editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& JULY 2018
FIFTH GENERATION BEEKEEPERS: MAX AND MOUNT DIABLO INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION: ALEX ROCK By Fran Miller PRESERVATION THROUGH EDUCATION
At age 14, twins Max and Alex Rock know more about bees and beekeeping than most experts. But then again, as fifth generation beekeepers, they probably are considered experts. The Monte Vista High School freshmen learned the skills from their grandfather (Opa) who started sharing his knowledge with the inquisitive duo when they were in elementary school. “My grandfather is German from the RhinelandPalatinate which borders France and produces wine,” says Alex. “His grandfather owned some forestland near their village where he built a bee house. The honey produced there even today is known for its special taste from the chestnut trees. I became interested Alex and Max Rock in beekeeping after seeing many relatives, including Opa, care for their own hives
See Honey continued on page 12
AQUANUTS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS
By Fran Miller
The gelled hair, makeup, and glittery costumes of synchronized swimmers may elicit a few giggles, but the athleticism displayed by these world-class athletes is no laughing matter. Today’s synchronized swimmer must have the grace of a ballerina, the strength and agility of a gymnast, the skills of a speed swimmer, the lungs of a pearl diver, and the stamina of a long distance runner.
See Aquanuts continued on page 24
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
By Jody Morgan
Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding, motoring to the summit or studying the mountain’s wildlife and wildflowers from the comfort of home, Mount Diablo Interpretive Association offers multiple means to enrich your experience. The all-volunteer non-profit is dedicated to working in cooperation with Mount Diablo State Park staff to preserve the land as a refuge for endemic species and a recreational resource for people of all ages. In addition to providing educational events, guided hikes, interpretive materials and informative publications, MDIA addresses the removal of hazardous remnants of the ranching era and takes the lead in maintenance projects. In 1974 when Sam Smoker, Executive Director of the Lindsay Wildlife Center, called a meeting at his home to explain his vision for an organization that would promote the preservation of Mount Diablo through education, the state park included less than 7,000 acres. As Save Mount Diablo (whose co-founder Mary Bowerman also served as a founding member of MDIA) helped to expand the publicly held space within the park to some 20,000 acres, MDIA focused on disseminating information about the mountain’s ecological, geological, and historical significance while supporting park rangers in safeguarding the mountain’s natural resources and making appropriate access to those assets available to MDIA's Hiker's Guide leads to summit views along a visitors. MDIA President Steve variety of trails. Photo courtesy of Meghan Madahar. Smith explains the organization’s latest challenge. “Many children today suffer from ‘Nature Deficit Disorder.’ We can’t ignore the importance of their electronic devices to the generations who will be responsible for preserving
See MDIA continued on page 10
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XVIII Number 7
Volume IX Number 7
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
Results. Pure and Simple. Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com
Call Don Today
DRE 00897221
Sold by Don
200 Tim Court, Danville 3 Bed + Bonus Room 2.5 Bath 3 Car Garage $2,275,000
2,967 Sq Ft
Sold by Don
1232 Asti Court, Livermore 4 Bed 2.5 Bath 2 Car Garage $1,025,000
2,291 Sq Ft
Sold by Don
34 Cedar Hollow Drive, Danville 4 Bed 2.5 Bath 2 Car Garage 2,093 Sq Ft $1,210,000
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
My husband and I enjoy watching Alone, a TV show on the History Channel. As “reality TV” shows go, I tend to think this one is a little less manipulated. The show is self-documented and filmed by the participants. It follows their struggles to live with minimal supplies for up to a year. The current season takes place in Mongolia at the edge of Siberia; past seasons have been held in Patagonia and, Northern Vancouver Island. The contestants will and endurance are tested. They are separated, isolated, and well...alone. They have nothing but the (highly-regulated) contents of a small backpack. They are allowed 10 items of survival gear (from a list of 40 items) that cover shelter, bedding, cooking, hygiene, hunting, and tools. They also get a few items of clothing, safety and tracking items, and first aid/ emergency supplies. They must create their own shelters, get food from the land, deal with terrain, endure wide-ranging temperatures, and contend with deadly predators. Last one standing wins. In the first season, six contestants left the challenge within the first eight days, and the winner lasted 56 days. The second season winner lasted 66 days. The third season winner held on for 87 days. As the seasons progressed, participants used knowledge of those that went before them. Hunger, loneliness, and medical issues were the top reasons for “tapping out.” The most successful participants were the ones who made the land their home instead of a temporary way-station. Some built miniature log cabins, and others just slept under their tarps. Projects such as building a canoe, a primitive “bowling alley,” or a kitchen with a water-system created from a repurposed, washed-up, bleach bottle kept minds busy; which was integral to surviving. By far the most challenging aspect to their adventure is obtaining food and properly rationing it. Those with knowledge of plants and herbs -- a skill I want to add to my arsenal -- were able to add vital nutrients to their diet and stay healthier for a longer period of time. Many were able to catch fish or snare rodents to add some protein to their diet. One individual was incredibly successful in fishing and caught so many he was able to smoke and dry excess to get him through the cold months. However, he saved too much and forgot to be, and eat, in the present. He planned too far ahead, and while he had a stockpile of dried fish, in the end he had to be medically evacuated due to an extreme loss of weight. I contemplate what it would be like in our own little hamlet if we needed to fend for ourselves for a period of time. With our recent spat of small earthquakes and North Bay fires, I often think of how I would/will handle a situation that requires me to be self-sufficient. What resources do I have at my home, and what resources do we have in our neighborhoods and communities? Do my emergency supplies include enough shelf-stable food? I inventory what survival tools and mental skills that my family and I possess. These days it seems that very few hands-on and lifeskills are taught. However, I think they are as important as ever. Fortunately, there are great websites, videos, and books that cover many survival skills. One of the books I have recently started reading is called Prepare for Anything Survival Manual - 333 Essential Skills by Tim Macwelch. He notes in part, “Having skills and experience in a wide range of survival techniques can take a person much further than gear alone. When supplies run low, a well-rounded survival skill set can keep providing for you and for those in your care.” Our fire district is well prepared to handle everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster like last years North Bay fires, the number and scope of incidents will likely far exceed their ability to provide effective emergency services. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District offers the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your neighborhood in an emergency situation. The 20 hour course covers Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations and Triage, Light Search and Rescue, Team Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism & the Incident Command System. CERT classes are held in the evenings, once a week, for six weeks or on weekends. I took my training over a weekend, and it was time well spent. To sign-up or learn more about the program, visit www.firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
DANVILLE CONCERTS & MOVIES
2018 DANVILLE MUSIC IN THE PARK
Music in the Park summer concerts will take place July 7 - Stealin’ Chicago (Chicago Tribute Band), July 21 - A Touch of Class (R&B, Funk, and Oldies), and at Oak Hill Park located at 3005 Stone Valley Rd., Danville, and on August 11 - The Fog City Swampers (Classic Rock) at the Town Green located at 400 Front St., Danville. The concerts are free.
2018 MOONLIGHT MOVIES
Summertime Moonlight Movies will be held July 13 (Coco), July 27 (Wonder Woman), and August 10 (Guardians of the Galaxy), at the Town Green located at 400 Front St., in Danville. For more details on these upcoming events visit www.danville.ca.gov or call 925-314-3400.
ALAMO CONCERTS & MOVIES
2018 ALAMO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Contra Costa County Public Works, Alamo Parks & Recreation, and the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council present the 2018 “Alamo Summer Concert Series” at Livorna Park, located at the intersection of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue in Alamo. Concerts will take place on Friday evenings from 6:30-8:30PM and will feature a schedule full of dynamic bands including: July 6 - Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys (Beach Boys Tribute Band), July 13 - Fog City Swampers (Rock & Pop Music), and July 27 Jake Gill (Rock & Country). Bring family, friends, chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner, and enjoy music in the park. Snacks will be available for purchase at the event.
2018 ALAMO MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
Come and enjoy movies under the stars at beautiful Livorna Park. The next family-fun film will be shown is Coco on Friday, August 10th. Showtime is at 8:45PM. Bring family, friends, chairs, blankets, and flashlights. Snacks will be available for purchase. For details, contact Alamo Recreation Staff at 925-313-2272, or visit www. cccounty.us/alamoparksandrecreation.
DEA & CHRIS CAMPBELL
Nobody knows Westside Alamo Better! Serving Alamo for over 75 years.
SOLD!
100 ALVERN COURT, ALAMO Substantially Over Asking - Off Market
SOLD!
1671 LAS TRAMPAS RD., ALAMO Over Asking - With Multiple Offers THE DYNAMIC DUO! [A SLAM DUNK!] “Chris and Dea just helped us sell our Father’s home in Alamo for TOP dollar, while treating us and the process with the utmost professionalism and respect. From day one, they hit the ground running with energy and expertise, assuring that our house would be in the best position for a successful sale. Chris and Dea are a great team, we could not have been in better hands.” ~ Lyn & Colin D. If You’re Serious About Selling Your Home... We’re Serious About Getting The Job Done
DEA & CHRIS CAMPBELL
Realtor®/Broker Associate | Lic# 01734129 /01354618
925.640.1727 | 925.838.5700
dcampbell@paragon-re.com | ccampbell@paragon-re.com www.chriscampbellre.net
FRIENDS OF DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Friends of Danville Library (FODL) will hold a book sale July 27 - 29. The sale takes place at the bookstore inside the Danville Library located at 400 Front St. in Danville. On Friday, July 27 FODL members preview will be held 9am - 10am and the sale for the general public runs 10am - 5pm. On Saturday, July 28 public hours are10am - 4pm. All hardcover books, books on tape, and DVD’s will be $2. All paperback books and CD’s will be $1. On Sunday, July 29 a $5 bag sale will be held from 12:05pm - 3:45pm.
EAST BAY STAND DOWN
Volunteers are needed to join in serving our Bay Area homeless and at-risk military Veterans! On September 13-16 Pleasanton Fairgrounds becomes a camp where we join to offer easy access to services for our deserving Veterans as a way of helping them overcome their difficult situations. Volunteer registration opens July 16 at eastbaystanddown.org. You will also find information about the huge variety of ways you can participate on the day and time that works for you. Donations are essential to make as many services as possible available. Individuals, groups, and corporations can sponsor an entire tent and will be publicly recognized. Please see the website for more details. You are welcome at planning meetings July 10 or August 21 to be held at the Veterans Memorial Building, located at 115 E Prospect Ave, Danville at 6pm. Questions? Contact Sandee Wiedemann xosandee@earthlink.net.
I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF
I Will Speak for Myself, Valerie Joyce’s one-woman play will be performed by Kimberly S Fairbanks on July 7 at 8pm and July 8 at 2pm. She will give stirring voice to 15 “no-longer-silence” African-American women from the colonial period through the Civil War. Tickets for this West Coast premiere at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in Danville are available at www.eugeneoneill.org.
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN GOVERNMENT?
SUPERVISOR SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS
Supervisor Candace Andersen is looking for interested, motivated residents to serve on a few Contra Costa County citizen advisory boards. These volunteer boards usually meet monthly and advise the Board of Supervisors on a variety of issues. They play a vital role in county government, and the input provided is invaluable. Applications are currently being accepted from residents of District 2 which includes the communities of Alamo, Canyon, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Parkmead, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Saranap, and Walnut Creek (West of N. Main Street) for seats on the following boards: • Alamo Municipal Advisory Council, Youth Representative - http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/3595/ Alamo - To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks and recreation, lighting and landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation. • Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B) - To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services. • Community Corrections Partnership, Community Advisory Board (AB109) - Central and East County representation needed - http://www.cccounty.us/4165/Community-Advisory-Board - To provide input on community needs; assess implementation of the realignment plan; review data on realignment outcomes; advise the CCP on community engagement strategies; offer recommendations for ongoing realignment planning; advise County agencies regarding programs for implementation in the County; and encourage outcomes that are consistent with the County’s Reentry Strategic Plan. • Library Commission - http://guides.ccclib.org/c.php?g=43927&p=277621 - To serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian. • Mental Health Commission-Family Member Seat - https://cchealth.org/mentalhealth/mhc/ - To influence the County's Mental Health System to ensure the delivery of quality services which are effective, efficient, culturally relevant and responsive to the needs and desires of the clients it serves with dignity and respect; and to be the advocate with the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Division, and the community on behalf of all Contra Costa County residents who are in need of mental health services. • Contra Costa Sustainability Commission, District 2 Alternate - http://www.co.contra-costa. ca.us/6393/Sustainability-Commission - Provide Advice to staff and the Board on successful implementation of the Climate Action Plan, including suggestions on how that work can be performed more efficiently and effectively; Advise the Board on opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa County in sustainability programs that support the Climate Action Plan; Provide suggestions to staff and the Board on how to better engage Contra Costa County residents and businesses on sustainability issues and implementation of the Climate Action Plan. For more information visit https://ca-contracostacounty2.civicplus.com/6408/Boards-and-CommissionsDatabase.Applyonlineathttps://contra-costa.granicus.com/boards/forms/321/apply/857634?code=8b3488073ade-472e-b33f-d30e829cd812, contact Jill Ray at 925-957-8860 or, jill.ray@bos.cccounty.us.
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison Tri-Valley Trapper
925-765-4209 Enjoy an afternoon of Sips, Snacks and Some Jazz! July 15th | 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. $35 per person Call for reservations 925.837.9141 | SanDamiano.org
NEW ART EXHIBIT AND OPENING RECEPTION AT BLACKHAWK GALLERY
The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society will host the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new Exhibit ‘Radiance’. A Gala Reception will be held on Saturday, July 14 from 5 to 7pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres. The exhibit will be on view seven days a week from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, September 16. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The ‘Radiance’ exhibit features one guest artist and forty member artists. Guest artist Carol Tarzier will be showing her sculptures and paintings. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art. The Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville, in the Blackhawk Plaza. For more information, call (925) 648-8023, visit https:// adas4art.org/radiance, find the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AlamoDanvilleArtistsSociety or contact Blackhawk Gallery Director Kerima Swain at swain.kerima@gmail.com. Regular Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Holiday hours: 10am-5pm on Labor Day. Founded in 1977, ADAS is a non-profit organization which provides support and education to local artists. Additionally, ADAS is a big supporter of local public schools, having donated generously to various school projects in past years.
GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER
No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center (GCSC)! The mission of the Center is to promote physical and mental wellbeing through programs and social activities for those aged 50+ years old. On Mondays and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, Mah-Jong, Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. GCSC celebrates members’ birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual $50 member fee. Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. For more information, contact Wendy Lee, 925-718-6222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www. goldencrane.org.
AUDITION NOTICE: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Calling musical comedy actors for the Town of Danville’s first adult musical production! We are looking for an amazing cast to help us bring The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to life at Danville’s Village Theatre & Art Gallery. There will be an open casting call Monday, July 30th from 6pm-9pm at the Theater located at 233 Front Street, Danville. Actors should prepare 16 bars of a contemporary comedic song. An accompanist will be provided. Headshots and resumes are strongly encouraged. Strong improvisational skills are a plus. Performances will be held at the end of September and beginning of October. Rehearsals will be through the months of August and September. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, the musical has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Audition information can also be found at www.villagetheatreshows.com. For other questions, contact Performing Arts Coordinator Christian Mejia at 925314-3418 or cmejia@danville.ca.gov.
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
CHEVRON FAMILY THEATRE FESTIVAL
The Chevron Family Theatre Festival will return Saturday, July 21 to the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek for the annual event featuring exciting new performances and popular favorites. The Festival will open at 10am with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony and Prince and Princess Parade. Following that, free events inside and outside the Center along with ticketed shows will run through 4 pm. Show tickets are just $5 each and are available at www.LesherArtsCenter.org.
Rotary Club of Alamo
JOIN US FOR LUNCH!
Alamo Rotary Club meets at Round Hill Country Club 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays
SUPPORT OF TWO CUB SCOUT PACKS
ALAMO ROTARY SPONSORS TWO ROTACARE FREE MEDICAL CLINICS
FREE offerings inside and outside the Lesher Center for the Arts include storytelling, Polynesian dancers, Taiko drummers, costumed characters, and a villain's dance party (think Cruella Deville). Ticketed shows include: Artrageous: An amazing team of artists painting at electric speed, accompanied by fantastic vocals, creative choreography, high energy live music, and unforgettable audience interaction. Showtimes are 11:15am and 2:30pm. The Adventures of Robin Hood: A classic tale performed by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble with plenty of input from the audience. 10:30am, 1pm and 2:15pm. Leslie Carrara – LIVE!: Join Leslie and Lolly Lardpop of Sesame Street fame for an entertaining show.11am, 1pm and 3pm. Mr. Magico: Featuring magic, ventriloquism, comedy, and music. 10:15am, 12:15pmand 2:05pm. Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents the
2018 Summer Concert Series
Fridays 6:30 6:30-- 8:30p.m. at Livorna Park (At the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue in Alamo)
FREE ADMISSION!
June 22nd: Petty Theft
Delivering a heart-felt salute to the everlasting musical legacy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
June 29th: The Sun Kings
Performing the music of The Beatles with driving rhythm, spot-on arrangements, and vocal harmonies.
July 6th: Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys
Tribute band to the Beach Boys bringing precise harmonies, dynamics, and excitement.
July 13th: Fog City Swampers
Energizing the crowd with tunes from the 60’s to the present inspiring all to sing and dance along.
The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971 and has 50 members. The Club’s major on-going activities include: • Support for two RotaCare Free Medical Clinics that provide free health care in our community for uninsured and under-served adults with acute or chronic medical conditions. • Cash and volunteer time for Meals on Wheels. • Renovations at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. • Renovations at the Choice in Aging Adult Health Day Care in Pleasant Hill. • Support for two Cub Scout packs. • Support for a water-harvesting project in Tanzania. • Contributions to the Rotary International End Polio campaign. • School dictionaries distribution to local third grade students. • Support for the Wheelchair Foundation. • Roadside cleanup and beautification in Alamo. • The Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day at Livorna Park. SPONSORED BY
Brad Gai, RINA Accountancy Corporation “Your Future is Our Focus” www.rina.com RotaryAds.indd 11
MIDSUMMER MELODRAMA AT TOWN GREEN
FREE OUTDOOR THEATRE EVENT SET
Get ready for high drama, virtuous heroes, sinful villains, and damsels in distress as the Town of Danville and Windows to America, with support from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, present A Midsummer Melodrama. This free, family friendly event is scheduled for 4pm on July 14 and 15th on the Danville Town Green located at 420 Front Street in Danville. Melodramas are plays full of action, exaggerated characters, and heightened emotions with live musical underscoring. Audiences get to playfully interact with the actors by cheering the heroes, booing and hissing at the villains, and joining together to sing beloved, traditional songs. This year’s Midsummer Melodrama, directed by Eric Fraisher Hayes, is a presentation of Dirty Work at the Crossroads by Bill Johnson. In the show, sweet Nellie Lovelace and her mother live peacefully on the family farm. Unbeknownst to Nellie and her mother, the railroad has plans for coming through the valley making the farm a valuable piece of property. Enter the villainous Munro Murgatroyd and his sidekick, the notorious Ida Rhinegold. The evil pair will stop at nothing to wrestle away the Lovelace farm. Will brave, but simple, blacksmith Adam Oakhart be able to save Nellie and the farm? Will the even simpler, but practical, ranch hand Mookie Maguggins save Adam Oakhart? Will Nellie need to save them all? This free community event will be light, fun, and appropriate for all ages. For more information visit www.danville.ca.gov/calendar or call (925) 314-3400.
BOOKS FOR THE HOMEBOUND
July 27th: Jake Gill
Jake Gill and his band bring a raw energy and charisma to Jake’s original brand of country music.
Bring blankets, chairs, snacks, family, and friends. For information, call recreation staff at (925) 313-2272.
6/20/18 4:01 PM
If you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit the library, find out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at (925) 314-3756 for more information.
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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
TOTALLY TRAINS
AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
This always-popular summer exhibit is open at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley and runs through August 26. The main layout of the exhibit has two elevations with four running trains, scenery, bridges, a trestle, tunnel and a village with a replica of the Museum, the former Southern Pacific Depot. A secondary layout features a number of working accessories. On display are items from three private collections of model trains dating from the early to mid-1900s. They include Lionel, American Flyer Standard gauge, and Marx O gauge. A very special Thomas The Train table will be set up for the youngest visitors to play with and enjoy. This year’s layout will showcase several new scale models of buildings in the Valley. These new additions to the layout join a number of “scratch built” structures built for the layout and donated to the Museum over the years. The total collection of these buildings represent structures, most of which were found along the tracks in Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, and all the way to Dublin. Totally Trains is a fun way to spend a summer day for children, adults, and the entire family. Be sure to purchase 2018 your $15 Family Pass which gives your family unlimited visits to this exhibit! Totally Trains has special train hours: Tuesday through Saturday – 10AM to 1PM, Sunday – noon to 3PM, and closed Mondays. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located in the restored train depot at 205 Railroad Ave. on the corner of Railroad and Prospect Avenues in downtown Danville. Free parking is available. For more information, call 925-837-3750 or visit www. musemsrv.org.
2018
www.srvkiwanis.org/parade
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. We have monthly luncheons with interesting speakers Safeway and good fellowship. Additionally, our members have NBC Bay Area Alamo World Travel Flortex Design-First Choice KSFO Onstad’s Insurance lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including Sweeney Kovar Accountants & Advisors Abbey Carpet Alamo/Danville Today golf, bowling, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, Doyle Quane & Freeman Family Law Group Piet Brouwer East Bay Times Mike Doyle, Town Councilman/Mayor –1991-2016 The Sentinel bridge, reading, computers, and much more. Many other Richard Frankel, Attorney activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. Our next monthly luncheon will be on Wednesday, July 18th at 11am. Our very special guest speaker will be Vietnam veteran, Mr. Steven Burchick. Steve’s presentation pulls not only from his War memories, but also from the daily letters he wrote to his fiancée and includes numerous photographs from his collection of over 4,000 images. This is a must-see lecture for any history buff or fellow veteran. Your $25 luncheon includes a meal, Steve’s presentation, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space, please email us by Thursday, July 12th at www.info@SIR128. com. The gathering will take place at The Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 Bridges located at 9000 S. Gale Ridge in San Ramon. For more information about 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl Concord San Ramon the Retirement branch and activities, Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 please go to: www.SIR128.com. Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
CELESTE PACELLI Proudly Presents...
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
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CELESTE PACELLI, QSC,CDPE Broker Associate | Lic#01862387
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See Celeste’s 51 client reviews on Zillow.com To receive Up-To-Date Market Analysis Reports, email me today.
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents
2018 Movie Under the Stars Movie starts at 8:45 p.m. Livorna Park in Alamo.
(Located at the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue)
Admission is Free
Despicable Me 3 Friday, June 8th
Coco Friday, August 10th
Bring blankets, chairs, flashlights, snacks, family and friends. For information call recreation staff at (925) 313-2272.
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Maria Ward, Principal
ALAMO ELEMENTARY
By Stan Hitomi, Principal
Heading into July this year has a totally different feel than most years. First of all, this will be the first time in nine years that I will not be a principal and a parent! Our son, Sammy, has graduated from high school (Monte Vista) and is looking forward to starting his collegiate career at San Diego State University in the fall…go Aztecs! Starting my ninth year as principal at Alamo, we will open school with just five teachers remaining from the original staff I began with in 2010. In so many ways, it seems like a page has turned, and we are starting a new chapter for our “little school on the hill.” No sooner had the 2017-2018 year ended, than plans were being made for the start of 2018-2019. By the end of the year, our parent organizations had already lined up their new leadership teams. Continuing our tradition of strong parental involvement and support, the Education Foundation returns all three executive officers with Christina Heil and Crissi Armstrong returning as co-presidents and Erin Adams as vice president. Likewise, our PTA will return with Kristin Bush as president, joined by first-year executive vice president Kim Hauskens. I can’t tell you how good it feels to have both of these organizations under such talented and dedicated leadership. New families will be able to meet this remarkable team on August 8th at our new family orientation. In the main office, our administrative team remains the same, with Gayle Hughey as Office Manager, Janice Hildreth as Office Assistant, and Mary Dietler returning for the first semester as Teacher On Special Assignment. Our office team will return before the end of July to start working on classroom placements, schedules, and preparations for registration (August 8th this year). In 2018-2019 all elementary schools in the SRVUSD will be switching from a trimester to a semester system. That will mean just two report cards each year, rather than three. For the first time in over a decade, we will also be working from a new bell schedule. Our new start time for grades 1-5 will be 8:35AM; more to come about the new schedule in next month’s letter. Perhaps the most visible changes to our school began the last day of school, June 1st. No sooner had the sounds of celebration and laughter started to fade, when they were replaced by the sounds of work crews demolishing the upper playground and blacktop. This was quickly followed by the pouring of a new blacktop and painting of new lines. It looks wonderful! The crews also demolished the sidewalk around our baseball field and poured new pathways. All of these changes will add to the excitement of the new school year in August. I hope all of our families are enjoying the magic of summer. As much as we all love our school, we recognize the importance of changing pace during the summer and taking advantage of thePOPLAR time to relax and enjoy family and friends. When we get SPECTACLES OPTOMETRY back together in August, I look forward to the start of something new and amazing!
School is out and summer fun is in full swing! This well-deserved break allows students, parents, and teachers time to relax and recharge after a long school year. Most parents are excited for a break in their routines. However, summer can also be a busy time. I hope swimming, travLOCATED IN THE SAFEWAY PLAZA eling, and meeting new friends tops your list of to-dos. Remember to enjoy the season no matter where you are or what you are doing. Our parish’s summer faith camp was a huge success last month. We enjoyed seeing so many different students from our school and parish community come together and share in their Catholic faith. Many of our middle school students volunteered, and our pastor, Fr. Moran, also participated by making daily visits. Part two of our classroom remodel is officially underway! We are looking forward to unveiling many new classrooms at the beginning of the new school year. We fund-raised for this huge project, which redesigns the space for 21st-century learners. We are thrilled to continue participating in the Challenge Success Program. This is a program based out of Stanford University that is Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams currently partnering with Carondelet and De la Salle. The mission Bring in this coupon to get a FREE upgrade to safety lenses Cataract Evalua�on, Macular Degenera�on, Diabe�c Re�nopathy, Glaucoma Evalua� is to partner with schools and families to provide kids with the on your child’s first pair of glasses Contact Lens Exams academic, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed now Daily, bi‐weekly, monthly, colored and in the future. To learn more, visit www.challengesuccess.org. AND We still have a few openings for the 2018–2019 school year in first, Prescrip�on Glasses and Sunglasses second, and third grades.Applications are online at www.stisidore.org, 25% off on their In many cases, we are able to make your glasses in our office with our On‐Site second pair of glasses* Lab and tours are available upon request. To schedule a tour, please contact the school office at (925) 837-2977. St. Isidore provides a community Adult & 202-2846 pediatric pa�ents welcomed (925) OPEN MONDAY TO SATURD of remarkable teachers, staff, students, and parents who work together Monday –Friday: 9am‐6 to create success in each child’s life. We believe in the development insurance plans accepted Poplar Spectacles Optometry Most | 215vision Alamo Plaza, Suite D | Alamo, CA 94507 Saturday: 9am‐4 of the whole child to bring out the best in each and every student. www.poplarspecs.com I wish you all a very happy, safe summer! Please be sure to Expires 9-30-18 (925) 202-284 take time as a family to talk, play, and pray together. *Some restrictions apply. Cannot combine with insurance or other discounts.
BACK TO SCHOOL
We invite you into our conveniently located office next to Peet’s Coffee & Katrina
To learn more about our office visit
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
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SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY By Jamie Westgate, Principal
The summer season is such a great time to rest, refresh, and reflect on the past year as well as set goals for the coming year. The 2017-2018 school year was a great one for SRVCA, and we are grateful for many notable accomplishments. • Our standardized testing results reminded us that academics are a strength for SRVCA. As a whole, our school scored 80% or higher in our English/ Language Arts, Math, and Core Composite scores across all of K-8th grade. Kindergarten averages were in the 95th percentile, proving that SRVCA provides an exceptional start to a child’s education. We take great pride in offering solid academics including advanced math classes, foreign language, STEAM classes, and enrichment in music and art. • The students representing SRVCA at the World Competition for Odyssey of the Mind placed 16th in their division and 4th in the spontaneous component. Our team members enjoyed staying in dorm rooms at Iowa State University where they met other students from all over the world. Very few students who participate in the Odyssey of the Mind program are successful enough to attend the world competition, and we were proud of the efforts of this hard working group of students. • From the proceeds of a successful auction this past year, $25K of our fundraising totals have been designated to enhance the surveillance and safety program at SRVCA. We are grateful that our community values safety and has been so generous to ensure all of our students have the very best when it comes to security. • Others in our community are learning about the value of Christian education. With waiting lists in some of our classes, we realize that parents see the importance of blending faith and academics, prioritizing character development as part of their child’s education. We take great pride in shaping the hearts of our students which we know will ultimately bring the greatest joy and success for every student’s future. • 310 students and 39 teachers practiced what it meant to live out our school theme, “All In.” Time and time again, we observed this in work ethic, social relationships, and academic achievement. It has been great to reflect on all God has done at SRVCA, and we look forward to a great year ahead!
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
Looking back at the school year, it seems to have all gone so fast. Since principals are on campus three weeks longer than students and faculty, things are quiet for the most part, and it feels like graduation was a few months ago instead of a few weeks. Many activities are still happening on the MV campus but not nearly to the degree as a regular school day. On June 1st, Monte Vista’s Class of 2018 celebrated its Commencement Ceremony. The weather was perfect for our graduates as they entered Sam Zackheim Stadium one final time – this time serenaded with “Pomp and Circumstance” as performed by MV’s Concert Band. Monte Vista’s graduates were represented on stage by Senior Class President, Dean Begun; ASB President, Brady Martin; and Student Speaker Roxanna Wilcox. Together with Monte Vista’s Barber Shop and Beauty Shop choir groups, our graduate speakers shared how indecision, endurance, and a little luck all helped shape their experience at Monte Vista and how those elements might help in the future. Monte Vista’s Faculty and Staff are very proud of our 2018 graduates and wish them the best as they pursue their goals after high school. The 2017-18 school year has been amazing at Monte Vista. When I look back over the course of the school year, I can see so many great things that happened in the MV community. In athletics we had a year dominated by our women’s programs. In the fall, we earned our fourth consecutive EBAL Championship in Women’s Volleyball and our fourth consecutive NCS Championships in Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Tennis. Women’s Water Polo also claimed their own EBAL Championship as well as spots in the NCS and NorCal Finals. In winter, MV’s Women’s Soccer finished off a historic season with #1 State and National rankings after winning EBAL, NCS, and CIF NorCal Championships. Men’s Soccer made a strong run in the playoffs, as well, leading to a spot in the NCS final. Spring sports saw MV’s Women’s Swimming claim back-to-back EBAL and NCS championships, as well as a second place showing in the CIF State Meet.
See Monte Vista continued on page 16
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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
VALLEY VIGNETTES
By Beverly Lane ALAMO ONCE CALLED ‘METROPOLIS OF FUTURE’
In the twenty-first century, the community of Alamo is a green enclave with large-lot homes tucked between Walnut Creek and Danville. As the second oldest community in the county (Martinez is older), its history is a long one. At one point, Alamo was even touted as the “metropolis of the future.” “Alamo” means “poplar” or “cottonwood tree” in Spanish. This name was frequently used throughout Hispanic California. Information about Alamo’s earliest years is available primarily because of a remarkable woman who wrote about them, Mary A. Jones. Jones recorded the reaction of her husband John when they first traveled through the San Ramon Valley before the Gold Rush in 1847: “‘Mary, look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?’ There was nothing in sight but nature. Nothing to show that man had been here, except a little mud and stick hut close to where the Alamo Bridge is.” After they had looked for a while, John said, “If I live and can ever get a home here, I am going to have it.” Mary Ann Jones They did return, after living in San Jose and mining in the Sierras, finally coming to the valley with the William Mitchell family on November 10, 1851. Mary Ann loved the valley, writing at one point: On every side, the valley and surrounding hills were covered with thick, velvety clover, and with wild oats standing waist high, waving and rippling in the summer breeze, like the bosom of a lake. The community grew quickly in the 1850s, out-pacing Lafayette because of its excellent location. Alamo was the mid-way point for travelers going to and from Martinez and Mission San Jose. In addition, a road from the redwoods, west of the Moraga Valley, came over the divide and brought people to Alamo. David and Eliza Glass moved to north Alamo in November of 1850 and established the first small trading post to take advantage of the location; this was the first store in the county outside of Martinez. It was followed in the next decade by George Englemeyer’s store and Captain Wall’s boarding house just 1 ½ miles south of Walnut Creek. James D. Smith, who came to Alamo as a child, wrote later about the housewarming which Captain Wall hosted after his building was completed:
The music was two violins with the second violin, Arch Penniman, doing the calling for the dances…there was a large attendance from Lafayette, Moraga and from Martinez…a fine supper was served, and the dance closed when the company joined in singing ‘We Won’t Go Home Till Morning’ and they did not. Eliza and David Glass The Alamo post office is the oldest one in the San Ramon Valley, beginning in 1852 with John Jones as postmaster. It was in their home, which formerly belonged to the Garcias, and sat on a knoll east of the county road. People picked up mail and stayed to visit. Mary Ann Jones’ autobiography described post office activities: When his business called him away from home, I took care of the office. Many times men would come and get their mail and sit and read and talk until I felt like saying ‘Do go, I have to work.’ We had no stamps then, nor envelopes. We wrote our letters, folded and sealed them with sealing wax, and then paid ten cents for delivery. We had mail twice a week. The entire Valley was sometimes described as “Alamo” in the early days. The census of 1860, for example, included the valley in Township 2 which was grouped as the “Lafayette and Alamo Post Offices.” In 1856, when Bret Harte wrote letters from the Tassajara Valley where he was a youthful tutor, he headed the letters with “Alamo” which probably indicated that post office. Civilization in the form of churches, schools, stores, and lodges began as families moved in during the fifties and began ranching in the area. Alamo Masonic Lodge No. 122 held its first meeting in 1858. Mary and John Jones were instrumental in establishing a grammar school, regular camp meetings, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Union Academy (a boarding and day high school which opened in 1859). The first burial in the nearby Alamo Cemetery was recorded in 1856. Alamo did not turn out to be “the metropolis of the future,” but in the 1850s it had the same natural beauty and the crucial location in which residents take pride today.
Sources: Virgie V. Jones book Remembering Alamo…and Other Things Along the Way; J. P. Munro-Fraser’s History of Contra Costa County (1882); James Smith’s Recollections. Photo: Mary Ann Smith Jones, who lived to be 93, wrote The Story of My Life beginning when she was 80.
MDIA continued from front page
the park, so we need to learn how to use those devices to educate and inspire them to conserve open spaces.” Michelle Hummel; MDIA Board member managing Publications, Website and Social Media; has been reconfiguring the website to function equally well on computers, cell phones, and tablets. “We are striving to strike a balance between using technology to enhance the visitor experience on Mount Diablo and recognizing that the best way to experience the park is to be unplugged – to hear the birds and look at the wildflowers. The goal is to help visitors plan their trips more effectively and safely, while also giving them information on the cultural, natural, and geological history of Mount Diablo.” Both Steve and Michelle first explored Mount Diablo as hikers and completed the half-day training for Volunteers in the Park before joining MDIA. Although all hike leaders are graduates of the Volunteers in the Park Program and wear VIP vests to alert visitors to their ability to aid them with directions and advice while hiking on their own, not all VIP graduates belong to MDIA. Nor are all of the approximately 350 MDIA members VIP-trained. MDIA volunteers participate in outreach programs across the county. Long-term Board member Leslie Contreras is MDIA Outings Coordinator. She checks submissions of guided hiking events from hike leaders to eliminate conflicts in timing or departure location and ensure all details are accurate. Hikes are free, but parking fees apply. Failing to pay at the unstaffed Mitchell Canyon entrance, where exact change is needed for the $6 parking fee, may result in a steep fine. Leslie regularly logs 1,000+ hours a year volunteering in multiple roles and coordinates requests for presentations from scouts, schools, and other groups with Interpretive Park Ranger Sharon Peterson. Contreras notes, “We have an array of events going on at Mount Diablo State Park, from Summer Night Hikes, to Campfire Programs, and, of course, the early Tarantula Treks in mid-August.” Go to “Events” on mdia.org to find information and make reservations. Tarantula Trek reservations fill fast! If you’ve reserved a spot for camping, Campfire Talks are available. Information on the one-hour programs is distributed at check-in and posted at campsites. Upcoming topics include Staying Alive Brad Madahar and Michael Marchiano are prepared to
See MDIA continued on page 12
elaborate on whatever flora and fauna appear during a guided MDIA hike. Photo courtesy of Meghan Madahar.
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WHAT DOES A COUNTY SUPERVISOR DO?
By Supervisor Candace Andersen
I am often asked, “What does a County Supervisor do?” It’s a great question. Our County has approximately 1.1 million residents, includes 19 cities, and spans 804 square miles. The five-member Board of Supervisors meets Tuesdays at 9AM in Martinez. Our meetings are open to the public and can be viewed online or on TV at Contra Costa Television (CCTV). We oversee a
budget of $3.5 billion. Every 10 years following the census, the County is divided by population into five districts. I represent District 2 which includes San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek (partial), Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. Unincorporated communities in District 2 include Alamo, Parkmead, Saranap, and Canyon. Our cities do an outstanding job. They make decisions about planning, housing, parks, recreation, roads, transportation, and police services. County Supervisors make these same decisions for unincorporated communities. In Alamo I’m fortunate to have a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), made up of Alamo residents who make recommendations about all issues affecting Alamo. The MAC meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the Alamo Women’s Club at 6PM. Their meetings are also open to the public. 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. 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 Pre-School Programs, Homeless Services, Medi-Cal Health Services, Foster Care, and Adoption. Ensuring fiscal responsibility is something our Board of Supervisors takes very seriously. We have a balanced budget and keep a prudent reserve. I serve on our Contra Costa County Employee’s Retirement Association (CCCERA) and work with that board to ensure that there are no pension abuses and that we are appropriately funded. When I took office in 2012, our pensions were only 69% funded. We are currently 86% funded and are planning for further stability in the future. We work cooperatively with cities on traffic and transportation issues. I serve on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), the Southwest Area Transportation Committee (SWAT), and the Tri-Valley Transportation Council (TVTC) where we identify how to best spend transportation dollars. We want our transit systems to be more efficient. I serve on the County Connection (Bus) Board of Directors with city representatives and on the Traffix Board that reduces traffic congestion around our schools by providing school buses to those areas most impacted. Planning and land use decisions are made both locally and regionally. On the Contra Costa County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), we oversee most forms of local government boundary change, including incorporation, annexations, and special district formations. In the San Ramon Valley we have a Dougherty Valley Oversight Committee to ensure that the Dougherty Valley is developed per a Settlement Agreement. Regionally, I serve on the Executive Board of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), addressing regional housing, economic development, and transportation issues. Keeping our communities safe is a paramount concern. Our Citizens Corps Council meets quarterly to plan for disasters and expand our citizens’ emergency preparedness. Our next Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held on September 29th at San Ramon’s Central Park. With the exception of San Ramon, garbage and recycling in District 2 is overseen by Recycle Smart. I serve on this board with council-members from my district. We set rates and make decisions about haulers, recyclers, and programs to reduce what goes into landfills. Our great quality of life doesn’t “just happen,” but it’s accomplished through the cooperative efforts of the County, Cities, and other agencies all working together. If you would like to get more involved, both the County and our
July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
ACTION POOL REPAIR
Serving Alamo & Danville Since
925.820.3640 www.actionpoolrepair.com Contractor Lic# 978033-C53
Cities have opportunities to serve on commissions and boards. We post these openings on our websites and are always looking for dedicated volunteers who want to give back. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us, (925) 957-8860, or www.cccounty/district2.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
For almost two decades The Danville Family History Center has been serving the community. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. In addition, you may order online and have films or microfiche shipped from the main Salt Lake Library for viewing in our center. We are located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, offers a Historic Military Museum & Library as well as a Veteran Resource Center. The Museum & Library is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM. Every Saturday from 8AM to 11AM a Veteran Coffee and Pastry social is held. To access resources for Veterans, you can connect with a County Veteran Service Officer every Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM. For an appointment, call 925-313-1481. To learn more about the Veteran’s facility and programs, visit www.vmbsrv. org or email info@vmbsrv.org.
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist will now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a video-recorded space. Besides taking place right outside police headquarters, the spaces are under constant video recording, helping to create an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers and dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. According to police officials, having the Exchange Zone should help prevent residents from being the victim of a crime using a classified ad site. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
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– ways animals defend themselves from being another animal’s dinner; Mushrooms – an introduction to how they connect with other living beings; Keeping Cool – animal strategies for beating the heat; and Galls –amazing stories of insects and plants. Call the park office for details: 925-837-2525. Although park gates close at sunset, MDIA has permission to lead evening hikes from the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Join Ken Lavin and Liz Watson for the “Night Shift” on July 8. “Mitchell Canyon in Mount Diablo State Park is one of the Bay Area’s iconic hiking spots. But what is it like after the daytime visitors head home, and the resident flora and fauna reclaim the mountain?” Use UV lights to see scorpions glow. Denise Wight leads the Poorwill Bird Hikes on July 20 and August 24. Tarantula Treks are extremely popular. Since the latest drought, male tarantulas are out seeking mates as early as late July. Spotting a tarantula in the wild is never guaranteed, so hike leaders begin the evening by introducing their own pet tarantulas to participants. Most of the threemile tarantula hikes are geared for families, but Ken Lavin and Liz Watson offer an adult-only hike on September 16th. In addition to leading hikes, Michael Marchiano orchestrates Sunday Summit presentations that do not require reservations. "Through years of personal observation of our native tarantulas both in the wild and in captivity, I have been able to dispel incorrect myths about their life cycle and add to the body of scientific knowledge of Mount Diablo is home to two Checkerspot these fascinating spiders. Male butterfly species. This one was photographed tarantulas do die shortly after on 6/17/18 by Meghan Medahar. mating, but they are not eaten by their mates. I have observed them many times walking away from mating with one female to go in search of another receptive partner." Marchiano continues, “I have had the opportunity to impart some of my love for the mountain to others. The various intriguing habitats offer a richness and fantastic diversity of plant and animal life. Seeing the amazement and wonder in peoples' eyes as they learn about the relationships between a local and harmless tarantula and its foe the tarantula ‘Hawk’ is a great reward for me.” While the bite of the local tarantula is an insignificant pinprick, the sting of the wasp known as a Tarantula hawk is painful. The wasp paralyzes a hapless tarantula before dragging it to a brood nest and laying a single egg. When the wasp larva hatches, the young wasp eats the tarantula alive. Female tarantulas can live to be 30. Males expire after reaching maturity and mating at 7-12 years. Females store the sperm and fertilize their eggs in the spring. They create a silk sack to hold their fertilized eggs, even transporting it to the sun for warmth. Docents are on hand at the Summit from 10am-2pm on September 2 and 23, and October 14 to explain the fascinating attributes of these gentle giants. Since 2001, MDIA has removed 1,223,005 feet of barbed wire, 63,646 board feet of wood, 216,505 lbs. of metal, 40,241 lbs of cement, 23,687 fence posts, and 815 tires. Maintenance of trails includes clearing fallen branches. Restoration of the 1930’s picnic tables has progressed rapidly. Fifty-seven of the 68 tables identified as in disrepair are already back in excellent shape. MDIA and Mount Diablo State Park welcome Eagle Scout Projects. Especially important is the building of food storage lockers at various campgrounds. Twice a year, MDIA publishes Mount Diablo Review. Handed out to park visitors, the newsletter contains interesting articles as well as information on park regulations, safety, and contact numbers. Smith extends this invitation: “On Saturday, July 28th, be a Park Champion
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Honey continued from front page
and thought it would be a fun hobby.” “Our father had hives when we lived in Virginia for a couple of years,” says Max. “When we returned to California when I was in the first grade, my father asked whether we should have them, so we said yes.” For as long as they can remember, the duo has helped their dad and granddad with the hives. “My coolest memory was when I was about eight and rode with Opa in a golf cart on the Rossmoor golf course to retrieve an unwanted hive,” says Max. “And I’ve always helped in some way,” says Alex. “Even if it was just to hold the smoker or be chief taster.” The pair received their first beekeeping suits at age eight, and at age 13, they started to care for their own hives. They derive great satisfaction from the hobby, whether it be enjoying the delicious spoils of their efforts or studying the bees’ habits. “I like Rock Hives it when we harvest a new batch,” says Max. “I like this part the most due to the fact that when we’re done, we get to open a bottle and taste it. Another fun part is checking on your bees -- it’s very interesting to see inside the hive and know how well your bees are doing.” “And I like to see the progression and growth of the bees, especially the growth of population over time,” says Alex, who dispels the notion that bees are aggressive. “Most are not,” he says. “If you see a bee, don’t worry too much. They are normally only more aggressive if you threaten their hive. If you are around a hive, just don’t walk directly in front of the opening, which will alarm them.” Adds Max, “Most bees in a hive are too busy making honey to bother you.” The boys caution to never destroy honey bee swarms if possible. “We need bees for pollination, especially for certain fruits and nuts,” says Alex. “So when you see a bee or a swarm, remember that their work is crucial for us, and be kind. If you encounter a swarm, call a beekeeper or your local beekeeping association for a pickup.” When asked about beekeeping specifics, Max emphasizes safety and care. “Wear a bee suit,” he says. “It doesn’t hurt much to get stung a few times, but it’s best to remain safe. And be gentle. For example, don’t open the hive too often as it can stress the bees. Don’t open when it is too cold, because the cold will kill the brood.” In explaining the use of smoke, he says, “A common misconception is that the smoke a beekeeper uses while working with the hives calms the bees, but it isn’t the smoke that calms the bees, instead it actually is the honey! The bees smell the smoke and immediately think a fire is nearby, so they eat large amounts of honey thinking they may have to relocate their hive. This slows down the bees just like a human would feel slower after eating a huge meal at a restaurant.” So what do the twins Max, Opa, and Alex at the Clayton Oktoberfest last fall do with all of their honey? “We keep some bottles and larger jars for ourselves while we sell the others,” says Max. “Our honey is completely raw, which means we don’t give our bees sugar water, we don’t medicate the bees, we don’t pasteurize the honey, we literally do nothing to it other than harvesting it and putting it in a jar. It’s the best.” Adds Alex, “We try to sell the honey, but we definitely indulge as well. Our family loves honey.” For updates on when the next batch of honey is available, email maxland365@gmail.com.
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
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PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
A TASTE OF CROATIA, SLOVENIA & THE ADRIATIC SEA
By Andrea Lucash, Alamo World Travel
Pictures tell a thousand stories, and I had a wonderful time taking many of them! The Adriatic Sea and Dalmatian Coast is clear and warm, and I can now state that it is my favorite of all the oceans and seas. Croatia consists of approximately 1,000 islands, although not all are inhabitable. A nice option is to sail around some of them on a private sailboat for the day or cruise around on a small yacht for the week with a customized itinerary. Of course, you can always go by land as I did with a small group of six friends. First arriving in Dubrovnik, we were able to take in the old walled city. Learning it’s history was fabulous, and the views were spectacular. From Dubrovnik you have the option to take a day trip to Montenegro, another wonderful site. One of Croatia’s favorite islands to visit and stay at is Hvar. We arrived by ferry from Split for a two night stay in Hvar. One of the days was spent on a full-day private tour around the island, which also included wine and olive oil tasting. A return to Split took us to see the Diocletian Palace, an ancient palace built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD. Today it forms about half the old town of Split. From Split we then took an all-day trip to visit the Plitvice National Park which was full of waterfalls and hiking trails. Our day ended with a transfer into Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and an interesting city in itself. The following day a private driver transported us to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Arriving in Slovenia on a Friday allowed us to sample the open kitchen market with over 50 different food vendors. Slovenia also has many sites to see, all of which can be done as day trips from Ljubljana. We visited Lake Bled,
QUICK TRIPS
By Linda Summers Pirkle
A photography exhibit “A Bicyclette L’EXPO” on the fifth floor of the iconic store Le BHV/ Marais in Paris caught my eye on our recent trip to the City of Light. The subject was screen legends riding bicycles. I loved the vintage photos from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, and a view of the Eiffel Tower out the huge bay window was a real treat. While France can claim partial credit for the invention of the bicycle (the French were the first to put a pedal crank on a bicycle), Marin County is widely considered the birthplace of the mountain bike. The Marin Museum of Bicycling in Fairfax, a nonprofit volunteer-created and volunteer-run museum, displays the 19th century evolution of the bicycle with examples from the 1860’s to the 1890’s and the turn of the 20th century. On my recent visit, founders Joe Breeze and Charlie Kelly, both legends in the industry, shared the extraordinary account of the importance of the bicycle throughout recent history and how mountain biking came to be. Back in the 1970’s with their “klunkers,” (the name for vintage 1940’s bikes with fat tires) Joe Breeze and a posse of like-minded adventurers explored open territory in the hills of Marin. Charlie Kelly; author, mountain biker, and original promoter of the “Repack” bike races; recalled buying a stopwatch and recording times as cyclists rode down Mt. Tam at break-neck speed. Soon, other riders from outside the area took on the challenge of riding down the mountain, trying to beat a time. Mountain bike designers including Joe Breeze, who studied under Albert Eisentraut (known as America’s bicycle renaissance frame builder), helped propel the off-road wave that was just taking off in the 70’s. Mountain biking was born! Many of the individuals who were part of the wave forty years ago have teamed up to be a part of the Marin Museum of Bicycling and are passionate about sharing their stories and the history of the bicycle. I was surprised to learn the significance of the bicycle which has been called the “Noblest Invention.” Curator Joe Breeze
saw Predjama Castle -- which is built into the mountain -- and toured Postojna Caves which are over a million years old. A visit to the salt pans and seaside town of Piran where fleur de sel originates is another must-see. A visit to the Dalmatian Coast should be on your bucket list whether it is by land or via a cruise. If you are considering a trip to the Dalmatian Coast or any other world destination. please consider Alamo World Travel. We have great resources and destination specialists in most countries. The specialists are our eyes and ears that keep us up-to-date. Please visit our office at 3201 Danville Blvd. Suite 255 in Alamo or our website at www.alamoworld.com. Call me at 925-837-8742 ext. 19 or email alucash@alamoworld. com, and we can start planning your dream vacation including cruises, tours, and customized itineraries! Advertorial
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3201 Danville Blvd #255 Alamo |Alamo Commons-next to Ace Hardware also explained the bicycle’s important role in women’s emancipation. During the Victorian Age, women and men alike enjoyed cycling about in the countryside. He explained, “Women came up with what they called ‘rational dress,’ looser fitting clothing that was more conducive to riding. Of course, they were immediately banned from most Marin Museum of Bicycling. Photo by J.P. Rose. all teahouses in England, as this was scandalous! Many decried their audacity and their challenge to social mores. Well, the freedom of cycling eventually transcended social mores of the day on many fronts. As the cycling movement built toward cycling’s ‘Golden Age’ of the 1890s, women’s emancipation would become a big part of the social history of cycling. Women were empowered by cycling. This was one of the factors helping to propel the suffrage movement and eventually gain voting rights for women.” Besides the wonderful examples of bicycles throughout the ages, the museum is also home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. The collection of bikes is extraordinary, the history is intriguing, and the best part of this little jewel are the docents who are passionate about cycling. Marin Museum of Bicycling is located at 1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Fairfax. Their website is www.mmbhof.org. They are open Thursday-Sunday 11AM-5PM. Private and group tours are held by appointment. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
While browsing through an emporium of second-hand books, I spotted a slim volume compiled by Holly Hughes: Gardens: Quotations on the Pleasures of Soil, Seed, and Sun. Many of the quotations come from famous individuals ranging from statesmen like Thomas Jefferson to artists like Georgia O’Keefe. I nodded in agreement with the assertion by Charles Prince of Wales: “To get the best result you must talk to your vegetables.” Some studies indicate plants respond to sound waves. In any case, I find rooted beings benefit from having their two-legged caregivers pausing to vocalize beside them. The Oscar de la Renta quote illustrates how readily blossoms inspire a child’s imagination. “When I was a boy, I thought scent was contained in dewdrops on flowers and if I got up very early in the morning, I could collect it and make perfume.” I smiled myself as I read; “There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at there work, you would find them smiling.” That was my first encounter with the writing of English author Mirabel Osler, to whom the quotation is attributed. I soon discovered she received the Journalist of the Year Award from the Garden Writers Guild in 2003. The reference comes from A Gentle Plea for Chaos: the Enchantment of Gardening, published in 1989. Although I’ll never have the opportunity to sneak up behind Mirabel Osler happily engaged in gardening (she died at the age of 91 in 2016), I feel I have met a kindred spirit. “The very soul of a garden is shriveled by zealous regimentation. Off with their heads go ferns, ladies’ mantles or crane’s bill. A mania for neatness, a lust for conformity – and away go atmosphere and sensuality. What is left? Earth between plants: the dreadful tedium of clumps of colour with earth in between,” Osler writes in A Gentle Plea. She advises letting desirable flowers self-sow. You can always give the extra seedlings to a friend. I learned my style of gardening through observation of my mother’s incredible success with letting flowers rule themselves. I call it “Benign Neglect.” Nothing floriferous failed while she honed her golf game instead of her pruning shears leaving weeds to wither on their own. Our neighbor to the rear was far less enthusiastic about her achievements. He did not appreciate the way her rampant rambling yellow rose reached into his meticulously groomed garden. The thorns were as big as my child-size thumb, but the blossoms were a never-ending source of pleasure. My brother dubbed this neighbor “Mr. Work.” He had all four of his children out mowing and weeding by 7am on a Saturday morning. Osler has amusing comments about gardeners (mostly men she says) who can’t keep from clipping every-
Monte Vista continued from page 9
Monte Vista’s Arts programs have also enjoyed another great year. In addition to numerous appearances throughout our community, MV’s award winning Choir performed in Pasadena, Seattle, and Nashville. Monte Vista’s Instrumental Music Program appeared in many competitions throughout the year and earned multiple honors in marching band, color guard, jazz band, and drum line. MV’s Visual Art Program held its first ever evening exhibit where our students showed off their many talents in 2D and 3D art, and MV’s Dance program gave us two amazing performances that took their audiences across several artistic genres. MV Speech and Debate continued their successes on both state and national stages, and MV’s Robotics program finished strong in our annual state competition. Last, but certainly not least, Monte Vista’s Drama program gave us three excellent performances including an incredible production of In the Heights which encapsulated our students’ musical, dance, vocal, and artistic talents across the entire VAPA department. It was truly an unforgettable year for Monte Vista in the Arts. I would like to thank the Monte Vista community for an amazing school year. As I look forward to a few weeks off to clear my head, I will also be looking forward to our return in August. Make it a safe and enjoyable summer.
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www.yourmonthlypaper.com thing in sight into rigid ranks of greenery standing at attention with military precision. My guiding principle is, “Wherever you don’t plant something you want, something you don’t want will grow.” I find bare dirt decidedly boring. I learned to appreciate wanderers and weavers while studying ornamental horticulture at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Introduced to me by Robin Parer, founder of Geraniaceae Nursery in Marin County, Geranium ‘Orion’ sprawls through my garden, adorning its bedmates with deep blue blooms while allowing them lots of breathing room. “Freedom to loll goes with random gardening; it goes with the modicum of chaos I long to see here and there in more gardens,” Osler notes. Once you have created a space where even the weeds look like intentionally introduced wildflowers, you have time for strolling around the garden and finally enjoying each plant as it flowers. Mirabel insists that true gardeners are so obsessed with their labors that lolling is not an option. Fortunately, many of us grow out of that stage before we become incapable of alternating chores with moments devoted to appreciating the results. Aesthetics are culturally learned as well as personally perceived. Even if you prefer the quiet green of elaborately trimmed evergreen shrubs surrounded by swathes of weed-free mulch to the colorful chaos of a cottage garden replete with sequentially blossoming perennials, it’s hard to disagree with Osler’s wisdom. “You don’t have to think hard about flowers to like them. The scale of flower likability is immense.” In Breath from Elsewhere, Osler advises gardeners to experiment and be true to their own values. “When you are overwhelmed by indecision, remember that there are no right ways to make a garden.”
A TASTE FOR WINE COUNTRY
By Monica Chappell
Summertime is a perfect time to visit a wine country. I can think of at least three compelling reasons to spend time in a wine region. First, if you’re already a fan of a region’s wines, it can be an exciting experience to meet its winemakers who are passionate and eager to talk about their art. Second, there is no better way to explore the world then by visiting great wine properties; many older wine estates are built on the most spectacular sites. Third, where there is a first-rate wine, delicious food is rarely far behind. Living in Northern California affords us the opportunity to visit wine country as often as we care to. Here are a few tips to make your visit a success: • Book the wineries in advance. You can try simply showing up at the winery but keep in mind that the finest places are often the least accessible. • Observe the basic rules of etiquette. If you have an appointment, call if you’re running more than 15 minutes late, and don’t be a no show. Word gets around. • Dress comfortably. Wine touring requires a lot of footwork. If you’re sampling in a wine cellar, the floor will probably be cold and damp, so come prepared. • Show interest. Listen to what the pourer is saying and ask questions, but don’t pretend you are an expert. You’re there to learn and have fun. • Offer a few words of praise. Start slowly; odds are your host will begin with the lesser wines and work up to the more serious in the portfolio. Offering too much of a fuss too early on will seem insincere. • Remember to spit. You won’t be expected to drink everything you are given to taste, but if you drain each glass, your day will be over before lunch. • Do comparative tastings. Tasting rooms offer a terrific opportunity to taste wines against each other. If there are two chardonnays being offered for tasting, taste them side-by-side. You’ll enjoy tasting the differences. • Buy a bottle. You don’t have to, but it’s a polite gesture. If you’ve had a nice chat with the winemaker ask him to sign the bottle. Some wineries charge to taste and often deduct that fee from the cost of a bottle. A visit to wine country can often be as entertaining as it is educational, so get out there and enjoy! Monica Chappell is an East Bay wine writer and educator and can be reached at wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
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LIFE IN THE ALAMO/DANVILLE GARDEN
PLANTING INSPIRATION By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
We are passionate about plants - the living element to great landscapes - and we guess that if you are reading this, you share our passion. In designing gardens, we follow in the footsteps of countless gardeners who understood that the principles inherent in nature could be used to create exquisite works of art. This month, we dedicate our article to a great inspiration, British horticulturist and writer Beth Chatto, who passed away this May after a lifetime of learning and sharing her genius and true love of gardening. In her garden in Essex, England, Beth taught herself horticulture and pushed the boundaries of artistic style and plant variety in her exquisite planting combinations. Beth emphasized above all the importance of growing the right plant in the right place, and she loved to create unusual combinations in a variety of challenging sites. Her gardening books cover a broad range of site conditions, recommending plants based on yearround performance and design potential. A planted border at Beth Chatto’s Garden, Elmstead Market, Essex. We take inspiration from her unique plant combinations that layer colors and textures in the landscape, and her commitment to ecological sustainability. Here in California, plants from Mediterranean climates are often the best performers. Beth was one of the first to recognize the potential inherent in these
July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
plants and to use them with great aesthetic success. Her first book, The Dry Garden, was published in 1978 and is still one of the most influential guides to drought-tolerant gardening today. There are infinite styles one can achieve with these plants, many which can be substituted for water-hungry East Coast or Asian plants more traditionally used in the Beth chose plants for their structure and movement as well as for their flowers. landscape. When we design our gardens, these Mediterranean plants offer invaluable structure and durability, and can complement more traditional plantings for an elegant look with a lower water bill. If you are looking to replant part of your landscape this year, consider taking a leaf out of Beth’s book - observing the conditions of your site, whether dry and exposed, or deeply shaded, and finding successful new plant combinations. In choosing plants, look for harmonious relationships between color, structure, and form. For inspiration, we recommend Beth’s illustrated guides as well as the classic Sunset Western Garden book. To read more about Beth’s life and legacy, view the garden website at www.bethchatto.co.uk. “We may have a wider approach to garden design if we have been helped to appreciate other forms of art: to be aware of basic principles – balance, repetition, harmony, and simplicity – (these ideas have) certainly influenced me as much as knowing whether to put a plant in the shade, or in full sun.” – Beth Chatto Here at J. Montgomery Designs, we offer planting renovation through our ‘Spruce-Up’ department. If you need help finding the right combination for an important spot, a refresh for a house going on the market, or a new planting following construction, contact us via our website jmontgomerydesigns.com, or call our office at (925) 820 8884. Advertorial
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PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
Ongoing Communication – Describe the means for the community to be regularly informed of any activity on the pipeline, whether that involves routine right of way (ROW) inspections, integrity digs, major repairs or on-or-off site inspections; and the means for the community to inform you if they have specific concerns. Where can the community access information on an ongoing basis?
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
By Roger Smith, President ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET
It is the start of the peak of the growing season. Expect to find a large selection of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at the Alamo Farmers Market. There is plenty of easy, free parking, music, and a great time to be had! The Alamo Farmer’s Market is open 9AM -2PM every Sunday.
PIPELINE SAFETY
For those of you that were unable to attend our recent Pipeline Safety Workshop series, here are the questions asked of the panel members which included representatives from our CA State Fire Marshal’s Office, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Kinder Morgan (Petroleum Pipeline Owner/Operator), and PGE (Natural Gas Pipeline Owner/Operator).
PIPELINE SAFETY WORKSHOP – QUESTIONS AND PRIMER FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS
High Consequence Areas (HCAs) – What are the boundaries of the designated HCAs within Contra Costa County? How are these determined? How does the operator make changes to these over time? How can the community, emergency response personnel, and others submit information to be considered for HCA adjustments? Sign Placement – Where are signs placed, and how do they face in relation to the pipeline location itself? Coordination with other Utilities – In places, the natural gas line(s) are in close proximity to liquid petroleum line(s) and power poles (also water and sewer lines). How close are these to one another? Describe safety and coordination measures taken to avoid problems. Integrity Management – Describe the means to maintain a safe pipeline throughout its life. What is the latest technology available for helping with this process? How is it used on the county pipeline(s)? Earthquakes and Ground Movement – This is a major concern voiced by a number of community residents. Describe how these ground movement hazards are addressed in the integrity management plan, and what additional safety measures are taken to prepare for earth movement. Inspections – What is your agency/operator role in inspecting and/or regulating the hazardous liquid pipelines that run through our community? [For the Alamo meeting, the focus was on the Miranda Avenue area Natural Gas line and the Iron Horse Corridor.] Provide information about the results of these inspections in recent years. What types of concerns are there? What specific anomalies exist? What are the plans for repairing these anomalies? Right-of-Way – What is the process for inspection and maintenance of the ROW? Exposed Pipeline Areas – We see exposed pipelines in some areas. Describe how the safety of these above-ground crossings is determined. What are the requirements for these types of crossings? How would pipelines installed today look at these crossings? Would it be different? Please describe the difference. Valve Operation – Describe how valves are inspected and tested to maintain their functionality over time. There are some valves existing on this line that are apparently manual and have been in existence for some time. Describe the current valve installation requirements and practices on new lines, and how they are different (if at all) from what exists today. Describe the location of the automatic valves along the pipeline and how the placement of these is determined. Valve Spacing – Describe the current valve type and placement in the county – what types of valves are where? How is placement determined to minimize the impacts of leaks or spills? What is the process and timing of closure for the valves in place today? Leak or Spill Response – Please talk more about leak or spill response planning, including the worst-case discharge timing assumptions. How will response be handled for both a localized release by accident and a major incident caused by earthquakes that may result in more than one breach?
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS
• Have plans for auto shut-off valves in HCAs been established? • What new inspection protocols have been instituted since 2010? • Does PG&E have a pipeline replacement program based on age and/ or post San Bruno review of pipeline inspection records? Do you want the answers to these questions and more? The Pipeline Safety Workshop videos are posted to the Pipeline Safety Trust and the Alamo Improvement Association websites http://pstrust.org/trust-initiatives-programs/work-in-other-communities/alamo/ and http://alamo.pstrust. org/pipeline-safety-workshops/. The direct YouTube link is https://youtu. be/5O8Sa_w2GVk. Tip – Fast forward to the Q&A section of the last hour.
AIA MEMBERSHIP
Now in its 63rd year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo (and Danville) residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement: to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts over the last 62 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Please complete and return your annual membership form to AIA at PO Box 156, Alamo, CA. 94507. Please visit our website at www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out. Now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. The need in our communities remains great. Seven days a week, WPE Food Rescue volunteers take trucks to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets where they pick up thousands of pounds of surplus food—high quality, nourishing food (fresh meats, dairy, eggs, deli, baked goods). Most all of this food is distributed free-of-charge to those in need within two hours of the donation. In its first four years, WPE delivered more than 6,000,000 pounds of food (equivalent to 5,000,000 meals) that the hungry would have gone without. Also, in addition to rescuing food, WPE collects donations of new or like-new clothing, shoes, toys, games, and books. More than 400,000 of these items have been distributed to those in need—all free of charge, through WPE’s unique “Mobile Boutiques” and its Direct Distribution program. Interested volunteers should please contact Mandy Nakaya at 925-8186361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www. whiteponyexpress.org.
PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH TOASTMASTERS
Do you hate speaking in front of a group? You’re not alone. However, good presentation skills are demanded by nearly every employer these days. Toastmasters can help you overcome your public speaking challenges! Toastmasters is an organization where people can fine-tune their speaking skills and receive valuable feedback. Beginning and advanced speakers are welcome. Local chapter Danville AM Toastmasters meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30AM in downtown Danville. For the location and other details, please visit 4143.toastmastersclubs.org, or email DanvilleAMToastmasters@gmail.com.
Celebrations, Memories, Milestones The Editors, Inc. announces a new “Transitions” section in the paper with “Celebrations, Memories, Milestones.” To place an announcement call 925-405-6397 or email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.
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REAL ESTATE VALUES
By Robert Cucchiaro
On December 22, 2017, new tax laws were enacted that will show up for the first time when you complete your 2018 tax returns, sometime between April and October of 2019. These changes were significant and will have unforeseen impacts on the economy and potentially real estate values. Given that for many of us in the Bay Area our homes make up a large percentage of our net worth, I thought it would be helpful to think about the impact these tax laws will have on home prices.
LET’S START WITH SOME BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
1. The value of your home is what someone is willing to pay for it.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets for dinner at Crow Canyon Country Club on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the fight against diabetes, and many local charities. The group has interesting speakers at each meeting. Contact Truman Howard (925) 787-2565 or truman. howard@gmail.com for reservations. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, visit www.danvillelionsclub.org.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests, and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch (up to 3x). For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis. org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
2. When a person or couple calculate how much home they can afford, the monthly payment is often more important to them than the actual purchase price. The new tax law has reduced what people can afford, even if they have not realized it yet. This is true for several reasons: 1. Itemized deductions are capped in many areas, with a specific cap on the tax deductibility of property taxes 2. The amount of tax deductible debt on a new mortgage has been lowered from $1M to $750K. This means that if you have a large mortgage, less of the interest will be tax deductible 3. Tax rates have come down, making tax deductions in general less valuable. Regardless of whether or not we think this is good or bad policy, through the introduction of these three tax law changes the government has effectively made a decision to reduce its support for homeownership by limiting the tax breaks. The second issue, and one of equal concern, is that interest rates have been rising, causing a 30 year fixed mortgage to jump from the high 3%’s to the mid 4%’s in a short period of time. Interest rates have a huge impact on how much home we think we can afford. Under the old laws, a $1.25M house with 20% down and a 3.875% 30 year fixed rate meant a monthly mortgage of $4,702 per month. All of the interest was tax deductible as was the property tax. Under the new tax laws and with higher interest rates, the monthly mortgage jumps to over $5,000 and is less tax deductible. When buyers figure this out, that $1.25M house may not sell as quickly as it used to. That could cause a shift in real estate prices. I am not one for predictions, especially about the future. I will say, however, that before you make any major housing decision (buying, selling, downsizing, etc.), it would be good to rethink some old assumptions, and maybe get a second opinion from an unbiased professional. If you have real estate questions or major financial decisions to make in general, give me a call at 925-927-1900 or send me an email to rob@ swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Rob specializes in retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning www.summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
The Rotary Club of Alamo meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Forli’s Ristorante, 3160 Danville Blvd., Alamo. For information about the group contact Peter Walron at peter.waldron@lfg.com. The Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. For information, contact Bob Chace at bchace@pacbell.net or by phone at (925)838-7007. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Jim Coleman at coleman_jd@pacbell.net. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets for dinner every Wednesday night at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville. Networking and social time starts at 6pm with the meeting starting at 7pm. For more information, call Laura Montalvo at (925) 437-2445 or email winechickathome@gmail.com. You can also visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Lastly, Rotary Club of San Ramon meets every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club. For more information, contact Dennis Harvey at dennis@dharveyrealtor.com or 925-519-4748.
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
ESTATE PLANNING STRATEGIES FOR BLENDED FAMILIES
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Estate planning for blended families is often a sensitive matter. Below, I profile a hypothetical couple and explore some estate planning strategies that can help manage the sensitivity. Jay, 65, and Bea, 55, are in good health. They marry and move into Jay’s house. The ‘J’ Family: Jay’s children are Jeff and Judy, 40 and 35 years old. Jay has a $1 Million home, with no mortgage, and cash and securities totaling $200K. The ‘B’ Family: Bea has a daughter, Betty, 20 years old. Bea has cash and securities totaling $400K. Often, a married couple (even those with blended families) establish a joint living trust (which can hold community property and separate property assets). Typically, blended family trusts split into two subtrusts (“pots”) on the first spouse’s death. One pot holds the surviving spouse’s assets and the other pot holds the deceased spouse’s assets. The difficulty is figuring out when and to whom each pot gets distributed. Jay and Bea each need to decide: if he or she dies first, what will happen to his or her assets? This might seem straightforward, but it’s rarely simple. The deceased spouse’s assets could: a) go immediately to his or her children, or b) go immediately to the surviving spouse, or c) remain in trust to be used for the needs of the surviving spouse (then, on the surviving spouse’s death, remaining assets, if any, go to the deceased spouse’s children). Sometimes people benefit from some combination of these approaches. If Jay dies first and he gives all his assets, including the house, to Jeff and Judy, where will Bea live? She could rent a place or use some of her liquid $400,000 to buy a small condominium. But, would Jay want
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Last month I talked about designing with a 3D printer that uses a plastic spool of material to build a three-dimensional object in an additive process. This time the “Printer-of-the-Month” is a small office/ home-based laser printer. One of the printers on the market is the Glowforge. The Glowforge became Kickstarter’s biggest onemonth crowdfunding capaign in history. This 3D laser printer can etch and cut materials such as leather, wood, acrylic, cardboard, fabric, glass, paper, chocolate, and even nori for sushi rolls! The machine uses a beam of laser light the width of a human hair to make this happen. The unit requires good ventiliation, and a set of noise-canceling headphones is a worthwhile investment if you’re working nearby. This mass-market printer has opened a door for artists, entrepeneurs, crafters, and hobbiests to be creative as well as provide a way to fashion replacement or new parts for fix-it or new projects. These days if you can envision something, you can create it. The Glowforge (www.glowforge.com) uses web-based software for simple creations. However, it is best to have some knowledge of software programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Inkscape, CorelDraw, or Sketchup. It accepts JPG, PND, SVG, PDF, and other file formats. A big feature of the Glowforge is its built-in camera. The camera acts as a scanner and allows you to draw something, trace it, then print it. Great resources for project ideas
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Bea to have a drop in her standard of living and face financial risk (Bea could live a long life and/or have substantial long-term care expenses)? Alternatively, Jay could leave only his liquid $200,000 to Jeff and Judy, and keep the house in trust for Bea for her lifetime. But, if Bea lived to age 100, Jeff and Judy would not inherit the home (the bulk of Jay’s assets) until they are 80 and 85. Jay could mitigate this potential problem by: a) allowing Bea to stay in the home for a fixed number of years, or b) mandating that the house be sold and a portion of the sales proceeds be used to buy her a modest replacement residence, or c) purchasing a life insurance policy with a death benefit of say, $500,000 - $1 Million, naming Jeff and Judy as beneficiaries, and then leaving the home either outright to Bea or in trust for her lifetime. If Bea dies first, she might give her $400,000 immediately to Betty since Jay has substantial assets of his own. But, Jay’s major asset, his home, is illiquid, and Jay could easily use up his own liquid assets and need to sell his house. Another consideration is that even if Jay lived to 90 or 95, Betty would only be 45 or 50 - a fairly young age to inherit from her mother. So, Bea may wish to: a) leave her $400,000 in trust for Jay’s lifetime, during which he may withdraw some portion if he needs it, while preserving the rest of the funds for Betty when Jay dies, or b) purchase a life insurance policy with a death benefit of, say, $250,000 or $500,000, naming Betty as beneficiary, and leave her $400,000 outright or in trust for Jay. These examples illustrate that careful, practical planning can help reconcile competing interests of a surviving spouse, children, and step-children. Estate Planning |Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
include the Glowforge website along with the Inventables site (www.inventables.com/projects), Thingiverse (www.thingiverse.com), Etsy (www. etsy.com), and Pinterest (www.pinterest.com). When searching, use terms such as “laser cut” or “laser cutter projects.” You can easily get lost in finding a plethora of projects you want to do! We recently made a quick set of acrylic dog tags when we noticed our dog had lost her previous set and also made risers to put under our kitchen range to level it. We used a picture from a recent trip to Mexico of a friend riding an ATV and etched it on a repurposed glass bottle (from a used -up batch of Trader Joe’s Maple Syrup). It is more impactful to learn a new tool with something real to practice on. San Ramon Valley High graduate Wyatt Daily is a friend of our children. He is putting together a movie titled Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story (www.spoonsfilm.com) which is a surfing and surfboard documentary. For fun, we got out a sheet of maple wood and created keychain swag for him to give to his movie sponsors and guests. Items we “print” on cannot be more than 1/2” tall and roughly 11”x20” (although the Pro version of the laser cutter offers a pass-through front for longer items). If you want to try out laser or other 3D printers before you purchase, search Yelp for “Best Makerspaces” to find facilities in the area. These are amazing times for creating new products and actualizing your ideas. Inevitably these hobbies require a computer, and when they do we’re here to help you get the most from your experience. Contact PCIO by telephone at 925-5527953 or by email at support@pcioit.com. Advertorial
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
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SUN SAFE SUMMER
By Dr. Barbara Persons
Patients often ask me, “What are the most common factors contributing to the aging process?” Everyday exposure to the sun, pollution, and other factors in our environment add to the natural aging process. As residents of the Bay Area, we are fortunate to live in a very mild climate with lots of sunny days. However, this fortune comes at a price, as the sun is the number one enemy we battle in our quest to retain our youthful appearance. Frequency and intensity of sun exposure accelerates the aging process, damages skin, and increases the incidence of skin cancer. As such, part of any healthy lifestyle includes practicing sun safety. We start our lives with thin, delicate, baby skin and end up with thin, delicate, elder skin. The care we take to protect our skin does make a difference. Wearing hats, sunglasses, protective clothing, and liberal use of sunscreen are necessary precautions to protect us from our infancy to our golden years. This summer I have noticed children at the pool and playground becoming red and sunburned. Just one severe sunburn in childhood increases our lifetime risk of melanoma (the fatal form of skin cancer). We need to take sufficient precautions to reduce these risks. While it is true that over-exposure to the sun may result in more sunspots and, premature or excessive wrinkles, melanoma is a grave consequence of enjoying too much sun throughout our lifespan. Recently, I removed over 50 skin lesions from a 70-year-old patient. Sadly, most of these lesions could have been avoided with a better understanding of how the sun damages the skin and knowledge of the best practices to protect it. The sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays - UVA and UVB; either can cause sunburns and damaged skin. It is a common misconception that cloudy days offer protection from sunburn. UVA and UVB rays penetrate clouds and still result in sunburn and damaged skin. Medications can also increase the risk of sunburn. These medications include many antibiotics, most acne medications, and some antidepressants. It is always wise to review your medications with
your doctor or pharmacist regarding sun sensitivity. The best way to enjoy the sunshine is to limit exposure when the sun rays are most intense (between 10am and 4pm) and to use adequate sunscreen protection at all times. While the use of sunscreen is critical, it must be appropriately applied to be effective. Follow these simple and useful guidelines for sunscreen use: • Sunscreens with a zinc base and broad-spectrum coverage are optimal. Zinc is found in higher end brands. We offer Persons Plastic Surgery Skincare, Skinceuticals, and Obagi in our office. • Do not wait until you are in the sun to apply. Sunscreens are designed to be absorbed into the skin. Apply liberally (two ounces, equivalent to a full shot glass, for arms and legs) 30 minutes before sun exposure. • Sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming or excessive sweating. • Regular use of sunscreen can begin at six months of age and be used indefinitely. SPF means “sun protection factor.” SPF of 4 provides protection allowing four times the sun exposure before burning. SPF 8 equals eight times and so on. SPF 15 blocks 93% of incoming UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays. One year of sun protection yields noticeably improved skin and reduced risk. It is never too early or too late to start using sunscreen, so start applying it now! Yearly skin checks with your general practitioner, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon will help detect skin cancer early. These recommendations are meant to be guidelines and should be tailored to individual skin types. If sunburn does occur, use of cold compresses, overthe-counter Benadryl, and pain medication may help with the sting. In cases of longer-term sun damage or skin cancer, your dermatologist and your plastic surgeon can help. As always, I welcome the opportunity to help you explore the options available. I wish you a sun safe and happy summer season! Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925-283-4012 or drpersons@ personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT DECISIONS FOR BREAST CANCER By Tiffany Svahn, MD
The long-awaited results from the TailoRx (Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment) trial were released in June at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The results confirm that using the gene expression test (OncotypeDX) to assess the risk of breast cancer recurrence can spare many women unnecessary treatment with chemotherapy that will not benefit them. The most common type of cancer in women is breast cancer with over 266,000 new cases expected in the United States this year. The majority of these cases will be estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2-negative, axillary lymph node negative breast cancer. While many of these patients require chemotherapy to achieve the best outcome, there are many patients who will do just as well with endocrine (hormonal) treatment alone, without the added toxicities of chemotherapy. For several years, medical oncologists have utilized the prognostic information of gene expression assays like OncotypeDX for patients with ERpositive breast cancer to help them better predict which patients would benefit from chemotherapy. OncotypeDX’s gene-expression assay provides a recurrence score range from 0 to 100. Previous studies have shown that a patient with a high risk recurrence score would benefit from receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, and a patient with a low risk recurrence score would not likely benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. For the patient with an intermediate recurrence score, we were uncertain of the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. The goal of this trial, which was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), was to address this gap of knowledge by determining whether chemotherapy is beneficial for women with an intermediate risk recurrence score of 11-25. It was a prospective clinical trial that enrolled over 10,000 women with this subset of breast cancer at 1,182 sites in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Peru. In fact, several of our patients from Diablo Valley Oncology participated in the trial. According to the authors, the findings suggest that chemotherapy may be avoided in about 70% of women with ERpositive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer. The findings also suggest that chemotherapy should be considered for the remaining 30% of women with ER-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer: The results of this ground-breaking trial confirm that the majority of the ERpositive patients can avoid chemotherapy and just receive hormonal therapy. The findings are very helpful in supporting oncologists and patients when they are making decisions about the best course of treatment. Dr. Svahn is a Medical Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. She developed the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay where breast cancer patients are seen by three breast cancer specialists in one visit. Dr. Svahn can be reached at 925-677-5041. Advertorial
THE EBRPD WANTS YOU!
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) includes 65 regional parks in its two-county jurisdiction, covering more than 113,000 miles and 1,200 miles of trail. Helping to oversee and manage this vast recreational territory are nearly 200 volunteers from all over the Bay Area. EBRPD offers a volunteer position for nearly every interest. Consider work in the Botanic Garden, or help with a Coastal Clean-up Day. Become a Regional Parks ambassador, or participate in the companion dog patrol. Help with trail maintenance, or walk the trails as part of the safety patrol. Whether you may seek a special one-time volunteer job or ongoing year-round programs, EBRPD would love to hear from you. Positions are offered for all ages and can be tailored for school groups, students, corporate groups, and Scouting and service clubs. They also offer company team-building service projects. Those seeking to help restore parklands to their original state can help replace non-native plants with natives, or work with staff to restore vital habitats. EBRPD volunteers help lead tours, take photos, distribute flyers, serve as hosts and greeters, and help with recycling activities. Volunteering with EBRPD can provide new skills, new friends, a greater knowledge of natural and cultural resources, and the personal satisfaction of making a difference in the community. For information, email Volunteers@ EBParks.org, or visit www.ebparks.org/about/getinvolved/volunteer.
THE EYE OPENER
CAN YOU HELP ME FIGURE OUT MY INSURANCE? By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
These days insurance benefits have become quite confusing for everyone. Patients are finding it increasingly more difficult to know their benefits and which company administers their plan. Our office deals with both medical and vision plans daily, and we are consistently amazed by how hard it is to administer these plans. In addition, it is becoming more difficult to contact insurance companies to obtain necessary information; so, we completely understand how frustrating it is for our patients. I will discuss some of the differences between vision and medical insurance, and when each plan would be utilized. When making an appointment for a routine comprehensive exam at the office, we need to know which vision insurance carrier you have so we can make sure you have benefits prior to the exam. A “routine” exam is one that does not involve a medical condition such as diabetes, cataracts, or allergies. The vision plans we are in-network providers for include Vision Service Plan (VSP), Eyemed, and Medical Eye Services (MES). These are stand-alone plans that have exam coverage and material benefits (towards either glasses or contact lenses). These plans vary greatly in material benefits and coverage terms, but all have exam benefits. Some of these vision plans are associated with your medical insurance, but they are usually administrated differently. For example, Cigna health insurance is associated with VSP, and Aetna coordinates some of their vision plans through Eyemed. Even though they are related, your medical insurance and vision coverage are usually separate entities. The main difference between a vision plan and medical insurance is that for a medical benefit, a medical diagnosis must apply. Issues such as conjunctivitis, cataracts, allergies, glaucoma, diabetes, dry eyes, etc. are medical diagnoses. For instance, for a patient who comes to the office with only a vision issue and does not have an ocular or systemic medical condition, medical coverage alone cannot be used. The determining factor in deciding if the exam is medical or vision is the chief complaint, or the reason for the visit. For example, if the chief complaint is “blurry vision” and the reason for the blurry vision is simply a change in glasses prescription, then the vision plan would be used. If the reason for the blurry vision is dry eyes, then the medical plan would be utilized. So, when a patient calls the office and tries to use their medical insurance for a routine exam, we must assume there will not be a medical diagnosis. Therefore, we need to know what coverage there is for routine vision and materials. If a patient is calling to schedule an office visit for a red eye, infection, allergies, etc., the opposite is true. The medical insurance is now primary because the routine vision plan will not pay for a medical eye visit. We routinely verify patients’ vision coverage and collect medical insurance cards so we have them on file. This makes it easier to have all information needed to be able to bill your insurance on your behalf. Now that we all understand the difference between medical and vision insurance, it is important to understand what benefits you have before calling the office to schedule an exam or office visit. All benefits need to be authorized before your visit as we do not have the time necessary at your exam to retrieve your benefits, so this needs to be done ahead of time. If you are not sure, the human resources department through your employer should be able to help you navigate through the chaos that is insurance. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the office, and we will do what we can on our end to look up and verify your benefits prior to the exam. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. Your help is needed now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
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PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
Aquanuts continued from front page
Imagine, for instance, a gymnast performing on the balance beam while holding her breath for up to half of her routine. Add additional gymnasts performing the same routine concurrently and in complete synchronization. Add water, and you’ve got the recipe for the Walnut Creek Aquanuts. This highly acclaimed synchronized swimming club is considered the most prestigious in the world and draws athletes from all over. Fourteentime National Champions, the team has won more than 200 National and World titles. The club currently trains more than 100 competitive athletes and introduces the sport to more than 500 young girls annually. And this year it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Sue Ahlf formed the club in 1968, and her daughter Gail Emery led it for 30 years, building it into the powerhouse that it is today. A 2008 Olympian,
LEG VEINS
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
If you’re reading this, chances are it is a hot July day. Temperatures are likely in the nineties or possibly over 100 degrees. I actually love the heat. We get to wear less clothing and get to spend time at the pool (under a shaded umbrella). However, through the years I have learned that many people dread this time of year because we are wearing less clothing. This is troubling to some people because they feel that many of their perceived imperfections are on display. Many people have sought our care because they have varicose and spider veins on their legs. For those people, I have some great news. Firstly, most people are so caught up in themselves and their own lives that they don’t notice and don’t care about your leg veins. The second piece of great news is that effective and safe treatment is available. At our practice we are fortunate to have Dr. Monica Brar whose practice is limited to the diagnosis and treatment of leg veins. Many people knew Dr. Brar when she practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology and delivered many of your babies. I am also lucky to be married to her. The reality of family life and incredible demands of being solo practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist led Dr. Brar to retrain in phlebology (the specialty of treating leg veins). She has been specializing in this area for 14 years. Many of the advancements in the treatment of leg veins stem from the use of the Duplex Ultrasound Machine to visualize the veins underneath the skin. This was a natural transition for Dr. Brar as using diagnostic ultrasound was part of her daily Obstetrics practice. She has studied this art and because of her expertise has been an invited speaker at national leg vein conferences. Some people only have small spider veins that we can easily treat with injection sclerotherapy. However, a diagnostic ultrasound is usually performed to make sure that there is not a larger vein under the skin feeding the superficial veins. If there is a deeper vein feeding the superficial one, and you only inject the superficial veins, treatment in unlikely to succeed. A common myth is that injection sclerotherapy hurts and stings. Newer FDA approved solutions do not sting and burn the way hypertonic saline did in the old days. If a larger vein is identified feeding the smaller ones, that vein would be treated first. Some of the greatest advances have come in the treatment in varicose veins. In the late nineties, techniques were pioneered that have all but replaced vein stripping. Vein stripping was often accompanied by a great deal of pain and downtime. The biggest advancement in treating varicose veins came with today’s endovenous techniques where a laser fiber or radiofrequency catheter is inserted into a vein to destroy it. These techniques have all but replaced stripping. This is a procedure that is routinely performed in our fully accredited operatories with local anesthesia. There is no need to be put under, and you can expect a rapid recovery. Most people are back to work the next day, and the results can be incredible. If you have leg veins ranging from large varicose veins that are symptomatic to small spider veins that are a cosmetic nuisance, Dr. Brar is happy to help you. You are welcome to find out more about the current state of the art treatment available by scheduling a complimentary leg vein consultation. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We are accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and at www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
Kim Probst now heads the group, with the assistance of former Olympians like Lafayette resident Heather Olson who participated on the 1996 and 2000 Olympic synchronized swimming teams, and went on to coach the sport at Stanford (one of the top NCAA programs) for 12 years. A recognized expert in the field, Olson provides synchronized swimming color commentary for NBC. “I was inspired by the Olympics and started participating in synchronized swimming at age 9,” says Olson, who moved to Walnut Creek from Carmel Valley at age 16 specifically to train with the Aquanuts. “This club produces champions, and I wanted to be part of it.” Now, she does the training, working with athletes from age 6 to age 24. Olson emphasizes the sheer athleticism of her swimmers, noting that while cheerleaders for instance have the benefit of ground push-off for jumps and lifts, a synchronized swimmer is not able to touch the bottom of the pool. With water at a minimum of nine feet deep, swimmers create the illusion of standing on their feet or hands because they are so proficient at the techniques. They keep their eyes open underwater in order to make corrections and to spot pool walls during upside-down spins – just as a figure skater or dancer would in order to count rotations. In a five-minute routine, a synchronized swimmer may spend up to a minute underwater without coming up for air. At the same time, they are using their arms and legs to suspend themselves in the water. It's similar to running underwater while holding your breath. The elite-level synchronized swimmer can swim up to 75 meters underwater without coming up for air. Aquanuts practice between five and 30 hours per week, depending on the age and competition level of the swimmer. While much of this time is spent in the pool, strength training, stretching, and drills take place on dry land. Olympic and National Team synchronized swimmers practice as much as eight hours a day, six days a week. Approximately six hours are spent in the water, and an additional two hours are spent on land with cross training exercises such as lifting weights, biking, running or aerobics. See this athleticism for yourself at the Walnut Creek Aquanuts Fall Show, August 30 – September 2 at Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Walnut Creek. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the club welcomes all alumni of the program and will showcase synchronized swimming in a theatrical format with lights, props, a 3-D stage and yes, glittery costumes. “This is a great event for the entire community,” says Olson. “The program is a blend of gymnastics, swimming, and dance. It’s spectacular to witness the throws and jumps, and to see the patterns on the surface of the water. It’s like Cirque de Soleil without having to traipse into the City.” Each of the four shows begins at 8pm. General Admission is $20 (ages 6-61), Senior discount is (62+) $15, and children 5 and under are free. Snacks, beer, and wine are available for purchase. Google Walnut Creek Aquanuts for website and ticket information. And that hair gel? It’s KNOX gelatin, applied warm to ensure that no strand moves during a routine. Once the KNOX dries, it forms a shell around the hair and is impervious to water. It takes a very hot shower to get it out.
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ALL MIXED UP: HOW YOUR PHONE IS CAUSING A SENSORY MISMATCH
By Dr. Jesse Call, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic
The human brain is a wonder to behold. It controls the function of every organ, tissue, and cell of your body. But what happens when there is a crossing of the wires? Does higher function of the brain decrease? What about posture? Movement? Ability to make good decisions? When we use electronic devices in a forward slumped posture (And let’s be honest, is there any better way to check your Snapchats, Instagram, or Facebook feed then flopped onto the couch?), we cause a sensory mismatch leading to degeneration of the brain. Some parts become under-stimulated, while others become over-stimulated.
UNDER-STIMULATED
• Frontal Lobe - The frontal lobes are involved in motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgment, impulse control, and social behavior. Essentially, it is what makes you, you. When the frontal lobe is under-stimulated, such as when using a cell phone or playing a video game, motivation is lost, the ability to make good decisions is decreased, and memory and problem solving is reduced. • Parietal Lobe - The parietal lobes are involved in sensation and spatial awareness. This is your ability to know where you are in space. When the parietal lobe is dampened, it becomes difficult for your body to know where it is in relation to itself and other things. This increases your risk for injury and can lead to defused pain in the neck, back, or shoulder. • Cerebellum - The cerebellum receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and then regulates motor movements. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity. By disabling the cerebellum, smooth and accurate coordinated movement is reduced, resulting in an increased risk for injury and decreased athletic performance. • PMRF - The pontomedullary reticular formation (PMRF) is very important for our body function. Not only does it run posture and muscle tone,
CARING HANDS ~HELP A SENIOR, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Life at any age involves challenges, but these intensify as we age. The first concern may be that it becomes too difficult to drive to the doctor, the grocery, or to just get a haircut. Support systems change, neighbors and friends may not help as expected, and loneliness may put a damper on daily routine. Caring Hands volunteers offer friendship which makes an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for many seniors. Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, a collaborative community outreach program between John Muir Health, social service agencies, congregations of various faiths and the community-atlarge, creates finely-tuned one-on-one matches. The program is dedicated to helping aging adults in Contra Costa County remain independent as long as safely possible. If you have time to volunteer, consider joining Caring Hands as a caregiver or occasional driver. Enriching matches are created; loving friendships and deep relationships are formed. Care receivers treasure a friendly visit, a walk in the park or other social outing. Reading mail, letter writing, or providing respite care to give a break to a family member are thoughtful services which can make a big difference to a frail or isolated senior. Since so many older adults need transportation to doctor’s appointments or stores, the best volunteer for Caring Hands is someone who is available once a week for 1-3 hours on a weekday and who can provide transportation. Volunteers receive ongoing education, support, and recognition of their efforts. Training classes are held in odd numbered months. An orientation/interview and pre-registration is required. Perhaps you can be that friend who gives a waiting senior hope and help. For a volunteer application or for more information about Caring Hands, please contact Stacy Appel, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 952-2999.
July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
but it helps with blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and a whole host of functions that your body does automatically. There is more. Ninety percent of all your brain’s thinking goes to the PMRF, and thus 90% of the feedback from the PMRF goes to your brain. If the PMRF is not working in this regard, it could have effects on our thinking. This could mean depression, anxiety, dark thoughts, or fearful thoughts.
OVER-STIMULATED
• Occipital Lobe - The occipital lobe is the visual processing center of the brain. When we spend prolonged time on electronic devices, we are only stimulating our visual system. There is no social connection made, no problems to solve, and not even any choices to be made. We simply process the visual stimuli. • Temporal Lobe - The temporal lobe is involved in primary auditory perception, such as hearing, and holds the primary auditory cortex. If we turn the sound up, as is especially prominent in video game use, we don’t only stimulate the occipital lobe but the temporal lobe as well. When the temporal lobe is over-stimulated, we actually decrease our ability to control our emotions and to make rational decisions. Thus “temper tantrums” are more accurately called “temporal tantrums” because their occurance is usually due to an over-stimulation of the temporal lobe. When TV, computers, cell phones, and tablets become the center of our world, they start doing our thinking for us. The parts of your brain you would want running at peak efficiency are damped, while those that simply process stimuli are turned up to 11. Phones may be smart, but the people are dumb. The silver lining is that the brain is highly plastic. It is able to shape and form and change. By making simple changes to your digital habits, you can combat the effects of this “digital dementia.” If you are interested in learning how, give us a call (925) 837-5595 and set up an appointment. We would love to help you learn how to combat and overcome these effects. Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)8375595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB FREE VISION SCREENING SERVICES
The Danville Lions Club, with certified Lion members, offers vision screening at no charge to public and private schools, senior care facilities, learning centers, and children’s centers in Danville and San Ramon. Danville Lions use the Spot infrared camera that combines auto-refraction and video retinoscopy to test the eyes. From three feet, the camera is used to take a digital photograph so the information acquired automatically assesses a person’s vision in as little as five seconds. The Spot camera is safe and quick, and can easily process 50 to 75 people in a short visit. The Spot camera screens for the following refractive errors and gaze analysis: irregularly shaped corneas or lenses, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Danville Lions are most interested in using the Spot screening at public school locations and children’s learning centers. For more information and to schedule dates for screening, please contact Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 3526111 or watermanchiro@yahoo.com.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH ADULT LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the twostory building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For additional information or to RSVP, contact karen@mmcohen.com.
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
MDIA continued from page 12
with the California State Parks Foundation, and make Mount Diablo State Park a better home for the birds and the bees! Park Champions projects improve the quality, safety and preservation of our state parks. Volunteers will support the maintenance team by removing devices called wattles, which collect sediment and allow water to drain, along the Mary Bowerman Trail. Free overnight camping for registered volunteers! Kids ages 14 and up are welcome with a legal guardian. Tools, training, lunch, and smiles are provided. Volunteers should register online at www.calparks.org/help/park-champions/ to ensure MDIA has the right amount of tools and lunches. Go to mdia.org to watch and listen to the Audible Mount Diablo Guides. Plan a visit or take an armchair tour, and learn why Mount Diablo is a critically important “reservoir of biodiversity.” Books published by MDIA available for purchase include Hiker’s Guide to Mount Diablo State Park with complete details on distance, difficulty, access, and attractions. Hikes in the Hiker’s Guide are numbered. Hummel’s favorite is listed in the Guide as #9, Summit via Back Creek.
Michelle Hummel’s favorite hike includes spectacular views from the summit. Photo courtesy of Michelle Hummel.
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CRUSHING YOUR GOALS WITH TECHNOLOGY
By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Custom Fitness
From watches to smart phone apps and even simple pedometers, more people are crushing their goals with the help of technology. Whether you want to climb a mountain, stop snacking on junk food, play with your grandkids, run a 5k, or lose 10 lbs of fat, self monitoring has been shown to significantly increase your chances of success. Many of these applications are free, and easy to use, and they even do a lot of the grunt work for you. There are many factors that affect behavioral change. One of the most important first steps is setting an attainable goal. If a goal is too BIG, studies show chances of accomplishment become lowered. Making the goal attainable means breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. With a bit of personal information, fitness trackers can help you better understand the work behind accomplishing your goal. They give you guided steps, exact time frames, and feedback. You might be surprised at how long losing 10 lbs. of fat will take if you aren’t aware of how many calories you consume, versus how many you are spending. When we take time to track our food and activity in apps like myfitnesspal, we get a clearer picture of the areas we can tweak to attain better nutrition and caloric balance. For those who are looking for a complete overhaul of lifestyle behaviors, start small. A great first goal is to commit to tracking your food and activity for a seven day period of time. You might be shocked to discover that an In-n-Out cheeseburger, fries, and shake total to a whopping 1,470 calories, 75g of fat, 1565mg of sodium, and 65g of sugar. Now you know exactly how many calories, fats, protein, carbs, sugar, and sodium you have “left in the bank” for the day. This does not mean that you can’t eat In-n-Out ever again.It means that you are now aware of what you are eating. It gives you the option to make better, more informed decisions about your food choices. Though it may seem cumbersome, consider how important it is to understand your body so you can care for it properly. A few minutes out of your day to improve your life is always worth it. Make the time for your health, and get tracking today! Michelle Brown is owner of Gumsaba Custom Fitness and Gumsaba Fitness Boot Camp. Michelle is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Health Coach, Medical Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer. She is a Martial Arts & Self Defense Expert and has been helping people in our community for over 20 years. To learn more about her programs visit gumsaba.com. Advertorial
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July 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
By Linda Michaelis RD, MS HOW TO LOWER YOUR CARB CRAVINGS
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Having carb cravings is one of the most Eyebag Therapy common complaints I hear from my clients. available. Cosmetic Dermatology The good news is that there are several ways Call for For Beautiful Skin to outsmart these cravings. Here are some consultation! Offering treatments for: Body Sculpting common scenarios that may lead to carb Eyebag Reduction cravings and tips to control them. Introducing Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, 1. Going too long without eating. and Rejuvenation Women’s Wellness Frown Lines and Jawline/Jowl Going too long without eating will lead to Center, featuring Vlase Reduction low blood sugar which will increase the urge to Hair Removal nonablative laser for feminine eat carbs. I doubt many of you crave broccoli Pigmentation and Melasma dryness, atrophy, and stressRosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and when you have not eaten for eight hours. induced urinary incontinence, Post-injection Bruising Tip: Eat meals at regular intervals, and plan Sun Damage and Scars and PRP for hair thinning a healthy snack. Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars and rejuvenation. Thinning Hair and/or Balding 2. Consuming too many processed low fiber carbs. Technology & Procedures Offered Foods such as white rice, sourdough bread, A place where beauty Cellfina granola bars, and high sugar yogurts are low Cool Mini for neck and healthy skin meet in fiber and will cause a spike in blood sugar Coolsculpting Visit us at our Center of Excellence followed by a quick drop which can cause a Cryoshape Diolite 532 laser with a 10,000 square foot, false sense of hunger and therefore an urge to Enlighten Pico Genesis Laser state of the art, newly renovated eat carbs. Excel V Laser suite. We are dedicated to Tip: Choose whole wheat products that Excimer Laser Medical, Cosmetic, and Surgical Fractional CO2 Laser contain a lot of fiber. Good examples include GenesisPlus Laser Dermatology and are a place for Ak Mak crackers, Kashi Go Lean cereal, La Infini Microneedling RF medical skin consultation, Tortilla Factory whole wheat tortillas, and Kybella aesthetic rejuvenation, and Liposonix Dave’s whole wheat breads. face and body contouring. Microneedling 3. Not eating adequate protein at meals. MiraDry Eating meals that contain only carbs such Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com Mohs Micrographic Surgery NBUVB Phototherapy for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, as bagels, a large bowl of pasta, or frozen PicoSure Laser product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. yogurt with granola will cause a rapid rise in PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation blood sugar that causes the insulin response Schedule your free consultation appointment today! Vbeam Laser Spectra Laser and then a crash of blood sugar. Protein helps Superficial Radiotherapy Dr. William Ting, MD to slow digestion and keeps you feeling full Thermage™ Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon for a long time. Ultherapy™ 2262 Camino Ramon 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Vaginal Rejuvenation Tip: Add a protein source at meals and San Ramon, CA 94583 Hercules, CA 94547 Vaser Shape snack time. Protein sources include meats, Tel: (925) 328-0255 Tel: (510) 669-5700 VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites, Greek *Welcoming new Medicare patients Email: staff@CalDermCare.com yogurt, and cottage cheese. www.DrWilliamTing.com 4. Not eating adequate fat at meals. I find clients are fat phobic and go out of their way to avoid fat. This never works because too low fat exacerbates carb cravings. Fats take a longer time to digest and prevent spikes and drops in blood sugar. Tip: Add olive oil and avocado to your salad, or almond or peanut butter to your toast. 5. Control the amount of sweets in your home. I always tell my client to make it more of a treat to go out and buy a cupcake or a small ice cream instead of having large amounts of desserts tempting you. Tip: Purchase frozen portion-sized desserts such as fudgesicles, fruit juice bars, puddings, or low fat ice cream sandwiches. 6. Getting enough sleep. Sleep affects hormones that regulate satiety, hunger, and how efficiently you burn calories. Too little sleep can lower leptin levels and increase hunger for sweet and starchy foods. Tip: Get adequate sleep or take naps to catch up. ®
MODELS
®
IN SUMMARY
If you are experiencing frequent carb cravings record what you eat, and see if you can notice patterns that I am suggesting. I would be happy to hold your hand and show you how to balance your meals and snacks so that you no longer have constant carb cravings that will most definitely derail your weight loss efforts. You also need to pay more attention to the food labels of each item you buy to ensure you are getting the best nutrition. I take a lot of time to educate my clients on how to read the food label. As you have noticed, there is a new food label where the calories are in large print and bold, and they have left out calories of fat which I am not happy about. I thought seeing the percentage of fat per serving was a very important part of the food label. I shop with clients and show them how to understand the new food label and see the best food products available in accordance with their favorite foods. The good news is that nutritional counseling is covered by many health insurance companies such as Aetna, ABMG, Blue Shield, CIGNA, Health Net, Sutter, Hill, United Healthcare, and more. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutrition concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@gmail.com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com. Advertorial
PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • July 2018
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ALAMO REAL ESTATE: THE RECOVERY IS COMPLETE
Dollars Per Square Foot
This month I wanted to focus on what I consider to be the average Alamo Family Home of 4 bedrooms equipped with 2-3 baths and see if the upward market trend we observed throughout 2017 can be seen here at the half way point of 2018 as well. At the peak, the 2006-2007 time frame, the average price paid for one of these 3,000 sq. ft. gems was $1,512,000, selling at a stratospheric price of $504 per square foot. Supply was very low and demand was very high. For the 2018 year a total of 39 family homes have been sold. Inventory remains steady with only 15 similar properties currently on the market. These numbers are nearly identical to last year. Alamo Family Homes are selling at a rate of 6.5 homes per month. Current inventory sits at about two month’s supply. When you consider days-on-market stand at 31, a week longer than last year, it is clear that the market is cooling a little bit, yet remains strong. I have no numbers to back the following assertion, however, I believe I am seeing in this year’s home mix a greater number of homes in original condition than we saw last year. They tend to sell for much less than the average price. Through the first five months of 2018 and 18 days of June, the price for an Alamo Family Home has decreased somewhat compared to last year. Current average sales price stands at $1,623,288 compared to $1,719,000 in 2017. This represents a price .6% drop from the previous year. Dollars per square foot declined from $571 to Alamo Family Home $568 for a .5% drop. Looking at size of $571 $568 home sold, you will see that last year $560 they were bigger by about 90 square $528 $510 feet. Adjusting for the size differential $487 this year’s average sales price would $460 $456 be $1,730,696, a .5% increase, for just $445 a wee bit of growth. It’s quite common $410 for average home size to vary from $379 year-to-year. $360 When you look at the graph, you 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Years 2012-2018 can begin to see what we have been
Alamo 10 Acre Estate
expecting for a long time. 4 bed 2-3 Bath Homes Sales Alamo Jan 1-Jun 18 The combined pressure Year $ Sq. Foot Avg. Price Size Sq. Ft. of increasing home 2012 $ 379 $ 1,108,000 2923 prices and rising interest 2013 $ 445 $ 1,297,000 2914 rates are beginning to put the brakes on run away 2014 $ 456 $ 1,362,000 2986 average price increases. 2015 $ 487 $ 1,469,000 3118 New tax laws that have 2016 $ 528 $ 1,684,000 3283 come into effect may 2017 $ 571 $ 1,719,000 3047 also be dampening price 2018 $ 568 $ 1,623,288 2957 increases. How much is not a calculation I can make. That said Nancy and I have sold several homes this year in Alamo, with multiple offers and for more than the average square foot price. Are we headed toward a real estate crash? Twelve years have passed since the beginning of the big crash which bottomed late 2011. With the recent run up in home prices, we are about 8% ahead of those 2006 prices. So, if you bought your home in 2006, on average you’ve gained something less than 1% per year on the investment. This doesn’t sound like much of run up or a bubble does it? If you bought your home around 2012, you’ve done significantly better, enjoying robust rebound appreciation of about 47%. At this time, days-on-market and inventory are not predicting an impending decline, quite the contrary. My expectation would be that moving forward, we will see area home prices keep up with inflation and bounce around a bit based upon local economic conditions. I think the real estate recovery is complete. We are in a normal market if such a thing exists here. We are blessed to live in this truly amazing country. Show everyone you love America too by proudly displaying an American flag. Have a very safe and Happy 4th of July. Call me if you would like an honest estimate of your home’s value. 925-989-6086. Email me at joecombs@thecombsteam.com to receive the electronic version of this monthly article. To find archived articles for Alamo and Danville Real Estate, please visit our website at www. thecombsteam.com Visit our Facebook Page “Real Estate Services for Danville, Alamo and more”.
Round Hill Oaks
D SOL
Round Hill Area
D SOL
Beautiful custom home with views, gardens, huge master, 3 ensuite bedrooms, bonus room/au pair suite with private entrance. Priced to sell $5,650,000.
Rare Round Hill Oaks home. Never on Market. Nancy and I represented the buyer and the seller. Wish to sell quietly? We can help you.
Pristine 5 bedroom in a great location. Stainless steel and granite Kitchen. Private lot. Priced to sell $1.4 million.
Danville Gated Community
Alamo Single Story
Alamo Springs!
D SOL
D SOL
ING D N PE
Five bedroom 3 bath in gated community. One bed downstairs, designer kitchen, spacious master. Priced to sell $1,300,000
Charming light and bright 4 bedroom 2.5 bath Single story home on a large private lot. Sold $1,550,000.
Five bedroom 4.5 bath, Luxury abounds. Chef’s kitchen, outdoor kitchen, pool & spa, sports court. Priced to sell $2.8M
Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526