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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& MARCH 2020
FIRST TEE IS AS MUCH ABOUT LIFE AS IT IS ABOUT GOLF By Fran Miller
First Tee started in 1997 with a question: Why don’t more kids play golf? In attempting to answer the question, The LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR, and the USGA formed First Tee as a way to bring an affordable junior golf program to communities that did not have such, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. What First Tee soon discovered was that in blending the rules of golf with life and leadership skills, kids and teens didn’t learn only to putt and drive – they learned important values. Contra Costa County has its own First Tee program, led by director Lucio Diaz who oversees programming, management, outreach, and growth for all of First Tee of Contra Costa locations. Diaz ensures that all classes, youth tournaments, and all other First Tee program are running optimally. He is also in charge of managing coaching staff and volunteers at five golf course locations and making sure the program has the necessary coaching support for on-course programming. With First Tee for nearly six years, Diaz has had the opportunity to act or assist in many roles in the CCC chapter. He started as a volunteer at Boundary Oak Golf Course, then progressed to a Lead Coach Role in 2016. At the same time, he was hired as the Outreach and Volunteers Coordinator, a position he held until last year when he was promoted to Program Director.
Ian Stratford and his mother Jean Stratford pull the final offending fennel at Point Isabel Photo by Jane Kelly.
TINY TREASURES/TALL TREES: EBCNPS KNOWS WHY EACH NATIVE PLANT MATTERS
By Jody Morgan
First Tee members practice their skills. Photo by Jerome Deguzman.
Alamo Today & Danville Today News spoke with Diaz to learn more about the innovative youth golf program: What is First Tee’s goal? The mission of First Tee of Contra Costa is to positively impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Our goal is to provide youth in our community the education and tools
See First Tee continued on page 23
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
After saving Tilden Park’s native botanic garden, a group of plant experts, gardeners, and nature lovers continued their commitment by establishing the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) in 1965. Taking the lead as founding chapter of the statewide organization, the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (EBCNPS) identifies locally rare and unusual plants, advocates protection of botanical priority areas, collaborates in preservation and restoration of habitats, provides sustainably propagated native plants, and shares science-based information about caring for the botanical treasures of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Free monthly program meetings are open to the public. Knowing what’s growing is essential for developing strategies to sustain California’s extraordinary biodiversity. “Overall, the mixture of vegetation types in California is extremely rich; the state boasts some 5.000 native plant species, Endangered pallid manzanitas about a third of the national total and the highest are threatened by soil-borne number found in any state,” writes Peter Raven disease and overgrown habitats. in Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers Photo by Judy Schwartz.
See EBCNPS continued on page 22
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XX Number 3
Volume XI Number 3
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.
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
BOULEVARD VIEW
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By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
With the sun shining, my ten-year-old niece recently found it to be great swimming weather, even though the pool temperature was 58o. While the first day of spring is a couple weeks off, it seems like winter has passed us by. Our brief, late 2019 rains greened up our hills, but the color will shortly give way to myriad tones of dried grasses and vegetation. I notice when passing by local feeder waterways that flow into the Sycamore, Green Valley, and San Ramon Creeks not a drop of water is seen, and I expect to see more wildlife head down from our hills in search of a drink from our pools and fountains. And, while most of our reservoirs are near full, we need to continue to be vigilant with our limited resources. Several articles and events this month focus on fire safety which is something we all need to be more mindful of these days. Having experienced, seen, or read about recent California and Australian fires, many are now thinking differently about how we must prepare for the possibility of a large fire in our local communities. When I attended a recent Envision Contra Costa 2040 meeting, fire evacuation was at the top of people’s minds as they discussed the County’s plans to address land use, transportation, housing, climate change, environmental justice, and other important issues over the next 20 years. I encourage you to visit www.envisioncontracosta2040.org to participate in the discussions and learn more. On page 8, Supervisor Candace Andersen’s column talks about the current active transportation study Dinner Around the World along the Iron Horse Trail corridor. While easing our local roadways is one aspect of how to use the corridor, others I talk about this issue with are now also considering how the trail can aid in evacuations if need be. Join Us One of my biggest take-aways when I took Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes was how to evacuate my home located on westside Alamo if the “bridge” which crosses San Ramon Creek on Stone March 15 | 4:30 pm Valley Road between the freeway and Danville Boulevard were to become compromised. Until taking the class, San Damiano Retreat I never even considered that part of the roadway to be a bridge which could come down and hamper evacuation. 710 Highland Drive | Danville, CA In my mind, being prepared and learning how to better take care of ourselves, our families, our neighbors, Adults: $25 | 12 and Under: $10 and our community is always useful information to possess. To learn more about free upcoming CERT Tickets: sandamiano.org classes to be held by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, visit https://www.firedepartment.org/ 925-837-9141 community/outreach-programs/cert/upcoming-classes. The course covers disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations and triage, light search and rescue, team organization, disaster psychology, terrorism and the incident command system. These are great skills anyone can use. Talking about training, I spent the last month taking a 10 hour Photoshop course. While I had used the program, I hadn’t been trained or explored it deeply. There is so much power in the software, and I now, more than ever, question every photo I see as to how true to the actual snapped image it really is. Decades ago when I worked in a one-hour photo processing studio, retouching was limited to cropping and lightly painted touchups for dust and scratches. These days, with a few clicks, smiles, weight, musculature, as well as scenes and more can be quickly changed to create a new reality. Ah, we live in interesting times!
FABULOUS FINDS
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF OAKLAND-EAST BAY VENDOR AND BOUTIQUE FAIR
On Saturday, March 14 , from 8 – 2:30 at the Alamo Women's Club, located at 1401 Danville Blvd., join the women of the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay for a day of shopping with local vendors. The boutique is back for its third year, offering fabulous finds on new and gently used jewelry, make-up, men and women’s clothing, children’s accessories, high-end clothing, housewares, and much more. Proceeds help develop the potential of women and improve communities. The Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Learn more about JLOEB at www.jloeb.org. th
AM
PM
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison Tri-Valley Trapper
925-765-4209
FREE TAX PREPARATION
Free tax preparation for the 2020 tax season is now available from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. The service is provided by volunteer IRS trained and certified tax preparers. Both programs serve taxpayers of any age, and AARP membership is not required for Tax-Aide. EKS service is limited to those with incomes below $54,000, while Tax-Aide does not have an income limit. For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the San Ramon/Danville area, call (925) 973-3250 for the San Ramon Senior Center site or (925) 480-7202 for the Danville Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley site. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. To complete your tax return, you will need to bring the following documents: your Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return, photo identification for the taxpayer and spouse, copies of all 2019 W-2s, 1098s and 1099s, other income and deductions, your 2018 Tax Return, and for Covered California requirements, all documents including form 1095.
A FEW MORE HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR 6-DAYS IN APRIL
For the eighteenth year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area for a six-day visit of our area. The students will arrive in the late afternoon on Saturday, April 11th and depart Friday morning, April 17th. The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require attention in the evenings and one weekend. The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully motivate you to consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate. For more information or to find out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group) at dachary.martine@orange.fr. Many past host families are happy to discuss any questions with you. Danville contact, Kevin Dimler, can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925) 997-7226.
ALAMO WORLD TRAVEL INVITES YOU TO OUR
Beyond the Ordinary Luxury Travel Event Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1 pm - 4 pm Blackhawk Museum 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, CA Join us for refreshments and to learn more about exciting itineraries and excursions available on luxury, expedition, small ship and river cruises, plus rail, exotic, adventure tours and private jet journeys. ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED RSVP BY MARCH 2, 2020 EMAIL: INFO@ALAMOWORLD.COM PHONE: 925.837.8742
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
DANVILLE COMMUNITY BAND PERFORMANCE
The Danville Community Band presents “American Icons: Goldman, Rogers, & Sousa!” The upcoming performance will be held at the Blackhawk Museum, located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville at 2PM on Sunday, March 15th. Richard Rogers is best known as the composer of the musical-writing team of Rogers & Hammerstein. The band will play music from Oklahoma, South Pacific, and The King and I. Edwin Franko Goldman is best known for his marches, many of which are characterized by their pleasant and catchy tunes. He also encouraged audiences to whistle/hum along to his marches. The Cheerio March, one of the selections, lists in its title “sing and whistle,” so come prepared to participate! And of course, the “American March King” John Philip Sousa, will be represented in the program by one of his best-known marches, The Stars and Stripes Forever (National March of the United States of America). There is plenty more on the program to entertain you, and the group hopes to see you there. The concert is FREE with museum admission. Arrive early and check out the museum, including the brand new “Into China” exhibit, before the concert begins. For pricing and advanced ticket sales, contact the Museum at 925-736-2280 or museum@blackhawkmuseum.org. For more information about the Danville Community Band and future performances, please visit www.danvilleband.org.
NEW EXHIBIT COLOR PLAY II OPENS MARCH 14
NOW OPEN AT&T
ALAMO
March is Women’s History Month, and what better way to celebrate than with a lively exhibition that embraces the elegant combination of femininity and bold fresh movement through rich and vibrant color? 170 Alamo Plaza Suite 170-F, Alamo CA 94507 – Phone: (925)831.2518 Come to the Village Theatre Art Gallery March 14PM for the opening of Color Play II, an exhibit of all female artists guest curated by Marin artist Ellen Levine Dodd. This exhibition invites the audience to explore their personal and emotional interactions with color as they tour the gallery and enjoy the outstanding works. An Opening Reception is set for 4PM – 6PM on March 14th at the Village Theatre Art Gallery, located at 233 Front St., Danville. The artists will be at this free event and available to chat. Complimentary light refreshments will also be served. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mnelsonbleier@danville.ca.gov.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley and the Ruth Bancroft Garden celebrate the final month of the Beauty and the Beast California Wildflowers and Climate Change exhibit. We live and garden in a region where the threat of wildfires is becoming more common. Fire-safe design and fire-resistant plants will make your garden more resilient if the worst does happen. On Saturday, March 14th from 9:30AM10:30AM, the museum will join with Ruth Bancroft Gardens for a program on Alamo Rotary’s Annual firescaping your garden. Using the guidelines from numerous local resources, Troy McGregor from Gondwana Flora will walk you through how to design Easter Egg Hunt a creative, functional, and fire-safe garden using plants found at the Ruth and Family Fun Day Bancroft Garden. Plants, materials, and maintenance will all be covered in this class. The program will be held at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, located at 1552 Saturday, April 11, 2020 Bancroft Rd., Walnut Creek. The cost of the program is $20. To sign-up, please go to the Museum website, Livorna Park museumsrv.org. The Museums’ exhibit displays exquisite photoThe Rotary Club of Alamo will sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt E graphs of California's wildFamily Fun Day on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at Livorna Park. The event flowers, bringing awarewill begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. Last year the event attracted over 700 childrenÊ V Õ` } parents, grandparents and other ness of the beauty of the friends, the crowd was estimated at over 2,000 people. The club hid Golden State as well as the > ÃÌÊ10,000 eggs! dangers facing our natural habitats from climate In addition to the Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, where change. From the high parents will have a chance to take photos, there will be music by the East alpine “rock gardens” above Bay Banjo Club, children’s games, balloon men, face painting and other 11,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Death Valley National Park fun activities. Coffee, donuts, chocolate milk and water will be available below-sea-level environment, the majesty of the Golden State will be on display. for sale. The egg hunt will take place at 10:00 a.m. sharp. There will be Beyond the beauty and information, enjoy the hands-on experience of three age groups for the egg hunt: children under the age of three (0-3); seeing stunning pressed wildflowers projected from a microscope onto a screen. children ages four to six (4-6); and children ages seven to ten (7-10). Learn about the role of the citizen-scientist in understanding and documenting Children should bring their own baskets for the egg hunt. Parents should climate change. allow ample time for their children to be on time to participate. This beautiful and informative exhibit will be on display until March 29th. JOIN US FOR LUNCH! The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Alamo Rotary Club meets at Round Hill Country Club Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo noon-3PM. For more information, contact the museum at museumsrv.org or Club of Alamo 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays call 925-837-3750.
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
MT. DIABLO BRANCH CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB
Best-selling author, Penny Warner, will present a workshop on “Talking the Talk: How to Make Your Dialogue Sound Realistic” at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo branch of the California Writers Club on Saturday, March 14th, at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, located at 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Warner will share how dialogue makes a story come alive. It reveals character, sets the mood, increases drama, and incorporates the advice “show, don’t tell.” Warner has published over 70 books for both adults and children. Her middle-grade mystery series, The Code Buster’s Club, has won three Agatha Awards for Best Children’s Mystery and has over a half million copies in print worldwide. She’s also the author of the award-nominated The Official Nancy Drew Handbook and three adult mystery series including Dead Body Language, How to Host a Killer Party, and Death of a Chocolate Cheater. She wrote a column on family life for a local newspaper for over 30 years, creates fundraising murder mystery events for libraries across the country, and taught child development at Diablo Valley College for over 35 years. She can be reached at www.pennywarner.com or by email at pennywarnerink@yahoo.com. Sign-in starts at 8:30AM. The workshop will be held from 9AM-noon, followed by a luncheon from noon to 1PM. Registration is $45 for CWC members and $55 for guests. The reservations deadline is noon, Wednesday, March 11th. To reserve, visit cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting/.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 Come and experience The Many Faces of Colorectal Cancer, an event focusing on the unique issues experienced by colon and rectal cancer patients. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they discuss the current guidelines for ongoing screening, gastrointestinal follow-up care, latest medical therapies including targeted and immunotherapies, and nutritional recommendations speciic for colorectal cancer patients.
Lafayette Library Community Room 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
March 31, 2020
SAN RAMON VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The SRV Genealogical Society invites you to attend their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 17th from 10am to noon. The meeting will be held at the Family History Center in the LDS church, located at 2949 Stone Valley Rd., Alamo. The speaker will be Sharon Hoyt. Her presentation is entitled “Brick Wall Busters.” Sharon is a Certified Genealogist from the South Bay Area. In 2002, she traded a career as an information architect managing internet content and search tools for large technology companies to focus on genealogical research. Her areas of interest include New England, New York, and the Midwest with a particular focus on Civil War research. We have all experienced the dreaded genealogical brick wall, so Sharon will cover several techniques to help you get unstuck and move your research forward! For more information, visit www.srvgensoc.org.
Victoria Yung, M.D.
DANVILLE WOMEN'S CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS
Come join with the members of the GFWC Danville Women’s Club at the following upcoming events. The Thursday, March 19th monthly luncheon will feature Candace Andersen, County Supervisor, who will be talking about the upcoming primaries and key issues. Please call (925) 837-1165 to make your reservation. Lunch is free for first-timers. The event begins with socializing at 11AM, the speaker at 11:30AM and lunch at noon. You are welcome to stay for the 1PM business meeting to learn more about the Club. Bring your old papers and hard drives to the Club parking lot on Saturday, April th 18 at 9AM for the Shredding for Scholarships event. For $10/box and/or $10/hard drive, your materials can be shredded and securely destroyed. This event is a Patty Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund event, providing scholarships to graduating seniors from Tri-Valley high schools. Both events will be held at the Danville Women’s Club clubhouse, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa, Danville.
AAUW GARDEN TOUR
Make it a Mother’s Day weekend to remember with a spring excursion to the 20th annual Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek American Association of University Women (AAUW) Garden Tour on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, the 9th from 10am-4pm each day. Explore five beautiful gardens in the Danville, Alamo, and southern Walnut Creek areas, and show your appreciation for the mothers in your life. Tickets are $35 if purchased by April 30th and $40 thereafter. Mail your check payable to “AAUW Fund” along with a self-addressed, stamped business sized #10 envelope to AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. You can also purchase tickets online with a credit card at https://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden. For questions, please email daw.aauw@gmail.com. No children under 12 can be accommodated. The tour is held rain or shine. Profits from the spring Garden Tour go to help fund one of the largest sources of funding for graduate women, the AAUW Fund. The Fund provided more than $3.7 million for more than 244 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations in the current academic year. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
RSVP by calling 925-677-5041
In Memoriam
Helen Pearlstein (nee Gardner), a resident of Alamo, died peacefully on February 3, 2020 after a bout with an aggressive knee sarcoma. She was 87 years old. She lived in Danville and then in Alamo for a total of 44 years. During that time, her focus was on taking care of her combined family and working as a volunteer at the Danville Library. At the Library, she served in virtually every capacity, including several terms as President. She and a friend originated the Friends of the Danville Library Endowment in 1998 that reached one million dollars in early January 2020. Recently, Mrs. Pearlstein served as Secretary for the Northern California branch of the American Research Center Egypt. Mrs. Pearlstein was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and grew up in Philadelphia. She graduated from Ursinus College in 1954 with a degree in history. She married John Isely in 1957, and they moved to San Diego with their two children, Ann and Brian. She covered local news for a twice-weekly newspaper, and she later worked for Hydro Products, San Diego Magazine, and as editor of the award winning San Diego Constructor, a trade magazine. Following her marriage to Don Pearlstein in 1976 and a move to northern California, she worked for a time at the Dublin Public Library. Mrs. Pearlstein’s interests, even as a child, were ancient history, archaeology of the Middle East, reading, and writing. She and her husband have been fortunate to be able to travel to seven continents. Classical music was always a source of joy. Mrs. Pearlstein is survived by her husband, Don and four children – Eric Pearlstein, Neil Pearlstein, Ann Isely, Brian Isely, and six grandchildren. A memorial service and labyrinth walk at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal in Danville are planned for 2PM on March 15th. Contributions to Friends of the Danville Library Endowment are welcome.
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L
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5 HEATHER LANE, ORINDA 6 BEDS, 6 BATHS, 5,150 SF, 0.81 AC LOT
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17 DARLENE COURT, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,406 SF, 0.46 AC LOT OFFERED AT $1,829,000
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11 MERCURY COURT, PLEASANT HILL 5 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,835 SF, 0.30 AC LOT SOLD FOR $1,224,000
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WWW.DUDUM.COM ©2020 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
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ROTARY CLUB OF ALAMO TO SPONSOR ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT AND FAMILY FUN DAY
On Saturday, April 11th, Rotary Club of Alamo will sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day at Livorna Park. The event will begin at 9AM with games and music and end at 11AM. Last year, there were over 2,500 people in attendance, and more than 700 children participated, so this year there will be 10,000 eggs hidden for the egg hunt. In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, there will be children’s carnival games, two balloon artists crafting animals, and a performance by the Alamo Elementary School Chorus. Face painting will Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 be provided by the Monte Vista High School Interact Club. Live music will be provided by 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl The East Bay Banjo Club, and coffee, chocolate Concord San Ramon Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 milk, water and donuts will be available for sale. Since 1973 Carpets, www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) AM The Egg Hunt will take place at 10 sharp and will be split into three age groups -- one for children aged 0-3, another for ages 4-6, and the third for ages 7-9. Parents ROTARIANS FEED THE HUNGRY AND PACKAGE please allow ample time for children to be at the park and close to their des- 30,000 MEALS ignated area prior to 10AM in order to participate in the hunt. Recently, local RoFolks who wish to support the community and schools are encouraged to tarians donned hair become a sponsor or purchase a daisy that will be “planted” in the grassy areas nets and plastic gloves of the park during the event. Daisies costing $50 and $100 can advertise local t o a s s e m b l e a n d businesses, congratulate family members, and generally help to support the package 30,000 meals projects of the Rotary Club. To become a sponsor or purchase a daisy, contact to be distributed to unRotarians Jan Robinson at 925-855-0960 or email her at alamomgt@usa.net, derdeveloped countries or Peter Waldron at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. throughout the world. The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971, and has 42 members. The event, held at the The major activities ongoing at the club include support for two RotaCare clinics Cal High School Multi-Purpose Room, was sponsored by the Danville that provide free health care for the indigent in Sycamore Valley Rotary Club and supported by Alamo, Danville, Dougherty our community, cash and volunteer time for Valley, San Ramon Valley, and San Ramon Rotary clubs. In two hours, 90 Meals on Wheels, renovations at the East Bay Rotarians along with Interactors from local high schools, family, and friends Crisis Nursery, renovations at the Choice in Aging participated in an assembly line and filled plastic bags with dried food. Each Adult Day Care in Pleasant Hill, support for two bag contained dried rice, veggies, soy, and vitamin packets that would feed Cub Scout Packs, support for water-harvesting up to six people. The packets were assembled, weighed, vacuumed sealed, projects in Tanzania, contributions to the Rotary placed into boxes, and stacked onto pallets. Meals will be distributed to International End Polio campaign, school dictio- medical clinics, schools, and eldercare facilities in underdeveloped areas of naries distribution to local third grade students, Africa and Asia. Everyone who participated had fun working in teams consupport for the Wheelchair Foundation, and sisting of folks of all ages. roadside cleanup and beautification in Alamo. To learn more about The Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM R o t a r y a n d t h e w o r k Help us celebrate again and enjoy our SIXTH annual at Round Hill Country Club. combined they do locally and For more information about the Egg Hunt a r o u n d t h e w o r l d , Veterans Service Organization and Family Fun Day, “LIKE” the Rotary cont ac t D aniel Ko dam Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Rota- a t D a n i e l @ d s v r o t a r y. ryClubofAlamo. com.
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, there are a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more. Other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, and baseball games include spouses, friends, and guests. The next luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 18th at 11:30am. The speaker will be Newell Arnerich, Danville Council member and six-term Mayor whose community involvement started 30 years ago. Newell serves on a variety of local and statewide committees, keeping Danville at the forefront of engagement. Newell will provide a “State of Danville” and Tri Valley update. The $26 luncheon includes a meal, presentation, and a great opportunity to socialize with other retirees. To reserve a space, please send an email by Thursday, March 12th to info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information, visit www.SIR128.com.
Fundraiser
Tickets $45.00 Saturday March 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM Veterans Memorial Building 400 Hartz Ave Danville, CA
All funds collected go directly to the Veterans Memorial Building Operating Committee to pay for the operating expenses of the Veterans Wing of the building
Or Contact Dennis Giacovelli at houseworks@pacbell.net or Lee Halverson at lhazmateer@aol.com for tickets
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
COUNTY EXPLORING FUTURE OF IRON HORSE TRAIL CORRIDOR WITH ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION STUDY By Candace Andersen
It might be hard to imagine now, but before it was used primarily by pedestrians and cyclists, the sleepy pathway we now refer to as the Iron Horse Trail (IHT) actually had trains roaring down the tracks as recently as 42 years ago. The trail’s history as a transportation corridor dates back to the early 1890s. Benjamin Harrison was President. Henry Ford’s Model T had yet to be produced. The railroad was a catalyst for the agricultural industry that was so vital to our region. It was known as The San Ramon Valley Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and its trains traversed Concord, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, and Alamo, building central Contra Costa in the process. In 1978, the now defunct Southern Pacific Railroad abandoned its right-ofway and removed the tracks. After obtaining a variety of funding including $8 million in state transportation grants, Contra Costa County gradually bought the right-of-way between 1983 and 1989. One of the conditions attached to some of the grants required the County to preserve the IHT so that one day buses, light rail, or some other transit system could run down the corridor. Over the years, several studies showed that it would be too expensive to run light rail or a bus system down the trail. At the same time, the corridor became a much beloved recreational and “active transportation” amenity used by tens of thousands of people. It became very clear that local officials did not support noisy light rail or buses lumbering down the trail. The 18.5-mile-long IHT corridor lies within one and a half miles, or a comfortable walking distance, of over 340,000 residents (151,000 commuters); and three miles, or a comfortable bicycling distance, of 425,000 residents (200,000 commuters). Recent studies have shown that more and more people use it to get to work and to school. Last year, the County was relieved from its obligation to maintain the trail so that one day a bus or light rail would run down it when Assembly Bill 1025 was signed into law. This legislation, brought forward by Assemblyman Tim
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Grayson, recognized its many positive uses for both recreation and active transportation, and requires the County to continue to look at new technology and other ways to maximize its use. While this legislation was pending, the County began a study of the trail to look at potential opportunities for further developing active transportation features within the Iron Horse Corridor within Contra Costa (from Concord/Mayette Avenue down to the County Line in San Ramon). A Technical Advisory Committee that included staff members from the County, East Bay Regional Parks, BART, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Concord, and Pleasant Hill all worked with the consultant to define the scope of the study. One of the primary purposes was to examine how we might create trail separation for bicyclists from pedestrians, who currently have to share the 10 foot wide path. Widening the trail and separating users based on speed, user type, or experience would not only make the corridor safer, but it would allow the trail to accommodate more users and at various speeds. The study also investigates improving safety when the trail crosses intersections, and how each city along the corridor might be able to better integrate it into its roads and trails. It provides an overview of how new technology; including electric bikes, scooters, or even small personal autonomous vehicles; might someday utilize the trail. Before any such project is approved, there would be a thorough vetting of safety, environmental, and community concerns. The Draft of this study was released in January and can be found at www.contracosta. ca.gov/6886/Iron-Horse-Corridor-Active-Transportatio. The comment period of the study will be closing shortly. If you are interested, please submit comments to the Department of Conservation and Development - Jamar.Stamps@dcd.cccounty.us. Given the pressing issue of transportation in the Bay Area, with long commutes the reality for much of our workforce, changes to the IHT could potentially see the corridor embody an active transportation hub that supports the region’s mobility goals and continues to provide a treasured recreational resource for users of all ages and abilities. We all recognize the great asset this beautiful trail is to our community. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2. 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 by email at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or by phone at 925-957-8860.
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JD ACADEMY OF SALON AND SPA
By Janet Paradiso, JD Academy Staff
JD Academy of Salon and Spa provides technical training and beauty industry education for creative individuals with a desire to become licensed estheticians and/or cosmetologists. Our programs culminate with most students having the ability to sit for the State Board licensing exam and may lead them to one or more of the following careers: Skin Care Expert, Product Representative, Waxologist, Esthetician Entrepreneur, Make Up Artist, Lash Extension Artist, Fashion Show Stylist, Hair Stylist, Platform Artist, Hair Colorist, Beauty School Instructor, Salon or Spa Owner, School Owner, or Personal Stylist. We are currently enrolling for spring, summer, and fall 2020 classes.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Danville-Alamo Home Up for Sale Danville-Alamo - A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market. As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7
deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1844-941-0941 and enter 2500. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.
This report is courtesy of The Jackson Group-EXP Realty DRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2020
The creative styling contest theme for February was “Valentine’s Day Glam!” Students were encouraged to think outside the box. A full costume and make-up look was required. Day school winning team members were Ali Ferlazzo, Karah Paul, Sarah Zane, Kailee Edgren, Abigail Harris, and Breanna Applebee with their presentation of “anti-Valentine.” The evening academy winning team members were Kaylah Campbell, Heather Claudio, Amal Madhigi, Haley Wagner, Maria Madriaga, and Jessica Tugwell with their interpretation of “Heart Breakers.”
GUEST SPEAKERS
The February special guest speaker was JD Academy graduate and San Francisco Harper Paige Salon Stylist, Stephanie Shanker. On Monday, March 16th from 5-10PM, Sam Villa artist-educator Jesse Linares will present “Salon and Spa Psychology” followed by a hands-on cutting class. Guest observers are welcome. To attend please RSVP to Janet@jdacademy.com. The school is located at 520 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville and can be reached at 925-855-5551. Learn more at www. JDAcademy.com, on Facebook at JDAcademyofSalon+Spa, or on Instagram at JDAcademyofSalonandSpa. Advertorial
ALAMO ELEMENTARY
MARCH MADNESS?
By Stan Hitomi, Principal
If I had to pick the “most” significant change at Alamo over the past 10 years, it would be a difficult choice. But certainly, many would argue that the creation of our PTA Basketball Program would be in the mix. Beginning 10 years ago, our PTA agreed to support an “Open Gym” formatted program where PTA Members (parents of Alamo Elementary students) could come play and meet other parents at school. It started out once-a-week with 10 members and over the years has grown into a roster of 20+ with over 60 of our parents being involved at one time or another. We now play twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The average age of players is between 35-45, with several of us closing in on the BIG “60.” Our members include both current parents and several whose children left Alamo School many years ago…they are our alumni parents. Through the “golden years” of the Warriors, our numbers and interest in basketball has swollen. We talk a lot about basketball, a little about business, less about politics, and mostly work up a healthy sweat. The most significant benefit from PTA Basketball has been as a social network for our dads. Our moms had developed healthy and robust networks through PTA, EdFund, Site Council, and volunteering in classrooms. Fathers participated in these organizations in far fewer numbers and as a result were not as connected to our school. With the addition of the basketball experience, we see more of our dads engaged in school activities and attending events, as well as socializing outside of school. I was once invited to attend one of our dad’s birthday parties, a basketball event at the Ultimate Field House…how cool is that! Over the years, we have seen parents (and principals) from other schools joining our PTA Basketball, including parents from Walt Disney, Rancho Romero, and Vista Grande Elementary. Last spring, our PTA/Ed Fund collaborated in hosting our first-ever, adult-only, 3-on-3 basketball tournament. It was a huge success, and they are expanding the tournament this spring. The upcoming Alamo School PTA 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for players 21 and older will be held Sunday, April 26th from 11AM – 5PM at Monte Vista High School. There will be “pool play” with double elimination playoffs (5 games guaranteed) and professional referees. Teams will consist of up to four players, with three on court and one sub. The cost is $120 per team. Registration is limited to the first 16 teams. Register your team at https://alamoschool.wixsite.com/3x3 basketball20. Sometimes you have to think “outside the box” to bring improvements to the social fabric of our schools. This is one gem that I would highly recommend to other schools.
MONTAIR ELEMENTARY By Ondi Tricaso, Principal
Last month, Montair was honored as a Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics Northern California and Nevada. We received this award because our school values and exemplifies inclusion across our campus. Montair is home to a SRVUSD flow-through Mild Special Day Program. This means that we work with students who learn with typical educational strategies and with those who need more specialized instruction. Our school accepts and celebrates this diversity on our campus by looking for ways to ensure all of our students are included and accepted. Our students play together, garden together, sing together, learn together, and form friendships that go beyond the classroom. One highlight of our program is Circle of Friends where each week, a teacher hosts a lunchtime activity where students from the general education classrooms and special day classrooms come together to play and complete a project. We also have a school leadership program that includes all interested 4th-5th grade students in our spirit projects and in our weekly leadership broadcasts. I couldn’t be more proud of this focus on inclusivity. Our staff, students, and parents form a strong team that focuses on building a true school community. “Diversity is being asked to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” ~ Verna Myers
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
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ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Maria Ward, Principal HAPPY MARCH!
“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” ~ Oprah Winfrey Throughout March, we will celebrate the monthly gospel value of INTEGRITY. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Respect, trust, and responsibility are all part of living with integrity. I am proud to say that I see these traits on the St. Isidore School campus every day. Integrity is something that children must be taught. As a parent and as an educator, I know instilling these values in children takes hard work and constant dedication, but I also know that the effort is worth it. Raising good people is important and commendable.
TIME FOR A FISH FRY
Please join us for this year’s annual community Fish Fry and Bingo Night on Friday, March 27th, from 5:30PM to 7:30PM, in the Cardelli Gym. This event is fun for the whole family and includes dinner and refreshments. Test your luck, and play a game or two of bingo. Tickets are available on our website, www.stisidore.org.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
I am excited to announce that our students will once again participate in the Kids Against Hunger program. The Kids Against Hunger organization aims to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in America and to feed starving children throughout the world. Students participate by helping package meals for the poor and hungry. TK through first-grade students will witness the meal-making and decorate the packaging bags. Second- through eighth-grade students will each have an opportunity to make packaged meals during the school day. Together, students, parents, and staff will assemble over 15,000 meals and raise funds for humanitarian organizations worldwide. It is always wonderful to see the children excited about helping those in need.
COME FOR A VISIT
We are currently accepting applications for the 2020–2021 school year. Applications are available on our website, www.stisidore.org, and tours are available upon request at (925) 837-2977. Our new student testing for grades 1–8 will be held on Thursday, March 19th, at 3:15PM. Spring, warm weather, and longer days are on the horizon. Have a great month!
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
Behavior matters. Last month, I had the privilege of traveling with our 8th grade students to Washington D.C., Gettysburg, and New York City. At most every turn, a stranger approached one of our adults to complement our students for their respectful behavior, and noticeable engagement in the learning process. I am certainly a believer that kids make mistakes, and need grace for those times when they do. But when a young adult is challenged with high expectations, it is refreshing to see them rise to the occasion! This year, I was especially touched with the ways our students processed their visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Our students were well prepared for the experience after reading Corrie Ten Boom’s autobiography, The Hiding Place and spending class time discussing WWII and the rise and fall of Hitler. I suppose nothing can ultimately prepare you for the horrors of this time period, yet our students demonstrated visible empathy and compassion toward those who suffered enormous tragedies. Other student groups in the museum noticeably rushed through the exhibits, laughing and showing disinterest, but I was proud of our students for demonstrating respect, taking interest, and processing their emotions as a result of what they learned. Our trip to the east coast was not all serious; we took in plenty of fun including a night on Broadway to see the musical, Frozen. Our students practiced true self-control in not singing along to this Disney story they grew up enjoying! They will always remember a very frigid ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Overall, we had an incredibly meaningful time as a class. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to know this exceptional group of students even better, and look forward to celebrating their upcoming graduation this May. Back here in Danville, our students have been enjoying the warm spring weather and are learning about the season of Lent as we prepare for the Easter holiday. We’ve been encouraging students to look for signs of new life all around us, a visible reminder of the “new life” we find in Christ.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRAND JURY SERVICE SOUGHT
The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury Service for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 term. The Civil Grand Jury is made up of 19 members who serve for one year, July through June, to monitor, review, and report on city and county governments, special districts, and school districts. Every effort is made to ensure that the Grand Jury reflects the makeup of the residents of the county. Approximately 75 applicants will be selected to be interviewed by the Grand Jury Selection Committee, which is composed of Superior Court Judges. After interviews, the judges will nominate approximately 30 applicants to constitute a grand jury pool from which the final panel of 19 will be selected by random drawing. The drawing is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 12, 2020, with the members of the 2020-2021 Grand Jury officially being sworn in on the same day. Individuals selected for service will be expected to be available from June 22 to July 2 to attend an orientation where they will meet with department heads, become familiar with their colleagues, learn about juror responsibilities and procedures, and select committees on which they will serve. Grand jurors must be a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, who have been a resident of Contra Costa County for at least one year prior to Serving Alamo & Danville Since 1979! selection. They cannot currently hold any elected position within the county. Applicants should have reliable transportation to Martinez, and must be prepared to devote at least 30 hours per week to Civil Grand Jury service. Applicants should have access to a computer, be familiar with Microsoft Word, and be able to send and receive email. Citizens who work should apply only if they can be released from their jobs to perform the jury duties. Applicants selected as one of the 30 nominees will be fingerprinted before the drawing. www.actionpoolrepair.com Jurors receive a stipend for attending full jury and committee meetings and are reimbursed 57.5 cents per mile for allowable jury travel. Persons interested in applying may contact the Office of the Civil Grand Jury at (925) 608-2621, or visit www.cc-courts.org/grandjury to receive more information regarding service on the Jury and to obtain an application. Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 The application deadline is Friday, March 13th.
ACTION POOL REPAIR
925.820.3640
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
GREENBROOK ELEMENTARY
By Rhea Murphy, Principal
Greenbrook Elementary celebrated Words Matter Week (WMW), one of our favorite events to share the importance of words and the potential impact they have on others and our world. During WMW, teachers shared lessons and created an intent for students to reflect on the power of words and how they can be used to uplift or to hurt others. First grade teacher Kelli DeMichiel wrote powerful messages on EVERY single window of each classroom, and the students loved coming to school and seeing displays of affirmative messages. Greenbrook parent Krista Glaser was also instrumental in organizing the week’s events, and we are thankful for her enthusiasm and hard work. During the week, we hosted a parent workshop, “Our Words Matter.” This free workshop was offered by the Anti-Defamation League as part of our No Place for Hate program. To kick off WMW, all students received Words Matter bracelets to wear, and Greenbrook held a Writing/Art contest with 63 entries! We encouraged students to reflect on what it means for Greenbrook to be a “No Place for Hate School.” The entries included videos of skits, as well as original songs, artwork, and writing. We were so proud of the myriad of entries we received, and we congratulated the following student winners at a Flag Salute -- Craig Thompson, Ahaan Mukherjee, Rayan Talib, Simon Glaser-Woods, Libby Hamblin, Ashley Boyle, and Lyla Lee. On Flag Salute day, students wore pajamas to “put hate to bed,” or they wore clothes backwards to “turn their back to hate.” Students wrote kind and powerful words on pinwheels – such as “Be Kind,” “Listen,” and “You can do it,” in the garden during recess. With the uptick in wind, these rainbow-colored wheels spun furiously! To continue the theme of “Words Matter,” one week later, we trained 35 fourth and fifth grade students in the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) sponsored “A World of Difference” program. Students learned the essential skills of being allies to other students. Although the “Words Matter” theme is emphasized in this one special and full week, the idea of our words and how they impact others is work that I’m proud to say our teachers work diligently with students to think about - not just one week of the year, but every single day.
Summer 2020 Registration Now Available.
K-8 1 Annabel Lane San Ramon Preschool 1286 Stone Valley Road Alamo
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
Spring is almost here, and Monte Vista (MV) is full of all kinds of activity. MV’s seniors are busy visualizing their future as college acceptance letters arrive and graduation day gets that much closer. Our underclassmen are selecting next year’s courses and taking care of CAST and CAASPP assessment, and our incoming freshman are preparing to make the transition into high school. Congratulations to MV’s Athletic Director, Andy Popper, who was named the 2020 NCS Athletic Director of the Year. Coach Popper has done incredible work in shaping our excellent athletics program. We are truly blessed to have him at MV. MV’s winter musical Big Fish played to four nights of full houses. We enjoyed larger-than-life tales of giants, witches, and the circus. Big thanks to teachers, Chris Connor, Annie Connors, Rosalind Neisinger, and Ed Cloyd and their incredible group of students for this absolutely outstanding performance. MV’s incoming class of 2024 got its first look at their new campus. Over 700 students and their families toured the MV campus, met with representatives from Monte Vista’s academic, art, and athletic programs, enjoyed a wide variety of performances from MV’s arts programs, and learned about class registration and graduation requirements from MV’s counseling team. The event was a positive way for us to share the great things about the MV community. A huge thanks to MV’s Counseling Department, our PTSA, and the many programs and organizations that supported the event. On Saturday, March 7th, MV will celebrate its annual Junior Prom at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland. I would like to thank the many parent and faculty volunteers, our leadership class, and our activities director, Tommy Greenless for all of their hard work in organizing this awesome, classy event. MV’s winter season closed on a sad note with the loss of Women’s Basketball Coach Jim Lemmon, who passed away after a long fight with cancer. Coach Lemmon meant so much to the MV community, and he will be deeply missed by all of us. Our Women’s program made great strides under his guidance, and his players will undoubtedly carry on his legacy in the coming years. At press time, MVs Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams are preparing for their opening NCS playoff matches, and MV’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams are both headed to the second round of the NCS playoffs with convincing victories against Pittsburg and Amador Valley. For our women’s team, it was their first playoff win in recent history, and they hope to continue their run deep into the post season. We invite the entire MV community to come out and support the many things that are happening on our campus. Please note that Spring Break runs from April 4th through April 12th. See you at MV!
925.930.9000
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AAUW SCHOLARSHIPS
In June, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch will award minimum $1,000 scholarships to local women. Applicants who will be beginning their third year at an accredited four-year college or university, or applicants who have been accepted at an accredited university to pursue an advanced degree (masters, doctorate, or post-doctorate) will be considered. Applications will be considered from high school graduates from Walnut Creek or the San Ramon Valley Unified School Districts or current residents within these school boundaries. For details and application forms visit daw-ca.aauw.net. The application deadline is March 13th.
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
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TICKETS $40 PER PERSON Purchase tickets through Eventbrite at https://danvillesott2020.eventbrite.com
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
DALI IN MONTEREY
When I was in my early 20’s and living in Paris, my friend Michel and I toured France and northern Spain in his little green Citroen 2CV (the quintessential Parisian student’s car in the 70’s). We putted along highways and winding roads through beautiful countryside, up and down steep mountain roads, never at a speed faster than 80 km (50 mph). One very hot afternoon, after we crossed the border into Spain, we parked the car and trudged up a dirt path to an eye-popping exhibit by surrealist painter, sculptor, film maker, author, and master self-promotor, Salvador Dali (1904-1989). There were brightly colored sculptures, mind-boggling paintings, and bizarre and humorous creations. We had arrived in Figueres, Spain, in the newly opened Teatre-Museu Dali. Dali spent his childhood and final years in Figueres and held his first exposition at the age of 16 in the original Municipal theatre. Between 1961 and 1974, Dali worked to convert the former theatre (which burned down in 1939) into a showplace for a substantial portion of his works. Since it opened in the 70’s, the Teatre-Museu Dali has steadily acquired more works by the eccentric, flamboyant, and surrealist artist. Fittingly, the entrance to Teatre-Museu Dali is watched over by medieval suits of armor, balancing baguettes, and huge eggs which sit precariously on top the brick castle style building. Two additional locations worth visiting if you are looking for Salvador Dali history are Cadaques (two and a quarter hour’s drive from Barcelona) and Port Lligat. Cadaques sits above a rocky bay in the northern part of Catalonia with a pretty harbor and pebble beach. It is the area where Dalí’s family spent holidays. Another tiny locale, Port Lligat (next to Cadaques), is where Dali and his wife Gala lived. In this remote fishing village, visitors can see his studio, library, and family room as well as his keyhole shaped swimming pool. A well-known Dali museum in the U.S. is the award-winning “The Dali,” located on Fisherman’s Wharf in St. Petersburg, Florida. With over 20,000 square feet of gallery and 96 oil paintings, it holds the largest Dali collection outside Europe. On a recent trip to a Fisherman’s Wharf closer to home, my daughters and I happened upon The Monterey History and Art Association presenting an exhibit of Salvador Dali. It is located in the Custom House Plaza, in Monterey. From the private collection of Dmitry and Rebecca Piterman, the gallery features over 580 works including lithographs, etchings, sculptures, bas reliefs, tapestries, and film. At the onset of WW II, Dali and his wife Gala fled Europe and moved to California where he worked in the Monterey area. During the 1940’s, Dali was involved in the Monterey social art scene and was an early Carmel Art Association member. Dali in Monterey is located at 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 10AM-5PM and Friday and Saturday 10AM-6PM. Their website is www.mhaadali.com. A short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf and the Salvador Dali exhibit, we discovered Revival, a small-batch handcrafted ice cream shop. Their signature flavors, Bee’s Knees (made with Monterey honey) and Mint Eucalyptus chocolate chip, are delicious. Revival is located at 463 Alvarado Street, Monterey. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel writer, consultant, and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. She is currently working on a guide featuring off-the-beaten path destinations. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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Sold
March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
Pending
33 Years Experience. One on One Approach…
When you hire me, you talk to me at least once a day. I am the team you will be working with. Doesn’t it make sense? Call Me. 24 Sanford Lane, Lafayette Don represented Seller | Sold 2/2020 | $3,805,000
Sold
181 Alamo Ranch Road, Alamo Don represented Buyer | Sold 11/2019 | $2,175,000
Sold
3176 Roundhill Road, Alamo Don represented Both Sides | Scheduled Early 2020
Sold
Results. Pure and Simple.
3200 Carpenter Way, San Ramon Don represented Both Sides | Sold 11/2019 | $1,175,000
Sold
Don Magalhaes 1528 Avenida Nueva, Diablo Don represented Buyer | Sold 10/2019 | $2,885,000
115 Windover Drive, Danville Don represented Seller | Sold 9/2019 | $1,600,000
925.786.1855 don@compass.com DRE 00897221
VALLEY VIGNETTE
By Beverly Lane THE SAN RAMON VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL AND HOW ITS EARLY HISTORY WAS SAVED
Valley historian Inez Butz gave a talk on the San Ramon Valley Union High School (SRVUHS) to the Danville Grange on May 1, 1984. This column is an abbreviated version of that talk which tells how the school’s early records were rescued. Here is my topic for today: the founding and early growth of the SRVUHS. That piece of valley history is not generally known. I talked with many in the 1950s who remember it well. Among them were Ina Boone Root, Charlotte Wood, Mary More, Charles Wood, Noel Norris, Will Stewart, and Jim Root. I have two minute books of the Danville Grange dating from December 18, 1897, to June 1, 1912, which contain pertinent information. The third book I have is the District Clerk’s Record Book of the SRVUHS District, Contra Costa County, Cal., with an opening date of March 31, 1910, and it concludes with the minutes of a meeting held on April 30, 1923. From 1860 to1868, there was a high school in the valley, the Union Academy. The school principal was Rev. David McClure followed by Rev. Braley of San Jose, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. The Academy was a success and answered a real need in the valley, but unfortunately it burned to the ground in 1868 and was not rebuilt nor was a public high school built in the valley.
Inez Butz
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
At the turn of the 20th century the California State Law read that children between the ages of 8 and 14 must attend school five months of the year. In a fashion, this meant a child received an assured, but scant, grammar schooling. Miss Charlotte Wood, who taught at Sycamore School at that time, told the assembled Grange members this fact early in 1904, following an earnest discussion on the need for a high school. In those early years, Danville had no Chamber of Commerce. The organization that answered that role in the community was the Danville Grange whose members were all farmers. They pursued getting a high school in the valley. In the Grange minutes of June 19, 1909, a resolution states: Whereas there is no high school in this area, most of the children are being denied this educational advantage, Resolved that every effort must be made to secure a high school here in the valley, in Danville.
PLANNING FOR A HIGH SCHOOL
A committee of five was named, authorized, and instructed to hold meetings of the general public to gather information and procedures to secure a high school for the area, and to contact all authorities needed to establish said school. In November of 1909, Mr. W. N. Hanlon, County Superintendent of Schools, met with the general public at a large meeting in the Grange Hall. He told them that a census of 200 students was necessary to establish a high school. If Lafayette and Center Districts (i.e. Walnut Creek) would join with Danville, Alamo, San Ramon, Green Valley, Sycamore Valley, and Tassajara, there was a possibility of 452 children. The taxable property of such a district was $2,322,838 with a net tax rate of 15 cents on each $100 of each district. Through the winter holiday months, with travel over unimproved rural roads often muddy, the committee took the census of each district. Lafayette and Central Districts did not wish to become a part of the unified district. Tassajara, not receiving sufficient signatures to the petition, had to be omitted. So if the citizens of the valley at a regular authorized election would vote to have a high school in the valley, the unified district would be composed of Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Green Valley, and Sycamore Valley grammar school districts. At the Grange meeting dated January 15, 1910, Mr. Charles J. Wood, master of the Grange, announced that he had received the necessary
See SRVUHS continued on page 19
Charles J. Wood circa 1900
0202 HCRAM
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@Danville Community Center & Library 420 Front St 4:30-6:00PM
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Divorce Angel Meeting @Chamber Offices 117-E Town &Country 5:30-7:30pm
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12 Monthly Networking Mixer Harvest Danville 500 Hartz Ave 5:30 - 7:30 PM
@Village Theatre 7:30 PM
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Community Calendar
@Village Theatre 10:00 AM 13 Small Business Council Outsourcing: What & When Workshop 7:45 - 9:00 AM @Library Mt Diablo Room 400 Front St
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5:30 PM @St. Isidore Church Danville Rotary 440 La Gonda Way
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7 Farmers Market 205 Railroad 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Every Saturday!
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Farmers Market 205 Railroad 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Every Saturday!
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Farmers Market 205 Railroad 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Every Saturday!
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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
Launched in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign began as an effort to engage the general public in lightening the workload of novice forest fire fighters by paying attention to the careless actions that could ignite a blaze. America’s most experienced wildfire fighters were abroad waging World War II battles. The original message read: “Smokey Bear Says … Care will prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires!” Spelling “Smokey” with an “e” pays tribute to a legendary New York City fireman “Smokey Joe” Martin. Martin earned his nickname when Fire Chief Croker found Martin still hosing down flames in a building after everyone else had heeded the evacuation order. Martin served from 1884-1930, retiring as Assistant NYFD Chief. Today, humans continue to be the direct cause of 90% of wildfires. The Smokey Bear slogan was revised in 1947 with Smokey pointing directly at poster readers: “Remember …Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!” With researchers testing the efficacy of prescribed burns in reducing fuel loads built up by misguided attempts at total fire suppression, the message was updated in 2001: “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” As scientists are discovering, successful wildfire management is complex. Invasive exotic plants are one issue Native Americans did not encounter when they routinely employed controlled fires to clear unwanted vegetation and trigger the seed bank of desirable indigenous plants waiting for heat from the flames to germinate and the availability of direct sunlight to thrive. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) arrived in the US in the late 1880s as stowaways. In Land on Fire, Gary Ferguson writes: “For instance, cheatgrass, probably originally from Eurasia, not only moves in quickly following a burn but because it completes its life cycle by early summer, tends to provide enormous amounts of dry detritus during fire season – creating much hotter burns than would otherwise occur … While the plant succession that starts up shortly after a fire favors native grasses and flowering plants, cheatgrass is simply better at spreading quickly.” Often, Medusahead follows the cheatgrass invasion, taking over the landscape with densities of more than a thousand plants per square foot that create a major fire hazard. Self-styled the “Crazy Broom Lady of Oakland Hills,” award-winning newscaster Wendy Tokuda began waging a one-woman war on French broom long before retiring from broadcasting. Brought to the US as an ornamental in the 1880s, French broom is considered one of California’s top ten worst invasive plants. Tokuda ignored snide remarks from observers such as “One plant down, 64,000 acres to go!” In Beauty and the Beast, she describes how wrangling weeds became a calling. “Other people started to volunteer. The park supervisor proposed a work party, then a second one. Now, ten years later, miles of trailside in Redwood Regional Park have been transformed. The forest is more open, and native plants thrive. In some places, where a broom monoculture once stood, small meadows of native grasses blow in the wind.” Both French broom and its cousin Scotch broom not only crowd out other plants, but also serve as ladder fuels, meaning their height carries ground-level flames into the tree canopy. Inner stem material dies as the plants grow, making the dense stems highly flammable as they form 10-foot-tall thickets. Each French broom plant can release as many as 8,000 seeds a year. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for decades. Leaves and seeds are toxic to many animals. Tokuda has tackled additional broom-ridden places, first volunteering in Beaconsfield Canyon with Friends of Sausal Creek and then adopting a neglected five-acre Oakland plot discovered by her monthly broom-pulling crew. “It looked like a fire waiting to happen within blocks of homes and adjacent to several popular parks and a camp used by kids in the summer … We pulled broom, limbed up trees, and hauled out dead wood, filling twenty-cubic-yard dumpsters in a matter of hours. Our weeding and fuel-reduction work also uncovered California poppies, hazelnut bushes, and yerba Buena vines that smell like mint.” Not ready to join volunteers in eradicating invasive plants along park trails or in abandoned lots? “Firescaping,” a lecture sponsored at the Ruth Bancroft Garden by the Museum of the San Ramon Valley being held on March 14th from 9:30-10:30AM, provides advice on creating a beautiful, functional, fire-safe garden in your own yard. Tony McGregor from Gondwana Flora shares guidelines from numerous local resources on choosing fire-resistant plants, many available at the RBG nursery. Register by email register@ruthbancroftgarden. org, or call 925-944-9352.
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LIFE IN THE ALAMO/ DANVILLE GARDEN
THE GARDEN IN EARLY SPRING By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
The Groundhog has spoken; the verdict is in. The year of 2020 will have an early spring! Whether or not we trust the Groundhog, we have to admit that we are all ready for winter to be over, to get our hands back in the dirt and our minds back in the garden. In this season of romance, we always find ourselves falling hard for the botanical harbingers of spring as they emerge from winter sleep. What can we say? The harbingers are just so easy to love! Early bloomers include the striking magnolia and flowering quince (Chaenomeles). Our favorite magnolias would have to be those which flower on bare wood. Magnolia stellata species and hybrids (star magnolias) are the first to show color, and their starry flowers also are some of the most fragrant. Magnolia x soulangiana is soon to follow in bloom, with prolific de ep pin k f lowers en masse. Finally, magnolia denudata is our go-to for a large de ciduous var iety. Reaching up to 30 feet tall, this gorgeous specimen is literally covered in large, white, tulip-shaped blossoms. Magnolia. Image: Gardencrossings.com On dark, rainy days, flowering quince really shine! Quince flowers range in color from white to salmon, to rich pinks and reds. Recently-released double hybrids feature layered flowers that resemble roses, such as the stunning “Double-Take Peach” varietal. We are just crazy for the way this color interacts with other colors in the landscape, from burgundy, to silver, to lavender. These aren’t the same quince you eat in pastry or in Membrillo quince paste; those are the fruits of the Cydonia oblonga tree, but sour Chaenomeles fruits can be made into a lovely jam if you add enough sweetener. Flowers that tough it out through the cold have a special place in our hearts. Helleborus species and cultivars love our rainy Bay Area winters and will flower as early as January in temperate zones. Showy Orientalis hybrids occupy most nursery shelves. However, the many unique wild species of Hellebores are also easy to fall in love with! If your garden is Double-Take Peach flowering quince. accessed by curious pets or small children, be careful growing these as they are poisonous. If that’s not the case, our only warning is that you can easily get addicted to collecting these beauties. Late winter is also a great time to get cold-weather vegetables started in the garden. Lettuce, radishes, peas, fava beans, spinach, and arugula can be sown in winter for a quick crop that finishes before your tomatoes are even starting. These crops actually thrive in the cold and taste better with a little frost. Just keep an eye out for snails! J.Montgomery Designs is your local Landscape Architect, celebrating 45 years of creating East Bay landscapes. For 2020 design consultations, contact the studio at jmontgomerydesigns.com. Advertorial
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
SPRING SALE ON NOW!
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
CONVERT THAT EMAIL By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Recently my team had the opportunity to work with a local business that was having email trouble. Upon looking into their issue, we discovered that they were running their professional business on a “name@sbcglobal.net” email address.This is never a good idea, and to help them we needed to move them to a professional domain and email address. More on that down below. Here are just a sample of the ways a non-professional domain doesn’t work for a business: 1. The number one complaint I hear from people who use non-professional domains for business is that they end up with different versions of what’s in their Inbox on multiple devices, and they can’t tell what they’ve read or responded to. They sometimes get a lot of duplicate messages as well. 2. The number two complaint is that transferring contacts from their computer to their telephone, and calendar entries from either their phone or computer to each other, is very difficult. 3. Number three is the amount of SPAM they get. This is because most of the popular ISP-based domains such as sbcglobal.net, att.net, comcast.net, gmail.com, and yahoo. com are highly targeted by spammers. It could also be because people tend to use these email accounts as their “shopping accounts,” so, they get a lot of unsolicited bulk email from stores they’ve visited. 4. Email hacks. People seem to use throw-away passwords on throw-away email accounts, which itself leads to more email hacks and being locked out of these accounts, etc. 5. Service provider email accounts are provided “free,” which means they are a throwaway low-cost item that costs them little to provide and support. And you get what you pay for in stability, consistency, and support when something breaks. Is it OK to use one of these accounts as your junk email account? Sure. For much else, I’m not a fan. 6. I assume if you’re in business you want to project a professional image to consumers and other businesses. A free email account which is difficult to manage doesn’t project a professional image to those around you. It says, “I’m doing things on the cheap, and I’m very small,” which may be the image you want to convey, but I think most times it is not. I’ve spent half of this article telling you what you should not do. Now, here is what we advise our clients: search for a professional domain name for your business, then sign up for an Office365 account so that your email goes through their hosted Exchange system. Searching for a domain is easy. I have used the website www.tierra.net for over 15 years, and they’ve been terrific. They stay very consistent, don’t change things around all the time, have good prices, and have been great on the phone when I needed them. Sign up for an account with them. Once you’ve signed up, click on “domains” and start searching. Shorter domain names are easier to type however, many of the easy ones are taken. Think outside the box. Your domain doesn’t have to be your exact business name. Avoid hyphenating. When I started Portable CIO, some guy had already taken “portablecio.com,” so I took “theportablecio.com,” and it ended up being way too long. We kept it for several years until buying and changing over to “pcioit.com” in 2016. We’ve never looked back. By the way, the guy who took “portablecio.com” has done exactly nothing with that domain for 19 years, expecting he can resell it for big bucks. Well, he’s going to have a long wait! If you see a domain that says “make offer” in the listings when you’re searching, don’t bother. Most of the time, people don’t respond to your inquiry. The rest of the time, they respond with ridiculous dollar amounts they want for the domain. Just think of another domain name. When you register the domain, I recommend you pay a little extra at checkout and choose the “Privacy” option. Choosing this will mask your contact details (phone, email address, physical address) from casual web-based “whois” requests. Subsequently, this will shield you from a lot of extra SPAM email and annoying telephone solicitations. It’s money well spent. Finally, you have your domain, and it’s time to create your email. Create a new account at https://businessstore.microsoft.com, and sign up for the Business Premium package. It’s $12.50/month. The system will prompt you to create your email account and then setup your domain. If you don’t feel like you can safely do what it is requesting, call us or your favorite IT professional, and have them do this part with you. The rest is mechanical, moving your email and letting people know you have a new email address. It’s quite easy. Take the leap! This is a somewhat abbreviated description of the process. However, for the intrepid among you, it is enough to purchase your new domain and take the important Advertorial first steps. I hope you do, and we’re here to help if you get stuck! Need help? Email support@pcioit.com or call 888-552-7953 to contact our helpdesk.
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB
The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, March 9th, at the Gardens at Heather Farm, located at1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The topic of the program will be “Behind the Scenes at the Rose Bowl.” Valerie Lee Ow, co-owner of J. Miller Flowers and Gifts, is a master florist and presenter at the de Young Museum’s “Bouquet to Arts.” Join in for a sneak peak behind the making of the Rose Bowl floats. These creations put floral design into the realm of fantasy. The meeting begins at 10AM with club business, followed by social time at 10:30AM, and the program at 11AM. You are invited to attend a meeting and consider becoming a member. You do not need to be a gardener to join! If you have questions or need further information, contact the Club’s Publicity Chair, Catherine Accardi at caacat@comcast.net, or 925-934-9015.
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES GARDEN TOUR
Registration for the Sunday, May 3rd “Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: Gardens of Natural Delights” is now open. Forty-two beautiful, bird- and butterfly-friendly, pesticide-free, water-conserving gardens that contain 60% or more native plants will be open from 10AM to 5PM at various locations throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. More than fifty garden talks will be offered throughout the week-end of the Tour. In addition, there will be workshops on how to propagate native plants, design a native plant garden for color and interest throughout the year, and garden for wildlife. To register or learn more, visit www. bringingbackthenatives.net.
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PROCRASTINATION – ESTATE PLANNING HAZARD!
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Over the course of my 26 years of practicing law, a large percentage of my estate planning clients have mentioned that they regret procrastinating for so long in establishing or reviewing their estate plans. Fortunately, most feel relieved and pleased when they complete the project. Moreover, they indicate that the process was much easier and less stressful than they expected. Several years ago, I read with keen interest a Wall St. Journal article captioned “Never Procrastinate Again.” Below, I’ll outline a few major points raised in that article. The article stated that scientists define procrastination as “the intentional delay of an action despite foreseeable negative future consequences.” Some examples of foreseeable negative future consequences you and your loved ones could suffer by procrastinating about estate planning are: i) incurring tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary probate fees and costs; ii) enduring substantial time and inconvenience in estate administration; iii) experiencing a public vs. private handling of your affairs; v) giving up valuable potential control over distribution of assets to young adults or beneficiaries with special needs; and vi) being subject to court appointment of people (you might not want) to manage your finances, health care, and/or minor children. Most of my clients, and those who live in this community, are successful people. It would be logical to surmise that when successful people procrastinate on certain projects, it’s because: a) they are perfectionists who are somewhat paralyzed by their desire to do everything perfectly; and b) associated anxiety causes them to avoid getting started. Interestingly, however, studies indicate that it is not perfectionism or anxiety that prevents people from getting started. Nor is procrastination synonymous with laziness or simply poor time management. So, why do people procrastinate, and how can one overcome the tendency to
March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
procrastinate? Evidently and logically, high levels of stress experienced by procrastinators causes them to shift focus to immediate rather than distant matters. Fascinating studies are being conducted in many countries, with therapy and even software being developed for habitual procrastinators. Meanwhile, some scientists believe the following are constructive tools to remedy or break the cycle of procrastination: 1) Break down the project goal into concrete sub-goals, and commit to the exact time you will start to work on the task 2) Just get started! Don’t get overwhelmed by a long list of tasks or intermediate steps that may be required to complete the project 3) Remind yourself that completing a task now will help you in the future (and putting it off won’t make it more enjoyable) 4) Give yourself a reward for not only completing the whole project but also for finishing each sub-goal. So, if you are procrastinating about estate planning, how might these tools help you break the procrastination cycle and thus avoid the potentially profound negative future consequences? In my estate planning practice, my process is generally broken down into these concrete sub-goals or steps a client takes: i) contact my office to engage in an introductory discussion about your situation, to obtain a fee quote, and to have your preliminary questions answered; ii) complete a Confidential Client Questionnaire; iii) schedule a meeting to discuss and decide upon key provisions of each estate planning document, with my guidance and support; iv) review the documents I prepare and send you; v) schedule an appointment to discuss and sign the documents, and vi) retitle assets into your Living Trust with my instructions and support. Forgive yourself for procrastinating – resolve to just get started. Be sure to reward yourself each step of the way! Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
SRVUHS continued from page 13
and proper papers and notices, calling for an election in regards to the establishment of the unified high school district and to elect a board of trustees. The election was held and later followed by the first meeting of the elected trustees of the union high school district on March 31, 1910. Mr. John Baldwin was elected president, and Mr. Will E. Stewart was elected secretary. It was moved and carried unanimously that the high school be located in Danville. The first board consisted of Baldwin and Stewart, along with C. J. Wood, William Meese, A. H. Cope, and David Bell. These were all local residents, ranchers and farmers, and small town people, the majority of whom had but elementary schooling. They as trustees of the five districts had committed themselves to establishing and maintaining a high school. There was work to be done, not only to get the school 1918 photo of the new high school from the annual, The Valley Kernel. going, but orchards had to be pruned and sprayed, farm work needing tending, and spring roads which were often nigh impassable needed to be cleared. The first formal meeting of that body of trustees was held on July 9, 1910. The board rented the Eddy house on Church Street for the first school classes from 1910 to 1914, then rented the second floor of a Close-owned building on Front Street from 1914 to 1917. The new high school on Danville Blvd., north of the village, was occupied in the spring of 1917. Will Stewart was an active citizen. He was a lifelong resident of the valley, a rancher in Danville, and secretary of the board of trustees of the SRVUHS District. His interests were many, and his services to his fellowmen had seldom been equaled. Additionally, he was secretary of the Grange and of the board of sessions of the Presbyterian Church; deacon from 1909 to 1935, founder and secretary of the Contra Costa County Good Roads League, lecturer of the state Grange, and an officer of the local Grange. He did much of his secretary writing in the Presbyterian church office. The night that the church burned in 1932, Jim Root, Viola Root’s husband, wakened by the alarm and fire bell ran to the church office, grabbed up, and carried out many of the papers which he found there. You can see where the fire got to this book. Jim always regretted that he did not grab the church’s Bible. That was the first time it (the minute books) were rescued from fire. Will Stewart died in 1955. As his sister Victoria was clearing out his house, she called me to inquire if I would like some of his books. I gladly accepted her offer. As I was carrying boxes, I saw sitting by the door a box that appeared to contain old newspapers. I inquired about them and was told the papers were headed to the incinerator. Victoria suggested that I take them, and I did. When I began to go through the boxes, I came upon the “The Dist. Clerk’s record book of the SRVUHS Dist CCC.” The volume, beat up as it is, is living history as alive today as the day it was recorded – names, dates, action, reactions, questions, doubts – it is all there. When a minute book of our order (the Grange) is destroyed, that bit of history can never be truly replaced. The minute books of the Danville Grange and the clerk’s record of the SRVUHS hold for the historian relivable facts, not only of the history of the high school but of life itself in the valley during these years. Sources: Clerk’s Record Books for SRVUHS beginning in 1910; Danville Grange minute books. Museum of the San Ramon Valley archives house the Grange and school minutes as well as Miss Butz’ handwritten notebooks on schools.
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK
March 1-7 is National Consumer Protection Week. The National Consumer Protection Week website www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week, provides tools concerning identity theft, security, and safety. Your personal information may be your most valuable commodity. It’s not only the key to your financial identity but also to your online identity. Knowing how to protect your information and your identity is a must in the 21st century. Here are some resources for doing it effectively. The Department of Homeland Security website section on US-CERT recommends reviewing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) resources and the following resources: Protecting Your Privacy www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-013, Avoiding Social Engineering - Phishing Attacks www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-014, and Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST05019, and IdentityTheft.gov these can help you report and recover from identity theft. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center – the IC3 website, www.ic3.gov/ default.aspx, accepts online internet crime complaints from either the victim or a third party to the complainant. They can best process your complaint by receiving accurate and complete information.
STEPS TO HELP PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNTS AND MONEY
1. Avoid unprotected Wi-Fi. Unprotected public Wi-Fi hotspots may allow thieves to view transactions. 2. Shop at familiar online retailers. Generally, sites using the “s” designation in “https” at the start of the URL are secure. Users can also look for the “lock” icon in the browser’s URL bar. Beware of purchases at unfamiliar sites or clicks on links from pop-up ads. 3. Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails. Thieves send these emails, posing as a trusted source, such a financial institution or the IRS. The criminal’s goal is to entice users to open a link or attachment. The link may take users to a fake website that will steal usernames and passwords. An attachment may download malware that tracks keystrokes. 4. Keep a clean machine. This applies to computers, phones, and tablets. Use security software to protect against malware and viruses. 5. Use passwords that are strong, long, and unique. Experts suggest a minimum of 10 characters, but longer is better. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. 6. Use multi-factor authentication when available. This means users may need a security code, usually sent as a text to a mobile phone. People use this code in addition to usernames and passwords. 7. Encrypt and password-protect sensitive data. If keeping financial records, tax returns, or any personally identifiable information on computers, this data should be encrypted and protected by a strong password.
WANT A HEALTHIER 2020? TRY MORE FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!
Research by scientists at the University of South Australia found that replacing just 25% of discretionary foods (such as desserts, snacks, and sugary beverages) with healthy foods resulted in a huge improvement in overall diet quality—reducing the intake of sugars by almost 21%. That means that something as simple as trading a few cookies for a piece of fruit can make a big difference in helping you follow a healthier diet. An excellent source for fresh fruits and vegetables for your diet and dining pleasure is our Alamo Farmer’s Market. Grab a bag full of their wonderful oranges, clementines, mandarins, grapes, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates! Plan a visit to the Market each Sunday year-round, from 9AM – 2PM, in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Wells Fargo Bank.
AIA MEMBERSHIP
Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the AIA and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” Now in its 65th year, AIA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community and helping shape it into the place we love to live. Visit www. AlamoCA.org for more information.
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 6:30PM at Crow Canyon Country Club on the third Wednesday of every month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the fight against diabetes, and many local charities. Visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/danvilleca for details. For club information, contact Mike Huggins at 510-460-5376, email mikehuggins@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.danvillelionsclub.org. Visitors and new members are welcome.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant, located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests, and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
The Rotary Club of Alamo meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. For information about the group, contact Peter Walron at peter.waldron@ lfg.com. The Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. For information, contact Bob Chace at bchace@pacbell.net or by phone at (925)838-7007. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com or call 925-336-0000. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets for dinner every Wednesday night at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville. Networking and social time starts at 6:30PM with the meeting starting at 7PM. For more information, call Bernie at 925-352-2155. You can also visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/ San Ramon meets at Amador Rancho Community Center, 1998 Rancho Park Loop Road, San Ramon, on Wednesdays at 5:10PM for networking and social time with the meeting and guest speakers starting at 5:40PM. For more information, contact Joe Tagupa at (510) 599-2351 or mizutag@sbcgobal.net. Lastly, Rotary Club of San Ramon meets every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club. For more information, contact Dennis Harvey at dennis@dharveyrealtor.com or 925-519-4748.
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
YOUR PARENTS’ MESSY ESTATE PLAN
By Robert Cucchiaro, Summit Wealth & Retirement
A client recently asked me if I could help him sort through his parents’ estate plan knowing that he was the trustee, and this would eventually fall on his shoulders anyway. His dad was in decent health but older than his mom, who was in failing health, so his role as trustee could start even sooner than expected. We sat down with his dad and reviewed his financial documents, and here is what we discovered: • Thirty dividend-paying stocks all held directly at Computershare and all titled in just his dad’s name • Four old 401K plans from previous employers, none of which listed a contingent beneficiary • A primary residence in California, titled correctly in the name of his trust (whew) • A vacation property in Nevada, owned in his parents’ name but not held in trust • A brokerage account held directly with a mutual fund company in his parents’ name but not held in trust • A revocable living trust that gave ¼ of the estate to the three kids equally with the remaining share going to their church. My client was absolutely right in guessing that his parent’s estate plan was a mess and that eventually it would be his mess to clean up. From a planning perspective, there are thousands of dollars of unnecessary taxes that would be paid should his parent’s die before cleaning this entire mess up. Here are just a few of the solutions we put in place to fix all of this for our client’s parents and ultimately for our client: 1. Transferred all of the stocks into a brokerage account into the revocable living trust. This turned what could have been considered dad’s separate
property into community property. As a result, when either mom or dad die all of these stocks will receive a step-up in basis and can be sold tax-free! This is in addition to avoiding a costly and lengthy probate process. 2. Transferred the brokerage account with the mutual fund company into the revocable living trust so this account can also avoid probate. 3. Transferred the vacation home into the revocable living trust so this property will also avoid probate. 4. Consolidated the four old 401K plans into a single IRA, naming his wife as primary beneficiary and his three kids plus his church as equal contingent beneficiaries. When it comes to taxes, the best asset to leave to charity is a retirement account. 5. Amended their trust to remove the charity as one of the beneficiaries since the charity is now receiving part of the IRA. This is better tax planning for my client and his siblings since they can inherit trust money income tax free, whereas the IRA would have been taxable to them. 6. We also cleaned up the number of bank accounts his parents had and asked his dad to write a letter of instruction for his son to open detailing both where important items were as well as his wishes for who received certain things around the house (art, stamps, etc.). This type of planning will save our client and his parents thousands in income taxes and thousands more in probate costs, not to mention countless hours of time wasted dealing with all of this. This is the type of work real financial planners do for their clients every day. If you would like us to assess your estate plan or your parent’s plan, give us a call at 925-927-1900, or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Visit Advertorial us at www.summitwealthandretirement.com. !
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
ARE BULGING DISCS GETTING ON YOUR NERVES?
By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
If you are suffering from a pinched nerve or herniated disc, you know how debilitating it is and how the pain slowly leaks the vitality from your life. Since1999 when Align Healing Center opened its doors, we have been specialists in treating pain naturally; whether it’s back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or any other pain, we have been there to awaken the healing potential in the body and relieve the pain. That being said, we are always in search of miraculous new ways to relieve pain without the use of drugs, invasive procedures, and certainly without inducing more pain! If you or someone you care about suffers from a pinched nerve or disc related pain, it is worthwhile to explore the exceptional, non-invasive, natural therapies that are available today.
CAN I HEAL MY PAIN WITHOUT DRUGS OR SURGERY? YES, HERE’S HOW! 1. NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a state-of-the-art treatment that has been helping thousands of patients with chronic neck or low back pain, sciatica, and herniated, bulging, or degenerated discs. This is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments. Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy,
EBCNPS continued from front page
and Climate Change. “Even more remarkable is the fact that more than half of California’s species are found exclusively in or near the state, and nowhere else on Earth!” With habitats as dissimilar as the San Francisco Bay shoreline and Mount Diablo’s slopes, the East Bay is a crossroads where species reaching the limitations of their range take root. In 1991, EBCNPS introduced a program identifying and tracking rare, unusual, and significant plants occurring within the two counties the chapter serves with findings first published in 1992. Dianne Lake, a CNPS member since the early 1970s, pioneered the concept of producing a database of locally important species which was subsequently adopted by other chapters. “Dianne and members of the Rare and Unusual Plant Committee spent every weekend, 52 weeks a year for a decade, visiting every nook and cranny of the two counties,” reports Judy Schwartz, EBCNPS President. Volunteers update the database annually but can only cover portions of the 40 botanical regions of Contra Costa and Alameda counties defined by vegetation,
and/or injections, and they may have been told they would need surgery. This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc. It does this by reversing the internal disc pressure, thus creating a vacuum effect. According to the Journal of Neurosurgery (vol. 81, 1994), decompression was found to substantially reduce the pressure inside the disc, therefore allowing water and nutrients to be absorbed and initiate the healing process within the disc itself. Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be utilized for both neck and low-back disc injuries.
2. CLASS IV LASER THERAPY
Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube Class IV Laser. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level, providing energy to the cells so they can heal. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored, and pain is relieved.
THERE IS HOPE!
We have found that a combination of Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression offers outstanding results in healing stubborn pain due to a pinched nerve, bulging disc, or spinal degeneration. As a general rule, most patients experience significant changes in symptoms within one to three sessions. Occasionally, a more advanced degenerative condition or multiple level herniated discs may take eight to ten sessions before realizing a major decline in symptoms. Relief response varies according to age, body morphology, and the degree of severity. This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance for realizing a permanent cure for back or neck pain. This eliminates the long-term care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic back pain treatments such as drugs, injections, or surgery. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine, you can quickly be back to your healthy self! For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC or to set up a consultation, call 925-362-8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com. Advertorial
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John Danielsen leads a workshop at Native Here Nursery. Photo by Lesley Hunt.
geology, soil type, and habitats, leaving many populations unmonitored for years. In January of 2006, the Bay Area Open Space Council asked EBCNPS to provide a list of important botanical areas not yet protected. The chapter was given only one day to accomplish the task. “At the end of the day, after a flurry of emails, 15 areas endowed with native plant diversity that are threatened by current and potential land-use decisions were hastily identified,” states the introduction to the Guide to the Botanical Priority Protection Areas of the East Bay. “Our chapter is keenly aware of the challenge facing us to cope with the push to accommodate a growing tide of population drawn to the beauty of our unique East Bay landscape. California’s most enduring but ironically tragic character flaw is that it draws many people to a place of delicate and finite natural resources.” The Guide, completed in 2010 by Heath Bartosh, Lech Naumovich, and Laura Baker, is available at www.ebcnps.org. “Once we had identified the 15 Botanical Priority Protection Areas,” explains
See EBCNPS continued on page 26
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March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
they need to become outstanding members of our society while also discovering golf. Medical & Surgical Dermatology Our younger participants learn and practice For Healthy Skin important life skills such as making proper Offering Treatments for: introductions and managing emotions. Our Skin Cancer Moles more advanced participants in higher levels Precancerous Lesions G also learn about setting goals, planning for IN C INTRODU Acne, Eczema, and Rashes the future, and giving back to our community. Warts, Molluscum T LP U EMSC Keloid and Scar Revisions Where do First Tee activities take place ONLY FDA CLEARED Psoriasis and Vitiligo within Contra Costa County? All First Tee acCysts and Lipoma ELECTROMAGNETIC ING ET RG tivities take place at five different golf courses: TA Hair and Nail Disorder GY LO NO TECH Underarm Sweating Buchanan Fields and Diablo Creek in Concord, ABDOMINAL AND Physician-Strength DY BO R FO Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek, Lone Tree in GLUTEUS MUSCLES Skin Care Products D PA T FA CONTOURING, Antioch, and Hiddenbrooke in Vallejo. Each Offering Cosmetic Treatments for: TT LIFT! REDUCTION AND BU Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars site has a designated area in which our classes lpt cu MS /E om g.c DrWilliamTin Face, Neck, Body Tightening, are held. Lifting, Who is eligible to join? What are the paand Rejuvenation Frown Lines and rameters? And does one need to have their Jawline Reduction own equipment? Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and Everyone is eligible to join our program Post-injection Bruising Pigmentation and Melasma starting at age five through graduating high Sun Damage and Scars school. Participants do not need to have their A place where beauty Body Sculpting Thinning Hair and/or Balding own equipment as we have golf clubs available and healthy skin meet Hair Removal for kids to use during class. Visit us at our Center of Technology & Procedures What are the activities, and what is the inExcellence with a combined Offered tention of these activities and of the program 12,000 square foot, state Cellfina Cool Mini for neck in general? of the art, newly renovated Coolsculpting® Our Women’s When youth come to class each week, they suite. We are dedicated Cryoshape Wellness Center participate in different games and activities to Medical, Cosmetic, and Diolite 532 laser now offers EMSella, EMSculpt that serve a dual purpose. One of the objectives Surgical Dermatology and FDA approved noninvasive EMSella is to practice a particular golf skill, and the are a place for medical electromagnetic technology Excel V Laser treatment (with clothes on) second objective is to create an environment Excimer Laser skin consultation, aesthetic Fractional CO2 Laser for urinary incontinence where youth have an opportunity to observe rejuvenation, and face and GenesisPlus Laser and feminine intimate and exhibit the life skills we also teach. body contouring. Infini Microneedling RF rejuvenation! Models are used. Kybella For example, we have a game called ‘King DrWilliamTing.com/EMSella Liposonix® of the Hill.’ The physical set up of this game Microneedling with PRP Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com takes place on the putting green, with a golf MiraDry for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, Mohs Micrographic Surgery ball placed on a tee, while other golf balls are product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. NBUVB Phototherapy also placed on tees surrounding the golf ball Pico Genesis Schedule your free cosmetic consultation appointment today! in the middle. The objective is to become king PicoSure Laser PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation William Ting, M.D., or queen by taking a putt and knocking down Vbeam Laser Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon the center golf ball off the tee without touching Silhouette InstaLift 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Spectra Laser the other golf balls surrounding it. If a youth 2262 Camino Ramon Hercules, CA 94547 Superficial Radiotherapy San Ramon, CA 94583 becomes king/queen, they can place their own Tel: (510) 669-5700 Tel: (925) 328-0255 Thermage™ unique golf ball in the middle and the game Ultherapy™ Email: staff@caldermcare.com drwilliamting.com Vaser Shape resumes, with all other youth trying to become *Welcoming new Medicare patients VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation king or queen. As they play this game, youth have the opportunity to practice their aim and alignment, as well as their distance control (how hard/soft a ball must be hit in order for it to reach a target). Additionally, this game enables the kids to learn about sportsmanship and how to be a wholesome player whether they become king/queen or not. This is only one of the many games we use in our classes. At First Tee we have different program levels for the different age groups and skill levels. They are: TARGET (5-6 years old), PLAYer 1 (7-8 years old), PLAYer 2 (9 years old +), Par (9 years old, requires completion of PLAYer level before being eligible), Birdie (11 years and older, requires completion of Par), Eagle (13 years old, requires completion of Birdie), and Ace (14 years old, requires completion of Eagle). The Ace level is the final level in The First Tee. The intention of the program is to provide youth in our community the opportunity to discover a lifelong sport they can enjoy, while also learning the tools they need to become wholesome individuals and role models in our community. Why do you personally believe in The First Tee? I believe in the First Tee program because of the positive impact we are able to make. Very frequently when our coaches, staff, or parents are at the golf course, they hear other golfers say that they can immediately tell the difference between a kid who is a First Tee participant from one who isn’t because of how well our participants conduct themselves and how they interact with other people. How does one get started? To get started, parents can visit firstteecontracosta.org and click on the ‘Register’ button on the top right corner of the screen. From there, parents will have the option to view classes and create an account in order to register their junior. A step-by-step guide on how to create an account can be found on our website under the ‘Parent Resources’ menu. “Because of The First Tee, I have gained more confidence in myself both on and off the golf course. I was able to perform better in school and in golf,” says First Tee participant Hannah, age 16. “I was also able to become more aware of my surroundings and make right choices in life. Without First Tee, I would not have made any long term goals that I Photo by Jerome Deguzman. know I would be set on achieving.”
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
SIMPLY LOWERING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
I am seeing many clients that wish to get off of their blood pressure medication due to their side effects and feelings that they have to resort to eating a bland diet. I am thrilled to be able to show them that dining can be enjoyable, especially when they are well educated. My client Don and his wife Adelle were referred to me by a local physician. The doctor was inclined to increase Don’s medication because his blood pressure numbers were above normal. The doctor said, “If you see Linda, we’ll wait two months before deciding.” The couple is retired, their kids are on their own, and Adelle wanted a break from cooking. They felt that now was finally the time to eat out more and travel, but Don expressed some nervousness in doing so because of a fear that the food could raise his blood pressure. After seeing Don’s food diary, I noted that his choice of foods – breads, bacon, soups, chips, and deli meats - included heavy doses of salt. I decided his basic strategy should be limiting his salt in-take to 2,000mg of sodium per day, which is equal to a teaspoon of salt. We first focused on how to read food labels, pointing out that in spite of claims on packages, a low sodium product has 140mg or less of sodium per serving. In my counseling, I strive to take what my clients enjoy and set up meal plans based on their favorite foods. I introduced Don to breakfast options that have no or low salt such as oatmeal, a slice of salt-free bread with unsalted almond or peanut butter, or Kashi Go Lean cereal. I also recommended that he enjoy an omelet made with unsalted butter, Swiss cheese (naturally low in salt at 60mg/slice), spinach, and mushrooms along with fresh salsa. I told Adelle that while I appreciate her desire to go out, there is a short list of foods that must be prepared at home to avoid salt traps. These include homemade soups where wonderful fresh herbs and spices can be substituted for salt, baked turkey breast and chicken with BBQ sauce, vinaigrette salad dressings, and marinara, and cheese sauces that Don loves. I introduced her to salt-free chicken stock as well as vinegars that provide a terrific flavor when splashed onto cooked veggies. She now cooks a great spaghetti sauce consisting of chopped tomatoes along with fresh herbs and garlic, adding some aged Parmesan which only has 75mg/Tbs of sodium. Adelle also loves to make beans soups. I encouraged her to buy salt-free beans or dried beans and soak them over-night and cook them the next day. Adelle and Don did not realize that breads have an average of 150mg of sodium per slice. I suggested using salt-free bread for sandwiches and adding yellow mustard (55mg/teas of sodium). Don was happy to learn he could still enjoy snacks such as unsalted baked chips, unsalted nuts, or even dry cereal that is low in salt. I told them that it would be my job to make sure they will enjoy eating out. We discussed the advantages of ordering proteins that are freshly cooked without salt, where olive oil, lemon, pepper, and herbs shine as a replacement. Though salt is a favorite addition of many cooks to veggies, we discussed the need to be firm with the waiter that salt must be omitted. A side-salad is great to order, and many restaurants will bring you a decanter of oil and vinegar. I emphasized that Don can still enjoy a restaurant meal with salt if he keeps the other meals of the day relatively salt-free to meet the 2,000mg a day sodium goal. We also discussed the advantages of staying in spaces with kitchens which will allow for eating breakfast and some lunches in and dinner out. I advised Don that he must drink 6-8 glasses of water per day to get rid of the salt he is consuming and also to walk 30 minutes per day. I am glad to inform you that after working with Don for a month, his blood pressure is the best it has been in years, and he lost 10 pounds, and he is not scared of eating in restaurants anymore. I will continue to follow Don through phone and e-mail, wherever their travels take them. I am glad to inform you than most insurance companies, including Aetna, Blue Cross, UHC, Cigna, and more, will pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 or email me at Lifeweight1@yahoo.com, and I will check with your insurance and see what your exact coverage is. Please also refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles and more Advertorial information.
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BREAST SURGERY - THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE
By Dr. Barbara Persons
Breast surgery procedures consistently rank as the most requested procedures by women. There are various options when it comes to breast procedures: breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastopexy (breast lift), mastopexy augmentation, or breast reconstruction. Of all the breast procedures I perform, breast augmentation is the most popular. There are several implant options to consider with augmentation. Saline-filled implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water. Silicone-filled implants are silicone shells filled with plastic gel. Several styles of “Gummy bear” implants, or implants with a form stable silicone gel, are on the market which give women another option to consider. Another popular procedure is mastopexy. A mastopexy is a procedure to lift the breast and reposition the nipple in order to obtain a more youthful appearance. Often, an implant is placed to contour the breast. With the process of motherhood, weight gain and aging, our breasts will undergo many changes. As we mature, our appearance and expectations grow with us, and many of my patients would like to look as young as they feel. Before any procedure, there are a series of steps to go through that will ensure that you achieve your desired results. The first important question is why you want to have this procedure; this surgery should be about your wants and needs, not someone else’s. We have been raised to be selfless, and we teach others to be as well, but in this case, it’s okay to be selfish! I consult with female patients almost every day for a variety of breast procedures. Their reasons for wanting a procedure ranges from need for greater self-confidence and improved self-image to correcting breasts that are asymmetrical, to reconstruction after breast cancer. Our breasts are both physically and emotionally important to our image as women. Making the right choice in a partnership with a plastic surgeon can make all the difference. I strongly believe and encourage you to accept nothing less than a surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Note: It is not the same to claim that one is “Board Certified” in a different medical specialty or by a board that is not endorsed by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Any procedure involving the breasts demands the highest levels of experience, knowledge, care, and understanding. Breast surgeries have always been an important focus in my practice. After my plastic surgery residency, I completed an additional fellowship which focused solely on aesthetic and breast surgery. I have presented papers and written chapters in published textbooks on the topic. I have placed over one hundred pairs of breast implants in the past year (that is an average of one breast procedure every three days!). I am proud of the extensive amount of time I have spent training and researching breast procedures. So what should you expect when you come into my office for a consultation? After taking the time to get to know one another and have an examination, my goal is to understand your goal and to explain what we can do to realistically achieve your desired results. I will review your implant options and expertly advise you on the best style and size to achieve your goals. As a patient, know you have options. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who listens to you, who believes they can help you achieve your goals, and who presents you with all the information. As always, it would be my pleasure to discuss breast surgery with you in my Lafayette office and surgery center. 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 925-2834012 or drpersons@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
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THE EYE OPENER By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
DIABETES AND THE EYE
Since the incidence of diabetes is on the rise in this country, I thought this column was a good place and time to discuss a very difficult condition. Because diabetes is a vascular disorder (affecting blood vessels), it can affect every organ and tissue in the body including liver, kidneys, muscles, and eyes. Obviously, I will only discuss the eyes here, but keep in mind diabetes is a disease of the entire body. For many patients, a change in their vision is the first sign of poorly regulated blood sugar. As blood sugar levels in the body rise and fall, the prescription usually follows. I often tell diabetic patients that their blood sugar needs to be in a relatively confined zone to be able to accurately prescribe glasses for them. Assuming there is no bleeding in the retina, the main cause for this is a swelling of the lens. The lens swells in diabetics which causes it to change shape and therefore change the prescription. Normally, a patient will still be able to see 20/20, but there will be a large change in the prescription from the prior year. In patients where there is a large unexplained change in prescription without any other risk factors, the number one assumption is diabetes until proven otherwise. Since the eyes have the third highest oxygen requirement of all organs in the body (only behind the heart and brain), they have an extensive supply of blood vessels. In conditions like diabetes, these blood vessels can start to function poorly and leak blood and fluid into the retina. This fluid accumulation can lead to decreased vision, especially when it is located around the macula and/or the optic nerve. Diabetic retinopathy (a diabetic altering of the retinal blood vessels) is the main condition that needs to be checked thoroughly at your annual eye examination. Because of this, diabetic patients should be dilated annually, regardless of age and medical control of their diabetes. Since the retina is the only place in the body where the blood vessels can be observed without an invasive procedure, it gives a very good indication on how well (or poorly) the blood sugar levels are being regulated. If the retina looks healthy, then for the most part you can assume the other organs in the body are also fine. If there is bleeding and/or fluid leaking in the retina, the blood sugar is not controlled as well as you thought or is poorly controlled. Depending on the location and severity of the bleeding, a retinal consult might be necessary. Regardless, I always send a letter to your primary doctor outlining my findings and any further visits or treatment that is necessary. Diabetes is a very serious condition and should be treated as such. I always tell my patients to follow-up with their medical doctor and other specialists as needed to ensure all organs are working properly. Treatment options usually include, but are not limited to, lifestyle modification, medication, weight loss, and smoking cessation, if applicable. Annual dilated eye exams should be conducted to monitor vision and eye health for all diabetics. Retinal imaging is also recommended as this technology gives a visual depiction of the retina both for documentation and monitoring. Depending on the findings, further visits might be required. For all of our diabetic patients, we look forward to seeing you for your next annual dilated exam to ensure good vision and eyes that are free from any diabetic complications. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry.com, and join in on Facebook, Instagram, Advertorial and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Springtown Preserve in Northern Livermore is a rare alkali sink habitat which EBCNPS continued from page 22 is home to many unusual species. EBCNPS is supporting the City of Livermore’s Delia Taylor, EBCNPS Past-President and current Funding and Development upcoming citizen science effort to document species at the Springtown site. TypiChair, “we had our guide of where we should put our efforts proactively, not in last cally, a BioBlitz counts every species discerned within a 24-hour period. Due to the minute campaigning but before land is slated for development.” She adds, “We write Preserve’s sensitive ecosystem, the April 19th Springtown event restricts access and numerous comment letters on development and land acquisition proposals, attend time on site. A decontamination station will prevent introduction of outside material. meetings, speak at city council meetings and forums, accompany officials in the Members of the public are welcome to visit and learn about this unique area. “Docfield to discuss best practices regarding fuel breaks, and vegetation management.” umenting the species here will bolster efforts to protect this unique and threatened Jim Hanson, EBCNPS Conservation Chair, began working with CNPS in the ecosystem,” notes Megan Verner-Crist, City of Livermore CivicSpark Fellow. early 2000s when Richmond residents Lesley Hunt, EBCNPS Past-President, chairs the Native Here Nursery Committee. reviewed and rejected the plan to build John Danielsen, who supported his wife Charlie in establishing the nursery, continues a Las Vegas-style gambling casino on her work. “Most nurseries that sell native plants are focused on gardening,” Hunt Point Molate. An ongoing source of remarks. “Native Here also grows plants for restoration, so knowing where seeds come concern, Point Molate is one of very few from is critical. Native Here has permits from landowners to gather seed and carefully places in the area with ecosystems that calculates the quantity harvested so the resource continues to thrive. We gather seed can be preserved from the edge of the every week during the 8-9 month period when it is most available, less frequently Bay through upland habitats. Offshore during the winter.” Organized by Contra Costa and Alameda County botanical eelgrass supports diverse communities regions to aid gardeners in selecting appropriate plants, the nursery is open yearof waterfowl, fishes, and crustaceans. round. Visit www.nativeherenursery.org for informative talks, hours, and directions. Hanson notes, “EBCNPS collaboAs Outreach Chair, Hunt asks groups interested in scheduling a program to rates with many other organizations and contact her at least a month in advance (ldhunt@astound.net). Lesley tailors talks active community members on confor garden clubs, community organizations, and academic institutions and brings Native bumblebees are excellent pollinators. servation issues of common concern.” presentation materials to meetings and events. Disseminating accurate information Keeping up with all the meetings and Photo by Jane Kelly. about sensitive subjects like wildfire prevention is important. “More fear and misinfordeadlines is a challenge, but he finds them especially rewarding: “Working with mation is being applied to creating fire breaks than straight thinking,” she warns. “The community members who give up their time in different ways to safeguard the challenge is to get people to accept and apply knowledge based on scientific facts.” ecologically-diverse and scenic natural places that are special to the Bay Area.” “Birds and animals can move in the face of development. Plants can’t. But Seventeen years ago, Jane and Tom Kelly began volunteering at Point Isabel. getting public support for a program to protect a rare endemic plant is not as easy “We observed the environmental degradation of a very important ecosystem, as generating interest in a ‘Save-the-Baby-Sea-Otter’ campaign,” Schwartz notes centered around Hoffman Marsh and decided to do something about it,” Jane while describing the plight of pallid manzanitas threatened by soil-bone disease recalls. Removal of invasive plants and trash, and reintroduction of appropriate and overgrown habitats. Her own property is a native plant oasis.“When a large native shrubs, trees, and grasses (nursed for two years by hand-watering) is hard habitat near our house was destroyed a few years ago, birds moved into our yard. work. No pesticides are used! Jane estimates that several hundred volunteers – Our native plants feed them, and the birdbath gives them water year-round.” many non-members - contributed time in 2019, including 42 freshmen from Valuing common native plants is vital. Taylor writes: “Coyote bushes provide Albany’s St. Mary’s College High School. “For us, it is rewarding to observe the pollen and nectar in fall and winter for pollinators, harbor numerous kinds of significant increase in the bird and insect population that we observe each year.” beneficial insects, and offer food and cover for birds and small mammals. They One dedicated individual demonstrating the power of habitat restoration can serve as ‘nurse plants’ for oaks and other trees. They stay green all year, are drought generate an impressive following of fellow volunteers. Glen Schneider, recipient of tolerant and unpalatable to deer, and can be trimmed and shaped.” a 2018 Jefferson Award, started removing invasive plants along the Skyline Trail On March 25th, EBCNPS welcomes UC Berkeley Professor Gordon Frankie by himself. Now sponsored by EBMUD and EBCNPS, Skyline Gardens straddles presenting “Why Should We Care About Native Bees?” Free monthly meetings, the spine of the Berkeley Hills. The website reports: “It is the most botanically usually held at the Orinda Library, occur on the fourth Wednesday of the month, diverse area of its size (about 250 acres) in the entire East Bay. Two hundred and January-May and September-November at 7:30PM. Find details, volunteering opeighty-two natives species have been identified so far.” portunities, issues of the Bay Leaf monthly newsletter, and more at www.ebcnps.org.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
March 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TONE MUSCLE WITHOUT EXERCISE?
OPEN SUNDAYS IN 2020!
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
“Can I tone muscle without going to the gym?” This question has been asked many times in the past. Historically, the answer to this question has been a resounding, “No.” However, technology has changed that, and now there is a way to tone muscle without exercise. Allergan, the maker of Botox, now introduces CoolTone to the US market. The CoolTone device is FDA-cleared for improvement of abdominal tone, strengthening of the abdominal muscles, and development for firmer abdomen. CoolTone is also FDA-cleared for strengthening, toning, and firming of the buttocks and thighs. Is this too good to be true? Does this mean you can stop going to the gym? Do you wonder if you can finally get my much dreamed about six-pack? Let’s answer these questions. CoolTone is a non-invasive body contouring device that uses Magnetic Muscle Stimulation (MMS) to strengthen, tone, and firm the muscles of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. CoolTone is meant to enhance the results you get in the gym, not to replace the gym. CoolTone’s powerful MMS technology penetrates below the fat layer to strengthen and tone muscle. The CoolTone device is completely noninvasive. The magnetic stimulation causes the muscle to repeatedly contract. This causes the muscle to strengthen and tone. CoolTone can be used by itself or with other treatment modalities. CoolTone sessions typically last 30 minutes and require several sessions. CoolSculpting has become the gold standard for non-invasive fat reduction. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than are other structures in the skin. Many of our patients have chosen CoolSculpting over surgical procedures such as liposuction. CoolTone will likely be a great compliment to CoolSculpting as well as a stand-alone treatment option. CoolSculpting can remove the fat, and CoolTone can then firm and tone the underlying muscle. This is likely to be a winning combination. CoolTone is not for everyone. Because it uses MMS, it cannot be used in patients with implantable metal devices such as pacemakers, implanted hearing devices, implanted defibrillators, implanted neurostimulators, drug pumps, or hearing aids. The restrictions are similar to MRI scans which also use magnets. Because it stimulates muscle, we don’t recommend the treatment while menstruating as it may worsen cramping. Other than that, it is a safe, non-invasive way to tone muscle. CoolTone just launched in the United States. We are proud to announce that we are one of the first practices to be able to offer this treatment. Please call us today to schedule your CoolTone or CoolSculpting consultation. Lastly, don’t give up the gym membership! 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
SUPPLEMENT SPOTLIGHT ON TURMERIC
By Marchelle Milligan
Turmeric is an herb that is getting a lot of attention these days. Turmeric can be helpful with so many things in the body such as reducing inflammation, joint support, antioxidant support, and liver function. The active component of turmeric is curcumin. We know that curcumin alone has poor bio-availability whether it is taken as a food or as a supplement. Many supplement companies add black pepper or piperine to help make the curcuminoids more bio-available. While this helps some, you get more of a conjugated form which is less active than free curcuminoids. To get more of the free curcuminoids, studies have found that adding fenugreek seed allows more of the free curcuminoid form, making it more bio-available with fewer tablets. (Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 22, April 2016). For more information about turmeric products and other nutritional support, log onto www.therhythmwithin.org. To schedule an appointment, please book on the website or contact Marchelle Milligan at (925) 286-6237. Our office is located in Alamo. Advertorial
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MOBILTY MATTERS HELPING SENIORS AND VETERANS
Is your New Year’s resolution to get more involved with our community and to volunteer? Mobility Matters is in need of volunteer drivers. Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that provides free, door-through-door, one-on-one rides to ambulatory seniors and veterans who cannot take other forms of transportation primarily for medical appointments and grocery shopping. Each ride is only about three hours and you get to schedule your own hours. Most volunteer drivers provide one ride every week or two. Please contact David Benet at Mobility Matters at (925)284-2215 or david@ mobilitymatterscc.com if you are interested in more information about volunteer opportunities. To place an ad, share a story, or for more information about our paper, call 925.405.6397 or email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.
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PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • March 2020
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