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September 2016 The Urban Farmers
Serving Danville By Fran Miller
If your fruit trees are overflowing and your neighbors greet your offer of yet another bag of lemons with a yawn, it might be time to call The Urban Farmers. No one enjoys seeing their ripened fruit go to waste, but most people don’t know what to do about it. The Urban Farmers can help. The volunteers from this non-profit organization harvest excess backyard fruit and donate it to the needy. It’s a classic win-win. The organization’s goal is to build a community-based, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable model of hunger relief. Most tree fruit ripens in a very short period of time. If the mature crop is not harvested, it puts pressure on the tree and attracts bugs, disease, and pests. Many tree owners do not have the time or the ability to harvest their fruit, or the means to distribute their crops to those in need. This is where Urban Farmers can help. The process is simple: 1. Visit the Urban Farmers website at www.theurbanfarmers.org. 2. Register your tree by clicking on the link. 3. Provide a few details: What types of fruit do you have? When do you think the fruit will ripen? etc. 4. When your harvest date approaches, The Urban Farmers will contact you, and if you have excess fruit, they will coordinate a harvest day and will take whatever fruit you wish to donate. If you prefer to harvest your own fruit and all you need is transportation to the food bank, they will take care of that, too. Danville resident Bobbie Rothenberg decided to call The Urban Farmers when her lemon tree started bearing more fruit than she could use. She read about the organization in a senior center newsletter and enlisted their help. “This lovely group came
New Eagle Scouts
See Farmers continued on page 20
Jack Kennedy and Chris Stauber of Boy Scout Troop 803 recently received their Eagle Scout Commendation at St Isidore Church in Danville. For his Eagle Project, Jack restored the Grape Vine Picnic Area in Mt. Diablo State Park. His main goal was to rebuild a fence that was burned down in a fire in the park in 2013. In addition to the 16’ fence, he also led the clean up the picnic area to make it more enjoyable. Jack directed a group of scouts, friends, and family to remove Jack Kennedy debris such as logs and overgrown vegetation that scattered the site. For his Eagle Project, Chris made two planter boxes for the kindergarten class of St. Isidore’s school in Danville. They were made of redwood and placed behind the kindergarten. These planter boxes were about three feet high so that they are easily accessible for small Chris Stauber children. The purpose of this service project was to teach the kindergarten class about photosynthesis and plant life in our society today.
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Charity Bike Institute
By Fran Miller
Throughout an entrepreneurial career that has taken him from sales with IBM to his current position with Reflow Water Works, local resident Stephen “Steamer” Stanley has always found time for charitable endeavors. After having been a youth sports coach, and having served on the boards of Shelter, Inc., CEID, and the Orinda Chamber of Commerce. In addition to being active in Rotary, Stanley decided it was time to establish his own charitable organization, and thus, Charity Bike Institute (CBI) was created. CBI’s premise is simple: they collect unwanted bicycles, refurbish and restore Stephen Stanley, founder of the CBI presents Angie Carmignani of them if necessary, the Taylor Family Foundation with a donated bike trike. and donate them to individuals in need. Stanley operates the organization year-round, relying on word of mouth for his collection of unwanted bikes. He personally contacts homeless and transitional shelters, schools, veteran groups, and other organizations to find those in need of a bike. His staff of high school volunteers provide the tune-up labor, and he was recently provided free use of a large business office on the Pleasanton/Livermore border that serves as his storage facility and tool shop. Organizations such as The Taylor Family Foundation (TFF) are frequent recipients of CBI bikes. A recent CBI donation included a ‘bike trike’ that is utilized by a different child at each TFF camp session and is a reward for good deeds.“Working with Stephen and Charity Bike Institute was an absolute pleasure,” says Angie Carmignani, executive director of TFF. “From our first meeting to the presentation of the ‘big wheel’ bike trike, Stephen was intent on creating something that our campers will enjoy for some time to come!” Generous donations from California Pedaler in Danville, Danville Bikes, California Snowboard and Bikes, Livermore Cyclery, and Sports Basement Walnut Creek, and funds provided by Livermore Rotary keep the organization stocked with tires, tubes, and tune-up tools. These retail outlets also serve as bike drop-off points, and most provide an in-store 10% discount to donors. But CBI is so much more than its own collection and giveaway program. “Churches, scouting organizations, and fire/police departments are all welcome to use our state-of-the-art facilities to fulfill their own bicycle donation projects,” says Stanley. “We can also facilitate the donation portion of a program for other organization that have the desire to help Volume VII - Number 11 others, but not the time or resources.” 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 CBI invites other nonprofits to utilize their (925) 405-6397 facility and resources; they can help to promote Fax (925) 406-0547 other organizations’ bike donation programs and will provide their facility, tools, and labor Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ as needed. At giveaway time, CBI will even yourmonthlypaper.com include a gift card identifying the guest organization as the donor. CBI also has the appro- The opinions expressed herein belong priate infrastructure to assist Boy Scout Eagle to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. candidates with their Eagle projects. And finally, Danville Today News is not for the content of any of CBI offers one-hour bike repair clinics with responsible the advertising herein, nor does
See Bike continued on page 12
publication imply endorsement.
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Page 2 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
Boulevard View
If not now...then when? By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
The other day my daughter caught me deep cleaning the kitchen counters. While I appreciate cleanliness, I can’t say scrubbing and scouring take up a prominent space at the top of my “To Do” list. It was the middle of the day, and I had walked by the counter, noticed some grime, and all of the sudden decided NOW was the time to tackle the chore. I had a bowl of water, a scrub brush, a toothbrush for the crevasses, and the ultimate sponge also known as a “Magic Eraser.” I was vigorously scrubbing when my daughter looked at me and said, “Mom, you’re procrasti-cleaning!” Boy, was she right. I was in the middle of a project that needed to get finished, but my heart wasn’t in it, so I took a little detour and found cleaning the counter at that moment was a higher priority and more “fun.” My daughter noted that she and her college roommates excelled at procrasti-cleaning and procrasti-baking, especially during finals week, and their home was never as clean or smelled as wonderful from good cooking as once a quarter when upcoming tests loomed. While my motto generally is “Do it Now,” at times it is easy to get derailed. However, procrastination can cause its own set of problems. Procrastination, which is defined as “to put off till another day or time; defer; delay,” can turn a little problem into a big one, such as waiting to fix a broken sprinkler in the yard or a leak in the roof where a small drip becomes a flood, or ignoring the “Check Oil” light on the car dashboard until the engine seizes and needs to be replaced. Author Matthew Quirk writes, “I used to be a reporter, and there is no better way to procrastinate while writing than research.” Today’s “research” involves a whole lot more than pulling a dusty encyclopedia off the shelf of the family library. It involves interviews, reviewing printed and electronic material, and following a rabbit hole maze of links to explore and dive deeper into a story or issue and then filtering out facts from tall tales. Saturday, Sept. 17th 10-7 PM Sunday, Sept. 18th 10-6 PM Downtown Lafayette ual
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Putting something off doesn’t make the project or issue go away. Whether it is a call or an email we are dreading responding to, or a project we aren’t excited for, it doesn’t evaporate; it lingers and festers until we address it. Discipline is doing what needs to be done, even if we don’t want to. Procrastination can lead to stress and anxiety, it can cause lost opportunities such as missing a flight or an event if tickets sell out, it reduces productivity as you find the need to ramp back up to the activity after walking away, it can cause medical problems that may have been more easily treated if they were addressed earlier to become worse, or it can lead to incomplete or hurried work when the task butts up against a deadline and we run out of time. The flip side of completing a task early is it allows for more free time without pressure, it allows time to review, or it gives the opportunity to buy a ticket for an event and get great seating, it gets past the angst of confronting a situation and addresses it head on in order for us to move ahead. Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an awardwinning storyteller in television, film, and books. He noted, “Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.” My personal “To Do” list is not just a bunch of chores that never end. One of my To Do lists is probably better classified as a bucket list of places to travel, restaurants to try, classes to take, and adventures to be had. It is a kick in the pants to not procrastinate but to dream, execute, and enjoy the things I deem important. Some dreams, such as a good education, can be comprised of steps we find unenjoyable - such as homework and research. However, those tasks are required to reach goals we define and to achieve an end result we desire. Author Elizabeth Bourgeret writes, “Every hour you are not going after your passion, making your dreams a reality, or defining your purpose is an hour you can’t get back. Is what you’re doing right now, this day, this moment getting you closer to where you want to be? If not, readjust your focus. It’s your future. Go get it!” The counters can get a light dusting to ward off bugs and germs, and the laundry can wait to get folded. I am going to focus on projects I deem important and not get derailed by the procrasti-bug.
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 3
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‘Why I Love Danville’ Photo Contest
Residents of Danville are invited to take part in a photography contest designed to show off what it is that people love about Danville. The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, in support of the Town of Danville, is launching the ‘Why I Love Danville’ photography contest which will run through October 31. Residents wishing to participate can submit a photo through the Chamber’s Facebook page by selecting the contest tab and selecting a category. Photos can be submitted in four categories: Shop/ Dine/Play, Town Events, Parks & Recreation, and Nature & Architecture. Residents will then be encouraged to vote on the photos they feel best capture the spirit of the category and exemplify the Town of Danville. Three photos in each of the four categories that receive the most votes will be declared the winners and announced during the Lighting of the Old Oak Tree event in November. Winners will receive a mobile Danville gift card with value up to $150 and have their photo featured within a series of collectable postcards developed by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and sold at local business. Further, images will be used in future marketing efforts promoting the Danville Area Chamber and the Town of Danville. For more information, contact the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce at (925) 837-4400, or visit them on Facebook and like their Danville Area Chamber page.
East Bay Stand Down
San Ramon Valley’s 9/11 Ceremony
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley along with local veterans’ organizations is hosting the Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony for the residents of the San Ramon Valley, featuring the family of the pilot of Flight 175. The event will take place on Sunday, September 11 from 5PM to 5:55PM at the All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park which is located at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville. Keynote speaker Justin Clark will share his Uncle Victor Saracini’s last moments as Captain and pilot of Flight 175 when terrorists crashed the plane into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Justin was an 8th grader on September 11, 2001. Also featured at the event will be prominent guest speakers, hundreds of Scouts with an array of American Flags, joint Police and Fire Department Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums, the Monte Vista High Chamber Choir, White Wings Dove Release, and many other patriotic participants. Emcee for the event will be Karen Stepper, Mayor of Danville and past president of the Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley. Immediately following the ceremony there will be a free community picnic. Students are invited to pick up forms to enter the 9/11 Essay Awards. For information on the ceremony, the essay applications, and the Exchange Club of SRV, please visit srvexchangeclub.org.
Serving those who have served our Nation is the primary goal of the East Bay Stand Down (EBSD). Veteran participants are treated with respect and dignity. Their former service to our nation is evidence of their ability to succeed and is also reason for the community to support them in regaining success. You have an opportunity to serve homeless Veterans September 15-18 at Pleasanton Fairgrounds. The EBSD is a consortium of community organizations coming together to provide a four-day event every other year that serves the nine-county Bay Area’s homeless and at-risk military Veterans. They are connected with services ranging from VA, healthcare, dental, mental health services, clothing, meals, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, ID/ drivers licenses, veteran homeless court and legal assistance, showers, and haircuts. Many other creature comforts are also provided. Volunteer registration closes September 10. You can choose how you want to volunteer at www.eastbaystanddown.org. If you would like to help financially support this four-day event, please make your donation to Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation - EBSD and mail it to PO Box 2133, Danville, CA 94526. The DVVF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, IRS identification number 26-3198472. Your donation may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.
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Page 4 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
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GFWC Danville Women’s Club
Denise Clark will be the guest speaker at the Thursday, September 15th luncheon. Denise will enlighten the group on the topic of Tai Chi and we will practice this art directly after her talk. Lunch will be a salad bar buffet. If this is your first visit to the club, the luncheon is free. Socializing begins at 11am, followed by lunch at 11:30. From 10am to 4pmon Saturday, October 1st, the Danville Women’s Club will be assisting at the 9th Annual Tinsel & Treasures event to be held at the Danville Senior Center. There will be 35 vendors with a wide assortment of items to sell, especially Christmas and Halloween décor. The entry fee of $5 supports the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area. Also happening in October will be the Club’s annual Wine-and-Appetizer function. The Club welcomes all women who are curious about joining a terrific club and who want to get involved in fund-raising for charitable organizations which may include sewing/creating turtles for the Painted Turtle Organization, decorating for events, being involved in our annual fashion show, and most importantly, getting to make new friends. Our wine-and-appetizer event will be held on Friday, October 7th, from 6pm to 8:30pm. We hope to see you there! For questions or to sign up to attend either event please contact Karen at (925)
Lost Dog!
$50 REWARD
If you find him and your name is drawn!
Danville Dog is Missing He has become lost in this paper!
He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find him.
To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address, to: Lost Dog! ~ Danville Today News 3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507
Shari Maxwell is our winner!
(Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
831-9237 or e-mail danvillewc@gmail.com. The Club members look forward to meeting you. We encourage you to also visit our website at www.danvillewomensclub.org. The GFWC Danville Women’s Club was organized in 1911. We are members of the GFWC California Federation of Women’s Clubs (CFWC) and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) - one of the world’s largest women’s nondenominational, nonpartisan, international service organizations of volunteer women.
Blackhawk Republican Women Present Carson Bruno
The Blackhawk Republican Women invite you to an informative evening with Carson Bruno, Research Fellow, for Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Carson will be presenting “Good Luck Movin’ Up Cuz I’m Movin’ Out!,” a talk on California’s domestic migration problem and why it matters. The event will take place on Thursday, September 8th at Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Dr. in Danville. Check-in and serving of hors d’oeuvres will begin at 5:30PM, and the meeting and speaker presentation will begin at 6PM. The fee is $25. Carson primarily studies California public policy, electoral politics, and public opinion. He has recently written and spoken extensively on these issues, as well as examining the effect of national policy on state policy-making decisions. His background as a public finance investment banker gave Carson an in-depth look at state and local fiscal policy decisions. Come hear from this expert in political and economic matters on one of the toughest issues facing the Golden State. Please make reservations by e-mailing or calling Jane Parish at janeparish@ sbcglobal.net or (925) 216-6663 no later than September 5th.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
You are invited to attend free of charge the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meeting on September 20 from 10AM to noon at the LDS Church at 2949 Stone Valley Road in Alamo. The program theme will be “Immigrating to America,” presented by Dr. Christine M. Bell-Green. For more information, please visit http://srvgen.soc.org/ or e-mail SRVGS@GenSoc.org.
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 5
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Alamo-Danville Newcomers Welcome Coffee
Are you new to the area or a long time resident, newly retired, or an empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club is a women’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all the Club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. The next new member coffee will be held on September 27th from 10AM to noon. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
Join Diablo Choral Artists
Diablo Choral Artists is looking for you! If you love to sing good music and have a great time, come join Diablo Valley’s own community chorus for a wonderful experience (especially tenors!). Rehearsals are held Monday evenings, and fall season rehearsals begin Monday, September 12 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue in Walnut Creek, 7-9:30PM. Come to a rehearsal to check the group out, and if you would like to join, you can have an informal audition. The group is made up of about 40 singers of various ages and experiences who perform significant works of sacred and secular choral music of artistic excellence in three yearly concerts, and participate in other events and social activities throughout the year. Find joy and camaraderie in singing with this friendly and welcoming choir. To find out more, call (925) 680-7089, email info@dcachorus.org, or visit the DCA website www.dcachorus.org. Say what voice part you sing and give a brief history of your vocal experience. Come and “share the harmony.”
Volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide for 2017 Tax Season
Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. TaxAide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is in November 2016, and classes for tax counselors start in January 2017. Service is from February through April 15, 2017. If you are interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer or call LaVerne Gordon at (925) 726-3199 for additional information.
Night at the Museum
The Friends of the Blackhawk Museums is sponsoring a fund-raising event, Night At The Museum, to benefit the Children’s Education and Transportation Fund that provides buses to enable Bay Area school children to visit the Blackhawk Museums’ International Automotive Treasures and “Spirit of the Old West” exhibitions. Night At The Museum will feature dinner, dancing, an auction, and live re-enactments showcasing numerous historic characters from the Old West including Plains Indians, cowboys, pioneers, a Civil War soldier, General Custer, Jesse James, and Annie Oakley. The event will be held on October 2 at 5PM, and the cost is $60 per person. For additional information or to purchase tickets, e-mail NATM@blackhawkmuseums.org or call (925) 736-227 x234.
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~ Mindfulness of our Thoughts & Emotions ~ Weekly Drop-In Silent Meditation Joree Rosenblatt, L.M.F.T. ~ License #93545 ~ 925.212.2996 50 Oak Ct. Suite 105, Danville www.mindfulnessandtherapycenter.com
Page 6 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
Museum of the San Ramon Valley Two Centennials Exhibit and Speakers
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7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) has joined with the National Park Service (NPS) and the EuDanville - A new report has just been released deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of gene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, to provide a special which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most dollars. The good news is that each and every one of exhibit at the museum called Two Centennials. It is open homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free until November 15th in the museum’s waiting room. It Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get features the Centennial of the NPS and O’Neill’s first This industry report shows clearly how the Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". play acted by the Provincetown Players in Massachusetts traditional ways of selling homes have become To hear a brief recorded message about how to increasingly less and less effective in today's market. order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1in 1916. 866-265-1682 and enter 2000. You can call any time, The exhibit includes the O’Neill Centennial Quilt, The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their homes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. videos, and stage models as well as information about the and become disillusioned and - worse - financially Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home. National Park Service and O’Neill when he and his wife disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market. lived in Danville from 1937-1944. As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 In September, two public talks are scheduled. NPS Superintendent Tom Leatherman will speak on “The Na- This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors CalBRE 01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2015 tional Parks of Contra Costa County as Part of a 100-Year Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Legacy,” The talk will be held September 15 at 7pm at the Danville Library Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons at 400 Front St., Danville in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. The group has monthly lunOn Saturday September 24 at 10:30am, Eric Fraisher Hayes (Artistic cheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. September’s guest, local Director for the Eugene O’Neill Foundation) and playwright Adrienne attorney Martin Silverman, will speak on “the Constitution and how it keeps Pender will talk about The Other Emperor Jones. The 17th O’Neill Festival our democracy working by balancing majority rule and individual rights.” will take place in September and includes plays, movies, and lectures. Go Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities to eugeneoneill.org for complete information. such as golf, tennis, bowling, bocce ball, movies, bridge, reading, computers, To visit the national historic site, board a van which departs from MSRV. and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, Vans serve walk-up visitors on Saturdays at 10:15AM, 12:15PM and 2:15PM. For baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. reserved tours on Wednesday through Friday and Sunday at 10AM or 2PM, call The next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, September 21st at AM 925-838-0249. See the NPS website at nps.gov.euon for more information. 11 . A fee of $23 includes luncheon, guest speaker, and a great opportunity The Totally Trains exhibit will be open through September 18. to socialize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday – 10AM to 1PM and Sunday – 12PM reserve a space, please e-mail www.info@SIR128.com. The meeting will PM take place at The Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd in San Ramon. to 3 . The Museum is closed Mondays. For more information about this retirement branch and activities, please MSRV is located at 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville. For more information, call visit www.SIR128.com. 925-837-3750, email srvmuseum@sbcglobal.net or visit www.musemsrv.org.
Blackhawk Museums Seek Gallery Guides and Docents
Training for Spirit of the Old West gallery guides and automotive docents begins at the Blackhawk Museums in October. Sessions run alternate Thursday mornings from 10am to noon with a break for the holidays. Make-up classes are available for missed sessions. Graduation occurs in May. On-going training continues after graduation, and graduates are welcome to attend current classes. Classes are taught by guest instructors as well as museum staff. A treat for automotive docents this year will be the return of Raffi Minasian, designer, innovator, car collector, and enthusiast. Programs Director Nora Wagner writes: “His presentations are insightful, and visually rich. He encourages docents to view the automobile as a human experience filled with sensorial memories when seen through the lens of culture, music, and the arts.” Following classroom discussion, Minasian will lead participants through the car exhibition to illustrate his presentation. David Behring, designer of the American Westward Expansion portion of the Spirit of the Old West exhibition and Joel Hodge, coordinator of the Plains Indians displays, will share their vast knowledge and interesting anecdotes with gallery guide classes. Both worked with the Cody Museum in Wyoming and extensively researched their respective areas. Trainees shadow current guides and docents to learn about different presentation styles and ways of providing information that meets the interests of each tour group. Mary Mackey, an experienced Spirit of the Old West Guide, says, “I enjoy presenting the fun part of history. I hold up three pennies and explain that an acre of land cost only three pennies in 1803. I hold up a dollar bill. That was the value of a buckskin, so it became a buck.” Linda Larsen, a 2016 graduate of guide training, writes: “The most interesting thing to me about the training is how thorough the depth of the training was in preparing us to be guides. We were given a manual with facts and information to read on our own. Nora Wagner led many discussions on how to structure a tour, and we Stop by had gallery walks led by Mr. Fick, the original collecour new office in the tor and previous owner of the exhibits, and Mr. David Alamo Courtyard Behring who provided valuable American history.” 3195 Danville Blvd #4, For more information, contact docent@blackAlamo hawkmuseum.org or Nora Wagner nwagner@ blackhawkmuseum.org or 925-736-2280 ext 238.
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 7
Centennial Hike Planned for 9/11
On Sunday, September 11, hikers are invited to join in for a three hour, three mile Centennial Hike from downtown Danville up the hill to Tao House. The event highlights the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service which operates Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in Danville. The hike begins at 9AM at the Eugene O’Neill Commemorative Park on Front Street, across from the Danville Library. Advance registration is required for those planning to participate in the Centennial Hike. Register by e-mailing taohouse.eonf@gmail.com. Include your name and number in your party, and use “Find Your Park” in the subject line. Please register by September 6. Hikers are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the shaded picnic area. Tao House at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site will be open for informal tours for participants. It is here that O’Neill and his family lived from 1937-1944 and where the playwright wrote his final and most notable plays. Hikers can return back to downtown Danville via NPS shuttle from Tao House. Participants can also hike on a return route back along the Madrone Trail to Camille Avenue or on the Virgil Williams Trail to Starview Drive.
‘(R)evolution’ Marks Plan for 17th Eugene O’Neill Festival in Danville
DESIGNER PANEL DISCUSSION
Sponsored By:
Expert Advice for All Aspects of Your Home Thursday
September 29 4pm - 6pm Alamo Women’s Club 1401 Danville Blvd. Alamo, CA 94507 Treat yourself to an evening with food and wine while having all of your design questions answered by expert designers from J. Hettinger Interiors.
RSVP by 9/23/16 :: 925.820.9336 Type this link in your internet browser for the Facebook Event!
A wide range of events has been planned by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation for the 17th Eugene O’Neill Festival during September. The focus is on the Revolution that playwright O’Neill initiated for the American theater and the Evolution that followed. The center-pieces of the annual Festival are production of Edward Albee’s Seascape, opening on September 2 for nine performances at the Village Theatre in downtown Danville, and the production of Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones, premiering on September 23 for six performances at the Old Barn at Tao House, part of the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in the Danville hills. Tickets for both Seascape and The Emperor Jones are available online at villagetheatreshows.com or by contacting the Foundation at (925) 820-1818. The Eugene O’Neill Festival is produced by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, the not-for-profit organization that provides educational, community and performance programs at Tao House and the O’Neill National Historic Site. Information on the Foundation and its programs is available at www. eugeneoneill.org or by calling (925) 820-1818.
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Charlotte Wood Middle School By Christopher George, Principal
Welcome to the 2016- 2017 school year. We are excited to have our students and parents back and have been planning all summer in order to have a successful year. The school year begins with some new faces and personnel. We welcome our new teachers Melanie Mearns (Resource Specialist), Julie Larson (Music/ Band), and Georgeanne Kurtz (7th Grade Core), and new front office Katie Donovan (counselor), and Lauren Falkner (Assistant Principal). We’d also like to welcome the San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s new Superintendent, Rick Schmitt, and look forward to introducing him to our community. This year, we continue to focus our efforts on student learning by concentrating our collaborative efforts on our three big learning questions: “What do we want students to learn?”, “How do we know when they’ve learned it?”, and “What do we do when they don’t?”. By concentrating on this, we hope to ensure that every one of our students learn and are able to demonstrate mastery of their grade level standards. In order to live up to these commitments, we are also looking at our Intervention systems. We will use several of our Intervention/ Advisory periods for Curriculum Access and Learning support this year in order to do that. In addition, we will have a space for students to reassess their work and to complete undone work during lunchtime in order to fulfill our commitment that every student learn to standard. We will also continue to work on our climate to make sure all students are safe in order to provide them with the best possible learning environment and will begin a Climate Advisory Committee in October with the support of our PTA. We hope to include parents, staff, students, and community Gopher/Mole Removal members to talk about and propose No Poison solutions to any climate issues we 925-765-4209 may have.
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Page 8 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
San Ramon Valley Christian Academy By Jamie Westgate, Principal
One of the things I love most about SRVCA is the genuine love and support demonstrated by teachers, parents, and students. Our first day back to school felt a bit like a family reunion with lots of smiles, hugs, and high-fives. At the core of both school and home is a desire to instill in our children the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love others. As families filed into our courtyard on that first day, I was overwhelmed by thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness to be growing this spirit of love in our school community. One of the ways we extend opportunities to build community is through unique experiences for both students and their families. In the coming week, our 7th and 8th graders will be off to Woodleaf for four days of camp and fellowship. This is one of our favorite weeks of the year as students will be given the opportunity to grow in their understanding of God and be challenged to strengthen friendships. We will use our theme “Speak UP!” as the focus, motivating students to encourage and build one another up as is commanded by scripture. Our kids love the opportunity to swim, kayak, paddleboard, participate in competitions, and just simply connect with one another through play. Students return spiritually renewed and ready to take on the leadership role they provide to the rest of the student body. Another community event will be held Sunday, September 25th, 4-7PM our school will be hosting its annual SRVCA Carnival on our campus at Community Presbyterian Church. Kids love the games, challenging activities, cake walks, prizes, and socializing with friends. Parents enjoy the jazz band, food, and time to visit with one another. It’s a wholesome family event, and we welcome everyone in the community to join in the fun! For more information on the carnival or about our school’s mission and purpose, feel free to visit our website, www.srvca.org. We hope the new school year is a meaningful one for all families in the valley!
Los Cerros Middle School
By Evan Powell, Principal
Welcome to the 50th year of Los Cerros Middle School. Los Cerros kicked off the Golden school year with some major changes to the school. First, the solar project is almost complete and is now providing shade and lighting in the parking lot. Second, the new bell schedule has our 7th and 8th grade students eating lunch together along with an Access period designed to support students in their academics. These changes, coupled with a new wave of students to Los Cerros, have brought smiles, Club Z! 1-On-1 Tutoring In Your Home! fun stories from summer, and a new outlook on the year. San Ramon, Danville, Alamo Events for the beginning of the school year include the • All Subjects • PreK-Adult Magazine Drive, Fall Book Fair, Back-to-School Night, and • Reading • Writing • Math our first annual Science, Technology, Engineering Art and • LD/ADD/ADHD • SAT/ACT Prep Mathematics (STEAM) night on September 15th. This night will include a guest speaker, • Study Skills Program Robin Reshwan of Collegial Services; who writes for US News and is a career coach for • Affordable Rates Stanford, UC Davis and Haas School; presenting digital skills for the 21st century; along • Degreed Professionals • Flexible Schedules with SRVUSD teachers presenting curriculum and goals Los Cerros has for the future! We are very excited to have a Golden Celebration this year. We will announce when this will take place, and we hope that Alumni and community members will be able to return to Los Cerros and share their stories and artifacts. Please look www.clubztutoring.com for publications and announcements for our 50th year celebration.
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St. Isidore School
Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 9
By Maria Ward, Principal
We are excited to be back at St. Isidore School. Our school opened its doors for our students on Wednesday, August 23rd. This year, our school theme is Be Humble and Kind. Our teachers were elated to see our students walk into their classrooms with such enthusiasm to start the school year. We feel extremely blessed to have our students back on campus with all of us. The St. Isidore Annual Golf Classic will be held on Friday, September 23rd at Blackhawk Country Club. We are so thankful for this huge fundraiser led by our Parent Teacher Group. This event is one our parents look forward to because while moms, dads, grandparents, and friends are out on the golf course, a hike and tennis are also provided. Afterward, a dinner will be provided that brings our St. Isidore community together. All are invited to participate. Please visit our website for more information. On Friday, September 16th, our St. Isidore annual book fair starts. This year, the theme is “Book Wars.” We have had many helping hands spending endless hours getting our book fair organized for our students. Come and discover some great finds while supporting our school. The book fair is open during school and after Mass on the weekends until September 25. It is incredible to see our school gym transformed. Please join us if you can for this fun-for-all ages event. May the books be with you! We invite you to come put your tennis shoes on to support the SVdP Friends of the Poor Walk 2015 on Saturday, September 24th from 9–11am, at the St. Isidore Church Track. The event benefits the District Council programs at the SVdP Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, including the Free Dining Room, Free Medical Clinic, Free Dental Program, Workforce Development/Job Training Program, Food Pantry, Daytime Homeless Shelter, etc. This walk at St. Isidore benefits over 5,000 underprivileged county residents that use the Family Resource Center’s programs. Sign-ups are at www.fopwalk.org. Our own SI graduates help make this event possible. Please come join us at one of our events this month. We would love for you to come help support such a wonderful cause.
Stone Valley Middle School By Jon Campopiano, Principal
Welcome back to school! We are off to a great start at Stone Valley after a very successful WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) orientation, school registration, and our first day on campus. Stone Valley continues to focus on the four district initiatives: implementation of California & Next Generation State Standards, Response to Intervention programs that guarantee each student will learn to their potential, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching, and fostering inclusion so that all our students have access to a rigorous and relevant curriculum. Additionally, as a school site, we are focused on three school wide goals: increasing collaboration and creativity by restricting the use of cell phones, rewarding positive punctuality, and requiring the use of our Time Tracker each and every period to build successful organizational habits. Construction continues, and we should soon see the foundation and framing of our new building. The transition into portable classrooms continues to be a success. We recently received our state CAASPP scores, and we improved in every subject and claim and rank amongst the highest middle schools in the country! This is tremendous validation for our students, staff, and parent groups. Thank you for your commitment and passion to the success of our students. Please continue to follow us on Twitter @stonevalleyms and our school website at stonevalley.schoolloop.com. Go Pride!
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Page 10 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
Monte Vista High School
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
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Summer vacation has come to a close, and Monte Vista High School was back in session on August 15th. The earlier start for the 2016-17 school year may have pushed things back two weeks from past years, but the Monte Vista student body has returned in force on our campus. Our student population is up from last year – totaling just over 2,400 students. Things were happening on the MV Campus well before the first day of school. In late July, our leadership class students and their advisor Andrea Greco went on a retreat where they spent time developing as a team and mapping out all of our activities for the upcoming year. The next week, some students took part in Link Crew training with Keith Hawkins in preparation for our Freshman Orientation. On August 12th, Monte Vista officially welcomed the class of 2020 to our campus. Our Link Crew Leaders put on a fantastic event and I’d like to thank this amazing group of students and their advisors; Nikki Chaplan, Alicia Frumenti, and Jordan Kither; for their hard work in preparing and executing an excellent event. All of this preparation for the school year has made significant strides to creating a positive, welcoming campus culture. Monte Vista recently held its first Stampede Day registration program. The event was supported by our community groups including our PTSA, Academic Boosters, Athletic Boosters, Keynoters, Friends of Choir, 12th Man, The Class of 2017, and ASB Leadership; and was well attended as we served nearly 1,900 students. I would like to thank Monte Vista’s PTSA, MV Office Manager, Jodi McFarland, and MV Assistant Principal, Megan Keefer for organizing the event, the many community groups who attended in support of Monte Vista’s programs, and the Monte Vista families who showed their generosity in supporting our kids through these programs. In response to our goal of improving our school climate, the MV staff recently welcomed speaker Phil Boyte to our opening faculty meeting. It was a huge change from the conventional first faculty meeting that includes tons of information and not a lot of time for staff to connect and learn from each other. Over the session, MV faculty was able to welcome our new teachers, learn more about teachers from different departments, and plan out ways to improve the way we interact with each other. Our MV faculty is excited about the new connections we made to start the year, and we look forward to our continuing relationship with Phil and his organization. Things are just getting started in 2016-17. Monte Vista’s students and our athletics and arts programs are poised for another successful year. Please check our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the up-to-date information about our programs. We look forward to a great year – Join the Stampede!
San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, Principal
Welcome Back! The school year has begun (August 15th) and everything looks a little different this year. As you have probably noticed, the wings in the middle of the campus have all been demolished. A, B, C, E, F, G, J, and K wings are gone, and the construction of the new building will gradually take shape over the next couple of years. We have 45 portable classrooms out in “Portable City,” and it’s become quite a community out there! Our new bell schedule, new district calendar, and campus wide 1:1 technology program are falling into place, and now that we are a few weeks into the school year, things are going smoothly. As with all new initiatives, it takes a little time to get everything up and running. We have the new bell schedule and new campus map posted on our website, www.srvhs.net. So far, the students have been enjoying the extra time that they have during the day due to the Access period. This time allows them to work on homework or projects or to go and see teachers for help.There are 40 minutes on both Wednesday and Thursday that are dedicated purely for academic support. Students are able to choose how they want to spend this time. We also have a 25 minute Home Room period on Tuesdays. This is being used for student education presentations on a variety of topics, additional Access time, class surveys, or checking in with kids to see how they are doing. As we get closer to progress report time and the end of the quarter, we anticipate that students will be using this time more and more to get help from their teachers if they are struggling. We are also proud of our school-wide 1:1 program. We have students bringing their devices to school every day so that they can get online for any sort of class activity or work on things during their own time. We are working on helping students to be become productive and responsible digital citizens, and one of the areas that we will be focusing on, along with our technology use, is how to be smart and safe online. We have resources from Common Sense Media on our website as well as many other sources of information that we will be using throughout the school year. Please join us September 14th for the Homecoming Rally and Parade. May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. ~ Nelson Mandela
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 11
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Into the Wilds of Scotland
By Lisa Kallen, Alamo World Travel
From books and movies, I had always imagined what Scotland would look like, and our “Country Roads of Scotland” escorted tour with Insight Vacations was the perfect way to experience the lush green heart of this magical land. Ten blissful days… and now Scotland feels like home. After touring lively Edinburgh for two sunny days, we headed north, away from the crowds and up into the Highlands. Going off the beaten track delivered us right into the Scotland of my dreams. There was rugged landscape, the “dragon’s breath” that draped the mountaintops just before a rain, the wilderness of green tufted vales, the glens and straths dotted with woolly sheep, the lochs and rivers on the way to the Isle of Skye…and all those waterfalls seeping out of every cranny in the hillsides and mountains! Here in California we are so parched by drought that I had forgotten how lush a land can be. The Scottish people are so dear, friendly, jovial, and welcoming…and those accents, lilting and rugged like their country. Our Tour Director, Michael, was the perfect combination of doting shepherd and darling host. Meticulously detail oriented in his care for us, he was a font of encyclopedic knowledge of the Scots and their history and a very funny storyteller to boot. As he shared with us ancient Scottish history and stories of clan battles and royal intrigue, he would now and again slip seamlessly into a tall tale of his own escapades, catching us up in breathless attention until the punch line. Michael’s clear love of this country and its people shone through as he encouraged us to experience the enchantment and mythology of the Highlands at some very moving locations. Charming us with the lore of Loch Ness and its famed water horse, hearkening back to the heartbreak at Culloden Moor, and sharing the mystical power of the Druid Temples, Michael often brought us to tears, especially those of us who have had a “bit of the sadness” come into our lives. And for anyone who is a fan of the Outlander time-travel books, this particular tour is a must as we visited all things Clan Fraser. Many of us clung to the standing stones in hopes of being transported ourselves!
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So much was included in our Insight Vacation: our accommodations, daily breakfasts and most dinners, tours each day, plus a few surprise “flourishes”-- complimentary stops along the way for homemade shortbread, Orkney ice cream, tea and cakes, and clotted cream. One favorite afternoon included a slice-of-life moment when we visited a sheepdog trainer on his Highland farm. The proud sheep farmer whistled and whooped to his dogs who were eager to show off how they keep those woolly beasts in line. After trying our hands at sheep shearing and feeding the lambs, we couldn’t resist cuddling a few puppies from a recent litter. Our visit felt like such a privilege as, sadly, this ancient way of life is disappearing in the Highlands. In addition to the wild Scottish countryside and our very talented Tour Director, another highlight of this Insight Vacation was our fellow adventurers. We got to know everyone--their stories, their passions--over meals, while touring, and while exploring together in the evenings. Insight Vacations sets up so many meals together as well as the seating rotation on our coach so that we were always cozying up to someone new in those first early days. By the end of this adventure we had truly all become good friends, and I look forward to traveling with many of them in the future. For those travelers considering an escorted tour, an Insight Vacation offers the perfect balance of activities and free time…free time to explore tiny towns late into the long summer hours of daylight, to hike the castle-topped hills, to hunt down local pubs for whiskey and rousing music, and to get up early (sometimes) for a quick walkaround in the bright, emerald dawn. From that dawn to late dusk, we were steeped every day in the Scotland I had hoped to see—dramatic, soulful, mystical. Slainte va! Lisa Kallen is a Travel Consultant with Alamo World Travel, specializing in tours, cruises and customized vacations worldwide. Visiting family in La Bella Italia is a favorite vacation along with “soft adventures” just about anywhere in the world. You can reach Lisa at (925)837-8742 ext. 18 or lkallen@alamoworld.com. Advertorial
Page 12 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
Quick Trips
By Linda Summers Pirkle California Independent Film Festival
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You know the type...six hours into a long flight they appear fresh, calm, and serene and are happily reading, working on a project, or watching movies. Then, there are those people who are fidgeting, anxious, and itching to get up and walk around the cabin after a mere 30 minutes into a flight. I happen to be the latter and am married to the former. One of the reasons my husband is content on long hauls is because he can watch two or three films uninterrupted. He’s a movie guy. In his spare time, he is the executive director (since 2002) of the California Independent Film Festival (CAIFF). The yearly festival will be held September 8-14 at three historic theatres: Rheem in Moraga, Orinda theatre, and the Castro in San Francisco. Seventeen years ago the CAIFF was founded by local accountant, film maker, comedian, and all around visionary Derek Zemrak. His connections in the entertainment industry are legendary. Derek, who is also the president of the non-profit organization is responsible for bringing an impressive number of film stars to the CAIFF over the years that includes Ms. Rita Moreno, Cloris Leachman, Tony Curtis, Julie Newmar, Tab Hunter, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mary Stuart Masterson, Martin Landau, and Mickey Rooney. One of my favorite speakers was Richard Dreyfuss who appeared at a sold out CAIFF event held at the 750 seat Orinda Theater in 2010. He spoke about growing up in Los Angeles and how he was star struck when he met some of the Hollywood greats. Another sold out event was when actress and animal rights spokesperson Tippi Hedren entertained the CAIFF audience in 2009. She recounted with vivid detail the terror she felt when menacing birds were let loose in a small room she was locked in during the filming of a pivotal scene in the movie The Birds directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Besides welcoming stars of yesterday, the CAIFF is a showcase for current film makers from around the world. Edy Schwarz, director of marketing says, “This year’s event has something for everyone. Film Festivals bring good films to the community that may not be seen anywhere else. There are excellent feature films, nail biting suspense films, fun and light animation movies, and education inspiring documentaries.” An inspirational film according to Edy Schwartz is Generation Hope, from the United Kingdom directed by Charles Kinnane. The film is about a man who fulfilled his dream of educating and feeding one million children. It will be screened at the Rheem on Monday, September 12, 7:15PM. The CAIFF will screen the world premiere of The Red Maple Leaf, a Canadian drama starring James Caan, Robert Loggia, Martin Landau, Paul Sorvino, Kris Kristofferson, Michal Pare, Eric Roberts and Mira Sorvino about a daughter of a U.S. Ambassador who is snatched from under the nose of the Secret Service detail. The Red Maple Leaf airs at the Rheem on Saturday, September 10 at 8PM. Derek Zemrak recalled how he came up with the idea of CAIFF, “I attended a film festival in upstate New York in the 90’s which I really enjoyed and thought the San Francisco East Bay Area needed a film festival. In 1999 the CAIFF was held at the Pleasanton Hilton with two viewing screens and now the film festival is screened in three majestic theatres.” He added, “There are always issues such as a scheduled celebrity or a filmmakers copy of a movie showing up late, but it’s like an obstacle course and that’s the fun of running a film festival. Community involvement is key to our success. Without the participation of movie goers and exceptional volunteers, we would not be where we are today.” To purchase tickets to the upcoming California Independent Film Festival and see the schedule of films, visit CAIFF.org or call 925-388-0752. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com. medication, access to primary healthcare, substance abuse counseling, benefit Help for Families Facing a and resource counseling, supportive housing, vocational rehabilitation, and peer Mental Health Crisis and family member education, and support. If someone is unwilling to agree to a treatment plan, a court order may be obtained to require compliance. More By Candace Andersen, Contra Costa information about Contra Costa’s AOT program can be found at http://cchealth. County, District 2 Supervisor Many people feel paralyzed when a loved one is in a org/mentalhealth/lauras-law.php, or by calling 1-888-678-7277. Help is also available for those who are suicidal. If in fear for a loved one, watch state of mental health crisis. While we may want to diminish for the following symptoms: aggressive behavior, dramatic mood swings, social their pain, nothing seems to penetrate the barrier that surwithdrawal, increased substance abuse, and expressions such as “I wish I wasn’t rounds them. In a time of crisis, trying to identify options for help is challenging. One great resource to aid families here.” In an emergency suicidal situation, call 911, or help can also be found at the Contra Costa Crisis Center Suicide Hotline, (800) 833-2900 or just by dialing 211. dealing with mental illness is the Mental Health Crash There are many public and private resources in Contra Costa County to help Course, a program designed by collaborating organizations to provide an orientation to help navigate through the mental health system. Every Wednesday, a 90-minute both the mentally ill and the friends and family members who are trying to help. “crash course” is held at the Family Justice Center, located at 2151 Salvio St. in Con- Talking with your own family physician to determine what resources your health cord. More information about the program can be found at www.mhcrashcourse.org. plan might have available is another essential first step. As a community, we will Since mental health disorders are often invisible on the surface, they may not continue to work together to combat the stigma often accompanying mental illness be as easy to immediately recognize. Mental illness is a chronic, persistent, and and treat it just as we do any other disease, helping patients and looking for a cure. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, frequently hereditary disorder that 5% of the American population suffers from. which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Just as we don’t hesitate to seek treatment for medical ailments, help for mental Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we illness also needs to be sought. Sometimes it is not until a crisis exists that family members seek assistance. can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County isIf someone becomes a danger to self, a danger to others, or gravely disabled, sues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860. Thank you to summer intern Clara Cabot for her contributions to this article. showing extreme symptoms of a mental disorder, police can be summoned and the person may be placed on a 5150 or involuntary psychiatric hold. A person can be held up to 72 hours to be evaluated. At the end of that period, a 5250 hold for up to 14 days may be further issued, followed by a 5260 hold up to 30 days. If a law has been broken, subjects may opt into the Behavioral Health Court, which provides an intensive two-year treatment program for the mentally ill. Unfortunately, many of those who are seriously mentally ill remain in denial of their disorders, a state officially known as anosognosia. Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), also known as Laura’s Law, was instituted in Contra Costa County in February of 2016 to help some of these individuals. The AOT program provides a 24-hour team response that includes mental health treatment,
Bike continued from front page
instruction on repairing flat tires, adjusting brakes and front/rear derailleurs, correcting seat height, and lubricating the chain properly. Stanley’s goal is to take CBI to official 501(c)3 status and to expand the reach within Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. “I’d ultimately like everyone in the area who wants or needs a bike to be able to have one,” says Stanley. “The more bicycles we give away, the more smiles we create.” To find out more about CBI, or to donate or make a bike request, contact Stephen Stanley at Stephen@charitybikeinstitute.org or (925) 255-6181.
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 13
Page 14 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
Can I? Yes, I Can
www.yourmonthlypaper.com By Cynthia Ruzzi, President Sustainable Danville Area
Can it be that season? Yes it can! With pepperoncini’s and tomatoes bursting out of my garden and trying to beat the squirrels to my apples, it is time to drag out my one year old Ball Fresh TECH Electric Water Bath Canner with Multi-Cooker. With urgency, I peeled apples, scored peppers, and blanched tomatoes for hours, all for the pleasure of digging into our bounty long past the days of summer. Home canning is one of those passions that folks rarely talk about, but ardent ‘canners’ spend hours lovingly processing and ‘putting up food.’ There are many reasons to consider canning food at home. Love in a jar: For some, canning is a connection to their past—a reminder of time spent with family or a link to their heritage. Maybe it’s a jar of preserves based on a family recipe that brings you back to after-school snacks or a crisp dill pickle in the middle of winter that smacks of a summer’s picnic, but it’s right there in the jar no matter when you need a flood of memories. A joyous gift: It’s hard to go wrong sharing the gift of food. There’s something special that comes from presenting or receiving home canned foods. I don’t feel the pressure to consume it immediately, but I also appreciate the love and caring that has gone into the preparation of the gift. I pack my pantry with jams, pickles, pasta sauces, and apple pie-in-a-can, and when the holidays roll around...well, I have a back-up plan to cover everyone on the list. It’s a matter of taste: Let’s face it, locally grown, harvested in-season produce or fruits, canned when just ripe, beats a commercial product any day. I know the quality of the organic, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables I preserve, and it beats a supermarket’s effort any day. Best said by Eugenia Bone, avid food writer and author of Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up Small Batches of Seasonal Foods, “Preserving is an extension of the values that made you shop in the farmers’ market in the first place.” If asked, I’d agree and add…the values that bring me back to the garden again and again. The terroir sweetens more than the wine. Health is wealth: My first choice is organic fruits and vegetables, whether I’m growing or buying them. This way I can help my family avoid harmful additives and pesticides. Home canning also helps avoid BPA, a harmful chemical often in the plastic lining of metal cans, such as those used for tomatoes. Eating for the planet: Canning your own food lowers your environmental impact. Mason jars are reusable and thus reduce the packaging associated with buying conventionally packed foods. Additionally, consuming foods that are trucked thousands of miles burns fossil fuels contributing to pollution and often delivers foods that are rendered tasteless from being picked and packed before peak ripeness. Simple home canning allows you to enjoy delicious ‘pantry to table’ food year-round from your own backyard. Save a penny: Eating seasonally is not only good for the planet; it’s also good for your pocketbook. When you grow or buy produce in season, it’s bountiful and therefore cheaper—making canning an economical way to stock the pantry. There are countless resources online, including Getting Started videos from Ball, the preserving authority, at www.freshpreserving.com/tools/waterbath-canning. You’ll also find recipes for everything from jams to pickles, along with one of my favorites I use as gifts: Apple Pie-in-a-Jar (Seven 16oz pints) • Submerge 12 cups organic sliced, peeled medium apples in 4 cups of water and ¼ cup lemon juice to prevent browning • 2 ¾ organic sugar • ¾ cup cooking starch • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg • 2 ½ cups unsweetened apple juice • 1 ¼ cups cold water • ½ cup lemon juice • 7 16oz pint size glass preserving jars, lids and bands
Directions
1. Prepare water canner. Heat jars in water until ready for use. Do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside. 2. Blanch apple slices (two batches of 6 cups) in large pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Remove with slotted spoon & keep warm in covered bowl. 3. Combine sugar, cooking starch, cinnamon and nutmeg in large stainless steel saucepan. Stir in apple juice and cold water. Bring to boil, stir constantly and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice and return to boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. 4. Fold apples into hot mixture. Before processing, re-heat, stirring until apples are heated through. 5. Ladle hot apple pie filling into hot jars leaving 1” headspace. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, center lid on each jar and apply bands until fit is fingertip tight. 6. Process jars in water canner for 25 minutes. Remove jars and set on kitchen towel on counter to cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex when center is pressed. 7. Tag with date. Add your favorite pie crust recipe if preparing as gift. Have a favorite canning recipe? Share it with us at www.facebook.com/sustainabledanvillearea and happy canning.
Technology Matters
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
Last week I had the opportunity to speak with a group of 50 gentlemen in Walnut Creek about computer security. The two-hour lecture seemed to pass quickly and it reminded me how much I enjoy people and love being of service. Our aim at PCIO is to change people’s lives for the better, and events like this make me feel successful in that mission. What did we accomplish together? We dispelled myths, reinforced good practices, and conveyed a reasonable sense of urgency to take basic, proactive steps as quickly as possible. Have you ever experienced the situation of recalling something very important that had slipped your mind only to have it slip your mind again? Then when you finally remember the item, it was only because the negative outcome you were hoping to avoid came to fruition? If you had taken the initiative to deal with the item back when you first thought about it, you could have escaped without any problems. I often find this is often the case with computer security and maintenance. And I have a rule of thumb that says once I’ve thought about something that could happen, the chance of it coming to fruition seems to become exponentially higher. I’ve tempted fate, so I must act! In support of this notion, I’m going to give you the list of security precautions I used for my lecture so you can start taking proactive steps today. There are 18 points, and these will help you whether you run a large company and want a checklist for your IT staff, or you’re looking for direction at home. 1. Keep your computer up to date: Patch, Patch, Patch!
2. Web Browser: use Google Chrome. It does a better job of preventing access to sites with bad code. There are pros and cons to all of them, but Chrome has an edge in our opinion. 3. Install protective software, whether you own a MAC or PC. All systems get infected, and Macs are not special. 4. Use Ad Blocker extensions in your browser. Online advertisements are a new favorite way for bad guys to spread their drive-by malware and ransomware. 5. Use AntiMalware. Malwarebytes is a recognized leader for both Macs and PCs. 6. Switch to email services with top notch SPAM and virus filtering. For personal email, you simply cannot beat Gmail. Or buy your own domain and host it through Office 365. Both are fantastic. 7. Use strong passwords and different ones for each online service you use. Minimum 12 characters; long phrases are more important than complexity. 8. Nobody is watching you. Do not fall for the unsolicited telephone call saying: “We’re from ‘Windows’ and we’re monitoring your computer, and your system has an infection.” Microsoft will never call you, nor will anyone legitimate unless you request it. 9. If something you receive seems too good to be true, it probably is. 10. Pay for your software. Most free software introduces risk. 11. Stick to professional recommendations, avoiding fads and folklore. I.E., just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. If in doubt, call PCIO before acting. 12. Backup, Backup, Backup! Your primary backup should be internet-based. We prefer Crashplan. Your secondary backup can be a local USB Hardisk. It’s unwise to use USB thumb drives for backups. The backup that depends on you remembering is the backup that won’t reliably get done.
See Technology continued on page 19
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 15
Alamo’s 1st & Only Pediatric Dentist! Alamo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Welcomes Dr. Allan Pang Dr. Pang completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. After Tufts he completed a General Practice Residency at University of California, Los Angeles. Thereafter, Dr. Pang practiced general dentistry in the community of Los Gatos, California for two years. It was during this time that he realized how much he enjoyed working with his pediatric patients and returned to school to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. His residency in Pediatric Dentistry at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City allowed for him to have extensive training in treating the well child and those with special healthcare needs such as children with craniofacial disorders and developmental disabilities. Dr. Pang has been in private practice since 2008. He is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, a Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
(925) 831-8310
Page 16 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today
Tree of the Season: The Monterey Pine
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
The imposing Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata, perhaps the most common large landscape tree in the Bay Area, is one of the most widely-planted trees on the planet. It covers millions of acres in places as far-flung as England, Chile, and Australia. However, its native range covers just a few square miles of the California coastline, which explains why it prefers a cool, moist coastal climate with well-draining soils. With their dense, towering canopies, dark, glossy green needles, refreshing scent, and magnificent sweep of boughs, Monterey Pines give the feeling of being in a forest. They provide habitat for many species of birds and butterflies. The beauty of these trees, combined with their immense vigor and rapid growth, appeals to landscapers who want a quick, tall screen between houses, a cool shady hillside behind their home, or an instantly woodsy subdivision. Unfortunately, the quick hedge or woodland effect you enjoy in the first year of the tree’s life can become a major safety hazard and a source of conflict with uphill neighbors when, two decades later, the tree reaches 50-70 feet in height. The Monterey Pine’s soft, brittle wood and its shallow root system combine to make it a serious hazard during winter storms on the hilly slopes. Away from its native habitat, it is vulnerable to root-rot diseases and, stressed by lack of water during our dry summers, it becomes prey to often fatal beetle infestations. The species is relatively short-lived, around 75 years, and its proclivity for toppling, or for shedding large branches, increases with age.
Coping with Pines
So what are we to do with these beautiful but bothersome pines that define so much of the Bay Area landscape? First of all, don’t plant any more of them unless you are willing and able to offer them ideal conditions. These include a large, level, adequately moist planting site, with porous soil, far from both houses and power lines, and with no uphill neighbors whose views your growing tree will obstruct. Monterey Pines also require regular care, including safety
Clip Notes
By Jody Morgan
What’s in a name? In Shakespeare’s day any rose in an English garden was just as fragrant as the next. Not burdened by the need to know proper botanical nomenclature, Shakespeare’s contemporary John Gerard describes the qualities of six categories of domesticated roses in his Herball, noting that the rose should be prized “being not onely esteemed for his beauty, vertues, and his fragrant and odiferous smell; but also because it is the honor and ornament of our English Scepter …” Spelling was no more standardized in Gerard’s day than scientific names. By the time the first hybrid tea rose was introduced in 1867, ushering in the era when breeders sacrificed scent for size of blossom, taxonomists were taxing the tongues of gardeners with official botanical appellations formed by combining loosely Latinized references with cleverly corrupted Greek. Just to keep things interesting, they occasionally sprinkled in names based on other languages. Not wanting to make it all Greek to anyone, taxonomists chose to label flowering quince Chaenomeles from two Greek words meaning gaping apple because the fruit looks about to split and speciosa, an actual Latin adjective meaning showy. Seventeenth century botanist and cleric Adam Buddle never met nineteenth century missionary and plant collector Armand David, but their surnames are forever linked in Buddleia davidii, the botanical title for butterfly bush. Confronted with the plant whose root Native Americans fed in bread to Lewis and Clark in 1805, taxonomists put two transliterations of the Nez Perce name for it together giving camas or quamash the scientific designation Camassia quamash. The system originally proposed by Carl Linnaeus in 1735 is elegant and simple. Scientists around the world can all recognize universally agreed upon proper botanical names in print no matter what language they speak at the dinner table. But don’t expect them to agree on pronunciation. They are often just as confused as the average home gardener. In “How to Pronounce Botanical Names” posted online by J.L. Hudson, Seedsman, the writer claims to have heard at least eight different pronunciations of Thymus, the scientific name for the herb thyme: “TEE-mus, TYE-mus, TEE-
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thinning every few years, as well as periodic watering, aerating, and fertilizing. If you are already living with Monterey Pines, reduce the safety risks through preventative maintenance before it’s too late. To improve drainage, invigorate your pine’s root system, and strengthen its resistance, we suggest aerating, then filling the holes with rich, porous organic matter (we use American Soil’s “Clodbuster” mix). Check your pine for infestations by looking for areas where whole branches are turning brown, as well as for small holes, tubes or splotches of pitch, or red “sawdust” droppings around the trunk and major branches.
Pruning Pines
The best time to prune any type of pine trees, and the only recommended time to prune Monterey pines, is between October 1st and February 15th. Sap from pruning cuts attracts beetles destructive to pines. These beetles are dormant during the fall and winter months. Given that the beetles can smell sap from long distances, it is important to prune your pine when they are inactive. Not only are the beetles themselves harmful, but some species can carry pine pitch canker, a fungal disease that disfigures pine trees and sometimes kills them. If your tree has dead tips scattered throughout the canopy it probably has pine pitch canker. If you want to prolong the life of the tree, as well as its appearance, now is the best time to prune out the diseased tips. Even healthy pines require occasional pruning to keep them safe and beautiful. To reduce the fire hazard associated with pines, fire departments recommend removing deadwood and taking branches back from buildings. Pines are sometimes subject to branch and column failure. Judicious thinning of the crown reduces the wind-sail effect of the canopy and thereby reduces the risk of the tree falling in a windstorm. Removing weight from the ends of heavy branches reduces the likelihood that those branches will break. The safety pruning of trees is an art as well as a science. A well-pruned tree should not only be safer, it should look beautiful. At Brende and Lamb, we take great pride in both the science and the art of pruning. Now is the best time to make your pines as safe, healthy, and beautiful as possible. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial moose, TYE- moose, THEE-mus, THYE-mus, THEE-moose, THYE-moose.” The author advises gardeners not to be afraid to mispronounce a botanical name because there is no correct pronunciation. Instructors at Longwood Gardens insist you cannot be faulted as long as you enunciate every syllable. Nevertheless, there are some regional conventions as arbitrary as whether you say poe-TAY-toe or poe-TAH-toe. No one calls a pine tree a PEEN, but in England botanists pronounce the generic name for Pinus as PEE-nus. Since you wouldn’t have encountered Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz strolling through the Roman Forum, it’s better form when saying Eschscholzia californica to pronounce the California poppy’s botanical name as the Baltic German naturalist’s compatriots would have pronounced his last name. Although his Nonsense Books have kept his name alive, Edward Lear used a pseudonym when he began publishing witty verses and comical drawings in 1846. A respected zoological illustrator, Lear meticulously researched every aspect of his compositions. Correspondence in the archives at Kew Gardens between Lear and Sir Joseph Hooker concerns Lear’s insistence on having the correct botanical identification for ten Indian trees he had been commissioned to paint. Nevertheless, Lear heard absurdity in the strained cacophony of spoken botanical nomenclature, and he saw humor in his fellow Victorians’ passion for possessing every exotic flower, no matter how bizarrely fashioned, as soon as it was introduced in England. A few years after the first hybrid tea rose made its debut, Lear released Nonsense Botany. Arthbroomia Rigida looks remarkably like a blooming agave. A towering rigid stalk rises from the rosette of sharply pointed leaves. But the crown is a flat-topped broom. Reminiscent of the strange tropical hanging heliconia flowers commonly called lobster claw, Crabbia Horrida has a dangling anatomically accurate crab as its inflorescence. Thanks to Sarah Gage for including a bit of Berton Braley’s “Botany” in “The Poetry of Botanical Foolishness” (Botanical Rambles, March 2016). “There should be no monotony, In studying your botany, It helps to train, And spur the brain – Unless you haven’t got any.” What’s in a botanical name? Despite how silly some may sound, many contain interesting bits of information about the origin of the genus or species or the explorer who first identified the plant. Others honor botanists who had nothing to do with the particular plant, and some simply memorialize a friend. Occasionally, like Lear’s nonsense names, botanical monikers are cleverly descriptive.
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Life in the Danville Garden
Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 17
Water as a Garden Element By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059
We long to dip our hands under it, stick our big toe in it, and submerse our bodies under it. Every successful garden has some form of a water element as a main attraction. It may be a huge rushing waterfall cascade, an Italianate fountain, koi pond or a simple wall fountain. Whatever the size and magnitude of the feature itself water brings a sense of peace, connection, serenity, and reflection to a garden. There are several different approaches that I take in determining the design of a water feature. What are the size, scale and terrain of the land? Is the water feature intended to be a focal point? What is the level of sound that is needed from the water feature? Does the water feature have a function? Size, scale and terrain play a significant role in the design of a water feature. If you have a large Danville lot tucked up against a hillside you probably have a perfect opportunity to have a natural water feature like a waterfall, stream, brook, or thundering Sierra cascade ending into a pond or even a swimming pool. Hillside backgrounds often times are the best terrain for a waterfall cascade. It lends itself to be a more natural setting. Typically, I don’t like creating a “fake” backdrop for a waterfall because they never look very natural. If you’re going to build a natural water feature do your best to recreate nature’s artful hands. Build it into the natural terrain, not onto the terrain. The scale of a water feature is relevant to the purpose of it. Nine times out of ten a water feature is a main focal point in a garden. If it is a main attraction, design it so people can hear it, see it clearly, and access it easily and safely. A decorative fountain can often be a stunning focal point. Make sure to scale it to its surroundings. There’s nothing more disappointing than a wimpy little fountain surrounded by a massive piece of architecture. Be bold not gauche! The sound that a water feature makes is very important. We love the look and feel of water, but often times the sound of water can be unnerving or irritating. Most of us can remember the uneasy feeling of the water feature that sounds like the male of the species doing his business in the toilet. (Hopefully said with some political correctness!) Or the Sierra cascade next to your main patio that is so overwhelmingly loud that you have to scream at the top of your lungs to have a conversation. The sound that resonates from your water feature needs to be appropriate for your surroundings. For instance, the Sierra cascade is great for a golf course club house terrace view across the lake to the other side or at a distance from your main patio in the background. Water sounds can be very soothing and relaxing. The right sound tends to be different to each and every client. I once had a client who wanted a “lake-shore water-lapping-on-the-beachsound” and one who wanted a “babbling-brook-sound.” So before you undertake selecting a water feature listen for the sounds of water that please your senses. The function of a water feature as a garden element is very important. The function can take many forms depending on the intention for its use. It can also have several different functions separately and at the same time. Swimming pools, waterfalls, ponds, fountains, rills, vanishing edge, shear descent, wall fountain, fleur-de-lis, cascade, etc. all have many different functions. Basically, all of the five senses are available to please with your water feature at any given time. Maybe all of them! Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste! All of the aforementioned water features can fulfill the function. Water as garden element
is essential for the successful design of your garden. It will bring you peaceful joy and connection to your garden. It will attract and bring wonder to all who enter your garden. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: A well-done water feature begins with good design and is implemented by an experienced craftsman. Ask to see some finished referrals from your contractor. Gardening Quote of the Month: “How often it is that a garden, beautiful though it be, will seem sad and dreary and lacking in one of its most gracious features, if it has no water.” - Pierre Husson If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com or www. houzz.com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects. Advertorial
Page 18 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
The Ethical Will
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
As summer winds down and schools start up, families tend to shift into a learning mode. Our children study language, math, science, and history – specifically, the history of our state, our country, and our world. Over time, I have come to appreciate how interesting history is and how many transformative lessons it can teach. Ironically, family history is given little attention. While one’s recent family history is often readily accessible, many people know shockingly little about their line of descent. It is a real shame if stories of a parent or grandparent remain untold when they were only a few simple questions away. At our core, we all want to be productive and useful. Not only do we want to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy, but we want that legacy to be appreciated. How, you might ask, can this be accomplished? One great way is to give yourself and your family the opportunity to live a healthy, balanced and comfortable life. Doing so in today’s world involves achieving basic levels of financial success. Classic estate planning strategies can be employed to ensure the effective succession of one’s financial legacy. This involves the establishment of appropriate estate, tax, insurance, and asset protection measures. Most folks, however, miss the opportunity to ensure that their personal legacy is passed on to loved ones as effectively as they pass along their material belongings. So, I try to weave into my clients’ estate planning documents content that covers not only their “valuables,” but also reinforces the values they wish to pass on. In my short time on this earth – okay, not that short – I have come to believe that everyone has a unique story to tell: one that incorporates powerful lessons learned. Working with thousands of estate planning clients has confirmed this belief. The problem is that little of this, if any, ends up documented for the benefit of descendants. It is often said that understanding and remembering the mistakes of the past is the key to preventing their recurrence. Familial and ancestral history is a similarly valuable tool, capable of helping future generations understand and appreciate the world they live in. So, what might you do to leave a more meaningful and lasting legacy than planning solely with respect to your monetary assets? In today’s technological world, there are many options. For starters, consider an “Ethical Will.” Ethical Wills, dating back to both the Old and New Testament, are not legal documents and are relatively uncommon today. They are intended to pass on philosophies, stories, ethical values, and beliefs from one generation to the next. An Ethical Will can take on a number of forms such as a list of core values, a statement of hopes for loved ones, an expression of gratitude, a brief life story, foundational lessons to share, etc. Consider an Ethical Will, as Andrew Weil, MD, would say, a gift of “spiritual health.” Children are shown to be far happier when they have a better understanding of where they come from. The 21st Century embodiment of the ancient ethical will is a legacy video. Under the guidance of an expert videographer and family historian, the use of a visual medium can facilitate deep emotional connections to loved ones long after they’ve passed. For some, a video is easier than putting pen to paper, and for many, it’s a more meaningful form of expression. Regardless of the medium, I urge you to consider the benefits associated with capturing your intangible legacy for loved ones. Whether a gift to children, request from parents, or an enhancement to your estate plan, codifying this special and valuable information will be appreciated by all parties involved. If you may be interested in an ethical will or legacy video, please do not hesitate to contact me for resources. Also, stay tuned for the upcoming release of my new “21st Century Estate Planning” services; they might just help you supercharge your estate plan. * Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
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Planning for Special Needs By Robert Cucchiaro, Certified Financial Planner
Special planning is required when you have a child with special needs. Whether that child is a toddler, a teen, or an adult, it’s a parent’s job to plan ahead for their special needs child. Admittedly, “special needs” is a broad category and can range from a child with autism to one who is bipolar or addicted to drugs and alcohol. When it comes to financial planning, there are two types of special needs we are concerned about. First, if someone would be eligible for government benefits, we want to make sure our planning doesn’t preclude them from eligibility. There are strict rules about how much money one can receive before they lose out on government benefits, and this is a part of where special needs trusts come into play. Second, some people are just not well equipped to inherit millions of dollars with no oversight. These folks may not qualify for government benefits, so their planning is more about protecting them from folks that might prey upon them or sometimes just protecting them from themselves. This is where lifetime trusts with independent trustees come into play. One example I can share is of a client whose son is bipolar and has a history of making impulsive financial decisions. His parents are not seeking any form of government benefits; they just want to make sure that when he inherits his share of their wealth that he won’t blow it. We have worked closely with their attorney to design their estate plan in a manner that will allow their son to benefit from his inheritance without having the capacity to waste it or lose it to an unscrupulous person. This type of planning will also protect him in the event that he gets married and later divorced. If you think your son or daughter could benefit from this type of planning, I have three ideas for you to consider: 1. Take action and be responsible. Whatever the problem is, it’s unlikely that it will go away on its own. As a parent, we have the responsibility to look out for our children until the age at which they can lookout for themselves. If your son or daughter has special needs, that age may not come during your lifetime, and you need to plan ahead and protect them while you can. 2. Be realistic and somewhat conservative about the amount of help your child needs and for how long. Often times special needs planning is for a person’s entire lifetime, but other times it’s just until the age at which their parents feel they should finally be mature enough to make good decisions. 3. Hire a professional. Sit down with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and discuss your concerns, goals, and financial resources. Most CFP’s will do this on an hourly consultation basis without requiring you to invest your money or buy any insurance from them. From there, your CFP will introduce you to other folks that may need to be a part of your planning team, such as an estate planning attorney and an independent trustee. If this is something that’s been on your mind and you’ve yet to take action or your plan is stale and needs to be reviewed, send me an email at rob@ swrpteam.com or give us a call at (925) 927-1900. Our firm has been helping successful Bay Area families plan ahead for their families for over 30 years. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner. He is a Partner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving business owners in Danville for almost 30 years. Rob specializes in retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. www.summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial
Bariatrics Fashion Show Tuesday, September 20th, 6-8pm
Join J.Crew, 680 Bariatrics and West Coast Surgical Associates at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek to celebrate the successful transformation of courageous individuals at the Bariatric Fashion Show. The event will spotlight the accomplishments of men and women who have lost significant weight through surgical weight-loss procedures and give them the chance to display their healthy, new physiques as they model the latest fall fashions from J.Crew. Admission to the event is free and features door prizes and refreshments. For more information, call 925-933-0984 or visit www.680bariatrics.com.
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 19
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The Living Paradox of Self Image By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
I recall my visit to the doctor after my near-fatal car accident that left me with a face that no longer resembled the one with which I had been born. Accompanying me to the doctor was my twin sister. Although she is my fraternal twin, she was always a mirror of sorts for me. We had always attracted a great deal of attention as a set of bubbly, bright red haired firecrackers. After the accident, I had no choice but to acknowledge that my sister looked less like a twin to me than a reminder of how I used to look. Proof that my appearance had changed, and that appearance mattered greatly, was in how differently people reacted to my sister than they did to me. It may have been subtle, but it was clear to me: people respond better to those with a better appearance. Though I initially perceived this act as unfair treatment, I later realized (and accepted) that there are sound societal and biological reasons why appearance matters. Whether we like it or not, we live in a society where looks matter. Research has demonstrated that during infancy, mothers care more for the good-looking baby. A meta-analytic review has indicated that physically attractive students are usually judged more favorably by teachers in a number of dimensions including intelligence, academic potential, grades, and various other social skills. What does all of this mean? The prettier girl wins. She gets more job offers, makes more money, and at the end of the day lives a more successful life. A recent article published by Business Insider referenced a research study that indicated more attractive women had a 54% callback rate while those judged unattractive experienced a 7% callback rate. Similar results were found in mirror studies. What has the prevailing evidence repeatedly demonstrated? Looks matter! Whether professionally or personally, the way we present ourselves to society has a huge impact on the way we are treated and the services that we receive. Sadly, no matter how sophisticated or professional a male or female is, his or her attributes will be masked by his or her image. Our bodies and faces are
the vessels in which we live. In this society the person that we are is heavily the result of our image, and ironically our image influences the person we become by shaping our behaviors and actions towards ourselves and others. There is a silver lining to this sobering reality that looks matter. Information is power, and there are many ways to improve on natural appearance. And it doesn’t require us to look like we have been overdone or created from the same mold. There’s little purpose in lamenting the fact that our appearance may influence how others interact with us. It’s more constructive to decide which aspects of our appearance matter to us, and accentuate them. After all, there’s nothing more empowering than taking control of the changes we want to make…for ourselves, and maybe, just a little, for others, too. Barbara L. Persons, MD is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@personsplasticsurgery. com. Advertorial
Technology continued from page 14
13. Control access to your machine. Lock it when you’re away. Use a password. 14. Never conduct banking or login to any sensitive sites when on public WiFi networks. It’s a great way to have your bank account drained. 15. Use email and the internet safely. Be aware. Don’t visit sketchy sites, don’t open things people send you, and stay aware that unfortunately there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there trying to con or steal from you. 16. Use OpenDNS for network protection. It’s the priceless third leg of the protection stool - www.opendns.com. 17. Use encryption on your laptop, tablet, and phone. And make paper copies of important lists (addresses, credit cards, etc.), and put them in your safe. 18. Use that firewall that comes with your operating system. It helps. Do you have other protection ideas to share? I’d love to include them in the next version of this ‘Safe Computing’ checklist. Let us know how we can help. Reach us at info@pcioit.com, or 925-552-7953. Advertorial
Page 20 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
Thyroid Cancer
By Arash Mohebati, MD
September is Thyroid Cancer awareness month. Thyroid nodules are very common, and up to 60% of the population have thyroid nodules based on imaging studies such as ultrasound; however, more than 90% of those nodules are benign. Sixty-two thousand new patients will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2016 according to the American Cancer Society. Two out of three thyroid cancers are found in women, and it is the 5th most common type of cancer in women. During the past two decades there has been a steep rise in the incidence of welldifferentiated thyroid cancer that is in part due to earlier detection and increased imaging utilization, but the survival rate has remained unchanged. The majority of thyroid cancers that account for this increased incidence are smaller tumors that are less than two centimeters with indolent behavior -- they rarely cause problems. There are four major cell types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer accounts for more than 90% of the neoplasms of the thyroid gland. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is more common in women, and its incidence increases with age. Evidence suggests that family history of thyroid cancer, history of exposure to radiation, iodine deficiency, and auto immune thyroiditis are associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer. Evaluation of the thyroid gland usually includes clinical examination, laboratory values, and ultrasound imaging. Some patients may feel a mass in the neck or a nodule in the thyroid gland; sometimes they are found during a physical exam. Palpable nodules in the thyroid warrant evaluation by a thyroid specialist. Generally, nodules less than one centimeter should be observed without a need for
The Key to Prostate Cancer Survival By Dr. Stephen Taylor, Urologist
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men. One of the most effective methods for getting the upper hand on prostate cancer is early detection. When and how often you should get a screening test depends on various risks. I encourage patients to begin having discussions with their physician about a prostate cancer screening test when they reach 40 years of age. If you are African-American or have a relative who’s had prostate cancer, you are at a higher risk and should consult with your doctor to determine your personal screening frequency. With most types of urologic cancer, there are oftentimes no obvious symptoms, making early detection even more critical. However, those experiencing urinary pain, discomfort, or change in frequency should see a doctor immediately. There are two primary diagnostic tests for prostate cancer. Doctors often perform a digital rectal examination to feel for any abnormalities in the prostate gland that could be an indicator of cancer. If the prostate is normal, it will be soft like a sponge. An abnormal prostate, on the other hand, will be hard like a marble and require further testing. The second test is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test which tests the levels of PSA in your blood. Having an elevated PSA level does not necessarily indicate you will develop prostate cancer. However, it may lead to further diagnostic tests or a more regular screening schedule. Just a few short years ago, if a PSA test was elevated and/or a nodule was present on the prostate, doctors would immediately proceed to a biopsy. Such is not the case in this era of advanced innovation in medicine. Today, elevated PSA levels or the presence of nodules may result in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate which is highly reliable (90% accurate) and eliminates roughly 60% of unnecessary biopsies. When caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable. Because prostate cancer is often a slow-growing cancer, doctors may discuss the possibility of putting you on “active surveillance” in which they clinically follow the cancer with routine PSA tests and, if necessary, biopsies before committing to any treatment options. If treatment is necessary, such highly innovative procedures as the Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy using the Da Vinci robot—with robotic arms—are available, entering through the patient’s belly button and removing the prostate
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biopsy. The majority of patients with thyroid cancer are asymptomatic and will have a normal thyroid blood test. If any suspicious nodule that meets the biopsy criteria is identified, an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy may be considered. This is often done during an office visit if feasible. The biopsy findings will be categorized based on Bethesda classification and may be reported as benign, malignant or suspicious, indeterminate, and non-diagnostic. Molecular genetic testing may offer additional information in indeterminate nodules. The primary management of thyroid cancer is surgery when treatment is necessary. We now know that many smaller thyroid cancers of certain cell types can be treated with very limited surgery. If cancer is diagnosed, evaluation of the neck lymph nodes is usually done prior to surgical consideration. Extent of surgery will depend on multiple variables such as the presence of thyroid cancer in the lymph nodes. Additional treatment such as radioactive iodine may be indicated for a select group of patients with thyroid cancer. Surgical management of thyroid cancer is best done by surgeons with special interest in thyroid disease as highvolume surgeons are shown to have fewer complications. Your endocrinologist and thyroid surgeon will tailor specific treatment based on the extent of disease and your general health. Patients with thyroid cancer will need periodic follow-up examination by their physicians as the cancer can return many years after initial treatment in the neck. Patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy will need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. Five-year overall survival for patients is excellent -- with well-differentiated thyroid cancer is above 95% for all stages combined and is near 100% in patients with early stage thyroid cancer. Dr. Arash Mohebati is a board certified general surgeon who completed additional fellowship training in head and neck oncologic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He practices with West Coast Surgical Associates -- offices in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Concord. Call (925) 933-0984 to schedule an appointment and view educational information at http://thyroidparathyroid.net/. Advertorial from the abdomen. This remarkable procedure carries a host of benefits including minimal pain, early hospital dismissal, and little bleeding/scarring. Radiation therapy has also made great strides in the fight against prostate cancer by delivering specifically targeted, high dose therapy with exceptional outcomes. Prostate cancer is by no means a death sentence, especially in this age of advanced medicine. Thanks to effective, minimally invasive treatment options, men with prostate cancer are living longer, healthier lives with fewer treatment-related side effects to either their urinary or sexual functionality. What’s imperative, however, is to diagnose prostate cancer in its earliest stages. This can be done with screening and early detection, especially for those that have a history or predisposition to the same. Consult with your doctor, get the facts, and make the most informed decision about your personal course of action. Dr.Taylor is a board certified urologist with Pacific Urology. He is involved with the Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence at Diablo Valley Oncology in Pleasant Hill. For more information, call (925) 937-7740 or visit www.pacificurology.com. Join Dr.Taylor and other prostate cancer specialists for an education seminar, The Many Faces of Prostate Cancer, on September 29, 6:30-8:30PM, at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. To reserve your place at the event, please call (925) 677-5041x272. Advertorial
Farmers continued from front page
out and not only picked the tree, but they helped me to clean up my yard,” says Rothenberg. “It was a nice experience. It’s a great organization – a communityspirited group.” The Urban Farmers organization is divided into two parts: A central organization that provides the infrastructure (legal entity, insurance, website, software, tools, equipment, training and processes for finding fruit donors and volunteers), and local neighborhood teams where a person or family interested in helping the community harvest the fruit in their neighborhood. The group now has eight chapters harvesting from Vacaville to Pleasanton, with new chapters starting in Rio Vista and Fremont. Their hope is to soon expand the project to any community in the United States (and beyond) that seeks to convert local, healthy, sustainable fruit from waste to food. “We are able to harvest fruit at an average operating cost of 12 cents per pound,” says representative Siamack Sioshansi. “According to USDA, a farmer has to grow five pounds of fruit to feed a person for a day. This means we can feed a person for about 60 cents per day. You can’t even buy a can of soup for that price. For people that care about social justice and especially feeding the needy, there is no better way to invest donor dollars.” For more information on The Urban Farmers and how you can participate either by donating fruit, or your time, visit www.theurbanfarmers.org.
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Simplifying Back and Neck Pain
By Jesse Call, D.C., Sycamore Valley Chiropractic
Back and neck pain, like most other forms of musculoskeletal pain, are highly misunderstood. They seem never-ending, relentless, and most of all confusing. If you talk to 10 friends who have had back or neck pain, they will tell you 10 different stories about how they got it and how they were able to recover. They will send you to 10 different kinds of doctors, all of which will have 10 different plans for the treatment of your pain. Life is complicated enough; you don’t need back and neck pain to be complicated too. Back and neck pain are two of the most common causes for missed work in America, and it is estimated that 75% of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their life. You should have a basic understanding and knowledge of what to do about these forms of pain, because it is likely that you or someone you care about will suffer from back or neck pain. It is part of human nature to search for cause and effect. We want to say it was the day out in the yard, helping your friend move, or the long plane ride that was the cause of our pain. While yes, these situations contribute to the situation, they are not some singular cause. There are other factors that can also be contributors to back and neck pain when looked at objectively and taken together. The first factor is our anatomy. In chiropractic we use a phrase “structure determines function.” If there are structural anomalies or abnormalities, these can lead to problems, such as spondylolisthesis (vertebrae that have moved forward or backward on one another), scoliosis, or simple degeneration. The physical structure of the spine can be the source of the pain. While these situations cannot be cured, the pain and other symptoms that they cause can be reduced and eliminated. Posture is a large part of the picture when addressing back and neck pain. Posture is simply the tone or contraction of our muscles when they are at rest. They help determine the placement of our joints, but again structure
Seven Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy By Marchelle Milligan MS, CMT
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a gentle touch, restrictions are released which can help to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health. CST can help many relieve various causes of discomfort in the body. While there are many benefits to CST, I’ve listed seven of them below. 1. Headaches - CST looks for the cause of the headache and works to gently release the restrictions causing the headache which can help them go away completely or have a significant reduction in severity and frequency. 2. Back Pain - CST is very good at treating back pain. Not only does it work with the spine, but it works with the muscles and ligaments, too. When the muscles and ligaments are realigned together, the resolution is more complete and there is less chance of the spine going out of alignment again. 3. Concussion/Brain Traumas - Concussion from whiplash injuries respond well to CST. It can help relieve the pain associated with whiplash as well as the mental changes that come from this type of injury. Head injuries can have such devastating long term repercussions. Symptoms can include aggression, agitation, poor attention span, anxiety, poor memory, difficulty sleeping, vision issues, temperature fluctuation, and so on. 4. Chronic Pain - CST enhances the parasympathetic nervous system. This system heals and repairs when we are most relaxed. Therefore, in chronic pain situations, regular sessions can help reduce and/or relieve chronic pain by activating the healing part of the nervous system. 5. Sleep Issues - By enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system, CST helps calm the body by enabling the client to enter into a deep state of relaxation, similar to meditation. It helps to “remind” the body how to relax. 6. Stress/Depression/Anxiety - All events in life are perceived by the
Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 21 determines function. If our posture is not up to par, then our joints and muscles are put into a position to perform an action in a manner they may not be comfortable with. For example, if we spend a lot of time on computers or mobile devices, we may develop what is called “forward head posture.” This means that the head is no longer back over our shoulders but has instead traveled forward. The average human head weighs between 10-12 pounds. For every inch the head travels forward, it feels as if it has gained 10 pounds to your body. This puts a tremendous amount of stress on your neck and shoulders. Restoring proper posture will help to reduce pain and improve function. Similar problems arise in the low back when posture is not at its best and can lead to low-back pain and/or sciatica. The final condition we will discuss that can bring about pain is simple wear and tear. A colleague of mine refers to this as “birthdays and gravity.” As we go about our lives, we place different stressors on our bodies at different times. It may be lifting, driving, being on the computer, or racing around chasing your kids. All of these activities contribute to the normal wear and tear of our joints: “Bumps and bruises along the way.” Many times they simply add up to too much, and we begin to develop pain or discomfort. Taking care of ourselves and getting tune-ups goes a long way to helping reduce the pain caused by wear and tear. Back and neck problems are usually caused by some combination of all of these contributing factors. When we understand the cause of our problem, it becomes easier to see the road to recovery and also grants us peace of mind. We specialize in helping to examine these causes, identifying the problems, and putting together a plan to improve your health and decrease your pain. If you or someone you know suffers from back or neck pain, please give us a call. Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial body through the sensory network of nerves going into the brain. These events include trauma of any nature: injury, physical, or emotional trauma. Everything the body experiences is recorded in the tissue and may cause restrictions. These may then manifest as stress, depression or anxiety, as the body’s own healing and self-corrective techniques are overwhelmed and therefore less efficient. CST can help the body self-correct. 7. Whole Body Tune-up - By complementing the body’s own healing mechanism, CST can enhance all the systems in the body to help with prevention or reduction of stress, disease, or dysfunction. By stimulating the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord, the whole nervous system can perform better which allows every other system in your body to function better. With CST, I am facilitating the body to make the correction. The body strives to maintain balance at all times. This light touch allows the tissues to relax and self-correct without force. For more information, visit www.therhythmwithin.org. To schedule an appointment, please contact Marchelle Milligan at (925) 286-6237. Located in Alamo. Advertorial
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Page 22 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
The Eye Opener
Macular Degeneration Diagnosis and Treatment By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Of all the possible eye issues and conditions that affect vision, Macular Degeneration seems to be the one that generates the most questions and concerns on the part of my patients. As the population ages and people are living longer, there is a very good chance that macular degeneration has affected a family member or close friend. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of functional vision loss in Americans over the age of 60. In addition, your likelihood does increase as you age as 1 in 5 over age 70 and one in three over age 85 are affected. At this time the exact cause is not well understood, and therefore there is no cure. However, our detection methods and treatment options are improving to help maintain vision. To understand macular degeneration, we must first understand the macula. The macula is the center part of the retina in which light that enters the eye is focused. This area only measures about five millimeters in diameter; however, the central macula is only about one millimeter in diameter. This tiny central area contains only cones (no rods) and is therefore the only place on the retina where color vision and your 20/20 vision is processed. Light focused outside of this central area will see a sharp drop-off in acuity, and images will be best viewed in dim light. First, let’s discuss the positive: you will never go blind from AMD alone; your peripheral vision and some central vision will remain intact. However, your peripheral vision is not good; visual details and colors are decreased. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Depending on the severity and type of the disease, vision loss will vary. Dry macular degeneration causes less vision loss, but there are fewer treatment options. At this stage vitamin supplements, home monitoring,
Menopause Matters
By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
Summer is just about over, and I hope you found time to be away, to be outside, to be exposed to sun, and to spend time with those who help your being. The last Menopause Matters addressed sunlight’s role in synthesizing vitamin D and its’ important role in bone health. Since that article I have attended a two-day UC San Francisco conference, (out of the sun) on bone remodeling, and I will spend the next few columns
sharing new insights. Why should one care about bone health and, in particular, osteoporosis? Well, it depends on the age of the person you ask. Young women should care and know that peak bone strength (the strongest your bones will ever be) is typically reached by their late 30’s. By age 80, many women have lost, on average, 30% of their peak bone mass. This is why age matters. Variables including menstrual regularity, relative amount of exercise, intake of calcium, and exposure to sunlight (Vitamin D), and the age of menopause play a role in bone strength over a women’s lifetime. The bone built earlier in a women’s life will pay dividends over her entire life. Osteoporosis, typically diagnosed after a woman’s menstrual period has stopped for 12 months (menopause), is a silent skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength and bone quality, both predisposing a woman to an increased risk of fracture. Bone strength is typically assessed with low dose x-ray called a DEXA scan. DEXA scan is a measure of bone quantity (bone mineral density = BMD) and is currently the best measure of risk for osteoporotic fracture. Investigational studies are underway to look at how to assess bone quality, but none are currently used to assess risk. Why should you care about osteoporosis? It’s more common than one would think. UCSF faculty reviewed the prevalence (just how common) of osteoporosis, and those numbers shocked me. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) estimates that 9.9 million United States citizens have osteoporosis, and 43 million have low bone density. Both are risk factors for fracture. Most cases of osteoporosis occur in postmenopausal women and the prevalence rises from 19% in women aged 65-74 to more than 50%
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and regular eye exams is the standard of care. However, there are some new drugs that are in FDA clinical trials to aid in halting the progression in the early stages. Wet AMD develops when blood vessels around the macula start to leak. This blood and fluid leakage deposits in and around the macular tissue and causes a drop in vision. Most treatment options are aimed at this stage of the disease. Recent advancements in wet AMD treatment include direct injections into the eye of drugs that attempt to halt the process that leads to leaky blood vessels. The most common drugs are Avastin, Lucentis, and Eyelea. Thankfully, there is a lot of research into AMD, so there are new drugs that are in FDA studies that will hopefully lead to even better treatments in the future. Depending on the severity of the condition, vision loss can range from mild to severe. These new drugs have shown great results with minor side effects compared to past treatments. Even though a large percentage of patients have regained some lost vision, the goal of treatment remains to keep the status quo and prevent further vision loss. Since there is no cure for AMD, the question arises as to what can be done to decrease our chances of getting AMD. As of right now, there is a large genetic component to the disease, so there is little we can do there. The number one thing that can be done is to not smoke. There is a four to six fold increase risk for smokers than non-smokers. Vitamin supplements (including Preservision, Ocuvite, and omega-3 supplements) specifically for the eyes have been conclusively shown to slow down the process in early stages of this disease. The last thing I would recommend is to maintain your personal health. If you are diabetic or have high blood pressure, it is paramount to keep those diseases under good medical control. As always, regular eye examinations will help diagnose any early changes, and appropriate treatments and referrals can be made. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial in women 85 years and older. In the US, rates of osteoporosis and fracture vary with ethnicity. After adjusting for weight, BMD, and other covariates, whites and Hispanics had the largest risk for osteoporotic fracture, followed by Native Americans and African Americans. Osteoporotic fractures often do not make the headlines, and are consequently under appreciated as to just how commonly they occur relative to other diagnoses. The annual incidence of 1,000 US women with osteoporotic fractures is 1.5 million, compared to 513,000 heart attacks, 220,000 strokes, and 184,300 cases of breast cancer. In women 50 years and older, the lifetime risk of clinical fracture is 20% compared to the risk of breast cancer of 15%. Age is an independent risk for hip fracture in that there is greater than a five-fold increase in fracture probability from age 50 to 80, and this is independent of bone mineral density. What happens when osteoporosis leads to a fracture? Consequences of fractures are also under appreciated as they are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. One year after hip fracture 20% of patients will die, 30% will have permanent disability, 40% will be unable to walk independently, and 50% will no longer be able to live independently. Most importantly is that when you have had one fracture you are four times more likely to have another vertebral fractures (associated with spine deformity and height loss, acute and chronic pain, and diminished quality of life) and two times more likely to have another hip fracture. Not living independently ranks as one of the highest concerns shared by persons over age 65, and compromised bone health can play a major role in a person’s independence. That is why bone health matters! Future columns will briefly touch on the broad categories of both preventative (fall prevention) and pharmacologic treatment options. I will put some of the fears of treatment into perspective with their very known significant benefits. For now, know that bone health matters, and regular moderate weight-bearing and strength-training exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, daily calcium of 1,200 mg and Vitamin D of 800-1000 units, fall risk assessment, and not smoking are lifestyle factors that can help you live long and independent. Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925935-6952. Advertorial
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Danville Today News ~ September 2016 - Page 23
What is a Dermatologist?
Your Personal Nutritionist Good Nutrition Means Avoiding Constant Hunger and Craving for Sweets By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Dr. Jeff, a local physician from Walnut Creek, decided to take advantage of my eight week Royal Treatment weight loss program. This special program is based upon several studies that confirm if a person changes their eating habits over a two month period they have the optimal chance of reducing weight and keeping it off – less time is not as effective and more time has diminishing returns. My eight week program includes visiting the client’s home and making an assessment of their refrigerator and pantry, taking them on a supermarket tour, detailed menu planning, and frequent follow up communications through phone, e-mail, and face-to-face sessions When Jeff called me he was complaining that in his quest to lose weight he felt he was always hungry and craved sweets, and as a result he could not drop the weight he wanted. He came to my office in Alamo for an initial session with his lovely wife Ellyn and brought a food diary of a few days. I could see immediately why he is always hungry – his diet was very low in protein and fiber, especially during his busy day. For the next session I went to his home and made an inventory of the refrigerator and pantry, where my low protein and fiber diagnosis was confirmed. There were several types of cheese, leftover spaghetti with marinara sauce, fresh eggs, veggies in the bin, and a fruit bowl on the counter. Jeff loves crackers and there were many boxes of unhealthy crackers in the pantry. There were no ready-to-take meals or snacks for the office, such as hard boiled eggs. Jeff and Ellyn agreed to go with me to Trader Joe’s to help set them up with fresh, tasty meals that would be available for their high paced lifestyle. Jeff loves Trader Joe’s but was shocked to see all the great food items that he simply overlooked or was not aware of how to prepare. We went aisle by aisle and went thru each item where we discussed meal and snack ideas based on what we saw. In the lettuce section I introduced him to the organic bags of arugula that are delicious with diced fennel, fresh beets, and fresh quartered artichokes to be thrown in salads. We bought shredded cabbage and shoestring carrots that would make delicious Asian coleslaw along with Persian cucumbers, cilantro, sundried tomatoes, and sesame oil to be used to make low-fat hummus. I introduced them to Just Chicken, Fresh Grilled Chicken Strips, and Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breasts which are better than greasy rotisserie chickens. We bought the 97% fat free Hebrew National hot dogs to be enjoyed with fat-free baked beans and pickles. We also purchased individual serving packages of almonds that Jeff liked for taking to the office, and I suggested he create a trail mix with dried cranberries and Kashi Go Lean cereal which would help slow down his consumption of too many nuts. In addition, I showed Jeff the best cracker on the market called Akmak which has lots of protein and fiber. He liked the nutty, grainy taste of it. In the grains section I introduced them to quinoa, whole wheat couscous, faro, barley, and bulgur. I told them that we would have a cooking lesson where I would show them how to simply prepare these grains. I showed them the popular Roasted Red Pepper and Butternut Squash Soups which I recommend as a side to lunch. They also carry heartier soups that provide protein and fiber such as the lentil vegetable, black bean, and minestrone soups which are also a great complement to a sandwich or a chicken caesar salad. Elynn and Jeff were excited to see how I was putting meals together for them while shopping. At their home I helped them prepare hot dogs with fat free baked beans, pickles, and sauerkraut that they had in the pantry. We then made tabouli with whole wheat couscous and veggies, coleslaw, and low fat hummus in the blender. I set up a meal plan for Jeff and then followed this up with evening phone calls to see how he liked the menu I planned. I was thrilled to hear that Jeff was experiencing a happy fullness after each meal without wanting to snack. He felt that his energy level during the day was high and remained constant while seeing patients. I am also glad to inform you that Jeff has lost 10 pounds which he said was painless. Now Jeff shops weekly at Trader Joe’s and makes sure that at home there are many choices for meals that are properly balanced with protein and fiber. I am glad to inform you that your health insurance may pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@ yahoo.com and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Advertorial
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
“What is a dermatologist?” sounds like a simple question. However, recently when I was at a dinner party, someone asked me this question in an earnest fashion. No one had ever asked me that question before, but I’m sure several may wonder about the answer. In essence, a dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. Dermatologists treat more than 3,000 different skin diseases including skin cancer, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and nail disorders. Dermatologists may specialize in one or more areas of sub-specialization. In addition to treating skin disease, dermatologists also work to improve the appearance of their patients skin such as by treating wrinkles, ages spots, signs of aging, and acne scars. The road to becoming a dermatologist is a long one. To become a dermatologist one must graduate from a four-year college and then attend a four-year medical school. During medical school one must apply for a residency in dermatology. Because of the competitive nature of obtaining a residency, only one in three people who apply for a residency in dermatology are able to secure a position. For those that don’t obtain a residency, they can reapply the following year or choose a different specialty. Following medical school one must then do a oneyear internship followed by a three-year residency in dermatology. After graduation from residency some dermatologists will obtain additional training in an area of sub-specialization. This is known as a fellowship. I was fortunate to perform my advanced fellowship training at UCSF where I received intense training in Mohs micrographic surgery, laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology. Other fellowships include dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, and research. Upon graduation from one’s residency in dermatology, a doctor is considered “board eligible” but not “board certified.” Following residency most people seek board certification. This requires having completed a residency in dermatology. One must then sit for a proctored lengthy examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology, which is one of the boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Prior to the early 1990’s, when one took their boards they issued a lifetime certificate. Since the early 1990’s (when I trained), an individual receives a time-limited board certification, requiring retesting and continuing education to maintain one’s board certification. I am fortunate to be a board-certified dermatologist with advance fellowship serving this wonderful community. Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial
C L A S S I F I E D COMPUTER HELP
ITkid Computer Help Assistance with any tech related issue for a low price. Help with Email•Wifi•Computer•Smartphone•Tablet•Etc. $30/hr. Contact Max Nunan, local ITkid consultant. (925) 482-5488, maxnunan@gmail.com
CAREGIVING
Caring for a person with dementia is difficult. When you’re not around, you want patient and loving help. As You Like It, Really Kind Caregivers is here. Please contact Wendy at 925-708-6915, or minisister@yahoo.com, or find me on Facebook, search: As You Like It.
Danville Today Classifieds
Reach over 15,000 homes and businesses in Danville Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Run the same classified ad in our sister papers “Alamo Today” or “Lafayette Today” and pay half off for your second and/or third ad! Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print. Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
Page 24 - September 2016 ~ Danville Today News
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Homes Sales and Values Increase Again this Year
Last year we looked at the difference between one story and two story homes and concluded that both were doing just fine. This year I wondered whether there might be something different occurring, so I repeated the exercise and found that single story homes remain winners over their two story counterparts. In Danville, 35% fewer single stories sold than two stories during this time period. That’s up from 33% last year. Two hundred four single story homes sold versus 275 two story homes. The least expensive Danville single story sold for $458,300, at $9,500 more than asking price. The least expensive Danville two story home sold for $520,000 at $5,000 less than asking price. The most expensive single story sold for $3,252,000 at the exact asking price. The most expensive two story home sold for $6,965,000 or $1,415,000 less than the asking price. So, at the bottom of their respective price ranges, the two stories still sell for more dollars and at the top the two story homes continue to sell for more dollars. However, on average, single stories sell for more than list price and two stories sell for a little less than list price. On average, single story homes in Danville are selling for $1,108,828 while their two story counterparts are commanding an average sales price of $1,245,158, making the single story approximately 12% less expensive than Danville’s average two story home. In real estate size is very important, so if we look at the difference in size between the homes in the two groups, we find Danville single story homes to be quite a bit smaller. Single story homes average 2,077 square feet compared to the two story’s massive 2,780 square feet, making the Danville two story home 34% larger than the single story. That’s up from 26% last year. Homes in both groups are selling in under 30 days so this is a hot market. Twentyfour percent more homes have sold during the same time last year. This increasing sales pace proves that Danville is still a growing market. Twelve, two story homes sold for $2 million or more, proving Danville is also a strong market. By comparison seven single stories hit the $2 million mark.
West Side Alamo, Mt. Diablo Views
Danville Single Story Two Story % Difference
Danville 4 Bedroom Home Sales Jan. 1-May-Aug 26 Sold DOM List Price Sold Price Sq. Foot $ Sq. Foot 75 149 $ 1,132,217 $ 1,164,515 2416 $ 480 117 23 $ 1,098,392 $ 1,104,513 2837 $ 476 -36.0% 647.0% 3.0% 5.0% -15.0% 1.0%
On the basis of price, it may appear that the Danville two story home is dominating the single story. However, when we adjust dollars for size we see a different picture. Danville single stories are selling at $554 per square foot compared to $451 per square foot for their counterparts. This is a significant difference of $103 per square foot, or 19% in favor of the single story. So, foot-for-foot, the single story homes in Danville are way ahead. One 1,100 sq. ft. beauty sold for $947 per sq. ft. That’s $150 per sq. ft. more than the best two story sale. Noteworthy is that both groups have grown overall value from the previous year. This is really good news for Danville home sellers. From the beginning of the Real Estate Market recovery both types of homes have been big winners, appreciating significantly, and sales have grown again this year. Last year a combined 387 homes sold. This year in the same time period, 479 homes have sold for a 24% increase in Danville sales volume. From 2011 until today, it’s been hard to beat having money invested in Danville Real Estate and the rapid rebound in price has been a boon to sellers who are moving up in the market. There is nothing in these data to suggest that this market is cooling or is in bubble territory as inventory is still being consumed quickly and prices continue to advance. I think we can expect more of the same. Trying to figure out your next move? Need numbers and answers to your fix up questions to make your decision? Nancy and I will be happy to provide you with a personal consultation to help you figure it out. No charge and no pressure just our honest opinions. Please call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. To receive this newsletter earlier in email format signup at our website www. thecombsteam.com.
Downsize to Downtown
Danville Single Story
LD
SO Completely renovated, 2 master bed suites, 2 beds ensuite, office, library and au pair unit. Soaring ceilings, great flow. Priced to Sell $1,799,000.
Beautiful penthouse condo with two master suites. Walk to downtown Pleasant Hill. Priced to sell $437,000.
5 bedroom, single story on nearly 2 gorgeous acres. Two family rooms, exquisite master, large bonus room, walk-in wine cellar. Worth waiting for. Priced to sell $2,499,000.
Alamo Oaks Custom Home
Views! West Side Alamo
Diablo Building Lot
G
IN ND
PE
The epitome of 21st century architecture. 4 bedroom and office First floor level master & 2 family rooms. Priced to Sell $2,095,000.
LD
SO
West Side Alamo 4 bedroom spectacular views, great location. Worth waiting for. Priced to sell $1,279,000.
Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
Build your dream home on a 1.64 acre lot in Diablo. Priced to sell $930,000. J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526