2018, February – Alamo Today & Danville Today News

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1

& FEBRUARY 2018

BOBBY’S BRIGADE

By Fran Miller

Bobby Redman was barely beyond kindergarten when the California Highway Patrol dubbed him a “Super Hero.” The young Alamo resident, now age 10, recalls learning about the trauma caused by car accidents, and he sought a way to help other children involved in highway incidences. At Bobby’s urging, his dad Mark helped him to create Bobby’s Brigade, an organization that collects and donates new teddy bears to highway patrol officers who keep them in their patrol cars to comfort children in emergency situations. To date, Bobby has delivered more than 5,000 bears to the CHP headquarters in Martinez – enough to outfit California’s statewide 1,200 highway patrol first-responder vehicles.

When a highway patrol firstresponding officer arrives on the scene of an accident, his/her Bobby Redman first task is to safely secure the scene. If a child is involved and the adults are incapacitated and unable to care for the child, procedure involves placing the child in the back seat of a first-responder vehicle for the child’s protection – a separation that can prove distressing under any circumstances, let alone following an accident. A teddy bear, offered by an officer, can often provide much needed comfort.

Bobby purchases the bears annually in bulk with donations collected from

See Brigade continued on page 20

DOLL DAY By Fran Miller

The caring women of the Alamo/Danville Newcomers Club know that a new doll can lift the spirits of a sick child. They know that a cuddly quilt can warm not only the body but also the soul.

And they know that a crocheted cap can help comfort not only a newborn but his/her parents as well.

Led by Laurie Guidry for the past 16 years, the crafters who gather monthly to create and donate handmade goods for the babies and children at Children’s Hospital Oakland (CHO) are an altruistic and

See Doll continued on page 24

Local Postal Customer

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

ECRWSS

GAMBLERS AND DREAMERS: MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY TWO-PART EXHIBIT

By Jody Morgan

“A Great Frontier Odyssey: Sketching the American West ”runs through March 18th at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MuseSRV) with a traveling component from Exhibit Envoy taking center stage. The opening act of a twopart production, the exhibit combines the dramatic artwork of Paul Frenzeny and Jules Tavernier created on site during their 1873-1874 cross-country expedition for Harper’s Weekly with actual artifacts carried by settlers and adventure-seekers as they gambled on realizing their dreams of a wonderful life in the West. Opening March 20th and remaining in place through June 10th, the second phase is constructed around a portable exhibit from the Chinese

Martha Jane Boone Kendric’s wool 1860s dress is shown with Frenzeny and Tavernier’s “A Prairie Wind-Storm.” Courtesy of MuseSRV

Historical Society of America: “The Chinese and the Iron Railroad: Building the Transcontinental.” How their descendants settled into local life is related by components gathered together by museum staff and volunteers.

On view for the first time at MuseSRV, the traveling “Sketching the West” display features 39 framed engravings and six reproduction paintings by Paul Frenzeny and Jules Tavernier from the collection of Dr. Claudine Chalmers.

The native Frenchmen were commissioned by the Harper brothers to produce authentic on-site sketches to inform their readers about the advantages and perils of frontier life. In the November 8, 1873, issue of Harper’s Weekly, several months after the artists embarked on their yearlong cross-country journey, the newspaper announced that the duo would make: “long excursions on horseback into regions where railroads have not yet penetrated, where the hardy squatter, the pioneer of civilization, has not yet erected his log-cabin.”

In Chronicling the West for Harper’s: Coast to Coast with Frenzeny and Tavernier 1873-1874, Chalmers describes the laborious process of transmitting their work to the newspaper. Upon completion of the original collaborative

See Exhibit continued on page 22

The Editors

Serving the combined communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville, Since October 2017

Volume XVIII Number 2

Volume IX Number 2

3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

BOULEVARD VIEW

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

In sixth grade I was awarded the Grant Elementary school Service award. As an 11-year-old it was something I was really proud of, and it still sits on a shelf. Trophies then were truly awarded and weren’t given just for participation or showing up. Perhaps the reason it has stayed with me is to share this story.

It has always been in my DNA to be a helper and match wants and needs with those that could use a little assistance. I think it was something I was meant to do, and I think I have good skills in this area. I realize I probably can’t make a huge difference on a world or national level but I can help on an individual or community level, and that’s where I choose to put my efforts and passion.

People keep asking me why I care about helping people affected by the North Bay fires. What is my motivation? News reports have gone on to the next big story while tens of thousands of individuals in my backyard are newly struggling. The fires affected people I know personally and thousands of others I know nothing about, and I am choosing to spend my “free” time doing something instead of blobbing out in front of the TV. Using my skills and resources is exciting to me and brings me joy.

I hadn’t met Greg, but he is a friend of my insurance agent in Santa Rosa.

Greg is a landscaper who lost the tools of his trade. His wife is a nurse at Kaiser who is out on disability due to a shoulder injury. They have a 10-year-old son and their lives have been upended. Through a holiday pop-up store partnership with Dick and Terri Delfosse of the former Richards Arts and Crafts store in Alamo we helped Greg replace his mower and blowers and other items so he could work again. We also helped a lady purchase a $200 air compressor so she can start her balloon event business again, and we helped a house painter purchase a pressure washer so he can start anew. There are thousands of other “Greg’s” out there. Replacing the tools of their trade can help these business owners reestablish their lives, provide for their families, employ others, and help them pay it forward when they are able. In fact, Greg just posted a job

ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMERS CLUB

Are you a new resident of Danville, Alamo, Blackhawk, or Diablo, a longtime resident, newly retired, or an empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner.

Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers. com. The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on February 27th from 10AM to noon. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.

listing looking for an office admin. He is paying it forward like I knew he would.

My husband used to coach a youth roller hockey team at the Golden Skate. One of his players has become a family friend. Now 27- years-old, Phil has taken what he learned on that hockey rink and has been paying it forward by mentoring other youth. Recently on a Facebook post he wrote, “Yesterday, one of my favorite kids to coach at hockey came back after missing the last few months. I was so excited to see him. Solomon is one of the smartest kids I know when it comes to knowledge of the NHL. Ever since the first day I met this kid, he’s talked about Wayne Simmonds (plays for the Flyers) nonstop and even wears his jersey to every practice. He went to the Flyers vs.

Sharks hockey game and Wayne signed his jersey, and his poster, and even gave him a signed stick.

His mom showed me a picture, and Solomon was in tears because he was so happy. It’s such an amazing feeling to see someone so full of happiness after meeting their role model. That’s the power of people. Just a simple gesture can go such a long way. Anyone can be role model and make someone’s life THAT much better. So awesome. We all have that ability to positively impact someone’s life. Don’t be a piece of shit.” While I may not have used the same last sentence, it was meaningful enough to leave. We do all have the ability to help and change or impact a life -- even if it is just for one other person.

It is important to remember that needs exist well past an initial crisis. An illness, death, or tragedy often have people rallying and stepping up immediately with help, casseroles, donations, a listening ear, but a week or two, or a month later when the initial crisis shock has passed, those needs can still persist and often get overlooked or forgotten as efforts may be put towards another crisis of the day. I think it’s important to keep mental notes of those in need and circle back and check-in, even well after a crisis.

I have come to realize it truly takes a village to make the world go round.

If you are looking for ways to help or donate to those in need, let me know.

-- editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.

Alamo Rotary Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Livorna Park

Saturday, March 31st ~ 9AM-11AM

PROM ATTIRE FOR THOSE IN NEED

1Closet is hosting an Eastbay Dressday providing teens with FREE prom attire on Saturday, March 3rd and Sunday, March 4th in the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center at a storefront between Livermore Cyclery and the post office. Thank you Donahue Schriber Realty Group for donating the space for collection, storage, and the event weekend.

The group is looking for donations of prom dresses, accessories (jewelry and purses) and shoes, as well as tuxedos, suits, shirts, ties and dress shoes for men.

All donations can also be pre-delivered to Hyatt House at 4545 Chabot Road in Pleasanton or in Alamo (please email for location address).

Volunteers are needed to set up and help at the event. People are needed to help create dressing rooms and an inviting and fun atmosphere for the teens to enjoy their FREE shopping experience. The group is also looking for consultants or businesses to donate “extras” to the teenagers such as makeup tips, hairstyling, spray tans, etc.) on that weekend. Donations of dress racks and décor for the space for the 3rd/4th weekend is also wanted.

If you know of any teenagers or organizations that want to get signed up to attend the event, please have them email info.1.closet@gmail.com. For more information, please visit www.1-closet. com or follow the group on Facebook at “1Closet.”

Egg Hunt Easter Bunny Visit Carnival Games Balloons Face Painting Music

Brought to the community by Rotary Club of Alamo With Special Thanks to Egg Hunt Major Sponsors:

Bach Group at Morgan Stanley | Diablo Fine Jewelers | John Muir Health Spectrum Wealth Partners | Thompson Consulting

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3

ANOTHER LUXURY PROPERTY

BY CAROLYN GWYNN

3065 Stonegate Drive, Alamo

For aerial photos and property features visit www.3065Stonegate.com

CAROLYN GWYNN Realtor

®

| 925.336.7525

carolyn@thegwynngroup.com www.carolyngwynn.com

COMING SOON! CONTACT CAROLYN FOR DETAILS.

Main House: 4 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Office | Theatre Room | Exercise Loft | appx. 5211sf Guest / Pool House: Full bathroom | Kitchenette | Vaulted wood beam ceiling | appx. 587sf

The Realtor you list your home with does make a difference.

HOST FAMILIES SOUGHT FOR TWO WEEK STAY

BY VISITING FRENCH STUDENTS

RECREATION EXPO RETURNS

For the thirteenth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area. The students will arrive on April 14th and depart April 29th.

The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and weekends.

The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate.

For more information or to find out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at dachary.martine@orange.fr.

There are many local host families ready to discuss any questions with you. The local contact is Danville parent Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925)718-5052.

Residents are encouraged to attend the Town of Danville’s 9th Annual Recreation Program Expo set for February 10th at the Danville Community Center.

A variety of specialty class instructors and Town staff will be on hand to showcase upcoming classes and answer questions. There will be a raffle with fabulous prizes, face painting, and interactive demonstrations for the kids.

Participants will receive information about a 10% discount for activities when they register that weekend.

The Spring Activity guides & Summer Camps brochures will be bulk mailed to Danville, Alamo, and Diablo residents beginning February 7th. Silver Streak customers will have their brochures mailed out beginning January 30th. Brochures are also available for viewing online at www.danville.ca.gov/Recreation.

The Expo takes place Saturday, February 10th from 10AM to 1PM at the Danville Community Center, located at 420 Front St. For more information, contact the Danville Community Center at (925) 3143400 or recreation@danville.ca.gov.

DIABLO CHORAL ARTISTS TO PRESENT BACH, BRAHMS, AND HAYDN

I CAN DO THAT THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE PAJAMA GAME

Diablo Choral Artists will celebrate its 25th anniversary as a community chorus with March concerts of outstanding choral classics, accompanied by strings and organ. The 40-voice choir will perform Bach’s first surviving choral cantata, “Christ lag in Todes Banden.” Composed by a 22-year old Bach, based on Martin Luther’s Easter Sunday chorale, this cantata mixes a somber mood with joyous affirmations, using syncopation and other techniques to identify with the fiery, dramatic nature of Luther’s hymn. The concert also will include the powerful motet “Warum is das Licht gegeben, and more.

Performances will be held on March 16 at 8PM at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill and March 18 at 4PM at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek. Tickets are available at the door, from choir members, or online through Brown Paper Tickets, (800) 838-3006. Ticket pricing is adults $25, seniors 60+ $15, students $5, and children 5-12 free. For additional information, visit www.dcachorus.org.

I Can do That Theatre Company presents The Pajama Game February 23 - March 4th: Fridays at 7PM, Saturdays at 2PM and 7PM, and Sundays at 2PM. The Pajama Game features Fosse style choreography and classic songs like “Hey There,” “Steam Heat,” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.” The show takes place in 1954, and the audience will be bundled up in the drama of the workers at the Sleeptite Pajama Factory. With a cast of 50 kids, this is sure to be an exciting show for all ages!

For more info, visit www.

ICanDoThatTheatre.com. rd

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

XENOPHON GALA

Join the Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center group as they celebrate their 25th anniversary at their Silver Jubilee Gala to be held at Diablo Country Club. The event will be held from 6-10PM on Saturday, March 17th. The club is located at 1700 Club House Rd in Danville. Tickets are $125/person or $1,250 for a table of 10. Twenty-five dollars of the ticket purchase and all donations are tax deductible.

An auction, wine toss, dinner, and dancing will be held. For tickets and more information, visit www.xenophontrc.org.

ANNUAL EGG HUNT AND FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE PARK

The Rotary Club of Alamo will again sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 31 at Livorna Park. The event will begin at 9AM and end at 11AM. In addition to the egg hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, where parents will have an opportunity to take photos, there will also be music, children’s games, balloon men, face painting provided by the Monte Vista High School Interact Club (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Alamo), and other fun activities. Coffee, donuts, chocolate milk, and water will be available for sale. The egg hunt will take place this year at 10:00AM sharp. There will be three age groups for the egg hunt: children three years of age and under (3-0), children ages four to six (4-6), and children ages seven to ten (7-10). Children should bring their own baskets for the egg hunt. In past years the egg hunt would start promptly at the assigned time and was finished in less than five minutes. Parents should allow ample time for their children to be on time to participate. Last year over 800 children participated in the egg hunt, and there were over 2,000 people in attendance.

The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971, and has 50 members.

The Club meets every Wednesday at Forli's Ristorante and Bar, 3160 Danville Blvd., Alamo.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE WAY SIDE INN THRIFT SHOP CELEBRATES “THE WEST”

The dedicated member volunteers at Assistance League® Way Side Inn Thrift Shop encourage all to “Go West!”—west on Highway 24, that is, until you reach 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette. Travel back to times when rugged individualism and the Westward Movement ushered in a new era.

On Tuesday, February 13 at 10AM, stake your claim at the annual Pioneer Days and Western Roundup event. This will be a family opportunity. Children will enjoy a selection of toys. Women will find pioneer-fashioned dresses, aprons, and bonnets to complete their western wardrobes. Everyone will find such great values as boots, shirts, hats, and decorative pieces.

Recently added to the Pioneer Days and Western Round Up event will be an array of Native American jewelry, including rings, Each a work of art, any of these earrings, necklaces, and belts. Specifically, magnificent pieces will surely make Zuni, Navajo, and Santo Domingo pieces, a great purchase. boasting a beautiful vintage signed Zuni petit point cuff bracelet, will be a must-see. In addition, a delightful collection of vintage beaded handcrafted folk art will guarantee to enhance the most extensive collection.

THIS JUST IN: Nine leather-bound novels written by Louis L’Amour, resplendent with the author’s signature inscribed in gold on the outside cover, have been located and donated to this year’s Pioneer Days and Western Roundup event. How better to celebrate one of our nation’s greatest chapters than through the eyes of this prolific author?

To learn about the hands-on philanthropic programs primarily funded by the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, please visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.

SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY

BRANCH 128

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

The group’s next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 21 at 11AM. The guest speaker will be Mr. Dan Dunn, Director of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Dan will be presenting a historical overview of the Valley that many call home. Be ready for a very interesting presentation.

Your $25 luncheon fee includes a meal, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space, please email www.info@SIR128.com. Meetings are held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, an Ramon. For more information about this retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.

BRANCH 116

Branch 116 Sons In Retirement will be holding its 11:15am lunch meeting Monday, February 19 at the Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. The guest speaker will be Michael Butler, artistic director of Center Rep. Mr. Butler will be speaking about the benefits of arts in the community, and current and upcoming Center Rep performances.

Luncheon cost is $25. For reservations and information, call 925-322-1160 or email branch116@gmail.com. For more information about this group, visit www.branch116.org.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com 925.405.6397 A Home Show with 40 Home Improvement Vendors!

Danville Home Expo’18 Sunday, Feb. 11th 10am - 4pm Danville Community Center •••

FREE ADMISSION www.HomeExpoEvents.com Presented by

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5

PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

TREATS FOR THE TROOPS

Charity group Delta Nu Psi has now sent 38,120 pounds of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones. This is made possible by contributions from individuals in the Alamo and Danville community.

The group will be collecting donations at Lunardi’s in Danville on February 9th. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 2PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more and see photos of recipients receiving packages, visit www. deltanupsi.org.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL CONCERT

The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 County, comprised of 108 churches and organizations, is sponsoring an interfaith 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl Concord San Ramon concert entitled “Beads on One String: A Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 Concert in Celebration of Interfaith Unity” Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) th PM on Sunday, March 4 at 5:30 at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 9 Knox Drive in Lafayette.

FREE TAX PREPARATION Please join as the group shares music and poetry from a diversity of faiths.

Free tax preparation for the 2018 tax season is available from AARP’s A reception with light refreshments will follow the one hour concert in the Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. Service Fellowship Hall. Admission is free with donations supporting the programs of is provided by volunteer tax preparers who are IRS trained and certified. the Interfaith Council gratefully accepted.

Both programs serve taxpayers of any age, and AARP membership is not required for Tax-Aide. EKS service is limited to those with incomes below LAYERS REVEALED: BEYOND THE BRUSH $54,000, while Tax-Aide does not have an income limit.

The Town of Danville and the Village Theatre Art Gallery invite the community For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites to come marvel at the layers of artistic expression in the collection of unique, abstract serving the San Ramon/Danville area, call (925) 973-3250 for the San pieces done by a local painting group who call themselves ‘Beyond the Brush.’

Ramon Senior Center site or (925) 480-7202 for the Danville Veterans Set to open with a reception on Thursday, March 8, Layers Revealed is an Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley site. For general information and exhibit that uncovers, examines, and celebrates the inner life of the artwork of 12 other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call local artists. This exhibit hopes to offer viewers a peek through the layers of art 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. process and to develop an added appreciation not only for each specific art piece on display but, hopefully, for art in general.

SRVRWF PRESENT JUDGE STEVEN BAILEY ‘Beyond the Brush’ artists will be available to discuss their techniques and The San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated transformative art processes at the opening reception from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. (SRVRWF) present Judge Steven Bailey on Tuesday, February Complimentary refreshments will be served. This family-friendly event is free for all.

27th at their luncheon meeting. The meeting will be held at the The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is located at 233 Front Street in Danville. The Crow Canyon Country Club, located at 711 Silver Lake Dr Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday 12PM to 5PM, Saturday 11AM to in Danville. Social hour begins at 11:30AM and the lunch and 3PM, and Monday and Tuesday by appointment only. The Gallery is always open one program follow at noon. The cost is $30 hour before performances in the Theatre. For more information, contact Visual Arts Steven grew up on the family farm in Yolo County and Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov. learned the value of hard work and an appreciation for California’s Agriculture industry. After high school, Steven enlisted in the United States Marine Corps DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB and was honorably discharged in 1976.

MONTHLY LUNCHEON He earned his Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.

Please join the Danville Women’s Club on Thursday, Judge Bailey served in the Department of Social Services under Governor February 15th for their monthly luncheon. The February George Deukmejian and was later elected to the California Supreme Court speaker, Ann D’Zuna from Contra Costa Stroke Support Group, will discuss after practicing criminal law for over 17 years.

“Heart Health: Know Your Risks for Strokes.”

During his tenure as Judge, Socializing at the monthly luncheon begins at 11AM, the speaker will give her he presided over legal matters talk at 11:30AM, and lunch will be served at noon. Reservations are required. of domestic violence, mental Please contact Bonnie at (925) 743-9437 or e-mail danvillewc@gmail.com health disorders, human trafficking, and elder abuse cases. to sign up for this event and obtain more information (lunch is free for firstJudge Bailey was instrumental timers). Monthly luncheons take place at the Danville Women’s Club, located at in the establishment of the 242 W. Linda Mesa Avenue in Danville.

Veteran’s Court in El Dorado SCHOLARSHIP BRIDGE LUNCHEON FUNDRAISER County.

The Danville Women’s Club is holding “an afternoon of Bridge” on February 22nd Reservations can be made at 11:30AM at their clubhouse. Lunch will be prepared and served by “the good cooks” by calling Carol at 925-820in the club. Fee for a table is $80. To make your reservation for lunch and Bridge, 0774 or going to www.srvrwf. please contact Mary Wallace at (925) 837-3860 or e-mail her at marynmac@yahoo. org to reserve and pay with a com. Checks may be mailed to Mary at 281 Paraiso Drive, Danville, CA 94526. Make credit card. your check payable to GFWC Danville Women’s Club. This event is a fundraiser for Deadline for reservations is the Club’s Patty Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund for high school seniors.

Thursday, February 22nd.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7

CELESTE PACELLI Proudly Presents...

PENDING WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS!

PENDING!

This charming townhome is a wonderful end unit offering 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with approx. 1468 sq. ft. Carport with 2 spaces. www.100GardenCreek.com | $669,000

Exquisite French Chateau. The ultimate in luxury! 6 Beds, 5.5 bath, Apx. 7500 sf., Lot 1.4 ac. Outdoor kitchen with pizza oven. www.1625Campesino.com | $2,998,000

100 Garden Creek Place, Danville

6 Tyler Court, Danville

Gorgeous home built in 2015! 5 beds, 4.5 baths, approx. 4200+ sq. ft. 3 car garage. Large, level lot with room for pool and more. www.6TylerCourt.com | $2,098,000

1625 Campesino Court, Alamo

SOLD!

1080 Victorine Road, Livermore

Views abound on this 20 acre farm with 500 Organic Olive Trees.

Offering approx. 4000 sq. ft. 4 bedrooms and 4 baths. Guest house. 3 car garage. www.1080Victorine.com | $2,395,000

COMING SOON

8 MAPLEGLEN COURT, DANVILLE

Magee Ranch! Approx. 4800 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths, home gym and media room

204 BRISTOL COURT, DANVILLE

Bettencourt Ranch! Approx. 3200 sq. ft. with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, 3 car garage

‘‘

Celeste did everything first class and was wonderful to work with. She provided data-driven advice on pricing and staging our home. She was organized, detail-oriented, and meticulous in her work. I highly recommend Celeste if you’re buying or selling a home.” ~ Jill R.

CELESTE PACELLI, QSC,CDPE Broker Associate | Lic#01862387

925.395.1511

celeste@celestepacelli.com www.celestepacelli.com

JUST LISTED!

331 Corrie Place, Alamo

Alamo Springs! Spectacular views! Gorgeous home built in 2014.

Approx. 6500 sq. ft. with 5 beds, 5 full & 2 half baths, on a half acre lot. Endless pool and spa. www.331CorriePlace.com | $3,995,000 See Celeste’s 48 client reviews on Zillow.com To receive Up-To-Date Market Analysis Reports, email me today.

PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY

By Sandy Kontilis, Principal

Integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, was January’s Character of the Month. Honesty and integrity are important traits to have in a child’s school life. At Rancho Romero, our students have good student-teacher relationships which come from mutual respect and trust. On January 31st, a student assembly was held where students were recognized for integrity demonstrated throughout the month.

Rancho Romero’s Soul Shoppe Character Program representative met with all students this month to talk about being a “good sport.” A few students spoke out about competition and the pressure to “win at all costs.”

Some explained they felt tempted to cheat in order to win. Fortunately, our Soul Shoppe presenter developed healthy conversations around integrity and honesty. The timing of the lesson was perfect.

Our district recently hosted a Professional Development (PD) day for all certificated and classified staff at Dougherty Valley High School. Teachers chose three classes of high interest to them or attended seminars such as Lori Watson’s “Courageous Conversations,” focusing on racism. Collaboration and discussion between teachers from SRVUSD schools across the district enhance teacher practices. Benefiting directly are our Rancho Romero students. Returning with fresh ideas and strategies, teachers tried out newly learned pedagogy with their students.

Finally, our students are learning and progressing with their studies. The rigor and expectations are growing because they are in the second half of the academic school year. Our admin and staff carefully monitor growth to ensure all students learn at high levels. Intervention and enrichment are systematically monitored in order to meet the needs of our students. Rancho Romero proudly prepares its students for the next step in their education.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

CHARLOTTE WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL By Christopher George, Principal

We hope you are having a great start to 2018 and to our second semester. We have had a very successful start to the semester and are looking forward to the rest of the year. Our kids and teachers have worked hard to this point and we look forward to seeing them continue that work until June.

This month, we celebrated our first-ever Charlotte Wood Character Day, in which we took one of our minimum days and were able to have students go through lessons on three very important topics. Our themes were Community, Empathy, and Awareness of Differences. The day culminated in a motivational assembly speaker. We are looking forward to another day in March and will keep you apprised of the details. We will also use these themes to celebrate Words Matter Week in February.

We continue to focus on the most important aspect of school: ensuring that all students learn to high levels. This month a team of teachers will be spending a day with Austin Buffum, one of the country’s educational leaders on the Response to Intervention and Professional Learning Community work. This model has been central to Charlotte Wood’s work over the last few years and we look forward to furthering our professional development with him in a few weeks.

As always, please let us know if you have questions and concerns, but until then, we remain grateful for all the support we receive from our community and look forward to the rest of the year!

BOOKS FOR THE HOMEBOUND

If you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit the library, find out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at (925) 314-3756 for more information.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9

ALAMO ELEMENTARY

By Stan Hitomi, Principal

At Alamo School, we take a lot of pride in our leadership. Throughout our history, we have been fortunate to have had extraordinary leadership among our staff, parents, and students. But in recent years, we have been looking for ways that we could more richly engage our students through leadership opportunities.

In conversations spanning the past two years, we determined that the structure of our student leadership program was not fostering the growth and development of the leadership skills needed to take on more complex and engaging opportunities. We had also not built in the capacity to expand leadership opportunities to include a larger portion of our student body.

Thanks to the work of Tara Hegarty (5th grade teacher) and Mary Dietler (TSA – teacher on special assignment), our student leadership program at Alamo School has been restructured to fulfill our goal to improve both the quality and quantity of the program. This year our student leadership program includes both leadership students selected by application and classroom representatives elected by their peers. The program includes a leadership institute and classes to help students develop leadership skills including communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.

In January, the Student Council rolled out a program to improve our recess program. Research has shown that play can help kids build confidence, resolve conflicts, and become leaders. Recess is the perfect place for new student leaders!

The quote below was featured in the January newsletter for RECESSLab, an online tool sponsored by PLAYWORKS to help principals, teachers and students discover the power of play.

“We’d love to expand the options for social play on our playground. We need ideas for inclusive activities. We also hope to use our leadership students as peer problem-solvers AND new game leaders.” - Mary D., Contra Costa County.

ARE YOU, OR YOUR CHILD, FEELING STRESSED, OVERWHELMED, OR ANXIOUS??

NEW!! Mindfulness Classes for Kids & Adults!

8-Week Class for Adults: Tuesdays, 2/27 – 4/24 12-1pm 6-Week Class for Kids: Mondays, 4/9 – 5/21 5:30 & 6:30pm, Ages, 7-10 & 10-13 Mindfulness is scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and increase focus, attention, executive functioning, and joy!

Space is very limited! Sign up now!!!

Email Joree or register online - website below Classes taught by Mindfulness Expert and Author, Joree Rose, LMFT #93545; joree@comcast.net www.MindfulnessAndTherapyCenter.com

SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

By Jamie Westgate, Principal

February is the month in which we’re encouraged to express the gift of love which the Bible reminds us originated with Him, “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:9). What great comfort to know we have a God who cares so intimately for us that He is there for our greatest joys as well as our most challenging disappointments. Life is full of highs and lows, and at SRVCA we’ve been helping students prepare for real life. The mission of SRVCA is to inspire students to love God, love others, and love learning. We have a desire for every student to experience God’s unconditional love in a way that’s so personal, they can’t help but love 2017-2018 ALAMO SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL Him back. Out of that love comes an appreciation for His creation, so learning to Classroom Representatives rd love one another happens naturally. The love for learning is contagious on our 3 grade: Justin Ng, Sophia Wong, Cole Gorski campus right now. Recently, a group of third graders were overheard complain4th grade: Jackson Beem, Alicia Pak, Tyler Long th ing because our Staff Development day kept them from coming to school. Little 5 grade: Sophie Meyer, Lydia Moore, Erin Hennessy did our students know their teachers were learning to Teach Like a Pirate (Dave Student Leadership Program Burgess) to make the learning process even more fun. Our thanks go out to Beth 3rd Grade: Ava Jack, Charlie Callison, James Finkel, Isabella O’Callaghan th Houf who came from St. Louis to share about the educator’s PIRATE acronym: 4 Grade: Haley Blackman, Maggie Heneman, Sophia Hoskins, Lana Ruan th Passion, Immersion, Rapport, Ask/Analyze, Transformation, Enthusiasm. Our 5 Grade: Siena Snyder, Nate Adelson, Cari Ciapponi, Natalie Wojnakowski teachers are already crafting traditional measurement lessons into songs, recreating IMPORTANT DATES well known historical events, and dressing in costumes to enhance the learning February 5-9 PTA – Words Matter Week experience. No wonder our kids can’t wait to come to school!

February 19 HOLIDAY – Presidents’ Day February is also the month for our annual trip to Washington D.C., Gettysburg, February 28 – 2 Spring Conference Days (minimum day) and New York City. Our eighth graders are breaking in their winter boots to get ready March 10 Alamo EdFund – Auction Gala for our adventures. A few highlights include the Capital, Smithsonian Museums, war memorials, monuments, Mt. Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, and a trip to a Broadway performance of Anastasia.

We’ll pack a plethora of adventure into seven days and come home with memories for a lifetime.

If you are interested in learning more about our school, please contact our Admissions team, altogether. In most cases, you can make a According to industry experts, there Alamo,Danville Alamo,Danville - (925)838-9622 or visit our website, www.srvca.org. over 33 physical problems that will come under areer 33 physical pro ysical problems that will come un reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what ysical problems that will come under ver 33 physical pro Some of our classes already have waiting lists, so scrutiny during a home inspection when your home you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking er call soon to reserve a seat for next year.

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Yo e of We Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Alamo or Danville Home for Sale

is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.

Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away

for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.

To help homesellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved.

To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1866-265-1682 and enter 1003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.

00941526 This report is courtesy of McDaniel Callahan CalBRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buy ers or sellers currently under contract.

Copy right © 2016

SEARCH AND RESCUE

The Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar. org or call (925) 646-4461.

PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL

WE LOVE ST. ISIDORE!

By Maria Ward, Principal O U R G O S P E L VA L U E F O R FEBRUARY IS LOVE!

We have many exciting events occurring at St. Isidore school, this month, and I am excited to share them with you. Our Open House, Grandparents’ Day, Random Act of Kindness Week, and visit with the Wildlife Associates are just a few of these fun events.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 IS GRANDPARENTS’ DAY

There will be an All-School Liturgy themed around Grandparents’ Day at our 8:10AM Mass presented by the third grade. We invite all grandparents to join us. Afterwards, we will have a special breakfast with our third-grade students and their special guests. They will enjoy a meal together and play games, and our students will sing to them before they leave. It will be a memorable day for everyone.

ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY 14

We will celebrate Ash Wednesday as a school at 9AM Mass, where we will receive ashes. Ashes signal the start of Lent in our Catholic faith. This year, our Lenten theme is “Change your Heart.” Lent reminds us of alms-giving, fasting, and prayer. The week of February 11 also starts National Random Acts of Kindness Week. Our school holds events to show and model kindness to one another and to our Danville community. Our leadership students will deliver cookies to neighboring schools as a random act of kindness. We hope to see you in town as we go out and spread kindness!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 IS OUR ANNUAL SCHOOL AUCTION

This year our theme is “The Great Gatsby Gala.” The auction will be held here on campus. We are thankful to our auction chairs, Jenny Favorito and Andrea DeLong. They put all their energy, effort, and hearts into organizing this magical event. We are so grateful, and we cannot thank them enough for all they have done. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, you do not want to miss this amazing evening. Please visit our website at www.stisidore.org to purchase a ticket.

If you are considering a Catholic school education for your children, please contact us for a private tour. St. Isidore School is currently accepting applications for transitional kindergarten–eighth grade.

St. Isidore School is a home away from home where children are loved, nurtured, and educated through a strong moral foundation steeped in the Catholic faith. We welcome everyone to come visit and learn about St. Isidore. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us directly at (925) 837-2977. We excel academically, we are 21st-century learners, we are service based, and we teach students how to live out our Catholic faith.

I feel blessed to be a part of this community.

FREE CAMP & SCHOOL FAIRS

The Tri-Valley Camp & School Fair will be held from 11AM to 2PM on Saturday, February 24 at the Pine Valley Middle School Auditorium, 3000 Pine Valley Rd., San Ramon, and the Contra Costa Camp and School Fair will be held the same hours on February 25 at Acalanes High School in Lafayette.

This free event will feature booths for camps, schools, preschool, S.T.E.M. and S.T.E.A.M. programs, sports, cooking, enrichment, performing arts, scouts, and YMCA. There will be a free coding workshop and exhibitions. The first 200 families each day receive a free goody bag. There is a free raffle drawing for camps and KidFest tickets. Anyone bringing a can of food for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano will receive an extra raffle ticket for each can.

Admission and parking are free.

For additional information, call (925) 408-4014, or visit www.

ContraCostaCampFair.com or www.TriValleyCampFair.com.

Do you have a story to share or would you like more information about our paper?

Email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com or call 925-405-6397

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

STONE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL By Jon Campopiano, Principal

We are very excited about celebrating Kindness Week on our campus from February 5th-9th. We are very excited to have our SV Kindness team, consisting of students, staff and parents, present an entire week of activities. Additionally, we will have two school-wide assemblies aimed at increasing kindness, respect, and empathy on campus. Our amazing SV choir will perform as students receive a cup of hot cocoa, and students will sign a kindness pledge, decorate kindness rocks, random acts of kindness slips, celebrate smiley sticky day, and much more. Stone Valley continues to participate in the Anti Defamation League, No Place for Hate initiative. We believe that all students deserve a safe, kind, and respectful place to learn and grow.

Other highlights from Stone Valley: ● Over 20 students competed in the Stone Valley Geography Bee. It was a fun-filled, competitive, and rigorous event with 8th grader Gavin I. coming out victorious. He will now prepare and participate in the State competition. Good luck, Gavin! ● Our Stone Valley Choir, led by the amazing Mr. Loomer, sang with great PRIDE at the Monte Vista Area choir festival. They sounded amazing and are excited to play at San Ramon High School this month. ● Weekly Peer Tutoring sessions have created powerful learning moments for students and tutors. ● All staff received extensive professional development on Culturally and Linguistically Relevant curriculum at the SRVUSD district professional development day. ● We continue to purchase classroom technology and are pleased to report that we have added an additional five classroom carts of Chromebooks. ● Over 125 commemorative bricks have been ordered and will be installed in our beautiful new courtyard. ● Our new electronic marquee has been ordered and will be installed this spring. ● Every new classroom will be wired with ceiling speakers, a short throw projector and interactive smartboard.

Thank you very much for your ongoing support. Come by and see the progress of our new building!

SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL By Jason Krolikowski, Principal

Happy New year! This is my first time submitting an article for the Alamo Today & Danville Today News, and I apologize for taking this long to get my messages here!

As we begin the new semester, I am excited to build upon the relationships established in the first semester.

The second semester represents the bittersweet reality of pending graduation for our seniors, and saying goodbye to students and valuable partnerships, with parents and community members. However, it will be important to celebrate and prepare all of our students matriculating in grade and o take time to appreciate the moment while keeping a healthy outlook for the future for our graduates.

We are always searching for ways to improve and provide the best possible educational experience for our students. This includes planning for our upcoming WASC visit (Western Association of Schools and Colleges -www.acswasc.org/schools/public-california) in November 2018, which will allow us to perform a self-study to analyze our areas of strength and areas for improvement. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to provide input through meetings and/or surveys.

As always, I am continually impressed with the talented and compassionate students and community we are blessed to be a part of. I have no doubt that we will continue to build relationships on our campus that provide the best learning environment for our students. Thank you for your support and belief in San Ramon Valley High School!

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11

Family & Preventive Dentistry (925) 837-6052

- 3176 Danville Blvd, Suite 2 - Alamo, CA 94507 - amindamodrelldds.com

Free Dental Screening Your child is required to have a dental screening to enter Kindergarten. Bring your school’s “Oral Health Requirement” form or we can provide one for you!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Your valentine will love your brighter smile!

New patients in February will receive a free in-office whitening (20 min) after dental treatment Restrictions apply. Please call our office for details.

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

Monte Vista’s students and faculty have hit the ground running and successfully transitioned into spring semester. February is always a busy month with winter sports closing out their seasons and spring sports starting out, our arts programs performing and competing locally and across the state, and our seniors beginning to receive their first college acceptance letters. We are also preparing to welcome our incoming freshman – the Class of 2022 – at our annual Freshman Parent Night at the beginning of March.

Monte Vista’s winter athletic teams are making strong bids for league championships and playoff spots. MV Women’s Soccer has been dominant this season and will undoubtedly make a deep run for the NCS crown. MV Men’s Basketball is also poised to make an impact in the EBAL and NCS. MV Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball have both struggled early in league play, but are vying for a better second half of the season and should prove to be strong contenders for the post-season.

Last, MV Wrestling has continued its resurgence with a strong showing in their EBAL matches. It has been a great winter season, and we are looking forward for more success in the coming weeks. Spring sports kick off on February 5th, so our campus will be very busy in the coming weeks.

Monte Vista’s arts programs will also be active in February. Monte Vista’s Theater Department will be performing their Winter Musical, In the Heights, on February 28th through March 3rd. MV’s Choir and Music programs will be performing at a variety of competitions across the state as well as our Speech and Debate and Robotics programs. In addition, Monte Vista’s annual Mr. Mustang Contest will be held in the Monte Visa Theater on Thursday, March 8th.

February will also see the MV campus taking the final steps in preparing for our WASC accreditation visit in early March. We have definitely put the work in, and we are hoping for an outstanding visit.

Things are really moving at Monte Vista. I encourage you to come out to these events and support Monte Vista’s students as they continue to do amazing things in our community.

SRV THUNDERBIRDS CHEERLEADERS

The San Ramon Valley (SRV) Thunderbirds Cheerleaders recently competed in the JAMZ Nationals. The JAMZ Nations is the largest Youth National Championship in the U.S. with more than 650 cheer squads competing. The Silver squad competed against 11 amazing teams in the Division 13 Level 2 Show Cheer Small Team and took second place.

These girls not only compete in cheer competitions but also participate in sideline cheers and half time shows for the SRV Thunderbirds Football teams from September to December. SRV Thunderbirds foster each athlete to have good work ethics, c omp a s s i on , respect, and integrity while always striving for excellence.

Each season the che erle aders participate in helping the community by donating toys to Toys for Tots, collecting warm coats, holding a special needs cheer clinic, and raising money for others such as former football player Jake Javier. At the end of each season, scholar athletes are awarded for their academic achievements.

The SRV Thunderbirds have a long and proud history in the Valley. The youth organization is the oldest in the area with its earliest beginnings in 1959.

For more information about SRV Thunderbirds cheer program, visit www. srvthunderbirds.com.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

VIDEO TECHNOLOGY KEEPS OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER

By Supervisor Candace Andersen

Home and business surveillance cameras have proven to be a valuable tool for homeowners, business owners, and police in helping to solve crimes. They create strong evidence leading to convictions and help protect home and business owners. Advances in technology, including in video cameras and networking capabilities, have made video surveillance systems affordable and appropriate for home use.

Did you know that homeowners and business owners can now register their personal security cameras with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office? By providing the Sheriff’s Office with the location of your security cameras, Detectives will know who to contact for important suspect information should a crime in your area or neighborhood occur. Your personal information is always kept confidential and is only viewed by law enforcement personnel. It’s never made available to the public.

Having security cameras at home or in the workplace is a safety measure that deters criminals from targeting a specific location. Outdoor cameras can dissuade burglars. Usually, these potential thieves will case your home before they actually break in. If they see a camera, they just might change their minds about burglarizing your home. A home security camera can prevent you and your family from becoming victims of crime. Most homes and buildings have several areas on the outside and inside that are great hiding places for intruders. Security cameras are an added barrier that reduces the likelihood of a threat. Now being able to register your personal cameras with the local law enforcement is an extra layer of security.

To participate, you need to do just a few simple things: email the Sheriff’s Crime Analysis Unit at crimeanalysis@so.cccounty.us and provide your name (first and last) or full legal business name, the complete address, best contact phone number, and an email address for further correspondence. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you can opt out at any time.

Unfortunately, this service is restricted to cameras located within the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County or the cities of Danville, Lafayette, and Orinda which contract with the County Sheriff’s Department for police sercies. If you live or own a business within the City of San Ramon, you can register your camera through their Citizen’s View program. Visit www.sanramon.ca.gov/police/citizensview.htm to register or for more information.

Many of our communities are utilizing Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR). These cameras are now in fixed locations in Lafayette, Alamo, and Danville, and many police vehicles are also equipped with them. They have already proven to be a tremendous support in aiding law enforcement. The ALPR system utilizes cameras that capture an infrared image of a license plate, and that text or plate information is then compared to various “hot lists” generated by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The cameras in Alamo are maintiained by the County and affixed to traffic light poles at major intersections. Some cities have the cameras postioned at chokepoints entering and exiting these communities.

My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.

VALLEY VIGNETTES

By Beverly Lane THE FIRST EUROPEANS IN THE SAN RAMON VALLEY

At the corner of Danville Blvd. and El Portal, a historical society plaque recalls the first Spanish invasion of the San Ramon Valley. The Spanish had come to Alta, California with soldiers and missionaries beginning in 1769 and discovered the enormous San Francisco Bay that same year. Monterey was their northern boundary until 1776 when Juan Bautista de Anza chose the location for the San Francisco presidio and mission.

In the spring of 1772, Capt. Pedro Fages led a small group of soldiers to explore the East Bay, accompanied by Franciscan missionary Padre Juan Crespi. Sent from the presidio in Monterey, Fages was directed to see if there was an overland passage between the Bay’s eastern lands and the northern shore. Both Fages and Crespi kept diaries which provided insights into the Indians they encountered and the eighteenth century landscape of Alta California.

Since it was spring, the hills were green and the water from two great rivers, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, filled the delta. After riding next to Carquinez Strait and going over the hills leading to the east, they viewed the vast waterways of the delta and knew that a land crossing was not possible. The escolta circled back, traveling north of Mount Diablo and moving south through the San Ramon Valley.

Crespi’s diary for March 31, 1772, included this description of the valley north of Mount Diablo: “We entered a valley having the same characteristics as the first (well covered with grass, with good arroyos well grown with alders, cottonwood, laurels, roses, and other trees)…in the course of it we came to three villages with some little grass houses. As soon as the heathen caught sight of us they ran away, shouting and panic-stricken without knowing what had happened. From this valley we turn south, and halted in the same valley on the bank of an arroyo with plenty of running water…This valley appeared to me to be a charming site for a settlement, with all the advantages that are required.”

They trekked further south using Indian trails and probably camped for the night just south of Danville. Padre Crespi again, on April 1, 1772: “We set out at six, following the same valley in a southerly direction, the excellence of the road continuing, with many trees. This day we covered ten leagues, all by the same valley, all level land, covered with grass and trees, with many and good arroyos, and with numerous villages of very gentle and peaceful heathen, many of them of fair complexion. It is a very suitable place for a good mission, having good lands, much water, firewood, and many heathen.”

This was the first time Indians had seen Europeans on horseback. Some ran in terror, and others approached the newcomers with diplomatic rituals and looked for trade opportunities. The Spanish identified the Indians of Alamo and Danville as Bay Miwok Tatcan, names which appeared later when their baptisms were

registered at the missions. Indians had both permanent and season villages, and it is likely their main village was in Danville.

The Spanish returned to Monterey with their information about the water barriers between the east and the north bay. In 1776 Anza, Padre Pedro Font and a few soldiers retraced the Fages/Crespi route in north Contra Costa but returned to Monterey without going through the San Ramon Valley.

Franciscan missions were Spain’s main colonizing institutions. The missionaries served God and King and zealously planned to save souls and civilize the people they encountered. Mission Dolores and Mission Santa Clara were founded in 1777. After Mission San Jose was dedicated in 1797, its grazing lands and native recruitment area included the San Ramon Valley.

The Indians may have been gentle, peaceful, and open to trade with the intruders at first, but soon they found that European diseases were devastating, the soldiers were abusing their women, punishments at the Mission could be severe, and, once baptized, they could not leave without the missionary’s permission.

An Indian resistance led by the Bay Miwok Saclans (of Lafayette) began in 1795 and lasted for a decade. Spanish expeditions in 1797, 1800, 1803, 1804, and 1805 tried to defeat them, with uneven results. Hubert H Bancroft wrote: “The natives caused more trouble in the region of San Francisco than in any other part of California, the troublesome gentiles being chiefly those inhabiting what is now known as Alameda and Contra Costa counties.”

Bancroft also noted these natives threatened Mission San Jose. Originally this mission should have been placed in the inland valleys, perhaps in the San Ramon area, but the Saclan and their allies resisted the mission plans and threatened other native who might be willing to support the mission. Hence, Missions Santa Clara and San Jose are located much closer than was normal for distances between other California missions.

The Spanish contacts with natives eventually led to profound changes for the Bay Miwok of Alamo and Danville and the Ohlone of San Ramon. Next month: Mission San Jose and the San Ramon Valley.

Major Sources: Randy Milliken, A Time of Little Choice, the Disintegration of Tribal Culture in the SF Bay Region, 1769-1810; H. H. Bancroft, History of California, Vol. 1, pp 708-709; Amador-Livermore Mural from Mission High School in San Historical Society, The Fages-Crespi Expedition of 1772. Francisco by Edith Hamlin.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13

Stunning Westside Ranch Home 200 Tim Court, Danville $2,190,000 3 Bed + Bonus Room Remodeled 2.5 Bath 3 Car Garage + Storage ~2,967 Sq Ft 200TimCourt.com

Results.

Pure & Simple

Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com CalBRE 00897221

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

TAX TALK WITH BOB By Bob Shalon

NEXT YEAR’S TAX CHANGES

Many of us have read or heard about the highlights of our new tax bill which takes affect in tax year 2018. I have been studying the entire bill and will summarize by saying this: DO NOT JUMP TO ANY CONCLUSIONS WITH PARTIAL INFORMATION! It is impossible to review the entire bill with the space allotted so I picked areas important to all taxpayers.

• Tax rates have gone down, and brackets are lower. This more than offsets any lost exemptions.

• Required Health Insurance goes away....but not until 2019!

• Alternative Minimum Tax is greatly reduced! This is a tremendous change.

If you want to know if this tax affected you, look at page 2, line 45 of your 1040.

• Half of you will love this and half will hate it: Beginning in 2018, alimony is no longer counted as income to the recipient (cheers!). It is also no longer deductible (boo!).

• I have always said that the Tax Code protects the children. The new bill increases Earned Income Credit and adds a credit for non-child dependents. The child tax credit increases and an additional credit of $500 is added for qualifying dependents over age 17.

• IRA contributions have not changed, however re-characterization rules have.

• Medical expenses are still deductible, and the threshold needed to clear is now 7.5% for everybody.

• Finally, you can only deduct the mortgage interest on $750,000 of principal. Equity loans no longer are deductible. If your initial loan is above this figure, try and pay it down, if possible.

As I said, I couldn’t come close to covering everything, and inevitably someone will be annoyed that I did not cover their hot topic. Call me at (925) 820-9570 or email me at bob.shalon@tax.hrblock.com with any questions. Talk to you (figuratively speaking) next month...meanwhile, BE HAPPY. Advertorial

PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH TOASTMASTERS

Do you hate speaking in front of a group? You’re not alone. However, good presentation skills are demanded by nearly every employer these days. Toastmasters can help you overcome your public speaking challenges!

Toastmasters is an organization where people can fine-tune their speaking skills and receive valuable feedback. Beginning and advanced speakers are welcome.

Local chapter Danville AM Toastmasters meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30AM in downtown Danville. For the location and other details, please visit 4143.toastmastersclubs.org, or email DanvilleAMToastmasters@gmail.com.

Advertise in your hometown paper, share a story with the community,or let us know about a local non-profit to profile!

Contact us at 925.405.6397 or Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com.

Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison Tri-Valley Trapper

925-765-4209

PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

CLIP NOTES By Jody Morgan

Wreaths of violets were sported by carousing Greeks to nullify the effects of imbibing an excess of wine. Violets do contain the critical chemical component of aspirin, salicylic acid. Violet-flavored wine is remarked upon as a popular Roman beverage. Roman poet Horace (65-8 BC) reputedly chided his countrymen for putting more effort into growing violets than cultivating olives.

In 269 AD, the imprisoned Saint Valentine reputedly wrote messages on violet foliage he plucked from plants reachable from his cell. He made ink by crushing violet blossoms and entrusted his notes to a dove for delivery. Believable or not, the legend confirms that violets have always played a role in Valentine’s Day communications.

Napoleon Bonaparte divorced his first wife Josephine in order to have an heir. Nevertheless, many historians relate that his affection for her remained constant. Even though Josephine’s gardens at her Malmaison estate were famous for roses, violets were her favorite flowers. After she died, Napoleon supposedly plucked violets from her garden and wore them in a locket until his death. Perhaps self-love played a part. Because Napoleon asserted he would return from exile on Elbe when the violets bloomed, the question, “Do you like violets?” became a code for identifying loyal followers. Anyone answering “oui” or “non” was given the cold shoulder. The proper response was “eh, bien!”

How much did Queen Victoria love violets? Her journals contain more than 100 references to the flowers. On March 30, 1834, fourteen-year-old Victoria recorded: “Mama gave me two very pretty little china baskets with violets …”

English nurseryman George Lee named a magnificent violet he bred in 1873 ‘Victoria Regina’ in her honor. He sent the queen a bouquet of those violets every year on her birthday.

Violets, defamed following World War I as “grandma’s flowers,” continued to figure in celebrations after roses became the accepted love token on Valentine’s Day. California growers Dominic and Louisa Garibaldi emigrated from Italy in the last years of the 19th century. When the United Nations was established in 1946, their family business, under the direction of sons Joseph and Frank, supplied a combination of purple violets and yellow calla lilies for the festivities.

For Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th birthday bash held at Disneyland on February 27, 1992, they provided 400 bunches of violets.

WINE & CHOCOLATE PAIRING 101 By Monica Chappell

DANVILLE-ALAMO GARDEN CLUB MEETING

Violets, the floral valentine remembrance of choice in Victorian days, have fallen from favor. Although as unwelcome in lawns as the equally delicious dandelions, violets are currently capturing the fancy of foragers. I received instruction on the nutritional value of violets upon accosting a fellow I spotted gleefully gobbling a clump he had just plucked from a public park. First cultivated at least as early as 400 BC, violets provide leaves high in vitamins A and C and have a long history of both culinary and medicinal use.

The foliage as well as the flowers of sweet violets and related woodland violets make a dandy addition to salads. Cooking turns the leaves sufficiently glutinous that they were once regularly employed for thickening soups. African violets do not belong to the same plant family and are not edible. Although the species of violet Shakespeare often mentioned (Viola odorata) is not native to North America, it has made itself at home across the country. Violets are not shy about hybridizing. Distinguishing the offspring of kissing cousins indigenous to the New World and their immigrant relatives from descendants of a single true native species can be difficult.

Violets have figured prominently in love stories in sources as disparate as Greek mythology and Native American legend. According to the best-known version of the tale, the king of the Greek gods Zeus wooed his wife Hera’s maiden priestess Io. To save Io from Hera’s wrath, Zeus turned the lovely lady into a white heifer. Io was so disconsolate at having to feed on coarse grass that Zeus created violets for her to nibble instead.

An Iroquois romance reads more like Romeo and Juliet. A famous warrior spotted a beautiful maiden while he was raiding her village. He couldn’t get the image of her out of his mind, so he went back to the enemy camp to carry her off. The maiden’s kinfolk rushed to her rescue. But she sealed her fate by plaiting her hair around the neck of her captor, indicating she was happy to be his bride. Her outraged tribesmen killed them both. Violets sprung up on the spot to symbolize the slain lovers’ faithfulness to one another.

What could be more romantic for St. Valentine’s Day than a box of chocolates and a terrific wine?

Some say it can’t be done, pairing wine with chocolate, but if you have the right chocolate to complement the right wine, it can be a match made in heaven. Whether you are pairing wine with a delicate white chocolate or a lively dark chocolate, there are a few pairing tips to keep in mind.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PAIRINGS

The Danville-Alamo Garden Club (DAGC) meets on the secondThursday of the months between September and June starting at 9:15AM at the Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo.

At the February 8th meeting, Dustin Strobel will speak about rose pruning and answer gardening questions. Dustin is the past manager of Sloat Nursery in Danville and is currently with Sloat’s in Concord. He is a California Certified Nurseryman and is passionate about plants.

All meetings are open to the public for a $10 visitor fee. If you have any questions, contact membershipvp@dagc.us or visit www.dagc.us.

MATCH STYLES - When pairing wines with chocolate, match lighterflavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines and more intense-flavored WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB chocolates with more full-bodied wines. In general, dark and bittersweet The topic for the February 12 meeting of the Walnut Creek Garden chocolates go best with stronger red wines, while milk and white chocolates Club is “Why are Millions of Trees Dying in the Sierras (and what are we pair better with lighter reds and sweeter white wines. doing about it)?” The discussion will be led by Brenda Kendrix of the US THINK RED - Most white wines lack the muscle to stand up to chocolate’s Forest Service. naturally robust flavors. If you prefer sweet white wines, such as a late-harvest The meeting will take place at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road, wine, you’ll have better luck with milk chocolates. However, the wines that Walnut Creek. A business meeting will begin at 9:45AM followed by a match well with chocolate and make truly great combinations typically are 10:30AM social and 11AM program. not the dry red table wines people drink with meals. Leave the big, structured All are invite to attend a meeting. Send any questions you have to wines for food pairings, and look for the lighter-bodied and fruitier wines that mslittle44@gmail.com. complement the fruitiness that is natural to most chocolate.

EMBRACE TEXTURE - The wines that work best have a rich textural element that match the texture, weight, and creaminess of the chocolate. The perfect pairing also balances sweetness, fruitiness, and acidity.

THINK LIKE A CHEF - Flavors of chocolate in a wine do not necessarily mean that the wine will taste good with chocolate. Chocolate flavors are often found in dry red wines, which usually don’t work well with chocolate. Seek wines that have the same flavor notes as the chocolate, or look for contrasting flavors. The flavors that typically go with chocolate include things like raspberry, cherry, and nuts.

KEEP IT SWEET - When pairing wine with dessert, choose a wine that is sweeter than the dessert. A wine that is drier than the chocolate or dessert is almost sure to make the match fall flat.

As with any food and wine match, only you are the arbiter of what works best. There are many kinds of chocolate preparations with different flavor profiles, so no one wine is a universal match.

Have fun experimenting! Monica Chappell is am East Bay wine writer and educator whocan be reached at www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15

PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

“OK GOOGLE,” “DROP-IN ALEXA”

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.

Dinner at our house is a bit strange. Instead of fine linen and silver at our table, we have a 3’x4’ world map taped to the surface. Our typical dinner discussion includes daily events, but then we also quiz each other on random worldwide facts and geography. Sometimes when the almanac that accompanies the map cannot answer a question we wonder, we turn to the internet

for another opinion.

Before our most recent technology additions, we would whip out our smartphone or a nearby laptop and type away our questions, such as, “Which state produces the most blueberries?” or “What place gets the most rainfall?” However, these days we have two new gadgets who sit with us in the kitchen, and they’re a lot of fun to have around. They’re always listening for their cue: meet “Alexa” and “Google.”

“Alexa” is actually the “Alexa Show” device from Amazon. We chose this model for its video-phone capability, in that we can have face-to-face conversations with my wife’s 100-year-old grandmother who has an identical model in her room. With its “drop-in” feature we can automatically connect, check-in, and have an easy conversation that doesn’t require her to rush to the phone or punch any buttons.

It has many other uses as well, including using Alexa to make phone calls, play movies or music, check the weather, listen to news, control our thermostat, control lights, and more. Alexa is, of course, an artificial intelligence with an ever-expanding lexicon of facts and information that we can access. Every artificial intelligence (AI) needs a voice, and for ours we chose a UK accented female voice, who pleasantly answers our questions and commands. “Alexa, set a timer for 20 minutes.” The timer pleasantly chimes in 20 minutes. “Alexa, how long will it take to drive to Livermore right now?” returns an accurate driving estimate. Saying “Alexa, play Back to the Future” will begin streaming playback of the movie from Amazon Prime’s vast online video collection. It’s a bit of a game; we ask it random questions, and most of the time we’ll get a passable answer, but not always.

My 10-year-old niece pipes up, “Alexa, which country produces the most pineapples?” In this case, Alexa fails and begins regurgitating facts irrelevant to the question.

Sigh. Undaunted we turn to our second gadget, “Google Home.” Repeating the same question with the prefix “OK Google,” returns a relevant answer and adequately answers my niece’s question, and the discussion moves on. Neither seems able to deliver the knock-out punch to the other. They each have their strengths.

The Google Home device is very similar to the Alexa, in that it has a very

www.yourmonthlypaper.com powerful artificial intelligence engine behind it, which in this case is Google itself, which is to say “the internet.”

Both companies are working diligently to add integration partners so the products marry with the electronics you already own. For instance, if you have a Nest thermostat, you can control it from your Google Home by saying “OK Google, increase the temperature two degrees,” or “OK Google, set the thermostat to ‘Away.’” Other integrations include home lighting systems by Phillips, Netflix, YouTube, news sites, and more. The list is quite long.

With firms such as “IFTTT” (If This Then That) which integrate services and applications together, the possible ways to use Alexa and Google with the internet and home-based devices are unlimited. If you have programming skills, this is the golden age of opportunity. Personally, I’m not interested in that level of “lights-on/ lights-off” home automation, but for those who are, these are a fantastic central point to glue everything together. Both Amazon and Google are also integrating their products into automobile command and control systems. Instead of turning the knob for the climate in your car, perhaps we’ll say “Alexa (or Siri, or Google), defrost the windows and make me warm.” The seat and steering wheel warmers will turn on, the heater will move to 75o, and the defroster will turn to maximum.

Or perhaps you slipped and fell while getting into your car, so you say, “Google, I’ve broken my ankle and need a doctor. Drive me to the nearest emergency room.”

Who knows? These are all plausible scenarios, and I predict by 2025 self-driving electric cars will be affordable for most new car buyers, and by 2045 these cars will be the norm. In a future article, I’ll talk about some of the downsides of the emerging AI technology, and better critique what I believe will be the key issues to address as it becomes more mainstream.

If you’re looking to integrate an Alexa or Google appliance into your environment and need assistance, give us a call at 888-552-7953 or email helpdesk@ pcioit.com. Advertorial

QUICK TRIPS

By Linda Summers Pirkle TREASURE ISLAND TREASURES

When I met my husband, he was in the Navy and stationed on a ship in San Francisco. As a military spouse, I could shop in the base stores (the PX) which I loved. Treasure Island base was a favorite because of the great views. I recall taking visiting friends and relatives to the parking area at the entrance to the base. Often, it was too cold and windy to spend time standing on the water’s edge, so we’d grab a hot dog from the stand in the lot and sit in the car, enjoying the magnificent view of the city, Golden Gate, and Bay Bridges.

Now that Treasure Island is open to the public and planners are in the process of building 8,000 units for habitation, new businesses are opening on the island.

Mersea Restaurant recently opened its doors in mid-January 2018. Co-owners Mee-Sun Boice and Parke Ulrich (of Epic Steak and Waterbar restaurants) transformed 240-foot shipping containers into a beautiful venue. They changed the flooring, removed the walls, and replaced them with windows that let light flood into the unique space. Their kitchen is a ten-year-old never-used military all-electric kitchen that fits very well with the aesthetics of the location.

Guests can wander the property which includes a beautiful vertical garden full of succulents, two golf putting greens (one just for kids), and a bocce court.

The design emphasizes the harmony between the indoor and outdoor spaces, all with spectacular views.

The street tacos with jerk chicken and cilantro slaw are delicious and a perfect light snack. We added some mango serrano hot sauce, one of Executive Chef Ulrich’s signature fresh sauces. Mersea is a cozy spot to enjoy the remarkable views of San Francisco and the two bridges, and the food is delicious.

Aracely is another gem on Treasure Island. Large tables and comfy chairs make it a popular rendezvous spot for cyclists on Sunday mornings. Eggs Benedict with pork belly and the croissant French toast with seasonal fruit are the most popular items on the menu. The grass-fed burger served with cheddar, pepperoncini, and aioli was delicious. The turkey sandwich with pickled apples and bacon was also very tasty. Our experience with server Christine was outstanding.

Aracely is located at 410 13th Street, Treasure Island. Hours are Monday-Friday from 7AM-2PM , Saturday-Sunday from 8AM-3PM, and Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30PM-10PM. Their phone number is (415) 985-7117.

Mersea is located at 699 Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island, San Francisco. Their phone number is (415)385-2398. Hours are Monday-Sunday from 11AM-9PM. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17

(Now partnered with Stone Valley Dental)

WE ARE ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

CALL US AT (925) 831-8310

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

FUNDING YOUR LIVING TRUST – CRITICAL ISSUES

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

First and foremost, as I’ve written many times, establishing and titling assets in a Revocable Living Trust (“Trust”) is typically optimal, whether you are married or unmarried.

Trust titling enables effective access and control by you, as trustee. It also enables your successor trustee to use and manage assets upon your incapacity or death for your benefit and that of your loved ones. Further, if substantially all of your assets are titled in your Trust upon your death, then Probate – a long, expensive, and inconvenient court proceeding – is avoided.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to establish a Trust but not adequately “fund” it (i.e. not formally transfer title of most of their assets into the Trust). By failing to do so, you leave your estate vulnerable to control problems and Probate. Fortunately, it’s easy to transfer assets into your Trust with appropriate legal advice, instructions, and forms.

Certain kinds of assets, including retirement plans (e.g. 401Ks and IRAs), are not transferable into your Trust. Nevertheless, they avoid Probate and are transferred efficiently to the person(s) designated as beneficiaries and on file with the custodian financial institution. Of course, this assumes that the designated beneficiary is alive on your death. Given that this is never a certainty, it is important to name not only a primary beneficiary(ies), but to submit a proper beneficiary form in which you designate a contingent (aka secondary or alternate) beneficiary(ies).

Also noteworthy is that whom you designate and how you designate such beneficiaries on the retirement plan beneficiary designation form can have substantial consequences on those inheriting beneficiaries, including how the potential distributions will be directed, controlled, and taxed. Accordingly, legal and tax advice should be obtained as to these beneficiary designations.

Life Insurance and Annuities are also, like retirement plans, governed by beneficiary designations on file with the respective insurance company on your death. Often, your Trust is the appropriate beneficiary to designate, but this should be discussed with estate planning counsel and coordinated carefully with your Trust and Will.

Finally, joint accounts are, by operation of law, automatically owned by the joint owner(s) upon the death of any owner. Many married couples have a considerable number and/or substantial amount of cash and securities in joint accounts. If one spouse dies, the surviving spouse seamlessly becomes the owner.

Notwithstanding this convenience, upon the death of the surviving spouse, that asset is not protected from Probate (if it does not get re-titled in your Trust).

Fortunately, an applicable Probate Code statute provides a cushion to enable a certain threshold of assets to avoid Probate, even if they were inadvertently or intentionally titled in your name only (i.e. not in your Trust; not in a joint account; and not in an account that has a living beneficiary designated to receive it on death). This law provides that Probate of such non-Trust assets is avoided if the aggregate of such non-Trust assets is under $150,000. In that event, each such non-Trust asset is frozen for 40 days after death, and then what is known as a “small estate affidavit” must be prepared, signed under notary, and presented to the financial institution by the authorized person (e.g. executor of your Will) to access the funds.

Attorneys in my (trusts/estates) practice area must often initiate Probate proceedings because a decedent did not fully or properly “fund” their Trust. As indicated above, you should be sure that your non-Trust assets are limited to those with a very modest value (e.g. automobiles and a very small bank account) - well under the legislative cushion of $150,000.

Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business *Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com.

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

Advertorial

• PC & MAC Computer Services • Project Management & Architecture • Monitored Security Packages to Protect Your Systems from Threats • Wired & Wireless Network Specialists • Network Design for Businesses & Homeowners

Technology. Simplified.

Portable CIO Since 2001

PCs/Macs/Servers/Tablets/Smartphones

Commercial | Residential

925-552-7953

helpdesk@pcioit.com w w w. p c i o i t . c o m

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

TA X CUTS AND JOBS ACT – POTENTIAL IMPACT TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE

By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19

ACTION POOL REPAIR

Serving Alamo & Danville Since 1979!

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has brought many changes to the tax law that are highly likely to affect your individual situation. I would like to highlight and review a few of the tax changes that as a Financial Planner I believe may be the most impactful for individuals and business owners. Please note that these are just a few of the changes for 2018, and laws are subject to change. You should always www.actionpoolrepair.com consult with your accounting professional to get up-to-date information regarding your specific situation.

Change: The tax brackets were reduced to seven brackets.

Potential Impact: This change brings a significant increase in income after taxes without taking into account deductions.

Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 Change: The Standard Deduction Potential Impact: The Standard Deduction has changed for Married Filing Jointly from $12,700 to $24,000; and the Standard Deduction for filing Single from $6,300 to $12,000. This may significantly simplify the tax filing process, as long as “Schedule A” deductions are below the new standard.

Change: Taxpayers are allowed a deduction equal to 20% of “qualified business income,” or “pass-through” income, i.e., income from Partnerships, S-Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Sole Proprietorships. (For this purpose, the direct ownership of real estate is considered a “Sole Proprietorship”) Potential Impact: This could be a substantial benefit for those who are not in service related businesses. However, before any actions are taken to adjust how you get paid or your entity structure, I would suggest waiting for more guidance to come out first as this isn’t completely clear. Even the differentiation of service based industries might be in limbo.

Change: Child and family tax credit increase Potential Impact: The new law increases the credit for qualifying children (i.e., children under 17) from $1,000 to $2,000 and it increases the refundable portion of the credit to $1,400. It also introduces a $500 credit (nonrefundable) for taxpayer’s dependents who are not qualifying children. The adjusted gross income level at which the credits begin to be phased out has been increased to $200,000 or $400,000 for joint filers.

Change: State and local taxes Potential Impact: The itemized deductions for state and local income and property taxes are limited to a total of $10,000. We anticipate a $24,000 increase to the standard deduction. This may help reduce some costs, but in California, property will generally be above the $24,000 limit. A lot of real estate experts think that in hyper-demand markets like the Bay Area, real estate prices will actually increase.

Change: Mortgage interest Potential Impact: Mortgage interest on loans used to acquire a principal residence is only deductible on debt up to $750,000 instead of the previous amount of $1 million. The reduction in the amount you are able to deduct of mortgage interest could reduce the amount of loans taken out above $750,000. An even bigger impact could be a reduction of real estate prices. Furthermore, there will no longer be any deduction for interest on home equity loans, regardless of when the debt was incurred.

Change: Miscellaneous itemized deductions.

Potential Impact: There is no longer a deduction for miscellaneous itemized deductions, which were formerly deductible to the extent they exceeded 2% of adjusted gross income. This category included items such as tax preparation costs, investment expenses, union dues, and unreimbursed employee expenses.

This means less deductions and an increase in potentially taxable income.

Change: Post 2018 divorce decrees and separation agreements, alimony will not be deductible by the paying spouse and will not be taxable to the receiving spouse.

Potential Impact: Previously, you were able to deduct the income, and now it is after tax. Do not get divorced, and this will not apply.

Change: Estate and gift tax exemption.

Potential Impact: Applicable for dying decedents and gifts made, in 2018, the estate and gift tax exemption has been increased to roughly $11.2 million and $22.4 million for married couples. I left this one for last because this one is the greatest increase for large estates. This change gives an opportunity to move an additional $11,000,000 outside of your estate prior to death. That is potentially a $4,400,000 reduction in taxes. The only downside is that you have to pass away to benefit from this tax law change.

These laws are ever evolving, and the IRS and your tax professional should give you guidance for your specific situation. I suggest you take a deep look at how these changes may affect your financial situation for the upcoming years. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any one of the team members at our Spectrum Wealth Partners firm. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please contact Peter Wladron at (925) 786-7686 or peter.waldron@lfg.com to schedule your complimentary review of your financial situation.

925.820.3640

Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. 3201 Danville Blvd, Suite 190, Alamo, CA 94507. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN1900732-091917

Advertorial

DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE

Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist will now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a video-recorded space.

Besides taking place right outside police headquarters, the spaces are under constant video recording, helping to create an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers and dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes.

“Having the Exchange Zone should help prevent residents from being the victim of a crime using a classified ad site,” said Police Chief Steve Simpkins. “This should help us continue to convince criminals that Danville is not a good place to operate.”

To learn more about the safe zone, contact Detective Sargent Brian Sliger at (925) 314-3700 or bsliger@danville.ca.gov.

PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

HAPPY 63RD BIRTHDAY, AIA!

By Roger Smith, President

Now in its 63rd year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo (and Danville) residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement: to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.”

I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts over the last 62 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today.

Please visit our website www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership forms, and more.

ALAMO FARMERS’ MARKET

Your Alamo Farmers’ Market has a great selection of winter options out now and coming out over the course of the next few months: oranges, clementines, mandarins, grapefruit, pomelos, grapes, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates.

When visiting the market, please give a shout out to our great vendors: Achadinha cheese, J & J Ramos, Vasquez Lopez, MarElla Honey Bees, Cipponeri Farms Oaxacan Tamales, Esquivel organic farm, Il Biscotto, Aspire Life Skincare, Heidi’s e-z wear jewelry, and Hummus Heaven. Back by popular demand will be Dore French Bakery! Please keep your eyes open on NextDoor and Facebook for the actual Sunday they will be returning to the market in February 2018!

The Alamo Certified Farmers’ Market is open year-round each Sunday, 9AM to PM 2 , at the Wells Fargo parking lot (120 Alamo Plaza, Alamo) with plenty of easy and free parking and live music, rain or sunshine!

JUST WHAT IS A “TAG”?

AIA with assistance from Michael Kent, Contra Costa’s Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, has been awarded a $100,000 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) from the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Congress authorized the TAG program within the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) can award grants of up to $100,000 to local governments and not-for-profit community groups for technical assistance relating to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. The need in our communities remains great.

Seven days a week, WPE Food Rescue volunteers take trucks to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets where they pick up thousands of pounds of surplus food—high quality, nourishing food (fresh meats, dairy, eggs, deli, baked goods). Most all of this food is distributed to those in need within two hours of the donation. In its first two and half years, WPE delivered more than 3,000,000 pounds of food (equivalent to 2,500,000 meals) that the hungry would have gone without. Also, in addition to rescuing food, WPE collects donations of new or like-new clothing, shoes, toys, games, and books. More than 250,000 of these items have been distributed to those in need in the past two years—all free of charge, through WPE’s unique “Mobile Boutiques” and its Direct Distribution program.

Interested volunteers should please contact Mandy Nakaya at 925-8186361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www. whiteponyexpress.org.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

Come dance every Thursday evening, year-round. No partner is required and no Scottish ancestry is needed. This dancing is aerobic and very sociable.

Adult beginners are welcome anytime. Classes take place each week at 8PM. More experienced dancers also begin at 8PM in a separate class. All classes are held at the Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Road in Danville. All dance nights are drop-in. The first beginner lesson is free; afterwards the cost is $10/ night or $8/night if attending a 10-week session paid in advance.

Call Witsie at (925) 676-3637 for more information.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com Grant recipients are required to make the technical findings of their project available to the relevant pipeline operators. In addition, they are encouraged to have open communication with local pipeline operators, local communities and other interested parties.

The Alamo Improvement Association’s grant request focused on three main areas including: 1) Community education for stakeholders about Safety, Regulations and Oversight Responsibilities involving both liquid and natural gas pipelines, such as the Kinder Morgan pipeline located within the Iron Horse Trail bisecting Contra Costa County and the PG&E pipeline located within our area.

2) First Responder Pipeline Emergency Training specializing in Hazardous Liquid Pipelines for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and the Contra Costa Fire District, both which have responsibility for the Alamo community and include other jurisdictions.

3) “Call 811 Before You Dig” education for Alamo residents and the surrounding communities through AIA’s website, articles, and announcements.

The Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Application process was both thorough and difficult and involved the use of three governmental websites and a proposal format of 21 pages in length with at least 10 questions requiring a minimum of 500 words each. We are very appreciative to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for the opportunities this grant represents in terms of education for our local community and specialized Petroleum Pipeline Emergency training available to our First Responders. AIA was one of only 13 recipients nationwide to qualify for a TAG this year.

Several Pipeline Safety Community Education meetings are being planned. A steering committee comprised of Michael Kent, Contra Costa County’s Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, Jennifer Quallick, Supervisor Candace Andersen’s liaison to the Alamo area, Aron DeFerrari, Contra Costa County District Attorney, Alamo MAC member, along with Roger Smith, AIA President, are in discussions with the Pipeline Safety Trust, a Washington based not-for-profit organization specializing in national meetings of this type, to determine the scope of the educational meeting project. The location for meetings and the specific dates are expected to be announced soon.

Philip Oakes, designated by the National Association of State Fire Marshals to provide specialized training for Liquid Pipeline Emergencies, has been selected to provide this specialized training for our local First Responders.

“Call 811-Before-You-Dig” is a national service provided free-of-charge to property owners. It focuses on providing information on the location of pipelines on properties, both residential and commercial. AIA will continue this process of educating our local communities through newspaper articles, announcements, and other means.

Brigade continued from front page

family, friends, neighbors, and schoolmates from Rancho Romero Elementary in Alamo. Each bear is safety tested and sized to fit into a resealable bag. Bobby’s success in outfitting every California patrol car has sparked his mission of taking his efforts nationwide. He is working with other states to determine how many Highway Patrol first-responder vehicles each has and whether he can outfit each car. He currently has enough donations to supply all of Alabama, Arkansas, and Wyoming. This year, Bobby started an Ambassador program where other kids adopt a state and secure the funds needed to supply that state’s teddy bears.

Ambassadors are listed on the Bobby’s Brigade website (BBBCHP.com), and each is offered a spot in the Junior Philanthropist program via parent charity Pledge to Humanity, of which Bobby was the first Junior Philanthropist at age four.

Bobby’s fundraising efforts included the securing of a corporate sponsor – Crunch Fitness – which allowed him to meet his annual goal of outfitting every California car, and for years, he has annually hosted a May fundraising event at his home in Alamo. This year, due to the event’s popularity, it will be held at a larger venue, Creekside Community Church. Up to 300 children are expected to attend. Each is asked to save $10 from their allowance to purchase five teddy bears. “It is our hope that Bobby’s Brigade members will form a friendly bond with law enforcement at an early age,” says Mark.

“It feels good to be able to make a difference for children who are scared or need comfort,” says Bobby. “And I enjoy having my friends help me.”

For more information on Bobby’s Brigade, visit BBBCHP.com.

To advertise call 925.405.6397

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21

YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST

Everyday in my practice I teach my clients how important it is to choose the right snacks to keep blood sugar stable and prevent cravings and getting too hungry for the next meal. I see the diet mentality that goes along with feeling pangs of guilt when craving a snack. There is nothing wrong with snacks. In fact, snacks might be the missing component that will help you lose weight.

I hope you remember the times that you ate a healthy snack before going out to dinner, and you were able to have more control over how much you ate.

HOW YOUR SNACK CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR DIET

There is definitely a wrong way and a right way to snack. As I have stressed in past articles, lunch should be a well-balanced meal that will last you at least three hours. Then, the most important next step is to have a very well-thought-out snack that is high in protein and fiber with some sweetness to it. After all, most of us tend to crave sweets as a picker-upper in the late afternoon. The real key is not to eat fruit alone or a candy bar that will set you up for failure. Realize that you will not eat a healthy snack after eating a candy bar. Your blood sugar will drop instantly, and you will feel more tired than you felt before the sweets.

Enjoy low sugar yogurts by Oikos, Siggi’s, or Dannon’s Fit and Healthy with 2T of low sugar granola, or have some Ak Mak crackers with tuna. Try some cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, peppercinis, or honey turkey wrapped around a pickle, a shrimp cocktail, ahi poke, or ceviche. Snack on some celery or an apple with 2T of peanut or almond butter, hearty bean soups, or even oatmeal with yummy toppings.

Offering treatments for: Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Cysts and Lipoma Hair and Nail Disorder Keloid and Scar Revisions Moles Physician-Strength Skin Care Products Precancerous Lesions Psoriasis and Vitiligo Skin Cancer Underarm Sweating Warts, Molluscum

Revolutionary Nonsurgical Eyebag Therapy available.

Cosmetic Dermatology For Beautiful Skin

Call for

Offering treatments for: Body Sculpting Eyebag Reduction Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, and Rejuvenation Frown Lines and Jawline/Jowl Reduction Hair Removal Pigmentation and Melasma Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and Post-injection Bruising Sun Damage and Scars Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars Thinning Hair and/or Balding

consultation!

Introducing Women’s Wellness Center, featuring Vlase nonablative laser for feminine dryness, atrophy, and stressinduced urinary incontinence, and PRP for hair thinning and rejuvenation.

Technology & Procedures Offered

A place where beauty and healthy skin meet

Cellfina Cool Mini for neck Coolsculpting® Cryoshape Diolite 532 laser Enlighten Pico Genesis Laser Excel V Laser Excimer Laser Fractional CO2 Laser GenesisPlus Laser Infini Microneedling RF Kybella Liposonix® Microneedling MiraDry Mohs Micrographic Surgery NBUVB Phototherapy PicoSure Laser PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation Vbeam Laser Spectra Laser Superficial Radiotherapy Thermage™ Ultherapy™ Vaginal Rejuvenation Vaser Shape VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation

Visit us at our Center of Excellence with a 10,000 square foot, state of the art, newly renovated suite. We are dedicated to Medical, Cosmetic, and Surgical Dermatology and are a place for medical skin consultation, aesthetic rejuvenation, and face and body contouring.

Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, product lines, lasers, and therapies offered.

Schedule your free consultation appointment today!

Dr. William Ting, MD Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon 2262 Camino Ramon San Ramon, CA 94583 Tel: (925) 328-0255

500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Hercules, CA 94547 Tel: (510) 669-5700

Email: staff@CalDermCare.com www.DrWilliamTing.com

MODELS

By Linda Michaelis RD, MS HEALTHY SNACKS CAN PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN

Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin

*Welcoming new Medicare patients

MINI MEALS FOR KIDS

Now that students are back in school, I recommend that parents have mini-meals available for their kids when they come home. Typically kids have not eaten an adequate lunch, and after school can be their hungriest time of the day. Instead of mindless snacking that can lead to weight gain, kids need to have balanced substantial food available. Popular items to serve are homemade chili, baked potatoes with broccoli and cheese, omelets with meat, chicken leftovers with a hearty bean soup, and veggies. This is not the time for toast and butter, popcorn, goldfish crackers, and chips. If your child enjoys those types of munchies, they must take a reasonable portion size and pair it with some chicken and raw veggies. When family members walk through the door and they are hungry, they will munch on raw veggies with dressing or salsa if it sits out on the counter in view. If the veggies are tucked away in the bin, they will never be eaten.

SNACKING IS NOT GRAZING

I spend a lot of time talking with my clients about “how” to snack. Snacking is not mindless eating where you start with only a handful of crackers, and finish with eating the entire Wheat Thins box. To avoid grazing, take a serving of crackers on a plate, and add 2 oz. of tuna or sliced meat and a mound of veggies. Take a refreshing drink such as iced tea, and sit at a table, preferably outside, and savor each bite. I help my clients plan out their snacks along with their meals. It all must be balanced and make sense.

I often hear from clients when they call me that they can initially lose weight, but the difficulty is in being able to keep it off and then lose more.

I call my counseling the hand-holding service where I can help keep you motivated, keep the meal plan exciting, help you with social and restaurant eating, and, best of all, help you to reach your weight loss goal sooner than later.

I am glad to inform you that nutritional counseling is covered by many health insurance companies such as Aetna, ABMG, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Sutter, and Cigna. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutrition concerns, or email me at Lifeweight1@yahoo.com and refer to my website www.

LindaRD.com.

Advertorial

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

MENOPAUSE MATTERS By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP

ANNUAL EXAMS MATTER

A gynecologic colleague told about an 80-year-old patient who stopped coming for her annual exam because she was told she did not need a pap smear. At her last annual exam five years ago, she had been prescribed a topical steroid for a chronic skin disorder that causes itching on the outside the vagina. She was seen by a urologist who recommended that she start using a low dose vaginal tablet for better bladder control. While her bladder got better, her vaginal itching persisted, so she started using a topical estrogen cream that she had in her medicine cabinet, thinking the irritation was due to menopause. After several years of using daily low dose estrogen, she had a week of unexpected vaginal bleeding. Low dose estrogen can be placed in or around the vagina without any risk so long as the medicine is used only two times a week. She accidentally used too much low dose estrogen which led to uterine cancer. Surgery will cure her of this cancer, but this could have been avoided if she had been seen for her “annual” exam and a yearly review of her medications. I share this patient story to remind you about the importance of having your “annual” exam though they don’t always include a pap smear. This cancer diagnosis could have been prevented which is why I will review updated guidelines for gynecologic cancer prevention in the next few columns.

Cervical Cancer Prevention: Pap smears are a screen for precancerous changes in the cervix due to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections that are acquired through sexual intimacy. Cervical cancer is a sexually acquired illness. The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased by 50% in the last 40 years due to pap smear screening. The role of HPV as the viral etiology for cervical cancer has evolved in the last 20 years. Most HPV infections are transient and poses little risk for progression. When HPV persists, a woman is at risk for cervical cancer. Most cases of cervical cancer (~60%) are in women who have never had a pap or not one in the last five years. Most young women under 21 years old have an effective immune response that clears the majority of HPV infections in an average of eight months or decreases the viral load to undetectable levels in 90% of women within two years. Risk factors for persistent HPV infection and therefore cervical cancer include infection with high risk virus i.e. HPV 16 or 18, tobacco use, or multiple intimate partners. Pap smear specimens that are sent in a liquid medium have the advantage of allowing a single specimen to be used for the pap smear interpretation as well as testing for HPV and other infections like gonorrhea.

Risk reduction can start with abstinence and monogamy in addition to being vaccinated to prevent HPV viruses from being able to cause an infection in the first place. HPV vaccination became available in 2006, and an extended spectrum vaccine was introduced in 2014. The vaccine is approved for females and males between the ages of 9-26, but despite recommendations, only 50% of girls aged 13-17 in the United States have received at least one vaccine dose, and only 33% have received all three doses. To be clear, this is a vaccine that prevents cancer and is very safe and efficacious.

The American College of Ob/Gyn (ACOG) recommends that women start getting pap smears at 21 years old and then repeat them every 2-3 years. This recommendation is based on low incidence (0.1%) of cervical cancer in women under 21. Since most HPV infections (~90%) are cleared within two years, persistent precancerous cells which lead to cervical cancer is not as common as you think. Women between 30-65 years should get a pap every 3-5 years and can include a primary screen for HPV. Women older than 65 years may stop paps if they have had three normal pap smears in the prior 10 years and are in a long-term monogamous relationships. Women without a prior history of abnormal paps, who have undergone a hysterectomy that included the removal of their cervix can stop getting pap smears. These are general guidelines, but how often you need a pap smear should be individualized with you by your doctor.

While it is no longer recommended that a woman gets a pap smear every year, it is still recommended that you be seen every year for your “annual exam.”

This allows for a complete review of your gynecologic health, medication risk and benefits, and updated recommendations on preventing cervical cancer and other gynecologic cancers like ovary and breast, which I will talk about next month.

Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My office is located Advertorial at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at (925)935-6952.

Exhibit continued from front page

sketch, every detail had to be inscribed on woodblocks using a mirror to generate the reverse impression essential to commemorating a specific location. A double-page spread might require as many as forty blocks to be carefully etched and packed for shipment. “Once the blocks were received at the Harpers’ headquarters on Franklin Square in New York, they were broken up into their different component parts, and each piece was assigned to a different engraver to speed up the process.”

A native of Cannes, France, Chalmers emigrated to California after completing graduate studies in Nice and began studying the contributions of her countrymen to the development of her adopted state. In the course of doing research for her doctoral thesis, she came across “Busted,” one of the illustrations done by Frenzeny and Tavernier. Crediting that collaborative creation with her subsequent passion for collecting their joint and separate work, she explains that Tavernier first did a watercolor and gouache study of the ghost town depicted. His imaginative nighttime composition contrasts swathes of brilliant moonlight with deep shadows to emphasize the eerie movements of wolves exploring the deserted buildings. In the final sketch for publication done by Frenzeny, who knew what Harper’s subscribers wanted to see, a tiny train steams along on the far horizon. Travel took the artists through boomtowns less than a year old established along the rail line and ghost towns gone bust when the railroad didn’t reach them.

On February 15th at 7PM at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Danville, Chalmers will give a free talk entitled “Coast to Coast with Frenzeny and Tavernier.” In Chronicling the West for Harper’s she explains: “As they drew these iconic images while exploring the West, Frenzeny and Tavernier’s vision started to Rifles loaned by the Blackhawk Museums frame a covered wagon actually define the West for the people of a young nation still in the making.”

She has graciously loaned MuseSRV additional works from her collection including a painting wheel hub borrowed from Sutter's Fort Historical Park.

by Frenzeny not previously exhibited and a rare chromolithograph by Tavernier of the Del Monte Hotel in Monterey. Claudine is bringing the entire portfolio of 100 drawings commissioned by Harper’s for her talk and will also elaborate on work done by the artists individually. In 1874, Tavernier was granted permission to witness the final Sun Dance at the Red Cloud Agency, which brought 15,000 to 20,000 Native Americans together. Frenzeny went ahead to San Francisco and became fascinated with Chinese immigrants. His Chinatown sketches, the subject of one of her books, will be the focus of her concluding remarks.

On view along with pieces from MuseSRV’s own collection are many items loaned by other museums. Rifles from the Blackhawk Museum frame a wheel hub from a covered wagon that crossed the plains 169 years ago. The wheel and a trunk in the same display that reached Hang Town in 1849 are borrowed from Sutter’s Fort Historic Park in Sacramento.

Martha Jane Boone Kendric’s dress, donated to MuseSRV by her great granddaughter Marilyn Belleville, is staged with “A Prairie Wind-Storm”. She may well have experienced the type of meteorological event sketched by Frenzeny and Tavernier while en route to California. Martha Jane, as MuseSRV Curator Beverly Lane notes in her well-documented research, was one of many direct descendants of Daniel Boone who settled in the San Ramon Valley in the 1860s. Her nephew Numa and his wife Minnie Thorne Boone purchased Forest Home Farms ranch and built a two-storey home in 1900. Their daughter-in-law, Ruth Quayle Boone donated the remaining 16-acre property to the City of San Ramon in 1997 in memory of her husband Travis to preserve the agricultural legacy of the valley.

See Exhibit continued on page 24

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23

A WONDERFUL TEAM

“Home Care Assistance caregivers really do care! They were there for me 24/7 after my open heart surgery.”

By Dr. Barbara Persons

A large volume of my cosmetic patients spend every day uncomfortable with their appearance. Others desire elective aesthetic treatments to feel and look more youthful, improve their body image, or change an attribute that has always bothered them. With all of my patients, however, I stand by my most important role: I am a surgeon, and my responsibility is to be well informed about the latest technology in procedures and products. I am a scientist, and my responsibility is to follow the basic tenants of the scientific methods to ensure that what I am recommending to my patients has been proven effective by authenticated and reputable studies. What does this mean? It means that I need to be able to explain the science behind the benefits of alloderm (a regenerative tissue matrix used in post mastectomy breast reconstruction), understand how retinol plays a role in anti-aging creams, and be facile with laser resurfacing.

A question I hear daily from my patients is, “What is best for me?” Of course, the answer varies for each patient, but it is always a professional opinion that addresses their expectations and has their best interests in mind. What’s exciting is that the tools we use to address concerns of everything from wrinkles to fat deposits are evolving quickly with the concept of beauty being an ever-changing one. So, I am also an artist with a palette that contains neurotoxin, derma fillers, fat grafting, ultrasound, and laser. With new technology, physicians must also keep ethical considerations in mind. This includes deciding when surgery to improve self-image and esteem is acceptable, when to try new non-surgical technology, and when to help my patients find a healthier and more positive attitude about themselves, without any intervention at all. There are many cases where just because we can medically intervene doesn’t mean we should.

Although the value of a person should never be reduced to their appearance, I understand how important looks can be. I was involved in a traumatic auto accident that required fourteen reconstructive surgeries--many to my face. I remember what it was like to look in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back at me. It is my passion and my life goal to help people feel like themselves again.

Ultimately, I want my patients to look natural and feel good. I want to understand their expectations and meet them. Most of all, I strive to be my patients’ best ally--someone who can tell them which new technologies are worth their time and money, when they should proceed with something that might involve more risk, and what to expect from both. I’m someone they can depend on.

What I am, the heart of me, is your doctor. Over twenty years, I have learned that medicine is a partnership, problem solving is fun, and I am up for the challenge. I have the confidence to treat you with new technology because I would never try something on a patient I wouldn’t try myself. And most of all, I trust you, the patient. With that unique expertise and with my training, we make a wonderful team.

Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925-283-4012 or drpersons@ personsplasticsurgery.com.

Advertorial

FAMILY HISTORY CENTER

The Danville Family History Center has been open and serving the community for almost two decades. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. In addition, you may order online and have films or microfiche shipped from the main Salt Lake Library for viewing in our center. We are located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. For questions, call 925-552-5920.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

- Bill S., Alamo, CA

Home Care Liaison, Francesca Vogel and her client, Bill S.

The Only Home Care Solution Offering an Innovative, Science-Based Approach to Aging Home Care Assistance has elevated the standard of care for older adults through our Balanced Care Method™, a holistic approach to care for older adults that promotes healthy mind, body and spirit and is based on the scientifically studied lifestyles of the longest-living people in the world.

Speak to a Care Advisor to schedule your free in-home consultation today.

From our family to yours!

925-820-8390

190-G Alamo Plaza Alamo, CA 94507

HomeCareAssistance.com/Alamo Next to Safeway and Five Guys!

Changing the Way the World Ages Serving Happy Clients Across Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Lamorinda and Walnut Creek!

POPLAR SPECTACLES OPTOMETRY

LOCATED IN THE SAFEWAY PLAZA

Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams Cataract Evalua�on, Macular Degenera�on, Diabe�c Re�nopathy, Glaucoma Evalua�ons

Contact Lens Exams Daily, bi‐weekly, monthly, colored

Prescrip�on Glasses and Sunglasses In many cases, we are able to make your glasses in our office with our On‐Site Lab

Adult & pediatric pa�ents welcomed Most vision insurance plans accepted

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY Monday –Friday: 9am‐6pm Saturday: 9am‐4pm

(925) 202-2846 We invite you into our conveniently located office next to Peet’s Coffee & Katrina Rozelle

To learn more about our office visit www.poplarspecs.com

PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

Doll continued from front page

selfless group. Rarely do they witness the use of their handcrafted goods. Guidry personally makes the deliveries of comfort items to CHO, but the delivery is merely a drop-off at the front counter. Neither she nor her crafters have ever seen a young patient cradling one of their dolls, nor has she wrapped a newborn in one of the made-with-love quilts. But she and her volunteers know that the items over which they toil are treasured. Veronica Hall, coordinator of volunteer services at CHO and Guidry’s contact, tells them so.

Hall reports that the dolls are used by CHO staff for teaching young patients about their personal treatments. “The dolls are especially helpful when illustrating to the children about port insertion,” says Hall. The children can then decide if they want to keep the doll used for their demonstration, and most of them do opt to do so. Hall reports that the blankets provided by the crafters are typically used by parents in the neonatal intensive care unit to hold their babies. And the tiny crocheted caps keep tiny heads warm.

This craft and donate cycle has taken place since 1992, when the now defunct Cypress fundraising branch of CHO began the practice. The Alamo/Danville Newcomers Club then took over, meeting the last Wednesday of each month from January to October at Shadow Hills Cabana in Danville. Dubbed “Doll Day,” between 15 and 20 members gather from 10am – 2pm to make the soft filling fabric dolls in every hue, and with every eye and hair color. Soft Velcro closures are utilized, and each has a painted heart and belly button. Sewing skills are not necessary, and anyone is invited to participate. Stations include stuffing, cutting, painting features, or gluing hair – while others work on quilts crafted from cheerful children’s fabrics. Others crochet the newborn caps.

Guidry herself admits she is not a seamstress. She coordinates the meetings, the drop-offs, and all social engagements enjoyed by the group. And she encourages anyone interested to contact her for more information at dgolfer@ pacbell.net. “There is truly something to do for everyone who is interested,” says Guidry. “Please join us in making a difference.”

Exhibit continued from page 22

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

POSTURE UP WITH DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING

By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Custom Fitness

Sit at a desk? Sit in a car? Sit on the couch? Even with my job, I too am guilty. Studies show that most of us spend about 14 hours a day sitting...YIKES! Is it any wonder we get hurt when we try to move?

The way our bodies move is a result of adaptations to the activities we do most frequently. A great deal of seated time will often result in an associated injury.

Unlocking the body is possible, and you can start the process with diaphragmatic breathing, even when you’re stuck sitting.

When we sit with improper posture, our back rounds, our chest folds forward. The ribcage becomes collapsed in front, and our hips shift forward to balance the dysfunction. Put simply, this is the exact opposite of what our bodies are designed to do. What our bodies are meant to do is unilateral, multi-planar movement. That has now become a risk with our adaptation to seated posture.

Posture up with diaphragmatic breathing. Place your feet directly on the floor at hip width. Line up heels under knees, knees with hips. Feel your feet rooting into the floor and your sits bones grounding down into the chair. Place your hands palms facing down on your thighs. Allow your shoulders to relax naturally. With your teeth parted, jaw relaxed and lips gently closed, take a smooth inhale through the nose, emphasizing an expansion of both the front and back of the ribcage. At the top of the inhale, draw your whole belly deeply inward, toward your back body. Gently exhale, through the mouth while relaxing your abdomen. Your ribcage will naturally contract, but continue to maintain the upright posture brought on by your inhales. As the breaths progress, notice the feeling between and around the base of your shoulder blades. These muscles will awaken to work in concert with the action of your ribcage. Tension in the low back can happen when we force breath that is deeper than we are ready for, or when we try to force the shoulders too far back. Instead, allow your breath to do the work, and let your muscles respond naturally. Continue smooth, relaxed inhales and exhales for 10 rounds of breath. Repeat several times per day.

Seated diaphragmatic breathing alone can go a long way toward unlocking the body. Implementing it a few times a day will begin to open the channels to better, more functional movement patterns. To learn more about creating better posture and unlocking your body, contact me for a consultation at my gym right here in Alamo.

To your health.

Michelle Brown is owner of Gumsaba Custom Fitness Studio in Alamo.

She is an ACE Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, ACE Subject Matter Expert, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Martial Arts & Self Defense Expert, and Spartan SGX Coach. Michelle has been helping people in our community surpass their goals for 20 years. To learn more about her programs, visit gumsabafitness.com.

Advertorial

Professor Marcelle Levine will give a free talk on March 8th at Veteran’s Memorial Building at 7pm entitled “The American West Following the Civil War: Myth and Reality.”

She writes: “The talk will focus on what pulled people to California, including the mythology that developed and the advertisements and images that enforced that myth of the west. We’ll also talk about a few less-romantic realities -- the economic recessions elsewhere that drove people to California, the wealthy railroad companies behind some of those east-coast ads and images of California, and the grim social realties that faced people of color, immigrants from outside the US, and a majority of migrants from the east coast.”

Levine currently teaches at DVC and has many fond memories of volunteering at MuseSRV. She advises: “To students and people and people interested, the museum provides tons of opportunities to volunteer and refine skills. The Indian Life program is a great practice in teaching small children, for those interested in becoming a teacher or for those who have retired and miss the rush.”

MuseSRV awards up to $500 in prize money to local students participating in Contra Costa History Day, the initial contest in the annual National History Day competition. Entries by public, private and homeschool students grades 4-12 relating to Westward Expansion, the Chinese Exclusion Act, or the Transcontinental Railroad qualify for consideration. Project categories are Exhibits, Documentaries, Papers, Performances, and Websites. Registration deadline for this year’s March 10th event at St. Mary’s College in Moraga is February 10th.

With the second part of the exhibit opening on March 20th, the process of striking and restaging needs to be accomplished in short order. Daniel Dunn, Executive Director of MuseSRV comments, “It’s like staging a Broadway show. As long as everyone acts like they are having fun, you’re doing your job, and the result proves it.”

Historian Phillip Sexton is scheduled to speak on March 22 at 7PM at Veteran’s Memorial Building. The free program is entitled “Building the Transcontinental.” Based on his expertise on transportation routes across the Sierras, the Emigrant Trail and the Transcontinental Railroad, Sexton has provided essential information for documentaries about these subjects and served as railroad history consultant for the television show Hell on Wheels. He is currently senior historic interpreter for the Capital District of California State Park in Sacramento. Phil has also worked with educators at UC Davis and Stanford University to help document the history of Chinese immigrants arriving in California during the 19th century.

Jerry Warren, President of MuseSRV Board of Directors, remarks that many immigrants, including several founders of prominent Contra Costa families, reached California by steamship. “Steam ship lines with regularly scheduled sailings ferried thousands and thousands of people from Panama or Hong Kong to San In Texas Frenzeny and Tavernier joined a deer drive lasting Francisco….Covered wagons and steamers all faded into history after 1869.”

For additional information on museum hours and programs supporting the two-part exhibit, visit www. for days through the narrow wooded area known as “CrossTimbers.” Courtesy of MuseSRV. museumsrv.org or call (925) 837-3750.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25

LIGHT TOUCH THERAPY HELPS WITH PAIN

By Marchelle Milligan

GLARE, CATARACTS, AND CARNOSINE Cataracts are cloudy spots in the otherwise crystal-clear lens of the eye that are formed when lens tissues break down. These cloudy spots create glare and, when advanced, are a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in older adults.

Among the primary underlying causes of cataracts are oxidative stress (caused by Blue Light exposure from phones, tablets, and computer monitors) and glycation (the binding of sugars to amino acids and proteins).

Carnosine, a combination of two amino acids, has been shown to not only prevent the accumulation of cloudy lens proteins, but also to reverse the damage.

Dry eyes can also cause glare, so if you suffer from glare, it’s recommended that you have a comprehensive eye exam to determine if the cause could be cataracts or dry eyes.

Carnosine is available in capsule form or in a lubricating eye drop through our practice. Please call us for more information.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a light touch therapy that is a gentle, hands-on method of helping the body to ease pain. CST locates restrictions in the body and facilitates the release of those restrictions. Restrictions within the craniosacral system can lead to tension patterns which over time may develop into symptoms of disease or pain. CST approaches the body with a lighter touch than many other therapies, so the defense mechanisms of the body do not get triggered. How many times have you noticed you tense up when know something is going to hurt or be pushed or pressed At HealthFOCUS Optometry, you won’t feel rushed. We typically spend a full hard? By gently nudging the body to move in a different way, hour for a comprehensive eye exam, to make sure nothing is missed. We’ll take the time to get to know you and your health history, to explain everything we do, without heavy pressure, relaxation occurs, and the body will and all your options. begin to release patterns of restriction so that there is more We are available by appointment only, seven days a week. movement, less pain, and better alignment, and the nervous system gets restored.

Michael Sonnleitner, OD, CNC Everyone can potentially benefit from CST. By 675 Hartz Ave., Ste. 103, Danville, (925) 389-6883 healthfocus2020@gmail.com www.HealthFocusOptometry.com supporting brain and spine function and reducing stress on the central nervous system, it can be effective in stress management and treating headaches, neck and back pain, concussions, TMJ dysfunctions, depression, post traumatic stress disorders, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and vertigo/dizziness to name a few.

For more information, visit www.therhythmwithin.org. To schedule an appointment please contact Marchelle Milligan at (925) 286-6237. Our office is located in Alamo. Advertorial

DEFINITELY FOR WOMEN ONLY

By Dr. Monica Brar

At PotozkinMD Skincare Center, Dr. Monica Brar is excited to announce that we are now able to offer an in-office innovative new treatment for feminine rejuvenation, the Geneveve treatment. As Dr. Brar was a practicing ob/gyn for many years. It feels very natural to be able to provide our patients with a procedure that addresses many problems that were difficult to manage before.

What is feminine rejuvenation? This refers to any treatment that helps restore the vaginal tissue to a more youthful state.

Who could benefit from this treatment? Just like skin, vaginal tissue is made up of collagen. As women age and collagen weakens, many of us begin to experience a decrease in vaginal tightness, a decrease in lubrication, a decrease in sexual arousal, and increased pain with intercourse. The Geneveve treatment was designed to improve these symptoms. Incidentally, it was discovered that for many the process even improves the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, which results in the leakage of urine with sudden stress on the bladder (such as with sneezing, laughing, coughing, etc). All of these symptoms, that are often difficult for women to discuss, can affect self-esteem, quality of life, and the quality of intimate relationships.

How can the Geneveve treatment help? This simple office procedure gently delivers radio-frequency energy to the vaginal wall. Your body, over 90 days, responds to the treatment by creating new collagen that should renew the vaginal tissue, improving tightness, lubrication, and sensation with intercourse. It can also lead to diminishment in urinary leakage. In clinical studies, 90% of women reported significant, sustained Cutting Edge Treatment tightening, sensation, and satisfaction at 12 months after their Geneveve treatment. for Depression Without How does the Geneveve treatment work? The procedure is done in the office Medications by either Dr. Brar or one of our female practitioners, and it only takes about 30 minutes. It requires no anesthesia or incisions. You can drive yourself to and from ArE You Doing ThE SAME Thing the office, and return to almost all activities immediately. Unlike other devices ovEr AnD ovEr ExpECTing available, the Geneveve only requires one treatment to elicit the maximal benefit.

A DiffErEnT ouTCoME? How do you know if you are a good candidate? We would be delighted to discuss this revolutionary new treatment with you during a complimentary office ThE onLY SErviCE offEring consultation. Together, we will determine if this is right for you, and if so, get you DEEp TMS in ThE Tri-vALLEY on the road to improved wellness and quality of life.

Please call the PotozkinMD SkinCare Center at your convenience to Call for a schedule a consultation at (925) 838-4900. These consultations will be offered Advertorial free consultation on a complimentary basis during February, so call now!

Blackhawk TMS

925-648-2650

FDA Approved

4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Danville, CA 94506

Several insurances accepted VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE

www.blackhawktms.com

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH ADULT LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the two-story building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For additional information or to RSVP, contact karen@mmcohen.com.

PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

GET YOUR FLU ADJUSTMENT

By Melissa Ko, DC, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

Did you know that the chiropractic profession got its start during the great flu pandemic of 1918? Chiropractors were known at the time not for treating aches and pains, but for working with victims of the flu during the pre-antibiotic and pre-vaccine era. Historical records note that flu victims under chiropractic care were much more likely to survive the infection when compared to those being treated with conventional medical care. Fast forward to today: we now all benefit from the advances of modern medicine. However, certain strains used in yearly vaccines may not be as effective as other years, so taking additional steps to protect ourselves and our families is important. Whether you choose to get a flu shot or not, here are five helpful tips to boost your immune system to not only survive but thrive through our winter season!

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Did you know that even a 5-15% drop in body water supply results in symptoms of early dehydration? Your immune and nervous system are instantly effected. A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day (eg. 150 lbs = 75 oz. water/day). Or even simpler, drink until your urine is clear! If you are already fighting a bug or feeling run down, hydration will help clear your body of infection.

PREVENT SPREADING THE BUG

This one seems obvious, but during cold and flu season, hand washing is imperative. Make sure to wash before and after meals, and avoid touching your face and eyes. The flu can be airborne, so wear a surgical mask (available at drugstores) if you need to be in public places. Otherwise, stay home to prevent spreading.

GET SOLAR POWER!

Vitamin D is a powerful immune booster and is produced only through sun exposure. Most people run low in the winter months when the sun is not as strong. Sit outside for your lunch breaks, give yourself an extra 10-30 minutes daily to walk outdoors, or plan more outdoor activities with your family to get extra doses of vitamin D.

CLEAN UP THE DIET

Make sure to keep your diet focused on lots of veggies, fruits, and lean meats or protein! Remember that illness thrives in acidic, inflamed environments.

Foods that cause inflammation include refined sugars, alcohol, preservatives, and other food additives, so limit these during flu and cold season. Take probiotics or consume probiotic foods like sauerkraut or kombucha tea to maintain a healthy microbiome.

GET CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS!

Chiropractic has an enormous impact on the immune system! It’s not just for back pain. Chiropractic adjustments restore nerve function in the spine and body which leads to a healthier immune system. There is a lot of research on immune system improvement with chiropractic treatment.

A 1992 study found that chiropractic adjustments cause an immediate increase in immune white blood cell count. A 2008 study found that a single chiropractic adjustment causes an increase in an immune cell called a T-lymphocyte. Research shows that patients under chiropractic care have a 200% stronger immune system than patients not under chiropractic care. And finally, another study found that patients get a 48% boost in their overall white blood cell count for 24-48 hours after a treatment. So, don’t wait! Get your FLU ADJUSTMENT today to get your spine and nervous system functioning for a healthy immune system!

Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www. sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

THE EYE OPENER

VISUAL FIELD TESTING

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

As a vital component of our comprehensive exams, visual field testing is a valuable tool in ensuring there are no ocular or visual pathway conditions causing any visual compromise. I think most, if not all, patients have had their visual fields tested when they have visited the eye doctor. Most patients just assume it is something done during the visit, but few are probably aware of the many indications to assess visual fields and what possible visual field deficits can tell about your eyes and overall health.

To understand visual fields, we must first discuss how peripheral vision is created and processed by the brain. It is important to note that each area of the retina corresponds to the opposite area in the visual field, i.e. the superior area of the retina corresponds to your inferior visual field, and the temporal retina (area closer to your ears) corresponds to the nasal visual field. The photoreceptors throughout the retina all send their signals to one area in the back part of the eye that comes together and then exits the retina as the optic nerve. As the optic nerves travels back towards the brain, part of each optic nerve crosses to the other side of the brain at a place called the optic chiasm, located very close to the pituitary gland. Then, these fibers travel through different parts of the brain until they reach the occipital lobe, located in the back of the head. By knowing the type of peripheral vision defect, your optometrist can have a good idea where the potential issue is located. For example, a pituitary gland tumor will cause a temporal field loss in both eyes. Since the nerve fibers of the nasal optic nerve cross over by the pituitary gland, those fibers are therefore damaged and will cause a visual field deficit.

The visual field test itself is a relatively short evaluation of about 45 seconds per eye. During the test, each eye is shown a flashing target in various locations, and the patient responds each time one is seen. In addition, the instrument repeats some points at different intensities along with repeated testing of the blind spot to make sure the test results are reliable. If a test has too many false positives, false negatives, or fixation losses, then any results that are gained are not acceptable.

As a visual field defect can occur anywhere along the optic nerve trail, a condition of the optic nerve itself will cause a specific kind of field loss. As most people are aware, the optic nerve is the location of your blind spot because there are no photoreceptors on the nerve itself, just the fibers from the photoreceptors. Therefore, an enlarged blind spot will show up when there is an infection, inflammation, or trauma of the optic nerve itself; the area immediately surrounding the nerve head will be swollen and therefore will not function properly. Most types of optic nerve diseases, such as glaucoma, will also show specific patterns of field loss.

Glaucoma is one of the more well-known diseases that are monitored by visual fields. Since glaucoma slowly kills the optic nerve, there will be a corresponding field loss associated with the dead and dying section of the nerve.

One of the other main reasons to assess visual fields is to make sure there are no effects on the macula from certain medications. Early detection can often help prevent vision loss. It is common that visual field loss will precede actual vision loss, so it is not sufficient to follow these patients by routine vision assessment alone. Some common medications that warrant this are tamoxifen (for breast cancer) and plaquenil (a drug commonly used to treat some autoimmune diseases such as lupus). A visual field test is a valuable tool in assessing the eyes, visual system, and body as certain medications and diseases such as diabetes and hypertension can cause conditions in the eye and brain that would show up in an eye exam and/or a visual field.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.

Advertorial

IS FOOD A PROBLEM FOR YOU?

Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

NON-INVASIVE TESTING TO DIAGNOSE SKIN CANCER

By Christine Chung, MD

Mr. R is a 58 year old man with a history of recurrent basal cell carcinoma. In 2013, a dermatologist treated skin cancer on the right side of his nose by shaving off layers of skin in what is called Mohs surgery. Three years later, in 2016, Mr. R developed a basal cell carcinoma on the left side of his nose and got treated with radiation therapy. Recently, he noticed a new rough red spot on the left side of his nose. While concerned that it might be cancer, his immediate reaction was something many people can identify with: “Is there any other way to diagnose skin cancer without cutting off a piece of my skin?”

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is one of the most common malignancies diagnosed in the US, with over four million new cases each year. The lesions occur most frequently on sun-exposed skin in Caucasians, and people who have a history of BCC are at a higher risk of developing future lesions. BCC is associated with exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, tanning beds, therapeutic radiation, or immunosuppression. BCC also occurs more often in men over 40 years old.

Basal cell carcinoma may be diagnosed by a doctor during a clinical examination, but a skin biopsy is usually done to confirm the diagnosis. Shave biopsies or punch biopsies are often performed, or lesions may be surgically removed for diagnosis.

Unfortunately, the best way to diagnose skin cancer is by undergoing a biopsy.

Fortunately, researchers are developing less invasive methods for diagnosing skin cancers, such as Dermtech’s Pigmented Lesion Assay, or PLA. This PLA test uses a sticky adhesive patch (similar to Scotch tape) to gather skin cells from a lesion. The sample is then analyzed for specific RNA molecules to diagnose melanoma, with a reported false positive rate of <1%. This test is available for the detection of melanoma, but the company is also developing a similar test for other skin cancers as well. Initial studies of this method showed promising results in identifying primary basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. For a patient, this would mean that instead of undergoing a procedure with a scalpel, the diagnosis could be made without any incisions at all.

To answer my patient’s question, unfortunately, for now, the answer is no: biopsies remain the best method for diagnosing skin cancers. In the future,

FEBRUARY 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27

however, newer genetic tests may allow doctors to diagnose skin cancer noninvasively, without the need for scalpels or stitches.

Dr. Chung is a board certified radiation oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill. She has a special interest in treating skin and breast cancer. Dr. Chung sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Berkeley. For more information, call (925) 677-5041.

Advertorial

C L A S S I F I E D HANDYMAN SERVICES

Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring •Sliding doors and more! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

IT’S GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME! Would you like Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, Tagalongs, Girl Scout S'Mores, or Gluten Free Toffee-Tastics? Is your mouth watering yet? Email alisa@pobox. com, or text 925-216-1089 for delivery to satisfy your taste buds and stock your freezer! The cookies are only here once a year!

AUTOS WANTED

We Will Buy or Consign Your Car. All cars displayed in our private and secure showroom. We are a locally family owned dealership serving the Lamorinda and San Ramon Valley for over 30 years in a very relaxed atmosphere. Free pick-up and delivery. 925-820-1188.

Place Your Classified

Reach over 21,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies...$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words.Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117,Alamo,CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Payment by check made out to “The Editors”,or credit card placed on file by calling 925-405-6397 must be received before ad will print. Your canceled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018

The Combs Team Professionals You Can Count On

Nancy

Joe

Call the Combs Team

This is Rockcliff Country

®

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

Home Sales Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo (Oct.-Dec. 2017) Active Pending Sold DOM List Price Sold Price Sq. Foot Alamo 26 8 43 42 $ 2,024,539 $ 1,984,395 3,624 Blackhawk 23 5 30 38 $ 1,885,243 $ 1,816,338 3,727 Diablo 9 0 1 49 $ 1,995,000 $ 1,950,000 3,909 Danville 46 33 189 25 $ 1,264,033 $ 1,252,782 2,534

DANVILLE AREA REAL ESTATE: LOW INVENTORY AND RISING PRICES!

During the 4th quarter of 2017 in our local Danville area market -- which includes Alamo, Danville, Diablo, and Blackhawk -- homes sold at rate of about 35 units per month. This is fairly low and driven, I think, more by low inventory numbers than buyer demand. At present current inventory is about half of what it was last year and multiple offers are still a factor in the market.

The Town of Danville leads the area with the shortest time from listing to sale at 25 days.

During the most recent quarter Diablo had the longest time from listing to sale with 49 days.

A normal market would be 3-6 months from listing to sale. So, this is definitely not a normal market. Although cooling a bit, it remains a hot market. Homes priced right continue to sell quickly. Prices, while still advancing, appear to be slowing a bit.

The average selling price for a home in Alamo during the quarter hit $1,984,395. The average square foot price stands at $556. The lowest price paid was $404 and the highest $828 for a small home on Bolla Ave. The average size stands at 3,624 square feet. This is significantly higher than last year and suggests that more luxury homes are selling than we have seen for some time. A total of five homes exceeding 5,000 square feet sold during the quarter. A total of 17 homes sold for more than $2,000,000.

Diablo was quiet during the quarter. While there were six homes for sale, only one sold and no others were placed in contract. With only one home sold during the quarter it is difficult to make any judgments about the strength of this market. Historically, Diablo tends to resemble Alamo more than Danville and Blackhawk. Diablo’s lone sale during the quarter came in at just under $2 million and closed at $497 per square foot. The homes for sale are listed between $444 and $999 per square foot. All but one are listed for more than $2 million and two are listed for more than $4 million.

Blackhawk remains strong with 30 homes sold during the quarter. Days-on-market stood at 38 and is on par with Alamo and Diablo. Homes listed for sale average $1,885,243. Sold homes averaged $1,816,338. That’s about a 2% discount from list and is in a range that suggests a healthy market. Size of homes sold in Blackhawk appear to be getting larger on average, and by comparison, are larger than homes sold in Alamo during the period. Homes in Blackhawk came in at about $80 per square foot less than Alamo homes and $21 less than Diablo.

$ Sq. Foot $ 556 $ 476 $ 497 $ 513

Danville continues to be a story of market strength. Days-on-market is the lowest for all the communities listed at a mere 25. That is ‘hot’ by any reckoning. Discounting from list price in Danville is below 1%. Danville homes have moved above the $500 per square foot range for the first time ever and for the quarter hit at $513 per square foot. At 1,100 square feet less than the average size of the next smallest neighborhood of Alamo, Danville homes are about 2,534 square feet on average.

Affordability may be the key driver of Danville’s home value increase. At $1,252,782 the average price of a Danville home is 37% less than an Alamo home. This gap may narrow in time and Danville may be poised to roar even louder as 189 homes closed during the quarter. That represents more than four times the number of sold homes compared to either Blackhawk or Alamo, which aligns well with what we have seen historically. However, if we look at homes listed for sale currently, Danville has only two times as many homes listed as either Blackhawk or Alamo. While Alamo and Blackhawk have more than a month’s worth of inventory, Danville has less than a month.

My take away on all of this is that inventory continues to be tight and buyers are still being forced to compete for homes. This suggests another strong year ahead for sellers and another tough year ahead for buyers. Will tax law changes and interest rate hikes tilt the scales in favor of buyers during the coming year? I doubt it. Job growth is still on fire in the Bay Area and Linkedin. com had 203,000 new jobs posted this week. So, I am predicting more of the same for 2018, low inventory and rising prices.

Please feel free to forward this article to your friends who might enjoy it.

It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. If you would like an honest “no strings attached “opinion of your home’s current market value and suggestions for preparing it for market, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. Please visit our website to discover more information on our local market www.thecombsteam.com.

Alamo 10 Acre Estate

Danville Two Story

Round Hill

Beautiful custom home with views, gardens, huge master, 3 ensuite bedrooms, bonus room/au pair suite with private entrance. Price available upon request.

Lovely five bedroom, 3 bath on an oversize lot. One bedroom downstairs. Priced to sell! $1,399,000.

Sensational Mediterranean backing the golf course.

4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2 master suites. Pool/spa outdoor kitchen and living room. Price to sell $2,900,000

Alamo Custom Luxury Home

Danville Single Story

West Side Alamo

SO

M LD

rs f fe O iple ult

!

Stonegate 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath with 1 bedroom downstairs. Pool/spa, BBQ, putting green.

Priced to sell $2,000,000

SO

L

DE D

B CEM

ER

Charming 3 bedroom 2.5 bath with 3 car garage, large, lot, pool and spa. Priced to Sell! $899,000.

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.

SO

L

JA D

A NU

RY

Unbelievable value on this 4 bed, 6.5 bath home in Jones Ranch. Pool, Spa, Au Pair Suite Priced to Sell! $2,045,000.

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