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July 2011
Running for Their Lives By Jody Morgan
Shane Nelson is training for the up and downhill challenge of the San Francisco Marathon. On July 31st he will run with 11 Nayeli Faith Foundation teammates, ten doing the full course and two opting for the half marathon. Although only 40% of marathon runners worldwide finish a race, Shane’s completion of the New York Marathon on November 7, 2010 makes him confident that he’ll be crossing the finish line. He keeps a photograph of his daughter, Nayeli, on his cell phone. When his energy level plummets, he flips to her Shane and Nayeli Nelson picture. “If she could manage when only given a 20-40% chance of surviving to be ripping her tubes out at six days (of age), I can keep going.” Running a marathon was not in Shane Nelson’s future. Unable to walk for six months following a 2002 accident, the Danville resident was advised by his doctors not to attempt it. But the call to compete for a cause close to his heart was compelling. Even an ankle injury that left him only three months to train did not deter him. A stranger in New Jersey, Luis Ramirez, had contacted Shane about participating in the New York Marathon along with his Global CDH team raising money for children coping with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Nelson never wavered in his decision to help. Like Luis, he knew first hand that CDH could be a killer. During a routine 18-week ultrasound Shane and Elizabeth Nelson heard the technician saying repeatedly, “Liver up.” Their daughter’s diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity, had not formed properly allowing her liver and other abdominal organs to crowd her heart and lungs, a condition called CDH. Disappointed by two previous failed pregnancies, Shane and Elizabeth Nelson were determined to bring their daughter into the world despite dire predictions that her chances of survival were slim. CDH is more common than Cystic Fibrosis, but it is almost unknown to the general public. CDH affects one in 2,500 births compared to estimates of one in 3,000 for Cystic Fibrosis. The cause of CDH remains a mystery. Many newborns with CDH cannot breathe or circulate blood on their own. Immediate medical intervention is required. At UCSF, one of a handful of hospitals across the country equipped to provide the necessary care, a team of specialists attended Nayeli Nelson’s birth on October 22, 2008. She came out fighting. Stabilization is critical before corrective surgery can be performed. Nayeli was deemed ready at two days. “She’s a CDH warrior,” says Shane. Knowing that once she was admitted to the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at UCSF, Nayeli might be staying there for three to six months, Elizabeth and Shane arranged to stay at Ronald McDonald House, but they were told last minute that they lived a mile too close to the hospital to qualify. Nevertheless, they decided
Serving Danville Do You Know How?
By Fran Miller
Are you a current or former professional with a wealth of knowledge or expertise in a particular subject? Are you willing to share that knowledge in order to make a difference in your community? If your answers are yes, and you are 55 or older, the Know How Network would like to recruit you. The Know How Network (KHN), formerly the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), connects volunteers, age 55 and older, with local nonprofits in Contra Costa County that have projects matching volunteer interests, skills, and schedules. By utilizing personal experiences, energy, and enthusiasm to help complete short-term, high impact projects, skilled volunteers help KHN registered nonprofits advance their missions and client services by providing marketing or technology services, developing
Share your professional experience by volunteering with The Know How Network. Pictured left to right, Carol Ann Barber, program manager, Alissa Fencsik, program manager, and Ann Wullschleger, KHN program director.
programs, training staff, fundraising, and more. Established a year ago in response to baby boomers’ desire to volunteer their professional skills and experience within their communities, KHN and its volunteers are changing the volunteer landscape with the mutually beneficial partnerships between skilled volunteer labor and worthy non-profits. The staff of KHN recruit, interview, and match volunteers age 55+ with “know how” to assist nonprofits with short-term projects, typically one to
See How continued on page 18
Research Before Donating By Alisa Corstorphine
Every community library in the Contra Costa County Library system has a “Friends” program that helps raise funds through the collection and resale of used books. These programs run entirely with the help of volunteers and with their support they help fund additional library hours, library materials, and special programs. The Friends are dependent on the contributions of used books, DVDs, and CDs from the community to meet their goals. However, the Friends are facing a new challenge. A national corporation has started putting used book blue bins in many supermarket parking lots as a convenient way for people to get rid of old media which in turn has diverted donations away from local charities and libraries. Volume II - Number 9 See Running continued on page 20 The bins are marked for 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Reading Tree, a charity, but in PRSRT STD Fax (925) 406-0547 fact there appears to be a murky U.S. Postage PAID line between the nonprofit and Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Permit 263 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com for-profit businesses that have Alamo CA The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do placed the bins. According to an not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville article titled ‘Books for charity’ Today News is not responsible for the content of any of the
See Books cont. on page 17
advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
Page 2 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
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SonRise Equestrian Foundation Fundraising Events
For over five years, SonRise Equestrian has provided rehabilitation experiences for children who suffer from social, emotional, and physical challenges, including terminal illness. In their “In the Saddle” program participants develop confidence, integrity, and responsibility through mentoring and peer relationships centered around the care and enjoyment of horses. Services can currently be provided at no cost to the families thanks to individual, small business, and corporate sponsors along with the multitude of volunteers who give generously of their time and energy. There are currently 34 children on the waiting list. Your support at the upcoming fund raising events will provide the resources needed to keep this organization going strong. On July 23rd from 6 -9pm, a “Wine, Women and Jewelry” casual shopping event will be held in an Alamo backyard to benefit this organization. Call Debbie Carmel (925) 8907549 or email dmcarmel@yahoo.com for an “EVITE” and additional information. SonRise relies on its upcoming annual Wine & Equine fundraiser to bring in the majority of funds needed to support and build the program. This year, the event takes place on Friday, September 16th at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. The event, “An Evening at the Vineyard,” begins at 6pm and will be black tie optional. There will be a sit down gourmet dinner and dance, complete with live and silent auctions. Purchase tickets or make a tax-deductible donation by visiting: www.sonriseequestrianfoundation.org.
Town Commissions Seeking Members
The Town of Danville is currently seeking residents interested in volunteering for open positions on the Arts Commission, Library Commission, and County Connection Citizen’s Advisory Committee. The positions will remain open until filled. Applications can be found online on the Town of Danville’s website: http://www.ci.danville.ca.us/Council_and_Government/ Commisions_and_Committees/. For more information on the openings or the application process, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.
Danville Library Book Sale
Aloha Golf Classic
The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to the Aloha Golf Classic, Dinner, and Auction on Monday, July 25th at the historic Diablo Country Club. Check-in and Putting Contest begin at 9:30AM, Scramble Shot-Gun start at 11AM, Hole in One, Longest Drive contests, and box lunches are included. Silent and live auction, cocktail hour, and dinner are included in golf package and most sponsorships. Not a golfer? Join us for cocktails, appetizers, and networking at 4:30PM and dinner at 5:15PM. Support our local businesses through our silent and live auctions, and raffles. Sponsorships still available. Register online at www.danvilleareachamber.com or call the Chamber at 925-837-4400.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10AM the third Tuesday of every month, except August and December, at the Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. There will be a speaker at every meeting. Everyone is welcome. For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, visit www.srvgensoc.org, or email SRVGS@ SRVGenSoc.org.
Friends of the Danville Library will hold a huge sale of gently used books, all being sold for 50 cents or $1. The sale will be held in the library located at 400 Front Street in Danville. Hours are: • July 29, 9AM - 10AM members only ~ Public sale 10AM - 5PM • July 30, 10AM - 4PM • July 30, 12:05 - 3:45 PM bag sale, all you can pack for $5. For more information, call (925) 837-4455.
Danville A.M. Toastmasters Club
The Danville A.M. Toastmasters Club meets on Tuesdays from 7AM to 8:30AM at Father Nature’s Restaurant on East Prospect in Danville. The first breakfast is on us. Come by to check out the club - you’ll enjoy yourself while learning to be the speaker you want to be. For more information, call Roxie at (925) 837-6253 or visit www.danvilleamtoastmasters.org.
Danville Toastmasters Club
The Danville Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9PM at Diablo Valley College, Room W204. The college is located at 1690 Watermill Road in San Ramon. For more information, visit www.danvilletoastmasters1785. com/ or call Chandra Mundra at 925-389-1468.
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Boulevard View
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
I just got back from a trail ride around Mt. Diablo and the surrounding foothills and canyons. Thanks to my friend Lisa and her friend Jackie who shared her horse Missy with me. I had always wanted to explore the foothills by horseback but never had a horse to ride. Being out on Mt. Diablo reminded me of a summer trip I took as a camp counselor in Washington State. For two weeks I helped lead a covered wagon, pulled by a team of horses, as we traveled over logging and fire roads in Washington and Idaho. It was fun to bushwack our trail, swim in cold, uncrowded lakes, and cook our food over the campfire. Ahh, the simplicity of summer. You don’t have to go far to be far removed from the daily grind. Right around the corner, Lafayette Reservoir offers fishing as well as rowboat and paddle boat rental as well as a 2.7 mile trail for walking, biking, or skating. Mt. Diablo offers three family camping areas with 64 camping sites as well as five group camping sites that can accommodate another 150 campers. For information on reserving a space, visit www.mdia.org/spcamp.htm. There is abundant wildlife, amazing views, and miles and miles of trails for walking, hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and geocaching. As a child we spent many nights camping in the backyard. We roasted s’mores, read books by flashlight, and tried to scare each other with our best ghost stories. First we camped out in the tent from my father’s family. It reminded me of some-
Terraces Enhance Community Building
Danville has long been known for the preservation of its history, and this has made our community special. It became obvious that our Veterans Memorial Building needed renovation. Its history had to be preserved while meeting the changing needs of our growing community. A significant improvement is now being created to our building. Two new terraces will compliment the exterior design of the building while the historic entry way will remain. One terrace will be accessible from the Board/Library room of the Veterans wing, allowing students and citizens access to read and study outside when the Library is open. The second terrace is accessible from the Veterans Lounge, extending their space and enabling the year-round camaraderie for the Veterans. These beautiful terraces will be framed with waist-high protective walls, adding a sense of beauty and safety. The new terraces can be enjoyed all year long by Veterans and guests. The new Veterans Memorial Building will be a beautiful center for senior activities, weddings, fundraisers, celebrations, business conferences, and much more. It will be a magnificent and beautiful place to be enjoyed by all for generations to come. Your legacy can also be preserved on the walls of the new building. To find out more about the Veterans Memorial Building, please visit our website srvVeteransHall.org, call the office at (925) 362-9806, or send your request to info@srvVeteransHall.org.
Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 3 thing from Arabian Nights - a HEAVY canvas fort with a stout pole in the middle. We then upgraded to a two room Coleman “motel room suite” tent. These days outdoor fun and exploring seems to have gone by the wayside as electronic distractions, safety concerns, and a busier pace of life has taken over. When our kids were growing up we bought a few rocket kits and had the opportunity to launch the rockets on my brother’s property in New Mexico. The kids loved seeing how they could get their rockets to fly, chasing after the rockets after launch, and hopefully finding all the pieces to reassemble the rocket ships to fly again. Another time we found instructions on the internet for building a potato launcher, also known as a potato cannon or spud gun. The construction and assembly was easy and the hours of fun well worth the investment of a few feet of PVC pipe, pipe glue, a BBQ igniter, some hairspray, and a bag of potatoes. Summer days were also spent tie-dyeing numerous t-shirts, bandanas, and socks, making plaster masks, panning for gold, playing hide-and-seek, kick-the-can, and “snipe” hunting. We whipped up multiple batches of hand-cranked homemade ice cream and had chubby bunny contests to see how many marshmallows we could stuff in our mouth and still say the words, “chubby bunny.” Our cheeks were poofed out with the wad of marshmallows, and sugary drool ran down our chin, but we were laughing and having fun in the outdoors with friends...ah, summertime!
Shop Local R Dine Local R Play Local
Downtown Danville
July 14 & August 11 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Live Bands Bistro Dining Wine & Beer Gardens
Shopping Kids Zone 2 Demonstration Areas
Text Danville at 87365 to Win $500 gift cards from local Danville Retailers & Restaurants For more information: www.discoverdanvilleca.com
Page 4 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
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Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Children’s events at the Danville Library
Collection for the Troops
Saturday, July 30 ~ 4PM ~ Children’s Reading Room, Danville Library The Danville Library presents a new and very unique program with a performance of Bharatanatyam, Indian dancing. This beautiful dancing will captivate you with its grace, beauty, and color. The dancers will show you how to dance a few of the steps and even teach you to say a few Indian words.
VFW Post 75, San Ramon Valley, meets every second Thursday of the month at the Swain House at Hap Magee Ranch Park, located at 1025 La Gonda Way in Danville. The next meeting will be held Thursday, July 14h. Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. For more information, contact Post Commander Nathan Greene at (925) 875-1747. Find out more about the VFW at www.vfw.org. Delta Nu Psi has now sent 20,848 pounds of "Gourmet Junk Food" to the service people in Iraq and Afghanistan. High on the list of requests is powdered drink mix. The temperatures there ranges from a low of 80 at night to 113 during the day. Along with the 15 to 30 pounds of equipment that they wear, they are extremely warm. We will be collecting at Lunardi's in Danville on July 8th from 11am to pm 2 . We appreciate our communities continued support. For more information visit www.deltanupsi.org.
Bharatanatyam - Classical Indian Dance Performance
Win a Giants’ Family Pack of 4 Tickets!
Children ages 2 - grade 5 are invited to participate in the Danville Library raffle for a family package of four tickets to a Giants’ game. The tickets are for Friday, July 22 Giants vs. Brewers game at 7:15PM. Kids must guess the number of children who completed last year’s summer reading program of 2010. In the event of duplicate correct guesses, there will be a drawing to break the tie. Last day to enter your guess is Friday, July 15. Call 925-837-4889 for more information.
Summer 2011 Storytime Sessions
July 11 - August 17 ~ Children’s Reading Room, Danville Library Bring your babies, toddlers, or preschoolers to a storytime that is age appropriate with stories, fingerplays, and music. Prepare your child for reading with these early literacy sessions that introduce children to the fun and enjoyment of reading and books. Registration is not required. Caregiver/Parent must attend with child. Storytime is on a drop-in basis. Length of programs - Mother Goose Time – 15 minutes; Toddler Time – 20 minutes; Preschool Time – 30 minutes. • Mother Goose Time (birth – 24 mos.) ~ Mondays 10:15AM or Tuesdays 10:15AM • Toddler Time (25 mos. – 36 mos.) ~ Mondays 11:15AM or Tuesdays 11:15AM • Preschool Time (37 mos. – 5 years) ~ Wednesdays 10:15AM
Peace Corps Family Panel
Please come to the Danville Library for light refreshments and a panel discussion with parents and family members of local Peace Corps volunteers on July 12th from 7 to 8:30PM at the Danville Library, Mt. Diablo Room. Learn about the impact their loved ones are making overseas, and hear about the Peace Corps experience from a parent’s point of view. All are welcome! Celebrate locals making a difference as Peace Corps marks 50 years of international service in 2011. For more information, contact vsciacca@ccclib.org.
Everyday Heroes
By Volunteer Coordinator – JC Dala
Every day, over 76,000 people in Contra Costa County are affected by poverty; children represent half of that number. Contra Costa Food Policy Advocates report that 33,175 children in this county alone live in poverty. One of The Salvation Army’s core missions is to serve the community by alleviating people of their hardships and day-to-day struggles. Thanks to our volunteers, we are able to extend our helping hands and services to those in need. Volunteers enable us to make our resources accessible to our disadvantaged neighbors. One couple, Ron and Mary Figueroa, have been helping the needy for more than forty years. The Figueroas come twice a week to The Salvation Army Food Pantry. When asked why they choose to help The SalvationArmy, Ron enthusiastically says, “because The SalvationArmy helped me, by paying for an eye operation I had back when I was 18 years old, and this is my way of giving back.” Through the operations of our Concord Food Pantry, over 1,500 people are fed on a monthly basis. Through our annual Holiday Season Assistance Programs, over 200 families and 3,000 children were able to look forward to opening gifts on Christmas morning. These good deeds were made possible through the giving hearts of everyday people, such as volunteers like yourself. Becoming a volunteer can make a difference. The Salvation Army Volunteer Program offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, depending upon your interests. You can help provide a pre-prepared meal to a family by volunteering at our food pantry. You can help a child find solutions to their math problems or help them read an entire sentence with full confidence by becoming a tutor in our after-school program. Or you can take the lead and influence the direction of our community outreach and services by becoming a member our Community Gymnasium Campaign board. Whatever your choose, you can change a life, by becoming one of our everyday heroes. To get involved, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, JC Dala: 925-676-6180, ext. 16 or jc.dala@usw.salvationarmy.org.
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Danville Thursday Night Street Festivals
Shop local, dine local, and play local in Downtown Danville at Thursday Night Street Festivals being held from 5:30PM to 8:30PM on July 14 and August 11. • Three Live Bands with One Main Stage at Diablo Road, with headliner John Wayne Zink’s Rock n Roll Project • Bistro Dining in the Street, with five distinct courtyards presented by five local restaurants • Wine & Beer Gardens, showcasing local varieties • Shop in the street with local street vendors selling the best of what Danville has to offer • Kids Zone, with bouncy house, Museum of the San Ramon Valley Train, and children’s vendors Two exhibition areas include: • Children’s Area: Cheerleading, Dancing, BMX Riding, and Taekwondo • Adult Area: Zumba, Dance, Doggie Parade & Costume Contest, and Mixed Martial Arts Enter to win $500 in gift cards from local Danville retailers and restaurants by texting Danville to 87365. Visit www.discoverdanvilleca.com to learn more.
FOR SALE
Amazing 108” x 48” Painting of Mt. Diablo from Sugarloaf Open Space in Alamo This amazing painting is by renowned Sonoma native Sam Racina, who has been painting magnificent landscapes for over 40 years. The impressive size is perfect for your large home, company, or winery, and will take viewers’ breath away when they walk in the door. If you are interested please feel free to contact Peter Swidzinski to discuss purchase.
510-693-3082 Peterswidzinski@hotmail.com
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Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 5
COMING
SOON
334 Hartz Ave • Danville 925.406.4887 By Ken and Jackie Pardini
Summer Round-Up
It’s time to put on your cowboy boots, kick-up your heels, and head on out to the Danville Livery for some country western family fun! Summer Round-Up (formerly known as Summer Nights) promises some good ‘ol fashioned fun for the entire family. Mosey on down to the Livery every second Saturday in July, and August to enjoy some live music, horse and wagon rides, pony rides, balloon twisting, face painting, giveaways, and wild, western fun! The band line-up includes Dream Posse on July 9th, and The Jessica Caylyn Band on August 13th. Spend $75 in combined, same day receipts from any of the Livery merchants during the event dates, and receive a scrumptious caramel apple or giant lollipop FREE! “Like” the Danville Livery on Facebook, and receive a free gift, compliments of the Danville Livery. Stop by the redemption table in front of Forbes Mill Steakhouse to get your goodies! For more information about the Danville Livery’s Summer Round-Up and all of the Livery’s events, visit www.danvillelivery.com or call 800762-1641. The Danville Livery is located at the intersection of Sycamore Valley Rd. and San Ramon Valley Blvd. in Danville.
Books for the Homebound: A Free Service of the Danville Library
If you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit the library, find out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at 925-837-4889 for more information.
COBY is STILL LOST. CAN YOU HELP?
One year old black/tan Cattle Dog/Shepherd mix still at large. Sighted 23 times in 4 months. Attempts from strangers to capture have failed. Owners are always one step behind and cannot locate him after sighting. Last seen 5/17 in Downtown Danville but missing since 3/1. Spotted over 10 times on Iron Horse Trail. Still wearing his red, canvas “pirate dog” collar and blue bone tag. Shy, skittish, and fast - difficult to catch. Very Important: If you see him, please do not try to approach him, but keep in your sights and call Animal Control at 925-335-8300 AND Julie at 415-806-0658. Family with three children miss him dearly. Thank you for any information you may have on his whereabouts. ANY TIME with info.
GENEROUS REWARD
Page 6 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
The Elegant Line
The Village Theatre Art Gallery’s first juried exhibition closed its call for entries on June 10th. The theme, “The Elegant Line,” opened opportunities to a wide variety of artists working in paint, sculpture, ceramics, photography, mixed media, and more. Local artist and Associate Professor, Jane Fisher, selected 38 pieces from 60 artists across the country. These pieces promise to offer the community yet another dynamic and engaging exhibition. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, July 15 from 5PM – 8PM. Jane Fisher will give a brief talk at 7PM about what a juried exhibition is and her selection process for this show. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibition will continue through August 26th. For more information, visit www.villagetheatreartgallery.com or call (925) 314-3400.
Senior Buzz Sessions
Buzz Sessions are the buzz on topics and issues facing today’s older adults. Join us to talk with the experts. Buzz Sessions are always free! To register call (925) 314-3400. The following sessions take place at the Danville Town Meeting Hall. What the Heck is Improv? Thursday, July 7th ~ Noon – 1PM Come out and meet the members of Trapped in A Rumor, Danville’s local improv comedy group! They will give a brief examination of improv comedy, how improv is as a performance art, and what the audience will experience. They will also explain and demonstrate the basic methodology of improv for their “audience.”
Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Plan, Medicare, and State Programs Tuesday, July 12th ~ Noon – 1PM
Come hear about the Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage health plan where attendees can ask questions regarding general Medicare information. Cell Phones Simplified Thursday, July 21st ~ 11:30AM – 12:30PM Now that you have a cell phone, are you wondering what you can do with it? Are you ready to surprise your family with some newly acquired tech skills? In that case, this is the class for you. In this supportive class you’ll be guided through the basics of cell phone use by local Danville teens, Kelsey Leaman and Joshua Fong, including how to make calls and answer calls. You’ll add to your skills the ability to put phone numbers into your contacts, retrieve messages, speed dial, and many of the other fun actions that can be puzzling when you try to figure them out on your own.
How to Reduce Pain and Inflammation without Drugs
Tuesday, July 26th ~ 9AM – 10AM Shannon Williams, CNC, owner of Successful Health & Nutrition Planning will teach you three simple steps you can take today that will boost your energy and performance now! Learn about what inflammation is and how it makes you ache. Learn how inflammation contributes to arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and more. And finally learn how good nutrition and alternative therapies allow your body to eliminate inflammation and recover efficiently.
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
July’s Winner Is ~ Carl Reodica
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17 Annual Sculpture in the Garden th
The Annual Sculpture in the Garden is a one-of-a-kind art event in the East Bay and Contra Costa vicinity. The 3.5 acre garden, and its famous collection of succulents and Mediterranean plants, forms the backdrop for over 200 sculptures by artists from all over Northern California. Visitors can walk though the garden and follow the pathways to encounter sculptures in various media such as glass, bronze, ceramic, wood, and metals. The sculptures are selected to complement a garden environment, and many of the pieces are of a size that permits placing them into a garden without any special installation. Join us for Sunset Social: Art & Wine in The Garden on Friday, July 8, from 5:30 – 8PM. This is a festive evening during the magical hours of sunset in The Garden, with wine tastings by Vianno Wineries, food by Café Panini, garden tours, and live music by the Jobert Jazz Trio. $15 (Advance tickets include one drink and a raffle ticket for a bottle of fine wine.) The Garden is open seven days a week through July 16 from 10AM to 4PM. General admission: $10; Members, senior, and students: $7; Children under 12: free. The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a unique example of the art of garden design with droughttolerant plants, and it is known as one of the finest dry gardens in the world. The Garden displays an expansive collection of plants from the world’s desert and Mediterranean climates, collected by Ruth Bancroft for over 60 years. The Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that owns the garden and raises the funds necessary for its preservation. The mission is to preserve this exceptional example of garden design and to continue to develop its collection of water-conserving plants for the education and enjoyment of the public.
Crime After Crime Movie Premiere
California Women Lead’s East Bay Chapter is proud to co-host, with the Women’s Section of the Contra Costa Bar Association, a special viewing of the movie Crime After Crime at the Danville Village Theatre located at 422 Front Street, Danville. A movie trailer and more information can be found at http://crimeaftercrime.com. The viewing will take place on Friday, July 22nd from 6-9PM. Tickets are $20 for the movie and may be purchased by calling California Women Lead at 916-551-1920. The evening also features a special “Dinner and a Movie” package for $50 with fixed price meals available at the group discounted rate at two of Danville’s premiere downtown restaurants – The Basil Leaf Café and the Amber Bistro, located on Hartz Avenue. A portion of the proceeds will go to “Debbie’s Campaign.” The movie is a documentary on the battle to free Deborah Peagler, a woman serving 24 years to life in the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla after being found guilty of first-degree murder in Los Angeles in 1983. Two decades later, a pair of land-use attorneys in Walnut Creek took on her case pro bono setting out to prove that not only was Debbie forced into prostitution and brutally abused by her boyfriend but also wrongfully incarcerated for the death of her abuser. “Crime After Crime” picks up Peagler’s story shortly after attorneys Nadia Costa and Joshua Safran volunteered to take on the case in 2002. The film and the attorneys defending Peagler are working on “Debbie’s Campaign,” an outreach effort using the film as a platform for social change regarding cases like Debbie’s. Director Yoav Potash and attorney Nadia Costa will be available for Q&A at the film’s conclusion. California Women Lead (www.cawomenlead.org) is a non-profit, nonpartisan association of women holding - or interested in holding - elected or appointed office. Our mission is to give California’s women the tools they need to be successful in both their political and professional lives. We believe that the first step in encouraging women to be leaders is to start at the local level. Through our aggressive chapter expansion program, we have initiated nine chapters around the state. For more information about the East Bay Chapter, contact President Dana Tsubota at dct@msrlegal.com. For directions and information on the Danville Village Theatre, call (925) 314-3400 or visit www.danvilletheatre.com.
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Sustainable Danville Area – Tip of the Month By Abby Edwards VanMuijen
Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 7
Sustainable Landscaping
When I hear the phrase drought tolerant or native planting, the first image that used to pop into my mind is a yard coated with dirt and cacti—really ugly cacti. Somehow my imagination failed to draw from the 5,862 other plant species that are native and have adapted to the water-sparse California climate. When I used to think of greywater retention and reuse, I imagined a stream of homemade sewage trickling through my flowerbeds, replacing the smell of fresh roses with that of a fresh Port-a-Potty. Assurances of California sanitary codes for greywater systems often failed to deter my silly imagination. Recycled yard materials used to prompt images of plastic bottle fences adorned with crushed Diet Coke cans, permeable paving called forth images of paths made out of sponges and drip irrigation, well, I know what that is but for some reason, every other phrase associated with sustainable landscaping brought forth images of unfortunate outdoor spaces. Luckily they are only the images of my imagination. Contrary to popular belief, sustainable landscaping is not about transforming your yard into a desert or a wastewater treatment plant. Just as an architect pays close attention to sun exposure, wind currents, rainfall, and other natural conditions when designing a sustainable building, landscape designers utilize Portable CIO is an information systems consulting firm, information about the soil characteristics, native plant species and the local focused on implementing stable, reliable, and efficient solutions, climate of a site to create a more sustainable outdoor environment. intelligent investment in technology, and building long Sustainable landscaping employs drought tolerant plants (which I assure term relationships. How can we help you? you are not all cacti) because they require less water and less money to grow and flourish. Greywater recycling systems are installed to transport the water that is otherwise wasted from your laundry and shower facilities to the thirsty plants in your yard. Don’t worry -- toilet water and kitchen water still goes to the sewer. On a more advanced scale, recycled greywater can even be stored alongside the walls of your home and used to provide insulation, saving you money on water and heating/cooling needs for your home. Sick of running your sprinklers at 2am? A drip irrigation system helps to concentrate and monitor the level of water being delivered to your flowers, bushes and vegetables while ensuring that your pavement is receiving the proper saturation, zero. Recycled and Reusable materials - Construction waste is one of the largest contributors to landfills. Wood, stone, mulch, cement, you name it and someone has some sitting around or is trying to throw it away. Reusing materials is not only less expensive than purchasing material that has been freshly chopped or mined, • PC or Mac • Repairs • Upgrades • Office Moves and Networking • but it helps to preserve natural resources and limits the amount of waste we send • Virus/Spyware/Adware Removal • Internet/ Cloud Computing • to landfills. Sustainable landscaping involves designing a plan for an outdoor • Data Recovery • Back-up Solutions • Maintenance • space with a conscious effort to conserve water, energy, and resources. • Email Solutions • Remote Phone Support • Free Recycling • As you can see, there are a multitude of options to pursue if you are looking into any level of sustainable landscaping. A good landscaping company works with clients who are hoping to make their yards more sustainable by creating individualized plans that are cost efficient, maintainable, and capable of saving incredible amounts of water. At the same time, their designs still provide the www.ThePortableCIO.com aesthetic quality and beauty that any stunning outdoor space ought to possess. Join Portable CIO, Inc. on Facebook! Obviously not everyone is ready to jump into a full-throttle backyard renovation, but I want to emphasize the fact that sustainable landscaping doesn’t necessarily require a large commitment—just a will to participate. Like most other aspects of sustainability, it’s important to create a focused project or learning opportunity that you have the time, budget, and genuine desire to follow through with. Serving Alamo & Danville Since 1979! Start by looking up a few drought tolerant plants that you could plant in your yard this summer to reduce your water needs. A terrific resource is Plants and Landscapes for Summer – Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region written by East Bay Municipal District (EBMUD). This lovely coffee-table book is widely available at bookstores, at Heather Farm (whose master gardeners contributed to the content), and even for loan from the library. Flipping through the pages of flowers, trees, and bushes will definitely banish visions of arid wastelands. Call us and ask about Bring a chair or blanket and join Sustainable Danville Area for Pentair’s IntelliFlo pump our July 20th monthly forum (6pm at 379 Diablo Road, Danville). which qualifies for a Our hosts, Bill & Teresa White, Allstate Insurance Company of $100 PG&E rebate! Danville, welcome us to their lovely, tranquil courtyard under the stars. Want Soft Sparkling Algae Free Pool Water ? Our speaker Alex Cartwright, CK Water Systems & Landscape Development, is a certified Water Conservation Manager who will Ask about the IntelliChlor salt chlorine generator share his wealth of knowledge from domestic and Australian education in Ecology, Bio-stimulants for soil and plant well being, Greywater/ Rain Catchments systems and Sustainable Landscaping. For more Visit our website at www.actionpoolrepair.com information, please visit www.sustainabledanville.com.
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Page 8 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Stone Valley Middle School
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Is your garden about to “take off”? Are your fruit trees about to bear a bonanza of excess fruit? Have you planted so many zucchini, tomatoes, and other vegetables that you may find yourself with more than you can eat? Danville Today News invites you to participate in our Backyard Bounty program. Last year over 3,000 pounds of fresh produce was collected by our readers and passed on to those in need. The need for food, especially fresh produce, is great. We wish to provide produce at its’ optimum ripeness so nothing goes to Backyard waste. A call a week before your proBounty duce will be ripe will help us provide the fruits and vegetables at their prime. To coordinate picking or pick-up of food for donation to local food banks, contact Greg or Lise Danner at 925-552-7103 or email thedanners@aol.com.
Read, Run, Relax
Read - 60 minutes per day. Be among the top readers in the country. See the recommendations from our Mrs. Volenec’s summer book list at http:// svmsbooktalks.pbworks.com/w/page/29189854/FrontPage. I also recommend that children journal everyday during the summer. This is a great opportunity to build writing stamina. Run - 1 hour per day. Vigorous exercise is the key to physical and emotional health. Relax - Hang out with friends. Take time to build relationships, and make a new friend or two. Practice your interpersonal skills.
Additional Academic Support Ideas
• Online math program that offers tutorial, assessment and practice. www.aleks.com. • Summer workbooks for math, Spanish, and French www. summerskills.com. • Free organizational templates that increase understanding and assist in creating cohort flow in written work. www.educationoasis.com. • Organizational software similar to Education Oasis but has the ability to create and manipulate templates. www.inspiration.com. • California Department of Education, Testing and Accountability website page. Use the search box to find released test questions in language arts, math, history and science. The test question database will allow for students to prepare/review in each subject area. www.cde.ca.gov/ta. • Watch - www.khanacademy.org. Browse - www.khanacademy.org/#browse. Practice - www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard. Learn almost anythingfor free. 2100 videos and 100 self paced exercises and assessments covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history. Just for fun...here’s a link to several short videos that provide us with a preview/review of where we started and where we may go in the “digital age.” • Entertainment for the whole family! http://shifthappens.wikispaces. com. • The TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) tagline is “Ideas Worth Spreading” Ted talks began five years ago and have now grown 975 talks, 20,000 translations, and 500 million video views. www.TED.com. Get Inspired. Here are links to two videos from our partner in philanthropy, Pledge to Humanity. Find out you can get involved at www. pledgetohumanity.org/home. Video #1 - http://youtu.be/oBoMIK1iioE. Video #2 - http://youtu.be/sN8YhFagahQ Watch with your children, and ask them what they can do for those with less.
Just for Parents
If you are feeling ambitious and want to brush up on your parenting skills, please visit the Principals bookshelf link below. Pick a book to read, and discuss with another parent to deepen your practice and understanding. www.svms.srvusd.k12.ca.us/PrinBookParent.htm.
Quote for the Summer
The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all. ~Leo Rosten
Dates to Remember
The 2011-12 dates are now available on the Stone Valley website: www.svms.srvusd.net.
Do you have a story idea? Sporting news? Call us at 925.405.6397, or email us at Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com.
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St. Isidore School
By Jean Schroeder, Principal Happy summer! We still can’t believe summer is here. Our year went by so fast. Although our students are home or on vacation, our school office has been working towards the new school year. Education is an entity of itself and is always moving. We want to make sure we are moving right along with it. This summer many of our teachers are reading: Writing Workshop The Essential Guide by Ralph Fletcher. We want to take our writing program to a new level. Our school counselor has started reading Queen Bees Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. She is always telling me students have to “own” their behavior before they can make a change. It seems this author is echoing her thoughts. We find summer is also the perfect time to recharge, reflect and revisit why we as Catholic school educators devote ourselves to this ministry and make room for improvements. We broke ground on Friday, June 10th for the new library. The construction company has promised us they will be done before our students return in August. Our technology department has been training our staff on Google Apps. What a wonderful program this is for our school. I love learning new ways to share information with our faculty and parents. I feel if I can learn this, anyone can. The possibilities are endless. Our parish summer faith camp was another huge success. This year the theme was “Pandamania…God is wild about us.” I loved seeing so many different students from our school and parish community come together and share in their Catholic faith. Many of our middle school students volunteered to assist the adult staff and earned service hours towards their annual goal. Our Pastor, Fr. Moran, also participated in the enthusiasm by wearing his green panda shirt in support of faith camp. During our town’s annual 4th of July parade the Knights of Columbus invited our student council students to join them on the St. Isidore Church’s Santa Maria sailing ship. Our students love being able to help in community activities. These student council students just finished attending a leadership camp. During the week, they deepened their relationships with one another and with God. We are so excited for them to bring everything they learned back to school in August and share it with the other students. Our students are continuing to read, read, read over the summer months. We are hoping to come in first place for the “Read for the World Record.” Reaching the goal of 1,500,000 minutes may seem difficult, but I have faith our students are up for the challenge. I know they have it in them. Please continue to encourage your sons/daughters to read over the summer. “Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.” ~William Hazlitt.
Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 9
Monte Vista High School By Janet Terranova, Principal
Summer has arrived finally arrived, and students and families are looking forward to some “down time” to relax, play, and rejuvenate. Many of our students will be involved in internships, community service, and working as well as participating in traditional summer activities and vacations. Four students at Monte Vista will be taking part in a SunPower summer solar internship program. As you may know, Monte Vista is one of six schools within the District involved in having solar panels installed this summer. This system will generate about 2/3 of the electricity required to run our school. The internship program is intended to develop student solar experts/ambassadors. They will have two weeks of classroom and field instruction. When they return in August they will begin to make presentations to parent and community groups as well as presenting in some of our classes. As a reminder to all parents with students in grades 7th through 12th, please remember that all students entering grades 7 through 12 must have proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school. To help protect your children and others from whooping cough, a new California law (AB 354) now requires students to be vaccinated against whooping cough. By law, students who do not have proof of receiving a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start school until proof is provided to the school. At Monte Vista, students unable to provide this proof will not receive a schedule at registration. As you make your summer plans, the following dates may be helpful: • Registration Packet Pick-up: August 11 & 15 ~ Drama Room • Registration: August 16 & 17 ~ Gym • Freshmen Orientation: August 19 • Freshmen Dance: August 19 • First Day of School: August 24
San Ramon Valley High School Dates to Remember
• Packet Pickup: August 8, 9 and 10 from 9am to 3pm. Important note: Students will not be able to complete packet pickup until their Whooping Cough vaccinations are up to date. If you have questions please email bmurray@srvhs.org. • Wolf Pack Days - Registration August 11 and August 16 from 1pm to 7pm. Forms will be available online beginning August 1 • Freshman Orientation - August 22 from 9am to 3pm • First Day of School - August 24. Period A begins at 8AM and Period 1 begins at 8:30AM • Back to School Night - September 7 from 6:30 to 8:30pm • Evening with the Principal - September 14 at 7pm
Kiwanis Grants Breakfast
Twenty five students from St. Isidore School got to do the unthinkable. As part of the school auction, for a price of $75 these students were given a commemorative t-shirt, a hammer, hard hat, and goggles, and they were encouraged to take some swings at knocking the walls down of the school library. And it didn’t stop there. The kids were also given markers and allowed to write on the walls while cameras were flashing and principal, Jean Schroeder and librarian, Lee Lewis stood by with smiles on their face. The kids were surprised during the morning assembly when their names were announced and later taken out of class to participate in this unusual event. The demolition party brought in an additional $1,875 towards the $750,000 library remodel and addition. This has been an eighteen month process that collectively brought together school families, students, alumni, and staff to raise funds needed in order to make this a librarian’s dream come true. The new library will double in size going from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, making it the center of our school, and fulfilling the needs of students and teachers for 21st century learning. Pictured above are student demolition team members: Lila Mague, Olivia Conte, Johnny Huber, Natalie Haberstroh, Lauren Berg, Bella Polizzi, Giovanni Polizzi, and Wyatt Dafoe.
Over $22,000 in grants were awarded at a recent breakfast meeting and awards ceremony of the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Founded in 1915 in Detroit and with headquarters now in Indianapolis, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service and community minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 600,000 Kiwanis family members in 96 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Sandra Scherer, Executive Director of the Monument Crisis Center Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is speaks upon receiving one of the 31 “Serving the Children of the World.” grants awarded by the San Ramon For information about the Club, visit www. Valley Kiwanis Foundation. kiwanis-srv.org. The club holds weekly luncheon meetings at noon on Thursdays at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. Please join the club for lunch and find out more about the organization.
Page 10 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Women Win the Vote in California By Beverly Lane
The twentieth century was greeted by an energized group of women suffragists in California and the nation. Many more women were graduating from college, organizing school support groups, and running local improvement leagues. After the earthquake in 1906, a large equal suffrage convention convened in San Francisco. The fight was on. The strategy would aim hard at the state’s small towns and Los Angeles. Aided by the automobile and telephone, suffragists throughout California created an impressive campaign machine. The work was intense and innovative, complete with handbills, posters, buttons, and billboards. Little towns all over the state learned about women’s rights and the right to vote. The College Equal Suffrage League staged unique publicity events, often using their “Blue Liner,” a special seven-seated touring car. Men came to see the car and stayed to hear the speech. Newspapers such as the Concord Transcript of July 29, 1911 opined: Intelligent and fair minded men everywhere are rallying to their (women’s) support. They are beginning to think that the onus is resting pretty heavily upon them of having their mothers, wives and sweethearts rated along with Chinamen, idiots and insane persons when it comes to voting. On August 5, 1911, the Danville Grange #85 minutes stated: “It was planned to have a debate at our next meeting and upon the subject -- Resolved ‘that Women be granted the right of suffrage.’ Affirmative Sister Nina Williams and S. E. Wood -- negative Bro W. E. Stewart and C. E. Woodward “After some little discussion, it was decided the debate should be given in open Grange… letting the decision rest with the audience.” Later that month the Contra Costa Gazette (8/26/1911) reported on a large meeting on Equal Suffrage at the Danville Grange Hall. Suffrage supporters addressed the meeting, arriving in the famous Blue Liner automobile. After the debate the Gazette wrote: “a rising vote was called for from all people present…and the ladies were given the decision. There was a large crowd present from the surrounding country.” That day a Danville Equal Suffrage Club was organized to plan more meetings. Officers included Mrs. Lillian Close, Miss Libbie Wood, Mrs. Nina Williams, and Miss Ada Cornwall. It joined four other such Clubs in the County. On October 10, 1911, suffragist precinct workers geared for fraud and mayhem at the ballot boxes in San Francisco and Alameda counties where emotions
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ran high. The next day, all San Francisco newspapers except the Call declared the California women’s franchise vote dead. San Francisco voted 35,471 no; 21,912 yes. Alameda County voted against by a smaller margin. In Contra Costa County it won by 21 votes, 1569-1548. By October 12, other votes from the state rolled in. The small towns and valleys delivered a victorious vote by a margin of just over 1 % -- 3,587 votes out of 240,000 votes cast. The New York Times headline trumpeted: “California Farmers Give Vote to Women.” Voters in Alamo, Danville, and Tassajara opposed women’s suffrage, while San Ramon and Walnut Creek voters were in favor. Clearly not all farmers supported woman suffrage. Here are the valley results: Yes No Alamo 11 13 Danville 23 48 San Ramon 12 11 Tassajara 5 12 Walnut Creek 44 36 By 1915, nine Western states had 6.5 million women voters, translating into 45 electoral votes. Alice Paul’s National Women’s Party picketed the White House, and168 women were arrested with many of the women brutalized and force fed in prison. These radical efforts combined with the savvy lobbying by Carrie Chapman Catt’s National Suffrage Association ultimately producing the 19th amendment. It won by one vote in the House, one vote in the U.S. Senate, and one vote in Tennessee, the 36th state to ratify the Susan B. Anthony Amendment in 1920. Seventy-two years after the first 1848 women’s right convention in Seneca, women could finally claim full citizenship.
Sources: Danville Grange #85, Minute Books, 1887, 1896, 1911; Elinson, Elaine and Stan Yogi, Wherever There’s a Fight, How Runaway Slaves, Suffragists, Immigrants, Strikers, and Poets Shaped Civil Liberties in California, Berkeley, California: Heyday Books, 2009; NY Times, October 13, 1911; 1911 poster image created by Bertha Boye for San Francisco campaign.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s exhibit, Remember the Ladies, Celebrating the Centennial of California Woman Suffrage, 1911-2011, will end on Saturday, July 16. 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville. Hours: TuesdayFriday 10-4, Saturday 10-1. museumsrv.org
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The Danville Lions Club invites you to joinFur us for& dinner Feathers Pet Barbara Sitting Monroe Barbara BarbaraMonroe Monroe and to learn more about how our club serves the community. Owner Owner Exceptional careOwner for your pet Meetings are held at the Brass Door, 2154 San Ramon ValDaily visits plus dog walks 925-998-9317 925-998-9317 925-998-9317 Lock and leave, no worries Bonded, Insured References Bonded, Bonded, Insured Insured &&&References References ley Blvd, San Ramon on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each Overnights Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com PM month at 7 . For more information, please call Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 275-1990. Barbara Monroe
Owner Owner Exceptional careOwner for your pet Daily visits plus dog walks 925-998-9317 925-998-9317 925-998-9317 Lock and leave, no worries Bonded, Insured References Bonded, Bonded, Insured Insured &&&References References Overnights Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com
Barbara Monroe Owner
Fur&& &Feathers Feathers PetSitting Sitting Fur Fur Feathers Pet Pet Sitting 925-998-9317
Bonded, Insured & References Exceptionalcare carefor foryour yourpet pet Exceptional Exceptional care for your pet Furfeatherpet@aol.com Dailyvisits visitsplus plusdog dogwalks walks Daily Daily visits plus dog walks Lockand andleave, leave,no noworries worries Lock Lock and leave, no worries Overnights Overnights Overnights
Fur & Feathers Pet Barbara Sitting Monroe Barbara BarbaraMonroe Monroe
Owner Owner Exceptional careOwner for your pet Daily visits plus dog walks 925-998-9317 925-998-9317 925-998-9317 Lock and leave, no worries Bonded, Insured References Bonded, Bonded, Insured Insured &&&References References Overnights Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com
Barbara Monroe
Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley Fur&& &Feathers Feathers PetSitting Sitting Fur Fur Feathers Pet Pet Sitting 925-998-9317
Fur&& &Feathers Feathers PetSitting Sitting Fur Fur Feathers Pet Pet Sitting 925-998-9317
BarbaraMonroe Monroe Barbara Barbara Monroe
BarbaraMonroe Monroe Barbara Barbara Monroe
925-998-9317 925-998-9317 925-998-9317
925-998-9317 925-998-9317 925-998-9317
Owner
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant in downtown Danville. The Club’s sign-in and social time begins at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. Our one-hour program features guest speakers and a business networking speaker. Guests are welcome. Price is $16 for members and first time guests and $20 for returning guests. For more information, call Karen Stepper, President, at (925) 275-2312, email coachstepper@yahoo.com, or visit www.srvexchangeclub.org.
Bonded, Insured & References Exceptionalcare carefor foryour yourpet pet Exceptional Exceptional care for your pet Furfeatherpet@aol.com Dailyvisits visitsplus plusdog dogwalks walks Daily Daily visits plus dog walks Lockand andleave, leave,no noworries worries Lock Lock and leave, no worries Overnights Overnights Overnights
Owner Owner Owner
Bonded,Insured Insured&&&References References Bonded, Bonded, Insured References
Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com
Owner
Bonded, Insured & References Exceptionalcare carefor foryour yourpet pet Exceptional Exceptional care for your pet Furfeatherpet@aol.com Dailyvisits visitsplus plusdog dogwalks walks Daily Daily visits plus dog walks Lockand andleave, leave,no noworries worries Lock Lock and leave, no worries Overnights Overnights Overnights
Owner Owner Owner
Bonded,Insured Insured&&&References References Bonded, Bonded, Insured References
Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com Furfeatherpet@aol.com
Page 12 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Art in Everyday Life
By Tony Michael Vecchio
The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity. – Ludwig Wittgenstein I like this quote because, while it’s from a midcentury philosopher immersed in philosophical relations between world, thought, and language, I believe it also explains how we often hide away our personal or family artifacts in drawers and boxes that never see the light of day. We do this because we don’t view these things as valuable creative or artistic objects. In a culture of constant technological invention and digital entertainment, we sometimes don’t realize that the personal memorabilia of our lives can have a prominent place in our various home environments in simple, but effective, exhibits that honor and value our exquisite emotional connections to unassuming objects. We often surround ourselves with beautiful fine arts and crafts that we are attracted to and that fit well in our homes, at least from a decorating standpoint
July Special
of color, style, and size. These might include gallery prints and other art that we purchase from creative professionals. While this satisfies an important societal need to coordinate colors and match surface textures, it doesn’t truly reveal our personal and unique emotional connections to the simple objects and items we lovingly collect throughout our lives. But useful objects, that are loaded with memories and meaning, can be an incredible resource from which to create subtle and yet meaningful art collections that we can proudly exhibit at home. Most everything we collect can be simply but elegantly framed in unique and interesting ways. Think about the many wonderful photos, found items, and vacation memories in your personal archives. These make wonderful framed pieces of art! We all have different passions and interests, and we all are inspired by and drawn to visual images that touch us in some way. The small and not so small treasures that we find and save reflect our devotions, and these are worth sharing rather than being hidden away from view. Century-old letters from relatives, vintage baseball cards of a favorite player, childhood trinkets like small toys, unique buttons collected over the years, fun family photos, and any other personal objects - pens, paint brushes, and tools that have been in your family for generations - are just a few of the types of collectible items that you can frame. In doing so, they reflect your personal history and maybe even tell a story of who you are today. Maybe you found an old photo in a book, and it has kept your attention for years. Or you came across an iconic item that reminds you of a certain time and place in your life. Such things can become works of art, if you treat them as if they are. This could include a collection of old hand-tinted linen postcards from cities or countries you’ve visited, if you group them together. Consider, too, interesting menus from vintage eateries, ticket stubs from concerts, sports paraphernalia like an old baseball mitt, ball, and game program, old fishing lures, examples of old-school calligraphy such as pages from Victorian ledgers, antique bank notes, invoices with interesting letterheads or old legal deeds, vintage ephemera like old advertising labels, interesting stones you’ve gathered along your travels, feathers you found while hiking, or old embroidered labels from clothing, needlepoint, samplers, and other textiles. The best way to frame your collection depends simply on your personal decorating tastes, resourcefulness, and, of course, your budget. But you can explore many options. Consider buying a new, off-the-shelf frame for flat or threedimensional items. Or plan a weekend adventure, and visit thrift stores to find vintage frames that match the personality of your collections, then paint, stain, and decorate with imagery to enhance your subject matter. Or, you can even bring your treasures to an art framing shop, where professional framers can help you design and make a custom frame to fit your decorating style. However you decide to exhibit your treasures, you’ll find satisfaction and a sense of pride in being able to display the items that you find beautiful, important, and meaningful. A simple and evocative collection of your personal memories can become a profoundly great piece of art that is both beautiful and memorable. And you can be sure that your guests will also see what you see. Tony Michael Vecchio is a former ad agency creative director and design consultant. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Tony at tonymvecchio@gmail.com. View his collage assemblage work and fine art at www.etsy.com/shop/WabiSabiDaddi.
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Page 14 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Wine That Packs a Punch By Monica Chappell
In July with the mercury still rising, there is nothing more refreshing then a pitcher of sangria. For most people, however, the word “sangria” brings to mind a blend of bargain wine, cheap spirits, and soggy fruit. This classic Spanish red wine punch has been through some hard times, but making outstanding sangria is simple, and the combinations are endless and delicious. Traditionally the punch, which gets its name from the Spanish word sangre, meaning blood, is made by infusing red wine with a splash of brandy and fresh fruit then serving it over lots of ice. The Spanish brought the centuries-old recipe to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Today you can create your own version of this uncomplicated summer drink by mixing red, white, sparkling or rosé wine with quality spirits, exotic fruits, and aromatics for a sangria you can be proud to serve.
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simple syrup by dissolving one part of sugar in one part of simmering water. Cool completely before adding to the sangria. Let the Sangria Hang-Out. The key to a sensational sangria is to let it sit overnight, refrigerated, so that the flavors meld. If sangria is made right before it’s served, the flavor of the fruit will be distinct from the flavor of the wine. By steeping the fruit in the wine overnight, an okay sangria becomes an excellent one. A well made sangria is a perfect summertime pick-me -up, so raise a glass to sunny days, and picture perfect nights with a sip of something cool and refreshing. Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Danville. Visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com for a list of upcoming classes.
Tips for the Perfect Sangria
You can follow the basic formula or create your own twist on the classic recipe; either way, the goal is to create a flavor-forward concoction with just the perfect balance of fruit and acidity. Pick Your Wine Carefully. The sangria formula is a simple one. For a classic red sangria, use a Tempranillo wine from Spain. Pinot Noir is also a good choice. Either way, make sure the wine is not too tannic. For white sangria, try a crisp, dry white wine like an unoaked Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. For a spritzy sangria, use a sparkling Spanish cava. Keep in mind that the heavier the wine, the heavier the sangria will be on the palate -- and likely, the less refreshing. Look for Market-Fresh Seasonal Fruits. There is no set rule about which fruits to use. Don’t be afraid to experiment because part of the fun is choosing the best mix of what’s fresh and what goes best with the wine and any food you’re serving. Look for mangoes, pineapples, peaches, strawberries, and at least one citrus fruit for some zip. Select a Sweetener. In addition to wine and fresh fruit, some recipes call for a sweetener such as honey, orange juice, and sometimes a small amount of added brandy, triple sec, or other spirit. Another way to go is to make a
The 680 Drivers under-12 girls water polo team recently faced the top teams from the state and took home the silver medal. The 680 Drivers were nothing short of spectacular. “Great job” to coach Todd Halvorson and the group of 11 girls from the San Ramon Valley: Drew Halvorson, Marissa Webb, Lea Miller, Lexi Liebowitz, Sarah Klass, Sophie Kuester, Cayman Silliman, Makenna Turner, Jolie Trujillo, Taylor Hammill, Erin McCreary.
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Life in the Danville Garden
Process for a Successful Design By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059
Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 15
EXTREME PIZZA 3227 Danville Blvd. Alamo
What does it take to create a successful landscape design? Some might say that success is measured by critics and experts, but I believe it is measured by the end user, you. A successful landscape design has to meet the expectations of the owner. What I love the most is getting WE DELIVER a call a few years after my client has been living in their yard and they Order Online say, “John, I’m sitting here in my backyard, and I was thinking of how extremepizza.com much I enjoy the peacefulness and beauty, and I wanted to call you to say thank you!” For me, that is my measure of success. Here are the three phases I use in creating a successful landscape design. The first phase of the design process is a “Conceptual” design. Our first task, along with you, the owner, is to develop design goals and a design program to fit your needs. Some of these design goals are practical and functional, while some are your dreams and desires. After we develop the goals and design program, we will analyze the site and off-site conditions so that we are familiar with the existing conditions and parameters with which we are working. Once we receive the necessary information, we draft an accurate scaled base plan (site plan) from which your conceptual design will be created. When we complete your conceptual design, you will have an accurately scaled, illustrative, and schematic landscape plan that will represent the owner’s design goals, existing conditions, and your dreams and desires. The “Conceptual” design is visual communication so the owner can “visualize” the possibilities. Every idea, even a conceptual one, has an associated cost. From the concept design we develop a budget, a Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment line-item spreadsheet detailing the cost of the project. At this point the owner has necessary information to make an educated decision based on what they want and how much it costs. Phase two is the “nuts and bolts” of the design. We will need to communicate to the contractor your design, details, and specifications in order for you to acquire bids, accept a contract, and build your project. During the Construction Documents phase we provide services that will complete the Landscape design so that you may enter into the Construction Phase to bring your outdoor environment to reality. The Construction Documents will be the “building” set of drawings necessary for your contractor to acquire permits and build the project to the design and specifications. Construction documents include a detailed Planting plan with planting specifications, botanical and common plant sizes and quantities, Phase three is the Construction Phase. It is very important that the design intent a hardscape plan, and plans detailing lighting, grading & drainage, irrigation, and vision is brought to reality during construction. Construction Phase Services material selections, notes, and specifications. Working drawings (how to build) becomes a very important part of completing the design. The design process are included for built site eleactually continues into construction. During construction, design decisions and ments like arbors, trellises, interpretation are necessary in order to lay the design onto the land and bring the pergolas, swimming pools, design vision to reality. Typically, this is when the design can be misinterpreted cabana, retaining wall, etc. or contractors can make subtle changes to cut corners. This part of the design After the completion of the process ultimately guarantees the success of your design because it puts the control Construction Documents, you of the outcome in the hands of the owner and landscape architect. are ready to build your project. My clients have told me that the design process saved them time and money The Construction Documents during construction by not having to make decisions under pressure, paying for is the vehicle to communicat- changes, and not having to take time of work to manage the contractors. ing the parameters of your A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Built landscape struclandscape project to the necestures must be executed with proper construction techniques which are ensured sary contractors so they may through proper design, construction details and specifications, and on-site obprovide you with “apples to servations during the construction process. Landscape architects are licensed apples” bid proposals. This and qualified to draw construction documents. will assist you in selecting Gardening Quote of the Month: “Every day may not be good, but there’s your contractor(s) to build your something good in every day.” ~Author Unknown project. You will also need the If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to plans to acquire permits. jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial
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Page 16 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Pruning for Fire Safety By Brende & Lamb
In the spring and early summer, the landscape grows lush, beautiful - and out of control. Our Mediterranean climate is blessed by sufficient winter rains to make plants grow, but our dry summers, and our even drier autumns, can make that new growth a fire hazard. In the greater Bay Area, we live surrounded by an ecosystem that has been shaped, over the last 10,000 years, by frequent wildfires. Because these woodland fires are inevitable, landscape trees, even healthy ones, require occasional pruning to prevent them from becoming fire ladders– –bridges of flammable material that could carry flames from a woodland fire to your home. The threat posed by fires in the greater Bay Area is real and significant. The Oakland/Berkeley Hills fire of 1991 caused $1.7 billion in property damage, and it was the nation’s worst urban fire since the San Francisco fire of 1906. Failure to properly maintain landscape trees and shrubs played a significant role in allowing that fire to grow, intensify, and move. The Comprehensive Overview of the Berkeley/Oakland Hills Fire recommends that the risk of wildfire can be reduced by proper care of landscape plants: • Break up fire ladders • Limb trees back from structures • Reduce flammable biomass by thinning crowns • Remove dead trees and shrubs from the landscape • Remove deadwood from live trees and shrubs Breaking up fire ladders helps prevent a fire from moving easily from the
Clip Notes
By Jody Morgan
Would the poet be appalled by my interpretation? I often find myself silently reciting Gerard Manley Hopkins’s “Pied Beauty” as I shamelessly fill a nursery cart with every plant sporting variegated foliage that I can find. “Glory be to God for dappled things,” I murmur and then go on to add thanks as a collector for “All things counter, original, spare, strange.” Strange indeed is my Leopard Plant. The large leathery leaves of bottle green sport random yellow spots. It lurks in deep shade seeking a damp den or lingers in filtered sunlight where water is regularly available. New foliage is ruffled like a topsy-turvy petticoat. I bought Ligularia japonica ‘Aureo-maculata.’ Taxonomists now put it in the Japanese genus Farfugium. But the can-can costume quality of the leaves suggest it may be yet another variety. I’d hoped to give first honors for photogenic foliage to Harlequin Honeysuckle. Nursery catalogues boasted about the tri-color foliage and brilliant floral display. In cool weather the leaves are spectacular if you are willing to use a close-up lens. Color patterns are random with a blush of strawberry edging limeade leaves overlaid with strips of lime rind green. Unlike its more aggressive cousins, this honeysuckle is definitely “spare.” Checking blogs, I realized that my specimen was not defective. Growth rate and flower production are negligible for three years. Flowers, when they finally appear, are a luscious shade of watermelon with just a hint of French vanilla. Let the shoots twine up a trellis or sprawl along the ground or prune the plant into a neat shrub. Although North America has its share of native honeysuckle species, Lonicera ‘Harlequin’ is descended from a European variety commonly called Woodbine. The genus is named for Adam Lonicer, a German professor of mathematics and doctor of medicine whose book on herbs appeared in 1578. Of “Wood-binde or Hony-suckle” his contemporary John Gerard wrote: “The floures steeped in oile, and set in the sun, are good to anoint the
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woods, or from your neighbor’s property, to your house. To break up fire ladders, increase the space between plants, both vertically and horizontally. In the 1991 fire, blowing brands of flammable material landed on ground plants, and, if there was sufficient dry matter, caught the ground cover on fire. The fire burned along the ground plants horizontally for as long as it found material to burn. If it encountered trees with low branches, the fire would move vertically from the ground up into the crown of the tree. If those burning trees were close to a house, they would set the house on fire. If their crowns touched the crowns of other trees, the fire spread from crown to crown. Landscape plants pose little fire hazard when they are properly maintained; and proper maintenance does not mean sacrificing a natural, woodland aesthetic. If the limbing up, dead-wooding, and crown thinning are done by a craftsman with a sensitivity to plant aesthetics, then the trees will look natural, even though they may have had 30% of their biomass removed. Knowing how to identify potential hazards is important, but it is also important to know how to reduce those hazards in a manner that keeps your property looking natural, and which doesn’t sacrifice important screening plants. Brende & Lamb specializes in balancing the conflicting needs for privacy, fire safety, tree health, and landscape aesthetics. It is possible to improve the fire safety of your property while promoting the health and beauty of your plants. Tree care is a craft requiring study and experience. Our trimmers are master craftsmen who understand that a well-pruned tree should not only be safer and healthier, it should look beautiful as well. At Brende and Lamb we take great pride in both the science and the art of pruning. If your trees need a little TLC, give us a call at 510-486-8733 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 body that is benumbed, and growne very cold.” Certainly Harlequin Honeysuckle is happiest bathed in sunlight. To brighten a shady spot, try Lungwort (Pulmonaria). This genus of semievergreens counters its unattractive title with fabulous forest green foliage inlaid with silver. Patterns vary according to the cultivar. The species and their derivatives bloom early in spring with pendulous bells of regimental blue, candy pink, or white. Both common and botanical labels are a nod to the Doctrine of Signatures. The theory that the form of plants was a clue to their medicinal virtues had been shared by herbalists for centuries, but was given renewed popularity in 1621 when a German shoemaker, Jakob Bohme, published his Signatura Rerum. Herbalists thought the leaves of Lungwort looked liked diseased lungs and they are still used by some to treat bronchitis. Extract from the leaves is also used in Vermouth. Pulmonaria will wilt during the hottest part of the day and shed leaves to withstand drought. Regular watering will keep it looking fresh unless you make the mistake of planting it beside a concrete walk. Alkaline soil combined with radiant heat from the concrete is lethal to Lungwort. Although I’ve read that Lungwort leaves can be used in soups and salads, their fuzzy texture makes me skeptical. Nasturtiums, on the other hand, are a family favorite. The peppy taste of the colorful blossoms adds unexpected zest to mixed greens. Young leaves also are edible. Pickled seeds are a substitute for capers. But the form that qualifies this annual for a place on my list of dappled delights is the Alaska series. Each leaf is an original work of art painted in half ones of greens and creams. Even when the flowers are absent, the foliage makes a container sparkle. I gathered the seeds last year after neglecting to pluck the spent blooms and found that at least 90% produced the same vibrantly variegated variety. The botanical name used by the conquistadors who brought the species back from Peru in the 16th century was Nasturtium indicum, or Indian Cress. For some reason taxonomists determined that the shape of the foliage and flowers were the telling features rather the pungent flavor so they borrowed the Greek word for trophy: tropaion. The leaves are supposed to resemble shields; the buds are thought to look like helmets and hence the genus is Tropaeolum. No problem if you can’t pronounce that. Asking for the Alaska series of Nasturtiums will get you the precise hybrids you seek.
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Tablet Wars
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Since the iPad came out in 2010, other computer manufacturers have scrambled to come up with competitive devices. The market has heartily embraced the iPad, and in February it helped fuel record Apple profits and its new (if perhaps fleeting) status of being the most valuable technology company. In my opinion they deserve a lot of credit. Between the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad Apple has single-handedly reinvented personal electronics and created a whole new market for devices that no one had previously thought of. Most importantly, the devices work well. There’s substance. But not all products are created equally. Today I’m going to recommend that you avoid a bunch of products for at least the immediate future because they’re just not ready for prime time. It all started when my daughter planned a trip to Europe. She wanted to save weight, and she didn’t want to bring her laptop. She thought she might purchase an iPad since it’s so compact. After a long process, she decided to take a different path and purchase a competitive tablet for less money, use it for a month, and then sell it on eBay; the difference between purchase and selling price would be her “rental” fee. It sounded like a good plan, and we’d get to tinker with another device in the meantime. After some research she purchased the Acer Iconia A500 tablet. The device was gorgeous, with a huge 10-inch screen and a brushed-aluminum case. It ran the Google Android “Honeycomb” operating system, which has been optimized for tablet use. It had a micro-USB connector, a micro-HDMI connector, Wi-Fi, BlueTooth, a 5 megapixel camera on the back, a 2 megapixel camera on the front, and YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Picassa built-in. And it came in beautiful packaging. What more could she want?! Well, as it turns out, software that works well would have been a nice touch. So here is where the wheels fell off. We were really excited to read about this device, and it was so pretty. But when we actually turned it on and tried to use it, we were completely disappointed. For example, she wanted to be
Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 17 able to upload her photographs from her camera or her camera memory card onto the tablet. From there she was going to deposit them into the “Dropbox” software, which copies them up to the internet where they’d be safely backed up while she was away. The only problem was that we could connect and view the photos on the tablet, but we could not copy them onto the tablet. We tried everything. Even though the software alluded to the possibility of doing this, it positively wouldn’t budge. We researched the problem on the internet and couldn’t find anyone who had an answer. But, there were all sorts of nerdy postings from guys who ran “jail breaks” on the device and hacked the OS and did all sorts of super technical modifications to make it work the way they needed. What I concluded from this is that Android Honeycomb (and thus any device using it), is still a developer’s toy, a curiosity for the supertechnical, and perhaps an awesome programming platform – I don’t know. What I do know, is that it’s 100% unsuitable for a kid to take to Europe. It couldn’t do the most elementary task, even though all the flashy advertising leads the casual observer to conclude it can. If we couldn’t make it work, there’s no way a less technical person is going to make it work. One helpful posting we read explained a real-world solution to the problems we were having. They researched the problem like we did, then they wiped off the device, put it back into the box, returned it to where they purchased it for a full refund, and used the proceeds to go buy a new iPad. So we did the same. The next day, we brought home a new iPad 2. We hooked up her camera, which it immediately recognized, and the system asked if we wanted to import the pictures. We said “Yes”; the pictures were imported with no problems in about 30 seconds, and our decision was instantly vindicated. Draw your own conclusions. Have you been struggling with your portable electronics or want to figure out how to make them work in your business environment? It’s best to work with someone who’s done it before to save you time and money. Give your friends at Portable CIO a call at 925-552-7953, or email us at helpdesk@ Advertorial theportablecio.com.
Books continued from front page
bins, around Oregon reveal blurry relationship between nonprofit and for-profit business in the May 8, 2011 Oregonian they note Reading Tree bins are placed and owned by Thrift Recycling Management (TRM) a for-profit corporation. TRM relies on a network of contracts with charities, and it obtains books through donation bins carrying those nonprofits’ names. The parent company TRM is the largest used book seller on Amazon, selling up to 25% of the donated books. A sign on the blue bins notes, “Reading Tree accepts all types of books, dvds and cds! With your help we have donated over 2.3 million books to children and their families in need since 2007. We will use most books suitable for donation to supply in-classrom lending libraries for needy schools in this area. Some books will support literacy efforts in developing countries. Unusable books will be recycled to keep books from saturating our nation’s landfills, or sold by our recycling partners in part to help pay for our programs, and in part to pay for services in connection with our book collection efforts.” Reportedly the blue bin donations to charity are from 10-25% of the books received. Last year TRM sold more than 4 million books, accounting for $27 million in revenue. Half, or more, of the donations received are pulped and sold to paper mills for use in newsprint or recycled cardboard products. At the Lafayette Friends Corner Book Shop, books they know they cannot sell are donated to Pacific Rim Recycling, a company located in Benicia. About 5% of the books go to East Bay Depot, a non-profit organization in Berkeley. Pacific Rim Recycling then donates 90% of the books to the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s distribution center in Oregon; from there, they are distributed to local St. Vincent de Paul Shops. The remaining 5% of books are recycled as paper due to their poor condition. After half-price sales, the Friends give books to other, less affluent communities within the Contra Costa Library system for their libraries, schools, and books sales. Other branches have similar programs. If you wonder where your donations go (like books, clothes, or item donated at your curb), you are encouraged to do your homework and learn more about the organizations your donations support. A websearch using the charity name and then further search words such as “charity or scam” leads to more information on the blue bins and other organizations collecting donations. For information on the Danville Friends program please visit http://ccclib.org/friends/dan.html.
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Page 18 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Estate Planning – Managing Uncertainty By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Uncertainty can be very scary, but it doesn’t have to be if you manage it properly. We encounter it daily, and there’s no shortage of it these days. Sometimes, the uncertainty involves our jobs or careers; other times, it’s a personal or professional relationship. Sometimes it’s our health. The most overarching uncertainty involves our mortality. Here are some of the ways people deal with uncertainty: try to deny it, ignore it, fear it, let it control you, or manage it. Recently, I heard an interesting speaker talk about his extraordinary challenge with severe obsessive compulsive disorder (O.C.D.) and how he overcame this very difficult illness. After a tremendous amount of work and sound professional help, he developed his own, effective way of managing his profound doubts about himself and the world around him. Fortunately, most people reading this are not burdened with OCD. Nevertheless, we all must make many decisions about how to handle things that are in doubt. Most would agree that attempting to manage uncertainty is far preferable to letting it scare, paralyze, or control us. If you commute to work, you can never be sure about the traffic situation. There might be an accident that delays us substantially, and causes us to be late. Is it productive or comforting to ignore or worry about this variable? Of course not. How do those commuters feel who leave a extra early so they’ll still be on time even if it’s an unusually bad traffic day? Prepared, relaxed, comfortable. In a word, the best way to manage the uncertainty that surrounds us is to “plan.” Instead of being troubled by uncertainty, we can, to a certain extent, embrace it by affirmatively recognizing that it exists and planning for it in advance. It seems obvious that we should also thoughtfully prioritize our planning so that we are able to protect ourselves and loved ones from the most important kinds of uncertainty. In the grand scheme of things, how relatively important is the uncertainty about what would happen if we suddenly became incapacitated or died? Specifically, below are some questions that outline the types of uncertainty
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three months. These volunteers come from many backgrounds, including IT, finance, legal, management, and public relations. KHN also helps nonprofits define the scope of their projects and provides coaching and support to both the volunteer and the nonprofit throughout the duration of the project. KHN volunteer Hal Bailey, an Alamo resident, has experience in planning, funding, and executing start-ups in the North American Pacific Rim, in Asia, and now in Europe. He takes management teams into a planned operation and market effort with a specific timeline for execution and achievement of goals. As a KHN volunteer, he is now doing the same for the new board of an established non-profit. He is taking the board through the planning process to establish TEAM assignments for current programs and operations and establishment of future program goals, expanded volunteer participation, and broader contribution sourcing. “My first volunteer experience is still in progress,” says Bailey, who notes that the non-profit for which he is volunteering very quickly understood his role as guide to their own decisions and planning. “This effort provides me a refreshing opportunity to use profit-oriented planning and marketing techniques in a very personally satisfying manner. With each step we take toward a business plan, funding prospectus and project plans, there is the satisfaction of working with people that give to our communities and care about real contribution to Contra Costa County.” NQR is the acronym that KHN volunteer Kathy Jakel uses to describe herself. It stands for “Not Quite Retired,” laughs Jakel, a Lafayette resident. A banking expert, Jakel wanted a non-profit volunteer job that would utilize her extensive experience as project and team manager. KHN provided the perfect match. “I was matched with Job Connections -- a Bay Area professional networking group out of Danville that meets weekly to support and encourage unemployed and underemployed while they navigate their search for a new career,” says Jakel, who oversees the Job Connections annual half-day Summit – an educational conference and networking requiring extensive planning
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you can manage (instead of hoping the State of California makes the right choices for you) by establishing a comprehensive estate plan: 1) Who would you want to manage your financial affairs if you became incapacitated? 2) Who would you want to make medical decisions for you if you became unable to make health care decisions for yourself? 3) To whom do you want your assets distributed on your death? 4) Who would you like to manage the administration of your estate? 5) Would you prefer your estate to be managed privately and without court intervention? 6) Would each and every loved one whom you want to inherit your assets be able to manage those assets responsibly and protect themselves adequately? 7) If you are married and you die before your spouse dies, what access and control do you want your spouse to have over your (half) of the marital property until your spouse dies (and would your answer change if you consider that your spouse might remarry and/or have additional children)? 8) Do you know if Federal Estate Tax liability might diminish the amount of your assets your loved ones receive, and what strategies are available to avoid that result? If you have a comprehensive estate plan in place and you have had it reviewed by your attorney in the last 3-5 years, you should know the answer to all of these questions. As a result, you should feel comfortable that the provisions in your estate planning documents serve to manage all these uncertainties in precisely the manner you wish. If not, focus on how easy it is to manage this uncertainty and thus achieve the peace of mind you deserve. And recognize that continuing to merely think or talk about it won’t get you there… Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Shapiro Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, 1333 N. California Street, Suite 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 944-9700; rsilverman@sbllp.com. His practice emphasizes Estate Planning, Trust Administration & Probate, Real Estate, and Business. Call for a free introductory consultation. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial
and management, from fundraising to promoting to registering attendees. “Working on this event has been a great experience for me,” says Jakel. “It reminds me that I have unique project and organization skills that are transferable to other businesses. I feel a sense of accomplishment and am proud to be volunteering for Job Connections. It seems to really make a difference for people who need support as they get on-track for a job search or career change, rebuild their confidence, and receive encouragement during these tough times.” Signing up as a volunteer is simple. After completing the enrollment form (found on their website), KHN will contact you to find out more about your skills, interests, and availability. They will let you know about projects that best match your needs, and they will participate with you and the nonprofit staff at an introductory meeting to obtain detailed information about the project. When you accept a volunteer opportunity, KHN assists in writing the Scope of Work, which defines the project and its outcomes and establishes roles and responsibilities, and they provide project management support and coaching during the execution of the project. Projects are flexible and usually stretch over a one to three month period, with an average of two to four hours per week. And, often the majority of work is done virtually. Carolyn Daly of Danville has a background in sales and marketing for seniors assisted living. She specializes in event coordination. When she found herself without a job, she sought volunteer opportunities to match her skills. Her search led her to KHN where she has been instrumental in event coordination for both KHN itself and for Hospice of the East Bay. “I spent 2 ½ months working with Hospice of the East Bay planning their annual Tree of Light fundraising ceremony,” says Daly. “I loved every minute of it – from lining up event speakers and entertainment, to helping procure 18 trees. It’s what I do. KHN is a great organization for those who are looking to fill some time and give back to the community. It feels good to use your talents to help others. It’s rewarding and does wonders for your self esteem.” For more information on the Know How Network, visit their website at www.knowhow@helpnow.org.
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Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 19
Oncoplastic Surgery for Breast Cancer By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
A coordinated approach to breast cancer treatment is being embraced by our country and by many physicians in our area. Surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, plastic surgeons as well as nurses, social workers, geneticists, and psychologists work together with the patient for the best possible experience and outcome. This coordinated approach involves oncoplastic surgery. Oncoplastic surgery is the goal and practice of treating the entire patient and of leaving the patient the same or even better than we found her. It is important to take care not only of a woman’s breast cancer but also to maximize her result by minimizing incisions, side effects, recovery time and pain. This is my job as a plastic surgeon. The history of breast cancer surgery dates back to Dr. William Halsted in the late 1800’s who advocated the radical mastectomy for breast cancer – removing the skin, nipple areola, breast tissue and chest muscles. If the patient survived the operation, she would be left with a significant deformity and no reconstruction. He said “beware the man with the plastic operation.” We have progressed a long way since then. In many cases, the cancer can be removed and the breasts can be lifted, reduced, or rearranged to repair the cancer defect without compromising the main goal of removing the cancer. Even a woman choosing preventive bilateral mastectomy may be able to have immediate nipple sparing reconstruction and avoid years of worry and monitoring with MRIs, and mammograms. Every patient with breast cancer should, in my opinion, have the option of: 1. Meeting with a plastic surgeon before surgery 2. Skin sparing or nipple sparing mastectomy 3. Oncoplastic surgery when possible, especially in women with large or pendulous breasts 4. Breast conservation surgery 5. Restoring balance between the affected breast and the nonaffected breast 6. Reconstructive options to include flaps, breast expanders/ implants, biological matrices, fat grafting and microsurgical reconstructions. The patient’s initial treatment is usually guided by the oncologic or general surgeon. He or she helps the patient understand the breast cancer diagnosis and the options for treatment. The plastic surgeon works with the patient and the oncologic surgeon to help achieve the patient’s reconstructive and cosmetic goals when the cancer is removed. Oncoplastic surgery may be a good option for patients who are candidates for breast conservation surgery, lumpectomy, total mastectomy as well as those who are candidates for breast reduction or breast lift. Lifting or reducing the other breast is usually covered by insurance. Hopefully many women with breast cancer will have the opportunity to have their breast cancer removed, to gain the support of the associated specialties for diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiation, and to have cosmetically acceptable breasts at the completion of therapy. Each patient, with knowledge of the possibilities, has the power and control to determine her path through the breast cancer process. As a community we are all affected by this disease. More than one in nine women will have breast cancer in her lifetime. As a plastic surgeon and woman, I would be pleased to discuss your oncoplastic surgery options with you. Barbara Persons MD owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd in Lafayette. Please call 925-283-8811 or email at drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment
Hospice of the East Bay Offers Support
Hospice of the East Bay is pleased to offer a variety of support groups and workshops for adults, children, and teens experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Classes are held at 3470 Buskirk Avenue in Pleasant Hill. For more information and/or to register, please call: (925) 887-5681.
Adult Support Groups/Classes:
• Adults Who Have Lost a Parent - Tuesdays, 7 - 9PM ~ August 30 - October 18 • Widow and Widowers’ Support - Thursdays, 1 - 3PM or 6 - 8PM ~ September 8 - October 27
Children and Teens Support Group:
•Footsteps - Tuesdays, 5:15 - 6:30PM ~ September 20 - November 1 To learn more, or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678, or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.
Hearing Loss Association
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations accepted. Assistive listening system are available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact: HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or 925.264.1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org.
Moms In Touch
Moms In Touch is an interdenominational, nonprofit organization where two or more moms gather together to pray for children and schools. Moms will experience how to replace anxiety and fear with peace and joy by praying specifically and scripturally for children and schools. For more information, contact Karen Pearce at bkpearce@yahoo.com or 949-350-2360, or visit the MITI website at www.MomsInTouch.org.
Come Taste Our Award Winning Wines! Tasting room open weekdays by appointment, weekends 11 am - 6 pm For private parties please call 510-861-2722 5700 Greenville Rd, Livermore • www.redfeatherwinery.com
Page 20 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
Two Birds with Two Stones By Matthew Sirott, MD
Medical professionals and lay persons have long known that heart disease, the number one cause of death in America, can be modified by exercise and aspirin. Less well publicized, but probably of equal importance, is the newly emerging data of their benefits in cancer prevention. Clinical trials have clearly documented the benefits of moderate exercise daily (40 minutes of rapid walking). Exercise has been shown to prevent both the initial occurrence as well as a recurrence of some cancers in patients at risk for relapse. Almost 100 studies performed worldwide have documented the benefits in breast cancer; the magnitude of benefit may be as high as 50%. The implication is that if 10 young women were destined to relapse (and likely die) from recurrent breast cancer, then “only” five will relapse if they all exercise adequately. Similar findings are documented in colon and prostate cancer. The mechanisms explaining these results have not yet been clearly elucidated, but they have been postulated to include reductions in systemic inflammatory mediating compounds. Aspirin use has also been shown to reduce cancer development and recurrence; much of the data was initially developed in colon cancer. However, a clinical trial published in 2011 in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet combined multiple randomized published trials
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evaluating the use of aspirin to prevent vascular events into one single analysis (called a meta-analysis), which looked retrospectively at cancer prevention. The results are astounding: a 34% reduction in risk for all cancers and a remarkable 54% reduction in gastrointestinal cancers. The risk of death from all cancer was reduced by 20%, with an incredible 60% reduction in death from gastrointestinal cancer with greater than 7.5 years of aspirin consumption. The types of patients included those with esophageal, pancreas, brain, lung, stomach, and colorectal malignancy. The use of any new medication, including aspirin, is not without some potential risks, and daily use should absolutely be discussed with your personal physician. Similarly, an exercise plan should not be initiated until reviewed by your physician, to be certain that you are physically fit. Those caveats aside, I am hard pressed not to recommend throwing these simple, but powerful “stones” at the two “birds” that cause more deaths in America than all other causes combined. Diablo Valley Oncology founded the California Cancer and Research Institute. Located in Pleasant Hill, the cancer center is the largest freestanding, non-hospital based facility in Contra Costa County. The center brings together medical oncology, hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, clinical trials, and supportive care services – all in one convenient location. The facility provides the latest in technology and therapies – to better serve patients in the community. For more information call us at 925-677Advertorial 5041 or visit www.DiabloValleyOncology.md.
Lose 3-9 Inches in Only 2 Weeks
to be by Nayeli’s side every minute that the hospital permitted them to be there. Shane moved their car every two hours and LASER ASSISTED FAT LOSS - Target Exactly Where You Want to Lose Fat found $80 parking tickets when he arrived two minutes late. They Stubborn areas: Chin, Thighs, Waist, Belly, were fortunate enough to find space to stay nearer the hospital Love Handles, Arms. Exercise/diet not giving owned by a friend’s family and were truly blessed when Nayeli you results? Embarrassed to wear a tight shirt/jeans? Do you have an upcoming event went home with them after only 23 days in the NICU. like a wedding, reunion, or vacation? During the nerve-wracking period Nayeli spent in the NICU (some days the reports were not encouraging), the Nelsons agreed to respond to their adversity by creating a foundation to www.LapexBCS.com help other families affected by CDH. While several CDH par25% OFF 1st 40 callers No surgery. No pain. ent support organizations (Global CDH started in New Jersey by No exhausting workouts. Luis Ramirez, Cherubs in North Carolina and Breath of Hope in No crash diet. No down time. “I lost 7.5” and fit back in my clothes. Virginia) have sprung up across the country in the last 20 years, I feel much better getting in my swimsuit.” only the Nelson’s Nayeli Faith Foundation (NFF) is geared speShane Nelson running for CDH cifically to helping families in the Bay area. Registered in California in 2009, the NFF achieved non-profit 501(c)(3) status in May 2010. Blackhawk Physical Therapy Although the survival rate at select centers such as UCSF can be higher, the worldwide CDH registry has 4155 Blackhawk Plaza Circle #230, Danville, CA published a survival rate of 68%. Douglas Miniati notes: “This means that almost one third of newborns with CDH worldwide die.” Dr. Miniati is a member of the team of five UCSF surgeons who operate on CDH infants and follow up together on their treatment. Doug co-manages the UCSF LIFE Clinic. LIFE is an acronym for Long term Infant to adult Follow up and Evaluation. “It’s an Indy pit crew for CDH kids,” Doug explains. Once a month the clinic brings together the full range of specialists a CDH patient needs to see so that multiple appointments are covered in a single visit. The team sees CDH children 4-6 times during their first year of life, 2-3 years the next few years, and annually for as long as the physicians can keep them coming for evaluation. Surviving birth is just the first hurdle for many CDH children and their families. Often CDH children are developmentally delayed. Many catch up by the time they reach school age, but others fail to thrive and have long-term problems. Hearing loss is common. A Colorado family receiving aid from the Nayeli Faith Foundation has a four year old still on a breathing machine just beginning to walk and talk. Severity of the birth defects caused by CDH has a broad spectrum. While some newborns have a small hole that can be repaired immediately, others have complicated issues requiring extensive intervention and remain horribly sick for years. No pre-natal measurements are perfect. “Ultra sound is all gray fuzzy pictures,” Miniati says. Research at UCSF is focused on learning why the fetus’s lungs do not develop properly and trying to help the lungs grow better. An experimental procedure offered only in the most severe cases involves inflating the fetal lungs with a balloon at about 26-28 weeks and then removing the device after 4-6 weeks. Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) is a common CDH problem. A new treatment showing some promise is a medication given to the mother that promotes better development of the fetal arteries. Doug Miniati will be running his 4th marathon as part of the NFF team. When he thinks about the reason why he will be punishing himself on the tough San Francisco course, he feels the connection to his teammates who will run with him to save and improve the lives of CDH patients. A long-range goal for the foundation is to provide space for CDH-affected families to stay near UCSF – a place to take a hot shower, rest, and have some homemade cookies. Funding research and providing help with transportation and meals are part of the immediate action plan. But raising money requires raising awareness first. After the SF Marathon event, the foundation is planning its second annual fall Bingo Bonanza. “Mental toughness is 90% of everything,” Shane Nelson insists. Whether running the race he was told he could never complete, embracing a daughter whom he was told would never survive, or fundraising for a relatively unknown congenital defect in a down economy, Nelson never lets unfavorable odds dictate defeat. To learn more about CDH and/or to offer support for the cause, visit www.nayelifaithfoundation.com.
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More Than Skin Deep By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
Thank goodness summer has arrived. It seems as though we endured an unusually cold and wet spring this year. Living in the Bay Area provides many opportunities for outdoor fun. When I was training to be a dermatologist (in the old days), I remember my instructors advising their patients not to go out in the sun. I thought this was impractical advice since life is too short to sit inside all day. I also love outdoor activities and could not imagine abandoning them. If you are a biker, golfer, or hiker, that is exactly what you should be doing. There are some simple guidelines for practicing safe sun: 1. Avoid the peak sun hours between 10am and 2pm 2. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and up every day 3. Reapply sunscreen 4. Do not use sunscreen as an excuse to spend more time in the sun 5. Wear protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses, shirts, and rash guards while swimming There have been some controversial articles appearing in the press regarding the safety of sunscreens. The two ingredients that have come under scrutiny are Oxybenzone and Retinyl Palmitate. Oxybenzone is a broad spectrum sunscreen ingredient that was FDA approved in 1978. It has been used for many years and acts to absorb the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Despite recent reports in the media, scientific evidence, and years of use, no hormonal changes or adverse health effects have been indicated in humans when Oxybenzone is used in sunscreens. Retinyl Palmitate is a Vitamin A (retinol) derivative and is not an active drug. It is used in sunscreens as an antioxidant. There is no scientific evi-
The Tipping Point By Jeffrey Johnson, D.C.
In the year 2000, author Malcolm Gladwell published a book called The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. In this book Gladwell defined a “tipping point” as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” Last week the 28 Days to Health™ program and products were recognized locally by Diablo Magazine and its readers as the Best Cleanse Program of the East Bay. This recognition proves that the key principles of clean eating, minimizing toxic exposure, and maximizing the body’s natural detoxification pathways have in fact reached The Tipping Point. When we first started teaching the tenants of the 28 Days to Health™ program, we were met with skepticism and reservation. But, results speak for themselves, and before we knew it, hundreds of happy clients turned into thousands. Along the way we have heard the detractors try to poke holes in our process, but the reality is most of the detractors have turned into competitors trying to offer like programming under different names. Ironically, several of them have even tried to pirate our materials. Nonetheless, it proves the point that our system works…really well. Even though we’ve won Diablo Magazine’s award for Best Cleanse Program of the East Bay, the reality is most people reading this article still have no idea what 28 Days to Health™ is all about. The concepts are simple really and don’t require a PhD to grasp, just some plain old common sense. First is the concept of clean eating. Simply put, you can’t continually eat a diet full of sugar, preservatives and other inflammatory foods like gluten, soy and dairy without experiencing some serious challenges to your body composition and general health profile. If you took the time to journal what you actually ate for one week, you’d probably be shocked to find you rarely eat nutrient dense, whole foods. Even more concerning would be the realization of how irregular your eating patterns are throughout the week. Our recommendation for addressing these issues are simple enough. Eat three times a day and when you prepare your meal, make sure you’ve included some lean protein, high fiber carbs, healthy fats, and a boat load of non-starchy, nutrient dense vegetables.
Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 21 dence that these ingredients cause any cancers when used in sunscreen. In fact, Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) have been shown to prevent certain skin cancers. Currently the only way that sunscreen use could lead to an increase in skin cancer is if you decide that because you are using sunscreen that you are going to spend more time in the sun. What about Vitamin D? Many people are aware that sun exposure stimulates the formation of Vitamin D in our bodies and are concerned that sunscreen will result in Vitamin D deficiency. One can easily get enough Vitamin D by eating foods that are rich in Vitamin D (dairy, fish, cereals, and foods fortified with Vitamin D). If you have any concerns, you may ask your doctor to check your Vitamin D level. In addition to practicing safe sun, it is recommended that you get a complete skin examination on an annual basis by a board certified dermatologist. You should also check your moles and spots once a month. If you would like to join the many Danville residents who have seen Dr. Potozkin and have a full body skin exam or have a spot you would like to have evaluated, please feel free to contact Dr. Potozkin’s office at 925-838-4900. Remember to have fun, but also practice “safe sun.” Dr. Potozkin is a board certified Dermatologist who has been serving Danville since 1993. He is accepting new patients at 925-838-4900. Please visit www.Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial
Hearing Loss Association
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations accepted. Assistive listening system are available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact: HLAADV@hearinglossdv. org or 925.264.1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org. Sound too fringy or just what a good doctor might have recommended? The next controversial concept outlined in the 28 Days to Health™ program is limiting your exposure to toxins. It should come as no surprise that the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat is burdened with toxins. This of course means WE are being burdened with exposure to toxins. You have never been at a higher risk for exposure to man-made toxic compounds than you are today. Pesticides, herbicides, household cleaners, body care products, fire retardants, fertilizers….the list goes on and on. It is important to consider your exposure since all of these compounds have been linked to increased risk of cancer, thyroid disorders, obesity, developmental impairment in our children, and a whole host of other serious health issues. It is commonly said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The last time I checked, we aren’t doing too well in the “cure” department when it comes to cancer, obesity, developmental impairment in our children, etc., since the incidence of all of these conditions are on the rise! One simple solution recommended in our programming is to effectively limit your immediate and long term exposure to toxins by eating organic. Too expensive you say? How expensive is the alternative? Is the nation healthier now than it was even ten years ago? No. Is the healthcare system broken? Yes. Are you really relying on a simple, quick fix from our healthcare system with regard to your diabetes, obesity, or cancer? I hope not! The final set of totally controversial recommendations found in our program are all grounded in the concept of maximizing your body’s natural detoxification pathways. This is accomplished with four eye-popping, radical recommendations. First, get your colon moving. Get regular as in one to three times per day. Second, get hydrated by drinking at least half your body weight, in water, in ounces, each day. Third, get moving and raise your respiration rate and sweat out those impurities. And finally, get some sleep! You need 7-8 hours per night to allow your body’s restorative process to work. Again, sound too fringy or just like what a good doctor might have recommended? The reviews are in and 28 Days to Health™ gets two “thumbs up.” It takes 21 days to make a habit, give us 28 Days to Transform Your Life! Start Your Countdown! For further information go to www.28daystohealth.com or www.movepastyourpain.com. You may reach Dr. Johnson at Johnson Chiropractic Advertorial Group in Danville. 925-743-8210.
Page 22 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
The Eye Opener
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Corneal Abrasions
Since we had a case of a rather large corneal abrasion last week, I decided it should be the topic of the month. These conditions are very painful and can lead to vision loss if not treated quickly and appropriately. To fully understand corneal abrasions, we must first discuss and understand the cornea. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye, and it does about 2/3 of the focusing of light in the eye (the lens does the other 1/3). It is made of clear collagen, and it is derived from the same tissue that makes up the white part of the eye (sclera). The cornea contains no blood vessels, and it receives all of its oxygen requirements from the air and tears. The cornea is made up of five layers, and it regenerates itself in about one week. It is usually the top layer of the cornea that gets scratched, and the majority of these cases do not leave a scar. Now the good and bad about the cornea. Like I mentioned above, it does regenerate itself in about a week, and it heals itself relatively quickly after an infection or abrasion. The flip side is that it is one of the most highly innervated tissues with nerves in the body. This means that it is extremely sensitive to any insult. For those of you who have battled a corneal infection or abrasion, you can attest to the pain that is involved in these cases. So the bad thing is that you will be in severe discomfort for a few days, but with the correct treatment, the healing time will not be that long. It is actually pretty easy to diagnose a corneal abrasion. When these patients come into the office, their eye is extremely red, it is tearing excessively, they have on dark sunglasses because of the light sensitivity, and they are in pain. The vision is usually decreased but not excessively considering the condition of the eye. I will put a yellow dye in the eye which will allow me to fully see the extent of the abrasion and to measure it. I will also look for foreign bodies in the eye (mostly under the top lid) and remove them as these get trapped under the lid and then every time you blink they continue to scratch and injure the eye. I will also give a drop of anesthetic in the eye which will immediately make the patient feel better as it will numb the cornea. After this drop, most patients ask if they can just take that bottle home with them. As much as I would like to, the anesthetic actually slows down the healing process of the cornea. So you would feel comfortable, but your cornea would turn to mush as the regeneration process would be halted. After the diagnosis is made, I will usually apply a bandage contact lens to the eye. The contact lens acts as a band-aid on the eye; now every time you blink, instead of further irritating the abrasion, you now blink on the contact lens. For those who
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normally don’t wear contacts, the slight irritation from the lens is far less than the pain from the abrasion. This also allows the cornea to heal quicker. I will also give the patient an antibiotic to help protect against an infection. Now that there is an opening in the cornea, it is easy to for an infection to start. The only good thing about these abrasions is that the patient is usually in so much pain that they do not wait very long before getting help. As long as the trauma that caused the abrasion did not fully penetrate the eye (very rare), the cornea usually heals within a few days, and you are back to normal in under a week. Hopefully this never happens to you, but we look forward to helping you if it does. 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 newly updated website at www.alamooptometry.com and like us on our Alamo Optometry Facebook page. Advertorial
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Danville Today News ~ July 2011 - Page 23
Summer Classic to Fight Juvenile Diabetes
Back by popular demand, “Super Diamond,” will return to Wente Vineyards on Friday, August 19th for a concert and dinner benefit at the JDRF “Summer Classic.” This year’s event at Wente Vineyards will showcase the dinner and concert. It will include a live and silent auction to raise money to help kids battling diabetes. The fundraiser includes a separate, optional golf tournament earlier that day. “We are so excited for the ‘Summer Classic’ 2011,” said Kelly Craft of JDRF. “The money raised helps our treatment, education and prevention programs, aimed at kids and their families coping with juvenile diabetes.” For ticket and sponsor information see: www.JDRFbayarea.org/summer.
What makes us Special…
Our Residents do! WE ARE
a community of extraordinary people, living extraordinary lives....
Cancer Support Community
WE ARE a Mother of Six, Former Mayor,
The following classes are held at Cancer Support Community located at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. Classes are free of charge, but reservations are required. For information, call (925) 933-0107.
Navel Officer, Wife of Nobel Prize Winner, Football Coach, Satellite Engineer, Marketing Executive, Author, Teacher, Photographer, Oil Executive, Nurse, Pharmacist, Special Education Director, Grandmother, Executive Secretary, Artist…
Kids Circle & Teen Talk -- When Mom or Dad Has Cancer
A program for families with school-age children when a parent has cancer. Each workshop has an activity-based group for children where they identify feelings and learn coping skills. There is a support group for teens and a group for parents. The workshop ends with lunch and a family activity to enhance communication. Saturday, July 9th from 10AM – 1PM.
Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Workshop
This 16 week series is for women who have just been diagnosed and are either in treatment or starting treatment. Guest medical experts will present information to assist in understanding the disease. The group aspect assists you in finding the tools for coping with the diagnosis and gaining the support of others who share similar experiences. Meets Wednesdays, July 20th through November 2nd from 10:30AM – 12:30PM.
Come see what makes us so special!
Stop in for a tour today and receive a free copy of Gretchen Rubin’s #1 New York Times Best Seller “The Happiness Project”* and see why we celebrate life at The Stratford! CALL US AT (925) 932-9910
Cancer Survivorship 101
This is an introduction to post-treatment recovery and beyond. Learn how to create a summary of your treatment and map out a care plan for your recovery. You will leave empowered with the tools to improve your quality of life and achieve a greater sense of well-being. Patients and support people are welcome. Class is held with Shell Portner, RN, Survivorship Nurse Navigator at John Muir Cancer Institute and also a cancer survivor. Saturday, July 23rd from 10AM – Noon.
Mended Hearts
* Offer while quantites last. Limited and subject to change, please see Community Marketing Director for more details. Applies to new residents only.
The John Muir Chapter of Mended Hearts will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 14 at 7PM in the Hanson Room at John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek Campus located at 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. The speaker will be Jimmy Choy on the topic of DEXA and osteoporosis. Mended Hearts is a national organization providing support for cardiac patients and their families. For further information about the meeting and Mended Hearts, contact Nancy Mitchell at (925) 943-7549.
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Is Food a Problem for You?
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Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals, who through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. Meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The fellowship is free. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette. For more information visit www.how-oa.org.
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EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL! Need new light fixtures, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, or track lighting installed? Need a dimmer switch or GFCI installed? Do you want to change the color of your outlets in your kitchen or install 220V power for the new hot tub or stove? I also troubleshoot electrical problems. FREE ESTIMATES. Licensed and bonded. 30 years experience. CALL 925-389-6964.
ANNA'S CLEANING is a family owned and operated home and commercial cleaning service. Our main goal is to provide you the highest standard and quality service. Call for a free estimate. References provided by request. Phone: 707-228-7899 or 510-323-0565. www.annascleaningsite.com.
Danville Today News Classifieds
Reach over 14,500 homes and businesses in Danville 94526 - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Run the same classified ad in our sisters paper “Lafayette Today” and/or “Alamo Today” and pay half off for your second and/or third ads! Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. 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. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name_________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ # of Words_______________ Phone________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________
Page 24 - July 2011 ~ Danville Today News
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2011 Luxury Homes Nearly 40% Cheaper than Market Peak
With about half of 2011 behind us I wanted to review the area Luxury Home Market and see how things are going at the high end. The area to be reviewed will be Alamo, Danville, Diablo and Blackhawk. I’ve included a chart of sales going back to 2005 for comparison purposes and the most recent data stops at June 28, 2011. Years ago, when I first began writing this column I counted any home sale above $2.0 million as a Luxury Home and there were a great many of them, upwards of 40 per year in Alamo alone. Unfortunately, those days are gone. Nationally, any home that sells above $750k is generally considered High End or Luxury. To fit the times and new economy I modified my older definition for our area as follows: 5000 plus square feet, Luxury Home Mkt. Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo Units Sold DOM Sold Price $/Sq. Foot on a .5-1.0 acre with a pool. These 2005 16 17 $ 2,760,392 $ 489 data reflect this 2006 12 41 $ 2,707,125 $ 451 “New Economy” 2007 14 41 $ 2,920,833 $ 506 definition. 2008 8 82 $ 2,859,375 $ 510 So far this year there have been 2009 11 175 $ 2,551,388 $ 431 eight home sales 2010 14 91 $ 1,908,000 $ 327 that meet my defi8 161 $ 1,809,166 $ 313 nition of Luxury 2011 ytd Note: 5000 + Sq Ft. Home on .5-1.0 acre and Pool Home in our market area. Of these eight only two crossed the $2 million dollar price line. Given the fact that there are two additional pending sales at this time, we’re probably safe in thinking that we are on par with last year’s Luxury Home Market unit sales performance or slightly above it. As you can see the average price of our Luxury Market has fallen from $1,908,000 in 2010 to $1,809,166. That’s about a 9.5% decline in average price year on year. Average square foot price has declined less sharply from $327 per square foot to $313 per square foot or about -4.5%. Although prices have been dropping since 2007, the most precipitous drop was felt between 2009
and 2010 when the average price plummeted from $2,551,338 to $1,908,000 for a -25% loss in value in a single year’s time. In total there has been about a -39% drop from the 2007 peak both in price and dollars paid per square foot. Let’s examine what this loss of value means a little bit more closely. In round numbers, if a 40% loss is taken on a $2 million dollar investment the remaining investment is worth $1.2 million dollars. Ouch! To regain the $800k loss will require 66% appreciation in value on that $1.2m base. Assuming the rate of Real Estate appreciation returns to the historic normal level of about 4% percent annually, that $800k loss will be recovered in sixteen and one half years. If the recovery started today, those dollars could possibly be recovered in 2027. That’s a long time to get back to even. Those aren’t just numbers; anyone who bought during the peak is living that loss, not just in value but also in lost opportunity for the monthly payments on the portion financed as well as taxes and up keep. For the average Luxury Home owner those monthly payments are substantial. On a normally financed loan of $1.6 million (80% of $2 million value at 5% interest) the payment would be $102,000 per year plus a tax bill of $24,000. The perspective of this simple analysis makes the whole notion of “Strategic Default” quite easy to understand. As a kid growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, living in a 1000 sq. ft. 2 bedroom home, I always wondered at the three story Victorian Homes that had been degraded from private residences into run down duplexes, triplexes and quads. At the time, it was difficult for me to imagine the booming economies and wealth of the “Gay Nineties and Roaring Twenties” that supported their construction and maintenance. It was even harder for me to imagine all that incredible wealth being swept away by the “Great Depression”. I do find it a bit worrisome that home values have already dropped further than they did way back then. I often wonder if there could be a parallel with the “Dot Com Bubble” and “Housing Bust” of the previous decade. It is possible. I guess. But, I suspect it won’t happen again. I hope it won’t happen again! I pray it won’t happen again! It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. If you would like an honest no strings attached opinion of your home’s current market value and suggestions for getting it ready for market, please give me a call 925-9896086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com.
Alamo Westside Mediterranean
Westside Alamo Views
Amazing 4 bedroom, 3 bath, single story with pool. Granite kitchen. $1,199,000
Perfect “10” 5 beds, office, huge bonus room, kitchen family room flow, exquisite mill work, views $2,095,000
This amazing Westside custom 4 bedroom contemporary has amazing views of Mt. Diablo and the Las Trampas Hills. $1,399,000
Danville Executive Home
Alamo 5 Bedroom Custom
Danville 4 Bedroom
Stunning John Clausen Custom. Great kitchen - family room flow, office and exercise room $1,435,000
This 4 bedroom Danville home has a huge backyard. Pool, pool house, green house, fruit trees, RV and boat parking. $799,000
Alamo Single Story
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Magnificent 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on 1/2 acre lot with a pool and mature landscaping. $1,200,000
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 and Nancy Combs, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526