editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& AUGUST 2022
JOHN MUIR LAND TRUST'S FAMILY HARVEST FARM EUGENE O’NEILL FESTIVAL SEASON The Eugene O’Neill Foundation is excited to announce its PROJECT PLANTS THE SEEDS OF HEALTHY FUTURES 2022 Festival Season featuring A Moon for the Misbegotten.
By Jody Morgan
Family Harvest Farm (FHF) nurtures the possibility of healthy futures for transition-age foster youth. A project of John Muir Land Trust (JMLT), the non-profit enterprise gives urban Pittsburg, California residents a way to enjoy a vibrant green space in their own neighborhood. In addition to providing work experience and a supportive environment where foster youth can envision and prepare for fulfilling career paths, the farm offers free organic produce to the greater community while demonstrating that seemingly dead land can be regenerated into a lush, thriving ecosystem. Dedicated to giving back to the land, not just taking from it, Hannah Hodgson (L), Kim Overaa (C), prepare to regenerate the soil at FHF with Senior Farm Manager Mary Cherry and her son (R). Photo courtesy of FHF. Mary Cherry guides the FHF team of apprentices, volunteers, and staff in growing healthy organic produce. Sustainably farming the 3 1/2-acre fenced area within a sunbaked vacant lot under PG&E power lines began with layering organic material in a method colloquially called “lasagna farming” to regenerate the biodiversity of the heavy clay soil. When ground squirrels recently destroyed a crop of squash, Cherry planted the space with a different vegetable, modeling the resilience that characterizes everyone associated with the project. Mary discovered her passion for organic farming and the therapeutic value of working on the land as a former foster youth needing to survive on her own. Having experienced the rush of joy at being independent at 18 and the subsequent sinking feeling that she had no means of making a living, Cherry understands that the 18-24-yearold transition-age foster youth working at FHF as apprentices are facing one of the toughest times of their lives. Referred by collaborating agencies, foster youth in the Apprentice I cohort rarely have any background in gardening. Those who stay on in the Apprentice II program have already learned enough to teach newcomers the basics. Hannah Hodgson, Associate Director, Family Harvest A Family Harvest farm intern proudly displays a prize watermelon. Photo courtesy of FHF.
Local Postal Customer
See Farm continued on page 12 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Eight performances will be given in September at Tao House along with countless community activities and events throughout the downtown Danville area. Shows will be held September 10, 11*, 16, 17, 18*, 23, 24, 25* (* matinee performance). Tickets are on sale, and further festival information is available, at the Foundation’s website https://eugeneoneill.org/event/ moon-for-the-misbegotten-by-eugene-oneill-2022-09-10/.
As described by Artistic Director, Eric Fraisher Hayes: “Eugene O’Neill channeled his final creative energies into facing his family and the hurt he felt at their hands. Of the six plays written at Tao House, no figure emerges more frequently than his older brother Jamie (Jim). He is a pivotal character in the heavily autobiographical Long Day’s Journey Into Night and a model for leading characters in both The Iceman Cometh and Hughie. In A
See O’Neill continued on page 8
ALAMO ROUNDABOUT
The long discussed, and long planned, roundabout for the downtown Alamo area on Danville Blvd. has begun the first steps towards implementation. The intersection at Orchard Ct. has an accident rate that is about 2.5 times higher than the state average. Studies have linked roundabouts to a 75.8% reduction in injury collisions at intersections.
EBMUD has moved their pipes and Comcast is currently moving their lines. Groundbreaking is expected to commence in early 2023.
See Roundabout continued on page 4
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XXII Number 8
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News Instagram:@AlamoandDanvilleToday
Volume XIII Number 8
The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
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Announcing the 23rd Eugene O’Neill Festival 2022 featuring by Eugene O’Neill
“A Moon for the Misbegotten” Directed by Eric Fraisher Hayes
Live Performances at Tao House: Sat. 9/10, Sun. 9/11* Fri. 9/16, Sat. 9/17, Sun. 9/18* Fri. 9/23, Sat. 9/24, Sun. 9/25* (* matinées) Tickets $60 (limited seating) at eugeneoneill.org, or scan: Other Festival Events 9/7 6:30 pm Moon Run at Forward Motion FREE 9/9 6:30 - 9:00 Jazz for O’Neill at Auburn Lounge, featuring the Jazz Room $20 9/15 5-7pm Moon Poetry Open-Door at Cottage Jewel FREE 9/16 7:00 pm Friendship City Irish Music Concert at Danville Veterans Hall $20 9/22 6:30 pm Whiskey and Words at Auburn Lounge $20 9/24 10:00 am O’Neill’s Danville, a Historic Tour FREE
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher
A few months ago I wrote about fire preparedness. While I wish we didn’t need to worry about fires, the reality is no rain makes our hills a tinderbox that we can’t ignore. Recently, I came home from an event and, as I pulled into the driveway, I noticed a huge billow of smoke nearby. I opened the PulsePoint app on my phone. The app provides notification, information, and a live scanner feed for threats such as fires, accidents, and other emergencies. The app noted the just-started fire was consuming a nearby home. As the fire was close to me, I went on alert gathering my animals in one room and grabbing my evacuation list to have at the ready. In the newspaper, Daily Alta California, 9 July 1868 the following article was printed: “This morning, about 2 o’clock, we were aroused from our slumbers by the ringing of the bell at the Union Academy (the Union Academy was a large boarding and day high school on the border of Alamo and Danville. It provided education from 1860 until 1868 when it succumbed to fire). On arising, we discovered the building all enveloped in flames. The building and its contents were a total loss, the family not saving a change of raiment. The building was insured in the “Builders’ Insurance Co.” for $3,000, and the furniture for $2,000, but this will not much more than half cover the loss. The loss is very heavy on Brother King, as well as on the community generally. The school had just closed its session. The prospects of the school were never so favorable. We feel that the community cannot do without Union Academy, and we doubt but the community will rally to the rescue, and replace it on an improved scale. No satisfactory clue to the origin of the fire has been reached, but it is supposed to have been an accident. (The article continues.) On the Fourth of July, from one to two hundred acres of grain in Diablo Valley, between Pacheco and Clayton, were destroyed by fire. It is supposed to have been caused from fire crackers. Also, a few days previous, about one hundred acres of grain were destroyed by fire on the San Joaquin, belonging to|Mr. Thomas Jones, of this county. The people cannot use too much precaution against fire, and particularly at this season of the year, when everything is as dry as tinder. Especially should they be cautious about matches and fire crackers.” For our recent fire we were fortunate to have CalFire come in with planes and a helicopter. The helicopter was able to suction water from a small lake at the Round Hill Country Club and that made a huge difference in knocking down the flames before even more damage was done. Being prepared and cautious is just as important today as it was 154 years ago. Today, technology quickly provides alerts and information. In addition to the PulsePoint app I also use the CalFire and Watch Duty apps to show area fires, and the IQ Air app to show current air quality. Keeping phones charged and gas in the car tank are other important measures. If you’d like a PDF copy of emergency evacuation items to gather in a hurry as well as a list of things to do as you evacuate, please send me an email to editor@yourmonthlypaper.com and I’d be happy to get one to you.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
THE HISTORY AND STORY OF MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD
A FREE VIRTUAL PROGRAM
On August 18th the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will host a free virtual program on the history of Mare Island Naval Shipyard. The presentation will cover the 142 years of Mare Island operation since its establishment as the first Naval Base on the Pacific Coast in 1854. A few of the topics to be covered are the base’s importance to the Bay Area, the United States, and the world. Learn about the German spy the British nicknamed the “Blonde Bombshell” who collaborated with two other saboteurs to cause a powder magazine explosion rocking the entire North Bay during World War I. Hear about how and why Mare Island came to be the first US naval base on an isolated coast. There is no question that Mare Island has played a critical role in the Bay Area and the world. The presenter is Dennis Kelly who has long and very deep ties to Mare Island. He worked for 22 years in managerial as well as technical positions ranging from nuclear engineer to facilities manager. He was assigned by the Department of Defense to be the ombudsmen for the conversion from a military base to civilian use in 1993. After the closure, he has been involved as a Board Member and officer of the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation since its inception in 1995. To attend this free online presentation, visit www.museumsrv.org and go to the “Events” section or call 925 837-3750. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Summer hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-1PM and Sunday noon3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
SRV GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 to provide its members with resources, assistance, and educational opportunities that help them successfully research their ancestry. The group publishes a monthly newsletter and offers monthly meetings of small 4-H REGISTRATION Tassajara 4-H is a youth degroups with common interests to discuss their specific areas of research. Classes velopment program for individare offered for the beginning researcher uals ages 5 to 19, serving San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, and and those interested in genetic DNA. To become a member of SRVGS, Walnut Creek. It is a welcoming visit srvgensoc.org and click on the “Join group, catering to a variety of inSRVGS” tab on the left side of the home page. For questions terests through projects, such as about the group, email Steve Watty at president@srvgensoc.org. livestock, arts, public speaking, archery, beekeeping, and more! Members learn citizenship, leadership, and life skills through a Members holding signs for Danville 4th of July parade float. “learn by doing” model. With roots in agriculture and rural America, 4-H is now the leading youth organization in the country, with over six million youth and 500,000 adult volunteers. The Tassajara 4-H program year aligns with the school year, beginning in August and ending in June. The program is unique, as the true leaders of the organization are the youth members, who are charged with leading meetings, making executive decisions, organizing community service and outreach, and planning small and large scale events. Adult volun-
See 4-H continued on page 18
Bark in the Park Dog Show
Oak Hill Park, 3005 Stone Valley Rd., Danville Saturday, September 24th ~ 10AM (9:30AM sign-in)
Costume, Funniest, Tricks, Ears, Size, and more! Ribbons | Prizes | Drawings | Fun Register for different events ~ $7.50 first 3, $25 for 4+. To enter visit www.gfwcmountdiablodistrict.org. Form is at bottom of page. For questions contact Barbara Ingraham, bingraham22@gmail.com or 925-915-9911. Sponsored by the GFWC Mt. Diablo District. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
FRIENDS OF THE DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Danville Library will be hosting several pop-up used book sales to raise money for our local library. There will be books of all genres and for all ages. Most hardbacks will be priced at $2 and most paperbacks at $1. Recent publications will be slightly higher. Cash and local checks only. The sale will be held indoors in the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street, Danville. The room will provide greater spacing than large books sales allowed in the past. The next book sale will be held Saturdays, August 27th and September 24th from 10am to 2pm. Proceeds from the sale go towards funding library programs and purchasing library materials. Come in, browse, and add to your personal library and reading pleasure.
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
TOTALLY TRAINS AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
Model trains have returned to the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. This always popular event will be on display until August 21st. The main layout features a newly enhanced canyon that is not to be missed! Take a moment and see the models of Danville and San Ramon’s present and past buildings. This year’s new building is the beautiful Albert J Young home located on San Ramon Valley Road. Two new fun additions are a working saw mill and a pony ride. A model of the famous Blue Comet train that took passengers from New York City to Atlantic City will also be on display. There is lots to see and enjoy! Totally Trains is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits. A Totally Train’s Family Pass for $15 is on sale. The pass allows you to visit the exhibit as many times as you like. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Summer hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-1PM and Sunday noon3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
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JEWELRY FUNDRAISER FAIRE
The Alamo Women’s Club (AWC) will be hosting a Jewelry Fundraiser Faire to benefit Club scholarships as well as projects to support the community on Thursday, August 25th from 10AM-6PM and Friday, August 26th from 10AM-4PM. Some beautiful new jewelry has just arrived. A huge inventory of designer jewelry will be 50% off and beautiful costume jewelry can be had starting at just $5. The Club is located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo. Please come and shop! Covid safe protocols will be in place. All shoppers and staff are required to wear masks and distance while shopping.
HELP! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE RIDES TO SENIORS AND VETERANS
Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that gives rides to seniors and veterans in Contra Costa County. Volunteer drivers are needed to escort seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old. Please call Mobility Matters at (925) 284-2215 for more details. You can learn more about Mobility Matters at www.mobilitymatterscc.com.
MONDAY FUN AT THE DANVILLE SENIOR CENTER
BLACKHAWK GALLERY
The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society is please to announce the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new Exhibit ‘Everlasting’. The exhibit will be on view Tuesday through Sunday through Sunday October 23rd. The Exhibit is free and open to the public. The ‘Everlasting’ exhibit features about 30 Blackhawk Gallery member artists. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art. The Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville in the Blackhawk Plaza Shopping Center. ‘Everlasting’ features guest artist Patty Taylor. Patty describes herself as an experimentalist with creative passion. She creates flamed abstract sculptures of the figurative female figure that adorn themes that honor music, dance, ocean, spirituality, fashion and anthropology. Patty is fascinated with texturing clay, glazing, or fuming in flamed firing processes - Raku, Saggar, and Pit Fire. These alternative clay firing processes bring a splendor of mystery and matte finishes that roll into high luster and colors to create a dramatic mood. Regular Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday 11AM to 6PM. To learn more visit www.adas4art.org/blackhawk-gallery. For more information, contact Blackhawk Gallery Director Greg Starnes at gallery@adas4art.org, or call 925-648-8023.
BECOME A FOOD RESCUE HERO
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS DESPERATELY NEEDED!
White Pony Express (WPE) is expanding to meet the growing need for healthy food in our communities. Hunger is on the rise due to inflation and supply chain disruptions and fresh, nutritious food is out of reach for many of our neighbors. WPE needs volunteers willing to drive to help us meet this need. This can happen in a personal vehicle or one of our fleet vehicles. If you have a little time to spare and a good driving record, we would love to welcome you to our team of food rescue heroes. Together, we can end hunger in our county and beyond! Contact Mandy and Ana at volunteer@whiteponyexpress.org for more information.
The Danville Senior Center has resumed its in-person Monday Senior Lunch program. Lunches are provided in partnership with the newly rebranded Café Costa and will be served at noon each Monday. Participants can enjoy puzzles and board games in the Community Hall at the Danville Senior Center (located at 115 E Prospect Ave, Danville) before lunch and stay for a free weekly movie following lunch. Residents wishing to participate will need to complete a County NAPIS form and call in their reservation by noon the Friday before. Forms are available at the Danville Senior Center. The lunch program is provided in partnership with Contra Costa County and has a suggested donation of $3 for those 60 and up. Those under 60 can still enjoy lunch for a $6 fee. Menus are available at www. danville.ca.gov/seniors, and vegetarian options are available by request. For more information or to call in a reservation, please contact the Danville Senior Center at (925) 314-3430.
“TOWN TALKS” WITH DANVILLE MAYOR
Danville’s Mayor, Newell Arnerich, hosts the monthly “Town Talks with the Mayor” series on the first Friday of each month via Zoom. Community members are encouraged to join the discussions. Participants can ask questions via chat or email questions ahead of time to towntalks@danville.ca.gov. Mayor Arnerich invites guests to discuss various topics of interest to Danville residents. Recordings are at www.DanvilleTownTalks. org/town-talks-with-the-mayor where you can find all the information for this program, including previous recordings. For more information, contact Diane Friedmann at 925-314-3378 or dfriedmann@danville.ca.gov.
Roundabout continued from front page
Learn more on page 2 of the annual Alamo Improvement Association newsletter found at https://tinyurl.com/297xan67. Plans drawn last year can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2axxpojg. A fact sheet is currently being prepared by Supervisor Anderson’s office and will be available shortly. If you’d like a copy when it is published please email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
PATIENT BUYERS IN THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET By Joe Gatti
On July 13th the Consumer Price Index came out with an even higher inflation reading of 9.1% for June, a .5% increase from May’s inflation reading of 8.6%. The immediate market reaction was surprisingly neutral. The stock market and bond markets stayed relatively level. The next Federal Reserve meeting will be on July 26th and 27th, which is after this article’s submission, but it is widely anticipated that the Federal Reserve will raise their base rate at least .75 basis points for the second month in a row. How have these latest inflation readings and strategic interest rate movements affected the outlook for our local real estate market? As of this writing, 341 total properties were listed for sale in the greater Danville area which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon. This is up from 296 listings recorded in our June article, a 15.2% increase in active properties from the previous month. The median listing price for these active properties is currently $1,999,000.* What we’re seeing is a market that is beginning to resemble the seasonal cycles that we were accustomed to pre-Covid. Buyers have become more patient as they gauge updated inflation reports and carefully watch for interest rate adjustments. In a season when schools are out, many have interrupted their property searches for a long overdue vacation. Listed properties, as a result, are staying on the market for more days. The current median days on the market is now 25 for our local area. Open house attendance is lower, but buyers who lost out in the frantic market of the past two years are re-entering hoping now they can finally find their new home. A similar story is present when we look at pending properties. In June, there were roughly 150 that entered into contract. While in July, the number of pending homes decreased to 135, a decline of 11.1%. The July median sales price for properties that went pending was $1,750,000,* showing how interest rate increases since February have resulted in buyers becoming more conservative regarding their purchase price levels and focusing on price ranges below two million that will have less overall economic impact on their monthly home payment levels. For sellers, with buyers showing considerably more restraint than in the recent past, the value of pricing your home correctly during the remaining summer months is of the utmost importance. If you look at what a local home was valued at in 2019 to today, the equity level is incredible. However, sellers hoping for $200,000 over what a neighbor’s home sold for at the beginning of 2022, will result in disappointment. Prices should be seen as level. Having a well thought out price point with recent comparable sales evidence will result in a listing price offer and that should be seen as a good outcome. What to look for in the coming months? The Federal Reserve will not meet in the month of August, so their rate increase on July 26th will allow the US economy to process the rate increases from May, June, and July. We’ll be looking to see if the inflation reading for July starts descending at the next Consumer Price Index release on August 10th. If it is favorable, and it declines in significant economic categories, look for more buyers to come out of their vacation hibernation and the Federal Reserve to have a more identifiable path for the US economy at their September meeting on September 20th. If you have questions on selling your home during this time, please feel free to reach out for a consultation. Our services and long local experience will help prepare and price your property correctly for maximizing its value in this current environment. I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 10 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 15 Railroad office in downtown Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time or have questions about this article, please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-588-3590. Our services are here for you! *Data taken from the MLS during specific dates and under the criteria mentioned within the article
JOE & RON GAT TI AS DANVILLE NATIVES, WE KNOW DANVILLE AND THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
210 GLEN MEADOW COURT | DANVILLE | $2,198,000 4 BED | 2.5 BATH | 2,888 SF
JOE GATTI
RON GATTI
Broker Associate Broker Associate 925.588.3590 925.596.3590 DRE 019144487 DRE 00623995
231 EL SOBRANTE DRIVE | DANVILLE | $2,278,000 5 BED + OFFICE | 3 BATH | 2,465 SF
JULIE CYGAN CHELSY RUIZ REALTOR® 510.501.5160 DRE 02059093
g a t t i r e a l e s t a t e @ g m a i l .co m
REALTOR® 925.575.1358 DRE 02157574
GattiRealEstate.com
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
CALLING ALL RESTAURANTS AND CATERING COMPANIES!
Local restaurants and catering companies are invited to donate their surplus food to White Pony Express (WPE). WPE will distribute it upon receipt – free of charge – to dozens of nonprofit partners and school pantries that serve our hungry neighbors. When you donate food to WPE, you help end food insecurity in our county and reduce the production of methane gas caused by rotting food in landfills. If your business would like to donate excess food, please contact WPE’s Food Sourcing Manager at donatefood@whiteponexpress.org. For more information, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org/food-rescue.
VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION MEETINGS
Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) meet at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, except as otherwise noted. • American Legion Post 246 meets on the first Wednesday of each month (except August) at noon. For information, visit www.americanlegionpost246.org, email commanderpost246@gmail.com, or call 925-272-8480. • Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM. For information, visit vmbsrv.org or email info@vfwpost75.org. • Viet Nam Veterans of the Diablo Valley meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5PM at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. For information, visit http://vnvdv.org/index.html or call 925-838-6445. • Marine Corps League Detachment 942 meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:30AM. For information, visit www.mcldet942.org. • Blue Star Moms Detachment 101 meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM. For information, visit www.bluestarmoms.org or call 925-587-4037. • Bay Area Navy Nurse Corps Association holds two general meetings in June and December. For information, visit https://nnca.org, or email bannca@nnca.org. • Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley holds coffees on Saturdays from 9AM to noon.
EBRPD DIRECTOR RETIREMENT
Beverly Lane announced that she will retire from the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors. She was elected to represent Ward 6 (Central Contra Costa, from San Ramon to Concord) in 1994 and has been Board President four times. A former Mayor of Danville, she served on the first Town Council from 1982 to 1993. One of the founders of the Iron Horse Regional Trail and a longtime advocate for open space, Lane has been involved in improving access to parks, increasing the number of trails, promoting volunteer opportunities and supporting cultural and natural resource interpretation at the Park District. During her tenure, the District has increased to include 73 parks and has grown from 76,503 acres to 125,520 acres. The Iron Horse Trail is now over 34 miles long and extends from Contra Costa County into Alameda County. The Calaveras Ridge Trail stretches from Briones on the north to Pleasanton Ridge on the south. The regional parks in Ward 6 include: Las Trampas, Little Hills, Briones, Bishop Ranch, Borel, Diablo Foothills, Castle Rock, Morgan Territory, Round Valley, Byron Vernal Pools, Vasco Caves and Hills, and Thurgood Marshall. Marshall is the most recent addition, a park of 2,500 acres carved from the 5,000-acre Concord Naval Weapons Station. Lane worked over 20 year---s to pursue this park and anticipates that the Bailey Road south section (about 900 acres) will be open to the public by 2025. Lane is currently co-chair of the Friends of San Ramon Creek, curator at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, and former President of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Foundation. Lane has been active in the community for many years; she and her family moved to Danville in 1973. She was a Coro Fellow and has a Masters in Public Administration. A local historian and author, Lane was founding President of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley Board of Trustees. She has written four local history books and many newspaper history columns, supported museum school programs, and produced a number of exhibits both in Danville and at the Contra Costa History Center in Martinez. Her exhibit team restored the Mission San Jose museum exhibits for the Mission’s bicentennial in 1997.
CELEBRATION! 23 years
September 1st 4-7 pm Balloon Pop SALE & Decades Party
391 Hartz Ave. Danville 925.837.2664
Thanks for HEKA magic & memories
IRISH MUSIC CONCERT
On Friday, September 16th a concert of traditional and contemporary Irish music will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Ave. in Danville. The concert will be the kickoff event of the 23rd Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival. The concert celebrates the Friendship City relationship between Danville and New Ross, Ireland, from which O’Neill’s father James emigrated. Acclaimed Bay Area musicians Cormac Gannon, Erin Thompson, and Steve Gardner will sing and play a variety of instruments, including the fiddle and uilleann pipes. Tickets are $20 and available at https://eugeneoneill.org/event/ irish-music-concert-a-eugene-oneill-festival-event.
Do you have a story idea or local news to share? Do you have an ad you’d like to place? Call us at 925.405.6397 or email Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com..
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L
COMING SOON JUST LISTED
COMING SOON JUST LISTED
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
178 LUDELL DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,187 SF, 0.23 ACRE LOT
535 GABRIEL COURT, WALNUT CREEK 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 2,198 SF, 0.10 ACRE LOT
1911 MANTOVA STREET, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 5.5 BATHS, 3,611 SF, 0.15 ACRE LOT
388 BELLFLOWER COURT, SAN RAMON 4 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,011 SF, 2,260 SF LOT
CALL AGENT FOR PRICE
CALL AGENT FOR PRICE
OFFERED AT $2,450,000
OFFERED AT $1.356,000
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
SUZY PECK | 925.200.2988
NEW
PENDING
SOLD
SOLD
1398 DANVILLE BOULEVARD #215, ALAMO 2 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,357 SF
109 RUBICON CIRCLE, DANVILLE 2 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,391 SF
2379 IRONWOOD PLACE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 6,488 SF, 0.82 ACRE LOT
127 RUBICON CIRCLE, DANVILLE 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,391 SF
OFFERED AT $899,000
OFFERED AT $775,000
SOLD FOR $3,450,000
SOLD FOR $835,000
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
ALISON J. PETERSEN | 925.984.7214
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
ALISON J. PETERSEN | 925.984.7214
SOLD
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
1281 PINE CREEK WAY #F, CONCORD 3 BEDS, 1.5 BATHS, 1,252 SF, 880 SF LOT
318 WINDCHIME DRIVE, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 2,734 SF, 0.16 ACRE LOT
341 CENTURY CIRCLE, DANVILLE 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,658 SF, 0.22 ACRE LOT
3042 BLACKBERRY AVENUE, SAN RAMON 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 1,868 SF, 2,714 SF LOT
SOLD FOR $485,000
SOLD FOR $2,306,800
SOLD FOR $1,850,000
SOLD FOR $1,500,000
DANI O’CONNELL | 925.786.2176
SUZY PECK | 925.200.2988
BONNE WERSEL | 510.304.3303
DANI O’CONNELL | 925.786.2176
ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214
BONNE WERSEL 510.304.3303
BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500
DANI O’CONNELL 925.786.2176
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DANVILLE
MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL 925.984.1344 925.980.9952
SCOTT & FONIA HUMPHRIES 925.298.2249 925.998.4444
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EVA ELDERTS 925.726.9409 REALTOR® | DRE# 02039328
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SIERRA TAHOE
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
MONTE VISTA HIGH
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
CATCH UP ON SOME “Zs”
THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS By Jaime Kaiman, Monte Vista High, Senior
One thing that I enjoy about summer is that no two summers are ever the same. Sure, you may have traditions that stay the same each summer, but those are never carried out in the exact same way as before. Maybe you may argue that for the past four summers you’ve done nothing but lounge around all day. Once again, although that may stay consistent, I’m sure you don’t get up and eat the same exact dinner as you did last summer after you’re finished relaxing. Those unique features are what make every summer so extremely special. Additionally, the state that the world is in is truly different every summer. As an obvious example, we can discuss how the coronavirus impacted every summer for almost the past three years in different ways. Back in 2020, everyone was staying inside and binge watching whatever show piqued their interest on Netflix. We were also extremely concerned about stepping foot into the petri dish known as the local grocery store. This summer is different because although the virus is still an extremely prominent threat in society, it’s not as serious because there are many methods that can combat the sickness. Not to mention, other strange illnesses are still trying to infiltrate our everyday life here, such as monkeypox. As weird as it sounds, monkeypox is actually a really serious virus that shows itself in gruesome sores on the skin, similar to smallpox. I will say, every summer for the past few years has consistently had me wondering if this is when the apocalypse will begin.
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The Monte Vista (MV) campus has been remarkably busy over the summer break and will only get busier as we approach the start of the 2022-23 school year. Over the past eight weeks, MV has hosted SRVUSD Summer School in addition to many camps, workshops, and practices. With the steady stream of students on campus there have been moments where things feel like a typical school day. st On August 1 , MV’s office officially re-opened for business and, as always, it was great to see the members of our counseling and office teams back on campus. That same morning, MV hosted SRVUSD’s annual New Teacher U, which serves as an orientation for all the new teachers in our district. The MV faculty was well represented at New Teacher U with Jared Eisenberg and Josh Back to School Shopping! Cohen in social science; Kelley LaFond in English; Madison Gronowski in Bring in this ad for a FREE gift. Special Education; Karienna Daryanani in Visual Art; Lauren Bell and Melanie Hayes in Counseling; Rebecca White in our Wellness Center; and Erin Cicatelli as our new Assistant Principal. We are so excited about our colleagues and cannot wait for them to start working with our students. We welcome all our new teachers and staff members to the MV community. On August 3rd, the Mustang Mentors will attend training to prepare for freshman orientation, and on Friday, August 5th our upper classmen will put that training into action and officially welcome the Class of 2026 to our campus. A special thanks to the MV Leadership Team of Stacy Brix, Tommy Greenless, and Chris Connor as well as our Mustang Mentors for putting on this amazing event. On Thursday, August 4th we welcome the MV community back to campus at our annual Stampede Day. Students and parents pick up school related materials, receive their school IDs, buy spirit wear, and make donations to a Hippie Vibe Tribe Bo-Ho Chic Boutique variety of booster organizations. The event will be made all the better by the Women & Teen Fashion. The eccentric place to shop. presence of Hazy Barbeque which will keep everyone well fed throughout the day. Many thanks to the many students, staff, parents, and community volunteers who make Stampede Day a major success. It will be great to reconnect the MV community with our campus after a long summer. MV’s fall athletic programs will kick off their tryouts and practices in August. Many of our student-athletes were hard at work throughout the summer preparing for the onset of the fall campaign, but it is always nice for things to get going officially. We look forward to a great fall season for the Mustangs in all sports and on all levels. Although summer school created some challenges to prepare, our custodial team has put in the extra effort to get things ready for the first day of school – and the campus is looking great. Hats off to our site custodial, landscaping, and maintenance teams for their hard work in making our campus look so amazing. The first day of school is August 10th and we are looking forward to another awesome year at Monte Vista. Being a senior this year doesn’t feel much different from being a freshman. I’m an upperclassman now, but I still feel the same amount of stress. Just a different kind of stress. Freshman year, I was worried about what my friend-group would look like, and if I was going to be able to find all of my classes that were spread out in a huge campus full of giant people who constantly looked like they want to fight me in the halls. Now that I have become that “giant” person in the halls, I find myself worrying about other things. College applications, balancing social and school life, leaving my friends when summer ends next year. The stress is always there, but it has shifted immensely from what it was all about when I was younger. Overall, there’s always something unique in the things people do, even if it’s the same activity everyday. It’s truly never thought of or done in the same way. Those changes can truly be seen not just in past summer nights, but just looking back and comparing yourself now versus your past self throughout any point in time. I encourage you to enjoy all of these summer nights. They won’t be the exact same next year, so take it in, and embrace any change you may notice.
O’Neill continued from front page
Moon for the Misbegotten, the last play the playwright ever wrote, O’Neill imagined the last days of his estranged brother’s life. With great empathy and humor, he fantasized that Jim encountered the unique and powerful Josie Hogan whose love, acceptance, and sacrifice alleviated his brother’s suffering and allowed him to find a measure of peace at the end of his life. The play helped O’Neill find forgiveness for his brother and a greater understanding of himself. And now, almost 80 years later, the experience of Moon at Tao House is a gift to us all.”
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August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
Achieving Your Dreams With Professionalism Perseverance & Passion
R.N.
SALE PENDING 3691 Branding Iron, Dublin
JUST SOLD OVER ASKING 2933 Rodeo Lane, Livermore
JUST SOLD 109 Laurelwood Drive, Danville
3 Bed + Loft | 2.5 Bath | 1,764± Sq Ft
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,311± Sq Ft
5 Bed | 4.5+ Bath | 5,850± Sq Ft
$1,195,000
$1,520,000 | 2933RodeoLn.com
$4,700,000 | Represented Buyer
Celeste Pacelli
Top 1% of Agents in Contra Costa & Alameda Counties!
Broker Associate | DRE 01862387 925.395.1511 celeste@celestepacelli.com celestepacelli.com
Top 1.5% of All Agents Nationwide - WSJ Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals List See my 72 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ reviews on Zillow!
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
HELPFUL SMART PHONE APPS
By County Supervisor Candace Andersen
In late 2020, the Contra Costa County Public Works Department released the “Mobile Citizen” application, which allows residents to report maintenance issues to county crews. The app is represented by a hammer and a wrench in an X-shape. It is free to download and is available in the App Store for iPhones and iPads or the Google Play Store for Android smartphones and tablets. Mobile Citizen allows residents in unincorporated communities to report concerns by simply taking a photo, providing comments and details about a location, then submitting it directly to the Public Works department. Danville also has a citizen reporting app called “Danville Connect” in the app store. There are several other apps that allow you to keep up to date with what is happening in your community. “California Food Inspector” allows customers access to health inspection results for thousands of facilities in Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Monterey County, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Health inspections, which are unannounced, are conducted by County food-safety specialists. The inspections sometimes lead to the discovery of minor violations. Rarely, there are serious health risks and violations. Most business owners or managers can correct the violations on the spot. Follow-up inspections are always conducted. For serious and dangerous infractions, health officials will typically elect to close the restaurant until the problem is resolved. The app “CoCoHealth” enables those who are interested in getting connected with resources in Contra Costa County. The Financial portion of the app can assist County residents with paying their bills. The Employment feature can assist in those searching for a new career. The Legal feature can assist with legal referrals. The app offers users aid in several other areas as
well, including adult education, child-related services, food, health, home goods and furniture, housing, transportation, and utilities. The CoCoHealth app allows users to search thousands of nearby community resources thanks to its intelligence filters, introducing users to providers with ratings and reviews also available for viewing. The app was developed in partnership between CCHS and Health Leads USA. CoCoHealth, which is easy to use and free, is available for download on the app store for iOS devices. The app BAYmeds assists residents during a Public Health Emergency. Currently it is assisting the public in finding COVID-19 resources. The app can also help those who would like vouchers for medication pickup, as well as finding nearby points of dispensing (PODs). To use the app, individuals should click “create new voucher” and answer the provided questions. BAYmeds can store up to 20 vouchers per household. Once vouchers are completed, you can click on “find PODs”, to find the one closest to you. BAYmeds is free to download and is available on the app store for iOS devices and on Google Play for Android devices. PulsePoint is another important app to download. PulsePoint was developed by retired San Ramon Valley Fire Chief Richard Price. The app can alert you to someone nearby who is experiencing a heart related emergency and may need your assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Pulse Point app also shows the locations of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and, much like a police scanner, will let you know where and why fire and emergency medical personnel are being dispatched. Although the app was originally designed for San Ramon Valley Fire, many other fire agencies across the United States and our county, including Contra Costa Fire and Moraga-Orinda Fire, are also using this app. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of un-incorporated Walnut Creek. Please contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
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August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE “OFFICE” TO YOU
The Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office is removing barriers by opening a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an inperson experience. Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more. Visit the office website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/vets during open office hours for one-on-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, and on Fridays 9am to noon. Staffing the virtual office are Veterans Service Manager Sidney Jones, an Air Force Veteran, and Veteran Services Representative Buck Carmichael, a Marine Corps Veteran. Both have long-time experience connecting vets to critical services. For more information, please call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.
SONS IN RETIREMENT
LAS TRAMPAS BRANCH #116
SIR Las Trampas Branch 116 helps semi-retired and retired men lead active lives. All ages are invited to partake in enriching social activities. There are minimal dues and no major commitments. Come join the group to make new friends and social connections and stay active. Monthly meetings are held at Boundary Oak Golf Course. The robust and well organized nine-hole and 18-hole golf programs are in full swing. Play is at Boundary Oak and other courses in the area. A special 18-hole golf retreat will take place in Reno in early September. There are two different book groups that meet monthly. A very active fishing group takes place with participation from SIR members in the area. Join our pickleball group for a fun way to get some exercise. The bridge group meets for lunch twice a month. Put on your shoes and take an easy hour-long walk every Friday morning with the Amiable Amblers walking group and also join in the monthly sponsored walking tours to explore local areas. Spouses and friends join in on wine tastings which take place at members houses and group dinners which are held at local restaurants. To learn more or become a member, visit https://sirinc2.org/branch116, or call 925-322-1160. Come join the group and have some fun!
SAN RAMON VALLEY BRANCH #128
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement (SIR) San Ramon Valley Branch #128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. In-person luncheons occur on the third Wednesday of each month at 11AM at The Bridges located at 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. The next luncheon will take place on Wednesday, August 17th. The speaker will be Michele McKay-McCoy. Michele is a retired judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose and longtime resident of Danville. Retiring in 2020, her current agenda is to give talks about the Constitution, which is a topic increasingly fraught with controversy. She brings to her presentation copies of the Constitution to hand out to all attendees. In her talk she covers three topics: 1) How we chose the Constitution’s form of government and how it works, 2) The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, often called the Civil War Amendments, which hit the re-set button on democracy, and 3) The 25th Amendment and the Electoral College. Needless to say, the question of what is, and isn’t, covered by the Constitution is highly controversial. So join Judge McKay-McCoy for a lively discussion on these subjects. SIR 128 offers its members many fun activities including investing, book groups, fantasy football, technology, wine tastings, golf, bocce ball, bicycling, hiking, and more. If you’re interested in attending the luncheon/meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about the group, visit www.SIR128.com.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Neighborhood Watch is a community action and problem-solving program, and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within the community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address community issues of concern. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be hosting meetings via Zoom. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more information, please email the Community Services Unit at csu@so.cccounty.us.
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PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
QUICK TRIPS
TUNNEL TOPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
In the late 1990s an outdated and unused raised railroad track in New York, partially hidden from passersby and overgrown with vegetation, was slated to be demolished. The abandoned 1.45-mile-long elevated track built in 1933 was little known, even by locals. Today this historic railroad track is home to an award-winning greenway called the High Line with public programs, community space, and world class artwork and performances, all free of charge and open to the public. Joshua David, co-founder of Friends of the High Line, described in a podcast how in 1999 he went to a planning meeting where he was one of few attendees who was in favor of repurposing a section of a 1933 railroad track called the “West Side Elevated Line” that had fallen into disrepair. Ten years later, after countless meetings and support from many, the first installment of the unique elevated and reimagined section of Manhattan train track was opened with pathways shaded by magnolias, sassafras and other trees, and gardens with more than fifteen distinct planting zones and 110,000 plants. The designers thought of everything: playgrounds, places to sit and relax on reclaimed wood benches, an open food court, sculptures, murals, and an outdoor amphitheater. Views are extraordinary with an exceptional spot between 30th and 34th Street with 360-degree views of the Hudson River and the city of New York. Closer to home, the San Francisco Presidio has its own repurposed project, creating the newest National Park site from the place where a seismically unsafe freeway once stood. Tunnel Tops, a public space gem, ingeniously built on top of two tunnels, opened July 17, 2022. Michael Painter (1935-2018), urban planner and local landscape architect, was most known for his ingenious project, the Presidio Parkway. The seismically unsafe elevated freeway known as Doyle Drive had been shut down following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and according to his wife, Painter had his ah-ha moment after climbing to the Palace of Fine Arts. Seeing the unsightly and unsafe freeway below, he imagined what it would be like to connect the park back together with land-bridges, creating a new park land on them. The new parkway would open long-hidden Golden Gate Bridge, Bay and Palace
Photo by Rachel Styer
of Fine Arts views by moving traffic into tunnels at two key sites, allowing a new landscape to be created over the tops of the tunnels. Hence, the name of the newly opened 14-acre Tunnel Tops, our Nation’s newest National Park Site. On a press tour I attended prior to the July 17 grand opening of the gorgeous new park, I learned that the original idea for Tunnel Tops involved a lot of lawn. After listening to what the community wanted from a park, the landscape firm James Corner Field Operations, who incidentally was the firm behind the High Line in New York, redesigned the new park adding BBQ grills, a wind shelter, a campfire circle, lots of picnic area, a two acre kid’s nature play area as well as two new buildings for science discovery and one rehabilitated building for education, the Crissy Field Center. Like the High Line in New York, the Presidio’s Tunnel Tops has everything a person could want from a park with the bonus of the best views you will ever see. The area formed by Tunnel Tops, the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point creates a triangle rich in California history and sheer beauty. Presidio Tunnel Tops is located at 210 Lincoln Blvd., San Francisco and is open to the public free of charge. Food Trucks are on site every day from 9AM-6PM. Paid public parking is located across from the Visitor Center on the Presidio’s Main Post. Check their website at PresdioTunneltops.gov. Linda Summers Pirkle is a long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
Farm continued from front page
Farm, notes, “Apprentices find a supportive environment where they can continue to grow as individuals while earning a salary that enables them to move toward living independently. They become leaders within the community as experienced apprentices guide new recruits. When they see the produce they are growing given to grateful members of the larger community, they positively light up in the realization that they are making a difference in the lives of others.” Brittany Wade, FHF Workforce Development Coordinator, adds, “Our apprentices are working in a program that heals the land and nourishes the community as they heal from their personal traumas. Their awareness that at the end of the day they have made a difference in the lives of others builds self-confidence and belief in their ability to move forward in achieving their goals. FHF offers as much as 150 pounds of nutritious vegetables free to the public each week. As residents of a USDA designated Food Desert, they are thrilled to have access to the amazing crops FHF grows. Apprentices are given first choice before the veggies are set out on the farmstand. Everyone on the farm Brittany Wade (R) helps Family harvest Farm apprentices find their personal paths to success. Photo courtesy of FHF. enjoys salads and wraps for lunch made from farm products. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Wade finds working outside rather than in a typical clinic remarkably refreshing. “In bi-weekly ‘check-in’ sessions,” she explains, “we ask our apprentices to reflect on areas of success and opportunities for growth and improvement. Our goal is to provide them with individualized support to build skills and achieve their goals, preparing them to successfully launch into their next educational and/or employment endeavors. We help them maintain a reliable attendance record, understand their own strengths and adaptability, utilize appropriate conflict resolution practices, and understand workplace etiquette and expectations.” Hodgson concurs. “We help our apprentices envision what they are capable of accomplishing. Their initial jobs after graduation may or may not relate to their ultimate careers, but the skills they have learned help them maintain employment while they search for their personal paths to success.” Wade summarizes: “Given how overwhelmed the foster care system is, it is rare that youth receive comprehensive services and support that meets their needs. At Family Harvest Farm we provide high-quality, individualized support that empowers the transition-age foster youth in our apprentice program to become successful, healthy, independent adults.” Depending on available funding, FHF offers internships to college students (with preference given to foster youth) to gain experience in organic community farming. An apprentice who graduated this summer has received a scholarship to DVC and will return to FHF in the fall as an intern managing the greenhouse. Volunteers, especially skilled Master Gardeners like Allison Thomas, are an essential part of the farm team. Allison describes what inspires her to be on hand almost every workday. “Family Harvest Farm demonstrates that gardening is part of life and you can improve your life through gardening. It’s an open gate environment. When visitors walk in, apprentices tell them about what they are doing. Some visitors come with questions and others share information about what they have learned.” She adds, “Mary, Britt, and Hannah give the farm a calming energy that’s amazing. There’s always a purpose
See Farm continued on page 14
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August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
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LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
To learn more about The Rotary Club of Alamo and see current meeting dates and times, visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Danville Rotary Club meets virtually every Monday at noon. Learn more at danvillerotary.org. If you are interested in the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com, call 925-336-0000, or visit dsvrotary.com. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets via Zoom every Wednesday night from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-6836310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 5:30PM-6:40PM. For more information, call 925-998-2924. Rotary Club of San Ramon meets via Zoom every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm. For more information, visit sanramonrotary.org, or email chris@gallagherwealth.com, or call 925-831-3043.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 5PM on the first Tuesday of the month and also at 6:30PM on the third Wednesday of the month. The group is looking for like-minded people who wish to volunteer their time for good causes to join the club. The group is a dinner-time club and meets at restaurants for dinner and business meetings in Danville. Danville Lions raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide, through fun and gratifying projects. Lions are well known for successful initiatives in vision health. Please visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/ danvilleca to learn more or contact Club president Diana Gaines at 925-719-1553.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant, located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
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PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
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VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane
THE CLOSE FAMILY LEFT AN IMPRINT ON DANVILLE
The Close family of Danville was an important one. Their beginnings originated when Canadian James E. Close (1847-1904) moved to town and purchased the original Front Street Danville blacksmith shop in 1875. A blacksmith by trade, he built a thriving business then purchased eight other Danville parcels over a 21-year period. His property extended from Front Street, west on Diablo Road to Hartz Avenue. When the Southern Pacific railroad arrived in town in 1891, many merchants, including Close, updated their businesses. Close tore down the original shop and blacksmith and built a new, modern one with a rustic front in 1892. Next door to the south he had already constructed a two-story building which housed the Close general store, the first telephone exchange, the first library, and the post office. To the north he built a two-story building at the corner of Front Street and Diablo Road. From 1914-17 the second floor of the building hosted several groups including the Odd Fellows and public high school classes. Close building on Front Street with original blacksmith shop, c. 1891. In 1875, James married Lillian Ramage. Their only surviving child, Clarence W. Close, was born in 1877, the same year he became a naturalized citizen. The large 10-room Close home was built in 1894, facing Diablo Road with an expansive back yard. They had a lovely, large garden which was often the scene of local parties, including the annual Presbyterian Church ice cream social. In the forties a popular small railroad which children could ride was in the yard until it was torn down in 1955. Lillian Close was an active force in the village. She was one of the first librarians, helped run the Danville Improvement Club, and was President of the Danville Equal Suffrage Club which campaigned successfully for women’s suffrage in California on October 10, 1911. Clarence Close was a general merchant who married Josephine Wilson in 1900. They raised a family of four children in Danville. Taking after his mother, he was very active in the community. He served as a Danville Grammar School and High School Trustee, a Mason, a volunteer fire fighter, and manager of the Danville Branch of the San Ramon Valley Bank beginning in 1911. The couple was involved in the Grange and supported the Presbyterian Church. Lillian (Ramage) Close Their son, Dr. Wilson E. Close, graduated from San Ramon Valley Union High School and became a podiatrist. He was devoted to the area and served on many committees such as the County Highway Advisory Committee and the Danville Renewal Corporation. Always interested in local history, Dr. Close was one of the founders of the San Ramon Valley Historical Society, serving as President from 1973-1978. He purchased the Close Property plaque which was dedicated on September 22, 1996 and is located on the south side of Diablo Road, across from Rose Street.
Sources: Essay by Irma M. Dotson, Virgie V. Jones Historical Persons & Places In San Ramon Valley, Museum archives, various Wilson Close essays, two Contra Costa County Histories (1882 and 1917).
Farm continued from page 12
to what we are doing, but even though seasonal tasks need to be performed according to a specific timeline, the atmosphere is always relaxing.” Educational sessions on Wednesdays include cooking classes and discussion topics like decision-making. Presenters bring fresh voices to the farm. Lunchtime offers many ways to share ideas. Thomas relates, “Everyone on the farm knows how passionate I am about conserving water. When we are chatting while washing lunch dishes and the water is running, I demonstrate how the best practices we use to save water in the garden may be applied in the kitchen. I show the apprentices how to do the dishes in a single tub that doesn’t waste water. Saving water begins with the soil. If you don't have good soil, you waste water.” Jack Cortis didn’t know much about the Child Welfare System when his daughter began fostering infants. After learning what happened to foster youth who found themselves at age 18 suddenly sent out into the world with few marketable skills, little means of maintaining housing, and limited or no family support, he conceived the basic plan for Family Harvest Farm. As a Master Gardener, he understood the therapeutic value of gardening. How could he make his idea to employ transition-age foster youth operational? A Family Harvest Farm apprentice is all smiles as he holds up onions he's Many auspicious events moved the initiative forward. Through the network of UC Master grown and harvested. Photo courtesy of FHF. Gardeners of Contra Costa, Cortis reached out to Kim Overaa, Lafayette Community Garden Board member, for advice. Acquainted with Linus Eukel, JMLT Executive Director, Kim made the introduction and eventually agreed to co-found the farm. Eukel immediately embraced the concept and promised to find a site for the project. Cortis relates: “Finding Mary Cherry to manage Family Harvest Farm was serendipitous. While searching for a model for the project, I discovered the Homeless Farm in Santa Cruz. My wife is a third generation Santa Cruz native, and we lived in Santa Cruz for several years before relocating to the Bay Area. While I was at the Homeless Farm, a young man who turned out to be the manager asked me what I was doing there. Once I explained my plan for FHF, he told me the perfect person to manage FHF was his son’s mother, Mary Cherry.” Cherry’s unwavering belief in the FHF proposal was matched by John Muir Community Health Fund and initial collaborators including First Place for Youth, Youth Homes, Pacific Clinics (formerly Uplift Family Services), Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services - Contra Costa independent Living Skills Program, and Contra Costa County Office of Education - Youth Services Mary Cherry (L), Kim Overaa C), and Jack Cortis (R) celebrate Department. JMLT facilitated licensing agreements for the property PG&E offered. Pittsburg City the connection of water to Family Harvest Farm. Photo courtesy of FHF.
See Farm continued on page 21
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CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN ADU WITH PERPETUAL
PERPETUAL HOMES SETS THE BAR FOR BRINGING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE BAY By Perpetual Homes
There’s no ignoring the current housing crisis in California, caused by a lack of supply coupled with a considerable increase in demand to live in our beautiful state. Many experts have vouched for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as a possible solution to this major issue by providing additional housing for family members or renters while saving land. Katherine Anderson, founder of Perpetual Homes ADU, is taking advantage of new, visionary, California legislation to build ADUs quicker and with fewer jurisdictional costs. Senate Bill 9, also known as SB 9, went into effect at the beginning of this year and Perpetual Homes has
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
AGGRESSIVE & SKILLED LEGAL ADVOCACY Protect your rights after serious injury or wrongful death.
Call us today to schedule a consultation.
925-587-9949
“Making the world a safer place, one case at a time.” Alamo resident since 2002
www.gattopc.com
2540 Camino Diablo, Suite 201, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
OUR PARKS - A DRINK FROM NATURE’S CUP
By Marilyn Hargrove, Danville
If you love roses you should go to Osage Park to see the show. There’s every color under sun, and trees with shade for everyone. I ride my bicycle around and round while taking in a joy profound! I see a couple holding hands and children playing in the sand. And yes, there is the ice cream truck, the kids just love when it shows up! The Park brings joy to everyone, young and old are having fun. There are martial arts upon the lawn, baseball, tennis, and soccer too, but I enjoy the nothing I do!
Perpetual Lux2 Modular ADU.
My dog and I sit on the grass and watch the others as they pass, Then I lie down and see the sky and I’m reminded, it’s so vast. I feel blessed this day I pass and hope our parks shall always last!
From San Ramon to Alamo, the hiking trails and parks abound already leveraged this bill to provide affordable ADUs for their clients. and I know surely that I’ve found a place to live, This bill overrules local city and county laws when it comes to building a place to thrive and it feels good to be alive. and permitting ADUs. Specifically, it reduces required setbacks from So take the time to take a stroll in Osage Park or Hap Magee, lot lines, eliminates the need for fire sprinklers in most situations, and all the others are a must-see. They’ll wind you down and lift you up and lowers fees for utility hookup. This law also allows for qualifying While you drink from our nature’s cup. residential lots to be subdivided into up to four total parcels, allowing So smell the roses, please don’t forget. Their beauty is Mother Nature sent! Californians to make better use of available land. Perpetual Homes believes that with the creation of this new law and the rapid increase Do you have a poem or photo to share with the community? Please let in demand for housing, this is the perfect time to build an ADU. us know. Email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Laws passed in 2020, such as Assembly Bills 68 and 881, also help to make ADUs easier to install. These laws remove the previous minimum lot size requirement, diminish parking requirements for the ADU, and shorten the time period for ADU site plans to be reviewed by cities and counties. Before this legislation, ADUs were desirable but often impossible to build on most lots. With over 38 years of experience in real estate development and market analysis, Anderson acquires the highest quality homes at the most affordable prices for her clients. Her vast network of prefabrication companies, drafters, and general contractors, make the process of building an ADU much smoother. Whether you are looking to add a new source of income, provide housing for family members or renters, or increase your property value, Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 contact Perpetual Homes ADU for more information! Call 925-980-2351 or visit 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl Concord San Ramon www.perpetualhomesadu.com to learn Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 Advertorial Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com more. DL 1557865 (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
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CLIP NOTES
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President 9TH ANNUAL AUTOS OF ALAMO FESTIVAL
Alamo’s 9th annual Autos of Alamo car show will be held on Thursday, September 15th from 4PM to 8PM in Alamo Plaza. Admission is free.Please join us for live music and enjoy locally owned vintage, classic, custom, hot rods, muscle cars and more from the year 1980 and earlier. Exotics are also welcome. Show off your car! Auto registration is only $25 and you receive a gift bag of special items. Please pre-register at 925-247-8081.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY’S ENVISION 2040 PROJECT AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON ALAMO
You can only visualize the future of a community by examining its history and the forces that led to the present. What created this community and what are its particular attributes and characteristics? What attracts people to live here, buy a home, and raise their families? How will future economic and political trends and dynamics of demography affect the community and to what extent should those forces of change be embraced, controlled, mitigated, challenged, or rejected? Alamo’s current downtown operates from a single street, Danville Blvd. If even half of the potential number of units allowed by the General Plan designations (3,200 units/2 = 1,600 units) were developed, it would produce a large increase in traffic trips concentrated in Alamo’s downtown and require significant enlargement of Danville Blvd. which would run counter to current efforts to make Danville Blvd. downtown safer, more attractive and pedestrian-friendly, and to avoid gridlock which could be disastrous in an emergency, such as a fire storm. If only one of the downtown areas designated for up to 75 units per acre were actually developed even close to that density, it would require buildings of four to six stories, a radical change in the nature of Alamo’s downtown. **Learn more, make your voice heard! Now is the time to shape Alamo’s future! Please visit www.AlamoCA.org and www.AlamoVision2040.org for more information. Please also take our Alamo Community Poll on this issue at http://tinyurl.com/3k9z6jd8. Join the petition for sustainable and controlled growth for Alamo’s future at https://chng.it/MyTpTCLjY.
SUMMER FRUITS AND MORE AT ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET!
Summer fruit is upon us with an amazing selection of melons and stone fruit as well as berries. Also at the market you can find fresh veggies, corn, fish, baked goods, locally roasted coffee beans, local eggs, and more! We have the arrival of our newest vendor, Rapha Farms of Campbell, CA. They have an amazing assortment of both harvested and prepackaged microgreens in addition to their custom line of amazing microgreen pestos! A big “welcome” to our favorite Filipino food vendor, Rhose & Glenda’s “Lumpia, Etc.” and our new BBQ vendor (stay tuned for details)! During the month of August, there will be a market giveaway! Stay tuned for that too. Stop by the market and see what you can find for you and your family! If you have any questions or would like to make some vendor/market suggestions, call or text Heather (Manager) at 669-237-5564. The Market is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America.
AIA SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Now in its 67th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live!” Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to local residents, membership forms, and more. Please follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
By Jody Morgan
In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, I decided to review the renowned landscape architect’s role as President of the original Board of Commissioners appointed in 1865 to make recommendations for the administration of the Yosemite Valley Land Grant. Today the detailed report he presented on August 9, 1865, at a board meeting in the Yosemite Valley, is widely quoted. Because some of the commissioners objected to Olmsted’s proposed budget for infrastructure development, the document was suppressed. In 1952, Olmsted biographer Laura Wood Roper located and published the entire text. Debating the bill introduced by California Senator John Conness might have been a refreshing change of focus for legislators during the height of the American Civil War. On March 28, 1864, Conness introduced Senate Bill 203 -- “the Yosemite Land Grant.” Describing the area encompassed in the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove as containing “perhaps, some of the greatest wonders of the world,” he stated, “The object and purpose is to make a grant to the State, on the stipulation contained in the bill that the property shall be inalienable forever, and preserved and improved as a place of public resort.” All the federal government had to do was cede the land to the State of California. Finding funding for managing the grant was California’s responsibility. Nevertheless, the bill Abraham Lincoln signed on June 30, 1864 is considered the first step in the creation of our National Park System. In American Canopy, Eric Rutkow writes: “This was the precursor to every national park in the country: the first time that the federal government stepped in to preserve natural resources (even if done obliquely through state transfer); the first time the government recognized a noncommercial value in land; and the first time that concern for the commons trampled over private development.” Popular legend suggests legislators passed around photographs taken by Carleton Watkins as they considered the bill. Watkins was familiar with the landscape when he trekked to the Yosemite Valley in 1861 carting one camera that used 18 x 22-inch glass plates and another that yielded stereoscopic negatives. California mining companies had been commissioning him to provide photographic documentation for cases involving land disputes. The Smithsonian Museum of American Art notes: “When the mining operation caused pollution and destructive flooding, Watkins’s photographs became the first used as court evidence in an environmental suit.” Prints from the 30 glass plate negatives and 100 stereoscopic images of the Yosemite Valley Watkins sent across the country rapidly captivated the imagination of Easterners. Olmsted didn’t need photographs to pique his interest. Having accepted a position managing the Mariposa Estate mines, he’d moved to Bear Valley, California in the fall of 1863, exhausted by his work with the United States Sanitary Commission. Less than a month after Lincoln signed the “Yosemite and Big Tree Grant,” Olmsted camped with his family on Galen Clark’s ranch and viewed the Mariposa Grove. Although not the first person of European ancestry to discover the stand of 500 sequoias, Clark is recognized as the first one to count and measure its ancient residents. Olmstead’s wife, Mary (as quoted by Witold Rybczynski, A Clearing in the Distance) reported: “I know of no simile to convey to you an idea of the effect these trees produce on one...They are like cathedral columns or gigantic organ pipes.” In his 1865 report, Olmsted cautions “that in permitting the sacrifice of anything that would be of the slightest value to future visitors to the convenience, bad taste, playfulness, carelessness, or wanton destructiveness of present visitors, we probably yield the interest of uncounted millions to the selfishness of a few individuals.” His advice concerning strict regulations to preserve the integrity of scenery and vegetation went unheeded. In an article for The Century, September 1890, John Muir lamented that “ax and plow, hogs and horses, have long been and are still busy in Yosemite’s gardens and groves. All that is accessible and destructible is being rapidly destroyed.” Joining with Muir in the eventually successful campaign to restore Yosemite to the federal government as a National Park, Century editor Robert Johnson wrote that “the natural pleasure grounds” had been “ignorantly hewed, hacked, sordidly plowed and fenced, and otherwise treated on principles of forestry that would disgrace a picnic ground.” This July, wiser principles of forestry, including several years of controlled burns, saved the Mariposa Big Tree Grove once again from wanton destruction in the Washburn Fire.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
925-831-8310 Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Veteran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction. Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.
Open Monday - Thursday and the first two Saturday’s of each month. Meet Dr. Kiranjot Dyal Dr. Kiranjot Dyal graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Thereafter, she attended Western University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine to earn her degree in Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) and further extended her studies by completing a general practice residency at UCLA- Harbor Medical Center, where she earned the “Resident of the Year” accolade. Dr. Dyal’s passion for growth in her dental skills shows as she continues educating herself through various classes and up to date courses. Dr. Dyal’s goal as a dental provider is to provide compassionate care for her patients and make them feel as stress-free as possible in the dental chair. She believes that knowledge is power and understanding what treatment is needed, why it's necessary, and how it can be prevented in the future is extremely important in bettering the overall oral health of her patients and the general public. Dr. Dyal strives to build a trusting and genuine relationship with her patients and their family and friends to create a comfortable dental home for the community she treats.
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
LOCKED UP By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Kitten and Cat Adoptions Saturdays 11AM-3PM | Sundays 1PM-4PM Petco 2005 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon All cats are indoor cats and will be spayed or neutered, receive FVRCP shots, feline testing, & microchip.0
Learn more at feralcatfoundation.org
925-829-9098
4-H continued from page 3
teers serve as project leaders, in tandem with a youth leader, as well as in an advisory capacity, offering support to allow the youth leadership team to try out new ideas and improve existing systems. The 4-H motto is “To Make the Best Better,” and there is pride in the skills youth attain through the program. Alumni have gone on to become veterinarians, engineers, scientists, programmers, accountants, teachers, event planners, and more, utilizing the skills they learned and the sparks they developed during their time as Tassajara 4-H members. Poultry project members with their chickens. For more information on Tassajara 4-H and how to enroll, visit www.tassajara4h.org or attend one of the following meetings: • Thursday, August 4th at 7pm | Prospective Member Information Meeting | Zoom (link can be found on the calendar on our website) • Tuesday, August 16th at 7pm | Club Meeting | Danville Grange (743 Diablo Rd, Danville) You may also sign up for the club information email list at https:// tassajara4h.org/contact.
Livestock project members in 4-H uniform for Contra Costa County Fair shows.
This article is for everyone who owns an Apple Mac. Once upon a time there was a computer made by Apple. It was shiny and cool and everyone wanted one. That is, everyone under 30 wanted one because twenty years ago, a business leader by the name of Steve Jobs presciently placed these computers in all the elementary schools. Jobs made a smart move by exposing a generation of future consumers to his company’s products. Those young people grew up, and they needed computers when they entered the job market. Owing to their early indoctrination in all things Apple, millions of the shiny computers were purchased and provided to these freshly minted workers. Along the way, some of the workers changed jobs. Inevitably, many companies began to notice when not all of their shiny computers were coming home after people left their employ. At roughly $2K each, this became a noticeable and aggravating issue. Short of litigation, it was impossible to bring their computers home. Disappearing computer syndrome was not confined to commercial workers. Travelers, commuters, and people who absent-mindedly left their backpacks visible in their cars became favorite targets, and a lot of laptops were stolen. What to do? Apple is aware their product is popular and noticed the burgeoning issue. However, what if there was a way to make the computer unusable for whomever ripped it off? Apple’s answer to this dilemma was to introduce a feature called ‘Activation Lock’ in 2019. In short, when the ‘Find My’ feature is turned ON in your iCloud account, it binds your Mac to your AppleID. If your Mac is stolen, you can ask Apple to lock your computer, thus making it unusable for whomever took it. This means nobody but you will be able to access or rebuild your computer until the proper credentials are entered. You may not possess it anymore, but whoever ripped it off won’t get any use from it, either. And, this is where you need to pay attention. If you do not have 100% positive control over your Apple iCloud account and your password, take steps to ensure it now. Confirm you have the right password, that your account is connected to a cell phone (not a land-line), and that you have firm control over whatever email address you’ve used on the account. Document these accounts, their IDs, and passwords by writing them down. Each one of the features I’ve mentioned are absolutely necessary for you to regain control over your Mac if for some reason you need to rebuild it. In the last three weeks, we’ve come across four separate Mac situations that were messy and difficult because our clients did not have one of these aspects of their accounts under control. We rescued three of four of them; the fourth one is a very cool looking doorstop because our client does not have all of the required information, thus it is not recoverable. Apple has understandably made the recovery process difficult. They have tens of millions of accounts to safeguard, and their safety features are in place to ensure your personal data and your Mac stay safe. If your Mac is Activation Locked and you do not have a way to get into your iCloud account, the only way Apple Support can help you recover access is to provide them with your proof of purchase for the locked device in question. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your Mac, iPhone, or i-whatever receipts for as long as you own the devices, because it is the only way you’ll recover access if you get locked out. If you’re a home user and maybe only using your laptop at home, consider going into your iCloud account right now, and turn OFF the ‘Find My’ feature for your Mac. Leave it turned on for your iPhone, because that travels around with you. Also leave it turned on if you bring your Mac laptop on trips, and also ensure you have turned on FileVault to encrypt your laptop’s data. Getting locked out can happen to anyone. For example, one of our clients was upgrading to OS/X Monterey and for some reason the upgrade didn’t go right. His system wouldn’t boot. When we accessed the recovery console the Activation Lock was waiting for his password, which he didn’t have. This is a situation he didn’t cause, yet because he didn’t keep track of his iCloud password, he was stuck. I’ve mentioned this before: write down your passwords! Or use a password manager like LastPass. If you keep them in a spreadsheet, print a copy of the spreadsheet periodically. Or keep it on your phone. We have way too many passwords and accounts these days to keep straight, and if you are using different passwords for each account as you should, there is no way you’re going to remember them all. If you find yourself locked out of your computer, give the friendly pros at our Helpdesk a call at 925-552-7953, or email them at support@pcioit.com. We’ll help Advertorial you make the right moves and get you back on track.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
BE ON HIGH ALERT FOR FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE!
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Working with many elderly clients and hearing about the parents of my “baby boomer” clients, I am often privy to signs of possible elder financial abuse. Some of the stories are heartbreaking. The confluence of an aging population, longer life expectancies, and a plethora of con-artists has resulted in what might be viewed as a financial elder abuse epidemic. The perpetrator may be a caregiver, financial service provider, neighbor or “friend.” Sadly, family members of the victim are the most common perpetrators. Fortunately, California has enacted aggressive civil legislation to help protect against financial elder abuse. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to combat. Sometimes it isn’t recognized, or at least not until it’s too late – after the abuser and the money have disappeared. Tragically, financial elder abuse is hugely under-reported, usually because the elder victim is embarrassed and/or the victim and close family members don’t know what to do or just want to move on. Even when a civil lawsuit is filed, the accused perpetrator often argues that the elderly victim voluntarily gifted him the absconded funds. Evidence to the contrary may not be sufficient to satisfy the required standard of proof to hold the perpetrator liable. “Secret marriage” (a version of which is called “deathbed marriage”) when a financial abuser secretly marries an elderly person - is an ugly twist on elder financial abuse that can be difficult to defend against, particularly after the elder victim dies. Frequently, the marriage stays secret because the elder victim is incapacitated or has significant enough mental deficits that he or she doesn’t recall that the marriage ever took place. Due to the sanctity and profoundly personal nature of marriage, courts are typically very reticent to second-guess an elderly person’s decision to marry.
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
Once married, the abuser then manipulates the vulnerable elder into making gifts to the abuser and/or turning over access to the elder’s assets. Often, the perpetrator persuades the victim to change his or her Will or Trust so that the abuser-spouse becomes the sole or major beneficiary. Even if the elder dies without a Will or Trust, the abuser-spouse is entitled to a meaningful share of the victim’s assets under applicable “intestacy” law. Tangentially related to the topic of financial elder abuse, I previously represented a 43-year-old caregiver who was caring 24/7 for a wealthy 96-year-old man, who had two sons – one 68 and one 71. The elderly gentleman asked my client to marry him and offered to “give her everything” because he so appreciated her service and his sons and grandchildren were already very well off financially. Honorably, my client rejected his marriage offer, but he nevertheless independently changed his Trust to give her about 10% of his assets. His estate planning attorney opined that his elderly client was perfectly lucid and clearly understood what he was doing in changing his Trust. After protracted litigation that had been initiated by the elder’s sons, I helped my client settle this matter favorably. Of course, many times the facts are dissimilar to the above case. Often, the elder’s cognitive functions are compromised, leaving him or her vulnerable to dishonorable third parties. The most effective means of fighting elder financial abuse is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Elder abuse clinics and outreach programs sponsored by professional, judicial, and other non-profit organizations help build awareness and offer useful tools. An elder’s close relatives or friends sometimes keep an eye out for signs of potential abuse and intervene constructively, by seeking advice from an experienced trusts and estates attorney (or by helping the elder do so). |Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business| Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, 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
FEAR OF MISSING OUT
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Waldron Partners
“Fear-of-missing-out is more powerful than the fear of losing.” ~ Unknown It has been more than fourteen years since the Great Recession, and while the impacts of that historical event are slowly fading away, the behaviors that caused it are still prevalent in our society. It is interesting, for instance, that right before that market meltdown, there were people of all ages who owned three or more properties and had mortgages that were 110% financed (because “the market will never go down!”). The fear of missing out on a bull run is always fascinating. This month we will explore how people are influenced by society, how they tend to react, and how we can fix our relationship with this causality. In the book, Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior, author Jonah Berger discusses how we are all influenced by the people around us and how many of our actions are driven by a need to conform. While conforming isn’t necessarily bad, it does become an issue when it’s the result of a fear of missing out. There are countless historical events that have compelled people to follow others to placate their fear of missing out on an opportunity. People are frequently motivated to act based on a fear of missing out when there’s a potential opportunity to grow their wealth. In this case, a tale of fortune beyond the realm of reality is spun up to illicit the masses to follow in anticipation of their own fortuitous fate. Everyone overlooks how many people have actually made vast riches (in the case of bitcoin, for example, there are 100,000 people who invested over $1M – or a mere .0013% of the world population, per the CBS.com website below) and, with reality set aside, they dive headfirst into fantasy. We are driven by the opportunity to succeed beyond the reality of our own life. Obviously, this undercurrent of pressure to avoid missing out is beyond our control. Or is it? In response, the best habit you can form is one of discipline and patience. Because, in reality, while there are an infinite number of ways to build up a fortune, almost all of them take consistent self-restraint and endurance. Beyond winning the lottery, other popular vehicles we can use are real estate or stocks – especially if you have a plan of action and stick to your routine. Adhering to a long-term plan of investing creates a strategy to put you in a place of building great wealth without any fear of missing out. Being afraid of missing out on wealth drives many poor decisions. It can be difficult to ignore the influence of those around us and our desire to conform. Hence, the opportunity to grow our wealth beyond our current position can compel us to ignore reason. As we discussed, it is best to have discipline and patience instead while following a long-term plan designed to create wealth. The journey of life is always one of chaos and uncertainty, but with a plan you can at least test your assumptions and have a sense of confidence knowing that you aren’t missing out but rather heading towards a predetermined outcome. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” ~ Jim Rohn To schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, please contact me at 925-708-7397 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. References: https://g.co/kgs/7aMGT1 – Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior, Jonah Berger https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bitcoin-millionaires-100k/ Peter T. Waldron, California Insurance License #0E47827, is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory services through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Waldron Partners, 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 190 PO Box 528, Alamo, CA 94507. Waldron Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. Insurance is offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc., and other fine companies. This material is for use with the general public and is designed for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or direct investment advice. Lincoln Financial Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice. CRN-4856615-071822 Advertorial
PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
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SALINE OR SILICONE?
By Dr. Barbara Persons, MD, FACS
Every woman is born with breasts that are not perfectly even. Some patients may wish they were born with bigger breasts. As a female plastic surgeon with specialized training and experience in breast surgery, I can effectively and precisely enlarge a woman’s natural breasts with breast implants. Implants, whether silicone or saline, make it possible to enhance each woman’s natural beauty while giving her the size she desires. In a typical week, I consult with a dozen or so women seeking breast augmentation. A number of questions and topics are discussed with the most popular being...saline or silicone? There are many factors involved in making the proper choice. This makes the need for an in-depth consultation even more critical. In general, most women are choosing the new generation of silicone gel implants versus saline, although an increasing number are also opting for fat grafting. Recent studies have supported the use of fat grafting to the breast. This article will focus • Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams on the differences between silicone, saline, and fat transplantation to the breast and what every woman should know before making the appropriate choice. Both silicone and saline implants have an outer silicone shell. The silicone • Contact Lens Exams implants come pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel, whereas the saline implants are filled with sterile saline after being placed. As an aside, the debate surrounding the safety of silicone implants has largely been resolved, as there has not been • Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses a single substantiated case of silicone-filled implants causing systemic disease. In many cases, we are able to make your Depending on the patient’s decision regarding implant choice, approach (belly glasses in our office with our On-Site Lab button, infra mammary fold, armpit, or nipple) and size, the implant is placed in a pocket created under the pectoralis-major muscle (sub-pectoral) or under the breast tissue (sub-glandular).The type of implant placed, the size, and the shape OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY will be determined by a number of factors discussed during the consultation. For 215 ALAMO PLAZA SUITE D now, we can look at the general differences and advantages of each type. ALAMO, CA 94507 MONDAY—FRIDAY: 9 - 6 Saline implants tend to be chosen by a younger demographic prior to having www.poplarspecs.com SATURDAY: 9 - 4 children. Because these implants are filled after they are placed under the breast tissue, the incision can be more distant (such as the umbilical method of implantation) and will result in almost no visible scarring which is a big appeal for this age group. Saline implants have no impact on breast feeding. They have a lifespan of approximately 7-10 years. For women in this age group the timing usually works out well. There could be an additional need for a breast lift after childbirth at which time it is convenient for the patient to replace her implants. Risks associated with saline implants include breast pain, changes in nipple sensation, infection, capsular contracture, deflation, and the need for revision. Saline implants are less optimal for women seeking larger implants such as a D cup, as the heavier weight of saline increases the risk of downward displacement and rippling. This heavier weight also makes saline feel less natural. Silicone implants have once again become the more popular choice among all age groups, even though the implants themselves cost more, as the thicker, gel-like consistency creates a more natural look and feel. These implants are highly effective at creating a natural effect for women desiring small, moderate, or ample breast size. Arriving from the manufacturer pre-filled and sized, the augmentation procedure using this type of implants requires a small incision, often in the crease below the breast and results in a very small scar, typically hidden under the breast. The risks associated with silicone implants are similar to those associated with saline, while having a significantly longer lifespan. If you have existing silicone or saline implants and are unhappy or have noticed changes to the shape of your breasts, please make an appointment for a consultation to ensure that an implant deflation or leak has not occurred. Recent advances in fat harvesting and grafting has made fat transfer the fastest growing method of breast augmentation in my practice. It is ideal for women looking to increase their breasts by one cup size, for example from B to a small C. Fat transfer is often incorporated with breast lift (mastopexy), reconstruction, and augmentation. Mild liposuction is used to remove the fat from an unwanted area such as the flanks or abdomen. The fat is then processed to obtain the highest quality and number of fat cells and adipose derived stem cells. It is then injected into the desired areas in tiny droplets using a syringe and without a need for any additional incisions; a superior aesthetic result is the norm. The final result of fat transfer becomes visible by the end of three months and improves over the first 12 months. The fat grafting take-rate averages about 60% of volume injected, but unlike implants, the fat grafts that take should last a lifetime. The one aspect of my plastic surgery training that I am most proud of is my fellowship in Aesthetic, Breast & Laser Surgery. In addition to nine years of surgical training, including general surgery, trauma, and plastic surgery, my cosmetic fellowship provided me with exceptional tools and incomparable experience in creating the most suitable outcomes for these types of surgeries. The Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery Center in Lafayette has one of the largest consignments of implants in the Bay Area which enables us to find the perfect size and shape for you using the approach you want. Whether you are considering a breast augmentation for the first time, or are a patient with existing implants looking for a change, I look forward to sharing my experience and expertise in determining the most suitable augmentation option for you. Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925-283-4012 or drpersons@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
925.202.2846
FAMILY CAREGIVER EDUCATION SERIES
Caregiver If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is available to help with a free education series offered as interactive classes through Family Education Series Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on their website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. For questions, call 925-829-8770. August 11, 10–11:30AM| “Signs of Dementia Versus Normal Aging” Have you ever worried whether some of the memory challenges you or a loved one are experiencing are “normal?”Could they be a sign of something else? As we age, our brains and our bodies undergo changes. We may experience instances where we process information more slowly, or we may have trouble recalling names or dates; these can be examples of typical age-related changes. But what are the indicators that these changes may be due to something more serious such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia? When might it be time to visit the doctor for an evaluation? Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss these questions and other food for thought. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on our website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.
July 14, 10–11:30 a.m. | “Handling Grief and Loss” No matter how thoroughly one has prepared for the inevitability of death of a loved one, when the time comes it still can be a shock to the system. In this webinar, a marriage and family therapist will discuss the complexities of grief and loss, including anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss. Participants will be provided with coping strategies to help them both during the final stages of life and after their loved one has passed.
August 11, 10–11:30 a.m. | “Signs of Dementia Versus Normal Aging” Have you ever worried whether some of the memory challenges you or a loved one are experiencing are “normal?”Could they be a sign of something else? As we age, our brains and our bodies undergo changes. We may experience instances where we process information more slowly, or we may have trouble recalling names or dates; these can be examples of typical age-related changes. But what are the indicators that these changes may be due to something more serious such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia? When might it be time to visit the doctor for an evaluation? Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss these questions and other food for thought. September 8, 10–11:30 a.m. | “Dementia Basics” Since dementia dramatically changes the ways that individuals think, perceive, communicate and behave, caring for a loved one with dementia presents a unique set of challenges. Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss the nature and progression of dementia and the various diseases and conditions that can produce its symptoms. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the ways in which dementia can impact the brain and behavior. October 13, 10–11:30 a.m. | “End-of-Life Legal and Financial Issues” When facing the incapacity of a loved one, reliance on professionals will ensure that families receive the most accurate information about options and protection. An elder law attorney will share information about establishing powers of attorney, trusts and wills, paying for long-term care and accessing government assistance programs.
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August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION SO THEY WILL LISTEN By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
No one teaches parents how to be effective teachers when it comes to food, nutrition, and body image for their children. I see a lot of parents give up on these issues, and my job is to show them how they can be effective and rewarding at the same time. I am sure you remember a favorite teacher that transformed the way you thought about a subject. One mistake we as parents tend to make is to try to push our reasons for health and fitness onto our kids instead of giving them room to discover on their own. We need to not lecture but rather show them how activities they enjoy are impacted by nutrition. They will be able to run the mile faster or score more goals in soccer. Kids are more interested in present benefits of looking good, clear skin, and improved sports performance. Encourage your child to notice how food, or combinations of foods gives them energy as opposed to feeling sleepy when eating too many carbs. Show them how to become the expert on their body and learn what foods, make them feel high energy. They are not concerned with preventing diabetes or other health issues. Taste and appearance of food is number one for children of all ages and must go hand in hand with good nutrition. I constantly teach parents how to make the plate look attractive. The veggies must be tasty. Take the time to saute them in garlic and olive oil and add spices they like. I enjoy using Skinnytaste.com for finding healthy recipes with high flavor and fresh ingredients. You need to stock the kitchen with quality food and allow your children to make certain meals and snacks. When the kids come home from school put out on the counter a fresh variety of veggies with ranch dressing or hummus along with chicken strips and BBQ sauce. If the healthy food is in front of them, they are hungry, and it looks inviting, they will eat it. Make a family menu and be prepared and organized with meals along with reasonable desserts. Dedicate one night a week to “kid cook night.” Have your children pick out a healthy recipe along with you. Shop with them on the weekend and you will find they will eat the meal they prepare and also be very proud of themselves. One area that I work on with families is how to understand the food label. As a parent, please take the time and teach your child how to read it. Show them the serving size and what that actually looks like. Often the serving size is very small compared to what we might eat. Maybe they are having three servings of cereal and need to realize that is three times the amount of calories. Show them the sugar content, which can be a big surprise. Older kids will not be successful if you are not a role model for them. The best way for them to do well is if they are not singled out and the family is following the healthy meal plan as well. Maybe this is your chance as a parent to improve your nutrition for the sake of your child. Another area that a parent can assist a child with is helping them understand how media is superficial and how much work goes into making people look perfect with makeup, hair, and photo-manipulation. Your children need to understand how unrealistic advertising is and not to be taken by the commercials on TV. In summary, this is typically what I will discuss in sessions with families. If you feel that you need the support and education for the family I am happy to help you. Please contact me if you feel that you need an objective nutritionist to create a successful plan. Nutritional counseling can be covered by health insurance companies including ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Cigna, Hill, Sutter, UHC, and others. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what coverage your plan offers. Please visit my website www. LindaRD.com to learn more about my services. Feel free to email me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your Advertorial nutritional concerns and see how I may help you.
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Farm continued from page 14
Council approved the site design proposal on November 27, 2018. Cortis recalls: “We were very naive about what would be needed to get the farm up and running. Once PG&E offered to lease the site and the Pittsburg City Council approved our design, Kim, Mary, and I were ready to celebrate. Then we learned we needed individual permits to execute each part of the plan. Somehow the collaborating agencies and initial individual donors believed enough in what we envisioned to keep us going despite the complete lack of proof that the project would work. They kept coming back for us even when costs for basic infrastructure requirements far exceeded our initial estimates.” Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary solicited help from seven other area Rotaries to fund and construct structural additions to the site including the greenhouse. COVID delayed planting of the first crop scheduled for March 2020. In June, the first apprentices got to work. Mary filled a tank with water at her home and drove it to the farm until the water connection was completed in July at a cost of $130,000. “A s a c o l l a b o r a t i v e proj e c t , w e d e p e n d on ever yone involved from dedicated staff, volunteers and apprentices and the Family Harvest Farm offers free organic produce neighbors in urban Pitssburg's USDA designated agencies that support our to Food Desert. transition-age foster youth to the generous donors that help us keep our gates open,” Hodgson explains. To learn more about the farm, volunteer, and/or donate, visit www.jmlt.org/familyharvestfarm. Tours are available on volunteer orientation dates. Events open to the community are listed on the website.
MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region has many volunteer opportunities to aid seniors in our communities. Do you have a few hours a month to spare? Become a home meal delivery driver and assist in getting prepared meals to those in need. The Friendly Visitors, Friendly Callers, and Friendly Helpers programs check in on seniors and also can assist them with everyday errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up medications at a local pharmacy. For more information, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved, or contact Eileen Stephens at estephens@mowdr.org, or 925-4822622, or Tuyet Iaconis at tiaco-nis@mowdr.org or 925-891-4872.
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
NEED HELP KICKING YOUR PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC WHAT IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis is an irritation and swelling of the thick tissue (plantar fascia) on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot toward the five toes. The plantar fascia helps hold up the bones on the bottom of the foot, creating the arch. When this fascia becomes inflamed it makes walking painful and difficult. The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis. • Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include: • Foot arch problems (both flat foot and high arches) • History of low back pain or sciatica • Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel) • Obesity • Running, extended amounts of driving, or repetitive stress to the foot or leg • Sudden weight gain
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Western medicine typically treats Plantar Fasciitis with oral and/or injectable anti-inflammatories. These may temporarily reduce the pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis but they do not treat the cause of the problem, and by no means heal it.
LONG-TERM CORRECTION OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS
First: Heal the Damaged Fascia Ending the pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the Summus Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, the function is restored and pain is relieved. Second: Correct the Foot and Gait Mechanics This involves rehabilitation of the spine as well as the arch of the foot. Arch rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific insoles and/or specific taping of the foot in order to re-establish proper motion of the arch while walking, then specific strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate the musculature of the foot and lower leg to ensure lasting results. At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, post-surgical pain, sports injuries, and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. Even arthritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long-term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long-term use of medications. Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville. She has been active in our natural health and wellness community since 1999. For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, or to set up a complimentary consult, call 925-362-8283 or visit www. alignhealingcenter.com Advertorial
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THE EYE OPENER
AREN’T ALL GLASSES THE SAME? By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
For patients who need glasses to aid their vision, there are many options to choose when deciding where to purchase them. Options include keeping everything under one roof at your private optometrist; commercial options such as Costco and Lenscrafters; online sites such as Warby Parker; and optical stores. All of these are viable options and patients must decide what factors are important to them. As consumers we must make financial decisions when it comes to purchases such as whether to eat out or cook at home; can we upgrade our phones; and how much can, and should, we spend on a college education. At the heart of these decisions is value. Actual cost is of course a consideration, but it comes down to what a particular meal, school, or glasses cost and do you get enough benefit and joy from the purchase to warrant the cost. These are tough decisions we all must make. Sometimes the answers are easy, and sometimes they are not. I will discuss the decision of where to purchase your glasses and the benefits of purchasing them at our office. The task of frame and lens selection is not an easy one and, therefore, requires the expertise that our trained optician can provide. Several factors are required in choosing a frame: fashion/style, sizing, and appropriateness for your prescription and lens style. First, one must choose a frame type from metal, titanium, plastic, partial rimless, and full rimless. Next comes sizing, i.e., does the frame size, bridge, and temple fit the patient well, and does it work well with the prescription and lens type. Getting a frame that is too large or too small, too heavy, or does not fit the bridge well will invariably cause issues for the patient. Depending on the issue, some adjustments can be made, but not in all cases. Frames need to be tried on as all frames are not constructed the same. Looking at a picture or image of a frame, or using technology to have the frame superimposed on you, is different from trying a frame on and seeing how it feels, and looks, on the face, nose, and ears. Like other items we wear, one must try on the pants, shirt, or shoes to see how it fits; all shoes and articles of clothing are not made the same. Next is determining what type of lenses would work best for your prescription, occupational needs, and lifestyle. There are many choices when it comes to lens material, lens styles, and lens treatment options. There are anti-reflective and blue protection coatings, high index and aspheric lenses, and transitions. Understanding what your specific needs are is essential in helping to make the proper recommendations to be able to optimize your frame and lenses. The adage “you get what you pay for” applies to glasses. All frame materials, lenses, lens coatings, manufacturing, and quality are not the same. It is our feeling that we know our patients best and what they are needing and looking for. Our core belief is that we do not recommend or sell things that are not appropriate or necessary for our patients. We do not run a strictly sales-based operation as some other commercial and online sites; they are motivated by sales only. We do not have sales quotas or commissions, we believe that honest help, information, and value are more important. We are here from the selection and ordering of your glasses, to the initial dispensing and adjusting of the glasses, and any adjustments, repairs, and warranty claims on the frame and lenses that arise. Helping patients with the selection of glasses and obtaining all the specific measurements requires skill and experience which is often not likely or not present at other establishments. We believe in quality products, materials, and lens options for the sole reason that these will give patients the best value and vision. This is significant because they provide our patients with the best options for the cost. We look forward to helping our patients look better and see better in the coming year. 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. For more information, visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Advertorial Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.
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DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MONKEYPOX?
By Jerome Potozkin, MD
It’s now August of 2022. You would think that we have all been through enough. We’re in year three of a global pandemic. Even though things are better we are not completely out of the woods. The impact of inflation stares us in the face every day at the grocery store or at the gas pump. Regardless of whether your political leaning runs red or blue, things seem to have gotten out of hand on both sides of the aisle. At a point where we collectively feel fed up, now monkeypox gets thrown into our collective conscience. Have you wondered what monkeypox is? Where did it come from? Will you get it? Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Until 2022, almost all monkeypox cases occurred in people living in, or traveling to, central or western African countries. This virus is in the same family as smallpox and symptoms can be similar yet milder. Monkeypox is rarely a fatal illness. Symptoms of monkeypox from a dermatologic standpoint include a rash that looks like bumps or blisters that occur on the face, mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals, or buttock. Typically, the illness lasts two to four weeks. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue. As of July 11, 2022 there have been 9,647 monkeypox cases reported worldwide with 865 cases in the United States logged in 2022. As of this writing, the risk of monkeypox to the general public is very low based upon all the information currently available. Therefore, you can probably scratch catching monkeypox off your list of daily worries. How does it spread? Monkeypox spreads from person to person. It can spread from direct physical contact with the rash, scabs, body fluid, or touching items (like clothing or towels) that previously touched those areas as well as respiratory secretions during prolonged face to face contact, or during intimate physical contact such as kissing and cuddling. It can also spread from infected animals. Currently, the CDC is tracking an outbreak of monkeypox that has spread across several countries that don’t normally see cases of monkeypox, including the United States.
August 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
Prevention entails common sense precautions such as avoiding close skin to skin contact with an infected individual. Do not handle bedding, towels, or clothing of a person infected with monkeypox. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you are sick with monkeypox call your primary care doctor and isolate. The CDC is not recommending widespread vaccination but does recommend it for people who have been exposed or are at high risk. That’s all the information I have for you about monkeypox. Time to get back to the rest of your worries! Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND
Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making weekday reassurance calls to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified. This service is free! Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-934-0901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
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PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2022
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Coldwell Banker is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.