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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& FEBRUARY 2019
THE URBAN FARMERS: SAVING WASTE, PROM DRESS DONATIONS SOLVING WANT By Jody Morgan NEEDED
The sometimes-unexpected super-abundant yield of their fruit trees poses a demoralizing dilemma for local homeowners. How much of that homegrown bounty, especially fruit dangling from heavily laden high branches, will fall to waste? The Urban Farmers (TUF) addresses the problem in Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano Counties by organizing
TUF Community Harvest engage volunteers of all ages in working together to reduce food waste. (Photo courtesy of Fahim Shafi)
community harvests. Homeowners keep exactly the amount they want. TUF packs and transports the balance to area agencies that deliver it quickly to residents most in need of nutritious produce. Providing labor, tools, and exp er t is e, t he all-volunteer non-profit demonstrates the power of neighbors working t o g e t h e r t o Fruit from a Danville area community harvest is packed to go via White achieve a sus- Pony Express to neighbors in need. (Photo courtesy of Fahim Shafi) tainable goal that brings all of them closer to the sources of their food. Vicki Wingo Grant, TUF Executive Director, explains: “The Urban Farmers offers an all volunteer, low cost, low carbon footprint for communities to re-direct an abundant food resource and provide local, healthy food for those in need. I am particularly proud of the ‘we’ in community harvests. There’s nothing like a family from Ethiopia, three generations from India, three retired people, a software engineer, a dad with three
See TUF continued on page 14
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
FOR 2ND ANNUAL PROM DRESS POP-UP FOR EAST BAY TEENS
“Because Every Girl Deserves a Dress,” a new prom dress pop-up store, was founded by San Ramon Valley High School students, Carly Glasson, who is currently a senior, and her sister Bella, a freshman. Last year, over 150 girls received free prom dresses, shoes, and accessories from the event so they could attend their prom. Girls came from all over the East Bay to “shop” for free. The event was a huge success and a great teen-to-teen giving event. Collections are now being taken for the second annual event to be held in March at a donated space in Alamo Plaza. Please consider donating prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, and accessories in your closet to help other teen girls in need. All donations can be dropped off at The Lash Lounge, located at 180D Alamo Plaza, Alamo, Monday-Friday, 10AM-7PM and Saturday, 9AM-5PM, or Hyatt House Pleasanton, located at 4545 Chabot Drive, Pleasanton. For more information, please email info.1.closet@gmail.com.
BRIDGE – THE GAME OF GAMES
By Fran Miller
Since the 1930’s, Bridge has been one of the most popular card games in the world. A contest of strategy, partners square-up against partners, each attempting to score points by making bids, or by defeating the opposing partnership's bid. At the end of play, the side with the most points wins. It all seems so simple. But those who know the game tend to endorse the phrase “If bridge is just a game, then Mt. Everest is just a hill.” “Bridge is tough to learn and it takes time (years) and experience to
See Bridge continued on page 27
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XIX Number 2
Volume X 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.
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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
My February issue of Real Simple magazine came in the mail. Yes, just like this paper, I still read hard-copy magazines, too. A feature article was “5 Ways to Make Someone’s Day.” The five ways were to “say thank you (and mean it), bite your tongue, take something off their plate, let them into your lane, and share a song (read the full descriptions at www.magzter.com/ articles/12414/326116/5c455ef564522). As the article states, “These easy acts of goodwill help your fellow humans - and you too.” Recently, I was out of town assisting my husband who had surgery. While away, I was on a walk with a friend and had a little “oopsie.” I stepped in a pothole and broke my leg. So much for me being helpful to my husband. Now, there were two of us needing a little TLC. What was reinforced at this time was that keeping friendships, networks, and connections alive is so important. We got a lot of loving care. Keeping these bonds and friendships has been well worth our time and effort. Surgery recovery was spent with my husband’s fraternity brother and his wife. This relationship has lasted decades, and the kindness and nurturing he (and then I!) received was so special. Coming home, we’ve had meals and treats given by friends and neighbors. Through professional connections, I was able to have my leg looked at and aided quickly. And the most wonderful thing is that the doctors I have been in touch with keep reaching out to see how I’m faring. Paying it forward is another way to make someone’s day. Through my local connections, Facebook page, and the web-based NextDoor site, I have continued to support a small fraction of the 50,000 people who lost everything in Butte County. I may be sounding like a broken record in mentioning this each month, but for those that were affected their struggle continues. I created a “headline crock pot campaign,” and so far the “crock pot angels,” have placed 252 new crock pots into the hands of those who want to eat more healthy and less expensively but due to their living situations have been unable to. A crock pot can be used in a trailer or even a hotel room. With Amazon and free shipping, or an online order and pickup at a local Walmart, we have been able to get NEW manual 6-7qt crock pots (4.5 star rated and time-proven to last decades!) to those that could use them to prepare meals for themselves and their families. The 7qt ones can be purchased for less than $21.25 from Walmart. The 6qt ones delivered via Amazon are running about $23.50. These sizes can feed many or provide leftovers for smaller families, and they only take a few minutes of time to order. Having bellies full of warm home-cooked food goes a long ways towards feeding one’s body and soul with comfort-meals such as chili, stew, soup, chicken, oatmeal, and more. Recipients are excitedly sharing recipes with each other online. Something this small can make a big difference. A few comments from recipients read, “This means more to me than you know,” or “We use our crock pot all the time and thank the crock pot angels every time we use it!” Another recipient notes, “It’s pouring down rain, but I just left Winco, and I have potatoes and chicken and spices, so I’m going to create a crock pot soup. I can’t even tell you how much something like this means...It’s little things like this that make a mom feel like it can work,” and “A crock pot is truly amazing. We are currently just making microwave food and sandwiches and stuff and being pregnant makes it so hard to eat nasty processed food. I’m looking forward to an actual meal,” or “OMG...my family and I received a package today from Amazon. I was so confused because I didn’t order anything. I took the package inside and opened it up. I instantly started to tear up. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. To celebrate, my hubby is making his famous chili tonight for dinner..,” and lastly, “We’re in a hotel room and so excited for foods other than pizza, fruit, and cold cereal after two months.” Do you WANT to help but don’t know how? Can you spare less than $25 to make a difference? I have names of survivors who could use a crock pot, and I A Home Show with 40 Home Improvement Vendors! can pass their information directly to you. Or, if you’d like to fund a crock pot I can do the legwork on your behalf. Let me know. I can also give you a write-up you can post in your local NextDoor or Facebook groups, or hand out to your professional or social organizations. When crock pot needs are fulfilled, there are many other small items that can have a big impact as well. Send me an email to editor@yourmonthlypaper.com, and let’s join forces. With six weeks of no weight bearing on my leg, I have plenty of time to dedicate to this effort!
ROLE PLAYERS ENSEMBLE 2019 FUNDRAISER
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING
Come join the fun on Friday, March 15 at 8PM and Saturday, March 16 at 8PM at the Village Theatre, located at 233 Front Street in Danville. Hear your favorite songs from The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I, Cinderella, Flower Drum Song, State Fair, and other Broadway hit musicals by the legendary song writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. A Grand Night for Singing was originally presented cabaret-style at Rockefeller Center. Then, it moved to Broadway where it was nominated for two Tony Awards. Since then, it has delighted regional audiences around the country. Dine out in Danville then come to the Village Theatre starting at 6:30pm for champagne and dessert prior to the performances. The evenings feature the talents of Addison Au, Tielle Baker, Chris Aceves, Kate Henderson, Melissa Marie, Glen Riggs, Dan Roldan, Laurie Roldan, Emily Shea, Suzie Shepard, Sharon Sprecher, and the I Can Do That Theatre Company. There will also be a special appearance by Gary DeAtley! Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at www.villagetheatreshows, at Danville Community Center, 420 Front St, Danville, or by calling (925) 314-3400.
Sunday February 10, 2019 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Danville Community Center 420 Front Street, Danville
FREE ADMISSION www.HomeExpoEvents.com Presented by
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
THE SIXTIES: AMERICA IN TURMOIL
A PRESENTATION AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley will present historian Beverly Lane on a talk about the Sixties. This presentation will take place February 7th at 7PM at the Veterans Memorial Building, located at 400 Hartz Ave in Danville. Admission is free. America in Turmoil will feature the many events that impacted individuals on a local as well as national level. Some of these are the Kennedy assassination, landing on the moon, the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley, experimentation with drugs such as LSD, the rapid growth of California and the San Ramon Valley, the new freeway system, the replacement of agriculture with suburbs, the start of a new park Las Trampas, a new national immigration policy, and the challenges school boards faced in finding classrooms for the new students. In particular, stories about the year 1968 will be discussed such as the Vietnam Tet Offensive, President Johnson’s decision not to run again, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the police riots at the Democratic Convention and Richard Nixon’s victorious run for the Presidency that November – what a year! This lecture brings alive a decade fifty years ago which left its mark on the nation and the San Ramon Valley.
HOST FAMILIES SOUGHT FOR TWO WEEK STAY BY VISITING FRENCH STUDENTS
For the seventeenth year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area for a two week visit of our area. The students will arrive on April 22nd and depart May 3rd. 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 motivate you to 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 Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925)718-5052.
DANVILLE COMMUNITY BAND
Join us for
Pasta Dinner Nights When: Time: Where:
LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES!
February 17th, 2019 4:30 – 6:30 P.M. San Damiano Retreat 710 Highland Drive Danville, CA Adults: $20|12 and Under: $10
The Danville Community Band plays into 2019 with Let’s Go To The Movies! recognizing film scores from the golden ages to recent. Including selections from Guys and Dolls, Silverado, The Blues Brothers, Cost: La La Land, and more! The performance is Sunday, March 17 at 2PM at the Blackhawk Museums, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. The concert is FREE with museum admission – come early and Purchase tickets: check out the museum sandamiano.org | (925) 837-9141 before the concert MARK YOUR CALENDAR! begins. Please contact the museum about pricing and advanced ticket sales at 925-736-2280 or museum@blackhawkmuseum.org. Alamo Rotary’s The DCB, begun in 2001 by Danville resident and Founding ConducAnnual Easter Egg tor Dr. Lawrence Anderson, has for ten years been under the direction of Hunt and Family maestro Dr. Robert Calonico. The band meets weekly to prepare music for Fun Day, Saturday, their regularly scheduled concerts that are held in Danville and in nearby April 20, 2019, communities. The band is not professional and is funded wholly with Livorna Park. tax-deductible donations from its generous audiences and followers. It is a “traditional” community band with musicians having a broad range of ability and age, spanning teens to 70+ years, and represent a variety of professions, The Rotary Club of Alamo will sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and including retirees, students, and a number of music teachers. The focus of the Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Livorna Park. The event will 80-piece, all-volunteer band is music education for the community and the begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. Last year the club hid almost musicians themselves, and to have fun. The band provides a place to share 10,000 eggs! their interest in playing music and be challenged with the tremendous variety of band repertoire available. In addition to the Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, where parents The band is full in most sections, will have a chance to take photos, there will be music by the East Bay Banjo but if you are proficient on trumpet Club, children’s games, balloon men, face painting and other fun activities. or percussion and are interested in Coffee, donuts, chocolate milk and water will be available for sale. The egg joining, give us a call or drop us a hunt will take place at 10:00 a.m. sharp. There will be three age groups for note. For more information about the egg hunt: children under the age of three (0-3); children ages four to the Danville Community Band and six (4-6); and children ages seven to ten (7-10). Children should bring their future performances, please see their website at www.danvilleband.org. own baskets for the egg hunt. Parents should allow ample time for their children to be on time to participate.
Rotary Club of Alamo
JOIN US FOR LUNCH!
Alamo Rotary Club meets at Round Hill Country Club 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays
SPONSORED BY
Brad Gai, RINA Accountancy Corporation “Your Future is Our Focus” www.rina.com
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FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
For almost two decades, The Danville Family History Center has been serving the community. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal which provides access to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. The Center is located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. The Center is closed on major holidays and the last two weeks of December. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
SAN RAMON VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society invites you to attend their regular monthly meeting on February 19th at 10am. The group meets at the Family History Center located at 2949 Stone Valley Rd., Alamo. The speaker will be the groups own Mark McLaren who will speak on Scotland and Northern Ireland Research. For more information, please visit www.srvgensoc.org.
ALAMO WOMEN’S CLUB
JEWELRY LIQUIDATION SALE TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Alamo Women’s Club is sponsoring a jewelry liquidation sale on Friday, February 8th from noon to 4pm and Saturday, February 9th from 9am to 3pm at Creekside Community Church, located at 1350 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. Costume jewelry earrings will be $5, necklaces/bracelets, $10, and designer jewelry will be 50% off the lowest price.
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison
The 5th Annual Authors’ Faire will take place on February 27th at Diablo Country Club. Six authors, including Vanessa Hua, whose River of Stars was named as one of the best books of 2018 by both NPR and The Washington Post, will discuss their books and their writing journeys. To learn more visit https://www.alamowomensclub.org/events/2018-07/5th-annual-authors-faire.
925-765-4209
5TH ANNUAL AUTHORS’ FAIRE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ALAMO
The Community Foundation of Alamo (CFA), a 501c3 public charity, has ceased operation and formally dissolved, effective 12/31/2018. The CFA was also known as the Alamo Business and Community Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2009, upon the merger of the former Alamo Chamber of Commerce into the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. Its mission was to raise funds and organize events for the benefit of the community of Alamo, and specifically, to take over the popular Alamo Holiday Tree Lighting event from the Alamo Chamber Foundation. The CFA was also responsible for the Alamo Walkabout, last held in 2016. The CFA Tree Lighting event, held annually at the Andrew Young Park on Danville Blvd, was increasingly popular and well-attended, but CFA had been unable to attract new volunteers and board members to provide sustainability for the group. Fortunately, the Alamo Holiday Tree Lighting will continue to operate under the auspices of the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Alamo and the Alamo Rotary Club, which initially started the Tree Lighting ceremony several decades ago. In accordance with the CFA By-Laws, funds that had been solicited for and dedicated to the Alamo Tree Lighting have been transferred from the CFA to the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Alamo. The CFA thanks the numerous local businesses and citizens who provided financial support for the popular Tree Lighting event.
DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB
Please join with the members of the Danville Women’s Club at these upcoming events. Thursday, February 21 – Join the group for lunch and to listen to speaker Kaite Solvani from CERT as she speaks on “Are we ready for an emergency?” The day starts with an 11AM meet/greet, 11:30AM speaker, followed by lunch at noon. Contact Marijke at marijke@mtenge. com to register. Wednesday, February 27 – Please join the Club for “Bunco Night at the Club!” from 7 to 9PM. The cost is $20/person. For tickets, questions, or registration, please contact Bonnie at normbraga99@hotmail.com. Thursday, February 28 – Please join the Club for “An Afternoon of Bridge.” The event is a scholarship luncheon to raise funds for thee scholarships given to high school seniors. Cost for bridge and a delicious lunch is $25/person ($100/table). Contact Mary to register at marynmac@yahoo.com. Luncheons are free for first-time visitors. All events take place at the Club house, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa in Danville.
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Thanks to all of the generous shoppers who have helped charity group Delta Nu Psi send 40,256 pounds, over 20 TONS of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones! The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on the first Friday of each month and at Lunardi’s in Danville on the second Friday of each month. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 1:45PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
Tri-Valley Trapper
BEERFEST BBQ 2019
On Saturday, February 23rd from 6pm to 10pm, come join the fun and celebrate with a little beer, BBQ, pasta, and polka at the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser! Enjoy great music, yummy food by Slow
Hand BBQ, silent and live auctions, and local beers to mark this event. The gathering will take place at the Danville Veteran’s Hall located at 400 Hartz Ave., in Danville. Proceeds will benefit the Clubs’ local and worldwide charity work. Tickets are $55/person. For tickets or more information visit www.BeerFestRotary.com. Come and join the fun!
FREE TAX PREPARATION
Free tax preparation for the 2019 tax season is available starting February 2019 from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. Service is provided by volunteer tax preparers who are IRS trained and certified. 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 $54,000, while Tax-Aide does not have an income limit. For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the San Ramon/Danville area, call (925) 973-3250 for the San Ramon Senior Center site or (925) 480-7202 for the Danville Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley site. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. To complete your return, you will need to bring the following documents: • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Photo identification for the taxpayer and spouse • Copies of all W-2s, 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2017 Tax Return • Covered California: All documents including form 1095 • Tax Law Change: Although federal tax law changed, California tax law has not changed. If you itemized deductions for 2017, be sure to bring related records for 2018
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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
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To learn more about our office visit www.poplarspecs.com
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. The next monthly luncheon will be on Wednesday, February 20th at 11am. The guest speaker will be Mr. Jerald Marrs. Mr. Marrs, a disabled Air Force veteran, is a practicing attorney and mediator, living locally in San Ramon. His presentation will focus on Elder Law and Estate Planning issues. The $26 luncheon includes a meal, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space for the February luncheon, please send an email by Thursday, February 14th to info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information about the retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
THE SIXTIES AT FIFTY
AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Sixties at Fifty exhibit is now at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The Sixties were an exciting, awful, inspiring, innovative, and always memorable time. This exhibit shows the Sixties through a national as well as San Ramon Valley prism. A special exhibit is focused on the 1969 moon landing. Models of the rockets, gyroscope and magazines from the period and other items related to the moon landing are on display. Trace the development of the Valley during this period. Learn about the opening of Interstate 680 starting in 1964 into Danville then in 1966 continuing onto San Ramon and Dublin. New homes from San Ramon Village to Greenbrook were sprouting up all over the San Ramon Valley. This growth created havoc in trying to provide enough classrooms for the growing population. See a collection of Barbie dolls and accessories which was the iconic doll of this period. Children will enjoy playing with a variety of 1960 vintage toys. All of this and lots more in The Sixties at Fifty is now open at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1-4, Saturday 10-1, and Sunday 12-3. For more information, call 925-683-3750 or visit www.museumsrv.org.
NEW ART EXHIBIT AND OPENING RECEPTION AT BLACKHAWK GALLERY
The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society will host the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new exhibit ‘Artistry.’ A Gala Reception will be held on Saturday, February 16th from 5 to 7pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres. The exhibit will be on view seven days a week from Friday, February 15 to Sunday, April 21. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The ‘Artistry’ exhibit features one guest artist and forty member artists. Guest artist Jean Cherie will be showing her Raku sculpture pieces. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art. The Blackhawk Galler y is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville, in the Blackhawk Plaza. Regular Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11ampm 6 . Please reach out for Presidents’ Day and Easter Sunday hours. For more information, visit www.adas4art.org/artistry or https://www. facebook.com/AlamoDanvilleArtistsSociety, or contact Blackhawk Gallery Director Kerima Swain at swain.kerima@gmail.com, or call (925) 648-8023.
ROLE PLAYERS ENSEMBLE PRESENTS HONKY GOLD COAST CHAMBER PLAYERS
When a young African American is shot for a pair of basketball shoes, sales triple among white teens. Are ghetto-glorifying commercials to blame, or is it the white CEO who only sees dollar signs? Luckily, there’s a new pill on the market guaranteed to cure racism. Honky is a strongly worded, darkly comedic look at five people, white and black, as they navigate the murky waters of race, rhetoric, and basketball shoes. The show will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm from February 1 – 17 at the The Village Theatre located at 233 Front Street in Danville. Tickets can be purchased online at www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com, at Danville Community Center located at 420 Front St, Danville, at the Theatre box office one hour before the show, or by calling (925) 314-3400.
The Gold Coast Chamber Players present one of the leading quartets of our time, the “St. Lawrence String Quartet” along with three time Grammy-nominated clarinetist, Todd Palmer at 7:30PM on Saturday, February 9th at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. The program offers an unprecedented musical, emotional, and spiritual experience with chamber music spanning four centuries. From Haydn and Beethoven, to Berger and Golijov, this unique program is not to be missed! Tickets are $15-45 and can be purchased at https://gcplayers.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=1079081 or by calling (925) 283-3728.
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
February is the month to remind ourselves of the many blessings that come through friendships. With Valentine’s Day approaching, we have the opportunity to express our love and gratitude to others. Here at San Ramon Valley Christian Academy, our K-5th grade students will be busy making valentines, creating “mailboxes” for their notes, and planning parties to celebrate the love we have for our friends. As we grow up, love is expressed in different ways. Letters and notes are still tangible ways to express love and appreciation; however, students also learn from other examples when it comes to demonstrating love. In John 15:13, Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This month, our 8th grade class embarks on their annual trip to Washington D.C., Gettysburg, and New York City. One of the overarching themes they will experience during their time away is sacrifice for others. We will see it at Arlington National Cemetery. We will see it at the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. We will see it at Ground Zero. Over and over, we will have examples of those who gave everything in order to express love to others. One of our own beloved former students, Josh “Chachi” Corral, is the perfect example of one who gave all when he died serving our country in the Marine Corps. Chachi was one of my former students here at SRVCA. Other teachers and I remember him as a prayer warrior, even as a young person. At our school, kids look for opportunities to pray for each other, and Chachi was known by his peers to be the first to step up and offer. As we gather around the Marine Corps Memorial this year, I know my heart will be filled with love and gratitude for this young man, former student, and Christian friend who demonstrated unconditional love to the rest of us. Within the monthly theme of love, I can’t help but think of our teachers and staff members here at SRVCA. This past month, David Brooks published an article in the New York Times noting, “What teachers really teach is themselves – their contagious passion for their subjects and students. It reminded us that children learn from people they love, and that love in this context means willing the good of another, and offering active care for the whole person.” I have never seen a school community epitomize this more than SRVCA. This Valentine’s Day, my heart is definitely full. If you’d like to learn more about our program and see that sort of love in action, feel free to visit our website, www.srvca.org for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. The need in our communities remains great. Seven days a week, WPE Food Rescue volunteers take trucks to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets where they pick up thousands of pounds of surplus food—high quality, nourishing food (fresh meats, dairy, eggs, deli, baked goods). Most all of this food is distributed free-of-charge to those in need within two hours of the donation. In its first four years, WPE delivered more than 6,000,000 pounds of food (equivalent to 5,000,000 meals) that the hungry would have gone without. Also, in addition to rescuing food, WPE collects donations of new or like-new clothing, shoes, toys, games, and books. More than 400,000 of these items have been distributed to those in need—all free of charge, through WPE’s unique “Mobile Boutiques” and its Direct Distribution program. Interested volunteers should please contact Mandy Nakaya at 925-8186361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www. whiteponyexpress.org.
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ALAMO ELEMENTARY
LOSING TRACK OF TIME… By Stan Hitomi, Principal
With all of our focus on Tweets, Instagrams, Facebook posts, and all things real-time, we may be in danger of losing our perspective on the world around us. What is sitting on our plates at a restaurant or who is with us at the zoo is taking precedence over what is happening that is truly newsworthy and how that might impact our history. At Alamo School, we value history and respect the work of others in the past. As principal, I consider it my responsibility to keep track of our history and plan to pass along our history to the next person to occupy this office. However, we are not satisfied with passing along what is known. We are also seeking to discover that which is not known. This year we are seeking to determine the origins of Alamo School. Are there any artifacts that remain of our school’s past? Sounds a bit like Indiana Jones, doesn’t it? Learning about our history may not have any real-world impacts, but our efforts will have an impact upon on current students. The work will impress upon our students the importance of history and how it speaks to the culture of our school and their own role in contributing to our legacy and history as a community.
CLASSROOM FOCUS: KINDERGARTEN
Continuing our monthly look into what is currently going on in our classrooms, our focus this month is kindergarten. There is no grade more important at getting students off to a good start with their school experience, but keep in mind that the kindergarten of today is a far cry from our experiences in the past. Here is a look into kindergarten by our teachers Cathy Garrett, Michelle Beem, and Erin Bohannan: It’s February, and Kindergarteners have returned from winter break ready to read, write, and learn math facts! We have been learning about word parts in our Phonics Workshop program and practicing high frequency words to use in reading and writing. Kindergarteners are learning how to blend sounds together to read and write new words. In Writers Workshop, we are learning how to write ‘How To’ books. In Readers Workshop, we are tackling bigger books to make our reading muscles grow! In math, we are exploring number bonds with addition and subtraction facts. We have just finished our art rotation, where our very lucky Kindergarteners learned about the seven elements of art from our wonderful art teacher! The students continue to enjoy their time in Music, Library, Computer Lab, and Perceptual Motor Training each week. With spring approaching, we will have a visit from Lindsay Wildlife Museum to learn about the animals of Diablo. Kindergarten continues to be a busy place and we never have enough time in the day! NOTE: The Museum of the San Ramon Valley currently houses an exhibit on the 60’s in the San Ramon Valley. They will be hosting a talk on “Sixties Stories – Schools In Crisis” on February 23rd at 10:30AM. Please join in!
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY
By Sandy Kontilis, Principal
The Dorris-Eaton School Integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, was January’s Character of the Month. Honesty and integrity are important is now accepting applications traits to have in a child’s school life. At Rancho Romero, our students have for the 2019-2020 school year. strong positive relationships with their teachers. Connection to teachers, staff, and safety are an important component of a students’ success at school. dorriseaton.org On January 30th, a student assembly was held where students were recognized for integrity that they demonstrated throughout the month. Rancho Romero’s Soul Shoppe Character Program representative met with all students this month to talk about “The Clean-Up.” What is The Clean-Up? Instead of saying “sorry,” whenever kids make mistakes or hurt others, they need to Clean It Up! This restorative tool is powerful because students recognize when they have “made a mistake,” and then take steps to make things right for all of the people they impacted. Soul Shoppe and Rancho Romero continue to teach students to resolve problems for good, and strengthen emotional self-awareness and self management, and social awareness and relationship skills. This month’s spotlight is on our science teachers, Mrs. Nudo and Mrs. Larsen. Both teachers have brought curiosity and collaborative learning to the classroom. As an example, students have been making evacuation maps using Bots, an autonomous program on a network (internet) that can interact with a computer program or user. Each student has an interactive notebook where they record their thinking. Many days I see students out in the field looking and hunting for “science.” The New Generation Science Standards (NGSS) provide the framework for learning, but the teachers create interactive lessons where all students are engaged. A big thank you to both of them for creating a learning environment for all students. Finally, our students are learning and progressing with their studies. On January 18th, the first semester report card was sent home with students. The partnership between the student, home, and school is referred to as a “triangle” which is everyone working together to support student learning. 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. January is now in the rear window, and we look forward to many exciting PTA sponsored events, school wide activities, and of course, learning for all.
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL By Maria Ward, Principal
HAPPY FEBRUARY!
Throughout February, we will celebrate the monthly gospel value of LOVE. Robert Heinlein said, “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” It is the main underlying goal that we as human beings strive for and something that we all have in common. Love unites us and brings us closer to each other and to God. At St. Isidore School, we display acts of LOVE by giving to those in need, acting with kindness and respect in every situation, and remembering we are all God’s children. I encourage you to spread love throughout our community and the wider world.
STUDENTS LOVE STEM
SIS families are invited to enjoy a STEM night on Wednesday, February 27. It will be an evening of hands-on science, math, and engineering activities for students and families to complete together. The event will include activities covering different STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics around the theme of space. This educational opportunity is sure to be fun for the whole family.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
At St. Isidore School, we encourage students to make a difference in our community and beyond, leading efforts to assist those in need of support and generosity. We are truly at our best when helping others. Once a month, our eighth grade students volunteer to prepare and serve food at Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen in Martinez. Kitchen staff and our students work together with parent volunteers to provide a hearty meal to hungry men and women across Contra Costa County. Serving at Loaves and Fishes has become a tradition at SIS that students look forward to. The experience teaches them compassion, perspective, and the joy of giving.
GRANDPARENTS DAY
The relationship shared between grandparent and grandchild is special and deserves to be honored. On Friday, February 8, our third graders will invite their grandparents, or a special loved one, to school for a celebration. There will be a special tribute mass, and following mass, the students and their beloved guests sit down together for a delicious brunch. Games are played, photos are taken, and memories are made. Many of the children’s grandparents travel from locations across the country to attend this event. It is always heartwarming to see the love that is shared between generations. This is one of our school’s most precious traditions.
APPLY NOW FOR GRADES 1-8
We are now accepting applications for 1st–8th grade for the 2019–2020 school year. Application forms can be found on our website, www.stisidore.org. Our annual new student testing will take place on Thursday, March 14, at 3:30pm. Please RSVP to testing at (925) 837-2977. In closing, I want to wish you all a wonderful month filled with family, friends, and LOVE.
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 8:30 AM in downtown Danville. For the location and other details, please visit 4143.toastmastersclubs.org, or email DanvilleAMToastmasters@gmail.com.
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.
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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane
SCHOOLS IN TUMULT DURING THE 1960s
As the current decade comes to a close, so too does the fiftieth anniversary of the turbulent 1960s. The San Ramon Valley’s population in 1960 was 12,702 and doubled by 1970 to 28,090. In Valley schools, there were huge debates over school unification, liberal vs. conservative curriculum choices, and school design options – all during a period of huge student population growth. The proposal to unify elementary school districts with the high school district came to a head in 1964, when school unification appeared on the ballot. Six grammar school districts had been created in the nineteenth century: San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Green Valley, Sycamore, and Tassajara. The first public high school, San Ramon Valley Union High School, opened in 1910 with a school built and occupied in 1917. Danville was the largest community in the 1920s, and its district opened a modern elementary school with several rooms in 1922. A new Danville Union Elementary District ultimately included the Green Valley, Sycamore, and Tassajara schools. For years, Alamo and San Ramon parents debated about whether or not to dissolve and send students to the modern school; eventually, they each built new schools, Alamo in 1940 and San Ramon in 1950. As homes in the valley were constructed after World War II, the school population expanded, and there were some double sessions. New schools were built or additional space was found. For example, the San Ramon Valley Methodist Church rented rooms for school students in 1958-1959, and Montair’s first classes met at St. Isidore’s while Montair school was built. In 1969 Neil Armstrong school students attended classes in 21 unfinished homes until their school was completed in 1970. In the early sixties, the California state legislature passed legislation to encourage school unifications. AB 145 pledged an additional $15 per student to districts which unified. The issue went on the ballot, with increased funds for schools and a coherent curriculum dangled as an incentive. The Valley Pioneer reported on the pro and con arguments for the issue. Support for unification won, 4,330 to 2,617, on November 3, 1964. Next a new school board was selected. That election took place on February 23, 1965, with five representatives selected: Robert W. Coyle, Edward C. Thomas, William R. Davis, Wesley Sizoo, and T. James Ahern. Several candidates had recently moved to the valley and were willing to shake up the established methods of teaching to reflect contemporary ways of thinking. After interviewing candidates for a new School Superintendent, the Board chose Dr. Richard L. Foster instead of the well-liked Dr. Roger Schulte who had been the high school district superintendent. Foster and the district were challenged as the school population exploded. In 1964-1965 the school population was 5,585, and by 1967-1968, it was 7,200. In the period between September, 1966, and March 30, 1967, 1,000 additional students entered local schools. The new Superintendent was an idea-a minute man and, supported by his board, he promoted open space schools, asking architects “to consider space flexibility and non-restrictive designs.” Curriculum innovations and experimentation were encouraged. Many voters were upset with the different ideas, preferring contained classroom designs and the warmer personality of the now-departed Roger Schulte. Foster wanted to have Black Panthers come to speak and exchange classes with inner city schools at the high schools. In the meantime, the John Birch Society stirred the pot with its anti-communist message. One slide-show entitled “Civil Riots—USA” was presented to an audience of 200 at Charlotte Wood School in March of 1966. It linked the Watts riots, criticisms of police, and the Free Speech Movement (including UCB Chancellor Clark Kerr) to communist infiltrators. School board meetings were so large they were often held in the high school gym. Lois Sizoo said she came to watch and knit, hoping no one would bring out a gun and shoot her husband. On April 19, 1967, Ahern and Sizoo were defeated by the more traditional-minded Virginia Deaton and William Morrison. Late in 1968 Foster departed to the Berkeley School District. This school year, 2018-2019, is the first year since the fifties that the San Ramon Valley Unified School District student population was less than the year before: quite a landmark -- after fifty years of growth. Sources: Valley Pioneers, Alamo-Danville Observer (March 30, 1966), Bruce Marhenke, Howard Nemir, Stan Hitomi
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
Monte Vista’s (MV) students and faculty enjoyed a nice start to spring semester by kicking things off with a teacher workday followed by a late start Tuesday. The rolling start allowed everyone to have a chance to successfully transition from vacation mode back to school mode. January lent itself to a lot of conversation about a possible new schedule at MV. The 4 x 4 schedule in its simplest form allows students to take eight classes throughout the school year via four block periods at a time. MVs faculty has been discussing the pros and cons of this schedule and is planning several visits to similar schools who use the 4 x 4. In addition, MV provided several opportunities for parents and students to hear about the proposed schedule, ask questions, and share concerns. There will definitely be more to share as we learn more about this possible change at MV. 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 2023 (if you can believe it) – at our annual Freshman Parent Night at the end of February. Monte Vista’s winter athletic teams are making strong bids for league championships and playoff spots. MV Women’s Soccer is dominant once again this season, aiming to repeat their EBAL crown and make a deep run for the NCS Championship. MV Men’s Basketball is playing at a championship level and is also challenging for EBAL and NCS Titles. MV Women’s Basketball is enjoying a resurgence with their new coaching staff led by Head Coach Jim Lemmon. The team is playing better and better as they gain more experience and get more competitive. Men’s Soccer has struggled early on, but are vying for a better second half of the season and should prove to be strong contenders for the post-season. Lastly, MV Wrestling is continuing to get stronger as they prepare to compete for “the Axe” championship. It continues to be a great winter season, and we are looking forward for more success in the coming weeks. Spring sports kicked off on January 28th, 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 combining the music of Elvis Presley with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in their performance of our Winter Musical All Shook Up. Showtimes will run from February 13th – 16th. MV’s Choir will be very busy beginning with the Area Choral Festival on January 23rd and the Chamber Singers Invitational at CSUEB on February 8th followed by Concert Choir’s much anticipated visit to Carnegie Hall on Sunday, February 24th. Monte Vista’s Instrumental Music will be performing at a variety of competitions including the Woodcreek and Folsom Jazz Festivals, and MV Orchestra will make a visit to the SF Symphony. MV’s Speech and Debate and Robotics programs are also busy this month with a variety of competitions and preparations. 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.
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
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PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
MONET - LATER YEARS
Arts Museums of San Francisco explained, “The exhibition is inspired by two paintings by Monet, “Water-lilies,” an extraordinary example of the artist’s focus on elements in and around his water lily pond and “Weeping Willow” from the Kimbell Art Museum, painted in response to the horrors of WWI that he could hear from a distance while painting in his garden.” Buron added, “Visitors will be immersed in Monet’s mural style paintings, such as Agapanthus, from the Saint Louis Art Museum, and I think the scale of them will be very powerful. Radical late works, such as ‘The Artist’s House’ seen from the Rose Garden from the Musée Marmottan Monet, in hues of bright red, yellow, blue, and green, will provide a surprise grand finale. We’re really excited for visitors to leave the exhibition with a deeper understanding of the artist and his practice, as he matured and evolved beyond his Impressionist masterpieces of the nineteenth-century into more abstract compositions in the twentieth-century.” Monet: The Late Years exhibit is open Tuesday through Sunday, February 16-May 27, 2019 at the M.H. de Young Museum, located at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. in San Francisco. Their phone number is 415-750-3600, and the website is deyoung.famsf.org. 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.
As much as I love exploring the cobblestoned streets and grand boulevards of Paris, discovering tiny shops, charming patisseries, and renowned museums, the countryside offers its own kind of French mystique. Giverny, where Claude Monet’s pink house with the green shutters and famous garden is located, is a destination that people from all over the world agree is spectacular. For 43 years, from 1883 to 1926, Monet lived in his pink brick house in Giverny. In the early years, he and his second wife, Alice, raised their blended family of eight children as he painted and created extraordinary gardens. After his death, the beautiful house and gardens suffered from neglect and disrepair (much of it caused by World War II), but in 1980, after years of renovation, Giverny was opened to the public and is now a favorite destination for lovers of art, history, and gardens. Possibly the most memorable of the rooms in Monet’s house is the dining room with its spectacular bright yellow walls, painted in two splashy vibrant tones. The armoires, chairs, side tables, and hearth are also painted yellow, with a few well-placed French blue vases and some of Monet’s vast collection of Japanese engravings creating a dramatic statement. Monet’s bedroom, located on the second floor, is filled with paintings by his artist friends, including works by Cezanne, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, and Manet. What makes his room even more spectacular is the view from his three windows onto his glorious gardens filled with all kinds of greenery, arches covered with vines, and every kind of flower imaginable. The most iconic scene at Giverny is Monet’s beloved floating garden, a pond filled with every kind of water lily and his Japanese foot bridge covered in wisteria. Starting February 16, the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco is celebrating Monet’s gardens and the paintings they inspired with an exhibit called “Monet: The Late Years.” This is the first exhibition in more than 20 years dedicated to the final phase of Monet’s career. Melissa Buron, Director Art Division at the Fine Monet's Water Lily Pond and Japanese footbridge at Giverny
WINE WITH CHOCOLATE?
By Monica Chappell
Everybody loves the idea of pairing wine with chocolate and with good reason. But the flavors of chocolate and wine aren’t always that compatible. And the culprit is the chocolate. Chocolate has very intense flavors. It’s chocolaty, of course, but it’s often simultaneously sweet, bitter, acidic, and fruity. That means that a wine, especially a dry table wine as opposed to a sweet dessert wine, needs to be similarly intense if it’s going to pair well with chocolate.
Savor - Place the chocolate on your tongue. Allow the chocolate to melt naturally. As you swirl it across your tongue, consider the progression of flavors, the balance of sweetness, the texture, and the length of the finish.
TYPES OF CHOCOLATE
Rule #1: typically, the wine should be at least as sweet, if not a touch sweeter, than the chocolate you are serving it with. Otherwise, the taste may quickly veer towards bitter or sour. When pairing wine with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be. Similar to formal wine tasting, if you are experimenting with several varieties of chocolates, work from light to dark. Start with a subtler white chocolate, and end with a dark or bittersweet chocolate.
The main types of chocolate are white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. The composition of the mixture, origin of cacao beans, the treatment and roasting of beans, and the types and amounts of additives will significantly affect the flavor and the price of the chocolate. White Chocolate - Chocolate made with cocoa butter, sugar, milk, emulsifier, vanilla and sometimes other flavorings. It does not contain any non-fat ingredients from the cacao bean and has therefore an off-white color. Milk Chocolate - Sweet chocolate which normally contains 10-20% cocoa solids an more than 12% milk solids. Dark Chocolate - Sweetened chocolate with high content of cocoa solids and no or very little milk. Dark chocolate can either be sweet, semi-sweet, bittersweet, or unsweetened. People across the globe love chocolate because of its naturally smooth, silky texture and its deliciously distinct sweet and rich flavor. Enjoy finding your favorite match with wine. Monica Chappell is a local wine writer and educator and can be reached at wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
See - Observe the chocolate’s sheen. A clean, shiny bar indicates a welltempered chocolate. Smell - Your nose is critical to tasting chocolate, which can exhibit over 600 natural aromas. Snap - Break off a piece of chocolate, and listen to the snap. Chocolate with a higher cacao percentage generally has more snap.
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THE PAIRING
THE TASTING – 4 S’s
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
CELEBRITY CRUISE
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND By Mike Mullery, Alamo World Travel & Tours
Ilene and I recently took a Celebrity cruise from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand. There were two continents I had not previously visited -- Australia and Antarctica. I had always wanted to visit both. We have booked a lot of Celebrity cruised for clients and had personally cruised with them previously. We thought they would be good choice for an Australian cruise. The cruise was not scheduled to spend a lot of time in Sydney, so we made the wise choice and flew to Sydney a few days before our cruise departed. We stayed at the Intercontinental hotel in Sydney, a Signature Travel Network hotel with a great location only a few blocks from the pier, and a few additional blocks from the Sydney Opera House and the harbor bridge. We were surprised that only a few blocks away was also a wonderful and very large Botanical Garden which we thoroughly enjoyed. There were beautiful views not only of plants, but also Sydney itself including the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. After a few days in town, we Celebrity Solstice in Auckland. boarded the Celebrity Solstice. The Solstice is a large ship but still only half the size of the mega ships. There are a variety of activities available on-board including lectures, wine tasting, trivia contests, art auctions, fitness classes, music, and more. There is a casino, a spa, and a very good gym which we frequented often as there is a wide assortment of good food in multiple restaurants that we indulged in. We enjoyed two lecturers. One talked about local history and another about DNA - the science and applications. Entertainment at night in the Solstice Theater ranged from dancing, magic, music, impressionists, and even Cirque de Soleil type acrobatics. In other venues on board, there was a very good house band, string duo, Fusion band, acoustic duo, guitar, and vocal performances. Some of the sights we saw on the trip included Milford, Doubtful, and Dusky Sounds which are beautiful fjords with towering cliffs and multiple waterfalls. In Akora, New Zealand we took a cruise where we saw Hector’s dolphins - a small dolphin found only in New Zealand. We also saw vast numbers of birds. In Tauranga, New Zealand we visited a Maori village and learned a lot about their customs and history. We were impressed by Auckland, New Zealand and were glad we spent an extra night there. There was lots to see and do and very good restaurants to enjoy. We really enjoyed their local harbor cruise. Celebrity cruises worldwide and has a vast range of ships from the large Solstice-size down to small but luxurious expedition ships which cruise the Galapagos, another bucket-list destination I want to see. For more information on Celebrity or other travel, please contact us. For over 38 years, Alamo World Travel & Tours has been taking care of all your travel needs. Luxury, Standard, or Custom Travel; Cruises; River Cruises; Tours and Resorts for individuals or groups. Please visit our office at 3201 Danville Blvd. Suite 255 in Alamo, call 925-837-8742, or visit our website at www.alamoworld.com. Ask us, we’ve been Maori tree carving at the Botanical Garden in Sydney. there. Advertorial
ONE WARM COAT DRIVE SUCCESS
WOW! The San Ramon Valley Rotary Club collected over 11,750 coats and warm items during the 23rd season of the San Ramon Valley Rotary “One Warm Coat” drive. The event was a tremendous success! The Rotary group wants to give a big, “thank you,” to all of the people who donated, the businesses which accepted collection boxes, and to all the people who helped the club to make it happen! Another huge, “thank you” goes to Bishop Ranch who graciously have provided a great space to store the collection during the last 16 years! The clothing was distributed both directly to the homeless and other people in need such as single mothers and their children and also with the assistance of local charities located in Emeryville, Martinez, and the Pittsburgh area. The group was also able to provide a sizable donation of clothes to The “Christmas for Everyone” program in Martinez as well as an organization that sends clothing to Romania. Thank you for your help and support in making the event such a huge success.
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
Although there’s no truth in the tale of George Washington’s boyhood confession concerning chopping down a cherry tree, our first president would undoubtedly approve of having cherries served to commemorate his birthday. According to the Mount Vernon website (mountvernon.org): “One of the earliest horticultural entries in Washington’s diary is dated March 24, 1762, when he recorded the receipt of cherry trees from his neighbor Colonel George Mason of Gunston Hall.” Washington planned to retire to the tranquil life of a gentleman farmer when he surrendered his commission as Commander-in-Chief at the close of the Revolutionary War in 1783. Called back to the political arena in May 1787 to preside over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, he spent the preceding month at Mount Vernon testing Kentucky clover and Guinea grass in the area of his garden reserved for experimentation. On June 1, 1787, he wrote: “Friday1st. June. Attending Convention and nothing being suffered to transpire no minutes of the proceedings has been, or will be inserted in this diary.” Washington did record details of his excursion on Sunday, June 10. “Breakfasted by agreement at Mr. Powell’s, and in Company with him rid to see the Botanical garden of Mr. Bartram; which tho’ Stored with many curious plts, Shrubs & trees, many of which are exotics was not laid off with much taste, nor was it large.” Nevertheless, he was sufficiently interested in Bartram’s offerings to return on September 2nd, request a plant list in 1789, and place a large order in 1792. Despite debating six days a week, delegates had made little progress on the Constitution by mid-July. Was a trip to Bartram’s native plant nursery the catalyst that broke the deadlock on how representation in the legislature would be apportioned as Andrea Wulf posits in Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature and the Shaping of the American Nation? Invited to supper on Friday, July 13, 1787, by the group of delegates staying at the Indian Queen, the tavern where he had just checked in, Manasseh Cutler proposed a journey the next morning to Bartram’s Garden. Reverend Cutler, who had recently published a significant botanical paper, was traveling from
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Massachusetts on a mission promoting the Ohio Company’s plan to settle the Northwest Territories. His suggestion gave the weary delegates a chance to escape from their routine. Cutler’s party leaving the Indian Queen at 5am that Saturday included James Madison, Caleb Strong, Alexander Hamilton, Alexander Martin, Hugh Williamson, John Rutledge, George Mason, Mason’s son, Samuel Vaughn, designer of the Philadelphia State House garden, and two other Philadelphians. Never intended to be a pleasure garden, Bartram’s was designed so that hardier specimens sheltered less cold tolerant plants. Wulf writes: “In Bartram’s Garden, the delegates could see how the manifold flora of each state flourished together, their branches intertwined in a flourishing horticultural union.” She remarks that while John Bartram Sr. was the first to bring trees and shrubs from all thirteen states together, his motivation was commercial. “By contrast, Washington had been the first to unite the trees and shrubs from across the thirteen states as a visual expression of the young nation.” James Madison’s notes of the proceedings of the afternoon of Saturday, July 14 indicate the Connecticut Compromise (giving large and small states equal representation in the Senate while basing representation in the House on population) was discussed at length. Madison records Caleb Strong as declaring, “If no Accommodation takes place, the Union itself must soon be dissolved.” On Monday, July 16th, the Compromise passed by a single vote. Among the delegates who accompanied Cutler to Bartram’s Garden were three large-state representatives who changed their previous positions to vote with the smallstate contingent: Caleb Strong (Massachusetts), and Alexander Martin and Hugh Williamson (both North Carolina). The Virginians James Madison and George Mason, who went with the party to Bartram’s, did not alter their stance against equal representation in the Senate. According to the bill of lading for the sloop Salem dated March 17, 1797, when Washington finally retired from his second term as President, he shipped home along with personal possessions including 14 trunks, 97 boxes and 43 casks, and “a bundle of fruit trees.” Back at Mount Vernon at last, he wrote to James Anderson on April 7, 1797: “I am once more seated under my own Vine and fig tree, and I hope to spend the remainder of my days …. making political pursuits yield to the more rational amusement of cultivation of the Earth.”
TUF continued from front page
sons (including a six year old) and a college student doing community service work all talking, working, eating fresh fruit for the first time, and harvesting 600 pounds of apples in three hours.” The TUF van, purchased with funding from a grant, is stocked with ladders, picking poles, buckets, and crates. Volunteers, who must be pre-registered for the specific harvest date, are asked to bring water, a snack, gardening gloves, hat and sunglasses, and a brown bag to take home a bit of fruit. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age for volunteers is six. Homeowners with fruit trees register what varieties they have on the TUF website and note when they usually have ripe fruit for harvest. Some choose to pick their own excess fruit and simply ask TUF to supply crates for packing it and transportation to the appropriate agency delivering the fruit to neighbors in need. Because TUF does not always have enough harvest leaders to reach every individual with a tree, particularly if the property is far from any others being serviced, the organization is happy to sell a picking pole to homeowners prepared to pick their own fruit and teach them the skills necessary to use the tool. Fahim Shafi, TUF Harvest Leader for Danville/Alamo/San Ramon, describes how a community harvest day comes together. “It’s a juggling act, all with nature’s clock ticking. Around the beginning of the month, we get in touch with fruit donors in our database to see if they have any excess fruit to donate. In parallel, we set up and publish an TUF helps homeowners harvest fruit from high branches they might otherwise let fall to waste. (photo courtesy of Fahim Shafi) event so that volunteers can sign up. Armed with the confidence of enough fruit to harvest and enough volunteers to harvest fruit, we confirm the event, location, and route. We typically reach three to four properties during a three-hour harvest (some properties have multiple trees and some take more time than others).” There are about 300 trees registered in the three towns Fahim covers. Some trees bear in alternate years. Citrus does not need to be picked immediately, but summer stone fruits must be harvested within a few days of ripening. Shafi does get panicked calls from homeowners whose trees need attention in between scheduled harvests. TUF tries to send volunteers out mid-week to keep the fruit from being wasted. Clusters of properties in a neighborhood with registered trees are highly desirable. Traveling shorter distances between harvest sites saves time and fuel, increasing productivity. What happens at the end of the harvest? Fahim writes: “We work with a number of agencies
See TUF continued on page 18
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
LIFE IN THE ALAMO/DANVILLE GARDEN
PLANTING IN DEER COUNTRY By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
Beautiful and graceful, deer are a gem of Northern California’s wildlife, but when they are feasting on your garden, they can be voracious enough to drive anybody crazy! So, how do you prevent deer from mowing down anything they can reach? Fortunately for the gardener, there are many plants we have found to be less interesting to our hoofed neighbors, making them ideal for planting in those places where you know the deer will be browsing. Since they have evolved in the fight for survival against native deer, many California native plants have developed resistance against being devoured. Some of our most reliable California natives include Holly-leaved Ceanothus varietals like ‘Blue Jeans,’ ‘Mills Glory,’ and ‘Snowball,’ Monardella, or Coyote Mint, and the Pacific Coast Iris. Many plants from the deserts of the Americas and the dry regions of the Mediterranean, Australia, and South Africa also have resinous saps that make them highly deer-resistant. These include Agastache and many Salvia from the Southwestern deserts, Euphorbia, Cistus, Teucrium and lavender from the Cute but hungry, deer can mean trouble for your garden. Mediterranean, and Phormium, Callistemon, and Westringia from Australia. Other plants that appear to be reliably off the menu include American and Japanese Barberry, Solanum vines, and Digitalis (Foxglove) whose leaves and flowers are apparently known to be poisonous by deer as well as humans. Herbs including rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano are often untouched, their strong fragrance a deterrent. Nandina, Daphne, and Buxus (Boxwood) are also usually untouched. Beautiful combinations can be achieved with these plants. In areas with unusually high deer activity, we have had success planting gardens of entirely deer-resistant plants. That being said, there’s always that one deer with unusual tastes… so, don’t be shocked if there’s the occasional nibble here or there. A deer-resistant garden can still be a beautiful landscape, so don’t let the deer drive you crazy. Just plant with deer in mind, and enjoy their presence without sacrificing your garden. We wish you the greatest success in keeping Bambi at bay! “I don’t have to take a trip around the world or be on a yacht in the Mediterranean to have happiness. I can find it in the little things, like looking out into my Lavender is a garden favorite that is also highly deer resistant. backyard and seeing deer...” ~ Queen Latifah J. Montgomery Designs offers Landscape Architecture and Design services on all scales. Contact our Alamo studio at 925-820-8884 to schedule a Complimentary Consultation, or visit our online portfolio at jmontgomerydesigns.com. Advertorial
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov. !
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WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB FEBRUARY 11 MEETING
The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold their next meeting on February 11th. The topic will be, “Changing the Way you Think About Pest Control.” Bridget Colton who works with The Hawk Pros LLC and provides environmentally friendly pest control using nature to nature will be our guest speaker. Everyone is invited to attend. The meeting will take place at Heather Farms located at 1540 Marchbanks Road, in Walnut Creek. The business meeting begins at 9:45AM followed by a social time at 10:30AM, and program at 11AM. For questions, email mslittle44@gmail.com.
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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
VISION ZERO AND TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAMS
HELP END FATALITIES ON ROADWAYS
By Candace Andersen
The County works hard to keep our roads safe. Our Public Works and Transportation Teams focus on the “Three E’s”: Engineering, Enforcement, and Education. In July 2016, our Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors directed staff to explore developing “Vision Zero” concepts. Vision Zero is an international movement that seeks to end fatalities on roadways. The County is in the process of developing its plan to address severe and fatal collisions on County-owned roadways. It will help identify key collision trends in the County, within priority corridors in which severe and fatal collision occur, and an implementation strategy to address these collision trends. The implementation strategy includes a holistic and data-driven approach, where the County and its partner agencies are implementing studies and programs to help people move more safely using engineering, education, and enforcement measures. A primary principle of Vision Zero is that the loss of human life and health should not be considered acceptable or inevitable on our roadway network. Therefore, the road transport system should be designed in a way that such events do not occur. Since human error is considered inevitable, the transportation system should be designed so that the consequences of collisions do not lead to death or severe injury. Vision Zero advocates for a safety-first approach when looking at transportation issues. Safety should not be one of the factors but the most important one. One important element of developing a Vision Zero program includes public engagement. The County’s Vision Zero website provides an opportunity for the public to access resources and submit feedback at key points during the process. An interactive web map allows you, the public, to precisely locate and comment on areas of concern along unincorporated County roads. It should be noted that although the public comments on the web map are actively reviewed, they will not be responded to directly. For more information on the County’s Vision Zero policy or to get involved, please visit Contra Costa County’s Vision Zero webpage at www.cccounty.us/visionzero. Another traffic safety program in the San Ramon Valley is Street Smarts. Most residents with school age children are familiar with our San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Program, which is a collaborative partnership between the Town of Danville, City of San Ramon, County of Contra Costa, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs, and community partners. Street Smarts addresses traffic safety problems at its source: in the minds of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Street Smarts brings education to the equation, supplementing and complementing the ongoing efforts involving engineering and enforcement. Street Smarts works on a variety of different levels. The program has been promoted throughout the San Ramon Valley through a brand awareness campaign, community events, school activities, and discussions at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, neighborhood initiatives, corporate sponsorships, banners, and more. An upcoming can’t-miss program for high school students is the Start Smart Driving Safety class. The San Ramon Valley Unified School District, in partnership with Street Smarts and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), is sponsoring free two hour classes in February, March, and April. The Start Smart presentations provide an opportunity for teens and their parents/guardians to discuss the serious laws, obligations, responsibilities, and family expectations that are part of driving a vehicle. The goal is to promote and create safe driving habits around SRVUSD schools. Students and their parent/guardian must attend one free two-hour CHP Start Smart class in order to be eligible for a parking permit at all SRVUSD high schools. For more information about Street Smarts San Ramon Valley and the Start Smart Driving Safety classes, visit www.street-smarts.com. 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.
TRAILS CHALLENGE 2019
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The system comprises 121,397 acres in 73 parks, including over 1,250 miles of trails. The District The Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, acquires, manages, and preserves natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy now and into the future. The parks are ideal for healthful recreation located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, offers a Historic Center. The Museum and environmental education. You are invited to enjoy hiking, biking, pic- Military Museum & Library as well as a Veteran Resource AM PM & Library is open Monday through Friday from 9 to 3 . Every Saturday from nicking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, golfing, and nature AM AM 8 to 11 a Veteran Coffee and Pastry social is held. study in the parks. To access resources for Veterans, you can connect with a County Veteran Service Every year more than 10,000 people use the free, East Bay Regional Parks Officer every Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM. For an appointment, call 925-313-1481. District’s “Trails Challenge” self-guided program to explore the regional To learn more about the Veteran’s facility and programs, visit www.vmbsrv. parks and to keep fit outdoors. No registration is needed to participate. While supplies last, a free org or email info@vmbsrv.org. printed Guidebook and t-shirt are available at participating Visitor Centers to get you started on the Challenge. You can also download the Guidebook at https://www.ebparks.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=30819. The Guidebook includes detailed trail descriptions for hikes in 20 regional parks and trails. Hikes range from easy to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians, and many are wheelchair accessible. To complete the challenge, hike five of the trails – or 26.2 miles of trails. New this year -- all 20 featured trails are now available on the AllTrails app. Download the free app, sign-up, log in, and then go to https://www. alltrails.com/explore/list/east-bay-regional-parks-trails-challenge-2019 and click on “Copy to my lists,” followed by “Continue in App.” The featured trails will show under “Lists” in “Plan.” The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, and share your photos, comments etc. with others. In addition to this self-guided program, the East Bay Regional Park District offers many naturalist-led hikes throughout the year. Visit their calendar at https://www.ebparks.org/cals. For more information about the Trails Challenge visit https://www. ebparks.org/activities/hiking/trails_challenge.htm.
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
One of the challenges facing the computer security field is how to put a protective umbrella around our clients. We’re able to secure your PCs and Macs, your servers and your networks. However, after that, it’s up to you to make good choices. With so many tricky criminals devising new ways to trip you up, avoiding a mistake can be daunting. There are many things you as a computer user can do to avoid being tricked into making a mistake. Unfortunately, the consequences of failure have become quite severe. Recovery and repair can be extremely expensive when you contract ransomware on your computer, someone implants a key-logger to steal your passwords, or parts of your identity are hijacked. The answer to these problems is two-fold. First, it is far less expensive to be consistently protected, such as through our TSP product, than to be reactive when all of your files have been encrypted. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Second, it is important that we continue to educate ourselves about the internet computing environment, and stay vigilant to avoid falling into traps. Recently, I came across a Google-sponsored quiz that helps educate people about what to avoid. It’s an interactive quiz, which shows you ten examples of emails you might receive and allows you to inspect them just like they were real. The beauty of the quiz is how realistic they’ve made it. On each page, the quiz will ask you whether the email shown is a “phishing” email or legitimate. Either way, it will identify to you what made the email OK or bad, and educates the quiz-taker so they can avoid pitfalls in the future. You can take the quiz, too – here’s the link: https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com. When you click the button, it will ask you for your name and email address to take the quiz, however I believe it is generally to make the experience more realistic, and not to be used for marketing. Take the quiz. Another insidious way that data is being extracted from us is through the data collection on websites. I’ve written about this before and even reviewed the must-read book, Dragnet Nation by Julia Angwin. Quite by accident today, I ran across a website called “ProPublica.” It would seem that in their scramble
to close doors and reduce transparency into what is going on, Facebook recently selectively shut down some third party monitoring software that ProPublica provided. The purpose of the software was to enable us users a way to see WHO is sponsoring the advertisements we see on Facebook and reasons WHY, such as whether it was opted-in or because you were targeted by demographics. Digging further, I found ProPublica’s site to be full of interesting factual information about big-data collection and monetization. Along the way, I found snippet-videos starring none other than my heroine author, Julia Angwin. Watch them here: https://www.propublica.org/article/breaking-the-black-box-whatfacebook-knows-about-you . If that is too long to type (sorry!) just go to www. propublica.org, and you can find it from their top-level. What does all of this mean, exactly? I started this article speaking about teaching you about ways to protect you from making bad decisions concerning phishing emails. Even with as many layers of protection as I can put around you, it may not be enough if you happen upon a really tricky site, and you click into it. There’s something new every day, and the bad guys are endlessly creative. Then, I started talking about data mining, and the fact that every imaginable piece of information about us and our habits is being collected, bought, and sold by large firms who are using that to market goods and services to us and to differentiate pricing for products we want to buy. Let me explain. Did you know that you can get different deals on flights depending on what day and time of day you search? Did you know that a major retailer selling a bicycle online in Maryland may be offered for a different price if accessed in Kentucky and priced even higher price to someone in California? Did you know that Amazon has the ability to change its online prices every 15 minutes every day? Did you know that one company who uses big-data offers their SAT prep course for approximately $1,000 more if their demographic data shows the inquiring party is of Asian descent? Is your interest piqued? I’ll talk more about this next month. It’s a big deal. There’s a lot going on, and most folks find themselves overwhelmed by these twists of technology. Let the staff at PCIO help you simplify your technology exposure so it works for you. Please contact me at info@pcioit.com or 925552-7953, because technology matters. Advertorial
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
ESTATE PLANNING MYTHS
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
I have not written about estate planning myths for a number of years; hence, I’m doing so now. Although misconceptions are less prevalent due to increased media coverage and more sophisticated consumers, I still encounter quite a few, and they can cause serious problems. So, below, I identify common myths and give information that helps bust each one! 1. Myth: If you have modest wealth or have a Will, you don’t need a Revocable Living Trust (“Trust”). Reality: For California residents who die with or without a Will (and have no Trust) and own an aggregate of more than $150,000 of assets, their estates are generally subject to probate (certain kinds of assets, such as joint or P.O.D. accounts, joint tenancy assets, and insurance and retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries are not counted toward this figure). Probate is a public, court-supervised estate administration process that usually takes nine months to a year, or longer, involves considerable paperwork and hassle, and costs a substantial amount in attorneys’ fees, executor fees, and costs. Fortunately, all assets titled in a Trust are exempt from Probate. So, regardless of one’s level of wealth and particularly for those who own a home and/or any other real estate, a Trust is an excellent probate avoidance vehicle. Note that even if you have a Trust, it is important to also have a “pour-over” Will – a safety net to ensure that any non-trust assets are distributed per your wishes. 2. Myth: It is time consuming and complicated to establish and manage a Trust. Reality: A Trust: a) takes little more time to establish than a Will; b) does not need to be much more complicated than a comprehensive Will; c) is generally quite straightforward to fund (i.e. to retitle your assets in the Trust); and d) is managed nearly identically to the way one manages assets without a Trust. 3. Myth: A Trust has income tax implications and triggers extra filing requirements.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Reality: When you establish a Trust for yourself, no additional income taxes, property taxes, or income tax filing requirements are triggered during your lifetime. 4. Myth: You should be afraid to do a Trust because doing so will lock you into the decisions you make. Reality: A Revocable Living Trust is revocable (though there is seldom any reason to revoke it) and may be amended any time you wish. As your personal, familial, and financial circumstances change, it is quite easy and affordable to work with your estate planning attorney to review and revise your Trust document so that it always reflects your current wishes. The above is in contrast to Irrevocable Trusts, which are used only in limited, specialized situations (e.g. when people make a substantial gift to minors, young adults, or anyone who receives government benefits for special needs; and when very affluent people gift to loved ones and/or charitable organizations for Federal Estate and Gift Tax mitigation purposes). 5. Myth: If I establish a Power of Attorney, I don’t need a Will or Trust. Reality: Every adult should have a Power of Attorney (and an Advance Health Care Directive). It gives someone you trust the power to transact financial business for you in the event of your incapacity. If you become incapacitated and have no valid Power of Attorney, an expensive and cumbersome Conservatorship court proceeding will likely be necessary to vest someone with legal authority to manage your finances on your behalf. As helpful as a Power of Attorney is, however, it’s only operative during your life; when you’re gone, it ceases to operate, and your Trust (and/or Will) then becomes the governing document. Estate Planning |Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors.
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TUF continued from page 14
for storage and distribution of fruit. Right after the harvest is complete, usually around 1pm, we drive the van to the agency or food bank to deliver the fruit. County food banks can pick and move thousands of pounds of fruit, and we partner with them when harvesting orchards or a large number of trees during a weekend. Typically, our harvests are less than 1,000 lbs and go to White Pony Express of Pleasant Hill, which sends it out within 48 hours to those in need.” The latest Danville Area Community Harvest on January 12th was exceptional. With a second harvest leader available, the group split into two crews of 14 each covering seven properties. They gleaned 1,600 pounds of oranges, lemons, tangelos, and grapefruit. A single grapefruit tree yielded 600 pounds. The next Danville Area Community Harvest is scheduled for Saturday, February 9th. “We have a small core of dedicated harvest leaders,” notes Pat Schulz, who has been involved with TUF since its inception. “If we had more leaders we could do more harvests. This is one of our biggest limitations.” TUF offers a three-hour training session for new harvest leaders. Typically, new trainees are paired for several harvests with experienced leaders. If you don’t want to drive the van, you will be paired with someone comfortable doing so. Prior experience with fruit trees is not necessary. Pat had none when she began. Although most harvests are scheduled on weekends, smaller mid-week events are also helpful. If you would like to learn more about leading harvests, contact Pat at pats@theurbanfarmers.org. Launched a decade ago by Siamack Sioshani, TUF began with the goal of growing vegetables in unused portions of Lafayette yards. Schultz responded to an ad for volunteers in Lafayette Today. Lots of labor went into the project, but the results didn’t meet Sioshani’s goals. The second year the group focused on specializing crops so that one garden grew all tomatoes and the next produced only zucchini. Siamack also offered fruit trees for planting and planned orchards. The third year the incredible success of an Eagle Scout’s project gleaning fruit to take to those in need generated recognition that harvesting from existing trees could yield far more healthy produce with far less labor. Concerning the scout’s achievement Schultz remarks, “He collected almost 500 lbs from just my neighbor’s apple trees.” Community harvests bring volunteers of all ages together. Grant recalls six-year-old Charlotte announcing, “Fruit trees are like grocery stores in the ground.” Schultz writes: “My life has been so enriched by this project. I meet and work with wonderful people. I help in a small way to reduce food waste in our community. I get to bring home yummy fresh fruit to my family, and I have learned so much over the years. I am a teacher by profession, and now I get to pass along that knowledge to the people I meet. The ‘seeds’ Siamack planted have truly blossomed. It’s such a joy to watch someone that has never tasted truly fresh fruit take a bite; the look on their faces as they experience the taste is always wonderful. I can’t tell you the number of
See TUF continued on page 22
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HOW DO YOU KNOW? DON’T YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF?
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners
“I have it all done,” is a statement that I have heard multiple times over the years when I ask people about their long-term financial plan. I respond with, “How do you know?” This month, I will be continuing the six-part series where we explore this dialogue. I will reiterate that you must have your strategy tested with a real-life scenario to know for certain that you “have it all done.” There are a few major life events that can test your strategy: death, a major health event (disability, stroke, dementia, etc.), retirement, divorce, the sale of a company, and receiving an inheritance. You can plan for the worst, but it is not until a major life event occurs that you can be certain that your plan will be successful. Last month, we discussed commonly overlooked planning elements in the event of divorce, and in this month’s article we will focus on the financial impact that selling your business may have. The major life event of deciding to sell or exit your business is not an easy decision. As many business owners can attest, their business is like a member of the family. It takes up most of your time and attention, and often it keeps you awake at night when you should be sleeping. Being a business owner myself, I know that I can give as much as it takes, and it can take as much as it gives. If you are like me, my business is my obsession. At some point, owning the business must come to an end, whether it be a partial or a full sale, and with that sale it is going to take a piece of you with it. While ends aren’t always easy, they can lead to new and exciting chapters in life. We will explore some strategies to exit your business. If you are fortunate enough to be able to pass your business to a family member or to an apprentice, there are a few items to take into consideration. Most successors do not have the money or credit to complete a 100% buyout of your interest. It is important to incorporate your personal needs and the financial capabilities of your successor into the equation when selling. Perhaps you may want to consider a payment plan with collateral and insurance. A payment plan would reduce the immediate impact to the successor, and depending on the agreement, it would
DIABLO PACIFIC SHORT LINE
MODEL TRAINS IN ALAMO PLAZA
The Diablo Pacific Short Line (DPSL) is a portable, large scale model railroad club taking their train displays to venues all around the Bay Area a dozen or more times a year. Comprised of family members, each person’s interest is reflected on their own portion of the layout. Layouts range in size from small 8’ x 16’ children’s interactive layouts to assemblies more than half a football field long. Much of this hardware is stored in the club’s 38 foot trailer, but all that “in and out” causes wear on the displays, so it’s back to their workshop at Suite 120E in Alamo Plaza, right behind the Bank of America. The shop is well stocked with enough power tools to not only repair damaged parts, but continual growth means new tables are being built all the time. An electronics station ensures that the ever-expanding intelligence of the layout continues to function properly. The smell of sawdust, solder smoke, and fresh paint are normal at the shop, and the sounds of the three or four running trains remind guests that this really is a model train workshop. Besides traveling throughout the Bay Area from Santa Rosa to Fresno, from Sacramento to Monterey, the club holds monthly work parties to keep up with maintenance and growth. It’s at these work parties that the public is welcome to peruse the vignettes and sounds of model trains, or just look over the shoulders of the working members. For information on upcoming events such as the Valentine’s Event at Alamo Plaza, The Great Train Show at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds, Running Train Day at Alamo Plaza and more, email president@shortline.org or visit www.shortline.org.
February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
also provide you with an income stream (depending on the structure, it could be deductible to the business and/or an amortize expense). This strategy can also apply to a purchase from a competitor or investor, but in my experience most purchases are a lump sum, with or without some equity/debt. The tax impact of selling a business is also something to consider. It is important to take note of some of the strategies used to utilize the tax law as it is currently written. First, for some small businesses, they may qualify for section 1202, which can exclude 50% of the gain from taxation. Second, if charitably inclined, utilizing a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) may be beneficial. While CRT’s are not for everyone, these can serve a dual purpose. They create a tax deduction and exclude 100% of donated stock from all capital gains. This creates income for the grantor and leaves money to charity. Another vehicle to help with tax impacts would be a Charitable Lead Trust (CLT), which can offset taxable income (in a high-income year – which normally occurs when a business is sold). You would donate cash to the trust (for a term of years), receive a deduction and a set income amount will go to the charity, while the money in CLT goes to a charity of your choice. At the end of the term, you will receive any remaining assets, or you can leave the assets to your beneficiaries. This article only scratches the surface, but the key takeaway from the article is that your financial life will be different after selling a business. Working with an advisor or a team of advisors will help you understand the impact of selling your business may have and will help you plan for your future. My next article will explore the financial impact of receiving a large inheritance. Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” ~ Unknown Please contact me to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. 3201 Danville Blvd, Suite 190, Alamo, CA 94507. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN2388942-011819 Advertorial
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President HAPPY 63RD BIRTHDAY AIA
Now in its 64th 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 63 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Please complete and return your annual membership form to AIA at PO Box 156, Alamo, CA 94507. Please also visit our website at www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out, now is the time to renew or become a member of AIA.
ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET
Your Alamo Farmers’ Market has a great selection of produce options. Stop by and find oranges, clementines, mandarins, grapefruit, pomelos, grapes, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates. 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! The Alamo Farmer’s Market is located in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd near Bank of America in Alamo. It is open, rain or shine, Sundays, 9AM – 2PM.
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 to local governments and not-for-profit community groups for technical assistance relating to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities. 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 AIA’s grant request focused on three main areas including: 1) Community education for stakeholders and 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
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Neighborhood Watch is a Community Action and Problem-Solving Program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within your community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any community issues that concern residents. Meetings can be held by a Crime Prevention Specialist who will share more information about the program. Please contact Christina Lind-Winters (925) 313-2682 or clind001@so.cccounty.us for more information.
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Contra Costa Fire District both which have responsibility for the Alamo community and to include other jurisdictions. 3) “Call 811 Before You Dig” education for Alamo residents and the surrounding communities through AIA’s website, articles, and announcements. 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
“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 the process of educating Alamo/Danville residents and those of surrounding communities through newspaper articles, announcements, and other means using various media outlets and their website.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets for dinner at Crow Canyon Country Club on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the fight against diabetes, and many local charities. The group has interesting speakers at each meeting. Contact Truman Howard (925) 787-2565 or truman.howard@gmail.com for reservations. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, visit www.danvillelionsclub.org.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests, and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
The Rotary Club of Alamo meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. For information about the group contact Peter Walron at peter.waldron@lfg.com. The Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. For information, contact Bob Chace at bchace@pacbell.net or by phone at (925)838-7007. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Jim Coleman at coleman_jd@pacbell.net. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets for dinner every Wednesday night at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville. Networking and social time starts at 6:30PM with the meeting starting at 7PM. For more information, call Bernie at 925-352-2155. You can also visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Lastly, Rotary Club of San Ramon meets every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club. For more information, contact Dennis Harvey at dennis@dharveyrealtor.com or 925-519-4748.
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WITH FACELIFTS, PERSONS PLASTIC SURGERY KEEPS IT NATURAL
By Dr. Barbara Persons
Often the word ‘facelift’ evokes an image of skin pulled and stretched tightly over the face of Hollywood celebrities desperate to conceal their age. You might even be afraid to even consider a facelift because you are fearful everyone would be able to tell you’d had the procedure done. But, luckily, times have changed. Twenty years ago, the surgeon who did the tightest facelift was considered the best. In recent years, however, the facelift has enjoyed a makeover of its own. Significant advances have helped me achieve far more natural-looking results for patients, while minimizing scarring and downtime. I see patients of all ages, even forty-somethings, who have experienced the limitations of nonsurgical tools that no longer transform the lower face and neck in a meaningful way. Whether your loose skin is due to heredity, weight fluctuation, environmental factors, or the natural pull of gravity, the time has come to consider your options for slowing down the aging process and restoring your face to its youthful, radiant appearance. As the face ages, the muscles and ligaments of the face become lax; it is not as much of a skin problem as it is a structural problem. As we get older, the muscles and ligaments get “tired” and begin to droop and sag. A facelift is performed to reshape the face, remove excess skin, and offer the patient a more youthful appearance. A blepharoplasty surgery, also known as eyelid surgery, can be combined with your facelift procedure to enhance your visual fields as well as to create a rested appearance by removing the excess tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Furthermore, our neck and upper chest can also reveal our chronological age, if not treated at the same time as our face. Therefore, a neck lift and chest resurfacing can be
February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
performed individually or in combination with a facelift. The facelift procedure I perform today will tighten tired and sagging muscles, contour areas of the face like the cheek pads, and provide a lifted, more natural look to the lower facial area. By taking care of the loose muscles under the chin (sometimes called the jowls), it will help chisel the appearance of the jawline. After the procedure, you can expect: -A reduction in facial creases -Firmer jawline -Less fatty deposits -A reduction of the folds around the neck -More contoured areas around the lower face -Tightened jowl area -Structural age correction -Tighter underlying muscles Trust me...you simply would not believe how many men and women around you have had facial rejuvenation surgery. When facial rejuvenation is done correctly, no one will ever know you had any ‘work done.’ When I see you in my office, I will be honest about what will make the most significant and excellent improvement in your facial features with the least risk and within your budget. I will make sure you are within your comfort zone. I will do what I do best, which is performing surgery and minor procedures using my hands, my heart, and my artistic prowress. I operate in our fully accredited operating facility, which is conveniently located in our Lafayette office. I believe it is among one of the most perfect places on this earth and one where I can make a real positive difference in your life. I look forward to connecting with you soon. 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
MENOPAUSE MATTERS By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
MID-LIFE AND MENOPAUSE HEART DISEASE AND WHY SEX MATTERS
February is the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” (www.goredforwomen.org) annual campaign focused on raising awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women. This gender-based campaign has led to a significant reduction in rates of death among women. Paying attention to preventing heart disease needs to start long before menopause and may need to start after having a first child. Despite this heightened awareness, only 45% of women identify heart disease as their leading cause of death. Fewer then 50% of primary care doctors consider cardiovascular disease a top concern in women, after breast health and weight. The facts about heart disease are that one in three women die from heart disease whereas one in 31 die from breast cancer. Ninety percent of women with at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease need to understand that prevention strategies begin decades before clinical heart disease is apparent. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity affect both sexes, but some may affect women differently and are considered to be more potent. Non-traditional risk factors, unique to or predominant in women, include auto immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Breast cancer predominantly affects women, and its treatments increase the risk of CV disease. Sex-specific risk factors are related to pregnancy and ovarian hormonal influences. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO’s) are important predictors of future cardiovascular disease. Complications that arise in pregnancy considered to be APO’s include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, pregnancy associated hypertension, preterm delivery, and low for estimated gestational age birth weight. Having any one of these diagnoses increases a woman’s future risk for cardiovascular disease. Use of birth control pills does not increase cardiovascular risk. Reproductive women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have a high risk for Type 2 diabetes which when poorly controlled can increase cardiovascular risk. American Heart Association’s “Life’s Simple 7” notes the components of a daily strategy for a heart-healthy lifestyle even if you only have one cardiovascular risk factor. Know your blood pressure and be aware that greater then 130/80 is elevated, so check it regularly with a home blood pressure cuff. Know your blood glucose (Hg A1C) and cholesterol levels (HDL/LDL/ Triglycerides) with the help of your primary care physician. Lifestyle interventions that lower your CV risk include physical activity 150 min/week averaged over five days, nutritional counseling (eating more whole grains and plants), and stress reduction which can include a combination of medication, mindfulness training, or seeing a therapist regularly. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or OB/GYN to see if this is something they actively treat or if there is a need for a specialty referral. The menopausal blog section of at our website, leachobgyn.com, has hyperlinks to the American Heart Association’s web content. Our office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at (925)935-6952. Advertorial
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB FREE VISION SCREENING SERVICES
The Danville Lions Club, along with certified Lion members, offers vision screening at no charge to public and private schools, senior care facilities, learning centers, and children’s centers in Danville and San Ramon. Danville Lions use the Spot infrared camera that combines auto-refraction and video retinoscopy to test the eyes. From three feet, the camera is used to take a digital photograph so the information acquired automatically assesses a person’s vision in as little as five seconds. The Spot camera screens for the following refractive errors and gaze analysis: irregularly shaped corneas or lenses, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. The Spot camera is safe and quick, and can easily process 50 to 75 people in a short visit. Danville Lions are most interested in using the Spot screening at public school locations and children’s learning centers. For more information and to schedule dates for screening, please contact Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 352-6111 or watermanchiro@yahoo.com.
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
TUF continued from page 18
times I have heard, ‘I never knew that [name of fruit] could taste so good.’ ” Statistics on food waste are shocking. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that 30-40 percent of the nation’s food supply is wasted. The EPA estimated that 218.9 lbs. of food waste per person was sent for disposal in 2010. Hunger is harder to measure. In 2017, the USDA estimated 40 million people in the US faced “food insecurity” of various levels and duration. United Way Bay Area figures for 2016-2017 suggest 14% of children in Contra Costa and Alameda and 17% in Solano County live in poverty. Shafi concurs with Schultz that more harvest leaders are a priority. Monetary donations to fuel and maintain the van, purchase tools and equipment, and fund insurance are greatly appreciated. Grant notes, “We need help with behind the scenes organization – things like scaling our graphics for various media, educational videos, social media management, advice/guidance on how to develop an app to share the model with other communities, and donations to develop the app and continue The TUF van is packed after a harvest with fruit on the community wide model.” its way to area residents who need it most. (Photo TUF is eager to share their courtesy of Fahim Shafi) low-cost, efficient, and sustainable model with other communities to reduce wastage of nutritious produce and get healthy fresh food to those coping with hunger. The section of the TUF website titled “Start Your Chapter” outlines the process. Visit www.theurbanfarmers.org to sign up for harvests, register your trees, and learn more about how to help.
THE EBRPD WANTS YOU!
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) includes 73 regional parks in its two-county jurisdiction, covering more than 121,000 acres and 1,250 miles of trail. Helping to oversee and manage this vast recreational territory are nearly 200 volunteers from all over the Bay Area. EBRPD offers a volunteer position for nearly ever y interest. Consider work in the Botanic Garden, or help with a Coastal Clean-up Day. Become a Regional Parks ambassador, or participate in the companion dog patrol. Help with trail maintenance, or walk the trails as part of the safety patrol. Whether you may seek a special one-time volunteer job or ongoing year-round programs, EBRPD would love to hear from you. Positions are offered for all ages and can be tailored for school groups, students, corporate groups, and Scouting and service clubs. They also offer company team-building service projects. Those seeking to help restore parklands to their original state can help replace non-native plants with natives, or work with staff to restore vital habitats. EBRPD volunteers help lead tours, take photos, distribute flyers, serve as hosts and greeters, and help with recycling activities. Volunteering with EBRPD can provide new skills, new friends, a greater knowledge of natural and cultural resources, and the personal satisfaction of making a difference in the community. For information, email Volunteers@EBParks.org, or visit www.ebparks.org/about/getinvolved/volunteer.
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CLEAR AND BRILLIANT IS HERE!
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
At PotozkinMD SkinCare and Laser Center, one of my responsibilities is evaluating new technologies. When I started out in dermatology, there were only a handful of laser companies and devices. However, that has dramatically changed over time. Now we have multiple laser and light-based devices as well as other technologies in our fully accredited laser center in Danville. We are always evaluating new technologies to vet them for our patients. One of the challenges has been that some new devices and technologies do not live up to the manufacturer’s claims. That is why we will usually wait a bit before adopting new technologies. This practice has served our patients well. Clear and Brilliant is a laser that we just brought on board as it has proved itself over time. We plan on using it to treat patients with Melasma and mild to moderate photoaging. Melasma is a disorder of pigmentation that is very common. We often see it flare during pregnancy or with external estrogen. However, sometimes it can appear out of the blue and can even occur in men. Clear and Brilliant Laser has compelling evidence that it can help patients with Melasma. A recent article in the peer reviewed journal Dermatologic Surgery showed that Clear and Brilliant Laser treatments when combined with a prescription topical medication Hydroquinone can help lighten the dark pigment of Melasma and is safe in darker skinned patients. This along with Chemical Peeling and the Fraxel Laser can help our patients that suffer with Melasma. Minimal downtime is required. These treatments still require daily use of sunscreen and sun avoidance to be effective. Clear and Brilliant is a gentle laser that refreshes the skin from the inside out. Because of its gentle nature, it is very popular for younger patients seeking to improve the appearance of their skin. Most people will require 4-6 treatments, waiting at least two weeks in between. This device can help make your skin look fresher and younger. Some people will choose to combine Clear and Brilliant with Hydrafacial with the so called “Hydra Clear Treatment.” This allows us to turbocharge the results. If you’re not seeing enough of a result simply with your skin care routine, Clear and Brilliant can give your skin the extra boost it needs. If you are suffering from Melasma or minor sun-damage, we are happy to help. Please call us today at 925-838-4900 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We are accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and at www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. Everyone is welcome. Donations are accepted. An assistive listening system is available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org, (925) 264-1199, or www.hearinglossdv.org for more information.
PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP
Parkinson’s Network of Mt. Diablo offers support groups men and women with Parkinson’s along with their caregivers. Each support group meets independently starting at 9AM. After a short recess at 10:15AM there is a monthly presenter. Each presenter is highly qualified in their fields of expertise sharing the latest information or advances on all aspects of Parkinson’s. Support group meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month from 9AM to noon at Grace Presbyterian Church, located at 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek. For more detailed information, visit www.PNMD.net or call Abraham Raja at 925-939-4210.
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YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
END DIABETES TYPE II WITHOUT DRUGS By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Yes, its true. Minor changes in your diet with moderate exercise will bring your blood sugar levels down to normal in a very short time. This is not an exaggerated claim but reflects real results I see everyday in my practice. Even my husband received bloodwork results that indicated that he was pre-diabetic. He made the changes that I suggested, and I am happy to report his levels came down to normal within weeks. Close to 25 million Americans over 65 have Type 2 diabetes (blood sugar over 140 mg/dL), while another 90 million folks 20 years or older have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes (blood sugar over 120 mg/dL). You should be aware of the fact that studies have shown that the diabetes epidemic is a great contributor to the scourges of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Your physician will confirm a diabetes diagnosis by looking at results of an A1C blood test which should not be greater than 6.5%. This test tells what your average glucose level has been over three months. I am glad to report that I am able to typically get my clients A1C down from 8.6% to 6.5% in three months. Doctors often express amazement, noting they were about to put a client on higher doses of metformin but were able to avoid it. The first reactions to a diagnosis of diabetes Type 2 is shock, fear, and even depression. Most people will immediately start taking 500-1,000mg of metformin twice a day. (Diabetes Type 1 does need medication.) Clients report that for a couple of months they have diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, and flu-like symptoms until their body adjusts to the medication. I am adamant with my clients that they do not have to live with these side affects if they work closely with me and follow the dietary regimen I recommend. A major problem with diabetes is that blood sugar levels spike throughout the day and result in the constant need for insulin to breakdown the sugars which, in turn, causes a large strain on the pancreas. People with diabetes either don’t make insulin efficiently, or their body’s cells no longer are able to recognize insulin, leading to high blood sugars.
February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
5 MEAL A DAY PLAN
It is extremely important to eat five small meals a day to prevent blood sugar from spiking and causing the need for greater amounts of insulin. Small meals should be eaten every few hours and it is best to keep to the same times each day so your blood sugar will adapt. I not only recommend five meals but also suggest balancing the amount of proteins, carbs, and fats at each meal. For the first four meals, I recommend large amounts of protein, a carb, and some veggies. The evening meal should include a smaller amount of protein (harder to digest at night) to be enjoyed with at least a cup or more of whole grains and 2 cups of veggies. With few exceptions, I find my clients actually begin to enjoy spacing out their meals during the day, and they are happy not to feel bloated from heavy meals. They enjoy the variety of smaller, tasty meals and large snacks. Clients easily lose weight and report higher levels of energy during the day.
EXERCISE
An hour of exercise for 5-6 days a week is recommended. I have found that breaking the time up into two half hours is quite effective as well. A brisk walk is a great way to fit in the time. It is quite common to see a 50 point reduction of blood sugar after a walk. This is the best pill in town.
DESSERTS
You can have desserts as long as they are eaten after a meal and not on an empty stomach. At first, I recommend 200 calories of dessert such as Fudgsicles, fruit juice bars, puddings, cupcakes, or a slice of cake with very little frosting. I know this all may sound too good to be true, but it can be done if you do not want to rely on diabetic medications your whole life. The good news is that most insurance companies pay for nutritional counseling for diabetes. Many health insurance companies will pay for nutritional counseling for diabetes. I am contracted with most insurance companies ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, Hill Physicians, Sutter Select, and United Healthcare. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutritional concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@yahoo.com, and visit my website www. LindaRD.com for past articles and nutrition tips on my blog. Advertorial
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PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
THE EYE OPENER
EYELIDS AND BLEPHARITIS
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
For those of you who have been diagnosed with blepharitis, you are aware that it is a chronic condition of the eyelids, and the symptoms and course can vary. Blepharitis symptoms wax and wane, but generally they never completely go away. However, with proper eyelid hygiene and treatment, the symptoms can be kept under control. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the top, bottom, or both eyelids. Due to many factors, the oil glands that are on the edge of the eyelids become clogged and do not function properly. These glands produce the oily layer of the tears, and when they don’t do their job well, dry eyes and irritated lids develop. There are several reasons why blepharitis can develop, including skin disorders such as rosacea, allergies, and being in dusty and dirty environments. However, the main culprit of blepharitis is a bacterial infection. The normal bacteria that are found all around the eyes and face collect at the base of the lashes at the edge of the eyelids. These flakes accumulate and can be seen by the patient. When this occurs, there are effects on both the eyelids and the eye itself. These flakes on the lashes cause the lids to become red, irritated, itchy, and scaly. The residue from the flakes gets into the eyes, causing them to become red and watery, sting, and burn. Pain and vision loss do not happen with blepharitis; however, this is one of the main reason patients develop dry eyes, which can affect vision. Now that we have an idea of the signs and symptoms of blepharitis, we need to treat it. As stated before, blepharitis cannot be cured, but using a few techniques will limit the occurrence and severity of the flare-ups. The most important thing patients can do is to keep their lids as clean as possible. For women, this includes completely removing all make-up in the evening. Warm compresses with a clean wash cloth used in a vertical motion in the morning and evening will help loosen the flakes that accumulate. I then recommend using a bland soap like Dove or Ivory to wash the eyes and face thoroughly. Keep in mind that any washes and soaps that smell fruity or tropical will generally burn and irritate the eyes further. In cases when the irritation and redness is worse, a short course of a topical antibiotic/steroid ointment or drops can be used to calm down the inflammation. Lubricating drops are always recommended because they help replenish the tears lacking in the eye and help to flush the irritants that are in the eye. Lastly, it is also important to treat any underlying skin conditions such as rosacea and dermatitis, as these are leading contributors to blepharitis. Any potential causal disorders that are at the root of the blepharitis must be dealt with and treated; if not, the eye and lid symptoms will likely never improve, even with doing the recommended treatments. I see blepharitis in the office all the time. Patients that have been diagnosed with it are aware of the necessity of lid hygiene. It is generally at times when hygiene becomes lax that a flare-up occurs. Proper diagnosis and treatment are key when keeping blepharitis and its associated burning, irritation, and redness at bay. Blepharitis can be diagnosed during a routine examination, or we are available to schedule office visits to help diagnose and treat any redness, irritation, and infection in an around the eyes. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-8206622, 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
CPC PRIME TIME
Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) “Prime Time” is a gathering of senior adults who like fellowship, fun, and making new friends! The group meets in the Multi-Purpose Room of Community Presbyterian Church from 9:30AM – 12:30PM on Tuesdays, September to May. Please join in the fun. Activities often include games (cards, dominoes, and mahjong to name a few), blood pressure screening, water painting, devotions, informative presentations, and various forms of entertainment that also take place. A home-made lunch is provided for $4. Get pampered, get fed, and get loved! For more information, visit www. cpcdanville.org/primetime/.
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.
GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER
No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center (GCSC)! The mission of the Center is to promote physical and mental wellbeing through programs and social activities for those aged 50+ years old. On Mondays and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, MahJong, Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. GCSC celebrates members’ birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual $50 member fee. Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. For more information, contact Wendy Lee, 925-7186222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www.goldencrane.org.
CARING HANDS ~HELP A SENIOR
Life at any age involves challenges, but these intensify as we age. The first concern may be that it becomes too difficult to drive to the doctor, the grocery, or to just get a haircut. Support systems change, neighbors and friends may not help as expected, and loneliness may put a damper on daily routine. Caring Hands volunteers offer friendship which makes an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for many seniors. Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, a collaborative community outreach program between John Muir Health, social service agencies, congregations of various faiths and the community-at-large, creates finely-tuned one-on-one matches. The program is dedicated to helping aging adults in Contra Costa County remain independent as long as safely possible. If you have time to volunteer, consider joining Caring Hands as a caregiver or occasional driver. Enriching matches are created; loving friendships and deep relationships are formed. Care receivers treasure a friendly visit, a walk in the park or other social outing. Reading mail, letter writing, or providing respite care to give a break to a family member are thoughtful services which can make a big difference to a frail or isolated senior. Since so many older adults need transportation to doctor’s appointments or stores, the best volunteer for Caring Hands is someone who is available once a week for 1-3 hours on a weekday and who can provide transportation. Volunteers receive ongoing education, support, and recognition of their efforts. Training classes are held in odd numbered months. An orientation/interview and pre-registration is required. Perhaps you can be that friend who gives a waiting senior hope and help. For a volunteer application or for more information about Caring Hands, please contact Stacy Appel, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 952-2999.
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO BREAST CANCER CARE
By Tiffany Svahn, MD
When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, her life is turned upside down. Suddenly, she is consumed with the process of making appointments, getting more testing, making decisions, consulting with a variety of specialists on different days – all at different locations. She may even seek second and third opinions. This process is overwhelming and exhausting and can take weeks to months. For these reasons, our team developed a program to make the process easier for breast cancer patients. Less than a year ago, Diablo Valley Oncology and West Coast Surgical Associates opened the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, located in our Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic in Pleasant Hill. This new program focuses on breast cancer patients and brings together physician expertise from Breast Surgery, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology. Similar to Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards at academic centers, our board certified, highly trained, and experienced physicians offer a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosis and treatment planning. The benefit of multidisciplinary care is that patients receive multiple medical opinions from a group of specialists, helping them feel confident they have explored all of their options. Research shows that a multidisciplinary approach leads to better outcomes, with improved quality of life, and improved survival rates. Patterned after academic centers, our Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic evaluates patients with diagnosed breast cancer in a comprehensive, single-day setting to minimize the time between diagnosis and treatment. In the initial appointment, women meet with a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. After a tumor board discussion, each physician consults with the patient and presents the most appropriate course of treatment based on the consensus opinions from our breast cancer physician team. By the end of the appointment, each patient receives a comprehensive treatment plan and a list of the next steps. This team approach spares patients and their family the anxiety and uncertainty of waiting days or weeks between individual appointments. Patients’ response to our MultidisciMedical & Surgical Dermatology plinary Breast Cancer Clinic has been For Healthy Skin fantastic! Our Women’s Cancer Center of Offering treatments for: the East Bay integrates all of the essential Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Cysts and Lipoma components necessary for a comprehensive Hair and Nail Disorder breast cancer program, all in one day – all Keloid and Scar Revisions Moles in one place! Physician-Strength Skin Care Products Dr. Svahn is a Medical Oncologist and Precancerous Lesions Breast Cancer Specialist with Diablo Revolutionary Psoriasis and Vitiligo Skin Cancer Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Nonsurgical Underarm Sweating Group in Pleasant Hill. She is the Medical Eyebag Therapy Warts, Molluscum available. Director of the Women’s Cancer Center Cosmetic Dermatology Call for of the East Bay. She can be reached at For Beautiful Skin consultation! Offering treatments for: 925-677-5041. To learn more, visit www. Body Sculpting dvohmg.com. Advertorial Eyebag Reduction
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah, located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the two-story building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For more information or to RSVP, contact karen@mmcohen.com.
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.
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Women’s Wellness Center, featuring Vlase nonablative laser for feminine dryness, atrophy, and stressinduced urinary incontinence, and PRP for hair thinning and rejuvenation.
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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
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2019
IS NECK PAIN NAGGING AT YOU?
By, Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, Align Healing Center
If you are suffering with neck pain from a pinched nerve or herniated disc, you know how debilitating it is and how the pain slowly leaks the vitality from your life. At Align Healing Center, we specialize in treating pain naturally. It is our mission to help relieve pain without the use of drugs, invasive procedures, and without inducing more pain! If you or someone you care about suffers from pinched nerves or disc related pain, it is worthwhile to explore the natural therapies that are available today.
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COPING WITH DEATH OF PETS
When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief. Hospice of the East Bay (HoEB) and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at HoEB (925) 887-5681. HoEB Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. Your help is needed now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
VOLUNTEER AT THE BLACKHAWK MUSEUM
Staff at the Blackhawk Museum believes that a museum’s strength comes from its community and that volunteers are the foundation of the community. Museum volunteers give their free time to enhance the experience of every visitor that comes through the door. Volunteers will be providing guided tours to school and adult groups, greeting Museum visitors, representing the Museum at a car show or other special event, fundraising for the Children’s Education and Transportation Fund, or simply lending their real-world expertise to the Museum’s staff. The Blackhawk Museum couldn’t function without their volunteers. If you would like to join a group of enthusiastic people with shared interests, the Museum’s many volunteer opportunities are for you! For more information, visit http://blackhawkmuseum.org/volunteer-form.
To place an ad in your hometown paper call us at 925.405.6397 or email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
WHAT IS CERVICAL DISC HERNIATION?
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by round, flat discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. If they become damaged, they may bulge abnormally or break open (rupture), in what is called a herniated or slipped disc. Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine, but they are most common in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) spine. A herniated disc usually is caused by wear and tear of the disc. As we age, our discs lose some of the fluid that helps them maintain flexibility. A herniated disc may also result from injuries to the spine, which may cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. The jellylike material (nucleus) inside the disc may be forced out through the tears or cracks in the capsule, which causes the disc to bulge, break open (rupture), or break into fragments.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC IN THE NECK?
Herniated discs in the neck (cervical spine) can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and hands. In some cases, a very large herniated disc in the neck may cause weakness or unusual tingling affecting other parts of the body, including the legs. Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc is one of the more common cervical spine conditions. The arm pain from a cervical herniated disc results because the herniated disc material “pinches” or presses on a nerve in the neck, causing pain to radiate along the nerve pathway down the arm. Along with the arm pain, numbness and tingling can be present down the arm and into the fingertips. Muscle weakness may also be present due to a cervical herniated disc.
HOW CAN I HEAL MY PAIN WITHOUT DRUGS OR SURGERY?
1. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy Non-surgical spinal decompression is a state-of-the-art treatment that has been helping thousands of patients with chronic neck or low back pain, sciatica, and herniated, bulging, or degenerated discs. This is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments. Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy, and injections, and/or they were told they would need surgery. This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc. Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be utilized for both cervical and lumbar disc injuries. 2. Class IV Laser Therapy Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube Class IV Laser. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level, providing energy to the cells so they can heal. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.
THERE IS HOPE!
We have found that a combination of Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression offers outstanding results in healing stubborn neck pain due to a pinched nerve, bulging discs, or spinal degeneration. This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance for realizing a permanent cure for neck or back pain. This eliminates the longterm care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic low-back pain treatments, such as drugs, injections, or surgery. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine, you can be back to your healthy self quickly! For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, Align Healing Center, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call (925)362-8283. Visit us on the web at www.AlignHealingCenter.com. Advertorial
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February 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
Give the gift of
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become a decent player,” says Michael Gosnell, director of Danville Bridge Club’s American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). “Bridge is a great example of the 10,000 Rule, which says you need to do something 10,000 times to be good at it. So after playing 10,000 or so hands, you’ll most likely be a pretty good player. The easiest thing? It’s social and fun, win or lose. It’s a great way to meet people.” Gosnell, a Walnut Creek resident, is a family law paralegal by profession, but bridge is his passion. He teaches and manages various clubs. In addition to Danville Bridge Club he serves as club manager for the Rossmoor Duplicate Bridge Club and he teaches at the Danville Senior Center, Rossmoor, and the Orinda Community Centers. He also provides private instruction to several groups. As an ACBL certified director, Gosnell had to study and pass a rigorous test under ACBL guidelines. Having played bridge for more than 30 years, he has earned the title of Gold Lifemaster. “I’ve learned and played many wonderful games throughout my life, but bridge is truly the Game of Games,” says Gosnell. “Chess is great, but you’re on your own there. With bridge, you have a partner and it is more of a social game. It takes a dedicated effort to learn and become a decent player, but, it is unbelievably satisfying. I enjoy playing now more than when I first learned over 30 years ago. It isn’t for everyone, as some do not like a challenge when they play a game, but, for those who do, bridge is it.” To learn bridge, Gosnell says that most people start with group lessons, and he recommends the Danville Senior Center as a starting point. The Danville Bridge Club game is limited to players with 2,500 or fewer masterpoints. Masterpoints are points awarded by bridge organizations to individuals for success in competitive bridge tournaments. The masterpoint system allows members to know their approximate overall ranking relative to other members. As most experts maintain more than 2,500 points, the HAIRSTYLIST & COLORIST Danville Bridge Club game is for intermediate to advanced players, but Hair by Dana at Aqua Salon and Spa located at 3168 Danville Blvd. Ste. D, anyone with bridge knowledge and fewer than 2,500 masterpoints can drop in with their partner and play. The club meets most Fridays at the Alamo, (925) 915 – 7374, $10 off any service with this ad. Senior Center in the Veteran’s Building located at 115 E Prospect Avenue HANDYMAN SERVICES am in Danville. Game time begins at 11 and a typical game usually ends Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall around 2:30pm. For more information, please reach out to Michael Gosnell repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing at michaelgosnell@hotmail.com or 925-949-9630. •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring “We usually have 8-12 tables, so 32-48 people playing,” says Gosnell. NO JOB TOO SMALL! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877. “The group is almost all seniors -- more women than men, probably PAINTING SERVICES 60%/40%. There are no restrictions, but players need a partner (bridge is a partnership game) and both players must know how to play the game. Interior, exterior, and commercial painting. 40 years of service in Alamo and As bridge is tough to learn, many people take up the game in retirement Danville areas. Excellent references. Free estimates and color consultations. Call Richard Dean Painting 925-837-6291. License #540063 when they have more time.” Gosnell cites another reason to take-up bridge, “Many studies show that Place Your Classified bridge players are less likely to contract diseases that affect the brain such Reach over 28,000 local homes and businesses. $50 for as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Bridge keeps you challenged and thinking up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Contact us at editor@yourmonthlypaper.com or 925-405-6397 to in addition to helping you meet and make new friends.”
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