for the Holidays care package mailing will be held on November 21 from 10AM to 3PM at the Danville Veterans Memorial building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Visit www.bluestarmoms.org for a list of items requested.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 75, San Ramon Valley, meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building, located at 400 Hartz Ave., Danville, on the corner at East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue. Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. The next meeting will be held November 18th. For more information, contact Post Commander Ernie Petagara at (925) 362-9806 or visit www.vfwpost75.org.
Treats for the Troops
Delta Nu Psi is collecting “gourmet junk food” to send to our servicemen and women in Afghanistan. The group will continue sending packages as long as American military members are in the War Zone. Much of the food sent is not normally available to the troops. So far Delta Nu Psi has sent 1,346 boxes weighing a total 32,491 pounds to the troops. On November 6th Delta Nu Psi members will be at CVS Pharmacy in Alamo, and on November 13th they will be at Lunardi’s in Danville. Collections will be held from 11am to 2pm both days, rain or shine. If you or your child would like to create a greeting card for one of the troops with perhaps a drawing and message, we will be glad to accept them and forward them. Money for postage is also always appreciated. Please help us provide our men and women in the War Zone a touch of home. For more information, visit www.deltanupsi.org. DE
The Cox Team
SI ST
Veterans to Host Open House November 7-8 “Women in the Military”
San Ramon Valley veterans will be honored at a special two day Open House in Danville just prior to Veterans Day. Everyone is invited to this “do-it-yourself museum” event. The day promises to be an engaging and educational experience for young and old. The expansive exhibit will include uniformed mannequins, military memorabilia, hands-on communication gear, historic posters and lithographs, patch collections, propaganda leaflets, and photos. Also, artwork by women veterans will be on display. A varied collection of military vehicles will be positioned outside the building. Guests will have the opportunity to climb into the pilot’s seat of the cockpit of an F-8 Crusader jet from the USS Hornet and handle the controls. “Women in the Military” is this year’s theme which provides an opportunity to acknowledge women veterans for their service. The highlight of the weekend will be a panel discussion by women veterans starting at 1PM on Saturday with special emphasis on illustrating the many diverse ways women are serving our military throughout the world. There will be live entertainment with a musical performance by the Swingin’ Blue Stars of the USS Hornet from 10:30AM to 12:30PM on Saturday. Admission is free. The Veterans Memorial Building is located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Event hours are 9AM to 4PM on Saturday, November 7 and 10AM to 3PM on Sunday, November 8. For more information, e-mail curator@vmbsrv.org or call (925) 362-9806.
AAUW Presents Simplify Your Life
The San Ramon’s branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) proudly presents, “Simplify Your Life” with professional organizer, Joy Perkins on Saturday, November 21st from 10am to noon at the San Ramon Community Center, located at 12501 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon. Come learn some easy ways to simplify your life. Joy’s company, Omnibus Organizing, has tackled everything from an 850 sq. ft. loft in San Francisco to a $20 million dollar home in Atherton. Joy will share concrete steps you can take to improve your organization at home, including available local resources, record keeping, decluttering, and keeping organized skills. Invite a friend or neighbor, and find out how you can improve your own life! The program is FREE and open to the public. For questions, please contact chrisburchik@comcast.net.
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R E A L E S TAT E
Pat Cox 199 Whispering Trees Lane, Danville
TheCoxTeam.com Pat Cox
925.963.6404 License# 00635222
Spectacular Estate Home situated on .88 acre flat lot with a well for irrigation & solar energy! Nana doors open to the loggia which overlook parklike grounds. Built in 2007, with 5 plus bedrooms (~6400 sqft), this home features hardwood & travertine flooring, dramatic ceilings, fabulous kitchen, grand master suite & incredible finishes throughout! Offered at $3,299,000 LD
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Kevin Cox 925.989.8028 License# 01257809 Shiloh Hagen 925.997.3285 Licence# 01358726
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Wendy Cox-Hagen 925.997.0923
526 Justin Morgan Drive, Alamo DANVILLE 601 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD. W., DANVILLE
4BR/office/3.5BA Branagh home with hardwood floors, plantation shutters, custom window shades & French doors. Fine finishes throughout! Private yard with extensive patio, builtin barbecue, fireplace, pool & spa. Offered at $1,788,000
32 Lancaster Court, Alamo
4BR/2.5BA Stonegate home with 1st floor master bedroom, volume ceilings, freshly painted exterior in a gated community. Mature trees, pool, spa & gorgeous views. Serene setting! Offered at $1,295,000
Page 8 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Rancho Romero Elementary School Protecting our Kids from Bullies
By Skye Larsh-Faraghan, Principal
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Bullies are not new. The difference in this day and age is that kids may not be able to escape simply by going home. Social media is everywhere. New technology allows bullies to stalk their victims, giving them no time to tune out or take solace in a safe environment. CBS Money Watch published an article called “8 ways to protect kids from bullies,” giving excellent advice for parents and educators in an increasingly digital environment, including elementary school Gopher/Mole Removal age. Suggestions include the following: No Poison 1. Beware of bad neighborhoods: Cyberspace is full of dangerous places, including Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Monitor and maintain unlimited parental access, and know who and what your child is doing. 925-765-4209 2. Put up fences: Visit Internetsafety.com. Install SafetyWeb or SocialShield to block access to inappropriate content. 3. Spy: If you suspect your child is sneaking around on the web, buy software to gain access, such as SpectorSoft. 4. Collect the cell: Late-night cell messages can not only bully kids, they can keep them awake. 5. Go public: Put your computers and/or set rules that all devices must be used in a common area. 6. Talk: Parents have a good sense of when things are not right. Trust your gut. 7. Emphasize character: What if you suspect your child could be the bully? Spell out rules of acceptable behavior - both online and in person. Kids will often do things online that they’d never do in person. 8. Be the bad guy: Don’t hesitate to be the “unpopular” parent. Being involved is the right thing to do. The San Ramon Valley Unified School District has called into action protecting our children’s safety and privacy through direct and explicit teaching and learning. With the support of district technology directors and curriculum coaches, community partnerships, teachers, and parents, Rancho Romero has launched several proactive approaches to addressing bullying, digital citizenship and character development. Digital citizenship is the way of appropriate, responsible technology use. Students in grades K-3 are learning how to go to places on the internet safely. Grades 4-5 are learning about 8 responsibilities of good citizens. The curriculum comes from Commonsensemedia. org. Matt Graham, Rancho Romero’s site instructional technology teacher and Nick Zefeldt, district specialist, provide teachers with tools, strategies, and lessons. A parent education night will take place in November/December aimed at taking charge If you find her and your name is drawn! of digital footprints. Safety, exposure, and different sites/apps will be key topics. All community members are welcome and can access additional information on the Alamo Zoe has become lost in this paper... Rancho Romero webpage at https://rres-srvusd-ca.schoolloop.com. th th Search through Alamo Today and see if you can find her! Empower Project is a new program being launched with 4 and 5 grade students in She is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find her. November. This program is an extension of the district’s 21st Century Healthy Literacy th th To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found her, Programs, offered through the Discovery Counseling Center. All 4 and 5 grade stualong with your name and address, to: dents are supported in working through everyday challenges and stresses, especially Lost Dog! ~ Alamo Today with peer relationships. Students are given alternatives for more positive behaviors and 3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507 guided to understand different forms of aggression. The program supports students by educating them about relational behaviors and bullying: how it hurts, why it happens, ways to cope, and the assurance that these behaviors can be changed. Speak Up Be Safe is being piloted in ten schools across the district, including Rancho, beginning in January 2016. Speak Up Be Safe is a research based, comprehensive primary prevention education curriculum that equips children in Grades 1-6 and their adult community with skills they need to play a significant role 11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be in the prevention or interruption of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and neglect. The school based curriculum utilizes Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your web-based tools, focusing on building self-esteem and safety Home for Sale skills within the child, to include addressing today’s societal risks children encounter everyday such as internet and cell phone safety. Alamo - According to industry experts, away altogether. In most cases, you can Staying ahead of dangerous situations, places and people there are over 33 physical problems that make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself has never been more important and challenging. We are gratewill come under scrutiny during a home if you know what you're looking for, and ful for our educational partners, teachers, specialists, and staff. inspection when your home is for sale. knowing what you're looking for can help Together, we are making a difference to all of our children. A new report has been prepared which you prevent little problems from growing Role Players Ensemble presents identifies the 11 most common of these into costly and unmanageable ones. problems, and what you should know about To help home sellers deal with this issue Leading Ladies them before you list your home for sale. before their homes are listed, a free report Role Players Ensemble presents Leading Ladies by Whether you own an old home or a brand entitled "11Things You Need to Know to Ken Ludwig October 30 – November 15 with showings on new one, there are a number of things Pass Your Home Inspection" has been Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM and on Sundays at PM that can fall short of requirements during a compiled which explains the issues involved. 2 . The play, directed by Scott Fryer, will be held at The home inspection. 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If you wait until the 7 days a week. author of Lend Me a Tenor, is one part Shakespeare, two parts Some Like it Hot and full of laughs from beginning to end. building inspector flags these issues for Get your free special report NOW to learn Tickets are $20-28 and can be purchased online at www. you, you will almost certainly experience how to ensure a home inspection doesn't RolePlayersEnsemble.com; at Danville Community Center, costly delays in the close of your home cost you the sale of your home. 420 Front St, Danville; or by calling (925) 314-3400 sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers For more information, visit www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com. This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors CalBRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2015
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Helping Preschoolers Learn Conflict Resolution
By Giovana Merritt, Meadowlark Preschool
One of the most rewarding things about working with 3 and 4 year-olds is having the privilege of witnessing first friendships develop. Friends build together, look at books together, ride bikes together, and play imaginary roles together. It seems like they agree on everything… until they don’t. Inevitably, relationships will have conflict. This can be looked at as a problem or as an opportunity for growth in a child’s social and emotional development. By giving children tools to use when conflicts arise, we can help them to find peaceful solutions to problems, gifting them with the skills necessary for healthy relationships with their family, their friends and later, their co-workers. Sharing and turn-taking are two typical causes of conflict among preschoolers. There is an underlying explanation for this. Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development suggests that children at this age are in the preoperational stage of development with a defining characteristic of egocentrism. It’s important to understand that developmentally, 3’s and 4’s are not consistently or fully capable of taking another person’s point of view. That being said, these are some tools that can support them as they navigate through these early friendships. •Expose your child to different ideas (cultures, lifestyles, ways of thinking) so that they understand that people have different ideas and that that’s okay. Different doesn’t mean wrong. •Help your child to recognize feelings. Read books about feelings and model your own feelings: “I felt so frustrated with all of the traffic on the road today.” You can also help a young child by labeling their feelings. “You seem angry” or “You’re disappointed that we had to leave the park” can help them put words to their feelings until they are able to recognize and verbalize them on their own. You may notice them visibly relax simply because they know that you understand
Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 9
how they feel. • Teach them the phrase “May I have a turn when you’re done?” As stated earlier, sharing and turn taking can be challenging for preschoolers. When they use this phrase, they are asking for what they want in a respectful way. The other child understands that someone else wants what they have, but they also understand that they get to finish their turn. Children are so much more willing to hand a toy over if they have not been forced to do so. Trust that with some initial support, children are quite capable of resolving conflicts. It’s easy for an adult to jump into a conflict and “fix things.” “You’ve had it for five minutes, so it’s her turn now.” That may work for the moment, but that child has missed the opportunity to try to work things out on their own. Try saying, “What’s happening?” and then really listen to their answers and respond to their feelings. Follow up with “What can we do about it? Do you have any ideas?” Reflecting their feelings and letting them know you’re actively listening is most often all that they need before generating creative ideas that will work for both parties. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of a child feeling wronged. You can encourage your child to say what they feel: “I didn’t like it when you knocked over my blocks.” To say that the ability to communicate feelings, needs and wants and the confidence to do so is important for young children is an understatement. It is one of the most important components in being able to solve a problem. Perhaps the most important thing we can do as educators and parents is to embrace problems as opportunities for children to grow. At Meadowlark Preschool, we are a problem solving school because we know that a tremendous amount of learning and bonding can occur when people work together to solve problems. Meadowlark Preschool in Alamo is a small developmental preschool and pre-K that fosters learning and independent thinking through hands on experiences in all areas of S.T.E.M., early literacy, creative arts, motor skills social skills, and small group time. We have one classroom with a small student/teacher ratio of 6:1. Giovana Merritt is the owner and one of the teachers. She would love to Advertorial give you a tour. 925-588-1059.
Page 10 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Alamo Elementary School By Stan Hitomi, Principal
My, how time has flown! It seems like we were just getting started, and now we find ourselves heading into the holiday season. We put in a very productive month of October at Alamo School. It was a month that showcased how many, and how important, our volunteers are to our school. First, I’d like to thank Leslie Bates-Wellsfry, Monika Corr, and Angie Barta for coordinating Alamo School’s participation in this year’s Run for Education. With 301 registered runners and an 80% participation rate, Alamo School was the Top Performing School in the district for the fourth year in a row! We believe that’s a record. Our Annual PTA Fall Book Fair was held October 16-23. The Book Fair is always one of the most popular events of the year for our students. Thank you to Jo Stratton and Lynn Veit who coordinated the event. This year’s Fall Book Fair included our annual Family Social Night, including desserts, Bingo, and an early chance to shop at the Book Fair. Thank you to Amy Silver and Marianne Gutierrez for organizing this fun event. I would also like to thank Gavin Iribarren, William Kimber, and Brennan Finder, Alamo School alumni who returned to serve as Bingo callers. Our latest Family Reading Night was a hit and we had a full house for Spooky Stories! Thanks to all our wonderful readers: Kathleen Herrmann, Jennie Lee, Bryer Veach, Laura Hillebrandt, and Pete Roehm! Our next Family Reading Night is Tuesday, January 19th from 6:30-7:30pm. The theme will be Multicultural Stories. Thank you to Karen Hoskins for leading the Family Reading Night program. We celebrated Red Ribbon Week the week of October 26th. Each year all of our local schools participate to help children gain an awareness of making healthy choices. Thank you to Lobi Powell (PTA) for coordinating activities for the week and our local Cub Scouts from Pack 53 for decorating our campus with Red Ribbons in celebration. Congratulations to the winner of the Directory Cover Contest – Ava Summers (4th grade). This year’s theme was “Alamo School: Caring for Our Earth,” and her artwork is featured on the front cover of the Alamo School Directory. First runner up was Tyler Inocencio (5th grade) and Marlena Hansen, Haley Blackman, Shira Weiss-Ishai and Erin Yang received Honorable Mention. All of their artwork appears inside the directory. Thank you to all the wonderful Alamo artists who participated. Kudos to Krista Ciapponi and Rosanna Lai for putting together our 2015-16 Alamo School Directory. To round out the month of October, we completed our month-long collection of Box Tops for Education. Kristi Fox (EdFund) coordinated the drive that raised over $300 for new recess equipment. We are fortunate to have such an involved community at our school. Those mentioned are just a few of the many along with our teachers, para-educators, and support staff who volunteer every day by the dozens at Alamo School. Thank You for making Alamo School a special place for our children.
Coming Up
November 5 Street Smarts - Bike Rodeo, 3 – 4PM November 12 PTA Parent Education – George Papageorge, 7PM “ How Kids are Wired: Understanding the Inner Life of our Kids”
Ruth Bancroft Garden Member and Friends Party
You don’t have to miss out on the fun even if you can’t make the party. Bids for desirable auction items like a Napa Valley Wine Country Getaway and a “Chef’s Table” Dinner for six at Prima can be made online. Sign-up parties for special occasions from an old-fashioned pig roast for 36 to a Croquet Party on Ruth Bancroft’s private property limited to 12 can also be acquired online. But the major event happens on Sunday, November 8th at the Pleasant Hill Community Center beginning at 5:30pm with cocktails, wine tasting, a silent auction and a Moroccan buffet followed by a live auction and dessert. Last call for reservations at $75 per person is November 5th (but it never hurts to check on last-minute options). Call 925-944-9352 to reserve your place. The full menu, online auction items, and special event sign up parties is available at www.ruthbancroftgarden.org. Click on events and then Annual Member and Friends Party.
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San Ramon Valley High School Stress and Learning By Ruth Steele, Principal
One of the over-arching goals at SRVHS is to reduce student stress. Our work with Stanford University through the Challenge Success program focuses on creating a school side climate with this purpose in mind. But it is a complicated endeavor - there are a long list of things that cause our teenagers to struggle such as lack of sleep, work load, extra-curricular activities, diet/weight issues, self-image, anxiety, low self-esteem, peer pressure, divorce, parents, friends, peer pressure, college entrance, confidence, driving, clothing choices, gender identity, depression, drug use, athletics...the list goes on and on. When teens are stressed, their bodies release cortisol, a stress hormone. Other hormones like dopamine and epinephrine are also released which push the body into a “fight or flight” state. This is NOT conducive to learning. Imagine trying to learn your multiplication tables while being chased by a bear! Stress also affects memory and the functioning of the pre-frontal cortex. Stress pathways short circuit reasoning, memory and executive functioning which compound the difficulties being faced by students under stress. Consequently, teenagers under stress struggle to stay organized, focused, and to make good choices. We, as educators, need to focus on classroom strategies that help to minimize student stress. Finding ways to make the classroom a safe place to learn and where making mistakes is okay is crucial. Resilience and grit (perseverance and fortitude) are two of the most important characteristics that teachers can focus on. These attributes will help students to overcome the effect of the stressors they face outside the classroom, and this in turn helps them to be successful inside the classroom. Parents have a significant responsibility in this arena as well - but there is plenty of research to indicate that the work done inside the classroom can trump the stressors outside the classroom. As we continue to focus on this area, we will be focusing on strategies that help students to be productive regardless of their struggles. This is critical - when students struggle inside the classroom, this exacerbates any challenges that they might have outside the classroom. November 7th is the PTSA Ski, Snow Board, and Bicycle swap. Please support this fundraiser, and buy your winter season gear as we look forward to some snow this year!
Monte Vista High School By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
One of the great things about being in education is having the opportunity to be a part of a variety of student events. Recently, I experienced my first Homecoming Week at Monte Vista, and I was completely amazed by the high level of participation and positive spirit demonstrated by our students. If all of the weekly activities were not enough, our Homecoming Rally honored a successful Monte Vista alum, who happens to be Golden State Warriors General Manager, Bob Myers. He shared some encouraging words for our students as well as the NBA Championship Trophy. Later that evening, the Mustangs showed great character both on and off the field during our game with Foothill. Although the outcome of the game did not play out in our favor, our fans and players showed a lot of class throughout. The Homecoming Dance proved to be a great finish to the week. Our leadership class put together an event that included two dance floors, food trucks, and a great venue for our celebration. Hats off to our Activities Director, Andrea Greco, and her team of leadership students. I would also like to thank the members of our school community; teachers, administrators, parents, and support staff; who provided supervision and support throughout all of these events. From the dress-up days, to the lip-synch contest, to the dance, our Homecoming was truly a success. Mustang Athletics continue to run rampant through the EBAL. Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Water Polo, and Men’s / Women’s Cross Country are undefeated in league play. Tennis and Women’s Golf continue to dominate their opponents, and Football and Men’s Water Polo are pushing hard for the playoffs. Monte Vista will making their final drives for the post-season against their local rivals. I encourage everyone to come out and support these hard working student athletes. Our Arts programs have also been busy. The Monte Vista Band and Drum Line showed off their stuff at our Homecoming Rally and Game, and Monte Vista’s Choir provided our community with an amazing concert that featured numerous student groups performing a wide variety of vocal music. I encourage you to come and see these young artists as they display their talents on the stage. Monte Vista’s Dance Program will provide our next visual and performing arts production the first week in November. Among many great student activities slated for November, we will have the chance to finally show off our newly renovated Large Gym. I encourage you to come by and take a look.
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 11
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Stone Valley Middle School By Jon Campopiano, Principal
A lot is happening at Stone Valley! Here’s what’s been happening over the past three weeks. • We have collected over 50 Halloween costumes for our sister school in Richmond. • Staff has participated in dynamic professional development. • We had a “pink out” day to raise awareness for breast cancer. • We have raised over $500 for Coins for Cure to help fight diabetes. • We are in the midst of a backpack drive to benefit children in need. • Classroom portables have begun arriving as our construction project hits full stride. • We have launched a new Stone Valley Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Stone-ValleyMiddle-School-1029402600445825/timeline/ • We have continued to develop relationships, and rigorous and relevant learning experiences to ensure that ALL Stone Valley students are successful. If you are not visiting our website http://stonevalley.schoolloop.com or following us on Twitter @ stonevalleyms, please do so. With your support, students and staff will continue to thrive at Stone Valley.
Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley
Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. The group has monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, bocce ball, bridge, computers, and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. The group’s next monthly luncheon is on Wednesday, November 18th at 11AM. A fee of $23 includes luncheon, speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. The November guest speaker will be Fox Channel 2 broadcasting personality Frank Somerville. Mr. Somerville will likely share his considerable experience in news broadcasting along with several humorous and personal anecdotal experiences such as flying with the Navy Blue Angels, riding with Mario Andretti in his racing car, and his love of hockey. There will be ample time for questions & answers, and you are sure to enjoy Frank. To reserve a space, please email the club by Thursday, November 12th at info@sir128. com. The meeting will take place at San Ramon Golf Club, 9430 Fircrest Lane in San Ramon. For more information about this Retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
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Page 12 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Alamo Women’s Club
Looking to be part of Community- Celebrations- Philanthropy? The Alamo Women’s Club (AWC) has a something for you. We have book clubs, excursion groups, Mah Jongg, food groups, movie groups among other activities. And we work side by side on philanthropy projects to build a better community.
Come Have Fun with Us in November and December
On November 8 at 11am join us for a Macy’s Private Pre-Holiday Experience. This special day will include a fabulous Macy’s Fashion Show, a continental breakfast, in-store drawings for prizes, 25% Friends and Family saving pass, and exciting in-store happenings. The cost is $20 per person. Contact jeristrong@gmail. com for tickets and more information. On December 9 at 11:30am you are invited to our clubhouse to the Celebration of Life Holiday Tree Lighting in honor of Hospice. Come enjoy a buffet luncheon hosted by our members. You will be entertained by both Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley High School Choirs! You can also browse the “Sweet Boutique” where you can pick up handmade hostess gifts and baked items for your holiday parties.
Save the Date
Save the date for the 6th Annual Crab Feed fundraiser on January 16th, 2016 at the Alamo Women’s Club. This year we are partnering with the Northern California Chapter of the NFL Alumni Association. There will be the opportunity to share a table with one of the NFL football legends. The fun filed evening will also showcase an auction for fun trips, jewelry, Raiders and
49rs football packages, and golf outings with football legends. There will be plenty of alumni players to be photographed with.
Clubhouse Rental
Need a party or meeting venue? We have a recently updated bright beautiful space for you. Go to www.AlamoWomensClub. org/rentals or call (925) 322-0736 for more information.
Christmas Memories at Museum Featuring the Toy Hall of Fame
Have you ever heard of the National Toy Hall of Fame? There is such a place that exists in Rochester, New York. Some 56 famous toys have already been inducted and undoubtedly you have owned or at least played with some of them. You can see our version of the Hall of Fame during the holidays at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. For the 2015 holiday season, the Museum dips into its extensive collection to feature all 56 inducted toys. This wonderful exhibit explores how play influences human learning. The exhibit opens November 17 and runs until January 3. Of course it wouldn’t be Christmas at the Museum without the Lionel model trains which will be running. Other holiday traditions will be shared as well. Santa Claus will appear somewhere along the way, and you can celebrate with your family and friends the warm memories that bind us all together. We look forward to sharing holiday magic with you at the Museum. The Museum will be holding a special open house on Friday, November 27th from 6:30 – 8:30pm following the Danville tree lighting. Regular Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday – 1PM to 4PM, Saturday – 10AM to 1PM, and Sunday – Noon to 3 PM. The Museum is closed Mondays. Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. For more information call 925-8373750, email srvmuseum@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.museumsrv.org.
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 13
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Page 14 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Aegean Dreams
By Lisa Kallen, Travel Consultant with Alamo World Travel
Call for details
925.939.8300 solartechnologies.com Lic. #932914
AIA Board Member Valerie Schooley, District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen, AIA President Roger Smith, and San Ramon Valley Fire Chief Paige Meyer are pictured recently (left to right) on the occasion of the donation by Alamo Improvement Association of $3,600 to fund new state of the art CO2 sensors in SRV Fire trucks. The twenty new sensors which detect gas leaks are an important safety issue for first responders, and SRV Fire was grateful for the donation.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Upcoming Community Meetings and Events
AIA - Alamo Improvement Association - Please visit www.alamoca.org for upcoming meetings - Creekside Community Church -1350 Danville Blvd. Alamo MAC (Municipal Advisory Committee) - First Tuesday of each month 6pm - Alamo Women’s Club P2B - Police Services Advisory Committee - First Monday of each month, 5pm - Meets at Sheriff Substation, 150 Alamo Plaza P5 - Round Hill Police Services Advisory Committee - Second Wednesday of each month, 7pm - Meets at Round Hill Country Club - Lower Level Meeting Room CERT classes - Community Emergency Response Team - Visit www. firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp
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On our first Crystal Cruise my friend and I chose a round-trip Istanbul itinerary that carried us through the Greek Islands on the elegant Crystal Serenity, a sanctuary of gracious style. Our journey include ports of call that dreams are made of -- Santorini, Mykonos, and Istanbul. Santorini is a circular archipelago, island remnants of a collapsed caldera bathing in the Aegean Sea. Visiting Santorini requires scaling the cliffside up to the bustling town of Fira by either a donkey or funicular. We chose the funicular and clambered into the cable car with an Italian family, singing “Funiculi Funicula” all the way to the top. The rewards at the top included views of islands jutting out dark against deep Aegean blue and wonderful shopping. Fira is a marketplace brimming with silver, leather, food stands, and taverns, most of which open onto those dramatic views. I dreamt of getting lost in the whites and blues of a quieter Santorini, so we hopped a local bus to visit Oia (pronounced EE-ah), a nearby village with fewer tourists--and where my travel dreams came true. Oia is a bright maze of white geometrically-shaped homes and shops dotted by those iconic blue domes. Riots of hot pink bougainvillea exploded over pergolas and laced between the storefronts. From the main pedestrian street, narrow and peopled with Europe’s most cosmopolitan couples, we could look past the steep bleached labyrinth of homes hugging the cliffside all the way down to the water. As we ambled from shop to shop, each offered more unusual artistic wares than the last. There were so many finds and so much to bring home! We escaped the mid-day sun to lunch on succulent prawns then lingered in this charming village not wanting to miss a single shop, a single artisan--ceramics, jewelry, textiles, or sculptures. As the sun began to set, we longed to stay on in the cool of the lengthening shadows until the very last tender zipped us back to the Crystal Serenity, anchored in the bay. At dusk we sailed away from sparkling Santorini, a shimmering necklace draped atop the cliffs. What could possibly rival our Santorini, our Oia? When we awoke the next morning, we found out...Mykonos! The old port of Mykonos is presided over by five stout, thatched windmills worn by the sea-winds. This enclave of Mykonos was once a lively trading center and, so, a favorite target of pirates. Waterfront homes featured basements with windows just above sea level…and cannons! The intrepid inhabitants regularly had to fire their family’s cannon to fend off invaders. If you wander off the waterfront you enter what is lovingly called Little Venice, a warren of bone-white alleyways studded with colored doors and stairways topped with shutters in shocks of reds and blues. Shopping here is a joyful romp through a labyrinth of crafts and trinkets. After our shopping lists were complete, we visited a Greek Orthodox monastery, its plain exterior belying the ornate golden iconography inside. A quick swim and drink at a local beach and the sun was setting on another gem of a day. We left Mykonos behind for a full day of sailing headed for our last stop, Istanbul. We sailed into Istanbul at two in the morning. Party boats were anchored off our portside, and dance music played for the revelers, revealing that Istanbul seems to be a lively destination for millennials. A few hours later the parties had died down, and a watery quiet came to rest on the bay. The sun still far from rising, I looked from our balcony out over the silent shoreline with Istanbul’s mosques and minarets sparkling in the darkness. Knowing that each mosque has its own muezzin who calls worshippers to prayer with warbling incantation, I wondered if a city this large has one main muezzin who sings to his city or if each muezzin chants his own call to prayer. Within minutes I found out. From every corner of this sleeping city muezzins sang out the day’s first call to prayer, deep bass voices underpinning the higher warbling tenors, rising, falling in a glorious holy cacophony. Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and colorful spice market punctuated our adventure in true Turkish style. Thank you, Crystal, for the cruise of a lifetime. Lisa Kallen is a Travel Consultant with Alamo World Travel, specializing in tours, cruises and customized vacations to Europe, the Americas, South Pacific and Asia. Visiting family in La Bella Italia is a favorite vacation along with “soft adventures” just about anywhere in the world. You can reach her at 925-837-8742 extension 18 or lkallen@alamoworld.com. Advertorial
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Life in the Alamo Garden Taking advantage of Alamo’s large lots! By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect
Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 15
Alamo has many unique qualities, one of which is the wonderful large residential lots. Wanting a feeling of “privacy and space” is a recurring theme I hear year after year. The dilemma that occurs with having that one-half to ten acres is “What do you do with all that land?” I actually find large lots an opportunity, while my clients find them overwhelming. My clients come to me with that worry wrinkle on their faces wondering “What was I thinking?” but knowing why they need the space. Most know they want space and privacy, but they have no idea how to design and manage the space. Homeowners are usually overwhelmed with the thought of maintaining that much land. A well-designed garden can actually reduce your maintenance nightmares. Do not despair; all that land can be turned into useful space with a purpose, of course with some great design, a lot of sweat, and/or cash depending on who is building it. Think about how you would approach the design of a home. It begins with a generalized list of your needs, wants, and wishes melded with the lay of the land. The architect assimilates those needs, wants, and wishes into a managed layout of rooms with assorted purpose and function. I approach the design of your garden environment with the same theory. Every square inch of your outdoor environment has a “purpose.” Purpose can mean an array of things. For instance, a main patio would have the purpose of a gathering place for a variety of “use” events such as eating, parties, barbecue, lounging, sleeping, reading, etc. A corner of your yard might have the static purpose of screening, background, scent, sound, color, etc. Garden “rooms” is a concept brought forth from the need to manage space, lots of it. Garden “rooms” create places with purpose and function in your yard. They create “use” for area that otherwise might have been a useless weed patch or maintenance nightmare. Even if you have a flat half acre or two acres of hillside, you can create a beautiful outdoor environment that has purpose and function. The center of any home is the kitchen and family room. It is where the heart of the home is. It is where the “living” takes place. Any outdoor environment also has a heart to it. Generally, it is connected directly with the home’s kitchen and family room. This makes sense because you don’t just live inside or outside. In Alamo’s wonderful climate we live as much outside as we do inside. This outdoor “room” is the heart of all activities. It is the beginning and the returning place to your garden. All the main activities take place here. Your outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining table, or kettle-top Weber resides here. It seems that most human activity takes place around eating and relating to each other. So build your outdoor environment around the same theory. Use all opportunities to venture into your yard by creating places to go, places to be, and places to play. Create curiosity and wonder with pathways that lead you to that hidden meditation patio surrounded by fragrance, color, and the sound of trickling water. Take a turn around an interesting multi-trunk tree to find the path forks up a hill to an observation point with that killer view of Mt. Diablo. Take a moment to sit and enjoy that cup of coffee on a crisp and glorious morning. Make a place for adventure and imagination for the kids. It doesn’t have to be just a Little Tikes play set. Make your yard a place to play hide-n-seek, croquette, catch, basketball, tag, bocce ball, etc. Your home environment is your very own piece of paradise. It can be a total asset to your quality of life. Look at all that land with a fresh perspective that it can be transformed into a place of purpose and function with thoughtful and artful design. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: I ask my clients to create ideabooks on Houzz and Pinterest to gather photos of what you like. It is also important to pick photos of things you don’t like. A photo is worth a thousand words. Gardening Quote of the Month: “In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.” ~Abram L. Urban Advertorial If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or visit www.jm-la.com.
Page 16 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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to Danville Blvd., 1 Block. Market PlaceRight Shopping Center San Ramon Store 359-6900 Market PlacePlace., Shopping Center 300 Market 1-680/ Bollinger HolidayMarket Hours: Mon. Sat. 9-8:00, PlacePlace., Shopping Center 300 Market 1-680/ Bollinger Canyon Rd. Exit East to Alcosta Blvd.2015 - Page 17 Sun. 10-6:00 Alamo Today ~toNovember 300 Market Place., 1-680/ Bollinger Canyon Rd. Exit East Alcosta Blvd. Holiday Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-8:00, www.Sh Canyon Rd. ExitMon. East to Alcosta Blvd. Holiday Hours: Sat. 9-8:00, www.Sh Sun. 10-6:00 Wreaths, Swags Holiday Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-8:00, Sun. 10-6:00 www.Sh
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Page 18 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Clip Notes
By Jody Morgan
Primary sources describing the First Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 don’t mention any of the desserts that have become traditional fare for American families. Sugar was a luxury enjoyed only by the wealthy and would not become a staple in less affluent households for several more decades. Honey, the sweetener of choice for thousands of years, was unavailable. Honey bees are not native to North America and are unlikely to have arrived aboard the Mayflower. The first documented shipment of honey bees across the Atlantic is noted in a letter dated December 5, 1621, sent by the Council of the Virginia Company in London to the Governor and Council of Virginia. Along with various types of seeds and fruit trees the cargo, distributed on two ships, included beehives. The Discovery (referenced in the letter) reached Jamestown in March 1622. The second vessel designated only as “this Shipp” was probably the Bona Nova, which arrived in Jamestown in April of the same year. Although there are close to 20,000 species of bees worldwide, of which some 4,000 are North American natives, only a small percentage produce honey, and only a handful generate a significant enough supply for humans and animals to enjoy the excess. Flowering plants emerged about 160 million years ago, but they began to rapidly diversify and disperse around 120 million years ago just when honey bees began developing longer tongues to collect nectar, fuzziness and pollen baskets to collect pollen, and colonies to manage supplies. A cave painting in eastern Spain dating from 7,000-8,000 years ago depicts a figure dubbed “Man of Bicorp” climbing vines to gather honey. Bees fly around the bucket or basket in his hand. Ancient Egyptian art on the walls of the sun temple of Nyuserre Ini (circa 2422 BC) illustrate beekeepers blowing smoke into hives so they could harvest the honeycombs. The earliest written record of beekeeping dates from 2400 BC. Known as the western, European or common honey bee, Apis mellifera, the species dispatched to Jamestown, is thought to have originated in eastern Africa.
Sustainable Danville Area Tip of the Month By Marco Conci, Hornaday Eagle Scout, Troop 36
I recently attended the Sustainable Contra Costa County Awards dinner and received a copy of The Better World Shopping Guide by Ellis Jones. It’s an interesting guide that shows you which companies are most environmentally friendly. I learned that money is power for these companies, so it seems like they get away with more than they should. For example, there’s a major company that makes household chemicals, health care and beauty products. This multimillion dollar company is rated one of the lowest in sustainability. In fact, I read that not only do some of their products; like throw-away wipes for counters, floors, bathrooms, and hands; go straight into landfill, but that they also do unnecessary animal testing. And it seems that they spent $46 million on lobbyists – for what, I wonder? There’s tons of information packed in this little book and on their website www.betterworldshopper.org. A lot of people don’t realize how quickly our planet is going extinct because of human action. I recently learned that some fast food places are known for demolishing rainforests. How, you ask? Well, for example, the making of some items such as palm oil—which is in many foods and beauty products—is ruining rainforests. Search the World Wildlife Federation site, and you’ll learn that “uncontrolled clearing of land for conventional palm oil plantations has led to widespread loss of these irreplaceable forests.” So our choices in what we eat not only affects the forests, but it is also affecting wildlife and the survival of animals such as tigers, elephants, and orangutans. This may be a bigger issue than we can resolve from Danville, but we can play our part by making good choices in the products we buy. Get to know the food manufacturers you buy your food from. There are definitely a few major food companies that could do a lot better in their environmental practices. The EPA estimates that 75% of the American waste stream is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it. It’s pretty easy to recycle. Did you know that by recycling one aluminum can you can save enough energy to listen
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By the time the second recorded shipment of bees to America reached Massachusetts in 1638, feral colonies were establishing themselves outside European settlements. In his notes on the State of Virginia circa 1781 Thomas Jefferson wrote: “The bees have generally extended themselves into the country, a little in advance of the white settlers. The Indians therefore call them the white man’s fly …” Beeswax as well as honey was an important product for New World beekeepers. In Honey Bees Across America Brenda Kellar refers to Andrew Beers’s early 19th century publication, which indicates that a well-maintained hive could yield 20 pounds of honey a year but only two pounds of wax. In 1739, Virginia exported five tons of wax! Crossing the Rocky Mountains required human assistance. In 1848, Mormons transported bees to Utah in the back of a wagon. The journey made by the first honey bees to reach California was more complex. In 1853, Christopher A. Shelton bought 12 hives from a New Yorker in Panama and brought them by rail, mule, and steamship to San Francisco. Only enough bees survived to establish one hive. A plaque commemorating the event is located at San Jose Airport, Terminal C outside door #10. Because they have been domesticated and managed for thousands of years, form stable colonies capable of being transported from field to field to pollinate crops, and produce both honey and beeswax, honey bees have long been economically essential to American agriculture. In 2007, an unprecedented die-off of 30-70% of worker bees from hives in North America labeled Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) was first noted. No single cause has been determined. CCD seems to be triggered by a complex combination of pathogens, pesticides, parasites, and malnutrition. Scientists are now focusing attention on all the other species that might be enlisted to fill the void as well as on raising colonies resistant to CCD. The results of a three-year study by 58 researchers worldwide reported in the June 17, 2015 issue of Entomology Today confirm that close to two-thirds of the world’s most important crops are pollinated by bees. Run across five continents, the study identified 785 species of bees on crops and concluded that roughly 2% of bee species pollinate 80% of crops. Native to eastern North America, but requiring a state-issued permit for importation to California, the eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) is one of the world’s top wild bee pollinators. to a full album on your iPod? And by recycling 100 cans you can light your bedroom for two whole weeks! If we all make small changes, we can make a big difference in how we take care of our earth. If you buy water bottles or cans, make sure you recycle them or better yet carry your own reusable water bottle. Know the rules on recycling, such as what item goes in what disposal bin. A used pizza box can’t go in recycling, but it can go in your green bin. There’re some easy rules to learn, and recycling items is always better than adding them to the landfill. Think about recycling when you’re shopping, too. It seems that a lot of big name brands from food to electronics have a lot of cheap packaging materials that can’t be recycled. These materials, such as styrofoam, are bad for the environment and take forever to decompose. At the same time there’re many companies that are making an effort to change their packaging and shipping practices. When you buy electronics, research the company to check if they’re environmentally responsible. Almost all companies share this information on their website. Chances are there’s little difference in price when you compare companies. When you’re done with your electronic items, make sure you recycle them along with the batteries. As Californians we all know that water is incredibly important. EBMUD’s recent decision to change our water source from a reservoir in the Sierras to a Sacramento reservoir is definitely a sign of how bad the drought is. So keep making those showers short, put a bucket in the shower to catch the excess water, turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, and keep watering of plants and landscape to a minimum. Another easy way to make your carbon footprint smaller is to ride your bike or walk. We live in a great town with lots of trails, so think about riding if your friend’s house or the ballfield is a mile away -- that’s less than a 10 minute walk or ride. It boils down to choices -- which ones are you going to make? Marco Conci is a freshman at Monte Vista High School in Danville and an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 36. In September, Marco received the Rising Star Award from Sustainable Contra Costa County. Marco is currently in the process of selecting another Hornaday Conservation project to pursue.
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The Tree of the Season
Coast Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
If you have a coast live oak in your yard, you will understand that its Latin name, Quercus agrifolia, is appropriate. Agrifolia means spiny leaves. And though the tree retains green leaves throughout the year, it also sheds dead leaves, many dead leaves, and they are less than friendly on bare feet. If you are lucky enough to have a mature coast live oak in your garden, you are well aware that its sculptural qualities more than compensate for the ongoing maintenance this big beast requires. I find comfort in the manner wherein old trees twist into their strangely beautiful form, their rugged bark accentuating, in counterpoint, their grace and openness. The generous shade offered by their broad crowns seems to invite one to lounge against their trunks and think about things that are never on TV. Agrifolia became the dominant tree of the costal plain, not because it’s beautiful, but because it’s tough. Though plagued by several diseases and pests, the continuing ubiquity of live oaks over the millennia is testament to their ability to resist diseases and fight off pests. Several fungal diseases, with the generic names “twig blights” and “oak branch dieback,” attack the crowns of live oaks. Brown patches in your oak’s canopy are most likely from these fungal diseases. An aesthetic debit, they rarely pose a serious threat to the life of the tree. Unsightly deadwood can be pruned out. Though these diseases come from water-borne fungi, they often occur in oaks weakened by drought stress. It is common knowledge that over-watering coast live oaks is a good way to kill the tree. Too much summer water promotes the growth of oak root fungus, a common soil fungus that can turn lethal in soggy soils. Less widely appreciated is that summer watering of oaks can make them more disease- and insect-resistant IF, and it is a big IF, they are watered correctly. Correct summer watering of coast live oaks requires placing a soaker hose in a circle around the tree at least ten feet from the trunk and running the water for about two hours–sunset is a good time. It is important to water the tree not more than once a month: once in July, once in August, once in September, and once in October. Over-watering
Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 19
can kill oaks by stimulating parasitic fungi. Judicious watering during dry summers gives the tree a boost but doesn’t encourage root diseases. It’s better not to water oaks at all than to over-water them; and lawns, grown under the canopy of the oaks, are a common cause of over-watering. One way to make your oak (and the many creatures it supports) happy is to turn lawn under the canopy over to native, drought-tolerant plants. This saves water and reduces the likelihood your oak will get a root disease. Oaks also appreciate a layer of mulch. Mulch helps aerate the soil and improves the environment for beneficial soil creatures. Given that the current stewards of the coastal plain seldom burn the woodlands, most of our oak forests have built up a significant load of dead wood. To prevent a crown fire, like the one that ravaged the East Bay in 1991, it is important to make all landscape trees and shrubs more fire safe. At Brende and Lamb it is our fervent hope that all current players in the ongoing drama of the oak woodlands act to maintain a healthy ecosystem in which coast live oaks, and the many creatures that depend on them, continue to appear center stage. Unfortunately, we are starting to see a few cases of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in the East Bay, concentrated mostly in forested parklands. The SOD pathogen infects susceptible oaks during spring rainstorms. It is difficult to prevent an oak from being infected, but there are steps to reduce the probability of infection, such as the application of Agrifos in autumn. Furthermore, California bay trees can be a host to SOD, where it occurs as a leaf disease. Infected bays don’t die, but they can spread the spores to oaks as water drips from the bay leaves onto the trunk of an oak. Studies show that pruning back bay trees to give a 10 foot separation from your oaks can significantly lower the infection rate. At this time, preventative action is the only way of treating the disease. It takes two years for an infected tree to show any sign of infection, and once infected there is no way to cure the disease. The best place to find current information on SOD is the California Sudden Oak Task Force at www.suddenoakdeath.org. If your trees need a little TLC to protect them against winter winds, or if your property could use a little fire protection, 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 Advertorial work in your neighborhood.
Page 20 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
White Pony continued from front page
Erica Brooks, WPE Vice President, Growth and Development, reports growth continues at a remarkably quick pace because the need for these programs is so great. In the neighborhood of EM Downer School in San Pablo, for example, many children were routinely going to bed hungry before WPE intervened. A single Mobile Grocery event distributed 5,000 pounds of food to 200 families in 45 minutes. The ingenious system for satisfying customer needs begins with the distributer making daily calls to suppliers and recipients to assess what is available and what each client needs. Lists for each organization detail items ordinarily desired, but daily updates focus on immediate necessities. Knowing precisely what clients require saves waste on the receiving end. Bread doesn’t go to organizations with other suppliers. Flowers for the table offer an upbeat message. At the Mobile Boutiques, volunteers act as personal shoppers to help coordinate wardrobes and find the perfect game or book. “Our goal, in addition to delivering tangible goods,” Gary
White Pony Express refrigerated vans get fresh food from donors to recipients within 2 hours.
notes, “is to uplift lives. The most important product we deliver is love.” Volunteers since WPE’s inception, Toni and Ken Hastings concur with Conner’s comment. Among her favorite memories, Toni recalls, “We serve a number of recovery centers. One day I saw a young woman with a lovely family. She told me she had been clean and sober for six months. She smiled and I hugged her.” A favorite delivery destination is Mount Diablo High where Sunrise Bistro proprietress Cindy Gerson teaches students how to prepare nutritious meals and break the cultural cycle of high-fat diets. Praising co-workers, Ken says, “All of the volunteers are committed to what we do. We wouldn’t go on vacation if we didn’t have someone to cover our shifts.” Volunteer Coordinator Vincent d’Assis notes more volunteers are needed for WPE to broaden its service range. Food rescue volunteers attend a 60-75 minute training session. Free General Store volunteers get a quick explanation of sorting, cleaning, pressing, and tagging items. Free General Store donations that fail to meet WPE’s strict quality standards are never wasted. They are given to other organizations serving those in need. Groups are welcome to come for service days as are students, Eagle Scouts and others needing community service hours. WPE requires at least a week’s notice to set up service days. “We can generally host groups of 8-40 (8-12 for Food rescue and up to 40 for the Free General Store). We can host groups that help both programs at the same time, or groups that help only one program,” d’Assis explains. To volunteer, contact Vince at vince@whiteponyexpress.org or (925) 876-0402. Trader Joe’s in Danville is a daily donor to WPE. Captain (aka manager) Rita Schepergerdes talks about the difficulty she had working with multiple groups in the past, each only taking surplus on a seasonal or weekly basis. “Trader Joe’s is very conscious of the impact of waste on the environment. We’ve always been proactive about donating what we can. White Pony Express gives us a single organization that can come seven days a week. WPE volunteers are reliable, on time, courteous, and clearly identified.” Recognizing that shoppers share the store’s values, Schepergerdes has had a banner created proclaiming that Danville’s Trader Joe’s donated $700,000
See White Pony continued on page 22
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Energy Matters
The “Free” Market By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar
November 11th marks Veteran’s Day. Throughout history those who were drafted or volunteered answered the call of a nation in need, perhaps to fight a war they may not have personally agreed with. Veterans’ from all segments of our society served with distinction, and many died serving our nation. Our military follows the orders of our elected leaders. For the duration of an enlistment those we elect guide a service member’s fate. Keep this in mind when you vote. The continued growth of the solar industry is in jeopardy because of the legislated December 31, 2016 expiration of the 30% Federal Tax Credit (FTC) for residential and commercial solar projects. The fossil fuel industry is much more heavily subsidized than the solar and energy efficiency industry. Job growth in the solar industry has proven more resilient. Those of you who don’t believe in tax credits in any capacity should consider this: The home mortgage interest deduction (which we all take for granted) incentivizes home ownership and drives the real estate industry. It’s identical in principle to the tax credit for energy efficiency. A “marketplace” is defined as the arena of competitive or commercial dealings in the world of trade. A “monopoly” is defined as the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service. Your electric utility, PGE, is your sole choice in electric and gas supply and continues to be opposed to market choice. One of the only reasonably cost effective competitors to the lack of market choice to PGE is solar photovoltaics -- solar panels which convert solar energy into electricity. As previously discussed in this forum, currently the utilities of California are petitioning the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission, their overseer) to radically change how solar PV integrates and interacts with our electric grid infrastructure. With no competitors in the market (and trying to push solar out), PGE can capture more customers and enjoy higher margins. Solar combined with energy storage and incentives binding them is an expected outcome for proposed California regulations; metering regulations will change for new solar installations beyond July 17, 2017. There is also a solar penetration “cap” that if met before this date, will trigger these new regulations. Solar PV in PGE territory is 7/10’s of the way to exceeding this cap. Solar projects installed before one of these triggers will be grandfathered into the current regulations for 20+ years. The new regulations will be approved by December 2015 and are likely to be less beneficial than the current regulations. Tesla Motors and Tesla Energy have disrupted the auto and energy storage industry with innovation. It appears likely that Tesla’s big bet on energy storage with their Gigafactory will pay off. Hawaii, currently ahead of most states on energy efficiency, is leaning towards eradication of net metering and incentivizing battery energy storage instead. Due to extremely high electric rates (sound familiar?) Hawaii’s new proposed regulations mean that batteries charged by solar by day and discharged at night to the home or business will be incentivized to reduce or eliminate a home or businesses electric load. Two rate options are planned to be available. The first option would be to sell extra battery power back to the grid and pay less for any kWh you may use from the utility. The other option is to simply be “off-grid” and be self-reliant for all of your electric needs. Energy storage is required for both options. Grid power will be available if required. The energy storage piece will help stabilize the Hawaiian electric grid and have power reserves to support it when necessary. The end of the year rush to capture the 30% FTC for tax year 2015 has required GoSimpleSolar to repeat all too often the phrase “Sorry, we cannot accommodate your desire for project completion by the end of this year.” Please plan your solar project far enough in advance, or you may miss the opportunity to capture the 30% tax credit entirely. You may also miss getting your solar interconnected under the current and more beneficial net metering regulations. In California, due to our very high electric costs, the solar industry, in certain markets, will continue to thrive if the FTC expires. In other parts of the country, with much lower electric rates, the solar industry will be decimated and jobs will be lost. Coal and the utilities will win. Is that ultimately a good long-term outcome for our marketplace? It certainly won’t be beneficial for the job sector, especially our veterans -- the solar industry currently employs over 20,000 post-9/11 Veterans. Mark Becker is the President and business owner of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, CSLB 948715. GoSimpleSolar is one of the very few solar PV installers utilizing both licensed roofers and licensed electricians for installation work, project managed by a solar PV NABCEP professional. For more information visit www.GoSimpleSolar.com. Advertorial
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Technology & You
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
When people ask what I do for a living, I tell them that my team and I make technology work for them. There is much more than simple “computer skills” that we bring to bear on behalf of our clients, so I want to spend a few articles describing the Portable CIO approach. My job is to help you understand who we are, so that together we can explore whether or not what we offer is a good “fit” for your situation. I am extremely happy with the path we are walking at Portable CIO. I have never met another firm that approaches technology consulting as holistically as we do. I get excited talking about it because I believe we have created something special. I hope you find our approach interesting. It’s challenging to describe ourselves without a picture, but I’m not much of an artist! Instead, I will describe the graphic I have in mind, and maybe by the time the December article is due, I’ll have an actual picture ready to share with you. Begin by drawing a circle and putting yourself or your company inside. Think of this circle as your protective bubble. Then draw a donut around the circle, and write PCIO Employees, Processes and Industry Best Practices around the “you” circle. This represents PCIO surrounding our clients with ownership and responsibility, signifying that we take on our client’s challenges as our own and take responsibility for the outcome. I then picture creating the appearance of a sort of flower, with twenty to thirty petals radiating from around these two circles. Each petal represents a technology or a vendor or a specific technical skillset we use to create this sphere of protection and productivity around our clients. When someone employs Portable CIO and one of our consultants comes to your site, you’re not just getting a technician. You’re working with someone who can solve the immediate issue but who also has been trained to look at the big picture. This is where the name “Portable CIO” is derived. A “CIO” is the Chief Information Officer of a business, the person who has responsibility for the appropriate implementation of technology in that organization. Each of our employees is trained to approach their work as your CIO, not as your technician. This means our consultants see things differently, and they are thinking not just about today, but the long-term implications of your situation and the decisions that are being made. This guidance and vision is what makes our consultant your “CIO.” There is more than meets the eye when you work with our team. We have every technical skillset someone could require available within our organization, and we are dedicated to finding the best result for you, regardless of whether it is a Windows or an Apple-based solution. And, we only partner with external firms such as telephone vendors, wiring companies, or software vendors that meet rigorous quality standards. Whether we place our staff on a short or long-term assignment, you’re buying a fractional share of a very experienced and sophisticated mobile Information Technology department. This means you receive the mature guidance of our experienced team, not just a single person. This is a huge differentiator. It’s also why we scale so well, because the principles we espouse work for individuals just as well as they do for large companies. We use the acronym “MASS” to describe our approach towards your data and technology solutions. “M” stands for Manageability, because we need a way to touch and adjust your systems when they become out of balance. “A” stands for Availability, because your system is only useful and effective if it’s ready for you to use. If a computer is infected, or if data has been lost, it is not available. “S” stands for Scalability, and this matters at all levels of computing. Whether you are a business planning for growth in data storage and network capacity or an individual with thousands of photographs or pieces of media like songs or videos to manage, your technology needs to scale accordingly or everything will grind to a halt. The final “S” stands for Security. Today, cyber-criminals are extremely clever, and security involves not only software, but physical security, network security, and changes in our behavior. Any solution we employ on your behalf will have “MASS.” Whether you’re a modern and growing corporation or a home-based photographer, you have the same fundamental needs. I’m over-simplifying a bit, but after specific technologies are put aside, the only differences between individuals and companies are that as a group gets larger, the stakes become higher, and there’s less tolerance for risk. The more we have to lose, the more we care about getting it right. Portable CIO was built around the idea of helping you get it right. Contact your CIO at info@theportablecio. com, or 925-552-7953. Advertorial
Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 21
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The Danville-Alamo Garden Club (DAGC) meets on the 2nd Thursday of the months between September and June starting at 9:15AM at the Alamo Women’s Club which is located at 1401 Danville Blvd in Alamo. At the November 12th meeting, the club’s president, Rebecca Byrom, will speak on “Gifts from the Autumn Garden” in which she will be discussing herbs and showcasing autumn crafts. From her interest and study in horticulture and design, Rebecca developed a business, Something Special with Herbs, which began in 1991. For over ten years she sold culinary herbs and herbal wreaths and crafts at the Danville Farmers’ Market. She has presented gardening programs and workshops to groups throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, central California, and Illinois. If you have any questions, contact Susan at membershipvp@dagc.us.
Volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide for 2016 Tax Season
Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by TaxAide and certified by IRS and Client Facilitators who schedule appointment and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is in November 2015, and classes for tax counselors start in January 2016. Service is from February through April 15, 2016. If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer or call LaVerne Gordon at (925) 726-3199 for additional information and to apply.
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Page 22 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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Chronicles continued from front page
History Press about a publication on San Ramon, the publisher immediately endorsed the project because no books on San Ramon had previously been written. San Ramon Valley, the volume Lane co-authored with Ralph Cozine (Arcadia Publishing, 2005) covers in photographic images Alamo and Danville as well as San Ramon. Each chapter in Lane’s latest endeavor is written to be complete in itself. “I like the ‘column’ approach because, as I have talked with people who read local history books,” Beverly notes, “I have found few of them read through the entire book at one time. They are more likely to read a chapter here and there.” Consequently, readers don’t have to flip from chapter to chapter to find statistics, dates, and background details pertinent to the material presently absorbing their attention. Did you know that one of the early names for San Ramon was Lynchville? In 1850, Leo and Mary Jane Norris moved from Mission San Jose to San Ramon and purchased 4,550 acres of land from Jose Marie Amador. Carpenter William Lynch helped them build the first two-story frame house in the area. In 1853, Lynch married the Norris’s daughter Mary and their son Leo Lynch is recorded as the first American baby born in the Valley. Although the Norris house succumbed to fire in 1951, a barn built in the 1850’s by neighbor Samuel Russell still stands on the property he and his wife Esther named Forest Home Farms. Possibly the oldest extant wooden structure in the Valley, the barn is in need of significant restoration work. The San Ramon Historical Foundation and the City of San Ramon are partnering in the endeavor to raise the necessary funding. Samuel Russell served as San Ramon’s first postmaster from 1852 to 1859. Lane traces the slow growth of the farming and ranching community through the decades as the 75 residents documented in 1880 increased to 4,084 in 1970. Then she describes the city’s population explosion with information gleaned through extensive interviews as well as archival resources. By 1980, just prior to incorporation, San Ramon already had 22,356 residents and now estimates a 2015 population of over 75,000. As one of the original Danville Town Council members sworn in on July 1, 1982 and subsequently Mayor of Danville for three separate terms
White Pony
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worth of food in 2014. “Knowing that what can be shared is being shared gives us peace of mind. Perishables that lack the high standards of visual appeal our customers expect may still be perfectly good to eat. And when a carton of eggs contains one that’s broken. We want the other eleven to be put to use.” On the receiving end, Marties Steinmetz, Shelter Supervisor for Shelter, Inc.’s Mountain View Emergency Family Shelter calls WPE’s work a “truly amazing gift and service to non-profits.” Noting that WPE delivers once and sometimes twice a day to the Martinez location, Steinmetz writes, “I work with an annual food and supply budget for Mountain View Shelter of $782 a year for all of our participants, we have 40 people here at a time, all year long. White Pony Express provides 50% of our food items for the shelter, and we are truly grateful for their support and dedication to our agency.” Amazed by the ability of volunteers to find items requested, Marties exclaims, “WPE brings us everything from pizza, milk, juices, cheese, bread, microwavable lunch and food items, fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, and snacks. I could go on and on.” Volunteers are quick to unpack each delivery van as it arrives and repack what each of the clients on their run wants. Toni Hastings remarks as she sorts rescued food, “After a few deliveries to the same place you develop a solid relationship. You get to know what people need and prefer, and they greet you with a grateful face.” Without seeking any reward for the abundance shared, WPE has been showered with a plethora of awards including most recently the San Francisco Foundation’s 2015 Innovation Award, East Bay Leadership Council’s Outstanding Collaborative Project of the Year, and Sustainable Contra Costa Leadership in Food Systems Award. Gary Conner is happy to share information with interested groups on how WPE sustains its guiding principle of “making sure no one suffers from want when there is a means of aiding them.” To those who seem overwhelmed by the task, he suggests, “Do whatever you can. If you feed two people, that’s two people who aren’t hungry.” Now moving to a larger facility in Pleasant Hill, White Pony Express is hopeful a new wave of generosity will help pay the overhead costs and keep the circle of giving ever widening. Visit www.whiteponyexpress.org to learn more about how you can help.
Gary Conner explains the system of sorting, cleaning, pressing and tagging Free General Store items.
(1984, 1988, and 1992), Lane already possessed a personal understanding of the struggle to finally achieve incorporation in Danville in 1982 and San Ramon in 1983. But as a dedicated historian, she recognized the gaps in her knowledge. “I had done work on incorporation, but I wanted to know how decisions have been made in San Ramon since 1983. How has a plan to give San Ramon a city center evolved?” Among those Lane interviewed, Phil Wong, San Ramon Director of Planning and Community Development, was particularly helpful in explaining the progression of the search for a suitable San Ramon City Center. Lane comments, “He shared the unsuccessful effort to put the center in the vicinity of the historic village and the evolution of the new City Hall and City Center along Bollinger Canyon Road.”
See Chronicles continued on page 26
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Variable Annuities - Another Retirement Savings Tool
Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 23
By Peter Waldron
In conjunction with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.
From time to time, we all take stock in our lives and resolve to make positive changes going forward. However, this personal evaluation doesn’t always include a hard look at our own retirement strategy. No matter how you envision your retirement years, one thing is certain – you’ll want to make sure that you have adequate savings and investments to enjoy your future. Until recently, retirement planning experts estimated that approximately 60-75% of pre-retirement income was needed in order to retire comfortably. That percentage, however, assumed that your lifestyle would stay the same after you retired. If your retirement plans include travel and recreation, you may actually spend more money in these years than while you were working. How can you make sure your savings and investments will be sufficient to cover your retirement plans?
Saving For Your Retirement Years
When it comes to retirement savings, the most common advice is also the simplest – start saving early, save as often as you can, and take advantage of as many investing opportunities as you can. In the past, Social Security formed the cornerstone of most retirement plans. Today, many people plan to supplement their Social Security income by participating in employer sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s and Simple IRAs, or by investing in traditional IRA or Roth IRA accounts. But what can you do once you’ve contributed the maximum amounts possible to these plans? You may want to consider the tax-deferred advantages of a variable annuity.
The Tax-Deferred Advantage of Variable Annuities
A variable annuity is a long-term investment vehicle designed for retirement purposes. In essence, a variable annuity is a contractual agreement in which payment(s) is/are made to an insurance company, which agrees to pay out an income or lump sum amount at a later date. There are contract limitations, fees, and charges associated with variable annuities, which include, but are not limited to, mortality and expense risk charges, sales charges, administrative fees, and charges for optional benefits. Withdrawals reduce annuity contract benefits and values. A variable annuity allows the owner to allocate contributions to several investment sub-accounts. Your contributions to an annuity contract are not tax deducible, but the earnings on your investment accumulate tax deferred until you withdraw your money. This means your investment has the potential to grow faster than with taxable investments earning the same rate of return. The benefit of tax-deferred compounding is just one of the features that make variable annuities an attractive retirement planning tool for many investors. Others include: • No contribution limits, • Ability to transfer money between investment options in the annuity without paying capital gains taxes, and • A variety of withdrawal options, including, in many cases, guaranteed payments for as long as you live.
Is a Variable Annuity Right for your Retirement Portfolio?
Your financial advisor can explain how variable annuities work and help you decide if you could benefit by investing in one. In general, you should consider a variable annuity if: • You are contributing the maximum amount to your company 401(k) and personal IRA plans, and • You have money to invest that you will not need until after age 59 ½. Earnings withdrawals made prior to age 59 ½ are subject to ordinary income taxes and may be subject to a 10% premature withdrawal penalty. You should leave the money in the account for at least 15 years before starting to take withdrawals. This allows enough time for the benefits of tax-deferred accumulation to outweigh the additional expenses associated with an annuity. Also, time can help smooth out the impact of volatility, since a variable annuity’s value will fluctuate with market conditions. Note, when redeemed, a variable annuity may be worth more or less than the amount originally invested. Variable annuities are offered by prospectus. An investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of a variable annuity and the underlying fund options before investing. A variable annuity prospectus has more complete information on the charges, expenses and risks and the investment objectives of the sub-accounts. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For further information to help you decide if a variable annuity will help your retirement plans, you should consult a financial advisor. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuer. Please contact Peter Waldron to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, (925) 659-0383 or peter.waldron@lfg.com. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offer investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners, 3000 Executive Parkway, Ste 400, San Ramon, CA 94583. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. California Insurance License #0E47827; CRN201305-2080400 Advertorial
Page 24 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Giving to Children - Is Equal Always Fair?
By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law
Parents usually try their best to treat their children equally, and children tend to expect that. But is equal always fair? And, how does this work in the context of estate planning? While giving to children equally is a common parental goal, it is impossible. Children have different needs, intellects, hobbies, educational goals, aspirations, etc. I have never encountered a parent with more than one child who keeps a ledger for each child from birth and insists upon strict equality in giving. If one child plays baseball and another plays lacrosse, should the parents make an equalizing distribution to the child whose sport costs less? Most parents would answer, “of course not.” Is the answer tougher if the parent pays tuition for one child who chooses to go to an expensive private college and pays tuition for another child who chooses to go to a community college? What if one child has extensive medical expenses or disabilities or one needs more support in launching into adulthood? In the estate planning realm, these kinds of questions, and even more difficult ones, are frequently raised. The interesting and challenging part is that there are no universally right and wrong answers – just right and wrong ones (or better and worse ones) in the judgment of any given parent. Below, I outline a few common situations that raise questions of equality and fairness, and describe some of the associated estate planning implications. Loans to children. Suppose you make a loan to a child or you make loans to multiple children but in different amounts. How should a loan be treated upon the death of the parent? While there is no set answer, such loans should definitely be documented. First, a promissory note should be prepared by an attorney and signed by the child borrower. Second, good records should be kept so that if the parent dies, the then-principal loan balance can be ascertained. Third, it may be helpful if the parent’s Living Trust states specifically what is to happen with that loan receivable upon the parent’s death. For starters, is the loan to be fully or partially repaid, or is it to be forgiven? And, if it is to be forgiven, should the amount forgiven be charged against that child’s share of the estate? Without
Around Town
By Roger Smith Is there a Roundabout Revolution Going On?
Do you remember the Alamo Area of Benefit (AOB) meetings that took place during 2013? Use of the funding for auto, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic safety improvements for Alamo was discussed then. In 2014, the Alamo Municiple Advisory Council had to review several projects that were to be considered for funding. In 2015, the main project being considered is a “roundabout” as a solution to Alamo’s downtown traffic. To learn about roundabouts visit www. wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts/BasicFacts.htm or http://safety.fhwa.dot. gov/intersection/roundabouts/#research.
Basics of Signalized Intersections and Roundabouts
Many residents may be unfamiliar with the difference between a signalized intersection and a roundabout. Here are two important links that describe them - http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/signalized/13027/index.cfm and https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/00068/. Although roundabouts have been in widespread use in other countries for a number of years, it is only during the past few years that their application in the United States has received increased attention by both the public and transportation professionals. A lack of sufficient information on roundabout operation and design under local U.S. conditions is one of the reasons why these roundabout intersections have seen only sporadic implementation.
Alamo Farmer’s Market
October was “Harvest Festival” at our Alamo Farmer’s Market! With our beautiful autumn weather, tree fruits in abundance, a Great Pumpkin contest,
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adequate documentation, ambiguities arise and frequently lead to conflict, if not seriously damaged relationships, among the children. Child Caretaker. Not infrequently, a child becomes a part-time or fulltime caretaker for aging parents. In doing so, the child may make substantial personal and/or financial (e.g. employment/career) sacrifices. An estate planning attorney can help parents evaluate the circumstances and navigate reasonable solutions. Again, documentation is critical. Parents should consider working with their estate planning attorney (and accountant) to draft an appropriate contract under which the child is paid a reasonable wage for the caretaking. If a parent has insufficient liquid assets to pay the child or if the child refuses to take any pay, the parent may wish to include in his or her Trust a cash gift to be made (or a slightly higher percentage of the assets) to such child upon the parent’s death. If the parent does so, it is often helpful if he or she articulates in the document the reason that the children are being provided for unequally. The other children may not like or agree with the stated reason, but at least they will understand why the parent believed the unequal treatment to be appropriate and fair. Other critical estate planning decisions may be perceived as “unequal” but may be necessary or desirable, such as: i) holding funds in trust until an older age for some children than others; ii) choosing one or several children, but not all, to serve as successor trustee of the parent’s Trust; iii) designating certain specific assets, such as real estate or family owned business interests, to be distributed to the child(ren) who happen to be involved in such real estate or business operations. Attorneys don’t have all the answers, but one of their most valuable functions is to know what questions to ask and how to guide their clients to answers that work best for the clients and their loved ones. 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 specializing in estate planning, trust administration and probate, real estate, and business taxes. They are located at 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
and live music, everyone has had fun at our Alamo Farmer’s Market. Come see what November has in store for you! The market is open 9AM-2PM every Sunday. Farmers Markets require that all vendors be certified by the local County Agricultural Department confirming the produce is grown on their farm. Both organic and conventionally grown produce is certified in this manner. The Contra Costa County’s Health Department regularly inspects Farmers Markets, as does the Fire Marshall for safety. In addition, the Contra Costa Agricultural Department and occasionally the State Agricultural Department will inspect the market. The produce is all about quality. All produce is picked fresh and is at the local Farmer’s Market within 24-48 hours versus a week or much more for chain grocery stores. Several vendors offer both organic and conventionally grown produce. Acquaint yourselves with the vendors and what they provide. Are you interested in an unusual and excellent fruit? Several vendors have “Pluots” a combination plum and apricot tree fruit available in four varieties. Please remember that vendors are the best source of information about their own produce, so step up and ask them. Please also be aware that many vendors have tasting stations or provide samples for tasting.
AIA’s 2015 Annual Membership Drive and Report
Alamo is a special community that all of our residents can be justifiably proud to call home. Now in its 60th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “Alamo the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, which is to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo” As Board President, I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present for their efforts over the last 60 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Please visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to Alamo residents, membership forms, and more.
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Your Personal Nutritionist
Is Evening Eating Destroying Your Weight Loss Effects? By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Do you eat what you think is a balanced breakfast, mid-morning snack, and healthy lunch with co-workers and then come home in the evening and go on a feeding frenzy? You feel in control, and everything is going fine... until you come home at night starving and eat a large dinner, say yes to dessert (and seconds), and finish off a bag of chips before bed. From a metabolic standpoint, there is really no reason to not eat food in the evening. A calorie is a calorie regardless of when it is consumed. A morning calorie is metabolized in basically the same way as an evening calorie. However, eating in the evening is a problem for many, not because of the way food is metabolized, but because of the quantity of food that is consumed. Skipping meals is a major culprit of overeating at night. Recent studies reveal that when people ate three meals a day only 13% binged at night. When people skipped breakfast, 24% binged and when people skipped breakfast and lunch, 60% binged. In general, people who spread their meals evenly throughout the day seem to be better able to control their eating. They are less likely to feel hungry and less likely to overeat. By eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner and planning snacks in between, you can help yourself lose weight as well as maintain better control of your eating throughout the day and night. For most people, the evening is “down-time,” which is used to relax, watch television, and unwind from the stresses of the day. Others view this as a time to multi-task and catch up on household chores, bills, homework, and other responsibilities. Whether you’re winding down or working on your to-do list, unconscious eating can accompany your routine and result in a massive calorie intake. Devouring a bag of chips, a sleeve of cookies, or a pint of ice cream can easily occur when your mind is somewhere else. Sleep deprivation is also a major source of excessive weight gain. Research strongly suggests a connection between obesity and lack of adequate sleep. Statistics show that overweight individuals sleep about 1.8 hours less a week than people of normal weight. Since the 1960’s sleep duration for American adults has dropped by as much as two hours a night, while obesity has drastically increased. Late night binging and sleep deprivation feed on each other – late night binging often creates indigestion and lack of sleep which, in turn, leads to overeating in subsequent days. The chemical link between lack of sleep and obesity lies in the fact that sleep is a regulator of two hormones that effect appetite, leptin, and ghrelin. Leptin helps suppress food intake and stimulates energy expenditure, while ghrelin stimulates appetite, fat production, and body growth. When one is sleep deprived, the level of leptin drops and ghrelin increases. The result is a drastic increase in hunger. One study reported a 24% increase in hunger, with cravings for such items as cookies, candy, and cake when there is inadequate sleep time. I have found in my practice many helpful ways of reducing late night overeating. 1. After examining my clients’ eating patterns, I compute what percentage of their calories are consumed after 6PM, and if the answer is one third or more there is a problem. 2. We often discuss the need to normalize clients sleeping patterns. For example, if they are home in the afternoon I suggest a nap if they are having a craving and know they are not hungry. Taking a nap is “low calorie,” and the craving will definitely go away because cravings only last for a few minutes. 3. I establish a meal plan that includes the clients’ favorite foods with meals that are balanced. I show them how their best friend is protein and fiber for every meal which prevents cravings. I teach them how to read food labels for important nutrition facts. I give them a list of snacks that are portable for the office or the car. After dinner I suggest 200 calories of snacks that are low in fat and yummy such as a low fat ice cream sandwich, a bowl of cereal, or even a few Oreo cookies. 4. We also explore what activities at night tend to trigger overeating and develop strategies for changing them. At night I suggest my clients micromanage their time with non-food related activities such as computer time, taking a bath, working on a hobby, or even cleaning out the closets. Watching TV all evening sets you up to want to snack, especially with all the food commercials. 5. I inform clients of the critical importance of exercise and if practiced they will be more relaxed at night and not get caught up in mindless eating. NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING CAN BE COVERED BY MEDICAL INSURANCE - Aetna, Hill Physicians, Sutter Health, Health Net, Blue Cross, Contra Costa Health, and other insurances. I am conveniently located in Alamo. Please refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles and information about services. Feel free to call me at (925)855-0150 or email lifeweight1@yahoo.com. Advertorial
Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 25
Fine Mexican Dining
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
Alamo Police Statistics
Sheriff David Livingston reported 36 crimes in Alamo during the month of September which included abandoned vehicle, alarm calls, auto/residential burglary, fraud, identity theft, lost property, mentally ill commitment, outside assist, patrol request, petty theft, possession of drugs, robbery-armed, shoplifting, stolen vehicle recovery, under influence of controlled substance, vandalism, and vehicle theft.
Reported Incidents
Danville Blvd, Armed Burglary: Town and Country Cleaners was robbed at gunpoint. The suspect was able to get away with $100. No one was harmed during the incident. Deputies circulated the area for the suspect, but they had negative results. This is an ongoing investigation. Alamo Plaza, Shoplifting: An unknown suspect was caught on video stealing approximately 12 bottles of wine worth approximately $847 from Safeway. Subject fled the scene with the bottles in a silver Honda. Suspect was not apprehended. There are some leads that are being pursued. Danville Blvd, Shoplifting: An unknown suspect was caught on video stealing power tools from Ace Hardware store. Employees attempted to detain the suspect but were unsuccessful. The case is currently being pursued with the use of the video that recorded the incident and the license plate of the vehicle that the responsible party fled in.
Search and Rescue
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call (925) 646-4461.
Page 26 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Time for Some Holiday Sprucing Up? By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
As we roll into November, the holiday season is upon us. It seems that once Halloween is over we roll into Thanksgiving, winter holidays, and the New Year. For many of us it will be the first time we will be seeing friends and family who we haven’t seen in quite some time. Maybe you weren’t as religious as you should be about sunscreen last summer, and you are starting to see the ravages of time on your skin. Not to worry, we can help and can even help before the holidays arrive. This might be the time to think about your daily skin care routine. Medical Grade Skin Care can have significant effects over time. The single thing I recommend most is a high quality sunscreen that blocks out both UVB and UVA ultraviolet light. If you are concerned about Vitamin D deficiency, take an oral supplement. Secondly, a topical prescription retinoid can help stimulate collagen production and help reverse some sun damage. The last in the basic ingredients is a topical antioxidant. That is the bare minimum that I recommend. We routinely customize skincare regimens to fit an individual’s skin type and lifestyle. Maybe you need a bit more help or a quicker fix. Injectable fillers and neuromodulators can offer a significant rapid improvement. The goal with injectable fillers is to create a natural look by restoring the volume that is lost in our face as we age. The biggest fear patients new to fillers have is that they are going to look distorted or abnormal. One area people really worry about is having big distorted lips. The reason for this is because when you see it you can’t stop looking (like an accident on the freeway).
Is There a Doctor in the House? By Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 2
Recently I had the privilege of touring the RotaCare Pittsburg medical clinic to see firsthand the caring and nurturing talents of medical volunteers serving residents who would not otherwise have access to medical care in our own County. Steve Polcyn, longtime Alamo resident and a member of the Rotary Club of Alamo, is a member of the RotaCare of the Bay Area Board of Directors. He, along with Angela Rivello, R.N., the team’s Volunteer Nurse Coordinator, hosted my visit. They impressed upon me the great need they have for more doctors and medical professionals willing to volunteer for a few hours each month. St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County works in partnership with RotaCare Bay Area, Inc. and more than ten Rotary Clubs in the Bay Area to provide quality medical care to uninsured adults with acute or chronic medical conditions. This falls right in line with Rotary International’s purpose, which is to bring together professional and business leaders to provide humanitarian services and advance goodwill to others. The team at RotaCare Pittsburg proves just that and has provided more than 4,000 patient visits to poor and uninsured residents since opening back in 2011. In addition to the physician and nursing care that’s provided on-site to all patients, the clinic gives patients up to 30 days of free medication after a personal consultation with a pharmacist. The free medical clinic provides all who come through their doors comprehensive care, including, but not limited to exams, diagnostic and laboratory tests. The RotaCare team also provides diabetes education and management, patient health education programs for those struggling with high blood pressure or obesity, along with offering other health-related programs. RotaCare Pittsburg even offers nutrition classes quarterly to those families interested in learning about the benefits of healthy eating. With a staff made up solely of volunteer physicians, nurses, translators, social workers and other professionals, the clinic relies heavily on support from the community through time and monetary donations. Financial support comes from the generosity of foundations, corporations, Rotary Clubs
www.yourmonthlypaper.com However, when done properly you really can’t tell anything looks distorted in any way. Remember, we are restoring lost volume, aiming to achieve a natural look and not overinflating, creating distortion. This is highly technique dependent. Neuromodulators such as Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, and Xeomin act by relaxing muscles. With proper use we can create a natural relaxed appearance (which is helpful during the stressful holiday season). I have had some people in sales tell me that because they appeared more relaxed their sales success improved. Lastly, lasers, light based devices, and chemical peels can help with color and surface changes in the skin. These changes that we hate tend to be more related to our “photo-age” due to how much sun exposure we have had rather than our biological age. We have treatments ranging from light chemical peels and Photofacials that require minimal to no down time to more aggressive laser treatments that might require a week of social downtime. For some, the holiday time is ideal to take a week off work to get maximal benefits. If you have broken capillaries, brown spots, and textural changes, chances are we can help you get rid of them. Whatever your situation is, we are happy to help. Many of our patients seek our help because what they see in the mirror does not match the active, youthful spirit that they have. If you are motivated to look and feel your best, we are here to help. Wishing you and your family a great Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season. 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. Dr. Potozkin is a fellow member of the ASDS. He is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial and individuals. All of the patients treated at the RotaCare Pittsburg Medical Clinic are uninsured, and 98% have incomes below 100 - 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The average cost to provide services to someone visiting the Emergency Department is $767, but the cost of a visit to the RotaCare Pittsburg Medical Clinic is approximately $70, but free to the patient. As life gets busier, it is becoming more and more difficult to find volunteer doctors, doctor’s assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. When a person can volunteer their time, talents and resources, it offers a person a chance to make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate than himself or herself. Keeping our communities healthy keeps them thriving. If you or someone you know is interested and able to volunteer, please join the team of medical specialists who provide free medical care. Contact Katie Messina, Clinical Administrator at (925) 439-2009 or katiem@rotacarebayarea.org. Donations to this program can be made online at www. rotacarebayarea.org. A mail-in form is also available at this site. 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.
Chronicles continued from page 22
Meet Beverly Lane, ask questions, and purchase personalized copies of San Ramon Chronicles on Saturday, November 14th from noon to 3pm at the Gift Shoppe at Forest Home Farms, 19953 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, San Ramon. The Gift Shoppe is open Saturdays from 11-3pm and stocks items of local interest for all ages. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley shop offers many books on local history including San Ramon Chronicles and Vintage Danville (sponsored by the Town of Danville in honor of its 2008 sesquicentennial celebration and co-authored by Beverly Lane and Laura Grimstead). Describing the Museum as the attic of the entire Valley, Lane encourages anyone interested in pursuing the area’s history to take advantage of the Museum’s resources. The Waiting Room adjacent to the shop has a library of books and information in binders that must be read on site. The archives upstairs contain additional photographs and clippings. For appointments to access the archives, call 925-837-3750. For additional information, visit www.museumsrv.org.
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 27
Alamo’s 1st & Only Pediatric Dentist! Alamo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Welcomes Dr. Allan Pang Dr. Pang completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. After Tufts he completed a General Practice Residency at University of California, Los Angeles. Thereafter, Dr. Pang practiced general dentistry in the community of Los Gatos, California for two years. It was during this time that he realized how much he enjoyed working with his pediatric patients and returned to school to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. His residency in Pediatric Dentistry at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City allowed for him to have extensive training in treating the well child and those with special healthcare needs such as children with craniofacial disorders and developmental disabilities. Dr. Pang has been in private practice since 2008. He is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, a Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
(925) 831-8310
Page 28 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Coping With Stress Urinary Incontinence By Parminder Sethi, MD
Stress urinary incontinence is the unintentional leakage of urine. Stress incontinence happens when physical movement or activity such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or heavy lifting puts pressure or stress on the bladder. It is not related to psychological stress. Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles and other tissues that support the bladder become weakened. Childbirth can cause the pelvic floor muscles and urinary sphincter to lose strength. Other factors that increase the risk of developing stress incontinence include physical changes associated with age, obesity, hysterectomy, and pelvic floor surgery. Factors that may worsen stress incontinence include illnesses that cause chronic coughing or sneezing, smoking, excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol, high-impact activities and hormonal deficiency. There are a variety of medical interventions one can do to eliminate or lessen the episodes of incontinence. You and your doctor should discuss the treatment options available. These include behavior therapies, medication, devices, and surgery. Behavior therapies that can help with incontinence include pelvic floor muscle exercises, biofeedback, neuro-stimulation, decreasing consumption of caffeinated beverages and alcohol, quitting smoking, losing excess weight, treating a chronic cough, and scheduling regular toilet trips. Duloxetine is a medicine that is usually used to treat depression. However, it can help with stress incontinence by interfering with certain chemicals that are used in transmitting nerve impulses to muscles. This helps the muscles around the urethra contract more strongly. Certain devices designed for women may help control stress incontinence, including vaginal pessary (shaped like a ring with two bumps that sit on each side of the urethra) and urethral inserts (small tampon-like disposable device inserted into the urethra that act as a barrier to prevent leakage). Surgical interventions for stress incontinence are designed to improve closure of the sphincter or support the bladder neck. Surgical options include injectable bulking agents, retropubic colposuspension, inflatable artificial sphincter and sling procedures (surgical mesh). Transvaginal sling with mesh is the most common procedure performed in women with stress incontinence. In this procedure, the surgeon either uses the patient's own tissue, donor tissue, or synthetic material (mesh) to create a sling or hammock that supports the urethra. Research suggests that the complications are infrequent and rarely require follow-up surgery. There are many people who struggle with stress incontinence. It is not something you should feel embarrassed to discuss with your doctor. In many cases, patients can benefit from more than one option, giving them the ability to find the best solution for their individual needs. Dr. Sethi is a urologist with Pacific Urology who has extensive experience treating male and female incontinence. He sees patients in San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Concord and Livermore. For more information call 925937-7740. Advertorial
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Are Your Adrenals Fatigued? By Dr. Kristin Moore, DC
It’s 6AM and your alarm rings. You roll over, snooze the alarm, and go back to sleep. This happens 2-3 more times until you FINALLY decide that it’s time to wake up. Once up, you stumble to the kitchen and manage to make a cup of coffee. Throughout the day you continue to sip on coffee knowing that it’s your only savior to help you make it through the day and fight off your brain fog. Around 2-3PM you crave a salty and sweet snack; it gives you a temporary boost of energy, but after 20 minutes you are back to feeling fatigued again. By dinner time, all of a sudden you get a burst of energy. You finally feel normal! After a few hours of productivity, it’s time to go to bed and start over again. Does this sound like you? If so, you may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue.
Where are my adrenal glands located, and how do they function?
Your adrenals are small glands that are located above each of your kidneys. They help your body to manage and regulate your blood pressure, react to stress and illnesses, maintain your blood sugar, and help you burn protein and fat. The adrenal glands also release many important hormones including cortisol (regulates metabolism), aldosterone (controls blood pressure), and adrenaline (helps reactions to stress).
What are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?
• Difficulty waking in the morning • Brain fog • Caffeine dependency • Depression • Muscle/bone loss • Poor memory • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight • Muscular weakness • Weakened immune system • Crave salty and sweet snacks PM PM • Increased energy in the evenings 6 - 9 • Difficulty bouncing back from stress or illness
What are the causes of adrenal fatigue? • STRESS • Lack of exercise • Financial problems • Loss or death of a loved one
What can I do to help increase my adrenal function?
Unfortunately, there is not one easy solution to this problem. It is multi-faceted and EVERY step is incredibly important in order to fully heal the adrenal glands. 1. Begin an anti-inflammatory diet. This will help reduce the amount of inflammation in the body and help your body begin to heal. 2. Get adequate sleep. Change your sleeping habits in order to promote restful and productive sleep. Also, some herbal supplements may be very helpful without leaving you drowsy and groggy in the morning. 3. Start a supplementation regimen. Certain vitamins and nutrients are incredibly important in allowing the biochemical reactions of your adrenal glands to function optimally. Laboratory testing may be necessary in order to determine what deficiencies you have which may be contributing to your condition. 4. Receive class IV laser therapy treatments. This will help to release and relax your tense and stressed muscles while also increasing the blood flow in the blood vessels that flow to your adrenal glands. This will bring more oxygen and nutrients to the region near your glands. 5. Have your spine checked in the region of T11-L2. The nerves that exit the spinal cord at these levels innervate the adrenal glands. If the nerves are firing properly due to a misaligned vertebra or tight muscle, then the brain will not be able to send as many efficient messages to the glands. Removing any nerve blockages by using gentle chiropractic adjustments as well as active muscle release is really important to proper adrenal function.
How do I learn more?
Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment
• Poor diet • Lack of sleep • Stress at work • Relationship problems
If you are concerned that you may have adrenal fatigue, then call our office right away and schedule a complimentary consultation with me. Just tell our office manager, Judy, that you read this article in the Alamo Today newspaper. This free consultation will give you a chance to meet me and determine if this method of treating the adrenals is right for you. For more information, please visit www.alignhealingcenter.com, call 925-362-8283, e-mail drkristinmooredc@gmail.com, or visit our office located at 125-G Railroad Avenue in Danville to schedule your compliAdvertorial mentary consultation today!
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The Eye Opener
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Eye Infections
As we all know eye infections are pretty common, just about as common as a cold or flu. The eye has a lot of defensive mechanisms at its disposal, but since the eyes, lids, and cornea are in direct contact with the outside world, it is susceptible to many types of infections and inflammations. The conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane that covers the eye except for the cornea, is the source for your run of the mill “pink eye.” There are three main types of conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial, and allergic; however, we will only discuss the first two as we are just discussing infections. There are of course many other reasons why the eye would appear red, but these are usually secondary to things like dryness, irritation, etc. Most conjunctival infections are viral in nature, are commonly caused by the same viruses that cause the flu, and there are limited treatment options, similar to the flu. This type of infection is self-limiting, and it will resolve within a few days to a week. With viral infections, the eye looks pink and can have some associated tearing. Bacterial infections generally appear redder than pink and can come with discharge. The most common causes are due to the same bacteria that are present on our face, eyelids, and hands. Neither of these types of infections come with any pain or decrease in vision. Depending on the severity and cause, drops can be utilized to treat the infection and/or inflammation. The next part of the eye we will talk about is the cornea. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that is in front of the iris, and it is the structure in which contact lenses are placed. Unlike the conjunctiva, infections, irritations, and scratches of the cornea cause discomfort and/or pain, light sensitivity, and a possible drop in vision. These infections are more serious and definitely require prompt and proper treatment. They are generally caused by improper contact lens wear and hygiene, but can be secondary to numerous types of bacteria that are present on and around the eye. Even though the cornea is a much more sensitive tissue than the conjunctiva, the good thing is that it heals itself relatively quickly and usually within a few days the patient is doing better and on the way to recovery. The last part of the eye that we will talk about is the eyelids. The two most common infections of the lids are blepharitis and hordeolums (styes). Blepharitis is a bacterial infection of the eyelid margin and eyelashes. The flakes that develop at the base of the lashes cause redness and irritation of the lids and can further cause a conjunctivitis because these flakes fall into the eye and cause burning, stinging, and irritation of the eye. Treatment for the lids and eyes include drops, ointments, and lid hygiene; however, blepharitis tends to be a chronic condition. Styes are mostly caused by infections or clogging of the glands at the edge of the lids. Most of the time, warm compresses will help move the stye along to express; if not, it can be done in office. In more difficult cases oral antibiotics or surgical removal might be warranted. Even though we only touched on a very small sample of infections that can affect the front of the eye, these by far are the most common. These are treated all of the time and require prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment. For medical eye visits, we are providers for most major medical PPO plans, and we are available for same day visits. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-8206622 or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 29
Don’t throw your money down the drain!
USE IT OR LOSE IT Flex Spending Account Utilize your FSA on your vision needs by 12/31/15. Some ways you can use your flex spending include:
Prescription Glasses Contact Lenses Prescription Sunglasses Schedule your eye exam now 215 Alamo Plaza, Suite D, Alamo CA 94507 (between Peet’s Coffee & Panera) Monday -Thursday 9am-6pm Friday-Saturday: 9am-4pm
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Festival continued from front page
writing letters to share with Santa, keeping all entertained while waiting. The Foundation invites kids of all ages, parents, family, pets, friends to all have pictures taken with Santa. We are grateful to have the amazing services of a local small business, Share-A-Vision Productions, to take great photos to share with family and friends. These make great gifts as well as beautiful covers for greeting cards and invitations throughout the holidays. The Contra Costa Food Bank will have barrels to collect nonperishable items such as canned or boxed goods. A barrel will also be available in front of Richards Arts and Crafts in Alamo Plaza one week prior to the event as well as a few weeks after. We encourage everyone to share with this charitable organization! Additionally, the German Shepherd Rescue andAnimal Rescue Foundation (ARF), two local animal rescue groups, will be attending with pets needing homes. These animals can make our holidays even more special through their unrelenting love and joy. The festival is sponsored by Community Foundation of Alamo with the Festival committee including Terri Delfosse, Sharon Schuyler, John Lineweaver, Andrew Elkin, Kevin Musante, Steve Mick, Bruce Marhenke, Bill and Teresa White, and Andrea Scott. We are thankful for the generous donations and sponsorships from Stone Valley Center, Alamo Oak Tree Plaza, County Parks and Rec., Richards Arts and Crafts, World of Sound and Vision, Steve Mick, plus other local merchants and benefactors. We also give a big, warm thank you to Alamo Today for their help and support for this and for all events they promote for our community! If you are interested in helping with monetary donations or for more information, visit www.CommunityFoundationofAlamo.com. We look forward to seeing everyone out celebrating and to making this a fabulous and memorable event!
Page 30 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer Patients By Gigi Chen, MD
For patients with advanced or metastatic lung cancer, the treatment options have traditionally been chemotherapy. First line treatment usually included a platinum containing chemotherapy. If cancer progressed after that, then the effectiveness of additional chemotherapy was limited. Now with immunotherapy, we have new and improved treatment options. The goal of immunotherapy is to stimulate the immune system so it recognizes the abnormal components found in lung cancer cells by mounting an immune response that destroys or blocks the growth of the cancer. Checkpoint-blockade immunotherapy represents the most exciting recent advances made in cancer treatment. T-cell is a type of immune cell that can recognize and kill cancer cells. However, cancer cells protect themselves by expressing the protein PDL-1, which binds to the programmed cell death PD-1 receptor on T-cells. This is one of the interactions that allow cancer to “hide” from our immune system. By blocking the PD-1/PDL-1 interaction, we are able to outsmart the tumor cell and activate our immune system to destroy cancer. Antibodies blocking PD-1 or PD-L1 are in clinical development for the treatment of more than 30 types of cancer, and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), two antibodies blocking PD-1, have gained approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and lung cancer. In March of 2015, the FDA approved Opdivo to treat patients with advanced squamous lung cancer whose disease progressed during or after platinum-based first line chemotherapy. More recent FDA approval expands the use of Opdivo to also treat patients with non-squamous type of lung cancer. Keytruda was also approved recently for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who have progressed despite receiving platinum-containing chemotherapy or agents targeting EGFR or ALK tumor mutations, and whose tumors are positive for PD-L1 expression. In the clinical trials comparing Opdivo to docetaxel chemotherapy, both in squamous cell cancer and nonsquamous cell cancer, Opdivo was found to improve overall survival compared to docetaxel. In the nonsquamous lung cancer trial which had 582 participants, those treated with Opdivo lived an average of 12.2 months compared to 9.4 months in those treated with docetaxel. Additionally, 19% of those treated with Opdivo experienced a complete or partial shrinkage of their tumors, an effect that lasted an average of 17 months, compared to 12% among those taking docetaxel, which lasted an average of six months. In another study, Keytruda was found to have acceptable side-effect profile and showed antitumor activity in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. PD-L1 expression in at least 50% of tumor cells correlated with improved efficacy of Keytruda. We are still learning about how best to use biomarkers such as PDL-1 expression to select patients who can benefit from these immunotherapy drugs. Common side effects included fatigue, decreased appetite, musculoskeletal pain, cough, and constipation. These drugs, due to their impact on the immune system, also cause adverse effects in the lungs, colon, and hormone-producing glands. Immunotherapy offers an exciting new treatment option for our patients with advanced lung cancer. In the recent few years, we have made many advances in understanding the biology of lung cancer; allowing us to personalize treatments for individual patients. Gigi Chen, MD is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. She has extensive experience in treating lung and gynecologic cancers and sees patients in Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor and San Ramon. Shine a Light on Lung Cancer - Join Dr. Chen and other medical experts on November 19th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Walnut Creek Library, Oak Room. Panel discussion with Q&A. For more information or to register for the program, please call 925-677-5041. Advertorial
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Wear Your Pink Shoes Proudly By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
On days that I am scheduled to operate (3 or 4 days a week), my attire is comfortably predictable - scrubs and my favorite pair of clogs. The clogs happen to be pink, and I am often asked, “Why the pink shoes?” I usually respond by simply tugging up my pant leg a bit to reveal the familiar pink ribbon logo used by so many worthy causes that support Breast Cancer research and education. I don’t think about breast cancer for one month out of the year -- I think about it every day. Reconstructive surgery makes up a good portion of my practice. I feel so fortunate that my practice allows me to actively participate in the care and treatment of many breast cancer patients. As a staff member at John Muir Hospital, I participate in weekly Tumor Board meetings, often as a panelist. The cases presented at these meetings help us coordinate excellent treatment plans for our patients, and they demonstrate that breast cancer does not spare any particular demographic. One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer including the elderly, the 28 year old newlywed, the healthiest fitness guru, the couch potato, the vibrant career woman, and the mother, pregnant with her first child. Like most cancers, early detection is key to a successful outcome in breast cancer patients. All too often breast cancer is discovered in advanced stages, requiring surgery and breast reconstruction along with radiation and chemotherapy. The physical toll of breast cancer is costly enough, but the emotional toll of losing our breasts can be devastating. I am fortunate to be part of the team of people who make a positive impact in breast cancer patients’ lives by giving back to them something they thought was lost. Through advances and innovations in technique as well as new surgical materials, artful reconstruction of the breast has become a reality. Reconstructive breast surgery is now routinely performed at the same time as the mastectomy in close coordination with the general surgeon, enabling women to wake up from surgery with breasts. In some cases the nipples and surrounding areolas can be saved as well. The emotional testimonials and thanks I receive from my breast cancer patients feed my soul. I am continually amazed by the strength and courage these women possess through such tragic circumstances. I recently had the pleasure of seeing a 60 year old woman who was told she could not have her breast reconstructed after mastectomy 10 years ago because of thin skin. Now, with new techniques and materials, she will soon have breasts again. She will feel whole. The theme behind the breast cancer campaign is education and awareness. Realize that breast cancer affects us all. Please take the time to educate yourself, perform self breast exams every month, and please don’t delay your routine mammogram screening. To find instructions on how to perform a breast self-examination, please visit our website at www.personsplasticsurgery.com. Support the efforts of wonderful organizations like Susan G. Komen or the Avon Foundation. Join me in wearing your pink shoes proudly every day. Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ Advertorial personsplasticsurgery.com.
TM
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Sports Nutrition By Dr. Lisa Hudson
“What should my kids eat after soccer?” “Why do I feel tired 45 minutes into my bike ride or run?” These are just a few questions I get from athletes at my office. Having been an “Iron Doc” at the Iron Man triathlon in Hawaii, I saw that the top finishers knew how to eat and drink well, and so they were able to finish or even beat their personal best times. “You have to feed the machine” is my motto! That means eating well every day, not just on race or game day. Having a balanced diet, with 5- 7 colorful fruits and vegetables a day is a good start. A serving is ½ a cup of veggies, or a piece of fruit that is 2½ inches in diameter. I advise you to avoid juicing as you lose the fiber and intensify the calories. Raw fruits and vegetables are best. Add two non-fat dairy servings a day and also good proteins such as fish, eggs, nuts, beans, or lean meats, as well as whole grains in moderate amounts. Paying attention to what you eat will complement the hard work you put in to training to help you perform up to your true potential. Race days or days of long training need to begin with a moderate breakfast that includes protein consumed at least one hour before starting warm-up exercises. Replenish calories, fluids, and electrolytes starting at 20 minutes into exercise. Drinking 8 ounces of a sports drink every 20 minutes can smoothly replenish muscle glycogen, so you don’t “bonk,” or run out of energy. Shoot for two-times your body weight in calories per hour – for example, replenish 300 calories/ hour while exercising if you weigh 150 pounds. Double this amount if exercising for more than 90 minutes. Glycogen is a storage form for energy in muscles and the liver. The typical person stores about 1,600 glycogen calories of energy, but this can be doubled in a trained athlete, and increased even more by carbohydrate loading before the race. Sports drinks such as Cytomax or GU contain maltodextrin, a carbohydrate that is easy for your stomach to absorb and use, plus electrolytes to prevent cramping and the dangerous drops in blood sodium levels that can occur when athletes rehydrate only with water. Try all of the flavors at your local running store - the best one for you is the one you will use! Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook contains great information that I recommend to serious athletes. Replenishing calories in the first 30 -45 minutes after the competition can help restore glycogen levels and get you ready to train again. Chocolate milk is a tried and true favorite offering the right blend of calories, proteins, and fats. If you are trying to lose weight, reduce the calories. Know that your body will burn extra calories for up to 24 hours AFTER exercise, as metabolic rates are increased. That is why regular exercise is such a great complement to healthy eating when the goal is to lose or maintain your weight. What about kids? Do they really need a 120 calorie juice bag and a 220 calorie granola bar after a 45 minute soccer game? No, that is 20% - 25% of a normal school age child’s calories per DAY, with very little nutritional value. Fruit, popcorn, trail mix, and flavored waters would be better choices. One hundred calorie snacks are usually sufficient. Start modeling healthy choices in the preschool years to empower your kids to make these decisions on their own by elementary school. Dr. Hudson is a board certified internal medicine physician and owner of Danville Sports Medicine and Primary Care, 913 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 186, Danville, CA, 94526. She is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 984-2622. Advertorial
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Alamo Today ~ November 2015 - Page 31
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Breaching the Comfort Zone By Michelle Brown, C.P.T, C.G.T.
When we are born, we are thrust from the most wonderful comfort zone in the universe. The lesson of leaving the womb could not be a more perfect metaphor for “life.” Just when you get really cozy and comfortable and everything seems just right, bang, you’re outta there...blasted right out into the cold, kicking and screaming. In hindsight, none of us would have wanted to stay in the womb, but had circumstances not forced us out, we would have known no other way. Whether we like it or not, the first lesson we learn when we enter into this world is that discomfort is the first step on the pathway of growth. There are hundreds of excuses to stay in the comfort zone, but none can compare to the wonderful reasons to breach it. When we step outside, even a little bit, we encounter new ideas, we see new perspectives. We realize there are millions, even billions of reasons to get out! The realm of discomfort is where our biggest dreams can flourish. It is where we have the space to explore a side of ourselves that has limitless possibility; it is the place where life’s magic moments happen. You can not afford to become complacent about your future. You do not get more time when you run out. Spend your life. Do not waste time wishing that you would have done something great, thinking that you could have made a difference or saying you would have done it but...
It is never to late to live the life you want to live.
Shamelessly wrestle with discomfort. Try something new. Do something that makes you feel vulnerable. Go to that crazy outdoor 5:30am Gumsaba class that you have been thinking of going to! Sign up for that 5k or that half marathon. Learn a new language. Take a guitar lesson. Sing...in front of people! Apply for that new job, even if you don’t think you will get it. Do the things that you really want to do, now. The only thing you have to lose is your fear. You know life is going to kick you right out of your comfort zone at any time. Just like that unexpected drop from the womb, it’s a given. Life doesn’t hold back. So why are you? Be prepared and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Give yourself daily challenges, and you will be more prepared to handle the roller coaster of life with grace and even with a little style! Carpe Diem! Michelle Brown is an ACE Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, ACE Certified Group and Personal trainer, 2nd Degree Richard Lee Kung Fu Black Belt Disciple, Level 2 certified TRX Functional Trainer, Certified Trigger Point Rehabilitation Therapist, a board member on the California Health Medical Reserve Corps, blogger, motivational speaker, and owner of Gumsaba Fitness programs. She has been helping clients surpass their goals since 1998. Gumsaba offers outdoor fitness programs, personal, small group, and sport specific training. Join Gumsaba for a FREE CLASS. Visit gumsaba.com and click get started to redeem your free week with promo Advertorial code GETOUT. www.gumsaba.com.
Page 32 - November 2015 ~ Alamo Today
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Danville Area Real Estate: Third Quarter 2015 is Overwhelmingly Positive!
Home Sales Alamo, Blackhawk Danville, Diablo (July 1-Sept. 30) 2015 Active Pending Sold DOM List Price Sold Price Sq. Foot Alamo 60 26 53 43 $ 1,627,374 $ 1,616,319 3,137 Blackhawk 43 12 31 39 $ 1,777,081 $ 1,735,168 3,735 Diablo 6 1 3 7 $ 3,398,333 $ 3,458,333 5,161 Danville 95 85 220 21 $ 1,259,254 $ 1,263,578 2,744
In our local Danville Area market which includes Alamo, Danville, Diablo, and Blackhawk, homes are selling at rate of about 102 units per month. Although down from last year’s average of 118, it’s pretty good. Distressed home sales are down from 10% in 2014 to approximately 7% today. It is unlikely that their presence is putting negative pressure on pricing at this time. Homes priced right continue to sell quickly. During the most recent quarter Diablo leads the area with the shortest time from listing to sale at seven days. Alamo had the longest time from listing to sale with 43 days. Danville and Blackhawk were less than 40 days. A normal market would be 3-6 months from listing to sale. So, the market remains hot. Danville showed impressive gains during the third quarter year over year with average sales price increasing from $1,051,684 to $1,263,578 for a 20.1% increase in price. Dollars paid per square foot grew from $438 to $472 for about a 7.8% increase. Seventy-three Danville Homes sold for more than $500 per square foot. This is 40 more than during the same time period last year. Blackhawk average price advanced from $1,501,684 to $1,735,168 during this time for a 15.5% increase and also registered a strong increase in dollars paid per square foot, climbing from $422 to $467 for a 10.6% increase. Ten Blackhawk sales exceeded the $500 per square foot mark during the third quarter of 2014. Diablo, our priciest neighborhood remained fairly steady with three home sales during the quarter and a $735 average square foot price. Two Diablo home crossed the $700 per square foot mark with one obtaining a remarkable price of $812 per square foot on a purchase price of $2.65 million. There are six active listings in Diablo, twice the number of sold homes during the quarter. The average days on market for these homes is 88 days. On average a 5200 square foot Diablo home sold for about $3.5 million during the third quarter. Average sales price for an Alamo home rose from $1,601,093 in the third quarter of 2014 to $1,616,319 in the third quarter of 2015 for only a 1% advance quarter over quarter.
$ Sq. Foot $ 538 $ 467 $ 706 $ 472
Active listings are currently greater than sold homes, hinting that inventory in Alamo may be catching up with demand and Alamo may be on the verge of becoming a normal market. Please note that active inventory is listed at nearly $2.5 million on average. If these homes sell for as much as a 25% discount, Alamo’s average price will increase. On average the Alamo homes sold during the third quarter 2014 were smaller by approximately 71 square feet compared to the earlier time period. So, the actual reported increase in average price is a bit understated. Price paid per square foot during the third quarter advanced from $499 per square foot to $538 per square foot. This works out to be about 8% more than during the same time period last year and may be a better view of the Alamo market. The numbers for the Danville Area Real Estate market are overwhelming positive again as they have been since 2012. However, during that time our market has shown almost no seasonal variation in price, so the little bit of variation I noted earlier for Alamo may be an indication that normal seasonal patterns are returning to our market. Nancy and I have more than 3,000 email subscribers who receive this article in advance of publication. Sign up on our website or just send me an email and we can add you to the list. I assure you no spam will follow. It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. If you would like an honest “no strings attached “opinion of your home’s current market value and suggestions for preparing it for market, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. Please visit our website to discover more information on our local market www.thecombsteam.com.
Orinda Single Story
Executive Luxury Home
D
SOL
Danville 4 Bedroom
Nicely updated 3 bedroom Single Story, Views and Amazing Schools. Priced To Sell $799,000!
Mt. Diablo views from this casually elegant & completely luxurious Braddock Logan model home. 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath. Priced to sell $1,899,000.
Danville Single Story, Great Location
Alamo Single Story Ranch
D
D
SOL
Nicely updated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath in lovely Danville neighborhood. Community pool and tennis courts. Priced to sell $899,000.
SOL Priced to Sell $699,000
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.
4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on flat half acre. Updated and ready to go. Priced to sell $1,275,000. J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526