December, 2016 Danville Today News

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

December 2016 1850s Russell Barn Coming Down for Restoration

Serving Danville

By Jody Morgan

The barn built in the early 1850s by Samuel Russell is one of the oldest extant structures in the area. Still standing at Forest Home Farms Historic Park after surviving major earthquakes in 1861, 1906, and 1989, the barn is now deemed seismically unsafe. Although later repairs were done with nails, the original mortise and tenon construction utilizing pegs remains largely in tact. Following a 2014 structural assessment conducted by Robert Desautels of ATI Architects and Engineers, the San Ramon Historic Foundation (SRHF) recognized the urgency of preventing further damage to this irreplaceable piece of the valley’s agricultural past. In order to aid the City of San Ramon to expedite the project, SRHF entered into an agreement with the City to fund $250,000 of the estimated reconstruction cost of $756,000.

SRHF, a non-profit volunteer organization, works in partnership with the City of San Ramon to preserve and share the agricultural history and pioneer life of the San Ramon Valley. To date, the Foundation has raised close to half of its $250,000 pledge for restoration of the Russell Barn. Each year virtually every third grader in SRVUSD spends time on the farm learning about the tools and techniques used by “Grandma” and “Grandma.”

Among the 3,000 students participating annually in the Farm Life and Victorian Life Programs at Forest Home Farms are pupils from private schools, home schools, and other public school districts. Reopening the 1850s barn will enhance school programs as well as visits by scout groups, adult groups, and individuals.

The ATI assessment included recommendations for four farm buildings. In the spring 2014 edition of SRHF’s newsletter The Barn Burner, dedicated docent and Board member Dall Barley writes: “After reviewing the draft report the Foundation determined that our priority should be to renovate the ‘Ole 1850s Barn’ to a point that would ensure its survival for future generations. We also wanted to give the public access to a portion of the interior of the structure to allow viewing the building from the inside to see techniques used in its construction.”

Quoted on October 14, 2014 in an online post, Desautels explains: “Respecting the old traditions and methods, while using modern day technology, is a challenge we face on this project.” Once ATI completed the design phase, the City asked for construction bids. On June 30, 2016, the City executed an agreement with HM Construction.

Restoration requires dismantling the barn. Each piece will be carefully numbered and stored pending reconstruction. During the estimated four-month duration of the project, HM Construction will maintain a security fence around the work area so that farm programs can be safely conducted without disruption. Part of the barn sits on top of rocks, but the floor is dirt. A foundation will th Eleanor and Travis Boone at play in the early 20 century in be added during the reconstruction. front of the 1850s Russell Barn. (photo courtesy of SRHF).

At least one of the hand-hewn beams is a replacement. Shortly after the City of San Ramon acquired the property in 1997, they found a 35-foot beam failing. An online search found a historically correct replacement at a wood salvage site in Mendocino. The original roof was wood shingle.

The present roof is corrugated metal. In her presentation on the project, long-time SRHF Board member Pat Boom says, “Milled lumber has been used in the rebuilding of both the north and south sheds. It is not known how much of the vertical board siding is origi-

See Barn continued on page 7

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA

ECRWSS

Anton Schwartz, jazz saxophonist and composer who is performing in December at Peace Lutheran Church. Photo by Phil Meyer.

Jazz Vespers By Linda Summers Pirkle

We can all relate to the ambivalent feeling we have when faced with a trek through the Caldecott Tunnel or across the Bay Bridge either by car or public transportation to reach the mecca of cultural activities in our area. The dilemma is a regular occurrence especially with our busy schedules. For jazz enthusiasts, there is a solution to long commutes, and it occurs every first Sunday of the month right here in Danville.

John Coltrane, legendary American jazz saxophonist and composer (1926-1967) said, “We need to get jazz back in the sanctuary where it came from.” Reverend Steve Harms, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Danville, could not agree more with “the Trane.” Pastor Harms is responsible for bringing top jazz talents from all over the nation to Danville on Sunday evenings where “Jazz Church West,” an interfaith celebration, wows audiences as they sway to the beat of renowned musicians.

Jazz Vespers has a history that dates back to the 1960’s. Pastor Harms explains,“Back in 1962, drummer Max Roach in a conversation with Pastor John Garcia Gensel (1917-1998) whose ministry was to serve the N.Y. jazz community said, ‘We both do spiritual work but I can’t make that Sunday morning gig. What are you going to do about it?” That partnership produced evening services at 5PM ( an agreeable time for night-owl musicians) at St. Peter’s in Manhattan by jazz musicians for jazz lovers. Thus began pastoral care for the jazz community that included Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Mann, and many more. Duke Ellington composed a piece for the ministry and called it Shepherd of the Night Flock.

Pastor Harms, who has a Masters of Divinity and a MA in Theatre

See Jazz continued on page 17 Volume VIII - Number 2 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547

Danville Soccer Champs: The U14 Girls White+ Dominating Dolphins capped off a storybook season with a League Championship win. (From Left to Right) Back Row: Forrest Stamps, Bridget Turtle, Ainsley Rashkin, Jacey Dossola, Shealyn Ratto, Lauren Torchiana, Katie Furber, Bella O’Rielly, Doug Olsen, Aldo Dossola. Front Row: Sydney Weyland, Olivia Lee, Carmen Cinco, Andrea Cinco, Reese Hobby, Grace Olsen, Hailey Eggiman (not pictured: Kendall Stamps)

Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News.

Danville Today News is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

Page 2 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

AAUW Annual Holiday Home Tour

The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of American Association of Univeristy Women (AAUW) will be holding their 11th Annual Holiday Home Tour on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10. Bring your friends and tour five beautiful, festively decorated homes in Danville and San Ramon.

Tickets will be available on November 7 and are $35 through Friday, December 2, after which the price increase to $40. To purchase tickets in person visit East Bay Flower Company, 206 Sycamore Valley Road W., Monday -Saturday 9-5 (cash or check only).

Ticket can also be purchase via mail or online. Send a check postmarked

by December 2nd payable to Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW with a self-addressed stamped #10 business size envelope to AAUW Holiday Home Tour P.O. Box 996 Alamo, CA 94507. Use the branch website at http://dawca.aauw.net/hht2016/ to purchase tickets using a credit card. A $2 fee will be added to the cost of each ticket For additional information, email aauwhht@gmail.com.

Your ticket purchase will help send 12 middle school girls in the Danville, Alamo, and Walnut Creek communities to a one-week Tech Trek math-science camp for girls in a university setting and help local women receive their college education.

BRW Christmas Luncheon

The Blackhawk Republican Women (BRW) cordially invite you to a purely social event, their annual Christmas Luncheon featuring the United States Marines collecting Toys for Tots, music by the Devil Mountain Chorus, and the installation of Officers for 2017.

The luncheon will take place on Thursday, December 8 at the Blackhawk Country Club with check-in and social starting at 11:30AM and the luncheon and program beginning at noon. The cost is $30. Everyone is welcome.

Please bring unwrapped gifts for ages 6 month through 12 years of age for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. The goal of the Foundation is to deliver a message of hope to needy youngsters that motivates them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Marines will be our guests in order to receive the tax-deductible gifts that are donated.

Entertaining the attendees will be the Devil Mountain Chorus, champions of the Northwest Division of the Barbershop Harmony Society for the last two years.

Please make your reservations by e-mailing or calling Jane Parish at janeparish@sbcglobal.net or (925) 216-6663, then mailing a check made payable to “Blackhawk Republican Women” to her at 366 Jacaranda Drive, Danville 945062125 to arrive by Monday, December 5th.

Treats for the Troops

Thank you to all of our supporters! Service group Delta Nu Psi will again be collecting “gourmet junk food” to send to our servicemen and women in Afghanistan. Delta Nu Psi will continue sending packages as long as American military members are in the War Zone. Much of the food sent is not normally available to the troops.

Collections will be held at CVS in Alamo on Friday, December 2 and at Lunardi’s in Danville on Friday, December 9. Both collections will take place from 11:30AM to 1:30PM. Please come to either store, and shop for our service personal. For more information, visit www.deltanupsi.org. Money for postage is also always appreciated. Please help Delta Nu Psi provide our men and women in the War Zone with a touch of home.

Lost Dog!

$50 REWARD

If you find him and your name is drawn!

Danville Dog is Missing He has become lost in this paper!

He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find him.

To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address, to: Lost Dog! ~ Danville Today News 3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507

Julie Cygan is our winner!

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Homemade Holiday Workshop

The Town of Danville is offering a workshop designed to help tweens create lovely handmade, crafty holiday gifts on December 8.

Participants between the ages of 8 and 12 years old will get into the holiday spirit by creating personalized gifts for their friends and family at this fun craft workshop. Parents are welcome to stay and craft with their child throughout the event.

Tweens will also have the chance to package their crafts at the giftwrapping station. In addition to holiday crafts and good cheer, refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is required at www. danvillerecguide.com using activity code #10349.

Homemade Holiday will be held from 4PM to 5:30PM at the Danville Community Center, 420 Front St. For more information, contact the Danville Community Center at (925) 314-3400 or email recreation@danville.ca.gov.

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Welcome Coffee

NEW YEAR

• CARPET NEW FLOORS! • HARDWOOD • CARPET RUGS • HARDWOOD CUSTOM RUGS • RUGS LINOLEUM • LINOLEUM TILE

Are you new to the area or a long time resident, Family Owned Business newly retired, or an empty nester interested in making Since 1989 new friends and participating in various social activities?

The Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club is a women’s 3344 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Lafayette, CA organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all 925.284.4440 its members and their families in a social manner.

Check out all the Club has to offer by visiting www.LamorindaFloors.com License# 708486 www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com or email alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.

New Art Exhibit and Opening Reception at Blackhawk Gallery

Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) will host the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new exhibit ‘Transitions.’ Gala Reception will be held on Saturday, December 3 from 5 to 7PM with wine and hors d’oeuvres. The exhibit will be on view seven days a week from December 2 to February 5, 2017. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The ‘Transitions’ exhibit features one guest artist and forty-one member artists. Guest artist Jeff Kent will be showing his hand-crafted cribbage and chess boards. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art.

Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville, in the Blackhawk Plaza. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 10AM-8PM and Sunday 11AM-6PM. Holiday hours are December 24 10AM-5PM, December 25 closed, New Year’s Eve 10AM-5PM, and New Year’s Day closed.

Founded in 1977, ADAS is a non-profit corporation supporting local artists and providing monetary contribution in support of art programs in the San Ramon Valley School District. Gallery artists donate a percentage of their sales to support the Art in the Schools Program.

For additional information, call (925) 648-8023, or visit the ADAS website at www.adas4art.org or the gallery website at www.BlackhawkGallery. org. ADAS’s Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ AlamoDanvilleArtistsSociety.

Volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide

Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers?

Contra Costa CountyAARPTax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is in November 2016, and classes for tax counselors start in January 2017. Service is from February through April 15, 2017.

If you are interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer or call LaVerne Gordon at (925) 726-3199 for additional information.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 3

JARED HIGGINS TEAM

Danville’s Real Estate Expert

Happy Holidays!

Danville Home Sales Danville Home Sales

List LP Price

SalesSPPrice Sq. Ft. SqFt

1995 S FOREST HILL PL 1086 ALLEGHENY DR 1090 ALLEGHENY DR 711 GLASGOW CIR 228 WATERMAN CIR 1221 CAMINO TASSAJARA 1255 SILVERWOOD CT 260 SAINT CHRISTOPHER DR 244 SAINT CHRISTOPHER DR 691 ADOBE DR 54 VICENZA CT 1679 SAINT HELENA DR 645 GLASGOW CIR 912 LA GONDA WY 737 HIGHBRIDGE LN 44 VICENZA CT 1617 SAINT DAVID DR 204 LOWELL CT 282 LA QUESTA DR 823 TUNBRIDGE RD 21 ANGEL CT 308 MONTOYA WAY 880 DOLPHIN DR 11 CORTE ENCANTO 309 LOVE LN 60 MACKENZIE PL 222 WEBER LN

$799,000 $899,000 $900,000 $925,000 $929,000 $949,000 $978,000 $988,000 $999,000 $1,078,950 $1,079,900 $1,095,000 $1,099,900 $1,100,000 $1,129,000 $1,198,000 $1,199,950 $1,250,000 $1,350,000 $1,375,000 $1,399,000 $1,474,000 $1,475,000 $1,682,500 $1,699,000 $1,749,900 $2,180,000

$780,000 $899,000 $905,000 $920,000 $967,100 $959,000 $995,000 $960,000 $925,000 $1,060,000 $1,062,135 $1,072,000 $1,080,000 $1,100,000 $1,129,000 $1,198,000 $1,175,000 $1,361,000 $1,275,000 $1,325,000 $1,230,000 $1,450,000 $1,550,000 $1,650,000 $1,650,000 $1,825,000 $2,000,000

Bed/Bath $/SqFt DOM Bed/Bath Sale $/SqFt DOM

1542 1691 1650 1679 1943 1624 2298 2038 2387 2263 2609 2275 2808 3100 2344 2859 2425 2423 2025 2515 2288 3871 2708 2456 3381 4351 3906

4/2 3/2 3/2 3/2 3/2.5 3/2 4/3 5/2.5 4/3 3/2 4/3 4/3 5/3 4/2.5 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 3/3 4/3 4/2 5/4.5 3/3 4/4 4/3.5 5/4.5 4/3.5

$506 $532 $548 $548 $498 $591 $433 $471 $388 $468 $407 $471 $385 $355 $482 $419 $485 $562 $630 $527 $538 $375 $572 $672 $488 $419 $512

22 20 38 22 5 4 7 79 24 38 7 41 54 12 11 11 54 7 21 55 82 91 6 10 39 9 28

Jared Higgins (925) 487-2907

jhiggins@rockcliff.com JaredHiggins.com DRE# 01781054

Danville 94526 detached homes per MLS 10/18/16 – 11/18/16. DOM= Days on Market.

Boulevard View

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

As the leaves begin to change and the mornings become cooler, it is hard to not think of the transitions that constantly happen all around us. This time of year was a favorite in my household as we got to see the four beautiful maple trees in our front yard get ready for another winter. When my kids were younger, they would delight in raking the leaves into piles just to jump in them or grab armfuls to throw them into the air. Unfortunately, the drought of the past few years took its toll, and last year we discovered all of our trees were dying at the core and needed to be removed. With that knowledge, last fall we found ourselves having to make the difficult decision to take them all out.

After a year of having an eyesore of a front yard and pulling out even more trees, we took the plunge and started rebuilding. The process is well underway now. Asphalt has been torn up, ditches have been dug, and plans have been made for new foliage. Gone are the days of the expanse of green grass that filled the remainder of the yard. It was both water and labor-intensive to maintain, and I don’t think I will miss those chores or that expense. Sadly, also gone are the days of having the cool shade of the trees for our yard and home. It was notable with the heat this summer, and it has been a difficult transition having this be our first full fall without the trees to signal the changing of the seasons. We are excited to see the finished product of our revamped front yard, but we know the finish line is far ahead of us. Unless we get fully grown trees, like the two palms that get planted at every In-n-Out location, it will be a while before a shadow of leaves surrounds us again.

My daughter recently transitioned from college to living back at home for the time being. After five years away, she is now adjusting to post-graduate life and adulthood. Still easing into the routine of a 40-hour workweek with a commute and working on finding her next steps with home as a landing base, she’s found the adjustment to this new phase of life to be simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting.

My middle son has never been a fan of transitions and change. When we

moved to the Bay Area from Seattle during his first grade year, I vividly remember him in our Seattle dining room wrapping his arms and legs around our kitchen table bench like a monkey and saying, “I’M NOT GOING!” Fortunately, he survived that transition, and now he is at an age where he is in charge of his own changes. He recently moved back to his old college town of Santa Barbara and has been transitioning back to the familiar lifestyle he grew to love during his college years.

My oldest son has been living in the South Bay for the past five years, and he is also not without his own transitions. After working for various tech companies in technical roles, he found his passion in technology sales for a startup. Finding the right product to sell and the right company culture is difficult though, and he has found himself in the position of being the new member on the team multiple times.

In less than 10 years smartphones like the iPhone have changed the landscape of communication and entertainment. Like many families, we noticed our land-line home phone had fallen into disuse, morphing from a family utility to becoming popular only with telephone solicitors. As our use of cell phones for communicating has become the norm, we decided it was time to cut the cord, and we let the family “home” phone number go. We had no idea how attached our kids were to the institution of our “Home” phone number, and we had some sad (adult) kids as a result. My brother-in-law related a similar story with his 40 year old “kid” as well. Completing the transition from one generation of telephony to the next was a painful but necessary step.

Our kids and extended family friends will all be descending upon the home of their childhood for the holidays and staying for various periods of time. We will celebrate the changes in their lives in our special and familiar ways with lots of good food, good company, board games, and our pets surrounding us. We’ll know that no matter where we are and they are in life, and no matter what the front yard looks like, things like family are our foundation and what is important to us.

Come the new year our newspapers are ready for their own change and transition. Be on the lookout for our new logo, new masthead, and new website! It is something long in the works and a transition and change I am excited to share with all of you.

I hope your holidays are calm, joyous, and fulfilling.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Page 4 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News Christmas Memories at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley November 22 - December 31

Christmas Memories at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley

The Gift Shop at San Damiano

710 Highland Dr.; Danville, CA

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s traditional Christmas Memories exhibit is now open and features decorated trees, toys, dolls, flying Santa, Ferris wheel, antique sleigh, a memory tree, and more. Special collections of teddy bears, Santas and international dolls from the 20’s and 30’s will also be on display.

Come and share your special recollections of the magic, miracles, and memories of Christmas, and make your visit a part of your family tradition.

Christmas Memories runs through December 31st.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in downtown Danville and is open 1-4PM Tuesday-Friday, 10-1PM Saturday and 12-3PM Sunday. For more information, visit www.museumsrv.org.

WWW.SANDAMIANO.ORG; 925-837-9141

“CHRIST” IS IN CHRISTMAS AT OUR SHOP! Christmas Cards, Nativities, Ornaments & More!

Featuring Special Collections of Teddy Bears, Santas and Dolls from the 20’s and 30’s OPEN HOUSE

MUSEUM HOURS: Tuesday - Friday: 1-4pm Saturday: 10am - 1pm Sunday: noon - 3pm

Friday, November 25th 6:30 - 8:30 Following the Danville Tree Lighting Santa Claus will be at the Museum!

205 Railroad Avenue Danville, CA (925) 837-3750 ~ museumsrv.org

Eugene O’Neill Foundation Playwrights’ Theater Event

Mon–Thurs 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Fri 8:30 AM–6:30 PM Sat 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Sun 8:30 AM–2:30 PM (closed daily 11:45 AM–12:30 PM)

Open House December 4 3:00 PM -5:00 PM

Wreaths Across America

There are 111 Veterans from all wars, even one from the Civil War, buried at the Alamo Cemetery. Local members of Wreaths Across America will place a wreath on each grave to Honor, Remember, and Teach our community about our heroes.

You can help this effort by purchasing a wreath with a tax deductible check for $20 made out to WAA and mailed to WAA, SRVRWF, Post Office Box 1, Danville, CA 94526.

Everyone is welcome to join with the group at the Alamo Cemetery on Saturday, December 17 at noon for a special ceremony.

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation in Danville begins the new year with a Playwrights’ Theater presentation of Eugene O’Neill’s play, Dynamo. The staged reading is planned for Saturday, January 7 at 8PM and Sunday, January 8 at 2PM at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Avenue in downtown Danville.

Tickets for the presentation are available online at www.eugeneoneill.org or by phone at (925) 820-1818.

When thinking about the plays of Eugene O’Neill, the only American playwright to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, it is usually his most popular plays that come to mind: A Long Days Journey into Night, Songs of the Season The Iceman Cometh, or A Touch of the Poet. All these later works by the The Danville Community Band will be presenting their playwright were written while he and his wife Carlotta lived at Tao House 15th anniversary Christmas concert on Sunday, December in the Danville hills from 1937-1944.

11 at 4pm. The free concert will take place in a new loca“Many of O’Neill’s earlier plays deserve attention because they help us to tion: the Multipurpose Room at Community Presbyterian see how the writer grew and made changes to American drama that literally Church, 222 W El Pintado Rd in Danville. The band hopes changed theater in America,” says Eric Fraisher Hayes, manager of artistic you join them for this wonderful afternoon. programs for the O’Neill Foundation.

“Dynamo is an excellent follow up to The Emperor Jones, which the Bikes Wanted and Helpers Needed!

Eugene O’Neill Foundation produced in September at the O’Neill National The 15th Annual Adopt A Family Bike (AAFB) program is being held at the Historic Site in Danville. In Dynamo, O’Neill utilizes multiple expressionistic old Richard’s location located at 225-A Alamo Plaza, Alamo. Please donate devises to help the audience delve deeper into the truths of the characters,” any bikes that have been outgrown or no longer used. Bikes will be cleaned, says director Hayes. have safety checks and minor repairs made, and then be distributed to local Dynamo focuses on Ruben Light who feels betrayed by his religion and non-profit organizations. Bike donations will be accepted the evening of his family. He searches to make sense of the world and strikes upon the belief December 2, and December 3 and 4 from 10AM to 4PM. Financial donations that electricity is really the god that governs his life. Light sees the awesome to help cover cost of helmets, parts, and locks is power of the Dynamo as a replacement for all that he has lost in life. also greatly appreciated. Please make any donation “O’Neill’s dramatic tale of a desperately seeking young man is a powerful, checks payable to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and seldom produced gem. Dynamo is part ‘Days of Our Lives,’ part ‘Holof Danville. lywood Squares,’ and part Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho,” says director Hayes.

In addition, volunteers are also needed to help Dynamo was first produced in 1929 at the Provincetown Playhouse in clean and repair bicycles - no experience is needed.

Greenwich Village. It came at a time when Eugene O’Neill had already thgained Stop by for an hour or two, or stay all day! To see the schedule, visit www. notable recognition. By 1929, he had already received three Pulitzer Prizes AdoptAFamilyBikes.org or email adoptafamilybikes@gmail.com. for his early works -- Beyond the Horizon (1920), Anna Christie (1922), and AAFB was formed in 2002 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Danville.

Strange Interlude (1928).

Parishioners found that Adopt-a-Family wish lists from Monument Crisis Dynamo is a component of the annual Playwrights’ TheaterHelp series by fortunate a less childoften or adult witha request the giftfor bikes as a means of transportation.

Center clients included the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, with staged readings in January and May of a bicycle season!

In thethis firstholiday year, 2002, 45 bikes were refurbished and donated. In 2013, of O’Neill’s early plays, and works by playwrights influencedUsed

by Bikes O’Neill. bikes distributed, reaching a new Needed – 389 Donate a bikewere that your child has out-grown or an adult annual record! To date, over 3,100 bike that no longer use.

Bikes are cleaned, minor repairs made safety The Eugene O’Neill Foundation is a not-for-profit organization thatyou works bikes have been refurbished and&donated.

The bikes are a daily necessity for checked, and distributed to Contra Costa schools and local nonprofit agencies. closely with the National Park Service in coordinating educational, com- the majority of the recipients because many cannot afford bus fare to get to Bike Drop-Off Dates –school, Nov. 12, 18, 19, 20, 27, Dec. 2, 3 & 4. The joy in a child’s eyes and the gratitude munity, and performance programs at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic work, or26,appointments.

Site in Danville and at locations in downtown Danville. Information on theAlamofrom an adultCenter, recipient immense.

The bikes make a HUGE difference in Location: Plaza Shopping formerare Richard’s Craft Store 225-Atheir Alamolives, Plaza, Alamo programs of the Foundation is available at www.eugeneoneill.org. and there’s always a need.

Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 10a-4p.

15 Annual Adopt-a-Family Bike Program

A $15 donation with each bike to help cover cost of helmets, parts, and locks is greatly appreciated! (Please make checks payable to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church of Danville.) Thank you!

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 5

CAROLYN GWYNN PROUDLY PRESENTS

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| 925.336.7525

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Assistance League of Diablo Valley Schedules Prospective Member Coffee

Since 1967, Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, a nonprofit member volunteer organization, has improved lives in our community through hands -on programs. Its’ primary fundraiser, the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, is a well-known landmark located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette.

In response to the needs of the client base, Assistance League of Diablo Valley is reaching out to those of you who would enjoy clothing elementary schoolchildren for a more successful educational experience, performing educational puppet shows for schoolchildren, reading to second grade students, or helping in providing emergency clothing, food, and supplies to those in crisis. Two recently formed philanthropic programs concern implementing art in the classroom and staffing the Listen Program which helps identified students with verbal expression. Two other programs the group supports address the needs of our seniors.

If you are interested in spending quality time and meeting energetic and upbeat people while helping those who are vulnerable, please phone 925-9340901 to inquire about a Prospective Member Coffee scheduled for early January.

For more information, please visit www.diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.

Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley

Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. The group has monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, bocce ball, movies, bridge, reading, computers, and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games and holiday parties include spouses, friends and guests.

The next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 11am. The guest speaker will be Alex Coate, General Manager of EBMUD. Admission is $23 which includes luncheon, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space, please email info@SIR128.com by Thursday, January 12th. Please note that meetings now take place at The Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd, San Ramon.

For more information, please visit www.SIR128.com.

OFFERED AT $6,288,000

Donate To The Contra Costa Housing Security Fund As a senior on a fixed income, James couldn’t pay all his bills after a steep rent increase, and he eventually lost his housing. After months of hard work, he has new affordable housing lined up but those unpaid bills now stand in the way of James getting out of a shelter and into a home where his grandchildren can visit.

Your donation to the Contra Costa Housing Security Fund can help end homelessness for James and others like him.

This community fund covers costs that can prevent many people, including seniors, veterans and families, get back into housing, and protects property owners who offer these screened renters an opportunity.

What your donation can do: $25 $50 $100 $500 $1000 $2500

One credit check One housing application fee One utility deposit Rental Assistance for one month Eviction prevention for a veteran Security deposit for a family of four

Help us raise $50,000 by December 31, 2016!

Donate Online at tinyurl.com/ HousingSecurityFund

Send check to: Richmond Community Foundation 1014 Florida Ave #200, Richmond, CA 94804 *in memo section, write “Housing Security Fund”

Page 6 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

More Foster and Resource Families Needed

By Supervisor Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County, District 2

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Youth living in our community need your help.

Contra Costa County’s Children and Family Services staff has been busy preparing to implement changes to our child welfare services program resulting from the passage of AB 403, Continuum of Care Reform. The Continuum of Care Reform draws together a series of existing and new reforms for our child welfare services program, designed out of an understanding that children who must live apart from their biological parents do best when they are cared for in committed, nurturing, family homes. The goal is to ensure that youth in foster care have their day-to-day physical, mental, and emotional needs met; that they have the greatest chance to grow up in permanent and supportive homes; and that they have the opportunity to grow into self-sufficient, successful adults.

Contra Costa County (CCC) has been planning for the January 1, 2017 implementation of Resource Family Approval (RFA) for the past 12 months.

RFA is an important shift in the way that Children and Family Services approves caregivers as it supports placement with families that can provide a lifelong connection by determining permanency approval up-front. Over the past year, Children and Family Services has also developed new strategies and a renewed focus on recruiting and retaining quality non-relative and relative resource families.

In CCC we have approximately 1,100 children currently in foster care.

Children who are separated from their families are often placed in foster homes. We have a great need for resource families who are willing to provide emergency, temporary, or long-term care for our youth. It is best for children to be able to stay in their own communities, remain in their same schools, continue to play on their same sports teams, stay connected to their same faith-based organizations, and see their same doctors. Sadly, there is a critical need for homes for youth of all ages, 0-18. Children are waiting to be nurtured and cared for by families in our community. Please consider becoming a foster or resource family in CCC. There are some very basic requirements to become a resource family: • You must be over 18 years old • You must reside in CCC • You may be married or single • You can work outside of your home • You can live in an apartment or house • You must have adequate space and meet the State health and safety standards • You must have sufficient income to meet your own family’s financial needs • You must have a desire to help and care for a child in our County.

When someone chooses to be a resource family, they become an important member of a team of professionals who are dedicated to the welfare of children in their care. Each child placed will have a social worker. Social workers play a key role in the foster child’s life and are readily available to assist resource families in their efforts. In addition to coordinating birth parent visits, court appearances, and therapeutic services, social workers are oftentimes a resource family’s link to a variety of resources. Additionally, there are groups such as the Foster Family Network (FFN). The FFN is a chapter of the California State Foster Parent Association, Inc., with the goals to inform, educate, and support the resource family community in CCC. Before a child can be placed in a home, potential resource families must become certified by the county to provide care to foster children. The first step in becoming certified is to attend a brief orientation held by CCC Children and Family Services. At the orientation, individuals can obtain an application to become a certified caregiver along with other information regarding the process of becoming a resource family. This orientation provides a chance for individuals to meet and interact with others who may be interested in becoming a foster or an adoptive parent. For orientation dates and locations, please contact Jamie Rucki (925) 602-6930 or toll free at 1-866-313-7788.

After making the commitment to become a care provider, the next step will be to attend trainings, offered at our local community colleges. The trainings are designed to enhance the ability of the resource family to meet the needs of a foster child.

Financial assistance is available to the care provider, to help meet the needs of the foster child. Foster care benefits provide cash aid on behalf of needy children in foster care who meet the eligibility requirements established by County, State, and Federal law and regulation.

I have personally seen the difference foster and resource families make in the lives of children who, through no fault of their own, are separated from their parents and families. This potentially traumatic situation is eased by the great support and comfort received from a caring family. A resource family has the ability to lay the foundation for success in a child’s life. For more information, visit www.ehsd.org/children.

My office is here to serve the residents of CCC District 2, Danville. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 7

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Barn continued from front page

In Loehmann’s Shopping Center (next to Lucky’s)

nal, but inspection of the wood shows that it may have been painted red-brown originally and later white.”

Photographs from 1906 and 1907 indicate that the lower southern shed was added c1907. That part of the barn will hold interpretive materials and be opened to the public. The larger area that once housed animals and farm equipment as well as storing crops and hay will be visible from the newer space.

When the Mexican War ended in 1848, California was ceded to the United States. Soon after California achieved statehood in 1850, Jose Maria Amador began selling parcels of his extensive land holdings. Samuel and Esther Russell purchased 750 acres from Amador in 1851-1852. They raised six children on the property they named Forest Home Farms. The house they built using redwood from the Moraga hills may still exist as the northernmost part of the 1900 Boone home connected to the main house by a breezeway. Samuel served as San Ramon’s first postmaster from 1852-1859.

In his journal published as Up and Down California 1860-1864, William Henry Brewer, who made the first documented botanical collections on Mount Diablo, describes camping “at the farm of Major Russell” in September 1861. “The sky was very clear, the stars and moon bright, as we went to bed under some lovely live oaks by a little brook. The brook had ‘broken out’ after the earthquake in June last – it is good water, and Russell says it is worth $5,000 to his farm.”

After Samuel Russell’s death in 1863, the Shultes and then the Arendts held the property before Numa and Minnie Boone purchased Forest Home Farms in 1899. Money from Minnie’s inheritance financed the construction of their 22room Dutch colonial home. Their son Travis and daughter Eleanor were born on the farm. Travis, always called “Bud,” was successfully employed in Hollywood when he met his future wife Ruth. They married in 1929. Numa had just taken out a $10,000 loan to buy additional acreage. Following the stock market crash, the bank repossessed that land, but Travis managed to use the Homestead Act to keep the rest of the farm in the family.

Ruth and Travis moved to the farm in 1930 and worked off the debt through long hours of hard labor and ingenuity. Among Travis’s inventions was a walnutharvesting tower that safely carried pickers to the tops of the tallest trees. He died in 1981. Ruth was forced to sell chunks of the farm for use by utilities and the building of new schools. In 1997, Ruth gave the remaining 16 acres to the City of San Ramon as a memorial to her husband. When she died in 1998, the City

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included Ruth in that memorial.

The nearby David and Eliza Glass House, built in 1877, was moved to the property for preservation. In 2002, Forest Home Farms was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources.

Holiday on the Farm, a popular annual event, happens on Saturday, December 10 from 11am-3pm. Sponsored by SRHF in cooperation with the City of San Ramon, the festival features photo opportunities with Santa in his sleigh and live rein- Samuel Russell and his wife Esther built this barn on deer. Stuff-a-bear, old-fashioned the property they named Forest Home Farms in the games, bargain-priced gently early 1850s. Photo by Jody Morgan. used ornaments, a puppet show, and food are all part of the fun. The Gift Shoppe will be open with special holiday items. The Glass House, decorated for the season, will be open for tours.

Forest Home Farms Historic Park at 19953 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, San Ramon is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Saturdays 11am-2pm free Fun on the Farm events for the whole family are available. The Welcome Center gives visitors a chance to watch a video of an interview with Ruth Boone narrated by Pat Boom. (The video is also available on YouTube.) The Gift Shoppe offering an ever-changing selection of items for all ages is open Saturdays from 11am to 2pm.

Proceeds help SRHF fund special projects including the Russell Barn restoration.

A plaque will be installed in the renovated barn with the names of generous donors of $1,000 or more to the Barn Restoration Fund. Contributors of $100 or more will receive a Foundation Farmers Market Bag. Pledge cards are available in the Welcome Center. Contributions can be mailed to SRHF, PO. Box 1, San Ramon, CA 94583.

For information on SRHF visit www.srhf.org. For a complete schedule of events or to schedule a Forest Home Farms or Glass tour or program, visit www. sanramon.ca.gov and click on Parks.

Page 8 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

Los Cerros Middle School

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By Evan Powell, Principal

The first semester is quickly coming to an end, and we could not be more excited for the vacation breaks that surround this time of year. Students have been working really hard on their Writer’s notebooks in English and creating civilizations in history. Students are performing to their learning targets in math and science and facing challenges of new material.

We have seen a lot of success with our new Access period and students getting help from each other or teachers on a weekly basis. As second semester starts, we begin the transition phase and work to prepare our 8th grade students for high school.

Coming up, we have a school dance, a winter performance for Choir and Band classes, along with our first ever Drama performance. Please refer to our website for dates and times. We look forward to seeing our students shine in their performances.

Our 22nd Annual Basket Brigade yielded 300 families a Thanksgiving dinner. I would like to thank our parent committee, students, staff, and community members who put in time and resources to build the baskets.

Los Cerros will be celebrating our 50th year celebration on Thursday, May 4th. We look forward to welcoming our alumni and community members to our Open House and to sharing their stories of the school. There will be a planning meeting on Thursday, January 12 at 2:30PM in the library.

Charlotte Wood Middle School

By Christopher George, Principal

Welcome to the Holiday Season! With the new calendar, the Winter Break will mean that the first semester is over, which means it went by faster than usual. As always, we are thankful for your continued support throughout the year. We hope that you have a fantastic Holiday season with your family. We hope our kids and teachers enjoy their well deserved time off and get to recharge and relax for the second semester.

Meanwhile we continue to work hard at school on our mission of making sure all students are proficient in all standards. This year, we have instituted several initiatives to help our students reach that goal.

Our Access Advisory allows students to participate in Closed, Open, or Self Guided Learning during Wednesday Advisory time in order to help them meet standards that they are not currently proficient in.

Our lunch Achievement Time provides time for students to make up work and to reassess on demonstrations of mastery that they were not able to provide mastery on before. All of this is done so that kids understand that not learning is never an option, but that if they don’t learn at the same time as other students, they will still be supported.

Obviously, this semester has been an eventful one for both our country and our school. As we go into the Holiday Season, we wanted to echo the Superintendent’s recent messages of unity and remind students that it will always be our goal to keep Charlotte Wood a safe learning environment for every student. To that end, Amy Rickard, our PTA President and I have convened a student Climate Focus group this year in order to have honest discussions with students about the relationships between teachers and students and amongst students. We look forward to sharing the results of those discussions with our community.

Have a great, safe and relaxing Holiday Season.

Stop by our new office in the Alamo Courtyard 3195 Danville Blvd #4, Alamo

St. Isidore School

By Maria Ward, Principal Merry Christmas from St. Isidore School

We love the Christmas season here at St. Isidore. St. Isidore School is about community and a sense of belonging. When you walk through our campus during the Christmas season, it is evident that Christ is at the heart of who we are. We strive to implement His actions as we celebrate His birth. We joyfully say “Merry Christmas” and enhance our school with everything that symbolizes this Christmas season. There is no greater witness to this than Advent and Christmas. The four weeks prior to Christmas, called Advent, traditionally represents hope, joy, peace, and love. This is felt the moment you enter our school.

Our Advent theme this year is “A Gift of Love from Heaven Above.” Jesus is at the center of everything we do—He is the reason we are here. This month, our students and staff also participate in activities outside of our community to help others in need.

Our faculty and families participate in the Adopt a Family program, and as a staff we buy gifts for a family in need. This is something our staff looks forward to each year.

Our school will be participating again in the Macy’s Make-A-Wish Believe Campaign.

Students will make as many cards as they can to raise money for Make-A-Wish.

Our Leadership Students will be selling candy canes during the month, with proceeds going to the Free Wheelchair Mission, which transforms the lives of those who need wheelchairs around the world. We continue to partner with the Knights of Columbus to donate toys for children in need in our community. Students look forward to our annual Christmas Boutique sale, where each of our school families is asked to donate 24 of the same gifts. Each gift is wrapped individually in a clear wrapper and brought to school. Our students have a shopping day, and all proceeds go directly to our sister schools in the Oakland Diocese, St. Anthony, St. Elizabeth, and St. Jarlath.

This is something we do every Christmas, and our students look forward to these school-wide traditions.

Our month ends with the Christmas concert on Thursday, December 15th. There will be two performances: a dress rehearsal at 1PM and the evening performance at 7PM. Please join us if you can, as it is a wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit.

Another beloved St. Isidore tradition will be on Tuesday, December 20th, when our adorable first-grade students reenact the birth of Christ at our 8:10AM liturgy. It is the perfect way to wrap up our month before we leave for Christmas break. If you haven’t had a chance to be with us, it is something you won’t forget.

All of these enriching opportunities, which benefit so many, help us continue our mission to develop the whole child and see that life is bigger than just them. We are so blessed! As you go through this Christmas season, please take some time to give thanks for your many blessings and your family, and remember what is truly important in your life. On behalf of the St. Isidore School community, we wish you many blessings this Christmas season!

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Stone Valley Middle School By Jon Campopiano, Principal

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 9

Thank you for rising up and showing our PRIDE with the Run For Education event.

Last school year we had 81 families participate and had the lowest participation rate of all SRVUSD Middle Schools. This year, beginning with our assembly at Back-to-School Night we proclaimed that we would “go for it” and make a huge statement in regard to participation rate. Led by parent volunteer Danielle John, we exceeded all expectations and rose to the highest participation rate of ALL middle schools and high schools in the entire district! Over 65% of our families, over 400 runners, participated along with our mascot Larry the Lion and our band led by Mr. Loomer. Not only did we have a ton of fun, but we were awarded over $6,500 that we have used to purchase classroom chrome books for our students. Thank you again for showing the spirit and PRIDE of our campus culture.

Our school Ed Fund and PTA met this month with the SRVUSD Director of Facilities, Daniel Hillman, to get an update on the status of our school improvement projects. The bid process is broken into different categories of work. At this time, the SRVUSD school board has approved the bids for the fire sprinkler system and plumbing.

Work has begun in those areas. During the rest of November, the facilities department began reviewing bids for the final portions of the project. The SRVUSD school board will receive recommendations on the current bids at the December 6th Board Meeting. At this meeting, if there is an acceptance and recommendation to approve the bids, work will begin right away. Please visit www.buildsrvschools.org for ongoing updates about our building project.

We all know how busy the holiday season is, and it is no different on campus. Here are some of the great activities that occurred on campus during November.

• Our student leadership class participated in a student led conference at Cal High School focused on building positive, kind, and empathetic relationships. Our leaders came back to Stone Valley with many new and exciting ideas.

• Our School Site Council met and reviewed our school and district goals.

• Our newly formed “Kindness Team” met to begin intentionally planning school and community events to promote positive relationships.

• Our PTA sponsored a parent education night focused on digital safety, “Cyberstrong.”

• Officer Topete of the Sheriffs department met with our 7th graders and presented on the need to make positive decisions with social media and build a safe digital footprint.

• Students and staff participated in the Special Olympics event at Ygnacio Valley High School and played soccer with passion, spirit, and teamwork.

• Our 8th grade WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) and teachers hosted a “Scary Movie Night” for our 6th graders. It was a night filled with food, games, movies, and positive relationships.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Stone Valley Middle School. I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

San Ramon Valley Christian Academy By Jamie Westgate, Principal

Jean Paul Gaultier Necklace For Swarovski $199.99 at FREE Gift Wrap Walnut Creek, Broadway Plaza Danville, The Livery

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December 2016

This past month when I left school at the end of the day, I passed by Danville’s iconic Oak tree. In case you didn’t see it, there was a beautiful banner honoring local hero and fallen soldier, Joshua “Chachi” Corral. Josh was a student at our school during his elementary and junior high years, and I had the privilege of being his teacher in 6th grade for Math and Bible. We were all charmed by his infectious smile and cheerful disposition, but what I recall most was his deep faith and commitment to others. At our school we spend the first few minutes of every day in prayer as a class. Listening to the prayer requests of children is heartwarming, but it is even sweeter to see a student continuously lift his peers in prayer. Not everyone feels comfortable praying aloud, so Josh became sort of our class chaplain, always eager to pray for any boy or girl who had a need. He was a great friend to all, and the recent banner on the Oak tree serves as a reminder to us of all that we’ve lost and yet all that we’ve received from his commitment to God and others.

There is another person who demonstrated a commitment to God the Father, and to others. More than protecting our freedoms, as Josh did so valiantly, this person protected us from ourselves, saving us from our sins. This Christmas, our students will be revisiting the story of the birth of Jesus. As a school, our academics are an obvious priority, but when we take a deeper look at the miraculous Christmas story, we are reminded that God loves us, has a special purpose for our lives, and equips us to complete all He has in store for our futures. This hope-filled message has the power to shape the hearts and minds of our students, providing vision, purpose, and confidence to make a difference in our world. Each Christmas musical, chapel opening, homemade craft, and classroom party will be reflective of this important part of our Christian heritage.

When we come back from Christmas vacation, we will begin the enrollment process for the 2017-2018 school year. We will be offering an open house on January 19 from 9-11:30AM, and we welcome any prospective parents or grandparents who may want to learn a bit more about the ways we weave together academics and faith. Mark your calendars and come meet some of our administrators, teachers, parents, and students. There will be opportunity for tours and casual conversation. Children and younger siblings are welcome to join in the fun. In the meantime, we wish all of the San Ramon Valley a meaningful Christmas season with family and loved ones.

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Page 10 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

Alamo’s 1st & Only Pediatric Dentist!

Alamo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Welcomes Dr. Allan Pang Dr. Pang completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego.

He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. After Tufts he completed a General Practice Residency at University of California, Los Angeles. Thereafter, Dr. Pang practiced general dentistry in the community of Los Gatos, California for two years. It was during this time that he realized how much he enjoyed working with his pediatric patients and returned to school to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry.

His residency in Pediatric Dentistry at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City allowed for him to have extensive training in treating the well child and those with special healthcare needs such as children with craniofacial disorders and developmental disabilities.

Dr. Pang has been in private practice since 2008.

He is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, a Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

(925) 831-8310

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Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 11

Monte Vista High School

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

Autumn is completely upon us, and Monte Vista’s students and faculty are looking forward to a well-deserved Thanksgiving Break.

There are literally dozens of activities going on at our campus this time of year with academics being the major focus as our seniors finalize and submit their college applications, take one more crack at the SAT or ACT test, and keep focused on their present courses and activities. Some seniors have already made an early decision, and with that Monte Vista honored eight student-athletes from the Class of 2017 at our annual Early Signing Ceremony. These MV students signed National Letters of Intent in baseball, cross country, golf, softball, and swimming to compete at Hawaii Pacific, Santa Clara, St. Mary’s, San Diego, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. The Monte Vista community is proud of the accomplishments of its student-athletes, and we look forward to more signings as well as other accomplishments as the school year unfolds.

Monte Vista’s Visual and Performing Arts Departments continue to dazzle us with a wide variety of amazing performances while earning high accolades in the process. MV’s Dance program, led by director Sue Gordon, performed to three sold-out audiences over the first week of November. The following week, our Drama Department performed Look Homeward, Angel to three packed houses, as well. Not to be outdone, Monte Vista’s Marching Band took first place at the Napa Field Show on November 12th. Monte Vista’s Concert Band will perform two holiday concerts on December 7th and 9th at 7PM in the MV’s Al Gentile Theater. And we can’t forget MV’s nationally recognized Choir Program, which will be offering three holiday performances on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Al Gentile Theater at 7PM. Please check the Monte Vista website for tickets and more information.

Monte Vista Athletics have been on a roll the past few weeks, earning EBAL Championships in Football, Women’s Tennis, and Women’s Volleyball. For MV’s Tennis and Volleyball teams, this year’s banners represented EBAL Championship three-peats.

Our young women in both sports took things further recently by claiming their third consecutive NCS Titles: Tennis defeating Amador Valley 4-3 and Volleyball defeating Redwood 3-1. Both teams are now preparing for the CIF-State playoffs.

Football continued its march towards an NCS title by soundly defeating Irvington, 52-0 in the first round of the playoffs. This win came on the heels of a 9-1 regular season where the Mustangs concluded their season with a 32 – 20 victory over rivals San Ramon Valley before dropping a tough game to nationally ranked De La Salle in week #10. The Mustangs then faced the Heritage Patriots on November 18th with the winner stamping a ticket to the Division I NCS Championship Game.

Not to be outdone, Monte Vista’s Women’s Golf, Men’s Water Polo, and Women’s Water Polo all had excellent seasons in the EBAL and qualified for the North Coast Section post-season. In addition, MV’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams were poised to defend their NCS Titles on November 19th in Hayward.

The highlights of the past couple weeks have been amazing, and as always, we are honored and humbled by the recognitions earned by MV’s scholars, artists, and athletes. We invite everyone from the Monte Vista community to come support the Mustangs as we vie for even higher aspirations.

San Ramon Valley High School

By Ruth Steele, Principal

The holidays are finally here, and before we know it the first semester will be over!

There are many different events happening in December. The best place to keep up with everything going on at SRVHS is on the “SRV Weekly” button in the middle of our website. You can also follow me at “principal@SRVHS” or the Wolfpack at “WERSR” on Twitter. Our weekly bulletin is also archived under that tab.

If you are looking for Christmas gifts, don’t forget about our Winter Boutique on December 10th. This is a sophomore class fundraiser and a great way to find some fun and affordable gifts for family and friends.

One of our current projects is assessing how well our new bell schedule is working. Anecdotally, our students seem to really appreciate getting some extra sleep during the week and having time during Access to get caught up in homework or to get help from teachers, but we need to gather data to see whether there are any adjustments that we need to make for next year. We are in the process of designing surveys for parents, staff, and students to see whether the schedule changes have achieved our goals: lowering stress, helping all students to get the help they need, and giving everyone some time back during the school day. These surveys will be going out in January.

Finally, this has been a difficult fall in terms of the election campaign and the associated media coverage both before and since the election in November. There is no doubt that when there is so much negativity (from all groups) on the news and on social media that we see an impact on our campuses. Over the last couple of months there have been incidents on many campuses that can be tied back to the current political climate and associated media coverage.

This presents a great opportunity for us to remind our students that regardless of someone’s political, religious or personal opinions, no-one deserves to be attacked or harassed.

Our children struggle to make smart choices on social media to begin with, and watching how celebrities, politicians, and athletes behave online is not helping! We have been collecting resources on our website as we run our December assemblies on digital citizenship, and some of these might be useful in supporting discussions within families about how to keep social media more positive.

Please check out our resources button at the top of the www.srvhs.net website if this is something that you are working on at home. Our children need as much positive guidance and support as possible to help them navigate both their evolving personal and social world.

It is not something that they can figure out by themselves.

Meals on Wheels

Seniors in our community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and 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.

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Page 12 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

Quick Trips

Moss Beach

By Linda Summers Pirkle

We all know the Bay Area is a treasure. We are lucky to have wonderful places to hike with walking and biking paths in our many preserved spaces and perfect weather to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Our cultural activities rival any other place in the world.

San Francisco is still the most beloved city by just about everyone. There are indeed many choices of things to do for the resident and visitors to the Bay Area. But, where do you go when life gets a bit overwhelming? For me, the beach is the destination of choice when I’m feeling blue.

Ever since I was in high school, whenever I wanted to “get away from it all,” my favorite destination has been a beach. Being the Northern California native that I am, a beach experience is not like one in SoCal with the relentless sun and white sand. Beach time San Francisco style is SO much better: steep and rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean and cool, damp weather. I feel renewed when I hear the thunder of waves crashing and feel the blanket of fog around me. On a recent cool November day, my husband and I set out for an early morning quest for restoration to Moss Beach, located 20 miles south of San Francisco.

The James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near Moss Beach, established in 1969, is a Marine Protected Area and home to hundreds of marine species. On our recent visit, we arrived at low tide (check the Visitor’s Center’s tide chart to see if the tide dips below 1.0’) and watched four kids enjoying the tide pools and following the rules California coastline from a “bench with a view” to tread carefully and not disturb or at James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near remove anything from the beach.

Moss Beach.

Anemones, barnacles, mussels, algae, sea stars, crabs, and sea urchins are some of the creatures that can be found. I have to admit, tide pools are interesting, but I was captivated by the fat and happy harbor seals we saw resting on the beach. There must have been at least 50 of these creatures stretching and sleeping on the shore. Looking out to the sea, we also saw the sleek seals bobbing up and down on their way out to find food and hopefully not become food for their predators.

If you don’t want to hike down the steps and cross the little creek (it can be slippery) to get on the beach, there is a strategically placed bench located just a few minutes walk from the parking lot. Known as the “bench with a view,” this is a perfect perch to watch, listen, and repair.

Moss Beach Distillery, located up the road from the reserve, is a great place to enjoy more great views along with delicious food. The restaurant is a historical landmark and has a colorful history. Built in 1927, “Frank’s Place,” as it was called in the day, was one of the most successful speakeasies of the era.

James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is located at 200 Nevada Avenue, Moss Beach. Their website is www.FitzgeraldReserve.org. Call (650)363-4021 for reservations for tours and groups of 10 or more.

The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (FFMR) is looking for participants to join their 2017 FFMR team. The Volunteer Training Class consists of 10 Saturday classes plus six additional hours spent at the reserve with a mentor. Classes are held on the coast side near the reserve and at the reserve. For more about the FFMR volunteer naturalist training class, email Susan Evans at susanmtnvw@ aol.com from December 1 to January 7.

Moss Beach Distillery is located at 140 Beach Way, Moss Beach. Their phone number is (650)728-5595.

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.

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Croatia - A Beautiful Discovery

By Audrey Combs

It is difficult not to love Croatia, particularly if you like the color blue. Blue sea, blue sky, and blue textiles: there is no end to the breadth of the blue Croatia has to offer, nor the depth of its hospitality. If one is looking for towering white sandstone walls and beautifully crafted marble facades, which speak to the long history of conflict and conquest between the Ottoman Empire, the ancient maritime power struggles with the Venetians, and the modern history of the Balkan Wars, look no further. Well-developed for tourists of all backgrounds, pocket books and interests, Croatia has it all. After all, the makers of Game of Thrones chose to film here for good reason.

Dubrovnik is a highlight not to be missed. Located in the south of the country just 30 miles from neighboring Montenegro, its 9th-14th century walls are brimming with lush ferns, hidden cafes and bars, and beautiful modern art galleries. An afternoon in exploration of so many hidden gems is truly enchanting.

Spend an hour or two walking along the wide avenue on top of the medieval wall surrounding the fortress, and gaze from hundreds of feet above into the teaming center of town to one side and the stunning Adriatic Sea to the other.

Enjoy a local olive oil tasting, or try many of the delicious Croatian wines in one of the many small shops specializing in local artisanal products.

Heading up the coast to Split lies another Adriatic gem. The impressive undercurrent of thriving local businesses and de mode young people amongst the walls of the thriving old town sets the tone for a modern stay in an ancient city.

The gastronomy of the city is particularly impressive with a range of cuisine from the typical Dalmatian fair of grilled fish and stewed potatoes with chard to fusion Spanish-Japanese ramen. Like Dubrovnik, the setting of the old sandstone walls with live guitar echoing in the plazas cannot be beat.

The ferry ride to Hvar Island from Split is 90 minutes through beautiful blue channels between the countless islands of the Dalmatian Coast. The many regular visitors to Hvar include Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Tom Cruise, and for good reason. A playground for celebrities and locals alike, Adriatic aquamarine is the perfect backdrop for a refreshing Aperol Spritz while admiring some of the most impressive yachts in the world tied to its shores. With a long history with the Venetians, the Italian food here is not to be missed, nor the local cured olives.

Truly, Croatia is a country with endless secret coves and hidden beaches to explore.

After a day spent in the 75-degree salty sea, start an evening with a perfectly crisp glass of white wine and award-winning Ston oysters followed by more of the day’s catch and a variety of desserts. The good news is that most people have not caught on to this amazing and relatively unknown travel destination. The bad news is that Croatia has too much to offer for this to last long.

Audrey Combs recently traveled to Croatia with her cousin Dayna and her aunt Ilene Ferguson, owner of Alamo World Travel. Alamo World Travel specializes in cruises, customized vacations, and tours worldwide. Allow them to help you plan the perfect vacation. For trip advice and planning, call (925) 837-8742.

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Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 13

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Technology Matters

By Evan Corstorphine

What a great time to be in technology. There are so many innovative products available right now. We’ve seen the digital revolution move from personal computers into laptops with WiFi, then into smartphones, and then into tablets such as the iPad. The next stop in this connectivity revolution is nothing less than the connection of everything to everything. The industry phrase for this is “The Internet of Things,” or IOT. Put succinctly, the IOT is the convergence of multiple technologies, including ubiquitous wireless communication, and may include any object or appliance that can have intelligence and connectivity added into it, to enable or facilitate interaction by a third-party. Let me provide some examples.

Example: I purchased a Google Home device and have put it in my living room. The Home is voice-controlled and acts as a sort of automated butler to control devices and functions around my house. Both the Home and Amazon’s “Echo” product are the leaders in the personal butler products for home use. If I say, “OK Google, play solo piano music,” it automatically connects to the music service I use (Pandora), then finds and plays solo piano music for me. If I wish to increase volume, I say, “OK Google, increase volume,” or “OK Google, increase volume 25%,” and it’s done. This is barely scratching the surface of what’s possible.

Because the Home and Echo products have written their software with open interfaces, there are a plethora of manufacturers who have connected their services to these platforms. The idea is that in lieu of using smartphone apps or websites, we can perform common tasks with either pre-programmed logic triggers or with voice commands.

Example: I have a new sprinkler controller for my home made by “RainMachine” with IOT capabilities built into it. Using the Home or Echo, I can say, “OK Google, turn on the front sprinklers for 10 minutes,” and watering will commence. On the other hand, it also has built-in intelligence to link with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and it will adjust the amount of sprinkling according to the weather forecast. This includes

increases or decreases in watering if it’s extremely hot, cool, or raining.

For years there have been products designed to allow central control of the lights, outlets in your home, and even your garage door opener. Now that the internet has caught up with this technology, these devices can now be integrated into the IOT scheme using the Echo or Home products. For instance, I can say, “OK Google, turn on the living room lights,” when I walk into the room. Or when I hear something outside, I can say, “OK Google, turn on all outside lights” so I can investigate.

The opportunities to integrate devices based on conditions, actions, or your desires are endless. We’re seeing many devices, such as security cameras, light switches and outlets, sprinkler controllers, furnace and air conditioners (via “Nest”), and much more all become part of the equation.

Check out the website www.ifttt.com. The website name stands for “if this then that (IFTTT),” and it aptly describes the logic this web engine allows you to engage to accomplish different tasks. For example, let’s pretend you use a FitBit or other branded exercise tracking watch. Because you’re trying to get enough exercise, you’ve set the FitBit for a daily goal of 10,000 steps.

If you really want to hit that goal, you may need a reminder if you are being more sedentary than expected. Using IFTTT, you can set it to check into your fitness app at a certain time of day and then remind you with an email, an alert, or a text message that you’re running out of time to meet your goal.

Example: You live on a busy street and want your garage door to open automatically when you arrive. Using IFTTT and the GPS built into your smartphone, you can teach the system to trigger your garage door to open automatically when you arrive in your driveway.

There are thousands of “recipes” on the IFTTT website, and thousands more are coming. Your imagination is the only limit on what is possible. I encourage you to check it out and whet your appetite.

As we move into the post-PC era, we at PCIO are shifting gears to help you address the technical challenges of our highly interconnected environment at home and your office. If you have a challenge you’d like to explore with a seasoned professional, give us a call at 925-552-7953 option 1, or Advertorial email helpdesk@pcioit.com.

Page 14 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

Post-Election Financial Plan

By Robert Cucchiaro, Certified Financial Planner

Now that the election is over, whether your side won or lost, the fact remains that what you need to do to secure your long-term financial future is probably the same as it was before the election.

For most of us in the Bay Area, our biggest single expense is taxes. When you combine federal, state, payroll, sales and property taxes, at least 50% of your money is going to Uncle Sam. And to make matters worse, according to a study conducted by the General Accounting Office (GAO), many Americans are actually overpaying their taxes due to poor tax planning. This problem tends to occur for one or more of the following reasons: 1. Each year our tax code gets more complicated 2. Most people can’t afford to hire a full-time tax adviser 3. Most tax advisors don’t actually focus on reducing their clients tax bill Believe it or not, the amount you pay in taxes is not fixed, and it is not the same for everyone who receives the same amount of income. Small business owners and those with significant after-tax investments (brokerage accounts and rentals) tend to be the ones most in need of guidance because they can take advantage of the rules and avoid overpaying their taxes.

With that in mind, here are five actionable strategies that can help you manage your income tax exposure in 2015.

1. Estimate your 2016 tax bill – Ask your tax advisor for a 2016 tax projection so you will at least know where you stand. Do this now so you still have time to plan based on the results.

2. Maximize deductions to 401k’s, FSAs and HSAs – The maximum contribution for an individual into their 401k plan is $18,000 this year, plus those over age 50 can add an additional $6,000 catch-up contribution. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts are additional ways to fund pre-tax savings. The FSA limit is $2,550, and the HSA limit is $6,650 for a family and $3,350 for an individual. All of these accounts are funded pre-tax

Gratitude Turns What we Have into Enough

By Cynthia Ruzzi, Sustainable Danville Area

With winter holiday decorations appearing long before autumn’s entry, it is difficult to stay focused on the purpose of one celebration before being thrown into another. In an effort to turn this to my advantage, I’ll use this mashing of holidays (Thankchristkahyeargiving) to pledge myself to 2017 resolutions before the last day of the year. Finding inspiration from the best of the holidays, my resolutions center around healthy choices for my family, home, and community–I hope you will find some that work for you and your family.

1. Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Before entering any store or ecommerce site, I will take a moment to be grateful. I will then ask three questions: Does this purchase truly fill a need? Is it the healthiest choice for my family and the environment? Am I using this purchase as a substitute for something else?

2. Go meatless more than once a week. Besides the health benefits of reduced cholesterol, 25% of the Earth’s surface is used to grow food for livestock, and 20% of greenhouse gases are produced by this food source–more than all modes of transportation.

3. Wash clothes in cold water. Only 10% of the energy used by a washing machine is for the motor while the other 90% of the energy is spent heating water. Following the advice on the label of my plant-derived laundry soap, I’ll use cold water to wash most of our clothes.

4. Make energy efficient home upgrades. Look for rebates and discounts for everything from window replacements to solar with PG&E SmartEnergy Analyzer.

5. Dim the lights. LED light bulbs may seem costly, but when you consider their lifespan verses a traditional bulb, it makes ‘cents.’ And now with dimmable LED lights, you can achieve the ambience you desire from dining room to bedroom.

6. Walk or bike instead of driving once a week. There’s decidedly more traffic on the roads in the Tri-Valley lately. Commit to replacing at least one

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which means they lower your tax-bill considerably.

3. Harvest capital losses – Take advantage of the recent stock market volatility by selling certain investments at a loss, then repurchasing similar but not identical investments. The losses can be used to offset capital gains or be applied towards ordinary income (up to $3,000 per year). Purchasing a similar but not identical investment will benefit you when the stock/mutual fund rebounds without triggering what’s called a “wash-sale” penalty.

4. Consider a Roth IRA conversion – If your income will be lower in 2016 than it normally is or than what you expect it to be in the future, take advantage by converting some or all of your IRA into a Roth. You will pay taxes on the conversion now, but the Roth will grow tax-free forever and produce tax-free income for you in retirement.

5. Make charitable contributions – Charitable deductions are an itemized deduction which reduce your adjusted gross income and may lower your tax bill. The analysis to determine the exact tax benefit gets complicated however because of a new provision which phases out itemized deductions as one’s adjusted gross income exceeds a certain level.

More advanced tax planning strategies to consider include shifting income producing assets to family members in lower tax brackets through the use of family limited partnerships (but beware the kiddie tax), using your $14,000 annual exclusion limit to make gifts that will ultimately reduce your exposure to estate taxes, and allocating your after-tax investments to be more tax efficient by using investments like municipal bonds which produce tax free income or deferred annuities which defer the income tax bill from capital gains, dividends and interest.

If you are unsure whether or not your tax bill can be lowered, give us a call or send us an email, and we will analyze your taxes for you: (925)927-1900 or rob@swrpteam.com.

Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner.

He is a Partner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving business owners in Danville for almost 30 years. Rob specializes in retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. www. summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial two mile trip a week to travelling by foot or bike–perfect for an outing to breakfast, the library, or accompanying your children to school.

7. Buy half a dozen 12oz stainless water bottles. The smaller size makes it easier to stash in a bag or carry–and I’ve find plenty of places to fill throughout the day verses carrying a liter around. With a few extra bottles for the car, I’m sure to have water when I want it, without giving into an impulse purchase.

8. Use a real mug for coffee and tea. I don’t know anyone who thinks coffee tastes better from a plastic-coated paper cup, yet it is estimated that 14 million disposable cups are thrown away each year–enough to circle the Earth 55 times and weigh 900 million pounds. Most coffee shops will serve you in a real mug, or bring your own and add your own flair.

9. Eliminate toxins from your home and yard. Sixty-two toxic chemicals are found in the average home, and the EPA estimates that indoor air is 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Convert wood fireplaces to gas, switch to green cleaning supplies, and watch out for ‘off gas-ing’ from new carpets, furniture, and paints.

10. Treat water like gold. Convert under-utilized grass patches to native and drought tolerant plants. Check drip systems and sprinklers for leaks, and water plants deeply instead of often–always choosing morning over afternoon and evening for watering times so water doesn’t evaporate in the heat of the day.

11. Eat an organic apple a day. What is old is new again. If it worked for our grandparents, then in most cases it should work for us. Don’t choice convenience over whole, unprocessed food that is better for you, your family, and the environment.

12. Signal and defer to those on your right. You’re not imaging things.

There is more traffic on the roads in the Tri-Valley. I haven’t met a driver that can read another’s mind, so please remember to signal your attentions three seconds before changing lanes. When approaching a stop sign intersection about the same time as another car, always yield to the car on your right–it doesn’t matter that you stopped a second before; they have the right-of-way, and they’re your neighbor.

From our house to yours, we wish you a joyful Thankchristkahyeargiving.

Follow us at www.facebook.com/sustainabledanville.com.

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Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 15

Page 16 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today

Procrastination? Make a New Year’s Resolution!

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

Over the 23 years I have practiced law in the estate planning arena. A large percentage of my clients have commented that they were sorry they procrastinated – some for years and others for decades – in establishing (or reviewing and updating) their estate plans.

Fortunately, most felt relieved and pleased when they completed the project. Moreover, they indicated that the process was much easier and less stressful than they expected.

Several years ago, I read with keen interest a Wall Street Journal article titled “Never Procrastinate Again.” Below, I’ll outline a few major points raised in that article and highlight key “take-aways.”

The article stated that scientists define procrastination as, “The intentional delay of an action despite foreseeable negative future consequences.” Examples of “foreseeable negative future consequences” you and your loved ones could suffer by procrastinating estate planning are: i) Tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary probate fees and costs, ii) Substantial time and inconvenience in estate administration, iii) Public versus private handling of your affairs, v) No control over distribution of assets to young adults or beneficiaries with special needs, and vi) Court appointment of people (you might not want) to manage your finances, health care, and/or minor children.

Most of my clients and most of those who live in this community are pretty successful people. It would be logical to surmise that when successful people procrastinate on certain projects it’s because they are perfectionists who are somewhat paralyzed by their desire to do everything perfectly, and the associated anxiety over the process causes them to avoid getting started.

Interestingly, however, studies indicate that it is not perfectionism or anxiety that prevents people from getting started. Nor is procrastination synonymous with laziness or simply poor time management.

So, why do people procrastinate, and how can one overcome the tendency to procrastinate? Evidently, high levels of stress experienced by procrastinators

Clip Notes

By Jody Morgan

Twisting greenery into circular shapes is a craft pre-dating written language. The Old English root of “writhe” (to twist) and “wreathe” (to encircle) is “writhan.” Traditions leading to decking doors in December with rounds of evergreens are as culturally intertwined as the branches forming the festive decorations. GrecoRoman antecedents documented by contemporary historians are easiest to trace, but practices of tribes encountered by Roman conquerors also contributed to determining the seasonal display.

Wreaths were the only tangible prizes awarded to artists and athletes competing in the Pan-Hellenic Games, held at four locations at different times of the year.

Beginning in 776 BC, victors at Olympia received an olive wreath. At Delphi the laurel wreath crowned winners. Pine was used at Isthmus and wild celery at Nemea. During the games the often-warring city-states honored a truce so citizens could travel safely to the events. Possibly winners hung their trophies on walls or entryways. However, harvest wreaths fashioned from wheat or other suitable plants from the most recent harvest did adorn doors.

The practice of eliding celebration of the harvest season with festivities marking the winter solstice follows customs far older than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the shopping frenzy of Black Friday. Thousands of years ago, the Roman celebration of the harvest recognizing their agricultural deity Saturn occurred on a single-day in late autumn. Gradually, Romans began staging the event honoring Saturn later and later in the year. Eventually, they blended it with other holidays, creating the week-long festival of Saturnalia running from December 17th to December 23rd. Similarly, the Pilgrim’s 1621 party we call the ”First Thanksgiving” occurred sometime between September 21st and the beginning of November.

Legislation approved by Congress in 1941 proclaimed Thanksgiving Day to be the 4th Thursday of November, directly preceding December’s holiday season.

The joyous generation of goodwill accompanied by exuberant feasting and drinking enjoyed during Saturnalia extended to giving slaves the chance to dine in splendor dressed as their masters (although some sources claim slaves still had to do the cooking). Evergreen wreaths decorated Roman doors, and bunches of

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causes them to shift focus to immediate rather than distant matters.

Fascinating studies are being conducted in many countries with therapy and even software being developed for habitual procrastinators. Meanwhile, some scientists believe the following represent constructive tools to remedy - break the cycle of - procrastination: 1) Break down the project goal into concrete sub-goals, and commit to the exact time you will start to work on the task 2) “Just get started!” - Don’t get overwhelmed by a long list of tasks or intermediate steps that may be required to complete the project 3) Remind yourself that completing a task now will help you in the future (and putting it off won’t make it more enjoyable) 4) Give yourself a reward for not only completing the whole project, but also for finishing each sub-goal.

So, if you are procrastinating about estate planning, how might these tools help you break the procrastination cycle and thus avoid the potentially profound negative future consequences?

In my estate planning practice, the process is generally broken down into these concrete sub-goals or steps: i) Contact my office to engage in an introductory discussion about your situation, obtain a fee quote, and have your preliminary questions answered, ii) Complete a Confidential Client Questionnaire, iii) Schedule a meeting to discuss and decide upon key provisions of each estate planning document, with my guidance and support, iv) Review the documents I prepare and send you, v) Schedule an appointment to discuss and sign the documents, and vi) (If you establish a Living Trust) retitle assets into your Trust with my instructions and support.

Forgive yourself for procrastinating - make a New Year’s Resolution and just get started. Be sure to reward yourself each step of the way! * Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer,” ii) Real Estate titling brochure, and/or iii) introductory meeting.

Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com.

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors.

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holly were given as gifts.

Many pagan cultures throughout northern Europe, uncertain the sun would rise without human intercession, created evergreen wreaths to perpetuate the cycle of the seasons and the return of light following the darkest day of the year. Some winter solstice celebrants added candles to the wreaths, placing them in each of the four directions to represent earth, air, fire, and water. Sixteenth century Lutherans are credited with appropriating that practice, hanging wreaths with four candles in churches during Advent to mark the weeks preceding Christmas.

But evergreen wreaths are not everlasting. In Living Wreaths, Teddy Colbert writes: “In Ulm, Germany, where I taught school before I married, townspeople followed the European Christian tradition of hoisting advent wreaths with four candles to the rafters of churches and wine stuebels. Homes, classrooms, and shop windows had smaller versions.” Sadly, she recalled, “The advent wreaths were glorious, but as weeks progressed they became less lovely and more hazardous.”

When she moved to Southern California, she realized that even the most luxuriant wreath ordered from a northern supplier soon crisped on her sunny door.

In 1976, Colbert enrolled in Dr. Crummet’s Container Gardening Class at UCLA. She was determined to make a wreath that would remain fresh and vibrant throughout the year. Solving the problem of what materials to use and how to give plants sufficient soil to survive without having the dirt drop out took time. Finally, in 1977, Teddy succeeded by placing soil between two florists’ wreath frames and wrapping moss secured by the type of flexible copper wire used by bonsai artists around the tubular container. Crummet encouraged her to begin with succulent cuttings that rooted readily and did not need frequent watering.

Pleased with the result, Colbert notes, “Although the living succulent wreath can be used for the holidays, it is not a Christmas wreath that goes out with the New Year’s trash. It can be used throughout the year – for many years – becoming more of a tradition with each event.” Today, the creation of living wreaths isn’t limited to planting succulents. Improved moisture retentive soils combined with slow release fertilizer allow designers to craft wreaths with ivy, flowering plants and even colorful vegetables and herbs to harvest. Displaying wreaths throughout the year follows multi-cultural precedents as time-honored as our December holiday traditions. Distinctive floral wreaths once designated a family’s residence before house numbers were common.

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Life in the Danville Garden

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 17

Autumn Color Ablaze in Danville

By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059

The autumn months of October, November, and December bring a joyful change to the gardens of Danville.

Autumn marks the change from the growing season to the cycle of rest and rejuvenation. As your plants prepare for a period of rest and rejuvenation, a whole new life cycle brings vibrant colors, scent, texture, and calmness to your garden. Creating garden environments that take advantage of the seasons enhance the all-year-around pleasure of your garden.

Autumn is a wonderful time in a garden. Trees, shrubs, ground covers, and grasses bring a whole new dimension of color, scent, and texture as they prepare themselves to rest. As I work with my clients in creating their landscape, I think about how we can have the garden be active all year around. So I select a plant palette that takes advantage of the seasons. The characteristics that can be used in the palette include color, texture, structure, scent, and movement. A good all-year-around plant palette has a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers, and ornamental grasses.

Color can be provided either by flower or leaf. Colorful trees like Nyssa Sylvatica (Sour Gum), Red Sunset Maple, and Chinese Pistache are vibrant as the evening snap of chill fills the air. Red-twig Dogwood or Sango Kaku Japanese Maple has vibrant bark color. As winter approaches, Autumn and Mexican Sage bloom profusely.

Texture can be found in leaves, seeds, and bark. As plants prepare for rejuvenation during the winter, they begin a last spurt of growth, bloom, and seed head expenditure. Crape Myrtle wonderfully flowers and turns to spent seed heads and bark peel. Other shrubs bloom and seed in a last ditch effort to propagate.

Structure is an element of design that can really be taken advantage of during the fall. Multi-branching trees and shrubs with intricate or bold branching can provide a dramatic accent that will add pizzazz to any garden. Multi-branching trees like Crape Myrtle, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo,’ and Buckeye can accent the drama of an autumn garden. As leaves drop and begin to expose the bold and intricate branching, new garden accents are created for new focal interest.

Autumn is the time to take in the wonderful aromas your garden can create. The heat of our Indian summer brings the strong scent of California Bay, sage, rose, and forest floor. Often times you will see roses springing to bloom as fall daytime temperatures sore. Most sages bloom during autumn. I like to take advantage of deciduous trees and shrubs when they begin to drop their leaves. Besides the vibrant leaf colors, they can dapple the landscape floor, adding texture and scent as the leaves begin to decay. When the first rains of fall arrive, the aroma of the forest floor can fill the air.

Autumn also brings soft warm nor-easterly breezes through Danville. Movement is an element I like to take advantage of in your garden environment.

Ornamental grasses such as red fountain grass, California fescue, and Morning Light Miscanthus are profuse by now with seed heads that gracefully sway and add gentle movement to your landscape. Perennials that are spent and dying back can also provide interesting movement if left uncut as they move into winter.

Danville’s unique climate allows for a long growing season yet brings forth a good autumn and winter for rejuvenation. Planning for seasonal change is an important aspect of my design philosophy.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: If you’re looking forward to installing your landscape project in the spring, fall and winter is a great time to start the design process for your garden so you’re ready to enjoy it next summer!

Gardening Quote of the Month: “I am rich today with autumn’s gold, All that my covetous hands can hold; Frost-painted leaves and goldenrod, A goldfinch on a milkweed pod; Huge golden pumpkins in the field, With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield; Golden apples heavy on the trees Rivaling those of Hesperides; Golden rays of balmy sunshine spread Over all like butter on warm bread; And the harvest moon will this night unfold The streams running full of molten gold. Oh, who could find a dearth of bliss, With autumn glory such as this!” ~Gladys Harp If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com or www. houzz.com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects.

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Jazz continued from front page

Arts, is part of the team who has been bringing exceptional jazz to Peace in Danville for the past twelve years. He says, “ I was fortunate to cross paths with Ed Klitsch who had ‘imported’ jazz to Philadelphia and San Francisco. He had the jazz connections and I turned it into an interfaith celebration.”

Jazz Church West at Peace Lutheran in Danville gets calls from agents in New York and LA who say,“My guy is going to be in the Bay Area, could he do that church gig?” Harms shared that every year at least half of the performers say,“This is the best damn gig I’ve had all year.” One performer explains the Jazz West experience this way, “You don’t understand how good this is. As musicians, we practice endlessly but you only go so far with that. It’s the audience who says, ‘take me further, go there, back off, be gentle with me’---and their responsiveness generates our creativity—to do things we’ve never done before, which is the point of jazz. This crowd is so tuned in; there are no distractions, pure focus—and sparks fly. This is why I got into jazz.”

Some of the musicians who have performed at Peace include Marcus Shelby’s Big Band with 25 performers, Mad and Eddie Duran on his 90th birthday (he played with Charlie Parker), The Saxophonistas- a women’s sax quartet, Gerry Grosz Jazz Kitchen, John Calloway, Clave Unplugged, vocalist Clairdee, Steve Heckman, Kenny Washington, and many more.

Check out Jazz Church West at Peace Lutheran at www.peacejourney.org or call 925-648-7000. The church is located at 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville. Jazz West sessions are free. It’s a casual evening and light snacks are available after the jam session. Performances start at 5PM every first Sunday from October-June.

Anton Schwartz on sax and Inga Swearingen,vocalist will perform in December.

Page 18 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

The Care of Mature Trees

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

Entering my sixth decade, the gathering stiffness in my joints deepens my appreciation that living systems change as they age.

Trees also change as they grow older, but, for trees and humans alike, how gracefully we flower in later life is not determined by genetics alone.

Long life for humans is a relatively new phenomenon. Our Paleolithic ancestors seldom lived beyond 35 years of age, and they would, I imagine, marvel that the average American now lives to be 78. However, long life for trees is nothing new.

Methuselah, a bristlecone pine growing in the Sierras, has attained the astounding age of 4,838 and is the oldest documented living organism on our planet. It lifts my heart to acknowledge that the pine nut, which grew to become Methuselah, sprouted its first needles 2,268 years before the birth of Buddha, 2,832 years before the birth of Jesus, and 3,402 years before the birth of Muhammad.

To promote long life, reduce the stresses on your trees. The densely packed clay soils common to the East Bay produce many stresses. Compacted soils lack air spaces and inhibit the movement of oxygen. Clay soils are soggy when wet (which promotes root rot), but they are hard when dry (which promotes drought stress).

Improving the porosity of the soil by mulching, aerating, and, sometimes, by radial trenching reduces the stress on your tree. Mulching is the easiest and cheapest of these techniques. Two or three inches of quality mulch under the canopy of the tree, but not piled against the trunk, helps to keep the soil soft, moist, and cooler in the summer. Aerating aids soil porosity and reduces stress.

To aerate the tree, use a deep root irrigator to drill many one-inch diameter holes to a depth of around 30 inches throughout the zone under the tree’s canopy.

Pruning to remove dead and diseased branches reduces the stresses on the tree.

Many fruit trees suffer from diseases, both fungal and bacterial, carried from flower to flower by pollinating insects. After entering through the flower, the infection spreads, usually slowly, down into the woody tissue. Pruning to a point below the spread of the disease increases the lifespan of the tree. As with humans, stresses can have cumulative effects. When pines are drought stressed, they are unable to make the sap they use to drown burrowing insects. Oaks suffering from oak root fungus have trouble taking up water and often suffer from drought stress.

When planning elder care for your trees, several factors beg consideration: What is your emotional attachment to the tree? Is the tree a hazard? Will it become a hazard in the future, and, if so, when? What will it cost to maintain the tree? Will it attain ‘sabi,’ the beauty of aging, if given the correct care? I hope that as I grow older I accept Roethke’s challenge and ‘dare to blaze like a tree.’

If you wish to extend your tree’s lifespan please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood.

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Abdominal Wall Hernia

By Michael Baker, M.D., FACS

Abdominal wall hernias are among the most common of all surgical problems. More than one million abdominal wall hernia repairs are performed each year in the United States. Two-thirds are inguinal hernia repair, reviewed in an article in this publication in August, and one third are “ventral hernias.”

A hernia means that some part of the contents from within the abdominal cavity-- some fat or sometimes a part of the intestine-- protrudes through an abnormal opening, weakness, or tear in the muscles of the abdominal wall. Ventral abdominal wall hernias occur in several locations, and the most common are epigastric, umbilical, and incisional.

Epigastric hernias occur in the muscles of the upper abdominal wall, on a line between the breast bone and the navel or umbilicus.

Umbilical hernias occur near the navel, which has a natural weakness from the blood vessels of the umbilical cord.

Incisional hernias can develop soon after surgery or many years later.

They affect more than 10% of patients who have had abdominal surgery.

Hernias can cause burning, pressure, or pain. They can be caused or enlarged by excess abdominal pressure due to being overweight, excessive coughing, or pregnancy. Most hernias can be diagnosed by physical examination, as there is often a visible bulge. Your physician may ask you to cough or strain in order to make it more obvious on examination. If it is difficult to determine with certainty, then physicians will sometimes order an ultrasound exam or a CT scan.

Hernias may be reducible – the contents put back into the abdomen – or incarcerated, when it cannot be reduced into the abdomen. There is a risk that the incarcerated contents become strangulated (the tissue dies), making this an emergency and often a more complex and dangerous operation.

A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself. There are no exercises or physical therapy regimens that can make a hernia improve or heal. Hence, most physicians encourage repair of hernias in patients who are medically able to undergo the procedure, even if there are no symptoms but especially if it does not reduce into the abdomen. Symptomatic hernias and those that are incarcerated should almost always be repaired.

Hernia repair requires a trip to the operating room and the ability to tolerate anesthesia. Most all hernia surgeons strengthen repairs with a mesh of woven material to bolster the muscles and prevent hernia recurrence. Hernias can be repaired with a traditional “open” incision or use of a minimally invasive technique with a laparoscope to enter the abdominal cavity and repair from the inside. Open surgery mandates doctors make an incision which must be large enough for the surgeon to fit his/ her hands or surgical instruments inside the abdomen. Open surgery allows doctors to see and touch your organs and tissue while operating.

Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) is done through a few small incisions using long, thin surgical instruments and a camera. The camera sends images to a video monitor in the operating room which guides surgeons as they operate.

Robotic surgery is the next evolution of minimally invasive approach and features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and special instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist. This enables your doctor to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity, and control. There is early data that suggests there is less post-op pain and faster return to activity with robotic procedures.

Your surgeon will choose the technique which they feel is the most appropriate for your age, medical conditions, surgical risk, and potential outcome. Each type of repair has its advantages, risks, and benefits. Recovery time is variable, but most patients can return to light activity within a few days. Timing for return to work or vigorous activity will be recommended by your surgeon.

Dr. Baker is a board certified General Surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a retired US Navy Admiral. He is the Senior Partner of West Coast Surgical Associates (formerly Walnut Creek Surgical Associates) with offices in Walnut Creek, Concord, and San Ramon. For more information, call (925) 933-0984 or view the surgical team at www. wcsurgeons.com.

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Proven Antidotes to Holiday Stress

By Joree Rosenblatt, MA, LMFT

The holiday season is never as easy, peaceful, and joyous as we hope or expect it to be. And while there is a plethora of wonderful and joyous moments during this time of year, sometimes we are even too stressed to notice or appreciate them.

Additionally, I know that this election season has added an unprecedented degree of stress with the unknowns of our political future.

But stress is stress, regardless of its source. It has serious implications on your mind and body, and it can be difficult to manage, especially when many things pile on at once. Studies show that nearly 70% of doctor visits are due to stress-related symptoms; getting a handle on them will benefit you in the short and long term.

Try some (or all!) of the following proven stress-busters.

Take deep breaths

This is self-explanatory. Our breath is the best tool to calm our brains and our bodies - the key is remembering to use it!

Meditation/mindfulness

One of the root causes of stress is our emotions, and gaining insight and awareness into them can help to control them. To do this, slow down, connect with your breath, get into your body, and practice looking at life situations, your thoughts, emotions, and sensations with an “it is what it is” mentality. Eventually, you’ll see what is arising more objectively and that “it” begins to have less control over you and your mood. Not having to label everything as good or bad, with this “just is” mindset we practice having an evenness of mind (also known as equanimity) in learning to respond and not react.

Through experiential practice, studies have proven how this creates and strengthens new neuropathways, allowing you to respond more effectively to life’s struggles.

Gratitude

Cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”! Neuroscience tells us we have a negativity bias. For self-protective reasons, we are evolutionarily designed to focus on the negative. It takes conscious effort to look for the good, and when we intentionally looking for the good, we find more good! Studies also show that cultivating gratitude can help boost positive emotions while helping to buffer against negative ones. Focusing on gratitude will not prevent the negative stuff from arising, but

A Path to Happiness

By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Recently, a doctor friend was interviewing college applicants at an Ivy League school. When asked what the participants wanted to be, two separate candidates confided: plastic surgeon or investment banker.

What on earth, I thought...wow! These aspirations might seem similar: two careers, each offering the hope of success and prosperity. Shouldn’t we all pursue such dreams? I offered the best advice I could. “I know very little about investment banking,” I said, “but from my perspective as a plastic surgeon, I believe there is another choice you must make first.” I explained that long before mastering the field of surgery, a person must first choose to become a physician. I explained that this path means caring for people and finding joy in it.

Any medical student will tell you that the moment they entered training, family and friends began asking for counsel. I am sure that most of my colleagues will remember those first years of medical school; everyone asked us for advice, and we probably gave it, thinking we already knew so much.

That kind of enthusiasm shouldn’t change over the years, but unfortunately it sometimes does. So when I was asked recently about how to choose a career, I found myself answering a bigger question. Is it possible to dedicate oneself to something truly loved? And does that choice include a commitment to service and compassion?

The answer is yes.

For me, going into medicine was a calling. I became a physician for two reasons.

The first was simple: a sense of duty. The second is one I hold dear: the wonder of forming relationships with people in their time of need. Some might describe it as a sacrifice; holidays, weekends, nights, and personal time are dedicated to help patients. But it has never felt like a sacrifice to me. Being a physician is honorable, and it offers me purpose. It gives me great pleasure, and although it is not always easy, there is at least one person each day who sends me home feeling good about what I do. Sometimes my job is challenging, but the most difficult moments pale

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 19 it helps to diffuse it and allows us to respond with less reactivity. Practice being grateful for the little things (e.g. a friendly barista steaming your latte) as well as the big things (e.g. the health of you or your loved ones).

Laughter

Watch a video of a baby laughing, and within minutes the release of endorphins from smiling or laughing will likely lessen your negative mood. Studies show that laughing can improve your health by relaxing your whole body, strengthening your immune system, and balancing your nervous system (especially when laughing face-to-face with another person, which will also increase connection and create shared experiences) all the while triggering emotional changes in the body that will reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Get outside

Being in nature has a profound effect on people’s well-being. Scientist Roger Ulrich found that hospital patients whose window overlooked natural settings showed shorter recovery times, needed less medication, and reported a more positive hospital stay as compared to those patients who didn’t have visual access to nature. It’s also been proven that smelling grass reduces heart rate, blood pressure, and even road rage!

So, next time you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, go outside! Soak in the fresh air, stop and smell the roses, and connect with the natural environment around you.

Exercise

Even if you dread working out, it will still have powerful positive effects for your body. Studies show that exercising reduces the levels of your body’s stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, while aiding in the production of endorphins, which are your body’s natural mood elevators and pain killers. And it’ll help you keep fitting into your jeans after all the holiday pie.

Have more sex

Studies show that when we are in an intimate relationship, we heal faster, get sick less often, and live longer. In addition, having sex can release the “feel-good” hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins, counteracting the stress hormones. Increasing these positive experiences and feelings towards your partner will help identify them as someone you can rely on during stressful or difficult times. So, go get it on!

If stress continues to be something you struggle with beyond the holiday season, and you would like opportunity to practice these tools more in depth, check out www.mindfulnessandtherapycenter.com or feel free to call me for more info at 925-212-2996. At The Bay Area Mindfulness and Therapy Center, I work with individuals and lead mindfulness classes on helping Advertorial people get unstuck and live their optimal life. in comparison to what patients feel when they are in pain or chronically ill.

In my experience, many doctors forget the idea of what it feels like to be a patient. Separating ourselves can be a way to keep an even keel, but this risks alienating the very people we are trying to help. It is tempting to believe that work is better left at the office. “Don’t take your patients home with you,” I have been told. And although it is important to maintain a good balance between my personal and professional life, I do, ultimately, take my patients home with me.

I think about patients in my car as I drive home, I reflect on them in the evenings, and I look forward to seeing them when I wake up in the morning. Medicine is part of who I am, and I don’t think of it as a job or occupation. Rather, it is something I have chosen because I believe in it. This perspective has actually helped me be a more energetic surgeon and a more complete person. It is thus that I think those of us with a stronger sense of calling are more resilient to that which is challenging in our profession. We enjoy what we do. It informs us, shapes us, and makes us better people.

Becoming a board certified plastic surgeon took more than an a decade of training. But along the way, I was a doctor to my patients. I find comfort in the fact that simply caring for people is something I still do on a daily basis. Over the years, I have watched our healthcare system transform and policies evolve. Many of us feel swept up in the changes; we are not sure what to predict and how it will affect us. I hope that whatever system emerges will allow doctors to follow their calling, as I have done. I hope that if we have been called to serve, we will be able to do it.

How will that happen? Who among us should choose this path? These are difficult questions. In the end, however, I have begun to recognize that even the most complex questions have a simple answer. For me, the answer is taking care of my patients and finding joy in it. I am so grateful to have found my calling, for it is one that inspires and rewards me in equal measures. I am a surgeon, but I am also a physician; both are roles I am honored to fulfill.

Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com.

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Page 20 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

Your Personal Nutritionist

How to Survive the Holiday Season Without Gaining Weight

By Linda Michaelis RD, MS

This time of year I often hear my clients say, “How can I enjoy the holidays without overeating and gaining weight?” or “Oh! I will just start dieting again on January 1st,” or “How can I say ‘no’ to all of the goodies offered?”

Below are a few tips that have proven successful.

The key to success during the holiday madness is to become mindful of your eating. What does this mean? This means developing a moment-to-moment awareness of what you are eating. 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 and then what you eat. For example, when you are eating quickly without savoring your food and then rapidly taking another serving, you are not eating mindfully.

When you first arrive at a party and prepare a plate, think, “Do I really like this food? Is it one of my favorites, and is it as good as I thought it would be?”

This is mindful eating.

Practice moderation, not deprivation, because deprivation will only cause a backlash of bingeing and overeating. Some of my clients are chronic dieters who are so focused on the role that food plays in losing weight that they do not allow themselves to enjoy food. I teach all of my clients to enjoy holiday parties and to learn that occasional overeating does not mean instant weight gain.

The day after the occasional overeating, you will find that if you return to eating mindfully, you will be eating less. Too many people throw in the towel when they overeat at a party and get upset with themselves and end up overeating again.

One effective tool to mindful eating is to observe what you do with your silverware when you are eating. Do you keep it in your hand the entire meal, or do you put it down between bites? Do you prepare another bite while you are still chewing? You are not eating mindfully when your attention is on the next bite

Menopause Matters

By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP

In upcoming columns I will review what happens to lower genitourinary tissues like the vagina and bladder when a woman’s circulating estrogen goes away. In prior columns I reviewed the time frames for the menopausal transition and defined menopause as starting 12 months after a woman’s final menstrual period (FMP).

Hot flashes, typically the most common symptom that women associate with the menopausal transition, go away in over 90% of women within 5-7 years. What many women don’t associate with their FMP are the changes that occur in the vagina and bladder that may not be noticed until five years after their FMP. Unlike hot flashes which often go away, bothersome changes in the vagina and bladder don’t get better with time.

Anatomic and physiologic changes in the vagina associated with menopause are directly related to reduced circulating estrogen levels and aging. The high concentration of estrogen receptors in the vagina and the opening of the vagina modulates tissue health. Low levels of circulating estrogen after menopause results in physiologic, biologic, and clinical changes in the vagina and bladder.

Anatomic changes include reduced collagen and elastin and thinning of the tissues which can cause altered appearance and function. The smaller/inner labial lips can become thin and regress, causing the opening of the vagina to retract and become narrow, all which can result in pain with intimacy. Physiologic changes can result in fewer blood vessels and reduced vaginal blood flow, and diminished lubrication which leads to decreased flexibility and elasticity. These anatomic and physiologic changes can lead to decreased strength and increased fragility which can lead to daily discomfort or pain with intimacy.

Approximately 20-50% of US women experience symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, burning, or UTI like symptoms from the anatomic and physiologic changes mentioned above. These symptoms can occur during the peri-menopausal transition when menses are spacing out or may not be noticed until several years after the final menstrual period. Women at high risk for breast cancer or those who have already had breast cancer are often prescribed medicines (to reduce future risk) which can have negative effects on vaginal mucosa. The old term to describe these symptoms was vulvovaginal atrophy, or VVA. The term VVA has recently been abandoned because of negative connotation with the word atrophy and that bladder symptoms

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instead of focusing on what is in your mouth. Put your utensils down when you are chewing. If you are eating finger foods, put the food down in between bites. Sit down and eat when at a party instead of eating standing up to improve mindfulness.

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 OK to say no thank you when offered an appetizer that you do not like. Do not overeat from pressure, and do all you can to be true to yourself and not give in.

The number one rule for party eating is not to arrive at the event too hungry. If you do, you are setting yourself up to fail where you will almost inevitably overeat. Have a substantial lunch the day of the party, not just have a bowl of soup or salad. Have at least 4-6 ounces of protein and a cup of veggies. Skip the breads which you will most likely 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 or skewered shrimp, roasted veggies, or grilled asparagus with balsamic glaze. These items will balance your meal, especially when the offerings are starch 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 a plan when you walk in based on the offerings such as having just a few appetizers and two holiday cookies.

During the holiday season I counsel my clients by phone or email. We speak often and 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 the people I work with a sense of confidence to attend a party with a plan in mind. It is a constant thrill for me to hear how they have been able to sail through parties with even more enjoyment and without overeating.

Nutritional counseling is often covered by medical insurance such as Aetna, Hill Physicians, Sutter Health, Health Net, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, UHC. Call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutritional concerns or email me at Lifeweight1@gmail.com. Visit my website at www.LindaRD.com for past articles. Advertorial were not mentioned. The current term accepted by the North American Menopause Society (menopause.org) is the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, or GSM. Treatment of GSM should be made available to all symptomatic women who are bothered by these symptoms and are interested in treatment. Sexual difficulties and chronic irritating symptoms may result in ongoing discomfort and/or personal or interpersonal distress. Some women may complain of interruption of activities of daily living because of severe vaginal dryness, whereas others only complain of pain with intimacy. First line treatments include nonhormonal over-the-counter (OTC) products such as vaginal moisturizers (like placing moisturizers on your skin) and personal lubricants. A company out of Luxembourg, Pjur (https://au.pjurmed.com), has a complete line of water and silicone based products for daily use. If non-hormonal interventions are not successful in ameliorating symptoms, minimally absorbed vaginal low-dose estrogen can be considered in women who have no medical contraindication to its use. Another helpful internet resource I share with patients is (https://middlesexmd.com). This professional website created by a gynecologist is devoted to genitourinary health in peri-menopausal/menopausal women. Next month’s column will go into more specifics about medical management of GSM. Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925-935-6952. Advertorial

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Celebrate Pain-Free Holidays: Don’t Take Arthritis Lying Down!

By Dr. Melissa Ko, D.C., Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

As our fall and winter months get chillier, many of us may experience more aches and pains in our joints. This is often due to arthritis. Years ago, patients with arthritis would be told to just rest, take it easy, reduce activity, and take pain killers. However in recent years, research has shown that movement, exercise, and activity are actually crucial not only for pain-relief but also to promote joint health and range-of-motion, and to prevent further degeneration within the joint.

What is Arthritis?

The word “arthritis” means “joint inflammation” and is often used in reference to rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases include many conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition), gout, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and many more. Symptoms associated with these conditions include painful, achy joints, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving.

Should Arthritis Patients Exercise?

Exercise is critical in successful arthritis management. Exercise helps maintenance of healthy and strong muscles, joint mobility, flexibility, endurance, and helps weight control. Rest, on the other hand, helps to decrease active joint inflammation, pain, and fatigue. Arthritis patients need a good balance between the two: more rest during actively painful phases and more exercise during remission. During acute flare-ups, patients should still perform gentle movements and stretches.

Nutritional Recommendations

Nutrition may provide complementary support to arthritis treatment. Some foods and nutritional supplements may be helpful in managing arthritis: • Essential Fatty-Acids (ie. Omega-3 Fish Oils) like EPA, DHA, and

Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 21

GLA. Deep-sea fish like salmon, tuna, herring, and halibut are sources of EPA and DHA. • Turmeric, ginger, and nettle leaf extract • An anti-inflammatory diet consisting mostly of vegetables, lean proteins, fruits, and healthy fats, and is low in refined carbohydrates and sugar

Exercises Recommendations

• Range-of-motion exercises: Activities like stretching, yoga, and dancing can help maintain normal joint movement and increase joint flexibility.

• Strength-training: Weight lifting can help support and protect joints.

• Aerobic or endurance exercises: Walking, swimming, or riding a bike helps improve your cardiovascular system while toning your muscles.

• All of these exercises, after consulting with your doctor, should be performed consistently as long as they do not worsen or create pain.

How can Chiropractic Help?

A thorough history, exam, and diagnosis are needed to determine which type of arthritis a patient is suffering from so that proper treatment recommendations can be made. If you suffer from arthritis, your Doctor of Chiropractic can help you plan a treatment and exercise program that will restore range of motion and decrease aches and pains.

This winter, don’t miss out on holiday celebrations and activities with your loved ones because of aches and pains! Keep yourself moving, organize fun activities that involve going outdoors and moving around, and don’t overindulge in foods that may kick up your inflammation!

All of us at Sycamore Valley Chiropractic wish you and your loved ones a Happy Holiday Season full of Comfort and Joy! Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www. sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial

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Page 22 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

Ageing Hands

Stimulating Hope

By Dr. Jerome Potozkin

Break Through the Bleak Cycle of Depression

By William Shryer, LCSW, DCSW Clinical Director, Diablo Behavioral Healthcare and Blackhawk TMS

Depression is a subject that is rarely if at all talked about.

We have associated shame and powerlessness with this subject and often have difficulty knowing how and what to do if we, or someone close to us, becomes depressed.

Some of the symptoms of biochemical depression are feeling long-lasting sadness, sleeplessness, a change in appetite or weight, or even difficulty in following a daily routine. These feelings are sometimes accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. These are symptoms of biochemical depression that is treatable.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most acute, widespread pathologies of the 21st century, affecting nearly 15 million American adults annually.

Patients suffering from MDD are traditionally treated with antidepressants and/ or psychotherapy. However, too often, antidepressants and other treatments fail to bring the hoped-for relief to patients.

The marriage of Silicon Valley technology and forward thinking medicine has resulted in the technology known as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

This novel and successful treatment for depression has been used for years in Europe but sadly, only recently here in the U.S. Brainsway is one of the most advanced companies providing this technology based out of Israel, and Blackhawk TMS located in Danville, is the first to bring this exciting technology to the Tri-Valley.

Brainsway can help you break through the sadness and start anew with a safe, non-invasive, and effective treatment for depression. The treatment has been shown to bring significant improvement to patients suffering from depression and anxiety including those who have tried several types of antidepressants to no avail.

Brainsway's treatment for depression has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013. The treatment has no systemic side effects and is highly convenient, requiring only 20-minute daily sessions over a period of 4-6 weeks. Moreover, the treatment is prescribed and supervised by a licensed psychiatrist in an outpatient facility.

Have Antidepressants Failed to Work?

Brainsway’s treatment launches a new era in the treatment of MDD. It has many unique advantages over other treatments for depression. Antidepressants, for instance, fail to provide an adequate solution for many patients, and they often entail harsh side effects, ranging from nausea, insomnia, and anxiety to weight gain and sexual dysfunction. This can lead many patients to neglect their medication regime, believing that living with depression is better than living with the side effects.

Other alternatives, such as electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), require anesthesia and is associated with memory loss. To be clear, TMS is not ECT, and it does not induce electric current into the brain.

Brainsway’s Deep TMS – Brief, Effective Treatment

Not too long ago a woman named Ellen consulted with me for signs of ageing. When the consultation began, I was a bit confused. Ellen looked younger than her chronological age of 68. She had been a long-term user of sunscreen as well as excellent medical grade skin care products. She was doing all the proper things.

She confided in me that she had her eyes done, had a facelift, and took advantage of Botox and fillers. She looked great, natural, and not over-done. Most people that I see want to look like the best natural version of themselves and not like a distorted version. I could not figure out what could be bothering her until she took off her gloves and showed me her hands. She was embarrassed by the ageing appearance of her hands which were thin skinned with prominent veins and multiple brown spots that she referred to as liver spots. Her hands simply didn’t match her overall youthful appearance. She could not understand why she had liver spots when she could not recall ever having eaten liver, and her primary physician told her after a recent physical that her liver was normal.

Ellen is not alone as I have treated many patients for the signs of ageing on their hands. Firstly, liver spots have absolutely nothing to do with your liver or ever having consumed liver. They are called solar lentigines and are caused by long term sun exposure. It is not unusual to lose volume and subcutaneous fat in the back of our hands as we age. This loss of volume can make veins and tendons appear more prominent. Fortunately, we have solutions to both problems.

The brown spots on the back of the hands can be treated in multiple different ways. Some people will freeze them with liquid nitrogen. We use the PicoWay Laser to treat these spots as it has fewer risks than liquid nitrogen.

The PicoWay emits a beam of light that is selectively absorbed by the brown pigment. The laser light flashes on and off in picoseconds, so fast that heat is not spread to other normal skin structures. Picosecond lasers have dramatically improved how we treat pigment spots and tattoos. This allows us to remove the brown spots with minimal risk to surrounding structures. We can usually accomplish dramatic change in one or two sessions.

In addition to treating the brown spots, we can also treat the loss of volume. Some patients will elect to undergo a procedure known as autologous fat transfer. This procedure is sort of like a mini-liposuction. It is performed in the office and does not require general anesthesia (being put to sleep). We typically extract some fat from the abdomen, thighs or hips and then inject it into the back of the hands. Some of the fat has the potential to create a longlasting change by acting as a living graft, whereas some of it will go away in several months. To perform this procedure, the individual must have enough fat to remove and inject. Many patients simply don’t have enough fat. For those slender individuals, we can inject a commercially available filler such as Radiesse into the hands. Radiesse can restore lost volume, minimize the visibility of veins and tendons, and provide a smooth natural result.

Ellen underwent treatment where we injected Radiesse into her hands, restoring lost volume and making the veins much less noticeable. In addition to this, we treated her brown spots with the PicoWay laser. When I saw Ellen at her two month follow up visit, I knew we had accomplished our goal as Ellen was no longer wearing gloves to her visit. She held her hands up and was happy to point out that now her hands matched her face.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville.

He is accepting TM new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin. com for more information.

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The Eye Opener

Happy Holidays 2016 & the Year in Review

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

Another year is almost in the rearview mirror. It is during the holiday season that I like to review the year which has past and start thinking of the year ahead. We have made some positive changes this year to improve the office, patient care, and choices for our patients when considering lenses for their computer glasses.

Our major addition to the office in 2016 for improved patient care was the Optomap. This technology takes a digital image of the retina without dilation. It is safe to use for all ages since there is no radiation. It is a great tool for many reasons. It gives the patient the ability to view the structures in their own retinas. For documentation purposes, it forms a baseline to be able to compare against moving forward. If there is a retinal condition, it allows the patient to view the exact problem, and it can be used to monitor treatment. Since it is very difficult to detect subtle change over time, a digital image is much better than what can be documented in your medical record. Even though the Optomap is a valuable tool in providing comprehensive eye care, it is not meant to completely replace dilation. Dilation is still the standard of care for evaluation of the retina.

A Gift to Our Community – the Cancer Support Community

By Jewel Johl, MD

As a medical oncologist, I see patients who are enduring physical and emotional stress caused by cancer. While working to eradicate the cancer, I always take into account the condition of the body and mind. From the time of diagnosis to after completion of treatment, psychosocial support is always recommended for the patient, their family members, and caregivers. One of the most valuable resources in our community for cancer patients and their families is the Cancer Support Community in Walnut Creek.

For over 15 years, my colleagues at Diablo Valley Oncology and I have referred our patients, friends, and loved ones to them. The Cancer Support Community provides services free of charge include counseling; support groups; nutrition, exercise, and patient education programs; and much more.

So far in 2016 over 2,200 patients and their families made 22,000 visits to Cancer Support Community. Through their programs, they enable cancer patients to achieve an improved quality of life. All of their programs and services are evidence-based to positively impact cancer treatment outcomes and/or immune system functioning, and they are all delivered by professionals who are licensed or certified in their area of expertise.

As the year draws to a close, many people embrace the spirit of giving by making tax deductible contributions to nonprofit organizations and charities.

Please consider making a year-end gift to the Cancer Support Community annual appeal, “Campaign for Hope.” All funds raised will help this organization continue to provide valuable programs and services for our local community.

Please plan to attend a Holiday Boutique & Fundraiser, sponsored by Diablo Valley Oncology at our facility in Pleasant Hill located at 400 Taylor Blvd., front lobby, on December 9th from 1-4pm. Vendors include Sloat Garden Center, Amphora Olive Oil, Chloe + Isabel, and Beauty Counter – all donating a portion of their sales to the Cancer Support Community.

For more information call 925-677-5041.

Dr. Johl is a Board Certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cancer Support Community. To learn more about Dr. Johl and Diablo Valley Oncology, visit www.dvohmg.com.

The Cancer Support Community can be reached at 925-933-0107 or www.

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Danville Today News ~ December 2016 - Page 23 However, the Optomap will be used as an adjunct to dilation for documentation and to monitor the retina for any changes in between dilations.

To aid in patient communications to and from our office, we have started using Solution Reach. Those of you that have been at the office in the past two months have already been introduced to this program. Instead of phone calls, postcard reminders, and voicemails, most communication from the office regarding exam confirmations and reminders and eyewear notifications will now be done through email and text. Since most of us have smartphones at this point, it made sense to move to this new technology because we were finding that most patients are more comfortable communicating through email and text than phone. In addition, it is hard for most patients to call the office during their work day, so going this route enables patients to confirm appointments and receive notifications when it is convenient for them. We also believe that our staff will now be better able to spend more time with our patients in the office due to the fewer phone calls that need to be made. However, to make this technology work, we need to have a cell phone number and email address, so make sure all information is current when you contact the office.

In addition to improving patient care and the patient experience, there have also been improvements in the field of lenses to help patients see better and more comfortably. Lens designs, specifically for the computer and to help combat computer fatigue, have made strides in the past year. These single vision lenses can be worn full time if wanted and allow the patient to see their computer screen and phone with less strain while not making the distance blurry as in your 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. As long as your purchase is made by the end of the year, it will count on your 2016 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 wishes for the holiday and a prosperous new year to all of 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 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.

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Page 24 - December 2016 ~ Danville Today News

The Combs Team Professionals You Can Count On

Nancy

This is Rockcliff Country

®

92 5 -9 8 9 -6 0 8 6 www.TheCombsTeam.com

Last year I predict4 bed 2-3 bath homes sales Danville ed our rate of growth Year $ sq. foot Avg. Price Size sq. ft would slow and inven2012 $ 344 $ 785,000 2350 tory would increase.

2013 $ 353 $ 950,000 2691 I was right on both predictions. Inventory 2014 $ 418 $ 1,022,000 2450 has increased ever so 2015 $ 451 $ 1,155,000 2589 slightly from the previ- 2016 ytd $ 473 $ 1,216,000 2599 ous year and average price increased only 6% compared to 13.9% last year. Still, I’m finding sellers are not really motivated to sell their homes as values continue to rise faster than any other investment. I suspect that Proposition 13 and the advent of reverse mortgages are compounding the low inventory problem in the Danville market. Last year’s interest rate increase taken by the Federal Reserve had a temporary dampening effect on the market that was shaken off as the selling season progressed. It’s unclear if the Federal Reserve will move rates up again.

Are we in a Real Estate bubble? Ten years have passed since the big crash. Even with the recent run up in home prices, the average Danville home has appreciated a mere 9% since 2006. That works out to be something a little less than 1% percent per year for ten years.

Today, interest rates remain 30% lower than back then and average income in Danville has increased by more than $10,000 per household. Add all this to our continuing job and population growth, small increases in new home building, and incredibly tough lending standards, and it’s a challenge for me to believe we are in the midst of a Real Estate bubble. If I were asked to characterize our current market, I would say “strong” is the best word to describe it.

May you and your family have a joyous Holiday Season and may 2017 be your best year ever. Happy New Year!

It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. Computer generated estimates of your home’s market value are probably wrong. If you would like a multi-dimensional analysis of your home’s current market value, based on years of Danville market experience, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email at joecombs@thecombsteam.com. For more Danville and Danville Real Estate articles, please visit our website at www.thecombsteam.com.

Dollars Per Square Foot

I am delighted to deliver another positive Real Estate report as we near the end of 2016.

I want to review what I consider to be the average Danville family home of four bedrooms equipped with two to three baths and see if the upward market trend we observed since 2012 can be seen as we near the end of 2016.

At the peak, the 2006 time frame, the average price paid for one of these 2,500 sq. ft. homes was $1,112,000, selling at a stratospheric price of $436 per square foot. Supply was low and demand was very high. If you recall those bygone days, the competition for Real Estate was so hot that in a typical sale you had to beat out four or five other bidders to obtain a Danville home. The Danville market declined, most significantly from 2007-2009.

In 2010 the multi-year free-fall was showing signs of being broken and by the end of 2011 the market found bottom.

Through the first 10 months and 16 days of the current year, the price for Danville family homes has increased significantly compared to last year. The current average sales price stands at $1,216,000 compared to $1,155,000 in 2015. This represents a price increase of 6% Danville Family over the previous year andHome pushes us $104,000 higher than the previous 2006 peak. Dollars $480 per square foot increased in lock step $473 from $451 to $473 for a 4.8% increase. $460 For the year 2016 a total$451of 297 homes in this classification have been sold. Inventory $440 remains low with only 42 similar properties currently on the market. They carry an averDanville Family Home $420 $418 Danville Family Home age list price of $1,329,340 and a $480 $ sq. foot $400$480 $473 per square foot price. The active listings $480 $380 $473 $460 have a list price range from $898,000 all $451 $460 $360 $353 the way up to $2,500,000. Danville family $451 $440 $344 $340 $440 1 2 3 4 5 homes are selling at a rate of 27 per month. $420 $418 Years 2012-2016 $420 sq. foot The$current inventory sits at 1.6 month’s $418 $ sq. foot $400 supply which is still a wee bit on the low $400 $380 side. I do believe we are moving towards $380 $360 a more normal market supply of between $353 $360 $344$353 three and six months of inventory. A total $340 $344 $340 1 2 3 4 5 of 29 homes are pending sale at this time.

1 2 3 4 5

Dollars Per Square Foot

Joe

Call the Combs Team

Danville Real Estate - Home Prices Up 6%

Dollars Per Square Foot

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Years 2012-2016 Years 2012-2016

West Side Alamo, Mt. Diablo Views

Downsize to Downtown

G DIN

PEN

Danville Single Story

G

IN ND

PE

Completely renovated, 2 master bed suites, 2 beds ensuite, office, library and au pair unit. Soaring ceilings, great flow. Priced to Sell $1,699,000.

Beautiful penthouse condo with two master suites. Walk to downtown Pleasant Hill.

Priced to sell $419,000.

Single level 3 bedroom on .47 acre. Pool. Backs to Iron Horse Trail. SRVUSD schools.

Priced to sell $963,000

Blackhawk Area

Views! West Side Alamo

Diablo Building Lot

D

L SO

Elegant Mediterranean style 4 bedroom 3.5 bath home with pool/spa. 1st floor MB suite w/2 walk-in closets. Priced to Sell $1,350,000

LD

SO

West Side Alamo 4 bedroom spectacular views, great location. Worth waiting for. Priced to sell $1,279,000.

Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources.

Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

LD

SO

Build your dream home on a 1.64 acre lot in Diablo. Priced to sell $930,000.

J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526