editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& JANUARY 2020
INTO CHINA: GRAND OPENING FOR A WORLD ALAMO CITIZEN OF THE YEAR ~ ED MORAN During the annual Alamo Christmas Tree Lighting, the Alamo Rotary CLASS CONTRIBUTION
By Jody Morgan
The Into China Gallery at the Blackhawk Museum opens Saturday, January 25th. Open free to the public for the entire day from 10am- 5pm, the Museum welcomes visitors of all ages to celebrate Ken Behring’s latest contribution to the community. Honoring the Chinese Lunar New Year, Grand Opening festivities feature performances of traditional Chinese arts. The ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for noon.
The shear scale of installations like Dreamland required careful assessment of loads the museum building could bear. Photo courtesy of Blackhawk Museum.
Into China showcases 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Original works crafted using traditional skills blend beautifully with authentic reproductions. Individuals offered preview tours exclaimed they were “blown away” by the experience. Originally scheduled to open in 2017, the gallery continued to evolve as Ken Behring discovered additional pieces to captivate the imagination of Westerners with the breadth and depth of Chinese culture and connect members of the Chinese community with their heritage. The shear scale of many pieces is imposing. The 56 Horses carving weighs three tons. Each horse represents a distinct Chinese ethnic group. The For- Elizabeth Premazzi worked closely with Ken Behring bidden City model arrived in 15 to turn his visions for Into China into world-class pieces carefully packed in nine displays. Photo courtesy of Blackhawk Museum. partially filled 40’ containers. So-named because access was denied to most subjects of the realm, the actual Forbidden City covers 178 acres at the heart of Beijing. As residential home to the emperors of China, the compound was first occupied in 1420 during the early Ming Dynasty. In 1987, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ken Behring made multiple visits to the Forbidden City to be sure
See China continued on page 22
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Club announced the winner of the Alamo Citizen of the Year award, Ed Moran. Ed was recognized for his dedication to the preservation of the rural look and feel of Alamo during his 30 years of service on the Planning Committee of the Alamo Improvement Association. Over the years that Ed has served on the committee, the last seven years as Chairman, the number of homes in Alamo increased by 85%. That level of growth required a very thorough review of applications for development and Ed was diligent in overseeing the review process for each one. Residents of Alamo can be thankful for Ed's dedication to preserving the community that they call home, and the Alamo Rotary Club is proud to name him as the 2019 Alamo Citizen of the Year.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley opens in 2020 with Beauty and the Beast, an exhibit on the impact of climate change on California’s wildflowers. This beautiful and informative exhibit will be on display from January 12 to March 29. The exhibit displays exquisite photographs of California's wildflowers, bringing awareness of the beauty of the Golden State as well as the dangers facing the natural habitats from climate change. All geographic regions of California are highlighted in this stunning show. From the high alpine “rock gardens” above 11,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Death Valley National Park's below-sea-level environment, the majesty of the
See Museum continued on page 25
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XX Number 1
Volume XI Number 1
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 • January 2020
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
When reading columnist Robert Cucchiaro’s piece on page 19 this month, I was shocked by the statistic generated by a 2018 Ancestry.com study that stated onethird of Americans can’t name all of their grandparents. Without our grandparents or those on the family tree before them, we don’t exist. Knowing a little about them helps us know a little more about ourselves. When I was young, my grandmother had a unique family tapestry hanging in her apartment. The tapestry was one of her most treasured belongings. It honored one of her father’s early naval tours. Embroidered at the top are the words “In remembrance of my cruise in Europe, China, Japan, and Philippine Islands.”I had often expressed my love for the piece, and when grandma passed away at age 100 1/2, I was gifted the tapestry. I had never thought much about the origin of the tapestry until last August. My husband and I took a trip to Idaho. One day we were in Post Falls, Idaho and ran into a tiny local museum to get out of a rain storm. The museum held many local artifacts, and one room of the museum held military memorabilia. I remember looking at something low on the wall and then raising my eyes up. There upon the wall was a tapestry almost identical to the one I had. I gasped. I had never seen another one like the one I had. I immediately texted my family a photo of the tattered one hung up by push-pins on the museum wall; they were shocked to see it, too. There was no information on the museum piece, so I couldn’t learn more, but my mind started whirling. I was surprised I had never even thought there was a way to learn more about great-grandpa’s tapestry. Lying in bed the next morning, my thoughts went to the wording at the top of the two tapestries. In a web browser I typed in the words the two had in common: “In remembrance of my cruise in China, Japan and Philippine.” I got a “hit”! I landed on a site where I learned about Tapestry found in Post Falls. memorial textiles called trapunto banners. I followed down the rabbit hole. “Trapunto” is an Italian word that refers to a method of stitching where the fabric is “stuffed” with a padded layer beneath and then embroidered with stitches on the top to create an image of high relief. The trapuntos from Japan came almost exclusively from a company in Yokohama called the George Washington Company. Their specialty was beautiful banners made of silk in trapunto style along with a space to insert a photograph of the sailor and their assigned ship. The rabbit hole kept on going. I found I could get a copy of my great-grandfather’s military records. With them, I found he had sailed on the USS West Virginia that visited Yokohama, Japan from May 12-May 26, 1907. Bingo! I learned more about my great-grandfather as well. His military records showed a stint at near-by Mare Island and then a three-month break to a mining venture in the Trinity Alps area. My mother had always heard about the mining venture and even had a rock from the supposed mine. An Ancestry.com search turned up a voting record from the Carrville, CA precinct that shows at age 27 my great-grandfather, Anthony Prastka, listed his occupation as that of a miner. A few months later, he went to Iowa, married his sweetheart, and then reenlisted in the Navy where he had a lifetime career. The serendipitous visit to the Idaho museum gave my tapestry and family history a plethora of new information and meaning. In our area we are fortunate to have great resources to explore our roots. The Family History Center in Danville and the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (see their information at right) are available for anyone to follow their own rabbit hole to the past. The Family History Center provides access to many subscription-based genealogy research sites like Ancestry.com and also a staff to assist with questions. The Genealogical Society hosts monthly meetings and interesting speakers. I encourage you to make use of these great resources to learn more about your own family history.
WINE CRUISE ON THE ROMANTIC DANUBE November 13-20, 2020 aboard AmaSerena featuring Christmas Fairs and Markets
This special Wine Cruise offers guests a perfect blend of wine-related experiences and excursions in grand capitals and charming towns. Discover how wine is made and, of course, partake in tastings – all at no additional cost. Join Susan Teppola, Owner & President, Laurel Ridge Winery, Carlton, on board as she leads insightful discussions and shares her passion and vision for making premium handcrafted wines.
7-NIGHT CRUISE-ONLY FARE FROM $2,498 PER PERSON* *This price includes a $1,000 savings per person which expires on January 31, 2020 PRICES INCLUDE: >> Daily Shore Excursions >> All Shipboard Meals and Activities >> Hosted Daily Cocktail Hour >> Beer and Wine with Lunch & Dinner
DAY
DESTINATION
ACTIVITIES
Nov 13
Vilshofen
EMBARKATION - Exclusive Oktoberfest
Nov 14
Vilshofen
“City of Three Rivers” walking tour OR Passau Castle hike OR Guided bike ride from Passau to Wernstein
Nov 15
Linz
“UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour OR Full day Salzburg OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour Austrian Lake District excursion OR Český Krumlov excursion
Nov 16
UNESCO Wachau Valley
Scenic cruising through Strudengau and Wachau Valley Dürnstein walking tour and Weissenkirchen wine tasting OR Dürnstein Fortress hike & wine tasting
Nov 17
Weissenkirchen
Melk Abbey OR Wachau Valley bike tour Schloss Gobelsburg cellar tour and tasting
Nov 18
Vienna
“Imperial Vienna” tour OR Vienna bike tour
Nov 19
Budapest
“Queen of the Danube” tour
Nov 20
Budapest
DISEMBARKATION
JOIN THIS FUN DANVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRIP RESERVE YOUR STATEROOM TODAY! CONTACT ALAMO WORLD TRAVEL CALL (925) 837-8742 OR (800) 848-8747 EMAIL INFO@ALAMOWORLD.COM
Terms & Conditions: All rates are per person in USD for cruise only, based on double occupancy. To upgrade to a higher category, please ask for details. Rate reflects $1,000 savings off cruise fare per person. Unless explicitly stated that single supplement is waived, solo travelers in a double occupancy stateroom must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any discounts. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. Port charges, airfares, and gratuities are additional. Other restrictions apply. AmaWaterways reserves the right to revise any errors on the flyer; itinerary subject to change. For full terms and conditions contact Alamo World Travel. CST#2008416-10.
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 10am-4pm and 7-9pm. The Center is closed on major holidays and the last two weeks of December. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
SAN RAMON VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society invites you to attend their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 21st from 10am to noon. The meeting is held at the Family History Center, located at 2949 Stone Valley Rd., Alamo. The speaker for this meeting will be Karen Zukor. Karen will discuss document repair and restoration. As genealogists, we probably all have some old documents that we would like to preserve! Come and hear what she has to say. For more information, visit www.srvgensoc.org.
HOST FAMILIES SOUGHT FOR 6-DAYS IN APRIL
For the eighteenth year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area for a six-day visit of our area. The students will arrive in the late afternoon on Saturday, April 11th and depart Friday morning, April 17th. The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require attention in the evenings and one weekend. 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.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
Coming Soon
24 Stanford Lane, Lafayette Listed by Don | Price TBD
Sold
181 Alamo Ranch Road, Alamo Don represented Buyer | Sold 11/2019 | $2,175,000
Sold
January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
Wishing you and yours a happy & healthy 2020!
Pending
3176 Roundhill Road, Alamo Don represented Both Sides | Scheduled Early 2020
Sold
3200 Carpenter Way, San Ramon Don represented Both Sides | Sold 11/2019 | $1,175,000
Sold
Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com DRE 00897221
1528 Avenida Nueva, Diablo Don represented Buyer | Sold 10/2019 | $2,885,000
115 Windover Drive, Danville Don represented Seller | Sold 9/2019 | $1,600,000
ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMERS
Are you a new resident of Danville, Alamo, Blackhawk, or Diablo, a longtime resident, newly retired, or an empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www. alamodanvillenewcomers.com. The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on January 28th from 10AM to noon. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@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, visit www.contracostasar.org or call (925) 646-4461.
BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Danville Library (FODL) will hold their quarterly book sale January 24-26 at the Danville Library, located at 400 Front Street in Danville. On Friday, January 24th from 9am-10am, a FODL Members Preview will be held. The public sale takes place Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday, January 25th from 10am-4pm. On Sunday, January th 26 , a $5 Bag Sale will be Dinner Around the World: Asia heldfrom12:05pm-3:45pm. All items that fit into a Join Us paper grocery bag will be January 19 | 4:30 pm only $5! On Friday and San Damiano Retreat Saturday, all hardcover 710 Highland Drive | Danville, CA books,booksontape,and Adults: $25 | 12 and Under: $10 DVDs will be $2, and all Tickets: sandamiano.org paperback books and 925-837-9141 CD’s will cost $1.
Results. Pure and Simple.
Republic Services Single-Family Residential Customers
2020 Holiday Tree Collection Your pickup will be on the same day as your regular garbage service but by a separate truck. Week of Jan 6–10
Customers in the cities and unincorporated areas of Danville and Walnut Creek, plus Alamo, Diablo, and Blackhawk.
Week of Jan 13–17
Customers in the cities and unincorporated areas of Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda.
Week of Jan 20–24
Customers who missed prior tree collections.
AFTER Jan 24
Cut and place in organics cart; or call (925) 685-4711 for an on-call, organics-only cleanup.
Do Don’t
• Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, and trimmings from branches before placing at curbside. • Leave trees at curbside on the same day as your regular garbage collection day during your city’s tree collection week. • Cut in half all trees that are 8 feet or over in height.
Leave trees at curbside on the same day as your regular garbage collection day, of your assigned week. *
• Flocked trees can be collected curbside for a fee or be included in your once-a-year on-call garbage cleanup, but must be scheduled in advance. Call (925) 685-4711. If cut to fit inside with the lid closed, flocked trees may be placed in your black landfill cart. • Do not leave stands (whether plastic, metal, or wood) on the tree. Trees with these items still attached cannot be picked up. • Do not leave lights, ornaments, tinsel, or other trimmings on the tree.
* Collected trees will be composted.
Call customer service with any questions (925-685-4711).
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
FREE TAX PREPARATION
Free tax preparation for the 2020 tax season is available starting February 2020 from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. The service is provided by volunteer IRS trained and certified tax preparers. 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. Beginning January 6th, 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 tax return, you will need to bring the following documents: your 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 2019 W-2s, 1098s and 1099s, other income and deductions, your 2018 Tax Return, and for Covered California requirements, all documents including form 1095.
UPGRADE YOUR CABINETS
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE PROSPECTIVE MEMBER COFFEE
Since 1967, Assistance League of Diablo Valley, a nonprofit member volunteer organization, has improved WITH BEAUTIFUL MODERN & VINTAGE lives in our community. You might have heard of its primary fundraiser, Assistance League Thrift Shop at the PAINTING FINISHES Way Side Inn, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way, in Lafayette. BY In response to the needs of a growing client base, Assistance League of Diablo Valley is reaching out to those of you who Roxana Santos De Hayden would enjoy selecting clothing for elementary school children according to gender and size, performing educational puppet shows for schoolchildren, reading to second grade students, or Free Consultation helping in supplying emergency clothing, food, and supplies classicalartist@yahoo.com to those in crisis. Additional philanthropic programs concern www.RoxanaSantosDeHayden.com implementing art in the classroom and staffing the Listen Program which helps identified students with verbal expres!1 sion. Two other programs address the needs of the senior population. If you are interested in spending quality time and meeting energetic and upbeat people while helping those who are vulnerable, please phone 925-934-0901 by Wednesday, January 8th to reserve a spot for the Prospective Member Coffee scheduled for mid-January. For more information, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
925- 858 4678
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, there are a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more. Other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, and baseball games include spouses, friends, and guests. The next luncheon will be held Wednesday, January 15th at 11:30am. The speaker will be Duffy Jennings, a retired Chronicle crime journalist who’ll discuss “The 1970’s, a turbulent era in San Francisco history.” Jennings covered the Moscone-Milk murders, the Zodiac and Zebra killings, the Patty Hearst kidnapping, the Jonestown mass suicides, and many other big stories of that time. Be ready for an interesting presentation. The $26 luncheon includes a meal, presentation, and a great opportunity to socialize with other retirees. To reserve a space, please send an email by Thursday, January 9th to info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information, visit www.SIR128.com.
ALAMO WOMEN'S CLUB
Save your spot at the upcoming Alamo Women’s Club Looney Luau Crab Feed which will take place on Saturday, January 25th. Everyone is welcome. Interested in joining a group with numerous opportunities for philanthropy, education, and fun? The Alamo Women's Club has groups that enjoy hiking, golf, wine and dine events, canasta, exploring, mah jong, quilting, and reading as well as devoting time to the many local charities they support. The Club also has monthly speakers who share information and their experience on current items of interest. The Club is always looking for women from all over the East Bay who bring new ideas, energy, and, of course, a commitment to shaping the future. For Crab Fest tickets or more information, visit www.alamowomensclub.org.
To advertise call 925.405.6397
Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone
Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com
3191-J Crow Canyon Pl San Ramon (925) 866-2200
2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J Concord (925) 680-4433 (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L
ACTIVE - WOW! - MUST SEE!
ACTIVE - MUST SEE
ACTIVE
PENDING
5 HEATHER LANE, ORINDA 6 BEDS, 6 BATHS, 5,150 SF, 0.81 AC LOT
148 ERSELIA TRAIL, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 4,005 SF, .52 ACRE LOT
9 RIDGEVIEW COURT, SAN RAMON 5 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,998 SF, 0.28 AC LOT
32 CROWLEY PLACE, WALNUT CREEK 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 1,912 SF, 5,271 SF LOT
OFFERED AT $3,898,000
OFFERED AT $2,168,000
OFFERED AT $1,425,000
OFFERED AT $1,249,000
MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS | 925.765.9095
CHRIS ETTELL | 925.788.5942
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
SOLD - OVER ASKING, MULTIPLE OFFERS
SOLD*
SOLD*
SOLD • MAGEE RANCH
401 LIVERPOOL STREET, DANVILLE 4 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,484 SF, .3 ACRE LOT CALL FOR YOUR HOME EVALUATION
45 ARLENE LANE, WALNUT CREEK 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 3,036 SF, .21,380 SF LOT
320 MILLER COURT, ORINDA 5 BEDS, 4 BATHS, 3,830 SF, 1.11 ACRE LOT
52 BRIGHTWOOD CIRCLE, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 4,558 SF, .49 ACRE LOT
CALL FOR PRICE
SOLD FOR $2,795,000
SOLD FOR $2,210,000
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP | 925.800.3510
SOLD* • MULTIPLE OFFERS
SOLD*
SOLD • MULTIPLE OFFERS
42 NEW BOSTON COURT, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 2,819 SF, .27 ACRE LOT
535 OLD FARM ROAD, DANVILLE 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,900 SF, 0.34 AC LOT
3133 WITHERS AVENUE, LAFAYETTE 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, IN-LAW, 2,500 SF, .46 ACRE
SOLD FOR $1,755,000
SOLD FOR $1,430,000
SOLD FOR $1,398,000
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
BONNIE & MEREDITH KUMMELL | 925.980.9952
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
*REPRESENTED BUYER
ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214
BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500
REALTOR® | DRE#01177737
REALTOR® | DRE# 01347508
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA 925.878.8047 925.482.4142
EVA ELDERTS 925.726.9409
JOHN FONDNAZIO 925.817.9053
JULIE DEL SANTO 925.818.5500
KATIE HENDERSON 925.286.0026
KERI FRYER 925.980.9979
REALTOR® | DRE# 02039328
REALTOR® | DRE# 01938194
BROKER/OWNER DRE# 01290985
REALTOR® | DRE# 02061210
REALTOR® | DRE# 02068960
MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS 925.765.9095 925.765.0629
MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL 925.984.1344 925.980.9952
MICHAEL & JACKIE GERRY 925.209.5140 925.209.5130
SABRENA LAWTON 925.768.2992
STEFANIE PASSEY 925.268.0780
TERESA ZOCCHI 925.360.8662
REALTOR® | DRE# 01821910
REALTOR® | DRE# 01442889
REALTOR® | DRE# 01907345
REALTORS® DRE# 01426129 / 01364038
REALTORS® DRE# 00905114 / 01364056
REALTORS® DRE# 01307893 / 01702866
REALTORS® DRE# 01979180 / 01979181
LESLIE SHAFTON 925.360.9192
MARGY LYMAN 925.963.6380
REALTOR® | DRE#01944775
REALTOR® | DRE# 02067680
DANVILLE
WALNUT CREEK
LAMORINDA
BRENTWOOD
Distinctive Properties
WWW.DUDUM.COM ©2019 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
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VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane A NEW PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SAN RAMON VALLEY BEGINS IN 1910
For decades, San Ramon Valley students had no high school in the valley. But, at the turn of the twentieth century, that changed. The Danville Grange No. 85 and the Danville Improvement Club (established in 1905) jointly organized a new public high school. At that point, state law required that children between the ages of 8 and 14 attend school, usually for five months. They received an assured, but scant, grammar schooling. For high school, Valley students boarded during the week and went to school in Oakland or San Francisco. A Grange resolution dated June 19, 1909, stated: whereas there is no high school in this area, most of the children are being denied this educational advantage be it resolved that every effort must be made to secure a high school in Danville. A committee of five members was named, authorized, and instructed to hold meetings of the general public to secure information on procedures to secure a high school in the valley. The Grange committee consisted of Nina Williams, Ben Boone, W. E. Stewart, Ida Hall, and Florence Steinmetz. November 13, 1909, the Contra Costa Gazette reported a meeting was held in Danville to discuss the high school project. “The Danville Grange, one of the oldest organizations of the kind in the State, is back of the movement. At present the only recourse…for high school privileges is Concord, Oakland, and other Alameda county towns, all too far away to be reached by pupils who will have to make daily trips.” The absence “of such school has repeatedly deterred homeseekers from settling in the valley.” At that meeting W. N. Hanlon, County Superintendent of Schools, informed the citizens gathered that a census of 200 students was necessary to establish a high school. If Lafayette and Central District would form with Danville, Alamo, San Ramon, Green Valley, Sycamore Valley, and Tassajara grammar school districts, there was a possible 452 children. The taxable property of such a district was $2,311,888 with a net tax role of 15 cents on the $100. A census was taken, and, after Lafayette, Central, and Tassajara schools decided against joining, the five other grammar schools agreed to form a high school district. On Jan. 15, 1910, Charles J. Wood announced to the Grange and to the general public that he had secured the necessary and proper papers and notices calling for an election to create a unified district and 1911 high school class in front of the converted Eddy house. elect a board of trustees. After a successful election, the first meeting of the elected trustees of the San Ramon Valley Union School District, was held on March 31, 1910, John F. Baldwin was elected president and W. E. Stewart secretary. It was moved and carried unanimously that the high school be located in Danville. The first board of trustees consisted of Baldwin, Stewart, Charles J. Wood, William Meese, and David Bell. The trustees planned to open school in early August, with a 10-month school calendar. Mr. Eddy rented the trustees one of his houses, located two doors east of Hartz Avenue on Church Street. A Mr. Cutting was hired as teacher/principal for $150 a month. He insisted another teacher was needed and was instructed to make a trip to Stanford and Berkeley to find a “suitable” teacher. He hired Miss A. Maude Cornwall for $80 a month. Rent was $25 a month with Mrs. Eddy doing the janitorial work for $1 a month. The trustees worked hard, creating a new curriculum by visiting other schools in the Bay Area. The school initially offered six courses: commercial, history, English, German, mathematics, and physical geography. Chemistry and physics were added in 1912. A porch on the house was later enclosed to create the lab. Thirty children attended the first school year, and the Eddy house served as the school from 1910-1914. As the student population grew, another location was needed. A new Social and Fraternal Hall on Front Street had been built in 1913, making the former Odd Fellows Hall north on Front available. In August of 1914, 48 The first five graduates of SRV Union High School. students and four teachers opened the new rooms which were upstairs in a close building. The first students to complete all four years at the San Ramon Valley Union High School were Astrid Olsson, Viola Lynch, Ora Bell, Ruth Weinhauser, and Alice Bell. They graduated on May 29, 1914. The trustees continued to look for property for a new high school, and, in 1915, they found 10 acres of land north of Danville. Next month’s column tells that story. Sources: Inez Butz’s The Founding of San Ramon Valley Union High School, Contra Costa Gazettes, Valley Kernel for 1925, Museum of the San Ramon Valley archives.
ARTISTS SOUGHT FOR HEARTS ON HARTZ
The Town of Danville is seeking 15 experienced artists who wish to bring their unique designs and artistic talents to a 52” x 52” x 10” fiberglass heart sculpture as part of the Town’s next public art exhibition, Hearts on Hartz. For detailed information on how to apply visit https:// townofdanville.submittable.com/submit. The Town is seeking colorful, creative, and unique submissions for these sculptures. Deadline for artist submissions is January 24th. Hearts on Hartz will be on view from June 4 – September 17, 2020. At the end of the exhibition 14 of the sculptures will be sold in a silent auction. One heart sculpture will be retained by the Town for future use and enjoyment by the Town’s residents and visitors. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mnelsonbleier@danville.ca.gov.
ALAMO-DANVILLE ARTIST SOCIETY
Join the Alamo-Danville Artist Society at their January meeting featuring oil painter Paula Riley. The meeting will be held Tuesday evening January 14th at 7:30PM at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo. Paula is a self-taught artist who has painted for over 30 years. Her joy-filled paintings are owned by collectors both regionally and nationally. Paula strives to create harmony and an inviting composition in her oil paintings. She finds that mixing values and maintaining strong brush work provides a critical piece in her paintings. Her focus is to paint shapes and color, not things! She prefers to paint her subjects direct from life when possible. Paula will demonstrate painting a garden scene in her very impressionistic style. The focus of the demonstration will be harmonizing color notes, creating a balanced and inviting composition, and lots of brush work. To view her paintings visit her website at www.paulariley.com. Paula is a color magnet! She strives to create harmony and an inviting composition in her oil paintings. She finds that mixing values and maintaining strong brush work provides a critical piece in her paintings. Her focus is to paint shapes and color, not things! She prefers to paint her subjects direct from life when possible.
What: Oil Painting Demonstration When: January 14th, 2020 Where: Alamo Women’s Club 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA 94507
Time: 7:30 pm
Open to the public
Paula will demonstrate painting a garden scene Sponsored by ADAS / Alamo Danville Artists’ Society in her very impressionistic style. The focus of www.adas4art.org the demonstration will be harmonizing color notes, creating a balanced and inviting ADAS is a non profit artist organization, fostering art through education, art shows, demonstrations, donating funds and composition, and lots of brush work. To view her paintings you may visit her website www.paulariley.com
fundraising to benefit the San Ramon School District.
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
VISTA GRANDE ELEMENTARY
By Osi Juergens, Principal
As the year comes to a close and a new one begins, I would like to thank our incredible parent community for their support both in and out of our classrooms. We are fortunate to have such a strong community that supports us in volunteer hours and fundraising so that our students have opportunities to thrive beyond the typical classroom. During this school year, our students and staff have been working hard to learn and implement some new programs in our TK-5th grade classrooms including Science TWIG curriculum, Sanford Harmony- Social Emotional Learning curriculum, and a phonics approach in our K-2 grade classes. As a new principal, I am reflecting on 2019 and my role as the principal of Vista Grande, and I am proud to work with incredible teachers and staff members who work hard each and every day to make Vista Grande a positive and nurturing learning environment. It is hard to believe that we are completing the first half of the 2019-2020 school year. I wish everyone a safe and happy new year!
Come see what parents are talking about.
MONTAIR ELEMENTARY
By Ondi Tricaso, Principal
As we return from winter break, Montair will be preparing for our third annual Festival Around the World. This festival, scheduled for January 23rd, will celebrate and highlight the diverse cultural heritage of our community. This PTA-sponsored event includes food, music, dance, crafts, and more from many countries. This year, we will have the countries of India, Israel, the Philippines, Australia, Iran, and more represented. As children enter the MPR, they will receive a passport with a page dedicated to each country. When the children go to each country’s booth, they will learn about the country and have to answer a question on their passport to get a stamp. By the end of the night, their passports will be full, as will their stomachs from sampling all of the amazing food from around the world. This festival wouldn’t happen without the tireless work of our PTA Inclusion and Diversity Chairs, Cheryl Aza and Carmela Salomon. Aside from this school-wide event, Cheryl and Carmela host a monthly Inclusion and Diversity Club meeting on campus. Each month, the students explore various topics such as dyslexia, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Heritage. Together with our librarian, Mrs. Suffoletta, they create a display in the library to share what they learned with the rest of the school. We know we are stronger by sharing and learning about what makes each of us unique. “In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength.” ~ Maya Angelou Here’s to the start of a wonderful 2020!
K-8 1 Annabel Lane San Ramon Preschool 1286 Stone Valley Road Alamo
ALAMO BROTHER AND SISTER BOTH WIN 1ST PLACE AT COUNTY SONATA CONTEST
Theo Lee, age 13, and Emiliana Lee, age 11 of Alamo both took home first place awards from the 2019 Contra Costa County Sonata Contest. The contest is a piano competition held annually by the Music Teachers’ Association of California of Contra Costa County (MTAC). MTAC is a musical organization, founded in 1897, which promotes and encourages the highest standard in music education. The organization is comprised of 61 branches and nearly 4,700 members statewide. There are 10 different levels of competition. Theo won in the 8Ab division, performing Sonata in G. by Mozart. Emiliana won in the 5Aa division, performing Sonatina in G by Diabelli. Theo is in the 8th grade and Emiliana is in the 6th grade, both at Stone Valley Middle School.
925.930.9000
SRVHS STUDENT COLIN MORONEY WINS 2019 PETE VILLA AWARD
dorriseaton.org
The Rotary Club of Danville recently held its 23rd annual Pete Villa awards luncheon. The winner of this prestigious award was Colin Moroney from San Ramon Valley High School. Each year, the award, named after Pete Villa, founder of the Thunderbirds’ youth football program, recognizes the most outstanding high school football players in the San Ramon Valley. Three student-athletes from each of the four San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s high schools are nominated by their school’s principal and head football coach. This year’s nominees were Austin Anderson, Hasani Savage, and Dan Desoto from California High School; Jack Varni, Tristan Keyser, and Diego Barragan-Rel from Dougherty Valley High School; Connor Shay, Jack Stewardson, and Nate Rutchena from Monte Vista High School; and Cole Mortensen, Noah Thomas, and Colin Moroney from San Ramon Valley High School. The first runner-up was Nate Rutchena from Monte Vista High School, and second runner-up was L-R: Bob Ladouceur, 2019 Pete Villa Award winner Colin Moroney, and Pete Villa. California High School’s Austin Anderson.
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY
By Sandy Kontilis, Principal
Why is “joy” important in a child’s classroom or school? A quote about schooling particularly resonates with me. Marva Collins states, “When someone is taught the joy of learning, it becomes a lifelong process that never stops, a process that creates a logical individual. That is the challenge and joy of teaching.” December held many “joyful” moments including recognition of 20 students who displayed “joyful” attitudes throughout the month. Character building is one of our goals, and each month we recognize students as Remarkable Roadrunners. Thanks to our Inclusion & Diversity Committee and Librarian, our students were treated to a visual representation of holiday celebrations around the world. Our very large bulletin board (outside of the library) was transformed using visual images as well as descriptions of worldwide celebrations. Many thanks to Linda Mailho, our school librarian, who covered our shelves with titles that touched on all cultures. Holidays are magical times on an elementary school campus, and 2019 was no exception! To name a few of our celebrations, I begin with our Kindergarten students. They sang many cultural holiday songs to a packed multi-use room. Our second grade students celebrated Heritage Days by singing songs about the world such as “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” and “It’s a Small World.” Students and families brought in homemade cultural food to share with their classes. Finally, Christine Bertolero, our music teacher, held two assemblies and a Winter Band Concert. The students did an amazing job; each new performance was better than the last. The entire MPR was full, with spill over outside, during our evening performance. From Rancho Romero Elementary, I hope you find “joyful” moments with your loved ones this coming year.
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ALAMO ELEMENTARY
HALF-TIME AT ALAMO SCHOOL By Stan Hitomi, Principal
In so many aspects of our lives, we have built-in breaks: coffee breaks, rest stops, intermission, half-time etc. These breaks provide moments where we can disengage from a task or experience, and reflect and return with renewed interest or a change in focus. In schools, we have vacations and holidays that create such breaks for our students, their families, and our staff. As we celebrated the holiday season at Alamo School, I found myself getting an early start on the reflective process. Just prior to winter break, we had the opportunity to celebrate as a community in many different ways. Our PTA treated us to several community experiences, including Science Night, Thankful Luncheon, PTA Coffee Talks, and Holiday Shop. Our EdFund and PTA celebrated the season with a jointly-hosted holiday breakfast and there were a cast of volunteers helping our music programs spread holiday cheer at a half-dozen performances both in our school and around the community. The common thread throughout these events were people within our school stepping-up or stepping-in where they saw a need. These are not folks who wait for someone else but rather are the ones who make things happen. My own parents served as great role models for community service as I was growing up. I have vivid memories of both my mother and father as volunteers. They served as officers in the church auxiliary and as volunteers at dinners, festivals, and other celebrations. They were planners as well as day-of volunteers helping with cooking, setup, and cleaning. I see that same spirit alive at our school. For all of our volunteers, I hope the winter break has given you an opportunity for the three-R’s (rest, re-energizing, and reflection). And don’t forget what comes after half-time….yes, another half. I am looking forward to the second half of our school year and an amazing year for volunteers in 2020.
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Service group Delta Nu Psi sends fun foods and coffee 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. To learn more, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
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SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
This year, our Kindergarten students gifted their parents the most adorable snowman made from a board that was cut to the size of each child’s individual height. Parents were given instructions to “take it out each Christmas and see that I’m not as little as I used to be.” The sentimental side of me was reflecting that the child-rearing years happen
so quickly! Coming off of the Christmas season, I am reminded that we experience much joy when we see through the eyes of a child. Because of children, we find “magic” in gift giving, the Elf on the Shelf, or cookie decorating. I find it curious that while we love looking back into being young, they are so eager to grow up! Over and over, children are trying to be grown-ups as seen in their vocabulary, their interests, and the way they spend time. As we enter into the new decade, I will be challenging parents to fight the battle when it comes to protecting childhood. Devices like cell phones and opportunities with social media have introduced our children to worldly pressures and responsibilities much before they are ready. Anxiety and depression are real threats in the life of a child, and we really shouldn’t be surprised. Screens have replaced relational conversation, and children are not experiencing the facial expressions and gestures that “show” love. At SRVCA, I have been asking parents to limit screen time and monitor texts and social media accounts. Our general suggestion is that parents should allow their child to have only as many social media accounts as the parent can reasonably check on a DAILY basis. In addition, we are asking parents to set up controls for the approval of all apps; by doing so, parents can take time to research age appropriateness and content. As we are all given a fresh start in 2020, please consider ways you will join the battle to protect the childhood of this next generation. It is certainly a battle worth fighting!
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Maria Ward, Principal
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope you had a wonderful holiday! The break offered extra time with family and friends, and a well-deserved retreat from the norm. Saying goodbye to holiday fun is always a little sad, but a new year allows for a fresh start and renewed optimism. My hope is that whatever goals you strive to achieve this year bring you fulfillment and joy.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL WEEK
Catholic School Week kicks off on Sunday, January 26! This annual week-long celebration offers Catholic schools around the country time to come together to honor who we are as a school and a community. The week also provides several fun opportunities for students, staff, and parents to come together.
SCIENCE FAIR
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altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help homesellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1844-941-0941 and enter 1003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
For middle school students, participating in the annual This report is courtesy of The Jackson Group-EXP Realty DRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2019 Science Fair is a rite of passage. You may even remember working on your own experiments and display boards. This year’s Science Fair will be held in the Bensen Gym on Thursday, January 30, MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL at 5:30pm. I applaud the students’ hard work and dedication. Our fabulous middle By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal school science program is led by Mrs. Eleanor Gilchrist and teaching assistant Mrs. The holidays have passed. As always, the Monte Vista Courtney Cameron. Their love of science is evident and contagious. (MV) community went above and beyond to spread UPCOMING ADMISSION EVENTS goodwill throughout the Tri-Valley area. Through the Believe it or not, planning for the 2020–2021 school year has already begun! Adopt–a–Family program, our students and staff filled a Applications for grades TK-8 are now being accepted. Testing of new students U-Haul truck full of gifts as well as a truck-load of food for grades 1-8 will take place on Thursday, March 19, at 3:15pm. Please RSVP by to our local food banks. Our students also stuffed stockcalling the school office at (925) 837-2977. If you have a young child starting TK/ ings full of gifts for Verde Elementary in Richmond. Kindergarten in the fall, we invite you to join us for our annual informational MV’s Leadership class delivered these items in addition Open House on Friday, January 10, at 10am. to eating lunch and playing games with the children there. MV’s Freshman My hope is that the new year is filled with joy, love, kindness, and peace. Leadership class made their way to San Francisco to deliver care packages to Cheers to 2020! the homeless. I commend our students and faculty for their willingness to help the community by truly demonstrating what the holiday season is all about. In particular, I would like to thank Tommy Greenless, Chris Connor, Stacy Brix, and their Leadership Class students who took the time and effort to make these wonderful actions a reality. MV’s Performing Arts Programs were also in full swing in December. The Serving Alamo & Danville Since 1979! Choir sang to three sold-out audiences and also gave performances at numerous holiday venues both on and off campus. A special thanks to MV’s Choir Director. Rosalind Neisinger and her students for their wonderful shows. Back in November, MV’s marching band culminated an awesome fall season with an outstanding performance at the Holiday Tree Lighting at the San Ramon City Center. In December, MV’s jazz bands, orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble played to full houses with brilliant performances. A big thanks to Ed Cloyd and his students for their excellent work. www.actionpoolrepair.com MV’s winter sports are now in season, spearheaded by our defending, two-time CIF champion women’s soccer team. Men’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, and wrestling are off to strong starts, and we are looking forward to excellent seasons across the board. I would like to conclude with a big thank you to Monte Vista’s PTSA for the Holiday Bake which was held mid-December. I am always amazed by the sheer Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 number of baskets and goodies that the PTSA shares with our staff and our community. Thanks to PTSA President, Brigit Pelley and her amazing group VOLUNTEERS NEEDED White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedi- of volunteers for this incredible event. Thanks to the whole Monte Vista community for an awesome close to the cated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa fall semester and to 2019. We are looking forward to a great spring semester. County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. Their are volunteer roles available for individuals, families, and groups. 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 925-818-6361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
THREE PERFECT DAYS IN ATHENS By Jeremy Barcan, Alamo World Travel
I recently found myself in the eastern Mediterranean area with three free days. On the spur of the moment, I decided to fly to Athens, Greece and spend those days there after a hiatus of 39 years. Since Athens is the hub of most Greek cruises and tours, the Greek capital was a natural for my time. I found the weather in December surprisingly mild and pleasant, with it being sunny or partially cloudy and with daytime temperatures of 64o F and nighttime temperatures of 50oF. The usual tourist sites were not crowded, and hotel and restaurant prices were seasonally low. I can recommend some excellent hotels near the famous walking quarter of the Plaka with its alluring bistros, cafes, and shops. In December, a hotel with great service and a delicious daily buffet breakfast costs under 140 euros a night. Culinary findings included restuarants Nissos, specializing in very fresh seafood, and Farma, specializing in meat dishes. A third restaurant, close to the Plaka area and Syntagma Square is a “ma and pa” type authentic Greek taverna called Elia Kai Tsipouro. On my first day in town, I strolled around the neighborhood and then took the Metro to the newly renovated Marina area, overlooking Piraeus. The Athens Metro system is a delight. For 1.40 euro, you can go anywhere in the Metro area and get an unlimited number of rides for a 90 minute period. The service is frequent, efficient, and safe with stations looking like museums, and with trains and platforms being squeaky clean. On my second day in Athens, I joined a walking tour which included two hours exploring monuments and ruins of central Athens, including the Parliament building with the hourly changing of the guards ceremony, the royal gardens, Adrian’s Gate, and The Temple of Zeus. The next three hours were devoted to exploring Acropolis Hill, visiting famous ancient temples and culminating at the Parthenon. The views of Athens from the top of the hill are breathtaking. The end of our day was focused on the new Acropolis Museum which boasts a collection of ancient artifacts that span 3,000 years of history. My last day in town included a two hour hop-on hop-off tour bus that drove through the entire city, pointing out in English various places of interest. The excursion was followed by an opera performance at the Greek National Opera House, which is located in a brand new cultural center complex, an architectural gem reminding me of the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York. I can’t think of a nicer off-season short vacation jaunt like the one I had in Athens. An Athens stay is a perfect accompaniment for a Greece/Greek Islands cruise or tour, whatever the season. Ask me about Athens, and the tours and cruises that can really complete the package. For ocean or river cruises, tours or resort travel, please call 925-837-8742, email info@alamoworld.com, or better yet stop by our Alamo World Travel & Tours office, located at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 255, Alamo in the Alamo Commons center between Ace Hardware and Peasant’s Courtyard Restaurant. Get travel ideas and information from thousands of search-able travel options on our website www.alamoworld.com. Alamo World Travel and Tours has been providing expert travel service for 38 years. We know the suppliers and the destinations. Advertorial
QUICK TRIPS
HARRY POTTER FROM YORK TO SAN FRANCISCO By Linda Summers Pirkle
Muggles, Butter Beer, Bertie Botts Forbidden Jellybeans, Mudblood, and Quidditch are words that Harry Potter fans worldwide know and understand. Since 1997, when the first Harry Potter book was published, British author J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has captured the imagination of millions of followers. The seven original books were adapted to an eight-part film series and as of February 2018 was the third highest grossing film series of all time. The first Harry Potter book was released in the United States in 1998, when my son, Reed was seven years old. I recall the fun we had as I read it aloud to him. I particularly enjoyed making up different accents for the ingenious and diverse characters. He was an enthusiastic audience. The historical walled city of York, located in North East England with its ancient cobblestoned streets, is purported to be one of the inspirations for Dragon Alley in the Harry Potter films. And the National Railway Museum located in York is home to steam engines that are like the one used in the film that shuttled Harry and his fellow students to Hogwarts from the magical and mysterious Platform 9¾. Aidan Smith, a recent college grad whose hometown of Newcastle is a short drive from York, shared his thoughts on the historic city. “York is so small that you don’t need to drive around or pay for public transportation; everything is accessible and since it’s located in North England, things are cheap. The National Railway Museum is one of my favorite museums in the country, and York Minster (the cathedral) is breathtaking, featuring the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world, and at the right time of day and a generous wind ,you can catch whiffs of the aroma of chocolate from the nearby Nestle factory when you stand at the top.” It’s clear why the town of York was an inspiration for Harry Potter films as Aidan describes the Shambles, an ancient street dating back to the 14th century with over-hanging timber framed buildings, many which were built between 1350 and 1475. “The Shambles are made up of tall and thin rickety town houses, many of which have been repurposed into independent book shops with books everywhere from floor to
ceiling shelves, on the narrow staircase steps, and on windowsills. There are charming teashops (including Bettys Tearoom, celebrating it’s 100-year anniversary), old tailor shops, hat makers and sweet shops.” I can almost taste Bertie Botts jellybeans! The new play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey, co-written by J.K. Rowling and has arrived at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco with its west coast premiere. It is 19 years since we have had news from the Wizarding World. The famous four; Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione, are in their late thirties and have children of their own. The first scene is a gem. It’s at Platform 9 3/4 where the story began so many years before. This time it’s the children of the famous couples who are heading off to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express. The roaring sound of the steam engine as it departs from the station signals to the audience a new adventure is about to begin. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey is a two-part play. The first is shown in the afternoon at 2PM, and the second part shows in the evening, at 7:30PM. It is possible to see the first and second parts on different days. Contact sfcurran.com for details. Show runs until June 2020. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel writer, consultant, and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. She is currently working on a guide featuring off-the-beaten path destinations. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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.
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PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
New Member Spotlight Loosen Up Bodywork, Danville
909 San Ramon Valley Blvd. #120, Danville 925-289-9750
www.loosenupbodywork.com
Thanks to Heritage Bank for hosting our Holiday Mixer
117-E Town & Country Dr. Danville, CA 94525 Phone: (925) 837-4400 Fax: (925) 837-5709 business@danvilleareachamber.com
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT By Candace Andersen
There is no denying the importance of local government and the immense impact it has on our lives. The streets we drive on, our sanitation districts, the schools we send our children to, and the public safety resources we rely on are all run at the local level. Perhaps the greatest aspect of local government, however, is how easy it is for citizens to make a difference in their communities. These changes are made possible through our local boards and commissions. In my role as County Supervisor, I encourage others to apply for these positions. I know from experience, as I began my local government career serving in Morgan Hill 28 years ago as a member of both its Parks and Rent Stabilization commissions. These roles taught me just how one person can influence the policies implemented by local officials. The work done by those who serve on local boards and commissions is vital. In the spirit of this New Year, I would encourage all my constituents to consider adding a New Year’s resolution of volunteering your time and getting involved in our local government to help shape the future of our community. Contra Costa County has many commissions, committees, and task forces that advise the Board of Supervisors. Though board members and commissioners generally serve as unpaid volunteers, the rewards can be so gratifying. Not only are members able to build friendships and gain valuable knowledge into the inner workings of the County, but through their participation, they are ensuring our communities are able to flourish for future generations. Serving on a board or commission does carry a substantial personal commitment, so applicants need to consider their time, personal availability, and energy before volunteering. My office is seeking motivated residents to serve on a wide range of Contra Costa County citizen advisory boards. These voluntary boards usually meet monthly and advise the Board of Supervisors on a variety of issues. Through their efforts, they provide a valuable communication link between the community and county government. Here is a list of positions available on County boards and commissions: • Advisory Council on Aging • Airport Land Use Commission • Alamo Municipal Advisory Council
• Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B) • Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board • Assessment Appeals Board • Aviation Advisory Committee • Commission for Women • Contra Costa Community Corrections Partnership – All Members • Contra Costa Council on Homelessness • Contra Costa County Fire Protection District - Advisory Fire Commission • Contra Costa County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee • Contra Costa Transportation Authority - Bicycle and Pedestrian Adv. Committee (BOS Appointees) • County Service Area P-5 (Roundhill) Citizens Advisory Committee • Economic Opportunity Council • Emergency Medical Care Committee • Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Council • Family & Children’s Trust Committee • First 5 - Contra Costa Children and Families Commission • Hazardous Materials Commission • Housing Authority - BOS Appointees • In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee • Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee • Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee • Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council • Local Planning and Advisory Council for Early Care and Education (LPC) • Managed Care Commission • Public Law Library Board of Trustees (BOS appointee) • Treasury Oversight Committee • Workforce Development Board Learn more about volunteering for an advisory body at www.co.contra-costa. ca.us/3418. To apply online, click on the “Apply” button on the right-side top of the page. Or call my office to get an application sent to you by mail. A similar list of available city board and commission openings is available on most city websites and through City Clerks. I’m confident that as you donate your time, you will not only make a difference wherever you serve but will also cherish and benefit from your volunteering experience. My office serves residents of Contra Costa County District 2. Reach me at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
UPTO 35%SALE
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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
DPL CONSTRUCTION
Once upon a time, keeping the wolf from the door was essential to survival. Characterized as villains in fables throughout the ages, wolves suddenly became heroes with their reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park. The tale of their remarkable impact on the dysfunctional ecosystem highlights the importance of each species. While willows may not be as charismatic as wolves, they also play a leading role in the drama. • New construction, The Pilgrims made killing all creatures threatening life or livelihood a priority. The population of undesirable animals seemed limitless. Plymouth Colony Historian Justin Winsor writes: “A bounty was offered Additions,Remodels by the Colony Court for every wolf and other wild animal, that should be killed; and frequent mention • FOUNDATIONS is made of various wolf-traps belonging to the settlers; and a report of the number of wolves killed was • Kitchens generally made to the Court.” Accounts of trapping wolves occur in the records as early as 1638. In 1661, “the Court ordered that there should be given to every Indian, who should kill a wolf, one half a pound of powder and two pounds • B A T H S of shot or lead.” • Termite & Dry Rot Humans eradicated Yellowstone’s wolves in the mid-1920s. “Elk herds ballooned over the next 70 years, overgrazing vast tracts of land and trees such as willow and aspen,” writes Katherine Lackey in her September 7, 2018, USA Today article. “Fewer trees sent aFREE ESTIMATESZ the songbird population into decline. Beavers lost their food source and lumber to build their dams.” Thirty-one gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone between 1995 and 1997. The picture-book version popularized by the media relates that wolves reduced the population of elk over-browsing willows. As willows began making a comeback, beavers License# 851418 returned. Beaver dams created ponds, helped restore groundwater levels, evened out seasonal pulses of runoff, and generated cold, shaded spaces where fish thrived. Robust stands of willows brought songbirds to re-populate the newly welcoming habit. This seemingly seamless success story captures the imagination of the general public and generates awareness of the critical part each species plays in maintaining a healthy natural balance. The moral is clear. Events described occurred in some areas. Many scientists, however, believe the unexpurgated truth should be allowed to get in the way of disseminating such a good story. As quoted by Lackey, Colorado State University ecology professor Tom Hobbs explains: “There’s not a quick fix for mistakes like exterminating apex predators.” Leader of a team conducting a longterm study of willow growth in Yellowstone, Hobbs acknowledges with regard to willows, “It doesn’t really matter very much whether they’re being browsed or not. They don’t have adequate habitat to thrive. The conditions that changed while wolves were absent created conditions that made it very difficult to restore willows.“ In his March 10, 2014, piece for the New York Times, Arthur Middleton notes: “After humans exterminated wolves nearly a century ago, elk grew so abundant that they all but eliminated willow shrubs. Without willows to eat, beavers declined. Without beaver dams, fast-flowing streams cut deeper into terrain. The water table dropped below reach of willow roots. Now it’s too late for even high levels of wolf predation to restore the willows.” Hobbs contends the idea that wolves have miraculously restored Yellowstone’s damaged ecosystem is “absolutely a fairy tale.” Although there’s no happily everafter conclusion, the ongoing narrative includes multiple hopeful scenarios. The complex interaction of organisms, climate, and terrain has aided several species to rebound sufficiently from stressed conditions to benefit a plethora of others. Brodie Farquhar, contributing editor of the Yellowstone edition of National Park Trips magazine, writes: “Research from the University of California at Berkeley determined that the combination of less snow and more wolves has benefited scavengers both big and small, from ravens to grizzly bears. Instead of a boom and bust cycle of elk carrion availability – as existed before wolves and when winters were harder – there’s now a more equitable distribution of carrion throughout the winter.” In this article updated on July 3, 2019, Farquhar notes the reaction of Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to “the vast web of life that is linked to wolf kills.” Bangs remarks, “Beetles, wolverine, lynx, and more. It turns out that Indian legends of ravens following wolves are true – they do follow them because wolves mean food.” Unfortunately, lack of funding limits the ability of researchers to adequately analyze many factors including the contributions of tiny life forms like insects feeding 2020 TRAILS CHALLENGE songbirds and michoryzal funghi networking trees through their roots. GUIDEBOOK
925-705-1252
A NEW YEAR’S TOAST
By Monica Chappell
If your New Year’s resolutions include eating better, exercising more, and getting healthy, the next time you raise a glass of wine to toast a friend’s health, you may be doing more than expressing goodwill. For some of the same reasons “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” a glass of wine a day may set you on your way to wellness.
I’LL DRINK TO THAT
Now is a great time to enjoy the pleasures of wine, especially since science is discovering the potentially powerful health benefits of drinking the fruit of the vine. A great number of studies have been done to determine the therapeutic and disease-fighting powers of wine, both red and white. When it comes to protecting the heart, red—not white—wine has always been the hero. We’ve all heard that red wine is good for us, but how good it is depends on who you are and how much and how often you drink it.
A VOTRE SANTE (TO YOUR HEALTH)
When it comes to health, all alcoholic beverages are not created equally. While all may have the power to relax us, only red wine contains a lot of polyphenols, heart-friendly antioxidants that help inhibit plaque buildup in the arteries. Studies suggest that the polyphenols, or tannins, which derived from grape skins and seeds giving red wine its color also act as protectors against cell damage caused by nasty molecules called free radicals, produced by sun, pollution, and cigarette smoke; all believed to be culprits in the aging process. Wine, however, is not the only source of polyphenols: they are also abundant in a wide variety of foods, including tea, chocolate, and many fruits and vegetables.
THE ART OF LIVING WELL
Wine has played an integral role in everyday life, religious ceremonies, celebratory events, and the enjoyment of meals by societies throughout history and it continues to do so. While some of the recent studies concerning wine and health are more conclusive than others, many of them offers a good reason to make moderate consumption of wine part of your daily life. Monica Chappell writes about wine and can be reached at wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
TRAILS CHALLENGE 2020
The East Bay Regional Parks District’s Trail Challenge 2020 kicks off January 6th. Every year more than 10,000 people participate in this free self-guided hiking and bicycling program to explore our regional parks and to keep fit outdoors. Free printed guidebooks and t-shirts will be available starting January 2, at participating Visitor Centers while supplies last. The Guidebook includes 20 detailed trail descriptions, available for all levels of fitness, 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 20 trails – or 26.2 miles of trails. You can also submit your log, online or by mail, by December 1, 2020 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. All 20 featured trails are also now available on the AllTrails app. Download the free app, sign-up, log in, and start on your way. You can record your hikes, and share your photos and comments with others. In addition to this self-guided program, the East Bay Regional Parks District offers many naturalist-led hikes throughout the year. For more information on the Trails Challenge, visit www.ebparks. org/trailschallenge.
program made possible through a par tnershi p bet we ge is a free nal Parks Foundation, an Challen e n t he k District , the Regio d K a i se r Trails io n a l P ar Perma ay Reg ne nt e .
E ast B
MOUNT DIABLO ROSE SOCIETY
The Mount Diablo Rose Society meets the second Wednesday of the month from September through June at 7:30pm in the Community Room of the Dublin Public Library at 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin. Enjoy fascinating programs presented by rose experts, and meet new friends who love gardening as much as you do. For more info, visit www. mtdiablorosesociety.org or email secretary@mtdiablorosesociety.org.
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
LIFE IN THE ALAMO/ DANVILLE GARDEN
MAKING AN ENTRANCE By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
The New Year is here, and what better way is there to turn over a new leaf than by updating the entry to your home? While there are many ways to enhance “curb appeal,” the keys to a successful entrance are actually quite simple. Just a few changes to your landscape can make all the difference. Real talk - Have you ever been invited to someone’s home and had a hard time finding the front door, or had to navigate several obstacles in order to get there? This surprisingly common problem is probably the most important factor to change in order to make an entrance work. Directing visitors along a clear path to your point of entry creates a sense of design intention (and ensures that your UPS packages don’t end up somewhere else!). Keeping with the style of your home is another important part of making your entrance feel integrated. For a prominent house in a Traditional style, a straight path with symmetrical borders or pillars is fitting. Keep the path wide enough so that two people can walk side by side up to the door, and use landscape materials that fit with the color, history, or style of the existing architecture. For a Contemporary home, “floating” concrete steps or an edgy paint color on the front door make an entrance irresistibly cool. For a house with a lower profile, such as a Ranch home or single-story Spanish Revival, a more meandering path often feels best, provided one can see the front door from where the path meets the street. Again, matching materials with the exterior of the house gives the path a seamless effect. For a home with a very large front yard or with an entrance on a ste e p sl op e, i ncor p orating low w a l l s , p l a nt i n g , and focal points such as boulders or sculpture can enhance interest on the longer journey to the front door. Remember when incorporating these kinds of elements that they should enhance the entrance, not hide it or distract from it. If there is an existing element that blocks your front door, such as a tree, consider pruning or removing it to increase your entrance’s visual impact. Finally, we consider landscape lighting in the front yard to always be a good idea, even if you only turn it on occasionally. Increasing safety and enhancing your curb appeal by night, lighting can really make your entry shine. Do you have a New Year’s resolution to redo your landscape? J. Montgomery Designs is taking Landscape Architecture consultations for the 2020 design season. Visit jmontgomerydesigns.com for information, design portfolio, and contact information. Advertorial
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB MEETING
The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, January 13th, at the Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The topic of the presentation will be, “The three cans…” Kerry Rivers from Republic Services presents the company’s sustainability goals and initiatives for a cleaner, safer, and healthier world for generations to come. Bring your questions about recycling, landfill technologies, and use of renewable energy. The meeting begins at 10AM with club business. Social time is at 10:30AM, and the program begins at 11AM. You are invited you to attend a meeting and consider becoming a member. You do not need to be a gardener to join the Walnut Creek Garden Club. If you have questions or need further information, contact the Club’s Publicity Chair, Catherine Accardi, at caacat@comcast.net, or 925-934-9015.
BUSINESS CHALLENGES?
The Danville Small Business Advisory Council (DSBAC) is a group of seasoned professionals providing a complimentary service to help businesses analyze issues and make important decisions. Our experience and knowledge is in: • Accounting • Lending • Financial Planning • Insurance • Information Technology • Sales & Marketing DSBAC serves businesses of the Tri-Valley area. This is a courtesy service provided to the business community by the DSBCA through the Danville Chamber of Commerce.
For more information email consult@dsbac.org
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PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
WHAT IF YOUR INHERITANCE IS DUE, BUT YOU’RE BEING LEFT IN THE DARK?
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
What if a deceased loved one made provisions for you to inherit from them, and yet after a reasonable period of time, you have received no significant correspondence, documents, information, or distributions? Unfortunately, this is more common than it should be. The rights of the inheritor (beneficiary) and the obligations of the estate representative depend upon whether the decedent had a Living Trust or just a Will (or neither). In any event, estate representatives are legally required to provide meaningful, timely information to a decedent’s beneficiaries and heirs. If a person dies with no Living Trust and owned more than $150,000 of assets (other than joint accounts or those governed by beneficiary designation), these assets will be subject to Probate – a court-supervised estate administration proceeding. A Probate proceeding is generally initiated by a Trusts/Estates attorney like me, who is hired by the prospective “Personal Representative” of the estate - either the Executor nominated in the decedent’s Will (or if no valid Will exists, then usually a close relative, who applies to be named Administrator). The attorney prepares and files paperwork, including a Petition for Probate, with the Probate Court and advises and assists the Personal Representative over the many months while Probate is pending. The process is overseen by a Judge, whose primary purpose is to protect the estate’s beneficiaries. Pursuant to many applicable laws and the Judge’s oversight, estate beneficiaries are generally well protected in Probate. Thus, this article focuses more on situations in which the decedent planned well by establishing and fully funding a Revocable Living Trust. In such instances, Probate is not required; instead, Trust administration is handled privately, without court oversight. The successor trustee nominated in the Trust document handles the administration. So, what obligations do trustees have, and what rights do Trust beneficiaries have?
Starting very generally - first, within 60 days of a Trust becoming partly or fully irrevocable (e.g. upon the death of the person who established the Trust), trustees must send a “Trustee Notification,” containing certain prescribed information about the trust administration, to all beneficiaries and heirs. This mandatory notification also informs the recipients that they may request a complete copy of the Trust. Of course, every notice recipient should request a copy and read the Trust carefully. The trustee is bound by a fiduciary duty: to act strictly in the collective best interest of all of the Trust beneficiaries. A trustee also has many specific duties set by law and set forth in the Trust document. These typically include keeping the beneficiaries reasonably informed, faithfully following the Trust terms and conditions, gathering Trust assets, paying Trust expenses and depositing Trust income, preparing and giving beneficiaries an accounting, and distributing to the beneficiaries their rightful shares of the Trust assets. Often, I hear from clients, prospective clients, and professional advisors about beneficiaries who are being kept in the dark about their inheritance. Some beneficiaries mistakenly believe that they have no choice but to wait and hope that the trustee eventually provides them with material information and distributions. I have been hired to advocate for many Trust beneficiaries. In most cases, after I make reasonable requests of the trustee or his attorney, things resolve amicably, and litigation does not become necessary. When litigation must be initiated, Judges tend to be sympathetic to beneficiaries who have been ignored or mistreated, and harsh on trustees who have been recalcitrant. Trust and (Probate/estate) beneficiaries should not be shy about hiring an attorney to help ensure that the trustee fulfills his obligations and that the beneficiary’s rights are protected. Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am 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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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
LEGACY PLANNING FOR GRANDPARENTS
By Robert Cucchiaro, Summit Wealth & Retirement
? the ed y y plo wn b an? m e do e lo lfd Se ne hom r u a n t for e Be ank B
One-third of Americans can’t name all of their grandparents according to a 2018 study commissioned by Ancestry.com. We work with clients of all ages, and the goals clients have tend to cluster by age group. Our clients in their 30s and 40s often want to know if they are making good financial decisions and saving enough for their kids’ college. Our clients in their 50s and 60s usually want to know if they are on track to retire (usually by a specific date they’ve picked) and if there are adjustments they should be making to their investment portfolios. We specialize in helping the selfBy the time clients reach their 70s and 80s, their goals usually switch from making employed borrower get a home sure they are OK to making sure their kids and grandkids are OK. Often times, this is not just about passing loan for purhcasing or refinancing along their wealth but usually their values around money as well. a property. I recently met with a client who is in his mid-70s and has four grandchildren, all under the age of 15. He and his wife have been very successful financially and have already contributed quite a bit to their grandkids’ 529 college Call us today to get your savings accounts. But now he has decided he wants to do a little something extra special for each of his four grandkids. From now on, and for the rest of their lives, he wants each of his grandchildren to receive $3,000 from personalized loan quote him on their birthday. While he is alive he will be around to hand them the check and see their delight as Bay Area Mortgage Group they envision all the wonderful things this money will buy. But he also recognizes that one day he will not be (925) 719-0660 around, and he wants these annual birthday gifts to continue. Believe it or not, this is not only a possibility www.bayareamortgagegroup.com but also can be done without a lot of administrative burden. CA-DRE Brokers License #00973809 The complex way to do this would be to set up a trust and appoint a successor trustee that would step-in NMLS#1082110 after the client dies. Said trustee would be responsible for managing the funds in this trust and doling out the $3,000 per year to each grandchild on their birthday. Presumably, the grandkids would outlive the trustee, so he/she would also need to name a successor trustee. The simple way to do this would be to buy a contract from an insurance company that pays out a 100% joint and survivor lifetime income. For as little as $100,000, any grandparent can ensure that their grandchild Certain terms and conditions apply. Equal Housing Lender. will receive a lifetime income stream. There is no trustee, no trust tax return, no administrative burden. My 76 year client plans to buy four of these, one for each of his grandkids. As an example, his eight year old grandson will receive $3,591 each year on his birthday for the rest of his life, no matter how long he lives. Assuming he lives to 90 years old, that means grandpa’s $100K investment will yield cumulative payments of just under $300,000. I am willing to bet each of his grandkids will be able to name him and tell a little story about him as well, what he liked, what charities he cared about, and what he thought about the right way to live life. If you would like us to assess your legacy plan and help you pass your wealth on to your heirs, give us a call at 925-927-1900 or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Visit us at www.summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial software and updates are every bit as necessary with Macs as they are with PCs. TECHNOLOGY MATTERS Apple makes it altogether easy to upgrade your Mac OS to the latest named operating system, and many people upgrade themselves straight into horrible By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc. On January 14th, Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating performance. In particular, the jump from High Sierra into Mojave clobbered system (OS) is due to reach End Of Life (EOL). Windows a lot of older Macs. The hardy souls who’ve made the further jump into v.10.15, 7 was first released on October 22, 2009, and has had a Catalina are in even worse shape. The hardware was created at a specific point in reliable and good run. It’s been a stable workhorse for time. However, operating systems are current and keep getting more complex, millions of PCs, and its run has come to an end. Micro- bigger, heavier, using more resources. If you have a 2013-2014 Mac, the highest soft ended mainstream support for it in January 2015. I would consider would be v.10.13, High Sierra, and you may even want to back However, due to its popularity, they extended support down to version 10.11, El Capitan. Skip v.10.14, Sierra. Usually, your productivity software must be upgraded when you change your until now. What does the end of support really mean? computer and OS. Don’t be surprised when you discover the software you want is now It’s all about security. With the end of Windows 7 support, Microsoft is attempting only offered through online subscription. Most software companies have transitioned to move their customers into current products that have superior features and security, to this model. Software writers have shifted to this model for some good reasons. such as Windows 10. If you are using your system in the medical or financial profession, First, it helps them break the “boom and bust” cycle of software sales and smoothen you will face significant compliance and compatibility hurdles unless you upgrade. The scenario goes like this. An auditor sends you a very long IT survey to fill out. The out their revenue stream, and that helps them offer more consistently timed upgrades survey asks for an inventory of all the software you use, including operating systems and and customer support. Second, it gives them control over the end-user experience because they’re able to ensure you’re using the most current version of the software whether it’s current and supported by the manufacturer for security updates. You used to check the box “yes.” As of January, that box will no longer be checked for Windows at all times. In this way, they can fix issues and introduce upgrades along the way, 7. Now, if you have a security breach while your institution is still using Windows 7 bringing their user population forward together. From a business perspective, it’s and the breach occurred through a security gap in Windows 7, you will most likely also advantageous. Instead of paying out capital dollars for the software we use on a one-time basis, we spread the employee’s IT expense, adding a monthly or annual be assigned full liability for that breach because you didn’t do your job and replace it. The above scenario applies mostly to financial institutions (SEC compliance) expense per employee to the company bottom line, which more accurately reflects and medical facilities (HIPAA). The average personal user can continue using the fully-loaded costs of employment. It also helps defer profits for tax purposes. Many personal computer users note that they don’t use their machines for Windows 7 for a while, however all the usual reasons for upgrading are still true. Over time, your browsers and applications will be updated, while Windows 7 will business. However, many personal machines contain files like family photos, documents, and tax returns that make the systems just as important as ones in not. Over time they will start acting flaky or stop working altogether due to creeping incompatibility with Windows 7. Also, at this point in time, any PC that came with a business environment. Even if you think you’re “backed up” with OneDrive or DropBox, you ain’t. Those aren’t backup programs, and if you sync files locally, Windows 7 is past due for replacement, getting slow, full, etc. It’s time to move on. you’re vulnerable to a catastrophic loss in the event of a mistake or a ransomware Are you breathing a sigh of relief because you own a Mac? Macs require similar attack. We recommend iDrive backups (www.iDrive.com) for both your business updates and upgrades. With Apple headquarters just down the road from us and or home system. This is very inexpensive insurance at $60/year. a prolific local concentration of Mac stores, many people assume that Mac vs PC Never forget that computers are an expense, not an asset. Expenses need manownership is about 50/50 across computer users. Not so. In reality, Apple computers agement, just like your investments or your 401k. Before you spend, consult your are owned by slightly over 10% of computer users worldwide and are just as vul- trusted technical advisor and make an informed choice. Give us a call at 925-552nerable to threats. And, contrary to what people have been led to believe, antivirus 7953 or email info@pcioit.com. Advertorial
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President
The Alamo Certified Farmers’ Market has added new vendors to join your favorites. New vendors include Bay Area Frozen Desserts and Evie’s Place. Bay Area Frozen Desserts has an amazing selection of frozen yummies -- good at any time of year (or weather) with flavors like Dulce du Leche, Coffee Break, Green Tea Matcha, Salted Caramel, and more! Evie’s Place offers both a breakfast menu with breakfast burritos and sandwiches, as well as a lunch menu including empanadas. The Market is open rain or shine, every Sunday year-round from 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd near Wells Fargo Bank.
CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY
A growing number of residents have had the misfortune of experiencing theft of items from their auto, burglary of their garage or home, and in a few cases, even the removal of what were thought to be secure wall safes. These thieves appear to be from out of town, may act as a single operator but more likely have accomplices that act as a look-out and/or driver, and are prepared to break-in and escape quickly, leaving their vehicles with engines running while committing a crime. Anyone can become a target for “crimes of opportunity” by being unaware of their circumstances and failing to take precautions. Do not allow yourself, family, auto, or home to fall victim of criminals that travel our roadways, streets, and shopping centers. Here are some important “DO’s” for you to save and reference. 1) Install and maintain auto security systems on your vehicles. 2) Secure your valuables in a safe place where they will not be seen. Turn off electronics, especially ones which emit a bluetooth signal. Remove or cover from view laptops, cell phones, backpacks, purses, wallets, and any other items of value. 3) Lock auto doors and roll up windows as well as home doors and windows. 4) At home, install and maintain outdoor security lighting and an indoor security system. Post signs/window stickers alerting folks these systems are in place. 6) Install and maintain security cameras at points of access. Choose cameras that have adequate lens definition for facial and license plate recognition and hard drive devices which are hidden or off-site at another secure location. 7) Consider a personal early warning and guard system such as a family dog. 8) Before traveling, alert the Alamo Sheriff’s Substation Office, and complete their Vacation House Check form to verify status of lights, vehicles, alarm, dog(s), and service providers. Alert the post office to place a Vacation Hold on mail delivery, and alert a neighbor to remove any package or newspaper deliveries to the property on a daily basis.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS PERSONS/ACTIVITIES Alamo Sheriff’s Dispatch - (925) 646-2441 Danville Police Dispatch – (925) 820-2144 For emergencies, contact 911
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AND NEXTDOOR.COM
You can do something about crime prevention. “Neighborhood Watch” is a crime prevention program that stresses education and common sense. It teaches citizens how to help themselves by identifying and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. In addition, it provides citizens with the opportunity to make their neighborhoods safer and improve the quality of life. Neighborhood Watch groups typically focus on observation and awareness as a means of preventing crime, and employ strategies that range from simply promoting social interaction and “watching out for each other” to active patrols by groups of citizens. Are you interested in having a speaker for a neighborhood meeting to discuss theft prevention techniques and the Neighborhood Watch program and its benefits? In Alamo, contact Christina Land-Winters, Community Services Unit, Sheriff’s Office (925) 313-2682 or Laurana Scidmore (925) 313-2512. In Danville contact Juliet Kelly, Administration, Danville Police Department (925) 314-3700, ext. 3704. There are many benefits of starting or becoming involved in a Neighborhood Watch Group and becoming involved in a neighborhood group on NextDoor.com.
AIA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the AIA and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” Now in its 65th year, AIA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community and helping shape it into the place we love to live. Visit www.AlamoCA. org for information on AIA, articles of interest, membership forms, and more.
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.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 6:30PM at Crow Canyon Country Club on the 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. Visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/danvilleca for details. For club information contact Mike Huggins at 510-460-5376, email mikehuggins@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.danvillelionsclub.org. Visitors and new members are welcome.
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.
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 Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com or call 925-336-0000. 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. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/ San Ramon meets at Amador Rancho Community Center, 1998 Rancho Park Loop Road, San Ramon, on Wednesdays at 5:10PM for networking and social time with the meeting and guest speakers starting at 5:40PM. For more information, contact Joe Tagupa at (510) 599-2351 or mizutag@sbcgobal.net. 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.
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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SEASONS OF BEAUTY: PLANNING YOUR COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY
By Dr. Barbara Persons
I always get excited about starting a New Year. I like to think about my resolutions and goals to accomplish over the next twelve months. It’s exciting. What I don’t get excited about is turning a year older. We all battle the clock. At Persons Plastic Surgery, I love helping my patient look their best at every age. And just like the goals we set out for ourselves, we can also map out a beauty maintenance plan for the year ahead. Depending on your lifestyle, there may be more optimal seasons of the year to schedule your cosmetic and plastic surgery treatments. I’ve listed out the pros and cons of each season below.
WINTER
From mid-December through March, we start to see colder temperatures and lots of rain, which can be an ideal time to schedule plastic surgery procedures. During your recovery, you can wear turtlenecks, scarves, and sweaters to camouflage changes created by facelifts, body contouring procedures, and breast augmentation. Plus, it’s also a great time to be cozy at home during your recovery. Also, because the days are shorter, it’s easier to avoid direct sunlight, which makes it an ideal time for laser skin resurfacing treatments. You’ll need to avoid exposure to direct sunlight for up to six weeks. You can also schedule a chemical peel to address mild acne scars, age spots, dull skin texture, skin discoloration, or wrinkles around the eyes or mouth. A chemical peel removes the outer layers of the skin and encourages the growth of new, smoother, more evenly colored skin.
SPRING
In the spring, you still have time to undergo most plastic surgery procedures and be healed by the beginning of summer’s beach season, especially for procedures such as liposuction and fat grafting. Other body contouring and facial surgeries are also excellent options during this time of year. If you want to avoid having surgery around the holidays or if you enjoy doing outdoor
January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
winter sports, spring is also an excellent time to schedule a procedure. Another consideration for patients with school-age children is that the kids are still in school during the spring months, which can be helpful during recovery.
SUMMER
If you’d like to be summer ready, it’s a good idea to schedule your plastic surgery in the winter or spring. Summer can also be tough if you have schoolaged children home for the summer break. Plus, generally, hot weather can be challenging as the recovery process for many body contouring procedures requires that patients wear compression garments. However, summer (and really anytime during the year) is an excellent time to focus on nonsurgical treatments such as injectables (BOTOX® or Dysport), cosmetic injectable fillers, and HydraFacial. I am also thrilled to offer Vampire Facials (PRF or Platelet Rich Fibrin with Rejuvapen for a Micro-Needling option or with Micro-Cannula Injections for both skin and scalp). I’ve tried it, my staff has tried it, and we’ve all witnessed the amazing results firsthand with little to no downtime.
FALL
Undergoing plastic surgery during the months of September, October, and November offers many of the same advantages of winter plastic surgery. Sweater weather is arriving, and there are a handful of long weekends that allow you time to recuperate privately. Fall is also a good time to undergo facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty, a neck lift, or a full facelift. You will also find a tummy tuck or liposuction can help you look your best for holiday parties. Remember, whatever procedure you’re considering, you need repetition to maintain results. Think of it as going to the gym, the hair salon, or the nail salon. Aesthetics require consistency to achieve and maintain your best beauty results. I look forward to meeting you at my practice. 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
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
China continued from front page
the Blackhawk Museum’s presentation of the Dragon Throne, from which the emperor received dignitaries and ruled the kingdom, was completely accurate. It took six people working together to reassemble the replicated throne.
Dreamland rises behind the scale model of the Forbidden City. Photo courtesy of Blackhawk Museum.
Dreamland is an original work representing the idyllic landscape depicted in “Peach Blossom Spring” -- a famous fable recounted by Tao Yuanming (376-427 CE). The author lived during a time when China, divided between northern and southern dynasties, was beset by recurrent warfare. As the story goes, a fisherman following a stream suddenly found himself drifting along a course lined on both banks by blossoming peach tress. Emerging through a small opening, he discovered a land of fertile fields inhabited by happy, peaceful people. Welcomed to their homes, he was admonished never to tell outsiders about their existence. Although he broke his promise by trying to leave clues along his return path, the fisherman failed to find his dreamland again. Using fossil wood buried for a thousand years, sculptors spent ten years carving the masterpiece. Ken bought Dreamland from the Changjiang Civilization Museum and engaged Roxana Santos De Hayden, creator of the murals in the Spirit of the Old West Gallery, to paint a suitable backdrop for its installation at the Blackhawk Museum. Roxana spent a month researching the Chinese approach to painting mountain landscapes to achieve an appropriate three-dimensional effect. Taking the mural from the conceptual stage to the finished rendering required another month. She remarks, “What I loved about this mural was the very different approach to my traditional way of painting and Ken’s response when I finished the mural.” Upon seeing his Dreamland sculpture staged with Roxana’s mural, the Chinese artist praised her accomplishment, exclaiming that her painting exactly captures the way the mountains of China look and makes the Blackhawk display much more beautiful than the presentation at the Chinese museum. Ken Behring’s boundless enthusiasm for conveying his personal appreciation of China’s people and his understanding of their complex culture kept the Into China Gallery project continuously expanding. He first visited China in 1978. After establishing the Wheelchair Foundation in 2000, he began making several trips to China each year. In Road to Purpose he writes: “Each town offers its own beauty. But one thing they have in common is people. I love the Chinese people. They are some of the friendliest, smartest, most hardworking people I have ever met.” Amazed by their hospitality, he continues: “Wherever you go in China, the local citizens always share their best with you -- their food, their homes, their facilities. They spend time and effort to communicate with you and try to understand your culture.” A talented artist paralyzed from the neck down who held his brush in his mouth painted a peacock Ken hung at the Museum long before he initiated the Into China Gallery project. Elizabeth Premazzi already had a successful architecture and interior design practice in Shanghai when she met Ken Behring in 2008. She married Ken’s grandson Colin in 2016. Urged by Ken to take a look at what was then called the “Beauty of Asian Art” exhibit, she finally agreed to become involved calling the opportunity to design a museum “every architect’s dream.” Elizabeth immediately suggested a moon gate entrance as a suitable transition from the common world to the magical grandeur of the collection. Replete with spiritual symbolism, the round moon gate opening was used traditionally as an auspicious welcome to a Chinese garden. The semi-circular top suggests
See China continued on page 24
PEPTIDE THERAPY
LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST IN 2020 By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
When I was a teen, I began my healing journey. I found great pleasure in perusing the health food store, reading about supplements that could help me become healthier, leaner, and have more energy. I would spend hours reading up on ways to help myself and others feel better through the use of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements. In early adulthood when I suffered from acne, chronic kidney infections, and an auto-immune thyroid condition, this information proved invaluable when antibiotics and medication failed to heal me. At one point, after much frustration and pain, I asked my doctor, “Why does this keep happening? Why aren’t the antibiotics working?” He looked at me and said, “I don’t know; just keep taking them.” It was at that moment that I realized that I was not going to get “well” with this kind of care, and I needed to take matters into my own hands and educate myself on how I became sick and how to heal. After years of education and board exams, I opened Align Healing Center in December 1999. Now, twenty years later, Dr. Dickens and I have the pleasure of launching Aspire Regenerative Medicine, a medical corporation that runs alongside Align Healing Center to offer a broader range of services addressing people’s wellness needs. I have discovered medical therapies that work as an adjunct to the holistic services Align offers, allowing patients access to exceptional healing tools. One of the most profound healing tools that I have discovered is peptide therapy.
WHAT IS PEPTIDE THERAPY?
Peptides are made of short chains of amino acids. They can be thought of as a small protein. They bind to receptors on the cell surface and tell other cells and molecules what to do. There are over 7,000 known peptides in our bodies which direct an enormous number of different bodily functions ranging from hormone production, tissue and muscle repair, immune modulation, brain and central nervous system health, libido and sexual arousal, weight loss, inflammation reduction, and DNA repair, and they can have direct antimicrobial effects. Peptide therapy, or the use of specific peptides in treatment, has gained great popularity in recent years due to its extraordinary high levels of safety and uniquely specific effects. As we age, our production of our own peptides decreases. As a result, our bodies begin to show signs of aging and cease to perform at an optimal level. Most peptide medications are administered subcutaneously but can also come in the form of transdermal creams, nasal sprays, and oral tablets.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PEPTIDE THERAPY?
• Improved sleep • Improved immune function • Reduces joint pain • Reduction of abdominal and body fat • Restore energy, stamina, and endurance • Accelerate healing from injury or surgery • Increase lean muscle mass • Promote your body’s natural ability to burn fat • Improve skin texture and elasticity • Reduce recovery time and healing • Improve mental focus • Increase in sex drive and performance • Increase levels of concentration and memory retention • Boost healthy levels of growth hormone • Restore hair loss Peptide therapy is not a magic cure to all your ailments, but it may help significantly with a great many of them. Peptides must be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle and may be paired with other holistic treatments to get the maximum physical benefit. Peptide therapy is generally considered safe and can be used to produce very specific effects. Many peptides have been approved by the FDA, allowing them to be utilized for medical trials and use. If you are interested in discussing if peptide therapy may be right for you, call us for a complimentary consultation at 925-362-8283. Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville. For more information or to set up a consult, call 925-362-8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com. Advertorial
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
China continued from page 22
the half-moon of summer. The completed circle echoes the wholeness and strength represented by the full moon. Soon caught up in the project, Elizabeth is now Curator of the Into China and African Art Galleries as well as the Natural History Gallery opening in the spring of 2020. Elizabeth speaks of working with Ken as the best time ever. She recalls, “Ken enjoyed watching any group of students who came and admired his museum.” She treasures an especially memorable moment spent with Ken as he delighted in discovering a group of art students totally immersed in drawing items in the collections each one individually had chosen as a favorite. Viewing the Blackhawk Museum as his contribution to education and his signature legacy, Ken journeyed to the far ends of China to acquire one-ofa-kind pieces. He traveled to the City of Xishuangbanna, at the far southwestern edge of China, to purchase the Great Dragon sculpture. Unlike the fire-breathing villains of Western mythology, Chinese dragons are revered as benevolent creatures with divine origins. Got drought? They bring rain! A piece of art depicting a legendary meeting 2,500 years ago between Lao Tzu and Confucius provides the transition to the display of musical instruments. “Music in the soul can be heard in the universe,” Lao Tzu once said. “When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war,” Confucius claimed. Many versions of their meeting exist. Alice Lin records that after maintaining silence for three days following the meeting, Confucius finally spoke. “I know how a bird can fly. I know how a fish can swim. But I do not know how Lao Tzu could rise and fly like a sublime dragon riding on clouds in the sky.” During the excavation of the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, ruler of the Zeng State during the warring States Period, a complete 64-piece set of bronze ceremonial bells dating back to 433 BC was discovered. The bells were significant in ritual court music. The Blackhawk Museum displays one of only three bell sets cast from the originals. In 1974, peasant farmer Yang Peiyang was digging a well when he found pottery fragments that included the torso of a man. Subsequently, archaeologists unearthed and reassembled pieces of some 8,000 figures. Created for the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang (259-210 BC), each warrior has individual features. Colorful plant extract pigments originally used quickly faded once exposed to air. The self-proclaimed first emperor of China, Qin unified the warring provinces under one central government. The Into China Gallery displays authentic reproductions produced at one of just two sites certified by the Chinese government. Ken Behring enjoys taking a seat in the Dragon Throne. Having s een all Photo courtesy of Blackhawk Museum. too many uninspiring exhibits of ceramics ranging from tourist-trade imitations to exquisite antiques, Elizabeth realized the Into China presentation of vases needed a coherent focus. Staged in chronological order, the collection reveals an understanding of history and culture that honors Ken’s passion for educating the Museum’s Western audience in Chinese traditions and encouraging visitors to value accomplishments of the Chinese people as he did. Family memberships, usually $149, are offered at $99 on January 25th. For more information on events, hours, and admission, visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org. For more photographs of local artist Roxana Santos De Hayden’s murals at the Museum and her many other artistic endeavors, visit www. roxanasantosdehayden.com.
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U N D E R S TA N D I N G Y O U R BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS
By Michelle Frankland, NP
Approximately 10% of breast cancers are hereditary, 65% are considered sporadic, and the other 25% are familial. Since one quarter of all breast cancers have some sort of familial link, this is the group that really needs to understand their risk. The first step in understanding risk is talking to your family. Find out if parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., have had cancer and if so what kind. Next, talk to your health care provider who orders and reviews your mammograms. Ask if you have dense breast tissue and if there are any areas the radiologists are monitoring. Third, initiate a conversation about cancer risk with your gynecologist or primary care provider. Ultimately, the best and most comprehensive way to understand risk is to talk to a genetic counselor, and then, if recommended, undergo genetic testing. Because of my family history, I knew I needed additional screening and genetic counseling. My healthcare provider ordered a screening breast MRI, which found suspicious areas that required biopsy. They found a high-risk lesion, so surgery was recommended. I proceeded with genetic testing which showed that I have a mutation, most likely not BRCA since my mom tested negative, but a mutation that falls into a category of VUS, “variants of unknown significance.” If you have a VUS, the genetic testing labs and geneticists will follow the mutation as scientists seek to understand if it does in fact increase cancer risk - 98% of VUS are ultimately found to be benign. While I had several options, I have decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Understanding my cancer risk allowed me to make this decision with confidence and certainty. Make it a goal to learn more about your family history, and tell your friends to do the same. If you have had breast cancer and not had genetic testing, talk to your providers to understand if you would benefit from it. If you have a family history of cancer and have not had breast cancer, talk to your provider to see if you should be referred for a genetic risk evaluation. Bottom line, truly understanding your cancer risks helps you make decisions about yourself, and if you have children, it will aid in seeking appropriate and necessary screening and surveillance for them. Attend a Breast Cancer Risk Seminar where medical experts will explain genetic counseling, MRI breast screening, chemoprevention therapy, and lifestyle changes. The seminar will be held at the Lafayette Library on January 28th from 6:30-8:30pm. Reservations are recommended. To reserve your spot, please call 925-677-5041 or email sjung@dvohmg.com. Michelle Frankland is an Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group and the Nurse Navigator for the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, both located in Pleasant Hill. Michelle can be reached by calling 925-825-8878. Advertorial
COPING WITH THE 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.
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
WILL INJECTABLE FILLERS MAKE ME LOOK BETTER OR FREAKISH?
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
Recently my wife and I met great friends for dinner at Esin restaurant in Danville. It had been a long time since we had dined there. Since my wife has become vegan, we were excited as Esin has a vegan menu. Our good friends brought an amazing bottle of Alpha Omega Pinot Noir. The server was one of the best we have ever had. The food was spectacular, as was the time we had to spend with dear friends. I have never been a huge fan of scallops, but my scallops over tagliatelle was scrumptious. So, what could possible detract from this dining experience? What the heck does any of this have to do with injectable fillers you might be wondering? The answer is simple. During our salad course, I happened to glance to my left. At the table near me, in my direct line of sight, I saw an attractive forty-ish woman with one singular distracting feature. Her lips had a distorted appearance that I could tell was from injectable fillers gone awry. The sad thing is that this look does not have to be that way. In my opinion, this person would have been better off not having anything done or better yet seeking a highly skilled injector with a better aesthetic sense. If it obviously looks like you’ve had something done, you’re likely better off not doing anything at all. I wasn’t the only person at our table to notice. The sad thing is that we can get amazing results with injectable fillers that look fully natural. Many people are afraid to try based upon seeing results like the ones we had witnessed. There is a reason why this happens that I will discuss. PotozkinMD SkinCare and Laser Center is a full-service dermatology center. In addition to medical and surgical dermatology, we perform many minimally invasive cosmetic procedures with Botox (and other neuromodulators such as Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau) and fillers. These procedures have gained great popularity. That means that practitioners with different levels of skill and training are performing them. In my practice, we have been using injectables since the mid-nineties. The focus has always been the same: to create a natural look and help people to look like the best versions of themselves without surgery. I perform many lip filler injections. The goal is always to create a natural enhanced version of what has been diminished by the hands of time. Last week, one of my physician colleagues asked me, “Do you turn down patients who want you to do a procedure that will make them look ridiculous?” My answer was an emphatic, “Yes!” Sometimes I have to protect people from their own bad ideas. Do you think you would get the same results from a master injector as you would from a novice who just came back from a weekend course and now claims to be an expert? I have been at industry sponsored presentations where the audience includes physicians, PAs, and nurses. Sometimes the questions that are asked at these meetings scare me as they show a complete lack of understanding of basic anatomy. I have also had patients of mine lured by a friend or a “deal” at a Botox Party at someone’s home. Invariably, they come back to me to fix a quirky result. These at-home or at-a-hair salon medical treatments are a bad idea and are frowned upon by all reputable professional organizations. I am delighted to have partnered with Dr. Samantha Ellis. She is a board-certified dermatologist who joined our practice in August 2019. She shares my philosophy of treating each patient as if they were a family member and always putting the patient’s needs first. We share a similar aesthetic sense in always striving to help people look the best natural versions of themselves. If you are interested in looking your best but have been frightened by the unnatural or freakish results you have seen from injectable treatments, put your fear to rest. Dr. Ellis and I are committed to helping you look like your best self, not a distorted version of yourself. Call us today! 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
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH ADULT LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah, located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the two-story building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For more information or to RSVP, contact karen@mmcohen.com.
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Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams
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Contact Lens Exams
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Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses In many cases, we are able to make your glasses in our office with our On-Site Lab
215 ALAMO PLAZA SUITE D ALAMO, CA 94507 www.poplarspecs.com
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY MONDAY—FRIDAY: 9 - 6 SATURDAY: 9 - 4
925.202.2846 Museum continued from front page
Golden State will be on display. Learn about the power of fire and renewal, take a behind-the-scenes look at capturing these stunning images, and see an overview of California's geographic regions. These diverse and delicately balanced ecosystems support spectacular explosions of nature’s color. Most importantly, these beautiful images address how climate change and other human activities affect California's wildflowers. Beyond the beauty and information, enjoy the hands-on experience of seeing stunning pressed wildflowers projected from a microscope onto a screen. You can choose which wildflowers to protect! Learn about the role of the citizen scientist in understanding and documenting climate change. In addition to the exhibit, there will be a program by a climate specialist from East Bay Regional Parks on the changes that have been seen and what should be watched for. This free program will take place on January 23rd from 7-8:30PM at the Veterans Hall, located at 400 Hartz Ave. in Danville. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. The Museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For questions or information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MOBILTY MATTERS HELPING SENIORS AND VETERANS
Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that provides free, door-through-door, one-on-one rides to ambulatory seniors and veterans who cannot take other forms of transportation primarily for medical appointments and grocery shopping. In September, John Muir’s Caring Hands program ended their senior ride services, and Mobility Matters is now providing rides for those seniors. Since Mobility Matters took over several new clients all at once, they are in great need of new volunteer drivers. Each ride lasts about three hours, and volunteers get to schedule your own hours. Most volunteer drivers provide one ride every week or two. Contact David Benet at Mobility Matters at (925)284-2215 or david@mobilitymatterscc.com if you are interested in more information.
PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
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YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
LOSE YOUR WEIGHT THE HEALTHY WAY AND FOREVER THIS NEW YEAR! By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Happy New Year! Are you using this time as a motivator to drop the weight you have been struggling to lose all year round? You have the best of intentions to lose weight as the New Year begins, but somehow, life happens and you often find yourself going back to your old ways. Try a different approach this New Year. Instead of making a diet and weight loss resolution, focus on improving your health by making weekly nutrition and fitness goals. Decide what goal you will work towards for the coming week. Log your progress and check in with yourself at week’s end. This is the process that I follow when I work with my clients. Don’t look at this year’s resolution as a temporary change; look at it as a lifestyle change. Making too many changes at once can cause you to burn out before the end of January and cause you to break your commitment. Therefore, instead of changing your entire way of living all at once, try making these small changes every day. Try these nutrition and fitness goals, and you’ll see how great you feel. 1. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Every day, have two servings of veggies. Try adding veggies to your egg-white omelet. At lunch, have soup with veggies or a salad. Have a piece of fruit at lunch and one after dinner. The new recommendation is that half your plate should be veggies and fruit, and the other half should be a ½ cup of grains and 4 ounces protein. 2. Portion control. Work your way to smaller portions, and this will help control your calories. If you use a big dinner plate and fill the whole plate, try using a smaller sized plate. You will always eat more when you have a pile of food on your plate. 3. You do not have to avoid sweets. The key is moderation. If you enjoy desserts and sweets several times a day, make a goal for yourself to limit sweets to either once per day or a few times a week. I teach my clients to have their sweets after a meal instead of randomly during the day. This will prevent cravings for sweets. I always tell my client, “Think about how you feel after eating too many sweets, you typically end up with a headache, stomachache, and feelings of irritability” 4. Swap out the soda and juice. These beverMedical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin ages are loaded with sugar and contribute to your Offering Treatments for: daily calories. And, let’s be honest, most people Skin Cancer don’t only drink a can of soda a day. Imagine how Moles Precancerous Lesions many extra pounds in one year are contributed INTRODUCING Acne, Eczema, and Rashes from soda alone. I show my clients many beverWarts, Molluscum EMSCULPT D ages that are popular and have no calories. Keloid and Scar Revisions RE ONLY FDA CLEA Psoriasis and Vitiligo 5. Begin a walking program. Commit to a Cysts and Lipoma ELECTROMAGNETIC daily walk, first thing in the morning or after ETING Hair and Nail Disorder TECHNOLOGY TARG dinner. I teach my clients about interval training Underarm Sweating ABDOMINAL AND Physician-Strength DY BO R FO S which shocks the metabolism and causes us to LE SC GLUTEUS MU Skin Care Products PAD burn calories much faster. CONTOURING, FAT Offering Cosmetic Treatments for: T! TT LIF 6. Schedule your workouts. Just like you REDUCTION AND BU Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars lpt cu MS DrWilliamTing.com/E Face, Neck, Body Tightening, schedule a doctor’s appointment or a lunch Lifting, date with a friend, schedule your workout on and Rejuvenation the calendar, and make it a part of your routine Frown Lines and Jawline Reduction five times a week. I teach my clients how to Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and set up their meal plan based on their exercise Post-injection Bruising schedule for the day. Pigmentation and Melasma Sun Damage and Scars 7. Make sure you get enough sleep. It will A place where beauty Body Sculpting be easier to listen to what your body needs in Thinning Hair and/or Balding and healthy skin meet Hair Removal terms of food and exercise if you have enough Visit us at our Center of Technology & Procedures sleep. Often, I can see when my client is having a Excellence with a combined Offered problem with overeating it is because they have 12,000 square foot, state Cellfina not gotten enough sleep or are overwhelmed Cool Mini for neck of the art, newly renovated Coolsculpting® with family and work, and they use food to get Our Women’s suite. We are dedicated Cryoshape through these stressful times. Wellness Center to Medical, Cosmetic, and Diolite 532 laser now offers EMSella, 8. Practice mindful eating. Since you have EMSculpt Surgical Dermatology and FDA approved noninvasive EMSella vowed not to diet this year, practice being are a place for medical electromagnetic technology Excel V Laser mindful when you are eating. Listen for your treatment (with clothes on) Excimer Laser skin consultation, aesthetic hunger and fullness signals, and respond apFractional CO2 Laser for urinary incontinence rejuvenation, and face and GenesisPlus Laser and feminine intimate propriately. Don’t eat when you are not hungry, body contouring. Infini Microneedling RF rejuvenation! yet don’t let yourself get to the ravenous point Models are used. Kybella DrWilliamTing.com/EMSella Liposonix® either. When eating, stop midway and ask Microneedling with PRP Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com yourself if you are still hungry. If not, stop and MiraDry for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, save the rest for another time. I take a lot of Mohs Micrographic Surgery product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. NBUVB Phototherapy time to practice this technique with my clients. Pico Genesis Schedule your free cosmetic consultation appointment today! The good news is nutritional counseling is PicoSure Laser covered by most health insurance companies PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation William Ting, M.D., Vbeam Laser Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon such as Aetna, ABMG, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Silhouette InstaLift 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Sutter, United Health Care, and more. Please Spectra Laser 2262 Camino Ramon Hercules, CA 94547 Superficial Radiotherapy San Ramon, CA 94583 call me at (925) 855-0150 to discuss your nutriTel: (510) 669-5700 Tel: (925) 328-0255 Thermage™ tion concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@gmail. Ultherapy™ Email: staff@caldermcare.com com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com drwilliamting.com Vaser Shape *Welcoming new Medicare patients VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation for past articles. Advertorial
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January 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
THE EYE OPENER
PROUD TO BE A LOCAL BUSINESS By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
As we enter 2020 and embark on a new year, I thought I would take advantage of this month’s article to talk about owning and running a small, private office in Alamo. As anyone who operates a local business will tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. It requires untold hours of work, attention to detail, and perseverance. I would like to take some time to discuss how our office operates and the value of patronizing local business. First and foremost, I owe all our office success and viability to our patients and staff; without either of these, my practice would be worthless. My patients enable the practice to continue to grow and thrive. My current staff has high personal standards for patient care and quality work that they strive for every day. They make my job easier because of their hard work and dedication to providing quality and professional service to all our patients. All our established patients together with our new ones have sustained and strengthened the practice. I am well aware that patients have many choices for their eye care, but am thankful that Alamo Optometry is your choice for all of your eye care and eyewear needs. My personal approach with patients and in the management of my office is to provide something that other large private or corporate offices are unable or unwilling to offer. The personal service and attention we can give each patient can generally not be found at the larger practices or commercial settings. I pride myself on getting to know each patient; I generally recognize returning patients as they come into the office or call on the telephone, and I am able to address them by name. Since we have a small staff, you can also be assured that you are always dealing with the same members of the office, and you will not get “lost” as you can in other offices. The difficult part of having a small staff is that sometimes we are a little short-handed, or several patients will come into the office at once. We understand that sometimes this can be frustrating for everyone, but you can be confident that we don’t rush patients, and everyone will get the attention and service they deserve. Each staff member has defined roles, but we assist each other to make sure everyone is taken care of. As an example, if I am not with a patient, I will often answer the phone or “man” the front desk if the need arises. Patients are sometimes surprised by this, but as they get to know us better, it almost becomes expected. We have also found that our local patient base is comprised of loyal people who prefer to spend their dollars locally. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard patients comment that they are so glad that the office is in a convenient location with easy parking, and it is so close because most patients literally live “right down the street.” I can honestly say that my shopping behaviors have definitely changed since I became a small business owner. I can appreciate the effort and time commitment is takes to manage and prosper as an owner. I try to make it a point to patronize local businesses when I can; it is the only way these restaurants, shops, and offices can survive. We strive to be your hometown eye care office, and we want your family and friends to be welcome and feel comfortable when you come to the office. We purposely don’t over-schedule patients. Our exam slots always allow plenty of time to meet and learn about each patient. Quality care necessitates learning about the patient and what they do in order to completely help them. This cannot be accomplished in a quick, rushed exam. I would highly recommend shopping and dining in Alamo or your local community when you can. These offices and shops are vital to the community for several reasons. Small businesses are the livelihood of the local economy through employing the majority of the workforce along with keeping tax revenue in the community. Regardless of if you are a patient at our office or not, I would urge all people to patronize local businesses when the opportunity is available. 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
HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America from 10AM to noon on the first Wednesday of the month at the Vista Room at Hillside in Rossmoor located at 3400 Golden Rain Rd., Walnut Creek. Everyone is welcome. A hearing loop assistive listening system is available and the meetings are also captioned. For more information, email HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org, call 925-2641199 or visit www.hearinglossdv.org.
C L A S S I F I E D ALAMO OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
Alamo Office: Quaint ground floor office with reserved parking by your door. About 120 sq feet and you have your own restroom. The near historic adobe building is at 3150 Danville Blvd & Orchard Ct., Studio 11C. High speed internet available. Have your lunch meetings outdoors with plants and patio furniture. All utilities are included. Located adjacent to CVS and across from Wells Fargo Bank and Peets. Call or text Dennis at 925-899-8059.
HANDYMAN SERVICES Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring NO JOB TOO SMALL! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877
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Reach over 21,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies...$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117,Alamo,CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.Payment by check made out to “The Editors,” or credit card placed on file by calling 925-405-6397 must be received before ad will print. Your canceled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2020
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