editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& DECEMBER 2018
S ENTINEL S OF FREEDOM : HONORING DEDICATION, ADVANCING ACHIEVEMENT
By Jody Morgan
Honoring the dedication of severely wounded post-9/11 veterans determined to transition back into civilian life as productive, self-sufficient contributors to their communities, Sentinels of Freedom (SOF) provides a network of mentors and an extended family of caring individuals as well as financial aid. Each Sentinel’s ability to reach his or her goals is advanced by support services that go
EAST BAY POKER SOCIETY By Fran Miller
Sentinel Jay Wilkerson, Mike Conklin and Jay's fiancee Heather celebrate the renovation of Wilkerson's Concord home. (Photo courtesy of SOF).
far beyond the face value of the two to four year scholarships. As these highly motivated men and women complete the educational requirements for their chosen careers, they continue to demonstrate their indomitable spirit. Investing in their futures benefits the entire country they so proudly serve. Based in San Ramon with a mission that embraces the entire nation, SOF graduated 42 Sentinels in 2017 and is on track to graduate 70 more in 2018. Mike Conklin, SOF Founder, explains why inspiring individuals and corporations to invest in the future of Sentinels by contributing to the program is not a hard sell. “The best advertising we can do for our program is to let the Sentinels tell their stories. It’s hard not to help after hearing about their bravery and determination.” Sentinel Brian Vargas, born in San Francisco and raised in the East Bay, enlisted in the Marines following high school. In Iraq, an enemy sniper shot him in the face and left hand. Traumatic brain injury caused Brian short and long term memory loss. As a Sentinel, Vargas graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare and is reinforcing his commitment to serve other veterans by working toward a Master’s degree in Social Welfare at the same university. “Once a severely wounded veteran is accepted into our program,” notes Kim DeSimone SOF Development Director, “they become part of our Sentinel family. We are here for them throughout their educational journey and beyond.” Sentinel Justin Avila, US Navy, describes what that never-ending engagement entails: “Sentinels of Freedom has been an amazing pillar of help and support to my
See Sentinels continued on page 16
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Hold’em, 7-stud, Chicago, 5-stud, Baseball, Follow the Queen, Crazy Queens, Anaconda, Omaha, Low-ball, and High-Low Split. If these poker game names leave you scratching your head and wishing you knew a bit more about each, the East Bay Poker Society (EBPS) is saving you a seat at their poker table. It’s said about poker that it takes just a few days to learn yet a lifetime to master. Whether a novice or an expert, the EBPS invites you to explore the iconic game, its variations, and the particular nuances. Meeting every Monday from 7pm to 11:30pm, this small group has gathered together since 2002. One member in particular has been placing his bets since the beginning, hence Mark Langman’s current title, ‘Grand Poobah.’ “I am the longest tenured member next to Jim Fish who was at the first game and is still with us,” says Langman, a Moraga resident and senior manager at LeapFrog Enterprises who has been playing poker since high school. (The group originated in 2002 out of LeapFrog where four of the original members worked at the time.) Langman holds the club record for consecutive games
See Poker continued on page 26
MAKE THE MOST OF MEETUP
By Fran Miller
Are you seeking a sense of community? Maybe you’re looking to make new friends, or you want to explore a particular hobby. If you seek new adventures and activities, then Meetup – the online communal resource – is a great place to start. Meetup was founded in 2002 by Scott Heiferman as the result of his experience in the aftermath of 9/11. The tragedy brought Heiferman and his neighbors together – many of whom he met for the very first time, despite having lived within arm’s length. This seeming decline of community struck a chord, and he resolved to create a method by which people could create meaningful connections with those with similar interests. Within a few months of its online
See Meetup continued on page 18
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XVIII Number 12
Volume IX Number 12
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
BOULEVARD VIEW
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
In the book The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand, author Michael Houlihan notes, “When you see a footprint on the beach, you don’t know if it was made by a man or a woman, or someone who is gay or straight, or black or white. You can’t tell religion. It doesn’t matter. It’s just the impression a human makes when they walk on the earth. That’s what matters. We’re all on the beach together.” On this big large “beach” we call Earth, getting along and taking care of one another is vital for our existence. Once again, a major crisis has struck our state, the enormity of which most of us can probably barely grasp. With recent fires, we now have an additional 50,000+ people displaced and a loss of 13,972 homes, just in Butte County. These people need our help, and help doesn’t necessarily mean from our pocketbooks. The Butte County (Paradise / Camp) fire was in many ways unlike the massive fires in the Santa Rosa area last year. In this current case, a whole community and their infrastructure, jobs, services, schools, and churches were wiped out. There were many elderly and medically fragile residents, low income folks, as well as young families, single parents, and retirees. In order to help, the first step is doing something. Tennis great Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” What can we do from 150 miles away? The Gift Shop at A disaster can be mentally overwhelming. People are under immense stress, sleeping poorly, and exhausted. Helping people advocate for their needs can be a great first start. I read a Facebook post where a fire survivor was needing replacement dentures. She had gone almost two weeks without them, and the loss of her teeth was creating problems with eating and her jaw. Others with similar needs electronically chimed in, and additional needs such as for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and walkers, that FEMA and Red Cross were not necessarily helping with appeared as well. The post created a dialogue that ultimately found resources to help the woman. We all have a network of friends, coworkers, and classmates as well as knowledge of certain fields of expertise that can be extremely helpful in matching some of these needs. From behind a keyboard we can post, we can email, and we can blog. We can find information on how to replace personal documents. We can look online and Christmas Cards, Nativities, Ornaments & More! research housing prospects or look for an RV or trailer, or a replacement car. 710 Highland Drive, Danville Can you look through posts of lost and found pets and make a match and hopeSANDAMIANO.ORG 925-837-9141 fully a reunion? Can you search for aid resources? Can you be a sounding board and review documents or emails being on the lookout for potential scams? Can you get M-Th & Sat 8:30 AM–4:30 PM • Fri 8:30 AM-6:30 PM • Sun 8:30 AM-2:30 PM a list of their utility providers and help them on the path to canceling their services? (Closed Daily 11:45 AM–12:30 PM) Displaced residents may still be billed by their cable company, internet provider, or garbage hauler, or for monthly base charges of water, gas, and electricity. Do \ they have a home loan and need to contact their lender? Can you help them
San Damiano Retreat
See View continued on page 20
PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY
ATTEND THE 55TH “EYE OF DIABLO” BEACON LIGHTING CEREMONY
On December 7th, Mount Diablo’s Beacon will be relit by survivors of Pearl Harbor. The Sons & Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 5 will co-sponsor this 55th Annual National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Beacon Lighting Ceremony with Save Mount Diablo. You are invited to attend the ceremony to pay tribute to the lives that were lost and honor surviving veterans of Pearl Harbor. The ceremony will be held in the Oak Room of the Library Building at the California State East Bay Concord Campus, located at 4700 Ygnacio Valley Road, Concord. Please join, starting at 3PM with a reception where guests can mingle, chat, and enjoy refreshments. The ceremony will commence at 3:45PM and includes music, speakers, and an introduction of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Afterwards, the group will move to the outdoor viewing area where Frank Dorritie of Bugles Across America will perform “Taps.” Vietnam Helicopters Museum is generously providing a piloted Vietnam
See Light continued on page 10
Saturday, December 15, 2018 Held at Alamo Cemetery
El Portal off Danville Blvd. Saturday, December 15TH ~ Noon
All are invited to join as we honor and remember our veterans during the Christmas Season.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
Results. Pure and Simple. •
In the last 60 days, over 80 homes have been withdrawn/cancelled in this current changing market
•
Don had ZERO listings that were withdrawn/cancelled in the last year
•
What is your home worth in today’s market? The market is changing.
Call Don Today if you would like to know the true current value of your home!
Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com DRE 00897221
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL CONCERT
The Danville Community Band presents its 18th annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 16th on the stage in the beautiful, 400-seat Performing Arts Center at San Ramon Valley High School, located at 501 Danville Blvd. in Danville. This year’s program features a broad selection of fun and festive tunes including “Candlelight Carol,” “A Christmas Travelogue,” “Hebraic Rhapsody,” “Country Cookin’ Christmas,” the ever-popular “Sleigh Ride,” and more. The concert begins at 3PM. Admission is free, though seating is limited. Donations will be gratefully accepted. The band hopes to see you there. For more about the band and upcoming performances, visit www.danvilleband.org, or “like” the ‘Danville Community Band’ on Facebook.
SRVHS WINTER BOUTIQUE
Please come to the annual Winter Boutique being held at San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS), located at 501 Danville Blvd. in Danville. The Boutique, put on by the Leadership Class, will support Grad Night 2019. The boutique will be open Saturday, December 8th from 10am to 3pm. There will be over 50 local crafters, artists, and vendors. Come support the local students, teachers, and community member’s who produced artwork and crafts for this event. There is free admission and free parking. There will also be a Toys for Tots drop-off bin available during the event. Please bring an unwrapped toy, book, or game for a child this Holiday season. For more information, please contact Helga Glasson at srvhswinterboutique@gmail. com or call her at 925-212-0986.
ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMERS
Are you a new resident of Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo, or Alamo? Or, are you a longtime resident, newly retired, or an empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? Consider joining the Alamo Danville Newcomers Club, it’s a woman’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of its members and their families. For December the group is hosting an Evening Wine & Cheese Social, on December 4th from 7PM to 9PM. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@ gmail.com. Check out all our club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com.
CLEAN YOUR CLOSETS & SHARE THE LOVE
The San Ramon Valley Rotary club is collecting items for the homeless and the impoverished of the Bay Area. Specifically needs include coats, sweaters, and blankets for men, women, children, and infants. Items need to be clean and in good condition. Collection will run through Friday, January 4, 2019.A list of drop-off spots can be found at www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com or, call Bernie at 925-352-2155 to find a location. The One Warm Coat project was started in 1995 by San Ramon Rotary Club Charter President Bill Gregory. It was a modest start out of his garage with only 55 coats and sweaters collected. Now in its 23rd season the group collected over 8,000 items in 2017. Bishop Ranch has graciously housed the drive for the last 16 years and provides a critical space to sort and distribute the many items. All the items are given directly to local charities and other programs such as the annual “Christmas for Everyone.” Cash donations to help with the program expenses are also appreciated.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
NEW ART EXHIBIT AT BLACKHAWK GALLERY
The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society will host the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new Exhibit ‘Festive’. The exhibit will be on view seven days a week through Sunday, February 10th, 2019. The Exhibit is free and open to the public. The ‘Festive’ exhibit features one guest artist and 42 member artists. Guest artist Wilma Wyss will be showing her mosaic sculptures. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art. The Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville, in the Blackhawk Plaza. For questions, call 925-648-8023. Regular Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am6pm. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve hours will be 10am-5pm. The Gallery will be closed Christmas and New Years Day. For more information visit our website at adas4art.org/festive, our Facebook page www. facebook.com/AlamoDanvilleArtistsSociety or contact Blackhawk Gallery Director Kerima Swain at swain.kerima@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. The need in our communities remains great. Seven days a week, WPE Food Rescue volunteers take trucks to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets where they pick up thousands of pounds of surplus food—high quality, nourishing food (fresh meats, dairy, eggs, deli, baked goods). Most all of this food is distributed free-of-charge to those in need within two hours of the donation. In its first four years, WPE delivered more than 6,000,000 pounds of food (equivalent to 5,000,000 meals) that the hungry would have gone without. Also, in addition to rescuing food, WPE collects donations of new or like-new clothing, shoes, toys, games, and books. More than 400,000 of these items have been distributed to those in need—all free of charge, through WPE’s unique “Mobile Boutiques” and its Direct Distribution program. Interested volunteers should please contact Mandy Nakaya at 925-8186361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www. whiteponyexpress.org.
BLACKHAWK REPUBLICAN WOMEN CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
On Thursday, December 13th the Blackhawk Republican Women will be hosting a Christmas Luncheon for all. The event will feature an installation of Officers for 2019, a luncheon, Christmas caroling, and boutique shopping. The event will take place at Blackhawk Country Club at 11:30AM. The boutique will be open from 11AM - 2PM. The cost for the event is $30. Once a year they say / The ladies by the Bay / Put politics away / And have a very sociable day. Friends and family are invited / Everyone is so excited / For Christmas draws near / And the caroling is so dear. Boutiques with unique gift items and more / More special than any store / Will get us into the spirit of giving / Which you know is better than receiving. So come share the cheer / With those near and dear / So we may wish a Merry Christmas to all / And to all a happy new year. Reservations and payment can be made via www.blackhawkrepublicanwomen.org by noon on Tuesday, December 11th. For check-mailing instructions and cancellations, please e-mail bkwilso@pacbell.net or call 925-736-4064. !
Advertise in your hometown paper or share a story! Contact us at 925.405.6397 or Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AT THE MUSEUM OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The tradition continues with Christmas Memories now at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The exhibit will display doll houses from 100 years ago to recent times. Many of these doll houses were lovingly handmade by local dads and moms for their children. In addition, visit a true San Francisco Victorian doll house, and take a wonderful look back at Christmases past, and celebrate this joyous season.
The museum will have two areas for children of all ages to play. Take a moment, and visit Santa’s workshop which will be open at the museum with lots of toys. Santa’s workshop also provides a great photo opportunity. In addition, there will be a doll-house and train set for children and adults to play with. Returning will be the flying Santa, a G model Christmas train, as well as a Father Christmas exhibit, many decorated trees, and lots more. A Memory Tree will be available for visitors to write a note of remembrance of treasured handmade Christmas gifts received like a sweater, scarf, toy, or doll-house. Or they may share if they made a special gift for someone. Come enjoy the annual Christmas Memories Exhibit which runs until December 31. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. The Museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday 12PM-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
VOLUNTEER WITH AARP TAX-AIDE FOR 2019 TAX SEASON
Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages residing in Contra Costa County. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Classes for tax counselors start in January 2019. Service is from February through April 15, 2019. If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer, or call (925) 726-3199 for additional information.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call (925) 646-4461.
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Thanks to all of the generous shoppers who have helped charity group Delta Nu Psi send 40,000 pounds of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones! One of the servicemen recently wrote, “Thank you so much for everything that you and your friends do! It just blows my mind that after 17 years in this country, there are still people that are looking out for us. The reaction I get every month from the men and women assigned here is amazing when the word gets around that I received another ‘Box of Goodies’! It’s almost like the anticipation of waiting for Christmas, except it comes 12 times a year!” The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on the first Friday of each month and at Lunardi’s in Danville on the second Friday of each month. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 1:45PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
Celeste Pacelli Joins The Agency 1
3 2
New Price
4
6
Just Listed 5
Coming Soon
Sold | Received Five Offers
1. 1700 RELIEZ VALLEY ROAD
2. 331 CORRIE PLACE
3. 564 EL PINTADO ROAD
L AFAYE T TE | $ 3,575,000 6 BEDS | 6.5 BATHS 6,123 SQ . F T. | 2.43 ACRE LOT
AL AMO | $ 3,499,000 5 BEDS | 5 FULL & 2 HALF BATHS 6,511 SQ . F T. | 22,738 SQ . F T. LOT
DANVILLE | $ 3,345,000 5 BEDS | 5.5 BATHS 5,630 SQ . F T. | 1.12 ACRE LOT
4. 1318 CHAPEL AVENUE
5. 15 HEADLAND COURT
6. 339 GOLDEN GRASS DRIVE
SAN LEANDRO | PRICE UPON REQUES T 4 BEDS | 3 BATHS 2,200 SQ . F T. | 5,040 SQ . F T. LOT
DANVILLE | SOLD AT $1,775,500 4 BEDS | 3.5 BATHS 3,296 SQ . F T. | 16,240 SQ . F T. LOT
AL AMO | PRICE UPON REQUES T 5 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS 5,058 SQ . F T. | 19,026 SQ . F T. LOT
CELESTE PACELLI
CELESTE.PACELLI@THEAGENCYRE.COM 925.395.1511 LIC. # 01862387
TheAgencyRE.com
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
CANCELLED ~ AAUW HOLIDAY HOME TOUR SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Danville/ Alamo/Walnut Creek branch (DAW) will not be holding a Holiday Home Tour (HHT) this year. The good news is that the group has homes lined up for next year and look forward to you joining them for the tour in 2019! You may know that in the past the HHT raised money for two of the most important Branch initiatives, Tech Trek for 7th grade girls going to STEM camp at Sonoma State University and a scholarships for young women to help with the later part of their college education. The cancellation of the 2018 HHT will have a significant impact on fundraising for this year. A donation in any amount will help continue these programs. The group needs to raise $9,500 to send 10 campers to Tech Trek. If you normally purchase a ticket(s) to HHT, please consider a specific donation for the cost of a ticket ($40) or more if you are able. There are two ways to make a tax-deductible donation (Tax ID 68-0463071) for Tech Trek campers: 1) Write a check payable to “AAUW-CA SPF,” and on the memo line add Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch and Sonoma State University. Please send your check to AAUW Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch, P.O. Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507, Attention: Tech Trek Chair. 2) Donate online at https://ww2.aauw.org/program-gift/?treatment=TECHTREK. Be sure to select the Branch camp (Tech Trek California – Rohnert Park (Sonoma State)) under the “Fund Name” drop-down menu. Some employers or former employers will donate funds matching your donation. Please don’t forget to investigate whether you can apply for these matching funds. The cancellation of HHT will have a big impact on the ability to make a difference locally for education for girls and young women. Thank you for your support with your generous donations! For more information or for Tech Trek questions, please contact Monika Witte at aauwmonikawitte@gmail.com or chapter president, Deborah Wechsler at deborah.wechsler@gmail.com.
Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. There is an upcoming Holiday Dinner Dance special event scheduled so there won’t be a December meeting. The next monthly luncheon will be on Wednesday, January 16th at 11AM. The guest speaker will be Thomas Lindemuth, who’ll provide an overview on desalination and how it might fill future needs for more pure water. Be ready for a very interesting presentation. Your $26 luncheon includes a meal, guest speaker and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space for the January 2019 luncheon, please send an email by Thursday, January 10th to info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information about the retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
For almost two decades The Danville Family History Center has been serving the community. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal which provides access to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. The Center is located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. The Center is closed on major holidays and the last two weeks of December. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
To advertise call 925.405.6397
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
SUPPORT VETERAN’S WREATH LAYING & ALAMO TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
By Sandy Kontilis, Principal
November was a month of thankfulness. Sharing a few of Rancho Romero’s thankful moments is the overarching purpose of this month’s column. The annual Rancho Gives Back Night was nothing short of spectacular. The Rancho PTA teamed up with Pledge to Humanity to benefit our sister school, Coronado Elementary in Richmond. The event provided the work space for students to come together to assemble The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971 and has 50 members. The meal bags as well as write notes of cheer and gratitude. The week prior to the Club’s major on-going activities include: • Supports and participates in the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the event, students (and families) of all grades generously donated non-perishable Alamo Cemetery to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of food items and nominal gift cards for Safeway to buy turkeys and Amazon gift Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes. This year cards for badly needed school supplies. This event would not have been possible the the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Alamo Cemetery will take place on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12 PM. without the incredible organization skills of parent Shams Deitrick. Thank you, • Participates in the annual Alamo Tree Lighting Ceremony by serving hot Shams, for your positive energy, enthusiasm, and gigantic heart. chocolate, cider, coffee and other goodies to families attending the fun event. Professional development at Rancho Romero is a priority. Why? Our highly • Support for two RotaCare Free Medical Clinics that provide free health care in trained staff demands to be cutting edge in their teaching. November marked our community for uninsured and under-served adults with acute or chronic the beginning of a ten-visit staff development relationship between Rancho medical conditions. Romero and Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing • Cash and volunteer time for Meals on Wheels. Project (TCRWP). For two days, a staff developer and our 3rd-5th grade teachers • Renovations at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. studied together and then practiced in a Lab (classroom).Teachers College, • Renovations at the Choice in Aging Adult Health Day Care in Pleasant Hill. Lucy Calkins authors our district’s Writing and Reading curriculum. January • Support for two Cub Scout packs. will bring TCRWP back to Rancho Romero for three days of staff development. • School dictionaries distribution to local third grade students. Our hope is that this path will bring children along to the place where they can • Roadside cleanup and beautification in Alamo. write clearly and skillfully, and read flexibly and joyfully—and can live together • The Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day at Livorna Park. as caring, thoughtful readers and writers. JOIN US FOR LUNCH! Air quality was a concern to us at Rancho Romero. We were deeply appreAlamo Rotary Club meets at ciative of our District’s communication and direction. Sometimes twice a day, Round Hill Country Club 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo communications were sent out to us and our parent community to update the Club of Alamo 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays status of air quality and how to best protect students and staff. From controlling SPONSORED BY the school’s ventilation system to establishing guidelines for recess and Physical Joan Grimes, Attorney At Law, Education class, the SRVUSD communication office did an outstanding job. The Law Offices of Joan Grimes, (925) 939-1680 Finally, People Magazine’s, November 13th edition, recognized 25 women who are changing the world. Alamo’s residents Kerry Manus and April George were amongst those recognized. The two moms, with children at Rancho Romero, wanted to instill gratitude in their kids when they dreamed up Turkey on the Table. A sweater clad centerpiece with attachable feathers for written notes of thanks sits in every classroom at Rancho Romero, and the ‘attitude of gratitude’ continues through their partnership with Feeding America. For each turkey sold, ten meals are provided to those in need. Since 2015, they have donated 862,022 meals. They have found a new way to fight hunger. We are proud of both of them. Thank you for making our world a better place.
Rotary
ALAMO ELEMENTARY
By Stan Hitomi, Principal
The Holiday Season at Alamo School means that our hallways will be filled with the sounds of music. At this time of year, we look forward to a couple of our favorite annual traditions: the Winter Concert on December 19th and the Alamo Tree Lighting Ceremony which was held on December 2nd. The Winter Concert is a combined concert with our chorus, instrumental music, and chimes all performing songs for the holiday season from around the world. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is a seasonal classic and an opportunity for the entire Alamo community (Alamo School, Rancho Romero, Stone Valley and Monte Vista) to gather and celebrate the Holiday Season. One of the true gifts of being a part of the town of Alamo is the opportunity to collaborate with other groups and organizations in this small and tight-knit community. This year our Alamo School Chorus is adding a new performance, singing at the December meeting of the Alamo Rotary at the Round Hill Country Club. What a great way to share our spirit and show our appreciation for all that our local Rotarian’s do for our school and the community throughout the year. Thank You Alamo Rotary! On December 5th, our Alamo PTA presents Holiday Shoppe, a chance for our students to shop for presents to give family and friends. With the help of PTA volunteers, as well as students from Stone Valley and Monte Vista, the event will provide for memories that will last a lifetime. It is a magical night and another opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the Holiday Season. Of course, the tragedy of the recent California fires still weighs heavily upon all
of our minds. The smoke in our skies has finally cleared, but the road to recovery for the thousands of victims of the fires lies ahead. Our newly elected Student Council will be making plans on how we can all help during this Holiday Season. Immediately upon our return from Thanksgiving break, we will be holding a coin drive to support the California fire victims with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross/California Fires.
GIVE HOCKEY A TRY
FREE 4 WEEK PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
The 'Give Hockey a Try' program is for children age 13 and under who are interested in picking up the sport of hockey. Kids will learn the basics of the game of hockey and skating skills through fun lessons under the instruction of USA Hockey certified coaches. Full hockey gear and skates will be available for rental to all participants at no additional cost. The program is intended G I Vskating E Hexperience. O C K EMultiple Y A Tsessions RY' for children with limited to no'prior are upcoming. The girls’ program meets on Saturdays from 10AM - 10:45AM. The boys’ program meets on Wednesdays from 4:30PM - 5:15PM. To reserve a spot, visit www.trivalleyice. com/ghat. The program takes place at TriValley Ice, located at 6611 Preston Ave, Suite D, Livermore.
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
As I write this month’s article, Monte Vista’s fall semester is winding down, and our students and faculty are off a day earlier for Thanksgiving Break. The smoke from the tragic fires to our north had a huge effect on the air quality in our community, and as a result, our district administration chose to close schools a little earlier. The smoke did not stop Monte Vista’s students from partnering with other schools and local community organizations to collect donations for the victims of the Camp Fire. We were able to fill up a truck work of items thanks to the many generous contributions we received. Recently, Monte Vista honored eighteen student-athletes from the ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL Class of 2019 at our annual Early Signing Ceremony. Our students signed IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT National Letters of Intent in baseball, cross country, lacrosse, swimming, LIKE CHRISTMAS! soccer, volleyball, and water polo. Next year, these athletes will compete By Maria Ward, Principal at Utah Valley, US Air Force Academy, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola There is no better place to be than St. Marymount, Georgetown, UOP, Chico State, Georgia, UC San Diego, UC Isidore School at Christmastime. The Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Irvine. These young men and women hallways are filled with festive decorations, are outstanding representatives of our school, and we look forward to more Christmas songs can be heard throughout, and the faces of children and adults great things on our campus and hearing about their future accolades. Stay alike glow with the excitement of the season. This is the best time of the year! tuned: MV will have another round of signings in February. Our Advent theme, “Christ is the Heart of Christmas,” is ever present in our Monte Vista’s Visual and Performing Arts Departments continued to school during the season. Christmas brings out the best in us, we smile more dazzle through November. MV’s Dance program, led by our dance director Annie Connors, performed to three sold-out audiences. Once again, MV’s easily, take time to express gratitude, send greetings to old friends, and enjoy holiday traditions with our children and grandchildren. We are blessed to be dancers gave our community amazing performances that covered multiple in a school where we can focus on the true meaning of the season and give genres and styles. thanks for all our blessings. Celebrate and relish the feelings of joy and love Monte Vista’s Marching Band has been flexing its muscles over the past that this time of year brings and strive to keep Christ at the heart of your few weeks as well. MV’s musicians took first place honors at both the Del Christmas throughout the coming weeks! God bless you all. Oro and Folsom competitions and are preparing for competitions in Napa SIP & SHOP HOLIDAY MARKET and Stockton. Both of these events have been postponed due to air condiIf you have not yet purchased your Sip & Shop Holiday Market ticket, tions, so I hope to have more good news in my next column. In addition, now is the time! The Holiday Market will be held Thursday, December 6th in Monte Vista’s Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Concert Band will be performing the Cardelli Activity Center This fabulous event is the perfect opportunity their annual Winter Concert on December 5th and December 7th. to mingle, shop, and celebrate the season. It’s truly “the more the merrier,” so Monte Vista Athletics have been in limbo for the past three weeks please invite friends and neighbors. You can purchase tickets online at https:// due to air quality conditions. Nearly all of MV’s NCS playoff games and bit.ly/2D70T4U or at the door the night of the event. tournaments have been postponed or canceled, so I hope to have more LET YOUR CHILD GROW WITH US! to report in my next column. Please join us for our TK/Kindergarten Informational Open House on Lastly, I want to take a moment to recognize Cathy Haberl, Monte Thursday, January 17th, at 10AM. At St. Isidore School, we believe that early Vista’s College and Career Counselor. Back in late October, Ms. Haberl education lays the foundation for your child’s educational experience. Through worked with a district-wide team to host the SRVUSD College Night hands-on learning, children are guided to develop intellectually, socially, right here at Monte Vista High School. The event included over 150 emotionally, and spiritually. We encourage you to visit, and see what makes colleges and universities as well as representatives from the NCAA and our school so special. RSVP at www.stisidore.org, or by calling or texting the Military. Hundreds of students attended from all over our com(925) 389-8190. munity, and everything ran like a well-oiled machine. I want to share THE SPIRIT OF GIVING a huge thank you to Ms. Haberl for all of the amazing things she does The Student Leadership Team will once again be selling candy canes, and for our students. our students enjoy purchasing candy canes for friends, family members, and On behalf of the Monte Vista Community, I wish everyone a safe and loved ones. This year, all proceeds will be donated to the Butte County fire happy holiday season with their family and loved ones. victims, as we continue to pray for those affected by the devastating fires. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!
ACTION POOL REPAIR Serving Alamo & Danville Since
925.820.3640 www.actionpoolrepair.com Contractor Lic# 978033-C53
VOLUNTEER AT THE BLACKHAWK MUSEUM
Staff at the Blackhawk Museum believes that a museum’s strength comes from its community and that volunteers are the foundation of the community. Museum volunteers give their free time to enhance the experience of every visitor that comes through the door. Volunteers will be providing guided tours to school and adult groups, greeting Museum visitors, representing the Museum at a car show or other special event, fundraising for the Children’s Education and Transportation Fund, or simply lending their real-world expertise to the Museum’s staff. The Blackhawk Museum couldn’t function without their volunteers. If you would like to join a group of enthusiastic people with shared interests, the Museum’s many volunteer opportunities are for you! For more information, visit http://blackhawkmuseum.org/volunteer-form.
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
Light continued from page 2
War-era helicopter to fly over the ceremony towards the beacon atop Mount Diablo’s summit at 4:45PM, just prior to the lighting of the beacon by Pearl Harbor Survivors at 5PM. “The Beacon lighting is a tribute to those individuals that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor,” says Earl ’Chuck‘ Kohler, one of the few remaining survivors in Contra Costa County. The ceremony is also an opportunity to honor the survivors. When those who experienced Pearl Harbor are gone, the history is lost with them. The Beacon on Mount Diablo was originally installed and illuminated in 1928 to aid in trans-continental aviation. It is one of the four guiding beacons installed along the west coast by Standard Oil of California and is the only one known to still be operational. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Beacon’s light was extinguished during the West Coast Blackout, for fear it may enable an attack on California. It stayed dark until Pearl Harbor Day 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II, relit the Beacon in a commemorative ceremony and suggested it be illuminated every December 7th to honor those who served and sacrificed. Since that day, Pearl Harbor Veterans and their families have gathered every December 7th to see the Beacon light shine once again. The Beacon is lit at sunset and shines all night on this single evening each year. Save Mount Diablo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and nationally accredited land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources. The organization is currently involved with its important year-end appeal to raise critical resources for its time-sensitive land conservation mission. To learn more and to support Save Mount Diablo, please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.
CELEBRATE THE DANVILLE LIBRARY ENDOWMENT’S 20TH YEAR!
The Friends of the Danville Library Endowment is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the hope that this year it will reach $1 million. Since 1998, donors have been building an Endowment that supports the library with grants for fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, Farsi and Chinese language books, and specialized sections such as business and self-help books. The Endowment also supports programming that includes Arts Enrichment in the Library and STEM programs for students. You can help do even more for our community library. Please make a donations in any amount. They are always acknowledged and appreciated. If circumstances permit you to contribute $300 or more, your support will be recognized with a bookplate in a specially purchased book. Our local community has rallied, and the library has support from Mechanics Bank, Republic Services, three private citizens, and in-kind support from Diablo Printing. Your donation will automatically double in size because of their generosity. Please send your donation to FODL Endowment, 400 Front St., Danville, CA 94526. The Endowment Committee is a volunteer organization, and donations are tax deductible. If you would like more information, please email reedgard@ sbcglobal.net and use the subject line Endowment.
Do you have a story to share or would you like more information about our paper? Email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com or call 925-405-6397
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
One of the things I appreciate the most during the month of December is the gift of song. I often tell our students when they sing during our weekly chapel services, that heaven must sound like their melodic voices. Their authentic and unabashed worship to God captivates my heart every Friday. At SRVCA, we hope to foster a love for music in our students with weekly music classes and special events. This year our K-2nd grade students will be performing a Christmas musical as will our 3rd-5th graders. These two performances bring much joy to parents, grandparents, and special guests as we capture a glimpse of the true meaning of the season through song and story. It is such a blessing to be able to share with our students the core of the Christian faith during this time of year as we revisit the belief that God sent His Son to earth as a baby. Even though this performance is led by children, it will have a powerful message that will inspire the heart of every adult in the audience. Another thing I love about the Christmas season is the reminder that Jesus’s birth was a gift to all. God brought together the noble (three wise men), the underprivileged (shepherds), the commoners (Mary and Joseph), and the celestial (angels) to witness and appreciate the coming of His Son. In today’s society, it often feels like people are defined by labels that divide us, rather than unite us: age, race, political affiliations, or socio-economic status. By studying the truth about Christmas, we are given a great opportunity to remind our students the importance of love and acceptance. Jesus, Himself offered two commandments that He said were the greatest: to love God and to love others. What a great season to be mindful of this simple yet profound way to live. If you’d like to visit us for a chapel service, Christmas performance, or learn about the Community Presbyterian Church weekend and holiday services, please visit our school/ church websites, www.srvca.org or www.cpcdanville.org. When we return in January, our focus will be on enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year. If you are interested in a tour of our campus, please feel free to contact us. We have tours, open house events, and special activities planned for the winter months to provide insight into the unique benefits of a Christian education.
WAR TO END ALL WARS EXHIBIT
The War to End All Wars: A Great War Centennial exhibit will be held at The Museum of the San Ramon Valley through December 30th. Step back 100 years and remember World War I. It marked the beginning of the American Century and America’s leadership in promoting democracy worldwide. The exhibit focuses on the War’s ending days, the local “Liberty Boys” who served and died, and the devastating Spanish flu of 1918-19. Visitors will find stories about the War, the flu epidemic, and America’s emerging role as a world leader. View featured letters, posters, drawings, pictures, uniforms, and various memorabilia from the War. America entered the war on April 6, 1917, three years after the war had begun in Europe. Soldiers joined and were conscripted, departing from four million American homes. A number of young men and women from the San Ramon Valley went to war. Some of them who survived included: Jim Root, Tony and Paul Noia, Merton Groom, Lorenz Humburg, Frank Enos, Ed Anderson, Noel Norris, Romie Thorup, and nurse Ella Olsson. Five local Liberty Boys did not return: George Freitas, Peter Byers, Simeon Anderson, Lloyd Wood, and William Peterson. The influenza epidemic probably began in Kansas, spread rapidly to Europe and was dubbed the Spanish Lady because of non-war reporting that the Spanish king (and a large population) had suffered from the flu. An estimated 50 to 100 million people died from this flu worldwide, 2-3% of the world’s population. In America fatalities were said to be 670,000. This influenza with a virulent pneumonia took more lives than were lost in the Great War. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. It’s open Tuesdays through Sundays – check out museumsrv.org for hours and more info or call 925-837-3750.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
THE HOUSE OF COUTURE COMES TO DANVILLE
By Sharifa Raouf, The House of Couture
The House of Couture has recently relocated to downtown Danville. Come visit us for custom designed evening-wear, bridal-wear, and men’s business suits. The House of Couture produces garments that are 100% custom tailored and altered to you. With an eye for design and over 2,000 distinctive fabrics imported from the world’s finest manufacturers in Italy and England, we can create your dream piece at a reasonable price. We now also carry ready-to-wear dresses, and have tuxedo rentals, and starting January 2019 we will offer sewing classes for all levels and abilities. Our showroom is located at 130 E. Prospect Ave in Danville. This month, ready-to-wear items are 25% off! You can reach us at 925-943-1505, or visit our website at www.thehouseofcouture.com. Advertorial
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
We’ve received an increase in inquiries for security camera systems. There are many do’s and don’ts when installing cameras, and I’ve made my share of mistakes. In the interest of helping you learn vicariously, I’ll list my “Top-10 Pro-Tips” for camera installations. 1. Be clear about what you’re trying to accomplish. I know this sounds basic, but most people fall in love with the idea of having a camera system, however they fall short in figuring out specifically what they’re trying to accomplish. For example, is the purpose of the camera to notify you when someone arrives? Is this a child or backyard monitor? Is this to record cars in your driveway or maybe people or packages at your front door? Will the system be set to record motion in a particular area? Does the system need to record at night and at what distance? Does it need to be concealed, or do you want it to be obvious? Do you need to record license plates? How important is it to see people’s faces versus the big picture? How many days or weeks of footage do you need to store? 2. A camera can only do so much. If you’re lucky, your camera will scare off a potential criminal who’s interested in anonymity. If you’re unlucky, the criminal won’t care. We recently had a criminal come onto our property in full view of three cameras and commit a property crime. 3. Avoid doing too much with one camera. If you want to watch the front door, install a camera up above the door, focused on where people will stand. If you also want to watch the walkway and driveway, that potentially requires two more cameras. One size does not fit all, and your needs should drive the type of cameras you use, not the other way around. 4. I am not a fan of pre-packaged camera and recorder systems. They tend to be one-size-fits-all, which may not be appropriate for your coverage needs. 5. For best quality, buy a “POE” digital camera system, with cameras that are 3-5 megapixels or higher resolution. “POE” means “power over ethernet,” and it describes a camera that receives its power through the network cable that connects to your home network. POE cameras record in much higher resolution than their analog predecessors. As the megapixels increase, so does the density of your image, which makes it easier to enlarge so you can see fine details. 6. Avoid WiFi cameras. WiFi can be flaky. And, even if it’s a WiFi camera, it still needs power, which means you still need to install a cable to feed power to the camera. Since you need a cable anyway, install a good POE camera with a network cable, and avoid the WiFi pitfalls. 7. Two inexpensive pre-packaged systems that I have used are called “Arlo” by Netgear, and “Blink” by Amazon. These are digital all-in-one camera solutions for small applications, apartments, or hard-to-reach one-or-two-camera installations. In both cases the cameras are battery operated but with charging accessories and the smartphone applications they are easy to use. I should note here that both use a proprietary WiFi signal to connect to your network, and these are the only type of “WiFi” cameras that I recommend because they’re an engineered solution. 8. Use a wiring contractor. The hard part of camera systems (besides figuring out what you want, buying the right cameras, and installing them!) is running cables in and around your structure. This can be a huge job, and I recommend calling a seasoned cabling professional to help. We at PCIO use a local contractor who does excellent work and who is also very experienced selling and Memorial Luncheo After the loss of a loved one, hosting a memori Let Russ Belleci & installing camera systems. Unless you have the time to become an expert in the brunch or luncheon in their memory is a wonde field, I strongly recommend you bring in a trusted partner. to bring people together to celebrate a life wel Belleci Family Catering 9. Maybe a Ring doorbell (or equivalent) is all you need. Ring doorbells We understand that this is a difficult time for yo take care of your your family. We are dedicated to making your capture HD images of anyone coming to your front door, provide motion detotally worry free, after you collaborate with us event food needs. tection, and allow you to save event footage. Installation can be a bit of a hassle menu decisions. Weddings, in some homes, but overall I give the system high marks. I use one. Host your memorial luncheon right here at St. I Graduations, 10. You may need network assistance. Unless you get a pre-packaged system, To schedule food for your gathering Memorials, We also offer a simple drop off service at your viewing your cameras while offsite may be a bit tricky and require some special Cioppino, call Russ at 925-708-5167 configuration of your home network. Most people do not have these skills, so Pasta, & or 925-937-6886 this is an good time to call PCIO for assistance. Crab Feeds. Email rizzieb@aol.com If you’d like help with your computers, network, or a referral to our cabling/camera Events from www.bellecifamilycatering.com 50-500. vendor, please reach us at info@pcioit.com, or 925-552-7953, option 1. Advertorial
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane
TASSAJARA: A MELODIOUS NAME WITH A NOT-SO-MELODIOUS MEANING
East of the San Ramon Valley, a lovely valley and creek bear the name Tassajara. Melodious as it may sound, this Spanish word means “place where the meat is hung.” It may have been an Aztec term which the Spanish adopted and spelled “tasajera.” One way the Spanish preserved beef was to slice fresh meat into strips, dip it in brine, and hang it on poles at the tasajera, allowing it to sun-dry into the “carne seca” called “charqui.” This was the origin of our word “jerky.” In California’s Hispanic era, cattle grazing was the main occupation, and hides and tallow were major trade products. After roundups and slaughters, most meat was left for the wild animals, but some of the meat was preserved in the tasajera. Tassajara Creek begins in the foothills of Mount Diablo and drains south. It is part of the huge Alameda Creek watershed, which covers 405,000 acres in two counties. The portion of this watershed in Contra Costa County is called the Upper Alameda Creek Watershed and encompasses 40,000 acres. After the Gold Rush, settlers moved into the Tassajara Valley with their families and raised a variety of crops including hay, grains, fruit and nuts, wine grapes, and tomatoes. Nina McPherson Williams loved growing up in the valley and wrote: “In the land of sunshine in the county of Contra Costa, along an oak-rimmed stream, lies the Valley of Tassajara. Rich fields of native grasses gave the valley much fame from olden times to the present.” According to Williams, “Tassajara was even better known for its purebred horses than for its cattle. The Clydesdale and Norman horses raised in large numbers by John and Thomas Johnston had a wide and ready market. The J.J. brand on a draft horse was its guarantee.” She also noted that the first oil lease on Tassajara land Tassajara school house was given by Edward Williams in 1899. Immigrants settled in the valley from many areas including: Portugal, Denmark, Wales, Japan, and Scotland. The Tassajara Grammar School provided a place for these settlers to educate their children, share parties, and create new communities. Student names in the school registers reflected their family origins: Williams, McPherson, Finley, Bettencourt, Lawrence (Portuguese), Hikido, Rasmussen, and Hansen. The second Tassajara school house was built in 1889 and is located at 1650 Finley Road. It has been restored over the years by members of the Tassajara community, the Tassajara and San Ramon Valley Fire Districts, and its present owner, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Each spring, every third grader in the school district attends a living history school program at the classic school, provided by volunteers from the Museum. Vivian Coats Edmonston, who was born in 1901, recalled the days when the threshing machine came to their Tassajara ranch. Her mother and grandmother cooked all day, feeding crews of five or six men who worked from dawn to sunset and ate three big meals, plus two smaller meals in between. Valley volunteers served as firefighters for a Tassajara Fire District from 1969 to 1990, before they joined the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. Pleasanton and Danville are about the same distance for Tassajara residents, depending on where they live. When Tassajara had a post office from 1896 to 1921, the mail came from Pleasanton by rural carrier. Parts of the valley continue to have Pleasanton addresses, even though they are in Contra Costa County. No matter what its original meaning, the name Tassajara is now part of Vista Grande third graders in 1999 our landscape in several parts of California. And today, an elementary school, Tassajara Hills, is located at the edge of this beautiful valley which is filled with reminders of our rural past. Sources: Vivian Coats Edmonston, From The Ox Team To The Moon, 1987; CCC Watershed Atlas, 2003; Erwin C. Gudde, 1,000 California Place Names, p. 86; Mildred Hoover, Historic Spots in California, p. 238; Barbara and Rudy Marinacci, California’s Spanish Place-Names, p. 109, 165; Nina McPherson Williams, Tassajara (essay in Edmonston scrapbook, Museum of the SRV).
Under drizzly skies, the Lighting of the Old Oak Tree was held in downtown Danville on Friday, November 23rd. The annual gathering brought together singers, performers, the Snow Angel and Father Christmas, as well as the Mayor and Town officials who kicked-off the holiday season. Please shop at our wonderful local businesses for all of your gift-giving and holiday entertainment needs.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
STREETS, HIGHWAYS, TRAFFIC; WHO MANAGES WHAT?
By Candace Andersen
My office frequently gets inquiries about our local roads. Contra Costa County is committed to safe roads and does what it can to improve streets wherever possible. But did you know that there are several agencies maintaining our roads, enforcing our traffic laws, and overseeing traffic Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 programs that all impact you locally? The Contra Costa County Public Works 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl Traffic Engineering Division strives to Concord San Ramon Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 move people safely throughout the County Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) and manages nearly 600 miles of County roadway. On unincorporated roads, those DANVILLE LIONS CLUB that are not part of a local city, County Public Works manages and maintains The Danville Lions Club meets for dinner at Crow Canyon the local roadway. However, the California Department of Transportation Country Club on the first and third Wednesday of every (Caltrans) usually manages the signal operation and signage near freeways, month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight and the litter and landscape maintenance of the on and off ramps. First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the Traffic enforcement is another matter. The California Highway Patrol fight against diabetes, and many local charities. The group has is the primary agency for issuing citations for moving violations along interesting speakers at each meeting. Contact Truman Howard county roads. However, our Contra Costa County Sheriff deputies regularly (925) 787-2565 or truman.howard@gmail.com for reservations. Visitors and new patrol the community to keep our residents and businesses safe and free members are welcome. For more information, visit www.danvillelionsclub.org. from crime. If they see a traffic violation, they are also authorized to issue a citation. We are all partners in keeping our roadways and community safe. EXCHANGE CLUB Traffic safety in our neighborhoods is a concern for many, particularly The Exchange Club of San when they see speeding vehicles going through their residential Ramon Valley meets for lunch neighborhood. Preventing this dangerous behavior is not as simple as the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant located at 600 Hartz placing a stop sign, speed bumps, or even increasing traffic enforcement -- Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts which helps but can’t be guaranteed each day. Certain warrants and criteria promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features must be met to implement specific traffic calming measures. This often will guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon require a coordinated effort among neighbors to determine how best to reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests, and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information please contact Karen Stepper resolve the issue. at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com. To help, the County developed the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan (NTMP), which is designed to help educate and empower local KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY residents with the necessary tools to manage their own traffic calming The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch every Thursday at noon solutions within their own neighborhood. A copy of the plan can be found at at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club organizes www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/668/Final_NTMP?bidId. th It illustrates the types of traffic management calming measures that can be the Kiwanis 4 of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and used to control traffic on residential streets throughout our County. The informative weekly program speaker Town of Danville and City of San Ramon have similar programs. and specializes in fun and entertaining The beauty of our roadways is another area of concern to local residents. Caltrans maintains the freeway on and off ramps within the County and camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org. cities, including all pavement, landscaping, and litter cleanup. Caltrans has an online service request form to report poor conditions. It can be found at LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS https://csr.dot.ca.gov. The Rotary Club of Alamo meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM The Town of Danville has a similar program to report unsafe or unsightly at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. For information about the conditions through their Danville Connect online system. Visit this site group contact Peter Walron at peter.waldron@lfg.com. The Danville directly at www.danville.ca.gov/163/Danville-Connect. It allows Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at the Black Bear Diner in residents to easily identify the issue needing to be resolved with instructions Danville. For information, contact Bob Chace at bchace@pacbell.net or by phone at (925)838-7007. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore on whom to contact and how best to submit requests with easy step by step Valley Rotary Club, contact Jim Coleman at coleman_jd@pacbell.net. Meetings are held instructions. AM My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District on Tuesdays at 7 at Crow Canyon Country Club. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets for dinner every Wednesday night at the Blackhawk Country Club in 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, PM PM Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don't hesitate to Danville. Networking and social time starts at 6:30 with the meeting starting at 7 . contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic For more information, call Bernie at 925-352-2155. You can also visit www.sanramonLastly, Rotary Club of San Ramon meets every Thursday between or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. valleyrotary.com. pm noon and 1:15 at the Crow Canyon Country Club. For more information, contact cccounty.us or 925-957-8860. Dennis Harvey at dennis@dharveyrealtor.com or 925-519-4748.
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
WINDSTAR CRUISE
POSTCARD PORTS OF CAPE COD AND CANADA By Betsy Ahlberg, Alamo World Travel & Tours
My group of 32 individuals met in Boston for a 12-day cruise aboard Windstar’s Star Pride yacht, a 210-passenger ship. The service, cuisine, and ambiance were true to the Windstar brand. Before boarding, we spent a day immersed in history, touring Boston’s historical sites which included the old North Church, the Constitution, Boston Commons, and the famous Harvard Yard. We boarded the ship, sailing away to the sound of their famous send-off music and waving at a nearby immensely large cruise ship. Those passengers must have wondered, “Who are those people on that small ship?” Our first ports of call were in New England, Provincetown, Rockland, and Bar Harbor. Each were charming and quaint, and had lovely people, delicious food, and some fall colors. We then spent a day at sea cruising to our first Canadian port, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax is located on an island known for its rugged coastline as well as for its’ role in the Titanic saga. While there, we enjoyed our delightful guide on a wonderful trolley bus tour. We visited a famous graveyard, the maritime museum, and Peggy’s Cove, a tiny fishing village on the rugged north coast of the island. All of the sites were well worth the visit. Next, we were off to Prince Edward Island of Anne of Green Gables fame. The sun was shining brightly over the picturesque seacoast villages. We then cruised through the Canso Canal, a narrow passageway between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, before making a brief stop in Gaspe, a charming French port at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. We then sailed westward on the St. Lawrence River and stopped for two days in the charming French city of Quebec. It was an awesome place to explore. We had a lovely French guide who shared with us the history of the founding of Quebec City and Canada. On our last day, we cruised down the St. Lawrence to Montreal. The colors were in full force despite
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
CITY CENTER BISHOP RANCH
On a recent trip to Barcelona I stayed in a lovely apartment in the Eixample District and since a view is important to me, I was thrilled we were on the 5th floor. Each night we savored the spectacular sight of architect Antoni Gaudi’s Cathedral, Sagrada La Familia, lit up in lights. Construction began in 1882 (Gaudi took over the project in 1884), and the estimated completion date of this century old work-in-progress is 2026. Over three million people from all over the world visit this Spanish national treasure each year. Closer to home, San Ramon citizens have been waiting for a substantially shorter time than a century for the completion of City Center Bishop Ranch. The Center was designed by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with BAR Architects. The center has opened, and people are flocking to it. On a rainy day in late November, with only a portion of the stores open, I was among hundreds of people visiting the striking new destination. Jeff Dodd, Senior Vice President, Retail, Sunset Development Company gave some insight into the distinctive architectural qualities. “The exterior is a 34-foot-tall corrugated stainless-steel panel. The idea was to have a material that reflected the blue sky and green trees and felt alive as the color of the sky changed. It is a reflection of the beautiful outdoor climate that we have here in California. City Center Bishop Ranch also features a revolving public art program (Slate) that celebrates the East Bay’s cultural diversity by featuring local artists whose works have boldly interpreted and brought to life the cultural richness of the region. Slate is designed to engage, educate, and inspire by layering a collec-
www.yourmonthlypaper.com some overcast weather. We docked in Montreal where we spent the day touring the old and new city which was still lovely despite some rain. Most of us stayed overnight to explore more and to enjoy the beautiful Notre Dame cathedral with its unique colors and amazing stained glass windows depicting the history of the city. If you are planning a cruise, let us customize your trip. We will help you choose the right itinerary, as well as go over pre- and post- cruise options and transportation. We would love to book you on one of Windstar’s many cruises around the world! You can choose sailing yachts or power yachts. The service is the same, and you will be treated like royal guests on a private yacht.
If I can be of any help to you for cruises or any type of vacation, please contact me at ahlbergtb@gmail.com. For over 37 years, Alamo World Travel & Tours has been taking care of all your travel needs. Luxury, Standard, or Custom Travel; Cruises; River Cruises; Tours and Resorts for individuals or groups. Please visit our office at 3201 Danville Blvd. Suite 255 in Alamo, call 925-837-8742, or visit our website at www.alamoworld.com. Ask us, we’ve been there. Advertorial
Looking for the perfect Holiday gift? Purchase a Travel Gift Certificate at Alamo World Travel. It is guaranteed to delight even the most difficult to please person on your holiday gift list! tive artistic experience onto an exciting retail, dining, and entertainment experience.” Whi le v isit ing City Center, I waited in line to try Boba milk tea at the hugely popular Boba Guys ( ot he r l o c at i ons include San Francisco, New York City, Photo by Vantage Point Photography. and the Peninsula) as two charming Cal High students instructed me on the joys of Boba. I tried the Chocochata, organic premium drinking chocolate over rice milk and cinnamon, with a splash of organic milk. It was so tasty! Mark Kelly, Associate Principal, Director of Sustainability, BAR architects added, “We (Renzo Piano in collaboration with BAR Architects) are most proud of the opportunity to create a gathering place for the San Ramon community - a modern reflection on the traditional town with streets and a square, blending culture, civic life, and commerce for the San Ramon community, and ‘The Slate’ - how the façade of the building, conceived of as a civic display, provides a revolving ‘canvas’ celebrating notable contributions to local East Bay culture in the arts, technology, science, and other disciplines.” Holiday on the Square will be held December 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 with Holiday music and selfies with Sidecar Santa whose revamped sleigh features a vintage motorcycle and side car. City Center Bishop Ranch is located at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. Linda Summers Pirkle travel consultant and long-term Danville resident has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
Sentinels continued from front page
family in the last few months. The financial aspects of the program are great, but the real benefit to being a Sentinel is knowing that if my family needs anything, they are just a phone call away. That peace of mind is priceless as we transition to our new lives.” Surprises from the caring team of Sentinel supporters may even include a home makeover. SOF partnered with Lennar Homes in 2017 to transform the Concord residence of Sentinel Jay Wilkerson and his fiancée Heather into a modern smart home. Awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his actions, Jay served 10 years in the US Navy before being wounded in action during deployment to Iraq while serving again in the Army Reserves. After 39 days in a coma, Jay came back to a world where he had to relearn how to walk, talk, and eat. During the course of funding Jay’s pursuit of a Business degree at Los Positas College, SOF connected Wilkerson with employment through the City of Pleasanton. Sentinel Marlene Rodriguez, US Army Staff Sergeant, grew up in Colton, CA. One of only 500 women awarded the Purple Heart as of 2017, Marlene is the first woman to join the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Thanks to her SOF Scholarship, she is pursuing her goal of creating a recreational therapy organization for veterans. Born in the Philippines, Mari Sentinel Marlene Rodriguez, awarded the Purple Geronimo has called San Diego, Heart, plans to create a recreational therapy CA home since 2002. She enlisted organization for veterans.(Photo courtesy of SOF) in the US Army in 2008 and deployed to Iraq only a month after suffering a concussion during a deployment training exercise. In May 2011, Mari was in the casualty zone of an enemy engagement that left her with severe Post Traumatic Stress. With two sons to keep her motivated and SOF support, Sentinel Geronimo is pursuing a degree in health technology from California College. Bay Area natives and lifelong San Francisco Giants fans, Sentinels Kyle Garcia and Brian Vargas shared their stories when they met with pitcher George Kontos in May 2017. Kyle, a retired Marine who lost his left leg in Afghanistan, related: “We don’t identify ourselves as victims; we don’t like to be portrayed as such. I think the good thing about Sentinels of Freedom is that they don’t treat us like that either.” Student Veteran Resource Centers are a recent initiative in which SOF has partnered with Sentinel Mari Geronimo, born in the Philippines, enlisted colleges and companies such as in the US Army in 2008. (photo courtesy of SOF). PG&E, Workday, and Lennar. The centers benefit all veterans on campus, giving them a safe place to study and connect with other veterans. The first one, established in 2014 at San Francisco State University, has since been supplemented by centers at College of Alameda, Contra Costa Community College, Diablo Valley College, Los Medanos College, Los Positas, Lipscomb University (Tennessee), and the University of Oregon. Mike Conklin began organizing fellow community leaders in the San Ramon/ Danville/Alamo area to honor dedication to service several years before the Twin Towers fell. In 1998, he realized that area high school graduation events celebrated almost every category of seniors but somehow left those who had chosen to enlist in the United Sates military unacknowledged. The first luncheon at the Brass Door in San Ramon included parents and students. Mike assured the graduates that they had made the highest commitment to serving their country, and that when they completed their military service, they would receive help from a grateful community to find employment and/or pursue higher education.
See Sentinels continued on page 24
PARTIES THAT POP!
By Monica Chappell
Would you like to throw a holiday party but are finding the time over the next few weeks proving to be a challenge? No fear; here are a few solutions to help. Any of these wine-themed parties can be fun, festive, and, best of all, not a lot of work for you.
PARTIES THAT POP - SPARKLING WINES & DESSERT
Here’s an elegant and easy way to entertain. Invite people over on the late side. Set out some desserts, and just before your guests arrive, uncork the sparkling wine and greet them at the door with a glass. Drinks are festive when they’re bubbly and beautiful, and if you want to get fancy, make a few Champagne cocktails.
WINE PAIRING DINNER PARTY
Looking for a simple way to add something special to your next dinner party? Serving your guests a special wine with each course is a sure way to WOW them, and all you have to do is open the bottles and pour. Once you have a dish in mind, look to the same part of the world for wine pairings; foods that grow together tend to go together.
WINE & CHEESE PAIRING PARTY
We’re in the midst of a cheese revolution, and many markets are offering more varieties. If you really want to knock your guests’ socks off, pair the wine with the cheese. This offers yet another stress-free and super chic way to take entertaining to a new level. An elegant cheese tray requires almost no work. Select the artisanal cheeses by country, milk type, or by cheese style; and add fresh or dried fruit, nuts (for a crunchy counterpoint), breads, crackers, and honey.
ONE PARTY FITS ALL - THE GRAND BUFFET
Tree-trimming, open house, New Year’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday; the occasion is up to you. Buffets are the perfect all-purpose entertaining option. It’s easier than a sit-down dinner, can be as formal or informal as you like, and can range from a handful to a houseful of guests. When planning the menu, know that not everyone likes both red and white wine, so plan to have plenty of both on hand. Happy Holidays! Monica Chappell is a local wine writer and educator and can be reached at wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
THE EBRPD WANTS YOU!
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) includes 65 regional parks in its two-county jurisdiction, covering more than 113,000 miles and 1,200 miles of trail. Helping to oversee and manage this vast recreational territory are nearly 200 volunteers from all over the Bay Area. EBRPD offers a volunteer position for nearly every interest. Consider work in the Botanic Garden, or help with a Coastal Clean-up Day. Become a Regional Parks ambassador, or participate in the companion dog patrol. Help with trail maintenance, or walk the trails as part of the safety patrol. Whether you may seek a special one-time volunteer job or ongoing year-round programs, EBRPD would love to hear from you. Volunteering with EBRPD can provide new skills, new friends, a greater knowledge of natural and cultural resources, and the personal satisfaction a recent stroll down the Iron Horse Trail in of making a difference in the On Danville this “Giving” fundraiser was found community. For information, alongside a fence. The sign said, “FUNDRAISER email Volunteers@EBParks. THIS WEEK THE HOMELESS. Honor system. org, or visit www.ebparks.org/ Donate any amount.” In the giving spirit donations had already started accumulating for the cause. about/getinvolved/volunteer.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
CLIP NOTES
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
By Jody Morgan
My family always burned a bayberry candle through the night on New Year’s Eve. Mom claimed it was good luck. I recently learned in researching the tradition that some folks burned their bayberry candles on Christmas Eve while others hoped the candles would light their way to fortune on New Year’s Eve. What made bayberry candles such a lucky charm? At least three versions of advice exist on utilizing this All-American product to get the good times rolling. “For a bayberry candle burned to the socket, will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket.” “A bayberry candle burnt to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket.” “Bayberry candles burned to the socket, bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket.” Centuries before anyone could flip a switch to illuminate the home with an odorless light bulb or take a chance on getting gaslights to burn without blackening the ceiling with soot or incinerating the clothing of the person tasked with touching flame to wick, common folk utilized a variety of less reliable sources to dispel the dark of night. Rush lights were made by dipping rushes into grease. Pinecones and splits of pinewood (aka candlewood) burned brightly
THE RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN CALLS ON COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT
It’s hard to miss the robust steel building that has recently etched its way into the skyline on Bancroft Rd near Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Walnut Creek. This building is the new Visitor & Education Center for The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery. The Center will open the door to educational symposia on drought-tolerant gardening and water conservation, allow for private event rentals such as weddings, parties, and corporate retreats, and give the Garden a much needed facility upgrade for visitors, volunteers, and staff. It will provide increased revenue streams for the Garden which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has become a resource and example of sustainability in the community. When the Garden set out to make the organization’s dream of building a Visitor & Education Center a reality (back in 2015), it seemed like a longshot. Pooling resources from Garden supporters, members, and volunteers, the Garden began the ambitious work of raising the estimated three million dollars needed to fund construction. Two women, Billie Hopper and Gretchen Bartzen have led the efforts for this capital campaign. Faced with insurmountable obstacles, the two have pushed their way forward day-in and day-out to come within inches of reaching the fundraising and construction finish line for the new building. Following in the footsteps of the Garden's pioneering founder, Ruth Bancroft, the two have proved the naysayers wrong by overcoming hurdles that many would have found daunting. The Garden is asking for the public’s help to raise the remaining $250,000 to complete construction. Donations or pledges made before the end of December 2018 will be matched by a Matching Challenge Grant. Donors of $500 or more can become a permanent part of the new building with a personalized donor tile. The tiles are part of a "welcome wall" installation just outside the entrance of the new building. The Ruth Bancroft Garden is home to a collection of succulents, cacti, and water wise plants. Ruth Bancroft planted the Garden in 1972, and it has become a world-renowned attraction both locally and abroad. The Garden serves as a community hub for close to a hundred active volunteers and is a retreat for anyone looking for a place to connect with nature and unwind. The Garden hosts educational workshops that offer guidance in starting and maintaining a drought-tolerant garden, DIY succulent creations, art, and more. The new building will be a beautiful facility for the community to gather, celebrate, and learn more about water-wise gardening and sustainability in a time when our precious natural resources are running dry. To donate visit www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/support or call (925) 944-9352.
but left a heavy residue of tar. Recycling was ALL TREE WORK Present coupon & receive discount. an essential part of TREE & LANDSCAPING CO. household life. In TREE REMOVAL, order to make candles, STUMP GRINDING, TOPPING, TRIMMING, tallow was gathered by 45 YEARS EXPERIENCE SHAPING, LANDSCAPE, skimming every bit LAWN MAINTENANCE cwtreeservice.com of fat from the soup Lic #724531 • Insured PL & PD Workmans Comp. Insured FREE WOOD CHIP MULCH or stew kettle. North 25 yards & free delivery Call For Your FREE Estimate American colonists preferred the fat of sheep or cattle, but made do with bear grease and every ounce of other available animal fat. The tallow candles subsequently made from the saved fat emitted an unpleasantly scented smoke when extinguished. They also tended to melt and turn rancid in summer heat. The date of the serendipitous discovery that shrubs growing along the shores of the entire eastern coast of the New World produced wax-covered berries useful for making candles is unknown. Two related species variously known as bayberry, candle-berry and wax myrtle grow north and south of the Chesapeake Bay. Originally labeled Myrica pensylvanica (the northern plant) and Myrica cerifera (the southern cousin), they have recently been given a new generic classification as Mollera along with Pacific wax myrtle, their handsome evergreen West Coast cousin. Eastern species produce tiny (1/8”) berries heavily laden with wax. Pacific wax myrtle berries yield less candle-making material. All have fragrant leaves used medicinally in the past. In his 1705 History and Present State of Virginia, Robert Beverly writes concerning bayberry candles: “Neither does the snuff of these ever offend the Smell, like that of a Tallow-Candle, but instead of being disagreeable, if an Accident puts a Candle out, it yields a pleasant fragrancy to all that are in the Room; insomuch that nice People often put them out on purpose to have the incense of their expiring Snuff.” Alice Morse Earle quotes Swedish naturalist Peter Kalm in her 1898 Home Life in Colonial Days: “Candles of this do not easily bend, nor melt in summer as common candles do; they burn better and slower, nor do they cause any smoke, but yield an agreeable smell when they are extinguished.” Following his 1748 sojourn in the colonies, Kalm wrote: “The berries look as if flour had been strewed upon them.” From four pounds of berries dumped in a pot of scalding water a single pound of wax was extracted. Although wax initially skimmed from the surface was a dirty gray-green, it could be refined with additional heating to be “a fine and transparent green color.” Children gathered the berries in autumn. One and a half quarts of berries produced enough wax for a single candle. A law passed in 1687 at Brookhaven, Long Island made harvesting berries before September 15th subject to a substantial fine. Dipping candles of tallow, bayberry, or costlier beeswax was an important task. Morse notes that a skilled housewife could make 200 candles a day. Itinerant chandlers brought metal molds to homes to lighten the workload. I purchased a six-candle mold in Colonial Williamsburg decades ago along with a block of bayberry wax. The first step involved melting wax to coat the interior of the mold so the candles produced would be smooth and symmetrical. The mold came with a device to pull the wicks taut and keep them in place when additional wax was added. Even with explicit instructions and repeated practice, I rarely made an entire mold of candles free of imperfections.
20% OFF
925-939-8733 925-229-4999
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
Hometown help from your local and personal technology experts, since 2001.
Portable CIO PCs | Macs | Servers | Tablets | Smartphones | Cloud Solutions
Commercial & Residential • PC & MAC Repairs & Upgrades • Data Backup & Recovery • Remote Support By Our Experienced Helpdesk • Help With Personal Domains & Office 365 • Monthly Maintenance Plans • Small Business IT Experts
925-552-7953 helpdesk@pcioit.com w w w. p c i o i t . c o m
Technology. Simplified. Our team has the experience and reputation for results.
Meetup continued from front page
launch, Meetup registered nearly 60,000 users. Clearly, Heiferman was onto something big. Today, millions of individuals participate in thousands of Meetup groups throughout the world. Here’s how it works: The Meetup website (Meetup.com) allows users to select both city of interest and the desired mile radius from that city. Then, a menu of the varied groups in that area is posted. Each group has a different topic, size, and rules, as put forth by the group organizer. (Any Meetup user can be an organizer.) Groups are associated with one of 30+ categories and any number of themes. The most popular categories are ‘adventure and outdoor activities,’‘career and business,’ and ‘parents and family.’ The organizer arranges events and meeting spots, and develops the informational content for his/her group. He/she also pays a minimal monthly fee, the expense of which is often shared with group members. Most events are on a structured schedule each week or month at a local venue, typically during evenings or weekends. A sample Danville Meetup Group is Buon Appetito: The Real Italian Club. Its listing states, “I'm Italian! Are you Italian? It doesn't matter! How do you picture the Italian culture? I see warmth, closeness, ravioli, lasagna, gnocchi, rigatoni, risotto, antipasto, insalata, pizza... the list is endless, and most importantly, I see joyous laughter, being ourselves, as we enjoy the simple pleasures in life, of which friendship is a big part. Life can be so serious. Let’s make a point of gathering once a month to lighten up a bit and make real connections as we share Italian meals and experience what the Italian culture has to offer.” The Diablo Fine Wine Meetup is ‘a group for those passionate about tasting, drinking, and learning about fine wine. Anyone is welcome, regardless of your level of wine knowledge.’ The Danville Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Meetup provides an educational opportunity ‘for anyone looking to learn more about the powerful health benefits of Certified Pure Essential Oils.’ And the Havanaese Playtime Meetup invites those with ‘Havis’ to meet in San Ramon’s Memorial Park small dog lot for pup playtime. Users can RSVP to any number of events or be a member of multiple groups. Meetup is about inclusivity and connecting people with similar interests who choose to come together. It’s about trying something new or
identifying with a like-minded group. And if you don’t find a group that interests you, consider starting your own. As the Meetup website states, “Getting together with real people in real life makes powerful things happen. Side hustles become careers, ideas become movements, and chance encounters become lifelong connections. Meetup brings people together to create thriving communities.”
CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD HELP NEEDED
Supervisor Candace Andersen is looking for interested, motivated residents to serve on a few Contra Costa County citizen advisory boards. These volunteer boards usually meet monthly and advise the Board of Supervisors on a variety of issues. They play a vital role in county government, and the input provided is invaluable. Applications are currently being accepted from residents of District 2 (which includes the communities of Alamo, Canyon, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Parkmead, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Saranap, and Walnut Creek (West of N. Main Street)) for seats on the following boards: • Alamo Municipal Advisory Council, Youth Representative - To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks and recreation, lighting and landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation. Learn more at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/3595/Alamo. • Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B) - To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/ Danville community for police services. • Emergency Medical Care Committee - Reviews the County’s ambulance and other emergency services as required in State law, and serves in an advisory capacity to the County Board of Supervisors, and to the County EMS Agency, on matters relating to emergency medical services. Learn more at https://cchealth. org/ems/committee-emcc.php. For additional information about each board visit https://cacontracostacounty2.civicplus.com/6408/Boards-and-Commissions-Database. To apply on line, visit https://contra-costa.granicus.com/boards/forms/321/ apply/857634?code=8b348807-3ade-472e-b33f-d30e829cd812, or contact, Jill Ray at 925-957-8860 or via email at jill.ray@bos.cccounty.us.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
HOW DO YOU KNOW? DON’T YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF?
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners
“I have it all done,” is a statement that I have heard multiple times over the years when I ask people about their long-term financial plan. I respond with, “How do you know?” This month, I will be continuing the six-part series where we explore this dialogue. I will reiterate that you must have your strategy tested with a real-life scenario to know for certain that you “have it all done.” There are a few major life events that can test your strategy: death, a major health event (disability, stroke, dementia, etc.), retirement, divorce, the sale of a company, and receiving an inheritance. You can plan for the worst, but it is not until a major life event occurs that you can be certain that your plan will be successful. Last month, we discussed the commonly overlooked planning elements in the event of retirement, and this month’s article will focus on the financial impact that a divorce can have. Let us begin this discussion with alimony and child support. I know it seems obvious, but it is vital to note that these expenses are real and will change the direction of any financial plan. It will be the responsibility of the parents to set aside the emotional elements of the divorce and lay out a plan for how they will manage the use of the now bifurcated income. Each parent will have up to half as much income, so everything they were used to spending money on will now be significantly reduced. It is common that people assume that splitting the income in half will somehow result in two full incomes. However, in all my years, I have never seen the math work out that way. Looking at the comprehensive elements of a financial plan, the first thing that should be considered is the family’s health insurance. For a stay-at-home parent, divorce can substantially change their health insurance costs and coverages. Another area of the financial landscape that may change will be your housing. There are many different housing scenarios that I’ve seen, but the most important thing to consider is that there will be more costs. In most of the cases that I have seen, the couple had to liquidate their current home and substantially downsize to ensure that they were able to afford the cost of supporting two homes.
LIVING TRUSTS - PRIVACY FEATURES
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
One of the many benefits of a revocable Living Trust is substantial privacy. This is in sharp contrast to the court-supervised probate process that’s virtually guaranteed upon your death if you just have a Will and no Trust. In the course of a Probate, many private details about your assets, creditors, and close family members are open to the public. Fortunately for those who value privacy, your Living Trust does not need to be recorded or registered anywhere. So, it is not a public record, and you don’t generally need to disclose the terms of your Living Trust nor give a copy of it to anyone. Of course, you may voluntarily communicate with loved ones about your Living Trust, and/or you may give third parties a copy of the document. However, since you may decide to make significant amendments to your Living Trust in the future, you should exercise caution about when and to whom you elect to provide such crucial, private details. This broad privacy associated with Living Trusts is, however, modified somewhat by an important California Probate Code statute that requires a notification to be given by the trustee within 60 days after part or all of the trust becomes irrevocable. Recipients entitled to the notice include: a) those mentioned in the trust and b) “heirs” (i.e. closest of kin) of the person(s) who established the trust. The notification must: a) state certain basic data about the trust and who is serving as the trustee (i.e. manager); b) enclose a full copy of the trust or inform recipients that they may request a copy; and c) state in certain minimum font size and in bold that any recipient who wishes to contest the trust must do so within 120 days of the notification or 60 days after the recipient receives a full and complete copy of the trust, whichever is later.
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
Next, assets will most likely be cut in half, whether it is a closely held business or investment accounts (qualified and non-qualified). In the case of a business, the company should have a buy-sell agreement in place so that the spouse does not become the new business partner. Capital will also be needed to pay the spouse off for their community property interest in the business (unless this asset was kept separate). In the case of investment accounts, these may need to be split in half, which means that the number of years until retirement will likely increase, or the standard of living during retirement will need to be decreased. Another important thing to consider is life insurance. A non-employed spouse may now be relying on someone else to support their lifestyle. It would be prudent to insure the working spouse’s life if they passed away, to ensure that there would not be any financial suffering. It would also be wise to insure the working spouse’s ability to earn an income with disability insurance. Lastly, consider that your estate plan is now two estate plans. Both spouses will want to create an independent estate plan document so that each person’s wishes are considered when they pass away. This will also ensure that the assets are distributed accordingly versus having a probate court handle the distribution. This article only scratches the surface, but the key takeaway from the article is that your financial life will be different after a divorce, and working with an advisor or a team of advisors will help you understand the impact of divorce and will help you plan for your future. My next article will explore the financial impact of selling your business. “It’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, every day. You and me...every day.” ~ Nicholas Sparks Please contact Peter Waldron to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. 3201 Danville Blvd, Suite 190, Alamo, CA 94507. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN2320654-111618 Advertorial
Clients commonly ask: “When must I [or we] give a copy of our trust to our children [and/or other loved ones]?” Applying the above-referenced statute, if you are an unmarried individual, the answer is when you die, as that’s when your revocable Living Trust becomes irrevocable. If you are married and have a trust, the answer depends on how your Living Trust is structured. Married couples who have a “streamlined” trust - under which all assets owned by both spouses are kept in the same (one) Trust pot after the first spouse dies (i.e. the surviving spouse effectively owns and controls all the assets), the Trust remains revocable during the surviving spouse’s life. As such, the above-referenced notification requirement is not triggered until the surviving spouse dies. This is not the case for married couples who have a classic “A-B” trust (under which “his” and “her” assets are allocated into two or more separate pots after the first spouse dies). In that case, upon the first spouse’s death, the deceased spouse’s portion of the Trust becomes irrevocable; thus notification is required, and may not be withheld or delayed until the surviving spouse dies. As I’ve written about often, 2013 Federal tax legislation is such that most married couples no longer need an ‘A-B’ Living Trusts for Estate Tax purposes. For this and other reasons, married couples who may have a Trust structured this way would be wise to review their Trust with an estate planning attorney to evaluate the pros and cons of changing to a simpler “one pot” Trust. Having such a simpler Trust, that remains revocable during the surviving spouse’s life, has the bonus of triggering no notification requirement until after the surviving spouse dies. Estate Planning |Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
ALL FUNCTIONAL HEALTH
MEDICAL DETOXIFICATION AFTER TOXIC EXPOSURES FROM RECENT FIRES By, Jeffrey C.G. Mark, M.D., Physician Board Certified in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Therapy, and Functional Medicine and Frances Mark, Pharm.D, Anti-aging/ Regenerative/Aesthetic Medicine Consultant
The latest wildfire devastated the Northern California town of Paradise and gave the Bay Area the worst air in the world for a period of time. If you have had recent coughing, watery eyes, burning throats, wheezing, skin reactions, fatigue, brain fog and sleep disturbances, you may have been exposed to an unprecedented amount of toxic compounds other than smoke. You may have inhaled plastics and other man-made material burned in the fire. These are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If we are unfortunately exposed to toxins, we might wonder how can we remove these toxins and repair the body. One of the many roles of the liver is detoxification. However, it can get overloaded if our exposure is too great or too fast. If the liver does not have enough resources to eliminate the toxins quickly, the toxins may get trapped in our fatty deposits and remain in the body for a prolonged period of time, causing damage. The key is to optimize detoxification swiftly after known toxic exposures, reduce or avoid future exposure, have a normal intestinal barrier with a healthy bowel transit time, and maximize the liver’s ability to detoxify by giving the optimal materials it needs on an ongoing basis. Toxins are all around us. They come from what we breathe, eat, and touch. Our total toxic load is equal to the total toxic exposure minus the ability to detoxify and excrete toxins. The environment accounts for 80% of the causes of disease and illness, while our genetics account for only 20%. Toxins from our environment can disrupt our hormones which causes dysregulation, alter our immune system causing chronic inflammation, and directly damage our
www.yourmonthlypaper.com cells and mitochondria causing energy problems. Proper medical detoxification contains two phases in order to mobilize toxins stored in our fat and convert them into a water-soluble phase ready for easy excretion. Many simple and highly popular “tea-tox” or “juice-fasting” programs will not be able to accomplish true medical detoxification. Medical detoxification that is imbalanced or too harsh can cause unpleasant side effects. Other sulfa-based compounds, proteins, amino acids, compounds involved in glucuronidation, acetylation, and methylation are all needed in proper detoxification. Increasing these compounds is like giving an engine 91 octane fuel instead of 87 octane fuel to optimize proper function. Medical detoxification can also aid in more effective weight loss. Our expert staff can guide you every step of the way through our gentle, yet effective, medical detoxification process. For detoxification, it is easiest to use a gentle and effective detoxification kit. A 14-day detoxification is usually a good start. These kits can be obtained at our office. Infants, children, and the elderly are more susceptible to getting overwhelmed by toxins and would benefit from a more personalized detoxification approach. If you have other health challenges, aside from the recent fire exposure, a functional and regenerative medicine consultation might be beneficial as well. Please contact our office if you have any further questions or would like to receive a complimentary Toxic Exposure Questionnaire. Please call us at 925-736-8228. Mention this article, and get 15% off Dr. Mark’s Medical Detoxification Kit or 30% off the Online Functional Medicine Assessment with your personalized Functional Health Score. Drs. Jeffrey and Frances Mark of All Functional Health are the premiere Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment regenerative experts. This revolutionary treatment is used for non-surgical face lifts, breast lifts, hair regrowth, sun damaged skin, erectile dysfunction, vaginal wellness, urinary incontinence, and overall sexual health. The artistry and precision used by Dr. Jeffrey Mark, MD optimizes the health of all people to turn back the hands of time. Make an appointment to look and feel better than ever! Our office is located at 111Deerwood Rd., Suite 168. Visit us online at www.AllFunctionalHealth.com. Advertorial
CARING HANDS ~HELP A SENIOR
The “Good Old Days” are now! Rates are better than 50-60 years ago!
The Alison Company
Nationwide Financing on Commercial Property Kevin Corstorphine DRE#01944908
805.845.5200
Kevin@alisonmortgage.com
www.alisonmortgage.com
View continued from front page create a resume, proof a cover letter, or search job recruitment sites if they have lost their employment as well? From afar, we can spend money and shop from “Wish Lists” to provide necessities and comfort items like a roller for aching muscles, specified work clothes, a product or oil with their favorite scent, or opportunities for distraction such as books, videos (and a player) or puzzles. Distraction items may buy a parent or caregiver a minute of peace to take care of their own needs and new “To Do” lists. If you are local to someone in need, encourage the individuals or families to let you help. They probably don’t know which end is up, so just jump in! Do a load of laundry or make a few meals. Can you give a haircut, a massage, or maybe a manicure? Can you help with child or elder care, or
Life at any age involves challenges, but these intensify as we age. The first concern may be that it becomes too difficult to drive to the doctor, the grocery, or to just get a haircut. Support systems change, neighbors and friends may not help as expected, and loneliness may put a damper on daily routine. Caring Hands volunteers offer friendship which makes an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for many seniors. Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, a collaborative community outreach program between John Muir Health, social service agencies, congregations of various faiths and the communityat-large, creates finely-tuned one-on-one matches. The program is dedicated to helping aging adults in Contra Costa County remain independent as long as safely possible. If you have time to volunteer, consider joining Caring Hands as a caregiver or occasional driver. Enriching matches are created; loving friendships and deep relationships are formed. Care receivers treasure a friendly visit, a walk in the park or other social outing. Reading mail, letter writing, or providing respite care to give a break to a family member are thoughtful services which can make a big difference to a frail or isolated senior. Since so many older adults need transportation to doctor’s appointments or stores, the best volunteer for Caring Hands is someone who is available once a week for 1-3 hours on a weekday and who can provide transportation. Volunteers receive ongoing education, support, and recognition of their efforts. Training classes are held in odd numbered months. An orientation/interview and pre-registration is required. Perhaps you can be that friend who gives a waiting senior hope and help. For a volunteer application or for more information about Caring Hands, please contact Stacy Appel, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 952-2999. provide temporary or long term care of their pets? Can you be there to lend an ear and listen, or provide encouragement to a student or new parent? Can you let people talk and vent, or find support groups that can help vocalize their experiences? If we narrow our focus, and if each of us took care of just one person, we could make a huge dent in this crisis. There are many ways we can help. In this season of giving, our presence, however, may be our best present.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
A L A MO IMPROVE ME NT ASSOCIATION
By Roger Smith, President CORNUCOPIA OF DELIGHTS AT ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET
Your Alamo Farmers’ Market has a great selection of produce options. Stop by and find oranges, clementines, mandarins, grapefruit, pomelos, grapes, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates. There is also fresh fish from Half Moon Bay by Captain M. Webb, (you can even order in advance), and pastries and more from Dore’ French Bakery in Brentwood! Fruit Tree of Alameda is serving organic fruit smoothies, and the newest hot food vendor, Mangan Tayon Delight, delivers authentic Filipino Street Fare prepared on site (BBQ chicken/pork, lumpia and more!). The Alamo Farmer’s Market is located in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd near Bank of America in Alamo. It is open, rain or shine, Sundays, 9AM – 2PM. There is plenty of free parking and live music! Make the market part of your Sunday, every Sunday!
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
Treat Yourself This Holiday Season Look & Feel Better Than Ever!
Platelet-Rich Treatment (PRP) Look andPlasma Feel Your Facial • Facelift • Breastlift Regrowth • Acne Scars AfterHair a stem cell fellowship, Look we andnow Feel Your Sun offer Damaged & Crepey Skin Non-surgical
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Expertly Managed
Regenerative Therapy for:Health for Sexual After a stem cellPRP fellowship, we now offer Non-surgical Hair Regrowth and Erectile Dysfunction 360 PRP Biocelluar Regeneration Regenerative Therapy for: & Urinary Incontinence Vaginal Wellness
Non-Invasive Laser Skin Resurfacing Fine Lines • Wrinkles Acne & Other Scars
360 PRP Biocelluar
•
and Ligament, and • Muscle, • Hair Regrowth Injuries Programs Rejuvenation Ligament, andCancer • Muscle, Now Featuring Drug Free Post & Surgery Cartilage Injuries
JEFFREY C.G. MARK, M.D. Regeneration Cartilage FRANCES MARK, PHARM.D.
Options for Your Medical Now Featuring Drug Free Concerns
$50 OFF Laser Removal Call forHair Your Complimentary Options for Your Medical Concerns
FRANCES MARK, PHARM.D., D.D. FRANCES MARK, PHARM.D., D.D.
Consultation Call for Phone Your12/31/18 Complimentary Expires Phone Consultation
ALL FUNCTIONAL HEALTH
ALL FUNCTIONAL HEALTH
PERSONALIZED AGE MANAGEMENT MEDICINE PERSONALIZED AGE MANAGEMENT MEDICINE PERSONALIZED AGE MANAGEMENT MEDICINE REGENERATIVE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE MEDICINE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE • FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE STEM CELL THERAPY BOARD CERTIFIED IN
we are hurt, how WWW.ALLFUNCTIONALHEALTH.COM
Pulsed Light Therapy to Remove Brown Spots & Rosacea
Non-Invasive Cellulite Reduction Drug-Free Options for Every Condition
$200 OFF Any PRP Services Expires 12/31/18
Call for Your Complimentary Phone Consultation 111 DEERWOOD RD., STE. 168, SAN RAMON 925.736.8228 • ALLFUNCTIONALHEALTH.COM
bad we are hurt, and how much help we need. Phone service may not be available, so radio communication is more reliable in a disaster. CERT teaches the use of FRS radios for short distance communication. They also offer a The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles Fire 2 Department in 1985. The Wittier Narrows Earthquake in 1987 and the North 2 basic Amateur (HAM) Radio (8-12 hour) course to be licensed for HAM Radio communication for a much greater range. Ridge Earthquake in 1993 underscored the need for community response to major DM1804 03/21/18 disasters in California. REMEMBER YOUR FAMILY DISASTER KIT DM1804 03/21/18 Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, the Prepare a family disaster kit to include food, water, first aid, flashlights, sleeping CERT program has grown and includes programs in all 50 states, three territories, bags, and other basic supplies. Learn more by visiting the FEMA website at https:// and six foreign countries. The training is delivered in our community by both www.fema.gov/disaster/4085/updates/building-supply-kit-your-family. the San Ramon Valley and Contra Costa County Fire Protection Districts, and PIPELINE SAFETY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT (TAG) includes courses on Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppression, Basic Emergency In 2017, AIA was honored to be one of only 12 recipients nationwide for the Medical Assessment and Treatment, Basic Search and 35Rescue, Psychology and 2017 PHMSA TAG program. As part of the TAG, three Natural Gas Pipeline Team Organization, Disaster Simulation, and Building a Disaster Response Kit. Safety Workshops were cosponsored by AIA and Contra Costa County Hazardous There are more than 200 CERT volunteers in the Alamo/Danville area, and we need 35 can do in an emergency. Materials Commission and presented to Contra Costa County Residents in 2018. more. Become a CERT volunteer now, and know what you In addition, a Pipeline Safety Report for the greater Alamo area will be presented UPCOMING LOCAL CERT CLASSES to the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission in early 2019 for The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District will host the following their review and discussion. upcoming CERT classes. AIA MEMBERSHIP • CERT Class #84 - Friday, February 22 ,6-9:30PM; Saturday, February 23, Now in its 63rd year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest AM PM AM PM 8 -5 ; Sunday, February 24, 8 -5 . history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love • CERT Class #85 - Friday, March 15 ,6-9:30PM; Saturday, March 16, 8AM-5PM; to live”! Since 1955, Alamo (and Danville) residents have been joining the Alamo Sunday, March 23, 8AM-5PM. Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement: to All classes are held at San Ramon Valley Fire’s Administrative Building, located “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” at 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon, unless otherwise noted. Learn more I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts at www.firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp. over the last 62 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. The Contra Costa Consolidated Fire Protection District offers a weekend Please complete and return your annual membership form to AIA at PO Box series on Fridays/Saturdays in Spring 2019. The tentative dates are April12, 13, and 156, Alamo, CA 94507. 27, with a graduation drill on Saturday May 11. There is a nominal fee. The class Please visit our website at www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles will be held at Walnut Creek City Hall, 3rd floor conference room, and the drill of interest to residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out. Now is the will be held at the Mormon Church located at 100 N Gate Rd, Walnut Creek. Total time to renew or become a new member of AIA. class time is 21 hours. The graduation drill is four additional hours. Pre-registration is required for participation in this drill and for observing the drill. Email cert@ walnut-creek.org for more information. Alamo resident, Joe Bologna has been a CERT volunteer since 2010 and has this to say about the CERT program: “The CERT model is to do the most good for the greatest number of people needing help during a disaster. CERT is all about being prepared in advance for natural disasters. The Alamo/Danville/San Ramon area NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is in an earthquake zone, and we also have recently seen the disastrous impact of Neighborhood Watch is a Community Action and Problem-Solving wildfires driven by extreme wind conditions impacting both Napa and Sonoma Program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues counties. We need to be able to survive a minimum of the first three days of a within your community. Through organized problem-solving activities, natural disaster before expecting our support systems from the National Guard your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any and Red Cross to be in place. Communications are key to knowing hospital and community issues that concern residents. temporary medical treatment field treatment access routes that are not blocked Meetings can be held by a Crime Prevention Specialist who will share by fallen trees or other obstacles.” more information about the program. Please contact Christina Lind-WinResidents have to be able to get word outside of our area to relay status of how ters (925) 313-2682 or clind001@so.cccounty.us for more information. WWW.ALLFUNCTIONALHEALTH.COM
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING (CERT)
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
TIRED OF FEELING SICK & TIRED?
HEALING CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, Align Healing Center
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for more than six months. This fatigue cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition. The process for diagnosis usually begins with ruling out possible underlying diseases and chronic conditions … until the only choice left is chronic fatigue syndrome. Currently, over one million Americans suffer from this debilitating condition, and women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with CFS than men. In addition to the profound fatigue experienced, other serious symptoms often accompany CFS such as: • Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise • Lack of deep or restful sleep • Difficulty concentrating • Memory or attention deficits • Chronic muscle ache • Chronic joint pain that moves from one spot to another • Headaches of a new type, pattern, or strength • Sore throat that is constant or goes away and comes back often • Digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or reflux • Mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, and depression
CAUSES OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
Sadly, research has yet to identify a root cause of CFS. Chronic fatigue often starts after a stressful life event like a divorce, loss of a loved one, injury, or illness. It is my belief that CFS is a multi-factorial syndrome because preliminary research findings show that viral and bacterial infections, toxicity, hormone imbalances, weakened immune system, chronic stress, and nutritional deficiencies are all contributing factors.
STANDARD TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
Conventional medical treatments address the symptoms rather than the underlying causes. Often, individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome are prescribed anti-depressants and sleeping pills. In many cases, the side effects from these drugs are actually worse than the original symptoms, and they do not heal the condition.
STEPS TO HEAL YOUR CHRONIC FATIGUE
1. Add celery juice to your daily routine. Celery is rich in trace minerals and helps to detoxify the body and repair your cellular energy. Drinking 16oz of celery juice on an empty stomach will have an additive effect on increasing your health and energy over time. 2. Remove food sensitivities and allergens. Remove any foods or allergens that could be causing inflammation or reactions related to fatigue. Our office offers special allergy testing that can be performed with a simple finger stick test. 3. Repair your nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin, mineral, and amino acid deficiencies have been linked to suppressed immune function and contribute to chronic fatigue, inflammation, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease,
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB FREE VISION SCREENING SERVICES
The Danville Lions Club, with certified Lion members, offers vision screening at no charge to public and private schools, senior care facilities, learning centers, and children’s centers in Danville and San Ramon. Danville Lions use the Spot infrared camera that combines auto-refraction and video retinoscopy to test the eyes. From three feet, the camera is used to take a digital photograph so the information acquired automatically assesses a person’s vision in as little as five seconds. The Spot camera is safe and quick, and can easily process 50 to 75 people in a short visit. The Spot camera screens for the following refractive errors and gaze analysis: irregularly shaped corneas or lenses, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Danville Lions are most interested in using the Spot screening at public school locations and children’s learning centers. For more information and to schedule dates for screening, please contact Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 352-6111 or watermanchiro@yahoo.com.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com diabetes, and much more. Specialized blood testing can reveal what your body has absorbed from your food and/or supplements over the past six months and identify deficiencies. Micro-nutrient testing allows a person to know exactly what to eat and/or supplement in order to support their healing process. By correcting nutritional imbalances the body is given the building blocks it needs to heal from the inside out. 4. Increase magnesium and potassium. Magnesium and potassium deficiencies lead to common CFS symptoms: fatigue, irritability, depression, and muscle cramps. Eating a diet rich in magnesium and potassium can help to relieve these symptoms. Consider adding these magnesium and potassium– rich foods to your diet: spinach, chard, pumpkin seeds, almonds, sweet potatoes, black beans, avocados, figs, bananas, apricots, and coconut water. If you or someone you love is suffering from CFS, you know that it is a stubborn, debilitating condition that drains the quality out of your life. Using a combination of science and nature, we are able to determine your unique metabolic profile and then create a holistic protocol that will ignite the healing process and get your energy back. Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner of Align Healing Center in Danville. For more information or to set up a complimentary consult, call 925-362-8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com. Advertorial
A DERMATOLOGIST HELPS YOU SHOP FOR THE GUY WHO HAS EVERYTHING.
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
I am a pain in the you-know-what. Just ask my wife, and she’ll tell you. Every holiday season around this time, she asks me what I want for Christmas/Chanukah. My response is always the same. I don’t really have any needs or wants. However, she is amazing and has been very creative in the her gifting. I am sure there are many of you out there scratching your head, trying to figure out what to get for that hard-to-shop-for special guy in your life. I am here to help. SkinCare is important for all of us. Most guys will not use multiple products, so it is important to keep it simple. In order to have healthy, radiant skin, it is important to use great products. SkinCeutical’s Matte 50 is a great daily-use product that I use after I shave to both moisturize and give me daily sun protection. A great solution for skincare in a single serum is something we are exclusively offering, SkinCeuticals’s Custom Dose. Custom Dose is a serum that is customized for the individual before their eyes. Since we are all different and our skin has different qualities, it makes sense that instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, a customized serum would be better. Our office was one of three offices in the country that piloted the Custom Dose project which you will be hearing more about. Custom Dose has the benefit of being tailored to the individual, is exclusive, and cannot be purchased elsewhere. During the evaluation phase, our patients raved about their Custom Dose product. We are happy to either provide a Custom Dose gift certificate or to have you come to our office where we can compound it for you in advance. This will help your guy have the healthy, radiant skin he deserves. Many guys have no interest in cosmetic procedures. In our office, there has been one exception: CoolSculpting. Many guys have local areas of fat that, despite exercise and diet, they simply find very hard to get rid of. For men, the most common areas are the so called “love handles.” Prior to 2015, the only solution I had for patients was tumescent liposuction. Many men, like me, are too chicken to consider something like that. However, CoolSculpting has revolutionized the body contouring options. Many people wonder “does it work?” The answer is an overwhelming “yes!” We have only had a very small percentage of people where we did not see significant results. The advantages of CoolSculpting is that the procedure does not require surgery, it does not hurt, and you can binge watch your favorite series on Netflix while your fat is being frozen away. If you have that special someone that you are having trouble finding a present for, we are here to help you get out of that pickle. We offer gift certificates and are happy to suggest gifts for the person that has everything. I hope you have a healthy, happy holiday. Call us today at 925-838-4900 as we are here to help. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We are accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and at www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
(510) 520-0186
FAT IS THE NEW FILLER
By Dr. Barbara Persons
Let’s face it, we all want to look as good as we feel: vibrant at every age. It is hard to ignore the signs of aging staring back at you in the mirror. With facial aging comes the loss of volume in soft tissue spaces such as the cheeks. Fat pads shrink and become redistributed, causing laxity in the face and more prominent jowls. A procedure known as fat grafting may be the answer to these inevitable changes. With many treatment options available today, I educate my patients so that together we can customize the best treatment. One of the most natural treatments derived from YOU is a procedure called fat transfer. For patients who desire facial volume restoration, you may also consider dermal fillers. These are fantastic options for patients who want to restore volume but may not be quite ready for a facelift or other surgeries.
www.patientadvocatebayarea.com info@patientadvocatebayarea.com
Call to learn about the multiple benefits of hiring a medical advocate.Offering services dedicated to helping people find improved ways to manage their health care challenges including adult and elder care advocacy services, chronic medical conditions, health promotion, and disease prevention. Linda Garvin, RN, MSN, President
UNDERSTANDING FAT TRANSFER
As we all age, volume in our faces diminishes. We lose roughly a teaspoon of volume per year. This is where I love to help people identify the changes in their face. Compare your look today with photos of yourself taken five, ten, or even 20 years ago. With fat transfer, I can add volume to sunken cheekbones, fill in facial lines, create plumper lips, or even enhance your breasts or buttocks. During the procedure, your own fat is gently suctioned from where you do not want it; such as the abdomen, arms, buttocks, saddlebags, or thighs; and placed in an area where you are volume deficient. Because you’re injecting something naturally produced by your body, you don’t have to worry about side effects that come with injecting a foreign substance. I like to perform fat grafting procedures under light sedation. First, an antiseptic is applied to two areas: the location of the fat to be removed from your body and the target areas that will receive the fat injection. Fat cells are then removed using a cannula (a thin hollow tube). Fat cells are then processed and purified. Next, syringes are filled with your fat and used to add volume to the desired areas. Patients return home shortly after the procedure and undergo a straightforward recovery.
PROS OF FAT TRANSFER
• Results from fat transfers are longer lasting. • The donor area (e.g., abdomen) may look slimmer. • Fat contains stem cells that produce growth factors for improved tissue quality and an overall “glow” to the skin.
CONS OF FAT TRANSFER
• Fat grafting is associated with some social downtime due to bruising and swelling compared to fillers. • Some fat may be absorbed by the body; not all fat transferred survives long term. • May require an additional procedure to achieve desired results.
Don’t let your money go to waste!
Use your Flex Spending Account money on new: Glasses Contact Lenses Prescrip�on Sunglasses
Come in early to beat the end‐of‐year rush. You only have un�l the end of the year to spend your FSA money...otherwise, you lose it. Come visit us in the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center Located between Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Panera Bread
UNDERSTANDING INJECTABLE FILLERS
Another reliable way to add youthful fullness and volume to the face is with injectable fillers like Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Revanesse® VersaTM, and Radiesse®. After meeting you, I recommend the filler product most likely to give you your desired results. I also determine the appropriate placement and dosage, and lay out a treatment schedule to maintain the effects long-term. New fillers are continually being introduced to target specific areas, such as Juvéderm®,Voluma, and Restylane® Lyft for the cheeks. Dermal fillers require less downtime, so there is minimal recovery time. A topical anesthetic is used to prevent pain or discomfort during the injection and will wear off shortly after the procedure.
PROS OF INJECTABLE FILLERS
• It’s a quick and non-invasive treatment. • Fillers can produce soft, very natural results. • Hyaluronic acid injections are reversible and can be dissolved quite quickly and safely with a simple injection of another substance.
CONS OF INJECTABLE FILLERS
• Repeat treatment is needed to maintain the desired results. • Frequency varies depending on the type of filler and how your body reacts to it. Contact our office, and let’s talk about these exciting treatments! Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925.283.4012 or drpersons@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
215 Alamo Plaza Suite D Alamo, CA 94507 (925) 202-2846 www.poplarspecs.com Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-4
To advertise, or to share pictures or a story idea, please contact us at 925.405.6397 or Editor@ YourMonthlyPaper.com
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT GAINING WEIGHT
At this time of year, my clients often ask, “How can I enjoy the holidays without overeating and gaining weight,” or they say, “Oh! I will just start dieting again on January 1st,” or they wonder, “How can I say no to all the goodies offered?” Here are a few tips that have proven successful in surviving the holiday season without gaining weight. The key to success during the holiday madness is become mindful of your eating. What does this mean? It means developing a moment-to-moment awareness of what you are eating without judging yourself. It means paying attention to your thoughts about the food, taste, aroma, and sensation in your mouth. It means becoming aware of how you eat, then what you eat. For example, when you are eating quickly without savoring the food and then taking another serving, you are not eating mindfully. When preparing a plate for food, think first. Ask yourself if you really like the food. Is the food one of your favorites? Is it as tasty as you thought it would be? This is mindful eating. Practice moderation, not deprivation, because deprivation will only cause a backlash of binging and overeating. Some of my clients are chronic dieters who are so focused on the role that food plays in losing weight they do not allow themselves to enjoy food. I teach my clients to enjoy the holiday parties and learn to realize that occasional overeating does not mean instant weight gain. The day after a party, if you return to eating mindfully, you will be eating less. Too many people throw in the towel when they overeat at a party, get upset with themselves and end up overeating again. One effective tool is to observe what you do with your silverware when you are eating. Do you keep your silverware in your hand the entire meal or do you put it down between bites? Do you prepare another bite before you are still chewing? You are not eating mindfully when there is attention to the next bite instead of focusing on what is in your mouth. Put your fork down when you are chewing. If you are enjoying finger foods, put the item down between bites. Sitting down and eating, rather than standing up, also encourages you to be more mindful. Become aware of your hunger signals. Eat when you are hungry, and stop when you are satisfied. There is no need to eat until you are uncomfortable to enjoy the party. It is also OK to say, “No, thank you,” when offered an appetizer that you do not like. Do not overeat from pressure at a party, and do all you can to be true to yourself and not give in. The number one rule for healthy holiday eating is to not arrive at a party too hungry. If you do, you are setting yourself up to fail where you will inevitably overeat. Have a substantial meal the day of the party. Don’t just have a bowl of soup or salad. Have at least 4-6 oz. of protein and a cup of veggies, and skip the breads which you will certainly have at the party. Have tuna stuffed in a tomato or an egg white omelet with diced ham and veggies. If you are asked to bring a dish, bring one that will help you through this event. Bring a shrimp cocktail, skewered shrimp, roasted veggies or grilled asparagus with balsamic glaze. These items will balance your meal, especially when the offerings are starchy and fat laden. Make time for your exercise program. You can burn off 300-500 calories with an intense hour of exercise. Arrive fashionably late, and create an eating plan when you walk in the door based on the offerings such as choosing a few appetizers and two holiday cookies. I often counsel my clients by phone or e-mail. I try to “hold their hand” through holiday parties. My clients give me an idea of what will be served, and we role-play the event starting from the beginning of the day through the feast. It gives them a sense of confidence to attend the party with a plan in mind. It is a constant thrill for me to hear how compared to past years they have been able to sail through parties with even more enjoyment and without overeating. I am glad to inform you that I am contracted with most insurance companies Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Sutter, and UHC. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutritional concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@yahoo.com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com. Advertorial
Sentinels continued from page 16 As the program grew, Conklin and his associates began renting the Marriott to accommodate everyone involved. When 9/11 took the entire nation by surprise, Mike knew more was needed. A friend suggested that the Veterans Administration would provide adequate services. Based on personal experience, Mike disagreed. He remembered Ron Wilkins, a Monte Vista High School graduate a few years ahead of him, who returned from the Vietnam War missing both legs. No one in the area understood how to help him reintegrate into a community where all of his friends had moved on to building careers and starting families. Mike was shocked that in such a privileged area, none of the obvious community groups took responsibility for giving the double amputee the supportive safety net he needed. Eventually, Ron succumbed to alcoholism. Conklin’s initial efforts focused on ensuring that no other local veterans slipped through the cracks when they returned home to face transitioning into a job market for which they needed further education and living in a community that didn’t know how to welcome them without treating their injuries as the defining limitation of their future lives. In 2003, San Ramon Valley High School graduate Jake Brown became the first beneficiary of the local organization Conklin devised. By 2006, Mike had a small team of like-minded volunteers helping half a dozen Tri-Valley veterans. The break-through came in 2006 when David Liniger, then CEO of REMax Real Estate, contacted Conklin with an offer to fund a non-profit veterans support organization with a national base for an entire year. Conklin had to agree to give up the job he loved in construction and real estate development to pilot the organization fulltime. In 2007, Sentinels of Freedom was officially launched as a nation-wide program, helping veterans coping with severe service-related injuries who demonstrate both the aptitude and the determination to become productive members of society. The father of three Army Rangers, Conklin has an instinctive talent for talking with Sentinel candidates. As he learned in his earliest encounters, “These veterans needed someone to believe in them so they could believe in themselves.” Interviewing veterans and establishing communities of volunteers able to provide mentoring, housing, transportation and other essential needs in several states keeps Conklin on the road. Sometimes his travel is related to honoring a Sentinel’s success.
Sentinel Brian Vargas receives congratulations at the 2015 SOF Gala honoring the US Marines. (photo courtesy of SOF).
Recently, Sentinel Joel Travera called Conklin from Florida to invite him to be part of his family group at his graduation from Tampa University. Despite sustaining burns over the majority of his body, coping with a below-the-knee amputation, loss of fingers, and blindness caused by an RPG attack in Iraq, Travera was determined to succeed in completing his Bachelor’s degree in History. Joel has now enrolled in a Masters program in Blind Rehab services at Western Michigan University with the goal of helping other blind veterans. SOF stands beside him to organize the support services he needs to achieve his goal. Each year, the annual SOF Gala honors a different branch of the United States Armed Services. On April 13, 2019, the Gala will honor the United States Air Force at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville. You don’t have to wait until April to become an investor. Visit www.sentinelsoffreedom.org for information on all of the programs as well as how you can get involved.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
THE EYE OPENER
HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2018 & THE YEAR IN REVIEW By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin Offering treatments for: Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Cysts and Lipoma Hair and Nail Disorder Keloid and Scar Revisions Moles Physician-Strength Skin Care Products Precancerous Lesions Psoriasis and Vitiligo Skin Cancer Underarm Sweating Warts, Molluscum
Revolutionary Nonsurgical
We have come to the end of another Eyebag Therapy great year at Alamo Optometry. I like to available. Cosmetic Dermatology Call for revisit the year just passed and as I begin For Beautiful Skin consultation! Offering treatments for: to look forward. In 2018 we have made Body Sculpting positive changes to improve patient care Eyebag Reduction as well as provided choices for our patients Introducing Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, and Rejuvenation when considering lenses for their use Women’s Wellness Frown Lines and Jawline/Jowl of technology including computers and Center, featuring Vlase Reduction Hair Removal nonablative laser for feminine phones. Pigmentation and Melasma dryness, atrophy, and stressOur office is now working with young Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and induced urinary incontinence, children to help combat the rapid increase Post-injection Bruising Sun Damage and Scars and PRP for hair thinning in myopia (near-sightedness). In this Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars and rejuvenation. country, the percentage of people that are Thinning Hair and/or Balding myopic has almost doubled in the past Technology & Procedures 30 years. It is even worse in other parts Offered A place where beauty Cellfina of the world, especially Asia. There are Cool Mini for neck and healthy skin meet many reasons for this, but the main culprit Coolsculpting Visit us at our Center of Excellence is the amount of near-work including Cryoshape Diolite 532 laser with a 10,000 square foot, computer use, iPads, smartphones, laptops, Enlighten Pico Genesis Laser state of the art, newly renovated etc. Myopia can lead to increased risk of Excel V Laser suite. We are dedicated to Excimer Laser glaucoma, cataracts, and vision loss later in Medical, Cosmetic, and Surgical Fractional CO2 Laser life. Our goal is to get kids whose prescripGenesisPlus Laser Dermatology and are a place for tions are changing when they are young Infini Microneedling RF medical skin consultation, Kybella and use several remedies to help slow it aesthetic rejuvenation, and Liposonix down. One method is CRT (corneal refracface and body contouring. Microneedling MiraDry tive therapy), which uses rigid lenses worn Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com Mohs Micrographic Surgery overnight that gently mold the cornea to NBUVB Phototherapy for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, eliminate the myopia, so no correction is PicoSure Laser product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation needed during the day. Another option is Schedule your free consultation appointment today! Vbeam Laser using a newly designed soft daily multi-foSpectra Laser Superficial Radiotherapy Dr. William Ting, MD cal lens which corrects nearsightedness Thermage™ Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon but utilizes a large depth of focus design. Ultherapy™ 2262 Camino Ramon 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Vaginal Rejuvenation Both options can slow down the progresSan Ramon, CA 94583 Hercules, CA 94547 Vaser Shape sion by about 50%. These options differ Tel: (925) 328-0255 Tel: (510) 669-5700 VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation from normal daily disposable lenses. The *Welcoming new Medicare patients Email: staff@CalDermCare.com www.DrWilliamTing.com disposable lenses and standard glasses will not stop the progression of myopia as evidenced by children consistently needing to change their prescription every year or so due to decreased distance vision. We feel that this epidemic is treatable, and we have started to do our part to help prevent high amounts of myopia is our community. In addition to improving patient care we have also experienced improvements in the field of lenses to help patients see better and more comfortably. New lenses manufactured by Zeiss are specific for those patients who spend a long time in front of a computer and doing other near tasks. These digitally-surfaced lenses are great for all ages, from students who spend hours studying to people like myself who are getting a little older and are having a tougher time doing sustained up-close work. These hybrid lenses are not progressive lenses but can be worn full time if wanted. They allow the patient to see their computer screen and phone with less strain while not making the distance blurry as with a traditional computer lenses. In addition, the anti-glare coatings with blue light protection can severely limit the amount of harmful blue light getting to the eye from prolonged use of the computer, phone, or gaming device. As the holiday season approaches, it is important to remember to exhaust your flexible spending accounts (FSA) before the end of the year. The government has a wide range of specified costs that qualify as a medical expense. Included in that list is any vision correction device (glasses, computer glasses, contact lenses, sports goggles, etc.) and sunglasses. If your purchase is made by the end of the year, it will count on your 2018 account balance. Our office has grown again this year, thanks to our patients. You continually support us and go above and beyond by recommending us to your friends and family. We believe in providing quality service and care, and this is what our patients deserve and have come to expect from us. Our office extends best holiday wishes and a prosperous 2019 to all our patients and the local community. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial ®
MODELS
®
PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
Poker continued from front page
played at 170 Mondays in a row. “We are absolutely open to novices and welcome all kinds of players. We are open to teaching, but generally you learn as you play. There is no separation based on expertise, and anyone can drop in at anytime.” The group currently has seven regular members and an extensive list of drop-ins ranging in age from early thirties to late seventies. There is no
age restriction. Monday night meeting spots rotate between four to five locations, as members are able to host – typically in Moraga, Oakland, Emeryville, and Walnut Creeks. Two semi-annual No Limit Texas Hold’em tournaments are held each year. Langman says that the easiest thing to learn about poker is the game itself and the betting structure. The hardest thing to learn is making the right decisions based on all of the information gathered throughout the hand and based on the size of the betting pot (yes, they play for money). He says that ‘reading’ other players through their TELLS (things they do that might give away information about their hand) is also something that is difficult to perfect. But he and his card-mates are willing to share their tricks of the trade. A detailed description of how games and betting are structured can be found on the EBPS website, www.ebpoker.net, where you’ll also find contact information.
CPC PRIME TIME
Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) “Prime Time” is a gathering of senior adults who like fellowship, fun, and making new friends! The group meets in the Multi-Purpose Room of Community Presbyterian Church from 9:30AM – 12:30PM on Tuesdays, September to May. Please join in the fun. Activities often include games (cards, dominoes, and mahjong to name a few), blood pressure screening, water painting, devotions, informative presentations, and various forms of entertainment that also take place. A home-made lunch is provided for $4. Get pampered, get fed, and get loved! For more information, visit www. cpcdanville.org/primetime/.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. Your help is needed now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
BOOKS FOR THE HOMEBOUND
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) 314-3756 for more information.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
LOCAL BREAST CANCER SPECIALIST RECEIVES HONOR FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
By Sandy Goldberg, Diablo Valley Oncology
Tiffany Svahn, MD, the lead breast cancer specialist at Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group, was honored by the American Cancer Society at their 9th Annual Jewel Ball which took place in October at the Blackhawk Museum. The Jewel Ball is the American Cancer Society’s signature East Bay fundraising event. It is an inspiring evening that brings the community together to celebrate patients and their caregivers, honor individuals who have impacted cancer care, and recognize community investors. This year’s event sponsors included Chevron, John Muir Health, Kaiser, Sutter Health, and Diablo Valley Oncology. Combined, the event raised over $100,000 which will help the American Cancer Society remain innovative and a leader in the cancer conversation throughout the Bay Area. Dr. Svahn has been in private practice since 2006 at Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group. She provides education on cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection; and throughout her entire career she has been active in cancer research. Dr. Svahn Dr. Svahn was instrumental in the development and design of the Women's Cancer Center of the East Bay. Backed by a team of passionate breast cancer specialists from Diablo Valley Oncology and West Coast Surgical Associates, this center coordinates a multi-disciplinary group of physicians to develop a customized treatment plan that results in the best possible outcomes for each patient. Dr. Svahn has actively participated in and supported the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for nearly 10 years. Recently, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, Dr. Svahn facilitated the annual Many Faces of Breast Cancer at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Over 100 people attended this special event that focused on the unique needs and issues of breast cancer survivors. Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group provides comprehensive, coordinated, and targeted cancer care in the San Francisco East Bay. To contact the group or Dr. Svahn, please call 925-677-5041. Advertorial
GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER
No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center (GCSC)! The mission of the Center is to promote physical and mental wellbeing through programs and social activities for those aged 50+ years old. On Mondays and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, MahJong, Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. GCSC celebrates members’ birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual $50 member fee. Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. For more information, contact Wendy Lee, 925-718-6222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www. goldencrane.org.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
SERVICES
FD1634
Funeral | Cremation | Catering
• Pre-Planning • Burial or Graveside Services • Cremation Services • Veteran Services • Life Celebrations
UPCOMING EVENTS Tree of Remembrance Saturday, December 8th, 7PM
Wine & Peace of Mind Seminar Thursday, January 17th, 2019, 4PM
Surviving a Loss Workshop Thursday, January 24th, 2019, 3PM
Wilson & Kratzer Chapel of San Ramon Valley 825 Hartz Way, Danville, CA 94526
925.820.2999
www.chapelofsanramonvalley.com
CANCER SUPPORT WORKSHIP
INTRODUCTION TO THE HEALING SCIENCE OF AYURVEDA
An Introduction to the healing science of Ayurveda workshop with Cynthia Grace, PsyD, CSC Therapist will be held at the Cancer Support Community. Learn about post-traumautic stress related to chronic illness and explore the phenomenon of transformational inner healing that can occur in spite of medical trauma. The neurobiological processes that underpin the practice of meditation as one of the many tools for cultivating inner peace and well-being will be discussed. The free event will be held Wednesday, December 19th, from 6-8pm at the Cancer Support Community, located at 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut HAIRSTYLIST & COLORIST Creek. For more information and reservations please call 925-933-0107. Hair by Dana at Aqua Salon and Spa located at 3168 Danville Blvd. Ste. D, The workshop is for cancer patients and their caregivers. Alamo, (925) 915 – 7374, $10 off any service with this ad.
C L A S S I F I E D
COPING WITH DEATH OF PETS
When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief. Hospice of the East Bay (HoEB) and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at HoEB (925) 887-5681. HoEB Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH ADULT LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah, located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the two-story building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For more information or to RSVP, contact karen@ mmcohen.com.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
HANDYMAN SERVICES
Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring •Sliding doors and more! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877.
HOUSE & PET SITTING
Local, mature, and reliable woman available for house and/or pet sitting. Available overnight. $50-75 per day. References available. Call Jackie at 310-418-0459.
LAUNDRY SERVICES
No time? Too tired? Appliances not working? Let me lighten your load with my Wash & Fold service! Call 925-855-9394 or email alamolaundromat@ att.net for details!
Place Your Classified
Reach over 21,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies...$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117,Alamo,CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.Payment by check made out to “The Editors,” or credit card placed on file by calling 925-405-6397 must be received before ad will print. Your canceled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • December 2018
www.yourmonthlypaper.com