Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& JANUARY 2022
WINTER NIGHTS: SHELTERING FAMILIES, GIRLS ON THE RUN FOSTERING HOPE, RESTORING INDEPENDENCE By Linda Summers-Pirkle
By Jody Morgan
Founded in 2004 under the auspices of the Contra Costa Interfaith Council, Winter Nights Family Shelter, Inc. (WN) secured independent non-profit status in the spring of 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. WN is one of several shelter programs in Contra Costa County dedicated to keeping families together.
On a crisp fall Saturday morning, a group of girls ages 8-13, along with their coaches, family, and supporters, met at a San Ramon park. The event that day was a 5k run, the culmination of 10 weeks of hard work and practice. That same day, similar groups gathered across the nation in hundreds of parks and fields to celebrate their personal running triumph. Each year, more than 200,000 preteen girls across the US participate in the Girls on the Run (GOTR) program. Since 1996, over two million girls have participated in the program. I joined them for that “day of celebration” - the final GOTR session. The exuberance and elation of the young women, both before and after the run, was palpable. One participant shared when she first started the journey, “I did not know running around a track equaled a mile!” Now, she was out there, not only running a mile but completing a 5k race. Girls on the Run, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a physical activity-based positive youth development (PA-PYD) program designed to enhance girls’ social, emotional, and physical skills as well as behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences. Established in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina with a team of 13 girls, GOTR has grown to serving 200,000 girls annually in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. GOTR was named “Most Influential in Health and Wellness” by the National After School Association.
Sunday Meal Team: St. Timothy's team enjoys serving Sunday dinner to WN clients. Photo courtesy of Joann Oliver.
Preserving the integrity of the family unit helps children cope with the stress of homelessness. More than 60 local faith communities work together providing overnight shelter, meals, and much more, while WN staff members guide homeless families in achieving self-sufficiency and securing stable housing. Responding to everescalating needs, WN recently added the Safe Parking and Continued Success Programs. During a year not compromised by COVID concerns, WN welcomes carefully screened applicants to spaces provided by local congregations in their facilities Ametiszt and daughter Addy are happy to be part of for two weeks at each location. the WN Continued Success alumni program. Photo Every family has its own tent for courtesy of WN.
See Nights continued on page 14
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Celebration 5K GOTR run.
Besides supportive family members and friends, the program’s success is based on a dedicated volunteer coaching staff. Coach Karen Rice is a boardcertified Health and Wellness Coach. After 20 years of experience as a Marketing Tech executive, she made a career change to re-focus on empowering people to adopt a more holistic lifestyle. She shared her enthusiasm for GOTR, “The program is well thought through in a progressive (lesson by lesson)
See Run continued on page 12
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XXII Number 1
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News Instagram:@AlamoandDanvilleToday
Volume XIII Number 1
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.
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher
Our area’s first people lived in this region for thousands of years. In the late 1700s the Spanish arrived and missions were built. Ranchos followed and new settlers started forming the towns we now inhabit. As much as many of us like things to “stay the same,” the reality is most everything is always changing. Our neighborhoods and communities have morphed a lot since our family purchased a home in the area in 1997. Riding arenas, some orchards, and large nurseries such as Sunset Gardens and Navlet’s were present. Over time, some houses were moved and some were torn down. Shopping centers were erected, homes were built, and empty lots were developed. Reading on a local area Facebook group, I learned I might be able to find a picture of my home Tri-Valley Trapper when it was built in 1956. I was excited and had great plans to hopefully reproduce a picture of what our home looked like decades ago. Getting the picture involves a trip to the County Assessors office located at 2530 Arnold Dr, 4th floor, in Martinez. You must be the property owner to obtain information. It is helpful to have your home’s parcel number, but the staff can search via your address. Upon visiting the office and providing the requested information, an employee brought out a folder pertaining to my parcel. While I was not able to see all of the information due to past owner confidentiality, I was able to get the original Residential Building Record for my lot. The permit for the construction of my home and garage was pulled October 10, 1956. I learned that the 1/2 acre plot and three bedroom, two bath, 1,457 square foot home went on the market at an asking price of $27,900. It was sold late at the end of the year for $26,000. While it appears our home was built in a thicket of grasses, trees, and weeds, I can still make out our front porch and entry area that remains unchanged. Another way to visually look at the past is to take advantage of the A 1956 glimpse of my home through grasses, trees, and weeds. historical compilation of Google Street View. To do so visit google.com/maps. Once there, input an address and look at that address in “Street View” mode. At the top left of the view will be an area with a drop-down view. If you click on that you can usually find several shots of the same location over the last 14 years or so. I was rereading the 2020 book Historic Tales of Alamo California. In the book it notes, “An enormous rainfall and megaflood covered California in December 1861 and January 1862, dropping over 40” of rain in Contra Costa County and filling the Central Valley. The Contra Costa Gazette reported on the event: ‘The entire population of Alamo, at the foot of Mt. Diablo, 50 miles east of San Francisco, was forced to flee rising floodwaters. People abandoned their homes in the middle of the night. Some found refuge, others drowned. The San Ramon Valley was one sheet of water from hill to hill as far as the eye could see. The destructive force of the floods was awesome: houses, otherwise intact and complete with their contents, were carried away in the rapids; horses, cattle, and barns were swept downstream The Street View drop-down menu gives you a glimpse back in time. Pictured is a portion of San Ramon Valley High. for miles.’” The flooding, “was followed by a drought that marked California’s agricultural transition from grazing to grains in the following decades.” As in all areas, everything is always in constant change. Populations change, landscapes change, businesses change, and we’ve weathered them all. We are resilient and ready to welcome 2022!
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison
925-765-4209
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
Have you done some recent home cleaning? Do you find yourself with paints and paint thinners, cleaning supplies, pesticides and garden-care items, batteries, motor oil and other automotive products, solvents, fluorescent tubes, personal care products, or unknown rusty containers that need safe disposal? The local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facility operated by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District is open with modified operations and offers this free service to residents. HHW drop-off is available at 4797 Imhoff Place in Martinez from Monday-Saturday from 7AM until 2PM with no appointment needed. Drop-off appointments for small businesses can be scheduled. Learn about how to transport your items, as well as other instructions for bringing your items to be safely disposed of at www.centralsan.org/household-hazardous-waste-collection-facility.
Danville Veteran’s Hall in 2011 above and in 2021 below.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
CRAB FEED
Pasta Dinner is Back!
American Legion American Legion Mount Diablo Post 246 is a veterans’ service organization January 23 | 6:00 pm Mount Diablo Post 246of young leaders. Members appreciate the that invests in the next generation Adults: $25 | 12 and Under: $15 sandamiano.org | 925-837-9141 value of cherished American principles such as equality, freedom, and justice as they honor the service of all veterans. Members continue to serve as the Post strives to strengthen our communities, state, and nation with programs and services for our veterans and youth. *** Crab Feed Dinner, The group sponsors delegates to American Legion Boys & Girls State government education Legion Live Auction Raffle constitution oratorical contests, four scouting troops/packs, and Wreaths 710 Highland American Drive | Danville, CA 94526 programs, high&school Mount Diablo Post 246 Combined with Across America at the Alamo Cemetery. In addition, they support East Bay Standdown, local Veterans Online Auction Administration and*** Contra Costa County Veteran Service Offices, Sentinels of Freedom Foundation, Camp Parks military families, and Contra Costa County community college veteran students. *** Crabwill Feedbe Dinner, Veterans This year the group will hold a live Memorial Crab FeedBuilding Dinner and Fundraiser as well as an online auction. The online auction held Live Auction & Raffle th of Feed the San Ramon January 22-29, 2022. The Crab dinner, liveValley auction, and raffle will be held Saturday, January 29 at the Veterans Memorial Combined with Online Community Hall Doors open at 5pm and dinner will be served at 6pm. For tickets for Building located at 105 East Prospect Ave. in Danville. the Auction dinner***and 105 East Prospect Ave., Danville raffle call 925-272-8480 or email commanderpost246@gmail.com. The fundraising goal is to generate $10,000 to support upcoming PostVeterans programs and events. Memorial Building Saturday, 29 January 2022 Visit www.americanlegionpost246.org for access to the online auction and more Post information. of the San Ramon Valley Doors Open at 5 PM Dinner Served at 6 PM Tickets go on sale 23 Dec 2021
HER SIDE OF THE STORY: TALES OF CALIFORNIA PIONEER WOMEN For the live Crab Feed Dinner and Raffle: Call 925-272-8480 or email
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley will be presenting an exhibit that illuminates the hardships, joys, For the online auction: visit www.americanlegionpost246.org and life of pioneer women in California. These women will tell, in their own words, the story of traveling by land SPONSORED BY: and sea to settle in California prior to statehood. In 1900, The Association of Pioneer Women of California formed and collected the reminiscences of women who arrived in California before 1854 in a single ledger. This incredible document, filled with over 800 handwritten stories of California pioneer women, and in the collection of The Society of California Pioneers, is the basis for this exhibition. Together, the ledger and exhibition create a more complete and balanced understanding of our shared history, by highlighting the voices of women who traveled to California. The ledger, however, does not represent all women. As such, an important section of the exhibition is comprised of diverse portraits of unidentified women. These women represent the thousands of pioneers whose stories were never recorded; each one had a story to tell which is lost to time. This exhibit opens on January 30th and closes on May 22nd. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1PM4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750. commanderpost246@gmail.com
Single Family Home Customers – 2022 Holiday Tree Collection Schedule Your tree pickup will be on the same day as your regular garbage service but by a separate truck. Regular service will not be affected for Christmas and New Year’s Day because they fall on a Saturday. Week of Jan 3–7
Customers in Walnut Creek, Danville, Alamo, Diablo, and Blackhawk (including unincorporated areas).
Week of Jan 10–14
Customers in Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga (including unincorporated areas).
Week of Jan 17–21
Customers who missed prior tree collection.
AFTER Jan 21
If possible, cut tree and place in organics cart with lid closed, or call (925) 685-4711 to schedule a pick-up for a fee.
Don’t:
Do:
Tree Pickup Do’s & Don’ts • Remove lights, ornaments, and tinsel before placing at curbside. • Trees over 8’ must be cut in half.
• Flocked trees can be collected using your annual on-call garbage cleanup at no cost, but must be scheduled in advance. Call (925) 685-4711. If cut to fit inside with 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.
Leave trees at curbside on the same day as your regular collection day, during your city’s assigned week. COLLECTED TREES WILL BE COMPOSTED.
Community Hall 105 East Prospect Ave., Danville
CHROMATICA IS BACK!
Saturday, 29 January 2022
Doors Open at 5 PM After a gap of more than two years,Dinner Chromatica, the Served at 6 PM Tickets go on sale 23 Dec 2021 popular Danville chorus, will showcase hits across the centuries at their January 29,Feed2022 concert. The concert For the live Crab Dinner and Raffle: Call 925-272-8480 or email PM commanderpost246@gmail.com will be held at 7 at Peace Lutheran Church located at For the online auction: visit www.americanlegionpost246.org 3201 Camino Tassajara in Danville. At the time of writing, COVID rules prohibit the provision of its usual wine SPONSORED BY reception – but if this changes, Chromatica will certainly offer it! Vaccination certificates and masks will be required. What do Mozart, Brahms, Bernstein, Paul Simon, Harold Arlen, Victor Young, and Lili Boulanger all have in common? They all wrote pieces that were huge hits in their time. From Brahms’ German Requiem with its lovely “Wie Lieblich…” to Paul Simon’s “Bridge over Troubled Water,” their music attracted large audiences and created special memories. Chromatica’s concert will remember these, and a number of other pieces, in unusual and expressive arrangements. Lili Boulanger, the younger sister of famed pianist and teacher Nadia Boulanger who died tragically young at 25 and won the prestigious Prix de Rome at 18, produced some extraordinary music. The concert will feature her “Hymne au Soleil” (Hymn to the Sun) and “Renouveau” (Spring) that also include spectacular piano accompaniment featuring Julie Rieth, Chromatica’s outstanding accompanist. Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” sung in Hebrew, remain among his best choral works. In “Flander’s Fields” is a poignant ode to those who perished in the Great War. Add to these pieces popular toe tappers like “Ciao Bella Ciao,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “When I Fall in Love,” and “Twist and Shout,” Chromatica will again offer a unique program characteristic of its now 11-year history. Says founding music director David Huff, “Our programming has always been different from other community choruses. We seek to perform the unusual, and sometimes the overlooked, but always in great arrangements. This program illustrates the depth and range of Chromatica, a chorus that can at once perform Mozart, Brahms, and Bernstein but also swing with music from the great American songbook. And once again, we will sing in French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Italian, and of course, English!” Chromatica was founded in 2011 and now includes 20 men and women singers. Led by David P. Huff, an outstanding director and operatic tenor who has sung both in New York and San Francisco and accompanied by the exceptional pianist, Julie Rieth, it seeks to perform challenging pieces at a high level of professionalism. Chromatica will return to its normal concert schedule of May and November performances this year. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and children 10 and under are admitted free. For concert tickets and to find out more about Chromatica, visit www.chromaticachorale. org. Tickets for all concerts are also available at the door. For a more personal look you can find Chromatica on Facebook. :
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
SRV GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 to provide its members with resources, assistance, and educational opportunities that help them successfully research their ancestry. You are invited to join the Tuesday, January 18th, 10am ZOOM meeting with a presentation by Steven Morrison, entitled “Western Overland Trails - Following the Seven T’s.” The major trails from the Midwest to the West will be covered in this talk. The principal routes will include the Oregon and California Trails, the Mormon migrations, the Santa Fe Trail, and more. Steven Waltz Morrison has seven branches of his family who migrated west on the California and Oregon Trails between 1847 and 1862. He has been a professional genealogist since 2006 and is past president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Olympic Genealogical Society in Washington State. To become a member of SRVGS, visit srvgensoc.org and click on the “Join SRVGS” tab on the left side of the home page. To attend this meeting as a guest, please email your request to Steve Watty at president@srvgensoc.org.
THE MOVIE INDUSTRY IN FREMONT, CA A FREE ONLINE PROGRAM
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is presenting a free online program on Thursday, January 20th at 11:30AM on the history of the “Hollywood of the East Bay, the Niles district of Fremont.” Hear about the time from 1913 to 1920 when this area was a hot spot for producers of silent films. Essanay Studios built a western production studio in Niles to take advantage of the area’s beauty and good weather. The studio brought in multitudes of actors, directors, and stage crews to staff their westerns, romances, and comedies. Charlie Chaplin's famous movie The Tramp was filmed there in 1915. Join Rena and David Kiehn from the Niles Essanay Film Museum to hear about the time when major movies were produced right in our backyard. In addition, learn about the interesting and unique museum located in Niles that celebrates silent movies and the stars who made them. To attend this free online presentation, visit www.museumsrv.org and go to the “Events” section, or call 925 837-3750. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1 PM-4 PM, Saturday 10 AM-1 PM, and Sunday noon-3 PM. For more information visit museumsrv. org or call 925-837-3750.
EMPOWER OUR CHILDREN AND KEEP THEM SAFE
Members of Girl Scout Troop 32666 from Diablo Vista Middle School helped create ‘Project emPOWER.’ emPOWER centers around making selfdefense training accessible in schools so that kids can be better equipped to deal with abductions, bullying, and general safety while working on their self-esteem and confidence. The Girls Scouts found that students spend about 1,000 hours in physical educations classes from elementary to middle school. The Girl Scouts firmly believe that if 30 of these hours were to be spent on self-defense, students would be able to make the community a better place for themselves and for others. In partnership with the Town of Danville Recreation, Arts and Community Services Department, the Girl Scouts have helped organize a free educational self-defense course taught by East West Kung Fu. Please encourage your first through eighth grade children or grandchildren to sign up for this class! Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. The first session will be held on January 18th from 3:30-4:30PM at the Diablo Vista Middle School blacktop. Visit www.tinyurl.com/3tx8ru4u to register online for this free class. For questions or more information email gsprojectempower@gmail.com.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
VOLUNTEER WITH AARP TAX-AIDE
Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages residing in Contra Costa County. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS and Client Facilitators who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Classes for tax counselors start in January 2022. Service is from February through April 15, 2022. If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer, or call (925) 726-3199 for additional information.
LOCAL WOMEN, APPLY NOW FOR AAUW SCHOLARSHIPS
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Danville-AlamoWalnut Creek (DAW) branch has provided over $110,000 in scholarships over the last nine years. The scholarships are to help local college women complete their degree programs. Applications for upcoming awards are now being accepted. The minimum scholarship to be awarded is $2,000 and will be paid no later than June 30, 2022. Applicants must be US citizens and entering into their junior year or higher, at an accredited 4-year college or university, no later than the fall of the upcoming school year after which they apply for the scholarship. To apply, and for a complete description of requirements, visit daw-ca.aauw. net/aauw-scholarship-application. Applications must be completed and postmarked by March 11, 2022.
“TOWN TALKS” WITH DANVILLE MAYOR ARNERICH
Danville’s new Mayor, Newell Arnerich, continues the monthly “Town Talks with the Mayor” series with the first edition scheduled for 2022. Started in 2021 by the previous Mayor, Renee Morgan, Town Talks with the Mayor was a new way to reach residents and keep them informed. In this month’s Town Talks installment, Mayor Arnerich will discuss Danville’s future plans to reimagine some of the public spaces within the downtown area to provide connection, interaction, and engagement. Town Talks with Mayor Newell Arnerich will be live-streamed via Zoom at 9AM on Friday, January 7, 2022. Joining the Mayor at the January presentation will be Business and Economic Development Director Jill Bergman, Chief of Planning Dave Crompton, and Assistant Town Manager Tai Williams. Community members are encouraged to join the discussion. Participants can ask questions using the chat feature or email questions ahead of time to towntalks@ danville.ca.gov. To register for the program, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrk3zpp7. The Town Talks programs will be held on the first Friday of each month via Zoom. Mayor Arnerich invites guests to discuss various topics of interest to Danville residents. Recordings will be available on the Town Talks with the Mayor webpage: www.DanvilleTownTalks.org/town-talks-with-the-mayor where you can find all the information for this program, including previous recordings. For more information, contact Diane Friedmann at 925-314-3378 or dfriedmann@danville.ca.gov.
JEWELRY FUNDRAISER FAIRE
The Alamo Women’s Club will be hosting a Jewelry Fundraiser Faire to benefit Club scholarships as well as projects to support the community. The Faire will be held on Thursday, February 3rd from 10-5pm and Friday, February 4th from 10-4pm. A huge inventory of designer jewelry will be 50% off and beautiful costume jewelry valued up to $40 can be had for only $5. The Club is located at 1401 Danville Blvd. Alamo. Covid safe protocols will be in place. All shoppers and staff are required to wear masks and distance while shopping.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
2022: THE YEAR AHEAD By Joe Gatti
Welcome 2022! I hope you all had a great holiday season, a healthy end to 2021, and a happy New Year’s celebration. As we enter January and brainstorm our resolutions and what we want to accomplish in the year to come, there are some key insights from our local real estate market in 2021 to review and fiscal policy decisions to be aware of as this new year progresses. Last year was eye opening regarding price appreciation in our local market and a surprise regarding historical inventory numbers. In all of 2020, the median sold price for the greater Danville area (which comprises Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon) was $1,432,000. For the year that just ended, counting sold detached properties up to December 19th, the median price had increased over $400,000 to $1,875,000.* This was a 30% increase in one year! A common theme we heard in the national media, for the cause of such price appreciation, was that housing inventory had been at all time lows. However, if we look deeper at our own market, we find that’s not entirely the case. In 2019, the last pre-pandemic year, the total sold housing inventory was 1,626. In 2020, the sold inventory increased to 1,937, and last year the amount of detached homes sold increased further to 2,098 (through December 19th). The amount of sold inventory when comparing 2019 to 2021 shows a 29% increase. The perception of low inventory is not really the answer to our local question. Compared to past years, inventory actually went up. What changed is that our area became “discovered” and more sought after from a higher percentage of very eager buyers than in the past. Can we expect this trend to continue? The very short term answer is likely, “yes.” The longer term (six to 12 months and beyond) will depend on how the larger US economy reacts to upcoming fiscal decisions and whether that impacts the buyers who are looking to purchase in our area. At the pandemic’s beginning, the Federal Reserve initiated a monthly bond buying program to keep money moving through the US economy for the purpose of bolstering growth when economic activity was at its lowest levels. On December 15th, the Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, forecast the pull back and eventual end of this program to occur in March 2022. The other forecast in the Central Bank’s policy statement was the possibility of three interest rate increases, for the purpose of counteracting our current raised inflation levels. When interest rates are raised, it has a cooling effect on economic demand because loans for a business, home, or car become more expensive. A previous cash buyer might need to get a loan to buy a new home because their projected yearly business expenses become higher. Buyers looking at homes at a specific price level in our community last year might have to adjust to a lower price point in 2022 because their projected interest rate on their future loan has increased and the resulting monthly payment becomes too high. These circumstances would then be visible on the amount of competitive buyers looking at a particular property, the amount of offers sellers receive, and the ultimate sold price. However, if the past two years have taught us anything, it’s to be skeptical of predicting the future. The hard facts we do know of our local market are that real estate values are very strong and as we enter 2022 there are more buyers than ever before wanting to call our community home. I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 10 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 15 Railroad office in downtown Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time, or have questions about this article, please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-588-3590. Our services are here for you! *Data taken from the MLS during specific dates and under the criteria mentioned within the article.
Recent Activity in Your Community! Happy New Year from the Gatti Team!
As Danville Natives, We Know Danville and the San Ramon Valley Sold $49k Over Asking
Pending Over Asking
101 Maiden Ln, Danville
1105 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville
3 Bd | 2 Bth | 1,545 SqFt | .29 AC | $1,149,000 Best valued Danville home with substantial lot size for expansion/or new build on market! Builder, investor, buyer’s looking to enter Danville, expand and create their future home look no further! Just a short distance from 3 levels of award-winning schools. Green Valley Pool is conveniently across the street.
2 Beds | 1.5 Baths | 1,114 Sq Ft | Sold for $688,000 Westside Danville, Townhome! Located in Danville Green! Combined kitchen/ living area includes granite counters; appliances: Frigidaire refrigerator, Whirlpool dishwasher, and GE oven and microwave. In-unit laundry. Close to downtown Danville, Sycamore Square, and the Livery Shopping Center.
Call us regarding how our Compass Concierge and Bridge Loan programs can help you!
Sold $260k Over Asking
115 Camino Encanto, Westside Danville 4 Beds | 3 Bath | 2,305 SqFt | .26 AC | Sold for $2,455,000 First time on market in 31 years! Prime Westside Danville location! Close to downtown and Iron Horse Trail! Updated kitchen and expanded guest primary bedroom/possible au pair space. Backyard deck that leads to pool. Near awardwinning schools.
Joe Gatti Broker Associate 925.588.3590 gattirealestate@gmail.com DRE 01914487
Ron Gatti Broker Associate 925.596.1972 gattirealestate@gmail.com DRE 00623995
gattirealestate.com Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE
Congratulations to Sienah Alexander, Jaden Andres, Kayla Chew, Nadia Fan, Blair Friesen, Abigail Gratteau, Jessica Hui, Ava Lamberson, Megan Minamide, Rachel Minamide, Luana Oliveira, Madeline Park, Natalie Pfeiffer, Samantha Picht, and Maria Ramos from the Rolling Hills (RH) National Charity League (NCL) chapter who were recently awarded a total of 24 awards in addition to individual Presidential Service Awards. These young ladies worked over 1,500 hours on projects serving groups that included Meals On Wheels, Contra Costa/Solano Food Bank, Mission for the Homeless, White Pony Express, and The Crayon Initiative. NCL’s mission is to foster community service while supporting mother-daughter bonds, develop leadership skills, and an appreciation for cultural traditions. The RH chapter is recruiting mothers and their 7th through 12th grade daughters in the San Ramon Valley School District area interested in philanthropic work and leadership building. Applications for the classes of 2023 through 2025 will be accepted through February 8th. Applicants will be invited to attend a virtual prospective members meeting to be held on January 25th. The membership inquiry form is available at https://tinyurl.com/2p9fybeu. For general membership questions, email rhnclmembership@gmail.com.
SONS IN RETIREMENT
SAN RAMON VALLEY BRANCH #128
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement (SIR) San Ramon Valley Branch #128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have fun participating in a variety of Zoom-related activities including investing, book groups, fantasy football, technology, wine tastings, and more. Members are also now participating in various outdoor activities including golf, bocce ball, bicycling, and hiking. The first 2022 in-person luncheon meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 19th at 11AM. Please note that this luncheon will adhere to all CDC and Contra Costa County COVID guidelines. The guest speaker will be Mr. Frank Allocco Sr., Senior Associate Athletic Director at the University of San Francisco. Prior to his current position, Frank coached basketball for 24 years at Northgate and De La Salle High Schools. During that time his teams won 21 League, six Regional and three State championships. He has also been a featured motivational speaker at corporate sales meetings, business groups and organizations, basketball clinics, and camps. Be prepared for an interesting presentation. If you’re interested in attending the luncheon/meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about the group, visit www.SIR128.com.
LAS TRAMPAS BRANCH #116
SIR Las Trampas Branch 116 continues to expand its social activities for semi-retired and retired men. Members live in Alamo, Danville, Concord, Lafayette, Moraga, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek. Come join the group to make new friends and social connections that are so important to have during retirement years. Upcoming club activities include golf clinics and games, pickleball, bocce ball, book groups, bridge, fishing, a walking group, wine tasting, and more! Other activities such as dining, travel, and touring are all on the table for 2022. SIR is a California based social organization for semi-retired and retired men. The strength of Branch 116 are the 18 activities members enjoy. If you wish to learn more or become a member of SIR Las Trampas Branch 116, please visit https://sirinc2.org/branch116, or call 925-322-1160.
FRIENDS OF THE DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Danville Library are hosting a popup used book sale to raise money for our local library! There will be lots of new titles including fiction, non fiction, children’s books, and cookbooks. Most hardbacks will be priced at $2 and most paperbacks at $1. Excellent condition 2020 and 2021 bestsellers will be sold at a higher price. The sale will be held indoors in the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street, Danville. The room will provide greater spacing than large books sales allowed in the past. Upcoming book sale dates will be January 28th and th 29 , February 25th and 26th, and March 25th and 26th from 10am to 2pm each day. Come stock your shelves for wintertime reading!
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
ALAMO DANVILLE ARTISTS’ SOCIETY WORKSHOP
Join the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) at their upcoming event with oil painter Tom Taneyhill. Taneyhill is a fine artist and illustrator who perfected his style while attending the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. After spending several years as a successful illustrator, Tom began his own series of work in 2002. Demand for his landscape paintings grew quickly. His demonstration will cover three phases of creating a painting including: concept, ideas, and composition; underpainting and adjustment; and brushwork, color palette, and knowing when to stop. The demonstration will take place at the Tuesday, January 11th meeting to be held at 7:30pm at the Alamo Women’s Club located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo. Learn more at adas4art.org.
WOMEN FINDING SOLUTIONS: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Join Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek American Association of University Women (AAUW) and learn from local women sharing their journeys and activism for social justice. An online, Zoom presentation will be held Thursday, January 13th at 7PM. Speakers will include Dr. Lori A. Watson (learn about her and her work at www. race-work.com), Tanya Earls Integrated Manager Cardiovascular Services, John Muir Health, and Lori Watson, Tanya Earls, and Veronica Benjamin. Veronica Benjamin - Co-Founder of Conscious Contra Costa. To learn more, or register for the event visit https://daw-ca.aauw.net/dei.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE RIDES TO SENIORS AND VETERANS
Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that gives rides to seniors and veterans in Contra Costa County. Volunteer drivers are needed to escort seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old. Please call Mobility Matters at (925) 284-2215 for more details. You can learn more about Mobility Matters at www.mobilitymatterscc.com.
VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE “OFFICE” TO YOU
The Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office is removing barriers by opening a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an in-person experience. Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for PostTraumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more. Visit the office website at www.contracosta. ca.gov/vets during open office hours for one-on-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, and on Fridays 9am to noon. Staffing the virtual office are Veterans Service Manager Sidney Jones, an Air Force Veteran, and Veteran Services Representative Buck Carmichael, a Marine Corps Veteran. Both have long-time experience connecting vets to critical services. For more information, please call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
Happy New Year - dream big and open the door to new home opportunities in 2022! SOME OF CELESTE’S 2021 PROPERTY SALES
1625 Campesino Court, Alamo
1698 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette
482 Milford Street, Brentwood
2 Sparrow Court, Pleasant Hill
$4,195,000 | Pending Multiple Offers
$2,945,000 | Multiple Offers
$880,000 | Multiple Offers
$945,000 | Multiple Offers
3571 Deer Crest Drive, Danville
123 Alamo Springs Drive, Alamo
6 Scenic Court, Danville
1 Country Oak Lane, Alamo
$2,300,000 | Multiple Offers
$4,300,000 | Multiple Offers
$2,753,000 | Multiple Offers
$6,300,000 | Represented Buyers
9579 Velvet Leaf Circle, San Ramon
756 El Pintado Road, Danville
1527 Symphony Circle, Brentwood
29 Walnut Meadow Lane, Danville
$2,155,000 | Represented Buyers
$6,813,000 | Represented Buyers
$772,000 | Represented Buyers
$3,200,000 | Pending Represented Buyers
“Celeste is a highly motivated and ethical real estate broker. 265 W El Pintado, Unit D, Danville
1591 Ramona Way, Alamo
$762,500 | Represented Buyers
$2,625,000 | Mulitple Offers
I’ve never seen anyone more prepared then her. She knew more about the area we lived in than anyone else. She is all about going the extra mile to sell your home. We will 100% be using Celeste in the future.” ~ BB
Celeste Pacelli Broker Associate | DRE 01862387 | 925.395.1511 celeste@celestepacelli.com | celestepacelli.com
Top 1.5% of All Agents Nationwide - WSJ Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals List Top 1% of Agents in Contra Costa & Alameda Counties! See more of my 71 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ reviews on Zillow! Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
MONTE VISTA HIGH
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
December gave Monte Vista (MV) a lot to celebrate. There are so many things we were grateful for as the fall semester came to a close. Our students shared this gratitude with the greater community through several events. MV’s Leadership Class collected and delivered hundreds of stockings full of gifts for Verde Elementary in Richmond and MV’s Freshman Leadership class put together hundreds of care packages for the homeless that were picked up and delivered by a local non-profit. MV’s California Scholarship Federation club also collected and donated a truckload of care packages that were delivered to people in need. I commend our students and faculty for their willingness to help their 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 in full swing. MV’s Choir sang to two sold out audiences and multiple performances at numerous holiday venues both on and off campus. A special thanks to MV’s Choir Director, Rosalind Neisinger, and her students for these amazing shows. 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. MV’s winter sports are now in full swing, spearheaded by strong starts in Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, and Women’s Basketball. We are looking forward to excellent seasons across the board. I would like to conclude with a big thank you to MVs PTSA for the Holiday Bake. I am always amazed by the sheer number of baskets and goodies that the PTSA shares with our staff and our community. Thanks to PTSA President, Mary Peart, and her amazing group of volunteers for this incredible event. Thanks to the whole MV community for an awesome close to the fall semester and to 2021. MV’s students and faculty are looking forward to a great spring semester.
CATCH UP ON SOME “Zs”
WINTER THOUGHTS By Jaime Kaiman, Monte Vista High, junior
Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s 2022 already. It’s even crazier to think that the next time I’ll be saying “Happy New Year” will be the year that I graduate high school. I remember getting a water bottle from my elementary school with the year “2023” engraved on it. I was confused at the significance of the number at first, and it took awhile to connect the dots and figure out that that would be the year I would wear a cap and gown, and throw my hat into the air in celebration after graduating. I remember thinking how much time I had until then, and how excited I was to be able to jump with my fists in the air with my best friends after singing a full musical number with choreography, just like how they did in my absolute favorite movie back then, High School Musical 3. Now, as the reality of time sinks in (and the realization that there most likely won’t be a musical number after graduating), I find myself wanting time to slow down just a bit. As 2022 rolls in, we still find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic. It feels as though every time we get closer to normalcy, things takes a turn for the worse. It’s easy and understandable to get frustrated, but keeping an optimistic mindset is a sure way to make sure you stay afloat in the chaos that has been these last few years. The omicron variant has been taking us by storm, and many different areas of our lives are adjusting to the new infections that have been spreading. For instance, one of my favorite shows, Saturday Night Live (SNL), decided to do their holiday episode without a live studio audience. They did this to ensure the safety of the public, especially as New York is a large epicenter for the variant. Many Broadway shows in New York closed down for the same reason. Although it’s sad that many things are shutting down again, I am glad to know that the main priority is safety. It’s important to be extra cautious to avoid another lockdown. I personally thought SNL was still hilarious without a live studio audience. It was funny to see the host do his monologue to a select number of people, and react to that circumstance. Last year went by in a blink of an eye, and it’s crazy to think that we are already in the year 2022. This year is full of unknowns, just as the last few years were. With the variant, and time moving faster than you want it to, it can be really easy to get caught up in the negative, but it’s helpful to be able to look on the bright side of things.
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY By Jamie Westgate, Principal
Each time one of my own kids graduated from high school, we celebrated with their grandparents on a special trip to honor the accomplishment. This past year, my youngest daughter graduated from San Ramon Valley High School, so we spent a week making memories in Hawaii. One of her greatest desires on the trip was to be swimming in the ocean while watching the sun go down. This easy request turned out to be one of the most memorable highlights of our time together. While floating out on the waves, a cloud drifted into the path of the sun to create a stunning sunset. Simultaneously, a light rain began to fall. I was so captivated by the spectacular sunset that at first I missed the incredible double rainbow behind us that was caused by the rain. Neither of us had words to describe the beauty of that moment when we noticed the 360o breathtaking views. Interestingly, I have often noticed myself reflecting on that experience when I feel myself entering into a hard season. We were swimming in deep water, with rainy skies overhead. We were getting chilled, and contemplating the decision to skip the sunset and dry off. If we had left the beach that evening, we would have missed the colorful sunset to our left, reminding us that days end with the promise of another ahead, and, the double rainbow on our right, reminding us to have hope in God’s promises ahead. As we enter back into the new spring semester, we are aware that some challenges await us, particularly with the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus. It feels like we’ve been swimming in this sea of COVID for an awfully long time, and I’m often ready to come in and “dry off!” However, if we leave such difficult times early, we may miss the opportunity to find the hope and encouragement God wants us to have. To share some of what I love about our school, I find tremendous joy in those moments when I hear the children playing at recess, giggling and shouting. I find hope when our boys’ and girls’ junior high basketball teams cheer one another on to victory. I find great encouragement when I walk down the hallway and overhear a teacher who is disguising the learning through an appealing game that the kids can’t wait to play. As we begin 2022, I’m choosing to focus not on the proverbial clouds and rain, but rather on the double rainbow ahead. I am confident God will carry us through these challenges as He has so faithfully done in the past. As He does, I will be looking for those rainbow moments all the way until the sun sets on the coming semester.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
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
FOR LEASE
NEW
PENDING
SOLD
2700 MIRANDA AVE, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,445 SF, 2.42 ACRE LOT
217 MONTEROSSO CT, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 3,813 SF, 0.20 ACRE LOT
457 RYAN TERRACE, SAN RAMON 3 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 1,956 SF
OFFERED AT $7,200/MO
OFFERED AT $2,350,000
2222 HILLSIDE CT, WALNUT CREEK 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,357 SF, 0.17 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $1,149,000
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
BONNE WERSEL | 510.304.3303
BRYAN HURLBUT | 925.383.5500
ALISON PETERSEN | 925.984.7214
SOLD FOR $990,000
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
111 POLLEY LN, PLEASANT HILL 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,494 SF, 0.30 ACRE LOT
747 LIQUIDAMBER PLACE, DANVILLE 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 2,782 SF, 0.23 ACRE LOT
704 SILVER LAKE DR, DANVILLE 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,539 SF, 0.08 ACRE LOT
SOLD FOR $1,065,000
SOLD FOR $2,180,000 SUZY PECK | 925.200.2988
2470 CABALLO RANCHERO, DIABLO 4 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 5,081 SF, 1.33 ACRE LOT SOLD FOR $3,450,000
EVA ELDERTS | 925.726.9409
BRYAN HURLBUT | 925.383.5500
SOLD FOR $1,050,000 SUZY PECK | 925.200.2988
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER
152 CHIANTI PLACE, PLEASANT HILL 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 2,039 SF, 0.24 ACRE LOT
2700 CHERRY LN, WALNUT CREEK 6 BEDS, 5 BATHS, 3,964 SF, 0.46 ACRE LOT
326 GOLDEN GRASS DRIVE, ALAMO 6 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 5,296 SF, 0.43 ACRE LOT
16 HILLSIDE DRIVE, DANVILLE 4 BEDS, 4 BATHS, 3,800 SF, 0.31 ACRE LOT
SOLD FOR $1,314,000
SOLD FOR $2,320,000
SOLD FOR $3,650,000
SOLD FOR $4,400,000
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
SCOTT & FONIA HUMPHRIES | 925.298.2249
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214
BONNE WERSEL 510.304.3303
BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500
DANI O’CONNELL 925.786.2176
REALTOR® | DRE#01177737
REALTOR® | DRE# 01173288
REALTOR® | DRE# 01347508
BROKER ASSOCIATE DRE# 01892167
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA 925.878.8047 925.482.4142
EVA ELDERTS 925.726.9409 REALTOR® | DRE# 02039328
REALTORS® DRE# 01979180 / 01979181
KORY MADGE 925.366.9899
MARGY LYMAN 925.963.6380
REALTOR® | DRE# 01345227
REALTOR® | DRE# 02067680
DRE# 01882902
WWW.DUDUM.COM
DANVILLE
MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL 925.984.1344 925.980.9952
SCOTT & FONIA HUMPHRIES 925.298.2249 925.998.4444
REALTORS® DRE# 00905114 / 01364056
REALTOR® / BROKER DRE# 02078065 / 01019063
WALNUT CREEK
LAMORINDA
BRENTWOOD
SUZY PECK 925.200.2988
WENDY RAMER 925.899.1989
REALTOR® | DRE# 01224695
REALTOR® | DRE#02013702
SIERRA TAHOE
Distinctive Properties
©2021 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 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane
MOUNT DIABLO AND ITS NAME
Mount Diablo is a unique, beloved landmark for people in Contra Costa County and beyond. How it came to have that name is a fascinating story. We know it was sacred to the Indians of different tribes who lived for thousands of years in view of the mountain. Some of their names that have been noted by ethnohistorian Beverly Ortiz are oj-ompil-ee (Northern Sierra Miwok), supermenenu (Central Sierra Miwok), sukku jaman (Nisenan), and tuyshtak (Chochenyo). In the early 1800s, the mountain was called “Sierra de los Bolbones” by Spanish explorers and missionaries. In October 1811, Father Ramon Abella of San Francisco and Father Fortuni of San Jose explored the Delta and named the mountain “Cerro Alto de los Bolbones,” which translates to “Tall Hill of the Volvons.” This title referred to the Bay Miwok Volvon Indian tribe which lived north and around the mountain. Other Spanish writers spelled the name Golgone, Bolbone, or Volvone. During the early years of the nineteenth century, missionaries were actively recruiting Indians for the missions. They wanted to baptize the Natives (and thus save their souls) and they needed workers for mission orchards, gardens, livestock-tending, and domestic work. When baptized Indians fled the missions and persuasion failed to get them back, soldiers were sent to retrieve them. In 1805, soldiers Duran 1824 map. Photo courtesy of The Bancroft Library. tried to capture mission Indians in a marsh north of Concord and, when the Indians completely disappeared into an eerie thicket during the night and could not be found in the morning, the soldiers named the area “Monte Diablo” (thicket of the devil). The name “m. de diablo,” signifying an Indian rancheria, appeared on an 1824 map created by Mission San Jose’s Father Narciso Duran. The English expedition of Edward Beechey in 1826 mapped the Bay and called the mountain “Sierra Bolbones.” When Salvio Pacheco petitioned for and received his Concord area grant in 1834, he named his rancho Monte del Diablo. Later, American and European explorers took the name Monte Diablo and placed it on the isolated mountain. During the 1840s explorers Charles Wilkes (“Montes Diabolo”), John Fremont (“Mount Diavolo,”) and Eugene Duflot de Mofras (“Mounte de Diablo”) used versions of that name. The Volvon name was not mentioned. When the new state legislature was organizing counties in 1850, they considered naming this area Mount Diablo County. Mariano Vallejo wrote that “both branches of the state legislature, after heated debates on the subject, resolved upon the less profane one of Contra Costa.” In 1851, the mountain’s summit became the base point for U.S. land surveys of central California and Nevada. A year later, the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey used Mt. Diablo as a base point for its National Triangulation Survey. Today we view the mountain’s name as settled and acknowledge the name’s beginnings in that north Concord marsh, but the name does seem to draw controversy. Bret Harte wrote a fictitious Photograph of Mount Diablo by Bill Hockins. essay in 1863 which told about a missionary’s battle with the devil in the guise of a bear, after th which the priest named the mountain for the devil. In the 19 century a local Congregational church wanted to call the mountain Kahwookum which they said was an Indian name meaning “Everywhere Seen.” This name has come up several times including when a journalist in 1916 said the mountain should be Koo-WahKum. As recently as 2005, an Oakley resident unsuccessfully petitioned the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to re-label it Mount Kawukum. No evidence for such an Indian name has been found. The name Diablo appears throughout northern California on schools, school districts, ships, housing developments, foot races, streets, businesses, and magazines. In the San Ramon Valley, Diablo Country Club is named for the mountain. The name is here to stay. And of course, the mountain is here to stay. At 3,849 feet it looms over valleys on all sides and can be seen by people traveling in San Francisco Bay and from the Sierras. Complicated geologically with a great plant biodiversity, it is a productive location for all kinds of geological and botanical studies. On April 23, 1978, the summit was recognized with the California Historical Landmark Number 905, an effort led by Egon Peterson. The San Ramon Valley Historical Society assisted with the dedication and gave this landmark their plaque # 6. Sources: Erwin Gudde, 1000 California Place Names; Bret Harte, “The Legend of Mount Diablo”, Atlantic Monthly, Oct. 1863; Randall Milliken, A Time of Little Choice, 1995; Seth Adams chronology; Museum of the San Plaque dedication with Egon Peterson and Mary Bowerman in 1978. Ramon Valley and Historical Society archives.
STUDENT AWARDED PRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
Dhriti Avala, a senior at California High School, has been awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This award is given to honor the most outstanding volunteers and the impact they have made. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is proud to have made this possible by being the Certifying Organization for Ms. Avala. She has also volunteered at Kaiser Hospitals, but this was cut short by the onset of the pandemic. At the Museum she has amassed over 2,000 volunteer hours. During this time she has been a greeter at the entry to the museum, welcoming visitors, handling fees, and admission. Beyond that, she answers the many questions visitors have about the 1891 building they are visiting. In addition to her greeter responsibilities, she has trained and mentored many of the student volunteers that staff the museum on Sundays. “The museum could not survive without our dedicated group of volunteers. Dhriti brought dedication and enthusiasm to her volunteer efforts at the museum and also helped to train her fellow volunteers. We are indebted to her for her time spent at the museum. We wish her well as she moves on to her college studies and hope to get her back during breaks in the future,” said Dan Dunn Executive Director of the Museum on having Dhriti as a volunteer.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
Happy New Year Stone Valley Center in the Heart of Downtown Alamo
Supo� Lcal Bsineses-Shop d Din Advanced Laser & Skin Care………………(925) 837-6408 CVS Pharmacy…………..…………………..(925) 314-9710 Forli Restaurant & Bar……………………..(925) 854-2638 Maguey’s Mexican Restaurant..…………….(925) 743-8997 MD Liquors & Food.………………………...(925) 838-1888 RJ’s Asian Fusion Bistro……………………(925) 984-2486 Fred’s Cleaners……………………………...(925) 837-1180 Coffee Shop Alamo …………….……………(925) 820-0400 Hospice Thrift Shoppes...……………………(925) 820-6525 Taco Bell Express……………………………(925) 406-0185 Custom Nails…………………………………(925) 831-9839 Subway-Eat Fresh……………………………(925) 362-1520 Sexton Veterinarian Clinic…...……………...(925) 855-8387
A Lot of Free Parking Easy Access from I‐680 Located at Stone Valley Road & Danville Blvd. The Lineweaver Trust, Owner (925) 837‐3665 www.diabloholdings.com
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
REDISTRICTING RESULTS IN SLIGHT CHANGES TO COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS
By County Supervisor Candace Andersen
ACTION POOL REPAIR Serving Alamo & Danville Since 1979!
925.820.3640
Contra Costa County just completed its redistricting process for Supervisorial Districts. Local governments revise district lines every 10 years using fresh census data to reflect changes in local populations. Assembly Bill 849 www.actionpoolrepair.com (2019) mandates that cities and counties perform public yourpoolman@hotmail.com hearings and/or seminars, as well as public outreach, as part of the redistricting process. County Supervisors enthusiastically embraced all these requirements. Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 grouped together as “communities of interest” into a district. A population that has shared social, economic, geographic, or cultural interests should be included within a single supervisorial district for purposes of effective and equitable representation, according to state law. Relationships with political parties, incumbents, or candidates are not included in communities of interest. The 2020 Census local data indicates that Contra Costa is becoming increasingly multiracial. The total population of Contra Costa is 1,165,297; the racial demographic makeup are as follows: 39% White, 27% Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.4% Black, 5.7% two or more races, 0.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native. My district, District 2, is comprised of 55.1% White, 28% Asian, 8.5% Latino, 1.6% Black, and 6.7% Other. As we looked at the composition of the districts, we wanted to ensure that no racial or ethnic group’s voice or representation was diluted by how the districts were drawn. It was a priority to have residents tell the County Board of Supervisors how they thought supervisorial district boundaries should be designed to best reflect their communities. Contra Costa County held five public hearings and multiple town halls and mapping workshops to get residents’ feedback on communities of interest and the proposed maps. Anyone could go online and submit a map they thought was most appropriate. The Board of Supervisors, at their November 23rd meeting, approved by unanimous vote to adopt a Supervisorial Map with new district boundaries. For District 2 the map now includes the communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, and Camino Tassajara. I will continue representing parts of Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, Orinda, and San Ramon. I am pleased to absorb the new territories into District 2 and look forward to continuing to offer constituents the support of county services. District lines needed to be drawn to ensure that the population of the five supervisorial districts is roughly equal, and there could not be a variance of more than 10% from the district with the lowest population to that with the highest. District 2 is now the largest district with 244,886 residents. The smallest district is District 3 with a population of 222,046. The newly adopted district map can be found at https://tinyurl.com/227cbcd9. To read more about the process, please visit the Contra Costa Redistricting website at www.CoCoRedistricting.org. Why do these new County supervisorial districts matter? What do County Supervisors do for you? For those who live in incorporated cities, our cities do an outstanding job providing a wide array of services. They make decisions about planning, housing, parks, recreation, roads, transportation, and police services. County Supervisors make these same decisions for unincorporated communities, which in my district now include Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Diablo, Parkmead, Saranap, and other unincorporated areas adjacent to District 2 cities. The County provides many services that cities do not. These include airports, agriculture, animal services, assessor, child support services, clerk-recorder, coroner, county hospital and health clinics, district attorney, elections, environmental health, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, Iron Horse Trail management, jails, library system, mental health, probation, public defender, public health, sheriff, tax collection, veterans services, and weights & measures. As we’ve seen during the pandemic, our County Health Department plays an integral part in ensuring that all our residents have access to COVID testing and vaccinations. The County is also the “safety net” for individuals and families in crisis. Services assisting people include adult protective services, child protective services, Cal Fresh (food stamps), Cal Works, Head Start preschool programs, homeless services, Medi-Cal health services, foster care, and adoption. To learn more about the various services provided by the County and how our $4.06 billion budget is spent, please go to contracosta.ca.gov. My office is here to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
Run continued from front page
manner. This enables the girls to grow at a pace where absorption, understanding, and incorporation (practicing of skills/techniques) can be had, while they enjoy camaraderie, build relationships, and laugh while moving through lessons both in mind and movement. This helps young women learn a sense of self and ability, learning their own strengths, and understanding that they have a voice. One which is as valued as all voices…is so crucial to their well being and that of our local community, our world.” Can a running program for pre-teens inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind? Yes, according to studies. In a July 2021 Harvard/Wallace Study (Wallace.org) “Navigating Social Emotional Learning from the Inside out,” GOTR was only one of three to acknowledge the importance of and/or provide guidance or resources for addressing equitable and inclusive education. Coach Jennifer Fish, an avid runner with a PhD in engineering added, “We measure pre and post GOTR program impact via surveys with parents, coaches, and the girls. We review and compare results from season over season, and adjust lessons accordingly based on the feedback. Some of the attributes we measure are confidence, happiness, healthy friendships, and embracing of exercise.” Coach Cate Peters is a junior at Monte Vista High School and volunteer coach with GOTR. Cate knows firsthand how building a girl’s confidence through
See Run continued on page 22
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
GLOWFARI
The Palace of Versailles, 12 miles west of Paris, is visited by over three million people each year. The gorgeous chateau and famous gardens are spectacular any time of the year. A hunting lodge that was later renovated and expanded under the reign of Louis XIV, the chateau is rich in history. The venue is known for events including operas, concerts, theatre, ballet, art exhibits, the popular Grand Masked Ball and summertime spectacle known as the “Versailles Night Fountain” show. Every Saturday night from mid-June to late September, the French Gardens of Chateau de Versailles are transformed with thousands of lights creating a wonderland in the pools, groves, and fountains with elaborately illuminated statues, all with a backdrop of the magnificent chateau and the sound of the Sun King’s music. The Versailles Night Fountain show culminates with 15 minutes of spectacular fireworks. The Versailles Night show is popular with the locals as well as visitors from all over the world. A tradition since her children were babies, my French friend Virginie, who lives in Versailles, attends the light show every year. “My family and I LOVE Versailles Night Fountain show,” she shared. Locally, many families have taken their kids to “Zoolights,” a show which had been a 25-year tradition at our own beloved Oakland Zoo. Their new show, “Glowfari,” an incredible lantern festival, is in its second year. I emailed with Erin Dogan Harrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Conservation Society of California who noted “Actually, there was very little apprehension about our ending the 25-year tradition of Zoolights, we felt confident that Glowfari would be a much better experience and attract more attendance than Zoolights. We knew many zoos were putting on Asian lantern festivals, and they were doing very well in terms of attendance. So we wanted to bring a lantern festival to Oakland Zoo, but make it unique to us and make it an event that resonates with our message about wild life conservation. We decided that Oakland Zoo’s lantern festival would consist of animal lanterns and education-based messaging about those animal and their status in the world.” My daughters and granddaughters and I were thrilled with Glowfari. What fun! I had imagined the lanterns of Glowfari to be pretty and delicate. I was surprised by the size and scope of the exhibit. The animals are depicted with realism and they are huge. We walked on pathways lit with brightly colored lanterns shaped into flowers, butterflies, and plants, some reaching over 12 feet high. We continued through tunnels made of more lanterns of lights and open spaces filled with giraffes, rhinos, deer, chimps climbing trees, camels, and snakes. Bundled up in our winter coats, we meandered on lantern-lined pathways through the African Safari, Desert Oasis, Forest of Asia, World of Bugs, and Winter Wonderland. “We worked for months to make sure that we selected our life-size animal lanterns carefully and worked with our vendor to include animatronics when possible, it just brings the lanterns to life and people love that,” shared Erin Dogan Harrison. We could not agree more. Our new family tradition will be visiting Glowfari each holiday season. Oakland Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, in Oakland. Their phone number is 510-632-9525. The website is Oaklandzoo.org. Tickets to Glowfari are available online only. Glowfari is open from 5PM-10PM Monday-Sunday. The exhibit runs through February 6, 2022. Linda Summers Pirkle is a travel writer, Francophile, consultant and long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
AGGRESSIVE & SKILLED LEGAL ADVOCACY Protect your rights after serious injury or wrongful death.
Call us today to schedule a consultation.
925-587-9949 “Making the world a safer place, one case at a time.” Alamo resident since 2002
www.gattopc.com
2540 Camino Diablo, Suite 200, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
PETER WALDRON NAMED ALAMO ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR
Peter Waldron has been named the Alamo Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Alamo. The Rotary Club of Alamo Co-Presidents, Beth Randall and Steve Polcyn, presented the award to Peter for his outstanding contributions to the Club. “With this honor, the Rotary Club of Alamo is recognizing someone who best exemplifies the goals of Rotary through his or her consistent contributions, and in doing so has brought honor and respect to the Club,” Beth Randall said. Beth continued,“He has been a significant contributor to the success of the Rotary Club of Alamo and its 501 (c) 3 non-profit Foundation.” In the few short years that Peter has been a member of the Club, he has become a dynamic and forceful leader, past, present, and future! Peter has served as President-Elect and President, shepherding the Easter Egg Hunt and the Alamo Tree Left to right, Rotary Club Co-president Steve Polcyn, Alamo Lighting events. Rotarian of the Year Peter Waldron, and Co-president Beth Randall. His prowess in social media has given Alamo Rotary a powerful presence and his promotion of the Club’s Evening Socials has resulted in several new and prospective members. Peter has stepped up again to be club president for a second time for the 2022-23 year and has facilitated this year’s board meetings through the generous loan of his office and Zoom account. Peter continues to take on responsibility after responsibility demonstrating how much he values and believes in Alamo Rotary. Peter is a tireless worker and never says no. We cannot say enough good things about Peter, but we can say that he is definitely representative of and responsible for the very bright and promising future of Alamo Rotary.” Peter and his wife, Nichole, reside in Alamo. He is the managing partner of Waldron Partners with its headquarters based in Alamo. The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971 and celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year. The Club has 40 members.
Kitten and Cat Adoptions
Saturdays 11AM-3PM Petco - 2005 Crow Canyon Pl., San Ramon Sundays Noon-3PM Pet Food Express, Blackhawk 11000 Crow Canyon Rd., Danville
All cats are spayed or neutered, receive FVRCP shots, feline testing, & microchip.
Learn more at feralcatfoundation.org
925-829-9098
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
CLIP NOTES
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
Sharing gardening success stories is certainly satisfactory but exchanging tales of horticultural errors is often more enlightening. One of my most monumental mistakes involved nurturing the nasty along with the nice. Having gardened all my life in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, I knew nothing about growing citrus trees when we moved to Danville many years ago. Lured to the corner of my new yard by an enticing fragrance, I was delighted to discover lovely white flowers gracing low-growing branches. Small green oval fruits soon replaced the blossoms. Eventually my patience was rewarded with a fine crop of Meyer lemons. The previous owners of the property had permitted a robust evergreen tree to rise above the fruiting branches. It was obviously some kind of citrus. I couldn’t find a grafting union. Nevertheless, the taller growth may have represented rootstock used to impart strength and hardiness to the lemon. Perhaps, it was a sport that would prove worthy of cultivation. Branches unlike an existing specimen that display desirable characteristics may be grown out and marketed as new cultivars. Sometimes a hybrid sports growth that proves to be a reversion to one of its parents. What, after all, is a Meyer lemon? Born in 1875, Frans Nicholas Meijer emigrated from the Netherlands to the United States in 1901. After anglicizing his name to Frank N. Meyer, he was hired by the United States Department of Agriculture to find crop plants worthy of cultivation. In 1908, Meyer brought the lemon variety that bears his name from China where it had been valued since ancient times as an ornamental tree or dwarf container specimen. The precise ancestry of the Meyer lemon is unknown. Whether by intent or chance, a thousand years or more ago, a mandarin orange/pomelo hybrid and a citron are thought to have cross-pollinated to produce the original Meyer lemon plant. Americans loved the sweet fruit, but soon found Meyer’s lemon was prone to carrying citrus tristeza virus. It didn’t harm Meyer’s introduction but threatened California’s commercial citrus groves. Early in the 1950s, Joe Grimshaw and Dillon family members Floyd and Don, Sr. from Four Winds Growers identi-
fied a virus-free clone. Developed and certified by the University of California, Riverside, the “Improved Meyer lemon” was released for sale in 1975. All Meyer lemons sold in the US today are descendants of that clone. Optimistically, I counted flowers appearing on the upper branches of my unidentified citrus as a positive sign. Based on the armature of thorns as big as my thumb that lined its limbs, I was sure no deer or other four-legged foragers would be dining on the tree. For want of an appropriate botanical name, I called my green giant “Thor the Thug.” Good news! Thor’s flowers produced round fruits. Maybe an orange? The fruits kept growing until they were the size of soccer balls. A grapefruit, perhaps. But the fruit didn’t grow in grape-like clusters, the habit that inspired a Jamaican farmer to call it “grapefruit.” Maybe it was yielding pomelos (aka pummelos), the largest citrus fruits. First discovered in Barbados in the 1750s, grapefruit may have been produced serendipitously or intentionally as a hybrid of Citrus grandis (the pummelo) and Citrus sinensis (the sweet orange). By 1823, the grapefruit tree had entered the US, but its thick skin originally made it unappealing. Thor’s fruit had extremely dense skin. The flesh inside was stringy and dry. Had I waited too long to harvest? Subsequent trials yielded the same results. The tree I had been carefully pruning and feeding was a horticultural horror. Somehow the Meyer lemon branches near its base managed to continue to thrive in Thor’s shadow, but I bet they would have been more productive with a less aggressive companion crowding their space. The longer you garden, the more likely you are to have embarrassing failures to your discredit. Nevertheless, the resilience plants exhibit inspires gardeners to follow suit. Whenever I feel prone to question the wisdom of spending hours cossetting my green pets only to discover a four-footed or many-legged predator, winged warrior or pathogen has ravaged my garden, I recall Ruth Bancroft’s cheerful acceptance of her own errors. After losing 95% of her succulent collection to an unusual cold spell the first winter she set the plants in ground, she replanted. When a plant failed, space opened up for something new. Her dry garden gradually grew into the remarkable landscape that inspired Frank Cabot to launch the Garden Conservancy.
Nights continued from front page
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB
By Jody Morgan
privacy. Their possessions are carefully packed and moved to the next shelter. Faith groups unable to offer living space co-host, sharing meal service and other volunteer roles such as organizing children’s activities, stocking the kitchen with supplies, doing laundry, and backing up the overnight supervisor. On weekdays, children are driven to the schools in which they are enrolled. Parents with jobs are supported in getting to their places of employment. Those seeking work receive help in preparing resumes and applications at the Oasis Day Center where showers are available on weekdays. Weekends, the Bay Church brings their three-stall shower van to shelter locations that lack showers. One unit has a tub for bathing young children. Who are WN’s clients? Families suddenly facing altered circumstances frequently Tents at St. Timothy;'s: "When I see the shoes neatly figure among our friends and lined up outside the tent I know this is a family that neighbors. Jo Kerner, long-time has made a home with us." Photo courtesy of Joann volunteer WN grant writer, Oliver, St. Timothy's remarks, “I have encountered an amazing number of highly successful individuals who have been homeless or faced the anxiety of being on the brink of losing their homes as they struggled to pay the mortgage and support young children.” One mother, who kept her situation secret from friends, lived in her car with her teenage daughter for several months before entering the WN Shelter program. She writes: “There is a new kind of homelessness today -- people like me who
You are invited to visit meetings and to become a part of the Walnut Creek Garden Club! You’ll find friendly members with varying interests, including: • Creating and improving gardens with new plants and techniques • Supporting garden education in local schools • Supporting local environmental charities with community grants • Learning about the fun of arranging flowers • Volunteering to help local gardens, fundraisers, and plant sales The group meets the second Monday of each month at 9:30AM, September through June, at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek. The group welcomes the vaccinated public to their next meeting to be held January 10th. Shawna Anderson from Orchard Nursery shares her pruning tips for all types of roses. She will demonstrate techniques and the best tools for the job. Shawna is a garden consultant and designer and shares her passion for gardening through her business: Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers. If you are interested in joining the Club or for more information, please visit www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org. have jobs, who have children with activities. I refuse to break down behind it. I have my dignity, my integrity.” Ametiszt, another formerly homeless mother featured with her daughter Addy in Jim Harrington’s East Bay Times article (11/21/2021), is proud to let others see their grateful, smiling faces. Happy in their own home now, Ametiszt reports: “All this is possible because I was at Winter Nights shelter and they helped me get my car fixed, they helped me keep my job.” “Hearing firsthand the stories of families supported by WN keeps me motivated to spend the hours required to file applications and repetitive reports for government grants,” Kerner explains. Interviews with current WN clients provide details that make application responses compelling. For example, the story of a mother who came from plenty, never expecting to be homeless,
See Nights continued on page 16
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
925-831-8310 Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Veteran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction. Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.
Open Monday - Thursday and the first two Saturday’s of each month. Meet Dr. Kiranjot Dyal
Dr. Kiranjot Dyal graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Thereafter, she attended Western University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine to earn her degree in Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) and further extended her studies by completing a general practice residency at UCLA- Harbor Medical Center, where she earned the “Resident of the Year” accolade. Dr. Dyal’s passion for growth in her dental skills shows as she continues educating herself through various classes and up to date courses. Dr. Dyal’s goal as a dental provider is to provide compassionate care for her patients and make them feel as stress-free as possible in the dental chair. She believes that knowledge is power and understanding what treatment is needed, why it's necessary, and how it can be prevented in the future is extremely important in bettering the overall oral health of her patients and the general public. Dr. Dyal strives to build a trusting and genuine relationship with her patients and their family and friends to create a comfortable dental home for the community she treats.
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
DIY PLANNING PITFALLS
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Last month, I wrote about serious problems often associated with do-it-yourself (DIY) estate planning. This is my follow-up article about a very interesting DIY case that I’m handling now. Decades ago, two elderly siblings (fictitiously, “Mary” and “Larry”), owned a single-family home. They wanted it to be a “legacy property” for their large, close family - enabling any of ten close family members to live in it, as needed. This could have been structured in any number of ways, depending on what Mary and Larry wanted. The two typed up their own “Grant Deed” form under which all 12 people, including themselves, were granted a 1/12th interest in the home. A deed should expressly specify the manner in which title is to be held by the grantees (transferees), but this one did not. Typically, for a large group of co-owner grantees, title is taken formally as “tenants-in-common” (TIC). Under TIC, each co-owner has the right to transfer, during life or upon death, his or her respective interest, as he or she wishes. Alternatively, grantees can take title as “joint tenants,” which would render the person who happens to survive the other 11 co-owners the sole owner of the property. Parenthetically, given the special, family legacy purposes of Mary and Larry, the possible use of a modified “life estate” might have been very useful instead of adding their 10 family members to the deed as co-owners. To make matters more complicated, the following language was typed into the deed: “In the event of the death of any owner of this property no portion of this property will pass from the original owners by sale or inheritance. This property is to remain intact until such time as the last survivor is deceased.” Ambiguity abounds! Were all 12 grantees the ones being referred to as the “original owners” OR just Mary and Larry? What does it mean that the
Nights continued from page 14
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews property must “remain intact until such time as the last survivor is deceased”? Did Mary and Larry really intend this to be a blanket prohibition on sale until the last of the 12 co-owners was deceased? Is it reasonably implied that the home could be sold sooner if all then-living co-owners agreed? Finally, was it intended that, upon the death of the last of the 12 co-owners, the property would be sold and that sale proceeds would be distributed equally among the estates of all 12 deceased co-owners OR only to the estate of the last one of the 12 co-owners to die? Today, eight of the 12 co-owners are deceased. None of the four living co-owners needs or wants to live in the home. The home is vacant and in disrepair, though quite valuable. The four living co-owners and the estates of the eight deceased co-owners all want the home to be sold ASAP. Complex court action will need to be instituted in an attempt to reconcile the DIY deed’s ambiguity so that clear title can be transferred to a buyer. This will include a petition, under which the family asks the court to reform the deed to comport with what is believed to be Mary’s and Larry’s intentions when executing the deed long ago. Additionally, an order will be sought to compel the sale of the home, with proceeds to be split among the family, as intended. The very substantial expense, time, and inconvenience for family members could have been avoided if Larry and Mary had consulted with an experienced attorney. Upon receipt of advice and assistance from counsel, these generous, well-meaning folks would have learned how to optimally and efficiently fulfill their wishes and their legacy. |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, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@ rsilvermanlaw.com.
This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
highlights the abandonment many clients suffer. “Overall, it’s been a humbling, life-changing experience and I have a whole new family, including the staff, who have become our friends too,” the mother said. Bill Shaw assumed the responsibilities of WN Executive Director in July. He writes: “Our strength is our ability to meet the changing needs of the growing population of homeless families in Contra Costa County. Each family’s circumstances are different, and it is our goal to work with each of them to provide support services that address their particular needs and assist them toward stable and affordable housing.” Love is a major ingredient in WN’s recipe for success. Shaw relates: “After 11 years with Winter Nights, I have a deep love and respect for the many families whose lives our program has touched and for the many congregations and volunteers who make this program possible.” Judy Stillman, WN Executive Director from 2014-mid-2021, comments: “Winter Nights is so successful because of the goodness of people. Volunteers love working with WN because giving time, feeding people, and interacting with them means so much more than simply donating money.” Despite their many different religious beliefs, volunteers supporting WN enthusiastically express their joy in serving together. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Danville began hosting WN in 2005. Beth Chaim Congregation has been co-hosting since 2007. They share set-up and break-down of the shelter space and each take a week in charge of meals and other services. Joann Oliver, St. Timothy’s Coordinator, says, “It’s rewarding to provide a WN Executive Director Bill Shaw, left, with WN Board homelike environment for the families knowing they are also getting the support they need to get back on track President Dan Swander, right. Photo courtesy of WN. and into stable housing.” Naomi Ehrlich, Beth Chaim Coordinator, adds, “It’s an amazing experience to involve our whole community, but especially our children who can assist in volunteering with childcare.” Children relax as they become part of the WN family. Oliver remembers the night they spontaneously put on a performance of Frozen. “The kids knew every song and dramatic gesture. Of course, they received a standing ovation!” Nancy Garnick and Kal Peters are stepping into the role of Coordinators for San Ramon Valley United Methodist this year. St. Isidore co-hosts with Danville Congregational Church making some dinners. In this year’s 36-week schedule, they serve together in March. Garnick describes the 2020-2021 situation. COVID kept volunteers out of shelters. Clients stayed 24/7 in locations able to offer space for four continuous weeks. “While it was frustrating and disappointing that we couldn’t host the clients on our own church property, it was gratifying to know the Winter Nights staff and our church had worked out a solution where clients could safely stay offsite (at San Damiano, a retreat center) and we could still provide meals for them.” Stillman and Kerner joined WN as volunteer tutors in 2008. The Traveling Tutor program that was developed gives WN children consistent support from tutors following along as the shelter moves from place to place. The Reading Program charts each student’s progress and awards completion of a certain number of hours of reading every week. In early December, Lynne Noone, Deputy County Librarian at Contra Costa County Library, brought books for shelter families and signed them up for library cards with access to all online services including eBooks and audio books. Stillman continues to organize the Monthly Homeless Summit (now offered on Zoom) giving staff and volunteers a forum to share information. Oliver explains: “It’s helpful to know things like what the families prefer for meals or snacks, whether children are sleeping through the night, and what activities the families enjoy doing.” See Nights continued on page 19
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
Ab workouts sure do look different this year. What makes us extraordinary? Some say it’s
how we enable you to create your own inspiring day. Others point to our award-winning dining and one-of-a-kind enrichment programs. But really, it’s our people who make all the difference. Those moments of joy, the sense of belonging, that true connection shared with friends and neighbors.
Can you sense the possibilities? Call 925-854-0364 to schedule your private tour. Scan with phone camera, or visit wrcsenses.com/sanramon.
12720 Alcosta Boulevard • San Ramon, CA 94583 sanramon.watermarkcommunities.com
ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE RCFE LICENSE #079200962
MYOPIC LOSS AVERSION
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners
“Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” ~ John Steinbeck As we start a new year, it’s a good idea to take stock of your current state of mind. With market volatility increasing in the fourth quarter of 2021, it seems relevant to discuss loss and how it can impact us emotionally and mentally. As I see it, losing money in the investment world falls into two categories: unrealized and realized. Unrealized losses occur when your position is at a loss, but you still hold it. A realized loss, on the other hand, is when you sell your position and actualize the loss of the investment. As we explore loss in the context of risk, gain, objectives, and time, it will be important to reference these two basic definitions. Everyone begins investing with the intention of making money and consequently risk is often overlooked. If you were asked how you define risk, you might come up with an answer, but understanding risk in investing is tough because it’s constantly changing. There are many types, including inflation, volatility/standard deviation, liquidity, and credit, to name just a few. The risks that you consider can influence the implications of loss. For example, if your bond investments have low credit quality, you could risk default which would be a catastrophic outcome. In this scenario, however, if you had the time and financial wherewithal to weather the storm, the default risk might have eventually evaporated entirely. The ability to gain wealth in the stock or bond markets is easily achieved, although the magnitude of each type of gain is different. It’s possible that the ease in which money can be made in the market causes some people to abandon all hope at only the slightest amount of unrealized loss. On average, most retail investors focus more on their losses than on their gains. When this myopic (short-sighted) relationship occurs, the investor is influenced by emotion instead of by logic and reason. Looking at 2020, we rolled over an annualized return from 2019 in the S&P 500 of more than 30%, yet with
COVID-19 and lockdowns, we experienced a -19.6% loss within the first quarter, surely a show of extreme volatility. For most this tested the bounds of reality and led to large sell-offs throughout the last part of the first quarter. However, if you stayed invested through the entire year, you would have gained 18.4%. At times investors believe that they’ve lost power over their investment outcome. Just waiting for time to pass can sometimes be the best cure for myopic thinking. Time (not timing) is also an important factor. There are instances when timing can pay off, but if you know how much time you have to invest, you can typically weather short-term volatility. When assessing your performance, you should also consider time and frequency. It is normal for people to get tunnel vision and pull out during poor performance periods without considering the wider view. For example, if your trees lose their leaves in the fall, do you cut them down because they look ugly? Clearly not because you know that this is a normal occurrence with trees. The frequency with which you review your investments should be consistent and disciplined; you should consider both short and long-term views at least every month or every quarter. Clipping a long-term winner and turning an unrealized long-term gain into a realized gain because of short-term unrealized losses is foolish. With any investment a healthy sense of fear and greed is good; however, it is crucial to stay focused on your goals and objectives. Considering the impact of risk, gain, and time can improve your investing outcomes. It can also lead to more consistency and potential for less loss. As we move into 2022, I hope you will consider the elements discussed so you experience better outcomes and less stress. To schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, please contact me at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com.
Peter T. Waldron, California Insurance License #0E47827, is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory services through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners, 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 190 PO Box 528, Alamo, CA 94507. Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. Insurance is offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This material is for use with the general public and is designed for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax or direct investment advice. Lincoln Financial Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice. CRN-4027875-122321 Advertorial
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
A DIFFERENT EPIDEMIC By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY
A growing number of local residents have had the misfortune of experiencing theft of items from their auto or burglary of their garage or home. Anyone can become a target for “crimes of opportunity” by being unaware of their circumstances and failing to take precautions. Simply put, do not allow yourself, family, auto, or home to become a target of criminals that can be traveling our roadways and shopping centers. To protect your automobiles, start by installing and maintaining an auto security system. In addition, don’t bring, or secure out of sight any valuables such as laptops, cell phones, backpacks, purses, wallets, and checkbooks. Always lock your car doors and roll up the windows. To protect your home, install and maintain outdoor security lighting. Have an indoor security system and post signs of its presence. Place security cameras at points of access. Invest in a good quality system with good definition for facial and license plate recognition. Have hard drive recording devices hidden or in the cloud. Routinely verify they are working as expected. Lock doors and windows and consider having a personal early warning and guard system such as a large dog. Before traveling, alert the Alamo Sheriff ’s Substation office in Alamo Plaza, or the Danville Police Department and complete their “Vacation House Check” form to verify status of lights, vehicles, alarm, dog(s), pool, gardener, and any maintenance services. Alert the post office to place a “vacation hold” on mail delivery and ask a neighbor to remove any package or newspaper deliveries on a daily basis.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS PERSONS/ACTIVITIES
Program these numbers into your phone. Alamo Sheriff ’s Dispatch - (925) 646-2441, Danville Police Dispatch – (925) 820-2144. For emergencies call 911.
CRIME PREVENTION ~ NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
“Neighborhood Watch” helps you tackle crime prevention. If you and your neighbors are interested in learning more about the program, or connecting with a speaker for a Zoom meeting to discuss theft prevention techniques, contact one of the following: If you live in Alamo call Christina Land-Winters, Community Services Unit, Sheriff ’s Office at (925) 313-2682 or Laurana Scidmore at (925) 313-2512. For Danville residents contact Juliet Kelly, Administration, Danville Police Department at (925) 314-3700, ext. 3704.
NEXTDOOR
Visit www.NextDoor.com for more information and how to join your local “NextDoor” neighborhood group. The site and resources gives you the opportunity to know your neighbors; helps deter criminal activity near and around your home; offers a greater sense of security for those who live alone; trains you to be more aware of your surroundings; reduces your risk of becoming a victim; connects you to your neighborhood and makes you feel like part of a something larger; directly addresses quality of life issues; plugs you in to what emergency personnel are doing to help protect your community; offers you support following a natural disaster; takes power out of the hands of criminals; offers a sense of empowerment to law abiding citizens; and provides you with actionable, easy ways to protect yourself and your property.
ALAMO FARMERS MARKET
Alamo Farmers Market will see the return of your favorite Filipino food as Rhose and Glenda’s Lumpia returns! In addition, our fresh food vendors will have their winter crops for sale including citrus, persimmons, pomegranates, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and more available. Pick up some fresh fish, eggs, hummus, smoothies, dairy, pastries, pasta, tamales, and more when you’re at the Market. The Market is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 2PM, in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America.
AIA SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Now in its 67th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live!” Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to local residents, membership forms, and more.
Covid has been in our headlines nonstop for the last year and a half; however there is another epidemic ravaging humanity right before our eyes. This other epidemic affects people of all ages, and the problem is concentrated within the industrialized world. It affects everyone and children are considered the worst affected. Victims are usually spotted hunched over their smartphones or keyboards. Have you figured it out yet? If not, here are more clues. Many victims have humps on their necks caused by the slow reversal of the natural curve of their cervical spine. Many will eventually suffer chronic neck and shoulder pain, gripping headaches, numbness and pain down their arms, tingling and pain in their fingers, and visible muscle atrophy with the resulting loss of strength in their arms and hands. Some of the unluckiest of the afflicted may sadly visit drug addiction in their quest to find relief. Yet, with awareness and vigilance, it is all preventable. Of course, by now, you’ve figured it out. I’m speaking about “text neck” and chronic poor upper-body posture when using computers. “Text neck” is a huge problem, and it is not getting the attention it merits. I think it isn’t a popular topic because everyone slouches, everyone knows better, and it’s all too reminiscent of your mom telling you to sit up straight at the dinner table. But ya’ know what? Mom was so right. Moms are smart. I feel this topic is vitally important to my profession (IT) and for anyone performing work that requires long durations of using a computer keyboard and screen or viewing a smartphone. I’m not exaggerating when I say we are sowing the seeds of long-term misery. The next time you’re at an office building, a restaurant, an airport lounge, or even on a street corner, look at those around you. Is it any surprise that the number of neck surgeries, cervical fusions in particular, has been skyrocketing in the last decade? The costs to human health and happiness are incalculable. How do you put a price on the misery that someone feels every day? How do you put a price on no longer being able to adequately perform your job, such as sitting at a desk and typing? And, how much do all the expensive cervical surgeries cost? How does this affect everyone’s healthcare insurance rates? The problem is apparent. What about solutions? There are basic steps that we can take to improve how we use technology. It all starts with an understanding of proper posture and why it matters. Our spines are shaped to work like a giant shock absorber. Ideally, they look like a long stretched out letter “S.” And, your head is similar to a heavy 12-pound bowling ball that should rest balanced at the top of your spine, not in front of it. When your head is suspended in front of your neck when you’re looking down at your phone, it exerts up to 60 pounds of pressure on your cervical spine instead of the 12 pounds your spine was designed to handle. Instead of balancing our head atop a gentle backward curve at the top of our spine, we straighten or painfully reverse that gentle cervical curve. Over time, our neck and shoulder muscles become strained, discs in our cervical spine bulge, and our body tries to compensate for this 500% work overload. For an “ounce of prevention,” view and use your phone up in front of your face, not down in your lap. Smartphone use is undoubtedly the most common way “text neck” occurs. Poor posture at your keyboard is another contributor. Are you hunching your shoulders and allowing them to cup forward while you type? What inevitably follows is that your back will slouch, and your head will be hanging in front of you, placing enormous strain on your neck. For a second “ounce of prevention,” sit up straight and ensure your keyboard is at the proper height to allow your shoulders to remain straight. Adjust your monitor so that it is at or slightly below eye height. You do not want your monitor placed too high because this will encourage the wrong posture. Have you tried an ergonomic or split keyboard? It’s worth trying because this will separate your arms and make it easier to keep your shoulders back. Finally, as you’re sitting there typing, think about tucking in your chin to prevent your head from tilting up. When your head tilts up and your chin juts out, you’re likely straining your neck and hunching your shoulders forward. I am neither a chiropractor nor an orthopedist; therefore, you should always consult your medical professionals for personal, customized advice that fits you and your situation, then draw your own conclusions. My sincerest hope is this article generates awareness and sensitizes you to think about “text neck” as it may relate to your habits, so you live a happy and pain-free life. Portable CIO has worked on the front edge of technology for over twenty years. Call 925-552-7953 or email info@pcioit.com to speak with one of our seasoned professionals. Advertorial
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
THE EYES ARE THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL
3000 Danville Blvd. Alamo, CA 94507
By Dr. Barbara Persons
As t h e s ay i ng goes, “The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” In this way, the eyes’ clarity and youthful appearance can provide indication of both health and vitality. As we age, our eyes can be diminished due to excess skin and bags around them. A furrowed, drooping brow further alters the alert and engaging appearance of our eyes. Beauty rest and good health go a long way, but sometimes it isn’t enough to counteract the hooding and tired appearance that many people experience by age 40.
TRADITIONAL EYELID SURGERY
(925) 718-5344 Bring In This Coupon To Receive Offer
SPECIAL GRAND OPENING OFFER
40% OFF A COMPLETE PAIR
Schedule Your Next Eye Exam At PearleVision.com/Alamo Wide Selection Of Designer Frames Including:
Free Cleanings And Adjustments
Locally Owned And Operated
We Work With Most Insurance Plans And Welcome Your Current Prescription Eye Exams by Independent Doctor of Optometry in Pearle Vision.
Blepharoplasty surger y, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is the best way to correct droopy, hooded eyelids and sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid and can sometimes even impair vision. The procedure takes one hour and does not require general anesthetic. Recovery takes about one week. Surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. The procedure restores the youthful appearance of the eyes by removing fatty tissue and excess skin while tightening the lax muscles that develop around the eyes. An upper blepharoplasty procedure involves making a small incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Excess skin is removed, lax muscles are tightened, and small amounts of fat are removed. Sometimes, grafting may be used to fill areas which have hollowed, such as the tear troughs. For lower eyelid tightening, a small incision is made just below the lower eyelash or inside the lower eyelid. The upper and lower eyelid lift may be done separately or at the same time.
FACIAL REJUVINATION
Save 40% off a complete pair (frame and lenses) of eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses. Valid prescription required. Cannot be combined with any vision care or insurance benefits/ plans, any store offer or discount. Excludes certain brands including Michael Kors, Retail Collection, Maui Jim, Costa and Oakley and Varilux lenses. May exclude Ray-Ban and Oakley. Not valid on previous purchases, contact lenses, accessories, readers, or non-prescription sunglasses. Discount off tag price. Savings applied to lenses. Taxes not included. Some restrictions may apply. See store for details. Offer ends 2/28/22. 12/31/21.
For those seeking full periocular rejuvenation to combat horizontal forehead lines, sagging, or heavy brows and wrinkles between the eyebrows frequently referred to as “elevens,” I recommend also considering a brow lift. I most commonly use the endoscopic approach which involves a few small incisions hidden in the hairline through which the brow is lifted. Like blepharoplasty, this procedure may be performed under local anesthesia. Further facial rejuvenation can be achieved through the use of CO2 laser skin resurfacing of the eyes, face, neck, and chest to tighten the skin and remove fine lines. Skin resurfacing takes one hour, and downtime averages ten days. However, at Persons Plastic Surgery, we have developed RecoverX to accelerate post-procedure skin repair. Patients have even cut recovery time in half! The non-irritant, fragrance-free, paraben-free product reduces redness and swelling and promotes faster skin healing. The proprietary formulation draws moisture from the air into the skin without clogging pores and continues to enhance skin tone, texture, and appearance hours after application. To achieve full facial rejuvenation, the combination of blepharoplasty surgery and a CO2 Laser maximizes benefits while decreasing recovery to a single period. I look forward to meeting with you at my practice in Lafayette to discuss what may be best for you. 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
Nights continued from page 16
In 2018, WN piloted a project, now available year-round called the Safe Parking Program. Overnight supervision in a secure lot brings families living in cars off the street. Support services available to WN Shelter families are open to Safe Parking clients. Current capacity is 16-18 individuals in 13-15 cars. In November, there was a five-car waiting list. Fearful of being separated from his children, one father, whose wife had died earlier in the year, initially refused to move the family’s live-in car off the street. Once convinced Safe Parking would keep them together, he was finally able to sleep through the night and go to work every day. The family may soon move WN Office Manager Teri Lundvall reads to girls as COVID into their own home. Finding housing for kept volunteers out during the 2020-2021 shelter season. a family of five is more Photo courtesy of WN. difficult than finding a place for a single individual. Hope Solutions Housing Navigation and County Coordinated Entry programs provide an essential service in locating housing for large families. In 2020, recognizing that a bit of additional aid is sometimes critical for keeping families in their homes, WN began connecting quarterly with alumni in the Continued Success Program. One month’s rent, money for emergency car repairs, or a donation of furniture can be crucial to maintaining hard-won independence. Ann Lawrence joined WN as a volunteer with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Orinda a few years after WN was launched. Now serving on the Board as Development Director, she also puts together The Good News Letter, a monthly update on WN activities posted online and the best way to learn about WN and the amazing variety of volunteer support provided. Highlighted in the November issue, Tyler, a Walnut Creek Troop 302 scout, gathered a trailer-full of items from clothing to games for WN as his Eagle Project. Riley, a high school senior planning to study astronomy in college, brought a high-powered telescope for shelter families to view Mars and the craters of the moon. In 2021, the Winter Nights family was honored with several prestigious awards. Gwen Watson, co-founder of WN, received the JustFaith Ministries Award. WN received one of Bay Area News Group’s 2021 Share the Spirit Awards and grants. Awards from the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness recognized Continued Success for Innovation and WN Board Member Carmella Kowall, a Family Shelter alumnus, “For Thriving in the Face of Homelessness.” Learn more at www.cccwinternights.org or call 925-414-3883.
PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
SHORE UP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH!
By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin
INTRODUCING EMSCULPT D
Offering Treatments for: Skin Cancer Moles Precancerous Lesions Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Warts, Molluscum Keloid and Scar Revisions Psoriasis and Vitiligo Cysts and Lipoma Hair and Nail Disorder Underarm Sweating Physician-Strength Skin Care Products
Here we go again! In today’s uncertainty of how ONLY FDA CLEARE life will continue after COVID-19, we are faced ELECTROMAGNETIC ETING with living as we always have or stepping up and TECHNOLOGY TARG taking complete responsibility for our health from ABDOMINAL AND FOR BODY this moment forward. The way we think, move, eat, GLUTEUS MUSCLES PAD drink, and breathe all equate to how we hold up in CONTOURING, FAT Offering Cosmetic Treatments for: LIFT! TT REDUCTION AND BU our world today. My hope is that by passing on some Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars lpt cu MS DrWilliamTing.com/E Face, Neck, Body Tightening, items you can add to your immune boosting toolkit, Lifting, it will empower you to take charge of your health, and Rejuvenation and give you peace of mind. This information is Frown Lines and helpful year-round and not just in times of high risk. Jawline Reduction Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and The information in this article comes from 21 Post-injection Bruising years of anecdotal experience coupled with scienPigmentation and Melasma tific research. The following information is what I Sun Damage and Scars A place where beauty Body Sculpting use, very effectively, to boost the immune system Thinning Hair and/or Balding and healthy skin meet in anyone suffering from a virus. Hair Removal Visit us at our Center of • Avoid Eggs, Dairy, and Gluten - The most Technology & Procedures Excellence with a combined common allergens that I see in greater than 95% of Offered my patients are due to eggs, dairy, and gluten. When 12,000 square foot, state Cellfina Cool Mini for neck a person consumes foods that their body is reacting of the art, newly renovated Coolsculpting® Our Women’s to it creates a stressful physiological state and does suite. We are dedicated Cryoshape Wellness Center not allow that food to support and repair them, but to Medical, Cosmetic, and Diolite 532 laser now offers EMSella, EMSculpt instead inflame and deplete them. For example, most Surgical Dermatology and FDA approved noninvasive EMSella people become phlegmy after eating dairy, an allergic are a place for medical electromagnetic technology Excel V Laser response, which creates the perfect breeding ground treatment (with clothes on) Excimer Laser skin consultation, aesthetic for viruses and bacteria to take hold and proliferate. Fractional CO2 Laser for urinary incontinence rejuvenation, and face and GenesisPlus Laser and feminine intimate • Load Up On Zinc, Lysine, and Vitamins C and body contouring. Infini Microneedling RF rejuvenation! D - When we don’t have enough zinc our immune Models are used. Kybella DrWilliamTing.com/EMSella system cannot function properly. Zinc and lysine Liposonix® Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com Microneedling with PRP have been shown to stop viral replication and allow for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, MiraDry for our immune system to get the virus in check Mohs Micrographic Surgery product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. quickly, shortening its duration. Zinc is also essential NBUVB Phototherapy Pico Genesis for over 200 reactions in the body; we can’t afford to Schedule your free cosmetic consultation appointment today! PicoSure Laser be deficient. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that feeds William Ting, M.D., PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation your immune system. While protecting your own Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon Vbeam Laser 2262 Camino Ramon cells from oxidation, Vitamin C is an anti-inflammaSilhouette InstaLift San Ramon, CA 94583 Spectra Laser tory that has the ability to oxidize a pathogen, causing Tel: (925) 328-0255 Superficial Radiotherapy TEXT us at (925) 328-0255 24/7 them to break down and lose strength. Vitamin D Thermage™ deficiency is associated with increased autoimmunity Email: staff@caldermcare.com Ultherapy™ Vaser Shape drwilliamting.com and an increased susceptibility to infection. VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation *Welcoming new Medicare patients • Cat’s Claw – The Cat’s Claw herb is a powerful antiviral. It’s one of the best tools against viruses, sinus infections, sore throats, and digestive issues. • Goldenseal – Goldenseal is great for acute viral infections such as colds, flus, and other viruses. It helps give a boost to white blood cells called lymphocytes that are responsible for protecting us from viral invaders. Below are the protocols/dosages recommended to boost the immune system when you’re feeling healthy or when you’re feeling the onset of symptoms. • Protocol to Boost the System - Zinc sulphate – 2 tsp, 2 times per day with food, L-Lysine - 1,000mg, 2 times per day, Vitamin C - 1,000mg, 2 times per day, Cat’s Claw - 500mg, 2 times per day, Goldenseal - 500mg, 2 times per day, and Vitamin D3 - 5,000IU, 1 time per day. • Protocol if you Have Symptoms - Zinc sulphate – 2 tsp every 3 waking hours with food., L-Lysine - 1,000mg, 3 times per day , Vitamin C - 2,000mg, 3 times per day, Cat’s Claw - 1,500mg, 2 times per day, Goldenseal - 1,000mg, 3 times per day, Vitamin D3 - 5,000IU, 1 time per day. • Infrared Sauna – Most viruses are susceptible to heat which is why we don’t see the flu as much in the summer months. Using an infrared sauna for 20-40 minutes mimics a fever, therefore making you an unfavorable host to most viruses. • Get Adjusted – Chiropractic adjustments have shown to boost the T4 immune response by 50% over the course of six months. In other words, your immune system gets a 50% boost under chiropractic care! • Meditate and Don’t Watch the News – When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off invaders is reduced which makes us more susceptible to viruses and infections. Guided meditation can help you stay focused while you reduce your negative, stressful thought patterns and lower your cortisol levels. Watching the news raises cortisol and makes us feel helpless and fearful - limit your exposure. It is my intention to bring helpful information to those seeking it. I am here to be a resource for anyone desiring help through these challenging times. The products listed above can be found in our office and on our online store at AlignHealingCenter.com and by signing up for a Wellevate account to access all products at a 15% discount. If you are feeling fragile or question the strength of your immune system we are here to help. We offer 15 minute complimentary consultations to discuss the services we offer to support your health and wellbeing. Call us 925-362-8283 or find us on the web at AlignHealingCenter.com. Advertorial
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
HOW TO GET YOUR NUTRITION ON TRACK FOR 2022 By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
We have had a rough, long stretch of time dealing with the pandemic. Many of us have gained weight over the last couple of years. We don’t want to get a blood test to check for diet related issues such as blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, because we know we won’t like the results. This is a scenario I am hearing as we enter this new year. I am working with new clients who realize their eating is out of control, and they need a coach to get them back on track. First of all, if you have gained weight, forgive yourself. Move forward by making a decision to implement a nutrition plan into your life and that of your family. 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 a small change each day. Try the nutrition and fitness suggestions below, and see how great you’ll feel! 1. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Every day, have two servings of vegetables. Add veggies to an egg-white omelet and have a salad or soup with veggies at lunch. Have one fruit at lunch and one after dinner. Clients tell me that adding veggies to meals gives them a sense of fullness. 2. Portion control. Work your way to smaller portions. This will help control your calories. If you use a big dinner plate and usually fill the whole plate, try using a smaller-sized plate. You will always eat more when you have a pile of food in front of you. 3. Limit sweets. You do not have to avoid sweets. The key is moderation. If you enjoy dessert and sweets several times a day, make a goal to limit them to once or even twice per day. Having sweets scheduled after a meal instead of randomly during the day will help prevent cravings for them. 4. Swap out the soda and juice. Soda and juice are loaded with sugar and contribute to your daily calories. Most people drink more than a can a day. Imagine how many extra pounds per year can be contributed from soda alone. I show my clients many beverages such as sparkling flavored waters that are both popular and have no calories. 5. Begin a walking program. Commit to a daily walk. Take a walk first thing in the morning or during a break from work, at least five times a week. I also teach my clients about interval training which shocks the metabolism and causes us to burn calories much faster. We also go over how to set up a meal plan based on their exercise schedule. 6. Control alcohol consumption. I know COVID lock-downs have increased at-home drinking. Allow yourself a glass of wine, and alternate consumption with sparkling water. Or consider having gin or vodka with a low sugar mixer which can be half the calories of a glass of wine. 7. Take care of your basic needs, such as eating and sleeping. If you meet your basic needs, it will then be easier to listen to what your body needs in terms of food and exercise. Often, I can see that the reason my client is having a problem with overeating is because they have not gotten enough sleep or are overwhelmed with family and work. They use food to get through the stressful times. 8. Practice mindful eating. Since you have vowed not to diet this year, practice being mindful when you are eating. Listen for your hunger and fullness signals, and respond appropriately. Don’t eat when you are not hungry, yet don’t let yourself get to the ravenous point either. When eating, stop midway and ask yourself if you are still hungry. If you are not hungry, stop and save the rest of your food for another time. I take a lot of time to practice this technique with my clients. Please contact me if you feel that you need an objective nutritionist to create a successful plan. Nutritional counseling can be covered by health insurance companies including Aetna, ABMG, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Sutter, UHC, and others. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what coverage your plan offers. Please visit my website www.LindaRD. com to learn more about my services. Feel free to email me at lifeweight1@ yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your nutritional Advertorial concerns and see how I may help you.
•
Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams
•
Contact Lens Exams
•
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 EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month. 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. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 5PM on the first Tuesday of the month and also at 6:30PM on the third Wednesday of the month. The group is looking for like-minded people who wish to volunteer their time for good causes to join the club. The group is a dinner-time club and meets at restaurants for dinner and business meetings. Danville Lions raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide through fun and gratifying projects. Lions are well known for successful initiatives in vision health. Please visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/ danvilleca to learn more or contact Club president Diana Gaines at 925-719-1553.
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
The Rotary Club of Alamo meets virtually on Wednesdays at 12:15PM. For information about the group visit alamorotary.org, email alamorotary@hotmail.com, or call 925-718-6601. The Danville Rotary Club meets virtually every Monday at noon. Learn more at danvillerotary.org. If you are interested in the Danville/ Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com, call 925-336-0000, or visit dsvrotary.com. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets via Zoom every Wednesday night from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-683-6310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon. 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, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN BUMMING YOU OUT?
By Jerome Potozkin, MD
January can be a cruel month. The holiday season is over, and it is time to begin a new year. If you’re like me, you probably over-ate with all of the holiday temptations. Some people, like my wife, have amazing self-control. For instance, if we go out to a Mexican restaurant, she has the willpower to eat one and only one chip. For me, I’m either all in or all out. If I eat 1 chip, I will most likely eat an entire basket (or two) of chips. January is when gyms sell the most new memberships and the facilities are often crowded. Diet and exercise should be the first approach to the holiday weight gain. What happens after you’ve gotten close to your ideal body weight yet still have extra areas of fat that are stubborn to get rid of? There are a couple of highly effective options. Modern technology has come a long way to help; CoolSculpting and Tumescent Liposuction might be the answer for you. CoolSculpting has become the gold standard for non-surgical fat reduction. It is not for women only; we see many men who seek treatment. The most common areas we treat for women are the abdomen, bra area, and inner and outer thighs. For men, CoolSculpting works great for pesky love handles and abdominal fat. Many men feel that excess weight makes them look out of shape, tired, or older. Diet and exercise plus CoolSculpting can be an excellent remedy.
Run continued from page 12
fitness is crucial. “I’m a competitive track athlete. I broke our school’s 400m record last season as a sophomore. I am the EBAL 100, 200, and 400m and NorCal 400m and 800m champion, and I was selected as one of the Bay Area’s top 75 High School athletes. In addition to track, I played competitive soccer and was on the school’s varsity team my freshman year. Sports have always been a big part of my life and I would not be the person I am today without the life lessons I have learned as an athlete.” The GOTR program addresses the value of sports for girls, Celebration 5K GOTR run. a lot of whom tend to drop out of sports by middle school. Cate added, “The curriculum provides crystal clear explanations and application for each lesson (like confidence and teamwork) in the program. I wish I had discovered this program when I was younger! Instead, I had to figure out how to be confident and work well with my teammates on my own. However, the girls on our GOTR team gain tools to apply these lessons to their fitness and our end of year 5k.” One of the lessons used in the GOTR program involves stars. Cate explained, “We teach girls about Star Power, and how when you do something you are proud of, like completing a lap, your star shines. When their star is clouded, we give them tools to clear their skies, like talking to a trusted adult about their struggles. This analogy helps girls get in touch with their emotions by visualizing an object they are familiar with - a star.” Coach Madison Ricks, who works in the tech/health field and is Children’s Ministry Director at San Ramon Presbyterian Church, started running in the 6th grade. She attended USC on a track and field scholarship and firmly believes her running career has made her who she is today. “I think that running is very character building and one of the most challenging physical and mental sports.” As soon as she heard about Girls on the Run she applied to be a coach because, she says, “I had to be a part of it.” She added, “I love everything that Girls on the Run stands for. I love helping girls enjoy running at a young age, as it is something that they can take with them their whole life. I love helping teach them life lessons and helping them be such lights in this world. It made my heart so full seeing the girls cross the finish line during the 5k. The progress they made in not just running, but learning life skills is truly incredible. I will be signing up to help coach the next session in the spring.” The spring session of Girls on the Run in San Ramon begins March 7, 2022. The after-school program is open to girls in grades third to eighth. For more information on the program, as well as how to volunteer as a coach, visit gotrbayarea.org or call 415-863-8942.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews CoolSculpting works by freezing the fat cells. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold temperatures than the other skin structures so we can selectively destroy the fat cells without harming the other skin structures. This procedure requires no social downtime or time off work. At my office we offer “dual-sculpting.” We have multiple CoolSculpting machines so that we can treat multiple areas of the body at once, essentially cutting your treatment time in half. In 2021 CoolSculpting Elite devices, a new and improved version of CoolSculpting, were launched and we brought them into our practice to complement the original machines. As part of your treatment, we also use the ZWave Pro device which can enhance your results. During treatment we’ll entertain you as we have your favorite TV station available for viewing in our dedicated CoolSculpting treatment room. Instead of beer, wine, and pretzels while you watch your favorite game on ESPN you can have your fat reduced. Prefer watching HGTV during your treatment? We have that as well. We are committed to not only getting the best results, but also to making the experience as easy as possible. Have a busy work schedule? We can offer weekend treatments. Last year a former supermodel claimed that CoolSculpting ruined her body. A rare side effect of CoolSculpting is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia where the fat grows in the areas treated. It has been reported in far less than 1% of patients. In the six years (and many treatments) we have been offering this service we have seen it in one patient in a localized area. We were able to remove this fat with tumescent liposuction. I have not personally examined the former supermodel, but from the photos I have seen in social media, it looks more like she has gained weight all over which is highly unlikely caused by CoolSculpting. Most patients we see are seeking a non-invasive method of removing excess fat. Another option for this is Tumescent Liposuction. This procedure can be performed without general anesthesia which removes an element of risk and makes the recovery much faster. The technique was pioneered by Dr. Jeffrey Klein, a dermatologist in Southern California. This is another option to treat localized fatty deposits (LFDs) that are resistant to diet and exercise. Neither CoolSculpting nor liposuction are meant to be used to lose weight. They are to help remove the fatty areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. If you have excess fat we always recommend exercise and eating a healthy diet. Do you have fat that you still can’t get rid of? Call us at 925-838-4900 today! You can also visit our website at www.MyBeautyMD.com. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally Advertorial and non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
C L A S S I F I E D CAREGIVER SERVICES
COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER at your service! Experienced, reliable, caring. Overnights, live-in or short hours. No minimums. Available weekends, holidays. Flexible schedule. Highly recommended, references available. COVID vaccinated. Quality care, reasonable rates. Call or text 925-360-9860.
CERTIFIED FITNESS TRAINER
One-on-one fitness training for women and teenage girls in my Diablo fitness studio. Fun and result driven methods for strength and cardio. Precor machines, spin bikes with meters, free weights, medicine balls, fit balls, and more. Working together, you will have distinct results within the first few weeks. I am Deanna and welcome your call or text at 707-695-1917, for more info, photos, or to schedule a meeting. (Multiple industry certifications with decades of training experience.)
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
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
Interior Office Space Available in Downtown Alamo - 3150 Danville Blvd, 2nd floor, 80 sq. ft. Includes PG&E, water, high-speed internet. Adjacent to CVS, Peet’s, Safeway, Wells Fargo. Plenty of parking. $400/mo. Contact Dennis at 925-899-8059.
Place Your Classified
Reach over 28,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo.$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com or call 925-4056397 to place your ad. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
THE EYE OPENER
HOW DOES THE EYE WORK? By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Since we are in a new year, I thought it would be a good idea to get back to basics and write about the eye and how it works. The eye is an amazing organ that works like a camera. In unison with our brain, it allows us to visually interpret the world around us. If any part of your camera is not working well, your photos will not turn out. Similarly, if any of the structures or pathways of the eye are damaged, vision will be compromised. The white part of the eye is called the sclera. The sclera is made of collagen and covers most of the eye. The clear front part of the eye is called the cornea. The cornea is where contact lenses are placed and is the first structure that light encounters on its way to being focused on the retina. Your pupil is the round black circle in your eye that gets bigger and smaller depending on the amount of light. The iris is the colored muscle fibers surrounding the pupil and controls the size of the pupil. The pupil and iris are like a camera’s aperture which is an open space that allows the light to pass through farther into the eye. Between the iris and cornea is the anterior chamber. This chamber is filled with a special fluid that gives the front part of the eye oxygen, protein, and glucose to keep it healthy. The light then travels to the lens of your eye. The lens is like the lens of a camera; it helps to bring the light into focus. It bends light further and sends it to the back of the eye. The lens is controlled by the ciliary muscle; by contracting and relaxing, the ciliary muscle changes the shape of the lens. When you look at things up close, the lens becomes thicker to focus the correct image onto the retina. When you look at things far away, the lens becomes thinner. The biggest part of the eye sits behind the lens and is called the vitreous body. The vitreous body forms two thirds of the eye’s volume and gives the eye its round shape. It is filled with a clear, viscous material called the vitreous humor. After light passes through the lens, it shines straight through the vitreous humor to the back of the eye. In the back of the eye is the retina. The retina contains photoreceptor nerve cells called rods and cones. Each eye has about 120 million rods and seven
January 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
million cones. The cones are in the macula, the center of the retina. The cones are responsible for sharp vision and color vision. The rods are situated in the periphery of the retina and allow us to see at night. Rods and cones take the light and transform them into electrical impulses via specialized structures which then come together to form the optic nerve. The optic nerve then transmits the information to the brain, it is at this point where images are assembled and interpreted. Using a digital camera demonstration, you can call the retina the sensor of the camera. If the sensor is not working properly, you will not be able to view any pictures no matter what you do. How the eye processes light is only part of the operation. When you do not see well, the problem might be simple in that you are near-sighted or far-sighted and just need glasses or contacts. Any disease or trauma to any of the above-mentioned structures can be a cause of decreased vision. Anything from cataracts (clouding of the lens), diabetes, glaucoma (optic nerve deterioration), to almost any systemic disease can cause vision and ocular health concerns. That is why comprehensive exams with dilation and retinal imaging that evaluate more than vision alone can help ensure that the entire eye system is working as well as possible. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165, in Alamo. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry.com, and join in on Facebook, Advertorial Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.
TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND
Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making weekday reassurance calls to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified. This service is free! Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-934-0901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www. assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • January 2022
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews
Q1-Q3 SALES RESULTS $125+ Million Total Sales Volume 52 Sellers 44 Buyers $3+ Million Achieved for our Sellers Above Asking Price Our team is truly thankful for our client’s loyalty and ongoing support. We appreciate your business and we are here for all of your real estate needs.
Interested in unlocking your homes equity?
Jon Ahern, Real Estate Broker
www.assessmyequity.com
925.838.9999 | jon@ahernregroup.com DRE# 01169357
Camille Ahern, CLHMS, Real Estate Professional 925.963.0068 | camille@ahernregroup.com
DRE# 01865464
Coldwell Banker is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
Hometown help from your local and personal technology experts, since 2001.
Portable CIO
PCs | Macs | Servers | Work From Home | Cloud Solutions
REMOTE HELPDESK SUPPORT AVAILABLE
925-552-7953 support@pcioit.com w w w. p c i o i t . c o m
Technology Solutions for Today.