Danville_Today_May_2015

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May 2015 Serving Danville Contra Costa National History Day Winners Head A Giant(s) Singing Honor

By Linda Summers-Pirkle to State By Jody Morgan The National Anthem brings out the enthusiasm of a crowd like few

From the moment research on the annual National History Day (NHD) theme begins to the culmination of competition at the week-long National Finals held in June, 500,000 students supported by 40,000 dedicated educators enthusiastically pursue the study and presentation of their topics. Participants come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools, American Samoa, International Schools of Asia, and Guam. California’s program involves 44,000 scholars in grades 4-12 in 34 counties with the top 1,000 selected to attend State Finals. This year 44 Contra Costa County finalists are preparing for state-level judging on May 8-9 at William Jessup University, just north of Sacramento.

What begins for Key sponsors of NHD, Ken Behring (far left) and Pat Behring (far right) some students as enjoy hearing NHD contestants describe their projects. a classroom assignment quickly evolves into a compelling adventure. Brenda Stutzman, co-coordinator for Contra Costa History Day, includes two-dimensional poster board projects in her 5th grade curriculum at Golden View Elementary.

songs can. Regardless of age, gender, or political affiliation, when the last line begins, just about everyone can be heard belting out the words “and the home of the brave.” It is an honor to be asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner at any event, but when it’s a San Francisco Giants game with over 40,000 fans, and it’s the third time in three years, it is a phenomenon. Danville resident, Avery Chapman first sang at a Giants game when she was just eleven years old. Now aged 13, she will be singing for the third time to another packed stadium on May 5th.“I love baseball almost as much as I love singing, and I am honored to be able to sing for the Giants once again,” she says.

Singing the National Anthem can be a challenge for the most seasoned performers because of the song’s extensive range. Add to that an outdoor venue, sound bounce back, and the inevitable surge of fans voices near the end of the song, and singing it can be a bit overwhelming. Not so for Avery Chapman whose quiet demeanor and reserved personality are evident in her explanation of her ap- Avery Chapman and Lou Seal after Avery had finished singing the National Anthem for See History continued on page 24 proach to her vocal performance. the first time at the 2013 S.F. Giants game.

“For me, performing a song is a lot Panama-Pacific International like walking into a classroom for the first time. There’s a feeling of having focus only on you for a minute or two, but then once you find your place Exposition Exhibit Opens in Danville the it’s about the whole class working together. It’s the same thing when I am

By Jody Morgan singing at a Giants game. I know I need to concentrate and focus on my In 1915 California invited the world to attend the Panama- solo performance, but then it becomes more about making the experience Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco. Be- enjoyable for the fans so we can all root for the Giants together.” tween February 20th and December 4th of that year, almost 19 See Avery continued on page 23 million visitors accepted the invitation. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MuseSRV) is celebrating the centennial of the An Evening with the Stars fair as a core partner with 50 other organizations including the

By Jim Scala California Historical Society, the DeYoung Museum, and the Drive up Mt. Diablo on May 23rd, and Bernard Maybeck Foundation. The exhibit opening at MuseSRV arrive at the lower summit parking lot by on May 5th comes to Danville after a yearlong run at the Capitol Museum in Sacramento. about 6:30PM for an inspiring evening with How did the San Ramon Valley’s own museum manage to acquire the Sacramento the stars. The program will begin at 7:30PM. presentation? MuseSRV Executive Director Daniel Dunn explains, “We became aware You’ll see the universe as never before. of the exhibition ‘California Invites the World: the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition’ at the Capitol Museum due to our partnership with the PPIE100 organiz- Members of the Mt. Diablo Astronomical society (MDAS) will be standing body.” After Dunn and several MuseSRV Board members visited the impressive ing by their telescopes to show you celestial objects. You’ll see craters display, they discovered that once “California Invites the World” closed in Sacramento, of the Moon and the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Some deep sky objects including no plans existed for continuation at other venues.

Volume VI - Number 7 “I contacted Renato Consoli who is the Exhibit Designer/Coordinator at the State nebulae and star clusters should be viewable. 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Capitol Museum,” Dunn recalls. “As museum professionals, we have an interest in The views will capture your imagination, and Alamo, CA 94507 having exhibitions that we have worked on have a life past our exhibit schedule.” the night sky will never be the same again.

(925) 405-6397 MuseSRV obtained permission to borrow objects in the exhibit belonging to the Cali- Every visitor says, “Wow!” many times during Fax (925) 406-0547 fornia State Library and private collectors as well as components created by the Capitol a viewing. In twilight, before observing action Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher See Exhibit continued on page 22 starts, you’ll be treated to a short talk entitled, editor@ “Planets of our Solar System.” Then you’ll yourmonthlypaper.com PRSRT STD walk among the various telescopes and see a U.S. Postage The opinions expressed herein belong spectacular sight through each one.

PAID Local to the writers, and do not necessarily Astronomy is called the “gateway science” reflect that of Danville Today News.

Permit 263 Postal Customer Danville Today News is not Alamo CA because many scientists, engineers, and medi- responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does cal doctors say their scientific curiosity was ECRWSS

See Stars continued on page 27

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Page 2 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

Boulevard View

Celebrating Bike Month on a Bicycle Built for Two By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

When I was in my early teens my mother found a police auction that the family attended. I remember the atmosphere was like an exciting garage sale.

The auction consisted of recovered items that could not be reunited with their owners. What I remember most was a plethora of bicycles for auction.

During the preview we found a brown, Schwinn tandem bicycle, sitting in a heap. It was missing a wheel or two and needed some love. Coming from a hands-on family, it was just the project for dad to tackle with his daughters.

We bid on the bike and won the auction. Shortly after winning the tandem, another bicycle came up on the auction block that had wheels which would fit the newly acquired tandem.

As the bidding started on the homely bike with the desired wheels I remember raising my hand and offering 10 cents for it. My opening bid garnered an “are you kidding” look from the auctioneer, so I bumped up my opening bid to 25 cents...going, going, gone! I won the bike and we were able to harvest the wheels for our tandem project.

We cobbled the two bikes together, made some tweaks and modifications, and created a new bike that became the envy of all of the neighborhood kids.

Many fond memories were made riding around the neighborhood, performing circus stunts such as switching seats while riding, and piling more than two people on board as we circled around the block. It was nerve-wrecking to be in the back seat where the handlebars remained in a fixed position!

As my sisters and I grew older, the bike moved down to our family beach house in Pacific Grove. There, once again, the bike took our family and friends on many excursions along the beach and into town.

Over the 40+ years of having the bike it was given new tires, brakes, and tuneups and was well used. After four decades of keeping the bike maintained, dad lacked the interest to fix it again, and a sister and her husband decided to replace it with a new, shiny, tandem.

Upon hearing the old bike was headed for a recycling center, my son spoke up and said he’d like to tackle the fix-up project on the old tandem. I brought it to his home in San Jose where he and his roommates took it for a quick spin and then started the tear-down process. The wheels are off, the rusty fenders are getting polished, and it looks like the bike will have a new lease on life once again.

Perhaps one of the allures of the tandem is its old-fashioned novelty. In 1892 English composer Harry Dacre wrote a song titled “Daisy Bell.” As noted by author David Ewen in the book American Popular Songs, “When Dacre first came to the United States, he brought with him a bicycle, for which he was charged import duty. His friend William Jerome, another songwriter, remarked lightly: ‘It’s lucky you didn’t bring a bicycle built for two, otherwise you’d have to pay double duty.’”

Dacre was so taken with the phrase “bicycle built for two” that he soon used it in a song. While I didn’t remember the song being called, Daisy Bell, I do remember the jingle of the line: “Of a bicycle built for two.” The old fashioned lyrics ‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true/ I’m half crazy over the love of you/ It won’t be a stylish marriage/ I can’t afford a carriage/ But you’ll look sweet/ Upon the seat/ Of a bicycle built for two’ definitely harkens to another era.

The bicycle built for two leads to people being together on a common adventure. I hope that the old tandem bike continues to bring fond memories for my son and his friends, and maybe he will take his mom for a spin once it is all back together again.

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JARED HIGGINS TEAM Danville Home Sales 24 Appian Ct. 1670 Brush Creek Pl. 812 Camino Amigo 400 Castanya Ct. 35 Claypool Ct. 784 Contada Circle 702 Contada Circle 2 Corte Encanto 171 Emerald Dr. 460 Everett Dr. 155 Gil Blas Rd. 320 Glasgow Circle 207 Glen Meadow Ct. 712 Graham Ct. 1164 Greenbrook Dr. 1168 Greenbrook Dr 1231 Greenbrook Dr. 325 Harper Lane 1032 Hill Meadow Pl. 261 La Pera Circle 660 Logan Lane 643 Los Robles Ct. 305 Love Lane 1005 McCauley Rd. 87 Meese Circle 25 Montair Pl. 233 W. Prospect Ave. 190 Pulido Rd. 128 Saint Francis Ct. 55 Serena Lane 288 Sherburne Hills Ct. 59 Summer Hill Ct.

List Price $1,225,000 $785,000 $1,699,000 $1,699,000 $1,625,000 $740,000 $1,299,000 $1,395,000 $1,689,000 $1,099,000 $999,000 $989,900 $1,125,000 $1,025,000 $875,000 $1,100,000 $1,200,000 $1,650,000 $1,199,000 $975,000 $1,625,000 $895,000 $1,699,000 $1,779,000 $949,000 $2,100,000 $1,315,000 $910,000 $1,159,000 $1,199,000 $1,999,000 $769,900

Danville 94526 detached home sales per MLS 03/24/15-04/24/15.

DOM=Days on Market.

Sold Price $1,335,000 $775,000 $1,750,000 $1,590,270 $1,650,000 $818,500 $1,259,000 $1,395,000 $1,670,000 $1,050,000 $999,000 $1,035,000 $1,175,000 $987,500 $976,000 $1,100,000 $1,275,000 $1,630,000 $1,250,000 $1,000,000 $1,650,000 $975,000 $1,732,000 $1,875,000 $1,000,800 $2,000,000 $1,315,000 $925,000 $1,216,000 $1,150,000 $1,959,900 $785,000

Sq.Ft. Beds/Baths $/SqFt DOM 1857 3/2.5 $719 8 1862 3/2.5 $416 12 2605 5/2.5 $672 5 4389 6/4 $362 12 3186 4/3.5 $518 7 1598 3/2 $512 8 2779 5/3 $453 8 2620 4/3.5 $532 15 2920 5/3 $572 15 2561 5/2.5 $410 29 2069 4/2.5 $483 18 2908 5/3 $356 5 2640 5/3 $445 7 2700 4/2.5 $366 15 2003 4/2 $487 2 2824 5/2.5 $390 0 2571 4/3 $496 8 3327 6/4 $490 42 2686 5/2.5 $465 2 2502 4/3 $400 15 3390 4/3 $487 7 1778 3/2 $548 7 2828 4/3 $612 24 3746 4/3.5 $501 5 2251 4/2.5 $445 7 4992 4/3.5 $401 106 3005 5/5 $438 11 1962 3/3 $471 20 2651 5/2.5 $459 7 2879 4/3 $399 28 5391 5/4.5 $364 162 1633 3/2 $481 12

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 3

Danville’s Real Estate Expert Danville Today News ~ August 2013 - Page 3

The Market is HOT Inventory is Low. It’s a Great Time to Sell!

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JUST SOLD in Castro Valley 9338 Crow Canyon Rd 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1612 sf, .60 Acres Sold for $650,000 with 20 offers!

14th Annual AAUW Garden Tour

The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be holding their 14th annual Garden Tour on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th from 10AM - 4PM. The tour will showcase five delightful gardens located in Alamo and Danville.

Tickets are $35 each. No children under 12 or pets, please. For tickets with garden locations, purchase online at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden. Tickets (cash or check only) are also available at East Bay Flower Company, located at 206 Sycamore Valley Road West in the Danville Livery.

All proceeds from the tour go to AAUW funds, the educational heart and soul of AAUW, supporting aspiring female scholars. To find out more, visit www.daw-ca.aauw.net/garden.

Jared Higgins (925) 487-2907

jhiggins@rockcliff.com JaredHiggins.com BRE# 01781054

Fallen Heroes Celebrity Golf & Bocce Ball Tournament and Tribute Dinner/Auction

Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes is proud to announce their 6th Annual Fallen Heroes Celebrity Golf & Bocce Ball Tournament & Tribute Dinner/Auction at Diablo Country Club, Diablo on Monday, June 1st. The event begins with breakfast followed by an honor guard tribute and national anthem. Golf will be a shotgun start/scramble format with a bocce tournament kicking-off at 1pm. A cocktail reception and silent auction begins at 4:30pm, followed by dinner, tribute, and live auction beginning at 6pm. Evening entertainment will included renown tenor Daniel Rodriguez a former NYPD officer known as the ‘Singing Policeman,’ and celebrity appearances by Gary Plummer, Barry Sims, Larry Wilcox, Ron Masak, and more!

Proceeds benefit the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund for the children of fallen peace officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty in California. Seventeen peace officers and firefighters who died in 2014 will be honored for their sacrifice in protecting their communities. Scholarship awards will be presented at the event.

For additional information or to sign-up for the event, visit www.thefallenheroes. org, or call (925) 831-2011. Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to honoring and supporting fallen California Law Enforcement and Fire Service personnel by paying tribute to their sacrifice and providing relief to their family members who have lost their beloved heroes in the line of duty.

Danville Community Band Concert

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club

Are you new to the area, a long time resident, newly retired, or empty-nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities?

The Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club is a women’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner.

Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. The club’s next new member coffee will be held Tuesday, May 26th at 10AM. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.

The Danville Community Band will present their concert “As Summer Was Just Beginning” on Sunday, June 14 at 3PM at Community Presbyterian Church, located at 222 W. El Pintado Road in Danville.

Escape spring and burst into summer with the Danville Community Band and their season finale performance. They’ll be playing some tunes that may remind you of summertime activities or vacations including “Sunday in the Park,” “Circus Galop,” “It’s A Small World,” Gershwin’s “Strike up the Band,” and more! The band will also feature a percussion concerto and one of the pieces they performed recently at the Association of Concert Band’s National Convention, Jan Van der Roost’s “Puszta.” The concert is free.

For more information about the band, visit www.danvilleband.org.

The Danville Community Band is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Page 4 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

Treats for the Troops

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Submit Applications for the 2015 Kiwanis Danville 4th of July Parade

The San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Danville 4th of July Parade committee is now accepting parade applications for parade entries now thru June 25, 6pm. The theme of the Parade, proudly presented by Alamo Ace Hardware, will be “Kids on Bikes - Smart, Safe, and Healthy.” In partnership with Street Smarts San Ramon Valley, the parade will highlight the fun, health benefits, and safety of bicycling, starting at a young age and potentially lasting a lifetime. Register at www.kiwanis-srv.org/parade.asp today.

Mark your calendars for the July 4th parade which will start at 9AM. Expect about 125 entries in 24 different categories. Categories include Marching Unit, Band, Horse, Float, Majorette, Parade Theme, Antique Auto, Bicycle, Novelty-Comic, Animal: Non-Horse, Special Interest Auto, Scout Troop, School, Dance/Theatrical, Family, Country Club, Neighborhood/Homeowner Association, Church Group, Retail Business, Service Business, Sports Team, and Community Service/ Special Interest – Non-Profit Community Organizations, and Civic or Public Safety Organizations.

The Parade is an incredible event which typically attracts between 35,000 and 40,000 attendees. Some folks describe the parade as something from The Music Man and others say it’s simply the last vestiges of small town America.

The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley is a community service club which is comprised of local business leaders and community residents who enjoy sharing good fellowship, building enduring friendships, and helping local organizations and individuals with community service projects and grant funding. For information on membership or how to be involved, please email JohnLineweaver@gmail.com.

Delta Nu Psi is collecting “gourmet junk food” to send to American troops in Afghanistan. The group 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.

On May 8th and June 12th they will be at Lunardi’s in Danville and on June 5th at CVS Pharmacy in Blackhawk “First Sunday” Cars & Coffee Alamo. Collections will be held from 11am to 2pm both Blackhawk Automotive Museum hosts a monthly Cars & Coffee event year round for all car enthusiasts. days, rain or shine. Money for postage is also always Held on the “First Sunday” of each month, starting at 8AM and going to 10AM, the Museum welcomes all appreciated as shipping costs have risen 34%! classic, collector, and special interest car owners and enthusiasts.

For more information, visit www.deltanupsi.org.

On Cars & Coffee Sundays the Museum opens an hour earlier, at 9AM, and participating car owners will receive complimentary Museum admission tickets.

Veterans of Foreign Wars The Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. For more information, visit www.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States blackhawkmuseum.org/carsncoffee.html, call (925) 736-2280, or email museum@blackhawkmuseum.org.

(VFW), Post 75, San Ramon Valley, meets every third GFWC Danville Women’s Club Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Join us for lunch! On Thursday, May 21st, the Danville Women’s Club luncheon Building, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, on program is all about our student scholarship recipients. Each year we award one acathe corner at East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue.

PM PM demic scholarship to a graduating senior from each of the four Tri-Valley high schools, Doors open at 7 , and the meeting begins at 7:30 . send a student to a leadership conference, support the alternative high school, and award For more information, contact Post Commander Ernie one art scholarship to a Tri-Valley graduating senior planning to pursue a degree in the Petagara at (925) 362-9806. Send mail to VFW Post arts. We will gather at our Clubhouse, 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave. in Danville, at 11:30am 75 San Ramon Valley, P.O. Box 1092, Danville, CA 94526. Find out more about the VFW and our Post at and lunch is served at noon followed by the program and business meeting. Reservations can be made by calling 925-837-1165, or by contacting a Club member. Guests are always welcome and lunch is free for www.vfwpost75.org. first-timers. It’s a great way to discover who we are and what we do in our communities.

Calling all “Fashionistas”- Thursday, May 7th is our 19th Annual Fashion Show for Hospice of the Blue Star Mom Collections and fashion show featuring Chico’s. It will be held at BlackThe Blue Star Moms will be holding collection East Bay. The event includes a luncheon am hawk Country Club. Doors open at 11:30 with lunch served at 12:15pm followed by the fashion show. drives on the following dates.

Local businesses provide lots of prizes for our Opportunity Drawing. Tickets for the show are $45 and • May 30 ~ 10AM to 3PM ~ Lucky’s, 21001 San may be purchased from a Women’s Club member or by calling Barbara Chavez at 925-938-0347.

Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon Thursday, June 4th is the last meeting of the 2014• June 6 ~ 10AM to 3PM ~ Veterans Memorial Blvd., 2015 Club year. Our guest speaker will be Danville Danville Mayor Mike Doyle or Karen Stepper, Vice Mayor. In • June 20 ~ 10AM to approximately 2PM, care pack- addition, we have the installation of Club Officers and age packing/mailing at Camp Parks Directors for the 2015-2016 Club year. Come and enjoy For more information or to find out how to drop off a great lunch, and visit with the leaders of our town. other donations, contact Linda Johnson at lcjassoc@ We will adjourn for the summer and resume meetgmail.com. Monetary donations are always appreci- ings on Thursday, September 17, 2015.

The 104 year old Danville Women’s Club is a member ated to cover our postage expense. Checks can be of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Intermade payable to and mailed to Blue Star Moms, PO national, and the GFWC California Federation of Women’s Box 2537 San Ramon, CA 94538. For a list of items the group is looking for, visit www.bluestarmoms.org. Clubs (CFWC). For more information about any of our meetThe following events will be held to raise funds ings/events, or the Club, please visit us on the web at www. danvillewomensclub.org. Did you know that our Clubhouse for Blue Star Moms. is available for rental at reasonable rates? Call 925-837-1165 • May 29 starting at 10AM ~ Golf Tournament at or email danvillewc@gmail.com for complete details.

Callippe Golf Course, Pleasanton. For more information, contact Jake at Callipee Golf Course at (925) 426- Search and Rescue The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue 6666 x18 or Michelle Miller at chellem@bak.rr.com.

Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing • June 29 from 5:30PM - 9PM ~ Gianni’s Restaurant, person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents.

Tips for the Troops, 2065 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program San Ramon. To make reservations, call (925) 820- provides required training; including wilderness travel6969 or visit www.opentable.com/giannis-italian-bis ing, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special tro?rid=108103&restref=108103. training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or www.yourmonthlypaper.com other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call 925-646-4461.

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Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 5

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The Realtor you list your home with DOES make a difference: The Carolyn Gwynn Real Estate Advantage: Call me today at (925) 336-7525 to discuss how business acumen, high work ethic, professional photography, staging and preparation, and the knowledge that goes with being a lifelong East Bay resident will make the difference for you. www.CarolynGwynn.com Based on information from the CCAR MLS. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed by MLS or Empire Realty.

Friends of the Blackhawk Museum Present Artist Roxana Santo De Hayden

If you have been wondering who painted the fabulous murals in the Blackhawk Museum’s new exhibit, “The Spirit of the Old West,” wonder no more! It is the Friend’s of the Blackhawk Museum’s May speaker, Roxana Santos De Hayden who will be giving a presentation and tour at our Wednesday, May 13th meeting from 10am to noon in the Auto Dining Room.

Roxana was educated in Architectural Interior Design in London. She earned the distinguished Painters-Stainers Award from the Polytechnic of the South Bank, and she was named best in all England for the year 1981. Shortly thereafter she relocated to Milan, Italy where she worked for the next 17 years as a full-time interior and industrial designer. While in Italy, she became fascinated by trompe l’oeils and frescos. In her last four years in Milan, she became a professional trompe l’oeil and mural artist. In 1998 Roxana moved from Italy to the San Francisco Bay Area where she now resides.

Roxana will give a presentation and then take us on an exciting tour of her work in The Spirit of the Old West Museum.

The event is free to Blackhawk Museum Members, $15 for non-members, and $10 for Senior Citizens. You won’t want to miss this program!

The Blackhawk Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. For more information, e-mail dee4life@earthlink.net.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated

Scholarship Awards Dinner with Catharine Baker Assemblywoman from the 16th District

Come join the San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated at their Scholarship Awards dinner with Catharine Baker, Assemblywoman from the 16th district.

Catharine will provide an overview of her experiences since being elected to the Assembly last November including her committee assignments, proposed legislation, the budget, and what the atmosphere is in the Capitol.

Baker was selected to serve as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and also serves on the Assembly Committees on Transportation, Business and Professions, Privacy and Consumer Protection, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Catharine is a member of the Bay Area Caucus, the Legislative Women’s Caucus, and the Outdoor Sporting Caucus. Her main legislative interests include education, transportation, and economic development.

Bring family and friends for this special dinner meeting with the Bay Area’s only Republican elected State Representative. The dinner will be held at Crow Canyon Country Club located at 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville on Tuesday, May 26th. Social time begins at 6:30pm, and dinner, awards, and speaker at 7pm. The cost is $40. Men and students are cordially invited.

Please RSVP by Friday, May 22nd to srvrwf.lunch@gmail.com.

Labyrinth Opening

The Hap Magee Labyrinth is finished, and a grand opening dedication will take place on Sunday, May 31, at 4pm. The park is located at 1025 La Gonda Way in Danville. Please come and experience the new park amenity.

Page 6 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

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Sons in Retirement

San Ramon Valley Branch 128

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

Our next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 11AM. Please join us as we’ll be celebrating our branch’s 30th Anniversary with a barbecue, prizes and entertainment provided by a local women’s quartet, LA DI DA. We’d love to see you at this fun celebration. The $23 fee includes barbecue luncheon, entertainment, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley.

To reserve a space, please email us by Thursday, May 14th at info@sir128. com. The event will be held at the San Ramon Golf Club, 9430 Fircrest Lane in San Ramon.

For more information, visit www.SIR128.com.

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Blackhawk Republican Women Present Nancy Weinstein

The Blackhawk Republican Women present Nancy Weinstein, an international interior designer and ground breaking entrepreneur.

The event will take place on May 21 at the Blackhawk Country Club Grille Room with check-in and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30PM and the meeting and speaker at 6:15PM. Weinstein is a sought after guest speaker who will tell about her experiences doing business in China. She was a guest speaker at Beijing University, Chapman University, and UC Irvine, as well as many business and executive groups across the country. Nancy also testified in Washington, D.C. before a congressional committee on “What is Happening to Americans Doing Business in China,” held

by Congressman Ed Royce of Southern California.

Come hear how Weinstein built a business (“It’s not just a store, it’s an experience” ~ Shanghai Daily News) in a country where she didn't speak the language, where she hosted her own television show, and where she was asked by the Chinese government to design the interiors of Chairman Mao’s summer home.

The Los Angeles Times, speaking on American Woman Entrepreneur in China: How the Chinese Mafia Stole My Business in Shanghai, describes Weinstein as “The Ambassador of Design.”

Cost for this event is $25. Everyone is welcome.

Make reservations with a check made payable to “Blackhawk Republican Women,” as well as any cancellations, by noon on Tuesday, May 19th with Marianne Lyons, 856 Turrini Dr., Danville 94526; rlyons1009@sbcglobal.net; or (925) 820-6452.

Meals on Wheels

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

Museum Volunteers Needed

Looking to get involved in the community? The Museum of the San Ramon Valley needs your help. Volunteer positions are available in the following areas: • Walking Tour Docents • Docents • Events Committee • Greeters • Educational Programs (One Room School/Indian Life) Call Eve or Donna at 552-9693, or email srvmuseum@sbcglobal.net for additional information.

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

Bea Pussman is our winner!

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editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Alamo Jewelry, Fine Art, & Craft Show

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 7

7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale

Painters, jewelers, sculptors, and other artisans will be gathering on Mother’s Day weekend at Alamo Plaza Shopping Danville - A new report has just been released deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of Center for the annual “Alamo Jewelry, which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most dollars. The good news is that each and every one of Fine Art and Craft Show.” these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 This popular two-day event will Step System that can help you sell your home fast this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free be held Saturday and Sunday, May and for the most amount of money. special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get 9 and 10 from 10AM to 6PM. This industry report shows clearly how the Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar".

This year’s show features local traditional ways of selling homes have become To hear a brief recorded message about how to and regional artists exhibiting origiincreasingly less and less effective in today's market. order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1nal works of art including paintings, The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of 866-265-1682 and enter 2000. You can call any time, homesellers don't get what they want for their homes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, and become disillusioned and - worse - financially Get your free special report NOW to find out how glass, woodwork, mixed media, disadvantaged when they put their homes on the you can get the most money for your home. photography, and more. market.

The pottery of David Yager As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 represents the exceptional quality of artistry presented at the Alamo This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors CalBRE 01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2015 festival. His pottery is known for its classic shapes and high-fire cobalt blue glazes. David studied glazing techniques for two years with New York ceramic artist, Michael Lucero, whose work is shown in the Smithsonian. “This celebration of art offers a great opportunity for art lovers to meet with and purchase directly from some of the West Coast’s most talented artists and artisans,” said festival director John Holland.

To reach the Alamo Plaza, take the Stone Valley Rd.West Exit from Hwy. 680, then turn right 1 block on Danville Blvd. Admission to the festival is free.

Additional show information and maps are available online at www.jhfestivals.com. responsible for granting consent for donation until they reach 18 years of age.

SAVE LIVES! Be an Organ When a patient in a hospital has suffered a severe, non-survivable brain and Tissue Donor injury, the hospital contacts the local organ procurement organization (OPO).

By Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Only after the family has been informed of the patient’s death or imminent death is the opportunity for donation discussed with the family. In cases where Supervisor My colleague on the Board of Supervisors, Federal the patient was not a registered donor, the family is asked for authorization.

With permission and after the patient’s medical team has declared death, Glover, is currently hospitalized while awaiting a heart and kidney transplant. In support, the Board took ac- the recovery process moves forward, which includes establishing medical tion to declare April as National Donate Life Month in suitability of the donor and finding appropriate recipients.

Organs are assigned based on a complex medical formula that is estabContra Costa County. Thus, I thought it timely to write about the extreme need for organ donation and the California Donor Registry. lished by transplant doctors, public representatives, ethicists and organ recovery agencies. UNOS (the United Network for Organ Sharing) maintains More than 123,000 individuals nationwide and more than 22,000 in a national list of patients waiting for organ transplants. A donor’s blood type, California are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list. Unfortunately, 21 people die each day simply because the life-saving organ they tissue type, body weight, and size are matched against patients on the list. If needed was not available in time. The need for donated organs is especially there are multiple matches, priority is given to the sickest patients or, in the urgent in Hispanic and African American communities. A single individual’s case of kidneys, those who have been on the waiting list the longest. Factors donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine can such as race, gender, age, and income or celebrity status are never considered save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to when determining who receives an organ.

The vast majority of designated donors sign up through the California De50 others; and a single blood donation can help three people in need. Millions partment of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when they apply for or renew their driver of lives each year are saved and healed by donors of organs, tissues, marrow and blood; and the spirit of giving and decision to donate are not restricted license and/or ID card. You can also enroll online at www.donateLIFEcalifornia. org. If you’re not already signed up as a donor, please consider registering today. by age or medical condition.

My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District More than 12 million Californians have signed up with the state-authorized “Donate Life California” Registry to ensure their wishes to be organ and 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, tissue donors are honored. While 50% are registered nationally, only 39% Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to of the eligible state population is registered. “Donate Life California” is a contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic private, nonprofit entity created to administer the organ, eye, and tissue donor or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. registry dedicated to saving the lives of thousands of Californians awaiting cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860. life-saving transplants. Administered by California’s four nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organizations, or OPOs (which facilitate the Do you have donation process in the state), the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue a story idea Donor Registry enables Californians to personally consent to the donation or sporting news? of organs, tissue, and cornea after death.

Do you want to place In California, consent (first-person or by the family) is given in approximately 80% of cases where patients are pronounced brain dead and are an ad?

Gopher Removal medically suitable to be organ donors. The Registry allows Californians who Contact us at No Poison are 18 years of age or older to register their personal authorization to donate 925.405.6397 or specific or all organs and tissues upon their death. Minors may register to express their wish to become donors, but their parents/legal guardians are editor@ yourmonthlypaper.com 925-765-4209

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Page 8 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

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“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” ~ Vince Lombardi Stone Valley Middle School has been a very busy place these past few weeks ~ as we “chase perfection!” We have welcomed our incoming 6th graders (one of our largest classes in a long time!) to Stone Valley! After a spirited cheer led by our mascot, Larry the Lion, our 8th grade WEB team (Welcome Everybody) led 200 students from Rancho, Alamo, Montair and other elementary schools on a tour of our campus. Parent chaperones also had an opportunity to see drawings of our new school and tour the campus. It was a wonderful day! The following evening, we held our parent orientation for incoming 6th graders. Sixth grade teachers and support personnel presented our academic program and also the great opportunities in our elective classes.

Go Team Go!! On Friday May 1st, our Ed Foundation sponsord the Fitness Challenge. Students form teams and participated in a fun obstacle course designed by Diablo Cross Fit along with parent leaders. Through pledges and sponsorships, we hope to have raised $10,000 for our Ed Foundation.

It was a great event!

Teacher Karen Jacobs and 8th grade student Catie Powell were selected as our Teacher and Student of the Year and will be honored at the Alamo Rotary luncheon on May 20th. Karen has taught Resource at Stone Valley for over 15 years and is a caring, compassionate, and thoughtful professional.

Catie enjoys all of her classes, especially science. She hopes to become a photographer. She is a leader on campus and participates in many sports and fundraisers for worthy causes.

Stop on by! On May 21st, Stone Valley will welcomes all parents and student to our annual Open House. Festivities begin at 6:30pm with a chance to grab a nice Mexican dinner on campus. At 7pm, we will convene in the gym to celebrate our PTA award winners and Rotary winners. After the presentation, classrooms will be open for touring. It is always a wonderful evening, celebrating the great work of our students.

We have begun our state required testing in English language arts and math. Testing will continue through May 14th. Students are using desktop and Chromebooks computers to complete the tests. Thanks to our teachers, tech staff and the district office, all of the technology is working well!

Our new school! We have been meeting regularly with the project manager as to the plans for temporary housing and our new permanent building. It will be simply gorgeous! We have the architectural renderings in the office; please stop by and see them. We hope to be in our temporary housing by December 2015, with construction beginning January 2106.

It is an exciting time as we welcome our incoming 6th graders, make plans for the construction, plan to welcome a new principal, and celebrate our 8th graders as they promote on to high school. We are proud of the high academic and behavioral standards at Stone Valley and are very excited for the future!

Danville Girls Chorus

June Audition and Upcoming Show

Are you a girl in 2nd to 7th grade who loves to sing? Join the Danville Girls Chorus! Come audition for the group’s 2015-2016 season on Tuesday, June 2nd at 3:45pm at San Ramon Valley High School. Visit www. danvillegirlschorus.org to register for the audition.

The Danville Girls Chorus (DGC) is made up of 155 girls from 3rd to 8th grades from schools across the Tri-Valley area. The primary goal of DGC is music education. Under the direction of Ken Abrams, award-winning Choral Director for the San Ramon Valley High School, girls are taught the basics of vocal production and learn the fundamentals of musicianship and note reading. They are also introduced to a variety of musical styles, ranging from classical to contemporary, folk tunes, and pop music.

The chorus will perform its POPs Concert “Whatever You Imagine” on May 30. This final concert of the 2014-2015 season will be held at the East Bay Four Square Church, 2615 Camino Tassajara Road, Danville. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, and can be purchased at the door. Come join the Chorus for an energetic tribute to your favorite animated classics from both television and film!

For more information on the audition and upcoming performances, visit www.danvillegirlschorus.org.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

The New SAT

What to Expect and how to Prepare

By Susan Sokat, Director, Club Z!

In March, 2016, the College Board will roll out the new SAT test, with some major changes from the old SAT. Current sophomores who will be taking the SAT as juniors in 2015/16 will now be seeing the new SAT. Many students will be happy to know that the new SAT is Right Only Scoring. You are no longer penalized for incorrect answers.

Here are some of the other changes that you can expect.

The New Writing Section

Essay writing is now optional. There are, however, some major changes to the essay. The old SAT asked a student to take a position on an issue and write about it. The new SAT will require a student to read a passage and write a thorough analysis. The previous writing section allowed 25 minutes, and the new SAT writing section allows 50 minutes. The writing section is now at the end of the test, instead of the beginning.

The Writing score will be presented separately, so we predict most students will tackle it anyway. Without Writing, the total possible score will be 1,600, (still a possible 800 per section, Math and Reading/Language)

The new SAT Sections

The Reading section allows 65 minutes to complete. Emphasis will still be on reasoning, however with a clearer focus. Reading will now include historical and scientific passages, and some data interpretation. This is similar to the ACT. There will also be evidence-based reading, where students are required to answer where they found the information.

The Language section, formerly the multiple-choice Writing section, will allow about half the amount of time as before, now 35 minutes, which means students will have to move quickly.

The Math portion includes three sections, for a total of 80 minutes. Multiple choice sections include one with a calculator and one without. There is also a grid-in section.

The ACT will also incorporate changes, but not quite as major as the SAT changes. The ACT continues to be more of an achievement test. The total possible composite score is 36, which is an average of the curriculum components.

The best way to prepare for either test is to engage the services of a tutoring company. Club Z! offers a proven test preparation program with impressive results. The program is completely individualized for each student’s needs and is offered in-home with experienced teachers/tutors.

Club Z! has been recently named “The Best of Danville, 2015” for tutoring services. For more information, please call 925-786-7149. Advertorial

Are we Ready? By Alison Watson,

San Ramon Valley High, Senior

By now, high schools seniors have made their college decisions and have decided what they will be doing next year and where. The stress of contemplation is over only to be replaced by the mix of anxious excitement and nagging fears for what the “real world” holds for all of us.

Now is the time for growing into ourselves and becoming responsible, independent “adults.” I say “adults” because if you are like me, headed for college next year, I am in charge of my own day-to-day needs and yet I will still have the safety net of my parents support if needed. I don’t have to worry about solely supporting myself or any of the stresses that are imposed on oneself when you truly enter the consequential freedom of adulthood. No, I am entering a euphoric limbo where I am allowed access to the title of “adult” but still protected from the stresses.

Next year we graduates will have new things on our plate: the responsibility of managing our own time, doing our own laundry, making friends, networking for a hopeful future, or deciding how much sleep we need to function. Yes, all of these things make me want to hide out from the real world and run away from my future; but I still can’t ignore how excited I am about this change in a really roundabout, anxious sort of way. Next year everyone gets a clean slate, a new start at a life: one that has only just begun. I hope you learn from every future mistake and in turn bask in the glow of every future success. May we all survive and enjoy the limbo of “adulthood” that the next few years will bring for us.

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 9

St. Isidore School

By Maria Ward, Principal In May we celebrate our Blessed Mother Mary…

May is one of our busiest months at St. Isidore school. Many traditional events take place this month. We started our month celebrating May Crowing on Friday, May 1st. During this special liturgy, th our graduates selected four 8 grade students who they felt had demonstrated a life honoring our Blessed Mother. These students processed in during the liturgy and crown the statue of Mary on the altar with flowers. The flowers represent our love for our heavenly mother. It is a St. Isidore tradition that anchors us in our Catholic faith. This is the start of many 8th grade special graduation events during May. Thursday, May 14th is our Spring Concert. Our students have been diligently working with our music teacher on Broadway songs for the show. We always have a packed house at the school and our school community enjoys getting together to support our students. Please come join us at 1PM and/or 7PM. During an early morning carpool on Friday, May 8th we have a special treat for our school moms. We will be having a “Madelines for Moms Carpool” that our leadership students organized and in which our teachers assist. We pass out these treats to our moms in the morning. We love acknowledging how incredible our St. Isidore moms are in everything they do for their children and our faculty. We are happy to honor them with a little treat and a prayer card letting them know how much we cherish each one of them.

Our own Bulldog Band has their last performance of the school year on Thursday, May 21st at 6pm. Our band director, Miss Crossen, does a fantastic job getting our band students familiar with classical and traditional music pieces for the concert. Many of our students continue using the musical skills they learned with us by playing in the high school band.

On Friday, May 29th we say good-bye to our beloved 8th grade students at our th 8 grade graduation ceremony. Many students have been with us for nine years, and we feel blessed to have watched them grow along their Catholic journey. Our student are prepared for De La Salle, Carondelet, San Ramon, Monte Vista, or any high school they chose to attend. There are many tears shed at these events by our students, parents, and faculty. As much as we hate to say good-bye, we know we will see our graduates again. We feel honored to have been a part of their lives.

The last carpool for 8th grade will be on Friday, May 22nd. Our parents come early to lavishly decorate their cars, usually with the colors of the high schools their children will attend in the fall. It is a very festive event. When you see these amazing decorated cars downtown, feel free to give them a little honk and wave to acknowledge our wonderful graduates. We wish you a beautiful month.

Del Amigo High School

By Joseph A. Ianora, Principal

It is hard to believe, but we only have six weeks left in the school year. We have been very busy this past month and have many things update you on. Here are some of the many things that have or will happen at Del Amigo.

• In the past six months we have graduated 22 students; eight are currently enrolled in community college, eight more have enrolled for the Fall Term, three have joined the military, and two are enrolled at UTI (automotive training). We are very proud of our graduates and are looking forward to our last quarter with our remaining 18 seniors.

• Our third quarter honor roll consists of 18 students who earned a 3.5 GPA or higher (five students earned a 4.0 GPA) and 21 students who earned 20 + credits.

• We have completed the new computerized SBAC testing and are working on completing the last of our “paper and pencil” tests.

• Two of our students were each awarded a $500 scholarship, one from the Danville Rotary and one from the Alamo Women’s Club – Joey Gantz and Lejla Bejic. A third student will be honored in late May by the PTA council. We are very appreciative of their support of Del Amigo students.

• Our online learning program, Edgenuity, has been a huge success. Every student has taken at least one online course! The program has been so successful that the district will be using it at our Comprehensive High Schools and Independent Study site.

• The Department of Rehabilitation made a presentation to our students with IEP’s.

Many will be able to receive specific job/career training and get paid while doing so!

• Graduation is June 3rd at 5PM in the Performing Arts Center at SRVHS. As always, we are grateful for your continued support of our academic institution.

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Page 10 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

San Ramon Valley High School

Charlotte Wood Middle School

By Christopher George, Principal

As always, it’s hard to believe that it’s almost summer and that we are so close to the end of the school year. With that, of course, comes all of the exciting things that we get to celebrate with our hardworking students and our amazing staff for the end of the year. This year is no different, as we get ready to promote another outstanding group of eighth graders on to San Ramon Valley High School and welcome a new class of sixth graders from our feeder elementary schools.

In that spirit, we are already planning for next year, as we have begun scheduling and ordering materials. Most excitedly, though, we have spent the last two weeks visiting our feeder elementary schools and preparing the fifth graders there for their first days at Charlotte Wood. This year, we were pleased to bring along our California Junior Scholarship Federation students, who I’m sure left the incoming students in anticipation of their middle school years. We certainly appreciate their help!

Along with the end of the year eighth grade activities, we are please to announce the return of our annual Field Day in May! This tradition was started two years ago and continues as students plan an entire afternoon of games, rallies, and excitement for our entire school community. Field Day has been an outstanding and successful day, and we are proud of the Leadership students who continue to take on every aspect of this project, to plan and execute the entire event.

On Tuesday, April 25th, we were privileged to be able to honor this year’s “Shining Star” award recipient - a member of our community who makes us better. This year, we were pleased to recognize one of our custodians, Joel Gueffroy. Joel has been humbly and tirelessly helping our kids and teachers for years, and he is certainly deserving of this award.

This May, we also celebrate Teacher Appreciation month, and I want to recognize the great teachers we have at Charlotte Wood. We all know that teaching can be an exhausting and difficult profession, but as it gets to the end of the year, I am consistently proud to work amongst a staff who never seems to tire or stop pushing themselves to be better at their craft. These last two years have been difficult ones in education, as educational practices have changed so much, but our teachers continue to work hard not only at the dayto-day aspect of taking care of kids, but at continually researching, learning, and studying their own practice in order to be better. We are lucky to have a district that supports their growth, and we are lucky to have such great and hardworking teachers. Help me thank them during teacher appreciation week.

By Ruth Steele, Principal

Once Spring Break is over, April and May fly by, and before you know it, we are in June and its finals week and graduation.

We have already started planning out the graduation seating arrangements for families with members who have specific mobility needs or seating access issues. Candace Molano, the Office Manager at SRVHS, is the point person for any questions about Graduation (June 12th) for the Class of 2015.

As we navigate the last few weeks of the school year, it is nice to reflect on the achievements of our staff and students. A number of our teachers were recently recognized at the first San Ramon Valley Education Association’s Excellence in Education awards: Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Rich Ault (English), and nominee for the award went to Robin Groch (Biology). The winner of Creativity award was Penny Davis (Marine Biology and AP Environmental Science), and the nominee was Kirsten Harper (English and AVID). The Golden Apple (rookie) award was given to Kim Tretten (Anatomy and Biology), and the winner of the Community Service award was given to Janet Willford. The SRVEF Shining Star award winner for SRVHS was Dearborn Ramos (Biology and AVID).

There have also been many notable achievements from athletic/academic and arts/CTE programs. Our varsity basketball team won the state championship at the Haas Arena in Berkeley, and a community celebration will be held on May 15th during lunchtime. The mayor, Mike Doyle, will be in attendance, and there will be a ceremony for the team where they will receive team rings and a proclamation.

Our Odyssey of the Mind team won their state championship and progressed to the national competition, and the SRVHS robotics team competed in state competitions and placed in the top five teams. Staff members Karen Young, Chad Cochran, and Chris Van Wolbeck were involved in supporting these programs.

Next month, there will be updates on the SRVHS construction project, the BYOD technology program, and the results of the Stanford Survey that almost every student took as part of the “Challenge Success” program.

Please check the SRVHS website www.srvhs.net for upcoming events.

Hospice of the East Bay Estate Sale Service

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Hospice of the East Bay (HEB) Estate Sales, formally known as Diablo Appraisal and Estate Sales, is an estate sale and liquidation service that manages and coordinates your entire estate and provides you with a tax benefit by sharing the profits from the sale with HEB. We provide caring and trained professionals that can help you handle the entire process, making the seemingly impossible attainable.

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HEB thrift stores and provide with a tax deductible receipt FREE ESTIMATES for those items, clear out the house at the end of the sale, and Make sure your pool/spa is Drain Cover Safe (Virginia Graeme Baker - VGB compliant). leave the house empty and ready for cleaning. Everything will In-house diver can replace your drain covers. Best prices year-round. be handled for you, and best of all you won’t even need to be present! Families are provided with a guaranteed honest, efficient, and reliable service.

HEB Estate Sales was established in 2001 for families Install a Pentair Intelliflo pump and requesting help in selling the contents of their homes. Funds save $100 monthly on your energy generated from the sale help benefit the patients and famibill and get a $100 rebate from PG&E. lies in the care of HEB. Please call Patricia Wright at (925) 887-5678 or email patriciaw@hospiceeastbay.org for more information.

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Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 11

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San Ramon Valley Christian Academy By Jamie Westgate, Principal

Recently our second graders celebrated their moms with a very special SRVCA tradition. With Mother’s Day around the corner, these precious elementary kids planned a special “tea” for their guests of honor. Each student wrote a poem, drew a portrait, and memorized a song that helped his/her mom feel cherished and appreciated for the many thankless jobs they do. They also made giant hats out of butcher paper which were scrunched and bunched into perfection. Kids added silk flowers, beads, ric rac, and other things that made them into beautiful lifelong keepsakes. There was not a dry eye during that event as each child shared aloud to the group the things that made his/her mom special.

Holidays like Mother’s Day allow us to focus on the self-sacrifice of others.

Children are self-centered in nature, and as parents and educators we are responsible for teaching them to look past themselves. This year, some of our second graders recognized the following ways their moms are helpful: • She makes the best brownies • She helps me put away games • She helps me make the right decision • She helps me when I fall • She helps me to have self-control • She gives hugs • She loves me no matter what As adults, we never grow out of needing others to help us in life. Whether a parent, a neighbor, a teacher, an employer, or a friend, may we always be cognizant of the important contributions from others and remember to express our thanks. This month I want to thank my own mother who has taught me how to work hard, find joy in difficulties, think of others before myself, forgive others, and love unconditionally.

As part of their poem, our second graders thought hard about the best way to show love in return to their moms. I liked the things on their list which included a “love card,” a new emerald necklace, a yellow baseball glove, and a big hug.

In their own precious ways, these kids wanted to give their moms the very best, and even as a grown up I can still relate to that. Happy Mother’s Day to all our self-sacrificing moms in Danville and to those of you who guide and shepherd children with the same sort of TLC found in a parent. May God richly bless you for the many ways you put others before yourselves!

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Monte Vista High School

By Janet Terranova, Principal

It is difficult to believe it is May. Spring is always a busy time for high schools. We certainly have not finished the school year and our emphasis in the classroom continues to focus on what students need to learn before the end of the year. Around campus, however, students sometimes get mixed messages. Students are choosing classes for next year, we have ASB elections, and planning has begun for graduation. As a staff we are working on registration, new student orientation, and our master schedule. No wonder it is sometimes hard for our students to concentrate. You can help your student to stay focused by continuing to monitor school work and attendance. Remind them that summer does not start until June 12 and you have high expectations for them as they complete this school year.

Our students are fortunate to have access to Naviance’s “Family Connection” which is a web-based service designed especially for students and parents to help make decisions about colleges and careers. Each grade level has a specific focus. Our ninth grade class will be introduced to Naviance in May with a concentration on “Who Am I.” During this introduction students will: • Complete a Myers-Briggs based assessment • Complete a “Do What You Are,” personality profile which offers career suggestions suited to your personality type • Explore a variety of careers • Begin to build a resume, highlighting their involvement at MV or within the community during their years in high school, to use as the begin to apply for colleges and jobs This is a busy time of year for students. Below are some important activities scheduled at Monte Vista.

Spring Musical May 27-30 Senior Week May 26-29 If you want to know more about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

Page 12 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

May is Bike Month

By Cynthia Ruzzi, President Sustainable Danville Area

It’s a celebration of bikes during the month of May; a reminder to get rolling again; a gateway to riding more often; a time to evangelize the beauty of bikes; and much, much more. Since 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike Month, and the League of American Bicyclists has sponsored this celebration of bicycling for decades. National Biketo-Work Week and Bike-to-Work Day are often cited as the month’s flagship events—but Bike Month is about more than just getting to and from the office.

Bike East Bay went out and asked local bicyclists why they ride. It turns out we all have different reasons. Some of us ride because it’s cheap or because it’s simply the easiest way to get around. Others ride because they believe riding bikes is a way towards strengthening their community’s sustainability and health.

With growing cultural awareness around health and wellness, sustainability and economic savings, bicycling is being seen by new and broader audiences as a simple solution to many complex problems, from reducing obesity rates to increasing mobility options. And while a Saturday ride on the Iron Horse Trail demonstrates the growing number of multi-generational bicyclists—the National Household Travel Survey showed that the number of trips made by bicycle in the U.S. more than doubled from 1.7 billion in 2001 to 4 billion in 2009.

This year’s Bike-to-Work Event is scheduled for Thursday, May 14th.

Throughout the East Bay, there will be over 100 Energizer Stations to fuel your journey to work, school, and about town. The event’s organizers, 511.org and Bike East Bay, have a simple webpage to help you find an Energizer Station along your route. Visit https://bikeeastbay.org/energizer for an interactive map of where and when on May 14th you can pick up your free Bike-to-Work Day canvas bag and other goodies to make the ride fun. Take the pledge to ride this May at the You Can Bike. Visit their website www.youcanbikethere.com and enter to win prizes at the end of the month.

Bike commuting is a growing phenomenon with over a 62% rise since 2000.

Bicycling is a ‘zero-pollute’ travel option, and the Bay Area is the best place in the country to ride a bike to work, to school, on errands, or to a local restaurant for lunch or dinner. There are thousands of miles of bike paths, lanes, and routes, and the 511BikeMapper at http://gis.mtc.ca.gov/btp/ can help you find them.

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For longer trips, combine bicycling and public transit, and 511.org will guide the way with information about taking bikes on transit http://bicycling.511.org/ infrastructure/transit.aspx.

Need more reasons to consider riding your bicycle this season? One study showed that the average bike commuter lost 13 pounds in the first year without changing their diet. While that’s enough to get me ‘back in the saddle,’ 511 Contra Costa is rewarding folks who make the change from driving alone to bicycling— or carpooling, taking transit or walking. The Drive Less Commuter Incentive Program provides eligible participants a $50 check. To receive the incentive you must live or work in Contra Costa County, be 18 years of age or older, would otherwise drive alone to work and lastly, complete the brief questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of their program.

Want to apply? Visit http://511contracosta. org/commuterprogram/ to get started today.

We want to know what motivates you to ride your bike locally.

Is there anything that would encourage you to use this transit mode more often? We want to hear from you. Send us your pictures from Bike-to-Work Day and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sustainabledanvillearea or email us at sustainabledanville@gmail.com.

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Exotic Iberia with Crystal Luxury

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 13

By Mike Mullery, Alamo World Travel

It goes without saying that we had an unforgettable vacation on our Crystal Cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona via Morocco. Everyone enjoys a Crystal Cruise for the ultimate in luxury cruising. We boarded the Crystal Serenity in Lisbon, a city with a rich combination of beauty and history, then checked into our luxurious Veranda Stateroom after enjoying a welcome glass of Cava sparkling wine. We were on our way! Our Bon Voyage dinner was a sumptuous feast as was the Captain’s Gala dinner on the second evening. A Crystal Cruise is all-inclusive, so alcohol, gratuities, enrichment classes, and premium restaurants are all included at no additional charge. Crystal ships are considered mid-size, carrying around 1,000 passengers--large enough to have top-notch entertainment and activities, yet small enough to have the attentive service and exclusive amenities that have won them Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure’s top awards in their category for nearly 20 years.

Our first stop was Funchal, Portugal, a picturesque port city with a gondolastyle cable car that conveys you up to a high vista point for pictures of the city and the ocean spread out below.

Next stop was Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the Canary Islands, another fine port with great photo opportunities. Our amazing meal that night onboard Crystal was at Silk Road (featuring celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s cuisine) at no extra charge. The following day we were off to Arrecife, famed for its rock reef and active volcano, where we rode a camel for the first time.

The next port was Agadir (my first time in Morocco) with its beachfront promenade and lively Kasbah, followed by Cadiz, a Spanish port city with a 3,000+ year history. Valencia, the home of paella, found us indulging in this piquant seafood specialty, of course! We ended our adventure in Barcelona, probably my favorite city -- the history-rich home of Gaudi and his renowned La Sagrada Familia cathedral.

In between exotic ports, there was never a lack of things to do on Sea Days. We enjoyed Computer University@Sea classes including Photoshop and Power Point. We relaxed by the pool with a beverage and a book, played trivia, listened to lectures, watched movies, had lunch at the Trident Grill, and visited the Ice Cream Bar. The entertainment each night varied between comedians, dancers, and shows including some very talented local musicians.

Along the way I snapped a picture of a rainbow ending right on our own Crystal Serenity. Not a pot of gold, but close. When you cruise on Crystal, you will be pampered -- and then eagerly look forward to your next cruise!

Mike Mullery has cruised on 12 different cruise lines, visited over 50 countries, and has been working at Alamo World Travel for almost 10 years. You can visit Alamo World Travel & Tours (34 years of Luxury Travel--Cruises, Tours, Resorts and River Cruises) at 3201 Danville Blvd. #255, Alamo 94507 (Between Ace Hardware and Peasant’s Courtyard), Advertorial call 925-837-8742 or visit www.alamoworld.com.

Do you have a story idea or sporting news?

Call us at 925.405.6397 or email us at Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com.

For the experience you demand For the you deserve! demand and theexperience service you and the service you deserve!

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Join the Celebration Grand Opening Featuring our new Miele kitchen May 16th and 17th

Demonstrations throughout the weekend Door prizes, Tastings, and Grand Opening Promotions Over 4,000 Kitchen items to See!

Sign up for future Kitchen Counter Events

Alamo Ace Hardware |3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo | 925.837.2420 www.AlamoHardware.com

Page 14 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

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Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 15

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Page 16 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

Life in the Danville Garden

Understanding the Design Process

By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059

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A landscape design is more than the result of designing with plants. Designing a landscape or outdoor environment is as complex (in most cases these days) as designing a house. With the complexity of client’s wants and the degree of difficulty of Danville lots, the design process takes time, patience, and professional expertise.

Most homeowners don’t understand the complexity that goes into a landscape design. A full scale design project usually entails knowledge of planning, construction, engineering, design creativity, and budget analysis. You might find that the average Danville project has a scope of work that includes a swimming pool, water features, concrete, masonry, carpentry, or built structures like a pergola or cabana, retaining walls, structural and geotechnical engineering, irrigation and drainage systems, electrical and landscape lighting, planting, and long-term maintenance considerations. In developing a landscape design, there are three phases of the design process that needed to be considered in order to achieve the end result.

Phase one of the design process is the conceptual design. In creating the conceptual design, the landscape architect needs to gather a lot of information before Call for details embarking on sketching out ideas. The first step is user analysis in which the land925.939.8300 scape architect interviews the client and analyzes the wants, desires, vision, and solartechnologies.com function of the users of the landscape. The second step of phase one is site analysis Lic. #932914 which is the process the architect goes through in getting to know the site and its parameters. Site analysis includes site visits which look at location and proximity, legal boundaries, set-backs and easements, neighbors, zoning and jurisdictional issues, homeowner CC&R’s, soil and geotechnical issues, and existing conditions.

There is a lot involved in this phase, and the conceptual design is not on the table yet! Once all the user and site information is analyzed, the layout of the site can be measured or surveyed and drafted out as the base plan for the design. Every home has a footprint; property lines, and existing conditions like trees, fences, patios, slopes, etc. guide the architect to create an appropriate design that can actually be built.

And now, the conceptual design can be done! This is the process where the ideas are flushed out in an accurately scaled schematic drawing that represents the user, the site, and the ideas. This is the fun part and the creative part of my job, and it is the fun part for my clients as well. This is where their vision comes to fruition (on paper) and the designer’s creativity is expressed.

The last part of phase one is to understand that the conceptual ideas can actually be built. In understanding this, the client needs to accept the ideas, the architect needs to know that the project can be built as designed, and the project must fit the client’s budgetary needs. Designing to the client’s budget is a priority!

Phase two of the design process is taking the conceptual design and producing the construction documents that are essential in giving the planning and permit department and contractors all the information they need to permit and build the project.

The construction drawings are blueprints that include general notes and specifications, hardscape plan, planting plan, irrigation and drainage plan, electrical and lighting plan, and construction details that show how each element will be constructed. This includes the materials, methods, and engineering. Once the construction documents are finished, the owner can get bids and hire a contractor to build the project. Most often the landscape architect is involved in assisting the client with questions from the contractor, clarifying the scope of the project, analyzing the bids, and holding the client’s hand through this often-times stressful process of contract negotiations.

It would seem that once the owner selects a contractor or contractors, the design process is over. Actually, design decisions and interpretation will continue to take place throughout the project implementation.

Phase three of the design process is Construction Phase services that include site observation to make sure the design “ideas” are realized and to make sure the contractor adheres to the plans and specifications of the construction documents. The scariest part for my clients is the actual construction. This is where contractors notoriously cut corners, delete elements, or inflate the budget with change orders. The landscape architect can assist the client and contractor in monitoring the construction; which includes design decisions, interpretation, revisions and changes; and guiding the design vision to reality.

I have been perfecting my design process now for over 35 years. A successful project takes creativity, a budget and patience, and the outcome of each and every project has been stunning and satisfying.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Landscape Architects hold a license from the state and must pass a very comprehensive state board exam to qualify to be licensed.

Ask for a licensed Landscape Architect when considering your project.

Gardening Quote of the Month: “How much the making of a garden, no matter how small, adds to the joy of living, only those who practice the arts and the science can know.” - E. H. Wilson If you would like me to write on any particular subject email your ideas to jmontgomery@ jm-la.com or visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial

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Quick Trips

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 17

By Linda Summers Pirkle San Francisco Flower Mart

While most of San Francisco is asleep, the Flower Market located on the corner of Fifth and Brannon Streets is busy with coffee toting florists, designers, and vendors greeting each other in the wee hours of the morning. The Mart opens for business at midnight, when trucks with fresh blooms, plants, and everything to do with floral design arrive for the day’s sales. One of just five Flower Markets in the nation, Martha Stewart has called it “the best.” Besides great customer service, the Mart, which has been in the SOMA (South of Market) area since 1956, is the best place to find gorgeous cut flowers, potted plants, and floral supplies at excellent prices.

I have been going to the Mart since I was in my teens, when fresh flower sales from buckets set up along the side of the road were popular. I drove a cute little 1963 VW (the Flower Bug) from the East Bay, arrived at the Mart at around 5AM to purchase carnations and roses, and then sold the flower bunches to clients. It was a fun part-time job, and I enjoyed talking to and visiting with the vendors who were always very helpful. Florists and designers from as far as Oregon and Utah make the trip two or three times a week. Currently there are over 50 vendors at the Mart, each selling their specialty, some product grown on their own farms.

The month of May is a wonderful time to visit the Mart for all the gorgeous flowers, especially the hydrangeas. I spoke to Dr. Jerry Bolduan, retired physician and owner of Green Valley Growers, a long time S.F. Mart wholesale seller (booth#89) whose hydrangeas are renowned for their spectacular colors and sizes. “Our hydrangea colors range from lightest pale blue all the way to deep indigo or even navy blue. Purples vary from light lavender and lilac to deepest royal purple. Pinks vary from pale blush to almost red in color. We actually have red colors later in the year due to colder nights and matured flowers.” When Green Valley Growers started over 25 years ago, hydrangeas were not that well known as cut flowers in the U.S. But then Bolduan’s hydrangeas caught the attention of Martha Stewart. Bolduan recalled, “When Martha found us more than 25 years ago, she was fascinated by our ability to grow a large Livery Shopping Center variety of hydrangeas. I even hand carried ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangeas to Martha’s East Hampton property for her gardens there.”

On market days, Pablo, who has been with Green Valley Growers for over 26 years, makes the trek to the S.F. Mart with astounding blooms. The hydrangeas can sell out quickly, so it is best to pre-order.

Another booth to check out is J.P. Evergreen (booths 41 and 43). Jesus Palafox, proprietor of J.P. Evergreens, has been coming to the market since he was a young boy.

Select from our latest collection of the He assisted his fanewest area rugs from Surya ther with “cutting Your New David M. Brian is located in The Livery Shopping Center, Danville branches, pushing crates, watering the trees at the ranch, and doing just about anything that needed to be done.” He carries everything needed for arrangements except the blooms. On a recent trip to the Mart he was selling cherry blossom branches, eucalyptus (spiral, seed and pods) pussy willows, tree tulips, dogwood, and his specialty, curly willow. His faithful boxer Samie always accompanies Jesus to the market and has been a fixture in the booth for over ten years. *If you are ordering hydrangeas for a special occasion, Jerry Bolduan at Green Valley Growers suggests bringing fabric swatches to match for color. There is no extra fee for color matching and no minimum order if you pick up at the S.F. Mart. Minimum order for shipping is $200.

Check their website at www.greenvalleygrower.com for more information and how to preorder. *Visit the Mart soon; the property has recently been sold, and changes are in the works. The S.F. Flower Mart is located at 640 Brannon Street, San Francisco. Hours for the general public are 10AM-3PM, Monday-Saturday except on Giants game day when the market closes earlier.

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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Page 18 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

The Incense-Cedar

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

The incense-cedar graces many Bay Area gardens with its shade, beauty, and intriguing fragrance. Calocedrus decurrens, its Latin name, means beautiful cedar. The striking contrast between the vibrant greens of its leaves and the trunk’s rich reds creates a pleasing aesthetic further enhanced by the relaxed elegance of the weeping foliage. The beauty of this tree is not confined to the realm of the visual. The incense-cedar gives off a distinctive fragrance that fills the air with a pungent aroma strongly reminiscent of grade-school classrooms and the unforgettable smell of the pencil sharpener. In my youth, and still largely today, pencils were made from the soft and distinctively fragrant wood of Calocedrus decurrens.

The incense-cedar is not a true cedar (thus the hyphen). The so-called “true cedars” are native to the Mediterranean and the Himalayas, and are members of the genus Cedrus. These include the majestic Deodora and Atlas cedars, as well as the famous Cedar of Lebanon.

The incense-cedar, which may live a thousand years and attain a height of 150 feet, is a true California native. It evolved in North America, and its current range extends from the Cascade Mountains in northern Oregon, through the Sierra Nevadas, and down to the Sierra San Pedro Matir of Baja California. Throughout its range it has been important in the lives of Native Americans. The Klamath tribe of Oregon wove its bark into baskets. The California Paiutes made infusions of its leaves for colds. The Round Valley tribe of Mendocino Country used leaflets as flavoring when leaching acorn meal. This species has provided Native Americans with food, shelter, clothing, and music.

The incense-cedar’s natural resistance to rot made it very useful both in antiquity and in modern times. Homebuilders use it for siding, decking, moulding, and interior paneling. Landscapers use its chips and bark for mulch. Its wood is made into furniture, shingles, and railway ties. Sawdust and wood scraps help fuel cogeneration of electricity.

The softness of the wood and its resistance to splintering make the incense-cedar

Clip Notes

By Jody Morgan

Charles Francis Greville didn’t need to leave London on dangerous discovery expeditions to have a distinctly diverse group of plants named in his honor.

He simply had to travel in the proper social circle.

His friendship with Sir Joseph Banks, advisor to King George III on the Royal Gardens at Kew, gained Greville membership in the Royal Society as well as the Society of Dilettanti, an elite fellowship of art-lovers.

In 1804, at a meeting attended by Banks and their comrades, Greville was first to inscribe his name on the document establishing what later became the Royal Horticultural Society.

Banks packed enough near-death experiences into his three-year voyage with Captain James Cook on the Endeavour to script a long-running television series. Of the company of 96 men who embarked from England on August 25, 1768, only 54 survived the journey. Little was known of Australia when Endeavour anchored off the coast in 1770 and Banks gauged the demeanor of the greeting party on the beach to be inhospitable. Despite the hostile reception the inhabitants extended, Banks and his intrepid associates went ashore at Botany Bay on the 28th of April. Trekking inland, Banks collected the first specimens of numerous native plant species ever seen by a European, including some belonging to the genus eventually named for Greville.

Greville was not a wealthy man, but he managed to rent a property in London with sufficient space for a greenhouse and garden to display his collection of rare plants. Among his treasures was a vanilla orchid raised from a cutting he obtained from the Marquis of Blandford’s holdings. It bloomed late in the winter of 1806-1807, causing a commotion among horticultural enthusiasts.Two contemporary botanical works included comprehensive reports, but they disagreed on proper nomenclature.

An exquisitely detailed depiction of Greville’s orchid done later by Franz Bauer included a ripened seedpod. Bauer (hired by Banks in 1788 to do artistic renderings of specimens at Kew) was known for the remarkable accuracy of his drawings. Had a self-fertile vanilla vine finally been discovered? Cuttings

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ideal for encasing pencil lead. However, these qualities also make the wood fragile, brittle, and potentially somewhat problematic as an urban landscape tree. When it grows as one trunk from a thick base to a single pyramid-shaped crown, the incensecedar is relatively stable; it requires little work other than the periodic removal of deadwood. But if the trunk of the tree divides into multiple columns or has large branches which turn up and rise parallel to the trunk, the tree has structural problems that make it vulnerable to column failure. After some recent winter storms, Brende & Lamb looked at many incense-cedars that had shed branches and sometimes entire columns. Most of the failed trees suffered from a malady of tree anatomy called included bark. This structural defect occurs when the bark at the crotch folds inward, and interrupts the continuity of the fibers supporting the columns.

Good pruning can ameliorate many structural problems. Co-dominant stems (more than one column of roughly the same diameter) are more likely to fail than trees with a single leading column. Sometimes reducing one of the competing leaders can minimize the hazard. If column removal is not advisable for aesthetic or functional reasons, it is often possible to cable the multiple stems together.

However, individual trees are so unstable that removal is the safest alternative.

Whatever you do, do not top these trees. Topping a cedar will eventually produce many unstable columns multiplying the risk and, ultimately, the expense of keeping the tree. Preventative medicine is almost always less expensive and more effective than later surgery. If you plant an incense-cedar, choose nursery stock with only one trunk and no crotches with included bark. Remember that a seedling cedar can grow to over a hundred feet, and that tall trees may cause view concerns for yourself and your neighbors.

Calocedrus has graced the California landscape for almost 200 million years.

With a little forethought and good pruning, the incense-cedar can continue to bless Bay Area gardens with the subtle fragrance of childhood. It takes a little effort to live at peace with this large California native, but its bounty of colors, shapes, and scents make that effort worthwhile.

If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in Advertorial your neighborhood.

from Greville’s flowering vanilla sent to the botanical gardens at Liege, Belgium spawned vines subsequently planted on the Island of Reunion (aka Bourbon).

Only a few mutant flowers fruited before Edmund Albius discovered the secret to simple manual pollination and Greville’s greenhouse-grown wonder became recognized as the progenitor of world-renowned Bourbon Vanilla.

Greville died in 1809, more than three decades before his vanilla vine’s progeny began making island planters wealthy. London’s Portman Nursery purchased the plants he left behind. The decision by Scottish botanist Robert Brown to officially name a genus of plants after Greville came in 1810. Any owned by Greville himself would have borne other names during his lifetime.

Based on specimens collected by Banks at Botany Bay in 1770, Carl Linnaeus chose to label a genus of plants “Banksia” in 1782. Working with a closely related group discovered during the same expedition, Brown decided the kindred plants should honor Banks’s friendship with Greville and be called “Grevilleas.”

Banksias and Grevilleas belong to the Protea family named after ancient Greek river god Proteus. Like the shape-changer Proteus, whose essence reflected the mutable nature of water, both groups are vastly variable. Drought-tolerant and tough, many Grevilleas do well in California gardens as long as they aren’t fed fertilizer high in phosphorus. Some have bottlebrush blossoms; others have inflorescences that resemble surreal spiders. The evergreen foliage may be soft as fern fronds or sharp as juniper needles. Grevillea robusta (Silk Oak Tree) can be 90 feet high. Grevillea thelemanniana ‘Baby’ is a 10-inch tall groundcover.

The cultivar ‘Ned Kelly’ blooms almost year-round in Australia. A shrub like many of the Grevilleas often used as hedges, ‘Ned Kelley’ has orange-red flowers attractive to birds and bees. Originally introduced in 1980 as ‘Mason’s Hybrid’ for the nurseryman who registered it, then called ‘Kentlyn’ for the nursery of origin, ‘Ned Kelly’ was renamed and heavily promoted to trade upon the legendary exploits of a bushranger some hail as Australia’s Robin Hood and others remember as a murderous marauder.

The ‘Ned Kelly’ specimen planted by Ruth Bancroft seemed reluctant to be caught in bloom. Fleeting glimpses of the flowers weren’t sufficiently rewarding to make it a regular docent tour stop despite its association with Australian folklore. New at the Bancroft Garden and plant highlight for March 2015 is Grevillea petrophiloides ‘Big Bird.’ The San Francisco Botanical Garden displays 50+ Grevilleas, allowing visitors to identify favorites to try at home.

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Energy Matters

Memorial Day

By Mark Becker, GoSimple Solar

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 19

Traditionally, a folded, triangular American flag in a case is given to a deceased veteran’s grieving family-member during a memorial service. Perhaps a wreath or flowers are laid on a veteran’s grave, or maybe a street, building, military base, or airport is named after them.

Events such as these are amongst our nation’s efforts to memorialize deceased veterans as a thank you for their service to our nation. Please take a moment of introspection to remember why we have a Memorial Day holiday.

Estimations are that renewable energy will replace fossil fuels as the primary source of electric power by mid-century. A solar PV system installed on an average home today will have paid for itself more than ten times 20 years from now. Thirty-year product warranties are now available. Expected solar panel life can be even longer assuming the proper products are chosen. Safe and long-term financial returns are the reason why more than 246,000 California homes and businesses have “gone solar.”

More good news for our veterans and our nation: The Department of Energy’s “Solar Ready Vets” program has increased its scope to 10 participating military bases. This program trains and readies separating military personnel for jobs in the fast growing solar PV industry.

If you haven’t already, you may get an unsolicited phone call from the “Renewable Energy Council,” a Better Business Bureau “F” rated company. You will not get accurate or adequate information from doorknockers and spam callers. Seeking out a highly rated solar company who can provide facts and data in the consult/sales process is the best way to see what solar can do for you. Negate risk by using a NABCEP certified design and project manager, American products, licensed roofers, and licensed electricians. This approach may have slightly higher initial cost, but it will always result in the lowest long-term cost of ownership due to no, or very limited, call-backs over the life of the system. Solar, done right, is an extremely reliable investment.

Many Middle East OPEC nations are making great efforts to remain economically relevant for as long as possible. They’re conserving their oil by installing very ambitious solar projects. As a result, they’ll have more oil to sell to nations that remain reliant on it. Even the Saudi Minister of oil has recognized that their time is limited. He said, “The Stone Age came to an end not for a lack of stones, and the oil age will end, but not for a lack of oil.”

It would be wonderful for our energy policy to be independent of our foreign policy some day. It’s our actions that help accelerate that process.

Some of you may have seen GoSimpleSolar’s military surplus M923A2 five-ton cargo truck; we’ve purchased her for many reasons.

Remembrance: Using her for local events to memorialize our veteran’s sacrifices. Message: She runs on alternative fuel (used vegetable oil, a biofuel). American Energy Independence: We shouldn’t need imported oil. Community: She provides smiles to the kids who love to ride and sit in her. Charity: She’ll be used to support a local veteran’s organization. If you see her outside our showroom in downtown Danville, please feel free to ask for a “tour.”

This Memorial Day, I’d like to personally memorialize friends and squadron-mates who died too young in battle or training accidents: Major Gene “Smokey” McCarthy, Captain John “Homey” Edwards, LtCol Dave “Rhino” Green, LtCol Lee “Bubba” Lenderman, Lt Tom “Riggsy” Riggs, Major Ken Johnson, Lt Chris Tanner, Major Mike Bradley, LCDR Dale “Doc” Phillips, LtCol Bob “Ramrod” Theilmann, Major John “Casper” Walsh, Major Steven Palumbo, Capt David Cross, Lt Pat Fleming, Capt William “Dome” Cronin, Capt Gary “Dilly Bop” Dillon, Capt Kevin Dolvin, Capt William Hurley, Sgt Kenneth Keller, Sgt John Kilkus, Cpl Timothy Romei, LCpl Thomas Adams, Capt “Super Dave” Herr, Capt James Thorp, Cpl Albert Haddad, Cpl Kurt Benz, Lt. Colonel David Knott, Lt Steve Viser, Capt Scott Paul, Capt Bruce “Tuna” Bolton, Capt Mark Vagedes, Capt Ken Hill, Capt Steve Leslie, and Capt. Michael McGrevey.

Of course we memorialize Danville’s own Lcpl Joshua “Chachi” Corral, KIA, Operation Enduring Freedom, 2011. Rest In Peace, we’ll remember all of you.

Mark Becker is the President and business owner of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, CSLB 948715. GoSimpleSolar is one of the very few (and proud) solar PV installers utilizing both licensed roofers and licensed electricians for installation work, project managed by a solar PV NABCEP professional. For questions or comments email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com or call 925-331-8011. Advertorial

Page 20 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

Chain of Events

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

If you know me, you know that while I’m certainly immersed in technology, I also live in a state of awe at these inventions and creations that surround us. I am grateful for what I have and at the amazing intellects that have combined to bring us these tremendous products. These products are just the latest in a long line of life-enriching inventions that we have enjoyed and often take for granted.

We recently welcomed a new little member into the extended Portable CIO family when one of our staff had a baby boy. I started to think about the amazing inventions that this little person will simply accept as “normal” and things I am familiar with that he’ll only read about in history books or see in museums.

I was discussing all of this with my daughter, who shares my feelings of awe at modern technology, and we started to talk about all of the things that have had to be created and improved upon for something as wondrous as our iPhones to exist and function. The smartphone is an amazing device, one that can transmit your voice and image around the world and which connects you to the largest database in the world: the internet. The chain of events, inventions, services, and patents that makes this smartphone possible is mind boggling if you stop to think about it.

I realize this may seem a little geeky, but I’m going to mention a specific Star Trek: Next Generation episode that has always stuck in my mind. This episode had to do with time travel, and a character’s realization that one cannot pick and choose key events from our past to erase, because all of our experiences, good and not so good, weave together to form the tapestry of our lives and who we are. When we pull a single thread, we unravel the entire tapestry with unintended consequences. The point is, there are so many interwoven pieces that have enabled the creation of the smartphone, that in the same way the removal of any one of them would have unknown and probably catastrophic consequences. It’s an amazing web of interdependent pieces of technology.

What if Shockley, Brattain, and Bardeen hadn’t invented the transistor in 1947, paving the way for the invention of the integrated circuit (IC) in the 1950’s and subsequent miniaturization of modern electronics? What if Moore and Noyce hadn’t founded Intel in 1968? What if what we now call the “internet” was kept private as “Darpa-Net,” to be only used for government research and defense contractors? What if Steve Jobs stayed at Reed College and studied philosophy instead of dropping out to start Apple? There are thousands of similar stories, players, systems, and companies that have gone into providing the modern conveniences we enjoy every day.

Instead of going backwards to figure out the iPhone, I decided to look forward and start thinking about what’s coming next. A little searching on the term “2020 predictions” turned up an amazing amount of material from people who spend their careers thinking about the future. For instance, even though it is not a huge producer when compared to oil or nuclear power, solar power will take over other types of power generation because of the sheer quantity of solar cells that will be fabricated directly into the building materials we use. A whole house will generate power, dramatically changing the power equation.

By 2020, a $1,000 personal computer will have the raw processing power of a human brain. By 2030, it will take a village of human brains to match a $1,000 computer. By 2050 (assuming a global population of 9 billion), $1,000 worth of computing power will equal the processing power of all human brains on earth. In the next five years, human blood will be fully synthesized, and also within five years, scientists expect to be able to do a whole-body transplant.

In other words, they expect to be able to take the head off of someone, and transplant it onto another body that maybe is working better. Holy smokes.

In networking, gigabit broadband service will be in every home, and every household appliance, every device, every car will be in some way connected.

Finally, robotic consciousness is expected within the next 15 years. We are at the point where life seems to be beginning to imitate art. Want to learn more?

Go watch Star Trek or Star Wars to see what’s coming next!

Strategic planning based on technological trends is one of the services that Portable CIO offers, and if you would like to consider some of these questions in a business context for your organization, small or large, Portable CIO can help.

Reach us via email, info@theportablecio.com, or call (925)552-7953. Advertorial

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Estate Planning Strategies for Blended Families, Part 2

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

Estate planning for blended families can be complex, sensitive, and difficult. Here, I will explore a few potential strategies that can be used to help overcome limitations of commonly structured living trusts.

Case study facts: Jay, 65, and Bea, 55, married.

Each has children and assets, as follows: The ‘J’ Family: Jay’s children are Jeff and Judy, 40 and 35 years old. Jay has an $800,000 home, with no mortgage, and cash and securities totaling $200,000.

The ‘B’ Family: Bea has a daughter, Betty, 20 years old. Bea has cash, securities, and retirement plan funds totaling $400,000.

Upon marrying, Jay and Bea moved into Jay’s house and plan to stay there indefinitely. They have good jobs, are in reasonable health, plan to retire within five to ten years, and do not have long term care insurance.

Generally, it’s most efficient for couples - even blended families - to establish a joint living trust (which can hold community property and separate property assets). Typically, blended family trusts are structured to split into two pots (“sub-trusts”) on the first spouse’s death. The deceased spouse’s assets go into one pot and the surviving spouse’s assets go into the other.

Jay and Bea each need to make two critical decisions about their living trust - what will happen to the assets of the deceased spouse: 1) during the surviving spouse’s life?; and 2) upon the surviving spouse’s death (if any assets are left?).

Jay and Bea obtain expert legal advice and do some important soul searching about the first question. If he or she dies first, does he or she want his or her assets to go: a) immediately to his or her children?; and/or b) outright to the surviving spouse?; and/or c) into a trust to be used for the needs of the surviving spouse (on the survivor’s death, remaining assets in the deceased spouse’s pot, if any, usually go to the deceased spouse’s children)?

If Jay dies first, he might give most or all his assets, including the house, to Jeff and Judy. If so, where will Bea live? She could use some of her own $400,000 to buy a small condominium, or she could rent. But, would Jay be comfortable with Bea having that standard of living and financial risk, particularly if she lives a long life and has substantial long-term care expenses?

Alternatively, Jay could leave only his $200,000 outright to Jeff and Judy, and keep the house in trust for Bea. Thus, Bea will have a nice house to live in with low expenses. But Jay may not want to tie up the bulk of his assets (his home) that way. If Bea lives to age 100, Jeff and Judy would not inherit the lion’s share of their father’s assets until they are 80 and 85. Jay could avoid this by: a) keeping his home in trust for Bea for some fixed number of years; or b) mandating that the house be sold; that a portion of the sales proceeds be used to purchase a (more modest) replacement residence for Bea; and that the other portion of the sale proceeds be distributed to Jeff and Judy; or c) purchasing a life insurance policy for, say, $500,000 or $1 million, naming Jeff and Judy as beneficiaries, and then leaving the home either outright to Bea or in trust for her lifetime.

If Bea dies first, she might give her $400,000 to Betty, feeling fine about that since Jay has substantial assets of his own. But, Jay’s major asset, his home, is illiquid. So, without any of Bea’s assets, he could easily use up his liquid assets and need to sell his house (or obtain a reverse mortgage). Another consideration is that even if Jay lives to 90, Betty would only be 45 - a fairly young age to receive her mother’s inheritance. Accordingly, Bea may wish to: a) leave her $400,000 in trust for Jay’s lifetime, during which he is allowed to use interest only, thus, supplementing his income while preserving the principal for Betty when Jay dies; or b) purchase a life insurance policy for, say, $250,000 or $500,000, naming Betty as beneficiary and leave her $400,000 outright (or in trust, as described above) for Jay. I’ve just scratched the surface, but the above examples illustrate that careful planning can result in providing for loved ones in a practical manner while avoiding potential conflicts between step-parents and step-children.

Upon request, I’ll be happy to provide you, on a complimentary basis, any or all of the following: i) an “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) a brochure on alternative methods of holding title to property; iii) an introductory meeting.

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

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

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Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 21

Page 22 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

Checking up on Your Estate Plan

By Christopher T. McClure

In conjunction with Lincoln Financial Advisors /Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor

You have an estate plan; you probably even remember creating it – making the decisions and pulling together the documents was probably a timeconsuming and tedious effort. The initial process of creating an estate plan can be so painful and involved that people may avoid reviewing it again for years.

But your estate plan does not exist in a vacuum. Life events such as marriage, separation, divorce, births, deaths, relocations, and tax law changes all impact your estate planning needs. By revisiting key elements of your estate plan annually, you can correct errors, make adjustments for life changes, and guarantee that your current wishes are known. Here are some items to review:

Friends & Family

• Beneficiary designations. Be sure that life changes make your beneficiary designation selections relevant and that they still reflect your current desires.

• Legal roles. Are your powers of attorney and estate executor(s) still competent, and can they represent you? Have either of you relocated, causing you to consider if someone living locally could carry out the responsibilities more efficiently? Some states have updated their forms and require a redrafting of your power of attorney; talk to your financial planner about your situation.

• Long-term care insurance. Every person moving toward retirement or working in their sunset years should consider long-term care insurance. All you have to do is the math on the economic impact to a family of a nursing home stay. Long term care insurance can be an inexpensive alternative if the right policy is purchased at the right time.

Review of Assets

• Property titles. Have you established ownership and survivorship in the way you intended? Is it supported by current state titling laws?

• Business succession plans. A significant number of buy-sell agreements call for annual revaluation of the business that most people forget about. Not having an updated appraisal presents two concerns: You don’t have a current figure for the value of your business for your own planning, and in the event an owner or partner dies, an arbitrator without a true sense of the business will negotiate the reappraisal.

• Life insurance. Do you still need your current policy; do you need a different policy? Is the policy performing as originally illustrated? Policies are

Exhibit continued from front page

Museum staff featuring items from their own collection.

In 1915, local fairgoers boarded an electric rail car at the stop near the intersection of Hartz and Prospect, about a block from where MuseSRV now stands at 250 Railroad Avenue in Danville. The Oakland, Antioch, and Eastern Railroad electric trains ran parallel to Danville Boulevard, providing fast and inexpensive service to the ferry in Oakland. The 1915 sign atop the Ferry Building welcoming travelers to San Francisco has been recently restored.

In 2015, San Ramon Valley residents can get a glimpse of exposition exhibits and memorabilia without leaving Danville. At MuseSRV they can watch a color DVD about the fair and enjoy a silent film produced in 1915 to advertise PPIE. The vintage motion picture features the amusing antics of then popular comedians Mable Norman and Fatty Arbuckle, who visited the fair on April 22, 1915.

On May 14th MuseSRV joins the Danville Library in hosting Laura Ackley, author of the newly released book San Francisco’s Jewel City. The free program begins at 7PM in the Diablo Room. Copies of the book, which includes more than 200 full-color photographs and illustrations, will be available for purchase. “Jewel City” is one of many monikers attached to the 1915 exposition, which covered 630-650 acres in what San Franciscans now call the Marina District. Architectural historian Ackley, who holds graduate degrees from Harvard and UC Berkeley, will share color images of the fair and describe how it was planned. Co-published by the California Historical Society as part of the centennial celebration of PPIE, Ackley’s book discusses famous fairgoers such as Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, and Buffalo Bill Cody and details the social and political context that shaped the contemporary impact of the 1915 World’s Fair as well as its legacy a century later.

Winning over New Orleans in the competition to host the festivities, San Francisco seized the opportunity to become a showcase for the world’s latest technology. Recently resurrected from the devastation of the 1906 earthquake, the City on the Bay was eager to focus international attention on its potential as a center for innovation. Although the fair was dedicated to honoring completion of the Panama Canal, planning began long before the Canal opened on August 15, 1914. Construction of the fair officially commenced when President William

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affected by interest rates and the investment options. If you expect the policy to provide for a particular need, it is important to review its performance annually.

Legacy Instructions

• Will. Your will is less likely to be contested as outdated if you have updated it every few years with your attorney.

• Ethical will/letter of instruction. Does the letter you have drafted still reflect the message that you want to leave your heirs? Have there been changes to your will or estate planning that you want to explain or emphasize?

Staying Current

• Tax law changes. Talk to your financial planner and accountant at least three months before the end of the year to see if tax law changes will negatively impact your current plan. You will then have time to make any necessary adjustments.

Organization Eases the Task

Though it can be time consuming, it’s worth organizing your legal documents in a way that makes them easy to review and update. Be sure to keep these documents in a safe or fire-proof cabinet: • Document finder. Lists your legal documents and where they are stored.

If access requires a key or password, include instructions on how to find them.

• Estate planning summary. Includes a list of professional advisors and passwords for each account (including Web access). Adding the dates the documents were created can help prompt you to keep wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies up-to-date.

• Net worth statement. Describes every asset, including account numbers, titling, beneficiaries and current value. This statement identifies areas for indepth review and serves as an overview for your estate executor.

These documents ease the access of information for those who – in the event of an emergency, or if you become incapacitated – will need to know where to find your estate plan and the legal documents that will guide them in support of your wishes. Creating an estate plan is just the first part of managing your future; keeping it up to date is essential for the long-run.

Please contact Chris McClure to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation. Call (925) 659-0213 or email Chris.McClure@LFG.com.

CRN201310-2085877 Christopher T. McClure is a registered representative and investment advisor representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor, 3000 Executive Parkway, Suite 400, San Ramon, CA, offering insurance through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstances. The content of this material was provided to you

by Lincoln Financial Advisors for its representatives and their clients.

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Howard Taft broke ground for PPIE on October 14, 1911.

President Woodrow Wilson used a remote switch on opening day to start the generator that powered exhibits. Dramatic lighting synthesized a nightly aurora borealis effect. Mounted on a barge in the Bay, the “Scintillator” beamed lights in seven colors through the fog. When natural mist was insufficient, clouds of steam from an engine posted on the breakwater supplied sufficient moisture. Searchlights circling from hidden stations illuminated the 102,000 pieces of multicolored glass adorning the Tower of Jewels.

Fairgoers could watch daredevil pilots doing loops and dives overhead or brave a 10-minute ride in a bi-plane for $10. Underwater adventure was supplied by a submarine ride. Visitors seeking a tamer experience could ride a moving platform through In 1915 local fairgoers rode the electric rail line running the 5-acre reproduction of the along Danville Boulevard to the Oakland Ferry.

Panama Canal.

Ford Motor Company installed an assembly plant on site that churned out 18 Model T Fords each day except Sunday selling for $490 apiece. Four thousand, four hundred cars were produced during the course of the exposition. Alexander Graham Bell made the first trans-continental telephone call from the fairgrounds before PPIE opened, and a cross-country telephone call was placed every day during the exposition.

Jerry Warren, MuseSRV Board President, sums up the lasting influence of San Francisco’s leading role in exposing the world to the newest inventions of the early twentieth century. “That same spirit of innovation drives San Francisco’s high tech world, and it is still a popular world famous destination.” He notes, “Every major cultural group in the Bay Area relives a part of that fair this year, and all have scheduled a wide variety of special events around the fair theme.”

Visit www.museumsrv.org for more details and www.ppie100.org for related events around the Bay Area.

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The Eye Opener

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

As many of my current patients are aware, I am a big proponent of daily disposable contact lenses.

They offer easy handling, better contact lens hygiene, and convenience. Instead of being just for the occasional weekend/sports enthusiasts, this modality has become an emerging trend for all wearers.

My patients love the freedom, comfort, and vision that daily disposables give them, especially during this time of year when allergies are running rampant. Even though seasonal allergies diminish comfortable contact lens wear regardless of lens type, dailies have the advantages of their thin lens design and lack of build-up on the lenses due to the fact that a new lens is used every day.

What is even more exciting than the ease of use is that there are more options available for patients. Up until recently, there were only handlingtint sphere contacts, which therefore only permitted single vision wear or monovision. This excluded a large patient population that have astigmatism, those who need reading help and monovision was not a suitable solution, or those who want to change their eye color with contact lenses.

The recent addition of daily toric disposables, daily multifocals, and daily colors has tremendously extended the options for patients. Even though all prescriptions are not available with these extended options, a large portion of patients will now have the ability to try dailies.

Patients with astigmatism now have a few options when it comes to daily disposables. A wide range of powers are available; roughly 90% off all prescriptions will now be obtainable. Patients have been happy with the comfort and vision these lenses provide. Patients can use these lenses for single vision distance with readers, if needed, and monovision.

For those patients who want comfort, convenience, and good vision at all distances, daily multifocals are now here. Regardless of if you are going to wear them every day or just for weekends or sports, these lenses are a terrific option. The advantage they have over monovision is that the patient can see both distance and near out of each eye, instead of distance out of one eye and reading out of the other. Having both eyes see the same allows for more comfortable and clear vision. With the improved comfort and vision these lenses provide, daily multifocals are growing in popularity.

The last addition to the daily disposable market is color contacts. These are just coming to market, so our office does not have the diagnostic sets in the office, but we are able to order the colors for patients to try. They are made by Vistakon, are made of the same material as the Acuvue 1-Day Moist and are available in a wide range of sphere powers, but not toric lenses as of now. For those patients that are already wearing these lenses, the transition is completely seamless. We are looking forward to adding these lenses for patients who want a change in their look for full-time wear, evenings out, or vacations.

It is important to note that all of these lenses mentioned will not meet everyone’s prescription or expectations. However, the increase in options makes the possibility of good, comfortable vision more likely. Regardless of if you are an established wearer, haven’t worn contacts in years, or have never tried them, we are here to help you decide what option(s) would be best for you.

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, Advertorial and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.

Avery continued from front page

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 23

Skin Cancer

By Dr. Jerome Potozkin

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Danville resident, happy birthday to you! Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way I would like to discuss the status of your “birthday suit.” If you haven’t had your skin checked by a board certified dermatologist since your last birthday, I would encourage you to schedule an appointment now. I bet most people reading this can’t even remember the last time they had a complete skin examination by a dermatologist. In medicine, an ounce of prevention goes a long way. This is especially true in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancer.

May marks skin cancer awareness month. There are about 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. It is estimated that there will be about 132,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed this year. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can be lethal. In fact, one person dies every hour from melanoma in the United States. However, the good news is that early diagnosis can lead to a complete cure. Approximately 75% of skin cancer deaths are from Melanoma. Surprisingly melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults ages 25-29. While melanoma can be deadly, most patients that we see are diagnosed at an early and fully curable stage. If you have a spot that has changed in color, it might be a melanoma, and you should get checked.

Extensive research is being done to discover new treatments for advanced melanoma. Despite these advances, patients do best when a diagnosis is made early.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancers. These can appear as non-healing sores or crusted bumps. Some simply appear as a red patch that can be misdiagnosed as dry skin or eczema. The good news is that these skin cancers are much less likely to spread than melanoma.

Most skin cancers have a genetic component. The other key ingredient is sun and ultraviolet exposure, such as that from tanning beds. In order to prevent skin cancer, I recommend an ounce of prevention. Do what you love but avoid the peak sun hours between 10am and 2pm. Apply and reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Men can use a lotion with sunscreen after they shave each morning.

Forget about going to tanning beds, however spray-on tans are fine. Lastly, see a board certified dermatologist once a year for a full-body skin check. It is also a good idea for you to check yourself once a month so that you will be able to notice if a mole or a spot is changing.

Many people have started to worry about getting enough Vitamin D if they use sunscreen. The simple solution is to take a Vitamin D supplement which is equally as effective to the Vitamin D you get from sun exposure.

Skin cancer is most often treated with minor in-office surgical procedures that almost always can be performed with local anesthesia. For patients who are not good surgical candidates, radiation treatment can be effective. Some small or superficial skin cancers can be treated with topical creams that stimulate your own immune system to destroy the cancerous cells. Our approach to skin cancer treatment is to educate our patients about the advantages and disadvantages of treatments that are appropriate for their condition.

If you have any spots that you are concerned about or if you can’t remember the last time you were checked from head to toe by a board certified dermatologist, please call my office now at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to check you and to wish you a Happy Birthday! The screening for skin cancer is much easier than screening for other conditions such as via colonoscopies, prostate exams, and pap smears. Don’t just sit there worrying about that spot that has been worrying you; pick up the phone and make an appointment.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information.

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After Avery’s 2014 performance at the San Francisco Giants versus the Los Angeles Dodgers game in a sold out stadium, a ball manager let Avery know that her singing “brought some players to tears” with her lovely and powerful rendition. Members of the team congratulated her, and even Larry Baer, Chief Executive Officer of the S.F. Giants, took the time to thank her for her beautiful singing. Her voice coach, A. Schmidt, explained what makes Avery’s singing so special, “Avery has a warmth and resonance to her voice that creates a soulful connection to the music and showcases vocal artistry that is beyond her years.”

Avery has performed at numerous Bay Area venues including weddings, fashion shows, summer festivals, and recently at a Governor Brown special event.

Avery performs the National Anthem on Tuesday, May 5th prior to the San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres game at ATT Park. Official start time of the game is 7:15PM. Avery will be singing at 7PM. The game is broadcast on KNBR 680AM. GO GIANTS!

Page 24 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

History continued from front page

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Broad NHD themes suggest a starting point for topic selection. This year’s theme is “Leadership and Legacy in History.” Initiated in the Academically Talented PACIFIC UROLOGY IS PLEASED TO INTRODUCE Program, NHD is expanding throughout the San Ramon Valley Unified School PLEASED TO INTRODUCE PACIFIC UROLOGY ISOURIS TO PACIFIC UROLOGY ACIFIC ROLOGY ISPLEASED PLEASED TO INTRODUCE INTRODUCE NEW ASSOCIATE District (SRVUSD) as teachers, parents, and pupils praise the skills NHD imparts.

OUR NEW ASSOCIATE NEWASSOCIATE ASSOCIATE OUROUR NEW “The program sells itself,” Stutzman remarks. “The bar of excellence is being raised in California through National History Day.” Stutzman has been explaining the benefits to fellow academic professionals Specializing in Robotic Urologic Surgery EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2015 over the past three years, but her students are often the best ambassadors for EFFECTIVE FFECTIVE MAY AY 1, 2015 EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2015 NHD. She is pleased to report, “As our fourth and fifth graders have moved DR. LONG WILL BE SEEING PATIENTS IN OUR up into middle school, many students still want to compete. The middle school DRR. LONG ONG WILL WILL BE BE SEEING SEEING PATIENTS PATIENTS IN IN OUR OUR FREMONT AND SAN RAMON OFFICES teachers have recognized the interest and been willing to sign on as sponsors SAN AND AMON DR. LONGFREMONT WILL BE IN OUR REMONT ANDSEEING AN RPATIENTS AMON OFFICES OFFICES for these students.” Among her former pupils now in middle school going on to FREMONT AND SAN RAMON OFFICES State this year are Noah Tran, Shannon Zheng, and Mike Finnessey.

Tran says of producing his historical paper: “The actual process of writing and researching an in-depth essay was a great way to develop better research skills. The annual themes and judging have also helped improve my argumenta1999 Mowry MowryAve AveSuite Suite2M, 2M,Fremont, Fremont, 94538 1999 CA 94538 1999 Mowry Ave Suite 2M, Fremont, CACA 94538 tive skills, as NHD is all about selling your point and how it relates to the theme.

937-7740 (925) 937-7740 5201 CA 94583 5201 Canyon Road RoadSuite Suite140 140San SanRamon, Ramon, 94583 (925) (925) 937-7740 5201 Norris Norris Canyon Canyon Road Suite 140 San Ramon, CACA 94583 I’m motivated to keep participating in NHD because I get a chance to creatively 1999 Mowry Ave Suite 2M, Fremont, CA 94538 www.pacificurology.com www.pacificurology.com www.pacificurology.com express my knowledge of a topic.”

(925) 937-7740 5201 Norris Canyon Road Suite 140 San Ramon, CA 94583 Zheng and Finnessey are presenting a group documentary. Zheng writes: “The www.pacificurology.com Hydration is Key to Avoiding NHD project experience is an exciting and stimulating process that taught me the fundamentals of in-depth research and thinking through being able to explore Kidney Stones and gain knowledge on topics in history that I am personally passionate about.”

By Dr. Wei Zheng Preparing for each level of competition, students continuously add information As the California drought is extending into its fourth and rework projects. Finnessey comments; “What motivates me to stay involved year, it is safe to assume that this coming summer will be a is that feeling that you know everything about your project, and then finding that long and hot one. There is no better time than now to start new perspective, or obscure anecdote which changes everything.” talking about kidney stones: how and why they are formed, NHD was founded in 1974. California is one of a handful of states piloting signs and symptoms, and finally, treatment options. poster board competition for 4th and 5th graders who currently cannot advance The fall season is dubbed by urologists as “stone seabeyond the state level. Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) participants son” since we see most of the kidney stone patients during this time. To understand may write individual papers or work alone or in groups on exhibits, perforthe reason behind this surge, one needs to know how the stone is formed. First, tiny mances, documentaries, or little crystals are formed in a supersaturated urine which are the result of dehydration. websites. Annotated bibliWith time, these crystals aggregate to form a stone nidus, which then snowballs ographies must emphasize into a stone. The entire process can take a few weeks, but more typically it takes primary sources and include a few months. People tend to be more active and spend time outdoors in the suminterviews. Judges evaluate mer, and without proper hydration...voilà, we have our “stone season” in the fall. the presentation’s interpretaThe most common symptom of a kidney stone is unmistakable back/flank tion of historical material and pain. It was described by many as one of the worst types of pain one can have. the ability of the presenters Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, blood in the urine, to communicate the signifior symptoms that mimic urinary tract infection such as constant urge to urinate cance of their topic in history. or burning with urination.

Judges offer constructive The treatment of a kidney stone depends on its size and location. Stones that comments that indicate how are smaller than 4-5 mm have an excellent chance to pass spontaneously. Proper much they value each stupain management, good hydration, and physical activities are the keys for this NHD is a family tradition for the Sauer family, all eager dent’s achievement. to share their experience and expertise. expectant therapy to work. In some cases, medications called alfa blockers, such Julienne Sauer, one of five as Tamsulosin, can be given to certain patients to aid the stone passage. If the Dougherty Valley High competitors eligible for State, placed first at Nationals in stone is too big to pass on its own, then it can be treated with one of following the individual exhibit category as a middle school student. She eagerly shares her treatment options: Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterscopy expertise, encouraging others to See History continued on page 26 with laser lithotripsy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

The most commonly used treatment is ESWL. This non-invasive, outpatient procedure is done under either heavy sedation or general anesthesia. It usually takes no more than 40-45 minutes to do. Most of the patients can return to work 1-2 days post procedure.

To improve the care for kidney stone patients in our area, Pacific Urology and John Muir Health have joined forces to form a kidney stone center. The goal of this center is to have kidney stone patients seen the same day kidney stone symptoms are present and have the stone treated within a day or two if the stone is deemed to be impassable.

Of course, the best treatment is to have no treatment at all. The best way to avoid a kidney stone is to practice HYDRATION. How do you know you are adequately hydrated? Look at the color of your urine. It should be light yellow or clear at all times.

Have fun this summer! But remember to keep a bottle of water around, unless you want to see me in an emergency room this fall.

Dr. Zheng is a board certified urologist with Pacific Urology and sees patients at offices in Concord and Walnut Creek. Dr. Zheng specializes in the medical management and surgical treatment of kidney stones, he also practices general urology. For Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment more information, call (925) 609-7220 or visit www.pacific-urology.com. Advertorial

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Your Personal Nutritionist

Hidden Sugars Lurking in Our Food

By Linda Michaelis RD,MS

In my practice I have seen many knowledgable clients who do not realize how much sugar they consume each day.

My client, Charles (name changed), was referred to me by his doctor for prediabetes. Every morning for breakfast Charles enjoyed his favorite Raisin Bran cereal along with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. He thought this was a healthy choice for him. After our meeting he realized that he was eating two servings of cereal with almost two cups of milk each morning and was consuming almost 40 grams of sugar from the cereal plus 20 grams of sugar from milk with its naturally occurring lactose (milk sugar). His total sugar intake from his bowl of cereal was 60 grams. His glass of orange juice accounted for another 30 grams of sugar.

I taught Charles that one teaspoon of sugar is equal to 4 grams. Charles was consuming 90 grams of sugar each morning, or about 20 teaspoons of sugar. Charles almost fell out of his chair from surprise. Now, of course, that was only breakfast.

Charles learned from his employees that Greek yogurt is good for you, and thus he purchased all the berry flavors for the office to snack on. Unfortunately, his nonfat blueberry Chobani brand Greek yogurt has 20 grams or 5 teaspoons of sugar. I informed him that many companies now offer Greek yogurt with about 10 grams of sugar or less which is more acceptable.

Once in a while Charles frequents Starbucks and orders a non-fat vanilla soy latte. I reminded him about the natural sugar in the milk along with the sugar in the vanilla flavoring. I told him that fewer “pumps” of flavoring was a good way to reduce the amount of sugar in the drink.

Charles mentioned that for lunch he often has a turkey sandwich with chips and a Coke to drink. Did you realize that an average size Coke, has 30 grams, or about 6 teaspoons, of sugar? To wean Charles off of the Coke I recommended drinking just a half serving over a lot of ice or diluting it. I introduced Charles to “no sugar added” Snapple and Sparkling Ice that is also carbonated. He has now weaned himself off of Coke and is enjoying Raspberry Sparkling Ice.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Skin and Retinoids By Christine Chung, MD

I recently met a vibrant, athletic, well-dressed woman who had just turned 60 years old. Six months earlier, she had developed a red bump on her left forehead, just above her eyebrow, which was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer.

She was treated with Mohs surgery, a procedure in which a dermatologist shaves off layers of skin to remove the cancer. Unfortunately, my patient’s skin cancer kept recurring in that same area. After her third Mohs surgery, we treated her with radiation therapy to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence.

After her last treatment, she wanted to know if she had done anything that had led to her skin cancer. “Dr. Chung, did I get my skin cancer because of all the Retin-A that I’ve used for my wrinkles?” she asked.

SCC of the skin is one of the most common malignancies diagnosed in the US, with over 700,000 new cases each year. It occurs most frequently on sun-exposed skin in fair-skinned individuals, though it may also develop in people with darker skin. SCC of the skin is associated with exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, and it occurs more often in older people.

Patients who have undergone organ transplantation and require chronic immunosuppression are also at greater risk of developing skin cancer. This type of cancer can take many forms, including flat red spots, painless bumps, or scaly patches on the skin. A doctor needs to biopsy the skin to confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

Over 90% of skin SCC are cured with local therapy alone, usually surgical excision like Mohs. An advantage of Mohs microsurgery is that the surgeon can look at the cells as they are being removed, to ensure that all of the cancer has been fully excised. Low-risk SCC may also be treated with freezing (cryotherapy), radiation therapy, or a topical cream. Some patients may need radiation after surgical excision, if the cancer cells have aggressive features, such as invasion into the local nerves, or if the cancer continues to

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 25 Food products have many ingredients that contain sugar. Various names for them include white and brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, corn syrup, dextrin, honey, invert sugar, maple syrup, raw and beet sugar, cane sugar, evaporated cane juice, high fructose corn syrup, malt, molasses, and turbinado sugar. Please realize that when fruit juice is listed on bakery goods it is also referring to a sugar.

Hidden Sugars in Foods

Food Serving Size Added Sugar Angel food cake 4 oz piece 7 tsp Banana cake 4 oz piece 2 tsp Brownie, no icing 1 oz piece 4 tsp Cheesecake 4 oz piece 2 tsp Chocolate cake, iced 4 oz piece 10 tsp Chocolate chip cookie 1 cookie 2 tsp Coffee cake 4 oz piece 5 tsp Cupcake, iced 4 oz piece 6 tsp Fig Newtons 2 cookies 2 tsp Gingersnaps 1 cookie 3 tsp Glazed doughnut 1 doughnut 4 tsp Oatmeal cookie 1 cookie 2 tsp Chocolate candy bar 1 bar 4.5 tsp Chocolate mint 1 piece 2 tsp from Sparkspeople website 2015 Clients often ask, “How does a high sugar intake affect them other than weight gain and possible diabetes?” People don’t realize that sugar can also feed yeast, fungi, and detrimental bacteria in your gut which can cause bloating and gas.

Symptoms such as joint pain, headaches, fatigue, inability to lose weight, and constant sugar cravings can often be decreased with a lower sugar intake.

If you feel you are having a difficult time controlling your cravings for sugar, which is not helping your weight loss efforts, help your yourself by allowing me to set up a food plan that will work with your life. It is perfectly fine to have sugar in your day as long as it is eaten in a balanced way.

I am glad to inform you that insurance companies such as Aetna, Sutter, Health Net, ABMG, and Hill Physicians will cover nutritional counseling. Please visit LindaRD.com for the list of all insurance companies, past articles and information on nutrition. Call me at (925) 855-0150 or email me at lifeweight1@gmail.com. Advertorial return even after being surgically removed. Also, the surgeon may refer the patient for radiation if the tumor could not be fully excised.

To answer my patient’s question, her skin cancer was most likely caused by her history of sun exposure, rather than the use of Retin-A cream. Retin-A contains retinoids, which are derivatives of Vitamin A often used in anti-aging creams to help promote skin renewal. In fact, retinoids that are taken orally can decrease the risk of SCC of the skin in certain high-risk populations. However, retinoids in topical form have not been shown to reduce skin cancer risk.

But remember that when you use Retin-A and other topical retinoids, your skin is more susceptible to ultraviolet light. If you use these products, take special care to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen.

Dr. Chung is a Radiation Oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group. She sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Berkeley and can be reached at 925-825-8878.

Attend an educational program on May 20th, 6:30-8pm at the Walnut Creek Library’s Oak Room. “The Many Faces of Skin Cancer” will feature a panel of medical experts who will discuss the most current information regarding prevention, early detection, risk factors, treatment options. To register call 925-677-5041. Advertorial

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Page 26 - May 2015 ~ Danville Today News

Refreshed not Weird: How Botox, Dysport, and Fillers Should Look

By Dr. Barbara Persons, Persons Plastic Surgery

A friend had just finished a high level business meeting with two women. He said, “What is it about 40-year-old women who have been overdone?” He was talking about people that have gone overboard on injectable treatments such as fillers and Botox. My initial thought... he doesn’t realize that these women are not forty-something. They do look younger than their 50 years, but they look overdone. This is indeed a problem, and it’s becoming a more common problem that I am being asked to fix in my practice.

Facial rejuvenation is one of the top requests I receive. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all like the thought of a refreshed version of ourselves.

Ultimately, gravity wrinkles and loss of volume over time will ultimately be most improved by surgery: a neck lift, facelift, eyelids, etc. But, for many patients, natural fillers and fat grafting, Botox, Dysport, Filaser, and RF treatments provide a safe and effective treatment to subtly improve our look.

The key in facial rejuvenation -- from Botox to fillers to fat grafting -- is achieving a look that is youthful, not “weird,” as my friend stated. The look should be refreshed, never overdone, and most importantly natural. Aging gracefully is just as important as looking beautiful, and the secret here is ensuring no one can guess there been a treatment done in the first place. As an expert in face work, I have many tools to use, but the secret to subtle, successful artistry is understanding how exactly to use them.

There are two basic sets of concepts when it comes to facial rejuvenation.

The first is lifting with volume replacement, and the second is improvement of texture, lines, pigment, and laxity. There was a time when we associated aging only with “gravity.” However, we now understand that volume loss can also dramatically change the aesthetic balance of the face. Volume loss occurs in soft tissues and bone, especially in the temporal areas, nasolabial fold, and the

History continued from page 24

participate. “NHD is an inspiring program that has helped me learn how to conduct good quality research that is applicable to all academic disciplines. I enjoy selecting a topic that interests me and shaping the presentation to fit the theme,” Julienne writes. “I have been inspired by the individuals I have researched and by the students I meet at the competitions, especially at the Nationals where there are students from all over the world.”

Daniel Dunn has judged State and National projects for several years. As Executive Director of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, he suggested the Board offer a cash prize this year in conjunction with their Lincoln exhibit to the Contra Costa student whose project best reflected Lincoln’s leadership. Julian La from Golden View Elementary was elated to be the winner. Dunn hopes many students will take advantage of the Museum’s archives and contacts. “As a judge,” he explains, “some of the most interesting storylines used by NHD students are those that are largely unknown. Students will sometimes ignore their local communities to tell national or international stories while their local areas may have interesting and compelling aspects to their histories. Since much of the judging emphasis is the use of primary resources, a student’s local historical societies and historical agencies can provide access to a wealth of resources.”

On February 21st, 204 NHD contestants gathered at the Blackhawk Museum for the third annual Contra Costa History Day competition. Since Stutzman teamed with co-coordinator Sia Sauer, Julienne’s mother, to promote NHD in Contra Costa, the local event has doubled in size each year. 2015 competitors came from as far away as Richmond’s Making Waves Academy.

Sia Sauer learned about NHD in New Jersey when the program was integrated into her older son’s middle school curriculum. Her younger son competed in New Jersey and in California after the family moved. Both brothers went to Nationals.

Sia talks with teachers interested in incorporating NHD into their curriculum and advises students who want to compete but don’t have teacher guidance.

She notes, “NHD offers an opportunity for students to experience project based learning. It also helps them learn about research and how to present a topic to an audience. It fosters their self-confidence and sense of accomplishment. The judging process is very encouraging and all students step away from the process with skills that will help in everyday life.”

For almost a decade, the Behring family has sponsored NHD. The competition,

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cheeks. This results in hollow areas of the temples, sunken eyes, eye bags, tear troughs, mid cheek breaks, marionette lines around the mouth, droopy skin at the jaw, and excess neck skin and bags. The combined effect of volume loss, sun exposure, and age also contributes to increased skin laxity, which presents as wrinkles around the eyes, the forehead, and the middle brow. The face looks more aged, more tired, less full, and overall less youthful.

In the wrong hands, or with the wrong product (cheap counterfeit versions of many popular products like Botox, Dysport and fillers are a real problem), the results are only made worse...you become overdone and look weird The correct approach in my opinion is a whole face approach: recreating the beautiful normal. With Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin, the muscle relaxers, I recommend a balanced treatment. This means relaxing each of the main muscles, say in the forehead or around the eyes in a balanced synergistic way.

Fillers and fat grafting should be used to perform a liquid facelift while keeping the proportions natural. Phi or the ideal proportions can be referenced.

Properly treated lips should look natural, not weird. Nasolabial folds should not look like sausages - laser treatments and/or Botox/Dysport for fine lines and wrinkles and the right filler for replacing volume. There are new fillers such as Voluma, Restalyne Silk, and Radiesse Plus for treating very specialized areas of the face that may be worth the higher cost.

Most importantly, consistency is key. Make sure you use a well-trained, highly skilled injector with a heightened aesthetic sense who is able to learn the intricacies unique to your face. Find a physician or nurse injector you like, and stick with that person. Most people who end up overdone have had multiple visits with multiple doctors. Our nurses, Melissa and Brittney, work hard with me to make sure you look natural.

As always, we look forward to meeting you at Persons Plastic Surgery for a consult so we can demonstrate our approach to consistent results.

Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. is located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. To contact me call 925-283-4012 or email drbarb@ Advertorial personsplasticsurgery.com. held each June at the University of Maryland, is officially named the Kenneth E. Behring National Contest. When Ken Behring established the Blackhawk Museum, Smithsonian exhibits complemented the automotive displays. A member of the Smithsonian Board as well as History Channel Senior Vice President, Libby O’Connell introduced the Behrings to Cathy NHD competitors upgrade their projects as they Gorn, NHD Executive Director. advance. Brenda Stutzman advises Alex Migrditchian Like many non-profits, NHD des- (left) on his project while Avinash Iyer (middle) perately needed major donors. The awaits her input. Both boys are headed to State.

Behring family came through immediately – not only with funding, but also with innovations that continue to enhance the NHD experience.

David Behring, a National History Day Trustee, enjoys judging as much as his mother enjoys presenting awards. He explains that his mother was studying to become a teacher when she married and has always valued the efforts of educators. The Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award she established honors two teachers from each NHD affiliate (one for junior level grades 6-8 and another for senior level grades 9-12). Two National Award winners each receive $10,000.

Behring Teacher Ambassadors, who have shown “outstanding creativity, commitment and inspiration in developing students’ interest in history,” are selected to advise teachers and students interested in participating in NHD. Smithsonian now chooses its own 50 winners, one from each state, to bring their exhibits to the National Museum of American History the Wednesday of the Nationals and talk with visitors about their projects.

Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer follows the actual NHD experience of a group of Kansas girls whose tenacious research finally connected them with Sendler, a Polish woman who saved 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust.

Contact Sia Sauer/Brenda Stutzman for more information at contracostacountyhd@gmail.com or visit http://contracostahistory.wix.com/cccnhd or go to www.nhd.org.

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Treating “Text Neck”

By Melissa Ko, DC, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

In almost every public space you go to, there is a common sight: people looking down in their laps busy on a laptop or cell phone. The average American spends 2-4 hours each day on their cell phones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices. These long hours are leading to an increase in technology-related neck problems. “Text Neck” has now become a commonly used term to describe back problems caused by extensive use of these devices.

The problem comes from holding a flexed position of the neck for long periods of time. Ideally, the head should be upright with the ears over the shoulders. However, as the neck is flexed and the head falls forward, there is additional pressure and weight placed upon the spine.

A recent study in the journal Surgical Technology International looked at these positional stresses. In a neutral position, a human head weighs 10-12 pounds.

When the neck is flexed at 15º the head’s weight increases to 27 pounds of force on the spine and muscles. The pressure worsens as the angle increases: 30º = 40 lbs, 45º = 49 lbs, 60º = 60 lbs.

This places additional strain on the spine and muscles leading to tightness and fatigue. Over time, more problems can occur including:

• straightened/reversed cervical spine curve

• spinal degeneration

• arthritis

• disc herniation

• muscle strain

• spinal misalignment

• joint dysfunction

• disc compression

• nerve irritation/damage

• headaches

• neck pain

• shoulder pain

Danville Today News ~ May 2015 - Page 27 Of course, Text Neck is not limited to the activity of texting. Any activity that involves constantly looking down; such as working on a computer, studying, artwork, drafting, etc; can also cause these postural problems.

Here are some easy tips on how to relieve and prevent symptoms of Text Neck.

1. Keep your head up. Maintain a more upright and neutral posture in which the shoulders are back, and the head and ears are above the shoulders.

Modify your posture such that your device is more at eye level. You can use a pillow or stand to place your device or work materials higher so that the neck is not flexed as much.

2. Don’t stay in one position for too long. Take regular breaks and shift position frequently. It takes less than 10 minutes for muscles to start fatiguing when held in the same position. You can set a timer on your phone to remind you to take a one min break to stretch, stand up, and walk around.

3. Stretch and exercise regularly. Check with your Doctor of Chiropractic for stretches and exercises that will be appropriate specifically for you. An easy stretch to do is the “Yes/No/Maybe’s.”Nod your head slowing looking up and down (yes). Then turn your head slowly from side to side (no). Finally tilt your head towards one shoulder then the other (maybe). Do each for about 30 seconds. These should be gentle and pain-free, never force a stretch!

4. Chiropractic adjustments. See your Doctor of Chiropractic regularly for check-ups to maintain healthy alignment and movement in your neck and back. If you are suffering from the problems listed above, your chiropractor will help you to relieve discomfort and heal properly.

Technology and the devices that deliver them are here to stay. Simply telling a patient to stop using their phone is usually not an option. So be sure to protect your body by using your tech wisely and keeping your spine healthy!

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 Advertorial or to schedule an appointment.

Stars continued from front page

sparked and nurtured by looking through an amateur’s telescope. MDAS’s main mission is outreach. Any member will say, “We like to show everyone what’s out there.” The programs for 2015 are outstanding. They will inspire anyone and cause many young people to think about science.

By about 11PM you’ll leave on an escorted drive down the mountain with much to discuss. Return on one or all of the dates shown below for more inspiring evenings.

May 23, 7:30PM ~ Planets of our Solar System ~ Here’s your chance to explore three planets plus our Moon through the telescopes. Make a Pocket Solar System and imagine what it would be like to live on other worlds.

June 20, 8PM ~ Supernova! ~ Why do some stars explode? Which star is next? Would you exist without supernovae? Take home a sky map of stars that will explode as supernovae.

July 18, 7:30PM ~ Explore our Sun ~ How does the Sun power Earth? Arrive at 7:30 to safely view the Sun through telescopes. After sunset, view the rest of the stars in our Galaxy.

August 15, 7:30PM ~ Our Place in our Galaxy ~ Build a mental model of our Milky Way Galaxy – and our place in it. Find the center of our galaxy. Tour the telescopes through our galaxy.

September 19, 6:30PM ~ Moon: Earth’s Lost Rock ~ How would Earth be different without the Moon? How is our Earth like our Moon? Explore the surface of the Moon in telescopes. You’ll be ready for the eclipse of September 27th.

October 17, 6PM ~ Search for Alien Worlds ~ What will the first alien life we discover likely look like? Explore where weird life exists on Earth. What does that tell us about life elsewhere in the galaxy? Which stars have planets where life might exist?

For more information, visit www.mdas.net. Click on “Public Program” for a link to the 2015 Event Calendar and also a link for directions to Mt. Diablo and the Lower Summit Parking Lot. Plan to enter the park before sunset, and allow 30 minutes for the drive to the lower summit lot. Better, arrive early, bring a sandwich, and watch astronomers set up telescopes. Even that will be a learning experience.

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The Danville Real Estate Hot Market? Cold Market?

I love the Charles Dickens line from A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times.

It was the worst of times.” That’s how the Danville Real Estate Market is shaping up so far this year. For this analysis, I used year-to-date data and I broke the Danville market into five parts in increments of roughly $500,000. What I found is quite interesting.

For Danville as a whole, inventory is incredibly low. As of this writing, we have only 85 homes listed for sale. One hundred, seventeen homes are listed as pending.

Eight of these homes, fall into the price band from $0-$499,000. With one month of inventory, this is by definition, a hot market.

In the next price band $500,000 to $999,999, 102 units have sold. On average they sold in 19 days, at a price of $795,510, were 1,803 square feet in size, and sold for $452 per square foot. Less than one month of inventory remains. It’s definitely a hot market.

From $1,000,000 to $1,499,000, 85 units have sold. On average these homes sold in 23 days, at a price of $1,164,133, were 2,844 square feet in size, and sold for $419 per square foot. Remaining inventory will last for 1.36 months in this hot market.

Incidentally, a month ago, Nancy and I obtained more than $800 per square foot for one of our clients in this price range. The property was a little over 1,700 sq. ft.

In the next price band $1,500,000 to $1,999,000, 20 units have sold. The properties that did sell, on average sold in 39 days, at a price of $1,692,584, were 3,656 square feet in size and sold for a $476 per square foot. Three months of inventory in this price range remain. This is a normal market.

From $2,000,000 to $2,499,000 five units have sold in an average of 30 days, at an average price of $2,236,760. They averaged 4,470 square feet in size, and sold for an average of $506 per square foot. Remaining inventory will last for 5.6 months. This is the outer edge of a normal market and borders on being cold.

In the top tier price range from $2,500,000 and up, zero Danville properties have sold. The current inventory level for these pricey homes stands at 13 months or more.

This market is very cold.

Blackhawk, Saddle Back Estate Home

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In looking at the market, from this perspective it is pretty clear that buyers are being highly selective in purchasing properties priced from $1,500,000 and up as only 25 have sold compared to 195 in the lower price points. That said, it appears that buyers move relatively quickly when a property is found with a perceived value equal to its price range.

The properties that have sold for $2,000,000 or more are selling on average, in 30 days.

What all this tells us is that pricing properly will yield a very fast sale. It also tells us that if a home isn’t sold within the first month, it’s very likely that the property is not priced properly and the offer price should be carefully re-examined against its peers that have recently sold. This examination should be multi-dimensional and not just include price per square foot, which can be misleading.

For the remainder of the year, I would expect the hottest parts of the Danville market to remain hot. This will most likely continue until inventory builds to more normal levels of a 3-6 months of supply. I suspect one of two things will happen in the coldest parts of the Danville market, the high end properties. Either sellers will make intelligent price changes or they will begin withdrawing their properties from the market.

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 multi-dimensional analysis of your home’s current market value, based on years of Danville market experience, please give me a call at 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. For more Alamo and Danville Real Estate articles, please visit our website at www.thecombsteam.com.

Danville Home Sales YTD April 2015 Price Range Active Pending Solds D.O.M $0-$499,000 2 7 8 19 $.5mm-$999,000 19 57 102 18 $1mm- $1.499mm 29 37 85 23 $1.5mm-$1.999mm 15 12 20 39 $2mm -$2499mm 7 2 5 30 $2.5mm & Up 13 2 0 $ * Number of months required to consume current inventory

Avg. Sold Price Avg. Size $ 439,250 $ 795,510 1,803 $ 1,164,133 2,844 $ 1,692,584 3,656 $ 2,236,760 4,470 $ -

$ Per Sq. Ft. Inventory* $ 388 1 $ 452 0.75 $ 419 1.36 $ 476 3 $ 506 5.6 $ 13

Alamo Condo

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Private custom retreat on 2.27 Acres. 5 bedroom.

Views! Soaring ceilings chef’s kitchen, large master bedroom suite. Priced to Sell at $2,650,000.

Updated 2 bedroom 1.5 bath condo in downtown Alamo. Walk to Starbucks.

Priced to sell at $499,000.

Alamo View Home

Alamo, Whitegate Single Story

Alamo, Vineyard Estate

Stunning Mediterranean single story on nearly an acre. 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,946 square feet.

Price to sell $1,435,000.

Classic Mediterranean home on 1 acre. Views! 4 bed plus office, large master suite, chef’s kitchen, amazing outdoor entertainment area, vineyard. Priced to sell $1,785,000.

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Stunning views from this highly upgraded 4 bedroom 3.5 bath view home.

Priced to Sell at $1,499,000.

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.

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